12.069
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said:
pārthivena viśeṣeṇa kiṃ kāryam avaśiṣyate। kathaṃ rakṣyo janapadaḥ kathaṃ rakṣyāś ca śatravaḥ ॥12-69-1॥
What, then, remains to be done especially by the king? How should the country be protected, and how should the enemies be guarded against?
kathaṃ cāraṃ prayuñjīta varṇān viśvāsayet katham। kathaṃ bhṛtyān kathaṃ dārān kathaṃ putrāṃś ca bhārata ॥12-69-2॥
O Bhārata, how should one employ a spy, how should one win the trust of the classes, and how should one win over servants, wives, and sons?
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
rājavṛttaṃ mahārāja śṛṇuṣvāvahito'khilam। yatkāryaṃ pārthivenādau pārthivaprakṛtena vā ॥12-69-3॥
O great king, listen carefully to the entire code of royal conduct; what should be done first by the king or by the king's minister.
ātmā jeyaḥ sadā rājñā tato jeyāś ca śatravaḥ। ajitātmā narpatir vijayet kathaṃ ripūn ॥12-69-4॥
A king must always conquer his own self first; only then should he seek to conquer his enemies. If a king has not mastered himself, how can he hope to defeat his foes?
etāvān ātmavijayaḥ pañcavargavinigrahaḥ। jitendriyo narapatir bādhituṃ śaknuyād arīn ॥12-69-5॥
Such is self-mastery: the restraint of the five senses. A king who has conquered his senses can overcome his enemies.
nyaset gulmāndurgeṣu sandhau ca kurunandana। nagaropavane caiva purodyāneṣu caiva ha ॥12-69-6॥
O Kurunandana, shrubs should be planted in fortresses, at junctions, in city groves, and in palace gardens.
saṃsthāneṣu ca sarveṣu pureṣu nagarasya ca। madhye ca naraśārdūla tathā rājaniveśane ॥12-69-7॥
O tiger among men, in all the establishments, in every city, in the center of the city, and also in the royal palace.
praṇidhīṁś ca tataḥ kuryāj jaḍāndhabadhirākṛtīn। puṁsaḥ parīkṣitān prājñān kṣutpipāsātapakṣamān ॥12-69-8॥
Then, one should create observers in the forms of dull, blind, and deaf; among men, those who have been examined as wise, enduring hunger, thirst, and heat.
amātyeṣu ca sarveṣu mitreṣu trividheṣu ca। putreṣu ca mahārāja praṇidadhyātsamāhitaḥ ॥12-69-9॥
O great king, you should carefully and attentively observe all ministers, all types of friends, and sons.
pure janapade caiva tathā sāmantarājāsu। yathā na vidyur anyonyaṃ praṇidheyās tathā hi te ॥12-69-10॥
In the city, the country, and among the feudatory kings, the spies should be arranged in such a way that they do not know each other.
cārāṁś ca vidyāt prahitān pareṇa bharatarṣabha। āpaṇeṣu vihāreṣu samavāyeṣu bhikṣuṣu ॥12-69-11॥
O best of the Bharatas, you should recognize spies sent by others in markets, resting places, assemblies, and among mendicants.
ārāmeṣu tathodyāne paṇḍitānāṃ samāgame। veśeṣu catvare caiva sabhāsvāvasatheṣu ca ॥12-69-12॥
Whether in gardens, parks, gatherings of scholars, dwellings, squares, assemblies, or residences, everywhere there was discussion.
evaṃ vihanyāc cāreṇa paracāraṃ vicakṣaṇaḥ। cāreṇa vihataṃ sarvaṃ hataṃ bhavati pāṇḍava ॥12-69-13॥
Thus, O Pāṇḍava, the wise should counteract enemy espionage with their own spies; whatever is destroyed by espionage is as good as slain.
ajñāyamāno hīnatve kuryātsandhiṃ pareṇa vai| lipsurvā kañcidevārthaṃ tvaramāṇo vicakṣaṇaḥ ॥12-69-15॥
If one is not recognized or is in a position of inferiority, he should indeed make an alliance with another; or if desiring any particular object, the wise man, being hasty, should do so.
