Introduction to the Hitopadesha - Set Text

Question 1

अस्ति भागीरथीतीरे पाटलिपुत्रनामधेयं नगरम् । तत्र सर्वस्वामिगुणोपेतः सुदर्शनो नाम नरपतिरासीत् । स भूपतिरेकदा केनापि पठ्यमानं श्लोकद्वयं शुश्राव ।

Answer 1

There was on the banks of the Bhāgīrathī a city named Pāṭaliputra. There was a king named Sudarśana, who was possessed of every lordly virtue. That king once heard two verses being recited by someone.

Question 2

अनेकसंशयोच्छेदि परोक्षार्थस्य दर्शकम् ।

सर्वस्य लोचनं शास्त्रं यस्य नास्त्यन्ध एव सः ॥

Answer 2

The resolver of many doubts, the revealer of invisible objects, the eye of all, is true learning; he for whom that is not the case, is blind.

Question 3

यौवनं धनसंपत्तिः प्रभुत्वमविवेकता ।

एकैकमप्यनर्थाय किं पुनस्तु चतुष्टयम् ॥

Answer 3

Youth, riches, power and inconsiderateness even singly lead to disadvantage, but how much more when the four are united?

Question 4

इत्याकर्ण्यात्मनः पुत्राणामनधिगतशास्त्राणां नित्यमुन्मार्गगामिनां शास्त्राननुष्ठानेनोद्विग्नमनाः स राजा चिन्तयामास ।

Answer 4

Having heard this, that king, distressed in mind by the inattention to learning of his own sons who were unread in literature and always following improper courses, reflected:

Question 5

कोऽर्थः पुत्रेण जातेन यो न विद्वान्न धार्मिकः ।

काणेन चक्षुषा किं वा चक्षुःपीडैव केवलम् ॥

Answer 5

What benefit is there through a son who is born neither wise not virtuous? What is the use of a sightless eye? Truly such an eye is only trouble.

Question 6

एतच्चिन्तयित्वा स राजा पण्डितसभां कारितवान् । राजोवाच । भो भोः पण्डिताः । श्रुयताम् । अस्ति कश्चिदेवंभूतो विद्वान्यो मम पुत्राणां नित्यमुन्मार्गगामिनामनधिगतशास्त्रानामिदानीं नीतिशास्त्रोपदेशेन पुनर्जन्म कारयितुं समर्थः ।

Answer 6

Having reflected thus, the king arranged an assembly of the learned. The king said, “O wise men, listen! Is there anyone so learned who is able now, by instruction in moral conduct, to bring about the regeneration of my continually wayward and ignorant sons?”

Question 7

यतः ।
काचः काञ्चनसंसर्गाद्धत्ते मारकतीं द्युतिम् ।
तथा सत्संनिधानेन मूर्खो याति प्रवीणताम् ॥

Answer 7

“For: glass by association with gold acquires an emerald lustre; so, by proximity to the good, a fool attains cleverness.”

Question 8

उक्तं च ।
हीयते हि मतिस्तात हीनैः सह समागमात् ।
समैश्च समतामेति विशिष्टैश्च विशिष्टताम् ॥

Answer 8

“And it is said: the mind is indeed lowered, O son, from association with the low; with equals it reaches equality; but with those who are distinguished it attains distinction.”

Question 9

अत्रान्तरे विष्णुशर्मनामा महापण्डितः सकलनीतिशास्त्रतत्त्वज्ञो बृहस्पतिरिवाब्रवीत् । देव । महाकुलसंभूता एते राजपुत्राः । तन्मया नीतिं ग्राहयितुं शक्यन्ते ॥

Answer 9

Hereupon a great scholar named Viṣṇuśarman, like Bṛhaspati, conversant with the gist of all books on policy said, “Sire! These princes have been born in a high family. They are able to learn that moral conduct through me.”