Simhasanadvatrimshika 18.p1

18.p1

punar api rājā yāvat siṃhāsana upaviśati, tāvad anyā puttalikā bhaṇati: bho rājan, yasya vikramasyau 'dāryādayo guṇā bhavanti, tenai 'va siṃhāsanam adhyāsitavyam. rājño 'ktam: kathaya tasyau 'dāryādivṛttāntam. puttalikā 'bravīt: bho rājan, śrūyatām. vikramārko nītim ullaṅghya rājyaṃ na karoti, dharmam api na tyajati. rājño 'ktam: sa nītimārgaḥ kathyatām. puttalikā vadati: bho rājan, śrūyatām. maṇipūre govindaśarmā brāhmaṇaḥ; sa ca nītiśāstrajñaḥ svaputrāya pratidinaṃ nītiśāstraṃ kathayati; tadā mayā 'pi śrutam, tat tubhyaṃ nivedayāmi. rājño 'ktam: nirūpaya. puttalikayo 'ktam: śrūyatāṃ rājan. buddhimatā puruṣeṇa durjanaiḥ saha saṅgo na kartavyaḥ; yato mahānarthaparaṃparāyā hetur bhavati. uktaṃ ca: durvṛttasaṃgatir anarthaparaṃparāyā hetuḥ satām; adhigataṃ vacanīyam atra:

When the king once more was ascending the throne, another statue said: "O king, only one who has the magnanimity and other virtues of Vikrama may ascend this throne." The king said: "Tell me a tale of his magnanimity and the like." And the statue said: "Hear, O king. Vikramārka governed his kingdom without transgressing the rules of good policy; nor did he forsake religion." The king said: "Tell me what this path of good policy is." The statue said: "O king, listen. In the city of Maṇipūra there was a brahman named Govindaçarman, who knew the science of policy, and told it every day to his son. At that time I also heard it, and I will now tell it to you." The king said: "Do so." And the statue said: "Hear, O king.

A wise man should not associate with rogues, since that is the cause of a whole series of grave misfortunes. And it is said: 1. Association with evil men is the cause of a whole series of misfortunes to the good; let me here make known what I have learned. The Lord of Ceylon [the demon Rāvaṇa] carried off the wife of Rāma, and therefore the southern ocean was bound fast [bridged]. Therefore associate with good men. There is no more profitable thing in the world than association with the good. And it is said: 2. Intercourse with the good blossoms abundantly with bliss, and puts to shame the charms of gentle breezes, of the moon, or of sandalwood perfume; it brings joy to languishing hearts, and produces riches also. Furthermore, entertain no hostility for any one, and do not afflict others. Do not punish servants without offense. Do not put away your wife except for a serious sin; since (by doing so) one goes to an endless hell. And it is said: 3. He shall go to an endless hell who puts away a wife who is obedient, industrious, the mother of sons, and pleasant-spoken, and against whom no sin is proved. Think not that Fortune is stable, for she is unstable as water. And it is said: 4. Enjoy and give away your possessions, honor the honorable, and cherish the good. Fortune is as unstable as the flame of a lamp fluttering in a very strong wind.