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महाभारतः       mahābhārataḥ - book-12, chapter-104

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युधिष्ठिर उवाच ।
कथं मृदौ कथं तीक्ष्णे महापक्षे च पार्थिव ।
अरौ वर्तेत नृपतिस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१॥
1. yudhiṣṭhira uvāca ,
kathaṁ mṛdau kathaṁ tīkṣṇe mahāpakṣe ca pārthiva ,
arau varteta nṛpatistanme brūhi pitāmaha.
1. yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca kathaṃ mṛdau kathaṃ tīkṣṇe mahāpakṣe
ca pārthiva arau varteta nṛpatiḥ tat me brūhi pitāmaha
1. yudhiṣṭhiraḥ uvāca pitāmaha pārthiva nṛpatiḥ mṛdau arau
kathaṃ varteta kathaṃ tīkṣṇe ca mahāpakṣe tat me brūhi
1. Yudhiṣṭhira said: "O Grandfather, O King (pārthiva), please tell me how a ruler should conduct himself towards an enemy who is mild, how towards one who is fierce, and how towards an enemy who has strong support."
भीष्म उवाच ।
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् ।
बृहस्पतेश्च संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर ॥२॥
2. bhīṣma uvāca ,
atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṁ purātanam ,
bṛhaspateśca saṁvādamindrasya ca yudhiṣṭhira.
2. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca atra api udāharanti imam itihāsam
purātanam bṛhaspateḥ ca saṃvādam indrasya ca yudhiṣṭhira
2. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca yudhiṣṭhira atra api imam purātanam
itihāsam bṛhaspateḥ ca indrasya ca saṃvādam udāharanti
2. Bhishma said: "O Yudhiṣṭhira, in this regard, they also relate this ancient historical account (itihāsa), the dialogue between Bṛhaspati and Indra."
बृहस्पतिं देवपतिरभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः ।
उपसंगम्य पप्रच्छ वासवः परवीरहा ॥३॥
3. bṛhaspatiṁ devapatirabhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ ,
upasaṁgamya papraccha vāsavaḥ paravīrahā.
3. bṛhaspatim devapatiḥ abhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ
upasaṅgamya papraccha vāsavaḥ paravīrahā
3. devapatiḥ vāsavaḥ paravīrahā kṛtāñjaliḥ
bṛhaspatim abhivādya upasaṅgamya papraccha
3. Vāsava, the lord of the gods and slayer of hostile heroes, having saluted Bṛhaspati with folded hands, approached him and asked.
अहितेषु कथं ब्रह्मन्वर्तयेयमतन्द्रितः ।
असमुच्छिद्य चैवेनान्नियच्छेयमुपायतः ॥४॥
4. ahiteṣu kathaṁ brahmanvartayeyamatandritaḥ ,
asamucchidya caivenānniyaccheyamupāyataḥ.
4. ahiteṣu katham brahman vartayeyam atandritaḥ
asamucchidya ca eva enān niyaccheyam upāyataḥ
4. brahman atandritaḥ ahiteṣu katham vartayeyam
ca enān asamucchidya upāyataḥ niyaccheyam
4. "O Brahmin (brahman), how should I act vigilantly towards enemies, and how should I control them skillfully without utterly destroying them?"
सेनयोर्व्यतिषङ्गेण जयः साधारणो भवेत् ।
किं कुर्वाणं न मां जह्याज्ज्वलिता श्रीः प्रतापिनी ॥५॥
5. senayorvyatiṣaṅgeṇa jayaḥ sādhāraṇo bhavet ,
kiṁ kurvāṇaṁ na māṁ jahyājjvalitā śrīḥ pratāpinī.
5. senayoḥ vyatiṣaṅgeṇa jayaḥ sādhāraṇaḥ bhavet kim
kurvāṇam na mām jahyāt jvalitā śrīḥ pratāpinī
5. senayoḥ vyatiṣaṅgeṇa jayaḥ sādhāraṇaḥ bhavet.
kim kurvāṇam (sat) mām jvalitā pratāpinī śrīḥ na jahyāt?
5. When armies engage in conflict, victory becomes uncertain. What action could I take so that brilliant and powerful fortune does not abandon me?
ततो धर्मार्थकामानां कुशलः प्रतिभानवान् ।
राजधर्मविधानज्ञः प्रत्युवाच पुरंदरम् ॥६॥
6. tato dharmārthakāmānāṁ kuśalaḥ pratibhānavān ,
rājadharmavidhānajñaḥ pratyuvāca puraṁdaram.
6. tataḥ dharmārthakāmānām kuśalaḥ pratibhānavān
rājadharma-vidhānajñaḥ pratyuvāca purandaram
6. tataḥ dharmārthakāmānām kuśalaḥ,
pratibhānavān,
rājadharma-vidhānajñaḥ (saḥ) purandaram pratyuvāca.
6. Then, one who was skilled in matters of righteousness (dharma), material prosperity (artha), and desires (kāma), intelligent, and conversant with the principles of royal governance (rājadharma), replied to Purandara.
न जातु कलहेनेच्छेन्नियन्तुमपकारिणः ।
बालसंसेवितं ह्येतद्यदमर्षो यदक्षमा ।
न शत्रुर्विवृतः कार्यो वधमस्याभिकाङ्क्षता ॥७॥
7. na jātu kalahenecchenniyantumapakāriṇaḥ ,
bālasaṁsevitaṁ hyetadyadamarṣo yadakṣamā ,
na śatrurvivṛtaḥ kāryo vadhamasyābhikāṅkṣatā.
7. na jātu kalahena icchet niyantum
apakāriṇaḥ bālasaṃsevitam hi etat
yat amarṣaḥ yat akṣamā na śatruḥ
vivṛtaḥ kāryaḥ vadham asya abhikāṅkṣatā
7. jātu na kalahena apakāriṇaḥ niyantum icchet.
hi etat bālasaṃsevitam yat amarṣaḥ yat akṣamā.
vadham asya abhikāṅkṣatā (puruṣeṇa) śatruḥ vivṛtaḥ na kāryaḥ.
