12.064
Library: An ancient conversation between King Mandhata and Indra regarding importance of kingly duties.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said:
चातुराश्रम्यधर्माश्च जातिधर्माश्च पाण्डव। लोकपालोत्तराश्चैव क्षात्रे धर्मे व्यवस्थिताः ॥१२-६४-१॥
cāturāśramyadharmāś ca jātidharmāś ca pāṇḍava। lokapālotarāś caiva kṣātre dharme vyavasthitāḥ ॥12-64-1॥
[चातुराश्रम्यधर्माः (cāturāśramyadharmāḥ) - duties of the four āśramas; च (ca) - and; जातिधर्माः (jātidharmāḥ) - duties of castes; च (ca) - and; पाण्डव (pāṇḍava) - O Pāṇḍava; लोकपालोत्तराः (lokapālotarāḥ) - those superior to the guardians of the worlds; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; क्षात्रे (kṣātre) - in the kṣatriya (warrior) order; धर्मे (dharme) - in the duty; व्यवस्थिताः (vyavasthitāḥ) - established;]
(Duties of the four āśramas and duties of castes, O Pāṇḍava, and those superior to the guardians of the worlds, indeed, established in the kṣatriya duty.)
O Pāṇḍava, the duties of the four āśramas and the duties of the castes, as well as those even above the guardians of the worlds, are established in the kṣatriya order.
सर्वाण्येतानि धर्माणि क्षात्रे भरतसत्तम। निराशिषो जीवलोके क्षात्रे धर्मे व्यवस्थिताः ॥१२-६४-२॥
sarvāṇyetāni dharmāṇi kṣātre bharatasattama। nirāśiṣo jīvaloke kṣātre dharme vyavasthitāḥ ॥12-64-2॥
[सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; (neuter plural) एतानि (etāni) - these; (neuter plural) धर्माणि (dharmāṇi) - dharmas; (neuter plural) क्षात्रे (kṣātre) - in the kṣātra (warrior) (duty); भरतसत्तम (bharatasattama) - O best of the Bharatas; निराशिषः (nirāśiṣaḥ) - without desire for reward; जीवलोके (jīvaloke) - in the world of living beings; क्षात्रे (kṣātre) - in the kṣātra (warrior) (duty); धर्मे (dharme) - in dharma; व्यवस्थिताः (vyavasthitāḥ) - established;]
(All these dharmas, O best of the Bharatas, are established in the kṣātra (warrior) dharma in the world of living beings, without desire for reward.)
O best of the Bharatas, all these dharmas are established in the kṣātra (warrior) dharma in the world of living beings, without desire for reward.
अप्रत्यक्षं बहुद्वारं धर्ममाश्रमवासिनाम्। प्ररूपयन्ति तद्भावमागमैरेव शाश्वतम् ॥१२-६४-३॥
apratyakṣaṃ bahudvāraṃ dharmamāśramavāsinām। prarūpayanti tadbhāvamāgamaireva śāśvatam ॥12-64-3॥
[अप्रत्यक्षं (apratyakṣam) - not directly perceived; बहुद्वारं (bahudvāram) - having many doors; many approaches; धर्मम् (dharmam) - dharma; righteousness; आश्रमवासिनाम् (āśramavāsinām) - of the dwellers in hermitages; प्ररूपयन्ति (prarūpayanti) - they describe; they represent; तत् (tat) - that; भावम् (bhāvam) - nature; essence; आगमैः (āgamaiḥ) - by scriptures; by authoritative texts; एव (eva) - indeed; only; शाश्वतम् (śāśvatam) - eternal;]
(Not directly perceived, having many doors, the dharma of the dwellers in hermitages—they describe that nature by scriptures only as eternal.)
The dharma of those living in hermitages, which is not directly perceived and has many approaches, is described as eternal only through scriptures.
अपरे वचनैः पुण्यैर्वादिनो लोकनिश्चयम्। अनिश्चयज्ञा धर्माणामदृष्टान्ते परे रताः ॥१२-६४-४॥
apare vacanaiḥ puṇyair vādino loka-niścayam। aniścaya-jñā dharmāṇām adṛṣṭānte pare ratāḥ ॥12-64-4॥
[अपरे (apare) - others; वचनैः (vacanaiḥ) - by words; पुण्यैः (puṇyair) - by virtuous (words); वादिनः (vādinaḥ) - speakers; लोकनिश्चयम् (loka-niścayam) - the certainty of the world; अनिश्चयज्ञाः (aniścaya-jñāḥ) - not-knowers of certainty; धर्माणाम् (dharmāṇām) - of dharmas; अदृष्टान्ते (adṛṣṭānte) - in what has no precedent; परे (pare) - others; रताः (ratāḥ) - delighted;]
(Others, by virtuous words, speakers (declare) the certainty of the world; not-knowers of certainty of dharmas, in what has no precedent, others are delighted.)
Some others, using virtuous words, assert certainty about the world; but, not knowing the certainty of dharmas, they delight in unprecedented matters.
