The Swan's Teaching and the Marks of a Great Family

Verse 1 (5.36.1)

अत्रैवोदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । आत्रेयस्य च संवादं साध्यानां चेति नः श्रुतम् ॥

atraivodāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | ātreyasya ca saṃvādaṃ sādhyānāṃ ceti naḥ śrutam

On this they tell an ancient tale, the dialogue between Atreya and the Sadhyas; so we have heard.

Verse 2 (5.36.2)

चरन्तं हंसरूपेण महर्षिं संशितव्रतम् । साध्या देवा महाप्राज्ञं पर्यपृच्छन्त वै पुरा ॥

carantaṃ haṃsarūpeṇa maharṣiṃ saṃśitavratam | sādhyā devā mahāprājñaṃ paryapṛcchanta vai purā

Long ago the Sadhya gods questioned the great sage, wise and strict in his vows, as he wandered in the form of a swan.

Verse 3 (5.36.3)

साध्या देवा वयमेते महर्षे । दृष्ट्वा भवन्तं न शक्नुमोऽनुमातुम् । श्रुतेन धीरो बुद्धिमांस्त्वं मतो नः । काव्यां वाचं वक्तुमर्हस्युदाराम् ॥

sādhyā devā vayamete maharṣe | dṛṣṭvā bhavantaṃ na śaknumo'numātum | śrutena dhīro buddhimāṃstvaṃ mato naḥ | kāvyāṃ vācaṃ vaktumarhasyudārām

Great sage, we who stand here are the Sadhya gods. Looking at you, we cannot tell who you are. To us you seem steadfast in learning and wise; you ought to speak to us words of noble wisdom.

Verse 4 (5.36.4)

एतत्कार्यममराः संश्रुतं मे । धृतिः शमः सत्यधर्मानुवृत्तिः । ग्रन्थिं विनीय हृदयस्य सर्वं । प्रियाप्रिये चात्मसमं नयीत ॥

etatkāryamamarāḥ saṃśrutaṃ me | dhṛtiḥ śamaḥ satyadharmānuvṛttiḥ | granthiṃ vinīya hṛdayasya sarvaṃ | priyāpriye cātmasamaṃ nayīta

This, O immortals, is the duty I have heard: steadiness, calm, and the pursuit of truth and dharma. Untying every knot of the heart, one should hold the pleasant and the unpleasant alike, as one holds oneself.

Verse 5 (5.36.5)

आक्रुश्यमानो नाक्रोशेन्मन्युरेव तितिक्षतः । आक्रोष्टारं निर्दहति सुकृतं चास्य विन्दति ॥

ākruśyamāno nākrośenmanyureva titikṣataḥ | ākroṣṭāraṃ nirdahati sukṛtaṃ cāsya vindati

When abused, one should not abuse in return. The anger of the man who forbears burns up the abuser, and the forbearing man gains the abuser's merit.

Verse 6 (5.36.6)

नाक्रोशी स्यान्नावमानी परस्य । मित्रद्रोही नोत नीचोपसेवी । न चाभिमानी न च हीनवृत्तो । रूक्षां वाचं रुशतीं वर्जयीत ॥

nākrośī syānnāvamānī parasya | mitradrohī nota nīcopasevī | na cābhimānī na ca hīnavṛtto | rūkṣāṃ vācaṃ ruśatīṃ varjayīta

One should not revile others or treat them with contempt, nor betray a friend, nor wait upon the base; one should not be proud or mean in conduct, and should shun harsh and wounding speech.

Verse 7 (5.36.7)

मर्माण्यस्थीनि हृदयं तथासू- । न्रूक्षा वाचो निर्दहन्तीह पुंसाम् । तस्माद्वाचमुशतीं रूक्षरूपां । धर्मारामो नित्यशो वर्जयीत ॥

marmāṇyasthīni hṛdayaṃ tathāsū- | nrūkṣā vāco nirdahantīha puṃsām | tasmādvācamuśatīṃ rūkṣarūpāṃ | dharmārāmo nityaśo varjayīta

Harsh words burn a man's vitals, his bones, his heart and his life-breath. Therefore one who delights in dharma should always shun speech that is cutting and harsh.

Verse 8 (5.36.8)

अरुन्तुदं परुषं रूक्षवाचं । वाक्कण्टकैर्वितुदन्तं मनुष्यान् । विद्यादलक्ष्मीकतमं जनानां । मुखे निबद्धां निर्ऋतिं वै वहन्तम् ॥

aruntudaṃ paruṣaṃ rūkṣavācaṃ | vākkaṇṭakairvitudantaṃ manuṣyān | vidyādalakṣmīkatamaṃ janānāṃ | mukhe nibaddhāṃ nirṛtiṃ vai vahantam

The man who wounds to the quick, who is rough and harsh of speech and pierces people with thorns of words, should be known as the most luckless of men: he carries Nirriti, the goddess of ruin, bound to his mouth.

Note on the text: Corrected जननां → जनानां (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read जनानां).

Verse 9 (5.36.9)

परश्चेदेनमभिविद्ध्येत बाणै- । र्भृशं सुतीक्ष्णैरनलार्कदीप्तैः । विरिच्यमानोऽप्यतिरिच्यमानो । विद्यात्कविः सुकृतं मे दधाति ॥

paraścedenamabhividdhyeta bāṇai- | rbhṛśaṃ sutīkṣṇairanalārkadīptaiḥ | viricyamāno'pyatiricyamāno | vidyātkaviḥ sukṛtaṃ me dadhāti

Even if another pierces him hard with very sharp arrows that blaze like fire or the sun, the wise man, though drained by the wounds, grows all the greater, and he should know: 'This man is adding to my merit.'

