02-01
अनृतं साहसं माया मूर्खत्वमतिलोभिता ।
अशौचत्वं निर्दयत्वं स्त्रीणां दोषाः स्वभावजाः ॥ ०२-०१ ॥
Falsehood, rashness, deception, foolishness, excessive greed, impurity, and cruelty — these are the natural faults of women.
02-02
भोज्यं भोजनशक्तिश्च रतिशक्तिर्वराङ्गना ।
विभवो दानशक्तिश्च नाल्पस्य तपसः फलम् ॥ ०२-०२ ॥
The ability to enjoy food, the capacity for pleasure along with a beautiful woman, prosperity combined with the power of giving — these are the rare fruits of no small austerity.
02-03
यस्य पुत्रो वशीभूतो भार्या छन्दानुगामिनी ।
विभवे यश्च सन्तुष्टस्तस्य स्वर्ग इहैव हि ॥ ०२-०३ ॥
He whose son is under his control, whose wife follows his will, and who is content with his wealth — for him, heaven is verily here on earth.
02-04
ते पुत्रा ये पितुर्भक्ताः स पिता यस्तु पोषकः ।
तन्मित्रं यत्र विश्वासः सा भार्या यत्र निर्वृतिः ॥ ०२-०४ ॥
They alone are true sons who are devoted to their father; he alone is a true father who sustains his children; that alone is a true friend in whom trust is placed; and she alone is a true wife in whom one finds peace.
02-05
परोक्षे कार्यहन्तारं प्रत्यक्षे प्रियवादिनम् ।
वर्जयेत्तादृशं मित्रं विषकुम्भं पयोमुखम् ॥ ०२-०५ ॥
One should avoid a friend who, behind one's back, destroys one's work and who, to one's face, speaks sweetly — such a friend is like a pot of poison with a surface of milk.
02-06
न विश्वसेत्कुमित्रे च मित्रे चापि न विश्वसेत् ।
कदाचित्कुपितं मित्रं सर्वं गुह्यं प्रकाशयेत् ॥ ०२-०६ ॥
Do not trust a false friend, nor place excessive trust even in a true friend; for a friend, when provoked at some point, may reveal all one's secrets.
02-07
मनसा चिन्तितं कार्यं वाचा नैव प्रकाशयेत् ।
मन्त्रेण रक्षयेद्गूढं कार्ये चापि नियोजयेत् ॥ ०२-०७ ॥
A matter pondered in the mind should never be revealed by speech; one should protect it by secrecy and put it into action only with counsel.
02-08
कष्टं च खलु मूर्खत्वं कष्टं च खलु यौवनम् ।
कष्टात्कष्टतरं चैव परगेहनिवासनम् ॥ ०२-०८ ॥
Wretched indeed is foolishness; wretched indeed is youth; but more wretched than the most wretched is dwelling in another's house.
02-09
शैले शैले च माणिक्यं मौक्तिकं न गजे गजे ।
साधवो न हि सर्वत्र चन्दनं न वने वने ॥ ०२-०९ ॥
Not every mountain holds a gem, not every elephant bears a pearl; the good are not found everywhere, and sandalwood does not grow in every forest.
02-10
पुत्राश्च विविधैः शीलैर्नियोज्याः सततं बुधैः ।
नीतिज्ञाः शीलसम्पन्ना भवन्ति कुलपूजिताः ॥ ०२-१० ॥
Sons should constantly be engaged by the wise in various disciplines of character; those who are versed in ethics and endowed with good character become the honour of their family.
02-11
माता शत्रुः पिता वैरी याभ्यां बाला न पाठिताः ।
सभामध्ये न शोभन्ते हंसमध्ये बको यथा ॥ ०२-११ ॥
A mother who does not educate her children is an enemy, and so is a father; just as a crane does not shine in the midst of swans, so untaught children do not shine in an assembly.
02-12
लालनाद्बहवो दोषास्ताडने बहवो गुणाः ।
तस्मात्पुत्रं च शिष्यं च ताडयेन्न तु लालयेत् ॥ ०२-१२ ॥
Many are the faults that arise from indulgence; many are the virtues produced by chastisement. Therefore, one should chastise both son and pupil, and never indulge them.
02-13
श्लोकेन वा तदर्धेन तदर्धार्धाक्षरेण वा ।
अबन्ध्यं दिवसं कुर्याद्दानाध्ययनकर्मभिः ॥ ०२-१३ ॥
Let no day pass in vain; let it be filled, even if only with a single verse, half a verse, or even half a syllable, with acts of giving and study.
02-14
कान्तावियोगः स्वजनापमानं
ऋणस्य शेषं कुनृपस्य सेवा ।
दारिद्र्यभावाद्विमुखं च मित्रं
विनाग्निना पञ्च दहन्ति कायम् ॥ ०२-१४ ॥
Separation from the beloved, disgrace from one's own people, a lingering debt, service to a bad king, poverty, and a friend grown indifferent — these five burn the body even without fire.
02-15
नदीतीरे च ये वृक्षाः परगेहेषु कामिनी ।
मन्त्रहीनाश्च राजानः शीघ्रं नश्यन्त्यसंशयम् ॥ ०२-१५ ॥
Trees growing on a riverbank, a mistress in another's house, and kings without sound counsel perish swiftly, without a doubt.
02-16
बलं विद्या च विप्राणां राज्ञां सैन्यं बलं तथा ।
बलं वित्तं च वैश्यानां शूद्राणां पारिचर्यकम् ॥ ०२-१६ ॥
Learning is the strength of Brahmins, the army is the strength of kings, wealth is the strength of Vaiśyas, and service is the strength of Śūdras.
02-17
निर्धनं पुरुषं वेश्या प्रजा भग्नं नृपं त्यजेत् ।
खगा वीतफलं वृक्षं भुक्त्वा चाभ्यागतो गृहम् ॥ ०२-१७ ॥
A courtesan abandons a penniless man, subjects abandon a defeated king, birds abandon a tree that bears no fruit, and a guest, having eaten, abandons the house.
02-18
गृहीत्वा दक्षिणां विप्रास्त्यजन्ति यजमानकम् ।
प्राप्तविद्या गुरुं शिष्या दग्धारण्यं मृगास्तथा ॥ ०२-१८ ॥
Priests abandon the sacrificer after taking their dakṣiṇā; disciples abandon their teacher after obtaining their learning; and animals abandon a forest that has been consumed by fire.
02-19
दुराचारी दुरादृष्टिर्दुरावासी च दुर्जनः ।
यन्मैत्री क्रियते पुंभिर्नरः शीघ्रं विनश्यति ॥ ०२-१९ ॥
A man who is ill-behaved, of evil aspect, of wicked dwelling, and malicious — the friendship that is formed with him by men quickly leads a man to destruction.
02-20
समाने शोभते प्रीतिः राज्ञि सेवा च शोभते ।
वाणिज्यं व्यवहारेषु दिव्या स्त्री शोभते गृहे ॥ ०२-२० ॥
Affection shines best among equals; service shines best when rendered to a king; commerce shines in business dealings; and a beautiful woman shines best at home.