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उतथ्य उवाच॥
Utathya said.
कालवर्षी च पर्जन्यो धर्मचारी च पार्थिवः। सम्पद्यदैषा भवति सा बिभर्ति सुखं प्रजाः ॥१२-९२-१॥
When there is timely rain and the king follows righteousness, prosperity arises, and she brings happiness to the people.
यो न जानाति निर्हन्तुं वस्त्राणां रजको मलम्। रक्तानि वा शोधयितुं यथा नास्ति तथैव सः ॥१२-९२-२॥
A washerman who does not know how to remove dirt from clothes or to cleanse red garments is as good as non-existent.
एवमेव द्विजेन्द्राणां क्षत्रियाणां विशामपि। शूद्राश्चतुर्णां वर्णानां नानाकर्मस्ववस्थिताः ॥१२-९२-३॥
In the same way, among the foremost of the twice-born, the kṣatriyas, the vaiśyas, and also the śūdras, all four classes are established in their respective various duties.
कर्म शूद्रे कृषिर्वैश्ये दण्डनीतिश्च राजनि। ब्रह्मचर्यं तपो मन्त्राः सत्यं चापि द्विजातिषु ॥१२-९२-४॥
For the Śūdra, action is prescribed; for the Vaiśya, agriculture; for the king, governance and the policy of punishment; among the twice-born, celibacy, austerity, mantras, and truth are also prescribed.
तेषां यः क्षत्रियो वेद वस्त्राणामिव शोधनम्। शीलदोषान्विनिर्हन्तुं स पिता स प्रजापतिः ॥१२-९२-५॥
Among them, the kṣatriya who knows how to purify faults of character just as one knows the purification of garments, he is the father, he is the lord of the people.
कृतं त्रेता द्वापरश्च कलिश्च भरतर्षभ। राजवृत्तानि सर्वाणि राजैव युगमुच्यते ॥१२-९२-६॥
O best of the Bharatas, the Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara, and Kali ages—all these royal conducts—are in fact called by the name of the king; the king alone is regarded as the embodiment of the age.
चातुर्वर्ण्यं तथा वेदाश्चातुराश्रम्यमेव च। सर्वं प्रमुह्यते ह्येतद्यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति ॥१२-९२-७॥
When the king is negligent, the fourfold order of society, the Vedas, and the fourfold order of life—all of this becomes confounded.
राजैव कर्ता भूतानां राजैव च विनाशकः। धर्मात्मा यः स कर्ता स्यादधर्मात्मा विनाशकः ॥१२-९२-८॥
The king alone is the creator and destroyer of beings. A righteous king is a creator, while an unrighteous king is a destroyer.
राज्ञो भार्याश्च पुत्राश्च बान्धवाः सुहृदस्तथा। समेत्य सर्वे शोचन्ति यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति ॥१२-९२-९॥
When the king is negligent, all his wives, sons, relatives, and friends gather together and grieve.
हस्तिनोऽश्वाश्च गावश्चाप्युष्ट्राश्वतरगर्दभाः। अधर्मवृत्ते नृपतौ सर्वे सीदन्ति पार्थिव ॥१२-९२-१०॥
O king, when the ruler acts unrighteously, all—elephants, horses, cows, camels, mules, and donkeys—suffer decline.
दुर्बलार्थं बलं सृष्टं धात्रा मान्धातरुच्यते। अबलं तन्महद्भूतं यस्मिन्सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥१२-९२-११॥
Māndhātā says: Strength was created by the Creator for the sake of the weak. That great being, the powerless, is the foundation in which everything is established.
यच्च भूतं स भजते भूता ये च तदन्वयाः। अधर्मस्थे हि नृपतौ सर्वे सीदन्ति पार्थिव ॥१२-९२-१२॥
Whatever has become, he associates with; the beings who are his followers, when the king is established in unrighteousness, all sink, O king.
दुर्बलस्य हि यच्चक्षुर्मुनेराशीविषस्य च। अविषह्यतमं मन्ये मा स्म दुर्बलमासदः ॥१२-९२-१३॥
I believe that the gaze of the weak, the sage, and the venomous serpent is most unbearable; therefore, never approach the weak.
दुर्बलांस्तात बुध्येथा नित्यमेवाविमानितान्। मा त्वां दुर्बलचक्षूंषि प्रदहेयुः सबान्धवम् ॥१२-९२-१४॥
O dear one, always recognize the weak who have not been insulted. Do not let the gaze of the weak bring harm to you and your family.
