Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.100
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12.100.1
यथा जयार्थिनः सेनां नयन्ति भरतर्षभ ।
ईषद्धर्मं प्रपीड्यापि तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.१००.१ ॥
As those who seek victory lead their army, even transgressing dharma a little — tell me that, grandsire, bull of the Bharatas.
12.100.2
सन्त्येव हि स्थिता धर्म उपपत्त्या तथा परे ।
साध्वाचारतया केचित्तथैवौपयिकादपि ॥ १२.१००.२ ॥
Indeed there are other dharmas established by reasoning, some by good conduct, and likewise some even from expediency.
12.100.3
उपायधर्मान्वक्ष्यामि संसिद्धानर्थसिद्धये ।
निर्मर्यादा दस्यवस्तु भवन्ति परिपन्थिनः ॥ १२.१००.३ ॥
I will speak of the dharmas of expedient means, accomplished for the fulfilment of aims, since lawless robbers and hostile obstructers come to be.
12.100.4
तेषां प्रतिविघातार्थं प्रवक्ष्याम्यथ नैगमम् ।
कार्याणां संप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं तानुपायान्निबोध मे ॥ १२.१००.४ ॥
To counteract them I will now expound the naigama; learn from me those means for the full accomplishment of affairs.
12.100.5
उभे प्रज्ञे वेदितव्ये ऋज्वी वक्रा च भारत ।
जानन्वक्रां न सेवेत प्रतिबाधेत चागताम् ॥ १२.१००.५ ॥
Both kinds of wisdom are to be known, Bhārata — straight and crooked. Knowing the crooked, one should not follow it, and should obstruct the crooked when it comes upon one.
12.100.6
अमित्रा एव राजानं भेदेनोपचरन्त्युत ।
तां राजा विकृतिं जानन्यथाऽमित्रान्प्रबाधते ॥ १२.१००.६ ॥
Enemies indeed approach the king through division; knowing that deviation, the king then oppresses his enemies.
12.100.7
गजानां पार्थ वर्माणि गोवृषाजगराणि च ।
शल्यकण्टकलोहानि तनुत्राणि मतानि च ॥ १२.१००.७ ॥
O son of Pṛthā, the armour of elephants is made of cowhide, bull-hide and python-skin; protective coverings with thorns and iron spikes are also considered suitable.
12.100.8
शातपीतानि शस्त्राणि सन्नाहाः पीतलोहकाः ।
नानारञ्जनरक्ताः स्युः पताकाः केतवश्च ह ॥ १२.१००.८ ॥
The weapons should be bright and yellow; the armour yellow and iron-coloured, dyed red with various pigments; and the banners and flags likewise.
12.100.9
ऋष्टयस्तोमराः खङ्गा निशिताश्च परश्वथाः ।
फलकान्यथ चर्माणि प्रतिकल्प्यान्यनेकशः ॥ १२.१००.९ ॥
Lances, spears, swords, sharpened battle-axes, then shields and leather shields — these should be prepared in many ways.
12.100.10
अभिनीतानि शस्त्राणि योधाश्च कृतनिश्चयाः ।
चैत्रे वा मार्गशीर्षे वा सेनायोगः प्रशस्यते ॥ १२.१००.१० ॥
The weapons should be well trained and the warriors resolute; the marshalling of the army is commended in the month of Caitra or Mārgaśīrṣa.
12.100.11
पक्वसस्या हि पृथिवी भवत्यम्बुमती तदा ।
नैवातिशीतो नात्युष्णः कालो भवति भारत ॥ १२.१००.११ ॥
Then the earth is full of ripe crops and abounds in water; O descendant of Bharata, the season is neither too cold nor too hot.
12.100.12
तस्मात्तदा योजयेत परेषां व्यसनेऽथवा ।
एते हि योगाः सेनायाः प्रशस्ताः परबाधने ॥ १२.१००.१२ ॥
Therefore one should then deploy the army when the enemies are in distress; these are the commended occasions for the army to afflict the enemy.
12.100.13
जलवांस्तृणवान्मार्गः समो गम्यः प्रशस्यते ।
चारैः सुविदिताभ्यासः कुशलैर्वनगोचरैः ॥ १२.१००.१३ ॥
A route with water and grass, level and passable, is praised; a path well known and practised by scouts and by skilled men who roam the forest.
