On secrets…

A few bits from the Panchatantra – on secrets:)


अपिस्वल्पतरंकार्यंयद्भवेत्पृथिवीपतेःतन्वाच्यंसभामध्येप्रोवाचेदंबृहस्पतिः१०७

api svalpataraṃ kāryaṃ yad bhavet pṛthivī-pateḥ |
tan na vācyaṃ sabhā-madhye provācedaṃ bṛhaspatiḥ || 107 ||||

“Brhaspati has stated that any work, be it big or small, should not be discussed in an open court.

षट्कर्णोभिद्यतेमन्त्रश्चतुष्कर्णःस्थिरोभवेत्तस्मात्सर्वप्रयत्नेनषट्कर्णंवर्जयेत्सुधीः१०८

ṣaṭ-karṇo bhidyate mantraś catuṣkarṇaḥ sthiro bhavet |
tasmāt sarva-prayatnena ṣaṭkarṇaṃ varjayet sudhīḥ || 108 ||

A secret that is heard by six ears will most certainly be leaked; a discussion is limited to four ears will always be kept secret. Therefore the wise should always avoid a discussion that is heard by six ears.”

दरिषुकिञ्चित्स्वजनेषुकिञ्चिद्गोप्यंवयस्येषुसुतेषुकिञ्चित्युक्तंवायुक्तम्इदंविचिन्त्यवदेद्विपश्चिन्महतोऽनुरोधात्१०९

dariṣu kiñcit svajaneṣu kiñcid gopyaṃ vayasyeṣu suteṣu kiñcit |
yuktaṃ na vā yuktam idaṃ vicintya vaded vipaścin mahato ‘nurodhāt || 109 ||

Some things should be hidden from the wife, some from relatives, some from friends of the same age, some from the sons. A wise man should first think well about what is right for the situation and then only speak his mind, even if he is requested repeatedly by great men.

स्वामिनिगुणान्तरज्ञेगुणवतिभृत्येऽनुवर्तिनिकलयेसुहृदिनिरन्तरचित्तेनिवेद्यदुःखंसुखीभवति१०१

svāmini guṇāntarajñe guṇavati bhṛtye’nuvartini kalaye |
suhṛdi nirantara-citte nivedya duḥkhaṃ sukhī bhavati || 101 ||

If one confides his troubles to a stable-minded friend, or a dedicated servant, or a devoted wife, or a compassionate master, he will feel lighter and at peace.”

अम्भसाभिद्यतेसेतुस्तथामन्त्रोऽप्य्अरक्षितःपैशुन्याद्भिद्यतेस्नेहोभिद्यतेवाग्भिर्आतुरः१११

ambhasā bhidyate setus tathā mantro ‘py arakṣitaḥ |
paiśunyād bhidyate sneho bhidyate vāgbhir āturaḥ || 111 ||

Just as a bridge breaks down by the force of rapidly-flowing water; and a secret is revealed if it is not protected; just as good friendship is broken by malicious behaviour; so does an intelligent person lose his stability by becoming anxious and not thinking straight.