05.035
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
ब्रूहि भूयो महाबुद्धे धर्मार्थसहितं वचः। शृण्वतो नास्ति मे तृप्तिर्विचित्राणीह भाषसे ॥५-३५-१॥
O great wise one, please speak again words that convey the meaning of dharma. I find no satisfaction in listening; you speak of wonderful things here.
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura spoke:
सर्वतीर्थेषु वा स्नानं सर्वभूतेषु चार्जवम्। उभे एते समे स्यातामार्जवं वा विशिष्यते ॥५-३५-२॥
Bathing in all sacred places and being honest among all beings are considered equal, but honesty is regarded as superior.
आर्जवं प्रतिपद्यस्व पुत्रेषु सततं विभो। इह कीर्तिं परां प्राप्य प्रेत्य स्वर्गमवाप्स्यसि ॥५-३५-३॥
O lord, always adopt honesty among your sons; here, by achieving supreme fame, you will attain heaven after death.
यावत्कीर्तिर्मनुष्यस्य पुण्या लोकेषु गीयते। तावत्स पुरुषव्याघ्र स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥५-३५-४॥
A person's virtuous fame, when celebrated in the world, ensures that he is honored in heaven, O noble one.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। विरोचनस्य संवादं केशिन्यर्थे सुधन्वना ॥५-३५-५॥
Here is an ancient story that is often cited: the conversation between Virocana and Sudhanvan regarding Kesini.
केशिन्युवाच॥
Keśinī spoke:
किं ब्राह्मणाः स्विच्छ्रेयांसो दितिजाः स्विद्विरोचन। अथ केन स्म पर्यङ्कं सुधन्वा नाधिरोहति ॥५-३५-६॥
Are the Brahmins truly superior, or is it the sons of Diti, like Virocana? Then, who prevents Sudhanvan from ascending the bed?
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana said:
प्राजापत्या हि वै श्रेष्ठा वयं केशिनि सत्तमाः। अस्माकं खल्विमे लोकाः के देवाः के द्विजातयः ॥५-३५-७॥
O Kesini, indeed we, the descendants of Prajapati, are considered superior. These worlds are ours, and we are the ones who are the gods and the twice-born.
केशिन्युवाच॥
Keśinī spoke:
इहैवास्स्व प्रतीक्षाव उपस्थाने विरोचन। सुधन्वा प्रातरागन्ता पश्येयं वां समागतौ ॥५-३५-८॥
"Stay here and wait at the place, Virocana. Sudhanvan will arrive in the morning, and I hope to see you both together."
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana spoke:
तथा भद्रे करिष्यामि यथा त्वं भीरु भाषसे। सुधन्वानं च मां चैव प्रातर्द्रष्टासि सङ्गतौ ॥५-३५-९॥
"O auspicious one, I will act according to your words. In the morning, you will see both Sudhanvan and me together."
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
अन्वालभे हिरण्मयं प्राह्रादेऽहं तवासनम्। एकत्वमुपसम्पन्नो न त्वासेयं त्वया सह ॥५-३५-१०॥
I have obtained your golden seat in the presence of Prahlada. Having attained oneness, I am not here together with you.
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana spoke:
अन्वाहरन्तु फलकं कूर्चं वाप्यथ वा बृसीम्। सुधन्वन्न त्वमर्होऽसि मया सह समासनम् ॥५-३५-११॥
Let them bring a board, mat, or even a seat. O Sudhanvan, you are not worthy to sit together with me.
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
पितापि ते समासीनमुपासीतैव मामधः। बालः सुखैधितो गेहे न त्वं किञ्चन बुध्यसे ॥५-३५-१२॥
Your father should indeed worship me while seated below. As a happy child in the house, you do not understand anything.
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana spoke:
हिरण्यं च गवाश्वं च यद्वित्तमसुरेषु नः। सुधन्वन्विपणे तेन प्रश्नं पृच्छाव ये विदुः ॥५-३५-१३॥
O Sudhanvan, we inquire in the market about the gold, cows, and horses, which are our wealth among the demons, by asking those who know.
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
हिरण्यं च गवाश्वं च तवैवास्तु विरोचन। प्राणयोस्तु पणं कृत्वा प्रश्नं पृच्छाव ये विदुः ॥५-३५-१४॥
Virocana, let the gold, cows, and horses be yours. However, let us wager our lives and ask the question to those who understand.
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana spoke:
आवां कुत्र गमिष्यावः प्राणयोर्विपणे कृते। न हि देवेष्वहं स्थाता न मनुष्येषु कर्हिचित् ॥५-३५-१५॥
"Where shall we two go to sell our lives? Indeed, I will not stay among the gods, nor anywhere among humans."
