2.3.3. Way of Accumulating Wealth
751 Nothing exists save wealth, that can Change man of nought to worthy man. Besides wealth there is nothing that can change people of no importance into those of (some) importance.
752 Those who have nought all will despise; All raise the wealthy to the skies. All despise the poor; (but) all praise the rich.
753 Wealth, the lamp unfailing, speeds to every land, Dispersing darkness at its lord’s command. The imperishable light of wealth goes into regions desired (by its owner) and destroys the darkness (of enmity therein).
754 Their wealth, who blameless means can use aright, Is source of virtue and of choice delight. The wealth acquired with a knowledge of the proper means and without foul practices will yield virtue and happiness.
755 Wealth gained by loss of love and grace, Let man cast off from his embrace. (Kings) should rather avoid than seek the accumulation of wealth which does not flow in with mercy and love.
756 92 Wealth that falls to him as heir, wealth from the kingdom’s dues, The spoils of slaughtered foes; these are the royal revenues. Unclaimed wealth, wealth acquired by taxes, and wealth (got) by conquest of foes are (all) the wealth of the king.
757 ‘Tis love that kindliness as offspring bears: And wealth as bounteous nurse the infant rears. The child mercy which is borne by love grows under the care of the rich nurse of wealth.
758 As one to view the strife of elephants who takes his stand, On hill he’s climbed, is he who works with money in his hand. An undertaking of one who has wealth in one’s hands is like viewing an elephant-fight from a hill-top.
759 Make money! Foeman’s insolence o’ergrown To lop away no keener steel is known. Accumulate wealth; it will destroy the arrogance of (your) foes; there is no weapon sharper than it.
760 Who plenteous store of glorious wealth have gained, By them the other two are easily obtained. To those who have honestly acquired an abundance of riches, the other two, (virtue and pleasure) are things easy (of acquisition).
2.3.4. The Excellence of an Army
761 A conquering host, complete in all its limbs, that fears no wound, Mid treasures of the king is chiefest found. The army which is complete in (its) parts and conquers without fear of wounds is the chief wealth of the king.
762 In adverse hour, to face undaunted might of conquering foe, Is bravery that only veteran host can show. Ancient army can alone have the valour which makes it stand by its king at the time of defeat, fearless of wounds and unmindful of its reduced strength.
763 Though, like the sea, the angry mice send forth their battle cry; What then? The dragon breathes upon them, and they die! What if (a host of) hostile rats roar like the sea ? They will perish at the mere breath of the cobra.
764 That is a host, by no defeats, by no desertions shamed, For old hereditary courage famed. That indeed is an army which has stood firm of old without suffering destruction or deserting (to the enemy). 93
765 That is a ‘host’ that joins its ranks, and mightily withstands, Though death with sudden wrath should fall upon its bands. That indeed is an army which is capable of offering a united resistance, even if Yama advances against it with fury.
766 Valour with honour, sure advance in glory’s path, with confidence; To warlike host these four are sure defence. Valour, honour, following in the excellent-footsteps (of its predecessors) and trust-worthiness; these four alone constitute the safeguard of an army.
767 A valiant army bears the onslaught, onward goes, Well taught with marshalled ranks to meet their coming foes. That is an army which knowing the art of warding off an impending struggle, can bear against the dust-van (of a hostile force).
768 Though not in war offensive or defensive skilled; An army gains applause when well equipped and drilled. Though destitute of courage to fight and strength (to endure), an army may yet gain renown by the splendour of its appearance.
769 Where weakness, clinging fear and poverty Are not, the host will gain the victory. An army can triumph (over its foes) if it is free from diminution; irremediable aversion and poverty.
770 Though men abound, all ready for the war, No army is where no fit leaders are. Though an army may contain a large number of permanent soldiers, it cannot last if it has no generals.
2.3.5. Military Spirit
771 Ye foes! stand not before my lord! for many a one Who did my lord withstand, now stands in stone! O my foes, stand not before my leader; (for) many are those who did so but afterwards stood (in the shape of) statues.
772 Who aims at elephant, though dart should fail, has greater praise. Than he who woodland hare with winged arrow slays. It is more pleasant to hold the dart that has missed an elephant than that which has hit hare in the forest. 94
773 Fierceness in hour of strife heroic greatness shows; Its edge is kindness to our suffering foes. The learned say that fierceness (incontest with a foe) is indeed great valour; but to become a benefactor in case of accident (to a foe) is the extreme (limit) of that valour.
774 At elephant he hurls the dart in hand; for weapon pressed, He laughs and plucks the javelin from his wounded breast. The hero who after casting the lance in his hand on an elephant, comes (in search of another) will pluck the one (that sticks) in his body and laugh (exultingly).
775 To hero fearless must it not defeat appear, If he but wink his eye when foemen hurls his spear. Is it not a defeat to the valiant to wink and destroy their ferocious look when a lance in cast at them (by their foe) ?
776 The heroes, counting up their days, set down as vain Each day when they no glorious wound sustain. The hero will reckon among wasted days all those on which he had not received severe wounds.
777 Who seek for world-wide fame, regardless of their life, The glorious clasp adorns, sign of heroic strife. The fastening of ankle-ring by those who disire a world-wide renown and not (the safety of) their lives is like adorning (themselves).
778 Fearless they rush where’er ‘the tide of battle rolls’; The king’s reproof damps not the ardour of their eager souls. The heroes who are not afraid of losing their life in a contest will not cool their ardour, even if the king prohibits (their fighting).
779 Who says they err, and visits them scorn, Who die and faithful guard the vow they’ve sworn? Who would reproach with failure those who seal their oath with their death?
780 If monarch’s eyes o’erflow with tears for hero slain, Who would not beg such boon of glorious death to gain? If (heroes) can so die as to fill with tears the eyes of their rulers, such a death deserves to be obtained even by begging.