02.005
Pancharatra: Narada’s teaching of Raja Dharma to Yudhisthira.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तथा तत्रोपविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु। महत्सु चोपविष्टेषु गन्धर्वेषु च भारत ॥२-५-१॥
Thus, O Bhārata, among those seated there—the Pāṇḍavas, the great-souled ones, and the Gandharvas.
लोकाननुचरन्सर्वानागमत्तां सभामृषिः। नारदः सुमहातेजा ऋषिभिः सहितस्तदा ॥२-५-२॥
The sage, having traversed all the worlds, came to that assembly. At that time, the highly radiant Nārada, accompanied by sages, arrived. (2-5-2)
पारिजातेन राजेन्द्र रैवतेन च धीमता। सुमुखेन च सौम्येन देवर्षिरमितद्युतिः ॥ सभास्थान्पाण्डवान्द्रष्टुं प्रीयमाणो मनोजवः ॥२-५-३॥
O king, accompanied by Pārijāta, Raivata, Sumukha, and other wise and gentle sages, the divine sage of immeasurable splendor, swift as the mind and pleased, went to the assembly to see the Pāṇḍavas. (2-5-3)
तमागतमृषिं दृष्ट्वा नारदं सर्वधर्मवित्। सहसा पाण्डवश्रेष्ठः प्रत्युत्थायानुजैः सह ॥ अभ्यवादयत प्रीत्या विनयावनतस्तदा ॥२-५-४॥
When the best among the Pāṇḍavas saw the sage Nārada, the knower of all dharmas, had arrived, he immediately rose together with his younger brothers, greeted him affectionately, and bowed with humility. (2-5-4)
तदर्हमासनं तस्मै सम्प्रदाय यथाविधि। अर्चयामास रत्नैश्च सर्वकामैश्च धर्मवित् ॥२-५-५॥
He gave that worthy seat to him as prescribed by rule, and the knower of dharma worshipped him with jewels and all desirable things. (2-5-5)
सोऽर्चितः पाण्डवैः सर्वैर्महर्षिर्वेदपारगः। धर्मकामार्थसंयुक्तं पप्रच्छेदं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥२-५-६॥
The great sage, honored by all the Pāṇḍavas and master of the Vedas, asked Yudhiṣṭhira this question, which was related to righteousness, desire, and wealth. (2-5-6)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
कच्चिदर्थाश्च कल्पन्ते धर्मे च रमते मनः। सुखानि चानुभूयन्ते मनश्च न विहन्यते ॥२-५-७॥
Are the desired objects being obtained, does your mind delight in righteousness, are pleasures being experienced, and is your mind not distressed? (2-5-7)
कच्चिदाचरितां पूर्वैर्नरदेव पितामहैः। वर्तसे वृत्तिमक्षीणां धर्मार्थसहितां नृषु ॥२-५-८॥
O king, do you follow, among men, the unimpaired conduct practiced by your ancestors, which is endowed with righteousness and prosperity? (2-5-8)
कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्मं धर्मेणार्थमथापि वा। उभौ वा प्रीतिसारेण न कामेन प्रबाधसे ॥२-५-९॥
Do you, by wealth or by righteousness, or by righteousness wealth, or both, or with the essence of affection, not overpower (them) by desire? (2-5-9)
कच्चिदर्थं च धर्मं च कामं च जयतां वर। विभज्य काले कालज्ञ सदा वरद सेवसे ॥२-५-१०॥
O best among the victorious, do you always serve purpose, righteousness, and desire, dividing them according to time, O knower of time and giver of boons? (2-5-10)
कच्चिद्राजगुणैः षड्भिः सप्तोपायांस्तथानघ। बलाबलं तथा सम्यक्चतुर्दश परीक्षसे ॥२-५-११॥
O sinless one, do you properly examine the fourteen (matters) by the six royal qualities and the seven means, as well as strength and weakness? (2-5-11)
कच्चिदात्मानमन्वीक्ष्य परांश्च जयतां वर। तथा सन्धाय कर्माणि अष्टौ भारत सेवसे ॥२-५-१२॥
O Bhārata, best among the victorious, do you, after examining yourself and others, thus arrange and perform the eight actions? (2-5-12)
कच्चित्प्रकृतयः षट्ते न लुप्ता भरतर्षभ। आढ्यास्तथाव्यसनिनः स्वनुरक्ताश्च सर्वशः ॥२-५-१३॥
O best of the Bharatas, are your six ministers, who are wealthy, also afflicted by misfortune, and entirely devoted to you, all still with you and not lost? (2-5-13)
कच्चिन्न तर्कैर्दूतैर्वा ये चाप्यपरिशङ्किताः। त्वत्तो वा तव वामात्यैर्भिद्यते जातु मन्त्रितम् ॥२-५-१४॥
Is your counsel ever revealed by conjecture, by messengers, by unsuspecting persons, by yourself, or by your ministers? (2-5-14)
कच्चित्सन्धिं यथाकालं विग्रहं चोपसेवसे। कच्चिद्वृत्तिमुदासीने मध्यमे चानुवर्तसे ॥२-५-१५॥
Do you properly attend to alliances at the right time and to hostilities? Do you also follow the proper conduct towards neutrals and mediators? (2-5-15)
कच्चिदात्मसमा बुद्ध्या शुचयो जीवितक्षमाः। कुलीनाश्चानुरक्ताश्च कृतास्ते वीर मन्त्रिणः ॥२-५-१६॥
