12.072
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhishthira; (proper noun; name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (from the root 'vac' - to speak);]
(Yudhishthira said;)
Yudhishthira said:
कथं राजा प्रजा रक्षन्नाधिबन्धेन युज्यते। धर्मे च नापराध्नोति तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१२-७२-१॥
kathaṁ rājā prajā rakṣannādhibandhena yujyate। dharme ca nāparādhnoti tanme brūhi pitāmaha ॥12-72-1॥
[कथं (kathaṁ) - how; राजा (rājā) - king; प्रजा (prajā) - subjects; रक्षन् (rakṣan) - protecting; आधिबन्धेन (ādhibandhena) - by obligation; युज्यते (yujyate) - is engaged; धर्मे (dharme) - in dharma; च (ca) - and; न (na) - not; अपराध्नोति (aparādhnoti) - commits offence; तत् (tat) - that; मे (me) - to me; ब्रूहि (brūhi) - tell; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandsire;]
(How does the king, protecting the subjects, become engaged by obligation? And how does he not commit offence in dharma? That, tell me, O grandsire.)
O grandsire, tell me how the king, while protecting his subjects, becomes bound by obligation and how he does not transgress dharma.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said:
समासेनैव ते तात धर्मान्वक्ष्यामि निश्चितान्। विस्तरेण हि धर्माणां न जात्वन्तमवाप्नुयात् ॥१२-७२-२॥
samāsenaiva te tāta dharmānvakṣyāmi niścitān। vistareṇa hi dharmāṇāṃ na jātvantamavāpnuyāt ॥12-72-2॥
[समासेनैव (samāsenaiva) - in summary only; ते (te) - to you; तात (tāta) - O dear one; धर्मान् (dharmān) - the dharmas; वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi) - I shall explain; निश्चितान् (niścitān) - ascertained; विस्तरेण (vistareṇa) - in detail; हि (hi) - indeed; धर्माणां (dharmāṇāṃ) - of dharmas; न (na) - not; जातु (jātu) - ever; अन्तम् (antam) - end; अवाप्नुयात् (avāpnuyāt) - could attain;]
(In summary only to you, O dear one, I shall explain the ascertained dharmas; for in detail, indeed, of dharmas, not ever could one attain the end.)
O dear one, I will explain to you the established dharmas in summary only; for, in detail, the end of dharmas could never be reached.
धर्मनिष्ठाञ्श्रुतवतो वेदव्रतसमाहितान्। अर्चितान्वासयेथास्त्वं गृहे गुणवतो द्विजान् ॥१२-७२-३॥
dharmaniṣṭhāñśrutavato vedavratasamāhitān। arcitānvāsayethāstvaṃ gṛhe guṇavato dvijān ॥12-72-3॥
[धर्मनिष्ठान् (dharmaniṣṭhān) - steadfast in dharma; श्रुतवतः (śrutavataḥ) - learned in the Vedas; वेदव्रतसमाहितान् (vedavratasamāhitān) - absorbed in Vedic vows; अर्चितान् (arcitān) - honored; वासयेथाः (vāsayethāḥ) - you should house; त्वम् (tvam) - you; गृहे (gṛhe) - in (your) house; गुणवतः (guṇavataḥ) - virtuous; द्विजान् (dvijān) - twice-born (Brahmins);]
(You should house in your home the twice-born who are steadfast in dharma, learned in the Vedas, absorbed in Vedic vows, honored, and virtuous.)
You should welcome into your home virtuous Brahmins who are steadfast in dharma, learned in the Vedas, devoted to Vedic vows, and honored.
प्रत्युत्थायोपसङ्गृह्य चरणावभिवाद्य च। अथ सर्वाणि कुर्वीथाः कार्याणि सपुरोहितः ॥१२-७२-४॥
pratyutthāyopasaṅgṛhya caraṇāvabhivādya ca। atha sarvāṇi kurvīthāḥ kāryāṇi sapurohitaḥ ॥12-72-4॥
[प्रत्युत्थाय (pratyutthāya) - having risen up; उपसङ्गृह्य (upasaṅgṛhya) - having approached and taken hold; चरणौ (caraṇau) - the feet (dual); अभिवाद्य (abhivādya) - having saluted; च (ca) - and; अथ (atha) - then; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; कुर्वीथाः (kurvīthāḥ) - you should do; कार्याणि (kāryāṇi) - duties; सपुरोहितः (sapurohitaḥ) - together with the priest;]
(Having risen up, having approached and taken hold of (his) feet, having saluted and (then), you should perform all duties together with the priest.)
After rising, approaching and respectfully saluting the feet, you should then perform all your duties together with the priest.
