12.084
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
hrīniṣedhāḥ sadā santaḥ satyārjavasamanvitāḥ। śaktāḥ kathayituṃ samyakte tava syuḥ sabhāsadaḥ ॥12-84-1॥
Those who are always devoid of false modesty, who are virtuous and endowed with truth and straightforwardness, and who are capable of speaking properly to you, may be considered as members of your assembly.
atyāḍhyāṃś cātiśūrāṃś ca brāhmaṇāṃś ca bahuśrutān। susantuṣṭāṃś ca kaunteya mahotsāhāṃś ca karmasu ॥12-84-2॥
O son of Kunti, there were very wealthy, very heroic, Brāhmaṇas, well-learned, very contented, and very enthusiastic people in actions.
etān-sahāyān-lipsethāḥ sarvāsu āpatsu bhārata। kulīnaḥ pūjitaḥ nityaṃ na hi śaktiṃ nigūhati ॥12-84-3॥
O Bhārata, you should seek such helpers in all difficulties. A noble person who is always honored never conceals his power.
prasannaṃ hy aprasannaṃ vā pīḍitaṃ hṛtam eva vā। āvartayati bhūyiṣṭhaṃ tad eko hy anupālitaḥ ॥12-84-4॥
Whether pleased, displeased, afflicted, or deprived, that which is not protected is repeatedly lost by one who is alone.
kulīnā deśajāḥ prājñā rūpavanto bahuśrutāḥ। pragalbhāś cānuraktāś ca te tava syuḥ paricchadāḥ॥12-84-5॥
Let your attendants be of noble birth, native to the land, wise, handsome, well-learned, bold, and devoted to you.
dauṣkuleyāś ca lubdhāś ca nṛśaṁsā nirapatrapāḥ। te tvāṁ tāta niṣeveyur yāvad ārdrakapāṇayaḥ॥12-84-6॥
Those of bad lineage, greedy, cruel, and shameless, dear one, would serve you only as long as their hands are wet.
arthamānārghyasatkārairbhogairuccāvacaiḥ priyān। yānarthabhājo manyethāste te syuḥ sukhabhāginaḥ ॥12-84-7॥
Those whom you consider dear because of wealth, respect, honor, hospitality, and enjoyments, whether high or low, are the ones who may be regarded as truly happy.
abhinnavṛttā vidvāṃsaḥ sadvṛttāścaritavratāḥ। na tvāṃ nityārthino jahyurakṣudrāḥ satyavādinaḥ॥12-84-8॥
The learned, steadfast in good conduct and practiced vows, who are not petty and speak the truth, and who are always seekers, would never abandon you.
anāryā ye na jānanti samayaṃ mandacetasaḥ। tebhyaḥ pratijugupsethā jānīyāḥ samayacyutān ॥12-84-9॥
You should recognize that those who are not noble, who do not understand the proper time, and who are dull-minded, are to be especially avoided, for they have deviated from the right time.
naikam icched gaṇaṃ hitvā syāc ced anyatara-grahaḥ। yas tu ekaḥ bahubhiḥ śreyān kāmaṃ tena gaṇaṃ tyajet॥12-84-10॥
One should not desire to abandon a group for the sake of one; but if one among many is better, then the group may be abandoned for him.
śreyaso lakṣaṇaṃ hy etad vikramo yasya dṛśyate। kīrtipradhāno yaś ca syāt samaye yaś ca tiṣṭhati ॥12-84-11॥
The mark of excellence is indeed this: valor that is seen in a person. He who is foremost in fame, who acts at the right time, and who stands firm.
samarthān pūjayet yaś ca na aspardhyaiḥ spardhate ca yaḥ। na ca kāmād bhayāt krodhāt lobhād vā dharmam utsṛjet ॥12-84-12॥
One should honor the capable, not compete with those who are not to be rivaled, and should not abandon righteousness out of desire, fear, anger, or greed.
amānī satyavākśakto jitātmā mānyamānitā। sa te mantrasahāyaḥ syātsarvāvasthaṃ parīkṣitaḥ ॥12-84-13॥
He who is without pride, speaks the truth, is capable, self-controlled, and respects the respectable—such a person, assisted by counsel, should be tested by you in all situations.
