05.039
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
anīśvaro'yaṁ puruṣo bhavābhave; sūtraprotā dārumayīva yoṣā। dhātrā tu diṣṭasya vaśe kilāyaṁ; tasmādvada tvaṁ śravaṇe dhṛto'ham ॥5-39-1॥
This man is like a puppet, powerless in the cycle of life and death, just like a wooden doll strung on a thread. He is indeed under the control of destiny as ordained by the creator. Therefore, speak, for I am attentive to your words.
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura spoke:
aprāptakālaṃ vacanaṃ bṛhaspatirapi bruvan। labhate buddhyavajñānamavamānaṃ ca bhārata ॥5-39-2॥
O Bhārata, even the wise Bṛhaspati, if he speaks at an inappropriate time, faces disregard and disrespect.
priyo bhavati dānena priyavādena cāparaḥ। mantraṁ mūlabalenānayo yaḥ priyaḥ priya eva saḥ ॥5-39-3॥
One becomes dear by giving and by speaking kind words. Another becomes dear through the strength of mantras and roots. Whoever is dear, he is indeed dear.
dveṣyo na sādhuḥ bhavati na medhāvī na paṇḍitaḥ। priye śubhāni karmāṇi dveṣye pāpāni bhārata ॥5-39-4॥
A person who is hateful does not become virtuous, wise, or scholarly. O Bhārata, dear auspicious actions are found in those who are hateful and sinful.
na sa kṣayo mahārāja yaḥ kṣayo vṛddhimāvahēt। kṣayaḥ sa tviha mantavyo yaṃ labdhvā bahu nāśayēt ॥5-39-5॥
O great king, not that decline which leads to growth should be considered a decline. Rather, that decline which, once obtained, causes much destruction, should be regarded as such.
samṛddhā guṇataḥ kecidbhavanti dhanato'pare। dhanavṛddhānguṇairhīnāndhṛtarāṣṭra vivarjayet ॥5-39-6॥
Some people become prosperous due to their virtues, while others do so because of their wealth. O Dhritarashtra, you should avoid those who are wealthy but lack virtues.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
sarvaṁ tvamāyatīyuktaṁ bhāṣase prājñasaṁmatam। na cotsahe sutaṁ tyaktuṁ yato dharmastato jayaḥ ॥5-39-7॥
You express everything with wisdom and foresight, as approved by the wise. However, I cannot abandon my son, for where there is duty, there lies victory.
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura spoke:
svabhāvaguṇasampanno na jātu vinayānvitaḥ। susūkṣmamapi bhūtānāmupamardaṃ prayokṣyate ॥5-39-8॥
A person endowed with natural qualities, but lacking humility, will never inflict even the slightest harm on beings.
parāpavādaniratāḥ paraduḥkhodayeṣu ca। parasparavirodhe ca yatante satatotthitāḥ ॥5-39-9॥
They are constantly engaged in slandering others, rejoicing in others' miseries, and are always active in mutual conflicts.
sadoṣaṃ darśanaṃ yeṣāṃ saṃvāse sumahadbhayam। arthādāne mahāndoṣaḥ pradāne ca mahadbhayam ॥5-39-10॥
The company of those whose vision is flawed brings great fear. There is a significant fault in acquiring wealth, and giving also involves great fear.
ye pāpā iti vikhyātāḥ saṃvāse parigarhitāḥ। yuktāścānyairmahādoṣairye narāstānvivarjayet ॥5-39-11॥
Those who are known as sinners and are condemned in association with other great faults, such men should be avoided.
nivartamāne sauhārde prītirnīce praṇaśyati। yā caiva phalanirvṛttiḥ sauhṛde caiva yatsukham ॥5-39-12॥
When friendship ends, affection in the lowly perishes. The result and happiness that come from friendship are indeed significant.
yatate cāpavādāya yatnamārabhate kṣaye। alpe'pyapakṛte mohānna śāntimupagacchati ॥5-39-13॥
He engages in efforts for slander and destruction. Even when causing small harm, due to delusion, he does not find peace.
tādṛśaiḥ saṅgataṃ nīcairnṛśaṃsairakṛtātmabhiḥ। niśāmya nipuṇaṃ buddhyā vidvāndūrādvivarjayet ॥5-39-14॥
A wise person, upon careful observation with intelligence, should keep away from associating with lowly, cruel, and undisciplined individuals, even from a distance.
