Chapter 10: Pāṇḍu’s conquests, forest retreat, and curse by Kindama.
ततः स कौरवो राजा विहृत्य त्रिदशा निशाः ॥KUMB: १-१२२-२१; NILA: ०१.११३.०२१॥
Then that Kaurava king, after enjoying himself for thirty nights… (KUMB: 1-122-21; NILA: 01.113.021)
[PV-KDV:01_016_1] (Jaya)
स भीष्मप्रमुखान्वृद्धानभिवाद्य प्रणम्य च । धृतराष्ट्रं च कौरव्यं तथान्यान्कुरुसत्तमान् । आमन्त्र्य प्रययौ राजा तैश्चैवाप्यनुमोजितः ॥KUMB: १-१२२-२२; NILA: ०१.११३.०२२॥
The king saluted and bowed to the elders headed by Bhishma, to Dhritarashtra the Kaurava, and to the other foremost Kurus. Taking leave of them, he departed with their consent. (KUMB: 1-122-22; NILA: 01.113.022)
[PV-KDV:01_016_2] (Jaya)
कृतोद्वाहस्ततः पाण्डुर्बलोत्साहसमन्वितः । जिगीषमाणो वसुधां ययौ शत्रूननेकशः ॥BORI: १-१०५-७॥
Then, after his marriage, Pandu, endowed with strength and courage, set out to conquer the earth, marching against many enemies. (BORI: 1-105-7)
[PV-KDV:01_016_3] (Jaya)
मङ्गलाचारयुक्ताभिराशीर्भिरभिनन्दितः । गजवाजिरथौघेन बलेन महताऽगमत् ॥KUMB: १-१२२-२३; NILA: ०१.११३.०२३॥
Honored with blessings accompanied by auspicious rites, he set out with a great army of elephants, horses, and chariots. (KUMB: 1-122-23; NILA: 01.113.023)
[PV-KDV:01_016_4] (Jaya)
पूर्वमागस्कृतो गत्वा दशार्णाः समरे जिताः । पाण्डुना नरसिंहेन कौरवाणां यशोभृता ॥BORI: १-१०५-८॥
The Daśārṇas, who had previously committed an offense, were attacked and defeated in battle by Pandu, a lion among men who upheld the glory of the Kauravas. (BORI: 1-105-8)
[PV-KDV:01_016_6] (Jaya)
ततः सेनामुपादाय पाण्डुर्नानाविधध्वजाम् । प्रभूतहस्त्यश्वरथां पदातिगणसङ्कुलाम् ॥BORI: १-१०५-९॥
Then Pandu took up an army with banners of many kinds, abundant elephants, horses, and chariots, and thronged with masses of foot soldiers… (BORI: 1-105-9)
[PV-KDV:01_016_7] (Jaya)
आगस्कृत्सर्ववीराणां वैरी सर्वमहीभृताम् । गोप्ता मगधराष्ट्रस्य दार्वो राजगृहे हतः ॥BORI: १-१०५-१०॥
Dārva, who had wronged every warrior, the enemy of all kings and protector of the kingdom of Magadha, was slain at Rājagṛha. (BORI: 1-105-10)
[PV-KDV:01_016_8] (Jaya)
ततः कोशं समादाय वाहनानि बलानि च । पाण्डुना मिथिलां गत्वा विदेहाः समरे जिताः ॥BORI: १-१०५-११॥
Then Pandu took the treasury, vehicles, and troops, went to Mithila, and defeated the Videhas in battle. (BORI: 1-105-11)
[PV-KDV:01_016_9] (Jaya)
तथा काशिषु सुह्मेषु पुण्ड्रेषु भरतर्षभ । स्वबाहुबलवीर्येण कुरूणामकरोद्यशः ॥BORI: १-१०५-१२॥
Likewise, among the Kāśis, Suhmas, and Puṇḍras, O bull of the Bharatas, he won renown for the Kurus through the might and valor of his own arms. (BORI: 1-105-12)
[PV-KDV:01_016_10] (Jaya)
तं शरौघमहाज्वालमस्त्रार्चिषमरिंदमम् । पाण्डुपावकमासाद्य व्यदह्यन्त नराधिपाः ॥BORI: १-१०५-१३॥
When they encountered Pandu, a blazing fire whose great flames were torrents of arrows and whose tongues of flame were missiles, the enemy-subduing kings were consumed. (BORI: 1-105-13)
