Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.83
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12.83.1
सभासदः सहायाश्च सुहृदश्च विशांपते ।
परिच्छदास्तथाऽमात्याः कीदृशाः स्युः पितामह ॥ १२.८३.१ ॥
Lord of the people, what kind should the members of the assembly, the helpers and well-wishers, and likewise the retinue and ministers be, grandsire?
12.83.2
ह्रीनिषेवास्तथा दान्ताः सत्यार्जवसमन्विताः ।
शक्ताः कथयितुं सम्यक्ते तव स्युः सभासदः ॥ १२.८३.२ ॥
Those who are modest, self-controlled, endowed with truth and uprightness, and able to speak properly — these should be your members of the assembly.
12.83.3
अमात्याश्चातिशूराश्च ब्रह्मण्याश्च बहुश्रुताः ।
सुसंतृष्टाश्च कौन्तेय महोत्साहाश्च कर्मसु ॥ १२.८३.३ ॥
Son of Kuntī, let your ministers be exceedingly brave, devoted to the brahmins, learned in much, well content, and full of great zeal in their tasks.
12.83.4
एतान्सहायाँल्लिप्सेथाः सर्वास्वापत्सु भारत ॥ १२.८३.४ ॥
Descendant of Bharata, in all calamities you should seek to obtain these very helpers.
12.83.5
कुलीनः पूजितो नित्यं न हि शक्तिं निगूहति ।
प्रसन्नमप्रसन्नं वा पीडितं हतमेव वा।
आवर्तयति भूयिष्ठं तदेव ह्यनुपालितम् ॥ १२.८३.५ ॥
A man of noble birth, always honored, does not conceal his ability. Whether pleased or displeased, afflicted or even ruined, he gives back the very same service abundantly when he has been cherished.
12.83.6
कुलीना देशजाः प्राज्ञा रूपवन्तो बहुश्रुताः ।
प्रगल्भाश्चानुरक्ताश्च ते तव स्युः परिच्छदाः ॥ १२.८३.६ ॥
Those of noble birth, native to the land, wise, handsome, well-learned, bold, and devoted — these should be your retinue.
12.83.7
दौष्कुलेयाश्च लुब्धाश्च नृशंसा निरपत्रपाः ।
ते त्वां तात निषेवेयुर्यावदार्द्रकपाणयः ॥ १२.८३.७ ॥
Men of base birth, greedy, cruel and shameless, my child, will serve you only as long as their hands are moist.
12.83.8
कुलीनाञ्शीलसंपन्नानिङ्गितज्ञाननिष्ठुरान् ।
देशकालविधानज्ञान्भर्तृकार्यहितैपिणः।
नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजा कुर्वीत मन्त्रिणः ॥ १२.८३.८ ॥
In all affairs the king should always appoint as ministers men of noble birth, good conduct, who understand signs, are firm, know the rules of place and time, and seek the welfare of their lord's affairs.
12.83.9
अर्थमानार्घसत्कारैर्भोगैरुच्चावचैः प्रियैः ।
यानर्थभाजो मन्येथास्तेते स्युः सुखभागिनः ॥ १२.८३.९ ॥
Those whom you regard as sharers in the benefit, with wealth, honour, offerings, respect and enjoyments high and low that please, those will be sharers of happiness.
12.83.10
अभिन्नवृत्ता विद्वांसः सद्वॄत्ताश्चरितव्रताः ।
नत्वां नित्यार्थिनो जह्युरक्षुद्राः सत्यवादिनः ॥ १२.८३.१० ॥
Those of unbroken conduct, learned, of good conduct, keeping their vows, always seeking your good, not petty and truthful, will never abandon you.
12.83.11
अनार्या ये न जानन्ति समयं मन्दचेतसः ।
तेभ्यः परिजुगुप्सेथा ये चापि समयच्युताः ॥ १२.८३.११ ॥
Ignoble men of dull mind who do not know the agreed code, you should shun them, and likewise those who have fallen from the agreed code.