7. One should never desire to subdue wrongdoers through conflict. For indeed, anger and impatience are childish behaviors. An enemy should not be openly confronted by one who desires his death.
क्रोधं बलममर्षं च नियम्यात्मजमात्मनि ।
अमित्रमुपसेवेत विश्वस्तवदविश्वसन् ॥८॥
8. krodhaṁ balamamarṣaṁ ca niyamyātmajamātmani ,
amitramupaseveta viśvastavadaviśvasan.
8. krodham balam amarṣam ca niyamya ātmajam
ātmani amitram upaseveta viśvastavat aviśvasan
8. ātmani (sthitam) ātmajam krodham balam amarṣam ca niyamya,
(janaḥ) amitram viśvastavat upaseveta (kintu) aviśvasan.
8. Having restrained one's anger, strength, and indignation - born from the self (ātman) - within oneself, one should associate with an enemy outwardly appearing trustworthy, yet without actually placing trust.
प्रियमेव वदेन्नित्यं नाप्रियं किंचिदाचरेत् ।
विरमेच्छुष्कवैरेभ्यः कण्ठायासं च वर्जयेत् ॥९॥
9. priyameva vadennityaṁ nāpriyaṁ kiṁcidācaret ,
viramecchuṣkavairebhyaḥ kaṇṭhāyāsaṁ ca varjayet.
9. priyam eva vadet nityam na apriyam kiñcit ācaret
viramet śuṣkavairebhyaḥ kaṇṭhāyāsam ca varjayet
9. nityam vadet eva priyam ca na ācaret kiñcit apriyam
viramet śuṣkavairebhyaḥ ca varjayet kaṇṭhāyāsam
9. One should always speak pleasantly and never do anything disagreeable. One should refrain from futile enmities and avoid straining the throat (with harsh speech).
यथा वैतंसिको युक्तो द्विजानां सदृशस्वनः ।
तान्द्विजान्कुरुते वश्यांस्तथा युक्तो महीपतिः ।
वशं चोपनयेच्छत्रून्निहन्याच्च पुरंदर ॥१०॥
10. yathā vaitaṁsiko yukto dvijānāṁ sadṛśasvanaḥ ,
tāndvijānkurute vaśyāṁstathā yukto mahīpatiḥ ,
vaśaṁ copanayecchatrūnnihanyācca puraṁdara.
10. yathā vaitaṃsikaḥ yuktaḥ dvijānām
sadṛśasvanaḥ tān dvijān kurute vaśyān
tathā yuktaḥ mahīpatiḥ vaśam ca
upanayet śatrūn nihanyāt ca purandara
10. yathā yuktaḥ vaitaṃsikaḥ dvijānām
sadṛśasvanaḥ tān dvijān kurute vaśyān
tathā yuktaḥ mahīpatiḥ ca upanayet
śatrūn vaśam ca nihanyāt purandara
10. Just as a skilled bird-catcher, imitating the sounds of birds, brings those birds under his power; similarly, a skilled king should bring his enemies under control and destroy their strongholds.
न नित्यं परिभूयारीन्सुखं स्वपिति वासव ।
जागर्त्येव च दुष्टात्मा संकरेऽग्निरिवोत्थितः ॥११॥
11. na nityaṁ paribhūyārīnsukhaṁ svapiti vāsava ,
jāgartyeva ca duṣṭātmā saṁkare'gnirivotthitaḥ.
11. na nityam paribhūya arīn sukham svapiti vāsava
jāgarti eva ca duṣṭātmā saṃkare agniḥ iva utthitaḥ
11. vāsava na nityam svapiti sukham paribhūya arīn ca
eva duṣṭātmā jāgarti iva agniḥ utthitaḥ saṃkare
11. O Vasava, one does not always sleep peacefully after merely having defeated enemies. Indeed, an evil-minded (foe) remains vigilant, like a fire that has flared up in a heap of refuse.
न संनिपातः कर्तव्यः सामान्ये विजये सति ।
विश्वास्यैवोपसंन्यास्यो वशे कृत्वा रिपुः प्रभो ॥१२॥
12. na saṁnipātaḥ kartavyaḥ sāmānye vijaye sati ,
viśvāsyaivopasaṁnyāsyo vaśe kṛtvā ripuḥ prabho.
12. na saṃnipātaḥ kartavyaḥ sāmānye vijaye sati
viśvāsya eva upasaṃnyāsyaḥ vaśe kṛtvā ripuḥ prabho
12. prabho sāmānye vijaye sati na saṃnipātaḥ kartavyaḥ
viśvāsya eva kṛtvā ripuḥ vaśe upasaṃnyāsyaḥ
12. O Lord (prabho), when there is only an ordinary victory, a full-scale confrontation should not be undertaken. Rather, having gained his trust, and having brought the enemy under control, he should then be accommodated.
संप्रधार्य सहामात्यैर्मन्त्रविद्भिर्महात्मभिः ।
उपेक्षमाणोऽवज्ञाते हृदयेनापराजितः ॥१३॥
13. saṁpradhārya sahāmātyairmantravidbhirmahātmabhiḥ ,
upekṣamāṇo'vajñāte hṛdayenāparājitaḥ.
13. saṃpradhārya sahāmātyaiḥ mantravidbhiḥ mahātmbhiḥ
upekṣamāṇaḥ avajñāte hṛdayena aparājitaḥ
13. mahātmbhiḥ mantravidbhiḥ sahāmātyaiḥ saṃpradhārya
avajñāte upekṣamāṇaḥ hṛdayena aparājitaḥ
13. Having thoroughly deliberated with his ministers, who are skilled in counsel and noble-minded, he should remain outwardly indifferent when disregarded, his spirit (hṛdaya) remaining undefeated.
