Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.118
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12.118.1
स श्वा प्रकृतिमापन्नः परं दैन्यमुपागमत् ।
ऋषिणा हुंकृतः पापस्तपोवनबहिष्कृतः ॥ १२.११८.१ ॥
That dog, having fallen into its nature, came to utmost wretchedness; rebuked with a shout 'hum' by the sage, the sinner was driven out of the forest hermitage of asceticism.
12.118.2
एवं राज्ञा मतिमता विदित्वा शीलशौचताम् ।
आर्जवं प्रकृतिं सत्वं श्रुतं वृत्तं कुलं दमम् ॥ १२.११८.२ ॥
Thus the wise king, having learned good conduct and purity, straightforwardness, nature, character, learning, conduct, lineage and self-control, should choose his servants.
12.118.3
अनुक्रोशं बलं वीर्यं प्रभावं प्रशमं क्षमाम् ।
भृत्यायेमन्त्रिणो योग्यास्तत्र स्थाप्याः सुरक्षिताः ॥ १२.११८.३ ॥
Qualified ministers, endowed with compassion, strength, valour, influence, tranquillity and forbearance, should be placed there in service, well protected.
12.118.4
नाषरीक्ष्य महीपालः प्रकर्तुं भृत्यमर्हति ।
अकुलीननराकीर्णो न राजा सुखमेधते ॥ १२.११८.४ ॥
A king, without examining him, should not employ a servant. A king filled with men of low birth does not thrive in happiness.
12.118.5
कुलजः प्राकृतो राजंस्तत्कुलीनतया सदा ।
न पापे कुरुते बुद्धिं निन्द्यमानोऽप्यनागसि ॥ १२.११८.५ ॥
O king, a common man born of a noble lineage, by virtue of that nobility, never turns his mind to sin, even when reproached though innocent.
12.118.6
अकुलीनस्तु पुरुषः प्राकृतः साधुसंक्षयात् ।
दुर्लभैश्वर्यतां प्राप्तो निन्दितः शत्रुतां व्रजेत् ॥ १२.११८.६ ॥
But a common man of low birth, through the destruction of good men, having attained rare power, is reproached and comes to enmity.
12.118.7
काकः श्वानोऽकुलीनश्च बिडालः सर्प एव च ।
अकुलीना च या नारी तुल्यास्ते परिकीर्तिताः ॥ १२.११८.७ ॥
The crow, the dog, the man of low birth, the cat and the snake, and the woman of low birth — these are declared to be alike.
12.118.8
लोकपालाः सदोद्विग्नाः पश्यन्त्यकुलजान्यथा ।
नारीं वा पुरुषं वाऽथ शीलं तत्रापि कारणम् ॥ १२.११८.८ ॥
The world-guardians are always troubled; they regard a woman or a man of low birth in that way too, and there, too, the cause is conduct.
12.118.9
दुष्कुलीना च या स्त्री स्याद्दुष्कुलीनश्च यः पुम ।
अहिंसाशीलसंयोगाद्धर्मश्चाऽऽकुलतां व्रजेत् ॥ १२.११८.९ ॥
A woman of base family, or a man of base family, joined to the conduct of nonviolence — even dharma may come to be in confusion.
12.118.10
धर्मं प्रति महाराज श्लोकानाह बृहस्पतिः ।
शृणु सर्वान्महीपाल हृदि तांश्च करिष्यसि ॥ १२.११८.१० ॥
Great king, Bṛhaspati spoke these verses concerning dharma. Listen to them all, O protector of the earth; you will keep them in your heart.
12.118.11
असितं सितकर्माणं यथा दान्तं तपस्विनम् ।
वृत्तस्थमपि चण्डालं तं देवा ब्राह्मणं विदुः ॥ १२.११८.११ ॥
One who is dark yet does bright deeds, self-controlled and an ascetic, abiding in conduct — even if he is an outcaste, the gods know him as a brāhmaṇa.
