12.124
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
ime janā naraśreṣṭha praśaṃsanti sadā bhuvi। dharmasya śīlamevādau tato me saṃśayo mahān ॥12-124-1॥
O best of men, these people always praise on earth that character alone is foremost in dharma; after that, I have a great doubt.
yadi tacchakya-m-asmābhir-jñātuṃ dharma-bhṛtāṃ vara। śrotum-icchāmi tat-sarvaṃ yathā-etad-upalabhyate ॥12-124-2॥
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.
kathaṁ nu prāpyate śīlaṁ śrotum icchāmi bhārata। kiṁlakṣaṇaṁ ca tat proktaṁ brūhi me vadatāṁ vara ॥12-124-3॥
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.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
purā duryodhaneneha dhṛtarāṣṭrāya mānada। ākhyātaṃ tapyamānena śriyaṃ dṛṣṭvā tathāgatām ॥12-124-4॥
O bestower of honor, formerly here, Duryodhana, seeing the prosperity that had thus arrived, and suffering, told this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
indraprasthe mahārāja tava sabhrātṛkasya ha। sabhāyāṃ cāvahasanam tatsarvaṃ śṛṇu bhārata ॥12-124-5॥
O Bhārata, hear all about the mockery that took place in the assembly at Indraprastha involving you and your brothers, O great king.
bhavatastāṃ sabhāṃ dṛṣṭvā samṛddhiṃ cāpyanuttamām। duryodhanastadāsīnaḥ sarvaṃ pitre nyavedayat ॥12-124-6॥
After seeing your assembly and its unsurpassed prosperity, Duryodhana, while seated, conveyed everything to his father.
śrutvā ca dhṛtarāṣṭro'pi duryodhanavacas-tadā। abravīt-karṇasahitaṃ duryodhanam-idaṃ vacaḥ ॥12-124-7॥
Having heard Duryodhana's words, Dhritarashtra then, together with Karna, spoke this speech to Duryodhana.
kimarthaṃ tapyase putra śrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ। śrutvā tvāmanuneṣyāmi yadi samyagbhaviṣyasi ॥12-124-8॥
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"
yathā tvaṃ mahadaiśvaryaṃ prāptaḥ parapurañjaya। kiṅkarā bhrātaraḥ sarve mitrāḥ sambandhinastathā ॥12-124-9॥
Just as you, O conqueror of other cities, have attained great sovereignty, so too all your brothers, friends, and relatives are your servants.
ācchādayasi prāvārānaśnāsi piśitodanam। ājāneyā vahanti tvāṃ kasmācchocasi putraka ॥12-124-10॥
You are clothed in garments and eat food made of meat. Noble horses carry you. Why do you grieve, dear son?
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said.
daśa tāni sahasrāṇi snātakānāṃ mahātmanām। bhuñjate rukmapātrīṣu yudhiṣṭhiraniveśane ॥12-124-11॥
Ten thousand such initiated great souls dine from golden vessels in the residence of Yudhishthira.
dṛṣṭvā ca tāṃ sabhāṃ divyāṃ divyapuṣpaphalānvitām। aśvāṃstitttirakal māṣānratnāni vividhāni ca ॥12-124-12॥
Having seen that divine assembly hall adorned with celestial flowers and fruits, as well as horses, partridges, spotted animals, and various kinds of gems.
dṛṣṭvā tāṃ pāṇḍaveyānām ṛddhim indropamāṃ śubhām। amitrāṇāṃ sumahatīm anuśocāmi mānada ॥12-124-13॥
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.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
yadīcchasi śriyaṃ tāta yādṛśīṃ tāṃ yudhiṣṭhire। viśiṣṭāṃ vā naravyāghra śīlavānbhava putraka॥12-124-14॥
If you wish for prosperity like that of Yudhiṣṭhira, or even greater, O best of men, then be virtuous, my son.
