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 uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; (proper noun, name of a sage); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (from the root 'vac', to speak);]
(Vaiśampāyana said;)
Vaiśampāyana said.
प्रणिपत्य हृषीकेशमभिवाद्य पितामहम्। अनुमान्य गुरून्सर्वान्पर्यपृच्छद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥१२-५६-१॥
praṇipatya hṛṣīkeśam abhivādya pitāmaham। anumānya gurūn sarvān paryapṛcchad yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥12-56-1॥
[प्रणिपत्य (praṇipatya) - having bowed down;, हृषीकेशम् (hṛṣīkeśam) - to Hṛṣīkeśa;, अभिवाद्य (abhivādya) - having saluted;, पितामहम् (pitāmaham) - to the grandsire;, अनुमान्य (anumānya) - having taken leave of;, गुरून् (gurūn) - the elders;, सर्वान् (sarvān) - all;, पर्यपृच्छत् (paryapṛcchat) - asked;, युधिष्ठिरः (yudhiṣṭhiraḥ) - Yudhiṣṭhira;]
(Having bowed down to Hṛṣīkeśa, having saluted the grandsire, having taken leave of all the elders, Yudhiṣṭhira asked.)
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॥
rājyaṃ vai paramo dharma iti dharmavido viduḥ। mahāntametaṃ bhāraṃ ca manye tadbrūhi pārthiva ॥12-56-2॥
[राज्यं (rājyaṃ) - kingdom; वै (vai) - indeed; परमः (paramaḥ) - supreme; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - duty; इति (iti) - thus; धर्मविदः (dharmavidaḥ) - knowers of dharma; विदुः (viduḥ) - have known; महान्तम् (mahāntam) - great; एतं (etaṃ) - this; भारम् (bhāram) - burden; च (ca) - and; मन्ये (manye) - I think; तत् (tat) - that; ब्रूहि (brūhi) - tell; पार्थिव (pārthiva) - O king;]
(Kingdom indeed (is) the supreme duty thus (the) knowers of dharma have known. Great this burden and I think that tell O king.)
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॥
rājadharmān viśeṣeṇa kathayasva pitāmaha। sarvasya jīvalokasya rājadharmāḥ parāyaṇam ॥12-56-3॥
[राजधर्मान् (rājadharmān) - kingly duties; विशेषेण (viśeṣeṇa) - specifically; कथयस्व (kathayasva) - please tell; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandsire; सर्वस्य (sarvasya) - of all; जीवलोकस्य (jīvalokasya) - of the world of living beings; राजधर्माः (rājadharmāḥ) - kingly duties; परायणम् (parāyaṇam) - the supreme refuge;]
(O grandsire, please specifically tell the kingly duties. The kingly duties are the supreme refuge of all the world of living beings.)
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॥
trivargo'tra samāsakto rājadharmeṣu kaurava। mokṣadharmaśca vispaṣṭaḥ sakalo'tra samāhitaḥ ॥12-56-4॥
[त्रिवर्गः (trivargaḥ) - the three aims (dharma, artha, kāma); अत्र (atra) - here; समासक्तः (samāsaktaḥ) - attached; राजधर्मेषु (rājadharmeṣu) - in royal duties; कौरव (kaurava) - O Kaurava; मोक्षधर्मः (mokṣadharmaḥ) - the law of liberation; च (ca) - and; विस्पष्टः (vispaṣṭaḥ) - clearly; सकलः (sakalaḥ) - entire; अत्र (atra) - here; समाहितः (samāhitaḥ) - collected;]
(The three aims are here attached to royal duties, O Kaurava; and the law of liberation is also clearly, the entire (teaching) is here collected.)
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॥
yathā hi raśmayo'śvasya dviradasya-aṅkuśo yathā। narendra-dharmo lokasya tathā pragrahaṇaṃ smṛtam ॥12-56-5॥
[यथा (yathā) - just as; हि (hi) - indeed; रश्मयः (raśmayaḥ) - reins; अश्वस्य (aśvasya) - of a horse; द्विरदस्य (dviradasya) - of an elephant; अङ्कुशः (aṅkuśaḥ) - goad; यथा (yathā) - just as; नरेन्द्रधर्मः (narendra-dharmaḥ) - the duty of a king; लोकस्य (lokasya) - of the people; तथा (tathā) - so; प्रग्रहणम् (pragrahaṇam) - restraint; स्मृतम् (smṛtam) - is considered;]
(Just as indeed the reins (are for) a horse, (and) the goad (is for) an elephant, just so the duty of a king (is for) the people; so restraint is considered (their means of control).)
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॥
atra vai sampramūḍhe tu dharme rājarṣisevite। lokasya saṃsthā na bhavet sarvaṃ ca vyākulaṃ bhavet ॥12-56-6॥
[अत्र (atra) - here; वै (vai) - indeed; सम्प्रमूढे (sampramūḍhe) - utterly confused; तु (tu) - but; धर्मे (dharme) - in dharma; राजर्षिसेविते (rājarṣisevite) - attended by royal sages; लोकस्य (lokasya) - of the people; संस्था (saṃsthā) - order; न (na) - not; भवेत् (bhavet) - would be; सर्वं (sarvaṃ) - all; च (ca) - and; व्याकुलं (vyākulaṃ) - distressed; भवेत् (bhavet) - would be;]
(Here indeed, when dharma attended by royal sages is utterly confused, the order of the people would not exist, and all would be distressed.)
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॥
udayan hi yathā sūryo nāśayaty āsuraṃ tamaḥ। rājadharmās tathā lokyām ākṣipanty aśubhāṃ gatim ॥12-56-7॥
[उदयन् (udayan) - rising; (of the sun); हि (hi) - indeed; यथा (yathā) - just as; सूर्यः (sūryaḥ) - the sun; नाशयति (nāśayati) - destroys; आसुरम् (āsuram) - demonic; तमः (tamaḥ) - darkness; राजधर्माः (rājadharmāḥ) - royal duties; तथा (tathā) - in the same way; लोके (loke) - in the world; आम् (ām) - indeed; आक्षिपन्ति (ākṣipanti) - cast away; अशुभाम् (aśubhām) - inauspicious; गतिम् (gatim) - path;]
(Just as, indeed, the rising sun destroys demonic darkness, in the same way, royal duties in the world indeed cast away the inauspicious path.)
