Sarga 100

Verse 2.100.1

जटिलं चीरवसनं प्राञ्जलिं पतितं भुवि।ददर्श रामो दुर्दर्शं युगान्ते भास्करंयथा।।।।

Rāma beheld Bharata—his hair matted, clad in bark-robes—fallen upon the earth with folded hands, a sight as hard to bear as the sun at the world’s end.

Verse 2.100.2

कथंचिदभिविज्ञाय विवर्णवदनं कृशम्।भ्रातरं भरतं रामः परिजग्राह बाहुना।।।।

With difficulty recognizing his brother Bharata—his face drained of color and his body grown thin—Rāma drew him close, embracing him with his arm.

Verse 2.100.3

आघ्राय रामस्तं मूर्ध्नि परिष्वज्य च राघवः।अङ्के भरतमारोप्य पर्यपृच्छत्समाहितः।।।।

A man who is learned yet skilled in scheming, who delights in corrupting servants, and who is brave but hungry for dominion—if a king does not strike such a person down, he himself is destroyed in time.

Verse 2.100.4

क्व नु तेऽभूत्पिता तात यदरण्यं त्वमागतः।न हि त्वं जीवतस्तस्य वनमागन्तुमर्हसि।।।।

Dear one, where is your father, that you have come to the forest? While he yet lives, it does not befit you to enter the wilderness.

Verse 2.100.5

चिरस्य बत पश्यामि दूराद्भरतमागतम्।दुष्प्रतीकमरण्येऽस्मिन् किं तात वनमागतः।।।।

After so long—alas—I see Bharata coming from far away, worn and haggard, into this forest. Why, dear brother, have you come to the wilderness?

Verse 2.100.6

कच्चिद्धारयते तात राजा यत्त्वमिहाऽगतः।कच्चिन्न दीन स्सहसा राजा लोकान्तरं गतः।।।।

Dear child, now that you have come here—does the king still live on? May it be that the king did not, in sudden despondency, pass away to the other world.

Verse 2.100.7

कच्चित्सौम्य न ते राज्यं भ्रष्टं बालस्य शाश्वतम्।कच्चिच्छुश्रूषसे तात पितरं सत्यविक्रमम्।।।।

I trust you deliberate on affairs of state in strict confidence with the appointed counselors—three or four as prescribed—consulting them both collectively and individually.

Verse 2.100.8

कच्चिद्धशरथो राजा कुशली सत्यसंङ्गरः।राजसूयाश्वमेधानामाहर्ता धर्मनिश्चयः।।।।

I trust King Daśaratha is well—true to his pledge, a performer of the Rājasūya and Aśvamedha rites, and firm in his resolve for dharma.

Verse 2.100.9

स कच्चिद्ब्राह्मणो विद्वान् धर्मनित्यो महाद्युतिः।इक्ष्वाकूणामुपाध्यायो यथावत्तात पूज्यते।।।।

Dear child, is that brahmin—learned, ever devoted to dharma, and radiant—the preceptor of the Ikṣvākus, being honored properly, as is fitting?

Verse 2.100.10

सा तात कच्चित्कौसल्या सुमित्रा च प्रजावती।सुखिनी कच्चिदार्या च देवी नन्दति कैकयी।।।।

“Dear brother, is Kausalyā well—and Sumitrā too, blessed with worthy children? And does the noble queen Kaikeyī remain content?”

Verse 2.100.11

कच्चिद्विनयसम्पन्नः कुलपुत्रो बहुश्रुतः।अनसूयुरनुद्रष्टा सत्कृतस्ते पुरोहितः।।।।

“Do you duly honor your family priest—the purohita—modest in conduct, high-born, learned in sacred lore, free from envy, and able to guide you?”

Verse 2.100.12

कच्चिदग्निषु ते युक्तो विधिज्ञो मतिमानृजुः।हुतं च होष्यमाणं च काले वेदयते सदा।।।।

“Is the upright and discerning ritual expert assigned to your sacred fires—does he always inform you in due time of what has been offered and what remains to be offered?”

