12.081
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
[युधिष्ठिर (yudhiṣṭhira) - Yudhiṣṭhira; (proper noun, name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (from the root 'vac' - to speak);]
(Yudhiṣṭhira said;)
Yudhiṣṭhira said:
यदप्यल्पतरं कर्म तदप्येकेन दुष्करम्। पुरुषेणासहायेन किमु राज्यं पितामह ॥१२-८१-१॥
yad apy alpataraṃ karma tad apy ekena duṣkaram। puruṣeṇāsahāyena kimu rājyaṃ pitāmaha ॥12-81-1॥
[यत् (yat) - which; अपि (api) - even; अल्पतरम् (alpataram) - very small; कर्म (karma) - action; तत् (tat) - that; अपि (api) - even; एकेन (ekena) - by one; दुष्करम् (duṣkaram) - difficult; पुरुषेण (puruṣeṇa) - by a man; असहायेन (asahāyena) - without help; किम् (kim) - how; उ (u) - indeed; राज्यम् (rājyaṃ) - kingdom; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandsire;]
(Which even a very small action, that even by one is difficult; by a man without help, how indeed (to accomplish) a kingdom, O grandsire.)
Even a very small task is difficult for one person alone; how much more so is ruling a kingdom without assistance, O grandsire?
किंशीलः किंसमाचारो राज्ञोऽर्थसचिवो भवेत्। कीदृशे विश्वसेद्राजा कीदृशे नापि विश्वसेत् ॥१२-८१-२॥
kiṃśīlaḥ kiṃsamācāro rājño'rthasacivo bhavet। kīdṛśe viśvasedrājā kīdṛśe nāpi viśvaset ॥12-81-2॥
[किंशीलः (kiṃśīlaḥ) - of what character; किंसमाचारः (kiṃsamācāraḥ) - of what conduct; राज्ञः (rājñaḥ) - of the king; अर्थसचिवः (arthasacivaḥ) - minister of wealth; भवेत् (bhavet) - should be; कीदृशे (kīdṛśe) - in whom; विश्वसेत् (viśvaset) - should trust; राजा (rājā) - the king; कीदृशे (kīdṛśe) - in whom; न (na) - not; अपि (api) - even; विश्वसेत् (viśvaset) - should trust;]
(Of what character, of what conduct should the king's minister of wealth be? In whom should the king trust, in whom should he not even trust?)
What should be the character and conduct of the king's minister of wealth? Whom should the king trust, and whom should he not trust?
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said:
चतुर्विधानि मित्राणि राज्ञां राजन्भवन्त्युत। सहार्थो भजमानश्च सहजः कृत्रिमस्तथा ॥१२-८१-३॥
caturvidhāni mitrāṇi rājñāṃ rājñbhavantyuta। sahārtho bhajamānaśca sahajaḥ kṛtrimastathā ॥12-81-3॥
[चतुर्विधानि (caturvidhāni) - of four kinds; मित्राणि (mitrāṇi) - friends; राज्ञां (rājñām) - of kings; राजन् (rājan) - O king; भवन्ति (bhavanti) - are; उत (uta) - indeed; सहार्थः (sahārthaḥ) - companion in wealth; भजमानः (bhajamānaḥ) - one who shares; च (ca) - and; सहजः (sahajaḥ) - natural (friend); कृत्रिमः (kṛtrimaḥ) - artificial (friend); तथा (tathā) - likewise;]
(Of four kinds friends of kings, O king, are indeed: companion in wealth, one who shares, and natural (friend), artificial (friend), likewise.)
O king, friends of kings are of four kinds: those who are companions in wealth, those who share, natural friends, and artificial friends.
धर्मात्मा पञ्चमं मित्रं स तु नैकस्य न द्वयोः। यतो धर्मस्ततो वा स्यान्मध्यस्थो वा ततो भवेत् ॥१२-८१-४॥
dharmātmā pañcamaṃ mitraṃ sa tu naikasya na dvayoḥ। yato dharmastato vā syān madhyastho vā tato bhavet ॥12-81-4॥
[धर्मात्मा (dharmātmā) - one whose essence is dharma; पञ्चमं (pañcamaṃ) - fifth; मित्रं (mitraṃ) - friend; स (sa) - he; तु (tu) - but; न (na) - not; एकस्य (ekasya) - of one; न (na) - not; द्वयोः (dvayoḥ) - of two; यतः (yataḥ) - from where; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; ततः (tataḥ) - from there; वा (vā) - or; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; मध्यस्थः (madhyasthaḥ) - neutral; वा (vā) - or; ततः (tataḥ) - from there; भवेत् (bhavet) - may become;]
(One whose essence is dharma is the fifth friend, but not of one, not of two; from where there is dharma, from there he may be, or he may be neutral, or from there he may become.)
The person whose nature is rooted in dharma is considered the fifth friend, but he does not belong to just one or two; wherever there is dharma, he is present, or he may remain neutral, or he may arise from there.
यस्तस्यार्थो न रोचेत न तं तस्य प्रकाशयेत्। धर्माधर्मेण राजानश्चरन्ति विजिगीषवः ॥१२-८१-५॥
yas tasyārtho na roceta na taṃ tasya prakāśayet. dharmādharmeṇa rājānaś caranti vijigīṣavaḥ ॥12-81-5॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; तस्य (tasya) - his; अर्थः (arthaḥ) - meaning; न (na) - not; रोचेत (roceta) - pleases; न (na) - not; तम् (tam) - him; तस्य (tasya) - to him; प्रकाशयेत् (prakāśayet) - should reveal; धर्माधर्मेण (dharmādharmeṇa) - with righteousness and unrighteousness; राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; चरन्ति (caranti) - move; विजिगीषवः (vijigīṣavaḥ) - desiring to conquer;]
(Whoever's meaning does not please, one should not reveal that to him. Kings desiring to conquer move with righteousness and unrighteousness.)
One should not reveal to a person what does not please him. Kings who desire victory act using both righteousness and unrighteousness.
