Today's Subhashita.(Discourse between Bheeshma and yudhishthara about "Raajdharma" (continued).

1.  आर्जवं सर्वकार्येषु श्रयेथाः कुरुनन्दन  |            1.  Aarjavam sarvakaaryeshshreyathaakurunandanah.
     पुनर्नयविचारेण त्रयीसंवरणेन  च      ||                 Punarnayavichaarena trayeesamvarena cha.

2.  मृदुर्हि   राजा  सततं लङ्घयो भवति सर्वशः |     2.   Mrudurhi Raajaa satatam langhyo bhavati sarvashh.
     तीक्ष्णाच्चोद्विजते  लोकस्तस्मादुभयमाश्रय ||       Teekshnaachodvijatelokastasmaadubhayamaashraya.

अर्थ :-  1.  कुरुनन्दन ! तुम सभी कार्यों मे सरलता एवं कोमलता का अवलंबन करना | परन्तु नीतिशास्त्र की आलोचना से यह्  ज्ञात होता है कि अपने छिद्र , अपनी मन्त्रणा तथा अपने कार्य-कौशल इन तीन बातों को गुप्त रखने में सरलता का अवलंबन करना उचित नहीं है |

           2.  जो राजा सदा सब  प्रकार से कोमल्रता बर्ताव करने वाला होता  है, उसकी आज्ञा का लोग उल्लङ्घन्
कर जाते हैं और केवल कठोर बर्ताव करने से भी लोग उद्विग्न हो उठते  हैं | अतः तुम आवश्यकतानुसार कठोरता और कोमलता दोनों का अवलंबन करो  |

1.   Aarjavam = sincerity and kindness.   Sarvakaaryeshu = in all matters.   Shreyathaah =desirable
      Kurunandan = reference to Yudhishthar as the scion of Kuru dynasty..   Punarnayavichaarena =
      Punah + Naya +vichaarena.           Punahh= again.     Naya = principles of diplomacy.
      Vichaarena = considering, thinking.        Trayeesamvarena = Trayee + samvarena.
      Trayee = these three aspects ( one's own shortcomings,strategy and expertise in execution of               the strategies.    Samvarena = keeping as secret, concealment.     Cha  - and.

2,   Mrudurhi = Mrudu + hi.      Mrudu =gentle.   Hi= surely, because.   Satatam = continuously,in all         matters.     Langhyo = disobeyed.    Bhavati = becomes, happens.   Sarvashh = wholly.
      Teekshnaachodvijate = Teekshna +chod+vijate.    Teekshnat = rude   chod = agitated.
      Vijate = turn into.   Lokastasmaadubhayamaashraya = Loka +tasmaad +ubhaya+ aashryaya.
      Loka = people.    Tasmaad = for that reason, therefore.   ubhaya =  both.   ashraya =shelter,
      have recourse to.

Continuing his discourse about "Rajdharma" Bheeshma further says -

1.    O scion of Kuru dynasty ! you should generally behave with kindness on all matters.  But the principles of diplomacy also require that in three matters, namely about the loop holes and shortcomings of the Kingdom, various strategies  of governance and means of executing them must always be kept secret and it is not advisable to be kind hearted in these matters.

2.   A king who is always kind in his dealings, people tend to ignore him and disobey his commands. But only resorting to rude behaviour  makes people scary and agitated.  So, depending upon the circumstances you should behave both kindly and firmly.
     

Today'a Subhashita.(Discourse between Bheeshma and yudhishthara about "Rajdharma" continued)

निन्दन्ते स्वानधीकारान् संत्यजन्ते च भारत |
न  वृत्त्या  परितुष्तन्ति  राजदेयं  हरन्ति  च. ||

अर्थ -   हे भारत ! उन सेवकों के अधिकार मे जो काम सोंपा जाता है उसको वे बुरा बताते और छोड् देते हैं |
           उन्हें जो वेतन दिया जाता है वे उससे संतुष्ट नहीं होते हैं और राजकीय धन को हड्पते रहते हैं |

Nindante swaanadheekaaraan santyajyate cha Bhaarata
Na vruttyaa paritushtanti raajadeyam haranti cha.

