12.134
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
atra gāthā brahmagītāḥ kīrtayanti purāvidaḥ। yena mārgeṇa rājānaḥ kośaṃ sañjanayanti ca ॥12-134-1॥
Here, the knowers of ancient times recite the 'songs of Brahman', describing the path by which kings establish and maintain the treasury.
na dhanaṃ yajñaśīlānāṃ hāryaṃ devasvameva tat। dasyūnāṃ niṣkriyāṇāṃ ca kṣatriyo hartumarhati ॥12-134-2॥
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.
imāḥ prajāḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ rakṣyāś cādyāś ca bhārata। dhanaṃ hi kṣatriyasya iha dvitīyasya na vidyate॥12-134-3॥
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.
tadasya syādbalārthaṃ vā dhanaṃ yajñārthameva vā। abhogyaā hyoṣadhīśchittvā bhogyā eva pacantyuta ॥12-134-4॥
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.
yo vai na devān na pitṝn na martyān haviṣā arcati। ānantikāṃ tāṃ dhanitām āhur vedavido janāḥ ॥12-134-5॥
The knowers of the Veda say that endless wealth belongs to the one who does not worship the gods, ancestors, or mortals with offerings.
harettadraviṇaṃ rājan dhārmikaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ। na hi tatprīṇayellokān na kośaṃ tadvidhaṃ nṛpaḥ ॥12-134-6॥
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.
asādhubhyo nirādāya sādhubhyo yaḥ prayacchati। ātmānaṃ saṅkramaṃ kṛtvā manye dharmavideva saḥ ॥12-134-7॥
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.
audbhijjā jantavaḥ kecid yuktavāco yathā tathā। aniṣṭataḥ sambhavanti tathā yajñaḥ pratāyate ॥12-134-8॥
Some creatures are born from moisture and possess proper speech; just as they arise from undesirable sources, so too is sacrifice produced.
yathaiva daṃśamaśakaṃ yathā cāṇḍapipīlikam। saiva vṛttirayajñeṣu tathā dharmo vidhīyate ॥12-134-9॥
Just as a biting mosquito or an egg-ant, so too is conduct among non-sacrificers; thus, righteousness is established.
yathā hy akasmād bhavati bhūmau pāṃsu-tṛṇa-ulapam। tathaiva iha bhavet dharmaḥ sūkṣmaḥ sūkṣmataro'pi ca ॥12-134-10॥
Just as dust, grass, and chaff may suddenly appear on the ground, so too, here, dharma may be subtle or even more subtle.