12.118.12
यदि घातयते कश्चित्पापसत्वं प्रजाहितः ।
सर्वसत्वहितार्थाय न तेनासौ विहिंसकः ॥ १२.११८.१२ ॥
If someone who cares for the people has a creature of evil nature slain, he is not a harmer, because it is done for the welfare of all beings.
12.118.13
द्वीपिनं शरभं सिंहं व्याघ्रं कुञ्जरमेव च ।
महिषं च वराहं च सूकरं श्वानपन्नगान् ॥ १२.११८.१३ ॥
The leopard, the sharabha, the lion, the tiger, the elephant, the buffalo, the wild boar, the pig, dogs, and serpents.
12.118.14
गोब्राह्मणहितार्थाय बालस्त्रीरक्षणाय च ।
वृद्धातुरपरित्राणे यो हिनस्ति स धर्मवित् ॥ १२.११८.१४ ॥
He who kills for the welfare of cows and brahmins, for the protection of children and women, and for the rescue of the old and the sick, is one who knows dharma.
12.118.15
ब्राह्मणः पापकर्मा च म्लेच्छो वा धार्मिकः शु वः ।
श्रेयांस्तत्र भवेन्म्लेच्छो ब्राह्मणः पापकृत्तमः ॥ १२.११८.१५ ॥
Whether a brahmin doing evil deeds or a righteous barbarian, the barbarian there would be the better; the brahmin who does sin is the greatest sinner.
12.118.16
दुष्कुलीनः कुलीनो वा यः कश्चिच्छीलवान्नरः ।
प्रकृतिं तस्य विज्ञाय स्थिरां वा यदि वाऽस्थिराम् ॥ १२.११८.१६ ॥
Whether of low birth or of noble birth, any man of good character — having understood his nature, whether steady or unsteady.
12.118.17
शीलं वाऽनुत्तमं कर्म कुर्याद्राजा समाहितः ।
नियुञ्जीत महीपालो दुर्वृत्तं पापकर्मसु ॥ १२.११८.१७ ॥
Let the king, composed, act with supreme character or supreme deeds; let the protector of the earth appoint the ill-conducted to evil deeds.
12.118.18
कुलीनं शिक्षितं प्राज्ञं ज्ञानविज्ञानकोविदम् ।
सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञं सहिष्णुं देशजं तथा ॥ १२.११८.१८ ॥
Of noble birth, trained, wise, skilled in knowledge and understanding, knowing the true meaning of all the treatises, forbearing, and native to that land — such a one (should be appointed).
12.118.19
कृतज्ञं बलवन्तं च क्षान्तं दान्तं जितेन्द्रियम् ।
अलुब्धं लब्धसंतुष्टं स्वामिमित्रबुभूषकम् ॥ १२.११८.१९ ॥
Grateful, strong, patient, self-controlled, having mastered the senses, free from greed, content with what he has obtained, and desiring the welfare of his lord and his friends.
12.118.20
सचिवं देशकालज्ञं सर्वसंग्रहणे रतम् ।
संस्कृतं युक्तवचनं हितैषिणमतन्द्रितम् ॥ १२.११८.२० ॥
A minister should know place and time, delight in gathering all things, be refined, speak fitting words, seek welfare, and be untiring.
12.118.21
युक्ताचारं स्वविषये संधिविग्रहकोविदम् ।
शस्तं त्रिवर्गवेत्तारं पौरजानपदप्रियम् ॥ १२.११८.२१ ॥
Of proper conduct in his own domain, skilled in peace and war, praised, knowing the three aims of life, and dear to the townsfolk and the people of the countryside.
12.118.22
सेनाव्यूहनतत्त्वज्ञं बलहर्षणकोविदम् ।
इङ्गिताकरातत्त्वज्ञं यात्रासेनाविशारदम् ॥ १२.११८.२२ ॥
Knowing the principles of arraying an army, skilled in rousing the strength and spirit of the troops, knowing the true meaning of signs and bearing, and expert in the march of an army.
12.118.23
हस्तिशिक्षाश्वतत्त्वज्ञमहंकारविवर्जितम् ।
प्रगल्भं दक्षिणं दान्तं बलिनं युक्तमन्त्रिणम् ॥ १२.११८.२३ ॥
Knowing the training of elephants and the nature of horses, free from pride, bold, skilful, self-controlled, strong, and a wise counsellor.
