उद्धतानां च यो वेषः कुहकानां च यो भवेत् । राजवेषं च विस्पष्टं सेवमानो न वर्धते। इतराभ्यां तु वेषाभ्यां परिहास्येत बान्धवैः
He who adopts the attire of the arrogant or the deceitful, or wears the clear royal dress, does not prosper in service; but with the other two types of attire, he is ridiculed by relatives.
अपुंभिश्चैव पुंभिश्च स्त्रीभिः स्त्रीदर्शिभिर्नरैः । शक्ये सति न संभाषां जातु कुर्वीत कर्हिचित्
Whether with men or women, or with men who observe women, one should never engage in conversation, if it can be avoided.
प्रतिसंभाषमाणो हि त्रिभिरेतैरचेतनः। श्येनः पेशीमिवादत्ते पुरुषो भूतिमात्मनः
Indeed, when a person converses with these three who lack awareness, he seizes prosperity for himself, just as a hawk snatches a piece of meat.
ये च राज्ञाऽभिसत्कारं लभेरन्कारणादिव। तैश्च सामन्तदूतैश्च न संसज्येत कर्हिचित्
And those who receive honor from the king, for whatever reason, one should never associate with them, nor with the king’s border messengers.
न चान्याचरितां भूमिमसंदिष्टो महीपतेः। उपसेवेत मेधावी यो राजवसतिं वसेत्
Nor should a wise man, unless instructed by the king, serve in a place where others have acted; he should reside only in the king’s household.
न च संदर्शने राज्ञां प्रबन्धमभिसंजपेत् । अपि चैतद्दरिद्राणां व्यलीकस्थानमुत्तमम्
Nor should one ever recite a tale in the presence of kings; moreover, this is the best safeguard for those who are poor and vulnerable.
अर्थकामा च या नारी राजानं स्यादुपस्थिता। अनुजीवी तथायुक्तां निध्यायन्दुष्यते च सः
If a woman, desiring wealth, approaches the king, and a dependent contemplates such a woman, he becomes corrupted.
तस्मान्नारीं न निध्यायेत्तथायुक्तां विचक्षणः। तथा क्षुतं च वातं च निष्ठीवं चाचरेच्छनैः
Therefore, a discerning person should not contemplate such a woman; likewise, he should suppress sneezing, yawning, and spitting.
न नर्मसु हसेज्जातु मूढवृत्तिर्हि सा स्मृता । स्मितं तु मृदुपूर्वेण दर्शयीत प्रसादजम्
One should never laugh in jest, for such conduct is considered foolish; but a gentle smile, preceded by mildness and arising from goodwill, may be shown.
न चाक्षौ न भुजौ जातु न च वाक्यं समाक्षिपेत्। न च तिर्यगवेक्षेत चक्षुर्भ्यां सम्यगाचरेत्
One should never cast dice, nor wrestle, nor interrupt speech; nor should one glance sideways, but act properly with the eyes.
भ्रुकुटिं च न कुर्वीत न चाङ्गुष्ठैर्लिखेन्महीम्। न च गाढं विजृम्भेत जातु राज्ञः समीपतः
Nor should one frown, nor scratch the ground with the thumbs, nor ever stretch excessively in the king’s presence.
न प्रशंसेन्ना चासूयेत्प्रियेषु च हितेषु च । स्तूयमानेषु वा तत्र दूष्यमानेषु वा पुनः
One should neither praise nor disparage those who are dear or beneficial, nor those who are being praised or censured there.
अथ संदृश्यमानेषु प्रियेषु च हितेषु च। श्रूयमाणेषु वाक्येषु वर्णयेदमृतं यथा
But when those who are dear or beneficial are seen or heard, one should describe them as nectar, so to speak.
न राज्ञः प्रतिकूलानि सेवमानः सुखी भवेत्। पुत्रो वा यदि वा भ्राता यद्यप्यात्मसमो भवेत्
One who serves the king will not be happy if he acts against the king, even if he is a son, brother, or equal to himself.
अप्रमत्तो हि राजानं रञ्जयेच्छीलसंपदा। उत्थानेन तु मेधावी शौचेन विविधेन च
Indeed, one who is attentive should please the king by excellence of character, by diligence, intelligence, and various forms of purity.
स्नानं हि वस्त्रशुद्धिश्च शारीरं शौचमुच्यते। असक्तिः प्राकृतार्थेषु द्वितीयं शौचमुच्यते
Bathing and clean clothing are called bodily purity; detachment from ordinary matters is called the second purity.
