Chapter 22: Kuntī’s Decision to Send Bhīma Against Baka to Save Their Brahmin Host
जनमेजय उवाच॥
janamējaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_1] (Jaya)
एकचक्रां गतास्ते तु कुन्तीपुत्रा महारथाः । अतः परं द्विजश्रेष्ठ किमकुर्वत पाण्डवाः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१॥
ēkacakrāṁ gatāstē tu kuntīputrā mahārathāḥ । ataḥ paraṁ dvijaśrēṣṭha kimakurvata pāṇḍavāḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-1॥
After those mighty warriors, the sons of Kunti, had gone to Ekachakra, what did the Pandavas do next, O best of brahmins? (BORI: 01-145-1)
[PV-KDV:01_029_2] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_3] (Jaya)
एकचक्रां गतास्ते तु कुन्तीपुत्रा महारथाः । ऊषुर्नातिचिरं कालं ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-२॥
ēkacakrāṁ gatāstē tu kuntīputrā mahārathāḥ । ūṣurnāticiraṁ kālaṁ brāhmaṇasya nivēśanē ॥BORI: 01-145-2॥
After reaching Ekacakrā, Kuntī’s sons, the great chariot-warriors, stayed for a short time in a Brahmin’s house. (BORI: 01-145-2)
[PV-KDV:01_029_4] (Jaya)
चेरुर्भैक्षं तदा ते तु सर्व एव विशां पते । बभूवुर्नागराणां च स्वैर्गुणैः प्रियदर्शनाः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-४॥
cērurbhaikṣaṁ tadā tē tu sarva ēva viśāṁ patē । babhūvurnāgarāṇāṁ ca svairguṇaiḥ priyadarśanāḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-4॥
Then they all went about begging alms, O king, and through their virtues became pleasing to the townspeople. (BORI: 01-145-4)
[PV-KDV:01_029_6] (Jaya)
निवेदयन्ति स्म च ते भैक्षं कुन्त्याः सदा निशि । तया विभक्तान्भागांस्ते भुञ्जते स्म पृथक्पृथक् ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-५॥
nivēdayanti sma ca tē bhaikṣaṁ kuntyāḥ sadā niśi । tayā vibhaktānbhāgāṁstē bhuñjatē sma pr̥thakpr̥thak ॥BORI: 01-145-5॥
Each evening they would present the alms they had collected to Kunti, and then eat separately the portions she allotted to them. (BORI: 01-145-5)
[PV-KDV:01_029_7] (Jaya)
अर्धं ते भुञ्जते वीराः सह मात्रा परन्तपाः । अर्धं भैक्षस्य सर्वस्य भीमो भुङ्क्ते महाबलः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-६॥
ardhaṁ tē bhuñjatē vīrāḥ saha mātrā parantapāḥ । ardhaṁ bhaikṣasya sarvasya bhīmō bhuṅktē mahābalaḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-6॥
Those heroic subduers of their foes ate half of it together with their mother, while the mighty Bhima ate the other half of all the alms. (BORI: 01-145-6)
[PV-KDV:01_029_8] (Jaya)
तथा तु तेषां वसतां तत्र राजन्महात्मनाम् । अतिचक्राम सुमहान्कालोऽथ भरतर्षभ ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-७॥
tathā tu tēṣāṁ vasatāṁ tatra rājanmahātmanām । aticakrāma sumahānkālō’tha bharatarṣabha ॥BORI: 01-145-7॥
Thus, O king, as those great souls dwelt there, a very long time passed, O bull of the Bharatas. (BORI: 01-145-7)
[PV-KDV:01_029_9] (Jaya)
ततः कदाचिद्भैक्षाय गतास्ते भरतर्षभाः । सङ्गत्या भीमसेनस्तु तत्रास्ते पृथया सह ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-८॥
tataḥ kadācidbhaikṣāya gatāstē bharatarṣabhāḥ । saṅgatyā bhīmasēnastu tatrāstē pr̥thayā saha ॥BORI: 01-145-8॥
Then one day those bulls of Bharata went out to seek alms, while Bhimasena happened to remain there with Pritha. (BORI: 01-145-8)
[PV-KDV:01_029_10] (Jaya)
अथार्तिजं महाशब्दं ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने । भृशमुत्पतितं घोरं कुन्ती शुश्राव भारत ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-९॥
athārtijaṁ mahāśabdaṁ brāhmaṇasya nivēśanē । bhr̥śamutpatitaṁ ghōraṁ kuntī śuśrāva bhārata ॥BORI: 01-145-9॥
Then Kunti heard a great and terrible cry of anguish arise loudly in the Brahmin’s dwelling, O Bharata. (BORI: 01-145-9)
[PV-KDV:01_029_11] (Jaya)
रोरूयमाणांस्तान्सर्वान्परिदेवयतश्च सा । कारुण्यात्साधुभावाच्च देवी राजन्न चक्षमे ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१०॥
