Verse 7.39

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

तेभ्योऽधिगच्छेद् विनयं विनीतात्माऽपि नित्यशः ।
विनीतात्मा हि नृपतिर्न विनश्यति कर्हि चित् ॥ ३९ ॥

tebhyo'dhigacched vinayaṃ vinītātmā'pi nityaśaḥ |
vinītātmā hi nṛpatirna vinaśyati karhi cit || 39 ||

Though his mind be already disciplined, he shall always learn discipline from them; the King with a disciplined mind never perishes.—(39).

 

Medhātithi’s commentary (manubhāṣya):

The use of waiting upon elderly men is next described,

‘From them’—from the learned Brāhmaṇas—‘he shall learn discipline’—the proper kingly behaviour.

‘Though his mind be already disciplined’;—though he may be already disciplined by his own will, or by the proper study of political science,—yet he should carefully attend to the advice of elderly persons; because men with practical experience are better experts than those possessing only theoretical knowledge. Or even though highly trained, he shall train his mind under elderly qualified men, for the purpose of making his aptitude keener. Just as gold, even though pure by its nature, becomes purer and brighter to look at when it undergoes purification by being put in lire.

The reward of this discipline is that the King never perishes—(39)

 

Explanatory notes by Ganganath Jha

This verse is quoted in Vīramitrodaya (Rājanīti, p. 119), as describing the results proceeding from doing what is prescribed in the preceding verse; it adds the notes that ‘even though the king be already well-disciplined, yet he should learn discipline further, for the purpose of securing greater efficiency.’

 

Comparative notes by various authors

Kāmandaka (1.20).—‘Humility is synonymous with thorough control over the senses. One possessing it becomes learned in the Śāstras.’

Arthaśāstra (8.34).—‘Punishment brings about security of life and property only when it is based upon discipline. Discipline is of two kinds—artificial and natural. Learning disciplines only such a man as has his intelligence duly cultivated through service, listening to teachings, carrying them in memory, and knowledge of reasonings and arguments.’

Śukranīti (1.101).—‘Discipline is the chief thing for the king; this comes through the dictates of Śāstra; it gives mastery over the senses.’