धर्मकार्याणि निर्वर्त्य मङ्गलानि प्रयुज्य च। ब्राह्मणान्वाचयेथास्त्वमर्थसिद्धिजयाशिषः ॥१२-७२-५॥
dharmakāryāṇi nirvartya maṅgalāni prayujya ca। brāhmaṇānvācayethāstvamarthasiddhijayāśiṣaḥ ॥12-72-5॥
[धर्मकार्याणि (dharmakāryāṇi) - acts of dharma; निर्वर्त्य (nirvartya) - having accomplished; मङ्गलानि (maṅgalāni) - auspicious rites; प्रयुज्य (prayujya) - having performed; च (ca) - and; ब्राह्मणान् (brāhmaṇān) - the Brāhmaṇas; वाचयेथाः (vācayethāḥ) - you should cause to recite; त्वम् (tvam) - you; अर्थसिद्धि (arthasiddhi) - attainment of objectives; जय (jaya) - victory; आशिषः (āśiṣaḥ) - blessings;]
(Having accomplished acts of dharma and having performed auspicious rites, you should cause the Brāhmaṇas to recite blessings for attainment of objectives and victory.)
After performing acts of dharma and auspicious rites, you should have the Brāhmaṇas recite blessings for your success and victory.
आर्जवेन च सम्पन्नो धृत्या बुद्ध्या च भारत। अर्थार्थं परिगृह्णीयात्कामक्रोधौ च वर्जयेत् ॥१२-७२-६॥
ārjavena ca sampanno dhṛtyā buddhyā ca bhārata। arthārthaṃ parigṛhṇīyātkāmakrodhau ca varjayet ॥12-72-6॥
[आर्जवेन (ārjavena) - with honesty; च (ca) - and; सम्पन्नः (sampannaḥ) - endowed; धृत्या (dhṛtyā) - with fortitude; बुद्ध्या (buddhyā) - with intellect; च (ca) - and; भारत (bhārata) - O Bhārata; अर्थार्थम् (arthārtham) - for the sake of wealth; परिगृह्णीयात् (parigṛhṇīyāt) - should accept; कामक्रोधौ (kāmakrodhau) - desire and anger; च (ca) - and; वर्जयेत् (varjayet) - should avoid;]
(With honesty and endowed with fortitude and intellect, O Bhārata, for the sake of wealth, one should accept (it), and desire and anger one should avoid.)
O Bhārata, one should pursue wealth with honesty, fortitude, and intellect, and should avoid desire and anger.
कामक्रोधौ पुरस्कृत्य योऽर्थं राजानुतिष्ठति। न स धर्मं न चाप्यर्थं परिगृह्णाति बालिशः ॥१२-७२-७॥
kāmakrodhau puraskṛtya yo'rthaṃ rājānutiṣṭhati। na sa dharmaṃ na cāpyarthaṃ parigṛhṇāti bāliśaḥ ॥12-72-7॥
[काम (kāma) - desire; क्रोधौ (krodhau) - anger; पुरस्कृत्य (puraskṛtya) - having placed in front; यः (yaḥ) - who; अर्थम् (artham) - purpose; राजा (rājā) - king; अनुतिष्ठति (anutiṣṭhati) - acts; न (na) - not; स (sa) - he; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - righteousness; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - even; अर्थम् (artham) - purpose; परिगृह्णाति (parigṛhṇāti) - attains; बालिशः (bāliśaḥ) - foolish;]
(Desire and anger having placed in front, who purpose king acts, not he righteousness not and even purpose attains, foolish.)
A foolish king who acts with desire and anger at the forefront attains neither righteousness nor even his purpose.
मा स्म लुब्धांश्च मूर्खांश्च कामे चार्थेषु यूयुजः। अलुब्धान्बुद्धिसम्पन्नान्सर्वकर्मसु योजयेत् ॥१२-७२-८॥
mā sma lubdhāṃś ca mūrkhāṃś ca kāme cārtheṣu yūyujaḥ| alubdhān buddhisampannān sarvakarmasu yojayet ॥12-72-8॥
[मा (mā) - do not; स्म (sma) - indeed; लुब्धान् (lubdhān) - the greedy; च (ca) - and; मूर्खान् (mūrkhān) - the foolish; च (ca) - and; कामे (kāme) - in desires; च (ca) - and; अर्थेषु (artheṣu) - in wealth; यूयुजः (yūyujaḥ) - should engage; अलुब्धान् (alubdhān) - those not greedy; बुद्धिसम्पन्नान् (buddhisampannān) - endowed with intelligence; सर्वकर्मसु (sarvakarmasu) - in all actions; योजयेत् (yojayet) - should employ;]
(Do not indeed engage the greedy and the foolish in desires and wealth; one should employ those not greedy and endowed with intelligence in all actions.)
Do not assign the greedy and the foolish to tasks involving desires and wealth; instead, employ those who are not greedy and who possess intelligence in all kinds of work.
