Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.293
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12.293.1
अतत्त्वज्ञस्य शास्त्राणां संततं संशयात्मनः ।
अकृतव्यवसायस्य श्रेयो ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.२९३.१ ॥
For one who does not know the truth of the scriptures, whose mind is constantly full of doubt, and who has made no firm resolve, what is the highest good? Tell me, grandsire.
12.293.2
गुरुपूजा च सततं वृद्धानां पर्युपासनम् ।
श्रवणं चैव विद्यानां कूटस्थं श्रेय उच्यते ॥ १२.२९३.२ ॥
Honouring one's teachers, constantly attending upon the elders, and hearing the sciences of knowledge — this is said to be the steadfast highest good.
12.293.3
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
गालवस्य च संवादं देवर्षेर्नारदस्य च ॥ १२.२९३.३ ॥
On this matter, they also relate this ancient story, the dialogue of Gālava and the divine sage Nārada.
12.293.4
वीतमोहक्लमं विप्रं ज्ञानतृप्तं जितेन्द्रियः ।
श्रेयस्कामो यतान्मानं नारदं गालवोऽब्रवीत् ॥ १२.२९३.४ ॥
Gālava spoke to Nārada — that brahmin free from delusion and weariness, content with knowledge, self-controlled, desiring the highest good, restraining himself.
12.293.5
यैः कैश्चित्संमतो लोके गुणैश्च पुरुषो नृषु ।
भवत्यनपगान्सर्वांस्तान्गुणाँल्लक्षयामहे ॥ १२.२९३.५ ॥
By whatever qualities a man is esteemed among men in the world, we perceive that all those qualities do not depart from him.
12.293.6
भवानेवंविधोऽस्माकं संशयं छेत्तुमर्हति ।
अमूढश्चिरमूढानां लोकतत्त्वमजानताम् ॥ १२.२९३.६ ॥
You are such a one, fit to cut away our doubt. You are undeluded, while we have long been deluded and do not know the truth of the world.
12.293.7
ज्ञाने ह्येवं प्रवृत्तिः स्यात्कार्याणामविशेषतः ।
यत्कार्यं न व्यवस्यामस्तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति ॥ १२.२९३.७ ॥
Indeed, in knowledge such is the course of duties, without distinction. The duty we fail to determine, that you are worthy to declare.
12.293.8
भगवन्नाश्रमाः सर्वे पृथगाचारदर्शिनः ।
इदं श्रेय इदं श्रेय इति सर्वे प्रबोधिताः ॥ १२.२९३.८ ॥
O revered one, all the life-stage orders show separate conduct. Each has been taught: 'This is the good, this is the good.'
12.293.9
तांस्तु विप्रस्थितानदृष्ट्वा शास्त्रैः शास्त्राभिनन्दिनः ।
स्वशास्त्रैः पिरतुष्टाश्च श्रेयो नोपलभामहे ॥ १२.२९३.९ ॥
Seeing them stand apart as learned men, delighting in scriptures, each content with his own scriptures, we do not find the good.
12.293.10
शास्त्रं यदि भवेदेकं श्रेयो व्यक्तं भवेत्तदा ।
शास्त्रैश्च बहुभिर्भूयः श्रेयो गुह्यं प्रवेशितम् ॥ १२.२९३.१० ॥
If there were one single scripture, the good would then be clear. But by many scriptures the good has again been introduced in a hidden way.
12.293.11
एतस्मात्कारणाच्छ्रेयो गहनं प्रतिभाति मे ।
ब्रवीतु भगवांस्तन्मे उपसन्नोस्म्यधीहि भो ॥ १२.२९३.११ ॥
For this reason the good appears to me obscure. Let the revered one tell me that; I have approached you, sir, instruct me.
12.293.12
आश्रमास्तात चत्वारो यथा संकल्पिताः पृथक् ।
तान्सर्वाननुपश्य त्वं समाश्रित्यैव गालव ॥ १२.२९३.१२ ॥
Dear son, look upon all four life-stage orders as they have been separately ordained, Gālava, and resting upon them alone.
