The Qualities of Counsellors and Ministers

Verse 1 (12.83.1)

सभासदः सहायाश्च सुहृदश्च विशांपते । परिच्छदास्तथाऽमात्याः कीदृशाः स्युः पितामह ॥

sabhāsadaḥ sahāyāśca suhṛdaśca viśāṃpate | paricchadāstathā'mātyāḥ kīdṛśāḥ syuḥ pitāmaha

O lord of the people, grandsire, what kind of men should the members of the assembly, the helpers, the friends, the attendants and the ministers be?

Note on the text: Speaker Yudhishthira as headed on the page (12-83-1x). Not in the critical edition's constituted text: the question is the CE star passage 12.84.1d*0204_00-02 (yudhiṣṭhira uvāca / sabhāsadaḥ sahāyāś ca suhṛdaś ca viśāṃ pate / paricchadās tathāmātyāḥ kīdṛśāḥ syuḥ pitāmaha), which the CE prints before 12.84.2.

Verse 2 (12.83.2)

ह्रीनिषेवास्तथा दान्ताः सत्यार्जवसमन्विताः । शक्ताः कथयितुं सम्यक्ते तव स्युः सभासदः ॥

hrīniṣevāstathā dāntāḥ satyārjavasamanvitāḥ | śaktāḥ kathayituṃ samyakte tava syuḥ sabhāsadaḥ

Those who are modest and self-restrained, endowed with truthfulness and uprightness, and able to speak well, should be the members of your assembly.

Verse 3 (12.83.3)

अमात्याश्चातिशूराश्च ब्रह्मण्याश्च बहुश्रुताः । सुसंतृष्टाश्च कौन्तेय महोत्साहाश्च कर्मसु ॥

amātyāścātiśūrāśca brahmaṇyāśca bahuśrutāḥ | susaṃtṛṣṭāśca kaunteya mahotsāhāśca karmasu

Let your ministers be exceedingly brave, devoted to brahmins, learned, well content, and full of zeal in their undertakings, O son of Kunti.

Verse 4 (12.83.4)

एतान्सहायाँल्लिप्सेथाः सर्वास्वापत्सु भारत ॥

etānsahāyām̐llipsethāḥ sarvāsvāpatsu bhārata

You should seek such helpers in every calamity, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; a single line, as on the page = CE 12.84.3a.

Verse 5 (12.83.5)

कुलीनः पूजितो नित्यं न हि शक्तिं निगूहति । प्रसन्नमप्रसन्नं वा पीडितं हतमेव वा । आवर्तयति भूयिष्ठं तदेव ह्यनुपालितम् ॥

kulīnaḥ pūjito nityaṃ na hi śaktiṃ nigūhati | prasannamaprasannaṃ vā pīḍitaṃ hatameva vā | āvartayati bhūyiṣṭhaṃ tadeva hyanupālitam

A well-born man who is always honoured does not hide his strength. Whether he has been treated kindly or unkindly, oppressed or even robbed, he most often reverts to what has been cherished in him.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment. Three-line verse, as on the page; lines = CE 12.84.3c, 4a, 4c (Wikisource तदेव ह्यनुपालितम् against CE tad eko hy anupālitaḥ is a recension variant, kept).

Verse 6 (12.83.6)

कुलीना देशजाः प्राज्ञा रूपवन्तो बहुश्रुताः । प्रगल्भाश्चानुरक्ताश्च ते तव स्युः परिच्छदाः ॥

kulīnā deśajāḥ prājñā rūpavanto bahuśrutāḥ | pragalbhāścānuraktāśca te tava syuḥ paricchadāḥ

Well-born men, natives of the country, wise, handsome, learned, bold and devoted: these should be your attendants.

Verse 7 (12.83.7)

दौष्कुलेयाश्च लुब्धाश्च नृशंसा निरपत्रपाः । ते त्वां तात निषेवेयुर्यावदार्द्रकपाणयः ॥

dauṣkuleyāśca lubdhāśca nṛśaṃsā nirapatrapāḥ | te tvāṃ tāta niṣeveyuryāvadārdrakapāṇayaḥ

Men of bad family, greedy, cruel and shameless will serve you, my son, only as long as their hands are wet.

