05.038
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura spoke:
ऊर्ध्वं प्राणा ह्युत्क्रामन्ति यूनः स्थविर आयति। प्रत्युत्थानाभिवादाभ्यां पुनस्तान्प्रतिपद्यते ॥५-३८-१॥
The life forces of the young depart upwards, while the old one approaches. Through rising and salutation, he regains them once more.
पीठं दत्त्वा साधवेऽभ्यागताय; आनीयापः परिनिर्णिज्य पादौ। सुखं पृष्ट्वा प्रतिवेद्यात्मसंस्थं; ततो दद्यादन्नमवेक्ष्य धीरः ॥५-३८-२॥
After offering a seat to the visiting sage, bringing water to wash his feet, inquiring about his comfort, and ensuring he is self-possessed, the wise one should then thoughtfully provide food.
यस्योदकं मधुपर्कं च गां च; नमन्त्रवित्प्रतिगृह्णाति गेहे। लोभाद्भयादर्थकार्पण्यतो वा; तस्यानर्थं जीवितमाहुरार्याः ॥५-३८-३॥
The noble ones say that the life of a person who accepts water, madhuparka, and a cow in his house without knowing the mantras, due to greed, fear, or miserliness, is meaningless.
चिकित्सकः शल्यकर्तावकीर्णी; स्तेनः क्रूरो मद्यपो भ्रूणहा च। सेनाजीवी श्रुतिविक्रायकश्च; भृशं प्रियोऽप्यतिथिर्नोदकार्हः ॥५-३८-४॥
A doctor, a surgeon-scatterer, a thief, a cruel person, a drunkard, a fetus killer, a soldier, and a seller of Vedas, even if they are very dear, are not worthy of being offered water as guests.
अविक्रेयं लवणं पक्वमन्नं; दधि क्षीरं मधु तैलं घृतं च। तिला मांसं मूलफलानि शाकं; रक्तं वासः सर्वगन्धा गुडश्च ॥५-३८-५॥
Salt, cooked food, curd, milk, honey, oil, ghee, sesame seeds, meat, roots and fruits, vegetables, blood, clothes, all perfumes, and jaggery should not be sold.
अरोषणो यः समलोष्टकाञ्चनः; प्रहीणशोको गतसन्धिविग्रहः। निन्दाप्रशंसोपरतः प्रियाप्रिये; चरन्नुदासीनवदेष भिक्षुकः ॥५-३८-६॥
This mendicant, who is without anger and sees clod and gold as equal, has abandoned sorrow and is beyond union and conflict. He has ceased to be affected by blame and praise, or by what is dear and not dear, wandering like one who is indifferent.
नीवारमूलेङ्गुदशाकवृत्तिः; सुसंयतात्माग्निकार्येष्वचोद्यः। वने वसन्नतिथिष्वप्रमत्तो; धुरन्धरः पुण्यकृदेष तापसः ॥५-३८-७॥
This ascetic, living at the root of the Nīvāra tree and subsisting on the leaves of the Inguda tree, is well-disciplined, irreproachable in fire rituals, attentive to guests, and a performer of meritorious deeds.
अपकृत्वा बुद्धिमतो दूरस्थोऽस्मीति नाश्वसेत्। दीर्घौ बुद्धिमतो बाहू याभ्यां हिंसति हिंसितः ॥५-३८-८॥
One should not feel secure after harming a wise person, thinking they are far away. The wise have long-reaching arms with which they can retaliate against those who have wronged them.
न विश्वसेदविश्वस्ते विश्वस्ते नातिविश्वसेत्। विश्वासाद्भयमुत्पन्नं मूलान्यपि निकृन्तति ॥५-३८-९॥
Do not trust the untrustworthy, and do not overly trust even the trustworthy. Trust can lead to fear, which can destroy even the very foundations.
अनीर्ष्युर्गुप्तदारः स्यात्संविभागी प्रियंवदः। श्लक्ष्णो मधुरवाक्स्त्रीणां न चासां वशगो भवेत् ॥५-३८-१०॥
A man should be free from jealousy, protect his wife, be generous, speak pleasantly, be gentle and sweet-spoken to women, but should not be under their control.
पूजनीया महाभागाः पुण्याश्च गृहदीप्तयः। स्त्रियः श्रियो गृहस्योक्तास्तस्माद्रक्ष्या विशेषतः ॥५-३८-११॥
Women, who are worthy of worship, greatly fortunate, virtuous, and illuminators of the home, are considered the prosperity of the household; hence, they should be especially protected.
पितुरन्तःपुरं दद्यान्मातुर्दद्यान्महानसम्। गोषु चात्मसमं दद्यात्स्वयमेव कृषिं व्रजेत् ॥ भृत्यैर्वणिज्याचारं च पुत्रैः सेवेत ब्राह्मणान् ॥५-३८-१२॥
One should allocate the father's inner quarters and the mother's kitchen, treat the cows as oneself, and personally engage in agriculture. Trade should be conducted with the help of servants, and Brahmins should be served with the assistance of sons.
अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम्। तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति ॥५-३८-१३॥
Fire emerged from water, the warrior class from Brahman, and metal from stone. Their pervasive energy returns to their respective origins.
नित्यं सन्तः कुले जाताः पावकोपमतेजसः। क्षमावन्तो निराकाराः काष्ठेऽग्निरिव शेरते ॥५-३८-१४॥
Good people, who are always born in noble families, possess a brilliance akin to fire, are forgiving and formless, and remain dormant like fire within wood.
यस्य मन्त्रं न जानन्ति बाह्याश्चाभ्यन्तराश्च ये। स राजा सर्वतश्चक्षुश्चिरमैश्वर्यमश्नुते ॥५-३८-१५॥
The king, whose mantra is unknown to both outsiders and insiders, possesses a vision that sees all and enjoys enduring prosperity.
करिष्यन्न प्रभाषेत कृतान्येव च दर्शयेत्। धर्मकामार्थकार्याणि तथा मन्त्रो न भिद्यते ॥५-३८-१६॥
One should speak and demonstrate only what is intended to be done. In this way, the counsel concerning duties related to dharma, desire, and wealth remains intact.
गिरिपृष्ठमुपारुह्य प्रासादं वा रहोगतः। अरण्ये निःशलाके वा तत्र मन्त्रो विधीयते ॥५-३८-१७॥
The mantra is to be prescribed when one has ascended to the mountain top, gone to a secluded palace, or is in a deserted forest.
नासुहृत्परमं मन्त्रं भारतार्हति वेदितुम्। अपण्डितो वापि सुहृत्पण्डितो वाप्यनात्मवान् ॥ अमात्ये ह्यर्थलिप्सा च मन्त्ररक्षणमेव च ॥५-३८-१८॥
O Bhārata, a non-friend does not deserve to know the supreme secret. Even an unwise friend or a wise but uncontrolled person, even if they are a minister, indeed has a desire for wealth and only cares for the protection of secrets.
कृतानि सर्वकार्याणि यस्य वा पार्षदा विदुः। गूढमन्त्रस्य नृपतेस्तस्य सिद्धिरसंशयम् ॥५-३८-१९॥
The tasks known by the king's counselors, who are privy to his secret counsel, are certainly accomplished without doubt.
अप्रशस्तानि कर्माणि यो मोहादनुतिष्ठति। स तेषां विपरिभ्रंशे भ्रश्यते जीवितादपि ॥५-३८-२०॥
A person who, out of delusion, engages in actions that are not approved, ultimately faces downfall and even risks losing his life.
कर्मणां तु प्रशस्तानामनुष्ठानं सुखावहम्। तेषामेवाननुष्ठानं पश्चात्तापकरं महत् ॥५-३८-२१॥
Performing commendable actions leads to happiness, while failing to perform them results in great regret.
स्थानवृद्धिक्षयज्ञस्य षाड्गुण्यविदितात्मनः। अनवज्ञातशीलस्य स्वाधीना पृथिवी नृप ॥५-३८-२२॥
The earth is governed by a king who understands the dynamics of place, growth, and decline, is aware of the six strategic qualities, and possesses an esteemed character.
अमोघक्रोधहर्षस्य स्वयं कृत्यान्ववेक्षिणः। आत्मप्रत्ययकोशस्य वसुधेयं वसुन्धरा ॥५-३८-२३॥
The earth, known as Vasundhara, is the embodiment of infallible anger and joy, constantly examining its own duties and the treasury of self-belief.
नाममात्रेण तुष्येत छत्रेण च महीपतिः। भृत्येभ्यो विसृजेदर्थान्नैकः सर्वहरो भवेत् ॥५-३८-२४॥
A king should be content with mere titles and symbols of power like an umbrella, and should distribute wealth among his servants rather than hoarding it all for himself.
ब्राह्मणो ब्राह्मणं वेद भर्ता वेद स्त्रियं तथा। अमात्यं नृपतिर्वेद राजा राजानमेव च ॥५-३८-२५॥
A Brahmin recognizes another Brahmin, just as a husband understands a woman; similarly, a king is aware of his minister, and indeed, a king understands another king.
न शत्रुरङ्कमापन्नो मोक्तव्यो वध्यतां गतः। अहताद्धि भयं तस्माज्जायते नचिरादिव ॥५-३८-२६॥
An enemy who has come into one's grasp should not be released, for fear arises from the unharmed, as if soon.
दैवतेषु च यत्नेन राजसु ब्राह्मणेषु च। नियन्तव्यः सदा क्रोधो वृद्धबालातुरेषु च ॥५-३८-२७॥
One must always strive to control anger, especially among the deities, kings, Brahmins, and the vulnerable such as the elderly, children, and the sick.
निरर्थं कलहं प्राज्ञो वर्जयेन्मूढसेवितम्। कीर्तिं च लभते लोके न चानर्थेन युज्यते ॥५-३८-२८॥
A wise person avoids meaningless quarrels indulged by fools, gains fame in the world, and remains free from misfortune.
