12.103
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
जैत्र्या वा कानि रूपाणि भवन्ति पुरुषर्षभ। पृतनायाः प्रशस्तानि तानीहेच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१२-१०३-१॥
O best of men, I wish to know here which are the auspicious forms of the victorious (chariot) for the army.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
जैत्र्या वा यानि रूपाणि भवन्ति पुरुषर्षभ। पृतनायाः प्रशस्तानि तानि वक्ष्यामि सर्वशः ॥१२-१०३-२॥
O best of men, I shall now describe in full all those excellent forms of victory or those which are praiseworthy in battle.
दैवं पूर्वं विकुरुते मानुषे कालचोदिते। तद्विद्वांसोऽनुपश्यन्ति ज्ञानदीर्घेण चक्षुषा ॥१२-१०३-३॥
The wise, with the eye of far-reaching knowledge, perceive that divine influence acts first in humans impelled by time.
प्रायश्चित्तविधिं चात्र जपहोमांश्च तद्विदः। मङ्गलानि च कुर्वन्तः शमयन्त्यहितान्यपि ॥१२-१०३-४॥
Those who know the procedure of expiation, by performing recitations, offerings, and auspicious acts here, pacify even inauspicious things.
उदीर्णमनसो योधा वाहनानि च भारत। यस्यां भवन्ति सेनायां ध्रुवं तस्यां जयं वदेत् ॥१२-१०३-५॥
O Bhārata, in whichever army the warriors are high-spirited and there are vehicles, one should surely declare victory for that army.
अन्वेनां वायवो वान्ति तथैवेन्द्रधनूंषि च। अनुप्लवन्ते मेघाश्च तथादित्यस्य रश्मयः ॥१२-१०३-६॥
After this, the winds blow; in the same way, rainbows appear; the clouds float along, and so do the rays of the sun.
गोमायवश्चानुलोमा वडा गृध्राश्च सर्वशः। आचरेयुर्यदा सेनां तदा सिद्धिरनुत्तमा ॥१२-१०३-७॥
When jackals, smooth-haired creatures, crows, and vultures are seen moving about the army in all directions, then unsurpassed success is assured.
प्रसन्नभाः पावक ऊर्ध्वरश्मिः; प्रदक्षिणावर्तशिखो विधूमः। पुण्या गन्धाश्चाहुतीनां प्रवान्ति; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥१२-१०३-८॥
They say that when the fire is clear-rayed, with upward rays, a rightward-turning, smokeless flame, and auspicious fragrances of the offerings waft, this is the sign of impending victory.
गम्भीरशब्दाश्च महास्वनाश्च; शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च नदन्ति यत्र। युयुत्सवश्चाप्रतीपा भवन्ति; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥१२-१०३-९॥
Where deep and great sounds, conch-shells and drums resound, and those desirous of battle become undaunted, this is said to be a sign of impending victory.
इष्टा मृगाः पृष्ठतो वामतश्च; सम्प्रस्थितानां च गमिष्यतां च। जिघांसतां दक्षिणाः सिद्धिमाहु; र्ये त्वग्रतस्ते प्रतिषेधयन्ति ॥१२-१०३-१०॥
Desired animals appearing from behind and from the left are auspicious for those setting out or about to go. For those intending to kill, those on the right are said to bring success; but those in front are considered obstructive.
मङ्गल्यशब्दाः शकुना वदन्ति; हंसाः क्रौञ्चाः शतपत्राश्च चाषाः। हृष्टा योधाः सत्त्ववन्तो भवन्ति; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥१२-१०३-११॥
Birds uttering auspicious sounds, such as swans, cranes, lotus-birds, and lapwings, are heard. Warriors become joyful and courageous; this is said to be a sign of impending victory.
शस्त्रैः पत्रैः कवचैः केतुभिश्च; सुभानुभिर्मुखवर्णैश्च यूनाम्। भ्राजिष्मती दुष्प्रतिप्रेक्षणीया; येषां चमूस्तेऽभिभवन्ति शत्रून् ॥१२-१०३-१२॥
The army, adorned with weapons, shields, armors, banners, the splendid rays and facial colors of the youths, shines brilliantly and is difficult to face; such an army overcomes its enemies.
शुश्रूषवश्चानभिमानिनश्च; परस्परं सौहृदमास्थिताश्च। येषां योधाः शौचमनुष्ठिताश्च; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥१२-१०३-१३॥
They say that those whose warriors are desirous of service, without pride, mutually established in friendship, and who practice purity, possess the qualities that lead to future victory.
