12.065
Library: Continued conversation between King Madhata and Indra, elaborating on the governance of thieves and others who deviate from the path.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
indra uvāca॥
[इन्द्र (indra) - Indra; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Indra said;)
Indra said:
एवंवीर्यः सर्वधर्मोपपन्नः; क्षात्रः श्रेष्ठः सर्वधर्मेषु धर्मः। पाल्यो युष्माभिर्लोकसिंहैरुदारै; र्विपर्यये स्यादभावः प्रजानाम् ॥१२-६५-१॥
evaṃvīryaḥ sarvadharmopapannaḥ; kṣātraḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadharmeṣu dharmaḥ. pālyo yuṣmābhirlokasiṃhairudāraiḥ; viparyaye syādabhāvaḥ prajānām ॥12-65-1॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; वीर्यः (vīryaḥ) - strength; सर्वधर्मोपपन्नः (sarvadharmopapannaḥ) - endowed with all virtues; क्षात्रः (kṣātraḥ) - of kṣatriya (warrior) order; श्रेष्ठः (śreṣṭhaḥ) - the best; सर्वधर्मेषु (sarvadharmeṣu) - among all virtues; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - righteousness; पाल्यः (pālyaḥ) - to be protected; युष्माभिः (yuṣmābhiḥ) - by you; लोकसिंहैः (lokasiṃhaiḥ) - by the lions among men; उदारैः (udāraiḥ) - by the noble; विपर्यये (viparyaye) - in the opposite case; स्यात् (syāt) - there would be; अभावः (abhāvaḥ) - non-existence; प्रजानाम् (prajānām) - of the subjects;]
(Thus, strength endowed with all virtues; the kṣatriya righteousness is the best among all virtues. The subjects are to be protected by you, noble lions among men; in the opposite case, there would be non-existence of the subjects.)
Thus, strength endowed with all virtues; the kṣatriya's righteousness is the highest among all virtues. You, noble lions among men, must protect the people; otherwise, the people would cease to exist.
भुवः संस्कारं राजसंस्कारयोग; मभैक्षचर्यां पालनं च प्रजानाम्। विद्याद्राजा सर्वभूतानुकम्पां; देहत्यागं चाहवे धर्ममग्र्यम् ॥१२-६५-२॥
bhuvaḥ saṃskāraṃ rājasaṃskārayoga; mabhaikṣacaryāṃ pālanaṃ ca prajānām। vidyādrājā sarvabhūtānukampāṃ; dehatyāgaṃ cāhave dharmamagryam ॥12-65-2॥
[भुवः (bhuvaḥ) - of the earth; संस्कारं (saṃskāraṃ) - refinement; राजसंस्कारयोग (rājasaṃskārayoga) - union with royal consecration; मभैक्षचर्यां (mabhaikṣacaryāṃ) - do not (ma) mendicancy (bhikṣācaryāṃ); पालनं (pālanaṃ) - protection; च (ca) - and; प्रजानाम् (prajānām) - of the subjects; विद्याद्राजा (vidyādrājā) - the king should know; सर्वभूतानुकम्पां (sarvabhūtānukampāṃ) - compassion for all beings; देहत्यागं (dehatyāgaṃ) - abandonment of the body; च (ca) - and; अहवे (ahave) - in battle; धर्ममग्र्यम् (dharmamagryam) - the highest dharma;]
(Of the earth, refinement, union with royal consecration; not mendicancy, protection and of the subjects. The king should know compassion for all beings; abandonment of the body and in battle, the highest dharma.)
The king should understand that the refinement of the earth is achieved through royal consecration, not by mendicancy, and that protecting the subjects is his duty. He should know that compassion for all beings and sacrificing his body in battle constitute the highest dharma.
त्यागं श्रेष्ठं मुनयो वै वदन्ति; सर्वश्रेष्ठो यः शरीरं त्यजेत। नित्यं त्यक्तं राजधर्मेषु सर्वं; प्रत्यक्षं ते भूमिपालाः सदैते ॥१२-६५-३॥
tyāgaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ munayo vai vadanti; sarvaśreṣṭho yaḥ śarīraṃ tyajet. nityaṃ tyaktaṃ rājadharmeṣu sarvaṃ; pratyakṣaṃ te bhūmipālāḥ sadaite ॥12-65-3॥
[त्यागं (tyāgam) - renunciation; श्रेष्ठं (śreṣṭham) - the best; मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages; वै (vai) - indeed; वदन्ति (vadanti) - say; सर्वश्रेष्ठः (sarvaśreṣṭhaḥ) - the most excellent; यः (yaḥ) - who; शरीरं (śarīram) - body; त्यजेत् (tyajet) - abandons; नित्यं (nityam) - always; त्यक्तं (tyaktam) - abandoned; राजधर्मेषु (rājadharmeṣu) - in royal duties; सर्वं (sarvam) - all; प्रत्यक्षं (pratyakṣam) - manifest; ते (te) - your; भूमिपालाः (bhūmipālāḥ) - kings; सदैते (sadaite) - always these; ॥१२-६५-३॥ (॥12-65-3॥) - ;]
(Renunciation the best sages indeed say; the most excellent is he who abandons the body. Always abandoned in royal duties all; manifest your kings always these.)
The sages indeed say that renunciation is the best; the one who abandons the body is the most excellent. In royal duties, everything is always abandoned; this is evident to you, O kings, always.
