लोभमूलानि पापानि संकटानि तथैव च |
लोभात्प्रवर्तते वैरं अतिलोभात्विनश्यति ||
Greed is a cause of sin ( a greedy person can do any sin to satisfy his greed) Greed is cause of calamity, greed gives rise to enmity (greedy person invites enemies) Greed destroys a person (a greedy persons life gets spoiled by his own deeds)
परोऽपि हितवान् बन्धुः
बन्धुरप्यहितः परः ।
अहितो देहजो व्याधिः
हितमारण्यमौषधम् ॥
- हितोपदेशः
One who helps us in difficult times should be considered as a relative (or a friend), even if he is a stranger. One who hurts us, should be considered as a stranger, even if he is our relative. Though a disease resides in our body, it is harmful. But a medicinal plant that grows in a forest, saves lives.
विदेशेषु धनं विद्या
व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः
शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनम् ॥
One's knowledge is his wealth when in a foreign country.
One's intelligence is his wealth when in adversity.
One's righteousness is his wealth in the netherworld.
One's character is a wealth everywhere and at all times.
कामधेनुगुणा विद्या
ह्यकाले फलदायिनी ।
प्रवासे मातृसदृशी
विद्या गुप्तं धनं स्मृतम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Knowledge has the quality of Kamadhenu, which grants all wishes of a true seeker. It is useful at all times. When in a foreign land, our knowledge takes care of us like a mother. Knowledge is aptly believed to be a secret wealth.
सुखार्थी त्यजते विद्याम्
विद्यार्थी त्यजते सुखम् ।
सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या
कुतो विद्यार्थिनः सुखम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
One who delights in material wealth gives up education.
One who desires to gain knowledge gives up luxuries.
How can someone seeking lavish life gain knowledge?
How can someone seeking knowledge lead a luxurious life?
चलं वित्तं चलं चित्तम्
चले जीवितयौवने ।
चलाचलमिदं सर्वम्
कीर्तिर्यस्य स जीवति ॥
Wealth is transient, Mind is unstable. Youth and life are temporary. Everything in this world is short-lived, but the one who has acquired fame lives forever.
अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति
धनं मानं च मध्यमाः ।
उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति
मानो हि महतां धनम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Inferior people desire wealth. The mediocre class desires wealth as well as respect. But, great people desire only respect. Respect itself is considered as wealth by great people.
गौरवं प्राप्यते दानात्
न तु वित्तस्य सञ्चयात् ।
स्थितिरुच्चैः पयोदानाम्
पयोधीनां अधः स्थितिः ॥
One gains respect by donating wealth and not by accumulating it. Clouds which give water have a higher position and seas which accumulate water occupy a lower position.
पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या
परहस्तगतं धनम् ।
कार्यकाले समुत्पन्ने
न सा विद्या न तद्धनम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Knowledge residing in a book and money loaned to others; when in need, neither that knowledge nor that money is of any use.
दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो
गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते
तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्रम्
- नीतिशतकम्
Money possessed by a person ends up in one of these three states.
being donated to the needy,having spent for basic needs orgetting destroyed.One who neither donates nor spends, will have all his wealth ultimately ended up in the third state.
यथा शिखा मयूराणाम्
नागानां मणयो यथा ।
तथा वेदाङ्गशास्त्राणां
गणितं मूर्ध्नि वर्तते ॥
- वेदाङ्गः (ज्योतिश्शस्त्रम्)
As are the crests of peacocks that adorn their heads, as are the gems of cobras that are held on their hoods, so is Mathematics placed at the top of all Sciences.
पुण्यस्य फलमिच्छन्ति
पुण्यं नेच्छन्ति मानवाः ।
न पापफलमिच्छन्ति
पापं कुर्वन्ति यत्नतः ॥
People always desire to enjoy the fruits of good deeds, but they do not perform those good deeds. They never desire to suffer from the consequences of their sins, but they commit sins intentionally.
नमन्ति फलिताः वृक्षाः
नमन्ति विबुधाः जनाः ।
शुष्ककाष्ठानि मूर्खाश्च
भिद्यन्ते न नमन्ति च ॥
A tree bearing fruits always bends (towards earth, due to the weight of fruits). Similarly, wise people respect others by bowing. Whereas, unwise people are like dry sticks which break but never bend.
