Kanika's Counsel to Dhritarashtra

Verse 1 (1.153.1)

श्रुत्वा पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्बलोद्रिक्तान्महौजसः । धृतराष्ट्रो महीपालश्चिन्तामगमदातुरः ॥

śrutvā pāṇḍusutānvīrānbalodriktānmahaujasaḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭro mahīpālaścintāmagamadāturaḥ

Hearing that the sons of Pandu were heroes, brimming with strength and of great vigour, Dhritarashtra, protector of the earth, grew anxious and troubled.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 2 (1.153.2)

तत आहूय मन्त्रज्ञं राजशास्त्रार्थवित्तमम् । कणिकं मन्त्रिणां श्रेष्ठं धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीद्वचः ॥

tata āhūya mantrajñaṃ rājaśāstrārthavittamam | kaṇikaṃ mantriṇāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭro'bravīdvacaḥ

Then he summoned Kanika, best of ministers, skilled in counsel and deeply versed in the meaning of the science of kingship, and Dhritarashtra spoke these words:

Note on the text: Corrected धृतराष्ट्रऽब्रवीद्वचः → धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीद्वचः (misprint in Wikisource; the vowel sign ो before the avagraha was dropped, leaving no nominative). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 3 (1.153.3)

उत्सिक्ताः पाण्डवा नित्यं तेभ्योऽसूये द्विजोत्तम । तत्र मे निश्चिततमं सन्धिविग्रहकारणम् । कणिक त्वं ममाचक्ष्व करिष्ये वचनं तव ॥

utsiktāḥ pāṇḍavā nityaṃ tebhyo'sūye dvijottama | tatra me niścitatamaṃ sandhivigrahakāraṇam | kaṇika tvaṃ mamācakṣva kariṣye vacanaṃ tava

"The Pandavas grow ever more proud, and I resent them, O best of the twice-born. Kanika, tell me what you judge most certain on this — the grounds for making peace or making war — and I will do as you say."

Note on the text: Corrected उत्सक्ताः → उत्सिक्ताः (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped vowel sign ि — "puffed up, arrogant", which the following तेभ्योऽसूये requires). Speaker changed from वैशम्पायन to धृतराष्ट्र: no speaker line is printed, but the whole verse is Dhritarashtra's speech, introduced in the verse before. A three-line verse as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 4 (1.153.4)

दुर्योधनोऽथ शकुनिः कर्णदुःशासनावपि । कणिकं ह्युपसंगृह्य मन्त्रिणं सौबलस्य च ॥

duryodhano'tha śakuniḥ karṇaduḥśāsanāvapi | kaṇikaṃ hyupasaṃgṛhya mantriṇaṃ saubalasya ca

Then Duryodhana and Shakuni, and Karna and Duhshasana as well, drew close to Kanika, the counsellor of Subala's son,

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki quote mark (`) at the start of the verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 5 (1.153.5)

पप्रच्छुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवान्प्रति नैकधा । प्रबुद्धाः पाण्डवा नित्यं सर्वे तेभ्यस्त्रसामहे ॥

papracchurbharataśreṣṭha pāṇḍavānprati naikadhā | prabuddhāḥ pāṇḍavā nityaṃ sarve tebhyastrasāmahe

and, O best of the Bharatas, questioned him in many ways about the Pandavas: "The Pandavas are always wakeful, and all of us live in fear of them.

Note on the text: The narrator speaks the first line; the second begins the question put by Duryodhana and the others. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 6 (1.153.6)

अनूनं सर्वपक्षाणां यद्भवेत्क्षेमकारकम् । भारद्वाज तदाचक्ष्व करिष्यामः कथं वयम् ॥

anūnaṃ sarvapakṣāṇāṃ yadbhavetkṣemakārakam | bhāradvāja tadācakṣva kariṣyāmaḥ kathaṃ vayam

"Son of Bharadvaja, tell us whatever would bring safety on every side, with nothing left wanting. How are we to act?"

Note on the text: Speaker changed from वैशम्पायन to Duryodhana and the others (दुर्योधनादय ऊचुः): no speaker line is printed, but the whole verse is their question to Kanika, begun in the verse before. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 7 (1.153.7)

स प्रसन्नमनास्तेन परिपृष्टो द्विजोत्तमः । उवाच वचनं तीक्ष्णं राजशास्त्रार्थदर्शनम् ॥

sa prasannamanāstena paripṛṣṭo dvijottamaḥ | uvāca vacanaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ rājaśāstrārthadarśanam

Questioned in this way, that best of the twice-born, pleased at heart, spoke sharp words that laid bare the purpose of the science of kingship.

Note on the text: Removed the speaker line वैशंपायन उवाच and a stray quote mark that had slipped into the verse text as its first line. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 8 (1.153.8)

शृणु राजन्निदं तत्र प्रोच्यमानं मयानघ । न मेऽभ्यसूया कर्तव्या श्रुत्वैतत्कुरुसत्तम ॥

śṛṇu rājannidaṃ tatra procyamānaṃ mayānagha | na me'bhyasūyā kartavyā śrutvaitatkurusattama

"Listen, sinless king, to what I shall set out on this matter; and having heard it, best of the Kurus, do not be angry with me."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 9 (1.153.9)

नित्यमुद्यतदण्डः स्यान्नित्यं विवृतपौरुषः । अच्छिद्रश्छिद्रदर्शी स्यात्परेषां विवरानुगः ॥

nityamudyatadaṇḍaḥ syānnityaṃ vivṛtapauruṣaḥ | acchidraśchidradarśī syātpareṣāṃ vivarānugaḥ

"A king should always keep the rod of punishment raised and his might always on display. He should have no weak spot himself, watch for the weak spots of others, and follow up every opening they leave."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 10 (1.153.10)

नित्यमुद्यतदण्डाद्धि भृशमुद्विजते जनः । तस्मात्सर्वाणि कार्याणि दण्डेनैव विधारयेत् ॥

nityamudyatadaṇḍāddhi bhṛśamudvijate janaḥ | tasmātsarvāṇi kāryāṇi daṇḍenaiva vidhārayet

"For people are greatly afraid of one whose rod is always raised; therefore he should carry out all his affairs by the rod alone."

Note on the text: Corrected भऋशमुद्विजते → भृशमुद्विजते (misprint in Wikisource; a broken akshara — भ + independent ऋ for भृ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 11 (1.153.11)

नास्य च्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेण परमन्वियात् । गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि रक्षेद्विवरमात्मनः ॥

nāsya cchidraṃ paraḥ paśyecchidreṇa paramanviyāt | gūhetkūrma ivāṅgāni rakṣedvivaramātmanaḥ

"Let no enemy see his weak spot, but let him go after the enemy through the enemy's own weak spot. As a tortoise draws in its limbs, he should hide his, and guard his own openings."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 12 (1.153.12)

नित्यं च ब्राह्मणाः पूज्या नृपेण हितमिच्छता । सृष्टो नृपो हि विप्राणां पालने दुष्टनिग्रहे ॥

nityaṃ ca brāhmaṇāḥ pūjyā nṛpeṇa hitamicchatā | sṛṣṭo nṛpo hi viprāṇāṃ pālane duṣṭanigrahe

"A king who wishes his own good should always honour the brahmins; for the king was created to protect the brahmins and to restrain the wicked."

