12.015
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
याज्ञसेन्या वचः श्रुत्वा पुनरेवार्जुनोऽब्रवीत्। अनुमान्य महाबाहुं ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरमीश्वरम् ॥१२-१५-१॥
After hearing the words of Yājñasenī, Arjuna once again spoke, having respectfully taken leave of his mighty-armed eldest brother, the lord.
दण्डः शास्ति प्रजाः सर्वा दण्ड एवाभिरक्षति। दण्डः सुप्तेषु जागर्ति दण्डं धर्मं विदुर्बुधाः ॥१२-१५-२॥
Punishment governs all people; it alone truly protects. Even when everyone sleeps, punishment remains vigilant; the wise recognize punishment as the foundation of righteousness.
धर्मं संरक्षते दण्डस्तथैवार्थं नराधिप। कामं संरक्षते दण्डस्त्रिवर्गो दण्ड उच्यते ॥१२-१५-३॥
O king, punishment protects righteousness, wealth, and desire; thus, punishment is said to be the upholder of the three aims of life.
दण्डेन रक्ष्यते धान्यं धनं दण्डेन रक्ष्यते। एतद्विद्वन्नुपादत्स्व स्वभावं पश्य लौकिकम् ॥१२-१५-४॥
Grain is protected by punishment, and so is wealth; O learned one, accept this and observe the nature of the world.
राजदण्डभयादेके पापाः पापं न कुर्वते। यमदण्डभयादेके परलोकभयादपि ॥१२-१५-५॥
Some evil-doers refrain from sin out of fear of the king's punishment; others, out of fear of Yama's punishment, and still others, out of fear of the world beyond.
परस्परभयादेके पापाः पापं न कुर्वते। एवं सांसिद्धिके लोके सर्वं दण्डे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥१२-१५-६॥
Because of mutual fear, some wicked people refrain from committing sins. Thus, in the established order of the world, everything is founded upon punishment.
दण्डस्यैव भयादेके न खादन्ति परस्परम्। अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुर्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-७॥
It is only out of fear of punishment that some do not harm each other; if there were no enforcement of punishment, people would be lost in darkness.
यस्माददान्तान्दमयत्यशिष्टान्दण्डयत्यपि। दमनाद्दण्डनाच्चैव तस्माद्दण्डं विदुर्बुधाः ॥१२-१५-८॥
Because it restrains the uncontrolled and punishes the undisciplined, and since both restraint and punishment are achieved by it, therefore, the wise recognize the importance of punishment.
वाचि दण्डो ब्राह्मणानां क्षत्रियाणां भुजार्पणम्। दानदण्डः स्मृतो वैश्यो निर्दण्डः शूद्र उच्यते ॥१२-१५-९॥
Punishment for Brāhmaṇas is in speech; for Kṣatriyas, it is the offering of the arm; for Vaiśyas, punishment is by giving gifts; the Śūdra is said to be without punishment.
असंमोहाय मर्त्यानामर्थसंरक्षणाय च। मर्यादा स्थापिता लोके दण्डसञ्ज्ञा विशां पते ॥१२-१५-१०॥
O lord of people, the concept of punishment was established in the world as a boundary for the non-delusion of mortals and for the protection of wealth.
यत्र श्यामो लोहिताक्षो दण्डश्चरति सूनृतः। प्रजास्तत्र न मुह्यन्ति नेता चेत्साधु पश्यति ॥१२-१५-११॥
Where the dark-complexioned, red-eyed Yama's staff of justice is wielded truthfully, the people are not led astray, provided the leader acts righteously.
ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थश्च वानप्रस्थोऽथ भिक्षुकः। दण्डस्यैव भयादेते मनुष्या वर्त्मनि स्थिताः ॥१२-१५-१२॥
The celibate student, the householder, the forest-dweller, and the mendicant—these people follow the path only because they fear punishment.
नाभीतो यजते राजन्नाभीतो दातुमिच्छति। नाभीतः पुरुषः कश्चित्समये स्थातुमिच्छति ॥१२-१५-१३॥
O king, a man who is not fearless does not perform sacrifices, does not wish to give, and at no time does he wish to stand firm.
नाच्छित्त्वा परमर्माणि नाकृत्वा कर्म दारुणम्। नाहत्वा मत्स्यघातीव प्राप्नोति महतीं श्रियम् ॥१२-१५-१४॥
One does not attain great prosperity without cutting the vital organs, performing cruel deeds, or killing like a fish-killer.