guṇavanto mahotsāhā dharmajñāḥ sādhavaś ca ye। saṃdadhīta nṛpas taiś ca rāṣṭraṃ dharmeṇa pālayan ॥12-69-16॥
The king should associate with those who are virtuous, energetic, and knowledgeable in dharma, and protect the kingdom through righteousness.
ucchidyamānam ātmānaṃ jñātvā rājā mahāmatiḥ। pūrvāpakāriṇo hanyāl lokadviṣṭāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ॥12-69-17॥
When a great-minded king realizes that his own self is being destroyed, he should completely destroy those who have previously harmed him and those who are hated by the people.
yo nopakartuṃ śaknoti nāpakartuṃ mahīpatiḥ। aśakyarūpaścoddhartum upekṣyastādṛśo bhavet ॥12-69-18॥
A king who is unable either to benefit or to harm, and who is impossible to remove, such a person should be disregarded.
yātrāṃ yāyād avijñātam anākrandam anantaram। vyāsaktaṃ ca pramattaṃ ca durbalaṃ ca vicakṣaṇaḥ ॥12-69-19॥
A wise person should set out on a journey that is unknown, without drawing attention, immediately, and should avoid being attached, careless, or weak.
yātrāmājñāpayed vīraḥ kalya-puṣṭa-balaḥ sukhī। pūrvaṃ kṛtvā vidhānaṃ ca yātrāyāṃ nagare tathā॥12-69-20॥
The hero who is healthy, strong, powerful, and happy should command the journey, having first made the necessary arrangements for both the journey and the city.
na ca vaśyo bhaved asya nṛpo yady api vīryavān। hīnaś ca bala-vīryābhyāṃ karśayaṃs taṃ parāvaset॥12-69-21॥
And the king would not be under his control, even if he is powerful; but one who is lacking in strength and power, by afflicting him, would subdue him.
rāṣṭraṃ ca pīḍayettasya śastrāgniviṣamūrcchanaiḥ। amātyavallabhānāṃ ca vivādāṃstasya kārayet॥ varjanīyaṃ sadā yuddhaṃ rājyakāmena dhīmatā॥12-69-22॥
One seeking the kingdom, if wise, should always avoid war, but should oppress the enemy's kingdom by means such as weapons, fire, poison, and causing fainting, and should also create disputes among the favorites of the enemy's ministers.
upāyaistribhirā dānamarthasyāha bṛhaspatiḥ। sāntvenānupradānena bhedena ca narādhipa ॥ yamarthaṃ śaknuyātprāptuṃ tena tuṣyeddhi paṇḍitaḥ ॥12-69-23॥
Bṛhaspati said, "O king, wealth is acquired by three means: conciliation, giving gifts, and sowing division. A wise man should be content with whatever he is able to obtain by these means."
ādadīta baliṃ caiva prajābhyaḥ kurunandana। ṣaḍbhāgam amitaprajñas tāsāmevābhiguptaye ॥12-69-24॥
O Kurunandana, a wise ruler should collect offerings and a sixth part as tax from the subjects, solely for their protection.
daśa-dharma-gatebhyo yad vasu bahv-alpam eva ca। tan nādadīta sahasā paurāṇāṃ rakṣaṇāya vai ॥12-69-25॥
One should not suddenly take any wealth, whether much or little, from those who follow the tenfold law, for the protection of the citizens.
yathā putrās tathā paurā draṣṭavyās te na saṃśayaḥ। bhaktiś caiṣāṃ prakartavyā vyavahāre pradarśite ॥12-69-26॥
Citizens should be regarded just as sons—there is no doubt about this. Devotion towards them should be shown in all dealings.
sutaṃ ca sthāpayed rājā prājñaṃ sarvārthadarśinam। vyavahāreṣu satataṃ tatra rājyaṃ vyavasthitam ॥12-69-27॥
The king should always appoint his wise son, who understands all matters, to manage the kingdom's affairs, thus ensuring the kingdom is well governed.
