Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.73
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12.73.1
राज्ञा पुरोहितः कार्यः कीदृशो वर्णतो भवेत् ।
पुरोधा यादृशः कार्यः कथयस्व पितामह ॥ १२.७३.१ ॥
What kind of household priest should a king appoint, and of what colour or class should he be? Tell me, grandsire, what sort of priest should be appointed.
12.73.2
गौरो वा लोहितो वाऽपि श्यामो वा नीरुजः सुखी ।
अक्रोधनो ह्यचपलः सर्वतश्च जितेन्द्रियः ॥ १२.७३.२ ॥
Whether he is fair, reddish, or dark, he should be free from disease and happy, free from anger and steady, and in every way one who has conquered his senses.
12.73.3
राज्ञा पुरोहितः कार्यो भवेद्विद्वान्बहुश्रुतः ।
उभौ समीक्ष्य धर्मार्थावप्रमेयावनन्तरम् ॥ १२.७३.३ ॥
The king should appoint a chaplain who is learned and widely read, one who, having carefully considered both dharma and artha, can weigh the immeasurable matters in turn.
12.73.4
धर्मात्मा मन्त्रविद्येषां राज्ञां राजन्पुरोहितः ।
तेषामर्थश्च कामश्च धर्मश्चेति विनिश्चयः ॥ १२.७३.४ ॥
O king, the chaplain who is righteous in nature and knows counsel is the priest of these kings; their wealth, pleasure and righteousness are settled in this way.
12.73.5
श्लोकाश्चोशनसा गीतास्तान्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ।
उच्छिष्टः स भवेद्राजा यस्य नास्ति पुरोहितः ॥ १२.७३.५ ॥
Learn, Yudhiṣṭhira, the verses sung by Uśanas: the king who has no chaplain becomes a worthless leftover.
12.73.6
रक्षसामसुराणां च पिशाचोरगपक्षिणाम् ।
शत्रूणां च भवेद्वध्यो यस्य नास्ति पुरोहितः ॥ १२.७३.६ ॥
The king who has no chaplain becomes a target for slaying by rākṣasas, asuras, piśācas, serpents, birds, and enemies.
12.73.7
ब्रह्मत्वं सर्वयज्ञेषु कुर्वीताथर्वणो द्विजः ।
राज्ञश्चाथर्ववेदेन सर्वकर्माणि कारयेत् ॥ १२.७३.७ ॥
Among all sacrifices, let the twice-born of the Atharvan line perform the office of brahman, and let him have all the king's rites performed by means of the Atharva Veda.
12.73.8
ब्रूयाद्गर्ह्याणि सततं महोत्पातान्यघानि च ।
इष्टमङ्गलयुक्तानि तथाऽन्तः पुरिकाणि च ॥ १२.७३.८ ॥
He should constantly report reprehensible matters, great portents and evil omens, as well as matters joined with auspicious rites, and likewise matters concerning the inner palace.
12.73.9
गीतनृत्ताधिकारेषु संमतेषु महीपतेः ।
कर्तव्यं करणीयं वै वैश्वदेवबलिस्तथा ॥ १२.७३.९ ॥
In matters of song and dance approved by the king, what is to be done should be done; and the Vaiśvadeva offering likewise.
12.73.10
पक्षसंधिषु कुर्वीत महाशान्तिं पुरोहितः ।
रौद्रहोमसहस्रं च स्वस्य राज्ञः प्रियं हितम् ॥ १२.७३.१० ॥
At the junctures of alliances, the chaplain should perform a great rite of appeasement and a thousand fierce oblations, for the dear and beneficial welfare of his own king.
12.73.11
राज्ञः पापमलाः सप्त यानृच्छति पुरोहितः ।
अमात्याश्च कुकर्माणो मन्त्रिणश्चाप्युपेक्षकाः ॥ १२.७३.११ ॥
The king has seven sinful impurities, which the chaplain encounters: ministers who do wrong deeds, and counselors who are neglectful.
