Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.67
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12.67.1
किमाहुर्दैवतं विप्रा राजानं भरतर्षभ ।
मनुष्याणामधिपतिं तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.६७.१ ॥
Bull of the Bharatas, what do the brahmins say a deity is, the king who is lord of men? Tell me that, grandsire.
12.67.2
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
बृहस्पतिं वसुमना यथा पप्रच्छ भारत ॥ १२.६७.२ ॥
Here too they recite this ancient story, Bhārata, of how Vasumanas questioned Bṛhaspati.
12.67.3
राजा वसुमना नाम कौसल्यो धीमतां वरः ।
महर्षि किल पप्रच्छ कृतप्रज्ञं बृहस्पतिम् ॥ १२.६७.३ ॥
King Vasumanas of the Kosala line, best of the wise, indeed questioned the great sage Bṛhaspati, whose wisdom was perfected.
12.67.4
सर्वं वैनयिकं कृत्वा विनयज्ञो बृहस्पतिम् ।
दक्षिणानन्तरो भूत्वा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम् ॥ १२.६७.४ ॥
Having performed all the courtesies, knowing proper conduct, standing to the right of Bṛhaspati, he bowed according to rule.
12.67.5
विधिं पप्रच्छ राजस्य सर्वलोकहिते रतः ।
प्रजानां सुखमन्विच्छन्धर्मशीलं बृहस्पतिम् ॥ १२.६७.५ ॥
Devoted to the welfare of all worlds, seeking the happiness of his subjects, he asked Bṛhaspati, whose nature was righteous, about the rule of kingship.
12.67.6
केन भूतानि वर्धन्ते क्षयं गच्छन्ति केन वा ।
कमर्चन्तो महाप्राज्ञ सुखमव्ययमाप्नुयुः
एतन्मे शंस देवर्षे धर्मकामार्थसंशयम् ॥ १२.६७.६ ॥
By what do beings prosper, and by what do they decline? Great-wise one, by worshipping whom do people attain imperishable happiness? Divine sage, declare to me this doubt concerning dharma, desire and wealth.
12.67.7
एवं पृष्टो महाप्राज्ञः कौसल्येनामितौजसा ।
राजसत्कारमव्यग्रो राज्यस्य च विवर्धनम्।
दण्डनीतिं समाश्रित्य शशंसास्मै बृहस्पतिः ॥ १२.६७.७ ॥
Thus asked by Kauśalya of boundless power, the very wise Bṛhaspati, unhurried, explained to him the honouring of kings and the increase of the kingdom, resorting to the science of governance by punishment.
12.67.8
राजमूलो महाप्राज्ञ धर्मो लोकस्य लक्ष्यते ।
प्रजा राजभयादेव न खादन्ति परस्परम् ॥ १२.६७.८ ॥
O very wise one, the root of dharma in the world is seen in the king; out of fear of the king alone do the subjects not devour one another.
12.67.9
राजा ह्येवाखिलं लोकं समुदीर्णं समुत्सुकम् ।
प्रसादयति धर्मेण प्रसाद्य च विराजते ॥ १२.६७.९ ॥
The king alone pacifies the whole world, stirred up and eager, by dharma; and having pacified it, he shines forth.
12.67.10
यथा ह्यनुदये राजन्भूतानि शशिसूर्ययोः ।
अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुरपश्यन्तः परस्परम् ॥ १२.६७.१० ॥
As, O king, if the sun and moon did not rise, beings would sink into deep darkness, unable to see one another.
12.67.11
यथा ह्यनुदके मत्स्या निराक्रन्दे विहङ्गमाः ।
विहरेयुर्यथाकामं विहिंसन्तः पुनः पुनः ॥ १२.६७.११ ॥
As, when there is no water, fishes and, where no cry is heard, birds would roam at will, harming one another again and again.
12.67.12
विमथ्यातिक्रमेरंश्च विषह्यापि परस्परम् ।
अभावमचिरेणैव गच्छेयुर्नात्र संशयः ॥ १२.६७.१२ ॥
Having tormented one another, transgressing bounds and overpowering each other, they would soon come to destruction; of this there is no doubt.