[PV-KDV:01_016_11] (Jaya)
ते ससेनाः ससेनेन विध्वंसितबला नृपाः । पाण्डुना वशगाः कृत्वा करकर्मसु योजिताः ॥BORI: १-१०५-१४॥
Those kings and their armies had their forces crushed by Pandu and were brought under his control and made to pay tribute. (BORI: 1-105-14)
[PV-KDV:01_016_12] (Jaya)
तेन ते निर्जिताः सर्वे पृथिव्यां सर्वपार्थिवाः । तमेकं मेनिरे शूरं देवेष्विव पुरंदरम् ॥BORI: १-१०५-१५॥
Thus conquered by him, all the kings on earth regarded him alone as a hero, like Purandara among the gods. (BORI: 1-105-15)
[PV-KDV:01_016_13] (Jaya)
तं कृताञ्जलयः सर्वे प्रणता वसुधाधिपाः । उपाजग्मुर्धनं गृह्य रत्नानि विविधानि च ॥BORI: १-१०५-१६॥
All the kings approached him with hands joined and heads bowed, bringing wealth and various kinds of jewels. (BORI: 1-105-16)
[PV-KDV:01_016_14] (Jaya)
मणिमुक्ताप्रवालं च सुवर्णं रजतं तथा । गोरत्नान्यश्वरत्नानि रथरत्नानि कुञ्जरान् ॥BORI: १-१०५-१७॥
gems, pearls, coral, gold and silver, as well as prized cattle, horses and chariots, and elephants… (BORI: 1-105-17)
[PV-KDV:01_016_15] (Jaya)
खरोष्ट्रमहिषांश्चैव यच्च किञ्चिदजाविकम् । तत्सर्वं प्रतिजग्राह राजा नागपुराधिपः ॥BORI: १-१०५-१८॥
Donkeys, camels, and buffaloes, as well as every kind of goat and sheep—the king, lord of Nagapura, accepted all of it. (BORI: 1-105-18)
[PV-KDV:01_016_16] (Jaya)
तदादाय ययौ पाण्डुः पुनर्मुदितवाहनः । हर्षयिष्यन्स्वराष्ट्राणि पुरं च गजसाह्वयम् ॥BORI: १-१०५-१९॥
Taking all this, Pandu set out again with his laden conveyances, intending to gladden his own realm and the city named after the elephant. (BORI: 1-105-19)
[PV-KDV:01_016_17] (Jaya)
शन्तनो राजसिंहस्य भरतस्य च धीमतः । प्रनष्टः कीर्तिजः शब्दः पाण्डुना पुनरुद्धृतः ॥BORI: १-१०५-२०॥
The fame-born renown of the lionlike King Śantanu and the wise Bharata, which had faded away, was revived by Pāṇḍu. (BORI: 1-105-20)
[PV-KDV:01_016_18] (Jaya)
ये पुरा कुरुराष्ट्राणि जह्रुः कुरुधनानि च । ते नागपुरसिंहेन पाण्डुना करदाः कृताः ॥BORI: १-१०५-२१॥
Those who had formerly seized the territories and wealth of the Kurus were made tributaries by Pandu, the lion of Nagapura. (BORI: 1-105-21)
[PV-KDV:01_016_19] (Jaya)
इत्यभाषन्त राजानो राजामात्याश्च सङ्गताः । प्रतीतमनसो हृष्टाः पौरजानपदैः सह ॥BORI: १-१०५-२२॥
Thus spoke the assembled kings and royal ministers, joyful and confident, together with the people of the city and countryside. (BORI: 1-105-22)
[PV-KDV:01_016_20] (Jaya)
प्रत्युद्ययुस्तं सम्प्राप्तं सर्वे भीष्मपुरोगमाः । ते न दूरमिवाध्वानं गत्वा नागपुरालयाः । आवृतं ददृशुर्लोकं हृष्टा बहुविधैर्जनैः ॥BORI: १-१०५-२३॥
All of them, led by Bhishma, went out to meet him upon his arrival. After traveling what seemed only a short distance, the delighted residents of Nagapura saw the land thronged with many kinds of people… (BORI: 1-105-23)
[PV-KDV:01_016_21] (Jaya)
सोऽभिवाद्य पितुः पादौ कौसल्यानन्दवर्धनः । यथार्हं मानयामास पौरजानपदानपि ॥BORI: १-१०५-२५॥
