Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 12.91
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12.91.1
कालवर्षी च पर्जन्यो धर्मचारी च पार्थिवः ।
संपद्यदेषा भवति सा बिभर्ति सुखं प्रजाः ॥ १२.९१.१ ॥
When the rain-cloud falls in its season and the king follows dharma, this comes to be; it is he who sustains the subjects in happiness.
12.91.2
यो न जानाति निर्हर्तुं वस्त्राणां रजको मलम् ।
रत्नानि वा शोधयितुं यथा नास्ति तथैव सः ॥ १२.९१.२ ॥
He who does not know how to remove the dirt from garments, as a washerman does not, or how to cleanse jewels, such a one he is.
12.91.3
एवमेतद्द्विजेन्द्राणां क्षत्रियाणां विशां तथा ।
शूद्रश्चतुर्थो वर्णानां नानाकर्मस्ववस्थितः ॥ १२.९१.३ ॥
Thus it is with the foremost of the twice-born, the kṣatriyas and the vaiśyas; and the fourth of the varṇas, the śūdra, is established in various duties.
12.91.4
कर्म शूद्रे कृषिर्वैश्ये दण्डनीतिश्च राजनि ।
ब्रह्मचर्यं तपो मन्त्राः सत्यं चापि द्विजातिषु ॥ १२.९१.४ ॥
Service is the duty of the śūdra, agriculture of the vaiśya, the governance of punishment of the king; celibate study, austerity, sacred formulas and truthfulness belong to the twice-born.
12.91.5
तेषां यः क्षत्रियो वेद पात्राणामिव शोधनम् ।
शीलदोषान्विनिर्हर्तुं स पिता स प्रजापतिः ॥ १२.९१.५ ॥
Among them, the kṣatriya who knows how to cleanse them as one cleanses vessels, and how to remove the faults of conduct entirely, he is the father, he is the lord of creatures.
12.91.6
कृतं त्रेता द्वापरश्च कलिश्च भरतर्षभ ।
राजवृत्तानि सर्वाणि राजैव युगमुच्यते ॥ १२.९१.६ ॥
O bull of the Bharatas, the Kṛta, Tretā, Dvāpara and Kali ages; all the conduct of kings is the age, and the king himself is called the age.
12.91.7
चातुर्वर्ण्यं तथा वेदाश्चातुराश्रम्यमेव च ।
सर्वमेतत्प्रमुह्येत यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति ॥ १२.९१.७ ॥
The fourfold social order, the Vedas, and the fourfold stages of life — all of these are bewildered when the king becomes negligent.
12.91.8
अग्नित्रेता त्रयी विद्या यज्ञाश्च सहदक्षिणाः ।
सर्व एव प्रमुह्यन्ते यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति ॥ १२.९१.८ ॥
The sacred fires, the three fires, the triple knowledge, and the sacrifices with their fees — all are bewildered when the king becomes negligent.
12.91.9
राजैव कर्ता भूतानां राजैव च विनाशकः ।
धर्मात्मा यः स कर्ता स्यादधर्मात्मा विनाशकः ॥ १२.९१.९ ॥
The king alone is the maker of beings, and the king alone is their destroyer. The king whose nature is righteous becomes their maker; the king whose nature is unrighteous becomes their destroyer.
12.91.10
राज्ञो भार्याश्च पुत्राश्च बान्धवाः सुहृदस्तथा ।
समेत्य सर्वे शोचन्ति यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति ॥ १२.९१.१० ॥
The king's wives, his sons, his kinsmen, and his friends — all gather together and grieve when the king becomes negligent.
12.91.11
हस्तिनोऽश्वाश्च गावश्चाप्युष्ट्राश्वतरगर्दभाः ।
अधर्मवृत्ते नृपतौ सर्वे सीदन्ति जन्तवः ॥ १२.९१.११ ॥
Elephants, horses, cattle, camels, mules and donkeys — when the king's conduct is unrighteous, all living creatures suffer.