12.67.13
एवमेव विना राज्ञा विनश्येयुरिमाः प्रजाः ।
अन्धे तमसि मज्जेयुरगोपाः पशवो यथा ॥ १२.६७.१३ ॥
Just so, without a king these subjects would perish, sinking into blind darkness like cattle without herdsmen.
12.67.14
हरेयुर्बलवन्तोऽपि दुर्बलानां परिग्रहान् ।
हन्युर्व्यायच्छमानांश्च यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१४ ॥
If the king does not protect, even the strong would seize the possessions of the weak, and would kill those who resist.
12.67.15
ममेदमिति लोकेऽस्मिन्न भवेत्स्वपरिग्रहः ।
न दारा न च पुत्रः स्यान्न धनं न परिग्रहः।
विष्वग्लोपः प्रवर्तेत यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१५ ॥
In this world there would be no sense of 'this is mine'; there would be no wife, no son, no wealth, no possession. If the king does not protect, utter ruin would spread on every side.
12.67.16
यानं वस्त्रमलङ्कारान्रत्नानि विविधानि च ।
हरेयुः सहसा पापा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१६ ॥
If the king does not protect, wicked men would suddenly seize vehicles, cloth, ornaments and various jewels.
12.67.17
पतेद्बहुविधं शस्त्रं बहुधा धर्मचारिषु ।
अधर्मः प्रगृहीतः स्याद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१७ ॥
If the king does not protect, all kinds of weapons would fall upon those who follow dharma, and unrighteousness would take hold.
12.67.18
मातरं पितरं वृद्धमाचार्यमतिथिं गुरुम् ।
क्लिश्नीयुरपि हिंस्युर्वा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१८ ॥
If the king does not protect, people would distress even mother, father, the aged, the teacher, the guest and the guru, or even harm them.
12.67.19
अन्यांश्च क्रोशतो हिंस्युर्लोकोऽयं दस्युवद्भवेत् ।
वधबन्धपरिक्लेशो नित्यमर्थवतां भवेत्।
ममत्वं च न विन्देयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.१९ ॥
They would harm others who cry out, and this world would become like a den of robbers. The wealthy would constantly suffer slaying, binding and torment, and they would not even find anything to call their own, if the king does not protect.
12.67.20
अन्ताश्चाकाल एव स्युर्लोकोऽयं दस्युसाद्भवेत् ।
पतेद्बहुविधं राज्यं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२० ॥
Ends would come even out of time, and this world would fall into the hands of robbers. If the king does not protect, the kingdom would collapse in many ways.
12.67.21
न योनिदोषो वर्तेत न कृषिर्न वणिक्पथः ।
मज्जेद्धर्मस्त्रयी न स्याद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२१ ॥
There would be no mixing of castes, neither agriculture nor trade routes; the threefold dharma would sink and cease to exist, if the king does not protect.
12.67.22
न यज्ञाः संप्रवर्तेयुर्विधिवत्स्वाप्तदक्षिणाः ।
न विवाहाः समाजो वा यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२२ ॥
Sacrifices would not be properly performed according to rule with the fees duly given; there would be no marriages or social assemblies, if the king does not protect.
12.67.23
न वृषाः संप्रवर्तेरन्न मथ्येरंश्च गर्गराः ।
घोषाः प्रणाशं गच्छेयुर्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२३ ॥
Bulls would not thrive, nor would milk-churns be churned; the cowherd settlements would go to ruin, if the king does not protect.
12.67.24
त्रस्तमुद्विग्नहृदयं हाहाभूतमचेतनम् ।
क्षणेन विनशेत्सर्वं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२४ ॥
Terrified, with agitated hearts, crying out 'alas, alas', senseless, everything would perish in a moment, if the king does not protect.
12.67.25
न संवत्सरसत्राणि तिष्ठेयुरकुतोभयाः ।
विधिवद्दक्षिणावन्ति यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२५ ॥
If the king does not protect, the year-long sacrifices, duly performed with rich fees, could not go on free from fear.
12.67.26
ब्राह्मणाश्चतुरो वेदान्नाधीयीरंस्तपस्विनः ।
विद्यास्नाता व्रतस्नाता यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२६ ॥
If the king does not protect, the ascetic brahmins, cleansed by learning and by vows, would not study the four Vedas.