Nindanti = deride,despise.    Swaanadhikaaraan    Swaam +adhikaaraan.     Swaam = one's own.
Adhikaaraan = authority, administration.   Santyajante = abandon.   Cha= also.   Bhaarata = reference to Yudhishthara as King of Bharatavarsh.    Na = not.     Vruttyaa  = salary.    Paritushtanti = are satisfied.
Raajadeyam = Kingdom's revenue (through various taxes etc.).    Haranti =embezzle.

Continuing his discourse about the consequences of a King being too lenient towards his subordinates, Bheeshma further says to Yudhishthara -

O Bhaarat !   Whatever work is entrusted to these arrogant servants, they despise it and abandon it unfinished. .   They are not satisfied with the amount of salary paid to them and embezzle the revenue of the Kingdom.

(The problem of unscrupulous and dishonest employees was present even in ancient times when the standard of morality and honesty was very high.  Even then Bheeshma warns Yudhishthara against such persons.  The corruption in administration and in all walks of life, which we see now, is mainly due to laxity in governance (not observing the 'Rajdharma' - the rules of governance) by our democratic/socialistic or other forms of Governments, who have now taken the role of the  King.)

Today's Subhashita.(Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthra about Rajdharma (continued).

जर्जरं  चास्य विषयं  कुर्वन्ति प्रतिरूपकैः  |
स्त्रीरक्षिभिश्च सज्जस्ते तुल्यवेषा भवन्ति च ||

Jarjaram chaasya vishayam kurvanti pratiroopakaih.
Streerakshibhishcha sajjaste tulyaveshaa bhavanti cha.

अर्थ -    वे राजा के सेवक जाली आज्ञापत्र जारी कर के राजा के राज्य को जर्जर कर देते हैं |
 रनिवास के रक्षकों से मिल जाते हैं अथवा उनके समान ही वेषभूषा धारण कर के वहां घूमते फिरते हैं |

Jarjaram = decrepit, weak and decayed.  Chaasya= cha + asya.     Cha = also.    Asya = this.
Vishayam = various departments of administration     Kurvanti = do.      Pratiroopakaih = forgeries.
Streerakshibhisccha = Stree+rakshibhih +cha.     Stree = women.    Rakshibhih = guards.  cha = and.
Streerakshibhih = guards of queen's residence.    Sajjaste = dress themselves.  Tulyaveshaa =  like the guards.     Bhavanti =  they are (become).

Continuing his discourse Bheeshma says to Yudhishthara -

These arrogant servants of the King make his kingdom  weak and decrepit by issuing forges Royal Decrees.   They also connive with the guards of queen's residence and even dress like them and roam freely here and there.

(In medieval times a King's residence was  considered as the seat of power and the Kingdom was controlled from there. So, utmost security and secrecy was maintained there.The guards were also required to be faithful to the King.  If the King is weak and has no control over his servants, then the servants tend to neglect or overrule his commands and even issue forged orders in King's name.
We can see a parallel  situation like this in our Country in the shape of the 2G scam and Coalgate
scandal.)

Today's Subhashita. (Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthara about "Rajdharma" (continued)

Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthara about "Rajdharma" (continued)

(1) प्रेष्यमाणा विकल्पन्ते गुह्यं चाप्यनुयुञ्जते |
      अवाच्यं चैव याचन्ते भोज्यान्याहारयन्ति च ||

(2 ) क्रुश्यन्ति  परिदीप्यन्ति भूमिपायाधितिष्ठते  |
       उत्कोचैर्वचनाभिश्च कार्याण्यनुविहन्ति  च   ||

अर्थ  (1)वे  सेवक जब किसी कार्य के लिये भेजे जाते हैं तो उसकी सिद्धि मे संदेह उत्पन्न कर देते हैं | राजा की गोपनीय त्रुटियों को भी सबके सामने ला देते हैं| जो वस्तु नहीं मांगनी चाहिये उसे भी मांग बैठते हैं तथा राजा  के लिये रखे हुए भोज्य पदार्थों को स्वयम् खा लेते हैं
        (2) राज्य के अधिपति भूपाल को कोसते हैं, उनके प्रति क्रोधित हो उठते  हैं| घूस ले कर और धोखा दे कर राजा के कार्य मे विघ्न डालते हैं|

(1)  Preshyamaana vikalpante guhyam chaapyanuyunjate.
       Avaachyam chaiva yaachante bhojyaanyaahaarayanti cha.

(2)   Krushyanti parideepyanti bhoomipaayaadhitishthate.
       Utkochairvachanaabhishcha kaaryanyanuvihanti cha.

