TWENTY VIRTUES FOR SUCCESS – Chankya Niti

SUBHASHITHAM: 043

सिंहादेकं बकादेकं शिक्षेच्चत्वारि कुक्कुटात्।  

 वायसात्पञ्च शिक्षेच्च षट् शुनस्त्रीणि गर्दभात्॥

Simhadekam, bhakaadekam, shiksheth chatvaari kukkutaat I 

Vaayasaat pancha shikshecha shat shunas threeni gardabhaat II

One should learn one lesson each from lion and crane, four lessons from fowl, five lessons from crow, six from dog and three from donkey.

प्रवृत्तं कार्यमल्पं वा यो नर: कर्तुमिच्छति I  

 सर्वारम्भेण तत्कार्यं सिंहादेकं प्रचक्षते॥

Pravruttam kaaryamalpam vaa yo nar: kartumichati I 

Sarvaarambhena tatkaaryam simhadekam prachakshate II

One ought to learn the following virtue from Lion: Once a work is begun , one must put maximum effort to complete it whether the work is small or big.

इन्द्रियाणि च संयम्य बकवत्पण्डितो नरः। 

देशकालः बलं ज्ञात्वा सर्वकार्याणि साधयेत्॥

Indriyaani cha samyamya Bhakavath pandito nara: I

 Desa kala: balam gyathva sarvakarmaani saadhayet II

A wise man, having controlled his senses like crane , ought to perform his duties knowing the Time, Place and Strength.

सुश्रान्तोऽपि वहेद् भारं शीतोष्णं न पश्यति।

सन्तुष्टश्चरतो नित्यं त्रीणि शिक्षेच्च गर्दभात्॥

Sushraantopi vahed bharam seethoshnam na pasyati I 

Santushtascharati nityam thrini siksheth gardabhat. II

One ought to learn from a Donkey the virtues of carrying load even when one is tired, not caring about heat and cold and always being contented.

प्रत्युत्थानं च युद्धं च संविभागश्च बन्धुषु।   

 स्वयमाक्रम्य भोक्तं च शिक्षेच्चत्वारि कुक्कुटात्॥

Pratyutthanam cha yuddham cha samvibhagascha bandushu I 

Svayamaakramya bhoktham cha siksheth chattvaari Kukkutaat. II

One ought to learn from a domestic fowl the virtues of getting up early in the morning, fighting, sharing food with near and dear ones and toiling for one’s livelihood.

गूढ मैथुनकारित्वं काले काले च संग्रहम्।    

अप्रमत्तवचनमविश्वासं पञ्च शिक्षेच्च वायसात्॥

Goota maithunakaarithvam kaale kaale cha samgraham I 

Appramattha vachanam avisvaasam pancha siksheth vaayasaat II

Five things have to be learnt from a crow : Copulating secretly, alertness, Stocking food etc for bad times. I  Making noise to gather people around and not trusting anyone. II

वह्वशी स्वल्पसन्तुष्टः सुनिद्रो लघुचेतनः।   

 स्वामिभक्तश्च शूरश्च षडेते श्वानतो गुणाः॥

Bhahvaasi svalpasantushta: sunidro laghu chetana: I  

Swami bhakthischa soorascha shadethe svaanato gunaa: II

Six virtues have to be learnt from a Dog: To eat large quantities when food is available, to be content with very little food, to have deep sleep, to awaken easily, devotion to master and valour.

स एतान् विंशति गुणान्आचरिष्यति मानव: I   

कार्यावस्थाषु सर्वासु विजयी संभविष्यति  II

Sa ethan vimsati gunaan aacharishyati maanava: I  

Kaaryaavasthashu sarvaasu vijayee sambhavishyati II

That person who cultivates these twenty virtues , will attain success in all his ventures.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH