Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच ततः काल्यं समुत्थाय कृतपौर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः ययुस्ते नगराकारै रथैः पाण्डवयादवाः
M. N. Dutt: Rising from their beds the next day and performing morning rites laid down in the scriptures, the Pandavas and the Yadavas started on their cars resembling fortified towns.
प्रपद्य च कुरुक्षेत्रं भीष्ममासाद्य चानघम् सुखां च रजनीं पृष्ट्वा गाङ्गेयं रथिनां वरम्
M. N. Dutt: Proceeding to the field of Kuru and approaching the sinless Bhishma, they enquired of that best of car-warriors if he had spent the night happily.
व्यासादीनभिवाद्यर्षीन्सर्वैस्तैश्चाभिनन्दिताः निषेदुरभितो भीष्मं परिवार्य समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Saluting all the Rishis, and having been blessed by them in return, the princes sat around Bhishma.
ततो राजा महातेजा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः अब्रवीत्प्राञ्जलिर्भीष्मं प्रतिपूज्याभिवाद्य च
M. N. Dutt: Then having adored Bhishma, king Yudhishthira, said these words with joined hands.
य एष राजा-राजेति शब्दश्चरति भारत कथमेष समुत्पन्नस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Whence came the word Rajan, O king, that is used, O Bharata, on Earth? Tell me this, O scorcher of foes.
तुल्यपाणिशिरोग्रीवस्तुल्यबुद्धीन्द्रियात्मकः तुल्यदुःखसुखात्मा च तुल्यपृष्ठभुजोदरः
AI Translation: One whose hands, head, and neck are equal, whose intellect and senses are equal, One whose self is equal in suffering and happiness, whose back, arms, and belly are equal,
तुल्यशुक्रास्थिमज्जश्च तुल्यमांसासृगेव च निःश्वासोच्छ्वासतुल्यश्च तुल्यप्राणशरीरवान्
AI Translation: Equal in semen, bones, and marrow, equal in flesh and blood, Equal in breathing in and breathing out, having an equal life force and body,
समानजन्ममरणः समः सर्वगुणैर्नृणाम् विशिष्टबुद्धीञ्शूरांश्च कथमेकोऽधितिष्ठति
AI Translation: One who is born and dies at the same time as all men, who is equal to all men in all qualities, How can one rule over those who are superior in intelligence and courage?
कथमेको महीं कृत्स्नां वीरशूरार्यसंकुलाम् रक्षत्यपि च लोकोऽस्य प्रसादमभिवाञ्छति
M. N. Dutt: Whence is it that one man governs the vast universe consisting of brave, energetic, wellborn and well-behaved men? Why do all men try to get his favour?
एकस्य च प्रसादेन कृत्स्नो लोकः प्रसीदति व्याकुलेनाकुलः सर्वो भवतीति विनिश्चयः
M. N. Dutt: Why is it that one man becomes cheerful, the whole world is cheerful and if that one man is sorry the whole world is sorry?
एतदिच्छाम्यहं सर्वं तत्त्वेन भरतर्षभ श्रोतुं तन्मे यथातत्त्वं प्रब्रूहि वदतां वर
M. N. Dutt: I wish to hear this in detail, O foremost of Bharata's race. O foremost of speakers, describe to me this fully.
नैतत्कारणमल्पं हि भविष्यति विशां पते यदेकस्मिञ्जगत्सर्वं देववद्याति संनतिम्
M. N. Dutt: O king, there must be some mighty reason for all this because it is seen that the whole world bows down to one man as to a god.'
भीष्म उवाच नियतस्त्वं नरश्रेष्ठ शृणु सर्वमशेषतः यथा राज्यं समुत्पन्नमादौ कृतयुगेऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: 'With rapt attentical, O foremost of kings, listen to it fully as to how in the golden cycle sovereignty was first instituted.
नैव राज्यं न राजासीन्न दण्डो न च दाण्डिकः धर्मेणैव प्रजाः सर्वा रक्षन्ति च परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: At first there was no sovereignty, no king, no punishment, and no punisher. All men used to protect one another piously.
पालयानास्तथान्योन्यं नरा धर्मेण भारत खेदं परममाजग्मुस्ततस्तान्मोह आविशत्
M. N. Dutt: As they thus lived, O Bharata, righteously protecting one another, they found the task (in time), to be painful. Error then possessed their hearts.
ते मोहवशमापन्ना मानवा मनुजर्षभ प्रतिपत्तिविमोहाच्च धर्मस्तेषामनीनशत्
M. N. Dutt: Having become subject to error, the perceptions of men, O prince, became clouded, and thence their virtue began to wane.
नष्टायां प्रतिपत्तौ तु मोहवश्या नरास्तदा लोभस्य वशमापन्नाः सर्वे भारतसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: When their perceptions were clouded and when men became subject to error all of them became covetous, O chief of the Bharatas.
अप्राप्तस्याभिमर्शं तु कुर्वन्तो मनुजास्ततः कामो नामापरस्तत्र समपद्यत वै प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: And because men tried to secure objects which were not their own, another passion called lust seized them.
तांस्तु कामवशं प्राप्तान्रागो नाम समस्पृशत् रक्ताश्च नाभ्यजानन्त कार्याकार्यं युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: When they became subject to lust, another passion, named anger, soon attacked them. Once subject to anger, they lost all considerations of what should be done and what should not be.
अगम्यागमनं चैव वाच्यावाच्यं तथैव च भक्ष्याभक्ष्यं च राजेन्द्र दोषादोषं च नात्यजन्
M. N. Dutt: Unrestrained sexual indulgence began. Men began to say what they liked. All distinctions between clean and unclean food and between virtue and vice disappeared.
