Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच मित्रसौहृदभावेन उपदेशं करोति यः जात्यावरस्य राजर्षे दोषस्तस्य भवेन्न वा
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said I wish to know, O royal sage, whether any sin is committed by one who from interested or disinterested friendship delivers instructions to a person of a low order of birth.
एतदिच्छामि तत्त्वेन व्याख्यातुं वै पितामह सूक्ष्मा गतिर्हि धर्मस्य यत्र मुह्यन्ति मानवाः
M. N. Dutt: O grandfather, I wish to hear this explained to me in full. The course of duty is highly subtile. Men are often seen to be stupefied about that course.
भीष्म उवाच अत्र ते वर्तयिष्यामि शृणु राजन्यथागमम् ऋषीणां वदतां पूर्वं श्रुतमासीद्यथा मया
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said About it, o king, I shall recite to you, in due order, what I heard certain Rishis say in days of yore.
Supplementary Passages:
13.10.3 After 3ab, T2.3 G1.3.4 ins.: *53 दुरुक्तं वचनं राजन्यथान्यायं यथागतम्
उपदेशो न कर्तव्यो जातिहीनस्य कस्यचित् उपदेशे महान्दोष उपाध्यायस्य भाष्यते
M. N. Dutt: Instruction should not be given to one who belongs to a low or degraded caste. It is said that the preceptor who delivers instruction to such a person commits great sin.
Supplementary Passages:
13.10.4 After 4, S (except M4) ins.: *54 नाध्यापयेच्छूद्रमिह तथा नैव च याजयेत्
निदर्शनमिदं राजञ्शृणु मे भरतर्षभ दुरुक्तवचने राजन्यथा पूर्वं युधिष्ठिर ब्रह्माश्रमपदे वृत्तं पार्श्वे हिमवतः शुभे
M. N. Dutt: Listen to me, O chief of Bharatas, as I recite to you, O Yudhishthira, this incident which took place in days of yore, o king, of the evil consequences of imparting of instruction to a lowborn person fallen into distress.
तत्राश्रमपदं पुण्यं नानावृक्षगणायुतम् बहुगुल्मलताकीर्णं मृगद्विजनिषेवितम्
AI Translation: There was a sacred hermitage, full of many trees, covered with many bushes and creepers, frequented by deer and birds.
सिद्धचारणसंघुष्टं रम्यं पुष्पितकाननम् व्रतिभिर्बहुभिः कीर्णं तापसैरुपशोभितम्
AI Translation: Filled with Siddhas and Cāraṇas, beautiful with flowering groves, Filled with many ascetics, adorned with hermits,
ब्राह्मणैश्च महाभागैः सूर्यज्वलनसंनिभैः नियमव्रतसंपन्नैः समाकीर्णं तपस्विभिः दीक्षितैर्भरतश्रेष्ठ यताहारैः कृतात्मभिः
M. N. Dutt: Ascetics of various kinds, observant of various restraints and vows, as also others, O king of the Bharatas, who had gone through initiatory rites and were frugal in fare and possessed of purified souls, lived there.
वेदाध्ययनघोषैश्च नादितं भरतर्षभ वालखिल्यैश्च बहुभिर्यतिभिश्च निषेवितम्
M. N. Dutt: Large numbers of Valikhilyas and inany who observed the vow of Sanyasa also, used to live there. On account of all this, the hermitage resounded with the recitation of the Vedas and the sacred Mantras uttered by its dwellers.
तत्र कश्चित्समुत्साहं कृत्वा शूद्रो दयान्वितः आगतो ह्याश्रमपदं पूजितश्च तपस्विभिः
M. N. Dutt: Once upon a time a Shudra endued with mercy for all creatures, ventured to come into that herinitage. Arrived at that retreat, he was duiy honoured by all the ascetics.
तांस्तु दृष्ट्वा मुनिगणान्देवकल्पान्महौजसः वहतो विविधा दीक्षाः संप्रहृष्यत भारत
M. N. Dutt: Seeing those ascetics of diverse classes who were endued with great energy, that resembled the gods, and who were observing diverse kinds of initiation, O Bharata, the Shudra became highly pleased at heart.
