Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच यथा जयार्थिनः सेनां नयन्ति भरतर्षभ ईषद्धर्मं प्रपीड्यापि तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Tell me, O grandfather, how kings seeking victory should, O foremost of Bharata's race, lead their troops to battle even by acting slightly against the rules of righteousness.
भीष्म उवाच सत्येन हि स्थिता धर्मा उपपत्त्या तथापरे साध्वाचारतया केचित्तथैवौपयिका अपि उपायधर्मान्वक्ष्यामि सिद्धार्थानर्थधर्मयोः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Some say that Righteousness is made permanent by Truth; some, by Reasoning; some, by good conduct; and some, by the application of means and contrivances.
निर्मर्यादा दस्यवस्तु भवन्ति परिपन्थिनः तेषां प्रतिविघातार्थं प्रवक्ष्याम्यथ नैगमम् कार्याणां संप्रसिद्ध्यर्थं तानुपायान्निबोध मे
M. N. Dutt: For opposing and restraining them, I shall tell you the means indicated in the scriptures. Hear as I describe those means for the success of all deeds.
उभे प्रज्ञे वेदितव्ये ऋज्वी वक्रा च भारत जानन्वक्रां न सेवेत प्रतिबाधेत चागताम्
M. N. Dutt: Both kinds of wisdom, plain and wily, should be within the king's reach. Though acquainted with it, he should not, however, apply the wily wisdom. He may use it for withstanding the dangers that may befall him.
अमित्रा एव राजानं भेदेनोपचरन्त्युत तां राजा निकृतिं जानन्यथामित्रान्प्रबाधते
M. N. Dutt: Enemies frequently injure a king by creating disunion. The king, conversant with deceit, may, by the help of deceit, counteract those enemies.
गजानां पार्श्वचर्माणि गोवृषाजगराणि च शल्यकङ्कटलोहानि तनुत्राणि मतानि च
AI Translation: The skins of elephants, bulls, crocodiles, and snakes, and the armour of Śalyaka, Kankata, and iron are considered to be light.
शितपीतानि शस्त्राणि संनाहाः पीतलोहिताः नानारञ्जनरक्ताः स्युः पताकाः केतवश्च ते
AI Translation: The weapons are white and yellow, the armor is yellow and red. The flags and banners are of various colors.
ऋष्टयस्तोमराः खड्गा निशिताश्च परश्वधाः फलकान्यथ चर्माणि प्रतिकल्प्यान्यनेकशः अभिनीतानि शस्त्राणि योधाश्च कृतनिश्रमाः
AI Translation: Spears, javelins, sharp swords, and battle-axes, And shields and hides, many of them, The weapons brought forth, and the warriors rested.
चैत्र्यां वा मार्गशीर्ष्यां वा सेनायोगः प्रशस्यते पक्वसस्या हि पृथिवी भवत्यम्बुमती तथा
AI Translation: In the month of Chaitra or in the month of Margashirsha, the army is recommended. For the earth is ripe with crops and full of water.
नैवातिशीतो नात्युष्णः कालो भवति भारत तस्मात्तदा योजयेत परेषां व्यसनेषु वा एतेषु योगाः सेनायाः प्रशस्ताः परबाधने
M. N. Dutt: Troops should, therefore, be marched at that time. If the enemy, however, be reduced to a miserable plight, troops should immediately be despatched. These (two) are the best occasions for the movement of troops for defeating the enemies.
जलवांस्तृणवान्मार्गः समो गम्यः प्रशस्यते चारैर्हि विहिताभ्यासः कुशलैर्वनगोचरैः
M. N. Dutt: That road which has profuse water and grass along it, which is level and easy of march, should be taken. The regions lying near the road should previously be reconnoitred through skilful spies having an intimate knowledge of the woods.
नव्यारण्यैर्न शक्येत गन्तुं मृगगणैरिव तस्मात्सर्वासु सेनासु योजयन्ति जयार्थिनः
M. N. Dutt: The troops must not, like animals, be marched through forests. Kings desirous of victory should, therefore, follow good roads for marching their army.
