Adhyaya 6

Verse 1

नफमशा (0) आस सऔ अत न षष्ठो 5 ध्याय: धृतराष्ट्द्वारा राजनीतिका उपदेश धघतयाट्र उवाच मण्डलानि च बुध्येथा: परेषामात्मनस्तथा । उदासीनगणानां च मध्यस्थानां च भारत,धृतराष्ट्रने कहा--भरतनन्दन! तुम्हें शत्रुओंके, अपने, उदासीन राजाओंके तथा मध्यस्थ पुरुषोंके मण्डलोंका ज्ञान रखना चाहिये

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O Bhārata, you should clearly understand the political circles (alliances and spheres of influence) of your enemies and of your own side, and likewise those of neutral kings and of mediating parties.”

Verse 2

चतुर्णा शत्रुजातानां सर्वेषामाततायिनाम्‌ | मित्र चामित्रमित्रं च बोद्धव्यं तेडरिकर्शन,शत्रुसूदन! तुम्हें चार प्रकारके शत्रुओंके और छ: प्रकारके आततायियोंके भेदोंको एवं मित्र और शत्रुके मित्रको भी पहचानना चाहिये

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O subduer of foes, O slayer of enemies, you should clearly understand the four classes of enemies, the various kinds of violent aggressors (ātatāyins), and also how to recognize a friend and the friend of an enemy. Such discernment is essential for right conduct and prudent action.”

Verse 3

तथामात्या जनपदा दुर्गाणि विविधानि च । बलानि च कुरुश्रेष्ठ भवत्येषां यथेच्छकम्‌

“So too, O best of the Kurus, let the ministers, the provinces, the various forts, and the armed forces be arranged and governed according to their proper functions and as the situation requires.”

Verse 4

ते च द्वादश कौन्तेय राज्ञां वै विषयात्मका: । मन्सत्रिप्रधानाश्न गुणा: षष्टिद्धादिश च प्रभो

O son of Kuntī, those twelve are indeed bound up with the domains of sense-experience and with kingship. The mind, with its threefold predominance, together with the qualities (guṇas), is said to amount to sixty—and also to twelve, O lord.

Verse 5

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत आश्रमवासिकपवके अन्तर्गत आश्रमवासपर्वमें धृतराष्रका उपदेशविषयक पाँचवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ,एतन्मण्डलमित्याहुराचार्या नीतिकोविदा: । कुरुश्रेष्ठट अमात्य (मन्त्री), जनपद (देश), नाना प्रकारके दुर्ग और सेना--इनपर शत्रुओंका यथेष्ट लक्ष्य रहता है (अतः इनकी रक्षाके लिये सदा सावधान रहना चाहिये)। प्रभो! कुन्तीनन्दन! उपर्युक्त बारह प्रकारके मनुष्य राजाओंके ही मुख्य विषय हैं। मन्त्रीके अधीन रहनेवाले कृषि आदि साठ” गुण और पूर्वोक्त बारह प्रकारके मनुष्य--इन सबको नीतिज्ञ आचार्योने “मण्डल” नाम दिया है || ३-४ $ || अत्र षाड्गुण्यमायत्तं युधिष्ठिर निबोध तत्‌

The teachers skilled in statecraft declare: “This is what is called the ‘circle of the realm’ (maṇḍala).” O best of the Kurus, enemies keep their eyes fixed, as they please, upon a king’s ministerial council, his country and people, his various forts, and his army; therefore one must remain ever vigilant in protecting these. O lord, son of Kuntī, the twelve kinds of persons mentioned above are the principal concerns of kings. The sixty functions such as agriculture that fall under the minister’s supervision, together with those twelve classes of persons—these all, say the learned authorities on polity, are collectively termed the ‘maṇḍala.’ Now, O Yudhiṣṭhira, understand that the sixfold policy depends upon this.

Verse 6

द्विसप्तत्यां महाबाहो ततः षाड्गुण्यजा गुणा:,महाबाहो! पहले राजप्रधान बारह और मन्त्रिप्रधान साठ--इन बहत्तरका ज्ञान प्राप्त करके संधि, विग्रह, यान, आसन, द्वैधीभाव और समाश्रय--इन छ: गुणोंका यथावसर उपयोग किया जाता है। कुन्तीनन्दन! जब अपना पक्ष बलवान तथा शत्रुका पक्ष निर्बल जान पड़े, उस समय शत्रुके साथ युद्ध छेड़कर विपक्षी राजाको जीतनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये इति श्रीमहाभारते आश्रमवासिके पर्वणि आश्रमवासपर्वणि धृतराष्ट्रोपदेशे षष्ठो5ध्याय:

Dhṛtarāṣṭra instructs the mighty-armed prince that statecraft begins with mastering the seventy-two fundamentals—twelve chiefly pertaining to the king and sixty chiefly pertaining to ministers. With that knowledge in hand, one should apply, at the proper time, the six measures of policy: making peace, waging war, marching forth, remaining stationed, pursuing a dual course, and seeking shelter with another power. O son of Kuntī, when one judges one’s own side to be strong and the enemy’s side to be weak, then one should initiate battle against the foe and strive to conquer the opposing king—using power in its season as a calculated instrument of rule.

