05.035
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
brūhi bhūyo mahābuddhe dharmārthasahitaṃ vacaḥ। śṛṇvato nāsti me tṛptirvicitrāṇīha bhāṣase ॥5-35-1॥
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.
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura spoke:
sarvatīrtheṣu vā snānaṃ sarvabhūteṣu cārjavam। ubhe ete same syātāmārjavaṃ vā viśiṣyate ॥5-35-2॥
Bathing in all sacred places and being honest among all beings are considered equal, but honesty is regarded as superior.
ārjavaṁ pratipadyasva putreṣu satataṁ vibho। iha kīrtiṁ parāṁ prāpya pretya svargamavāpsyasi ॥5-35-3॥
O lord, always adopt honesty among your sons; here, by achieving supreme fame, you will attain heaven after death.
yāvatkīrtirmanuṣyasya puṇyā lokeṣu gīyate। tāvatsa puruṣavyāghra svargaloke mahīyate ॥5-35-4॥
A person's virtuous fame, when celebrated in the world, ensures that he is honored in heaven, O noble one.
Atrāpyudāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। Virocanasya saṃvādaṃ keśinyarthe sudhanvanā ॥5-35-5॥
Here is an ancient story that is often cited: the conversation between Virocana and Sudhanvan regarding Kesini.
keśinyuvāca॥
Keśinī spoke:
kiṁ brāhmaṇāḥ svicchreyāṁso ditijāḥ svidvirocana। atha kena sma paryaṅkaṁ sudhanvā nādhirohati ॥5-35-6॥
Are the Brahmins truly superior, or is it the sons of Diti, like Virocana? Then, who prevents Sudhanvan from ascending the bed?
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana said:
prājāpatyā hi vai śreṣṭhā vayaṃ keśini sattamāḥ। asmākaṃ khalvime lokāḥ ke devāḥ ke dvijātayaḥ ॥5-35-7॥
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.
keśinyuvāca॥
Keśinī spoke:
ihaivāssva pratīkṣāva upasthāne virocanaḥ। sudhanvā prātarāgantā paśyeyaṃ vāṃ samāgatau ॥5-35-8॥
"Stay here and wait at the place, Virocana. Sudhanvan will arrive in the morning, and I hope to see you both together."
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana spoke:
tathā bhadre kariṣyāmi yathā tvaṃ bhīru bhāṣase। sudhanvānaṃ ca māṃ caiva prātardraṣṭāsi saṅgatau ॥5-35-9॥
"O auspicious one, I will act according to your words. In the morning, you will see both Sudhanvan and me together."
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
anvālabhe hiraṇmayaṃ prāhrāde'haṃ tavāsanam। ekatvamupasampanno na tvāseyaṃ tvayā saha ॥5-35-10॥
I have obtained your golden seat in the presence of Prahlada. Having attained oneness, I am not here together with you.
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana spoke:
anvāharantu phalakaṁ kūrcaṁ vāpyatha vā br̥sīm। sudhanvanna tvamarho'si mayā saha samāsanam ॥5-35-11॥
Let them bring a board, mat, or even a seat. O Sudhanvan, you are not worthy to sit together with me.
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
pitāpi te samāsīnamupāsītaiva māmadhaḥ। bālaḥ sukhaidhito gehe na tvaṃ kiñcana budhyase ॥5-35-12॥
Your father should indeed worship me while seated below. As a happy child in the house, you do not understand anything.
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana spoke:
hiraṇyaṃ ca gavāśvaṃ ca yadvittamasureṣu naḥ। sudhanvanvipaṇe tena praśnaṃ pṛcchāva ye viduḥ ॥5-35-13॥
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.
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
hiraṇyaṃ ca gavāśvaṃ ca tavaivāstu virocana। prāṇayostu paṇaṃ kṛtvā praśnaṃ pṛcchāva ye viduḥ ॥5-35-14॥
Virocana, let the gold, cows, and horses be yours. However, let us wager our lives and ask the question to those who understand.
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana spoke:
āvāṁ kutra gamiṣyāvaḥ prāṇayorvipaṇe kṛte। na hi deveṣvahaṁ sthātā na manuṣyeṣu karhicit ॥5-35-15॥
"Where shall we two go to sell our lives? Indeed, I will not stay among the gods, nor anywhere among humans."