O hero, are your ministers, whom you have appointed, equal to yourself in intellect, pure, capable of giving up their lives, noble by birth, and devoted to you? (2-5-16)
विजयो मन्त्रमूलो हि राज्ञां भवति भारत। सुसंवृतो मन्त्रधनैरमात्यैः शास्त्रकोविदैः ॥२-५-१७॥
O Bhārata, victory for kings is truly rooted in wise counsel, and is well-guarded by ministers who are wealthy in counsel and skilled in the śāstras. (2-5-17)
कच्चिन्निद्रावशं नैषि कच्चित्काले विबुध्यसे। कच्चिच्चापररात्रेषु चिन्तयस्यर्थमर्थवित् ॥२-५-१८॥
Do you not fall under the sway of sleep? Do you wake up at the right time? And, O knower of purpose, do you reflect upon the matter in the latter part of the night? (2-5-18)
कच्चिन्मन्त्रयसे नैकः कच्चिन्न बहुभिः सह। कच्चित्ते मन्त्रितो मन्त्रो न राष्ट्रमनुधावति ॥२-५-१९॥
Do you ever consult alone, or do you always consult with many? Is the counsel that has been deliberated for you not being followed by the kingdom? (2-5-19)
कच्चिदर्थान्विनिश्चित्य लघुमूलान्महोदयान्। क्षिप्रमारभसे कर्तुं न विघ्नयसि तादृशान् ॥२-५-२०॥
Do you, after carefully determining purposes that have small beginnings but great outcomes, promptly undertake to act on them and not create such obstacles? (2-5-20)
कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः परोक्षास्ते विशङ्किताः। सर्वे वा पुनरुत्सृष्टाः संसृष्टं ह्यत्र कारणम् ॥२-५-२१॥
Is it that not all the ends of actions are hidden and suspected? Or have all again been abandoned? For here, indeed, the cause is mixed. (2-5-21)
कच्चिद्राजन्कृतान्येव कृतप्रायाणि वा पुनः। विदुस्ते वीर कर्माणि नानवाप्तानि कानिचित् ॥२-५-२२॥
O king, do people know of your heroic deeds, whether they are all accomplished or mostly done, or is there any deed of yours that remains unaccomplished? (2-5-22)
कच्चित्कारणिकाः सर्वे सर्वशास्त्रेषु कोविदाः। कारयन्ति कुमारांश्च योधमुख्यांश्च सर्वशः ॥२-५-२३॥
Are all the officials, who are skilled in all sciences, ensuring that the princes and chief warriors are engaged in every way? (2-5-23)
कच्चित्सहस्रैर्मूर्खाणामेकं क्रीणासि पण्डितम्। पण्डितो ह्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु कुर्यान्निःश्रेयसं परम् ॥२-५-२४॥
Do you ever purchase a single wise man for thousands of fools? For a wise man alone can bring about the highest good in times of financial hardship. (2-5-24)
कच्चिद्दुर्गाणि सर्वाणि धनधान्यायुधोदकैः। यन्त्रैश्च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पिधनुर्धरैः ॥२-५-२५॥
Are all the fortresses well supplied with wealth, grain, weapons, water, machines, and also with artisans and archers? (2-5-25)
एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दान्तो विचक्षणः। राजानं राजपुत्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम् ॥२-५-२६॥
Even a single minister who is wise, brave, self-controlled, and discerning can bring great prosperity to the king or the prince. (2-5-26)
कच्चिदष्टादशान्येषु स्वपक्षे दश पञ्च च। त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकैः ॥२-५-२७॥
Do you, among the other eighteen types, have ten and five on your own side, and do you know the posts through three and three unknown spies? (2-5-27)
कच्चिद्द्विषामविदितः प्रतियत्तश्च सर्वदा। नित्ययुक्तो रिपून्सर्वान्वीक्षसे रिपुसूदन ॥२-५-२८॥
O destroyer of enemies, are you always prepared and ever-vigilant, observing all your enemies without their knowledge? (2-5-28)
कच्चिद्विनयसम्पन्नः कुलपुत्रो बहुश्रुतः। अनसूयुरनुप्रष्टा सत्कृतस्ते पुरोहितः ॥२-५-२९॥
Is your priest, who is endowed with humility, born in a noble family, learned in the scriptures, free from envy, worthy of consultation, and respected, (well)? (2-5-29)
कच्चिदग्निषु ते युक्तो विधिज्ञो मतिमानृजुः। हुतं च होष्यमाणं च काले वेदयते सदा ॥२-५-३०॥
Is your appointed priest, who knows the procedures, is intelligent and upright, always informing you at the proper time about what has been offered and what is yet to be offered in the fires? (2-5-30)
कच्चिदङ्गेषु निष्णातो ज्योतिषां प्रतिपादकः। उत्पातेषु च सर्वेषु दैवज्ञः कुशलस्तव ॥२-५-३१॥
Is your astrologer well-versed in all the branches, an expounder of astrology, and skilled in interpreting all portents? (2-5-31)