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
पितरं ते गमिष्यावः प्राणयोर्विपणे कृते। पुत्रस्यापि स हेतोर्हि प्रह्रादो नानृतं वदेत् ॥५-३५-१६॥
For the sake of your father, we shall go in exchange for lives. Indeed, Prahlada would not speak falsehood even for the sake of his son.
प्रह्राद उवाच॥
Prahlada said:
इमौ तौ सम्प्रदृश्येते याभ्यां न चरितं सह। आशीविषाविव क्रुद्धावेकमार्गमिहागतौ ॥५-३५-१७॥
These two individuals, who have never acted together, appear like two angry serpents that have arrived here on the same path.
किं वै सहैव चरतो न पुरा चरतः सह। विरोचनैतत्पृच्छामि किं ते सख्यं सुधन्वना ॥५-३५-१८॥
I ask you, Virocana, what is the nature of your friendship with Sudhanvan, given that you were not moving together before?
विरोचन उवाच॥
Virocana spoke:
न मे सुधन्वना सख्यं प्राणयोर्विपणावहे। प्रह्राद तत्त्वां पृच्छामि मा प्रश्नमनृतं वदीः ॥५-३५-१९॥
There is no friendship with Sudhanvan; we exchange our lives. Prahlada, I ask you to tell the truth, do not speak falsely.
प्रह्राद उवाच॥
Prahlada said:
उदकं मधुपर्कं चाप्यानयन्तु सुधन्वने। ब्रह्मन्नभ्यर्चनीयोऽसि श्वेता गौः पीवरीकृता ॥५-३५-२०॥
"Bring water and the ceremonial offering for Sudhanvan. O Brahman, you are worthy of worship. The white cow has been made fat."
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
उदकं मधुपर्कं च पथ एवार्पितं मम। प्रह्राद त्वं तु नौ प्रश्नं तथ्यं प्रब्रूहि पृच्छतोः ॥५-३५-२१॥
Water and honey-mixture have been offered by me on the path. Prahlada, please answer truthfully the question we ask of you.
प्रह्राद उवाच॥
Prahlada spoke:
पुत्रो वान्यो भवान्ब्रह्मन्साक्ष्ये चैव भवेत्स्थितः। तयोर्विवदतोः प्रश्नं कथमस्मद्विधो वदेत् ॥५-३५-२२॥
O Brahman, you or another son may indeed be a witness. How should someone like me address the question of the two disputing?
अथ यो नैव प्रब्रूयात्सत्यं वा यदि वानृतम्। एतत्सुधन्वन्पृच्छामि दुर्विवक्ता स्म किं वसेत् ॥५-३५-२३॥
Now, I ask you, Sudhanvan, where would a person who neither speaks the truth nor falsehood dwell?
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
यां रात्रिमधिविन्ना स्त्री यां चैवाक्षपराजितः। यां च भाराभितप्ताङ्गो दुर्विवक्ता स्म तां वसेत् ॥५-३५-२४॥
A man should live with a woman who is distressed at night, who is indeed defeated in gambling, whose body is afflicted by burden, and who is unable to speak properly.
नगरे प्रतिरुद्धः सन्बहिर्द्वारे बुभुक्षितः। अमित्रान्भूयसः पश्यन्दुर्विवक्ता स्म तां वसेत् ॥५-३५-२५॥
He was trapped in the city, hungry at the outer gate, seeing many enemies, unable to speak, and indeed, he should dwell there.
पञ्च पश्वनृते हन्ति दश हन्ति गवानृते। शतमश्वानृते हन्ति सहस्रं पुरुषानृते ॥५-३५-२६॥
Telling a lie about a cow results in the death of five, about a horse results in the death of ten, about a hundred horses results in the death of a hundred, and about a man results in the death of a thousand.
हन्ति जातानजातांश्च हिरण्यार्थेऽनृतं वदन्। सर्वं भूम्यनृते हन्ति मा स्म भूम्यनृतं वदीः ॥५-३५-२७॥
Speaking falsehood for the sake of gold destroys both the born and the unborn. Everything on earth is destroyed by falsehood; therefore, do not speak falsehood on earth.
प्रह्राद उवाच॥
Prahlada said:
मत्तः श्रेयानङ्गिरा वै सुधन्वा त्वद्विरोचन। मातास्य श्रेयसी मातुस्तस्मात्त्वं तेन वै जितः ॥५-३५-२८॥
Aṅgirā is superior to you, Virocana, as he comes from me. His mother is superior to your mother, hence you are defeated by him.
