12.101
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
यथा जयार्थिनः सेनां नयन्ति भरतर्षभ। ईषद्धर्मं प्रपीड्यापि तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१२-१०१-१॥
O grandsire, tell me how those who desire victory lead their army, even if they must slightly violate righteousness, O bull among the Bharatas.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
सत्येन हि स्थिता धर्मा उपपत्त्या तथापरे। साध्वाचारतया केचित्तथैवौपयिका अपि ॥ उपायधर्मान्वक्ष्यामि सिद्धार्थानर्थधर्मयोः ॥१२-१०१-२॥
Indeed, dharmas are established by truth, others by reasoning; some by good conduct, and some are useful in the same way. I will explain the expedient dharmas that accomplish the aims of both wealth and righteousness.
निर्मर्यादा दस्यवस्तु भवन्ति परिपन्थिनः। तेषां प्रतिविघातार्थं प्रवक्ष्याम्यथ नैगमम् ॥ कार्याणां सम्प्रसिद्ध्यर्थं तानुपायान्निबोध मे ॥१२-१०१-३॥
Objects or people without boundaries become obstacles like robbers. To counteract them, I will now explain the traditional methods. For the successful accomplishment of tasks, learn those means from me.
उभे प्रज्ञे वेदितव्ये ऋज्वी वक्रा च भारत। जानन्वक्रां न सेवेत प्रतिबाधेत चागताम् ॥१२-१०१-४॥
O Bhārata, both the straight and crooked paths of knowledge are to be understood; but knowing the crooked path, one should neither follow nor accept it, and should prevent it when it arises.
अमित्रा एव राजानं भेदेनोपचरन्त्युत। तां राजा निकृतिं जानन्यथामित्रान्प्रबाधते ॥१२-१०१-५॥
Enemies indeed approach the king by sowing division. Knowing that deceit, the king overcomes the enemies accordingly.
गजानां पार्श्वचर्माणि गोवृषाजगराणि च। शल्यकङ्कटलोहानि तनुत्राणि मतानि च ॥१२-१०१-६॥
Side hides of elephants, hides of bullocks and pythons, as well as armours made of arrows, shells, and iron, are considered as body armours.
शितपीतानि शस्त्राणि संनाहाः पीतलोहिताः। नानारञ्जनरक्ताः स्युः पताकाः केतवश्च ते ॥१२-१०१-७॥
Their weapons were white and yellow, their armours yellow and red; their banners and standards were dyed in various shades of red.
ऋष्टयस्तोमराः खड्गा निशिताश्च परश्वधाः। फलकान्यथ चर्माणि प्रतिकल्प्यान्यनेकशः ॥ अभिनीतानि शस्त्राणि योधाश्च कृतनिश्रमाः ॥१२-१०१-८॥
Spears, javelins, swords, sharp battle-axes, shields, and armours were arranged in many ways; the weapons were well-handled and the warriors were well-trained.
चैत्र्यां वा मार्गशीर्ष्यां वा सेनायोगः प्रशस्यते। पक्वसस्या हि पृथिवी भवत्यम्बुमती तथा ॥१२-१०१-९॥
A military campaign is considered best either in the month of Caitra or Mārgaśīrṣa, for at that time the earth, with its crops ripened, is also rich in water.
नैवातिशीतो नात्युष्णः कालो भवति भारत। तस्मात्तदा योजयेत परेषां व्यसनेषु वा ॥१२-१०१-१०॥
O Bhārata, the season is neither excessively cold nor excessively hot; therefore, at such times, one should assist others in their misfortunes.
एतेषु योगाः सेनायाः प्रशस्ताः परबाधने ॥१२-१०१-१०॥
Among these, the formations of the army are considered excellent for defeating the enemy.
जलवांस्तृणवान्मार्गः समो गम्यः प्रशस्यते। चारैर्हि विहिताभ्यासः कुशलैर्वनगोचरैः ॥१२-१०१-११॥
A path that has water and grass, is level and traversable, is considered excellent. The practice established by skilled spies who are familiar with the forest is indeed praised.
नव्यारण्यैर्न शक्येत गन्तुं मृगगणैरिव। तस्मात्सर्वासु सेनासु योजयन्ति जयार्थिनः ॥१२-१०१-१२॥
Just as groups of deer cannot pass through new forests, so those who desire victory unite all the armies.
आवासस्तोयवान्दुर्गः पर्याकाशः प्रशस्यते। परेषामुपसर्पाणां प्रतिषेधस्तथा भवेत् ॥१२-१०१-१३॥
A fort suitable for habitation, with water and surrounded by open space, is praised. Likewise, the approaches of enemies should be prevented.
आकाशं तु वनाभ्याशे मन्यन्ते गुणवत्तरम्। बहुभिर्गुणजातैस्तु ये युद्धकुशला जनाः ॥१२-१०१-१४॥
But it is considered that the sky near the forest is superior. However, those people who are skilled in battle possess many kinds of virtues.
