31706232 niti shatakam of bhartrihari

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NITI SHATAKAM of BHARATRIHARI

1.I bow to God, the self‐enlightened, the peaceful, free from the bonds of space and time, the infinite, the pure consciousness personified and

experienced by Self.2.A fool can be pleased easily, and it is even easier to please the wise.However, even Brahma (the creator) cannot satisfy a conceited person witha bit of knowledge.3.It may be possible to forcibly retrieve a gem from the fanged jaws of acrocodile; one may even swim across the sea full of turbulent waves, orplace an angry serpent on one’s head like a flower, but it is impossible toplease a conceited fool.4.

One can, perhaps, extract oil by squeezing sand; a man may be able toquench his thirst by drinking water from a mirage; during travel one mayeven find the horns of a hare; but it is impossible to please a conceited fool.5.Wanting to reform the wicked with nectar‐sweet advice, is like trying tocontrol an elephant with the pith of a lotus‐stem, or cutting a diamond withdelicate petals of the Shireesh flower, or sweetening the salty ocean with adrop of honey.6. The creator has provided only one means for hiding one’s ignorance which isalways under his own control. It is to keep silent, particularly, in the company

of the learned.7.When my knowledge was limited, I assumed that I was fully proficient. I wasblinded by pride like an elephant in frenzy. However, when I started learningin the company of the erudite and realized my short comings, the conceit of mine disappeared like fever.8.A dog is not afraid even if Indra, the lord of Gods, is standing by its side, solong as it is devouring a donkey’s bone which might be vermin‐infested,loathsome, saliva‐doused, stinking and flesh‐less. Similarly, a wretch willnever pay heed to the unworthiness of his acquisitions.

9. The Ganges descended from the heavens upon the head of the Shiva, andthence, to the mountains. From the high mountains, she flowed down theplains to finally lapse into the sea. Thus, the Ganges kept drifting downwardsfrom one level to another. Similarly, those who have lost their sagacityplunge downwards in a hundred ways.10.With water, a fire can be extinguished; an umbrella protects one from the



heat of the sun; a frenzied elephant can be tamed by a mahout’s sharp iron‐goad, and so can a cow and a donkey with a stick; diseases can be cured byan assortment of medicines, and the incantation of various mantras is anantidote to toxicants. The scriptures contain remedies for all, but there isnone for a conceited fool.

11. Those who are devoid of Literature, Music, and Art, are veritable animalswithout tails and horns. It is the great good luck of other beasts that theydon’t graze grass, and still survive.12. Those who are devoid of learning, restraint, charity, knowledge, moralconduct, virtue and righteousness are virtually animals living in the grab of men, and burdening the earth.13.It is better to wander in the mountain‐caves along with the forest‐dwellers,than to be with conceited fools even in the mansion of Indra, the lord of

gods.14. There are sages who can impart learning to even such disciples whosespeech has already become articulate and refined with the tudy of thescriptures. If these eminent men live in poverty, it only shows the folly of theruler of that kingdom, for the sages remain great even without riches. Thereal worth of a gem does not decline because of bad evaluation by anincompetent jeweler.15.Knowledge is one’s own secret treasure. It is imperceptible to a thief; itprovides one enduring happiness; it grows ceaselessly while being imparted

to soliciting disciples, and it is not destroyed, even with passing of an era. Therefore, with those who possess such unrivalled fortune, O kings ! shunyour pride.16.(O kings !) Do not show disrespect to enlightened savants who have realizedthe supreme good. The trivial goddess of wealth cannot entice such meneven as a wanton elephant whose temples have turned dark with flowing rutcannot be chained with the pith of a lotus‐stem.17. The Creator, Brahma, in his ire may suddenly deny the swam, the pleasure of abode amidst the cluster of lotuses. However, he cannot deprive it of its well

known skill of separating milk from water,18.Bracelets do not adorn a person. Nor do pearl necklaces shining like themoon, or a cleansing bath; nor anointment of the body, nor flowers, nordecoration for the hair. It is cultured speech alone which embellishes a man.All other ornaments lose their glitter, only the jewel of speech ever remainsthe jewel of jewels.19.



Knowledge is certainly a man’s greatest beauty. It is a safe and hiddentreasure. It provides prosperity, fame and happiness. Knowledge is the guruof all gurus. It acts as one’s friend in a foreign country. Knowledge is theSupreme God. It is the knowledge, not wealth, which is adorned by kings.Without knowledge one remains an animal.