Verse 10 (5.36.10)

यदि सन्तं सेवति यद्यसन्तं । तपस्विनं यदि वा स्तेनमेव । वासो यथा रङ्गवशं प्रयाति । तथा स तेषां वशमभ्युपैति ॥

yadi santaṃ sevati yadyasantaṃ | tapasvinaṃ yadi vā stenameva | vāso yathā raṅgavaśaṃ prayāti | tathā sa teṣāṃ vaśamabhyupaiti

Whether a man serves the good or the wicked, an ascetic or a thief, he comes under their sway, as cloth takes on the colour of the dye.

Verse 11 (5.36.11)

अतिवादं न प्रवदेन्न वादये- । द्यो नाहतः प्रतिहन्यान्न घातयेत् । हन्तुं च यो नेच्छति पापकं वै । तस्मै देवाः स्पृहयन्त्यागताय ॥

ativādaṃ na pravadenna vādaye- | dyo nāhataḥ pratihanyānna ghātayet | hantuṃ ca yo necchati pāpakaṃ vai | tasmai devāḥ spṛhayantyāgatāya

One should not utter abuse nor provoke others to it. One who, when struck, neither strikes back nor has another strike for him, and who has no wish to kill even an evildoer: the gods long for such a man's coming.

Verse 12 (5.36.12)

अव्याहृतं व्याहृताच्छ्रेय आहुः । सत्यं वदेद्व्याहृतं तद्द्वितीयम् । प्रियं वदेद्व्याहृतं तत्तृतीयं । धर्म्यं वदेद्व्याहृतं तच्चतुर्थम् ॥

avyāhṛtaṃ vyāhṛtācchreya āhuḥ | satyaṃ vadedvyāhṛtaṃ taddvitīyam | priyaṃ vadedvyāhṛtaṃ tattṛtīyaṃ | dharmyaṃ vadedvyāhṛtaṃ taccaturtham

Silence, they say, is better than speech. To speak the truth is the second excellence of speech; to speak what is pleasing is the third; to speak in accord with dharma is the fourth.

Verse 13 (5.36.13)

यादृशैः सन्निविशते यादृशांश्चोपसेवते । यादृगिच्छेच्च भवितुं तादृग्भवति पूरुषः ॥

yādṛśaiḥ sanniviśate yādṛśāṃścopasevate | yādṛgicchecca bhavituṃ tādṛgbhavati pūruṣaḥ

Whatever company a man keeps, whomever he serves, and whatever he wishes to become, that is what he becomes.

Verse 14 (5.36.14)

यतो यतो निवर्तते ततस्ततो विमुच्यते । निवर्तनाद्धि सर्वतो न वेत्ति दुःखमण्वपि ॥

yato yato nivartate tatastato vimucyate | nivartanāddhi sarvato na vetti duḥkhamaṇvapi

From whatever a man turns away, from that he is freed. By turning away from everything, he knows not even the slightest sorrow.

Note on the text: Verse boundary moved: Wikisource runs the first half of the next verse into this one; the break now matches sanskritdocuments and the critical edition (5.36.14–15). Wording unchanged.

Verse 15 (5.36.15)

न जीयते चानुजिगीषतेऽन्या- । न्न वैरकृच्चाप्रतिघातकश्च । निन्दाप्रशंसासु समस्वभावो । न शोचते हृष्यति नैव चायम् ॥

na jīyate cānujigīṣate'nyā- | nna vairakṛccāpratighātakaśca | nindāpraśaṃsāsu samasvabhāvo | na śocate hṛṣyati naiva cāyam

Such a man is not conquered and does not seek to conquer others; he makes no enmity and does not strike back. He stays the same under blame and praise, and neither grieves nor rejoices.

Note on the text: Verse boundary moved: on Wikisource the first two lines of this verse are printed as the end of verse 14. Wording unchanged.

Verse 16 (5.36.16)

भावमिच्छति सर्वस्य नाभावे कुरुते मनः । सत्यवादी मृदुर्दान्तो यः स उत्तमपूरुषः ॥

bhāvamicchati sarvasya nābhāve kurute manaḥ | satyavādī mṛdurdānto yaḥ sa uttamapūruṣaḥ

He who wishes well-being for all, and does not set his mind on anyone's ruin, who is truthful, gentle and self-controlled, is the best of men.

Verse 17 (5.36.17)

नानर्थकं सान्त्वयति प्रतिज्ञाय ददाति च । रन्ध्रं परस्य जानाति यः स मध्यमपूरुषः ॥

nānarthakaṃ sāntvayati pratijñāya dadāti ca | randhraṃ parasya jānāti yaḥ sa madhyamapūruṣaḥ

He who does not comfort with empty words, who gives what he has promised, and who knows another's weak points, is the middling man.

Verse 18 (5.36.18)

दुःशासनस्तूपहन्ता न शास्ता । नावर्तते मन्युवशात्कृतघ्नः । न कस्यचिन्मित्रमथो दुरात्मा । कलाश्चैता अधमस्येह पुंसः ॥

duḥśāsanastūpahantā na śāstā | nāvartate manyuvaśātkṛtaghnaḥ | na kasyacinmitramatho durātmā | kalāścaitā adhamasyeha puṃsaḥ

Hard to discipline, destructive, never one to set things right, unable to turn back once anger takes hold, ungrateful, no one's friend, wicked at heart: these are the marks of the lowest man.

