02.005
Pancharatra: Narada’s teaching of Raja Dharma to Yudhisthira.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tathā tatropaviṣṭeṣu pāṇḍaveṣu mahātmasu। mahatsu copaviṣṭeṣu gandharveṣu ca bhārata ॥2-5-1॥
Thus, O Bhārata, among those seated there—the Pāṇḍavas, the great-souled ones, and the Gandharvas.
lokān anucarann sarvān āgamat tām sabhām ṛṣiḥ। nāradaḥ sumahātejā ṛṣibhiḥ sahitaḥ tadā ॥2-5-2॥
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)
pārijātena rājendra raivatena ca dhīmatā। sumukhena ca saumyena devarṣiramitadyutiḥ ॥ sabhāsthān pāṇḍavān draṣṭuṃ prīyamāṇo manojavaḥ ॥2-5-3॥
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)
tamāgatam ṛṣiṃ dṛṣṭvā nāradaṃ sarvadharmavit। sahasā pāṇḍavaśreṣṭhaḥ pratyutthāyānujaiḥ saha॥ abhyavādayata prītyā vinayāvanatastadā॥2-5-4॥
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)
tadarhamāsanaṃ tasmai sampradāya yathāvidhi। arcayāmāsa ratnaiś ca sarvakāmaiś ca dharmavit ॥2-5-5॥
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)
so'rcitaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ sarvair maharṣir vedapāragaḥ। dharmakāmārthasaṃyuktaṃ papracchedaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥2-5-6॥
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)
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
kaccidarthāś ca kalpante dharme ca ramate manaḥ। sukhāni cānubhūyante manaś ca na vihanyate ॥2-5-7॥
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)
kaccid ācaritāṃ pūrvair naradeva pitāmahaiḥ। vartase vṛttim akṣīṇāṃ dharmārthasahitāṃ nṛṣu ॥2-5-8॥
O king, do you follow, among men, the unimpaired conduct practiced by your ancestors, which is endowed with righteousness and prosperity? (2-5-8)
kaccid arthenā vā dharmaṃ dharmeṇārtham athāpi vā। ubhau vā prītisāreṇa na kāmena prabādhase ॥2-5-9॥
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)
kaccid arthaṃ ca dharmaṃ ca kāmaṃ ca jayatāṃ vara। vibhajya kāle kālajña sadā varada sevase ॥2-5-10॥
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)
kaccidrājaguṇaiḥ ṣaḍbhiḥ saptopāyāṃstathānagha| balābalaṃ tathā samyakcaturdaśa parīkṣase ॥2-5-11॥
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)
kaccid ātmānam anvīkṣya parāṃś ca jayatāṃ vara। tathā sandhāya karmāṇi aṣṭau bhārata sevase ॥2-5-12॥
O Bhārata, best among the victorious, do you, after examining yourself and others, thus arrange and perform the eight actions? (2-5-12)
kaccit prakṛtayaḥ ṣaṭ te na luptā bharatarṣabha। āḍhyās tathā vyasaninaḥ svanuraktāś ca sarvaśaḥ ॥2-5-13॥
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)
kaccinna tarkairdūtairvā ye cāpyapariśaṅkitāḥ। tvatto vā tava vāmātyairbhidyate jātu mantritam ॥2-5-14॥
Is your counsel ever revealed by conjecture, by messengers, by unsuspecting persons, by yourself, or by your ministers? (2-5-14)
kaccitsaṃdhiṃ yathākālaṃ vigrahaṃ copasevase। kaccidvṛttimudāsīne madhyame cānuvartase ॥2-5-15॥
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)
kaccid ātmasamā buddhyā śucayo jīvitakṣamāḥ। kulīnāś cānuraktāś ca kṛtās te vīra mantriṇaḥ ॥2-5-16॥
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)
vijayo mantramūlo hi rājñāṃ bhavati bhārata। susaṃvṛto mantradhanairamātyaiḥ śāstrakovidaiḥ ॥2-5-17॥
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)
kaccinnidrāvaśaṃ naiṣi kaccitkāle vibudhyase। kacciccāpararātreṣu cintayasyarthamarthavit ॥2-5-18॥
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)
