Mahabharata — Volume II (Dutt edition) — Chapter 208

MBh 2 208.1

मार्कण्डेय उवाच स तु विप्रमथोवाच धर्मव्याधो युधिष्ठिर। यदहमाचरे कर्म घोरमेतदसंशयम्॥

mārkaṇḍeya uvāca sa tu vipramathovāca dharmavyādho yudhiṣṭhira| yadahamācare karma ghorametadasaṃśayam||

Markandeya said : O Yudhishthira, that virtuous fowler then said to that Brahmana, “The acts that I perform are certainly cruel, there is no doubt.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.2

विधिस्तु बलवान् ब्रह्मन् दुस्तरं हि पुरा कृतम्। पुरा कृतस्य पापस्य कर्मदोषो भवत्ययम्॥

vidhistu balavān brahman dustaraṃ hi purā kṛtam| purā kṛtasya pāpasya karmadoṣo bhavatyayam||

O Brahmana, Destiny in all powerful; it is difficuit to overcome the consequences of our past actions. This is the Karma, evil arising from sins committed in a former life.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.3

दोषस्यैतस्य वै ब्रह्मन् विघाते यत्नवानहम्। विधिना हि हते पूर्वं निमित्तं घातको भवेत्॥

doṣasyaitasya vai brahman vighāte yatnavānaham| vidhinā hi hate pūrvaṃ nimittaṃ ghātako bhavet||

O Brahmana, I am always assiduous in eradicating this evil. The Destiny has already killed one when he is killed by another, the executioner is but an instrument.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.4

निमित्तभूता हि वयं कर्मणोऽस्य द्विजोत्तम। येषां हतानां मांसानि विक्रीणामीह वै द्विज॥ तेषामपि भवेद् धर्म उपयोगे न भक्षणे। देवतातिथिभृत्यानां पितृणां चापि पूजनम्॥

nimittabhūtā hi vayaṃ karmaṇo'sya dvijottama| yeṣāṃ hatānāṃ māṃsāni vikrīṇāmīha vai dvija|| teṣāmapi bhaved dharma upayoge na bhakṣaṇe| devatātithibhṛtyānāṃ pitṛṇāṃ cāpi pūjanam||

O foremost of Brahmanas, we are but such agents in consequence of our Karma, O twiceborn one, those animals that are killed and the most of which are sold, also acquire Karma, for the celestials the guests and servants are entertained and Pitris are gratified with this dainty food.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.5

ओषध्यो वीस्थश्चैव पशवो मृगपक्षिणः। अनादिभूता भूतानामित्यपि श्रूयते श्रुतिः॥

oṣadhyo vīsthaścaiva paśavo mṛgapakṣiṇaḥ| anādibhūtā bhūtānāmityapi śrūyate śrutiḥ||

It is mentioned in the Shruti that herbs, vegetables, deer, birds and the wild animals are the ordained food for all creatures.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.6

आत्ममांसप्रसादेन शिबिरौशीनरो नृपः। स्वर्ग सुदुर्गमं प्राप्तः क्षमावान् द्विजसत्तम॥

ātmamāṃsaprasādena śibirauśīnaro nṛpaḥ| svarga sudurgamaṃ prāptaḥ kṣamāvān dvijasattama||

O foremost of Brahmanas, the son of Ushinara, Shibi of great forbearance, obtained heaven which is very difficult to obtain, by giving away his own flesh.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.7

स्वधर्म इति कृत्वा तु न त्यजामि द्विजोत्तम। पुरा कृतमिति ज्ञात्वा जीवाम्येतेन कर्मणा॥

svadharma iti kṛtvā tu na tyajāmi dvijottama| purā kṛtamiti jñātvā jīvāmyetena karmaṇā||

O foremost of Brahmanas, knowing this to be the duty of my order, I do not give it up. Knowing this to be the result of my own acts, I earn my livelihood by doing it.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.8

स्वकर्म त्यजतो ब्रह्मन्नधर्म इह दृश्यते। स्वकर्मनिरतो यस्तु धर्मः स इति निश्चयः॥

svakarma tyajato brahmannadharma iha dṛśyate| svakarmanirato yastu dharmaḥ sa iti niścayaḥ||

O Brahmana, to abandon one's own duty is considered to be sin. To stick to one's own duty is certainly a meritorious act.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.9

