Verses 540–549

540. If on any occasion the curnam scorns the farmers, their dwelling become unstable as a paper kite. If the curnam despises the farmer, the curnam surely becomes (upakaranam) a mere appendage.

541. If the curnam conducts himself as the farmers' desire, the curnam obtains good property and power. If he despises them, evil shall not fail of reaching him, the village being deserted.

542. All the attainments (learning) of a man in poverty turn to disgrace, even to him that is of celebrity and however great. Shame falls to the share of the base. (who repay it not)

543. Like as lotuses which if they leave the water fade; the rays of the sun who is the lover of the lotus affecting them; thus if thou leave thy due station it is certain that thy friends shall become thy foes.

544. How many lusts has the belly? For it men are in anxiety. For the sake of the belly, villages exist and so do forests. In someway or other provision is always found for the belly. Surely it governs men.

545. What shall become of the hard man who wishing to give gifts or charity says he will give it today or tomorrow and thus procrastinates? What shall become of his life? .He is ignorant of the force of delusion?

546. Our own kin (passions) are foes to us and our own virtues are our nearest relations. He who knows his own thought and that of his foe; this man is assured by Siva. (that is who thoroughly knows the good and evil propensities of his nature).

547. If we consider the conduct of men, surely no one is able to esteem it aright no more than we are able to esteem the purple hue of the pindi herb.

548. The villages (mahals) we possess shall not follow us in death, nor shall our jewels, our wife, children or friends accompany us. The alms we have bestowed shall alone follow us.

549. All the wealth of Bāchanna who was born in the Raya caste fell to the lot of the Bhatts (poets). But the wealth of the base was shared between his kin and the strange woman.