चतुर्णां मध्यमौ श्रेष्ठौ नित्यं शङ्क्यौ तथापरौ। सर्वे नित्यं शङ्कितव्याः प्रत्यक्षं कार्यमात्मनः ॥१२-८१-६॥
caturṇāṃ madhyamau śreṣṭhau nityaṃ śaṅkyau tathāparau। sarve nityaṃ śaṅkitavyāḥ pratyakṣaṃ kāryam ātmanaḥ ॥12-81-6॥
[चतुर्णां (caturṇāṃ) - of four; मध्यमौ (madhyamau) - the middle two; श्रेष्ठौ (śreṣṭhau) - are the best; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; शङ्क्यौ (śaṅkyau) - to be doubted; तथा (tathā) - likewise; अपरौ (aparau) - the other two; सर्वे (sarve) - all; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; शङ्कितव्याः (śaṅkitavyāḥ) - should be doubted; प्रत्यक्षं (pratyakṣam) - directly; कार्यं (kāryam) - to be done; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - by oneself;]
(Of four, the middle two are the best, always to be doubted; likewise, the other two. All should always be doubted; directly, the act is to be done by oneself.)
Among four, the two in the middle are considered the best and should always be doubted, as should the other two. All should always be regarded with suspicion; one should act directly for oneself.
न हि राज्ञा प्रमादो वै कर्तव्यो मित्ररक्षणे। प्रमादिनं हि राजानं लोकाः परिभवन्त्युत ॥१२-८१-७॥
na hi rājñā pramādo vai kartavyo mitrarakṣaṇe। pramādinaṃ hi rājānaṃ lokāḥ paribhavantyuta ॥12-81-7॥
[न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; राज्ञा (rājñā) - by the king; प्रमादः (pramādaḥ) - negligence; वै (vai) - truly; कर्तव्यः (kartavyaḥ) - to be done; मित्ररक्षणे (mitrarakṣaṇe) - in the protection of friends; प्रमादिनम् (pramādinam) - negligent; हि (hi) - indeed; राजानम् (rājānam) - king; लोकाः (lokāḥ) - people; परिभवन्ति (paribhavanti) - disregard; उत (uta) - also;]
(Not indeed by the king is negligence truly to be done in the protection of friends. The negligent king indeed people disregard also.)
A king must never be negligent in protecting his friends; for people indeed disregard a negligent king.
असाधुः साधुतामेति साधुर्भवति दारुणः। अरिश्च मित्रं भवति मित्रं चापि प्रदुष्यति ॥१२-८१-८॥
asādhuḥ sādhutāmeti sādhur bhavati dāruṇaḥ। ariś ca mitraṃ bhavati mitraṃ cāpi praduṣyati ॥12-81-8॥
[असाधुः (asādhuḥ) - not-good person; साधुताम् (sādhutām) - goodness; एति (eti) - attains; साधुः (sādhuḥ) - good person; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; दारुणः (dāruṇaḥ) - cruel person; अरिः (ariḥ) - enemy; च (ca) - and; मित्रम् (mitram) - friend; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; मित्रम् (mitram) - friend; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; प्रदुष्यति (praduṣyati) - becomes corrupted;]
(A not-good person attains goodness; a good person becomes cruel. An enemy becomes a friend, and a friend also becomes corrupted.)
An evil person can become good, and a good person can turn cruel. An enemy may become a friend, and even a friend may become corrupted.
अनित्यचित्तः पुरुषस्तस्मिन्को जातु विश्वसेत्। तस्मात्प्रधानं यत्कार्यं प्रत्यक्षं तत्समाचरेत् ॥१२-८१-९॥
anityacittaḥ puruṣas tasmin ko jātu viśvaset। tasmāt pradhānaṃ yat kāryaṃ pratyakṣaṃ tat samācaret ॥12-81-9॥
[अनित्यचित्तः (anityacittaḥ) - impermanent-minded; पुरुषः (puruṣaḥ) - man; तस्मिन् (tasmin) - in him; कः (kaḥ) - who; जातु (jātu) - ever; विश्वसेत् (viśvaset) - should trust; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; प्रधानम् (pradhānam) - principal; यत् (yat) - which; कार्यं (kāryam) - duty; प्रत्यक्षम् (pratyakṣam) - present; तत् (tat) - that; समाचरेत् (samācaret) - should perform;]
(Impermanent-minded man—in him, who ever should trust? Therefore, the principal duty which is present, that should be performed.)
Who could ever trust a man whose mind is inconstant? Therefore, one should perform whatever principal duty is at hand.
एकान्तेन हि विश्वासः कृत्स्नो धर्मार्थनाशकः। अविश्वासश्च सर्वत्र मृत्युना न विशिष्यते ॥१२-८१-१०॥
ekāntena hi viśvāsaḥ kṛtsno dharmārthanāśakaḥ। aviśvāsaś ca sarvatra mṛtyunā na viśiṣyate ॥12-81-10॥
[एकान्तेन (ekāntena) - exclusively; by certainty; हि (hi) - indeed; for; विश्वासः (viśvāsaḥ) - trust; confidence; कृत्स्नः (kṛtsnaḥ) - entire; complete; धर्मार्थनाशकः (dharmārthanāśakaḥ) - destroyer of righteousness and wealth; अविश्वासः (aviśvāsaḥ) - distrust; lack of trust; च (ca) - and; सर्वत्र (sarvatra) - everywhere; मृत्युना (mṛtyunā) - with death; न (na) - not; विशिष्यते (viśiṣyate) - is distinguished; is different;]
(Exclusively indeed, trust, entire, is a destroyer of righteousness and wealth; and distrust everywhere is not distinguished from death.)
Exclusive trust is entirely destructive of righteousness and wealth; and everywhere, distrust is no different from death.