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॥
tadagre rājadharmāṇām arthatattvaṃ pitāmaha। prabrūhi bharataśreṣṭha tvaṃ hi buddhimatāṃ varaḥ ॥12-56-8॥
[तत् (tat) - that; अग्रे (agre) - in front; before; राजधर्माणाम् (rājadharmāṇām) - of the duties of kings; अर्थतत्त्वम् (arthatattvam) - the true principle of wealth; essence of purpose; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandsire; प्रब्रूहि (prabrūhi) - please declare; speak forth; भरतश्रेष्ठ (bharataśreṣṭha) - O best of the Bharatas; त्वम् (tvam) - you; हि (hi) - indeed; बुद्धिमताम् (buddhimatām) - of the wise; वरः (varaḥ) - the foremost;]
(That, in front, of the duties of kings, the true principle of wealth, O grandsire, please declare, O best of the Bharatas, you indeed, of the wise, the foremost.)
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॥
āgamaś ca paras tvattaḥ sarveṣāṃ naḥ parantapa। bhavantaṃ hi paraṃ buddhau vāsudevo'bhimanyate ॥12-56-9॥
[आगमः (āgamaḥ) - tradition; च (ca) - and; परः (paraḥ) - supreme; त्वत्तः (tvattaḥ) - from you; सर्वेषां (sarveṣāṃ) - of all; नः (naḥ) - our; परन्तप (parantapa) - O scorcher of foes; भवन्तं (bhavantaṃ) - you; हि (hi) - indeed; परं (paraṃ) - supreme; बुद्धौ (buddhau) - in understanding; वासुदेवः (vāsudevaḥ) - Vasudeva; अभिमन्यते (abhimanyate) - considers;]
(Tradition and the supreme from you of all our O scorcher of foes; you indeed supreme in understanding Vasudeva considers.)
O Parantapa, tradition and the highest knowledge among all of us comes from you; Vasudeva indeed considers you supreme in wisdom.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; (name of the speaker); उवाच (uvāca) - said; spoke;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said.
नमो धर्माय महते नमः कृष्णाय वेधसे। ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान्वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतान् ॥१२-५६-१०॥
namo dharmāya mahate namaḥ kṛṣṇāya vedhase। brāhmaṇebhyo namaskṛtya dharmānvakṣyāmi śāśvatān ॥12-56-10॥
[नमः (namaḥ) - obeisance; धर्माय (dharmāya) - to Dharma; महते (mahate) - the great; नमः (namaḥ) - obeisance; कृष्णाय (kṛṣṇāya) - to Kṛṣṇa; वेधसे (vedhase) - to the creator; ब्राह्मणेभ्यः (brāhmaṇebhyaḥ) - to the Brāhmaṇas; नमस्कृत्य (namaskṛtya) - having bowed; धर्मान् (dharmān) - the dharmas; वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi) - I shall speak; शाश्वतान् (śāśvatān) - eternal;]
(Obeisance to Dharma, the great; obeisance to Kṛṣṇa, the creator; having bowed to the Brāhmaṇas, I shall speak of the eternal dharmas.)
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॥
śṛṇu kārtsnyena mattastvaṃ rājadhamrānyudhiṣṭhira। nirucyamānānniyato yaccānyadabhivāñchasi ॥12-56-11॥
[शृणु (śṛṇu) - hear; (imperative from √śru) कार्त्स्न्येन (kārtsnyena) - in entirety; (from kārtsnya, totality; instrumental singular) मत्तः (mattaḥ) - from me; त्वम् (tvam) - you; राजधर्मान् (rājadhamrān) - kingly duties; (accusative plural of rājadharma) युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira; (vocative singular) निरुच्यमानान् (nirucyamānān) - being explained; (present passive participle accusative plural from nir-√vac) नियतः (niyataḥ) - attentively; (controlled, disciplined; nominative singular masculine) यत् (yat) - whatever; च (ca) - and; अन्यत् (anyat) - other; अभिवाञ्छसि (abhivāñchasi) - you desire; (second person singular present from abhi-√vāñch) ॥१२-५६-११॥ (॥12-56-11॥) - ;]
(Hear in entirety from me, you, the kingly duties, O Yudhishthira, being explained; attentively, and whatever other (things) you desire.)
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॥
ādāveva kuruśreṣṭha rājñā rañjanakāmyayā। devatānāṃ dvijānāṃ ca vartitavyaṃ yathāvidhi ॥12-56-12॥
[आदौ (ādau) - in the beginning; एव (eva) - indeed; कुरुश्रेष्ठ (kuruśreṣṭha) - O best of the Kurus; राज्ञा (rājñā) - by the king; रञ्जनकाम्यया (rañjanakāmyayā) - with the desire to please; देवतानाम् (devatānām) - of the deities; द्विजानाम् (dvijānām) - of the twice-born; च (ca) - and; वर्तितव्यम् (vartitavyam) - should be conducted; यथाविधि (yathāvidhi) - according to the rule;]
(In the beginning indeed, O best of the Kurus, by the king, with the desire to please, of the deities and of the twice-born, it should be conducted according to the rule.)
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॥
daivatāny arcayitvā hi brāhmaṇāṁś ca kurūdvaha| ānṛṇyaṁ yāti dharmasya lokena ca sa mānyate ||12-56-13||
[दैवतानि (daivatāni) - divinities; अर्चयित्वा (arcayitvā) - having worshipped; हि (hi) - indeed; ब्राह्मणान् (brāhmaṇān) - Brāhmaṇas; च (ca) - and; कुरूद्वह (kurūdvaha) - O best of Kurus; आनृण्यं (ānṛṇyaṁ) - freedom from debt; याति (yāti) - attains; धर्मस्य (dharmasya) - of righteousness; लोकेन (lokena) - by people; च (ca) - and; सः (saḥ) - he; मान्यते (mānyate) - is honored;]
(Having worshipped the divinities and Brāhmaṇas indeed, O best of Kurus, he attains freedom from debt of righteousness and is honored by people.)
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॥
utthāne ca sadā putra prayatethā yudhiṣṭhira। na hyutthānamṛte daivaṃ rājñāmarthaprasiddhaye ॥12-56-14॥
[उत्थाने (utthāne) - in effort; च (ca) - and; सदा (sadā) - always; पुत्र (putra) - O son; प्रयतेथा (prayatethā) - you should strive; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; उत्थानम् (utthānam) - effort; ऋते (ṛte) - without; दैवम् (daivam) - fate; राज्ञाम् (rājñām) - of kings; अर्थप्रसिद्धये (arthaprasiddhaye) - for the attainment of prosperity;]
(In effort and always, O son, you should strive, Yudhiṣṭhira. Not indeed without effort does fate bring about the attainment of prosperity for kings.)
