12.068
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
kim āhur daivataṃ viprā rājānaṃ bharatarṣabha। manuṣyāṇām adhipatiṃ tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥12-68-1॥
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?
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। bṛhaspatiṃ vasumanā yathā papraccha bhārata ॥12-68-2॥
Here too, an ancient story is told: how Vasumanas questioned Bṛhaspati, O Bhārata.
rājā vasumanā nāma kausalyo dhīmatāṃ varaḥ। maharṣiṃ paripapraccha kṛtaprajño bṛhaspatim ॥12-68-3॥
King Vasumanā, the best among the wise and a descendant of Kausalya, asked the great sage Bṛhaspati, who was accomplished in wisdom.
sarvaṃ vainayikaṃ kṛtvā vinayayajño bṛhaspateḥ। dakṣiṇānantaro bhūtvā praṇamya vidhipūrvakam ॥12-68-4॥
Having completed all the rites of discipline, the Vinaya-sacrifice of Bṛhaspati, and, after the offering, having bowed respectfully according to the prescribed procedure.
vidhiṃ papraccha rājyasya sarvabhūtahite rataḥ। prajānāṃ hitamanvicchandharmamūlaṃ viśāṃ pate ॥12-68-5॥
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.
kena bhūtāni vardhante kṣayaṃ gacchanti kena ca। kam arcanto mahāprājña sukham atyantam āpnuyuḥ ॥12-68-6॥
By what do beings grow, and by what do they perish? O greatly wise one, worshipping what may they attain supreme happiness?
iti pṛṣṭo mahārājñā kausalyenāmitaujasā। rājasatkāramavyagraḥ śaśaṃsāsmai bṛhaspatiḥ ॥12-68-7॥
Thus, when asked by the illustrious queen Kausalya, Bṛhaspati, calm and composed, explained to her the royal honors.
rājamūlo mahārāja dharmo lokasya lakṣyate। prajā rājabhayādeva na khādanti parasparam ॥12-68-8॥
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.
rājā hyevākhilaṃ lokaṃ samudīrṇaṃ samutsukam। prasādayati dharmeṇa prasādya ca virājate ॥12-68-9॥
The king, indeed, pleases the entire world, which is arisen and eager, by righteousness; having pleased (them), he shines.
yathā hy anudaye rājan bhūtāni śaśi-sūryayoḥ। andhe tamasi majjeyur apaśyantaḥ parasparam ॥12-68-10॥
O king, just as, if the moon and sun did not rise, beings would be immersed in darkness, unable to see one another.
yathā hy anudake matsyā nirākrande vihaṅgamāḥ। vihareyur yathākāmam abhisṛtya punaḥ punaḥ ॥12-68-11॥
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.
vimathyātikrameramśca viṣahyāpi parasparam। abhāvamacireṇaiva gaccheyurnātra saṃśayaḥ ॥12-68-12॥
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.
evameva vinā rājñā vinaśyeyurimāḥ prajāḥ। andhe tamasi majjeyuragopāḥ paśavo yathā ॥12-68-13॥
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.
hareyur balavanto hi durbalānāṃ parigrahān। hanyur vyāyacchamānāṃś ca yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-14॥
If the king does not protect, the strong will seize the possessions of the weak and destroy those who strive to defend themselves.
yānaṃ vastramaḷaṅkārān ratnāni vividhāni ca। hareyuḥ sahasā pāpā yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-15॥
If the king does not protect, evil people would suddenly steal vehicles, clothes, ornaments, gems, and various other things.
mamedamiti loke'sminn bhavetsamparigrahaḥ। viśvalopaḥ pravarteta yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-16॥
If in this world people say 'this is mine,' there would be appropriation; if the king does not protect, universal destruction would arise.
mātaraṃ pitaraṃ vṛddham-ācāryam-atithiṃ gurum। kliśnīyur-api hiṃsyur-vā yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-17॥
If the king does not protect, then even the mother, father, elder, teacher, guest, or preceptor may be afflicted or harmed.
pated bahuvidhaṃ śastraṃ bahudhā dharmacāriṣu। adharmaḥ pragṛhītaḥ syād yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-18॥
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.
vadha-bandha-parikleśo nityam arthavatāṃ bhavet। mamatvaṃ ca na vindeyur yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-19॥
If the king did not protect, killing, binding, and affliction would always befall the wealthy, and they would not have any sense of possession.
antaś cākāśam eva syāl loko 'yaṃ dasyu-sād bhavet। patec ca narakaṃ ghoraṃ yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-20॥
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.
na yonipoṣo varteta na kṛṣirna vaṇikpathaḥ। majjed dharmastrayī na syādyadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-21॥
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.
na yajñāḥ sampravarteran vidhivat svāpta-dakṣiṇāḥ। na vivāhāḥ samājā vā yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-22॥
If the king does not protect, then sacrifices with properly obtained fees, marriages, or assemblies would not proceed according to rule.