अथास्य बुद्धिरभवत्तपस्ये भरतर्षभ ततोऽब्रवीत्कुलपतिं पादौ संगृह्य भारत
AI Translation: Then his mind was set on asceticism, O bull among the Bharatas. Then he said to the family priest, O descendant of Bharata, having grasped his feet,
भवत्प्रसादादिच्छामि धर्मं चर्तुं द्विजर्षभ तन्मां त्वं भगवन्वक्तुं प्रव्राजयितुमर्हसि
AI Translation: By your grace, O best of Brahmanas, I wish to practice Dharma. Therefore, O Lord, you should grant me permission to renounce.
वर्णावरोऽहं भगवञ्शूद्रो जात्यास्मि सत्तम शुश्रूषां कर्तुमिच्छामि प्रपन्नाय प्रसीद मे
M. N. Dutt: I am certainly inferior in colour, O illustrious one, for I am by caste a Shudra, O best of men! I wish to wait upon and serve you here. Be pleased with me who humbly seek your shelter.
कुलपतिरुवाच न शक्यमिह शूद्रेण लिङ्गमाश्रित्य वर्तितुम् आस्यतां यदि ते बुद्धिः शुश्रूषानिरतो भव
M. N. Dutt: The Kulapati said It is impossible that a Shudra should live here following the life of Renunciation. If it pleases you, you may stay here and serve us. Forsooth, by such service you shall acquire many regions of great happiness.
Supplementary Passages:
13.10.15 V1 B1-4 Dn D2.4.5.8.10 ins. after 15: B5 after 15abc: *55 शुश्रूषया पराँल्लोकानवाप्स्यसि न संशयः
भीष्म उवाच एवमुक्तस्तु मुनिना स शूद्रोऽचिन्तयन्नृप कथमत्र मया कार्यं श्रद्धा धर्मे परा च मे विज्ञातमेवं भवतु करिष्ये प्रियमात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by the ascetic, the Shudra began to think in his mind, o king How should I now act? I have great reverence for those religious duties which lead to merit.
गत्वाश्रमपदाद्दूरमुटजं कृतवांस्तु सः तत्र वेदिं च भूमिं च देवतायतनानि च निवेश्य भरतश्रेष्ठ नियमस्थोऽभवत्सुखम्
M. N. Dutt: Erecting also a sacrificial platform and making a little room for his sleep, and some platforms for the use of the gods, he began, O chief of the Bharatas, to lead a life governed by rigid observances and vows and to practise penances, abstaining entirely from speech.
अभिषेकांश्च नियमान्देवतायतनेषु च बलिं च कृत्वा हुत्वा च देवतां चाप्यपूजयत्
M. N. Dutt: He began to perform ablutions thrice a day, observe other vows, make sacrifices to the gods, pour libations on the sacrificial fire, and adore and worship the gods in this way.
संकल्पनियमोपेतः फलाहारो जितेन्द्रियः नित्यं संनिहिताभिश्च ओषधीभिः फलैस्तथा
AI Translation: One who is endowed with the discipline of resolve, who eats fruits, and who has conquered the senses, And who is always in the presence of herbs and fruits,
अतिथीन्पूजयामास यथावत्समुपागतान् एवं हि सुमहान्कालो व्यत्यक्रामत्स तस्य वै
AI Translation: He worshipped the guests who had come as they deserved. Thus a very long time passed for him.
अथास्य मुनिरागच्छत्संगत्या वै तमाश्रमम् संपूज्य स्वागतेनर्षिं विधिवत्पर्यतोषयत्
M. N. Dutt: One day an ascetic came to that Shudra's asylum for making his acquaintance. The Sudra welcomed and adored the Rishi with due rites, and pleased him highly.
अनुकूलाः कथाः कृत्वा यथावत्पर्यपृच्छत ऋषिः परमतेजस्वी धर्मात्मा संयतेन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: Possessed of great energy, and a righteous soul, that Rishi of rigid vows conversed with his host on many agreeable subjects and informed him of the place whence he had come.