Note on the text: Wikisource omits this text (verse 18 and the first half of verse 19); restored from sanskritdocuments.org (Vidura Niti 36.18-19), which agrees with the critical edition.

Verse 19 (5.36.19)

न श्रद्दधाति कल्याणं परेभ्योऽप्यात्मशङ्कितः । निराकरोति मित्राणि यो वै सोऽधमपूरुषः ॥

na śraddadhāti kalyāṇaṃ parebhyo'pyātmaśaṅkitaḥ | nirākaroti mitrāṇi yo vai so'dhamapūruṣaḥ

He who, full of suspicion himself, does not trust the good that comes from others, and who drives his friends away, is indeed the lowest of men.

Note on the text: Wikisource omits this text (verse 18 and the first half of verse 19); restored from sanskritdocuments.org (Vidura Niti 36.18-19), which agrees with the critical edition.

Verse 20 (5.36.20)

उत्तमानेव सेवेत प्राप्तकाले तु मध्यमान् । अधमांस्तु न सेवेत य इच्छेद्भूतिमात्मनः ॥

uttamāneva seveta prāptakāle tu madhyamān | adhamāṃstu na seveta ya icchedbhūtimātmanaḥ

One who desires his own welfare should serve only the best of men, the middling when the occasion calls for it, and never the lowest.

Verse 21 (5.36.21)

प्राप्नोति वै वित्तमसद्बलेन । नित्योत्थानात्प्रज्ञया पौरुषेण । न त्वेव सम्यग्लभते प्रशंसां । न वृत्तमाप्नोति महाकुलानाम् ॥

prāpnoti vai vittamasadbalena | nityotthānātprajñayā pauruṣeṇa | na tveva samyaglabhate praśaṃsāṃ | na vṛttamāpnoti mahākulānām

A man may indeed gain wealth by wicked force, by constant effort, by intelligence and by manly strength; but he never wins true praise, nor does he attain the conduct of the great families.

Note on the text: Corrected प्राग्नोति → प्राप्नोति (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read प्राप्नोति).

Verse 22 (5.36.22)

महाकुलेभ्यः स्पृहयन्ति देवा । धर्मार्थनित्याश्च बहुश्रुताश्च । पृच्छामि त्वां विदुरं प्रश्नमेतं । भवन्ति वै कानि महाकुलानि ॥

mahākulebhyaḥ spṛhayanti devā | dharmārthanityāśca bahuśrutāśca | pṛcchāmi tvāṃ viduraṃ praśnametaṃ | bhavanti vai kāni mahākulāni

The gods long for great families, and so do those devoted to dharma and wealth and those of deep learning. I ask you this question, Vidura: which families are truly great?

Verse 23 (5.36.23)

तपो दमो ब्रह्मवित्त्वं तितिक्षा । इज्या विवाहाः सान्त्वनं चान्नदानम् । अष्टावेते नित्यमेवं भवन्ति । सतां गुणास्तानि महाकुलानि ॥

tapo damo brahmavittvaṃ titikṣā | ijyā vivāhāḥ sāntvanaṃ cānnadānam | aṣṭāvete nityamevaṃ bhavanti | satāṃ guṇāstāni mahākulāni

Austerity, self-control, knowledge of the Veda, forbearance, sacrifice, proper marriages, kindness and the giving of food: where these eight qualities of the good are always present, those are the great families.

Note on the text: The critical edition's form of this verse (5.36.23) differs substantially and lists seven qualities; the vulgate reading, with eight, is kept.

Verse 24 (5.36.24)

येषां न वृत्तं व्यथते न योनि- । श्चित्तप्रसादेन चरन्ति धर्मम् । ये कीर्तिमिच्छन्ति कुले विशिष्टां । त्यक्तानृतास्तानि महाकुलानि ॥

yeṣāṃ na vṛttaṃ vyathate na yoni- | ścittaprasādena caranti dharmam | ye kīrtimicchanti kule viśiṣṭāṃ | tyaktānṛtāstāni mahākulāni

Families whose conduct does not falter and whose lineage is not shaken, who practise dharma with a serene mind, who seek distinguished fame for their line and have given up falsehood: those are the great families.

Verse 25 (5.36.25)

अनिज्यया कुविवाहैर्वेदस्योत्सादनेन च । कुलान्यकुलतां यान्ति ब्राह्मणातिक्रमेण च ॥

anijyayā kuvivāhairvedasyotsādanena ca | kulānyakulatāṃ yānti brāhmaṇātikrameṇa ca

Through the neglect of sacrifice, through improper marriages, through abandoning the Veda, and through offending Brahmins, families lose their standing.

Verse 26 (5.36.26)

देवद्रव्यविनाशेन ब्रह्मस्वहरणेन च । कुलान्यकुलतां यान्ति ब्राह्मणातिक्रमेण च ॥

devadravyavināśena brahmasvaharaṇena ca | kulānyakulatāṃ yānti brāhmaṇātikrameṇa ca

Through destroying what belongs to the gods, through seizing a Brahmin's property, and through offending Brahmins, families lose their standing.

Note on the text: Corrected निनाशेन → विनाशेन (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read विनाशेन).

Verse 27 (5.36.27)

ब्राह्मणानां परिभवात्परिवादाच्च भारत । कुलान्यकुलतां यान्ति न्यासापहरणेन च ॥

brāhmaṇānāṃ paribhavātparivādācca bhārata | kulānyakulatāṃ yānti nyāsāpaharaṇena ca

Through slighting and slandering Brahmins, O Bharata, and through keeping back what was left in trust, families lose their standing.

