Chanakya Neeti- Introduction and some thoughts

 श्रीः

Chanakya Neeti is a collection of thoughts written by the great philosopher and economist, Chanakya. Some thoughts from this text are as below-

      शैले शैले न माणिक्यं मौक्तिकं न गजे गजे।

      साधवो न हि सर्वत्र चन्दनं न वने वने।।

Meaning- A ruby is not available on every mountain. A pearl is not found in the temple of every elephant. Good people are not found everywhere ( just as) the sandalwood tree does not exist in every forest.

       अलसस्य कुतो विद्या अविद्यस्य कुतो धनम्।

       अधनस्य कुतो मित्रम् अमित्रस्य कुतः सुखम्।।

Meaning- How can a lazy (person) get knowledge? How can a person without knowledge get wealth? How can a person without wealth get a friend ? How can a person without a friend get happiness?

      कामधेनुगुणा विद्या ह्यकाले फलदायिनी ।

      प्रवासे मातृसदृशी विद्या गुप्तं धनं स्मृतम्।।

Meaning- Learning (Knowledge) has qualities like a divine cow that fulfills all desires. It is indeed fruitful at any time. While travelling , it is like the mother. Learning is considered to be secret wealth.

      अधमाः धनमिच्छन्ति धनं मानं च मध्यमा:।

      उत्तमाः मानमिच्छन्ति मानो हि महताम् धनम्।।

Meaning- An inferior person's desire is money. An average/mediocre person will desire money and respect. A great person desires respect (and not money). Respect is superior to money.

       सुश्रान्तोSपि वहेद् भारं शीतोष्णे न च पश्यति।

       सन्तुष्टश्चरते नित्यं त्रीणि शिक्षेत गर्दभात्।।

Meaning- A donkey will carry the load even when it is very tired. It does not bother about heat or cold. It moves about being contented. One should learn these three things from a donkey.

       उपसर्गेSन्यचक्रे च दुर्भिक्षे च भयावहे।

      असाधुजनसम्पर्के यः पलायेत्स जीवति।।

Meaning- He who runs away from sickness , invasion of enemy , terrible famine , and company of wicked people will survive.

     दारिद्र्यनाशनं दानं शीलं दुर्गतिनाशनं।

     अज्ञाननाशनं प्रज्ञा भावना भयनाशिनी॥

Meaning- Charity can wipe off poverty; Good conduct helps tide over bad times; Wisdom destroys ignorance; Right Attitude is the antidote to fear.

      प्रियवाक्यप्रदानेन सर्वे तुष्यन्ति जन्तवः।

       तस्मात्तदेव वक्तव्यं वचने का दारिद्रता।।

Meaning- All men are satisfied by the gift of kind (gentle) speech ( which is liked by all). Therefore such should be the speech. Why should there be scarcity of (kind and gentle words) in your speech?

बहाश्वी स्वल्पसंतुष्ट सुनिद्रो लघुचेतनः |

स्वामिभक्तश्च शूरश्च षडतो श्वानतो गुणोः ||

6 qualities that can be learnt from a dog

1) It eats heavily when food is available in plenty

2) But when food is scarce, it seems contented with the little available.

3) It seems to sleep deeply

4) But wakes up & gets alert on the slightest of disturbances

5) Always loyal to it's master

6) At the same time it is ferocious to enemies.