12.120
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
rājavṛttānyanekāni tvayā proktāni bhārata। pūrvaiḥ pūrvaniyuktāni rājadharmārthavedibhiḥ ॥12-120-1॥
O Bhārata, you have described many royal duties, which were previously prescribed by the ancient knowers of royal law.
tadeva vistareṇoktaṃ pūrvairdṛṣṭaṃ satāṃ matam। praṇayaṃ rājadharmāṇāṃ prabrūhi bharatarṣabha ॥12-120-2॥
O best of the Bharatas, declare in detail that affection for royal duties which has been spoken of by the former ones and is regarded as the opinion of the virtuous.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
rakṣaṇaṃ sarvabhūtānāmiti kṣatre paraṃ matam। tadyathā rakṣaṇaṃ kuryāttathā śṛṇu mahīpate ॥12-120-3॥
The protection of all beings is considered the highest duty in the kṣatriya order. Now, O king, listen as I explain how that protection should be carried out.
yathā barhāṇi citrāṇi bibharti bhujagāśanaḥ। tathā bahuvidhaṃ rājā rūpaṃ kurvīta dharmavit ॥12-120-4॥
Just as Garuḍa, the eater of serpents, bears many-colored feathers, so too should a king who knows dharma take on many different forms.
taikṣṇyaṃ jihmatvamādāntyaṃ satyamārjavameva ca। madhyasthaḥ sattvamātiṣṭhaṃstathā vai sukhamṛcchati ॥12-120-5॥
One who is neutral, abiding in steadfastness, attains happiness by possessing sharpness, crookedness, endurance, truth, and straightforwardness.
yasminn arthe hitaṃ yat syāt tad varṇaṃ rūpam āviśet। bahurūpasya rājño hi sūkṣmo'py artho na sīdati ॥12-120-6॥
One should present the form and description in which there is benefit in a matter. For a king of many forms, even a subtle matter does not go unnoticed or perish.
nityaṃ rakṣitamantraḥ syādyathā mūkaḥ śaracchikhī। ślakṣṇākṣaratanuḥ śrīmānbhavecchāstraviśāradaḥ ॥12-120-7॥
One who always keeps his mantra protected should remain silent like a mute and hidden like an autumn fire; with gentle words, he may become prosperous and an expert in the scriptures.
āpaddvāreṣu yattaḥ syāj jalaprasravaṇeṣv iva| śailavarṣodakān iva dvijān siddhān samāśrayet ॥12-120-8॥
When faced with calamities, one should be vigilant, and just as waters from mountain rains flow into streams, so too should one seek refuge in the twice-born and the perfected sages.
arthakāmaḥ śikhāṃ rājā kuryād dharmadhvajopamām। nityam udyatadaṇḍaḥ syād ācarec cāpramādataḥ॥ loke cāvyayayau dṛṣṭvā vṛkṣād vṛkṣam ivāplavan॥12-120-9॥
A king who seeks wealth should make his crest like the banner of dharma; he should always be vigilant and act without negligence. Observing the imperishable and perishable in the world, he should move from one support to another, like leaping from tree to tree.
mṛjāvān syāt svayūthyeṣu bhāvāni caraṇaiḥ kṣipet. jātapakṣaḥ parispanded rakṣed vaikalyam ātmanaḥ ॥12-120-10॥
Let one who is clean remain among his own group, casting away feelings with his feet. When his wings have grown, he should move about and guard against his own weaknesses.
doṣān vivṛṇuyāc chatroḥ parapakṣān vidhūnayet kānaneṣv iva puṣpāṇi barhī-vārthān samācaret ॥12-120-11॥
He should reveal the faults of the king and remove the opposition; just as one gathers flowers in the forests for sacrificial grass, so should he collect what is needed.
ucchritānāśrayetsphītānnarendrānacalopamān। śrayeccchāyāmavijñātāṃ guptaṃ śaraṇamāśrayet ॥12-120-12॥
One should seek the protection of exalted and prosperous kings who are as steadfast as mountains; one should also seek shelter in unknown shade and take refuge in a hidden sanctuary.