मूर्खो ह्यधिकृतोऽर्थेषु कार्याणामविशारदः। प्रजाः क्लिश्नात्ययोगेन कामद्वेषसमन्वितः ॥१२-७२-९॥
mūrkho hy adhikṛto'rtheṣu kāryāṇām aviśāradaḥ। prajāḥ kliśnāty ayogena kāma-dveṣa-samanvitaḥ ॥12-72-9॥
[मूर्खः (mūrkhaḥ) - fool; हि (hi) - indeed; अधिकृतः (adhikṛtaḥ) - appointed; अर्थेषु (artheṣu) - in matters; कार्याणाम् (kāryāṇām) - of actions; अविशारदः (aviśāradaḥ) - unskilled; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; क्लिश्नाति (kliśnāti) - afflicts; अयोगेन (ayogena) - by incompetence; काम (kāma) - desire; द्वेष (dveṣa) - hatred; समन्वितः (samanvitaḥ) - endowed with;]
(A fool, indeed, appointed in matters, unskilled in actions, afflicts the subjects by incompetence, endowed with desire and hatred.)
A foolish person, when appointed to responsibilities and lacking skill in actions, afflicts the people through incompetence, being driven by desire and hatred.
बलिषष्ठेन शुल्केन दण्डेनाथापराधिनाम्। शास्त्रनीतेन लिप्सेथा वेतनेन धनागमम् ॥१२-७२-१०॥
baliṣaṣṭhena śulkena daṇḍenāthāparādhinām। śāstranītena lipsethā vetanena dhanāgamam ॥12-72-10॥
[बलिषष्ठेन (baliṣaṣṭhena) - by the sixth part of the produce; शुल्केन (śulkena) - by tax; दण्डेन (daṇḍena) - by penalty; अथ (atha) - or; अपराधिनाम् (aparādhinām) - of offenders; शास्त्रनीतेन (śāstranītena) - by scriptural policy; लिप्सेथा (lipsethā) - you should desire to obtain; वेतनेन (vetanena) - by wages; धनागमम् (dhanāgamam) - income;]
(By the sixth part of the produce, by tax, by penalty, or from offenders, by scriptural policy, you should desire to obtain income by wages.)
You should seek to obtain income through the sixth part of produce, taxes, penalties, or from offenders, and by scriptural policy and wages.
दापयित्वा करं धर्म्यं राष्ट्रं नित्यं यथाविधि। अशेषान्कल्पयेद्राजा योगक्षेमानतन्द्रितः ॥१२-७२-११॥
dāpayitvā karaṃ dharmyaṃ rāṣṭraṃ nityaṃ yathāvidhi। aśeṣān kalpayed rājā yogakṣemān atandritaḥ ॥12-72-11॥
[दापयित्वा (dāpayitvā) - having caused to be paid; (from dā, to give, causative, with absolutive suffix -tvā); करं (karaṃ) - tax; (tribute, tax); धर्म्यं (dharmyaṃ) - righteous; (in accordance with dharma); राष्ट्रं (rāṣṭraṃ) - kingdom; (realm, territory); नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; (constantly); यथाविधि (yathāvidhi) - according to rule; (as per procedure); अशेषान् (aśeṣān) - all; (without remainder); कल्पयेत् (kalpayet) - should arrange; (should provide, from kṛ, to do, causative, optative); राजा (rājā) - the king; (sovereign); योगक्षेमान् (yogakṣemān) - acquisition and preservation; (prosperity and security); अतन्द्रितः (atandritaḥ) - without negligence; (diligently, untiringly);]
(Having caused the righteous tax to be paid always according to rule in the kingdom, the king should arrange all acquisitions and preservations without negligence.)
The king, having always caused the righteous tax to be paid in the kingdom according to rule, should diligently provide for all prosperity and security without negligence.
गोपायितारं दातारं धर्मनित्यमतन्द्रितम्। अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तमनुरज्यन्ति मानवाः ॥१२-७२-१२॥
gopāyitāraṃ dātāraṃ dharmanityamatandritam। akāmadveṣasaṃyuktamanurajyanti mānavāḥ ॥12-72-12॥
[गोपायितारम् (gopāyitāram) - protector; guardian; दातारम् (dātāram) - giver; donor; धर्मनित्यम् (dharmanityam) - always in righteousness; अतन्द्रितम् (atandritam) - untiring; vigilant; अकामद्वेषसंयुक्तम् (akāmadveṣasaṃyuktam) - free from desire and hatred; endowed with absence of desire and hatred; अनुरज्यन्ति (anurajyanti) - become attached; are devoted; मानवाः (mānavāḥ) - humans; people;]
(Protector, giver, always in righteousness, untiring, endowed with absence of desire and hatred, humans become attached to.)
Humans become devoted to one who is a protector, a giver, always righteous, untiring, and free from desire and hatred.
मा स्माधर्मेण लाभेन लिप्सेथास्त्वं धनागमम्। धर्मार्थावध्रुवौ तस्य योऽपशास्त्रपरो भवेत् ॥१२-७२-१३॥
mā smādharmeṇa lābhena lipsethāstvaṃ dhanāgamam। dharmārthāvadhruvau tasya yo'paśāstraparo bhavet ॥12-72-13॥
[मा (mā) - do not; स्म (smā) - ever; अधर्मेण (adharmeṇa) - by unrighteousness; लाभेन (lābhena) - by gain; लिप्सेथाः (lipsethāḥ) - you should desire; त्वं (tvaṃ) - you; धनागमम् (dhanāgamam) - acquisition of wealth; धर्मार्थौ (dharmārthau) - righteousness and wealth; अध्रुवौ (adhruvau) - are unstable; तस्य (tasya) - of that; यः (yaḥ) - who; अपशास्त्रपरः (apaśāstraparaḥ) - devoted to non-scriptural ways; भवेत् (bhavet) - may be;]
(Do not ever desire acquisition of wealth by unrighteous gain; righteousness and wealth are unstable for him who is devoted to non-scriptural ways.)
