Mahabharata — Volume VII (Dutt edition) — Chapter 91

MBh 7 91.1

उतथ्य उवाच कालवीं च पर्जन्यो धर्मचारी च पार्थिवः। सम्पद् यदेषा भवति सा बिभति सुखं प्रजाः॥

utathya uvāca kālavīṃ ca parjanyo dharmacārī ca pārthivaḥ| sampad yadeṣā bhavati sā bibhati sukhaṃ prajāḥ||

Utatthya said If the god of the clouds pours rain in season and the king acts virtuously, the prosperity that comes keeps the subjects in happiness.

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

MBh 7 91.2

यो न जानाति हर्तुं वा वस्त्राणां रजको मलम्। रक्तानां वा शोधयितुं यथा नास्ति तथैव सः॥

yo na jānāti hartuṃ vā vastrāṇāṃ rajako malam| raktānāṃ vā śodhayituṃ yathā nāsti tathaiva saḥ||

That washerman who does not know how to wash away the dirt of cloth without destroying its dye, is very unskilful in his profession.

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

MBh 7 91.3

एवमेतद् द्विजेन्द्राणां क्षत्रियाणां विशां तथा। शूद्रश्चतुर्थो वर्णानां नानाकर्मस्ववस्थितः॥

evametad dvijendrāṇāṃ kṣatriyāṇāṃ viśāṃ tathā| śūdraścaturtho varṇānāṃ nānākarmasvavasthitaḥ||

That person among Brahmanas Kshatriyas or Vaishyas who, having deviated from the proper duties of his caste, has become a Shudra, is truly to be compared to such a washerman.

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

MBh 7 91.4

कर्म शूद्रे कृषिवैश्ये दण्डनीतिश्च राजनि। ब्रह्मचर्यं तपो मन्त्राः सत्यं चापि द्विजातिषु॥

karma śūdre kṛṣivaiśye daṇḍanītiśca rājani| brahmacaryaṃ tapo mantrāḥ satyaṃ cāpi dvijātiṣu||

Menial service is the duty of the Shudra; agriculture is that of the Vaishya; the science of punishment of the Kshatriya and Brahmacharya, penances, Mantras, and truth, belong to the Brahmana. or

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

MBh 7 91.5

तेषां यः क्षत्रियो वेद वस्त्राणामिव शोधनम्। शीलदोषान् विनिर्हर्तुं स पिता स प्रजापतिः॥

teṣāṃ yaḥ kṣatriyo veda vastrāṇāmiva śodhanam| śīladoṣān vinirhartuṃ sa pitā sa prajāpatiḥ||

That Kshatriya who knows how to correct the wrong-doings of the other castes and to wash them clean like a washerman, is really their father and deserves to be their king.

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

MBh 7 91.6

कृतं त्रेता द्वापरं च कलिश्च भरतर्षभ। राजवृत्तानि सर्वाणि राजैव युगमुच्यते॥

kṛtaṃ tretā dvāparaṃ ca kaliśca bharatarṣabha| rājavṛttāni sarvāṇi rājaiva yugamucyate||

The various cycles called Krita, Treta, Dvapara, and Kali, O foremost of Bharata's race, all depend on the conduct of the king. It is the king who makes the cycles.

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

MBh 7 91.7

चातुर्वण्र्यं तथा वेदाश्चातुराश्रम्यमेव च। सर्वं प्रमुह्यते ह्येतद् यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति॥

cāturvaṇryaṃ tathā vedāścāturāśramyameva ca| sarvaṃ pramuhyate hyetad yadā rājā pramādyati||

The four castes, the Vedas, and the duties of the four modes of life, all suffer from confusion and weakness when the king becomes heedless.

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

MBh 7 91.8

अग्नित्रेता त्रयी विद्या यज्ञाश्च सहदक्षिणाः। सर्व एव प्रमाद्यन्ति यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति॥

agnitretā trayī vidyā yajñāśca sahadakṣiṇāḥ| sarva eva pramādyanti yadā rājā pramādyati||

The three kinds of fire, the three Vedas, and sacrifices with Dakshina, all disappear when the king becomes careless.