प्रत्यक्षसुखभूयिष्ठमात्मसाक्षिकमच्छलम्। सर्वलोकहितं धर्मं क्षत्रियेषु प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥१२-६४-५॥
pratyakṣasukhabhūyiṣṭham ātmasākṣikam acchalam। sarvalokahitaṃ dharmaṃ kṣatriyeṣu pratiṣṭhitam ॥12-64-5॥
[प्रत्यक्ष (pratyakṣa) - directly perceived; सुख (sukha) - happiness; भूयिष्ठम् (bhūyiṣṭham) - predominant; आत्मसाक्षिकम् (ātmasākṣikam) - witnessed by oneself; अच्छलम् (acchalam) - unwavering; सर्वलोकहितम् (sarvalokahitam) - beneficial to all people; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - dharma; क्षत्रियेषु (kṣatriyeṣu) - among the kṣatriyas; प्रतिष्ठितम् (pratiṣṭhitam) - established;]
(The dharma, which is directly perceived, predominantly happiness, witnessed by oneself, unwavering, beneficial to all people, is established among the kṣatriyas.)
The dharma that is directly experienced, brings the greatest happiness, is self-evident, unwavering, and benefits all people, is established among the kṣatriyas.
धर्माश्रमव्यवसिनां ब्राह्मणानां युधिष्ठिर। यथा त्रयाणां वर्णानां सङ्ख्यातोपश्रुतिः पुरा ॥ राजधर्मेष्वनुपमा लोक्या सुचरितैरिह ॥१२-६४-६॥
dharmāśramavyavasināṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ yudhiṣṭhira। yathā trayāṇāṃ varṇānāṃ saṅkhyātopaśrutiḥ purā ॥ rājadharmeṣvanupamā lokyā sucaritairiha ॥12-64-6॥
[धर्माश्रमव्यवसिनां (dharmāśramavyavasinām) - of those established in the stages of dharma; ब्राह्मणानां (brāhmaṇānām) - of the Brāhmaṇas; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - O Yudhiṣṭhira; यथा (yathā) - as; त्रयाणां (trayāṇām) - of the three; वर्णानां (varṇānām) - of the classes; सङ्ख्यात (saṅkhyāta) - enumerated; उपश्रुतिः (upaśrutiḥ) - tradition; पुरा (purā) - formerly; राजधर्मेषु (rājadharmeṣu) - in royal duties; अनुपमा (anupamā) - unparalleled; लोक्या (lokyā) - by people; सुचरितैः (sucaritaiḥ) - by good conduct; इह (iha) - here;]
(O Yudhiṣṭhira, of the Brāhmaṇas established in the stages of dharma, as formerly the tradition of enumeration of the three classes, here in royal duties, unparalleled by people, by good conduct.)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, among Brāhmaṇas established in the stages of dharma, as in ancient times the tradition of enumeration of the three classes was known, here in royal duties, there is an unparalleled example among people by their good conduct.
उदाहृतं ते राजेन्द्र यथा विष्णुं महौजसम्। सर्वभूतेश्वरं देवं प्रभुं नारायणं पुरा ॥ जग्मुः सुबहवः शूरा राजानो दण्डनीतये ॥१२-६४-७॥
udāhṛtaṃ te rājendra yathā viṣṇuṃ mahaujasaṃ। sarvabhūteśvaraṃ devaṃ prabhuṃ nārāyaṇaṃ purā ॥ jagmuḥ subahavaḥ śūrā rājāno daṇḍanītaye ॥12-64-7॥
[उदाहृतं (udāhṛtam) - quoted; cited; ते (te) - to you; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king; यथा (yathā) - as; like; विष्णुं (viṣṇum) - Viṣṇu; महौजसम् (mahaujasam) - of great energy; सर्वभूतेश्वरं (sarvabhūteśvaram) - lord of all beings; देवं (devam) - god; प्रभुं (prabhum) - master; नारायणं (nārāyaṇam) - Nārāyaṇa; पुरा (purā) - formerly; in ancient times; जग्मुः (jagmuḥ) - went; सुबहवः (subahavaḥ) - many; शूरा (śūrāḥ) - heroes; राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; दण्डनीतये (daṇḍanītaye) - for the science of punishment;]
(Quoted to you, O king, as Viṣṇu of great energy, lord of all beings, god, master, Nārāyaṇa, formerly; many heroes, kings, went for the science of punishment.)
O King, as it was quoted to you, in ancient times many heroic kings went to Viṣṇu, the greatly powerful Nārāyaṇa, lord of all beings, master and god, for guidance on the science of punishment.
एकैकमात्मनः कर्म तुलयित्वाश्रमे पुरा। राजानः पर्युपातिष्ठन्दृष्टान्तवचने स्थिताः ॥१२-६४-८॥
ekaikam-ātmanaḥ karma tulayitvāśrame purā। rājānaḥ paryupātiṣṭhan dṛṣṭānta-vacane sthitāḥ ॥12-64-8॥
[एकैकम् (ekaikam) - each one; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - of oneself; कर्म (karma) - action; तुलयित्वा (tulayitvā) - having weighed; आश्रमे (āśrame) - in the hermitage; पुरा (purā) - formerly; राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; पर्युपातिष्ठन् (paryupātiṣṭhan) - attended around; दृष्टान्तवचने (dṛṣṭānta-vacane) - in the discourse of examples; स्थिताः (sthitāḥ) - stood;]
(Each one, having weighed his own action in the hermitage formerly, the kings attended around, stood in the discourse of examples.)
Long ago, in the hermitage, each king, having considered his own actions, stood attentively as examples were discussed.