12.91.12
दुर्बलार्थं बलं सृष्टं धात्रा मान्धातरुच्यते ।
अबलं तु महद्भूतं यस्मिन्सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥ १२.९१.१२ ॥
For the protection of the weak, the creator made strength; so Māndhātṛ says. But that powerless, great being in whom all things are established is the greater.
12.91.13
यश्च भूतं संभजते ये च भूतास्तदन्वयाः ।
अधर्मस्थे हि नृपतौ सर्वे शोचन्ति पार्थिव ॥ १२.९१.१३ ॥
He who cherishes living beings, and the beings who depend on him — when the king stands in adharma, O lord of the earth, all of them grieve.
12.91.14
दुर्बलस्य च यच्चक्षुर्मुनेराशीविषस्य च ।
अविषह्यतमं मन्ये मा स्म दुर्बलमासदः ॥ १२.९१.१४ ॥
The gaze of the weak, of a sage, and of a venomous serpent — I hold these to be the least bearable. Do not approach one who is weak.
12.91.15
दुर्बलांस्तात मन्येथा नित्यमेवाविमानि तान् ।
मा त्वां दुर्बलचक्षूंषि प्रदहेयुः सबान्धवम् ॥ १२.९१.१५ ॥
Dear one, never regard the weak as beneath contempt; the eyes of the weak may burn you together with your kinsmen.
12.91.16
न हि दुर्बलदग्धस्य कुले किंचित्प्ररोहति ।
आमूलं निर्दहन्त्येव मा स्म दुर्बलमासद ॥ १२.९१.१६ ॥
For nothing sprouts in the family of one burned by the weak; they burn utterly, down to the root. Do not approach the weak.
12.91.17
अबलं वै बलाच्छ्रेयो यच्चातिबलवद्बलम् ।
बलस्याबलदग्धस्य न किंचितवशिष्यते ॥ १२.९१.१७ ॥
Indeed, weakness is better than strength; and of a strength that has been burned by weakness, nothing whatever remains — even if it was the most powerful strength.
12.91.18
विमानितो हतः क्लिष्टस्त्रातारं चेन्न विन्दन्ते ।
अमानुषकृतस्तत्र दण्डो हन्ति नराधिपम् ॥ १२.९१.१८ ॥
If the dishonoured, the slain, and the afflicted find no protector, then the punishment wrought by non-human power strikes down the very lord of men.
12.91.19
मा स्म तात बलस्थस्त्वं भुञ्जीथा दुर्बलं जनम् ।
मा त्वां दुर्बलचक्षूंषि दहन्त्वग्निरिवाशयम् ॥ १२.९१.१९ ॥
Dear son, standing in strength, do not devour the weak people. Let not the eyes of the weak burn you within, as fire burns the inner self.
12.91.20
यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यश्रूणि रोदताम् ।
तानि पुत्रान्पशून्घ्नन्ति तेषां मिथ्याभिशंसिनां ॥ १२.९१.२० ॥
The tears that fall from those who are falsely accused and weep strike down the sons and cattle of those who falsely accuse them.
12.91.21
यदि नात्मनि पुत्रेषु न चेत्पौत्रेषु नप्नृषु ।
न हि पापं कृतं कर्म सद्यः फलति गौरिब ॥ १२.९१.२१ ॥
If it does not appear in oneself, nor in sons, nor in grandsons or great-grandsons, an evil deed done bears its fruit at once, like a cow yielding milk.
12.91.22
यत्राबलो वध्यमानस्त्रातारं नाधिगच्छति ।
महान्दैवकृतस्तत्र दण्डः पतति दारुणः ॥ १२.९१.२२ ॥
Where the weak one, being struck, finds no protector, there falls a great and dreadful punishment ordained by fate.
12.91.23
युक्ता यदा जानपदा भिक्षन्ते ब्राह्मणा इव ।
अभीक्ष्णं भिक्षुरूपेण राजानं घ्नन्ति तादृशाः ॥ १२.९१.२३ ॥
When the officials of the realm, engaged in their duties, begin to beg like brahmins, such men, in the guise of beggars, constantly strike down the king.