कच्चिन्मुख्या महत्स्वेव मध्यमेषु च मध्यमाः। जघन्याश्च जघन्येषु भृत्याः कर्मसु योजिताः ॥२-५-३२॥
Are the chief servants assigned to the greatest tasks, the middle ones to the middling tasks, and the lowest to the lowest tasks? (2-5-32)
अमात्यानुपधातीतान्पितृपैतामहाञ्शुचीन्। श्रेष्ठाञ्श्रेष्ठेषु कच्चित्त्वं नियोजयसि कर्मसु ॥२-५-३३॥
Do you appoint ministers who are pure, free from deceit, and inherited from your father and grandfather—those who are the best among the excellent—in the most important duties? (2-5-33)
कच्चिन्नोग्रेण दण्डेन भृशमुद्वेजितप्रजाः। राष्ट्रं तवानुशासन्ति मन्त्रिणो भरतर्षभ ॥२-५-३४॥
O best of the Bharatas, do your ministers govern your kingdom without excessively disturbing the subjects by harsh punishments? (2-5-34)
कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा। उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः ॥२-५-३५॥
Do the sacrificers perhaps not disregard you as fallen, just as women disregard a man who accepts fierce gifts, even if they desire him? (2-5-35)
कच्चिद्धृष्टश्च शूरश्च मतिमान्धृतिमाञ्शुचिः। कुलीनश्चानुरक्तश्च दक्षः सेनापतिस्तव ॥२-५-३६॥
Is your commander bold, heroic, intelligent, steadfast, pure, noble-born, devoted, and skilful? (2-5-36)
कच्चिद्बलस्य ते मुख्याः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः। दृष्टापदाना विक्रान्तास्त्वया सत्कृत्य मानिताः ॥२-५-३७॥
Have all the principal warriors of your army, who are skilled in battle, experienced in adversity, and valiant, been duly honored and respected by you? (2-5-37)
कच्चिद्बलस्य भक्तं च वेतनं च यथोचितम्। सम्प्राप्तकालं दातव्यं ददासि न विकर्षसि ॥२-५-३८॥
Do you ensure that the food and wages of the army are given appropriately and on time, and that you do not withhold them? (2-5-38)
कालातिक्रमणाद्ध्येते भक्तवेतनयोर्भृताः। भर्तुः कुप्यन्ति दौर्गत्यात्सोऽनर्थः सुमहान्स्मृतः ॥२-५-३९॥
When the payment of food and wages is delayed, these servants become angry with their master due to poverty; such a misfortune is regarded as very great. (2-5-39)
कच्चित्सर्वेऽनुरक्तास्त्वां कुलपुत्राः प्रधानतः। कच्चित्प्राणांस्तवार्थेषु सन्त्यजन्ति सदा युधि ॥२-५-४०॥
Are all the sons of the family especially devoted to you? Do they always risk their lives in battle for your sake? (2-5-40)
कच्चिन्नैको बहूनर्थान्सर्वशः साम्परायिकान्। अनुशास्सि यथाकामं कामात्मा शासनातिगः ॥२-५-४१॥
Do you, being driven by desire and transgressing commands, instruct many matters relating entirely to the future just as you wish, all by yourself? (2-5-41)
कच्चित्पुरुषकारेण पुरुषः कर्म शोभयन्। लभते मानमधिकं भूयो वा भक्तवेतनम् ॥२-५-४२॥
Does a man, by his own effort, enhance his actions and thereby gain greater honor or merely the wages of a servant? (2-5-42)
कच्चिद्विद्याविनीतांश्च नराञ्ज्ञानविशारदान्। यथार्हं गुणतश्चैव दानेनाभ्यवपद्यसे ॥२-५-४३॥
Do you honor men who are trained in knowledge and skilled in wisdom, giving them gifts as is proper according to their qualities? (2-5-43)
कच्चिद्दारान्मनुष्याणां तवार्थे मृत्युमेयुषाम्। व्यसनं चाभ्युपेतानां बिभर्षि भरतर्षभ ॥२-५-४४॥
O best of the Bharatas, do you bear the distress of the wives of men who have died for your sake and of those who have encountered calamity? (2-5-44)
कच्चिद्भयादुपनतं क्लीबं वा रिपुमागतम्। युद्धे वा विजितं पार्थ पुत्रवत्परिरक्षसि ॥२-५-४५॥
O Pārtha, do you protect, like a son, an enemy who has approached out of fear, or one who is unmanly, or one who has been conquered in battle? (2-5-45)
कच्चित्त्वमेव सर्वस्याः पृथिव्याः पृथिवीपते। समश्च नाभिशङ्क्यश्च यथा माता यथा पिता ॥२-५-४६॥
O lord of the earth, are you truly impartial and above suspicion towards all your subjects, just as a mother or a father would be? (2-5-46)
कच्चिद्व्यसनिनं शत्रुं निशम्य भरतर्षभ। अभियासि जवेनैव समीक्ष्य त्रिविधं बलम् ॥२-५-४७॥
O best of the Bharatas, after hearing about the enemy in distress, do you attack swiftly, having carefully assessed the threefold forces? (2-5-47)
पार्ष्णिमूलं च विज्ञाय व्यवसायं पराजयम्। बलस्य च महाराज दत्त्वा वेतनमग्रतः ॥२-५-४८॥
O great king, having understood the root of the heel, the effort, and the defeat, and having given the wages in front of the army.