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki quote mark (`) at the start of the verse. Corrected विप्रामां → विप्राणां (misprint in Wikisource; म for ण in the genitive plural). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 13 (1.153.13)

उभाभ्यां वर्धते धर्मो धर्मवृद्ध्या जितावुभौ । लोकश्चायं परश्चैव ततो धर्मं समाचरेत् ॥

ubhābhyāṃ vardhate dharmo dharmavṛddhyā jitāvubhau | lokaścāyaṃ paraścaiva tato dharmaṃ samācaret

"Dharma grows through these two, and through the growth of dharma both worlds are won — this world and the next. Therefore one should practise dharma."

Note on the text: Corrected उभाब्यां → उभाभ्यां (misprint in Wikisource; ब for भ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 14 (1.153.14)

कृतापराधं पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा यः क्षमते नृपः । तेनावमानमाप्नोति पापं चेह परत्र च ॥

kṛtāparādhaṃ puruṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā yaḥ kṣamate nṛpaḥ | tenāvamānamāpnoti pāpaṃ ceha paratra ca

"A king who sees a man who has committed an offence and pardons him earns contempt by it, and sin both here and hereafter."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 15 (1.153.15)

यो विभूतिमवाप्योच्चै राज्ञो विकुरुतेऽधमः । तमानयित्वा हत्वा च दद्याद्धीनाय तद्धनम् ॥

yo vibhūtimavāpyoccai rājño vikurute'dhamaḥ | tamānayitvā hatvā ca dadyāddhīnāya taddhanam

"If some base man, having risen to high fortune, turns against the king, the king should have him brought in, put him to death, and give his wealth to someone of humble station."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 16 (1.153.16)

नो चेद्धुरि नियुक्ता ये स्थास्यन्ति वशमात्मनः । राजा नियुञ्ज्यात्पुरुषानाप्तान्धर्मार्थकोविदान् ॥

no ceddhuri niyuktā ye sthāsyanti vaśamātmanaḥ | rājā niyuñjyātpuruṣānāptāndharmārthakovidān

"Otherwise those placed in charge will act only at their own will. The king should appoint trustworthy men who understand dharma and wealth."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 17 (1.153.17)

ये नियुक्तास्तथा केचिद्राष्ट्रं वा यदि वा पुरम् । ग्रामं जनपदं वापि बाधेयुर्यदि वा न वा ॥

ye niyuktāstathā kecidrāṣṭraṃ vā yadi vā puram | grāmaṃ janapadaṃ vāpi bādheyuryadi vā na vā

"Whether any of those so appointed are oppressing the kingdom or the city, a village or a district, or are not —"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 18 (1.153.18)

परीक्षणार्थं विसृजेदानतांश्छन्नरूपिणः । परीक्ष्य पापकं जह्याद्धनमादाय सर्वशः ॥

parīkṣaṇārthaṃ visṛjedānatāṃśchannarūpiṇaḥ | parīkṣya pāpakaṃ jahyāddhanamādāya sarvaśaḥ

"to test this he should send out loyal men in disguise; and having tested them, he should cast out the wrongdoer, stripping him of all his wealth."

Note on the text: Removed a stray ।। and wiki quote mark (') before the closing ॥. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 19 (1.153.19)

नासम्यक्कृत्यकारी स्यादुपक्रम्य कदाचन । कण्टको ह्यपि दुश्छिन्न आस्रावं जनयेच्चिरम् ॥

nāsamyakkṛtyakārī syādupakramya kadācana | kaṇṭako hyapi duśchinna āsrāvaṃ janayecciram

"Once he has begun something, he should never carry it out badly; for even a thorn badly cut out goes on festering for a long time."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 20 (1.153.20)

वधमेव प्रशंसन्ति शत्रूणामपकारिणाम् । सुविदीर्णं सुविक्रान्तं सुयुद्धं सुपलायितम् ॥

vadhameva praśaṃsanti śatrūṇāmapakāriṇām | suvidīrṇaṃ suvikrāntaṃ suyuddhaṃ supalāyitam

"The wise praise only the slaying of enemies who do harm. They commend the foe thoroughly broken, boldly assailed and well fought — and even a well-timed retreat."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 21 (1.153.21)

आपद्यापदि काले कुर्वीत न विचारयेत् । नावज्ञेयो रिपुस्तात दुर्बलोऽपि कथं चन ॥

āpadyāpadi kāle kurvīta na vicārayet | nāvajñeyo ripustāta durbalo'pi kathaṃ cana

"In each misfortune he should act at the right moment and not stop to deliberate. And never, my dear, should an enemy be scorned, however weak."

Note on the text: The first line is a syllable short as printed (आपद्यापदि काले); left unchanged, since every word is sound. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 22 (1.153.22)

अल्पोऽप्यग्निर्वनं कृत्स्नं दहत्याश्रयसंश्रयात् । अन्धः स्यादन्धवेलायां बाधिर्यमपि चाश्रयेत् ॥

alpo'pyagnirvanaṃ kṛtsnaṃ dahatyāśrayasaṃśrayāt | andhaḥ syādandhavelāyāṃ bādhiryamapi cāśrayet

"Even a small fire, once it has something to cling to, burns down a whole forest. When the time calls for blindness he should be blind, and he should take on deafness too."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 23 (1.153.23)

कुर्यात्तृणमयं चापं शयीत मृगशायिकाम् । सान्त्वादिभिरुपायैस्तु हन्याच्छत्रुं वशे स्थितं ॥

kuryāttṛṇamayaṃ cāpaṃ śayīta mṛgaśāyikām | sāntvādibhirupāyaistu hanyācchatruṃ vaśe sthitaṃ

"He should make his bow look like a thing of grass and sleep as a deer sleeps; but once the enemy is in his power, he should kill him by conciliation and the other means."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 24 (1.153.24)

दया न तस्मिन्कर्तव्या शरणागत इत्युत । निरुद्विग्नो हि भवति न हताज्जायते भयम् ॥

dayā na tasminkartavyā śaraṇāgata ityuta | nirudvigno hi bhavati na hatājjāyate bhayam

"No pity should be shown to him on the ground that he has come for refuge. Only then is one free of anxiety, for no fear arises from an enemy who is dead."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 25 (1.153.25)

हन्यादमित्रं दानेन तथा पूर्वापकारिणम् । हन्यात्त्रीन्पञ्च सप्तेति परपक्षस्य सर्वशः ॥

hanyādamitraṃ dānena tathā pūrvāpakāriṇam | hanyāttrīnpañca sapteti parapakṣasya sarvaśaḥ

"He should kill the enemy — and likewise one who harmed him in the past — even by means of gifts. Of the opposing side he should strike down everywhere the three, the five and the seven."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 26 (1.153.26)

मूलमेवादितश्छिन्द्यात्परपक्षस्य नित्यशः । ततः सहायांस्तत्पक्षान्सर्वांश्च तदनन्तरम् ॥

mūlamevāditaśchindyātparapakṣasya nityaśaḥ | tataḥ sahāyāṃstatpakṣānsarvāṃśca tadanantaram

"He should always cut away the very root of the opposing side first, then its allies and partisans, and after that all the rest."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 27 (1.153.27)

छिन्नमूले ह्यधिष्ठाने सर्वे तज्जीविनो हताः । कथं नु शाखास्तिष्ठेरंश्छिन्नमूले वनस्पतौ ॥

chinnamūle hyadhiṣṭhāne sarve tajjīvino hatāḥ | kathaṃ nu śākhāstiṣṭheraṃśchinnamūle vanaspatau

