The Great Essence of Ethics (V) — On Friendship, Trust, and Conduct

Verse 1 (garuda.1.114.1)

सूत उवाच । न कश्चित्कस्यचिन्मित्रं न कश्चित्कस्यचिद्रिपुः । कारणादेव जायन्ते मित्राणि रिपवस्तथा

sūta uvāca na kaścitkasyacinmitraṁ na kaścitkasyacidripuḥ kāraṇādeva jāyante mitrāṇi ripavastathā

Suta said: No one is inherently anyone's friend, and no one is inherently anyone's enemy; friends and enemies arise only from particular causes.

Verse 2 (garuda.1.114.2)

शोकत्राणं भयत्राणं प्रीतिविश्वासभाजनम् । केन रत्नांमदं सृष्टं मित्रमित्यक्षरद्वयम्

śokatrāṇaṁ bhayatrāṇaṁ prītiviśvāsabhājanam kena ratnāṁmadaṁ sṛṣṭaṁ mitramityakṣaradvayam

A protector from grief, a protector from fear, a vessel of affection and trust — by whom was this jewel created, called by just two syllables: 'mi-tra' (friend)?

Verse 3 (garuda.1.114.3)

सकृदुच्चरितं येन हरिरित्यक्षरद्वयम् । बद्धः परिकरस्तेन मोक्षाय गमनं प्रति

sakṛduccaritaṁ yena harirityakṣaradvayam baddhaḥ parikarastena mokṣāya gamanaṁ prati

By whomever the two syllables 'Ha-ri' are uttered even once, by him the readiness is bound, toward the journey to liberation.

Verse 4 (garuda.1.114.4)

न मातरि न दारेषु न सोदर्ये न चात्मजे । विश्वासस्तादृशः पुंसां यादृङ्मित्रे स्वभावजे

na mātari na dāreṣu na sodarye na cātmaje viśvāsastādṛśaḥ puṁsāṁ yādṛṅmitre svabhāvaje

Men's trust is not as great in a mother, a wife, a brother, or a son, as it is in a friend bonded by natural affinity.

Verse 5 (garuda.1.114.5)

यदिच्छेच्छाश्वतीं प्रीतिं त्रीन्दोषान्परिवर्जयेत् । द्युतमर्थप्रयोगञ्च परोक्षे दारदर्शनम्

yadicchecchāśvatīṁ prītiṁ trīndoṣānparivarjayet dyutamarthaprayogañca parokṣe dāradarśanam

He who desires lasting friendship should avoid three faults: gambling, careless lending of money, and looking upon a friend's wife in his absence.

Verse 6 (garuda.1.114.6)

मात्रा स्वस्त्रा दुहित्रा वा न विविक्तासनो वसेत् । बलवानिन्द्रियग्रामो विद्वांसमपि कर्षति

mātrā svastrā duhitrā vā na viviktāsano vaset balavānindriyagrāmo vidvāṁsamapi karṣati

One should not sit alone even with one's mother, sister, or daughter; the powerful assembly of the senses drags along even a learned man.

Verse 7 (garuda.1.114.7)

विपरीतरतिः कामः स्वायतेषु न विद्यते । यथोपायो वधो दण्डस्तथैव ह्यनु वर्तते

viparītaratiḥ kāmaḥ svāyateṣu na vidyate yathopāyo vadho daṇḍastathaiva hyanu vartate

Perverse desire does not properly exist among those under self-control; whatever means is applied, the corresponding consequence duly follows.

Verse 8 (garuda.1.114.8)

अपि कल्पानिलस्यैव तुरगस्य महोदधेः । शक्यते प्रसरो बोद्धुं न ह्यरक्तस्ये चतसः

api kalpānilasyaiva turagasya mahodadheḥ śakyate prasaro boddhuṁ na hyaraktasye catasaḥ

Even the extent of the cosmic-dissolution wind, a swift horse, or the great ocean can be understood — but not the mind of an unattached woman.

Verse 9 (garuda.1.114.9)

क्षणो नास्ति रहो नास्ति न स्ति प्रार्थयिता जनः । तेन शौनक नारीणां सतीत्वमुपजायते

kṣaṇo nāsti raho nāsti na sti prārthayitā janaḥ tena śaunaka nārīṇāṁ satītvamupajāyate

If there is no opportunity, no privacy, and no man who solicits — it is only then, O Shaunaka, that chastity arises among women.

Verse 10 (garuda.1.114.10)

एक वै सेवते नित्यमन्यश्चेतपि रोचते । पुरुषाणामलाभेन नारी चैव पतिव्रता

eka vai sevate nityamanyaścetapi rocate puruṣāṇāmalābhena nārī caiva pativratā

She serves one husband, yet another pleases her too; it is only through the unavailability of other men that a woman remains devoted to her husband.

Verse 11 (garuda.1.114.11)

जननी यानि कुरुते रहस्यं मदनातुरा । सुतैस्तानि न चिन्त्यानि शीलविप्रतिपत्तिभिः

jananī yāni kurute rahasyaṁ madanāturā sutaistāni na cintyāni śīlavipratipattibhiḥ

Whatever secret deeds a mother, overcome by passion, may commit, these should not be pondered over by her sons as moral impropriety.