na vṛṣāḥ sampravarteran na mathyeraṃś ca gargarāḥ| ghoṣāḥ praṇāśaṃ gaccheyur yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-23॥
If the king did not protect, bulls would not move, grinders would not be churned, and villages would go to ruin.
trastam udvigna-hṛdayam hāhā-bhūtam acetanam। kṣaṇena vinaśet sarvaṃ yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-24॥
If the king does not protect, then in a moment, everything—frightened, panic-stricken, and unconscious—would perish.
na saṃvatsarasatrāṇi tiṣṭheyurakutobhayāḥ। vidhivad dakṣiṇā vanti yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-25॥
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.
brāhmaṇāś caturō vēdān nādhīyēraṁs tapasvinaḥ। vidyāsnātās tapaḥsnātā yadi rājā na pālayēt ॥12-68-26॥
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.
hasto hastaṃ sa muṣṇīyādbhidyeraṃsarvasetavaḥ। bhayārtaṃ vidravetsarvaṃ yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-27॥
If the king does not protect, one hand would steal from another, all barriers would be broken, and everyone afflicted by fear would flee.
na labhed dharmasaṃśleṣaṃ hataviprahato janaḥ। kartā svecchendriyo gacched yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-28॥
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.
anayāḥ sampravarteran bhaved vai varṇasaṅkaraḥ। durbhikṣam āviśed rāṣṭraṃ yadi rājā na pālayet ॥12-68-29॥
If the king does not protect, then unrighteousness would arise, there would indeed be a mixing of castes, and famine would enter the kingdom.
vivṛtya hi yathākāmaṃ gṛhadvārāṇi śerate। manuṣyā rakṣitā rājñā samantādakutobhayāḥ ॥12-68-30॥
Indeed, people, protected by the king, sleep with their house doors open as they wish, everywhere, free from any fear.
nākr̥ṣṭaṃ sahate kaścitkuto hastasya laṅghanam। yadi rājā manuṣyeṣu trātā bhavati dhārmikaḥ ॥12-68-31॥
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.
striyaś cāpuruṣā mārgaṃ sarvālaṅkārabhūṣitāḥ। nirbhayāḥ pratipadyante yadā rakṣati bhūmipaḥ ॥12-68-32॥
When the king protects, women and men, adorned with all ornaments, walk fearlessly on the road.
dharmam-eva prapadyante na hiṁsanti parasparam। anugṛhṇanti ca anyonyaṁ yadā rakṣati bhūmipaḥ ॥12-68-33॥
When the king protects, people indeed adhere to dharma, do not harm each other, and support one another.
yajante ca trayo varṇā mahāyajñaiḥ pṛthagvidhaiḥ। yuktāś cādhīyate śāstraṃ yadā rakṣati bhūmipaḥ॥12-68-34॥
The three classes perform various great sacrifices and, being engaged, study the scriptures when the king offers protection.
vārtāmūlo hy ayaṃ lokaḥ trayyā vai dhāryate sadā। tat sarvaṃ vartate samyag yadā rakṣati bhūmipaḥ॥12-68-35॥
Livelihood is truly the foundation of this world; it is always upheld by the three Vedas. Everything functions properly when the king protects it.
yadā rājā dhuraṃ śreṣṭhām ādāya vahati prajāḥ। mahatā balayogena tadā lokaḥ prasīdati ॥12-68-36॥
When the king assumes the highest responsibility and bears it for his subjects with great strength, then the people are content.
yasyābhāve ca bhūtānām abhāvaḥ syāt samantataḥ। bhāve ca bhāvo nityaḥ syāt kaḥ taṃ na pratipūjayet ॥12-68-37॥
Who would not worship him, in whose absence all beings would cease to exist everywhere, and in whose presence existence is eternal?
tasya yo vahate bhāraṃ sarvalokasukhāvaham। tiṣṭhetpriyahite rājña ubhau lokau hi yo jayet॥12-68-38॥
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.
yas tasya puruṣaḥ pāpaṃ manasāpy anucintayet। asaṃśayam iha kliṣṭaḥ pretyāpi narakaṃ patet ॥12-68-39॥
Whoever even mentally contemplates sin, that man, without doubt, suffers here and, after death, falls into hell.
na hi jātvavamantavyo manuṣya iti bhūmipaḥ। mahatī devatā hyeṣā nararūpeṇa tiṣṭhati ॥12-68-40॥
A man should never be despised, says the king, for a great divinity truly dwells in human form.
kurute pañca rūpāṇi kālayuktāni yaḥ sadā। bhavatyagnistathādityo mṛtyurvaiśravaṇo yamaḥ ॥12-68-41॥
He who always assumes five forms associated with time becomes Agni, the Sun, Death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), and Yama.
yadā hy āsīd ataḥ pāpān dahaty ugreṇa tejasā। mithyopacarito rājā tadā bhavati pāvakaḥ॥12-68-42॥
When the king is falsely accused, then he, burning away sins with fierce energy, becomes like fire.