विप्लुते नरलोकेऽस्मिंस्ततो ब्रह्म ननाश ह नाशाच्च ब्रह्मणो राजन्धर्मो नाशमथागमत्
M. N. Dutt: When this confusion set in amongst men, the Vedas disappeared. Upon the disappearance of the Vedas, the righteousness also was gone.
नष्टे ब्रह्मणि धर्मे च देवास्त्रासमथागमन् ते त्रस्ता नरशार्दूल ब्रह्माणं शरणं ययुः
M. N. Dutt: When both the Vedas and righteousness were lost, the gods, were overcome by fear. Overcome with fear. O foremost of men, they sought the help of Brahman.
प्रपद्य भगवन्तं ते देवा लोकपितामहम् ऊचुः प्राञ्जलयः सर्वे दुःखशोकभयार्दिताः
AI Translation: Having approached the Blessed One, the grandfather of the worlds, the gods, afflicted by suffering, sorrow, and fear, all with folded hands, said:
भगवन्नरलोकस्थं नष्टं ब्रह्म सनातनम् लोभमोहादिभिर्भावैस्ततो नो भयमाविशत्
AI Translation: O Lord, the eternal Brahman, which is present in the world of men, has been lost. We are frightened by the states of greed, delusion, etc.
ब्रह्मणश्च प्रणाशेन धर्मोऽप्यनशदीश्वर ततः स्म समतां याता मर्त्यैस्त्रिभुवनेश्वर
M. N. Dutt: With the loss of the Vedas, o Supreme Lord, righteousness also has been lost. For this, O Supreme Lord of the three worlds, we are about to be reduced to the status of human beings.
अधो हि वर्षमस्माकं मर्त्यास्तूर्ध्वप्रवर्षिणः क्रियाव्युपरमात्तेषां ततोऽगच्छाम संशयम्
M. N. Dutt: Men used to pour upwards while we used to pour downwards. For the stoppage of all religious rites among men we will suffer great distress.
अत्र निःश्रेयसं यन्नस्तद्ध्यायस्व पितामह त्वत्प्रभावसमुत्थोऽसौ प्रभावो नो विनश्यति
AI Translation: Here, O Grandfather, meditate on that which is the highest good for us. The power that has arisen from your power does not perish for us.
तानुवाच सुरान्सर्वान्स्वयंभूर्भगवांस्ततः श्रेयोऽहं चिन्तयिष्यामि व्येतु वो भीः सुरर्षभाः
AI Translation: Then the self-existent Lord spoke to all the gods: "I shall consider what is best for you. Let your fear be dispelled, O bulls among the gods."
ततोऽध्यायसहस्राणां शतं चक्रे स्वबुद्धिजम् यत्र धर्मस्तथैवार्थः कामश्चैवानुवर्णितः
AI Translation: Then he composed a hundred thousand chapters of his own intellect, where Dharma, as well as Artha, and Kama were described.
त्रिवर्ग इति विख्यातो गण एष स्वयंभुवा चतुर्थो मोक्ष इत्येव पृथगर्थः पृथग्गणः
M. N. Dutt: The self-create named the book as one of three subjects. He treated of a fourth subject called liberation whose meaning and attributes are different.
मोक्षस्यापि त्रिवर्गोऽन्यः प्रोक्तः सत्त्वं रजस्तमः स्थानं वृद्धिः क्षयश्चैव त्रिवर्गश्चैव दण्डजः
M. N. Dutt: The three-fold characteristics of liberation according to the attributes of Goodness, Darkness and Ignorance and another namely the performance of duty without the desire for fruits were also described in it. Another threefold characteristics of Punishment viz., Conservation, Growth, and Destruction, were treated in it.
आत्मा देशश्च कालश्चाप्युपायाः कृत्यमेव च सहायाः कारणं चैव षड्वर्गो नीतिजः स्मृतः
M. N. Dutt: Another six consisting of the hearts of men, place, time, means, tacts, and alliances, and causes, were described in it.
त्रयी चान्वीक्षिकी चैव वार्ता च भरतर्षभ दण्डनीतिश्च विपुला विद्यास्तत्र निदर्शिताः
M. N. Dutt: The religious rites laid down in the three Vedas, knowledge, and the acts necessary for the support of life, (viz., agriculture, trade, etc.), O foremost of Bharata's race, and the very extensive branch of learning called legislation, were described in it.
अमात्यरक्षाप्रणिधी राजपुत्रस्य रक्षणम् चारश्च विविधोपायः प्रणिधिश्च पृथग्विधः
AI Translation: The protection of the ministers and the vow of protection of the prince And the various means of espionage and the various kinds of vows
साम चोपप्रदानं च भेदो दण्डश्च पाण्डव उपेक्षा पञ्चमी चात्र कार्त्स्न्येन समुदाहृता
AI Translation: O son of Pandu, the five kinds of policy are: conciliation, gifts, dissension, force, and indifference. Here, indifference is mentioned in its entirety.
मन्त्रश्च वर्णितः कृत्स्नस्तथा भेदार्थ एव च विभ्रंशश्चैव मन्त्रस्य सिद्ध्यसिद्ध्योश्च यत्फलम्
AI Translation: And the mantra is described in its entirety, as well as the purpose of the divisions, And the failure of the mantra, and the results of success and failure.
संधिश्च विविधाभिख्यो हीनो मध्यस्तथोत्तमः भयसत्कारवित्ताख्यः कार्त्स्न्येन परिवर्णितः
AI Translation: And the treaty is of various kinds, inferior, middling and superior, and is known as fear, honour and wealth, and is described in its entirety.