Verse 2.100.13

कच्चिद्देवान्पित्रून् मातृ़र्गुरून्पितृसमानपि।वृद्धांश्च तात वैद्यांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्चाभिमन्यसे।।।।

Dear brother, do you still honor the gods, the forefathers, mothers, teachers, those equal to a father, the aged, physicians, and Brahmins?

Verse 2.100.14

इष्वस्त्रवरसम्पन्नमर्थशास्त्र विशारदम्।सुधन्वानमुपाध्यायं कच्चित्त्वं तात मन्यसे।।।।

Dear brother, do you show due regard for your teacher Sudhanvan—skilled in excellent weapons and accomplished in the Arthaśāstra, the science of polity?

Verse 2.100.15

कच्चिदात्मसमा श्शूरा श्श्रुतवन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः।कुलीनाश्चेङ्गितज्ञाश्च कृतास्ते तात मन्त्रिणः।।।।

Dear brother, have you appointed as ministers men equal to you in caliber—brave, learned, self-controlled, well-born, and skilled at reading intentions from subtle signs?

Verse 2.100.16

मन्त्रो विजयमूलं हि राज्ञां भवति राघव।सुसंवृतो मन्त्रधरैरमात्यै श्शास्त्रकोविदैः।।।।

O Rāghava, counsel is indeed the root of a king’s victory—especially when it is well-guarded by ministers who can keep counsel and are learned in the śāstras.

Verse 2.100.17

कच्चिन्निद्रावशं नैषीः कच्चित् कालेऽवबुध्यसे।कच्चिच्चापररात्रेषु चिन्तियस्यर्थनैपुणम्।।।।

Are you not overcome by sleep—do you wake at the proper time? And in the later part of the night, do you reflect on skilful means of governance?

Verse 2.100.18

कच्चिन्मन्त्रयसे नैकः कच्चिन्न बहुभिस्सह।कच्चित्ते मन्त्रितो मन्त्रो राष्ट्रं न परिधावति।।।।

Do you neither deliberate wholly alone, nor consult with too many at once? And once you have settled a policy, does it remain well contained, so that it does not spread throughout the kingdom?

Verse 2.100.19

कच्चिदर्थं विनिश्चित्य लघुमूलं महोदयम्।क्षिप्रमारभसे कर्तुं न दीर्घयसि राघव।।।।

O Rāghava, when you have determined a course of action—one requiring modest means yet yielding great benefit—do you set about it swiftly, without needless delay?

Verse 2.100.20

कच्चित्तु सुकृतान्येव कृतरूपाणि वा पुनः।विदुस्ते सर्वकार्याणि न कर्तव्यानि पार्थिवाः।।।।

Do other kings learn of your undertakings only when they have already been successfully carried out—or are on the verge of success—so that what still remains to be done is not disclosed to them beforehand?

Verse 2.100.21

कच्चिन्नतर्कैर्युक्त्या वा ये चाप्यपरिकीर्तिताः।त्वया वा तवामात्यैर्बुध्यते तात मन्त्रितम्।।।।

Dear brother, may what has been resolved—by you or by your ministers—not be grasped by others through speculation, inference, or any other unrevealed means.

Verse 2.100.22

कच्चित्सहस्रान्मूर्खाणामेकमिच्छसि पण्डितम्।पण्डितो ह्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु कुर्यान्निश्रेयसं महत्।।।।

Do you, setting aside a thousand fools, choose even one wise man? For in times of difficulty, a wise person can secure great benefit and the highest good.

Verse 2.100.23

सहस्राण्यपि मूर्खाणां युद्युपास्ते महीपतिः।अथवाप्ययुतान्येव नास्ति तेषु सहायता।।।।

Even if a king seeks support from thousands of fools—or even tens of thousands—there is no real assistance to be found among them.

Verse 2.100.24

एकोऽप्यमात्यो मेधावी शूरो दक्षो विचक्षणः।राजानं राजपुत्रं वा प्रापयेन्महतीं श्रियम्।।।।

Even a single minister—intelligent, brave, competent, and clear-sighted—can bring a king, or even a prince, to great prosperity.