Do not ever seek to acquire wealth through unrighteous means; for one who follows ways contrary to the scriptures, both righteousness and wealth are unstable.
अपशास्त्रपरो राजा सञ्चयान्नाधिगच्छति। अस्थाने चास्य तद्वित्तं सर्वमेव विनश्यति ॥१२-७२-१४॥
apaśāstraparo rājā sañcayānnādhigacchati। asthāne cāsya tadvittaṃ sarvameva vinaśyati ॥12-72-14॥
[अपशास्त्रपरो (apaśāstraparaḥ) - one devoted to non-scriptural (unorthodox) teachings; राजा (rājā) - king; सञ्चयात् (sañcayāt) - from accumulation; न (na) - not; अधिगच्छति (adhigacchati) - attains; अस्थाने (asthāne) - in an improper place; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - his; तत् (tat) - that; वित्तम् (vittam) - wealth; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; एव (eva) - indeed; विनश्यति (vinaśyati) - perishes;]
(A king devoted to non-scriptural teachings does not attain (benefit) from accumulation; and all that wealth of his, in an improper place, indeed perishes.)
A king who follows unorthodox teachings gains nothing from accumulation; and all his wealth, if placed improperly, is entirely lost.
अर्थमूलोऽपहिंसां च कुरुते स्वयमात्मनः। करैरशास्त्रदृष्टैर्हि मोहात्सम्पीडयन्प्रजाः ॥१२-७२-१५॥
arthamūlo'payiṁsāṁ ca kurute svayamātmanaḥ। karairaśāstradṛṣṭairhi mohātsampīḍayanprajāḥ ॥12-72-15॥
[अर्थमूलः (arthamūlaḥ) - having wealth as the root; अपहिंसाम् (apahiṁsām) - non-injury; च (ca) - and; कुरुते (kurute) - does; स्वयम् (svayam) - himself; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - by oneself; करैः (karaiḥ) - by taxes; अशास्त्रदृष्टैः (aśāstradṛṣṭaiḥ) - not sanctioned by śāstra; हि (hi) - indeed; मोहात् (mohāt) - out of delusion; सम्पीडयन् (sampīḍayan) - oppressing; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects;]
(Having wealth as the root, and non-injury, he himself does by himself; by taxes not sanctioned by śāstra indeed, out of delusion, oppressing the subjects.)
He, whose foundation is wealth and who professes non-injury, himself, out of delusion, imposes taxes not sanctioned by śāstra, thereby oppressing his subjects.
ऊधश्छिन्द्याद्धि यो धेन्वाः क्षीरार्थी न लभेत्पयः। एवं राष्ट्रमयोगेन पीडितं न विवर्धते ॥१२-७२-१६॥
ūdhaś chindyād dhi yo dhenvāḥ kṣīrārthī na labheta payaḥ। evaṃ rāṣṭram ayogena pīḍitaṃ na vivardhate ॥12-72-16॥
[ऊधः (ūdhaḥ) - the udder; छिन्द्यात् (chindyāt) - should cut; हि (hi) - indeed; यः (yaḥ) - who; धेन्वाः (dhenvāḥ) - of cows; क्षीरार्थी (kṣīrārthī) - milk-seeker; न (na) - not; लभेत (labheta) - would obtain; पयः (payaḥ) - milk; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; राष्ट्रम् (rāṣṭram) - kingdom; अयोगेन (ayogena) - by mismanagement; पीडितम् (pīḍitam) - afflicted; न (na) - not; विवर्धते (vivardhate) - prospers;]
(Indeed, if one should cut the udder of cows, the milk-seeker would not obtain milk. Thus, a kingdom afflicted by mismanagement does not prosper.)
If someone were to cut the udder of cows, a person seeking milk would not get any. In the same way, a kingdom afflicted by mismanagement does not prosper.
यो हि दोग्ध्रीमुपास्ते तु स नित्यं लभते पयः। एवं राष्ट्रमुपायेन भुञ्जानो लभते फलम् ॥१२-७२-१७॥
yo hi dogdhṛīm upāste tu sa nityaṃ labhate payaḥ। evaṃ rāṣṭram upāyena bhuñjānaḥ labhate phalam ॥12-72-17॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; हि (hi) - indeed; दोग्ध्रीम् (dogdhṛīm) - milch cow; उपास्ते (upāste) - worships; तु (tu) - but; सः (saḥ) - he; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; लभते (labhate) - obtains; पयः (payaḥ) - milk; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; राष्ट्रम् (rāṣṭram) - kingdom; उपायेन (upāyena) - by means; भुञ्जानः (bhuñjānaḥ) - enjoying; लभते (labhate) - obtains; फलम् (phalam) - fruit;]
(He who indeed worships the milch cow, but he always obtains milk. Thus, enjoying the kingdom by means, obtains fruit.)
