12.058
Pancharatra: Bhishma concludes the day's teaching by saying: break the enemy's side by both crooked and straight means; delighting the armies, constantly supervising the people, being tireless in duties, and likewise increasing the treasury - are essential; a kingdom is a vast and complex system, hard to sustain for those lacking self-mastery.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; (name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; spoke;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said.
एतत्ते राजधर्माणां नवनीतं युधिष्ठिर। बृहस्पतिर्हि भगवान्नान्यं धर्मं प्रशंसति ॥१२-५८-१॥
etat te rājadharmāṇāṃ navanītaṃ yudhiṣṭhira। bṛhaspatir hi bhagavān nānyaṃ dharmaṃ praśaṃsati ॥12-58-1॥
[एतत् (etat) - this; ते (te) - to you; राजधर्माणाम् (rājadharmāṇām) - of kingly duties; नवनीतम् (navanītam) - essence; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira; बृहस्पतिः (bṛhaspatiḥ) - Bṛhaspati; हि (hi) - indeed; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the revered one; न (na) - not; अन्यं (anyaṃ) - other; धर्मं (dharmaṃ) - duty; प्रशंसति (praśaṃsati) - praises;]
(This to you, of kingly duties, the essence, O Yudhishthira; Bṛhaspati indeed, the revered one, does not praise any other duty.)
O Yudhishthira, this is the essence of kingly duties for you; for Bṛhaspati, the revered one, indeed praises no other duty.
विशालाक्षश्च भगवान्काव्यश्चैव महातपाः। सहस्राक्षो महेन्द्रश्च तथा प्राचेतसो मनुः ॥१२-५८-२॥
viśālākṣaś ca bhagavān kāvyaś caiva mahātapāḥ। sahasrākṣo mahendraś ca tathā prācetaso manuḥ॥12-58-2॥
[विशालाक्षः (viśālākṣaḥ) - wide-eyed one; च (ca) - and; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the venerable one; काव्यः (kāvyaḥ) - Kāvya (Śukra); च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; महातपाः (mahātapāḥ) - great ascetic; सहस्राक्षः (sahasrākṣaḥ) - thousand-eyed one; महेन्द्रः (mahendraḥ) - great Indra; च (ca) - and; तथा (tathā) - also; प्राचेतसः (prācetasaḥ) - son of Pracetas; मनुः (manuḥ) - Manu;]
(Wide-eyed one and the venerable one, Kāvya indeed, great ascetic, thousand-eyed one, great Indra and also the son of Pracetas, Manu.)
Viśālākṣa, the venerable one, Kāvya (Śukra), the great ascetic, Sahasrākṣa (Indra), Mahendra, and also Manu, the son of Pracetas, were present.
भरद्वाजश्च भगवांस्तथा गौरशिरा मुनिः। राजशास्त्रप्रणेतारो ब्रह्मण्या ब्रह्मवादिनः ॥१२-५८-३॥
bharadvājaś ca bhagavāṃs tathā gauraśirā muniḥ। rājaśāstrapraṇetāro brahmaṇyā brahmavādinaḥ ॥12-58-3॥
[भरद्वाजः (bharadvājaḥ) - Bharadvāja; (name of a sage); च (ca) - and; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the venerable; the illustrious; तथा (tathā) - likewise; गौरशिरा (gauraśirā) - Gaurashira; (name of a sage); मुनिः (muniḥ) - sage; राजशास्त्रप्रणेतारः (rājaśāstrapraṇetāraḥ) - authors of treatises on polity; ब्रह्मण्याः (brahmaṇyāḥ) - devoted to Brahman; ब्रह्मवादिनः (brahmavādinaḥ) - expounders of Brahman;]
(Bharadvāja and the venerable, likewise Gaurashira the sage, authors of treatises on polity, devoted to Brahman, expounders of Brahman.)
Bharadvāja and the venerable Gaurashira, both sages, were authors of treatises on polity, devoted to Brahman and expounders of Brahman.
रक्षामेव प्रशंसन्ति धर्मं धर्मभृतां वर। राज्ञां राजीवताम्राक्ष साधनं चात्र वै शृणु ॥१२-५८-४॥
rakṣāmeva praśaṁsanti dharmaṁ dharmabhṛtāṁ vara। rājñāṁ rājīvatāmrākṣa sādhanaṁ cātra vai śṛṇu ॥12-58-4॥
[रक्षाम् (rakṣām) - protection; एव (eva) - indeed; प्रशंसन्ति (praśaṁsanti) - they praise; धर्मम् (dharmaṁ) - righteousness; धर्मभृताम् (dharmabhṛtām) - of the upholders of dharma; वर (vara) - O best; राज्ञाम् (rājñām) - of kings; राजीवताम्राक्ष (rājīvatāmrākṣa) - O lotus-copper-eyed; साधनम् (sādhanam) - means; च (ca) - and; अत्र (atra) - here; वै (vai) - indeed; शृणु (śṛṇu) - listen;]
(Protection indeed they praise, righteousness, O best of the upholders of dharma; of kings, O lotus-copper-eyed, the means here indeed listen.)