prāvṛṣīvāsitagṛīvo majjeta niśi nirjane। māyūreṇa guṇenaiva strībhiścālakṣitaścaret ॥ na jahyācca tanutrāṇaṃ rakṣedātmānamātmanā ॥12-120-13॥
During the rainy season, with a darkened neck, one should immerse oneself at night in a deserted place; using only a peacock's feather and a string, and moving about unnoticed by women. One should never abandon bodily protection and must safeguard oneself by one's own means.
cāra-bhūmiṣu abhimān pāśāṃś ca parivarjayet। pīḍayet ca api tām bhūmim praṇaśyet gahane punaḥ ॥12-120-14॥
One must avoid the approaches of spies and traps in the regions, and should also torment that region; otherwise, it may perish again in the thicket.
hanyāt kruddhān ativişān ye jihmagatayaḥ ahitān। nāśrayed bālabarhāṇi sannivāsāni vāsayet ॥12-120-15॥
One should slay those who are angry, excessively poisonous, crooked in conduct, and hostile; one should not take refuge in places with tender shoots, but should reside in densely inhabited places.
sadā barhinibhaḥ kāmaṃ prasaktikṛtam ācaret। sarvataś cādadet prajñāṃ pataṅgān gahaneṣv iva ॥ evaṃ mayūravad rājā svarāṣṭraṃ paripālayet ॥12-120-16॥
A king should always act with focused desire like a peacock, gathering wisdom from all directions as insects do in thickets. In this way, like a peacock, the king should protect his own kingdom.
ātmavṛddhikarīṃ nītiṃ vidadhīta vicakṣaṇaḥ। ātmasaṃyamanaṃ buddhyā parabuddhyāvatāraṇam ॥ buddhyā cātmaguṇaprāptiretacchāstranidarśanam ॥12-120-17॥
A wise person should adopt conduct that leads to self-development; practice self-restraint through intellect, and learn from the wisdom of others. Attaining one's own virtues through intellect is the teaching demonstrated by this śāstra.
paraṃ cāśvāsayet sāmnā svaśaktiṃ copalakṣayet। ātmanaḥ parimarśena buddhiṃ buddhyā vicārayet॥ sāntvayogamatiḥ prājñaḥ kāryākāryavicārakaḥ॥12-120-18॥
He should console others with gentle words and assess his own strength; by self-reflection, he should examine his intellect with discernment. The wise, whose mind is inclined toward conciliation, is one who discerns what should and should not be done.
nigūḍhabuddhirdhīraḥ syādvaktavye vakṣyate tathā। saṃnikṛṣṭāṃ kathāṃ prājño yadi buddhyā bṛhaspatiḥ ॥ svabhāvameṣyate taptaṃ kṛṣṇāyasamivodake ॥12-120-19॥
A person of hidden intellect may remain silent when something is to be said, and even if wise as Bṛhaspati, when approached with intelligence, he will act according to his nature, just as heated black iron regains its nature when placed in water.
anuyuñjīta kṛtyāni sarvāṇyeva mahīpatiḥ। āgamairupadiṣṭāni svasya caiva parasya ca ॥12-120-20॥
The king must perform all duties prescribed by the scriptures, whether they pertain to himself or to others.
kṣudraṃ krūraṃ tathā prājñaṃ śūraṃ ca arthaviśāradam। svakarmaṇi niyuñjīta ye ca anye vacanādhikāḥ ॥12-120-21॥
One should assign tasks to the mean, the cruel, the wise, the brave, and those skilled in wealth according to their own duties; and also to others who are superior in speech.
apyadṛṣṭvā niyuktāni anurūpeṣu karmasu। sarvāṃstānanuvarteta svarāṃstantrīrīvāyatā ॥12-120-22॥
Even if one does not see the assigned tasks in suitable actions, one should follow all of them, just as stretched strings follow the notes.
