13.023
पात्रपरीक्षा
Examination of the worthy;
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
किमाहुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ पात्रं विप्राः सनातनम्। ब्राह्मणं लिङ्गिनं चैव ब्राह्मणं वाप्यलिङ्गिनम् ॥१३-२३-१॥
O best of the Bharatas, what do the Brāhmaṇas say is the eternal worthy recipient: the Brāhmaṇa with the sacred thread, or even the Brāhmaṇa without the sacred thread? (13-23-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
स्ववृत्तिमभिपन्नाय लिङ्गिने वेतराय वा। देयमाहुर्महाराज उभावेतौ तपस्विनौ ॥१३-२३-२॥
O great king, they say that a gift should be given either to one who has adopted his own conduct and bears the ascetic mark, or to another; both these are ascetics. (13-23-2)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
श्रद्धया परया पूतो यः प्रयच्छेद्द्विजातये। हव्यं कव्यं तथा दानं को दोषः स्यात्पितामह ॥१३-२३-३॥
O grandsire, if someone, purified and with supreme faith, gives offerings to the twice-born—whether to gods, ancestors, or as gifts—what fault could there be in that? (13-23-3)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
श्रद्धापूतो नरस्तात दुर्दान्तोऽपि न संशयः। पूतो भवति सर्वत्र किं पुनस्त्वं महीपते ॥१३-२३-४॥
O dear one, even an unrestrained man, if purified by faith, is without doubt purified everywhere; what then to say of you, O king? (13-23-4)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
न ब्राह्मणं परीक्षेत दैवेषु सततं नरः। कव्यप्रदाने तु बुधाः परीक्ष्यं ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥१३-२३-५॥
A man should not always test a brāhmaṇa in divine rites; but in the offering of oblations, wise men know that the brāhmaṇa should be tested. (13-23-5)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
न ब्राह्मणः साधयते हव्यं दैवात्प्रसिध्यति। देवप्रसादादिज्यन्ते यजमाना न संशयः ॥१३-२३-६॥
It is not the brāhmaṇa who accomplishes the offering; it succeeds by divine will. By the grace of the gods, the sacrificers are able to perform the sacrifice; there is no doubt about this. (13-23-6)
ब्राह्मणा भरतश्रेष्ठ सततं ब्रह्मवादिनः। मार्कण्डेयः पुरा प्राह इह लोकेषु बुद्धिमान् ॥१३-२३-७॥
O best of the Bharatas, the brāhmaṇas, who are always speakers of Brahman, Markandeya, who was wise, formerly spoke here in the worlds. (13-23-7)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
अपूर्वोऽप्यथ वा विद्वान्सम्बन्धी वाथ यो भवेत्। तपस्वी यज्ञशीलो वा कथं पात्रं भवेत्तु सः ॥१३-२३-८॥
Whether he is unprecedented, or learned, or a relative, or whoever he may be; whether an ascetic or devoted to sacrifice—how can he become worthy? (13-23-8)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
कुलीनः कर्मकृद्वैद्यस्तथा चाप्यानृशंस्यवान्। ह्रीमानृजुः सत्यवादी पात्रं पूर्वे च ते त्रयः ॥१३-२३-९॥
A person of noble birth, one who performs actions, a physician, as well as one who is compassionate, modest, upright, and truthful—these three were considered worthy persons in former times. (13-23-9)
तत्रेदं शृणु मे पार्थ चतुर्णां तेजसां मतम्। पृथिव्याः काश्यपस्याग्नेर्मार्कण्डेयस्य चैव हि ॥१३-२३-१०॥
There, O Pārtha, hear from me the opinion regarding the four energies: those of the earth, Kāśyapa, Agni, and Mārkaṇḍeya, indeed. (13-23-10)
पृथिव्युवाच॥
The Earth said.
यथा महार्णवे क्षिप्तः क्षिप्रं लोष्टो विनश्यति। तथा दुश्चरितं सर्वं त्रय्यावृत्त्या विनश्यति ॥१३-२३-११॥
Just as a clod of earth thrown into the great ocean quickly dissolves, so too all evil deeds are destroyed by the recitation of the Veda. (13-23-11)
काश्यप उवाच॥
Kashyapa said.
सर्वे च वेदाः सह षड्भिरङ्गैः; साङ्ख्यं पुराणं च कुले च जन्म। नैतानि सर्वाणि गतिर्भवन्ति; शीलव्यपेतस्य नरस्य राजन् ॥१३-२३-१२॥
O king, all the Vedas with their six limbs, Sāṅkhya, Purāṇa, family and birth—none of these lead to attainment for a man who is devoid of character. (13-23-12)
अग्निरुवाच॥
Fire said.
अधीयानः पण्डितं मन्यमानो; यो विद्यया हन्ति यशः परेषाम्। ब्रह्मन्स तेनाचरते ब्रह्महत्यां; लोकास्तस्य ह्यन्तवन्तो भवन्ति ॥१३-२३-१३॥
One who, while studying and considering himself wise, uses his knowledge to destroy the reputation of others, O Brāhmaṇa, he thereby commits the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa; for him, indeed, all worlds come to an end. (13-23-13)
मार्कण्डेय उवाच॥
Markandeya said.
