Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.113
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12.113.1
राजा राज्यमनुप्राप्य दुर्बलो भरतर्षभ ।
अमित्रस्यातिवृद्धस्य कथं तिष्ठेदसाधनः ॥ १२.११३.१ ॥
O bull of the Bharatas, how can a king who has obtained his kingdom but is weak, lacking resources, stand against a very mighty enemy?
12.113.2
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
सरितां चैव संवादं सागरस्य च भारत ॥ १२.११३.२ ॥
O Bhārata, on this matter too they recount this ancient story, the dialogue of the rivers and of the ocean.
12.113.3
सुरारिनिलयः शश्वत्सागरः सरितां पतिः ।
पप्रच्छ सरितः सर्वाः संशयं जातमात्मनः ॥ १२.११३.३ ॥
The ocean, abode of the enemies of the gods, lord of rivers forever, asked all the rivers, for a doubt had arisen within him.
12.113.4
समूलशाखान्पश्यामि निहतान्क्वापि नो द्रुमान् ।
युष्माभिरिह पूर्णाभिरन्यांस्तत्र न वेतसान् ॥ १२.११३.४ ॥
I do not see trees struck down, roots and branches and all, anywhere; you come here full of water, yet I do not see the other reeds there.
12.113.5
अ-पकायश्चाल्पसारो वेतसः कूलजश्च यः ।
अज्ञया वा नानीतः किं च वा तेन वः कृतम् ॥ १२.११३.५ ॥
And the reed, of little substance and born on the bank, who was not brought in ignorance or by command... what has it done to you?
12.113.6
तदहं श्रोतुमिच्छामि सर्वासामेव वो मतम् ।
यथा चेमानि कूलानि हित्वा नायाति वेतसः ॥ १२.११३.६ ॥
Therefore I wish to hear the opinion of all of you: how is it that this reed does not come, leaving these banks?
12.113.7
तत्र प्राह नदी गङ्गा वाक्यमुत्तरमर्थवत् ।
हेतुमद्ग्राहकं चैव सागरं सरितां पतिम् ॥ १२.११३.७ ॥
There the river Gaṅgā gave the ocean, lord of rivers, a reply that was meaningful, reasoned and persuasive.
12.113.8
गङ्गोवाच ।
तिष्ठन्त्येते यथास्थानं नगा ह्येकनिकेतनाः।
ततस्त्यजन्ति तत्स्थानं प्रातिलोम्यान्न वेतसः ॥ १२.११३.८ ॥
These trees stand in their places, for they are rooted in one dwelling; but the reed, going against its nature, does not abandon that place.
12.113.9
वेतसो वेगमायान्तं दृष्ट्वा नमति नापरे ।
स च वेगे ह्यतिक्रान्ते स्थानमापद्यते पुनः ॥ १२.११३.९ ॥
Seeing the flood coming on, the reed bends, while others do not bend; and when that force has passed, it regains its place again.
12.113.10
कालज्ञः समयज्ञश्च सदावश्यश्च नो द्रुमः ।
अनुलोमवृत्तितस्तब्धस्तेन त्वां नैति वेतसः ॥ १२.११३.१० ॥
That tree knows time and occasion and is always obedient to us; firm through conduct that accords with the current, therefore the reed does not come to you.
12.113.11
मारुतोदकवेगेन ये नमन्त्युन्नमन्ति च ।
ओषध्यः पादपा गुल्मा न ते यान्ति पराभवम् ॥ १२.११३.११ ॥
Herbs, trees and shrubs that bend under the force of wind and water and then rise again do not meet defeat.
12.113.12
यो हि शत्रोर्विवृद्धस्य प्रभोर्बन्धविनाशने ।
पूर्वं न सहते वेगं क्षिप्रमेव विनश्यति ॥ १२.११३.१२ ॥
He who cannot first endure the force of a grown enemy or a mighty lord in breaking bonds perishes quickly.
12.113.13
सारासारं बलं वीर्यमात्मनो द्विषतश्च यः ।
जानन्विचरति प्राज्ञो न स याति पराभवम् ॥ १२.११३.१३ ॥
The wise man who, knowing the essence and non-essence of his own strength and valour and those of his enemy, conducts himself accordingly, does not meet defeat.
12.113.14
एवमेव यदा विद्वान्मन्यते विपुलं बलम् ।
संश्रयेद्वैतसीं वृत्तिमेतत्प्रज्ञानलक्षणम् ॥ १२.११३.१४ ॥
In the same way, when a learned man thinks his strength is great, he should still resort to the pliant conduct of the cane; this is the mark of wisdom.