Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.56
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12.56.1
नित्योद्युक्तेन वै राज्ञा भवितव्यं युधिष्ठिर ।
प्रशस्यते न राजा हि नारीवोद्यमवर्जितः ॥ १२.५६.१ ॥
Yudhiṣṭhira, a king must always be ready to act. A king without exertion is not praised; he is like a woman.
12.56.2
भगवानुशना चाह श्लोकमत्र विशांपते ।
तदिहैकमना राजन्गदतस्तं निबोध मे ॥ १२.५६.२ ॥
Lord of the people, the venerable Uśanas spoke a verse here. King, listen to me with a single mind as I recite it.
12.56.3
द्वाविमौ ग्रसते भूमिः सर्पो बिलशयानिव ।
राजानं चाविरोद्धारं ब्राह्मणं चाप्रवासिनम् ॥ १२.५६.३ ॥
The earth swallows these two, like a snake lying in its burrow: the king who does not resist, and the brahmin who does not travel abroad.
12.56.4
तदेतन्नरशार्दूल हृदि त्वं कर्तुमर्हसि ।
सन्धेयानभिसन्धत्स्व विरोध्यांश्च विरोधय ॥ १२.५६.४ ॥
Therefore, tiger among men, you should keep this in your heart: make peace with those with whom peace can be made, and oppose those who must be opposed.
12.56.5
सप्ताङ्गस्य च राज्यस्य विपरीतं य आचरेत् ।
गुरुर्वा यदि वा मित्रं प्रतिहन्तव्य एव सः ॥ १२.५६.५ ॥
Whoever acts against the seven-limbed kingdom, whether he be a teacher or a friend, must surely be struck down.
12.56.6
मरुत्तेन हि राज्ञा वै गीतः श्लोकः पुरातनः ।
राज्याधिकारे राजेन्द्र बृहस्पतिमतः पुरा ॥ १२.५६.६ ॥
King of kings, in ancient times King Marutta sang this old verse concerning royal authority, in accordance with the teaching of Bṛhaspati.
12.56.7
गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः ।
उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य परित्यागो विधीयते ॥ १२.५६.७ ॥
Even a teacher, if he is arrogant, ignorant of what should and should not be done, and has gone astray, is prescribed to be abandoned.
12.56.8
बाहोः पुत्रेण राज्ञा च सगरेण च धीमता ।
असमञ्जः सुतो ज्येष्ठस्त्यक्तः पौरहितैषिणा ॥ १२.५६.८ ॥
Sagara, the wise king and son of Bāhu, seeking a priest, abandoned his eldest son Asamañja.
12.56.9
असमञ्जः सरय्वां स पौराणां बालकान्नृप ।
न्यमज्जयदतः पित्रा निर्भर्त्स्य स विवासितः ॥ १२.५६.९ ॥
O king, Asamañja drowned the children of the citizens in the Sarayū. Therefore his father rebuked him and banished him.
12.56.10
ऋषिणोद्दालकेनापि श्वेतकेतुर्महातपाः ।
मिथ्या विप्रानुपचरन्सन्त्यक्तो दयितः सुतः ॥ १२.५६.१० ॥
The sage Uddālaka also abandoned his beloved son, the great ascetic Śvetaketu, because he served the brahmins falsely.
12.56.11
लोकरञ्जनमेवात्र राज्ञां धर्मः सनातनः ।
सत्यस्य रक्षणं चैव व्यवहारस्य चार्जवम् ॥ १२.५६.११ ॥
Here, the eternal duty of kings is indeed pleasing the people, protecting truth, and uprightness in conduct.
12.56.12
न हिंस्यात्परवित्तानि देयं काले च दापयेत् ।
विक्रान्तः सत्यवाक्क्षान्तो नृपो न चलते पथः ॥ १२.५६.१२ ॥
A king should not harm the wealth of others, and should cause what is owed to be paid at the right time. A valiant, truthful and patient king does not stray from the path.
12.56.13
गुप्तमन्त्रो जितक्रोधः शास्त्रार्थकृतनिश्चयः ।
धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च सततं रतः ॥ १२.५६.१३ ॥
A king whose counsel is kept secret, who has conquered anger, who is firmly resolved in the meaning of the scriptures, and who is ever devoted to dharma, wealth, desire and liberation.
12.56.14
त्रय्या संवृतमन्त्रश्च राजा भवितुर्महति ।
वृजिनं च नरेन्द्राणां नान्यच्चारक्षणात्परम् ॥ १२.५६.१४ ॥
Only a king whose counsel is guarded by the triple Veda is fit to be king; for kings there is nothing higher than protection.
12.56.15
चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य धर्माश्च रक्षितव्या महीक्षिता ।
धर्मसंकररक्षा च राज्ञां धर्मः सनातनः ॥ १२.५६.१५ ॥
The earth-ruler must protect the duties of the four social orders; protection against the mixing of duties is the eternal duty of kings.
