Vidura on Kinsmen, Friends and Fortune

Verse 1 (5.39.1)

अनीश्वरोऽयं पुरुषो भवाभवे । सूत्रप्रोता दारुमयीव योषा । धात्रा तु दिष्टस्य वशे कृतोऽयं । तस्माद्वद त्वं श्रवणे धृतोऽहम् ॥

anīśvaro'yaṃ puruṣo bhavābhave | sūtraprotā dārumayīva yoṣā | dhātrā tu diṣṭasya vaśe kṛto'yaṃ | tasmādvada tvaṃ śravaṇe dhṛto'ham

Man is not master of his own rise or fall. Like a wooden doll worked by strings, he has been placed by the Creator under the sway of destiny. So speak on; I am intent on listening.

Verse 2 (5.39.2)

अप्राप्तकालं वचनं बृहस्पतिरपि ब्रुवन् । लभते बुद्ध्यवज्ञानमवमानं च भारत ॥

aprāptakālaṃ vacanaṃ bṛhaspatirapi bruvan | labhate buddhyavajñānamavamānaṃ ca bhārata

O Bharata, even Brihaspati, if he speaks out of season, has his wisdom disregarded and is treated with contempt.

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

Verse 3 (5.39.3)

प्रियो भवति दानेन प्रियवादेन चापरः । मन्त्रमूलबलेनान्यो यः प्रियः प्रिय एव सः ॥

priyo bhavati dānena priyavādena cāparaḥ | mantramūlabalenānyo yaḥ priyaḥ priya eva saḥ

One person becomes dear through gifts, another through pleasant words, yet another through the power of spells and herbs; but one who is truly dear stays dear without any of these.

Verse 4 (5.39.4)

द्वेष्यो न साधुर्भवति न मेधावी न पण्डितः । प्रिये शुभानि कार्याणि द्वेष्ये पापानि चैव ह ॥

dveṣyo na sādhurbhavati na medhāvī na paṇḍitaḥ | priye śubhāni kāryāṇi dveṣye pāpāni caiva ha

A man who is disliked is held to be neither good, nor intelligent, nor learned. In the one we love we see only good deeds; in the one we dislike, only wicked ones.

Verse 5 (5.39.5)

उक्तं मया जातमात्रेऽपि राजन् । दुर्योधनं त्यज पुत्रं त्वमेकम् । तस्य त्यागात्पुत्रशतस्य वृद्धि- । रस्यात्यागात्पुत्रशतस्य नाशः ॥

uktaṃ mayā jātamātre'pi rājan | duryodhanaṃ tyaja putraṃ tvamekam | tasya tyāgātputraśatasya vṛddhi- | rasyātyāgātputraśatasya nāśaḥ

O king, I told you the moment he was born: "Give up this one son, Duryodhana. By giving him up, your hundred sons will prosper; by keeping him, the hundred will perish."

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

Verse 6 (5.39.6)

न वृद्धिर्बहुमन्तव्या या वृद्धिः क्षयमावहेत् । क्षयोऽपि बहुमन्तव्यो यः क्षयो वृद्धिमावहेत् ॥

na vṛddhirbahumantavyā yā vṛddhiḥ kṣayamāvahet | kṣayo'pi bahumantavyo yaḥ kṣayo vṛddhimāvahet

Gain that brings ruin in its wake should not be prized; loss that leads to gain should be prized highly.

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

Verse 7 (5.39.7)

न स क्षयो महाराज यः क्षयो वृद्धिमावहेत् । क्षयः स त्विह मन्तव्यो यं लब्ध्वा बहु नाशयेत् ॥

na sa kṣayo mahārāja yaḥ kṣayo vṛddhimāvahet | kṣayaḥ sa tviha mantavyo yaṃ labdhvā bahu nāśayet

Great king, a loss that brings gain is no loss at all. That alone should be counted a loss which, once incurred, destroys much.

Verse 8 (5.39.8)

समृद्धा गुणतः केचिद्भवन्ति धनतोऽपरे । धनवृद्धान्गुणैर्हीनान्धृतराष्ट्र विवर्जय ॥

samṛddhā guṇataḥ kecidbhavanti dhanato'pare | dhanavṛddhānguṇairhīnāndhṛtarāṣṭra vivarjaya

Some are rich in virtues, others in wealth. Dhritarashtra, shun those who are rich in wealth but poor in virtue.

Verse 9 (5.39.9)

सर्वं त्वमायतीयुक्तं भाषसे प्राज्ञसंमतम् । न चोत्सहे सुतं त्यक्तुं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥

sarvaṃ tvamāyatīyuktaṃ bhāṣase prājñasaṃmatam | na cotsahe sutaṃ tyaktuṃ yato dharmastato jayaḥ

Everything you say looks to the future and is approved by the wise. Yet I cannot bring myself to abandon my son. Where there is dharma, there is victory.

Verse 10 (5.39.10)

अतीव गुणसंपन्नो न जातु विनयान्वितः । सुसूक्ष्ममपि भूतानामुपमर्दमुपेक्षते ॥

atīva guṇasaṃpanno na jātu vinayānvitaḥ | susūkṣmamapi bhūtānāmupamardamupekṣate

One who is richly endowed with virtue and humility never looks on with indifference at even the slightest harm done to living beings.

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

Verse 11 (5.39.11)

परापवादनिरताः परदुःखोदयेषु च । परस्परविरोधे च यतन्ते सततोत्थिताः ॥

parāpavādaniratāḥ paraduḥkhodayeṣu ca | parasparavirodhe ca yatante satatotthitāḥ

There are those who delight in slandering others and in bringing grief upon them, and who are ever on their feet, striving to set people against one another.