rōrūyamāṇāṁstānsarvānparidēvayataśca sā । kāruṇyātsādhubhāvācca dēvī rājanna cakṣamē ॥BORI: 01-145-10॥
O king, out of compassion and her own goodness, the noble lady could not bear to hear them all wailing and lamenting. (BORI: 01-145-10)
[PV-KDV:01_029_12] (Jaya)
मथ्यमानेव दुःखेन हृदयेन पृथा ततः । उवाच भीमं कल्याणी कृपान्वितमिदं वचः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-११॥
mathyamānēva duḥkhēna hr̥dayēna pr̥thā tataḥ । uvāca bhīmaṁ kalyāṇī kr̥pānvitamidaṁ vacaḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-11॥
Then the noble Pritha, her heart wrung with sorrow, compassionately spoke these words to Bhima: (BORI: 01-145-11)
[PV-KDV:01_029_13] (Jaya)
वसामः सुसुखं पुत्र ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने । अज्ञाता धार्तराष्ट्राणां सत्कृता वीतमन्यवः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१२॥
vasāmaḥ susukhaṁ putra brāhmaṇasya nivēśanē । ajñātā dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ satkr̥tā vītamanyavaḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-12॥
My son, we live very comfortably in this Brahmin’s house, unknown to the sons of Dhritarashtra, treated with honour, and free from fear. (BORI: 01-145-12)
[PV-KDV:01_029_14] (Jaya)
सा चिन्तये सदा पुत्र ब्राह्मणस्यास्य किं न्वहम् । प्रियं कुर्यामिति गृहे यत्कुर्युरुषिताः सुखम् ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१३॥
sā cintayē sadā putra brāhmaṇasyāsya kiṁ nvaham । priyaṁ kuryāmiti gr̥hē yatkuryuruṣitāḥ sukham ॥BORI: 01-145-13॥
I am always considering, son, what kindness I might do for this Brahmin, as those who have lived comfortably in his house ought to do. (BORI: 01-145-13)
[PV-KDV:01_029_15] (Jaya)
एतावान्पुरुषस्तात कृतं यस्मिन्न नश्यति । यावच्च कुर्यादन्योऽस्य कुर्यादभ्यधिकं ततः ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१४॥
ētāvānpuruṣastāta kr̥taṁ yasminna naśyati । yāvacca kuryādanyō’sya kuryādabhyadhikaṁ tataḥ ॥BORI: 01-145-14॥
A man is one, dear son, in whom a kindness is not wasted: whatever another does for him, he should do still more in return. (BORI: 01-145-14)
[PV-KDV:01_029_16] (Jaya)
तदिदं ब्राह्मणस्यास्य दुःखमापतितं ध्रुवम् । तत्रास्य यदि साहाय्यं कुर्याम सुकृतं भवेत् ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१५॥
tadidaṁ brāhmaṇasyāsya duḥkhamāpatitaṁ dhruvam । tatrāsya yadi sāhāyyaṁ kuryāma sukr̥taṁ bhavēt ॥BORI: 01-145-15॥
This Brahmin has clearly fallen into distress. If we were to help him in this matter, it would be a virtuous deed. (BORI: 01-145-15)
[PV-KDV:01_029_17] (Jaya)
भीम उवाच॥
bhīma uvāca॥
Bhima said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_18] (Jaya)
ज्ञायतामस्य यद्दुःखं यतश्चैव समुत्थितम् । विदिते व्यवसिष्यामि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम् ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१६॥
jñāyatāmasya yadduḥkhaṁ yataścaiva samutthitam । viditē vyavasiṣyāmi yadyapi syātsuduṣkaram ॥BORI: 01-145-16॥
Let it be ascertained what his affliction is and what has caused it. Once I know, I shall act resolutely, even if the task is exceedingly difficult. (BORI: 01-145-16)
[PV-KDV:01_029_19] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_20] (Jaya)
तथा हि कथयन्तौ तौ भूयः शुश्रुवतुः स्वनम् । आर्तिजं तस्य विप्रस्य सभार्यस्य विशां पते ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१७॥
tathā hi kathayantau tau bhūyaḥ śuśruvatuḥ svanam । ārtijaṁ tasya viprasya sabhāryasya viśāṁ patē ॥BORI: 01-145-17॥
As the two were conversing in this way, they once again heard the anguished cries of that Brahmin and his wife, O king. (BORI: 01-145-17)
[PV-KDV:01_029_21] (Jaya)