बहुश्रुत्या गुरुशुश्रूषया वा; परस्य वा संहननाद्वदन्ति। नित्यं धर्मं क्षत्रियो ब्रह्मचारी; चरेदेको ह्याश्रमं धर्मकामः ॥१२-६५-४॥
bahuśrutyā guruśuśrūṣayā vā; parasya vā saṃhananād vadanti. nityaṃ dharmaṃ kṣatriyo brahmacārī; cared eko hy āśramaṃ dharmakāmaḥ ॥12-65-4॥
[बहुश्रुत्या (bahuśrutyā) - by much hearing; by extensive study; गुरुशुश्रूषया (guruśuśrūṣayā) - by service to the teacher; वा (vā) - or; परस्य (parasya) - of another; वा (vā) - or; संहननात् (saṃhananāt) - from association; वदन्ति (vadanti) - they say; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; धर्मं (dharmaṃ) - duty; righteousness; क्षत्रियः (kṣatriyaḥ) - a Kṣatriya; ब्रह्मचारी (brahmacārī) - a celibate student; चरेत् (caret) - should practice; एकः (ekaḥ) - alone; हि (hi) - indeed; आश्रमं (āśramaṃ) - the stage of life; धर्मकामः (dharmakāmaḥ) - one desiring righteousness;]
(By much hearing, by service to the teacher, or by association with another, they say. Always, a Kṣatriya or a celibate student, desiring righteousness, should practice the stage of life alone.)
It is said that knowledge is gained by extensive study, by serving the teacher, or by association with others. A Kṣatriya or a celibate student, always desiring righteousness, should practice his stage of life alone.
सामान्यार्थे व्यवहारे प्रवृत्ते; प्रियाप्रिये वर्जयन्नेव यत्नात्। चातुर्वर्ण्यस्थापनात्पालनाच्च; तैस्तैर्योगैर्नियमैरौरसैश्च ॥१२-६५-५॥
sāmānyārthe vyavahāre pravṛtte; priyāpriye varjayanneva yatnāt. cāturvarṇyasthāpanātpālanācca; taistairyogairniyamairaurasaiśca ॥12-65-5॥
[सामान्य-अर्थे (sāmānya-arthe) - in the general sense; व्यवहारे (vyavahāre) - in conduct; प्रवृत्ते (pravṛtte) - when engaged; प्रिय-अप्रिये (priya-apriye) - pleasant and unpleasant; वर्जयन्-एव (varjayan-eva) - avoiding indeed; यत्नात् (yatnāt) - with effort; चातुर्वर्ण्य-स्थापनात्-पालनात्-च (cāturvarṇya-sthāpanāt-pālanāt-ca) - from establishment and protection of the four varṇas and also; तैः-तैः-योगैः-नियमैः-औरसैः-च (taiḥ-taiḥ-yogaiḥ-niyamaiḥ-aurasaiḥ-ca) - by those various unions, rules, and by natural (means) and also;]
(In the general sense, when engaged in conduct, avoiding indeed the pleasant and unpleasant with effort; from the establishment and protection of the four varṇas and also by those various unions, rules, and by natural (means) and also.)
When acting in general conduct, one should diligently avoid both the pleasant and the unpleasant; and through the establishment and protection of the four varṇas, as well as by various unions, rules, and natural means.
सर्वोद्योगैराश्रमं धर्ममाहुः; क्षात्रं ज्येष्ठं सर्वधर्मोपपन्नम्। स्वं स्वं धर्मं ये न चरन्ति वर्णा; स्तांस्तान्धर्मानयथावद्वदन्ति ॥१२-६५-६॥
sarvodyogair āśramaṃ dharmam āhuḥ; kṣātraṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ sarvadharmopapannam। svaṃ svaṃ dharmaṃ ye na caranti varṇā; tāṃs tān dharmān ayathāvad vadanti ॥12-65-6॥
[सर्वोद्योगैः (sarvodyogaiḥ) - by all efforts; आश्रमं (āśramam) - āśrama (stage of life); धर्मम् (dharmam) - duty; आहुः (āhuḥ) - they say; क्षात्रं (kṣātram) - kṣātra (warrior's); ज्येष्ठम् (jyeṣṭham) - the eldest; सर्वधर्मोपपन्नम् (sarvadharmopapannam) - endowed with all duties; स्वं स्वं (svaṃ svaṃ) - each his own; धर्मम् (dharmam) - duty; ये (ye) - those who; न (na) - not; चरन्ति (caranti) - perform; वर्णाः (varṇāḥ) - classes; तान् तान् (tān tān) - those respective; धर्मान् (dharmān) - duties; अयथावद् (ayathāvad) - not properly; वदन्ति (vadanti) - they declare;]
(By all efforts, they say the āśrama is duty; the kṣātra (warrior's) is the eldest, endowed with all duties. Those classes who do not perform each his own duty, those respective duties they declare not properly.)
It is said that the āśrama is duty by all efforts; the kṣātra (warrior's) is considered the highest, endowed with all duties. Those classes who do not perform their own respective duties, those duties are not properly declared for them.
निर्मर्यादे नित्यमर्थे विनष्टा; नाहुस्तान्वै पशुभूतान्मनुष्यान्। यथा नीतिं गमयत्यर्थलोभा; च्छ्रेयांस्तस्मादाश्रमः क्षत्रधर्मः ॥१२-६५-७॥
nirmaryāde nityamarthe vinaṣṭā; nāhustānvai paśubhūtānmanuṣyān। yathā nītiṃ gamayatyarthalobhā; chchreyāṃstasmādāśramaḥ kṣatradharmaḥ ॥12-65-7॥
[निर्मर्यादे (nirmaryāde) - without-boundaries; नित्यमर्थे (nityamarthe) - always-in-wealth; विनष्टा (vinaṣṭā) - destroyed; न (na) - not; आहुः (āhuḥ) - they-say; तान् (tān) - them; वै (vai) - indeed; पशुभूतान् (paśubhūtān) - become-like-animals; मनुष्यान् (manuṣyān) - humans; यथा (yathā) - just-as; नीतिं (nītiṃ) - conduct; गमयति (gamayati) - leads; अर्थलोभा (arthalobhā) - greed-for-wealth; च्छ्रेयांस् (chchreyāṃs) - better; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; आश्रमः (āśramaḥ) - āśrama; क्षत्रधर्मः (kṣatradharmaḥ) - kṣatriya-duty;]
(Without boundaries, always in wealth, destroyed; not they say them indeed become-like-animals humans. Just as conduct leads greed-for-wealth; better therefore āśrama kṣatriya-duty.)