यः सुन्दरस्तद्वनिता कुरूपा
या सुन्दरी सा पतिरूपहीना ।
यत्रोभयं तत्र दरिद्रता च
विधेर्विचित्राणि विचेष्टितानि ॥
Usually, wife of a handsome young man is not beautiful. Similarly in most cases, an attractive lady isn't lucky enough to have a handsome husband. In rare cases, one can find a good-looking couple, but then they will be suffering from poverty. The tricks played by destiny are strange indeed.
छायामन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति
तिष्ठन्ति स्वयमातपे ।
फलान्यपि परार्थाय
वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषा इव ॥
Trees make shade for others, even by standing themselves in Sun. They also provide fruits for others to enjoy. Trees are indeed, like good people.
पठतो नास्ति मूर्खत्वम्का
जपतो नास्ति पातकम् ।
मौनिनः कलहो नास्ति
न भयं चास्ति जाग्रतः ॥
A learned person can never act foolishly.
A devout person can never be wicked.
A silent person can never get involved in quarrels.
A person who is alert and awake can never be afraid.
ममया एवायं पुरुष इति
सा यथाकामो भवति तत्क्रतुर भवति
यात्क्रतुर भवति तत कर्म कुरुते
यत कर्म कुरुते तद अभिसम पद्यते
You are what your deep, driving desire is
As your desire is, so is your will
As your will is, so is your deed
As your deed is, so is your destiny
दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥ - पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रसम्प्राप्ति
Charity, indulgence and destruction are the 3 alternatives to wealth. One which is not given in charity or used for self-enjoyment, that (wealth) will attain the 3rd state.
यदचेतनोऽपि पादै: स्पृष्ट: प्रज्वलति सवितुरिनकान्त: ।
तत्तेजस्वी पुरुष: परकृतविकृतिं कथं सहते ॥
When even an inanimate object like jasper becomes hot with the touch of sun beams, then how can a brilliant man brook any affront from others?
मित्रस्य मा चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षन्ताम् ।
मित्रस्याहं चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षे
मित्रस्य चक्षुषा समीक्षामहे ॥
Let the world see me with the same. Let every body in the world see each other likewise.Let me see every creature in this world with a friendly eye.
कार्यार्थी भजते लोकः यावत् कार्यं न सिध्यति॥
उत्तीर्णे च परे पारे नौकायाः किं प्रयोजनम्॥
As long as the work is not done, people praise others - Only to get work done. As soon as crossing the river to the other side what is the use of the boat?
स्वगृहे पूज्यते मूर्खः स्वग्रामे पूज्यते प्रभुः ।
स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते ॥
An imbecile is celebrated in his own home; a lord is respected in his own town; the king is worshiped in his own country; a learned man is honored everywhere.
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।
पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥
Knowledge gives discipline, from discipline comes worthiness, from worthiness one gets wealth, from wealth (one does) good deeds, from that (comes) joy.
को लाभो गुणिसंगम: किमसुखं प्राज्ञेतरै: संगति: का हानि: समयच्युतिर्निपुणता का धर्मतत्त्वे रति:।
क: शूरो विजितेन्द्रिय: प्रियतमा कानुव्रता किं धनं विद्या किं सुखमप्रवासगमनं राज्यं किमाज्ञाफलम्॥
What is a gain? It is the companionship of the virtuous. What is grief? It is the company of fools. What is loss? It is the dissipation of time. What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue. What is velour? It is the conquest of the senses. Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband. What is wealth? It is knowledge. What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one's own country. What is ruler ship? It is to command obedience.
युक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं बालादपि शुकादपि ।
युक्तिहीनं वचस्त्याज्यं वृद्धादपि शुकादपि ॥
Whatever is consistent with right objective reasoning should be accepted even if it comes from a boy or a parrot, and whatever is not, should be rejected even if it comes from an old man or the great sage Śrī Śuka himself.
पुराणमित्येव न साधु सर्वं न चापि काव्यं नवमित्यवद्यम्।
सन्तः परीक्ष्यान्यतरद्भजन्ते मूढः परप्रत्ययनेयबुद्धिः॥
Everything is not good simply because it is old; nor a poem should be condemned simply because it is new; the wise resort to the one or the other after (proper) examination; (only) a fool has his mind led by the judgement of another.