12.100.14
न ह्यरण्यानि शक्यन्ते गन्तुं मृगगणैरिव ।
तस्मात्सेनासु तानेव योजयन्ति जयार्थिनः ॥ १२.१००.१४ ॥
Armies cannot easily go through forests as herds of deer do; therefore those who seek victory employ such men within their armies.
12.100.15
अग्रतः पुरुषानीकं शक्तं चापि कुलोद्भवम् ।
आवासस्तोयवान्मार्गः पर्याकाशः प्रशस्यते ॥ १२.१००.१५ ॥
The vanguard should be a host of capable men of noble birth; a camp with water, a route with water, and open ground all around are praised.
12.100.16
पोषामपसर्पाणां प्रतिघातस्तथा भवेत् ।
आकाशं हि वनाभ्याशे मन्यन्ते गुणवत्तरम् ॥ १२.१००.१६ ॥
Those who retreat should be met with a counter-attack in the same way; men consider open ground near a forest to be far more advantageous.
12.100.17
बहुभिर्गुणजातैश्च ये युद्धकुशला जनाः ।
उपन्यासो भवेत्तत्र बलानां नातिदूरतः ॥ १२.१००.१७ ॥
Men skilled in war and endowed with many excellences should deploy the forces there, not too far away.
12.100.18
उपन्यासोऽपसर्पाणां पदातीनां च गूहनम् ।
हतशत्रुप्रतीघातमापदर्थं परायणम् ॥ १२.१००.१८ ॥
The deployment of those who retreat, the concealment of foot soldiers, and the repulsing of a slain foe are the refuge in time of peril.
12.100.19
सप्तर्पीन्पृष्ठतः कृत्वा युध्येयुरचला इव ।
अनेन विधिना शत्रूञ्जिगीषेतापि दुर्जयान् ॥ १२.१००.१९ ॥
Placing the seven sages behind, let them fight like unmoving mountains. By this method one should desire to conquer even the hard-to-conquer foes.
12.100.20
यतो वायुर्यतः सूर्यो यतः सोमस्ततो जयः ।
पूर्वंपूर्वं ज्याय एषां सन्निपाते युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.१००.२० ॥
From whatever quarter the wind blows, where the sun is, where the moon is, from there comes victory. O Yudhiṣṭhira, in a clash, the earlier of these is superior.
12.100.21
अकर्द -मनुदकाममर्यादामलोष्टकाम् ।
अश्वभूमिं प्रशंसन्ति ये युद्धकुशला जनाः ॥ १२.१००.२१ ॥
Those skilled in war praise ground for horses, free of mud, water, boundaries, and clods.
12.100.22
समा निरुदकाकाशा रथभूमिः प्रशस्यते ।
नीचद्रुमा महाकक्षा सोदका हस्तियोधिनाम् ॥ १२.१००.२२ ॥
Level ground without water and under open sky is praised for chariots. For elephant-fighters, ground with low trees, great thickets, and water is good.
12.100.23
बहुदुर्गा महाकक्षा वेणुवेत्रतिरस्कृता ।
पदातीनां क्षमा भूमिः पर्वतोपवनानि च ॥ १२.१००.२३ ॥
Ground with many strongholds, great thickets, and covered with bamboo and cane is suitable for infantry, as are mountains and groves.
12.100.24
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत ।
रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते ॥ १२.१००.२४ ॥
O Bhārata, an army rich in infantry becomes firm. An army rich in chariots and horses is praised on auspicious days.
12.100.25
पदातिनागबहुला प्रावृट्काले प्रशस्यते ।
गुणानेतान्प्रसंख्याय देशकालौ प्रयोजयेत् ॥ १२.१००.२५ ॥
An army rich in foot-soldiers and elephants is praised in the rainy season. Having thoroughly considered these qualities, one should employ place and time accordingly.
12.100.26
एवं संचिन्त्य यो याति तिथिनक्षत्रपूजितः ।
विजयं लभते नित्यं सेनां सम्यक्प्रयोजयन् ॥ १२.१००.२६ ॥
He who, having reflected thus, marches forth honoring the lunar days and asterisms, and deploys the army properly, always obtains victory.