12.91.24
राज्ञो यदा जनपदे बहवो राजपूरुषाः ।
अनयेनोपवर्तन्ते तद्राज्ञः किल्बिषं महत् ॥ १२.९१.२४ ॥
When many royal officials in the king's realm act unjustly, that is a great fault of the king.
12.91.25
यदा युक्त्या नयेदर्थान्कामादर्थवशेन वा ।
कृपणं याचमानानां तद्राज्ञो वैशसं महत् ॥ १२.९१.२५ ॥
When a king, not drawing wealth by fair means, but from desire or under the sway of riches, takes it from the wretched who beg, that is the king's great ruin.
12.91.26
महान्वृक्षो जायते वर्धते च ।
तं चैव भूतानि समाश्रयन्ति।
यदा वृक्षश्छिद्यते दह्यते च ।
तदाश्रया अनिकेता भवन्ति ॥ १२.९१.२६ ॥
A great tree grows and flourishes, and creatures take shelter in it. When the tree is cut down or burned, those who depend on it become homeless.
12.91.27
यदा राष्ट्रे धर्ममग्र्यं चरन्ति ।
संस्कारं का राजगुणं ब्रुवाणाः।
तैश्चाधर्मश्चरितो धर्ममोहा ।
त्तूप जह्यात्सुकृतं दुष्कृतं च ॥ १२.९१.२७ ॥
When the people of a realm practise the highest dharma, calling a king's quality refinement, yet through confusion about dharma unrighteousness is practised by them, then one should abandon both good deeds and bad deeds.
12.91.28
यत्र पापा ज्ञायमानाश्चरन्ति ।
सभां कलिर्विन्दते तत्र राज्ञः।
यत्र राजा शास्ति नरान्न शक्त्या ।
न तद्राज्यं वर्धते भूमिपस्य ॥ १२.९१.२८ ॥
Where sinners move about openly, there Kali finds a place in the king's assembly. Where the king does not govern men by force, that monarch's kingdom does not prosper.
12.91.29
यश्चामात्यान्मानयित्वा यथा हि ।
मन्त्रे च युद्धे च नृपोऽनुयुञ्ज्यात्।
बिबर्धते तस्य राष्ट्रं नृपस्य ।
भुङ्क्ते महीं चाप्यखिलां चिराय ॥ १२.९१.२९ ॥
The king who honours his ministers and rightly employs them in counsel and in war, his realm grows, and he enjoys the whole earth for a long time.
12.91.30
अत्रापि सुकृतं कर्म वाचं चैव सुभाषिताम् ।
समीक्ष्य पूजयन्राजा धर्मं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम् ॥ १२.९१.३० ॥
Here too, a king who carefully weighs good deeds and well-spoken words and honors them attains the supreme dharma.
12.91.31
संविभज्य यदा भुङ्क्ते नचान्यानवमन्यते ।
निहन्ति बलिनं दृप्तं स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३१ ॥
When a king enjoys his realm after dividing it justly, does not slight others, and slays the strong yet arrogant, that is declared the dharma of kings.
12.91.32
त्रायते हि यदा सर्वं वाचा कायेन कर्मणा ।
पुत्रस्यापि न मृष्येच्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३२ ॥
When a king protects all by word, body and deed, and does not tolerate even his own son's offence, that is declared the dharma of kings.
12.91.33
संविभज्य यदा भुङ्क्ते नृपतिर्दुर्बलान्नरान् ।
तदा भवन्ति बलिनः स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३३ ॥
When a king enjoys his realm after dividing it justly, the weak men become strong; that is declared the dharma of kings.
12.91.34
यदा रक्षति राष्ट्राणि यदा दस्यूनपोहति ।
यदा जयति संग्रामे स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३४ ॥
When a king protects the realms, drives away robbers, and wins victory in battle, that is declared the dharma of kings.
12.91.35
पापमाचरतो यत्र कर्मणा व्याहृतेन वा ।
प्रियस्यापि न मृष्येत स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३५ ॥
When one commits wrong by deed or by word, a king should not tolerate it even in one dear to him; that is declared the dharma of kings.