kaccin mantrayase naikaḥ kaccin na bahubhiḥ saha। kaccit te mantrito mantro na rāṣṭram anudhāvati ॥2-5-19॥
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)
kaccid arthān viniścitya laghu-mūlān mahodayān। kṣipram ārabhase kartuṃ na vighnayasi tādṛśān ॥2-5-20॥
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)
kaccinna sarve karmāntāḥ parokṣāste viśaṅkitāḥ। sarve vā punarutsṛṣṭāḥ saṃsṛṣṭaṃ hyatra kāraṇam ॥2-5-21॥
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)
kaccidrājan kṛtānyeva kṛtaprāyāṇi vā punaḥ। viduste vīra karmāṇi nānavāptāni kānicit ॥2-5-22॥
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)
kaccit kāraṇikāḥ sarve sarvaśāstreṣu kovidāḥ। kārayanti kumārāṃś ca yodhamukhyāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ ॥2-5-23॥
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)
kaccit sahasrair mūrkhāṇām ekaṃ krīṇāsi paṇḍitam | paṇḍito hy arthakṛcchreṣu kuryān niḥśreyasaṃ param ||2-5-24||
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)
kaccid durgāṇi sarvāṇi dhana-dhānya-āyudha-udakaiḥ। yantraiś ca paripūrṇāni tathā śilpi-dhanur-dharaiḥ ॥2-5-25॥
Are all the fortresses well supplied with wealth, grain, weapons, water, machines, and also with artisans and archers? (2-5-25)
eko'pyamātyo medhāvī śūro dānto vicakṣaṇaḥ। rājānaṃ rājaputraṃ vā prāpayan mahatīṃ śriyam ॥2-5-26॥
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)
kaccidaṣṭādaśānyeṣu svapakṣe daśa pañca ca। tribhistribhiravijñātairvetsi tīrthāni cārakaiḥ ॥2-5-27॥
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)
kaccid dviṣām aviditaḥ pratiyattaś ca sarvadā। nityayukto ripūn sarvān vīkṣase ripusūdana ॥2-5-28॥
O destroyer of enemies, are you always prepared and ever-vigilant, observing all your enemies without their knowledge? (2-5-28)
kaccid vinaya-sampannaḥ kulaputro bahuśrutaḥ। anasūyur anuprṣṭā satkṛtas te purohitaḥ ॥2-5-29॥
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)
kaccid agniṣu te yukto vidhijño matimān ṛjuḥ। hutaṃ ca hoṣyamāṇaṃ ca kāle vedayate sadā ॥2-5-30॥
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)
kaccidaṅgeṣu niṣṇāto jyotiṣāṃ pratipādakaḥ। utpāteṣu ca sarveṣu daivajñaḥ kuśalastava ॥2-5-31॥
Is your astrologer well-versed in all the branches, an expounder of astrology, and skilled in interpreting all portents? (2-5-31)
kaccinmukhyā mahatsveva madhyameṣu ca madhyamāḥ। jaghanyāśca jaghanyeṣu bhṛtyāḥ karmasu yojitāḥ ॥2-5-32॥
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)
amātyān-upadhā-tītān-pitṛ-paitāmahān-śucīn। śreṣṭhān-śreṣṭheṣu kaccit-tvaṃ niyojayasi karmasu ॥2-5-33॥
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)
kaccinnogreṇa daṇḍena bhṛśamudvejitaprajāḥ। rāṣṭraṃ tavānuśāsanti mantriṇo bharatarṣabha ॥2-5-34॥
O best of the Bharatas, do your ministers govern your kingdom without excessively disturbing the subjects by harsh punishments? (2-5-34)
kaccittvāṃ nāvajānanti yājakāḥ patitaṃ yathā। ugrapratigrahītāraṃ kāmayānamiva striyaḥ ॥2-5-35॥
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)
kacciddhṛṣṭaśca śūraśca matimāndhṛtimāñśuciḥ। kulīnaścānuraktaśca dakṣaḥ senāpatistava ॥2-5-36॥
Is your commander bold, heroic, intelligent, steadfast, pure, noble-born, devoted, and skilful? (2-5-36)
kaccid balasya te mukhyāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ। dṛṣṭāpadānā vikrāntās tvayā satkṛtya mānitāḥ ॥2-5-37॥
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)
