Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.78
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12.78.1
व्याख्याता राजधर्मेण वृत्तिरापत्सु भारत ।
कथंचिद्वैश्यधर्मेण जीवेद्वा ब्राह्मणो न वा ॥ १२.७८.१ ॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said: O Bhārata, livelihood in times of distress has been explained through the duty of kings. Should a brahmin somehow live by the duty of the merchant class, or not?
12.78.2
अशक्तः क्षत्रधर्मेण वैश्यधर्मेण वर्तयेत् ।
कृषिं गोरक्ष्यमास्थाय व्यसने वृत्तिसंक्षये ॥ १२.७८.२ ॥
Bhīṣma said: One unable to follow the duty of the warrior should sustain himself by the duty of the merchant class, taking up agriculture and cattle-tending when in calamity and when livelihood is destroyed.
12.78.3
कानि पण्यानि विक्रीणन्स्वर्गलोकान्न हीयते ।
ब्राह्मणो वैश्यधर्मेण वर्तयन्भरतर्षभ ॥ १२.७८.३ ॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said: O bull of the Bharatas, which goods, when sold by a brahmin sustaining himself by the duty of the merchant class, does he not lose the heavenly worlds?
12.78.4
सुरालवणमित्येतत्तिलान्केसरिणः पशून् ।
वृषभान्मधु मांसं च कृतान्नं च युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.७८.४ ॥
Bhīṣma said: O Yudhiṣṭhira, liquor, salt, these sesame seeds, maned animals, livestock, bulls, honey, meat, and cooked food—these.
12.78.5
सर्वास्ववस्थास्वेतानि ब्राह्मणः परिवर्जयेत् ।
एतेषां विक्रयात्तात ब्राह्मणो नरके पतेत् ॥ १२.७८.५ ॥
Bhīṣma said: In all circumstances a brahmin should entirely avoid these. Dear child, by selling these a brahmin falls into hell.
12.78.6
अजोऽग्निर्वरुणो मेषः सूर्योऽश्वः पृथिवी विराट् ।
धेनुर्यज्ञश्च सोमश्च न विक्रेयाः कथंचन ॥ १२.७८.६ ॥
Bhīṣma said: The goat, fire, Varuṇa, the ram, the sun, the horse, the earth, Virāṭ, the cow, the sacrifice, and Soma—these must not be sold in any way.
12.78.7
पक्वेनामस्य निमयं न प्रशंसन्ति साधवः ।
निमयेत्पक्वमामेन भोजनार्थाय भारत ॥ १२.७८.७ ॥
Good people do not praise exchanging the cooked for this; O Bhārata, for the sake of food one should exchange the cooked for the raw.
12.78.8
वयं सिद्धमशिष्यामो भवान्साधयतामिदम् ।
एवं संवीक्ष्य समयं नाधर्मोऽस्ति कथंचन ॥ १२.७८.८ ॥
We will eat what is prepared; you prepare this. Having considered the agreement in this way, there is no unrighteousness whatsoever.
12.78.9
अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि यथा कर्मः सनातनः ।
व्यवहारप्रवृत्तानां तन्निबोध युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.७८.९ ॥
Here I will explain to you the eternal practice; understand that conduct of those engaged in dealings, O Yudhiṣṭhira.
12.78.10
भवतेऽहं ददानीदं भवानेतत्प्रयच्छतु ।
उचितो वर्तते धर्मो न बलात्संप्रवर्तते ॥ १२.७८.१० ॥
I give this to you; you give that to me. This is the proper dharma; it does not proceed by force.
12.78.11
इत्येवं संप्रवर्तन्ते व्यवहाराः पुरातनः ।
ऋषीणामितरेषां च साधु चैतदसंशयम् ॥ १२.७८.११ ॥
In this way the ancient dealings are carried on, as followed by the sages and others; and this is undoubtedly good.
12.78.12
अथ तात यदा सर्वाः शस्त्रमाददते प्रजाः ।
व्युत्क्रमन्ते स्वधर्मेभ्यः क्षत्रस्य क्षीयते बलम् ॥ १२.७८.१२ ॥
Now, dear one, when all the people take up weapons and turn aside from their own duties, the strength of the warrior class is diminished.