yo jñātimanugṛhṇāti daridraṃ dīnamāturam। sa putrapaśubhirvṛddhiṃ yaśaścāvyayamaśnute ॥5-39-15॥
He who assists a poor, miserable, and distressed relative will achieve growth, fame, and lasting prosperity with his sons and cattle.
jñātayo vardhanīyāstairya icchantyātmanaḥ śubham। kulavṛddhiṃ ca rājendra tasmātsādhu samācara ॥5-39-16॥
O King, those who desire their own welfare and the growth of their family should foster their relatives. Therefore, act properly.
śreyasā yokṣyase rājan kurvāṇo jñātisatkriyām। viguṇā hyapi saṁrakṣyā jñātayo bharatarṣabha ॥5-39-17॥
O King, by performing the honoring of relatives with excellence, even those who are deficient should indeed be protected, O best of the Bharatas.
kiṁ punarguṇavantaste tvatprasādābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ। prasādaṁ kuru dīnānāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ viśāṁ pate ॥5-39-18॥
What about the virtuous ones who seek your favor? Please show kindness to the suffering Pandavas, O lord of the people.
dīyantāṃ grāmakāḥ kecitteṣāṃ vṛttyarthamīśvara। evaṃ loke yaśaḥprāpto bhaviṣyasi narādhipa ॥5-39-19॥
O lord, grant them some villages for their livelihood. In this way, you will gain fame in the world, O king.
vṛddhena hi tvayā kāryaṃ putrāṇāṃ tāta rakṣaṇam। mayā cāpi hitaṃ vācyaṃ viddhi māṃ tvaddhitaiṣiṇam ॥5-39-20॥
O dear, it is indeed the elder's and your duty to protect the sons. I too must speak for their welfare. Know that I am desirous of your welfare.
jñātibhirvigrahastāta na kartavyo bhavārthinā। sukhāni saha bhojyāni jñātibhirbharatarṣabha ॥5-39-21॥
Dear one, do not engage in conflict with your relatives if you desire welfare. Happiness is best enjoyed together with family, O best of the Bharatas.
sambhojanaṃ saṅkathanaṃ samprītiśca parasparam। jñātibhiḥ saha kāryāṇi na virodhaḥ kathañcana ॥5-39-22॥
Sharing meals, engaging in conversation, and having mutual affection with relatives are activities that should never lead to conflict.
jñātayastārayantīha jñātayo majjayanti ca। suvṛttāstārayantīha durvṛttā majjayanti ca ॥5-39-23॥
Here, relatives can either uplift or drown you; well-behaved ones uplift, while ill-behaved ones drown.
suvṛtto bhava rājendra pāṇḍavānprati mānadaḥ। adharṣaṇīyaḥ śatrūṇāṃ tairvṛtastvaṃ bhaviṣyasi ॥5-39-24॥
O King, be well-behaved and respectful towards the Pandavas. You will become invincible to your enemies and will be surrounded by them.
śrīmantaṃ jñātimāsādya yo jñātiravasīdati। digdhahastaṃ mṛga iva sa enastasya vindati ॥5-39-25॥
When one approaches a prosperous relative, the relative becomes distressed. Just like a deer with smeared hands, he finds himself in trouble.
paścādapi naraśreṣṭha tava tāpo bhaviṣyati। tānvā hatānsutānvāpi śrutvā tadanucintaya ॥5-39-26॥
O best of men, later you will experience grief. Reflect upon it, whether you hear about them or your slain sons.
yena khaṭvāṃ samārūḍhaḥ paritapyeta karmaṇā। ādāveva na tatkuryādadhruve jīvite sati ॥5-39-27॥
One should not engage in actions that lead to suffering, especially when life is uncertain. It is wise to avoid such actions from the very beginning.
na kaścin nāpanayate pumān anyatra bhārgavāt। śeṣasampratipattis tu buddhimatsv eva tiṣṭhati ॥5-39-28॥
No one but Bhārgava can remove it; the remaining understanding stays with the wise.
