12.015
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
yājñasenyā vacaḥ śrutvā punarevārjuno'bravīt। anumānya mahābāhuṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ bhrātaram īśvaram ॥12-15-1॥
After hearing the words of Yājñasenī, Arjuna once again spoke, having respectfully taken leave of his mighty-armed eldest brother, the lord.
daṇḍaḥ śāsti prajāḥ sarvā daṇḍa eva abhirakṣati। daṇḍaḥ supteṣu jāgarti daṇḍaṃ dharmaṃ viduḥ budhāḥ ॥12-15-2॥
Punishment governs all people; it alone truly protects. Even when everyone sleeps, punishment remains vigilant; the wise recognize punishment as the foundation of righteousness.
dharmaṃ saṃrakṣate daṇḍas tathaivārthaṃ narādhipa | kāmaṃ saṃrakṣate daṇḍas trivargo daṇḍa ucyate ||12-15-3||
O king, punishment protects righteousness, wealth, and desire; thus, punishment is said to be the upholder of the three aims of life.
daṇḍena rakṣyate dhānyaṃ dhanaṃ daṇḍena rakṣyate। etadvidvannupādatsva svabhāvaṃ paśya laukikam ॥12-15-4॥
Grain is protected by punishment, and so is wealth; O learned one, accept this and observe the nature of the world.
rājadaṇḍabhayādeke pāpāḥ pāpaṃ na kurvate। yamadaṇḍabhayādeke paralokabhayādapi ॥12-15-5॥
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.
parasparabhayādeke pāpāḥ pāpaṃ na kurvate। evaṃ sāṃsiddhike loke sarvaṃ daṇḍe pratiṣṭhitam ॥12-15-6॥
Because of mutual fear, some wicked people refrain from committing sins. Thus, in the established order of the world, everything is founded upon punishment.
daṇḍasyaiva bhayādeke na khādanti parasparam। andhe tamasi majjeyuryadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-7॥
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.
yasmād-adāntān damayaty aśiṣṭān daṇḍayaty api। damanād daṇḍanāc caiva tasmād daṇḍaṃ vidur budhāḥ ॥12-15-8॥
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.
vāci daṇḍo brāhmaṇānāṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ bhujārpaṇam। dānadaṇḍaḥ smṛto vaiśyo nirdanḍaḥ śūdra ucyate ॥12-15-9॥
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.
asaṁmohāya martyānām artha-saṁrakṣaṇāya ca। maryādā sthāpitā loke daṇḍasañjñā viśāṁ pate॥12-15-10॥
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.
yatra śyāmo lohitākṣo daṇḍaś carati sūnṛtaḥ। prajās tatra na muhyanti netā cet sādhu paśyati॥12-15-11॥
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.
brahmacārī gṛhasthaś ca vānaprastho 'tha bhikṣukaḥ। daṇḍasyaiva bhayād ete manuṣyā vartmani sthitāḥ ॥12-15-12॥
The celibate student, the householder, the forest-dweller, and the mendicant—these people follow the path only because they fear punishment.
nābhīto yajate rājannābhīto dātumicchati। nābhītaḥ puruṣaḥ kaścit samaye sthātumicchati ॥12-15-13॥
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.
nācchittvā paramarmāṇi nākṛtvā karma dāruṇam। nāhatvā matsyaghātīva prāpnoti mahatīṃ śriyam ॥12-15-14॥
One does not attain great prosperity without cutting the vital organs, performing cruel deeds, or killing like a fish-killer.
nāghnataḥ kīrtir astīha na vittaṃ na punaḥ prajāḥ। indro vṛtravadhenaiva mahendraḥ samapadyata ॥12-15-15॥
One who does not slay attains neither fame, nor wealth, nor progeny here. Indra became the great Indra only by slaying Vṛtra.
ya eva devā hantāras tāṃl loko'rcayate bhṛśam। hantā rudras tathā skandaḥ śakro'gnir varuṇo yamaḥ ॥12-15-16॥
Those gods who are slayers are intensely worshipped by the world. The slayers are Rudra, Skanda, Śakra, Agni, Varuṇa, and Yama.
hantā kālas tathā vāyur mṛtyur vaiśravaṇo raviḥ। vasavo marutaḥ sādhyā viśvedevāś ca bhārata ॥12-15-17॥
O Bhārata, the destroyer, time, wind, death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), the sun, the Vasus, Maruts, Sādhyas, and Viśvedevas (all-gods) are present.
etān devān namasyanti pratāpa-praṇatā janāḥ। na brahmāṇam na dhātāram na pūṣāṇam kathaṃcana ॥12-15-18॥
People who are humbled by power bow to these gods, but never to Brahmā, Dhātā, or Pūṣan in any way.
madhyasthān sarvabhūteṣu dāntāñ śamaparāyaṇān। yajante mānavāḥ kecit praśāntāḥ sarvakarmasu ॥12-15-19॥
Some humans, who are neutral among all beings, self-restrained, devoted to tranquility, and completely peaceful in all actions, worship.
