"हस्ती हस्त सहस्त्रेण शत हस्तेन वाजिनः।
श्रृड्गिणी दश हस्तेन देशत्यागेन दुर्जनः।। Chanakya Niti Chapter 6, Verse 10
Word to word meaning:
हस्ती (hastī) - Elephant
हस्त (hasta) - Hands
सहस्त्रेण (sahastrēṇa) - Thousand
शत (śata) - Hundred
हस्तेन (hastēna) - Hands
वाजिनः (vājināḥ) - Horses
श्रृड्गिणी (śṛṇgiṇī) - Horned animals
दश (daśa) - Ten
देशत्यागेन (dēśatyāgēna) - By leaving the place or city
दुर्जनः (durjanaḥ) - Wicked person
Shloka meaning:
An elephant should be kept at a distance of a thousand hands.
A horse should be kept at a distance of a hundred hands.
A horned animal should be kept at a distance of ten hands.
A wicked person should be avoided by leaving the place or city.
Kannada meaning:
ಆನೆಯನ್ನು ಸಾವಿರ ಕೈಗಳ ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡಬೇಕು.
ಕುದುರೆಯನ್ನು ನೂರು ಕೈಗಳ ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡಬೇಕು.
ಕೊಂಬಿನ ಪ್ರಾಣಿಯನ್ನು ಹತ್ತು ಕೈಗಳ ಅಂತರದಲ್ಲಿ ಇಡಬೇಕು.
ಸ್ಥಳ ಅಥವಾ ನಗರವನ್ನು ತೊರೆಯುವ ಮೂಲಕ ದುಷ್ಟ ವ್ಯಕ್ತಿಗಳನ್ನು ತ್ಯಜಿಸಬೇಕು.
Hindi meaning:
हाथी को एक हजार हाथ की दूरी पर रखना चाहिए।
घोड़े को एक सौ हाथ की दूरी पर रखना चाहिए।
सींग वाले जानवर को दस हाथ की दूरी पर रखना चाहिए।
दुष्ट व्यक्तियों को उस स्थान या नगर को छोड़कर त्याग देना चाहिए।
Discussion:
This verse emphasizes the importance of maintaining a safe distance from various potentially harmful entities, with the degree of distance varying according to the nature of the threat:
Elephants: Due to their immense size and potential for causing significant harm, elephants should be kept at a large distance of a thousand hands. This suggests a high level of caution.
Horses: While less dangerous than elephants, horses can still be hazardous due to their speed and strength. A distance of a hundred hands is advised.
Horned Animals: These animals, such as bulls or goats, pose a danger with their horns. A moderate distance of ten hands is considered sufficient to ensure safety.
Wicked People: The most dangerous of all, wicked individuals should be completely avoided. The verse suggests that one should go to the extent of leaving the place or country to escape their influence. This highlights the profound and pervasive harm that malevolent people can inflict, necessitating total avoidance rather than just maintaining a physical distance.
Conclusion:
The shloka underscores the principle that the proximity to various threats should be managed appropriately, with the highest level of avoidance reserved for wicked individuals. It conveys a broader lesson on the importance of prudence and discernment in relationships and associations, advocating for complete disengagement from harmful influences to protect one's well-being.
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