001.001 The Mahabharata story summarizednārāyaṇaṁ namaskr̥tya naraṁ caiva narottamam। devīṁ sarasvatīṁ caiva tato jayamudīrayet ॥0॥
Having bowed to Nārāyaṇa, Nara, the best among men, and to the goddess Sarasvatī, one should then proclaim victory (success).
lomaharṣaṇaputra ugraśravāḥ sūtaḥ paurāṇiko naimiṣāraṇye śaunakasya kulapaterdvādaśavārṣike satre ॥1॥
Ugraśravā, the son of Lomaharṣaṇa, a bard and knower of the Purāṇas, (was present) in the twelve-year sacrificial session of Śaunaka, the chief of the lineage, in the forest of Naimiṣa.
samāsīnānabhyagacchadbrahmarṣīnsaṁśitavratān। vinayāvanato bhūtvā kadācitsūtanandanaḥ ॥2॥
Once, the son of the Sūta, bowing humbly, approached the Brahmarṣis, who were seated and firm in their vows.
tamāśramamanuprāptaṁ naimiṣāraṇyavāsinaḥ। citrāḥ śrotuṁ kathāstatra parivavrustapasvinaḥ ॥3॥
The ascetics dwelling in Naimiṣāraṇya gathered there around him, who had arrived at the hermitage, desiring to hear various stories.
abhivādya munīṁstāṁstu sarvāneva kr̥tāñjaliḥ।apr̥cchatsa tapovr̥ddhiṁ sadbhiścaivābhinanditaḥ ॥4॥
Having saluted all those sages with folded hands, he inquired about the growth of their austerities, and was warmly welcomed by the virtuous ones.
atha teṣūpaviṣṭeṣu sarveṣveva tapasviṣu।nirdiṣṭamāsanaṁ bheje vinayāllomaharṣaṇiḥ ॥5॥
Then, when all the ascetics had seated themselves, Lomaharṣaṇa's son, out of humility, took the seat that was designated for him.
sukhāsīnaṁ tatastaṁ tu viśrāntamupalakṣya ca।athāpr̥cchadr̥ṣistatra kaścitprastāvayankathāḥ ॥6॥
Then, observing him comfortably seated and rested, a certain sage there asked him, introducing various stories.
kuta āgamyate saute kva cāyaṁ vihr̥tastvayā।kālaḥ kamalapatrākṣa śaṁsaitatpr̥cchato mama ॥7॥
From where have you come, O son of a Sūta, and where have you spent this time? O lotus-eyed one, tell this to me as I ask.
sūta uvāca॥
The Sūta said:
janamejayasya rājarṣeḥ sarpasatre mahātmanaḥ।samīpe pārthivendrasya samyakpārikṣitasya ca ॥8॥
At the snake sacrifice of the great-souled royal sage Janamejaya, in the proper presence of the king of kings, the son of Parīkṣit.
kr̥ṣṇadvaipāyanaproktāḥ supuṇyā vividhāḥ kathāḥ।kathitāścāpi vidhivadyā vaiśampāyanena vai ॥9॥
The highly meritorious and various stories spoken by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa) were also properly narrated by Vaiśampāyana.
śrutvāhaṁ tā vicitrārthā mahābhāratasaṁśritāḥ।bahūni samparikramya tīrthānyāyatanāni ca ॥10॥
Having heard those wondrously meaningful stories connected with the Mahābhārata, I wandered through many sacred places and shrines.
samantapañcakaṁ nāma puṇyaṁ dvijaniṣevitam।gatavānasmi taṁ deśaṁ yuddhaṁ yatrābhavatpurā ॥11॥
went to that holy region named Samantapañcaka, frequented by the twice-born, where the great battle once took place.
pāṇḍavānāṁ kurūṇāṁ ca sarveṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām ॥11॥
Of the Pāṇḍavas, the Kurus, and all the rulers of the earth.
