13.149
युधिष्ठिरप्रश्नः
The question of Yudhiṣṭhira.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
नाभागधेयः प्राप्नोति धनं सुबलवानपि। भागधेयान्वितस्त्वर्थान्कृशो बालश्च विन्दति ॥१३-१४९-१॥
A person without fortune, even if very strong, does not obtain wealth. But one endowed with fortune, even if weak or a child, still obtains riches. (13-149-1)
नालाभकाले लभते प्रयत्नेऽपि कृते सति। लाभकालेऽप्रयत्नेन लभते विपुलं धनम् ॥ कृतयत्नाफलाश्चैव दृश्यन्ते शतशो नराः ॥१३-१४९-२॥
When it is not the time for gain, even if effort is made, one does not obtain (results); but in the time for gain, one obtains abundant wealth even without effort. Indeed, men who have made effort but are fruitless are seen by the hundreds. (13-149-2)
यदि यत्नो भवेन्मर्त्यः स सर्वं फलमाप्नुयात्। नालभ्यं चोपलभ्येत नृणां भरतसत्तम ॥१३-१४९-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, if a mortal exerts himself, he may attain all results. There is nothing unattainable by men. (13-149-3)
यदा प्रयत्नं कृतवान्दृश्यते ह्यफलो नरः। मार्गन्नयशतैरर्थानमार्गंश्चापरः सुखी ॥१३-१४९-४॥
When a man, although making every effort and following hundreds of correct strategies, is seen to be fruitless, and another, taking the wrong path, is happy, (13-149-4)
अकार्यमसकृत्कृत्वा दृश्यन्ते ह्यधना नराः। धनयुक्तास्त्वधर्मस्था दृश्यन्ते चापरे जनाः ॥१३-१४९-५॥
Men who have repeatedly committed improper acts are seen to be without wealth indeed. On the other hand, other people, though endowed with wealth, are seen living in unrighteousness. (13-149-5)
अधीत्य नीतिं यस्माच्च नीतियुक्तो न दृश्यते। अनभिज्ञश्च साचिव्यं गमितः केन हेतुना ॥ विद्यायुक्तो ह्यविद्यश्च धनवान्दुर्गतस्तथा ॥१३-१४९-६॥
Even after having studied policy, we do not see one possessing policy. An ignorant person has been appointed to ministership; by what reason? Someone endowed with knowledge is impoverished, while the ignorant is wealthy. (13-149-6)
यदि विद्यामुपाश्रित्य नरः सुखमवाप्नुयात्। न विद्वान्विद्यया हीनं वृत्त्यर्थमुपसंश्रयेत् ॥१३-१४९-७॥
If a man obtains happiness by resorting to knowledge, the learned should not seek support for his livelihood from one who is bereft of knowledge by means of his learning. (13-149-7)
यथा पिपासां जयति पुरुषः प्राप्य वै जलम्। दृष्टार्थो विद्ययाप्येवमविद्यां प्रजहेन्नरः ॥१३-१४९-८॥
Just as a man, on obtaining water, conquers his thirst, so should a man, having perceived the truth, abandon ignorance by means of knowledge. (13-149-8)
नाप्राप्तकालो म्रियते विद्धः शरशतैरपि। तृणाग्रेणापि संस्पृष्टः प्राप्तकालो न जीवति ॥१३-१४९-९॥
One whose time has not come does not die, even if pierced by hundreds of arrows; but one whose time has come does not live, even if only touched by the tip of a blade of grass. (13-149-9)
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
ईहमानः समारम्भान्यदि नासादयेद्धनम्। उग्रं तपः समारोहेन्न ह्यनुप्तं प्ररोहति ॥१३-१४९-१०॥
If one's efforts do not attain wealth despite striving, one should undertake intense austerity; for indeed, that which is not sown does not sprout. (13-149-10)
दानेन भोगी भवति मेधावी वृद्धसेवया। अहिंसया च दीर्घायुरिति प्राहुर्मनीषिणः ॥१३-१४९-११॥
Through charity, a person becomes one who enjoys; through service to elders, one becomes wise; and through non-violence, one attains a long life—so say the wise. (13-149-11)
तस्माद्दद्यान्न याचेत पूजयेद्धार्मिकानपि। स्वाभाषी प्रियकृच्छुद्धः सर्वसत्त्वाविहिंसकः ॥१३-१४९-१२॥
Therefore, he should give and not ask; he should honor even the righteous. He should be one who speaks naturally, does what is pleasing, is pure, and does not harm any living being. (13-149-12)
यदा प्रमाणप्रभवः स्वभावश्च सुखासुखे। मशकीटपिपीलानां स्थिरो भव युधिष्ठिर ॥१३-१४९-१३॥
Yudhishthira, when authority and your innate nature relate to pleasure and pain regarding flies, insects, and ants, be steadfast.
