न स्नानं न विलेपनं न कुसुमं नालङ्कृता मूर्धजा:॥
वाण्येका समलङ्करोति पुरुषं या संस्कृता धार्यते।
क्षीयन्ते खलु भूषणानि सततं वाग्भूषणं भूषणम्॥
न विभूषयन्ति - do not adorn
केयूराः हाराः चन्द्रोज्ज्वलाः - Golden armlets and resplendent necklaces that match the moon in lustre
न स्नानं न विलेपनं न कुसुमं - neither baths nor fragrances nor bedecking with flowers
नालङ्कृता मूर्धजा - nor foreheads decorated with prominent marks
वाणी एका या संस्कृता धार्यते - his speech alone, that is distinguished as refined and cultured
समलङ्करोति पुरुषं - adorns well the man
भूषणानि क्षीयन्ते खलु - all ornaments wear off in time, indeed,
वाग्भूषणं भूषणम् - (So let man choose it) the true adornment of man is his cultured tongue.