didr̥kṣurāgatastasmātsamīpaṁ bhavatāmiha।āyuṣmantaḥ sarva eva brahmabhūtā hi me matāḥ ॥12॥
Desirous of seeing you, I have come here from there; for in my view, all of you are long-lived and have realized Brahman.
asminyajñe mahābhāgāḥ sūryapāvakavarcasaḥ।kr̥tābhiṣekāḥ śucayaḥ kr̥tajapyā hutāgnayaḥ ॥13॥
In this sacrifice, the greatly fortunate ones, possessing the splendor of the sun and fire, consecrated, pure, having completed their recitations, and having offered oblations into the fire, are present.
bhavanta āsate svasthā bravīmi kimahaṁ dvijāḥ ॥13॥
You all are seated well; O twice-born ones, what shall I speak?
purāṇasaṁśritāḥ puṇyāḥ kathā vā dharmasaṁśritāḥ।itivr̥ttaṁ narendrāṇāmr̥ṣīṇāṁ ca mahātmanām ॥14॥
Shall I speak meritorious stories connected with the Purāṇas or with righteousness, or the narratives of the great-souled kings and sages?
r̥ṣaya ūcuḥ॥
The sages said:
dvaipāyanena yatproktaṁ purāṇaṁ paramarṣiṇā।surairbrahmarṣibhiścaiva śrutvā yadabhipūjitam ॥15॥
The Purāṇa that was spoken by Dvaipāyana, the supreme sage, and which, having been heard, was honored by the gods and Brahmarṣis.
tasyākhyānavariṣṭhasya vicitrapadaparvaṇaḥ।sūkṣmārthanyāyayuktasya vedārthairbhūṣitasya ca ॥16॥
Of that foremost narration, having marvelous expressions and divisions, endowed with subtle meanings and logical reasoning, and adorned with the meanings of the Vedas.
bhāratasyetihāsasya puṇyāṁ granthārthasaṁyutām।saṁskāropagatāṁ brāhmīṁ nānāśāstropabr̥ṁhitām ॥17॥
The sacred history of Bhārata, filled with the meanings of the scriptures, imbued with refinement, pertaining to sacred knowledge, and supported by various sciences.
janamejayasya yāṁ rājño vaiśampāyana uktavān।yathāvatsa r̥ṣistuṣṭyā satre dvaipāyanājñayā ॥18॥
That which Vaiśampāyana, the sage, properly narrated to King Janamejaya out of satisfaction during the sacrificial session, by the command of Dvaipāyana.
vedaiścaturbhiḥ samitāṁ vyāsasyādbhutakarmaṇaḥ।saṁhitāṁ śrotumicchāmo dharmyāṁ pāpabhayāpahām ॥19॥
We wish to hear the compilation, compiled from the four Vedas by Vyāsa of wondrous deeds, righteous and removing the fear of sin.
sūta uvāca॥
The Sūta said:
ādyaṁ puruṣamīśānaṁ puruhūtaṁ puruṣṭutam।r̥tamekākṣaraṁ brahma vyaktāvyaktaṁ sanātanam ॥20॥
The primordial being, the lord, invoked and praised by many, the cosmic order, the one imperishable syllable, the absolute reality, both manifest and unmanifest, eternal.
asacca saccaiva ca yadviśvaṁ sadasataḥ param।parāvarāṇāṁ sraṣṭāraṁ purāṇaṁ paramavyayam ॥21॥
That which is both the real and the unreal, the universe beyond real and unreal, the creator of higher and lower beings, ancient, supreme, and imperishable.
maṅgalyaṁ maṅgalaṁ viṣṇuṁ vareṇyamanaghaṁ śucim।namaskr̥tya hr̥ṣīkeśaṁ carācaraguruṁ harim ॥22॥
Having saluted Viṣṇu, the auspicious, the source of auspiciousness, the most excellent, sinless, pure, Hṛṣīkeśa, the teacher of all moving and unmoving beings, Hari.
maharṣeḥ pūjitasyeha sarvaloke mahātmanaḥ।pravakṣyāmi mataṁ kr̥tsnaṁ vyāsasyāmitatejasaḥ ॥23॥
I shall narrate here the entire doctrine of Vyāsa, the great sage of boundless splendor, who is honored in all the worlds.