12.67.27
न भवेद्धर्मसंसेवी मोहविप्रहतो जनः ।
हर्ता स्वच्छेन्द्रियो गच्छेद्यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२७ ॥
If the king does not protect, people would not keep to dharma; struck down by delusion and confusion, with senses unrestrained, they would go off as thieves.
12.67.28
हस्ताद्धस्तं परिमुषेद्भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः ।
भयार्तं विद्रवेत्सर्वं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२८ ॥
If the king does not protect, what passes from hand to hand would be stolen; all the dams would burst, and everyone tormented by fear would flee.
12.67.29
अनयाः संप्रवपर्तेरन्भवेद्वै वर्णसङ्करः ।
दुर्भिक्षमाविशेद्राष्ट्रं यदि राजा न पालयेत् ॥ १२.६७.२९ ॥
If the king does not protect, lawlessness would spread, there would indeed be a mixing of the social classes, and famine would enter the realm.
12.67.30
विवृत्य हि यथाकामं गृहद्वाराणि शेरते ।
मनुष्या रक्षिता राज्ञा समन्तादकुतोभयाः ॥ १२.६७.३० ॥
People protected by the king sleep with their house doors left open as they wish, free from fear on every side.
12.67.31
नाक्रुष्टं सहते कश्चित्कुतो वा हस्तलाघवम् ।
यदि राजा न सम्यग्गां रक्षयत्यपि धार्मिकः ॥ १२.६७.३१ ॥
Who would endure abuse, or theft by sleight of hand, if even a righteous king does not properly protect the earth?
12.67.32
स्त्रियश्चापुरुषा मार्गं सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताः ।
निर्भयाः प्रतिपद्यन्ते यदि रक्षति भूमिपः ॥ १२.६७.३२ ॥
When the king protects, women adorned with every ornament walk the road fearlessly, even without male escort.
12.67.33
धर्ममेव प्रपद्यन्ते न हिंसन्ति परस्परम् ।
अनुगृह्णन्ति चान्योन्यं यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥ १२.६७.३३ ॥
When the king protects the earth, people take refuge in dharma alone, do not harm one another, and show favour to each other.
12.67.34
यजन्ते च महायज्ञैस्त्रयो वर्णाः पृथग्विधैः ।
युक्ताश्चाधीयते विद्यां यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥ १२.६७.३४ ॥
When the king protects the earth, the three classes perform great sacrifices of many kinds and, devoted, study knowledge.
12.67.35
वार्तामूलो ह्ययं लोकस्तया वै धार्यते सदा ।
तत्सर्वं वर्तते सम्यग्यदा रक्षति भूमिपः ॥ १२.६७.३५ ॥
This world is rooted in livelihood (vārtā), and by it the world is always sustained. When the king protects, all of it goes on properly.
12.67.36
यदा राजा धुरं श्रेष्ठामादाय वहति प्रजाः ।
महता बलयोगेन तदा लोकः प्रसीदयि ॥ १२.६७.३६ ॥
When the king takes up the best of burdens and carries his subjects with great strength and power, then the world is pleased.
12.67.37
यस्याभावेन भूतानामभावः स्यात्समन्ततः ।
भावे च भावो नित्यं स्यात्कस्तं न प्रतिपूजयेत् ॥ १२.६७.३७ ॥
In whose absence beings would perish on all sides, and in whose presence they would always prosper — who would not honour him?
12.67.38
तस्य यो वहते भारं सर्वलोकसुखावहम् ।
तिष्ठन्प्रियहिते राज्ञ उभौ लोकाविमौ जयेत् ॥ १२.६७.३८ ॥
He who bears his burden, which brings happiness to all worlds, and who stands in the dear welfare of the king, conquers both these worlds.
12.67.39
यस्तस्य पुरुषः पापं मनसाऽप्यनुचिन्तयेत् ।
असंशयमिह क्लिष्टः प्रेत्यापि नरकं व्रजेत् ॥ १२.६७.३९ ॥
Whatever man even in thought contemplates evil against him, without doubt he suffers here, and even after death goes to hell.