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
pitaraṁ te gamiṣyāvaḥ prāṇayorvipaṇe kṛte। putrasyāpi sa hetorhi prahrādo nānṛtaṁ vadet ॥5-35-16॥
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.
prahrāda uvāca॥
Prahlada said:
imau tau sampradṛśyete yābhyāṃ na caritaṃ saha। āśīviṣāviva kruddhāvekāmārgamihāgatau ॥5-35-17॥
These two individuals, who have never acted together, appear like two angry serpents that have arrived here on the same path.
kiṁ vai sahaiva carato na purā carataḥ saha। virocanaitatpṛcchāmi kiṁ te sakhyaṁ sudhanvanā ॥5-35-18॥
I ask you, Virocana, what is the nature of your friendship with Sudhanvan, given that you were not moving together before?
virocana uvāca॥
Virocana spoke:
na me sudhanvanā sakhyaṃ prāṇayorvipaṇāvahe। prahrāda tattvāṃ pṛcchāmi mā praśnamanṛtaṃ vadīḥ ॥5-35-19॥
There is no friendship with Sudhanvan; we exchange our lives. Prahlada, I ask you to tell the truth, do not speak falsely.
prahrāda uvāca॥
Prahlada said:
udakaṁ madhuparkaṁ cāpyānayantu sudhanvane। brahmannabhyarcanīyo'si śvetā gauḥ pīvarīkṛtā ॥5-35-20॥
"Bring water and the ceremonial offering for Sudhanvan. O Brahman, you are worthy of worship. The white cow has been made fat."
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
udakaṁ madhuparkaṁ ca patha evārpitaṁ mama। prahrāda tvaṁ tu nau praśnaṁ tathyaṁ prabrūhi pṛcchatoḥ ॥5-35-21॥
Water and honey-mixture have been offered by me on the path. Prahlada, please answer truthfully the question we ask of you.
prahrāda uvāca॥
Prahlada spoke:
putro vānyo bhavān brahman sākṣye caiva bhavet sthitaḥ। tayor vivadatoḥ praśnaṃ katham asmadvidho vadet ॥5-35-22॥
O Brahman, you or another son may indeed be a witness. How should someone like me address the question of the two disputing?
atha yo naiva prabrūyātsatyaṃ vā yadi vānṛtam। etatsudhanvanpṛcchāmi durvivaktā sma kiṃ vaset ॥5-35-23॥
Now, I ask you, Sudhanvan, where would a person who neither speaks the truth nor falsehood dwell?
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
yāṃ rātrimadhivinnā strī yāṃ caivākṣaparājitaḥ। yāṃ ca bhārābhitaptāṅgo durvivaktā sma tāṃ vaset ॥5-35-24॥
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.
nagare pratiruddhaḥ sanbahirdvāre bubhukṣitaḥ। amitrānbhūyasaḥ paśyandurvivaktā sma tāṃ vaset ॥5-35-25॥
He was trapped in the city, hungry at the outer gate, seeing many enemies, unable to speak, and indeed, he should dwell there.
pañca paśvanṛte hanti daśa hanti gavānṛte। śatamaśvānṛte hanti sahasraṃ puruṣānṛte ॥5-35-26॥
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.
hanti jātān ajātāṁś ca hiraṇyārthe'nṛtaṁ vadan। sarvaṁ bhūmy anṛte hanti mā sma bhūmy anṛtaṁ vadīḥ ॥5-35-27॥
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.
prahrāda uvāca॥
Prahlada said:
mattaḥ śreyānaṅgirā vai sudhanvā tvad-virocana। mātāsya śreyasī mātustasmāttvaṃ tena vai jitaḥ ॥5-35-28॥
Aṅgirā is superior to you, Virocana, as he comes from me. His mother is superior to your mother, hence you are defeated by him.
virocana sudhanvāyaṃ prāṇānāmīśvarastava। sudhanvanpunaricchāmi tvayā dattaṃ virocanam ॥5-35-29॥
Virocana, this Sudhanvan is the lord of lives for you. Sudhanvan, I wish to have Virocana back, who was given by you.
sudhanvovāca॥
Sudhanva spoke:
yaddharmamavṛṇīthāstvaṃ na kāmādanṛtaṃ vadīḥ। punardadāmi te tasmātputraṃ prahrāda durlabham ॥5-35-30॥
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.
eṣa prahrāda putraste mayā datto virocanaḥ। pādaprakṣālanaṃ kuryātkumāryāḥ sannidhau mama ॥5-35-31॥
This is Virochana, the son of Prahlada, given by me. He should wash the feet in the presence of the maiden, in my presence.