20.Why should he need to wear an armour, if he himself is compassionate andforgiving? What more harm can his enemies do to him, if he is beingconsumed by his own anger? If his relatives pester him, then a fire is notneeded to burn his wealth. Of what need is a medicine chest to him who hasgood friends by his side? On the other hand, falling in the company of thewicked is like falling in a snake‐pit. What is the importance of material wealthfor him who possesses immaculate knowledge? Is there any need for jewelery when a man treasures modesty in his heart? Will the rule of akingdom hold any charm for a man who has the gift of the Muses?21.

Magnanimous to his kinsfolk, generous to his dependents, crafty withscoundrels, friendly with the righteous, tactful with kings, gentle withscholars, courageous against the enemies, forgiving to the elders andcunning with the women, such men know the art of living. They are thepillars of society.22. The companionship of good people removes the inertia of one’s mind,nurtures truth in the speech, enhances prestige, expiates the sins, comfortsthe conscience, spreads the name and fame in all directions. Say! What goodis there which the company of devout bring to a man.23.

The renowned and supreme poets come out with flying colors in depictingvarious poetic sentiments in their works. Their fame has an immortal body,without fear of dotage or death.24.When God, the pivot of the world and the dispenser of all boons, ispropitiated, then a man gets a virtuous son, a chaste and loving wife, apleasant master, an affectionate friend, guileless kinsmen, a tranquil mind, ahandsome physique, stable fortune and a countenance refined byknowledge.25. To abstain from taking life, to refrain from covering the wealth of others, to

be truthful in speech, to give charities from time to time within one’s means,to avoid talking about other women, to eschew the rise of avarice, to showhumility before the elders and to be kind to all, are the paths of welfaregenerally mentioned in all the scriptures, and these do not contravene anydiscipline.26.Base men do not undertake any work apprehending obstacles. Mediocresmake a start, but cease working when they encounter hindrances. The men



of excellence, however, after commencing a job do not give up despiterecurrence of impediments.27. To be judicious and amicable, to desist from committing evil even in the faceof death, to refrain from soliciting favours from the wicked, to avoid asking

for help from a destitute friend, to remain steadfast in adversity and to followin the footsteps of the great men, who taught these habits to good peoplewhich are as difficult as the vow of ‘walking on a sword’?28.Suffering from pangs of hunger, emaciated by aging, weary, living indistressful condition, having lost all its majesty and breathing its last ‐ willeven such a lion ever eat dry grass – the one that isforemost among the venerated and the one which aspires to devour flesh bytearing to pieces the temples of a rogue tusker?29.A dog gets satisfaction by snatching a flesh‐less bone which has become

filthy with a medley of fat and gut. Still its appetite remains unfulfilled.However, a lion would kill only an elephant, forsaking a jackal which may bewithin its reach. Even in adversity everyone aspires to achieve resultsaccording to one’s own prowess.30.A dog wags its tail and crawls at the feet of its master, and shows him itsmouth and belly to get food. However, a mighty elephant looks as its patronwith composure, and eats only after a lot of coaxing.31.In this transitory world who is unborn or immortal? It is only he who is reallyborn, by whose birth the entire family progresses.

32.Like a bunch of flowers, the great thinkers are ordained for only two kinds of existence. Either they are placed over the heads of the people or they perishin the forest.33. There are five or six revered planets in the sky like Jupiter, but the swash‐buckler Rahu does not contend with them. Look O Brother! Rahu, the lord of demons, which is surviving merely on a truncated head, swallows only theSun and the Moon watching the appropriate time (i.e. Amavasya andPoornima, the darkest night and the full‐moon night of the monthrespectively) and none else.

34.Sheshnaga (the thousand‐headed serpent) holds the entire universe on itsmassive hood. The mythological Tortoise carries them on the plateau of itsback, and yet the Ocean cradles all of them in its lap (during the time of Pralaya i.e. the universal destruction). The magnificence of the character ingreat ones is limitless.35.It would have been better for Mainaak (the son of Himalaya) to have died,



scorched, amidst the fierce sparking fires of the thunder‐bolt hurled by LordIndra, rather than to have left his father in lurch and hide in the waters of theocean.36.When even an inanimate object like a jasper becomes hot with the torch of

sun beams, then how can a brilliant man brook any affront from others?37.A lion’s cub also attacks a frenzied elephant. Valour is inherent in the natureof the powerful, and age, as such, is of no consequence to their prowess.38.Lineage may go to hell, and the array of attributes may descend evenfurther. Moral conduct may fall from the mountain peak, high family statusmay burn to ashes, and valour in combat may be struck by lightening. Wemust, however, have wealth, without which all the accomplishments are nobetter than straw.39.

