Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.68
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12.68.1
पार्थिवेन विशेषेण किं कार्यमवशिष्यते ।
कथं रक्ष्यो जनपदः कथं वध्याश्च शत्रवः ॥ १२.६८.१ ॥
What duty remains especially for a king? How should the realm be protected, and how should enemies be slain?
12.68.2
कथं चारान्प्रयुञ्जीत वर्णान्विश्वासयेत्कथम् ।
कथं भृत्यान्कथं दारान्कथं पुत्रांश्च भारत ॥ १२.६८.२ ॥
How should spies be employed? How should the varṇas be made to trust the king? How should servants, wives and sons be treated, O Bhārata?
12.68.3
राजवृत्तं महाराज शृणुष्वावहितोऽखिलम् ।
यत्कार्यं पार्थिवेनादौ पार्थिवप्रकृतेन वा ॥ १२.६८.३ ॥
O great king, listen attentively to the full account of the conduct of kings: what a king, or one of a king's natural ministers, should do first.
12.68.4
आत्मा जेयः सदा राज्ञा ततो जेयाश्च शत्रवः ।
अजितात्मा नरपतिर्विजयेत कथं रिपून् ॥ १२.६८.४ ॥
A king must always conquer his own self, and then his enemies. How could a lord of men whose self is unconquered conquer his foes?
12.68.5
एतावानात्मविजयः पञ्चवर्गविनिग्रहः ।
जितेन्द्रियो नरपतिर्बाधितुं शक्नुयाद्रिपुन् ॥ १२.६८.५ ॥
Conquest of self is just this: the restraint of the five groups. Only a lord of men who has mastered his senses is able to harass his foes.
12.68.6
न्यसेत गुल्मान्दुर्गेषु सन्धौ च कुरुनन्दन ।
नगरोपवने चैव पुरोद्याने तथैव च ॥ १२.६८.६ ॥
O joy of the Kurus, garrisons should be posted in the fortresses, at the points of treaty, and likewise in the garden outside the city and the park within it.
12.68.7
संस्थानेषु च सर्वेषु पुटेषु नगरस्य च ।
मध्ये च नरशार्दूल तथा राजनिवेशने ॥ १२.६८.७ ॥
In all the posts, in all the quarters of the city, in its centre, O tiger among men, and likewise in the royal residence.
12.68.8
प्रणिर्धीश्च ततः कुर्याज्जडान्धबधिराकृतीन् ।
पुंसः परीक्षितान्प्राज्ञान्क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमक्षमान् ॥ १२.६८.८ ॥
Then he should set up secret agents, disguised as dullards, blind men or deaf men, tested, wise, able to endure hunger, thirst and fatigue.
12.68.9
अमात्येषु च सर्वेषु मित्रेषु त्रिविधेषु च ।
पुत्रेषु च महाराज प्रणिदध्यात्समाहितः ॥ १२.६८.९ ॥
O great king, he should attentively set up spies among his ministers, among all his friends of the three kinds, and among his sons.
12.68.10
पुरे जनपदे चैव तथा सामन्तराजसु ।
यथा न विद्युरन्योन्यं प्रणिधेयास्तथा हि ते ॥ १२.६८.१० ॥
In the city and in the countryside, and likewise among the neighbouring kings, they should be placed so that they do not know one another; for such are fit to be set as spies.
12.68.11
चारांश्च विद्यात्प्रहितान्परेण भरतर्षभ ।
आपणेषु विहारेषु समवायेषु वीथिषु ॥ १२.६८.११ ॥
O bull of the Bharatas, one should also recognise the spies sent by an enemy—in the marketplaces, in the places of recreation, in assemblies and in the streets.
12.68.12
आरामेषु तथोद्याने पण्डितानां समागमे ।
वेशेषु चत्वरे चैव सभास्वावसथेषु च ॥ १२.६८.१२ ॥
In gardens and likewise in parks, at gatherings of the learned, in the houses of courtesans, at crossroads, in assembly halls and in lodgings.