"For when the root of the foundation is cut, all who live by it are destroyed. How could the branches stand once the root of the tree is cut?"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 28 (1.153.28)

एकाग्रः स्यादविवृतो नित्यं विवरदर्शकः । राजन्नित्यं सपत्नेषु नित्योद्विग्नः समाचरेत् ॥

ekāgraḥ syādavivṛto nityaṃ vivaradarśakaḥ | rājannityaṃ sapatneṣu nityodvignaḥ samācaret

"He should be single-minded and close-mouthed, always looking for openings. O king, he should deal with his rivals ever watchful and on his guard."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 29 (1.153.29)

अग्न्याधानेन यज्ञेन काषायेण जटाजिनैः । लोकान्विश्वासयित्वैव ततो लुम्पेद्यथा वृकः ॥

agnyādhānena yajñena kāṣāyeṇa jaṭājinaiḥ | lokānviśvāsayitvaiva tato lumpedyathā vṛkaḥ

"By kindling the sacred fires, by sacrifice, by ochre robes, matted hair and deerskins, he should first win people's trust — and then fall upon them like a wolf."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 30 (1.153.30)

अङ्कुशं शौचमित्याहुरर्थानामुपधारणे । आनाम्य फलितां शाखां पक्वं पक्वं प्रशातयेत् ॥

aṅkuśaṃ śaucamityāhurarthānāmupadhāraṇe | ānāmya phalitāṃ śākhāṃ pakvaṃ pakvaṃ praśātayet

"They say a show of purity is the goad for securing wealth. Bending down the branch laden with fruit, he should pluck each fruit as it ripens."

Note on the text: Corrected शोचम् → शौचम् (misprint in Wikisource; ो for ौ — "purity", the outward show that serves as a goad). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 31 (1.153.31)

फलार्थोऽयं समारम्भो लोके पुंसां विपश्चिताम् । वहेदमित्रं स्कन्धेन यावत्कालस्य पर्ययः ॥

phalārtho'yaṃ samārambho loke puṃsāṃ vipaścitām | vahedamitraṃ skandhena yāvatkālasya paryayaḥ

"Every undertaking of the wise in this world is for the sake of its fruit. He should carry his enemy on his shoulder until the time turns."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 32 (1.153.32)

ततः प्रत्यागते काले भिन्द्याद्घटमिवाश्मनि । अमित्रो न विमोक्तव्यः कृपणं बह्वपि ब्रुवन् ॥

tataḥ pratyāgate kāle bhindyādghaṭamivāśmani | amitro na vimoktavyaḥ kṛpaṇaṃ bahvapi bruvan

"Then, when his time has come, he should smash him like a pot against a stone. An enemy must not be let go, however piteously and at whatever length he pleads."

Note on the text: Corrected भिन्द्याद्धृटमिवाश्मनि → भिन्द्याद्घटमिवाश्मनि (misprint in Wikisource; धृ for घ — "like a pot against a stone"). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 33 (1.153.33)

कृपा न तस्मिन्कर्तव्या हन्यादेवापकारिणम् । हन्यादमित्रं सान्त्वेन तथा दानेन वा पुनः ॥

kṛpā na tasminkartavyā hanyādevāpakāriṇam | hanyādamitraṃ sāntvena tathā dānena vā punaḥ

"No compassion should be shown him; one should simply kill the wrongdoer. One should destroy the enemy by conciliation, or again by gifts,"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 34 (1.153.34)

तथैव भेददण्डाभ्यां सर्वोपायैः प्रशातयेत् । कथं सान्त्वेन दानेन भेदैर्दण्डेन वा पुनः ॥

tathaiva bhedadaṇḍābhyāṃ sarvopāyaiḥ praśātayet | kathaṃ sāntvena dānena bhedairdaṇḍena vā punaḥ

"and likewise by sowing dissension and by force — by every means he should bring him down." Dhritarashtra said: "How, by conciliation, by gifts, by dissension or by force,

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line धृतराष्ट्र उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Kanika, who speaks its first line. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 35 (1.153.35)

अमित्रः शक्यते हन्तुं तन्मे ब्रूहि यथातथम् । शृणु राजन्यथा वृत्तं वने निवसतः पुरा ॥

amitraḥ śakyate hantuṃ tanme brūhi yathātatham | śṛṇu rājanyathā vṛttaṃ vane nivasataḥ purā

"can an enemy be destroyed? Tell me this exactly as it is." Kanika said: "Listen, O king, to what happened long ago to a jackal who lived in the forest,

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line कणिक उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Dhritarashtra, who speaks its first line. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 36 (1.153.36)

जम्बुकस्य महाराज नीतिशास्त्रार्थदर्शिनः । अथ कश्चित्कृतप्रज्ञः शृगालः स्वार्थपण्डितः ॥

jambukasya mahārāja nītiśāstrārthadarśinaḥ | atha kaścitkṛtaprajñaḥ śṛgālaḥ svārthapaṇḍitaḥ

"a jackal, great king, who saw into the purpose of the science of policy. There was once a clever jackal, shrewd in his own interest,"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 37 (1.153.37)

सखिभिर्न्यवसत्सार्धं व्याघ्राखुवृकबभ्रुभिः । तेऽपश्यन्विपिने तस्मिन्बलिनं मृगयूथपम् ॥

sakhibhirnyavasatsārdhaṃ vyāghrākhuvṛkababhrubhiḥ | te'paśyanvipine tasminbalinaṃ mṛgayūthapam

"who lived together with his friends — a tiger, a mouse, a wolf and a mongoose. In that forest they saw a powerful stag, the leader of a herd."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 38 (1.153.38)

अशक्ता ग्रहणे तस्य ततो मन्त्रममन्त्रयन् । असकृद्यतितो ह्येष हन्तुं व्याघ्र वने त्वया ॥

aśaktā grahaṇe tasya tato mantramamantrayan | asakṛdyatito hyeṣa hantuṃ vyāghra vane tvayā

"Unable to catch him, they then took counsel together." The jackal said: "Tiger, you have tried again and again to kill this one in the forest,

Note on the text: Wikisource prints the speaker line जम्बुक उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with Kanika, who narrates its first line. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 39 (1.153.39)

युवा वै जवसंपन्नो बुद्धिशाली न शक्यते । मूषिकोऽस्य शयानस्य चरणौ भक्षयत्वयम् ॥

yuvā vai javasaṃpanno buddhiśālī na śakyate | mūṣiko'sya śayānasya caraṇau bhakṣayatvayam

"but he is young, swift and clever, and cannot be caught. Let this mouse gnaw at his feet while he sleeps."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 40 (1.153.40)

अथैनं भक्षितैः पादैर्व्याघ्रो गृह्णातु वै ततः । ततो वै भक्षयिष्यामः सर्वे मुदितमानसाः ॥

athainaṃ bhakṣitaiḥ pādairvyāghro gṛhṇātu vai tataḥ | tato vai bhakṣayiṣyāmaḥ sarve muditamānasāḥ

"Then, when his feet have been gnawed, let the tiger seize him; and after that all of us will eat him with glad hearts."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 41 (1.153.41)

जम्बुकस्य तु तद्वाक्यं तथा चक्रुः समाहिताः । मूषिकाभक्षितैः पादैर्मृगं व्याघ्रोऽवधीत्तदा ॥

jambukasya tu tadvākyaṃ tathā cakruḥ samāhitāḥ | mūṣikābhakṣitaiḥ pādairmṛgaṃ vyāghro'vadhīttadā

"They carefully did just as the jackal had said; and when the mouse had nibbled the stag's feet, the tiger killed it."

