12.056
Pancharatra: Bhishma starts instructing Yudhishthira the kingly duties: restraint is regarded as the means of governance; royal duties in the world dispel the path of inauspiciousness; prosperity is never attained by fate alone, but only through effort; when an undertaking fails, do not grieve, humility is the highest policy; there is no greater cause for trust than truth; gentle and harsh - practice both qualities; human fortress is the most difficult to overcome; king must act for the welfare of his subjects without self care.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
प्रणिपत्य हृषीकेशमभिवाद्य पितामहम्। अनुमान्य गुरून्सर्वान्पर्यपृच्छद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥१२-५६-१॥
Yudhiṣṭhira, after bowing to Hṛṣīkeśa, saluting the grandsire, and taking leave of all the elders, asked his question.
राज्यं वै परमो धर्म इति धर्मविदो विदुः। महान्तमेतं भारं च मन्ये तद्ब्रूहि पार्थिव ॥१२-५६-२॥
The knowers of dharma have declared, 'The kingdom is indeed the highest duty.' I consider this a great burden; tell me about that, O king.
राजधर्मान्विशेषेण कथयस्व पितामह। सर्वस्य जीवलोकस्य राजधर्माः परायणम् ॥१२-५६-३॥
O grandsire, please explain in detail the kingly duties. The kingly duties are the highest refuge for all living beings.
त्रिवर्गोऽत्र समासक्तो राजधर्मेषु कौरव। मोक्षधर्मश्च विस्पष्टः सकलोऽत्र समाहितः ॥१२-५६-४॥
O Kaurava, here the three aims of life are connected with royal duties, and the law of liberation is also clearly and entirely collected here.
यथा हि रश्मयोऽश्वस्य द्विरदस्याङ्कुशो यथा। नरेन्द्रधर्मो लोकस्य तथा प्रग्रहणं स्मृतम् ॥१२-५६-५॥
Just as reins control a horse and a goad controls an elephant, so too, the king's duty is to govern the people; thus, restraint is regarded as the means of governance.
अत्र वै सम्प्रमूढे तु धर्मे राजर्षिसेविते। लोकस्य संस्था न भवेत्सर्वं च व्याकुलं भवेत् ॥१२-५६-६॥
Here, when the dharma upheld by royal sages is utterly confused, the order of society would not exist, and everyone would be thrown into distress.
उदयन्हि यथा सूर्यो नाशयत्यासुरं तमः। राजधर्मास्तथालोक्यामाक्षिपन्त्यशुभां गतिम् ॥१२-५६-७॥
Just as the rising sun destroys demonic darkness, so too do royal duties in the world dispel the path of inauspiciousness.
तदग्रे राजधर्माणामर्थतत्त्वं पितामह। प्रब्रूहि भरतश्रेष्ठ त्वं हि बुद्धिमतां वरः ॥१२-५६-८॥
O grandsire, in front of all, please declare the true principle of the duties of kings regarding wealth, O best of the Bharatas, for you are indeed the foremost among the wise.
आगमश्च परस्त्वत्तः सर्वेषां नः परन्तप। भवन्तं हि परं बुद्धौ वासुदेवोऽभिमन्यते ॥१२-५६-९॥
O Parantapa, tradition and the highest knowledge among all of us comes from you; Vasudeva indeed considers you supreme in wisdom.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
नमो धर्माय महते नमः कृष्णाय वेधसे। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान्वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतान् ॥१२-५६-१०॥
I offer my salutations to the great Dharma and to Kṛṣṇa, the creator. Having bowed to the Brāhmaṇas, I will now explain the eternal dharmas.
शृणु कार्त्स्न्येन मत्तस्त्वं राजधर्मान्युधिष्ठिर। निरुच्यमानान्नियतो यच्चान्यदभिवाञ्छसि ॥१२-५६-११॥
O Yudhishthira, listen from me in full about the kingly duties as they are being explained, and also whatever else you wish to know, listen with attention.