12.83.12
नैकमिच्छेद्गणं हित्वा स्याच्चेदन्यतरग्रहः ।
यस्त्वेको बहुभिः श्रेयान्कामं तेन गणं त्यजेत् ॥ १२.८३.१२ ॥
One should not desire to abandon a group and take the side of one; if it happens, and one man is better than many, one may abandon the group for his sake.
12.83.13
श्रेयसो लक्षणं चैतद्विक्रमो यस्य दृश्यते ।
कीर्तिप्रधानो यश्च स्यात्समये यश्च तिष्ठति ॥ १२.८३.१३ ॥
This is the mark of excellence: one in whom valour is seen, for whom fame is foremost, and who stands firm at the proper time.
12.83.14
समर्थान्पूजयेद्यश्च नास्पर्ध्यैः स्पर्धते च यः ।
न च कामाद्भयात्क्रोधाल्लोभाद्वा धर्ममुत्सृजेत् ॥ १२.८३.१४ ॥
He who honours the capable, does not compete with those unfit to be rivals, and does not abandon dharma out of desire, fear, anger or greed.
12.83.15
अमानी अत्यवाक्शक्तो जितात्मा मानसंयुतः ।
स ते मन्त्रसहायः स्यात्सर्वावस्थापरीक्षितः ॥ १२.८३.१५ ॥
Let him be your counsel-helper: free from pride, exceedingly skilled in speech, self-subdued and endowed with honour, tested in every circumstance.
12.83.16
कुलीनः कुलसंपन्नस्तितिक्षुर्दश आत्मवान् ।
शूरः कृतज्ञः सत्यश्च श्रेयसः पार्थ लक्षणम् ॥ १२.८३.१६ ॥
Of good birth and noble family, patient, self-possessed, brave, grateful and truthful: this, son of Pṛthā, is the mark of excellence.
12.83.17
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्य विजानतः ।
अमित्राः संप्रसीदन्ति तथा मित्रीभवन्त्यपि ॥ १२.८३.१७ ॥
For a man who conducts himself thus and understands, enemies grow calm and likewise become friends.
12.83.18
अत ऊर्ध्वममात्यानां परीक्षेत गुणागुणम् ।
संयतात्मा कृतप्रज्ञो भूतिकामश्च भूमिपः ॥ १२.८३.१८ ॥
Thereafter the king, self-restrained, of accomplished wisdom and desiring prosperity, should test the merits and faults of his ministers.
12.83.19
संबन्धिपुरुषैराप्तैरभिजातैः स्वदेशजैः ।
अहार्यैरव्यभीचारैः सर्वशः सुपरीक्षितैः ॥ १२.८३.१९ ॥
By kinsmen, trusted men, men of noble birth born in one's own land, men who cannot be bought, who are not disloyal, and who have been thoroughly tested in every way.
12.83.20
यौनाः श्रौतास्तथा मौलास्तथैवाप्यनहंकृताः ।
कर्तव्या भूतिकामेन पुरुषेण बुभूपता ॥ १२.८३.२० ॥
Men of Yavana lineage, learned in the Veda, likewise hereditary servants, and free of pride — these should be appointed by a man who desires prosperity and wishes to become a king.
12.83.21
एषां वैनयिकी बुद्धिः प्रकृतिश्चैव शोभना ।
तेजो धैर्यं क्षमा शौचमनुरागः स्थितिर्धृतिः ॥ १२.८३.२१ ॥
Their intellect is disciplined and their nature is excellent; they possess brilliance, steadfastness, forbearance, purity, loyalty, firmness and constancy.
12.83.22
परीक्ष्य च गुणान्नित्यं प्रौढभावान्धुरंधरान् ।
पञ्चोपधाव्यतीतांश्च कुर्याद्राजाऽर्थकारिणः ॥ १२.८३.२२ ॥
Having always tested their qualities, the king should appoint as ministers men of mature disposition, capable of bearing burdens, free of the five tests of deceit, and effective in carrying out affairs.
