विप्रयोर्विप्रवह्न्योश्च दम्पत्योः स्वामिभृत्ययोः ।
अन्तरेण न गन्तव्यं हलस्य वृषभस्य च ॥ ८६ ॥
It is unwise to intercede between two Brahmins in dispute, or between the Brahmin and his sacred fire, or a couple in disagreement, or between a master and his servant. Likewise, avoid getting in between the plough and the ox drawing it.
विषादप्यमृतं ग्राह्यं बालादपि शुभाषितम् ।
अमित्रादपि सद्वृत्तममेध्यादपि काञ्चनम् ॥ ८७ ॥
Don't hesitate to accept Ambrosia even if it lies inside poison,
Don't reject wise words even from an urchin.
Don't miss learning from the good conduct of even your enemies,
Don't miss picking up gold even if it lies in filth.
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानं समर्थस्य वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥ ८८ ॥
Rainfall is wasted if it falls in the ocean, and food is wasted if offered to a man who is feeling full.
Giving alms to a prosperous man is wasteful, as is holding up a lamp in sunlight.
वृक्षं क्षीणफलं त्यजन्ति विहगाः शुष्कं सरः सारसाः
पुष्पं पर्युषितं त्यजन्ति मधुपा दग्धं वनान्तं मृगाः ।
निर्द्रव्यं पुरुषं त्यजन्ति गणीका भ्रष्टश्रियं मन्त्रिणः
सर्वः कार्यवशाज्जनोऽभिरमते कस्यास्ति को वल्लभः ॥८९॥
A dried up tree is forsaken by birds, a dried up lake is abandoned by cranes.
A dried up flower is forsaken by honeybees, and deer forsake a burned up forest.
A penniless man is forsaken by his concubines, and an insolvent man is abandoned by his advisors. This opportunism makes us wonder who is indeed a true friend to whom in this world!?
वेदः स्मृतिः सदाचारः स्वस्य च प्रियमात्मनः ।
एतच्चतुर्विधं प्राहुः साक्षाद्धर्मस्य लक्षणम् ॥ ९० ॥
What are the criteria for knowing Dharma? The authority of Vedas, Smritis, and the accepted norms of the present-day society about right conduct. Finally, the test of Dharma is if it appeals to one's good sense. These are the four tests to know if something is Dharmic.