Verse 28 (5.36.28)

कुलानि समुपेतानि गोभिः पुरुषतोऽर्थतः । कुलसंख्यां न गच्छन्ति यानि हीनानि वृत्ततः ॥

kulāni samupetāni gobhiḥ puruṣato'rthataḥ | kulasaṃkhyāṃ na gacchanti yāni hīnāni vṛttataḥ

Families rich in cattle, in men and in wealth are not counted as families at all if they fall short in conduct.

Note on the text: Corrected समुपेताननि → समुपेतानि (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read समुपेतानि).

Verse 29 (5.36.29)

वृत्ततस्त्वविहीनानि कुलान्यल्पधनान्यपि । कुलसङ्ख्यां च गच्छन्ति कर्षन्ति च महद्यशः ॥

vṛttatastvavihīnāni kulānyalpadhanānyapi | kulasaṅkhyāṃ ca gacchanti karṣanti ca mahadyaśaḥ

But families that do not fall short in conduct, even if they have little wealth, are counted among families and win great fame.

Verse 30 (5.36.30)

वृत्तं यत्नेन संरक्षेद्वित्तमेति च याति च । अक्षीणो वित्ततः क्षीणो वृत्ततस्तु हतो हतः ॥

vṛttaṃ yatnena saṃrakṣedvittameti ca yāti ca | akṣīṇo vittataḥ kṣīṇo vṛttatastu hato hataḥ

Guard your conduct with care; wealth comes and goes. One who has lost wealth has lost nothing, but one who has lost his conduct is ruined indeed.

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

Verse 31 (5.36.31)

गोभिः पशुभिरश्वैश्च कृष्या च सुसमृद्धया । कुलानि न प्ररोहन्ति यानि हीनानि वृत्ततः ॥

gobhiḥ paśubhiraśvaiśca kṛṣyā ca susamṛddhayā | kulāni na prarohanti yāni hīnāni vṛttataḥ

Even with cows, livestock and horses, and with flourishing fields, families do not thrive if they fall short in conduct.

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

Verse 32 (5.36.32)

मा नः कुले वैरकृत्कश्चिदस्तु । राजा बद्धो मा परस्वापहारी । मित्रद्रोही नैकृतिकोऽनृती वा । पूर्वाशी वा पितृदेवातिथिभ्यः ॥

mā naḥ kule vairakṛtkaścidastu | rājā baddho mā parasvāpahārī | mitradrohī naikṛtiko'nṛtī vā | pūrvāśī vā pitṛdevātithibhyaḥ

Let there be no one in our family who makes enemies, none held in the king's bonds, none who steals another's property, none who betrays a friend, deceives or lies, and none who eats before the ancestors, the gods and his guests.

Verse 33 (5.36.33)

यश्च नो ब्राह्मणान्हन्याद्यश्च नो ब्राह्मणान् द्विषेत् । न नः स समितिं गच्छेद्यश्च नो निर्वपेत्कृषिम् ॥

yaśca no brāhmaṇānhanyādyaśca no brāhmaṇān dviṣet | na naḥ sa samitiṃ gacchedyaśca no nirvapetkṛṣim

Whoever among us would kill Brahmins or hate Brahmins, let him not come into our assembly, nor anyone among us who would take to sowing the fields.

Note on the text: Corrected ब्राह्णणान् → ब्राह्मणान् (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read ब्राह्मणान्).

Verse 34 (5.36.34)

तृणानि भूमिरुदकं वाक्चतुर्थी च सूनृता । सतामेतानि गेहेषु नोच्छिद्यन्ते कदाचन ॥

tṛṇāni bhūmirudakaṃ vākcaturthī ca sūnṛtā | satāmetāni geheṣu nocchidyante kadācana

Straw to sit on, ground to rest on, water, and fourth, a kind and truthful word: these are never lacking in the homes of the good.

Note on the text: Corrected वाक्व्रतुर्थी → वाक्चतुर्थी (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read वाक्चतुर्थी).

Verse 35 (5.36.35)

श्रद्धया परया राजन्नुपनीतानि सत्कृतिम् । प्रवृत्तानि महाप्राज्ञ धर्मिणां पुण्यकर्मिणाम् ॥

śraddhayā parayā rājannupanītāni satkṛtim | pravṛttāni mahāprājña dharmiṇāṃ puṇyakarmiṇām

O king, O wise one, these are offered with the deepest faith and with respect in the homes of the righteous who do good deeds.

Verse 36 (5.36.36)

सूक्ष्मोऽपि भारं नृपते स्यन्दनो वै । शक्तो वोढुं न तथाऽन्ये महीजाः । एवं युक्ता भारसहा भवन्ति । महाकुलीना न तथान्ये मनुष्याः ॥

sūkṣmo'pi bhāraṃ nṛpate syandano vai | śakto voḍhuṃ na tathā'nye mahījāḥ | evaṃ yuktā bhārasahā bhavanti | mahākulīnā na tathānye manuṣyāḥ

The syandana tree, though slender, can bear a load, O king, as other trees cannot. In the same way, men of great families, when yoked to a task, bear the burden as other men cannot.

Verse 37 (5.36.37)

न तन्मित्रं यस्य कोपाद्बिभेति । यद्वा मित्रं शङ्कितेनोपचर्यम् । यस्मिन्मित्रे पितरीवाश्वसीत । तद्वै मित्रं सङ्गतानीतराणि ॥

na tanmitraṃ yasya kopādbibheti | yadvā mitraṃ śaṅkitenopacaryam | yasminmitre pitarīvāśvasīta | tadvai mitraṃ saṅgatānītarāṇi

He is no friend whose anger one fears, or who must be dealt with warily. The one in whom you can trust as in a father is a friend indeed; other ties are mere acquaintance.

