Friday, January 30, 2026

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 1 to 5

 



अजरामरवत्प्राज्ञः विद्यामर्थञ्च साधयेत् । 
गृहीत इव केशेषु मृत्युना धर्ममाचरेत् ॥
The wise pursue learning and prosperity 
As if there is no old age nor death. 
But hasten to do good as if Death holds them by their locks!

अत्यन्तकोपः कटुका च वाणी दरिद्रता च स्वजनेषु वैरम् ।
नीचप्रसङ्गः कुलहीनसेवा चिह्नानि देहे नरकस्थितानाम् ॥
Untrammelled anger, acidic tongue, wretchedness,
Ill will towards near ones, keeping evil company,
Servitude to the ignoble - these are sure signs of those in hell.

अनभ्यासेन वेदानामाचारस्य च वर्जनात् ।
आलस्यादन्नदोषाच्च मृत्युर्विप्राञ्जिघांसति ॥
For a Brahmin, these spell Death-
Not practising the Vedas, not observing ritual duties;
Being lazy and eating the wrong foods.

अनभ्यासे विषं विद्या अजीर्णे भोजनं विषम् । 
विषं गोष्टी दरिद्रस्य भोजनान्ते जलं विषम् ॥
Knowledge unpractised turns virulent.
Food ingested during indigestion turns poisonous.
The company of the wretched is infectious,
Water drunk just after a meal is toxic.

अनारोग्यमनायुष्यमस्वर्ग्यं चातिभोजनम् ।
अपुण्यं लोकविद्विष्टं तस्मात्तत्परिवर्जयेत् ॥
Eschew excessive eating - it brings ill-health, 
Shortens life, gives no heavenly joy, as it is sinful;
Gluttony implies ill will towards society.



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