यात्राकालाश्च चत्वारस्त्रिवर्गस्य च विस्तरः विजयो धर्मयुक्तश्च तथार्थविजयश्च ह
AI Translation: The four times of pilgrimage, and the details of the three goals, Victory, combined with Dharma, and likewise victory in worldly affairs,
आसुरश्चैव विजयस्तथा कार्त्स्न्येन वर्णितः लक्षणं पञ्चवर्गस्य त्रिविधं चात्र वर्णितम्
AI Translation: The Asura and the Vijaya have also been described in full. The characteristics of the five groups and the threefold have been described here.
प्रकाशश्चाप्रकाशश्च दण्डोऽथ परिशब्दितः प्रकाशोऽष्टविधस्तत्र गुह्यस्तु बहुविस्तरः
M. N. Dutt: Punishments of two kinds, viz, open and secret, were also described. The eight kinds of open punishments as also the eight kinds of secret punishment were described fully.
रथा नागा हयाश्चैव पादाताश्चैव पाण्डव विष्टिर्नावश्चराश्चैव देशिकाः पथि चाष्टकम्
AI Translation: chariots, elephants, horses, and foot soldiers, O son of Pandu, a group of eight consisting of a group of eight, a group of nine, a group of ten, a group of eleven, a group of twelve, a group of thirteen, a group of fourteen, and a group of fifteen.
अङ्गान्येतानि कौरव्य प्रकाशानि बलस्य तु जङ्गमाजङ्गमाश्चोक्ताश्चूर्णयोगा विषादयः
AI Translation: These are the limbs, O descendant of Kuru, of the army, which are manifest. The mobile and immobile, the powders and poisons, etc., are mentioned.
स्पर्शे चाभ्यवहार्ये चाप्युपांशुर्विविधः स्मृतः अरिर्मित्रमुदासीन इत्येतेऽप्यनुवर्णिताः
AI Translation: And in the case of touch and in the case of eating, the Upamshu is said to be of various kinds. And these are also described: the enemy, the friend, and the neutral.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.43 After 43ab, S ins.: *126 क्रीडापूर्वे रणे द्यूते विस्रम्भेण समन्वितम् उक्तं कैतव्यमित्येतदुपायो नवमो बुधैः उपेक्षा सर्वकार्येषु कर्मणां करणेषु च अनिष्टानां समुत्थाने त्रिवर्गो नश्यते यया इन्द्रजालादिका माया वाग्जीवनकुशीलवैः सुनिमित्तैर्दुर्निमित्तैरुत्पातैश्च समन्वितम् डम्भो लिङ्गं समाश्रित्य शत्रुवर्गे प्रयुज्यते शाठ्यं निश्चेष्टता प्रोक्ता चित्तदोषप्रदूषिका
कृत्स्ना मार्गगुणाश्चैव तथा भूमिगुणाश्च ह आत्मरक्षणमाश्वासः स्पशानां चान्ववेक्षणम्
AI Translation: All the qualities of the path and also the qualities of the stages, Protection of oneself, reassurance, and looking after the disciples,
कल्पना विविधाश्चापि नृनागरथवाजिनाम् व्यूहाश्च विविधाभिख्या विचित्रं युद्धकौशलम्
AI Translation: The various kinds of formations of men, elephants, chariots, and horses, And the various kinds of formations with different names, the various kinds of skill in battle,
उत्पाताश्च निपाताश्च सुयुद्धं सुपलायनम् शस्त्राणां पायनज्ञानं तथैव भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Uttāpas and nipātas, good fighting and good flight, Knowledge of the use of weapons, and so on, O bull of the Bharatas.
बलव्यसनमुक्तं च तथैव बलहर्षणम् पीडनास्कन्दकालश्च भयकालश्च पाण्डव
AI Translation: The time of the destruction of strength, the time of the increase of strength, The time of affliction, the time of leaping, the time of fear, O Pandava,
तथा खातविधानं च योगसंचार एव च चौराटव्यबलैश्चोग्रैः परराष्ट्रस्य पीडनम्
AI Translation: and the method of digging, and the movement of the army, and the oppression of the enemy's country by the fierce forces of thieves and robbers,
अग्निदैर्गरदैश्चैव प्रतिरूपकचारकैः श्रेणिमुख्योपजापेन वीरुधश्छेदनेन च
AI Translation: By Agni, by Garga, by Pratirupaka, by Charaka, By the chief of the guilds, by the recitation of mantras, by cutting the plants,
दूषणेन च नागानामाशङ्काजननेन च आरोधनेन भक्तस्य पथश्चोपार्जनेन च
AI Translation: By causing fear to the Nāgas, by causing doubt, By obstructing the devotee and by acquiring the path,
सप्ताङ्गस्य च राज्यस्य ह्रासवृद्धिसमञ्जसम् दूतसामर्थ्ययोगश्च राष्ट्रस्य च विवर्धनम्
AI Translation: The proper increase and decrease of the seven limbs of the kingdom, And the ability of the messengers, and the increase of the kingdom,
अरिमध्यस्थमित्राणां सम्यक्चोक्तं प्रपञ्चनम् अवमर्दः प्रतीघातस्तथैव च बलीयसाम्
AI Translation: The proper explanation of the enemies, the neutrals, and the friends, The suppression, the resistance, and likewise of the stronger ones,
व्यवहारः सुसूक्ष्मश्च तथा कण्टकशोधनम् शमो व्यायामयोगश्च योगो द्रव्यस्य संचयः
AI Translation: The very subtle conduct, and also the purification of thorns, The pacification, the practice of yoga, and the accumulation of substances.
