05.038
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura spoke:
ūrdhvaṃ prāṇā hyutkrāmanti yūnaḥ sthavira āyati। pratyutthānābhivādābhyāṃ punastānpratipadyate ॥5-38-1॥
The life forces of the young depart upwards, while the old one approaches. Through rising and salutation, he regains them once more.
pīṭhaṃ dattvā sādhave'bhyāgatāya; ānīyāpaḥ parinirṇijya pādau। sukhaṃ pṛṣṭvā prativedyātmasaṃsthaṃ; tato dadyādannamavekṣya dhīraḥ ॥5-38-2॥
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.
yasyodakaṃ madhuparkaṃ ca gāṃ ca; namantravitpratigṛhṇāti gehe। lobhādbhayaādarthakārpaṇyato vā; tasyānarthaṃ jīvitamāhurāryāḥ ॥5-38-3॥
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.
cikitsakaḥ śalyakartāvakīrṇī; stenaḥ krūro madyapo bhrūṇahā ca। senājīvī śrutivikrāyakaśca; bhṛśaṃ priyo'pyatithirnodakārhaḥ ॥5-38-4॥
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.
avikreyaṁ lavaṇaṁ pakvamannaṁ; dadhi kṣīraṁ madhu tailaṁ ghṛtaṁ ca। tilā māṁsaṁ mūlaphalāni śākaṁ; raktaṁ vāsaḥ sarvagandhā guḍaśca ॥5-38-5॥
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.
aroṣaṇo yaḥ samaloṣṭakāñcanaḥ; prahīṇaśoko gatasandhivigrahaḥ। nindāpraśaṃsoparataḥ priyāpriye; carannudāsīnavadeṣa bhikṣukaḥ ॥5-38-6॥
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.
nīvāramūleṅgudaśākavṛttiḥ; susaṃyatātmāgnikāryeṣvacodyaḥ। vane vasannatithiṣvapramatto; dhurandharaḥ puṇyakṛdeṣa tāpasaḥ ॥5-38-7॥
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.
apakṛtvā buddhimato dūrastho'smīti nāśvaset। dīrghau buddhimato bāhū yābhyāṃ hinsati hinsitaḥ ॥5-38-8॥
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.
na viśvasedaviśvaste viśvaste nātiviśvaset। viśvāsādbhayaṁutpannaṁ mūlānyapi nikṛntati ॥5-38-9॥
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.
anīrṣyurguptadāraḥ syātsaṃvibhāgī priyaṃvadaḥ। ślakṣṇo madhuravākstrīṇāṃ na cāsāṃ vaśago bhavet ॥5-38-10॥
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.
pūjanīyā mahābhāgāḥ puṇyāśca gṛhadīptayaḥ। striyaḥ śriyo gṛhasyoktāstasmādrakṣyā viśeṣataḥ ॥5-38-11॥
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.
piturantaḥpuraṃ dadyānmāturdadyānmahānasam। goṣu cātmasamaṃ dadyātsvayameva kṛṣiṃ vrajet ॥ bhṛtyairvaṇijyācāraṃ ca putraiḥ seveta brāhmaṇān ॥5-38-12॥
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.
adbhyo'gnirbrahmataḥ kṣatramaśmano lohamutthitam। teṣāṃ sarvatragaṃ tejaḥ svāsu yoniṣu śāmyati ॥5-38-13॥
Fire emerged from water, the warrior class from Brahman, and metal from stone. Their pervasive energy returns to their respective origins.
nityaṃ santaḥ kule jātāḥ pāvakopamatejasaḥ। kṣamāvanto nirākārāḥ kāṣṭhe'gniriva śerate ॥5-38-14॥
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.
yasya mantraṁ na jānanti bāhyāścābhyantarāśca ye। sa rājā sarvataścakṣuściramaiśvaryamaśnute ॥5-38-15॥
The king, whose mantra is unknown to both outsiders and insiders, possesses a vision that sees all and enjoys enduring prosperity.
kariṣyanna prabhāṣeta kṛtānyeva ca darśayet। dharmakāmārthakāryāṇi tathā mantro na bhidyate ॥5-38-16॥
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.
giripṛṣṭhamupāruhya prāsādaṃ vā rahogataḥ। araṇye niḥśalāke vā tatra mantro vidhīyate ॥5-38-17॥
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.
nāsuhṛtparamaṃ mantraṃ bhāratārhati veditum। apaṇḍito vāpi suhṛtpaṇḍito vāpyanātmavān ॥ amātye hyarthalipsā ca mantrarakṣaṇameva ca ॥5-38-18॥
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.
kṛtāni sarvakāryāṇi yasya vā pārṣadā viduḥ। gūḍhamantrasya nṛpatestasya siddhirasaṃśayam ॥5-38-19॥
The tasks known by the king's counselors, who are privy to his secret counsel, are certainly accomplished without doubt.
apraśastāni karmāṇi yo mohād anutiṣṭhati। sa teṣāṃ viparibhraṃśe bhraśyate jīvitād api ॥5-38-20॥
A person who, out of delusion, engages in actions that are not approved, ultimately faces downfall and even risks losing his life.
karmaṇāṃ tu praśastānām anuṣṭhānaṃ sukhāvaham। teṣām evānuṣṭhānaṃ paścāttāpakaṃ mahat ॥5-38-21॥
Performing commendable actions leads to happiness, while failing to perform them results in great regret.
sthānavṛddhikṣayajñasya ṣāḍguṇyaviditātmanaḥ। anavajñātaśīlasya svādhīnā pṛthivī nṛpa ॥5-38-22॥
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.