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura spoke:
tasmādrājendra bhūmyarthe nānṛtaṃ vaktumarhasi। mā gamaḥ sasutāmātyo'tyayaṃ putrānanu bhraman ॥5-35-32॥
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.
na devā yaṣṭimādāya rakṣanti paśupālavata। yaṃ tu rakṣitumicchanti buddhyā saṃvibhajanti tam ॥5-35-33॥
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.
yathā yathā hi puruṣaḥ kalyāṇe kurute manaḥ। tathā tathāsya sarvārthāḥ sidhyante nātra sanśayaḥ ॥5-35-34॥
There is no doubt that as a man focuses his mind on good, all his objectives are achieved.
na chandāṁsi vṛjināttārayanti; māyāvinaṁ māyayā vartamānam। nīḍaṁ śakuntā iva jātapakṣā; śchandāṁsyenaṁ prajahatyantakāle ॥5-35-35॥
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.
mattāpānaṁ kalahaṁ pūgavairaṁ; bhāryāpatyorantaraṁ jñātibhedam। rājadviṣṭaṁ strīpumāṁsorvivādaṁ; varjyānyāhuryaśca panthāḥ praduṣṭaḥ ॥5-35-36॥
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.
sāmudrikaṁ vaṇijaṁ corapūrvaṁ; śalākadhūrtaṁ ca cikitsakaṁ ca। ariṁ ca mitraṁ ca kuśīlavaṁ ca; naitānsākṣyeṣvadhikurvīta sapta ॥5-35-37॥
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.
mānāgnihotramuta mānamaunaṃ; mānenādhītamuta mānayajñaḥ। etāni catvāryabhayaṅkarāṇi; bhayaṃ prayacchantyayathākṛtāni ॥5-35-38॥
The respectful performance of sacrificial fire, silence, study, and sacrifice are four practices that, when not done properly, instill fear.
agāradhāhī garadaḥ kuṇḍāśī somavikrayī। parvakāraśca sūcī ca mitradhṛkpāradhārikaḥ ॥5-35-39॥
A person who burns houses, is poisonous, dwells in pits, sells soma, organizes festivals, and is like a needle, betrays friends, and commits adultery.
bhrūṇahā gurutalpī ca yaśca syātpānapo dvijaḥ। atitīkṣṇaśca kākaśca nāstiko vedanindakaḥ ॥5-35-40॥
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.
sruvapragrahaṇo vrātyaḥ kīnāśaścārthavānapi। rakṣetyuktaśca yo hiṃsyātsarve brahmahaṇaiḥ samāḥ ॥5-35-41॥
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.
tṛṇolkayā jñāyate jātarūpaṁ; yuge bhadro vyavahāreṇa sādhuḥ। śūro bhayeṣvarthakṛcchreṣu dhīraḥ; kṛcchrāsvāpatsu suhṛdaścārayaśca ॥5-35-42॥
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.
jarā rūpaṃ harati hi dhairyam āśā; mṛtyuḥ prāṇān dharmacaryām asūyā. krodhaḥ śriyaṃ śīlam anāryasevā; hriyaṃ kāmaḥ sarvam evābhimānaḥ ॥5-35-43॥
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.
śrīrmaṅgalātprabhavati prāgalbhyātsampravardhate। dākṣyāttu kurute mūlaṃ saṃyamātpratitiṣṭhati ॥5-35-44॥
"Prosperity arises from auspiciousness, grows with confidence, but it is rooted in skill and stands firm with restraint."
aṣṭau guṇāḥ puruṣaṃ dīpayanti; prajñā ca kaulyaṃ ca damaḥ śrutaṃ ca। parākramaścābahubhāṣitā ca; dānaṃ yathāśakti kṛtajñatā ca ॥5-35-45॥
Eight qualities that illuminate a person are wisdom, nobility, self-control, learning, valor, reticence, charity as per one's capacity, and gratitude.
etānguṇāṁstāta mahānubhāvā; neko guṇaḥ saṁśrayate prasahya। rājā yadā satkurute manuṣyaṁ; sarvānguṇāneṣa guṇo'tibhāti ॥5-35-46॥
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.
aṣṭau nṛpemāni manuṣyaloke; svargasya lokasya nidarśanāni। catvāryeṣāmanvavetāni sadbhi; ścatvāryeṣāmanvavayanti santaḥ ॥5-35-47॥
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.
yajño dānamadhyayanaṃ tapaśca; catvāryetānyanvavetāni sadbhiḥ। damaḥ satyamārjavamānṛśaṃsyaṃ; catvāryetānyanvavayanti santaḥ ॥5-35-48॥
"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."
na sā sabhā yatra na santi vṛddhā; na te vṛddhā ye na vadanti dharmam। nāsau dharmo yatra na satyamasti; na tatsatyaṃ yacchalenānuviddham ॥5-35-49॥
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.