Verse 12 (5.39.12)

सदोषं दर्शनं येषां संवासे सुमहद्भयम् । अर्थादाने महान्दोषः प्रदाने च महद्भयम् ॥

sadoṣaṃ darśanaṃ yeṣāṃ saṃvāse sumahadbhayam | arthādāne mahāndoṣaḥ pradāne ca mahadbhayam

Even the sight of such people is a fault; to live alongside them is a great danger; to take wealth from them is a grave wrong, and to give to them is a great danger as well.

Verse 13 (5.39.13)

ये वै भेदनशीलास्तु सकामा निस्त्रपाः शठाः । ये पापा इति विख्याताः संवासे परिगर्हिताः ॥

ye vai bhedanaśīlāstu sakāmā nistrapāḥ śaṭhāḥ | ye pāpā iti vikhyātāḥ saṃvāse parigarhitāḥ

Those who are given to sowing discord, who are lustful, shameless and deceitful, who are known to be wicked and whose company is condemned,

Note on the text: Corrected पिरिगर्हिताः → परिगर्हिताः (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read परिगर्हिताः). The first line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the second line corresponds to CE 5.39.11ab.

Verse 14 (5.39.14)

युक्ताश्चान्यैर्महादोषैर्ये नरास्तान्विवर्जयेत् । निवर्तमाने सौहार्दे प्रीतिर्नीचे प्रणश्यति ॥

yuktāścānyairmahādoṣairye narāstānvivarjayet | nivartamāne sauhārde prītirnīce praṇaśyati

and who carry other grave faults besides: such men should be shunned. When friendship with a base man comes to an end, his affection vanishes,

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.11cd–12ab.

Verse 15 (5.39.15)

या चैव फलनिर्वृतिः सौहृदे चैव यत्सुखम् । यतते चापवादाय यत्नमारभते क्षये ॥

yā caiva phalanirvṛtiḥ sauhṛde caiva yatsukham | yatate cāpavādāya yatnamārabhate kṣaye

and with it the contentment that friendship yielded and the happiness it gave. Then he works to defame you and sets about your ruin.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.12cd–13ab.

Verse 16 (5.39.16)

अल्पेऽप्यपकृते मोहान्न शान्तिमधिगच्छति । तादृशैः सङ्गतं नीचैर्नृशंसैरकृतात्मभिः । निशाम्य निपुणं बुद्ध्या विद्वान्दूराद्विवर्जयेत् ॥

alpe'pyapakṛte mohānna śāntimadhigacchati | tādṛśaiḥ saṅgataṃ nīcairnṛśaṃsairakṛtātmabhiḥ | niśāmya nipuṇaṃ buddhyā vidvāndūrādvivarjayet

For even a small offence, in his folly he finds no peace. A wise man should weigh such things carefully with his intelligence and keep far away from the company of base, cruel and undisciplined men.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.13cd–14.

Verse 17 (5.39.17)

यो ज्ञातिमनुगृह्णाति दरिद्रं दीनमातुरम् । स पुत्रपशुभिर्वृद्धिं श्रेयश्चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥

yo jñātimanugṛhṇāti daridraṃ dīnamāturam | sa putrapaśubhirvṛddhiṃ śreyaścānantyamaśnute

He who helps a kinsman who is poor, wretched or sick prospers in children and cattle and attains unending good.

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

Verse 18 (5.39.18)

ज्ञातयो वर्धनीयास्तैर्य इच्छन्त्यात्मनः शुभम् ॥

jñātayo vardhanīyāstairya icchantyātmanaḥ śubham

Those who wish for their own good should help their kinsmen to flourish,

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.16ab; it is a single half-verse in Wikisource.

Verse 19 (5.39.19)

कुलवृद्धिं च राजेन्द्र तस्मात्साधु समाचर । श्रेयसा योक्ष्यते राजन्कुर्वाणो ज्ञातिसत्क्रियां ॥

kulavṛddhiṃ ca rājendra tasmātsādhu samācara | śreyasā yokṣyate rājankurvāṇo jñātisatkriyāṃ

and the growth of their family as well. Therefore, lord of kings, act rightly. O king, the man who treats his kinsmen with honour will be blessed with good fortune.

Note on the text: Corrected समाचरं → समाचर (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read समाचर). Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.16cd–17ab.

Verse 20 (5.39.20)

विगुणा ह्यपि संरक्ष्या ज्ञातयो भरतर्षभ । किंपुनर्गुणवन्तस्ते त्वत्प्रसादाभिकाङ्क्षिणः ॥

viguṇā hyapi saṃrakṣyā jñātayo bharatarṣabha | kiṃpunarguṇavantaste tvatprasādābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ

Even kinsmen without merit should be protected, best of the Bharatas; how much more those who are virtuous and look to you for your favour?

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.17cd–18ab.

Verse 21 (5.39.21)

प्रसादं कुरु वीराणां पाण्डवानां विशांपते । दीयन्तां ग्रामकाः केचित्तेषां वृत्त्यर्थमीश्वर ॥

prasādaṃ kuru vīrāṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ viśāṃpate | dīyantāṃ grāmakāḥ kecitteṣāṃ vṛttyarthamīśvara

Lord of the people, show favour to the heroic Pandavas. Let them be given a few villages for their livelihood, my lord.

Note on the text: Corrected दीयतां → दीयन्तां (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read दीयन्तां). Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.18cd–19ab.