Humans who are always intent on wealth without boundaries are said to be destroyed and become like animals. Just as greed for wealth leads conduct, therefore the āśrama and the kṣatriya's duty are better.
त्रैविद्यानां या गतिर्ब्राह्मणानां; यश्चैवोक्तोऽथाश्रमो ब्राह्मणानाम्। एतत्कर्म ब्राह्मणस्याहुरग्र्य; मन्यत्कुर्वञ्शूद्रवच्छस्त्रवध्यः ॥१२-६५-८॥
traividyānāṃ yā gatirbrāhmaṇānāṃ; yaścaivokto'thāśramo brāhmaṇānām. etatkarma brāhmaṇasyāhuragrya; manyatkurvañśūdravacchastravadhyaḥ ॥12-65-8॥
[त्रैविद्यानाम् (traividyānām) - of those versed in the three Vedas; या (yā) - which; गतिः (gatiḥ) - goal; ब्राह्मणानाम् (brāhmaṇānām) - of Brāhmaṇas; यः (yaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; उक्तः (uktaḥ) - is said; अथ (atha) - also; आश्रमः (āśramaḥ) - stage of life; ब्राह्मणानाम् (brāhmaṇānām) - of Brāhmaṇas; एतत् (etat) - this; कर्म (karma) - action; ब्राह्मणस्य (brāhmaṇasya) - of a Brāhmaṇa; आहुः (āhuḥ) - they say; अग्र्य (agrya) - excellent; मन्यत् (manyat) - who thinks; कुर्वन् (kurvan) - doing; शूद्रवत् (śūdravat) - like a Śūdra; शस्त्रवध्यः (śastravadhyaḥ) - deserving to be killed by weapons;]
(The goal of those versed in the three Vedas, which is also said to be the stage of life of Brāhmaṇas; this action is said to be excellent for a Brāhmaṇa. Whoever, doing this, thinks like a Śūdra, is deserving to be killed by weapons.)
The state attained by those who know the three Vedas, and the prescribed stage of life for Brāhmaṇas—this is considered the highest duty for a Brāhmaṇa. But if one acts like a Śūdra in this regard, he is deemed worthy of capital punishment.
चातुराश्रम्यधर्माश्च वेदधर्माश्च पार्थिव। ब्राह्मणेनानुगन्तव्या नान्यो विद्यात्कथञ्चन ॥१२-६५-९॥
cāturāśramyadharmāś ca vedadharmāś ca pārthiva। brāhmaṇenānugantavyā nānyo vidyāt kathaṃcana ॥12-65-9॥
[चातुराश्रम्यधर्माः (cāturāśramyadharmāḥ) - duties of the four āśramas; च (ca) - and; वेदधर्माः (vedadharmāḥ) - duties prescribed by the Vedas; च (ca) - and; पार्थिव (pārthiva) - O king; ब्राह्मणेन (brāhmaṇena) - by a brāhmaṇa; अनुगन्तव्या (anugantavyā) - are to be followed; न (na) - not; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - another; विद्यात् (vidyāt) - should know; कथञ्चन (kathaṃcana) - in any way;]
(Duties of the four āśramas and duties prescribed by the Vedas, O king, are to be followed by a brāhmaṇa; another should not know (follow) them in any way.)
O king, the duties of the four āśramas and those prescribed by the Vedas are to be followed by a brāhmaṇa; no one else should ever observe them.
अन्यथा वर्तमानस्य न सा वृत्तिः प्रकल्प्यते। कर्मणा व्यज्यते धर्मो यथैव श्वा तथैव सः ॥१२-६५-१०॥
anyathā vartamānasya na sā vṛttiḥ prakalpyate। karmaṇā vyajyate dharmo yathaiva śvā tathaiva saḥ ॥12-65-10॥
[अन्यथा (anyathā) - otherwise; in another way; वर्तमानस्य (vartamānasya) - of the present; of one who is existing; न (na) - not; सा (sā) - that; she; वृत्तिः (vṛttiḥ) - conduct; behavior; state; प्रकल्प्यते (prakalpyate) - is considered; is assumed; कर्मणा (karmaṇā) - by action; by deed; व्यज्यते (vyajyate) - is revealed; is manifested; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; righteousness; virtue; यथा (yathā) - just as; एव (eva) - indeed; exactly; श्वा (śvā) - dog; तथा (tathā) - so; in that way; एव (eva) - indeed; exactly; सः (saḥ) - he; that one;]
(Otherwise, the conduct of the present is not considered that. By action, dharma is revealed, just as a dog, so indeed is he.)
Otherwise, the present conduct is not regarded as such. Dharma is revealed by action; just as a dog is known by its actions, so is he.
यो विकर्मस्थितो विप्रो न स सन्मानमर्हति। कर्मस्वनुपयुञ्जानमविश्वास्यं हि तं विदुः ॥१२-६५-११॥
yo vikarmasthito vipro na sa sanmānamarhati। karmasvanupayuñjānamaviśvāsyaṃ hi taṃ viduḥ ॥12-65-11॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; विकर्मस्थितः (vikarmasthitaḥ) - engaged in improper actions; विप्रः (vipraḥ) - brāhmaṇa; न (na) - not; सः (saḥ) - he; सन्मानम् (sanmānam) - honor; अर्हति (arhati) - deserves; कर्मसु (karmasu) - in actions; अनुपयुञ्जानम् (anupayuñjānam) - not properly engaging; अविश्वास्यम् (aviśvāsyam) - untrustworthy; हि (hi) - indeed; तम् (tam) - him; विदुः (viduḥ) - they know;]
(Who is a brāhmaṇa engaged in improper actions, he does not deserve honor. Him, not properly engaging in actions, untrustworthy indeed, they know.)
A brāhmaṇa who engages in improper actions does not deserve honor; one who does not properly perform his duties is indeed considered untrustworthy.
