Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.80
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12.80.1
यदप्यल्पतरं कर्म तदप्येकेन दुष्करम् ।
पुरुषेणासहायेन किमु राज्यं पितामह ॥ १२.८०.१ ॥
Even the smallest deed is hard for a single man without helpers; how much more so the rule of a kingdom, grandsire?
12.80.2
किंशीलः किंसमाचारो राज्ञो यः सचिवो भवेत् ।
कीदृशे विश्वसेद्राजा कीदृशे न च विश्वसेत् ॥ १२.८०.२ ॥
What character and conduct should the man who is the king's counselor have? On what kind of person should a king rely, and on what kind should he not rely?
12.80.3
चतुर्विधानि मित्राणि राज्ञां राजन्भवन्त्युत ।
सहार्थो भजः निश्च सहजः कृत्रिमस्तथा ॥ १२.८०.३ ॥
O king, kings have four kinds of friends: the companion in aims, the partner, the natural friend, and the made friend.
12.80.4
धर्मात्मा पञ्चमं मित्रं स तु नैकस्य न द्वयोः ।
यतो धर्मस्ततो वा स्यान्मध्यस्थो वा ततो भवेत् ॥ १२.८०.४ ॥
The righteous-souled one is the fifth friend; he belongs to neither one nor two. He stands where righteousness is, or else remains neutral.
12.80.5
यो यस्यार्थो न रोचेत न तं तस्य प्रकाशयेत ।
मित्राणां प्रकृतिर्नास्ति त्वमित्राणां च भारत।
उपकाराद्भवेन्मित्रमपकाराद्भवेदरिः ॥ १२.८०.५ ॥
One should not reveal his aim to one whom it does not please. Friends have no fixed nature, O Bhārata, nor do enemies. By benefit one becomes a friend; by harm, an enemy.
12.80.6
यस्यैव हि मनुष्यस्य नरो मरणमृच्छति ।
तस्य पर्यागते काले पुनर्जीवितुमिच्छति ॥ १२.८०.६ ॥
For the man whom death approaches, when that time has come, desires to live again.
12.80.7
धर्माधर्मेण राजानश्चरन्ति विजिगीषवः ।
चतुर्णां मध्यमौ श्रेष्ठौ नित्यं शङ्क्यौ तथाऽपरौ।
सर्वे नित्यं शङ्कितव्याः प्रत्यक्षं कार्यमात्मनः ॥ १२.८०.७ ॥
Kings who desire victory act by means of dharma and adharma. Of the four, the two in the middle and the two best are always to be suspected, and likewise the other two. All should always be wary of one another; one's own affairs should be attended to directly.
12.80.8
न हि राज्ञा प्रमादो वै कर्तव्यो मित्ररक्षणे ।
प्रमादिनं हि राजानं लोकाः परिभवन्त्युत ॥ १२.८०.८ ॥
A king must not be negligent in protecting his friends, for people indeed despise a negligent king.
12.80.9
असाधुः साधुतामेति साधुर्भवति दारुणः ।
अरिश्च मित्रं भवति मित्रं चापि प्रदुष्यति ॥ १२.८०.९ ॥
The wicked attains goodness, and the good becomes cruel. An enemy becomes a friend, and even a friend turns corrupt.
12.80.10
अनित्यचित्तः पुरुषस्तस्मिन्को जातु विश्वसेत् ।
तस्मात्प्रधानं यत्कार्यं प्रत्यक्षं तत्समाचरेत् ॥ १२.८०.१० ॥
Who could ever trust a man of unsteady mind? Therefore one should personally and directly carry out the principal task.
12.80.11
एकान्तेन हि विश्वासः कृत्स्नो कर्मार्थनाशकः ।
अविश्वासश्च सर्वत्र मृत्युर्नापि विशिष्यते ॥ १२.८०.११ ॥
Complete, absolute trust destroys both affairs and wealth; and distrust everywhere is no less than death itself.
12.80.12
अकालमृत्युर्विश्वासोऽविश्वसन्हि विपद्यते ।
यस्मिन्करोति विश्वासमिच्छतस्तस्य जीवति ॥ १२.८०.१२ ॥
Trust is like untimely death, for one who does not trust perishes. He in whom a man places trust—by him he lives, if he wishes to live.
12.80.13
तस्माद्विश्वसितव्यं च शङ्कितव्यं च केषुचित् ।
एषा नीतिगतिस्तात लक्ष्मीश्चैषा सनातनी ॥ १२.८०.१३ ॥
Therefore one should trust some and be wary of some. This, dear son, is the course of policy, and this is eternal fortune.
12.80.14
यं मन्येत ममाभावादिममर्थागमः स्पृशेत् ।
नित्यं तस्माच्छङ्कितव्यममित्रं तं विदुर्बुधाः ॥ १२.८०.१४ ॥
One whom a man thinks would gain this wealth in his absence should always be regarded with suspicion; the wise know such a one as an enemy.