O lotus-copper-eyed, best of the upholders of dharma, protection and righteousness are praised as the means for kings; now listen here.
चारश्च प्रणिधिश्चैव काले दानममत्सरः। युक्त्यादानं न चादानमयोगेन युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-५८-५॥
cāraś ca praṇidhiś caiva kāle dānam amatsaraḥ। yuktyā dānaṃ na ca ādānam ayogena yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-58-5॥
[चारः (cāraḥ) - spy; च (ca) - and; प्रणिधिः (praṇidhiḥ) - agent; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; काले (kāle) - in time; दानम् (dānam) - gift; अमत्सरः (amatsaraḥ) - absence of envy; युक्त्या (yuktyā) - with reason; दानम् (dānam) - gift; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; आदानम् (ādānam) - taking; अयोगेन (ayogena) - improperly; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - O Yudhishthira;]
(Spy and agent indeed in time, gift, absence of envy; with reason gift, not and taking improperly, O Yudhishthira.)
O Yudhishthira, a spy and an agent at the right time, giving gifts, absence of envy; giving with reason, and not taking improperly—these are to be practiced.
सतां सङ्ग्रहणं शौर्यं दाक्ष्यं सत्यं प्रजाहितम्। अनार्जवैरार्जवैश्च शत्रुपक्षस्य भेदनम् ॥१२-५८-६॥
satāṃ saṅgrahaṇaṃ śauryaṃ dākṣyaṃ satyaṃ prajahitam। anārjavair ārjavaiś ca śatrupakṣasya bhedanam ॥12-58-6॥
[सतां (satām) - of the virtuous; सङ्ग्रहणम् (saṅgrahaṇam) - gathering; शौर्यम् (śauryam) - valor; दाक्ष्यम् (dākṣyam) - dexterity; सत्यं (satyaṃ) - truth; प्रजाहितम् (prajāhitam) - welfare of the people; अनार्जवैः (anārjavaiḥ) - by crookednesses; आर्जवैः (ārjavaiḥ) - by straightnesses; च (ca) - and; शत्रुपक्षस्य (śatrupakṣasya) - of the enemy's side; भेदनम् (bhedanam) - breaking;]
(Of the virtuous, gathering, valor, dexterity, truth, welfare of the people; by crookednesses and by straightnesses, breaking of the enemy's side.)
Gathering the virtuous, valor, dexterity, truth, and the welfare of the people; breaking the enemy's side by both crooked and straight means.
साधूनामपरित्यागः कुलीनानां च धारणम्। निचयश्च निचेयानां सेवा बुद्धिमतामपि ॥१२-५८-७॥
sādhūnām aparityāgaḥ kulīnānāṃ ca dhāraṇam। nicayaś ca niceyānāṃ sevā buddhimatām api ॥12-58-7॥
[साधूनाम् (sādhūnām) - of the virtuous; अपरित्यागः (aparityāgaḥ) - non-abandonment; कुलीनानाम् (kulīnānām) - of the noble; च (ca) - and; धारणम् (dhāraṇam) - support; निचयः (nicayaḥ) - accumulation; च (ca) - and; निचेयानाम् (niceyānām) - of the lowly; सेवा (sevā) - service; बुद्धिमताम् (buddhimatām) - of the wise; अपि (api) - even;]
(Non-abandonment of the virtuous, support of the noble, accumulation and service of the lowly, even of the wise.)
Never abandon the virtuous, support the noble, accumulate and serve even the lowly, and also the wise.
बलानां हर्षणं नित्यं प्रजानामन्ववेक्षणम्। कार्येष्वखेदः कोशस्य तथैव च विवर्धनम् ॥१२-५८-८॥
balānāṃ harṣaṇaṃ nityaṃ prajānāmanvavekṣaṇam। kāryeṣvakhedaḥ kośasya tathaiva ca vivardhanam ॥12-58-8॥
[बलानाम् (balānām) - of the armies; of the forces; हर्षणम् (harṣaṇam) - gladdening; causing joy; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; constantly; प्रजानाम् (prajānām) - of the subjects; of the people; अन्ववेक्षणम् (anvavekṣaṇam) - supervision; attentive observation; कार्येषु (kāryeṣu) - in duties; in tasks; अखेदः (akhedaḥ) - absence of fatigue; tirelessness; कोशस्य (kośasya) - of the treasury; तथैव (tathaiva) - likewise; in the same way; च (ca) - and; विवर्धनम् (vivardhanam) - augmentation; increase;]
(The gladdening of the armies always, the supervision of the subjects, tirelessness in duties, and likewise the augmentation of the treasury.)
