Chanakya Neeti

[vadapav]

 

5.  Therefore kings gather round themselves men of good families, for they

never forsake them either at the beginning, the middle or the end. 

[vadapav]

 

6.  At the time of the pralaya (universal destruction) the oceans are to

exceed their limits and seek to change, but a saintly man never changes. 

[vadapav]

 

7.  Do not keep company with a fool for as we can see he is a two-legged

beast. Like an unseen thorn he pierces the heart with his sharp words. 

[vadapav]

 

8.  Though men be endowed with beauty and youth and born in noble

families, yet without education they are like the palasa flower which is

void of sweet fragrance. 

[vadapav]

 

9.  The beauty of a cuckoo is in its notes, that of a woman in her unalloyed

devotion to her husband, that of an ugly person in his scholarship, and

that of an ascetic in his forgiveness. 

[Laila2]

gp

[vadapav]

 

 

 

10.  Give up a member to save a family, a family to save a village, a village

to save a country, and the country to save yourself. 

[vadapav]

11.  There is no poverty for the industrious. Sin does not attach itself to the

person practicing japa (chanting of the holy names of the Lord). Those 

who are absorbed in maunam (silent contemplation of the Lord) have

no quarrel with others. They are fearless who remain always alert. 

[vadapav]

 

12.  ...

13.  What is too heavy for the strong and what place is too distant for those 

who put forth effort? What country is foreign to a man of true learning?

Who can be inimical to one who speaks pleasingly? 

[vadapav]

 

 

14.  As a whole forest becomes fragrant by the existence of a single tree

with sweet-smelling blossoms in it, so a family becomes famous by the

birth of a virtuous son. 

[vadapav]

 

 

15.  As a single withered tree, if set aflame, causes a whole forest to burn, so

does a rascal son destroy a whole family. 

[vadapav]

16.  As night looks delightful when the moon shines, so is a family

gladdened by even one learned and virtuous son. 

[vadapav]

17.  What is the use of having many sons if they cause grief and vexation? It

is better to have only one son from whom the whole family can derive

support and peacefulness.

[vadapav]

18.  Fondle a son until he is five years of age, and use the stick for another

ten years, but when he has attained his sixteenth year treat him as a

friend. 

[vadapav]

19.  He who runs away from a fearful calamity, a foreign invasion, a terrible

famine, and the companionship of wicked men is safe.