Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.103
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12.103.1
कथं मृदौ कथं तीक्ष्णे महापक्षे च भारत ।
अरौ वर्तेत नृपतिस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.१०३.१ ॥
O Bhārata, how should a king conduct himself toward an enemy, gentle or harsh, with great allies? Tell me that, O grandsire.
12.103.2
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
बृहस्पतेश्च संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.१०३.२ ॥
Here too, people recount this ancient tale: the dialogue of Bṛhaspati and Indra, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
12.103.3
बृहस्पतिं देवपतिरभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः ।
उपसंगम्य पप्रच्छ वासवः परवीरहा ॥ १२.१०३.३ ॥
Vāsava, lord of the gods, slayer of enemy heroes, bowed to Bṛhaspati, joined his palms, approached, and asked.
12.103.4
अहितेषु कथं ब्रह्मन्प्रवर्तेयमतन्द्रितः ।
असमुछिद्य चैवैतान्नियच्छेयमुपायतः ॥ १२.१०३.४ ॥
O Brahmin, how should I act toward enemies, unwearied? And how should I restrain them by expedients, without uprooting them entirely?
12.103.5
सेनयोर्थ्यतिषङ्गे च जयः साधारणो भवेत् ।
किं कुर्वाणं न मां जह्याज्ज्वलिता श्रीः प्रतापिनी ॥ १२.१०३.५ ॥
When victory in a clash of two armies over a goal is shared, what should I do so that blazing, mighty Śrī does not abandon me?
12.103.6
ततो र्मार्थकामानां कुशलः प्रतिभानवान् ।
राजधर्मविधानज्ञः प्रत्युवाच पुरंदरम् ॥ १२.१०३.६ ॥
Then he, skilled in wealth and desire, resourceful, knowing the rules of kingly duty, answered Purandara.
12.103.7
न जा कलहेनेच्छेन्नियन्तुमपकारिणः ।
बालैर सवितं ह्येतद्यदमर्षो यदक्षमा ॥ १२.१०३.७ ॥
One should never desire to restrain those who do harm by quarrel; for this, indeed, is hard even for children to bear—anger and lack of forbearance, just this.
12.103.8
न शत्रुर्विवृतः कार्यो वधमस्याभिकाङ्क्षता ॥ १२.१०३.८ ॥
One who desires his destruction should not let an enemy be exposed.
12.103.9
क्रोधं भयं च हर्षं च नियम्य स्वयमात्मनि ।
अमित्र पसेवेत विश्वस्तवदविश्वसन् ॥ १२.१०३.९ ॥
Having restrained anger, fear and joy within himself, let him attend upon an enemy as one who trusts, yet without trusting.
12.103.10
प्रियमेव वदेन्नित्यं नाप्रियं किंचिदाचरेत् ।
विरमेच्छुष्कवैरेभ्यः कर्णजापं च वर्जयेत् ॥ १२.१०३.१० ॥
Let him always speak only what is pleasant and do nothing unpleasant; let him refrain from empty enmities, and avoid whispering in the ear.
12.103.11
यथा वैतंसिको युक्तो द्विजानां सदृशस्वरः ।
तान्द्विजान्कुरुते वश्यांस्तथायुक्तो महीपतिः।
वशं चोपनयेच्छत्रून्निहन्याच्च पुंरदर ॥ १२.१०३.११ ॥
As a fowler, skilled and having a voice like that of the twice-born, brings those twice-born under his control, so should a king, applying himself rightly, bring his enemies under control and slay them, O Purandara.
12.103.12
न नित्यं परिभूयारीन्सुखं स्वपिति वासव ।
जागर्त्येव हि दुष्टात्मा संकरेऽग्निरिवोत्थितः ॥ १२.१०३.१२ ॥
One should not always sleep in comfort after subduing one's enemies, O Vāsava; for the wicked-minded one is always awake, like a fire risen in confusion.
12.103.13
न सन्निपातः कर्तव्यः सामान्ये विजये सति ।
विश्वास्यैवोपसंनम्यो वशे कृत्वा रिपुः प्रभो ॥ १२.१०३.१३ ॥
When an ordinary victory has been won, one should not make a direct clash with the enemy. O lord, having first gained his trust and brought him under control, one should approach him with humility.
12.103.14
संप्रधार्य सहामात्यैर्मन्त्रविद्भिर्महात्मभिः ।
उपेक्ष्यमाणो विज्ञातो हृदयेनापराजितः।
अथास्य प्रहरेत्काले विधेर्वित्तलितो यदा ॥ १२.१०३.१४ ॥
Having deliberated well with ministers and great-souled men versed in counsel, one should strike at the proper time, when fate has shaken him, that enemy who has been neglected, whose heart has been known, and who is unconquered in spirit.