Verse 8 (12.83.8)

कुलीनाञ्शीलसंपन्नानिङ्गितज्ञानानिष्ठुरान् । देशकालविधानज्ञान्भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः । नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजा कुर्वीत मन्त्रिणः ॥

kulīnāñśīlasaṃpannāniṅgitajñānāniṣṭhurān | deśakālavidhānajñānbhartṛkāryahitaiṣiṇaḥ | nityamartheṣu sarveṣu rājā kurvīta mantriṇaḥ

Well-born men of good character, quick to read a hint and not harsh, who know place, time and procedure and wish well to their master's business: such men a king should always appoint as ministers in all matters.

Note on the text: Corrected ज्ञाननिष्ठुरान् → ज्ञानानिष्ठुरान् (misprint in Wikisource; the sandhi अनिष्ठुरान् lost its अ, which flips the sense, CE iṅgitajñān aniṣṭhurān). Corrected हितैपिणः → हितैषिणः (misprint in Wikisource; प for ष, CE hitaiṣiṇaḥ). Not matched by the alignment. Three-line verse, as on the page. Its three lines repeat CE 12.84.21c, 22a and 22c, which Wikisource also prints below in verses 23-24 (the CE has them only there), so the CE does not have them at this place.

Verse 9 (12.83.9)

अर्थमानार्घसत्कारैर्भोगैरुच्चावचैः प्रियैः । यानर्थभाजो मन्येथास्तेते स्युः सुखभागिनः ॥

arthamānārghasatkārairbhogairuccāvacaiḥ priyaiḥ | yānarthabhājo manyethāstete syuḥ sukhabhāginaḥ

With wealth, esteem, costly gifts, courtesy and a variety of pleasures, favour those dear to you whom you think worthy of a share in your riches; let them be sharers in your happiness.

Verse 10 (12.83.10)

अभिन्नवृत्ता विद्वांसः सद्वृत्ताश्चरितव्रताः । न त्वां नित्यार्थिनो जह्युरक्षुद्राः सत्यवादिनः ॥

abhinnavṛttā vidvāṃsaḥ sadvṛttāścaritavratāḥ | na tvāṃ nityārthino jahyurakṣudrāḥ satyavādinaḥ

Men of unbroken conduct and learning, of good character and firm vows, not petty, and truthful: even if they are always in need, they will never abandon you.

Note on the text: Corrected सद्वॄत्ताश्चरितव्रताः → सद्वृत्ताश्चरितव्रताः (misprint in Wikisource; long ॠ for ऋ, CE sadvṛttāś). Corrected नत्वां → न त्वां (misprint in Wikisource; न and त्वाम् run together, CE na tvāṃ).

Verse 11 (12.83.11)

अनार्या ये न जानन्ति समयं मन्दचेतसः । तेभ्यः परिजुगुप्सेथा ये चापि समयच्युताः ॥

anāryā ye na jānanti samayaṃ mandacetasaḥ | tebhyaḥ parijugupsethā ye cāpi samayacyutāḥ

Be on your guard against the ignoble and dull-witted who do not know the rules of right conduct, and against those who have fallen away from them.

Verse 12 (12.83.12)

नैकमिच्छेद्गणं हित्वा स्याच्चेदन्यतरग्रहः । यस्त्वेको बहुभिः श्रेयान्कामं तेन गणं त्यजेत् ॥

naikamicchedgaṇaṃ hitvā syāccedanyataragrahaḥ | yastveko bahubhiḥ śreyānkāmaṃ tena gaṇaṃ tyajet

He should not choose a single man at the cost of abandoning a whole group, if it comes to taking one side or the other; but if one man is better than many, then let him by all means give up the group for him.

Verse 13 (12.83.13)

श्रेयसो लक्षणं चैतद्विक्रमो यस्य दृश्यते । कीर्तिप्रधानो यश्च स्यात्समये यश्च तिष्ठति ॥

śreyaso lakṣaṇaṃ caitadvikramo yasya dṛśyate | kīrtipradhāno yaśca syātsamaye yaśca tiṣṭhati

This is the mark of an excellent man: one in whom valour is seen, who holds fame foremost, and who stands by his word.

