The King of the Kekayas and the Rakshasa

Verse 1 (12.77.1)

केषां प्रभवते राजा वित्तस्य भरतर्षभ । कया च वृत्त्या वर्तेत तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥

keṣāṃ prabhavate rājā vittasya bharatarṣabha | kayā ca vṛttyā varteta tanme brūhi pitāmaha

Over whose wealth does the king have authority, best of the Bharatas, and by what means of livelihood should he live? Tell me that, grandfather.

Verse 2 (12.77.2)

अब्राह्मणानां वित्तस्य स्वामी राजेति वैदिकम् । ब्राह्मणानां च ये केचिद्विकर्मस्था भवन्त्युत ॥

abrāhmaṇānāṃ vittasya svāmī rājeti vaidikam | brāhmaṇānāṃ ca ye kecidvikarmasthā bhavantyuta

The king is the owner of the wealth of non-Brahmins, so the Veda says, and of those Brahmins, whoever they may be, who are engaged in forbidden acts.

Note on the text: The input aligned this verse to CE 12.77.10; it is the verse the CE also gives as 12.78.2 (identical words), where the CE's own sequence has it. The same verse is printed in Wikisource 76 (verse 22, lines 1-2).

Verse 3 (12.77.3)

विकर्मस्थाश्च नोपेक्ष्या विप्रा राज्ञा कथंचन । इति राज्ञां पुरावृत्तमभिजल्पन्ति साधवः ॥

vikarmasthāśca nopekṣyā viprā rājñā kathaṃcana | iti rājñāṃ purāvṛttamabhijalpanti sādhavaḥ

‘Brahmins engaged in forbidden acts must on no account be neglected by a king’: so the good speak of what kings did of old.

Verse 4 (12.77.4)

यस्य स्म विषये राज्ञः स्तेनो भवति वै द्विजः । राज्ञ एवापराधं तं मन्यन्ते किल्विषं नृप ॥

yasya sma viṣaye rājñaḥ steno bhavati vai dvijaḥ | rājña evāparādhaṃ taṃ manyante kilviṣaṃ nṛpa

In whose realm a Brahmin becomes a thief, people regard that offence as the king's own, O king.

Verse 5 (12.77.5)

अभिशस्तमिवात्मानं मन्यन्ते तेन कर्मणा । तस्माद्राजर्षयः सर्वे ब्राह्मणानन्वपालयन् ॥

abhiśastamivātmānaṃ manyante tena karmaṇā | tasmādrājarṣayaḥ sarve brāhmaṇānanvapālayan

They hold themselves as though cursed because of that deed; therefore all the royal sages always protected Brahmins.

Verse 6 (12.77.6)

अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । गीतं केकयराजेन हियमाणेन रक्षसा ॥

atrāpyudāharantīmamitihāsaṃ purātanam | gītaṃ kekayarājena hiyamāṇena rakṣasā

On this point they recall an ancient tale: a song sung by the king of the Kekayas as a Rakshasa was carrying him off.

Verse 7 (12.77.7)

केकयानामधिपतिं रक्षो जग्राह दारुणम् । स्वाध्यायेनान्वितं राजन्नरण्ये संशितव्रतम् ॥

kekayānāmadhipatiṃ rakṣo jagrāha dāruṇam | svādhyāyenānvitaṃ rājannaraṇye saṃśitavratam

A fearsome Rakshasa seized the lord of the Kekayas in the forest, O king, a man of firm vows devoted to his Vedic recitation.

Verse 8 (12.77.8)

न मे स्तेनो जनपदे न कदर्यो न मद्यपः । नानाहिताग्निर्नायज्वा मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

na me steno janapade na kadaryo na madyapaḥ | nānāhitāgnirnāyajvā mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

There is no thief in my country, no miser, no drinker; no one who has not set up the sacred fires, no one who does not sacrifice. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 9 (12.77.9)

न च मे ब्राह्मणोऽविद्वान्नाव्रती नाप्यसोमपः । द्विजातिर्विषये मह्यं मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

na ca me brāhmaṇo'vidvānnāvratī nāpyasomapaḥ | dvijātirviṣaye mahyaṃ mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

No Brahmin of mine is unlearned, without vows, or a non-drinker of soma; no twice-born in my realm is so. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 10 (12.77.10)