12.118.24
चौक्षं चौक्षजनाकीर्णं सुवेषं सुखदर्शनम् ।
नायकं नीतिकुशलं गुणैः षङ्भिः समन्वितम् ॥ १२.११८.२४ ॥
Pure, surrounded by pure people, well-dressed and pleasant to behold, a leader skilled in policy, endowed with six qualities.
12.118.25
अस्तब्धं प्रश्रितं श्लक्ष्णं मृदुवादिनमेव च ।
धीरं महर्द्धि च देशकालोपपादकम् ॥ १२.११८.२५ ॥
Free of arrogance, humble, gentle, softly spoken, steadfast, greatly prosperous, and one who acts according to place and time.
12.118.26
सचि यः प्रकुरुते न चैनमवमन्यते ।
तस्य विस्तीर्यते राज्यं ज्योत्स्ना ग्रहपतेरिव ॥ १२.११८.२६ ॥
He who honours his counsellors and does not despise them, his kingdom spreads out like the moonlight of the lord of the planets.
12.118.27
एतैरेव गुणैर्युक्तो राजा शास्त्रविशारदः ।
एष्टव्यो धर्मपरमः प्रजापालनतत्परः ॥ १२.११८.२७ ॥
Only a king endowed with these very qualities, skilled in the sacred treatises, supremely devoted to dharma and intent on protecting his subjects, is worthy to be chosen.
12.118.28
धीरो मर्षी शुचिः शीघ्रः काले पुरुषकारवित् ।
शुश्रूषुः श्रुतवाञ्श्रोता ऊहापोहविशारदः ॥ १२.११८.२८ ॥
Steadfast, forbearing, pure, swift, knowing the use of effort at the right time, eager to listen, learned, an attentive hearer, and skilled in weighing arguments for and against.
12.118.29
मेधावी धारणायुक्तो यथान्यायोपपादकः ।
दान्तः सदा प्रियाभाषी क्षमावांश्च विपर्यये ॥ १२.११८.२९ ॥
Wise and retentive of memory, acting in accordance with justice, always self-controlled, speaking pleasantly, and forbearing in adversity.
12.118.30
नातिच्छेत्ता स्वयंकारी श्रद्धालुः सुखदर्शनः ।
आर्तहस्तप्रदो नित्यमाप्तामात्यो नये रतः ॥ १२.११८.३० ॥
Not one who cuts down too much, who acts on his own judgment, faithful, easy to approach, always giving a helping hand to the distressed, with trustworthy ministers, and devoted to sound policy.
12.118.31
नाहंवादी ननिर्द्वन्द्वो नयत्किंचनकारकः ।
कृते कर्मण्यमोघानां कर्ता भृत्यजनप्रियः ॥ १२.११८.३१ ॥
He does not speak with arrogance, is free from the pairs of opposites, and does whatever must be done; he accomplishes fruitful deeds and is dear to his servants and people.
12.118.32
संगृहीतजनोऽस्तब्धः प्रसन्नवदनः सदा ।
त्राता भृत्यजनापेक्षी न क्रोधी सुमहामनाः ॥ १२.११८.३२ ॥
He gathers people around him, is unassuming, always cheerful of face; a protector, attentive to his servants, not angry, and greatly magnanimous.
12.118.33
युक्तदण्डो न निर्दण्डो धर्मकार्यानुशासनः ।
चारनेत्रः प्रजावेक्षी धर्मार्थकुशलः सदा ॥ १२.११८.३३ ॥
He applies punishment rightly, is not without punishment, and directs the duties of dharma; his spies are his eyes, he watches over his subjects, and he is always skilled in dharma and wealth.
12.118.34
राजा गुणशताकीर्ण एष्टव्यस्तादृशो भवेत् ।
योधाश्चैव मनुष्येन्द्र सर्वैर्गुणगणैर्वृताः ॥ १२.११८.३४ ॥
A king should be one endowed with a hundred virtues, and such a one should be sought; and warriors, O lord of men, should likewise be endowed with all multitudes of qualities.