Supplementary Passages:
12.101.12 After 12, Ś1 K1-4 B1 Dn D4 ins.: *234 अग्रतः पुरुषानीकं शक्तं भक्तं कुलोद्गतम्
आवासस्तोयवान्दुर्गः पर्याकाशः प्रशस्यते परेषामुपसर्पाणां प्रतिषेधस्तथा भवेत्
AI Translation: A place of residence, water, a fort, and space are praised. And so is the prevention of the approach of enemies.
आकाशं तु वनाभ्याशे मन्यन्ते गुणवत्तरम् बहुभिर्गुणजातैस्तु ये युद्धकुशला जनाः
AI Translation: They consider the forest near the sky to be superior in qualities. Those people who are skilled in battle with many kinds of qualities,
Supplementary Passages:
12.101.14 After 14, Dn ins.: *235 उपन्यासो भवेत्तत्र बलानां नातिदूरतः
उपन्यासोऽपसर्पाणां पदातीनां च गूहनम् अथ शत्रुप्रतीघातमापदर्थं परायणम्
M. N. Dutt: Pitching the camp at such a place, placing the infantry in a safe place, and meeting the foe as soon as he comes, are the means for preventing danger and distress.
सप्तर्षीन्पृष्ठतः कृत्वा युध्येरन्नचला इव अनेन विधिना राजञ्जिगीषेतापि दुर्जयान्
M. N. Dutt: Keeping the constellation called Ursa Major behind them, the troops should fight, standing firmly like hills. By this means, one may defeat even irresistible foes.
यतो वायुर्यतः सूर्यो यतः शुक्रस्ततो जयः पूर्वं पूर्वं ज्याय एषां संनिपाते युधिष्ठिर
M. N. Dutt: The soldiers should be placed in such a position that the wind, the sun, and the planet Shukra should blow and shine from behind them. For acquiring victory, the wind is superior to the Sun, and the sun is superior to Shukra, O Yudhishthira.
अकर्दमामनुदकाममर्यादामलोष्टकाम् अश्वभूमिं प्रशंसन्ति ये युद्धकुशला जनाः
M. N. Dutt: Men who know the art of warfare approve of a region which is freed from mire, and which is to watery, not uneven, and not abounding with bricks and stone, as well fitted for the operations of cavalry.
समा निरुदकाकाशा रथभूमिः प्रशस्यते नीचद्रुमा महाकक्षा सोदका हस्तियोधिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: A field which is free from mire and holes is best suited for car-warriors. A region which abounds with bushes and large trees and which is under water is suited for elephant warriors.
बहुदुर्गा महावृक्षा वेत्रवेणुभिरास्तृता पदातीनां क्षमा भूमिः पर्वतोपवनानि च
M. N. Dutt: A region which has many inaccessible spots, which abounds with huge trees and cane bushes, as also a hilly or woody region, is well suiles for the work of infantry.
पदातिबहुला सेना दृढा भवति भारत रथाश्वबहुला सेना सुदिनेषु प्रशस्यते
M. N. Dutt: An army, O Bharata, which has a large infantry, is considered very strong. An army which has a greater number of cars and horsemen is considered to be very powerful in a clear day.
पदातिनागबहुला प्रावृट्काले प्रशस्यते गुणानेतान्प्रसंख्याय देशकालौ प्रयोजयेत्
M. N. Dutt: An army, again, which consists of a greater number of infantry and elephants becomes effective in the rains. Having carefully observed these points, the king should devote his attention to the characteristics of place and time.
एवं संचिन्त्य यो याति तिथिनक्षत्रपूजितः विजयं लभते नित्यं सेनां सम्यक्प्रयोजयन्
M. N. Dutt: That king, who, having attended to all these points, marches, under a proper constellation and an auspicious luminary, always succeeds in acquiring victory by properly leading his troops.