अन्तःपुरं ततस्तस्य ब्राह्मणस्य महात्मनः । विवेश कुन्ती त्वरिता बद्धवत्सेव सौरभी ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१८॥
antaḥpuraṁ tatastasya brāhmaṇasya mahātmanaḥ । vivēśa kuntī tvaritā baddhavatsēva saurabhī ॥BORI: 01-145-18॥
Kunti then hurried into the private quarters of that noble Brahmin, like a cow anxious for her tethered calf. (BORI: 01-145-18)
[PV-KDV:01_029_22] (Jaya)
ततस्तं ब्राह्मणं तत्र भार्यया च सुतेन च । दुहित्रा चैव सहितं ददर्श विकृताननम् ॥BORI: ०१-१४५-१९॥
tatastaṁ brāhmaṇaṁ tatra bhāryayā ca sutēna ca । duhitrā caiva sahitaṁ dadarśa vikr̥tānanam ॥BORI: 01-145-19॥
There she saw the Brahmin with a distraught expression, together with his wife, son, and daughter. (BORI: 01-145-19)
[PV-KDV:01_029_23] (Jaya)
कुन्त्युवाच॥
kuntyuvāca॥
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_151] (Jaya)
कुतोमूलमिदं दुःखं ज्ञातुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः । विदित्वा अपकर्षेयं शक्यं चेदपकर्षितुम् ॥BORI: १-१४८-१॥
kutōmūlamidaṁ duḥkhaṁ jñātumicchāmi tattvataḥ । viditvā apakarṣēyaṁ śakyaṁ cēdapakarṣitum ॥BORI: 1-148-1॥
I wish to know the true source of this suffering. Once I know it, I will remove it, if it can be removed. (BORI: 1-148-1)
[PV-KDV:01_029_152] (Jaya)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The Brahmin said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_153] (Jaya)
उपपन्नं सतामेतद्यद्ब्रवीषि तपोधने । न तु दुःखमिदं शक्यं मानुषेण व्यपोहितुम् ॥BORI: १-१४८-२॥
upapannaṁ satāmētadyadbravīṣi tapōdhanē । na tu duḥkhamidaṁ śakyaṁ mānuṣēṇa vyapōhitum ॥BORI: 1-148-2॥
What you say is worthy of the virtuous, O ascetic. But this suffering cannot be removed by any human being. (BORI: 1-148-2)
[PV-KDV:01_029_154] (Jaya)
समीपे नगरस्यास्य बको वसति राक्षसः । ईशो जनपदस्यास्य पुरस्य च महाबलः ॥BORI: १-१४८-३॥
samīpē nagarasyāsya bakō vasati rākṣasaḥ । īśō janapadasyāsya purasya ca mahābalaḥ ॥BORI: 1-148-3॥
Near this city dwells a Rakshasa named Baka, a mighty lord over this land and city. (BORI: 1-148-3)
[PV-KDV:01_029_155] (Jaya)
पुष्टो मानुषमांसेन दुर्बुद्धिः पुरुषादकः । रक्षत्यसुरराण्नित्यमिमं जनपदं बली ॥BORI: १-१४८-४॥
puṣṭō mānuṣamāṁsēna durbuddhiḥ puruṣādakaḥ । rakṣatyasurarāṇnityamimaṁ janapadaṁ balī ॥BORI: 1-148-4॥
The powerful, evil-minded man-eater, lord of the Asuras and nourished on human flesh, always protects this district. (BORI: 1-148-4)
[PV-KDV:01_029_156] (Jaya)
नगरं चैव देशं च रक्षोबलसमन्वितः । तत्कृते परचक्राच्च भूतेभ्यश्च न नो भयम् ॥BORI: १-१४८-५॥
nagaraṁ caiva dēśaṁ ca rakṣōbalasamanvitaḥ । tatkr̥tē paracakrācca bhūtēbhyaśca na nō bhayam ॥BORI: 1-148-5॥
Endowed with a Rakshasa’s might, he protects both the city and the countryside. Because of him, we have no fear of enemy armies or other creatures. (BORI: 1-148-5)
[PV-KDV:01_029_157] (Jaya)
वेतनं तस्य विहितं शालिवाहस्य भोजनम् । महिषौ पुरुषश्चैको यस्तदादाय गच्छति ॥BORI: १-१४८-६॥
vētanaṁ tasya vihitaṁ śālivāhasya bhōjanam । mahiṣau puruṣaścaikō yastadādāya gacchati ॥BORI: 1-148-6॥
His payment has been fixed: a cartload of rice for his meal, two buffaloes, and the man who takes it to him. (BORI: 1-148-6)
[PV-KDV:01_029_158] (Jaya)
एकैकश्चैव पुरुषस्तत्प्रयच्छति भोजनम् । स वारो बहुभिर्वर्षैर्भवत्यसुतरो नरैः ॥BORI: १-१४८-७॥
ēkaikaścaiva puruṣastatprayacchati bhōjanam । sa vārō bahubhirvarṣairbhavatyasutarō naraiḥ ॥BORI: 1-148-7॥
Each man in turn provides that meal. His turn comes only after many years, but it is exceedingly hard for men to bear. (BORI: 1-148-7)
[PV-KDV:01_029_159] (Jaya)
तद्विमोक्षाय ये चापि यतन्ते पुरुषाः क्वचित् । सपुत्रदारांस्तान्हत्वा तद्रक्षो भक्षयत्युत ॥BORI: १-१४८-८॥
tadvimōkṣāya yē cāpi yatantē puruṣāḥ kvacit । saputradārāṁstānhatvā tadrakṣō bhakṣayatyuta ॥BORI: 1-148-8॥