He who tends the milch cow always obtains milk; likewise, one who enjoys the kingdom by proper means obtains its rewards.
अथ राष्ट्रमुपायेन भुज्यमानं सुरक्षितम्। जनयत्यतुलां नित्यं कोशवृद्धिं युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-७२-१८॥
atha rāṣṭram-upāyena bhujyamānaṃ surakṣitam। janayaty-atulāṃ nityaṃ kośavṛddhiṃ yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-72-18॥
[अथ (atha) - now; then; राष्ट्रम् (rāṣṭram) - kingdom; state; उपायेन (upāyena) - by means; by strategy; भुज्यमानं (bhujyamānaṃ) - being enjoyed; being governed; सुरक्षितम् (surakṣitam) - well-protected; secured; जनयति (janayati) - generates; produces; अतुलां (atulāṃ) - incomparable; unsurpassed; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; constantly; कोशवृद्धिं (kośavṛddhiṃ) - increase of treasury; growth of wealth; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - O Yudhiṣṭhira; Yudhiṣṭhira; ॥१२-७२-१८॥ (॥12-72-18॥) - ;]
(Now, O Yudhiṣṭhira, a kingdom that is governed by means (of strategy) and well-protected always generates incomparable increase of treasury.)
O Yudhiṣṭhira, when a kingdom is governed with strategy and kept secure, it always produces an unsurpassed growth of wealth.
दोग्धि धान्यं हिरण्यं च प्रजा राज्ञि सुरक्षिता। नित्यं स्वेभ्यः परेभ्यश्च तृप्ता माता यथा पयः ॥१२-७२-१९॥
dogdhi dhānyaṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca prajā rājñi surakṣitā। nityaṃ svebhyaḥ parebhyaś ca tṛptā mātā yathā payaḥ ॥12-72-19॥
[दोग्धि (dogdhi) - milks; (from the root duh, to milk, extract;) धान्यं (dhānyaṃ) - grain; (cereal;) हिरण्यं (hiraṇyaṃ) - gold; (precious metal;) च (ca) - and; प्रजा (prajā) - subjects; (people;) राज्ञि (rājñi) - O queen; (vocative of rājñī;) सुरक्षिता (surakṣitā) - well-protected; (secure;) नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; स्वेभ्यः (svebhyaḥ) - to her own; (to her own people;) परेभ्यः (parebhyaḥ) - to others; (to outsiders;) च (ca) - and; तृप्ता (tṛptā) - satisfied; (contented;) माता (mātā) - mother; यथा (yathā) - just as; पयः (payaḥ) - milk; (nourishment;);]
(Milks grain and gold and subjects, O queen, well-protected, always to her own and to others, satisfied mother just as milk.)
O queen, when the subjects are well-protected, the land yields grain and gold; just as a mother, always satisfied, gives milk to her own and to others.
मालाकारोपमो राजन्भव माङ्गारिकोपमः। तथा युक्तश्चिरं राष्ट्रं भोक्तुं शक्यसि पालयन् ॥१२-७२-२०॥
mālākāropamo rājan bhava māṅgārikopamaḥ। tathā yuktaś ciraṃ rāṣṭraṃ bhoktuṃ śakyasi pālayan ॥12-72-20॥
[मालाकार-उपमः (mālākāra-upamaḥ) - like a garland-maker; राजन् (rājan) - O king; भव (bhava) - be; माङ्गारिक-उपमः (māṅgārika-upamaḥ) - like a gardener; तथा (tathā) - thus; युक्तः (yuktaḥ) - engaged; चिरम् (ciram) - for a long time; राष्ट्रम् (rāṣṭram) - kingdom; भोक्तुम् (bhoktum) - to enjoy; शक्यसि (śakyasi) - you are able; पालयन् (pālayan) - protecting;]
(O king, be like a garland-maker, like a gardener. Thus, being engaged, you are able to enjoy and protect the kingdom for a long time.)
O king, be like a garland-maker and a gardener. In this way, by being diligent, you will be able to rule and enjoy your kingdom for a long time while protecting it.
परचक्राभियानेन यदि ते स्याद्धनक्षयः। अथ साम्नैव लिप्सेथा धनमब्राह्मणेषु यत् ॥१२-७२-२१॥
paracakrābhiyānena yadi te syād dhanakṣayaḥ। atha sāmnaiva lipsethā dhanam abrāhmaṇeṣu yat ॥12-72-21॥
[परचक्र-अभियानेन (paracakra-abhiyānena) - by the campaign against the enemy; यदि (yadi) - if; ते (te) - to you; स्यात् (syāt) - there is; धन-क्षयः (dhana-kṣayaḥ) - loss of wealth; अथ (atha) - then; साम्ना एव (sāmnā eva) - by conciliation alone; लिप्सेथा (lipsethā) - you should seek; धनम् (dhanam) - wealth; अब्राह्मणेषु (abrāhmaṇeṣu) - among non-Brahmins; यत् (yat) - which;]
(By the campaign against the enemy, if there is loss of wealth to you, then by conciliation alone you should seek the wealth which is among non-Brahmins.)