12.68.13
एवं विहन्याच्चारेण परचारं विचक्षणः ।
चारे च विहते सर्वं हतं भवति भारत ॥ १२.६८.१३ ॥
Thus should the wise man destroy the enemy's spies by means of his own spies; when the spy network is destroyed, everything is lost, O Bhārata.
12.68.14
यदा तु हीनं नृपतिर्विद्यादात्मानमात्मना ।
अमात्यैः सह संमन्त्र्य कुर्यात्सन्धिं बलीयसा ॥ १२.६८.१४ ॥
When the king knows himself to be weaker than his enemy, he should consult with his ministers and make a treaty with the stronger one.
12.68.15
विद्वांसः क्षत्रिया वैश्या ब्राह्मणाश्च बहुश्रुताः ।
दण्डनीतौ तु निष्पन्ना मन्त्रिणः पृथिवीपते ॥ १२.६८.१५ ॥
O lord of the earth, learned warriors, merchants, and brahmins of wide learning, who are accomplished in the science of governance, are the ones to be counselors.
12.68.16
प्रष्टव्यो ब्राह्मणः पूर्वं नीतिशास्त्रस्य तत्ववित् ।
पश्चात्पृच्छेत भूपालः क्षत्रियं नीतिकोविदम्।
वैश्यशूद्रौ तथा भूयः शास्त्रज्ञौ हितकारिणौ ॥ १२.६८.१६ ॥
The king should first consult a brahmin who knows the essence of the science of conduct; afterwards he should ask a warrior skilled in policy, and then likewise a merchant and a servant who know the treatises and are beneficial advisers.
12.68.17
अज्ञायमाने हीनत्वे सन्धिं कुर्यात्परेण वै ।
लिप्सुर्वा कंचिदेवार्थं त्वरमाणो विचक्षणः ॥ १२.६८.१७ ॥
Even when one's own weakness is not known, or when a wise man is hastening to gain some particular aim, he should make a treaty with the enemy.
12.68.18
गुणवन्तो महोत्साहा धर्मज्ञाः साधवश्च ये ।
सन्दधीत नृपस्तैश्च राष्ट्रं धर्मेण पालयन् ॥ १२.६८.१८ ॥
The king should make an alliance with those who are virtuous, of great energy, knowers of dharma and good people, and protect the realm according to dharma.
12.68.19
उच्छिद्यमानमात्मानं ज्ञात्वा राजा महामतिः ।
पूर्वापकारिणो हन्याल्लोकद्विष्टांश्च सर्वशः ॥ १२.६८.१९ ॥
Knowing that he is being destroyed, the wise king should slay those who harmed him before and those hated by the people in every way.
12.68.20
यो नोपकर्तुं शक्नोति नापकर्तुं महीपतिः ।
न शक्यरूपश्चोद्धर्तुमुपेक्ष्यस्तादृशो भवेत् ॥ १२.६८.२० ॥
A king who is able neither to do good nor to do harm, who cannot easily be subdued or uprooted, such a one should be disregarded.
12.68.21
यात्रां यायादविज्ञातमनाक्रन्दमनन्तरम् ।
व्यासक्तं च प्रमत्तं च दुर्बलं च विचक्षणः ॥ १२.६८.२१ ॥
The discerning king should march, unnoticed and without warning, immediately, against one who is distracted, heedless, and weak.
12.68.22
यात्रामाज्ञापयेद्वीरः कल्यः पुष्टबलः सुखी ।
पूर्वं कृत्वा विधानं च यात्रायां नगरे तथा ॥ १२.६८.२२ ॥
A brave king who is fit, has a strong army, and is content should order the campaign, having first made arrangements both for the march and for the city.
12.68.23
न च पश्यो भवेदस्य नृपो यश्चातिवीर्यवान् ।
हीनश्च बलवीर्याभ्यां कर्षयंस्तत्परो वसेत् ॥ १२.६८.२३ ॥
A king who is not far-sighted should not be facing one who is exceedingly mighty; and one who, though lacking in strength and valour, dwells intent upon dragging that very one down, should remain thus.