dharmāṇām-avirodhena sarveṣāṃ priyam-ācaret। mamāyam-iti rājā yaḥ sa parvata iva-acalaḥ ॥12-120-23॥
One should act in a way that pleases everyone, provided it does not contradict dharma. The king who claims, "This is mine," is steadfast like a mountain, unmovable.
vyavasāyaṃ samādhāya sūryo raśmim-ivāyatām। dharmam-evābhirakṣeta kṛtvā tulye priyāpriye ॥12-120-24॥
With firm resolve, just as the sun extends its rays, one should uphold dharma alone, treating both what is pleasant and unpleasant equally.
kulaprakṛtideśānāṃ dharmajñānmṛdubhāṣiṇaḥ। madhye vayasi nirdoṣānhite yuktāñjitendriyān ॥12-120-25॥
Those who are from good families, of noble nature and region, who know dharma, speak gently, are in their middle age, are faultless, devoted to the welfare of others, and have self-control.
alubdhāñśikṣitāndāntāndharmeṣu pariniṣṭhitān। sthāpayetsarvakāryeṣu rājā dharmārtharakṣiṇaḥ ॥12-120-26॥
The king should appoint as protectors of dharma and artha in all affairs those who are not greedy, well-trained, self-controlled, and firmly established in dharma.
etenaiva prakāreṇa kṛtyānām āgatiṃ gatim। yuktaḥ samanutiṣṭheta tuṣṭaś cārair upaskṛtaḥ ॥12-120-27॥
By this very method, one who is engaged should carry out the arrival and departure of duties, remaining content and aided by spies.
amoghakrodhaharṣasya svayaṃ kṛtyānvavekṣiṇaḥ। ātmapratyayakośasya vasudhaiva vasundharā ॥12-120-28॥
He, whose anger and joy are unfailing, who himself examines his actions, for whom the treasury is self-conviction—the earth itself is Vasundhara (the bestower of wealth) for him.
vyaktaś cānugraho yasya yathārthaś cāpi nigrahaḥ। guptātmā guptarāṣṭraś ca sa rājā rājadarmavit ॥12-120-29॥
He whose favor is manifest and whose restraint is proper, who protects himself and his kingdom, he is the king who knows the duties of kings.
nityaṃ rāṣṭram avekṣeta gobhiḥ sūrya iva utpatan। cārān ca na carān vidyāt tathā buddhyā na sañjvaret ॥12-120-30॥
One should always observe the kingdom with the thoroughness of the sun rising with its rays; one should discern both spies and non-spies with intelligence, and not become agitated.
kālaprāptam-upādad-yān-nārthaṃ rājā prasūcayet। ahany-ahani sanduhyān-mahīṃ gām-iva buddhimān ॥12-120-31॥
The king should accept what comes at the proper time, not out of greed for wealth, and should make it known. Every day, the wise ruler should draw resources from the earth as a wise man milks a cow.
yathā krameṇa puṣpebhyaś cinoti madhu ṣaṭpadaḥ। tathā dravyam upādāya rājā kurvīta sañcayam ॥12-120-32॥
Just as a bee collects honey from flowers in sequence, so should a king accumulate wealth methodically.
yaddhi guptāvaśiṣṭaṃ syāttaddhitaṃ dharmakāmayoḥ। sañcayānuvisargī syādrājā śāstravidātmavān ॥12-120-33॥
Whatever remains protected is beneficial for dharma and kāma; the king, who is learned in śāstra and self-controlled, should accumulate and distribute (wealth or resources).
nālpamarthaṃ paribhaven nāvamanyeta śātravān। buddhyāvabudhyed ātmānaṃ na cābuddhiṣu viśvaset॥12-120-34॥
Do not despise small wealth, nor underestimate enemies. Using intelligence, discern yourself, and never trust the unintelligent.
dhṛtir dākṣyaṃ saṃyamo buddhir agryā; dhairyaṃ śauryaṃ deśa-kālo'pramādaḥ। svalpasya vā mahato vāpi vṛddhau; dhanasya etāni aṣṭa samindhanāni॥12-120-35॥
Steadfastness, dexterity, self-control, superior intelligence, patience, valor, the right place and time, and vigilance—these eight are the causes for the increase of wealth, whether it is small or great.
