Mahabharata — Volume IX (Dutt edition) — Chapter 33
MBh 9 33.1
युधिष्ठिर उवाच किं राज्ञः सर्वकृत्यानां गरीयः स्यात् पितामह। कुर्वन् किं कर्म नृपतिरुभौ लोकौ समश्नुते॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca kiṃ rājñaḥ sarvakṛtyānāṃ garīyaḥ syāt pitāmaha| kurvan kiṃ karma nṛpatirubhau lokau samaśnute||
Yudhishthira Said Which act, O grandfather is the foremost of all those that have been laid down for a king? What is that act by doing which a king succeeds in enjoying both this world and the next.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.2
भीष्म उवाच एतद् राज्ञः कृत्यतममभिषिक्तस्य भारत। ब्राह्मणानामनुष्ठानमत्यन्तं सुखमिच्छता॥
bhīṣma uvāca etad rājñaḥ kṛtyatamamabhiṣiktasya bhārata| brāhmaṇānāmanuṣṭhānamatyantaṃ sukhamicchatā||
Bhishma said Even this, viz., the worship of the Brahmanas, is the foremost of all those deeds, O Bharata, which have been laid down for a king duly installed on the throne if, indeed, he is desirous of acquiring great happiness.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.3
कर्तव्यं पार्थिवेन्द्रेण तथैव भरतर्षभ। श्रोत्रियान् ब्राह्मणान् वृद्धान् नित्यमेवाभिपूजयेत्॥
kartavyaṃ pārthivendreṇa tathaiva bharatarṣabha| śrotriyān brāhmaṇān vṛddhān nityamevābhipūjayet||
Even this is what the foremost of all kings should do. Know this well, O chief of Bharata's race. The king should always adore with reverence all righteous Brahmanas possessed of Vedic learning.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.4
पौरजानपदांश्चापि ब्राह्मणांश्च बहुश्रुतान्। सान्त्वेन भोगदानेन नमस्कारैस्तथार्चयेत्॥
paurajānapadāṃścāpi brāhmaṇāṃśca bahuśrutān| sāntvena bhogadānena namaskāraistathārcayet||
The king should, with bows sweet speeches and gifts of all articles of enjoyment, adore all Brahmanas endued with great learning who may live in his city or provinces.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.5
एतत् कृत्यतमं राज्ञो नित्यमेवोपलक्षयेत्। यथाऽऽत्मानं यथा पुत्रांस्तथैतान् प्रतिपालयेत्॥
etat kṛtyatamaṃ rājño nityamevopalakṣayet| yathā''tmānaṃ yathā putrāṃstathaitān pratipālayet||
This is the foremost of all acts laid down for the king. Indeed, the king should always keep his eyes fixed on this. He should protect and cherish these, even as he protects his own self or his own children.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.6
ये चाप्येषां पूज्यतमास्तान् दृढं प्रतिपूजयेत्। तेषु शान्तेषु तद् राष्ट्र सर्वमेव विराजते॥
ye cāpyeṣāṃ pūjyatamāstān dṛḍhaṃ pratipūjayet| teṣu śānteṣu tad rāṣṭra sarvameva virājate||
The king should adore with greater reverence those amongst the Brahmanas who may be worthy of it. When such men are freed from all anxiety, the whole kingdom shines in beauty.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.7
ते पूज्यास्ते नमस्कार्या भान्यास्ते पितरो यथा। तेष्वेव यात्रा लोकानां भूतानामिव वासवे॥
te pūjyāste namaskāryā bhānyāste pitaro yathā| teṣveva yātrā lokānāṃ bhūtānāmiva vāsave||
Such individuals are worthy of adoration. The king should bow his head to such individuals. Indeed, they should be honoured, even as one honours his father and grandfather. The course of conduct followed by men, depends upon them as the existence of all creatures depends upon Vasava.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.8
अभिचारैरुपायैश्च दहेयुरपि चेतसा। निःशेषं कुपिताः कुर्युरुयाः सत्यपराक्रमाः॥
abhicārairupāyaiśca daheyurapi cetasā| niḥśeṣaṃ kupitāḥ kuryuruyāḥ satyaparākramāḥ||
Having prowess incapable of being baffled and gifted with great energy, such men if enraged are capable of reducing the entire kingdom to ashes by only their will or by acts of incantation, or by other means.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.9
नान्तमेषां प्रपश्यामि न दिशश्चाप्यपावृताः। कुपिताः समुदीक्षन्ते दावेष्वग्निशिखा इव ॥
nāntameṣāṃ prapaśyāmi na diśaścāpyapāvṛtāḥ| kupitāḥ samudīkṣante dāveṣvagniśikhā iva ||