नानाप्तदक्षिणैर्यज्ञैर्यजन्ते विषये मम । नाधीते चाव्रती कश्चिन्मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

nānāptadakṣiṇairyajñairyajante viṣaye mama | nādhīte cāvratī kaścinmā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

No one in my realm sacrifices with sacrifices whose fees are not fully paid, and no one without vows studies. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 11 (12.77.11)

अध्यापयन्त्यधीयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति च । ददति प्रतिगृह्णन्ति षट्‌सु कर्मस्ववस्थिताः ॥

adhyāpayantyadhīyante yajante yājayanti ca | dadati pratigṛhṇanti ṣaṭsu karmasvavasthitāḥ

They teach and study, they sacrifice and officiate, they give and receive, firm in their six duties.

Verse 12 (12.77.12)

पूजिताः संविभक्ताश्च मृदवः सत्यवादिनः । ब्राह्मणा मे स्वकर्मस्था मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

pūjitāḥ saṃvibhaktāśca mṛdavaḥ satyavādinaḥ | brāhmaṇā me svakarmasthā mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

Honoured and provided for, gentle and truthful, my Brahmins stand in their own duties. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 13 (12.77.13)

न याचन्ते प्रयच्छन्ति सत्यधर्मविशारदाः । नाध्यापयन्त्यधीयन्ते यजन्ते याजयन्ति न ॥

na yācante prayacchanti satyadharmaviśāradāḥ | nādhyāpayantyadhīyante yajante yājayanti na

They do not beg but give, skilled in truth and dharma; they study but do not teach, they sacrifice but do not officiate.

Verse 14 (12.77.14)

ब्राह्मणान्परिरक्षन्ति सङ्ग्रामेष्वपलायिनः । क्षत्रिया मे स्वकर्मस्था मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

brāhmaṇānparirakṣanti saṅgrāmeṣvapalāyinaḥ | kṣatriyā me svakarmasthā mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

They protect Brahmins and never flee in battle: my Kshatriyas stand in their own duties. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 15 (12.77.15)

कृषिगोरक्षवाणिज्यमुपजीवन्त्यमायया । अप्रमत्ताः क्रियावन्तः सुवृत्ताः सत्यवादिनः ॥

kṛṣigorakṣavāṇijyamupajīvantyamāyayā | apramattāḥ kriyāvantaḥ suvṛttāḥ satyavādinaḥ

They live by farming, cattle-keeping and trade, without deceit, careful, diligent, of good conduct and truthful,

Verse 16 (12.77.16)

संविभागं दमं शौचं सौहृदं च व्यपाश्रिताः । मम वैश्याः स्वकर्मस्था मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

saṃvibhāgaṃ damaṃ śaucaṃ sauhṛdaṃ ca vyapāśritāḥ | mama vaiśyāḥ svakarmasthā mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

devoted to sharing, self-restraint, purity and friendliness: my Vaishyas stand in their own duties. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 17 (12.77.17)

त्रीन्वर्णानुपतिष्ठन्ते यथावदनसूयकाः । मम शूद्राः स्वकर्मस्था मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

trīnvarṇānupatiṣṭhante yathāvadanasūyakāḥ | mama śūdrāḥ svakarmasthā mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

They serve the three castes as is proper, without envy: my Shudras stand in their own duties. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 18 (12.77.18)

कृपणानाथवृद्धानां दुर्बलातुरयोषिताम् । संविभक्ताऽस्मि सर्वेषां मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

kṛpaṇānāthavṛddhānāṃ durbalāturayoṣitām | saṃvibhaktā'smi sarveṣāṃ mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

I have shared with all the wretched, the helpless and the aged, the weak, the sick and women. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 19 (12.77.19)

कुलानुरूपधर्माणां प्रस्थितानां यथाविधि । अव्युच्छेत्ताऽस्मि सर्वेषां मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

kulānurūpadharmāṇāṃ prasthitānāṃ yathāvidhi | avyucchettā'smi sarveṣāṃ mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

I never cut off any of those who follow, as the rule requires, the duties proper to their families. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 20 (12.77.20)

तपस्विनो मे विषये पूजिताः परिपालिताः । संविभक्ताश्च सत्कृत्य मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

tapasvino me viṣaye pūjitāḥ paripālitāḥ | saṃvibhaktāśca satkṛtya mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

