The Seventeen Fools and the Forest’s Tigers

Verse 1 (5.37.1)

सप्तदशेमान्राजेन्द्र मनुः स्वायंभुवोऽब्रवीत् । वैचित्रवीर्य पुरुषानाकाशं मुष्टिभिर्घ्नतः ॥

saptadaśemānrājendra manuḥ svāyaṃbhuvo'bravīt | vaicitravīrya puruṣānākāśaṃ muṣṭibhirghnataḥ

O lord of kings, son of Vichitravirya, Manu the son of Svayambhu declared that the following seventeen kinds of men strike the empty sky with their fists.

Verse 2 (5.37.2)

तानेवेन्द्रस्य च धनुरनाम्यं नमतोऽब्रवीत् । अथो मरीचिनः पादानग्राह्यान्गृह्णतस्तथा ॥

tānevendrasya ca dhanuranāmyaṃ namato'bravīt | atho marīcinaḥ pādānagrāhyāngṛhṇatastathā

He spoke of them as men who try to bend Indra's bow, which cannot be bent, and likewise as men who try to grasp the rays of the sun, which cannot be grasped.

Note on the text: Corrected नमतो ब्रवीत् → नमतोऽब्रवीत् (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read नमतोऽब्रवीत्). Missing avagraha.

Verse 3 (5.37.3)

यश्चाशिष्यं शास्ति वै यश्च तुष्ये- । द्यश्चातिवेलं भजते द्विषन्तम् । स्त्रियश्च योऽरक्षति भद्रमस्तु ते । यश्चायाच्यं याचते कत्थते वा ॥

yaścāśiṣyaṃ śāsti vai yaśca tuṣye- | dyaścātivelaṃ bhajate dviṣantam | striyaśca yo'rakṣati bhadramastu te | yaścāyācyaṃ yācate katthate vā

They are the man who instructs one unfit to be taught, the man who is easily satisfied, the man who serves an enemy beyond all bounds, the man who does not protect the women of his house (may good befall you), the man who begs from one who should not be asked, and the man who boasts;

Note on the text: Corrected यो रक्षति → योऽरक्षति (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read योऽरक्षति). Missing avagraha; the list is of fools, so the sense is "who does not guard". Corrected भद्रमश्रुते → भद्रमस्तु ते (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read भद्रमस्तु ते).

Verse 4 (5.37.4)

यश्चाभिजातः प्रकरोत्यकार्यं । यश्चाबलो बलिना नित्यवैरी । अश्रद्दधानाय च यो ब्रवीति । यश्चाकाम्यं कामयते नरेन्द्र ॥

yaścābhijātaḥ prakarotyakāryaṃ | yaścābalo balinā nityavairī | aśraddadhānāya ca yo bravīti | yaścākāmyaṃ kāmayate narendra

the man of noble birth who does an unworthy deed, the weak man who is forever at enmity with the strong, the man who speaks to one who has no faith, and the man who desires what ought not to be desired, O lord of men;

Verse 5 (5.37.5)

वध्वाऽवहासं श्वशुरो मन्यते यो । वध्वाऽवसन्नभयो मानकामः । परक्षेत्रे निर्वपति यश्च बीजं । स्त्रियं च यः परिवदतेऽतिवेलम् ॥

vadhvā'vahāsaṃ śvaśuro manyate yo | vadhvā'vasannabhayo mānakāmaḥ | parakṣetre nirvapati yaśca bījaṃ | striyaṃ ca yaḥ parivadate'tivelam

the father-in-law who thinks it fit to jest with his son's wife, the man who lives on his daughter-in-law's support without qualm and still wants to be honoured, the man who sows his seed in another's field, and the man who speaks ill of women beyond measure;

Verse 6 (5.37.6)

यश्चापि लब्ध्वा न स्मरामीति वादी । दत्त्वा च यः कत्थति याच्यमानः । यश्चासतः सान्त्वमुपानयीत । एतान्नयन्ति निरयं पाशहस्ताः ॥

yaścāpi labdhvā na smarāmīti vādī | dattvā ca yaḥ katthati yācyamānaḥ | yaścāsataḥ sāntvamupānayīta | etānnayanti nirayaṃ pāśahastāḥ

the man who, having received something, says 'I do not remember'; the man who, having given, boasts of it when asked; and the man who tries to win over the wicked with gentle words. Such men are led to hell by the messengers of death, nooses in hand.

Verse 7 (5.37.7)

यस्मिन्यथा वर्तते यो मनुष्य- । स्तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तितव्यं स धर्मः । मायाचारो मायया वर्तितव्यः । साध्वाचारः साधुना प्रत्युपेयः ॥

yasminyathā vartate yo manuṣya- | stasmiṃstathā vartitavyaṃ sa dharmaḥ | māyācāro māyayā vartitavyaḥ | sādhvācāraḥ sādhunā pratyupeyaḥ

However a man behaves toward another, so should he be treated in return; that is dharma. One who acts with deceit should be met with deceit, and one who acts honestly should be met with honesty.

