मातेव रक्षति पितेव हिते नियुङ्क्ते
कान्तेव चाभिरमयत्यपनीय खेदम् ।
लक्ष्मीः तनोति वितनोति च दिक्षु कीर्तिम्
किं किं न साधयति कल्पलतेव विद्या ॥ ६६ ॥
Education in the right way is like the divine wish-fulfilling tree - it protects like one's mother, leads one in the right path like one's father, delights one like the beloved wife by removing sorrow. Education confers wealth and spreads one's fame far and wide. How to list all the benefits of true education?
चिन्तासमं नास्ति शरीरशोषणम् ।
भार्यासमं नास्ति शरीरतोषणम्
विद्यासमं नास्ति शरीरभूषणम् ॥ ६७ ॥
Nothing compares with one's mother for nourishing one's body. Nothing compares with worry for withering one's body. Nothing compares with one's wife for giving bodily pleasures. Finally, nothing compares with true learning as the adornment for one's personality.
मित्रं स्वच्छतया रिपुं नवबलैर्लुब्धं धनैरीश्वरम्
कार्येण द्विजमादरेण युवतिं प्रेम्णा समैर्बान्धवान् ।
अत्युग्रं स्तुतिभिर्गुरुं प्रणतिभिर्मूर्खं कथाभिर्बुधम्
विद्याभी रसिकं रसेन सकलं शीलेन कुर्याद्वशम् ॥ ६८ ॥
Win over a friend with sincerity, conquer a foe with diplomacy, win over a greedy man with wealth as inducement; win over the master with good work, win a Brahmin over with a true show of respect. Win over a damsel with wooing, win over relatives with composure. Win over the preceptor with devotion and prayer. Win over a fool by telling stories. Win over a scholar with your own learning, and win over an aesthete with evocative art. Finally, win over everything everywhere with the strength of your character!
मूर्खा यत्र न पूज्यन्ते धान्यं यत्र सुसञ्चितम् ।
दम्पत्योः कलहो नास्ति तत्र श्रीः स्वयमागता ॥ ६९ ॥
Where fools are not honoured, foodgrain is stored well, and couples don't fight - there accrues wealth readily!
मौनान्मूकः प्रवचनपटुशाटुलो जल्पको वा
धृष्टः पार्श्वे वसति च तदा दूरतश्चाप्रगल्भः ।
क्षान्त्या भीरुर्यदि च सहते प्रायशो नाभिजातः
सेवाधर्मः परमगहनो योगिनामप्यगम्यः ॥ ७० ॥
What conduct makes a positive impact? Even Yogis are unaware. If one keeps quiet, people take him to be dumb. If he chats a bit, they think he is babbling. If one goes close to someone, they think he lacks civility. If he stays aloof, they think he is insignificant. If he forgives easily, they think he is a coward. If he reacts a bit, they think he is of low birth! Who knows what is the best way to deal with people?!?