परागसमीरणेरित: क्रमशीर्णाकुलमूलसन्तति: ।
सुकरस्तवत् सहिष्णुना रिपुरुन्मूलयितुं महानपि ॥
An enemy, though powerful can be easily uprooted by a patient person, if he is shaken by the wind of disaffection and if his supporters are gradually estranged, like a tree which, though big, can be easily uprooted shaken by the wind and its mass of roots gradually giving way.
सिंह: शिशुरपि निपतति मदमलिनकपोलभित्तिषु गजेषु ।
प्रकृतिरियं सत्त्ववतां न खलु वयस्तेजसो हेतु:॥
A lion's cub also attacks a frenzied elephant. Valor is inherent in the nature of the powerful, and age, as such, is of no consequence to their prowess.
संसार विषवृक्षस्य द्वे फले ह्यमृतोपमे ।
सुभाषित रसस्वादः सङ्गतिः सुजनैःसह ॥ - सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
In this poisonous tree called 'samsaara' (life), there are only two fruit equivalent to the divine nectar (amrutam). One is the taste of subhaaShitas, other is the company of good people.
अज्ञः सुखमाराध्यः सुखतरमाराध्यते विशेषज्ञः ।
ज्ञानलवलेशदुर्विदग्धं ब्रह्मापि नरं न रञ्जयति ॥ - नीतिशतक
Ignorant can be entertained easily, the wise can be entertained even more easily. But even Lord Brahma can not entertain the ones that are audacious due to the little bit of knowledge they have.
न चौरहार्यम् न च राजहार्यम् न भ्रातृभाजम् न च भारकारि ।
व्यये कृते वर्धते नित्यं विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानम् ॥ - चाणक्य नीति
Neither the thief can steal it, nor can the king take it
Neither divided amongst brothers, nor too heavy to carry
The more you offer it others, the more it increases
Knowledge is the supreme form of wealth.
लोभात्प्रवर्तते वैरं अतिलोभात्विनश्यति ||
Greed is a cause of sin ( a greedy person can do any sin to satisfy his greed) Greed is cause of calamity, greed gives rise to enmity (greedy person invites enemies) Greed destroys a person (a greedy persons life gets spoiled by his own deeds)
परोऽपि हितवान् बन्धुः
बन्धुरप्यहितः परः ।
अहितो देहजो व्याधिः
हितमारण्यमौषधम् ॥
- हितोपदेशः
One who helps us in difficult times should be considered as a relative (or a friend), even if he is a stranger. One who hurts us, should be considered as a stranger, even if he is our relative. Though a disease resides in our body, it is harmful. But a medicinal plant that grows in a forest, saves lives.
विदेशेषु धनं विद्या
व्यसनेषु धनं मतिः ।
परलोके धनं धर्मः
शीलं सर्वत्र वै धनम् ॥
One's knowledge is his wealth when in a foreign country.
One's intelligence is his wealth when in adversity.
One's righteousness is his wealth in the netherworld.
One's character is a wealth everywhere and at all times.
कामधेनुगुणा विद्या
ह्यकाले फलदायिनी ।
प्रवासे मातृसदृशी
विद्या गुप्तं धनं स्मृतम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Knowledge has the quality of Kamadhenu, which grants all wishes of a true seeker. It is useful at all times. When in a foreign land, our knowledge takes care of us like a mother. Knowledge is aptly believed to be a secret wealth.
सुखार्थी त्यजते विद्याम्
विद्यार्थी त्यजते सुखम् ।
सुखार्थिनः कुतो विद्या
कुतो विद्यार्थिनः सुखम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
One who delights in material wealth gives up education.
One who desires to gain knowledge gives up luxuries.
How can someone seeking lavish life gain knowledge?
How can someone seeking knowledge lead a luxurious life?
चलं वित्तं चलं चित्तम्
चले जीवितयौवने ।
चलाचलमिदं सर्वम्
कीर्तिर्यस्य स जीवति ॥
Wealth is transient, Mind is unstable. Youth and life are temporary. Everything in this world is short-lived, but the one who has acquired fame lives forever.
अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति
धनं मानं च मध्यमाः ।
उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति
मानो हि महतां धनम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Inferior people desire wealth. The mediocre class desires wealth as well as respect. But, great people desire only respect. Respect itself is considered as wealth by great people.
गौरवं प्राप्यते दानात्
न तु वित्तस्य सञ्चयात् ।
स्थितिरुच्चैः पयोदानाम्
पयोधीनां अधः स्थितिः ॥
One gains respect by donating wealth and not by accumulating it. Clouds which give water have a higher position and seas which accumulate water occupy a lower position.
