Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.55
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12.55.1
प्रणिपत्य हृषीकेशमभिवाद्य पितामहम् ।
अनुमान्य गुरून्सर्वान्पर्यपृच्छद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥ १२.५५.१ ॥
Having bowed to Hṛṣīkeśa and greeted the grandsire, and having asked leave of all the elders, Yudhiṣṭhira asked.
12.55.2
राज्ञां वै परमो धर्म इति धर्मविदो विदुः ।
महान्तमेतं भारं च मन्ये तद्ब्रूहि पार्थिव ॥ १२.५५.२ ॥
'The supreme duty of kings' — so the knowers of dharma declare. I deem this burden very great; tell it to me, O lord of earth.
12.55.3
राजधर्मान्विशेषेण कथयस्य पितामह ।
सर्वस्य जीवलोकस्य राजधर्मः परायणम् ॥ १२.५५.३ ॥
O grandsire, explain in particular the duties of kings; for the duty of kings is the refuge of the whole living world.
12.55.4
त्रिवर्गो हि समासक्तो राजधर्मेषु कौरव ।
मोक्षधर्मश्च विस्पष्टः सकलोऽत्र समाहितः ॥ १२.५५.४ ॥
O Kaurava, the threefold aim (dharma, wealth, pleasure) is closely bound up in the duties of kings, and the dharma of liberation too is clearly set forth; here all of it is gathered together.
12.55.5
यथा हि रश्मयोऽश्वस्य द्विरदस्याङ्कुशो यथा ।
नरेन्द्रधर्मो लोकस्य तथा प्रग्रहणं स्मृतम् ॥ १२.५५.५ ॥
As the reins belong to a horse and the goad to an elephant, so the duty of kings is remembered as the restraint that guides the world.
12.55.6
अत्र वै संप्रमूढे तु धर्मे राजर्षिसेविते ।
लोकस्य संस्था न भवेत्सर्वं च व्याकुलीभवेत् ॥ १२.५५.६ ॥
If, in this dharma practised by royal sages, there should be deep confusion, the stability of the world would not endure, and all would fall into disorder.
12.55.7
उदयन्हि यथा सूर्यो नाशयत्यशुभं तमः ।
राजधर्मस्तथा लोक्यामाक्षिपत्यशुभां गतिम् ॥ १२.५५.७ ॥
As the rising sun destroys inauspicious darkness, so the duty of kings casts off inauspicious paths in the world.
12.55.8
तदग्रे राजधर्मान्हि मदर्थे त्वं पितामह ।
प्रब्रूहि भरतश्रेष्ठ त्वं हि धर्मभूतां वरः ॥ १२.५५.८ ॥
Therefore first, for my sake, explain the duties of kings, O grandsire. O best of the Bharatas, you are indeed the foremost among those who embody dharma.
12.55.9
आगमश्च परस्त्वत्तः सर्वेषां नः परन्तप ।
भवन्तं हि परं बुद्धौ वासुदेवोऽभिमन्यते ॥ १२.५५.९ ॥
O scorcher of foes, the highest teaching for all of us comes from you. Vāsudeva too esteems you as supreme in wisdom.
12.55.10
नमो धर्माय महते नमः कृष्णाय वेधसे ।
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो नमस्कृत्य धर्मान्वक्ष्यामि शाश्वतान् ॥ १२.५५.१० ॥
Homage to great dharma, homage to Kṛṣṇa the creator. Having bowed to the brahmins, I shall speak the eternal duties.
12.55.11
शृणु कार्त्स्न्येन मत्तस्त्वं राजधर्मान्युधिष्ठिर ।
निरुच्यमानान्नियतो यच्चान्यदपि वाञ्छसि ॥ १२.५५.११ ॥
Listen to the duties of kings from me in full, Yudhiṣṭhira. Attend with discipline to what is being explained, and to whatever else you desire as well.
12.55.12
आदावेव कुरुश्रेष्ठ राज्ञा रञ्जनमिच्छता ।
देवतानां द्विजानां च वर्तितव्यं यथाविधि ॥ १२.५५.१२ ॥
O best of the Kurus, a king who wishes to please his subjects must first conduct himself rightly, according to rule, toward the gods and the twice-born.
