Written by London Swaminathan

Date: 31 August 2016

Time uploaded in London: 18-33

Post No.3108

Pictures are taken from various sources; thanks for the pictures.

There are four Sanskrit couplets which give us practical advice about good and bad virtues. Instead of dry listing of all the virtues in a list, it gives the same message in beautiful slokas. I give below a rough translation and then the Sanskrit verses.

Where is the need for a shield, if you have Patience?

Where is the need for an enemy, if you have Anger?

Where is the need for fire, if you have Relations?

Where is the need for medicine, if you have Friends?

Where is the need for a snake, if you have Bad friends?

Where is the need for money, if you have Knowledge?

Where is the need for jewels, if you have Modesty?

Where is the need for a kingdom, if you have Wisdom?

Where is the need for bad habits, if you have Greediness?

Where is the need for new sins, if you Talk behind one’s back?

Where is the need for penance, if are Truthful?

Where is the need for pilgrimage if your mind is Pure?

Where is the need for strength, if are United?

Where is the need for make ups, if you are Great/Famous?

Where is the need for money, if you are Learned?

Where is the need for death, if you have Stained hands?

In Sanskrit:

Saantiscet kavachena kim

Kim aribhih kroto asti

Jnaati cet analena kim

Suhrut divya ausadhaih kim palam

Kim sarpaih  yadi durjanaah

Kim dhanair vidhyaa anavadhyaa yadi

Vriida cet kim bhaushanaih

Sukavitaa yadi yadyasti raajyeva kim

Lobhah cet gunena kim

Pisunataa ydyasti kim paatakaih

Satyam cet tapasaa ca kim

suchimano yadhyasti tirtena kim

saujanyam yadi kim balena

mahimaa yadyasti kim mandanaih

savidhyaa yadi kim dhanah

apayasaa yadi kim mrutyunaaasti

–Subham–