भोगाभिगमदौर्भाग्यं दिनानुदिनम् उज्झता । तेन तत् कुलम् आभाति ताराचक्रम् इवेन्दुना
As he daily abandons the misfortune of being drawn to pleasures, his family shines because of him, like a constellation of stars illuminated by the moon.
अभोगकृपणा कापि नवैवास्य प्रवर्तते । मुखे कान्तिर् अपूर्वैव चन्द्रे राहौ मृते यथा
A new and unprecedented radiance appears on his face, as if the moon had gained a unique luster after the eclipse demon has perished.
तृणीकृतत्रिजगतां महताम् अभिधेयताम् । स याति कल्पविटपी नभसीव दिवौकसाम्
He attains the status of the great, who treat the three worlds as mere straw, just as the wish-fulfilling tree stands in the sky for the gods.
भोगानां द्वेषणेनान्तर् लज्जमानो मनस्व्य् अपि । भोगानाम् अन्यसम्पत्त्या परमं परितुष्यति
Even though strong-minded, he feels inward shame by despising pleasures, and finds supreme satisfaction in the happiness of others' enjoyments.
स्वा एवोपहसत्य् अन्तस् तरणी तरलक्रियाः । खेदस्मेरमुखो जातीर् जातिस्मर इवाधमाः
He secretly mocks his own fleeting actions, his face smiling with weariness, like one who remembers his past births looking at the lowly.
अथ तं द्रष्टुम् आयान्ति सौहार्देनैव साधवः । भूमाव् इवोदितं चन्द्रं विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचनाः
Then, the virtuous come to see him out of friendship, their eyes wide with wonder, as if gazing at the moon risen on the earth.
नित्यानादृतभोगो ऽसौ तम् अप्य् उचितया धिया । प्राप्तम् अप्य् उचितारम्भं भोगं न बहु मन्यते
He always enjoys pleasures without attachment, and even when such enjoyment comes to him appropriately, he does not regard it as significant.
पूर्वं संसृतिवैरस्यम् अन्तर् एवोदितात्मनः । जायते जीर्णजाड्यस्य पाकाद् इव शरत्तरोः
Previously, a distaste for worldly existence arises within him, as ripening brings about the shedding of old dullness, like a tree in autumn.
ततस् सज्जनसम्पर्कम् उदर्कश्रेयसे स्वयम् । करोति स्वस्थतागृध्नुर् भिषगाश्रयणं यथा
Then, desiring well-being, he himself seeks the company of virtuous people for the sake of future benefit, just as one who longs for health turns to a physician.
तेनोदारमतिर् भूत्वा शास्त्रार्थेषु निमज्जति । महान् महाप्रसन्नेषु सरस्स्व् इव महागजः
Through this, becoming noble-minded, he immerses himself in the meaning of the scriptures, like a great elephant in vast, clear lakes.
सज्जनो हि समुत्तार्य विपद्भ्यो निकटस्थितम् । नियोजयति सम्पत्सु स्वालोकेष्व् इव भास्करः
Indeed, a virtuous person, having rescued one close by from misfortune, establishes him in prosperity, as the sun does with its own rays.
परस्वादानविरतिḫ पूर्वम् एव प्रवर्तते । विवेकिनो निजार्थेषु सन्तोषश् चोपजायते
Abstention from taking what belongs to others begins early, and for the discerning, contentment arises regarding their own possessions.
परस्वादानविरतस् सन्तोषामृतनिर्भरः । विवेकी क्रमशस् स्वार्थान् अप्य् उपेक्षितुम् इच्छति
The discerning one, filled with the nectar of contentment and refraining from taking others’ possessions, gradually wishes to disregard even his own interests.
ददाति कणपिण्याकशाकान्य् अपि हि याचते । तेनैवाभ्यासयोगेन स्वमांसानि ददात्य् असौ
He gives even grains, flour, and vegetables when asked, and through the practice of such giving, he comes to offer even his own flesh.
नूनं विरलचिन्तानां विवेकम् अनुधावताम् । मौर्ख्यं लघुत्वम् आयाति धावताम् इव गोष्पदम्
Surely, for those whose thoughts are scattered and who pursue discernment, foolishness and shallowness arise, just as a puddle forms when water runs.
