12.124
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
इमे जना नरश्रेष्ठ प्रशंसन्ति सदा भुवि। धर्मस्य शीलमेवादौ ततो मे संशयो महान् ॥१२-१२४-१॥
O best of men, these people always praise on earth that character alone is foremost in dharma; after that, I have a great doubt.
यदि तच्छक्यमस्माभिर्ज्ञातुं धर्मभृतां वर। श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्सर्वं यथैतदुपलभ्यते ॥१२-१२४-२॥
O best of the upholders of dharma, if it is possible for us to know, I wish to hear all of that as it is understood.
कथं नु प्राप्यते शीलं श्रोतुमिच्छामि भारत। किंलक्षणं च तत्प्रोक्तं ब्रूहि मे वदतां वर ॥१२-१२४-३॥
O Bhārata, I wish to hear how character is attained. Please tell me, O best of speakers, what its characteristics are and what has been declared about it.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
पुरा दुर्योधनेनेह धृतराष्ट्राय मानद। आख्यातं तप्यमानेन श्रियं दृष्ट्वा तथागताम् ॥१२-१२४-४॥
O bestower of honor, formerly here, Duryodhana, seeing the prosperity that had thus arrived, and suffering, told this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
इन्द्रप्रस्थे महाराज तव सभ्रातृकस्य ह। सभायां चावहसनं तत्सर्वं शृणु भारत ॥१२-१२४-५॥
O Bhārata, hear all about the mockery that took place in the assembly at Indraprastha involving you and your brothers, O great king.
भवतस्तां सभां दृष्ट्वा समृद्धिं चाप्यनुत्तमाम्। दुर्योधनस्तदासीनः सर्वं पित्रे न्यवेदयत् ॥१२-१२४-६॥
After seeing your assembly and its unsurpassed prosperity, Duryodhana, while seated, conveyed everything to his father.
श्रुत्वा च धृतराष्ट्रोऽपि दुर्योधनवचस्तदा। अब्रवीत्कर्णसहितं दुर्योधनमिदं वचः ॥१२-१२४-७॥
Having heard Duryodhana's words, Dhritarashtra then, together with Karna, spoke this speech to Duryodhana.
किमर्थं तप्यसे पुत्र श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः। श्रुत्वा त्वामनुनेष्यामि यदि सम्यग्भविष्यसि ॥१२-१२४-८॥
Son, why are you troubled? I wish to hear the truth from you. After hearing, I will console you, if you are right. "12-124-8"
यथा त्वं महदैश्वर्यं प्राप्तः परपुरञ्जय। किङ्करा भ्रातरः सर्वे मित्राः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥१२-१२४-९॥
Just as you, O conqueror of other cities, have attained great sovereignty, so too all your brothers, friends, and relatives are your servants.
आच्छादयसि प्रावारानश्नासि पिशितोदनम्। आजानेया वहन्ति त्वां कस्माच्छोचसि पुत्रक ॥१२-१२४-१०॥
You are clothed in garments and eat food made of meat. Noble horses carry you. Why do you grieve, dear son?
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said.
दश तानि सहस्राणि स्नातकानां महात्मनाम्। भुञ्जते रुक्मपात्रीषु युधिष्ठिरनिवेशने ॥१२-१२४-११॥
Ten thousand such initiated great souls dine from golden vessels in the residence of Yudhishthira.
दृष्ट्वा च तां सभां दिव्यां दिव्यपुष्पफलान्विताम्। अश्वांस्तित्तिरकल्माषान्रत्नानि विविधानि च ॥१२-१२४-१२॥
Having seen that divine assembly hall adorned with celestial flowers and fruits, as well as horses, partridges, spotted animals, and various kinds of gems.
दृष्ट्वा तां पाण्डवेयानामृद्धिमिन्द्रोपमां शुभाम्। अमित्राणां सुमहतीमनुशोचामि मानद ॥१२-१२४-१३॥
O bestower of honor, seeing the auspicious prosperity of the sons of Pāṇḍu, which is equal to that of Indra, I greatly grieve for their enemies.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
यदीच्छसि श्रियं तात यादृशीं तां युधिष्ठिरे। विशिष्टां वा नरव्याघ्र शीलवान्भव पुत्रक ॥१२-१२४-१४॥
If you wish for prosperity like that of Yudhiṣṭhira, or even greater, O best of men, then be virtuous, my son.