12.91.36
यदा सारणिकान्राजा पुत्रवत्परिरक्षति ।
भिनत्ति न च मर्यादां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३६ ॥
When the king protects the herdsmen as sons and does not break the bounds of propriety, that is called the king's duty.
12.91.37
यदाप्तदक्षिणैर्यज्ञैर्यजते श्रद्धयाऽन्वितः ।
कामद्वेषावनादृत्य स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३७ ॥
When the king, endowed with faith, sacrifices with sacrifices that bring abundant fees, disregarding desire and aversion, that is called the king's duty.
12.91.38
कृपणानाथवृद्धानां यदाऽश्रु परिमार्जति ।
हर्षं संजनयन्नॄणां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३८ ॥
When the king wipes away the tears of the wretched, the helpless and the aged, bringing joy to men, that is called the king's duty.
12.91.39
विवर्धयति मित्राणि तथाऽरींश्चापि कर्षति ।
संपूजयति साधूंश्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.३९ ॥
When the king increases his friends, subdues his enemies, and honors the virtuous well, that is called the king's duty.
12.91.40
सत्यं पालयति प्रीत्या नित्यं भूमिं प्रयच्छति ।
पूजयेदतिथीन्भृत्यान्स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.४० ॥
When the king keeps the truth with affection, always gives land, and honors guests and servants, that is called the king's duty.
12.91.41
निग्रहानुग्रहौ चोभौ यत्र स्यातां प्रतिष्ठितौ ।
अस्मिँल्लोके परे चैव राजा स प्राप्नुते फलम् ॥ १२.९१.४१ ॥
The king in whom both punishment and favor are firmly established obtains the fruit both in this world and in the next.
12.91.42
यमो राजा धार्मिकाणां मान्धातः परमेश्वरः ।
संयच्छन्यमवत्प्राणानसंयच्छंस्तु पावकः ॥ १२.९१.४२ ॥
Yama is the king of the righteous, O Māndhātṛ; he is the supreme lord. Like Yama, he restrains the breaths of life, while Pāvaka does not restrain them.
12.91.43
ऋत्विक्पुरोहिताचार्यान्सत्कृत्यानवमत्य च ।
यदा सम्यक्प्रगृह्णाति स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते ॥ १२.९१.४३ ॥
When the king duly receives, honours and does not disregard the priests, household chaplains and teachers, that is called the duty of a king.
12.91.44
यमो यच्छति भूतानि सर्वाण्येवाविशेषतः ।
तथा राज्ञाऽनुकर्तव्यं यन्तव्या विधिवत्प्रजाः ॥ १२.९१.४४ ॥
Yama restrains all beings without distinction; in the same way the king should act, and govern his subjects according to rule.
12.91.45
सहस्राक्षेण राजा हि सर्वथैवोपमीयते ।
स पश्यति च यं धर्म स धर्मः पुरुषर्षभ ॥ १२.९१.४५ ॥
A king is indeed in every way compared to the thousand-eyed one (Indra). Whatever duty he sees, that is the duty, O bull among men.
12.91.46
अप्रमादेन शिक्षेथाः क्षमां बुद्धिं धृतिं मतिम् ।
भूतानां तत्त्वजिज्ञासा साध्वसाधु च सर्वदा ॥ १२.९१.४६ ॥
Learn forbearance, intelligence, steadfastness and judgement without negligence; keep an inquiry into the nature of beings, and always know the good and the bad.
12.91.47
संग्रहः सर्वभूतानां दानं च मधुरा च वाक् ।
पौरजानपदाश्चैव गोप्तव्याः स्वप्रजा यथा ॥ १२.९१.४७ ॥
Providing for all beings, giving, and sweet speech; the townsfolk and the countryfolk should be protected as one's own children.
12.91.48
न जात्वदक्षो नृपतिः प्रजाः शक्नोति रक्षितुम् ।
भारो हि सुमहांस्तात राज्यं नाम सुदुर्वहम् ॥ १२.९१.४८ ॥
A king who is unskilled can never protect his subjects. Dear son, the burden called kingship is very great and very hard to bear.