kulīnaḥ satyasampannastitikṣurdakṣa ātmavān। śūraḥ kṛtajñaḥ satyaśca śreyasaḥ pārtha lakṣaṇam ॥12-84-14॥
O Pārtha, the characteristics of the excellent are: noble lineage, endowed with truth, forbearance, skill, self-control, valour, gratitude, and truthfulness.
tasyai vaṃ vartamānasya puruṣasya vijānataḥ। amitrāḥ samprasīdanti tato mitrībhavantyapi ॥12-84-15॥
When a person thus abides in knowledge, even enemies become well-disposed and then become friends.
ata ūrdhvam amātyānāṃ parīkṣeta guṇāguṇān। saṃyatātmā kṛtaprajño bhūtikāmaś ca bhūmipaḥ ॥12-84-16॥
After this, the king, who is self-controlled, wise, and desirous of prosperity, should examine the virtues and faults of his ministers.
sambaddhāḥ puruṣair āptair abhijātaiḥ svadeśajaiḥ। ahāryair avyabhīcāraiḥ sarvataḥ suparīkṣitaiḥ ॥12-84-17॥
Associated with men who are trustworthy, of noble birth, natives of the land, incorruptible, unwavering, and thoroughly examined in every respect.
yodhāḥ srauvās tathā maulās tathaivānye'py avaskṛtāḥ। kartavyā bhūtikāmena puruṣeṇa bubhūṣatā ॥12-84-18॥
A man who desires prosperity and wishes to thrive should honor warriors, Soma-sacrificing priests, crown-bearers, and likewise all others who have been purified.
yeṣāṃ vainayikī buddhiḥ prakṛtā caiva śobhanā। tejo dhairyaṃ kṣamā śaucam-anurāga sthitir-dhṛtiḥ ॥12-84-19॥
Those whose intellect is naturally endowed with humility and is truly splendid, who possess brilliance, fortitude, forbearance, purity, affection, steadfastness, and resolve.
parīkṣitagunānnityaṃ prauḍhabhāvāndhurandharān। pañcopadhāvyatītāṃśca kuryādrājārthakāriṇaḥ ॥12-84-20॥
One should always examine the qualities and mature dispositions of those capable of bearing burdens, and after approaching the five who have passed the test, appoint those who act for the king's purpose.
paryāptavacanān vīrān pratipattiviśāradān। kulīnān satyasampannān iṅgitajñānaniṣṭhurān ॥12-84-21॥
Heroes who are eloquent, skilled in discernment, noble by birth, truthful, and stern in interpreting gestures.
deśakālavidhānajñānbhartṛkāryahitaiṣiṇaḥ। nityamartheṣu sarveṣu rājā kurvīta mantriṇaḥ ॥12-84-22॥
The king should always appoint as ministers those who are knowledgeable about place, time, arrangements, the ruler's duties, and who seek the welfare of his undertakings, in all matters.
hīnatejā hy asaṃhṛṣṭo naiva jātu vyavasyati। avaśyaṃ janayatyeva sarvakarmasu saṃśayān ॥12-84-23॥
A person of diminished energy, who is not cheerful, never truly makes decisions; inevitably, he generates doubts in all actions.
evamalpaśruto mantrī kalyāṇābhijano'pyuta| dharmārthakāmayukto'pi nālaṃ mantraṃ parīkṣitum ॥12-84-24॥
Thus, a minister with little learning, even if he is of noble birth and endowed with auspicious qualities, and even if he possesses righteousness, wealth, and desire, is not capable of examining counsel.
tathaivānabhijāto'pi kāmamastu bahuśrutaḥ। anāyaka ivācakṣurmuhyatyūhyeṣu karmasu ॥12-84-25॥
Thus, even if a person is not of noble birth, let him be well-learned; but without a guide, like a blind man, he becomes confused in matters requiring inference.
yo vā hy asthira-saṅkalpo buddhimān āgatāgamaḥ। upāyayjño'pi nālaṃ sa karma yāpayituṃ ciram ॥12-84-26॥
One whose resolve is unsteady, even if intelligent and knowledgeable of past and future, and skilled in means, is not able to sustain an undertaking for long.
kevalāt punar ācārāt karmaṇo nopapadyate। parimarśo viśeṣāṇām aśrutasya iha durmateḥ ॥12-84-27॥
Discernment of distinctions regarding actions does not arise merely from repeated conduct alone; here, for the unlearned and the wicked, it is not attained.