कच्चिच्च बलमुख्येभ्यः परराष्ट्रे परन्तप। उपच्छन्नानि रत्नानि प्रयच्छसि यथार्हतः ॥२-५-४९॥
O subduer of enemies, do you appropriately give hidden gems to the chiefs of the army in the enemy country? (2-5-49)
कच्चिदात्मानमेवाग्रे विजित्य विजितेन्द्रियः। पराञ्जिगीषसे पार्थ प्रमत्तानजितेन्द्रियान् ॥२-५-५०॥
O Pārtha, do you wish to conquer others, the heedless whose senses are uncontrolled, only after first conquering yourself and mastering your own senses? (2-5-50)
कच्चित्ते यास्यतः शत्रून्पूर्वं यान्ति स्वनुष्ठिताः। साम दानं च भेदश्च दण्डश्च विधिवद्गुणाः ॥२-५-५१॥
Are the means of conciliation, gift, division, and punishment, when properly employed by you, being applied in due order before the enemies? (2-5-51)
कच्चिन्मूलं दृढं कृत्वा यात्रां यासि विशां पते। तांश्च विक्रमसे जेतुं जित्वा च परिरक्षसि ॥२-५-५२॥
O lord of men, do you set out on your expedition only after making your base secure, strive to defeat your enemies, and, having conquered them, protect them? (2-5-52)
कच्चिदष्टाङ्गसंयुक्ता चतुर्विधबला चमूः। बलमुख्यैः सुनीता ते द्विषतां प्रतिबाधनी ॥२-५-५३॥
Is your eight-limbed army, composed of four kinds of forces and well-governed by the chiefs, able to repel the enemies? (2-5-53)
कच्चिल्लवं च मुष्टिं च परराष्ट्रे परन्तप। अविहाय महाराज विहंसि समरे रिपून् ॥२-५-५४॥
O great king, subduer of foes, do you ever, without abandoning even a little or a handful in enemy territory, destroy your enemies in battle? (2-5-54)
कच्चित्स्वपरराष्ट्रेषु बहवोऽधिकृतास्तव। अर्थान्समनुतिष्ठन्ति रक्षन्ति च परस्परम् ॥२-५-५५॥
Are there many officers in your own and other kingdoms who properly carry out your interests and protect one another? (2-5-55)
कच्चिदभ्यवहार्याणि गात्रसंस्पर्शकानि च। घ्रेयाणि च महाराज रक्षन्त्यनुमतास्तव ॥२-५-५६॥
O great king, are the foods, the things that touch the body, and the things to be smelled, all being used only as permitted by you? (2-5-56)
कच्चित्कोशं च कोष्ठं च वाहनं द्वारमायुधम्। आयश्च कृतकल्याणैस्तव भक्तैरनुष्ठितः ॥२-५-५७॥
Are the treasury, storehouse, vehicles, gates, weapons, and income being managed by your loyal and virtuous attendants? (2-5-57)
कच्चिदाभ्यन्तरेभ्यश्च बाह्येभ्यश्च विशां पते। रक्षस्यात्मानमेवाग्रे तांश्च स्वेभ्यो मिथश्च तान् ॥२-५-५८॥
O lord of the people, do you ensure to protect yourself first from both insiders and outsiders, and also protect your people from your own and from each other? (2-5-58)
कच्चिन्न पाने द्यूते वा क्रीडासु प्रमदासु च। प्रतिजानन्ति पूर्वाह्णे व्ययं व्यसनजं तव ॥२-५-५९॥
Do they, in the morning, acknowledge to you the expenses that arise from your indulgence in drinking, gambling, sports, or with women? (2-5-59)
कच्चिदायस्य चार्धेन चतुर्भागेन वा पुनः। पादभागैस्त्रिभिर्वापि व्ययः संशोध्यते तव ॥२-५-६०॥
O king, is your expenditure deducted from your income by half, by a fourth, or again by three quarter parts, or by three? (2-5-60)
कच्चिज्ज्ञातीन्गुरून्वृद्धान्वणिजः शिल्पिनः श्रितान्। अभीक्ष्णमनुगृह्णासि धनधान्येन दुर्गतान् ॥२-५-६१॥
Do you constantly support your kinsmen, elders, the aged, merchants, artisans, and those who have sought your refuge, who are in distress, with wealth and grain? (2-5-61)
कच्चिदायव्यये युक्ताः सर्वे गणकलेखकाः। अनुतिष्ठन्ति पूर्वाह्णे नित्यमायव्ययं तव ॥२-५-६२॥
Are all your accountants and clerks always engaged in managing your income and expenditure every forenoon? (2-5-62)
कच्चिदर्थेषु सम्प्रौढान्हितकामाननुप्रियान्। नापकर्षसि कर्मभ्यः पूर्वमप्राप्य किल्बिषम् ॥२-५-६३॥