12.56.16
न विश्वसेच्च नृपतिर्न चात्यर्थं च विश्वसेत् ।
षाङ्गुण्यगुणदोषांश्च नित्यं बुद्ध्याऽवलोकयेत् ॥ १२.५६.१६ ॥
A king should not trust, nor trust excessively; he should always examine with his intellect the strengths and weaknesses of the six-fold policy.
12.56.17
अच्छिद्रदर्शी नृपतिर्नित्यमेव प्रशस्यते ।
त्रिवर्गे विदितार्थश्च युक्ताचारपथश्च यः ॥ १२.५६.१७ ॥
A king who always looks for flaws is ever praised; one who knows the purpose within the threefold aims and walks the path of proper conduct.
12.56.18
कोशस्योपार्जनरतिर्यमवैश्रवणोपमः ।
वेत्ता च दशवर्गस्य स्थानवृद्धिक्षयात्मनः ॥ १२.५६.१८ ॥
One who delights in gathering the treasury, like Yama and Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), who knows the ten classes, and whose nature knows the rise and fall of position.
12.56.19
अभृतानां भवेद्भर्ता भृतानामन्ववेक्षकः ।
नृपतिः सुभुखश्च स्यात्स्मितपूर्वाभिभाषिता ॥ १२.५६.१९ ॥
A king should be the supporter of those without support and the overseer of those who are supported; he should have a pleasant face and speak with a smile first.
12.56.20
उपासिता … जिततन्द्रिरलोलुपः ।
सतां वृत्ते स्थितमतिः सतां ह्याचारदर्शनः ॥ १२.५६.२० ॥
One should serve the one who has conquered lethargy, is free of greed, whose mind is steadfast in the conduct of the good, and who observes the conduct of the good…
12.56.21
न चाददीत वित्तानि सतां हस्तात्कदाचन ।
असभ्द्यश्च समादाय सभ्द्यस्तु प्रतिपादयेत् ॥ १२.५६.२१ ॥
One should never take wealth from the hand of the good; having taken it from the unworthy, one should give it to the worthy.
12.56.22
स्वयं प्रहर्ता दाता च वश्यात्मा वश्यसाधनः ।
काले दाता च भोक्ता च शुद्धाचारस्तथैव च ॥ १२.५६.२२ ॥
He should himself be a striker and a giver, self-controlled and having his means under control; he should give at the proper time and enjoy, and likewise be of pure conduct.
12.56.23
शूरान्भक्तानसंहार्यान्कुले जातानरोगिणः ।
शिष्टाञ्शिष्टाभिसंबन्धान्मानिनोऽनवमानिनः ॥ १२.५६.२३ ॥
Heroes, loyal ones, steadfast ones, born in good families, free from disease, disciplined ones, those connected with the disciplined, proud and self-respecting ones, who do not dishonor others.
12.56.24
विद्याविदो लोकविदः परलोकान्ववेक्षकान् ।
धर्मे च निरतान्साधूनचलानचलानिव। ॥ १२.५६.२४ ॥
Those who know learning, who know the world, who look to the other world, who are devoted to dharma—the good, unshaken like mountains.
12.56.25
सहायान्सततं कुर्याद्राजा भूतिपरिष्कृतान् ।
तैश्च तुल्यो भवेद्भोगैश्छत्रमात्राज्ञयाऽधिकः ॥ १२.५६.२५ ॥
The king should always keep helpers adorned with prosperity. In enjoyments he may be their equal, but in the umbrella and in command alone he should be above them.
12.56.26
प्रत्यक्षा च परोक्षा च वृत्तिश्चास्य भवेत्समा ।
एवं कुर्वन्नरेन्द्रो हि न खेदमिह विन्दति ॥ १२.५६.२६ ॥
His conduct should be the same in the open and in the hidden. A king who acts thus does not find distress here.
12.56.27
सर्वाभिशङ्की नृपतिर्यश्च सर्वहरो भवेत् ।
स क्षिप्रमनृर्जुर्लुब्धः स्वजनेनैव बाध्यते ॥ १२.५६.२७ ॥
A king who suspects everyone and seizes everything, who is crooked and greedy, is soon oppressed by his own people.
12.56.28
शुचिस्तु पृथिवीपालो लोकस्यानुग्रहे रतः ।
न पतत्यरिभिर्ग्रस्तः पतितश्चाधितिष्ठति ॥ १२.५६.२८ ॥
A pure protector of the earth, devoted to the welfare of the people, does not fall though seized by enemies, and if fallen, he rises again.
12.56.29
अक्रोधनो ह्यव्यसनी मृदुदण्डो जितेन्द्रियः ।
राजा भवति भूतानां विश्वास्यो हिमवानिव ॥ १२.५६.२९ ॥
A king free from anger and vice, gentle in punishment, and self-controlled, becomes trustworthy to beings like the Himālaya.
12.56.30
प्राज्ञो न्यायगुणोपेतः पररन्ध्रेषु लालसः ।
सुदर्शः सर्ववर्णानां नयापनयवित्तथा ॥ १२.५६.३० ॥
A king who is wise, endowed with the virtues of justice, alert to the weak points of enemies, accessible to all social classes, and knowing right and wrong policy (should be such).