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

MBh 7 91.9

राजैव कर्ता भूतानां राजैव च विनाशकः। धर्मात्मा यः स कर्ता स्यादधर्मात्मा विनाशकः॥

rājaiva kartā bhūtānāṃ rājaiva ca vināśakaḥ| dharmātmā yaḥ sa kartā syādadharmātmā vināśakaḥ||

The king is the creator of all creatures, and is their destroyer. That righteous king is regarded as the creator, while the sinful one is regarded as the destroyer.

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

MBh 7 91.10

राज्ञो भार्याश्च पुत्राश्च बान्धवाः सुहृदस्तथा। समेत्य सर्वे शोचन्ति यदा राजा प्रमाद्यति॥

rājño bhāryāśca putrāśca bāndhavāḥ suhṛdastathā| sametya sarve śocanti yadā rājā pramādyati||

The king's wives, sons, kinsmen, and friends, all become unhappy and grieve when the king becomes careless.

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

MBh 7 91.11

हस्तिनोऽश्वाश्च गावचाप्युष्ट्राश्वतरगर्दभाः। अधर्मभूते नृपतौ सर्वे सीदन्ति जन्तवः॥

hastino'śvāśca gāvacāpyuṣṭrāśvataragardabhāḥ| adharmabhūte nṛpatau sarve sīdanti jantavaḥ||

Elephants, horses, kine, camels, mules, asses and other animals all lose their vigour when the king becomes sinful.

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

MBh 7 91.12

दुर्बलार्थं वलं सृष्टं धात्रा मान्धातरुच्यते। अबलं तु महद्भूतं यस्मिन् सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्॥

durbalārthaṃ valaṃ sṛṣṭaṃ dhātrā māndhātarucyate| abalaṃ tu mahadbhūtaṃ yasmin sarvaṃ pratiṣṭhitam||

It is said, O Mandhatri, that the Creator created Power for for protecting Weakness. Weakness is, really, a great being, for every thing depends upon it.

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

MBh 7 91.13

यच्च भूतं सम्भजते ये च भूतास्तदन्वयाः। अधर्मस्थे हि नृपतौ सर्वे शोचन्ति पार्थिव॥

yacca bhūtaṃ sambhajate ye ca bhūtāstadanvayāḥ| adharmasthe hi nṛpatau sarve śocanti pārthiva||

All creatures adore the king. All creatures are the children of the king. If, therefore, O monarch, the king becomes unrighteous, all creatures meet with ruin.

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

MBh 7 91.14

दुर्बलस्य च यच्चक्षुर्मुनेराशीविषस्य च। अविषह्यतमं मन्ये मा स्म दुर्बलमासदः॥

durbalasya ca yaccakṣurmunerāśīviṣasya ca| aviṣahyatamaṃ manye mā sma durbalamāsadaḥ||

The eyes of the Weak, of the Muni, and of the venomous snake, should be considered as unbearable. Do not, therefore, meet the Weak as you would do an enemy.

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

MBh 7 91.15

दुर्बलांस्तात बुध्येथा नित्यमेवाविमानितान्। मा त्वां दुर्बलचढूंषि प्रदहेयुः सबान्धवम्॥

durbalāṃstāta budhyethā nityamevāvimānitān| mā tvāṃ durbalacaḍhūṃṣi pradaheyuḥ sabāndhavam||

You should regard the Weak as being subject to humiliation. Take care that the eyes of the Weak do not burn you with your kinsmen.

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

MBh 7 91.16

न हि दुर्बलदग्धस्य कुले किंचित् प्ररोहति। आमूलं निर्दहन्त्येव मा स्म दुर्बलमासदः॥

na hi durbaladagdhasya kule kiṃcit prarohati| āmūlaṃ nirdahantyeva mā sma durbalamāsadaḥ||

In a family scorched by the eyes of the Weak, no children are born. Such eyes burn the family to its very roots. Do not, therefore, treat the weak inimically.