12.73.12
चौर्यमव्यवहारश्च व्यवहारोपसेविनाम् ।
अदण्ड्यदण्डनं चैव दण्ड्यानां चाप्यदण्डनम् ॥ १२.७३.१२ ॥
Theft, and the failure of legal procedure among those who pursue litigation; punishing those who should not be punished, and not punishing those who should be punished.
12.73.13
हिंसा चान्यत्र संग्रामाद्राज्ञश्च मल उच्यते ।
कुभृत्यैस्तु प्रजानाशः सप्तमस्तु महामलः ॥ १२.७३.१३ ॥
Violence apart from battle, and the king's stain, are said to be impurity. The ruin of the people through bad servants is the seventh great impurity.
12.73.14
रौद्रैर्होमैर्महाशान्त्या घृतकम्बलकर्मणा ।
भृग्वङ्गिरोविधिज्ञो वै पुरोधा निर्णुदे मलात् ॥ १२.७३.१४ ॥
By fierce oblations, the great pacifying rite and the work of ghee and blanket, the priest who knows the rites of Bhṛgu and Aṅgiras indeed removes the impurity.
12.73.15
एतान्हित्वा दिवं याति राजा सप्त महामलान् ।
सामात्यः सपुरोधाश्च प्रजानां पालने रतः ॥ १२.७३.१५ ॥
Having abandoned these seven great impurities, the king, with his ministers and priests, delighted in protecting the people, goes to heaven.
12.73.16
एतस्मिन्नेव कौरव्य पौरोहित्ये महामते ।
श्लोकानाह महेन्द्रस्य गुरुर्देवो बृहस्पतिः ॥ १२.७३.१६ ॥
O Kaurava, O great-minded one, concerning this very office of priest, the god Bṛhaspati, the teacher of Mahendra, spoke these verses.
12.73.17
तान्निबोध महीपाल महाभाग हिताञ्शुभान् ।
ऋग्वेदे सामवेदे च यजुर्वेदे च वाजिनाम् ॥ १२.७३.१७ ॥
O protector of the earth, O greatly fortunate one, understand those beneficial and auspicious verses, which in the Ṛgveda, the Sāmaveda and the Yajurveda are for the sacrificers.
12.73.18
न निर्दिष्टानि कर्माणि त्रिषु स्थानेषु भूभृताम् ।
शान्तिकं पौष्टिकं चैव अरिष्टानां च शातनम् ॥ १२.७३.१८ ॥
For kings, rites are not prescribed in three places. The pacifying and the prosperity-giving rites, and the averting of evil omens, likewise.
12.73.19
शप्तास्ते याज्ञवल्क्येन यज्ञानां हितमीहता ।
ब्रह्मिष्ठानां वरिष्ठेन ब्रह्मणः संमते विभोः ॥ १२.७३.१९ ॥
Yājñavalkya, desiring the welfare of sacrifices and being the best among those devoted to Brahman, cursed them with the consent of the all-pervading Brahmā.
12.73.20
बह्वृचं सामगं चैव वाजिनं च विवर्जयेत् ।
बह्वृचो राष्ट्रनाशाय राजनाशाय सामगः।
अध्वर्युर्बलनाशाय प्रोक्तो वाजसनेयकः ॥ १२.७३.२० ॥
One should avoid the Bahvṛca, the Sāmaga and the Vājin. The Bahvṛca brings ruin to the realm, the Sāmaga brings ruin to the king, and the Vājasaneyaka, as Adhvaryu, is declared to bring ruin to strength.
12.73.21
अब्राह्मणेषु वर्णेषु मन्त्रान्वाजसनेयकान् ।
शान्तिके पौष्टिके चैव नित्यं कर्मणि वर्जयेत् ॥ १२.७३.२१ ॥
Among the non-brahmin classes, one should always avoid the Vājasaneyaka mantras in rites of appeasement and rites of prosperity.
