Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच इमे जना नरश्रेष्ठ प्रशंसन्ति सदा भुवि धर्मस्य शीलमेवादौ ततो मे संशयो महान्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said All persons on Earth, O foremost of men, speak highly of virtuous conduct, I have, however, great misgivings regarding this subject of their praise.
यदि तच्छक्यमस्माभिर्ज्ञातुं धर्मभृतां वर श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्सर्वं यथैतदुपलभ्यते
M. N. Dutt: If the subject be not far from our comprehension, O foremost of virtuous men, I wish to hear everything about the way in which virtuous conduct can be acquired.
कथं नु प्राप्यते शीलं श्रोतुमिच्छामि भारत किंलक्षणं च तत्प्रोक्तं ब्रूहि मे वदतां वर
M. N. Dutt: How is, that conduct acquired, O Bharata! I wish to hear it. Tell me also, O foremost of orators, what are the characteristics of that conduct.
भीष्म उवाच पुरा दुर्योधनेनेह धृतराष्ट्राय मानद आख्यातं तप्यमानेन श्रियं दृष्ट्वा तथागताम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said 'Formerly, O givers of honours, Duryodhana while burning within at your and your brothers' prosperity at Indraprastha, and for the jeers he received for his mistakes at the grand palace, had asked his father Dhritarashtra the same question. Hear what transpired at that time, O Bharata.
इन्द्रप्रस्थे महाराज तव सभ्रातृकस्य ह सभायां चावहसनं तत्सर्वं शृणु भारत
AI Translation: In Indraprastha, O great king, of you and your brothers, and the ridicule in the assembly - all that, O Bhārata, listen.
भवतस्तां सभां दृष्ट्वा समृद्धिं चाप्यनुत्तमाम् दुर्योधनस्तदासीनः सर्वं पित्रे न्यवेदयत्
M. N. Dutt: Having seen that grand palace and that great prosperity of yours, Duryodhana, while sitting before his father described to him of all he had seen.
श्रुत्वा च धृतराष्ट्रोऽपि दुर्योधनवचस्तदा अब्रवीत्कर्णसहितं दुर्योधनमिदं वचः
M. N. Dutt: Having heard the words of Duryodhana, Dhritarashtra, addressing his son and Karna, replied to him as follows.
किमर्थं तप्यसे पुत्र श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः श्रुत्वा त्वामनुनेष्यामि यदि सम्यग्भविष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Why do you grieve, O son! I wish to hear the cause fully. If after hearing the reasons they appear to be sufficient, I shall then try to instruct you.
यथा त्वं महदैश्वर्यं प्राप्तः परपुरंजय किंकरा भ्रातरः सर्वे मित्राः संबन्धिनस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: O subjugator of hostile towns, you too have acquired great affluence. All your brothers are ever obedient to your, as also all your friends and relatives.
आच्छादयसि प्रावारानश्नासि पिशितोदनम् आजानेया वहन्ति त्वां कस्माच्छोचसि पुत्रक
M. N. Dutt: You are clad in the best robes. You take the richest food. Horses of the best species bear you. Why then have you become pale and emaciated?
दुर्योधन उवाच दश तानि सहस्राणि स्नातकानां महात्मनाम् भुञ्जते रुक्मपात्रीषु युधिष्ठिरनिवेशने
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said Ten thousands of great Snataka Brahmanas daily take their food at Yudhishthira's palace from plates of gold.
दृष्ट्वा च तां सभां दिव्यां दिव्यपुष्पफलान्विताम् अश्वांस्तित्तिरकल्माषान्रत्नानि विविधानि च
AI Translation: Seeing that divine assembly, endowed with divine flowers and fruits, and the horses with the color of partridges, and various jewels,
दृष्ट्वा तां पाण्डवेयानामृद्धिमिन्द्रोपमां शुभाम् अमित्राणां सुमहतीमनुशोचामि मानद
AI Translation: Seeing the prosperity of the Pandavas, which is like Indra's, and is auspicious, I grieve greatly, O you who are honored by the enemies.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच यदीच्छसि श्रियं तात यादृशीं तां युधिष्ठिरे विशिष्टां वा नरव्याघ्र शीलवान्भव पुत्रक
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said If you wish, O sire, to acquire prosperity like that of Yudhishthira or that which is even superior to it, do you then, O son, try to be of virtuous conduct.
शीलेन हि त्रयो लोकाः शक्या जेतुं न संशयः न हि किंचिदसाध्यं वै लोके शीलवतां भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: Forsooth, one may, by his conduct alone, conquer the three words. There is nothing which virtuous persons cannot obtain.