Verse 2.100.25

कच्चिन्मुख्या महात्स्वेव मध्यमेषु च मध्यमाः।जघन्याश्च जघन्येषु भृत्याः कर्मसु योजिताः।।।।

I hope you have assigned your servants appropriately: the most capable to the most important tasks, the middling to middling duties, and the least capable to inferior work.

Verse 2.100.26

अमात्यानुपधातीतान्पितृपैतामहाञ्छुचीन्।श्रेष्ठांछ्रेष्ठेषुकच्चित्वं नियोजयसि कर्मसु।।।।

I hope you appoint to the highest responsibilities those eminent ministers who are incorruptible, of proven family service, and pure in conduct.

Verse 2.100.27

कच्चिन्नोग्रेण दण्डेन भृशमुद्वेजितप्रजम्।राष्ट्रं तवानुजानन्ति मन्त्रिणः कैकयीसुत।।।।

Rāma of the Raghu line kissed Bharata on the forehead and embraced him; then, seating him upon his lap, he questioned him with a steady and composed mind.

Verse 2.100.28

कच्चित्त्वां नावजानन्ति याजकाः पतितं यथा।उग्रप्रतिग्रहीतारं कामयानमिव स्त्रियः।।।।

O son of Kaikeyī, do your ministers approve your rule—without your kingdom’s people being greatly distressed by harsh punishments?

Verse 2.100.29

उपायकुशलं वैद्यं भृत्यसंदूषणे रतम्।शूरमैश्वर्यकामं च यो न हन्ति स हन्यते।।।।

Do the ritual priests not look down upon you—as they would upon a fallen man—because of harsh or improper exactions; and do women not disdain you as they would a lust-driven man?

Verse 2.100.30

कच्चिद्धृष्टश्च शूरश्च मतिमान् धृतिमान् शुचिः।कुलीनश्चानुरक्तश्च दक्षस्सेनापतिः कृतः।।।।

Have you appointed as commander of the army someone who is confident and brave, intelligent and steadfast, upright, well-born, loyal, and efficient?

Verse 2.100.31

बलवन्तश्च कच्चित्ते मुख्या युध्दविशारदाः।दृष्टापदाना विक्रान्तास्त्वया सत्कृत्यमानिताः।।।।

Do you duly honour the foremost soldiers—powerful, skilled in war, proven by deeds, and courageous—so that they feel respected by you?

Verse 2.100.32

कच्चिद्बलस्य भक्तं च वेतनं च यथोचितम्।सम्प्राप्तकालं दातव्यं ददासि न विलम्बसे।।।।

Do you provide the army with suitable rations and pay, giving what is due at the proper time without delay?

Verse 2.100.33

कालातिक्रमणाच्चैव भक्तवेतनयोर्भृताः।भर्तुः कुप्यन्ति दुष्यन्ति सोऽनर्थ स्सुमहान् स्मृतः।।।।

When rations and wages are delayed beyond the proper time, dependants grow angry with their master and become disaffected; this is remembered as a very great calamity.

Verse 2.100.34

कच्चित्सर्वेऽनुरक्तास्त्वां कुलपुत्राः प्रधानतः।कच्चित्प्राणां स्तवार्थेषु सन्त्यजन्ति समाहिताः।।।।

Are all the noble-born men—especially those of eminent standing—devoted to you, and are they, with steady resolve, ready to give up their lives for your cause?

Verse 2.100.35

कच्चिज्जानपदो विद्वान्दक्षिणः प्रतिभानवान्।यथोक्तवादी दूतस्ते कृतो भरत पण्डितः।।।।

O Bharata, have you appointed as your envoy a wise and capable expert—one native to the land, well-informed, favourably disposed, quick-witted, and one who reports exactly as instructed?

