Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.15
हिन्दी · தமிழ் · తెలుగు · ಕನ್ನಡ · മലയാളം · বাংলা · मराठी · ગુજરાતી · ਪੰਜਾਬੀ · ଓଡ଼ିଆ · اردو · English · Español · Français · Deutsch · Português · Русский · 中文 · 日本語 · العربية · Bahasa Indonesia · ไทย
12.15.1
याज्ञसेन्या वचः श्रुत्वा पुनरेवार्जुनोऽब्रवीत् ।
अनुमान्य महाबाहुं ज्येष्ठं भ्रातरमीश्वरम् ॥ १२.१५.१ ॥
Having heard Draupadī's words, Arjuna spoke again, addressing respectfully the mighty-armed eldest brother, the lord.
12.15.2
दण्डः शास्ति प्रजाः सर्वा दण्ड एवाभिरक्षति ।
दण्डः सुप्तेषु जागर्ति दण्डं धर्मं विदुर्बुधाः ॥ १२.१५.२ ॥
Punishment governs all subjects; punishment alone protects them. Punishment stays awake among those who sleep; the wise know punishment itself as dharma.
12.15.3
दण्डः संरक्षते धर्मं तथैवार्यं जनाधिप ।
कामं संरक्षते दण्डस्त्रिवर्गो दण्ड उच्यते ॥ १२.१५.३ ॥
O lord of men, punishment protects dharma, and likewise protects what is proper. Punishment also protects desire; punishment is called the threefold aim.
12.15.4
दण्डेन रक्ष्यते धान्यं धनं दण्डेन रक्ष्यते ।
एतद्विद्वानुपादाय स्वभावं पश्य लौकिकम् ॥ १२.१५.४ ॥
By punishment grain is protected; by punishment wealth is protected. Knowing this, look upon the nature of the worldly.
12.15.5
राजदण्डभयादेके नराः पापं न कुर्वते ।
यमदण्डभयादेके परलोकभयादपि ॥ १२.१५.५ ॥
From fear of the king's punishment some men do not commit sin; from fear of Yama's punishment some do, and also from fear of the next world.
12.15.6
परस्परभयादेके पापाः पापं न कुर्वते ।
एवं सांसिद्धिके लोके सर्वं दण्डे प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १२.१५.६ ॥
From mutual fear even sinful men refrain from sin. Thus in this world, everything established in human affairs rests upon punishment.
12.15.7
दण्डस्यैव भयादेके न खादन्ति परस्परम् ।
अन्धेतमसि मज्जेयुर्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.७ ॥
Some refrain from devouring one another only out of fear of punishment; were punishment not to protect, they would sink into blind darkness.
12.15.8
यस्माददान्तान्दमयत्यशिष्टान्दण्डयत्यपि ।
दमनाद्दण्डनाच्चैव तस्माद्दण्डं विदुर्बुधाः ॥ १२.१५.८ ॥
Because it tames the untamed and punishes the unruly, and by taming and punishing, the wise therefore call it daṇḍa, punishment.
12.15.9
वाचि दण्डो ब्राह्मणानां क्षत्रियाणां भुजार्पणम् ।
धनदण्डाः स्मृता वैश्या निर्दण्डः शूद्र उच्यते ॥ १२.१५.९ ॥
For brahmins the punishment is speech; for kṣatriyas, the use of the arm; for vaiśyas, fines of wealth are declared; the śūdra is called exempt from punishment.
12.15.10
असंमोहाय मर्त्यानामर्थसंरक्षणाय च ।
मर्यादा स्थापिता लोके दण्डसंज्ञा विशांपते ॥ १२.१५.१० ॥
For the sake of keeping mortals free from delusion and for protecting wealth, a boundary was established in the world, named punishment, O lord of the people.
12.15.11
यत्र श्यामो लोहिताक्षो दण्डश्चरति सूद्यतः ।
प्रजास्तत्र न मुह्यन्ति नेता चेत्साधु पश्यति ॥ १२.१५.११ ॥
Where punishment moves about, dark and red-eyed, raised aloft, the subjects are not confused, if the leader sees rightly.