12.293.13
तेषांतेषां तथाहि त्वमाश्रमाणां ततस्ततः ।
नानारूपं गुणोद्देशं पश्य विप्रस्थितं पृथक् ॥ १२.२९३.१३ ॥
Look, then, at the many forms of each of these stages of life, with their stated qualities, each established separately by the wise.
12.293.14
न यान्ति चैव ते सम्यगभिप्रेतमसंशयम् ।
अन्येऽपश्यंस्तथा सम्यगाश्रमाणां परां गतिम् ॥ १२.२९३.१४ ॥
They certainly do not fully reach the goal they intend, of that there is no doubt; others rightly saw the supreme destination of the stages of life.
12.293.15
यत्तु निःश्रेयसं सम्यक्तच्चैवासंशयात्मकम् ।
अनुग्रहं च मित्राणाममित्राणां च निग्रहम् ॥ १२.२९३.१५ ॥
That which is the supreme good is truly of a certain nature, beyond doubt: showing favour to friends and restraining enemies.
12.293.16
संग्रहं च त्रिवर्गस्य श्रेय आहुर्मनीषिणः ।
निवृत्तिः कर्मणः पापात्सततं पुण्यशीलता ॥ १२.२९३.१६ ॥
The wise say that the gathering of the three aims is also the good, as is turning away from sinful action and constant virtuous conduct.
12.293.17
सद्भिश्च समुदाचारः श्रेय एतदसंशयम् ।
मार्दवं सर्वभूतेषु व्यवहारेषु चार्जवम् ॥ १२.२९३.१७ ॥
Good conduct with the good is also the highest good, without doubt; gentleness towards all beings and uprightness in dealings.
12.293.18
वाक्चैव मधुरा प्रोक्ता श्रेय एतदसंशयम् ।
देवताभ्यः पितृभ्यश्च संविभागोऽतिथिष्वपि ॥ १२.२९३.१८ ॥
Sweet speech is also declared the good, without doubt; and sharing with the gods, the ancestors and even guests.
12.293.19
असंत्यागश्च भूत्यानां श्रेय एतदसंशयम् ।
सत्यस्य वचनं श्रेयः सत्यज्ञानं तु दुष्करम् ॥ १२.२९३.१९ ॥
Not abandoning one's dependents is the good, without doubt. Speaking the truth is good, but knowledge of the truth is difficult.
12.293.20
यद्भूतहितमत्यन्तमेतत्सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम् ।
अहंकारस्य च त्यागः प्रमादस्य च निग्रहः ॥ १२.२९३.२० ॥
What is most beneficial to beings, this truth I tell: the abandoning of egoism and the restraint of heedlessness.
12.293.21
संतोषश्चैकचर्या च कूटस्थं श्रेय उच्यते ।
धर्मेण वेदाध्ययनं वेदाङ्गानां तथैव च ॥ १२.२९३.२१ ॥
Contentment, solitary practice, and the unchanging Self are said to be the good. Study of the Vedas through dharma, and likewise of the Vedic limbs.
12.293.22
ज्ञानार्थानां च जिज्ञासा श्रेय एतदसंशयम् ।
शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शान्सह गन्धेन केवलान् ॥ १२.२९३.२२ ॥
Inquiry into the objects of knowledge is the good, without doubt. Sound, form, taste, touch, together with smell — alone…
12.293.23
नात्यर्थमुपसेवेत श्रेयसोर्थी कथंचन ॥ १२.२९३.२३ ॥
One who seeks the good should not excessively indulge in anything at all.
12.293.24
नक्तंचर्यां दिवास्वप्नमालस्यं पैशुनं मदम् ।
अतियोगमयोगं च श्रेयसोर्थी परित्यजेत् ॥ १२.२९३.२४ ॥
Night-wandering, daytime sleep, idleness, slander, intoxication, excess of union and lack of union — one who seeks the good should abandon these.