Verse 22 (5.39.22)

एवं लोके यशः प्राप्तं भविष्यति नराधिप । वृद्धेन हि त्वया कार्यं पुत्राणां तात शासनम् ॥

evaṃ loke yaśaḥ prāptaṃ bhaviṣyati narādhipa | vṛddhena hi tvayā kāryaṃ putrāṇāṃ tāta śāsanam

In this way, ruler of men, you will win fame in the world. You are old, dear one, and it falls to you to keep your sons in check.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.19cd–20ab.

Verse 23 (5.39.23)

मया चापि हितं वाच्यं विद्धि मां त्वद्धितैषिणम् । ज्ञातिभिर्विग्रहस्तात न कर्तव्यः शुभार्थिना । सुखानि सह भोज्यानि ज्ञातिभिर्भरतर्षभ ॥

mayā cāpi hitaṃ vācyaṃ viddhi māṃ tvaddhitaiṣiṇam | jñātibhirvigrahastāta na kartavyaḥ śubhārthinā | sukhāni saha bhojyāni jñātibhirbharatarṣabha

I too must speak for your good; know me as one who wishes you well. Dear one, a man who seeks his own welfare should not quarrel with his kin. Best of the Bharatas, pleasures are to be enjoyed together with one's kinsmen.

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines half a verse off from the critical edition: this verse corresponds to CE 5.39.20cd–21.

Verse 24 (5.39.24)

संभोजनं संकथनं संप्रीतिश्च परस्परम् । ज्ञातिभिः सह कार्याणि न विरोधः कदाचन ॥

saṃbhojanaṃ saṃkathanaṃ saṃprītiśca parasparam | jñātibhiḥ saha kāryāṇi na virodhaḥ kadācana

Eating together, talking together and mutual affection are what one should share with one's kin; there should never be hostility.

Verse 25 (5.39.25)

ज्ञातयस्तारयन्तीह ज्ञातयो मज्जयन्ति च । सुवृत्तास्तारयन्तीह दुर्वृत्ता मज्जयन्ति च ॥

jñātayastārayantīha jñātayo majjayanti ca | suvṛttāstārayantīha durvṛttā majjayanti ca

In this world kinsmen carry one across, and kinsmen also drown one. Those of good conduct carry one across; those of bad conduct drag one under.

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

Verse 26 (5.39.26)

सुवृत्तो भव राजेन्द्र पाण्डवान्प्रति मानद । अधर्षणीयः शत्रूणां तैर्वृतस्त्वं भविष्यसि ॥

suvṛtto bhava rājendra pāṇḍavānprati mānada | adharṣaṇīyaḥ śatrūṇāṃ tairvṛtastvaṃ bhaviṣyasi

King of kings, giver of honour, behave well toward the Pandavas. Surrounded by them, you will be beyond the reach of your enemies.

Note on the text: Corrected पाण्जवान् → पाण्डवान् (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read पाण्डवान्). Corrected भविष्यति → भविष्यसि (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read भविष्यसि).

Verse 27 (5.39.27)

श्रीमन्तं ज्ञातिमासाद्य यो ज्ञातिरवसीदति । दिग्धहस्तं मृग इव स एनस्तस्य विन्दति ॥

śrīmantaṃ jñātimāsādya yo jñātiravasīdati | digdhahastaṃ mṛga iva sa enastasya vindati

When a kinsman turns to a prosperous relative and still languishes, he lays the sin of it upon that relative, as a wounded deer lays its sin upon the hunter who holds the poisoned arrow.

Verse 28 (5.39.28)

पश्चादपि नरश्रेष्ठ तव तापो भविष्यति । तान्वा हतान्सुतान्वापि श्रुत्वा तदनुचिन्तय ॥

paścādapi naraśreṣṭha tava tāpo bhaviṣyati | tānvā hatānsutānvāpi śrutvā tadanucintaya

Best of men, you will be tormented by remorse later, when you hear that they, or your own sons, have been slain. Think on that now.

Verse 29 (5.39.29)

येन खट्वां समारूढः परितप्येत कर्मणा । आदावेव न तत्कुर्यादध्रुवे जीविते सति ॥

yena khaṭvāṃ samārūḍhaḥ paritapyeta karmaṇā | ādāveva na tatkuryādadhruve jīvite sati

Since life is uncertain, one should not do, from the very start, any deed for which one would grieve when lying on one's deathbed.

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

Verse 30 (5.39.30)

न कश्चिन्नापनयते पुमानन्यत्र भार्गवात् । शेषसंप्रतिपत्तिस्तु बुद्धिमत्स्वेव तिष्ठति ॥

na kaścinnāpanayate pumānanyatra bhārgavāt | śeṣasaṃpratipattistu buddhimatsveva tiṣṭhati

There is no one, apart from Shukra the son of Bhrigu, who never errs in his conduct. But setting right what follows rests with the wise alone.

Verse 31 (5.39.31)

दुर्योधनेन यद्येतत्पापं तेषु पुरा कृतम् । त्वया तत्कुलवृद्धेन प्रत्यानेयं नरेश्वर ॥

duryodhanena yadyetatpāpaṃ teṣu purā kṛtam | tvayā tatkulavṛddhena pratyāneyaṃ nareśvara

If Duryodhana did this wrong to them in the past, ruler of men, then you, as the elder of the family, must undo it.

Verse 32 (5.39.32)

तांस्त्वं पदे प्रतिष्ठाप्य लोके विगतकल्मषः । भविष्यसि नरश्रेष्ठ पूजनीयो मनीषिणाम् ॥

tāṃstvaṃ pade pratiṣṭhāpya loke vigatakalmaṣaḥ | bhaviṣyasi naraśreṣṭha pūjanīyo manīṣiṇām

Restore them to their rightful place, best of men, and you will be free of stain in the eyes of the world and honoured by the wise.