विरोचन सुधन्वायं प्राणानामीश्वरस्तव। सुधन्वन्पुनरिच्छामि त्वया दत्तं विरोचनम् ॥५-३५-२९॥
Virocana, this Sudhanvan is the lord of lives for you. Sudhanvan, I wish to have Virocana back, who was given by you.
सुधन्वोवाच॥
Sudhanva spoke:
यद्धर्ममवृणीथास्त्वं न कामादनृतं वदीः। पुनर्ददामि ते तस्मात्पुत्रं प्रह्राद दुर्लभम् ॥५-३५-३०॥
Since you have chosen the path of righteousness and refrained from speaking falsehood out of desire, I shall grant you once more the rare son, Prahlada.
एष प्रह्राद पुत्रस्ते मया दत्तो विरोचनः। पादप्रक्षालनं कुर्यात्कुमार्याः संनिधौ मम ॥५-३५-३१॥
This is Virochana, the son of Prahlada, given by me. He should wash the feet in the presence of the maiden, in my presence.
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura spoke:
तस्माद्राजेन्द्र भूम्यर्थे नानृतं वक्तुमर्हसि। मा गमः ससुतामात्योऽत्ययं पुत्राननुभ्रमन् ॥५-३५-३२॥
Therefore, O King, you should not utter falsehood for the sake of land. Do not enter into danger along with your sons and ministers while pursuing your sons.
न देवा यष्टिमादाय रक्षन्ति पशुपालवत्। यं तु रक्षितुमिच्छन्ति बुद्ध्या संविभजन्ति तम् ॥५-३५-३३॥
The gods do not protect with a staff like a shepherd. Instead, they use their wisdom to guide and support those they wish to protect.
यथा यथा हि पुरुषः कल्याणे कुरुते मनः। तथा तथास्य सर्वार्थाः सिध्यन्ते नात्र संशयः ॥५-३५-३४॥
There is no doubt that as a man focuses his mind on good, all his objectives are achieved.
न छन्दांसि वृजिनात्तारयन्ति; मायाविनं मायया वर्तमानम्। नीडं शकुन्ता इव जातपक्षा; श्छन्दांस्येनं प्रजहत्यन्तकाले ॥५-३५-३५॥
The Vedas cannot save a sinner who lives by deceit. Just as birds with fully grown wings leave their nest, the Vedas abandon such a person at the end of their life.
मत्तापानं कलहं पूगवैरं; भार्यापत्योरन्तरं ज्ञातिभेदम्। राजद्विष्टं स्त्रीपुमांसोर्विवादं; वर्ज्यान्याहुर्यश्च पन्थाः प्रदुष्टः ॥५-३५-३६॥
Intoxicated drinking, quarrels, enmity within groups, differences between husband and wife, divisions among relatives, disputes between men and women, and actions hated by the king are considered to be paths of corruption and should be avoided.
सामुद्रिकं वणिजं चोरपूर्वं; शलाकधूर्तं च चिकित्सकं च। अरिं च मित्रं च कुशीलवं च; नैतान्साक्ष्येष्वधिकुर्वीत सप्त ॥५-३५-३७॥
The verse advises against appointing certain individuals as witnesses in legal matters, specifically listing seven types: a palmist, a merchant, a former thief, a gambling cheat, a physician, an enemy, a friend, and an actor, as they may not be reliable.
मानाग्निहोत्रमुत मानमौनं; मानेनाधीतमुत मानयज्ञः। एतानि चत्वार्यभयङ्कराणि; भयं प्रयच्छन्त्ययथाकृतानि ॥५-३५-३८॥
The respectful performance of sacrificial fire, silence, study, and sacrifice are four practices that, when not done properly, instill fear.
अगारदाही गरदः कुण्डाशी सोमविक्रयी। पर्वकारश्च सूची च मित्रध्रुक्पारदारिकः ॥५-३५-३९॥
A person who burns houses, is poisonous, dwells in pits, sells soma, organizes festivals, and is like a needle, betrays friends, and commits adultery.
भ्रूणहा गुरुतल्पी च यश्च स्यात्पानपो द्विजः। अतितीक्ष्णश्च काकश्च नास्तिको वेदनिन्दकः ॥५-३५-४०॥
The verse describes various types of sinners, including a killer of a fetus, one who violates the teacher's bed, a drinker, a sharp person, a crow, an atheist, and a critic of the Vedas.