अकालमृत्युर्विश्वासो विश्वसन्हि विपद्यते। यस्मिन्करोति विश्वासमिच्छतस्तस्य जीवति ॥१२-८१-११॥
akālamṛtyurviśvāso viśvasan hi vipadyate। yasmin karoti viśvāsam icchatas tasya jīvati ॥12-81-11॥
[अकालमृत्युः (akālamṛtyuḥ) - untimely death; (akāla - untimely; mṛtyuḥ - death;) विश्वासः (viśvāsaḥ) - trust; confidence; विश्वसन् (viśvasan) - one who trusts; हि (hi) - indeed; for; विपद्यते (vipadyate) - perishes; comes to harm; यस्मिन् (yasmin) - in whom; करोति (karoti) - places; does; विश्वासम् (viśvāsam) - trust; इच्छतः (icchataḥ) - of the one who desires; तस्य (tasya) - of him; his; जीवति (jīvati) - lives; survives;]
(Untimely death is trust; for one who trusts indeed perishes. In whom one places trust, of the one who desires, his (that person's) lives.)
Trust is like untimely death; for one who trusts is ruined. But the one in whom a person who desires places trust, that person lives.
तस्माद्विश्वसितव्यं च शङ्कितव्यं च केषुचित्। एषा नीतिगतिस्तात लक्ष्मीश्चैव सनातनी ॥१२-८१-१२॥
tasmād viśvasitavyaṃ ca śaṅkitavyaṃ ca keṣucit। eṣā nītigatis tāta lakṣmīś caiva sanātanī ॥12-81-12॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; विश्वसितव्यम् (viśvasitavyam) - should be trusted; च (ca) - and; शङ्कितव्यम् (śaṅkitavyam) - should be doubted; च (ca) - and; केषुचित् (keṣucit) - in some (persons); एषा (eṣā) - this; नीतिगतिः (nītigatiḥ) - course of conduct; तात (tāta) - dear one; लक्ष्मीः (lakṣmīḥ) - fortune; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; सनातनी (sanātanī) - eternal;]
(Therefore, one should trust and also doubt some (persons); this is the course of conduct, dear one, and fortune indeed is eternal.)
Therefore, one should both trust and be cautious with some people; this is the way of conduct, dear one, and fortune is indeed eternal.
यं मन्येत ममाभावादिममर्थागमः स्पृशेत्। नित्यं तस्माच्छङ्कितव्यममित्रं तं विदुर्बुधाः ॥१२-८१-१३॥
yaṃ manyeta mamābhāvādimamarthāgamaḥ spṛśet। nityaṃ tasmācchaṅkitavyam amitraṃ taṃ vidur budhāḥ ॥12-81-13॥
[यं (yaṃ) - whom; मন্যेत (manyeta) - one thinks; मम (mama) - my; अभावात् (abhāvāt) - from absence; इमम् (imam) - this; अर्थागमः (arthāgamaḥ) - gain of wealth; स्पृशेत् (spṛśet) - touches; नित्यं (nityam) - always; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; शङ्कितव्यम् (śaṅkitavyam) - should be suspected; अमित्रं (amitraṃ) - enemy; तं (taṃ) - him; विदुः (viduḥ) - know; बुधाः (budhāḥ) - the wise;]
(Whom one thinks, from my absence, this gain of wealth touches—always, therefore, should be suspected as an enemy; him the wise know.)
The wise know that one whom you suspect of gaining wealth in your absence should always be regarded as an enemy.
यस्य क्षेत्रादप्युदकं क्षेत्रमन्यस्य गच्छति। न तत्रानिच्छतस्तस्य भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः ॥१२-८१-१४॥
yasya kṣetrād apy udakaṃ kṣetram anyasya gacchati। na tatra anicchatas tasya bhidyeraṃ sarva-setavaḥ॥12-81-14॥
[यस्य (yasya) - of whose; क्षेत्रात् (kṣetrāt) - from the field; अपि (api) - even; उदकं (udakaṃ) - water; क्षेत्रम् (kṣetram) - to the field; अन्यस्य (anyasya) - of another; गच्छति (gacchati) - goes; न (na) - not; तत्र (tatra) - there; अनिच्छतः (anicchatas) - of the unwilling; तस्य (tasya) - of him; भिद्येरन् (bhidyeraṃ) - would be broken; सर्वसेतवः (sarva-setavaḥ) - all the boundaries;]
(Of whose field even water goes to the field of another, not there of the unwilling of him would be broken all the boundaries.)
If from a person's field even water flows to another's field, then, even if the owner does not wish it, all the boundaries there would be broken.
तथैवात्युदकाद्भीतस्तस्य भेदनमिच्छति। यमेवंलक्षणं विद्यात्तममित्रं विनिर्दिशेत् ॥१२-८१-१५॥
tathaivātyudakādbhītas tasya bhedanam icchati। yam evaṃlakṣaṇaṃ vidyāt tam amitraṃ vinirdiśet ॥12-81-15॥
[तथैव (tathaiva) - in the same way; अत्युदकात् (atyudakāt) - from excessive water; भीतः (bhītaḥ) - frightened; तस्य (tasya) - of him; भेदनम् (bhedanam) - division; इच्छति (icchati) - desires; यम् (yam) - whom; एवंलक्षणम् (evaṃlakṣaṇam) - such characteristics; विद्यात् (vidyāt) - should know; तम् (tam) - him; अमित्रम् (amitram) - enemy; विनिर्दिशेत् (vinirdiśet) - should designate;]
(In the same way, frightened from excessive water, he desires division of it. Whom one should know as having such characteristics, him one should designate as an enemy.)
Just as one who is frightened by excessive water seeks to divide it, so too, whoever displays such characteristics should be recognized and designated as an enemy.