Ascetics in my realm are honoured, cared for, and respectfully given their share. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 21 (12.77.21)

नासंविभज्य भोक्ताऽस्मि न विशामि परस्त्रियम् । स्वतन्त्रो जातु न क्रीडे मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

nāsaṃvibhajya bhoktā'smi na viśāmi parastriyam | svatantro jātu na krīḍe mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

I never eat without sharing, I do not go to another man's wife, and I never sport as my own master without restraint. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 22 (12.77.22)

नाब्रह्मचारी भिक्षावान्भिक्षुर्वाऽब्रह्मचर्यवान् । अनृत्विजा हुतं नास्ति मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

nābrahmacārī bhikṣāvānbhikṣurvā'brahmacaryavān | anṛtvijā hutaṃ nāsti mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

No one who lives on alms is without celibacy, and no mendicant is unchaste; no offering is made without a priest. Do not find a weak point in me.

Note on the text: Corrected भिक्षुर्वा ब्रह्मचर्यवान् → भिक्षुर्वाऽब्रह्मचर्यवान् (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha, which flips the sense: an unchaste mendicant is what the verse denies; CE bhikṣur vābrahmacārikaḥ).

Verse 23 (12.77.23)

कृतं राज्यं मया सर्वं राज्यस्थेनापि कार्यवत् । नाहं व्युत्क्रामितः सत्यान्मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

kṛtaṃ rājyaṃ mayā sarvaṃ rājyasthenāpi kāryavat | nāhaṃ vyutkrāmitaḥ satyānmā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

All the work of kingship has been done by me, and done as duty requires though I hold the throne; I have never swerved from truth. Do not find a weak point in me.

Note on the text: Removed the stray backtick, the doubled daṇḍa and the quote mark. Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): the CE star passage 12.78.022d*0192_01-02 (printed after 12.78.22; the CE ends line 2 with māmakāntaram ābibhaḥ).

Verse 24 (12.77.24)

नावजानाम्यहं वैद्यान्न वृद्धान्न तपस्विनः । राष्ट्रे स्वपति जागर्मि मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

nāvajānāmyahaṃ vaidyānna vṛddhānna tapasvinaḥ | rāṣṭre svapati jāgarmi mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

I do not despise the learned, the aged or the ascetics; while the realm sleeps, I stay awake. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 25 (12.77.25)

शुक्लकर्मास्मि सर्वत्र न दुर्गतिभयं मम । धर्मचारी गृहस्थश्च मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

śuklakarmāsmi sarvatra na durgatibhayaṃ mama | dharmacārī gṛhasthaśca mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

My deeds are pure everywhere, and I have no fear of an evil end; I follow dharma and am a householder. Do not find a weak point in me.

Note on the text: Removed the stray backtick and quote mark. Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): the CE star passage 12.78.023d*0193_01-02 (printed after 12.78.23; the CE ends line 2 with māmakāntaram ābibhaḥ).

Verse 26 (12.77.26)

वेदाध्ययनसंपन्नस्तपस्वी सत्यधर्मवित् । स्वामी सर्वस्य राष्ट्रस्य धीमान्मम पुरोहितः ॥

vedādhyayanasaṃpannastapasvī satyadharmavit | svāmī sarvasya rāṣṭrasya dhīmānmama purohitaḥ

My priest is learned in the Veda, an ascetic who knows truth and dharma, a wise man with authority over the whole realm.

Verse 27 (12.77.27)

दानेन दिव्यानभिवाञ्छामि लोकान् । सत्येनाथ ब्राह्मणानां च गुप्त्या । शुश्रूषया चापि गुरूनुपैमि । न मे भयं विद्यते राक्षसेभ्यः ॥

dānena divyānabhivāñchāmi lokān | satyenātha brāhmaṇānāṃ ca guptyā | śuśrūṣayā cāpi gurūnupaimi | na me bhayaṃ vidyate rākṣasebhyaḥ

By giving I long for the heavenly worlds; by truth and by guarding Brahmins, and by service, I draw near to my elders. I have no fear of Rakshasas.

Note on the text: Four lines, as the page prints them (a-d); the CE has the same words as two long lines (12.78.25a, 25c), each of two halves.

