12.083
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
एषा प्रथमतो वृत्तिर्द्वितीयां शृणु भारत। यः कश्चिज्जनयेदर्थं राज्ञा रक्ष्यः स मानवः ॥१२-८३-१॥
This is the first conduct; now hear the second, O Bhārata. Any man who produces wealth must be protected by the king.
ह्रियमाणममात्येन भृतो वा यदि वाभृतः। यो राजकोशं नश्यन्तमाचक्षीत युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-८३-२॥
If the royal treasury is being stolen by the minister, whether he is hired or not, whoever informs Yudhiṣṭhira about the loss of the royal treasury.
श्रोतव्यं तस्य च रहो रक्ष्यश्चामात्यतो भवेत्। अमात्या ह्युपहन्तारं भूयिष्ठं घ्नन्ति भारत ॥१२-८३-३॥
One should keep what is to be heard and one's secrets protected from ministers, for, O Bhārata, it is mostly the ministers who destroy the one they intend to harm.
राजकोशस्य गोप्तारं राजकोशविलोपकाः। समेत्य सर्वे बाधन्ते स विनश्यत्यरक्षितः ॥१२-८३-४॥
The protector of the royal treasury, when unprotected, is afflicted by all the destroyers of the treasury who assemble together, and he perishes.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। मुनिः कालकवृक्षीयः कौसल्यं यदुवाच ह ॥१२-८३-५॥
Here too, the sage descended from Kālakavṛkṣa recited this ancient story to Kausalya.
कोसलानामाधिपत्यं सम्प्राप्ते क्षेमदर्शिनि। मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय आजगामेति नः श्रुतम् ॥१२-८३-६॥
We have heard that when Kṣemadarśin attained the sovereignty of the Kosalas, the sage of the Kālakavṛkṣīya lineage arrived.
स काकं पञ्जरे बद्ध्वा विषयं क्षेमदर्शिनः। पूर्वं पर्यचरद्युक्तः प्रवृत्त्यर्थी पुनः पुनः ॥१२-८३-७॥
He previously tied the crow in the cage and, seeking activity, repeatedly moved around the object of the one who sought safety.
अधीये वायसीं विद्यां शंसन्ति मम वायसाः। अनागतमतीतं च यच्च सम्प्रति वर्तते ॥१२-८३-८॥
I study the knowledge of the crows; my crows declare what is yet to come, what is past, and what exists at present.
इति राष्ट्रे परिपतन्बहुशः पुरुषैः सह। सर्वेषां राजयुक्तानां दुष्कृतं परिपृष्टवान् ॥१२-८३-९॥
Thus, he went around the kingdom repeatedly with men and inquired into the misdeeds of all the royal officers.
स बुद्ध्वा तस्य राष्ट्रस्य व्यवसायं हि सर्वशः। राजयुक्तापचारांश्च सर्वान्बुद्ध्वा ततस्ततः ॥१२-८३-१०॥
He, having thoroughly understood the affairs of that kingdom and all the misdeeds of the royal officers in every respect, acted accordingly.
तमेव काकमादाय राजानं द्रष्टुमागमत्। सर्वज्ञोऽस्मीति वचनं ब्रुवाणः संशितव्रतः ॥१२-८३-११॥
He took the crow and went to see the king. Proclaiming, 'I am omniscient,' he was steadfast in his vow.
स स्म कौसल्यमागम्य राजामात्यमलङ्कृतम्। प्राह काकस्य वचनादमुत्रेदं त्वया कृतम् ॥१२-८३-१२॥
He then approached Kausalya, who was with the king and minister, and said: 'According to the crow's words, this was done by you there.'
असौ चासौ च जानीते राजकोशस्त्वया हृतः। एवमाख्याति काकोऽयं तच्छीघ्रमनुगम्यताम् ॥१२-८३-१३॥
That person and that person know that the royal treasury was taken by you. Thus the crow says this; let that person be quickly pursued.
तथान्यानपि स प्राह राजकोशहरान्सदा। न चास्य वचनं किञ्चिदकृतं श्रूयते क्वचित् ॥१२-८३-१४॥
In the same way, he always addressed others who stole the royal treasury; and it is never heard anywhere that any of his words were left unfulfilled.
तेन विप्रकृताः सर्वे राजयुक्ताः कुरूद्वह। तमतिक्रम्य सुप्तस्य निशि काकमपोथयन् ॥१२-८३-१५॥
O best of Kurus, all the royal officers, having been mistreated by him, passed over him and struck the sleeping crow at night.
