PANCHA TANTRA- SUBHASHITHANI-9

 SUBHASHITHANI:323

Damanaka mentioned that valour, education,and knowledge of science of serving as the three means to achieve greatness . He is continuing on the subject further and explains what are those things which will help remaining in high esteem of the king ( Raja vallabhah).

राजमातरि देव्यां च कुमारे मुख्यमन्त्रिणि ।
पुरोहिते प्रतीहारे सदा वर्तेत राजवत् ॥ ५३॥

rāja-mātari devyāṃ ca kumāre mukhya-mantriṇi |
purohite pratīhāre sadā varteta rājavat || 53 ||

One should consider king’s mother,his queens,his son, his prime-minister, his priest, and his door- keeper as equal to the king himself.

जीवेति प्रब्रुवन्प्रोक्तः कृत्याकृत्यविचक्षणः ।
करोति निर्विकल्पं यः स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५४॥

jīveti prabruvan proktaḥ kṛtyākṛtya-vicakṣaṇaḥ |
karoti nirvikalpaṃ yaḥ sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 54 ||

If a servant who knows what actions to be done and what should not , completes all the orders of the king without a flaw, and just says “long live” whenever addressed by the king , then he will be dearer to the king. 

( Here the word servant is used in the same sense we call all government officials as public servants )

प्रभुप्रसादजं वित्तं सुप्राप्तं यो निवेदयेत् ।
वस्त्राद्यं च दधत्यङ्गे स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५५॥

prabhu-prasādajaṃ vittaṃ suprāptaṃ yo nivedayet |
vastrādyaṃ ca dadhāty aṅge sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 55 ||

A servant who expresses his gratitude openly when he receives any gift from the king, and who wears the dress given by the king will become  dearer to the king.

अन्तःपुरचरैः सार्धं यो न मन्त्रं समाचरेत् ।
न कलत्रैर्नरेन्द्रस्य स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५६॥

antaḥ-pura-caraiḥ sārdhaṃ yo na mantraṃ samācaret |
na kalatrair narendrasya sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 56 ||

The servant who does not converse with the maids in harem or the queens become dearer to the king.

द्यूतं यो यमदूताभं हालां हालाहलोपमाम् ।
पश्येद्दारान्वृथाकारान्स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५७॥

dyūtaṃ yo yama-dūtābhaṃ hālāṃ hālāhalopamam |
paśyed dārān vṛthākārān sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 57 ||

The servant who looks at gambling as death’s ambassador ( Yama dhootas) ,wine like deadly poison, and the queens like lifeless pictures will become dearer to the king.

युद्धकालेऽग्रणीर्यः स्यात्सदा पृष्ठानुगः पुरे ।
प्रभोर्द्वाराश्रितो हर्म्ये स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५८॥

yuddha-kāle'graṇīr yaḥ syāt sadā pṛṣṭhānugaḥ pure |
prabhor dvārāśrito harmye sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 58 ||

He who stands in the front at the time of war ,who follows at the back when in city, who stands at the door in harem ,he will become dearer to the king.

सम्मतोऽहं विभोर्नित्यमिति मत्वा व्यतिक्रमेत् ।
कृच्छ्रेष्वपि न मर्यादां स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ५९

sammato 'haṃ vibhor nityam iti matvā vyatikramet |
kṛcchreṣv api na maryādāṃ sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 59 ||

He who does not transgress the bounds of his duty even when in difficulties, thinking that he is ever in the high esteem with the king; Thus he will be dearer to the king.

द्वेषिद्वेषपरो नित्यमिष्टानामिष्टकर्मकृत् ।
यो नरो नरनाथस्य स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ६०॥

dveṣi-dveṣa-paro nityam iṣṭānām iṣṭa-karma-kṛt |
yo naro nara-nāthasya sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 60 ||

He who maintains hatred towards the kings enemies ,pleases with his actions those who are favoured by the king , will become dearer to the king.

प्रोक्तः प्रत्युत्तरं नाह विरुद्धं प्रभुणा च यः ।
न समीपे हसत्युच्चैः स भवेद्राजवल्लभः ॥ ६१॥

proktaḥ pratyuttaraṃ nāha viruddhaṃ prabhunā na yaḥ |
na samīpe hasaty uccaiḥ sa bhaved rāja-vallabhaḥ || 61 ||

He who does not say anything against what has been told by the king ,who does not laugh loudly standing near him will become dearer to the king.