12.73.22
ब्राह्मणस्य महीपस्य सर्वथा न विरोधिनः ।
वेदाश्चत्वार इत्येते ब्राह्मणा ये च तद्विदुः ॥ १२.७३.२२ ॥
A brahmin and a king are in no way opposed to each other; these are the four Vedas, and so too are the brahmins who know them.
12.73.23
पौरोहित्ये प्रमाणं तु ब्राह्मणश्च महीपतेः ।
जात्या न क्षत्रियः प्रोक्तः क्षतत्राणं करोति यः ॥ १२.७३.२३ ॥
In the office of royal priest, the brahmin is the authority, and so is the king. One is not called a kṣatriya by birth; he who protects from harm is the kṣatriya.
12.73.24
चातुर्वर्ण्यबहिष्ठोऽपि स एव क्षत्रियः स्मृतः ।
भार्गवाङ्गिरसैर्मन्त्रैस्तेषां कर्म विधीयते ॥ १२.७३.२४ ॥
Even one outside the fourfold order is remembered as a kṣatriya; and for such men the rite is prescribed with the mantras of the Bhṛgus and Aṅgirasas.
12.73.25
वैतानं कर्म यच्चैव गृह्यकर्म च यत्स्मृतम् ।
द्विजातीनां त्रयाणां तु सर्वकर्म विधीयते ॥ १२.७३.२५ ॥
The Vaitāna rite and the domestic rite that is remembered — for the three twice-born classes all rites are prescribed.
12.73.26
राजधर्मप्रवृत्तानां हितार्थं त्रीमि कारयेत् ।
शान्तिकं पौष्टिकं चैव तथाऽभिचरणं च यत् ॥ १२.७३.२६ ॥
For the welfare of those engaged in the duties of kingship, three rites should be performed: the pacifying rite, the rite of nourishment, and also the rite of destruction.
12.73.27
अग्निष्टोममुखैर्यज्ञैर्दूषिता भूपकर्मभिः ।
न सम्यक्फलमृच्छन्ति ये यजन्ति द्विजातयः ॥ १२.७३.२७ ॥
Those twice-born who sacrifice, with the Agniṣṭoma and other sacrifices at their head, but whose rites are defiled by the acts of kings, do not obtain the proper fruit.
12.73.28
पौरोहित्यं तु कुर्वाणा नाशं यास्यन्ति भूभृताम् ।
यज्ञकर्माणि कुर्वाणा ऋत्विजस्तु विरोधिनः ॥ १२.७३.२८ ॥
Those who perform the office of household priest will go to the ruin of kings; and the officiating priests who perform sacrificial rites are indeed hostile.
12.73.29
ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशः सर्वे पौरोहित्ये विवर्जिताः ।
तदभावे च पारक्यं निर्दिष्टं राजकर्मसु ॥ १२.७३.२९ ॥
Brahmins, kṣatriyas and vaiśyas are all barred from the office of household priest; and in their absence, another's (a priest's) role is prescribed among the duties of kings.
12.73.30
ऋषिणा याज्ञवल्क्येन तत्तथा न तदन्यथा ।
भार्गवाङ्गिरसां वेदे कृतविद्यः षडङ्गवित् ॥ १२.७३.३० ॥
The sage Yājñavalkya has declared it thus and not otherwise — he who has learned the Veda of the Bhṛgus and Aṅgirases and knows the six Vedāṅgas.
12.73.31
यज्ञकर्मविधिज्ञस्तु विधिज्ञः पौष्टिकेषु च ।
अष्टादशविकल्पानां विधिज्ञः शान्तिकर्मणाम् ॥ १२.७३.३१ ॥
He who knows the rules of sacrificial rites, knows the rules of rites for prosperity, and knows the rules of the eighteen variations of pacifying rites.
12.73.32
सर्वरोगविहीनश्च संयतः संयतेन्द्रियः ।
श्वित्रकुष्ठक्षयक्षीणैर्ग्रहापस्मारदूषितैः ॥ १२.७३.३२ ॥
He should be free of all disease, self-controlled, with senses restrained; not (one) wasted by leprosy, skin disease and consumption, or tainted by possession and epilepsy.