Verse 7

यदा स्वपक्षो बलवान्‌ परपक्षस्तथाबल: । विगृहा शत्रून्‌ कौन्तेय जेय: क्षितिपतिस्तदा,महाबाहो! पहले राजप्रधान बारह और मन्त्रिप्रधान साठ--इन बहत्तरका ज्ञान प्राप्त करके संधि, विग्रह, यान, आसन, द्वैधीभाव और समाश्रय--इन छ: गुणोंका यथावसर उपयोग किया जाता है। कुन्तीनन्दन! जब अपना पक्ष बलवान तथा शत्रुका पक्ष निर्बल जान पड़े, उस समय शत्रुके साथ युद्ध छेड़कर विपक्षी राजाको जीतनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O son of Kuntī, mighty-armed one—when your own side is strong and the opposing side is correspondingly weak, then, having taken up hostility against the enemies, the king should strive to conquer the rival ruler. The ethical point is strategic restraint: conflict is to be initiated only when conditions favor a decisive and responsible victory, not from rashness or mere anger.”

Verse 8

यदा परे च बलिन: स्वपक्षश्वैव दुर्बल: । सार्ध विद्वांस्तदा क्षीण: परै: संधिं समाश्रयेत्‌,परंतु जब शत्रु-पक्ष प्रबल और अपना ही पक्ष दुर्बल हो, उस समय क्षीणशक्ति विद्वान्‌ पुरुष शत्रुओंके साथ संधि कर ले

When the opposing side is strong and one’s own faction is weak, then a wise person—recognizing his diminished power—should take refuge in making a treaty with the adversaries. The counsel emphasizes prudence and the preservation of life and order over futile confrontation when circumstances are unfavorable.

Verse 9

द्रव्याणां संचयश्चैव कर्तव्य: सुमहांस्तथा | तदा समर्थो यानाय नचिरेणैव भारत

A very large stock of provisions and resources must also be gathered. Then, O Bhārata, one will soon be fully prepared for the journey.

Verse 10

भूमिरल्पफला देया विपरीतस्य भारत

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O Bhārata, even a piece of land that yields little should be granted to one who stands opposed—so that hostility is not fed by deprivation and the path of rightful settlement remains open.”

Verse 11

विपरीतान्निगृह्नीयात्‌ स्वं हि संधिविशारद:

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “A man skilled in making peace and alliances should restrain his own impulses when they run contrary (to what is right and prudent).”

Verse 12

संध्यर्थ राजपुत्रं वा लिप्सेथा भरतर्षभ । विपरीतं न तच्छेय: पुत्र कस्यांचिदापदि

O bull among the Bharatas, do not seek to obtain a prince merely for the sake of a compromise or truce. In some crisis, such a course turns out contrary to one’s true welfare; therefore, my son, it should not be pursued.

Verse 13

तस्या: प्रमोक्षे यत्नं च कुर्या: सोपायमन्त्रवित्‌ यदि शत्रुकी विपरीत दशा हो और वह संधिके लिये प्रार्थना करे तो संधिविशारद पुरुष उससे उपजाऊ भूमि, सोना-चाँदी आदि धातु तथा बलवान मित्र एवं सेना लेकर उसके साथ संधि करे अथवा भरतश्रेष्ठ! प्रतिद्वन्द्दी राजाके राजकुमारको ही अपने यहाँ जमानतके तौरपर रखनेकी चेष्टा करनी चाहिये। इसके विपरीत बर्ताव करना अच्छा नहीं है। बेटा! यदि कोई आपत्ति आ जाय तो उचित उपाय और मन्त्रणाके ज्ञाता तुम-जैसे राजाको उससे छूटनेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये ।। प्रकृतीनां च राजेन्द्र राजा दीनान्‌ विभावयेत्‌,राजेन्द्र! प्रजाजनोंके भीतर जो दीन-दरिद्र (अन्ध-बधिर आदि) मनुष्य हों, उनका भी राजा आदर करे। महाबली राजा अपने शत्रुके विपरीत क्रमश: अथवा एक साथ सारा उद्योग आरम्भ कर दे। वह उसे पीड़ा दे। उसकी गति अवरुद्ध करे और उसका खजाना नष्ट कर दे