ācakhyuḥ kavayaḥ kecitsampratyācakṣate pare।ākhyāsyanti tathaivānye itihāsamimaṁ bhuvi ॥24॥
Some poets have narrated this history, others are narrating it at present, and others likewise will narrate it on the earth.
idaṁ tu triṣu lokeṣu mahajjñānaṁ pratiṣṭhitam।vistaraiśca samāsaiśca dhāryate yaddvijātibhiḥ ॥25॥
Indeed, this great knowledge established in the three worlds is preserved by the twice-born, both in detailed and condensed forms.
alaṅkr̥taṁ śubhaiḥ śabdaiḥ samayairdivyamānuṣaiḥ।chandovr̥ttaiśca vividhairanvitaṁ viduṣāṁ priyam ॥26॥
Adorned with auspicious words and expressions in both divine and human styles, endowed with various metrical patterns, it is dear to the learned.
niṣprabhe'sminnirāloke sarvatastamasāvr̥te।br̥hadaṇḍamabhūdekaṁ prajānāṁ bījamakṣayam ॥27॥
In this lightless, darkened state, enveloped on all sides by darkness, a single vast cosmic egg came into being—an imperishable seed of all beings.
yugasyādau nimittaṁ tanmahaddivyaṁ pracakṣate।yasmiṁstacchrūyate satyaṁ jyotirbrahma sanātanam ॥28॥
At the beginning of the age, that great divine cause is declared, in which is heard the eternal Brahman—truth and light.
adbhutaṁ cāpyacintyaṁ ca sarvatra samatāṁ gatam।avyaktaṁ kāraṇaṁ sūkṣmaṁ yattatsadasadātmakam ॥29॥
It is wondrous, inconceivable, and pervades all with sameness; it is the unmanifest, subtle cause—of the nature of both being and non-being.
yasmātpitāmaho jajñe prabhurekaḥ prajāpatiḥ।brahmā suraguruḥ sthāṇurmanuḥ kaḥ parameṣṭhyatha ॥30॥
From whom were born the grandsire, the one lord of creatures—Brahmā, the preceptor of the gods, Śiva (Sthāṇu), Manu, Ka, and Paramesthin.
prācetasastathā dakṣo dakṣaputrāśca sapta ye।tataḥ prajānāṁ patayaḥ prābhavannekaviṁśatiḥ ॥31॥
From Prācetasa and likewise Dakṣa and his seven sons, there arose twenty-one lords of beings (progenitors of creation).
puruṣaścāprameyātmā yaṁ sarvamr̥ṣayo viduḥ।viśvedevāstathādityā vasavo'thāśvināvapi ॥32॥
And the Supreme Person, of incomprehensible nature, is known by all the sages, as well as by the Viśvedevas, the Ādityas, the Vasus, and also the Aśvin twins.
yakṣāḥ sādhyāḥ piśācāśca guhyakāḥ pitarastathā।tataḥ prasūtā vidvāṁsaḥ śiṣṭā brahmarṣayo'malāḥ ॥33॥
The Yakṣas, Sādhyas, Piśācas, Guhyakas, and the Pitṛs were likewise born; from them arose the wise and noble ones—the pure Brahmarṣis.
rājarṣayaśca bahavaḥ sarvaiḥ samuditā guṇaiḥ।āpo dyauḥ pr̥thivī vāyurantarikṣaṁ diśastathā ॥34॥
And many royal sages, endowed with all noble qualities; likewise, the waters, the heavens, the earth, the air, the mid-space, and the directions.
