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भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। बृहस्पतेश्च संवादं शक्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-८५-१॥
Here too, O Yudhiṣṭhira, an ancient story is told: the conversation between Bṛhaspati and Śakra.
शक्र उवाच॥
Indra said:
किं स्विदेकपदं ब्रह्मन्पुरुषः सम्यगाचरन्। प्रमाणं सर्वभूतानां यशश्चैवाप्नुयान्महत् ॥१२-८५-२॥
O Brahman, what is that single word which, if a person practices it properly, will become the standard for all beings and bring him great fame?
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said:
सान्त्वमेकपदं शक्र पुरुषः सम्यगाचरन्। प्रमाणं सर्वभूतानां यशश्चैवाप्नुयान्महत् ॥१२-८५-३॥
O Śakra, a person who properly practices conciliation in a single word, as a standard for all beings, may indeed obtain great fame.
एतदेकपदं शक्र सर्वलोकसुखावहम्। आचरन्सर्वभूतेषु प्रियो भवति सर्वदा ॥१२-८५-४॥
O Śakra, whoever practices this one word, which brings happiness to all worlds, among all beings, always becomes dear.
यो हि नाभाषते किञ्चित्सततं भ्रुकुटीमुखः। द्वेष्यो भवति भूतानां स सान्त्वमिह नाचरन् ॥१२-८५-५॥
He who always remains silent and frowning, without practicing gentleness here, becomes hateful to others.
यस्तु पूर्वमभिप्रेक्ष्य पूर्वमेवाभिभाषते। स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषी च तस्य लोकः प्रसीदति ॥१२-८५-६॥
But the one who, after careful consideration, speaks first and does so with a smile, wins the favor of people.
दानमेव हि सर्वत्र सान्त्वेनानभिजल्पितम्। न प्रीणयति भूतानि निर्व्यञ्जनमिवाशनम् ॥१२-८५-७॥
A gift, if given everywhere without gentleness and with harsh words, does not please beings, just as food without seasoning does not satisfy.
अदाता ह्यपि भूतानां मधुरामीरयन्गिरम्। सर्वलोकमिमं शक्र सान्त्वेन कुरुते वशे ॥१२-८५-८॥
O Śakra, even a non-giver, by speaking sweetly and conciliating, brings all beings of this world under his control.
तस्मात्सान्त्वं प्रकर्तव्यं दण्डमाधित्सतामिह। फलं च जनयत्येवं न चास्योद्विजते जनः ॥१२-८५-९॥
Therefore, those who wish to punish should first attempt conciliation; in this way, the result is achieved and people are not disturbed by him.
सुकृतस्य हि सान्त्वस्य श्लक्ष्णस्य मधुरस्य च। सम्यगासेव्यमानस्य तुल्यं जातु न विद्यते ॥१२-८५-१०॥
There is truly nothing equal to the proper practice of good deeds, conciliation, gentleness, and sweetness.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said:
इत्युक्तः कृतवान्सर्वं तथा शक्रः पुरोधसा। तथा त्वमपि कौन्तेय सम्यगेतत्समाचर ॥१२-८५-११॥
Thus, when instructed, Śakra (Indra) did everything as directed by the priest. Likewise, O son of Kunti, you too should properly perform this.
