13.125
सान्त्वप्रशंसा
soothing praise;
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
साम्ना वापि प्रदाने वा ज्यायः किं भवतो मतम्। प्रब्रूहि भरतश्रेष्ठ यदत्र व्यतिरिच्यते ॥१३-१२५-१॥
O best of the Bhāratas, tell me—which do you think is superior here, conciliation or generosity—what is your view about which excels in this matter? (13-125-1)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said.
साम्ना प्रसाद्यते कश्चिद्दानेन च तथापरः। पुरुषः प्रकृतिं ज्ञात्वा तयोरेकतरं भजेत् ॥१३-१२५-२॥
Some are appeased by gentle words, others by giving; knowing their nature, a person should choose either of these two ways. (13-125-2)
गुणांस्तु शृणु मे राजन्सान्त्वस्य भरतर्षभ। दारुणान्यपि भूतानि सान्त्वेनाराधयेद्यथा ॥१३-१२५-३॥
But hear from me, O king and bull among the Bharatas, the qualities of conciliation; even harsh beings can be conciliated by conciliation, as follows. (13-125-3)
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। गृहीत्वा रक्षसा मुक्तो द्विजातिः कानने यथा ॥१३-१२५-४॥
Here too, they cite an ancient story: how, after being seized by a rakṣasa, a twice-born was released in the forest. (13-125-4)
कश्चित्तु बुद्धिसम्पन्नो ब्राह्मणो विजने वने। गृहीतः कृच्छ्रमापन्नो रक्षसा भक्षयिष्यता ॥१३-१२५-५॥
But a certain intelligent Brāhmaṇa, in a lonely forest, was seized by a Rākṣasa and, having encountered danger, was about to be devoured. (13-125-5)
स बुद्धिश्रुतसम्पन्नस्तं दृष्ट्वातीव भीषणम्। सामैवास्मिन्प्रयुयुजे न मुमोह न विव्यथे ॥१३-१२५-६॥
He, endowed with intelligence and learning, upon seeing that utterly frightful being, employed conciliation in this situation and was neither bewildered nor disturbed. (13-125-6)
रक्षस्तु वाचा सम्पूज्य प्रश्नं पप्रच्छ तं द्विजम्। मोक्ष्यसे ब्रूहि मे प्रश्नं केनास्मि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-७॥
But the demon, after respectfully addressing the Brāhmaṇa, asked him this question: "You will be released. Answer my question: by what am I a thin deer?" (13-125-7)
मुहूर्तमथ सञ्चिन्त्य ब्राह्मणस्तस्य रक्षसः। आभिर्गाथाभिरव्यग्रः प्रश्नं प्रतिजगाद ह ॥१३-१२५-८॥
Then, after considering for a moment, the brāhmaṇa calmly replied to the rakṣasa's question with these verses. (13-125-8)
विदेशस्थो विलोकस्थो विना नूनं सुहृज्जनैः। विषयानतुलान्भुङ्क्षे तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-९॥
You reside far from home, alone and without friends, and though you experience unmatched enjoyments, therefore you are as thin as a deer. (13-125-9)
नूनं मित्राणि ते रक्षः साधूपचरितान्यपि। स्वदोषादपरज्यन्ते तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१०॥
Certainly, your friends and protectors, though well-treated, have become alienated from you because of your own fault; therefore you, O deer, are emaciated. (13-125-10)
धनैश्वर्याधिकाः स्तब्धास्त्वद्गुणैः परमावराः। अवजानन्ति नूनं त्वां तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-११॥
Those who are exceedingly wealthy and powerful become arrogant and, being extremely base through your qualities, they certainly despise you; and because of that you, O Hari, are emaciated. (13-125-11)
गुणवान्विगुणानन्यान्नूनं पश्यसि सत्कृतान्। प्राज्ञोऽप्राज्ञान्विनीतात्मा तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१२॥
Because you, O deer, possessing virtues, certainly see even those without virtues and others as worthy of honor—being wise, of humble mind—you are therefore thin. (13-125-12)
अवृत्त्या क्लिश्यमानोऽपि वृत्त्युपायान्विगर्हयन्। माहात्म्याद्व्यथसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१३॥
O deer, even though you are tormented by lack of livelihood, by criticising the means of sustenance and suffering out of your greatness, for this reason you have become emaciated. (13-125-13)