12.68.24
राष्ट्रं च पीडयेत्तस्य शस्त्राग्निविषमूर्च्छनैः ।
अमात्यवल्लभानां च विवादांस्तस्य कारयेत् ॥ १२.६८.२४ ॥
He should harass his realm with weapons, fire, poison, and means that bring on swooning, and he should stir up quarrels concerning him among the favourites of his ministers.
12.68.25
वर्जनीयं सदा युद्धं राज्यकामेन धीमता ।
उपायैस्त्रिभिरादानमर्थस्याह बृहस्पतिः ॥ १२.६८.२५ ॥
A wise man desiring kingship must always avoid war; Bṛhaspati has said that wealth is to be acquired by three means.
12.68.26
सान्त्वेन तु प्रदानेन भेदेन च नराधिप ।
यमर्थं शक्नुयात्प्राप्तुं तेन तुष्येत पण्डितः ॥ १२.६८.२६ ॥
O lord of men, the wise man should be content with whatever aim he can attain by conciliation, gift, and division.
12.68.27
आददीत बलिं चापि प्रजाभ्यः कुरुनन्दन ।
षङ्भागममितप्रज्ञस्तासामेवाभिगुप्तये ॥ १२.६८.२७ ॥
O joy of the Kurus, the king of boundless wisdom should take a sixth part as tribute from the subjects, and only for their protection.
12.68.28
दशाधर्मगतेभ्यो यद्वसु बह्वल्पमेव वा ।
तन्नाददीत सहसा पौराणां रक्षणाय वै ॥ १२.६८.२८ ॥
Wealth, whether much or little, should not be seized suddenly from those fallen into the ten kinds of unrighteousness; it is for the protection of the citizens.
12.68.29
यथा पुत्रास्तथा पौरा द्रष्टव्यास्ते न संशयः ।
भक्तिश्चैषु न कर्तव्या व्यवहारप्रदर्शने ॥ १२.६८.२९ ॥
As sons, so the citizens are to be regarded; of this there is no doubt. In the administration of justice, partiality should not be shown toward them.
12.68.30
श्रोतुं चैव न्यसेद्राजा प्राज्ञान्सर्वार्थदर्शिनः ।
व्यवहारेषु सततं तत्र राज्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १२.६८.३० ॥
The king should appoint wise men who see every purpose, to hear and advise him; in legal proceedings the kingdom always rests upon them.
12.68.31
आकरे लवणे शुल्के तरे नागबले तथा ।
न्यसेदमात्यान्नृपतिः स्वाप्तान्वा पुरुषान्हितान् ॥ १२.६८.३१ ॥
The king should appoint, in mines, salt-works, tolls, ferries and the elephant forces, his trusted ministers or men who are well-disposed and reliable.
12.68.32
सम्यग्दण्डधरो नित्यं राजा धर्ममवाप्नुयात् ।
नृपस्य सततं दण्डः सम्यग्धर्मः प्रशस्यते ॥ १२.६८.३२ ॥
The king who always bears the rod of punishment rightly obtains dharma. For a king, constant right punishment is praised as the proper dharma.
12.68.33
वेदवेदाङ्गवित्प्राज्ञः सुतपस्वी नृपो भवेत् ।
दानशीलश्च सततं यज्ञशीलश्च भारत ॥ १२.६८.३३ ॥
Let the king be one who knows the Vedas and their limbs, is wise, and is greatly austere. O Bhārata, let him always be generous and devoted to sacrifice.
12.68.34
एते गुणाः समस्ताः स्युर्नृपस्य सततं स्थिराः ।
व्यवहारस्य लोपेन कुतः स्वर्गः कुतो यशः ॥ १२.६८.३४ ॥
All these qualities should remain steady in the king always. If the administration of justice is neglected, how can heaven be attained, and how can fame be attained?
12.68.35
यदा तु पीडितो राजा भवेद्राज्ञा बलीयसा ।
तदाभिसंश्रयेद्दुर्गं बुद्धिमान्पृथिवीपतिः ॥ १२.६८.३५ ॥
When a king is oppressed by a stronger king, the wise lord of the earth should take refuge in a fortress.