अश्वमेधसहस्रं च सत्यं च तुलया धृतम्। नाभिजानामि यद्यस्य सत्यस्यार्धमवाप्नुयात् ॥१३-२३-१४॥
Even if a thousand horse-sacrifices and truth were weighed in a balance, I do not know of anything by which one could attain even half the merit of truth. (13-23-14)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
इत्युक्त्वा ते जग्मुराशु चत्वारोऽमिततेजसः। पृथिवी काश्यपोऽग्निश्च प्रकृष्टायुश्च भार्गवः ॥१३-२३-१५॥
Having thus spoken, the four of immeasurable energy—Pṛthivī, Kāśyapa, Agni, and the long-lived Bhārgava—departed quickly. (13-23-15)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
यदिदं ब्राह्मणा लोके व्रतिनो भुञ्जते हविः। भुक्तं ब्राह्मणकामाय कथं तत्सुकृतं भवेत् ॥१३-२३-१६॥
How can the offering that Brāhmaṇas observing vows eat in this world, when eaten for the sake of a Brāhmaṇa, become meritorious? (13-23-16)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
आदिष्टिनो ये राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। भुञ्जते ब्रह्मकामाय व्रतलुप्ता भवन्ति ते ॥१३-२३-१७॥
O king, those Brāhmaṇas who have been instructed and have mastered the Vedas, if they enjoy for the sake of Brahman but have abandoned their vows, they become such as those who have abandoned their vows. (13-23-17)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
अनेकान्तं बहुद्वारं धर्ममाहुर्मनीषिणः। किं निश्चितं भवेत्तत्र तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-२३-१८॥
The wise say that dharma is not one-sided and has many doors; what is certain there, tell me that, O grandsire. (13-23-18)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अहिंसा सत्यमक्रोध आनृशंस्यं दमस्तथा। आर्जवं चैव राजेन्द्र निश्चितं धर्मलक्षणम् ॥१३-२३-१९॥
Non-injury, truthfulness, absence of anger, compassion, self-restraint, as well as straightforwardness—these, O king, are certainly the characteristics of dharma. (13-23-19)
ये तु धर्मं प्रशंसन्तश्चरन्ति पृथिवीमिमाम्। अनाचरन्तस्तद्धर्मं सङ्करे निरताः प्रभो ॥१३-२३-२०॥
O lord, those who, though praising duty, move about this earth but do not practice that duty, are engaged in confusion. (13-23-20)
तेभ्यो रत्नं हिरण्यं वा गामश्वान्वा ददाति यः। दश वर्षाणि विष्ठां स भुङ्क्ते निरयमाश्रितः ॥१३-२३-२१॥
Whoever gives to them a jewel, gold, or a cow or horses, he eats excrement for ten years, having resorted to hell. (13-23-21)
मेदानां पुल्कसानां च तथैवान्तावसायिनाम्। कृतं कर्माकृतं चापि रागमोहेन जल्पताम् ॥१३-२३-२२॥
The actions, whether done or not, of the fat, the outcastes, and those living at the outskirts, are spoken of by those prattling under the influence of passion and delusion. (13-23-22)
वैश्वदेवं च ये मूढा विप्राय ब्रह्मचारिणे। ददतीह न राजेन्द्र ते लोकान्भुञ्जतेऽशुभान् ॥१३-२३-२३॥
O King, those deluded ones who do not give the Viśvadeva offering here to a Brāhmaṇa or a celibate student, they enjoy inauspicious worlds. (13-23-23)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
किं परं ब्रह्मचर्यस्य किं परं धर्मलक्षणम्। किं च श्रेष्ठतमं शौचं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-२३-२४॥
What is the highest form of brahmacarya, what is the supreme characteristic of dharma? What is the greatest purity? Please tell me that, O grandsire. (13-23-24)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
ब्रह्मचर्यं परं तात मधुमांसस्य वर्जनम्। मर्यादायां स्थितो धर्मः शमः शौचस्य लक्षणम् ॥१३-२३-२५॥
O dear one, celibacy is supreme; abstaining from honey and meat. Righteousness is established in restraint, and tranquility is the mark of purity. (13-23-25)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
कस्मिन्काले चरेद्धर्मं कस्मिन्कालेऽर्थमाचरेत्। कस्मिन्काले सुखी च स्यात्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-२३-२६॥
O grandsire, tell me: at what time should one practice dharma, at what time should one pursue artha, and at what time should one be happy? (13-23-26)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
काल्यमर्थं निषेवेत ततो धर्ममनन्तरम्। पश्चात्कामं निषेवेत न च गच्छेत्प्रसङ्गिताम् ॥१३-२३-२७॥