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

MBh 7 91.17

अबलं वै बलाच्छ्रेयो यच्चातिबलवबलम्। बलस्याबलदग्धस्य न किंचिदवशिष्यते॥

abalaṃ vai balācchreyo yaccātibalavabalam| balasyābaladagdhasya na kiṃcidavaśiṣyate||

Weakness is more powerful than even the greatest Power, for that Power which is scorched by Weakness is absolutely rotted out.

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

MBh 7 91.18

विमानितो हतः क्रुश्स्त्रातारं चेन विन्दति। अमानुषकृतस्तत्र दण्डो हन्ति नराधिपम्॥

vimānito hataḥ kruśstrātāraṃ cena vindati| amānuṣakṛtastatra daṇḍo hanti narādhipam||

If a person, who has been humiliated or struck, fails, while crying for help, to get a protector, divine punishment over takes the king and brings about his fall.

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

MBh 7 91.19

मा स्म तात रणे स्थित्वा भुञ्जीथा दुर्बलं जनम्। मा त्वां दुर्बलचक्षूषि दहन्त्वग्निरिवाश्रयम्॥

mā sma tāta raṇe sthitvā bhuñjīthā durbalaṃ janam| mā tvāṃ durbalacakṣūṣi dahantvagnirivāśrayam||

Do not, 'O sire, while excersing Power, take wealth from the Weak, Take care that the eyes of the Weak do not burn you like a burning fire.

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

MBh 7 91.20

यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यश्रूणि रोदताम्। तानि पुत्रान् पशून् नन्ति तेषां मिथ्याभिशंसनात्॥

yāni mithyābhiśastānāṃ patantyaśrūṇi rodatām| tāni putrān paśūn nanti teṣāṃ mithyābhiśaṃsanāt||

The tears shed by weeping men afflicted with falsehood kill the children and animals of those that have uttered those lies.

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

MBh 7 91.21

यदि नात्मनि पुत्रेषु न चेत् पौत्रेषु नप्तृषु। न हि पापं कृतं कर्म सद्यः फलति गौरिव॥

yadi nātmani putreṣu na cet pautreṣu naptṛṣu| na hi pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ karma sadyaḥ phalati gauriva||

Like a cow a sinful act does not yield immediate truits. If the fruit is not seen in the perpetrator himself, it is seen in his son or in his grand-son or daughter's son.

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

MBh 7 91.22

यत्राबलो वध्यमानस्त्रातारं नाधिगच्छति। महान् दैवकृतस्तत्र दण्डः पतति दारुणः॥

yatrābalo vadhyamānastrātāraṃ nādhigacchati| mahān daivakṛtastatra daṇḍaḥ patati dāruṇaḥ||

When a Weak person fails to find a protector the great rod of divine punishment overtakes the king.

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

MBh 7 91.23

युक्ता यदा जानपदा भिक्षन्ते ब्राह्मणा इव। अभीक्ष्णं भिक्षुरूपेण राजानं मन्ति तादृशाः॥

yuktā yadā jānapadā bhikṣante brāhmaṇā iva| abhīkṣṇaṃ bhikṣurūpeṇa rājānaṃ manti tādṛśāḥ||

When all the subjects of a king are compelled by distress to live like Brahmanas, by begging, such mendicancy brings destruction upon the king.

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

MBh 7 91.24

राज्ञो यदा जनपदे बहवो राजपूरुषाः। अनयेनोपवर्तन्ते तद् राज्ञः किल्बिषं महत्॥

rājño yadā janapade bahavo rājapūruṣāḥ| anayenopavartante tad rājñaḥ kilbiṣaṃ mahat||

When all the officers of the king living in the provinces unite together and act unfairly, the king is then said to bring about a state of unredeeming evil upon his kingdom.

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

MBh 7 91.25

यदा युक्त्या नयेदर्थान् कामादर्थवशेन वा। कृपणं याचमानानां तद् राज्ञो वैशसं महत्॥

yadā yuktyā nayedarthān kāmādarthavaśena vā| kṛpaṇaṃ yācamānānāṃ tad rājño vaiśasaṃ mahat||

When the officers of the king extort money, hy unfair mean, or acting from lust or avarice, from persons pitcously praying for mercy, a great destruct' on, jorsooth, be.ails the king.

