12.022
Library: Arjuna again advises Yudhishthira on warrior duties.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
tasmin vākyāntare vākyaṃ punar evārjuno 'bravīt। viṣaṇṇamanasaṃ jyeṣṭham idaṃ bhrātaram īśvaram ॥12-22-1॥
Then, in another statement, Arjuna again addressed his elder brother, the lord, whose mind was dejected, with these words.
kṣatradharmeṇa dharmajña prāpya rājyamanuttamam। jitvā cārīn naraśreṣṭha tapyate kiṃ bhavān bhṛśam ॥12-22-2॥
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?
kṣatriyāṇāṃ mahārāja saṅgrāme nidhanaṃ smṛtam। viśiṣṭaṃ bahubhir yajñaiḥ kṣatradharmam anusmara ॥12-22-3॥
O great king, remember that for kṣatriyas, death in battle is regarded as superior to many sacrifices; recall the duty of a kṣatriya.
brāhmaṇānāṃ tapastyāgaḥ pretyadharmavidhiḥ smṛtaḥ। kṣatriyāṇāṃ ca vihitaṃ saṅgrāme nidhanaṃ vibho ॥12-22-4॥
For Brāhmaṇas, austerity and renunciation are considered the prescribed path after death; for Kṣatriyas, death in battle is ordained, O Lord.
kṣatradharmo mahāraudraḥ śastranitya iti smṛtaḥ। vadhaś ca bharataśreṣṭha kāle śastreṇa saṃyuge ॥12-22-5॥
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.
brāhmaṇasyāpi ced rājan kṣatradharmeṇa tiṣṭhataḥ। praśastaṃ jīvitaṃ loke kṣatraṃ hi brahmasaṃsthitam ॥12-22-6॥
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.
na tyāgo na punaryāchñā na tapo manujeśvara। kṣatriyasya vidhīyante na parasvopajīvanam ॥12-22-7॥
O lord of men, for a kṣatriya, neither renunciation, nor repeated begging, nor austerity, nor living off others' wealth are prescribed.
sa bhavān sarvadharmajñaḥ sarvātmā bharatarṣabha। rājā manīṣī nipuṇo loke dṛṣṭaparāvaraḥ ॥12-22-8॥
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.
tyaktvā santāpajaṃ śokaṃ daṃśito bhava karmaṇi। kṣatriyasya viśeṣeṇa hṛdayaṃ vajrasaṃhatam ॥12-22-9॥
Abandoning sorrow that arises from distress, be resolute in action. Especially, the heart of a kṣatriya is as firm as a diamond.
jitvā rīn kṣatradharmeṇa prāpya rājyam akaṇṭakam। vijitātmā manuṣyendra yajñadānaparo bhava ॥12-22-10॥
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.
indro vai brahmaṇaḥ putraḥ karmaṇā kṣatriyo'bhavat। jñātīnāṃ pāpavṛttīnāṃ jaghāna navatīr nava ॥12-22-11॥
Indra, truly the son of Brahman, by his actions became a Kṣatriya. He killed ninety-nine of his relatives who were of sinful conduct.
taccāsya karma pūjyaṃ hi praśasyaṃ ca viśāṃ pate। tena cendratvamāpede devānāmiti naḥ śrutam ॥12-22-12॥
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.
sa tvaṃ yajñairmahārāja yajasva bahudakṣiṇaiḥ। yathaivendro manuṣyendra cirāya vigatajvaraḥ ॥12-22-13॥
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.
mā tvam evaṃ-gate kiñcit kṣatriyarṣabha śocithāḥ। gatās te kṣatradharmeṇa śastrapūtāḥ parāṃ gatim ॥12-22-14॥
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.
bhavitavyaṃ tathā tacca yadvṛttaṃ bharatarṣabha। diṣṭaṃ hi rājaśārdūla na śakyamativartitum ॥12-22-15॥
O best of the Bharatas, O tiger among kings, what is destined to happen and what has occurred is fated; it cannot be overcome.