mantriṇyananurakte tu viśvāso na hi vidyate। tasmādananuraktāya naiva mantraṃ prakāśayet ॥12-84-28॥
Trust does not exist in a minister who is not attached. Therefore, one should never reveal a secret to someone who is not loyal.
vyathayed dhi sa rājānaṃ mantribhiḥ sahito'nṛjuḥ। mārutopahatacchidraiḥ praviśyāgnir iva drumam ॥12-84-29॥
A crooked person, together with ministers, can indeed cause pain to the king, just as fire, entering a tree through holes made by the wind, consumes it.
saṅkrudhyyatyekadā svāmī sthānāccaivāpakarṣati। vācā kṣipati saṁrabdhas tataḥ paścāt prasīdati ॥12-84-30॥
Once, the master becomes very angry and pulls (someone) away from the place; in his rage, he scolds with words, but then afterwards, he calms down and is pleased.
tāni tāny anuraktena śakyāny anutitikṣitum। mantriṇāṃ ca bhavet krodho visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ ॥12-84-31॥
Those things, when one is attached, can be endured; but in ministers, anger may arise like the bursting of thunder.
yastu saṃharate tāni bhartuḥ priyacikīrṣayā। samānasukhaduḥkhaṃ taṃ pṛcchedartheṣu mānavam ॥12-84-32॥
But the man who restrains those (senses) out of a desire to please his master, who is equal in happiness and sorrow, he should be consulted by the master on matters.
anṛjustvanurakto'pi sampannaścetairguṇaiḥ। rājñaḥ prajñānayukto'pi na mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-33॥
Even if a person is attached and endowed with other qualities, if he is not upright, even if he is endowed with the king's wisdom, he does not deserve to hear counsel.
yo’mitraiḥ saha sambandho na paurān bahu manyate. sa suhṛttādṛśo rājño na mantraṃ śrotum arhati ॥12-84-34॥
He who is associated with enemies and does not value the citizens much, such a friend of the king does not deserve to hear the king's counsel.
avidvānaśuciḥ stabdhaḥ śatrusevī vikatthanaḥ। sa suhṛtkrodhano lubdho na mantraṃ śrotumarhati॥12-84-35॥
An ignorant, impure, arrogant person who serves enemies, is boastful, angry, greedy, and even if he is a friend, does not deserve to hear counsel.
āgantuścānurakto'pi kāmamastu bahuśrutaḥ। satkṛtaḥ saṃvibhakto vā na mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-36॥
Even if a visitor is attached, well-learned, honored, or given a share, he does not deserve to hear the teaching.
yastvalpenāpi kāryeṇa sakṛdākṣārito bhavet। punaranyairguṇairyukto na mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-37॥
But one who has once been reproached for even a small act, even if later endowed with other virtues, does not deserve to hear counsel.
kṛtaprajñaś ca medhāvī budho jānapadaḥ śuciḥ। sarvakarmasu yaḥ śuddhaḥ sa mantraṃ śrotum arhati॥12-84-38॥
He who has attained wisdom, is intelligent, wise, a member of the community, pure, and pure in all actions, is worthy to hear the teaching.
jñānavijñānasampannaḥ prakṛtijñaḥ parātmanoḥ। suhṛdātmasamo rājñaḥ sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-39॥
He who is endowed with knowledge and discernment, who knows the nature of things and the selves, who is equal-minded and a well-wisher, is worthy to hear the king's counsel.
satyavākṣīlasampanno gambhīraḥ satrapo mṛduḥ। pitṛpaitāmaho yaḥ syāts mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-40॥
He who possesses truthfulness, good speech, character, depth, modesty, gentleness, and is of paternal and ancestral lineage is worthy to hear this teaching.
santuṣṭaḥ saṃmataḥ satyaḥ śauṭīro dveṣyapāpakaḥ। mantravitkālavicchūraḥ sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati ॥12-84-41॥
He who is content, approved, truthful, firm, a destroyer of hateful evil, a knower of mantra, and a discerner of time is worthy to hear the mantra.
sarvalokaṃ samaṃ śaktaḥ sāntvena kurute vaśe। tasmai mantraḥ prayoktavyo daṇḍamādhitsatā nṛpa ॥12-84-42॥
O king, one who is able to bring all people under control equally by conciliation should be given counsel by one who wishes to impose punishment.