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

MBh 7 91.26

महान् वृक्षो जायते वर्धते च तं चैव भूतानि समाश्रयन्ति। यदा वृक्षश्छिद्यते दह्यते च तदाश्रया अनिकेता भवन्ति॥

mahān vṛkṣo jāyate vardhate ca taṃ caiva bhūtāni samāśrayanti| yadā vṛkṣaśchidyate dahyate ca tadāśrayā aniketā bhavanti||

A huge tree, just growing, assumes large proportions, Numberless creatures then come and seek its shelter. When, however, it is cut down or burnt, those who had taken its shelter become all houseless.

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

MBh 7 91.27

यदा राष्ट्रे धर्ममयं चरन्ति संस्कारं वा राजगुणं ब्रुवाणा:। तैरेवाधर्मश्चरितो धर्ममोहात् तूर्णं जह्यात् सुकृतं दुष्कृतं च॥

yadā rāṣṭre dharmamayaṃ caranti saṃskāraṃ vā rājaguṇaṃ bruvāṇā:| tairevādharmaścarito dharmamohāt tūrṇaṃ jahyāt sukṛtaṃ duṣkṛtaṃ ca||

When the denizens of a kingdom perform pious acts and all religious rites, and praise the good qualities, of the king, the latter acquires riches. When, however, the residents, out of ignorance forsake righteousness and act unrighteously, the king suffers from misery.

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

MBh 7 91.28

यत्र पापा ज्ञायमानाश्चरन्ति सतां कलिविन्दते तत्र राज्ञः। स्तदा राज्यं वर्धते भूमिपस्य॥

yatra pāpā jñāyamānāścaranti satāṃ kalivindate tatra rājñaḥ| stadā rājyaṃ vardhate bhūmipasya||

When sinful men of known acts are allowed to move among the righteous, Kali then overtakes the kings of those kingdoms. When the king punishes all wicked people, his kingdom prospers.

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

MBh 7 91.29

यश्चामात्यान् मानयित्वा यथार्थ मन्त्रे च युद्धे च नृपो नियुङ्ग्यात्। विवर्धते तस्य राष्ट्र नृपस्य भुक्के महीं चाप्यखिलां चिराय॥

yaścāmātyān mānayitvā yathārtha mantre ca yuddhe ca nṛpo niyuṅgyāt| vivardhate tasya rāṣṭra nṛpasya bhukke mahīṃ cāpyakhilāṃ cirāya||

Forsooth, the kingdom of that king certainly prospers who honours his ministers and employs them in policy and in battles. Such a king enjoys the wide Earth or ever.

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

MBh 7 91.30

यच्चापि सुकृतं कर्म वाचं चैव सुभाषिताम्। समीक्ष्य पूजयन् राजा धर्मं प्राप्नोत्यनुत्तमम्॥

yaccāpi sukṛtaṃ karma vācaṃ caiva subhāṣitām| samīkṣya pūjayan rājā dharmaṃ prāpnotyanuttamam||

That king who duly honours at good acts and good speeches acquires great merit.

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

MBh 7 91.31

संविभज्य यदा भुक्के नामात्यानवमन्यते। निहन्ति बलिनं दृप्तं स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

saṃvibhajya yadā bhukke nāmātyānavamanyate| nihanti balinaṃ dṛptaṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate||

The enjoyment of good things with others, paying proper honours to the ministers, and subjugations of persons who are proud of their strength, are the great duty of a king.

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

MBh 7 91.32

त्रायते हि यदा सर्वं वाचा कायेन कर्मणा। पुत्रस्यापि न मृष्येच्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

trāyate hi yadā sarvaṃ vācā kāyena karmaṇā| putrasyāpi na mṛṣyecca sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Protecting all men by words, body, and deeds, and never forgiving even his offending son himself, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.33

संविभज्य यदा भुक्के नृपतिर्दुर्बलान् नरान्। तदा भवन्ति बलिनः स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

saṃvibhajya yadā bhukke nṛpatirdurbalān narān| tadā bhavanti balinaḥ sa rājño dharma ucyate||