न हि दुर्बलदग्धस्य कुले किञ्चित्प्ररोहति। आमूलं निर्दहत्येव मा स्म दुर्बलमासदः ॥१२-९२-१५॥
Nothing ever flourishes in a family consumed by weakness; it is completely destroyed from the root. Therefore, never associate with the weak.
अबलं वै बलाच्छ्रेयो यच्चातिबलवद्बलम्। बलस्याबलदग्धस्य न किञ्चिदवशिष्यते ॥१२-९२-१६॥
It is indeed better to have no strength than to have strength like that of one who is excessively strong; for when strength is consumed by weakness, nothing remains.
विमानितो हतोत्क्रुष्टस्त्रातारं चेन्न विन्दति। अमानुषकृतस्तत्र दण्डो हन्ति नराधिपम् ॥१२-९२-१७॥
If a dishonored or slain and exalted person does not find a protector, then the punishment inflicted by non-humans in that situation destroys the king.
मा स्म तात बले स्थेया बाधिष्ठा मापि दुर्बलम्। मा त्वा दुर्बलचक्षूंषि धक्ष्यन्त्यग्निरिवाश्रयम् ॥१२-९२-१८॥
O dear one, do not rely on your strength alone, nor oppress the weak. Beware, lest the weak and watchful harm you as fire consumes its own support.
यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यश्रूणि रोदताम्। तानि पुत्रान्पशून्घ्नन्ति तेषां मिथ्याभिशासताम् ॥१२-९२-१९॥
The tears shed by the falsely accused, while they are weeping, destroy the sons and cattle of those who have falsely accused them.
यदि नात्मनि पुत्रेषु न चेत्पौत्रेषु नप्तृषु। न हि पापं कृतं कर्म सद्यः फलति गौरिव ॥१२-९२-२०॥
If not in oneself, then in one's sons, or if not in them, then in grandsons or great-grandsons, sinful actions do not immediately bear fruit, just as with a cow.
यत्राबलो वध्यमानस्त्रातारं नाधिगच्छति। महान्दैवकृतस्तत्र दण्डः पतति दारुणः ॥१२-९२-२१॥
Where the weak are slain and find no protector, there a great and terrible punishment, ordained by fate, befalls.
युक्ता यदा जानपदा भिक्षन्ते ब्राह्मणा इव। अभीक्ष्णं भिक्षुदोषेण राजानं घ्नन्ति तादृशाः ॥१२-९२-२२॥
When the people of the country, united, beg like Brāhmaṇas, such people, by the constant fault of begging, destroy the king.
राज्ञो यदा जनपदे बहवो राजपूरुषाः। अनयेनोपवर्तन्ते तद्राज्ञः किल्बिषं महत् ॥१२-९२-२३॥
When many royal officers in the country act unjustly, the great sin falls upon the king.
यदा युक्ता नयन्त्यर्थान्कामादर्थवशेन वा। कृपणं याचमानानां तद्राज्ञो वैशसं महत् ॥१२-९२-२४॥
When those in power direct resources either out of desire or due to the influence of wealth, the suffering of the beggars is the king's great cruelty.
महावृक्षो जायते वर्धते च; तं चैव भूतानि समाश्रयन्ति। यदा वृक्षश्छिद्यते दह्यते वा; तदाश्रया अनिकेता भवन्ति ॥१२-९२-२५॥
A great tree is born and grows, and all creatures take shelter in it; but when the tree is cut down or burned, those who depended on it become homeless.
यदा राष्ट्रे धर्ममग्र्यं चरन्ति; संस्कारं वा राजगुणं ब्रुवाणाः। तैरेवाधर्मश्चरितो धर्ममोहा; त्तूर्णं जह्यात्सुकृतं दुष्कृतं च ॥१२-९२-२६॥
When, in a kingdom, people practice what is considered the highest dharma, or speak of refinement or royal virtues, it is by these very people, deluded by dharma, that unrighteousness is practiced; therefore, one should quickly abandon both good and bad deeds.
यत्र पापा ज्ञायमानाश्चरन्ति; सतां कलिर्विन्दति तत्र राज्ञः। यदा राजा शास्ति नरान्नशिष्या; न्न तद्राज्यं वर्धते भूमिपाल ॥१२-९२-२७॥
Where evildoers are recognized and yet move about freely, there discord among the virtuous reaches the king. When the king punishes men who are not his disciples, O protector of the earth, such a kingdom does not prosper.