satyaṁ rūpaṁ śrutaṁ vidyā kaulyaṁ śīlaṁ balaṁ dhanam। śauryaṁ ca citrabhāṣyaṁ ca daśa saṁsargayonayaḥ ॥5-35-50॥
"Truth, beauty, learning, knowledge, nobility, character, strength, wealth, valor, and eloquence are the ten sources of association."
pāpaṃ kurvanpāpakīrtiḥ pāpamevāśnute phalam। puṇyaṃ kurvanpuṇyakīrtiḥ puṇyamevāśnute phalam ॥5-35-51॥
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.
pāpaṃ prajñāṃ nāśayati kriyamāṇaṃ punaḥ punaḥ। naṣṭaprajñaḥ pāpameva nityamārabhate naraḥ ॥5-35-52॥
Repeatedly committing sin destroys wisdom. A man devoid of wisdom constantly indulges in sinful acts.
puṇyaṃ prajñāṃ vardhayati kriyamāṇaṃ punaḥ punaḥ। vṛddhaprajñaḥ puṇyameva nityamārabhate naraḥ ॥5-35-53॥
Performing meritorious acts repeatedly enhances wisdom. A wise person consistently engages in virtuous deeds.
asūyako dandaśūko niṣṭhuro vairakṛnnaraḥ। sa kṛcchraṃ mahadāpnoti nacirātpāpamācaran ॥5-35-54॥
A jealous, hypocritical, and cruel person who creates enemies will soon face great difficulties due to his sinful actions.
anasūyaḥ kṛtaprajñaḥ śobhanānyācaransadā। akṛcchrātsukhamāpnoti sarvatra ca virājate ॥5-35-55॥
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.
prajñāmevāgamayati yaḥ prājñebhyaḥ sa paṇḍitaḥ। prājño hyavāpya dharmārthau śaknoti sukhamedhitum ॥5-35-56॥
A true scholar is one who derives wisdom from the wise. For the wise, having attained virtue and wealth, can indeed enhance happiness.
divasenaiva tatkuryādyena rātrau sukhaṃ vaset। aṣṭamāsena tatkuryādyena varṣāḥ sukhaṃ vaset ॥5-35-57॥
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.
pūrve vayasi tatkuryādyena vṛddhaḥ sukhaṃ vaset। yāvajjīvena tatkuryādyena pretya sukhaṃ vaset ॥5-35-58॥
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.
jīrṇam annaṃ praśaṃsanti bhāryāṃ ca gatayauvanām। śūraṃ vigatasaṅgrāmaṃ gatapāraṃ tapasvinam ॥5-35-59॥
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.
dhanenādharma-labdhena yacchidramapidhīyate। asaṁvṛtaṁ tadbhavati tato'nyadavadhīryate ॥5-35-60॥
Wealth obtained through unrighteous means may cover one defect, but it will eventually become uncovered, leading to the exposure of another defect.
gururātmavatāṃ śāstā śāstā rājā durātmanām। atha pracchannapāpānāṃ śāstā vaivasvato yamaḥ ॥5-35-61॥
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.
ṛṣīṇāṃ ca nadīnāṃ ca kulānāṃ ca mahātmanām। prabhavo nādhigantavyaḥ strīṇāṃ duścaritasya ca ॥5-35-62॥
The origins of sages, rivers, noble families, and the misconduct of women are beyond comprehension.
dvijātapūjābhirato dātā jñātiṣu cārjavī। kṣatriyaḥ svargabhāgrājaṃściraṃ pālayate mahīm ॥5-35-63॥
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.
suvarṇapuṣpāṃ pṛthivīṃ cinvanti puruṣāstrayaḥ। śūraśca kṛtavidyaśca yaśca jānāti sevitum ॥5-35-64॥
Three types of men seek the golden-flowered earth: the brave, the learned, and those who know how to serve.
buddhiśreṣṭhāni karmāṇi bāhumadhyāni bhārata। tāni jaṅghājaghanyāni bhārapratyavarāṇi ca ॥5-35-65॥
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.
duryodhane ca śakunau mūḍhe duḥśāsane tathā। karṇe caiśvaryamādhāya kathaṁ tvaṁ bhūtimicchasi ॥5-35-66॥
How do you expect to achieve prosperity by placing your trust in Duryodhana, Shakuni, the foolish Duhshasana, and Karna?
sarvairguṇairupetāśca pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabha। pitṛvattvayi vartante teṣu vartasva putravat ॥5-35-67॥
O best of the Bharatas, the Pandavas, endowed with all qualities, treat you like a father; you should treat them like a son.
