Critical Edition
भीष्म उवाच एषा प्रथमतो वृत्तिर्द्वितीयां शृणु भारत यः कश्चिज्जनयेदर्थं राज्ञा रक्ष्यः स मानवः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said This that I have told you is the first means. Listen now, O Bharata, to the second one. That man who seeks the advancement of the king should always be protected by him.
ह्रियमाणममात्येन भृतो वा यदि वाभृतः यो राजकोशं नश्यन्तमाचक्षीत युधिष्ठिर
AI Translation: If a minister is taking away or has taken away, or if he is not taking away, O Yudhiṣṭhira, he who informs about the treasury being destroyed,
श्रोतव्यं तस्य च रहो रक्ष्यश्चामात्यतो भवेत् अमात्या ह्युपहन्तारं भूयिष्ठं घ्नन्ति भारत
AI Translation: It should be heard in secret and guarded from the ministers. For, O descendant of Bharata, the ministers mostly kill the one who harms them.
राजकोशस्य गोप्तारं राजकोशविलोपकाः समेत्य सर्वे बाधन्ते स विनश्यत्यरक्षितः
M. N. Dutt: They who plunder the royal treasury combine together for opposing the person who tries to protect it, and if the latter be left unprotected, he is sure to be destroyed.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् मुनिः कालकवृक्षीयः कौसल्यं यदुवाच ह
M. N. Dutt: Regarding it an old story also is cited of what the sage Kalakavrikshiya har said to the king of Koshala.
कोसलानामाधिपत्यं संप्राप्ते क्षेमदर्शिनि मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय आजगामेति नः श्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: We have heard that once on a time the sage Kalakavrikshiya came to Kshemadarshin, who had ascended the throne of Koshala.
स काकं पञ्जरे बद्ध्वा विषयं क्षेमदर्शिनः पूर्वं पर्यचरद्युक्तः प्रवृत्त्यर्थी पुनः पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Desirous of examining the conduct of all the officers of Kshemadarshin, the sage, with a crow kept with in cage in his hand, travelled again and again through every part of that king's dominions.
अधीये वायसीं विद्यां शंसन्ति मम वायसाः अनागतमतीतं च यच्च संप्रति वर्तते
M. N. Dutt: men And he spoke to all the and said,-Study ye the practice of crows! The crows tell me the present, the past, and the future!
इति राष्ट्रे परिपतन्बहुशः पुरुषैः सह सर्वेषां राजयुक्तानां दुष्कृतं परिपृष्टवान्
M. N. Dutt: Proclaiming this in the kingdom, the sage, accompanied by a large number of men, began to mark the misdeeds of all the state officers.
स बुद्ध्वा तस्य राष्ट्रस्य व्यवसायं हि सर्वशः राजयुक्तापचारांश्च सर्वान्बुद्ध्वा ततस्ततः
AI Translation: Having learned of the entire plan of that kingdom, and having learned of all the improper conduct of the king, from here and there,
तमेव काकमादाय राजानं द्रष्टुमागमत् सर्वज्ञोऽस्मीति वचनं ब्रुवाणः संशितव्रतः
AI Translation: Taking that very crow, he came to see the king, Saying, "I am omniscient," with a firm vow.
स स्म कौसल्यमागम्य राजामात्यमलंकृतम् प्राह काकस्य वचनादमुत्रेदं त्वया कृतम्
AI Translation: Having gone to Kauśalya, the king said to the adorned royal minister: "This was done by you on the word of the crow."
असौ चासौ च जानीते राजकोशस्त्वया हृतः एवमाख्याति काकोऽयं तच्छीघ्रमनुगम्यताम्
AI Translation: He knows that and he knows that the royal treasury has been stolen by you. This crow is reporting this. Go after him quickly.
तथान्यानपि स प्राह राजकोशहरान्सदा न चास्य वचनं किंचिदकृतं श्रूयते क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: The sage then mentioned the names of other officers who had likewise been guilty of embezzlement, adding,-My crow never says anything false!
तेन विप्रकृताः सर्वे राजयुक्ताः कुरूद्वह तमतिक्रम्य सुप्तस्य निशि काकमपोथयन्
M. N. Dutt: Thus accused and injured by the sage, all the officers of the king, O you of Kuru's race, in a body pierced his crow, while the sage slept at night.