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॥
sādhāraṇaṃ dvayaṃ hy etad daivam utthānam eva ca। pauruṣaṃ hi paraṃ manye daivaṃ niścitya ucyate॥12-56-15॥
[साधारणम् (sādhāraṇam) - common; general; द्वयम् (dvayam) - two; pair; हि (hi) - indeed; surely; एतत् (etat) - this; दैवम् (daivam) - fate; destiny; उत्थानम् (utthānam) - effort; exertion; एव (eva) - only; just; च (ca) - and; पौरुषम् (pauruṣam) - manly effort; human endeavor; हि (hi) - indeed; surely; परम् (param) - supreme; highest; मन्ये (manye) - I think; I consider; दैवम् (daivam) - fate; destiny; निश्चित्य (niścitya) - having ascertained; having determined; उच्यते (ucyate) - is said; is called;]
(Indeed, this pair is common: fate and effort only and. Manly effort indeed I consider supreme; fate, having ascertained, is said.)
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॥
vipanne ca samārambhe santāpaṃ mā sma vai kṛthāḥ। ghaṭate vinayastāta rājñāmeṣa nayaḥ paraḥ ॥12-56-16॥
[विपन्ने (vipanne) - ruined; च (ca) - and; समारम्भे (samārambhe) - in undertaking; सन्तापं (santāpam) - distress; मा (mā) - do not; स्म (sma) - indeed; वै (vai) - truly; कृथाः (kṛthāḥ) - you should do; घटते (ghaṭate) - befits; विनयः (vinayaḥ) - humility; तात (tāta) - dear one; राज्ञाम् (rājñām) - of kings; एषः (eṣaḥ) - this; नयः (nayaḥ) - policy; परः (paraḥ) - supreme;]
(And when the undertaking is ruined, do not indeed truly feel distress; humility, dear one, befits kings; this is the supreme policy.)
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॥
na hi satyādṛte kiñcid rājñāṃ vai siddhikāraṇam। satye hi rājā nirataḥ pretya ca iha ca nandati ॥12-56-17॥
[न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; सत्यात् (satyāt) - from truth; ऋते (ṛte) - apart from; except; किञ्चित् (kiñcit) - anything; राज्ञाम् (rājñām) - of kings; वै (vai) - indeed; सिद्धि-कारणम् (siddhi-kāraṇam) - cause of success; सत्ये (satye) - in truth; हि (hi) - indeed; राजा (rājā) - king; निरतः (nirataḥ) - engaged; प्रेत्य (pretya) - after death; च (ca) - and; इह (iha) - here; च (ca) - and; नन्दति (nandati) - rejoices;]
(Indeed, apart from truth, there is not anything that is a cause of success for kings; indeed, a king engaged in truth rejoices both after death and here.)
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॥
ṛṣīṇām api rājendra satyam eva paraṃ dhanam। tathā rājñaḥ paraṃ satyān nānyad viśvāsakāraṇam ॥12-56-18॥
[ऋषीणाम् (ṛṣīṇām) - of the seers; अपि (api) - also; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king; सत्यं (satyam) - truth; एव (eva) - indeed; परम् (param) - supreme; धनम् (dhanam) - wealth; तथा (tathā) - likewise; राज्ञः (rājñaḥ) - of the king; परम् (param) - supreme; सत्यात् (satyāt) - than truth; न (na) - not; अन्यत् (anyat) - other; विश्वासकारणम् (viśvāsakāraṇam) - cause of trust;]
(Of the seers also, O king, truth indeed (is) the supreme wealth. Likewise, for the king, there is no cause of trust greater than truth.)
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॥
guṇavāñśīlavāndānto mṛdurdharmyo jitendriyaḥ। sudarśaḥ sthūlalakṣyaśca na bhraśyeta sadā śriyaḥ॥12-56-19॥
[गुणवान् (guṇavān) - possessing virtues; शीलवान् (śīlavān) - possessing good conduct; दान्तः (dāntaḥ) - self-restrained; मृदुः (mṛduḥ) - gentle; धर्म्यः (dharmyaḥ) - righteous; जितेन्द्रियः (jitendriyaḥ) - one who has conquered the senses; सुदर्शः (sudarśaḥ) - handsome; स्थूललक्ष्यः (sthūlalakṣyaḥ) - having a prominent aim; च (ca) - and; न (na) - not; भ्रश्येत् (bhraśyeta) - should fall away; सदा (sadā) - always; श्रियः (śriyaḥ) - prosperity;]
(Possessing virtues, possessing good conduct, self-restrained, gentle, righteous, one who has conquered the senses, handsome, having a prominent aim, and should not always fall away from prosperity.)
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॥
ārjavaṃ sarvakāryeṣu śrayethāḥ kurunandana. punarnayavicāreṇa trayīsaṃvaraṇena ca ॥12-56-20॥
[आर्जवं (ārjavam) - straightforwardness; सर्वकार्येषु (sarvakāryeṣu) - in all actions; श्रयेथाः (śrayethāḥ) - you should resort; कुरुनन्दन (kurunandana) - O delight of the Kurus; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; नयविचारेण (nayavicāreṇa) - by consideration of policy; त्रयीसंवरणेन (trayīsaṃvaraṇena) - by restraint according to the three Vedas; च (ca) - and;]
(Straightforwardness in all actions you should resort to, O delight of the Kurus; again, by consideration of policy and by restraint according to the three Vedas.)
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॥
mṛdur hi rājā satataṃ laṅghyo bhavati sarvaśaḥ। tīkṣṇāc codvijate lokas tasmād ubhayam ācara ॥12-56-21॥
[मृदुः (mṛduḥ) - soft; gentle; हि (hi) - indeed; surely; राजा (rājā) - king; सततम् (satatam) - always; constantly; लङ्घ्यः (laṅghyaḥ) - to be transgressed; to be disregarded; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; is; सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ) - in every way; entirely; तीक्ष्णात् (tīkṣṇāt) - from the harsh; from the severe; च (ca) - and; उद्विजते (udvijate) - shrinks from; is afraid; लोकः (lokaḥ) - people; world; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; hence; उभयम् (ubhayam) - both; the two; आचर (ācara) - practice; act; १२-५६-२१ (12-56-21) - 12-56-21;]
(Soft indeed the king always to be transgressed becomes in every way. From the harsh and shrinks from people; therefore both practice. 12-56-21.)
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॥
adaṇḍyāścaiva te nityaṃ viprāḥ syurdadatāṃ vara। bhūtam etat paraṃ loke brāhmaṇā nāma bhārata ॥12-56-22॥
[अदण्ड्याः (adaṇḍyāḥ) - not to be punished; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; ते (te) - they; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; विप्राः (viprāḥ) - Brāhmaṇas; स्युः (syuḥ) - should be; ददतां (dadatāṃ) - of those who give; वर (vara) - O best (one); भूतम् (bhūtam) - this has become; एतत् (etat) - this; परम् (param) - supreme; लोके (loke) - in the world; ब्राह्मणाः (brāhmaṇāḥ) - Brāhmaṇas; नाम (nāma) - by name; भारत (bhārata) - O Bhārata;]
(Not to be punished and indeed they always Brāhmaṇas should be, of those who give, O best one. This has become supreme in the world, Brāhmaṇas by name, O Bhārata.)
