சாணக்ய நீதி - அஷ்டமோऽத்யாயஃ

The base-born seek wealth; the middling seek both wealth and respect; but the noble seek only respect, for respect is the true wealth of the great.

Even after consuming items such as sugarcane, water, milk, roots, betel leaves, fruits, or medicines, one must still perform prescribed duties such as bathing and offering charity.

A lamp consumes darkness and produces soot; similarly, a person’s offspring are shaped by the nature of the food they consume.

Bestow your wealth only upon the virtuous, not elsewhere. Consider how the water taken from the ocean is held by the clouds, becomes sweet, sustains all living beings on earth, and then returns to the ocean multiplied a million-fold.

One who is ignorant and lacks the wisdom of the truth is considered the lowest of the low; there is none lower than one who is devoid of such understanding.

A person is considered impure—like an outcaste—after an oil massage, exposure to funeral smoke, intimacy, or a haircut, until they have performed a ritual bath.

Water is medicinal when one suffers from indigestion, strength-giving when digestion is complete, nectar-like when consumed during a meal, and a destroyer of toxins when consumed after a meal.

Knowledge without application is useless; a man without knowledge is as if dead; an army without a leader is defeated; and women without the protection of a husband are considered lost.

The death of a wife in old age, wealth held in the hands of others, and dependence on others for food—these three are the greatest miseries of man.

The Vedas are incomplete without fire sacrifices, rituals are ineffective without charity, and spiritual success is impossible without sincere intent; therefore, the purity of intention is the primary cause of all success.

The Divine does not reside merely in wood, stone, or clay images. Spiritual accomplishment is not possible without sincerity of heart; therefore, it is the depth of one's devotion that is the true cause of realization.

By serving images made of wood, stone, or metal with sincere devotion and faith, one attains spiritual fulfillment through the grace of Lord Vishnu.

The Divine does not reside solely in wood, stone, or clay. The Divine dwells within the heart of the devotee; therefore, the feeling within is the true cause of His presence.

There is no penance equal to peace of mind, and there is no happiness greater than contentment. These are the true treasures, alongside virtuous children, a devoted spouse, and the company of the wise.

Virtue adorns beauty, and good character adorns one's lineage. Just as a crow perched atop a palace does not become an eagle, one cannot achieve greatness without inner merit.

Beauty is wasted without virtues; a noble lineage is wasted without good conduct; knowledge is wasted if it cannot be applied; and wealth is wasted if it is not enjoyed or put to good use.

Water found deep within the earth is pure; a woman devoted to her husband is pure; a king who ensures the welfare of his subjects is pure; and a Brahmin who is content is pure.

Brahmins are ruined if they lack contentment, and kings are ruined if they are too easily satisfied. A prostitute is ruined if she possesses modesty, just as a woman of noble family is ruined if she loses her sense of shame.

What use is a high lineage to a person devoid of knowledge? Even one born into a humble family is worshipped by the gods if they are learned and wise.

The learned person is praised in this world and honored everywhere. Through knowledge, one attains everything, for it is knowledge that is revered in all places.

The earth is burdened by those who consume meat, indulge in alcohol, and speak words devoid of sacred wisdom; they are merely animals in human form.

A kingdom without food brings ruin to the land, a priest without knowledge of sacred mantras brings ruin to the rites, and a donor who lacks charity brings ruin to himself; indeed, there is no greater enemy than a ritual performed without the essence of devotion.