12.257
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
atrāpy udāharantīmam itihāsaṃ purātanam। prajānām anukampārthaṃ gītaṃ rājñā vicakṣṇunā ॥12-257-1॥
Here too, an ancient story is cited, which was spoken by a wise king out of compassion for the people.
chinnasthūṇaṃ vṛṣaṃ dṛṣṭvā virāvaṃ ca gavāṃ bhṛśam। gograhe yajñavāṭasya prekṣamāṇaḥ sa pārthivaḥ ॥12-257-2॥
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.
svasti gobhyo'stu lokeṣu tato nirvacanaṃ kṛtam। hiṃsāyāṃ hi pravṛttāyām āśīreṣānu kalpitā ॥12-257-3॥
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.
avyavasthitamaryādair vimūḍhair nāstikair naraiḥ| saṃśayātmabhir avyaktair hiṃsā samanukīrtitā ॥12-257-4॥
Violence is proclaimed by unsteady, boundary-less, deluded, atheistic men, by those who are skeptical and unclear in mind.
sarvakarmasvahiṁsā hi dharmātmā manurabravīt। kāmarāgād vihiṁsanti bahirvedyāṁ paśūn narāḥ ॥12-257-5॥
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.
tasmāt-pramāṇataḥ kāryo dharmaḥ sūkṣmo vijānatā। ahiṁsā eva hi sarvebhyo dharmebhyo jyāyasī matā ॥12-257-6॥
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.
upoṣya saṃśito bhūtvā hitvā vedakṛtāḥ śrutīḥ। ācāra ity anācārāḥ kṛpaṇāḥ phalahetavaḥ ॥12-257-7॥
After fasting and becoming resolute, abandoning the Vedic scriptures, those who act improperly are called 'conduct'; those who are motivated by results are miserable.
yadi yajñāṃś ca vṛkṣāṃś ca yūpāṃś ca uddiśya mānavāḥ। vṛthā māṃsāni khādanti naiṣa dharmaḥ praśasyate ॥12-257-8॥
If humans eat meat in vain, even after intending sacrifices, trees, and sacrificial posts, such a practice is not considered a praiseworthy duty.
māṁsaṁ madhu surā matsyā āsavaṁ kṛsarau danam। dhūrtaiḥ pravartitaṁ hyetanna itadvedeṣu kalpitam ॥12-257-9॥
Meat, honey, liquor, fish, spirituous liquor, and rice porridge were established by rogues; these are not prescribed in the Vedas.
kāmān mohāc ca lobhāc ca laulyam etat pravartitam। viṣṇum eva abhijānanti sarva-yajñeṣu brāhmaṇāḥ॥ pāyasaiḥ sumanobhiś ca tasyāpi yajanaṃ smṛtam॥ 12-257-10॥
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.
yajñiyāścaiva ye vṛkṣā vedeṣu parikalpitāḥ। yaccāpi kiñcitkartavyamanyaccokṣaiḥ susaṃskṛtam ॥ mahāsattvaiḥ śuddhabhāvaiḥ sarvaṃ devārhameva tat ॥12-257-11॥
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.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
śarīram āpadaś ca api vivadanti avihiṃsataḥ। kathaṃ yātrā śarīrasya nirārambhasya setsyati ॥12-257-12॥
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?
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
yathā śarīraṃ na glāyenneyān mṛtyuvaśaṃ yathā। tathā karmasu varteta samartho dharmam ācaret ॥12-257-13॥
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.