duryodhanena yadyetat pāpaṃ teṣu purā kṛtam। tvayā tatkulavṛddhena pratyāneyaṃ nareśvara ॥5-39-29॥
O lord of men, if this sin was committed by Duryodhana among them in the past, it is your duty as the elder of that family to counteract it.
tāṁstvaṁ pade pratiṣṭhāpya loke vigatakalmaṣaḥ। bhaviṣyasi naraśreṣṭha pūjanīyo manīṣiṇām ॥5-39-30॥
By establishing them in their positions, you will become free from sin and be revered by the wise, O best of men.
suvyāhṛtāni dhīrāṇāṃ phalataḥ pravicintya yaḥ। adhyavasyati kāryeṣu ciraṃ yaśasi tiṣṭhati ॥5-39-31॥
He who thoughtfully considers the wise words and their outcomes, and then acts, remains renowned for a long time.
avṛttiṃ vinayo hanti hantyanarthaṃ parākramaḥ। hanti nityaṃ kṣamā krodhamācāro hantyalakṣaṇam ॥5-39-32॥
"Humility eradicates lack of discipline, valor eliminates misfortune, forgiveness consistently quells anger, and proper conduct removes inappropriate behavior."
paricchadena kṣetreṇa veśmanā paricaryayā। parīkṣeta kulaṃ rājanbhojanācchādanena ca ॥5-39-33॥
O king, a family should be examined by its retinue, land, house, service, and provisions of food and clothing.
yayościttena vā cittaṃ naibhṛtaṃ naibhṛtena vā। sameti prajñayā prajñā tayormaitrī na jīryate ॥5-39-34॥
The friendship between those whose minds or humility or wisdom meet does not wither.
durbuddhim akṛtaprajñaṃ channaṃ kūpaṃ tṛṇair iva। vivarjayīta medhāvī tasmin maitrī praṇaśyati ॥5-39-35॥
A wise person should avoid associating with a foolish and unwise individual, as friendship with such a person is like a well covered with grass, where the friendship eventually perishes.
avalipteṣu mūrkheṣu raudrasāhasikeṣu ca। tathaivāpetadharmeṣu na maitrīmācaredbudhaḥ ॥5-39-36॥
A wise person should avoid forming friendships with those who are arrogant, foolish, violent, daring, or lacking in virtue.
kṛtajñaṃ dhārmikaṃ satyamakṣudraṃ dṛḍhabhaktikam। jitendriyaṃ sthitaṃ sthityāṃ mitramatyāgi ceṣyate ॥5-39-37॥
A person who is grateful, righteous, truthful, noble, steadfast in devotion, has conquered the senses, is firm in their position, is a friend, and does not renounce is desired.
indriyāṇāmanutsargo mṛtyunā na viśiṣyate। atyarthaṃ punarutsargaḥ sādayeddaivatānyapi ॥5-39-38॥
The restraint of the senses is not marked by death; however, excessive indulgence in restraint can even bring down the gods.
mārdavaṃ sarvabhūtānāmanasūyā kṣamā dhṛtiḥ। āyuṣyāṇi budhāḥ prāhurmitrāṇāṃ cāvimānanā ॥5-39-39॥
The wise declare that gentleness, non-envy, forgiveness, and fortitude towards all beings contribute to longevity and maintaining respect among friends.
apanītaṃ sunītena yo'rthaṃ pratyāninīṣate। matimāsthāya sudṛḍhāṃ tadakāpuruṣavratam ॥5-39-40॥
The one who, by applying firm intellect, desires to recover wealth taken away through good policy, follows the vow of a coward.
āyatyāṃ pratikārajñastadātve dṛḍhaniścayaḥ। atīte kāryaśeṣajño naro'rthairna prahīyate ॥5-39-41॥
A man who is aware of remedies for the future, firm in his decisions at the present, and knowledgeable about past tasks, does not suffer loss by means.
karmaṇā manasā vācā yadabhīkṣṇaṃ niṣevate। tadevāpaharat yenaṃ tasmātkalyāṇamācaret ॥5-39-42॥
Whatever one frequently engages in by action, mind, and speech, that indeed influences them; therefore, one should engage in auspicious activities.
maṅgalālambhanaṃ yogaḥ śrutamutthānamārjavam। bhūtimetāni kurvanti satāṃ cābhīkṣṇadarśanam ॥5-39-43॥
Union, learning, effort, and honesty bring about auspiciousness and prosperity, and allow frequent interaction with virtuous people.