Always delighting the armies, constantly supervising the people, being tireless in duties, and likewise increasing the treasury—these are essential.
पुरगुप्तिरविश्वासः पौरसङ्घातभेदनम्। केतनानां च जीर्णानामवेक्षा चैव सीदताम् ॥१२-५८-९॥
puraguptirviśvāsaḥ paurasaṅghātabhedanam। ketanānāṃ ca jīrṇānāmavekṣā caiva sīdatām ॥12-58-9॥
[पुरगुप्तिः (puraguptiḥ) - city-protection; विश्वासः (viśvāsaḥ) - trust; पौरसङ्घातभेदनम् (paurasaṅghātabhedanam) - breaking of citizen-assemblies; केतनानाम् (ketanānām) - of banners; च (ca) - and; जीर्णानाम् (jīrṇānām) - of worn-out; अवेक्षा (avekṣā) - inspection; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; सीदताम् (sīdatām) - of those who are declining;]
(City-protection; trust; breaking of citizen-assemblies; of banners and of worn-out, inspection and indeed of those who are declining.)
Protection of the city, trust, breaking up of citizen assemblies, inspection of banners and of those that are worn out, and indeed care for those who are declining.
द्विविधस्य च दण्डस्य प्रयोगः कालचोदितः। अरिमध्यस्थमित्राणां यथावच्चान्ववेक्षणम् ॥१२-५८-१०॥
dvividhasya ca daṇḍasya prayogaḥ kālacoditaḥ। arimadhyasthamitrāṇāṃ yathāvaccānvavekṣaṇam ॥12-58-10॥
[द्विविधस्य (dvividhasya) - of two kinds; च (ca) - and; दण्डस्य (daṇḍasya) - of punishment; प्रयोगः (prayogaḥ) - application; कालचोदितः (kālacoditaḥ) - prompted by time; अरिमध्यस्थमित्राणां (arimadhyasthamitrāṇāṃ) - of enemies, neutrals, and friends; यथावत् (yathāvat) - as appropriate; च (ca) - and; अन्ववेक्षणम् (anvavekṣaṇam) - investigation;]
(The application of punishment of two kinds, and prompted by time; the investigation of enemies, neutrals, and friends, as appropriate and (so).)
The application of the two kinds of punishment should be determined according to the time; likewise, the investigation of enemies, neutrals, and friends should be conducted as appropriate.
उपजापश्च भृत्यानामात्मनः परदर्शनात्। अविश्वासः स्वयं चैव परस्याश्वासनं तथा ॥१२-५८-११॥
upajāpaś ca bhṛtyānām ātmanaḥ paradarśanāt। aviśvāsaḥ svayaṃ caiva parasyāśvāsanaṃ tathā ॥12-58-11॥
[उपजापः (upajāpaḥ) - secret instigation; च (ca) - and; भृत्यानाम् (bhṛtyānām) - of servants; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - of oneself; परदर्शनात् (paradarśanāt) - from revealing to others; अविश्वासः (aviśvāsaḥ) - distrust; स्वयम् (svayam) - oneself; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; परस्य (parasya) - of another; आश्वासनम् (āśvāsanam) - reassurance; तथा (tathā) - likewise;]
(Secret instigation and (the) servants' (of) oneself from revealing to others; distrust oneself and indeed (the) reassurance of another likewise.)
Secret instigation among one's servants by revealing oneself to others, distrust in oneself, and likewise, giving reassurance to another.
नीतिधर्मानुसरणं नित्यमुत्थानमेव च। रिपूणामनवज्ञानं नित्यं चानार्यवर्जनम् ॥१२-५८-१२॥
nītidharmānusaraṇaṃ nityamutthānameva ca। ripūṇāmanavajñānaṃ nityaṃ cānāryavarjanam ॥12-58-12॥
[नीति (nīti) - conduct; धर्म (dharma) - righteousness; अनुसरणं (anusaraṇam) - following; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; उत्थानम् (utthānam) - effort; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; रिपूणाम् (ripūṇām) - of enemies; अनवज्ञानं (anavajñānam) - not disregarding; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; च (ca) - and; अनार्यवर्जनम् (anāryavarjanam) - avoiding the ignoble;]
(Following conduct and righteousness always, effort indeed and also; not disregarding enemies always and avoiding the ignoble.)