12.15.12
ब्रह्मचारी गृहस्थश्च वानप्रस्थस्च भिक्षुकः ।
दण्डस्यैव भयादेते मनुष्या वर्त्मनि स्थिताः ॥ १२.१५.१२ ॥
The celibate student, the householder, the forest-dweller and the mendicant — these men keep to the path out of fear of punishment alone.
12.15.13
नाभीतो यजते राजन्नाभीतो दातुमिच्छति ।
नाभीतः पुरुषः कश्चित्समये स्थातुमिच्छति ॥ १२.१५.१३ ॥
O king, no one sacrifices without fear, no one wishes to give without fear, and no man wishes to abide by an agreement without fear.
12.15.14
नाच्छित्त्वा परमर्माणि नाकृत्वा कर्म दुष्करम् ।
नाहत्वा मत्स्यघातीव प्राप्नोति महतीं श्रियम् ॥ १२.१५.१४ ॥
Without cutting through the vital points of an enemy, without doing a difficult deed, and without striking like a fisherman, no one attains great fortune.
12.15.15
नाघ्नतः कीर्तिरस्तीह न वित्तं न पुनः प्रजाः ।
इन्द्रो वृत्रवधेनैव महेन्द्रः समपद्यत।
माहेन्द्रं च गृहं लेभे लोकानां चेश्वरोऽभवत् ॥ १२.१५.१५ ॥
For one who does not kill there is no fame here, no wealth, and no offspring again. Indra became Mahendra only through the slaying of Vṛtra; he obtained Indra's abode and became lord of the worlds.
12.15.16
य एव देवा हन्तारस्ताँल्लोकोऽर्चयते भृशम् ।
हन्तारुद्रस्तथास्कन्दः शक्रोऽग्निर्वरुणो यमः ॥ १२.१५.१६ ॥
The very gods who are slayers are greatly honoured by the world: the slayer Rudra, likewise Skanda, Śakra, Agni, Varuṇa and Yama.
12.15.17
हन्ता कालस्तथा वायुर्मृत्युर्वैश्रवणो रविः ।
वसवो मरुतः साध्या विश्वेदेवाश्च भारत ॥ १२.१५.१७ ॥
The slayer Time, likewise Wind, Death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), the sun, the Vasus, the Maruts, the Sādhyas, and the Viśvedevas too, O Bhārata.
12.15.18
एतान्देवान्नमस्यन्ति प्रतापप्रणता जनाः ।
न ब्रह्माणं न धातारं न पूषाणं कथंचन ॥ १२.१५.१८ ॥
People bowed down by power pay homage to these very gods, not to Brahmā, not to Dhātṛ, not to Pūṣan in any way.
12.15.19
मध्यस्थान्सर्वभूतेषु दान्ताञ्शमपरायणान् ।
यजन्ते मानवाः केचित्प्रशान्तान्सर्वकर्मसु ॥ १२.१५.१९ ॥
Some men worship, in all rites, those who are impartial toward all beings, self-controlled, devoted to tranquility and serene.
12.15.20
न हि पश्यामि जीवन्तं लोके कंचिदर्हिसया ।
सत्वैः सत्वा हि जीवन्ति दुर्बलैर्बलवत्तराः ॥ १२.१५.२० ॥
I see no living being in the world who lives without harming. Living beings live by living beings; the stronger live by the weaker.
12.15.21
नकुलो मूषिकानत्ति बिडालो नकुलं तथा ।
बिडालमत्ति श्वा राजञ्श्वानं व्यालमृगस्तथा ॥ १२.१५.२१ ॥
The mongoose eats mice, and the cat eats the mongoose. O king, the dog eats the cat, and likewise the beast of prey eats the dog.
12.15.22
तानत्ति पुरुषः सर्वान्पश्य धर्मो यथा गतः ।
प्राणस्यान्नमिदं सर्वं जङ्गमं स्थावरं च यत् ॥ १२.१५.२२ ॥
Man eats them all. See how the law of dharma has gone: all this, whatever moves and whatever does not move, is food for life.
12.15.23
विधानं दैवविहितं तत्र विद्वान्न मुह्यति ।
यथा सृष्टोऽसि राजेन्द्र तथा भवितुमर्हसि ॥ १२.१५.२३ ॥
This ordinance was ordained by fate, and the wise man is not bewildered by it. O lord of kings, as you were created, so you ought to be.
12.15.24
विनीतक्रोधहर्षा हि मन्दा वनमुपाश्रिताः ।
विना वधं न कुर्वन्ति तापसाः प्राणयापनम् ॥ १२.१५.२४ ॥
The gentle ascetics who have resorted to the forest, having restrained anger and joy, do not sustain their life without killing.
12.15.25
उदके बहवः प्राणाः पृथिव्यां च फलेषु च ।
न च कश्चिन्न तान्हन्ति किमन्यत्प्राणयापनम् ॥ १२.१५.२५ ॥
In water, on the earth, and in fruits there are many living beings; there is no one who does not kill them. What else is there but the sustaining of life?
12.15.26
सूक्ष्मयोनीनि भूतानि तर्कगम्यानि कानिचित् ।
पक्ष्मणोऽपि निपातेन येषां स्यात्स्कन्धपर्ययः ॥ १२.१५.२६ ॥
Some beings have subtle origins and can be known only by reasoning; the very falling of an eyelash may bring about the ruin of their bodies.
12.15.27
ग्रामान्निष्क्रम्य मुनयो विगतक्रोधमत्सराः ।
वने कुटुम्बधर्माणो दृश्यन्ते परिमोहिताः ॥ १२.१५.२७ ॥
Sages who have gone out from the village, free of anger and envy, are seen in the forest keeping household duties, yet they are deluded.
12.15.28
भूमिं भित्त्वौषधीश्छित्त्वा वृक्षादीनण्डजान्पशून् ।
मनुष्यास्तन्वये यज्ञांस्ते स्वर्गं प्राप्नुवन्ति च ॥ १२.१५.२८ ॥
Having broken the earth and cut herbs, trees and the like, and egg-born animals, men perform sacrifices, and they attain heaven.
12.15.29
दण्डनीत्यां प्रणीतायां सर्वे सिध्यन्त्युपक्रमाः ।
कौन्तेय सर्वभूतानां तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः ॥ १२.१५.२९ ॥
When the science of punishment is established, all undertakings succeed; son of Kuntī, concerning all beings there is no doubt in me about this.
12.15.30
दण्डश्चेन्न भवेल्लोके विनश्येयुरिमाः प्रजाः ।
जले मत्स्यानिवाभक्ष्यन्दुर्बलान्बलवत्तराः ॥ १२.१५.३० ॥
If punishment did not exist in the world, these subjects would perish; as in water the stronger fish devour the weaker, so the mightier would devour the weak.
12.15.31
सत्यं बतेदं ब्रह्मणा पूर्वमुक्तं दण्डः प्रजा रक्षति साधुनीतः ।
पश्याग्नयः पूतिमांसस्य भीताः सन्तर्जिता दण्डभयाज्ज्वलन्ति ॥ १२.१५.३१ ॥
It is true, as Brahmā said of old: punishment, rightly administered, protects the subjects. See how the fires, frightened by putrid flesh, blaze in fear of punishment.
12.15.32
अन्धंतम इवेदं स्यान्न प्रज्ञायेत किंचन ।
दण्डश्चेन्न भवेल्लोके विभजन्साध्वसाधुनी ॥ १२.१५.३२ ॥
If punishment did not exist in the world, all this would be like blind darkness, and nothing would be recognized, since good and bad could not be distinguished.
12.15.33
येऽपि संभिन्नमर्यादा नास्तिका वेदनिन्दकाः ।
तेऽपि भोगाय कल्पन्ते दण्डेनाशु निपीडिताः ॥ १२.१५.३३ ॥
Even those who have broken the bounds of conduct, the atheists who revile the Vedas, are quickly afflicted by punishment and thereby become fit for enjoyment.