Verse 14 (12.83.14)

समर्थान्पूजयेद्यश्च नास्पर्ध्यैः स्पर्धते च यः । न च कामाद्भयात्क्रोधाल्लोभाद्वा धर्ममुत्सृजेत् ॥

samarthānpūjayedyaśca nāspardhyaiḥ spardhate ca yaḥ | na ca kāmādbhayātkrodhāllobhādvā dharmamutsṛjet

He honours the capable, does not vie with those he has no right to vie with, and never abandons dharma out of desire, fear, anger or greed.

Verse 15 (12.83.15)

अमानी सत्यवाक्शक्तो जितात्मा मानसंयुतः । स ते मन्त्रसहायः स्यात्सर्वावस्थापरीक्षितः ॥

amānī satyavākśakto jitātmā mānasaṃyutaḥ | sa te mantrasahāyaḥ syātsarvāvasthāparīkṣitaḥ

Free of vanity, truthful in speech, powerful, self-controlled, and honourable, a man tested in every circumstance should be your counsellor.

Note on the text: Corrected अत्यवाक्शक्तो → सत्यवाक्शक्तो (misprint in Wikisource; अ for स, CE satyavāk śakto).

Verse 16 (12.83.16)

कुलीनः कुलसंपन्नस्तितिक्षुर्दक्ष आत्मवान् । शूरः कृतज्ञः सत्यश्च श्रेयसः पार्थ लक्षणम् ॥

kulīnaḥ kulasaṃpannastitikṣurdakṣa ātmavān | śūraḥ kṛtajñaḥ satyaśca śreyasaḥ pārtha lakṣaṇam

Well-born, of good family, patient, skilled, self-possessed, brave, grateful and truthful: these, O Partha, are the marks of an excellent man.

Note on the text: Corrected दश आत्मवान् → दक्ष आत्मवान् (misprint in Wikisource; दश (ten) gives no sense, CE dakṣa ātmavān).

Verse 17 (12.83.17)

तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य पुरुषस्य विजानतः । अमित्राः संप्रसीदन्ति तथा मित्रीभवन्त्यपि ॥

tasyaivaṃ vartamānasya puruṣasya vijānataḥ | amitrāḥ saṃprasīdanti tathā mitrībhavantyapi

When a man who knows his business behaves in this way, even his enemies grow friendly toward him and then become his friends.

Verse 18 (12.83.18)

अत ऊर्ध्वममात्यानां परीक्षेत गुणागुणम् । संयतात्मा कृतप्रज्ञो भूतिकामश्च भूमिपः ॥

ata ūrdhvamamātyānāṃ parīkṣeta guṇāguṇam | saṃyatātmā kṛtaprajño bhūtikāmaśca bhūmipaḥ

After this, a king who has mastered himself, gained wisdom and desires prosperity should test the merits and faults of his ministers.

Verse 19 (12.83.19)

संबन्धिपुरुषैराप्तैरभिजातैः स्वदेशजैः । अहार्यैरव्यभीचारैः सर्वशः सुपरीक्षितैः ॥

saṃbandhipuruṣairāptairabhijātaiḥ svadeśajaiḥ | ahāryairavyabhīcāraiḥ sarvaśaḥ suparīkṣitaiḥ

They should be bound to him through trusted men of good family from his own land, men who cannot be bribed away, who do not stray, and who have been tested on every side.

Verse 20 (12.83.20)

यौनाः श्रौतास्तथा मौलास्तथैवाप्यनहंकृताः । कर्तव्या भूतिकामेन पुरुषेण बुभूषता ॥

yaunāḥ śrautāstathā maulāstathaivāpyanahaṃkṛtāḥ | kartavyā bhūtikāmena puruṣeṇa bubhūṣatā

Ministers of noble birth, learned in the sacred texts, hereditary in their service, and free of pride should be appointed by a man who desires prosperity and wishes to flourish.

Note on the text: Corrected बुभूपता → बुभूषता (misprint in Wikisource; प for ष, CE bubhūṣatā).

Verse 21 (12.83.21)

एषां वैनयिकी बुद्धिः प्रकृतिश्चैव शोभना । तेजो धैर्यं क्षमा शौचमनुरागः स्थितिर्धृतिः ॥

eṣāṃ vainayikī buddhiḥ prakṛtiścaiva śobhanā | tejo dhairyaṃ kṣamā śaucamanurāgaḥ sthitirdhṛtiḥ

In them there should be disciplined intelligence and a noble nature, energy, steadiness, forbearance, purity, devotion, constancy and firmness.

