12.068
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said:
किमाहुर्दैवतं विप्रा राजानं भरतर्षभ। मनुष्याणामधिपतिं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१२-६८-१॥
O revered grandfather, O bull among the Bharatas, tell me: whom do the brāhmaṇas call the divine being among men—the king, the lord of men?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। बृहस्पतिं वसुमना यथा पप्रच्छ भारत ॥१२-६८-२॥
Here too, an ancient story is told: how Vasumanas questioned Bṛhaspati, O Bhārata.
राजा वसुमना नाम कौसल्यो धीमतां वरः। महर्षिं परिपप्रच्छ कृतप्रज्ञो बृहस्पतिम् ॥१२-६८-३॥
King Vasumanā, the best among the wise and a descendant of Kausalya, asked the great sage Bṛhaspati, who was accomplished in wisdom.
सर्वं वैनयिकं कृत्वा विनयज्ञो बृहस्पतेः। दक्षिणानन्तरो भूत्वा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम् ॥१२-६८-४॥
Having completed all the rites of discipline, the Vinaya-sacrifice of Bṛhaspati, and, after the offering, having bowed respectfully according to the prescribed procedure.
विधिं पप्रच्छ राज्यस्य सर्वभूतहिते रतः। प्रजानां हितमन्विच्छन्धर्ममूलं विशां पते ॥१२-६८-५॥
Engaged in the welfare of all beings and seeking the welfare of his subjects, the lord of the people asked about the procedure of governance rooted in dharma.
केन भूतानि वर्धन्ते क्षयं गच्छन्ति केन च। कमर्चन्तो महाप्राज्ञ सुखमत्यन्तमाप्नुयुः ॥१२-६८-६॥
By what do beings grow, and by what do they perish? O greatly wise one, worshipping what may they attain supreme happiness?
इति पृष्टो महाराज्ञा कौसल्येनामितौजसा। राजसत्कारमव्यग्रः शशंसास्मै बृहस्पतिः ॥१२-६८-७॥
Thus, when asked by the illustrious queen Kausalya, Bṛhaspati, calm and composed, explained to her the royal honors.
राजमूलो महाराज धर्मो लोकस्य लक्ष्यते। प्रजा राजभयादेव न खादन्ति परस्परम् ॥१२-६८-८॥
O great king, dharma is rooted in the king and is observed among the people. It is out of fear of the king that the subjects do not harm one another.
राजा ह्येवाखिलं लोकं समुदीर्णं समुत्सुकम्। प्रसादयति धर्मेण प्रसाद्य च विराजते ॥१२-६८-९॥
The king, indeed, pleases the entire world, which is arisen and eager, by righteousness; having pleased (them), he shines.
यथा ह्यनुदये राजन्भूतानि शशिसूर्ययोः। अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुरपश्यन्तः परस्परम् ॥१२-६८-१०॥
O king, just as, if the moon and sun did not rise, beings would be immersed in darkness, unable to see one another.
यथा ह्यनुदके मत्स्या निराक्रन्दे विहङ्गमाः। विहरेयुर्यथाकाममभिसृत्य पुनः पुनः ॥१२-६८-११॥
Just as, in a place without water, fishes, and in a silent place, birds, would freely roam as they wish, coming and going again and again.
विमथ्यातिक्रमेरंश्च विषह्यापि परस्परम्। अभावमचिरेणैव गच्छेयुर्नात्र संशयः ॥१२-६८-१२॥
If, by agitation and transgressions, the parts even endure each other, they would quickly come to non-existence; there is no doubt about this here.
एवमेव विना राज्ञा विनश्येयुरिमाः प्रजाः। अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुरगोपाः पशवो यथा ॥१२-६८-१३॥
In the same way, without a king, these people would be destroyed; just as cattle without a herdsman would be lost in darkness and ignorance.
हरेयुर्बलवन्तो हि दुर्बलानां परिग्रहान्। हन्युर्व्यायच्छमानांश्च यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१४॥
If the king does not protect, the strong will seize the possessions of the weak and destroy those who strive to defend themselves.
यानं वस्त्रमलङ्कारान्रत्नानि विविधानि च। हरेयुः सहसा पापा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१५॥
If the king does not protect, evil people would suddenly steal vehicles, clothes, ornaments, gems, and various other things.
ममेदमिति लोकेऽस्मिन्न भवेत्सम्परिग्रहः। विश्वलोपः प्रवर्तेत यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१६॥
If in this world people say 'this is mine,' there would be appropriation; if the king does not protect, universal destruction would arise.