12.15.34
सर्वो दण्डजितो लोको दुर्लभो हि शुचिर्जनः ।
दण्डस्य हि भयाद्भीतो भोगायैव प्रकल्पते ॥ १२.१५.३४ ॥
The whole world is subdued by punishment; a pure person is rare. Only one who is frightened by fear of punishment becomes fit for enjoyment.
12.15.35
चातुर्वर्ण्यप्रमोदाय सुनीतिकरणाय च ।
दण्डो विधात्रा विहितो धर्मार्थौं भुवि रक्षितुम् ॥ १२.१५.३५ ॥
For the delight of the four social classes and for establishing good conduct, the Creator ordained punishment, to protect dharma and wealth upon the earth.
12.15.36
यदि दण्डान्न विभ्येयुर्वयांसि श्वापदानि च ।
अद्युः पशून्मनुष्यांश्च यज्ञार्थानि हवींषि च ॥ १२.१५.३६ ॥
If birds and beasts of prey did not fear punishment, they would devour cattle and people, and also the oblations set aside for sacrifice.
12.15.37
न ब्रह्मचार्यधीयीत न काल्यं दुहते च गौः ।
न कन्योद्वहनं गच्छेद्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.३७ ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, the celibate student will not study, the cow will not be milked at dawn, and a maiden will not go to be married.
12.15.38
विष्वग्लोपः प्रवर्तेत भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः ।
ममत्वं न प्रजानीयुर्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.३८ ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, destruction will spread everywhere, all the dams and bridges will break, and people will not recognize the sense of 'mine'.
12.15.39
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतोभयाः ।
विधिवद्दक्षिणावन्ति यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.३९ ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, the year-long sacrificial sessions rich in fees, performed by rule and free from fear from any quarter, will not endure.
12.15.40
चरेयुर्नाश्रमे धर्मं यथोक्तं विधिमाश्रिताः ।
न विद्यां प्राप्नुयात्कश्चिद्यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.४० ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, those who rely on rule in the hermitages will not practice the duty as prescribed, and no one will obtain knowledge.
12.15.41
न चोष्ट्रा न बलीवर्दा नाश्वाश्वतरगर्दभाः ।
न विद्यां प्राप्नुर्यानानि यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.४१ ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, neither camels, nor draft oxen, nor horses, nor mules and donkeys, nor vehicles will obtain training.
12.15.42
न प्रेष्या वचनं कुर्युर्न बालो जातु कर्हिचित् ।
तिष्ठेत्पितुर्मते धर्मे यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.४२ ॥
If the rod of punishment does not protect, servants will not obey commands, and a child will never remain steadfast in the father's counsel and in duty.
12.15.43
दण्डे स्थिताः प्रजाः सर्वा भयं दण्डे विदुर्बुधाः ।
दण्डे स्वर्गो मनुष्याणां लोकोऽयं च प्रतिष्ठितः ॥ १२.१५.४३ ॥
All subjects rest upon punishment; the wise know fear through punishment. Heaven for human beings lies in punishment, and this world too is established upon it.
12.15.44
न तत्र कूटं पापं वा वञ्चना वाऽपि दृश्यते ।
यत्र दण्डः सुविहितश्चरत्यरिविनाशनः ॥ १२.१५.४४ ॥
Where a well-ordered punishment, destroyer of enemies, is in operation, no deceit, sin, or even deception is seen.
12.15.45
हविः श्वा प्रलिहेद्दृष्ट्वा दण्डश्चेन्नोद्यतो भवेत् ।
हरेत्काकः पुरोडाशं यदि दण्डो न पालयेत् ॥ १२.१५.४५ ॥
If punishment is not raised, a dog will see the oblation and lick it; if punishment does not protect, a crow will carry off the sacrificial cake.
12.15.46
यदीदं धर्मतो राज्यं विहितं यद्यधर्मतः ।
कार्यस्तत्र न शोको वै भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्यजस्व च ॥ १२.१५.४६ ॥
If this kingdom has been obtained rightly, or if wrongly, there should be no grief over it; enjoy the pleasures and perform sacrifice.