kaccid balasya bhaktaṃ ca vetanaṃ ca yathocitam। samprāpta-kālaṃ dātavyaṃ dadāsi na vikarṣasi ॥2-5-38॥
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)
kālātikramaṇāddhyete bhaktavetanayorbhṛtāḥ। bhartuḥ kupyanti daurgatyāt so'narthaḥ sumahānsmṛtaḥ ॥2-5-39॥
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)
kaccitsarve'nuraktāstvāṃ kulaputrāḥ pradhānataḥ। kaccitprāṇāṃstavārtheṣu santyajanti sadā yudhi ॥2-5-40॥
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)
kaccinnaiko bahūnarthānsarvaśaḥ sāmparāyikān। anuśāssi yathākāmaṃ kāmātmā śāsanātigaḥ ॥2-5-41॥
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)
kaccitpuruṣakāreṇa puruṣaḥ karma śobhayān। labhate mānamadhikaṃ bhūyo vā bhaktavetanam ॥2-5-42॥
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)
kaccid vidyā-vinītāṁś ca narāñ jñāna-viśāradān। yathārhaṁ guṇataś caiva dānenābhyavapadyase ॥2-5-43॥
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)
kacciddārān manuṣyāṇāṃ tavārthe mṛtyumeyuṣām। vyasanaṃ cābhyupetānāṃ bibharṣi bharatarṣabha ॥2-5-44॥
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)
kaccid bhayād upanataṃ klībaṃ vā ripum āgatam। yuddhe vā vijitaṃ pārtha putravat parirakṣasi ॥2-5-45॥
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)
kaccittvameva sarvasyāḥ pṛthivyāḥ pṛthivīpate। samaśca nābhiśaṅkyaśca yathā mātā yathā pitā ॥2-5-46॥
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)
kaccid vyasaninaṃ śatruṃ niśamya bharatarṣabha। ab hiyāsi javenaiva samīkṣya trividhaṃ balam ॥2-5-47॥
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)
pārṣṇimūlaṃ ca vijñāya vyavasāyaṃ parājayam। balasya ca mahārāja dattvā vetanamagrataḥ ॥2-5-48॥
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.
kaccic ca balamukhyebhyaḥ pararāṣṭre parantapa। upacchannāni ratnāni prayacchasi yathārhataḥ ॥2-5-49॥
O subduer of enemies, do you appropriately give hidden gems to the chiefs of the army in the enemy country? (2-5-49)
kaccid ātmānam eva agre vijitya vijitendriyaḥ। parāñ jigīṣase pārtha pramattān ajitendriyān ॥2-5-50॥
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)
kaccitte yāsyataḥ śatrūnpūrvaṃ yānti svanuṣṭhitāḥ। sāma dānaṃ ca bhedaśca daṇḍaśca vidhivadguṇāḥ ॥2-5-51॥
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)
kaccin mūlaṃ dṛḍhaṃ kṛtvā yātrāṃ yāsi viśāṃ pate। tāṃś ca vikramase jetuṃ jitvā ca parirakṣasi ॥2-5-52॥
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)
kaccidaṣṭāṅgasaṃyuktā caturvidhabalā camūḥ। balamukhyaiḥ sunītā te dviṣatāṃ pratibādhanī ॥2-5-53॥
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)
kaccillavaṃ ca muṣṭiṃ ca pararāṣṭre parantapa। avihāya mahārāja vihañsi samare ripūn ॥2-5-54॥
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)
kaccitsvapararāṣṭreṣu bahavo'dhikr̥tāstava। arthānsamanutiṣṭhanti rakṣanti ca parasparam ॥2-5-55॥
Are there many officers in your own and other kingdoms who properly carry out your interests and protect one another? (2-5-55)
kaccid abhyavahāryāṇi gātra-saṃsparśakāni ca | ghreyāṇi ca mahārāja rakṣanti anumatās tava ||2-5-56||
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)
kaccitkośaṃ ca koṣṭhaṃ ca vāhanaṃ dvāramāyudham। āyaśca kṛtakalyāṇais tava bhaktair anuṣṭhitaḥ ॥2-5-57॥
Are the treasury, storehouse, vehicles, gates, weapons, and income being managed by your loyal and virtuous attendants? (2-5-57)
kaccid ābhyantarebhyaś ca bāhyebhyaś ca viśāṃ pate। rakṣasy ātmānam evāgre tāṃś ca svebhyo mithaś ca tān ॥2-5-58॥
