12.022
Library: Arjuna again advises Yudhishthira on warrior duties.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
तस्मिन्वाक्यान्तरे वाक्यं पुनरेवार्जुनोऽब्रवीत्। विषण्णमनसं ज्येष्ठमिदं भ्रातरमीश्वरम् ॥१२-२२-१॥
Then, in another statement, Arjuna again addressed his elder brother, the lord, whose mind was dejected, with these words.
क्षत्रधर्मेण धर्मज्ञ प्राप्य राज्यमनुत्तमम्। जित्वा चारीन्नरश्रेष्ठ तप्यते किं भवान्भृशम् ॥१२-२२-२॥
O knower of dharma, having attained the unsurpassed kingdom through the duty of a kṣatriya and having conquered your enemies, O best among men, why are you so greatly troubled?
क्षत्रियाणां महाराज सङ्ग्रामे निधनं स्मृतम्। विशिष्टं बहुभिर्यज्ञैः क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मर ॥१२-२२-३॥
O great king, remember that for kṣatriyas, death in battle is regarded as superior to many sacrifices; recall the duty of a kṣatriya.
ब्राह्मणानां तपस्त्यागः प्रेत्यधर्मविधिः स्मृतः। क्षत्रियाणां च विहितं सङ्ग्रामे निधनं विभो ॥१२-२२-४॥
For Brāhmaṇas, austerity and renunciation are considered the prescribed path after death; for Kṣatriyas, death in battle is ordained, O Lord.
क्षत्रधर्मो महारौद्रः शस्त्रनित्य इति स्मृतः। वधश्च भरतश्रेष्ठ काले शस्त्रेण संयुगे ॥१२-२२-५॥
The duty of a kṣatriya is extremely fierce and always involves weapons; thus it is remembered. O best of the Bharatas, killing at the proper time, with weapons, in battle, is prescribed.
ब्राह्मणस्यापि चेद्राजन्क्षत्रधर्मेण तिष्ठतः। प्रशस्तं जीवितं लोके क्षत्रं हि ब्रह्मसंस्थितम् ॥१२-२२-६॥
O king, if even a Brāhmaṇa lives by the duty of a Kṣatriya, his life is considered praiseworthy in the world, for the Kṣatriya order is truly rooted in Brahman.
न त्यागो न पुनर्याच्ञा न तपो मनुजेश्वर। क्षत्रियस्य विधीयन्ते न परस्वोपजीवनम् ॥१२-२२-७॥
O lord of men, for a kṣatriya, neither renunciation, nor repeated begging, nor austerity, nor living off others' wealth are prescribed.
स भवान्सर्वधर्मज्ञः सर्वात्मा भरतर्षभ। राजा मनीषी निपुणो लोके दृष्टपरावरः ॥१२-२२-८॥
You, O bull among the Bharatas, are the king, wise and skilled, knower of all dharmas, the self of all, and one who has seen the highest and lowest in the world.
त्यक्त्वा सन्तापजं शोकं दंशितो भव कर्मणि। क्षत्रियस्य विशेषेण हृदयं वज्रसंहतम् ॥१२-२२-९॥
Abandoning sorrow that arises from distress, be resolute in action. Especially, the heart of a kṣatriya is as firm as a diamond.
जित्वारीन्क्षत्रधर्मेण प्राप्य राज्यमकण्टकम्। विजितात्मा मनुष्येन्द्र यज्ञदानपरो भव ॥१२-२२-१०॥
O best of men, after conquering your enemies through the warrior's duty and obtaining a trouble-free kingdom, become self-controlled and devote yourself to sacrifice and charity.
इन्द्रो वै ब्रह्मणः पुत्रः कर्मणा क्षत्रियोऽभवत्। ज्ञातीनां पापवृत्तीनां जघान नवतीर्नव ॥१२-२२-११॥
Indra, truly the son of Brahman, by his actions became a Kṣatriya. He killed ninety-nine of his relatives who were of sinful conduct.
तच्चास्य कर्म पूज्यं हि प्रशस्यं च विशां पते। तेन चेन्द्रत्वमापेदे देवानामिति नः श्रुतम् ॥१२-२२-१२॥
O lord of men, that action of his is indeed worthy of worship and praise; by that, he attained the position of Indra among the gods—thus we have heard.
स त्वं यज्ञैर्महाराज यजस्व बहुदक्षिणैः। यथैवेन्द्रो मनुष्येन्द्र चिराय विगतज्वरः ॥१२-२२-१३॥
Therefore, O great king, you should perform sacrifices with abundant gifts; just as Indra, O king of men, remained free from affliction for a long time.
मा त्वमेवङ्गते किञ्चित्क्षत्रियर्षभ शोचिथाः। गतास्ते क्षत्रधर्मेण शस्त्रपूताः परां गतिम् ॥१२-२२-१४॥
Do not grieve at all in this situation, O best of kṣatriyas; they have attained the supreme state, purified by weapons, through the duty of kṣatriyas.
भवितव्यं तथा तच्च यद्वृत्तं भरतर्षभ। दिष्टं हि राजशार्दूल न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ॥१२-२२-१५॥
O best of the Bharatas, O tiger among kings, what is destined to happen and what has occurred is fated; it cannot be overcome.
