13.149
yudhiṣṭhira-praśnaḥ
The question of Yudhiṣṭhira.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said.
nābhāgadheyaḥ prāpnoti dhanaṃ subalavān api। bhāgadheyānvitāḥ tu arthān kṛśaḥ bālaḥ ca vindati॥13-149-1॥
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)
nā-lābha-kāle labhate prayatne’pi kṛte sati। lābha-kāle’prayatnena labhate vipulaṃ dhanam॥ kṛta-yatna-aphalāś caiva dṛśyante śataśo narāḥ॥13-149-2॥
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)
yadi yatno bhavenmartyaḥ sa sarvaṁ phalam āpnuyāt। nālabhyaṁ copalabhyeta nṛṇāṁ bharatasattama ॥13-149-3॥
O best of the Bharatas, if a mortal exerts himself, he may attain all results. There is nothing unattainable by men. (13-149-3)
yadā prayatnaṃ kṛtavān dṛśyate hy aphalo naraḥ। mārgan nayasatair arthān amārgaṃ ca aparaḥ sukhī ॥13-149-4॥
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)
akāryam asakṛt kṛtvā dṛśyante hi adhanā narāḥ। dhana-yuktāḥ tu adharma-sthāḥ dṛśyante ca apare janāḥ॥13-149-5॥
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)
adhītya nītiṃ yasmācca nītiyukto na dṛśyate। anabhijñaśca sācivyaṃ gamitaḥ kena hetunā ॥ vidyāyukto hyavidyaśca dhanavān durgatas tathā ॥13-149-6॥
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)
yadi vidyām-upāśritya naraḥ sukham-avāpnuyāt। na vidvān vidyayā hīnaṃ vṛtty-artham-upasaṃśrayet॥13-149-7॥
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)
yathā pipāsāṃ jayati puruṣaḥ prāpya vai jalam। dṛṣṭārtho vidyayā pyev am avidyāṃ prajahen naraḥ ॥13-149-8॥
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)
nāprāptakālo mriyate viddhaḥ śaraśatair api। tṛṇāgreṇāpi saṃspṛṣṭaḥ prāptakālo na jīvati ॥13-149-9॥
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)
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhīṣma said.
īhamānaḥ samārambhān yadi na āsādayet dhanam। ugraṃ tapaḥ samārohet na hi anuptaṃ prarohati ॥13-149-10॥
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)
dānena bhogī bhavati medhāvi vṛddhasevayā। ahiṁsayā ca dīrghāyuriti prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ ॥13-149-11॥
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)
tasmāddadyānna yāceta pūjayeddhārmikānapi. svābhāṣī priyakṛcchuddhaḥ sarvasattvāvi-hiṁsakaḥ ॥13-149-12॥
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)
yadā pramāṇa-prabhavaḥ svabhāvaś ca sukhāsukhe. maśa-kīṭa-pipīlānāṁ sthiro bhava yudhiṣṭhira ॥13-149-13॥
Yudhishthira, when authority and your innate nature relate to pleasure and pain regarding flies, insects, and ants, be steadfast.