यः समृद्ध्या न तुष्येत क्षये दीनतरो भवेत्। एतदुत्तममित्रस्य निमित्तमभिचक्षते ॥१२-८१-१६॥
yaḥ samṛddhyā na tuṣyet kṣaye dīnataro bhavet। etaduttamamitrasy nimittamabhicakṣate ॥12-81-16॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; समृद्ध्या (samṛddhyā) - by prosperity; न (na) - not; तुष्येत (tuṣyet) - would be satisfied; क्षये (kṣaye) - in decline; दीनतरः (dīnataraḥ) - more miserable; भवेत् (bhavet) - would become; एतत् (etat) - this; उत्तम (uttama) - of the highest; मित्रस्य (mitrasya) - of friend; निमित्तम् (nimittam) - cause; अभिचक्षते (abhicakṣate) - they declare;]
(Who by prosperity is not satisfied, in decline becomes more miserable; this as the cause of the highest enemy they declare.)
He who is not satisfied by prosperity and becomes even more miserable in decline, this is declared to be the mark of a supreme enemy.
यं मन्येत ममाभावादस्याभावो भवेदिति। तस्मिन्कुर्वीत विश्वासं यथा पितरि वै तथा ॥१२-८१-१७॥
yaṃ manyeta mamābhāvād asyābhāvo bhaved iti। tasmin kurvīta viśvāsaṃ yathā pitari vai tathā ॥12-81-17॥
[यं (yaṃ) - whom; मন্যेत (manyeta) - one thinks; मम-अभावात् (mama-abhāvāt) - from my absence; अस्य-अभावः (asya-abhāvaḥ) - his non-existence; भवेत् (bhavet) - would occur; इति (iti) - thus; तस्मिन् (tasmin) - in him; कुर्वीत (kurvīta) - should place; विश्वासं (viśvāsaṃ) - trust; यथा (yathā) - just as; पितरि (pitari) - in the father; वै (vai) - indeed; तथा (tathā) - so;]
(Whom one thinks, 'from my absence his non-existence would occur'—in him should place trust, just as indeed in the father, so.)
One should place trust in that person whom one believes would cease to exist if oneself were absent, just as one trusts a father.
तं शक्त्या वर्धमानश्च सर्वतः परिबृंहयेत्। नित्यं क्षताद्वारयति यो धर्मेष्वपि कर्मसु ॥१२-८१-१८॥
taṃ śaktyā vardhamānaś ca sarvataḥ paribṛṃhayet। nityaṃ kṣatād vārayati yo dharmeṣv api karmasu ॥12-81-18॥
[तं (taṃ) - him; शक्त्या (śaktyā) - with power; वर्धमानः (vardhamānaḥ) - increasing; च (ca) - and; सर्वतः (sarvataḥ) - from all sides; परिबृंहयेत् (paribṛṃhayet) - should strengthen; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; क्षतात् (kṣatāt) - from harm; वारयति (vārayati) - protects; यः (yaḥ) - who; धर्मेषु (dharmeṣu) - in righteous acts; अपि (api) - even; कर्मसु (karmasu) - in actions;]
(Him with power increasing and from all sides should strengthen. Always from harm protects who even in righteous acts in actions.)
He should be strengthened from all sides with power as he grows. He who always protects from harm, even in righteous acts and actions.
क्षताद्भीतं विजानीयादुत्तमं मित्रलक्षणम्। ये तस्य क्षतमिच्छन्ति ते तस्य रिपवः स्मृताः ॥१२-८१-१९॥
kṣatādbhītaṃ vijānīyāduttamaṃ mitralakṣaṇam। ye tasya kṣatamicchanti te tasya ripavaḥ smṛtāḥ ॥12-81-19॥
[क्षतात् (kṣatāt) - from harm; भीतम् (bhītam) - afraid; विजानीयात् (vijānīyāt) - one should know; उत्तमम् (uttamam) - highest; मित्रलक्षणम् (mitralakṣaṇam) - mark of a friend; ये (ye) - those who; तस्य (tasya) - of him; क्षतम् (kṣatam) - harm; इच्छन्ति (icchanti) - desire; ते (te) - they; तस्य (tasya) - of him; रिपवः (ripavaḥ) - enemies; स्मृताः (smṛtāḥ) - are considered;]
(One should know fear from harm as the highest mark of a friend. Those who desire his harm are considered his enemies.)
Recognize that fear of harm is the greatest sign of friendship; those who wish for his harm are regarded as his enemies.
व्यसनान्नित्यभीतोऽसौ समृद्ध्यामेव तृप्यते। यत्स्यादेवंविधं मित्रं तदात्मसममुच्यते ॥१२-८१-२०॥
vyasanānnityabhīto'sau samṛddhyāmeva tṛpyate। yatsyādevaṃvidhaṃ mitraṃ tadātmasamamucyate ॥12-81-20॥
[व्यसनात् (vyasanāt) - from adversity; नित्य (nitya) - always; भीतः (bhītaḥ) - afraid; असौ (asau) - he; समृद्ध्या (samṛddhyā) - by prosperity; एव (eva) - only; तृप्यते (tṛpyate) - is satisfied; यत् (yat) - which; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; एवंविधं (evaṃvidham) - such; मित्रं (mitram) - friend; तत् (tat) - that; आत्मसमम् (ātmasamam) - equal to oneself; उच्यते (ucyate) - is called;]
(He, always afraid of adversity, is satisfied only by prosperity. That friend which may be such is called equal to oneself.)
A person who is always fearful of adversity and is satisfied only in prosperity—such a friend is said to be like oneself.
रूपवर्णस्वरोपेतस्तितिक्षुरनसूयकः। कुलीनः शीलसम्पन्नः स ते स्यात्प्रत्यनन्तरः ॥१२-८१-२१॥
rūpavarṇasvaropetastitikṣuranasūyakaḥ। kulīnaḥ śīlasampannaḥ sa te syātpratyanantaraḥ ॥12-81-21॥
[रूप (rūpa) - form; वर्ण (varṇa) - color; स्वर (svara) - voice; उपेतः (upetaḥ) - endowed with; तितिक्षुः (titikṣuḥ) - forbearing; अनसूयकः (anasūyakaḥ) - non-envious; कुलीनः (kulīnaḥ) - noble-born; शील (śīla) - character; सम्पन्नः (sampannaḥ) - endowed with; सः (saḥ) - he; ते (te) - to you; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; प्रत्यनन्तरः (pratyanantaraḥ) - immediately next;]
(Endowed with form, color, and voice, forbearing, non-envious, noble-born, endowed with character, he may be immediately next to you.)