12.68.36
विधावाक्रम्य मित्राणि विधानमुपकल्पयेत् ।
सामभेदान्विरोधार्थं विधानमुपकल्पयेत् ॥ १२.६८.३६ ॥
Having approached one's allies in the stratagem, one should devise a plan. For the sake of opposing an enemy, one should devise a plan through conciliation (sāma) and division (bheda).
12.68.37
त्रिधा तु कृत्वा मित्राणि विधानमुपकल्पयेत् ।
घोषान्न्यसेत मार्गेषु ग्रामानुत्थापयेदपि।
प्रवेशयेच्च तान्सर्वाञ्शाखानगरकेष्वपि ॥ १२.६८.३७ ॥
Having divided one's allies in three ways, one should devise a plan. One should place herdsmen's settlements along the roads, and stir up the villages as well; one should send them all into the branch towns too.
12.68.38
ये गुप्ताश्चैव दुर्गाश्च देशास्तेषु प्रवेशयेत् ।
धनिनो बलमुख्यांश्च सान्त्वयित्वा पुनः पुनः ॥ १२.६८.३८ ॥
Into those regions which are protected and fortified, one should send them; and, consoling the wealthy and the chief men of the army again and again...
12.68.39
सस्याभिहारं कुर्वीत स्वयमेव नराधिपः ।
असंभवे प्रवेशस्य दाहयेदग्निना भृशम् ॥ १२.६८.३९ ॥
The king himself should seize the crops; and if entry is impossible, he should have them thoroughly burned with fire.
12.68.40
क्षेत्रस्थेषु च सस्येषु शत्रोरुपजपेन्नरान् ।
विनाशयेद्वा तत्सर्वं बलेनाथ स्वकेन वै ॥ १२.६८.४० ॥
Concerning the crops standing in the fields, one should secretly incite the enemy's men; or one should destroy all of it by force of one's own army.
12.68.41
नदीमार्गेषु च तथा संक्रमानवसादयेत् ।
जलं विस्रावयेत्सर्वमविस्राव्यं च दूषयेत् ॥ १२.६८.४१ ॥
On the river routes and likewise at the fords, one should bring down the banks; one should drain all the water, and whatever cannot be drained, one should contaminate.
12.68.42
तदात्वेनायतीभिश्च निवसेद्भूम्यनन्तरम् ।
प्रतिघातं परस्याजौ युद्धकालेऽप्युपस्थिते ॥ १२.६८.४२ ॥
By present and future means, one should settle the adjoining land; and even when the time of war has come, one should strike back against the enemy's blow in battle.
12.68.43
दुर्गाणां चाभितो राजा मूलच्छेदं प्रकारयेत् ।
सर्वेषां क्षुद्रवृक्षाणां चैत्यवृक्षान्विवर्जयेत् ॥ १२.६८.४३ ॥
The king should have the roots cut on all sides of the fortresses; he should cut all small trees, but leave aside the sacred trees.
12.68.44
प्रवृद्धानां च वृक्षाणां शाखां प्रच्छेदयेत्तथा ।
चैत्यानां सर्वथा त्याज्यमपि पत्रस्य पातनम् ॥ १२.६८.४४ ॥
The branches of grown trees should likewise be cut; but even the felling of leaves from sacred caitya trees must be wholly avoided.
12.68.45
देवानामाश्रयाश्चैत्या यक्षराक्षसभोगिनाम् ।
पिशाचपन्नगानां च गन्धर्वाप्सरसामपि।
रौद्राणां चैव भूतानां तस्मात्तान्परिवर्जयेत् ॥ १२.६८.४५ ॥
Caitya trees are the abodes of gods, yakṣas, rākṣasas, serpents, piśācas, pannagas, gandharvas, apsarases and the fierce spirits; therefore they should be avoided.
12.68.46
श्रूयते हि निकुम्भेन सौदासस्य बलं हतम् ।
महेश्वरगणेशेन वाराणस्यां नराधिप ॥ १२.६८.४६ ॥
It is heard, O lord of men, that in Vārāṇasī the army of Saudāsa was destroyed by Nikumbha, through Gaṇeśa, leader of Maheśvara's hosts.