शीलेन हि त्रयो लोकाः शक्या जेतुं न संशयः। न हि किञ्चिदसाध्यं वै लोके शीलवतां भवेत् ॥१२-१२४-१५॥
Indeed, by virtue, the three worlds can certainly be conquered—there is no doubt. Truly, for the virtuous, nothing in the world is impossible.
एकरात्रेण मान्धाता त्र्यहेण जनमेजयः। सप्तरात्रेण नाभागः पृथिवीं प्रतिपेदिवान् ॥१२-१२४-१६॥
Māndhātā obtained the earth in one night, Janamejaya in three days, and Nābhāga in seven nights. "12-124-16"
एते हि पार्थिवाः सर्वे शीलवन्तो दमान्विताः। अतस्तेषां गुणक्रीता वसुधा स्वयमागमत् ॥१२-१२४-१७॥
Because all these kings were virtuous and endowed with self-control, the earth herself came to them, won by their virtues.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्तं शीलमाश्रित्य भारत ॥१२-१२४-१८॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient story, once told by Nārada, with conduct as its basis.
प्रह्रादेन हृतं राज्यं महेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः। शीलमाश्रित्य दैत्येन त्रैलोक्यं च वशीकृतम् ॥१२-१२४-१९॥
Prahlāda seized the kingdom of the great-souled Indra. By relying on his character, the Daitya also brought the three worlds under his control.
ततो बृहस्पतिं शक्रः प्राञ्जलिः समुपस्थितः। उवाच च महाप्राज्ञः श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१२-१२४-२०॥
Then Śakra (Indra), with folded hands, approached Bṛhaspati and said: "I wish to know what is best."
ततो बृहस्पतिस्तस्मै ज्ञानं नैःश्रेयसं परम्। कथयामास भगवान्देवेन्द्राय कुरूद्वह ॥१२-१२४-२१॥
Then Bṛhaspati, O best of the Kurus, imparted to Devendra the supreme knowledge that leads to the highest good.
एतावच्छ्रेय इत्येव बृहस्पतिरभाषत। इन्द्रस्तु भूयः पप्रच्छ क्व विशेषो भवेदिति ॥१२-१२४-२२॥
Bṛhaspati said, "This much is better." But Indra asked further, "Where would the distinction lie?"
बृहस्पतिरुवाच॥
Bṛhaspati said.
विशेषोऽस्ति महांस्तात भार्गवस्य महात्मनः। तत्रागमय भद्रं ते भूय एव पुरंदर ॥१२-१२४-२३॥
O Indra, there is a great distinction of the magnanimous Bhārgava, O dear one. Go there again and bring good fortune to you.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
आत्मनस्तु ततः श्रेयो भार्गवात्सुमहायशाः। ज्ञानमागमयत्प्रीत्या पुनः स परमद्युतिः ॥१२-१२४-२४॥
But then, the illustrious one, out of affection, again obtained from Bhārgava the knowledge that is best for the self; he was of supreme splendor.
तेनापि समनुज्ञातो भार्गवेण महात्मना। श्रेयोऽस्तीति पुनर्भूयः शुक्रमाह शतक्रतुः ॥१२-१२४-२५॥
Having also been permitted by the great-souled Bhārgava, Śatakratu (Indra) again said to Śukra, "There is indeed welfare."
भार्गवस्त्वाह धर्मज्ञः प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः। ज्ञानमस्ति विशेषेण ततो हृष्टश्च सोऽभवत् ॥१२-१२४-२६॥
Bhārgava said, "Prahlāda, the great-souled knower of dharma, possesses special knowledge; therefore, he became gladdened."
स ततो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा प्रह्रादं पाकशासनः। सृत्वा प्रोवाच मेधावी श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१२-१२४-२७॥
Then Pākaśāsana (Indra), having assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, after hearing Prahlāda, spoke wisely: "I wish to know what is best."
प्रह्रादस्त्वब्रवीद्विप्रं क्षणो नास्ति द्विजर्षभ। त्रैलोक्यराज्ये सक्तस्य ततो नोपदिशामि ते ॥१२-१२४-२८॥
Prahlāda replied to the brāhmaṇa, "O best of brāhmaṇas, for one attached to the sovereignty of the three worlds, not even a moment is available; therefore, I cannot instruct you."
ब्राह्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्वाक्यं कस्मिन्काले क्षणो भवेत्। ततोपदिष्टमिच्छामि यद्यत्कार्यान्तरं भवेत् ॥१२-१२४-२९॥
But the brāhmaṇa said: "At what time would the moment occur? Then, I wish to be instructed as to whatever other task there may be."