anirvedaḥ śriyo mūlaṃ duḥkhanāśe sukhasya ca। mahānbhavatyanirviṇṇaḥ sukhaṃ cātyantamaśnute ॥5-39-44॥
Perseverance is the foundation of prosperity, leading to the end of sorrow and the attainment of happiness. The one who remains undepressed becomes great and achieves ultimate happiness.
nātaḥ śrīmattaraṃ kiñcidanyatpathyatamaṃ tathā। prabhaviṣṇoryathā tāta kṣamā sarvatra sarvadā ॥5-39-45॥
O dear, there is nothing more glorious or beneficial than this, as the forgiveness of the powerful is always and everywhere present.
kṣamedaśaktaḥ sarvasya śaktimāndharmakāraṇāt। arthānarthau samau yasya tasya nityaṃ kṣamā hitā ॥5-39-46॥
The powerless should forgive everyone, while the powerful should do so out of duty. For one who sees wealth and misfortune as equal, forgiveness is always beneficial.
yatsukhaṃ sevamāno'pi dharmārthābhyāṃ na hīyate। kāmaṃ tadupaseveta na mūḍhavratamācaret ॥5-39-47॥
One should pursue desires that do not compromise righteousness and wealth, even while enjoying them; avoid undertaking foolish vows.
duḥkhārteṣu pramatteṣu nāstikeṣvalaseṣu ca। na śrīrvasatyadānteṣu ye cotsāhavivarjitāḥ ॥5-39-48॥
Prosperity does not reside in people who are sorrowful, careless, atheistic, lazy, undisciplined, or lacking in enthusiasm.
ārjavena naraṃ yuktam ārjavāt savyapatrapam। aśaktimantaṃ manyanto dharṣayanti kubuddhayaḥ ॥5-39-49॥
The evil-minded oppress a man who is endowed with honesty and modesty, considering him to be powerless.
atyāryamatidātāramatiśūramativratam। prajñābhimāninaṃ caiva śrīrbhayānnopasarpati ॥5-39-50॥
Fortune, out of fear, does not approach a person who is exceedingly noble, generous, brave, disciplined, and proud of their wisdom.
agnihotraphalā vedāḥ śīlavṛttaphalaṃ śrutam। ratiputraphalā dārā dattabhuktaphalaṃ dhanam ॥5-39-51॥
The Vedas yield results through fire sacrifices; good conduct and character are shaped by what is learned; wives are the outcome of marital union; wealth comes from what is given and consumed.
adharmopārjitairarthairyaḥ karotyaurdhvadehikam। na sa tasya phalaṃ pretya bhuṅkte'rthasya durāgamāt ॥5-39-52॥
One who conducts funeral rites using wealth gained through unjust means will not reap its benefits after death, as the wealth was obtained through wrongful acquisition.
kāntāravanadurgeṣu kṛcchrāsvāpatsu sambhrame। udyateṣu ca śastreṣu nāsti śeṣavatāṃ bhayam ॥5-39-53॥
In the dense forests, amidst the woods and fortresses, during severe difficulties and calamities, and even when weapons are raised, those who remain have no fear.
utthānaṁ saṁyamo dākṣyamapramādo dhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ। samīkṣya ca samārambho viddhi mūlaṁ bhavasya tat ॥5-39-54॥
Effort, restraint, skill, vigilance, steadfastness, and memory are essential. Examine and undertake actions with these qualities, for they are the root of existence.
tapo balaṃ tāpasānāṃ brahma brahmavidāṃ balam। hiṃsā balamasādhūnāṃ kṣamā guṇavatāṃ balam ॥5-39-55॥
For ascetics, austerity is their strength; for those who know Brahman, it is Brahman itself that is their strength. The wicked find strength in violence, while the virtuous find it in forgiveness.
aṣṭau tānyavrataghnāni āpo mūlaṃ phalaṃ payaḥ। havirbrāhmaṇakāmyā ca gurorvacanamauṣadham ॥5-39-56॥
There are eight things that do not break vows: water, roots, fruits, milk, offerings, what is desired by Brahmins, the words of a teacher, and medicine.