Verse 2.100.36

कच्चिदष्टादशान्येषु स्वपक्षे दश पञ्च च।त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविज्ञातैर्वेत्सि तीर्थानि चारकैः।।।।

Do you, through spies who cannot be recognized—three assigned to each post—keep yourself informed about the vital offices: the eighteen on the enemy’s side and the fifteen within your own camp?

Verse 2.100.37

कच्चिद्व्यपास्तानहितान्प्रतियातांश्च सर्वदा।दुर्बलाननवज्ञाय वर्तसे रिपुसूदन।।।।

O slayer of foes, do you remain ever watchful—never neglecting enemies once repelled who have returned, even if they appear weak?

Verse 2.100.38

कच्चिन्न लौकायतिकान्ब्राह्मणांस्तात सेवसे।।अनर्थकुशला ह्येते बालाः पण्डितमानिनः।।।।

Dear one, may you not keep company with those brahmins who are worldly-minded skeptics; though childish, they fancy themselves learned and are skilled only in bringing harm.

Verse 2.100.39

धर्मशास्त्रेषु मुख्येषु विद्यमानेषु दुर्बुधाः।बुद्धिमान्वीक्षिकीं प्राप्य निरर्थं प्रवदन्ति ते।।।।

Though the foremost dharma-śāstras are at hand, those of shallow mind, taking up mere dialectical logic, speak only what is futile.

Verse 2.100.40

वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।।।

Dear one, do you protect Ayodhyā—true to her name—once inhabited and defended by our heroic forefathers, with steadfast gates and filled with elephants, horses, and chariots; thronged by thousands of noble, self-controlled, high-spirited brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas devoted to their own dharma; adorned with palaces of many forms and rich in learned men and physicians—prosperous and content?

Verse 2.100.41

वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।2.100.40।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।2.100.41।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।2.100.42।।

O Rāghava, is the countryside prosperous and at ease—rich with hundreds of sacred shrines, well settled and full of people; beautified with temples, water-stations, and tanks; radiant with gatherings and festivals, with joyful men and women; with well-ploughed boundaries and abundant cattle, free from violence; delightful, not dependent on rainfall and free from wild beasts; rid of every fear, adorned with mines; kept clear of sinful men and well protected as in my forefathers’ time?

Verse 2.100.42

वीरैरध्युषितां पूर्वमस्माकं तात पूर्वकैः।सत्यनामां दृढ द्वारां हस्त्यश्वरथसङ्कुलाम्।।2.100.40।।ब्राह्मणैः क्षत्रियैर्वैश्यै स्स्वकर्मनिरतैस्सदा।जितेन्द्रियैर्महोत्साहैर्वृतामार्यै स्सहस्रशः।।2.100.41।।प्रासादैर्विविधाकारैर्वृतां वैद्यजनाकुलाम्।कच्चित्सुमुदितां स्फीतामयोध्यां परिरक्षसि।।2.100.42।।

Dear brother, I trust you are safeguarding Ayodhyā—true to its very name—once inhabited and defended by our heroic ancestors, secured with firm gates and crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots; thronged by thousands of venerable, self-controlled, high-spirited men—brāhmaṇas, kṣatriyas, and vaiśyas—steadfast in their own duties; adorned with palaces of many designs, rich in physicians and learned men, joyful and flourishing in prosperity.

Verse 2.100.43

कच्चिच्चैत्यशतैर्जुष्ट स्सुनिविष्टजनाकुलः।देवस्थानैः प्रपाभिश्च तटाकैश्चोपशोभितः।।।।प्रहृष्टनरनारीकस्समाजोत्सवशोभितः।सुकृष्टसीमा पशुमान्हिंसाभिः परिवर्जितः।।।।अदेवमातृको रम्य श्श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः।परित्यक्तो भयैस्सर्वैः खनिभिश्चोपशोभितः।।।।विवर्जितो नरैः पापैर्मम पूर्वै स्सुरक्षितः।कच्चिज्जनपदस्स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव।।।।

O Rāghava, I trust the countryside is thriving: graced with hundreds of sacred shrines, densely settled by people living in comfort; beautified with temples, water-giving rest-houses, and reservoirs; radiant with assemblies and festivals where men and women rejoice; its borders well ploughed, rich in cattle, and free from violence; delightful, not dependent on rain, and free from wild beasts; with every fear driven out, adorned with mines and resources; safeguarded by my ancestors and cleared of sinful men—so that the people dwell in ease and prosperity.