उपन्यासोऽपसर्पाणां पदातीनां च गूहनम्। अथ शत्रुप्रतीघातमापदर्थं परायणम् ॥१२-१०१-१५॥
Arranging withdrawals, hiding foot-soldiers, and then, in times of calamity, resorting to countermeasures against the enemy.
सप्तर्षीन्पृष्ठतः कृत्वा युध्येरन्नचला इव। अनेन विधिना राजञ्जिगीषेतापि दुर्जयान् ॥१२-१०१-१६॥
If one places the seven sages behind and fights like immovable mountains, O king, even the unconquerable can be overcome by this method.
यतो वायुर्यतः सूर्यो यतः शुक्रस्ततो जयः। पूर्वं पूर्वं ज्याय एषां संनिपाते युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-१०१-१७॥
Wherever the wind, sun, and Venus are, there lies victory. In any assembly, the one who is earlier among these is greater, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
अकर्दमामनुदकाममर्यादामलोष्टकाम्। अश्वभूमिं प्रशंसन्ति ये युद्धकुशला जनाः ॥१२-१०१-१८॥
Those skilled in battle praise as horse-land that which is not muddy, not watery, without boundaries, and not cloddy.
समा निरुदकाकाशा रथभूमिः प्रशस्यते। नीचद्रुमा महाकक्षा सोदका हस्तियोधिनाम् ॥१२-१०१-१९॥
A level, waterless, open chariot-ground is praised. For elephant-warriors, a ground with low trees, large open space, and water is preferred.
बहुदुर्गा महावृक्षा वेत्रवेणुभिरास्तृता। पदातीनां क्षमा भूमिः पर्वतोपवनानि च ॥१२-१०१-२०॥
There were many fortresses and great trees, areas covered with canes and bamboos; the land was suitable for foot-soldiers, and there were mountains and groves as well.
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत। रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते ॥१२-१०१-२१॥
O Bhārata, an army with many foot-soldiers is strong; an army with many chariots and horses is praised on auspicious days.
पदातिनागबहुला प्रावृट्काले प्रशस्यते। गुणानेतान्प्रसङ्ख्याय देशकालौ प्रयोजयेत् ॥१२-१०१-२२॥
Infantry and elephants are especially effective and praised during the rainy season. After considering these qualities, one should employ them according to the region and time.
एवं सञ्चिन्त्य यो याति तिथिनक्षत्रपूजितः। विजयं लभते नित्यं सेनां सम्यक्प्रयोजयन् ॥१२-१०१-२३॥
Thus, one who proceeds after due consideration, honored by the auspicious lunar day and constellation, always attains victory by properly deploying the army.
प्रसुप्तांस्तृषिताञ्श्रान्तान्प्रकीर्णान्नाभिघातयेत्। मोक्षे प्रयाणे चलने पानभोजनकालयोः ॥१२-१०१-२४॥
One must not strike those who are sleeping, thirsty, tired, or scattered, nor at the time of release, departure, movement, or during drinking and eating.
अतिक्षिप्तान्व्यतिक्षिप्तान्विहतान्प्रतनूकृतान्। सुविस्रम्भान्कृतारम्भानुपन्यासप्रतापितान् ॥ बहिश्चरानुपन्यासान्कृत्वा वेश्मानुसारिणः ॥१२-१०१-२५॥
Those who were completely rejected, scattered, destroyed, made thin, very relaxed, had undertaken action, and were oppressed by discourse; having made those who move outside and discourses, they followed the house.
पारम्पर्यागते द्वारे ये केचिदनुवर्तिनः। परिचर्यावरोद्धारो ये च केचन वल्गिनः ॥१२-१०१-२६॥
At the traditionally inherited gateway, there are some who follow, some who obstruct service, and some who are boastful.
अनीकं ये प्रभिन्दन्ति भिन्नं ये स्थगयन्ति च। समानाशनपानास्ते कार्या द्विगुणवेतनाः ॥१२-१०१-२७॥
Those who break through the army, those who stop the broken ranks, and those who share equal food and drink should be employed with double wages.
दशाधिपतयः कार्याः शताधिपतयस्तथा। तेषां सहस्राधिपतिं कुर्याच्छूरमतन्द्रितम् ॥१२-१०१-२८॥
Ten commanders should be appointed, and likewise commanders of a hundred; among them, a valiant and tireless commander of a thousand should be appointed.
यथामुख्यं संनिपात्य वक्तव्याः स्म शपामहे। यथा जयार्थं सङ्ग्रामे न जह्याम परस्परम् ॥१२-१०१-२९॥
Just as we have assembled the principal ones and sworn to speak what must be said, so too, for the sake of victory in battle, we should not abandon one another.
इहैव ते निवर्तन्तां ये नः केचन भीरवः। न घातयेयुः प्रदरं कुर्वाणास्तुमुले सति ॥१२-१०१-३०॥
Let those among us who are fearful turn back right here; let them not create a breach in the tumult of battle.
आत्मानं च स्वपक्षं च पलायन्हन्ति संयुगे। द्रव्यनाशो वधोऽकीर्तिरयशश्च पलायने ॥१२-१०१-३१॥
By fleeing in battle, one destroys both oneself and one's own side. Fleeing leads to loss of wealth, death, disrepute, and dishonor.