12.83.23
पर्याप्तवचनान्वीरान्प्रतिपत्तिविशारदान् ।
कुलीनान्सत्वसंपन्नानिङ्गितज्ञाननिष्ठुरान् ॥ १२.८३.२३ ॥
Men eloquent and capable of speech, heroic, skilled in conduct, of noble family, endowed with courage, who understand signs and are not harsh.
12.83.24
देशकालविधानज्ञान्भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः ।
नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजन्कुर्वीत मन्त्रिणः ॥ १२.८३.२४ ॥
O king, one should always appoint as counsellors in all affairs those who know the rules of place and time and who seek the welfare of their master's affairs.
12.83.25
हीनतेजोभिसंसृष्टो नैव जातु व्यवस्यति ।
अवश्यं जनयत्येव सर्वकर्मसु संशयम् ॥ १२.८३.२५ ॥
One joined with those of diminished brilliance never arrives at a firm resolve; he surely gives rise to doubt in every undertaking.
12.83.26
एवमल्पश्रुतो मन्त्री कल्याणाभिजनोऽप्युत ।
धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तो नालं मन्त्रं परीक्षितुम् ॥ १२.८३.२६ ॥
Likewise a minister of little learning, even of noble birth and endowed with dharma, wealth and pleasure, is not able to test counsel.
12.83.27
तथैवानभिजातोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः ।
अनायक इवाचक्षुर्मुह्यत्यूह्येषु कर्मसु ॥ १२.८३.२७ ॥
Likewise a man of low birth, though very learned, is bewildered in matters requiring deliberation, blind as one without a leader.
12.83.28
यो वाऽप्यस्थिरसंकल्पो बुद्धिमानागतागमः ।
उपायज्ञोऽपि नालं स कर्म प्रापयितुं चिरम् ॥ १२.८३.२८ ॥
One whose resolve is unsteady, though intelligent, quick to grasp what comes and knowing the means, is not able to bring an affair to completion for long.
12.83.29
केवलात्पुनरादानात्कर्मणो नोपपद्यते ।
परामर्शो विशेषणामश्रुतस्येह दुर्मतेः ॥ १२.८३.२९ ॥
An action is not accomplished merely by taking it up again and again; and here the reflection of an ill-minded man who has not learned the distinctions does not succeed.
12.83.30
मन्त्रिण्यननुरक्ते तु विश्वासो नोपपद्यते ।
तस्मादननुरक्ताय नैव मन्त्रं प्रकाशयेत् ॥ १२.८३.३० ॥
Trust does not arise in a minister who is not devoted; therefore one should never reveal counsel to one who is not devoted.
12.83.31
व्यथयेद्धि स राजानं मन्त्रिभिः सहितोऽनृजुः ।
मारुतोपहितच्छिद्रैः प्रविश्याग्निरिव द्रुमम् ॥ १२.८३.३१ ॥
Joined with ministers, the crooked man will surely distress the king, just as fire, entering through openings made by the wind, burns a tree.
12.83.32
संक्रुद्धश्चैकदा स्वामी स्थानाच्चैवापकर्षति ।
वाचा क्षिपति संरब्धः पुनः पश्चात्प्रसीदति ॥ १२.८३.३२ ॥
An angry master sometimes even removes a man from his position, reviles him in heated words, and afterwards grows appeased again.
12.83.33
तानितान्यनुरक्तेन शक्यानि हि तितिक्षितुम् ।
मन्त्रिणां च भवेत्क्रोधो विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः ॥ १२.८३.३३ ॥
A devoted man can endure all these; and the anger of ministers may be like the crash of a thunderbolt.
12.83.34
यस्तु संहरते तानि भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षया ।
समानसुखदुःखं तं पृच्छेदर्थेषु मानवम् ॥ १२.८३.३४ ॥
But one should consult in affairs that man who, out of desire to please his master, soothes those outbursts and remains even-minded in joy and sorrow alike.
12.83.35
अनृजुस्त्वनुरक्तोऽपि संपन्नश्चेतरैर्गुणैः ।
राज्ञः प्रज्ञानयुक्तोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.३५ ॥
A crooked man, though devoted to the king and endowed with other virtues and with wisdom, is still not fit to hear the king's secret counsel.