12.80.15
यस्य क्षेत्रादप्युदकं क्षेत्रमन्यस्य गच्छति ।
न तत्रानिच्छतस्तस्य भिद्येरन्सर्वसेतवः ॥ १२.८०.१५ ॥
If water from a man's field flows into another's field, then, even though he does not wish it, all the dams there will be breached.
12.80.16
तथैवात्युदकाद्भीतस्तस्य भेदनमिच्छति ।
यमेवंलक्षणं विद्यात्तममित्रं विदुर्बुधाः ॥ १२.८०.१६ ॥
Likewise, one who, fearing too much water, wishes to breach its dam — a man bearing such marks should be known; the wise know him as an enemy.
12.80.17
यस्तु वृद्ध्या न तप्येत क्षये दीनतरो भवेत् ।
एतदुत्तममित्रस्य निमित्तमभिचक्षते ॥ १२.८०.१७ ॥
But one who is not distressed by another's growth, and becomes all the more wretched in loss — this is declared to be the supreme sign of an enemy.
12.80.18
यन्मन्येत ममाभावादस्याभावो भवेदिति ।
तस्मिन्कुर्वीत विश्वासं यथा पितरी वै तथा ॥ १२.८०.१८ ॥
In one of whom a man thinks that, with his own absence, that man's absence would follow — in him one should place trust, just as one trusts one's parents.
12.80.19
तं शक्त्या वर्तमानं च सर्वतः परिबृंहयेत् ।
नित्यं क्षताद्वारयति यो धर्मेष्वपि कर्मसु ॥ १२.८०.१९ ॥
One should strengthen in every way the man who acts according to his ability, and who always holds him back from harm even in matters of duty.
12.80.20
क्षताद्भीतं विजानीयादुत्तमं मित्रलक्षणम् ।
ये यस्य क्षयमिच्छन्ति ते तस्य रिपवः स्मृताः ॥ १२.८०.२० ॥
One should know the one who fears harm as the mark of an excellent friend; those who desire another's ruin are considered his enemies.
12.80.21
व्यसनान्नित्यभीतो यः समृद्ध्या यो न दुष्यति ।
यत्स्यादेवंविधं मित्रं तदात्मसममुच्यते ॥ १२.८०.२१ ॥
The friend who is always fearful of misfortune, and who is not corrupted by prosperity — such a friend is said to be equal to oneself.
12.80.22
रूपवर्णस्वरोपेतस्तितिक्षुरनसूयकः ।
कुलीनः शीलसंपन्नः स ते स्यात्प्रत्यनन्तरः ॥ १२.८०.२२ ॥
Endowed with beauty, complexion and voice, patient, free from envy, of noble birth and possessed of good conduct — let him be your closest equal.
12.80.23
मेधावी स्मृतिमान्दक्षः प्रकृत्या चानृशंस्यवान् ।
यो मानितोऽमानितो वा न सन्तुष्येत्कथंचन ॥ १२.८०.२३ ॥
The one who is intelligent, retentive of memory, skilled, and by nature gentle — who, whether honored or dishonored, is in no way made content by it.
12.80.24
ऋत्विग्वा यदि वाऽऽचार्यः सखा वाऽत्यंतसत्कृतः ।
गृहे वसेदमात्यस्ते स स्यात्परमपूजितः ॥ १२.८०.२४ ॥
If a priest, a teacher, or a friend greatly honored should dwell in your house, or be your minister, let him be most revered.
12.80.25
संविद्याः परमं मित्रं प्रकृतिं चार्थधर्मयोः ।
विश्वासस्ते भवेत्तत्र यथा पितरि वै तथा ॥ १२.८०.२५ ॥
The one who shares your counsel is the highest friend, one who knows the nature of wealth and dharma. Let your trust in him be as it is in a father.
12.80.26
नैव द्वौ न त्रयः कार्या न मृष्येरन्परस्परम् ।
एकार्थे हेतुभूतानां भेदो भवति सर्वदा ॥ १२.८०.२६ ॥
Two or three should not be made counsellors, nor should they bear with one another. Even among those joined for a single aim, division always arises.
12.80.27
कीर्तिप्रधानो यस्त स्याद्यश्च स्यात्समये स्थितः ।
समर्थान्यश्च न द्वेष्टि नानर्थान्कुरुते च यः ॥ १२.८०.२७ ॥
One who is chiefly devoted to fame, who stands firm at the proper time, who does not hate the capable, and who does not do harm, that one (should be a counsellor).
12.80.28
यो न कामाद्भयाल्लोभात्क्रोधाद्वा धर्ममुत्सृजेत् ।
दक्षः पर्याप्तवचनः स ते स्यात्प्रत्यनन्तरः ॥ १२.८०.२८ ॥
He who, out of desire, fear, greed or anger, does not abandon dharma, who is skilful and sufficient in speech, let him be your closest (counsellor).