śīlena hi trayo lokāḥ śakyā jetuṃ na saṃśayaḥ। na hi kiñcidasādhyaṃ vai loke śīlavatāṃ bhavet ॥12-124-15॥
Indeed, by virtue, the three worlds can certainly be conquered—there is no doubt. Truly, for the virtuous, nothing in the world is impossible.
ekarātreṇa māndhātā tryaheṇa janamejayaḥ। saptarātreṇa nābhāgaḥ pṛthivīṃ pratipedivān ॥12-124-16॥
Māndhātā obtained the earth in one night, Janamejaya in three days, and Nābhāga in seven nights. "12-124-16"
ete hi pārthivāḥ sarve śīlavanto damānvitāḥ। atas teṣāṃ guṇakrītā vasudhā svayam āgamat ॥12-124-17॥
Because all these kings were virtuous and endowed with self-control, the earth herself came to them, won by their virtues.
atrāpyudāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। nāradena purā proktaṃ śīlamāśritya bhārata ॥12-124-18॥
Here too, O Bhārata, they recount this ancient story, once told by Nārada, with conduct as its basis.
prahṛādena hṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mahendrasya mahātmanaḥ। śīlam āśritya daityena trailokyaṃ ca vaśīkṛtam ॥12-124-19॥
Prahlāda seized the kingdom of the great-souled Indra. By relying on his character, the Daitya also brought the three worlds under his control.
tato bṛhaspatiṃ śakraḥ prāñjaliḥ samupasthitaḥ। uvāca ca mahāprājñaḥ śreya icchāmi veditum ॥12-124-20॥
Then Śakra (Indra), with folded hands, approached Bṛhaspati and said: "I wish to know what is best."
tato bṛhaspatistasmai jñānaṃ naiḥśreyasaṃ param। kathayāmāsa bhagavāndevendrāya kurūdvaha ॥12-124-21॥
Then Bṛhaspati, O best of the Kurus, imparted to Devendra the supreme knowledge that leads to the highest good.
etāvacchreya ity-eva bṛhaspatir abhāṣata। indrastu bhūyaḥ papraccha kva viśeṣo bhaved iti ॥12-124-22॥
Bṛhaspati said, "This much is better." But Indra asked further, "Where would the distinction lie?"
bṛhaspatiruvāca॥
Bṛhaspati said.
viśeṣo'sti mahāṃs-tāta bhārgavasya mahātmanaḥ। tatrāgamaya bhadraṃ te bhūya eva puraṃdara ॥12-124-23॥
O Indra, there is a great distinction of the magnanimous Bhārgava, O dear one. Go there again and bring good fortune to you.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
ātmanas tu tataḥ śreyo bhārgavāt sumahāyaśāḥ। jñānam āgamayat prītyā punaḥ sa paramadyutiḥ ॥12-124-24॥
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.
tenāpi samanujñāto bhārgaveṇa mahātmanā। śreyo'stīti punarbhūyaḥ śukramāha śatakratuḥ ॥12-124-25॥
Having also been permitted by the great-souled Bhārgava, Śatakratu (Indra) again said to Śukra, "There is indeed welfare."
bhārgavas tv āha dharmajñaḥ prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ। jñānam asti viśeṣeṇa tato hṛṣṭaś ca so'bhavat ॥12-124-26॥
Bhārgava said, "Prahlāda, the great-souled knower of dharma, possesses special knowledge; therefore, he became gladdened."
sa tato brāhmaṇo bhūtvā prahrādaṃ pākaśāsanaḥ। śrutvā provāca medhāvī śreya icchāmi veditum ॥12-124-27॥
Then Pākaśāsana (Indra), having assumed the form of a brāhmaṇa, after hearing Prahlāda, spoke wisely: "I wish to know what is best."
prahrādas tv abravīd vipraṃ kṣaṇo nāsti dvijarṣabha। trailokyarājye saktasya tato nopadiśāmi te ॥12-124-28॥
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."
brāhmaṇas tv abravīd vākyaṃ kasmin kāle kṣaṇo bhavet। tato upadiṣṭam icchāmi yadyat kāryāntaraṃ bhavet ॥12-124-29॥
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."
tataḥ prīto'bhavad rājā prahrādo brahmavādine. tathety uktvā śubhe kāle jñānatattvaṃ dadau tadā ॥12-124-30॥
Then King Prahlada, being pleased, said 'so be it' to the speaker of Brahman and, at an auspicious time, gave the essence of knowledge.
brāhmaṇo'pi yathānyāyaṃ guruvṛttimanuttamām। cakāra sarvabhāvena yadvatsa manasecchati ॥12-124-31॥
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.
pṛṣṭaś ca tena bahuśaḥ prāptaṃ katham ariṃdama। trailokyarājyaṃ dharmajña kāraṇaṃ tad bravīhi me ॥12-124-32॥
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.
prahṛāda uvāca॥
Prahāda said:
nāsūyāmi dvijaśreṣṭha rājāsmīti kadācana। kavyāni vadatāṃ tāta saṃyacchāmi vahāmi ca ॥12-124-33॥
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.