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॥
manunā cāpi rājendra gītau ślokau mahātmanā। dharmeṣu sveṣu kauravya hṛdi tau kartum arhasi ॥12-56-23॥
[मनुना (manunā) - by Manu; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king; गीतौ (gītau) - sung; श्लोकौ (ślokau) - verses; महात्मना (mahātmanā) - by the great-souled; धर्मेषु (dharmeṣu) - in the duties; स्वेषु (sveṣu) - one's own; कौरव्य (kauravya) - O descendant of Kuru; हृदि (hṛdi) - in the heart; तौ (tau) - those two; कर्तुम् (kartum) - to do; अर्हसि (arhasi) - you ought;]
(By Manu also, O king, the two verses sung by the great-souled (one), in one's own duties, O Kauravya, in the heart, those two you ought to do.)
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॥
adbhyo'gnir brahmataḥ kṣatram aśmano loham utthitam। teṣāṃ sarvatragaṃ tejaḥ svāsu yoniṣu śāmyati॥12-56-24॥
[अद्भ्यः (adbhyaḥ) - from waters; अग्निः (agniḥ) - fire; ब्रह्मतः (brahmataḥ) - from Brahman; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - Kṣatriya (warrior class); अश्मनः (aśmanaḥ) - from stone; लोहम् (loham) - iron; उत्थितम् (utthitam) - arisen; तेषाम् (teṣām) - of them; सर्वत्रगम् (sarvatragam) - pervading everywhere; तेजः (tejaḥ) - splendor; स्वासु (svāsu) - in their own; योनिṣu (yoniṣu) - origins; शाम्यति (śāmyati) - subsides;]
(From waters, fire; from Brahman, the Kṣatriya; from stone, iron has arisen. Of them, the splendor pervading everywhere subsides in their own origins.)
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॥
ayo hanti yad āśmānam agniś cāpo'bhipadyate। brahma ca kṣatriyo dveṣṭi tadā sīdanti te trayaḥ ॥12-56-25॥
[अयः (ayaḥ) - iron; हन्ति (hanti) - kills; यत् (yat) - which; आश्मानम् (āśmānam) - stone; अग्निः (agniḥ) - fire; च (ca) - and; अपः (apaḥ) - water; अभिपद्यते (abhipadyate) - attacks; ब्रह्म (brahma) - brāhmaṇa; च (ca) - and; क्षत्रियः (kṣatriyaḥ) - kṣatriya; द्वेष्टि (dveṣṭi) - hates; तदा (tadā) - then; सीदन्ति (sīdanti) - sink; ते (te) - they; त्रयः (trayaḥ) - three;]
(Iron kills that which is stone; fire and water attack; brāhmaṇa and kṣatriya hate; then those three sink.)
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॥
etajjñātvā mahārāja namasyā eva te dvijāḥ। bhaumaṃ brahma dvijaśreṣṭhā dhārayanti śamānvitāḥ ॥12-56-26॥
[एतत् (etat) - this; ज्ञात्वा (jñātvā) - having known; महाराज (mahārāja) - O great king; नमस्या (namasyā) - having bowed; एव (eva) - indeed; ते (te) - by you; द्विजाः (dvijāḥ) - the twice-born (Brahmins); भौमम् (bhaumam) - earthly; ब्रह्म (brahma) - Brahman; द्विजश्रेष्ठाः (dvijaśreṣṭhāḥ) - O best of the twice-born; धारयन्ति (dhārayanti) - bear; शम (śama) - with tranquility; अन्विताः (anvitāḥ) - endowed;]
(Having known this, O great king, having bowed indeed by you, the twice-born bear the earthly Brahman, O best of the twice-born, endowed with tranquility.)
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॥
evaṃ caiva naravyāghra lokatantravighātakāḥ। nigrāhyā eva satataṃ bāhubhyāṃ ye syur īdṛśāḥ ॥12-56-27॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; नरव्याघ्र (naravyāghra) - tiger among men; लोकतन्त्रविघातकाः (lokatantravighātakāḥ) - destroyers of the people's order; निग्राह्याः (nigrāhyāḥ) - to be restrained; एव (eva) - indeed; सततम् (satatam) - always; बाहुभ्याम् (bāhubhyām) - by the arms; ये (ye) - who; स्युः (syuḥ) - may be; ईदृशाः (īdṛśāḥ) - such;]
(Thus and indeed, O tiger among men, destroyers of the people's order are to be restrained indeed always by the arms, who may be such.)
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॥
ślokau cośanasā gītau purā tāta maharṣiṇā। tau nibodha mahāprājña tvamekāgramanā nṛpa ॥12-56-28॥
[श्लोकौ (ślokau) - two verses; च (ca) - and; उशनसा (uśanasā) - by Uśanas (the sage); गीतौ (gītau) - sung; पुरा (purā) - formerly; तात (tāta) - O dear one; महर्षिणा (maharṣiṇā) - by the great sage; तौ (tau) - those two; निबोध (nibodha) - understand; महाप्राज्ञ (mahāprājña) - O greatly wise one; त्वम् (tvam) - you; एकाग्रमना (ekāgramanā) - with concentrated mind; नृप (nṛpa) - O king;]
(Two verses, and by Uśanas sung formerly, O dear one, by the great sage; those two understand, O greatly wise one, you with concentrated mind, O king.)
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॥
udyamya śastram āyāntam api vedāntagam raṇe। nigṛhṇīyāt svadharmeṇa dharmāpekṣī nareśvaraḥ ॥12-56-29॥
[उद्यम्य (udyamya) - having raised; (from √yam, to raise, with ud- prefix) शस्त्रम् (śastram) - weapon; आयान्तम् (āyāntam) - approaching; (from ā-√i, to come) अपि (api) - even; वेदान्तगम् (vedāntagam) - one who has mastered the Vedānta; (vedānta + gam, to go to/attain) रणे (raṇe) - in battle; निगृह्णीयात् (nigṛhṇīyāt) - should restrain; (from ni-√gṛh, to restrain) स्वधर्मेण (svadharmeṇa) - by one's own duty; धर्मापेक्षी (dharmāpekṣī) - one who is intent on righteousness; नरेश्वरः (nareśvaraḥ) - the lord of men; (king) ॥१२-५६-२९॥ (॥12-56-29॥) - ;]
(Having raised a weapon, even if one approaching is a knower of Vedānta, in battle, the king intent on righteousness should restrain (him) by his own duty.)
