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भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। प्रजानामनुकम्पार्थं गीतं राज्ञा विचख्नुना ॥१२-२५७-१॥
Here too, an ancient story is cited, which was spoken by a wise king out of compassion for the people.
छिन्नस्थूणं वृषं दृष्ट्वा विरावं च गवां भृशम्। गोग्रहे यज्ञवाटस्य प्रेक्षमाणः स पार्थिवः ॥१२-२५७-२॥
The king, observing the enclosure for cows at the sacrificial ground, saw the broken post, the bull, and heard the intense bellowing of the cows.
स्वस्ति गोभ्योऽस्तु लोकेषु ततो निर्वचनं कृतम्। हिंसायां हि प्रवृत्तायामाशीरेषानुकल्पिता ॥१२-२५७-३॥
May there be well-being to the cows in all the worlds; thereafter, an explanation has been given. Indeed, when violence occurs, benedictions have been adapted accordingly.
अव्यवस्थितमर्यादैर्विमूढैर्नास्तिकैर्नरैः। संशयात्मभिरव्यक्तैर्हिंसा समनुकीर्तिता ॥१२-२५७-४॥
Violence is proclaimed by unsteady, boundary-less, deluded, atheistic men, by those who are skeptical and unclear in mind.
सर्वकर्मस्वहिंसा हि धर्मात्मा मनुरब्रवीत्। कामरागाद्विहिंसन्ति बहिर्वेद्यां पशून्नराः ॥१२-२५७-५॥
Manu, whose nature is dharma, declared that non-violence is to be observed in all actions. However, driven by desire and passion, men harm animals outside on the altar.
तस्मात्प्रमाणतः कार्यो धर्मः सूक्ष्मो विजानता। अहिंसैव हि सर्वेभ्यो धर्मेभ्यो ज्यायसी मता ॥१२-२५७-६॥
Therefore, for one who understands, the duty to be performed according to authority is subtle. Among all duties, non-violence alone is regarded as the highest.
उपोष्य संशितो भूत्वा हित्वा वेदकृताः श्रुतीः। आचार इत्यनाचाराः कृपणाः फलहेतवः ॥१२-२५७-७॥
After fasting and becoming resolute, abandoning the Vedic scriptures, those who act improperly are called 'conduct'; those who are motivated by results are miserable.
यदि यज्ञांश्च वृक्षांश्च यूपांश्चोद्दिश्य मानवाः। वृथा मांसानि खादन्ति नैष धर्मः प्रशस्यते ॥१२-२५७-८॥
If humans eat meat in vain, even after intending sacrifices, trees, and sacrificial posts, such a practice is not considered a praiseworthy duty.
मांसं मधु सुरा मत्स्या आसवं कृसरौदनम्। धूर्तैः प्रवर्तितं ह्येतन्नैतद्वेदेषु कल्पितम् ॥१२-२५७-९॥
Meat, honey, liquor, fish, spirituous liquor, and rice porridge were established by rogues; these are not prescribed in the Vedas.
कामान्मोहाच्च लोभाच्च लौल्यमेतत्प्रवर्तितम्। विष्णुमेवाभिजानन्ति सर्वयज्ञेषु ब्राह्मणाः ॥ पायसैः सुमनोभिश्च तस्यापि यजनं स्मृतम् ॥१२-२५७-१०॥
This fickleness arises from desire, delusion, and greed. In all sacrifices, Brāhmaṇas recognize only Viṣṇu. His worship with milk preparations and flowers is also considered proper.
यज्ञियाश्चैव ये वृक्षा वेदेषु परिकल्पिताः। यच्चापि किञ्चित्कर्तव्यमन्यच्चोक्षैः सुसंस्कृतम् ॥ महासत्त्वैः शुद्धभावैः सर्वं देवार्हमेव तत् ॥१२-२५७-११॥
The trees suitable for sacrifice, as prescribed in the Vedas, and any other acts or things well-prepared by bulls—when performed by great souls with pure intentions—all of that is truly worthy of the gods.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
शरीरमापदश्चापि विवदन्त्यविहिंसतः। कथं यात्रा शरीरस्य निरारम्भस्य सेत्स्यति ॥१२-२५७-१२॥
Even the body and difficulties attack one who does not harm others; how will the journey of the body of one who makes no effort succeed?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
यथा शरीरं न ग्लायेन्नेयान्मृत्युवशं यथा। तथा कर्मसु वर्तेत समर्थो धर्ममाचरेत् ॥१२-२५७-१३॥
Just as one should strive to keep the body from decay and not let it fall under the sway of death, so too should a capable person act in the world and uphold dharma.