अभृतानां च भरणं भृतानां चान्ववेक्षणम् अर्थकाले प्रदानं च व्यसनेष्वप्रसङ्गिता
AI Translation: The support of those who are not supported, the supervision of those who are supported, The giving of wealth at the right time, and the non-attachment to vices,
तथा राजगुणाश्चैव सेनापतिगुणाश्च ये कारणस्य च कर्तुश्च गुणदोषास्तथैव च
AI Translation: and the qualities of a king, and the qualities of a general, and the qualities and faults of the cause and the agent,
दुष्टेङ्गितं च विविधं वृत्तिश्चैवानुजीविनाम् शङ्कितत्वं च सर्वस्य प्रमादस्य च वर्जनम्
AI Translation: The various gestures of the wicked and the conduct of the followers, And the suspicion of everything and the avoidance of carelessness,
अलब्धलिप्सा लब्धस्य तथैव च विवर्धनम् प्रदानं च विवृद्धस्य पात्रेभ्यो विधिवत्तथा
AI Translation: The desire to obtain, the increase of what has been obtained, and the proper giving of what has been increased to worthy recipients.
विसर्गोऽर्थस्य धर्मार्थमर्थार्थं कामहेतुना चतुर्थो व्यसनाघाते तथैवात्रानुवर्णितः
AI Translation: The fourth is the renunciation of wealth for the sake of Dharma, for the sake of wealth, and for the sake of pleasure. It is also described here as the renunciation of vices.
क्रोधजानि तथोग्राणि कामजानि तथैव च दशोक्तानि कुरुश्रेष्ठ व्यसनान्यत्र चैव ह
M. N. Dutt: The ten dreadful vices, O chief of the Kurus, begotten by anger and lust, were described in that work.
मृगयाक्षास्तथा पानं स्त्रियश्च भरतर्षभ कामजान्याहुराचार्याः प्रोक्तानीह स्वयंभुवा
M. N. Dutt: The four kinds of vices begotten of lust, viz., hunting, gambling, drinking and sexual intercourse were described by the Self-sprung in that work.
वाक्पारुष्यं तथोग्रत्वं दण्डपारुष्यमेव च आत्मनो निग्रहस्त्यागोऽथार्थदूषणमेव च
M. N. Dutt: Roughness of speech, fierceness, severity of chastisement, infliction of pain on the body, suicide, and frustrating one's own objects, these six kinds of faults begotten of anger have also been described.
यन्त्राणि विविधान्येव क्रियास्तेषां च वर्णिताः अवमर्दः प्रतीघातः केतनानां च भञ्जनम्
AI Translation: The various machines and their functions have been described. Crushing, repelling, and breaking of banners.
चैत्यद्रुमाणामामर्दो रोधःकर्मान्तनाशनम् अपस्करोऽथ गमनं तथोपास्या च वर्णिता
AI Translation: The destruction of the Bodhi trees, the destruction of the work of building, The removal, and the going, and the worship, have been described.
पणवानकशङ्खानां भेरीणां च युधां वर उपार्जनं च द्रव्याणां परमर्म च तानि षट्
AI Translation: The six are: the acquisition of drums, conches, and kettledrums, and the acquisition of wealth. These are the six.
लब्धस्य च प्रशमनं सतां चैव हि पूजनम् विद्वद्भिरेकीभावश्च प्रातर्होमविधिज्ञता
AI Translation: The pacification of what is obtained, and the worship of the good, And the unity with the learned, and the knowledge of the ritual of morning oblations,
मङ्गलालम्भनं चैव शरीरस्य प्रतिक्रिया आहारयोजनं चैव नित्यमास्तिक्यमेव च
AI Translation: The taking of auspicious things, the proper care of the body, The proper use of food, and always having faith.
एकेन च यथोत्थेयं सत्यत्वं मधुरा गिरः उत्सवानां समाजानां क्रियाः केतनजास्तथा
AI Translation: And by one, the truth of the sweet words should be raised up. The rites of festivals and assemblies, and the rites of the house.
प्रत्यक्षा च परोक्षा च सर्वाधिकरणेषु च वृत्तिर्भरतशार्दूल नित्यं चैवान्ववेक्षणम्
AI Translation: The direct and the indirect, in all the subjects of study, The application, O best of the Bharatas, and the constant supervision,
अदण्ड्यत्वं च विप्राणां युक्त्या दण्डनिपातनम् अनुजीविस्वजातिभ्यो गुणेषु परिरक्षणम्
AI Translation: The unpunishability of Brahmins, the application of punishment by means of reasoning, The protection of one's own caste from those who live off others, in virtues,
रक्षणं चैव पौराणां स्वराष्ट्रस्य विवर्धनम् मण्डलस्था च या चिन्ता राजन्द्वादशराजिका
AI Translation: The protection of the citizens and the expansion of one's own kingdom, And the twelvefold royal duties of the one who is established in the mandala,
द्वासप्ततिमतिश्चैव प्रोक्ता या च स्वयंभुवा देशजातिकुलानां च धर्माः समनुवर्णिताः
AI Translation: The seventy-two are spoken of by the Self-existent One, And the duties of countries, castes, and families are described.
धर्मश्चार्थश्च कामश्च मोक्षश्चात्रानुवर्णितः उपायश्चार्थलिप्सा च विविधा भूरिदक्षिणाः
AI Translation: Here is described Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, And the means, desire for wealth, various kinds of generosity.
मूलकर्मक्रिया चात्र माया योगश्च वर्णितः दूषणं स्रोतसामत्र वर्णितं च स्थिराम्भसाम्
AI Translation: The root rites and actions are described here, as well as the yoga of illusion. The destruction of the rivers and the stable waters is described here.
यैर्यैरुपायैर्लोकश्च न चलेदार्यवर्त्मनः तत्सर्वं राजशार्दूल नीतिशास्त्रेऽनुवर्णितम्
M. N. Dutt: All those means, O foremost of kings, by which men might be prevented from falling off from the path of righteousness and honesty were all treated in it.