साध्या देवा वसवश्चाश्विनौ च; रुद्राश्च विश्वे मरुतां गणाश्च। सृष्टाः पुरा आदिदेवेन देवा; क्षात्रे धर्मे वर्तयन्ते च सिद्धाः ॥१२-६४-९॥
sādhyā devā vasavaś cāśvinau ca; rudrāś ca viśve marutāṃ gaṇāś ca. sṛṣṭāḥ purā ādidevena devā; kṣātre dharme vartayante ca siddhāḥ ॥12-64-9॥
[साध्या (sādhyā) - accomplished ones; (a class of deities); देवा (devā) - gods; वसवः (vasavaḥ) - Vasus; (a group of deities); च (ca) - and; अश्विनौ (aśvinau) - the Aśvins; (twin deities); च (ca) - and; रुद्राः (rudrāḥ) - Rudras; (a group of deities); च (ca) - and; विश्वे (viśve) - all; मरुतां (marutāṃ) - of the Maruts; (storm gods); गणाः (gaṇāḥ) - hosts; groups; च (ca) - and; सृष्टाः (sṛṣṭāḥ) - created; पुरा (purā) - formerly; in ancient times; आदिदेवेन (ādidevena) - by the primordial god; देवा (devā) - gods; क्षात्रे (kṣātre) - in the kṣātra (warrior) order; धर्मे (dharme) - in dharma; in righteousness; वर्तयन्ते (vartayante) - conduct; maintain; च (ca) - and; सिद्धाः (siddhāḥ) - perfected beings; accomplished ones;]
(The Sādhyas, gods, Vasus, and the Aśvins; Rudras and all the hosts of the Maruts; the gods were created formerly by the primordial god; the perfected beings also conduct themselves in the kṣātra (warrior) order and in dharma.)
The Sādhyas, Vasus, Aśvins, Rudras, and all the hosts of the Maruts—the gods—were created in ancient times by the primordial deity; the perfected beings also uphold righteousness and the warrior order.
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि धर्ममर्थविनिश्चयम्। निर्मर्यादे वर्तमाने दानवैकायने कृते ॥ बभूव राजा राजेन्द्र मान्धाता नाम वीर्यवान् ॥१२-६४-१०॥
atra te vartayiṣyāmi dharmam-artha-viniścayam। nirmaryāde vartamāne dānavaikāyane kṛte ॥ babhūva rājā rājendra māndhātā nāma vīryavān ॥12-64-10॥
[अत्र (atra) - here; ते (te) - to you; वर्तयिष्यामि (vartayiṣyāmi) - I shall relate; धर्मम् (dharmam) - dharma; अर्थविनिश्चयम् (artha-viniścayam) - decision regarding artha; निर्मर्यादे (nirmaryāde) - when the boundaries were destroyed; वर्तमाने (vartamāne) - when prevailing; दानवैकायने (dānavaikāyane) - in the Dānava Ikāyana (dynasty); कृते (kṛte) - having been done; बभूव (babhūva) - there was; राजा (rājā) - king; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king of kings; मान्धाता (māndhātā) - Māndhātā; नाम (nāma) - by name; वीर्यवान् (vīryavān) - powerful;]
(Here to you I shall relate the decision regarding dharma and artha. When the boundaries were destroyed and prevailing in the Dānava Ikāyana, having been done, there was a king, O king of kings, Māndhātā by name, powerful.)
Here, I will tell you the decision regarding dharma and artha. When the boundaries were destroyed and the Dānava Ikāyana prevailed, there was a powerful king named Māndhātā, O king of kings.
पुरा वसुमतीपालो यज्ञं चक्रे दिदृक्षया। अनादिमध्यनिधनं देवं नारायणं प्रति ॥१२-६४-११॥
purā vasumatīpālo yajñaṃ cakre didṛkṣayā। anādimadhyanidhanaṃ devaṃ nārāyaṇaṃ prati ॥12-64-11॥
[पुरा (purā) - formerly; वसुमतीपालः (vasumatīpālaḥ) - the protector of the earth; यज्ञम् (yajñam) - sacrifice; चक्रे (cakre) - performed; दिदृक्षया (didṛkṣayā) - with the desire to see; अनादिमध्यनिधनम् (anādimadhyanidhanam) - without beginning, middle, or end; देवम् (devam) - the god; नारायणम् (nārāyaṇam) - Nārāyaṇa; प्रति (prati) - towards;]
(Formerly, the protector of the earth performed a sacrifice with the desire to see the god Nārāyaṇa, who is without beginning, middle, or end.)
Once, the ruler of the earth performed a sacrifice wishing to behold the god Nārāyaṇa, who is eternal, without beginning, middle, or end.
स राजा राजशार्दूल मान्धाता परमेष्ठिनः। जग्राह शिरसा पादौ यज्ञे विष्णोर्महात्मनः ॥१२-६४-१२॥
sa rājā rājaśārdūla māndhātā parameṣṭhinaḥ। jagrāha śirasā pādau yajñe viṣṇor mahātmanaḥ ॥12-64-12॥
[स (sa) - he; राजा (rājā) - king; राजशार्दूल (rājaśārdūla) - tiger among kings; मान्धाता (māndhātā) - Māndhātā; परमेष्ठिनः (parameṣṭhinaḥ) - of the supreme ruler; जग्राह (jagrāha) - took; शिरसा (śirasā) - with (his) head; पादौ (pādau) - feet; यज्ञे (yajñe) - in the sacrifice; विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ) - of Viṣṇu; महात्मनः (mahātmanaḥ) - of the great-souled one;]
(He, the king, the tiger among kings, Māndhātā, of the supreme ruler, took with (his) head the feet of Viṣṇu, the great-souled one, in the sacrifice.)
King Māndhātā, the foremost among kings, reverently bowed his head to the feet of the great-souled Viṣṇu during the sacrifice.