Increasing Kausalya’s joy, he bowed at his father’s feet and duly honored the townspeople and country folk as well. (BORI: 1-105-25)
[PV-KDV:01_016_23] (Jaya)
प्रमृद्य परराष्ट्राणि कृतार्थं पुनरागतम् । पुत्रमासाद्य भीष्मस्तु हर्षादश्रूण्यवर्तयत् ॥BORI: १-१०५-२६॥
When Bhishma met his son, who had returned successful after crushing the enemy kingdoms, he shed tears of joy. (BORI: 1-105-26)
[PV-KDV:01_016_24] (Jaya)
स तूर्यशतसङ्घानां भेरीणां च महास्वनैः । हर्षयन्सर्वशः पौरान्विवेश गजसाह्वयम् ॥BORI: १-१०५-२७॥
To the mighty sound of hundreds of ensembles of musical instruments and drums, he entered Hastinapura, delighting all the citizens. (BORI: 1-105-27)
[PV-KDV:01_016_25] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_33] (Jaya)
धृतराष्ट्राभ्यनुज्ञातः स्वबाहुविजितं धनम् । भीष्माय सत्यवत्यै च मात्रे चोपजहार सः ॥BORI: १-१०६-१॥
With Dhritarashtra’s permission, he presented the wealth he had won by his own prowess to Bhishma, Satyavati, and his mother. (BORI: 1-106-1)
[PV-KDV:01_016_34] (Jaya)
विदुराय च वै पाण्डुः प्रेषयामास तद्धनम् । सुहृदश्चापि धर्मात्मा धनेन समतर्पयत् ॥BORI: १-१०६-२॥
Pandu also sent some of that wealth to Vidura, and the righteous king gratified his friends with riches as well. (BORI: 1-106-2)
[PV-KDV:01_016_35] (Jaya)
ततः सत्यवतीं भीष्मः कौसल्यां च यशस्विनीम् । शुभैः पाण्डुजितै रत्नैस्तोषयामास भारत ॥BORI: १-१०६-३॥
Then Bhishma delighted Satyavati and the illustrious Kausalya with the splendid jewels won by Pandu, O Bharata. (BORI: 1-106-3)
[PV-KDV:01_016_36] (Jaya)
ननन्द माता कौसल्या तमप्रतिमतेजसम् । जयन्तमिव पौलोमी परिष्वज्य नरर्षभम् ॥BORI: १-१०६-४॥
His mother Kausalya rejoiced, embracing that bull among men of matchless splendor, as Paulomi embraced Jayanta. (BORI: 1-106-4)
[PV-KDV:01_016_37] (Jaya)
सम्प्रयुक्तश्च कुन्त्या च माद्र्या च भरतर्षभ । जिततन्द्रीस्तदा पाण्डुर्बभूव वनगोचरः ॥BORI: १-१०६-६॥
Accompanied by Kunti and Madri, O bull of Bharata’s race, Pandu then shook off all weariness and began to roam the forest. (BORI: 1-106-6)
[PV-KDV:01_016_39] (Jaya)
हित्वा प्रासादनिलयं शुभानि शयनानि च । अरण्यनित्यः सततं बभूव मृगयापरः ॥BORI: १-१०६-७॥
Abandoning his palace residence and luxurious beds, he lived constantly in the forest, devoted to hunting. (BORI: 1-106-7)
[PV-KDV:01_016_40] (Jaya)
स चरन्दक्षिणं पार्श्वं रम्यं हिमवतो गिरेः । उवास गिरिपृष्ठेषु महाशालवनेषु च ॥BORI: १-१०६-८॥
Roaming along the beautiful southern slope of the Himalaya, he dwelt on the mountain heights and in great forests of sal trees. (BORI: 1-106-8)
[PV-KDV:01_016_41] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_48] (Jaya)
राजा पाण्डुर्महारण्ये मृगव्यालनिषेविते । वने मैथुनकालस्थं ददर्श मृगयूथपम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-५॥
In the great forest, frequented by deer and wild beasts, King Pandu saw the leader of a herd of deer in the act of mating. (BORI: 1-109-5)
[PV-KDV:01_016_49] (Jaya)
