15.009
युधिष्ठिरानुशासनम्
Instruction of Yudhiṣṭhira.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततो राज्ञाभ्यनुज्ञातो धृतराष्ट्रः प्रतापवान्। ययौ स्वभवनं राजा गान्धार्यानुगतस्तदा ॥१५-९-१॥
Then, having received the permission of the king, the vigorous Dhritarashtra went to his own house, accompanied by Gandhari. (15-9-1)
मन्दप्राणगतिर्धीमान्कृच्छ्रादिव समुद्धरन्। पदातिः स महीपालो जीर्णो गजपतिर्यथा ॥१५-९-२॥
The wise king, moving with slow breath, with difficulty rising and walking on foot like an old mahout, just as an aged elephant-driver. (15-9-2)
तमन्वगच्छद्विदुरो विद्वान्सूतश्च सञ्जयः। स चापि परमेष्वासः कृपः शारद्वतस्तथा ॥१५-९-३॥
Vidura, the wise, the charioteer Sūta and Sañjaya followed him. Likewise, Kṛpa, the great archer, son of Śaradvat, also did so. (15-9-3)
स प्रविश्य गृहं राजा कृतपूर्वाह्णिकक्रियः। तर्पयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठानाहारमकरोत्तदा ॥१५-९-४॥
Having entered the house and performed his morning duties, the king, after offering satisfaction to the foremost Brahmins, then took his meal. (15-9-4)
गान्धारी चैव धर्मज्ञा कुन्त्या सह मनस्विनी। वधूभिरुपचारेण पूजिताभुङ्क्त भारत ॥१५-९-५॥
Gandhari, who was wise in dharma, together with the noble-minded Kunti, was honored by her daughters-in-law through proper service, and then she ate, O Bhārata. (15-9-5)
कृताहारं कृताहाराः सर्वे ते विदुरादयः। पाण्डवाश्च कुरुश्रेष्ठमुपातिष्ठन्त तं नृपम् ॥१५-९-६॥
After finishing their meal, all of them—Vidura and the others, along with the Pāṇḍavas—attended upon that best of the Kurus, the king. (15-9-6)
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराज कुन्तीपुत्रमुपह्वरे। निषण्णं पाणिना पृष्ठे संस्पृशन्नम्बिकासुतः ॥१५-९-७॥
Then the son of Ambikā, touching the seated Kuntī's son on the back with his hand at the sacrificial altar, said, O great king. (15-9-7)
अप्रमादस्त्वया कार्यः सर्वथा कुरुनन्दन। अष्टाङ्गे राजशार्दूल राज्ये धर्मपुरस्कृते ॥१५-९-८॥
O delight of the Kurus, you should always act with vigilance in the eightfold kingdom, O tiger among kings, where dharma is held foremost. (15-9-8)
तत्तु शक्यं यथा तात रक्षितुं पाण्डुनन्दन। राज्यं धर्मं च कौन्तेय विद्वानसि निबोध तत् ॥१५-९-९॥
But that is possible, dear one, only as you, O son of Pāṇḍu, protect the kingdom and dharma. O son of Kuntī, understand this, you are wise. (15-9-9)
विद्यावृद्धान्सदैव त्वमुपासीथा युधिष्ठिर। शृणुयास्ते च यद्ब्रूयुः कुर्याश्चैवाविचारयन् ॥१५-९-१०॥
Yudhiṣṭhira, you should always approach the wise, listen to what they say, and perform whatever they advise you, without hesitation. (15-9-10)
प्रातरुत्थाय तान्राजन्पूजयित्वा यथाविधि। कृत्यकाले समुत्पन्ने पृच्छेथाः कार्यमात्मनः ॥१५-९-११॥
O King, having risen in the morning and worshiped them according to the proper method, when it is time for duty, you should inquire as to your own tasks. (15-9-11)
ते तु संमानिता राजंस्त्वया राज्यहितार्थिना। प्रवक्ष्यन्ति हितं तात सर्वं कौरवनन्दन ॥१५-९-१२॥
But they, being honored by you, O king who desires the good of the kingdom, will tell you all that is beneficial, O dear Kauravanandana. (15-9-12)
इन्द्रियाणि च सर्वाणि वाजिवत्परिपालय। हिताय वै भविष्यन्ति रक्षितं द्रविणं यथा ॥१५-९-१३॥
Just as protected wealth brings benefit, so too will the senses, if you guard them like a horse. (15-9-13)
अमात्यानुपधातीतान्पितृपैतामहाञ्शुचीन्। दान्तान्कर्मसु सर्वेषु मुख्यान्मुख्येषु योजयेः ॥१५-९-१४॥
