12.023
Library: Sage Vyasa, concurring with Bhima, says the practice of householder duties is the highest, and for a warrior like him who is knowledgeable, taking the burden of ruling the kingdom is suitable.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
एवमुक्तस्तु कौन्तेयो गुडाकेशेन भारत। नोवाच किञ्चित्कौरव्यस्ततो द्वैपायनोऽब्रवीत् ॥१२-२३-१॥
After Guḍākeśa spoke thus, O Bhārata, the son of Kunti remained silent. Then Vyāsa, the sage, spoke.
बीभत्सोर्वचनं सम्यक्सत्यमेतद्युधिष्ठिर। शास्त्रदृष्टः परो धर्मः स्मृतो गार्हस्थ्य आश्रमः ॥१२-२३-२॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma's words are correct and true. According to the scriptures, the householder's stage of life is regarded as the highest dharma.
स्वधर्मं चर धर्मज्ञ यथाशास्त्रं यथाविधि। न हि गार्हस्थ्यमुत्सृज्य तवारण्यं विधीयते ॥१२-२३-३॥
O knower of dharma, perform your own duty as prescribed by the śāstra and by rule. For you, abandoning the householder's life, going to the forest is not prescribed.
गृहस्थं हि सदा देवाः पितर ऋषयस्तथा। भृत्याश्चैवोपजीवन्ति तान्भजस्व महीपते ॥१२-२३-४॥
O king, always honor those upon whom the gods, ancestors, sages, and servants depend—the householder.
वयांसि पशवश्चैव भूतानि च महीपते। गृहस्थैरेव धार्यन्ते तस्माज्ज्येष्ठाश्रमो गृही ॥१२-२३-५॥
O king, ages, animals, and all beings are maintained by householders alone; therefore, the householder's stage is considered the foremost among āśramas.
सोऽयं चतुर्णामेतेषामाश्रमाणां दुराचरः। तं चराविमनाः पार्थ दुश्चरं दुर्बलेन्द्रियैः ॥१२-२३-६॥
Among the four āśramas, this one is difficult to practice. Practice that without despondency, O Pārtha, for it is hard to accomplish for those whose senses are weak.
वेदज्ञानं च ते कृत्स्नं तपश्च चरितं महत्। पितृपैतामहे राज्ये धुरमुद्वोढुमर्हसि ॥१२-२३-७॥
You possess the knowledge of the Vedas and have performed great austerities; you are worthy to bear the burden of rule in the kingdom of your forefathers.
तपो यज्ञस्तथा विद्या भैक्षमिन्द्रियनिग्रहः। ध्यानमेकान्तशीलत्वं तुष्टिर्दानं च शक्तितः ॥१२-२३-८॥
Austerity, sacrifice, knowledge, alms, control of the senses, meditation, solitude and virtuous conduct, contentment, and charity according to one's ability.
ब्राह्मणानां महाराज चेष्टाः संसिद्धिकारिकाः। क्षत्रियाणां च वक्ष्यामि तवापि विदितं पुनः ॥१२-२३-९॥
O great king, I will again explain to you the activities of the Brāhmaṇas that lead to perfection, as well as those of the Kṣatriyas, even though you already know them.
यज्ञो विद्या समुत्थानमसन्तोषः श्रियं प्रति। दण्डधारणमत्युग्रं प्रजानां परिपालनम् ॥१२-२३-१०॥
Sacrifice, knowledge, initiative, and discontent with regard to prosperity; wielding a very severe rod, and the protection of the subjects.
वेदज्ञानं तथा कृत्स्नं तपः सुचरितं तथा। द्रविणोपार्जनं भूरि पात्रेषु प्रतिपादनम् ॥१२-२३-११॥
Knowledge of the Veda, complete austerity, good conduct, acquisition of abundant wealth, and giving to the deserving are all important.
एतानि राज्ञां कर्माणि सुकृतानि विशां पते। इमं लोकममुं लोकं साधयन्तीति नः श्रुतम् ॥१२-२३-१२॥
O lord of the people, we have heard that these meritorious actions of kings accomplish both this world and the next.
तेषां ज्यायस्तु कौन्तेय दण्डधारणमुच्यते। बलं हि क्षत्रिये नित्यं बले दण्डः समाहितः ॥१२-२३-१३॥
O son of Kunti, among all these, the wielding of punishment is considered superior; for in a kṣatriya, strength is always established in the power of punishment.
एताश्चेष्टाः क्षत्रियाणां राजन्संसिद्धिकारिकाः। अपि गाथामिमां चापि बृहस्पतिरभाषत ॥१२-२३-१४॥
O king, these are the actions of the kṣatriyas that lead to success. Bṛhaspati also spoke this very verse.
भूमिरेतौ निगिरति सर्पो बिलशयानिव। राजानं चाविरोद्धारं ब्राह्मणं चाप्रवासिनम् ॥१२-२३-१५॥
The earth consumes two types of people, just as a serpent living in holes does: a king who faces no opposition and a brāhmaṇa who does not travel abroad.
सुद्युम्नश्चापि राजर्षिः श्रूयते दण्डधारणात्। प्राप्तवान्परमां सिद्धिं दक्षः प्राचेतसो यथा ॥१२-२३-१६॥
It is said that Sudyumna, the royal sage, by upholding discipline, attained supreme perfection, just as Dakṣa, the son of Pracetas, did.