शब्दाः स्पर्शास्तथा गन्धा विचरन्ति मनःप्रियाः। धैर्यं चाविशते योधान्विजयस्य मुखं तु तत् ॥१२-१०३-१४॥
Sounds, touches, and scents pleasing to the mind move about. Fortitude also enters the warriors; but that is the very face of victory.
इष्टो वामः प्रविष्टस्य दक्षिणः प्रविविक्षतः। पश्चात्संसाधयत्यर्थं पुरस्तात्प्रतिषेधति ॥१२-१०३-१५॥
The left side is preferred for one who has entered, the right for one who wishes to enter. The rear accomplishes the purpose, while the front prevents it.
सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरङ्गां युधिष्ठिर। साम्नैवावर्तने पूर्वं प्रयतेथास्तथो युधि ॥१२-१०३-१६॥
O Yudhishthira, after assembling a great fourfold army, you should first attempt reconciliation; only then, if necessary, strive in battle.
जघन्य एष विजयो यद्युद्धं नाम भारत। यादृच्छिको युधि जयो दैवो वेति विचारणम् ॥१२-१०३-१७॥
O Bhārata, this victory which is called battle is the most inferior. Victory in battle that occurs by chance is considered to be due to fate—such is the judgment.
अपामिव महावेगस्त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव। दुर्निवार्यतमा चैव प्रभग्ना महती चमूः ॥१२-१०३-१८॥
The great army, most difficult to restrain, was broken and scattered like waters rushing swiftly or like frightened herds of deer.
भग्ना इत्येव भज्यन्ते विद्वांसोऽपि नकारणम्। उदारसारा महती रुरुसङ्घोपमा चमूः ॥१२-१०३-१९॥
Even the learned are shattered without reason, just as a great army of noble essence, like a herd of deer, is broken.
परस्परज्ञाः संहृष्टास्त्यक्तप्राणाः सुनिश्चिताः। अपि पञ्चाशतिः शूरा मृद्नन्ति परवाहिनीम् ॥१२-१०३-२०॥
Even fifty heroes, who know each other, are delighted, have abandoned concern for their lives, and are firmly resolved, can crush the enemy's army.
अथ वा पञ्च षट्सप्त सहिताः कृतनिश्चयाः। कुलीनाः पूजिताः सम्यग्विजयन्तीह शात्रवान् ॥१२-१०३-२१॥
Alternatively, five, six, or seven noble and honored persons, united and resolute, can properly conquer their enemies here.
संनिपातो न गन्तव्यः शक्ये सति कथञ्चन। सान्त्वभेदप्रदानानां युद्धमुत्तरमुच्यते ॥१२-१०३-२२॥
One should not resort to assembly (battle) by any means if it is possible; after attempts at conciliation, division, and gifts, war is said to be the last resort.
संसर्पणाद्धि सेनाया भयं भीरून्प्रबाधते। वज्रादिव प्रज्वलितादियं क्व नु पतिष्यति ॥१२-१०३-२३॥
The movement of the army truly terrifies the fearful, just as a blazing thunderbolt does—where will this strike?
अभिप्रयातां समितिं ज्ञात्वा ये प्रतियान्त्यथ। तेषां स्पन्दन्ति गात्राणि योधानां विषयस्य च ॥१२-१०३-२४॥
When those who have advanced to the battle realize it and then turn back, the limbs of those warriors and even the territory itself tremble.
विषयो व्यथते राजन्सर्वः सस्थाणुजङ्गमः। शस्त्रप्रतापतप्तानां मज्जा सीदति देहिनाम् ॥१२-१०३-२५॥
O king, all beings, both stationary and moving, are afflicted; for those scorched by the heat of weapons, even the marrow of their bodies sinks.
तेषां सान्त्वं क्रूरमिश्रं प्रणेतव्यं पुनः पुनः। सम्पीड्यमाना हि परे योगमायान्ति सर्वशः ॥१२-१०३-२६॥
For them, a conciliation mixed with harshness should be repeatedly applied. When oppressed, others indeed unite completely.
अन्तराणां च भेदार्थं चारानभ्यवचारयेत्। यश्च तस्मात्परो राजा तेन सन्धिः प्रशस्यते ॥१२-१०३-२७॥
For distinguishing differences, spies should be employed for investigation. An alliance is recommended with the king who is superior to him.