Do you ensure that those who are mature, seek welfare, and are agreeable in matters are not removed from their duties before any fault is found? (2-5-63)
कच्चिद्विदित्वा पुरुषानुत्तमाधममध्यमान्। त्वं कर्मस्वनुरूपेषु नियोजयसि भारत ॥२-५-६४॥
O Bhārata, do you, after discerning men as superior, inferior, and average, assign them to duties appropriate to their capacities? (2-5-64)
कच्चिन्न लुब्धाश्चौरा वा वैरिणो वा विशां पते। अप्राप्तव्यवहारा वा तव कर्मस्वनुष्ठिताः ॥२-५-६५॥
O lord of the people, I hope there are no greedy persons, thieves, or enemies, or those not engaged in proper conduct, who have performed your duties. (2-5-65)
कच्चिन्न लुब्धैश्चौरैर्वा कुमारैः स्त्रीबलेन वा। त्वया वा पीड्यते राष्ट्रं कच्चित्पुष्टाः कृषीवलाः ॥२-५-६६॥
Is your kingdom ever oppressed by greedy men, thieves, princes, women's force, or even by you? Are the farmers prosperous? (2-5-66)
कच्चिद्राष्ट्रे तडागानि पूर्णानि च महान्ति च। भागशो विनिविष्टानि न कृषिर्देवमातृका ॥२-५-६७॥
Are the ponds in the kingdom full and large, and distributed in various parts, so that agriculture is not dependent on the gods (rain)? (2-5-67)
कच्चिद्बीजं च भक्तं च कर्षकायावसीदते। प्रतिकं च शतं वृद्ध्या ददास्यृणमनुग्रहम् ॥२-५-६८॥
Are the seed and food sufficient for the ploughman? And for every hundred, do you grant a loan with interest as a favor? (2-5-68)
कच्चित्स्वनुष्ठिता तात वार्त्ता ते साधुभिर्जनैः। वार्त्तायां संश्रितस्तात लोकोऽयं सुखमेधते ॥२-५-६९॥
O dear, is your livelihood being properly carried out by virtuous people? When people resort to such a livelihood, does this world prosper in happiness? (2-5-69)
कच्चिच्छुचिकृतः प्राज्ञाः पञ्च पञ्च स्वनुष्ठिताः। क्षेमं कुर्वन्ति संहत्य राजञ्जनपदे तव ॥२-५-७०॥
O king, are the ten purified and wise ministers, properly established, working together for the welfare of your country? (2-5-70)
कच्चिन्नगरगुप्त्यर्थं ग्रामा नगरवत्कृताः। ग्रामवच्च कृता रक्षा ते च सर्वे तदर्पणाः ॥२-५-७१॥
Have the villages been organized like a city for the purpose of city protection? And has protection been arranged for the villages as well? Are all of them dedicated to that purpose? (2-5-71)
कच्चिद्बलेनानुगताः समानि विषमाणि च। पुराणचौराः साध्यक्षाश्चरन्ति विषये तव ॥२-५-७२॥
Are the equal and unequal cases being followed up by force? Do old thieves, along with officers, roam in your territory? (2-5-72)
कच्चित्स्त्रियः सान्त्वयसि कच्चित्ताश्च सुरक्षिताः। कच्चिन्न श्रद्दधास्यासां कच्चिद्गुह्यं न भाषसे ॥२-५-७३॥
Do you console the women? Are they all safe? Do you not trust any of them? You do not reveal any secret, do you? (2-5-73)
कच्चिच्चारान्निशि श्रुत्वा तत्कार्यमनुचिन्त्य च। प्रियाण्यनुभवञ्शेषे विदित्वाभ्यन्तरं जनम् ॥२-५-७४॥
Does he, after hearing the spies at night and considering the necessary actions, then enjoy pleasant things for the rest of the night, having ascertained the people within? (2-5-74)
कच्चिद्द्वौ प्रथमौ यामौ रात्र्यां सुप्त्वा विशां पते। सञ्चिन्तयसि धर्मार्थौ याम उत्थाय पश्चिमे ॥२-५-७५॥
O lord of the people, after sleeping during the first two watches of the night, do you contemplate dharma and artha upon rising in the last watch? (2-5-75)
कच्चिद्दर्शयसे नित्यं मनुष्यान्समलङ्कृतान्। उत्थाय काले कालज्ञः सह पाण्डव मन्त्रिभिः ॥२-५-७६॥
Do you regularly present well-adorned men, rising at the proper time, you who know the right moment, together with the Pāṇḍava and his ministers? (2-5-76)
कच्चिद्रक्ताम्बरधराः खड्गहस्ताः स्वलङ्कृताः। अभितस्त्वामुपासन्ते रक्षणार्थमरिंदम ॥२-५-७७॥