मातरं पितरं वृद्धमाचार्यमतिथिं गुरुम्। क्लिश्नीयुरपि हिंस्युर्वा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१७॥
If the king does not protect, then even the mother, father, elder, teacher, guest, or preceptor may be afflicted or harmed.
पतेद्बहुविधं शस्त्रं बहुधा धर्मचारिषु। अधर्मः प्रगृहीतः स्याद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१८॥
If the king does not protect, then various kinds of punishment would fall in many ways even upon those who practice dharma, and unrighteousness would prevail.
वधबन्धपरिक्लेशो नित्यमर्थवतां भवेत्। ममत्वं च न विन्देयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-१९॥
If the king did not protect, killing, binding, and affliction would always befall the wealthy, and they would not have any sense of possession.
अन्तश्चाकाशमेव स्याल्लोकोऽयं दस्युसाद्भवेत्। पतेच्च नरकं घोरं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२०॥
If the king does not protect, this world would become as empty as the sky within, fall into the hands of robbers, and descend into terrible hell.
न योनिपोषो वर्तेत न कृषिर्न वणिक्पथः। मज्जेद्धर्मस्त्रयी न स्याद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२१॥
If the king did not protect, there would be no protection of progeny, no agriculture, no trade, and the threefold dharma would sink and not exist.
न यज्ञाः सम्प्रवर्तेरन्विधिवत्स्वाप्तदक्षिणाः। न विवाहाः समाजा वा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२२॥
If the king does not protect, then sacrifices with properly obtained fees, marriages, or assemblies would not proceed according to rule.
न वृषाः सम्प्रवर्तेरन्न मथ्येरंश्च गर्गराः। घोषाः प्रणाशं गच्छेयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२३॥
If the king did not protect, bulls would not move, grinders would not be churned, and villages would go to ruin.
त्रस्तमुद्विग्नहृदयं हाहाभूतमचेतनम्। क्षणेन विनशेत्सर्वं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२४॥
If the king does not protect, then in a moment, everything—frightened, panic-stricken, and unconscious—would perish.
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतोभयाः। विधिवद्दक्षिणावन्ति यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२५॥
If the king does not protect, then even the yearly sacrifices would not remain free from all fear, nor would the gifts be properly given.
ब्राह्मणाश्चतुरो वेदान्नाधीयेरंस्तपस्विनः। विद्यास्नातास्तपःस्नाता यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२६॥
If the king does not protect, then Brāhmaṇas, even if they have studied the four Vedas, are ascetics, bathed in knowledge and austerity, should not study.
हस्तो हस्तं स मुष्णीयाद्भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः। भयार्तं विद्रवेत्सर्वं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२७॥
If the king does not protect, one hand would steal from another, all barriers would be broken, and everyone afflicted by fear would flee.
न लभेद्धर्मसंश्लेषं हतविप्रहतो जनः। कर्ता स्वेच्छेन्द्रियो गच्छेद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२८॥
People deprived of wise men do not attain union with righteousness. If the king does not protect, everyone acts according to his own will and desires.
अनयाः सम्प्रवर्तेरन्भवेद्वै वर्णसङ्करः। दुर्भिक्षमाविशेद्राष्ट्रं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥१२-६८-२९॥
If the king does not protect, then unrighteousness would arise, there would indeed be a mixing of castes, and famine would enter the kingdom.
विवृत्य हि यथाकामं गृहद्वाराणि शेरते। मनुष्या रक्षिता राज्ञा समन्तादकुतोभयाः ॥१२-६८-३०॥
Indeed, people, protected by the king, sleep with their house doors open as they wish, everywhere, free from any fear.
नाक्रुष्टं सहते कश्चित्कुतो हस्तस्य लङ्घनम्। यदि राजा मनुष्येषु त्राता भवति धार्मिकः ॥१२-६८-३१॥
No one endures an unprovoked insult; then how could one tolerate the transgression of the hand? If the king among men is a righteous protector.
स्त्रियश्चापुरुषा मार्गं सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताः। निर्भयाः प्रतिपद्यन्ते यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥१२-६८-३२॥
When the king protects, women and men, adorned with all ornaments, walk fearlessly on the road.
धर्ममेव प्रपद्यन्ते न हिंसन्ति परस्परम्। अनुगृह्णन्ति चान्योन्यं यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥१२-६८-३३॥
When the king protects, people indeed adhere to dharma, do not harm each other, and support one another.