Verse 33 (5.39.33)

सुव्याहृतानि धीराणां फलतः परिचिन्त्य यः । अध्यवस्यति कार्येषु चिरं यशसि तिष्ठति ॥

suvyāhṛtāni dhīrāṇāṃ phalataḥ paricintya yaḥ | adhyavasyati kāryeṣu ciraṃ yaśasi tiṣṭhati

He who weighs the wise sayings of the steadfast by their results before resolving on a course of action remains long in renown.

Verse 34 (5.39.34)

असम्यगुपयुक्तं हि ज्ञानं सुकुशलैरपि । उपलभ्यं चाविदितं विदितं चाननुष्ठितम् ॥

asamyagupayuktaṃ hi jñānaṃ sukuśalairapi | upalabhyaṃ cāviditaṃ viditaṃ cānanuṣṭhitam

Knowledge wrongly applied comes to nothing, even in the hands of the very skilful; so too what can be learned but is left unknown, and what is known but never practised.

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

Verse 35 (5.39.35)

पापोदयफलं विद्वान्यो नारभति वर्धते ॥

pāpodayaphalaṃ vidvānyo nārabhati vardhate

The wise man who does not undertake a deed whose fruit is the growth of sin prospers.

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

Verse 36 (5.39.36)

यस्तु पूर्वकृतं पापमविमृश्यानुवर्तते । अगाधपङ्के दुर्मेधा विषमे विनिपात्यते ॥

yastu pūrvakṛtaṃ pāpamavimṛśyānuvartate | agādhapaṅke durmedhā viṣame vinipātyate

But the fool who, without reflection, keeps following the sin he committed before is cast down into a bottomless, treacherous mire.

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

Verse 37 (5.39.37)

मन्त्रभेदस्य षट् प्राज्ञो द्वाराणीमानि लक्षयेत् । अर्थसन्ततिकामश्च रक्षेदेतानि नित्यशः ॥

mantrabhedasya ṣaṭ prājño dvārāṇīmāni lakṣayet | arthasantatikāmaśca rakṣedetāni nityaśaḥ

A wise man who wants his prosperity to endure should mark these six doors through which secret counsel leaks out, and guard them always.

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

Verse 38 (5.39.38)

मदं स्वप्नमविज्ञानमाकारं चात्मसंभवम् । दुष्टामात्येषु विश्रम्भं दूताच्चाकुशलादपि ॥

madaṃ svapnamavijñānamākāraṃ cātmasaṃbhavam | duṣṭāmātyeṣu viśrambhaṃ dūtāccākuśalādapi

They are these six: intoxication, sleep, lack of discernment, the changes of one's own face that give one away, trust in wicked ministers, and an incompetent envoy.

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

Verse 39 (5.39.39)

द्वाराण्येतानि यो ज्ञात्वा संवृणोति सदा नृप । त्रिवर्गाचरणे युक्तः स शत्रूनधितिष्ठति ॥

dvārāṇyetāni yo jñātvā saṃvṛṇoti sadā nṛpa | trivargācaraṇe yuktaḥ sa śatrūnadhitiṣṭhati

O king, he who knows these doors and keeps them always shut, devoted to the pursuit of the three aims of life, gains the upper hand over his enemies.

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

Verse 40 (5.39.40)

न वै श्रुतमविज्ञाय वृद्धाननुपसेव्य वा । धर्मार्थौ वेदितुं शक्यौ बृहस्पतिसमैरपि ॥

na vai śrutamavijñāya vṛddhānanupasevya vā | dharmārthau vedituṃ śakyau bṛhaspatisamairapi

Without understanding what one has been taught, and without waiting upon the elders, dharma and artha cannot be known, not even by those who are equal to Brihaspati.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). Corrected नवै → न वै (misprint in Wikisource; word division). Corrected वेदुतुं → वेदितुं (misprint in Wikisource; the printed form is not a word).

Verse 41 (5.39.41)

नष्टं समुद्रे पतितं नष्टं वाक्यमशृण्वति । अनात्मनि श्रुतं नष्टं नष्टं हुतमनग्निकम् ॥

naṣṭaṃ samudre patitaṃ naṣṭaṃ vākyamaśṛṇvati | anātmani śrutaṃ naṣṭaṃ naṣṭaṃ hutamanagnikam

What falls into the sea is lost; words spoken to one who will not listen are lost; learning given to one without self-control is lost; an offering made where there is no fire is lost.

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

Verse 42 (5.39.42)

मत्या परीक्ष्य मेधावी बुद्ध्या संपाद्य चासकृत् । श्रुत्वा दृष्ट्वाथ विज्ञाय प्राज्ञैर्मैत्रीं समाचरेत् ॥

matyā parīkṣya medhāvī buddhyā saṃpādya cāsakṛt | śrutvā dṛṣṭvātha vijñāya prājñairmaitrīṃ samācaret

A wise man should make friends with the wise only after testing them with his judgment, examining them again and again with his understanding, and hearing about them, seeing them and coming to know them.

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

Verse 43 (5.39.43)

अकीर्तिं विनयो हन्ति हन्त्यनर्थं पराक्रमः । हन्ति नित्यं क्षमा क्रोधमाचारो हन्त्यलक्षणम् ॥

akīrtiṃ vinayo hanti hantyanarthaṃ parākramaḥ | hanti nityaṃ kṣamā krodhamācāro hantyalakṣaṇam

Humility destroys disrepute, valour destroys misfortune, forbearance ever destroys anger, and good conduct destroys ill omens.