12.118.35
अन्वेष्टव्याः सुपुरुषाः सहाया राज्यधारणे ।
न विमानयितव्यास्ते राज्ञा वृद्धिमभीप्सता ॥ १२.११८.३५ ॥
Excellent men should be sought out as helpers in upholding the kingdom; and a king who desires prosperity should not dishonor them.
12.118.36
योधाः समरशौण्डीराः कृतज्ञाः शास्त्रकोविदाः ।
धर्मशास्त्रसमायुक्ताः पदातिजनसंवृताः ॥ १२.११८.३६ ॥
Warriors should be skilled in battle, grateful, learned in the scriptures, endowed with the science of dharma, and surrounded by foot soldiers.
12.118.37
अर्थमानविवृद्धाश्च रथचर्याविशारदाः ।
इष्वस्त्रकुशला यस्य तस्येयं नृपतेर्मही ॥ १२.११८.३७ ॥
That king's is this earth whose warriors, grown great in wealth and honour, are skilled in driving chariots and expert with arrows and weapons.
12.118.38
ज्ञातीनामनवज्ञानं भृत्येष्वशठता तथा ।
नैपुणं चार्थचर्यासु यस्यैते तस्य सा मही ॥ १२.११८.३८ ॥
That king's is this earth in whom these qualities are found: he does not despise his kinsmen, is sincere toward his servants, and is skilful in the conduct of affairs.
12.118.39
आलस्यं चैव निद्रा च व्यसनान्यतिहास्यता ।
यस्तैतानि न विद्यन्ते तस्यैव सुचिरं मही ॥ १२.११८.३९ ॥
That king's is this earth for a long time in whom these are not found: idleness, sleep, vices, and excessive levity.
12.118.40
वृद्धसेवी महोत्साहो वर्णानां चैव रक्षिता ।
धर्मचर्याः सदा यस्य तस्येयं सुचिरं मही ॥ १२.११८.४० ॥
That king's is this earth for a long time who serves the elders, has great energy, protects the social orders, and always practises dharma.
12.118.41
नीतिवर्त्मानुसरणं नित्यमुत्थानमेव च ।
रिपूणामनवज्ञानं तस्येयं सुचिरं मही ॥ १२.११८.४१ ॥
That king's is this earth for a long time who constantly follows the path of statecraft, is always ready to act, and does not despise his enemies.
12.118.42
उत्थानं चैव दैवं च तयोर्नानात्वमेव च ।
मनुना वर्णितं पूर्वं वक्ष्ये शृणु तदेव हि ॥ १२.११८.४२ ॥
Effort and fate, and the difference between the two, were described formerly by Manu; I will tell you that very thing. Listen.
12.118.43
उत्थानं हि नरेन्द्राणां बृहस्पतिरभाषत ।
नयानयविधानज्ञः सदा भव कुरूद्वह ॥ १२.११८.४३ ॥
Bṛhaspati declared the rule of effort for kings: O best of the Kurus, always be one who knows the rules of right and wrong policy.
12.118.44
दुर्हृदां छिद्रदर्शी यः सुहृदामुपकारवान् ।
विशेषविच्च भृत्यानां स राज्यफलमश्नुते ॥ १२.११८.४४ ॥
He who watches for the weaknesses of enemies, does good to friends, and knows the distinctions among servants, enjoys the fruit of kingship.
12.118.45
सर्वसंग्रहणे युक्तो नृपो भवति यः सदा ।
उत्थानशीलो मन्त्राढ्यः स राजा राजसत्तमः ॥ १२.११८.४५ ॥
The king who is always devoted to gathering everything together, energetic in disposition, and rich in counsel, he is the best of kings.
12.118.46
शक्या चाश्वसहस्रेण वीरारोहेण भारत ।
संगृहीतमनुष्येण कृत्स्ना जेतुं वसुंधरा ॥ १२.११८.४६ ॥
O Bhārata, with a thousand horses and heroic riders, and with an army of well-gathered men, it is possible to conquer the entire earth.