यश्चामात्यं मानयित्वा यथार्हं; मन्त्रे च युद्धे च नृपो नियुञ्ज्यात्। प्रवर्धते तस्य राष्ट्रं नृपस्य; भुङ्क्ते महीं चाप्यखिलां चिराय ॥१२-९२-२८॥
A king who honors his minister as he deserves and employs him in counsel and battle, his kingdom prospers; he enjoys the earth, even the whole earth, for a long time.
अत्रापि सुकृतं कर्म वाचं चैव सुभाषिताम्। समीक्ष्य पूजयन्राजा धर्मं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् ॥१२-९२-२९॥
Here too, when the king examines and honours good deeds and well-spoken words, he attains the highest righteousness.
संविभज्य यदा भुङ्क्ते न चान्यानवमन्यते। निहन्ति बलिनं दृप्तं स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३०॥
When one enjoys after distributing and does not despise others, and destroys the powerful and arrogant, that is called the duty of a king.
त्रायते हि यदा सर्वं वाचा कायेन कर्मणा। पुत्रस्यापि न मृष्येच्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३१॥
When one protects everyone by speech, body, and action, and does not tolerate even the faults of his own son, that is called the king's dharma.
यदा शारणिकान्राजा पुत्रवत्परिरक्षति। भिनत्ति न च मर्यादां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३२॥
When a king protects his dependents as if they were his own children and does not transgress boundaries, that is called the king's duty.
यदाप्तदक्षिणैर्यज्ञैर्यजते श्रद्धयान्वितः। कामद्वेषावनादृत्य स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३३॥
That which is performed with proper fees and sacrifices, with faith, disregarding desire and hatred, is called the king's duty.
कृपणानाथवृद्धानां यदाश्रु व्यपमार्ष्टि वै। हर्षं सञ्जनयन्नॄणां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३४॥
The king's duty is said to be that which truly wipes away the tears of the miserable, the helpless, and the aged, and brings joy to people.
विवर्धयति मित्राणि तथारींश्चापकर्षति। सम्पूजयति साधूंश्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३५॥
The king's duty is said to be this: to foster friends, to remove enemies in the same way, and to honor the virtuous.
सत्यं पालयति प्राप्त्या नित्यं भूमिं प्रयच्छति। पूजयत्यतिथीन्भृत्यान्स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३६॥
To protect truth, to always grant land, to honor guests and servants—this is said to be the king's dharma.
निग्रहानुग्रहौ चोभौ यत्र स्यातां प्रतिष्ठितौ। अस्मिँल्लोके परे चैव राजा तत्प्राप्नुते फलम् ॥१२-९२-३७॥
Wherever both restraint and favour are established, the king attains the corresponding results in this world and the next.
यमो राजा धार्मिकाणां मान्धातः परमेश्वरः। संयच्छन्भवति प्राणान्नसंयच्छंस्तु पापकः ॥१२-९२-३८॥
Yama is the king of the righteous, Mandhata is the supreme lord. He who restrains (his senses) lives; but he who does not restrain is wicked.
ऋत्विक्पुरोहिताचार्यान्सत्कृत्यानवमन्य च। यदा सम्यक्प्रगृह्णाति स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥१२-९२-३९॥
It is said to be the king's duty when he honors and does not disrespect priests, family priests, and teachers, and properly receives them.
यमो यच्छति भूतानि सर्वाण्येवाविशेषतः। तस्य राज्ञानुकर्तव्यं यन्तव्या विधिवत्प्रजाः ॥१२-९२-४०॥
Yama restrains all beings equally without distinction. The king should follow his example; the subjects must be governed according to the law.
सहस्राक्षेण राजा हि सर्व एवोपमीयते। स पश्यति हि यं धर्मं स धर्मः पुरुषर्षभ ॥१२-९२-४१॥
O bull among men, the king is always compared to Indra. Whatever dharma he sees, that is dharma itself.
अप्रमादेन शिक्षेथाः क्षमां बुद्धिं धृतिं मतिम्। भूतानां सत्त्वजिज्ञासां साध्वसाधु च सर्वदा ॥१२-९२-४२॥
With vigilance, you should cultivate forbearance, intellect, steadfastness, wisdom, inquiry into the nature of beings, and always discern between good and not good.
