ज्ञातयः पितरौ पुत्रा भ्रातरः सुहृदो ऽपरे यद्वदन्ति यदिच्छन्ति चानुमोदेत निर्ममः
jñātayaḥ pitarau putrā bhrātaraḥ suhṛdo 'pare yad vadanti yad icchanti cānumodeta nirmamaḥ
Synonyms
jñātayaḥ—relatives, family members; pitarau—the father and mother; putrāḥ—children; bhrātaraḥ—brothers; suhṛdaḥ—friends; apare—and others; yat—whatever; vadanti—they suggest (in regard to one's means of livelihood); yat—whatever; icchanti—they wish; ca—and; anumodeta—he should agree; nirmamaḥ—but without taking them seriously..
Translation
An intelligent man in human society should make his own program of activities very simple. If there are suggestions from his friends, children, parents, brothers or anyone else, he should externally agree, saying, "Yes, that is all right," but internally he should be determined not to create a cumbersome life in which the purpose of life will not be fulfilled.