12.73.33
अशस्तैर्वातदुष्टैश्च दूरस्थैः संवदेन्नृपः ।
रोगिणं ऋत्विजं चैव वर्जयेच्च पुरोहितम् ॥ १२.७३.३३ ॥
The king should converse only with those who are not ill-omened, who are not afflicted by wind-disorder, and with those who dwell far off; he should also avoid a diseased officiating priest and the household priest.
12.73.34
नचान्यस्य कृतं येन पौरोहित्यं कदाचन ।
यस्य याज्यो मृतश्चैव भ्रष्टः प्रव्रजितो यथा ॥ १२.७३.३४ ॥
One who has never performed the office of household priest for another, and whose sacrificer has died, fallen from caste, or gone forth into renunciation.
12.73.35
युद्धे पराजितश्चैव सर्वांस्तान्वर्जयेन्नृपः ।
नक्षत्रस्यानुकूल्येन यः संजातो नरेश्वरः ॥ १२.७३.३५ ॥
The king must avoid all who have been defeated in battle; and a lord of men born under a favourable constellation (should likewise be considered).
12.73.36
राजशास्त्रविनीतश्च श्रेयान्राज्ञः पुरोहितः ।
अधन्यानां निमित्तानामुत्पातानामथार्थवित् ॥ १२.७३.३६ ॥
The one trained in the science of kingship is the better household priest of the king, one who knows the meaning of unlucky omens and calamitous portents.
12.73.37
शत्रुपक्षक्षयज्ञश्च श्रेयान्राज्ञः पुरोहितः ।
वाजिनं तदभावे च चरकाध्वर्यवानपि ॥ १२.७३.३७ ॥
The king's chaplain who performs sacrifices for the destruction of the enemy's side is the best; in his absence, the horse-sacrifice priests, the Caraka and the Adhvaryu priests too.
12.73.38
बह्वृचं सामगं चैव नीतिशास्त्रकृतश्रमान् ।
कृतिनोऽथर्वणो वेदे स्थापयेत्तु पुरोहितान् ॥ १२.७३.३८ ॥
Let him appoint as chaplains those skilled in much of the Ṛg-Veda, singers of the Sāma-Veda, those who have toiled at the science of statecraft, and accomplished Atharvan priests learned in the Veda.
12.73.39
हिंसालिङ्गा हि निर्दिष्टा मन्त्रा वैतानिकैर्द्विजैः ।
न तानुच्चारयेत्प्राज्ञः क्षात्रधर्मविरोधिनः ॥ १२.७३.३९ ॥
Mantras marked by violence have indeed been prescribed by the twice-born sacrificial priests; but a wise man should not recite those opposed to the duty of the warrior.
12.73.40
प्रजागुणाः पुरोधाश्च पुरोहितगुणाः प्रजाः ।
राजा वै सगुणो येषां कुशलं तेषु सर्वशः ॥ १२.७३.४० ॥
The virtues of the people are found in the chaplains, and the virtues of the chaplain in the people; those whose king is virtuous enjoy welfare in every respect.
12.73.41
उभौ प्रजा वर्धयतो देवान्पूर्वापरान्पितॄन् ।
यौ भवेतां स्थितौ धर्मे श्रद्धेयौ सुतपस्विनौ ॥ १२.७३.४१ ॥
Those two, established in dharma, worthy of trust and of great asceticism, nourish the people, the gods of old and new, and the ancestors.
12.73.42
परस्परस्य सुहृदौ विहितौ समचेतसौ ।
ब्रह्मक्षत्रस्य समानात्प्रजा सुखमवाप्नुयात् ॥ १२.७३.४२ ॥
Let the people obtain happiness from those two, appointed as friends of each other and of equal mind, from the equal footing of the Brahmin and the Kṣatriya.
12.73.43
विमाननात्तयोरेव प्रजा नश्येयुरेव हि ।
ब्रह्मक्षत्रं हि सर्वासां प्रजानां मूलमुच्यते ॥ १२.७३.४३ ॥
Through their dishonor the subjects would surely perish, for the Brahmin and the warrior are said to be the root of all the people.