One should pursue wealth in the morning, then dharma afterwards, and finally desire; but one should not become attached. (13-23-27)
ब्राह्मणांश्चाभिमन्येत गुरूंश्चाप्यभिपूजयेत्। सर्वभूतानुलोमश्च मृदुशीलः प्रियंवदः ॥१३-२३-२८॥
He should honor brāhmaṇas and worship teachers; be in harmony with all beings, gentle in nature, and speak pleasantly. (13-23-28)
अधिकारे यदनृतं राजगामि च पैशुनम्। गुरोश्चालीककरणं समं तद्ब्रह्महत्यया ॥१३-२३-२९॥
Falsehood in authority, slander brought to the king, and making false accusations against the teacher are all considered equal to the killing of a Brāhmaṇa. (13-23-29)
प्रहरेन्न नरेन्द्रेषु न गां हन्यात्तथैव च। भ्रूणहत्यासमं चैतदुभयं यो निषेवते ॥१३-२३-३०॥
One should not strike among kings, nor kill a cow; likewise, both of these acts are considered equal to killing an embryo, and whoever practices either of them (incurs the same sin). (13-23-30)
नाग्निं परित्यजेज्जातु न च वेदान्परित्यजेत्। न च ब्राह्मणमाक्रोशेत्समं तद्ब्रह्महत्यया ॥१३-२३-३१॥
One must never abandon fire or the Vedas, nor should one ever abuse a Brāhmaṇa; such abuse is considered equal to the sin of killing a Brāhmaṇa. (13-23-31)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
कीदृशाः साधवो विप्राः केभ्यो दत्तं महाफलम्। कीदृशानां च भोक्तव्यं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१३-२३-३२॥
What kind of virtuous Brāhmaṇas, when given gifts, yield great results? Of what kind of people should gifts be accepted? Please tell me that, O grandsire. (13-23-32)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
अक्रोधना धर्मपराः सत्यनित्या दमे रताः। तादृशाः साधवो विप्रास्तेभ्यो दत्तं महाफलम् ॥१३-२३-३३॥
Gifts offered to Brāhmaṇas who are free from anger, devoted to righteousness, always truthful, and engaged in self-restraint, yield great results. (13-23-33)
अमानिनः सर्वसहा दृष्टार्था विजितेन्द्रियाः। सर्वभूतहिता मैत्रास्तेभ्यो दत्तं महाफलम् ॥१३-२३-३४॥
Gifts offered to those who are not proud, who endure all, whose aims are clear, who have conquered their senses, who are well-wishers of all beings and friendly, yield great results. (13-23-34)
अलुब्धाः शुचयो वैद्या ह्रीमन्तः सत्यवादिनः। स्वकर्मनिरता ये च तेभ्यो दत्तं महाफलम् ॥१३-२३-३५॥
Great merit results from gifts given to those who are not greedy, pure, learned, modest, truthful, and devoted to their own duties. (13-23-35)
साङ्गांश्च चतुरो वेदान्योऽधीयीत द्विजर्षभः। षड्भ्यो निवृत्तः कर्मभ्यस्तं पात्रमृषयो विदुः ॥१३-२३-३६॥
The sages recognize as a worthy recipient that foremost among the twice-born who has studied the four Vedas along with their auxiliary sciences and has withdrawn from the six prescribed actions. (13-23-36)
ये त्वेवङ्गुणजातीयास्तेभ्यो दत्तं महाफलम्। सहस्रगुणमाप्नोति गुणार्हाय प्रदायकः ॥१३-२३-३७॥
But whoever gives to those of similar qualities as themselves, bestows great fruit; the giver attains a thousandfold reward by giving to one worthy of virtue. (13-23-37)
प्रज्ञाश्रुताभ्यां वृत्तेन शीलेन च समन्वितः। तारयेत कुलं कृत्स्नमेकोऽपीह द्विजर्षभः ॥१३-२३-३८॥
A Brāhmaṇa who is endowed with wisdom, learning, good conduct, and character, even if he is alone, can uplift his entire family here. (13-23-38)
गामश्वं वित्तमन्नं वा तद्विधे प्रतिपादयेत्। द्रव्याणि चान्यानि तथा प्रेत्यभावे न शोचति ॥१३-२३-३९॥
One should cause a cow, horse, wealth, food, or similar things to be given to such a person; likewise, other objects as well. In the absence after death, he does not grieve. (13-23-39)
तारयेत कुलं कृत्स्नमेकोऽपीह द्विजोत्तमः। किमङ्ग पुनरेकं वै तस्मात्पात्रं समाचरेत् ॥१३-२३-४०॥
Even a single best among the twice-born here can deliver his entire family; what to speak then of one who is truly worthy—therefore, one should act for the sake of a worthy person. (13-23-40)
निशम्य च गुणोपेतं ब्राह्मणं साधुसंमतम्। दूरादानाययेत्कृत्ये सर्वतश्चाभिपूजयेत् ॥१३-२३-४१॥
Upon hearing of a brāhmaṇa who is endowed with virtues and approved by the good, one should bring him from afar for the task and honor him in every way. (13-23-41)