He who possesses beauty, good complexion, melodious voice, forbearance, is free from envy, is of noble birth, and endowed with good character, may be your immediate successor.
मेधावी स्मृतिमान्दक्षः प्रकृत्या चानृशंसवान्। यो मानितोऽमानितो वा न संदूष्येत्कदाचन ॥१२-८१-२२॥
medhāvī smṛtimān dakṣaḥ prakṛtyā ca anṛśaṃsavān। yaḥ mānitaḥ amānitaḥ vā na saṃdūṣyeta kadācana॥12-81-22॥
[मेधावी (medhāvī) - possessing intelligence; स्मृतिमान् (smṛtimān) - possessing memory; दक्षः (dakṣaḥ) - skilful; प्रकृत्या (prakṛtyā) - by nature; च (ca) - and; अनृशंसवान् (anṛśaṃsavān) - compassionate; यः (yaḥ) - who; मानितः (mānitaḥ) - honoured; अमानितः (amānitaḥ) - dishonoured; वा (vā) - or; न (na) - not; संदूष्येत् (saṃdūṣyeta) - would be corrupted; कदाचन (kadācana) - at any time;]
(Possessing intelligence, possessing memory, skilful, by nature and compassionate; who, honoured or dishonoured, would not be corrupted at any time.)
A person who is intelligent, has a good memory, is skilful, naturally compassionate, and who is never corrupted whether honoured or dishonoured, is ideal.
ऋत्विग्वा यदि वाचार्यः सखा वात्यन्तसंस्तुतः। गृहे वसेदमात्यस्ते यः स्यात्परमपूजितः ॥१२-८१-२३॥
ṛtvigvā yadi vācāryaḥ sakhā vātyantasaṃstutaḥ। gṛhe vasedamātyaste yaḥ syātparamapūjitaḥ ॥12-81-23॥
[ऋत्विक् (ṛtvik) - priest; वा (vā) - or; यदि (yadi) - if; वा (vā) - or; आचार्यः (ācāryaḥ) - teacher; सखा (sakhā) - friend; वा (vā) - or; अत्यन्त (atyanta) - extremely; संस्तुतः (saṃstutaḥ) - praised; गृहे (gṛhe) - in the house; वसेत् (vaset) - should dwell; अमात्यः (amātyaḥ) - minister; ते (te) - your; यः (yaḥ) - who; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; परम (parama) - supremely; पूजितः (pūjitaḥ) - honored;]
(A priest or, if not, a teacher, or a friend who is extremely praised, or a minister who should dwell in your house, who may be supremely honored.)
A priest, or if not, a teacher, or a friend who is highly praised, or a minister who resides in your house—whoever among these is supremely honored.
स ते विद्यात्परं मन्त्रं प्रकृतिं चार्थधर्मयोः। विश्वासस्ते भवेत्तत्र यथा पितरि वै तथा ॥१२-८१-२४॥
sa te vidyāt paraṃ mantraṃ prakṛtiṃ cārthadharmayoḥ। viśvāsas te bhavet tatra yathā pitari vai tathā ॥12-81-24॥
[स (sa) - he; ते (te) - your; विद्यात् (vidyāt) - should know; परं (param) - supreme; मन्त्रं (mantram) - counsel; प्रकृतिं (prakṛtim) - nature; च (ca) - and; अर्थधर्मयोः (arthadharmayoḥ) - of wealth and righteousness; विश्वासः (viśvāsaḥ) - trust; ते (te) - your; भवेत् (bhavet) - should be; तत्र (tatra) - there; यथा (yathā) - just as; पितरि (pitari) - in the father; वै (vai) - indeed; तथा (tathā) - so;]
(He should know your supreme counsel, the nature of wealth and righteousness; your trust should be there just as indeed in the father, so.)
He should know your highest counsel and the essence of wealth and righteousness; your trust in him should be as it is in your own father.
नैव द्वौ न त्रयः कार्या न मृष्येरन्परस्परम्। एकार्थादेव भूतानां भेदो भवति सर्वदा ॥१२-८१-२५॥
naiva dvau na trayaḥ kāryā na mṛṣyeran parasparam। ekārthād eva bhūtānāṃ bhedo bhavati sarvadā ॥12-81-25॥
[नैव (na eva) - not indeed; द्वौ (dvau) - two; न (na) - not; त्रयः (trayaḥ) - three; कार्या (kāryā) - should be made; न (na) - not; मृष्येरन् (mṛṣyeran) - should tolerate; परस्परम् (parasparam) - each other; एकार्थात् (ekārthāt) - from one purpose; एव (eva) - indeed; भूतानाम् (bhūtānām) - of beings; भेदः (bhedaḥ) - division; भवति (bhavati) - arises; सर्वदा (sarvadā) - always;]
(Not indeed two, not three should be made, nor should they tolerate each other. From one purpose indeed, the division of beings always arises.)
There should not be two or three (groups), nor should they tolerate each other; it is from a single purpose that the division among beings always arises.
कीर्तिप्रधानो यश्च स्याद्यश्च स्यात्समये स्थितः। समर्थान्यश्च न द्वेष्टि समर्थान्कुरुते च यः ॥१२-८१-२६॥
kīrtipradhāno yaś ca syād yaś ca syāt samaye sthitaḥ। samarthān yaś ca na dveṣṭi samarthān kurute ca yaḥ॥12-81-26॥
[कीर्तिप्रधानः (kīrtipradhānaḥ) - one whose chief quality is fame; यः (yaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; यः (yaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; स्यात् (syāt) - may be; समये (samaye) - in time; स्थितः (sthitaḥ) - situated; समर्थान् (samarthān) - the capable ones; यः (yaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; न (na) - not; द्वेष्टि (dveṣṭi) - hates; समर्थान् (samarthān) - the capable ones; कुरुते (kurute) - makes (them); च (ca) - and; यः (yaḥ) - who;]
(One whose chief quality is fame, who may be, and who may be situated in time; who does not hate the capable ones and who makes (use of) the capable ones.)