12.56.31
क्षिप्रकारी जितक्रोधः सुप्रसादो महामनाः ।
अरोगप्रकृतिर्युक्तः क्रियावानविकत्थनः ॥ १२.५६.३१ ॥
He who acts swiftly, has conquered anger, is very gracious, great-minded, of healthy nature, disciplined, diligent in his duties, and does not boast.
12.56.32
आरब्धान्येव कार्याणि न पर्यवसितान्यपि ।
यस्य राज्ञः प्रदृश्यन्ते स राजा राजसत्तमः ॥ १२.५६.३२ ॥
The king whose undertakings, though begun, are seen even before they are completed, he is the best of kings.
12.56.33
पुत्रा इव पितुर्गेहे विषये यस्य मानवाः ।
निर्भया विचरिष्यन्ति स राजा राजसत्तमः ॥ १२.५६.३३ ॥
The king in whose realm people will move about fearless, like sons in their father's house, he is the best of kings.
12.56.34
अगूढविभवा यस्य पौरा राष्ट्रनिवासिनः ।
नयापनयवेत्तारः स राजा राजसत्तमः ॥ १२.५६.३४ ॥
The king whose city folk and residents of the realm, whose wealth is not hidden, know policy and its violation, he is the best of kings.
12.56.35
स्वधर्मनिरता यस्य जना विषयवासिनः ।
असङ्घातरता दान्ताः पाल्यमाना यथाविधि ॥ १२.५६.३५ ॥
The king whose subjects of the realm are devoted to their own duty, not fond of factions, self-controlled, and protected according to rule, he is the best of kings.
12.56.36
वश्या यत्ता विनीताश्च न च सङ्घर्षशीलिनः ।
विषये दानरुचयो नरा यस्य स पार्थिवः ॥ १२.५६.३६ ॥
The king in whose realm the people are obedient, vigilant, humble, not quarrelsome by nature, and inclined to giving, he is the ruler.
12.56.37
न यस्य कूटं कपटं न माया न च मत्सरः ।
विषये भूमिपालस्य तस्य धर्मः सनातनः ॥ १२.५६.३७ ॥
Whose realm knows no treachery, no fraud, no illusion, and no envy — the duty of that protector of the earth is eternal.
12.56.38
यः सत्करोति ज्ञानानि श्रेयान्परहिते रतः ।
सतां वर्त्मानुगस्त्यागी स राजा स्वर्गमर्हति ॥ १२.५६.३८ ॥
That king who honors the wise, is the best, delights in the welfare of others, follows the path of the good, and is generous — he deserves heaven.
12.56.39
यस्य चाराश्च मन्त्राश्च नित्यं चैव कृताकृताः ।
न ज्ञायन्ते हि रिपुभिः स राजा राज्यमर्हति ॥ १२.५६.३९ ॥
Whose spies and counsels, both what is done and what is undone, are never known to enemies — that king deserves the kingdom.
12.56.40
श्लोकद्वयं पुरा गीतं भार्गवेण महात्मना ।
आख्याते राजचरिते नृपतिं प्रति भारत ॥ १२.५६.४० ॥
O Bhārata, these two verses were sung long ago by the great-souled Bhārgava, in telling of the conduct of kings, concerning the king.
12.56.41
राजानं प्रथमं विन्देत्ततो भार्यां ततो धनम् ।
राजन्यसति लोकेऽस्मिन्कुतो भार्या कुतो धनं ॥ १२.५६.४१ ॥
One should first obtain a king, then a wife, then wealth. When there is no king in this world, how can there be a wife, and how can there be wealth?
12.56.42
तद्राज्ये राज्यकामानां नान्यो धर्मः सनातनः ।
ऋते रक्षां तु विस्पष्टां रक्षा लोकस्य धारिणी ॥ १२.५६.४२ ॥
In that kingdom, for those who desire rule, there is no other eternal duty than protection. Clear protection alone is what sustains the world.
12.56.43
प्राचेतसेन मनुना श्लोकौ चेमावुदाहृतौ ।
राजधर्मेषु राजेन्द्र ताविहैकमनाः शृणु ॥ १२.५६.४३ ॥
Manu, the son of Pracetas, has declared these two verses on the duties of kings. O lord of kings, listen to them with single mind.
12.56.44
षडेतान्पुरुषो जह्याद्भिन्नां नावमिवार्णवे ।
अप्रवक्तारमाचार्यमनधीयानमृत्विजम् ॥ १२.५६.४४ ॥
A man should abandon these six, as one abandons a broken boat on the ocean: a teacher who does not teach, and a priest who does not study.
12.56.45
अरक्षितारं राजानं भार्यां चाप्रियवादिनीम् ।
ग्रामकामं च गोपालं वनकामं च नापितम् ॥ १२.५६.४५ ॥
a king who does not protect, a wife who speaks unpleasantly, a herdsman who desires a village, and a barber who desires the forest—