Agni is the worshipable person for the twice-born; the brahmana for the other castes; the husband for the wife; and the guest who comes for food at the midday meal for all.
As gold is tested in four ways by rubbing, cutting, heating and beating - - so a man should be tested by these four things: his renunciation, his conduct, his qualities and his actions.
निःस्पृहः न अधिकारी स्यात् न अकामः मण्डन-प्रियः ।
न अविदग्धः प्रियम् ब्रूयात् स्पष्ट-वक्ता न वञ्चकः ॥ ०५ ॥
TRANSLITERATION
niḥspṛhaḥ na adhikārī syāt na akāmaḥ maṇḍana-priyaḥ .
na avidagdhaḥ priyam brūyāt spaṣṭa-vaktā na vañcakaḥ .. 05 ..
ENGLISH MEANING
He whose hands are clean does not like to hold an office; he who desires nothing cares not for bodily decorations; he who is only partially educated cannot speak agreeably; and he who speaks out plainly cannot be a deceiver.
Indolent application ruins study; money is lost when entrusted to others; a farmer who sows his seed sparsely is ruined; and an army is lost for want of a commander.
Learning is retained through putting into practice; family prestige is maintained through good behaviour; a respectable person is recognised by his excellent qualities; and anger is seen in the eyes.
अन्यथा वेद-शास्त्राणि ज्ञान-पाण्डित्यम् अन्यथा ।
अन्यथा तत् पदम् शान्तम् लोकाः क्लिश्यन्ति च अह्नि अथा ॥ १० ॥
TRANSLITERATION
anyathā veda-śāstrāṇi jñāna-pāṇḍityam anyathā .
anyathā tat padam śāntam lokāḥ kliśyanti ca ahni athā .. 10 ..
ENGLISH MEANING
Those who blaspheme Vedic wisdom, who ridicule the life style recommended in the satras, and who deride men of peaceful temperament, come to grief unnecessarily.
A man is born alone and dies alone; and he experiences the good and bad consequences of his karma alone; and he goes alone to hell or the Supreme abode
Heaven is but a straw to him who knows spiritual life; so is life to a valiant man; a woman to him who has subdued his senses; and the universe to him who is without attachment for the world.
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानं समर्थस्य वृथा दीपो दिवापि च ॥ १६ ॥
PADACHEDA
वृथा वृष्टिः समुद्रेषु वृथा तृप्तस्य भोजनम् ।
वृथा दानम् समर्थस्य वृथा दीपः दिवा अपि च ॥ १६ ॥
TRANSLITERATION
vṛthā vṛṣṭiḥ samudreṣu vṛthā tṛptasya bhojanam .
vṛthā dānam samarthasya vṛthā dīpaḥ divā api ca .. 16 ..
ENGLISH MEANING
Rain which falls upon the sea is useless; so is food for one who is satiated; in vain is a gift for one who is wealthy; and a burning lamp during the daytime is useless.
चला लक्ष्मीश्चलाः प्राणाश्चले जीवितमन्दिरे ।
चलाचले च संसारे धर्म एको हि निश्चलः ॥ २० ॥
PADACHEDA
चला लक्ष्मीः चलाः प्राणाः चले जीवित-मन्दिरे ।
चल-अचले च संसारे धर्मः एकः हि निश्चलः ॥ २० ॥
TRANSLITERATION
calā lakṣmīḥ calāḥ prāṇāḥ cale jīvita-mandire .
cala-acale ca saṃsāre dharmaḥ ekaḥ hi niścalaḥ .. 20 ..
ENGLISH MEANING
The wealth is unsteady and it is bound to leave at sometime, and so is the breath of this life. The duration of life is uncertain, and the place of habitation is uncertain; but in all this inconsistent world, the righteous action alone is immovable.
जनिता चोपनेता च यस्तु विद्यां प्रयच्छति ।
अन्नदाता भयत्राता पञ्चैते पितरः स्मृताः ॥ २२ ॥
PADACHEDA
जनिता च उपनेता च यः तु विद्याम् प्रयच्छति ।
अन्न-दाता भय-त्राता पञ्चा एते पितरः स्मृताः ॥ २२ ॥
TRANSLITERATION
janitā ca upanetā ca yaḥ tu vidyām prayacchati .
anna-dātā bhaya-trātā pañcā ete pitaraḥ smṛtāḥ .. 22 ..
ENGLISH MEANING
These five are your fathers; he who gave you birth, girdled you with sacred thread, teaches you, provides you with food, and protects you from fearful situations.