te visrabdhāḥ prabhāṣante saṃyacchanti ca māṃ sadā। te mā kavyapade saktaṃ śuśrūṣumanasūyakam ॥12-124-34॥
They, being confident, always speak and restrain me. They see me as one attached to poetic speech, eager to listen, and free from envy.
dharmātmānaṃ jitakrodhaṃ saṃyataṃ saṃyatendriyam। samācinvanti śāstāraḥ kṣaudraṃ madhviva makṣikāḥ ॥12-124-35॥
Just as bees gather honey, teachers gather around a person who is righteous, self-controlled, has conquered anger, and has mastery over his senses.
so'ham vāg-agrapiṣṭānāṃ rasānām avalehitā। svajātī-anadhitiṣṭhāmi nakṣatrāṇīva candramāḥ ॥12-124-36॥
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.
etat pṛthivyām amṛtam etat cakṣur anuttamam। yad brāhmaṇamukhe kavyam etat śrutvā pravartate ॥12-124-37॥
This is nectar on earth, this is the highest vision; when this poetry is heard from the mouth of a Brāhmaṇa, it spreads forth.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
etāvacchreya ityāha prahrādo brahmavādinam। śuśrūṣitastena tadā daityendro vākyamabravīt ॥12-124-38॥
Prahlada said to the sage, "This much is the best." Having listened to him, the lord of the Daityas then spoke these words.
yathāvad-guruvṛttyā te prīto'smi dvijasattama। varaṃ vṛṇīṣva bhadraṃ te pradātāsmi na saṃśayaḥ ॥12-124-39॥
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.
kṛtamityeva daityendramuvāca sa ca vai dvijaḥ। prahrādastvabravītpṛto gṛhyatāṃ vara ityuta ॥12-124-40॥
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."
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The brāhmaṇa said:
yadi rājanprasannastvaṃ mama cecchasi ceddhitam। bhavataḥ śīlamicchāmi prāptumeṣa varo mama ॥12-124-41॥
If you are pleased, O king, and wish for my welfare, then I desire to obtain your character; this is the boon I seek.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
tataḥ prītaś ca daityendro bhayaṃ cāsy abhavan mahat। vare pradiṣṭe vipreṇa nālpatejāyam ity uta ॥12-124-42॥
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.
evam astv iti taṃ prāha prahrādo vismitas tadā। upākṛtya tu viprāya varaṃ duḥkhānvito'bhavat ॥12-124-43॥
Prahlāda, astonished, said to him, "So be it." Then, after serving the Brāhmaṇa, he granted the boon, but became afflicted with sorrow.
datte vare gate vipre cintāsīn mahatī tataḥ। prahrādasya mahārāja niścayaṃ na ca jagmivān॥12-124-44॥
After granting the boon and as the brāhmaṇa departed, he became greatly anxious; O great king, Prahlāda had not yet made up his mind.
tasya cintayatastāta chāyābhūtaṃ mahādyute। tejo vigrahavattāta śarīramajahāttadā ॥12-124-45॥
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.
tam apṛcchan mahākāyaṃ prahrādaḥ ko bhavān iti। pratyāha nanu śīlo'smi tyakto gacchāmy ahaṃ tvayā ॥12-124-46॥
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."
tasmin dvijavare rājan vatsyāmy aham aninditam। yo'sau śiṣyatvam āgamya tvayi nityaṃ samāhitaḥ ॥ ity uktvāntarhitaṃ tad vai śakraṃ cānvaviśat prabho ॥12-124-47॥
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.
tasmiṃs tejasī yāte tu tādṛg rūpas tato'paraḥ। śarīrān niḥsṛtas tasya ko bhavān iti cābravīt॥12-124-48॥
But when that brilliance departed, another form of that kind emerged from his body. And he said, "Who are you?"
dharmaṃ prahrāda māṃ viddhi yatrāsau dvijasattamaḥ। tatra yāsyāmi daityendra yataḥ śīlaṃ tato hyaham ॥12-124-49॥
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.
tato'paro mahārāja prajvalanniva tejasā। śarīrānniḥsṛtastasya prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ ॥12-124-50॥
Then, O great king, another being, blazing as if with brilliance, emerged from the body of the great-souled Prahlāda.
ko bhavāniti pṛṣṭaśca tamāha sa mahādyutiḥ। satyamasmyasurendrāgrya yāsye'haṃ dharmamanviha ॥12-124-51॥
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."
tasminnanugate dharmaṃ puruṣe puruṣo'paraḥ। niścakrāma tatastasmātpṛṣṭaścāha mahātmanā ॥ vṛttaṃ prahrāda māṃ viddhi yataḥ satyaṃ tato hyaham ॥12-124-52॥
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."