आदावेव कुरुश्रेष्ठ राज्ञा रञ्जनकाम्यया। देवतानां द्विजानां च वर्तितव्यं यथाविधि ॥१२-५६-१२॥
O best of the Kurus, at the outset, the king, wishing to please the deities and the twice-born, should act according to the prescribed rules.
दैवतान्यर्चयित्वा हि ब्राह्मणांश्च कुरूद्वह। आनृण्यं याति धर्मस्य लोकेन च स मान्यते ॥१२-५६-१३॥
O best of Kurus, one who has worshipped the divinities and Brāhmaṇas attains freedom from the debt of righteousness and is honored by people.
उत्थाने च सदा पुत्र प्रयतेथा युधिष्ठिर। न ह्युत्थानमृते दैवं राज्ञामर्थप्रसिद्धये ॥१२-५६-१४॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, always strive with effort, my son. For kings, prosperity is never attained by fate alone, but only through effort.
साधारणं द्वयं ह्येतद्दैवमुत्थानमेव च। पौरुषं हि परं मन्ये दैवं निश्चित्यमुच्यते ॥१२-५६-१५॥
Both fate and effort are generally regarded as common factors; but I consider human effort to be supreme. Fate is spoken of only after effort has been made.
विपन्ने च समारम्भे सन्तापं मा स्म वै कृथाः। घटते विनयस्तात राज्ञामेष नयः परः ॥१२-५६-१६॥
When an undertaking fails, do not grieve; humility is the highest policy for kings, dear one.
न हि सत्यादृते किञ्चिद्राज्ञां वै सिद्धिकारणम्। सत्ये हि राजा निरतः प्रेत्य चेह च नन्दति ॥१२-५६-१७॥
For kings, there is truly no cause of success other than truth; a king devoted to truth rejoices both in this world and after death.
ऋषीणामपि राजेन्द्र सत्यमेव परं धनम्। तथा राज्ञः परं सत्यान्नान्यद्विश्वासकारणम् ॥१२-५६-१८॥
O King, even for the seers, truth alone is the highest wealth. Likewise, for a king, there is no greater cause for trust than truth.
गुणवाञ्शीलवान्दान्तो मृदुर्धर्म्यो जितेन्द्रियः। सुदर्शः स्थूललक्ष्यश्च न भ्रश्येत सदा श्रियः ॥१२-५६-१९॥
He who possesses virtues, good conduct, self-restraint, gentleness, righteousness, mastery over the senses, is handsome, has a prominent aim, and should never lose prosperity.
आर्जवं सर्वकार्येषु श्रयेथाः कुरुनन्दन। पुनर्नयविचारेण त्रयीसंवरणेन च ॥१२-५६-२०॥
O Kurunandana, you should always act with straightforwardness in all matters; further, act with discernment of policy and with restraint as prescribed by the three Vedas.
मृदुर्हि राजा सततं लङ्घ्यो भवति सर्वशः। तीक्ष्णाच्चोद्विजते लोकस्तस्मादुभयमाचर ॥१२-५६-२१॥
A king who is always gentle is disregarded in every way; people shrink from one who is harsh. Therefore, practice both qualities. 12-56-21.
अदण्ड्याश्चैव ते नित्यं विप्राः स्युर्ददतां वर। भूतमेतत्परं लोके ब्राह्मणा नाम भारत ॥१२-५६-२२॥
O Bhārata, Brāhmaṇas, those who give, should always be considered not to be punished, O best one. This has become the supreme law in the world, that they are called Brāhmaṇas.
मनुना चापि राजेन्द्र गीतौ श्लोकौ महात्मना। धर्मेषु स्वेषु कौरव्य हृदि तौ कर्तुमर्हसि ॥१२-५६-२३॥
O King, the two verses sung by the great-souled Manu regarding one's own duties, O Kauravya, you should keep in your heart and act accordingly.