Verse 2.100.44

कच्चिच्चैत्यशतैर्जुष्ट स्सुनिविष्टजनाकुलः।देवस्थानैः प्रपाभिश्च तटाकैश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.43।।प्रहृष्टनरनारीकस्समाजोत्सवशोभितः।सुकृष्टसीमा पशुमान्हिंसाभिः परिवर्जितः।।2.100.44।।अदेवमातृको रम्य श्श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः।परित्यक्तो भयैस्सर्वैः खनिभिश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.45।।विवर्जितो नरैः पापैर्मम पूर्वै स्सुरक्षितः।कच्चिज्जनपदस्स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव।।2.100.46।।

O greatly wise one, I trust you rightly apply—through clear intellect—mastery over the senses; the sixfold measures of policy; discernment of troubles arising from fate and from human agency; the required affairs of state and the twentyfold administrative considerations; and the circle of constituents and alliances; as well as the proper ordering of expeditions and punishments, and the twin courses of peace and war.

Verse 2.100.45

कच्चिच्चैत्यशतैर्जुष्ट स्सुनिविष्टजनाकुलः।देवस्थानैः प्रपाभिश्च तटाकैश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.43।।प्रहृष्टनरनारीकस्समाजोत्सवशोभितः।सुकृष्टसीमा पशुमान्हिंसाभिः परिवर्जितः।।2.100.44।।अदेवमातृको रम्य श्श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः।परित्यक्तो भयैस्सर्वैः खनिभिश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.45।।विवर्जितो नरैः पापैर्मम पूर्वै स्सुरक्षितः।कच्चिज्जनपदस्स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव।।2.100.46।।

Is that delightful land not dependent on rainfall, free from wild beasts, with every fear driven away, and further adorned by its mines?

Verse 2.100.46

कच्चिच्चैत्यशतैर्जुष्ट स्सुनिविष्टजनाकुलः।देवस्थानैः प्रपाभिश्च तटाकैश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.43।।प्रहृष्टनरनारीकस्समाजोत्सवशोभितः।सुकृष्टसीमा पशुमान्हिंसाभिः परिवर्जितः।।2.100.44।।अदेवमातृको रम्य श्श्वापदैः परिवर्जितः।परित्यक्तो भयैस्सर्वैः खनिभिश्चोपशोभितः।।2.100.45।।विवर्जितो नरैः पापैर्मम पूर्वै स्सुरक्षितः।कच्चिज्जनपदस्स्फीतः सुखं वसति राघव।।2.100.46।।

Is the countryside free of sinful men, well guarded as it was by my forefathers, and—O Rāghava—prosperous, with its people living in comfort?

Verse 2.100.47

कच्चित्ते दयितास्सर्वे कृषिगोरक्षजीविनः।वार्तायां संश्रितस्तात लोको हि सुखमेधते।।।।

Are all those dear to you—who live by farming and the tending of cattle—well? For, dear one, the people prosper happily when they are supported by vārttā, the productive means of livelihood.

Verse 2.100.48

तेषां गुप्तिपरीहारैः कच्चित्ते भरणं कृतम्।रक्ष्या हि राज्ञा धर्मेण सर्वे विषयवासिनः।।।।

Have you secured their livelihood by protection and by warding off hardships? For all who dwell within the realm must indeed be guarded by the king in accordance with dharma.

Verse 2.100.49

कच्चिस्त्रिय स्सान्त्वयसि कच्चित्ताश्च सुरक्षिताः।कच्चिन्न श्रद्धास्यासां कच्चिद्गुह्यं न भाषसे।।।।

Do you keep the women reassured, and are they well protected? And do you refrain from trusting their talk, and from disclosing secrets to them?