ākare lavaṇe śulke tare nāgavane tathā। nyasedamātyānnṛpatiḥ svāptānvā puruṣānhitān ॥12-69-28॥
The king should appoint ministers or his own trusted and well-wishing men in the mines, salt works, tax offices, ferries, and elephant forests.
samyagdaṇḍadharo nityaṃ rājā dharmam avāpnuyāt। nṛpasya satataṃ daṇḍaḥ samyagdharme praśasyate ॥12-69-29॥
A king who always wields the rod properly attains righteousness. The king's rod is always praised when it is properly used in accordance with righteousness.
vedavedāṅgavitprājñaḥ sutapasvī nṛpo bhavet। dānaśīlaśca satataṃ yajñaśīlaśca bhārata ॥12-69-30॥
O Bhārata, a king should be a wise knower of the Veda and its limbs, very austere, always inclined to giving and to performing sacrifices.
ete guṇāḥ samastāḥ syur nṛpasya satataṃ sthirāḥ। kriyālope tu nṛpateḥ kutaḥ svargaḥ kuto yaśaḥ॥12-69-31॥
All these qualities may always remain firm in a king; but if the king ceases to act, how can he attain heaven or fame?
yadā tu pīḍito rājā bhaved rājñā balīyasā। tridhā tv ākrandya mitrāṇi vidhānam upakalpayet ॥12-69-32॥
But when a king is oppressed by a more powerful king, he should organize his allies in three ways after calling for their help.
ghoṣān-nyaset mārgeṣu grāmān-utthāpayet api। praveśayet ca tān sarvān śākhānagarakeṣu api ॥12-69-33॥
He should place the herdsmen's settlements along the roads, move the villages as well, and have all of them enter the branch towns.
ye guptāścaiva durgāśca deśāsteṣu praveśayet। dhanino balamukhyāṃśca sāntvayitvā punaḥ punaḥ ॥12-69-34॥
He should repeatedly send the wealthy and the chiefs of the army, after conciliating them, into those protected places, fortresses, and regions.
sasyābhihāraṃ kuryācca svayameva narādhipaḥ। asambhave praveśasya dāhayedagninā bhṛśam ॥12-69-35॥
The king himself should ensure the transportation of crops, and if entry is not possible, he should thoroughly burn them with fire.
kṣetrasthēṣu ca sasyēṣu śatrōrupajapēnnarān। vināśayēdvā sarvasvaṃ balēnātha svakēna vai ॥12-69-36॥
One should either secretly approach the enemy's men among those in the fields and crops, or destroy all their wealth by one's own force.
nadīṣu mārgeṣu sadā saṅkramānavasādayet। jalaṃ nisrāvayet sarvam anisrāvyaṃ ca dūṣayet ॥12-69-37॥
One should always cause crossings to sink in rivers and on roads. All water should be drained out, and whatever should not be drained should be polluted.
tadātvenāyatībhiś ca vivadan bhūmy anantaram। pratīghātaḥ parasyājau mitrakāle'py upasthite ॥12-69-38॥
At that time, even when allies have arrived, there was contention for the land by those who were to come, and resistance from the enemy in battle.
durgāṇāṃ cābhito rājā mūlacchedaṃ prakārayet। sarveṣāṃ kṣudravṛkṣāṇāṃ caityavṛkṣān vivarjayet ॥12-69-39॥
The king should arrange for the roots to be cut around the forts. Among all the small trees, he should spare the sacred trees.
pravṛddhānāṃ ca vṛkṣāṇāṃ śākhāḥ pracchedayet tathā। caityānāṃ sarvathā varjyam api patrasya pātanam ॥12-69-40॥
Branches of grown trees may be cut, but in the case of sacred trees, even causing a leaf to fall must always be avoided.
prakaṇṭhīḥ kārayetsamyag ākāśajananīstathā। āpūrayec ca parikhāḥ sthāṇu-nakra-jhaṣākulāḥ ॥12-69-41॥
He should properly arrange necklaces and sky-born rivers; likewise, he should fill the moats with trees, crocodiles, and fishes.
kaḍaṅgadvārakāṇi syurucchvāsārthe purasya ha। teṣāṃ ca dvāravadguptiḥ kāryā sarvātmanā bhavet ॥12-69-42॥
Side-gates should be provided for the ventilation of the city. These should also be protected with the same care as the main gates.
dvāreṣu ca gurūṇyeva yantrāṇi sthāpayetsadā। āropayecchataghnīśca svādhīnāni ca kārayet ॥12-69-43॥
Heavy machines should always be placed at the gates, and hundred-slayers should be mounted and made to be under one's control.
