13.023
pātraparīkṣā
Examination of the worthy;
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
kim āhur bharataśreṣṭha pātraṃ viprāḥ sanātanam। brāhmaṇaṃ liṅginaṃ caiva brāhmaṇaṃ vāpyaliṅginam ॥13-23-1॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
svavṛttim-abhipannāya liṅgine vetarāya vā। deyam āhur mahārāja ubhāv etau tapasvinau ॥13-23-2॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
śraddhayā parayā pūto yaḥ prayacched dvijātaye। havyaṃ kavyaṃ tathā dānaṃ ko doṣaḥ syāt pitāmaha ॥13-23-3॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
śraddhāpūto narastāta durdānto'pi na saṁśayaḥ। pūto bhavati sarvatra kiṁ punastvaṁ mahīpate ॥13-23-4॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
na brāhmaṇaṃ parīkṣeta daiveṣu satataṃ naraḥ। kavya-pradāne tu budhāḥ parīkṣyaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ viduḥ ॥13-23-5॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
na brāhmaṇaḥ sādhayate havyaṃ daivātprasidhyati। devaprasādādijyante yajamānā na saṃśayaḥ ॥13-23-6॥
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)
brāhmaṇā bharataśreṣṭha satataṃ brahmavādinaḥ। mārkaṇḍeyaḥ purā prāha iha lokeṣu buddhimān ॥13-23-7॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
apūrvo'pyatha vā vidvān sambandhī vātha yo bhavet। tapasvī yajñaśīlo vā kathaṁ pātraṁ bhavettu saḥ ॥13-23-8॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
kulīnaḥ karmakṛd vaidyas tathā cāpy anṛśaṁsyavān। hrīmān ṛjuḥ satyavādī pātraṁ pūrve ca te trayaḥ॥13-23-9॥
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)
tatredaṃ śṛṇu me pārtha caturṇāṃ tejasāṃ matam। pṛthivyāḥ kāśyapasya agneḥ mārkaṇḍeyasya ca eva hi ॥13-23-10॥
There, O Pārtha, hear from me the opinion regarding the four energies: those of the earth, Kāśyapa, Agni, and Mārkaṇḍeya, indeed. (13-23-10)
pṛthivyuvāca॥
The Earth said.
yathā mahārṇave kṣiptaḥ kṣipraṃ loṣṭo vinaśyati। tathā duścaritaṃ sarvaṃ trayyāvṛttyā vinaśyati ॥13-23-11॥
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)
kāśyapa uvāca॥
Kashyapa said.
sarve ca vedāḥ saha ṣaḍbhiraṅgaiḥ; sāṅkhyaṃ purāṇaṃ ca kule ca janma. naitāni sarvāṇi gatirbhavanti; śīlavyapetasya narasya rājan ॥13-23-12॥
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)
agniruvāca॥
Fire said.
adhīyānaḥ paṇḍitaṃ manyamānaḥ; yo vidyayā hanti yaśaḥ pareṣām। brahmans tenācarate brahmahatyāṃ; lokās tasya hy antavanto bhavanti ॥13-23-13॥
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)
mārkaṇḍeya uvāca॥
Markandeya said.
