12.101
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
yathā jayārthinaḥ senāṃ nayanti bharatarṣabha। īṣaddharmaṃ prapīḍyāpi tanme brūhi pitāmaha ॥12-101-1॥
O grandsire, tell me how those who desire victory lead their army, even if they must slightly violate righteousness, O bull among the Bharatas.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
satyena hi sthitā dharmā upapattayā tathāpare। sādhv-ācāratayā kecit tathaiva upayikā api ॥ upāya-dharmān vakṣyāmi siddhārthān artha-dharmayoḥ ॥12-101-2॥
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.
nirmaryādā dasyavastu bhavanti paripanthinaḥ। teṣāṃ prativighātārthaṃ pravakṣyāmyatha naigamam ॥ kāryāṇāṃ samprasiddhyarthaṃ tānupāyānnibodha me ॥12-101-3॥
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.
ubhe prajñe veditavye ṛjvī vakrā ca bhārata। jānan vakrāṃ na seveta pratibādheta cāgatām ॥12-101-4॥
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.
amitrā eva rājānaṃ bhedenopacarantyuta। tāṃ rājā nikṛtiṃ jānan yathāmitrān prabādhate ॥12-101-5॥
Enemies indeed approach the king by sowing division. Knowing that deceit, the king overcomes the enemies accordingly.
gajānāṃ pārśvacarmāṇi govṛṣājagarāṇi ca| śalyakaṅkaṭalohāni tanutrāṇi matāni ca ॥12-101-6॥
Side hides of elephants, hides of bullocks and pythons, as well as armours made of arrows, shells, and iron, are considered as body armours.
śitapītāni śastrāṇi saṃnāhāḥ pītalohitāḥ। nānārañjanaraktāḥ syuḥ patākāḥ ketavaś ca te ॥12-101-7॥
Their weapons were white and yellow, their armours yellow and red; their banners and standards were dyed in various shades of red.
ṛṣṭayas-tomarāḥ khaḍgā niśitāś-ca paraśvadhāḥ। phalakāny-atha carmāṇi pratikalpyāny-anekaśaḥ॥ abhinītāni śastrāṇi yodhāś-ca kṛtaniśramāḥ॥12-101-8॥
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.
caitryāṃ vā mārgaśīrṣyāṃ vā senāyogaḥ praśasyate। pakvasasyā hi pṛthivī bhavatyaṃbumatī tathā ॥12-101-9॥
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.
naivātiśīto nātyuṣṇaḥ kālo bhavati bhārata। tasmāttadā yojayet pareṣāṃ vyasaneṣu vā ॥12-101-10॥
O Bhārata, the season is neither excessively cold nor excessively hot; therefore, at such times, one should assist others in their misfortunes.
eteṣu yogāḥ senāyāḥ praśastāḥ parabādhane ॥12-101-10॥
Among these, the formations of the army are considered excellent for defeating the enemy.
jalavāṃstṛṇavānmārgaḥ samo gamyaḥ praśasyate। cārairhi vihitābhyāsaḥ kuśalairvanagocaraiḥ ॥12-101-11॥
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.
navyāraṇyair na śakyeta gantuṃ mṛgagaṇair iva। tasmāt sarvāsu senāsu yojayanti jayārthinaḥ ॥12-101-12॥
Just as groups of deer cannot pass through new forests, so those who desire victory unite all the armies.
āvāsasto yavāndurgaḥ paryākāśaḥ praśasyate. pareṣām upasarpāṇāṃ pratiṣedhas tathā bhavet ॥12-101-13॥
A fort suitable for habitation, with water and surrounded by open space, is praised. Likewise, the approaches of enemies should be prevented.
