1.3.8 The Extirpation of Desire
361 The wise declare, through all the days, to every living thing. That ceaseless round of birth from seed of strong desire doth spring. (The wise) say that the seed, which produces unceasing births, at all times, to all creatures, is desire.
362 If desire you feel, freedom from changing birth require! ‘I’ will come, if you desire to ‘scape, set free from all desire. If anything be desired, freedom from births should be desired; that (freedom from births) will be attained by desiring to be without desire.
363 No glorious wealth is here like freedom from desire; To bliss like this not even there can soul aspire. There is in this world no excellence equal to freedom from desire; and even in that world, there is nothing like it.
364 Desire’s decease as purity men know; That, too, from yearning search for truth will grow. Purity (of mind) consists in freedom from desire; and that (freedom from desire) is the fruit of the love of truth.
365 Men freed from bonds of strong desire are free; None other share such perfect liberty. They are said to be free (from future birth) who are freed from desire; all others (who, whatever else they may be free from, are not freed from desire) are not thus free.
366 Desire each soul beguiles; True virtue dreads its wiles. It is the chief duty of (an ascetic) to watch against desire with (jealous) fear; for it has power to deceive (and destroy) him.
367 Who thoroughly rids his life of passion-prompted deed, Deeds of unfailing worth shall do, which, as he plans, succeed. If a man thoroughly cut off all desire, the deeds, which confer immortality, will come to him, in the path in which he seeks them.
368 Affliction is not known where no desires abide; Where these are, endless rises sorrow’s tide. There is no sorrow to those who are without desire; but where that is, (sorrow) will incessantly come, more and more.
369 When dies away desire, that woe of woes Ev’n here the soul unceasing rapture knows. Even while in this body, joy will never depart (from the mind, in which) desire, that sorrow of sorrows, has been destroyed.
370 Drive from thy soul desire insatiate; Straight’way is gained the moveless blissful state. The removal of desire, whose nature it is never to be satisfied, will immediately confer a nature that can never be changed.
Fate 1.4.1
371 Wealth-giving fate power of unflinching effort brings; From fate that takes away idle remissness springs. Perseverance comes from a prosperous fate, and idleness from an adverse fate.
372 The fate that loss ordains makes wise men’s wisdom foolishness; The fate that gain bestows with ampler powers will wisdom bless. An adverse fate produces folly, and a prosperous fate produces enlarged knowledge.
373 In subtle learning manifold though versed man be, ‘The wisdom, truly his, will gain supremacy. Although (a man) may study the most polished treatises, the knowledge which fate has decreed to him will still prevail.
374 Two fold the fashion of the world: some live in fortune’s light; While other some have souls in wisdom’s radiance bright. There are (through fate) two different natures in the world, hence the difference (observable in men) in (their acquisition of) wealth, and in their attainment of knowledge.
375 All things that good appear will oft have ill success; All evil things prove good for gain of happiness. In the acquisition of property, every thing favourable becomes unfavourable, and (on the other hand) everything unfavourable becomes favourable, (through the power of fate).
376 Things not your own will yield no good, howe’er you guard with pain; Your own, howe’er you scatter them abroad, will yours remain. Whatever is not conferred by fate cannot be preserved although it be guarded with most painful care; and that, which fate has made his, cannot be lost, although one should even take it and throw it away.
377 Save as the ‘sharer’ shares to each in due degree, To those who millions store enjoyment scarce can be. Even those who gather together millions will only enjoy them, as it has been determined by the disposer (of all things).
378 The destitute with ascetics merit share, If fate to visit with predestined ills would spare. The destitute will renounce desire (and become ascetics), if (fate) do not make them suffer the hindrances to which they are liable, and they pass away. 4 7
379 When good things come, men view them all as gain; When evils come, why then should they complain? How is it that those, who are pleased with good fortune, trouble themselves when evil comes, (since both are equally the decree of fate) ?
380 -T What powers so great as those of Destiny? Man’s skill Some other thing contrives; but fate’s beforehand still. What is stronger than fate ? If we think of an expedient (to avert it), it will itself be with us before (the thought). ——- 48 PART II. WEALTH 2.1
Royalty 2.1.1 The Greatness of a King
381 An army, people, wealth, a minister, friends, fort: six things Who owns them all, a lion lives amid the kings. He who possesses these six things, an army, a people, wealth, ministers, friends and a fortress, is a lion among kings.
382 Courage, a liberal hand, wisdom, and energy: these four Are qualities a king adorn for evermore. Never to fail in these four things, fearlessness, liberality, wisdom, and energy, is the kingly character.
383 A sleepless promptitude, knowledge, decision strong: These three for aye to rulers of the land belong. These three things, viz., vigilance, learning, and bravery, should never be wanting in the ruler of a country.
384 Kingship, in virtue failing not, all vice restrains, In courage failing not, it honour’s grace maintains. He is a king who, with manly modesty, swerves not from virtue, and refrains from vice.
385 A king is he who treasure gains, stores up, defends, And duly for his kingdom’s weal expends. He is a king who is able to acquire (wealth), to lay it up, to guard, and to distribute it.
386 Where king is easy of access, where no harsh word repels, That land’s high praises every subject swells. The whole world will exalt the country of the king who is easy of access, and who is free from harsh language.
387 With pleasant speech, who gives and guards with powerful liberal hand, He sees the world obedient all to his command. The world will praise and submit itself to the mind of the king who is able to give with affability, and to protect all who come to him.
388 Who guards the realm and justice strict maintains, That king as god o’er subject people reigns. 49 That king, will be esteemed a God among men, who performs his own duties, and protects (his subjects).
389 The king of worth, who can words bitter to his ear endure, Beneath the shadow of his power the world abides secure. The whole world will dwell under the umbrella of the king, who can bear words that embitter the ear.
390 Gifts, grace, right sceptre, care of people’s weal; These four a light of dreaded kings reveal. He is the light of kings who has there four things, beneficence, benevolence, rectitude, and care for his people.