12.55.13
दैवतान्यर्चयित्वा हि ब्राह्मणांश्च कुरूद्वह ।
आनृण्यं याति धर्मस्य लोकेन च समर्च्यते ॥ १२.५५.१३ ॥
Having honoured the gods and the brahmins, O bearer of the Kurus, a man is freed from the debt owed to dharma, and he is honoured by the world.
12.55.14
उत्थानेन सदा पुत्र प्रयतेथा युधिष्ठिर ।
न ह्युत्थानमृते दैवं राज्ञामर्थं प्रसाधयेत् ॥ १२.५५.१४ ॥
Always strive through effort, my son Yudhiṣṭhira; for fate alone, without exertion, cannot accomplish the aims of kings.
12.55.15
साधारणं द्वयं ह्येतद्दैवमुत्थानमेव च ।
पौरुषं हि परं मन्ये दैवं निश्चित्य मुह्यते ॥ १२.५५.१५ ॥
These two, fate and exertion, are common to all; yet I hold human effort to be supreme, for he who fixes his mind on fate alone becomes bewildered.
12.55.16
विपन्ने च समारम्भे सन्तापं मा स्म वै कृथाः ।
घटेतैवं सदाऽऽत्मानं राज्ञामेष परो नयः ॥ १२.५५.१६ ॥
If an undertaking fails, do not grieve; thus always keep yourself striving. This is the supreme policy of kings.
12.55.17
न हि सत्यादृते किंचिद्राज्ञां वै सिद्धिकारकम् ।
सत्ये हि राजा निरतः प्रेत्य चेह च नन्दति ॥ १२.५५.१७ ॥
Nothing that brings success to kings exists without truth; a king devoted to truth rejoices both here and hereafter.
12.55.18
ऋषीणामपि राजेन्द्र सत्यमेव परं धनम् ।
तथा राज्ञां परं सत्यान्नान्यद्विश्वासकारणम् ॥ १२.५५.१८ ॥
O lord of kings, truth alone is the supreme wealth even for sages; likewise for kings, there is no other cause of trust greater than truth.
12.55.19
गुणवाञ्शीलवान्दान्तो मृदुदण्डो जितेन्द्रियः ।
सुदर्शः स्थूललक्ष्यश्च न भ्रश्येत सदा श्रियः ॥ १२.५५.१९ ॥
A king who is virtuous, of good conduct, self-controlled, mild in punishment, master of his senses, easy of access, and of broad aim never falls from prosperity.
12.55.20
आर्जवं सर्वकार्येषु श्रयेथाः कुरुनन्दन ।
पुनर्नयविचारेण त्रयीसंवरणेन च।
आर्जवेन समायुक्ता मोदन्ते ऋषयो दिवि ॥ १२.५५.२० ॥
O delight of the Kurus, in all affairs resort to uprightness; again, through careful judgment of policy and restraint by the three Vedas. Sages endowed with uprightness rejoice in heaven.
12.55.21
मृदुर्हि राजा सततं लङ्घ्यो भवति सर्वशः ।
तीक्ष्णाच्चोद्विजते लोकस्तस्मादुभयमाचरेत् ॥ १२.५५.२१ ॥
Indeed, a mild king is always and in every way transgressed, while the people are agitated by a harsh one; therefore he should practise both.
12.55.22
अदण्ड्याश्चैव ते पुत्र विप्राः स्युर्ददतां वर ।
भूतमेतत्परं लोके ब्राह्मणा नाम पाण्डव ॥ १२.५५.२२ ॥
Brahmins, O son, O best of givers, should be exempt from punishment; O Pāṇḍava, this is established as the supreme principle in the world concerning brahmins.
12.55.23
मनुना चात्र राजेन्द्र गीतौ श्लोकौ महात्मना ।
धर्मेषु स्वेषु कौरव्य हृदि तौ कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ १२.५५.२३ ॥
O lord of kings, here the great-souled Manu sang two verses; O descendant of Kuru, it is fitting that you hold them in your heart within your own duties.
12.55.24
अभ्द्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम् ।
तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वासु योनिषु शाम्यति ॥ १२.५५.२४ ॥
Fire arose from water, the warrior power from Brahman, iron from stone; their power, which pervades everywhere, is quenched in its own sources.
