Sunday, February 1, 2026

नीतिचन्द्रिका - The moonlight of homilies - 31 to 35



दानेन पाणिर्न तु कङ्कणेन स्नानेन शुद्धिर्न तु चन्दनेन ।
मानेन तृप्तिर्न तु भोजनेन ज्ञानेन मुक्तिर्न तु मुण्डनेन ॥  
Giving is the ornament for one's hand, not a bracelet.
Bathing purifies the body, not sandal paste.
A good reputation gives satisfaction, not a hearty meal.
Wisdom confers liberation, not ritual tonsure.  

दुर्जनः परिहर्तव्यो विद्ययालङ्कृतोऽपि सन् ।
मणिना भूषितः सर्पः किमसौ न भयङ्करः ॥ 
A bad man's friendship should be given up, even if he is learned.
Just because there is a shining gem in its hood, is a serpent less dangerous?

दुर्जनः प्रियवादी च नैतद्विश्वासकारणम् ।
मधु तिष्ठति जिह्वाग्रे हृदये तु हलाहलम् ॥
A bad man is not trustworthy even if he is sweet-tongued.
His words may be honey on the tongue but inside his heart are they poison. 

दुर्लभं प्राकृतं मित्रं दुर्लभः क्षेमकृत् सुतः ।
दुर्लभा सदृशी भार्या दुर्लभः स्वजनः प्रियः ॥   
Rare is it to find a true friend, rare indeed is a worthy son. 
Rare is a wife good in all aspects, rare again is a relative who is likeable. 


दृष्टिपूतं न्यसेत्पादं वस्त्रपूतं जलं पिबेत् ।
सत्यपूतां वदेद्वाचं मनःपूतं समाचरेत् ॥ 
Before setting foot anywhere, cleanse the path with your look. 
Cleanse water by straining through a cloth before drinking.
Cleanse your words beforehand with truthfulness. Cleanse your actions with due forethought.  

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