Sense organs remain the same, deeds are the same, sharp intellect is alsothe same, and so is speech. However, without the warmth of wealth, thesame man turns into a stranger that very moment.40.He who is wealthy regarded as of noble descent, a pundit, a scholar of thescriptures, a connoisseur of merits, an orator and handsome man. All thevirtues are sheltered in gold.41. The king is ruined by bad counsels, the yogi by attachment, and the son bypampering. The priest is destroyed by lack of study, the family by eviloffspring, and modesty by drunkenness. Crops perish without personal

attention, and affection disappears by absence abroad. Without constantdisplay of cordiality, a friendship is lost, prosperity wanes because of imprudence, and the wealth depletes by carelessness or renunciation.42. There are only three ends of wealth – charity, enjoyment or destruction. Onewho neither gives, nor enjoys, leaves open only the third course for it.43.A well chiseled gem, a wounded victor, an elephant languid after rut, aslender river during the autumn, the narrow crescent of the waning moon, ayoung maiden fatigued after love, and men whose wealth has dwindledbecause of alms giving; the grace of these lies in their tenuity.

44.When a man is in penury, he pines for a handful of barley. After he becomesabundantly rich, he considers the entire world, no more than straw. There isno consistency in the greatness or smallness of material objects. It is thefluctuating fortune of wealthy men which overrates or underrates thematerial things.45.O kings ! Should you desire to milk the cow which is this earth, then as a calf,



provide all the support to your people (by tilling the lands). When this earthis tended properly, it yields plenty of fruits like Kalpataru (the mythologicaltree that grants all desire).46.At times truthful, at times deceitful; sometimes stern and sometimes

pleasing in speech, often violent and often kind, many a time spendthrift andmany a time amassing wealth; such are the many faces of politics like that of a strumpet.47.What is the gain in serving such kings who are devoid of these six virtues;commanding obedience, spreading name and fame, fostering of Brahmins(the learned), giving of charity, enjoying the wealth and protecting thefriends.48.Whatever small or big amount of wealth, the creator has writ in one’sdestiny, that man will acquire in full measure whether the dwells in the

desert or on Meru, the mountain of gold. Thus, O men ! be patient, and donot bemoan your plight infront of the affluent. Look ! whether you fill apitcher in the well or in the ocean, it can only hold water according to itscapacity.49.Oh cloud ! who is not aware that you are the support of Chaatak (an Indianbird which is supposed to quench its thirst with the rain drops during theswaati constellation)? Then why you wait for our entreaties.50.O my friend Chaatak ! Listen carefully to me for a moment. There is many acloud in the sky, but not all are alike. Some will rain and drench the earth,

and some will only give forth peals of thunder. Thus, do not express yourwoes to everyone whom you see.51. The self evident signs of the wicked are: cruelty, quarelling withoutprovocation, craving for the wealth and women of others, and intolerance of well‐meaning kinsfolk.52.It is wise to keep a wicked man at arm’s length even if he is embellished withknowledge. Is it not true that a snake even though crowned with a jewel isyet dreadful?53.

Evil men decry modest person as dull, a fasting pious man as a hypocrite, aholy person as a meek, a bright man as vain, an orator as a glib‐talker andpatient man as weak‐willed. Which is the attribute of the virtuous thatwicked don’t disparage?54.If one is possessed by cupidity, then he may have no other vices; if one is inthe habit of back‐biting, then there is no need for committing sins. Austerityis not required for him who is truthful. He need not go on pilgrimages who



has a clear conscience. If one has a gentle disposition, then he need no otherstrength. One who possesses dignity, for him there is no use of anyornaments. If one has acquired good knowledge, riches are not necessary forhim, and if one has begotten ill‐repute, then death is not necessary for him.55.