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॥
vinaśyamānaṃ dharmaṃ hi yo rakṣati sa dharmavit। na tena bhrūṇahā sa syān manyus taṃ manum ṛcchati ॥12-56-30॥
[विनश्यमानं (vinaśyamānam) - perishing; being destroyed; धर्मं (dharmaṃ) - dharma; righteousness; हि (hi) - indeed; surely; यः (yaḥ) - who; रक्षति (rakṣati) - protects; सः (saḥ) - he; धर्मवित् (dharmavit) - knower of dharma; न (na) - not; तेन (tena) - by him; भ्रूणहा (bhrūṇahā) - destroyer of embryo; killer of fetus; सः (saḥ) - he; स्यात् (syāt) - would be; मन्युः (manyuḥ) - anger; तम् (tam) - him; मनुः (manuḥ) - Manu; the lawgiver; ऋच्छति (ṛcchati) - approaches; regards;]
(He who protects dharma that is perishing, indeed, he is a knower of dharma; by him, he would not be a destroyer of embryo; anger, Manu regards him.)
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॥
evaṃ caiva naraśreṣṭha rakṣyā eva dvijātayaḥ। svaparāddhān api hi tān viṣayānte samutsṛjet ॥12-56-31॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; नरश्रेष्ठ (naraśreṣṭha) - O best of men; रक्ष्याः (rakṣyāḥ) - to be protected; एव (eva) - indeed; द्विजातयः (dvijātayaḥ) - the twice-born; स्वपराद्धान् (svaparāddhān) - their own offenders; अपि (api) - even; हि (hi) - for; तान् (tān) - them; विषयान्ते (viṣayānte) - at the end of the jurisdiction; समुत्सृजेत् (samutsṛjet) - should let go;]
(Thus and indeed, O best of men, the twice-born are indeed to be protected. Even their own offenders, for them, at the end of the jurisdiction, should be let go.)
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॥
abhiśastam api hyeṣāṃ kṛpāyīta viśāṃ pate। brahma-ghne guru-talpe ca bhrūṇa-hatye tathaiva ca ॥12-56-32॥
[अभिशस्तम् (abhiśastam) - cursed; अपि (api) - even; हि (hi) - indeed; एषाम् (eṣām) - of these; कृपायीत (kṛpāyīta) - should show compassion; विशां (viśām) - of the people; पते (pate) - O lord; ब्रह्मघ्ने (brahma-ghne) - to a Brahmin-killer; गुरुतल्पे (guru-talpe) - to one who has violated the teacher's bed; च (ca) - and; भ्रूणहत्ये (bhrūṇa-hatye) - to one who has killed an embryo; तथैव (tathaiva) - likewise; च (ca) - and;]
(Even to the cursed indeed of these, O lord of the people, compassion should be shown—to a Brahmin-killer, to one who has violated the teacher's bed, and to one who has killed an embryo, likewise and.)
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॥
rājadviṣṭe ca viprasya viṣayānte visarjanam। vidhīyate na śārīraṃ bhayameṣāṃ kadācana ॥12-56-33॥
[राजद्विष्टे (rājadviṣṭe) - when hated by the king; च (ca) - and; विप्रस्य (viprasya) - of a Brāhmaṇa; विषयान्ते (viṣayānte) - at the border of the kingdom; विसर्जनम् (visarjanam) - expulsion; विधीयते (vidhīyate) - is prescribed; न (na) - not; शारीरम् (śārīram) - bodily; भयम् (bhayam) - fear; एषाम् (eṣām) - for them; कदाचन (kadācana) - ever;]
(When hated by the king and at the border of the kingdom, expulsion of a Brāhmaṇa is prescribed; not bodily fear for them ever.)
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॥
dayitāś ca narās te syur nityaṃ puruṣasattama। na kośaḥ paramo hy anyo rājñāṃ puruṣasañcayāt ॥12-56-34॥
[दयिताः (dayitāḥ) - beloved; dear ones; च (ca) - and; नराः (narāḥ) - men; ते (te) - they; स्युः (syuḥ) - may be; become; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; पुरुषसत्तम (puruṣasattama) - O best among men; न (na) - not; कोशः (kośaḥ) - treasure; treasury; परमः (paramaḥ) - supreme; highest; हि (hi) - indeed; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - other; राज्ञाम् (rājñām) - of kings; पुरुषसञ्चयात् (puruṣasañcayāt) - than the accumulation of men; from the gathering of people;]
(Beloved and men they may always be, O best among men; not treasure is supreme indeed other than the accumulation of men for kings.)
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॥
durgeṣu ca mahārāja ṣaṭsu ye śāstraniścitāḥ। sarveṣu teṣu manyante naradurgaṃ sudustaram ॥12-56-35॥
[दुर्गेषु (durgeṣu) - in fortresses; (locative plural of durga) च (ca) - and; महाराज (mahārāja) - O great king; षट्सु (ṣaṭsu) - in six; (locative plural of ṣaṭ, six) ये (ye) - who; शास्त्रनिश्चिताः (śāstraniścitāḥ) - ascertained by the scriptures; सर्वेषु (sarveṣu) - in all; तेषु (teṣu) - among those; मन्यन्ते (manyante) - they consider; नरदुर्गं (naradurgaṃ) - human fortress; सुदुस्तरम् (sudustaram) - very difficult to cross;]
(In fortresses and, O great king, in six (types) which are ascertained by the scriptures, among all those, they consider the human fortress as very difficult to cross.)
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॥
tasmānnityaṃ dayā kāryā cāturvarṇye vipaścitā। dharmātmā satyavākcaiva rājā rañjayati prajāḥ ॥12-56-36॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; दया (dayā) - compassion; कार्या (kāryā) - should be practiced; चातुर्वर्ण्ये (cāturvarṇye) - towards the four varṇas; विपश्चिता (vipaścitā) - by the wise; धर्मात्मा (dharmātmā) - righteous-souled; सत्यवाक् (satyavāk) - truth-speaking; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; राजा (rājā) - the king; रञ्जयति (rañjayati) - delights; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects;]
(Therefore, always compassion should be practiced towards the four varṇas by the wise. The righteous-souled, truth-speaking king indeed delights the subjects.)
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॥
na ca kṣāntena te bhāvyaṃ nityaṃ puruṣasattama। adharmyo hi mṛdū rājā kṣamāvāniva kuñjaraḥ ॥12-56-37॥
[न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; क्षान्तेन (kṣāntena) - by the patient one; ते (te) - for you; भाव्यं (bhāvyaṃ) - should be; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; पुरुषसत्तम (puruṣasattama) - O best among men; अधर्म्यः (adharmyaḥ) - unrighteous; हि (hi) - indeed; मृदू (mṛdū) - gentle; राजा (rājā) - king; क्षमावान् (kṣamāvān) - forbearing; इव (iva) - like; कुञ्जरः (kuñjaraḥ) - elephant;]
(And it should not always be for you, O best among men, to be patient; for a gentle king is indeed unrighteous, like a forbearing elephant.)