Verse 12 (garuda.1.114.12)

पराधीना निद्रा परदृदयकृत्यानुसरणं सदा हेला हास्यं नियतमपि शोकेन रहितम् । पणे न्यस्तः कायो विटजनखुरैर्दारितगलो बहूत्कण्ठवृतिर्जगति गणिक्राया बहुमतः

parādhīnā nidrā paradṛdayakṛtyānusaraṇaṁ sadā helā hāsyaṁ niyatamapi śokena rahitam paṇe nyastaḥ kāyo viṭajanakhurairdāritagalo bahūtkaṇṭhavṛtirjagati gaṇikrāyā bahumataḥ

Her sleep is dependent on another; she must always follow another's desire; her laughter, whether felt or not, must always seem free of grief; her body is staked in a wager; her throat is torn by the fingernails of lecherous men; her existence is one of anguish — yet the courtesan is much sought after in this world.

Verse 13 (garuda.1.114.13)

अग्निरापः स्त्रियो मूर्खाः सर्पा राजकुलानि च । नित्यं परोपसेव्यानि सद्यः प्राणहराणि षट्

agnirāpaḥ striyo mūrkhāḥ sarpā rājakulāni ca nityaṁ paropasevyāni sadyaḥ prāṇaharāṇi ṣaṭ

Fire, water, women, fools, snakes, and royal households — these six, though necessarily approached by others, can instantly take life.

Verse 14 (garuda.1.114.14)

किं चित्रं यदि वेद (शब्द) शास्त्रकुशलो विप्रो भवेत्पण्डितः किं चित्रं यदि दण्डनीतिकुशलो राजा भवेद्धार्मिकः । किं चित्रं यदि रूपयौवनवती साध्वी भवेत्कामिनी तच्चित्रं यदि निर्धनोऽपि पुरुषः पापं न कुर्यात्क्रचित्

kiṁ citraṁ yadi veda (śabda) śāstrakuśalo vipro bhavetpaṇḍitaḥ kiṁ citraṁ yadi daṇḍanītikuśalo rājā bhaveddhārmikaḥ kiṁ citraṁ yadi rūpayauvanavatī sādhvī bhavetkāminī taccitraṁ yadi nirdhano'pi puruṣaḥ pāpaṁ na kuryātkracit

What is remarkable if a brahmin skilled in the Vedas becomes a scholar? What is remarkable if a king skilled in punishment becomes righteous? What is remarkable if a beautiful, youthful woman remains virtuous? But it is remarkable if a poor man never commits sin.

Verse 15 (garuda.1.114.15)

नात्मच्छिद्रं परे दद्याद्विद्याच्छिद्रं परस्य च । गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि परभावञ्च लक्षयेत्

nātmacchidraṁ pare dadyādvidyācchidraṁ parasya ca gūhetkūrma ivāṅgāni parabhāvañca lakṣayet

One should not reveal one's own weakness to others, and should know the weaknesses of others; one should conceal oneself like a tortoise its limbs, while observing others' true disposition.

Verse 16 (garuda.1.114.16)

पातालतलवा सिन्य उच्चप्राकारसंस्थिताः । यदि नो चिकुरोद्भेदाल्लभ्यन्ते कैः स्त्रियो न हि

pātālatalavā sinya uccaprākārasaṁsthitāḥ yadi no cikurodbhedāllabhyante kaiḥ striyo na hi

Even women dwelling at the base of the netherworld, or stationed atop high ramparts — who indeed can win them, if not through their own consent?

Verse 17 (garuda.1.114.17)

समधर्मा हि मर्मज्ञस्तीक्ष्णः स्वजनकण्टकः । न तथा बाधते शत्रुः कृतवैरो बहिः स्थितः

samadharmā hi marmajñastīkṣṇaḥ svajanakaṇṭakaḥ na tathā bādhate śatruḥ kṛtavairo bahiḥ sthitaḥ

A kinsman of equal standing who knows one's vulnerabilities, sharp in enmity, is a thorn among one's own — an outside enemy who has openly declared hostility does not trouble one as much.

Verse 18 (garuda.1.114.18)

स पण्डितो यो ह्यनुञ्जयेद्वै मिष्टेन बालं विनियेन शिष्टम् । अर्थेन नारीं तपसा हि देवान्सर्वांश्च लोकांश्च सुसंग्रहेण

sa paṇḍito yo hyanuñjayedvai miṣṭena bālaṁ viniyena śiṣṭam arthena nārīṁ tapasā hi devānsarvāṁśca lokāṁśca susaṁgraheṇa

He is truly wise who wins over a child with sweetness, a disciplined person with humility, a woman with wealth, the gods with austerity, and everyone else through good conduct.