एतत्कृत्वा शुभं शास्त्रं ततः स भगवान्प्रभुः देवानुवाच संहृष्टः सर्वाञ्शक्रपुरोगमान्
M. N. Dutt: Having composed that highly beneficial work, the divine Lord cheerfully said to the deities led by Indra, these words.
उपकाराय लोकस्य त्रिवर्गस्थापनाय च नवनीतं सरस्वत्या बुद्धिरेषा प्रभाविता
M. N. Dutt: For the behoof of the world and for establishing the three-fold objects (viz., Religion, Profit, and Pleasure), I have composed this science representing the very essence of speech.
दण्डेन सहिता ह्येषा लोकरक्षणकारिका निग्रहानुग्रहरता लोकाननु चरिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Helped by punishment this science will protect the world. Meting out rewards and punishments, this science will work among men.
दण्डेन नीयते चेयं दण्डं नयति चाप्युत दण्डनीतिरिति प्रोक्ता त्रीँल्लोकाननुवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: And because men will be governed by punishment, therefore will this science be known in the three worlds as Dandaniti (science of punishment).
षाड्गुण्यगुणसारैषा स्थास्यत्यग्रे महात्मसु महत्त्वात्तस्य दण्डस्य नीतिर्विस्पष्टलक्षणा
AI Translation: This, the essence of the six qualities, will remain in the great souls in the future. The policy of that great staff is clearly characterized.
नयचारश्च विपुलो येन सर्वमिदं ततम् आगमश्च पुराणानां महर्षीणां च संभवः
AI Translation: The extensive method of conduct by which this entire universe is pervaded, and the tradition of the ancient sages.
तीर्थवंशश्च वंशश्च नक्षत्राणां युधिष्ठिर सकलं चातुराश्रम्यं चातुर्होत्रं तथैव च
AI Translation: The lineage of the holy places, the lineage of the constellations, O Yudhiṣṭhira, The entire four stages of life, the fourfold priesthood,
चातुर्वर्ण्यं तथैवात्र चातुर्वेद्यं च वर्णितम् इतिहासोपवेदाश्च न्यायः कृत्स्नश्च वर्णितः
AI Translation: Here also the four castes and the four Vedas are described, and the Itihasas, the Upavedas, and the whole of Nyaya are described.
तपो ज्ञानमहिंसा च सत्यासत्ये नयः परः वृद्धोपसेवा दानं च शौचमुत्थानमेव च
AI Translation: Tapas, knowledge, non-violence, the supreme truth, the highest truth, Serving the elders, giving, purity, and rising.
सर्वभूतानुकम्पा च सर्वमत्रोपवर्णितम् भुवि वाचोगतं यच्च तच्च सर्वं समर्पितम्
AI Translation: All compassion for all beings, all this has been described. And all that is expressed in words on earth, that too has been presented.
तस्मिन्पैतामहे शास्त्रे पाण्डवैतदसंशयम् धर्मार्थकाममोक्षाश्च सकला ह्यत्र शब्दिताः
AI Translation: In that ancestral scripture, this is undoubtedly the case for the Pandavas. Here, all Dharma, Artha, Kama, and Moksha are described.
ततस्तां भगवान्नीतिं पूर्वं जग्राह शंकरः बहुरूपो विशालाक्षः शिवः स्थाणुरुमापतिः
M. N. Dutt: After this, the husband of Uma,—the divine and many-formed Shiva of large eyes, the source of all blessings, first read and mastered it.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.86 After 86, D7 S ins.: *127 अनादिनिधनो देवश्चैतन्यादिसमन्वितः ज्ञानानि च वशे यस्य तारकादीन्यशेषतः अणिमादिगुणोपेतमैश्वर्यं न च कृत्रिमम् तुष्ट्यर्थं ब्रह्मणः पुत्रो ललाटादुत्थितः प्रभुः अरुदत्सस्वनं घोरं जगतः प्रभुरव्ययः जायमानः पिता पुत्रे पुत्रः पितरि चैव हि बुद्धिं विश्वसृजे दत्त्वा ब्रह्माण्डं येन निर्मितम् यस्मिन्हिरण्मयो हंसः शकुनिः समपद्यत कर्ता सर्वस्य लोकस्य ब्रह्मा लोकपितामहः स देवः सर्वभूतात्मा महादेवः सनातनः असंख्यातसहस्राणां रुद्राणां स्थानमव्ययम्
युगानामायुषो ह्रासं विज्ञाय भगवाञ्शिवः संचिक्षेप ततः शास्त्रं महार्थं ब्रह्मणा कृतम्
M. N. Dutt: In view, however, of the gradual decrease of the span of human existence, the divine Shiva abridged that highly important science compiled by Brahman.
वैशालाक्षमिति प्रोक्तं तदिन्द्रः प्रत्यपद्यत दशाध्यायसहस्राणि सुब्रह्मण्यो महातपाः
M. N. Dutt: The abridgement, called Vaishalaksha, consisting of ten thousand chapters was then received by Indra, devoted to Brahman and possessed of great ascetic merit.
भगवानपि तच्छास्त्रं संचिक्षेप पुरंदरः सहस्रैः पञ्चभिस्तात यदुक्तं बाहुदन्तकम्
M. N. Dutt: The divine Indra again abridged it into a work containing five thousand chapters and named it Vahudantaka.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.89 After 89a, D7 S ins.: *128 देवात्प्राप्य महेश्वरात् प्रजानां हितमन्विच्छन्
अध्यायानां सहस्रैस्तु त्रिभिरेव बृहस्पतिः संचिक्षेपेश्वरो बुद्ध्या बार्हस्पत्यं तदुच्यते
M. N. Dutt: Afterwards the powerful Brihaspati, by his intelligence, further abridged the work, into one containing three thousand chapters and named it Barhaspatya.