12.293.25
आत्मोत्कर्षं न मार्गेत परेषां परिनिन्दया ।
स्वगुणैरेव मार्गेति विप्रकर्षं पृथग्जनात् ॥ १२.२९३.२५ ॥
One should not seek self-exaltation by disparaging others; one should seek distinction from ordinary people by one's own qualities alone.
12.293.26
निर्गुणास्त्वेव भूयिष्ठमात्मसंभाविता नराः ।
दोषैरन्यान्गुणवतः क्षिपन्त्यात्मगुणक्षयात् ॥ १२.२९३.२६ ॥
Though mostly devoid of virtue, men who are self-inflated revile the virtuous people for their faults, out of the loss of their own virtue.
12.293.27
अनूच्यमानास्तु पुनस्ते मन्यन्ते महाजनात् ।
गुणवत्तरमात्मानं स्वेन मानेन दर्पिताः ॥ १२.२९३.२७ ॥
But when praised again by great men, made proud by their own self-esteem, they think themselves even more virtuous.
12.293.28
अब्रुवन्कस्यचिन्निन्दामात्मपूजामवर्णयन् ।
विपश्चिद्गुणसंपन्नः प्राप्नोत्येव महद्यशः ॥ १२.२९३.२८ ॥
A wise man endowed with virtues, who neither disparages anyone nor describes his own praise, indeed obtains great fame.
12.293.29
अब्रुवन्वाऽतिसुरभिर्गन्धः सुमनसां शुचिः ।
तथैवाव्याहरन्भाति विमलो भानुरम्बरे ॥ १२.२९३.२९ ॥
Without speaking, the very fragrant, pure scent of flowers spreads; likewise, without proclaiming anything, the spotless sun shines in the sky.
12.293.30
एव मादीनि चान्यानि परित्यक्तानि मेधया ।
ज्वलन्ति यशसा लोके यानि न व्याहरन्ति च ॥ १२.२९३.३० ॥
Likewise, the others that are abandoned by wisdom, and that do not proclaim themselves, shine in the world with fame.
12.293.31
न लोके दीप्यते मूर्खः केवलात्मप्रशंसया ।
अपि चापिहितः श्वभ्रे कृतविद्यः प्रकाशते ॥ १२.२९३.३१ ॥
A fool does not shine in the world by mere self-praise; even hidden in a pit, one who has learned shines forth.
12.293.32
असदुच्चैरपि प्रोक्तः शब्दः समुपशाम्यति ।
दीप्यते त्वेव लोकेषु शनैरपि सुभाषितम् ॥ १२.२९३.३२ ॥
Even a worthless word, spoken loudly, fades away; but a well-spoken saying shines in the worlds even when spoken softly.
12.293.33
मूढानामवलिप्तानामसारं भाषितं बहु ।
दर्शयत्यन्तरात्मानमग्निरूपमिवांशुमान् ॥ १२.२९३.३३ ॥
The many worthless words of the foolish and the arrogant reveal their inner self, as the radiant sun shows itself in the form of fire.
12.293.34
एतस्मात्कारणात्प्रज्ञां मृगयन्ते पृथग्विधाम् ।
प्रज्ञालाभो हि भूतानामुत्तमः प्रतिभाति मे ॥ १२.२९३.३४ ॥
For this reason people seek wisdom in its many forms; to me, the attainment of wisdom appears the highest good for living beings.
12.293.35
नापृष्टः कस्यचिद्ब्रूयान्नाप्यन्यायेन पृच्छतः ।
जानन्नपि च मेधावी जडवत्समुपाविशेत् ॥ १२.२९३.३५ ॥
One should not speak to anyone unasked, nor to one who asks unjustly; even knowing, the wise one should sit like a dullard.
12.293.36
ततो वासं परीक्षेत धर्मनित्येषु साधुषु ।
मनुष्येषु वदान्येषु स्वधर्मनिरतेषु च ॥ १२.२९३.३६ ॥
Then one should test one's dwelling among the ever-dharmic good people, among generous people, and among those devoted to their own duty.