12.68.47
प्रगण्डीः कारयेत्सम्यगाकाशजननीस्तदा ।
आपूरयेच्च परिखां स्थाणुनक्रझषाकुलाम् ॥ १२.६८.४७ ॥
Then he should have bastions properly built, open to the sky, and fill the moat, full of stakes, crocodiles and fish.
12.68.48
सङ्कटद्वारकाणि स्युरुच्छ्वासार्थं पुरस्य च ।
तेषां च द्वारवद्गुप्तिः कार्या सर्वात्मना भवेत् ॥ १२.६८.४८ ॥
There should be narrow gates for the city's ventilation; and their protection, like that of the main gate, should be made complete in every way.
12.68.49
द्वारेषु च गुरूण्येव यन्त्राणि स्थापयेत्सदा ।
आरापयेच्छतघ्नीश्च स्वाधीनानि च कारयेत् ॥ १२.६८.४९ ॥
At the gates he should always set up heavy engines, mount the hundred-killers, and have them kept under his own control.
12.68.50
काष्ठानि चाभिहार्याणि तथा कूपांश्च खानयेत् ।
संशोधयेत्तथा कूपान्कृतान्पूर्वपयोर्थिभिः ॥ १२.६८.५० ॥
He should also have wood brought in, and have wells dug; and the wells already made should be cleaned out by those who need water.
12.68.51
तृणच्छन्नानि वेश्मानि पङ्केनाथ प्रलेपयेत् ।
निर्हरेच्च तृणं मासि चैत्रे वह्निभयात्पुरा ॥ १२.६८.५१ ॥
Houses roofed with grass he should plaster with mud, and in the month of Caitra, from fear of fire, he should remove the grass beforehand.
12.68.52
नक्तमेव च भक्तानि पाचयेत नराधिपः ।
न दिवा ज्वालयेदग्निं वर्जयित्वाऽऽग्निहोत्रिकम् ॥ १२.६८.५२ ॥
The king should have food cooked only at night, and should not kindle fire by day, except for the sacred fire-offering.
12.68.53
यथासंभवशैलानि चैष्टकानि च कारयेत् ।
मृण्मयानि च कुर्वीत ज्ञात्वा देशं बलाबलम् ॥ १२.६८.५३ ॥
As far as possible he should have stones and bricks made, and earthen things too, knowing the land's strength and weakness.
12.68.54
कर्मारारिष्टशालासु ज्वलेदग्निः सुरक्षितः ।
गृहाणि च प्रवेश्यान्तर्विधेयः स्याद्धुताशनः ॥ १२.६८.५४ ॥
In the smiths' workshops the fire should be kindled and well guarded; and fire should also be brought inside the houses and kept under control.
12.68.55
महादण्डश्च तस्य स्याद्यस्याग्निर्वै दिवा भवेत् ।
प्रघोषयेदथैवं च रक्षणार्थं पुरस्य च ॥ १२.६८.५५ ॥
And the one in whose house fire breaks out by day shall receive a great punishment. And for the protection of the city, such a proclamation should be made.
12.68.56
भिक्षुकांश्चाक्रिकांश्चैव क्लीबोन्मत्तान्कुशीलवान् ।
बाह्यान्कुर्यान्नरश्रेष्ठ दोषाय स्युर्हि ते शठाः ॥ १२.६८.५६ ॥
O best of men, beggars, mimes, eunuchs, madmen and bards should be kept outside, for those deceivers become a cause of harm.
12.68.57
चत्वरेष्वथ तीर्थेषु सभास्वावसथेषु च ।
यथार्थवर्णं प्रणिधिं कुर्यात्सर्वत्र पार्थिवः ॥ १२.६८.५७ ॥
At crossroads, at holy fords, in assembly halls and in lodgings, the king should appoint spies of true appearance everywhere.
12.68.58
विशालान्राजमार्गांश्च कारयेत नराधिपः ।
प्रपाश्च विपणीश्चैव यथोद्देशं समादिशेत् ॥ १२.६८.५८ ॥
The lord of men should have broad royal highways built, and should direct that water-stations and markets be set up in the designated places.
