DURYODHANA NEETI

SRIMAD MAHABHARATA > SABHA PARVA > DYOOTA PARVA > CHAPTER 54 - DURYODHANA NEETI

“Duryodhana said, ‘He that is without intellect but has merely heard of many things, can scarcely understand the real meaning of the Shaastraas, like the spoon that has no perception of the taste of the soup it touches. You know everything, but yet contradict me. Like a boat fastened to another, you and I are tied to each other. Are you unmindful of your own interests? Or, do you entertain hostile feeling towards me? These your sons and allies are doomed to destruction, to the extent as they have you for their ruler, for you describe as attainable in the future what is to be done at the present moment. He often slips whose guide acts under the instructions of others. How then can his followers expect to come across a right path?

“O king (Dhritarashtra), you are of mature wisdom; you have the opportunity to listen to the words of old, and your senses also are under your control. It is your duty not to contradict us who are ready to seek our own interests. (Deva Guru) Brihaspati has said that the usage of kings (Raaja Vrutta in Sanskrit) are different from those of common people. Therefore, kings should always attend to their own interests with vigilance. The attainment of success is the sole criterion that should guide the conduct of a Kshatriya. Whether, therefore, the means is Dharma or Adharma, what hestitation can there be in the duties of one’s own order (Swavrutta in Sanskrit)?

“O bull of the Bharata race (Dhritarashtra), he that is desirous of snatching the glowing prosperity of his enemy, should, bring every direction under his subjection like the charioteer taming the horses with his whip. Those used to handling weapons say that, a weapon is not simply an instrument that cuts but is a means, whether secret or open, that can defeat an enemy. Who is to be considered an enemy and who a friend, does not depend on one's figure or dimensions. He that pains another is, O king (Dhritarashtra), to be regarded an enemy by him that is pained. Discontent (Asantosham in Sanskrit) is the root of prosperity. Therefore, O king (Dhritarashtra), I desire to be discontented. He that strives after the acquisition of prosperity is, O king (Dhritarashtra), a truly politic (Raja Dharma in Sanskrit) person. Nobody should be attached to wealth and affluence, for the wealth that has been earned and stored may be plundered. The usages of kings are such.

“It was during a period of peace that Shakra (Lord Indra) cut off the head of Namuchi after having given a prmoise to the contrary, and it was because He approved of this eternal usage (Sanaatana Vrutti in Sanskrit) towards the enemy that He did so. Like a snake that swallows up frogs and other creatures living in holes, the earth swallows up a king that is peaceful and a Brahmana that does not leave out of home. O king (Dhritarashtra), none can by nature be any person’s enemy. He is one’s enemy, and not anybody else, who has common target with one. He that from foolishness neglects a growing enemy, hath his (reproductive) vitals cut off as by a disease that he cherished without treatment. An enemy, however insignificant, if suffered to grow in prowess, swallows one like the white ants at the root of a tree eating off the tree itself. O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), O Ajameeda, let not the prosperity of the enemy be acceptable to you. This policy should always be borne on their heads by the wise like a load. He that always wishes for the increase of his wealth, ever grows in the middle of his relatives like the body naturally growing from the moment of birth. Prowess confers speedy growth. Desiring as I do the prosperity of the Paandavaas. I have not yet made it my own. At present, I am a prey to doubts in respect of my ability. I am determined to resolve those doubts of mine. I will either obtain that prosperity of theirs or lie down having perished in battle. O king (Dhritarashtra), when the state of my mind is such, what do I care now for life, for the Paandavaas are daily growing while our possessions know no increase?’”