विनिद्राकरणं घोरं हृदि शल्यमिवार्पितम्। शोपकपावकमुद्धूतं कर्मणानेन नाशय
Destroy this dreadful, sleepless torment, like a thorn lodged in the heart, this blazing fire fanned by action.
श्रुत्वा पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्बलोद्रिक्तान्महौजसः। धृतराष्ट्रो महीपालश्चिन्तामगमदातुरः
Hearing of the sons of Pandu—heroes, overflowing with strength and great energy—King Dhritarashtra was seized by anxious thought.
तत आहूय मन्त्रज्ञं राजशास्त्रार्थवित्तमम्। कणिकं मन्त्रिणां श्रेष्ठं धृतराष्ट्रऽब्रवीद्वचः
Then, summoning Kanika, the foremost among ministers, expert in counsel and the science of kingship, Dhritarashtra spoke these words.
उत्सक्ताः पाण्डवा नित्यं तेभ्योऽसूये द्विजोत्तम। तत्र मे निश्चिततमं सन्धिविग्रहकारणम्। कणिक त्वं ममाचक्ष्व करिष्ये वचनं तव
The Pandavas are always ambitious, O best of Brahmins, and I am envious of them; so tell me, Kanika, the surest course for peace or conflict—I will follow your advice.
दुर्योधनोऽथ शकुनिः कर्णदुःशासनावपि। कणिकं ह्युपसंगृह्य मन्त्रिणं सौबलस्य च
Then Duryodhana, Shakuni, Karna, and Duhshasana also approached Kanika, the minister of the Saubala.
पप्रच्छुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवान्प्रति नैकधा। प्रबुद्धाः पाण्डवा नित्यं सर्वे तेभ्यस्त्रसामहे
They questioned Kanika, best of the Bharatas, in many ways concerning the Pandavas; for the Pandavas are always alert, and all of them excel in the science of weapons.
अनूनं सर्वपक्षाणां यद्भवेत्क्षेमकारकम्। भारद्वाज तदाचक्ष्व करिष्यामः कथं वयम्
O Bharadvaja, tell us what would bring welfare to all parties without deficiency; how should we act?
स प्रसन्नमनास्तेन परिपृष्टो द्विजोत्तमः। उवाच वचनं तीक्ष्णं राजशास्त्रार्थदर्शनम्
Questioned thus by him with a cheerful mind, the eminent Brahmin spoke sharp words, revealing the meaning of royal science.
शृणु राजन्निदं तत्र प्रोच्यमानं मयानघ। न मेऽभ्यसूया कर्तव्या श्रुत्वैतत्कुरुसत्तम
Listen, O king, to what I am about to say here, O sinless one; do not resent it, best of Kurus, upon hearing.
नित्यमुद्यतदण्डः स्यान्नित्यं विवृतपौरुषः। अच्छिद्रश्छिद्रदर्शी स्यात्परेषां विवरानुगः
He should always be ready with punishment, always display his prowess; he should be without flaws, yet keen to detect flaws, and follow the weaknesses of others.
नित्यमुद्यतदण्डाद्धि भऋशमुद्विजते जनः। तस्मात्सर्वाणि कार्याणि दण्डेनैव विधारयेत्
People greatly fear constant readiness for punishment; therefore, all affairs should be regulated by punishment alone.
नास्य च्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेण परमन्वियात्। गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि रक्षेद्विवरमात्मनः
Let no one see his flaw, nor pursue him through a flaw; he should conceal his limbs like a tortoise and guard his own vulnerabilities.
नित्यं च ब्राह्मणाः पूज्या नृपेण हितमिच्छता। सृष्टो नृपो हि विप्रामां पालने दुष्टनिग्रहे
A king who desires benefit should always honor Brahmins; for the king was created for protecting Brahmins and restraining the wicked.
उभाब्यां वर्धते धर्मो धर्मवृद्ध्या जितावुभौ। लोकश्चायं परश्चैव ततो धर्मं समाचरेत्
By both, righteousness grows; with the growth of righteousness, both are victorious—the world and the other realm; therefore, one should practice righteousness.
कृतापराधं पुरुषं दृष्ट्वा यः क्षमते नृपः। तेनावमानमाप्नोति पापं चेह परत्र च
A king who, seeing a man guilty of offense, forgives him, thereby incurs disrespect and sin in this world and the next.