एते धर्माः सर्ववर्णाश्च वीरै; रुत्क्रष्टव्याः क्षत्रियैरेष धर्मः। तस्माज्ज्येष्ठा राजधर्मा न चान्ये; वीर्यज्येष्ठा वीरधर्मा मता मे ॥१२-६५-१२॥
ete dharmāḥ sarvavarṇāś ca vīraiḥ utkraṣṭavyāḥ kṣatriyaiḥ eṣa dharmaḥ। tasmāt jyeṣṭhā rājadharmā na ca anye; vīryajyeṣṭhā vīradharmā matā me ॥12-65-12॥
[एते (ete) - these; धर्माः (dharmāḥ) - dharmas; सर्ववर्णाः (sarvavarṇāḥ) - all varṇas; च (ca) - and; वीरैः (vīraiḥ) - by heroes; उत्क्रष्टव्याः (utkraṣṭavyāḥ) - to be surpassed; क्षत्रियैः (kṣatriyaiḥ) - by kṣatriyas; एष (eṣa) - this; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; ज्येष्ठा (jyeṣṭhā) - eldest; राजधर्मा (rājadharmā) - kingly dharmas; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; अन्ये (anye) - others; वीर्यज्येष्ठा (vīryajyeṣṭhā) - eldest by valor; वीरधर्मा (vīradharmā) - heroic dharmas; मता (matā) - regarded; मे (me) - by me;]
(These dharmas of all varṇas are to be surpassed by heroes; this is the dharma to be surpassed by kṣatriyas. Therefore, kingly dharmas are the eldest, not others; heroic dharmas are regarded as eldest by valor by me.)
These duties of all classes are to be excelled by heroes; this is the duty to be excelled by kṣatriyas. Therefore, royal duties are the foremost, not others; I consider heroic duties as the foremost by valor.
मान्धातोवाच॥
māndhātovāca॥
[मान्धातः (māndhātaḥ) - Māndhāta (proper name); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Māndhāta said;)
Māndhāta said:
यवनाः किराता गान्धाराश्चीनाः शबरबर्बराः। शकास्तुषाराः कह्वाश्च पह्लवाश्चान्ध्रमद्रकाः ॥१२-६५-१३॥
yavanāḥ kirātā gāndhārāś cīnāḥ śabara-barbarāḥ। śakās tuṣārāḥ kahvāś ca pahlavāś cāndhramadrakāḥ ॥12-65-13॥
[यवनाः (yavanāḥ) - Greeks; (foreigners); किराताः (kirātāḥ) - Kirātas; (mountain tribes); गान्धाराः (gāndhārāḥ) - Gandhāras; (people of Gandhāra region); च (ca) - and; चीनाः (cīnāḥ) - Chinese; (people of China); शबर (śabara) - Śabaras; (forest tribes); बर्बराः (barbarāḥ) - Barbaras; (barbaric tribes); शकाः (śakāḥ) - Śakas; (Scythians); तुषाराः (tuṣārāḥ) - Tuṣāras; (northern tribes); कह्वाः (kahvāḥ) - Kahvas; (tribal group); च (ca) - and; पह्लवाः (pahlavāḥ) - Pahlavas; (Parthians); च (ca) - and; आन्ध्रमद्रकाः (āndhramadrakāḥ) - Āndhramadrakas; (Andhra and Madraka tribes);]
(Greeks, Kirātas, Gandhāras, and Chinese, Śabaras, Barbaras, Śakas, Tuṣāras, Kahvas, and Pahlavas, and Āndhramadrakas.)
The Greeks, Kirātas, Gandhāras, Chinese, Śabaras, Barbaras, Śakas, Tuṣāras, Kahvas, Pahlavas, and Āndhramadrakas (Andhra and Madraka tribes) are mentioned here as various peoples or tribes.
ओड्राः पुलिन्दा रमठाः काचा म्लेच्छाश्च सर्वशः। ब्रह्मक्षत्रप्रसूताश्च वैश्याः शूद्राश्च मानवाः ॥१२-६५-१४॥
oḍrāḥ pulindā ramaṭhāḥ kācā mlecchāś ca sarvaśaḥ। brahmakṣatraprasūtāś ca vaiśyāḥ śūdrāś ca mānavāḥ ॥12-65-14॥
[ओड्राः (oḍrāḥ) - Odras; (a people) पुलिन्दाः (pulindāḥ) - Pulindas; (a people) रमठाः (ramaṭhāḥ) - Ramaṭhas; (a people) काचाः (kācāḥ) - Kachas; (a people) म्लेच्छाः (mlecchāḥ) - Mlecchas; (foreigners;) च (ca) - and; सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ) - entirely; ब्रह्मक्षत्रप्रसूताः (brahmakṣatraprasūtāḥ) - born from Brahmins and Kshatriyas; च (ca) - and; वैश्याः (vaiśyāḥ) - Vaishyas; शूद्राः (śūdrāḥ) - Shudras; च (ca) - and; मानवाः (mānavāḥ) - humans;]
(Odras, Pulindas, Ramaṭhas, Kachas, and Mlecchas entirely; and those born from Brahmins and Kshatriyas, and Vaishyas, and Shudras, and humans.)
The Odras, Pulindas, Ramaṭhas, Kachas, and all Mlecchas; as well as those born from Brahmins and Kshatriyas, Vaishyas, Shudras, and all humans.
कथं धर्मं चरेयुस्ते सर्वे विषयवासिनः। मद्विधैश्च कथं स्थाप्याः सर्वे ते दस्युजीविनः ॥१२-६५-१५॥
kathaṁ dharmaṁ careyus te sarve viṣayavāsinaḥ। madvidhaiś ca kathaṁ sthāpyāḥ sarve te dasyujīvinaḥ॥12-65-15॥
[कथं (kathaṁ) - how; धर्मं (dharmaṁ) - dharma; चरेयुः (careyuḥ) - should practice; ते (te) - they; सर्वे (sarve) - all; विषयवासिनः (viṣayavāsinaḥ) - those dwelling in sense-objects; मद्विधैः (madvidhaiḥ) - by those like me; च (ca) - and; कथं (kathaṁ) - how; स्थाप्याः (sthāpyāḥ) - should be established; सर्वे (sarve) - all; ते (te) - they; दस्युजीविनः (dasyujīvinaḥ) - those living like bandits;]
(How should all those dwelling in sense-objects practice dharma? And by those like me, how should all those living like bandits be established?)