Verse 8 (5.37.8)

जरा रूपं हरति हि धैर्यमाशा । मृत्युः प्राणान्धर्मचर्यामसूया । कामो ह्रियं वृत्तमनार्यसेवा । क्रोधः श्रियं सर्वमेवाभिमानः ॥

jarā rūpaṃ harati hi dhairyamāśā | mṛtyuḥ prāṇāndharmacaryāmasūyā | kāmo hriyaṃ vṛttamanāryasevā | krodhaḥ śriyaṃ sarvamevābhimānaḥ

Old age robs beauty, hope robs fortitude, death robs life, envy robs righteous conduct, lust robs modesty, serving the ignoble robs good character, anger robs prosperity, and pride robs everything.

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

Verse 9 (5.37.9)

शतायुरुक्तः पुरुषः सर्ववेदेषु वै यदा । नाप्नोत्यथ च तत्सर्वमायुः केनेह हेतुना ॥

śatāyuruktaḥ puruṣaḥ sarvavedeṣu vai yadā | nāpnotyatha ca tatsarvamāyuḥ keneha hetunā

Since all the Vedas say that a man lives a hundred years, why is it that he does not reach that full span of life?

Verse 10 (5.37.10)

अतिमानोऽतिवादश्च तथाऽत्यागो नराधिप । क्रोधश्चात्मविधित्सा च मित्रद्रोहश्च तानि षट् ॥

atimāno'tivādaśca tathā'tyāgo narādhipa | krodhaścātmavidhitsā ca mitradrohaśca tāni ṣaṭ

Excessive pride, excessive talk, want of generosity, O ruler of men, anger, the urge to serve only oneself, and betrayal of friends: these are the six.

Verse 11 (5.37.11)

एत एवासयस्तीक्ष्णाः कृन्तन्त्यायूंषि देहिनाम् । एतानि मानवान्घ्नन्ति न मृत्युर्भद्रमस्तु ते ॥

eta evāsayastīkṣṇāḥ kṛntantyāyūṃṣi dehinām | etāni mānavānghnanti na mṛtyurbhadramastu te

These six are the sharp swords that cut short the lives of embodied beings. It is these that kill men, not death. May good befall you.

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

Verse 12 (5.37.12)

विश्वस्तस्यैति यो दारान्यश्चापि गुरुतल्पगः । वृषलीपतिर्द्विजो यश्च पानपश्चैव भारत ॥

viśvastasyaiti yo dārānyaścāpi gurutalpagaḥ | vṛṣalīpatirdvijo yaśca pānapaścaiva bhārata

He who goes to the wife of a man who trusts him, he who defiles his teacher's bed, the twice-born man who takes a Shudra woman as wife, and he who drinks liquor, O Bharata;

Verse 13 (5.37.13)

आदेशकृद्वृत्तिहन्ता द्विजानां प्रेषकश्च यः । शरणागतहा चैव सर्वे ब्रह्महणः समाः । एतैः समेत्य कर्तव्यं प्रायश्चित्तमिति श्रुतिः ॥

ādeśakṛdvṛttihantā dvijānāṃ preṣakaśca yaḥ | śaraṇāgatahā caiva sarve brahmahaṇaḥ samāḥ | etaiḥ sametya kartavyaṃ prāyaścittamiti śrutiḥ

he who orders brahmins about, he who destroys their livelihood, he who sends them on errands, and he who kills one who has come to him for refuge: all these are equal to the slayer of a brahmin. Scripture says that whoever has associated with them must perform expiation.

Note on the text: Matched by hand to CE 5.37.12, which has only the second and third lines of this verse; the first line (आदेशकृद्…) is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 14 (5.37.14)

गृहीतवाक्यो नयविद्वदान्यः । शेषान्नभोक्ता ह्यविहिंसकश्च । नानर्थकृत्याकुलितः कृतज्ञः । सत्यो मृदुः स्वर्गमुपैति विद्वान् ॥

gṛhītavākyo nayavidvadānyaḥ | śeṣānnabhoktā hyavihiṃsakaśca | nānarthakṛtyākulitaḥ kṛtajñaḥ | satyo mṛduḥ svargamupaiti vidvān

He who heeds good counsel, knows sound policy and is generous, who eats only what is left after others are fed, who harms no one, who does nothing harmful and is not troubled in mind, who is grateful, truthful and gentle: such a wise man attains heaven.

Verse 15 (5.37.15)

सुलभाः पुरुषा राजन्सततं प्रियवादिनः । अप्रियस्य तु पथ्यस्य वक्ता श्रोता च दुर्लभः ॥

sulabhāḥ puruṣā rājansatataṃ priyavādinaḥ | apriyasya tu pathyasya vaktā śrotā ca durlabhaḥ

O king, men who always speak pleasant words are easy to find; but one who speaks what is unpleasant yet beneficial, and one who will listen to it, are both hard to find.

