13.060
kṣatriyadharmāḥ
The duties of the warrior.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
dānaṃ yajñakriyā ca iha kiṃ svit pretya mahāphalam। kasya jyāyaḥ phalaṃ proktaṃ kīdṛśebhyaḥ kathaṃ kadā॥13-60-1॥
Which among gift and sacrifice here yields the greatest result after death? Whose result is declared greater, than which kind of acts, how, and when? (13-60-1)
etadicchāmi vijñātuṃ yāthātathyena bhārata. vidvanjijñāsamānāya dānadharmānpracakṣva me ॥13-60-2॥
O Bhārata, I wish to know this in its true nature. O wise one, tell me the rules of giving, for I desire to understand them. (13-60-2)
antarvedyāṃ ca yad dattaṃ śraddhayā ca anṛśaṃsyataḥ। kiṃ svin niḥśreyasaṃ tāta tan me brūhi pitāmaha ॥13-60-3॥
O grandsire, please tell me, O dear one, what is the supreme good of what is given with faith and compassion on the central sacrificial altar. (13-60-3)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
raudraṃ karma kṣatriyasya satataṃ tāta vartate। tasya vaitānikaṃ karma dānaṃ caiveha pāvanam ॥13-60-4॥
O dear one, terrible actions always belong to the kṣatriya; but for him, Vedic ritual actions and giving gifts here are truly purifying. (13-60-4)
na tu pāpakṛtāṃ rājñāṃ pratigṛhṇanti sādhavaḥ. etasmātkāraṇādyajñairyajedrājāptadakṣiṇaiḥ ॥13-60-5॥
But the virtuous do not accept gifts from wicked kings. For this reason, the king should perform sacrifices with gifts that have been rightly acquired. (13-60-5)
atha cet pratigṛhṇīyur dadyād ahar ahar nṛpaḥ। śraddhām āsthāya paramām pāvanaṃ hy etad uttamam॥13-60-6॥
If they accept, then the king should give every day, with supreme faith; for this is indeed most purifying and excellent. (13-60-6)
brāhmaṇāṁstarpayed dravyais tato yajñe yatavrataḥ। maitrān sādhūn vedavidaḥ śīlavṛttatapōnvitān॥ 13-60-7॥
He should satisfy the Brāhmaṇas with offerings; then, during the sacrifice, being self-restrained, (he should honor) friendly and virtuous persons who are learned in the Veda, endowed with good character, conduct, and austerity. (13-60-7)
yatte tena kariṣyanti kṛtaṃ tena bhaviṣyati। yajñān sādhaya sādhubhyaḥ svādvannān dakṣiṇāvataḥ ॥13-60-8॥
Whatever is done for you by him, that will happen. Perform the sacrifices for the good people, offering delicious foods along with gifts. (13-60-8)
iṣṭaṃ dattaṃ ca manyethā ātmānaṃ dānakarmaṇā। pūjayethā yāyajūkāṃstava apyaṃśo bhaved yathā ॥13-60-9॥
You should consider sacrifices and gifts as your own act through giving; you should also honor the priests, so that your share will indeed arise just as proper. (13-60-9)
prajāvato bharethāś ca brāhmaṇān bahubhāriṇaḥ। prajāvāṃs tena bhavati yathā janayitā tathā ॥13-60-10॥
You should support Brāhmaṇas who have many burdens and possess offspring; by doing so, one becomes (the cause of) progeny, just as a begetter does. (13-60-10)
yāvato vai sādhu-dharmān santaḥ saṁvartayanty uta। sarve te cāpi bhartavyā narā ye bahu-bhāriṇaḥ ॥13-60-11॥
All those men who perform virtuous duties and bear great burdens are to be supported.