12.68.59
भाण्डागारायुधागारान्धान्यागारांश्च सर्वशः ।
अश्वागारान्गजागारान्बलाधिकरणानि च ॥ १२.६८.५९ ॥
The king should have treasuries, armouries, granaries, horse stables, elephant stalls and offices of the army established everywhere.
12.68.60
परिखाश्चैव कौरव्य प्रतोलीसङ्कटानि च ।
न जातु कश्चित्पश्येत गुह्यमेतद्युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.६८.६० ॥
And moats, city gates and narrow passages should also be built, O Kaurava; and this secret, O Yudhiṣṭhira, no one should ever see.
12.68.61
अर्थसंनिचयं कुर्याद्राजा परबलार्दितः ।
तैलं मधु घृतं सस्यमौषधानि च सर्वशः ॥ १२.६८.६१ ॥
A king oppressed by the might of an enemy should lay up stores of wealth: oil, honey, ghee, grain, and medicines of every kind.
12.68.62
अङ्गारकुशमुञ्जानां पलाशशरवर्णिनाम् ।
यवसेन्धनदिग्धानां कारयेत च संचयान् ॥ १२.६८.६२ ॥
He should also have stockpiles made of charcoal, kuśa and muñja grass, palāśa wood and reed-like stuff, all smeared with barley fodder and fuel.
12.68.63
आयुधानां च सर्वेषां शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासचर्मणाम् ।
संचयानेवमादीनां कारयेत नराधिपः ॥ १२.६८.६३ ॥
The king should have stockpiles made of all weapons—spears, lances, javelins and shields—and of such like.
12.68.64
औषधानि च सर्वाणि मूलानि च फलानि च ।
चतुर्विधांश्च वैद्यान्वै संगृह्णीयाद्विशेषठः ॥ १२.६८.६४ ॥
He should especially gather all medicines, roots and fruits, and physicians of four kinds.
12.68.65
नटांश्च नर्तकांश्चैव मल्लान्मायाविनस्तथा ।
शोभयेयुः पुरवरं मोदयेयुश्च सर्वशः ॥ १२.६८.६५ ॥
Actors, dancers, wrestlers and illusionists should likewise adorn the excellent city and delight its people in every way.
12.68.66
यतः शङ्का भवेच्चापि भृत्यतोऽथापि मन्त्रितः ।
पौरेभ्यो नृपतेर्वापि स्वाधीनान्कारयेत तान् ॥ १२.६८.६६ ॥
Those from whom suspicion might arise—whether a servant, a minister, the townspeople, or even the king—should be kept under one's own control and made to work.
12.68.67
कृते कर्माणि राजा तान्पूजयेद्धनसंचयैः ।
माननेन यथार्हेण सान्त्वेन विविधेन च ॥ १२.६८.६७ ॥
When their tasks are done, the king should honour them with heaps of wealth, with fitting respect and with various kinds of conciliation.
12.68.68
निर्वेदयित्वा तु परं हत्वा वा कुरुनन्दन ।
गतानृण्यो भवेद्राजा यथा शास्त्रे निदर्शितम् ॥ १२.६८.६८ ॥
O joy of the Kurus, having worn out the enemy or having slain him, the king becomes free from debt, as shown in the scripture.
12.68.69
राज्ञा सप्तैव रक्ष्याणि तानि चैव निबोध मे ।
आत्माऽमात्याश्च कोशाश्च दण्डो मित्राणि चैव हि ॥ १२.६८.६९ ॥
By the king seven things alone are to be protected; learn them from me: the self, the ministers, the treasury, the sceptre (army), and also the allies.
12.68.70
तथा जनपदाश्चैव पुरं च कुरुनन्दन ।
एतत्सप्तात्मकं राज्यं परिपाल्यं प्रयत्नतः ॥ १२.६८.७० ॥
Likewise the territories and the city too, O joy of the Kurus; this kingdom of seven parts must be carefully protected.
