12.108
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियविशां शूद्राणां च परन्तप। धर्मो वृत्तं च वृत्तिश्च वृत्त्युपायफलानि च ॥१२-१०८-१॥
O Parantapa, the dharma, conduct, livelihood, and the results of the means of livelihood for brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, vaiśyas, and śūdras are described here.
राज्ञां वृत्तं च कोशश्च कोशसञ्जननं महत्। अमात्यगुणवृद्धिश्च प्रकृतीनां च वर्धनम् ॥१२-१०८-२॥
The conduct of kings, the treasury, the great creation of wealth, the enhancement of ministers' qualities, and the growth of the subjects.
षाड्गुण्यगुणकल्पश्च सेनानीतिस्तथैव च। दुष्टस्य च परिज्ञानमदुष्टस्य च लक्षणम् ॥१२-१०८-३॥
The regulation of the sixfold policy, virtue, and military strategy, as well as the complete understanding of the wicked and the characteristics of the non-wicked, are to be known.
समहीनाधिकानां च यथावल्लक्षणोच्चयः। मध्यमस्य च तुष्ट्यर्थं यथा स्थेयं विवर्धता ॥१२-१०८-४॥
The characteristics of equals, inferiors, and superiors should be accumulated as appropriate; and for the satisfaction of the middle person, one should maintain and increase (these qualities) accordingly.
क्षीणसङ्ग्रहवृत्तिश्च यथावत्सम्प्रकीर्तिता। लघुनादेशरूपेण ग्रन्थयोगेन भारत ॥१२-१०८-५॥
O Bhārata, the explanation of the diminished compendium has been properly described as it is, in a concise instructional form, by the combination of the text.
विजिगीषोस्तथावृत्तमुक्तं चैव तथैव ते। गणानां वृत्तिमिच्छामि श्रोतुं मतिमतां वर ॥१२-१०८-६॥
Just as you have described the conduct of the one desiring victory, in the same way, O best of the wise, I wish to hear about the conduct of the groups.
यथा गणाः प्रवर्धन्ते न भिद्यन्ते च भारत। अरीन्हि विजिगीषन्ते सुहृदः प्राप्नुवन्ति च ॥१२-१०८-७॥
O Bhārata, just as groups flourish and remain united, enemies seek to conquer, while friends achieve success.
भेदमूलो विनाशो हि गणानामुपलभ्यते। मन्त्रसंवरणं दुःखं बहूनामिति मे मतिः ॥१२-१०८-८॥
Destruction that arises from division is indeed seen among groups. Concealing counsel brings pain to many—this is my view.
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं निखिलेन परन्तप। यथा च ते न भिद्येरंस्तच्च मे ब्रूहि पार्थिव ॥१२-१०८-९॥
O king, I wish to hear this in full, O scorcher of foes; tell me how they would not be divided.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
गणानां च कुलानां च राज्ञां च भरतर्षभ। वैरसंदीपनावेतौ लोभामर्षौ जनाधिप ॥१२-१०८-१०॥
O Bharata chief, greed and anger are the two that kindle enmity among groups, families, and kings, O lord of people.
लोभमेको हि वृणुते ततोऽमर्षमनन्तरम्। तौ क्षयव्ययसंयुक्तावन्योन्यजनिताश्रयौ ॥१२-१०८-११॥
It is only greed that one chooses, and immediately after comes anger. These two, being associated with destruction and loss, are mutually produced and dependent on each other.
चारमन्त्रबलादानैः सामदानविभेदनैः। क्षयव्ययभयोपायैः कर्शयन्तीतरेतरम् ॥१२-१०८-१२॥
By means of spies, counsel, strength, acquisition, conciliation, gifts, division, destruction, expenditure, fear, and other strategies, they harass each other.
तत्र दानेन भिद्यन्ते गणाः सङ्घातवृत्तयः। भिन्ना विमनसः सर्वे गच्छन्त्यरिवशं भयात् ॥१२-१०८-१३॥
There, by means of gifts, groups with collective conduct are divided; all, being split and dispirited, go under the enemy's control out of fear.
भेदाद्गणा विनश्यन्ति भिन्नाः सूपजपाः परैः। तस्मात्सङ्घातयोगेषु प्रयतेरन्गणाः सदा ॥१२-१०८-१४॥
Groups are destroyed by division; those divided in purpose are overcome by others. Therefore, groups should always strive for unity in associations.
अर्था ह्येवाधिगम्यन्ते सङ्घातबलपौरुषात्। बाह्याश्च मैत्रीं कुर्वन्ति तेषु सङ्घातवृत्तिषु ॥१२-१०८-१५॥
Objects are attained only through combination, strength, and effort; even outsiders form friendships among those engaged in collective activities.
ज्ञानवृद्धान्प्रशंसन्तः शुश्रूषन्तः परस्परम्। विनिवृत्ताभिसन्धानाः सुखमेधन्ति सर्वशः ॥१२-१०८-१६॥
Those who are advanced in knowledge, who praise and serve each other, and who have abandoned ulterior motives, increase happiness in every way.
