SRI AUROBINDO
Translations
from Sanskrit and Other Languages
Kalidasa
Bhartrihari. The Century of Life
On Wealth
These things are deaths, ill-counsel ruining kings,
The son by fondling spoiled, by him the race,
Attachment, to the sage’s heart that clings,
And natural goodness marred by company base,
The Brahmin by scant study unbrahminised,
Sweet shame by wine o’erthrown, by wandering long
Affection waning, friendship true unprized,
Tillage uncared, good fortune follies wrong;
But wealth in double way men may reject,
Nobly by giving, poorly by neglect.