(1) Preshyamaanaa = On being assigned for some job.     Vikalpante = create a doubt, are indecisive.
Guhyam = secrets.   chaapyanuyunjate = Cha +api+anuyunjate,    Cha =also.    Api = even.
Anuyunjate = reveal.     Avaachya = improper not to be uttered.    Chaiva= cha + iva.
Chaiva = as also.    Yaachante = solicit, demand, beg.    Bhojyaanyaahaarayanti = Bhojyaan +aahaarayanti.    Bhojyaan = food items.     Aaharanti =  eat, enjoy.

(2) Krushyanti = yell at, criticise.   Parideepyanti = flare up with rage.    Bhoomipaayaadhitishthte =
Bhoomipaaya +adhitishthate.     Bhoomipaya = Ruler of the State, king.  Adhitishthate = dominate.
Utkochairvachanaabhishcha = Utkochaih+ vachan +abhi+cha.      Utkocha = taking bribes.
Vachan = speech.    Abhi = fearlessly.     Kaaryaanyanuvihanti = Kaaryaani + anuvihanti.
Kaaryaani = work in hand.    Anuvihanti  = interrupt, derange.

      Explaining further the consequences of befriending the subordinates by a King, Bheeshma  gives advice to Yudhishthara as under:-

(1)  Whenever these servants are assigned some important task, they create doubt about its accomplishment and also reveal the secret shortcomings of the King.  They become so much bold that they demand things for which they are not entitled and even consume the food meant for the King.

(2)  Such disobedient servants speak harshly with the the King, criticize him and flare up with rage without any reason. They also take bribes, interrupt and put impediment in the governance of the kingdom.

( If we view the state of governance of our Country at present, we can see the truth behind the above sagely  advice of Bheeshma, as the 'Rajdharma' is not being followed, which is the cause of all problems being faced by the people..  He has dealt with the relationship of the King with his subordinates in great detail, which I will post in the forthcoming Subhashitas.  There is a separate chapter  in Mahabharata dealing with diplomacy and governance, which i will deal later on.)

Today's Subhashita.(Discourse between heeshma and Yudhishthara (continued)

अवमन्यन्ति भर्तारं संघर्षादुपजीविनः  |
स्ते स्थाने न च तिष्ठन्ति लङ्घयन्ति च तद्वचः ||

पितामह भीष्म युधिष्ठर से कहते हैं -

अर्थ - राजा से जीविका चलाने वाले सेवक अधिक मुहलगे हो जाने पर मालिक का अपमान कर बैठते हैं | वे  अपनी मर्यादा मे स्थिर नहीं रहते हैं और स्वामी  की आज्ञा का उल्लंघन   करने लगते हैं.|

Avamanyanti bhartaaram sangharshaadupajeevinah.
Ste sthaane  na cha tishthanti langhayanti cha tadvachh.

Avamanyanti = treat with disrespect,     Bhartaaram = master.    Sangharshaadupaeevinah = Sangharshaad + upajeevinah.    Shangharshaad = struggling, serving.  Upajeevinah = depending upon.
Stey = they.    Sthane = in the right place.   Na = not.   Cha = also.    Tishthanti = remain, stay.
Langhayanti= violate, neglect.   Tadvachah =  Tad +vachah . Tad =then.   Vachah = order, command.

       Outlining the behaviour a king should maintain with his subordinates, Bheeshma further advises Yudhishthira as under -

O Yudhishthara !   persons who earn their livelihood by serving the King, if they become familiar or informal with the King,do not remain within their bounds and are likely to treat him with disrespect and disobey his orders.

(There have been numerous instances in the past, when Rulers befriend persons of low integrity and intelligence and act upon their advice with disastrous consequences.  Bheeshma, therefore,warns Yudhishthara . This dialogue will continue in the next shloka to be posted tomorrow.) 

To day's Subhashita.(Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthara (continued).

Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthara on 'Rajdharma'   (continued).

(1)साधारणं द्वयं ह्येतद् दैवमुत्थानमेव  च |
    पौरुषं  हि  परं मन्ये दैवं निश्चितमुच्यते |

(2) विपन्ने च समारम्भे संतापं मा स्म वै कृथाः |
      घटस्वैव सदाSSत्मानं  राज्ञामेष  परो नयः ||


(1)  Saadhaaranam dvyam hyetad daivamutthaanmeva cha.
       Paurusham hi param manye daiva nishchitamuchyate.

