6.
Twenty Inspiring Life Lessons
Chanakya, an ancient Indian philosopher, recommends learning some important life lessons from various animals in his Sanskrit treatise, “Chanakya Niti Darpana”. Here we reproduce these extracts, taken from chapter 6th (verse 15-22) of the book, along with the Sanskrit transliterated verses.
shimhad ekam bakad ekam sat suna trini gardabhat |
vayasat panca sikseta catvari kukkutad api ||
vayasat panca sikseta catvari kukkutad api ||
Learn one thing from a lion; one from a crane; four a cock; five from a crow; six from a dog; and three from an ass.
prabhutam alpam karyam va yan narah kartum icchati |
sarvarambhena tat kuryat simhad ekam pracaksate ||
sarvarambhena tat kuryat simhad ekam pracaksate ||
The one excellent thing that can be learned from a lion is that whatever a man intends doing should be done by him with a whole-hearted and strenuous effort.
sarvendriyani samyamya baka-vat pandito janah |
desam kalam balam jnatva sarva-karyani sadhaye ||
desam kalam balam jnatva sarva-karyani sadhaye ||
The wise man should restrain his senses like the crane and accomplish his purpose with due knowledge of his place, time and ability.
pratyutthanam ca yuddham ca samvibhagam ca bandhusu |
svayam akramya bhuktam ca sikset catvari kukkutat ||
svayam akramya bhuktam ca sikset catvari kukkutat ||
To wake at the proper time; to take a bold stand and fight; to make a fair division (of property) among relations; and to earn one’s own bread by personal exertion are the four excellent things to be learned from a cock.
gudha-maithuna-caritvam kale kale ca samgraham |
apramattam avisvasam panca sikset ca vayasat ||
apramattam avisvasam panca sikset ca vayasat ||
Union in privacy (with one’s wife); boldness; storing away useful items; watchfulness; and not easily trusting others; these five things are to be learned from a crow.
bhavasi svalpa-santustah sunidrah sighra cetanah |
prabhu-bhaktas ca suras ca jnatavyah sat suno gunah ||
prabhu-bhaktas ca suras ca jnatavyah sat suno gunah ||
Contentment with little or nothing to eat although one may have a great appetite; to awaken instantly although one may be in a deep slumber; unflinching devotion to the master; and bravery; these six qualities should be learned from the dog.
avisramam vahed bharam sitosnam na ca vindati |
sasantosas tatha nityam trini sikseta gardabhat ||
sasantosas tatha nityam trini sikseta gardabhat ||
Although an ass is tired, he continues to carry his burden; he is unmindful of cold and heat; and he is always contented; these three things should be learned from the ass.
My goal in life is to be as good of a person my dog already thinks I am. |
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ya etan vimsati gunan acarisyati manavah |
karyavasthasu sarvasu ajeyah sa bhavisyati ||
karyavasthasu sarvasu ajeyah sa bhavisyati ||
He who shall practice these twenty virtues shall become invincible in all his undertakings.
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There will be no justice as long as man will stand with a knife or with a gun and destroy those who are weaker than he is. |
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The woods were made for the hunters of dreams,
The brooks for the fishers of song;
To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game
The streams and the woods belong.
-Sam Walter Foss
The brooks for the fishers of song;
To the hunters who hunt for the gunless game
The streams and the woods belong.
-Sam Walter Foss