12.68.71
षाङ्गुण्यं च त्रिवर्गं च त्रिवर्गपरमं तथा ।
यो वेत्ति पुरुषव्याघ्र स भुङ्क्ते पृथिवीमिमाम् ॥ १२.६८.७१ ॥
He who knows the sixfold policy, the threefold aims, and what is higher than the threefold aims, O tiger among men, he enjoys this earth.
12.68.72
षाङ्गुण्यमिति यत्प्रोक्तं तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ।
सन्धायासनमित्येव यात्रासन्धानमेव च ॥ १२.६८.७२ ॥
What is declared as the sixfold policy, understand it, O Yudhiṣṭhira: peace (sandhi), neutrality (āsana), marching forth (yātrā), and alliance (sandhāna).
12.68.73
विगृह्यासनमित्येव यात्रां संपरिगृह्य च ।
द्वैधीभावस्तथाऽन्येषां संश्रयोऽथ परस्य च ॥ १२.६८.७३ ॥
Waiting after war has begun, taking up the march, sowing division among others, and seeking the protection of the enemy.
12.68.74
त्रिवर्गश्चापि यः प्रोक्तस्तमिहैकमनाः शृणु ।
क्षयः स्थानं च वृद्धिश्च त्रिवर्गः परमस्तथा ॥ १२.६८.७४ ॥
Hear with a single mind what was said of the threefold aim: decline, standing, growth, and likewise the supreme threefold.
12.68.75
धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च त्रिवर्गो वै सनातनः ।
मन्त्रश्चैव प्रभावश्च उत्साहश्चैव तान्त्रिकः।
शक्तित्रयं समाख्यातं त्रिवर्गस्य च तत्परम् ॥ १२.६८.७५ ॥
Dharma, wealth and pleasure are the eternal threefold aim. Counsel, sovereign power and energy are said to be the three powers of rule, and they are higher even than the threefold aim.
12.68.76
कार्यं च कारणं चैव कर्ता च परिकीर्तितः ।
एतत्परतरं विद्यान्त्रिवर्गादपि भारत।
सर्वेपां च क्षये राजन्यस्त्रिवर्गः सनातनः ॥ १२.६८.७६ ॥
Action, cause and agent are also declared. Know this to be higher even than the threefold aim, O Bhārata. O king, even when all others perish, the threefold aim of the ruler endures.
12.68.77
सत्वं रजस्तमश्चैव त्रिवर्गकरणं स्मृतम् ।
तेनात्यन्तविमुक्तश्च मुक्तः पुरुष उच्यते ॥ १२.६८.७७ ॥
Sattva, rajas and tamas are remembered as the producers of the threefold aim. The person utterly freed from these is said to be liberated.
12.68.78
कार्यस्य सर्वथा नाशो मोक्ष इत्यभिधीयते ।
तेन मोक्षपरश्चैव देवदेवः पितामहः।
तुष्ट्यर्थस्य त्रिवर्गस्य रक्षामाह पितामहः ॥ १२.६८.७८ ॥
The complete cessation of action is called liberation. Therefore the grandfather, god of gods, intent on liberation, taught the protection of the threefold aims for the sake of contentment.
12.68.79
जगतो लौकिकी यात्रा यत्र नित्यं प्रतिष्ठिता ।
धर्मोऽर्थश्चैव कामश्च सेवितव्याः स्वकालतः ॥ १२.६८.७९ ॥
The worldly course of the world, where dharma, wealth and pleasure are always established, must be pursued each in its proper time.
12.68.80
सेवा धर्मस्य कर्तव्या सततं भूरिवत्सरैः ।
पुरुषैर्नरशार्दूल तन्मूलाः सर्वथा क्रियाः ॥ १२.६८.८० ॥
Men must constantly serve dharma through many years, O tiger among men; all actions should be wholly rooted in it.
12.68.81
धर्मेण च महीपालश्चिरं रक्षति मेदिनीम् ।
यः कश्चिद्धार्मिको राजा स विपन्नोऽपि भूपतिः।
अर्थकामविहीनोऽपि चिरं पालयते महीम् ॥ १२.६८.८१ ॥
Through dharma a king protects the earth for long. Any righteous king, though fallen into misfortune, is still lord of the earth; even bereft of wealth and pleasure, he sustains the earth for a long time.