परार्थादानविरतिं पूर्वम् अभ्यस्य यत्नतः । आहर्तव्या विवेकेन ततस् स्वार्थेष्व् अरक्तता
At first, with effort, one should practice ceasing to act for the sake of others; then, through discernment, one must bring about dispassion even for one's own interests.
ततो भोगनिरासेन सह स्वार्थनिराकृतिः । परमायै स्वविश्रान्त्यै क्रियते कृतिभिẖ क्रमात्
Thereafter, by renouncing enjoyment along with the rejection of self-interest, the wise gradually attain supreme repose in their own being.
न तादृशं जगत्य् अस्ति दुẖखं नरककोटिषु । यादृशं यावदायुष्कम् अर्थोपार्जनशासनम्
There is no suffering in the world, nor in countless hells, like the lifelong burden of striving to acquire wealth.
आसने शयने याने गमने रमणे ऽर्जने । आढ्याश् चिन्तापरा एव न तु मूढा विदन्ति ताम्
Whether sitting, lying, traveling, moving, enjoying, or acquiring, the wealthy are always absorbed in anxiety; only the foolish do not perceive this.
नन्व् अर्था विततानर्थास् सम्पदस् सन्ततापदः । भोगा भवमहारोगा विपरीतेन भाविताः
Indeed, possessions are the root of endless misfortune, riches are a constant source of pain, and enjoyments are the great disease of existence—so it is understood by those who see clearly.
तावन् नायाति वैवश्यं चिन्ताविषविजृम्भणैः । यावद् अर्थमहानर्थो न कदर्थार्थम् अर्थ्यते
One does not fall into distress from the poison of anxiety until the great misfortune of wealth is sought for the sake of trivial gain.
अनुत्तमसुखं यस्मै चिराय परिरोचते । जरत्तृणशिखादृष्ट्या सो ऽर्थं पश्यतु शाम्यतु
Let him who delights for long in unsurpassed happiness look upon wealth as dry grass and be at peace.
भूरिभावविकाराणां जरामरणकर्मणाम् । दैन्यदौरात्म्यदाहानाम् अर्थस् सार्थपतिस् स्मृतः
The leader of the caravan is said to be the purpose for the many changes of condition, the actions of old age and death, and the burning of misery and misfortune.
अस्मिञ् जगति जन्तूनां जरामरणशालिनाम् । अजरामरतां कर्तुं सन्तोषो ऽस्ति रसायनम्
In this world, for beings subject to old age and death, contentment is the elixir that can grant the state of being free from aging and dying.
वसन्तो नन्दनोद्यानम् इन्दुर् अप्सरसस् स्मरः । इत्य् एकतस् समुदितं सन्तोषामृतम् एकतः
On one side are gathered spring, the garden of Nandana, the moon, celestial nymphs, and love; on the other side is the nectar of contentment.
सरसḫ प्रावृषेवान्तस् सन्तोषेणैति पूर्णताम् । गम्भीरां शीतलां हृद्यां प्रसन्नां रसशालिनीम्
Within, like the rainy season filling the lake, contentment brings fullness—deep, cool, delightful, and rich in essence.
साधुर् ओजस्विताम् एत्य सन्तोषेण विराजते । सुपुष्पितवराकारो वसन्तेनेव पादपः
The virtuous one, attaining vigor through contentment, shines like a tree in spring, splendid with abundant blossoms.
पादपातपरामर्शपिष्टकीटवद् ईहते । दीनप्रकृतिर् अर्थार्थी दुẖखाद् दुẖखान्तरं व्रजन्
The one whose nature is dejected, seeking after gain, strives like a worm crushed by the touch of a foot, moving from one sorrow to another.
कल्लोलविकलाẖ क्षुब्धसमुद्रपतिता इव । नाप्नुवन्ति स्थितिं स्वस्थां विकृताकृतयो ऽर्थिनः
Those whose minds are distorted by desire, like broken waves fallen into a turbulent sea, do not attain a stable and healthy state.
सम्पदḫ प्रमदाश् चैव तरङ्गोत्सङ्गभङ्गुराः । कस् तास्व् अहिफणच्छत्त्रच्छायासु रमते बुधः
Wealth and women are as fragile as waves rising and falling; what wise person delights in the shade of a serpent's hood?