Are the well-adorned men, dressed in red garments and armed with swords, attending you on all sides for your protection, O subduer of enemies? (2-5-77)
कच्चिद्दण्ड्येषु यमवत्पूज्येषु च विशां पते। परीक्ष्य वर्तसे सम्यगप्रियेषु प्रियेषु च ॥२-५-७८॥
O lord of the people, do you, after due consideration, act justly like Yama towards those who deserve punishment, and properly towards both the disagreeable and the agreeable? (2-5-78)
कच्चिच्छारीरमाबाधमौषधैर्नियमेन वा। मानसं वृद्धसेवाभिः सदा पार्थापकर्षसि ॥२-५-७९॥
O son of Pritha, do you always remove bodily afflictions with medicines or regimen, or mental afflictions by serving the elders? (2-5-79)
कच्चिद्वैद्याश्चिकित्सायामष्टाङ्गायां विशारदाः। सुहृदश्चानुरक्ताश्च शरीरे ते हिताः सदा ॥२-५-८०॥
Are the physicians, skilled in the eight branches of treatment, and your affectionate well-wishers, always beneficial to your body? (2-5-80)
कच्चिन्न मानान्मोहाद्वा कामाद्वापि विशां पते। अर्थिप्रत्यर्थिनः प्राप्तानपास्यसि कथञ्चन ॥२-५-८१॥
O lord of the people, will you ever, out of pride, delusion, or desire, reject any petitioners or opponents who come before you? (2-5-81)
कच्चिन्न लोभान्मोहाद्वा विश्रम्भात्प्रणयेन वा। आश्रितानां मनुष्याणां वृत्तिं त्वं संरुणत्सि च ॥२-५-८२॥
Do you ensure that, neither out of greed, delusion, over-familiarity, nor affection, you destroy the livelihood of those men who depend on you? (2-5-82)
कच्चित्पौरा न सहिता ये च ते राष्ट्रवासिनः। त्वया सह विरुध्यन्ते परैः क्रीताः कथञ्चन ॥२-५-८३॥
Are the citizens and those other inhabitants of the kingdom, who are not united, in any way bribed by outsiders to oppose you? (2-5-83)
कच्चित्ते दुर्बलः शत्रुर्बलेनोपनिपीडितः। मन्त्रेण बलवान्कश्चिदुभाभ्यां वा युधिष्ठिर ॥२-५-८४॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, has your weak enemy been subdued by strength, or has anyone strong been overcome by counsel, or by both means? (2-5-84)
कच्चित्सर्वेऽनुरक्तास्त्वां भूमिपालाः प्रधानतः। कच्चित्प्राणांस्त्वदर्थेषु सन्त्यजन्ति त्वया हृताः ॥२-५-८५॥
Are all the kings especially devoted to you? Do those whom you have won over give up their lives for your sake? (2-5-85)
कच्चित्ते सर्वविद्यासु गुणतोऽर्चा प्रवर्तते। ब्राह्मणानां च साधूनां तव निःश्रेयसे शुभा ॥२-५-८६॥
Is worship, according to quality, performed by you in all branches of knowledge? Is the auspicious worship of Brāhmaṇas and virtuous ones undertaken for your highest good? (2-5-86)
कच्चिद्धर्मे त्रयीमूले पूर्वैराचरिते जनैः। वर्तमानस्तथा कर्तुं तस्मिन्कर्मणि वर्तसे ॥२-५-८७॥
Are you following the dharma, which is rooted in the three Vedas and practiced by the ancients, and do you act accordingly in your duties? (2-5-87)
कच्चित्तव गृहेऽन्नानि स्वादून्यश्नन्ति वै द्विजाः। गुणवन्ति गुणोपेतास्तवाध्यक्षं सदक्षिणम् ॥२-५-८८॥
Are the Brahmins in your house eating tasty food, and is your superintendent, who is virtuous and endowed with virtues, being given proper gifts? (2-5-88)
कच्चित्क्रतूनेकचित्तो वाजपेयांश्च सर्वशः। पुण्डरीकांश्च कार्त्स्न्येन यतसे कर्तुमात्मवान् ॥२-५-८९॥
Are you, with focused mind and self-control, making every effort to perform all the Vājapeya and Puṇḍarīka sacrifices in their entirety? (2-5-89)
कच्चिज्ज्ञातीन्गुरून्वृद्धान्दैवतांस्तापसानपि। चैत्यांश्च वृक्षान्कल्याणान्ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यसि ॥२-५-९०॥
Do you show reverence to your kinsmen, elders, the aged, divinities, ascetics, as well as to shrines, auspicious trees, and Brāhmaṇas? (2-5-90)
