गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः ।
उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य कार्यं भवति शासनम् ॥
- महाभारत
guroH api avaliptasya kArayam akArayam ajAnataH ।
utpathaM pratipannasya kAryam bhavati shAsanam ॥
- mahAbhArata
When a person strays from the right path and loses the distinction between right and wrong, we have the duty to correct him even when he is our teacher.
- Mahabharata
न विना पार्थिवो भृत्यैर्न भृत्याः पार्थिवं विना ।
तेषां च व्यवहारोऽयं परस्परनिबंधनः ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
na vinA pArthivo bhRutyaiH na bhRutyAH pArthivam vinA ।
teShAm cha vyavahAro ayam paraspara nibandhanaH ॥
- panchatantra, mitrabheda
The King can not lead a king's life without the servants. The servants owe their livelyhood to the king. Their relationship is therefore mutually dependent - equally.
- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda
नरस्याभरणं रूपं रूपस्याभरणं गुणः ।
गुणस्याभरणं ज्ञानं ज्ञानस्याभरणं क्षमा ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नसमुच्चय
narasya AbharanaNam rUpam rUpasya AbharanaNam guNaH ।
guNasya AbharanaNam jnAnam jnAnasya AbharanaNam kShamA ॥
- subhAShitaratnasamucchaya
A man is decorated with his beauty. Beauty is decorated by good character. Good character is decorated by having the right knowledge. Knowledge is decorated by learning to forgive.
- Subhashitaratnasamucchaya
नरपतिहितकर्ता द्वेष्यतां याति लोके
जनपदहितकर्ता त्यज्यते पार्थिवेंद्रैः ।
इति महति विरोधे वर्तमाने समाने
नृपति जनपदानां दुर्लभः कार्यकर्ता ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
narapati hitakartaa dveShyatAm yAti loke
janapadahitakartA tyajyate pArthivendraiH ।
iti mahati virodhe vartamAne samAne
nRupati janapadAnAm durlabhaH kAryakartA ॥
- panchatantra, mitrabheda
If one helps the king, people at large will not like him. If one works mostly in people's interest, then the kings will abandon him. With both sides equally important, it is very difficult to find a person who can balance the interests of both the king and the subjects.
- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda
नरकस्थोऽपि देहं वै न पुमांस्त्यक्तुमिच्छति ।
नारक्यां निर्वृतौ सत्यां देवमायाविमोहितः ॥
- भागवत
narakastho api dEhaM vai na pumAms tyaktumicChati ।
nArakyaM nirvRutau satyAm deva mAyA vimohitaH ॥
- bhAgavata
A person who has parted ways from belief in God (and his creation) will not even give up (the love towards) his body even if he is living in hell. He will find something to live for even there.
- Bhagavata
न यस्य चेष्टितं विद्यान्न कुलं न पराक्रमम् ।
न तस्य विश्वसेत्प्राज्ञः यदीच्छेच्छ्रियमात्मनः ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
na yasya cheShTitam vidyAn na kulam na parAkramam ।
na tasya vishvaset prAjnaH yadi icChet shriyam AtmanaH ॥
- panchatantra, mitrabheda
A wise man who is interested in protecting his wealth will not believe a person unless he knows something about the person - education, family or past valour.
- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda
न पिता नात्मजो नात्मा न माता न सखीजनः ।
इह प्रेत्य च नारीणां पतिरेको गतिः सदा ॥
- रामायण, अयोध्या
na pitA na Atmajo na AtmA na mAtA na sakhIjanaH ।
iha pretya cha nArINAM patireko gatiH sadA ॥
- rAmAyaNa, ayodhyA
Be it in this world or the afterlife, a lady can only depend on her man for anything - not father, not siblings, not herself, not mother and not her friends.