paurajanapadā yasmin viśvāsaṃ dharmato gatāḥ। yoddhā nayavipaścicca sa mantraṃ śrotum arhati॥12-84-43॥
He in whom the citizens and countrymen have placed their trust according to dharma, who is a warrior and wise in policy, is worthy to hear counsel.
tasmātsarvairguṇairetairupapannāḥ supūjitāḥ। mantriṇaḥ prakṛtijñāḥ syustryavarā mahadīpsavaḥ ॥12-84-44॥
Therefore, ministers who are well-honored and endowed with all these qualities, and who know the nature (of things), should be of three types and possess great ambition.
svāsu prakṛtiṣu chidraṃ lakṣayeran parasya ca। mantriṇo mantramūlaṃ hi rājño rāṣṭraṃ vivardhate॥12-84-45॥
Ministers should observe flaws in their own and others' elements. Indeed, the kingdom of a king prospers when rooted in counsel.
nāsya chidraṃ paraḥ paśyecchidreṣu paramanviyāt। gūhetkūrma ivāṅgāni rakṣedvivaramātmanaḥ ॥12-84-46॥
One should not look for faults in others or seek out their shortcomings. Instead, just as a tortoise withdraws its limbs, one should conceal and protect one's own weaknesses.
mantragrāhā hi rājyasya mantriṇo ye manīṣiṇaḥ। mantrasaṃhanano rājā mantrāṅgānītaro janaḥ ॥12-84-47॥
The wise ministers who grasp counsel are indeed the kingdom's ministers; the king is the one who consolidates counsel; any other person is only a limb of counsel.
rājyaṃ praṇidhimūlaṃ hi mantrasāraṃ pracakṣate। svāminaṃ tvanuvartanti vṛttyarthamiha mantriṇaḥ ॥12-84-48॥
It is said that the foundation of a kingdom is the spy, who is the essence of counsel. However, here, ministers serve the king primarily for their livelihood.
sa vinīya madakrodhau mānamīrṣyāṃ ca nirvṛtaḥ। nityaṃ pañcopadhātītairmantrayetsaha mantribhiḥ ॥12-84-49॥
He who has subdued pride, anger, arrogance, and envy, and is free from them, should always consult with ministers who have overcome the five deceptions.
teṣāṃ trayāṇāṃ vividhaṃ vimarśaṃ; budhyeta cittaṃ viniveśya tatra. svaniścayaṃ taṃ paraniścayaṃ ca; nivedayeduttaramantrakāle ॥12-84-50॥
Having fixed the mind there, one should understand the various deliberations of those three; and at the time of the final counsel, one should declare both one's own decision and that of others.
dharmārthakāmajñam upetya pṛcche; dyukto guruṃ brāhmaṇam uttamārtham। niṣṭhā kṛtā tena yadā saha syāt; taṃ tatra mārgaṃ praṇayed asaktam ॥12-84-51॥
Having approached a brāhmaṇa who knows righteousness, wealth, and desire, and having asked him, when the teacher instructs for the highest purpose and steadfastness is established with him, then he should lead him on that path without attachment.
evaṃ sadā mantrayitavyam āhuḥ ye mantra-tattva-artha-viniścaya-jñāḥ| tasmāt tvam evaṃ praṇayeḥ sadaiva mantram prajā-saṅgrahaṇe samartham ॥12-84-52॥
Therefore, as those who know the true import of counsel declare, you should always establish such capable counsel for the unification of the people.
na vāmanāḥ kubjakṛśā na khañjā; nāndhā jaḍāḥ strī na napuṁsakaṁ ca. na cātra tiryaṅ na puro na paścā; nordhvaṁ na cādhaḥ pracaret kaścit ॥12-84-53॥
There are no dwarfs, hunchbacked, emaciated, or lame; no blind, dull-witted, women, or neuters here. Nor does anyone move here across, in front, behind, above, or below.
āruhya vātāyanam-eva śūnyaṃ; sthalaṃ prakāśaṃ kuśakāśa-hīnam। vāg-aṅga-doṣān-parihṛtya mantraṃ; saṃmantrayet kāryam ahīna-kālam ॥12-84-54॥
One should ascend an empty window, in a bright place free from kuśa and kāśa grass, and, having avoided faults of speech and body, deliberate on counsel regarding action at the proper time.
