12.282
parāśara uvāca॥
Parāśara said.
vṛttiḥ sakāśād varṇebhyas tribhyo hīnasya śobhanā। prītyopanītā nirdiṣṭā dharmiṣṭhān kurute sadā ॥12-282-1॥
Excellent conduct, when brought near with affection from the three higher classes and assigned to the inferior, always makes them righteous.
vṛttiś cen nāsti śūdrasya pitṛpaitāmahī dhruvā। na vṛttiṃ parato mārgec chuśrūṣāṃ tu prayojayet ॥12-282-2॥
If a Śūdra does not have an established ancestral livelihood, he should not seek another means of livelihood, but should engage in service.
sadbhistu saha saṁsargaḥ śobhate dharmadarśibhiḥ। nityaṁ sarvāsvavasthāsu nāsadbhiriti me matiḥ ॥12-282-3॥
Association with the virtuous always brings splendor among the righteous, in every situation; association with the unvirtuous never does—this is my conviction.
yathodayagirau dravyaṃ saṃnikarṣeṇa dīpyate। tathā satsamnikarṣeṇa hīnavarṇo'pi dīpyate ॥12-282-4॥
Just as a substance is set alight by contact with the rising mountain, so too, even a person of low character shines by association with the virtuous.
yādṛśena hi varṇena bhāvyate śuklamambaram। tādṛśaṃ kurute rūpam etad evam avaihi me ॥12-282-5॥
The form of the white garment is determined by its color; in the same way, understand this principle from me.
tasmād guṇeṣu rajyethā mā doṣeṣu kadācana। anityam iha martyānāṃ jīvitaṃ hi calācalam ॥12-282-6॥
Therefore, one should be attached to virtues, never to faults. The life of mortals here is indeed impermanent and unstable.
sukhe vā yadi vā duḥkhe vartamāno vicakṣaṇaḥ। yaścinoti śubhānyeva sa bhadrāṇīha paśyati ॥12-282-7॥
Whether in happiness or sorrow, the wise person who collects only auspicious things sees good things in this world.
dharmādapetaṃ yatkarma yadyapi syānmahāphalam। na tatseveta medhāvī na taddhitamihocyate ॥12-282-8॥
A wise person should not engage in any action that is contrary to dharma, even if it yields great results; such an act is not considered truly beneficial in this world.
yo hṛtvā gosahasrāṇi nṛpo dadyādarakṣitā। sa śabdamātraphalabhāgrājā bhavati taskaraḥ ॥12-282-9॥
If a king, having seized thousands of cows, gives them away without ensuring their protection, he becomes a king in name only and is actually a thief.
svayambhūrasṛjaccāgre dhātāraṃ lokapūjitam। dhātāsṛjatputramekaṃ prajānāṃ dhāraṇe ratam ॥12-282-10॥
The self-born Brahmā first created Dhātā, who is honored by the world; Dhātā then created a son who was devoted to sustaining all beings.
tam arcayitvā vaiśyas tu kuryād atyartham ṛddhimat। rakṣitavyaṃ tu rājanyair upayojyaṃ dvijātibhiḥ ॥12-282-11॥
After worshipping him, the Vaiśya should perform acts of great prosperity; it should be protected by the Kṣatriyas and utilized by the twice-born.
ajihmairaśaṭhakrodhair havyakavyaprayoktṛbhiḥ। śūdrair nirmārjanaṃ kāryam evaṃ dharmo na naśyati॥12-282-12॥
When Śūdras, who are honest, free from deceit and anger, and who perform offerings to gods and ancestors, carry out cleaning in this way, dharma does not perish.
apranaṣṭe tato dharme bhavanti sukhitāḥ prajāḥ। sukhena tāsāṃ rājendra modante divi devatāḥ ॥12-282-13॥
O King, when dharma is preserved, the people are happy; and because of their happiness, the gods in heaven rejoice.
tasmādyo rakṣati nṛpaḥ sa dharmeṇābhipūjyate। adhīte cāpi yo vipro vaiśyo yaścārjane rataḥ ॥12-282-14॥
Therefore, the king who protects is especially honored by righteousness. Likewise, the brāhmaṇa who studies and the vaiśya who is devoted to acquisition are also honored.
yaś ca śuśrūṣate śūdraḥ satataṃ niyatendriyaḥ। ato'nyathā manuṣyendra svadharmāt parihīyate ॥12-282-15॥
O best of men, a Śūdra who always serves with controlled senses—otherwise, one falls away from one's own duty.
prāṇasantāpanirdiṣṭāḥ kākiṇyo'pi mahāphalāḥ। nyāyenopārjitā dattāḥ kimutānyāḥ sahasraśaḥ ॥12-282-16॥
Even cowries, which are specified as causing torment to life, if acquired justly and given, yield great fruit; what then of other gifts given by the thousands?
satkṛtya tu dvijātibhyo yo dadāti narādhipa। yādṛśaṃ tādṛśaṃ nityamaśnāti phalamūrjitam ॥12-282-17॥
But the king who, having honored, gives to the twice-born, always enjoys abundant fruit of the same kind as that which he gives.
abhigamya dattaṃ tuṣṭyā yaddhanyam āhur abhiṣṭutam। yācitena tu yaddattaṃ tad āhur madhyamaṃ budhāḥ॥12-282-18॥
That which is given willingly with satisfaction, after being approached, and is considered blessed and praised, is said to be the best; but that which is given only when asked for, the wise call middling.
avajñayā dīyate yat tathaiva aśraddhayā api ca। tad āhuḥ adhamam dānam munayaḥ satyavādinaḥ॥12-282-19॥
The sages who speak the truth declare that a gift given with disrespect or without faith is the lowest kind of charity.
atikrame majjamāno vividheṇa naraḥ sadā। tathā prayatnaṃ kurvīta yathā mucyeta saṃśayāt ॥12-282-20॥
A man, always immersed in various transgressions, should thus make effort so that he may be freed from doubt.
damena śobhate vipraḥ kṣatriyo vijayena tu। dhanena vaiśyaḥ śūdrastu nityaṃ dākṣyeṇa śobhate ॥12-282-21॥
A brāhmaṇa shines by self-restraint, a kṣatriya by victory; a vaiśya by wealth, and a śūdra always shines by skill.