प्रसादो निष्फलो यस्य क्रोधश्चापि निरर्थकः। न तं भर्तारमिच्छन्ति षण्ढं पतिमिव स्त्रियः ॥५-३८-२९॥
Women do not wish for a husband whose grace is fruitless and anger is useless, just like they would not desire an impotent man as a husband.
न बुद्धिर्धनलाभाय न जाड्यमसमृद्धये। लोकपर्यायवृत्तान्तं प्राज्ञो जानाति नेतरः ॥५-३८-३०॥
Intelligence does not necessarily lead to wealth, nor does dullness lead to lack of prosperity. It is the wise who understand the ways of the world, not others.
विद्याशीलवयोवृद्धान्बुद्धिवृद्धांश्च भारत। धनाभिजनवृद्धांश्च नित्यं मूढोऽवमन्यते ॥५-३८-३१॥
O Bharata, a fool always disrespects those who are elderly and wise in knowledge, character, wealth, and noble birth.
अनार्यवृत्तमप्राज्ञमसूयकमधार्मिकम्। अनर्थाः क्षिप्रमायान्ति वाग्दुष्टं क्रोधनं तथा ॥५-३८-३२॥
Disasters swiftly befall those who are ignoble in conduct, lacking wisdom, jealous, unrighteous, foul-mouthed, and prone to anger.
अविसंवादनं दानं समयस्याव्यतिक्रमः। आवर्तयन्ति भूतानि सम्यक्प्रणिहिता च वाक् ॥५-३८-३३॥
Non-deception, charity, and adherence to time ensure that beings continue their existence, and speech remains well-directed.
अविसंवादको दक्षः कृतज्ञो मतिमानृजुः। अपि सङ्क्षीणकोशोऽपि लभते परिवारणम् ॥५-३८-३४॥
A person who is trustworthy, skilled, grateful, wise, and straightforward, even if he has limited resources, will find support.
धृतिः शमो दमः शौचं कारुण्यं वागनिष्ठुरा। मित्राणां चानभिद्रोहः सप्तैताः समिधः श्रियः ॥५-३८-३५॥
The seven virtues that lead to prosperity are steadfastness, calmness, self-control, purity, compassion, gentle speech, and non-injury towards friends.
असंविभागी दुष्टात्मा कृतघ्नो निरपत्रपः। तादृङ्नराधमो लोके वर्जनीयो नराधिप ॥५-३८-३६॥
A person who does not share, has a wicked soul, is ungrateful and shameless, is considered the worst among men and should be avoided in the world, O king.
न स रात्रौ सुखं शेते ससर्प इव वेश्मनि। यः कोपयति निर्दोषं सदोषोऽभ्यन्तरं जनम् ॥५-३८-३७॥
A guilty person who angers innocent people inside the house does not sleep comfortably at night, as if there is a snake in the house.
येषु दुष्टेषु दोषः स्याद्योगक्षेमस्य भारत। सदा प्रसादनं तेषां देवतानामिवाचरेत् ॥५-३८-३८॥
O Bharata, if there is a fault in the welfare of the wicked, one should always act to appease them as if they were deities.
येऽर्थाः स्त्रीषु समासक्ताः प्रथमोत्पतितेषु च। ये चानार्यसमासक्ताः सर्वे ते संशयं गताः ॥५-३८-३९॥
Those who are attached to wealth, women, and the first arisen, as well as those who are attached to ignoble things, all of them have fallen into doubt.
यत्र स्त्री यत्र कितवो यत्र बालोऽनुशास्ति च। मज्जन्ति तेऽवशा देशा नद्यामश्मप्लवा इव ॥५-३८-४०॥
In places where a woman, a gambler, or a child holds authority, those nations are doomed to fail, much like stones trying to float in a river.
प्रयोजनेषु ये सक्ता न विशेषेषु भारत। तानहं पण्डितान्मन्ये विशेषा हि प्रसङ्गिनः ॥५-३८-४१॥
O Bhārata, those who are focused on purposes rather than distinctions are considered wise by me, as distinctions are truly for those who are attached.
यं प्रशंसन्ति कितवा यं प्रशंसन्ति चारणाः। यं प्रशंसन्ति बन्धक्यो न स जीवति मानवः ॥५-३८-४२॥
The man whom gamblers, bards, and courtesans praise is not truly alive.
हित्वा तान्परमेष्वासान्पाण्डवानमितौजसः। आहितं भारतैश्वर्यं त्वया दुर्योधने महत् ॥५-३८-४३॥
"Having left the mighty Pāṇḍavas, who are unparalleled archers and possess immense energy, you have established great sovereignty in Duryodhana, O Bhārata."
तं द्रक्ष्यसि परिभ्रष्टं तस्मात्त्वं नचिरादिव। ऐश्वर्यमदसंमूढं बलिं लोकत्रयादिव ॥५-३८-४४॥
You will soon see him fallen, therefore you, like Bali who was deluded by the pride of power, will not take long to fall from the three worlds.
