Baka Dalbhya Advises Yudhishthira on Brahmana Alliance
In the Dvaitavana forest, where Vedic chants mingle with the twang of Pandava bowstrings, the rishi Baka Dalbhya addresses Yudhishthira with a pointed counsel: a kshatriya without brahmanas is like an unrestrained elephant in battle. He urges the king to seek a wise, disciplined brahmana to acquire what he lacks and secure his future — citing the examples of Bali and Virochana's son to show what happens when that alliance is honored or broken.
The Pandavas were living in Dvaitavana, and the great forest had become something like the world of Brahma. In every direction, the lake of Dvaitavana resounded with the chants of the brahman — the yajus, the samas, the riks, in poetry and in prose — intoned by brahmanas who filled the groves. And mingling with those wise intonations came the twangs of the bowstrings of the Parthas. The unity between brahmana and kshatriya practices radiated from the forest like light.
One evening, Yudhishthira sat surrounded by all the rishis. The hour had come for the ascetics to kindle their sacrificial fires. Under the Pandavas' protection, they observed dharma by following secret and rigid vows — Bhrigus, Angirasas, Vasishthas, Kashyapa, the immensely fortunate Agastyas and Atreyas of supreme vows. All the supreme brahmanas in the world had assembled there.
Dalbhya's son Baka spoke to Yudhishthira.
"O Partha! O supreme among the Kurus! With your brothers, listen to the words I am going to say to you. Brahmanas are enriched by kshatriyas, and kshatriyas are enriched by brahmanas. Thus rendered strong, they burn down enemies — like fire and wind together consume the forest. O son! If you wish to win this world and the next, do not wish to remain without brahmanas."
He told Yudhishthira what happens when a king finds the right brahmana: "Having obtained a disciplined brahmana who knows the ways of dharma and artha, a king can eliminate his enemies." He gave examples. Bali, who conducted himself in accordance with supreme dharma and protected his subjects, could find no other refuge in this world than that of a brahmana. It was because of this that Virochana's son — the asura king — satisfied all his desires and never lacked in prosperity. Having obtained the earth through his alliance with brahmanas, he met misfortune only when he began to oppress them.
"The earth and its riches do not remain eternally with one from the second varna (the kshatriya) who does not have a brahmana. But right up to the boundaries of the ocean, the earth pays homage to one who is instructed by a disciplined brahmana. Like an elephant without restraint in battle, a kshatriya's strength declines if it is not accompanied by brahmanas. The brahmana has unmatched insight; the kshatriya has unmatched strength. When the two are together, the entire world is delighted. Just as a great fire aided by the wind burns up dry wood, kings aided by brahmanas consume the enemy."
Then Baka Dalbhya gave Yudhishthira his counsel directly: "To acquire what you have not got and to extend what you have got, an intelligent one should seek the advice of wise brahmanas. Therefore, to obtain what you have not got and to extend what you have got and to obtain the right refuge, you need a brahmana who is famous, knowledgeable in the vedas, wise and greatly learned."
He ended with praise: "O Yudhishthira! Your conduct with brahmanas has always been excellent, and your great fame therefore shines in all the worlds."
At this, all the brahmanas showed homage to Baka Dalbhya as he praised Yudhishthira, and they were immensely delighted. Dvaipayana, Narada, Jamadagnya, Prithushrava, Indradyumna, Bhaluki, Kritacheta, Sahasrapad, Karnashrava, Munja, Lavanashva, Kashyapa, Harita, Sthunakarna, Agniveshya, Shounaka, Ritavak, Brihadashva, Ritavasu, Urdhvareta, Vrishamitra, Suhotra, Hotravahana — these and many other brahmanas of rigid vows spoke to Ajatashatru (Yudhishthira), the way rishis speak to Purandara (Indra). Aranyaka Parva, Chapter 324