na hi paśyāmi jīvantaṃ loke kañcid ahiṃsayā। sattvaiḥ sattvāni jīvanti durbalair balavattarāḥ ॥12-15-20॥
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.
nakulo mūṣakānatti biḍālo nakulaṃ tathā। biḍālamatti śvā rājañśvānaṃ vyālamṛgastathā ॥12-15-21॥
The mongoose eats mice, the cat eats the mongoose, the dog eats the cat, O king, and the wild beast eats the dog.
tānatti puruṣaḥ sarvānpaśya dharmo yathāgataḥ। prāṇasyānnamidaṃ sarvaṃ jaṅgamaṃ sthāvaraṃ ca yat ॥12-15-22॥
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.
vidhānaṃ devavihitaṃ tatra vidvān na muhyati। yathā sṛṣṭo'si rājendra tathā bhavitum arhasi ॥12-15-23॥
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.
vinītakrodhaharṣā hi mandā vanam-upāśritāḥ। vinā vadhaṃ na kurvanti tāpasāḥ prāṇayāpanam ॥12-15-24॥
Ascetics, who are restrained in anger and joy and are gentle, having resorted to the forest, do not sustain their lives by killing.
udake bahavaḥ prāṇāḥ pṛthivyāṃ ca phaleṣu ca। na ca kaścin na tān hanti kim anyat prāṇayāpanāt ॥12-15-25॥
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?
sūkṣmayōnīni bhūtāni tarkagamyāni kānicit। pakṣmaṇō'pi nipātena yēṣāṃ syātskandhaparyayaḥ ॥12-15-26॥
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.
grāmān niṣkramya munayo vigatakrodhamatsarāḥ। vane kuṭumbadharmāṇo dṛśyante parimohitāḥ॥12-15-27॥
Having left the village, the sages, free from anger and envy, are seen in the forest performing family duties, but are completely deluded.
bhūmiṃ bhittvā auṣadhīḥ chittvā vṛkṣa-ādīn aṇḍa-jān paśūn। manuṣyāḥ tanvate yajñān te svargam prāpnuvanti ca ॥12-15-28॥
Humans, after piercing the earth, cutting herbs, trees, egg-born beings, and animals, perform sacrifices; by these, they also attain heaven.
daṇḍanītyāṃ praṇītāyāṃ sarve sidhyantyupakramāḥ। kaunteya sarvabhūtānāṃ tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ ॥12-15-29॥
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.
daṇḍaś cen na bhavel loke vyanaśiṣyan nimāḥ prajāḥ | śūle matsyān ivāpakṣyan durbalān balavattarāḥ ||12-15-30||
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.
satyaṃ cedaṃ brahmaṇā pūrvamuktaṃ; daṇḍaḥ prajā rakṣati sādhu nītaḥ. paśyāgnayaś ca pratiśāmyanty abhītāḥ; santarjitā daṇḍabhayāj jvalanti ॥12-15-31॥
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.
andhaṃ tama ivedaṃ syān na prajñāyeta kiñcana। daṇḍaś cen na bhavel loke vibhajan sādhv asādhunī॥12-15-32॥
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.
ye'pi sambhinnamaryādā nāstikā vedanindakāḥ। te'pi bhogāya kalpante daṇḍenopanipīḍitāḥ ॥12-15-33॥
Even those who have transgressed boundaries, are atheists, and blaspheme the Vedas, they too are destined for enjoyment, but are oppressed by punishment.
sarvo daṇḍajito loko durlabho hi śucirnaraḥ। daṇḍasya hi bhayādbhīto bhogāyeha prakalpate ॥12-15-34॥
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.
cāturvarṇyāpramohāya sunītanayanāya ca। daṇḍo vidhātrā vihito dharmārthāvabhirakṣitum ॥12-15-35॥
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.
yadi daṇḍān na bibhyeyur vayāṃsi śvāpadāni ca | adyuḥ paśūn manuṣyāṃś ca yajñārthāni havīṃṣi ca ||12-15-36||
If there were no fear of punishment, birds and beasts of prey would consume animals, humans, and even the offerings intended for sacrifice.
na brahmacāryadhīyīta kalyāṇī gaurna duhyate। na kanyodvahanaṃ gacchedyadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-37॥
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.
viśvalopaḥ pravarteta bhidyeraṁsarvasetavaḥ। mamatvaṁ na prajānīyuryadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-38॥
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.
na saṃvatsarasatrāṇi tiṣṭheyurakutobhayāḥ। vidhivad dakṣiṇāvanti yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-39॥
If punishment were not maintained, the annual sacrificial sessions would not remain free from all fear, nor would they receive gifts according to rule.