12.83.36
योऽमित्रैः सह संबद्धो न परान्बहुमन्यते ।
असुहृत्तादृशो ज्ञेयो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.३६ ॥
One who is bound together with enemies and does not value others should be known as no friend of such a kind; he is not fit to hear counsel.
12.83.37
अविद्वानशुचिः स्तब्धः शत्रुसेवी विकत्थनः ।
असुहृत्क्रोधनो लुब्धो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.३७ ॥
The ignorant, impure, arrogant one who serves enemies, boasts, is no friend, is quick to anger and greedy — such a man is not fit to hear counsel.
12.83.38
आगन्तुश्चानुरक्तोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः ।
सत्कृतः संविभक्तो वा न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.३८ ॥
A newcomer, even if devoted, learned, honoured or given a share — he is still not fit to hear counsel.
12.83.39
विधर्मतो विप्रकृतः पिता यस्याभवत्पुरा ।
सत्कृतः स्थापितः सोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.३९ ॥
The one whose father was once wronged by unrighteous means, and later honoured and restored — even he is not fit to hear counsel.
12.83.40
यः स्वल्पेनापि कार्येण सुहृदाक्षारितो भवेत् ।
पुनरन्यैर्गुणैर्युक्तो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४० ॥
One who was summoned by a friend even for some small task, and who is endowed with other qualities as well — even he is not fit to hear counsel.
12.83.41
कृतप्रज्ञश्च मेधावी बुधो जानपदः शुचिः ।
सर्वकर्मसु यः शुद्धः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४१ ॥
He who is of trained wisdom, intelligent, wise, a native of the land, pure, and upright in all his actions — he is fit to hear counsel.
12.83.42
ज्ञानविज्ञानसंपन्नः प्रकृतिज्ञः परात्मनोः ।
सुहृदात्मसमो राज्ञः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४२ ॥
He who is endowed with knowledge and discernment, knows the nature of things, understands both others and himself, and is a friend of the king and his equal — he is fit to hear counsel.
12.83.43
सत्यवाक्शीलसंपन्नो गन्भीरः सत्रपो मृदुः ।
पितृपैतामहो यः स्यात्स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४३ ॥
He who is truthful, endowed with good character, profound, modest, gentle, and of an hereditary line of fathers and grandfathers — he is worthy to hear the counsel.
12.83.44
संतुष्टः संमतः सद्भिः शौटीरो द्वेष्यपापकः ।
मन्त्रवित्कालविच्छूरः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४४ ॥
He who is content, honoured by good men, neither proud nor hateful nor wicked, knowing counsel and time, and brave — he is worthy to hear the counsel.
12.83.45
सर्वलोकमिमं शक्तः सान्त्वेन कुरुते वशम् ।
तस्मै मन्त्रः प्रयोक्तव्यो दण्डमाधित्सता नृप ॥ १२.८३.४५ ॥
To him who is able to bring this whole world under control by conciliation, counsel should be given; and, O king, likewise to one who wishes to inflict punishment.
12.83.46
पौरजानपदा यस्मिन्विश्वासं धर्मतो गताः ।
योद्धा नयविपश्चिच्च स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥ १२.८३.४६ ॥
He in whom the townsfolk and countryfolk have rightly placed their trust, who is a warrior and skilled in statecraft — he is worthy to hear the counsel.
12.83.47
तस्मात्सर्वैर्गुणैरेतैरुपपन्नाः सुपूजिताः ।
मन्त्रिणः प्रकृतिज्ञाः स्युख्यवरा महदीप्सवः ॥ १२.८३.४७ ॥
Therefore ministers should be endowed with all these qualities, well honoured, knowers of the constituents of the state, chief and excellent, desiring great things.
12.83.48
स्वासु प्रकृतिषु च्छिद्रं लक्षयेरन्परस्य च ।
मन्त्रिणां मन्त्रमूलं हि राज्ञो राष्ट्रं विवर्धते ॥ १२.८३.४८ ॥
One should observe the weaknesses both in one's own constituents of the state and in those of the enemy; for the kingdom of the king flourishes from the root of the counsel of his ministers.