na tatparasya saṁdadhyātpratikūlaṁ yadātmanaḥ। saṅgraheṇaiṣa dharmaḥ syātkāmādanyaḥ pravartate ॥5-39-57॥
One should not do to others what is undesirable to oneself. In summary, this is the essence of duty; other actions are driven by desire.
akrodhena jayetkrodhamasādhuṃ sādhunā jayet। jayetkadaryaṃ dānena jayetsatyena cānṛtam ॥5-39-58॥
One should conquer anger with non-anger, the wicked with the good, the miser with generosity, and falsehood with truth.
strīdhūrtake'lasē bhīrau caṇḍē puruṣamānini। caurē kṛtaghnē viśvāsō na kāryō na ca nāstikē ॥5-39-59॥
One should not trust women, rogues, lazy people, cowards, fierce individuals, arrogant men, thieves, the ungrateful, and atheists.
abhivādaṇaśīlasya nityaṃ vṛddhopasevinaḥ। catvāri sampravardhante kīrtirāyuryaśobalam ॥5-39-60॥
"One who is respectful and consistently serves the elders will see an increase in four aspects: fame, longevity, reputation, and strength."
atikleśena ye'rthāḥ syurdharmasyātikrameṇa ca। arervā praṇipātena mā sma teṣu manaḥ kṛthāḥ ॥5-39-61॥
Avoid engaging your mind in wealth acquired through great difficulty, unrighteous means, or submission to foes.
avidyaḥ puruṣaḥ śocyaḥ śocyaṃ mithunamaprajam। nirāhārāḥ prajāḥ śocyāḥ śocyaṃ rāṣṭramarājakam ॥5-39-62॥
An ignorant man is pitiable, and so is a childless couple. Subjects without food are to be pitied, as is a kingdom without a ruler.
adhvā jarā dehavatāṃ parvatānāṃ jalaṃ jarā। asambhogo jarā strīṇāṃ vākṣalyaṃ manaso jarā ॥5-39-63॥
The path leads to the aging of bodies, water erodes mountains. Lack of enjoyment ages women, and harshness ages the mind.
anāmnāyamālā vedā brāhmaṇasyāvrataṃ malam। kautūhalamālā sādhvī vipravāsamalāḥ striyaḥ ॥5-39-64॥
The Vedas lose their sanctity without traditional recitation; a Brahmin without observing rituals is considered impure; curiosity taints a virtuous woman; women are considered impure in the absence of their husbands.
suvarṇasya malaṃ rūpyaṃ rūpyasyāpi malaṃ trapu। jñeyaṃ trapumalaṃ sīsaṃ sīsasyāpi malaṃ malam ॥5-39-65॥
The impurities of metals are sequentially described: gold's impurity is silver, silver's impurity is tin, tin's impurity is lead, and ultimately, the impurity of lead is just impurity itself.
na svapnena jayennidrāṃ na kāmena striyaṃ jayet। nendhanena jayedagniṃ na pānena surāṃ jayet ॥5-39-66॥
One cannot overcome sleep by sleeping, nor a woman by desiring her. Similarly, one cannot extinguish fire by adding fuel, nor overcome intoxication by drinking more.
yasya dānajitaṁ mitramamitrā yudhi nirjitāḥ। annapānajitā dārāḥ saphalaṁ tasya jīvitam ॥5-39-67॥
A person whose friend is won by generosity, who conquers enemies in battle, and whose wife is pleased by food and drink, leads a successful life.
sahasriṇo'pi jīvanti jīvanti śatinastathā। dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ vimuñcecchāṃ na kathaṃcinna jīvyate ॥5-39-68॥
Thousands and hundreds live, but one cannot truly live if they do not release their attachment to Dhritarashtra.
yat pṛthivyāṃ vrīhiyavaṃ hiraṇyaṃ paśavaḥ striyaḥ। nālamekasya tatsarvamiti paśyanna muhyati ॥5-39-69॥
He who sees that all the wealth, grains, gold, animals, and women on earth are not sufficient for one person, does not become deluded.
rājanbhūyo bravīmi tvāṃ putreṣu samamācara। samatā yadi te rājansveṣu pāṇḍusutēṣu ca ॥5-39-70॥
O king, I repeat, treat all your sons equally. If you possess equality, O king, it should be among your own and the sons of Pandu.
