The Royal Expedition of Varahamihira with Utpala's Commentary

...due to this reason, she becomes devoid of happiness and wealth. Even if a maiden is endowed with equal virtues and auspicious feminine marks, if she is given to a husband lacking in merit original: "viguṇāya," meaning a man of poor character or mismatched status, she is deprived of human effort and happiness. This is given to the father, the giver, who understands the difference between worthy and unworthy recipients. It brings fame and infamy. (14) Now, to demonstrate that what is given to the virtuous is fruitful, while that given to the meritless is fruitless, he says: "Just as virtues in a virtuous person produce a successful journey through the conjunction of auspicious planets and the ascendant, so too are they useless for one who lacks a proper foundation." (15) A journey joined with auspicious planets and an auspicious ascendant term: Lagna (the rising sign at the time of departure)—meaning planets situated in favorable houses and a movement that is favorable according to the direction of travel—is like the virtues of a river-pilot in a virtuous man; they become fruitful. However, for one who is possessed of past sins, even a journey endowed with good qualities becomes fruitless. This is just as the sweet sound of a lute original: "vīṇā-vallakī" is useless to one who is devoid of the sense of hearing original: "śrotra-indriya-rahitasya". (15)

To demonstrate that a journey, even if auspicious and favorable, yields results according to the recipient, he says: "Even a perfectly pure journey, when undertaken, gives results according to the worthiness of the recipient; just as the sun, the lamp of the world, does not dispel the darkness for an owl." (16) A "perfectly pure" journey is one free from defects, undertaken during a favorable time and hour term: Horā (astrological hour). The results it gives are those suited to the "vessel" or recipient original: "pātra". He provides an analogy here: "the lamp of the world." The word "even" suggests possibility. "For" means because this light of the sun, when it has risen, produces light for all living beings, yet it "does not dispel" or remove the darkness for a "Kausika" or owl.

This means that for the owl, the darkness actually increases, because it is a creature of the night and sees defects everywhere. (16) Now he describes the conduct of a king: "At the end of the night, having reflected upon the tasks—both completed and uncompleted—of his enemies, friends, and those within his circle of states, as well as those appointed to the army, finances, and territories, and those who have sought refuge..." (17) "Even a stranger, if he is of renowned character, a hero, or a virtuous person of high praise, should be honored for the sake of gathering people to one's side, thinking 'he has come to my country'." (18) "Awakened from sleep by the sounds of flutes, lutes, and drums accompanied by singing, the king should leave his bed at the end of the night, healthy and observing the proper steps." (19) At the end of the night—meaning during the last watch of the night—the king's sleep is dispelled by singing accompanied by the sound of the flute original: "veṇu", the lute original: "vīṇā", and the "panava" a type of small drum. Such a king, having reflected on the affairs of his enemies, friends, and the "circle of states" term: Maṇḍala (the geopolitical theory of neighboring states)—meaning the people of the provinces who have sought shelter—considers what has been done and what remains undone. A king desiring victory term: Vijigīṣu observes: "This task was done by so-and-so, this was not done." Likewise, he considers those appointed to the army (the commander-in-chief), those appointed to wealth (the treasurer), and those appointed to the territories (the governors), as well as other chief men who stay relying upon the king. Having thoroughly deliberated on their completed and uncompleted tasks, he should leave his bed—this is the connection. Regarding "not relying": even if someone is not a dependent, if they are of "bathed fame" meaning pure or celebrated reputation, even if they were an enemy, if they are not dependent on anyone else, they should be honored as soon as they arrive to "gather the people"—that is, to build a following. Whether it be a hero in battle or a "Sadhu"—a virtuous gentleman.