दर्शयामास तं विष्णू रूपमास्थाय वासवम्। स पार्थिवैर्वृतः सद्भिरर्चयामास तं प्रभुम् ॥१२-६४-१३॥
darśayāmāsa taṃ viṣṇū rūpamāsthāya vāsavam। sa pārthivairvṛtaḥ sadbhirarcayāmāsa taṃ prabhum ॥12-64-13॥
[दर्शयामास (darśayāmāsa) - caused to be seen; made visible; तं (taṃ) - him; विष्णू (viṣṇū) - Viṣṇu; रूपम् (rūpam) - form; आस्थाय (āsthāya) - having assumed; वासवम् (vāsavam) - of Indra; स (sa) - he; पार्थिवैः (pārthivaiḥ) - by kings; वृतः (vṛtaḥ) - surrounded; सद्भिः (sadbhiḥ) - by the good; अर्चयामास (arcayāmāsa) - worshipped; तं (taṃ) - him; प्रभुम् (prabhum) - the lord;]
(Caused to be seen him Viṣṇu form having assumed of Indra. He by kings surrounded by the good worshipped him the lord.)
Assuming the form of Viṣṇu, Indra made himself visible. Surrounded by noble kings, he worshipped the Lord.
तस्य पार्थिवसङ्घस्य तस्य चैव महात्मनः। संवादोऽयं महानासीद्विष्णुं प्रति महाद्युते ॥१२-६४-१४॥
tasya pārthivasaṅghasya tasya caiva mahātmanaḥ। saṁvādo'yaṁ mahānāsīdviṣṇuṁ prati mahādyute ॥12-64-14॥
[तस्य (tasya) - of him; पार्थिवसङ्घस्य (pārthivasaṅghasya) - of the assembly of kings; तस्य (tasya) - of him; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; महात्मनः (mahātmanaḥ) - of the great-souled one; संवादः (saṁvādaḥ) - dialogue; अयम् (ayam) - this; महान् (mahān) - great; आसीत् (āsīt) - was; विष्णुम् (viṣṇum) - to Viṣṇu; प्रति (prati) - towards; महाद्युते (mahādyute) - O greatly radiant one;]
(Of him, of the assembly of kings, and indeed of the great-souled one, this great dialogue was towards Viṣṇu, O greatly radiant one.)
O greatly radiant one, this great dialogue between him, the assembly of kings, and the great-souled one was addressed to Viṣṇu.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
indra uvāca॥
[इन्द्र (indra) - Indra; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Indra said:)
Indra said:
किमिष्यते धर्मभृतां वरिष्ठ; यद्द्रष्टुकामोऽसि तमप्रमेयम्। अनन्तमायामितसत्त्ववीर्यं; नारायणं ह्यादिदेवं पुराणम् ॥१२-६४-१५॥
kimiṣyate dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭha; yaddraṣṭukāmo'si tamaprameyam। anantamāyāmitasattvavīryaṃ; nārāyaṇaṃ hyādidevaṃ purāṇam ॥12-64-15॥
[किम् (kim) - what; इष्यते (iṣyate) - is desired; धर्मभृताम् (dharmabhṛtām) - of the upholders of dharma; वरिष्ठ (variṣṭha) - O best; यत् (yat) - which; द्रष्टु (draṣṭu) - to see; कामः (kāmaḥ) - desire; असि (asi) - you are; तम् (tam) - him; अप्रमेयम् (aprameyam) - immeasurable; अनन्तमायाम् (anantamāyām) - of infinite māyā; इत (ita) - of unlimited; सत्त्व (sattva) - strength; वीर्यं (vīryaṃ) - energy; नारायणम् (nārāyaṇam) - Nārāyaṇa; हि (hi) - indeed; आदि (ādi) - the original; देवम् (devam) - deity; पुराणम् (purāṇam) - ancient;]
(What is desired, O best of the upholders of dharma? That which you desire to see, him who is immeasurable, of infinite māyā, of unlimited strength and energy, Nārāyaṇa indeed, the original ancient deity.)
O best among the upholders of dharma, what is to be desired? You wish to see that immeasurable one, Nārāyaṇa, who possesses infinite māyā, unlimited strength and energy, the original and ancient deity.
नासौ देवो विश्वरूपो मयापि; शक्यो द्रष्टुं ब्रह्मणा वापि साक्षात्। येऽन्ये कामास्तव राजन्हृदिस्था; दास्यामि तांस्त्वं हि मर्त्येषु राजा ॥१२-६४-१६॥
nāsau devo viśvarūpo mayāpi; śakyo draṣṭuṃ brahmaṇā vāpi sākṣāt। ye'anye kāmās tava rājan hṛdisthā; dāsyāmi tāṃs tvaṃ hi martyeṣu rājā ॥12-64-16॥
[न (na) - not; असौ (asau) - that; देवः (devaḥ) - god; विश्वरूपः (viśvarūpaḥ) - of universal form; मया (mayā) - by me; अपि (api) - even; शक्यः (śakyaḥ) - possible; द्रष्टुम् (draṣṭum) - to be seen; ब्रह्मणा (brahmaṇā) - by Brahmā; वा (vā) - or; अपि (api) - even; साक्षात् (sākṣāt) - directly; ये (ye) - those; अन्ये (anye) - other; कामाः (kāmāḥ) - desires; तव (tava) - your; राजन् (rājan) - O king; हृदि (hṛdi) - in the heart; स्थाः (sthāḥ) - abiding; दास्यामि (dāsyāmi) - I shall give; तान् (tān) - those; त्वम् (tvam) - you; हि (hi) - indeed; मर्त्येषु (martyeṣu) - among mortals; राजा (rājā) - king;]
(That god of universal form is not possible to be seen by me, nor even by Brahmā directly. Those other desires of yours, O king, abiding in your heart, I shall give those; for you are indeed king among mortals.)