Verse 16 (5.37.16)

यो हि धर्मं समाश्रित्य हित्वा भर्तुः प्रियाप्रिये । अप्रियाण्याह पथ्यानि तेन राजा सहायवान् ॥

yo hi dharmaṃ samāśritya hitvā bhartuḥ priyāpriye | apriyāṇyāha pathyāni tena rājā sahāyavān

He who takes his stand on dharma, sets aside what his master likes or dislikes, and speaks unpleasant but beneficial words: through such a man a king truly has a helper.

Verse 17 (5.37.17)

त्यजेत्कुलार्थे पुरुषं ग्रामस्यार्थे कुलं त्यजेत् । ग्रामं जनपदस्यार्थे आत्मार्थे पृथिवीं त्यजेत् ॥

tyajetkulārthe puruṣaṃ grāmasyārthe kulaṃ tyajet | grāmaṃ janapadasyārthe ātmārthe pṛthivīṃ tyajet

For the sake of the family one may give up a single man; for the sake of the village, a family; for the sake of the country, a village; and for the sake of one's own self, the whole earth.

Verse 18 (5.37.18)

आपदर्थे धनं रक्षेद्दारान्रक्षेद्धनैरपि । आत्मानं सततं रक्षेद्दारैरपि धनैरपि ॥

āpadarthe dhanaṃ rakṣeddārānrakṣeddhanairapi | ātmānaṃ satataṃ rakṣeddārairapi dhanairapi

One should guard wealth against misfortune, guard one's wife even at the cost of wealth, and always guard oneself even at the cost of wife and wealth.

Verse 19 (5.37.19)

द्यूतमेतत्पुरा कल्पे दृष्टं वैरकरं नृणाम् । तस्माद्द्यूतं न सेवेत हास्यार्थमपि बुद्धिमान् ॥

dyūtametatpurā kalpe dṛṣṭaṃ vairakaraṃ nṛṇām | tasmāddyūtaṃ na seveta hāsyārthamapi buddhimān

Long ago, in an earlier age, gambling was seen to breed enmity among men. Therefore a wise man should not take to dice, even in jest.

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

Verse 20 (5.37.20)

उक्तं मया द्यूतकालेऽपि राज- । न्नेदं युक्तं वचनं प्रातिपेय । तदौषधं पथ्यमिवातुरस्य । न रोचते तव वैचित्रवीर्य ॥

uktaṃ mayā dyūtakāle'pi rāja- | nnedaṃ yuktaṃ vacanaṃ prātipeya | tadauṣadhaṃ pathyamivāturasya | na rocate tava vaicitravīrya

Even at the time of the dice game I told you, O king, descendant of Pratipa, that this was not right. But, son of Vichitravirya, my words did not please you, just as wholesome medicine does not please a sick man.

Verse 21 (5.37.21)

काकैरिमांश्चित्रबर्हान्मयूरान् । पराजयेथाः पाण्डवान्धार्तराष्ट्रैः । हित्वा सिंहान्क्रोष्टुकान्गूहमानः । प्राप्ते काले शोचिता त्वं नरेन्द्रः ॥

kākairimāṃścitrabarhānmayūrān | parājayethāḥ pāṇḍavāndhārtarāṣṭraiḥ | hitvā siṃhānkroṣṭukāngūhamānaḥ | prāpte kāle śocitā tvaṃ narendraḥ

You would have crows, the sons of Dhritarashtra, defeat these peacocks of brilliant plumage, the Pandavas. Casting aside lions and sheltering jackals, you will grieve, O king, when the time comes.

Verse 22 (5.37.22)

यस्तात न क्रुध्यति सर्वकालं । भृत्यस्य भक्तस्य हिते रतस्य । तस्मिन्भृत्या भर्तरि विश्वसन्ति । न चैनमापत्सु परित्यजन्ति ॥

yastāta na krudhyati sarvakālaṃ | bhṛtyasya bhaktasya hite ratasya | tasminbhṛtyā bhartari viśvasanti | na cainamāpatsu parityajanti

Dear one, the master who never grows angry with a devoted servant intent on his welfare is the master in whom servants place their trust, and they do not forsake him in times of trouble.

Verse 23 (5.37.23)

न भृत्यानां वृत्तिसंरोधनेन । राज्यं धनं सञ्जिघृक्षेदपूर्वम् । त्यजन्ति ह्येनं वञ्चिता वै विरुद्धाः । स्निग्धा ह्यमात्याः परिहीनभोगाः ॥

na bhṛtyānāṃ vṛttisaṃrodhanena | rājyaṃ dhanaṃ sañjighṛkṣedapūrvam | tyajanti hyenaṃ vañcitā vai viruddhāḥ | snigdhā hyamātyāḥ parihīnabhogāḥ

One should not seek to seize a kingdom or wealth one never had before by cutting off the livelihood of one's servants. For even devoted ministers, cheated and deprived of their due, turn hostile and abandon such a master.

