Bāṇabhaṭṭa

subhāṣitaṁ hāri viśaty adho galān

subhāṣitaṁ hāri viśaty adho galān
na durjanasyārka-ripor ivāmṛtam |
tad eva dhatte hṛdayena saj-jano
harir mahāratnam ivātinirmalam ||
(Kādambarī: 7)

“A captivating subhāṣita [‘fine statement’] does not enter
Farther than the throat of a wicked person,
Just as ambrosia [does not enter
Farther than the throat] of Rāhu.
A wise person holds that specifically [i.e., a captivating subhāṣita] with the heart,
Just as Hari [holds with his heart] the supreme, exceedingly taintless jewel [i.e., the Kaustubha].”

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kaṭu kvaṇanto maladāyakāḥ khalās

kaṭu kvaṇanto maladāyakāḥ khalās
tudanty alaṁ bandhana-śṛṅkhalā iva |
manas tu sādhu-dhvanibhiḥ pade pade
haranti santo maṇi-nūpurā iva ||
(Kādambarī: 6)

“The wicked, like shackles,
Sound strident, wound severely, and leave marks.
On the contrary,
The good, like jeweled anklets,
At every step [alt., with every word],
Captivate the mind with excellent sounds [alt., implied meanings].”

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