एकरात्रेण मान्धाता त्र्यहेण जनमेजयः सप्तरात्रेण नाभागः पृथिवीं प्रतिपेदिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Mandhata conquered the whole word in only one night, Janamejaya, in course of three; and Nabhaga, in course of seven.
एते हि पार्थिवाः सर्वे शीलवन्तो दमान्विताः अतस्तेषां गुणक्रीता वसुधा स्वयमागमत्
M. N. Dutt: All these kings were endued with mercy and virtuous conduct. Therefore, the Earth came to them at their will, won over by their virtues!
Supplementary Passages:
12.124.17 After 17, K4.5 V1 B Da Dn D2.3.5.6.8 ins.: *286 दुर्योधन उवाच कथं तत्प्राप्यते शीलं श्रोतुमिच्छामि भारत येन शीलेन संप्राप्ताः क्षिप्रमेते वसुंधराम्
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् नारदेन पुरा प्रोक्तं शीलमाश्रित्य भारत
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Regarding it the following old narrative is cited. It was formerly recited by Narada, with regard to virtuous conduct.
प्रह्रादेन हृतं राज्यं महेन्द्रस्य महात्मनः शीलमाश्रित्य दैत्येन त्रैलोक्यं च वशीकृतम्
M. N. Dutt: In days of yore, the Daitya Prahlada, by the merit of his conduct, snatched from the great Indra his sovereignty and brought the three worlds under subjection.
ततो बृहस्पतिं शक्रः प्राञ्जलिः समुपस्थितः उवाच च महाप्राज्ञः श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम्
M. N. Dutt: Shakra then, with joined hands, approached Brihaspati. Endued with great wisdom, the god of the celestials addressed to the great preceptor, saying,-I desire you to tell me the source of happiness.
ततो बृहस्पतिस्तस्मै ज्ञानं नैःश्रेयसं परम् कथयामास भगवान्देवेन्द्राय कुरूद्वह
M. N. Dutt: Thus accosted, Brihaspati said to him that Knowledge is the source of the greatest happiness.
एतावच्छ्रेय इत्येव बृहस्पतिरभाषत इन्द्रस्तु भूयः पप्रच्छ क्व विशेषो भवेदिति
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, Brihaspati pointed out knowledge to be the source of supreme happiness. Indra, however, once more asked him as to whether there was any thing superior to that.
बृहस्पतिरुवाच विशेषोऽस्ति महांस्तात भार्गवस्य महात्मनः तत्रागमय भद्रं ते भूय एव पुरंदर
M. N. Dutt: Brihaspati said There is some thing, O son, which is still higher. The great Bhargava (Ushanas) will instruct your better. Go to him, blessed be you, and enquire of him, O king of the celestials!
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच आत्मनस्तु ततः श्रेयो भार्गवात्सुमहायशाः ज्ञानमागमयत्प्रीत्या पुनः स परमद्युतिः
M. N. Dutt: Endued with great ascetic merit and effulgence, the king of the celestials then went to Bhargava and acquired from him, with a gratified heart, a knowledge of that which was to his greatest good.
तेनापि समनुज्ञातो भार्गवेण महात्मना श्रेयोऽस्तीति पुनर्भूयः शुक्रमाह शतक्रतुः
M. N. Dutt: Acquiring the permission of the great Bhargava, the celebrator of a hundred sacrifices once more asked the sage as to whether there was anything superior to what the sage had already told him.
भार्गवस्त्वाह धर्मज्ञः प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः ज्ञानमस्ति विशेषेण ततो हृष्टश्च सोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: The omniscient Bhargava said,-The great Prahlada has better knowledge!-Learning this, Indra became highly pleased.
स ततो ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा प्रह्रादं पाकशासनः सृत्वा प्रोवाच मेधावी श्रेय इच्छामि वेदितुम्
M. N. Dutt: The chastiser of Paka, endued with supreme intelligence, assumed the form of a Brahman and going to Prahlada, asked him saying-I desire to hear what conduces to felicity.
प्रह्रादस्त्वब्रवीद्विप्रं क्षणो नास्ति द्विजर्षभ त्रैलोक्यराज्ये सक्तस्य ततो नोपदिशामि ते
M. N. Dutt: Prahlada answered the Brahmana, saying,-O chief of the twice-born, I have no time, being wholly engaged with the task of ruling the three worlds!-I cannot therefore, instruct you.
ब्राह्मणस्त्वब्रवीद्वाक्यं कस्मिन्काले क्षणो भवेत् ततोपदिष्टमिच्छामि यद्यत्कार्यान्तरं भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana said,-O king when you may have leisure, I wish to listen to your instructions about that conduct which yields good!