samṛddhaḥ samprayacchasva brāhmaṇebhyo yudhiṣṭhira। dhenūraṇaḍuho'nnāni chhatraṃ vāsāṃsyupānahau ॥13-60-12॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, being prosperous, give to the Brāhmaṇas cows, bulls, food, an umbrella, garments, and sandals. (13-60-12)
ājyāni yajamānebhyaḥ tathā annādyāni bhārata। aśvavanti ca yānāni veśmāni śayanāni ca॥13-60-13॥
O Bhārata, offerings of clarified butter were given to the sacrificers, as well as food and eatables; there were also horse-drawn vehicles, houses, and beds. (13-60-13)
ete deyā vyuṣṭimanto laghūpāyāś ca bhārata। ajugupsāṃś ca vijñāya brāhmaṇān vṛtti-karśitān ॥13-60-14॥
O Bhārata, having recognized Brāhmaṇas who are not despicable, who are distressed for livelihood, and who have meager means or abundance, these should be given (gifts). (13-60-14)
upacchannaṃ prakāśaṃ vā vṛttyā tān pratipādaya। rājasūyāśvamedhābhyāṃ śreyas tat kṣatriyān prati ॥13-60-15॥
Whether concealed or manifest, teach them by conduct. Regarding kṣatriyas, their highest good is through the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha (sacrifices). (13-60-15)
evaṁ pāpairvimuktastvaṁ pūtaḥ svargamavāpsyasi। sraṁsayitvā punaḥ kośaṁ yadrāṣṭraṁ pālayiṣyasi॥13-60-16॥
Thus, being freed from sins, you will become purified and attain heaven. After draining out the treasury, you will again protect the kingdom. (13-60-16)
tataś ca brahmabhūyas tvam avāpsyasi dhanāni ca। ātmanaś ca pareṣāṃ ca vṛttiṃ saṃrakṣa bhārata॥13-60-17॥
Then, you will attain the state of Brahman and riches; protect the livelihood of yourself and of others, O Bhārata. (13-60-17)
putravaccāpi bhṛtyān svān prajāḥ ca paripālaya। yogakṣemaś ca te nityaṃ brāhmaṇeṣu astu bhārata ॥13-60-18॥
O Bhārata, protect your servants and subjects just as you would a son. May acquisition and preservation always be with you among Brahmins. (13-60-18)
arakṣitāraṁ hartāraṁ viloptāramadāyakam। taṁ sma rājakaliṁ hanyuḥ prajāḥ sambhūya nirghṛṇam ॥13-60-19॥
The subjects, having assembled, should pitilessly kill that royal wrongdoer who does not protect, who steals, who destroys, and who does not give (what is due). (13-60-19)
ahaṃ vo rakṣiteti uktvā yaḥ na rakṣati bhūmipaḥ। saṃ saṃhatya nihantavyaḥ śveva sa unmada āturaḥ॥13-60-20॥
The king who, having said to you "I will protect," does not protect, he, even if afflicted with madness, should be slain collectively, even as early as tomorrow. (13-60-20)
pāpaṃ kurvanti yatkiñcitprajā rājñā hyarakṣitāḥ। caturthaṃ tasya pāpasya rājā bhārata vindati॥13-60-21॥
O Bhārata, of whatever sins the unprotected subjects commit, the king obtains a fourth part. (13-60-21)
apy āhuḥ sarvam eva iti bhūyaḥ ardham iti niścayaḥ। caturthaṃ matam asmākaṃ manoḥ śrutvā anuśāsanam॥13-60-22॥
Indeed, some say "all only", and again, there is the decision that "half"; our fourth opinion, after hearing the instruction of Manu. (13-60-22)
śubhaṃ vā yatprakurvanti prajā rājñā surakṣitāḥ। caturthaṃ tasya puṇyasya rājā cāpn̄oti bhārata ॥13-60-23॥
O Bhārata, the king obtains a fourth part of the merit of whatever auspicious acts are performed by the subjects protected by him. (13-60-23)
jīvantaṃ tvānujīvantu prajāḥ sarvā yudhiṣṭhira। parjanyamiva bhūtāni mahādrumamiva dvijāḥ ॥13-60-24॥
May all creatures live by you who are living, O Yudhishthira, just as beings live by the rain-cloud and the twice-born by the great tree. (13-60-24)
kuberam iva rakṣāṃsi śatakratum ivāmarāḥ। jñātayas tv ānujīvantu suhṛdaś ca parantapa ॥13-60-25॥
May your relatives and friends live long after you, O afflicter of foes, just as the demons serve Kubera and the immortals serve Indra. (13-60-25)