ākāśaṃ tu vanābhyāśe manyante guṇavattaram। bahubhirguṇajātaistu ye yuddhakuśalā janāḥ ॥12-101-14॥
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.
upanyāso'pasarpāṇāṃ padātīnāṃ ca gūhanam। atha śatrupratīghātamāpadarthaṃ parāyaṇam ॥12-101-15॥
Arranging withdrawals, hiding foot-soldiers, and then, in times of calamity, resorting to countermeasures against the enemy.
saptarṣīn pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtvā yudhyeran acalā iva। anena vidhinā rājan jigīṣeta api durjayān ॥12-101-16॥
If one places the seven sages behind and fights like immovable mountains, O king, even the unconquerable can be overcome by this method.
yato vāyur yataḥ sūryo yataḥ śukras tato jayaḥ। pūrvaṃ pūrvaṃ jyāya eṣāṃ saṃnipāte yudhiṣṭhira ॥12-101-17॥
Wherever the wind, sun, and Venus are, there lies victory. In any assembly, the one who is earlier among these is greater, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
akardamāmanudakāmamaryādāmaloṣṭakām। aśvabhūmiṃ praśaṃsanti ye yuddhakuśalā janāḥ ॥12-101-18॥
Those skilled in battle praise as horse-land that which is not muddy, not watery, without boundaries, and not cloddy.
samā nirudakākāśā rathabhūmiḥ praśasyate। nīcadrumā mahākakṣā sodakā hastiyodhinām ॥12-101-19॥
A level, waterless, open chariot-ground is praised. For elephant-warriors, a ground with low trees, large open space, and water is preferred.
bahudurgā mahāvṛkṣā vetraveṇubhir āstṛtā। padātīnāṃ kṣamā bhūmiḥ parvatopavanāni ca ॥12-101-20॥
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.
padātibahulā senā dṛḍhā bhavati bhārata। rathāśvabahulā senā sudineṣu praśasyate ॥12-101-21॥
O Bhārata, an army with many foot-soldiers is strong; an army with many chariots and horses is praised on auspicious days.
padātināgabahulā prāvṛṭkāle praśasyate। guṇānetānprasaṅkhyāya deśakālau prayojayet ॥12-101-22॥
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.
evaṃ sañcintya yo yāti tithinakṣatrapūjitaḥ। vijayaṃ labhate nityaṃ senāṃ samyakprayojayan ॥12-101-23॥
Thus, one who proceeds after due consideration, honored by the auspicious lunar day and constellation, always attains victory by properly deploying the army.
prasuptāṃs tṛṣitāñ śrāntān prakīrṇān nābhighātayet। mokṣe prayāṇe calane pāna-bhojana-kālayoḥ ॥12-101-24॥
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.
atikṣiptān vyatikṣiptān vihātān pratanūkṛtān। suvisrambhān kṛtārambhān upanyāsa-pratāpitān॥ bahiścarān upanyāsān kṛtvā veśma-anusāriṇaḥ॥12-101-25॥
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.
pāramparyāgate dvāre ye kecidanuvartinaḥ। paricaryāvaroddhāro ye ca kecana valginaḥ॥12-101-26॥
At the traditionally inherited gateway, there are some who follow, some who obstruct service, and some who are boastful.
anīkaṃ ye prabhindanti bhinnaṃ ye sthagayanti ca। samāna-aśana-pānās te kāryā dviguṇa-vetanāḥ ॥12-101-27॥
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.
daśādhipatayaḥ kāryāḥ śatādhipatayastathā। teṣāṃ sahasrādhipatiṃ kuryācchūramatandritam ॥12-101-28॥
Ten commanders should be appointed, and likewise commanders of a hundred; among them, a valiant and tireless commander of a thousand should be appointed.
yathāmukhyaṃ saṃnipātya vaktavyāḥ sma śapāmahe। yathā jayārthaṃ saṅgrāme na jahyāma parasparam ॥12-101-29॥
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.
ihaiva te nivartantāṃ ye naḥ kecana bhīravaḥ। na ghātayeyuḥ pradaraṃ kurvāṇās tumule sati ॥12-101-30॥
Let those among us who are fearful turn back right here; let them not create a breach in the tumult of battle.