That god of universal form cannot be seen by me, nor even directly by Brahmā. But those other desires that dwell in your heart, O king, I shall grant you, for you are indeed the king among mortals.
सत्ये स्थितो धर्मपरो जितेन्द्रियः; शूरो दृढं प्रीतिरतः सुराणाम्। बुद्ध्या भक्त्या चोत्तमश्रद्धया च; ततस्तेऽहं दद्मि वरं यथेष्टम् ॥१२-६४-१७॥
satye sthito dharmaparo jitendriyaḥ; śūro dṛḍhaṃ prītirataḥ surāṇām| buddhyā bhaktyā cottamaśraddhayā ca; tataste'haṃ dadmi varaṃ yatheṣṭam ॥12-64-17॥
[सत्ये (satye) - in truth; स्थितः (sthitaḥ) - established; धर्मपरो (dharmaparaḥ) - devoted to dharma; जितेन्द्रियः (jitendriyaḥ) - one who has conquered the senses; शूरः (śūraḥ) - heroic; दृढम् (dṛḍham) - firmly; प्रीतिरतः (prītirataḥ) - delighting in affection; सुराणाम् (surāṇām) - of the gods; बुद्ध्या (buddhyā) - with intelligence; भक्त्या (bhaktyā) - with devotion; च (ca) - and; उत्तमश्रद्धया (uttamaśraddhayā) - with supreme faith; च (ca) - and; ततः (tataḥ) - therefore; ते (te) - to you; अहम् (aham) - I; दद्मि (dadmi) - grant; वरम् (varam) - boon; यथेष्टम् (yatheṣṭam) - as desired;]
(Established in truth, devoted to dharma, one who has conquered the senses, heroic, firmly delighting in the affection of the gods, with intelligence, with devotion, and with supreme faith; therefore, to you I grant the boon as desired.)
Because you are established in truth, devoted to dharma, self-controlled, heroic, steadfast in the affection of the gods, intelligent, devoted, and endowed with supreme faith, therefore I grant you the boon you desire.
मान्धातोवाच॥
māndhātovāca॥
[मान्धातः (māndhātaḥ) - Māndhāta (proper name, king); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Māndhāta said:)
Māndhāta said:
असंशयं भगवन्नादिदेवं; द्रक्ष्याम्यहं शिरसाहं प्रसाद्य। त्यक्त्वा भोगान्धर्मकामो ह्यरण्य; मिच्छे गन्तुं सत्पथं लोकजुष्टम् ॥१२-६४-१८॥
asaṃśayaṃ bhagavannādidevaṃ; drakṣyāmyahaṃ śirasāhaṃ prasādya। tyaktvā bhogāndharmakāmo hyaraṇya; micche gantuṃ satpathaṃ lokajuṣṭam ॥12-64-18॥
[असंशयं (asaṃśayam) - without doubt; भगवन् (bhagavan) - O revered one; आदिदेवं (ādidevam) - the primordial god; द्रक्ष्यामि (drakṣyāmi) - I shall see; अहं (ahaṃ) - I; शिरसा (śirasā) - with (my) head; अहं (ahaṃ) - I; प्रसाद्य (prasādya) - having propitiated; त्यक्त्वा (tyaktvā) - having abandoned; भोगान् (bhogān) - enjoyments; धर्मकामः (dharmakāmaḥ) - desiring righteousness; हि (hi) - indeed; अरण्य (araṇya) - forest; मिच्छे (micche) - I wish; गन्तुम् (gantum) - to go; सत्पथम् (satpatham) - the righteous path; लोकजुष्टम् (lokajuṣṭam) - approved by people;]
(Without doubt, O revered one, I shall see the primordial god, having propitiated (him) with my head. Having abandoned enjoyments, indeed desiring righteousness, I wish to go to the forest, to the righteous path approved by people.)
Certainly, O revered one, I will see the primordial god after bowing my head in reverence. Renouncing pleasures, truly desiring righteousness, I wish to go to the forest and follow the righteous path esteemed by the world.
क्षात्राद्धर्माद्विपुलादप्रमेया; ल्लोकाः प्राप्ताः स्थापितं स्वं यशश्च। धर्मो योऽसावादिदेवात्प्रवृत्तो; लोकज्येष्ठस्तं न जानामि कर्तुम् ॥१२-६४-१९॥
kṣātrāddharmād vipulād aprameyāllokāḥ prāptāḥ sthāpitaṃ svaṃ yaśaś ca। dharmo yo'sāv ādidevāt pravṛtto lokajyeṣṭhas taṃ na jānāmi kartum ॥12-64-19॥
[क्षात्रात् (kṣātrāt) - from the warrior's (kṣatriya's); धर्मात् (dharmāt) - from dharma; विपुलात् (vipulāt) - from vast; अप्रमेयात् (aprameyāt) - from immeasurable; लोकाः (lokāḥ) - worlds; प्राप्ताः (prāptāḥ) - have been attained; स्थापितं (sthāpitaṃ) - established; स्वं (svaṃ) - one's own; यशः (yaśaḥ) - fame; च (ca) - and; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; यः (yaḥ) - which; असौ (asau) - this; आदि-देवात् (ādi-devāt) - from the primordial deity; प्रवृत्तः (pravṛttaḥ) - originated; लोक-ज्येष्ठः (loka-jyeṣṭhaḥ) - the eldest among the worlds; तम् (tam) - that; न (na) - not; जानामि (jānāmi) - I know; कर्तुम् (kartum) - to do;]
(From the warrior's dharma, from vast, from immeasurable, worlds have been attained, one's own fame also established. The dharma which has originated from the primordial deity, the eldest among the worlds, that I do not know to do.)