aśvamedhasahasraṃ ca satyaṃ ca tulayā dhṛtam। nābhijānāmi yadyasya satyasyārdhamavāpnuyāt ॥13-23-14॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
ity uktvā te jagmur āśu catvāro'mitatejasaḥ। pṛthivī kāśyapo'gniś ca prakṛṣṭāyuś ca bhārgavaḥ ॥13-23-15॥
Having thus spoken, the four of immeasurable energy—Pṛthivī, Kāśyapa, Agni, and the long-lived Bhārgava—departed quickly. (13-23-15)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
yad idaṃ brāhmaṇā loke vratino bhuñjate haviḥ। bhuktaṃ brāhmaṇakāmāya kathaṃ tat sukṛtaṃ bhavet ॥13-23-16॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
ādiṣṭino ye rājendra brāhmaṇā vedapāragāḥ। bhuñjate brahmakāmāya vrataluptā bhavanti te ॥13-23-17॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
anekāntaṃ bahudvāraṃ dharmam āhur manīṣiṇaḥ। kiṃ niścitaṃ bhavet tatra tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-23-18॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
ahiṁsā satyam akrodha ānṛśaṁsyaṁ damaḥ tathā। ārjavaṁ caiva rājendra niścitaṁ dharmalakṣaṇam ॥13-23-19॥
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)
ye tu dharmaṃ praśaṃsantaś caranti pṛthivīm imām | anācarantas tad dharmaṃ saṅkare niratāḥ prabho ॥13-23-20॥
O lord, those who, though praising duty, move about this earth but do not practice that duty, are engaged in confusion. (13-23-20)
tebhyo ratnaṃ hiraṇyaṃ vā gāmaśvān vā dadāti yaḥ। daśa varṣāṇi viṣṭhāṃ sa bhuṅkte nirayam āśritaḥ ॥13-23-21॥
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)
medānāṃ pulkasānāṃ ca tathaivāntāvasāyinām। kṛtaṃ karmākṛtaṃ cāpi rāgamohena jalpatām ॥13-23-22॥
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)
vaiśvadevaṃ ca ye mūḍhā viprāya brahmacāriṇe। dadatīha na rājendra te lokānbhuñjate'śubhān ॥13-23-23॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
kiṁ paraṁ brahmacaryasya kiṁ paraṁ dharmalakṣaṇam। kiṁ ca śreṣṭhatamaṁ śaucaṁ tanme brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-23-24॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
brahmacaryaṃ paraṃ tāta madhumāṃsasya varjanam। maryādāyāṃ sthito dharmaḥ śamaḥ śaucasya lakṣaṇam ॥13-23-25॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
kasmin kāle cared dharmaṃ kasmin kāle 'rtham ācaret। kasmin kāle sukhī ca syāt tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-23-26॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
kālyam arthaṃ niṣeveta tato dharmam anantaram। paścāt kāmam niṣeveta na ca gacchet prasaṅgitām ॥13-23-27॥
One should pursue wealth in the morning, then dharma afterwards, and finally desire; but one should not become attached. (13-23-27)
brāhmaṇāṁś cābhimanyeta gurūṁś cāpy abhipūjayet। sarvabhūtānulomaś ca mṛduśīlaḥ priyaṁvadaḥ ॥13-23-28॥
He should honor brāhmaṇas and worship teachers; be in harmony with all beings, gentle in nature, and speak pleasantly. (13-23-28)
adhikāre yadanṛtaṃ rājagāmi ca paiśunam। guroścālīkakaraṇaṃ samaṃ tadbrahmahatyayā ॥13-23-29॥
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)
praharen na nareṃdreṣu na gāṃ hanyāttathaiva ca। bhrūṇahatyāsamaṃ caitadubhayaṃ yo niṣevate ॥13-23-30॥
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)
nāgniṃ parityajejjātu na ca vedān parityajet। na ca brāhmaṇam ākrośet samaṃ tad brahmahatyayā ॥13-23-31॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
kīdṛśāḥ sādhavo viprāḥ kebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam। kīdṛśānāṃ ca bhoktavyaṃ tanme brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-23-32॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said.
akrodhanā dharmaparāḥ satyanityā dame ratāḥ। tādṛśāḥ sādhavo viprāstebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam ॥13-23-33॥
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)
amāninaḥ sarvasahā dṛṣṭārthā vijitendriyāḥ। sarvabhūtahitā maitrāstebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam ॥13-23-34॥
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)
alubdhāḥ śucayo vaidyā hrīmantāḥ satyavādinaḥ। svakarmaniratā ye ca tebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam ॥13-23-35॥
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)
sāṅgāṃś ca caturo vedān yo'dhīyīta dvijarṣabhaḥ। ṣaḍbhyo nivṛttaḥ karmabhyas taṃ pātram ṛṣayo viduḥ॥13-23-36॥
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)
ye tvevaṅ-guṇa-jātīyās tebhyo dattaṃ mahāphalam। sahasra-guṇam āpnoti guṇārhāya pradāyakaḥ ॥13-23-37॥
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)
prajñāśrutābhyāṃ vṛttena śīlena ca samanvitaḥ। tārayet kulaṃ kṛtsnameko'piha dvijarṣabhaḥ ॥13-23-38॥
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)
gāmaśvaṃ vittamannaṃ vā tadvidhe pratipādayet। dravyāṇi cānyāni tathā pretyabhāve na śocati ॥13-23-39॥
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)
tārayet kulaṃ kṛtsnam eko'piha dvijottamaḥ। kimaṅga punar ekaṃ vai tasmāt pātraṃ samācaret ॥13-23-40॥
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)
niśamya ca guṇopetaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ sādhu-saṃmatam। dūrād ānāyayet kṛtye sarvataś ca abhipūjayet ॥13-23-41॥
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)