Note on the text: Corrected अकीर्ति → अकीर्तिं (misprint in Wikisource; the object of हन्ति must be accusative).

Verse 44 (5.39.44)

परिच्छदेन क्षेत्रेण वेश्मना परिचर्यया । परीक्षेत कुलं राजन्भोजनाच्छादनेन च ॥

paricchadena kṣetreṇa veśmanā paricaryayā | parīkṣeta kulaṃ rājanbhojanācchādanena ca

O king, a family should be judged by its belongings, its land, its home, its hospitality, and its food and clothing.

Verse 45 (5.39.45)

उपस्थितस्य कामस्य प्रतिवादो न विद्यते । अपि निर्मुक्तदेहस्य कामरक्तस्य किं पुनः ॥

upasthitasya kāmasya prativādo na vidyate | api nirmuktadehasya kāmaraktasya kiṃ punaḥ

When an object of desire presents itself, there is no refusing it even for one who has risen above the body; how much less for one who is steeped in desire?

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

Verse 46 (5.39.46)

प्राज्ञोपसेविनं वैद्यं धार्मिकं प्रियदर्शनम् । मित्रवन्तं सुवाक्यं च सुहृदं परिपालयेत् ॥

prājñopasevinaṃ vaidyaṃ dhārmikaṃ priyadarśanam | mitravantaṃ suvākyaṃ ca suhṛdaṃ paripālayet

One should cherish a friend who waits upon the wise, who is learned and righteous, pleasant to look upon, rich in friends of his own, well-spoken and kind of heart.

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

Verse 47 (5.39.47)

दुष्कुलीनः कुलीनो वा मर्यादां यो न लङ्घयेत् । धर्मापेक्षी मृदुर्ह्रीमान्स कुलीनशताद्वरः ॥

duṣkulīnaḥ kulīno vā maryādāṃ yo na laṅghayet | dharmāpekṣī mṛdurhrīmānsa kulīnaśatādvaraḥ

Whether of low birth or high, one who never oversteps the bounds of propriety, who looks to dharma, and who is gentle and modest, is better than a hundred of noble birth.

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

Verse 48 (5.39.48)

ययोश्चित्तेन वा चित्तं निभृतं निभृतेन वा । समेति प्रज्ञया प्रज्ञा तयोर्मैत्री न जीर्यति ॥

yayościttena vā cittaṃ nibhṛtaṃ nibhṛtena vā | sameti prajñayā prajñā tayormaitrī na jīryati

When two people's hearts meet, heart with heart, secret with secret, and understanding with understanding, their friendship never wears away.

Verse 49 (5.39.49)

दुर्बुद्धिमकृतप्रज्ञं छन्नं कूपं तृणैरिव । विवर्जयीत मेधावी तस्मिन्मैत्री प्रणश्यति ॥

durbuddhimakṛtaprajñaṃ channaṃ kūpaṃ tṛṇairiva | vivarjayīta medhāvī tasminmaitrī praṇaśyati

A wise man should avoid the foolish and undiscerning as he would a well hidden under grass, for friendship with such a person comes to ruin.

Verse 50 (5.39.50)

अवलिप्तेषु मूर्खेषु रौद्रसाहसिकेषु च । तथैवापेतधर्मेषु न मैत्रीमाचरेद्बुधः ॥

avalipteṣu mūrkheṣu raudrasāhasikeṣu ca | tathaivāpetadharmeṣu na maitrīmācaredbudhaḥ

A wise man should not make friends with the arrogant, the foolish, the violent and the reckless, nor with those who have strayed from dharma.

Verse 51 (5.39.51)

कृतज्ञं धार्मिकं सत्यमक्षुद्रं दृढभक्तिकम् । जितेन्द्रियं स्थितं स्थित्यां मित्रमित्यभिवाञ्छति ॥

kṛtajñaṃ dhārmikaṃ satyamakṣudraṃ dṛḍhabhaktikam | jitendriyaṃ sthitaṃ sthityāṃ mitramityabhivāñchati

One who is grateful, righteous, truthful, large-hearted and steadfast in loyalty, who has mastered his senses and keeps to proper conduct: such a person everyone wishes to have as a friend.

Verse 52 (5.39.52)

इन्द्रियाणामनुत्सर्गो मृत्युनापि विशिष्यते । अत्यर्थं पुनरुत्सर्गः सादयेद्दैवतानपि ॥

indriyāṇāmanutsargo mṛtyunāpi viśiṣyate | atyarthaṃ punarutsargaḥ sādayeddaivatānapi

Holding the senses wholly in check is harder even than death; yet letting them loose beyond measure would ruin even the gods.

Verse 53 (5.39.53)

मार्दवं सर्वभूतानामनसूया क्षमा धृतिः । आयुष्याणि बुधाः प्राहुर्मित्राणां चाविमानना ॥

mārdavaṃ sarvabhūtānāmanasūyā kṣamā dhṛtiḥ | āyuṣyāṇi budhāḥ prāhurmitrāṇāṃ cāvimānanā

Gentleness toward all beings, freedom from envy, forbearance, steadiness and never slighting one's friends: these five, the wise say, lengthen life.

Verse 54 (5.39.54)

अपनीतं सुनीतेन योऽर्थं प्रत्यानिनीषते । मतिमास्थाय सुदृढां तदकापुरुषव्रतम् ॥

apanītaṃ sunītena yo'rthaṃ pratyāninīṣate | matimāsthāya sudṛḍhāṃ tadakāpuruṣavratam

One who holds to a firm resolve and seeks, through sound policy, to win back what was lost through bad policy is following the vow of a man who is no coward.