Note on the text: Corrected चक्रः → चक्रुः (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped vowel sign ु in the third-person plural perfect). Speaker changed from जम्बुक to कणिक: the verse is narration of the fable, which Kanika tells; the jackal's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 42 (1.153.42)

दृष्ट्वैवाचेष्टमानं तु भूमौ मृगकलेवरम् । स्नात्वाऽऽगच्छत भद्रं वोरक्षामीत्याह जम्बुकः ॥

dṛṣṭvaivāceṣṭamānaṃ tu bhūmau mṛgakalevaram | snātvā''gacchata bhadraṃ vorakṣāmītyāha jambukaḥ

"Seeing the stag's body lying motionless on the ground, the jackal said, 'Go and bathe, and come back — good luck to you; I will stand guard.'"

Note on the text: Speaker changed from जम्बुक to कणिक: the verse is narration of the fable, which Kanika tells; the jackal's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 43 (1.153.43)

शृगालवचनात्तेऽपि गताः सर्वे नदीं ततः । स चिन्तापरमो भूत्वा तस्थौ तत्रैव जम्बुकः ॥

śṛgālavacanātte'pi gatāḥ sarve nadīṃ tataḥ | sa cintāparamo bhūtvā tasthau tatraiva jambukaḥ

"At the jackal's word they all went off to the river, while the jackal stayed right there, sunk deep in thought."

Note on the text: Speaker changed from जम्बुक to कणिक: the verse is narration of the fable, which Kanika tells; the jackal's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 44 (1.153.44)

अथाजगाम पूर्वं तु स्नात्वा व्याघ्रो महाबलः । ददर्श जम्बुकं चैव चिन्ताकुलितमानसम् ॥

athājagāma pūrvaṃ tu snātvā vyāghro mahābalaḥ | dadarśa jambukaṃ caiva cintākulitamānasam

"Then the mighty tiger, having bathed, came back first, and found the jackal with his mind clouded by worry."

Note on the text: Speaker changed from जम्बुक to कणिक: the verse is narration of the fable, which Kanika tells; the jackal's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 45 (1.153.45)

किं शोचसि महाप्राज्ञ त्वं नो बुद्धिमतां वरः । अशित्वा पिशितान्यद्य विहरिष्यामहे वयम् ॥

kiṃ śocasi mahāprājña tvaṃ no buddhimatāṃ varaḥ | aśitvā piśitānyadya vihariṣyāmahe vayam

"Why are you grieving, wise one? You are the cleverest of us all. Today we shall eat the flesh and enjoy ourselves."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 46 (1.153.46)

शृणु मे त्वं महाबाहो यद्वाक्यं मूषिकोऽब्रवीत् । धिग्बलं मृगराजस्य मयाद्यायं मृगो हतः ॥

śṛṇu me tvaṃ mahābāho yadvākyaṃ mūṣiko'bravīt | dhigbalaṃ mṛgarājasya mayādyāyaṃ mṛgo hataḥ

"Hear, mighty-armed one, what the mouse said: 'Shame on the strength of the king of beasts! It was I who killed this stag today."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 47 (1.153.47)

मद्बाहुबलमाश्रित्य तृप्तिमद्य गमिष्यति । तस्यैवं गर्जितं श्रुत्वा ततो भक्ष्यं न रोचये ॥

madbāhubalamāśritya tṛptimadya gamiṣyati | tasyaivaṃ garjitaṃ śrutvā tato bhakṣyaṃ na rocaye

"Leaning on the strength of my arm he will eat his fill today.' Having heard him boast like this, I have no taste for the food."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 48 (1.153.48)

ब्रवीति यदि स ह्येवं काले ह्यस्मि प्रबोधितः । स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य हनिष्येऽहं वनेचरान् ॥

bravīti yadi sa hyevaṃ kāle hyasmi prabodhitaḥ | svabāhubalamāśritya haniṣye'haṃ vanecarān

"If he really talks like that, then I have been warned in time. Relying on the strength of my own arms I shall kill the creatures of the forest"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 49 (1.153.49)

खादिष्ये तत्र मांसानि इत्युक्त्वा प्रस्थितोवनम् । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु मूषिकोऽप्याजगाम ह ॥

khādiṣye tatra māṃsāni ityuktvā prasthitovanam | etasminneva kāle tu mūṣiko'pyājagāma ha

"and eat their flesh there." With these words he set off into the forest. Just then the mouse arrived.

Note on the text: The tiger speaks the opening words (खादिष्ये तत्र मांसानि); the rest of the verse is Kanika's narration, as no speaker line is printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 50 (1.153.50)

तमागतमभिप्रेक्ष्य शृगालोऽप्यब्रवीद्वचः । शृणु मूषिक भद्रं ते नकुलो यदिहाब्रवीत् ॥

tamāgatamabhiprekṣya śṛgālo'pyabravīdvacaḥ | śṛṇu mūṣika bhadraṃ te nakulo yadihābravīt

"Seeing him come, the jackal said to him: 'Listen, mouse — bless you — to what the mongoose said here:"

Note on the text: Corrected मीषिक → मूषिक (misprint in Wikisource; ी for ू — "O mouse"). Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to कणिक: the verse is (or opens with) Kanika's narration of the fable; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 51 (1.153.51)

मृगमांसं न खादेयं गरमेतन्न रोचते । मूषिकं भक्षयिष्यामि तद्भवाननुमन्यताम् ॥

mṛgamāṃsaṃ na khādeyaṃ garametanna rocate | mūṣikaṃ bhakṣayiṣyāmi tadbhavānanumanyatām

"'I will not eat the deer's flesh; it is poisoned, and I have no taste for it. I will eat the mouse — please give your consent.'"

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to जम्बुक: the verse is (or opens with) the jackal's speech; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 52 (1.153.52)

तच्छ्रुत्वा मूषिको वाक्यं संत्रस्तः प्रगतो बिलम् । ततः स्नात्वा स वै तत्र आजगाम वृको नृप ॥

tacchrutvā mūṣiko vākyaṃ saṃtrastaḥ pragato bilam | tataḥ snātvā sa vai tatra ājagāma vṛko nṛpa

"Hearing these words, the mouse fled in terror to his hole. Then, O king, the wolf came there, having bathed."

Note on the text: Corrected नपृ → नृप (misprint in Wikisource; transposed vowel sign — the vocative "O king"). Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to कणिक: the verse is (or opens with) Kanika's narration of the fable; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 53 (1.153.53)

तमागतमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीज्जम्बुकस्तदा । मृगराजो हि संक्रुद्धो न ते साधु भविष्यति ॥

tamāgatamidaṃ vākyamabravījjambukastadā | mṛgarājo hi saṃkruddho na te sādhu bhaviṣyati

"When he had come, the jackal said to him: 'The king of beasts is in a rage; it will go badly with you."