I do not see anything that can destroy them. Their power seems to be uncontrolled, being capable of reaching to the last end of the universe. When angry, their looks fall upon men and things like a burning flame of fire upon a forest. are
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.10
बिभ्यत्येषां साहसिका गुणास्तेषामतीव हि। कूपा इव तृणच्छन्ना विशुद्धा द्यौरिवापरे॥
bibhyatyeṣāṃ sāhasikā guṇāsteṣāmatīva hi| kūpā iva tṛṇacchannā viśuddhā dyaurivāpare||
The most courageous men are struck with fear at their name. Their virtues and powers are extraordinary and immeasurable. Some amongst them are like wells and pits with mouths covered by grass and creepers, while others resemble the sky shorn of clouds and darkness.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.11
प्रसह्यकारिणः केचित् कार्पासमृदवो परे। सन्ति चैषामतिशठास्तथैवान्ये तपस्विनः॥
prasahyakāriṇaḥ kecit kārpāsamṛdavo pare| santi caiṣāmatiśaṭhāstathaivānye tapasvinaḥ||
Some amongst them of dreadful dispositions. Some are as mild and soft in disposition as cotton. Some amongst them are very cunning. Some amongst them are given to the practice of penances.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.12
कृषिगोरक्ष्यमप्येके भैक्ष्यमन्येऽप्यनुष्ठिताः। चौराश्चान्येऽनृताश्चान्ये तथान्ये नटनर्तकाः॥
kṛṣigorakṣyamapyeke bhaikṣyamanye'pyanuṣṭhitāḥ| caurāścānye'nṛtāścānye tathānye naṭanartakāḥ||
Some amongst them are employed in agricultural pursuits. Some amongst them are engaged in the keep of kine. Some amongst them live upon eleemosynary alms. Some amongst them are even thieves. Some amongst them are found of creating quarrels and disputes. Some again, amongst them are actors and dancers.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.13
सर्वकर्मसहाश्चान्ये पार्थिवेष्वितरेषु च। विविधाकारयुक्ताश्च ब्राह्मणा भरतर्षभ॥
sarvakarmasahāścānye pārthiveṣvitareṣu ca| vividhākārayuktāśca brāhmaṇā bharatarṣabha||
Some amongst them are competent to perform all feats ordinary and extraordinary. The Brahmanas, O chief of Bharata's race, are of various aspects and conduct.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.14
नानाकर्मसु रक्तानां बहुकर्मोपजीविनाम्। धर्मज्ञानां सतां तेषां नित्यमेवानुकीर्तयेत्॥
nānākarmasu raktānāṃ bahukarmopajīvinām| dharmajñānāṃ satāṃ teṣāṃ nityamevānukīrtayet||
One should always sing the praises of the Brahmanas who are conversant with all duties, who are righteous of conduct, who are given to various kinds of acts, and who are seen to derive their sustenance from various callings.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.15
पितॄणां देवतानां च मनुष्योरगरक्षसाम्। पुराप्येते महाभागा ब्राह्मणा वै जनाधिप॥
pitṝṇāṃ devatānāṃ ca manuṣyoragarakṣasām| purāpyete mahābhāgā brāhmaṇā vai janādhipa||
The Brahmanas, O king, who are highly blessed are older in respect of their origin than the departed manes, the deities human beings, the Snakes, and the Rakshasas.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.16
नैते देवैर्न पितृभिर्न गन्धर्वैर्न राक्षसैः। नासुरैर्न पिशाचैश्च शक्या जेतुं द्विजातयः॥
naite devairna pitṛbhirna gandharvairna rākṣasaiḥ| nāsurairna piśācaiśca śakyā jetuṃ dvijātayaḥ||
These twice born persons are incapable of being defeated by the deities or the departed manes, or the Gandharvas or the Rakshasas, or the Asuras or the Pishachas.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.17
अदैवं दैवतं कुर्युर्दैवतं चाप्यदैवतम्। यमिच्छेयुः स राजा स्याद् यो नेष्टः स पराभवेत्।।१७
adaivaṃ daivataṃ kuryurdaivataṃ cāpyadaivatam| yamiccheyuḥ sa rājā syād yo neṣṭaḥ sa parābhavet||17
The Brahmanas are competent to make him a god, that is not a god. They can, again, divest one who is a deity of his status as such. He becomes a king, whom they wish to make a king. He on the other hand, is crushed whom they do not love or like.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.18
परिवादं च ये कुयुर्ब्राह्मणानामचेतसः। सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते राजन् विनश्येयुर्न संशयः॥