अध्यायानां सहस्रेण काव्यः संक्षेपमब्रवीत् तच्छास्त्रममितप्रज्ञो योगाचार्यो महातपाः
M. N. Dutt: Next, the famous teacher of Yoga, Kavi of unlimited wisdom, abridged it further into a work of a thousand chapters.
एवं लोकानुरोधेन शास्त्रमेतन्महर्षिभिः संक्षिप्तमायुर्विज्ञाय मर्त्यानां ह्रासि पाण्डव
M. N. Dutt: Considering the period of human existence and the general decrease (of every thing), great Rishis did thus, for the well-being of the world, abridge that science.
अथ देवाः समागम्य विष्णुमूचुः प्रजापतिम् एको योऽर्हति मर्त्येभ्यः श्रैष्ठ्यं तं वै समादिश
M. N. Dutt: Then, approaching that lord of creatures, viz., Vishnu, the god said to him,-Point out, O god, that one among men who deserves to reign supreme over the rest.
ततः संचिन्त्य भगवान्देवो नारायणः प्रभुः तैजसं वै विरजसं सोऽसृजन्मानसं सुतम्
M. N. Dutt: The divine and powerful Narayana, thinking a little, created by his will a son born of his energy, named Virajas.
विरजास्तु महाभाग विभुत्वं भुवि नैच्छत न्यासायैवाभवद्बुद्धिः प्रणीता तस्य पाण्डव
M. N. Dutt: The highly blessed Virajas, however, did not desire to rule on Earth. His mind, O son of Pandu, was bent for a life of renunciation.
कीर्तिमांस्तस्य पुत्रोऽभूत्सोऽपि पञ्चातिगोऽभवत् कर्दमस्तस्य च सुतः सोऽप्यतप्यन्महत्तपः
M. N. Dutt: Virajas had a son named Krittimat. He too cast off pleasure and enjoyment. Krittimat had a son named Kardama. Kardama also practised severe austerities.
प्रजापतेः कर्दमस्य अनङ्गो नाम वै सुतः प्रजानां रक्षिता साधुर्दण्डनीतिविशारदः
M. N. Dutt: The lord of creatures, Kardama, begot a son named Ananga, who became a protector of creatures, pious and well-read in the science of punishment.
अनङ्गपुत्रोऽतिबलो नीतिमानधिगम्य वै अभिपेदे महीराज्यमथेन्द्रियवशोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: Ananga beget a son named Atibala, wellread in politics. Obtaining extensive empire after the death of his father, he became a slave of his passions.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.98 After 98, D7 S ins.: *129 प्राप्य नारीं महाभागां रूपिणीं काममोहितः सौभाग्येन च संपन्नां गुणैश्चानुत्तमां सतीम्
मृत्योस्तु दुहिता राजन्सुनीथा नाम मानसी प्रख्याता त्रिषु लोकेषु या सा वेनमजीजनत्
M. N. Dutt: Mrityu, O king, had a mind-begotten daughter named Sunitha well-known over the three worlds. She was married to Atibala and gave birth to a son named Vena.
तं प्रजासु विधर्माणं रागद्वेषवशानुगम् मन्त्रपूतैः कुशैर्जघ्नुरृषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः
M. N. Dutt: Vena, a slave of anger and malice, become impious and tyrannical towards all creatures. The Brahmavadin Rishis killed him with Kusha blades inspired with Mantras.
ममन्थुर्दक्षिणं चोरुमृषयस्तस्य मन्त्रतः ततोऽस्य विकृतो जज्ञे ह्रस्वाङ्गः पुरुषो भुवि
AI Translation: The sages churned his right thigh by means of mantras. Then from it was born a deformed man with short limbs on the earth.
दग्धस्थाणुप्रतीकाशो रक्ताक्षः कृष्णमूर्धजः निषीदेत्येवमूचुस्तमृषयो ब्रह्मवादिनः
AI Translation: He was like a burnt log, with red eyes and black hair. The sages who spoke about the Vedas said to him, "Sit down."
तस्मान्निषादाः संभूताः क्रूराः शैलवनाश्रयाः ये चान्ये विन्ध्यनिलया म्लेच्छाः शतसहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: From him have originated the Nishadas, viz., those wicked tribes who live in the hills and the forests, as also those hundreds and thousands of Mlechchhas, living on the Vindhya ranges.
भूयोऽस्य दक्षिणं पाणिं ममन्थुस्ते महर्षयः ततः पुरुष उत्पन्नो रूपेणेन्द्र इवापरः
M. N. Dutt: The great Rishis then pierced right arm of Vena. Thence originated a person who was a second Indra in form.
कवची बद्धनिस्त्रिंशः सशरः सशरासनः वेदवेदाङ्गविच्चैव धनुर्वेदे च पारगः
M. N. Dutt: Clad in mail, armed with swords, bows and arrows, and well-versed in the science of war, he was also a master of the Vedas and their auxiliaries.
तं दण्डनीतिः सकला श्रिता राजन्नरोत्तमम् ततः स प्राञ्जलिर्वैन्यो महर्षींस्तानुवाच ह
M. N. Dutt: All the ordinances of the science of punishment, O king, came in their bodily forms to that best of men. The son of Vena then with joined-hands, said to those great Rishis.
