Chapter 10: Pāṇḍu’s conquests, forest retreat, and curse by Kindama.
tataḥ sa kauravō rājā vihr̥tya tridaśā niśāḥ ॥KUMB: 1-122-21; NILA: 01.113.021॥
Then that Kaurava king, after enjoying himself for thirty nights… (KUMB: 1-122-21; NILA: 01.113.021)
[PV-KDV:01_016_1] (Jaya)
sa bhīṣmapramukhānvr̥ddhānabhivādya praṇamya ca । dhr̥tarāṣṭraṁ ca kauravyaṁ tathānyānkurusattamān । āmantrya prayayau rājā taiścaivāpyanumōjitaḥ ॥KUMB: 1-122-22; NILA: 01.113.022॥
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)
kr̥tōdvāhastataḥ pāṇḍurbalōtsāhasamanvitaḥ । jigīṣamāṇō vasudhāṁ yayau śatrūnanēkaśaḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-7॥
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)
maṅgalācārayuktābhirāśīrbhirabhinanditaḥ । gajavājirathaughēna balēna mahatā’gamat ॥KUMB: 1-122-23; NILA: 01.113.023॥
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)
pūrvamāgaskr̥tō gatvā daśārṇāḥ samarē jitāḥ । pāṇḍunā narasiṁhēna kauravāṇāṁ yaśōbhr̥tā ॥BORI: 1-105-8॥
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)
tataḥ sēnāmupādāya pāṇḍurnānāvidhadhvajām । prabhūtahastyaśvarathāṁ padātigaṇasaṅkulām ॥BORI: 1-105-9॥
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)
āgaskr̥tsarvavīrāṇāṁ vairī sarvamahībhr̥tām । gōptā magadharāṣṭrasya dārvō rājagr̥hē hataḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-10॥
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)
tataḥ kōśaṁ samādāya vāhanāni balāni ca । pāṇḍunā mithilāṁ gatvā vidēhāḥ samarē jitāḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-11॥
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)
tathā kāśiṣu suhmēṣu puṇḍrēṣu bharatarṣabha । svabāhubalavīryēṇa kurūṇāmakarōdyaśaḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-12॥
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)
taṁ śaraughamahājvālamastrārciṣamariṁdamam । pāṇḍupāvakamāsādya vyadahyanta narādhipāḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-13॥
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)
tē sasēnāḥ sasēnēna vidhvaṁsitabalā nr̥pāḥ । pāṇḍunā vaśagāḥ kr̥tvā karakarmasu yōjitāḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-14॥
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)
tēna tē nirjitāḥ sarvē pr̥thivyāṁ sarvapārthivāḥ । tamēkaṁ mēnirē śūraṁ dēvēṣviva puraṁdaram ॥BORI: 1-105-15॥
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)
taṁ kr̥tāñjalayaḥ sarvē praṇatā vasudhādhipāḥ । upājagmurdhanaṁ gr̥hya ratnāni vividhāni ca ॥BORI: 1-105-16॥
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)
maṇimuktāpravālaṁ ca suvarṇaṁ rajataṁ tathā । gōratnānyaśvaratnāni ratharatnāni kuñjarān ॥BORI: 1-105-17॥
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)
kharōṣṭramahiṣāṁścaiva yacca kiñcidajāvikam । tatsarvaṁ pratijagrāha rājā nāgapurādhipaḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-18॥
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)
tadādāya yayau pāṇḍuḥ punarmuditavāhanaḥ । harṣayiṣyansvarāṣṭrāṇi puraṁ ca gajasāhvayam ॥BORI: 1-105-19॥
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)
śantanō rājasiṁhasya bharatasya ca dhīmataḥ । pranaṣṭaḥ kīrtijaḥ śabdaḥ pāṇḍunā punaruddhr̥taḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-20॥
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)
yē purā kururāṣṭrāṇi jahruḥ kurudhanāni ca । tē nāgapurasiṁhēna pāṇḍunā karadāḥ kr̥tāḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-21॥
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)
ityabhāṣanta rājānō rājāmātyāśca saṅgatāḥ । pratītamanasō hr̥ṣṭāḥ paurajānapadaiḥ saha ॥BORI: 1-105-22॥
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)
