12.085
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। bṛhaspateś ca saṃvādaṃ śakrasya ca yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-85-1॥
Here too, O Yudhiṣṭhira, an ancient story is told: the conversation between Bṛhaspati and Śakra.
śakra uvāca॥
Indra said:
kiṁ svid ekapadaṁ brahman puruṣaḥ samyag ācaran। pramāṇaṁ sarvabhūtānāṁ yaśaś caiva āpnuyān mahat ॥12-85-2॥
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?
bṛhaspatiruvāca॥
Bṛhaspati said:
sāntvam-ekapadaṃ śakra puruṣaḥ samyag-ācaran। pramāṇaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ yaśaś-caivāpnuyān-mahat ॥12-85-3॥
O Śakra, a person who properly practices conciliation in a single word, as a standard for all beings, may indeed obtain great fame.
etad-ekapadaṃ śakra sarvalokasukhāvaham। ācaran sarvabhūteṣu priyo bhavati sarvadā ॥12-85-4॥
O Śakra, whoever practices this one word, which brings happiness to all worlds, among all beings, always becomes dear.
yo hi nābhāṣate kiñcit satataṃ bhrukuṭī-mukhaḥ। dveṣyo bhavati bhūtānāṃ sa sāntvam iha nācaran ॥12-85-5॥
He who always remains silent and frowning, without practicing gentleness here, becomes hateful to others.
yastu pūrvam abhiprekṣya pūrvam eva abhibhāṣate। smita-pūrva-abhibhāṣī ca tasya lokaḥ prasīdati॥12-85-6॥
But the one who, after careful consideration, speaks first and does so with a smile, wins the favor of people.
dānameva hi sarvatra sāntvenānabhijalpitam। na prīṇayati bhūtāni nirvyañjanam ivāśanam ॥12-85-7॥
A gift, if given everywhere without gentleness and with harsh words, does not please beings, just as food without seasoning does not satisfy.
adātā hy api bhūtānāṃ madhurām īrayann giram। sarvalokam imaṃ śakra sāntvena kurute vaśe ॥12-85-8॥
O Śakra, even a non-giver, by speaking sweetly and conciliating, brings all beings of this world under his control.
tasmātsāntvaṃ prakartavyaṃ daṇḍamādhitsatāmiha। phalaṃ ca janayatyevaṃ na cāsyodvijate janaḥ ॥12-85-9॥
Therefore, those who wish to punish should first attempt conciliation; in this way, the result is achieved and people are not disturbed by him.
sukṛtasya hi sāntvasya ślakṣṇasya madhurasya ca। samyagāsevyamānasya tulyaṃ jātu na vidyate ॥12-85-10॥
There is truly nothing equal to the proper practice of good deeds, conciliation, gentleness, and sweetness.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said:
ityuktaḥ kṛtavān sarvaṃ tathā śakraḥ purodhasā। tathā tvam api kaunteya samyag etat samācara ॥12-85-11॥
Thus, when instructed, Śakra (Indra) did everything as directed by the priest. Likewise, O son of Kunti, you too should properly perform this.