agnistoko vardhate hyājyasikto; bījaṃ caikaṃ bahusāhasrameti. kṣayodayau vipulau saṃniśāmya; tasmād-alpaṃ nāvamanyeta vidvān ॥12-120-36॥
Even a small fire grows when fed with ghee; a single seed can yield thousands. Observing that both decline and growth can be immense, the wise should never look down upon what is small.
bālo'bālaḥ sthaviro vā ripur yaḥ; sadā pramattaṃ puruṣaṃ nihanyāt. kālenānyas tasya mūlaṃ haret; kālajñātā pārthivānāṃ variṣṭhaḥ ॥12-120-37॥
Whether a child, not a child, an old man, or an enemy—whoever it is, should always destroy a negligent man. In time, another will uproot him; the one who knows the right time is the best among kings.
haretkīrtiṃ dharmamasyo parundhyā; darthe dīrghaṃ vīryamasyo pahan-yāt. ripur dveṣṭā durbalo vā balī vā; tasmāc chatrau naiva heḍed yatātmā ॥12-120-38॥
One should take away the enemy's fame, obstruct his righteousness, and destroy his enduring strength for the sake of wealth. Whether the enemy is a hater, weak or strong, therefore, a self-controlled person should never insult the enemy.
kṣayaṃ śatroḥ sañcayaṃ pālanaṃ cā; pyubhau cārthau sahitau dharmakāmau. ataścānyanmatimān saṃdadhīta; tasmādrājā buddhimantaṃ śrayeta ॥12-120-39॥
Destruction of the enemy, accumulation and protection, and both wealth and desire together with righteousness—therefore, a wise person should make other arrangements; thus, a king should rely on an intelligent advisor.
buddhirdīptā balavantaṃ hinasti; balaṃ buddhyā vardhate pālyamānam. śatrurbuddhyā sīdate vardhamāno; buddheḥ paścātkarma yattatpraśastam ॥12-120-40॥
An illuminated intellect destroys even the powerful; strength, when protected by intellect, increases. An enemy, though growing, is brought low by intellect; whatever action is performed after due deliberation is praiseworthy.
sarvān kāmān kāmayāno hi dhīraḥ; sattvena alpena āplute hīna-dehaḥ. yathā ātmānam prārthayate arthamānaiḥ; śreyaḥ-pātram pūrayate hi analpam. 12-120-41
The wise man, though desiring all desires, with little strength and an inferior body, just as he seeks his own self with means, indeed fills the vessel of excellence with abundance.
tasmādrājā pragṛhītaḥ pareṣu; mūlaṃ lakṣmyāḥ sarvato'bhyādadīta. dīrghaṃ kālamapi sampīḍyamāno; vidyutsampātamiva mānorjitaḥ syāt ॥12-120-42॥
Therefore, a king, when seized by others, should secure the sources of wealth from all directions. Even if oppressed for a long time, his pride should be as forceful as a lightning strike.
vidyā tapo vā vipulaṃ dhanaṃ vā; sarvam etad vyavasāyena śakyam। brahma yat taṃ nivasati dehavatsu; tasmād vidyād vyavasāyaṃ prabhūtam ॥12-120-43॥
Whether it is knowledge, austerity, or abundant wealth, all of these are attainable through effort. Brahman dwells in embodied beings; therefore, one should recognize effort as supreme.
yatrāsate matimanto manasvinaḥ; śakro viṣṇuryatra sarasvatī ca। vasanti bhūtāni ca yatra nityaṃ; tasmādvidvānnāvamanyeta deham ॥12-120-44॥
Where the intelligent and high-minded reside, where Indra, Viṣṇu, and Sarasvatī are present, and where beings always dwell—therefore, the wise should not despise the body.