वायसं तु विनिर्भिन्नं दृष्ट्वा बाणेन पञ्जरे। पूर्वाह्णे ब्राह्मणो वाक्यं क्षेमदर्शिनमब्रवीत् ॥१२-८३-१६॥
In the forenoon, seeing the crow completely pierced by the arrow in the cage, the brāhmaṇa spoke auspicious words.
राजंस्त्वामभयं याचे प्रभुं प्राणधनेश्वरम्। अनुज्ञातस्त्वया ब्रूयां वचनं त्वत्पुरो हितम् ॥१२-८३-१७॥
O king, I seek your assurance of safety, O lord, master of life and wealth. If you permit, I will speak words that are for your benefit in your presence.
मित्रार्थमभिसन्तप्तो भक्त्या सर्वात्मना गतः। अयं तवार्थं हरते यो ब्रूयादक्षमान्वितः ॥१२-८३-१८॥
He, who has gone for the sake of a friend, deeply afflicted, with devotion and with all his soul, and who, for your sake, takes away (your suffering), and who might speak thus, is endowed with patience.
सम्बुबोधयिषुर्मित्रं सदश्वमिव सारथिः। अतिमन्युप्रसक्तो हि प्रसज्य हितकारणम् ॥१२-८३-१९॥
Just as a charioteer awakens a good horse, he, wishing to fully awaken his friend who was overcome by excessive anger, subdued him for his own good.
तथाविधस्य सुहृदः क्षन्तव्यं संविजानता। ऐश्वर्यमिच्छता नित्यं पुरुषेण बुभूषता ॥१२-८३-२०॥
A person who always desires sovereignty and wishes to enjoy it, understanding the nature of such a friend, should forgive him.
तं राजा प्रत्युवाचेदं यन्मा किञ्चिद्भवान्वदेत्। कस्मादहं न क्षमेयमाकाङ्क्षन्नात्मनो हितम् ॥१२-८३-२१॥
The king replied: "Why would I not tolerate anything you say to me, since I desire my own welfare?"
ब्राह्मण प्रतिजानीहि प्रब्रूहि यदि चेच्छसि। करिष्यामि हि ते वाक्यं यद्यन्मां विप्र वक्ष्यसि ॥१२-८३-२२॥
O brāhmaṇa, promise and speak if you truly wish. I will indeed do whatever you, O brāhmaṇa, will say to me.
मुनिरुवाच॥
The sage said:
ज्ञात्वा नयानपायांश्च भृत्यतस्ते भयानि च। भक्त्या वृत्तिं समाख्यातुं भवतोऽन्तिकमागमम् ॥१२-८३-२३॥
Having understood the means, dangers, and your fears from the servant, I have come to your presence with devotion to fully explain the conduct.
प्रागेवोक्तश्च दोषोऽयमाचार्यैर्नृपसेविनाम्। अगतीकगतिर्ह्येषा या राज्ञा सह जीविका ॥१२-८३-२४॥
This fault, previously mentioned by the teachers of royal servants, is that the livelihood dependent on the king is indeed a misguided path.
आशीविषैश्च तस्याहुः सङ्गतं यस्य राजभिः। बहुमित्राश्च राजानो बह्वमित्रास्तथैव च ॥१२-८३-२५॥
They say that one who is associated with kings is like one surrounded by venomous snakes; kings have many friends and likewise many enemies.
तेभ्यः सर्वेभ्य एवाहुर्भयं राजोपसेविनाम्। अथैषामेकतो राजन्मुहूर्तादेव भीर्भवेत् ॥१२-८३-२६॥
They say that among all fears, the greatest is for those who serve the king. O king, even in a single moment, fear may arise for them.
नैकान्तेनाप्रमादो हि कर्तुं शक्यो महीपतौ। न तु प्रमादः कर्तव्यः कथञ्चिद्भूतिमिच्छता ॥१२-८३-२७॥
It is not possible for a king to be absolutely free from negligence, but one who desires prosperity should never be negligent in any way.
प्रमादाद्धि स्खलेद्राजा स्खलिते नास्ति जीवितम्। अग्निं दीप्तमिवासीदेद्राजानमुपशिक्षितः ॥१२-८३-२८॥
If a king errs due to negligence, his life is lost; just as one should sit near blazing fire, so should one approach a well-instructed king.
आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं प्रभुं प्राणधनेश्वरम्। यत्नेनोपचरेन्नित्यं नाहमस्मीति मानवः ॥१२-८३-२९॥
A person should always serve an angry master, who is the lord of life and wealth, just as one would cautiously approach a venomous serpent, never thinking 'I am independent.'
दुर्व्याहृताच्छङ्कमानो दुष्कृताद्दुरधिष्ठितात्। दुरासिताद्दुर्व्रजितादिङ्गितादङ्गचेष्टितात् ॥१२-८३-३०॥
He suspects from ill-spoken words, evil deeds, improper establishment, improper seating, improper movement, gestures, and bodily actions.
देवतेव हि सर्वार्थान्कुर्याद्राजा प्रसादितः। वैश्वानर इव क्रुद्धः समूलमपि निर्दहेत् ॥ इति राजन्मयः प्राह वर्तते च तथैव तत् ॥१२-८३-३१॥
When pleased, a king should accomplish all purposes like a deity; but when angry, like Agni, he should destroy everything from the root. Thus spoke Maya, O king, and so it is.
अथ भूयांसमेवार्थं करिष्यामि पुनः पुनः। ददात्यस्मद्विधोऽमात्यो बुद्धिसाहाय्यमापदि ॥१२-८३-३२॥
Now, I will repeatedly undertake an even greater purpose. A minister of my kind provides counsel and support in times of difficulty.
वायसश्चैव मे राजन्नन्तकायाभिसंहितः। न च मेऽत्र भवान्गर्ह्यो न च येषां भवान्प्रियः ॥ हिताहितांस्तु बुध्येथा मा परोक्षमतिर्भव ॥१२-८३-३३॥
O king, for me the crow is associated with beings of Yama (death). Here, you are not blameworthy to me, nor are you dear to those for whom you are dear. But you should discern what is good and bad; do not be one whose mind is indirect or obscure.
ये त्वादानपरा एव वसन्ति भवतो गृहे। अभूतिकामा भूतानां तादृशैर्मेऽभिसंहितम् ॥१२-८३-३४॥
Those who dwell in your house, except those who give to you, are desirous of the misfortune of beings; my association is with such as these.
ये वा भवद्विनाशेन राज्यमिच्छन्त्यनन्तरम्। अन्तरैरभिसन्धाय राजन्सिध्यन्ति नान्यथा ॥१२-८३-३५॥
O king, those who desire the kingdom immediately after your destruction, having plotted by means, succeed not otherwise.
तेषामहं भयाद्राजन्गमिष्याम्यन्यमाश्रमम्। तैर्हि मे सन्धितो बाणः काके निपतितः प्रभो ॥१२-८३-३६॥
O king, out of fear of them, I will go to another hermitage. Indeed, my arrow shot by them has fallen upon the crow, O lord.
छद्मना मम काकश्च गमितो यमसादनम्। दृष्टं ह्येतन्मया राजंस्तपोदीर्घेण चक्षुषा ॥१२-८३-३७॥
By disguise, my crow too was sent to Yama's abode. O king, I have seen this with the vision gained through long austerity.
बहुनक्रझषग्राहां तिमिङ्गिलगणायुताम्। काकेन बडिशेनेमामतार्षं त्वामहं नदीम् ॥१२-८३-३८॥
I, who am like a crow with a hook, have not crossed you, the river endowed with many crocodiles, fishes, alligators, and groups of whale-fish.
स्थाण्वश्मकण्टकवतीं व्याघ्रसिंहगजाकुलाम्। दुरासदां दुष्प्रवेशां गुहां हैमवतीमिव ॥१२-८३-३९॥
A cave, like those in the Himalayas, filled with trees, stones, and thorns, and teeming with tigers, lions, and elephants, was hard to approach and difficult to enter.
अग्निना तामसं दुर्गं नौभिराप्यं च गम्यते। राजदुर्गावतरणे नोपायं पण्डिता विदुः ॥१२-८३-४०॥
A dark fortress can be reached by fire or by boats, but when it comes to attacking a royal fortress, the wise know of no means.
गहनं भवतो राज्यमन्धकारतमोवृतम्। नेह विश्वसितुं शक्यं भवतापि कुतो मया ॥१२-८३-४१॥
Your kingdom is dense and shrouded in the deepest darkness. Here, trust is not possible, not even for you—so how could it be for me?