प्रसुप्तांस्तृषिताञ्श्रान्तान्प्रकीर्णान्नाभिघातयेत् मोक्षे प्रयाणे चलने पानभोजनकालयोः
AI Translation: He should not strike those who are asleep, thirsty, tired, or scattered. At the time of liberation, departure, movement, drinking, and eating.
अतिक्षिप्तान्व्यतिक्षिप्तान्विहतान्प्रतनूकृतान् सुविस्रम्भान्कृतारम्भानुपन्यासप्रतापितान् बहिश्चरानुपन्यासान्कृत्वा वेश्मानुसारिणः
AI Translation: Those who have been expelled, those who have been expelled, those who have been cut off, those who have been reduced, Those who are very confident, those who have begun, those who have been heated by the presentation, Those who have been expelled and those who have been expelled, having made them follow the house,
पारंपर्यागते द्वारे ये केचिदनुवर्तिनः परिचर्यावरोद्धारो ये च केचन वल्गिनः
AI Translation: Those who follow the tradition, those who are followers, those who are engaged in service, those who are performers,
अनीकं ये प्रभिन्दन्ति भिन्नं ये स्थगयन्ति च समानाशनपानास्ते कार्या द्विगुणवेतनाः
M. N. Dutt: Those of your warriors who break the ranks of enemies, or rally your retreating soldiers, should have their pay doubled and should be honoured by you with food, drink, and seats equal to your own.
Supplementary Passages:
12.101.27 After 27, D7 S ins.: *236 जातिगोत्रं च विज्ञाय कर्म चानुत्तमं शुभम् समानदेहरक्षार्थे कार्या द्विगुणवेतनाः त्रिगुणं चतुर्गुणं चैव वेतनं तेषु कारयेत्
दशाधिपतयः कार्याः शताधिपतयस्तथा तेषां सहस्राधिपतिं कुर्याच्छूरमतन्द्रितम्
M. N. Dutt: The heads of ten soldiers amongst them should be made heads of a hundred. And the careful hero who is the head of a hundred soldiers, should be made the head of a thousand.
यथामुख्यं संनिपात्य वक्तव्याः स्म शपामहे यथा जयार्थं संग्रामे न जह्याम परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: Gathering together the leading warriors, they should be addressed, saying,-Let us swear to conquer, and never to leave one another!
इहैव ते निवर्तन्तां ये नः केचन भीरवः न घातयेयुः प्रदरं कुर्वाणास्तुमुले सति
M. N. Dutt: Let those, who are afraid of their life, remain where they are. Let those also stay behind who would cause their chiefs to be killed by themselves neglecting to act heroically in the thick of the fray!
Supplementary Passages:
12.101.30 After 30, N (D1 miss- ing) Cv ins.: *237 न संनिपाते प्रदरं वधं वा कुर्युरीदृशाः
आत्मानं च स्वपक्षं च पलायन्हन्ति संयुगे द्रव्यनाशो वधोऽकीर्तिरयशश्च पलायने
AI Translation: One who flees from the battlefield destroys himself and his own side. Loss of wealth, death, dishonor, and infamy are the results of fleeing.
अमनोज्ञासुखा वाचः पुरुषस्य पलायतः प्रतिस्पन्दौष्ठदन्तस्य न्यस्तसर्वायुधस्य च
AI Translation: The words of a man who is fleeing are not pleasant or agreeable, with lips and teeth trembling, and with all his weapons laid down.
हित्वा पलायमानस्य सहायान्प्राणसंशये अमित्रैरनुबद्धस्य द्विषतामस्तु नस्तथा
AI Translation: When one is fleeing, abandoning one's companions, in fear for one's life, and is pursued by enemies, may it be so for our enemies.
मनुष्यापसदा ह्येते ये भवन्ति पराङ्मुखाः राशिवर्धनमात्रास्ते नैव ते प्रेत्य नो इह
M. N. Dutt: Those who retreat from battle are wretches among men. They simply increase the number of men. They will neither pass in this world nor in the next for true manhood.