Verse 22 (12.83.22)

परीक्ष्य च गुणान्नित्यं प्रौढभावान्धुरंधरान् । पञ्चोपधाव्यतीतांश्च कुर्याद्राजाऽर्थकारिणः ॥

parīkṣya ca guṇānnityaṃ prauḍhabhāvāndhuraṃdharān | pañcopadhāvyatītāṃśca kuryādrājā'rthakāriṇaḥ

Having tested their qualities, he should appoint as the king's agents men who are always steady and able to bear a burden, and who have passed the five tests.

Verse 23 (12.83.23)

पर्याप्तवचनान्वीरान्प्रतिपत्तिविशारदान् । कुलीनान्सत्त्वसंपन्नानिङ्गितज्ञानानिष्ठुरान् ॥

paryāptavacanānvīrānpratipattiviśāradān | kulīnānsattvasaṃpannāniṅgitajñānāniṣṭhurān

Men persuasive in speech, brave, expert in knowing how to act, well born, endowed with courage, quick to read a hint, and not harsh,

Note on the text: Corrected सत्वसंपन्न → सत्त्वसंपन्न (misspelling in Wikisource; the conjunct of sattva has a doubled त (CE satyasaṃpannān is a recension variant, kept)). Corrected ज्ञाननिष्ठुरान् → ज्ञानानिष्ठुरान् (misprint in Wikisource; the sandhi अनिष्ठुरान् lost its अ, which flips the sense, CE iṅgitajñān aniṣṭhurān).

Verse 24 (12.83.24)

देशकालविधानज्ञान्भर्तृकार्यहितैषिणः । नित्यमर्थेषु सर्वेषु राजन्कुर्वीत मन्त्रिणः ॥

deśakālavidhānajñānbhartṛkāryahitaiṣiṇaḥ | nityamartheṣu sarveṣu rājankurvīta mantriṇaḥ

who know place, time and procedure and wish well to their master's business: such men a king should always appoint as counsellors in all affairs.

Verse 25 (12.83.25)

हीनतेजोभिसंसृष्टो नैव जातु व्यवस्यति । अवश्यं जनयत्येव सर्वकर्मसु संशयम् ॥

hīnatejobhisaṃsṛṣṭo naiva jātu vyavasyati | avaśyaṃ janayatyeva sarvakarmasu saṃśayam

A man who is in league with a friend lacking in vigour never reaches a decision, and he is sure to bring doubts into every undertaking.

Verse 26 (12.83.26)

एवमल्पश्रुतो मन्त्री कल्याणाभिजनोऽप्युत । धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तो नालं मन्त्रं परीक्षितुम् ॥

evamalpaśruto mantrī kalyāṇābhijano'pyuta | dharmārthakāmasaṃyukto nālaṃ mantraṃ parīkṣitum

In the same way a counsellor of little learning, even if from an excellent family and devoted to dharma, artha and kama, is not fit to weigh a matter of counsel.

Verse 27 (12.83.27)

तथैवानभिजातोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः । अनायक इवाचक्षुर्मुह्यत्यूह्येषु कर्मसु ॥

tathaivānabhijāto'pi kāmamastu bahuśrutaḥ | anāyaka ivācakṣurmuhyatyūhyeṣu karmasu

And likewise a man of no good family, though by all means well learned, is bewildered in matters that call for reflection, like a blind man without a guide.

Verse 28 (12.83.28)

यो वाऽप्यस्थिरसंकल्पो बुद्धिमानागतागमः । उपायज्ञोऽपि नालं स कर्म प्रापयितुं चिरम् ॥

yo vā'pyasthirasaṃkalpo buddhimānāgatāgamaḥ | upāyajño'pi nālaṃ sa karma prāpayituṃ ciram

And he who is unsteady in resolve, though intelligent and experienced and knowing the means, cannot carry an undertaking through for long.

