Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.86
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12.86.1
कथंविधं पुरं राजा स्वयमावस्तुमर्हति ।
कृतं वा कारयित्वा वा तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥ १२.८६.१ ॥
Of what kind should the city be in which a king himself ought to dwell, whether built by himself or had built by others? Tell me that, grandsire.
12.86.2
वस्तव्यं यत्र कौन्तेय सपुत्रज्ञातिबन्धुना ।
न्याय्यं च परिप्रष्टुं वृत्तिं गुप्तिं च भारत ॥ १२.८६.२ ॥
Son of Kuntī, where one must dwell with sons, kinsmen and relatives, it is also proper to inquire rightly about livelihood and protection, O Bhārata.
12.86.3
तस्मात्ते र्तयिष्यामि दुर्गकर्म विशेषतः ।
श्रुत्वा तथा विधातव्यमनुष्ठेयं च यत्नतः ॥ १२.८६.३ ॥
Therefore I shall explain to you in detail the construction of fortresses. Having heard it, one should act accordingly and carry it out with care.
12.86.4
षङ्विधं दुर्गमास्थाय पुराण्यथ निवेशयेत् ।
सर्वसंपत्प्रधानं च बाहुल्यं चापि संभवेत् ॥ १२.८६.४ ॥
Having resorted to a sixfold fortress, one should establish cities, which should be chief in all wealth and where abundance may also arise.
12.86.5
धन्वदुर्गं महीदुर्गं गिरिदुर्गं तथैव च ।
मनुष्यदुर्गं मृद्दुर्गं वनदुर्गं च तानि षट् ॥ १२.८६.५ ॥
The desert fortress, the earth fortress, the mountain fortress, likewise the human fortress, the mud fortress and the forest fortress — these are the six.
12.86.6
यत्पुरं दुर्गसंपन्नं धान्यायुधसमन्वितम् ।
दृढप्राकारपरिखं हस्त्यश्वरथसंकुलम् ॥ १२.८६.६ ॥
That city which is endowed with fortresses, furnished with grain and weapons, with firm ramparts and moat, and crowded with elephants, horses and chariots.
12.86.7
विद्वांसः शिल्पिनो यत्र निचयाश्च सुसंचिताः ।
धार्मिकश्च जनो यत्र दाक्ष्यमुत्तममास्थितः ॥ १२.८६.७ ॥
Where there are learned men and craftsmen, well-stored supplies, and righteous people who have adopted supreme skill;
12.86.8
ऊर्जस्विनरनागाश्वं चत्वरापणशोभितम् ।
प्रसिद्धव्यवहारं च प्रशान्तमकुतोभयम् ॥ १२.८६.८ ॥
A city full of vigorous men, elephants and horses, adorned with crossroads and markets, with well-known commerce, peaceful and free from fear from any quarter;
12.86.9
सुप्रभं सानुनादं च सुप्रशस्तनिवेशनम् ।
शूराढ्यं प्राज्ञसंपूर्णं ब्रह्मघोषानुनादितम् ॥ १२.८६.९ ॥
Very radiant, resonant with echoes, well-praised in its layout, rich in heroes, full of wise men, and resounding with the sound of Vedic recitation;
12.86.10
समाजोत्सवसंपन्नं सदापूजितदैवतम् ।
वश्यामात्यबलो राजा तत्पुरं स्वयमाविशेत् ॥ १२.८६.१० ॥
A city endowed with assemblies and festivals, where the gods are always worshipped; the king whose ministers and army are under control should himself enter that city;
12.86.11
तत्र कोशं बलं मित्रं व्यवहारं च वर्धयेत् ।
पुरे जनपदे चैव सर्वदोषान्निवर्तयेत् ॥ १२.८६.११ ॥
There he should increase the treasury, the army, the allies and commerce, and in the city and the realm he should turn back all faults;
12.86.12
भाण्डागारायुधागारं प्रयत्नेनाभिवर्धयेत् ।
निचयान्वर्धयेत्सर्वांस्तथा यन्त्रकटंकटान् ॥ १२.८६.१२ ॥
He should diligently increase the storehouse and the armoury; likewise he should increase all stores, and the engines and war-machines;
12.86.13
काष्ठलोहतुषाङ्गारदारुशृङ्गास्थिवैणवान् ।
मज्जास्नेहवसाक्षौद्रमौषधग्राममेव च ॥ १२.८६.१३ ॥
Wood, iron, husks and charcoal, timber, horn, bone and bamboo, marrow, oil, fat, honey, and a store of medicines as well.
12.86.14
शणं सर्जरसं धान्यमायुधानि शरांस्तथा ।
चर्म स्नायुं तथा वेत्रं मुञ्जवल्वजदंध्वनान् ॥ १२.८६.१४ ॥
Hemp fibre, resin of the sarja tree, grain, weapons and arrows, and likewise hides, sinews, cane, munja grass, valvaja fibre and dhvana reeds.
12.86.15
आशयाश्चोदपानाश्च प्रभूतसलिलाकराः ।
निरोद्धव्याः सदा राज्ञा क्षीरिणश्च महीरुहाः ॥ १२.८६.१५ ॥
The king must always keep under his control the reservoirs and wells, the abundant sources of water, and the milk-bearing trees.
12.86.16
सत्कृताश्च प्रयत्नेन आचार्यर्त्विक्पुरोहिताः ।
महेष्वासाः स्थपतयः सांवत्सरचिकित्सकाः ॥ १२.८६.१६ ॥
Teachers, sacrificing priests and household priests, great archers, master builders and annual physicians should be honoured with care.
12.86.17
प्राज्ञा मेधाविनो दान्ता दक्षाः शूरा बहुश्रुताः ।
कुलीनाः सत्वसंपन्ना युक्ताः सर्वेषु कर्मसु ॥ १२.८६.१७ ॥
The wise, the intelligent, the self-controlled, the skilful, the brave, the well-learned, those of good family and endowed with steadfastness are fit for all tasks.