From the vast and immeasurable dharma of the warrior, worlds have been attained and one's own fame established. As for that dharma which has originated from the primordial deity and is the eldest among the worlds, I do not know how to perform it.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
indra uvāca॥
[इन्द्र (indra) - Indra; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Indra said;)
Indra said:
असैनिकोऽधर्मपरश्चरेथाः; परां गतिं लप्स्यसे चाप्रमत्तः। क्षात्रो धर्मो ह्यादिदेवात्प्रवृत्तः; पश्चादन्ये शेषभूताश्च धर्माः ॥१२-६४-२०॥
asainiko'dharmaparaś carethāḥ; parāṃ gatiṃ lapsyase cāpramattaḥ. kṣātro dharmo hyādidevāt pravṛttaḥ; paścādanye śeṣabhūtāś ca dharmāḥ ॥12-64-20॥
[असैनिकः (asainikaḥ) - not a warrior; अधर्मपरः (adharmaparaḥ) - engaged in unrighteousness; चरेथाः (carethāḥ) - you should act; पराम् (parām) - supreme; गतिम् (gatim) - state; लप्स्यसे (lapsyase) - you will attain; च (ca) - and; अप्रमत्तः (apramattaḥ) - being vigilant; क्षात्रः (kṣātraḥ) - of kṣatriya; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - duty; हि (hi) - indeed; आदि-देवात् (ādi-devāt) - from the primordial deity; प्रवृत्तः (pravṛttaḥ) - originated; पश्चात् (paścāt) - afterwards; अन्ये (anye) - other; शेष-भूताः (śeṣa-bhūtāḥ) - remaining; च (ca) - and; धर्माः (dharmāḥ) - duties;]
(Not a warrior, engaged in unrighteousness, you should act; the supreme state you will attain and being vigilant. The kṣatriya duty indeed originated from the primordial deity; afterwards, other remaining duties (originated).)
If you act as one who is not a warrior and devoted to unrighteousness, you will attain the highest state only if you remain vigilant. The kṣatriya's duty indeed originated from the primordial deity; all other duties arose later as remnants.
शेषाः सृष्टा ह्यन्तवन्तो ह्यनन्ताः; सुप्रस्थानाः क्षत्रधर्माविशिष्टाः। अस्मिन्धर्मे सर्वधर्माः प्रविष्टा; स्तस्माद्धर्मं श्रेष्ठमिमं वदन्ति ॥१२-६४-२१॥
śeṣāḥ sṛṣṭā hy-antavanto hy-anantāḥ; suprasthānāḥ kṣatradharmāviśiṣṭāḥ. asmindharme sarvadharmāḥ praviṣṭā; stasmāddharmaṃ śreṣṭhamimaṃ vadanti ॥12-64-21॥
[शेषाः (śeṣāḥ) - the remaining; सृष्टाः (sṛṣṭāḥ) - created; हि (hi) - indeed; अन्तवन्तः (antavantaḥ) - having an end; हि (hi) - indeed; अनन्ताः (anantāḥ) - endless; सुप्रस्थानाः (suprasthānāḥ) - well-established; क्षत्रधर्माविशिष्टाः (kṣatradharmāviśiṣṭāḥ) - distinguished by the kṣatriya-dharma; अस्मिन् (asmin) - in this; धर्मे (dharme) - dharma; सर्वधर्माः (sarvadharmāḥ) - all dharmas; प्रविष्टाः (praviṣṭāḥ) - entered; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - dharma; श्रेष्ठम् (śreṣṭham) - the best; इमम् (imam) - this; वदन्ति (vadanti) - they say;]
(The remaining (duties) indeed are created, having an end, indeed endless; well-established, distinguished by the kṣatriya-dharma. In this dharma, all dharmas have entered; therefore, they say this dharma is the best.)
The other duties are created and are both finite and infinite, well-established and marked by the kṣatriya-dharma. All duties are included in this dharma; therefore, this dharma is considered the best.
कर्मणा वै पुरा देवा ऋषयश्चामितौजसः। त्राताः सर्वे प्रमथ्यारीन्क्षत्रधर्मेण विष्णुना ॥१२-६४-२२॥
karmaṇā vai purā devā ṛṣayaś cāmitaujasaḥ। trātāḥ sarve pramathyārīn kṣatradharmeṇa viṣṇunā ॥12-64-22॥
[कर्मणा (karmaṇā) - by action; by deed; वै (vai) - indeed; truly; पुरा (purā) - formerly; in ancient times; देवाः (devāḥ) - the gods; ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ) - the sages; च (ca) - and; अमितौजसः (amita-ojasāḥ) - of immeasurable energy; त्राताः (trātāḥ) - were protected; were saved; सर्वे (sarve) - all; प्रमथ्य (pramathya) - having subdued; having vanquished; अरिन् (arin) - enemies; क्षत्रधर्मेण (kṣatra-dharmeṇa) - by the duty of the warrior; by the law of kṣatriya; विष्णुना (viṣṇunā) - by Viṣṇu;]
(By action indeed formerly the gods and sages of immeasurable energy, all were protected, having subdued enemies, by the duty of the warrior, by Viṣṇu.)