lubdhaṃ hanyātsampradānena nityaṃ; lubdhas tṛptiṃ paravittasya naiti. sarvo lubdhaḥ karmaguṇopabhoge; yo'rthair hīno dharmakāmau jahāti ॥12-120-45॥
One should always overcome greed by generosity; a greedy person is never satisfied with the wealth of others. All are greedy in the enjoyment of the fruits of action; one who lacks wealth abandons both righteousness and desire.
dhanaṃ bhojyaṃ putradāraṃ samṛddhiṃ; sarvo lubdhaḥ prārthayate pareṣām। lubdhe doṣāḥ sambhavantīha sarve; tasmādrājā na pragṛhṇīta lubdhān ॥12-120-46॥
Everyone greedy desires the wealth, food, sons, wives, and prosperity of others. All faults arise in the greedy; therefore, the king should not accept greedy people.
sandarśane satpuruṣaṃ jaghanyam api codayet। ārambhān dviṣatāṃ prājñaḥ sarvānarthāṃs tu sūdayet ॥12-120-47॥
In the presence of a noble person, even the lowest should be encouraged; but the wise should destroy all the undertakings of enemies and all calamities.
dharmānviteṣu vijñāto mantrī guptaś ca pāṇḍava। āpto rājan kulīnaś ca paryāpto rājyasaṅgrahe ॥12-120-48॥
O Pāṇḍava, a counselor who is well-known among the righteous, secretive, trustworthy, of noble lineage, and sufficient for the administration of the kingdom is suitable.
vidhipravṛttān naradeva-dharmāḥ; nuktān samāsena nibodha buddhyā। imān vidadhyād vyanusṛtya yaḥ vai; rājā mahīṃ pālayituṃ sa śaktaḥ ॥12-120-49॥
Understand, with intellect, the kingly duties established by rule, which are stated here in summary. The king who, having followed these, performs them, is truly capable of protecting the earth.
anītijaṃ yadyavidhānajaṃ sukhaṃ; haṭhapraṇītaṃ vividhaṃ pradṛśyate। na vidyate tasya gatirmahīpate; na vidyate rāṣṭrajamuttamaṃ sukham ॥12-120-50॥
Happiness arising from injustice or disorder, achieved by force, appears in many forms. O king, such happiness has no lasting progress, nor does true happiness for the kingdom arise from it.
dhanair-viśiṣṭān-mati-śīla-pūjitān; guṇopapannān-yudhi dṛṣṭa-vikramān। guṇeṣu dṛṣṭān-acirād-iha-ātmavān; sataḥ abhisandhāya nihanti śātravān ॥12-120-51॥
One who is self-possessed, having recognized those distinguished by wealth, intellect, character, virtues, and valor in battle, and having discerned the virtuous here, soon destroys his enemies by aiming at the good.
paśyed upāyān vividhaiḥ kriyāpathaiḥ; na ca anupāyena matiṃ niveśayet। śriyaṃ viśiṣṭāṃ vipulaṃ yaśo dhanaṃ; na doṣadarśī puruṣaḥ samaśnute॥12-120-52॥
One should consider various means and methods of action, but should not direct the mind towards improper means. A person who is always fault-finding does not attain distinguished prosperity, abundant fame, or wealth.
prītipravṛttau vinivartane tathā; suhṛtsu vijñāya nivṛtya cobhayoḥ। yadeva mitraṃ gurubhāram āvahe; tadeva susnigdham udāhared budhaḥ ॥12-120-53॥
When affection arises or withdraws, one should discern among friends and withdraw from both. That friend who indeed bears a heavy burden should be called truly affectionate by the wise.
etān mayoktāṁs tava rājadarmā; n nṛṇāṁ ca guptau matim ādadhatsva। avāpsyase puṇyaphalaṁ sukhena; sarvo hi lokottamadharmamūlaḥ ॥12-120-54॥
Apply your mind to the royal duties I have spoken to you, especially in the protection of people. By doing so, you will happily obtain the fruit of merit, for the entire world is indeed founded upon the highest dharma.
