12.132
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
atra karmāntavacanaṃ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ। pratyakṣāveva dharmārthau kṣatriyasya vijānataḥ॥ tatra na vyavadhātavyaṃ parokṣā dharmayāpanā॥12-132-1॥
Here, the ancient authorities mention the statement about the conclusion of action. For the kṣatriya who understands, both dharma and artha are directly perceived. In that context, indirect maintenance of dharma should not be hindered. 12-132-1.
adharmo dharma ity etad yathā vṛkapadaṃ tathā। dharmādharmaphale jātu na dadarśeha kaścana॥12-132-2॥
Unrighteousness is called righteousness; just as with a wolf's footprint, so it is. No one here has ever seen the fruits of righteousness or unrighteousness.
bubhūṣed balavān eva sarvaṃ balavato vaśe। śriyaṃ balam amātyāṃś ca balavān iha vindati॥12-132-3॥
A powerful person should wish to bring everything under the sway of the strong. In this world, it is the strong who gain prosperity, strength, and loyal ministers.
yo hy anāḍhyaḥ sa patitas tad ucchiṣṭaṃ yad alpakam | bahv apathyaṃ balavati na kiñcit trāyate bhayāt ||12-132-4||
He who is not wealthy is fallen; whatever little remnant remains, even if much and unwholesome, does not protect the strong from fear.
ubhau satyādhikārau tau trāyete mahato bhayāt। ati dharmād balaṃ manye balāddharmaḥ pravartate ॥12-132-5॥
Both authorities of truth protect from great fear. I believe that strength is superior to dharma; from strength, dharma arises.
bale pratiṣṭhito dharmo dharaṇyām iva jaṅgamaḥ। dhūmo vāyor iva vaśaṃ balaṃ dharmo'nuvaratate ॥12-132-6॥
Dharma, when established in strength, moves on the earth like a living being; just as smoke follows the wind, so does dharma follow strength.
anīśvare balaṃ dharmo drumaṃ vallīva saṃśritā। vaśyo balavatāṃ dharmaḥ sukhaṃ bhogavatāmiva ॥ nāstyasādhyaṃ balavatāṃ sarvaṃ balavatāṃ śuci ॥12-132-7॥
For those without power, righteousness depends on strength just as a creeper depends on a tree; righteousness is subject to the powerful, and happiness to those who enjoy. Nothing is impossible for the powerful; for the powerful, everything is attainable and pure.
durācāraḥ kṣīṇabalaḥ parimāṇaṃ niyacchati। atha tasmād udvijate sarvo loko vṛkād iva ॥12-132-8॥
A person of wicked conduct and diminished strength restricts his own scope; then, everyone avoids him just as people avoid a wolf.
apadhvastо hy-avamato duḥkhaṃ jīvati jīvitam। jīvitaṃ yad-avakṣiptaṃ yathaiva maraṇaṃ tathā ॥12-132-9॥
A life that is cast down and despised lives in suffering. A life that is rejected is just like death itself.
yadenam āhuḥ pāpena cāritreṇa vinikṣatam। sa bhṛśaṃ tapyate'nena vākṣalyena parikṣataḥ ॥12-132-10॥
He whom they say is smeared by sin and conduct, he is greatly tormented and afflicted by this harshness.
atraitadāhurācāryāḥ pāpasya parimokṣaṇe। trayīṃ vidyāṃ niṣeveda tathopāsīta sa dvijān ॥12-132-11॥
Here, the teachers declare regarding the removal of sin: one should study the threefold Vedic knowledge and likewise honor the Brahmins.
prasādayen madhurayā vācā api atha ca karmaṇā। mahāmanāḥ ca eva bhavet vivāhe ca mahākule ॥12-132-12॥
One should win over others with sweet words and actions; and in marriage, one should be noble-minded, especially in a distinguished family.
ity asmīti vaded evaṃ pareṣāṃ kīrtayan guṇān। japed udakaśīlaḥ syāt peśalo nāti jalpanaḥ ॥12-132-13॥
One should say, 'Thus I am,' and in this way praise the qualities of others; one should recite, be pure in habits, gentle, and not excessively talkative.
brahmakṣatraṃ sampraviśedbahu kṛtvā suduṣkaram। ucyamāno'pi lokena bahu tattadacintayan ॥12-132-14॥
He repeatedly entered the Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya orders, performing very difficult deeds; even when people spoke much about various things, he paid no attention to them.
apāpo hyevam-ācāraḥ kṣipraṃ bahumato bhavet। sukhaṃ vittaṃ ca bhuñjīta vṛttenaaitena gopayet॥ loke ca labhate pūjāṃ paratra ca mahatphalam॥12-132-15॥
A person of such conduct is indeed free from sin and quickly becomes highly respected. He should enjoy happiness and wealth, and protect them by this conduct. In this world, he attains honor, and in the next, great reward.