The maintenance of the Weak by sharing with them the things he has and thereby increasing their strength, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.34

यदा रक्षति राष्ट्राणि यदा दस्यूनपोहति। यदा जयति संग्रामे स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

yadā rakṣati rāṣṭrāṇi yadā dasyūnapohati| yadā jayati saṃgrāme sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Protection of the kingdom, extermination of robbers, and conquest form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.35

पापमाचरतो यत्र कर्मणा व्याहृतेन वा। प्रियस्यापि न मृष्येत स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

pāpamācarato yatra karmaṇā vyāhṛtena vā| priyasyāpi na mṛṣyeta sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Not to forgive a person, however dear if he has committe an offence, by act or word, forms the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.36

यदा शारणिकान् राजा पुत्रवत् परिरक्षति। भिनत्ति च न मर्यादां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

yadā śāraṇikān rājā putravat parirakṣati| bhinatti ca na maryādāṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Protecting those who seek refuge with him as he would protect his own children, and never depriving one of the honours to which he is entitled, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.37

यदाऽऽप्तदक्षिणैर्यज्ञैर्यजते श्रद्धयान्वितः। कामद्वेषावनादृत्य स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

yadā''ptadakṣiṇairyajñairyajate śraddhayānvitaḥ| kāmadveṣāvanādṛtya sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Adoring the gods, with devotion in sacrifices completed by presents, and subduing lust and envy, from the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.38

कृपणानाथवृद्धानां यदाश्रु परिमार्जति। हर्ष संजनयन् नृणां स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

kṛpaṇānāthavṛddhānāṃ yadāśru parimārjati| harṣa saṃjanayan nṛṇāṃ sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Wiping the tears of the distressed, the helpless, and the old, and filling them with joy, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.39

विवर्धयति मित्राणि तथारीश्चापि कर्षति। सम्पूजयति साधूंश्च स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

vivardhayati mitrāṇi tathārīścāpi karṣati| sampūjayati sādhūṃśca sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Advancing friends, weakening enemies, and honouring the good, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.40

सत्यं पालयति प्रीत्या नित्यं भूमिं प्रयच्छति। पूजयेदतिथीन् भृत्यान् स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

satyaṃ pālayati prītyā nityaṃ bhūmiṃ prayacchati| pūjayedatithīn bhṛtyān sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Cheerfully adhering to truth, always making presents of land, entertaining guests, and maintaining dependents, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.41

निग्रहानुग्रहौ चोभौ यत्र स्यातां प्रतिष्ठितौ। अस्मिन् लोके परे चैव राजा स प्राप्नुते फलम्॥

nigrahānugrahau cobhau yatra syātāṃ pratiṣṭhitau| asmin loke pare caiva rājā sa prāpnute phalam||

That king who favours those who deserve favours, and punishes those who deserve chastisement, acquires great merit both here and hereafter.

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

MBh 7 91.42

यमो राजा धार्मिकाणां मान्धातः परमेश्वरः। संयच्छन् भवति प्राणानसंयच्छंस्तु पातुकः॥

yamo rājā dhārmikāṇāṃ māndhātaḥ parameśvaraḥ| saṃyacchan bhavati prāṇānasaṃyacchaṃstu pātukaḥ||

The king is Yama himself. He is, O Mandhatri, the god (incarnate) to all righteous persons. By controlling his senses he acquires great riches. By not subduing them he commits sin.

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

MBh 7 91.43

ऋत्विक्पुरोहिताचार्यान् सत्कृत्यानवमन्य च। यदा सम्यक् प्रगृह्णाति स राज्ञो धर्म उच्यते॥

ṛtvikpurohitācāryān satkṛtyānavamanya ca| yadā samyak pragṛhṇāti sa rājño dharma ucyate||

Paying proper honours to Ritwijas and priests and preceptors, and doing them good, form the duty of the king.

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

MBh 7 91.44

यमो यच्छति भूतानि सर्वाण्येवाविशेषतः। तथा राज्ञानुकर्तव्यं यन्तव्या विधिवत् प्रजाः॥

yamo yacchati bhūtāni sarvāṇyevāviśeṣataḥ| tathā rājñānukartavyaṃ yantavyā vidhivat prajāḥ||

Yama governs all creatures without any distinction. The king should imitate him in his conduct by restraining all his subjects duly.