अथास्य प्रहरेत्काले किंचिद्विचलिते पदे ।
दण्डं च दूषयेदस्य पुरुषैराप्तकारिभिः ॥१४॥
14. athāsya praharetkāle kiṁcidvicalite pade ,
daṇḍaṁ ca dūṣayedasya puruṣairāptakāribhiḥ.
14. atha asya praharet kāle kiñcit vicalite pade
daṇḍam ca dūṣayet asya puruṣaiḥ āptakāribhiḥ
14. atha asya pade kiñcit vicalite kāle praharet
ca asya daṇḍam āptakāribhiḥ puruṣaiḥ dūṣayet
14. Then, when his position is somewhat shaken, he should strike at the opportune moment. And he should corrupt his army (daṇḍa) through trustworthy agents.
आदिमध्यावसानज्ञः प्रच्छन्नं च विचारयेत् ।
बलानि दूषयेदस्य जानंश्चैव प्रमाणतः ॥१५॥
15. ādimadhyāvasānajñaḥ pracchannaṁ ca vicārayet ,
balāni dūṣayedasya jānaṁścaiva pramāṇataḥ.
15. ādimadhyāvasānajñaḥ pracchannam ca vicārayet
balāni dūṣayet asya jānan ca eva pramāṇataḥ
15. ādimadhyāvasānajñaḥ ca pracchannam vicārayet
ca eva pramāṇataḥ jānan asya balāni dūṣayet
15. One who knows the beginning, middle, and end should also investigate matters secretly. And he should corrupt the opponent's forces (bala) by accurately knowing their strength.
भेदेनोपप्रदानेन संसृजन्नौषधैस्तथा ।
न त्वेव चेलसंसर्गं रचयेदरिभिः सह ॥१६॥
16. bhedenopapradānena saṁsṛjannauṣadhaistathā ,
na tveva celasaṁsargaṁ racayedaribhiḥ saha.
16. bhedena upapradānena saṃsṛjan auṣadhaiḥ tathā
na tu eva celasaṃsargam racayet aribhiḥ saha
16. bhedena upapradānena tathā auṣadhaiḥ saṃsṛjan
tu eva na aribhiḥ saha celasaṃsargam racayet
16. He should cause dissension by division, by bribery, and likewise by poisons. But he should certainly not form a close alliance (celasaṃsarga) with his enemies.
दीर्घकालमपि क्षान्त्वा विहन्यादेव शात्रवान् ।
कालाकाङ्क्षी यामयेच्च यथा विस्रम्भमाप्नुयुः ॥१७॥
17. dīrghakālamapi kṣāntvā vihanyādeva śātravān ,
kālākāṅkṣī yāmayecca yathā visrambhamāpnuyuḥ.
17. dīrghakālam api kṣāntvā vihanyāt eva śātravān
kālākāṅkṣī yāmayet ca yathā visrambham āpnuyuḥ
17. api dīrghakālam kṣāntvā śātravān eva vihanyāt
kālākāṅkṣī ca yāmayet yathā visrambham āpnuyuḥ
17. Even after enduring for a long time, one should indeed strike down enemies. One should bide their time, waiting for the opportune moment, and delay them so that they become complacent and unsuspecting.
न सद्योऽरीन्विनिर्हन्याद्दृष्टस्य विजयोऽज्वरः ।
न यः शल्यं घट्टयति नवं च कुरुते व्रणम् ॥१८॥
18. na sadyo'rīnvinirhanyāddṛṣṭasya vijayo'jvaraḥ ,
na yaḥ śalyaṁ ghaṭṭayati navaṁ ca kurute vraṇam.
18. na sadyaḥ arīn vinirhanyāt dṛṣṭasya vijayaḥ ajvaraḥ
na yaḥ śalyam ghaṭṭayati navam ca kurute vraṇam
18. sadyaḥ arīn na vinirhanyāt dṛṣṭasya vijayaḥ ajvaraḥ
yaḥ śalyam na ghaṭṭayati ca navam vraṇam na kurute
18. One should not immediately destroy enemies; the victory of a far-sighted person is untroubled. One should not stir an old wound or create a new one.
प्राप्ते च प्रहरेत्काले न स संवर्तते पुनः ।
हन्तुकामस्य देवेन्द्र पुरुषस्य रिपुं प्रति ॥१९॥
19. prāpte ca praharetkāle na sa saṁvartate punaḥ ,
hantukāmasya devendra puruṣasya ripuṁ prati.
19. prāpte ca praharet kāle na sa saṃvartate punaḥ
hantukāmasya devendra puruṣasya ripum prati
19. devendra,
kāle prāpte ca praharet saḥ punaḥ na saṃvartate ripum prati hantukāmasya puruṣasya (artham)
19. O King of gods (deveṃdra), when the opportune moment (kāla) has arrived, one should strike, for it does not return again for a person (puruṣa) desirous of attacking an enemy.
यः कालो हि व्यतिक्रामेत्पुरुषं कालकाङ्क्षिणम् ।
दुर्लभः स पुनः कालः कालधर्मचिकीर्षुणा ॥२०॥
20. yaḥ kālo hi vyatikrāmetpuruṣaṁ kālakāṅkṣiṇam ,
durlabhaḥ sa punaḥ kālaḥ kāladharmacikīrṣuṇā.
20. yaḥ kālaḥ hi vyatikrāmet puruṣam kālakāṅkṣiṇam
durlabhaḥ sa punaḥ kālaḥ kāladharmacikīrṣuṇā
20. hi,
yaḥ kālaḥ kālakāṅkṣiṇam puruṣam vyatikrāmet saḥ kālaḥ punaḥ kāladharmacikīrṣuṇā durlabhaḥ (bhavati)
20. Indeed, if the opportune moment (kāla) passes by a person (puruṣa) who is waiting for it, that moment becomes difficult to obtain again for one who wishes to execute the duties (dharma) appropriate for that time.