ततस्तां च मृगीं तं च रुक्मपुङ्खैः सुपत्रिभिः । निर्बिभेद शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः पाण्डुः पञ्चभिराशुगैः ॥BORI: १-१०९-६॥
Then Pāṇḍu pierced both the doe and the stag with five sharp, swift-flying arrows, tipped with gold and well feathered. (BORI: 1-109-6)
[PV-KDV:01_016_50] (Jaya)
स च राजन्महातेजा ऋषिपुत्रस्तपोधनः । भार्यया सह तेजस्वी मृगरूपेण सङ्गतः ॥BORI: १-१०९-७॥
That immensely radiant ascetic, the son of a sage, O king, was mating with his wife in the form of a deer. (BORI: 1-109-7)
[PV-KDV:01_016_51] (Jaya)
संसक्तस्तु तया मृग्या मानुषीमीरयन्गिरम् । क्षणेन पतितो भूमौ विललापाकुलेन्द्रियः ॥BORI: १-१०९-८॥
While mating with that doe, he spoke in a human voice; a moment later he fell to the ground and lamented, his senses overwhelmed. (BORI: 1-109-8)
[PV-KDV:01_016_52] (Jaya)
मृग उवाच॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_53] (Jaya)
काममन्युपरीतापि बुद्ध्यङ्गरहितापि च । वर्जयन्ति नृशंसानि पापेष्वभिरता नराः ॥BORI: १-१०९-९॥
Even people devoted to sin, though overcome by desire and anger and bereft of reason, shun cruel deeds. (BORI: 1-109-9)
[PV-KDV:01_016_54] (Jaya)
न विधिं ग्रसते प्रज्ञा प्रज्ञां तु ग्रसते विधिः । विधिपर्यागतानर्थान्प्रज्ञा न प्रतिपद्यते ॥BORI: १-१०९-१०॥
Wisdom does not overcome fate; rather, fate overwhelms wisdom. Wisdom cannot avert misfortunes brought about by fate. (BORI: 1-109-10)
[PV-KDV:01_016_55] (Jaya)
शश्वद्धर्मात्मनां मुख्ये कुले जातस्य भारत । कामलोभाभिभूतस्य कथं ते चलिता मतिः ॥BORI: १-१०९-११॥
O Bharata, how did your judgment go astray, born as you were into a family foremost among the ever-righteous, yet overcome by desire and greed? (BORI: 1-109-11)
[PV-KDV:01_016_56] (Jaya)
पाण्डुरुवाच॥
Pandu said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_57] (Jaya)
शत्रूणां या वधे वृत्तिः सा मृगाणां वधे स्मृता । राज्ञां मृग न मां मोहात्त्वं गर्हयितुमर्हसि ॥BORI: १-१०९-१२॥
The practice prescribed for kings in killing deer is the same as that used in killing enemies. O deer, you should not condemn me in your delusion. (BORI: 1-109-12)
[PV-KDV:01_016_58] (Jaya)
अच्छद्मनामायया च मृगाणां वध इष्यते । स एव धर्मो राज्ञां तु तद्विद्वान्किं नु गर्हसे ॥BORI: १-१०९-१३॥
The killing of deer is sanctioned either openly or by stratagem. That is indeed the law for kings; knowing this, why then do you condemn me? (BORI: 1-109-13)
[PV-KDV:01_016_59] (Jaya)
अगस्त्यः सत्रमासीनश्चचार मृगयामृषिः । आरण्यान्सर्वदैवत्यान्मृगान्प्रोक्ष्य महावने ॥BORI: १-१०९-१४॥
While engaged in a sacrificial session, the sage Agastya went hunting in the great forest, having consecrated the wild animals to all the gods. (BORI: 1-109-14)
[PV-KDV:01_016_60] (Jaya)
प्रमाणदृष्टधर्मेण कथमस्मान्विगर्हसे । अगस्त्यस्याभिचारेण युष्माकं वै वपा हुता ॥BORI: १-१०९-१५॥
How can you censure us for acting according to a law established by authoritative precedent? Through Agastya’s ritual act, your omentum has indeed been offered. (BORI: 1-109-15)