Note on the text: Corrected अमात्या → अमात्याः (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read अमात्याः). Dropped visarga.

Verse 24 (5.37.24)

कृत्यानि पूर्वं परिसङ्ख्याय सर्वा- । ण्यायव्यये चानुरूपां च वृत्तिम् । सङ्गृह्णीयादनुरूपान्सहायान् । सहायसाध्यानि हि दुष्कराणि ॥

kṛtyāni pūrvaṃ parisaṅkhyāya sarvā- | ṇyāyavyaye cānurūpāṃ ca vṛttim | saṅgṛhṇīyādanurūpānsahāyān | sahāyasādhyāni hi duṣkarāṇi

First reckon up all the tasks to be done, and set a livelihood that suits your income and expenditure; then gather suitable helpers, for difficult undertakings are accomplished through helpers.

Verse 25 (5.37.25)

अभिप्रायं यो विदित्वा तु भर्तुः । सर्वाणि कार्याणि करोत्यतन्द्री । वक्ता हितानामनुरक्त आर्यः । शक्तिज्ञ आत्मेव हि सोऽनुकम्प्यः ॥

abhiprāyaṃ yo viditvā tu bhartuḥ | sarvāṇi kāryāṇi karotyatandrī | vaktā hitānāmanurakta āryaḥ | śaktijña ātmeva hi so'nukampyaḥ

The servant who grasps his master's intent and does all his work tirelessly, who speaks what is beneficial, who is loyal and noble and knows his master's strength, should be cherished like one's own self.

Verse 26 (5.37.26)

वाक्यं तु यो नाद्रियतेऽनुशिष्टः । प्रत्याह यश्चापि नियुज्यमानः । प्रज्ञाभिमानी प्रतिकूलवादी । त्याज्यः स तादृक् त्वरयैव भृत्यः ॥

vākyaṃ tu yo nādriyate'nuśiṣṭaḥ | pratyāha yaścāpi niyujyamānaḥ | prajñābhimānī pratikūlavādī | tyājyaḥ sa tādṛk tvarayaiva bhṛtyaḥ

But the servant who disregards what he is told, who answers back when given a task, who prides himself on his own wisdom and speaks against his master, should be dismissed without delay.

Verse 27 (5.37.27)

अस्तब्धमक्लीबमदीर्घसूत्रं । सानुक्रोशं श्लक्ष्णमहार्यमन्यैः । अरोगजातीयमुदारवाक्यं । दूतं वदन्त्यष्टगुणोपपन्नम् ॥

astabdhamaklībamadīrghasūtraṃ | sānukrośaṃ ślakṣṇamahāryamanyaiḥ | arogajātīyamudāravākyaṃ | dūtaṃ vadantyaṣṭaguṇopapannam

They say an envoy should have eight qualities: he should be free of arrogance, not timid, not given to delay, compassionate, courteous, not to be bought by others, sound in health, and eloquent.

Verse 28 (5.37.28)

न विश्वासाज्जातु परस्य गेहे । गच्छेन्नरश्चेतयानो विकाले । न चत्वरे निशि तिष्ठेन्निगूढो । न राजकाम्यां योषितं प्रार्थयीत ॥

na viśvāsājjātu parasya gehe | gacchennaraścetayāno vikāle | na catvare niśi tiṣṭhennigūḍho | na rājakāmyāṃ yoṣitaṃ prārthayīta

A prudent man should never, trusting too readily, go to another's house at an untimely hour; he should not stand hidden at a crossroads at night; and he should not seek a woman whom the king desires.

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

Verse 29 (5.37.29)

न निह्नवं मन्त्रगतस्य गच्छे- । त्संसृष्टमन्त्रस्य कुसङ्गतस्य । न च ब्रूयान्नाश्वसिमि त्वयीति । सकारणं व्यपदेशं तु कुर्यात् ॥

na nihnavaṃ mantragatasya gacche- | tsaṃsṛṣṭamantrasya kusaṅgatasya | na ca brūyānnāśvasimi tvayīti | sakāraṇaṃ vyapadeśaṃ tu kuryāt

One should not contradict, in council, a man who keeps bad company and whose counsel is shared with many; nor should one tell him, 'I do not trust you', but should rather give some plausible reason.

Verse 30 (5.37.30)

घृणी राजा पुंश्चली राजभृत्यः । पुत्रो भ्राता विधवा बालपुत्रा । सेनाजीवी चोद्धृतभूरिरेव । व्यवहारेषु वर्जनीयाः स्युरेते ॥

ghṛṇī rājā puṃścalī rājabhṛtyaḥ | putro bhrātā vidhavā bālaputrā | senājīvī coddhṛtabhūrireva | vyavahāreṣu varjanīyāḥ syurete

A soft-hearted king, an unchaste woman, a king's servant, a son, a brother, a widow with a young son, one who lives by soldiering, and one who has lost great wealth: these should be avoided in dealings of lending and borrowing.