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॥
bārhaspatye ca śāstre vai ślokā viniyatāḥ purā। asminnarthe mahārāja tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu ॥12-56-38॥
[बार्हस्पत्ये (bārhaspatye) - in the treatise of Bṛhaspati; च (ca) - and; शास्त्रे (śāstre) - in the scripture; वै (vai) - indeed; श्लोका (ślokāḥ) - verses; विनियताः (viniyatāḥ) - set down; पुरा (purā) - formerly; अस्मिन्नर्थे (asmin arthe) - on this matter; महाराज (mahārāja) - O great king; तत् (tat) - that; मे (me) - to me; निगदतः (nigadataḥ) - as spoken; शृणु (śṛṇu) - listen;]
(In the treatise of Bṛhaspati and in the scripture indeed, verses were set down formerly. On this matter, O great king, that which was spoken to me, listen.)
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॥
kṣamamāṇaṃ nṛpaṃ nityaṃ nīcaḥ paribhavej janaḥ। hastiyantā gajasy-eva śira evārurukṣati ॥12-56-39॥
[क्षममाणं (kṣamamāṇam) - forbearing; forgiving; नृपं (nṛpam) - king; नित्यं (nityam) - always; नीचः (nīcaḥ) - low person; vile person; परिभवेत् (paribhavet) - would insult; would affront; जनः (janaḥ) - person; man; हस्तियन्ता (hastiyantā) - elephant driver; mahout; गजस्य (gajasya) - of the elephant; इव (iva) - like; as; शिरः (śiraḥ) - head; एव (eva) - only; indeed; अरुरुक्षति (arurukṣati) - desires to mount; wishes to climb;]
(A low person would always insult a forbearing king, just as the elephant driver desires to mount only the head of the elephant.)
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॥
tasmānnaiva mṛdurnityaṃ tīkṣṇo vāpi bhavennṛpaḥ। vasante'rka iva śrīmānna śīto na ca gharmadaḥ॥12-56-40॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; न (na) - not; एव (eva) - indeed; मृदु: (mṛduḥ) - soft (one); नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; तीक्ष्णः (tīkṣṇaḥ) - harsh (one); वा (vā) - or; अपि (api) - even; भवेत् (bhavet) - should be; नृपः (nṛpaḥ) - king; वसन्ते (vasante) - in spring; अर्कः (arkaḥ) - the sun; इव (iva) - like; श्रीमान् (śrīmān) - prosperous; न (na) - not; शीतः (śītaḥ) - cold; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; घर्मदः (gharmadaḥ) - giver of heat;]
(Therefore, the king should not always be soft nor harsh; like the prosperous sun in spring, neither cold nor a giver of heat.)
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॥
pratyakṣeṇānumānena tathaupamyopadeśataḥ। parīkṣyāste mahārāja sve pare caiva sarvadā ॥12-56-41॥
[प्रत्यक्षेण (pratyakṣeṇa) - by direct perception; अनुमानेन (anumānena) - by inference; तथा (tathā) - also; उपम्य (upamya) - by comparison; उपदेशतः (upadeśataḥ) - by instruction; परीक्ष्याः (parīkṣyāḥ) - should be examined; ते (te) - they; महाराज (mahārāja) - O great king; स्वे (sve) - one's own; परे (pare) - others'; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; सर्वदा (sarvadā) - always;]
(By direct perception, by inference, also by comparison, by instruction, they should be examined, O great king, one's own and others', and indeed always.)
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॥
vyasanāni ca sarvāṇi tyajethā bhūridakṣiṇa। na caiva na prayuñjīta saṅgaṃ tu parivarjayet ॥12-56-42॥
[व्यसनानि (vyasanāni) - misfortunes; vices; calamities; च (ca) - and; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; त्यजेथा (tyajethā) - should abandon; भूरिदक्षिण (bhūridakṣiṇa) - one who gives abundant gifts; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; न (na) - not; प्रयुञ्जीत (prayuñjīta) - should engage; सङ्गं (saṅgam) - association; attachment; तु (tu) - but; परिवर्जयेत् (parivarjayet) - should avoid;]
(One should abandon all vices and misfortunes; the giver of abundant gifts should not, indeed, engage in (them); but should avoid association (with them).)
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॥
nityaṃ hi vyasanī loke paribhūto bhavatyuta। udvejayati lokaṃ cāpyatidveṣī mahīpatiḥ ॥12-56-43॥
[नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; हि (hi) - indeed; व्यासनी (vyasanī) - one afflicted (with vice or calamity); लोके (loke) - in the world; परिभूतः (paribhūtaḥ) - disregarded; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; उत (uta) - and also; उद्वेजयति (udvejayati) - agitates; लोकं (lokaṃ) - the people; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; अतिद्वेषी (atidveṣī) - one who is excessively hateful; महीपतिः (mahīpatiḥ) - the king;]
(Always indeed, one afflicted (with vice or calamity) in the world becomes disregarded and also agitates the people, and also the king who is excessively hateful.)
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॥
bhavitavyaṃ sadā rājñā garbhiṇīsahadharmiṇā। kāraṇaṃ ca mahārāja śṛṇu yenedamiṣyate ॥12-56-44॥
[भवितव्यं (bhavitavyam) - what ought to be; (that which) should happen; सदा (sadā) - always; राज्ञा (rājñā) - by the king; गर्भिणीसहधर्मिणा (garbhiṇīsahadharmiṇā) - by the pregnant wife (sharing the same dharma); कारणं (kāraṇam) - the reason; च (ca) - and; महाराज (mahārāja) - O great king; शृणु (śṛṇu) - listen; येन (yena) - by which; इदम् (idam) - this; इष्यते (iṣyate) - is desired;]
(What ought to be always by the king with the pregnant wife (sharing the same dharma), and the reason, O great king, listen by which this is desired.)
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॥
yathā hi garbhiṇī hitvā svaṃ priyaṃ manaso'nugam। garbhasya hitam ādhatte tathā rājñāpy asaṃśayam ॥12-56-45॥
[यथा (yathā) - just as; हि (hi) - indeed; गर्भिणी (garbhiṇī) - pregnant woman; हित्वा (hitvā) - having abandoned; स्वम् (svam) - her own; प्रियं (priyaṃ) - dear; मनसः (manasaḥ) - of the mind; अनुगम् (anugam) - object of attachment; गर्भस्य (garbhasya) - of the fetus; हितम् (hitam) - welfare; आधत्ते (ādhatte) - undertakes; तथा (tathā) - so; राज्ञा (rājñā) - by the king; अपि (api) - also; असंशयम् (asaṃśayam) - undoubtedly;]
(Just as indeed a pregnant woman, having abandoned her own dear object of the mind, undertakes the welfare of the fetus, so also undoubtedly by the king.)