[PV-KDV:01_016_61] (Jaya)
मृग उवाच॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_62] (Jaya)
न रिपून्वै समुद्दिश्य विमुञ्चन्ति पुरा शरान् । रन्ध्र एषां विशेषेण वधकालः प्रशस्यते ॥BORI: १-१०९-१६॥
Men of old did not warn their enemies before loosing arrows. The moment when an enemy is vulnerable is especially commended as the time to kill him. (BORI: 1-109-16)
[PV-KDV:01_016_63] (Jaya)
पाण्डुरुवाच॥
Pandu said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_64] (Jaya)
प्रमत्तमप्रमत्तं वा विवृतं घ्नन्ति चौजसा । उपायैरिषुभिस्तीक्ष्णैः कस्मान्मृग विगर्हसे ॥BORI: १-१०९-१७॥
They slay an enemy, whether heedless or vigilant, when he is exposed, using force, stratagems, and sharp arrows. Why, O deer, do you condemn me? (BORI: 1-109-17)
[PV-KDV:01_016_65] (Jaya)
मृग उवाच॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_66] (Jaya)
नाहं घ्नन्तं मृगान्राजन्विगर्हे आत्मकारणात् । मैथुनं तु प्रतीक्ष्यं मे स्यात्त्वयेहानृशंसतः ॥BORI: १-१०९-१८॥
I do not reproach you, O king, for killing deer on my account; but in compassion, you should have waited here until I had finished mating. (BORI: 1-109-18)
[PV-KDV:01_016_67] (Jaya)
सर्वभूतहिते काले सर्वभूतेप्सिते तथा । को हि विद्वान्मृगं हन्याच्चरन्तं मैथुनं वने । पुरुषार्थफलं कान्तं यत्त्वया वितथं कृतम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-१९॥
At a time beneficial to all creatures and desired by them all, what wise man would kill a deer mating in the forest? You have thwarted the cherished fruit of a man’s purpose. (BORI: 1-109-19)
[PV-KDV:01_016_68] (Jaya)
पौरवाणामृषीणां च तेषामक्लिष्टकर्मणाम् । वंशे जातस्य कौरव्य नानुरूपमिदं तव ॥BORI: १-१०९-२०॥
O Kaurava, this is unworthy of you, born into the lineage of the Pauravas and of those sages whose deeds were flawless. (BORI: 1-109-20)
[PV-KDV:01_016_69] (Jaya)
स्त्रीभोगानां विशेषज्ञः शास्त्रधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित् । नार्हस्त्वं सुरसङ्काश कर्तुमस्वर्ग्यमीदृशम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-२२॥
You are an expert in the pleasures of women and know the true principles of scripture, dharma, and material welfare. Godlike one, you should not commit such a deed, which bars the way to heaven. (BORI: 1-109-22)
[PV-KDV:01_016_71] (Jaya)
त्वया नृशंसकर्तारः पापाचाराश्च मानवाः । निग्राह्याः पार्थिवश्रेष्ठ त्रिवर्गपरिवर्जिताः ॥BORI: १-१०९-२३॥
You should punish cruel men who commit evil deeds and are devoid of the three aims of life, O best of kings. (BORI: 1-109-23)
[PV-KDV:01_016_72] (Jaya)
किं कृतं ते नरश्रेष्ठ निघ्नतो मामनागसम् । मुनिं मूलफलाहारं मृगवेषधरं नृप । वसमानमरण्येषु नित्यं शमपरायणम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-२४॥
What have you gained, O best of men, by killing me, though I am innocent—a sage who lives on roots and fruit, wears the guise of a deer, dwells in the forests, and is ever devoted to tranquility, O king? (BORI: 1-109-24)