Always follow conduct and righteousness, be ever diligent, never disregard enemies, and always avoid the ignoble.
उत्थानं हि नरेन्द्राणां बृहस्पतिरभाषत। राजधर्मस्य यन्मूलं श्लोकांश्चात्र निबोध मे ॥१२-५८-१३॥
utthānaṃ hi narendrāṇāṃ bṛhaspatir abhāṣata। rājad harmasya yan mūlaṃ ślokāṃś cātra nibodha me ॥12-58-13॥
[उत्थानम् (utthānam) - rising; effort; हि (hi) - indeed; for; नरेन्द्राणाम् (narendrāṇām) - of kings; of rulers; बृहस्पतिः (bṛhaspatiḥ) - Bṛhaspati; (the preceptor of gods); अभाषत (abhāṣata) - spoke; said; राजधर्मस्य (rājadharmasya) - of royal duty; of kingly law; यत् (yat) - which; what; मूलम् (mūlam) - root; basis; श्लोकान् (ślokān) - verses; च (ca) - and; अत्र (atra) - here; निबोध (nibodha) - understand; know; मे (me) - from me;]
(Indeed, Bṛhaspati spoke of the effort of kings; understand here from me the verses which are the root of royal duty.)
Bṛhaspati spoke thus: "The effort of kings is paramount; listen to the verses here, which are the foundation of royal duty, as I explain them to you."
उत्थानेनामृतं लब्धमुत्थानेनासुरा हताः। उत्थानेन महेन्द्रेण श्रैष्ठ्यं प्राप्तं दिवीह च ॥१२-५८-१४॥
utthānenāmṛtaṃ labdhamutthānenāsurā hatāḥ। utthānena mahendreṇa śraiṣṭhyaṃ prāptaṃ divīha ca ॥12-58-14॥
[उत्थानेन (utthānena) - by effort; अमृतं (amṛtam) - nectar of immortality; लब्धम् (labdham) - was obtained; उत्थानेन (utthānena) - by effort; असुराः (asurāḥ) - demons; हताः (hatāḥ) - were slain; उत्थानेन (utthānena) - by effort; महेन्द्रेण (mahendreṇa) - by Mahendra (Indra); श्रैष्ठ्यम् (śraiṣṭhyam) - supremacy; प्राप्तम् (prāptam) - was attained; दिवि (divi) - in heaven; इह (iha) - here; च (ca) - and;]
(By effort, the nectar of immortality was obtained; by effort, the demons were slain; by effort, supremacy was attained by Mahendra (Indra) both in heaven and here.)
Through effort, the nectar of immortality was gained; through effort, the demons were destroyed; through effort, Mahendra (Indra) attained supremacy both in heaven and on earth.
उत्थानधीरः पुरुषो वाग्धीरानधितिष्ठति। उत्थानधीरं वाग्धीरा रमयन्त उपासते ॥१२-५८-१५॥
utthānadhīraḥ puruṣo vāgdhīrānadhitiṣṭhati। utthānadhīraṃ vāgdhīrā ramayanta upāsate ॥12-58-15॥
[उत्थानधीरः (utthānadhīraḥ) - one who is resolute in effort; पुरुषः (puruṣaḥ) - man; वाग्धीरान् (vāgdhīrān) - wise in speech (accusative plural); अधितिष्ठति (adhitiṣṭhati) - presides over; उत्थानधीरम् (utthānadhīram) - one resolute in effort (accusative singular); वाग्धीराः (vāgdhīrāḥ) - those wise in speech (nominative plural); रमयन्ति (ramayanti) - delight; उपासते (upāsate) - worship;]
(The man resolute in effort presides over those wise in speech. Those wise in speech delight in and worship the one resolute in effort.)
A man who is steadfast in effort commands those who are wise in speech. The wise in speech delight in and honor the one who is resolute in effort.
उत्थानहीनो राजा हि बुद्धिमानपि नित्यशः। धर्षणीयो रिपूणां स्याद्भुजङ्ग इव निर्विषः ॥१२-५८-१६॥
utthānahīno rājā hi buddhimān api nityaśaḥ। dharṣaṇīyo ripūṇāṃ syād bhujaṅga iva nirviṣaḥ॥12-58-16॥
[उत्थानहीनः (utthānahīnaḥ) - devoid of effort; राजा (rājā) - king; हि (hi) - indeed; बुद्धिमान् (buddhimān) - intelligent; अपि (api) - even; नित्यशः (nityaśaḥ) - always; धर्षणीयः (dharṣaṇīyaḥ) - to be oppressed; रिपूणाम् (ripūṇām) - by enemies; स्यात् (syāt) - would be; भुजङ्गः (bhujaṅgaḥ) - serpent; इव (iva) - like; निर्विषः (nirviṣaḥ) - deprived of poison;]
(A king devoid of effort, even if intelligent, always would be oppressed by enemies, like a serpent deprived of poison.)
