Wealth

Poem : 611

Say not, 'Tis hard', in weak, desponding hour,
For strenuous effort gives prevailing power.

Explanation :
Yield not to the feebleness which says, "this is too difficult to be done"; labour will give the greatness (of mind) which is necessary (to do it).

Poem : 612

In action be thou, 'ware of act's defeat;
The world leaves those who work leave incomplete!

Explanation :
Take care not to give up exertion in the midst of a work; the world will abandon those who abandon their unfinished work.

Poem : 613

In strenuous effort doth reside
The power of helping others: noble pride!

Explanation :
The lustre of munificence will dwell only with the dignity of laboriousness or efforts.

Poem : 614

Beneficent intent in men by whom no strenuous work is wrought,
Like battle-axe in sexless being's hand availeth nought.

Explanation :
The liberality of him, who does not labour, will fail, like the manliness of a hermaphrodite, who has a sword in its hand.

Poem : 615

Whose heart delighteth not in pleasure, but in action finds delight,
He wipes away his kinsmen's grief and stands the pillar of their might.

Explanation :
He who desires not pleasure, but desires labour, will be a pillar to sustain his relations, wiping away their sorrows.

Poem : 616

Effort brings fortune's sure increase,
Its absence brings to nothingness.

Explanation :
Labour will produce wealth; idleness will bring poverty.

Poem : 617

In sluggishness is seen misfortune's lurid form, the wise declare;
Where man unslothful toils, she of the lotus flower is there!

Explanation :
They say that the black Mudevi (the goddess of adversity) dwells with laziness, and the Latchmi (the goddess of prosperity) dwells with the labour of the industrious.

Poem : 618

'Tis no reproach unpropitious fate should ban;
But not to do man's work is foul disgrace to man!

Explanation :
Adverse fate is no disgrace to any one; to be without exertion and without knowing what should be known, is disgrace.

Poem : 619

Though fate-divine should make your labour vain;
Effort its labour's sure reward will gain.

Explanation :
Although it be said that, through fate, it cannot be attained, yet labour, with bodily exertion, will yield its reward.

Poem : 620

Who strive with undismayed, unfaltering mind,
At length shall leave opposing fate behind.

Explanation :
They who labour on, without fear and without fainting will see even fate (put) behind their back.