[PV-KDV:01_016_73] (Jaya)
त्वयाहं हिंसितो यस्मात्तस्मात्त्वामप्यसंशयम् । द्वयोर्नृशंसकर्तारमवशं काममोहितम् । जीवितान्तकरो भाव एवमेवागमिष्यति ॥BORI: १-१०९-२५॥
Since you have harmed me, without doubt a life-ending fate will likewise befall you—the helpless, lust-bewildered perpetrator of cruelty against a mating pair. (BORI: 1-109-25)
[PV-KDV:01_016_74] (Jaya)
अहं हि किंदमो नाम तपसाप्रतिमो मुनिः । व्यपत्रपन्मनुष्याणां मृग्यां मैथुनमाचरम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-२६॥
For I am the sage named Kindama, unrivalled in ascetic power. Ashamed before humans, I had intercourse with a doe. (BORI: 1-109-26)
[PV-KDV:01_016_75] (Jaya)
मृगो भूत्वा मृगैः सार्धं चरामि गहने वने । न तु ते ब्रह्महत्येयं भविष्यत्यविजानतः । मृगरूपधरं हत्वा मामेवं काममोहितम् ॥BORI: १-१०९-२७॥
Taking the form of a deer, I roam with the deer in the dense forest. But since you did not know, this will not amount to the killing of a Brahmin for you, though you killed me while I wore a deer’s form and was thus overcome by desire. (BORI: 1-109-27)
[PV-KDV:01_016_76] (Jaya)
अस्य तु त्वं फलं मूढ प्राप्स्यसीदृशमेव हि । प्रियया सह संवासं प्राप्य कामविमोहितः । त्वमप्यस्यामवस्थायां प्रेतलोकं गमिष्यसि ॥BORI: १-१०९-२८॥
But you, fool, will reap precisely this consequence: when, overcome by desire, you are enjoying union with your beloved, you too will pass into the realm of the dead in that very state. (BORI: 1-109-28)
[PV-KDV:01_016_77] (Jaya)
अन्तकाले च संवासं यया गन्तासि कान्तया । प्रेतराजवशं प्राप्तं सर्वभूतदुरत्ययम् । भक्त्या मतिमतां श्रेष्ठ सैव त्वामनुयास्यति ॥BORI: १-१०९-२९॥
And the beloved woman with whom you will have intercourse at the time of your death will, out of devotion, follow you when you have fallen under the inescapable sway of the king of the dead, O wisest of men. (BORI: 1-109-29)
[PV-KDV:01_016_78] (Jaya)
वर्तमानः सुखे दुःखं यथाहं प्रापितस्त्वया । तथा सुखं त्वां सम्प्राप्तं दुःखमभ्यागमिष्यति ॥BORI: १-१०९-३०॥
As I, while enjoying happiness, was brought to sorrow by you, so too, when happiness has come to you, sorrow will overtake you. (BORI: 1-109-30)
[PV-KDV:01_016_79] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_80] (Jaya)
एवमुक्त्वा सुदुःखार्तो जीवितात्स व्ययुज्यत । मृगः पाण्डुश्च शोकार्तः क्षणेन समपद्यत ॥BORI: १-१०९-३१॥
Having spoken thus, the deer, tormented by intense pain, passed from life, and Pandu was overcome with grief in an instant. (BORI: 1-109-31)
[PV-KDV:01_016_81] (Jaya)
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_88] (Jaya)
कथं च शप्तस्य सतः पाण्डोस्तेन महात्मना । समुत्पन्ना दैवतेभ्यः पञ्च पुत्रा महारथाः ॥BORI: १-१०७-५॥
And how, after Pandu had been cursed by that great-souled one, were five mighty warrior sons born to him from the gods? (BORI: 1-107-5)
[PV-KDV:01_016_89] (Jaya)