ātmānaṃ ca svapakṣaṃ ca palāyan hanti saṃyuge। dravyanāśo vadho'kīrtirayaśaś ca palāyane ॥12-101-31॥
By fleeing in battle, one destroys both oneself and one's own side. Fleeing leads to loss of wealth, death, disrepute, and dishonor.
amanojñāsukhā vācaḥ puruṣasya palāyataḥ। pratispandauṣṭhadantasya nyastasarvāyudhasya ca ॥12-101-32॥
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.
hitvā palāyamānasya sahāyān prāṇasaṃśaye। amitrair anubaddhasya dviṣatām astu nas tathā ॥12-101-33॥
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.
manuṣyāpasadā hyete ye bhavanti parāṅmukhāḥ। rāśivardhanamātrāste naiva te pretya no iha ॥12-101-34॥
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.
amitrā hṛṣṭamanasaḥ pratyudyānti palāyinam। jayinaṃ suhṛdastāta vandanairmaṅgalena ca ॥12-101-35॥
Enemies gladly approach a fleeing person, while friends, dear one, greet the victorious with salutations and auspicious wishes.
yasya sma vyasane rājan anumodanti śatravaḥ। tadasahyataram duḥkham ahaṃ manye vadhād api ॥12-101-36॥
O king, I consider the suffering in which even one's enemies rejoice to be more unbearable than death itself.
śriyaṃ jānīta dharmasya mūlaṃ sarvasukhasya ca। sā bhīrūṇāṃ parānyāti śūras tām adhigacchati ॥12-101-37॥
Prosperity should be understood as the foundation of dharma and all happiness; she deserts the fearful and is attained by the brave.
te vayaṃ svargamicchantaḥ saṅgrāme tyaktajīvitāḥ। jayanto vadhyamānā vā prāptumarhāma sadgatim ॥12-101-38॥
We, desiring heaven, having abandoned our lives in battle, whether conquering or being slain, deserve to attain a good state.
evaṃ saṃśaptaśapathāḥ samabhityaktajīvitāḥ। amitravāhinīṃ vīrāḥ sampragāhantyabhīravāḥ ॥12-101-39॥
Thus, the heroes, having sworn a solemn oath and given up concern for their lives, fearlessly charge into the enemy ranks.
agrataḥ puruṣānīkam asicarmavatāṃ bhavet। pṛṣṭhataḥ śakaṭānīkaṃ kalatraṃ madhyatastathā ॥12-101-40॥
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.
pareṣāṃ pratighātārthaṃ padātīnāṃ ca gūhanam। api hyasmin pare gṛddhā bhaveyur ye purogamāḥ ॥12-101-41॥
For resisting the enemy and concealing the infantry, it may happen here that those who are greedy among the enemy become the leaders.
ye purastād abhimatāḥ sattvavanto manasvinaḥ। te pūrvam abhivarteraṃs tān anv agītare janāḥ ॥12-101-42॥
Those who were once esteemed for their strength and high-mindedness excelled before; after them, other people followed.
api coddharṣaṇaṃ kāryaṃ bhīrūṇām api yatnataḥ। skandhadarśanamātraṃ tu tiṣṭheyur vā samīpataḥ ॥12-101-43॥
Even those who are fearful should be incited with effort; but by the mere sight of the army, they may stand nearby.
saṃhatānyodhayedalpānkāmaṃ vistārayedbahūn। sūcīmukhamanīkaṃ syādalpānāṃ bahubhiḥ saha ॥12-101-44॥
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.
samprayuddhe prahṛṣṭe vā satyaṃ vā yadi vā'nṛtam। pragṛhya bāhūn krośet bhagnā bhagnāḥ parā iti॥12-101-45॥
Whether in battle or in joy, whether truth or falsehood, one should seize the arms and cry out: 'Broken! Broken! Defeated!'
āgataṃ no mitrabalaṃ praharadhvam abhītavat। śabdavanto'nudhāveyuḥ kurvanto bhairavaṃ ravam ॥12-101-46॥
Our allied army has arrived; attack as if fearless. Let those who are making noise pursue, creating a terrible roar.
kṣveḍāḥ kilakilāḥ śaṅkhāḥ krakacā goviṣāṇikān| bherīmṛdaṅgapaṇavānnādayeyuśca kuñjarān ॥12-101-47॥
The trumpetings, shrill cries, conch-shells, rasping sounds, ox-horn blowers, large drums, mridanga drums, and panava drums resounded, and so did the elephants.