अतो नायं शुभो वासस्तुल्ये सदसती इह। वधो ह्येवात्र सुकृते दुष्कृते न च संशयः ॥१२-८३-४२॥
Therefore, this is not an auspicious place, for here good and bad are treated equally. Indeed, killing occurs here for both the virtuous and the wicked, and there is no doubt about it.
न्यायतो दुष्कृते घातः सुकृते स्यात्कथं वधः। नेह युक्तं चिरं स्थातुं जवेनातो व्रजेद्बुधः ॥१२-८३-४३॥
Destruction should be meted out to the evil-doer according to justice; how can killing be for the virtuous? It is not proper to remain here for long; therefore, the wise should depart quickly.
सीता नाम नदी राजन्प्लवो यस्यां निमज्जति। तथोपमामिमां मन्ये वागुरां सर्वघातिनीम् ॥१२-८३-४४॥
O king, there is a river called Sita in which even a raft sinks. Likewise, I consider this analogy to be a net that destroys everything.
मधुप्रपातो हि भवान्भोजनं विषसंयुतम्। असतामिव ते भावो वर्तते न सतामिव ॥ आशीविषैः परिवृतः कूपस्त्वमिव पार्थिव ॥१२-८३-४५॥
You are like a honey-fall, but your food is mixed with poison; your nature is like that of the wicked, not the good. O king, you are like a well surrounded by venomous snakes.
दुर्गतीर्था बृहत्कूला करीरीवेत्रसंयुता। नदी मधुरपानीया यथा राजंस्तथा भवान् ॥ श्वगृध्रगोमायुयुतो राजहंससमो ह्यसि ॥१२-८३-४६॥
Just as a river with difficult fords, large banks, and full of karīra and vetra plants, yet with sweet water, so are you, O king. Though surrounded by dogs, vultures, and jackals, you are indeed like a royal swan. "12-83-46"
यथाश्रित्य महावृक्षं कक्षः संवर्धते महान्। ततस्तं संवृणोत्येव तमतीत्य च वर्धते ॥१२-८३-४७॥
Just as, when the underwood grows by relying on a great tree, it eventually covers that tree and, surpassing it, continues to grow.
तेनैवोपेन्धनो नूनं दावो दहति दारुणः। तथोपमा ह्यमात्यास्ते राजंस्तान्परिशोधय ॥१२-८३-४८॥
Just as a forest fire burns fiercely when fed with fuel, so too, O king, is the case with those ministers; therefore, examine them carefully.
भवतैव कृता राजन्भवता परिपालिताः। भवन्तं पर्यवज्ञाय जिघांसन्ति भवत्प्रियम् ॥१२-८३-४९॥
O king, it is you who made them and protected them; yet, disregarding you, they now seek to harm what you hold dear.
उषितं शङ्कमानेन प्रमादं परिरक्षता। अन्तःसर्प इवागारे वीरपत्न्या इवालये ॥ शीलं जिज्ञासमानेन राज्ञश्च सहजीविना ॥१२-८३-५०॥
Negligence, when dwelt upon by one who is suspicious, is guarded like a snake inside the house or like a hero's wife in her home. Character, when examined by a co-dweller of the king, is similarly protected.
कच्चिज्जितेन्द्रियो राजा कच्चिदभ्यन्तरा जिताः। कच्चिदेषां प्रियो राजा कच्चिद्राज्ञः प्रियाः प्रजाः ॥१२-८३-५१॥
Is the king self-controlled? Are his close associates under control? Is the king dear to his people? Are the subjects dear to the king?
जिज्ञासुरिह सम्प्राप्तस्तवाहं राजसत्तम। तस्य मे रोचसे राजन्क्षुधितस्येव भोजनम् ॥१२-८३-५२॥
O best of kings, I, who have come here seeking knowledge, find you as pleasing to me as food is to a hungry man.
अमात्या मे न रोचन्ते वितृष्णस्य यथोदकम्। भवतोऽर्थकृदित्येव मयि दोषो हि तैः कृतः ॥१२-८३-५३॥
My ministers are not pleasing to me, just as water is not pleasing to one who is free from desire. Your ministers act only for gain; thus, the fault has indeed been made in me by them.
विद्यते कारणं नान्यदिति मे नात्र संशयः ॥१२-८३-५३॥
There is no other cause; of this I have no doubt here.