कच्चिदेषा च ते बुद्धिर्वृत्तिरेषा च तेऽनघ। आयुष्या च यशस्या च धर्मकामार्थदर्शिनी ॥२-५-९१॥
O sinless one, does your intellect and conduct ensure long life and fame, and discern the true nature of dharma, desire, and wealth? (2-5-91)
एतया वर्तमानस्य बुद्ध्या राष्ट्रं न सीदति। विजित्य च महीं राजा सोऽत्यन्तं सुखमेधते ॥२-५-९२॥
With such present wisdom, a kingdom does not fall; and having conquered the earth, the king attains complete happiness. (2-5-92)
कच्चिदार्यो विशुद्धात्मा क्षारितश्चौरकर्मणि। अदृष्टशास्त्रकुशलैर्न लोभाद्वध्यते शुचिः ॥२-५-९३॥
Is the noble and pure-souled person, punished for theft, not being killed out of greed by those unskilled in the unseen scriptures? (2-5-93)
पृष्टो गृहीतस्तत्कारी तज्ज्ञैर्दृष्टः सकारणः। कच्चिन्न मुच्यते स्तेनो द्रव्यलोभान्नरर्षभ ॥२-५-९४॥
O best of men, when the doer of that act is questioned, seized, and seen by those who know the matter, and the reason is established, is the thief not released out of greed for wealth? (2-5-94)
व्युत्पन्ने कच्चिदाढ्यस्य दरिद्रस्य च भारत। अर्थान्न मिथ्या पश्यन्ति तवामात्या हृता धनैः ॥२-५-९५॥
O Bhārata, when instructed, do your ministers, corrupted by riches, not misrepresent you regarding the wealth of the rich and the poor? (2-5-95)
नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम्। अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं क्षिप्तचित्तताम् ॥२-५-९६॥
Atheism, falsehood, anger, negligence, procrastination, lack of discernment, laziness among the wise, and a distracted mind (2-5-96).
एकचिन्तनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च चिन्तनम्। निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम् ॥२-५-९७॥
Considering matters only once, consulting with those ignorant of misfortune, failing to act on determined plans, and not safeguarding counsel—these are faults. (2-5-97)
मङ्गल्यस्याप्रयोगं च प्रसङ्गं विषयेषु च। कच्चित्त्वं वर्जयस्येतान्राजदोषांश्चतुर्दश ॥२-५-९८॥
Do you avoid these fourteen royal faults, such as the non-application of auspiciousness and attachment to sense-objects? (2-5-98)
कच्चित्ते सफला वेदाः कच्चित्ते सफलं धनम्। कच्चित्ते सफला दाराः कच्चित्ते सफलं श्रुतम् ॥२-५-९९॥
Are the Vedas fruitful for you? Is your wealth fruitful? Are your wives fruitful? Is your learning fruitful? (2-5-99)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
कथं वै सफला वेदाः कथं वै सफलं धनम्। कथं वै सफला दाराः कथं वै सफलं श्रुतम् ॥२-५-१००॥
How indeed do the Vedas become fruitful? How does wealth become fruitful? How do wives become fruitful? How does learning become fruitful? (2-5-100)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
अग्निहोत्रफला वेदा दत्तभुक्तफलं धनम्। रतिपुत्रफला दाराः शीलवृत्तफलं श्रुतम् ॥२-५-१०१॥
The Vedas yield the fruit of agnihotra; wealth yields the fruit of what is given and enjoyed; wives yield the fruit of pleasure and sons; learning yields the fruit of conduct and character. (2-5-101)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एतदाख्याय स मुनिर्नारदः सुमहातपाः। पप्रच्छानन्तरमिदं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥२-५-१०२॥
After narrating this, the sage Nārada, possessed of great austerity, immediately asked this question to the righteous Yudhiṣṭhira. (2-5-102)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
कच्चिदभ्यागता दूराद्वणिजो लाभकारणात्। यथोक्तमवहार्यन्ते शुल्कं शुल्कोपजीविभिः ॥२-५-१०३॥
Have the merchants who have come from distant places for profit, as stated, had their taxes collected by the tax collectors? (2-5-103)
