Critical Edition
भीष्म उवाच ह्रीनिषेधाः सदा सन्तः सत्यार्जवसमन्विताः शक्ताः कथयितुं सम्यक्ते तव स्युः सभासदः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Such persons as are endued with modesty, self-control, truth, sincerity, and courage to say the proper thing, should be your law-makers.
Supplementary Passages:
12.84.1 Before 1, K3-5 V1 B (B1 missing) D (D1 missing) Cv ins.: *204 युधिष्ठिर उवाच सभासदः सहायाश्च सुहृदश्च विशां पते परिच्छदास्तथामात्याः कीदृशाः स्युः पितामह
अत्याढ्यांश्चातिशूरांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्च बहुश्रुतान् सुसंतुष्टांश्च कौन्तेय महोत्साहांश्च कर्मसु
M. N. Dutt: They who are always devoted to you who are gifted with great courage, who are of the twice-bom caste, highly learned, well pleased with you, and persevering in acts, should, O son of Kunti, be sought by you for becoming your ministers of war at all seasons of distress, O Bharata!
एतान्सहायाँल्लिप्सेथाः सर्वास्वापत्सु भारत कुलीनः पूजितो नित्यं न हि शक्तिं निगूहति
AI Translation: O descendant of Bharata, you should seek these as your allies in all adversity. A noble man, always honoured, does not conceal his strength.
प्रसन्नं ह्यप्रसन्नं वा पीडितं हृतमेव वा आवर्तयति भूयिष्ठं तदेको ह्यनुपालितः
AI Translation: If it is pleased, or displeased, or oppressed, or taken away, it mostly turns back, for it is alone and not protected.
कुलीना देशजाः प्राज्ञा रूपवन्तो बहुश्रुताः प्रगल्भाश्चानुरक्ताश्च ते तव स्युः परिच्छदाः
AI Translation: Those who are of noble birth, born in the country, wise, handsome, learned, bold and devoted, they shall be your attendants.
दौष्कुलेयाश्च लुब्धाश्च नृशंसा निरपत्रपाः ते त्वां तात निषेवेयुर्यावदार्द्रकपाणयः
AI Translation: Those who are born in low families, greedy, cruel, shameless, They will serve you, father, as long as they have a hand.
अर्थमानार्घ्यसत्कारैर्भोगैरुच्चावचैः प्रियान् यानर्थभाजो मन्येथास्ते ते स्युः सुखभागिनः
M. N. Dutt: Those who have been swon over with gifts of wealth, honour, respectful receptions, and means of giving happiness, and who on that account may be known by you as persons inclined to do you good in all your affairs, should always be made sharers of your happiness.
अभिन्नवृत्ता विद्वांसः सद्वृत्ताश्चरितव्रताः न त्वां नित्यार्थिनो जह्युरक्षुद्राः सत्यवादिनः
M. N. Dutt: They who are unchangeable in conduct, endued with learning and good behaviour, observant of excellent vows, large-hearted, and truthful in speech, will always attend to your affairs and will never forsake you.
अनार्या ये न जानन्ति समयं मन्दचेतसः तेभ्यः प्रतिजुगुप्सेथा जानीयाः समयच्युतान्
M. N. Dutt: They, on the other hand, who disrespectable, who do not follow healthy control, who are wicked, and who have fallen away from good practices, should always be compelled by you to observe all healthy restraints.
Supplementary Passages:
12.84.9 After 9ab, D4 ins.: *205 परिच्छदास्तथामात्या नेदृशाः स्युः कथंचन
नैकमिच्छेद्गणं हित्वा स्याच्चेदन्यतरग्रहः यस्त्वेको बहुभिः श्रेयान्कामं तेन गणं त्यजेत्
M. N. Dutt: When the question arises as to which of two sides should be adopted, you should not abandon the many for adopting the side of one. When, however, that one person excels the many by virtue of his possessing many accomplishments, then you should for that one, forsake the many.
श्रेयसो लक्षणं ह्येतद्विक्रमो यस्य दृश्यते कीर्तिप्रधानो यश्च स्यात्समये यश्च तिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: The marks of superiority, are prowess, devotion to works that bring fame, and observance of healthy restraints. are
समर्थान्पूजयेद्यश्च नास्पर्ध्यैः स्पर्धते च यः न च कामाद्भयात्क्रोधाल्लोभाद्वा धर्ममुत्सृजेत्
AI Translation: One who worships the capable, and who competes with the incapable, And who does not abandon the Dharma out of desire, fear, anger, or greed,
अमानी सत्यवाक्शक्तो जितात्मा मान्यमानिता स ते मन्त्रसहायः स्यात्सर्वावस्थं परीक्षितः
AI Translation: One who is not proud, who speaks the truth, who is powerful, who has conquered the self, who is worthy of respect, who is respected, He will be your ally in the mantras, tested in all situations.