एवं स बहुशस्तस्य शूद्रस्य भरतर्षभ सोऽगच्छदाश्रममृषिः शूद्रं द्रष्टुं नरर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: In this way, O chief of the Bharatas, that Rishi, O best of men, came into the hermitage of the Shudra in numerable times for seeing him.
अथ तं तापसं शूद्रः सोऽब्रवीद्भरतर्षभ पितृकार्यं करिष्यामि तत्र मेऽनुग्रहं कुरु
M. N. Dutt: On one of these occasions the Shudra, O king, addressing the Rishi, said I wish to perform the rites that are ordained for the Pitris. Do you show me kindness in this matter.
बाढमित्येव तं विप्र उवाच भरतर्षभ शुचिर्भूत्वा स शूद्रस्तु तस्यर्षेः पाद्यमानयत्
AI Translation: "The Brāhmaṇa said, ""So be it,"" to the king, O bull of the Bharata race. The Śūdra, having become pure, brought water for the sage's feet.
Supplementary Passages:
13.10.25 T1 G (G1 partly damaged) ins. after 25ab: T2 after 23ab: T3 after 24: *56 अथ ग्राहयितुं विप्रं शूद्रो नीवारतण्डुलान् For 25cd, G4 subst.: *57 शुचिर्भूत्वा नमस्कृत्य तस्य पाद्यमथानयत्
अथ दर्भांश्च वन्याश्च ओषधीर्भरतर्षभ पवित्रमासनं चैव बृसीं च समुपानयत्
AI Translation: Then, O bull among the Bharatas, he brought darbha grass, wild herbs, a seat, a mat, and a stool.
अथ दक्षिणमावृत्य बृसीं परमशीर्षिकाम् कृतामन्यायतो दृष्ट्वा ततस्तमृषिरब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Then, having turned to the right, he saw the seat with the supreme head. Seeing it done in the wrong way, the sage then said to him,
कुरुष्वैतां पूर्वशीर्षां भव चोदङ्मुखः शुचिः स च तत्कृतवाञ्शूद्रः सर्वं यदृषिरब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Make this your eastern head, and be facing north, pure. And the Śūdra did all that the sage had said.
यथोपदिष्टं मेधावी दर्भादींस्तान्यथातथम् हव्यकव्यविधिं कृत्स्नमुक्तं तेन तपस्विना
AI Translation: As instructed, the wise one should perform the rites with darbha grass and other things, as appropriate. The entire procedure for offerings to the gods and ancestors has been described by that ascetic.
ऋषिणा पितृकार्ये च स च धर्मपथे स्थितः पितृकार्ये कृते चापि विसृष्टः स जगाम ह
AI Translation: He was established in the path of righteousness by the sage for the sake of his father. And when the rite for the father was performed, he was dismissed and went.
अथ दीर्घस्य कालस्य स तप्यञ्शूद्रतापसः वने पञ्चत्वमगमत्सुकृतेन च तेन वै अजायत महाराजराजवंशे महाद्युतिः
AI Translation: Then, after a long time, that ascetic Śūdra, while wandering in the forest, attained death, and by his good deeds, was born in the family of a great king, of great splendor.
तथैव स ऋषिस्तात कालधर्ममवाप्य ह पुरोहितकुले विप्र आजातो भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Similarly, O son, that sage, having attained the law of time, was born in the family of the priest, O best of the Bharata lineage.
एवं तौ तत्र संभूतावुभौ शूद्रमुनी तदा क्रमेण वर्धितौ चापि विद्यासु कुशलावुभौ
AI Translation: Thus, those two became ascetics of the Śūdra caste at that time. Gradually, they both grew up and became skilled in the arts.
अथर्ववेदे वेदे च बभूवर्षिः सुनिश्चितः कल्पप्रयोगे चोत्पन्ने ज्योतिषे च परं गतः सख्ये चापि परा प्रीतिस्तयोश्चापि व्यवर्धत
M. N. Dutt: The reborn Rishi gained great perfection in all sacrifices ordained in the Sutras, of the Vedanga which deals with religious rites and observances, astrology and astronomy. He took great pleasure in the Sankhya philosophy too.