pratyudyayustaṁ samprāptaṁ sarvē bhīṣmapurōgamāḥ । tē na dūramivādhvānaṁ gatvā nāgapurālayāḥ । āvr̥taṁ dadr̥śurlōkaṁ hr̥ṣṭā bahuvidhairjanaiḥ ॥BORI: 1-105-23॥
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)
sō’bhivādya pituḥ pādau kausalyānandavardhanaḥ । yathārhaṁ mānayāmāsa paurajānapadānapi ॥BORI: 1-105-25॥
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)
pramr̥dya pararāṣṭrāṇi kr̥tārthaṁ punarāgatam । putramāsādya bhīṣmastu harṣādaśrūṇyavartayat ॥BORI: 1-105-26॥
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)
sa tūryaśatasaṅghānāṁ bhērīṇāṁ ca mahāsvanaiḥ । harṣayansarvaśaḥ paurānvivēśa gajasāhvayam ॥BORI: 1-105-27॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_33] (Jaya)
dhr̥tarāṣṭrābhyanujñātaḥ svabāhuvijitaṁ dhanam । bhīṣmāya satyavatyai ca mātrē cōpajahāra saḥ ॥BORI: 1-106-1॥
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)
vidurāya ca vai pāṇḍuḥ prēṣayāmāsa taddhanam । suhr̥daścāpi dharmātmā dhanēna samatarpayat ॥BORI: 1-106-2॥
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)
tataḥ satyavatīṁ bhīṣmaḥ kausalyāṁ ca yaśasvinīm । śubhaiḥ pāṇḍujitai ratnaistōṣayāmāsa bhārata ॥BORI: 1-106-3॥
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)
nananda mātā kausalyā tamapratimatējasam । jayantamiva paulōmī pariṣvajya nararṣabham ॥BORI: 1-106-4॥
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)
samprayuktaśca kuntyā ca mādryā ca bharatarṣabha । jitatandrīstadā pāṇḍurbabhūva vanagōcaraḥ ॥BORI: 1-106-6॥
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)
hitvā prāsādanilayaṁ śubhāni śayanāni ca । araṇyanityaḥ satataṁ babhūva mr̥gayāparaḥ ॥BORI: 1-106-7॥
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)
sa carandakṣiṇaṁ pārśvaṁ ramyaṁ himavatō girēḥ । uvāsa giripr̥ṣṭhēṣu mahāśālavanēṣu ca ॥BORI: 1-106-8॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_48] (Jaya)
rājā pāṇḍurmahāraṇyē mr̥gavyālaniṣēvitē । vanē maithunakālasthaṁ dadarśa mr̥gayūthapam ॥BORI: 1-109-5॥
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)
tatastāṁ ca mr̥gīṁ taṁ ca rukmapuṅkhaiḥ supatribhiḥ । nirbibhēda śaraistīkṣṇaiḥ pāṇḍuḥ pañcabhirāśugaiḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-6॥
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)
sa ca rājanmahātējā r̥ṣiputrastapōdhanaḥ । bhāryayā saha tējasvī mr̥garūpēṇa saṅgataḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-7॥
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)
saṁsaktastu tayā mr̥gyā mānuṣīmīrayangiram । kṣaṇēna patitō bhūmau vilalāpākulēndriyaḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-8॥
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)
mr̥ga uvāca॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_53] (Jaya)
kāmamanyuparītāpi buddhyaṅgarahitāpi ca । varjayanti nr̥śaṁsāni pāpēṣvabhiratā narāḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-9॥
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)
na vidhiṁ grasatē prajñā prajñāṁ tu grasatē vidhiḥ । vidhiparyāgatānarthānprajñā na pratipadyatē ॥BORI: 1-109-10॥
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)
śaśvaddharmātmanāṁ mukhyē kulē jātasya bhārata । kāmalōbhābhibhūtasya kathaṁ tē calitā matiḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-11॥
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)
pāṇḍuruvāca॥
Pandu said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_57] (Jaya)
śatrūṇāṁ yā vadhē vr̥ttiḥ sā mr̥gāṇāṁ vadhē smr̥tā । rājñāṁ mr̥ga na māṁ mōhāttvaṁ garhayitumarhasi ॥BORI: 1-109-12॥
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)
acchadmanāmāyayā ca mr̥gāṇāṁ vadha iṣyatē । sa ēva dharmō rājñāṁ tu tadvidvānkiṁ nu garhasē ॥BORI: 1-109-13॥
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)