न हि तेषामहं द्रुग्धस्तत्तेषां दोषवद्गतम्। अरेर्हि दुर्हताद्भेयं भग्नपृष्ठादिवोरगात् ॥१२-८३-५४॥
I am not truly angry with them; what has gone to them is like a fault. Indeed, fear from an enemy who is hard to destroy is like fear from a serpent with a broken back.
राजोवाच॥
The king said:
भूयसा परिबर्हेण सत्कारेण च भूयसा। पूजितो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ भूयो वस गृहे मम ॥१२-८३-५५॥
O best of Brāhmaṇas, having been honored with even greater hospitality and respect, please dwell again in my house.
ये त्वां ब्राह्मण नेच्छन्ति न ते वत्स्यन्ति मे गृहे। भवतैव हि तज्ज्ञेयं यदिदानीमनन्तरम् ॥१२-८३-५६॥
O Brāhmaṇa, those who do not wish for you will not remain in my house. Know this from yourself alone: what is to happen next, now.
यथा स्याद्दुष्कृतो दण्डो यथा च सुकृतं कृतम्। तथा समीक्ष्य भगवञ्श्रेयसे विनियुङ्क्ष्व माम् ॥१२-८३-५७॥
O Lord, just as punishment is given for evil and reward for good, in the same way, after due consideration, assign me to what is for the best.
मुनिरुवाच॥
The sage said:
अदर्शयन्निमं दोषमेकैकं दुर्बलं कुरु। ततः कारणमाज्ञाय पुरुषं पुरुषं जहि ॥१२-८३-५८॥
Do not reveal this fault; address each and every weakness. Then, having understood the cause, destroy the person responsible.
एकदोषा हि बहवो मृद्नीयुरपि कण्टकान्। मन्त्रभेदभयाद्राजंस्तस्मादेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥१२-८३-५९॥
O king, even many thorns with a single fault may be crushed; therefore, out of fear of breach of secret counsel, I say this to you.
वयं तु ब्राह्मणा नाम मृदुदण्डाः कृपालवः। स्वस्ति चेच्छामि भवतः परेषां च यथात्मनः ॥१२-८३-६०॥
But we Brāhmaṇas are said to be gentle in punishment and compassionate; I wish well-being for you, for others, just as for myself.
राजन्नात्मानमाचक्षे सम्बन्धी भवतो ह्यहम्। मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय इत्येवमभिसञ्ज्ञितः ॥१२-८३-६१॥
O king, I declare myself to be your relative. I am known as the sage of the Kālaka tree lineage.
पितुः सखा च भवतः संमतः सत्यसङ्गरः। व्यापन्ने भवतो राज्ये राजन्पितरि संस्थिते ॥१२-८३-६२॥
O king, he was the friend of your father and yours, approved and steadfast in truth; when your kingdom was afflicted and your father had passed away.
सर्वकामान्परित्यज्य तपस्तप्तं तदा मया। स्नेहात्त्वां प्रब्रवीम्येतन्मा भूयो विभ्रमेदिति ॥१२-८३-६३॥
Having renounced all desires, I then practiced austerity; out of affection for you, I declare this: do not be confused again.
उभे दृष्ट्वा दुःखसुखे राज्यं प्राप्य यदृच्छया। राज्येनामात्यसंस्थेन कथं राजन्प्रमाद्यसि ॥१२-८३-६४॥
O king, having experienced both pain and pleasure and having attained the kingdom by chance, and with the support of the ministers, how is it that you are negligent?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
ततो राजकुले नान्दी सञ्जज्ञे भूयसी पुनः। पुरोहितकुले चैव सम्प्राप्ते ब्राह्मणर्षभे ॥१२-८३-६५॥
Then, once again, a great auspicious ceremony arose in the royal family. And when the foremost among Brāhmaṇas arrived in the priestly family.
एकच्छत्रां महीं कृत्वा कौसल्याय यशस्विने। मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय ईजे क्रतुभिरुत्तमैः ॥१२-८३-६६॥
Having established one sovereignty over the earth, the illustrious sage, descendant of the Kalaka tree, performed excellent sacrifices for Kausalya.
हितं तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कौसल्योऽन्वशिषन्महीम्। तथा च कृतवान्राजा यथोक्तं तेन भारत ॥१२-८३-६७॥
O Bhārata, having listened to those beneficial words, Kausalya ruled the earth, and the king acted exactly as was instructed by him.