செவிச்சொல்லும் சேர்ந்த நகையும் அவித்தொழுகல்
ஆன்ற பெரியா ரகத்து.-Thirukkural694

While in the presence of the sovereign, ministers should neither whisper to nor smile at others.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

PANCHA TANTRA- SUBHASHITHANI-8

 SUBHASHITHANI:322

Karataka asked -" How do you know the king is frightened?
Damanaka replied - What is there to know? It is said :

उदीरितोऽर्थः पशुनापि गृह्यते
           हयाश्च नागाश्च वहन्ति चोदिताः ।
अनुक्तमप्यूहति पण्डितो जनः
           परेङ्गितज्ञानफला हि बुद्धयः ॥ ४४॥

udīrito 'rthaḥ paśunāpi gṛhate hayāś ca nāgāś ca vahanti coditāḥ |
anuktam apy ūhati paṇḍito janaḥ pareṅgita-jñāna-phjalā hi buddhayaḥ || 44 ||

Even animals can sort of make out the meanings of the word uttered. The horses and elephants do as directed. Learned man can understand words not spoken outwardly. The brains are designed to understand the signs made by others.

आकारैरिङ्गितैर्गत्या चेष्टया भाषणेन च ।
नेत्रवक्त्रविकारैश्च लक्ष्यतेऽन्तर्गतं मनः ॥ ४५॥
ākārair iṅgitair gatyā ceṣṭayā bhāṣaṇena ca |
netra-vaktra-vikāraiś ca lakṣyate'ntargataṃ manaḥ || 45 ||

It is easy to read the minds of others through appearance,signs, gait, action, speech, and the changes observed in the eyes and face. Therefore I will approach the frightened king and remove his fear using my intellectual prowess and bring him under my control and get back my minister's post. ( This is a quotation from Manu smruti 8.26)

Damanaka goes on to explain "the science of service"-

( Service here is used in the same sense we use in IAS,IPS- Indian administrative service etc )

सुवर्णपुष्पितां पृथ्वीं विचिन्वन्ति नरास्त्रयः ।
शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च यश्च जानाति सेवितुम् ॥ ४६॥

suvarṇa-puṣpitāṃ pṛthvīṃ vicinvanti narās trayaḥ |
śūraś ca kṛta-vidyaś ca yaś ca jānāti sevitum || 46 ||
These three kinds of people alone can ever own the earth filled with flowers of gold; The valorous , the learned, and the one who knows the science of serving.

सा सेवा या प्रभुहिता ग्राह्या वाक्यविशेषतः ।
आश्रयेत्पार्थिवं विद्वांस्तद्द्वारेणैव नान्यथा ॥ ४७

sā sevā yā prabhu-hitā grāhyā vākya-viśeṣataḥ |
āśrayet pārthivaṃ vidvāṃs tad-dvāreṇaiva nānyathā || 47 ||
That alone is considered as the mode of service which is conducive to the welfare of the master, And a man knowing this principle should resort to a king through that channel alone and no other.

यो न वेत्ति गुणान्यस्य न तं सेवेत पण्डितः ।
न हि तस्मात्फलं किञ्चित्सुकृष्टादूषरादिव ॥ ४८॥

yo na vetti guṇān yasya na taṃ seveta paṇḍitaḥ |
na hi tasmāt phalaṃ kiñcit sukṛṣṭād ūṣarād iva || 48 ||

An intelligent man should not serve a person who does not recognise his talents. It will be fruitless like cultivating a barren land.

द्रव्यप्रकृतिहीनोऽपि सेव्यः सेव्यगुणान्वितः ।
भवत्याजीवनं तस्मात्फलं कालान्तरादपि ॥ ४९॥

dravya-kṛti-hīno 'pi sevyaḥ sevya-guṇānvitaḥ |
bhavaty ājīvanaṃ tasmāt phalaṃ kālāntarād api || 49 ||

One endowed with the qualities of a true master should be served even though destitute of wealth and ministers. The service will definitely  bear fruits  and will last as long as life endures, although after a lapse of time.

अपि स्थाणुवदासीनः शुष्यन्परिगतः क्षुधा ।
न त्वेवानात्मसम्पन्नाद्वृत्तिमीहेत पण्डितः ॥ ५०॥
api sthāṇuvad āsīnaḥ śuṣyan parigataḥ kṣudhā |
na tv ajñānātma-sampannād vṛttim īhate paṇḍitaḥ || 50 ||

A wise man, although he  has to sit idle like a pillar  and gets lean being oppressed with hunger , should not seek livelihood from an unprincipled master.

सेवकः स्वामिनं द्वेष्टि कृपणं परुषाक्षरम् ।
आत्मानं किं स न द्वेष्टि सेव्यासेव्यं न वेत्ति यः ॥ ५१॥

sevakaḥ svāminaṃ dveṣṭi kṛpaṇaṃ paruṣākṣaram |
ātmānaṃ kiṃ sa na dveṣṭi sevyāsevyaṃ na vetti yaḥ || 51 |

A servant dislikes a master who is niggardly and abuses him in harsh words; Why should he not blame himself since he does not know whom to serve or not to serve?

