The Royal Expedition of Varahamihira with Utpala's Commentary

Yogayatra Commentary Page 13

...the purifier indeed attains the three-fold qualities. However, the drunkard, intoxicated by wine, utters unpleasant things due to his intoxication. Having abandoned his beloved and desired restraints, he later laments, "What improper thing have I done?" and suffers in his soul. Seeking even greater faults through his addiction, and intent on requesting undesirable things, he drinks again and again. Thus, the condemnation of liquor is extreme. Verse 6

Now, he states the definition for the sake of moderation:
One may drink according to desire during the arrival of guests, festivals, or upon the advice of a physician, provided it does not cause a loss of intellect and is done openly. Without gambling, the senses and the soul are established; for what is the fruit of life without the enjoyment of the senses? Verse 7

The Arrival of Guests: This refers to the arrival of a friend or someone similar. Festivals: Such as weddings where wine is traditionally served. Advice of a Physician: When a doctor prescribes it. For these reasons, one may drink as much as is desired or agreeable. What kind of drinking? That which does not cause a loss of intellect: Meaning it is not excessive. It should not lead to the destruction of one's wisdom. As it is said: "One should always stop drinking as long as there is joy and as long as the mind remains steady; this is the way for one who has self-control." Without gambling, the senses and the soul: This refers to the enjoyments of the senses—wine, women, instrumental music, dance, and song. These are desirable when employed correctly, meaning one should enjoy them while avoiding extreme addiction. For without the union of the senses with their objects, life on this earth is fruitless. Verse 7

Now he describes the vices of gambling:
Devoid of cleanliness and proper conduct, abandoned like a corpse by friends and wealth, ruined, shameless, cruel, eating the food of the village, bound by oaths to his kinsmen, censured by both worlds, filled with sin, addicted to drinking—the gambler spews a stream of ruin. Verse 8

The Gambler: One who plays with dice. Devoid of cleanliness and conduct: Lacking in ritual bathing and proper behavior. Likewise, he is abandoned by friends and those with wealth; he is like a corpse, for just as a dead body is cast away without grief, even an enemy does not fear a man who has lost his soul to gambling. Shameless: He feels no shame even before his teacher. Cruel: He would kill even a child. Eating the food of the village: Because he has no home, where else would he get food? Even when bound or restrained by his kinsmen, his mind feels no pain. His oaths are lies. He is censured by both worlds—this world and the next. Because he is not fit for business, he is a deceiver of others, a destroyer of his lineage, and an ocean of faults Some manuscripts read "mine of faults", meaning the place where all sins originate. He is devoid of soul and constantly consumed by anxiety due to his extreme addiction to gambling. Verse 8

Now he describes the fault of the King's intellect which is inauspicious:
The King who does not respect the words of astrologers, ministers, and friends, whose intellect is enveloped by wickedness, will soon be laughed at by his enemies, like a man without a leader falling into a pit. Verse 9

The King who does not heed the words of astrologers (those who know the time), ministers (secretaries), friends, and kinsmen, or does not do what they advise—what is he like? He is one whose intellect is enveloped by wickedness. His wisdom is mocked because it is clouded. Such a king falls into the territory of his enemies. In a short time, he becomes an object of ridicule, just like a person without a leader (a guide for the path) falls and is laughed at by people. A "leader" is one who leads. All these faults have been explained. A king who desires victory must be free from them. Verse 9

Now he states the virtues of a King:
He should be intelligent, wise, not a deceiver of the poor, noble, forgiving, afraid of injustice, energetic, modest, pleasant, capable of discerning the truth, persevering, his intellect not confused in times of trouble, learned, not addicted to vices, remembering favors done for him, and one who serves the wise. Verse 10

Acting after deliberation, not boastful, firm in his vows, a very firm striker in battle, he should have conquered his senses, conquered anger, greed, sleep, and laziness, and be careful in his choice of residence. Verse 11

Charitable, humble, of pleasing appearance, not deluded by expenses, possessed of presence of mind, knowing the proper divisions of place and time, he should personally supervise legal affairs.