12.103.15
दण्डं च दूषयेदस्य पुरुषैराप्तकारिभिः ॥ १२.१०३.१५ ॥
And one should corrupt his army through trusted agents.
12.103.16
आदिमध्यावसानज्ञान्प्रच्छन्नं च विचारयेत् ।
बलानि दूषयेदस्य जानन्नेव प्रमाणतः ॥ १२.१०३.१६ ॥
One should secretly investigate through men who know the beginning, middle and end, and only knowing his strengths accurately should one corrupt them.
12.103.17
भेदेनोपप्रदानेन संसृजेदौषधैस्तथा ।
न त्वेव खलु संसर्गं रोचयेदरिभिः सह ॥ १२.१०३.१७ ॥
One should join with others by sowing division, by gifts, and likewise by such remedies; but one should certainly not desire close association with enemies.
12.103.18
दीर्घकालमपीक्षेत्त निग्राह्या एव शत्रवः ।
कालकाङ्गी च युक्तः सन्नुपासीत शचीपते ॥ १२.१०३.१८ ॥
Even for a long time one should watch for the enemies, for enemies are indeed to be subdued; and, desiring the right moment and remaining disciplined, O lord of Śacī, one should await it.
12.103.19
तथा प्रियं च वक्तव्यं यथा विस्रम्भमाप्नुयात् ।
न सद्योऽरीन्विहन्याच्च द्रष्टव्यो विजयो ध्रुवः।
भूयः शल्यं घटयति नवं च कुरुते व्रणम् ॥ १२.१०३.१९ ॥
So too one should speak pleasantly, so as to win trust. One should not strike down enemies at once; one should see that victory is certain. (Haste) drives the thorn in again and makes a fresh wound.
12.103.20
प्राप्ते च प्रहरेत्काले न च संवर्तते पुनः ।
हन्तुकामस्य देवेन्द्र पुरुषस्य रिपून्प्रति ॥ १२.१०३.२० ॥
When the right time comes, one should strike; and once it has passed, it does not return. O lord of the gods, so should a man do who desires to slay his enemies.
12.103.21
यं हि कालो व्यतिक्रामेत्पुरुषं कालकाङ्क्षिणम् ।
दुर्लभः स पुनस्तेन कालः कर्म चिकीर्षता ॥ १२.१०३.२१ ॥
When time passes by a man who waits for the right moment, that moment is hard for him to obtain again; for one who wishes to act, it does not come back.
12.103.22
औजस्यं जनयेदेव संगृह्णन्साधुसंमतम् ।
कालेन साधयेत्कृत्यमप्राप्तो न हि पीडयेत् ॥ १२.१०३.२२ ॥
Gathering the vigor approved by the good, one should cultivate it. One should accomplish the task in due time; one should not oppress what has not yet arrived by haste.
12.103.23
विहाय कामं क्रोधं च तथाऽहंकारमेव च ।
युक्तो विवरमन्विच्छेदहितानां सदा नृपः ॥ १२.१०३.२३ ॥
Having abandoned desire, anger and likewise self-conceit, the king, ever alert, should always seek out the weak spot of his enemies.
12.103.24
मार्दवं दण्ड आलस्यं प्रमादश्च सुरोत्तम ।
मायाः सुविहिताः शक्र शातयन्त्यविचक्षणम् ॥ १२.१०३.२४ ॥
O best of gods, gentleness, punishment, sloth and negligence — O Śakra — skilfully arranged wiles bring down the unwise.
12.103.25
निहत्यैतानि चत्वारि मायां प्रतिविधाय च ।
ततः शक्नोति शत्रूणां प्रहर्तुमविचारयन् ॥ १२.१०३.२५ ॥
Having destroyed these four and countered deceit, then he is able to strike the enemies without deliberation.
12.103.26
यदेवैतेन शक्येत गुह्यं कर्तुं तदाऽऽचरेत् ।
यच्छन्ति सतिवा गुह्यं मिथो विश्रावयन्त्यपि ॥ १२.१०३.२६ ॥
Whatever can be done secretly by this means, that one should undertake; some even, though present, reveal a secret to one another.
12.103.27
अशक्यमिति कृत्वा वा ततोऽन्यैः संविदं चरेत् ।
ब्रह्मदण्डमदृष्टेषु दृष्टेषु चतुरङ्गिणीम् ॥ १२.१०३.२७ ॥
Deeming it impossible, or else, one should make an agreement with others; against the unseen, the rod of the Brahmin; against the seen, the fourfold army.