12.78.13
तदा त्राता तु को नु स्यात्को धर्मः किं परायणम् ।
एतं मे संशयं ब्रूहि विस्तरेण पितामह ॥ १२.७८.१३ ॥
Then who would be the protector? What is dharma, and what is its refuge? Grandsire, tell me in detail this doubt of mine.
12.78.14
दानेन तपसा यज्ञैदद्रोहेण दमेन च ।
ब्राह्मणप्रमुखा वर्णाः क्षेममिच्छेयुरात्मनः ॥ १२.७८.१४ ॥
By giving, austerity, sacrifices, non-injury and self-restraint, with the brahmins foremost, let the social orders desire their own welfare.
12.78.15
तेषां ये वेदबलिनस्त उत्थाय समन्ततः ।
राज्ञो बलं वर्धयेयुर्महेन्द्रस्येव देवताः ॥ १२.७८.१५ ॥
Among them, those strong in the Vedas should rise up on every side and increase the strength of the king, just as the gods increase the strength of the great Indra.
12.78.16
राज्ञो हि क्षीयमाणस्य ब्रह्मैवाहुः परायणम् ।
तस्माद्ब्राह्मबलेनैव समुत्थेयं विजानता ॥ १२.७८.१६ ॥
For the declining king, they say, the Brahman alone is the refuge; therefore, one who knows should rise up by the power of the brahmins alone.
12.78.17
यदा तु विजयी राजा क्षेमं राष्ट्रेऽभिसन्दधेत् ।
तदा वर्णा यथाधर्मं निविशेयुः स्वकर्मसु ॥ १२.७८.१७ ॥
But when a victorious king establishes welfare in the realm, then the social orders settle into their own duties, according to dharma.
12.78.18
उन्मर्यादे प्रवृत्ते तु दस्युभिः संकरे कृते ।
सर्वे वर्णा न दुष्येयुः शस्त्रवन्तो युधिष्ठिर ॥ १२.७८.१८ ॥
And when the boundaries are broken and confusion of castes is brought about by robbers, O Yudhiṣṭhira, let all the social orders, bearing weapons, not be corrupted.
12.78.19
अथ चेत्सर्वतः क्षत्रं प्रदुष्येद्ब्राह्मणं प्रति ।
कस्तत्र ब्राह्मणांस्त्राता को धर्मः किं परायणम् ॥ १२.७८.१९ ॥
If the warrior class were everywhere corrupted against the brahmins, who would then protect the brahmins there? What is dharma, and what is the highest refuge?
12.78.20
तपसा ब्रह्मचर्येण शस्त्रेण च बलेन च ।
अमायया मायया च नियन्तव्यं तदा भवेत् ॥ १२.७८.२० ॥
Then it must be restrained by austerity, by celibate discipline, by weapons and by force, and by guilelessness and by guile as well.
12.78.21
क्षत्रियस्यातिवृत्तस्य ब्राह्मणेषु विशेषतः ।
ब्रह्मैव संनियन्तृ स्यात्क्षत्रं हि ब्रह्मसंभवम् ॥ १२.७८.२१ ॥
For a warrior who has transgressed, especially against brahmins, the sacred power of the brahmin must be the one to restrain him, for the warrior class is born from the brahmin.
12.78.22
अभ्द्योऽग्निर्ब्रह्मतः क्षत्रमश्मनो लोहमुत्थितम् ।
तेषां सर्वत्रगं तेजः स्वस्वयोनिषु शाम्यति ॥ १२.७८.२२ ॥
Fire arises from water, the warrior power from the brahmin, iron from stone. Their all-pervading energy is quenched in their own sources.
12.78.23
यदा छिनत्त्ययोऽश्मानमग्निश्चापोऽभिहन्ति च ।
क्षत्रं च ब्राह्मणं द्वेष्टि तदा शाम्यन्ति ते त्रयः ॥ १२.७८.२३ ॥
When iron cuts stone, when fire strikes water, and when the warrior power hates the brahmin, then those three are quenched.