नाघ्नतः कीर्तिरस्तीह न वित्तं न पुनः प्रजाः। इन्द्रो वृत्रवधेनैव महेन्द्रः समपद्यत ॥१२-१५-१५॥
One who does not slay attains neither fame, nor wealth, nor progeny here. Indra became the great Indra only by slaying Vṛtra.
य एव देवा हन्तारस्ताँल्लोकोऽर्चयते भृशम्। हन्ता रुद्रस्तथा स्कन्दः शक्रोऽग्निर्वरुणो यमः ॥१२-१५-१६॥
Those gods who are slayers are intensely worshipped by the world. The slayers are Rudra, Skanda, Śakra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Yama.
हन्ता कालस्तथा वायुर्मृत्युर्वैश्रवणो रविः। वसवो मरुतः साध्या विश्वेदेवाश्च भारत ॥१२-१५-१७॥
O Bhārata, the destroyer, time, wind, death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), the sun, the Vasus, Maruts, Sādhyas, and Viśvedevas (all-gods) are present.
एतान्देवान्नमस्यन्ति प्रतापप्रणता जनाः। न ब्रह्माणं न धातारं न पूषाणं कथञ्चन ॥१२-१५-१८॥
People who are humbled by power bow to these gods, but never to Brahmā, Dhātā, or Pūṣan in any way.
मध्यस्थान्सर्वभूतेषु दान्ताञ्शमपरायणान्। यजन्ते मानवाः केचित्प्रशान्ताः सर्वकर्मसु ॥१२-१५-१९॥
Some humans, who are neutral among all beings, self-restrained, devoted to tranquility, and completely peaceful in all actions, worship.
न हि पश्यामि जीवन्तं लोके कञ्चिदहिंसया। सत्त्वैः सत्त्वानि जीवन्ति दुर्बलैर्बलवत्तराः ॥१२-१५-२०॥
Truly, I do not see anyone in the world living by non-injury. Beings live by consuming other beings; the stronger live off the weak.
नकुलो मूषकानत्ति बिडालो नकुलं तथा। बिडालमत्ति श्वा राजञ्श्वानं व्यालमृगस्तथा ॥१२-१५-२१॥
The mongoose eats mice, the cat eats the mongoose, the dog eats the cat, O king, and the wild beast eats the dog.
तानत्ति पुरुषः सर्वान्पश्य धर्मो यथागतः। प्राणस्यान्नमिदं सर्वं जङ्गमं स्थावरं च यत् ॥१२-१५-२२॥
The soul pervades all; see, dharma as it has come. All food of life—everything that moves and is still, and whatever else there is—belongs to it.
विधानं देवविहितं तत्र विद्वान्न मुह्यति। यथा सृष्टोऽसि राजेन्द्र तथा भवितुमर्हसि ॥१२-१५-२३॥
The arrangement ordained by the gods does not delude the wise there. O king, as you have been created, so you ought to become. 12-15-23.
विनीतक्रोधहर्षा हि मन्दा वनमुपाश्रिताः। विना वधं न कुर्वन्ति तापसाः प्राणयापनम् ॥१२-१५-२४॥
Ascetics, who are restrained in anger and joy and are gentle, having resorted to the forest, do not sustain their lives by killing.
उदके बहवः प्राणाः पृथिव्यां च फलेषु च। न च कश्चिन्न तान्हन्ति किमन्यत्प्राणयापनात् ॥१२-१५-२५॥
There are many living beings in water, on earth, and in fruits. No one kills them; what else is there except for the act of sustaining life?
सूक्ष्मयोनीनि भूतानि तर्कगम्यानि कानिचित्। पक्ष्मणोऽपि निपातेन येषां स्यात्स्कन्धपर्ययः ॥१२-१५-२६॥
Some beings have subtle origins and are only ascertainable by reasoning; for some, even the fall of an eyelash brings about a change in their aggregate state.
ग्रामान्निष्क्रम्य मुनयो विगतक्रोधमत्सराः। वने कुटुम्बधर्माणो दृश्यन्ते परिमोहिताः ॥१२-१५-२७॥
Having left the village, the sages, free from anger and envy, are seen in the forest performing family duties, but are completely deluded.
भूमिं भित्त्वौषधीश्छित्त्वा वृक्षादीनण्डजान्पशून्। मनुष्यास्तन्वते यज्ञांस्ते स्वर्गं प्राप्नुवन्ति च ॥१२-१५-२८॥
Humans, after piercing the earth, cutting herbs, trees, egg-born beings, and animals, perform sacrifices; by these, they also attain heaven.