saṁvatsarartavo māsāḥ pakṣāhorātrayaḥ kramāt।yaccānyadapi tatsarvaṁ sambhūtaṁ lokasākṣikam ॥35॥
Years, seasons, months, fortnights, days and nights in order—and whatever else exists—all this has arisen and is witnessed by the world.
yadidaṁ dr̥śyate kiñcidbhūtaṁ sthāvarajaṅgamam।punaḥ saṅkṣipyate sarvaṁ jagatprāpte yugakṣaye ॥36॥
Whatever being is seen here, whether stationary or moving—all this world is again withdrawn when the end of the age arrives.
yathartāvr̥tuliṅgāni nānārūpāṇi paryaye।dr̥śyante tāni tānyeva tathā bhāvā yugādiṣu ॥37॥
Just as in each season, various signs appear in succession but are the same in essence, so too do the states of being recur at the beginnings of each yuga.
evametadanādyantaṁ bhūtasaṁhārakārakam।anādinidhanaṁ loke cakraṁ samparivartate ॥38॥
Thus, this endless wheel of time, which causes the dissolution of beings and has neither beginning nor end, revolves continually in the world.
trayastriṁśatsahasrāṇi trayastriṁśacchatāni ca।trayastriṁśacca devānāṁ sr̥ṣṭiḥ saṅkṣepalakṣaṇā ॥39॥
Thirty-three thousand, thirty-three hundred, and thirty-three—such is, in brief, the creation of the gods.
divasputro br̥hadbhānuścakṣurātmā vibhāvasuḥ।savitā ca r̥cīko'rko bhānurāśāvaho raviḥ ॥40॥
The son of heaven, of great radiance, the soul of sight, the shining one—Savitṛ, the inspirer with hymns, the radiant one, the light, the bringer of dawn and hope—he is the Sun (Ravi).
putrā vivasvataḥ sarve mahyasteṣāṁ tathāvaraḥ।devabhrāṭtanayastasya tasmātsubhrāḍiti smr̥taḥ ॥41॥
All are sons of Vivasvat; among them, I am the youngest. Being the son of the divine king, I am therefore known as Subhrāt.
subhrājastu trayaḥ putrāḥ prajāvanto bahuśrutāḥ।daśajyotiḥ śatajyotiḥ sahasrajyotirātmavān ॥42॥
Subhrāj had three sons, all rich in offspring and widely renowned—one shining with tenfold brilliance, one with a hundredfold, and one with a thousandfold brilliance, each endowed with inner strength.
daśa putrasahasrāṇi daśajyotermahātmanaḥ।tato daśaguṇāścānye śatajyoterihātmajāḥ ॥43॥
The great-souled Daśajyotis had ten thousand sons; and from Śatajotis were born others here, ten times more powerful than them.
bhūyastato daśaguṇāḥ sahasrajyotiṣaḥ sutāḥ।tebhyo'yaṁ kuruvaṁśaśca yadūnāṁ bharatasya ca ॥44॥
The sons of Sahasrajyotis were ten times greater than those before; from them arose the lineages of the Kurus, the Yādavas, and of Bharata.
yayātīkṣvākuvaṁśaśca rājarṣīṇāṁ ca sarvaśaḥ।sambhūtā bahavo vaṁśā bhūtasargāḥ savistarāḥ ॥45॥
The lineages of Yayāti and Ikṣvāku, and of all the royal sages, were born; many such lineages and generations of beings arose in elaborate detail.
bhūtasthānāni sarvāṇi rahasyaṁ trividhaṁ ca yat।vedayogaṁ savijñānaṁ dharmo'rthaḥ kāma eva ca ॥46॥
All the abodes of beings, the threefold secret, the Vedic connection with true knowledge, and dharma, artha, and kāma—these indeed.
dharmakāmārthaśāstrāṇi śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca।lokayātrāvidhānaṁ ca sambhūtaṁ dr̥ṣṭavānr̥ṣiḥ ॥47॥
The sage beheld the emergence of scriptures on dharma, kāma, and artha, various other sciences, and the regulations of worldly conduct.