अमित्रा हृष्टमनसः प्रत्युद्यान्ति पलायिनम् जयिनं सुहृदस्तात वन्दनैर्मङ्गलेन च
M. N. Dutt: Victorious enemies, O Sire, proceed gladly in pursuit of the flying combatants, their praises all the while recited by bards.
यस्य स्म व्यसने राजन्ननुमोदन्ति शत्रवः तदसह्यतरं दुःखमहं मन्ये वधादपि
M. N. Dutt: When enemies, coming to battle spoil the fame of a person, the misery the latter feels is more piercing, I think, than that of death itself.
श्रियं जानीत धर्मस्य मूलं सर्वसुखस्य च सा भीरूणां परान्याति शूरस्तामधिगच्छति
M. N. Dutt: Know that victory is the source of religious merit and of every sort of happiness. The heroes bear cheerfully what is regarded as the highest misery by cowards.
ते वयं स्वर्गमिच्छन्तः संग्रामे त्यक्तजीविताः जयन्तो वध्यमाना वा प्राप्तुमर्हाम सद्गतिम्
M. N. Dutt: Determined upon acquiring heaven we should fight not caring for life itself, and prepared to conquer or die, and we would attain then a blessed end in heaven!
एवं संशप्तशपथाः समभित्यक्तजीविताः अमित्रवाहिनीं वीराः संप्रगाहन्त्यभीरवः
M. N. Dutt: Having taken such an oath, and prepared to cast away his itself, heroes should bravely rush against the enemy's ranks.
अग्रतः पुरुषानीकमसिचर्मवतां भवेत् पृष्ठतः शकटानीकं कलत्रं मध्यतस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: In the van should be posted a detachment of men armed with swords and shields. In the rear should be planted the car-division. In the interstice should be placed other classes of warriors.
परेषां प्रतिघातार्थं पदातीनां च गूहनम् अपि ह्यस्मिन्परे गृद्धा भवेयुर्ये पुरोगमाः
M. N. Dutt: This should be the arrangement for attacking the enemy. The veterans of the army should fight in the van. They would protect their comrades in the rear.
ये पुरस्तादभिमताः सत्त्ववन्तो मनस्विनः ते पूर्वमभिवर्तेरंस्तानन्वगितरे जनाः
M. N. Dutt: Those who are the foremost of strength and courage, should be placed in the van. The others should stand behind them.
अपि चोद्धर्षणं कार्यं भीरूणामपि यत्नतः स्कन्धदर्शनमात्रं तु तिष्ठेयुर्वा समीपतः
M. N. Dutt: The fear-stricken should, with care, be comforted and encouraged. These weaker combatants should be placed on the field only to show the number of the army to the foe.
संहतान्योधयेदल्पान्कामं विस्तारयेद्बहून् सूचीमुखमनीकं स्यादल्पानां बहुभिः सह
M. N. Dutt: If the troops are few, they should be arranged closely for the fight. When necessary, if their leader wishes, the close arrangement may be extended wide. When a small number of soldiers is to fight with a great many, they should be arranged like a needle-point.
संप्रयुद्धे प्रहृष्टे वा सत्यं वा यदि वानृतम् प्रगृह्य बाहून्क्रोशेत भग्ना भग्नाः परा इति
M. N. Dutt: When a small army is engaged with a larger one, the leader of the former may shake hands with his men and cry aloud, saying,-The enemy is routed! The enemy is routed!
आगतं नो मित्रबलं प्रहरध्वमभीतवत् शब्दवन्तोऽनुधावेयुः कुर्वन्तो भैरवं रवम्
M. N. Dutt: The strong amongst them should resist the enemy, loudly saying to their comrades, Fresh friends have arrived! Fearlessly strike at your enemies!
क्ष्वेडाः किलकिलाः शङ्खाः क्रकचा गोविषाणिकान् भेरीमृदङ्गपणवान्नादयेयुश्च कुञ्जरान्
M. N. Dutt: Those who have gone in advance should utter loud shouts and make various kinds of noises and should blow and beas Krakachas, cow-horns, drums, cymbals, and kettle-drums.'