amoghakrodhaharṣasya svayaṃ kṛtyānvavekṣiṇaḥ। ātmapratyayakośasya vasudheyaṃ vasundharā ॥5-38-23॥
The earth, known as Vasundhara, is the embodiment of infallible anger and joy, constantly examining its own duties and the treasury of self-belief.
nāmamātreṇa tuṣyeta chatreṇa ca mahīpatiḥ। bhṛtyebhyo visṛjedarthānnaikaḥ sarvaharo bhavet ॥5-38-24॥
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.
brāhmaṇo brāhmaṇaṃ veda bhartā veda striyaṃ tathā। amātyaṃ nṛpatirveda rājā rājānameva ca ॥5-38-25॥
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.
na śatruraṅkamāpanno moktavyo vadhyatāṃ gataḥ। ahatāddhi bhayaṃ tasmājjāyate nacirādiva ॥5-38-26॥
An enemy who has come into one's grasp should not be released, for fear arises from the unharmed, as if soon.
daivateṣu ca yatnena rājasu brāhmaṇeṣu ca। niyantavyaḥ sadā krodho vṛddhabālātureṣu ca ॥5-38-27॥
One must always strive to control anger, especially among the deities, kings, Brahmins, and the vulnerable such as the elderly, children, and the sick.
nirarthaṁ kalahaṁ prājño varjayenmūḍhasevitam। kīrtiṁ ca labhate loke na cānarthena yujyate ॥5-38-28॥
A wise person avoids meaningless quarrels indulged by fools, gains fame in the world, and remains free from misfortune.
prasādo niṣphalo yasya krodhaścāpi nirarthakaḥ। na taṃ bhartāramicchanti ṣaṇḍhaṃ patimiva striyaḥ ॥5-38-29॥
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.
na buddhirdhanalābhāya na jāḍyamasamṛddhaye। lokaparyāyavṛttāntaṃ prājño jānāti netaraḥ ॥5-38-30॥
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.
vidyāśīlavayovṛddhānbuddhivṛddhāṃśca bhārata। dhanābhijanavṛddhāṃśca nityaṃ mūḍho'vamanyate ॥5-38-31॥
O Bharata, a fool always disrespects those who are elderly and wise in knowledge, character, wealth, and noble birth.
anāryavṛttamaprajñamasūyakamadhārmikam। anarthāḥ kṣipramāyānti vāgduṣṭaṃ krodhanaṃ tathā ॥5-38-32॥
Disasters swiftly befall those who are ignoble in conduct, lacking wisdom, jealous, unrighteous, foul-mouthed, and prone to anger.
avisaṁvādanaṁ dānaṁ samayasyaavyatikramaḥ। āvartayanti bhūtāni samyakpraṇihitā ca vāk ॥5-38-33॥
Non-deception, charity, and adherence to time ensure that beings continue their existence, and speech remains well-directed.
avisaṁvādako dakṣaḥ kṛtajño matimānṛjuḥ। api saṅkṣīṇakośo'pi labhate parivāraṇam ॥5-38-34॥
A person who is trustworthy, skilled, grateful, wise, and straightforward, even if he has limited resources, will find support.
dhṛtiḥ śamo damaḥ śaucaṃ kāruṇyaṃ vāganiṣṭhurā। mitrāṇāṃ cānabhidrohaḥ saptaitāḥ samidhaḥ śriyaḥ ॥5-38-35॥
The seven virtues that lead to prosperity are steadfastness, calmness, self-control, purity, compassion, gentle speech, and non-injury towards friends.
asaṁvibhāgī duṣṭātmā kṛtaghno nirapatrapaḥ। tādṛṅnarādhamaḥ loke varjanīyo narādhipa ॥5-38-36॥
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.
na sa rātrau sukhaṃ śete sasarpa iva veśmani। yaḥ kopayati nirdoṣaṃ sadoṣo'bhyantaraṃ janam ॥5-38-37॥
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.
yeṣu duṣṭeṣu doṣaḥ syādyogakṣemasya bhārata। sadā prasādanaṃ teṣāṃ devatānāmivācaret ॥5-38-38॥
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.
ye'rthāḥ strīṣu samāsaktāḥ prathamotpatiteṣu ca। ye cānāryasamāsaktāḥ sarve te saṃśayaṃ gatāḥ ॥5-38-39॥
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.
yatra strī yatra kitavo yatra bālo'nuśāsti ca। majjanti te'vaśā deśā nadyāmaśmaplavā iva ॥5-38-40॥
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.
prayojaneṣu ye saktā na viśeṣeṣu bhārata। tānahaṃ paṇḍitān manye viśeṣā hi prasaṅginaḥ ॥5-38-41॥
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.
yaṁ praśaṁsanti kitavā yaṁ praśaṁsanti cāraṇāḥ। yaṁ praśaṁsanti bandhakyo na sa jīvati mānavaḥ ॥5-38-42॥
The man whom gamblers, bards, and courtesans praise is not truly alive.
hitvā tān parameṣvāsān pāṇḍavān amitaujasaḥ। āhitaṃ bhārata aiśvaryaṃ tvayā duryodhane mahat ॥5-38-43॥
"Having left the mighty Pāṇḍavas, who are unparalleled archers and possess immense energy, you have established great sovereignty in Duryodhana, O Bhārata."
taṁ drakṣyasi paribhraṣṭaṁ tasmāttvaṁ nacirādiva। aiśvaryamadasaṁmūḍhaṁ baliṁ lokatrayādiva ॥5-38-44॥
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.