12.55.25
अयो हन्ति यदाऽश्मानमग्निरापो निहन्ति च ।
ब्रह्म च क्षत्रियो द्वेष्टि तदा सीदन्ति ते त्रयः ॥ १२.५५.२५ ॥
When iron strikes stone, and fire and water destroy it, and the kṣatriya hates the brahmin, then those three perish.
12.55.26
एवं कृत्वा महाराज नमस्या एव ते द्विजाः ।
भौमं ब्रह्म द्विजश्रेष्ठा धारयन्ति शमान्विताः ॥ १२.५५.२६ ॥
Thus, great king, those twice-born ones are indeed worthy of reverence. The best of the twice-born, endowed with calm, bear the earthly brahman.
12.55.27
एवं चैव नरव्याघ्र लोकयात्राविघातकाः ।
निग्राह्या एव बाहुभ्यां ब्राह्मणास्ते नरेश्वर ॥ १२.५५.२७ ॥
And so, tiger among men, those brahmins who obstruct the course of the world must be restrained, lord of men, by the strength of arms alone.
12.55.28
श्लोकौ चोशनसा गीतौ पुरा तात महर्षिणा ।
तौ निवोध महाराज त्वमेकाग्रमना नृप ॥ १२.५५.२८ ॥
Two verses were sung by the great sage Uśanas long ago, dear one. Listen to them, great king, lord of men, with a single mind.
12.55.29
उद्यम्य शस्त्रमायान्तमपि वेदान्तगं रणे ।
निगृह्णीयात्स्वधर्मेण धर्मापेक्षी नराधिपः ॥ १२.५५.२९ ॥
Even one who comes to battle with weapon raised, though versed in the Vedānta, should be restrained by the king who seeks dharma, through his own duty.
12.55.30
विनश्यमानं धर्मं हि योऽभिरक्षेत्स धर्मवित् ।
न तेन धर्महा स स्यान्मन्युस्तन्मन्युमृच्छति ॥ १२.५५.३० ॥
He who protects dharma while it is perishing is indeed a knower of dharma. By that he does not become a destroyer of dharma; anger meets that very anger.
12.55.31
एवं चैव नरश्रेष्ठ रक्ष्या एव द्विजातयः ।
सापराधानपि हि तान्विषयान्ते समुत्सृजेत् ॥ १२.५५.३१ ॥
Thus indeed, best of men, the twice-born must be protected; even those who have committed offences should be banished at the border of the realm.
12.55.32
अभिशस्तमपि ह्येषां पीडयेन्न विशांपते ।
ब्रह्मघ्ने गुरुतल्पे च भ्रूणहत्ये तथैव च ॥ १२.५५.३२ ॥
Even if accused, O lord of the people, they should not be harmed. The same holds for the slayer of a brahmin, the defiler of a teacher's bed, and the killer of an embryo.
12.55.33
राजद्विष्टे च विप्रस्य विषयान्ते विवासनम् ।
विधीयते न शारीरं भयमेषां कदाचन ॥ १२.५५.३३ ॥
For a brahmin who is hateful to the king, banishment beyond the border of the realm is prescribed; bodily punishment should never be inflicted upon them.
12.55.34
दयिताश्च नरास्ते स्युर्भक्तिमन्तो द्विजेषु ये ।
न शोकः परमा तुष्टी राज्ञां भवति संचयात् ॥ १२.५५.३४ ॥
Men devoted to the twice-born become dear to kings. From accumulation, kings feel no grief; supreme contentment comes to them.
12.55.35
दुर्गेषु च महाराज षट्सु ये शास्त्रनिश्चिताः ।
सर्वदुर्गेषु मन्यन्ते नरदुर्गं सुदुर्गमम् ॥ १२.५५.३५ ॥
Among the fortresses fixed by the treatises, great king, the fortress of men is held to be the most impregnable of all fortresses.
12.55.36
तस्मान्नित्यं दया कार्या चातुर्वर्ण्ये विपश्चिता ।
धर्मात्मा सत्यवाक्चैव राजा रञ्जयति प्रजाः ॥ १२.५५.३६ ॥
Therefore a wise man should always show compassion to all four classes. It is the king who is righteous-souled and truthful who pleases his subjects.