Verse 19 (garuda.1.114.19)

छलेन मित्रं कलुषेण धर्मं परोपतापेन समृद्धिभावनम् । सुखेन विद्यां पुरुषेण नारीं वाञ्छन्ति वै ये न च पण्डितास्ते

chalena mitraṁ kaluṣeṇa dharmaṁ paropatāpena samṛddhibhāvanam sukhena vidyāṁ puruṣeṇa nārīṁ vāñchanti vai ye na ca paṇḍitāste

Those who desire friendship through deceit, dharma through impurity, prosperity through causing others' suffering, learning through mere ease, or a woman through manipulation — such people are not wise.

Verse 20 (garuda.1.114.20)

फलार्थो फलिनं वृक्षं यश्छिन्द्याद्दुर्मतिर्नरः । निष्फलं तस्य वै कार्यां महादोषमवाप्नुयात्

phalārtho phalinaṁ vṛkṣaṁ yaśchindyāddurmatirnaraḥ niṣphalaṁ tasya vai kāryāṁ mahādoṣamavāpnuyāt

A foolish man who cuts down a fruit-bearing tree for the sake of its fruit — his effort becomes fruitless, and he incurs great fault.

Verse 21 (garuda.1.114.21)

सधनो हि तपस्वी च दूरतो वै कृतश्रमः । मद्यप स्त्री सतीत्येवं विप्र न श्रद्दधाम्यहम्

sadhano hi tapasvī ca dūrato vai kṛtaśramaḥ madyapa strī satītyevaṁ vipra na śraddadhāmyaham

A wealthy man who remains an ascetic, one who keeps his distance despite great toil, and the chaste wife of a drunkard — O brahmin, in these I do not place my faith.

Verse 22 (garuda.1.114.22)

न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते मित्रस्यापि न विश्वसेत् । कदाचित्कुपितं मित्रं सर्वं गुह्यं प्रकाशयेत्

na viśvasedaviśvaste mitrasyāpi na viśvaset kadācitkupitaṁ mitraṁ sarvaṁ guhyaṁ prakāśayet

One should not trust the untrustworthy; one should not fully trust even a friend — for a friend, if ever angered, might reveal all one's secrets.

Verse 23 (garuda.1.114.23)

सर्वभूतेषु विश्वासः सर्वभूतेषु सात्त्विकः । स्वबावमात्मना गूहेदेतत्साधोर्हि लक्षणम्

sarvabhūteṣu viśvāsaḥ sarvabhūteṣu sāttvikaḥ svabāvamātmanā gūhedetatsādhorhi lakṣaṇam

Yet one should show trust and goodness toward all beings; one should conceal one's own nature by oneself — this indeed is the mark of a good man.

Verse 24 (garuda.1.114.24)

यस्मिन्कस्मिन्कृते कार्ये कर्तारमनुवर्तते । सर्वथा वर्तमानोऽपि धैर्यबुद्धिन्तु कारयेत्

yasminkasminkṛte kārye kartāramanuvartate sarvathā vartamāno'pi dhairyabuddhintu kārayet

Whatever task, once undertaken, follows its doer to completion; therefore, in whatever circumstance one finds oneself, one should exercise steadfast judgment.

Verse 25 (garuda.1.114.25)

वृद्धाः स्त्रियो नवं मद्यं शुष्कं मांसं त्रिमूलकम् । रात्रौ दधि दिवा स्वप्नं विद्वान्षट्परिवर्जयेत्

vṛddhāḥ striyo navaṁ madyaṁ śuṣkaṁ māṁsaṁ trimūlakam rātrau dadhi divā svapnaṁ vidvānṣaṭparivarjayet

Old women, new wine, dried meat, the three-root compound, curd at night, and daytime sleep — a wise man should avoid these six.

Verse 26 (garuda.1.114.26)

विषं गोष्ठी दरिद्रस्य वृद्धस्य तरुणी विषम् । विषं कुशिक्षिता विद्या अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम्

viṣaṁ goṣṭhī daridrasya vṛddhasya taruṇī viṣam viṣaṁ kuśikṣitā vidyā ajīrṇe bhojanaṁ viṣam

Company is poison for the poor man; a young wife is poison for an old man; poorly-learned knowledge is poison; and food eaten before digestion is poison.

Verse 27 (garuda.1.114.27)

प्रियं गानमकुण्ठस्य नीचस्योच्चासनं प्रियम् । प्रियं दानं दरिद्रस्य भूनश्चतरुणी प्रिया

priyaṁ gānamakuṇṭhasya nīcasyoccāsanaṁ priyam priyaṁ dānaṁ daridrasya bhūnaścataruṇī priyā

Song is dear to one of unrestrained taste; a high seat is dear to a lowly man; giving is dear to a poor man; and a young wife is dear to a landowner.

Verse 28 (garuda.1.114.28)

अत्यम्बुपानं कठिनाशनञ्च धातुक्षयोवेगविधारणञ्च । दिवाशयो जागरणञ्च रात्रौ षड्भिर्नराणां निवसन्ति रोगाः

atyambupānaṁ kaṭhināśanañca dhātukṣayovegavidhāraṇañca divāśayo jāgaraṇañca rātrau ṣaḍbhirnarāṇāṁ nivasanti rogāḥ

Excessive water-drinking, eating hard food, depletion of vital essence, suppressing natural urges, sleeping by day, and staying awake at night — by these six, diseases arise in men.