यमाश्रित्य न विश्रामं क्षुधार्ता यान्ति सेवकाः ।
सोऽर्कवन्नृपतिस्त्याज्यः सदा पुष्पफलोऽपि सन् ॥ ५२॥

yasyāśritya viśrāmaṃ kṣudhārtā yānti sevakāḥ |
so 'rkavan nṛpatis tyājyaḥ sadā puṣpa-phalo 'pi san || 52 ||

Servants should give up a king ,though he may be possessed of wealth and resources, approaching whom they do not find a comfortable living, as hungry travellers resorting to an Arka plant leave it ,not finding relief, although it is always endowed with flowers and fruits.

நச்சப் படாதவன் செல்வம் நடுவூருள்
நச்சு மரம்பழுத் தற்று.Thirukkual-1008

The wealth of him who is disliked by all,  is like the fruit-bearing of the etty tree( a poisonous tree)  in the midst of a town.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH

 

PANCHA TANTRA- SUBHASHITHANI-7

 SUBHASHITHANI:321

The dialogue between the two foxes Damanaka and Karataka continues. Karataka had mentioned that it would be sensible not to poke one's nose in matters unconnected. Damanaka is replying how it is important to be in close proximity of those in power and how it is not difficult for an intelligent person to achieve this. Slokas on need to be in the good books of the king is explained beautifully:

कोपप्रसादवस्तूनि ये विचिन्वन्ति सेवकाः ।
आरोहन्ति शनैः पश्चाद्धुन्वन्तमपि पार्थिवम् ॥ ३७॥

kopa-prasāda-vastūni ye vicinvanti sevakāḥ |
ārohanti śanaiḥ paścād dhunvantam api pārthivam || 37 ||

These servants who seek( ascertain )  the causes of the royal displeasure or favour gradually gain ascendancy even over a king who is haughty.

विद्यावतां महेच्छानां शिल्पविक्रमशालिनाम् ।
सेवावृत्तिविदां चैव नाश्रयः पार्थिवं विना ॥ ३८॥

vidyāvatāṃ mahecchānāṃ śilpa-vikrama-śālinām |
sevā-vṛtti-vidāṃ caiva nāśrayaḥ pārthivaṃ vinā || 38 ||
There is no other resort than a king to those who are possessed of learning , who have lofty aims (ambition), who are distinguished for their artistic skills, and valour, and who know how to serve.

வானோக்கி வாழும் உலகெல்லாம் மன்னவன்
கோல்நோக்கி வாழுங் குடி.-Thirukkural 542

The world look up to the rain-cloud for life; even so do men look up to the king for protection and prosperity.

ये जात्यादिमहोत्साहान्नरेन्द्रान्नोपयान्ति च ।
तेषामामरणं भिक्षा प्रायश्चित्तं विनिर्मितम् ॥ ३९॥

ye jāty-ādi-mahotsāhān narendrān nopayānti ca |
teṣām āmaraṇaṃ bhikṣā prāyaścittaṃ vinirmitam || 39 ||

Those who keep away from the king being proud of their family and caste are destined to beg all through their lives.

ये च प्राहुर्दुरात्मानो दुराराध्या महीभुजः ।
प्रमादालस्यजाड्यानि ख्यापितानि निजानि तैः ॥ ४०॥

ye ca prāhur durātmāno durārādhyā mahībhujaḥ |
pramādālasya-jāḍyāni khyāpitāni nijāni taiḥ || 40 ||
Those fools who say that kings are difficult to please are only making an exhibition of their own incompetence and laziness.

सर्पान्व्याघ्रान्गजान्सिंहान् दृष्टोपायैर्वशीकृतान् ।
राजेति कियती मात्रा धीमतामप्रमादिनाम् ॥ ४१॥

sarpān vyāghrān gajān siṃhān dṛṣṭvopāyair vaśīkṛtān |
rājeti kiyatī mātrā dhīmatām apramādinām || 41 ||

After observing serpents, tigers, elephants, and lions getting controlled ,what is a king for the “intelligent” one acting with care?

राजानमेव संश्रित्य विद्वान्याति परां गतिम् ।
विना मलयमन्यत्र चन्दनं न प्ररोहति ॥ ४२॥

rājānam eva saṃśritya vidvān yāti parāṃ gatim |
vinā malayam anyatra candanaṃ na prarohati || 42 ||

Taking shelter under the king alone the intelligent man reaches great heights. The sandal wood tree does not grow anywhere else but in the Malaya mountain.

धवलान्यातपत्राणि वाजिनश्च मनोरमाः ।
सदा मत्ताश्च मातङ्गाः प्रसन्ने सति भूपतौ ॥ ४३॥

dhavalāny ātapatrāṇi vājinaś ca manoramāḥ |
sadā mattāś ca mātaṅgāḥ prasanne sati bhūpatau || 43 ||

One always gets the white royal umbrella, horses, and elephants when the king is pleased.

SRI KRISHNAYA THUBHYAM NAMAH