- Ramayana, Ayodhya
न परः पापमादत्ते परेषां पापकर्मणाम् ।
समयो रक्षितव्यस्तु संतश्चारित्रभूषणाः ॥
- रामायण, युद्ध
na paraH pApam Adatte pareShAm pApakarmaNAm ।
samayo rakShitavyastu santaH chAritra bhUShaNAH ॥
- rAmAyaNa, yuddha
If some one hurts a noble man, he should not hurt them back. A noble man will always do the right thing - even in the face of enemies. The live up to their reputation of being custodians of morality.
- Ramayana, Yuddha
ननु दीपः स्वमात्मानं स्वात्मनैवावभासयन् ।
दृष्टो दीपप्रकाशार्थं न हि दीपांतराहृतिः ॥
- बृहदारण्यकवार्तिक
nanu dIpaH svAtmAnaM sva Atmanaiva avabhAsayan ।
dRuShTo dIpaprakAshArthaM na hi dIpAntara AhRutiH ॥
- bRuhadAraNyaka vArtika
A lamp glows by itself. One does not need some other light to look for a lamp. Virtues of noble men are similar. They stand for themselves without any need for endorsements.
- Bruhadaranyakavartika
न धैर्येण विना लक्ष्मीर्न शौर्येण विना जयः ।
न ज्ञानेन विना मोक्षो न दानेन विना यशः ॥
- सभारंजनशतक
na dhairyeNa vinA lakShmIH na shauryeNa vinA jayaH ।
na jnAnena vinA mokShaH na dAnena vinA yashaH॥
- sabhAranjanashataka
There can not be wealth without courage, victory without bravery, salvation without knowledge and fame without charity.
- Sabharanjanashataka
न धर्मशास्त्रं पठतीति कारणं
न चापि वेदाध्ययनं दुरात्मनः ।
स्वभाव एवात्र तथातिरिच्यते
यथा प्रकृत्या मधुरं गवां पयः ॥
- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ
na dharmashAstram paThatIti kAraNam
na chApi vedAdhyayanam durAtmanaH ।
svabhAva eva atra tathA atirichyate
yathA prakRutyaa madhuraM gAvaM payaH ॥
- hitopadesha, mitralaabha
A rogue is rogue for ever. It doe not matter if he is studying the moral code of life, or the vedas. He will stay true to his innate nature. Just like it is natural for cow's milk to be sweet, it is natural for them to wicked.
- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha
न द्विषंति न याचंते परनिंदां न कुर्वते ।
अनाहूता न चायांति तेनाश्मनोऽपि देवताः ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
na dviShanti na yAchante paranindAm na kurvate ।
anAhUtA na cha ayAnti tena ashmAnaH api devatAH ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
They don't hate any one, don't beg, don't berate anyone, don't go to places uninvited. For these reasons, stones can also be treated like Gods.
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
न दानतुल्यं धनमन्यदस्ति
न सत्यतुल्यं व्रतमन्यदस्ति ।
न शीलतुल्यं शुभमन्यदस्ति
न क्षांतितुल्यं हितमन्यदस्ति ॥
- चतुर्वर्गसंग्रह
na dAnatulayam dhanamanyadasti
na satyatulyam vratamanyadasti ।
na shIlatulyam shubhamanyadasti
na kShAnti tulayam hitamanyadasti ॥
- chaturvarga sangraha
There is no better wealth than which is spent in charity. No better penance than truth. Nothing more auspicious than character. Nothing more pleasing than patience.
- Chaturvargasangraha
सर्वे स्वर्गसुखार्थिनः क्रतुशतैः प्राज्यैर्यजंते जडाः
तेषां नाकपुरे प्रयाति विपुलः कालः क्षणार्धं यथा ।
क्षीणे पुण्यधने स्थितिर्न तु यथा वेश्यागृहे कामिनां
तस्मान्मोक्षसुखं समाश्रयत भोः सत्यं च नित्यं च युत् ॥
- मुनिमतमीमांसा
sarve svarga sukhArthinaH kratushataiH prAjyaiH yajante jaDAH
teSham nAkapure prayAti vipulaH kAlaH kShaNArdham yathA ।
kShINe puNyadhane sthitiH na tu yathA veshyAgRuhe kAminAm
tasmAt mokShasukham samAshrayata bhoH satyam cha nityam cha yut ॥
- munimatamImAmsa
Fools are those who do hundreds of rituals and rites to get to heaven. When they get there, the long time they spend seems like fraction of a second. Once their good deeds are spent, they get thrown out of heaven back to earth - much like the philanderer who get thrown out of a brothel when he has no money. We should understand this and strive to get permanent happiness by way of salvation only. That happiness is eternal and real.
- Munimatamimaamsa
न जानपदिकं दुःखमेकः शोचितुमर्हति ।
अप्यभावेन युज्येत तच्चास्य निवर्तते ॥
- महाभारत, स्त्री
na jAnapadikaM duHkham ekaH shochitum arhati ।
apyabhAvena yujyeta tat cha asya na nivartate ॥
- mahAbhArata, strI
When there is any danger or trouble for the entire country, it is not wise (not possible) to think and find a solution alone. Even if one person gave all he has to the solve it, it will not be enough.
- Mahabharata, Stree
आदाय वारि परितः सरितां मुखेभ्यः
किं नाम साधितमनेन महार्णवेन ।
क्षारीकृतं च वडवा दहने हुतं च
पाताळमूलकुहरे विनिवेशितं च ॥
- भट्टेंदुराज
AdAya vAri paritaH saritAm mukhebhyaH
kim nAma sAdhitamanena mahA arNavena ।
kShArI kRutam cha vaDavA dahane hutaM cha
pAtAla mUla kuhare viniveshitam cha ॥
- bhaTTendurAja
What did the ocean do with all fresh water that it collected from the mouths of all rivers? It made it salty, fed it to the underground fire and distributed among the underworld dwellers. Even if you give something magnificent to wicked people, they will misuse it.
- Bhattenduraja
न चातिप्रणयः कार्यः कर्तव्यो प्रणयश्च ते ।
उभयं हि महान् दोषस्तस्मादंतरदृग्भव ॥
- रामायण, किष्किंधा
na cha ati praNayaH kAryaH kartavyo praNayashcha te ।
ubhayam hi mahAn doShaH tasmAt antaradRugbhava ॥
- rAmAyaNa, kiShkindhA
One must not be too close to the king. Nor should one ignore him. Both strategies are flawed and are dangerous. Hence one must be wise and employ a middle path.
- Ramayana, Kishkindha
न गृहाणि न वस्त्राणि न प्राकारास्तिरस्क्रियाः ।
नेदृशा राजसत्काराः वृत्तमावरणं स्त्रियाः ॥
- रामायण, युद्ध
na gruhANi na vastrANi na prAkAraH astitraH kriyAH ।
na eedRushaa rAja satkAraaH vRuttam AvaraNam striyAH ॥
- rAmAyaNa, yuddha
Houses, clothes, surrounding forts, veils and other royal protection can not protect a woman efficiently. It is the character of the woman that will protect her well.
- Ramayana, Yuddha
न गणस्याग्रतो गच्छेत्सिद्धे कार्ये समं फलम् ।
यदि कार्यविपत्तिः स्यात् मुखरस्तत्र हन्यते ॥
- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ
na gaNaysa agrato gacchet siddhe kArye samam phalam।
yadi kArya vipattiH syAt mukharaH tatra hanyate ॥
- hitopadesha, mitralabha
One must not go in front of a group (as a leader). If the work gets done, then every one gets equal profits. If it goes wrong, then people will kill the leader here.
- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha
[Translator's note: This is perhaps relevant when it is an unknown group of people - like a mob that has no time to think about morality, This does not deter a good leader from leading 'his' men to glory.]