If, by campaigning against the enemy, you suffer loss of wealth, then you should seek to recover wealth from non-Brahmins by conciliation alone.
मा स्म ते ब्राह्मणं दृष्ट्वा धनस्थं प्रचलेन्मनः। अन्त्यायामप्यवस्थायां किमु स्फीतस्य भारत ॥१२-७२-२२॥
mā sma te brāhmaṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanasthaṃ pracalenmanaḥ। antyāyāmapyavasthāyāṃ kimu sphītasya bhārata ॥12-72-22॥
[मा (mā) - do not; स्म (sma) - indeed; ते (te) - your; ब्राह्मणम् (brāhmaṇam) - brāhmaṇa; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; धनस्थम् (dhanastham) - possessed of wealth; प्रचलेत् (pracalet) - should move; मनः (manaḥ) - mind; अन्त्यायाम् (antyāyām) - in the lowest; अपि (api) - even; अवस्थायाम् (avasthāyām) - in condition; किमु (kimu) - how much more; स्फीतस्य (sphītasya) - of the prosperous; भारत (bhārata) - O Bhārata;]
(Do not indeed let your mind move, having seen a brāhmaṇa possessed of wealth. Even in the lowest condition, how much more in the prosperous, O Bhārata.)
O Bhārata, do not let your mind be disturbed upon seeing a wealthy brāhmaṇa. If this is so even in a lowly state, how much more so in a prosperous one.
धनानि तेभ्यो दद्यास्त्वं यथाशक्ति यथार्हतः। सान्त्वयन्परिरक्षंश्च स्वर्गमाप्स्यसि दुर्जयम् ॥१२-७२-२३॥
dhanāni tebhyo dadyāstvaṃ yathāśakti yathārhataḥ। sāntvayan parirakṣaṃś ca svargam āpsyasi durjayam ॥12-72-23॥
[धनानि (dhanāni) - wealths; तेभ्यः (tebhyaḥ) - to them; दद्याः (dadyāḥ) - you should give; त्वम् (tvam) - you; यथा (yathā) - according to; शक्ति (śakti) - ability; यथा (yathā) - according to; अर्हतः (arhataḥ) - worthiness; सान्त्वयन् (sāntvayan) - soothing; परिरक्षन् (parirakṣan) - protecting; च (ca) - and; स्वर्गम् (svargam) - heaven; आप्स्यसि (āpsyasi) - you will attain; दुर्जयम् (durjayam) - difficult to conquer;]
(Wealths to them you should give, you according to ability, according to worthiness; soothing, protecting and, heaven you will attain, difficult to conquer.)
You should give wealth to them according to your ability and their worthiness; by soothing and protecting them, you will attain the heaven that is difficult to conquer.
एवं धर्मेण वृत्तेन प्रजास्त्वं परिपालयन्। स्वन्तं पुण्यं यशोवन्तं प्राप्स्यसे कुरुनन्दन ॥१२-७२-२४॥
evaṃ dharmeṇa vṛttena prajāstvaṃ paripālayan। svantaṃ puṇyaṃ yaśovantaṃ prāpsyase kurunandana ॥12-72-24॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by dharma; वृत्तेन (vṛttena) - by conduct; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; त्वं (tvaṃ) - you; परिपालयन् (paripālayan) - protecting; स्वन्तं (svantam) - your own; पुण्यम् (puṇyam) - merit; यशोवन्तम् (yaśovantam) - endowed with fame; प्राप्स्यसे (prāpsyase) - you will obtain; कुरुनन्दन (kurunandana) - O joy of the Kurus;]
(Thus, by dharma and by conduct, protecting the subjects, you will obtain your own merit and fame, O joy of the Kurus.)
O joy of the Kurus, by protecting your subjects in this way, with righteous conduct, you will attain your own merit and enduring fame.
धर्मेण व्यवहारेण प्रजाः पालय पाण्डव। युधिष्ठिर तथा युक्तो नाधिबन्धेन योक्ष्यसे ॥१२-७२-२५॥
dharmeṇa vyavahāreṇa prajāḥ pālaya pāṇḍava। yudhiṣṭhira tathā yukto nādhibandhena yokṣyase ॥12-72-25॥
[धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by dharma; by righteousness; व्यवहारेण (vyavahāreṇa) - by conduct; by proper dealings; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; people; पालय (pālaya) - protect; govern; पाण्डव (pāṇḍava) - O Pāṇḍava; O son of Pāṇḍu; युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; तथा (tathā) - thus; in this way; युक्तः (yuktaḥ) - engaged; endowed; न (na) - not; अधिबन्धेन (adhibandhena) - by attachment; by bondage; योक्ष्यसे (yokṣyase) - you will rule; you will govern;]
(By dharma, by proper conduct, protect the people, O Pāṇḍava. Yudhiṣṭhira, thus engaged, you will not rule by attachment.)