Verse 29 (12.83.29)

केवलात्पुनरादानात्कर्मणो नोपपद्यते । परामर्शो विशेषाणामश्रुतस्येह दुर्मतेः ॥

kevalātpunarādānātkarmaṇo nopapadyate | parāmarśo viśeṣāṇāmaśrutasyeha durmateḥ

Merely taking up an undertaking does not bring forth, in an unlearned and ill-minded man, a proper weighing of its particulars.

Note on the text: Corrected विशेषणामश्रुतस्येह → विशेषाणामश्रुतस्येह (misprint in Wikisource; विशेषणाम् is not a valid genitive plural, CE viśeṣāṇām aśrutasya).

Verse 30 (12.83.30)

मन्त्रिण्यननुरक्ते तु विश्वासो नोपपद्यते । तस्मादननुरक्ताय नैव मन्त्रं प्रकाशयेत् ॥

mantriṇyananurakte tu viśvāso nopapadyate | tasmādananuraktāya naiva mantraṃ prakāśayet

No trust can arise in a minister who is not devoted; therefore counsel should never be revealed to one who is not devoted.

Verse 31 (12.83.31)

व्यथयेद्धि स राजानं मन्त्रिभिः सहितोऽनृजुः । मारुतोपहितच्छिद्रैः प्रविश्याग्निरिव द्रुमम् ॥

vyathayeddhi sa rājānaṃ mantribhiḥ sahito'nṛjuḥ | mārutopahitacchidraiḥ praviśyāgniriva drumam

For a crooked man seated among the ministers can torment the king, as fire enters a tree through the cracks the wind has made.

Verse 32 (12.83.32)

संक्रुद्धश्चैकदा स्वामी स्थानाच्चैवापकर्षति । वाचा क्षिपति संरब्धः पुनः पश्चात्प्रसीदति ॥

saṃkruddhaścaikadā svāmī sthānāccaivāpakarṣati | vācā kṣipati saṃrabdhaḥ punaḥ paścātprasīdati

A master is sometimes enraged, and drives a man out of his place, and strikes him with words in his wrath; afterwards he grows gracious again.

Verse 33 (12.83.33)

तानितान्यनुरक्तेन शक्यानि हि तितिक्षितुम् । मन्त्रिणां च भवेत्क्रोधो विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः ॥

tānitānyanuraktena śakyāni hi titikṣitum | mantriṇāṃ ca bhavetkrodho visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ

A devoted man can bear all such things; but the anger of ministers is like the crash of a thunderbolt.

Verse 34 (12.83.34)

यस्तु संहरते तानि भर्तुः प्रियचिकीर्षया । समानसुखदुःखं तं पृच्छेदर्थेषु मानवम् ॥

yastu saṃharate tāni bhartuḥ priyacikīrṣayā | samānasukhaduḥkhaṃ taṃ pṛcchedartheṣu mānavam

One who endures them out of a wish to please his master, who shares his joy and sorrow alike: such a man one should consult in matters of state.

Verse 35 (12.83.35)

अनृजुस्त्वनुरक्तोऽपि संपन्नश्चेतरैर्गुणैः । राज्ञः प्रज्ञानयुक्तोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

anṛjustvanurakto'pi saṃpannaścetarairguṇaiḥ | rājñaḥ prajñānayukto'pi na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

A crooked man, even if devoted and endowed with other virtues, even if wise and skilled in policy, does not deserve to hear the king's counsel.

Verse 36 (12.83.36)

योऽमित्रैः सह संबद्धो न परान्बहुमन्यते । असुहृत्तादृशो ज्ञेयो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

yo'mitraiḥ saha saṃbaddho na parānbahumanyate | asuhṛttādṛśo jñeyo na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

A man allied with the king's enemies, who holds others in low esteem, is to be known as no friend; he does not deserve to hear counsel.

Verse 37 (12.83.37)

अविद्वानशुचिः स्तब्धः शत्रुसेवी विकत्थनः । असुहृत्क्रोधनो लुब्धो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

avidvānaśuciḥ stabdhaḥ śatrusevī vikatthanaḥ | asuhṛtkrodhano lubdho na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

The unlearned, the impure, the stiff-necked, the servant of enemies, the boaster, the unfriendly, the wrathful and the greedy do not deserve to hear counsel.