Verse 31 (5.37.31)

अष्टौ गुणाः पुरुषं दीपयन्ति । प्रज्ञा च कौल्यं च श्रुतं दमश्च । पराक्रमश्चाबहुभाषिता च । दानं यथाशक्ति कृतज्ञता च ॥

aṣṭau guṇāḥ puruṣaṃ dīpayanti | prajñā ca kaulyaṃ ca śrutaṃ damaśca | parākramaścābahubhāṣitā ca | dānaṃ yathāśakti kṛtajñatā ca

Eight qualities make a man shine: wisdom, noble lineage, learning, self-restraint, valour, sparing speech, giving according to one's means, and gratitude.

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

Verse 32 (5.37.32)

एतान्गुणांस्तात महानुभावा- । नेको गुणः संश्रयते प्रसह्य । राजा यदा सत्कुरुते मनुष्यं । सर्वान्गुणानेष गुणो बिभर्ति ॥

etānguṇāṃstāta mahānubhāvā- | neko guṇaḥ saṃśrayate prasahya | rājā yadā satkurute manuṣyaṃ | sarvānguṇāneṣa guṇo bibharti

Dear one, a single quality can take hold of all these great qualities by force: when a king honours a man, that one quality carries all the others.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Corrected गुणनेष → गुणानेष (misprint in Wikisource; the printed form is not a word).

Verse 33 (5.37.33)

गुणा दश स्नानशीलं भजन्ते । बलं रूपं स्वरवर्णप्रशुद्धिः । स्पर्शश्च गन्धश्च विशुद्धता च । श्रीः सौकुमार्यं प्रवराश्च नार्यः ॥

guṇā daśa snānaśīlaṃ bhajante | balaṃ rūpaṃ svaravarṇapraśuddhiḥ | sparśaśca gandhaśca viśuddhatā ca | śrīḥ saukumāryaṃ pravarāśca nāryaḥ

Ten benefits come to one who bathes regularly: strength, beauty, a clear voice, a clear complexion, softness of touch, fragrance, purity, radiance, delicacy, and the love of fine women.

Verse 34 (5.37.34)

गुणाश्च षण्मितभुक्तं भजन्ते । आरोग्यमायुश्च बलं सुखं च । अनाविलं चास्य भवत्यपत्यं । न चैनमाद्यून इति क्षिपन्ति ॥

guṇāśca ṣaṇmitabhuktaṃ bhajante | ārogyamāyuśca balaṃ sukhaṃ ca | anāvilaṃ cāsya bhavatyapatyaṃ | na cainamādyūna iti kṣipanti

And six benefits come to one who eats in moderation: health, long life, strength and happiness; his offspring are sound; and no one taunts him as a glutton.

Verse 35 (5.37.35)

अकर्मशीलं च महाशनं च । लोकद्विष्टं बहुमायं नृशंसम् । अदेशकालज्ञमनिष्टवेष- । मेतान्गृहे न प्रतिवासयेत ॥

akarmaśīlaṃ ca mahāśanaṃ ca | lokadviṣṭaṃ bahumāyaṃ nṛśaṃsam | adeśakālajñamaniṣṭaveṣa- | metāngṛhe na prativāsayeta

One should not give lodging in one's house to these: a man who will not work, a glutton, one hated by the world, a man full of deceit, a cruel man, one who knows neither place nor time, and one who dresses improperly.

Note on the text: Corrected अमिष्टवेष → अनिष्टवेष (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read अनिष्टवेषम्).

Verse 36 (5.37.36)

कदर्यमाक्रोशकमश्रुतं च । वनौकसं धूर्तममान्यमानिनम् । निष्ठूरिणं कृतवैरं कृतघ्न- । मेतान्भृशार्तोऽपि न जातु याचेत् ॥

kadaryamākrośakamaśrutaṃ ca | vanaukasaṃ dhūrtamamānyamāninam | niṣṭhūriṇaṃ kṛtavairaṃ kṛtaghna- | metānbhṛśārto'pi na jātu yācet

Even in great distress, never beg from a miser, an abuser, an unlearned man, a forest-dweller, a rogue, one who honours the unworthy, a harsh man, one who nurses enmity, or an ingrate.

Note on the text: Corrected भृशार्तोपि → भृशार्तोऽपि (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read भृशार्तोऽपि). Missing avagraha.

Verse 37 (5.37.37)

संक्लिष्टकर्माणमतिप्रमादं । नित्यानृतं चादृढभक्तिकं च । विसृष्टरागं पटुमानिनं चा- । प्येतान्न सेवेत नराधमान्षट् ॥

saṃkliṣṭakarmāṇamatipramādaṃ | nityānṛtaṃ cādṛḍhabhaktikaṃ ca | visṛṣṭarāgaṃ paṭumāninaṃ cā- | pyetānna seveta narādhamānṣaṭ

One should not serve these six, the lowest of men: one whose deeds bring torment, one who is utterly careless, one who is always untruthful, one whose loyalty is unsteady, one without affection, and one who fancies himself clever.