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)
kaccin na pāne dyūte vā krīḍāsu pramadāsu ca। pratijānanti pūrvāhṇe vyayaṃ vyasanajaṃ tava॥2-5-59॥
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)
kaccid āyasya ca ardhenā caturbhāgena vā punaḥ। pādabhaagaiḥ tribhir vā api vyayaḥ saṃśodhyate tava ॥2-5-60॥
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)
kaccij jñātīn gurūn vṛddhān vaṇijaḥ śilpinaḥ śritān। abhīkṣṇam anugṛhṇāsi dhana-dhānyena durgatān ॥2-5-61॥
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)
kaccid āyavyaye yuktāḥ sarve gaṇakalekhakāḥ। anutiṣṭhanti pūrvāhṇe nityam āyavyayaṃ tava ॥2-5-62॥
Are all your accountants and clerks always engaged in managing your income and expenditure every forenoon? (2-5-62)
kaccid artheṣu samprauḍhān hitakāmān anupriyān। na apakarṣasi karmabhyaḥ pūrvam aprāpya kilbiṣam ॥2-5-63॥
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)
kaccid viditvā puruṣān uttama-adhama-madhyamān। tvaṃ karmasu anurūpeṣu niyojayasi bhārata ॥2-5-64॥
O Bhārata, do you, after discerning men as superior, inferior, and average, assign them to duties appropriate to their capacities? (2-5-64)
kaccinna lubdhāścaurā vā vairiṇo vā viśāṃ pate| aprāptavyavahārā vā tava karmasvanuṣṭhitāḥ ॥2-5-65॥
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)
kaccinna lubdhaiś caurair vā kumāraiḥ strībālena vā। tvayā vā pīḍyate rāṣṭraṃ kaccit puṣṭāḥ kṛṣīvalāḥ ॥2-5-66॥
Is your kingdom ever oppressed by greedy men, thieves, princes, women's force, or even by you? Are the farmers prosperous? (2-5-66)
kaccidrāṣṭre taḍāgāni pūrṇāni ca mahānti ca। bhāgaśo viniviṣṭāni na kṛṣirdevamātṛkā ॥2-5-67॥
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)
kaccid bījaṃ ca bhaktaṃ ca karṣakāya avasīdate। pratikaṃ ca śataṃ vṛddhyā dadāsi ṛṇam anugraham ॥2-5-68॥
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)
kaccitsvanuṣṭhitā tāta vārttā te sādhubhirjanaiḥ। vārttāyāṃ saṃśritastāta loko'yaṃ sukhamedhate ॥2-5-69॥
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)
kaccicchucikṛtaḥ prājñāḥ pañca pañca svanuṣṭhitāḥ। kṣemaṃ kurvanti saṃhatya rājanjanapade tava ॥2-5-70॥
O king, are the ten purified and wise ministers, properly established, working together for the welfare of your country? (2-5-70)
kaccinnagaraguptyarthaṃ grāmā nagaravatkṛtāḥ। grāmavacca kṛtā rakṣā te ca sarve tadarpaṇāḥ ॥2-5-71॥
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)
kaccid balenānugatāḥ samāni viṣamāṇi ca। purāṇacaurāḥ sādhyakṣāś caranti viṣaye tava॥2-5-72॥
Are the equal and unequal cases being followed up by force? Do old thieves, along with officers, roam in your territory? (2-5-72)
kaccitstriyaḥ sāntvayasi kaccittāśca surakṣitāḥ। kaccinna śraddadhāsyāsāṃ kaccidguhyaṃ na bhāṣase ॥2-5-73॥
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)
kacciccārānniśi śrutvā tatkāryam anucintya ca। priyāṇy anubhavañ śeṣe viditvābhyantaraṃ janam ॥2-5-74॥
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)
kacciddvau prathamau yāmau rātryāṃ suptvā viśāṃ pate| sañcintayasi dharmārthau yāma utthāya paścime ॥2-5-75॥
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)
kacciddarśayase nityaṃ manuṣyānsamalaṅkṛtān। utthāya kāle kālajñaḥ saha pāṇḍava mantribhiḥ ॥2-5-76॥
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)
kaccidraktāmbaradharāḥ khaḍgahastāḥ swalaṅkṛtāḥ। abhitastvāmupāsante rakṣaṇārthamariṃdama ॥2-5-77॥
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)