And if any men attempt to free themselves from it, that Rakshasa kills them together with their sons and wives and devours them. (BORI: 1-148-8)
[PV-KDV:01_029_160] (Jaya)
वेत्रकीयगृहे राजा नायं नयमिहास्थितः । अनामयं जनस्यास्य येन स्यादद्य शाश्वतम् ॥BORI: १-१४८-९॥
vētrakīyagr̥hē rājā nāyaṁ nayamihāsthitaḥ । anāmayaṁ janasyāsya yēna syādadya śāśvatam ॥BORI: 1-148-9॥
This king at Vetrakīyagṛha has adopted no policy by which these people might now enjoy lasting security. (BORI: 1-148-9)
[PV-KDV:01_029_161] (Jaya)
एतदर्हा वयं नूनं वसामो दुर्बलस्य ये । विषये नित्यमुद्विग्नाः कुराजानमुपाश्रिताः ॥BORI: १-१४८-१०॥
ētadarhā vayaṁ nūnaṁ vasāmō durbalasya yē । viṣayē nityamudvignāḥ kurājānamupāśritāḥ ॥BORI: 1-148-10॥
Surely we deserve this, living as we do in the realm of a weak man, always anxious and dependent on a bad king. (BORI: 1-148-10)
[PV-KDV:01_029_162] (Jaya)
ब्राह्मणाः कस्य वक्तव्याः कस्य वा छन्दचारिणः । गुणैरेते हि वास्यन्ते कामगाः पक्षिणो यथा ॥BORI: १-१४८-११॥
brāhmaṇāḥ kasya vaktavyāḥ kasya vā chandacāriṇaḥ । guṇairētē hi vāsyantē kāmagāḥ pakṣiṇō yathā ॥BORI: 1-148-11॥
Who can tell Brahmins what to do, and whose wishes do they follow? For they can be induced to stay only by good qualities, like birds free to go wherever they please. (BORI: 1-148-11)
[PV-KDV:01_029_163] (Jaya)
राजानं प्रथमं विन्देत्ततो भार्यां ततो धनम् । त्रयस्य सञ्चये चास्य ज्ञातीन्पुत्रांश्च धारयेत् ॥BORI: १-१४८-१२॥
rājānaṁ prathamaṁ vindēttatō bhāryāṁ tatō dhanam । trayasya sañcayē cāsya jñātīnputrāṁśca dhārayēt ॥BORI: 1-148-12॥
One should first secure a king, then a wife, and then wealth; once these three have been acquired, one should support one’s relatives and sons. (BORI: 1-148-12)
[PV-KDV:01_029_164] (Jaya)
विपरीतं मया चेदं त्रयं सर्वमुपार्जितम् । त इमामापदं प्राप्य भृशं तप्स्यामहे वयम् ॥BORI: १-१४८-१३॥
viparītaṁ mayā cēdaṁ trayaṁ sarvamupārjitam । ta imāmāpadaṁ prāpya bhr̥śaṁ tapsyāmahē vayam ॥BORI: 1-148-13॥
But I acquired all three of these in the reverse order; consequently, having fallen into this calamity, we shall suffer greatly. (BORI: 1-148-13)
[PV-KDV:01_029_165] (Jaya)
सोऽयमस्माननुप्राप्तो वारः कुलविनाशनः । भोजनं पुरुषश्चैकः प्रदेयं वेतनं मया ॥BORI: १-१४८-१४॥
sō’yamasmānanuprāptō vāraḥ kulavināśanaḥ । bhōjanaṁ puruṣaścaikaḥ pradēyaṁ vētanaṁ mayā ॥BORI: 1-148-14॥
Now our turn has come—the turn that will destroy our family. I must provide the food, a man, and the payment. (BORI: 1-148-14)
[PV-KDV:01_029_166] (Jaya)
न च मे विद्यते वित्तं सङ्क्रेतुं पुरुषं क्वचित् । सुहृज्जनं प्रदातुं च न शक्ष्यामि कथञ्चन । गतिं चापि न पश्यामि तस्मान्मोक्षाय रक्षसः ॥BORI: १-१४८-१५॥
na ca mē vidyatē vittaṁ saṅkrētuṁ puruṣaṁ kvacit । suhr̥jjanaṁ pradātuṁ ca na śakṣyāmi kathañcana । gatiṁ cāpi na paśyāmi tasmānmōkṣāya rakṣasaḥ ॥BORI: 1-148-15॥
I have no wealth with which to buy a man anywhere, and I could never give up one of my loved ones. Nor do I see any way to escape the Rakshasa. (BORI: 1-148-15)
[PV-KDV:01_029_167] (Jaya)
सोऽहं दुःखार्णवे मग्नो महत्यसुतरे भृशम् । सहैवैतैर्गमिष्यामि बान्धवैरद्य राक्षसम् । ततो नः सहितन्क्षुद्रः सर्वानेवोपभोक्ष्यति ॥BORI: १-१४८-१६॥
sō’haṁ duḥkhārṇavē magnō mahatyasutarē bhr̥śam । sahaivaitairgamiṣyāmi bāndhavairadya rākṣasam । tatō naḥ sahitankṣudraḥ sarvānēvōpabhōkṣyati ॥BORI: 1-148-16॥
Thus I am plunged deep into a vast, impassable ocean of sorrow. Today I shall go to the Rakshasa together with these kinsmen; then the wretch will devour us all together. (BORI: 1-148-16)
[PV-KDV:01_029_168] (Jaya)
कुन्त्युवाच॥
kuntyuvāca॥
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_188] (Jaya)
न विषादस्त्वया कार्यो भयादस्मात्कथञ्चन । उपायः परिदृष्टोऽत्र तस्मान्मोक्षाय रक्षसः ॥BORI: १-१४९-१॥
na viṣādastvayā kāryō bhayādasmātkathañcana । upāyaḥ paridr̥ṣṭō’tra tasmānmōkṣāya rakṣasaḥ ॥BORI: 1-149-1॥