पूर्वं हि विहितं कर्म देहिनं न विमुञ्चति। धात्रा विधिरयं दृष्टो बहुधा कर्मनिर्णये॥

pūrvaṃ hi vihitaṃ karma dehinaṃ na vimuñcati| dhātrā vidhirayaṃ dṛṣṭo bahudhā karmanirṇaye||

The acts done before (in one's own former birth) never leave any creature. In determining the various effects of Karma, the Creator did see it.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.10

द्रष्टव्या तु भवेत् प्रज्ञा क्रूरे कर्मणि वर्तता। कथं कर्म शुभं कुर्यां कथं मुच्ये पराभवात्॥

draṣṭavyā tu bhavet prajñā krūre karmaṇi vartatā| kathaṃ karma śubhaṃ kuryāṃ kathaṃ mucye parābhavāt||

A man, being under the influence of evil Karma, must always consider 'how he can done for his Karma and how he can extricate himself from an evil doom.'

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.11

कर्मणस्तस्य घोरस्य बहुधा निर्णयो भवेत्। दाने च सत्यवाक्ये च गुरुशुश्रूषणे तथा॥ द्विजातिपूजने चाहं धर्मे च निरतः सदा। अभिमानातिवादाभ्यां निवृत्तोऽस्मि द्विजोत्तम॥

karmaṇastasya ghorasya bahudhā nirṇayo bhavet| dāne ca satyavākye ca guruśuśrūṣaṇe tathā|| dvijātipūjane cāhaṃ dharme ca nirataḥ sadā| abhimānātivādābhyāṃ nivṛtto'smi dvijottama||

There are various ways in which evil Karma might be expiated, such as, by making gifts, by speaking truth and by serving the preceptor, by worshipping the order of the twice-born, by becoming devoted to virtue, free from pride and idle talk. O foremost of Brahmanas, I do these things.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.12

कृषि साध्विति मन्यन्ते तत्र हिंसा परा स्मृता। कर्षन्तो लाइलैः पुंसोध्नन्ति भूमिशयान् बहून्। जीवानन्यांश्च बहुशस्तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

kṛṣi sādhviti manyante tatra hiṃsā parā smṛtā| karṣanto lāilaiḥ puṃsodhnanti bhūmiśayān bahūn| jīvānanyāṃśca bahuśastatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

Agriculture is considered to be a praiseworthy occupation, but it is well-known that even in it great harm is done to animal life. In ploughing the ground, various creatures and animal lives are destroyed. What is your opinion on this matter?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.13

धान्यबीजानि यान्याहुज्ह्यादीनि द्विजोत्तम। सर्वाण्येतानि जीवानि तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

dhānyabījāni yānyāhujhyādīni dvijottama| sarvāṇyetāni jīvāni tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

O foremost of Brahmanas, Vrihi and other so called seeds of rice are all living organisms, what is your opinion on this matter?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.14

अध्याक्रम्य पशूश्चापि नन्ति वै भक्षयन्ति च। वृक्षांस्तथौषधीश्चापि छिन्दन्ति पुरुषा द्विज॥ जीवा हि बहवो ब्रह्मन् वृक्षेषु च फलेषु च। उदके बहवश्चापि तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

adhyākramya paśūścāpi nanti vai bhakṣayanti ca| vṛkṣāṃstathauṣadhīścāpi chindanti puruṣā dvija|| jīvā hi bahavo brahman vṛkṣeṣu ca phaleṣu ca| udake bahavaścāpi tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

O Brahmana, Men hunt wild animals and kill them to eat their meat; they also cut up trees and plants. O Brahmana, there are innumerable animal organisms in trees and fruits and also in water, do you not think so?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.15

सर्वं व्याप्तमिदं ब्रह्मन् प्राणिभिः प्राणिजीवनैः। मत्स्यान् चसन्ते मत्स्याश्च तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥ सत्त्वैः सत्त्वानि जीवन्ति बहुधा द्विजसत्तम। प्राणिनोऽन्योन्यभक्षाश्च तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

sarvaṃ vyāptamidaṃ brahman prāṇibhiḥ prāṇijīvanaiḥ| matsyān casante matsyāśca tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te|| sattvaiḥ sattvāni jīvanti bahudhā dvijasattama| prāṇino'nyonyabhakṣāśca tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

O Brahmana, the whole universe is full of animals and animal organisms. Do you not see that fish preys upon fish and various other species of animals prey on various other animals and there are also some who prey upon one another.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.16

चक्रम्यमाणा जीवांश्च धरणीसंश्रितान् बहून्। पद्भ्यां नन्ति नरा विप्र तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

cakramyamāṇā jīvāṃśca dharaṇīsaṃśritān bahūn| padbhyāṃ nanti narā vipra tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