Verse 29 (garuda.1.114.29)

बालातपश्चाप्यतिमैथुनञ्च श्मशानधूमः करतापनञ्च । रजस्वलावत्क्रनिरीक्षणञ्च सुदीर्घमायुर्ननु कर्षयेच्च

bālātapaścāpyatimaithunañca śmaśānadhūmaḥ karatāpanañca rajasvalāvatkranirīkṣaṇañca sudīrghamāyurnanu karṣayecca

Exposure to early morning sun, excessive intercourse, smoke from a cremation ground, excessive warming of the hands, and gazing upon a menstruating woman's face — these diminish even a very long life.

Verse 30 (garuda.1.114.30)

शुष्कं मांसं स्त्रियो वृद्धा बालार्कस्तरुणं दधि । प्रभाते मैथुनं निद्रा सद्यः प्राणहराणि षट्

śuṣkaṁ māṁsaṁ striyo vṛddhā bālārkastaruṇaṁ dadhi prabhāte maithunaṁ nidrā sadyaḥ prāṇaharāṇi ṣaṭ

Dried meat, an old woman, the early-morning sun, unripened curd, morning intercourse, and morning sleep — these six can instantly cause harm.

Verse 31 (garuda.1.114.31)

सद्यः पक्रघृतं द्राक्षा बाला स्त्री क्षीरभोजनम् । उष्णोदकं तरुच्छाया सद्यः प्राणहराणि षट्

sadyaḥ pakraghṛtaṁ drākṣā bālā strī kṣīrabhojanam uṣṇodakaṁ tarucchāyā sadyaḥ prāṇaharāṇi ṣaṭ

Freshly-clarified ghee, grapes, a young woman, milk-based food, hot water, and tree-shade — improperly used, these can be instantly harmful.

Verse 32 (garuda.1.114.32)

कूपादकं वटच्छाया नारीणाञ्च पयोधरः । शीतकाले भवेदुष्णमुष्णकाले च शीतलम्

kūpādakaṁ vaṭacchāyā nārīṇāñca payodharaḥ śītakāle bhaveduṣṇamuṣṇakāle ca śītalam

Well-water, the shade of a banyan tree, and women's breasts — in the cold season they are warm, and in the hot season they are cool.

Verse 33 (garuda.1.114.33)

त्रयो बलकराः सद्यो बालाभ्यङ्गसुभोजनम् । त्रयो बलहराः सद्यो ह्यध्वा वे मैथुनं ज्वरः

trayo balakarāḥ sadyo bālābhyaṅgasubhojanam trayo balaharāḥ sadyo hyadhvā ve maithunaṁ jvaraḥ

Three things instantly bring strength: sleep, oil massage, and good food. Three things instantly take away strength: travel, intercourse, and fever.

Verse 34 (garuda.1.114.34)

शुष्कं मांसं पयो नित्यं भार्यामित्रैः सहैव तु । न भाक्तव्यं नृपैः सार्धं वियोगं कुरुते क्षणात्

śuṣkaṁ māṁsaṁ payo nityaṁ bhāryāmitraiḥ sahaiva tu na bhāktavyaṁ nṛpaiḥ sārdhaṁ viyogaṁ kurute kṣaṇāt

Dried meat and daily milk — these, along with one's wife and friends, should not be shared too closely with kings; separation from favor happens in an instant.

Verse 35 (garuda.1.114.35)

कुचेलिन दन्तमलोपधारिणं बह्वाशिनं निष्ठुरवाक्यभाषिणम् । सूर्योदये ह्यस्तमयेऽपि शायिनं विमुञ्चति श्रीरपि चक्रपाणिनम्

kucelina dantamalopadhāriṇaṁ bahvāśinaṁ niṣṭhuravākyabhāṣiṇam sūryodaye hyastamaye'pi śāyinaṁ vimuñcati śrīrapi cakrapāṇinam

One who wears shabby clothes, keeps dirty teeth, eats excessively, speaks harsh words, and sleeps at sunrise and sunset — prosperity abandons even one as fortunate as Vishnu, the discus-bearer.

Verse 36 (garuda.1.114.36)

नित्यं छेदस्तृणानं धरणिविलखनं पादयोश्चापमार्ष्टिः दन्तानामप्यशौचं मलिनवसनता रूक्षता मूर्धजानाम् । द्वे सध्ये चापि निद्रा विवसनशयनं ग्रासहासातिरेकः स्वाङ्गे पीठे च वाद्यं निधनमुपनयेत्केशवस्यापि लक्ष्मीम्

nityaṁ chedastṛṇānaṁ dharaṇivilakhanaṁ pādayoścāpamārṣṭiḥ dantānāmapyaśaucaṁ malinavasanatā rūkṣatā mūrdhajānām dve sadhye cāpi nidrā vivasanaśayanaṁ grāsahāsātirekaḥ svāṅge pīṭhe ca vādyaṁ nidhanamupanayetkeśavasyāpi lakṣmīm

Habitually chewing grass-stalks, scratching the ground, wiping the feet carelessly, dirty teeth, soiled clothes, unkempt hair; sleeping at both twilights, sleeping unclothed, excessive eating and laughter, drumming on one's limbs or a seat — these bring ruin even to Keshava's own fortune.