12.15.47
सुखेन धर्मं श्रीमन्तश्चरन्ति शुचिवाससः ।
संवसन्तः प्रियैर्दारैर्भुञ्जानाश्चान्नमुत्तमम् ॥ १२.१५.४७ ॥
The prosperous, clad in pure garments, practise dharma with ease, dwelling with beloved wives and eating the finest food.
12.15.48
अर्थे सर्वे समारम्भाः समायत्ता न संशयः ।
स च दण्डे समायत्तः पश्य दण्डस्य गौस्वम् ॥ १२.१५.४८ ॥
For the sake of wealth all undertakings begin and depend on it, without doubt; and that wealth too depends on punishment. Behold the cattle-wealth of punishment.
12.15.49
लोकयात्रार्थमेवेह धर्मप्रवचनं कृतम् ।
अहिंसाऽसाधुहिंसेति श्रेयान्धर्मपरिग्रहः ॥ १२.१५.४९ ॥
For the sake of the course of the world, this teaching of dharma was given. Non-violence is good, while unworthy violence is not; to take up dharma is the better path.
12.15.50
नात्यन्तं गुणवत्किंचिन्न चाप्यत्यन्तनिर्गुणम् ।
उभयं सर्वकार्येषु दृश्यते साध्वसाधु च ॥ १२.१५.५० ॥
Nothing is wholly endowed with merit, nor is anything wholly without merit; in all actions both the good and the bad are seen.
12.15.51
पशूनां वृषणं छित्त्वा ततो भिन्दन्ति नस्सु तान् ।
वहन्ति बहवो भारान्बध्नन्ति दमयन्ति च ॥ १२.१५.५१ ॥
Having cut off the testicles of animals, they then pierce their nostrils. Many animals carry burdens; they are bound and tamed.
12.15.52
एवं पर्याकुले लोके वितथैर्जर्झरीकृते ।
तैस्तैर्न्यायैर्महाराज पुराणं धर्ममाचर ॥ १२.१५.५२ ॥
When the world is thus thrown into confusion and worn down by false ways, O great king, practise the ancient dharma by those very methods.
12.15.53
यज देहि प्रजा रक्ष धर्मं समनुपालय ।
अमित्राञ्जहि कौन्तेय मित्राणि परिपालय ॥ १२.१५.५३ ॥
Sacrifice, give gifts, protect your subjects, and uphold dharma well. O son of Kuntī, strike down your enemies and cherish your friends.
12.15.54
मा च ते निघ्नतः शत्रून्मन्युर्भवतु पार्थिव ।
न तत्र किल्विषं किंचिद्धन्तुर्भवति भारत ॥ १२.१५.५४ ॥
Let no anger arise in you, O king, while you slay your enemies; in that there is no fault for the slayer, O Bhārata.
12.15.55
आततायी हि यो हन्यादाततायिनमागतम् ।
न तेन भ्रूणहा स स्यान्मन्युस्तं मन्युमार्च्छति ॥ १२.१५.५५ ॥
He who slays an aggressor who has come upon him is not guilty of killing a Brahmin embryo; anger overtakes that very angry man.
12.15.56
अवध्यः सर्वभूतानामन्तरात्मा न संशयः ।
अवध्ये चात्मनि कथं वध्यो भवति कस्यचित् ॥ १२.१५.५६ ॥
The inner self of all beings cannot be killed, there is no doubt; how can anyone become killable in a self that cannot be killed?
12.15.57
यथा हि पुरुषः शालां पुनः संप्रविशेन्नवाम् ।
एव जीवः शरीराणि तानितानि प्रपद्यते ॥ १२.१५.५७ ॥
Just as a person, having left an old house, enters another new one, so the living self takes on one body after another.
12.15.58
देहान्पुराणानुत्सृज्य नवान्संप्रतिपद्यते ।
एवं मृत्युमुखं प्राहुर्जना ये तत्त्वदर्शिनः ॥ १२.१५.५८ ॥
Having abandoned old bodies, it obtains new ones; thus those who see the truth call this the mouth of death.