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to कणिक: the verse is (or opens with) Kanika's narration of the fable; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 54 (1.153.54)

सकलत्रस्त्विहायाति कुरुष्व यदनन्तरम् । एवं संचोदितस्तेन जम्बुकेन तदा वृकः ॥

sakalatrastvihāyāti kuruṣva yadanantaram | evaṃ saṃcoditastena jambukena tadā vṛkaḥ

"He is coming here with his mate; do whatever you must do next.' Urged on in this way by the jackal, the wolf"

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to जम्बुक: the verse is (or opens with) the jackal's speech; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 55 (1.153.55)

ततोऽवलुम्पनं कृत्वा प्रयातः पिशिताशनः । एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु नकुलोऽप्याजगाम ह ॥

tato'valumpanaṃ kṛtvā prayātaḥ piśitāśanaḥ | etasminneva kāle tu nakulo'pyājagāma ha

"made himself small and slunk away, that eater of flesh. Just then the mongoose too arrived."

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to कणिक: the verse is (or opens with) Kanika's narration of the fable; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 56 (1.153.56)

तमुवाच महाराज नकुलं जम्बुको वने । स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य निर्जितास्तेऽन्यतो गताः ॥

tamuvāca mahārāja nakulaṃ jambuko vane | svabāhubalamāśritya nirjitāste'nyato gatāḥ

"To the mongoose, great king, the jackal in the forest said: 'By the strength of my own arm I have beaten the others, and they have gone elsewhere."

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to कणिक: the verse is (or opens with) Kanika's narration of the fable; the tiger's speech had been carried over. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 57 (1.153.57)

मम दत्वा नियुद्धं त्वं भुङ्क्ष्व मांसं यथेप्सितम् । मृगराजो वृकश्चैव बुद्धिमानपि मूषिकः ॥

mama datvā niyuddhaṃ tvaṃ bhuṅkṣva māṃsaṃ yathepsitam | mṛgarājo vṛkaścaiva buddhimānapi mūṣikaḥ

"Fight me first, then eat the flesh as you please." The mongoose said: "The king of beasts, the wolf, and the clever mouse as well —

Note on the text: Speaker changed from व्याघ्र to जम्बुक: the first line is the jackal's challenge. Wikisource prints the speaker line नकुल उवाच between the two lines of this verse; the verse is kept with the jackal. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 58 (1.153.58)

निर्जिता यत्त्वया वीरास्तस्माद्वीरतरो भवान् । न त्वयाप्युत्सहे योद्धुमित्युक्त्वा सोऽप्युपागमत् ॥

nirjitā yattvayā vīrāstasmādvīrataro bhavān | na tvayāpyutsahe yoddhumityuktvā so'pyupāgamat

"since you have beaten these heroes, you are the greater hero. I dare not fight even you." So saying, he too went away.

Note on the text: नकुल here is the mongoose of the fable, not the Pandava. The closing words (इत्युक्त्वा सोऽप्युपागमत्) are narration. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 59 (1.153.59)

एवं तेषु प्रयातेषु जम्बुको हृष्टमानसः । खादति स्म तदा मांसमेकः सन्मन्त्रनिश्चयात् । एवं समाचरन्नित्यं सुखमेधेत भूपतिः ॥

evaṃ teṣu prayāteṣu jambuko hṛṣṭamānasaḥ | khādati sma tadā māṃsamekaḥ sanmantraniścayāt | evaṃ samācarannityaṃ sukhamedheta bhūpatiḥ

"When they had all gone, the jackal, glad at heart, ate the flesh all by himself, thanks to the soundness of his scheme. A king who always acts in this way will prosper and be happy."

Note on the text: A three-line verse as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 60 (1.153.60)

भयेन भेदयेद्भीरुं शूरमञ्जलिकर्मणा । लुब्धमर्थप्रदानेन समं न्यूनं तथौजसा ॥

bhayena bhedayedbhīruṃ śūramañjalikarmaṇā | lubdhamarthapradānena samaṃ nyūnaṃ tathaujasā

"The timid he should break by fear, the brave by joining his palms in submission, the greedy by gifts of wealth, and his equal or his inferior by force."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 61 (1.153.61)

एवं ते कथितं राजन् शृणु चाप्यपरं तथा ॥

evaṃ te kathitaṃ rājan śṛṇu cāpyaparaṃ tathā

"So I have told you this, O king; now hear something more as well."

Note on the text: A single line as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 62 (1.153.62)

पुत्रः सखा वा भ्राता वा पिता वा यदि वा गुरुः । रिपुस्थानेषु वर्तन्तो हन्तव्या भूतिमिच्छता ॥

putraḥ sakhā vā bhrātā vā pitā vā yadi vā guruḥ | ripusthāneṣu vartanto hantavyā bhūtimicchatā

"Son or friend, brother or father, or even one's teacher — whoever stands in the place of an enemy must be killed by one who seeks prosperity."

Note on the text: Corrected रिपुस्यानेषु → रिपुस्थानेषु (misprint in Wikisource; य for थ — "in the place of an enemy"). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 63 (1.153.63)

शपथेनाप्यरिं हन्यादर्थदानेन वा पुनः । विषेण मायया वापि नोपेक्षेत कथंचन । उभौ चेत्संशयोपेतौ श्रद्धावांस्तत्र वर्धते ॥

śapathenāpyariṃ hanyādarthadānena vā punaḥ | viṣeṇa māyayā vāpi nopekṣeta kathaṃcana | ubhau cetsaṃśayopetau śraddhāvāṃstatra vardhate

"He may kill the enemy even under an oath, or by a gift of wealth, by poison or by trickery; he should never leave him be. When both sides are caught in doubt, the one who takes this counsel to heart prospers."

Note on the text: Corrected नोपेक्षेते → नोपेक्षेत (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign turns the optative into a dual). Corrected श्रद्धवांस् → श्रद्धावांस् (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped ा — the page's own gloss reads श्रद्धावान्). A three-line verse as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 64 (1.153.64)

गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः । उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य न्याय्यं भवति शासनम् ॥

gurorapyavaliptasya kāryākāryamajānataḥ | utpathaṃ pratipannasya nyāyyaṃ bhavati śāsanam

"Even a teacher, if he is arrogant, does not know what should and should not be done, and has taken to a wrong path, may rightly be punished."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 65 (1.153.65)

क्रुद्धोऽप्यक्रुद्धरूपः स्यात्स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिता । न चैनं क्रोधसंदीप्तं विद्यात्कश्चित्कथंचन । न चाप्यन्यमपध्वंसेत्कदाचित्कोपसंयुतः ॥

kruddho'pyakruddharūpaḥ syātsmitapūrvābhibhāṣitā | na cainaṃ krodhasaṃdīptaṃ vidyātkaścitkathaṃcana | na cāpyanyamapadhvaṃsetkadācitkopasaṃyutaḥ

"Though angry, he should look free of anger and speak with a smile. No one should ever know that he is ablaze with rage. And he should never, in anger, revile anyone else."