You should appoint as ministers those who are free from deceit, inherited from your father and grandfather, pure, self-controlled, and foremost among all, to the chief duties. (15-9-14)
चारयेथाश्च सततं चारैरविदितैः परान्। परीक्षितैर्बहुविधं स्वराष्ट्रेषु परेषु च ॥१५-९-१५॥
You should always have enemies thoroughly observed, in many ways, by tested and unrecognised spies, in your own territories and those of others. (15-9-15)
पुरं च ते सुगुप्तं स्याद्दृढप्राकारतोरणम्। अट्टाट्टालकसम्बाधं षट्पथं सर्वतोदिशम् ॥१५-९-१६॥
May your city be well-guarded, endowed with strong ramparts and gateways, densely packed with lofty mansions, and possessing six roads leading in all directions. (15-9-16)
तस्य द्वाराणि कार्याणि पर्याप्तानि बृहन्ति च। सर्वतः सुविभक्तानि यन्त्रैरारक्षितानि च ॥१५-९-१७॥
His doors are necessary, sufficient, and large. They are well-divided on all sides and protected by mechanisms. (15-9-17)
पुरुषैरलमर्थज्ञैर्विदितैः कुलशीलतः। आत्मा च रक्ष्यः सततं भोजनादिषु भारत ॥१५-९-१८॥
O Bhārata, by men who are competent and wise in the value of things, and known by family and character, one should always protect oneself, especially regarding eating and similar matters. (15-9-18)
विहाराहारकालेषु माल्यशय्यासनेषु च। स्त्रियश्च ते सुगुप्ताः स्युर्वृद्धैराप्तैरधिष्ठिताः ॥ शीलवद्भिः कुलीनैश्च विद्वद्भिश्च युधिष्ठिर ॥१५-९-१९॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, at times of recreation and meals, and among garlands, beds, and seats, your women should be well protected, supervised by aged, trustworthy, virtuous, noble, and learned persons. (15-9-19)
मन्त्रिणश्चैव कुर्वीथा द्विजान्विद्याविशारदान्। विनीतांश्च कुलीनांश्च धर्मार्थकुशलानृजून् ॥१५-९-२०॥
You should appoint as ministers those twice-born who are learned, humble, of good family, skilled in righteousness and wealth, and honest. (15-9-20)
तैः सार्धं मन्त्रयेथास्त्वं नात्यर्थं बहुभिः सह। समस्तैरपि च व्यस्तैर्व्यपदेशेन केनचित् ॥१५-९-२१॥
You should confer with them together, but not excessively with many; consult either all together or separately, with reference to someone specific. (15-9-21)
सुसंवृतं मन्त्रगृहं स्थलं चारुह्य मन्त्रयेः। अरण्ये निःशलाके वा न च रात्रौ कथञ्चन ॥१५-९-२२॥
One should recite (the mantra) in a well-enclosed mantra-chamber or an elevated place; in a forest, only where there are no pegs, and never at night under any circumstances. (15-9-22)
वानराः पक्षिणश्चैव ये मनुष्यानुकारिणः। सर्वे मन्त्रगृहे वर्ज्या ये चापि जडपङ्गुकाः ॥१५-९-२३॥
Monkeys, birds, those who imitate humans, and all who are dull and lame, are to be excluded from the council chamber. (15-9-23)
मन्त्रभेदे हि ये दोषा भवन्ति पृथिवीक्षिताम्। न ते शक्याः समाधातुं कथञ्चिदिति मे मतिः ॥१५-९-२४॥
It is my opinion that the faults which arise from breach of counsel among kings cannot be remedied in any way. (15-9-24)
दोषांश्च मन्त्रभेदेषु ब्रूयास्त्वं मन्त्रिमण्डले। अभेदे च गुणान्राजन्पुनः पुनररिंदम ॥१५-९-२५॥
O king, you should mention the faults during differences of counsel to the council of ministers, and in the case of agreement, you should repeatedly speak of the virtues, O subduer of enemies. (15-9-25)
पौरजानपदानां च शौचाशौचं युधिष्ठिर। यथा स्याद्विदितं राजंस्तथा कार्यमरिंदम ॥१५-९-२६॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, concerning the purity and impurity of townsmen and country people, as is known, O king, so should it be acted upon, O subduer of foes. (15-9-26)