(2)  Vipanne cha samaarambhe santapaapm maa sma vai kruthaah.
       Ghatasveva sadaatmaanam raajamesha paro nayah.

अर्थ - (1)  यद्दपि कार्य की सिद्धि में प्रारब्ध और पुरुषार्थ  - ये दोनों साधारण कारण  माने गये हैं , तथापि मैं पुरुषार्थ को ही प्रधान मानता हूं |  प्रारब्ध तो  पहले से ही निश्चित बताया गया है  |

 अर्थ - (2) अतः यदि आरम्भ  किया हुआ  कार्य पूरा न हो सके अथवा उसमे बाधा पड जाय तो इसके लिये तुम्हें अपने मन में दुःख नहीं मानना चहिये | तुम सदा अपने को पुरुषार्थ में ही लगाये रक्खो | यही राजाओं  की 
सर्वोत्तम राजनीति है |

Continuing his discourse with Yudhishthara, Bheeshma further says :-

(1) saadhaaranam = generally.     Dwayam = two.    hyate = hi+ ete.     Hi = surely.   ete= these
Daivamutthanameva = daiva +utthaana +eva.      Daiva = destiny, fate.    Utthaan =causing to arise, accomplishment of an objective.     Paurusham =manliness, facing adversities bravely.
Param = superior.    Manye = considered.    Nishchitamuchyate = nishchitam + uchyate.
nishchita = surely.    Uchyate = is said

i.e    Although for achieving an objective destiny and manliness are considered to be essential, but I consider manliness ( facing adversities bravely and with conviction) more important, because fate is already ordained by the Providence.

(2)  Vipanne = misfortune ( a situation when a job started can not be completed or some obstructions are there in the completion of the job).    Samaarambhe = started, commenced.
Santaapam = feeling of anguish and suffering.   Maa = not.     Sma = feel.    Vai = a word added after another word to lay stress to it.    Kruthaa =  do.    Ghatasveva = ghatasu+ iva.
Ghatasu = on happening.    Iva = like this.      Sadaatmaanam = sadaa+ aatmaanam.
Sadaa = always.     Aatmaanam = yourself..  Raagyaamesh = Raagyaam + esha.
Raagyaam = for Kings.    Esha = this.    Paro = best.     Nayah = policy, behaviour.

i.e.       If the job taken in hand can not be completed due to some reason or there is some impediment felt in its completion, you should not get disheartened by it and should continue your efforts to achieve the objective.   This the best policy a King should adopt.

To day's Subhashita. (Discourse between Bheeshma and Yudhishthara about 'Rajdharma'- (continued)

परिहासश्च भृत्यैस्ते  नात्यर्थं वदतां वर  |
कर्तव्यो राजशार्दूल दोषमत्र  हि मे श्रुणु   ||

 अर्थ  -  हे वक्ताओं  में श्रेष्ठ राजसिंह्  ! यह्  तुम्हारा कर्तव्य है कि  तुम्हें सेवकों के साथ अधिक हंसी-मजाक नहीं करना चाहिये | इस में जो दोष है वह् सुनो |

Parihaasascha bhrutyaiste naatyartham vadataam vara/
Kartavyo raajashaardoola doshmatra hi me shrunu.

Parihaasacha =indulgence in jesting and joking.        Bhrutyaste = Bhrutya + tey.  
Bhrutya = servants,    Tey = they.    Naatyartham = Na + ati+artham.    Na = not.   Ati = too much
Artham = meaning, sense    Naatyartham = meaningless  or loose talk.     Vadataam = orators.
Vara = best     Kartavyo =  duty      Raajshaardoola = Raaj+shaardool.   Raaj = king.
Shardoola = lion.      Doshmatra = Dosh + atra.      Dosh = defect,harm.    Atra = here.
Hi = surely.    Me = to me.    Shrunu = listen.

i.e.     O  (Yudhishthara) best among orators  and powerful like a lion among Kings !  it is your duty not to indulge in joking and loose talks with your subordinates and servants.  Listen carefully to me as I tell you the  harm it can surely cause to you.

(There is a saying that one should be friendly to others but not familiar, as familiarity ultimately results in disrespect and disobedience.  In the next Shloka (to be posted tomorrow) Bheeshma hasdealt with this aspect in detail)