यथा चतुर्भिः कनकं परीक्ष्यते निघर्षणच्छेदनतापताडनैः ।
तथा चतुर्भिः पुरुषः परीक्ष्यते श्रुतेन शीलेन कुलेन कर्मणा ॥ ७१ ॥
Just as goldsmiths examine the quality of gold by rubbing it against the touchstone, cutting it, beating it and putting it in the fire, the wise assess a man's worth based on his knowledge of the scriptures, his character, and inborn impressions from his lineage.
सर्वं तु तपसा साध्यं तपो हि दुरतिक्रमम् ॥ ७२ ॥
What is difficult to cross over, what is difficult to acquire, what is difficult to reach, and what is difficult to do - all are accomplished successfully by the power of penance; however, penance itself is indeed very difficult!
यावत्स्वस्थमिदं कलेवरगृहं यावच्च दूरे जरा
यावच्चेन्द्रियशक्तिरप्रतिहता यावत्क्षयो नायुषः ।
आत्मश्रेयसि तावदेव विदुषा कार्यः प्रयत्नो महान्
प्रोदीप्ते भवने च कूपखननं प्रत्युद्यमः कीदृशः ॥ ७३ ॥
When this body is healthy, and debility is far away,
When the bodily organs are undiminished in strength, and longevity is undepleted,
It is the right time for the intelligent man to strive diligently for his betterment!
Or else it would be like trying to dig a well for water when one sees the house on fire.
येषां न विद्या न तपो न दानम्
ज्ञानं न शीलं न गुणो न धर्मः ।
ते मृत्युलोके भुवि भारभूताः
मनुष्यरूपेण मृगाश्चरन्ति ॥ ७४ ॥
Those bereft of learning, austerity, generosity, wisdom, character and righteousness
are indeed a burden on this earth, like mere animals in human form.
यं मातापितरौ क्लेशं सहेते सम्भवे नृणाम् ।
न तस्य निष्कृतिः शक्त्या कर्तुं वर्षशतैरपि ॥ ७५ ॥
What ordeal the parents go through when someone is born
Is never possible to repay by striving even in a hundred years.