Verse 38 (12.83.38)

आगन्तुश्चानुरक्तोऽपि काममस्तु बहुश्रुतः । सत्कृतः संविभक्तो वा न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

āgantuścānurakto'pi kāmamastu bahuśrutaḥ | satkṛtaḥ saṃvibhakto vā na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

A newcomer, even if devoted and well learned, even if honoured or given a share, does not deserve to hear counsel.

Verse 39 (12.83.39)

विधर्मतो विप्रकृतः पिता यस्याभवत्पुरा । सत्कृतः स्थापितः सोऽपि न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

vidharmato viprakṛtaḥ pitā yasyābhavatpurā | satkṛtaḥ sthāpitaḥ so'pi na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

Even one whose father was once wronged unjustly, and who has since been honoured and given standing, does not deserve to hear counsel.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text: lines 1-2 are the CE star lines 12.84.36d*0206_01-02, printed after 12.84.36.

Verse 40 (12.83.40)

यः स्वल्पेनापि कार्येण सुहृदाक्षारितो भवेत् । पुनरन्यैर्गुणैर्युक्तो न मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

yaḥ svalpenāpi kāryeṇa suhṛdākṣārito bhavet | punaranyairguṇairyukto na mantraṃ śrotumarhati

One who has once been wronged by a friend, even over a small matter, though he has other virtues, does not deserve to hear counsel.

Verse 41 (12.83.41)

कृतप्रज्ञश्च मेधावी बुधो जानपदः शुचिः । सर्वकर्मसु यः शुद्धः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

kṛtaprajñaśca medhāvī budho jānapadaḥ śuciḥ | sarvakarmasu yaḥ śuddhaḥ sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati

One of settled wisdom, intelligent, learned, native to the land, pure, and clean in all his dealings deserves to hear counsel.

Verse 42 (12.83.42)

ज्ञानविज्ञानसंपन्नः प्रकृतिज्ञः परात्मनोः । सुहृदात्मसमो राज्ञः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

jñānavijñānasaṃpannaḥ prakṛtijñaḥ parātmanoḥ | suhṛdātmasamo rājñaḥ sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati

One endowed with knowledge and discernment, who knows the natures of himself and of his adversary, a friend to the king like another self, deserves to hear counsel.

Verse 43 (12.83.43)

सत्यवाक्शीलसंपन्नो गम्भीरः सत्रपो मृदुः । पितृपैतामहो यः स्यात्स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

satyavākśīlasaṃpanno gambhīraḥ satrapo mṛduḥ | pitṛpaitāmaho yaḥ syātsa mantraṃ śrotumarhati

One truthful in speech and of good character, deep, modest and gentle, whose father and grandfather served before him, deserves to hear counsel.

Note on the text: Corrected गन्भीरः → गम्भीरः (misprint in Wikisource; न् for म्, CE gambhīraḥ).

Verse 44 (12.83.44)

संतुष्टः संमतः सद्भिः शौटीरो द्वेष्यपापकः । मन्त्रवित्कालविच्छूरः स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

saṃtuṣṭaḥ saṃmataḥ sadbhiḥ śauṭīro dveṣyapāpakaḥ | mantravitkālavicchūraḥ sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati

One who is content, esteemed by the good, bold, to whom sin is hateful, who knows counsel and the right time, and is brave, deserves to hear counsel.

Verse 45 (12.83.45)

सर्वलोकमिमं शक्तः सान्त्वेन कुरुते वशम् । तस्मै मन्त्रः प्रयोक्तव्यो दण्डमाधित्सता नृप ॥

sarvalokamimaṃ śaktaḥ sāntvena kurute vaśam | tasmai mantraḥ prayoktavyo daṇḍamādhitsatā nṛpa

He who is able to bring this whole world of men under his sway by gentle means: to such a man counsel should be entrusted by the king who intends to wield the rod, O King.

Verse 46 (12.83.46)

पौरजानपदा यस्मिन्विश्वासं धर्मतो गताः । योद्धा नयविपश्चिच्च स मन्त्रं श्रोतुमर्हति ॥

paurajānapadā yasminviśvāsaṃ dharmato gatāḥ | yoddhā nayavipaścicca sa mantraṃ śrotumarhati

He in whom townsfolk and countryfolk have rightly placed their trust, a warrior and expert in policy, deserves to hear counsel.

