Verse 4.174

Sanskrit text, Unicode transliteration and English translation by Ganganath Jha:

अधर्मेणैधते तावत् ततो भद्राणि पश्यति ।
ततः सपत्नान् जयति समूलस्तु विनश्यति ॥ १७४ ॥

adharmeṇaidhate tāvat tato bhadrāṇi paśyati |
tataḥ sapatnān jayati samūlastu vinaśyati || 174 ||

For a time one prospers through unrighteousness, for a while he experiences good things, and for a time he conquers his enemies; but, after all, he perishes root and branch.—(174)

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

‘Through unrighteousness,’—such as causing injury to his master, and so forth—‘he prospers’—gains advancement.

‘For a time,’—for the time being only.

Then, ‘for a while’—after having gained riches and lands,—‘he experiences’—enjoys—‘good things;’—i.e., such signs of prosperity as the presence of many servants, the possession of cattle, horses, and so forth.

Then, ‘he conquers his enemies’—i.e., ill-treats such persons as are poor. What are meant by ‘enemies’ are those persons who, remaining firm in the path of righteousness, do not have recourse to questionable means of livelihood; and, in comparison to a rich person, the poverty of such men would involve a certain amount of insult.

Having remained thus for some time, such persons become destroyed ‘root and branch,’ ‘i.e., along with their children, relations and riches.

For these reasons, righteousness should not be forsaken.—(1 74).

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Mahābhārata (Anuśāsana, 92.4).—(Same as Manu, but reading ‘Vardhatyadharmeṇa naraḥ’ for ‘adharmeṇaidhate tāvat.’)