और्जस्थ्यं विजयेदेवं संगृह्णन्साधुसंमतान् ।
कालेन साधयेन्नित्यं नाप्राप्तेऽभिनिपीडयेत् ॥२१॥
21. aurjasthyaṁ vijayedevaṁ saṁgṛhṇansādhusaṁmatān ,
kālena sādhayennityaṁ nāprāpte'bhinipīḍayet.
21. aurjasthyam vijayet evam saṃgṛhṇan sādhu-saṃmatān
kālena sādhayet nityam na aprāpte abhinipīḍayet
21. evam sādhu-saṃmatān saṃgṛhṇan aurjasthyam vijayet
nityam kālena sādhayet na aprāpte abhinipīḍayet
21. One should thus achieve strength (aurjasthya) and victory (vijaya) by gathering those approved by the virtuous. One should always accomplish goals gradually over time, and not exert pressure prematurely before the opportune moment arrives.
विहाय कामं क्रोधं च तथाहंकारमेव च ।
युक्तो विवरमन्विच्छेदहितानां पुरंदर ॥२२॥
22. vihāya kāmaṁ krodhaṁ ca tathāhaṁkārameva ca ,
yukto vivaramanvicchedahitānāṁ puraṁdara.
22. vihāya kāmam krodham ca tathā ahaṅkāram eva ca
yuktaḥ vivaram anvicchet ahitānām purandara
22. purandara kāmam krodham ca tathā ahaṅkāram eva
ca vihāya yuktaḥ ahitānām vivaram anvicchet
22. O Purandara, having completely abandoned desire (kāma), anger (krodha), and indeed ego (ahaṅkāra), one should, being composed, seek out the vulnerabilities of enemies.
मार्दवं दण्ड आलस्यं प्रमादश्च सुरोत्तम ।
मायाश्च विविधाः शक्र साधयन्त्यविचक्षणम् ॥२३॥
23. mārdavaṁ daṇḍa ālasyaṁ pramādaśca surottama ,
māyāśca vividhāḥ śakra sādhayantyavicakṣaṇam.
23. mārdavam daṇḍe ālasyam pramādaḥ ca sura-uttama
māyāḥ ca vividhāḥ śakra sādhayanti avicakṣaṇam
23. surottama śakra daṇḍe mārdavam ālasyam pramādaḥ
ca vividhāḥ māyāḥ ca avicakṣaṇam sādhayanti
23. O best of gods (Surottama), leniency (mārdava) in punishment (daṇḍa), laziness (ālasya), and negligence (pramāda), along with various delusions (māyā), O Śakra, indeed lead an imprudent person to failure.
निहत्यैतानि चत्वारि मायां प्रतिविधाय च ।
ततः शक्नोति शत्रूणां प्रहर्तुमविचारयन् ॥२४॥
24. nihatyaitāni catvāri māyāṁ pratividhāya ca ,
tataḥ śaknoti śatrūṇāṁ prahartumavicārayan.
24. nihatya etāni catvāri māyām pratividhāya ca
tataḥ śaknoti śatrūṇām prahartum avicārayan
24. etāni catvāri nihatya ca māyām pratividhāya
tataḥ avicārayan śatrūṇām prahartum śaknoti
24. Having eliminated these four (leniency in punishment, laziness, negligence, and various delusions), and having counteracted (enemy's) deception (māyā) as well, one is then able to strike at enemies without hesitation.
यदैवैकेन शक्येत गुह्यं कर्तुं तदाचरेत् ।
यच्छन्ति सचिवा गुह्यं मिथो विद्रावयन्त्यपि ॥२५॥
25. yadaivaikena śakyeta guhyaṁ kartuṁ tadācaret ,
yacchanti sacivā guhyaṁ mitho vidrāvayantyapi.
25. yada eva ekena śakyeta guhyam kartum tadā ācaret
yacchanti sacivāḥ guhyam mithaḥ vidrāvayanti api
25. When a secret (guhyam) can be kept by one person alone, then one should proceed with it. For ministers tend to reveal a secret (guhyam) among themselves, and indeed, even divulge it.
अशक्यमिति कृत्वा वा ततोऽन्यैः संविदं चरेत् ।
ब्रह्मदण्डमदृष्टेषु दृष्टेषु चतुरङ्गिणीम् ॥२६॥
26. aśakyamiti kṛtvā vā tato'nyaiḥ saṁvidaṁ caret ,
brahmadaṇḍamadṛṣṭeṣu dṛṣṭeṣu caturaṅgiṇīm.
26. aśakyam iti kṛtvā vā tataḥ anyaiḥ saṃvidam
caret brahmadaṇḍam adṛṣṭeṣu dṛṣṭeṣu caturaṅgiṇīm
26. Alternatively, if it is deemed impossible (aśakyam) (to keep the secret alone), one should then consult with others. For unseen (adṛṣṭeṣu) threats, (employ) a divine or moral sanction (brahmadaṇḍam); for visible (dṛṣṭeṣu) ones, a four-limbed army (caturaṅgiṇīm).
भेदं च प्रथमं युञ्ज्यात्तूष्णींदण्डं तथैव च ।
काले प्रयोजयेद्राजा तस्मिंस्तस्मिंस्तदा तदा ॥२७॥
27. bhedaṁ ca prathamaṁ yuñjyāttūṣṇīṁdaṇḍaṁ tathaiva ca ,
kāle prayojayedrājā tasmiṁstasmiṁstadā tadā.