A moon paled by daylight, a temptress who is past her youth, a lake withoutlilies, a handsome but an unlettered man, a master deeply possessive of hiswealth, a gentleman doomed to destitution, and a scoundrel having accessto a kin’s court‐ these are seven barbs that pierce my heart always.56. Those kings who suffer from excessive anger, alienate even their ownkinsmen. The touch of fire burns even the performer of a fire‐sacrifice(havan).57. The path of service is formidable. It is difficult even for a yogi to follow. If aman in service remains quiet, then he is called dumb. If he is quick‐witted,

then he is described as loquacious. If he stays close by, then he is taken tobe audacious, and if he maintains a distance, then is considered as shy. If heis tolerant, then he is regarded as timid, and he is unable to bear indignities,then he is known as ill‐bred.58.Can anyone ever be happy under the domination of that mean fellow whoenvies the virtuous, who under the fortuitous gain of prosperity has entirelyforgotten his own previous deeds of depravity, one who is unrestrained, andwho has raised the stock of the vile?59.Friendship with the wicked and the virtuous is like the shadow of the

forenoon and the afternoon, respectively. The one is long in the beginningand then gradually shrinks. The other is short at the commencement butprogressively lengthens with the passage of time.60.A deer, a fish and a gentleman subsist on grass, water and contentment, yeta hunter, a fisherman and a backbiter are hostile to them respectivelywithout rhyme or reason.61. Those who are desirous of good company, are pleased with the merits of others, maintain humility before elders, are engrossed in learning, have lovefor their wives, are scared of public censure, have devotion for the trident‐

bearing Lord Shiva, who are self‐disciplined and those men who shunfamiliarity with the wicked – my salutations to those men who possess thesepure qualities.62.Patience in adversity, magnanimity in ascendancy, eloquence in assembly,bravery in battle, aspiration for eminence and engrossment in the Scripturesare the self‐evident attributes of great men.63.



To give secret charities, to extend hospitality to visitors, to keep silent afterdoing good to others and to extol publicly the favours received from others,to restrain from pride after acquiring wealth and to avoid contempt whilespeaking about others – who has taught this difficult practice of ‘walking on asword’ to good people?

64.Giving of praise‐ worthy alms is an ornament for the hands, bowing at thefeet of the guru is that for the head; the ornament of the mouth is truthfulspeech, that of the arms is invincible bravery; clean conscience is theornament of one’s heart and the attainment of knowledge is the ornament of the ears. These ornaments belong to men who are great by their own naturaltendencies, though they may be without opulence.65.In opulence the heart of great men is as soft as that of a lotus flower, but inadversity the same hardens like a rock of a big mountain.66.

Water when dropped on a hot iron, evaporates leaving no trace of itself. Thedrops of water that nestle on lotus‐leaves gleam like pearls. The same whenthey fall in the oyster shells of the ocean during the swaati, these generatepearls. Base, mediocre and superior attributes are generally cultivated bythe different types of company one keeps.67.Indeed, a son is he who makes his father happy with his good deeds. Thewoman who is a well‐wisher of her husband is a wife in the real sense. Afriend who remains alike in times of happiness and misery, is a true friend.Verily, men obtain these three only as a result of their good deeds.68.

A man aught to worship only one god – either Shiva or Krishna. He shouldhave only one friend – either king or an anchorite, and one abode – either inthe city or in the forest. His consort should only be one – whether a beautifulwoman or a cave.69.Is there anyone in the world who will not adore men with such wonderfulbehaviour – men who display their humility by praising the qualities of others, men who while fulfilling their own tasks, work hard to get theassignments of others also completed, and men who by remaining quietmake foul‐mouthed persons uttering invectives, look guilty?70.

Trees bend down with the emergence of fruits. A cloud full of rain floats lowin the sky. Similarly, good people don’t become proud in prosperity. Indeed,such is the nature of those who help others.71.Ears are to be adorned by listening to the Scriptures and not with ear‐rings;hands by alms‐giving and not with bracelets, and body by benevolence andnot with the application of sandal‐paste.72.



He restrains his friend from committing sins, and induces him to do gooddeeds. He conceals the unseemly secrets of a friend, projecting only his goodqualities. He does not desert his friend in difficulties, but gives timelyassistance. Saints describe these as the characteristics of a true friend.73.