ततः प्रीतोऽभवद्राजा प्रह्रादो ब्रह्मवादिने। तथेत्युक्त्वा शुभे काले ज्ञानतत्त्वं ददौ तदा ॥१२-१२४-३०॥
Then King Prahlada, being pleased, said 'so be it' to the speaker of Brahman and, at an auspicious time, gave the essence of knowledge.
ब्राह्मणोऽपि यथान्यायं गुरुवृत्तिमनुत्तमाम्। चकार सर्वभावेन यद्वत्स मनसेच्छति ॥१२-१२४-३१॥
O child, the brāhmaṇa too, in accordance with the rules, rendered the highest service to his teacher with complete devotion, just as the mind desires.
पृष्टश्च तेन बहुशः प्राप्तं कथमरिंदम। त्रैलोक्यराज्यं धर्मज्ञ कारणं तद्ब्रवीहि मे ॥१२-१२४-३२॥
O subduer of enemies, you have been asked many times by him how the sovereignty of the three worlds was obtained. O knower of dharma, tell me the reason for that.
प्रह्राद उवाच॥
Prahāda said:
नासूयामि द्विजश्रेष्ठ राजास्मीति कदाचन। कव्यानि वदतां तात संयच्छामि वहामि च ॥१२-१२४-३३॥
O best of the twice-born, I never envy anyone saying 'I am king.' O dear one, I both restrain and carry out the ancestral offerings of those who recite them.
ते विस्रब्धाः प्रभाषन्ते संयच्छन्ति च मां सदा। ते मा कव्यपदे सक्तं शुश्रूषुमनसूयकम् ॥१२-१२४-३४॥
They, being confident, always speak and restrain me. They see me as one attached to poetic speech, eager to listen, and free from envy.
धर्मात्मानं जितक्रोधं संयतं संयतेन्द्रियम्। समाचिन्वन्ति शास्तारः क्षौद्रं मध्विव मक्षिकाः ॥१२-१२४-३५॥
Just as bees gather honey, teachers gather around a person who is righteous, self-controlled, has conquered anger, and has mastery over his senses.
सोऽहं वागग्रपिष्टानां रसानामवलेहिता। स्वजात्यानधितिष्ठामि नक्षत्राणीव चन्द्रमाः ॥१२-१२४-३६॥
I am the taster of the essences ground at the tip of speech; among my own kind, I do not preside, just as the moon does not preside over the stars.
एतत्पृथिव्याममृतमेतच्चक्षुरनुत्तमम्। यद्ब्राह्मणमुखे कव्यमेतच्छ्रुत्वा प्रवर्तते ॥१२-१२४-३७॥
This is nectar on earth, this is the highest vision; when this poetry is heard from the mouth of a Brāhmaṇa, it spreads forth.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
एतावच्छ्रेय इत्याह प्रह्रादो ब्रह्मवादिनम्। शुश्रूषितस्तेन तदा दैत्येन्द्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥१२-१२४-३८॥
Prahlada said to the sage, "This much is the best." Having listened to him, the lord of the Daityas then spoke these words.
यथावद्गुरुवृत्त्या ते प्रीतोऽस्मि द्विजसत्तम। वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते प्रदातास्मि न संशयः ॥१२-१२४-३९॥
O best of the twice-born, I am pleased with you for your proper service to your teacher. Ask for a boon that is auspicious for you; I am the giver—there is no doubt about it.
कृतमित्येव दैत्येन्द्रमुवाच स च वै द्विजः। प्रह्रादस्त्वब्रवीत्प्रीतो गृह्यतां वर इत्युत ॥१२-१२४-४०॥
He said to the lord of the Daityas, "It is done," and that Brāhmaṇa also spoke thus. Prahlāda, being pleased, said, "Let the boon be accepted."
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The brāhmaṇa said:
यदि राजन्प्रसन्नस्त्वं मम चेच्छसि चेद्धितम्। भवतः शीलमिच्छामि प्राप्तुमेष वरो मम ॥१२-१२४-४१॥
If you are pleased, O king, and wish for my welfare, then I desire to obtain your character; this is the boon I seek.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
ततः प्रीतश्च दैत्येन्द्रो भयं चास्याभवन्महत्। वरे प्रदिष्टे विप्रेण नाल्पतेजायमित्युत ॥१२-१२४-४२॥
Then the lord of the Daityas was pleased, but at the same time great fear arose in him; for in the boon granted by the Brāhmaṇa, it was stated, 'not to one of little energy,' thus indeed.