12.83.49
नास्य च्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात् ।
गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङगानि रक्षेद्विवरमात्मनः ॥ १२.८३.४९ ॥
The enemy should not see his weakness, but should pursue the enemy's weak points. Like a tortoise hiding its limbs, one should guard one's own opening.
12.83.50
मन्त्रग्राहा हि राजस्य मन्त्रिणो ये मनीषिणः ।
मन्त्रसंहननो राजा मन्त्राङ्गानीतरे जन्गः ॥ १२.८३.५० ॥
The receivers of the king's counsel are the wise ministers. The king is the firm stronghold of counsel; the others are the limbs of counsel, like the thighs.
12.83.51
राज्यं प्रणिधिमूलं हि मन्त्रसारं प्रचक्षते ।
स्वामिनं त्वनुवर्न्तते वृत्त्यर्थमिह मन्त्रिणः ॥ १२.८३.५१ ॥
The kingdom is said to be rooted in spies, and that is the essence of counsel. Here ministers follow their lord for the sake of livelihood.
12.83.52
संविनीयमदक्रोधौ मानमीर्ष्यां च निर्वृताः ।
नित्यं पञ्चोपधातीतैर्मन्त्रयेत्सह मन्त्रिभिः ॥ १२.८३.५२ ॥
Having restrained intoxication, anger, pride and envy, and always standing beyond the five tests, one should deliberate together with one's ministers.
12.83.53
तेषां त्रयाणां त्रिविधं विमर्शं ।
विबुध्य चित्तं विनिवेश्य तत्र।
स्वनिश्चयं तं परनिश्चयं च ।
निदर्शयेदुत्तरमन्त्रकाले ॥ १२.८३.५३ ॥
Having understood the threefold deliberation of those three, and fixing the mind upon it, one should reveal one's own resolve and the enemy's resolve at the time of the final counsel.
12.83.54
धर्मार्थकामज्ञमुपेत्य पृच्छे ।
द्युक्तो गुरुं ब्राह्मणमुत्तरार्थम्।
निष्ठा कृता तेन यदा सहः स्या ।
त्तं मन्त्रमार्गं प्रणयेदसक्तः ॥ १२.८३.५४ ॥
Approaching those who know dharma, wealth and pleasure, one should ask a teacher and a brahmin. Engaged for the outcome, when he has reached a resolve and is capable, one should unattachedly carry forward that course of counsel.
12.83.55
एवं सदा मन्त्रयितत्र्यमाहु ।
र्ये मन्त्रतत्त्वार्थविनिश्चयज्ञाः।
तस्मात्तमेवं प्रणयेत्सदैव ।
मन्त्रं प्रजासंग्रहणे समर्थम् ॥ १२.८३.५५ ॥
Thus counsel should always be taken, so say those who know the truth and certain meaning of counsel. Therefore counsel capable of keeping the people together should always be conducted in just this way.
12.83.56
न वामनाः कुब्जकृशा न खञ्जा ।
नान्धा जडाः स्त्री च नपुंसकाश्च।
न चात्र तिर्यक्च पुरो न पश्चा ।
न्नोर्ध्वं न चाधः प्रपरेत्कथंचित् ॥ १२.८३.५६ ॥
Dwarfs, hunchbacks, the emaciated, the lame, the blind, the dull-witted, women and eunuchs should not be admitted in any way; nor should anyone stand crosswise here, nor in front, behind, above or below.
12.83.57
आरुह्य वा वेश्म तथैव शून्यं ।
स्थलं प्रकाशं कुशकाशहीनम्।
वागङ्गदोषान्परिहृत्य सर्वा ।
न्संमन्त्रयेत्कार्यमहीनकालम् ॥ १२.८३.५७ ॥
Having gone up to a house-top, or likewise to an empty, open place free of kuśa and kāśa grass, avoiding all faults of speech and of bodily gestures, one should deliberate on the matter at a suitable time.