Verse 38 (5.37.38)

सहायबन्धना ह्यर्थाः सहायाश्चार्थबन्धनाः । अन्योन्यबन्धनावेतौ विनान्योन्यं न सिध्यतः ॥

sahāyabandhanā hyarthāḥ sahāyāścārthabandhanāḥ | anyonyabandhanāvetau vinānyonyaṃ na sidhyataḥ

Wealth depends on helpers, and helpers depend on wealth. The two are bound to each other; neither succeeds without the other.

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

Verse 39 (5.37.39)

उत्पाद्य पुत्राननृणांश्च कृत्वा । वृत्तिं च तेभ्योऽनुविधाय कांचित् । स्थाने कुमारीः प्रतिपाद्य सर्वा । अरण्यसंस्थोऽथ मुनिर्बुभूषेत् ॥

utpādya putrānanṛṇāṃśca kṛtvā | vṛttiṃ ca tebhyo'nuvidhāya kāṃcit | sthāne kumārīḥ pratipādya sarvā | araṇyasaṃstho'tha munirbubhūṣet

Having begotten sons and freed them from debt, having arranged some means of livelihood for them, and having given all his daughters in marriage to fitting husbands, a man should then dwell in the forest and seek to live as a sage.

Verse 40 (5.37.40)

हितं यत्सर्वभूतानामात्मनश्च सुखावहम् । तत्कुर्यादीश्वरो ह्येतन्मूलं सर्वार्थसिद्धये ॥

hitaṃ yatsarvabhūtānāmātmanaśca sukhāvaham | tatkuryādīśvaro hyetanmūlaṃ sarvārthasiddhaye

What is good for all beings and brings happiness to oneself, that a ruler should do, for this is the root of success in every aim.

Verse 41 (5.37.41)

वृद्धिः प्रभावस्तेजश्च सत्त्वमुत्थानमेव च । व्यवसायश्च यस्य स्यात्तस्यावृत्तिभयं कुतः ॥

vṛddhiḥ prabhāvastejaśca sattvamutthānameva ca | vyavasāyaśca yasya syāttasyāvṛttibhayaṃ kutaḥ

He who has growth, influence, energy, inner strength, enterprise and resolve: how can he fear for his livelihood?

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

Verse 42 (5.37.42)

पश्य दोषान्पाण्डवैर्विग्रहे त्वं । यत्र व्यथेयुरपि देवाः सशक्राः । पुत्रैर्वैरं नित्यमुद्विग्नवासो । यशःप्रणाशो द्विषतश्च हर्षः ॥

paśya doṣānpāṇḍavairvigrahe tvaṃ | yatra vyatheyurapi devāḥ saśakrāḥ | putrairvairaṃ nityamudvignavāso | yaśaḥpraṇāśo dviṣataśca harṣaḥ

Consider the evils of a war with the Pandavas, a war in which even the gods with Indra would suffer: enmity with those who are your sons, a life of constant anxiety, the ruin of your fame, and the delight of your foes.

Note on the text: Corrected सशक्रा → सशक्राः (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read सशक्राः). Dropped visarga.

Verse 43 (5.37.43)

भीष्मस्य कोपस्तव चैवेन्द्रकल्प । द्रोणस्य राज्ञश्च युधिष्ठिरस्य । उत्सादयेल्लोकमिमं प्रवृद्धः । श्वेतो ग्रहस्तिर्यगिवापतन्खे ॥

bhīṣmasya kopastava caivendrakalpa | droṇasya rājñaśca yudhiṣṭhirasya | utsādayellokamimaṃ pravṛddhaḥ | śveto grahastiryagivāpatankhe

O you who are like Indra, the wrath of Bhishma, of yourself, of Drona and of King Yudhishthira, once roused, could destroy this world, like a white comet falling slantwise across the sky.

Verse 44 (5.37.44)

तव पुत्रशतं चैव कर्णः पञ्च च पाण्डवाः । पृथिवीमनुशासेयुरखिलां सागराम्बराम् ॥

tava putraśataṃ caiva karṇaḥ pañca ca pāṇḍavāḥ | pṛthivīmanuśāseyurakhilāṃ sāgarāmbarām

Your hundred sons, Karna and the five Pandavas could together rule the whole earth, girdled by the ocean.

Verse 45 (5.37.45)

धार्तराष्ट्रा वनं राजन्व्याघ्राः पाण्डुसुता मताः । मा वनं छिन्धि सव्याघ्रं मा व्याघ्रा नीनशन्वनात् ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrā vanaṃ rājanvyāghrāḥ pāṇḍusutā matāḥ | mā vanaṃ chindhi savyāghraṃ mā vyāghrā nīnaśanvanāt

O king, the sons of Dhritarashtra are held to be the forest and the sons of Pandu its tigers. Do not cut down the forest together with its tigers, and let not the tigers perish, driven from the forest.