वायसं तु विनिर्भिन्नं दृष्ट्वा बाणेन पञ्जरे पूर्वाह्णे ब्राह्मणो वाक्यं क्षेमदर्शिनमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Seeing the bird pierced by an arrow in the cage, in the morning, the brahmin spoke these words to Kṣemadatta:
राजंस्त्वामभयं याचे प्रभुं प्राणधनेश्वरम् अनुज्ञातस्त्वया ब्रूयां वचनं त्वत्पुरो हितम्
AI Translation: O king, I seek your protection, O lord, master of life and wealth. With your permission, I shall speak in your presence words that are beneficial.
मित्रार्थमभिसंतप्तो भक्त्या सर्वात्मना गतः अयं तवार्थं हरते यो ब्रूयादक्षमान्वितः
M. N. Dutt: You are being robbed of your wealth, I have come to you for disclosing it without showing any mercy for the robbers. Like a driver that urges a good horse, I have come here for awakening you whom I consider a friend.
Supplementary Passages:
12.83.18 For 18cd, D7 S subst.: *201 ह्रियते हि महार्थश्च पुरुषे विक्रमत्यपि
संबुबोधयिषुर्मित्रं सदश्वमिव सारथिः अतिमन्युप्रसक्तो हि प्रसज्य हितकारणम्
M. N. Dutt: A friend who knows his own interests and seeks his own prosperity and advancement, should forgive a friend that intruded himself forcibly, actuated by devotion at anger, for doing what is beneficial.
तथाविधस्य सुहृदः क्षन्तव्यं संविजानता ऐश्वर्यमिच्छता नित्यं पुरुषेण बुभूषता
M. N. Dutt: The king replied to him, saying,—Why should I not hear anything which you will say, since I am not blind to what is for my good?
तं राजा प्रत्युवाचेदं यन्मा किंचिद्भवान्वदेत् कस्मादहं न क्षमेयमाकाङ्क्षन्नात्मनो हितम्
M. N. Dutt: I grant you permission, O twice-born one! Tell me what you like. I shall certainly obey your instructions, O Brahmana!
ब्राह्मण प्रतिजानीहि प्रब्रूहि यदि चेच्छसि करिष्यामि हि ते वाक्यं यद्यन्मां विप्र वक्ष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: The Sage said, Ascertaining the merits and demerits of your servants, as also the dangers which you may meet with at their hands, I have come to you, actuated by my devotion, for informing you of everything.
मुनिरुवाच ज्ञात्वा नयानपायांश्च भृत्यतस्ते भयानि च भक्त्या वृत्तिं समाख्यातुं भवतोऽन्तिकमागमम्
M. N. Dutt: His carelessness may create the king's anger, and such anger may bring about his destruction. Carefully learning how to behave himself, one should sit before the king as he should in the presence of a burning fire.
प्रागेवोक्तश्च दोषोऽयमाचार्यैर्नृपसेविनाम् अगतीकगतिर्ह्येषा या राज्ञा सह जीविका
AI Translation: This fault has already been stated by the teacher who served the king. For the livelihood of one who lives with the king is a livelihood without a refuge.
आशीविषैश्च तस्याहुः संगतं यस्य राजभिः बहुमित्राश्च राजानो बह्वमित्रास्तथैव च
AI Translation: They say that he is associated with poisonous snakes and kings. Kings have many friends and also many enemies.
तेभ्यः सर्वेभ्य एवाहुर्भयं राजोपसेविनाम् अथैषामेकतो राजन्मुहूर्तादेव भीर्भवेत्
AI Translation: From all of them, indeed, there is fear for those who serve the king. But from one of them, O king, fear would come in a moment.
नैकान्तेनाप्रमादो हि कर्तुं शक्यो महीपतौ न तु प्रमादः कर्तव्यः कथंचिद्भूतिमिच्छता
AI Translation: For a king it is not possible to be careless in every respect. But carelessness should not be practised in any way by one who desires prosperity.
प्रमादाद्धि स्खलेद्राजा स्खलिते नास्ति जीवितम् अग्निं दीप्तमिवासीदेद्राजानमुपशिक्षितः
M. N. Dutt: He should always fear to utter evil words before the king, or to sit cheerlessly or in disrespectful postures, or to walk disdainfully, or to show insolent gestures and disrespectful motions of the limbs.
आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं प्रभुं प्राणधनेश्वरम् यत्नेनोपचरेन्नित्यं नाहमस्मीति मानवः
AI Translation: One should serve the master, the lord of life and wealth, with care, as if he were an angry snake. A man should think, "I am not."
