12.134
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्र गाथा ब्रह्मगीताः कीर्तयन्ति पुराविदः। येन मार्गेण राजानः कोशं सञ्जनयन्ति च ॥१२-१३४-१॥
Here, the knowers of ancient times recite the 'songs of Brahman', describing the path by which kings establish and maintain the treasury.
न धनं यज्ञशीलानां हार्यं देवस्वमेव तत्। दस्यूनां निष्क्रियाणां च क्षत्रियो हर्तुमर्हति ॥१२-१३४-२॥
The wealth of those devoted to sacrifice must not be taken, for it is indeed the property of the gods. However, a Kshatriya is entitled to seize the wealth of robbers and those who are inactive.
इमाः प्रजाः क्षत्रियाणां रक्ष्याश्चाद्याश्च भारत। धनं हि क्षत्रियस्येह द्वितीयस्य न विद्यते ॥१२-१३४-३॥
O Bhārata, these subjects of the kṣatriyas are to be protected and nourished. Indeed, for the kṣatriya here, there is no wealth belonging to a second class.
तदस्य स्याद्बलार्थं वा धनं यज्ञार्थमेव वा। अभोग्या ह्योषधीश्छित्त्वा भोग्या एव पचन्त्युत ॥१२-१३४-४॥
That may be for strength or wealth, or only for sacrifice. Indeed, herbs that are not to be enjoyed, once cut, are cooked only to be enjoyed.
यो वै न देवान्न पितॄन्न मर्त्यान्हविषार्चति। आनन्तिकां तां धनितामाहुर्वेदविदो जनाः ॥१२-१३४-५॥
The knowers of the Veda say that endless wealth belongs to the one who does not worship the gods, ancestors, or mortals with offerings.
हरेत्तद्द्रविणं राजन्धार्मिकः पृथिवीपतिः। न हि तत्प्रीणयेल्लोकान्न कोशं तद्विधं नृपः ॥१२-१३४-६॥
O king, a righteous ruler should confiscate such wealth; for neither does such a king please the people, nor does a treasury of that kind bring satisfaction.
असाधुभ्यो निरादाय साधुभ्यो यः प्रयच्छति। आत्मानं सङ्क्रमं कृत्वा मन्ये धर्मविदेव सः ॥१२-१३४-७॥
I believe that one who takes from the wicked and gives to the virtuous, making himself a bridge, is truly like a knower of dharma.
औद्भिज्जा जन्तवः केचिद्युक्तवाचो यथा तथा। अनिष्टतः सम्भवन्ति तथायज्ञः प्रतायते ॥१२-१३४-८॥
Some creatures are born from moisture and possess proper speech; just as they arise from undesirable sources, so too is sacrifice produced.
यथैव दंशमशकं यथा चाण्डपिपीलिकम्। सैव वृत्तिरयज्ञेषु तथा धर्मो विधीयते ॥१२-१३४-९॥
Just as a biting mosquito or an egg-ant, so too is conduct among non-sacrificers; thus, righteousness is established.
यथा ह्यकस्माद्भवति भूमौ पांसुतृणोलपम्। तथैवेह भवेद्धर्मः सूक्ष्मः सूक्ष्मतरोऽपि च ॥१२-१३४-१०॥
Just as dust, grass, and chaff may suddenly appear on the ground, so too, here, dharma may be subtle or even more subtle.