Verse 46 (5.37.46)

न स्याद्वनमृते व्याघ्रान्व्याघ्रा न स्युर्ऋते वनम् । वनं हि रक्ष्यते व्याघ्रैर्व्याघ्रान्रक्षति काननम् ॥

na syādvanamṛte vyāghrānvyāghrā na syurṛte vanam | vanaṃ hi rakṣyate vyāghrairvyāghrānrakṣati kānanam

Without tigers there would be no forest, and without the forest there would be no tigers. The forest is protected by the tigers, and the woodland protects the tigers.

Verse 47 (5.37.47)

न तथेच्छन्ति कल्याणान्परेषां वेदितुं गुणान् । यथैषां ज्ञातुमिच्छन्ति नैर्गुण्यं पापचेतसः ॥

na tathecchanti kalyāṇānpareṣāṃ vedituṃ guṇān | yathaiṣāṃ jñātumicchanti nairguṇyaṃ pāpacetasaḥ

The evil-minded are not so eager to learn the good qualities of others as they are to learn their faults.

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

Verse 48 (5.37.48)

अर्थसिद्धिं परामिच्छन्धर्ममेवादितश्चरेत् । नहि धर्मादपैत्यर्थः स्वर्गलोकादिवामृतम् ॥

arthasiddhiṃ parāmicchandharmamevāditaścaret | nahi dharmādapaityarthaḥ svargalokādivāmṛtam

One who seeks the highest success in worldly aims should practise dharma from the very start, for wealth never departs from dharma, just as nectar never departs from the world of heaven.

Verse 49 (5.37.49)

यस्यात्मा विरतः पापात्कल्याणे च निवेशितः । तेन सर्वमिदं बुद्धं प्रकृतिर्विकृतिश्च या ॥

yasyātmā virataḥ pāpātkalyāṇe ca niveśitaḥ | tena sarvamidaṃ buddhaṃ prakṛtirvikṛtiśca yā

He whose mind has turned away from sin and is settled in what is good has understood all this, both the original nature of things and its transformations.

Verse 50 (5.37.50)

यो धर्ममर्थं कामं च यथाकालं निषेवते । धर्मार्थकामसंयोगं सोऽमुत्रेह च विन्दति ॥

yo dharmamarthaṃ kāmaṃ ca yathākālaṃ niṣevate | dharmārthakāmasaṃyogaṃ so'mutreha ca vindati

He who pursues dharma, wealth and desire, each at its proper time, gains the union of all three, both here and in the world beyond.

Verse 51 (5.37.51)

सन्नियच्छति यो वेगमुत्थितं क्रोधहर्षयोः । स श्रियो भाजनं राजन्यश्चापत्सु न मुह्यति ॥

sanniyacchati yo vegamutthitaṃ krodhaharṣayoḥ | sa śriyo bhājanaṃ rājanyaścāpatsu na muhyati

O king, he who restrains the rising surge of anger and of joy, and who does not lose his head in misfortune, is a fit vessel for prosperity.

Verse 52 (5.37.52)

बलं पञ्चविधं नित्यं पुरुषाणां निबोध मे । यत्तु बाहुबलं नाम प्रथमं बलमुच्यते ॥

balaṃ pañcavidhaṃ nityaṃ puruṣāṇāṃ nibodha me | yattu bāhubalaṃ nāma prathamaṃ balamucyate

Learn from me that men always have five kinds of strength. The strength of one's arms is said to be the first.

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

Verse 53 (5.37.53)

अमात्यलाभो भद्रं ते द्वितीयं बलमुच्यते । तृतीयं धनलाभं तु बलमाहुर्मनीषिणः ॥

amātyalābho bhadraṃ te dvitīyaṃ balamucyate | tṛtīyaṃ dhanalābhaṃ tu balamāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ

The gaining of ministers, may good befall you, is said to be the second strength; and the gaining of wealth the wise call the third.

Verse 54 (5.37.54)

यत्त्वस्य सहजं राजन्पितृपैतामहं बलम् । अभिजातबलं नाम तच्चतुर्थं बलं स्मृतम् ॥

yattvasya sahajaṃ rājanpitṛpaitāmahaṃ balam | abhijātabalaṃ nāma taccaturthaṃ balaṃ smṛtam

The strength a man is born with, O king, inherited from father and grandfather, is called the strength of birth; it is known as the fourth.

Verse 55 (5.37.55)

येन त्वेतानि सर्वाणि सङ्गृहीतानि भारत । यद्बलानां बलं श्रेष्ठं तत्प्रज्ञाबलमुच्यते ॥

yena tvetāni sarvāṇi saṅgṛhītāni bhārata | yadbalānāṃ balaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ tatprajñābalamucyate

But that by which all these are held together, O Bharata, the strength that is best of all strengths, is called the strength of wisdom.