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॥
vartitavyaṃ kuruśreṣṭha nityaṃ dharmānuvartinā। svaṃ priyaṃ samabhityajya yadyallokahitaṃ bhavet ॥12-56-46॥
[वर्तितव्यं (vartitavyam) - should be conducted; कुरुश्रेष्ठ (kuruśreṣṭha) - O best of the Kurus; नित्यं (nityam) - always; धर्मानुवर्तिना (dharmānuvartinā) - by one who follows dharma; स्वं (svam) - one's own; प्रियं (priyam) - dear; समभित्यज्य (samabhityajya) - having completely abandoned; यद्यत् (yadyat) - whatever; लोकहितं (lokahitam) - beneficial to the world; भवेत् (bhavet) - may be;]
(O best of the Kurus, one who always follows dharma should act, having completely abandoned one's own dear (interests), in whatever way may be beneficial to the world.)
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॥
na santyājyaṃ ca te dhairyaṃ kadācidapi pāṇḍava। dhīrasya spaṣṭadaṇḍasya na hyājñā pratihanyate ॥12-56-47॥
[न (na) - not; सन्त्याज्यं (santyājyaṃ) - to be abandoned; च (ca) - and; ते (te) - your; धैर्यं (dhairyaṃ) - fortitude; कदाचिदपि (kadācidapi) - at any time; पाण्डव (pāṇḍava) - O Pāṇḍava; धीरस्य (dhīrasya) - of the steadfast; स्पष्टदण्डस्य (spaṣṭadaṇḍasya) - of the one with clear authority; न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; आज्ञा (ājñā) - command; प्रतिहन्यते (pratihanyate) - is obstructed;]
(Not to be abandoned and your fortitude at any time, O Pāṇḍava. Of the steadfast, of the one with clear authority, not indeed the command is obstructed.)
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॥
parihāsaś ca bhṛtyais te na nityaṃ vadatāṃ vara। kartavyo rājaśārdūla doṣam atra hi me śṛṇu ॥12-56-48॥
[परिहासः (parihāsaḥ) - jest; mockery; च (ca) - and; भृत्यैः (bhṛtyaiḥ) - by servants; ते (te) - your; न (na) - not; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; वदताम् (vadatām) - of those who speak; वर (vara) - O best; कर्तव्यः (kartavyaḥ) - should be done; राजशार्दूल (rājaśārdūla) - O tiger among kings; दोषम् (doṣam) - fault; अत्र (atra) - here; हि (hi) - indeed; मे (me) - my; शृणु (śṛṇu) - hear;]
(Jest and by servants your not always, O best of speakers, should be done, O tiger among kings; fault here indeed my hear.)
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॥
avamanyanti bhartāraṃ saṃharṣādupajīvinaḥ। sve sthāne na ca tiṣṭhanti laṅghayanti hi tadvacaḥ॥12-56-49॥
[अवमन्यन्ति (avamanyanti) - they disrespect; भर्तारम् (bhartāram) - the husband; संहर्षात् (saṃharṣāt) - out of arrogance; उपजीविनः (upajīvinaḥ) - dependents; स्वे (sve) - in their own; स्थाने (sthāne) - place; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; तिष्ठन्ति (tiṣṭhanti) - they remain; लङ्घयन्ति (laṅghayanti) - they transgress; हि (hi) - indeed; तत् (tat) - his; वचः (vacaḥ) - word;]
(Dependents, out of arrogance, disrespect the husband; they do not remain in their own place and indeed transgress his word.)
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॥
preṣyamāṇā vikalpante guhyaṃ cāpy anuyuñjate। ayācyaṃ caiva yācante'bhogyāny āhārayanti ca ॥12-56-50॥
[प्रेष्यमाणा (preṣyamāṇā) - being sent; विकल्पन्ते (vikalpante) - they hesitate; गुह्यं (guhyam) - secret; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; अनुयुञ्जते (anuyuñjate) - they employ; अयाच्यं (ayācyaṃ) - what should not be begged; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; याचन्ते (yācante) - they beg; अभोज्यानि (abhogyāni) - what is not to be enjoyed; आहारयन्ति (āhārayanti) - they bring; च (ca) - and;]
(Being sent, they hesitate; they also employ secrets; and indeed, they beg what should not be begged, and bring what is not to be enjoyed.)
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॥
krudhyanti paridīpyanti bhūmim adhyāsate'sya ca। utkochair vañcanābhiś ca kāryāṇi anuvihanti ca॥12-56-51॥
[क्रुध्यन्ति (krudhyanti) - become angry; परिदीप्यन्ति (paridīpyanti) - flare up; भूमिम् (bhūmim) - the ground; अध्यासते (adhyāsate) - sit upon; अस्य (asya) - of him; च (ca) - and; उत्कोचैः (utkochaiḥ) - with bribes; वञ्चनाभिः (vañcanābhiḥ) - with deceits; च (ca) - and; कार्याणि (kāryāṇi) - tasks; अनुविहन्ति (anuvihanti) - obstruct repeatedly; च (ca) - and;]
(They become angry, flare up, sit upon his ground, and with bribes and deceits, and repeatedly obstruct tasks.)
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॥
jarjaraṃ cāsya viṣayaṃ kurvanti pratirūpakaiḥ। strīrakṣibhiśca sajjante tulyaveṣā bhavanti ca ॥12-56-52॥
[जर्जरम् (jarjaram) - worn out; deteriorated; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - of this; विषयम् (viṣayam) - object; subject; कुर्वन्ति (kurvanti) - they make; प्रतिरूपकैः (pratirūpakaiḥ) - by imitations; by counterfeits; स्त्रीरक्षिभिः (strīrakṣibhiḥ) - by women-guards; च (ca) - and; सज्जन्ते (sajjante) - they are adorned; they are equipped; तुल्यवेषाः (tulyaveṣāḥ) - of similar appearance; of like dress; भवन्ति (bhavanti) - they become; च (ca) - and;]
(Worn out and the object of this they make by imitations; by women-guards and they are adorned, of similar appearance they become and.)
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॥
vātaṃ ca ṣṭhīvanaṃ caiva kurvate cāsya sannidhau। nirlajjā naraśārdūla vyāharanti ca tadvacaḥ ॥12-56-53॥
[वातम् (vātaṃ) - wind; च (ca) - and; ष्ठीवनम् (ṣṭhīvanam) - spitting; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; कुर्वते (kurvate) - they do; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - in his; संनिधौ (sannidhau) - presence; निर्लज्जाः (nirlajjāḥ) - shameless ones; नरशार्दूल (naraśārdūla) - O tiger among men; व्याहरन्ति (vyāharanti) - they utter; च (ca) - and; तत् (tat) - those; वचः (vacaḥ) - words;]
(Wind and spitting indeed they do and in his presence; shameless ones, O tiger among men, and they utter those words.)