12.100.27
प्रसुप्तांस्तृषिताञ्श्रान्तान्प्रकीर्णान्नाभिघातयेत् ।
मोक्षे प्रयाणे चलने पानभोजनकालयोः।
अतिक्षिप्तान्व्यतिक्षिप्तान्निहतान्प्रतनूकृतान् ॥ १२.१००.२७ ॥
One should not strike those who are asleep, thirsty, weary, or scattered, nor at times of halting, marching, movement, or drinking and eating. Nor should one strike those who are utterly routed, dispersed, slain, or weakened.
12.100.28
अविस्रब्धान्कृतारम्भानुपन्यासात्प्रतापितान् ।
बहिश्वरानुपन्यासान्कृतवेश्मानुसारिणः ॥ १२.१००.२८ ॥
Those who are unwary, who have begun their action, who are harassed by attack, who roam outside, who approach near, and who follow up to the dwelling.
12.100.29
पारम्पर्यागते द्वारे ये केचिदनुवर्तिनः ।
परिचर्यापरोद्धारो ये च केचन वल्गिनः ॥ १२.१००.२९ ॥
Whatever followers have come to the gate by lineage, those devoted to service and protection, and some agile warriors.
12.100.30
अनीकं ये विभिदन्ति भिन्नं संस्थापयन्ति च ।
समानाशनपानास्ते कार्या द्विगुणवेतनाः ॥ १२.१००.३० ॥
Those who split the army apart, and those who re-establish what has been split, and those who share the same food and drink, should be given double wages.
12.100.31
जातिगोत्रं च विज्ञाय कर्म चानुत्तमं शुभम् ।
समानदेहरक्षार्थे कार्या द्विगुणवेतनाः।
त्रिगुणं चतुर्गुणं चैव वेतनं तेषु कारयेत् ॥ १२.१००.३१ ॥
Knowing their caste, lineage and supreme good conduct, they should be given double wages for the protection of an equal body; among them wages may also be made threefold and fourfold.
12.100.32
दशाधिपतयः कार्याः शताधिपतयस्तथा ।
ततः सहस्राधिपतिं कुर्याच्छूरमतन्द्रितम् ॥ १२.१००.३२ ॥
Lords of ten should be appointed, and likewise lords of a hundred; then one should make a brave, untiring man the lord of a thousand.
12.100.33
यथा मुख्यान्सन्निपात्य वक्तव्याः संशयामहे ।
यथा जयार्थं संग्रामे न जह्याम परस्परम् ॥ १२.१००.३३ ॥
Having gathered the chief men, one should say that we are in doubt, so that for the sake of victory in battle we do not abandon one another.
12.100.34
इहैव ते निवर्तन्तां ये च केचन भीरवः ।
न घातयेयुः प्रदरं कुर्वाणास्तुमुले सति ॥ १२.१००.३४ ॥
Let whoever are cowards turn back right here; let them not, by causing a rout in the tumult, bring about the killing of others.
12.100.35
न सन्निपाते प्रदरं वधं वा कुर्युरीदृशाः ।
आत्मानं च स्वपक्षं च पालयन्हन्ति संयुगे ॥ १२.१००.३५ ॥
Such men should not cause a rout or killing in the clash; he who strikes in battle while protecting himself and his own side is the one who truly stands.
12.100.36
अर्थनाशो वधोऽकीर्तिरयशश्च पलायने ।
अमनोज्ञाऽसुखा वाचः पुरुषस्य पलायतः ॥ १२.१००.३६ ॥
In flight there is loss of wealth, death, infamy and disgrace; a man who flees must hear words that are unpleasant and painful.
12.100.37
प्रतिध्वस्तोष्ठदन्तस्य न्यस्तसर्वायुधस्य च ।
हित्वा पलायमानस्य सहायान्प्राणसंशये।
अमित्रैरवरुद्धस्य द्विषतामस्तु नः सदा ॥ १२.१००.३७ ॥
Let such a state always befall our enemies, and never us: one whose lips and teeth are smashed, who has laid down all his weapons, who flees in mortal peril abandoning his companions, and is surrounded by foes.
12.100.38
मनुष्यापसदा ह्येते ये भवन्ति पराङ्भुखाः ।
राशिवर्धनमात्रास्ते नैव ते प्रेत्य नो इह ॥ १२.१००.३८ ॥
Those who turn their backs and flee are base among men; they merely swell the heap of the slain. Neither after death nor here do they obtain anything.