12.78.24
तस्माद्ब्रह्मणि शाम्यन्ति क्षत्रियाणां युधिष्ठिर ।
समुदीर्णान्यजेयानि तेजांसि च बलानि च ॥ १२.७८.२४ ॥
Therefore, O Yudhiṣṭhira, the unconquerable fiery energies and powers of the warriors, once roused, are quenched in the brahmin.
12.78.25
ब्रह्मवीर्ये मृदूभूते क्षत्रवीर्ये च दुर्बले ।
दुष्टेषु सर्ववर्णेषु ब्राह्मणान्प्रति भारत ॥ १२.७८.२५ ॥
O Bhārata, when the might of the brahmins has grown soft and the might of the warriors weak, and the wicked among all classes turn against brahmins.
12.78.26
ये तत्र युद्धं कुर्वन्ति त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः ।
ब्राह्मणान्परिरक्षन्ति तेषां लोका भवन्ति के ॥ १२.७८.२६ ॥
Those who there fight, giving up their own lives, and protect the brahmins — what worlds are theirs?
12.78.27
ब्राह्मणान्परिरक्षन्तो धर्ममात्मानमेव च ।
मनस्विनो मन्युमन्तः पुण्याँल्लोकान्व्रजन्त्यमी।
ब्राह्मणार्थं हि सर्वेषां शस्त्रग्रहणभिष्यते ॥ १२.७८.२७ ॥
Protecting the brahmins, dharma, and themselves, these high-minded and zealous warriors go to meritorious worlds; for the sake of brahmins alone is the taking up of arms enjoined upon all.
12.78.28
अतिस्विष्टमधीतानां लोकानतितपस्विनाम् ।
अनाशकाग्न्याहितानां शूरा यान्ति परां गतिम् ॥ १२.७८.२८ ॥
Heroes attain the highest destiny, beyond the worlds of those who have offered great sacrifices, of those who have studied the Veda, of the great ascetics, and of those who keep the sacred fires without fasting.
12.78.29
ब्राह्मणस्त्रिषु वर्णेषु शस्त्रं गृह्णन्न दुष्यति ।
एष एवात्मनस्त्यागो नान्यं धर्मं विदुर्जना ॥ १२.७८.२९ ॥
A brahmin taking up arms among the three classes does not fall into fault; this indeed is the sacrifice of oneself; people know this as dharma, and no other dharma.
12.78.30
तेभ्यो नमश्च भद्रं च ये शरीराणि जुह्वति ।
ब्रह्मद्विपो जिघांसन्तस्तेषां नोऽस्तु सलोकता ॥ १२.७८.३० ॥
Homage and blessings to those who offer their bodies in sacrifice, wishing to slay the enemies of brahmins; may we share the same world with them.
12.78.31
ब्रह्मलोकजितः स्वर्ग्यान्वीरांस्तान्मनुरव्रवीत् ।
यथाऽश्वमेधावभृथे स्नाताः पूता भवन्त्युत।
दुष्कृतः सुकृतश्चैव तथा शस्त्रहता रणे ॥ १२.७८.३१ ॥
Manu spoke of those heroes: they conquer the world of Brahmā and are fit for heaven. As those who bathe in the final ablution of the horse-sacrifice become pure, so too both evil-doers and doers of good, slain by weapons in battle, are purified.
12.78.32
भवत्यधर्मो धर्मो हि धर्मोऽधर्मो भवत्युत ।
कारणाद्देशकालस्य देशः कालः स तादृशः ॥ १२.७८.३२ ॥
Because of the cause of place and time, unrighteousness becomes righteousness, and righteousness becomes unrighteousness. Such is that place and such is that time.
12.78.33
मैत्राः क्रूराणि कुर्वन्तो जयन्ति स्वर्गमुत्तमम् ।
धर्म्याः पापानि कुर्वाणा गच्छन्ति परमां गतिम् ॥ १२.७८.३३ ॥
Those of friendly disposition, doing cruel deeds, win the supreme heaven; the righteous, doing sinful deeds, attain the supreme goal.