सम्पीड्यात्मानमार्यत्वात्त्वया कश्चिदुपस्कृतः। जितं त्वां मन्यते साधो तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१४॥
O noble one, because you serve others and oppress yourself through your nobility, someone you have helped thinks he has conquered you; thus you have become as emaciated as a deer. (13-125-14)
क्लिश्यमानान्विमार्गेषु कामक्रोधावृतात्मनः। मन्ये नु ध्यायसि जनांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१५॥
Whose minds are afflicted by desire and anger and who follow wrong paths, I believe you keep thinking of such people; because of this you have become thin like a deer. (13-125-15)
प्राज्ञैः सम्भावितो नूनं नप्राज्ञैरुपसंहितः। ह्रीमानमर्षी दुर्वृत्तैस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१६॥
You are certainly respected by the wise, but not associated with the unwise; being modest and intolerant (of vice), therefore, you are a deer emaciated by the wicked. (13-125-16)
नूनं मित्रमुखः शत्रुः कश्चिदार्यवदाचरन्। वञ्चयित्वा गतस्त्वां वै तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१७॥
Indeed, some enemy with the face of a friend, behaving like a noble person, has deceived you and gone away; because of him, you have become an emaciated deer. (13-125-17)
प्रकाशार्थगतिर्नूनं रहस्यकुशलः कृती। तज्ज्ञैर्न पूज्यसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१८॥
You are intent on obvious meanings, yet you are skilled and accomplished in secrets; the true experts do not honor you, therefore you remain thin like a deer. (13-125-18)
असत्स्वभिनिविष्टेषु ब्रुवतो मुक्तसंशयम्। गुणास्ते न विराजन्ते तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-१९॥
Your qualities do not shine forth when you speak without doubt among those absorbed in the unworthy; therefore, among the deer, you are emaciated. (13-125-19)
धनबुद्धिश्रुतैर्हीनः केवलं तेजसान्वितः। महत्प्रार्थयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२०॥
Lacking wealth, intellect, and learning but possessing only vigor, you aspire for something great; therefore, you are thin like a deer. (13-125-20)
तपःप्रणिहितात्मानं मन्ये त्वारण्यकाङ्क्षिणम्। बन्धुवर्गो न गृह्णाति तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२१॥
I think you, whose self is devoted to asceticism, desire the forest. Your kin do not accept you; therefore, you are thin like the deer. (13-125-21)
नूनमर्थवतां मध्ये तव वाक्यमनुत्तमम्। न भाति कालेऽभिहितं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२२॥
Indeed, among worthy words, your speech is unsurpassed; but words spoken at the wrong time do not shine—therefore, O deer, you are thin. (13-125-22)
दृढपूर्वश्रुतं मूर्खं कुपितं हृदयप्रियम्। अनुनेतुं न शक्नोषि तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२३॥
Because you are unable to pacify the foolish and dearly loved one who is firmly fixed in prior views and has become angry, you are thin like a deer. (13-125-23)
नूनमासञ्जयित्वा ते कृत्ये कस्मिंश्चिदीप्सिते। कश्चिदर्थयतेऽत्यर्थं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२४॥
Certainly, after binding you to some desired action, someone persistently requests, and because of that, you have become emaciated like a deer. (13-125-24)
नूनं त्वा स्वगुणापेक्षं पूजयानं सुहृद्ध्रुवम्। मयार्थ इति जानाति तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२५॥
Certainly, the deer, recognizing you as a true friend, worthy of reverence due to your own virtues and devoted to my cause, has become thin for that reason. (13-125-25)
अन्तर्गतमभिप्रायं न नूनं लज्जयेच्छसि। विवक्तुं प्राप्तिशैथिल्यात्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२६॥
