Neeti Shataka: On Fools
Here’s my next installment of the Neeti Shataka. The verses are in no specific order but they are kind of thematic: Bhartruhari talks about fools in these. The poet stretches the limits of exaggeration...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: More on Idiots
Vyaalam Baalamrinaalatantubhirasau Roddhum Samujjrumbhate| Chhettum Vajramaneem Shireeshakusumapraantena Sannahyati|| Maadhuryam Madhubindunaa Racayitum Kshaaraambudhereehate| Netum Vaanchhati Yah...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On Silence, Fools &c
Svaayattamekaantagunam Vidhaatraa| Vinirmitam Chhaadanamagnataayaah|| Visheshatah Sarvavidaam Samaaje| Vibhooshanam Mounamapanditaanaam|| Verily has (Lord) Brahma provided The most powerful weapon to...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On Shamelessness and Fall
Krumikulacitam Laalaalkinnam Vigandhi Jugupsitam| Nirupamarasam Preetyaa Khaadannaraasthi Niraamisham|| Surapatimai Shvaa Paarshvastham Vilokya Na Shankate| Nahi Ganayati Kshudro Jantuh...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On More Fools
Shakyo Vaaraitum Jalena Hutabhukhchhatrena Sooryaataapo| Naagendronishitaankushenasamadodandena Gogardabhau|| Vyaadhirbheshajasamgrahaisccha Vividhairmantraprayogairvisham Sarvasya| Aushadhamasti...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On Fools Redux
Ed: Bhartruhari seems to have spent a considerable portion of his life preparing a catalogue of fools. Here’s one more verse on that, perhaps the last. Varam Parvatadurgeshu Bhraantam Vanacaraih Saha|...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On Evil Rulers
Shaastropaskrutashabdasundaragirah Shishyapradeyaagamaa| Vikhyaataah Kavayovasantivishayeyasyaprabhornirdhanaah|| Tat Jaadyamvasudhaadhipasyakavayohyarthamvinaapeeshvaraah|...
View ArticleNeeti Shataka: On Learning
Harturyaati Na Gocharam Kimapi Shampushnaatiyatsarvadaa| Hyaarthibhyahpratipaadyamaanamanishampraapnotivruddhimparaam|| Kalpanteshvapinaprasaatinidhanam Vidyaakhyamantardhanam|...
View ArticleOn Men of Character
Several months have passed since I published anything on the venerable Bhartruhari. In this installment, I present one of my all-time favourites from Neeti Shataka. Nindantu neeti nipunah yadi vaa...
View ArticleBhartruhari: Neeti Shatakam–On Half-Learned People
I return to Bhartruhari after the longest time. This sloka—the third in Neeti Shatakam—is highly applicable given the times we live in and given the self-proclaimed experts in every field. Agnah...
View Article