Verse 38 (5.36.38)

यः कश्चिदप्यसंबद्धो मित्रभावेन वर्तते । स एव बन्धुस्तन्मित्रं सा गतिस्तत्परायणम् ॥

yaḥ kaścidapyasaṃbaddho mitrabhāvena vartate | sa eva bandhustanmitraṃ sā gatistatparāyaṇam

Whoever behaves as a friend, even with no tie of kinship, he is a kinsman, he is a friend, he is a refuge and a support.

Note on the text: Corrected मित्रसावेन → मित्रभावेन (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read मित्रभावेन).

Verse 39 (5.36.39)

चलचित्तस्य वै पुंसो वृद्धाननुपसेवतः । पारिप्लवमतेर्नित्यमध्रुवो मित्रसङ्ग्रहः ॥

calacittasya vai puṃso vṛddhānanupasevataḥ | pāriplavamaternityamadhruvo mitrasaṅgrahaḥ

For a man of fickle mind, who does not wait upon the elders and whose thinking is always unsteady, the gathering of friends never lasts.

Verse 40 (5.36.40)

चलचित्तमनात्मानमिन्द्रियाणां वशानुगम् । अर्थाः समतिवर्तन्ते हंसाः शुष्कं सरो यथा ॥

calacittamanātmānamindriyāṇāṃ vaśānugam | arthāḥ samativartante haṃsāḥ śuṣkaṃ saro yathā

Wealth passes by the fickle-minded man who is not master of himself and is led by his senses, as swans pass by a dried-up lake.

Note on the text: Corrected समभिवर्तते → समतिवर्तन्ते (Wikisource typo: a singular verb with the plural subject अर्थाः, and a sense contrary to the simile of swans leaving a dry lake; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read समतिवर्तन्ते).

Verse 41 (5.36.41)

अकस्मादेव कुप्यन्ति प्रसीदन्त्यनिमित्ततः । शीलमेतदसाधूनामभ्रं पारिप्लवं यथा ॥

akasmādeva kupyanti prasīdantyanimittataḥ | śīlametadasādhūnāmabhraṃ pāriplavaṃ yathā

They grow angry for no reason and are pleased without cause: this is the nature of the wicked, as shifting as the clouds.

Verse 42 (5.36.42)

सत्कृताश्च कृतार्थाश्च मित्राणां न भवन्ति ये । तान्मृतानपि क्रव्यादाः कृतघ्नान्नोपभुञ्जते ॥

satkṛtāśca kṛtārthāśca mitrāṇāṃ na bhavanti ye | tānmṛtānapi kravyādāḥ kṛtaghnānnopabhuñjate

Those who, though honoured by their friends and helped by them to their goals, do not stand by those friends: such ingrates even the eaters of carrion will not touch when they are dead.

Verse 43 (5.36.43)

अर्थयेदेव मित्राणि सति वाऽसति वा धने । नानर्थयन्प्रजानाति मित्राणां सारफल्गुताम् ॥

arthayedeva mitrāṇi sati vā'sati vā dhane | nānarthayanprajānāti mitrāṇāṃ sāraphalgutām

One should make requests of one's friends, whether one has wealth or not; without asking, one never learns which friends are solid and which are hollow.

Verse 44 (5.36.44)

सन्तापाद्भ्रश्यते रूपं सन्तापाद्भ्रश्यते बलम् । सन्तापाद्भ्रश्यते ज्ञानं सन्तापाद्व्याधिमृच्छति ॥

santāpādbhraśyate rūpaṃ santāpādbhraśyate balam | santāpādbhraśyate jñānaṃ santāpādvyādhimṛcchati

Grief destroys beauty, grief destroys strength, grief destroys understanding; through grief one falls ill.

Verse 45 (5.36.45)

अनवाप्यं च शोकेन शरीरं चोपतप्यते । अमित्राश्च प्रहृष्यन्ति मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः ॥

anavāpyaṃ ca śokena śarīraṃ copatapyate | amitrāśca prahṛṣyanti mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ

What is lost is not regained by grieving; the body only suffers, and one's enemies rejoice. Do not set your mind on grief.

Verse 46 (5.36.46)

पुनर्नरो म्रियते जायते च । पुनर्नरो हीयते वर्धते च । पुनर्नरो याचति याच्यते च । पुनर्नरः शोचति शोच्यते च ॥

punarnaro mriyate jāyate ca | punarnaro hīyate vardhate ca | punarnaro yācati yācyate ca | punarnaraḥ śocati śocyate ca

Again and again a man dies and is born; again and again he declines and grows; again and again he begs and is begged of; again and again he grieves and is grieved for.

Verse 47 (5.36.47)

सुखं च दुःखं च भवाभवौ च । लाभालाभौ मरणं जीवितं च । पर्यायशः सर्वमेते स्पृशन्ति । तस्माद्धीरो न च हृष्येन्न शोचेत् ॥

sukhaṃ ca duḥkhaṃ ca bhavābhavau ca | lābhālābhau maraṇaṃ jīvitaṃ ca | paryāyaśaḥ sarvamete spṛśanti | tasmāddhīro na ca hṛṣyenna śocet

Happiness and sorrow, rising and falling, gain and loss, death and life: these touch everyone in turn. Therefore the steady man should neither exult nor grieve.

Note on the text: Corrected सोचेत् → शोचेत् (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read शोचेत्).