सङ्ग्रहः सर्वभूतानां दानं च मधुरा च वाक्। पौरजानपदाश्चैव गोप्तव्याः स्वा यथा प्रजाः ॥१२-९२-४३॥
One should gather all beings, give gifts, speak sweetly, and protect both citizens and country people just as one would protect one's own subjects.
न जात्वदक्षो नृपतिः प्रजाः शक्नोति रक्षितुम्। भारो हि सुमहांस्तात राज्यं नाम सुदुष्करम् ॥१२-९२-४४॥
An unskilful king is never able to protect his subjects. The burden of the kingdom, dear one, is indeed very great and extremely difficult to bear.
तद्दण्डविन्नृपः प्राज्ञः शूरः शक्नोति रक्षितुम्। न हि शक्यमदण्डेन क्लीबेनाबुद्धिनापि वा ॥१२-९२-४५॥
A king who knows how to wield punishment, who is wise and valiant, is able to protect; but protection is not possible by one who does not use punishment, or by one who is impotent or foolish.
अभिरूपैः कुले जातैर्दक्षैर्भक्तैर्बहुश्रुतैः। सर्वा बुद्धीः परीक्षेथास्तापसाश्रमिणामपि ॥१२-९२-४६॥
You should examine the intellects of all, whether they are handsome, born in noble families, competent, devoted, or well-learned, even those of ascetics living in hermitages.
ततस्त्वं सर्वभूतानां धर्मं वेत्स्यसि वै परम्। स्वदेशे परदेशे वा न ते धर्मो विनश्यति ॥१२-९२-४७॥
Then you will truly know the highest dharma of all beings. Whether in your own land or in another, your dharma will never be lost.
धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च धर्म एवोत्तरो भवेत्। अस्मिँल्लोके परे चैव धर्मवित्सुखमेधते ॥१२-९२-४८॥
Righteousness, wealth, and desire—of these, righteousness alone should be regarded as superior. In this world and in the next, the knower of righteousness attains happiness.
त्यजन्ति दारान्प्राणांश्च मनुष्याः प्रतिपूजिताः। सङ्ग्रहश्चैव भूतानां दानं च मधुरा च वाक् ॥१२-९२-४९॥
Honored men abandon even wives and their own lives; for beings, accumulation, charity, and sweet speech are valued.
अप्रमादश्च शौचं च तात भूतिकरं महत्। एतेभ्यश्चैव मान्धातः सततं मा प्रमादिथाः ॥१२-९२-५०॥
O Māndhāta, non-negligence and purity are great sources of welfare; always, do not be negligent regarding these.
अप्रमत्तो भवेद्राजा छिद्रदर्शी परात्मनोः। नास्य छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात् ॥१२-९२-५१॥
A king should always be vigilant and perceptive of faults in himself and others. He should not allow others to discover his weaknesses, nor should he seek out faults in others.
एतद्वृत्तं वासवस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च। राजर्षीणां च सर्वेषां तत्त्वमप्यनुपालय ॥१२-९२-५२॥
You should also observe this conduct of Vāsava, Yama, Varuṇa, and the essential principles of all royal sages.
तत्कुरुष्व महाराज वृत्तं राजर्षिसेवितम्। आतिष्ठ दिव्यं पन्थानमह्नाय भरतर्षभ ॥१२-९२-५३॥
O great king, perform that conduct which has been followed by royal sages. Set forth on the divine path for the day, O foremost of the Bharatas.
धर्मवृत्तं हि राजानं प्रेत्य चेह च भारत। देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वाः कीर्तयन्त्यमितौजसः ॥१२-९२-५४॥
O Bhārata, the gods, sages, ancestors, and gandharvas of immeasurable energy praise a king who follows righteous conduct, both in this world and after death.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
स एवमुक्तो मान्धाता तेनोतथ्येन भारत। कृतवानविशङ्कस्तदेकः प्राप च मेदिनीम् ॥१२-९२-५५॥
O Bhārata, thus addressed by Utathya, Māndhātā, without doubt, did that alone and attained the earth.
भवानपि तथा सम्यङ्मान्धातेव महीपतिः। धर्मं कृत्वा महीं रक्षन्स्वर्गे स्थानमवाप्स्यसि ॥१२-९२-५६॥
You too, O king, if you act righteously and protect the earth as Māndhātṛ did, will attain a place in heaven.