agastyaḥ satramāsīnaścacāra mr̥gayāmr̥ṣiḥ । āraṇyānsarvadaivatyānmr̥gānprōkṣya mahāvanē ॥BORI: 1-109-14॥
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)
pramāṇadr̥ṣṭadharmēṇa kathamasmānvigarhasē । agastyasyābhicārēṇa yuṣmākaṁ vai vapā hutā ॥BORI: 1-109-15॥
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)
mr̥ga uvāca॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_62] (Jaya)
na ripūnvai samuddiśya vimuñcanti purā śarān । randhra ēṣāṁ viśēṣēṇa vadhakālaḥ praśasyatē ॥BORI: 1-109-16॥
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)
pāṇḍuruvāca॥
Pandu said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_64] (Jaya)
pramattamapramattaṁ vā vivr̥taṁ ghnanti caujasā । upāyairiṣubhistīkṣṇaiḥ kasmānmr̥ga vigarhasē ॥BORI: 1-109-17॥
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)
mr̥ga uvāca॥
The deer said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_66] (Jaya)
nāhaṁ ghnantaṁ mr̥gānrājanvigarhē ātmakāraṇāt । maithunaṁ tu pratīkṣyaṁ mē syāttvayēhānr̥śaṁsataḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-18॥
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)
sarvabhūtahitē kālē sarvabhūtēpsitē tathā । kō hi vidvānmr̥gaṁ hanyāccarantaṁ maithunaṁ vanē । puruṣārthaphalaṁ kāntaṁ yattvayā vitathaṁ kr̥tam ॥BORI: 1-109-19॥
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)
pauravāṇāmr̥ṣīṇāṁ ca tēṣāmakliṣṭakarmaṇām । vaṁśē jātasya kauravya nānurūpamidaṁ tava ॥BORI: 1-109-20॥
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)
strībhōgānāṁ viśēṣajñaḥ śāstradharmārthatattvavit । nārhastvaṁ surasaṅkāśa kartumasvargyamīdr̥śam ॥BORI: 1-109-22॥
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)
tvayā nr̥śaṁsakartāraḥ pāpācārāśca mānavāḥ । nigrāhyāḥ pārthivaśrēṣṭha trivargaparivarjitāḥ ॥BORI: 1-109-23॥
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)
kiṁ kr̥taṁ tē naraśrēṣṭha nighnatō māmanāgasam । muniṁ mūlaphalāhāraṁ mr̥gavēṣadharaṁ nr̥pa । vasamānamaraṇyēṣu nityaṁ śamaparāyaṇam ॥BORI: 1-109-24॥
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)
tvayāhaṁ hiṁsitō yasmāttasmāttvāmapyasaṁśayam । dvayōrnr̥śaṁsakartāramavaśaṁ kāmamōhitam । jīvitāntakarō bhāva ēvamēvāgamiṣyati ॥BORI: 1-109-25॥
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)
ahaṁ hi kiṁdamō nāma tapasāpratimō muniḥ । vyapatrapanmanuṣyāṇāṁ mr̥gyāṁ maithunamācaram ॥BORI: 1-109-26॥
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)
mr̥gō bhūtvā mr̥gaiḥ sārdhaṁ carāmi gahanē vanē । na tu tē brahmahatyēyaṁ bhaviṣyatyavijānataḥ । mr̥garūpadharaṁ hatvā māmēvaṁ kāmamōhitam ॥BORI: 1-109-27॥
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)
asya tu tvaṁ phalaṁ mūḍha prāpsyasīdr̥śamēva hi । priyayā saha saṁvāsaṁ prāpya kāmavimōhitaḥ । tvamapyasyāmavasthāyāṁ prētalōkaṁ gamiṣyasi ॥BORI: 1-109-28॥
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)
antakālē ca saṁvāsaṁ yayā gantāsi kāntayā । prētarājavaśaṁ prāptaṁ sarvabhūtaduratyayam । bhaktyā matimatāṁ śrēṣṭha saiva tvāmanuyāsyati ॥BORI: 1-109-29॥
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)
vartamānaḥ sukhē duḥkhaṁ yathāhaṁ prāpitastvayā । tathā sukhaṁ tvāṁ samprāptaṁ duḥkhamabhyāgamiṣyati ॥BORI: 1-109-30॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_80] (Jaya)
ēvamuktvā suduḥkhārtō jīvitātsa vyayujyata । mr̥gaḥ pāṇḍuśca śōkārtaḥ kṣaṇēna samapadyata ॥BORI: 1-109-31॥
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)
janamējaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
[PV-KDV:01_016_88] (Jaya)
kathaṁ ca śaptasya sataḥ pāṇḍōstēna mahātmanā । samutpannā daivatēbhyaḥ pañca putrā mahārathāḥ ॥BORI: 1-107-5॥
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)