Injustice, unfair dealings = sleepless nights

Don’t think of yourself as superior.

Don’t deviate from duties.

Be a good listener and clear in communication.

Make up mind before taking up a project. Once taken up, work relentlessly till the project is complete. Exercise full control over mind and emotions. Once complete, be neither over-elated nor feel like being praised. If it fails, condemnation shouldn’t depress. Mind must be like a large pool in Ganges; always ebullient.

Carefully choose words. Respect the opponent; never mock them. Read and apply in work.

He’s a fool who

• although illiterate thinks too much of himself and wants to grow rich without effort.

• befriends undesirable persons and who shuns those whose company he ought to seek.

• unnecessary expands the scope of his activity and delays what can be completed in short duration. (Also, expand too quickly. Growth should be stable, steady and permanent.)

• speaks unnecessary and uninvited and doesn’t listen.

• accuses others for failures and gets angry for no reasons.

King should enjoy the prosperity with his fellow beings and see growth of everyone in the kingdom.

Never take decision unilaterally but consult advisors.

Earth eats up the king who doesn’t take on an enemy, or the Brahmin who doesn’t travel away from their homes in search of knowledge or spreading their acquired knowledge.

Wealth earned through fair means can be mishandled in two ways: give to someone undeserving and deny to someone deserving.

Humans can be divided into: Most Capable, Mediocre, Good for nothing. All of them must be assigned duties according to their capabilities.

4 virtues that yield instantaneous results:

• Determination of the Devtas

• Influence of the wise

• Humility of the learned

• Destruction of the sinner

4 ways of dispelling fear (but if not executed properly, the same generate fear):

• Offering Oblation to fire (commit / put everything at stake) in full faith

• Observing Silence as an act of faith (work silently, paying little heed to critics)

• Studious effort at self-education

• Performing Yajna with full rituals (how is this different from the first?)

Someone who wants to be successful should give up:

• Excessive Sleep

• Lassitude (lack of energy)

• Fear

• Anger

• Laziness

• Procrastination

Shun these 6 people:

• A guru who is unable to communicate

• A Hotri who cannot recite the mantras

• A king who is unable to protect his subjects

• A woman who talks bitter

• A cowherd who doesn’t want to step out of his habitation to graze his flock (delegates responsibilities to others)

• A barber who desires to live in a forest (capable but unavailable)

5 Things that can bring happiness:

• Steady income

• Sound health

• Loving, soft-spoken wife

• Obedient son

• Knowledge that can help in earning wealth

One who has conquered his senses and has controlled the following 6 weaknesses doesn’t involve in sin: Lust, Anger, Greed, Attachment, Arrogance, Jealousy.

6 Things are decimated if not steadily looked after: Cows (sacred / religious sentiments), Services, Agriculture (factors of production), Women, Education, Association with the lowly

Don’t forget people who helped you be successful.

6 situations in which one is happy:

• Freedom from sickness

• Freedom from debt

• Not living away from one’s home

• Company of noble persons

• Living on one’s own earning

• Leading a fearless life

6 people who are always unhappy:

• Jealous

• Hateful

• Never content

• Angry

• Suspecting

• Dependent

King must give up these 6 habits:

• Womanizing

• Gambling

• Indulgence in Liquor

• Use of Harsh Words

• Awarding Highly Stringent Punishment

• Misuse of Treasury

These 8 qualities add lustre to a man:

• Wisdom

• Civilised behaviour

• Self Control

• Knowledge of Sastras

• Chivalry (able to take calculated risk)

• Being a man of few words

• Being charitable according to one’s means

• Gratitude

10 types of men who don’t know anything about Dharma (a learned man shouldn’t befriend such persons):

• Intoxicated

• Careless

• Insane

• Fatigued

• Angry

• Hungry (what would this mean exactly?)

• Man in haste

• Greedy

• Frightened

• Lecherous

Plucking an unripe fruit = no taste enjoyed + seed destroyed. Wait for the fruit to ripen.

A lowly person is worried about unemployment, a middle-class man fears death, the highest fear dishonour.

While liquor certainly intoxicates, the desire to live a luxurious life intoxicates all the more.

Human body = chariot, soul = charioteer, sensory perceptions = horses. An ever-alert person who has reigned them, who is dexeterous/clever travels in joy and peace.

On speech:

• Silence > speech.

• Telling the truth > silence.

• Pleasant words > truth

• Speaking according to Dharma > pleasant words

These 17 men are led to hell by Yamraj messengers carrying snares:

• Those who challenge the sky with a fist

• Those who want to bend he unyielding rainbow and who want to catch sunbeams

• Those who rule over subjects unfit to be ruled

• Those who derive satisfaction crossing the limits of propriety (?)

• Those who stealthily serve the enemy

• Those who defend women of ill repute and expect favours in return

• Those who ask favours from another unworthy of granting a favour

• Those who sing their own praise and thinking born high, indulges in mean acts

• Though weak, they make enemy of the powerful

• Those who impart lessons to those who have no faith

• Those who crave for the undesirable

• A father-in-law who flirts with daughter-in-law, sleeps with her, and still fearlessly strives for recognition

• Those who cohabit with another’s wife

• Those who condemn a woman unnecessarily

• Those who want to usurp goods by denying their receipt

• Those having made a donation, boast of being charity-minded

• Those who try to prove a lie as truth

These 8 learned people go to heaven:

• Who obey elders

• Who follow Niti

• Who are charitable

• Who are satisfied with the remnants of the offerings of the Yajna meal

• Who renounce violence

• Who keep away from destructive activities

• Who are grateful

• Who are truthful and of mild nature