12.78.34
ब्राह्मणस्त्रिषु कालेषु शस्त्रं गृह्णन्न दुष्यति ।
आत्मत्राणे दस्युदोषे सर्वस्वहरणे तथा ॥ १२.७८.३४ ॥
A brahmin taking up a weapon at three times is not defiled: in self-protection, in the peril of robbers, and in the seizure of all one's possessions.
12.78.35
अभ्युत्थिते दस्युबले क्षत्रार्थे वर्णसङ्करे ।
संप्रमूढेषु वर्णेषु यदन्योऽभिभवेद्वली ॥ १२.७८.३५ ॥
When the strength of robbers has arisen, for the sake of the warrior-duty, when the castes are mixed, and the castes are confused, if another mighty one should overpower them—
12.78.36
ब्राह्मणो यदि वा वैश्यः शूद्रो वा राजसत्तम ।
दस्युभ्यो यः प्रजा रक्षेद्दण्डं धर्मेण धारयेत् ॥ १२.७८.३६ ॥
O best of kings, whether a brahmin, a vaiśya, or a śūdra, he who protects the subjects from robbers should wield the rod of punishment righteously—
12.78.37
कार्यं कुर्यान्न वा कुर्यात्स वार्यो वा भवेन्न वा ।
न स्म शस्त्रं गृहीतव्यमन्यत्र क्षत्रबन्धुतः ॥ १२.७८.३७ ॥
One may act or not act, may be restrained or not; but no one should take up a weapon except a kinsman of the warrior class.
12.78.38
अपारे यो भवेत्पारमप्लवेः यः प्लवो भवेत् ।
शूद्रो वा यदि वाऽप्यन्यः सर्वथा मानमर्हति ॥ १२.७८.३८ ॥
He who is a boat carrying those without boats across the shoreless waters, whether he be a śūdra or any other, in every way deserves honour.
12.78.39
यमाश्रित्य नरा राजन्वर्तयेयुर्यथासुखम् ।
अनाथास्तप्यमानाश्च दस्युभिः परिपीडिताः ॥ १२.७८.३९ ॥
O king, relying upon whom men might live happily, and the unprotected, afflicted and oppressed by robbers, [would seek him out].
12.78.40
तमेव पूजयेयुस्ते प्रीत्या स्वमिव बान्धवम् ।
यहद्ध्यभीष्टं कौरव्य कर्ता सन्मानमर्हति ॥ १२.७८.४० ॥
O descendant of Kuru, they should honour him with affection as their own kinsman; he who does what is desired truly deserves honour.
12.78.41
किमनडुहा यो न वहेत्किं धेन्वा वाऽप्यदुग्धया ।
बन्ध्यया भार्यया कोऽर्थः कोऽर्थो राज्ञाऽप्यरक्षता ॥ १२.७८.४१ ॥
What use is an ox that does not carry a load? What use is a cow that gives no milk? What purpose has a barren wife? And what purpose has a king who does not protect?
12.78.42
यथा दारुमयो हस्ती यथा चर्ममयो मृगः ।
यथा ह्यदक्षः पुरुषः पथि क्षेत्रं यथोपरम् ॥ १२.७८.४२ ॥
Like a wooden elephant, like a leather deer, like an unskilled man, like a field left fallow by the road — so is it (useless).
12.78.43
यथा विप्रोऽनधीयानो राजा यश्च न रक्षिता ।
मेघो न वर्षते यश्च सर्व एव निरर्थकाः ॥ १२.७८.४३ ॥
Like a brahmin who does not study, a king who does not protect, and a cloud that does not rain — all of these are useless.
12.78.44
नित्यं यस्तु सतो रक्षेदसतश्च निवर्तयेत् ।
स एव राजा कर्तव्यस्तेन सर्वमिदं धृतम् ॥ १२.७८.४४ ॥
He alone should be made king who always protects the good and restrains the wicked; by him all this is upheld.