You surely are not ashamed to express your inner thoughts; due to weakness in attaining (your desires), therefore, you are as thin as a deer. (13-125-26)
नानाबुद्धिरुचीँल्लोके मनुष्यान्नूनमिच्छसि। ग्रहीतुं स्वगुणैः सर्वांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२७॥
You wish to win over all people of different minds and tastes in this world by your own good qualities; therefore you have become a thin (frail) deer. (13-125-27)
अविद्वान्भीरुरल्पार्थो विद्याविक्रमदानजम्। यशः प्रार्थयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२८॥
Being ignorant, timid, and of little means, you seek fame that comes from learning, valor, and generosity; therefore, you are like an emaciated deer. (13-125-28)
चिराभिलषितं किञ्चित्फलमप्राप्तमेव ते। कृतमन्यैरपहृतं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-२९॥
Some long-desired fruit you have not obtained, has been taken away by others after your labor; therefore, O deer, you have become emaciated. (13-125-29)
नूनमात्मकृतं दोषमपश्यन्किञ्चिदात्मनि। अकारणेऽभिशस्तोऽसि तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३०॥
Surely, without seeing any fault done by yourself in yourself, you have been accused without reason; therefore, you are a thin deer. (13-125-30)
सुहृदामप्रमत्तानामप्रमोक्ष्यार्थहानिजम्। दुःखमर्थगुणैर्हीनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३१॥
O deer, you have become thin due to sorrow, which arises from loss, deprived of the qualities of wealth, for the purpose of not abandoning vigilant friends. (13-125-31)
साधून्गृहस्थान्दृष्ट्वा च तथासाधून्वनेचरान्। मुक्तांश्चावसथे सक्तांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३२॥
By seeing the good householders, the wicked forest dwellers, the liberated, and those attached to their abode, you have become emaciated, O deer. (13-125-32)
धर्म्यमर्थं च काले च देशे चाभिहितं वचः। न प्रतिष्ठति ते नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३३॥
The word, conveying a righteous meaning, spoken at the proper time and place, surely does not abide with you; because of that you are an emaciated deer. (13-125-33)
दत्तानकुशलैरर्थान्मनीषी सञ्जिजीविषुः। प्राप्य वर्तयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३४॥
Being a wise one wishing to preserve your life, you seek means from those skilled in giving wealth; thus, indeed, you subsist, and because of that you are an emaciated deer. (13-125-34)
पापान्विवर्धतो दृष्ट्वा कल्याणांश्चावसीदतः। ध्रुवं मृगयसे योग्यं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३५॥
Seeing the increase of sins and the decline of auspiciousness, you certainly seek what is proper; therefore, you are like a thin deer. (13-125-35)
परस्परविरुद्धानां प्रियं नूनं चिकीर्षसि। सुहृदामविरोधेन तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३६॥
You certainly wish to please those who are mutually opposed; therefore, because you do not oppose your friends, you have become like an emaciated deer. (13-125-36)
श्रोत्रियांश्च विकर्मस्थान्प्राज्ञांश्चाप्यजितेन्द्रियान्। मन्येऽनुध्यायसि जनांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥१३-१२५-३७॥
You constantly think about people—both learned in the Vedas and engaged in wrong deeds, wise men as well as those whose senses are uncontrolled; therefore, I think, you have become emaciated like a deer. (13-125-37)
एवं सम्पूजितं रक्षो विप्रं तं प्रत्यपूजयत्। सखायमकरोच्चैनं संयोज्यार्थैर्मुमोच ह ॥१३-१२५-३८॥
Thus, the demon, having been duly honoured, returned the honours to the Brāhmaṇa. He befriended him and then set him free for the purpose of their union. (13-125-38)