How can all those who dwell in sense-objects practice dharma? And by people like me, how can all those who live like bandits be brought under control?
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं भगवंस्तद्ब्रवीहि मे। त्वं बन्धुभूतो ह्यस्माकं क्षत्रियाणां सुरेश्वर ॥१२-६५-१६॥
etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ bhagavaṃstadbravīhi me। tvaṃ bandhubhūto hyasmākaṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ sureśvara ॥12-65-16॥
[एतत् (etat) - this; इच्छामि (icchāmi) - I desire; अहम् (aham) - I; श्रोतुम् (śrotum) - to hear; भगवन् (bhagavan) - O revered one; तत् (tat) - that; ब्रवीहि (bravīhi) - please speak; मे (me) - to me; त्वम् (tvam) - you; बन्धु (bandhu) - kinsman; भूतः (bhūtaḥ) - having become; हि (hi) - indeed; अस्माकम् (asmākam) - of us; क्षत्रियाणाम् (kṣatriyāṇām) - of the kṣatriyas; सुरेश्वर (sureśvara) - O lord of the gods;]
(This I desire to hear, O revered one, that please speak to me. You, having become a kinsman indeed of us kṣatriyas, O lord of the gods.)
O lord of the gods, I wish to hear this from you. Please tell me, for you have indeed become a kinsman to us kṣatriyas.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
indra uvāca॥
[इन्द्र (indra) - Indra; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Indra said;)
Indra said:
मातापित्रोर्हि कर्तव्या शुश्रूषा सर्वदस्युभिः। आचार्यगुरुशुश्रूषा तथैवाश्रमवासिनाम् ॥१२-६५-१७॥
mātāpitror hi kartavyā śuśrūṣā sarvadasyubhiḥ। ācāryaguruśuśrūṣā tathaivāśramavāsinām ॥12-65-17॥
[मातापित्रोः (mātāpitror) - of mother and father; हि (hi) - indeed; कर्तव्या (kartavyā) - should be done; शुश्रूषा (śuśrūṣā) - service; सर्वदस्युभिः (sarvadasyubhiḥ) - by all disciples; आचार्यगुरुशुश्रूषा (ācāryaguruśuśrūṣā) - service to teacher and preceptor; तथैव (tathaiva) - likewise; आश्रमवासिनाम् (āśramavāsinām) - of the dwellers in the hermitage;]
(Service to mother and father indeed should be done by all disciples; likewise, service to teacher and preceptor, and to the dwellers in the hermitage.)
All disciples should indeed serve their mother and father; likewise, they should serve their teachers, preceptors, and the dwellers of the hermitage.
भूमिपालानां च शुश्रूषा कर्तव्या सर्वदस्युभिः। वेदधर्मक्रियाश्चैव तेषां धर्मो विधीयते ॥१२-६५-१८॥
bhūmipālānāṃ ca śuśrūṣā kartavyā sarvadasyubhiḥ। vedadharmakriyāścaiva teṣāṃ dharmo vidhīyate ॥12-65-18॥
[भूमिपालानाम् (bhūmipālānām) - of kings; च (ca) - and; शुश्रूषा (śuśrūṣā) - service; कर्तव्या (kartavyā) - to be performed; सर्वदस्युभिः (sarvadasyubhiḥ) - by all bandits; वेदधर्मक्रियाः (vedadharmakriyāḥ) - Vedic religious acts; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; तेषाम् (teṣām) - their; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - duty; विधीयते (vidhīyate) - is prescribed;]
(Service to kings is to be performed by all bandits; and indeed, Vedic religious acts are prescribed as their duty.)
All bandits must serve the kings; for them, performing Vedic religious duties is prescribed as their righteous conduct.
पितृयज्ञास्तथा कूपाः प्रपाश्च शयनानि च। दानानि च यथाकालं द्विजेषु दद्युरेव ते ॥१२-६५-१९॥
pitṛyajñās tathā kūpāḥ prapāś ca śayanāni ca। dānāni ca yathākālaṃ dvijeṣu dadyur eva te ॥12-65-19॥
[पितृयज्ञाः (pitṛyajñāḥ) - ancestral rites; (sacrifices to the ancestors); तथा (tathā) - likewise; in the same way; कूपाः (kūpāḥ) - wells; प्रपाः (prapāḥ) - watering places; (resting places with water); च (ca) - and; शयनानि (śayanāni) - beds; resting places; च (ca) - and; दानानि (dānāni) - gifts; donations; च (ca) - and; यथाकालम् (yathākālam) - at the proper time; द्विजेषु (dvijeṣu) - to the twice-born; (Brahmins); दद्युः (dadyuḥ) - should give; एव (eva) - indeed; certainly; ते (te) - they;]
(Ancestral rites, likewise wells, watering places, and beds, and gifts also at the proper time to the twice-born they should indeed give.)
They should indeed perform ancestral rites, construct wells, watering places, beds, and give gifts to the twice-born at the proper time.
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोधो वृत्तिदायानुपालनम्। भरणं पुत्रदाराणां शौचमद्रोह एव च ॥१२-६५-२०॥
ahiṁsā satyam akrodho vṛttidāyānupālanam। bharaṇaṁ putradārāṇāṁ śaucam adroha eva ca ॥12-65-20॥
[अहिंसा (ahiṁsā) - non-injury; सत्य (satya) - truth; अक्रोध (akrodha) - absence of anger; वृत्तिदाय (vṛttidāya) - to the provider of livelihood; अनुपालनम् (anupālanam) - observance; भरणम् (bharaṇam) - maintenance; पुत्रदाराणाम् (putradārāṇām) - of sons and wives; शौचम् (śaucam) - purity; अद्रोह (adroha) - absence of malice; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and;]
(Non-injury, truth, absence of anger, observance towards the provider of livelihood, maintenance of sons and wives, purity, absence of malice, indeed, and.)