12.91.49
तद्दण्डविन्नृपः प्राज्ञः शूरः शक्नोति रक्षितुम् ।
न हि शक्यमदण्डेन क्लीबेनाबुद्धिनाऽपि वा ॥ १२.९१.४९ ॥
Only a king who knows the rule of punishment, who is wise and valiant, is able to protect. Without punishment, it cannot be done by the feeble or the unwise.
12.91.50
अभिरूपैः कुले जातैर्दक्षैर्भक्तैर्बहुश्रुतैः ।
सर्वं बुद्ध्या परीक्षेथास्तापसाश्रमिणामपि ॥ १२.९१.५० ॥
By those of noble birth, skilled, loyal and deeply learned, you should examine everything with your intellect, and likewise the ascetics and those who dwell in hermitages.
12.91.51
अतस्त्वं सर्वभूतानां धर्मं वेत्स्यसि वै परम् ।
स्वदेशे परदेशे वा न ते धर्मो विनङ्क्ष्यति ॥ १२.९१.५१ ॥
Therefore you will come to know the supreme dharma of all beings. Whether in your own land or in a foreign land, your dharma will not perish.
12.91.52
धर्मेचार्थे च कामे च धर्म एवोत्तरो भवेत् ।
अस्मिंल्लोके परे चैव धर्मात्मा सुखमेधते ॥ १२.९१.५२ ॥
Among dharma, wealth and desire, dharma itself should be the highest. The righteous-souled man thrives in happiness both in this world and in the next.
12.91.53
त्यजन्ति दारान्पुत्रांश्च मनुष्याः परिपूजिताः ।
संग्रहश्चैव भूतानां दानं च मधुरा च वाक् ॥ १२.९१.५३ ॥
Even men who are greatly honoured abandon wives and sons. Gathering all beings to oneself, giving, and sweet speech are the qualities a king needs.
12.91.54
अप्रमादश्च शौचं च राज्ञो भूतिकरं महत् ।
एतेभ्यश्चैव मान्धातः सततं मा प्रमादिथाः ॥ १२.९१.५४ ॥
Vigilance and purity bring great prosperity to a king. O Māndhātṛ, never be negligent in these.
12.91.55
अप्रमत्तो भवेद्राजा छिद्रदर्शी परात्मनोः ।
नास्य च्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात् ॥ १२.९१.५५ ॥
A king should be vigilant and watch for weak points, his own and his enemy's. Let the enemy not see his weakness; let him pursue the enemy's weak points.
12.91.56
एतद्वॄत्तं वासवस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च ।
राजर्षीणां च सर्वेषां तत्त्वमप्यनुपालय ॥ १२.९१.५६ ॥
This is the conduct of Vāsava, of Yama and of Varuṇa, and of all the royal sages. Observe its essence as well.
12.91.57
तत्कुरुष्व महाराज वृत्तं राजर्षिसेवितम् ।
आतिष्ठ दिव्यं पन्थानमह्नाय पुरुषर्षभ ॥ १२.९१.५७ ॥
Therefore, O great king, practise this conduct followed by the royal sages. O best of men, take up the divine path.
12.91.58
धर्मवृत्तं हि राजानं प्रेत्य चेह च भारत ।
देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वाः कीर्तयन्ति महौजसः ॥ १२.९१.५८ ॥
O Bhārata, gods, sages, ancestors and celestial musicians of great power praise a king who follows righteous conduct, both here and in the hereafter.
12.91.59
स एवमुक्तो मान्धाता तेनोचथ्येन भारत ।
कृतवानविशङ्कश्च एकः प्राप च मेदिनीम् ॥ १२.९१.५९ ॥
O Bhārata, when Ucathya had thus spoken to him, Māndhātṛ did so without hesitation, and alone he obtained the earth.
12.91.60
भवानपि तथा सम्यङ्भान्धातेव महीपते ।
धर्मं कृत्वा महीं रक्ष स्वर्गे स्थानमवाप्स्यसि ॥ १२.९१.६० ॥
O lord of the earth, you too, just like Māndhātṛ, having fully performed dharma, protect the earth, and you will obtain a place in heaven.