He who is chiefly known for his fame, who is present at the right time, who does not hate the capable, and who employs the capable ones.
यो न कामाद्भयाल्लोभात्क्रोधाद्वा धर्ममुत्सृजेत्। दक्षः पर्याप्तवचनः स ते स्यात्प्रत्यनन्तरः ॥१२-८१-२७॥
yo na kāmādbhayaallobhātkrodhādvā dharmamutsṛjet। dakṣaḥ paryāptavacanaḥ sa te syātpratyanantaraḥ ॥12-81-27॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; न (na) - not; कामात् (kāmāt) - from desire; भयात् (bhayāt) - from fear; लोभात् (lobhāt) - from greed; क्रोधात् (krodhāt) - from anger; वा (vā) - or; धर्मम् (dharmam) - dharma; उत्सृजेत् (utsṛjet) - would abandon; दक्षः (dakṣaḥ) - capable; पर्याप्तवचनः (paryāptavacanaḥ) - having sufficient speech; सः (saḥ) - he; ते (te) - to you; स्यात् (syāt) - should be; प्रत्यनन्तरः (pratyanantaraḥ) - immediately next;]
(Who does not abandon dharma from desire, fear, greed, or anger; capable, having sufficient speech, he should be immediately next to you.)
He who does not abandon dharma out of desire, fear, greed, or anger, who is capable and speaks sufficiently, let him be your immediate successor.
शूरश्चार्यश्च विद्वांश्च प्रतिपत्तिविशारदः। कुलीनः शीलसम्पन्नस्तितिक्षुरनसूयकः ॥१२-८१-२८॥
śūraś cāryaś ca vidvāṃś ca pratipattiviśāradaḥ। kulīnaḥ śīlasampannas titikṣur anasūyakaḥ ॥12-81-28॥
[शूरः (śūraḥ) - brave; च (ca) - and; आर्यः (āryaḥ) - noble; च (ca) - and; विद्वान् (vidvān) - learned; च (ca) - and; प्रतिपत्ति (pratipatti) - understanding; विशारदः (viśāradaḥ) - expert; कुलीनः (kulīnaḥ) - of good family; शीलसम्पन्नः (śīlasampannaḥ) - endowed with good conduct; तितिक्षुः (titikṣuḥ) - forbearing; अनसूयकः (anasūyakaḥ) - free from envy;]
(Brave and noble and learned and expert in understanding, of good family, endowed with good conduct, forbearing, free from envy.)
He is brave, noble, learned, skilled in understanding, of good family, endowed with good conduct, patient, and free from envy.
एते ह्यमात्याः कर्तव्याः सर्वकर्मस्ववस्थिताः। पूजिताः संविभक्ताश्च सुसहायाः स्वनुष्ठिताः ॥१२-८१-२९॥
ete hy amātyāḥ kartavyāḥ sarvakarmasv avasthitāḥ। pūjitāḥ saṃvibhaktāś ca susahāyāḥ svanuṣṭhitāḥ ॥12-81-29॥
[एते (ete) - these; हि (hi) - indeed; अमात्याः (amātyāḥ) - ministers; कर्तव्याः (kartavyāḥ) - to be appointed; सर्वकर्मसु (sarvakarmasu) - in all duties; अवस्थिताः (avasthitāḥ) - established; पूजिताः (pūjitāḥ) - honored; संविभक्ताः (saṃvibhaktāḥ) - properly distributed; च (ca) - and; सुसहायाः (susahāyāḥ) - with good assistants; स्वनुष्ठिताः (svanuṣṭhitāḥ) - well-performed (in their own duties);]
(These indeed ministers to be appointed in all duties established, honored, properly distributed and with good assistants, well-performed (in their own duties).)
These ministers, indeed, should be appointed to all duties, established, honored, properly assigned, with good assistants, and well accomplished in their own tasks.
कृत्स्नमेते विनिक्षिप्ताः प्रतिरूपेषु कर्मसु। युक्ता महत्सु कार्येषु श्रेयांस्युत्पादयन्ति च ॥१२-८१-३०॥
kṛtsnam ete vinikṣiptāḥ pratirūpeṣu karmasu। yuktā mahatsu kāryeṣu śreyāṃsi utpādayanti ca ॥12-81-30॥
[कृत्स्नम् (kṛtsnam) - entirely; एते (ete) - these; विनिक्षिप्ताः (vinikṣiptāḥ) - deposited; प्रतिरूपेषु (pratirūpeṣu) - in various forms; कर्मसु (karmasu) - in actions; युक्ताः (yuktāḥ) - engaged; महत्सु (mahatsu) - in great; कार्येषु (kāryeṣu) - in deeds; श्रेयांसि (śreyāṃsi) - excellent results; उत्पादयन्ति (utpādayanti) - produce; च (ca) - and;]
(Entirely these deposited in various forms in actions, engaged in great deeds, excellent results produce and.)
All these, having been placed in various forms of actions, when engaged in great deeds, produce excellent results.
एते कर्माणि कुर्वन्ति स्पर्धमाना मिथः सदा। अनुतिष्ठन्ति चैवार्थानाचक्षाणाः परस्परम् ॥१२-८१-३१॥
ete karmāṇi kurvanti spardhamānā mithaḥ sadā। anutiṣṭhanti caivārthānācakṣāṇāḥ parasparam ॥12-81-31॥
[एते (ete) - these; कर्माणि (karmāṇi) - actions; कुर्वन्ति (kurvanti) - perform; स्पर्धमाना (spardhamānāḥ) - competing; मिथः (mithaḥ) - with each other; सदा (sadā) - always; अनुतिष्ठन्ति (anutiṣṭhanti) - carry out; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; अर्थान् (arthān) - purposes; आचक्षाणाः (ācakṣāṇāḥ) - declaring; परस्परम् (parasparam) - to each other;]
(These actions they perform, competing with each other always; and indeed, they carry out purposes, declaring to each other.)