12.67.40
न हि जात्ववमन्तव्यो मनुष्य इति भूमिपः ।
महती देवता ह्येषा नररूपेण तिष्ठति ॥ १२.६७.४० ॥
A king should never be despised, thinking 'He is only a man'; this great deity stands in human form.
12.67.41
कुरुते पञ्चरूपाणि कालयुक्तानि यः सदा ।
भवत्यग्निस्तथाऽऽदित्यो मृत्युर्वैश्रवणो यमः ॥ १२.६७.४१ ॥
He who always assumes five forms joined with time becomes fire, likewise the sun, death, Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera), and Yama.
12.67.42
यदा ह्यासीदतः पापान्दहत्युग्रेण तेजसा ।
मिथ्योपचरितो राजा तदा भवति पावकः ॥ १२.६७.४२ ॥
When a king burns the sinners with his fierce radiance, then, when wrongly treated, he becomes fire.
12.67.43
यदा पश्यति चारेण सर्वभूतानि भूमिपः ।
क्षेमं च कृत्वा व्रजति तदा भवति भास्करः ॥ १२.६७.४३ ॥
When the king, through his spies, watches over all beings and, having secured their welfare, moves on, then he becomes the sun.
12.67.44
अशुचींश्च यदा क्रुद्धः क्षिणोति शतशो नरान् ।
सपुत्रपौत्रान्सामात्यांस्तदा भवति सोन्तकः ॥ १२.६७.४४ ॥
When the king, angry, destroys hundreds of impure men together with their sons, grandsons and ministers, then he becomes the ender, Death.
12.67.45
यदा त्वधार्मिकान्सर्वांस्तीक्ष्णैर्दण्डैर्नियच्छति ।
धार्मिकांश्चानुगृह्णाति भवत्यथ यमस्तदा ॥ १२.६७.४५ ॥
When the king restrains all the unrighteous with harsh punishments and shows favour to the righteous, then he becomes Yama.
12.67.46
यदा तु धनधाराभिस्तर्पयत्युपकारिणः ।
आच्छिनत्ति च रत्नानि विविधान्यपकारिणां ॥ १२.६७.४६ ॥
When the king satisfies his benefactors with streams of wealth and seizes the various jewels of wrongdoers,
12.67.47
श्रियं ददाति कस्मैचित्कस्माच्चिदपकर्षति ।
तदा वैश्रवणो राजा लोके भवति भूमिपः ॥ १२.६७.४७ ॥
When the king gives fortune to one and takes it away from another, then in the world he becomes a lord of the earth like Vaiśravaṇa (Kubera).
12.67.48
नास्यापवादे स्थातव्यं दक्षेणाक्लिष्टकर्मणा ।
धर्ममाकाङ्क्षता लोके ईश्वरस्यानसूयता ॥ १२.६७.४८ ॥
A king who desires dharma, who is skilful and whose deeds are untroubled, should not stand in censure; and in the world one should not be envious of the lord.
12.67.49
न हि राज्ञः प्रतीपानि कुर्वन्सुखमवाप्नुयात् ।
पुत्रो भ्राता वयस्यो वा यद्यप्यात्मसमो भवेत् ॥ १२.६७.४९ ॥
Whoever acts against the king cannot obtain happiness, even if he be a son, a brother, or a companion, even one equal to oneself.
12.67.50
कुर्यात्कृष्णगतिः शेषं ज्वलितोऽनिलसारथिः ।
न तु राज्ञाऽभिपन्नस्य शेषं क्वचन विद्यते ॥ १२.६७.५० ॥
A blazing fire, with the wind as its charioteer, leaves nothing behind; and for one who has fallen into the king's hands, nothing whatever remains anywhere.
12.67.51
तस्य सर्वाणि रक्ष्याणि दूरतः परिवर्जयेत् ।
मृत्योरिव जुगुप्सेत राजस्वहरणान्नरः ॥ १२.६७.५१ ॥
All of his property should be guarded, and one should keep far from it. A man should shun the taking of the king's wealth as he would death.
12.67.52
वध्येतभिमृशन्सद्यो मृगः कूटमिव स्पृशन् ।
आत्मस्वमिव संरक्षेद्राजस्वमिह बुद्धिमान् ॥ १२.६७.५२ ॥
As a deer that touches a snare is at once slain, so one who touches the king's wealth is at once destroyed. A wise man should guard the king's wealth as he guards his own.