दुर्व्याहृताच्छङ्कमानो दुष्कृताद्दुरधिष्ठितात् दुरासिताद्दुर्व्रजितादिङ्गितादङ्गचेष्टितात्
M. N. Dutt: If the king becomes pleased he can shower prosperity like a god. If he becomes angry he can consume to the very roots like a burning fire.
देवतेव हि सर्वार्थान्कुर्याद्राजा प्रसादितः वैश्वानर इव क्रुद्धः समूलमपि निर्दहेत् इति राजन्मयः प्राह वर्तते च तथैव तत्
M. N. Dutt: This, O king, was said by Yama. Its truth is seen in the wordly affairs. I shall now do what would increase your prosperity.
अथ भूयांसमेवार्थं करिष्यामि पुनः पुनः ददात्यस्मद्विधोऽमात्यो बुद्धिसाहाय्यमापदि
AI Translation: But I will do it again and again, for the sake of a greater purpose. A minister like me gives assistance in the form of advice in times of trouble.
वायसश्चैव मे राजन्नन्तकायाभिसंहितः न च मेऽत्र भवान्गर्ह्यो न च येषां भवान्प्रियः हिताहितांस्तु बुध्येथा मा परोक्षमतिर्भव
AI Translation: O king, the crow was sent by Yama. You are not to be blamed for this, nor those who are dear to you. You should understand what is beneficial and what is not.
ये त्वादानपरा एव वसन्ति भवतो गृहे अभूतिकामा भूतानां तादृशैर्मेऽभिसंहितम्
AI Translation: Those who are only interested in taking, and live in your house, Those who desire to be non-existent for the existent beings, such are my desires.
ये वा भवद्विनाशेन राज्यमिच्छन्त्यनन्तरम् अन्तरैरभिसंधाय राजन्सिध्यन्ति नान्यथा
AI Translation: Those who desire the kingdom after your destruction, O king, they will succeed through secret means, not otherwise.
तेषामहं भयाद्राजन्गमिष्याम्यन्यमाश्रमम् तैर्हि मे संधितो बाणः काके निपतितः प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: Through fear of those men, O king, I shall leave this kingdom for some other hermitage. I have no worldly desire, yet those deceitful persons have shot this arrow at my crow, and have, O lord, sent the bird to Yama's abode. I have seen this, O king, with eyes whose vision has been improved by ascetic penances.
छद्मना मम काकश्च गमितो यमसादनम् दृष्टं ह्येतन्मया राजंस्तपोदीर्घेण चक्षुषा
M. N. Dutt: With the help of this single crow I have crossed this kingdom of yours that is like a river consisting of alligators, shark, crocodiles and whales.
बहुनक्रझषग्राहां तिमिंगिलगणायुताम् काकेन बडिशेनेमामतार्षं त्वामहं नदीम्
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, with the help of that bird, I have passed through your dominions like Himalayan valley, impenetrable and inaccessible for these trunks of (fallen) trees and scattered rocks and thorny shrubs and lions and tigers and other beasts of prey.
स्थाण्वश्मकण्टकवतीं व्याघ्रसिंहगजाकुलाम् दुरासदां दुष्प्रवेशां गुहां हैमवतीमिव
M. N. Dutt: The learned hold that a region inaccessible for darkness can be passed through with the a help of a light, and an unfordable river can be crossed by means of a boat. No means, however, exist for penetrating through the labyrinth of royal affairs.
अग्निना तामसं दुर्गं नौभिराप्यं च गम्यते राजदुर्गावतरणे नोपायं पण्डिता विदुः
M. N. Dutt: Your kingdom is like an inaccessible forest covered with darkness. You cannot trust it. How then can I.
गहनं भवतो राज्यमन्धकारतमोवृतम् नेह विश्वसितुं शक्यं भवतापि कुतो मया
M. N. Dutt: Good and evil are seen here in the same light. To live here is not, therefore, safe. Here a righteous person meets with death, while an unrighteous man incurs no danger.
अतो नायं शुभो वासस्तुल्ये सदसती इह वधो ह्येवात्र सुकृते दुष्कृते न च संशयः
M. N. Dutt: For the sake of justice, a person of unrighteous deeds should be killed but never one who is righteous in his deeds. It is not proper, therefore, for one to live in this kingdom long. A sensible man should leave this country soon.