Verse 28 (12.77.28)

न मे राष्ट्रे विधवा ब्रह्मबन्धुर् । न ब्राह्मणः कितवो नोत चोरः । नायाज्ययाजी न च पापकर्मा । न मे भयं विद्यते राक्षसेभ्यः ॥

na me rāṣṭre vidhavā brahmabandhur | na brāhmaṇaḥ kitavo nota coraḥ | nāyājyayājī na ca pāpakarmā | na me bhayaṃ vidyate rākṣasebhyaḥ

In my realm there is no widow, no Brahmin in name only, no Brahmin who is a gambler or a thief, no one who sacrifices for the unworthy, and no one of evil deeds. I have no fear of Rakshasas.

Note on the text: The page and the input break the word in the middle (ब्रह्मबन्धु । / र्न ब्राह्मणः); the final र् is returned to line 1 (ब्रह्मबन्धुर्), as in the CE (brahmabandhur; na brāhmaṇaḥ), and the stray daṇḍa after ब्रह्मबन्धु is dropped. Four lines, as the page prints them; the CE has the same words as two long lines (12.78.26).

Verse 29 (12.77.29)

न मे शस्त्रैरनिर्भिन्नं गात्रे द्व्यङ्गुलमन्तरम् । धर्मार्थं युध्यमानस्य मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

na me śastrairanirbhinnaṃ gātre dvyaṅgulamantaram | dharmārthaṃ yudhyamānasya mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

There is not a gap of two fingers on my body that weapons have not pierced, as I fought for dharma's sake. Do not find a weak point in me.

Note on the text: Corrected व्द्यङ्गुलमन्तरम् → द्व्यङ्गुलमन्तरम् (misprint in Wikisource; व्द for द्व, a swapped conjunct; CE dvyaṅgulam).

Verse 30 (12.77.30)

गोब्राह्मणेभ्यो यज्ञेभ्यो नित्यं स्वस्त्ययनं मम । आशासते जना राष्ट्रे मा ममान्तरमाविशः ॥

gobrāhmaṇebhyo yajñebhyo nityaṃ svastyayanaṃ mama | āśāsate janā rāṣṭre mā mamāntaramāviśaḥ

For the sake of cows, Brahmins and sacrifices, the people of my realm always pray for my well-being. Do not find a weak point in me.

Verse 31 (12.77.31)

नारीणां व्यभिचाराच्च अन्यायाच्च महीक्षिताम् । विप्राणां कर्मदोषाच्च प्रजानां जायते भयम् ॥

nārīṇāṃ vyabhicārācca anyāyācca mahīkṣitām | viprāṇāṃ karmadoṣācca prajānāṃ jāyate bhayam

From the unchastity of women, from the injustice of kings, and from the misdeeds of Brahmins, fear comes upon the people.

Note on the text: Removed a stray backtick opening the passage. Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 01-02 (the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca is printed before the star).

Verse 32 (12.77.32)

अवृष्टिर्मारको दोषः सततं क्षुद्भयानि च । विग्रहश्च सदा तस्मिन्देशे भवति दारुणः ॥

avṛṣṭirmārako doṣaḥ satataṃ kṣudbhayāni ca | vigrahaśca sadā tasmindeśe bhavati dāruṇaḥ

Drought, plague, constant fears of famine and fearful strife befall such a country at all times.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 03-04.

Verse 33 (12.77.33)

यक्षरक्षःपिशाचेभ्यो नासुरेभ्यः कथंचन । भयमुत्पद्यते तत्र यत्र विप्राः सुसंयताः ॥

yakṣarakṣaḥpiśācebhyo nāsurebhyaḥ kathaṃcana | bhayamutpadyate tatra yatra viprāḥ susaṃyatāḥ

Where Brahmins are well restrained, fear never arises from yakshas, rakshasas, pishachas or asuras.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 05-06.

Verse 34 (12.77.34)

गन्धर्वाप्सरसः सिद्धाः पन्नगाश्च सरीसृपाः । मानवान्न जिघांसन्ति यत्र नार्यः पतिव्रताः ॥

gandharvāpsarasaḥ siddhāḥ pannagāśca sarīsṛpāḥ | mānavānna jighāṃsanti yatra nāryaḥ pativratāḥ

Gandharvas, apsarases, siddhas, serpents and crawling creatures do not seek to kill men where wives are faithful to their husbands.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 07-08.