स्रुवप्रग्रहणो व्रात्यः कीनाशश्चार्थवानपि। रक्षेत्युक्तश्च यो हिंस्यात्सर्वे ब्रह्महणैः समाः ॥५-३५-४१॥
Even if one is wealthy, if they are an outcast or a destroyer, they should protect, as they are considered equal to those who would harm alongside Brahman slayers.
तृणोल्कया ज्ञायते जातरूपं; युगे भद्रो व्यवहारेण साधुः। शूरो भयेष्वर्थकृच्छ्रेषु धीरः; कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु सुहृदश्चारयश्च ॥५-३५-४२॥
Gold is tested by a blade of grass, a noble person by conduct, a brave person in danger, a wise person in financial difficulties, and friends and spies in times of hardship and calamity.
जरा रूपं हरति हि धैर्यमाशा; मृत्युः प्राणान्धर्मचर्यामसूया। क्रोधः श्रियं शीलमनार्यसेवा; ह्रियं कामः सर्वमेवाभिमानः ॥५-३५-४३॥
Old age diminishes beauty, hope undermines courage; death ends life, jealousy destroys righteous conduct. Anger erodes wealth, serving the ignoble corrupts character; desire diminishes modesty, and pride ultimately takes away everything.
श्रीर्मङ्गलात्प्रभवति प्रागल्भ्यात्सम्प्रवर्धते। दाक्ष्यात्तु कुरुते मूलं संयमात्प्रतितिष्ठति ॥५-३५-४४॥
"Prosperity arises from auspiciousness, grows with confidence, but it is rooted in skill and stands firm with restraint."
अष्टौ गुणाः पुरुषं दीपयन्ति; प्रज्ञा च कौल्यं च दमः श्रुतं च। पराक्रमश्चाबहुभाषिता च; दानं यथाशक्ति कृतज्ञता च ॥५-३५-४५॥
Eight qualities that illuminate a person are wisdom, nobility, self-control, learning, valor, reticence, charity as per one's capacity, and gratitude.
एतान्गुणांस्तात महानुभावा; नेको गुणः संश्रयते प्रसह्य। राजा यदा सत्कुरुते मनुष्यं; सर्वान्गुणानेष गुणोऽतिभाति ॥५-३५-४६॥
Dear one, these qualities do not reside forcefully in great souls. When a king honors a man, all qualities shine in him, and this quality stands out.
अष्टौ नृपेमानि मनुष्यलोके; स्वर्गस्य लोकस्य निदर्शनानि। चत्वार्येषामन्ववेतानि सद्भि; श्चत्वार्येषामन्ववयन्ति सन्तः ॥५-३५-४७॥
In the human world, there are eight kings that serve as examples of the heavenly realm. Among these, four are followed by virtuous people, and four are pursued by the wise.
यज्ञो दानमध्ययनं तपश्च; चत्वार्येतान्यन्ववेतानि सद्भिः। दमः सत्यमार्जवमानृशंस्यं; चत्वार्येतान्यन्ववयन्ति सन्तः ॥५-३५-४८॥
"Sacrifice, charity, study, and austerity are the four practices followed by the good. Self-control, truth, honesty, and compassion are the four virtues practiced by the virtuous."
न सा सभा यत्र न सन्ति वृद्धा; न ते वृद्धा ये न वदन्ति धर्मम्। नासौ धर्मो यत्र न सत्यमस्ति; न तत्सत्यं यच्छलेनानुविद्धम् ॥५-३५-४९॥
An assembly without elders is not a true assembly; those who do not speak of righteousness are not true elders. Righteousness without truth is not righteousness; truth accompanied by deceit is not truth.
सत्यं रूपं श्रुतं विद्या कौल्यं शीलं बलं धनम्। शौर्यं च चित्रभाष्यं च दश संसर्गयोनयः ॥५-३५-५०॥
"Truth, beauty, learning, knowledge, nobility, character, strength, wealth, valor, and eloquence are the ten sources of association."
पापं कुर्वन्पापकीर्तिः पापमेवाश्नुते फलम्। पुण्यं कुर्वन्पुण्यकीर्तिः पुण्यमेवाश्नुते फलम् ॥५-३५-५१॥
One who commits sin gains only infamy and the results of sin, while one who performs virtuous acts gains fame and the results of virtue.
पापं प्रज्ञां नाशयति क्रियमाणं पुनः पुनः। नष्टप्रज्ञः पापमेव नित्यमारभते नरः ॥५-३५-५२॥
Repeatedly committing sin destroys wisdom. A man devoid of wisdom constantly indulges in sinful acts.