यजन्ते च त्रयो वर्णा महायज्ञैः पृथग्विधैः। युक्ताश्चाधीयते शास्त्रं यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥१२-६८-३४॥
The three classes perform various great sacrifices and, being engaged, study the scriptures when the king offers protection.
वार्तामूलो ह्ययं लोकस्त्रय्या वै धार्यते सदा। तत्सर्वं वर्तते सम्यग्यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥१२-६८-३५॥
Livelihood is truly the foundation of this world; it is always upheld by the three Vedas. Everything functions properly when the king protects it.
यदा राजा धुरं श्रेष्ठामादाय वहति प्रजाः। महता बलयोगेन तदा लोकः प्रसीदति ॥१२-६८-३६॥
When the king assumes the highest responsibility and bears it for his subjects with great strength, then the people are content.
यस्याभावे च भूतानामभावः स्यात्समन्ततः। भावे च भावो नित्यः स्यात्कस्तं न प्रतिपूजयेत् ॥१२-६८-३७॥
Who would not worship him, in whose absence all beings would cease to exist everywhere, and in whose presence existence is eternal?
तस्य यो वहते भारं सर्वलोकसुखावहम्। तिष्ठेत्प्रियहिते राज्ञ उभौ लोकौ हि यो जयेत् ॥१२-६८-३८॥
He who bears the burden that brings happiness to all people, who stands for what is dear and beneficial to the king, truly conquers both worlds.
यस्तस्य पुरुषः पापं मनसाप्यनुचिन्तयेत्। असंशयमिह क्लिष्टः प्रेत्यापि नरकं पतेत् ॥१२-६८-३९॥
Whoever even mentally contemplates sin, that man, without doubt, suffers here and, after death, falls into hell.
न हि जात्ववमन्तव्यो मनुष्य इति भूमिपः। महती देवता ह्येषा नररूपेण तिष्ठति ॥१२-६८-४०॥
A man should never be despised, says the king, for a great divinity truly dwells in human form.
कुरुते पञ्च रूपाणि कालयुक्तानि यः सदा। भवत्यग्निस्तथादित्यो मृत्युर्वैश्रवणो यमः ॥१२-६८-४१॥
He who always assumes five forms associated with time becomes Agni, the Sun, Death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), and Yama.
यदा ह्यासीदतः पापान्दहत्युग्रेण तेजसा। मिथ्योपचरितो राजा तदा भवति पावकः ॥१२-६८-४२॥
When the king is falsely accused, then he, burning away sins with fierce energy, becomes like fire.
यदा पश्यति चारेण सर्वभूतानि भूमिपः। क्षेमं च कृत्वा व्रजति तदा भवति भास्करः ॥१२-६८-४३॥
When the king, through the agency of a spy, observes all beings and, having ensured their welfare, proceeds, then he becomes like the sun.
अशुचींश्च यदा क्रुद्धः क्षिणोति शतशो नरान्। सपुत्रपौत्रान्सामात्यांस्तदा भवति सोऽन्तकः ॥१२-६८-४४॥
When, in anger, he destroys impure men by the hundreds, along with their sons, grandsons, and ministers, then he becomes like Death itself.
यदा त्वधार्मिकान्सर्वांस्तीक्ष्णैर्दण्डैर्नियच्छति। धार्मिकांश्चानुगृह्णाति भवत्यथ यमस्तदा ॥१२-६८-४५॥
When Yama restrains all the unrighteous with sharp punishments and favors the righteous, then he truly becomes Yama at that time.
यदा तु धनधाराभिस्तर्पयत्युपकारिणः। आच्छिनत्ति च रत्नानि विविधान्यपकारिणाम् ॥१२-६८-४६॥
But when he rewards benefactors with streams of wealth and takes away various gems from wrongdoers.
श्रियं ददाति कस्मैचित्कस्माच्चिदपकर्षति। तदा वैश्रवणो राजँल्लोके भवति भूमिपः ॥१२-६८-४७॥
Prosperity is given to some and taken away from others; then Vaiśravaṇa becomes the king, the lord of the earth, in the world.
नास्यापवादे स्थातव्यं दक्षेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा। धर्म्यमाकाङ्क्षता लाभमीश्वरस्यानसूयता ॥१२-६८-४८॥
One should not remain in blame; a skillful person whose actions are unwearied, desiring righteous gain, and without envy towards the Lord.