दण्डनीत्यां प्रणीतायां सर्वे सिध्यन्त्युपक्रमाः। कौन्तेय सर्वभूतानां तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः ॥१२-१५-२९॥
O son of Kunti, when the science of punishment is well-established, all undertakings of all beings succeed there; of this, I have no doubt.
दण्डश्चेन्न भवेल्लोके व्यनशिष्यन्निमाः प्रजाः। शूले मत्स्यानिवापक्ष्यन्दुर्बलान्बलवत्तराः ॥१२-१५-३०॥
If there were no punishment in the world, these beings would perish; just as stronger fish devour the weaker on a spit, so too would the strong consume the weak.
सत्यं चेदं ब्रह्मणा पूर्वमुक्तं; दण्डः प्रजा रक्षति साधु नीतः। पश्याग्नयश्च प्रतिशाम्यन्त्यभीताः; सन्तर्जिता दण्डभयाज्ज्वलन्ति ॥१२-१५-३१॥
This is indeed the truth, as declared by Brahman in ancient times: the rod of punishment, when properly administered, protects the people. Observe, even fires die down when unafraid, but blaze forth when threatened by fear of punishment.
अन्धं तम इवेदं स्यान्न प्रज्ञायेत किञ्चन। दण्डश्चेन्न भवेल्लोके विभजन्साध्वसाधुनी ॥१२-१५-३२॥
If punishment, which discriminates between the good and the wicked, did not exist in the world, this world would be like blind darkness, and nothing at all would be known.
येऽपि सम्भिन्नमर्यादा नास्तिका वेदनिन्दकाः। तेऽपि भोगाय कल्पन्ते दण्डेनोपनिपीडिताः ॥१२-१५-३३॥
Even those who have transgressed boundaries, are atheists, and blaspheme the Vedas, they too are destined for enjoyment, but are oppressed by punishment.
सर्वो दण्डजितो लोको दुर्लभो हि शुचिर्नरः। दण्डस्य हि भयाद्भीतो भोगायेह प्रकल्पते ॥१२-१५-३४॥
All people are kept in check by punishment; a truly pure man is rare. Out of fear of punishment, people act for the sake of enjoyment in this world.
चातुर्वर्ण्याप्रमोहाय सुनीतनयनाय च। दण्डो विधात्रा विहितो धर्मार्थावभिरक्षितुम् ॥१२-१५-३५॥
Punishment was instituted by the Creator for the non-bewilderment of the four varṇas, for guiding with good conduct, and for the complete protection of dharma and artha.
यदि दण्डान्न बिभ्येयुर्वयांसि श्वापदानि च। अद्युः पशून्मनुष्यांश्च यज्ञार्थानि हवींषि च ॥१२-१५-३६॥
If there were no fear of punishment, birds and beasts of prey would consume animals, humans, and even the offerings intended for sacrifice.
न ब्रह्मचार्यधीयीत कल्याणी गौर्न दुह्यते। न कन्योद्वहनं गच्छेद्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-३७॥
An auspicious woman should not study celibacy; a cow is not milked; a maiden should not be given in marriage if discipline is not enforced.
विश्वलोपः प्रवर्तेत भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः। ममत्वं न प्रजानीयुर्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-३८॥
If punishment were not maintained, there would be destruction of the world, all boundaries would be broken, and the sense of possession would not be recognized.
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतोभयाः। विधिवद्दक्षिणावन्ति यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-३९॥
If punishment were not maintained, the annual sacrificial sessions would not remain free from all fear, nor would they receive gifts according to rule.
चरेयुर्नाश्रमे धर्मं यथोक्तं विधिमाश्रिताः। न विद्यां प्राप्नुयात्कश्चिद्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-४०॥
They should practice the prescribed duties outside the āśrama as stated in the procedure. If punishment is not enforced, no one should attain knowledge.
न चोष्ट्रा न बलीवर्दा नाश्वाश्वतरगर्दभाः। युक्ता वहेयुर्यानानि यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-४१॥
If authority were not enforced, yoked camels, bullocks, horses, mules, and donkeys would not draw vehicles.
न प्रेष्या वचनं कुर्युर्न बालो जातु कर्हिचित्। तिष्ठेत्पितृमते धर्मे यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-४२॥
Servants and children should never act on a command on their own; one should remain obedient to the father's will and to righteousness, especially if discipline is not enforced.
दण्डे स्थिताः प्रजाः सर्वा भयं दण्डं विदुर्बुधाः। दण्डे स्वर्गो मनुष्याणां लोकोऽयं च प्रतिष्ठितः ॥१२-१५-४३॥
All beings are established in punishment; the wise know fear and punishment; in punishment are established heaven, the world of men, and this world.
