[Pramāṇa](https://indike.org/pramana/) › [Indian literature](https://indike.org/pramana/in) › [Epic, Poetry, Drama & Narrative](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit) › [Story collections and fables](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories) › [Bhojaprabandha](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha) › [English (machine translation)](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt) › 17 # Bhojaprabandha 17 English (machine translation) 17 - **Language:** English ### [17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt.17) "A wise man should not undertake deeds that bear no fruit, that end disastrously, / whose fruit is equal only to the cost, or that are impossible." .. 16 .. (1) Envy is the pointing out of faults in virtues. Bhojaprabandha 7 \[Hindi commentary:\] What more—time destroys the wealth of a man who does not swiftly perform what is to be received, given, or done. A wise man should attain his own purpose by accepting humiliation and not minding honor; for bending to self-interest is not folly. A wise man should not lose much for the sake of little. Saving much at the cost of little is indeed great wisdom. The man who does not destroy an enemy or disease as soon as it arises, even if possessed of very strong limbs, is slain by that enemy or disease later on. Just as streams of water can do nothing to a man carrying an umbrella in his hand, even so united enemies can do nothing to a man whose body is guarded by intellect. A wise man should not begin an action that is fruitless, difficult to accomplish, in which loss and gain are equal, or which cannot be done. And then, deliberating thus without eating, in the third watch of the day, having held counsel entirely alone, he sent his personal bodyguard to summon the mighty Vatsarāja, ruler of the country of Baṅga. And that bodyguard, approaching Vatsarāja, said: "The king summons you." Thereupon he, having mounted his chariot and surrounded by his retinue, arrived, descended from the chariot, looked upon the king, made obeisance, and sat down. \[Hindi commentary:\] Then, thinking in this manner, without eating or drinking anything, the king alone, having held counsel, in the third watch of the day sent his bodyguard to summon the mighty Vatsarāja, ruler of the country of Baṅga. Reaching Vatsarāja, that bodyguard said, "The king summons you." So he, riding a chariot with his retinue, arrived, descended from the chariot, saw the king, made obeisance, and sat down. And the king, having cleared the palace of people, said to Vatsarāja: "Even when pleased, a king grants only honor to his servants; / but they, honored, assist him even with their lives. .. 17 .. - [Previous: 15](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt.15) - [Next: 18](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt.18) --- Source: [https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt.17](https://indike.org/pramana/in.lit.short_stories.bhojaprabandha~en-mt.17) · Pramāṇa