कच्चित्ते पुरुषा राजन्पुरे राष्ट्रे च मानिताः। उपानयन्ति पण्यानि उपधाभिरवञ्चिताः ॥२-५-१०४॥
O king, are your men in the city and in the kingdom respected, and do they bring goods without being cheated by deceits? (2-5-104)
कच्चिच्छृणोषि वृद्धानां धर्मार्थसहिता गिरः। नित्यमर्थविदां तात तथा धर्मानुदर्शिनाम् ॥२-५-१०५॥
Dear one, do you always listen to the words of the elders, which are accompanied by righteousness and purpose, as well as to those of the wise and the observers of righteousness? (2-5-105)
कच्चित्ते कृषितन्त्रेषु गोषु पुष्पफलेषु च। धर्मार्थं च द्विजातिभ्यो दीयते मधुसर्पिषी ॥२-५-१०६॥
Are honey and ghee being given to the twice-born for the sake of dharma from your agricultural produce, cows, and flowers and fruits? (2-5-106)
द्रव्योपकरणं कच्चित्सर्वदा सर्वशिल्पिनाम्। चातुर्मास्यावरं सम्यङ्नियतं सम्प्रयच्छसि ॥२-५-१०७॥
Do you ensure that all materials and tools, including the lesser ones required for the four-month observance, are always properly and regularly supplied to all artisans? (2-5-107)
कच्चित्कृतं विजानीषे कर्तारं च प्रशंससि। सतां मध्ये महाराज सत्करोषि च पूजयन् ॥२-५-१०८॥
O great king, do you recognize the deed and praise the doer? And among the virtuous, do you honor and worship them? (2-5-108)
कच्चित्सूत्राणि सर्वाणि गृह्णासि भरतर्षभ। हस्तिसूत्राश्वसूत्राणि रथसूत्राणि चाभिभो ॥२-५-१०९॥
O foremost of the Bharatas, do you hold all the cords—those for elephants, horses, and chariots—O mighty one? (2-5-109)
कच्चिदभ्यस्यते शश्वद्गृहे ते भरतर्षभ। धनुर्वेदस्य सूत्रं च यन्त्रसूत्रं च नागरम् ॥२-५-११०॥
O foremost of the Bharatas, is the manual of archery, as well as the manual of mechanical devices and urban arts, regularly practiced in your house? (2-5-110)
कच्चिदस्त्राणि सर्वाणि ब्रह्मदण्डश्च तेऽनघ। विषयोगाश्च ते सर्वे विदिताः शत्रुनाशनाः ॥२-५-१११॥
O sinless one, are all your missiles, the Brahma-staff, and all your poisonous mixtures and enemy-destroying weapons known to you? (2-5-111)
कच्चिदग्निभयाच्चैव सर्पव्यालभयात्तथा। रोगरक्षोभयाच्चैव राष्ट्रं स्वं परिरक्षसि ॥२-५-११२॥
Do you ensure the protection of your own kingdom from the dangers of fire, serpents, wild beasts, diseases, and demons? (2-5-112)
कच्चिदन्धांश्च मूकांश्च पङ्गून्व्यङ्गानबान्धवान्। पितेव पासि धर्मज्ञ तथा प्रव्रजितानपि ॥२-५-११३॥
O knower of dharma, do you protect the blind, the mute, the lame, the deformed, and those without relatives, just as a father would? And do you also care for the ascetics? (2-5-113)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एताः कुरूणामृषभो महात्मा; श्रुत्वा गिरो ब्राह्मणसत्तमस्य। प्रणम्य पादावभिवाद्य हृष्टो; राजाब्रवीन्नारदं देवरूपम् ॥२-५-११४॥
Hearing these words of the foremost Brāhmaṇa, the great-souled bull among the Kurus, the king, joyfully bowed and saluted the feet of Nārada of divine form, and spoke to him. (2-5-114)
एवं करिष्यामि यथा त्वयोक्तं; प्रज्ञा हि मे भूय एवाभिवृद्धा। उक्त्वा तथा चैव चकार राजा; लेभे महीं सागरमेखलां च ॥२-५-११५॥
"I will act as you have said; indeed, my wisdom has grown even more." Having said this, the king did accordingly and gained the earth encircled by the ocean. (2-5-115)
नारद उवाच॥
Nārada said.
एवं यो वर्तते राजा चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य रक्षणे। स विहृत्येह सुसुखी शक्रस्यैति सलोकताम् ॥२-५-११६॥
Thus, the king who protects the four varṇas, after enjoying happiness here, attains the same world as Indra. (2-5-116)
