युधिष्ठिर उवाच साम्नि चापि प्रादाने च ज्यायः किं भवतो मतम्। प्रब्रूहि भरतश्रेष्ठ यदत्र व्यतिरिच्यते॥
Yudhishthira said In which is superior efficacy, conciliation or Gifts? Tell me, O chief of Bharata's race, which of these two is superior in efficacy.
भीष्म उवाच साम्ना प्रसाद्यते कश्चिद् दानेन च तथा परः। पुरुषप्रकृतिं ज्ञात्वा तयोरेकतरं भजेत्॥
Bhishma said Some become pleased by Conciliation, while others are pleased by Gifts. Every man, according to his own nature, likes the one or the other.
गुणांस्तु शृणु मे राजन् सान्त्वस्य भरतर्षभ। दारुणान्यपि भूतानि सान्त्वेनाराधयेद् यथा॥
Listen to me, O king, as I explain to you the merits of Conciliation, O chief of Bharata's race so that the most furious creatures may be cooled down by it.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। गृहीत्वा रक्षसा मुक्तो द्विजाति: कानेन यथा॥
Regarding it is cited the ancient narrative of how a Brahmana who had been seized in the forest by a Rakshasa, was freed.
कश्चिद् वाग्बुद्धिसम्पन्नो ब्राह्मणो विजने वने। गृहीतः कृच्छ्रमापन्नो रक्षसा भक्षयिष्यता॥
A certain Brahmana, gifted with eloquence and intelligence fell into distress, for he was seized in a lone forest by a Rakshasa who wished to feed on him.
स बुद्धिश्रुतिसम्पन्नस्तं दृष्ट्वातीव भीषणम्। सामैवास्मिन् प्रयुयुजे न मुमोह न विव्यथे॥
The Brahmana gifted as he was with understanding and learning was not at all moved. Without allowing himself to be stupefied at the sight of that terrible cannibal, he resolved to apply Conciliation and see its effect on the Rakshasa.
रक्षस्तु वाचं सम्पूज्य प्रश्नं पप्रच्छ तं द्विजम्। मोक्ष्येसे ब्रूहि मे प्रश्न केनास्मि हरिणः कृशः॥
Respectfully saluting the Brahmana with words, the Rakshasa put to him this question: You shall escape, but tell me why I am so pale and lean.
मुहूर्तमथ संचिन्त्य ब्राह्मणस्तस्य रक्षसः। आभिर्गाथाभिरव्यग्रः प्रश्न प्रतिजगाद ह॥
Reflecting for a short time, the Brahmana accepted the question of the Rakshasa and replied in the following well spoken words.
ब्राह्मण उवाच विदेशस्थो विलोकस्थो विना नूनं सुहृज्जनैः। विषयानतुलान् भुड्क्षे तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
The Brahman. said Living in a place distant from your house, moving in a sphere that is not your own, and deprived of the company of your friends and kinsmen, you are enjoying vast riches. It is, therefore, that you are so pale and lean.
नूनं मित्राणि ते रक्षः साधूपचरितान्यपि। स्वदोषादपरज्यन्ते तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed, O Rakshasa, your friends thought welltreated by you are still not welldisposed towards you on account of their own vicious nature. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
धनैश्वर्याधिकाः स्तब्धास्त्वद्गुणैः परमावराः। अवजानन्ति नूनं त्वां तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
You are gifted with merit and wisdom and a wellcontrolled soul. Yet it is your lot to see others who have merit and wisdom honoured in preference to yourself. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
गुणवान् विगुणानन्यान् नूनं पश्यसि सत्कृतान्। प्राज्ञोऽप्राज्ञान् विनीतात्मा तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Persons having riches much greater than yours but inferior to you in merit, are indeed, disregarding you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
अवृत्त्या क्लिश्यमानोऽपि वृत्त्युपायान् विगर्हयन्। माहात्म्याद् व्यथसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Though distressed for want of the means of support yet you are actuated by the greatness of your mind to disregard such means as are open to you for getting your sustenance. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
सम्पीड्यात्मानमार्यत्वात् त्वया कश्चिदुपस्कृतः। जितं त्वां मन्यते साधो तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
On account of your virtuous nature you had deprived yourself for doing good to another. This person, O righteous Rakshasa, considers you deceived and defeated. It is for this that you are so pale and lean,
क्लिश्यमानान् विमार्गेषु कामक्रोधावृतात्मनः। मन्ये त्वं ध्यायसि जनांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
I think you are grieving for those persons who with souls possessed by lust and anger, are suffering inisery in this world. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
प्रज्ञासम्भावितो नूनमप्रजैरुपसंहितः। हीयमानोऽसि दुर्वृत्तैस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Though wise, you are ridiculed by others who are entirely destitute of it. Persons of wicked conduct are vilifying you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
नूनं मित्रमुखः शत्रुः कश्चिदार्यवदाचरन्। वञ्चयित्वा गतस्त्वां वै तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed some enemy of yours, with a friendly tongue, coming to you behaved at first like a pious man and then has left you, beguiling you like a knave. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
प्रकाशार्थगतिर्नूनं रहस्यकुशलः कृती! तज्ज्ञैर्न पूज्यसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
You are well conversant with the course of world's affairs. You are well skilled in all mysteries. You are gifted with power. Those who know you to be such do not yet respect and praise you. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
असत्स्वपि निविष्टेषु ब्रुवतो मुक्तसंशयम्। गुणास्ते न विराजन्ते तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Staying in the midst of bad men engaged together in some business, you had discoursed to them removing their doubts. Still they did not admit your superior merits. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
धनबुद्धिश्रुतैीन: केवलं तेजसान्वितः। महत् प्रार्थयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed though destitute of riches and intelligence and Vedic learning you wish yet, with the help of your energy alonc, to accomplish something great. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
तष:प्रणिहितात्मानं मन्ये त्वारण्यकांक्षिणम्। बान्धवा नाभिनन्दन्ति तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
It appears that although you are resolved to practise severe austerities by retiring into the forest, yet your kinsmen are not favourably disposed towards this project of yours. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
इष्टभार्यस्य ते नूनं प्रातिवेश्यो महाधनः। युवा सुललित: कामी तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Some rich neighbour of yours, endued with youth and handsome features, covets your dear wife. It is for this that you aic so pale and lean.