अद्भ्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम्। तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति ॥१२-५६-२४॥
Fire arises from water, the Kṣatriya from Brahman, and iron from stone. The energy that pervades all of them returns and subsides in their respective sources.
अयो हन्ति यदाश्मानमग्निश्चापोऽभिपद्यते। ब्रह्म च क्षत्रियो द्वेष्टि तदा सीदन्ति ते त्रयः ॥१२-५६-२५॥
Iron destroys stone, fire and water attack each other, brāhmaṇa and kṣatriya hate each other; then, all three perish.
एतज्ज्ञात्वा महाराज नमस्या एव ते द्विजाः। भौमं ब्रह्म द्विजश्रेष्ठा धारयन्ति शमान्विताः ॥१२-५६-२६॥
O great king, having understood this and having bowed, the Brahmins indeed bear the earthly Brahman, O best of the twice-born, endowed with tranquility.
एवं चैव नरव्याघ्र लोकतन्त्रविघातकाः। निग्राह्या एव सततं बाहुभ्यां ये स्युरीदृशाः ॥१२-५६-२७॥
Therefore, O best of men, those who are destroyers of the people's order, such as these, must always be restrained by force.
श्लोकौ चोशनसा गीतौ पुरा तात महर्षिणा। तौ निबोध महाप्राज्ञ त्वमेकाग्रमना नृप ॥१२-५६-२८॥
O king, O greatly wise one, listen with a concentrated mind to these two verses that were formerly sung by the great sage Uśanas.
उद्यम्य शस्त्रमायान्तमपि वेदान्तगं रणे। निगृह्णीयात्स्वधर्मेण धर्मापेक्षी नरेश्वरः ॥१२-५६-२९॥
If, in battle, someone approaches with a weapon—even if he is a knower of Vedānta—the king who is intent on righteousness should restrain him according to his own duty.
विनश्यमानं धर्मं हि यो रक्षति स धर्मवित्। न तेन भ्रूणहा स स्यान्मन्युस्तं मनुमृच्छति ॥१२-५६-३०॥
He who protects righteousness when it is perishing is truly a knower of dharma; such a person is not considered a destroyer of embryo by Manu, and anger does not approach him.
एवं चैव नरश्रेष्ठ रक्ष्या एव द्विजातयः। स्वपराद्धानपि हि तान्विषयान्ते समुत्सृजेत् ॥१२-५६-३१॥
Thus, O best of men, the twice-born must always be protected. Even if they are offenders, they should be released at the end of the jurisdiction.
अभिशस्तमपि ह्येषां कृपायीत विशां पते। ब्रह्मघ्ने गुरुतल्पे च भ्रूणहत्ये तथैव च ॥१२-५६-३२॥
O lord of the people, even to those among them who are cursed—such as a Brahmin-killer, one who has violated the teacher's bed, or one who has killed an embryo—compassion should indeed be shown.
राजद्विष्टे च विप्रस्य विषयान्ते विसर्जनम्। विधीयते न शारीरं भयमेषां कदाचन ॥१२-५६-३३॥
If a Brāhmaṇa is hated by the king, expulsion at the border of the kingdom is prescribed; they should never be subjected to bodily harm or fear.
दयिताश्च नरास्ते स्युर्नित्यं पुरुषसत्तम। न कोशः परमो ह्यन्यो राज्ञां पुरुषसञ्चयात् ॥१२-५६-३४॥
O best among men, those beloved men may always be with you; for kings, there is no treasure greater than the gathering of loyal people.
दुर्गेषु च महाराज षट्सु ये शास्त्रनिश्चिताः। सर्वेषु तेषु मन्यन्ते नरदुर्गं सुदुस्तरम् ॥१२-५६-३५॥
O great king, among the six types of fortresses described in the scriptures, all agree that the human fortress is the most difficult to overcome.
तस्मान्नित्यं दया कार्या चातुर्वर्ण्ये विपश्चिता। धर्मात्मा सत्यवाक्चैव राजा रञ्जयति प्रजाः ॥१२-५६-३६॥
Therefore, the wise should always practice compassion towards all four social orders. A righteous and truthful king brings happiness to his people.