राजा भोजो विराट् सम्राट् क्षत्रियो भूपतिर्नृपः । य एतैः स्तूयते शब्दैः कस्तं नार्चितुमर्हति
King, Bhoja, Virat, Emperor, Kshatriya, Lord of the Earth, Ruler—who, when praised by these words, would not be worthy of honor?
तस्माद्भक्त्या च युक्तः सन्सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः । मेधावी धृतिमान्प्राज्ञः संश्रयीत महीपतिम्
Therefore, one who is devoted, truthful, self-controlled, intelligent, steadfast, and wise should seek refuge with the king.
कृतज्ञं प्राज्ञमक्षुद्रं दृढभक्तिं जितेन्द्रियम् । वर्धमानं स्थितं स्थाने संश्रयीत महीपतिम्
One should seek refuge with the king who is grateful, wise, not petty, firmly devoted, self-controlled, prosperous, and established in his position.
एष वः समुदाचारः समुद्दिष्टो यथाविधि । यथार्थान्संप्रपत्स्यन्ते पार्थ राजोपजीविनः
This conduct has been prescribed for you according to proper rule; thus, O Partha, those who live by the king will attain their goals.
संवत्सरमिमं तावदेवंशीला बुभूषथः । ततः स्वविषयं प्राप्य यथाकामं चरिष्यथ
For this one year, you must live in this manner; after that, having regained your own kingdom, you may act as you wish.
तं तथेत्यब्रुवन्पार्थाः पितृकल्पं यशस्विनम्। प्रहृष्टाश्चाभिवाद्यैनमुपातिष्ठन्परंतपाः
The sons of Pritha, scorcher of foes, joyfully replied, 'So be it,' to the illustrious elder, honored him, and stood before him with reverence.
तेषां प्रतिष्ठमानानां मन्त्रांश्च ब्राह्मणोऽजपत्। भवाय राज्यलाभाय वीर्याय विजयाय च
As they were preparing to depart, the Brahmin recited mantras for their welfare, for the attainment of their kingdom, for strength, and for victory.
ततोऽब्रवीदसौ विप्रो वाचमाशीः प्रयुज्य च। स्वद्रव्यप्रतिलाभाय शत्रूणां मर्दनाय च
Then that Brahmin, having offered his blessings, spoke words for the recovery of their wealth and the destruction of their enemies.
स्वस्ति वोस्तु शिवः पन्था द्रक्ष्यामि पुनरागतान्। इत्युक्ता हृष्टमनसो गुरुणा तेन धीमता। युधिष्ठिरमुखाः सर्वे गन्तुं समुपचक्रमुः
"May there be welfare for you, may your path be auspicious, and may I see you return again." Thus addressed by that wise teacher, their hearts uplifted, all the sons of Pandu, led by Yudhishthira, prepared to depart.
तेऽग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणं च पुरोहितम्। अभिवाद्य ततः सर्वे प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमुः ।। 1
Having circumambulated the fire and their family priest, the Brahmin, all of them then respectfully took leave and began their journey.
अनुशिष्टोस्मि भद्रं ते नैतद्वक्ताऽस्ति कश्चन। कुन्तीमृते मातरं नः पितरं च यशस्विनम् ।। 2
"I have been instructed; blessings upon you. There is no one else who could have spoken thus, except for Kunti, our mother, and our illustrious father."
यदेवानन्तरं कार्यं तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति। तारणाय तु दुःखस्य प्रस्थानाय भवाय च ।। 3
"Whatever further needs to be done, you should tell us, for the sake of crossing over suffering and for our welfare as we set out."
तेषां प्रतिष्ठमानानां धौम्यो मन्त्रानथाजपत्। सर्वविघ्नप्रशमनानर्थसिद्धिकरांस्तथा। ततः पावकमुञ्ज्वाल्य मन्त्रहव्यपुरुस्कृतम् ।। 4
As they were setting out, Dhaumya recited mantras to remove all obstacles and to ensure the accomplishment of their aims. Then, having kindled the sacred fire, he offered oblations accompanied by mantras.
याज्ञसेनीं पुरस्कृत्य सर्व एव महारथाः। प्राद्रवन्सह धौम्येन बद्धशस्त्रा वनाद्वनम् ।। 5
With Draupadi at the forefront, all the great chariot-warriors, together with Dhaumya and bearing their weapons, hurried from forest to forest.