Non-violence, truthfulness, absence of anger, fulfilling the duties towards the provider of livelihood, supporting one's sons and wives, purity, and complete absence of malice—these indeed are to be observed.
दक्षिणा सर्वयज्ञानां दातव्या भूतिमिच्छता। पाकयज्ञा महार्हाश्च कर्तव्याः सर्वदस्युभिः ॥१२-६५-२१॥
dakṣiṇā sarvayajñānāṃ dātavyā bhūtimicchatā। pākayajñā mahārhāś ca kartavyāḥ sarvadasyubhiḥ ॥12-65-21॥
[दक्षिणा (dakṣiṇā) - offering; (ritual) fee; सर्वयज्ञानां (sarvayajñānāṃ) - of all sacrifices; दातव्या (dātavyā) - to be given; भूतिम् (bhūtim) - prosperity; इच्छता (icchatā) - by one desiring; पाकयज्ञाः (pākayajñāḥ) - cooking-sacrifices; महार्हाः (mahārhāḥ) - very costly; च (ca) - and; कर्तव्याः (kartavyāḥ) - to be performed; सर्वदस्युभिः (sarvadasyubhiḥ) - by all robbers;]
(Offering is to be given for all sacrifices by one desiring prosperity. Cooking-sacrifices, very costly and to be performed by all robbers.)
One who desires prosperity should give offerings for all sacrifices. Cooking-sacrifices, which are very costly, should also be performed by all robbers.
एतान्येवम्प्रकाराणि विहितानि पुरानघ। सर्वलोकस्य कर्माणि कर्तव्यानीह पार्थिव ॥१२-६५-२२॥
etānyevamprakārāṇi vihitāni purānagha। sarvalokasya karmāṇi kartavyānīha pārthiva ॥12-65-22॥
[एतानि (etāni) - these; एवम्-प्रकाराणि (evam-prakārāṇi) - of such kind; विहितानि (vihitāni) - enjoined; पुरा (purā) - formerly; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one; सर्व-लोकस्य (sarva-lokasya) - of all worlds; कर्माणि (karmāṇi) - actions; कर्तव्यानि (kartavyāni) - to be performed; इह (iha) - here; पार्थिव (pārthiva) - O king;]
(These actions of such kind were enjoined formerly, O sinless one. The actions of all worlds are to be performed here, O king.)
O king, these various kinds of actions were enjoined in ancient times, O sinless one. Here, the actions of all beings are to be performed.
मान्धातोवाच॥
māndhātovāca॥
[मान्धातः (māndhātaḥ) - Māndhāta (a proper name, king); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Māndhāta said:)
Māndhāta said:
दृश्यन्ते मानवा लोके सर्ववर्णेषु दस्यवः। लिङ्गान्तरे वर्तमाना आश्रमेषु चतुर्ष्वपि ॥१२-६५-२३॥
dṛśyante mānavā loke sarvavarṇeṣu dasyavaḥ। liṅgāntare vartamānā āśrameṣu caturṣvapi ॥12-65-23॥
[दृश्यन्ते (dṛśyante) - are seen; मानवाः (mānavāḥ) - humans; लोके (loke) - in the world; सर्ववर्णेषु (sarvavarṇeṣu) - among all castes; दस्यवः (dasyavaḥ) - thieves; लिङ्गान्तरे (liṅgāntare) - in other forms; वर्तमाना (vartamānā) - existing; आश्रमेषु (āśrameṣu) - in the āśramas; चतुर्षु (caturṣu) - in the four; अपि (api) - even;]
(Thieves are seen among humans in the world, among all castes; existing in other forms, even in the four āśramas.)
Thieves are found among people of all castes in the world; they exist in different forms, even within all four āśramas.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
indra uvāca॥
[इन्द्र (indra) - Indra; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Indra said;)
Indra said:
विनष्टायां दण्डनीतौ राजधर्मे निराकृते। सम्प्रमुह्यन्ति भूतानि राजदौरात्म्यतो नृप ॥१२-६५-२४॥
vinaṣṭāyāṃ daṇḍanītau rājadharme nirākṛte। sampramuhyanti bhūtāni rājadaurātmyato nṛpa ॥12-65-24॥
[विनष्टायाम् (vinaṣṭāyām) - when destroyed; दण्डनीतौ (daṇḍanītau) - in the policy of punishment; राजधर्मे (rājadharme) - in the king's duty; निराकृते (nirākṛte) - when rejected; सम्प्रमुह्यन्ति (sampramuhyanti) - become completely deluded; भूतानि (bhūtāni) - creatures; राजदौरात्म्यतः (rājadaurātmyataḥ) - due to the wickedness of the king; नृप (nṛpa) - O king;]
(When the policy of punishment is destroyed, when the king's duty is rejected, creatures become completely deluded due to the wickedness of the king, O king.)
O king, when the policy of punishment is destroyed and the king's duty is neglected, all beings become utterly confused because of the king's wickedness.
असङ्ख्याता भविष्यन्ति भिक्षवो लिङ्गिनस्तथा। आश्रमाणां विकल्पाश्च निवृत्तेऽस्मिन्कृते युगे ॥१२-६५-२५॥
asaṅkhyātā bhaviṣyanti bhikṣavo liṅginastathā। āśramāṇāṃ vikalpāśca nivṛtte'smin kṛte yuge ॥12-65-25॥
[असङ्ख्याता (asaṅkhyātā) - innumerable; भविष्यन्ति (bhaviṣyanti) - will be; भिक्षवः (bhikṣavaḥ) - mendicants; लिङ्गिनः (liṅginaḥ) - ascetics (those with external marks); तथा (tathā) - also; आश्रमाणाम् (āśramāṇām) - of the āśramas (stages of life); विकल्पाः (vikalpāḥ) - alternatives; च (ca) - and; निवृत्ते (nivṛtte) - when ended; अस्मिन् (asmin) - in this; कृते (kṛte) - Kṛta (the first age); युगे (yuge) - in the age;]
(Innumerable mendicants and ascetics also will be; alternatives of the āśramas and (will be) when this Kṛta age has ended.)