न च क्षान्तेन ते भाव्यं नित्यं पुरुषसत्तम। अधर्म्यो हि मृदू राजा क्षमावानिव कुञ्जरः ॥१२-५६-३७॥
O best among men, you should not always be patient; for a gentle king is indeed unrighteous, like an elephant that is only forbearing.
बार्हस्पत्ये च शास्त्रे वै श्लोका विनियताः पुरा। अस्मिन्नर्थे महाराज तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥१२-५६-३८॥
O great king, in the treatise of Bṛhaspati and in the scripture, verses were formerly set down. Now, listen to what was spoken to me on this matter.
क्षममाणं नृपं नित्यं नीचः परिभवेज्जनः। हस्तियन्ता गजस्येव शिर एवारुरुक्षति ॥१२-५६-३९॥
A vile person continually insults a patient king, just as a mahout always seeks to mount only the head of the elephant.
तस्मान्नैव मृदुर्नित्यं तीक्ष्णो वापि भवेन्नृपः। वसन्तेऽर्क इव श्रीमान्न शीतो न च घर्मदः ॥१२-५६-४०॥
Therefore, a king should be neither always gentle nor always harsh; he should be like the radiant sun in spring—neither cold nor excessively hot.
प्रत्यक्षेणानुमानेन तथौपम्योपदेशतः। परीक्ष्यास्ते महाराज स्वे परे चैव सर्वदा ॥१२-५६-४१॥
O great king, one's own and others' actions should always be examined by direct perception, inference, comparison, and instruction.
व्यसनानि च सर्वाणि त्यजेथा भूरिदक्षिण। न चैव न प्रयुञ्जीत सङ्गं तु परिवर्जयेत् ॥१२-५६-४२॥
One should renounce all vices and misfortunes; a generous giver should never engage in them, and should avoid any association with them.
नित्यं हि व्यसनी लोके परिभूतो भवत्युत। उद्वेजयति लोकं चाप्यतिद्वेषी महीपतिः ॥१२-५६-४३॥
A person who is always afflicted by vice is disregarded in the world and also agitates the people; likewise, a king who is excessively hateful does the same.
भवितव्यं सदा राज्ञा गर्भिणीसहधर्मिणा। कारणं च महाराज शृणु येनेदमिष्यते ॥१२-५६-४४॥
O great king, listen to the reason why it is always proper for the king and his pregnant wife to act thus, and why this is desired.
यथा हि गर्भिणी हित्वा स्वं प्रियं मनसोऽनुगम्। गर्भस्य हितमाधत्ते तथा राज्ञाप्यसंशयम् ॥१२-५६-४५॥
Just as a pregnant woman, setting aside her own personal desires, cares for the welfare of her unborn child, so too, without doubt, must a king act for the welfare of his subjects.
वर्तितव्यं कुरुश्रेष्ठ नित्यं धर्मानुवर्तिना। स्वं प्रियं समभित्यज्य यद्यल्लोकहितं भवेत् ॥१२-५६-४६॥
O best of the Kurus, one who always follows dharma should always act by completely abandoning his own preferences, in whatever way may be beneficial to the world.
न सन्त्याज्यं च ते धैर्यं कदाचिदपि पाण्डव। धीरस्य स्पष्टदण्डस्य न ह्याज्ञा प्रतिहन्यते ॥१२-५६-४७॥
O Pāṇḍava, your fortitude should never be abandoned at any time. The command of a steadfast person with clear authority is never indeed obstructed.
परिहासश्च भृत्यैस्ते न नित्यं वदतां वर। कर्तव्यो राजशार्दूल दोषमत्र हि मे शृणु ॥१२-५६-४८॥
O best of speakers, jesting by your servants should not always be done, O tiger among kings; now hear my fault in this matter.