itihāsāḥ savaiyākhyā vividhāḥ śrutayo'pi ca।iha sarvamanukrāntamuktaṁ granthasya lakṣaṇam ॥48॥
Historical accounts with detailed explanations, various kinds of revealed scriptures—all this is included here; such is the nature of this text.
vistīryaitanmahajjñānamr̥ṣiḥ saṅkṣepamabravīt।iṣṭaṁ hi viduṣāṁ loke samāsavyāsadhāraṇam ॥49॥
Having first expanded this great knowledge, the sage then spoke it in brief, for in this world the wise desire a balance of summary and detail.
manvādi bhārataṁ kecidāstīkādi tathāpare।tathoparicarādyanye viprāḥ samyagadhīyate ॥50॥
Some sages study the Mahābhārata beginning with Manu, others with Āstīka, and still others with Uparicara; all of them study it thoroughly.
vividhaṁ saṁhitājñānaṁ dīpayanti manīṣiṇaḥ।vyākhyātuṁ kuśalāḥ kecidgranthaṁ dhārayituṁ pare ॥51॥
The wise illuminate various forms of scriptural knowledge; some are skilled in explaining it, while others are devoted to preserving the text.
tapasā brahmacaryeṇa vyasya vedaṁ sanātanam।itihāsamimaṁ cakre puṇyaṁ satyavatīsutaḥ ॥52॥
Having compiled the eternal Veda through austerity and disciplined life, the son of Satyavatī composed this meritorious history (Mahābhārata).
parāśarātmajo vidvānbrahmarṣiḥ saṁśitavrataḥ।māturniyogāddharmātmā gāṅgeyasya ca dhīmataḥ ॥53॥
The wise son of Parāśara, a Brahmarṣi firm in his vows, composed (the text), being righteous in soul, under his mother’s direction and for the sake of the wise son of Gaṅgā (Bhīṣma).
kṣetre vicitravīryasya kr̥ṣṇadvaipāyanaḥ purā।trīnagnīniva kauravyāñjanayāmāsa vīryavān ॥54॥
Long ago, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana (Vyāsa), full of strength, begot three Kauravas—like sacred fires—in the field of Vicitravīrya.
utpādya dhr̥tarāṣṭraṁ ca pāṇḍuṁ vidurameva ca।jagāma tapase dhīmānpunarevāśramaṁ prati ॥55॥
Having begotten Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Pāṇḍu, and Vidura, the wise Vyāsa once again departed to his hermitage for austerity.
teṣu jāteṣu vr̥ddheṣu gateṣu paramāṁ gatim।abravīdbhārataṁ loke mānuṣe'sminmahānr̥ṣiḥ ॥56॥
When they were born, had grown, and passed on to the supreme state, the great sage composed and spoke the Bhārata in this human world.
janamejayena pr̥ṣṭaḥ sanbrāhmaṇaiśca sahasraśaḥ।śaśāsa śiṣyamāsīnaṁ vaiśampāyanamantike ॥57॥
Having been asked by Janamejaya and thousands of Brāhmaṇas, the sage instructed his disciple Vaiśampāyana, who was seated nearby.
sa sadasyaiḥ sahāsīnaḥ śrāvayāmāsa bhāratam।karmāntareṣu yajñasya codyamānaḥ punaḥ punaḥ ॥58॥
He, seated along with the ritual participants, recited the Bhārata during the intervals of the sacrifice, being urged again and again.
vistaraṁ kuruvaṁśasya gāndhāryā dharmaśīlatām।kṣattuḥ prajñāṁ dhr̥tiṁ kuntyāḥ samyagdvaipāyano'bravīt ॥59॥
Vyāsa (Dvaipāyana) properly narrated the detailed history of the Kuru lineage, the righteousness of Gāndhārī, the wisdom and firmness of Vidura, and the character of Kuntī.