पितर्युपरते चापि कृतशौचः स भारत अभिषिक्तः प्रकृतिभी राजपुत्रः स पार्थिवः अभिषिक्तेन स ऋषिरभिषिक्तः पुरोहितः
M. N. Dutt: Meanwhile, the reborn Shudra who had become a prince, when his father the king died, performed his last rites; and after he had purified himself by performing all the obsequial rites, he was installed by the subjects of his father as their king on his paternal throne.
स तं पुरोधाय सुखमवसद्भरतर्षभ राज्यं शशास धर्मेण प्रजाश्च परिपालयन्
AI Translation: Having appointed him as his priest, the bull among the Bharatas lived happily. He ruled the kingdom righteously and protected the subjects.
पुण्याहवाचने नित्यं धर्मकार्येषु चासकृत् उत्स्मयन्प्राहसच्चापि दृष्ट्वा राजा पुरोहितम् एवं स बहुशो राजन्पुरोधसमुपाहसत्
M. N. Dutt: He ruled his kingdom piously and protected and maintained all his subject. Every day, however, the king, seeing his priest on the occasion of receiving benedictions from him as also of the performance of religious and other sacred rites, smiled or laughed loudly. In this way, O king, the reborn Shudra who had become a king, laughed at seeing his priest on numberless occasions.
लक्षयित्वा पुरोधास्तु बहुशस्तं नराधिपम् उत्स्मयन्तं च सततं दृष्ट्वासौ मन्युमानभूत्
M. N. Dutt: The priest, marking that the king always smiled or laughed whenever he happened to look at him, became angry.
अथ शून्ये पुरोधास्तु सह राज्ञा समागतः कथाभिरनुकूलाभी राजानमभिरामयत्
M. N. Dutt: On one occasion he met the king in a place where there was nobody present. He pleased the king by agreeable conversation.
ततोऽब्रवीन्नरेन्द्रं स पुरोधा भरतर्षभ वरमिच्छाम्यहं त्वेकं त्वया दत्तं महाद्युते
M. N. Dutt: Taking advantage of that moment, О chief of Bharata's race, the priest addressed the king, saying you of great splendour, I pray you to grant me a single boon.
राजोवाच वराणां ते शतं दद्यां किमुतैकं द्विजोत्तम स्नेहाच्च बहुमानाच्च नास्त्यदेयं हि मे तव
M. N. Dutt: The king said Of boons, O best of twiceborn persons, I am ready to grant you a hundred, what do you say then of one only? From the affection I have for you and the reverence in which I hold you, there is nothing that I cannot give you.
पुरोहित उवाच एकं वै वरमिच्छामि यदि तुष्टोऽसि पार्थिव यद्ददासि महाराज सत्यं तद्वद मानृतम्
M. N. Dutt: The priest said I wish to have only one boon, if, O king, you have been pleased with me. Promise that you would tell me the truth, instead of any untruth.
भीष्म उवाच बाढमित्येव तं राजा प्रत्युवाच युधिष्ठिर यदि ज्ञास्यामि वक्ष्यामि अजानन्न तु संवदे
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma said Thus addressed by the priest, O Yudhishthira, the king said to himSo be it! If I know what you would ask me, I shall certainly tell you truly. If, on the other hand, I do not know it, I shall not say anything.
पुरोहित उवाच पुण्याहवाचने नित्यं धर्मकृत्येषु चासकृत् शान्तिहोमेषु च सदा किं त्वं हससि वीक्ष्य माम्
M. N. Dutt: The priest said Every day, on occasions of receiving benedictions from me, when, again, I am engaged in the performance of religious rites, on your behalf, on occasions also of the Homa and other rites of propitiation, why do you laugh upon seeing me?
सव्रीडं वै भवति हि मनो मे हसता त्वया कामया शापितो राजन्नान्यथा वक्तुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: Seeing you laugh at me on all occasions, my mind shrinks with shame, I have made you promise, O king, that you would answer me truly. You should not tell an untruth.