When the Kṛta age ends, there will be innumerable mendicants and ascetics, and various alternatives to the āśramas will arise.
अशृण्वानाः पुराणानां धर्माणां प्रवरा गतीः। उत्पथं प्रतिपत्स्यन्ते काममन्युसमीरिताः ॥१२-६५-२६॥
aśṛṇvānāḥ purāṇānāṃ dharmāṇāṃ pravarā gatīḥ। utpathaṃ pratipatsyante kāma-manyusamīritāḥ ॥12-65-26॥
[अशृण्वानाः (aśṛṇvānāḥ) - not hearing; पुराणानां (purāṇānāṃ) - of the ancient (texts); धर्माणां (dharmāṇāṃ) - of the dharmas; प्रवरा (pravara) - excellent; गतीः (gatīḥ) - paths; उत्पथं (utpathaṃ) - wrong path; प्रतिपत्स्यन्ते (pratipatsyante) - will proceed; काम (kāma) - desire; मन्युसमीरिताः (manyusamīritāḥ) - driven by anger;]
(Not hearing the excellent paths of the dharmas of the ancient (texts), driven by desire and anger, they will proceed on the wrong path.)
Those who do not listen to the excellent ways of dharma taught in the ancient texts, driven by desire and anger, will go astray.
यदा निवर्त्यते पापो दण्डनीत्या महात्मभिः। तदा धर्मो न चलते सद्भूतः शाश्वतः परः ॥१२-६५-२७॥
yadā nivartyate pāpo daṇḍanītyā mahātmabhiḥ। tadā dharmo na calate sadbhūtaḥ śāśvataḥ paraḥ ॥12-65-27॥
[यदा (yadā) - when; निवर्त्यते (nivartyate) - is turned away; पापः (pāpaḥ) - sin; दण्डनीत्या (daṇḍanītyā) - by the policy of punishment; महात्मभिः (mahātmabhiḥ) - by the great-souled; तदा (tadā) - then; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - righteousness; न (na) - not; चलते (calate) - moves; सद्भूतः (sadbhūtaḥ) - truly existent; शाश्वतः (śāśvataḥ) - eternal; परः (paraḥ) - supreme;]
(When sin is turned away by the policy of punishment by the great-souled, then righteousness, truly existent, eternal, supreme, does not move.)
When the great-souled turn away sin through the policy of punishment, then righteousness, which is truly existent, eternal, and supreme, remains unshaken.
परलोकगुरुं चैव राजानं योऽवमन्यते। न तस्य दत्तं न हुतं न श्राद्धं फलति क्वचित् ॥१२-६५-२८॥
paralokaguruṃ caiva rājānaṃ yo'vamanyate। na tasya dattaṃ na hutaṃ na śrāddhaṃ phalati kvacit ॥12-65-28॥
[परलोकगुरुं (paralokaguruṃ) - teacher of the next world; (spiritual preceptor; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; राजानं (rājānaṃ) - king; यः (yaḥ) - who; अवमन्यते (avamanyate) - disrespects; न (na) - not; तस्य (tasya) - his; दत्तं (dattaṃ) - offering; न (na) - not; हुतं (hutaṃ) - oblation; न (na) - not; श्राद्धं (śrāddhaṃ) - śrāddha (ritual for ancestors); फलति (phalati) - bears fruit; क्वचित् (kvacit) - anywhere;]
(Who disrespects the teacher of the next world and indeed the king, for him, neither offering, nor oblation, nor śrāddha bears fruit anywhere.)
Whoever disrespects the spiritual teacher and the king, none of his offerings, oblations, or śrāddha rituals yield any result anywhere.
मानुषाणामधिपतिं देवभूतं सनातनम्। देवाश्च बहु मन्यन्ते धर्मकामं नरेश्वरम् ॥१२-६५-२९॥
mānuṣāṇām-adhipatiṃ deva-bhūtaṃ sanātanam। devāś-ca bahu manyante dharma-kāmaṃ nareśvaram ॥12-65-29॥
[मानुषाणाम् (mānuṣāṇām) - of men; अधिपतिं (adhipatim) - lord; देवभूतं (deva-bhūtam) - having become divine; सनातनम् (sanātanam) - eternal; देवाः (devāḥ) - the gods; च (ca) - and; बहु (bahu) - much; greatly; मन्यन्ते (manyante) - consider; think; धर्मकामम् (dharma-kāmam) - desiring righteousness; नरेश्वरम् (nareśvaram) - lord of men;]
(The lord of men, who has become divine, eternal; the gods also greatly consider (him as) desiring righteousness, the lord of men.)
The gods highly regard the lord of men, who has become divine and is eternal, as one who desires righteousness.
प्रजापतिर्हि भगवान्यः सर्वमसृजज्जगत्। स प्रवृत्तिनिवृत्त्यर्थं धर्माणां क्षत्रमिच्छति ॥१२-६५-३०॥
prajāpatiḥ hi bhagavān yaḥ sarvam asṛjat jagat। sa pravṛtti-nivṛtti-artham dharmāṇām kṣatram icchati ॥12-65-30॥
[प्रजापतिः (prajāpatiḥ) - lord of creatures; हि (hi) - indeed; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the divine one; यः (yaḥ) - who; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; असृजत् (asṛjat) - created; जगत् (jagat) - the world; सः (saḥ) - he; प्रवृत्ति-निवृत्ति-अर्थम् (pravṛtti-nivṛtti-artham) - for the purpose of activity and cessation; धर्माणाम् (dharmāṇām) - of dharmas; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - the kṣatriya order; इच्छति (icchati) - desires;]
(The lord of creatures indeed, the divine one who created all the world; he, for the purpose of activity and cessation of dharmas, desires the kṣatriya order.)
Indeed, the divine Prajāpati, who created the entire world, established the kṣatriya order for the regulation and cessation of dharmas.