You must not despair in any way because of this danger, since a means of deliverance from the Rakshasa has been found here. (BORI: 1-149-1)
[PV-KDV:01_029_189] (Jaya)
एकस्तव सुतो बालः कन्या चैका तपस्विनी । न ते तयोस्तथा पत्न्या गमनं तत्र रोचये ॥BORI: १-१४९-२॥
ēkastava sutō bālaḥ kanyā caikā tapasvinī । na tē tayōstathā patnyā gamanaṁ tatra rōcayē ॥BORI: 1-149-2॥
You have only one young son and one poor daughter. I do not approve of your going there, nor of either of them or your wife going. (BORI: 1-149-2)
[PV-KDV:01_029_190] (Jaya)
मम पञ्च सुता ब्रह्मंस्तेषामेको गमिष्यति । त्वदर्थं बलिमादाय तस्य पापस्य रक्षसः ॥BORI: १-१४९-३॥
mama pañca sutā brahmaṁstēṣāmēkō gamiṣyati । tvadarthaṁ balimādāya tasya pāpasya rakṣasaḥ ॥BORI: 1-149-3॥
I have five sons, Brahmin; one of them will go on your behalf, taking the offering to that wicked Rakshasa. (BORI: 1-149-3)
[PV-KDV:01_029_191] (Jaya)
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
brāhmaṇa uvāca॥
The Brahmin said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_192] (Jaya)
नाहमेतत्करिष्यामि जीवितार्थी कथञ्चन । ब्राह्मणस्यातिथेश्चैव स्वार्थे प्राणैर्वियोजनम् ॥BORI: १-१४९-४॥
nāhamētatkariṣyāmi jīvitārthī kathañcana । brāhmaṇasyātithēścaiva svārthē prāṇairviyōjanam ॥BORI: 1-149-4॥
However much I may wish to live, I will never do this: deprive a Brahmin who is my guest of his life for my own sake. (BORI: 1-149-4)
[PV-KDV:01_029_193] (Jaya)
न त्वेतदकुलीनासु नाधर्मिष्ठासु विद्यते । यद्ब्राह्मणार्थे विसृजेदात्मानमपि चात्मजम् ॥BORI: १-१४९-५॥
na tvētadakulīnāsu nādharmiṣṭhāsu vidyatē । yadbrāhmaṇārthē visr̥jēdātmānamapi cātmajam ॥BORI: 1-149-5॥
But such conduct is not found among women of ignoble birth or among the deeply unrighteous: sacrificing oneself and even one’s own son for the sake of a Brahmin. (BORI: 1-149-5)
[PV-KDV:01_029_194] (Jaya)
आत्मनस्तु मया श्रेयो बोद्धव्यमिति रोचये । ब्रह्मवध्यात्मवध्या वा श्रेय आत्मवधो मम ॥BORI: १-१४९-६॥
ātmanastu mayā śrēyō bōddhavyamiti rōcayē । brahmavadhyātmavadhyā vā śrēya ātmavadhō mama ॥BORI: 1-149-6॥
But I believe I must determine what is best for me. Between killing a Brahmin and killing myself, it is better for me to take my own life. (BORI: 1-149-6)
[PV-KDV:01_029_195] (Jaya)
ब्रह्मवध्या परं पापं निष्कृतिर्नात्र विद्यते । अबुद्धिपूर्वं कृत्वापि श्रेय आत्मवधो मम ॥BORI: १-१४९-७॥
brahmavadhyā paraṁ pāpaṁ niṣkr̥tirnātra vidyatē । abuddhipūrvaṁ kr̥tvāpi śrēya ātmavadhō mama ॥BORI: 1-149-7॥
Killing a Brahmin is the gravest sin, and there is no expiation for it. Even if I were to do it unintentionally, it would be better for me to kill myself. (BORI: 1-149-7)
[PV-KDV:01_029_196] (Jaya)
न त्वहं वधमाकाङ्क्षे स्वयमेवात्मनः शुभे । परैः कृते वधे पापं न किञ्चिन्मयि विद्यते ॥BORI: १-१४९-८॥
na tvahaṁ vadhamākāṅkṣē svayamēvātmanaḥ śubhē । paraiḥ kr̥tē vadhē pāpaṁ na kiñcinmayi vidyatē ॥BORI: 1-149-8॥
But I do not wish to kill myself, good lady. If others kill me, no sin whatsoever will attach to me. (BORI: 1-149-8)
[PV-KDV:01_029_197] (Jaya)
अभिसन्धिकृते तस्मिन्ब्राह्मणस्य वधे मया । निष्कृतिं न प्रपश्यामि नृशंसं क्षुद्रमेव च ॥BORI: १-१४९-९॥
abhisandhikr̥tē tasminbrāhmaṇasya vadhē mayā । niṣkr̥tiṁ na prapaśyāmi nr̥śaṁsaṁ kṣudramēva ca ॥BORI: 1-149-9॥
For that premeditated killing of a Brahmin by me, I see no atonement; it would be both cruel and base. (BORI: 1-149-9)
[PV-KDV:01_029_198] (Jaya)
आगतस्य गृहे त्यागस्तथैव शरणार्थिनः । याचमानस्य च वधो नृशंसं परमं मतम् ॥BORI: १-१४९-१०॥
āgatasya gr̥hē tyāgastathaiva śaraṇārthinaḥ । yācamānasya ca vadhō nr̥śaṁsaṁ paramaṁ matam ॥BORI: 1-149-10॥
To abandon one who has come to one’s home, or one who seeks refuge, and to kill one who begs for mercy are considered acts of the utmost cruelty. (BORI: 1-149-10)