12.100.39
अमित्रा हृष्टमनसः प्रत्युद्यान्ति पलायिनम् ।
जयिनस्तु नरास्तात मङ्गलैर्वन्दनेन च ॥ १२.१००.३९ ॥
Enemies with gladdened hearts come forth to meet the man who flees; but, dear son, victorious men are welcomed with auspicious words and with praise.
12.100.40
यस्य स्म व्यसने राजन्ननुमोदन्ति शत्रवः ।
तदसह्यतरं दुःखं मन्यन्ते मरणादपि ॥ १२.१००.४० ॥
O king, that suffering in which enemies rejoice at one's misfortune, men consider more unbearable even than death.
12.100.41
श्रियं जानीत धर्मस्य मूलं सर्वसुखस्य च ।
या भीरूणां पराख्यातिः शूरस्तामधिगच्छति ॥ १२.१००.४१ ॥
Know that fortune is the root of dharma and of all happiness; that infamy which cowards incur, the hero attains.
12.100.42
ते वयं स्वर्गमिच्छन्तः संग्रामे त्यक्तजीविताः ।
जयन्तो वध्यमाना वा प्राप्नुयाम च सद्गतिम् ॥ १२.१००.४२ ॥
Desiring heaven, we shall fight in battle, having given up our lives — whether we conquer or are slain, may we obtain a good destiny.
12.100.43
एवं संशप्तशपथाः समभित्यक्तजीविताः ।
अमित्रवाहिनीं वीराः प्रतिगाहन्त्यभीरवः ॥ १२.१००.४३ ॥
Thus, having sworn their binding oath and abandoned their lives, the fearless heroes plunge into the army of the enemy.
12.100.44
अग्रतः पुरुषाऽनीकमसिचर्मवतां भवेत् ।
पृष्ठतः शकटानीकं कलत्रं मध्यतस्तथा ॥ १२.१००.४४ ॥
In front there should be a force of men bearing swords and shields; at the rear, a force of carts; and in the middle, the wives.
12.100.45
परेषां प्रतिघातार्थं पदातीनां च गूहनम् ।
अपि तस्मिन्पुरे वृद्धा भवेयुर्ये पुरोगमाः ॥ १२.१००.४५ ॥
And for the purpose of striking back at the enemy, the foot soldiers should also be protected; in that city, the elders who go in front should remain as well.
12.100.46
ये पुरस्तादभिमताः सत्ववन्तो मनस्विनः ।
ते पूर्वमभिवर्तेरंश्चैतानेवेतरे जनाः ॥ १२.१००.४६ ॥
Those who stand in front, who are esteemed, resolute and high-minded, should advance first; and the other people should follow precisely these.
12.100.47
अपि चोद्धर्षणं कार्यं भीरूणामपि यत्नतः ।
स्कन्धदर्शनमात्रात्तु तिष्ठेयुर्वा समीपतः ॥ १२.१००.४७ ॥
Moreover, even the timid should be carefully roused, so that merely by seeing the shoulders (of their comrades) they stand nearby.
12.100.48
संहतान्योधयेदल्पान्कामं विस्तारयेद्बहून् ।
सूचीमुखमनीकं स्यादल्पानां बहुभिः सह ॥ १२.१००.४८ ॥
A small force should be made to fight in close formation, while a large one may be spread out as desired. When few must fight against many, the formation should be a needle-point array.
12.100.49
संप्रयुक्ते निकृष्टे वा सत्यं वा यदि वाऽनृतम् ।
प्रगृह्य बाहून्क्रोशेत हन्त भग्नाः परे इति ॥ १२.१००.४९ ॥
When the sides are locked in close combat, whether the word is true or false, let him raise his arms and cry out: "Alas! The enemy is broken!"
12.100.50
आगतं मे मित्रबलं प्रहरध्वमभीतवत् ।
सत्ववन्तो निधावेयुः कुर्वन्तो भैरवान्रवान् ॥ १२.१००.५० ॥
"My allied force has arrived; strike without fear!" Let the courageous rush forward, making terrible cries.
12.100.51
क्ष्वेडाः किलकिलाशब्दाः क्रकचा गोविषाणिकाः ।
भेरीमृदङ्गपणवान्नादयेयुश्च जर्झरान् ॥ १२.१००.५१ ॥
Let roars, kilakila cries, harsh rasping sounds, horns made of cows' horns, bherī drums, mṛdaṅgas and paṇavas sound out, and let the jharjharas ring as well.