Even an intelligent king who lacks initiative is always liable to be oppressed by his enemies, just as a serpent without poison is vulnerable.
न च शत्रुरवज्ञेयो दुर्बलोऽपि बलीयसा। अल्पोऽपि हि दहत्यग्निर्विषमल्पं हिनस्ति च ॥१२-५८-१७॥
na ca śatruravajñeyo durbalo'pi balīyasā। alpo'pi hi dahatyagnirviṣamalpaṃ hinasti ca ॥12-58-17॥
[न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; शत्रुः (śatruḥ) - enemy; अवज्ञेयः (avajñeyaḥ) - to be disregarded; दुर्बलः (durbalaḥ) - weak; अपि (api) - even; बलीयसा (balīyasā) - by the stronger; अल्पः (alpaḥ) - small; अपि (api) - even; हि (hi) - indeed; दहति (dahati) - burns; अग्निः (agniḥ) - fire; विषम् (viṣam) - poison; अल्पम् (alpam) - small; हिनस्ति (hinasti) - destroys; च (ca) - and;]
(And an enemy, even if weak, should not be disregarded by the stronger. For even a small fire burns, and a small amount of poison destroys.)
One should never disregard an enemy, even if he is weak, when one is strong. For even a small fire can burn, and a little poison can destroy.
एकाश्वेनापि सम्भूतः शत्रुर्दुर्गसमाश्रितः। तं तं तापयते देशमपि राज्ञः समृद्धिनः ॥१२-५८-१८॥
ekāśvenāpi sambhūtaḥ śatrur durgasamāśritaḥ। taṃ taṃ tāpayate deśam api rājñaḥ samṛddhinaḥ॥12-58-18॥
[एकाश्वेनापि (ekāśvenāpi) - even with one horse; सम्भूतः (sambhūtaḥ) - arisen; शत्रुः (śatruḥ) - enemy; दुर्गसमाश्रितः (durgasamāśritaḥ) - having taken refuge in a fortress; तं (taṃ) - that; तं (taṃ) - that; तापयते (tāpayate) - torments; देशम् (deśam) - country; अपि (api) - even; राज्ञः (rājñaḥ) - of the king; समृद्धिनः (samṛddhinaḥ) - prosperous;]
(Even with one horse, an enemy arisen and having taken refuge in a fortress torments that country, even if it is prosperous and belongs to the king.)
Even a single enemy, if he arises with just one horse and takes refuge in a fortress, can trouble any country, even one that is prosperous and ruled by a king.
राज्ञो रहस्यं यद्वाक्यं जयार्थं लोकसङ्ग्रहः। हृदि यच्चास्य जिह्मं स्यात्कारणार्थं च यद्भवेत् ॥१२-५८-१९॥
rājño rahasyaṃ yadvākyaṃ jayārthaṃ lokasaṅgrahaḥ। hṛdi yaccāsya jihmaṃ syātkāraṇārthaṃ ca yadbhavet ॥12-58-19॥
[राज्ञः (rājñaḥ) - of the king; रहस्यं (rahasyaṃ) - secret; यत् (yat) - which; वाक्यं (vākyaṃ) - statement; जयार्थं (jayārtham) - for victory; लोकसङ्ग्रहः (lokasaṅgrahaḥ) - maintenance of the people; हृदि (hṛdi) - in the heart; यत् (yat) - which; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - his; जिह्मं (jihmaṃ) - crooked; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; कारणार्थं (kāraṇārtham) - for the sake of reason; च (ca) - and; यत् (yat) - which; भवेत् (bhavet) - may be;]
(The secret statement of the king which is for victory, the maintenance of the people, which in his heart may be crooked, and which may be for the sake of reason.)
The king's secret words, whether for victory, for the welfare of the people, or whatever may be hidden in his heart or spoken for a particular reason, should be understood accordingly.