In ancient times, the gods and sages of immeasurable energy were all protected by Viṣṇu, who, by the law of the warrior, subdued their enemies through his actions.
यदि ह्यसौ भगवान्नाहनिष्य; द्रिपून्सर्वान्वसुमानप्रमेयः। न ब्राह्मणा न च लोकादिकर्ता; न सद्धर्मा नादिधर्मा भवेयुः ॥१२-६४-२३॥
yadi hyasau bhagavān nāhaniṣya; dṛpūn sarvān vasumān aprameyaḥ। na brāhmaṇā na ca lokādikartā; na saddharmā nādidarmā bhaveyuḥ ॥12-64-23॥
[यदि (yadi) - if; हि (hi) - indeed; असौ (asau) - he; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the Lord; न (na) - not; आहनिष्य (āhaniṣya) - would destroy; द्रिपून् (dṛpūn) - enemies; सर्वान् (sarvān) - all; वसुमान् (vasumān) - the possessor of wealth (the Earth); अप्रमेयः (aprameyaḥ) - immeasurable; न (na) - not; ब्राह्मणाः (brāhmaṇāḥ) - Brahmins; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; लोकादिकर्ता (lokādikartā) - creator of the worlds; न (na) - not; सद्धर्माः (saddharmāḥ) - true dharmas; न (na) - not; आदिधर्माः (ādidharmāḥ) - original dharmas; भवेयुः (bhaveyuḥ) - would exist;]
(If indeed he, the Lord, would not destroy all the enemies, the possessor of wealth, the immeasurable, then neither Brahmins, nor the creator of the worlds, nor true dharmas, nor original dharmas would exist.)
If the Lord, the immeasurable possessor of wealth, did not destroy all the enemies, then neither Brahmins, nor the creator of the worlds, nor true dharmas, nor original dharmas would exist.
इमामुर्वीं न जयेद्विक्रमेण; देवश्रेष्ठोऽसौ पुरा चेदमेयः। चातुर्वर्ण्यं चातुराश्रम्यधर्माः; सर्वे न स्युर्ब्रह्मणो वै विनाशात् ॥१२-६४-२४॥
imām urvīṃ na jayed vikrameṇa; devaśreṣṭho'sau purā ced ameyaḥ. cāturvarṇyaṃ cāturāśramyadharmāḥ; sarve na syur brahmaṇo vai vināśāt ॥12-64-24॥
[इमाम् (imām) - this; (accusative singular feminine) उर्वीम् (urvīṃ) - earth; (accusative singular feminine) न (na) - not; जयेत् (jayed) - should conquer; विक्रमेण (vikrameṇa) - by prowess; देवश्रेष्ठः (devaśreṣṭhaḥ) - the best among gods; असौ (asau) - he; पुरा (purā) - formerly; चेत् (cet) - if; अमेयः (ameyaḥ) - immeasurable; चातुर्वर्ण्यम् (cāturvarṇyam) - the fourfold caste system; चातुराश्रम्यधर्माः (cāturāśramyadharmāḥ) - the duties of the four āśramas; सर्वे (sarve) - all; न (na) - not; स्युः (syuḥ) - would be; ब्रह्मणः (brahmaṇaḥ) - of Brahman; वै (vai) - indeed; विनाशात् (vināśāt) - from destruction;]
(This earth should not be conquered by prowess; he, the best among gods, was formerly immeasurable if (so). The fourfold caste system and the duties of the four āśramas—all would not exist from the destruction of Brahman, indeed.)
This earth should not be conquered by force; formerly, even the greatest of gods was immeasurable if (so). If Brahman were destroyed, then the fourfold caste system and the duties of the four āśramas—all of these would cease to exist.
दृष्टा धर्माः शतधा शाश्वतेन; क्षात्रेण धर्मेण पुनः प्रवृत्ताः। युगे युगे ह्यादिधर्माः प्रवृत्ता; लोकज्येष्ठं क्षत्रधर्मं वदन्ति ॥१२-६४-२५॥
dṛṣṭā dharmāḥ śatadhā śāśvatena; kṣātreṇa dharmeṇa punaḥ pravṛttāḥ। yuge yuge hyādidharmāḥ pravṛttā; lokajyeṣṭhaṃ kṣatradharmaṃ vadanti ॥12-64-25॥
[दृष्टा (dṛṣṭā) - seen; धर्माः (dharmāḥ) - dharmas; शतधा (śatadhā) - in a hundred ways; शाश्वतेन (śāśvatena) - by the eternal; क्षात्रेण (kṣātreṇa) - by the kṣatriya; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by dharma; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; प्रवृत्ताः (pravṛttāḥ) - set forth; युगे युगे (yuge yuge) - in every age; हि (hi) - indeed; आदिधर्माः (ādidharmāḥ) - original dharmas; प्रवृत्ता (pravṛttā) - set forth; लोकज्येष्ठम् (lokajyeṣṭham) - the eldest in the world; क्षत्रधर्मम् (kṣatradharmam) - kṣatriya dharma; वदन्ति (vadanti) - they say;]
(Seen dharmas in a hundred ways by the eternal; by the kṣatriya dharma again set forth. In every age indeed the original dharmas set forth; the eldest in the world, kṣatriya dharma, they say.)
The dharmas have been seen in a hundred ways by the eternal, and by the kṣatriya dharma they have been set forth again. In every age, indeed, the original dharmas are set forth; they say that the kṣatriya dharma is the eldest in the world.