[PV-KDV:01_029_199] (Jaya)
कुर्यान्न निन्दितं कर्म न नृशंसं कदाचन । इति पूर्वे महात्मान आपद्धर्मविदो विदुः ॥BORI: १-१४९-११॥
kuryānna ninditaṁ karma na nr̥śaṁsaṁ kadācana । iti pūrvē mahātmāna āpaddharmavidō viduḥ ॥BORI: 1-149-11॥
One should never commit a reprehensible or cruel act. So the great men of old, who knew the law governing times of distress, understood. (BORI: 1-149-11)
[PV-KDV:01_029_200] (Jaya)
श्रेयांस्तु सहदारस्य विनाशोऽद्य मम स्वयम् । ब्राह्मणस्य वधं नाहमनुमंस्ये कथञ्चन ॥BORI: १-१४९-१२॥
śrēyāṁstu sahadārasya vināśō’dya mama svayam । brāhmaṇasya vadhaṁ nāhamanumaṁsyē kathañcana ॥BORI: 1-149-12॥
But it is better that I myself perish today together with my wife; I will never consent to the killing of a Brahmin. (BORI: 1-149-12)
[PV-KDV:01_029_201] (Jaya)
कुंत्युवाच॥
kuṁtyuvāca॥
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_202] (Jaya)
ममाप्येषा मतिर्ब्रह्मन्विप्रा रक्ष्या इति स्थिरा । न चाप्यनिष्टः पुत्रो मे यदि पुत्रशतं भवेत् ॥BORI: १-१४९-१३॥
mamāpyēṣā matirbrahmanviprā rakṣyā iti sthirā । na cāpyaniṣṭaḥ putrō mē yadi putraśataṁ bhavēt ॥BORI: 1-149-13॥
I too firmly believe, Brahmin, that Brahmins must be protected. And my son would be no less dear to me even if I had a hundred sons. (BORI: 1-149-13)
[PV-KDV:01_029_203] (Jaya)
न चासौ राक्षसः शक्तो मम पुत्रविनाशने । वीर्यवान्मन्त्रसिद्धश्च तेजस्वी च सुतो मम ॥BORI: १-१४९-१४॥
na cāsau rākṣasaḥ śaktō mama putravināśanē । vīryavānmantrasiddhaśca tējasvī ca sutō mama ॥BORI: 1-149-14॥
Nor is that Rakshasa capable of destroying my son. My son is valiant, accomplished in sacred formulas, and mighty. (BORI: 1-149-14)
[PV-KDV:01_029_204] (Jaya)
राक्षसाय च तत्सर्वं प्रापयिष्यति भोजनम् । मोक्षयिष्यति चात्मानमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ॥BORI: १-१४९-१५॥
rākṣasāya ca tatsarvaṁ prāpayiṣyati bhōjanam । mōkṣayiṣyati cātmānamiti mē niścitā matiḥ ॥BORI: 1-149-15॥
He will deliver all that food to the Rakshasa and free himself—this is my firm conviction. (BORI: 1-149-15)
[PV-KDV:01_029_205] (Jaya)
समागताश्च वीरेण दृष्टपूर्वाश्च राक्षसाः । बलवन्तो महाकाया निहताश्चाप्यनेकशः ॥BORI: १-१४९-१६॥
samāgatāśca vīrēṇa dr̥ṣṭapūrvāśca rākṣasāḥ । balavantō mahākāyā nihatāścāpyanēkaśaḥ ॥BORI: 1-149-16॥
The hero has encountered and seen Rakshasas before—powerful and huge-bodied—and has slain them in great numbers as well. (BORI: 1-149-16)
[PV-KDV:01_029_206] (Jaya)
न त्विदं केषुचिद्ब्रह्मन्व्याहर्तव्यं कथञ्चन । विद्यार्थिनो हि मे पुत्रान्विप्रकुर्युः कुतूहलात् ॥BORI: १-१४९-१७॥
na tvidaṁ kēṣucidbrahmanvyāhartavyaṁ kathañcana । vidyārthinō hi mē putrānviprakuryuḥ kutūhalāt ॥BORI: 1-149-17॥
But this must never be disclosed to anyone, Brahmin, for seekers of knowledge might unsettle my sons out of curiosity. (BORI: 1-149-17)
[PV-KDV:01_029_207] (Jaya)
गुरुणा चाननुज्ञातो ग्राहयेद्यं सुतो मम । न स कुर्यात्तया कार्यं विद्ययेति सतां मतम् ॥BORI: १-१४९-१८॥
guruṇā cānanujñātō grāhayēdyaṁ sutō mama । na sa kuryāttayā kāryaṁ vidyayēti satāṁ matam ॥BORI: 1-149-18॥
And anyone whom my son teaches without his teacher’s permission should not put that knowledge to use—such is the judgment of the good. (BORI: 1-149-18)
[PV-KDV:01_029_208] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_209] (Jaya)
एवमुक्तस्तु पृथया स विप्रो भार्यया सह । हृष्टः सम्पूजयामास तद्वाक्यममृतोपमम् ॥BORI: १-१४९-१९॥
ēvamuktastu pr̥thayā sa viprō bhāryayā saha । hr̥ṣṭaḥ sampūjayāmāsa tadvākyamamr̥tōpamam ॥BORI: 1-149-19॥
Thus addressed by Pritha, the Brahmin and his wife joyfully welcomed her words, which were like nectar. (BORI: 1-149-19)
[PV-KDV:01_029_210] (Jaya)
ततः कुन्ती च विप्रश्च सहितावनिलात्मजम् । तमब्रूतां कुरुष्वेति स तथेत्यब्रवीच्च तौ ॥BORI: १-१४९-२०॥