न हि राज्ञः प्रतीपानि कुर्वन्सुखमवाप्नुयात्। पुत्रो भ्राता वयस्यो वा यद्यप्यात्मसमो भवेत् ॥१२-६८-४९॥
No one attains happiness by acting against the king; whether he is a son, brother, or friend, even if he is equal to oneself.
कुर्यात्कृष्णगतिः शेषं ज्वलितोऽनिलसारथिः। न तु राज्ञाभिपन्नस्य शेषं क्वचन विद्यते ॥१२-६८-५०॥
The remainder, having the course of Kṛṣṇa (night), should be consumed by fire whose charioteer is wind. But for one who is subdued by the king, no remainder exists anywhere.
तस्य सर्वाणि रक्ष्याणि दूरतः परिवर्जयेत्। मृत्योरिव जुगुप्सेत राजस्वहरणान्नरः ॥१२-६८-५१॥
One should keep away from all things that must be protected by him; just as one shuns death, a man should avoid the seizure of royal revenue.
नश्येदभिमृशन्सद्यो मृगः कूटमिव स्पृशन्। आत्मस्वमिव संरक्षेद्राजस्वमिह बुद्धिमान् ॥१२-६८-५२॥
Just as an animal perishes instantly upon touching a trap, so too should a wise person here protect royal property as he would his own.
महान्तं नरकं घोरमप्रतिष्ठमचेतसः। पतन्ति चिररात्राय राजवित्तापहारिणः ॥१२-६८-५३॥
Those who steal the king's wealth, being unwise, fall into a great and dreadful hell without foundation for a long duration.
राजा भोजो विराट्सम्राट्क्षत्रियो भूपतिर्नृपः। य एवं स्तूयते शब्दैः कस्तं नार्चितुमिच्छति ॥१२-६८-५४॥
King Bhoja, the great emperor, Kṣatriya, lord of the earth—who, being praised in such words, would not wish to worship him?
तस्माद्बुभूषुर्नियतो जितात्मा संयतेन्द्रियः। मेधावी स्मृतिमान्दक्षः संश्रयेत महीपतिम् ॥१२-६८-५५॥
Therefore, a person who wishes to live, who is self-controlled, disciplined, intelligent, mindful, and skillful, should seek the protection of the king.
कृतज्ञं प्राज्ञमक्षुद्रं दृढभक्तिं जितेन्द्रियम्। धर्मनित्यं स्थितं स्थित्यां मन्त्रिणं पूजयेन्नृपः ॥१२-६८-५६॥
A king should honor as his minister one who is grateful, wise, magnanimous, steadfast in devotion, self-controlled, ever righteous, firm, and established in stability.
दृढभक्तिं कृतप्रज्ञं धर्मज्ञं संयतेन्द्रियम्। शूरमक्षुद्रकर्माणं निषिद्धजनमाश्रयेत् ॥१२-६८-५७॥
One should seek the company of a person who is firmly devoted, wise, knowledgeable in dharma, self-controlled, heroic, not engaged in petty deeds, and who avoids the company of the prohibited.
राजा प्रगल्भं पुरुषं करोति; राजा कृशं बृंहयते मनुष्यम्। राजाभिपन्नस्य कुतः सुखानि; राजाभ्युपेतं सुखिनं करोति ॥१२-६८-५८॥
The king makes a man bold and strengthens the weak. One who is opposed by the king, how can he have happiness? The king makes the one he favors happy.
राजा प्रजानां हृदयं गरीयो; गतिः प्रतिष्ठा सुखमुत्तमं च। यमाश्रिता लोकमिमं परं च; जयन्ति सम्यक्पुरुषा नरेन्द्रम् ॥१२-६८-५९॥
The king is truly the heart and greatest refuge of his people; he is their foundation and highest happiness. Those who take refuge in him, O men, rightly attain success in this world and the next, conquering all, with the king.
नराधिपश्चाप्यनुशिष्य मेदिनीं; दमेन सत्येन च सौहृदेन। महद्भिरिष्ट्वा क्रतुभिर्महायशा; स्त्रिविष्टपे स्थानमुपैति सत्कृतम् ॥१२-६८-६०॥
The king, after instructing the earth and ruling with self-restraint, truth, and friendship, and having performed great sacrifices, attains an honored place in heaven.
स एवमुक्तो गुरुणा कौसल्यो राजसत्तमः। प्रयत्नात्कृतवान्वीरः प्रजानां परिपालनम् ॥१२-६८-६१॥
Thus addressed by his teacher, the heroic Kausalya, best among kings, diligently protected his subjects.