न्यायतो दुष्कृते घातः सुकृते स्यात्कथं वधः नेह युक्तं चिरं स्थातुं जवेनातो व्रजेद्बुधः
AI Translation: How can there be killing of evil by right means? How can there be killing of good? It is not proper to stay here for long. Therefore, the wise one should go quickly.
सीता नाम नदी राजन्प्लवो यस्यां निमज्जति तथोपमामिमां मन्ये वागुरां सर्वघातिनीम्
AI Translation: O king, there is a river named Sita in which the boat sinks. I consider this speech to be like that, destroying everything.
मधुप्रपातो हि भवान्भोजनं विषसंयुतम् असतामिव ते भावो वर्तते न सतामिव आशीविषैः परिवृतः कूपस्त्वमिव पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: You are like the fall which awaits the collectors of honey, or like attractive food containing poison. Your nature now resembles that of dishonest men and not that of the good. You are like a pit, o king, abounding with snakes of deadly venom.
Supplementary Passages:
12.83.45 After 45, D4 ins.: *202 क्रियावृत्तिः परिवृतः क्व वा गच्छति दुःखितः तथाहं काकघातेन कृतस्त्वमसि पार्थिव
दुर्गतीर्था बृहत्कूला करीरीवेत्रसंयुता नदी मधुरपानीया यथा राजंस्तथा भवान् श्वगृध्रगोमायुयुतो राजहंससमो ह्यसि
M. N. Dutt: You resemble, O king, a river full of sweet water but difficult of access, with steep banks overgrown with Kariras and thorny canes. You are like a swan in the midst of dogs, vultures, and jackals.
यथाश्रित्य महावृक्षं कक्षः संवर्धते महान् ततस्तं संवृणोत्येव तमतीत्य च वर्धते
AI Translation: Just as a great tree grows from a root, so the great mass of the body grows from the root. Then it covers it, and then it grows beyond it.
तेनैवोपेन्धनो नूनं दावो दहति दारुणः तथोपमा ह्यमात्यास्ते राजंस्तान्परिशोधय
AI Translation: The fire is indeed kindled by that very thing, and burns fiercely. So, O King, purify those ministers who are like that.
भवतैव कृता राजन्भवता परिपालिताः भवन्तं पर्यवज्ञाय जिघांसन्ति भवत्प्रियम्
AI Translation: O king, they have been created by you, protected by you, and they are attacking your beloved one, disregarding you.
उषितं शङ्कमानेन प्रमादं परिरक्षता अन्तःसर्प इवागारे वीरपत्न्या इवालये शीलं जिज्ञासमानेन राज्ञश्च सहजीविना
AI Translation: Having lived in fear, protecting carelessness, like a snake in a house, like a hero's wife in a palace, having tested morality, living with the king,
कच्चिज्जितेन्द्रियो राजा कच्चिदभ्यन्तरा जिताः कच्चिदेषां प्रियो राजा कच्चिद्राज्ञः प्रियाः प्रजाः
AI Translation: Is the king self-controlled? Are his subjects self-controlled? Does the king love his subjects? Do the subjects love their king?
जिज्ञासुरिह संप्राप्तस्तवाहं राजसत्तम तस्य मे रोचसे राजन्क्षुधितस्येव भोजनम्
AI Translation: O best of kings, I have come here to ask you. O king, you are pleasing to me like food to one who is hungry.
अमात्या मे न रोचन्ते वितृष्णस्य यथोदकम् भवतोऽर्थकृदित्येव मयि दोषो हि तैः कृतः विद्यते कारणं नान्यदिति मे नात्र संशयः
M. N. Dutt: They have found fault with me, because I seek your well-being. I have no doubt that there is no other cause for their hostility to me.
न हि तेषामहं द्रुग्धस्तत्तेषां दोषवद्गतम् अरेर्हि दुर्हताद्भेयं भग्नपृष्ठादिवोरगात्
M. N. Dutt: I do not cherish any hostility towards them. I am engaged in only ascertaining their faults. As one should fear a wounded snake, cvery one should fear a wicked foe.
राजोवाच भूयसा परिबर्हेण सत्कारेण च भूयसा पूजितो ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठ भूयो वस गृहे मम
M. N. Dutt: The king said Reside in my abode, O Brahmana. I shall always treat you with respect and honour, and always adore you.
ये त्वां ब्राह्मण नेच्छन्ति न ते वत्स्यन्ति मे गृहे भवतैव हि तज्ज्ञेयं यदिदानीमनन्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: They that will dislike you shall not live with me. Do you then yourself award what should be their proper sentence.