Verse 48 (5.36.48)

चलानि हीमानि षडिन्द्रियाणि । तेषां यद्यद्वर्धते यत्रयत्र । ततस्ततः स्रवते बुद्धिरस्य । च्छिद्रोदकुम्भादिव नित्यमम्भः ॥

calāni hīmāni ṣaḍindriyāṇi | teṣāṃ yadyadvardhate yatrayatra | tatastataḥ sravate buddhirasya | cchidrodakumbhādiva nityamambhaḥ

These six senses are restless. Whichever of them grows strong, and wherever it does, through that a man's understanding leaks away, like water from a cracked jar.

Verse 49 (5.36.49)

तनुरुद्धः शिखी राजा मिथ्योपचरितो मया । मन्दानां मम पुत्राणां युद्धेनान्तं करिष्यति ॥

tanuruddhaḥ śikhī rājā mithyopacarito mayā | mandānāṃ mama putrāṇāṃ yuddhenāntaṃ kariṣyati

King Yudhishthira is a fire held down to a small flame, and I have dealt falsely with him. He will bring my foolish sons to their end in battle.

Verse 50 (5.36.50)

नित्योद्विग्नमिदं सर्वं नित्योद्विग्नमिदं मनः । यत्तत्पदमनुद्विग्नं तन्मे वद महामते ॥

nityodvignamidaṃ sarvaṃ nityodvignamidaṃ manaḥ | yattatpadamanudvignaṃ tanme vada mahāmate

All this is ever troubled, and my mind is ever troubled. Tell me, wise one, of that state which is free from trouble.

Note on the text: Corrected नित्योद्विग्रमिदं → नित्योद्विग्नमिदं (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read नित्योद्विग्नमिदं).

Verse 51 (5.36.51)

नान्यत्र विद्यातपसो नान्यत्रेन्द्रियनिग्रहात् । नान्यत्र लोभसन्त्यागाच्छान्तिं पश्यामि तेऽनघ ॥

nānyatra vidyātapaso nānyatrendriyanigrahāt | nānyatra lobhasantyāgācchāntiṃ paśyāmi te'nagha

Except through learning and austerity, through mastery of the senses, and through giving up greed, I see no peace for you, sinless one.

Verse 52 (5.36.52)

बुद्ध्या भयं प्रणुदति तपसा विन्दते महत् । गुरुशुश्रूषया ज्ञानं शान्तिं त्यागेन विन्दति ॥

buddhyā bhayaṃ praṇudati tapasā vindate mahat | guruśuśrūṣayā jñānaṃ śāntiṃ tyāgena vindati

Through understanding one drives away fear; through austerity one gains greatness; through serving the teacher, knowledge; and through renunciation one finds peace.

Note on the text: Corrected भोगेन → त्यागेन (misprint in Wikisource; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition both read त्यागेन).

Verse 53 (5.36.53)

अनाश्रिता दानपुण्यं वेदपुण्यमनाश्रिताः । रागद्वेषविनिर्मुक्ता विचरन्तीह मोक्षिणः ॥

anāśritā dānapuṇyaṃ vedapuṇyamanāśritāḥ | rāgadveṣavinirmuktā vicarantīha mokṣiṇaḥ

Not leaning on the merit of giving, not leaning on the merit of Vedic learning, free from attachment and aversion, the seekers of liberation wander in this world.

Verse 54 (5.36.54)

स्वधीतस्य सुयुद्धस्य सुकृतस्य च कर्मणः । तपसश्च सुतप्तस्य तस्यान्ते सुखमेधते ॥

svadhītasya suyuddhasya sukṛtasya ca karmaṇaḥ | tapasaśca sutaptasya tasyānte sukhamedhate

At the end of study well done, of battle well fought, of deeds well performed, and of austerity well practised, happiness grows.

Verse 55 (5.36.55)

स्वास्तीर्णानि शयनानि प्रपन्ना । न वै भिन्ना जातु निद्रां लभन्ते । न स्त्रीषु राजन्रतिमाप्नुवन्ति । न मागधैः स्तूयमाना न सूतैः ॥

svāstīrṇāni śayanāni prapannā | na vai bhinnā jātu nidrāṃ labhante | na strīṣu rājanratimāpnuvanti | na māgadhaiḥ stūyamānā na sūtaiḥ

Those who are divided never find sleep, O king, even on well-spread beds; they take no delight in women, nor in being praised by bards and heralds.

Verse 56 (5.36.56)

न वै भिन्ना जातु चरन्ति धर्मं । न वै सुखं प्राप्नुवन्तीह भिन्नाः । न वै भिन्ना गौरवं प्राप्नुवन्ति । न वै भिन्नाः प्रशमं रोचयन्ति ॥

na vai bhinnā jātu caranti dharmaṃ | na vai sukhaṃ prāpnuvantīha bhinnāḥ | na vai bhinnā gauravaṃ prāpnuvanti | na vai bhinnāḥ praśamaṃ rocayanti

Those who are divided never practise dharma; those who are divided never find happiness here; those who are divided never win honour; those who are divided never take pleasure in peace.

Verse 57 (5.36.57)

न वै तेषां स्वदते पथ्यमुक्तं । योगक्षेमं कल्पते नैव तेषाम् । भिन्नानां वै मनुजेन्द्र परायणं । न विद्यते किञ्चिदन्यद्विनाशात् ॥

na vai teṣāṃ svadate pathyamuktaṃ | yogakṣemaṃ kalpate naiva teṣām | bhinnānāṃ vai manujendra parāyaṇaṃ | na vidyate kiñcidanyadvināśāt

Even wholesome advice does not please them, and their welfare never prospers. For those who are divided, lord of men, there is no end other than destruction.