12.293.37
चतुर्णां यत्र वर्णानां धर्मव्यतिकरो भवेत् ।
न तत्र वासं कुर्वीत श्रेयोर्थी वै कथंचन ॥ १२.२९३.३७ ॥
Where confusion of duty arises among the four social orders, one who seeks the good should by no means make his dwelling there.
12.293.38
निरारम्भोऽप्ययमिह यथालब्धोपजीवनः ।
पुण्यं पुण्येषु विमलं पापं पापेषु चाप्नुयात् ॥ १२.२९३.३८ ॥
Even one who undertakes no action here, living on whatever is obtained, reaps pure merit among the meritorious and sin among the sinful.
12.293.39
अपामग्नेस्तथेन्दोश्च स्पर्शं वेदयते यथा ।
तथा पश्यामहे स्पर्शमुभयोः पुण्यपापयोः ॥ १२.२९३.३९ ॥
Just as one perceives the touch of water, fire, and the moon, so we see the touch of both merit and sin.
12.293.40
अपश्यन्तोऽन्यविषयं भुञ्जते विघसाशिनः ।
भुञ्जानाश्चान्यविषयान्विषयान्विद्धि कर्मणाम् ॥ १२.२९३.४० ॥
Not seeing another's object, those who eat the remnants of sacrifice enjoy; know that those who enjoy other objects are the objects of actions.
12.293.41
यत्रागमयमानानामसत्कारेण पृच्छताम् ।
प्रब्रूयाद्ब्रह्माणो धर्मं त्यजेत्तं देशमात्मवान् ॥ १२.२९३.४१ ॥
Where Brahmins teach dharma with disrespect to those who wait and ask, the self-controlled man should abandon that land.
12.293.42
शिष्योषाध्यायिका वृत्तिर्यत्र स्यात्सुसमाहिता ।
यथावच्छास्त्रसंपन्ना कस्तं देशं परित्यजेत् ॥ १२.२९३.४२ ॥
Where the livelihood of pupil and teacher is well ordered and the scriptures are duly completed, who would abandon that land?
12.293.43
आकाशस्था ध्रुवं यत्र दोषं ब्रूयुर्विपश्चिताम् ।
आत्मपूजाभिकामो वै को वसेत्तत्र पण्डितः ॥ १२.२९३.४३ ॥
Where those who dwell in the sky would surely declare the faults of the wise, what learned man, desiring self-honour, would live there?
12.293.44
यत्र संलोडिता लुब्धैः प्रायशो धर्मसेतवः ।
प्रदीप्तमिव चेलान्तं कस्तं देशं न संत्यजेत् ॥ १२.२९३.४४ ॥
What man would not abandon the land where greedy men have mostly churned up the bridges of dharma, as one drops the burning edge of a garment?
12.293.45
यत्र धर्ममनाशङ्काश्चरेयुर्वीतमत्सराः ।
भवेत्तत्र वसेच्चैव पुण्यशीलेषु साधुषु ॥ १२.२९३.४५ ॥
Where men practise dharma without fear and free from envy, there one should dwell, among the virtuous and good people of pure conduct.
12.293.46
धर्ममर्थनिमित्तं च चरेयुर्यत्र मानवाः ।
न ताननुवसेज्जातु ते हि पापकृतो जनाः ॥ १२.२९३.४६ ॥
Where men practise dharma only for the sake of gain, one should never dwell among them, for those people are doers of sin.
12.293.47
कर्मणां यत्र पापेन वर्तन्ते जीवितेप्सवः ।
व्यवधावेत्ततस्तूर्णं ससर्पाच्छरणादिव ॥ १२.२९३.४७ ॥
Where people live by sinful deeds, desiring to live, one should swiftly flee from there, as one flees from a shelter where a serpent lies.
12.293.48
येन खट्वां समारूढः कर्मणाऽनुशयी भवेत् ।
आदितस्तन्न कर्तव्यमिच्छता भवमात्मनः ॥ १२.२९३.४८ ॥
That deed by which a man, having mounted the bed, becomes one who repents, should not be done from the beginning by one who desires his own welfare.