एवमस्त्विति तं प्राह प्रह्रादो विस्मितस्तदा। उपाकृत्य तु विप्राय वरं दुःखान्वितोऽभवत् ॥१२-१२४-४३॥
Prahlāda, astonished, said to him, "So be it." Then, after serving the Brāhmaṇa, he granted the boon, but became afflicted with sorrow.
दत्ते वरे गते विप्रे चिन्तासीन्महती ततः। प्रह्रादस्य महाराज निश्चयं न च जग्मिवान् ॥१२-१२४-४४॥
After granting the boon and as the brāhmaṇa departed, he became greatly anxious; O great king, Prahlāda had not yet made up his mind.
तस्य चिन्तयतस्तात छायाभूतं महाद्युते। तेजो विग्रहवत्तात शरीरमजहात्तदा ॥१२-१२४-४५॥
O dear, while he was thinking, his radiance, having assumed a form like a shadow, did not leave his body at that time, O greatly radiant one.
तमपृच्छन्महाकायं प्रह्रादः को भवानिति। प्रत्याह ननु शीलोऽस्मि त्यक्तो गच्छाम्यहं त्वया ॥१२-१२४-४६॥
Prahlāda asked the great-bodied being, "Who are you?" He replied, "I am Śīla, whom you have abandoned, and I am leaving because of you."
तस्मिन्द्विजवरे राजन्वत्स्याम्यहमनिन्दितम्। योऽसौ शिष्यत्वमागम्य त्वयि नित्यं समाहितः ॥ इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितं तद्वै शक्रं चान्वविशत्प्रभो ॥१२-१२४-४७॥
O king, I shall reside blamelessly in that best of twice-born. He who has become a disciple and is always devoted to you—having thus spoken, that one disappeared and entered Indra, O lord.
तस्मिंस्तेजसि याते तु तादृग्रूपस्ततोऽपरः। शरीरान्निःसृतस्तस्य को भवानिति चाब्रवीत् ॥१२-१२४-४८॥
But when that brilliance departed, another form of that kind emerged from his body. And he said, "Who are you?"
धर्मं प्रह्राद मां विद्धि यत्रासौ द्विजसत्तमः। तत्र यास्यामि दैत्येन्द्र यतः शीलं ततो ह्यहम् ॥१२-१२४-४९॥
O Prahlāda, know me as righteousness. Wherever this best of Brāhmaṇas is, there I will go, O lord of Daityas, for character indeed arises from that.
ततोऽपरो महाराज प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा। शरीरान्निःसृतस्तस्य प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः ॥१२-१२४-५०॥
Then, O great king, another being, blazing as if with brilliance, emerged from the body of the great-souled Prahlāda.
को भवानिति पृष्टश्च तमाह स महाद्युतिः। सत्यमस्म्यसुरेन्द्राग्र्य यास्येऽहं धर्ममन्विह ॥१२-१२४-५१॥
When asked, "Who are you?", he of great splendor replied, "I am indeed the foremost among the lords of asuras, and I am going here to pursue dharma."
तस्मिन्ननुगते धर्मं पुरुषे पुरुषोऽपरः। निश्चक्राम ततस्तस्मात्पृष्टश्चाह महात्मना ॥ वृत्तं प्रह्राद मां विद्धि यतः सत्यं ततो ह्यहम् ॥१२-१२४-५२॥
When dharma was followed in that person, another person departed from there; when questioned by the great-souled one, he said: "Prahlāda, know me as conduct, for from conduct comes truth; therefore, I am that."
तस्मिन्गते महाश्वेतः शरीरात्तस्य निर्ययौ। पृष्टश्चाह बलं विद्धि यतो वृत्तमहं ततः ॥ इत्युक्त्वा च ययौ तत्र यतो वृत्तं नराधिप ॥१२-१२४-५३॥
When he had departed, Mahāśveta left his body. When questioned, he said, "Know the strength from which this event occurred to me." Having said this, he went there where the event took place, O king.
ततः प्रभामयी देवी शरीरात्तस्य निर्ययौ। तामपृच्छत्स दैत्येन्द्रः सा श्रीरित्येवमब्रवीत् ॥१२-१२४-५४॥
Then, the radiant goddess emerged from his body. The lord of the daityas asked her, and she replied, "I am Śrī."
उषितास्मि सुखं वीर त्वयि सत्यपराक्रमे। त्वया त्यक्ता गमिष्यामि बलं यत्र ततो ह्यहम् ॥१२-१२४-५५॥
O hero of true valor, I have lived happily with you. Now, abandoned by you, I will go wherever strength is; from there, indeed, I shall go.