They always perform these actions, constantly competing with each other; and they carry out their purposes, declaring them to one another.
ज्ञातिभ्यश्चैव बिभ्येथा मृत्योरिव यतः सदा। उपराजेव राजर्धिं ज्ञातिर्न सहते सदा ॥१२-८१-३२॥
jñātibhyaś caiva bibhyethā mṛtyor iva yataḥ sadā। uparājeva rājar dhiṃ jñātir na sahate sadā॥12-81-32॥
[ज्ञातिभ्यः (jñātibhyaḥ) - from kinsmen; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; बिभ्येथाः (bibhyethāḥ) - you should fear; मृत्युः (mṛtyuḥ) - death; इव (iva) - like; यतः (yataḥ) - because; सदा (sadā) - always; उपराजः (uparājaḥ) - viceroy; इव (iva) - like; राजर्धिम् (rājar dhim) - king's wealth; ज्ञातिः (jñātiḥ) - kinsman; न (na) - not; सहते (sahate) - endures; सदा (sadā) - always;]
(From kinsmen and indeed you should fear, like death, because always; like a viceroy (fears) the king's wealth, a kinsman does not endure always.)
You should always fear your kinsmen as you fear death; just as a viceroy cannot tolerate the king's wealth, a kinsman can never tolerate it either.
ऋजोर्मृदोर्वदान्यस्य ह्रीमतः सत्यवादिनः। नान्यो ज्ञातेर्महाबाहो विनाशमभिनन्दति ॥१२-८१-३३॥
ṛjor mṛdor vadānyasya hrīmataḥ satyavādinaḥ। nānyo jñāter mahābāho vināśam abhinandati॥12-81-33॥
[ऋजोः (ṛjoḥ) - of the upright; मृदोः (mṛdoḥ) - of the gentle; वदान्यस्य (vadānyasya) - of the generous; ह्रीमतः (hrīmataḥ) - of the modest; सत्यवादिनः (satyavādinaḥ) - of the truth-speaker; न (na) - not; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - other; ज्ञातेः (jñāteḥ) - of a kinsman; महाबाहो (mahābāho) - O mighty-armed; विनाशम् (vināśam) - destruction; अभिनन्दति (abhinandati) - rejoices;]
(Of the upright, of the gentle, of the generous, of the modest, of the truth-speaker, not another kinsman, O mighty-armed, rejoices in destruction.)
O mighty-armed, no other kinsman rejoices in the destruction of the upright, the gentle, the generous, the modest, or the truth-speaker.
अज्ञातिता नातिसुखा नावज्ञेयास्त्वतः परम्। अज्ञातिमन्तं पुरुषं परे परिभवन्त्युत ॥१२-८१-३४॥
ajñātitā nātisukhā nāvajñeyāstvataḥ param। ajñātimantaṃ puruṣaṃ pare paribhavantyuta ॥12-81-34॥
[अज्ञातिता (ajñātitā) - state of being unknown; न (na) - not; अतिसुखा (atisukhā) - very pleasant; न (na) - not; अवज्ञेयाः (avajñeyāḥ) - to be despised; त्वतः (tvataḥ) - than you; परम् (param) - other; अज्ञातिमन्तम् (ajñātimantam) - one possessing obscurity; पुरुषम् (puruṣam) - man; परे (pare) - others; परिभवन्ति (paribhavanti) - disregard; उत (uta) - indeed;]
(The state of being unknown is not very pleasant; those who possess obscurity, other people indeed disregard.)
Being unknown is not very pleasant; others indeed disregard a man who is obscure.
निकृतस्य नरैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिरेव परायणम्। नान्यैर्निकारं सहते ज्ञातेर्ज्ञातिः कदाचन ॥१२-८१-३५॥
nikṛtasya narair anyair jñātir eva parāyaṇam। nānyair nikāraṃ sahate jñāter jñātiḥ kadācana ॥12-81-35॥
[निकृतस्य (nikṛtasya) - of the deceived; नरैः (naraiḥ) - by men; अन्यैः (anyaiḥ) - by others; ज्ञातिः (jñātiḥ) - relative; एव (eva) - indeed; परायणम् (parāyaṇam) - refuge; न (na) - not; अन्यैः (anyaiḥ) - by others; निकारम् (nikāram) - insult; सहते (sahate) - endures; ज्ञातेः (jñāteḥ) - of a relative; ज्ञातिः (jñātiḥ) - relative; कदाचन (kadācana) - at any time;]
(Of the deceived, by other men, only a relative is the refuge. Not by others does a relative ever endure insult to a relative.)
For one who has been deceived by others, only a relative is the refuge. A relative never endures insult to a relative from others at any time.
आत्मानमेव जानाति निकृतं बान्धवैरपि। तेषु सन्ति गुणाश्चैव नैर्गुण्यं तेषु लक्ष्यते ॥१२-८१-३६॥
ātmānam eva jānāti nikṛtaṃ bāndhavair api। teṣu santi guṇāś caiva nairguṇyaṃ teṣu lakṣyate ॥12-81-36॥
[आत्मानम् (ātmānam) - oneself; एव (eva) - only; जानाति (jānāti) - knows; निकृतम् (nikṛtam) - deceit; बान्धवैः (bāndhavair) - by relatives; अपि (api) - even; तेषु (teṣu) - in them; सन्ति (santi) - are; गुणाः (guṇāḥ) - virtues; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; नैर्गुण्यम् (nairguṇyam) - absence of virtue; तेषु (teṣu) - in them; लक्ष्यते (lakṣyate) - is observed;]
(One knows only oneself as deceived even by relatives. In them, there are virtues indeed, but absence of virtue is observed in them.)
A person recognizes only himself as deceived even by his relatives. Among them, though virtues exist, their lack of virtue is also apparent.