Note on the text: Removed the wiki quote marks (` … ') and a stray । around the second line. A three-line verse as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 66 (1.153.66)

प्रहरिष्यन्प्रियं ब्रूयात्प्रहरन्नपि भारत । प्रहृत्य च प्रियं ब्रूयाच्छोचन्निव रुदन्निव ॥

prahariṣyanpriyaṃ brūyātpraharannapi bhārata | prahṛtya ca priyaṃ brūyācchocanniva rudanniva

"When about to strike he should speak kindly; while striking too, O Bharata; and having struck he should still speak kindly, as though grieving, as though in tears."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 67 (1.153.67)

आश्वासयेच्चापि परं सान्त्वधर्मार्थवृत्तिभिः । अथ तं प्रहरेत्काले तथा विचलितं पथि ॥

āśvāsayeccāpi paraṃ sāntvadharmārthavṛttibhiḥ | atha taṃ praharetkāle tathā vicalitaṃ pathi

"He should reassure the other with soothing words and conduct that seems to serve dharma and his interest, and then strike him at the right time, when he has strayed from his path."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 68 (1.153.68)

अपि घोरापराधस्य धर्ममाश्रित्य तिष्ठतः । स हि प्रच्छाद्यते दोषः शैलो मेघैरिवासितैः ॥

api ghorāparādhasya dharmamāśritya tiṣṭhataḥ | sa hi pracchādyate doṣaḥ śailo meghairivāsitaiḥ

"Even one guilty of a dreadful offence, if he takes his stand on dharma, has his fault covered over, as a mountain is by dark clouds."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 69 (1.153.69)

यः स्यादनुप्राप्तवधस्तस्यागारं प्रदीपयेत् । अधनान्नास्तिकांश्चोरान्विषकर्मसु योजयेत् ॥

yaḥ syādanuprāptavadhastasyāgāraṃ pradīpayet | adhanānnāstikāṃścorānviṣakarmasu yojayet

"He should set fire to the house of one whom he means to kill, and he should employ the penniless, unbelievers and thieves in the work of poisoning."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 70 (1.153.70)

प्रत्युत्थानासनाद्येन संप्रदानेन केनचित् । अतिविश्रब्धघाती स्यात्तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो निमग्नकः ॥

pratyutthānāsanādyena saṃpradānena kenacit | ativiśrabdhaghātī syāttīkṣṇadaṃṣṭro nimagnakaḥ

"By rising to greet him, offering him a seat or some gift or other, he should become the slayer of one who trusts him too far — like a sharp-toothed beast lying low."

Note on the text: Corrected तीक्ष्णंदष्ट्रो → तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रो (misprint in Wikisource; misplaced anusvara — the page's own gloss reads तीक्ष्णदंष्ट्रः). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 71 (1.153.71)

अशङ्कितेभ्यः शङ्केत शङ्कितेभ्यश्च सर्वशः । अशङ्क्याद्भयमुत्पन्नमपि मूलं निकृन्तति ॥

aśaṅkitebhyaḥ śaṅketa śaṅkitebhyaśca sarvaśaḥ | aśaṅkyādbhayamutpannamapi mūlaṃ nikṛntati

"He should be wary of those he does not suspect, and in every way of those he does. Danger that rises from an unsuspected quarter cuts away even the root."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 72 (1.153.72)

न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत् । विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलान्यपि निकृन्तति ॥

na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset | viśvāsādbhayamutpannaṃ mūlānyapi nikṛntati

"He should not trust one who is not to be trusted, nor trust too far one who is. Danger born of trust cuts away the very roots."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 73 (1.153.73)

चारः सुविहितः कार्य आत्मनश्च परस्य वा । पाषण्डांस्तापसादींश्च परराष्ट्रेषु योजयेत् ॥

cāraḥ suvihitaḥ kārya ātmanaśca parasya vā | pāṣaṇḍāṃstāpasādīṃśca pararāṣṭreṣu yojayet

"Spies, carefully tested, should be set both over his own people and over the other side. In enemy kingdoms he should place heretics, ascetics and the like."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 74 (1.153.74)

उद्यानेषु विहारेषु देवतायतनेषु च । पानागारेषु रथ्यासु सर्वतीर्थेषु चाप्यथ ॥

udyāneṣu vihāreṣu devatāyataneṣu ca | pānāgāreṣu rathyāsu sarvatīrtheṣu cāpyatha

"In gardens and pleasure grounds, in temples, in taverns and in the streets, and at all the sacred fords,"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 75 (1.153.75)

चत्वरेषु च कूपेषु पर्वतेषु वनेषु च । समवायेषु सर्वेषु सरित्सु च विचारयेत् ॥

catvareṣu ca kūpeṣu parvateṣu vaneṣu ca | samavāyeṣu sarveṣu saritsu ca vicārayet

"at crossroads and wells, on mountains and in forests, at every gathering and along the rivers, he should have them go about."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 76 (1.153.76)

वाचा भृशं विनीतः स्याद्धृदयेन तथा क्षुरः । स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी स्यात्सृष्टो रौद्रस्य कर्मणः ॥

vācā bhṛśaṃ vinītaḥ syāddhṛdayena tathā kṣuraḥ | smitapūrvābhibhāṣī syātsṛṣṭo raudrasya karmaṇaḥ

"In speech he should be exceedingly humble, but in heart a razor; even when bent on some fierce deed, he should speak with a smile."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 77 (1.153.77)

अञ्जलिः शपथः सान्त्वं शिरसा पादवन्दनम् । आशाकरणमित्येवं कर्तव्यं भूतिमिच्छता ॥

añjaliḥ śapathaḥ sāntvaṃ śirasā pādavandanam | āśākaraṇamityevaṃ kartavyaṃ bhūtimicchatā

"Folded hands, oaths, soothing words, bowing the head to another's feet, raising hopes — all this must be done by one who seeks prosperity."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 78 (1.153.78)

सुपुष्पितः स्यादफलः फलवान्स्याद्दुरारुहः । आमः स्यात्पक्वसङ्काशो नच जीर्येत कर्हिचित् ॥

supuṣpitaḥ syādaphalaḥ phalavānsyāddurāruhaḥ | āmaḥ syātpakvasaṅkāśo naca jīryeta karhicit

"He should be like a tree in full flower that bears no fruit, or, if it bears fruit, is hard to climb; unripe but looking ripe; and never should he wither."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 79 (1.153.79)

त्रिवर्गे त्रिविधा पीडा ह्यनुबन्धास्तथैव च । अनुबन्धाः शुभा ज्ञेयाः पीडास्तु परिवर्जयेत् ॥

trivarge trividhā pīḍā hyanubandhāstathaiva ca | anubandhāḥ śubhā jñeyāḥ pīḍāstu parivarjayet

"In the three aims of life there are three kinds of harm, and likewise their outcomes. The outcomes should be recognised as good; the harms he should avoid."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 80 (1.153.80)

धर्मं विचरतः पीडा सापि द्वाभ्यां नियच्छति । अर्थं चाप्यर्थलुब्धस्य कामं चातिप्रवर्तिनः ॥

dharmaṃ vicarataḥ pīḍā sāpi dvābhyāṃ niyacchati | arthaṃ cāpyarthalubdhasya kāmaṃ cātipravartinaḥ

"For one who pursues dharma, harm comes from the other two, and that harm in turn holds dharma back; so too with wealth for one greedy for wealth, and with pleasure for one who runs to excess."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 81 (1.153.81)

अगर्वितात्मा युक्तश्च सान्त्वयुक्तोऽनसूयिता । अवेक्षितार्थः शुद्धात्मा मन्त्रयीत द्विजैः सह ॥

agarvitātmā yuktaśca sāntvayukto'nasūyitā | avekṣitārthaḥ śuddhātmā mantrayīta dvijaiḥ saha

"Free of pride, attentive, gentle in speech and without envy, having looked closely into his aims and with a pure mind, he should take counsel with brahmins."