O Pāṇḍava, govern your subjects with righteousness and proper conduct. Yudhiṣṭhira, if you act in this way, you will rule without being bound by attachment.
एष एव परो धर्मो यद्राजा रक्षते प्रजाः। भूतानां हि यथा धर्मे रक्षणं च परा दया ॥१२-७२-२६॥
eṣa eva paro dharmo yadrājā rakṣate prajāḥ। bhūtānāṃ hi yathā dharme rakṣaṇaṃ ca parā dayā ॥12-72-26॥
[एष (eṣa) - this; एव (eva) - indeed; परः (paraḥ) - supreme; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - duty; यत् (yat) - that which; राजा (rājā) - king; रक्षते (rakṣate) - protects; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; भूतानाम् (bhūtānām) - of beings; हि (hi) - indeed; यथा (yathā) - as; धर्मे (dharme) - in righteousness; रक्षणम् (rakṣaṇam) - protection; च (ca) - and; परा (parā) - supreme; दया (dayā) - compassion;]
(This indeed is the supreme duty: that which the king protects the subjects. Of beings, indeed, as in righteousness, protection and supreme compassion.)
This is truly the highest duty: when the king protects his subjects. For all beings, protection in accordance with righteousness and supreme compassion are paramount.
तस्मादेवं परं धर्मं मन्यन्ते धर्मकोविदाः। यद्राजा रक्षणे युक्तो भूतेषु कुरुते दयाम् ॥१२-७२-२७॥
tasmādevaṃ paraṃ dharmaṃ manyante dharmakovidāḥ। yadrājā rakṣaṇe yukto bhūteṣu kurute dayām ॥12-72-27॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; परम् (param) - supreme; धर्मम् (dharmaṃ) - dharma; मन्यन्ते (manyante) - they consider; धर्मकोविदाः (dharmakovidāḥ) - knowers of dharma; यत् (yat) - that which; राजा (rājā) - the king; रक्षणे (rakṣaṇe) - in protection; युक्तः (yuktaḥ) - engaged; भूतेषु (bhūteṣu) - towards beings; कुरुते (kurute) - does; दयाम् (dayām) - compassion;]
(Therefore, thus, the supreme dharma is considered (to be) that which the knowers of dharma (say): when the king, engaged in protection, shows compassion towards beings.)
Therefore, the knowers of dharma consider that to be the highest dharma when the king, engaged in protection, shows compassion towards all beings.
यदह्ना कुरुते पापमरक्षन्भयतः प्रजाः। राजा वर्षसहस्रेण तस्यान्तमधिगच्छति ॥१२-७२-२८॥
yad-ahnā kurute pāpam arakṣan bhayataḥ prajāḥ। rājā varṣa-sahasreṇa tasya antam adhigacchati॥12-72-28॥
[यत् (yat) - which; अह्ना (ahnā) - in a day; कुरुते (kurute) - does; पापम् (pāpam) - evil; अरक्षन् (arakṣan) - not protecting; भयतः (bhayataḥ) - out of fear; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; राजा (rājā) - king; वर्षसहस्रेण (varṣa-sahasreṇa) - by a thousand years; तस्य (tasya) - of him; अन्तम् (antam) - end; अधिगच्छति (adhigacchati) - attains;]
(Which evil the king does in a day, not protecting the subjects out of fear, the king attains the end of that by a thousand years.)
Whatever evil a king commits in a day by not protecting his subjects out of fear, he attains the consequences of that even after a thousand years.
यदह्ना कुरुते पुण्यं प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन्। दश वर्षसहस्राणि तस्य भुङ्क्ते फलं दिवि ॥१२-७२-२९॥
yad-ahnā kurute puṇyaṃ prajā dharmeṇa pālayan। daśa varṣasahasrāṇi tasya bhuṅkte phalaṃ divi ॥12-72-29॥
[यद्-अह्ना (yad-ahnā) - by which day; कुरुते (kurute) - does; पुण्यम् (puṇyam) - meritorious act; प्रजाः (prajāḥ) - subjects; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by righteousness; पालयन् (pālayan) - protecting; दश (daśa) - ten; वर्ष-सहस्राणि (varṣa-sahasrāṇi) - thousand years; तस्य (tasya) - his; भुङ्क्ते (bhuṅkte) - enjoys; फलम् (phalam) - fruit; दिवि (divi) - in heaven;]
(By whichever day he performs a meritorious act, protecting the subjects with righteousness, he enjoys the fruit of that for ten thousand years in heaven.)
For every day a king protects his subjects with righteousness and performs meritorious acts, he enjoys the fruit of that action in heaven for ten thousand years.