यो विभूतिमवाप्योच्चै राज्ञो विकुरुतेऽधमः। तमानयित्वा हत्वा च दद्याद्धीनाय तद्धनम्
If a wicked person, having attained wealth, acts against the king, he should be brought, killed, and his wealth given to the needy.
नो चेद्धुरि नियुक्ता ये स्थास्यन्ति वशमात्मनः। राजा नियुञ्ज्यात्पुरुषानाप्तान्धर्मार्थकोविदान्
If those appointed to duty do not remain under control, the king should appoint trustworthy men skilled in righteousness and wealth.
ये नियुक्तास्तथा केचिद्राष्ट्रं वा यदि वा पुरम्। ग्रामं जनपदं वापि बाधेयुर्यदि वा न वा
Those appointed, whether over a kingdom, city, village, or district, may restrain or may not restrain; so be it.
परीक्षणार्थं विसृजेदानतांश्छन्नरूपिणः। परीक्ष्य पापकं जह्याद्धनमादाय सर्वशः
For the purpose of investigation, he should send disguised agents; after examining the wicked, he should dismiss them, taking all their wealth.
नासम्यक्कृत्यकारी स्यादुपक्रम्य कदाचन। कण्टको ह्यपि दुश्छिन्न आस्रावं जनयेच्चिरम्
He should never act improperly, even when beginning a task; for even a thorn, badly cut, can cause prolonged bleeding.
वधमेव प्रशंसन्ति शत्रूणामपकारिणाम्। सुविदीर्णं सुविक्रान्तं सुयुद्धं सुपलायितम्
They praise only the killing of enemies who cause harm—well executed, well undertaken, well fought, and well pursued.
आपद्यापदि काले कुर्वीत न विचारयेत्। नावज्ञेयो रिपुस्तात दुर्बलोऽपि कथं चन
In times of crisis, one should act without hesitation; O father, never despise an enemy, however weak he may be.
अल्पोऽप्यग्निर्वनं कृत्स्नं दहत्याश्रयसंश्रयात्। अन्धः स्यादन्धवेलायां बाधिर्यमपि चाश्रयेत्
Even a small fire can burn an entire forest if it finds shelter; one may become blind in a time of blindness, and even deafness may befall one.
कुर्यात्तृणमयं चापं शयीत मृगशायिकाम्। सान्त्वादिभिरुपायैस्तु हन्याच्छत्रुं वशे स्थितं
He should make a bow of grass, sleep on a deer’s bed, and, by means such as conciliation, slay an enemy who is under his control.
दया न तस्मिन्कर्तव्या शरणागत इत्युत। निरुद्विग्नो हि भवति न हताज्जायते भयम्
One should not show compassion to him who has sought refuge; for he becomes fearless, and from the unharmed arises no fear.
हन्यादमित्रं दानेन तथा पूर्वापकारिणम्। हन्यात्त्रीन्पञ्च सप्तेति परपक्षस्य सर्वशः
An enemy should be destroyed by gifts, and likewise one who has previously caused harm; three, five, or seven of the opposing side should be destroyed entirely.
मूलमेवादितश्छिन्द्यात्परपक्षस्य नित्यशः। ततः सहायांस्तत्पक्षान्सर्वांश्च तदनन्तरम्
One should always cut off the very root of the opposing side; then, afterwards, all their allies and supporters.
छिन्नमूले ह्यधिष्ठाने सर्वे तज्जीविनो हताः। कथं नु शाखास्तिष्ठेरंश्छिन्नमूले वनस्पतौ
When the root, the foundation, is cut, all who live by it are destroyed; how could the branches remain when the root of the tree is severed?
एकाग्रः स्यादविवृतो नित्यं विवरदर्शकः। राजन्नित्यं सपत्नेषु नित्योद्विग्नः समाचरेत्
A king should always be single-minded, discreet, ever watchful for openings, and ever act with anxiety regarding his rivals.
अग्न्याधानेन यज्ञेन काषायेण जटाजिनैः। लोकान्विश्वासयित्वैव ततो लुम्पेद्यथा वृकः
By establishing sacred fires, by sacrifice, by wearing ochre robes and matted hair and deer skin, one should win the trust of the people, and then plunder like a wolf.