Verse 37 (garuda.1.114.37)

शिरः सुधौतं चरणौ सुमार्जितौ वराङ्गनासेवनमल्पभोजनम् । अनग्नशायित्वमपर्वमैथुनं चिरप्रनष्टां श्रियमानयन्ति षट्

śiraḥ sudhautaṁ caraṇau sumārjitau varāṅganāsevanamalpabhojanam anagnaśāyitvamaparvamaithunaṁ cirapranaṣṭāṁ śriyamānayanti ṣaṭ

A well-washed head, clean feet, attending to an excellent wife, moderate eating, not sleeping unclothed, and avoiding intercourse on forbidden days — these six bring back even long-lost fortune.

Verse 38 (garuda.1.114.38)

यस्य कस्य तु पुष्पस्य पाणाडरस्य विशेषतः । शिरसा धार्यमाणस्य ह्यलक्ष्मीः प्रतिहन्यते

yasya kasya tu puṣpasya pāṇāḍarasya viśeṣataḥ śirasā dhāryamāṇasya hyalakṣmīḥ pratihanyate

Wearing any flower on one's head, especially a white one, wards off misfortune.

Verse 39 (garuda.1.114.39)

दीपस्य पश्चिमा छाया छाया शय्यासनस्य च । रजकस्य तु यत्तीर्थलक्ष्मीस्तत्र तिष्ठति

dīpasya paścimā chāyā chāyā śayyāsanasya ca rajakasya tu yattīrthalakṣmīstatra tiṣṭhati

The western shadow of a lamp, the shadow of a bed or seat, and the shadow of a washerman are inauspicious; conversely, where a tirtha is, there prosperity resides.

Verse 40 (garuda.1.114.40)

बालातपः प्रेतधूमः स्त्री वृद्धा तरुणं दधि । आयुष्कामो न सेवेत तथा संमार्जनीरजः

bālātapaḥ pretadhūmaḥ strī vṛddhā taruṇaṁ dadhi āyuṣkāmo na seveta tathā saṁmārjanīrajaḥ

Early morning sunlight, cremation-ground smoke, and, used improperly, a woman, an old woman, unripened curd — one desiring long life should avoid these, and the dust of a broom too.

Verse 41 (garuda.1.114.41)

गजाश्वरथधान्यानां गवाञ्चैव रजः शुभम् । अशुभं च विजानीयात्खरोष्ट्रजाविकेषु च

gajāśvarathadhānyānāṁ gavāñcaiva rajaḥ śubham aśubhaṁ ca vijānīyātkharoṣṭrajāvikeṣu ca

The dust raised by elephants, horses, chariots, grain, and cows is auspicious; know the dust of donkeys, camels, goats, and sheep to be inauspicious.

Verse 42 (garuda.1.114.42)

गवां रजो धान्यरजः पुत्रस्याङ्गभवं रजः । एतद्रजो महाशस्तं महापातकनाशनम्

gavāṁ rajo dhānyarajaḥ putrasyāṅgabhavaṁ rajaḥ etadrajo mahāśastaṁ mahāpātakanāśanam

The dust of cows, the dust of grain, and the dust arising from a son's body — this dust is greatly praised, destroying great sins.

Verse 43 (garuda.1.114.43)

अजारजः खररजो यत्तु संमार्जनीरजः । एतद्रजो महापापं महाकिल्बिषकारकम्

ajārajaḥ khararajo yattu saṁmārjanīrajaḥ etadrajo mahāpāpaṁ mahākilbiṣakārakam

The dust of a goat, the dust of a donkey, and the dust of a broom — this dust is a great sin, causing grave transgression.

Verse 44 (garuda.1.114.44)

शूर्पवातो नखाग्राम्बु स्नानवस्त्रमृजोदकम् । केशाम्बु मार्जनीरेणुर्हन्ति पुण्यं पुरा कृतम्

śūrpavāto nakhāgrāmbu snānavastramṛjodakam keśāmbu mārjanīreṇurhanti puṇyaṁ purā kṛtam

The wind from a winnowing basket, water from fingernails, water from wringing bathing-clothes, water used to wash hair, and the dust of a broom — these destroy previously earned merit.

Verse 45 (garuda.1.114.45)

विप्रयोर्विप्रवह्न्योश्च दम्पत्योः स्वामिनोस्तथा । अन्तरेण न गन्तव्यं हयस्य वृषभस्य च

viprayorvipravahnyośca dampatyoḥ svāminostathā antareṇa na gantavyaṁ hayasya vṛṣabhasya ca

One should not pass between two brahmins, between a brahmin and the sacred fire, between husband and wife, near a master, or between a horse and a bull.