Verse 2.100.50

कच्चिन्नागवनं गुप्तं कच्चित्ते सन्ति धेनुकाः।कच्चिन्न गणिकाश्वानां कुञ्जराणां च तृप्यसि।।।।

Is the elephant-forest well protected, and do you have plentiful milch-cows? And regarding mares and elephants, do you avoid being content with too little, keeping the royal resources sufficient?

Verse 2.100.51

कच्चिद्दर्शयसे नित्यं मनुष्याणां विभूषितम्।उत्थायोत्थाय पूर्वाह्णे राजपुत्र महापथे।।।।

O prince, do you rise early each day and show yourself—properly adorned—to the people on the great road?

Verse 2.100.52

कच्चिन्न सर्वे कर्मान्ताः प्रत्यक्षास्तेऽविशङ्कया।सर्वे वा पुनरुत्सृष्टा मध्यमेवात्र कारणम्।।।।

Do all your servants approach you openly and without fear, yet are they neither indulged without restraint nor kept wholly at a distance? Here, the middle way is the sound principle.

Verse 2.100.53

कच्चित्सर्वाणि दुर्गाणि धनधान्यायुधोदकैः।यन्त्रैश्च परिपूर्णानि तथा शिल्पिधनुर्धरैः।।।।

Are all the forts fully supplied with wealth, grain, weapons, and water, along with defensive engines, and with craftsmen and archers as well?

Verse 2.100.54

आयस्ते विपुलः कच्चित्कच्चिदल्पतरो व्ययः।अपात्रेषु न ते कच्चित्कोशो गच्छति राघव।।।।

O Rāghava, are your revenues abundant and your expenditures restrained? And do you ensure that the royal treasury is not squandered on the undeserving?

Verse 2.100.55

देवतार्थे च पित्रर्थेब्राह्मणाभ्यागतेषु च।योधेषु मित्रवर्गेषु कच्चिद्गच्छति ते व्ययः।।।।

Is your expenditure directed to proper duties—offerings to the gods and ancestors, support for brahmins and guests, and due provision for warriors and allied friends?

Verse 2.100.56

कच्चिदार्यो विशुद्धात्मा क्षारित श्चापरकर्मणा।अपृष्ट श्शास्त्रकुशलैर्न लोभाद्वध्यते शुचिः।।।।

May an upright and pure-hearted man—though slandered by some disgraceful allegation—not be executed out of greed, without first consulting those skilled in the śāstras.

Verse 2.100.57

गृहीतश्चैव पृष्टश्च काले दृष्टस्सकारणः।कच्चिन्न मुच्यते चोरो धनलोभान्नरर्षभ।।।।

O best of men, may it be that a thief—caught in the act, seized, questioned, and proven by evidence—is not released merely out of greed for money.

Verse 2.100.58

व्यसने कच्चिदाढ्यस्य दुर्गतस्य च राघव।अर्थं विरागाः पश्यन्ति तवामात्या बहुश्रुताः।।।।

O Rāghava, in times of hardship, do your well-informed ministers examine matters without bias, whether the person concerned is wealthy or destitute?

Verse 2.100.59

यानि मिथ्याभिशस्तानां पतन्त्यश्रूणि राघव।तानि पुत्रान्पशून्घ्नन्ति प्रीत्यर्थमनुशासतः।।।।

O Rāghava, the tears that fall from those falsely accused—when a ruler punishes merely for his own pleasure—destroy that ruler’s sons and cattle.

Verse 2.100.60

कच्चिद्वृद्धांश्च बालांश्च वैद्यामुख्यांश्च राघव।दानेन मनसा वाचा त्रिभिरेतैर्बुभूषसे।।।।

O Rāghava, do you seek the kingdom’s well-being by nurturing the aged, the children, and the foremost among the learned—through gifts, goodwill, and kindly speech?

Verse 2.100.61

कच्चिद्गुरूंश्च वृद्धांश्च तापसान् देवतातिथीन्।चैत्यांश्च सर्वान्सिध्दार्थान्ब्राह्मणांश्च नमस्यसि।।।।

Do you offer due reverence to teachers and elders, to ascetics, to the gods and to guests, to all sacred shrines, to accomplished souls, and to the brāhmaṇas?