12.86.18
पूजयेद्धार्मिकान्राजा निगृह्णीयादधार्मेकान् ।
नियुञ्ज्याच्च प्रयत्नेन सर्ववर्णान्स्वकर्मसु ॥ १२.८६.१८ ॥
The king should honour the righteous, restrain the unrighteous, and carefully employ men of all classes in their own duties.
12.86.19
बाह्यमाभ्यन्तरं चैव पौरजानपदं तथा ।
चारैः सुविदितं कृत्वा ततः कर्म प्रयोजयेत् ॥ १२.८६.१९ ॥
Having thoroughly learned, through spies, all external and internal affairs, of city and countryside alike, then one should set action in motion.
12.86.20
चरान्मन्त्रं च कोशं च दण्डं चैव विशेषतः ।
अनुतिष्ठेत्स्वयं राजा सर्वं ह्यत्र प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १२.८६.२० ॥
The king himself should especially attend to spies, counsel, treasury and the rod of punishment, for everything is founded upon these.
12.86.21
उदासीनारिमित्राणां सर्वमेव चिकीर्षितम् ।
पुरे जनपदे चैव ज्ञातव्यं चारचक्षुषा ॥ १२.८६.२१ ॥
Whatever the neutral, the enemies and the friends intend to do, all of it must be known, in city and countryside alike, through the eye of spies.
12.86.22
ततस्तेषां विधातव्यं सर्वमेवाप्रमादतः ।
भक्तान्पूजयता नित्यं द्विषतश्च निगृह्णता ॥ १२.८६.२२ ॥
Then, in their regard, everything should be arranged without negligence: honouring the loyal constantly, and restraining the hostile.
12.86.23
यष्टव्यं क्रतुभिर्नित्यं दातव्यं चाप्यपीडया ।
प्रजानां रक्षणं कार्यं न कार्यं धर्मबाधकम् ॥ १२.८६.२३ ॥
One should constantly sacrifice with sacrifices and give gifts without oppression. The protection of the subjects must be done; what obstructs dharma must not be done.
12.86.24
कृपणानाथवृद्धानां विधवानां च योषिताम् ।
योगक्षेमं च वृत्तिं च नित्यमेव प्रकल्पयेत् ॥ १२.८६.२४ ॥
The welfare and livelihood of the poor, the helpless, the aged and widowed women should always be provided for.
12.86.25
आश्रमेषु यथाकालं चैलभाजनभोजनम् ।
सदैवोपहरेद्राजा सत्कृयाभ्यर्च्य मान्य च ॥ १२.८६.२५ ॥
At the hermitages, in due season, the king should always offer garments, vessels and food, honouring them with respect and giving due regard to those worthy of esteem.
12.86.26
आत्मानं सर्वकार्याणि तापसे राष्ट्रमेव च ।
निवेदयेत्प्रयत्नेन तिष्ठेत्प्रह्वश्च सर्वदा ॥ १२.८६.२६ ॥
The king should carefully report himself, all his affairs, and the realm itself to the ascetic, and always remain humble.
12.86.27
ते कस्यांचिदवस्थायां शरणं शरणार्थिने ।
राज्ञे दद्युर्यथाकामं तापसाः शंसितव्रताः ॥ १२.८६.२७ ॥
Those ascetics of praised vows may, in whatever condition, give refuge to a king who seeks shelter, as he desires.
12.86.28
सर्वार्थत्यागिनं राजा कुले जातं बहुश्रुतम् ।
पूजयेत्तादृशं दृष्ट्वा शयनासनभोजनैः ॥ १२.८६.२८ ॥
Seeing one who has renounced all aims, born in a good family and widely learned, the king should honour such a man with bed, seat and food.
12.86.29
तस्मिन्कुर्वीत विश्वासं राजा कस्यांचिदापदि ।
तापसेषु हि विश्वासमपि कुर्वन्ति दस्यवः ॥ १२.८६.२९ ॥
In some calamity the king should place his trust in him, for even robbers inspire trust in ascetics.
12.86.30
तस्मिन्निधीनादधीत पुनः प्रत्याददीत च ।
न चाप्यभीक्ष्णं सेवेत भृशं वा प्रतिपूजयेत् ॥ १२.८६.३० ॥
He should deposit treasures with him and take them back again, and should not constantly attend upon him or honour him excessively.
12.86.31
अन्यः कार्यः स्वराष्ट्रेषु परराष्ट्रेषु चापरः ।
अटवीषु परः कार्यः सामन्तनगरेष्वपि ॥ १२.८६.३१ ॥
One should be appointed in one's own realm, another in foreign realms, and another in the forests and even in the cities of vassal lords.
12.86.32
तेषु सत्कारमानाभ्यां संविभागांश्च कारयेत् ।
परराष्ट्राटवीस्थेषु यथा स्वविषये तथा ॥ १२.८६.३२ ॥
To those stationed in foreign realms and forests, one should cause honour, respect and shares to be given, just as to those in one's own realm.
12.86.33
ते कस्यांचिदवस्थायां शरणं शरणार्थिने ।
राज्ञे दद्युर्थथाकामं तापसाः संशितव्रताः ॥ १२.८६.३३ ॥
In whatever circumstance, those ascetics firm in their vows should give refuge, as desired, to a king seeking refuge.
12.86.34
एष ते लक्षणोद्देशः संक्षेपेण प्रकीर्तितः ।
यादृशे नगरे राजा स्वयमावस्तुमर्हति ॥ १२.८६.३४ ॥
This description of the marks has been declared to you in brief: in what kind of city a king himself should be fit to dwell.