ततः प्रीतोऽभवद्राजा प्रह्रादो ब्रह्मवादिने तथेत्युक्त्वा शुभे काले ज्ञानतत्त्वं ददौ तदा
M. N. Dutt: At this answer, king Prahlada became pleased with that Brahmavadin. Saying,-So be it!-he availed of a favourable opportunity for delivering to the Brahma the truths of knowledge.
ब्राह्मणोऽपि यथान्यायं गुरुवृत्तिमनुत्तमाम् चकार सर्वभावेन यद्वत्स मनसेच्छति
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana duly treated Prahlada as a disciple should his preceptor, and began with his whole heart to do what Prahlada wished.
पृष्टश्च तेन बहुशः प्राप्तं कथमरिंदम त्रैलोक्यराज्यं धर्मज्ञ कारणं तद्ब्रवीहि मे
M. N. Dutt: Many a time the Brahmana enquired, saying,O chastiser of enemies by what means have you been able to acquire the sovereignty of the three worlds? Tell me, O pious king, what those means are!-Prahlada, O king, answered the question of the Brahmana.
Supplementary Passages:
12.124.32 After 32, K4.5 V1 (marg.) B0.2-5 Da Dn D2.3.5.6.8 ins.: *287 प्रह्लादोऽपि महाराज ब्राह्मणं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
प्रह्राद उवाच नासूयामि द्विजश्रेष्ठ राजास्मीति कदाचन कव्यानि वदतां तात संयच्छामि वहामि च
M. N. Dutt: Prahlada said I do not, O twice-born one, feel any pride for my being a king, nor do I entertain any hostile feeling towards the Brahmanas! On the other hand, I accept and follow the policy they describe to me based upon the teachings of Shukra.
ते विस्रब्धाः प्रभाषन्ते संयच्छन्ति च मां सदा ते मा कव्यपदे सक्तं शुश्रूषुमनसूयकम्
M. N. Dutt: Full confident they say to me what they wish to say, and restrain me from unrighteous or improper courses. I am ever obedient to the teachings of Shukra. I wait upon and serve the Brahmanas and my elders. I bear no malice.
धर्मात्मानं जितक्रोधं संयतं संयतेन्द्रियम् समाचिन्वन्ति शास्तारः क्षौद्रं मध्विव मक्षिकाः
M. N. Dutt: I am of righteous soul. I have conquered anger. I am self-controlled, and all my senses are under restraint. Those twice-born ones that are my instructors give me wholesome advice like bees dropping honey into the cells of their comb.
सोऽहं वागग्रपिष्टानां रसानामवलेहिता स्वजात्यानधितिष्ठामि नक्षत्राणीव चन्द्रमाः
M. N. Dutt: I taste the ambrosia dropped by those learned men, and like the Moon among the stars I live among the members of my family.
एतत्पृथिव्याममृतमेतच्चक्षुरनुत्तमम् यद्ब्राह्मणमुखे कव्यमेतच्छ्रुत्वा प्रवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: Even listening to the teachings of Shukra from the lips of Brahmanas and following them in practise, is this nectar on Earth, even this is the clearest eye.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच एतावच्छ्रेय इत्याह प्रह्रादो ब्रह्मवादिनम् शुश्रूषितस्तेन तदा दैत्येन्द्रो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Dhritarashtra said: Prahlada said this much to the speaker of Brahman: The lord of demons, being thus attended upon, spoke these words:
यथावद्गुरुवृत्त्या ते प्रीतोऽस्मि द्विजसत्तम वरं वृणीष्व भद्रं ते प्रदातास्मि न संशयः
AI Translation: O best of Brahmins, I am pleased with you for your proper conduct towards your Guru. O good one, choose a boon. I shall grant it to you. There is no doubt.
कृतमित्येव दैत्येन्द्रमुवाच स च वै द्विजः प्रह्रादस्त्वब्रवीत्प्रीतो गृह्यतां वर इत्युत
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana answered the king of the Asuras saying,-Very well. I will obey you.-Prahlada, pleased with him, said,-Take what you wish.
ब्राह्मण उवाच यदि राजन्प्रसन्नस्त्वं मम चेच्छसि चेद्धितम् भवतः शीलमिच्छामि प्राप्तुमेष वरो मम
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmana said for. If, O king, you have been pleased with me and if you wish to do what is agreeable to me, I wish then to acquire your behaviour? This is the boon that I pray
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच ततः प्रीतश्च दैत्येन्द्रो भयं चास्याभवन्महत् वरे प्रदिष्टे विप्रेण नाल्पतेजायमित्युत
M. N. Dutt: At this, though pleased, Prahlada became stricken with a great fear. Indeed when this boon was indicated by the Brahmana, the Asura king thought that the solicitor could not be an ordinary person.