tataḥ kuntī ca vipraśca sahitāvanilātmajam । tamabrūtāṁ kuruṣvēti sa tathētyabravīcca tau ॥BORI: 1-149-20॥
Then Kunti and the Brahmin together said to the son of the Wind, “Do it.” He replied to them both, “So be it.” (BORI: 1-149-20)
[PV-KDV:01_029_211] (Jaya)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_213] (Jaya)
करिष्य इति भीमेन प्रतिज्ञाते तु भारत । आजग्मुस्ते ततः सर्वे भैक्षमादाय पाण्डवाः ॥BORI: १-१५०-१॥
kariṣya iti bhīmēna pratijñātē tu bhārata । ājagmustē tataḥ sarvē bhaikṣamādāya pāṇḍavāḥ ॥BORI: 1-150-1॥
O descendant of Bharata, after Bhima had pledged, “I will do it,” all the Pandavas returned with the alms they had collected. (BORI: 1-150-1)
[PV-KDV:01_029_214] (Jaya)
भीमसेनं ततो दृष्ट्वा आपूर्णवदनं तथा । बुबोध धर्मराजस्तु हृषितं भीममच्युतम् ॥KUMB: १-१७६-२॥
bhīmasēnaṁ tatō dr̥ṣṭvā āpūrṇavadanaṁ tathā । bubōdha dharmarājastu hr̥ṣitaṁ bhīmamacyutam ॥KUMB: 1-176-2॥
Then, seeing Bhimasena with his face beaming, Dharmaraja realized that the steadfast Bhima was exhilarated. (KUMB: 1-176-2)
[PV-KDV:01_029_215] (Jaya)
आकारेणैव तं ज्ञात्वा पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । रहः समुपविश्यैकस्ततः पप्रच्छ मातरम् ॥BORI: १-१५०-२॥
ākārēṇaiva taṁ jñātvā pāṇḍuputrō yudhiṣṭhiraḥ । rahaḥ samupaviśyaikastataḥ papraccha mātaram ॥BORI: 1-150-2॥
Recognizing it from his manner alone, Pandu’s son Yudhishthira then sat privately with his mother and questioned her in confidence. (BORI: 1-150-2)
[PV-KDV:01_029_216] (Jaya)
किं चिकीर्षत्ययं कर्म भीमो भीमपराक्रमः । भवत्यनुमते कच्चिदयं कर्तुमिहेच्छति ॥BORI: १-१५०-३॥
kiṁ cikīrṣatyayaṁ karma bhīmō bhīmaparākramaḥ । bhavatyanumatē kaccidayaṁ kartumihēcchati ॥BORI: 1-150-3॥
What deed does this Bhima of formidable prowess intend to undertake? Is it with your approval that he wishes to do this here? (BORI: 1-150-3)
[PV-KDV:01_029_217] (Jaya)
कुंत्युवाच॥
kuṁtyuvāca॥
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_218] (Jaya)
ममैव वचनादेष करिष्यति परन्तपः । ब्राह्मणार्थे महत्कृत्यं मोष्काय नगरस्य च ॥BORI: १-१५०-४॥
mamaiva vacanādēṣa kariṣyati parantapaḥ । brāhmaṇārthē mahatkr̥tyaṁ mōṣkāya nagarasya ca ॥BORI: 1-150-4॥
At my command, this scorcher of foes will perform a great deed for the Brahmin’s sake and for the deliverance of the city. (BORI: 1-150-4)
[PV-KDV:01_029_219] (Jaya)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_220] (Jaya)
किमिदं साहसं तीक्ष्णं भवत्या दुष्कृतं कृतम् । परित्यागं हि पुत्रस्य न प्रशंसन्ति साधवः ॥BORI: १-१५०-५॥
kimidaṁ sāhasaṁ tīkṣṇaṁ bhavatyā duṣkr̥taṁ kr̥tam । parityāgaṁ hi putrasya na praśaṁsanti sādhavaḥ ॥BORI: 1-150-5॥
What is this rash and cruel deed you have done? Good people do not approve of abandoning one’s son. (BORI: 1-150-5)
[PV-KDV:01_029_221] (Jaya)
कथं परसुतस्यार्थे स्वसुतं त्यक्तुमिच्छसि । लोकवृत्तिविरुद्धं वै पुत्रत्यागात्कृतं त्वया ॥BORI: १-१५०-६॥
kathaṁ parasutasyārthē svasutaṁ tyaktumicchasi । lōkavr̥ttiviruddhaṁ vai putratyāgātkr̥taṁ tvayā ॥BORI: 1-150-6॥
How can you wish to abandon your own son for the sake of another’s? By forsaking your son, you have acted contrary to the ways of the world. (BORI: 1-150-6)
[PV-KDV:01_029_222] (Jaya)
तस्य व्यवसितस्त्यागो बुद्धिमास्थाय कां त्वया । कच्चिन्न दुःखैर्बुद्धिस्ते विप्लुता गतचेतसः ॥BORI: १-१५०-११॥
tasya vyavasitastyāgō buddhimāsthāya kāṁ tvayā । kaccinna duḥkhairbuddhistē viplutā gatacētasaḥ ॥BORI: 1-150-11॥
What reasoning did you rely on when you resolved to abandon him? I hope suffering has not unsettled your judgment and made you lose your senses. (BORI: 1-150-11)
[PV-KDV:01_029_227] (Jaya)
कुन्त्युवाच॥
kuntyuvāca॥
Kunti said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_228] (Jaya)
युधिष्ठिर न सन्तापः कार्यः प्रति वृकोदरम् । न चायं बुद्धिदौर्बल्याद्व्यवसायः कृतो मया ॥BORI: १-१५०-१२॥