नाज्ञातिरनुगृह्णाति नाज्ञातिर्दिग्धमस्यति। उभयं ज्ञातिलोकेषु दृश्यते साध्वसाधु च ॥१२-८१-३७॥
nā-jñātir-anugṛhṇāti nā-jñātir-digdham-asyati। ubhayaṃ jñātilokeṣu dṛśyate sādhv-asādhu ca ॥12-81-37॥
[न (na) - not; अज्ञातिः (ajñātiḥ) - a non-relative; अनुगृह्णाति (anugṛhṇāti) - favors; न (na) - not; अज्ञातिः (ajñātiḥ) - a non-relative; दिग्धम् (digdham) - one who is injured; अस्यति (asyati) - abandons; उभयं (ubhayaṃ) - both; ज्ञातिलोकेषु (jñātilokeṣu) - among relatives; दृश्यते (dṛśyate) - is seen; साधु (sādhu) - good; असाधु (asādhu) - not good; च (ca) - and;]
(A non-relative does not favor, a non-relative does not abandon one who is injured; both are seen among relatives: good and not good and.)
A non-relative neither shows favor nor abandons one who is injured; among relatives, both good and bad behavior are seen.
तान्मानयेत्पूजयेच्च नित्यं वाचा च कर्मणा। कुर्याच्च प्रियमेतेभ्यो नाप्रियं किञ्चिदाचरेत् ॥१२-८१-३८॥
tān mānayet pūjayec ca nityaṃ vācā ca karmaṇā। kuryāc ca priyam etebhyo nāpriyaṃ kiñcid ācaret ॥12-81-38॥
[तान् (tān) - them; (accusative plural of 'tat') मानयेत् (mānayet) - should honor; (causative of 'man') पूजयेत् (pūjayet) - should worship; (causative of 'pūj') च (ca) - and; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; वाचा (vācā) - by speech; च (ca) - and; कर्मणा (karmaṇā) - by action; कुर्यात् (kuryāt) - should do; च (ca) - and; प्रियं (priyam) - pleasing; (dear, agreeable) एतेभ्यः (etebhyaḥ) - to these; (dative plural of 'etad') न (na) - not; अप्रियं (apriyam) - unpleasing; (disagreeable) किञ्चित् (kiñcit) - anything; आचरेत् (ācaret) - should perform; (should do, act);]
(Them should honor, should worship and always by speech and by action; should do and pleasing to these, not unpleasing anything should perform.)
One should always honor and worship them, both by speech and by action; one should do what is pleasing to them and should not do anything unpleasing.
विश्वस्तवदविश्वस्तस्तेषु वर्तेत सर्वदा। न हि दोषो गुणो वेति निस्पृक्तस्तेषु दृश्यते ॥१२-८१-३९॥
viśvastavadaviśvastasteṣu varteta sarvadā। na hi doṣo guṇo veti nispṛktasteṣu dṛśyate ॥12-81-39॥
[विश्वस्तवत् (viśvastavat) - like a trusted one; अविश्वस्तः (aviśvastaḥ) - one who is not trusted; तेषु (teṣu) - among them; वर्तेत (varteta) - should behave; सर्वदा (sarvadā) - always; न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; दोषः (doṣaḥ) - fault; गुणः (guṇaḥ) - virtue; वेति (veti) - knows; निस्पृक्तः (nispṛktaḥ) - detached; तेषु (teṣu) - among them; दृश्यते (dṛśyate) - is seen;]
(One should always behave among them like a trusted one who is not trusted. Indeed, in them, a detached person does not see fault or virtue.)
One should always conduct oneself among such people as if trusted yet not trusting. For, in their case, a detached person perceives neither fault nor virtue.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्याप्रमादिनः। अमित्राः सम्प्रसीदन्ति तथा मित्रीभवन्त्यपि ॥१२-८१-४०॥
tasyai vaṃ vartamānasya puruṣasyāpramādinaḥ। amitrāḥ samprasīdanti tathā mitrī bhavanty api ॥12-81-40॥
[तस्य (tasya) - of him; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; वर्तमानस्य (vartamānasya) - of the one abiding; पुरुषस्य (puruṣasya) - of the man; अप्रमादिनः (apramādinaḥ) - of the one who is vigilant; अमित्राः (amitrāḥ) - enemies; सम्प्रसीदन्ति (samprasīdanti) - become well-disposed; तथा (tathā) - likewise; मित्री (mitrī) - friends; भवन्ति (bhavanti) - become; अपि (api) - even;]
(Of him thus abiding, of the man who is vigilant, enemies become well-disposed; likewise, even friends become (more) friendly.)
When a man thus lives vigilantly, even his enemies become well-disposed, and his friends become even more friendly.
य एवं वर्तते नित्यं ज्ञातिसम्बन्धिमण्डले। मित्रेष्वमित्रेष्वैश्वर्ये चिरं यशसि तिष्ठति ॥१२-८१-४१॥
ya evaṃ vartate nityaṃ jñātisambandhimaṇḍale। mitreṣvamitreṣvaiśvarye ciraṃ yaśasi tiṣṭhati ॥12-81-41॥
[य (ya) - who; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; वर्तते (vartate) - acts; नित्यं (nityaṃ) - always; ज्ञाति (jñāti) - kinsmen; सम्बन्धि (sambandhi) - relations; मण्डले (maṇḍale) - circle; मित्रेषु (mitreṣu) - among friends; अमित्रेषु (amitreṣu) - among enemies; ऐश्वर्ये (aiśvarye) - in sovereignty; चिरं (ciraṃ) - for a long time; यशसि (yaśasi) - in fame; तिष्ठति (tiṣṭhati) - remains;]
(Who thus acts always in the circle of kinsmen and relations, among friends and enemies, in sovereignty, remains for a long time in fame.)
He who always conducts himself in this manner among his circle of kinsmen and relations, among friends and enemies, and in positions of power, remains renowned for a long time.