एवमस्त्विति तं प्राह प्रह्रादो विस्मितस्तदा उपाकृत्य तु विप्राय वरं दुःखान्वितोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: Wondering much, Prahlada at last said,-Let it be so!-Having, however, granted the boon, the Asura king became filled with grief.
दत्ते वरे गते विप्रे चिन्तासीन्महती ततः प्रह्रादस्य महाराज निश्चयं न च जग्मिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Having received the boon, the Brahmana went away, but Prahlada, O king, was stricken with a deep anxiety and knew not what to do.
तस्य चिन्तयतस्तात छायाभूतं महाद्युते तेजो विग्रहवत्तात शरीरमजहात्तदा
AI Translation: And as he was thinking, O father, the great radiance became his shadow. O father, the radiance left his body, as if it were a separate form.
तमपृच्छन्महाकायं प्रह्रादः को भवानिति प्रत्याह ननु शीलोऽस्मि त्यक्तो गच्छाम्यहं त्वया
AI Translation: Prahlada asked the great being, "Who are you?" He replied, "Am I not your nature? You have abandoned me. I am going."
तस्मिन्द्विजवरे राजन्वत्स्याम्यहमनिन्दितम् योऽसौ शिष्यत्वमागम्य त्वयि नित्यं समाहितः इत्युक्त्वान्तर्हितं तद्वै शक्रं चान्वविशत्प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: I shall henceforth, O king, dwell in that blameless and foremost of Brahmanas who had become your devoted disciple!-Having said these words, the form vanished and soon after entered the body of Shakra.
तस्मिंस्तेजसि याते तु तादृग्रूपस्ततोऽपरः शरीरान्निःसृतस्तस्य को भवानिति चाब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: After the disappearance of that form, another of similar form issued out of Prahlada's body. The Daitya king addressing it, said,-Who are you?
धर्मं प्रह्राद मां विद्धि यत्रासौ द्विजसत्तमः तत्र यास्यामि दैत्येन्द्र यतः शीलं ततो ह्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: The form answered, saying,-Know me, O Prahlada, for the embodiment of Righteousness, I shall go there where that foremost of Brahmanas is, for, o king of the Daityas, I reside there where Conduct lives!
ततोऽपरो महाराज प्रज्वलन्निव तेजसा शरीरान्निःसृतस्तस्य प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Upon the disappearance of Righteousness, a third highly effulgent form, O monarch, issued out of the body of the great Prahlada.
को भवानिति पृष्टश्च तमाह स महाद्युतिः सत्यमस्म्यसुरेन्द्राग्र्य यास्येऽहं धर्ममन्विह
M. N. Dutt: Asked by Prahlada as to who he was, that highly effulgent form answered, sayingKnow, O king of the Daityas, that I am Truth. I shall leave you, following the way of Righteousness!
तस्मिन्ननुगते धर्मं पुरुषे पुरुषोऽपरः निश्चक्राम ततस्तस्मात्पृष्टश्चाह महात्मना वृत्तं प्रह्राद मां विद्धि यतः सत्यं ततो ह्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: After Truth had left Prahlada, following Righteousness, another great person issued out of Prahlada's body. Asked by the Daitya king, the mighty being answered, being answered, I am the embodiment of good works. Know, O Prahlada, that I live there were the Truth lives!
तस्मिन्गते महाश्वेतः शरीरात्तस्य निर्ययौ पृष्टश्चाह बलं विद्धि यतो वृत्तमहं ततः इत्युक्त्वा च ययौ तत्र यतो वृत्तं नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: After this one had left Prahlada, another being come out, giving vent to loud and deep cries. Addressed by Prahlada, he answered,-Know that I am Power. I live there where good works are.
ततः प्रभामयी देवी शरीरात्तस्य निर्ययौ तामपृच्छत्स दैत्येन्द्रः सा श्रीरित्येवमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Then the goddess of light emerged from his body. The lord of the demons asked her, and she said, "I am Lakshmi."
उषितास्मि सुखं वीर त्वयि सत्यपराक्रमे त्वया त्यक्ता गमिष्यामि बलं यत्र ततो ह्यहम्
AI Translation: I have lived happily, O hero, in you who are devoted to truth. Forsaken by you, I shall go to the army, for that is where I belong.