Verse 2.100.62

कच्चिदर्थेन वा धर्ममर्थं धर्मेण वा पुनः।उभौ वा प्रीतिलोभेन कामेन च न बाधसे।।।।

I trust you do not harm dharma for the sake of wealth, nor wealth for the sake of dharma—nor both—out of craving for pleasure and desire.

Verse 2.100.63

कच्चिदर्थं च धर्मं च कामं च जयतां वर।विभज्य काले कालज्ञ सर्वान्वरद सेवसे।।।।

O gentle one, since you are still young, I trust you have not ruined the kingdom beyond recovery. Dear child, I also trust you dutifully attend upon your father, whose true strength lies in his truthfulness.

Verse 2.100.64

कच्चित्ते ब्राह्मणा श्शर्म सर्वशास्त्रार्थकोविदाः।आशंसन्ते महाप्राज्ञ पौरजानपदैस्सह।।।।

O best among victors—wise in discerning the proper time and a giver of boons—do you, by rightly dividing your time, attend to all three aims: dharma, artha, and kāma?

Verse 2.100.65

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम्।अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं पञ्चवृत्तिताम्।।।।एकचिन्तनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च मन्त्रणम्।निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम्।।।।मङ्गलाद्यप्रयोगं च प्रत्युत्थानं च सर्वतः।कच्चित्वं वर्जयस्येतान्राजदोषांश्चतुर्दश।।।।

O greatly wise one, do the brāhmaṇas—skilled in the meaning of all śāstras—together with the townspeople and the countryfolk, wish for your welfare and happiness?

Verse 2.100.66

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम्।अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं पञ्चवृत्तिताम्।।2.100.65।।एकचिन्तनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च मन्त्रणम्।निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम्।।2.100.66।।मङ्गलाद्यप्रयोगं च प्रत्युत्थानं च सर्वतः।कच्चित्वं वर्जयस्येतान्राजदोषांश्चतुर्दश।।2.100.67।।

Do you avoid the fourteen royal faults—impiety, falsehood, anger, negligence, procrastination, shunning the wise, laziness, and indulgence in the five senses; managing affairs by thinking alone; taking counsel with the incompetent; failing to act on what is decided; not safeguarding counsel; neglecting auspicious observances; and rashly attacking all enemies at once?

Verse 2.100.67

नास्तिक्यमनृतं क्रोधं प्रमादं दीर्घसूत्रताम्।अदर्शनं ज्ञानवतामालस्यं पञ्चवृत्तिताम्।।2.100.65।।एकचिन्तनमर्थानामनर्थज्ञैश्च मन्त्रणम्।निश्चितानामनारम्भं मन्त्रस्यापरिरक्षणम्।।2.100.66।।मङ्गलाद्यप्रयोगं च प्रत्युत्थानं च सर्वतः।कच्चित्वं वर्जयस्येतान्राजदोषांश्चतुर्दश।।2.100.67।।

O Rāghava, greatly wise—do you truly understand and duly apply these disciplines of polity and conduct: the ten-, five-, and fourfold groupings; the sevenfold, eightfold, and threefold sets; the three branches of knowledge; conquest of the senses by intellect; the sixfold policy; misfortunes born of fate and of human agency; the duties called kṛtya; the twentyfold classification; the circle of constituents and the mandalas; the rules of expedition and punishment; and the two courses of peace and war?

Verse 2.100.68

दशपञ्चचतुर्वर्गान्सप्तवर्गं च तत्त्वतः।अष्टवर्गं त्रिवर्गं च विद्यास्तिस्रश्च राघव।।।।इन्द्रियाणां जयं बुद्ध्या षाड्गुण्यं दैवमानुषम्।कृत्यं विंशतिवर्गं च तथा प्रकृतिमण्डलम्।।।।यात्रादण्डविधानं च द्वियोनी सन्धिविग्रहौ।कच्चिदेतान्महाप्राज्ञ यथावदनुमन्यसे।।।।

Do you deliberate in secret on matters of counsel with ministers—three or four as prescribed—both collectively and individually, so that policy is well-tested and protected?