The sun causes the lotus to bloom, the moon does the same to the cluster of lilies, and a rain cloud pours water without being asked. Saints themselvesendeavor to benefit others.74. The superior men sacrifice their own well‐being for the sake of others; thecommon people work for the benefit of others when it is not against theirown interest. People who harm others for their own gains are like demons inthe guise of men. I, however, do not know what to call them who destroy thehappiness of others without rhyme or reason.75.When water is mixed with milk, the latter gifts all its qualities (color, liquidity,

sweetish taste etc.) to the water. Subsequently, when it is boiled, the waterwitnessing the suffering of milk, burns itself first. As soon as the milk finds itsfriend water immolating itself, it tries to jump out in to the fire with theeffervescence. Then drops of water are sprinkled over the boiling milk for itto calm down. Similar is the friendship of good people.76. This side Lord Vishnu slumbers, on the other the clan of his enemies. Herethe mountains have taken refuge (out of the fear of Lord Indra) and thererests the submarine fire along with the clouds of apocalypse. Indeed, theexpanse of the ocean is spread wide, is full of power and carries all this greatburden.

77.Refrain from cupidity, and cultivate mercy; eschew pride, and not beengrossed in sins; speak the truth, and follow in the footsteps of the saints;serve the learned, and respect the worthy; be courteous even to enemies,and disseminate patronage; maintain a good reputation and becompassionate to men in suffering. These are the characteristics of goodmen.78.How many good persons are there in this world whose mind, body andspeech are filled with the nectar of piety, who keep all the three worldsgratified by their benevolent acts, who magnify even the minute atoms of

virtue in others to mountaineous proportions, and who are always cheerful atheart?79. The gods did not rest content with the jewels obtained by the churning of theocean, nor were they stupefied and awed, with getting the deadly poison. They did not seek repose until they had acquired the nectar. Similarly, menof determination do not rest on their laurels until they achieve theirobjective.



80.Discerning men may slight or laud them, the goddess of wealth, Lakshmi,may come or go as she likes, death may occur today or after ages; butstrong‐willed men do not deviate from the path of justice.81.

One who possesses a good moral conduct which is dear to all – for him, fireturns in to water, the ocean shrinks to the size of a channel, the mountain,Meru, constricts into a tiny rock, a lion behaves like a deer, a snaketransforms into a garland, and poison showers nectar.82.A tree grows again after pruning, and the moon also waxes after waning.Contemplating this, the righteous men do not grieve in suffering.83.Civility is the ornament of prosperity, restrained speech of valour, mentaltranquility of knowledge, humility of studying the scriptures, charity to thedeserving of wealth, control over anger of austerity, forgiveness of power,

and sincerity of righteousness. Moral conduct is the root cause of all this –and it is the most precious ornament of all.84.Of what consequence are Sumeru, the mountain of gold or Kailash. Thesilvery mountain where the trees remain unchanged for ever. We considerthe Malaya mountain (on the western ghats) as greater where even thethorny and bitter (like the neem) trees acquire the fragrance of sandal wood.85.Sometimes they sleep on the ground, sometimes on beds; some times theysurvive by eating herbs and vegetables, sometimes they get to eat deliciousrice‐dishes, sometimes they barely cover themselves with rags and

sometimes they wear beautiful silken cloths. Single‐minded persons strivingfor their goals are unmindful of interim weal and woe.86. Just as a ball bounces back after hitting the ground, similarly, the suffering of righteous men is temporary.87.Indolence, indeed, is like the great enemy inside men’s body; and there is nofriend as good as diligence. An industrious man never suffers.88.A snake, stricken with hunger and despair, lay coiled in a basket. In the nighta mouse gnawed a hole in the basket, and on its own fell into the mouth of

the snake. The snake gratified its hunger with the flesh of the mouse, andquickly crept out of its captivity through the same hole. O men! Be patient ,destiny is the main cause of one’s rise and fall.89.Indra’s (the chief of gods) counselor was Jupiter, his weapon was thethunder‐bolt and his soldiers the gods; the heaven was Indra’s fort and healways had the blessings of Lord Vishnu. Indra’s vehicle was Airaavat, thewhite elephant. Yet Indra would quit the battle fields vanquished by his



enemies. Alas, unequivocally, it is destiny alone that gives shelter. Fie onfutile bravado!90. The result of men’s efforts depends upon fate. Intelligence is alsodetermined by fate, yet wise men should think before acting.