यच्चास्य कार्यं वृजिनमार्जवेनैव धार्यते। दम्भनार्थाय लोकस्य धर्मिष्ठामाचरेत्क्रियाम् ॥१२-५८-२०॥
yaccāsya kāryaṃ vṛjinamārjavenaiva dhāryate। dambhanārthāya lokasya dharmiṣṭhām ācaret kriyām॥12-58-20॥
[यत् (yat) - which; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - his; कार्यं (kāryam) - action; वृजिनम् (vṛjinam) - sin; आर्जवेन (ārjavena) - with honesty; एव (eva) - only; धार्यते (dhāryate) - is borne; दम्भनार्थाय (dambhanārthāya) - for the sake of hypocrisy; लोकस्य (lokasya) - of the people; धर्मिष्ठाम् (dharmiṣṭhām) - most righteous; आचरेत् (ācaret) - should perform; क्रियाम् (kriyām) - act;]
(Which and his action sin with honesty only is borne. For the sake of hypocrisy of the people, the most righteous act should be performed.)
Whatever action of his that is sinful is borne only with honesty. For the sake of impressing people, one should perform the most righteous act.
राज्यं हि सुमहत्तन्त्रं दुर्धार्यमकृतात्मभिः। न शक्यं मृदुना वोढुमाघातस्थानमुत्तमम् ॥१२-५८-२१॥
rājyaṃ hi sumahattantraṃ durdhāryamakṛtātmabhiḥ। na śakyaṃ mṛdunā voḍhumāghātasthānamuttamam ॥12-58-21॥
[राज्यम् (rājyaṃ) - kingdom; हि (hi) - indeed; सुमहत् (sumahat) - very great; तन्त्रम् (tantram) - system; दुर्धार्यम् (durdhāryam) - difficult to sustain; अकृतात्मभिः (akṛtātmabhiḥ) - by those who have not mastered themselves; न (na) - not; शक्यम् (śakyam) - possible; मृदुना (mṛdunā) - by the weak; वोढुम् (voḍhum) - to bear; आघातस्थानम् (āghātasthānam) - place of impact; उत्तमम् (uttamam) - supreme;]
(Indeed, the kingdom is a very great system, difficult to sustain by those who have not mastered themselves; it is not possible for the weak to bear the supreme place of impact.)
Indeed, a kingdom is a vast and complex system, hard to sustain for those lacking self-mastery; the highest position, which is subject to many challenges, cannot be borne by the weak.
राज्यं सर्वामिषं नित्यमार्जवेनेह धार्यते। तस्मान्मिश्रेण सततं वर्तितव्यं युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-५८-२२॥
rājyaṃ sarvāmiṣaṃ nityam ārjavena iha dhāryate। tasmān miśreṇa satataṃ vartitavyaṃ yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-58-22॥
[राज्यं (rājyaṃ) - kingdom; सर्वामिषं (sarvāmiṣam) - all desires; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; आर्जवेन् (ārjavena) - with honesty; इह (iha) - here; धार्यते (dhāryate) - is sustained; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; मिश्रेण (miśreṇa) - with mixture; सततम् (satatam) - always; वर्तितव्यम् (vartitavyam) - should be conducted; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira;]
(The kingdom, all desires, always, with honesty, here, is sustained. Therefore, with mixture, always, should be conducted, Yudhishthira.)
O Yudhishthira, a kingdom and all its desires are always sustained here by honesty. Therefore, one should always act with a mixture (of qualities or means).
यद्यप्यस्य विपत्तिः स्याद्रक्षमाणस्य वै प्रजाः। सोऽप्यस्य विपुलो धर्म एवंवृत्ता हि भूमिपाः ॥१२-५८-२३॥
yadyapy asya vipattiḥ syād rakṣamāṇasya vai prajāḥ। so'py asya vipulo dharma evaṁvṛttā hi bhūmipāḥ॥12-58-23॥
[यद्यपि (yadyapi) - even if; अस्य (asya) - his; विपत्तिः (vipattiḥ) - calamity; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; रक्षमाणस्य (rakṣamāṇasya) - of the protector; वै (vai) - indeed; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; सः (saḥ) - he; अपि (api) - also; अस्य (asya) - his; विपुलः (vipulaḥ) - great; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - righteousness; एवंवृत्ताः (evaṁvṛttāḥ) - of such conduct; हि (hi) - indeed; भूमिपाः (bhūmipāḥ) - kings;]
(Even if there may be calamity for his subjects while he is protecting, still his righteousness is great; kings of such conduct indeed (are so).)
Even if a protector's subjects face calamity, his righteousness is still great; for kings of such conduct, this is indeed the case.