पुस्तकस्था तु या विद्या
परहस्तगतं धनम् ।
कार्यकाले समुत्पन्ने
न सा विद्या न तद्धनम् ॥
- चाणक्यनीतिः
Knowledge residing in a book and money loaned to others; when in need, neither that knowledge nor that money is of any use.
दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो
गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते
तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥
- पञ्चतन्त्रम्
- नीतिशतकम्
Money possessed by a person ends up in one of these three states.
being donated to the needy,having spent for basic needs orgetting destroyed.One who neither donates nor spends, will have all his wealth ultimately ended up in the third state.
यथा शिखा मयूराणाम्
नागानां मणयो यथा ।
तथा वेदाङ्गशास्त्राणां
गणितं मूर्ध्नि वर्तते ॥
- वेदाङ्गः (ज्योतिश्शस्त्रम्)
As are the crests of peacocks that adorn their heads, as are the gems of cobras that are held on their hoods, so is Mathematics placed at the top of all Sciences.
पुण्यस्य फलमिच्छन्ति
पुण्यं नेच्छन्ति मानवाः ।
न पापफलमिच्छन्ति
पापं कुर्वन्ति यत्नतः ॥
People always desire to enjoy the fruits of good deeds, but they do not perform those good deeds. They never desire to suffer from the consequences of their sins, but they commit sins intentionally.
नमन्ति फलिताः वृक्षाः
नमन्ति विबुधाः जनाः ।
शुष्ककाष्ठानि मूर्खाश्च
भिद्यन्ते न नमन्ति च ॥
A tree bearing fruits always bends (towards earth, due to the weight of fruits). Similarly, wise people respect others by bowing. Whereas, unwise people are like dry sticks which break but never bend.
यः सुन्दरस्तद्वनिता कुरूपा
या सुन्दरी सा पतिरूपहीना ।
यत्रोभयं तत्र दरिद्रता च
विधेर्विचित्राणि विचेष्टितानि ॥
Usually, wife of a handsome young man is not beautiful. Similarly in most cases, an attractive lady isn't lucky enough to have a handsome husband. In rare cases, one can find a good-looking couple, but then they will be suffering from poverty. The tricks played by destiny are strange indeed.
छायामन्यस्य कुर्वन्ति
तिष्ठन्ति स्वयमातपे ।
फलान्यपि परार्थाय
वृक्षाः सत्पुरुषा इव ॥
Trees make shade for others, even by standing themselves in Sun. They also provide fruits for others to enjoy. Trees are indeed, like good people.
पठतो नास्ति मूर्खत्वम्का
जपतो नास्ति पातकम् ।
मौनिनः कलहो नास्ति
न भयं चास्ति जाग्रतः ॥
A learned person can never act foolishly.
A devout person can never be wicked.
A silent person can never get involved in quarrels.
A person who is alert and awake can never be afraid.
ममया एवायं पुरुष इति
सा यथाकामो भवति तत्क्रतुर भवति
यात्क्रतुर भवति तत कर्म कुरुते
यत कर्म कुरुते तद अभिसम पद्यते
You are what your deep, driving desire is
As your desire is, so is your will
As your will is, so is your deed
As your deed is, so is your destiny
दानं भोगो नाशस्तिस्रो गतयो भवन्ति वित्तस्य ।
यो न ददाति न भुङ्क्ते तस्य तृतीया गतिर्भवति ॥ - पञ्चतन्त्र, मित्रसम्प्राप्ति
Charity, indulgence and destruction are the 3 alternatives to wealth. One which is not given in charity or used for self-enjoyment, that (wealth) will attain the 3rd state.
यदचेतनोऽपि पादै: स्पृष्ट: प्रज्वलति सवितुरिनकान्त: ।
तत्तेजस्वी पुरुष: परकृतविकृतिं कथं सहते ॥
When even an inanimate object like jasper becomes hot with the touch of sun beams, then how can a brilliant man brook any affront from others?
मित्रस्य मा चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षन्ताम् ।
मित्रस्याहं चक्षुषा सर्वाणि भूतानि समीक्षे
मित्रस्य चक्षुषा समीक्षामहे ॥
Let the world see me with the same. Let every body in the world see each other likewise.Let me see every creature in this world with a friendly eye.