kacciddaṇḍyeṣu yamavatpūjyeṣu ca viśāṃ pate। parīkṣya vartase samyagpriyeṣu priyeṣu ca ॥2-5-78॥
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)
kaccic chārīram ābādham auṣadhair niyamena vā | mānasaṃ vṛddha-sevābhiḥ sadā pārtha apakarṣasi ॥2-5-79॥
O son of Pritha, do you always remove bodily afflictions with medicines or regimen, or mental afflictions by serving the elders? (2-5-79)
kaccid vaidyāś cikitsāyām aṣṭāṅgāyām viśāradāḥ। suhṛdaś cānuraktāś ca śarīre te hitāḥ sadā ॥2-5-80॥
Are the physicians, skilled in the eight branches of treatment, and your affectionate well-wishers, always beneficial to your body? (2-5-80)
kaccinna mānān mohād vā kāmād vāpi viśāṃ pate| arthipratyarthinaḥ prāptān apāsyasi kathaṃcana ॥2-5-81॥
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)
kaccinna lobhān mohād vā viśrambhāt praṇayena vā | āśritānāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ vṛttiṃ tvaṃ saṃruṇatsi ca ॥2-5-82॥
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)
kaccit paurā na sahitā ye ca te rāṣṭravāsinaḥ। tvayā saha virudhyante paraiḥ krītāḥ kathañcana ॥2-5-83॥
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)
kaccitte durbalaḥ śatrurbalenopanipīḍitaḥ। mantreṇa balavānkaścidubhābhyāṃ vā yudhiṣṭhira ॥2-5-84॥
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)
kaccitsarve'nuraktāstvāṃ bhūmipālāḥ pradhānataḥ। kaccitprāṇāṃstvadartheṣu santyajanti tvayā hṛtāḥ ॥2-5-85॥
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)
kaccitte sarvavidyāsu guṇato'rchā pravartate। brāhmaṇānāṃ ca sādhūnāṃ tava niḥśreyase śubhā ॥2-5-86॥
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)
kacciddharme trayīmūle pūrvairācarite janaiḥ। vartamānastathā kartuṃ tasminkarmaṇi vartase ॥2-5-87॥
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)
kaccittava gṛhe'nnāni svādūnyaśnanti vai dvijāḥ। guṇavanti guṇopetāstava adhyakṣaṃ sadakṣiṇam ॥2-5-88॥
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)
kaccitkratūnekacitto vājapeyāṃśca sarvaśaḥ| puṇḍarīkāṃśca kārtsnyena yatase kartumātmavān ॥2-5-89॥
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)
kaccij jñātīn gurūn vṛddhān daivatāṃs tāpasān api | caityāṃś ca vṛkṣān kalyāṇān brāhmaṇāṃś ca namasyasi ॥2-5-90॥
Do you show reverence to your kinsmen, elders, the aged, divinities, ascetics, as well as to shrines, auspicious trees, and Brāhmaṇas? (2-5-90)
kaccideṣā ca te buddhirvṛttireṣā ca te'nagha। āyuṣyā ca yaśasyā ca dharmakāmārthadarśinī ॥2-5-91॥
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)
etayā vartamānasya buddhyā rāṣṭraṃ na sīdati. vijitya ca mahīṃ rājā so'tyantaṃ sukham edhate ॥2-5-92॥
With such present wisdom, a kingdom does not fall; and having conquered the earth, the king attains complete happiness. (2-5-92)
kaccid āryo viśuddhātmā kṣāritaś caurakarmaṇi| adṛṣṭaśāstrakuśalair na lobhād vadhyate śuciḥ ॥2-5-93॥
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)
pṛṣṭo gṛhītastatkārī tajjñairdṛṣṭaḥ sakāraṇaḥ। kaccinna mucyate steno dravyalobhānnararṣabha ॥2-5-94॥
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)
vyutpanne kaccid āḍhyasya daridrasya ca bhārata। arthān na mithyā paśyanti tvām ātyā hṛtā dhanaiḥ ॥2-5-95॥
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)
nāstikyamanṛtaṃ krodhaṃ pramādaṃ dīrghasūtratām। adarśanaṃ jñānavatāmālasyaṃ kṣiptacittatām ॥2-5-96॥
Atheism, falsehood, anger, negligence, procrastination, lack of discernment, laziness among the wise, and a distracted mind (2-5-96).