Verse 46 (garuda.1.114.46)

स्त्रीषु राजाग्निसर्पेषु स्वाध्याये शत्रुसेवने । भोगास्वादेषु विश्वासं कः प्राज्ञः कर्तुमर्हति

strīṣu rājāgnisarpeṣu svādhyāye śatrusevane bhogāsvādeṣu viśvāsaṁ kaḥ prājñaḥ kartumarhati

In women, kings, fire, snakes, interrupted Vedic recitation, service to an enemy, and the enjoyment of pleasures — what wise man would place his trust?

Verse 47 (garuda.1.114.47)

न विश्वसेदविश्वस्तं विश्वस्तं विश्वस्तं नातिविश्वसेत् । विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलादपि निकृन्तति

na viśvasedaviśvastaṁ viśvastaṁ viśvastaṁ nātiviśvaset viśvāsādbhayamutpannaṁ mūlādapi nikṛntati

One should not trust the untrustworthy; one should not over-trust even the trustworthy. Fear arising from excessive trust cuts one down even at the root.

Verse 48 (garuda.1.114.48)

वैरिणा सह सन्धाय विश्वस्तो यदि तिष्ठति । स वृक्षाग्रे प्रसुप्तो हि पतितः प्रतिबुध्यते

vairiṇā saha sandhāya viśvasto yadi tiṣṭhati sa vṛkṣāgre prasupto hi patitaḥ pratibudhyate

If, having made peace with an enemy, one remains fully trusting, he is like one who falls asleep at the top of a tree — awakening only upon falling.

Verse 49 (garuda.1.114.49)

नात्यन्तं मृदुना भाव्यं नात्यन्तं कूरकर्मणा । मृदुनैव मृदुं हन्ति दारुणेनैव दारुणम्

nātyantaṁ mṛdunā bhāvyaṁ nātyantaṁ kūrakarmaṇā mṛdunaiva mṛduṁ hanti dāruṇenaiva dāruṇam

One should not be excessively gentle, nor excessively cruel; by gentleness alone the gentle are won over, and by harshness alone the harsh are subdued.

Verse 50 (garuda.1.114.50)

नात्यन्तं सरलैर्भाव्यं नात्यन्तं मृदुना तथा । सरलास्तत्र छिद्यन्ते कुब्जास्तिष्ठन्ति पादपाः

nātyantaṁ saralairbhāvyaṁ nātyantaṁ mṛdunā tathā saralāstatra chidyante kubjāstiṣṭhanti pādapāḥ

One should not be excessively straightforward, nor excessively soft; straight trees are cut down, while crooked trees remain standing.

Verse 51 (garuda.1.114.51)

नमन्ति फलिनो वृक्षा नमन्ति गुणिनो जनाः । शुष्कवृक्षाश्च मूर्खाश्च भिद्यन्ते न नमन्ति च

namanti phalino vṛkṣā namanti guṇino janāḥ śuṣkavṛkṣāśca mūrkhāśca bhidyante na namanti ca

Fruit-bearing trees bend low; virtuous men likewise bow in humility. But withered trees and fools break rather than bend.

Verse 52 (garuda.1.114.52)

अप्रार्थितानि दुः खानि यथैवायान्ति यान्ति च । मार्जार इव लुम्पेत तथा प्रार्थयितार नरः

aprārthitāni duḥ khāni yathaivāyānti yānti ca mārjāra iva lumpeta tathā prārthayitāra naraḥ

Just as unsought sorrows come and go on their own, a person who actively invites misfortune quietly undoes himself, like a stealthy cat.

Verse 53 (garuda.1.114.53)

पूर्वं पश्चाच्चरन्त्यार्ये सदैव बहुसम्पदः । विपरीतमनार्ये च यथेच्छसि तथा चर

pūrvaṁ paścāccarantyārye sadaiva bahusampadaḥ viparītamanārye ca yathecchasi tathā cara

For the noble, abundant prosperity always follows, both before and after; for the ignoble, it is the reverse — act as you wish, the choice is yours.

Verse 54 (garuda.1.114.54)

षट्कर्णो भिद्यते मन्त्रश्चतुः कर्णश्चधार्यते । द्विकर्णस्य तु मन्त्रस्य ब्रह्माप्यन्त न बुध्यते

ṣaṭkarṇo bhidyate mantraścatuḥ karṇaścadhāryate dvikarṇasya tu mantrasya brahmāpyanta na budhyate

A secret shared among six ears is broken; one shared among four ears is barely maintained; but a secret of only two ears — even Brahma cannot fathom its end.

Verse 55 (garuda.1.114.55)

तया गवा किं क्रियते या न दोग्ध्री न गर्भिणी । कोर्ऽथ पुत्रेण जातेन यो न विद्वान्न धार्मिकः

tayā gavā kiṁ kriyate yā na dogdhrī na garbhiṇī kor'tha putreṇa jātena yo na vidvānna dhārmikaḥ

What use is a cow that neither gives milk nor conceives? What use is a son who is born but is neither learned nor righteous?