न कुलं वृत्तहीनश्च प्रमाणमिति मे मतिः ।
अंतेष्वपि हि जातानां वृत्तमेव विशिष्यते ॥
- महाभारत, उद्योग
na kulam vRutta hInashcha pramaaNam iti me matiH ।
anteShu api hi jAtAnAm vRuttameva vishiShyate ॥
- mahAbharata, udyoga
The family of a person with lose character can not be trusted. Even a person of low birth can be trusted if he is of good character.
- Mahabharata, Udyoga
धवलान्यातपत्राणि वाजिनश्च मनोरमाः ।
सदा मत्ताश्च मातंगाः प्रसन्ने सति भूपतौ ॥
- पञ्चतंत्र, मित्रभेद
dhavalAnyAtapatrANi vAjinashcha manoramAH ।
sadA mattAshcha mAtangaaH prasanne sati bhUpatau ॥
- panchatantra, mitrabheda
If the King is kept happy you can enjoy everything. There will be white umbrellas, horses, damsels and raging elephants. It is in our best interests to keep him happy.
- Panchatantra, Mitrabheda
धर्मो जितो ह्यधर्मेण जितः सत्योऽनृतेन च ।
जिता भृत्यैस्तु राजानः स्त्रीभिश्च पुरुषा जिताः ॥
- पराशर स्मृति
dharmo jito hi adharmeNa jitaH satyaH anRutena cha।
jitA bhRutyaiH tu rAjAnaH strIbhiH cha puruShA jitAH ॥
- parAshara smRiti
In the epoch of kali (the present age), Dharma will be overcome by immorality, Truth will be overshadowed by lies, servants will overthrow the kings and women will be in control of the men.
- Parashara Smriti
धनिकः श्रोत्रियो राजा नदी वैद्यस्तु पञ्चमः ।
पञ्च यत्र न विद्यन्ते न कुर्यात्तत्र संस्थितिम् ॥
- हितोपदेश, मित्रलाभ
dhanikaH shrotriyaH rAjA nadI vaidyastu panchamaH ।
pancha yatra na vidyante na kuryAt tatra samsthitim ॥
- hitopadesha, mitralAbha
One must not live in a town that does not have these five - rich people (to provide employment), wise men (to consult), king (to maintain order), a river (to provide life) and a doctor.
- Hitopadesha, Mitralabha
धन्या बधिरा अंधास्त एव जीवन्ति मानुषे लोके ।
न शृण्वन्ति पिशुनजनं खलानां ॠद्धिं न प्रेक्षन्ते ॥
- सप्तशती
dhanyA badhirA andhasta eva jIvanti mAnuShe loke ।
na shRunvanti pishuna janam khalAnAM Ruddhim na prekShante ॥
- sapta shatI
Blessed are the deaf and the blind who live in this world. They don't have to listen to the rumormongers and see the prosperity of the wicked.
- Saptashati
धनमेव धरणिवलये कलयति सफलायुषं पुरुषम् ।
यदि जीवति धनरहितः कथय मृतः कीदृशो भवति ॥
- हरिहर सुभाषित
dhanameva dharaNi valaye kalayati saphala aayuSham puruSham ।
yadi jIvati dhana rahitaH kathaya mRutaH kIdRusho bhavati ॥
- harihara subhAShita
In some way, wealth is what makes ones life on this earth worthwhile. If you say a person without wealth also lives, then I beg to see how dead people are like. Aren't people without money as good as dead here?
- Harihara Subhashita
धत्ते भरं कुसुमपत्रफलावलीनां
घर्मव्यथां वहति शीतभवां रुजं च ।
यो देहमर्पयति चान्यसुखस्य हेतोः
तस्मैवदान्यगुरवे तरवे नमोऽस्तु ॥
- भामिनीविलास
dhatte bharaM kusumapatraphalAvalInAM
gharma vyathAm vahati shItabhavAM rujum cha ।
yo dehamarpayati chAnya sukhasya hetoH
tasmaiva dAnyagurave tarave namostu ॥
- bhAminIvilAsa
A tree is the best example of charity. It bears the weight of the leaves, flowers, fruits and climbers. It protects you from the heat (by providing shade) and cold (by shielding you from cold winds), It doe all these for other people's happiness. I bow to you the the foremost among charity doers.