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

Verse 55 (5.39.55)

आयत्यां प्रतिकारज्ञस्तदात्वे दृढनिश्चयः । अतीते कार्यशेषज्ञो नरोऽर्थैर्न प्रहीयते ॥

āyatyāṃ pratikārajñastadātve dṛḍhaniścayaḥ | atīte kāryaśeṣajño naro'rthairna prahīyate

He who knows how to meet what the future may bring, who is firm of resolve in the present, and who knows what remains to be done from the past, never loses his wealth.

Verse 56 (5.39.56)

कर्मणा मनसा वाचा यदभीक्ष्णं निषेवते । तदेवापहरत्येनं तस्मात्कल्याणमाचरेत् ॥

karmaṇā manasā vācā yadabhīkṣṇaṃ niṣevate | tadevāpaharatyenaṃ tasmātkalyāṇamācaret

Whatever a man pursues again and again in deed, thought and word, that is what carries him away. Therefore one should do what is good.

Verse 57 (5.39.57)

मङ्गलालम्भनं योगः श्रुतमुत्थानमार्जवम् । भूतिमेतानि कुर्वन्ति सतां चाभीक्ष्णदर्शनम् ॥

maṅgalālambhanaṃ yogaḥ śrutamutthānamārjavam | bhūtimetāni kurvanti satāṃ cābhīkṣṇadarśanam

Touching auspicious things, inner discipline, learning, effort, straightforwardness and often seeing the good: these bring prosperity.

Verse 58 (5.39.58)

अनिर्वेदः श्रियो मूलं लाभस्य च शुभस्य च । महान्भवत्यनिर्विण्णः सुखं चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥

anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlaṃ lābhasya ca śubhasya ca | mahānbhavatyanirviṇṇaḥ sukhaṃ cānantyamaśnute

Not losing heart is the root of fortune, of gain and of all that is good. One who does not lose heart grows great and enjoys unending happiness.

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

Verse 59 (5.39.59)

नातः श्रीमत्तरं किंचिदन्यत्पथ्यतमं मतम् । प्रभविष्णोर्यथा तात क्षमा सर्वत्र सर्वदा ॥

nātaḥ śrīmattaraṃ kiṃcidanyatpathyatamaṃ matam | prabhaviṣṇoryathā tāta kṣamā sarvatra sarvadā

Dear one, nothing is held to bring more good fortune, or to be more wholesome, for a man of power than forbearance, everywhere and at all times.

Verse 60 (5.39.60)

क्षमेदशक्तः सर्वस्य शक्तिमान्धर्मकारणात् । अर्थानर्थौ समौ यस्य तस्य नित्यं क्षमा हिता ॥

kṣamedaśaktaḥ sarvasya śaktimāndharmakāraṇāt | arthānarthau samau yasya tasya nityaṃ kṣamā hitā

The weak should forgive everyone; the strong should forgive for the sake of dharma. For one to whom gain and loss are alike, forbearance is always beneficial.

Verse 61 (5.39.61)

यत्सुखं सेवमानोऽपि धर्मार्थाभ्यां न हीयते । कामं तदुपसेवेत न मूढव्रतमाचरेत् ॥

yatsukhaṃ sevamāno'pi dharmārthābhyāṃ na hīyate | kāmaṃ tadupaseveta na mūḍhavratamācaret

Any pleasure whose enjoyment does not cost a man his dharma and his artha he may enjoy freely; but he should not follow the ways of a fool.

Verse 62 (5.39.62)

दुःखार्तेषु प्रमत्तेषु नास्तिकेष्वलसेषु च । न श्रीर्वसत्यदान्तेषु ये चोत्साहविवर्जिताः ॥

duḥkhārteṣu pramatteṣu nāstikeṣvalaseṣu ca | na śrīrvasatyadānteṣu ye cotsāhavivarjitāḥ

Fortune does not dwell with those who are sunk in grief, the careless, unbelievers, the idle, the unrestrained, or those who lack zeal.

Verse 63 (5.39.63)

आर्जवेन नरं युक्तमार्जवात्सव्यपत्रपम् । अशक्तं मन्यमानास्तु धर्षयन्ति कुबुद्धयः ॥

ārjavena naraṃ yuktamārjavātsavyapatrapam | aśaktaṃ manyamānāstu dharṣayanti kubuddhayaḥ

When a man is upright, and because of his uprightness is modest, the dull-witted take him to be weak and set upon him.

Verse 64 (5.39.64)

अत्यार्यमतिदातारमतिशूरमतिव्रतम् । प्रज्ञाभिमानिनं चैव श्रीर्भयान्नोपसर्पति ॥

atyāryamatidātāramatiśūramativratam | prajñābhimāninaṃ caiva śrīrbhayānnopasarpati

Fortune keeps away, as if afraid, from one who is too noble, too generous, too heroic, too strict in his vows, or too proud of his wisdom.

Verse 65 (5.39.65)

न चातिगुणवत्स्वेषा नात्यन्तं निर्गुणेषु च । नेषा गुणान्कामयते नैर्गुण्यान्नानुरज्यते । उन्मत्ता गौरिवान्धा श्रीः क्वचिदेवावतिष्ठते ॥

na cātiguṇavatsveṣā nātyantaṃ nirguṇeṣu ca | neṣā guṇānkāmayate nairguṇyānnānurajyate | unmattā gaurivāndhā śrīḥ kvacidevāvatiṣṭhate

She does not stay with the exceedingly virtuous, nor wholly with those without virtue. She neither craves virtues nor delights in their absence. Like a crazed and blind cow, Fortune settles only here and there.