12.293.49
यत्र राजा च राज्ञश्च पुरुषाः प्रत्यनन्तराः ।
कुटुम्बिनामग्रभुजस्त्यजेत्तद्राष्ट्रमात्मवान् ॥ १२.२९३.४९ ॥
Where the king and the men next to the king take the first share of householders, the self-controlled one should abandon that kingdom.
12.293.50
श्रोत्रियास्त्वग्रभोक्तारो धर्मनित्याः सनातनाः ।
याजनाध्यापने युक्ता यत्र तद्राष्ट्रमावसेत् ॥ १२.२९३.५० ॥
Where learned brahmins, who take the first share, are constant in dharma, eternal, and engaged in sacrificing and teaching, there one should dwell.
12.293.51
स्वाहास्वधावषट्कारा यत्र सम्यगनुष्ठिताः ।
अजस्रं चैव वर्तन्ते वसेत्तत्राविचारयन् ॥ १२.२९३.५१ ॥
Where the utterances svāhā, svadhā and vaṣaṭ are properly performed and continue without cease, there one should dwell without hesitation.
12.293.52
अशुचीन्यत्र पश्येत ब्राह्मणान्वृत्तिकर्शितान् ।
त्यजेत्तद्राष्ट्रमासन्नमुपसृष्टमिवामिषम् ॥ १२.२९३.५२ ॥
Where he sees brahmins emaciated by lack of livelihood engaged in impure acts, he should abandon that kingdom, as one abandons meat that has been touched by impurity.
12.293.53
प्रीयमाणा नरा यत्र प्रयच्छेयुरयाचिताः ।
स्वस्थचित्तो वसेत्तत्र कृतकृत्य इवात्मवान् ॥ १२.२९३.५३ ॥
Where people, pleased, give without being asked, there the calm-minded, self-controlled man should dwell, as one whose task is accomplished.
12.293.54
दण्डो यत्राविनीतेषु सत्कारश्च कृतात्मसु ।
चरेत्तत्र वसेच्चैव पुण्यशीलेषु साधुषु ॥ १२.२९३.५४ ॥
Where punishment falls upon the unruly and honour upon the self-controlled, there one should move about; and among the virtuous, righteous people one should dwell.
12.293.55
उपसृष्टेषु दान्तेषु दुराचारेषु साधुषु ।
अविनीतेषु लुब्धेषु सुमहद्दण्डधारणम् ॥ १२.२९३.५५ ॥
Among the afflicted, the self-controlled, the wicked, the good, the unruly and the greedy, one must wield the rod of great punishment.
12.293.56
यत्र राजा धर्मनित्यो राज्यं धर्मेण पालयेत् ।
अपास्य कामान्कामेशो वसेत्तत्राविचारयन् ॥ १२.२९३.५६ ॥
Where the king, ever steadfast in dharma, protects the realm by dharma, there, having cast off desires and being lord of desires, one should dwell without hesitation.
12.293.57
यथाशीला हि राजानः सर्वान्विषयवासिनः ।
श्रेयसा योजयत्याशु श्रेयसि प्रत्युपस्थिते ॥ १२.२९३.५७ ॥
As are the kings in conduct, so are all who dwell in the realm; when the highest good appears, they quickly bring them to that good.
12.293.58
पृच्छतस्ते मया तात श्रेय एतदुदाहृतम् ।
न हि शक्यं प्रधानेन श्रेयः सङ्ख्यातुमात्मनः ॥ १२.२९३.५८ ॥
Dear son, as you asked, I have declared this highest good; indeed, the highest good of the self cannot be enumerated even by the chief principle.
12.293.59
एवं प्रवर्तमानस्य वृत्तिं प्राणिहितात्मनः ।
तपसैवेह बहुलं श्रेयो व्यक्तं भविष्यति ॥ १२.२९३.५९ ॥
For one who thus proceeds in conduct, intent on the welfare of beings, great good will become manifest here indeed through austerity.