Verse 47 (12.83.47)

तस्मात्सर्वैर्गुणैरेतैरुपपन्नाः सुपूजिताः । मन्त्रिणः प्रकृतिज्ञाः स्युस्त्र्यवरा महदीप्सवः ॥

tasmātsarvairguṇairetairupapannāḥ supūjitāḥ | mantriṇaḥ prakṛtijñāḥ syustryavarā mahadīpsavaḥ

Therefore let your ministers be men endowed with all these qualities and well honoured, who know the nature of the realm, at least three in number, and set on great ends.

Note on the text: Corrected स्युख्यवरा → स्युस्त्र्यवरा (misprint in Wikisource; garbled स्त्र्य, CE syus tryavarā).

Verse 48 (12.83.48)

स्वासु प्रकृतिषु च्छिद्रं लक्षयेरन्परस्य च । मन्त्रिणां मन्त्रमूलं हि राज्ञो राष्ट्रं विवर्धते ॥

svāsu prakṛtiṣu cchidraṃ lakṣayeranparasya ca | mantriṇāṃ mantramūlaṃ hi rājño rāṣṭraṃ vivardhate

They should watch for weak points among their own people and among the enemy's; for counsel is the root of the ministers' power, and through it the king's realm prospers.

Verse 49 (12.83.49)

नास्य च्छिद्रं परः पश्येच्छिद्रेषु परमन्वियात् । गूहेत्कूर्म इवाङ्गानि रक्षेद्विवरमात्मनः ॥

nāsya cchidraṃ paraḥ paśyecchidreṣu paramanviyāt | gūhetkūrma ivāṅgāni rakṣedvivaramātmanaḥ

Let no enemy see his weak points, but let him seek out the enemy's; like a tortoise he should draw in his limbs and guard his own openings.

Note on the text: Corrected इवाङगानि → इवाङ्गानि (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct ङ्ग, CE ivāṅgāni).

Verse 50 (12.83.50)

मन्त्रग्राहा हि राज्यस्य मन्त्रिणो ये मनीषिणः । मन्त्रसंहननो राजा मन्त्राङ्गानीतरे जनः ॥

mantragrāhā hi rājyasya mantriṇo ye manīṣiṇaḥ | mantrasaṃhanano rājā mantrāṅgānītare janaḥ

The wise ministers are the guardians of the realm's counsel; the king is armoured in counsel, and the rest of the people are its limbs.

Note on the text: Corrected राजस्य → राज्यस्य (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ्य, CE rājyasya). Corrected जन्गः → जनः (misprint in Wikisource; stray conjunct, CE janaḥ).

Verse 51 (12.83.51)

राज्यं प्रणिधिमूलं हि मन्त्रसारं प्रचक्षते । स्वामिनं त्वनुवर्तन्ति वृत्त्यर्थमिह मन्त्रिणः ॥

rājyaṃ praṇidhimūlaṃ hi mantrasāraṃ pracakṣate | svāminaṃ tvanuvartanti vṛttyarthamiha mantriṇaḥ

They say a kingdom is rooted in spies and has counsel as its essence; ministers follow their master here for their livelihood.

Note on the text: Corrected त्वनुवर्न्तते → त्वनुवर्तन्ति (misprint in Wikisource; garbled verb, CE anuvartanti).

Verse 52 (12.83.52)

संविनीयमदक्रोधौ मानमीर्ष्यां च निर्वृताः । नित्यं पञ्चोपधातीतैर्मन्त्रयेत्सह मन्त्रिभिः ॥

saṃvinīyamadakrodhau mānamīrṣyāṃ ca nirvṛtāḥ | nityaṃ pañcopadhātītairmantrayetsaha mantribhiḥ

Having subdued pride, anger, conceit and envy, and being at ease, he should always take counsel with ministers who have passed the five tests.

Verse 53 (12.83.53)

तेषां त्रयाणां त्रिविधं विमर्शं । विबुध्य चित्तं विनिवेश्य तत्र । स्वनिश्चयं तं परनिश्चयं च । निदर्शयेदुत्तरमन्त्रकाले ॥

teṣāṃ trayāṇāṃ trividhaṃ vimarśaṃ | vibudhya cittaṃ viniveśya tatra | svaniścayaṃ taṃ paraniścayaṃ ca | nidarśayeduttaramantrakāle

Of those three he should come to understand the differing deliberations, fixing his mind upon them, and at the time of the final consultation he should lay out both his own decision and the others'.