एष ते राजधर्माणां लेशः समनुवर्णितः। भूयस्ते यत्र संदेहस्तद्ब्रूहि वदतां वर ॥१२-५८-२४॥
eṣa te rājadharmāṇāṃ leśaḥ samanuvarṇitaḥ। bhūyas te yatra saṃdehas tad brūhi vadatāṃ vara ॥12-58-24॥
[एष (eṣa) - this; ते (te) - to you; राजधर्माणां (rājadharmāṇāṃ) - of royal duties; लेशः (leśaḥ) - a portion; समनुवर्णितः (samanuvarṇitaḥ) - has been described; भूयः (bhūyaḥ) - further; ते (te) - to you; यत्र (yatra) - where; संदेहः (saṃdehaḥ) - doubt; तत् (tat) - that; ब्रूहि (brūhi) - tell; वदतां (vadatām) - of speakers; वर (vara) - best;]
(This to you of royal duties a portion has been described. Further to you where doubt that tell, O best of speakers.)
This is a portion of the royal duties described to you. If you have any further doubt, tell me, O best of speakers.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; (name of the sage); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaiśampāyana said;)
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततो व्यासश्च भगवान्देवस्थानोऽश्मना सह। वासुदेवः कृपश्चैव सात्यकिः सञ्जयस्तथा ॥१२-५८-२५॥
tato vyāsaś ca bhagavān devasthāno'śmanā saha। vāsudevaḥ kṛpaś caiva sātyakiḥ sañjayas tathā ॥12-58-25॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; व्यासः (vyāsaḥ) - Vyāsa; च (ca) - and; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the venerable; देवस्थानः (devasthānaḥ) - Devasthāna; अश्मना (aśmanā) - with Aśman; सह (saha) - together; वासुदेवः (vāsudevaḥ) - Vāsudeva; कृपः (kṛpaḥ) - Kṛpa; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; सात्यकिः (sātyakiḥ) - Sātyaki; सञ्जयः (sañjayaḥ) - Sañjaya; तथा (tathā) - also;]
(Then Vyāsa and the venerable Devasthāna together with Aśman, Vāsudeva, Kṛpa indeed, Sātyaki, and also Sañjaya.)
Then Vyāsa, the venerable Devasthāna with Aśman, Vāsudeva, Kṛpa, Sātyaki, and Sañjaya were also present.
साधु साध्विति संहृष्टाः पुष्यमाणैरिवाननैः। अस्तुवंस्ते नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मं धर्मभृतां वरम् ॥१२-५८-२६॥
sādhu sādhviti saṁhṛṣṭāḥ puṣyamāṇairivānanaiḥ। astuvaṁste naravyāghraṁ bhīṣmaṁ dharmabhṛtāṁ varam ॥12-58-26॥
[साधु (sādhu) - well done; good; साधु (sādhu) - well done; good; इति (iti) - thus; so; संहृष्टाः (saṁhṛṣṭāḥ) - delighted; rejoiced; पुष्यमाणैः (puṣyamāṇaiḥ) - being gladdened; being prospered; इव (iva) - like; as if; आननैः (ānanaiḥ) - with faces; अस्तुवन् (astuvan) - praised; ते (te) - they; नरव्याघ्रम् (naravyāghram) - tiger among men; भीष्मम् (bhīṣmam) - Bhishma; धर्मभृताम् (dharmabhṛtām) - of the upholders of dharma; वरम् (varam) - the best;]
(Well done, well done, thus delighted, with faces as if being gladdened, they praised that tiger among men, Bhishma, the best of the upholders of dharma.)
Delighted, their faces shining as if prospering, they exclaimed "Well done, well done!" and praised Bhishma, the tiger among men, the foremost among the upholders of dharma.
ततो दीनमना भीष्ममुवाच कुरुसत्तमः। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यां पादौ तस्य शनैः स्पृशन् ॥१२-५८-२७॥
tato dīnamanā bhīṣmam uvāca kurusattamaḥ। netrābhyām aśrupūrṇābhyāṃ pādau tasya śanaiḥ spṛśan ॥12-58-27॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; दीनमना (dīnamanā) - with a dejected mind; भीष्मम् (bhīṣmam) - to Bhishma; उवाच (uvāca) - said; कुरुसत्तमः (kurusattamaḥ) - the best of the Kurus; नेत्राभ्याम् (netrābhyām) - with (his) two eyes; अश्रुपूर्णाभ्याम् (aśrupūrṇābhyām) - filled with tears; पादौ (pādau) - feet; तस्य (tasya) - his; शनैः (śanaiḥ) - gently; स्पृशन् (spṛśan) - touching;]
(Then, with a dejected mind, the best of the Kurus said to Bhishma, with his two eyes filled with tears, gently touching his feet.)
Then, with a sorrowful heart, the foremost of the Kurus spoke to Bhishma, his eyes brimming with tears, as he gently touched his feet.