कुलीनः सत्यसंपन्नस्तितिक्षुर्दक्ष आत्मवान् शूरः कृतज्ञः सत्यश्च श्रेयसः पार्थ लक्षणम्
M. N. Dutt: High birth, purity of blood, forgiveness, cleverness, and purify of mind, bravery gratefulness, and truthfulness are, O son of Pritha, characteristic of superiority and goodness.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्य विजानतः अमित्राः संप्रसीदन्ति ततो मित्रीभवन्त्यपि
M. N. Dutt: A wiseman who conduct himself thus, succeeds in freeing his very enemies of their hostility and converting them into friends.
अत ऊर्ध्वममात्यानां परीक्षेत गुणागुणान् संयतात्मा कृतप्रज्ञो भूतिकामश्च भूमिपः
M. N. Dutt: A king who has his mind under control, who is endued with wisdom, and who seeks prosperity, should carefully examine the merits and demerits of his ministers.
संबद्धाः पुरुषैराप्तैरभिजातैः स्वदेशजैः अहार्यैरव्यभीचारैः सर्वतः सुपरीक्षितैः
AI Translation: connected with men who are trustworthy, born in the country, of good birth, unassailable, not subject to fear, well-examined in every way,
योधाः स्रौवास्तथा मौलास्तथैवान्येऽप्यवस्कृताः कर्तव्या भूतिकामेन पुरुषेण बुभूषता
AI Translation: Those who are Saura, those who are Mūla, and those who are otherwise inferior should be worshipped by a person who desires prosperity and wishes for greatness.
येषां वैनयिकी बुद्धिः प्रकृता चैव शोभना तेजो धैर्यं क्षमा शौचमनुराग स्थितिर्धृतिः
AI Translation: Those who have a mind for training and a good nature, Energy, courage, forgiveness, purity, affection, stability, and fortitude,
परीक्षितगुणान्नित्यं प्रौढभावान्धुरंधरान् पञ्चोपधाव्यतीतांश्च कुर्याद्राजार्थकारिणः
AI Translation: Always the qualities of Parikshit, the bearers of the burden of mature feelings, and those who have transcended the five aggregates, should be made to accomplish the purpose of the king.
पर्याप्तवचनान्वीरान्प्रतिपत्तिविशारदान् कुलीनान्सत्यसंपन्नानिङ्गितज्ञाननिष्ठुरान्
AI Translation: Those who are eloquent, courageous, and skilled in practice, of noble birth, endowed with truth, and skilled in understanding gestures,
देशकालविधानज्ञान्भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजा कुर्वीत मन्त्रिणः
AI Translation: Those who know the rules of place and time, who are intent on the welfare of their master's affairs, The king should always have ministers in all matters.
हीनतेजा ह्यसंहृष्टो नैव जातु व्यवस्यति अवश्यं जनयत्येव सर्वकर्मसु संशयान्
M. N. Dutt: One who is shorn of energy and who has been forsaken by friends can never work with perseverance. Such a man if, appointed, fails in almost every work.
एवमल्पश्रुतो मन्त्री कल्याणाभिजनोऽप्युत धर्मार्थकामयुक्तोऽपि नालं मन्त्रं परीक्षितुम्
M. N. Dutt: A minister possessing little learning, even if he be highly born and attentive to virtue, profit, and pleasure, cannot choose proper courses of action.
तथैवानभिजातोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः अनायक इवाचक्षुर्मुह्यत्यूह्येषु कर्मसु
M. N. Dutt: Likewise, a person of low birth, even if endued with great learning, always makes mistakes, like a blind man without a guide, in all acts requiring cleverness and foresight.
यो वा ह्यस्थिरसंकल्पो बुद्धिमानागतागमः उपायज्ञोऽपि नालं स कर्म यापयितुं चिरम्
M. N. Dutt: A person, again, who is of unsettled purposes, even if endued with intelligence and learning, and even if conversant with means, cannot long act with success.
केवलात्पुनराचारात्कर्मणो नोपपद्यते परिमर्शो विशेषाणामश्रुतस्येह दुर्मतेः
M. N. Dutt: A wicked man possessed of no learning may begin a work but he fails to determine what the results will be of his work.