अवमन्यन्ति भर्तारं संहर्षादुपजीविनः। स्वे स्थाने न च तिष्ठन्ति लङ्घयन्ति हि तद्वचः ॥१२-५६-४९॥
Dependents, due to arrogance, disrespect the husband; they do not stay in their proper place and indeed violate his commands.
प्रेष्यमाणा विकल्पन्ते गुह्यं चाप्यनुयुञ्जते। अयाच्यं चैव याचन्तेऽभोज्यान्याहारयन्ति च ॥१२-५६-५०॥
Those who are sent hesitate, employ even secrets, beg for what should not be begged, and bring things that are not to be enjoyed.
क्रुध्यन्ति परिदीप्यन्ति भूमिमध्यासतेऽस्य च। उत्कोचैर्वञ्चनाभिश्च कार्याण्यनुविहन्ति च ॥१२-५६-५१॥
They get angry, flare up, occupy his land, and by means of bribes and deceit, continually hinder his undertakings.
जर्जरं चास्य विषयं कुर्वन्ति प्रतिरूपकैः। स्त्रीरक्षिभिश्च सज्जन्ते तुल्यवेषा भवन्ति च ॥१२-५६-५२॥
They make the object of this worn out by counterfeits; women-guards, similarly dressed, are equipped and become of like appearance.
वातं च ष्ठीवनं चैव कुर्वते चास्य संनिधौ। निर्लज्जा नरशार्दूल व्याहरन्ति च तद्वचः ॥१२-५६-५३॥
O tiger among men, the shameless ones do things like passing wind and spitting in his presence, and they also utter such words.
हयं वा दन्तिनं वापि रथं नृपतिसंमतम्। अधिरोहन्त्यनादृत्य हर्षुले पार्थिवे मृदौ ॥१२-५६-५४॥
They mount a horse, elephant, or even a chariot approved by the king, disregarding the joyful and gentle king.
इदं ते दुष्करं राजन्निदं ते दुर्विचेष्टितम्। इत्येवं सुहृदो नाम ब्रुवन्ति परिषद्गताः ॥१२-५६-५५॥
O king, your act is difficult and wrongly done—thus do your so-called friends say in the assembly.
क्रुद्धे चास्मिन्हसन्त्येव न च हृष्यन्ति पूजिताः। सङ्घर्षशीलाश्च सदा भवन्त्यन्योन्यकारणात् ॥१२-५६-५६॥
When this person is angry, they laugh but do not feel joy even when honored; and they are always quarrelsome with each other for mutual reasons.
विस्रंसयन्ति मन्त्रं च विवृण्वन्ति च दुष्कृतम्। लीलया चैव कुर्वन्ति सावज्ञास्तस्य शासनम् ॥ अलङ्करणभोज्यं च तथा स्नानानुलेपनम् ॥१२-५६-५७॥
They scatter the mantra, reveal evil deeds, and playfully disregard his commands; they treat his ornaments, food, bath, and unguents with similar disrespect.
हेलमाना नरव्याघ्र स्वस्थास्तस्योपशृण्वते। निन्दन्ति स्वानधीकारान्सन्त्यजन्ति च भारत ॥१२-५६-५८॥
O Bhārata, those who are negligent and indifferent, O tiger among men, listen to him; they criticize and abandon their own authorities.
न वृत्त्या परितुष्यन्ति राजदेयं हरन्ति च। क्रीडितुं तेन चेच्छन्ति ससूत्रेणेव पक्षिणा ॥ अस्मत्प्रणेयो राजेति लोके चैव वदन्त्युत ॥१२-५६-५९॥
They are not satisfied with their livelihood; they take the royal tax and wish to play with it, like a bird with a string. In the world, people also say, 'The king is brought by us.'
एते चैवापरे चैव दोषाः प्रादुर्भवन्त्युत। नृपतौ मार्दवोपेते हर्षुले च युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-५६-६०॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, these and other faults also arise in a king who is gentle and joyful.