Note on the text: Four pādas, as on the page; = CE 12.84.50a, 50c.

Verse 54 (12.83.54)

धर्मार्थकामज्ञमुपेत्य पृच्छे । द्युक्तो गुरुं ब्राह्मणमुत्तरार्थम् । निष्ठा कृता तेन यदा सह स्या । त्तं मन्त्रमार्गं प्रणयेदसक्तः ॥

dharmārthakāmajñamupetya pṛcche | dyukto guruṃ brāhmaṇamuttarārtham | niṣṭhā kṛtā tena yadā saha syā | ttaṃ mantramārgaṃ praṇayedasaktaḥ

Attentive, he should approach and ask a brahmin teacher who knows dharma, artha and kama, about the final decision; when a conclusion has been reached together with him, he should carry that course of counsel into effect, unattached.

Note on the text: Corrected यदा सहः स्या → यदा सह स्या (misprint in Wikisource; stray visarga, CE yadā saha syāt). Four pādas, as on the page; = CE 12.84.51a, 51c. The page breaks the pādas inside words (पृच्छे । द्युक्तो, सहः स्या । त्तं); kept as printed.

Verse 55 (12.83.55)

एवं सदा मन्त्रयितव्यमाहु । र्ये मन्त्रतत्त्वार्थविनिश्चयज्ञाः । तस्मात्तमेवं प्रणयेत्सदैव । मन्त्रं प्रजासंग्रहणे समर्थम् ॥

evaṃ sadā mantrayitavyamāhu | rye mantratattvārthaviniścayajñāḥ | tasmāttamevaṃ praṇayetsadaiva | mantraṃ prajāsaṃgrahaṇe samartham

Thus, they say, counsel is always to be taken by those who know the true meaning of the principles of counsel; therefore one should always so shape the counsel as to be able to win the people's support.

Note on the text: Corrected मन्त्रयितत्र्यमाहु → मन्त्रयितव्यमाहु (misprint in Wikisource; त्र्य for व्य, CE mantrayitavyam āhur). Four pādas, as on the page; = CE 12.84.52a, 52c. The page breaks the pādas inside words; kept as printed.

Verse 56 (12.83.56)

न वामनाः कुब्जकृशा न खञ्जा । नान्धा जडाः स्त्री च नपुंसकाश्च । न चात्र तिर्यक्च पुरो न पश्चा । न्नोर्ध्वं न चाधः प्रचरेत्कथंचित् ॥

na vāmanāḥ kubjakṛśā na khañjā | nāndhā jaḍāḥ strī ca napuṃsakāśca | na cātra tiryakca puro na paścā | nnordhvaṃ na cādhaḥ pracaretkathaṃcit

No dwarfs, hunchbacks, emaciated or lame persons, no blind or dull ones, no women or eunuchs should be present; nor should anyone move about there slantwise, in front, behind, above or below.

Note on the text: Corrected प्रपरेत् → प्रचरेत् (misprint in Wikisource; प for च, CE pracareta). Four pādas, as on the page; = CE 12.84.53a, 53c. The page breaks the pādas inside words; kept as printed.

Verse 57 (12.83.57)

आरुह्य वा वेश्म तथैव शून्यं । स्थलं प्रकाशं कुशकाशहीनम् । वागङ्गदोषान्परिहृत्य सर्वा । न्संमन्त्रयेत्कार्यमहीनकालम् ॥

āruhya vā veśma tathaiva śūnyaṃ | sthalaṃ prakāśaṃ kuśakāśahīnam | vāgaṅgadoṣānparihṛtya sarvā | nsaṃmantrayetkāryamahīnakālam

Either in the upper part of a house or in an empty, open spot free of kusha and kasha grass, avoiding every fault of speech and gesture, he should deliberate on the matter in good time.

Note on the text: Four pādas, as on the page; = CE 12.84.54a, 54c. The page breaks the pādas inside words; kept as printed.