यथा स्याद्दुष्कृतो दण्डो यथा च सुकृतं कृतम् तथा समीक्ष्य भगवञ्श्रेयसे विनियुङ्क्ष्व माम्
M. N. Dutt: Do you see, O holy one, then that the rod of punishment is wielded properly and that everything is done well in my kingdom. Reflecting upon everything, do you guide me in such a way that I may acquire prosperity!
मुनिरुवाच अदर्शयन्निमं दोषमेकैकं दुर्बलं कुरु ततः कारणमाज्ञाय पुरुषं पुरुषं जहि
M. N. Dutt: The sage said Closing your eyes first of all to this offence of theirs, do you weaken them one by one. Prove their faults then and punish them one after another.
एकदोषा हि बहवो मृद्नीयुरपि कण्टकान् मन्त्रभेदभयाद्राजंस्तस्मादेतद्ब्रवीमि ते
M. N. Dutt: When many person become guilty of the same offence, they can, by acting in concert, soften the very points of the thorns. Lest your ministers (being suspected, act against you and) disclose your secret counsels, I advise you to proceed cautiously.
Supplementary Passages:
12.83.59 After 58ab, D7 S ins.: *203 अर्थे सर्वं जगद्बद्धमर्थेन च निबध्यते अर्थे दर्पो मनुष्याणां तस्मादर्थं विरोचय एकेनैकस्य दोषेण तद्विरुद्धं प्रचोदय स तस्य दोषानुद्भाव्य तस्यार्थं ग्राहयिष्यति सामपूर्वं च केषांचिद्भेदेन च परस्परम् वैरं कारय भूपाल पश्चाद्दण्डं प्रयोजय बिल्वेन च यथा बिल्वमाकारं छाद्य बुद्धिमान् अशुद्धं सचिवं राजन्नशुद्धेनैव नाशय
वयं तु ब्राह्मणा नाम मृदुदण्डाः कृपालवः स्वस्ति चेच्छामि भवतः परेषां च यथात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: As regards ourselves, we are Brahmanas, by nature merciful and reluctant to give pain to any one. We desire your, as well as of others, well-being, even as we wish the good of ourselves.
राजन्नात्मानमाचक्षे संबन्धी भवतो ह्यहम् मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय इत्येवमभिसंज्ञितः
M. N. Dutt: I speak of myself, O king! I am your friend. I am known as the sage Kalakavrikshiya.
पितुः सखा च भवतः संमतः सत्यसंगरः व्यापन्ने भवतो राज्ये राजन्पितरि संस्थिते
AI Translation: He is the friend of your father, and is well-known for his truthfulness. When your kingdom was in trouble, and your father was dead,
सर्वकामान्परित्यज्य तपस्तप्तं तदा मया स्नेहात्त्वां प्रब्रवीम्येतन्मा भूयो विभ्रमेदिति
AI Translation: Having renounced all desires, I then practiced austerities. Out of affection, I am telling you this - may there be no more delusion.
उभे दृष्ट्वा दुःखसुखे राज्यं प्राप्य यदृच्छया राज्येनामात्यसंस्थेन कथं राजन्प्रमाद्यसि
M. N. Dutt: You have obtained a kingdom without any hitch. Think of everything connected with its happiness and misery. You have ministers in your kingdom. But why, O king, should you be guilty of carelessness?
भीष्म उवाच ततो राजकुले नान्दी संजज्ञे भूयसी पुनः पुरोहितकुले चैव संप्राप्ते ब्राह्मणर्षभे
M. N. Dutt: After this, the king of Koshala took a minister from the Kshatriya order, and appointed that foremost of Brahmana (viz., the sage Kalakavrikshiya), as his priest.
एकच्छत्रां महीं कृत्वा कौसल्याय यशस्विने मुनिः कालकवृक्षीय ईजे क्रतुभिरुत्तमैः
M. N. Dutt: After these changes had been made, the king of Koshala brought the whole Earth under subjection and acquired great fame. The sage Kalakavrikshiya adored the gods in many grand sacrifices performed for the king.
हितं तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कौसल्योऽन्वशिषन्महीम् तथा च कृतवान्राजा यथोक्तं तेन भारत
M. N. Dutt: Having listened to his wholesome advice, the king of Koshala conquered the whole Earth and acted in every way as the sage directed.