न तथा शोभते राजा अप्यन्तःपुरसंस्थितः । समया स्वच्छया बुद्ध्या यथोपशमशीलया ॥ ६८ ॥
na tathā śōbhatē rājā apyantaḥpurasaṁsthitaḥ | samayā svacchayā buddhyā yathōpaśamaśīlayā || 68 ||
Translation
A king does not shine so even in his inner palace as one shines with an even and clear mind whose nature is peace.
Word by word
- na
- not
- tathā
- so
- śōbhatē
- shine
- rājā
- a king
- api
- even
- antaḥpura
- in his inner palace
- saṁsthitaḥ
- seated
- samayā
- even
- svacchayā
- clear
- buddhyā
- with a mind
- yathā
- as
- upaśama
- peace
- śīlayā
- whose nature is
Meaning
Another comparison made for a prince. Another commentary adds a word the verse leaves open: an ordinary person with such a mind outshines the king at home among his own. Antaḥpura is the king's private quarters, where he has no need to perform, and even there the calm person outshines him.