न हि तस्यान्यथा पीडा शक्या कर्तुं तथाविधा। यथा सार्धममित्रेण सर्वतः प्रतिबाधनम् ॥१२-१०३-२८॥
Such affliction cannot otherwise be inflicted upon him, except by obstructing him from all sides together with an enemy.
क्षमा वै साधुमाया हि न हि साध्वक्षमा सदा। क्षमायाश्चाक्षमायाश्च विद्धि पार्थ प्रयोजनम् ॥१२-१०३-२९॥
Forbearance is truly the mark of the virtuous; lack of forbearance is never virtuous. O Pārtha, understand the purpose of both forbearance and lack of forbearance.
विजित्य क्षममाणस्य यशो राज्ञोऽभिवर्धते। महापराधा ह्यप्यस्मिन्विश्वसन्ति हि शत्रवः ॥१२-१०३-३०॥
When a king is patient after conquering, his fame grows; even great offenders come to trust such a king, and even his enemies do so.
मन्यते कर्शयित्वा तु क्षमा साध्विति शम्बरः। असन्तप्तं तु यद्दारु प्रत्येति प्रकृतिं पुनः ॥१२-१०३-३१॥
Śambara, having exhausted the earth, thinks 'Good!' But wood that is not burnt returns to its original nature again.
नैतत्प्रशंसन्त्याचार्या न च साधु निदर्शनम्। अक्लेशेनाविनाशेन नियन्तव्याः स्वपुत्रवत् ॥१२-१०३-३२॥
Teachers do not praise this, nor is it a proper example. One should control (them) without hardship and without destruction, as one would one's own son.
द्वेष्यो भवति भूतानामुग्रो राजा युधिष्ठिर। मृदुमप्यवमन्यन्ते तस्मादुभयभाग्भवेत् ॥१२-१०३-३३॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, a harsh king is hated by his subjects, while a gentle one is disregarded; therefore, a king should possess both qualities.
प्रहरिष्यन्प्रियं ब्रूयात्प्रहरन्नपि भारत। प्रहृत्य च कृपायेत शोचन्निव रुदन्निव ॥१२-१०३-३४॥
O Bhārata, one who is about to strike should speak kindly; even while striking, and after striking, he should show compassion, as if grieving and as if weeping.
न मे प्रियं यत्स हतः सम्प्राहैवं पुरो वचः। न चकर्थ च मे वाक्यमुच्यमानः पुनः पुनः ॥१२-१०३-३५॥
What he, who is now slain, spoke before was not dear to me. Nor did you carry out the statement I repeatedly made to you.
अहो जीवितमाकाङ्क्षे नेदृशो वधमर्हति। सुदुर्लभाः सुपुरुषाः सङ्ग्रामेष्वपलायिनः ॥१२-१०३-३६॥
Indeed, I wish to live; one such as this does not deserve to be killed. Noble men who do not flee in battle are very rare.
कृतं ममाप्रियं तेन येनायं निहतो मृधे। इति वाचा वदन्हन्तॄन्पूजयेत रहोगतः ॥१२-१०३-३७॥
Having gone to a secluded place, one should honor the slayers, saying with words: "By him by whom this one was slain in battle, my unpleasant (thing) has been done."
हन्तॄणां चाहतानां च यत्कुर्युरपराधिनः। क्रोशेद्बाहुं प्रगृह्यापि चिकीर्षञ्जनसङ्ग्रहम् ॥१२-१०३-३८॥
Whether the offenders are killers or unharmed, whatever they do, one should raise the arm and shout, even if wishing to gather people.
एवं सर्वास्ववस्थासु सान्त्वपूर्वं समाचरन्। प्रियो भवति भूतानां धर्मज्ञो वीतभीर्नृपः ॥१२-१०३-३९॥
Thus, a king who acts in all situations with conciliation first, who knows dharma and is free from fear, becomes dear to all beings.
विश्वासं चात्र गच्छन्ति सर्वभूतानि भारत। विश्वस्तः शक्यते भोक्तुं यथाकाममुपस्थितः ॥१२-१०३-४०॥
O Bhārata, all beings come here with trust. One who is trusted, being present, is able to enjoy as he wishes.
तस्माद्विश्वासयेद्राजा सर्वभूतान्यमायया। सर्वतः परिरक्षेच्च यो महीं भोक्तुमिच्छति ॥१२-१०३-४१॥
Therefore, a king who wishes to enjoy the earth must win the trust of all beings without deceit and protect them from all sides.