careyur nāśrame dharmaṃ yathoktaṃ vidhim āśritāḥ। na vidyāṃ prāpnuyāt kaścid yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-40॥
They should practice the prescribed duties outside the āśrama as stated in the procedure. If punishment is not enforced, no one should attain knowledge.
na coṣṭrā na balīvardā nāśvāśvataragardabhāḥ। yuktā vaheyuryānāni yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-41॥
If authority were not enforced, yoked camels, bullocks, horses, mules, and donkeys would not draw vehicles.
na preṣyā vacanaṃ kuryur na bālo jātu karhicit। tiṣṭhet pitṛ-mate dharme yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ॥12-15-42॥
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.
daṇḍe sthitāḥ prajāḥ sarvā bhayaṃ daṇḍaṃ vidur budhāḥ। daṇḍe svargo manuṣyāṇāṃ loko'yaṃ ca pratiṣṭhitaḥ ॥12-15-43॥
All beings are established in punishment; the wise know fear and punishment; in punishment are established heaven, the world of men, and this world.
na tatra kūṭaṃ pāpaṃ vā vañcanā vāpi dṛśyate। yatra daṇḍaḥ suvihitaś caraty ari-vināśanaḥ ॥12-15-44॥
Where punishment is properly enforced, there is no deceit, sin, or cheating to be seen; for punishment acts as the destroyer of enemies.
haviḥ śvā prapibed dhṛṣṭo daṇḍaś cen nodyato bhavet| haret kākaḥ puroḍāśaṃ yadi daṇḍo na pālayet ||12-15-45||
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.
yad idaṃ dharmato rājyaṃ vihitaṃ yady adharmataḥ। kāryas tatra na śoko vai bhuṅkṣva bhogān yajasva ca ॥12-15-46॥
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.
sukhena dharmaṃ śrīmantaś caranti śucivāsasaḥ। saṃvasantaḥ priyair dārair bhuñjānāś cānnam uttamam ॥12-15-47॥
The prosperous live happily, following dharma, clad in clean garments, dwelling with their beloved wives, and enjoying the best food.
arthe sarve samārambhāḥ samāyattā na saṃśayaḥ। sa ca daṇḍe samāyattaḥ paśya daṇḍasya gauravam ॥12-15-48॥
All undertakings depend on wealth, without a doubt; and that (wealth) depends on authority—see the greatness of authority.
lokayātrārthameveha dharmapravacanaṃ kṛtam। ahiṃsā sādhuhimseti śreyāndharmaparigrahaḥ ॥12-15-49॥
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.
nātyantaguṇavān kaścin na cāpy atyantanirguṇaḥ। ubhayaṃ sarvakāryeṣu dṛśyate sādhvasādhu ca ॥12-15-50॥
No one is absolutely virtuous, nor is anyone absolutely devoid of virtues; in all actions, both good and bad are seen.
paśūnāṃ vṛṣaṇaṃ chittvā tato bhindanti nastakān। kṛṣanti bahavo bhārān badhnanti damayanti ca ॥12-15-51॥
After cutting off the testicles of animals, they split their nostrils, then many people make them pull loads, tie them up, and subdue them.
evaṃ paryākule loke vipathe jarjarīkṛte। taistairnyāyairmahārāja purāṇaṃ dharmamācara ॥12-15-52॥
O great king, in this world, which is disturbed and shattered, and has gone astray, practice the dharma of the Purāṇa by those means.
yaja dehi prajā rakṣa dharmaṃ samanupālaya। amitrāñjahi kaunteya mitrāṇi paripālaya ॥12-15-53॥
Perform sacrifices, give, protect your subjects, uphold dharma. Destroy your enemies, O son of Kunti, and protect your friends.
mā ca te nighnataḥ śatrūn manyur bhavatu bhārata। na tatra kilbiṣaṃ kiñcit kartur bhavati bhārata ॥12-15-54॥
O Bhārata, do not let anger arise in you while slaying enemies. There is no sin for the doer in that situation, O Bhārata.
ātatāyī hi yo hanyād ātatāyinam āgatam। na tena bhrūṇahā sa syān manyuḥ taṃ manyum ṛcchati ॥12-15-55॥
If an aggressor kills another aggressor who has come, he is not considered a killer of the unborn; anger meets anger.
avadhyaḥ sarvabhūtānām antarātmā na saṃśayaḥ। avadhye cātmani kathaṃ vadhyo bhavati kenacit ॥12-15-56॥
There is no doubt that the inner self of all beings cannot be slain. How can anyone slay the self that is indestructible?
yathā hi puruṣaḥ śālāṃ punaḥ sampraviśennavām। evaṃ jīvaḥ śarīrāṇi tāni tāni prapadyate ॥12-15-57॥
Just as a man enters a new house again, so the soul enters various bodies.
dehān purāṇān utsṛjya navān sampratipadyate। evaṃ mṛtyumukhaṃ prāhur ye janās tattvadarśinaḥ ॥12-15-58॥
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.