kāṣṭhāni cābhihāryāṇi tathā kūpāṃś ca khānayet। saṃśodhayet tathā kūpān kṛtān pūrvaṃ payorthibhiḥ ॥12-69-44॥
He should bring woods and other necessary items, and likewise dig wells; he should also purify the wells that were previously made by water-seekers.
tṛṇacchannāni veśmāni paṅkenāpi pralepayet। nirharecca tṛṇaṃ māse caitre vahnibhayātpuraḥ ॥12-69-45॥
Houses that are covered with grass should be plastered with mud, and the grass should be removed from the front of the house in the month of Caitra due to the fear of fire.
naktameva ca bhaktāni pācayet narādhipaḥ। na divāgnir jvaled gehe varjayitvāgnihotrikam ॥12-69-46॥
The king should have food cooked only at night; during the day, no fire should burn in the house except for one performing Agnihotra.
karmārāriṣṭaśālāsu jvaledagniḥ samāhitaḥ। gṛhāṇi ca praviśyātha vidheyaḥ syāddhutāśanaḥ ॥12-69-47॥
The fire, once kindled in the smiths' and distillers' halls, should blaze; but when it enters the houses, it should then be controlled.
mahādaṇḍaś ca tasya syād yasya agnir vai divā bhavet। praghōṣayet atha evaṃ ca rakṣaṇārthaṃ purasya vai ॥12-69-48॥
A severe punishment should be imposed on anyone whose fire is found burning during the day. Then, for the protection of the city, this should be publicly announced.
bhikṣukāṃścākrikāṃścaiva kṣībonmattānkuśīlavān। bāhyānkuryānnaraśreṣṭha doṣāya syurhi te'nyathā ॥12-69-49॥
O best of men, beggars, actors, drunkards, madmen, mimes, and outsiders should be appointed (for such roles); otherwise, they would be at fault.
catvareṣu ca tīrtheṣu sabhāsvāvasatheṣu ca| yathārhavarṇaṃ praṇidhiṃ kuryātsarvatra pārthivaḥ ||12-69-50||
The king should make offerings everywhere—at crossroads, sacred places, assemblies, and residences—according to the deserving class.
viśālān rāja-mārgān ca kārayet narādhipaḥ। prapāś ca vipaṇīś caiva yathoddeśaṃ samādiśet ॥12-69-51॥
The king should construct wide royal roads and establish resting places and marketplaces at appropriate locations.
bhāṇḍāgārāyudhāgārāndhānyāgārāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ। aśvāgārān gajāgārān balādhikaraṇāni ca ॥12-69-52॥
All the treasure-houses, armories, granaries, stables for horses, elephant stables, and military establishments.
parikhāś caiva kauravya pratolīḥ saṅkaṭāni ca। na jātu kaścit paśyet tu guhyam etad yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-69-53॥
O Yudhishthira, O descendant of Kuru, no one should ever see the moats, gateways, or narrow passages; this is a secret.
atha saṁnicayaṁ kuryādrājā parabalārditaḥ। tailaṁ madhu ghṛtaṁ sasyamauṣadhāni ca sarvaśaḥ ॥12-69-54॥
Then, when afflicted by enemy forces, the king should gather oil, honey, ghee, grain, medicines, and all such resources in every possible way.
aṅgārakuśamuñjānāṃ palāśaśaraparṇinām। yavasedhanadigdhānāṃ kārayeta ca sañcayān ॥12-69-55॥
He should also cause collections of charcoal, kusa grass, muñja grass, palāśa tree, reeds, leafy plants, yavasa grass, and fuel smeared (with ghee, etc.) to be made.
āyudhānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ śaktyṛṣṭiprāsavarmaṇām। sañcayānevamādīnāṃ kārayet narādhipaḥ ॥12-69-56॥
The king should ensure the making and collection of all kinds of weapons, such as spears, lances, javelins, armors, and similar items.
auṣadhāni ca sarvāṇi mūlāni ca phalāni ca। caturvidhāṃś ca vaidyān vai saṅgṛhṇīyād viśeṣataḥ ॥12-69-57॥
One should especially gather all medicines, roots, fruits, and four types of physicians.
naṭāś ca nartakāś caiva mallā māyāvinās tathā। śobhayeyuḥ puravaraṃ modayeyuś ca sarvaśaḥ ॥12-69-58॥
Actors, dancers, wrestlers, and magicians would all adorn and bring joy to the great city in every possible way.
yataḥ śaṅkā bhaveccāpi bhṛtyato vāpi mantritaḥ। paurebhyo nṛpatervāpi svādhīnān kārayeta tān ॥12-69-59॥
If there is any doubt about someone, whether it arises from a servant, from counsel, from citizens, or from the king, or from those under one's control, he should have them act accordingly.
kṛte karmaṇi rājendra pūjayeddhanasañcayaiḥ। mānena ca yathārheṇa sāntvena vivid hena ca ॥12-69-60॥
O king, when a task has been accomplished, one should honor others with wealth, respect, as appropriate, with conciliatory words, and by various means.
nirvedayitvā tu paraṃ hatvā vā kurunandana। gatānṛṇyo bhavedrājā yathā śāstreṣu darśitam ॥12-69-61॥
O Kurunandana, after informing or slaying the other party, the king should become free from all obligations, as prescribed in the scriptures.
rājñā saptaiva rakṣyāṇi tāni cāpi nibodha me। ātmāmātyaśca kośaśca daṇḍo mitrāṇi caiva hi॥12-69-62॥
A king must protect seven things. Listen to me as I tell you what they are: the self, ministers, treasury, punishment, and friends.
tathā janapadaścaiva puraṃ ca kurunandana। etatsaptātmakaṃ rājyaṃ paripālyaṃ prayatnataḥ ॥12-69-63॥
O Kurunandana, both the country and the city—this sevenfold kingdom—should be carefully protected.
ṣāḍguṇyaṃ ca trivargaṃ ca trivargam-aparaṃ tathā। yo vetti puruṣavyāghra sa bhunakti mahīm-imām ॥12-69-64॥
O tiger among men, he who knows the sixfold policy, the threefold aim, and the other threefold aim likewise, enjoys this earth.
ṣāḍguṇyam iti yat proktaṃ tan nibodha yudhiṣṭhira। sandhāyāsanam ity eva yātrāsaṃdhānam eva ca ॥12-69-65॥
O Yudhishthira, understand that which has been stated as the sixfold policy: making peace, remaining quiet, marching, forming alliances, and so on.
vigṛhyāsanamityeva yātrāṃ samparigṛhya ca। dvaidhībhāvastathānyeṣāṃ saṃśrayo'tha parasya ca ॥12-69-66॥
Having thus separated the seats and commenced the journey, the others were divided, and then some took refuge with the enemy.
trivargaś cāpi yaḥ proktas tam ihaikamanāḥ śṛṇu। kṣayaḥ sthānaṃ ca vṛddhiś ca trivargam aparaṃ tathā ॥12-69-67॥
Now listen with full attention to the three aims of life as declared here: decline, stability, and growth, as well as another set of three aims.
dharmaś cārthaś ca kāmaś ca sevitavyo ’tha kālataḥ। dharmeṇa hi mahīpālaś ciraṃ pālayate mahīm ॥12-69-68॥
Righteousness, wealth, and desire should be pursued according to the proper time. For it is by righteousness that a king protects his kingdom for a long time.
asminnarthe ca yau ślokau gītāvaṅgirasā svayam| yādavīputra bhadraṃ te śrotumarhasi tāvapi ||12-69-69||
O son of Yādavī, you are also worthy to hear those two verses sung by Aṅgiras himself in this matter. May auspiciousness be to you.
kṛtvā sarvāṇi kāryāṇi samyaksampālya medinīm। pālayitvā tathā paurān paratra sukhāmedhate ॥12-69-70॥
One who has performed all duties, properly protected the earth, and governed the citizens well, attains happiness in the next world.
kiṁ tasya tapasā rājñaḥ kiṁ ca tasyādhvarair api। apālitāḥ prajā yasya sarvā dharmavinākṛtāḥ ॥12-69-71॥
What is the value of a king's austerity or even his sacrifices, if all his subjects are unprotected and deprived of righteousness?