27. bhedam ca prathamam yuñjyāt tūṣṇīm daṇḍam tathā
eva ca kāle prayojayet rājā tasmin tasmin tadā tadā
27. The king (rājā) should first apply strategies of dissension (bhedam) and covert punishment (tūṣṇīṃ daṇḍam). He should employ them at the appropriate time (kāle), precisely when each specific situation demands it.
प्रणिपातं च गच्छेत काले शत्रोर्बलीयसः ।
युक्तोऽस्य वधमन्विच्छेदप्रमत्तः प्रमाद्यतः ॥२८॥
28. praṇipātaṁ ca gaccheta kāle śatrorbalīyasaḥ ,
yukto'sya vadhamanvicchedapramattaḥ pramādyataḥ.
28. praṇipātam ca gaccheta kāle śatroḥ balīyasaḥ yuktaḥ
asya vadham anvicchet apramattaḥ pramādyataḥ
28. One should indeed offer obeisance (praṇipātam) at the opportune moment to a more powerful enemy (śatroḥ balīyasaḥ). Being prepared (yuktaḥ) and vigilant (apramattaḥ), one should seek the destruction (vadham) of that negligent (pramādyataḥ) (enemy).
प्रणिपातेन दानेन वाचा मधुरया ब्रुवन् ।
अमित्रमुपसेवेत न तु जातु विशङ्कयेत् ॥२९॥
29. praṇipātena dānena vācā madhurayā bruvan ,
amitramupaseveta na tu jātu viśaṅkayet.
29. praṇipātena dānena vācā madhurayā bruvan
amitram upaseveta na tu jātu viśaṅkayet
29. praṇipātena dānena madhurayā vācā bruvan
amitram upaseveta tu na jātu viśaṅkayet
29. One should engage with an enemy through respectful salutations, by offering gifts (dāna), and by speaking sweet words, but one should never show suspicion.
स्थानानि शङ्कितानां च नित्यमेव विवर्जयेत् ।
न च तेष्वाश्वसेद्द्रुग्ध्वा जाग्रतीह निराकृताः ॥३०॥
30. sthānāni śaṅkitānāṁ ca nityameva vivarjayet ,
na ca teṣvāśvaseddrugdhvā jāgratīha nirākṛtāḥ.
30. sthānāni śaṅkitānām ca nityam eva vivarjayet na
ca teṣu āśvased drugdhavā jāgrati iha nirākṛtāḥ
30. nityam eva vivarjayet sthānāni ca śaṅkitānām ca
na teṣu āśvased drugdhavā iha jāgrati nirākṛtāḥ
30. One should always indeed avoid places associated with suspected individuals. And one should not trust in them, especially after having caused them harm, while they remain vigilant and alienated here.
न ह्यतो दुष्करं कर्म किंचिदस्ति सुरोत्तम ।
यथा विविधवृत्तानामैश्वर्यममराधिप ॥३१॥
31. na hyato duṣkaraṁ karma kiṁcidasti surottama ,
yathā vividhavṛttānāmaiśvaryamamarādhipa.
31. na hi ataḥ duṣkaram karma kiṃcid asti sura-uttama
yathā vividha-vṛttānām aiśvaryam amara-adhipa
31. sura-uttama hi na asti kiṃcit karma duṣkaram ataḥ
amara-adhipa yathā vividha-vṛttānām aiśvaryam
31. O best of gods, there is surely no task (karma) more challenging than this. Similarly, O lord of immortals, the exercise of authority over individuals with diverse natures and conducts is also very difficult.
तथा विविधशीलानामपि संभव उच्यते ।
यतेत योगमास्थाय मित्रामित्रानवारयन् ॥३२॥
32. tathā vividhaśīlānāmapi saṁbhava ucyate ,
yateta yogamāsthāya mitrāmitrānavārayan.
32. tathā vividha-śīlānām api saṃbhavaḥ ucyate
yateta yogam āsthāya mitra-amitran avārayan
32. tathā vividha-śīlānām api saṃbhavaḥ ucyate
yogam āsthāya mitra-amitran avārayan yateta
32. Similarly, the coexistence (saṃbhava) of individuals with diverse characters is also declared. One should strive, adopting a strategic approach (yoga), without rejecting either friends or enemies.
मृदुमप्यवमन्यन्ते तीक्ष्णादुद्विजते जनः ।
मातीक्ष्णो मामृदुर्भूस्त्वं तीक्ष्णो भव मृदुर्भव ॥३३॥
33. mṛdumapyavamanyante tīkṣṇādudvijate janaḥ ,
mātīkṣṇo māmṛdurbhūstvaṁ tīkṣṇo bhava mṛdurbhava.
33. mṛdum api avamanyante tīkṣṇāt udvijate janaḥ | mā
atīkṣṇaḥ mā amṛduḥ bhūḥ tvam tīkṣṇaḥ bhava mṛduḥ bhava
33. janaḥ mṛdum api avamanyante tīkṣṇāt udvijate tvam
atīkṣṇaḥ mā bhūḥ amṛduḥ mā bhūḥ tīkṣṇaḥ bhava mṛduḥ bhava
33. People disrespect even the gentle, and they fear the harsh. You should not be solely non-harsh, nor solely non-gentle. Instead, be harsh and be gentle.
यथा वप्रे वेगवति सर्वतःसंप्लुतोदके ।
नित्यं विवरणाद्बाधस्तथा राज्यं प्रमाद्यतः ॥३४॥
34. yathā vapre vegavati sarvataḥsaṁplutodake ,
nityaṁ vivaraṇādbādhastathā rājyaṁ pramādyataḥ.
34. yathā vapre vegavati sarvataḥsaṃplutodake |
nityam vivaraṇāt bādhaḥ tathā rājyam pramādyataḥ
34. yathā vegavati sarvataḥsaṃplutodake vapre nityam vivaraṇāt bādhaḥ,
tathā pramādyataḥ rājyam
34. Just as an embankment, swiftly flowing and entirely submerged in water, constantly suffers damage from breaches, so too does a kingdom belonging to a negligent ruler.