धर्मिष्ठान्व्यवहारांश्च स्थापयन्तश्च शास्त्रतः। यथावत्सम्प्रवर्तन्तो विवर्धन्ते गणोत्तमाः ॥१२-१०८-१७॥
Assemblies of excellence, who establish the most righteous practices as prescribed by the śāstra and conduct themselves properly, flourish.
पुत्रान्भ्रातॄन्निगृह्णन्तो विनये च सदा रताः। विनीतांश्च प्रगृह्णन्तो विवर्धन्ते गणोत्तमाः ॥१२-१०८-१८॥
Those who restrain their sons and brothers, are always devoted to discipline, and accept the disciplined, such excellent groups prosper.
चारमन्त्रविधानेषु कोशसंनिचयेषु च। नित्ययुक्ता महाबाहो वर्धन्ते सर्वतो गणाः ॥१२-१०८-१९॥
O mighty-armed one, groups that are always engaged in the arrangements of spies and counsel, and in the accumulations of the treasury, increase everywhere.
प्राज्ञाञ्शूरान्महेष्वासान्कर्मसु स्थिरपौरुषान्। मानयन्तः सदा युक्ता विवर्धन्ते गणा नृप ॥१२-१०८-२०॥
O king, groups that always honor wise, valiant, and steadfast great archers in their actions, prosper.
द्रव्यवन्तश्च शूराश्च शस्त्रज्ञाः शास्त्रपारगाः। कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संमूढान्गणानुत्तारयन्ति ते ॥१२-१०८-२१॥
Those who possess wealth, are valiant, are skilled in weapons, and have mastered the scriptures, in times of difficulty and calamity, rescue groups of people who are completely bewildered.
क्रोधो भेदो भयो दण्डः कर्शनं निग्रहो वधः। नयन्त्यरिवशं सद्यो गणान्भरतसत्तम ॥१२-१०८-२२॥
O best of the Bharatas, anger, division, fear, punishment, torment, restraint, and killing quickly bring groups under the control of the enemy.
तस्मान्मानयितव्यास्ते गणमुख्याः प्रधानतः। लोकयात्रा समायत्ता भूयसी तेषु पार्थिव ॥१२-१०८-२३॥
Therefore, O king, those chiefs of the assemblies should be especially respected, for the conduct of the world depends mostly on them.
मन्त्रगुप्तिः प्रधानेषु चारश्चामित्रकर्शन। न गणाः कृत्स्नशो मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हन्ति भारत ॥१२-१०८-२४॥
O Bhārata, secrecy of counsel should be maintained among chiefs, and a spy should be employed for harassing the enemy. Assemblies are not entirely fit to hear counsel.
गणमुख्यैस्तु सम्भूय कार्यं गणहितं मिथः। पृथग्गणस्य भिन्नस्य विमतस्य ततोऽन्यथा ॥ अर्थाः प्रत्यवसीदन्ति तथानर्था भवन्ति च ॥१२-१०८-२५॥
But the chiefs of the group should unite and act together for the welfare of the group. If the group is divided and of differing opinions, then purposes fail and misfortunes arise.
तेषामन्योन्यभिन्नानां स्वशक्तिमनुतिष्ठताम्। निग्रहः पण्डितैः कार्यः क्षिप्रमेव प्रधानतः ॥१२-१०८-२६॥
When there are those among them who are mutually divided and exercising their own power, the wise should primarily and swiftly impose restraint.
कुलेषु कलहा जाताः कुलवृद्धैरुपेक्षिताः। गोत्रस्य राजन्कुर्वन्ति गणसम्भेदकारिकाम् ॥१२-१०८-२७॥
O king, when quarrels arise in families and are neglected by the elders, they cause division within the lineage or group.
आभ्यन्तरं भयं रक्ष्यं सुरक्ष्यं बाह्यतो भयम्। अभ्यन्तराद्भयं जातं सद्यो मूलं निकृन्तति ॥१२-१०८-२८॥
Internal fear should be protected; fear from outside should be well protected. Fear that arises from within immediately severs the root.
अकस्मात्क्रोधलोभाद्वा मोहाद्वापि स्वभावजात्। अन्योन्यं नाभिभाषन्ते तत्पराभवलक्षणम् ॥१२-१०८-२९॥
Sudden anger, greed, delusion, or inherent nature may cause people to stop speaking to each other; this is a sign of defeat.
जात्या च सदृशाः सर्वे कुलेन सदृशास्तथा। न तु शौर्येण बुद्ध्या वा रूपद्रव्येण वा पुनः ॥१२-१०८-३०॥
All are similar by birth and by family, but they differ in valor, intelligence, and in beauty and wealth.
भेदाच्चैव प्रमादाच्च नाम्यन्ते रिपुभिर्गणाः। तस्मात्सङ्घातमेवाहुर्गणानां शरणं महत् ॥१२-१०८-३१॥
Groups are subdued by enemies due to division and negligence; therefore, union alone is said to be the great refuge of groups.