प्रवृत्तस्य हि धर्मस्य बुद्ध्या यः स्मरते गतिम्। स मे मान्यश्च पूज्यश्च तत्र क्षत्रं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥१२-६५-३१॥
pravṛttasya hi dharmasya buddhyā yaḥ smarate gatim। sa me mānyaś ca pūjyaś ca tatra kṣatraṃ pratiṣṭhitam ॥12-65-31॥
[प्रवृत्तस्य (pravṛttasya) - of the engaged; (pravṛtta = engaged, active, + sya = of) हि (hi) - indeed; धर्मस्य (dharmasya) - of dharma; (dharma = righteousness, + sya = of) बुद्ध्या (buddhyā) - by intellect; यः (yaḥ) - who; स्मरते (smarate) - remembers; गतिम् (gatim) - the path; (gati = path, movement, + m = accusative singular) सः (saḥ) - he; मे (me) - to me; मान्यः (mānyaḥ) - worthy of honor; च (ca) - and; पूज्यः (pūjyaḥ) - worthy of worship; च (ca) - and; तत्र (tatra) - there; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - the kṣatriya order; प्रतिष्ठितम् (pratiṣṭhitam) - established;]
(Of the engaged indeed of dharma by intellect who remembers the path, he to me worthy of honor and worthy of worship and there the kṣatriya order is established.)
He who, being engaged in dharma, remembers its path with intellect, is to me worthy of honor and worship; there, the kṣatriya order is established.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; (name of the speaker); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (he spoke);]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said:
एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्मरुद्गणवृतः प्रभुः। जगाम भवनं विष्णुरक्षरं परमं पदम् ॥१२-६५-३२॥
evam-uktvā sa bhagavān marud-gaṇa-vṛtaḥ prabhuḥ। jagāma bhavanaṃ viṣṇoḥ akṣaram paramaṃ padam ॥12-65-32॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; उक्त्वा (uktvā) - having spoken; स (sa) - he; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the illustrious one; मरुद्गणवृतः (marud-gaṇa-vṛtaḥ) - surrounded by the hosts of Maruts; प्रभुः (prabhuḥ) - the lord; जगाम (jagāma) - went; भवनं (bhavanaṃ) - abode; विष्णोः (viṣṇoḥ) - of Viṣṇu; अक्षरं (akṣaram) - imperishable; परमं (paramam) - supreme; पदम् (padam) - state;]
(Thus having spoken, he, the illustrious one, surrounded by the hosts of Maruts, the lord, went to the abode of Viṣṇu, the imperishable, supreme state.)
Having thus spoken, the illustrious lord, surrounded by the hosts of Maruts, went to the abode of Viṣṇu, the imperishable and supreme state.
एवं प्रवर्तिते धर्मे पुरा सुचरितेऽनघ। कः क्षत्रमवमन्येत चेतनावान्बहुश्रुतः ॥१२-६५-३३॥
evaṃ pravartite dharme purā sucarite'nagha। kaḥ kṣatramavamanyeta cetanāvān bahuśrutaḥ ॥12-65-33॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; प्रवर्तिते (pravartite) - set in motion; धर्मे (dharme) - in dharma; पुरा (purā) - formerly; सुचरिते (sucarite) - well-practiced; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one; कः (kaḥ) - who; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - the kṣatriya order; अवमन्येत (avamanyeta) - would despise; चेतनावान् (cetanāvān) - one who is conscious; बहुश्रुतः (bahuśrutaḥ) - well-learned;]
(Thus, when dharma was set in motion and well-practiced in former times, O sinless one, who, being conscious and well-learned, would despise the kṣatriya order?)
O sinless one, in former times when dharma was thus established and well-practiced, who that is conscious and learned would look down upon the kṣatriya order?
अन्यायेन प्रवृत्तानि निवृत्तानि तथैव च। अन्तरा विलयं यान्ति यथा पथि विचक्षुषः ॥१२-६५-३४॥
anyāyena pravṛttāni nivṛttāni tathaiva ca। antarā vilayaṃ yānti yathā pathi vicakṣuṣaḥ ॥12-65-34॥
[अन्यायेन (anyāyena) - by injustice; by improper means; प्रवृत्तानि (pravṛttāni) - set in motion; commenced; निवृत्तानि (nivṛttāni) - ceased; stopped; तथैव (tathaiva) - in the same way; likewise; च (ca) - and; अन्तरा (antarā) - in between; meanwhile; विलयं (vilayaṃ) - dissolution; destruction; यान्ति (yānti) - go; reach; यथा (yathā) - just as; like; पथि (pathi) - on the path; on the road; विचक्षुषः (vicakṣuṣaḥ) - of the discerning; of the wise;]
(By injustice, those set in motion and those ceased likewise, in between go to dissolution, just as on the path (things) of the discerning.)
Whatever is begun or ended by unjust means perishes in the interim, just as things on the path of the wise disappear along the way.
आदौ प्रवर्तिते चक्रे तथैवादिपरायणे। वर्तस्व पुरुषव्याघ्र संविजानामि तेऽनघ ॥१२-६५-३५॥
ādau pravartite cakre tathaivādiparāyaṇe। vartasva puruṣavyāghra saṃvijānāmi te'nagha ॥12-65-35॥
[आदौ (ādau) - in the beginning; प्रवर्तिते (pravartite) - having been set in motion; चक्रे (cakre) - the wheel; तथैव (tathaiva) - in the same way; आदिपरायणे (ādiparāyaṇe) - in the original path; वर्तस्व (vartasva) - proceed; पुरुषव्याघ्र (puruṣavyāghra) - O tiger among men; संविजानामि (saṃvijānāmi) - I understand; ते (te) - your; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one;]
(In the beginning, the wheel having been set in motion, in the same way, in the original path, proceed, O tiger among men; I understand your, O sinless one.)
O tiger among men, in the beginning the wheel was set in motion in the original path; in the same way, you should proceed. O sinless one, I understand your intention.