न बहूनभियुञ्जीत यौगपद्येन शात्रवान् ।
साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेन च पुरंदर ॥३५॥
35. na bahūnabhiyuñjīta yaugapadyena śātravān ,
sāmnā dānena bhedena daṇḍena ca puraṁdara.
35. na bahūn abhiyuñjīta yaugapadyena śātravān
| sāmnā dānena bhedena daṇḍena ca purandara
35. purandara,
bahūn śātravān yaugapadyena na abhiyuñjīta sāmnā dānena bhedena daṇḍena ca [prayojayet]
35. O Purandara (King), one should not simultaneously engage many enemies. [Instead, deal with them] by conciliation, by gifts, by sowing dissension, and by force [applied strategically].
एकैकमेषां निष्पिंषञ्शिष्टेषु निपुणं चरेत् ।
न च शक्तोऽपि मेधावी सर्वानेवारभेन्नृपः ॥३६॥
36. ekaikameṣāṁ niṣpiṁṣañśiṣṭeṣu nipuṇaṁ caret ,
na ca śakto'pi medhāvī sarvānevārabhennṛpaḥ.
36. ekaikam eṣām niṣpiṃṣan śiṣṭeṣu nipuṇam caret | na
ca śaktaḥ api medhāvī sarvān eva ārabhet nṛpaḥ
36. [saḥ rājā] ekaikam eṣām niṣpiṃṣan śiṣṭeṣu nipuṇam
caret na ca śaktaḥ api medhāvī nṛpaḥ sarvān eva ārabhet
36. Crushing each one of these [enemies] individually, one should deal skillfully with the remaining. And even a powerful, intelligent king should not attempt to engage all [enemies] at once.
यदा स्यान्महती सेना हयनागरथाकुला ।
पदातियन्त्रबहुला स्वनुरक्ता षडङ्गिनी ॥३७॥
37. yadā syānmahatī senā hayanāgarathākulā ,
padātiyantrabahulā svanuraktā ṣaḍaṅginī.
37. yadā syāt mahatī senā hayanagarathākulā
padātiyantrabahulā svanuraktā ṣaḍaṅginī
37. yadā mahatī senā hayanagarathākulā
padātiyantrabahulā svanuraktā ṣaḍaṅginī syāt
37. When there is a great army, teeming with horses, elephants, and chariots, abundant with infantry and war machines, very loyal, and consisting of six traditional divisions.
यदा बहुविधां वृद्धिं मन्यते प्रतिलोमतः ।
तदा विवृत्य प्रहरेद्दस्यूनामविचारयन् ॥३८॥
38. yadā bahuvidhāṁ vṛddhiṁ manyate pratilomataḥ ,
tadā vivṛtya prahareddasyūnāmavicārayan.
38. yadā bahuvidhām vṛddhim manyate pratilomataḥ
tadā vivṛtya praharet dasyūnām avicārayan
38. yadā pratilomataḥ bahuvidhām vṛddhim manyate,
tadā vivṛtya avicārayan dasyūnām praharet
38. When one perceives a manifold increase (in the enemy's strength) from an adverse direction, then, turning back, one should strike the dacoits without hesitation.
न साम दण्डोपनिषत्प्रशस्यते न मार्दवं शत्रुषु यात्रिकं सदा ।
न सस्यघातो न च संकरक्रिया न चापि भूयः प्रकृतेर्विचारणा ॥३९॥
39. na sāma daṇḍopaniṣatpraśasyate; na mārdavaṁ śatruṣu yātrikaṁ sadā ,
na sasyaghāto na ca saṁkarakriyā; na cāpi bhūyaḥ prakṛtervicāraṇā.
39. na sāma daṇḍopaniṣat praśasyate na
mārdavam śatruṣu yātrikam sadā
na sasyaghātaḥ na ca saṃkarakriyā
na ca api bhūyaḥ prakṛteḥ vicāraṇā
39. sāma na praśasyate,
daṇḍopaniṣat na (praśasyate),
śatruṣu yātrikam mārdavam sadā na (praśasyate),
sasyaghātaḥ na (praśasyate),
ca saṃkarakriyā na (praśasyate),
ca api bhūyaḥ prakṛteḥ vicāraṇā na (praśasyate)
39. Neither conciliation (sāma) nor the secret application of force (daṇḍopaniṣat) is praised; nor is constant leniency (yātrikam) towards enemies. Neither is the destruction of crops, nor the causing of social disorder (saṃkarakriyā), nor prolonged deliberation about the true nature (prakṛti) of things.
मायाविभेदानुपसर्जनानि पापं तथैव स्पशसंप्रयोगात् ।
आप्तैर्मनुष्यैरुपचारयेत पुरेषु राष्ट्रेषु च संप्रयुक्तः ॥४०॥
40. māyāvibhedānupasarjanāni; pāpaṁ tathaiva spaśasaṁprayogāt ,
āptairmanuṣyairupacārayeta; pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca saṁprayuktaḥ.
40. māyāvibhedānupasarganāni pāpam tathā eva spaśasaṃprayōgāt
āptaiḥ manuṣyaiḥ upacārayeta pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca saṃprayuktaḥ
40. māyāvibhedānupasarganāni,
pāpam,
tathā eva spaśasaṃprayōgāt (udbhūtāni kāryāṇi) āptaiḥ manuṣyaiḥ pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca saṃprayuktaḥ (san) upacārayeta
40. Deceitful stratagems (māyā) and minor troubles, as well as evil, and similarly, matters arising from the deployment of spies, should be dealt with by trusted men who are stationed in cities and states.