अमनोज्ञासुखा वाचः पुरुषस्य पलायतः। प्रतिस्पन्दौष्ठदन्तस्य न्यस्तसर्वायुधस्य च ॥१२-१०१-३२॥
The words of the fleeing man, though pleasant, are not agreeable, as he moves his lips and teeth, and has laid down all his weapons.
हित्वा पलायमानस्य सहायान्प्राणसंशये। अमित्रैरनुबद्धस्य द्विषतामस्तु नस्तथा ॥१२-१०१-३३॥
Let it be so for us: if a companion flees in mortal danger and is pursued by enemies, let us abandon him among our foes.
मनुष्यापसदा ह्येते ये भवन्ति पराङ्मुखाः। राशिवर्धनमात्रास्ते नैव ते प्रेत्य नो इह ॥१२-१०१-३४॥
Those who turn away from their duties are truly men of degraded class; they only increase their own heaps of wealth, and are of no use to us either here or after death.
अमित्रा हृष्टमनसः प्रत्युद्यान्ति पलायिनम्। जयिनं सुहृदस्तात वन्दनैर्मङ्गलेन च ॥१२-१०१-३५॥
Enemies gladly approach a fleeing person, while friends, dear one, greet the victorious with salutations and auspicious wishes.
यस्य स्म व्यसने राजन्ननुमोदन्ति शत्रवः। तदसह्यतरं दुःखमहं मन्ये वधादपि ॥१२-१०१-३६॥
O king, I consider the suffering in which even one's enemies rejoice to be more unbearable than death itself.
श्रियं जानीत धर्मस्य मूलं सर्वसुखस्य च। सा भीरूणां परान्याति शूरस्तामधिगच्छति ॥१२-१०१-३७॥
Prosperity should be understood as the foundation of dharma and all happiness; she deserts the fearful and is attained by the brave.
ते वयं स्वर्गमिच्छन्तः सङ्ग्रामे त्यक्तजीविताः। जयन्तो वध्यमाना वा प्राप्तुमर्हाम सद्गतिम् ॥१२-१०१-३८॥
We, desiring heaven, having abandoned our lives in battle, whether conquering or being slain, deserve to attain a good state.
एवं संशप्तशपथाः समभित्यक्तजीविताः। अमित्रवाहिनीं वीराः सम्प्रगाहन्त्यभीरवः ॥१२-१०१-३९॥
Thus, the heroes, having sworn a solemn oath and given up concern for their lives, fearlessly charge into the enemy ranks.
अग्रतः पुरुषानीकमसिचर्मवतां भवेत्। पृष्ठतः शकटानीकं कलत्रं मध्यतस्तथा ॥१२-१०१-४०॥
At the front, there should be the army of men equipped with swords and shields; at the rear, the army of carts; and the women should be placed in the middle in this way.
परेषां प्रतिघातार्थं पदातीनां च गूहनम्। अपि ह्यस्मिन्परे गृद्धा भवेयुर्ये पुरोगमाः ॥१२-१०१-४१॥
For resisting the enemy and concealing the infantry, it may happen here that those who are greedy among the enemy become the leaders.
ये पुरस्तादभिमताः सत्त्ववन्तो मनस्विनः। ते पूर्वमभिवर्तेरंस्तानन्वगितरे जनाः ॥१२-१०१-४२॥
Those who were once esteemed for their strength and high-mindedness excelled before; after them, other people followed.
अपि चोद्धर्षणं कार्यं भीरूणामपि यत्नतः। स्कन्धदर्शनमात्रं तु तिष्ठेयुर्वा समीपतः ॥१२-१०१-४३॥
Even those who are fearful should be incited with effort; but by the mere sight of the army, they may stand nearby.
संहतान्योधयेदल्पान्कामं विस्तारयेद्बहून्। सूचीमुखमनीकं स्यादल्पानां बहुभिः सह ॥१२-१०१-४४॥
The united should make the few fight as needed and extend the many. The formation of the few with the many should be like a needle-pointed array.
सम्प्रयुद्धे प्रहृष्टे वा सत्यं वा यदि वानृतम्। प्रगृह्य बाहून्क्रोशेत भग्ना भग्नाः परा इति ॥१२-१०१-४५॥
Whether in battle or in joy, whether truth or falsehood, one should seize the arms and cry out: 'Broken! Broken! Defeated!'
आगतं नो मित्रबलं प्रहरध्वमभीतवत्। शब्दवन्तोऽनुधावेयुः कुर्वन्तो भैरवं रवम् ॥१२-१०१-४६॥
Our allied army has arrived; attack as if fearless. Let those who are making noise pursue, creating a terrible roar.
क्ष्वेडाः किलकिलाः शङ्खाः क्रकचा गोविषाणिकान्। भेरीमृदङ्गपणवान्नादयेयुश्च कुञ्जरान् ॥१२-१०१-४७॥
The trumpetings, shrill cries, conch-shells, rasping sounds, ox-horn blowers, large drums, mridanga drums, and panava drums resounded, and so did the elephants.