Verse 58 (5.36.58)

संपन्नं गोषु संभाव्यं संभाव्यं ब्राह्मणे तपः । संभाव्यं चापलं स्त्रीषु संभाव्यं ज्ञातितो भयं ॥

saṃpannaṃ goṣu saṃbhāvyaṃ saṃbhāvyaṃ brāhmaṇe tapaḥ | saṃbhāvyaṃ cāpalaṃ strīṣu saṃbhāvyaṃ jñātito bhayaṃ

Abundance is to be expected in cows, austerity in a Brahmin, fickleness in women, and danger from one's own kinsmen.

Verse 59 (5.36.59)

तन्तवोऽप्यायता नित्यं तनवो बहुलाः समाः । बहून्बहुत्वादायासान्सहन्तीत्युपमा सताम् ॥

tantavo'pyāyatā nityaṃ tanavo bahulāḥ samāḥ | bahūnbahutvādāyāsānsahantītyupamā satām

Threads that are long and thin, if they are many and of equal length, bear many strains because they are many: this is a likeness for the good.

Note on the text: Wikisource labels this verse 69; it sits between 58 and 60, so it is 59. Corrected सहन्तीत्सुपमा → सहन्तीत्युपमा (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read सहन्तीत्युपमा).

Verse 60 (5.36.60)

धूमायन्ते व्यपेतानि ज्वलन्ति सहितानि च । धृतराष्ट्रोल्मुकानीव ज्ञातयो भरतर्षभ ॥

dhūmāyante vyapetāni jvalanti sahitāni ca | dhṛtarāṣṭrolmukānīva jñātayo bharatarṣabha

Firebrands smoulder when they are apart and blaze when they are together; so it is with kinsmen, Dhritarashtra, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 61 (5.36.61)

ब्राह्मणेषु च ये शूराः स्त्रीषु ज्ञातिषु गोषु च । वृन्तादिव फलं पक्वं धृतराष्ट्र पतन्ति ते ॥

brāhmaṇeṣu ca ye śūrāḥ strīṣu jñātiṣu goṣu ca | vṛntādiva phalaṃ pakvaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭra patanti te

Those who show their might against Brahmins, women, kinsmen and cows fall, Dhritarashtra, like ripe fruit from the stalk.

Verse 62 (5.36.62)

महानप्येकजो वृक्षो बलवान्सुप्रतिष्ठितः । प्रसह्य एव वातेन सस्कन्धो मर्दितुं क्षणात् ॥

mahānapyekajo vṛkṣo balavānsupratiṣṭhitaḥ | prasahya eva vātena saskandho mardituṃ kṣaṇāt

Even a great tree that stands alone, strong and firmly rooted, can be crushed by the wind in a moment, trunk and all.

Verse 63 (5.36.63)

अथ ये सहिता वृक्षाः सङ्घशः सुप्रतिष्ठिताः । ते हि शीघ्रतमान्वातान्सहन्तेऽन्योन्यसंश्रयात् ॥

atha ye sahitā vṛkṣāḥ saṅghaśaḥ supratiṣṭhitāḥ | te hi śīghratamānvātānsahante'nyonyasaṃśrayāt

But trees that stand together in a cluster, firmly rooted, withstand even the fiercest winds by leaning on one another.

Note on the text: Corrected सहन्तेन्योन्यसंश्रयात् → सहन्तेऽन्योन्यसंश्रयात् (Wikisource drops the avagraha; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read सहन्तेऽन्योन्यसंश्रयात्).

Verse 64 (5.36.64)

एवं मनुष्यमप्येकं गुणैरपि समन्वितम् । शक्यं द्विषन्तो मन्यन्ते वायुर्द्रुममिवैकजम् ॥

evaṃ manuṣyamapyekaṃ guṇairapi samanvitam | śakyaṃ dviṣanto manyante vāyurdrumamivaikajam

So too a man who stands alone, though endowed with every virtue, is thought by his enemies to be easily overcome, as the wind regards a lone tree.

Verse 65 (5.36.65)

अन्योन्यसमुपष्टम्भादन्योन्यापाश्रयेण च । ज्ञातयः संप्रवर्धन्ते सरसीवोत्पलान्युत ॥

anyonyasamupaṣṭambhādanyonyāpāśrayeṇa ca | jñātayaḥ saṃpravardhante sarasīvotpalānyuta

By supporting one another and relying on one another, kinsmen flourish together, like lotuses in a lake.

Verse 66 (5.36.66)

अवध्या ब्राह्मणा गावो ज्ञातयः शिशिवः स्त्रियः । येषां चान्नानि भुञ्जीत ये च स्युः शरणागताः । महत्यप्यपराधेऽपि तेषां दण्डो विसर्जनम् ॥

avadhyā brāhmaṇā gāvo jñātayaḥ śiśivaḥ striyaḥ | yeṣāṃ cānnāni bhuñjīta ye ca syuḥ śaraṇāgatāḥ | mahatyapyaparādhe'pi teṣāṃ daṇḍo visarjanam

Brahmins, cows, kinsmen, children and women must not be put to death, nor those whose food one has eaten, nor those who have come for refuge. Even for a great offence, their punishment is banishment.

Note on the text: Corrected स्युःक → स्युः (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read स्युः). Wikisource also reads शिशिवः, probably a slip for शिशवः ("children"); it is left as printed because neither edition has the word here (both read बालाश्च). The third line is not in the critical edition.