Verse 56 (5.37.56)

महते योऽपकाराय नरस्य प्रभवेन्नरः । तेन वैरं समासज्य दूरस्थोऽस्मीति नाश्वसेत् ॥

mahate yo'pakārāya narasya prabhavennaraḥ | tena vairaṃ samāsajya dūrastho'smīti nāśvaset

Having provoked enmity with a man who is able to do him great harm, one should not rest easy thinking, 'I am far away.'

Verse 57 (5.37.57)

स्त्रीषु राजसु सर्पेषु स्वाध्यायप्रभुशत्रुषु । भोगेष्वायुषि विश्वासं कः प्राज्ञः कर्तुमर्हति ॥

strīṣu rājasu sarpeṣu svādhyāyaprabhuśatruṣu | bhogeṣvāyuṣi viśvāsaṃ kaḥ prājñaḥ kartumarhati

Women, kings, serpents, one's own learning, masters, enemies, pleasures and life itself: what wise man would place his trust in these?

Verse 58 (5.37.58)

प्रज्ञाशरेणाभिहतस्य जन्तो- । श्चिकित्सकाः सन्ति न चौषधानि । न होममन्त्रा न च मङ्गलानि । नाथर्वणा नाप्यगदाः सुसिद्धाः ॥

prajñāśareṇābhihatasya janto- | ścikitsakāḥ santi na cauṣadhāni | na homamantrā na ca maṅgalāni | nātharvaṇā nāpyagadāḥ susiddhāḥ

For a creature struck by the arrow of wisdom there are no physicians and no medicines, no sacrificial mantras, no auspicious rites, no Atharvan charms, and no well-proven antidotes.

Verse 59 (5.37.59)

सर्पश्चाग्निश्च सिंहश्च कुलपुत्रश्च भारत । नावज्ञेया मनुष्येण सर्वे ह्येतेऽतितेजसः ॥

sarpaścāgniśca siṃhaśca kulaputraśca bhārata | nāvajñeyā manuṣyeṇa sarve hyete'titejasaḥ

A serpent, fire, a lion and a son of a noble family, O Bharata, should never be despised by a man, for all of these are of great power.

Verse 60 (5.37.60)

अग्निस्तेजो महल्लोके गूढस्तिष्ठति दारुषु । न चोपयुङ्क्ते तद्दारु यावन्नोद्दीप्यते परैः ॥

agnistejo mahalloke gūḍhastiṣṭhati dāruṣu | na copayuṅkte taddāru yāvannoddīpyate paraiḥ

Fire, the great power in the world, lies hidden in wood; it does not consume that wood until it is kindled by others.

Verse 61 (5.37.61)

स एव खलु दारुभ्यो यदा निर्मथ्य दीप्यते । तद्दारु च वनं चान्यन्निर्दहत्याशु तेजसा ॥

sa eva khalu dārubhyo yadā nirmathya dīpyate | taddāru ca vanaṃ cānyannirdahatyāśu tejasā

But that same fire, once churned out of the wood and set ablaze, swiftly burns up that wood, the forest and everything else with its heat.

Verse 62 (5.37.62)

एवमेव कुले जाताः पावकोपमतेजसः । क्षमावन्तो निराकाराः काष्ठेऽग्निरिव शेरते ॥

evameva kule jātāḥ pāvakopamatejasaḥ | kṣamāvanto nirākārāḥ kāṣṭhe'gniriva śerate

In the same way, those born in noble families, whose power is like fire, remain forbearing and show no sign of it, resting like fire in wood.

Verse 63 (5.37.63)

लताधर्मा त्वं सपुत्रः सालः पाण्डुसुता मताः । न लता वर्धते जातु महाद्रुममनाश्रिता ॥

latādharmā tvaṃ saputraḥ sālaḥ pāṇḍusutā matāḥ | na latā vardhate jātu mahādrumamanāśritā

You and your sons are of the nature of a creeper, and the sons of Pandu are held to be the sal tree. A creeper never grows without clinging to a great tree.

Verse 64 (5.37.64)

वनं राजंस्तव पुत्रोऽम्बिकेय । सिंहान्वने पाण्डवांस्तात विद्धि । सिंहैर्विहीनं हि वनं विनश्येत् । सिंहा विनश्येयुर्ऋते वनेन ॥

vanaṃ rājaṃstava putro'mbikeya | siṃhānvane pāṇḍavāṃstāta viddhi | siṃhairvihīnaṃ hi vanaṃ vinaśyet | siṃhā vinaśyeyurṛte vanena

O king, son of Ambika, your son is the forest; know, dear one, that the Pandavas are the lions in it. Without its lions the forest would be destroyed, and without the forest the lions would perish.