91.Walking briskly in search of shade, a bald man whose head was scorched bythe sun‐rays, by chance took shelter under a palmyra tree. There a large fruitfell on his crown fracturing his skull. Usually, whenever goes an unfortunateman, calamities follow him then and there.92.Witnessing the eclipse of the sun and the moon, the bondage of an elephantand a snake, and poverty of an intelligent man, I dare say, destiny, indeed, ispowerful.93.Brahma, the architect of the universe, created human beings like a jewel

among all species to bedeck the earth. However, he made their livesexceedingly short. Woe, unto Brahma’s frivolity.94.What false is it of the spring if there are no leaves on the thorny bush? If anowl is unable to see in day time, then what is wrong with the sun? If the raindrop does not fall into the beak of the Chaatak. Why should the cloud beblamed? This only denotes that no one can wipe out whatever God has willedin destiny.95.My salutation to gods, but they live under the control of the Creator, Brahma.I pray then to Brahma, but he rewards according to one’s actions. If the

results depend upon actions alone, then is there any purpose in propitiatingthe gods or the Creator? Thus, I salute the actions only which even Brahmacannot defy.96.I salute immutable causation, which made Brahma mould the universe like apotter; which compelled Vishnu to undergo the harrowing experience of tenintricate incarnations; constrained Shiva to beg for alms carrying a humanskull in his hand; pushes the sun to traverse the sky eternally.97.A beautiful body bears no fruit, nor high family or good character, knowledgeor diligent service. It is the accumulation of merit through a man’s previous

austerities which alone fructify even as the trees in due season.98.Whether one is in a battlefield or in a forest; whether one is in the midst of enemies, water or fire; in the sea or on a mountain peak; in slumber or insenselessness – in whatever difficult plight a man may be, it is his pastmeritorious deeds that really, protect him.99. The virtuous deeds which inspire the vile to behave like saints and groom



nincompoops to be learned; turn the envious into well‐wishers and theimplicit into the tangible; and which instantly metamorphose venom intonectar – O gentleman, take the shelter of such virtuous deeds to enjoy thefruit you cherish, instead of depending upon other means entailing miseries.100.

Before taking any action, whether good or bad, wise men should carefullyponder over its consequences. Or else, the result of an act done in hastekeeps piercing the heart like an arrow even after death.101. The unfortunate man who does not practice austerities after taking birth inthis field of action, the world, he virtually tries to make oil‐cakes by boilingsesame seeds in a pot of ruby on the fire of sandal‐wood. He tills the soil withgolden ploughshare to reap swallow‐wort (madaar). He cuts the camphortrees to grow a fence of kodo (a kind of coarse‐grained plant).102.Whether one drowns in water, or ascends the peak of Meru; whether he

conquers his enemies in battle or takes to commence, agriculture or service;he may learn all the arts and crafts; he may even with a lot of endeavour flyin the sky and he may do anything he likes; but what is not destined will nothappen and whatever is fated will definitely occur – it is inevitable.103.A man who has accumulated a mass of meritorious deeds in his previous life– for him even a dense forest becomes like a metropolis, all its denizens likehis own kith and kin, and the whole earth fills up with gems for him.104.What is gain? It is the companionship of the virtuous. What is grief? It is thecompany of fools. What is loss? It is the dissipation of time. What is

prudence? It is devotion to virtue. What is valour? It is the conquest of thesenses. Who is the beloved wife? One who is devoted to her husband. Whatis wealth? It is knowledge. What is happiness? It is to remain settled in one’sown country. What is rulership? It is to command obedience.105.High minded men, like flowers of Malti (an Indian creeper) have only twodestinies – either they are placed on the head by everybody, or they decay inthe forest unseen.106. The world is ornamented only at a few scattered places with men who refrainfrom offensive expression, who speak sweetly, who are content with their

own spouses, and who are free from the tendency of humiliating others.107.A man with fortitude may be in anguish, but he cannot be made to give uphis steadfastness; even as when a fire is turned upside down, yet its flamesrise upwards and never go downwards.108.He whom the arrow‐like side glances of a beloved have not pierced, he whohas not been consumed by his own fire‐like fury, and whom various



mundane attachments and avarices have not allured, he , the strong‐willedman conquers the three worlds.109.Even as the sun by itself illumines the earth with its vast and widely diffusedbrilliance, similarly, a brave man keeps the world at his feet.

110. Those enlightened men who are deeply attached to truthfulness, are readyto relinquish happiness and life, but they do not renounce their pledge of adhering to truth that gives birth to modesty and other virtues. That vow islike a simple‐hearted and ever amiable mother to them.

31706232 niti shatakam of bhartrihari

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