सुसूक्ष्मा मे समुत्पन्ना बुद्धिर्धर्मार्थदर्शिनी अनया किं मया कार्यं तन्मे तत्त्वेन शंसत
M. N. Dutt: I have got a very keen and fair understanding. Tell me fully what I shall do with it.
यन्मां भवन्तो वक्ष्यन्ति कार्यमर्थसमन्वितम् तदहं वै करिष्यामि नात्र कार्या विचारणा
M. N. Dutt: I shall unhesitatingly accomplish any useful task which you will be pleased to indicate.
तमूचुरथ देवास्ते ते चैव परमर्षयः नियतो यत्र धर्मो वै तमशङ्कः समाचर
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed, the gods that were present there, also the Rishis said to him,-"Do you fearlessly perform all sorts of righteous works.”
प्रियाप्रिये परित्यज्य समः सर्वेषु जन्तुषु कामक्रोधौ च लोभं च मानं चोत्सृज्य दूरतः
AI Translation: Giving up what is dear and what is not dear, being equal to all beings, Giving up desire, anger, greed, and pride far away,
यश्च धर्मात्प्रविचलेल्लोके कश्चन मानवः निग्राह्यस्ते स बाहुभ्यां शश्वद्धर्ममवेक्षतः
AI Translation: And if any man in the world should deviate from the Dharma, you should restrain him with your arms, always considering the Dharma.
प्रतिज्ञां चाधिरोहस्व मनसा कर्मणा गिरा पालयिष्याम्यहं भौमं ब्रह्म इत्येव चासकृत्
M. N. Dutt: Do you also swear that you would in thought, word, and deed, always maintain the religion laid on earth by the Vedas.
यश्चात्र धर्मनीत्युक्तो दण्डनीतिव्यपाश्रयः तमशङ्कः करिष्यामि स्ववशो न कदाचन
M. N. Dutt: Do you also swear that you would fearlessly follow the duties laid down in the Vedas with the help of the science of punishment, and that you would never act capriciously.
अदण्ड्या मे द्विजाश्चेति प्रतिजानीष्व चाभिभो लोकं च संकरात्कृत्स्नात्त्रातास्मीति परंतप
M. N. Dutt: O powerful one, know that Brahmanas are exempt from punishment, and promise further that you would protect the world from an intermixture of castes.
वैन्यस्ततस्तानुवाच देवानृषिपुरोगमान् ब्राह्मणा मे सहायाश्चेदेवमस्तु सुरर्षभाः
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed, Vena's son replied to the deities headed by the Rishis, saying,-Those foremost of men, viz., the highly blessed Brahmanas shall ever be adored by me,
एवमस्त्विति वैन्यस्तु तैरुक्तो ब्रह्मवादिभिः पुरोधाश्चाभवत्तस्य शुक्रो ब्रह्ममयो निधिः
M. N. Dutt: Those Brahmavadins then said to him, Let it be so,-Then Shukra, that great repository of Brahma became his priest.
मन्त्रिणो वालखिल्यास्तु सारस्वत्यो गणो ह्यभूत् महर्षिर्भगवान्गर्गस्तस्य सांवत्सरोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: The Valakhilyas became his ministers, and the Saraswats his companions. The great and illustrious Rishis Garga became his astrologer.'
आत्मनाष्टम इत्येव श्रुतिरेषा परा नृषु उत्पन्नौ बन्दिनौ चास्य तत्पूर्वौ सूतमागधौ
M. N. Dutt: This great declaration of Shrutis is known among men that Prithu is the eighth from Vishnu, A little before two persons named Suta and Magadha were born. They became his bards and panegyrists.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.118 After 118, K4.5 V1 B Dn D1-3.5.6 ins.: *130 तयोः प्रीतो ददौ राजा पृथुर्वैन्यः प्रतापवान् अनूपदेशं सूताय मगधं मागधाय च K5 cont.: *131 अत्रिर्महात्मा भगवांस्तस्यासीद्वेदकारकः नारदश्चेतिहासादीनि नित्यमेव समादधत्
समतां वसुधायाश्च स सम्यगुपपादयत् वैषम्यं हि परं भूमेरासीदिति ह नः श्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: We have heard that the surface of the earth had before been very uneven. It was Prithu who levelled its surface.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.119 After 119, K4.5 V1 B Dn D1-3.5.6.8 ins.: *132 मन्वन्तरेषु सर्वेषु विषमा जायते मही उज्जहार ततो वैन्यः शिलाजालान्समन्ततः धनुष्कोट्या महाराज तेन शैला विवर्धिताः
स विष्णुना च देवेन शक्रेण विबुधैः सह ऋषिभिश्च प्रजापाल्ये ब्रह्मणा चाभिषेचितः
AI Translation: He was consecrated by Vishnu, the god, by Shakra, the gods, and by the sages and Brahma for the protection of the people.
तं साक्षात्पृथिवी भेजे रत्नान्यादाय पाण्डव सागरः सरितां भर्ता हिमवांश्चाचलोत्तमः
AI Translation: The earth herself approached him and gave him jewels, O son of Pandu. The ocean, the lord of rivers, and the best of mountains, the Himalayas,
शक्रश्च धनमक्षय्यं प्रादात्तस्य युधिष्ठिर रुक्मं चापि महामेरुः स्वयं कनकपर्वतः
AI Translation: Śakra gave him inexhaustible wealth, O Yudhiṣṭhira. And Mahāmeru, the golden mountain, gave him gold.
यक्षराक्षसभर्ता च भगवान्नरवाहनः धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च समर्थं प्रददौ धनम्
AI Translation: The lord of the yakshas and rakshasas, the lord Naravahana, gave wealth to those who were capable in Dharma, Artha, and Kama.