मन्त्रिण्यननुरक्ते तु विश्वासो न हि विद्यते तस्मादननुरक्ताय नैव मन्त्रं प्रकाशयेत्
M. N. Dutt: A king should never trust a minister who is not devoted to him. He should, therefore, never give out his counsels to a minister who is not devoted to him.
व्यथयेद्धि स राजानं मन्त्रिभिः सहितोऽनृजुः मारुतोपहतच्छिद्रैः प्रविश्याग्निरिव द्रुमम्
M. N. Dutt: Such a wicked minister, in conjunction with the other minister of the king, may ruin his lord, like fire consuming a tree by entering into it through the holes in its body with the help of the wind.
संक्रुध्यत्येकदा स्वामी स्थानाच्चैवापकर्षति वाचा क्षिपति संरब्धस्ततः पश्चात्प्रसीदति
M. N. Dutt: Being angry, a master may, deprive a servant of his office or reprove him, from rage, in harsh words, and restore him to power again.
तानि तान्यनुरक्तेन शक्यान्यनुतितिक्षितुम् मन्त्रिणां च भवेत्क्रोधो विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः
M. N. Dutt: None save a servant devoted to the master stand and overlook such treatment. Ministers also become sometimes highly offended with their masters. can
यस्तु संहरते तानि भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षया समानसुखदुःखं तं पृच्छेदर्थेषु मानवम्
M. N. Dutt: That one, amongst them, who subdues his anger from desire of doing good to his master,-that person who partakes in the king's happiness and misfortune, should be consulted by the king in all his affairs.
अनृजुस्त्वनुरक्तोऽपि संपन्नश्चेतरैर्गुणैः राज्ञः प्रज्ञानयुक्तोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: An wily person, even if he be devoted to his master and possessed of wisdom and adorned with numerous accomplishments, should never be consulted by the king.
योऽमित्रैः सह संबद्धो न पौरान्बहु मन्यते स सुहृत्तादृशो राज्ञो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is allied with enemies and who does not care for the interests of the king's subjects, should be regarded as an enemy. The king should never consult him.
अविद्वानशुचिः स्तब्धः शत्रुसेवी विकत्थनः स सुहृत्क्रोधनो लुब्धो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is not learned, who is not pure, who is proud, who seeks the king's enemies, who is given to brag, who is unfriendly, wrathful, and covetous, should should not be consulted by the king.
आगन्तुश्चानुरक्तोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः सत्कृतः संविभक्तो वा न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is a stranger, even if he be devoted to the king and possessed of great learning, may be honoured by the king and pleased with maintenance, but the king should never consult him in his affairs.
Supplementary Passages:
12.84.36 K5 V1 B0. 2 m.3-5 Da Dn D2.6.8 G1 M1-3 ins. after 36: D3.5 after 35: D7 T1 G3 after 37: T2 after 41: G4 after 39: M4 after 34: *206 विधर्मतो विप्रकृतः पिता यस्याभवत्पुरा सत्कृतः स्थापितः सोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
यस्त्वल्पेनापि कार्येण सकृदाक्षारितो भवेत् पुनरन्यैर्गुणैर्युक्तो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: A well-wisher whose property was once confiscated for a slight offences, even if he be endued with all accomplishments, should not still be consulted by the king.
कृतप्रज्ञश्च मेधावी बुधो जानपदः शुचिः सर्वकर्मसु यः शुद्धः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: A person endued with wisdom, intelligence, and learning, who is born within the kingdom, who is pure and righteous in all his works, should be consulted by the king.
ज्ञानविज्ञानसंपन्नः प्रकृतिज्ञः परात्मनोः सुहृदात्मसमो राज्ञः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is possessed of knowledge and wisdom, who knows the nature of friends and foes, who is a friend of the king like his second self, should be consulted.
सत्यवाक्शीलसंपन्नो गम्भीरः सत्रपो मृदुः पितृपैतामहो यः स्यात्स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is truthful in speech and modest and mild, and who is a hereditary servant of the king, should be consulted.
संतुष्टः संमतः सत्यः शौटीरो द्वेष्यपापकः मन्त्रवित्कालविच्छूरः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One who is contented and honoured, who is truthful and dignified, who hates wickedness and wicked men, who is conversant with policy and the requirements of time, and who is courageous, should be consulted by the king.
सर्वलोकं समं शक्तः सान्त्वेन कुरुते वशे तस्मै मन्त्रः प्रयोक्तव्यो दण्डमाधित्सता नृप
M. N. Dutt: One who is capable to win over all men by conciliation should be consulted, O monarch, by the king, who wishes to rule according to the dictates of the science of punishment.