Dhṛtarāṣṭra advises that one should strive to secure release by means of prudent counsel and practical measures. If an enemy falls into adverse circumstances and seeks a treaty, a statesman skilled in diplomacy should conclude peace only after obtaining tangible securities—fertile land, gold and silver and other metals, and the support of strong allies and troops. Or, O best of the Bharatas, he should try to keep the rival king’s son in his own house as a hostage; acting otherwise is not commendable. And if any danger arises, a king like you—versed in proper strategy and deliberation—should endeavor to extricate himself from it. He further says: a king should also look after his own constituents; among the people, those who are poor and helpless—such as the blind and the deaf—should be treated with respect and care. As for a hostile foe, a mighty king should begin the full range of measures, gradually or all at once: he should harass him, block his movements, and destroy his treasury.

Verse 14

क्रमेण युगपत्‌ सर्व व्यवसायं महाबल: । पीडनं स्तम्भनं चैव कोशभड्स्तथैव च,राजेन्द्र! प्रजाजनोंके भीतर जो दीन-दरिद्र (अन्ध-बधिर आदि) मनुष्य हों, उनका भी राजा आदर करे। महाबली राजा अपने शत्रुके विपरीत क्रमश: अथवा एक साथ सारा उद्योग आरम्भ कर दे। वह उसे पीड़ा दे। उसकी गति अवरुद्ध करे और उसका खजाना नष्ट कर दे

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O best of kings, a mighty ruler should set his entire policy in motion against an enemy—either step by step or all at once. He should harass him, block his movements, and likewise bring about the ruin of his treasury.”

Verse 15

कार्य यत्नेन शत्रूणां स्वराज्यं रक्षता स्वयम्‌ । न च हिंस्यो5भ्युपगत: सामन्तो वृद्धिमिच्छता,अपने राज्यकी रक्षा करनेवाले राजाको यत्नपूर्वक शत्रुओंके साथ उपर्युक्त बर्ताव करना चाहिये; परंतु अपनी वृद्धि चाहनेवाले नरेशको शरणमें आये हुए सामन्तका वध कदापि नहीं करना चाहिये

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “A king who guards his own realm must, with vigilant effort, deal properly with enemies. Yet a ruler who seeks his own prosperity should never harm a neighboring vassal-lord who has come seeking refuge and submission.”

Verse 16

कौन्तेय तं न हिंसेत्‌ स यो महीं विजिगीषते । गणानां भेदने योगमीप्सेथा: सह मन्सत्रिभि:,कुन्तीकुमार! जो समूची पृथ्वीपर विजय पाना चाहता हो, वह तो कदापि उस (सामन्त)-की हिंसा न करे। तुम अपने मन्त्रियोंसहित सदा शत्रुगणोंमें फूट डालनेकी इच्छा रखना

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O son of Kuntī, one who seeks to conquer the whole earth should never harm that (neighboring) subordinate ruler. Rather, together with your ministers, you should constantly aim at the strategic means of creating divisions among the enemy’s factions.”

Verse 17

साधुसंग्रहणाच्चैव पापनिग्रहणात्‌ तथा । दुर्बलाश्ैव सततं नान्वेष्टव्या बलीयसा,अच्छे पुरुषोंसे मेल-जोल बढ़ाये और दुष्टोंकोी कैद करके उन्हें दण्ड दे। महाबली नरेशको दुर्बल शत्रुके पीछे सदा नहीं पड़े रहना चाहिये

One should cultivate association with the virtuous, and likewise restrain the wicked by confinement and punishment. A mighty king should not continually chase after a weak enemy; his strength is better directed toward upholding order and protecting the realm.

Verse 18

तिष्ठेथा राजशार्दूल वैतसीं वृत्तिमास्थित: । यद्येनममभियायाच्च बलवान दुर्बल॑ नृप:

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “Stay here, tiger among kings, adopting a reed-like way of life—humble, pliant, and sustained by simple means. For whether a powerful man or a weak king should come to assail him, let him remain steady in this restrained course.”

Verse 19

अशबनुवंश्न युद्धाय निष्पतेत्‌ सह मन्त्रिभि:

“Let Aśvanūvaṁśna sally forth for battle, accompanied by his ministers.” The command frames war as an ordered undertaking, upheld by counsel rather than solitary impulse, and thus implies responsibility, deliberation, and accountability in the use of force.