नूनमर्थवतां मध्ये तव वाक्यमनुत्तमम्। न भाति कालेऽभिहितं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
The words spoken by you, even when excellent in the midst of rich men, are not regarded by them as wise or well timed. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
दृढपूर्वं श्रुतं मूर्ख कुपितं हृदयप्रियम्। अनुनेतुं न शक्नोषि तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Some dear kinsman of yours, shorn of intelligence though repeatedly instructed in the scriptures has become angry. You have not been able to pacify him. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
नूनमांसजयित्वा त्वां कृत्ये कस्मिंश्चिदीप्सिते। कश्चिदर्थयते नित्यं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed somebody, having first set you to the accomplishment of some object desirable to you, is now trying to deprive you of the fruit thereof. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
नूनं त्वां सुगुणैर्युक्तं पूजयानं सुहृध्रुवम्। ममार्थ इति जानीते तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Though possessed of excellent qualities and adored by all on that account, you are yet considered by your kinsmen as adored for their sakc and not for your own. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
अन्तर्गतमभिप्रायं नूनं नेच्छसि लज्जया। विवेक्तुं प्राप्तिशैथिल्यात् तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥२७
Indeed, through shame you are unable to give out some purpose in your heart, moved also by the inevitable delay that will take place in its accomplishment. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
नानाबुद्धिरुचो लोके मनुष्यान् नूनमिच्छसि। ग्रहीतुं स्वगुणैः सर्वांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed, you wish with the help of your intelligence, to control various persons with various kinds of understandings and inclinations. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
अविद्वान् भीरुरल्पार्थे विद्याविक्रमदानजम्। यशः प्रार्थयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Shorn of learning without courage, and without much riches you seek such fame as is won by knowledge and prowess and gifts. Indeed, it is for this that you are so pale and lean.
चिराभिलषितं किंचित्फलमप्राप्तमेव ते। कृतमन्यैरपहतं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
You have not been able to get something which you have long been seeking for. Or, what you try to do is sought to be undone by soinebody else. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
नूनमात्मकृतं दोषमपश्यन् किंचिदात्मनः। अकारणेऽभिशप्तोऽसि तेनासि हरिण: कृशः॥
Indeed without being able to see any fault on your part, you have been cursed by somebody. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
साधून् गृहस्थान् दृष्ट्वा च तथा साधून् वनेचरान्। मुक्तांश्चावसथे सक्तांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Having no wealth and accomplishments you try in vain to remove the grief of your friends and the sorrows of sorrowing men. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
सुहृदां दुःखमार्तानां न प्रमोक्ष्यसि हानिजम्। अलमर्थगुणैर्हीनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Seeing virtuous persons living like householders, unrighteous persons living according to the forest mode, and liberated persons attached to domesticity and fixed abodes, you have become so pale and lean.
धर्नामर्थ्य च काम्यं च काले चाभिहितं वचः। न प्रतीयन्ति ते नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Indeed, your acts connected with Virtue. Profit, and Pleasure, as also the well-time words spoken by you do not produce fruit. It is for this that you are so pale and lean,
दत्तानकुशलैरर्थान् मनीषी संजिजीविषुः। प्राप्य वर्तयसे नूनं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Though gifted with wisdom, yet desirous of living, you live with wealth obtained by you in gift from somebody of evil conduct. It is for this that you are pale and lean.
पापान प्रवर्धतो दृष्ट्वा कल्याणानावसीदतः। ध्रुवं गर्हयसे नित्यं तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Seeing sinful persons multiplying on every side and virtue languishing, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
परस्परविरुद्धानां प्रियं नूनं चिकीर्षसि। सुहृदामुपरोधेन तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Urged by them you seek to please all your friends even when they are quarrelling and opposing one another. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
श्रोत्रियांश्च विकर्मस्थान् प्राज्ञांश्चाप्यजितेन्द्रियान्। मन्येऽनुध्यायसि जनांस्तेनासि हरिणः कृशः॥
Seeing persons gifted with Vedic learning engaged in improper deeds, and learned persons unable to keep their senses under control, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
एवं सम्पूजितं रक्षो विप्रं तं प्रत्यपूजयत्। सखायमकरोच्चैनं संयोज्याधैर्मुमोच ह॥
Thus praised the Rakshasa adored that learned Brahmana in return, and making him his friend and bestowing sufficient riches upon himn in gift, sent him away. Seeing persons gifted with Vedic learning engaged in improper deeds, and learned persons unable to keep their senses under control, you are filled with grief. It is for this that you are so pale and lean.
एवं सम्पूजितं रक्षो विप्रं तं प्रत्यपूजयत्। सखायमकरोच्चैनं संयोज्याधैर्मुमोच ह॥
Thus praised the Rakshasa adored that learned Brahmana in return, and making him his friend and bestowing sufficient riches upon himn in gift, sent him away.