12.73.44
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
ऐलकश्यपसंवादं तं निबोध युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.७३.४४ ॥
On this point they also cite this ancient story, the dialogue of Aila and Kaśyapa. Learn it, Yudhiṣṭhira.
12.73.45
यदा हि ब्रह्म प्रजहाति क्षत्रं ।
क्षत्रं यदा वा प्रजहाति ब्रह्म।
अन्वग्बलं कतमेऽस्मिन्भजन्ते ।
तथा बलं कतमेऽस्मिन्ध्रियन्ते ॥ १२.७३.४५ ॥
When the priesthood forsakes the warrior, or the warrior forsakes the priesthood, to whom in this world does the following strength resort, and in whom is strength upheld?
12.73.46
द्विधा हि राष्ट्रं भवति क्षत्रियस्य ।
ब्रह्म क्षत्रं यत्र विरुध्यतीह।
अन्वग्बलं दस्यवस्तद्भजन्ते ।
तथा वर्णं तत्र विदन्ति सन्तः ॥ १२.७३.४६ ॥
The realm of a warrior-king splits in two where priesthood and warrior-class here oppose each other. Robbers then resort to the strength that follows, and there the wise recognize the social order.
12.73.47
नैषां ब्रह्म च वर्धते नोत पुत्रा ।
न गर्गरो मथ्यते नो जयन्ते।
नैषां पुत्रा देवमधीयते च ।
यदा ब्रह्म क्षत्रियाः संत्यजन्ति ॥ १२.७३.४७ ॥
When warriors utterly forsake the priesthood, their priesthood does not grow, nor do their sons grow; the gargara is not churned, nor is there victory; their sons do not study the gods.
12.73.48
नैषामर्थो वर्धते जातु गेहे ।
नाधीयते तत्प्रजा नो यजन्ते।
अपध्वस्ता दस्युभूता भवन्ति ।
ये ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियाः संत्यजन्ति ॥ १२.७३.४८ ॥
In their houses wealth never increases; their children neither study nor sacrifice. Kṣatriyas who abandon the brahmins fall low and become robbers.
12.73.49
एतौ हि नित्यं संयुक्तावितरेतरधारणे ।
क्षत्रं वै ब्रह्मणो योनिर्योनिः क्षत्रस्य वै द्विजः ॥ १२.७३.४९ ॥
These two are always joined, each upholding the other: the warrior class is the source of the brahmin, and the twice-born is the source of the warrior.
12.73.50
उभावेतौ नित्यमभिप्रपन्नौ ।
संप्रापतुर्महतीं संप्रतिष्ठाम्।
तयोः सन्धिर्भिद्यते चेत्पुराण ।
स्ततः सर्वं भवति हि संप्रमूढम् ॥ १२.७३.५० ॥
These two have always resorted to one another and attained a great firm foundation. O ancient one, if the bond between them is broken, then everything becomes utterly confused.
12.73.51
नात्र पारं लभते पारगामी ।
महोदधौ नौरिव संप्रभिन्ना।
चातुर्वण्यं भवति हि संप्रमूढं ।
प्रजास्ततः क्षयसंस्था भवन्ति ॥ १२.७३.५१ ॥
Here even one who seeks the far shore does not reach it, like a boat broken apart in the great ocean. The four social orders become utterly confused, and then the people fall into decline and destruction.
12.73.52
ब्रह्मवृक्षो रक्ष्यमाणो मधु हेम च वर्षति ।
अरक्ष्यमाणः सततमश्रु पापं च वर्षति ॥ १२.७३.५२ ॥
When the tree of the Veda is protected, it rains down honey and gold; when unprotected, it constantly rains down tears and sin.