yudhiṣṭhira na santāpaḥ kāryaḥ prati vr̥kōdaram । na cāyaṁ buddhidaurbalyādvyavasāyaḥ kr̥tō mayā ॥BORI: 1-150-12॥
Yudhishthira, you should not be distressed about Vrikodara. Nor have I made this decision out of weakness of judgment. (BORI: 1-150-12)
[PV-KDV:01_029_229] (Jaya)
इह विप्रस्य भवने वयं पुत्र सुखोषिताः । तस्य प्रतिक्रिया तात मयेयं प्रसमीक्षिता । एतावानेव पुरुषः कृतं यस्मिन्न नश्यति ॥BORI: १-१५०-१३॥
iha viprasya bhavanē vayaṁ putra sukhōṣitāḥ । tasya pratikriyā tāta mayēyaṁ prasamīkṣitā । ētāvānēva puruṣaḥ kr̥taṁ yasminna naśyati ॥BORI: 1-150-13॥
My son, we have lived happily here in this Brahmin’s house. I have considered this a way to repay him, dear child. A true man is one in whom a kindness does not go to waste. (BORI: 1-150-13)
[PV-KDV:01_029_230] (Jaya)
दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य विक्रान्तं तदा जतुगृहे महत् । हिडिम्बस्य वधाच्चैव विश्वासो मे वृकोदरे ॥BORI: १-१५०-१४॥
dr̥ṣṭvā bhīṣmasya vikrāntaṁ tadā jatugr̥hē mahat । hiḍimbasya vadhāccaiva viśvāsō mē vr̥kōdarē ॥BORI: 1-150-14॥
After seeing Bhishma’s great feat in the house of lac, and from the slaying of Hidimba, I have confidence in Vrikodara. (BORI: 1-150-14)
[PV-KDV:01_029_231] (Jaya)
जातमात्रः पुरा चैष ममाङ्कात्पतितो गिरौ । शरीरगौरवात्तस्य शिला गात्रैर्विचूर्णिता ॥BORI: १-१५०-१७॥
jātamātraḥ purā caiṣa mamāṅkātpatitō girau । śarīragauravāttasya śilā gātrairvicūrṇitā ॥BORI: 1-150-17॥
Long ago, when he had just been born, he fell from my lap on the mountain, and the weight of his body shattered the rock beneath his limbs. (BORI: 1-150-17)
[PV-KDV:01_029_234] (Jaya)
तदहं प्रज्ञया स्मृत्वा बलं भीमस्य पाण्डव । प्रतीकारं च विप्रस्य ततः कृतवती मतिम् ॥BORI: १-१५०-१८॥
tadahaṁ prajñayā smr̥tvā balaṁ bhīmasya pāṇḍava । pratīkāraṁ ca viprasya tataḥ kr̥tavatī matim ॥BORI: 1-150-18॥
Therefore, O Pandava, mindful of Bhima’s strength and resolved to repay the Brahmin, I made this decision with due judgment. (BORI: 1-150-18)
[PV-KDV:01_029_235] (Jaya)
नेदं लोभान्न चाज्ञानान्न च मोहाद्विनिश्चितम् । बुद्धिपूर्वं तु धर्मस्य व्यवसायः कृतो मया ॥BORI: १-१५०-१९॥
nēdaṁ lōbhānna cājñānānna ca mōhādviniścitam । buddhipūrvaṁ tu dharmasya vyavasāyaḥ kr̥tō mayā ॥BORI: 1-150-19॥
I made this decision neither out of greed, nor from ignorance, nor under delusion; rather, I deliberately resolved upon this course of dharma. (BORI: 1-150-19)
[PV-KDV:01_029_236] (Jaya)
अर्थौ द्वावपि निष्पन्नौ युधिष्ठिर भविष्यतः । प्रतीकारश्च वासस्य धर्मश्च चरितो महान् ॥BORI: १-१५०-२०॥
arthau dvāvapi niṣpannau yudhiṣṭhira bhaviṣyataḥ । pratīkāraśca vāsasya dharmaśca caritō mahān ॥BORI: 1-150-20॥
Both purposes will be accomplished, Yudhishthira: our lodging will be repaid, and a great act of righteousness will be performed. (BORI: 1-150-20)
[PV-KDV:01_029_237] (Jaya)
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
[PV-KDV:01_029_243] (Jaya)
उपपन्नमिदं मातस्त्वया यद्बुद्धिपूर्वकम् । आर्तस्य ब्राह्मणस्यैवमनुक्रोशादिदं कृतम् । ध्रुवमेष्यति भीमोऽयं निहत्य पुरुषादकम् ॥BORI: १-१५०-२६॥
upapannamidaṁ mātastvayā yadbuddhipūrvakam । ārtasya brāhmaṇasyaivamanukrōśādidaṁ kr̥tam । dhruvamēṣyati bhīmō’yaṁ nihatya puruṣādakam ॥BORI: 1-150-26॥
Mother, what you have deliberately done out of compassion for the afflicted Brahmin is fitting. Bhima will surely return after slaying the man-eater. (BORI: 1-150-26)
[PV-KDV:01_029_244] (Jaya)
यथा त्विदं न विन्देयुर्नरा नगरवासिनः । तथायं ब्राह्मणो वाच्यः परिग्राह्यश्च यत्नतः ॥BORI: १-१५०-२७॥
yathā tvidaṁ na vindēyurnarā nagaravāsinaḥ । tathāyaṁ brāhmaṇō vācyaḥ parigrāhyaśca yatnataḥ ॥BORI: 1-150-27॥
But this Brahmin must be carefully instructed and enjoined to secrecy, so that the inhabitants of the city do not learn of this. (BORI: 1-150-27)
[PV-KDV:01_029_245] (Jaya)