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॥
hayaṃ vā dantinaṃ vāpi rathaṃ nṛpati-saṃmatam। adhirohanty-anādṛtya harṣule pārthive mṛdau ॥12-56-54॥
[हयम् (hayam) - horse; वा (vā) - or; दन्तिनम् (dantinam) - elephant; वा (vā) - or; अपि (api) - even; रथम् (ratham) - chariot; नृपति-संमतम् (nṛpati-saṃmatam) - approved by the king; अधिरोहन्ति (adhi-rohanti) - they mount; अनादृत्य (anādṛtya) - disregarding; हर्षुले (harṣule) - joyful; पार्थिवे (pārthive) - king; मृदौ (mṛdau) - gentle;]
(Horse or elephant or even chariot approved by the king they mount, disregarding the joyful gentle king.)
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॥
idaṃ te duṣkaraṃ rājan idaṃ te durviceṣṭitam। ity evaṃ suhṛdo nāma bruvanti pariṣad-gatāḥ ॥12-56-55॥
[इदं (idaṃ) - this; ते (te) - to you; दुष्करं (duṣkaraṃ) - difficult to do; राजन् (rājan) - O king; इदं (idaṃ) - this; ते (te) - to you; दुर्विचेष्टितम् (durviceṣṭitam) - badly acted; इति (iti) - thus; एवं (evaṃ) - so; सुहृदः (suhṛdaḥ) - friends; नाम (nāma) - by name; ब्रुवन्ति (bruvanti) - say; परिषद्गताः (pariṣad-gatāḥ) - assembled in council;]
(This to you is difficult to do, O king, this to you is badly acted—thus so, friends by name, say, assembled in council.)
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॥
kruddhe cāsmin hasanty eva na ca hṛṣyanti pūjitāḥ। saṅgharṣaśīlāś ca sadā bhavanty anyonyakāraṇāt ॥12-56-56॥
[क्रुद्धे (kruddhe) - when angry; च (ca) - and; अस्मिन् (asmin) - in this (person); हसन्ति (hasanti) - they laugh; एव (eva) - indeed; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; हृष्यन्ति (hṛṣyanti) - they rejoice; पूजिताः (pūjitāḥ) - when honored; सङ्घर्षशीलाः (saṅgharṣaśīlāḥ) - of quarrelsome nature; च (ca) - and; सदा (sadā) - always; भवन्ति (bhavanti) - they become; अन्योन्यकारणात् (anyonyakāraṇāt) - due to mutual reasons;]
(When angry in this (person), they indeed laugh and do not rejoice when honored; and always become of quarrelsome nature due to mutual reasons.)
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॥
visraṁsayanti mantraṁ ca vivṛṇvanti ca duṣkṛtam। līlayā caiva kurvanti sāvajñās tasya śāsanam ॥ alaṅkaraṇabhojyaṁ ca tathā snānānulepanam ॥12-56-57॥
[विस्रंसयन्ति (visraṁsayanti) - they cause to be scattered; मन्त्रम् (mantram) - mantra; च (ca) - and; विवृण्वन्ति (vivṛṇvanti) - they reveal; च (ca) - and; दुष्कृतम् (duṣkṛtam) - evil deed; लीलया (līlayā) - playfully; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; कुर्वन्ति (kurvanti) - they do; सावज्ञाः (sāvajñāḥ) - disrespectful ones; तस्य (tasya) - his; शासनम् (śāsanam) - command; अलङ्करणभोज्यम् (alaṅkaraṇabhojyam) - ornament and food; च (ca) - and; तथा (tathā) - likewise; स्नानानुलेपनम् (snānānulepanam) - bath and unguent;]
(They cause the mantra to be scattered and reveal the evil deed; playfully indeed, the disrespectful ones do his command; likewise, ornament and food, and bath and unguent.)
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॥
helamānā naravyāghra svasthāstasyo-paśṛṇvate। nindanti svānadhīkārān santyajanti ca bhārata ॥12-56-58॥
[हेलमाना (helamānāḥ) - being negligent; नरव्याघ्र (naravyāghra) - O tiger among men; स्वस्थाः (svasthāḥ) - being indifferent; तस्य (tasya) - to him; उपशृण्वते (upaśṛṇvate) - listen; निन्दन्ति (nindanti) - they censure; स्वानधीकारान् (svānadhīkārān) - their own authorities; सन्त्यजन्ति (santyajanti) - they abandon; च (ca) - and; भारत (bhārata) - O Bhārata;]
(Being negligent, O tiger among men, being indifferent, they listen to him; they censure their own authorities and abandon them, O Bhārata.)
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॥
na vṛttyā parituṣyanti rājadeyaṃ haranti ca। krīḍituṃ tena cecchanti sasūtreṇeva pakṣiṇā ॥ asmatpraṇeyo rājeti loke caiva vadantyuta ॥12-56-59॥
[न (na) - not; वृत्त्या (vṛttyā) - by livelihood; परितुष्यन्ति (parituṣyanti) - are satisfied; राजदेयं (rājadeyam) - royal tax; हरन्ति (haranti) - take; च (ca) - and; क्रीडितुम् (krīḍitum) - to play; तेन (tena) - with that; च (ca) - and; इच्छन्ति (icchanti) - desire; ससूत्रेण (sasūtreṇa) - with a string; इव (iva) - like; पक्षिणा (pakṣiṇā) - by a bird; अस्मत्प्रणेयः (asmatpraṇeyaḥ) - brought by us; राजा (rājā) - king; इति (iti) - thus; लोके (loke) - in the world; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; वदन्ति (vadanti) - they say; उत (uta) - also;]
(Not by livelihood are they satisfied; the royal tax they take and to play with that they desire, like a bird with a string. 'Brought by us is the king,' thus in the world indeed they also say.)
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॥
ete caiva-apare caiva doṣāḥ prādurbhavanti uta। nṛpatau mārdava-upete harṣule ca yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-56-60॥
[एते (ete) - these; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; अपरे (apare) - others; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; दोषाः (doṣāḥ) - faults; प्रादुर्भवन्ति (prādurbhavanti) - arise; उत (uta) - indeed; नृपतौ (nṛpatau) - in the king; मार्दव (mārdava) - gentleness; उपेते (upete) - endowed with; हर्षुले (harṣule) - joyful; च (ca) - and; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira;]
(These and indeed other faults also arise, indeed, in a king endowed with gentleness and joy, O Yudhiṣṭhira.)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, these and other faults also arise in a king who is gentle and joyful.