12.73.53
अब्रह्मचारी चरणादपेतो ।
यदा ब्रह्म ब्रह्मणि त्राणमिच्छेत्।
आश्चर्यतो वर्षति तत्र देव ।
स्तत्राभीक्ष्णं दुष्प्रभाश्चाविशन्ति ॥ १२.७३.५३ ॥
He who has strayed from the vow of Brahman, when he desires protection in Brahman, there the god rains down in wonder; there evil lights constantly enter.
12.73.54
स्त्रियं हत्वा ब्राह्मणं वाऽपि पापः ।
सभायां यत्र लभते साधुवादम्।
राज्ञः सकाशे न विभेति चापि ।
ततो भयं विद्यते क्षत्रियस्य ॥ १२.७३.५४ ॥
Even a sinner who has slain a woman or a brahmin, and who in the assembly obtains the praise of good men and does not fear even in the king's presence—from him there arises fear for the kṣatriya.
12.73.55
पापैः पापे क्रियमाणेऽतिवेलं ।
ततो रुद्रो जायते देव एषः।
पापैः पापाः संजनयन्ति रुद्रं ।
ततः सर्वान्साध्वसाधून्हिनस्ति ॥ १२.७३.५५ ॥
When sin is committed by sinners beyond measure, then this god Rudra is born; by their sins the sinners bring forth Rudra, and then he strikes down all, the good and the wicked alike.
12.73.56
कुतो रुद्रः कीदृशो वाऽपि रुद्रः ।
सत्वैः सत्वं दृश्यते वध्यमानम्।
एतत्सर्वं कश्यप मे प्रचक्ष्व ।
यतो रुद्रो जायते देव एषः ॥ १२.७३.५६ ॥
Whence is Rudra, and of what kind is Rudra? A creature is seen being slain by creatures. O Kaśyapa, declare all this to me—from what this god Rudra is born.
12.73.57
आत्मा रुद्रो हृदये मानवानां ।
स्वं स्वं देहं परदेहं च हन्ति।
वातोत्पातैः सदृशं रुद्रमाहु ।
र्देवं जीमूतैः सदृशं रूपमस्य ॥ १२.७३.५७ ॥
The self is Rudra, dwelling in the hearts of men. It strikes down one's own body and another's. They call that Rudra, like winds and portents, a god; his form is like the clouds.
12.73.58
न वै वातः परिवृणोति कश्चि ।
न्न जीमूतो वर्षति तत्र देवः।
तथा युक्तो दृश्यते मानुषेषु ।
कामद्वेषाद्वध्यते मुह्यते च ॥ १२.७३.५८ ॥
The wind covers nothing there, the cloud does not rain there, and the god is not there. Among men it is seen joined in this way; through desire and aversion it is struck down and deluded.
12.73.59
यथैकगेहाज्जातवेदाः प्रदीप्तः ।
कृत्स्नं ग्रामं दहते च त्वरावान्।
विमोहनं कुरुते देव एप ।
ततः सर्वं स्पृश्यते पुण्यपापैः ॥ १२.७३.५९ ॥
Just as fire blazing from a single house swiftly burns the entire village, so this god produces delusion; then everything is touched by merit and sin.
12.73.60
यदि दण्डः स्पृशतेऽपुण्यपापं ।
पापं पापे क्रियमाणे विशेषात्।
कस्य हेतोः सुकृतं नाम कुर्या ।
द्दुष्कृतं वा कस्य हेतोर्न कुर्यात् ॥ १२.७३.६० ॥
If punishment touches the unmeritorious and sin, and when sin is done it is especially sin, then for whose sake should a man do a good deed, or for whose sake should he not do an evil deed?
12.73.61
असंत्यागात्पापकृतामपापां ।
स्तुल्यो दण्डः स्पृशते मिश्रभावात्।
शुष्केणार्द्रं दह्यते मिश्रभावा ।
न्न मिश्रः स्यात्पापकृद्भिः कथंचित् ॥ १२.७३.६१ ॥
Because they do not abandon those who do evil, the sinless too are touched by an equal punishment; through mixed association the wet burns along with the dry. Therefore one should in no way mix with evil-doers.