ततो भयं प्रादुरासीत्प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः। अपृच्छत च तां भूयः क्व यासि कमलालये ॥१२-१२४-५६॥
Then fear arose in the great-souled Prahlāda. He again asked her, "Where are you going, O abode of lotuses?"
त्वं हि सत्यव्रता देवी लोकस्य परमेश्वरी। कश्चासौ ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठस्तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१२-१२४-५७॥
You are truly devoted to truth, O goddess, supreme mistress of the world. Who is that foremost Brāhmaṇa? I wish to know the truth about him.
श्रीरुवाच॥
Śrī said.
स शक्रो ब्रह्मचारी च यस्त्वया चोपशिक्षितः। त्रैलोक्ये ते यदैश्वर्यं तत्तेनापहृतं प्रभो ॥१२-१२४-५८॥
O lord, that Śakra, who was a celibate and was instructed by you, has taken away your sovereignty in the three worlds.
शीलेन हि त्वया लोकाः सर्वे धर्मज्ञ निर्जिताः। तद्विज्ञाय महेन्द्रेण तव शीलं हृतं प्रभो ॥१२-१२४-५९॥
Because of your virtue, O knower of dharma, all the worlds have indeed been conquered by you. Knowing this, Mahendra (Indra) has taken away your virtue, O lord.
धर्मः सत्यं तथा वृत्तं बलं चैव तथा ह्यहम्। शीलमूला महाप्राज्ञ सदा नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥१२-१२४-६०॥
O greatly wise one, righteousness, truth, conduct, and strength—all these, as well as myself, are always rooted in character; there is never any doubt about this.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एवमुक्त्वा गता तु श्रीस्ते च सर्वे युधिष्ठिर। दुर्योधनस्तु पितरं भूय एवाब्रवीदिदम् ॥१२-१२४-६१॥
After Śrī had spoken thus and departed, and all those including Yudhiṣṭhira had left, Duryodhana again addressed his father with these words.
शीलस्य तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेत्तुं कौरवनन्दन। प्राप्यते च यथा शीलं तमुपायं वदस्व मे ॥१२-१२४-६२॥
O delight of the Kauravas, I wish to know the essence of character. Please tell me the means by which character is attained.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
सोपायं पूर्वमुद्दिष्टं प्रह्रादेन महात्मना। सङ्क्षेपतस्तु शीलस्य शृणु प्राप्तिं नराधिप ॥१२-१२४-६३॥
O king, listen in brief to the attainment of character, the means of which was previously declared by the great-souled Prahlāda.
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा। अनुग्रहश्च दानं च शीलमेतत्प्रशस्यते ॥१२-१२४-६४॥
The absence of hostility towards all beings, whether by action, mind, or speech, along with kindness, charity, and good conduct—this is praised.
यदन्येषां हितं न स्यादात्मनः कर्म पौरुषम्। अपत्रपेत वा येन न तत्कुर्यात्कथञ्चन ॥१२-१२४-६५॥
One should never perform any action, however strenuous, that is not for the welfare of others or that would cause oneself shame.
तत्तु कर्म तथा कुर्याद्येन श्लाघेत संसदि। एतच्छीलं समासेन कथितं कुरुसत्तम ॥१२-१२४-६६॥
But that action should be performed in such a way that one is praised in the assembly. In brief, this is the conduct that has been described, O best of the Kurus.
यद्यप्यशीला नृपते प्राप्नुवन्ति क्वचिच्छ्रियम्। न भुञ्जते चिरं तात समूलाश्च पतन्ति ते ॥१२-१२४-६७॥
O king, even if people of bad conduct sometimes gain prosperity, they do not enjoy it for long, dear one; they, along with their roots, eventually perish.
एतद्विदित्वा तत्त्वेन शीलवान्भव पुत्रक। यदीच्छसि श्रियं तात सुविशिष्टां युधिष्ठिरात् ॥१२-१२४-६८॥
O son, having truly understood this, become virtuous. If you wish for excellent prosperity, O dear, seek it from Yudhiṣṭhira.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
एतत्कथितवान्पुत्रे धृतराष्ट्रो नराधिप। एतत्कुरुष्व कौन्तेय ततः प्राप्स्यसि तत्फलम् ॥१२-१२४-६९॥
Dhritarashtra spoke this to his son, O king. Do this, O son of Kunti, and then you will obtain the result.