- Bhaminivilasa
द्वौ सम्मताविह मृत्यू दुरापौ
यद् ब्रह्मसंधारणया जितासुः ।
कलेवरं योगरतो विजह्याद्
यद्ग्रणीर्वीरशयेऽनिवृत्तः ॥
- भागवत
dvau sammatau iha mRutyU durApau
yad brahma sandhAraNayA jita asuH ।
kalevaram yogarato vijahyAd
yad agraNIH vIrashayeH anivRuttaH ॥
- bhAgavata
There are two difficult ways of dying honourably. Both are very difficult. One is to be able to reconcile with the supreme being and leave this body as is and die by performing Yoga (that enables you to control your breath). The other is to be in the fore-front of an army and never return from battlefield.
- Bhagavata
दौर्मंत्र्यान्नृपतिर्विनश्यति यतिः संगात् सुतो लालनात्
विप्रोऽनध्ययनात् कुलं कुतनयात् शीलं खलोपासनात् ।
ह्रीर्मद्यादनवेक्षणादपि कृषिः स्नेहः प्रवासाश्रयात्
मैत्री चाप्रणयात् समृद्धिरनयात् त्यागात् प्रमादाद्धनम् ॥
daurmantryAt nRupatiH vinashyati yatiH sangAt suto lAlanAt
vipro anadhyayanAt kulam kutanayAt shIlam khalopAsanAt ।
hrIH madyAt anavekShaNAt api kRuShiH snehaH pravAsAshrayAt
maitrI cha praNayAt samRuddhiH anayAt tyAgAt pramAdAt dhanam ॥
A king gets destroyed by his unfair policies. A sage - by contact (attachment). A kid - by pampering. A brahmin - by not studying continuously. A family - by a bad son. Character - by befriending rogues. Mind - by liquor. Agriculture - by not monitoring it. Friendship - by traveling together to a far off place. Good friendship - by falling in love. Prosperity - by going against Dharma. Wealth - by spending recklessly. These are the ways the above objects get destroyed.
दोषभीतेरनारंभस्तत्कापुरुषलक्षणम् ।
कैरजीर्णभयाद्भृतभोजनं परिहीयते ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
doShabhIteH anAraMbhaH tat kApuruSha lakShaNam ।
kaiH ajIrNa bhayAd bhratabhojanam parihIyate ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
It is cowardly not to start an industry out of fear of failing. Does any one stop eating good food being afraid of indigestion?
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
दैवेन ते हतधियो भवतः प्रसंगात्
सर्वाशुभोपशमनाद्वि मुखेन्द्रिया ये।
कुर्वन्ति कामसुखलेशलवाय दीना
लोभाभिभूतमनसोऽकुशलानि शश्वत् ॥
daivena te hatadhiyo bhavataH prasangAt
sarva ashubhopashamanAdvi mukhendriyA ye ।
kurvanti kAmasukha lesha lavAya dInA
lobhAbhibhUta manaso akushalAni shashvat ॥
Who are weak? Those whose mind gets corrupted easily (perhaps due to influence of fate). Those who lose faith in god (who can set right everything) and go the other way. Those who get greedy even for a small portion of material pleasures. Those who will always do the wrong thing. They are the people who are really weak.
देहे पातिनि का रक्षा यशो रक्ष्यमपातवत् ।
नरः पातितकायोऽपि यशःकायेन जीवति ॥
- सुभाषितरत्नभाण्डागार
dehe pAtini kA rakShA yasho rakShyam apAtavat ।
naraH pAtitakAyo api yashaHkAyena jIvati ॥
- subhAShitaratnabhANDAgAra
What can one achieve by protecting the body that is bound to get destroyed? If you want to protect anything, it must be your fame. A person lives long due to his fame - long after the body is dead.
- Subhashitaratnabhandagara