हया रथाश्च नागाश्च कोटिशः पुरुषास्तथा प्रादुर्बभूवुर्वैन्यस्य चिन्तनादेव पाण्डव न जरा न च दुर्भिक्षं नाधयो व्याधयस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: O son of Pandu, were born as soon as Vena's son thought of them. At that time there prevailed neither decrepitude, nor famine, nor calamity, nor disease (on Earth).
सरीसृपेभ्यः स्तेनेभ्यो न चान्योन्यात्कदाचन भयमुत्पद्यते तत्र तस्य राज्ञोऽभिरक्षणात्
M. N. Dutt: On account of the protection afforded by that king, nobody entertained any fear from reptiles and thieves of from any other source.
Supplementary Passages:
12.59.125 K (except K1) V1 B Dn D2.3.5.6 ins. after 125: Da after 126ab: *133 आपस्तस्तम्भिरे चास्य समुद्रमभियास्यतः पर्वताश्च ददुर्मार्गं ध्वजभङ्गश्च नाभवत्
तेनेयं पृथिवी दुग्धा सस्यानि दश सप्त च यक्षराक्षसनागैश्चापीप्सितं यस्य यस्य यत्
M. N. Dutt: He drew from the Earth, as a milcher from a COW, seventeen sorts of crops for the food of Yakshas, and Rakshasas, and Nagas, and other creatures.
तेन धर्मोत्तरश्चायं कृतो लोको महात्मना रञ्जिताश्च प्रजाः सर्वास्तेन राजेति शब्द्यते
M. N. Dutt: That great king caused all creatures to consider righteousness as the foremost of all things; and because he pleased all the people, therefore, he was called Rajan (king.)
ब्राह्मणानां क्षतत्राणात्ततः क्षत्रिय उच्यते प्रथिता धनतश्चेयं पृथिवी साधुभिः स्मृता
M. N. Dutt: And because he also healed the wounds of Brahmanas, therefore, he passed by the name of Kshatriya. And because the Earth (during his regime) became celebrated for the practice of virtue, therefore, she passed by the name of Prithivi.
स्थापनं चाकरोद्विष्णुः स्वयमेव सनातनः नातिवर्तिष्यते कश्चिद्राजंस्त्वामिति पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: The eternal Vishnu himself, O Bharata, confirmed his power, telling him,-No one, O king, shall excel you.
तपसा भगवान्विष्णुराविवेश च भूमिपम् देववन्नरदेवानां नमते यज्जगन्नृप
M. N. Dutt: The divine Vishnu entered the body of that king for his penances. Therefore the entire universe adored Prithu who was the greatest of kings.
दण्डनीत्या च सततं रक्षितं तं नरेश्वर नाधर्षयत्ततः कश्चिच्चारनित्याच्च दर्शनात्
M. N. Dutt: O king, your kingdom should always be protected by the help of the science of punishment. You should also, by careful observation made through the movements of your spies, protect it in such a manner that no one may injure it.
आत्मना करणैश्चैव समस्येह महीक्षितः को हेतुर्यद्वशे तिष्ठेल्लोको दैवादृते गुणात्
AI Translation: The kings of the earth, along with their bodies and their organs, What is the reason that the world should stand under the power of fate, except for virtue?
विष्णोर्ललाटात्कमलं सौवर्णमभवत्तदा श्रीः संभूता यतो देवी पत्नी धर्मस्य धीमतः
AI Translation: From the forehead of Vishnu, a golden lotus arose, From which the goddess Shri, the wife of the wise Dharma, was born.
श्रियः सकाशादर्थश्च जातो धर्मेण पाण्डव अथ धर्मस्तथैवार्थः श्रीश्च राज्ये प्रतिष्ठिता
AI Translation: From Shri, wealth was born, O son of Pandu, through Dharma. Then Dharma, wealth, and Shri were established in the kingdom.
सुकृतस्य क्षयाच्चैव स्वर्लोकादेत्य मेदिनीम् पार्थिवो जायते तात दण्डनीतिवशानुगः
AI Translation: And from the exhaustion of good deeds, one comes down from heaven to earth. O son, one is born as a king, following the rule of punishment.
महत्त्वेन च संयुक्तो वैष्णवेन नरो भुवि बुद्ध्या भवति संयुक्तो माहात्म्यं चाधिगच्छति
AI Translation: One who is endowed with greatness and is associated with Viṣṇu on earth becomes endowed with intelligence and attains greatness.
स्थापनामथ देवानां न कश्चिदतिवर्तते तिष्ठत्येकस्य च वशे तं चेदनुविधीयते
M. N. Dutt: Established by the gods, no one goes above him. It is therefore that everybody obeys one, and it is for this, that the world cannot command him.
शुभं हि कर्म राजेन्द्र शुभत्वायोपकल्पते तुल्यस्यैकस्य यस्यायं लोको वचसि तिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: Good acts, O king, lead to good. It is therefore that a great many obey his command, through he belongs to the same world and is possessed of similar limbs.
यो ह्यस्य मुखमद्राक्षीत्सोम्य सोऽस्य वशानुगः सुभगं चार्थवन्तं च रूपवन्तं च पश्यति
M. N. Dutt: He who once beheld Prithu's sweet face, became obedient to him. Thenceforth he began to know him as handsome, wealthy and highly blessed.
ततो जगति राजेन्द्र सततं शब्दितं बुधैः देवाश्च नरदेवाश्च तुल्या इति विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: There is no doubt in this. Since then, O king, the learned have begun to say there is no difference between a god and a king.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं महत्त्वं प्रति राजसु कार्त्स्न्येन भरतश्रेष्ठ किमन्यदिह वर्तताम्
M. N. Dutt: I have now told everything about the greatness of kings. What other subject is there, O chief of the Bharatas, which I shall next describe.