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

Verse 66 (5.39.66)

अग्निहोत्रफला वेदाः शीलवृत्तफलं श्रुतम् । रतिपुत्रफला नारी दत्तभुक्तफलं धनम् ॥

agnihotraphalā vedāḥ śīlavṛttaphalaṃ śrutam | ratiputraphalā nārī dattabhuktaphalaṃ dhanam

The fruit of the Vedas is the agnihotra; the fruit of learning is good character and conduct; the fruit of a wife is love and children; the fruit of wealth is giving and enjoying.

Verse 67 (5.39.67)

अधर्मोपार्जितैरर्थैर्यः करोत्यौर्ध्वदेहिकम् । न स तस्य फलं प्रेत्य भुङ्क्तेऽर्थस्य दुरागमात् ॥

adharmopārjitairarthairyaḥ karotyaurdhvadehikam | na sa tasya phalaṃ pretya bhuṅkte'rthasya durāgamāt

He who performs the rites for the dead with wealth gained unrighteously does not enjoy their fruit after death, because that wealth came by evil means.

Verse 68 (5.39.68)

कान्तारे वनदुर्गेषु कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संभ्रमे । उद्यतेषु च शस्त्रेषु नास्ति सत्ववतां भयम् ॥

kāntāre vanadurgeṣu kṛcchrāsvāpatsu saṃbhrame | udyateṣu ca śastreṣu nāsti satvavatāṃ bhayam

In wild tracts, in forests and strongholds, in hardship and danger, in panic and when weapons are raised, the courageous know no fear.

Verse 69 (5.39.69)

उत्थानं संयमो दाक्ष्यमप्रमादो धृतिः स्मृतिः । समीक्ष्य च समारम्भो विद्धि मूलं भवस्य तु ॥

utthānaṃ saṃyamo dākṣyamapramādo dhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ | samīkṣya ca samārambho viddhi mūlaṃ bhavasya tu

Effort, self-control, skill, vigilance, steadiness, memory, and beginning a task only after due thought: know these to be the root of prosperity.

Verse 70 (5.39.70)

तपो बलं तापसानां ब्रह्म ब्रह्मविदां बलम् । हिंसा बलमसाधूनां क्षमा गुणवतां बलम् ॥

tapo balaṃ tāpasānāṃ brahma brahmavidāṃ balam | hiṃsā balamasādhūnāṃ kṣamā guṇavatāṃ balam

Austerity is the strength of ascetics; the Veda is the strength of those who know Brahman; violence is the strength of the wicked; forbearance is the strength of the virtuous.

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

Verse 71 (5.39.71)

अष्टौ तान्यव्रतघ्नानि आपो मूलं फलं पयः । हविर्ब्राह्मणकाम्या च गुरोर्वचनमौषधम् ॥

aṣṭau tānyavrataghnāni āpo mūlaṃ phalaṃ payaḥ | havirbrāhmaṇakāmyā ca gurorvacanamauṣadham

These eight do not break a vow: water, roots, fruit, milk, ghee, what a brahmin asks for, the word of one's teacher, and medicine.

Verse 72 (5.39.72)

न तत्परस्य सन्दध्यात्प्रतिकूलं यदात्मनः । सङ्ग्रहेणैव धर्मः स्यात्कामादन्यः प्रवर्तते ॥

na tatparasya sandadhyātpratikūlaṃ yadātmanaḥ | saṅgraheṇaiva dharmaḥ syātkāmādanyaḥ pravartate

One should not do to another what one finds disagreeable for oneself. This, in brief, is dharma; anything else springs from desire.

Verse 73 (5.39.73)

अक्रोधेन जयेत्क्रोधमसाधुं साधुना जयेत् । जयेत्कदर्यं दानेन जयेत्सत्येन चानृतम् ॥

akrodhena jayetkrodhamasādhuṃ sādhunā jayet | jayetkadaryaṃ dānena jayetsatyena cānṛtam

Conquer anger with calm, the wicked with goodness, the miser with giving, and falsehood with truth.

Note on the text: Corrected नाधुना → साधुना (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read साधुना). Corrected जयेन्मत्येन → जयेत्सत्येन (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read जयेत्सत्येन).

Verse 74 (5.39.74)

स्त्रीधूर्तकेऽलसे भीरौ चण्डे पुरुषमानिनि । चोरे कृतघ्ने विश्वासो न कार्यो न च नास्तिके ॥

strīdhūrtake'lase bhīrau caṇḍe puruṣamānini | core kṛtaghne viśvāso na kāryo na ca nāstike

Never place trust in a philanderer, an idler, a coward, a hot-tempered man, one who is vain of his manliness, a thief, an ingrate or an unbeliever.

Verse 75 (5.39.75)

अभिवादनशीलस्य नित्यं वृद्धोपसेविनः । चत्वारि संप्रवर्धन्ते कीर्तिरायुर्यशो बलम् ॥

abhivādanaśīlasya nityaṃ vṛddhopasevinaḥ | catvāri saṃpravardhante kīrtirāyuryaśo balam

For one who habitually greets his elders with reverence and always serves them, four things increase: reputation, life, fame and strength.

Note on the text: Corrected शीलप्य → शीलस्य (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read शीलस्य). Corrected कीर्तिरापुर्यशो → कीर्तिरायुर्यशो (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read कीर्तिरायुर्यशो).

Verse 76 (5.39.76)

अतिक्लेशेन येऽर्थाः स्युर्धर्मस्यातिक्रमेण वा । अरेर्वा प्रणिपातेन मा स्म तेषु मनः कृथाः ॥

atikleśena ye'rthāḥ syurdharmasyātikrameṇa vā | arervā praṇipātena mā sma teṣu manaḥ kṛthāḥ

Do not set your heart on wealth that comes only through great suffering, through violating dharma, or by bowing down before an enemy.