12.55.37
न च क्षान्तेन ते नित्यं भाव्यं पुरुषसत्तम ।
अधर्मो हि मृद् राजा क्षमावानिव कुञ्जरः ॥ १२.५५.३७ ॥
Best of men, you should not always be forbearing; a forbearing king, like an elephant, sinks into unrighteousness.
12.55.38
वार्हस्पत्ये च शास्त्रे च श्लोकोऽयं नियतः प्रभो ।
अस्मिन्नर्थे निगदितस्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ १२.५५.३८ ॥
O lord, this verse is firmly established in the Bārhaspatya treatise on this matter; listen as I recite it.
12.55.39
क्षममाणं नृपं नित्यं नीचः परिभवेञ्जनः ।
हस्तियन्ता गजस्येव शिर एवारुरुक्षति ॥ १२.५५.३९ ॥
A base person always disrespects a forbearing king, as an elephant-driver seeks to climb onto the head of an elephant.
12.55.40
तस्मान्नैव मृदुर्नित्यं तीक्ष्णो वाऽपि भवेन्नृपः ।
वसन्तेऽर्क इव श्रीमान्न शीतो न च घर्मदः ॥ १२.५५.४० ॥
Therefore a king should never be always gentle, nor always harsh; he should be glorious like the spring sun, neither cold nor scorching.
12.55.41
प्रत्यक्षेणानुमानेन तथौपम्यागमैरपि ।
परीक्ष्यास्ते महाराज स्वे परे चैव नित्यशः ॥ १२.५५.४१ ॥
O great king, both your own people and others must always be tested by direct perception, inference, comparison, and scriptural authority.
12.55.42
व्यसनानि च सर्वाणि त्यजेथा भूरिदक्षिण ।
नचैतानि प्रयुञ्जीथाः सङ्गं तु परिवर्जय ॥ १२.५५.४२ ॥
O giver of abundant gifts, abandon all vices; do not practise them, and above all avoid attachment.
12.55.43
व्यसनी यस्तु लोकेऽस्मिन्परिभूतो भवत्युत ।
उद्वेजयति लोकं च योऽतिद्वेषी महीपतिः ॥ १२.५५.४३ ॥
The king who in this world is given to vices indeed becomes despised; and the king who is excessively hateful causes the people to tremble.
12.55.44
भवितव्यं सदा राज्ञा गर्भिणीसहधर्मिणा ।
कारणं च महाराज शृणु येनेदमुच्यते ॥ १२.५५.४४ ॥
The king must always be like a pregnant woman who shares her duty. Listen, great king, to the reason by which this is said.
12.55.45
यथा हि गर्भिणी हित्वा स्वं प्रियं मनसोऽनुगम् ।
गर्भस्य हितमाधत्ते तथा राज्ञाऽप्यसंशयम् ॥ १२.५५.४५ ॥
Just as a pregnant woman, setting aside what her own mind desires, attends to the welfare of the embryo, so too must the king, without doubt.
12.55.46
वर्तितव्यं कुरुश्रेष्ठ सदा धर्मानुवर्तिना ।
स्वं प्रियं तु परित्यज्य यद्यल्लोकहितं भवेत् ॥ १२.५५.४६ ॥
O best of the Kurus, one who follows dharma must always conduct himself, setting aside his own pleasure, doing whatever may be for the welfare of the people.
12.55.47
न सन्त्याज्यं च ते धैर्यं कदाचिदपि पाण्डव ।
धीरस्य स्पष्टदण्डस्य न ह्याज्ञा प्रतिहन्यते ॥ १२.५५.४७ ॥
O son of Pāṇḍu, you must never abandon your steadfastness. The command of a steadfast man whose punishment is clear is never obstructed.
12.55.48
परिहासश्च भृत्यैस्ते नात्यर्थं वदतां वर ।
कर्तव्यो राजशार्दूल दोषमत्र हि मे शृणु ॥ १२.५५.४८ ॥
O best of speakers, O tiger among kings, you should not jest excessively with your servants. Hear my reason for this fault.