vāsudevasya māhātmyaṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ ca satyatām।durvr̥ttaṁ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāmuktavānbhagavānr̥ṣiḥ ॥60॥
The venerable sage spoke of the greatness of Vāsudeva, the righteousness of the Pāṇḍavas, and the wickedness of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
caturviṁśatisāhasrīṁ cakre bhāratasaṁhitām।upākhyānairvinā tāvadbhārataṁ procyate budhaiḥ ॥61॥
He composed the Bhārata compilation of twenty-four thousand verses; in that form, without the sub-stories, it is referred to as the Bhārata by the wise.
tato'dhyardhaśataṁ bhūyaḥ saṅkṣepaṁ kr̥tavānr̥ṣiḥ।anukramaṇimadhyāyaṁ vr̥ttāntānāṁ saparvaṇām ॥62॥
The sage then composed, in a concise form of more than fifty (verses or chapters), an introductory summary of the events, along with their respective sections.
idaṁ dvaipāyanaḥ pūrvaṁ putramadhyāpayacchukam।tato'nyebhyo'nurūpebhyaḥ śiṣyebhyaḥ pradadau prabhuḥ ॥63॥
Dvaipāyana first taught this (Bhārata) to his son Śuka; afterward, the master imparted it to other worthy disciples.
nārado'śrāvayaddevānasito devalaḥ pitr̥n।gandharvayakṣarakṣāṁsi śrāvayāmāsa vai śukaḥ ॥64॥
Nārada recited it to the gods, Asita and Devala to the ancestors, and Śuka indeed caused the Gandharvas, Yakṣas, and Rākṣasas to hear it.
duryodhano manyumayo mahādrumaḥ; skandhaḥ karṇaḥ śakunis tasya śākhāḥ. duḥśāsanaḥ puṣpaphale samṛddhe; mūlaṁ rājā dhṛtarāṣṭro'manīṣī ॥65॥
Duryodhana was a great tree made of wrath; Karṇa its trunk, Śakuni its branches; Duḥśāsana its flourishing flowers and fruits; and the root was King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, devoid of wisdom.
sa sadasyaiḥ sahāsīnaḥ śrāvayāmāsa bhāratam. karmāntareṣu yajñasya codyamānaḥ punaḥ punaḥ ॥66॥
Seated with the sacrificial participants, he recited the Mahābhārata again and again, as he was urged during the intervals of the sacrifice.
vistaraṁ kuruvaṁśasya gāndhāryā dharmaśīlatām. kṣattuḥ prajñāṁ dhṛtiṁ kuntyāḥ samyag dvaipāyano'bravīt ॥67॥
Vyāsa spoke in full about the Kuru lineage, the righteous character of Gāndhārī, the wisdom and steadfastness of Vidura, and the nature of Kuntī.
vāsudevasya māhātmyaṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ ca satyatām. durvṛttaṁ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām uktavān bhagavān ṛṣiḥ ॥68॥
The venerable sage spoke of the greatness of Vāsudeva, the truthfulness of the Pāṇḍavas, and the wicked conduct of the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
mātror abhyupapattiś ca dharmopaniṣadaṁ prati. dharmasya vāyoḥ śakrasya devayoś ca tathāśvinoḥ ॥69॥
Agreement of the mothers is accepted concerning the secret doctrine of Dharma—this pertains to Dharma, Vāyu, Indra, the gods, and also the Aśvins.
tāpasaiḥ saha saṁvṛddhā mātṛbhyāṁ parirakṣitāḥ. medhyāraṇyeṣu puṇyeṣu mahatām āśrameṣu ca ॥70॥
They grew up with ascetics, protected by their two mothers, in holy forests and sacred hermitages of the great sages.