Verse 56 (garuda.1.114.56)

एकेनापि सुपुत्रेण विद्यायुक्तेन धीमता । कुलं पुरुषसिंहेन चन्द्रेण गगनं यथा

ekenāpi suputreṇa vidyāyuktena dhīmatā kulaṁ puruṣasiṁhena candreṇa gaganaṁ yathā

By a single excellent son, learned and wise, a lion among men, the family shines — just as the sky is illuminated by the moon.

Verse 57 (garuda.1.114.57)

एकेनापि सुवृक्षेण पुष्पितेन सुगन्धिना । वनं सुवासितं सर्वं सुपुत्रेण कुलं यथा

ekenāpi suvṛkṣeṇa puṣpitena sugandhinā vanaṁ suvāsitaṁ sarvaṁ suputreṇa kulaṁ yathā

By a single excellent, flowering, fragrant tree, an entire forest becomes fragrant — just as a family is elevated by an excellent son.

Verse 58 (garuda.1.114.58)

एको हि गुणवान्पुत्रो निर्गुणेन शतेन किम् । चन्द्रो हन्ति तमांस्येको न च ज्योतिः सहस्रकम्

eko hi guṇavānputro nirguṇena śatena kim candro hanti tamāṁsyeko na ca jyotiḥ sahasrakam

A single virtuous son is worth more than a hundred worthless ones; a single moon dispels darkness, but a thousand stars cannot equal it.

Verse 59 (garuda.1.114.59)

लालयेत्पञ्च वर्षाणि दश वर्षाणि ताडयेत् । प्राप्ते तु षोडशे वर्षे पुत्रं मित्रवदाचरेत्

lālayetpañca varṣāṇi daśa varṣāṇi tāḍayet prāpte tu ṣoḍaśe varṣe putraṁ mitravadācaret

One should pamper a son for five years, discipline him for ten years; but when he reaches the sixteenth year, one should treat him as a friend.

Verse 60 (garuda.1.114.60)

जायमानो हरेद्दारान् वर्धमानो हरेद्धनम् । म्रियमाणो हरेत्प्राणान्नास्ति पुत्रसमो रिपुः

jāyamāno hareddārān vardhamāno hareddhanam mriyamāṇo haretprāṇānnāsti putrasamo ripuḥ

At birth, a son takes away attention from the wife; growing up, he takes away wealth; and dying, he takes away one's very life — there is no enemy equal to a son.

Verse 61 (garuda.1.114.61)

केचिन्मृगमुखा व्याघ्राः केचिद्व्याघ्रमुखा मृगाः । तत्स्वरूपपहिज्ञाने ह्यविश्वासः पदेपदे

kecinmṛgamukhā vyāghrāḥ kecidvyāghramukhā mṛgāḥ tatsvarūpapahijñāne hyaviśvāsaḥ padepade

Some tigers have the face of a deer; some deer have the face of a tiger — until their true nature is recognized, one must remain distrustful at every step.

Verse 62 (garuda.1.114.62)

एकः क्षमावतां दोषो द्वितीयो नोपपद्यते । यदेनं क्षमया युक्तमशक्तं मन्यते जनः

ekaḥ kṣamāvatāṁ doṣo dvitīyo nopapadyate yadenaṁ kṣamayā yuktamaśaktaṁ manyate janaḥ

There is only one fault among those who possess forbearance — that people regard their patience as mere incapacity.

Verse 63 (garuda.1.114.63)

एतदेवानुमन्येत भोगा हि क्षणभङ्गिनः । स्निग्धेषु च विदग्धस्य मतयो वै ह्यनाकुलाः

etadevānumanyeta bhogā hi kṣaṇabhaṅginaḥ snigdheṣu ca vidagdhasya matayo vai hyanākulāḥ

One should accept even this calmly, for pleasures are momentary; and even among the affectionate, the thoughts of the wise remain undisturbed.

Verse 64 (garuda.1.114.64)

ज्येष्ठः पितृसमो भ्राता मृते पितरि शौनक । सर्वेषां स पिता हि स्यात्सर्वेषामनुपालकः

jyeṣṭhaḥ pitṛsamo bhrātā mṛte pitari śaunaka sarveṣāṁ sa pitā hi syātsarveṣāmanupālakaḥ

O Shaunaka, upon the father's death, the eldest brother becomes equal to the father; he indeed becomes father to all, and protector of all.

Verse 65 (garuda.1.114.65)

कनिष्ठेषु च सर्वेषु समत्वेनानुवर्तते । समापभोगजीवेषु यथैवं तनयेषु च

kaniṣṭheṣu ca sarveṣu samatvenānuvartate samāpabhogajīveṣu yathaivaṁ tanayeṣu ca

He should treat all the younger siblings with equality, sharing equally in food and livelihood, just as a father would with his own sons.