yadā paśyati cāreṇa sarvabhūtāni bhūmipaḥ। kṣemaṃ ca kṛtvā vrajati tadā bhavati bhāskaraḥ ॥12-68-43॥
When the king, through the agency of a spy, observes all beings and, having ensured their welfare, proceeds, then he becomes like the sun.
aśucīṁś ca yadā kruddhaḥ kṣiṇoti śataśo narān। saputrapautrānsāmātyāṁs tadā bhavati so'ntakaḥ॥12-68-44॥
When, in anger, he destroys impure men by the hundreds, along with their sons, grandsons, and ministers, then he becomes like Death itself.
yadā tvadhārmikānsarvāṃstīkṣṇairdaṇḍairniyacchati। dhārmikāṃścānugṛhṇāti bhavatyatha yamastadā ॥12-68-45॥
When Yama restrains all the unrighteous with sharp punishments and favors the righteous, then he truly becomes Yama at that time.
yadā tu dhanadhārābhis tarpayaty upakāriṇaḥ। ācchinnatti ca ratnāni vividhāny apakāriṇām ॥12-68-46॥
But when he rewards benefactors with streams of wealth and takes away various gems from wrongdoers.
śriyaṃ dadāti kasmaicit kasmāc cid apakarṣati। tadā vaiśravaṇo rājaṃl loke bhavati bhūmipaḥ ॥12-68-47॥
Prosperity is given to some and taken away from others; then Vaiśravaṇa becomes the king, the lord of the earth, in the world.
nāsyāpavāde sthātavyaṃ dakṣeṇākliṣṭakarmaṇā। dharmyamakāṅkṣatā lābhāmīśvarasyānasūyatā ॥12-68-48॥
One should not remain in blame; a skillful person whose actions are unwearied, desiring righteous gain, and without envy towards the Lord.
na hi rājñaḥ pratīpāni kurvan sukham avāpnuyāt. putro bhrātā vayasyō vā yadyapy ātmasamo bhavet ॥12-68-49॥
No one attains happiness by acting against the king; whether he is a son, brother, or friend, even if he is equal to oneself.
kuryāt-kṛṣṇagatiḥ śeṣaṃ jvalito'nilasārathiḥ। na tu rājñābhipannasya śeṣaṃ kvacana vidyate ॥12-68-50॥
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.
tasya sarvāṇi rakṣyāṇi dūrataḥ parivarjayet। mṛtyoriva jugupseta rājasvaharaṇānnaraḥ ॥12-68-51॥
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.
naśyed abhimṛśan sadyo mṛgaḥ kūṭam iva spṛśan। ātmasvam iva saṁrakṣed rājasvam iha buddhimān ॥12-68-52॥
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.
mahāntaṃ narakaṃ ghoram apratiṣṭham acetasaḥ। patanti cirarātrāya rājavittāpahāriṇaḥ ॥12-68-53॥
Those who steal the king's wealth, being unwise, fall into a great and dreadful hell without foundation for a long duration.
rājā bhojo virātsamrāṭkṣatriyo bhūpatir nṛpaḥ। ya evaṃ stūyate śabdaiḥ kaḥ taṃ nārcitum icchati ॥12-68-54॥
King Bhoja, the great emperor, Kṣatriya, lord of the earth—who, being praised in such words, would not wish to worship him?
tasmādbubhūṣurniyato jitātmā saṃyatendriyaḥ। medhāvī smṛtimāndakṣaḥ saṃśrayeta mahīpatim ॥12-68-55॥
Therefore, a person who wishes to live, who is self-controlled, disciplined, intelligent, mindful, and skillful, should seek the protection of the king.
kṛtajñaṃ prājñam akṣudraṃ dṛḍhabhaktiṃ jitendriyam। dharmanityaṃ sthitaṃ sthityāṃ mantriṇaṃ pūjayen nṛpaḥ ॥12-68-56॥
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.
dṛḍhabhaktiṃ kṛtaprajñaṃ dharmajñaṃ saṃyatendriyam। śūram akṣudrakarmāṇaṃ niṣiddhajanam āśrayet ॥12-68-57॥
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.
rājā pragalbhaṃ puruṣaṃ karoti; rājā kṛśaṃ bṛṃhayate manuṣyam. rājābhipannasya kutaḥ sukhāni; rājābhyupetaṃ sukhinaṃ karoti ॥12-68-58॥
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.
rājā prajānāṃ hṛdayaṃ garīyo; gatiḥ pratiṣṭhā sukhamuttamaṃ ca। yamāśritā lokamimaṃ paraṃ ca; jayanti samyakpuruṣā narendram ॥12-68-59॥
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.
narādhipaś cāpy anuśiṣya medinīṃ; damena satyena ca sauhṛdena. mahadbhir iṣṭvā kratu-bhir mahā-yaśāḥ; striviṣṭape sthānam upaiti satkṛtam ॥12-68-60॥
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.
sa evam-ukto guruṇā kausalyo rājasattamaḥ। prayatnāt kṛtavān vīraḥ prajānāṃ paripālanam ॥12-68-61॥
Thus addressed by his teacher, the heroic Kausalya, best among kings, diligently protected his subjects.