स्विष्टिः स्वधीतिः सुतपा लोकाञ्जयति यावतः। क्षणेन तानवाप्नोति प्रजा धर्मेण पालयन् ॥१२-७२-३०॥
sviṣṭiḥ svadhītiḥ sutapā lokāñjayati yāvataḥ। kṣaṇena tānavāpnoti prajā dharmeṇa pālayan ॥12-72-30॥
[स्विष्टिः (sviṣṭiḥ) - properly performed sacrifice; स्वधीतिः (svadhītiḥ) - well-studied; सुतपा (sutapā) - one who has performed good austerities; लोकान् (lokān) - worlds; जयति (jayati) - conquers; यावतः (yāvataḥ) - as many as; क्षणेन (kṣaṇena) - in a moment; तान् (tān) - them; अवाप्नोति (avāpnoti) - attains; प्रजा (prajā) - subjects; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by righteousness; पालयन् (pālayan) - protecting;]
(Properly performed sacrifice, well-studied, one who has performed good austerities conquers as many worlds; in a moment, protecting the subjects by righteousness, he attains them.)
One who has performed proper sacrifices, is well-studied, and has practiced good austerities conquers as many worlds as there are; by protecting his subjects with righteousness, he attains those worlds in a moment.
एवं धर्मं प्रयत्नेन कौन्तेय परिपालयन्। इह पुण्यफलं लब्ध्वा नाधिबन्धेन योक्ष्यसे ॥१२-७२-३१॥
evaṃ dharmaṃ prayatnena kaunteya paripālayan। iha puṇyaphalaṃ labdhvā nādhibandhena yokṣyase ॥12-72-31॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; धर्मं (dharmaṃ) - duty; प्रयत्नेन (prayatnena) - with effort; कौन्तेय (kaunteya) - O son of Kunti; परिपालयन् (paripālayan) - protecting; इह (iha) - here; पुण्यफलं (puṇyaphalaṃ) - the fruit of merit; लब्ध्वा (labdhvā) - having obtained; नाधिबन्धेन (na adhibandhena) - without bondage; योक्ष्यसे (yokṣyase) - you will enjoy;]
(Thus, duty with effort, O son of Kunti, protecting; here, the fruit of merit having obtained, without bondage, you will enjoy.)
O son of Kunti, thus protecting duty with effort, you will enjoy the fruit of merit here, having obtained it without bondage.
स्वर्गलोके च महतीं श्रियं प्राप्स्यसि पाण्डव। असम्भवश्च धर्माणामीदृशानामराजसु ॥ तस्माद्राजैव नान्योऽस्ति यो महत्फलमाप्नुयात् ॥१२-७२-३२॥
svargaloke ca mahatīṃ śriyaṃ prāpsyasi pāṇḍava। asambhavaś ca dharmāṇām īdṛśānām rājasu॥ tasmād rājaiva nānyo'sti yo mahat phalam āpnuyāt॥ 12-72-32॥
[स्वर्गलोके (svargaloke) - in the heavenly world; च (ca) - and; महतीं (mahatīm) - great; श्रियम् (śriyam) - prosperity; प्राप्स्यसि (prāpsyasi) - you will attain; पाण्डव (pāṇḍava) - O Pāṇḍava; असम्भवः (asambhavaḥ) - impossibility; च (ca) - and; धर्माणाम् (dharmāṇām) - of dharmas; ईदृशानाम् (īdṛśānām) - such as these; राजसु (rājasu) - among kings; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; राजा (rājā) - king; एव (eva) - alone; न (na) - not; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - other; अस्ति (asti) - is; यः (yaḥ) - who; महत् (mahat) - great; फलम् (phalam) - fruit; आप्नुयात् (āpnuyāt) - may obtain;]
(In the heavenly world and great prosperity you will attain, O Pāṇḍava. And the impossibility of such dharmas among kings. Therefore, only the king, not another, is there who may obtain great fruit.)
O Pāṇḍava, you will attain great prosperity in the heavenly world. Such dharmas are impossible among kings. Therefore, only a king, and no one else, can obtain such great rewards.
स राज्यमृद्धिमत्प्राप्य धर्मेण परिपालयन्। इन्द्रं तर्पय सोमेन कामैश्च सुहृदो जनान् ॥१२-७२-३३॥
sa rājyam ṛddhimat prāpya dharmeṇa paripālayan। indraṃ tarpaya somena kāmaiś ca suhṛdo janān ॥12-72-33॥
[स (sa) - he; राज्यम् (rājyam) - kingdom; ऋद्धिमत् (ṛddhimat) - prosperous; प्राप्य (prāpya) - having obtained; धर्मेण (dharmeṇa) - by righteousness; परिपालयन् (paripālayan) - protecting; इन्द्रम् (indram) - Indra; तर्पय (tarpaya) - satisfying; सोमेन (somena) - with Soma; कामैः (kāmaiḥ) - with desires; च (ca) - and; सुहृदः (suhṛdaḥ) - friends; जनान् (janān) - people;]
(He, having obtained a prosperous kingdom, protecting (it) by righteousness, satisfying Indra with Soma and friends and people with desires.)
Having attained a prosperous kingdom, he protected it with righteousness, satisfied Indra with Soma, and fulfilled the desires of his friends and people.