12.55.49
अवमन्यन्ति भर्तारं सहर्षमुपजीविनः ।
स्वे स्थाने न च तिष्ठन्ति लङ्घ्यन्ति च तद्वचः ॥ १२.५५.४९ ॥
Servants, with delight, disrespect their master; they do not keep to their place and they transgress his word.
12.55.50
प्रेष्यमाणा विकल्पन्ते गुह्यं चाप्यनुयुञ्जते ।
अयाच्यं चैव याचन्ते भोज्यान्याहारयन्ति च ॥ १२.५५.५० ॥
When sent, they hesitate; they even pry into secret matters; they beg for what should not be asked, and they have foods brought.
12.55.51
क्रुथ्यन्ति परिदीप्तन्ति भूमिपायाधितिष्ठते ।
उत्कोचैर्वञ्चनाभिश्च कार्याणि घ्नन्ति चास्य ते ॥ १२.५५.५१ ॥
They grow angry and flare up, they stand against the lord of the earth; by bribes and deceptions they ruin his affairs.
12.55.52
जर्झरं चास्य विषयं कुर्वन्ति प्रतिरूपकैः ।
स्त्रीरक्षिभिश्च सज्जन्ते तुल्यवेषा भवन्ति च ॥ १२.५५.५२ ॥
They wear down his realm with counterfeits; they associate with the guards of the women's quarters and become dressed just like them.
12.55.53
वान्तं निष्ठीवनं चैव कुर्वते चास्य सन्निधौ ।
निर्लज्जा राजशार्दूल व्याहरन्ति च तद्वचः ॥ १२.५५.५३ ॥
In his very presence they vomit and spit; shameless, O tiger among kings, they speak against his very word.
12.55.54
हयं वा दन्तिनं वाऽपि रथं वा नृपसंमतम् ।
अधिरोहन्त्यवज्ञाय सहर्षाः पार्थिवे मृदौ ॥ १२.५५.५४ ॥
Disregarding even the horse, elephant or chariot approved by the king, they joyfully mount them while the king is gentle.
12.55.55
इदं ते दुष्करं राजन्निदं ते दुर्विचेष्टितम् ।
इत्येवं सुहृदो नाम ब्रुवते परिपद्गताः ॥ १२.५५.५५ ॥
O king, this is hard for you, this is your ill-conduct, so say those present in the assembly who are called friends.
12.55.56
क्रुद्धे चास्मिन्हसन्त्येव न च हृष्यन्ति पूजिताः ।
सङ्घर्षशीलाश्च तदा भवन्त्यन्योन्यकारणात् ॥ १२.५५.५६ ॥
And when he is angry they laugh at him; though honoured, they do not rejoice, and then, because of one another, they become quarrelsome.
12.55.57
विस्रंसयन्ति मन्त्रं च विवृण्वन्ति च दुष्कृतम् ।
लीलया चैव कुर्वन्ति सावज्ञास्तस्य शासनम् ॥ १२.५५.५७ ॥
They divulge his counsel and expose his wrongdoing, and with contempt they carry out his command as if it were a game.
12.55.58
अलङ्काराणि भोज्यं च तथा स्नानानुलेपने ।
हेलयाना नरव्याघ्र स्वस्थास्तस्योपभुञ्जये ॥ १२.५५.५८ ॥
O tiger among men, they make light of ornaments, food, bathing and anointing, and at ease they enjoy precisely his enjoyments.
12.55.59
निन्दन्ते स्वानधीकारान्सन्त्यजन्ते च भारत ।
न वृत्त्या परितृष्यन्ति राजदेयं हरन्ति च ॥ १२.५५.५९ ॥
O Bhārata, they blame and abandon their own offices; they are not content with their livelihood, and they seize even what is owed to the king.
12.55.60
क्रीडितुं तेन चेच्छन्ति ससूत्रेणेव पक्षिणा ।
अस्मत्प्रणेयो राजेति लोकांश्चैव वदन्त्युत ॥ १२.५५.६० ॥
If they wish to play with him, it is as with a bird tied by a string; and they say even to the people, "The king is led by us."
12.55.61
एते चैवापरे चैव दोषाः प्रादुर्भवन्त्युत ।
नृपतौ मार्दवोपेते हर्षुले च युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.५५.६१ ॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, in a king endowed with gentleness and prone to delight, these and other faults indeed arise.