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

MBh 7 91.45

सहस्राक्षेण राजा हि सर्वथैवोपमीयते। स पश्यति च यं धर्म स धर्मः पुरुषर्षभ॥

sahasrākṣeṇa rājā hi sarvathaivopamīyate| sa paśyati ca yaṃ dharma sa dharmaḥ puruṣarṣabha||

The king is said to resemble the Thousandeyed (Indra). O foremost of men, that which is regarded by the king as Righteousness is accepted as such by all.

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

MBh 7 91.46

अप्रमादेन शिक्षेथाः क्षमां बुद्धिं धृति मतिम्। भूतानां चैव जिज्ञासा साध्वसाधु च सर्वदा॥

apramādena śikṣethāḥ kṣamāṃ buddhiṃ dhṛti matim| bhūtānāṃ caiva jijñāsā sādhvasādhu ca sarvadā||

You should diligently cultivate forgiveness, intelligence, patience and the love of all creatures. You should also determine the strength and weakness of all men and learn to distinguish between right and wrong.

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

MBh 7 91.47

संग्रहः सर्वभूतानां दानं च मधुरं वचः। पौरजानपदाचैव गोप्तव्यास्ते यथासुखम्॥

saṃgrahaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ dānaṃ ca madhuraṃ vacaḥ| paurajānapadācaiva goptavyāste yathāsukham||

You should behave properly towards all creatures, make gifts, the utter agreeable and sweet words. You should maintain the residents of your city and the provinces in happiness.

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

MBh 7 91.48

न जात्वदक्षो नृपतिः प्रजाः शक्नोति रक्षितुम्। भारो हि सुमहांस्तात राज्यं नाम सुदुष्करम्॥

na jātvadakṣo nṛpatiḥ prajāḥ śaknoti rakṣitum| bhāro hi sumahāṃstāta rājyaṃ nāma suduṣkaram||

A king, who is not clever, can never protect his subjects. Sovereignty, O sire, is a very heavy burden.

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

MBh 7 91.49

तद्दण्डविन्नृपः प्राज्ञः शूरः शक्नोति रक्षितुम्। न हि शक्यमदण्डेन क्लीबेनाबुद्धिनापि वा॥

taddaṇḍavinnṛpaḥ prājñaḥ śūraḥ śaknoti rakṣitum| na hi śakyamadaṇḍena klībenābuddhināpi vā||

Only that king who is endued with wisdom and courage, and who is a master of the science of punishment, can protect a kingdom. He, on the other hand, who is devoid of energy and intelligence, and who is not versed in the great science, cannot bear the burden of sovereignty.

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

MBh 7 91.50

अभिरूपैः कुले जातैर्दक्षैर्भक्तैर्बहुश्रुतैः। सर्वा बुद्धीः परीक्षेपास्तापसाश्रमिणामपि॥

abhirūpaiḥ kule jātairdakṣairbhaktairbahuśrutaiḥ| sarvā buddhīḥ parīkṣepāstāpasāśramiṇāmapi||

Helped by ministers of beautiful features and good birth, clever in business, devoted to their masters, and highly learned, you should examine the hearts and acts of all men including the very hermits.

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

MBh 7 91.51

अतस्त्वं सर्वभूतानां धर्मं वेत्स्यसि वै परम्। स्वदेशे परदेशे वा न ते धर्मो विनक्षयति॥

atastvaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ dharmaṃ vetsyasi vai param| svadeśe paradeśe vā na te dharmo vinakṣayati||

Behaving thus, you will be able to learn the duties of all orders of men. This will help you in observing your own duties whether when you are in your country or when you go to other kingdoms.