पौरजानपदा यस्मिन्विश्वासं धर्मतो गताः योद्धा नयविपश्चिच्च स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: One whom the inhabitants of both the capital and the provinces truth for his righteous ! conduct, who is competent to right and conversant with the rules of policy, should be consulted by the king.
तस्मात्सर्वैर्गुणैरेतैरुपपन्नाः सुपूजिताः मन्त्रिणः प्रकृतिज्ञाः स्युस्त्र्यवरा महदीप्सवः
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, men endued with such accomplishments, men conversant with the nature of all and desirous of achieving high acts, should be honoured by the king and made his ministers. Their number also should not be less than three.
स्वासु प्रकृतिषु छिद्रं लक्षयेरन्परस्य च मन्त्रिणो मन्त्रमूलं हि राज्ञो राष्ट्रं विवर्धते
M. N. Dutt: Ministers should be employed in noticing the shortcomings of their masters, of themselves, of the subject, and of the foes of their masters. The kingdom depends upon the counsels of policy which the ministers give, and its growth originates from the same source.
नास्य छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात् गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि रक्षेद्विवरमात्मनः
AI Translation: No one should see his weakness; he should search for the weakness of others. He should conceal his limbs like a tortoise, and guard his own weakness.
मन्त्रग्राहा हि राज्यस्य मन्त्रिणो ये मनीषिणः मन्त्रसंहननो राजा मन्त्राङ्गानीतरो जनः
AI Translation: The ministers who are wise and hold the king's counsel are the grahas of the kingdom. The king is the one who holds the counsel, and the rest of the people are the limbs of the counsel.
राज्यं प्रणिधिमूलं हि मन्त्रसारं प्रचक्षते स्वामिनं त्वनुवर्तन्ति वृत्त्यर्थमिह मन्त्रिणः
M. N. Dutt: A kingdom depends upon spies and secret agents, and its strength lies in counsels of policy. If masters and ministers follow each other for getting support from each other, controlling pride and anger, and vanity and envy, they may then both become happy.
स विनीय मदक्रोधौ मानमीर्ष्यां च निर्वृतः नित्यं पञ्चोपधातीतैर्मन्त्रयेत्सह मन्त्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: A king should also consult such minister as are free from the five kinds of deceit.
तेषां त्रयाणां विविधं विमर्शं; बुध्येत चित्तं विनिवेश्य तत्र स्वनिश्चयं तं परनिश्चयं च; निवेदयेदुत्तरमन्त्रकाले
AI Translation: Having placed his mind in that, he should understand the various deliberations of those three. And at the time of the final mantra, he should declare his own determination and the determination of the other.
धर्मार्थकामज्ञमुपेत्य पृच्छे;द्युक्तो गुरुं ब्राह्मणमुत्तमार्थम् निष्ठा कृता तेन यदा सह स्या;त्तं तत्र मार्गं प्रणयेदसक्तम्
AI Translation: Having approached one who knows dharma, artha, and kāma, ask; a brahmin who is a guru is fit for the highest good. When he has performed the final rite with him, then direct him to that path, without attachment.
एवं सदा मन्त्रयितव्यमाहु;र्ये मन्त्रतत्त्वार्थविनिश्चयज्ञाः तस्मात्त्वमेवं प्रणयेः सदैव; मन्त्रं प्रजासंग्रहणे समर्थम्
M. N. Dutt: Those who know the science of consultation hold that kings should always hold consultation in this way. Having settled plans in this way, they should then carry them into execution, for then they will be able to win over all the subjects.
न वामनाः कुब्जकृशा न खञ्जा; नान्धा जडाः स्त्री न नपुंसकं च न चात्र तिर्यङ्न पुरो न पश्चा;न्नोर्ध्वं न चाधः प्रचरेत कश्चित्
M. N. Dutt: There should be no dwarfs, no humpbacked persons, no lean man, no lame or blind man, no idiot, no woman, and no eunuch, at the spot where the king holds his consultations. Nothing should move there, before or behind, above or below, or in opposite directions.
आरुह्य वातायनमेव शून्यं; स्थलं प्रकाशं कुशकाशहीनम् वागङ्गदोषान्परिहृत्य मन्त्रं; संमन्त्रयेत्कार्यमहीनकालम्
M. N. Dutt: Getting up on a boat, or going to an open space shorn of grass and grassy bushes and whence the surrounding land may be distinctly seen, the king should hold consultations at the proper time, avoiding shortcomings of speech and gestures.'