कार्यार्थी भजते लोकः यावत् कार्यं न सिध्यति॥
उत्तीर्णे च परे पारे नौकायाः किं प्रयोजनम्॥
As long as the work is not done, people praise others - Only to get work done. As soon as crossing the river to the other side what is the use of the boat?
स्वगृहे पूज्यते मूर्खः स्वग्रामे पूज्यते प्रभुः ।
स्वदेशे पूज्यते राजा विद्वान् सर्वत्र पूज्यते ॥
An imbecile is celebrated in his own home; a lord is respected in his own town; the king is worshiped in his own country; a learned man is honored everywhere.
विद्या ददाति विनयं विनयाद्याति पात्रताम् ।
पात्रत्वाद्धनमाप्नोति धनाद्धर्मं ततः सुखम् ॥
Knowledge gives discipline, from discipline comes worthiness, from worthiness one gets wealth, from wealth (one does) good deeds, from that (comes) joy.
को लाभो गुणिसंगम: किमसुखं प्राज्ञेतरै: संगति: का हानि: समयच्युतिर्निपुणता का धर्मतत्त्वे रति:।
क: शूरो विजितेन्द्रिय: प्रियतमा कानुव्रता किं धनं विद्या किं सुखमप्रवासगमनं राज्यं किमाज्ञाफलम्॥
What is a gain? It is the companionship of the virtuous. What is grief? It is the company of fools. What is loss? It is the dissipation of time. What is prudence? It is devotion to virtue. What is velour? It is the conquest of the senses. Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband. What is wealth? It is knowledge. What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one's own country. What is ruler ship? It is to command obedience.
युक्तियुक्तं वचो ग्राह्यं बालादपि शुकादपि ।
युक्तिहीनं वचस्त्याज्यं वृद्धादपि शुकादपि ॥
Whatever is consistent with right objective reasoning should be accepted even if it comes from a boy or a parrot, and whatever is not, should be rejected even if it comes from an old man or the great sage Śrī Śuka himself.
पुराणमित्येव न साधु सर्वं न चापि काव्यं नवमित्यवद्यम्।
सन्तः परीक्ष्यान्यतरद्भजन्ते मूढः परप्रत्ययनेयबुद्धिः॥
Everything is not good simply because it is old; nor a poem should be condemned simply because it is new; the wise resort to the one or the other after (proper) examination; (only) a fool has his mind led by the judgement of another.
परागसमीरणेरित: क्रमशीर्णाकुलमूलसन्तति: ।
सुकरस्तवत् सहिष्णुना रिपुरुन्मूलयितुं महानपि ॥
An enemy, though powerful can be easily uprooted by a patient person, if he is shaken by the wind of disaffection and if his supporters are gradually estranged, like a tree which, though big, can be easily uprooted shaken by the wind and its mass of roots gradually giving way.
सिंह: शिशुरपि निपतति मदमलिनकपोलभित्तिषु गजेषु ।
प्रकृतिरियं सत्त्ववतां न खलु वयस्तेजसो हेतु:॥
A lion's cub also attacks a frenzied elephant. Valor is inherent in the nature of the powerful, and age, as such, is of no consequence to their prowess.
संसार विषवृक्षस्य द्वे फले ह्यमृतोपमे ।
सुभाषित रसस्वादः सङ्गतिः सुजनैःसह ॥ - सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
In this poisonous tree called 'samsaara' (life), there are only two fruit equivalent to the divine nectar (amrutam). One is the taste of subhaaShitas, other is the company of good people.
अज्ञः सुखमाराध्यः सुखतरमाराध्यते विशेषज्ञः ।
ज्ञानलवलेशदुर्विदग्धं ब्रह्मापि नरं न रञ्जयति ॥ - नीतिशतक
Ignorant can be entertained easily, the wise can be entertained even more easily. But even Lord Brahma can not entertain the ones that are audacious due to the little bit of knowledge they have.
न चौरहार्यम् न च राजहार्यम् न भ्रातृभाजम् न च भारकारि ।
व्यये कृते वर्धते नित्यं विद्याधनं सर्वधनप्रधानम् ॥ - चाणक्य नीति
Neither the thief can steal it, nor can the king take it
Neither divided amongst brothers, nor too heavy to carry
The more you offer it others, the more it increases
Knowledge is the supreme form of wealth.