parivādaṃ ca ye kuyurbrāhmaṇānāmacetasaḥ| satyaṃ bravīmi te rājan vinaśyeyurna saṃśayaḥ||
I tell you truly, O king, that those foolish persons, forsooth, meet with destruction who caluminate the Brahmanas and utter their dispraise.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.19
निन्दाप्रशंसाकुशलाः कीर्त्यकीर्तिपरायणाः। परिकुप्यति ते राजन् सततं द्विषतां द्विजाः॥
nindāpraśaṃsākuśalāḥ kīrtyakīrtiparāyaṇāḥ| parikupyati te rājan satataṃ dviṣatāṃ dvijāḥ||
Expert in praise and dispraise, and themselves the origin or cause of other people's fame and ignominy, the Brahmanas, O king, always become angry with those who seek to injure others.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.20
ब्राह्मणा यं प्रशंसन्ति पुरुषः स प्रवर्धते। ब्राह्मणैर्यः पराकृष्टः पराभूयात् क्षणाद्धि सः॥
brāhmaṇā yaṃ praśaṃsanti puruṣaḥ sa pravardhate| brāhmaṇairyaḥ parākṛṣṭaḥ parābhūyāt kṣaṇāddhi saḥ||
That man whom the Brahmanas praise succeeds in becoming prosperous. That man who is censured and renounced by the Brahmanas soon meets with discomfiture.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.21
शका यवनकाम्बोजास्तास्ताः क्षत्रियजातयः। वृषलत्वं परिगता ब्राह्मणानामदर्शनात्॥
śakā yavanakāmbojāstāstāḥ kṣatriyajātayaḥ| vṛṣalatvaṃ parigatā brāhmaṇānāmadarśanāt||
It is on account of the absence of Brahmanas from among them that the Shakas, the Yavanas, the Kamvojas and other Kshatriya tribes have become fallen and degraded into Shudras.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.22
द्राविडाश्च कलिङ्गाश्च पुलिन्दाश्चाप्युशीनराः। कोलिसर्पा माहिषकास्तास्ताः क्षत्रियजातयः॥ वृषलत्वं परिगता ब्राह्मणानामदर्शनात्। श्रेयान् पराजयस्तेभ्यो न जयो जयतां वर॥
drāviḍāśca kaliṅgāśca pulindāścāpyuśīnarāḥ| kolisarpā māhiṣakāstāstāḥ kṣatriyajātayaḥ|| vṛṣalatvaṃ parigatā brāhmaṇānāmadarśanāt| śreyān parājayastebhyo na jayo jayatāṃ vara||
The Dravidas, the Kalingas, the Pulindas the Ushinaras, the Kolisarpas, the Mahishakas, and other Kshatriyas, have, on account of the absence of Brahmanas from among their midst, become degraded into Shudras. Defeat from them is preferable to victory, O foremost of victorious persons.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.23
यस्तु सर्वमिदं हन्याद् ब्राह्मणं च न तत्समम्। ब्रह्मवध्या महान् दोष इत्याहुः परमर्षयः॥
yastu sarvamidaṃ hanyād brāhmaṇaṃ ca na tatsamam| brahmavadhyā mahān doṣa ityāhuḥ paramarṣayaḥ||
One killing all other living creatures in this world does not commit a sin so heinous as that of killing a single Brahmana. The great Rishis have said that Brahmanicide is a heinous sin.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.24
परिवादो द्विजातीनां न श्रोतव्यः कथंचन। आसीताधोमुखस्तूष्णीं समुत्थाय व्रजेच्च वा॥
parivādo dvijātīnāṃ na śrotavyaḥ kathaṃcana| āsītādhomukhastūṣṇīṃ samutthāya vrajecca vā||
One should never utter the dispraise or calumny of the Brahmanas. Where the dispraise of Brahmanas is uttered, one should sit with face hanging down or leave that place.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.25
न स जातोऽजनिष्यद् वा पृथिव्यामिह कश्चन। यो ब्राह्मणविरोधेन सुखं जीवितुमुत्सहेत्॥
na sa jāto'janiṣyad vā pṛthivyāmiha kaścana| yo brāhmaṇavirodhena sukhaṃ jīvitumutsahet||
That man has not as yet been born in this world or will not take birth here who has been or will be able to pass his life happily after quarrelling with the Brahmanas.
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)
MBh 9 33.26
दुर्ग्राह्यो मुष्टिना वायुर्दुःस्पर्शः पाणिना शशी। दुर्धरा पृथिवी राजन् दुर्जया ब्राह्मणा भुवि॥
durgrāhyo muṣṭinā vāyurduḥsparśaḥ pāṇinā śaśī| durdharā pṛthivī rājan durjayā brāhmaṇā bhuvi||
One cannot seize the wind with his hands. One cannot touch the moon with his hand. One cannot support the earth on his arms. Similarly, O king, one is not able to defeat the Brahmanas in this world,
— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)