पुराणि चैषामनुसृत्य भूमिपाः पुरेषु भोगान्निखिलानिहाजयन् ।
पुरेषु नीतिं विहितां यथाविधि प्रयोजयन्तो बलवृत्रसूदन ॥४१॥
41. purāṇi caiṣāmanusṛtya bhūmipāḥ; pureṣu bhogānnikhilānihājayan ,
pureṣu nītiṁ vihitāṁ yathāvidhi; prayojayanto balavṛtrasūdana.
41. purāṇi ca eṣām anusṛtya bhūmipāḥ
pureṣu bhogān nikhilān iha ajayan
pureṣu nītim vihitām yathāvidhi
prayojayantaḥ balavṛtrasūdana
41. balavṛtrasūdana bhūmipāḥ eṣām
purāṇi anusṛtya iha nikhilān
bhogān ajayan [te] pureṣu yathāvidhi
vihitām nītim prayojayantaḥ
41. O slayer of Bala and Vṛtra, the kings, by pursuing and conquering these cities, seized all their possessions here. They then applied established policy (nīti) in those cities according to proper procedure.
प्रदाय गूढानि वसूनि नाम प्रच्छिद्य भोगानवधाय च स्वान् ।
दुष्टाः स्वदोषैरिति कीर्तयित्वा पुरेषु राष्ट्रेषु च योजयन्ति ॥४२॥
42. pradāya gūḍhāni vasūni nāma; pracchidya bhogānavadhāya ca svān ,
duṣṭāḥ svadoṣairiti kīrtayitvā; pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca yojayanti.
42. pradāya gūḍhāni vasūni nāma
pracchidya bhogān avadhāya ca svān
duṣṭāḥ svadoṣaiḥ iti kīrtayitvā
pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca yojayanti
42. duṣṭāḥ nāma gūḍhāni vasūni
pradāya bhogān pracchidya ca svān
avadhāya svadoṣaiḥ iti kīrtayitvā
pureṣu rāṣṭreṣu ca yojayanti
42. The wicked, having secretly distributed hidden wealth and seized possessions, and having secured their own interests, then accuse others by proclaiming their faults, and thus instigate schemes in cities and states.
तथैव चान्यै रतिशास्त्रवेदिभिः स्वलंकृतैः शास्त्रविधानदृष्टिभिः ।
सुशिक्षितैर्भाष्यकथाविशारदैः परेषु कृत्यानुपधारयस्व ॥४३॥
43. tathaiva cānyai ratiśāstravedibhiḥ; svalaṁkṛtaiḥ śāstravidhānadṛṣṭibhiḥ ,
suśikṣitairbhāṣyakathāviśāradaiḥ; pareṣu kṛtyānupadhārayasva.
43. tathā eva ca anyaiḥ ratiśāstravedibhiḥ
svalamkṛtaiḥ śāstravidhānadṛṣṭibhiḥ
susikṣitaiḥ bhāṣyakathāviśāradaiḥ
pareṣu kṛtyān upadhārayasva
43. tvam tathā eva ca anyaiḥ ratiśāstravedibhiḥ
svalamkṛtaiḥ śāstravidhānadṛṣṭibhiḥ
susikṣitaiḥ bhāṣyakathāviśāradaiḥ
pareṣu kṛtyān upadhārayasva
43. And similarly, you should ascertain the actions of your adversaries (pareṣu) with the help of others who are knowledgeable in the science of human relations, well-equipped, whose perspective is guided by scriptural principles, well-trained, and proficient in commentaries and narratives.
इन्द्र उवाच ।
कानि लिङ्गानि दुष्टस्य भवन्ति द्विजसत्तम ।
कथं दुष्टं विजानीयादेतत्पृष्टो ब्रवीहि मे ॥४४॥
44. indra uvāca ,
kāni liṅgāni duṣṭasya bhavanti dvijasattama ,
kathaṁ duṣṭaṁ vijānīyādetatpṛṣṭo bravīhi me.
44. indraḥ uvāca kāni liṅgāni duṣṭasya bhavanti dvijasattama
katham duṣṭam vijānīyāt etat pṛṣṭaḥ bravīhi me
44. indraḥ uvāca dvijasattama duṣṭasya kāni liṅgāni bhavanti? duṣṭam katham vijānīyāt? etat pṛṣṭaḥ me bravīhi.
44. Indra said: 'O best among the twice-born (dvija), what are the characteristics of a wicked person? How should one recognize a wicked person? Please tell me, as I have asked you this.'
बृहस्पतिरुवाच ।
परोक्षमगुणानाह सद्गुणानभ्यसूयति ।
परैर्वा कीर्त्यमानेषु तूष्णीमास्ते पराङ्मुखः ॥४५॥
45. bṛhaspatiruvāca ,
parokṣamaguṇānāha sadguṇānabhyasūyati ,
parairvā kīrtyamāneṣu tūṣṇīmāste parāṅmukhaḥ.
45. bṛhaspatiḥ uvāca parokṣam aguṇān āha sadguṇān abhyasūyati
paraiḥ vā kīrtyamāneṣu tūṣṇīm āste parāṅmukhaḥ
45. bṛhaspatiḥ uvāca (saḥ) parokṣam aguṇān āha,
sadguṇān abhyasūyati,
vā paraiḥ kīrtyamāneṣu (satsu) parāṅmukhaḥ tūṣṇīm āste.
45. Bṛhaspati said: [Such a person] speaks of others' faults, begrudges good qualities, and remains silent, turning away, when others are praised.
तूष्णींभावेऽपि हि ज्ञानं न चेद्भवति कारणम् ।
विश्वासमोष्ठसंदंशं शिरसश्च प्रकम्पनम् ॥४६॥
46. tūṣṇīṁbhāve'pi hi jñānaṁ na cedbhavati kāraṇam ,
viśvāsamoṣṭhasaṁdaṁśaṁ śirasaśca prakampanam.