12.67.53
महान्तं नरकं घोरमप्रतिष्ठमचेतसः ।
पतन्ति चिररात्राय राजवित्तापहारिणः ॥ १२.६७.५३ ॥
Those senseless ones who steal the king's wealth fall into a great and terrible hell with no foundation, for a long night.
12.67.54
राजा भोजो विराट् सम्राट् क्षत्रियो भूपतिर्नृपः ।
य एभिः स्तूयते शब्दैः कस्तं नार्चितुमर्हति ॥ १२.६७.५४ ॥
He who is praised with these words — king, bhoja, virāṭ, samrāṭ, kṣatriya, bhūpati, nṛpa — who would not be fit to honour him?
12.67.55
तस्माद्बुभूषुर्नियतो जितात्मा संयतेन्द्रियः ।
मेधावी धृतिमान्दक्षः संश्रयेत् महीपतिम् ॥ १२.६७.५५ ॥
Therefore one who desires prosperity, self-restrained, who has conquered the self and controlled the senses, intelligent, steadfast and capable, should resort to the king.
12.67.56
कृतज्ञं प्राज्ञमक्षुद्रं दृढभक्तिं जितेन्द्रियम् ।
धर्मनित्यं स्थितं स्थाने मन्त्रिणं पूजयेन्नृपः ॥ १२.६७.५६ ॥
The king should honour a counsellor who is grateful, wise, noble, firm in devotion, who has conquered the senses, constant in dharma, and steadfast in his proper place.
12.67.57
दृढभक्तिं कृतप्रज्ञं धर्मज्ञं संयतेन्द्रियम् ।
शूरमक्षुद्रकर्माणं प्रसिद्धं जनमाश्रयेत् ॥ १२.६७.५७ ॥
One should resort to a man who is firm in devotion, of ripe wisdom, knower of dharma, with controlled senses, brave, of noble deeds, and renowned.
12.67.58
राजा प्रगल्भं पुरुषं करोति ।
राजा भृशं बृंहयते मनुष्यम्।
राजाभिपन्नस्य कुतः सुखानि ।
राजाऽभ्युपेतं सुखिनं करोति ॥ १२.६७.५८ ॥
The king makes a man bold. The king greatly exalts a man. For one who has fallen under the king's power, where is happiness? The king makes happy one who has come to him.
12.67.59
राजा प्रजानां प्रथमं शरीरं ।
प्रजाश्च राज्ञोऽप्रतिमं शरीरम्।
राज्ञा विहीना न भवन्ति देशा ।
देशैर्विहीना न नृपा भवन्ति ॥ १२.६७.५९ ॥
The king is the first body of the people, and the people are the incomparable body of the king. Without a king there are no lands; without lands there are no kings.
12.67.60
राजा प्रजानां हृदयं गरीयो ।
गतिः प्रतिष्ठा सुखमुत्तमं च।
समाश्रिता लोकमिमं परं च ।
जयन्ति सम्यक्पुरुषा नरेन्द्र ॥ १२.६७.६० ॥
The king is the heart of the subjects, the weightiest of all. He is their course, their foundation and supreme happiness. Men who take refuge in him rightly conquer both this world and the next, O lord of men.
12.67.61
नराधिपश्चाप्यनुशिष्य मेदिनीं ।
दमेन सत्येन च सौहृदेन।
महद्भिरिष्ट्वा क्रतुभिर्महायशा ।
स्त्रिविष्टपे स्थानमुपैति शाश्वतम् ॥ १२.६७.६१ ॥
The lord of men, too, having governed the earth with self-control, truth and goodwill, and having worshipped with great sacrifices, becomes glorious and attains an eternal place in heaven.
12.67.62
स एवमुक्तोऽङ्गिरसा कौसल्यो राजसत्तमः ।
प्रयत्नात्कृतवान्वीरः प्रजापालनमुत्तमम् ॥ १२.६७.६२ ॥
Thus addressed by Aṅgiras, the hero Kauśalya, best of kings, diligently carried out the supreme duty of protecting his subjects.