श्व इदानीं स्वसंदेहं प्रक्ष्यामि त्वं पितामह। उपैति सविताप्यस्तं रसमापीय पार्थिवम् ॥१२-५८-२८॥
śva idānīṃ svasandehaṃ prakṣyāmi tvaṃ pitāmaha। upaiti savitāpy astaṃ rasam āpīya pārthivam ॥12-58-28॥
[श्व (śva) - tomorrow; इदानीं (idānīṃ) - now; स्वसंदेहं (svasandeham) - my own doubt; प्रक्ष्यामि (prakṣyāmi) - I will ask; त्वं (tvaṃ) - you; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandsire; उपैति (upaiti) - approaches; सविता (savitā) - the Sun; अपि (api) - also; अस्तं (astaṃ) - to setting; रसम् (rasam) - essence; आपीय (āpīya) - having drunk; पार्थिवम् (pārthivam) - of the earth;]
(Tomorrow now my own doubt I will ask you O grandsire. The Sun also approaches setting, having drunk the essence of the earth.)
O grandsire, tomorrow I will ask you my own doubt. Now the Sun also approaches its setting, having drunk the essence of the earth.
ततो द्विजातीनभिवाद्य केशवः; कृपश्च ते चैव युधिष्ठिरादयः। प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य महानदीसुतं; ततो रथानारुरुहुर्मुदा युताः ॥१२-५८-२९॥
tato dvijātīn abhivādya keśavaḥ; kṛpaś ca te caiva yudhiṣṭhirādayaḥ. pradakṣiṇīkṛtya mahānadīsutaṃ; tato rathān āruhur mudā yutāḥ ॥12-58-29॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; द्विजातीन् (dvijātīn) - the twice-born; अभिवाद्य (abhivādya) - having saluted; केशवः (keśavaḥ) - Keśava; कृपः (kṛpaḥ) - Kṛpa; च (ca) - and; ते (te) - they; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; युधिष्ठिरादयः (yudhiṣṭhirādayaḥ) - Yudhiṣṭhira and others; प्रदक्षिणीकृत्य (pradakṣiṇīkṛtya) - having circumambulated; महानदीसुतम् (mahānadīsutam) - the son of the great river; ततः (tataḥ) - then; रथान् (rathān) - chariots; आरुहुः (āruhuḥ) - ascended; मुदा (mudā) - with joy; युताः (yutāḥ) - endowed;]
(Then, having saluted the twice-born, Keśava, Kṛpa, and they, indeed Yudhiṣṭhira and others, having circumambulated the son of the great river, then ascended the chariots, endowed with joy.)
Then, after saluting the twice-born, Keśava, Kṛpa, and Yudhiṣṭhira and the others, circumambulated the son of the great river and then, filled with joy, ascended their chariots.
दृषद्वतीं चाप्यवगाह्य सुव्रताः; कृतोदकार्याः कृतजप्यमङ्गलाः। उपास्य सन्ध्यां विधिवत्परन्तपा; स्ततः पुरं ते विविशुर्गजाह्वयम् ॥१२-५८-३०॥
dṛṣadvatīṃ cāpyavagāhya suvratāḥ; kṛtodakāryāḥ kṛtajapyamaṅgalāḥ। upāsya sandhyāṃ vidhivatparantapā; tataḥ puraṃ te viviśurgajāhvayam ॥12-58-30॥
[दृषद्वतीम् (dṛṣadvatīm) - to the Dṛṣadvatī (river); च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; अवगाह्य (avagāhya) - having bathed; सुव्रताः (suvratāḥ) - the well-vowed ones; कृतोदकार्याः (kṛtodakāryāḥ) - having performed water-rites; कृतजप्यमङ्गलाः (kṛtajapyamaṅgalāḥ) - having completed auspicious mutterings; उपास्य (upāsya) - having worshipped; सन्ध्याम् (sandhyām) - the twilight (Sandhyā); विधिवत् (vidhivat) - according to rule; परन्तपाः (parantapāḥ) - the scorcher of foes; ततः (tataḥ) - then; पुरम् (puram) - the city; ते (te) - they; विविशुः (viviśuḥ) - entered; गजाह्वयम् (gajāhvayam) - Gajāhvaya (Hastināpura);]
(To the Dṛṣadvatī (river) and also, having bathed, the well-vowed ones, having performed water-rites, having completed auspicious mutterings, having worshipped the twilight (Sandhyā) according to rule, the scorcher of foes, then, the city, they, entered, Gajāhvaya (Hastināpura).)
The well-vowed ones, having bathed in the Dṛṣadvatī, performed the water-rites and completed auspicious mutterings. Having duly worshipped the twilight, those scorcher of foes then entered the city of Gajāhvaya (Hastināpura).