12.73.62
साध्वसाधून्धारयतीह भूमिः ।
साध्वसाधूंस्तापयतीह सूर्यः।
साध्वसाधूंश्चापि वातीह वायु ।
रापस्तथा साध्वसाधून्वहन्ति ॥ १२.७३.६२ ॥
Here the earth bears both the good and the wicked; here the sun warms both the good and the wicked; here the wind too blows upon both the good and the wicked; and the waters likewise carry both the good and the wicked.
12.73.63
एवमस्मिन्वर्तते लोक एष ।
नामुत्रैवं वर्तते राजपुत्र।
प्रेत्यैतयोरन्तरावान्विशेषो ।
यो वै पुण्यं चरते यश्च पापम् ॥ १२.७३.६३ ॥
In this world things go this way, but in the next they do not go thus, O prince. After death there is a great difference between these two: the one who performs merit and the one who performs sin.
12.73.64
पुण्यस्य लोको मधुमान्घृतार्चि ।
र्हिरण्यज्योतिरमृतस्य नाभिः।
तत्र प्रेत्य मोदते ब्रह्मचारी ।
न तत्र मृत्युर्न जरा नोत दुःखम् ॥ १२.७३.६४ ॥
The world of merit is sweet, with flames of ghee and golden light, the navel of immortality; there after death the celibate student rejoices. There is no death there, nor old age, nor sorrow.
12.73.65
पापस्य लोको निरयोऽप्रकाशो ।
नित्यं दुःखं शोकभूयिष्ठमेव।
तत्रात्मानं शोचति पापकर्मा ।
वह्वीः समाः प्रतपन्नप्रतिष्ठः ॥ १२.७३.६५ ॥
The world of sin is hell, without light, always full of sorrow and abounding in grief. There the evil-doer grieves for himself, burning for many years, without any support.
12.73.66
मिथोभेदाद्ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियाणां ।
प्रजा दुःखं दुःसहं चाविशन्ति।
एवं ज्ञात्वा कार्य एवेह विद्वान् ।
पुरोहितो नैकविद्यो नृपेण ॥ १२.७३.६६ ॥
From discord between brahmins and kshatriyas, unbearable suffering falls upon the subjects. Knowing this, the wise king should appoint here a royal priest versed in many kinds of learning.
12.73.67
तं चैव लब्ध्वाभिषिञ्चेत्तथा धर्मो विधीयते ।
अग्रं हि ब्राह्मणः प्रोक्तं सर्वस्यैवेह धर्मतः ॥ १२.७३.६७ ॥
Having obtained him, one should consecrate him; thus is dharma prescribed. Here, according to dharma, the brahmin is declared foremost of all.
12.73.68
पूर्वं हि ब्रह्मणः सृष्टिरिति ब्रह्मविदो विदुः ।
ज्येष्ठेनाभिजनेनास्य प्राप्तं पूर्वं यदुत्तमम् ॥ १२.७३.६८ ॥
Knowers of Brahman know that first came the creation of Brahmā. By his eldest birth, the supreme station that he obtained first is his.
12.73.69
तस्मान्मान्यश्च पूज्यश्च ब्राह्मणः प्रसृताग्रभुक् ।
सर्वं श्रेष्ठं विशिष्टं च निवेद्यं तस्य धीमतः ॥ १२.७३.६९ ॥
Therefore the brahmin is worthy of honour and worship, and the first to partake of the offering. To that wise one should be presented everything that is best and most excellent.
12.73.70
अवश्यमेतत्कर्तव्यं राज्ञा बलवताऽपि हि ।
ब्रह्म वर्धयति क्षत्रं क्षत्रतो ब्रह्म वर्धते।
राज्ञः सर्वस्य चान्यस्य स्वामी राज्ञः पुरोहितः ॥ १२.७३.७० ॥
A mighty king too must necessarily do this. The brahmin strengthens the kshatriya, and from the kshatriya the brahmin grows. The lord of the king and of all others is the royal priest.