tasmin gate mahāśvetaḥ śarīrāt tasya niryayau। pṛṣṭaś ca āha balaṃ viddhi yataḥ vṛttam ahaṃ tataḥ ॥ ity uktvā ca yayau tatra yataḥ vṛttaṃ narādhipa ॥12-124-53॥
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.
tataḥ prabhāmayī devī śarīrāttasya niryayau। tāmapṛcchatsa daityendraḥ sā śrīrityevamabravīt ॥12-124-54॥
Then, the radiant goddess emerged from his body. The lord of the daityas asked her, and she replied, "I am Śrī."
uṣitāsmi sukhaṃ vīra tvayi satyaparākrame। tvayā tyaktā gamiṣyāmi balaṃ yatra tato hyaham ॥12-124-55॥
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.
tato bhayaṃ prādurāsīt prahrādasya mahātmanaḥ। apṛcchata ca tāṃ bhūyaḥ kva yāsi kamalālaye ॥12-124-56॥
Then fear arose in the great-souled Prahlāda. He again asked her, "Where are you going, O abode of lotuses?"
tvaṃ hi satyavratā devī lokasya parameśvarī। kaścāsau brāhmaṇaśreṣṭhas tattvam icchāmi veditum ॥12-124-57॥
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.
śrīr uvāca॥
Śrī said.
sa śakro brahmacārī ca yastvayā copaśikṣitaḥ। trailokye te yadaiśvaryaṃ tattenāpahṛtaṃ prabho ॥12-124-58॥
O lord, that Śakra, who was a celibate and was instructed by you, has taken away your sovereignty in the three worlds.
śīlena hi tvayā lokāḥ sarve dharmajña nirjitāḥ। tad vijñāya mahendreṇa tava śīlaṃ hṛtaṃ prabho ॥12-124-59॥
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.
dharmaḥ satyaṃ tathā vṛttaṃ balaṃ caiva tathā hy aham। śīlamūlā mahāprājña sadā nāsty atra saṃśayaḥ ॥12-124-60॥
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.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
evam-uktvā gatā tu śrīs-te ca sarve yudhiṣṭhira। duryodhanas-tu pitaraṃ bhūya evābravīd-idam ॥12-124-61॥
After Śrī had spoken thus and departed, and all those including Yudhiṣṭhira had left, Duryodhana again addressed his father with these words.
śīlasya tattvam icchāmi vettuṃ kauravanandana। prāpyate ca yathā śīlaṃ tam upāyaṃ vadasva me ॥12-124-62॥
O delight of the Kauravas, I wish to know the essence of character. Please tell me the means by which character is attained.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
sopāyaṃ pūrvamuddiṣṭaṃ prahrādena mahātmanā। saṅkṣepatastu śīlasya śṛṇu prāptiṃ narādhipa ॥12-124-63॥
O king, listen in brief to the attainment of character, the means of which was previously declared by the great-souled Prahlāda.
adrohaḥ sarvabhūteṣu karmaṇā manasā girā। anugrahaś ca dānaṃ ca śīlam etat praśasyate ॥12-124-64॥
The absence of hostility towards all beings, whether by action, mind, or speech, along with kindness, charity, and good conduct—this is praised.
yadanyeṣāṃ hitaṃ na syādātmanaḥ karma pauruṣam। apatrapeta vā yena na tatkuryātkathaṃcana ॥12-124-65॥
One should never perform any action, however strenuous, that is not for the welfare of others or that would cause oneself shame.
tattu karma tathā kuryādyena ślāgheta saṃsadi। etacchīlaṃ samāsena kathitaṃ kurusattama ॥12-124-66॥
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.
yadyapy aśīlā nṛpate prāpnuvanti kvacic chriyam। na bhuñjate ciraṃ tāta samūlāś ca patanti te ॥12-124-67॥
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.
etadviditvā tattvena śīlavānbhava putraka। yadīcchasi śriyaṃ tāta suviśiṣṭāṃ yudhiṣṭhirāt ॥12-124-68॥
O son, having truly understood this, become virtuous. If you wish for excellent prosperity, O dear, seek it from Yudhiṣṭhira.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
etat-kathitavān putre dhṛtarāṣṭro narādhipa। etat kuruṣva kaunteya tataḥ prāpsyasi tat-phalam ॥12-124-69॥
Dhritarashtra spoke this to his son, O king. Do this, O son of Kunti, and then you will obtain the result.