पुण्यं प्रज्ञां वर्धयति क्रियमाणं पुनः पुनः। वृद्धप्रज्ञः पुण्यमेव नित्यमारभते नरः ॥५-३५-५३॥
Performing meritorious acts repeatedly enhances wisdom. A wise person consistently engages in virtuous deeds.
असूयको दन्दशूको निष्ठुरो वैरकृन्नरः। स कृच्छ्रं महदाप्नोति नचिरात्पापमाचरन् ॥५-३५-५४॥
A jealous, hypocritical, and cruel person who creates enemies will soon face great difficulties due to his sinful actions.
अनसूयः कृतप्रज्ञः शोभनान्याचरन्सदा। अकृच्छ्रात्सुखमाप्नोति सर्वत्र च विराजते ॥५-३५-५५॥
A person who is free from envy and possesses wisdom, by consistently engaging in good deeds, effortlessly attains happiness and stands out in all places.
प्रज्ञामेवागमयति यः प्राज्ञेभ्यः स पण्डितः। प्राज्ञो ह्यवाप्य धर्मार्थौ शक्नोति सुखमेधितुम् ॥५-३५-५६॥
A true scholar is one who derives wisdom from the wise. For the wise, having attained virtue and wealth, can indeed enhance happiness.
दिवसेनैव तत्कुर्याद्येन रात्रौ सुखं वसेत्। अष्टमासेन तत्कुर्याद्येन वर्षाः सुखं वसेत् ॥५-३५-५७॥
One should plan and act during the day to ensure comfort at night, and similarly, prepare in the eight months to ensure comfort during the rainy season.
पूर्वे वयसि तत्कुर्याद्येन वृद्धः सुखं वसेत्। यावज्जीवेन तत्कुर्याद्येन प्रेत्य सुखं वसेत् ॥५-३५-५८॥
In one's youth, actions should be taken that ensure happiness in old age. Throughout life, one should act in ways that ensure happiness after death.
जीर्णमन्नं प्रशंसन्ति भार्यां च गतयौवनाम्। शूरं विगतसङ्ग्रामं गतपारं तपस्विनम् ॥५-३५-५९॥
People appreciate old food, a wife who has passed her youth, a hero who is no longer in battle, and an ascetic who has achieved his goals.
धनेनाधर्मलब्धेन यच्छिद्रमपिधीयते। असंवृतं तद्भवति ततोऽन्यदवदीर्यते ॥५-३५-६०॥
Wealth obtained through unrighteous means may cover one defect, but it will eventually become uncovered, leading to the exposure of another defect.
गुरुरात्मवतां शास्ता शास्ता राजा दुरात्मनाम्। अथ प्रच्छन्नपापानां शास्ता वैवस्वतो यमः ॥५-३५-६१॥
The teacher governs those who are self-disciplined, the king rules over the wicked, and Vaivasvata Yama is the judge of those who sin in secret.
ऋषीणां च नदीनां च कुलानां च महात्मनाम्। प्रभवो नाधिगन्तव्यः स्त्रीणां दुश्चरितस्य च ॥५-३५-६२॥
The origins of sages, rivers, noble families, and the misconduct of women are beyond comprehension.
द्विजातिपूजाभिरतो दाता ज्ञातिषु चार्जवी। क्षत्रियः स्वर्गभाग्राजंश्चिरं पालयते महीम् ॥५-३५-६३॥
O king, a warrior who is engaged in the worship of the twice-born, a giver, and honest among relatives, partakes in heaven and protects the earth for a long time.
सुवर्णपुष्पां पृथिवीं चिन्वन्ति पुरुषास्त्रयः। शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च यश्च जानाति सेवितुम् ॥५-३५-६४॥
Three types of men seek the golden-flowered earth: the brave, the learned, and those who know how to serve.
बुद्धिश्रेष्ठानि कर्माणि बाहुमध्यानि भारत। तानि जङ्घाजघन्यानि भारप्रत्यवराणि च ॥५-३५-६५॥
O Bharata, the actions that are considered the best by intellect are performed by the arms. These actions are lower than the thighs and bear the weight.
दुर्योधने च शकुनौ मूढे दुःशासने तथा। कर्णे चैश्वर्यमाधाय कथं त्वं भूतिमिच्छसि ॥५-३५-६६॥
How do you expect to achieve prosperity by placing your trust in Duryodhana, Shakuni, the foolish Duhshasana, and Karna?
सर्वैर्गुणैरुपेताश्च पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ। पितृवत्त्वयि वर्तन्ते तेषु वर्तस्व पुत्रवत् ॥५-३५-६७॥
O best of the Bharatas, the Pandavas, endowed with all qualities, treat you like a father; you should treat them like a son.