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

MBh 7 91.52

तस्मादर्थाच्च कामाच्च धर्म एवोत्तरो भवेत्। अस्मिल्लोके परे चैव धर्मात्मा सुखमेधते॥

tasmādarthācca kāmācca dharma evottaro bhavet| asmilloke pare caiva dharmātmā sukhamedhate||

Amongst these three objects, viz., Virtue, Profit, and Pleasure, Virtue is the foremost. He, who is of virtuous soul, acquires great happiness both here and hereafter.

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

MBh 7 91.53

त्यजन्ति दारान् पुत्रांश्च मनुष्याः परिपूजिताः। संग्रहश्चैव भूतानां दानं च मधुरा च वाक्॥ अप्रमादश्च शौचं च राज्ञो भूतिकरं महत्। एतेभ्यश्चैव मान्धातः सततं मा प्रमादिथाः॥

tyajanti dārān putrāṃśca manuṣyāḥ paripūjitāḥ| saṃgrahaścaiva bhūtānāṃ dānaṃ ca madhurā ca vāk|| apramādaśca śaucaṃ ca rājño bhūtikaraṃ mahat| etebhyaścaiva māndhātaḥ satataṃ mā pramādithāḥ||

If men are treated with honour, they can abandon their very wives and sons. By winning over good men, by gifts, sweet words, carefulness, and purity of conduct, a king may acquire for himself great prosperity. Do not, therefore, O Mandhatri, be negligent of these qualities and acts.

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

MBh 7 91.54

अप्रमत्तो भवेद् राजा छिद्रदर्शी परात्मनोः। नास्यच्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात्॥

apramatto bhaved rājā chidradarśī parātmanoḥ| nāsyacchidraṃ paraḥ paśyecchidreṣu paramanviyāt||

The king should never neglect to look after his own weak points as also after those of his foes. He should act in such a way that his enemies may not be able to discover his weak points, and he should himself assail them when theirs are seen.

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

MBh 7 91.55

एतद् वृत्तं वासवस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य च। राजर्षीणां च सर्वेषां तत् त्वमप्यनुपालय॥

etad vṛttaṃ vāsavasya yamasya varuṇasya ca| rājarṣīṇāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ tat tvamapyanupālaya||

In this way Vasava, and Yama, and Varuna and all the great royal sages have acted. Do you follow the same conduct.

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

MBh 7 91.56

तत् कुरुष्व महाराज वृत्तं राजर्षिसेवितम्। आतिष्ठ दिव्यं पन्थानमह्नाय पुरुषर्षभ॥

tat kuruṣva mahārāja vṛttaṃ rājarṣisevitam| ātiṣṭha divyaṃ panthānamahnāya puruṣarṣabha||

Do you, O great king, follow the conduct of those royal sages. Do you soon, O foremost of Bharata's race, follow this heavenly road.

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

MBh 7 91.57

धर्मवृत्तं हि राजानं प्रेत्य चेह च भारत। देवर्षिपितृगन्धर्वाः कीर्तयन्ति महौजसः॥

dharmavṛttaṃ hi rājānaṃ pretya ceha ca bhārata| devarṣipitṛgandharvāḥ kīrtayanti mahaujasaḥ||

The gods, the Rishis, the Pitris, and the Gandharvas, possessed of great energy, chant the praises, both here and hereafter, of that king who is righteous!

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

MBh 7 91.58

भीष्म उवाच स एवमुक्तो मान्धाता तेनोतथ्येन भारत। कृतवानविशङ्कश्च एकः प्राप च मेदिनीम्॥

bhīṣma uvāca sa evamukto māndhātā tenotathyena bhārata| kṛtavānaviśaṅkaśca ekaḥ prāpa ca medinīm||

Bhishma said nus spoken to by Utatthya, O Bharata, Mandhatri unhesitatingly did as he as he was directed, and became the soul king of the wide Earth.

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

MBh 7 91.59

भवानपि तथा सम्यङ्मान्धातेव महीपते। धर्म कृत्वा महीं रक्ष स्वर्गे स्थानमवाप्स्यसि॥

bhavānapi tathā samyaṅmāndhāteva mahīpate| dharma kṛtvā mahīṃ rakṣa svarge sthānamavāpsyasi||

Do you also, O king, act righteously like Mandhatri. You will then, after ruling the Earth, live in heaven!

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