न तत्र कूटं पापं वा वञ्चना वापि दृष्यते। यत्र दण्डः सुविहितश्चरत्यरिविनाशनः ॥१२-१५-४४॥
Where punishment is properly enforced, there is no deceit, sin, or cheating to be seen; for punishment acts as the destroyer of enemies.
हविः श्वा प्रपिबेद्धृष्टो दण्डश्चेन्नोद्यतो भवेत्। हरेत्काकः पुरोडाशं यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥१२-१५-४५॥
If the bold dog drinks the offering because the rod is not raised, the crow will take away the sacrificial cake if the rod does not protect it.
यदिदं धर्मतो राज्यं विहितं यद्यधर्मतः। कार्यस्तत्र न शोको वै भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्यजस्व च ॥१२-१५-४६॥
Whether this kingdom is ordained by dharma or adharma, do what is to be done there; do not grieve, indeed. Enjoy the pleasures and perform sacrifices.
सुखेन धर्मं श्रीमन्तश्चरन्ति शुचिवाससः। संवसन्तः प्रियैर्दारैर्भुञ्जानाश्चान्नमुत्तमम् ॥१२-१५-४७॥
The prosperous live happily, following dharma, clad in clean garments, dwelling with their beloved wives, and enjoying the best food.
अर्थे सर्वे समारम्भाः समायत्ता न संशयः। स च दण्डे समायत्तः पश्य दण्डस्य गौरवम् ॥१२-१५-४८॥
All undertakings depend on wealth, without a doubt; and that (wealth) depends on authority—see the greatness of authority.
लोकयात्रार्थमेवेह धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम्। अहिंसा साधुहिंसेति श्रेयान्धर्मपरिग्रहः ॥१२-१५-४९॥
The teaching of dharma here is intended solely for the sake of worldly conduct. Between non-violence and righteous violence, the embrace of dharma is superior.
नात्यन्तगुणवान्कश्चिन्न चाप्यत्यन्तनिर्गुणः। उभयं सर्वकार्येषु दृश्यते साध्वसाधु च ॥१२-१५-५०॥
No one is absolutely virtuous, nor is anyone absolutely devoid of virtues; in all actions, both good and bad are seen.
पशूनां वृषणं छित्त्वा ततो भिन्दन्ति नस्तकान्। कृषन्ति बहवो भारान्बध्नन्ति दमयन्ति च ॥१२-१५-५१॥
After cutting off the testicles of animals, they split their nostrils, then many people make them pull loads, tie them up, and subdue them.
एवं पर्याकुले लोके विपथे जर्जरीकृते। तैस्तैर्न्यायैर्महाराज पुराणं धर्ममाचर ॥१२-१५-५२॥
O great king, in this world, which is disturbed and shattered, and has gone astray, practice the dharma of the Purāṇa by those means.
यज देहि प्रजा रक्ष धर्मं समनुपालय। अमित्राञ्जहि कौन्तेय मित्राणि परिपालय ॥१२-१५-५३॥
Perform sacrifices, give, protect your subjects, uphold dharma. Destroy your enemies, O son of Kunti, and protect your friends.
मा च ते निघ्नतः शत्रून्मन्युर्भवतु भारत। न तत्र किल्बिषं किञ्चित्कर्तुर्भवति भारत ॥१२-१५-५४॥
O Bhārata, do not let anger arise in you while slaying enemies. There is no sin for the doer in that situation, O Bhārata.
आततायी हि यो हन्यादाततायिनमागतम्। न तेन भ्रूणहा स स्यान्मन्युस्तं मन्युमृच्छति ॥१२-१५-५५॥
If an aggressor kills another aggressor who has come, he is not considered a killer of the unborn; anger meets anger.
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानामन्तरात्मा न संशयः। अवध्ये चात्मनि कथं वध्यो भवति केनचित् ॥१२-१५-५६॥
There is no doubt that the inner self of all beings cannot be slain. How can anyone slay the self that is indestructible?
यथा हि पुरुषः शालां पुनः सम्प्रविशेन्नवाम्। एवं जीवः शरीराणि तानि तानि प्रपद्यते ॥१२-१५-५७॥
Just as a man enters a new house again, so the soul enters various bodies.
देहान्पुराणानुत्सृज्य नवान्सम्प्रतिपद्यते। एवं मृत्युमुखं प्राहुर्ये जनास्तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥१२-१५-५८॥
The knowers of the truth say that, just as one abandons old bodies and attains new ones, so is the process called the mouth of death.