12.68.82
अस्मिन्नर्थे हि द्वौ श्लोकौ गीतावङ्गिरसा स्वयम् ।
यादवीपुत्र भद्रं ते श्रोतुमर्हसि तावपि ॥ १२.६८.८२ ॥
On this matter Aṅgiras himself sang two verses. O son of the Yādavī, may you prosper; you should hear those two as well.
12.68.83
कृत्वा कार्याणि धर्मेण सम्यक्संपाल्य मेदिनीम् ।
पालयित्वा तथा पौरान्परत्र सुखमेधते ॥ १२.६८.८३ ॥
Having performed his duties by dharma, having well protected the earth and likewise protected the citizens, he thrives in happiness in the next world.
12.68.84
किं तस्य तपसा राज्ञः किंच तस्याध्वरैः कृतैः ।
सुपालिताः प्रजा यस्य सर्वधर्मकृदेव सः ॥ १२.६८.८४ ॥
What need has a king of asceticism, or of the sacrifices he performs, when his subjects are well protected and he himself upholds all dharma?
12.68.85
श्लोकाश्चोशनसा गीतास्तान्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ।
दण्डनीतेश्च यन्मूलं त्रिवर्गस्य च भूपते ॥ १२.६८.८५ ॥
Listen, Yudhiṣṭhira, to those verses sung by Uśanas, which are the root of the science of punishment and of the threefold aim, O lord of the earth.
12.68.86
भार्गवाङ्गिरसं कर्म षोडशाङ्गं च यद्बलम् ।
विषं माया च दैवं च पौरुषं चात्मसिद्धये ॥ १२.६८.८६ ॥
The sixteen-limbed action taught by Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras, and the strength, poison, deception, fate and human effort, for the accomplishment of one's own aims.
12.68.87
प्रागुदक्प्रवणं दुर्गं समासाद्य महीपतिः ।
त्रिवर्गत्रयसंपूर्णमुपादाय तमुद्वहेत् ॥ १२.६८.८७ ॥
Having reached a fortress sloping toward the east and north, the king should take it, full of the three parts of the threefold aim, and maintain it.
12.68.88
षट्पञ्च च विनिर्जित्य दश चाष्टौ च भूपतिः ।
त्रिवर्गैर्दशभिर्युक्तः सुरैरपि न जीर्यते ॥ १२.६८.८८ ॥
Having conquered six and five, and ten and eight, the king endowed with the ten threefold aims is not defeated even by the gods.
12.68.89
न बुद्धिं परिगृह्णीत स्त्रीणां मूर्खजनस्य च ।
दैवोपहतबुद्धीनां ये च वेदैर्विवर्जिताः।
न तेषां शृणुयाद्राजा बुद्धिस्तेषां पराङ्भुखी ॥ १२.६८.८९ ॥
The king should not accept the counsel of women or of foolish people. He should not listen to those whose understanding is struck down by fate and who are cut off from the Vedas; their understanding is turned away.
12.68.90
स्त्रीप्रधानानि राज्यानि विद्वद्भिर्वर्जितानि च ।
मूर्खामात्याग्नितप्तानि शुष्यन्ते जलबिन्दुवत् ॥ १२.६८.९० ॥
Kingdoms dominated by women, abandoned by the learned, and scorched by the fire of foolish ministers dry up like drops of water.
12.68.91
विद्वांसः प्रथिता ये च ये चाप्ताः सर्वकर्मसु ।
बुद्धेषु दृष्टकर्माणि तेषां च शृणुयान्नृपः ॥ १२.६८.९१ ॥
The king should listen to those learned men who are renowned, trustworthy in all affairs, and whose sound judgments have been proven in action.
12.68.92
दैवं पुरुषकारं च त्रिवर्गं च समाश्रितः ।
दैवतानि च विप्रांश्च प्रणम्य विजयी भवेत् ॥ १२.६८.९२ ॥
Relying on fate, human effort, and the threefold aims of life, and bowing to the gods and the brahmins, one should become victorious.