भाव्यं हि कारणेनात्र न ते हास्यमकारणम् कौतूहलं मे सुभृशं तत्त्वेन कथयस्व मे
M. N. Dutt: There must be some grave reason for your conduct. Your laughter cannot be causeless. I have great curiosity to know the reason. Do you speak truly to me.
राजोवाच एवमुक्ते त्वया विप्र यदवाच्यं भवेदपि अवश्यमेव वक्तव्यं शृणुष्वैकमना द्विज
M. N. Dutt: The king said While you have thus accosted me, o twiceborn one, I am bound to enlighten you even if the matter be one that should not be given out to you! I must tell you the truth. Do you listen to me with rapt attention, O twiceborn one.
पूर्वदेहे यथा वृत्तं तन्निबोध द्विजोत्तम जातिं स्मराम्यहं ब्रह्मन्नवधानेन मे शृणु
M. N. Dutt: Listen, O foremost of twiceborn persons, to me as I give out to you what took place (to us) in our pristine births. I remember that birth. Do you listen to me with concentrated mind.
शूद्रोऽहमभवं पूर्वं तापसो भृशसंयुतः ऋषिरुग्रतपास्त्वं च तदाभूर्द्विजसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: In my former life I was a Shudra engaged in the practice of severe penances. You, O best of twiceborn persons, were a Rishi of austere penances.
प्रीयता हि तदा ब्रह्मन्ममानुग्रहबुद्धिना पितृकार्ये त्वया पूर्वमुपदेशः कृतोऽनघ बृस्यां दर्भेषु हव्ये च कव्ये च मुनिसत्तम
M. N. Dutt: O sinless one, pleased with me, and moved by the desire of doing me good, you, O Brahmana, were pleased to give me certain instruction about the rites I performed in honour of my departed manes.
एतेन कर्मदोषेण पुरोधास्त्वमजायथाः अहं राजा च विप्रेन्द्र पश्य कालस्य पर्ययम् मत्कृते ह्युपदेशेन त्वया प्राप्तमिदं फलम्
M. N. Dutt: I have taken birth as a king, O foremost of Brahinanas. See the changes that Time encompasses. You have reaped this fruit on account of your having instructed me.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्ब्रह्मन्प्रहसे त्वां द्विजोत्तम न त्वां परिभवन्ब्रह्मन्प्रहसामि गुरुर्भवान्
M. N. Dutt: It is for this reason, O Brahmana, that I smile at seeing you, O foremost of twiceborn persons. I do not certainly laugh at you from desire of disregarding you. You are my preceptor.
विपर्ययेण मे मन्युस्तेन संतप्यते मनः जातिं स्मराम्यहं तुभ्यमतस्त्वां प्रहसामि वै
M. N. Dutt: I am really very sorry at this change of condition. My heart burns at the thought. I remember our former births, hence do I laugh at seeing you.
एवं तवोग्रं हि तप उपदेशेन नाशितम् पुरोहितत्वमुत्सृज्य यतस्व त्वं पुनर्भवे
M. N. Dutt: Your austere penances were all destroyed by the instructions you gave me. Removing your present office of priest, do you try to regain a superior birth.
इतस्त्वमधमामन्यां मा योनिं प्राप्स्यसे द्विज गृह्यतां द्रविणं विप्र पूतात्मा भव सत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Do you exert so that you may not obtain in your next life a birth meaner than your present one. Take as much riches as you wish, O learned Brahmana, and purify your soul, O best of men.
भीष्म उवाच ततो विसृष्टो राज्ञा तु विप्रो दानान्यनेकशः ब्राह्मणेभ्यो ददौ वित्तं भूमिं ग्रामांश्च सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma continued Dismissed by the king, the Brahmana made many gifts, to persons of his own order, of riches and land and villages.
कृच्छ्राणि चीर्त्वा च ततो यथोक्तानि द्विजोत्तमः तीर्थानि चाभिगत्वा वै दानानि विविधानि च
M. N. Dutt: He observed many rigid and severe vows as laid down by the foremost of Brahmanas. He sojourned to many sacred waters and made many gifts to Brahmanas in those places.