आत्मत्यागः सर्वभूतानुकम्पा; लोकज्ञानं मोक्षणं पालनं च। विषण्णानां मोक्षणं पीडितानां; क्षात्रे धर्मे विद्यते पार्थिवानाम् ॥१२-६४-२६॥
ātmatyāgaḥ sarvabhūtānukampā; lokajñānaṃ mokṣaṇaṃ pālanaṃ ca. viṣaṇṇānāṃ mokṣaṇaṃ pīḍitānāṃ; kṣātre dharme vidyate pārthivānām ॥12-64-26॥
[आत्मत्यागः (ātmatyāgaḥ) - self-sacrifice; सर्वभूतानुकम्पा (sarvabhūtānukampā) - compassion for all beings; लोकज्ञानम् (lokajñānam) - knowledge of the world; मोक्षणम् (mokṣaṇam) - liberation; पालनम् (pālanam) - protection; च (ca) - and; विषण्णानाम् (viṣaṇṇānām) - of the distressed; मोक्षणम् (mokṣaṇam) - liberation; पीडितानाम् (pīḍitānām) - of the afflicted; क्षात्रे (kṣātre) - in the kṣatriya (warrior) order; धर्मे (dharme) - in the dharma; विद्यते (vidyate) - exists; पार्थिवानाम् (pārthivānām) - of kings;]
(Self-sacrifice; compassion for all beings; knowledge of the world, liberation, and protection; liberation of the distressed, of the afflicted; in the kṣatriya dharma exists for kings.)
Self-sacrifice, compassion for all beings, knowledge of the world, liberation, and protection, as well as the liberation of the distressed and afflicted, are found in the kṣatriya dharma of kings.
निर्मर्यादाः काममन्युप्रवृत्ता; भीता राज्ञो नाधिगच्छन्ति पापम्। शिष्टाश्चान्ये सर्वधर्मोपपन्नाः; साध्वाचाराः साधु धर्मं चरन्ति ॥१२-६४-२७॥
nirmaryādāḥ kāmamanyupravṛttā; bhītā rājño nādhigacchanti pāpam। śiṣṭāścānye sarvadharmopapannāḥ; sādhvācārāḥ sādhu dharmaṃ caranti ॥12-64-27॥
[निर्मर्यादाः (nirmaryādāḥ) - without-restraint; काम (kāma) - desire; मन्यु (manyu) - anger; प्रवृत्ता (pravṛttā) - engaged-in; भीता (bhītā) - afraid; राज्ञः (rājñaḥ) - of-the-king; न (na) - not; अधिगच्छन्ति (adhigacchanti) - attain; पापम् (pāpam) - sin; शिष्टाः (śiṣṭāḥ) - the-noble; च (ca) - and; अन्ये (anye) - others; सर्वधर्मोपपन्नाः (sarvadharmopapannāḥ) - endowed-with-all-virtues; साध्वाचाराः (sādhvācārāḥ) - of-good-conduct; साधु (sādhu) - good; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - dharma; चरन्ति (caranti) - practice;]
(Those without restraint, engaged in desire and anger, afraid of the king, do not attain sin. The noble and others endowed with all virtues, of good conduct, practice good dharma.)
Those who lack restraint and are driven by desire and anger, fearing the king, do not incur sin. The noble and others endowed with all virtues and good conduct practice righteous dharma.
पुत्रवत्परिपाल्यानि लिङ्गधर्मेण पार्थिवैः। लोके भूतानि सर्वाणि विचरन्ति न संशयः ॥१२-६४-२८॥
putravatparipālyāni liṅgadharmeṇa pārthivaiḥ। loke bhūtāni sarvāṇi vicaranti na saṁśayaḥ॥12-64-28॥
[पुत्रवत् (putravat) - like a son; परिपाल्यानि (paripālyāni) - to be protected; लिङ्गधर्मेण (liṅgadharmeṇa) - by the characteristic duty; पार्थिवैः (pārthivaiḥ) - by kings; लोके (loke) - in the world; भूतानि (bhūtāni) - beings; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; विचरन्ति (vicaranti) - move about; न (na) - not; संशयः (saṁśayaḥ) - doubt;]
(Like a son, to be protected by the characteristic duty by kings, in the world all beings move about, not (is there) doubt.)
All beings in the world move about under the protection of kings, according to their characteristic duties, just as sons are cared for; there is no doubt about this.
सर्वधर्मपरं क्षत्रं लोकज्येष्ठं सनातनम्। शश्वदक्षरपर्यन्तमक्षरं सर्वतोमुखम् ॥१२-६४-२९॥
sarvadharmaparaṃ kṣatraṃ lokajyeṣṭhaṃ sanātanam। śaśvadakṣaraparyantamakṣaraṃ sarvatomukham ॥12-64-29॥
[सर्वधर्मपरम् (sarvadharmaparam) - supreme over all dharmas; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - the kṣatriya order; लोकज्येष्ठम् (lokajyeṣṭham) - eldest among the worlds; सनातनम् (sanātanam) - eternal; शश्वत् (śaśvat) - perpetual; अक्षरपर्यन्तम् (akṣaraparyantam) - up to the imperishable; अक्षरम् (akṣaram) - imperishable; सर्वतोमुखम् (sarvatomukham) - facing all directions;]
(The kṣatriya order, supreme over all dharmas, eldest among the worlds, eternal, perpetual, up to the imperishable, the imperishable, facing all directions.)
The kṣatriya order is supreme over all dharmas, the eldest among the worlds, eternal and perpetual, extending up to and including the imperishable, and is present everywhere, facing all directions.