Verse 2.100.69

दशपञ्चचतुर्वर्गान्सप्तवर्गं च तत्त्वतः।अष्टवर्गं त्रिवर्गं च विद्यास्तिस्रश्च राघव।।2.100.68।।इन्द्रियाणां जयं बुद्ध्या षाड्गुण्यं दैवमानुषम्।कृत्यं विंशतिवर्गं च तथा प्रकृतिमण्डलम्।।2.100.69।।यात्रादण्डविधानं च द्वियोनी सन्धिविग्रहौ।कच्चिदेतान्महाप्राज्ञ यथावदनुमन्यसे।।2.100.70।।

O gentle brother, I trust that—though still young—you have not let the kingdom slip away forever; and, dear brother, that you are faithfully attending upon our father, whose true strength rests in steadfast truth.

Verse 2.100.70

दशपञ्चचतुर्वर्गान्सप्तवर्गं च तत्त्वतः।अष्टवर्गं त्रिवर्गं च विद्यास्तिस्रश्च राघव।।2.100.68।।इन्द्रियाणां जयं बुद्ध्या षाड्गुण्यं दैवमानुषम्।कृत्यं विंशतिवर्गं च तथा प्रकृतिमण्डलम्।।2.100.69।।यात्रादण्डविधानं च द्वियोनी सन्धिविग्रहौ।कच्चिदेतान्महाप्राज्ञ यथावदनुमन्यसे।।2.100.70।।

O great king, be pleased and partake of this very food that we now eat; for the deities connected with a man receive the same food as that which he partakes.

Verse 2.100.71

मन्त्रिभिस्त्वं यथोद्दिष्टैश्चतुर्भिस्त्रिभिरेव वा।कच्चित्समस्तैर्व्यस्तैश्च मन्त्रं मन्त्रयसे मिथः।।।।

When that tree, though blossoming, yields no fruit, the one who planted it gains no joy from the purpose for which it was planted.

Verse 2.100.72

कच्चित्ते सफला वेदाः कच्चित्ते सफलाः क्रियाः।कच्चित्ते सफला दाराः कच्चित्ते सफलं श्रुतम्।।।।

May your study of the Vedas have borne fruit; may your undertakings have proved fruitful; may your household life be blessed and fulfilled; and may what you have heard from the śāstras have become wisdom lived in practice.

Verse 2.100.73

कच्चिदेषैव ते बुद्धिर्यथोक्ता मम राघव।आयुष्या च यशस्या च धर्मकामार्थ संहिता।।।।

O Rāghava, may your understanding accord with what I have said—an understanding that sustains long life and good fame, and that is harmonized with dharma, rightful pleasure, and prosperity.

Verse 2.100.74

यां वृत्तिं वर्तते तातो यां च नः प्रपितामहाः।तां वृत्तिं वर्तसे कच्चिद्याच सत्पथगा शुभा।।।।

My child, do you indeed follow the same course of conduct our father follows, and that our forefathers followed—an auspicious way that walks the true path?

Verse 2.100.75

कच्चित्स्वादु कृतं भोज्यमेको नाश्नासि राघव।कच्चिदाशंसमानेभ्यो मित्रेभ्य स्सम्प्रयच्छसि।।।।

O Rāghava, you do not eat delicacies all by yourself, do you? And do you share them with friends who hope for them and ask?

Verse 2.100.76

राजा तु धर्मेण हि पालयित्वा महामतिर्दण्डधरः प्रजानाम्।अवाप्य कृत्स्नां वसुधां यथावदितश्च्युत स्स्वर्गमुपैति विद्वान्।।।।

But the king—wise and learned, bearing the rod of justice for the people—having ruled righteously according to dharma and attained full sovereignty over the earth, when released from this world, indeed reaches heaven.