Verse 35 (12.77.35)

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्या यत्र शूद्राश्च धार्मिकाः । नाऽनावृष्टिभयं तत्र न दुर्भिक्षं न विभ्रमः ॥

brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā yatra śūdrāśca dhārmikāḥ | nā'nāvṛṣṭibhayaṃ tatra na durbhikṣaṃ na vibhramaḥ

Where Brahmins, Kshatriyas, Vaishyas and Shudras are righteous, there is no fear of drought, no famine, no confusion.

Note on the text: Corrected ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रिया → ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ा, giving a singular ब्राह्मणः beside plurals; CE brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 09-10.

Verse 36 (12.77.36)

धार्मिको यत्र भूपालो न तत्रास्ति पराभवः । उत्पाता न च दृश्यन्ते न दिव्या न च मानुषाः ॥

dhārmiko yatra bhūpālo na tatrāsti parābhavaḥ | utpātā na ca dṛśyante na divyā na ca mānuṣāḥ

Where the ruler is righteous there is no defeat; no portents are seen there, neither divine nor human.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): part of the CE star passage 12.78.029*0194 (printed after the speaker line rākṣasa uvāca, 12.78.29), lines 11-12.

Verse 37 (12.77.37)

यस्मात्सर्वास्ववस्थासु धर्ममेवान्ववेक्षसे । तस्मात्प्राप्नुहि कैकेय गृहं स्वस्ति व्रजाम्यहम् ॥

yasmātsarvāsvavasthāsu dharmamevānvavekṣase | tasmātprāpnuhi kaikeya gṛhaṃ svasti vrajāmyaham

Since in every circumstance you look to dharma alone, therefore, Kaikeya, return to your home; I go, may it be well.

Verse 38 (12.77.38)

येषां गोब्राह्मणा रक्ष्याः प्रजा रक्ष्याश्च केकय । न रक्षोभ्यो भयं तेषां कुत एव तु पातकम् ॥

yeṣāṃ gobrāhmaṇā rakṣyāḥ prajā rakṣyāśca kekaya | na rakṣobhyo bhayaṃ teṣāṃ kuta eva tu pātakam

For those who must protect cows, Brahmins and their people, O Kekaya, there is no fear from Rakshasas; how then any sin?

Note on the text: Corrected रक्षोऽभ्यो → रक्षोभ्यो (misprint in Wikisource; a stray avagraha; the ablative plural of रक्षस् is रक्षोभ्यः, CE rakṣobhyaḥ).

Verse 39 (12.77.39)

येषां पुरोगमा विप्रा येषां ब्रह्म परं बलम् । सुरक्षितास्तथा विप्रास्ते वै स्वर्गजितो नृपाः ॥

yeṣāṃ purogamā viprā yeṣāṃ brahma paraṃ balam | surakṣitāstathā viprāste vai svargajito nṛpāḥ

Kings who put Brahmins at their head, whose supreme strength is sacred knowledge, and whose Brahmins are well guarded, win heaven.

Verse 40 (12.77.40)

तस्माद्द्विजातीन्रक्षेत ते हि रक्षन्ति रक्षिताः । आशीरेषां भवेद्राजन्राज्ञां सम्यक्प्रवर्तताम् ॥

tasmāddvijātīnrakṣeta te hi rakṣanti rakṣitāḥ | āśīreṣāṃ bhavedrājanrājñāṃ samyakpravartatām

Therefore one should protect the twice-born, for when protected they protect. May their blessing, O king, take full effect for kings.

Verse 41 (12.77.41)

तस्माद्राज्ञा विशेषेण विकर्मस्था द्विजातयः । नियम्याः संविभज्याश्च प्रजानुग्रहकारणात् ॥

tasmādrājñā viśeṣeṇa vikarmasthā dvijātayaḥ | niyamyāḥ saṃvibhajyāśca prajānugrahakāraṇāt

Therefore a king must especially restrain, and also provide for, twice-born who are engaged in forbidden acts, for the good of the people.

Verse 42 (12.77.42)

एवं यो वर्तते राजा पौरजानपदेष्विह । अनुभूयेह भद्राणि प्राप्नोतीन्द्रसलोकताम् ॥

evaṃ yo vartate rājā paurajānapadeṣviha | anubhūyeha bhadrāṇi prāpnotīndrasalokatām

The king who conducts himself so towards townsmen and country people enjoys good things here and attains the world of Indra.