Verse 20

असम्भवे तु सर्वस्य यथा मुख्येन निष्पतेत्‌ । क्रमेणानेन मुक्ति: स्याच्छरीरमिति केवलम्‌,यदि किसी भी उपायसे संधि न हो तो मुख्य साधनको लेकर विपक्षीपर युद्धके लिये टूट पड़े। इस क्रमसे शरीर चला जाय तो भी वीर पुरुषकी मुक्ति ही होती है। केवल शरीर दे देना ही उसका मुख्य साधन है

But if no settlement is possible by any means, then one should seize the principal course and rush forth against the opposing side for battle. If, in this sequence of action, the body is lost, even then for a heroic man it results in liberation; for him, the decisive means is simply the offering up of the body itself.

Verse 56

वृद्धिक्षयौ च विज्ञेयौ स्थानं च कुरुसत्तम | युधिष्ठिर! तुम इस मण्डलको अच्छी तरह जानो; क्योंकि राज्यकी रक्षाके संधि-विग्रह आदि छ: उपायोंका उचित उपभोग इन्हींके अधीन है। कुरुश्रेष्ठ! राजाको चाहिये कि वह अपनी वृद्धि, क्षय और स्थितिका सदा ही ज्ञान रखे

Know clearly, O best of the Kurus, what constitutes increase and decline, and also what constitutes stable position. Yudhiṣṭhira, understand this circle of policy thoroughly, for the proper employment of the six measures beginning with peace and war—by which a kingdom is protected—depends upon it. Therefore, O foremost of the Kurus, a king should always keep accurate knowledge of his own growth, loss, and stability.

Verse 96

तदा सर्व विधेयं स्थात्‌ स्थाने न स विचारयेत्‌ । भारत! राजाको सदैव द्रव्योंका महान्‌ संग्रह करते रहना चाहिये। जब वह शीघ्र ही शत्रुपर आक्रमण करनेमें समर्थ हो, उस समय उसका जो कर्तव्य हो, उसे वह स्थिरतापूर्वक भलीभाँति विचार ले

Then everything that must be done should be set in order without delay; he should not keep wavering at the critical moment. O Bhārata, a king ought always to maintain a great store of resources. And when he becomes capable of swiftly striking the enemy, he should calmly and firmly deliberate what his duty is at that time, and then act accordingly.

Verse 103

हिरण्यं कुप्य भूयिष्ठं मित्र क्षीणमथो बलम्‌ | भारत! यदि अपनी विपरीत अवस्था हो तो शत्रुको कम उपजाऊ भूमि, थोड़ा-सा सोना और अधिक मात्रामें जस्ता-पीतल आदि धातु तथा दुर्बल मित्र एवं सेना देकर उसके साथ संधि करे

Dhṛtarāṣṭra says: “O descendant of Bharata, when one’s own condition has turned adverse and resources are failing, one should make peace even with an enemy by yielding what is least damaging—an inferior tract of land, a small amount of gold, and more of base metals such as zinc and brass—along with a weakened ally and a diminished force. The ethical point is pragmatic: preserve life and the kingdom’s core strength by conceding expendable assets when circumstances compel.”

Verse 183

सामादिभिरुपायैस्तं क्रमेण विनिवर्तये: । राजसिंह! तुम्हें बेंतकी-सी वृत्ति (नम्नता)-का आश्रय लेकर रहना चाहिये। यदि किसी दुर्बल राजापर बलवान्‌ राजा आक्रमण करे तो क्रमश: साम आदि उपायोंद्वारा उस बलवान्‌ राजाको लौटानेका प्रयत्न करना चाहिये

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “O lion among kings, you should live by taking refuge in a reed-like disposition—bending in humility rather than breaking. If a powerful king attacks a weaker ruler, then one should, step by step, strive to turn that aggressor back through the graduated means beginning with conciliation—using counsel and diplomacy first, and only thereafter other measures as required.”

Verse 193

कोशेन पोरैर्दण्डेन ये चास्य प्रियकारिण: । यदि अपनेमें युद्धकी शक्ति न हो तो मन्त्रियोंके साथ उस आक्रमणकारी राजाकी शरणमें जाय तथा कोश, पुरवासी मनुष्य, दण्डशक्ति एवं अन्य जो प्रिय कार्य हों, उन सबको अर्पित करके उस प्रतिद्वन्द्ीको लौटानेकी चेष्टा करे

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: “If one finds no strength within oneself to wage war, then, together with one’s ministers, one should seek the protection of that invading king. By offering up the treasury, the townsmen, the coercive power of punishment, and whatever else is dear and serviceable, one should strive to turn back that rival.”