ekacintanam arthānām anartha-jñaiḥ ca cintanam। niścitānām anārambhaṃ mantrasya aparirakṣaṇam ॥2-5-97॥
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)
maṅgalyasyāprayogaṃ ca prasaṅgaṃ viṣayeṣu ca। kaccittvaṃ varjayasyetān rājadoṣāṃś caturdaśa ॥2-5-98॥
Do you avoid these fourteen royal faults, such as the non-application of auspiciousness and attachment to sense-objects? (2-5-98)
kaccitte saphalā vedāḥ kaccitte saphalaṃ dhanam। kaccitte saphalā dārāḥ kaccitte saphalaṃ śrutam ॥2-5-99॥
Are the Vedas fruitful for you? Is your wealth fruitful? Are your wives fruitful? Is your learning fruitful? (2-5-99)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
kathaṁ vai saphalā vedāḥ kathaṁ vai saphalaṁ dhanam। kathaṁ vai saphalā dārāḥ kathaṁ vai saphalaṁ śrutam ॥2-5-100॥
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)
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
agnihotraphalā vedā dattabhuktaphalaṃ dhanam। ratiputraphalā dārāḥ śīlavṛttaphalaṃ śrutam ॥2-5-101॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
etad-ākhyāya sa muniḥ nāradaḥ sumahātapāḥ। papracchānantaram idaṃ dharmātmānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥2-5-102॥
After narrating this, the sage Nārada, possessed of great austerity, immediately asked this question to the righteous Yudhiṣṭhira. (2-5-102)
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
kaccidabhyāgatā dūrādvaṇijo lābhakāraṇāt। yathoktamavahāryante śulkaṃ śulkopajīvibhiḥ ॥2-5-103॥
Have the merchants who have come from distant places for profit, as stated, had their taxes collected by the tax collectors? (2-5-103)
kaccitte puruṣā rājanpure rāṣṭre ca mānitāḥ। upānayanti paṇyāni upadhābhiravañcitāḥ ॥2-5-104॥
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)
kaccic chṛṇoṣi vṛddhānāṃ dharmārthasahitā giraḥ। nityam arthavidāṃ tāta tathā dharmānudarśinām ॥2-5-105॥
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)
kaccitte kṛṣitantreṣu goṣu puṣpaphaleṣu ca। dharmārthaṃ ca dvijātibhyo dīyate madhusarpiṣī ॥2-5-106॥
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)
dravyopakaraṇaṃ kaccitsarvadā sarvaśilpinām। cāturmāsyāvaraṃ samyaṅniyataṃ samprayacchasi ॥2-5-107॥
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)
kaccit kṛtaṃ vijānīṣe kartāraṃ ca praśaṃsasi. satāṃ madhye mahārāja satkaroṣi ca pūjayan ॥2-5-108॥
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)
kaccitsūtrāṇi sarvāṇi gṛhṇāsi bharataṛṣabha. hastisūtrāśvasūtrāṇi rathasūtrāṇi cābhibho ॥2-5-109॥
O foremost of the Bharatas, do you hold all the cords—those for elephants, horses, and chariots—O mighty one? (2-5-109)
kaccid abhyasyate śaśvad gṛhe te bharatarṣabha। dhanurvedasya sūtraṃ ca yantrasūtraṃ ca nāgaram ॥2-5-110॥
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)
kaccidastrāṇi sarvāṇi brahmadaṇḍaśca te'nagha। viṣayogāśca te sarve viditāḥ śatrunāśanāḥ ॥2-5-111॥
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)
kaccid agnibhayāc caiva sarpavyālabhayāt tathā। rogarakṣobhayāc caiva rāṣṭraṃ svaṃ parirakṣasi ॥2-5-112॥
Do you ensure the protection of your own kingdom from the dangers of fire, serpents, wild beasts, diseases, and demons? (2-5-112)
kaccid andhāṁś ca mūkāṁś ca paṅgūn vyaṅgān abāndhavān | pitā iva pāsi dharmajña tathā pravrajitān api ||2-5-113||
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
etāḥ kurūṇām ṛṣabho mahātmā; śrutvā giro brāhmaṇasattamasya। praṇamya pādāv abhivādya hṛṣṭaḥ; rājā abravīn nāradaṃ devarūpam ॥2-5-114॥
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)
evaṃ kariṣyāmi yathā tvayoktaṃ; prajñā hi me bhūya evābhivṛddhā. uktvā tathā caiva cakāra rājā; lebhe mahīṃ sāgaramekhalāṃ ca ॥2-5-115॥
"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)
nārada uvāca॥
Nārada said.
evaṃ yo vartate rājā cāturvarṇyasya rakṣaṇe। sa vihṛtyeha susukhī śakrasya eti salokatām ॥2-5-116॥
Thus, the king who protects the four varṇas, after enjoying happiness here, attains the same world as Indra. (2-5-116)