Note on the text: Corrected सहा → सह (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign ा). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 82 (1.153.82)

कर्मणा येन केनैव मृदुना दारुणेन च । उद्धरेद्दीनमात्मानं समर्थो धर्ममाचरेत् ॥

karmaṇā yena kenaiva mṛdunā dāruṇena ca | uddhareddīnamātmānaṃ samartho dharmamācaret

"By whatever act it takes, gentle or harsh, he should lift himself out of a wretched state; once he is able, let him practise dharma."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 83 (1.153.83)

न संशयमनारुह्य नरो भद्राणि पश्यति । संशयं पुनरारुह्य यदि जीवति पश्यति ॥

na saṃśayamanāruhya naro bhadrāṇi paśyati | saṃśayaṃ punarāruhya yadi jīvati paśyati

"Without venturing into danger a man does not see good fortune; but having ventured into danger, if he lives, he sees it."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 84 (1.153.84)

यस्य बुद्धिः परिभवेत्तमतीतेन सान्त्वयेत् । अनागतेन दुर्बुद्धिं प्रत्युत्पन्नेन पण्डितम् ॥

yasya buddhiḥ paribhavettamatītena sāntvayet | anāgatena durbuddhiṃ pratyutpannena paṇḍitam

"One whose mind is overcome with grief he should console with tales of the past; the foolish with promises of what is to come; and the wise with what is at hand."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 85 (1.153.85)

योऽरिणा सह सन्धाय शयीत कृतकृत्यवत् । स वृक्षाग्रे यथा सुप्तः पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते ॥

yo'riṇā saha sandhāya śayīta kṛtakṛtyavat | sa vṛkṣāgre yathā suptaḥ patitaḥ pratibudhyate

"He who makes a pact with an enemy and then sleeps as if his work were done is like a man asleep at the top of a tree: he wakes only when he has fallen."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 86 (1.153.86)

मन्त्रसंवरणे यत्नः सदा कार्योऽनसूयता । आकारमभिरक्षेत चारेणाप्यनुपालितः ॥

mantrasaṃvaraṇe yatnaḥ sadā kāryo'nasūyatā | ākāramabhirakṣeta cāreṇāpyanupālitaḥ

"Free of envy, he should always take pains to keep his counsel secret; and, watched over by his spies, he should also guard his outward looks."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 87 (1.153.87)

न रात्रौ मन्त्रयेद्विद्वान्न च कैश्चिदुपासितः । प्रासादाग्रे शिलाग्रे वा विशाले विजनेपि वा ॥

na rātrau mantrayedvidvānna ca kaiścidupāsitaḥ | prāsādāgre śilāgre vā viśāle vijanepi vā

"A wise man should not take counsel at night, nor with people sitting about him; but on a palace roof, on top of a rock, or in a wide and empty place,"

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki quote mark (`) at the start of the verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 88 (1.153.88)

समन्तात्तत्र पश्यद्भिः सहाप्तैरेव मन्त्रयेत् । नैव संवेशयेत्तत्र मन्त्रवेश्मनि शारिकाम् ॥

samantāttatra paśyadbhiḥ sahāptaireva mantrayet | naiva saṃveśayettatra mantraveśmani śārikām

"where they can see on every side, he should take counsel with trusted men alone. He should not let even a myna bird stay in the council chamber."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 89 (1.153.89)

शुकान्वा शारिका वापि बालमूर्खजडानपि । प्रविष्टानपि निर्वास्य मन्त्रयेद्धार्मिकैर्द्विजैः ॥

śukānvā śārikā vāpi bālamūrkhajaḍānapi | praviṣṭānapi nirvāsya mantrayeddhārmikairdvijaiḥ

"Parrots or mynas, children, fools and simpletons — if any have come in, he should send them out and then take counsel with righteous brahmins"

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 90 (1.153.90)

नीतिज्ञैर्न्यायशास्त्रज्ञैरितिहासे सुनिष्ठितैः । रक्षां मन्त्रस्य निश्छिद्रां मन्त्रान्ते निश्चयेत्स्वयम् ॥

nītijñairnyāyaśāstrajñairitihāse suniṣṭhitaiḥ | rakṣāṃ mantrasya niśchidrāṃ mantrānte niścayetsvayam

"who know policy and the science of reasoning and are well grounded in the histories. At the end of the counsel he should himself make sure its secrecy has no gap."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 91 (1.153.91)

वीरोपवर्णितात्तस्माद्धर्मार्थाभ्यामथात्मना । एकेन वाथ विप्रेण ज्ञातबुद्धिर्विनिश्चयेत् ॥

vīropavarṇitāttasmāddharmārthābhyāmathātmanā | ekena vātha vipreṇa jñātabuddhirviniścayet

"From what the brave counsellors have set out, weighing dharma and wealth, he should decide with his own mind, or else with a single brahmin whose judgement he knows."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 92 (1.153.92)

तृतीयेन न चान्येन व्रजेन्निश्चयमात्मवान् । षट्कर्णश्छिद्यते मन्त्र इति नीतिषु पठ्यते ॥

tṛtīyena na cānyena vrajenniścayamātmavān | ṣaṭkarṇaśchidyate mantra iti nītiṣu paṭhyate

"A self-possessed man should not reach his decision with a third person or with anyone else. 'Counsel that reaches six ears is broken,' so it is read in the books of policy."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 93 (1.153.93)

निःसृतो नाशयेन्मन्त्रो हस्तप्राप्तामपि श्रियम् । स्वमतं च परेषां च विचार्य च पुनःपुनः । गुणवद्वाक्यमादद्यान्नैव तृप्येद्विचक्षणः ॥

niḥsṛto nāśayenmantro hastaprāptāmapi śriyam | svamataṃ ca pareṣāṃ ca vicārya ca punaḥpunaḥ | guṇavadvākyamādadyānnaiva tṛpyedvicakṣaṇaḥ

"Counsel that leaks out destroys fortune even when it is already in hand. Weighing his own view and the views of others again and again, the discerning man should take up the sound advice, and never think he has weighed enough."

Note on the text: Removed a stray ।। and wiki quote mark (') before the closing ॥. A three-line verse as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 94 (1.153.94)

नाच्छित्वा परमर्माणि नाकृत्वा कर्म दारुणम् । नाहत्वा मत्स्यघातीव प्राप्नोति महतीं श्रियम् ॥

nācchitvā paramarmāṇi nākṛtvā karma dāruṇam | nāhatvā matsyaghātīva prāpnoti mahatīṃ śriyam

"Without cutting into others' vital parts, without doing cruel deeds, without killing as a fisherman kills, no one wins great fortune."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 95 (1.153.95)

कर्शितं व्याधितं क्लिन्नमपानीयमघासकम् । परिविश्वस्तमन्दं च प्रहर्तव्यमरेर्बलम् ॥

karśitaṃ vyādhitaṃ klinnamapānīyamaghāsakam | pariviśvastamandaṃ ca prahartavyamarerbalam

"An enemy's army should be struck when it is worn down, sick, drenched, without water or food, or careless from trusting too much."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 96 (1.153.96)

नार्थिकोऽर्थिनमभ्येति कृतार्थे नास्ति सङ्गतम् । तस्मात्सर्वाणि साध्यानि सावशेषाणि कारयेत् ॥

nārthiko'rthinamabhyeti kṛtārthe nāsti saṅgatam | tasmātsarvāṇi sādhyāni sāvaśeṣāṇi kārayet