Note on the text: Corrected येऽथोः → येऽर्थाः (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read येऽर्थाः). Corrected स्वधर्मस्यानिक्रमेण → स्युर्धर्मस्यातिक्रमेण (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read स्युर्धर्मस्यातिक्रमेण). Corrected मा .. तेषु → मा स्म तेषु (Wikisource typo; sanskritdocuments and the critical edition read मा स्म तेषु).

Verse 77 (5.39.77)

अविद्यः पुरुषः शोच्यः शोच्यं मैथुनमप्रजम् । निराहाराः प्रजाः शोच्याः शोच्यं राष्ट्रमराजकं ॥

avidyaḥ puruṣaḥ śocyaḥ śocyaṃ maithunamaprajam | nirāhārāḥ prajāḥ śocyāḥ śocyaṃ rāṣṭramarājakaṃ

A man without learning is to be pitied; so is a union without offspring, a people without food, and a kingdom without a king.

Verse 78 (5.39.78)

अध्वा जरा देहवतां पर्वतानां जलं जरा । असंभोगो जरा स्त्रीणां वाक्छल्यं मनसो जरा ॥

adhvā jarā dehavatāṃ parvatānāṃ jalaṃ jarā | asaṃbhogo jarā strīṇāṃ vākchalyaṃ manaso jarā

Constant travel is old age to the body; water is old age to mountains; being denied union is old age to women; wounding words are old age to the mind.

Verse 79 (5.39.79)

अनाम्नायमला वेदा ब्राह्मणस्याव्रतं मलम् । मलं पृथिव्या वाह्लीकाः पुरुषस्यानृतं मलम् ॥

anāmnāyamalā vedā brāhmaṇasyāvrataṃ malam | malaṃ pṛthivyā vāhlīkāḥ puruṣasyānṛtaṃ malam

Neglect of recitation is the tarnish of the Vedas; failure in his vows is the tarnish of a brahmin; the Vahlikas are the tarnish of the earth; falsehood is the tarnish of a man.

Note on the text: The first line corresponds to CE 5.39.64ab; the second line is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension).

Verse 80 (5.39.80)

कौतूहलमला साध्वी विप्रवासमलाः स्त्रियः ॥

kautūhalamalā sādhvī vipravāsamalāḥ striyaḥ

Idle curiosity is the tarnish of a virtuous woman; living away from home is the tarnish of women.

Note on the text: Corresponds to CE 5.39.64cd; it is a single half-verse in Wikisource.

Verse 81 (5.39.81)

सुवर्णस्य मलं रूप्यं रूप्यस्यापि मलं त्रपु । ज्ञेयं त्रपुमलं सीसं सीसस्यापि मलं मलम् ॥

suvarṇasya malaṃ rūpyaṃ rūpyasyāpi malaṃ trapu | jñeyaṃ trapumalaṃ sīsaṃ sīsasyāpi malaṃ malam

The dross of gold is silver; the dross of silver is tin; know lead to be the dross of tin; and the dross of lead is mere dirt.

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

Verse 82 (5.39.82)

न स्वप्नेन जयेन्निद्रां न कामेन जयेत्स्त्रियः । नेन्धनेन जयेदग्निं न पानेन सुरां जयेत् ॥

na svapnena jayennidrāṃ na kāmena jayetstriyaḥ | nendhanena jayedagniṃ na pānena surāṃ jayet

Sleep is not conquered by sleeping, nor women by lust, nor fire by fuel, nor liquor by drinking.

Verse 83 (5.39.83)

यस्य दानजितं मित्रं शत्रवो युधि निर्जिताः । अन्नपानजिता दाराः सफलं तस्य जीवितम् ॥

yasya dānajitaṃ mitraṃ śatravo yudhi nirjitāḥ | annapānajitā dārāḥ saphalaṃ tasya jīvitam

He whose friends are won by gifts, whose enemies are conquered in battle, and whose wife is won by food and drink: his life has borne fruit.

Verse 84 (5.39.84)

सहस्रिणोऽपि जीवन्ति जीवन्ति शतिनस्तथा । धृतराष्ट्र विमुञ्चेच्छां न कथञ्चिन्न जीव्यते ॥

sahasriṇo'pi jīvanti jīvanti śatinastathā | dhṛtarāṣṭra vimuñcecchāṃ na kathañcinna jīvyate

Those who have a thousand live, and those who have a hundred live too. Dhritarashtra, let go of craving; there is no one who cannot live somehow.

Verse 85 (5.39.85)

यत्पृथिव्यां व्रीहियवं हिरण्यं पशवः स्त्रियः । नालमेकस्य तत्सर्वमिति पश्यन्न मुह्यति ॥

yatpṛthivyāṃ vrīhiyavaṃ hiraṇyaṃ paśavaḥ striyaḥ | nālamekasya tatsarvamiti paśyanna muhyati

All the rice and barley on earth, the gold, the cattle and the women, are not enough for even one man. He who sees this is not deluded.

Verse 86 (5.39.86)

राजन्भूयो ब्रवीमि त्वां पुत्रेषु सममाचर । समता यदि ते राजन्स्वेषु पाण्डुसुतेषु वा ॥

rājanbhūyo bravīmi tvāṃ putreṣu samamācara | samatā yadi te rājansveṣu pāṇḍusuteṣu vā

O king, I say it to you once more: act evenly toward the sons. Let your regard, O king, be equal for your own sons and for the sons of Pandu.