यदि ते ऽनुमतं कृत्यमाख्येयमनुजीविभिः
If the action is approved by you, let it be declared by your attendants.
ब्रह्मस्वं नापहर्तव्यमिति मे शङ्कते मनः
My mind suspects that Brahmin property must not be taken.
गर्गो मतिमतां श्रेष्ठो गर्हयन्निव भूपते
Garga, best of the wise, as if reproaching, O king,
ब्रह्मस्वसदृशं लोके दुर्जरं नेह विद्यते
Nothing in this world is as hard to endure as Brahmin property.
कुलं समूलं दहति ब्रह्मस्वारणिपावकः
The fire of Brahmin property burns up the family, root and all.
पुत्रपौत्रान्तफलदं विपाककटु पार्थिव
It brings bitter consequences, O king, that bear fruit for sons and grandsons.
किन्नामासन्न कुरुते नेत्रास द्विप्रलोभितम्
What does not come near to one whose eyes are blinded by greed for another's wealth?
आदानं चिन्तयानो हि बाह्मणेष्वभिवाञ्छति
For, thinking of taking, he desires the wealth of Brahmins.
मा कृथास्तद्धि लोकेषु यशोहानिकरं तव
Do not do that, for it brings loss of fame to you among people.
यशांशि कर्मणानेन संप्रतं माव्यनीवशः
By this act, do not now destroy your share of fame.
तत्प्रसादसमुन्नद्धा मज्जयं त्यनयोन्मुखाः
Uplifted by that favor, they, intent on destruction, are sinking.
तन्मतानुप्रवृत्तिश्च राजा सद्यो विषीदति
And when one acts according to his counsel, the king immediately falls into distress.
आत्मना सह दुर्बुद्धिर्लोहनौरिव मज्जयेत्
With his own self, the wicked-minded one would sink, like an iron boat.
मतमस्य सुदुर्बुद्धेर्नानुवर्त्तितुमर्हसि
You should not follow the opinion of this one of exceedingly poor judgment.
आक्षिप्य मन्त्री राजानमिदं भूयो ह्यभाषत
Having reproached the king, the minister again spoke these words:
महान्ति राजकार्याणि द्विजैर्वेत्तुं न शक्यते
Great royal affairs cannot be understood by Brahmins.
विना वै भोजनादाने कार्यं विप्रो न विन्दति
Indeed, without receiving food and gifts, a Brahmin does not accomplish his work.
प्रतिसंग्राहयणीयश्च नाधिकं साधितं क्वचित्
He should be made to accept only what is due; nothing more should ever be given.
नोचेद्राज्यं परित्यज्य गच्छस्वतपसे वनम्
Otherwise, renounce the kingdom and go to the forest for austerity.
प्रसह्य हरणे वापि नाधर्मस्ते भविष्यति
Even if you seize it by force, no unrighteousness will befall you.
दत्त्वा मूल्यं गवाश्वाद्यमृषेर्थेनुः प्रगृह्यताम्
Having given the price—whether cows, horses, or other wealth—let the sage's cow be taken.
तपोधनानां हि कुतो रत्नसंग्रहणादरः
For those rich in austerity, where is the desire for collecting jewels?
तस्मात्ते सर्वथा धेनुं याचितः संप्रदास्यति
Therefore, when asked, he will certainly give you the cow.
संगृह्य वित्तं विपुलं धेनुं तां प्रतिदास्यति
Having received abundant wealth, he will return that cow.
इति मे वर्त्तते बुद्धिः कथं वा मन्यते भवान्
Such is my judgment; but what does Your Majesty think?
दत्त्वा चाभीप्सितं तस्मै तां गामानय मन्त्रिक
Having given him what he desires, bring that cow, O minister.
निवृत्य प्रययौ शीघ्रं जमदग्नेरथाश्रमम्
Then, having departed, he quickly went to Jamadagni’s hermitage.
समिदानयनार्थाय रामो ऽपि प्रययौ वनम्
Rama also went to the forest to fetch sacred firewood.
प्रणम्य मुनिशार्दूलमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Having bowed to the foremost among sages, he spoke these words.
रत्नभूता च धेनुः सा भुवि दोग्ध्रीष्वनुत्तमा
That cow, which was like a jewel, was the best among milkers on earth.