"Once a man has what he wanted he no longer comes to the one who could give it; when the purpose is served there is no bond. Therefore he should have every task done, but always leave something unfinished."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 97 (1.153.97)

संग्रहे विग्रहे चैव यत्नः कार्योऽनसूयता । उत्साहश्चापि यत्नेन कर्तव्यो भूतिमिच्छता ॥

saṃgrahe vigrahe caiva yatnaḥ kāryo'nasūyatā | utsāhaścāpi yatnena kartavyo bhūtimicchatā

"In making alliances and in waging war he should strive without envy; and one who seeks prosperity must keep up his energy with effort."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 98 (1.153.98)

नास्य कृत्यानि बुध्येरन्मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा । आरब्धान्येव पश्येरन्सुपर्यवसितान्यपि ॥

nāsya kṛtyāni budhyeranmitrāṇi ripavastathā | ārabdhānyeva paśyeransuparyavasitānyapi

"Neither friends nor enemies should learn of his undertakings; they should see them only once they are under way — or rather, already complete."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 99 (1.153.99)

भीतवत्संविधातव्यं यावद्भयमनागतम् । आगतं तु भयं दृष्ट्वा प्रहर्तव्यमभीतवत् ॥

bhītavatsaṃvidhātavyaṃ yāvadbhayamanāgatam | āgataṃ tu bhayaṃ dṛṣṭvā prahartavyamabhītavat

"So long as danger has not come, he should prepare like one who is afraid; but once he sees the danger has come, he should strike like one who knows no fear."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 100 (1.153.100)

दैवेनोपहतं शत्रुमनुगृह्णाति यो नरः । स मृत्युमुपगृह्णाति गर्भमश्वतरी यथा ॥

daivenopahataṃ śatrumanugṛhṇāti yo naraḥ | sa mṛtyumupagṛhṇāti garbhamaśvatarī yathā

"The man who shows favour to an enemy struck down by fate takes death into himself, as a she-mule takes in her foal."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 101 (1.153.101)

अनागतं हि बुध्येत यच्च कार्यं पुरः स्थितम् । न तु बुद्धिक्षयात्किंचिदतिक्रामेत्प्रयोजनम् ॥

anāgataṃ hi budhyeta yacca kāryaṃ puraḥ sthitam | na tu buddhikṣayātkiṃcidatikrāmetprayojanam

"He should understand both what is yet to come and the task that stands before him, and never, through failing judgement, let any purpose slip by."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 102 (1.153.102)

उत्साहश्चापि यत्नेन कर्तव्यो भूतिमिच्छता । विभज्य देशकालौ च दैवं धर्मादयस्त्रयः । नैःश्रेयसौ तु तौ ज्ञेयौ देशकालाविति स्थितिः ॥

utsāhaścāpi yatnena kartavyo bhūtimicchatā | vibhajya deśakālau ca daivaṃ dharmādayastrayaḥ | naiḥśreyasau tu tau jñeyau deśakālāviti sthitiḥ

"One who seeks prosperity must keep up his energy with effort, distinguishing place and time, fate, and the three aims beginning with dharma. Of these, place and time are to be known as the means to the highest good; that is the settled view."

Note on the text: A three-line verse as printed; its first line repeats the second line of verse 97. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 103 (1.153.103)

तालवत्कुरुते मूलं बालः शत्रुरुपेक्षितः । गहनेऽग्निरिवोत्सृष्टः क्षिप्रं संजायते महान् ॥

tālavatkurute mūlaṃ bālaḥ śatrurupekṣitaḥ | gahane'gnirivotsṛṣṭaḥ kṣipraṃ saṃjāyate mahān

"A small enemy, if neglected, spreads his roots like a palm tree; like a fire let loose in a thicket, he swiftly grows great."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 104 (1.153.104)

अग्निस्तोकमिवात्मानं सन्धुक्षयति यो नरः । स वर्धमानो ग्रसते महान्तमपि संचयम् ॥

agnistokamivātmānaṃ sandhukṣayati yo naraḥ | sa vardhamāno grasate mahāntamapi saṃcayam

"The man who fans himself up like a tiny flame grows and grows until he devours even a vast heap."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 105 (1.153.105)

आदावेव ददानीति प्रियं ब्रूयान्निरर्थकम् ॥

ādāveva dadānīti priyaṃ brūyānnirarthakam

"He should say pleasant, empty words: 'I will give it to you right away.'"

Note on the text: Removed the wiki quote marks (` … ') and a stray ।। around the line. A single line as printed. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 106 (1.153.106)

आशां कालवतीं कुर्यात्कालं विघ्नेन योजयेत् । विघ्नं निमित्ततो ब्रूयान्निमित्तं वाऽपि हेतुतः ॥

āśāṃ kālavatīṃ kuryātkālaṃ vighnena yojayet | vighnaṃ nimittato brūyānnimittaṃ vā'pi hetutaḥ

"He should tie hope to a time, tie the time to some obstacle, explain the obstacle by some pretext, and the pretext in turn by some further cause."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 107 (1.153.107)

क्षुरो भूत्वा हरेत्प्राणान्निशितः कालसाधनः । प्रतिच्छन्नो लोमहारी द्विषतां परिकर्तनः ॥

kṣuro bhūtvā haretprāṇānniśitaḥ kālasādhanaḥ | praticchanno lomahārī dviṣatāṃ parikartanaḥ

"Becoming a razor — keen-edged, waiting for his moment, kept out of sight, shaving close to the skin — he should take the lives of his foes and cut them down."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 108 (1.153.108)

पाण्डवेषु यथान्यायमन्येषु च कुरूद्वह । वर्तमानो न मज्जेस्त्वं तथा कृत्यं समाचर ॥

pāṇḍaveṣu yathānyāyamanyeṣu ca kurūdvaha | vartamāno na majjestvaṃ tathā kṛtyaṃ samācara

"Upholder of the Kurus, conduct yourself towards the Pandavas and the others as policy demands, so that you do not go under; act accordingly."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 109 (1.153.109)

सर्वकल्याणसंपन्नो विशिष्ट इति निश्चयः । तस्मात्त्वं पाण्डुपुत्रेभ्यो रक्षात्मानं नराधिप ॥

sarvakalyāṇasaṃpanno viśiṣṭa iti niścayaḥ | tasmāttvaṃ pāṇḍuputrebhyo rakṣātmānaṃ narādhipa

"It is certain that you are blessed with every good fortune and stand above others. Therefore, lord of men, protect yourself from the sons of Pandu."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 110 (1.153.110)

भ्रातृव्या बलवन्तस्ते पाण्डुपुत्रा नराधिप । पश्चात्तापो यथा न स्यात्तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् ॥

bhrātṛvyā balavantaste pāṇḍuputrā narādhipa | paścāttāpo yathā na syāttathā nītirvidhīyatām

"Your brother's sons, the sons of Pandu, are strong, lord of men. Shape your policy so that you have nothing to regret afterwards."

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 111 (1.153.111)

एवमुक्त्वा संप्रतस्थे कणिकः स्वगृहं ततः । धृतराष्ट्रोऽपि कौरव्यः शोकार्तः समपद्यत ॥

evamuktvā saṃpratasthe kaṇikaḥ svagṛhaṃ tataḥ | dhṛtarāṣṭro'pi kauravyaḥ śokārtaḥ samapadyata

Having said this, Kanika then left for his own home; and Dhritarashtra of the Kuru line was left stricken with grief.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).