ततो भयं प्रादुरासीत्प्रह्रादस्य महात्मनः अपृच्छत च तां भूयः क्व यासि कमलालये
M. N. Dutt: The great Prahlada, stricken with fear, once more asked the goddess, saying,-Where do you go, O goddess, O you that live amid lotuses?
त्वं हि सत्यव्रता देवी लोकस्य परमेश्वरी कश्चासौ ब्राह्मणश्रेष्ठस्तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेदितुम्
M. N. Dutt: You are ever devoted to truth, O goddess, and you are the foremost of deities. Who is that foremost of Brahmanas? I wish to know the truth!
श्रीरुवाच स शक्रो ब्रह्मचारी च यस्त्वया चोपशिक्षितः त्रैलोक्ये ते यदैश्वर्यं तत्तेनापहृतं प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: The goddess of Prosperity said Practising the vow of Brahmacharya, that Brahmana who was instructed by you was Shakra. O foremost one, he robbed you of that sovereignty which you had over the three worlds.
शीलेन हि त्वया लोकाः सर्वे धर्मज्ञ निर्जिताः तद्विज्ञाय महेन्द्रेण तव शीलं हृतं प्रभो
M. N. Dutt: O Righteous one, it was by your conduct that you had reduced the three worlds to subjection. Knowing this the king of the gods robbed you of your conduct!
धर्मः सत्यं तथा वृत्तं बलं चैव तथा ह्यहम् शीलमूला महाप्राज्ञ सदा नास्त्यत्र संशयः
M. N. Dutt: Righteousness and Truth and good works and Power and myself, O you of great wisdom, all originate from conduct.
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्त्वा गता तु श्रीस्ते च सर्वे युधिष्ठिर दुर्योधनस्तु पितरं भूय एवाब्रवीदिदम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Having said these words, the goddess of Prosperity went away, as also all the rest, O Yudhishthira. Once more addressing his father.
शीलस्य तत्त्वमिच्छामि वेत्तुं कौरवनन्दन प्राप्यते च यथा शीलं तमुपायं वदस्व मे
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said O delighter of the Kurus, I wish to know the truth about conduct. Tell me the means by which it may be acquired.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच सोपायं पूर्वमुद्दिष्टं प्रह्रादेन महात्मना संक्षेपतस्तु शीलस्य शृणु प्राप्तिं नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Those means were described by the great Prahlada while discoursing to Indra. Listen, however, O king, as to how in brief conduct may be acquired.
अद्रोहः सर्वभूतेषु कर्मणा मनसा गिरा अनुग्रहश्च दानं च शीलमेतत्प्रशस्यते
M. N. Dutt: Abstention from injury, by act, thought, and word to all creatures, mercy, and gift, constitute the praise-worthy behaviour.
यदन्येषां हितं न स्यादात्मनः कर्म पौरुषम् अपत्रपेत वा येन न तत्कुर्यात्कथंचन
M. N. Dutt: That act or exertion which does not do good to other, or that act for which one has to feel shame, should never be done.
तत्तु कर्म तथा कुर्याद्येन श्लाघेत संसदि एतच्छीलं समासेन कथितं कुरुसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: That act, on the other hand, should be done for which one may be lauded in society. O best of the Kurus, I have now told you briefly as to what conduct is.
यद्यप्यशीला नृपते प्राप्नुवन्ति क्वचिच्छ्रियम् न भुञ्जते चिरं तात समूलाश्च पतन्ति ते
M. N. Dutt: If, O king, wicked persons do ever acquire prosperity, they do not enjoy it long, O son, and are soon rooted out.
एतद्विदित्वा तत्त्वेन शीलवान्भव पुत्रक यदीच्छसि श्रियं तात सुविशिष्टां युधिष्ठिरात्
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Knowing all this truly, do you, O son, be of good conduct, if you wish to obtain greater prosperity than Yudhishthira.'
Supplementary Passages:
12.124.68 After 68, Ś1 K1.2 D1 ins.: *288 जिता सभा शास्त्रवता समासा[? -मस्या] गोमता जिता अध्वा जितो यानवता सर्वं शीलवता जितम् On the other hand, D7 T G1.2.4 M ins. after 68: *289 अधिकां वापि राजेन्द्र ततस्त्वं शीलवान्भव
भीष्म उवाच एतत्कथितवान्पुत्रे धृतराष्ट्रो नराधिप एतत्कुरुष्व कौन्तेय ततः प्राप्स्यसि तत्फलम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said This was what king Dhritarashtra said to his son. Do you follow these instructions, O son of Kunti, and you will then surely acquire their fruit.