Arthashastra - Disciplines of a Ruler

Devanagari

तस्मादरिषड्वर्गत्यागेनेन्द्रियजयं कुर्वीत वृद्धसंयोगेन प्रज्ञां चारेण चक्षुः उत्थानेन योगक्षेमसाधनं कार्यानुशासनेन स्वधर्मस्थापनम्विनयं विद्योपदेशेषन लोकप्रियत्वमर्थसंयोगेन वृत्तिम ॥ एवं वश्येन्द्रियः परस्त्रीद्रव्यहिंसाश्च वर्जयेत्स्वप्नं लौल्यमनृतमुद्धतवेषत्वमनर्थ्यसंयोगमधर्मसंयुक्तमनर्थसंयुक्तं च व्यवहारम ॥

Transliteration

tasmād-ariṣaḍvarga-tyāgenendriya-jayaṃ kurīta vṛddha-saṃyogena prajñāṃ cāreṇa cakṣuḥ utthānena yoga-kṣema-sādhanaṃ kāryānuṣāsanena svadharma-sthāpanam-vinayaṃ vidyopadeśena lokapriyatvam-arthasaṃyogena vṛttim || evaṃ vaśyendriyaḥ parastrī-dravya-hiṃsāśca varjayet-svapnaṃ laulyam-anṛtam-uddhata-veṣatvam-anarthya-saṃyogam-adharma-saṃyuktam-anartha-saṃyuktaṃ ca vyavahāram ||

Translation

Daily Disciplines (1.7.01): Therefore, he should achieve self-mastery by abandoning the six internal enemies; gain wisdom by associating with elders; gain eyes (vision) through spies; achieve acquisition and security (Yoga-Kshema) through industry; establish his duties through administrative authority; gain discipline through education; gain popularity by doing what is liked by people; and gain a livelihood by associating with wealth (productivity).

Prohibitions (1.7.02): Thus, having controlled his senses, he should avoid: other men’s wives, other’s property, and violence. He should also avoid (excessive) sleep, fickleness, falsehood, gaudy dress, association with harmful people, and any conduct that is unrighteous or unprofitable.

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