12.80.29
कुलीनः शीलसंपन्नस्तितिक्षुरविकत्थनः ।
शूरश्चार्यश्च विद्वांश्च प्रतिपत्तिविशारदः ॥ १२.८०.२९ ॥
Of good family, endowed with good conduct, patient, not boastful, brave, noble, learned, and skilled in understanding and in response.
12.80.30
एते ह्यमात्याः कर्तव्याः सर्वकर्मस्ववस्थिताः ।
पूजिताः संबिभक्ताश्च सुसहायाः स्वनुष्ठिताः ॥ १२.८०.३० ॥
These are the ones who should be made ministers: established in all tasks, honoured, given their share of rewards, well-supported, and performing their duties well.
12.80.31
कृत्स्नप्रेते विनिक्षिप्ताः प्रतिरूपेषु कर्मसु ।
युक्ता महत्सु कार्येषु श्रेयांस्युत्पादयन्त्युत ॥ १२.८०.३१ ॥
Those placed with full authority in fitting duties, and engaged in great undertakings, indeed bring about benefit.
12.80.32
एते कर्माणि कुर्वन्ति स्पर्धमाना मिथः सदा ।
अनुतिष्ठन्ति चैवार्थमाचक्षाणाः परस्परम् ॥ १२.८०.३२ ॥
These men always carry out their tasks, vying with one another, and they pursue the aim after declaring it to each other.
12.80.33
ज्ञातिभ्यो बिभियाश्चैव मृत्योरिव यतस्तदा ।
उपराजेव राजर्धि ज्ञातिर्न सहते सदा ॥ १२.८०.३३ ॥
One should fear kinsmen as one fears death, for, O royal sage, a kinsman never endures another's rise, as a subordinate king is not endured.
12.80.34
ऋजोर्मृदोर्वदान्यस्य ह्रीमतः सत्यवादिनः ।
नान्यो ज्ञातेर्महाबाहो विनाशमभिनन्दति ॥ १२.८०.३४ ॥
O mighty-armed one, none but a kinsman rejoices in the destruction of one who is upright, gentle, generous, modest, and truthful.
12.80.35
अज्ञातयोऽप्यसुखदा ज्ञातयोऽपि सुखावहाः ।
अज्ञातिमन्तं पुरुषं परे चाभिभवन्त्युत ॥ १२.८०.३५ ॥
Non-kinsmen can cause pain, and kinsmen can bring joy; others overpower a man who has no kinsmen.
12.80.36
निकृतस्य नरैरन्यैर्ज्ञातिरेव परायणम् ।
नान्यो निकारं सहते ज्ञातिर्ज्ञातेः कदाचन ॥ १२.८०.३६ ॥
For one wronged by other men, a kinsman is indeed the only refuge; no other endures the injury, and a kinsman never endures a kinsman's injury.
12.80.37
आत्मानमेव जानाति निकृतं बान्धवैपरि ।
तेषु सन्ति गुणाश्चैव नैर्गुण्यं चैव लक्ष्यते ॥ १२.८०.३७ ॥
The one wronged by his kinsmen knows himself thoroughly. In them there are virtues, and their lack of virtue is also seen.
12.80.38
नाज्ञातिरनुगृह्णाति नाज्ञातिर्वृद्धिमश्नुते ।
उभयं ज्ञातिवर्गेषु दृश्यते साध्वसाधु च ॥ १२.८०.३८ ॥
A non-kinsman does not show favour, and a non-kinsman does not attain prosperity. Among groups of kinsmen both good and bad are seen.
12.80.39
संमानयेत्पूजयेच्च वाचा नित्यं च कर्मणा ।
कुर्याच्च प्रियमेतेभ्यो नाप्रियं किंचिद चरेत् ॥ १२.८०.३९ ॥
One should honour and worship them, constantly, in speech and in deed. One should do what is pleasing to them and do nothing at all that is displeasing.
12.80.40
विश्वस्तवदविश्वस्तस्तेषु वर्तेत सर्वदा ।
न हि दोषो गुणो वेति निरूप्यस्तेषु दृश्यते ॥ १२.८०.४० ॥
One should always behave toward them sometimes as one who trusts and sometimes as one who does not trust. Whether there is fault or merit in them should be determined, for both are seen in them.
12.80.41
अस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्याप्रमादिनः ।
अमित्राः संप्रसीदन्ति ततो मित्रं भवन्त्यपि ॥ १२.८०.४१ ॥
For the vigilant man who behaves thus, even enemies become gracious, and then they too become friends.
12.80.42
य एवं वर्तते नित्यं ज्ञातिसंबन्धिमण्डले ।
मित्रेष्वमित्रे मध्यस्थे चिरं यशसि तिष्ठति ॥ १२.८०.४२ ॥
He who always behaves thus within the circle of kinsmen and relations, toward friends, enemies, and the neutral, stands long established in fame.