O Brahmana, a man kills innumerable animals that live in the ground by trampling them by their feet. What have you to say to this?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.17

उपविष्टाः शयानाश्च मन्ति जीवाननेकशः। ज्ञानविज्ञानवन्तश्च तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

upaviṣṭāḥ śayānāśca manti jīvānanekaśaḥ| jñānavijñānavantaśca tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

Even wise and learned men kill many animals in various ways when sleeping or resting. What have you to say to this?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.18

जीदैर्चस्तमिदं सर्वमाकाशं पृथिवी तथा। अविज्ञानाच्च हिंसन्ति तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

jīdaircastamidaṃ sarvamākāśaṃ pṛthivī tathā| avijñānācca hiṃsanti tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

The earth and the sky are all full of animal organisms. Which are unconsciously killed by men from ignorance, what have you to say to this?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.19

अहिंसेति यदुक्तं हि पुरुषैर्विस्मितैः पुरा। के न हिंसन्ति जीवान् वैलोकेऽस्मिन् द्विजसत्तम बहु संचित्य इति वै नास्ति कश्चिदहिंसकः॥

ahiṃseti yaduktaṃ hi puruṣairvismitaiḥ purā| ke na hiṃsanti jīvān vailoke'smin dvijasattama bahu saṃcitya iti vai nāsti kaścidahiṃsakaḥ||

O foremost of men, who is there on earth who does not do harm to any creature? After full consideration, this is the conclusion (that I have come to that there is none who has not killed an animal.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.20

अहिंसायां तु निरता यतयो द्विजसत्तम। कुर्वन्त्येव हि हिंसां ते यत्नादल्पतरा भवेत्॥

ahiṃsāyāṃ tu niratā yatayo dvijasattama| kurvantyeva hi hiṃsāṃ te yatnādalpatarā bhavet||

O foremost of Brahmanas, even the Rishis whose vows are not to destroy animals, (do destroy animals). Only on account of their very great care, they commit less destruction (of animals).

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.21

आलक्ष्याश्चैव पुरुषाः कुले जाता महागुणाः। महाघोराणि कर्माणि कृत्वा लज्जन्ति वै द्विज॥

ālakṣyāścaiva puruṣāḥ kule jātā mahāguṇāḥ| mahāghorāṇi karmāṇi kṛtvā lajjanti vai dvija||

Men of noble birth and great accomplishment perpetrate wicked acts in defiance of all and they are not ashamed of it.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.22

सुहृदः सुहृदोऽन्यांश्च दुर्हदश्चापि दुहृदः। सम्यक प्रवृत्तान् पुरुषान् न सम्यगनुपश्यतः॥

suhṛdaḥ suhṛdo'nyāṃśca durhadaścāpi duhṛdaḥ| samyaka pravṛttān puruṣān na samyaganupaśyataḥ||

Good men acting in an exemplary way are not praised by other good men, nor bad men acting in a contrary way are praised by other wicked men.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.23

समृद्धैश्च न नन्दन्ति बान्धवा बान्धवैरपि। गुरूंश्चैव विनिन्दन्ति मूढाः पण्डितमानिनः॥

samṛddhaiśca na nandanti bāndhavā bāndhavairapi| gurūṃścaiva vinindanti mūḍhāḥ paṇḍitamāninaḥ||

Friends are not agreeable to friends, however accomplished they might be. Foolish pedantic men (ever) find fault with the virtue of their preceptors.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.24

बहु लोके विपर्यस्तं दृश्यते द्विजसत्तम। धर्मयुक्तमधर्मं च तत्र किं प्रतिभाति ते॥

bahu loke viparyastaṃ dṛśyate dvijasattama| dharmayuktamadharmaṃ ca tatra kiṃ pratibhāti te||

Such reverses of the natural orders of things, O foremost of Brahmanas, are always seen (in this world). What is your opinion as to the virtuousness or otherwise of this state of things?

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 2 208.25

वक्तुं बहुविधं शक्यं धर्माधर्मेषु कर्मसु। स्वकर्मनिरतो यो ह स यशः प्राप्नुयान्महत्॥

vaktuṃ bahuvidhaṃ śakyaṃ dharmādharmeṣu karmasu| svakarmanirato yo ha sa yaśaḥ prāpnuyānmahat||

There can be said many things as regards the goodness or the badness of our actions. But he who sticks to the Dharma of his own order acquires great fame.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)