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भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। प्रतर्दनो मैथिलश्च सङ्ग्रामं यत्र चक्रतुः ॥१२-१००-१॥
Here too, they recount this ancient story: Pratardana and the king of Mithila engaged in battle there.
यज्ञोपवीती सङ्ग्रामे जनको मैथिलो यथा। योधानुद्धर्षयामास तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-१००-२॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, know how Janaka, the king of Mithila, wearing the sacred thread, stirred up the warriors in battle.
जनको मैथिलो राजा महात्मा सर्वतत्त्ववित्। योधान्स्वान्दर्शयामास स्वर्गं नरकमेव च ॥१२-१००-३॥
Janaka, the great-souled king of Mithila and knower of all principles, showed his warriors both heaven and hell.
अभीतानामिमे लोका भास्वन्तो हन्त पश्यत। पूर्णा गन्धर्वकन्याभिः सर्वकामदुहोऽक्षयाः ॥१२-१००-४॥
Behold these shining worlds of the fearless! They are filled with Gandharva maidens, inexhaustible, and grant every desire.
इमे पलायमानानां नरकाः प्रत्युपस्थिताः। अकीर्तिः शाश्वती चैव पतितव्यमनन्तरम् ॥१२-१००-५॥
For those who flee, these hells have appeared. Eternal disgrace will certainly befall them immediately after.
तान्दृष्ट्वारीन्विजयतो भूत्वा सन्त्यागबुद्धयः। नरकस्याप्रतिष्ठस्य मा भूत वशवर्तिनः ॥१२-१००-६॥
Having seen them, and having conquered your enemies, with a mind set on renunciation, do not become subject to the control of the unstable hell.
त्यागमूलं हि शूराणां स्वर्गद्वारमनुत्तमम्। इत्युक्तास्ते नृपतिना योधाः परपुरञ्जय ॥१२-१००-७॥
“The supreme gateway to heaven for heroes is indeed founded on renunciation.” Thus, addressed by the king, those warriors, conquerors of enemy cities, were inspired.
विजयन्त रणे शत्रून्हर्षयन्तो जनेश्वरम्। तस्मादात्मवता नित्यं स्थातव्यं रणमूर्धनि ॥१२-१००-८॥
Conquering enemies in battle and bringing joy to the king, therefore, a self-controlled person must always stand firm at the forefront of the battlefield.
गजानां रथिनो मध्ये रथानामनु सादिनः। सादिनामन्तरा स्थाप्यं पादातमिह दंशितम् ॥१२-१००-९॥
Charioteers should be placed among the elephants; after the chariots, the horsemen; and between the horsemen, the infantry should be arranged here.
य एवं व्यूहते राजा स नित्यं जयते द्विषः। तस्मादेवं विधातव्यं नित्यमेव युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-१००-१०॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, the king who arranges the army in this manner always conquers his enemies. Therefore, you should always arrange it in this way.
सर्वे सुकृतमिच्छन्तः सुयुद्धेनातिमन्यवः। क्षोभयेयुरनीकानि सागरं मकरा इव ॥१२-१००-११॥
All, desiring virtuous deeds and filled with great pride, sought to disturb the armies by excellent battle, just as crocodiles agitate the ocean.
हर्षयेयुर्विषण्णांश्च व्यवस्थाप्य परस्परम्। जितां च भूमिं रक्षेत भग्नान्नात्यनुसारयेत् ॥१२-१००-१२॥
They should encourage those who are despondent, organize themselves together, protect the conquered territory, and not excessively pursue those who are defeated.
पुनरावर्तमानानां निराशानां च जीविते। न वेगः सुसहो राजंस्तस्मान्नात्यनुसारयेत् ॥१२-१००-१३॥
O king, for those who are returning again and for the hopeless in life, speed is not easily bearable; therefore, one should not pursue them too hard.
न हि प्रहर्तुमिच्छन्ति शूराः प्राद्रवतां भयात्। तस्मात्पलायमानानां कुर्यान्नात्यनुसारणम् ॥१२-१००-१४॥
True heroes do not wish to strike those who have fled out of fear. Therefore, one should not excessively pursue those who are running away.
चराणामचरा ह्यन्नमदंष्ट्रा दंष्ट्रिणामपि। अपाणयः पाणिमतामन्नं शूरस्य कातराः ॥१२-१००-१५॥
The immobile are eaten by the mobile; the fangless are eaten by the fanged; the handless are eaten by the handed; the timid are prey to the brave.
समानपृष्ठोदरपाणिपादाः; पश्चाच्छूरं भीरवोऽनुव्रजन्ति। अतो भयार्ताः प्रणिपत्य भूयः; कृत्वाञ्जलीनुपतिष्ठन्ति शूरान् ॥१२-१००-१६॥
Those with equal backs, bellies, hands, and feet—the fearful—follow the hero from behind. Therefore, those stricken by fear, bowing down again with joined hands, approach the heroes.
शूरबाहुषु लोकोऽयं लम्बते पुत्रवत्सदा। तस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु शूरः संमानमर्हति ॥१२-१००-१७॥
People always rely on the arms of heroes as they would on a son. Therefore, in all circumstances, a hero is worthy of honor.
न हि शौर्यात्परं किञ्चित्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते। शूरः सर्वं पालयति सर्वं शूरे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥१२-१००-१८॥
Truly, there is nothing greater than valor in the three worlds. The brave protect everything; everything is founded upon the brave.