12.103.28
भेदं च प्रथमं विद्यात्तूष्णीं दण्डं तथैव च ।
काले प्रयोजयेद्राजा तस्मिंस्तस्मिंस्तदातदा ॥ १२.१०३.२८ ॥
One should first know division, and likewise silent punishment; the king should apply these at the right time, in each case, at each occasion.
12.103.29
प्रणिपातं च गच्छेत काले शत्रोर्बलीयसः ।
युक्तोऽस्य वधमन्विच्छेदप्रमत्तः प्रमाद्यतः ॥ १२.१०३.२९ ॥
At the right time, before a mightier enemy one should go to submission; being vigilant and intent, one should seek the destruction of the heedless one.
12.103.30
प्रणिपातेन दानेन वाचा मधुरया ब्रुवन् ।
अमित्रमुपसेवेत न च जातु विशङ्कयेत् ॥ १२.१०३.३० ॥
Speaking sweetly with submission, gifts and gentle words, one should attend upon the enemy, and never be suspicious.
12.103.31
स्थानानि शङ्कितानां च नित्यमेव विवर्जयेत् ।
न च तेष्वाश्वसेद्राजा जाग्रतीह निराकृताः ॥ १२.१०३.३१ ॥
A king should always avoid the haunts of those who are suspected, and should not trust them; staying watchful here, he should beware of those who have been cast out.
12.103.32
न ह्यतो दुष्करं कर्म किंचिदस्ति सुरोत्तम ।
यथा विविधवृत्तानामैश्वर्यममराधिप ॥ १२.१०३.३२ ॥
O best of gods, there is no deed more difficult than this, like sovereignty for those of various conduct, O lord of the immortals.
12.103.33
तथा विविधशीलानामपि संभव उच्यते ।
प्रयतेद्योगमास्थाय मित्रामित्रानधारयन् ॥ १२.१०३.३३ ॥
Likewise, success is said to be possible for those of various dispositions; one should strive, resorting to expedients, keeping friends and enemies in mind.
12.103.34
मृदुमप्यवमन्यन्ते तीक्ष्णादुद्विजते जनः ।
मातीक्ष्णो मा मृदुर्भूस्त्वं तीक्ष्णो भव मृदुर्भव ॥ १२.१०३.३४ ॥
People despise even the gentle, and are alarmed by the harsh; do not be too harsh, nor too gentle; be harsh, and be gentle.
12.103.35
यथा वप्रे वेगवति सर्वतः संप्लतोदके ।
नित्यं विचरणाद्वाधस्तथा राज्यं प्रमाद्यतः ॥ १२.१०३.३५ ॥
As harm comes from constantly wandering on an embankment when swift water floods on every side, so harm comes to the kingdom of a negligent king.
12.103.36
न बहूनुपरुध्येत यौगपद्येन शात्रवान् ।
साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेन च पुरंदर ॥ १२.१०३.३६ ॥
One should not besiege many enemies at once; O Purandara, by conciliation, gifts, division and force (one by one, bring them under control).
12.103.37
एकैकमेषां निष्पिष्य शिष्टेषु निपुणं चरेत् ।
न तु शक्तोऽपि मेधावी सर्वानेवाचरेद्बुधः ॥ १२.१०३.३७ ॥
Crushing these one by one, one should skilfully deal with the rest; but even though able, the wise and intelligent man should not act against all of them at once.
12.103.38
यदा स्यान्महती सेना हयनागरथाकुला ।
पदातियन्त्रबहुला अनुरक्ता षडङ्गिनी ॥ १२.१०३.३८ ॥
When there is a great army, filled with horses, elephants and chariots, abounding in infantry and war-machines, loyal, and possessing the six limbs.
12.103.39
यदा बहुविधां वृद्धिं मन्येत प्रतियोगतः ।
तदा विवृत्य प्रहरेद्दस्यूनामविचारयन् ॥ १२.१०३.३९ ॥
When one judges that growth of many kinds is coming through opposition, then one should openly come forward and strike the robbers without deliberation.
12.103.40
न साम दण्डोपनिषत्प्रशस्यते ।
न मार्दवं शत्रुषु यात्रिकं सदा।
न सस्यघातो न च संकरक्रिया ।
न चापि भूयः प्रकृतेर्विचारणा ॥ १२.१०३.४० ॥
The secret of conciliation and punishment is not praised; constant gentleness toward enemies is not fit for a campaign; neither destruction of crops, nor the act of mixing, nor again consideration of the people.
12.103.41
मायाविभेदानुपसर्जनानि ।
वाचं तथैव प्रथमं प्रयोगात्।
आप्तैर्मनुष्यैरुपचारयेत ।
पुरेषु राष्ट्रेषु च संप्रयुक्तान् ॥ १२.१०३.४१ ॥
Deceptions, divisions and subordinate means; likewise first the use of speech; by trusted men one should set to work those deployed in cities and realms.