दत्त्वा गाश्चैव विप्राणां पूतात्मा सोऽभवद्द्विजः तमेव चाश्रमं गत्वा चचार विपुलं तपः
M. N. Dutt: Making gifts of kine to persons of the twiceborn order, his soul became purified and he succeeded in gaining a knowledge of it. Going to that very asylum where he had lived in his former birth, he practised very severe penances.
ततः सिद्धिं परां प्राप्तो ब्राह्मणो राजसत्तम संमतश्चाभवत्तेषामाश्रमेऽऽश्रमवासिनाम्
M. N. Dutt: As the result of all this, O foremost of kings, that Brahmana gained the highest success. He became an object of respect with all the ascetics who lived in that asylum.
एवं प्राप्तो महत्कृच्छ्रमृषिः स नृपसत्तम ब्राह्मणेन न वक्तव्यं तस्माद्वर्णावरे जने
M. N. Dutt: In this way, O best of kings, that twice born Rishi fell into great distress. The Brahmana should, therefore, never give instructions to Shudras.
वर्जयेदुपदेशं च सदैव ब्राह्मणो नृप उपदेशं हि कुर्वाणो द्विजः कृच्छ्रमवाप्नुयात्
AI Translation: A brahmin should always avoid giving advice, O king. For by giving advice, a brahmin would incur hardship.
एषितव्यं सदा वाचा नृपेण द्विजसत्तमात् न प्रवक्तव्यमिह हि किंचिद्वर्णावरे जने
AI Translation: The king should always seek advice from the best of Brahmins. Nothing should be spoken to the lower castes.
ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्यास्त्रयो वर्णा द्विजातयः एतेषु कथयन्राजन्ब्राह्मणो न प्रदुष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Brahmanas and Kshatriyas and Vaishyas, these three orders, are considered as twice born. By delivering instruction to these, a Brahmana does not commit any sin.
तस्मात्सद्भिर्न वक्तव्यं कस्यचित्किंचिदग्रतः सूक्ष्मा गतिर्हि धर्मस्य दुर्ज्ञेया ह्यकृतात्मभिः
M. N. Dutt: They, therefore, who are good, should never discourse on any subject, for giving any instruction, before persons of the inferior caste. The course of morality is highly subtle and incapable of being understood by persons of uncleansed soul.
तस्मान्मौनानि मुनयो दीक्षां कुर्वन्ति चादृताः दुरुक्तस्य भयाद्राजन्नानुभाषन्ति किंचन
M. N. Dutt: It is for this reason that ascetics adopt the vow of silence, and, honoured by all, pass through initiation without speaking a single word, For fear of saying what is incorrect or what may offend, ascetics never utter a single word.
धार्मिका गुणसंपन्नाः सत्यार्जवपरायणाः दुरुक्तवाचाभिहताः प्राप्नुवन्तीह दुष्कृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Even men who are righteous and endued with every accomplishment, and truth and simplicity of conduct, have been known to commit great sin on account of words spoken improperly.
उपदेशो न कर्तव्यः कदाचिदपि कस्यचित् उपदेशाद्धि तत्पापं ब्राह्मणः समवाप्नुयात्
M. N. Dutt: Instruction should never be given on anything to any person. If on account of the instructions given, the instructed cominit any sin, that sin attaches to the Brahmana who gave the instruction.
विमृश्य तस्मात्प्राज्ञेन वक्तव्यं धर्ममिच्छता सत्यानृतेन हि कृत उपदेशो हिनस्ति वै
M. N. Dutt: The wise man, therefore, who wishes to acquire merit, should always act with wisdom. That instruction which is given in exchange for money always sullies the instructor.
वक्तव्यमिह पृष्टेन विनिश्चित्य विपर्ययम् स चोपदेशः कर्तव्यो येन धर्ममवाप्नुयात्
M. N. Dutt: Requested by others, one should say only what is correct after determining it with the help of reflection. One should give instruction in such a way that one may, by giving it, acquire merit.
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातमुपदेशे कृते सति महान्क्लेशो हि भवति तस्मान्नोपदिशेत्क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: I have thus told you everything about instructions very often persons become plunged into great afflictions on account of giving instruction. Hence it is proper that one should abstain from giving instruction to others.