46. tūṣṇīm bhāve api hi jñānam na cet bhavati kāraṇam
viśvāsam oṣṭhasaṃdaṃśam śirasas ca prakampanam
46. hi tūṣṇīmbhāve api jñānam kāraṇam na cet bhavati
viśvāsam oṣṭhasaṃdaṃśam śirasas ca prakampanam
46. If his silence is not indeed due to knowledge, then [he displays] doubt, the biting of lips, and the shaking of the head.
करोत्यभीक्ष्णं संसृष्टमसंसृष्टश्च भाषते ।
अदृष्टितो विकुरुते दृष्ट्वा वा नाभिभाषते ॥४७॥
47. karotyabhīkṣṇaṁ saṁsṛṣṭamasaṁsṛṣṭaśca bhāṣate ,
adṛṣṭito vikurute dṛṣṭvā vā nābhibhāṣate.
47. karoti abhīkṣṇam saṃsṛṣṭam asaṃsṛṣṭaḥ ca bhāṣate
adṛṣṭitaḥ vikurute dṛṣṭvā vā na abhibhāṣate
47. (saḥ) abhīkṣṇam saṃsṛṣṭam karoti,
ca asaṃsṛṣṭaḥ (san) bhāṣate (saḥ) adṛṣṭitaḥ vikurute vā dṛṣṭvā na abhibhāṣate.
47. He constantly forms associations, but speaks as if he were unassociated [or critically]. He acts improperly when not observed, or, having witnessed something, he remains silent.
पृथगेत्य समश्नाति नेदमद्य यथाविधि ।
आसने शयने याने भावा लक्ष्या विशेषतः ॥४८॥
48. pṛthagetya samaśnāti nedamadya yathāvidhi ,
āsane śayane yāne bhāvā lakṣyā viśeṣataḥ.
48. pṛthak etya samaśnāti na idam adya yathāvidhi
āsane śayane yāne bhāvāḥ lakṣyāḥ viśeṣataḥ
48. pṛthak etya samaśnāti idam adya yathāvidhi na āsane śayane yāne bhāvāḥ viśeṣataḥ lakṣyāḥ.
48. He goes off alone to eat, [thinking or remarking], 'This [food] today is not proper according to custom.' His [true] dispositions are especially to be discerned in his manner of sitting, sleeping, and traveling.
आर्तिरार्ते प्रिये प्रीतिरेतावन्मित्रलक्षणम् ।
विपरीतं तु बोद्धव्यमरिलक्षणमेव तत् ॥४९॥
49. ārtirārte priye prītiretāvanmitralakṣaṇam ,
viparītaṁ tu boddhavyamarilakṣaṇameva tat.
49. ārtiḥ ārte priye prītiḥ etāvat mitralakṣaṇam
viparītam tu boddhavyam arilakṣaṇam eva tat
49. ārte ārtiḥ priye prītiḥ etāvat mitra-lakṣaṇam
tu viparītam tat eva ari-lakṣaṇam boddhavyam
49. Feeling distress for those in distress, and joy for those who are dear – this much defines a friend. The opposite of this, however, should be understood as the very characteristic of an enemy.
एतान्येवं यथोक्तानि बुध्येथास्त्रिदशाधिप ।
पुरुषाणां प्रदुष्टानां स्वभावो बलवत्तरः ॥५०॥
50. etānyevaṁ yathoktāni budhyethāstridaśādhipa ,
puruṣāṇāṁ praduṣṭānāṁ svabhāvo balavattaraḥ.
50. etāni evam yathoktāni budhyethāḥ tridaśādhipa
puruṣāṇām praduṣṭānām svabhāvaḥ balavattaraḥ
50. tridaśādhipa,
etāni evam yathoktāni budhyethāḥ praduṣṭānām puruṣāṇām svabhāvaḥ balavattaraḥ
50. O Lord of the gods, you should understand these things just as they have been described. The intrinsic nature (svabhāva) of wicked people is exceedingly powerful.
इति दुष्टस्य विज्ञानमुक्तं ते सुरसत्तम ।
निशाम्य शास्त्रतत्त्वार्थं यथावदमरेश्वर ॥५१॥
51. iti duṣṭasya vijñānamuktaṁ te surasattama ,
niśāmya śāstratattvārthaṁ yathāvadamareśvara.
51. iti duṣṭasya vijñānam uktam te surasattama
niśāmya śāstratattvārtham yathāvat amareśvara
51. surasattama,
te iti duṣṭasya vijñānam uktam amareśvara,
yathāvat śāstratattvārtham niśāmya
51. O best of gods, this knowledge concerning the wicked has thus been explained to you. O lord of the immortals, having properly understood the true essence of the scriptures (śāstra)...
भीष्म उवाच ।
स तद्वचः शत्रुनिबर्हणे रतस्तथा चकारावितथं बृहस्पतेः ।
चचार काले विजयाय चारिहा वशं च शत्रूननयत्पुरंदरः ॥५२॥
52. bhīṣma uvāca ,
sa tadvacaḥ śatrunibarhaṇe rata;stathā cakārāvitathaṁ bṛhaspateḥ ,
cacāra kāle vijayāya cārihā; vaśaṁ ca śatrūnanayatpuraṁdaraḥ.
52. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca saḥ tat vacaḥ śatrunibarhaṇe
rataḥ tathā cakāra avitatham
bṛhaspateḥ cacāra kāle vijayāya ca
arihā vaśam ca śatrūn anayat purandaraḥ
52. bhīṣmaḥ uvāca saḥ śatrunibarhaṇe rataḥ
tat bṛhaspateḥ vacaḥ tathā avitatham
cakāra ca arihā purandaraḥ kāle
vijayāya cacāra ca śatrūn vaśam anayat
52. Bhishma said: That one, who was devoted to vanquishing foes, thus fulfilled the counsel of Brihaspati. And Purandara, the annihilator of adversaries, advanced at the opportune moment for victory and brought his enemies under his dominion.