12.103.42
पुराऽपि चैताननुसृत्य भूमिपाः ।
पुरेषु भोगानखिलाञ्जयन्ति
पुरेषु नीतिं विहितां यथाविधि ।
प्रयोजयन्तो बलवृत्रसूदन ॥ १२.१०३.४२ ॥
Formerly too, kings following these conquered all the enjoyments of the cities, employing the policy prescribed in the cities according to rule, O slayer of Vṛtra's might.
12.103.43
प्रदाय गूढानि वसूनि नाम ।
प्रच्छिद्य भोगानपहाय च स्वान्।
दुष्टाः स्वदोषैरिति कीर्तयित्वा ।
पुरेषु राष्ट्रेषु च योजयन्ति ॥ १२.१०३.४३ ॥
Having given hidden wealth, having named them, having cut off or taken away their own enjoyments, and having proclaimed that the wicked are such through their own faults, they employ (spies) in cities and realms.
12.103.44
तथैव चान्यैरपि शास्त्रवेदिभिः ।
स्वलंकृतैः शास्त्रविधानलिङ्गितैः।
सुशिक्षितैर्भाष्यकथाविशारदैः ।
परेषु कृत्यामुपधारयेच्च ॥ १२.१०३.४४ ॥
In the same way, by others also, who know the treatises, who are well adorned, marked by the rules of the treatises, well trained, and skilled in discourse and exposition, he should ascertain the task among the enemies.
12.103.45
कानि लिङ्गानि दुष्टस्य भवन्ति द्विजसत्तम ।
कथं दुष्टं विजानीयादेतत्पुष्टो ब्रवीहि मे ॥ १२.१०३.४५ ॥
What are the marks of a wicked man, O best of the twice-born? How should one recognize the wicked? Tell me this, O well-informed one.
12.103.46
परोक्षमगुणानाह सद्रुणानभ्यसूयति ।
परैर्वा कीर्त्यमानेषु तूष्णीमास्ते पराङ्भुखः ॥ १२.१०३.४६ ॥
He speaks of others' faults in their absence, envies good qualities, and when others are praised he sits silent and turns away.
12.103.47
तूष्णींभावेऽपि विज्ञेयं न चेद्भवति कारणम् ।
विश्वासं चोष्ठसंदंशं शिरसश्च प्रकम्पनम् ॥ १२.१०३.४७ ॥
Even in silence it should be recognized, if there is no cause: distrust, biting of the lips, and trembling of the head.
12.103.48
करोत्यभीक्ष्णं संसृष्टमसंसृष्टश्च भाषते ।
अदृष्टवद्विकुरुते दृष्ट्वा वा नाभिभाषते ॥ १२.१०३.४८ ॥
He constantly mingles with someone and speaks to one who does not mingle; he behaves as if he has not seen, or having seen, does not address.
12.103.49
पृथगेत्य समश्नाति नेदमद्य यथाविधि ।
आसने शयने याने भावा लक्ष्या विशेषतः ॥ १२.१०३.४९ ॥
If he comes apart to eat and does not do so today as prescribed, his dispositions—in seating, in lying down, in travel—must be closely watched.
12.103.50
आर्तिरार्ते प्रिये प्रीतिरेतावन्मित्रलक्षणम् ।
विपरीतं तु बोद्धव्यमरिलक्षणमेव तत् ॥ १२.१०३.५० ॥
Grief at the grief of the one in pain, joy at the joy of the beloved—this much is the mark of a friend; its opposite must be understood as the mark of an enemy.
12.103.51
एतान्येव यथोक्तानि बुध्येथास्त्रिदशाधिप ।
पुरुषाणां प्रदुष्टानां स्वभावो बलवत्तरः ॥ १२.१०३.५१ ॥
Know these very signs just as described, O lord of the gods; the nature of corrupt men is exceedingly strong.
12.103.52
इति दुष्टस्य विज्ञानमुक्तं ते सुतसत्तम ।
निशाम्य शास्त्रतत्त्वार्थं यथावदमरेश्वरः ॥ १२.१०३.५२ ॥
Thus, best of sons, the knowledge of recognising the corrupt man has been told to you; the lord of the immortals, having duly heard the true meaning of the treatise, took it to heart.
12.103.53
स तद्वचः शत्रुनिबर्हणे रत ।
स्तथा चकारावितथं बृहस्पतेः।
चचार काले विजयाय चारिहा ।
वशं च शत्रूननयत्पुरंदरः ॥ १२.१०३.५३ ॥
Delighted in slaying enemies, he truly did just as Bṛhaspati had said; Purandara, slayer of foes, acted at the right time for victory and brought the enemies under his control.