Verse 67 (5.36.67)

न मनुष्ये गुणः कश्चिद्राजन्सधनतामृते । अनातुरत्वाद्भद्रं ते मृतकल्पा हि रोगिणः ॥

na manuṣye guṇaḥ kaścidrājansadhanatāmṛte | anāturatvādbhadraṃ te mṛtakalpā hi rogiṇaḥ

Wealth aside, O king, there is no quality in a man that counts for more than health, may it be well with you; for the sick are as good as dead.

Verse 68 (5.36.68)

अव्याधिजं कटुकं शीर्षरोगि । पापानुबन्धं परुषं तीक्ष्णमुष्णम् । सतां पेयं यन्न पिबन्त्यसन्तो । मन्युं महाराज पिब प्रशाम्य ॥

avyādhijaṃ kaṭukaṃ śīrṣarogi | pāpānubandhaṃ paruṣaṃ tīkṣṇamuṣṇam | satāṃ peyaṃ yanna pibantyasanto | manyuṃ mahārāja piba praśāmya

Anger is not born of illness, yet it is bitter, brings on headaches, binds one to sin, and is harsh, sharp and burning. The good drink it down; the wicked cannot. Drink it down, great king, and be at peace.

Verse 69 (5.36.69)

रोगार्दिता न फलान्याद्रियन्ते । न वै लभन्ते विषयेषु तत्त्वम् । दुःखोपेता रोगिणो नित्यमेव । न बुध्यन्ते धनभोगान्नसौख्यम् ॥

rogārditā na phalānyādriyante | na vai labhante viṣayeṣu tattvam | duḥkhopetā rogiṇo nityameva | na budhyante dhanabhogānnasaukhyam

Those tormented by illness care nothing for fruits and find no true relish in the objects of the senses. The sick, always full of pain, know neither the enjoyment of wealth nor any happiness.

Verse 70 (5.36.70)

पुरा ह्युक्तं नाकरोस्त्वं वचो मे । द्यूते जितां द्रौपदीं प्रेक्ष्य राजन् । दुर्योधनं वारयेत्यक्षवत्यां । कितवत्वं पण्डिता वर्जयन्ति ॥

purā hyuktaṃ nākarostvaṃ vaco me | dyūte jitāṃ draupadīṃ prekṣya rājan | duryodhanaṃ vārayetyakṣavatyāṃ | kitavatvaṃ paṇḍitā varjayanti

Long ago, when you saw Draupadi won at dice, I told you, O king, 'Restrain Duryodhana at the gaming board,' but you did not heed my word. The wise shun gambling.

Verse 71 (5.36.71)

न तद्बलं यन्मृदुना विरुध्यते । सूक्ष्मो धर्मस्तरसा सेवितव्यः । प्रध्वंसिनी क्रूरसमाहिता श्री- । र्मृदुप्रौढा गच्छति पुत्रपौत्रान् ॥

na tadbalaṃ yanmṛdunā virudhyate | sūkṣmo dharmastarasā sevitavyaḥ | pradhvaṃsinī krūrasamāhitā śrī- | rmṛduprauḍhā gacchati putrapautrān

That is not strength which sets itself against gentleness; subtle dharma should be followed with vigour. Prosperity built on cruelty is doomed to perish, while prosperity grown strong through gentleness passes on to sons and grandsons.

Verse 72 (5.36.72)

धार्तराष्ट्राः पाण्डवान्पालयन्तु । पाण्डोः सुतास्तव पुत्रांश्च पान्तु । एकारिमित्राः कुरवो ह्येककार्या । जीवन्तु राजन्सुखिनः समृद्धाः ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ pāṇḍavānpālayantu | pāṇḍoḥ sutāstava putrāṃśca pāntu | ekārimitrāḥ kuravo hyekakāryā | jīvantu rājansukhinaḥ samṛddhāḥ

Let the sons of Dhritarashtra protect the Pandavas, and let the sons of Pandu protect your sons. Let the Kurus, sharing the same enemies and friends and a single purpose, live happy and prosperous, O king.

Verse 73 (5.36.73)

मेढीभूतः कौरवाणां त्वमद्य । त्वय्याधीनं कुरुकुलमाजमीढ । पार्थान्बालान्वनवासप्रतप्ता- । न्गोपायस्व स्वं यशस्तात रक्षन् ॥

meḍhībhūtaḥ kauravāṇāṃ tvamadya | tvayyādhīnaṃ kurukulamājamīḍha | pārthānbālānvanavāsaprataptā- | ngopāyasva svaṃ yaśastāta rakṣan

You are now the central pillar of the Kauravas; the Kuru line depends on you, descendant of Ajamidha. Protect the young sons of Pritha, worn by their life in the forest, and so guard your own good name, dear lord.

Verse 74 (5.36.74)

सन्धत्स्व त्वं कौरव पाण्डुपुत्रै- । र्मा तेऽन्तरं रिपवः प्रार्थयन्तु । सत्ये स्थितास्ते नरदेव सर्वे । दुर्योधनं स्थापय त्वं नरेन्द्र ॥

sandhatsva tvaṃ kaurava pāṇḍuputrai- | rmā te'ntaraṃ ripavaḥ prārthayantu | satye sthitāste naradeva sarve | duryodhanaṃ sthāpaya tvaṃ narendra

Make peace, O Kaurava, with the sons of Pandu, so that your enemies do not find a breach to exploit. All of them stand firm in truth, lord of men. Restrain Duryodhana, O king.

Note on the text: Corrected नेऽन्तरं → तेऽन्तरं (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read तेऽन्तरं).