Verse 66 (garuda.1.114.66)

बहूनामल्पसाराणां समवायो हि दारुणः । तृणैरावेष्टिता रज्जुस्तया नागोऽपि बध्यते

bahūnāmalpasārāṇāṁ samavāyo hi dāruṇaḥ tṛṇairāveṣṭitā rajjustayā nāgo'pi badhyate

The union of many, though individually weak, is indeed formidable; a rope woven of mere grass-blades can bind even an elephant.

Verse 67 (garuda.1.114.67)

अपहृत्य परस्वं हि यस्तु दानं प्रयच्छति । स दाता नरकं याति यस्यार्थास्तस्य तत्फलम्

apahṛtya parasvaṁ hi yastu dānaṁ prayacchati sa dātā narakaṁ yāti yasyārthāstasya tatphalam

He who, having seized another's property, then gives it away in charity — that giver goes to hell; the fruit belongs to the true owner of the wealth.

Verse 68 (garuda.1.114.68)

देवद्रव्यविनाशेन ब्रह्मस्वहरणेन च । कुलान्यकुलतां यान्ति ब्राह्मणातिक्रमेण च

devadravyavināśena brahmasvaharaṇena ca kulānyakulatāṁ yānti brāhmaṇātikrameṇa ca

Through the destruction of temple property, through the seizure of brahmin property, and through transgression against brahmins, families become disgraced.

Verse 69 (garuda.1.114.69)

ब्रह्मघ्ने च सुरापे च चोरे भग्नव्रते तथा । निष्कृतिर्विहिता सद्भिः कृतघ्ने नास्ति निष्कृतिः

brahmaghne ca surāpe ca core bhagnavrate tathā niṣkṛtirvihitā sadbhiḥ kṛtaghne nāsti niṣkṛtiḥ

For the killer of a brahmin, for the drinker of liquor, for the thief, and for one who has broken a vow, atonement is prescribed by the wise; but for the ungrateful, there is no atonement.

Verse 70 (garuda.1.114.70)

नाश्रन्ति पितरो देवाः क्षुद्रस्य वृषलीपतेः । भार्याजितस्य नाश्रन्ति यस्याश्चोपपतिर्गृहे

nāśranti pitaro devāḥ kṣudrasya vṛṣalīpateḥ bhāryājitasya nāśranti yasyāścopapatirgṛhe

The ancestors and gods do not partake of offerings from a lowly man married to a shudra woman; nor from one dominated by his wife, or from one in whose house there is his wife's paramour.

Verse 71 (garuda.1.114.71)

अकृजज्ञमनार्यञ्च दीर्धरोषमनार्जवम् । चतुरो विद्धि चाण्डालाञ्जात्या जायेत पञ्चमः

akṛjajñamanāryañca dīrdharoṣamanārjavam caturo viddhi cāṇḍālāñjātyā jāyeta pañcamaḥ

Know the ungrateful, the ignoble, the one of long-held resentment, and the dishonest — these four to be as good as chandalas; the fifth becomes so by birth alone.

Verse 72 (garuda.1.114.72)

नोपेक्षितव्यो दुर्बद्धि शत्रुरल्पोऽप्यवज्ञया । वह्निरल्पोऽप्यसंहार्यः कुरुते भस्मसाज्जगत्

nopekṣitavyo durbaddhi śatruralpo'pyavajñayā vahniralpo'pyasaṁhāryaḥ kurute bhasmasājjagat

An enemy, even a small one, should not be disregarded out of contempt by one of poor judgment; even a small, unchecked fire can reduce the world to ashes.

Verse 73 (garuda.1.114.73)

नवे वयसि यः शान्तः स शान्त इति मे मतिः । धातुषु क्षीयमाणेषु शमः कस्य न जायते

nave vayasi yaḥ śāntaḥ sa śānta iti me matiḥ dhātuṣu kṣīyamāṇeṣu śamaḥ kasya na jāyate

He who remains at peace in the vigor of youth — he alone is truly peaceful, in my opinion; when the bodily humors naturally decline in old age, for whom does peace not arise?

Verse 74 (garuda.1.114.74)

पन्थान इव विप्रेन्द्र सर्वसाधारणाः श्रियः । मदीया इति मत्वा वै न हि हर्षयुतो भवेत्

panthāna iva viprendra sarvasādhāraṇāḥ śriyaḥ madīyā iti matvā vai na hi harṣayuto bhavet

O best of brahmins, riches are common to all, like a public road; one should never rejoice, thinking 'these are mine.'

Verse 75 (garuda.1.114.75)

चित्तायत्तं धातुवश्यं शरीरं चित्ते नष्टे धातवो यान्ति नाशम् । तस्माच्चित्तं सर्वदा रक्षणीयं स्वस्थे चित्ते धातवः सम्भवन्ति

cittāyattaṁ dhātuvaśyaṁ śarīraṁ citte naṣṭe dhātavo yānti nāśam tasmāccittaṁ sarvadā rakṣaṇīyaṁ svasthe citte dhātavaḥ sambhavanti

The body, subject to the bodily elements, is dependent on the mind; when the mind is disturbed, the elements go to ruin. Therefore the mind should always be protected; when the mind is healthy, the bodily elements thrive.