ṛṣibhiś ca tadānītā dhārtarāṣṭrān prati svayam. śiśavaś cābhirūpāś ca jaṭilā brahmacāriṇaḥ ॥71॥
The sages themselves brought them—handsome children with matted hair, practicing celibacy—to the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
putrāś ca bhrātaraś ceme śiṣyāś ca suhṛdaś ca vaḥ. pāṇḍavā eta ity uktvā munayo'ntarhitās tataḥ ॥72॥
These are your sons, brothers, disciples, and friends—the Pāṇḍavas, said the sages, and then disappeared.
tāṁs tair niveditān dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavān kauravās tadā. śiṣṭāś ca varṇāḥ paurā ye te harṣāc cukruśur bhṛśam ॥73॥
When the Pāṇḍavas, presented by the sages, were seen, the Kauravas and the noble citizens cried out in great joy.
āhuḥ kecin na tasyai te tasyaita iti cāpare. yadā ciramṛtaḥ pāṇḍuḥ kathaṁ tasya iti cāpare ॥74॥
Some said, “These are not his,” while others said, “These are his.” And others wondered, “How can they be his when Pāṇḍu has long been dead?”
svāgataṁ sarvathā diṣṭyā pāṇḍoḥ paśyāma santatim. ucyatāṁ svāgatam iti vāco'śrūyanta sarvaśaḥ ॥75॥
“Welcome indeed! By fortune we behold Pāṇḍu’s offspring!” — such words of welcome were heard from all sides.
tasminn uparate śabde diśaḥ sarvā vinādayan. antarhitānāṁ bhūtānāṁ nisvanas tumulo'bhavat ॥76॥
When that sound ceased, all directions resounded; a tumultuous reverberation arose from the vanished beings.
puṣpavṛṣṭiḥ śubhā gandhāḥ śaṅkha-dundubhi-nisvanāḥ. āsan praveśe pārthānāṁ tad adbhutam ivābhavat ॥77॥
Showers of flowers, auspicious fragrances, and the sounds of conches and drums arose at the entry of the sons of Pṛthā; it appeared as if a wondrous event had occurred.
tatprītyā caiva sarveṣāṁ paurāṇāṁ harṣasambhavaḥ. śabda āsīn mahāṁs tatra divaspṛk kīrtivardhanaḥ ॥78॥
From the joy of all the citizens, a great sound arose there—reaching the sky and increasing fame.
te'py adhītyākhilān vedāñ śāstrāṇi vividhāni ca. nyavasan pāṇḍavās tatra pūjitā akutobhayāḥ ॥79॥
The Pāṇḍavas, having studied all the Vedas and various scriptures, resided there, honored and fearless.
yudhiṣṭhirasya śaucena prītāḥ prakṛtayo'bhavan. dhṛtyā ca bhīmasenasya vikrameṇa arjunasya ca ॥80॥
The people were pleased by the purity of Yudhiṣṭhira, by the steadfastness of Bhīmasena, and by the valor of Arjuna.
guruśuśrūṣayā kuntyā yamayor vinayena ca. tutoṣa lokaḥ sakalas teṣāṁ śauryaguṇena ca ॥81॥
The entire people were pleased by Kuntī’s service to elders, by the humility of the twins, and by the valorous qualities of them all.
samavāye tato rājñāṁ kanyāṁ bhartṛsvayaṁvarām. prāptavān arjunaḥ kṛṣṇāṁ kṛtvā karma suduṣkaram ॥82॥
Then, at the assembly of kings, Arjuna won Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), who had chosen her own husband, having performed a deed exceedingly difficult.
tataḥ prabhṛti loke'smin pūjyaḥ sarva-dhanuṣmatām. āditya iva duṣprekṣyaḥ samareṣv api cābhavat ॥83॥
From that time on, in this world, he became revered among all archers, like the sun, difficult to behold even in battles.
sa sarvān pārthivāñ jitvā sarvāṁś ca mahato gaṇān. ājahārārjuno rājñe rājasūyaṁ mahākratum ॥84॥
Having conquered all kings and great hosts, Arjuna brought in the great Rājasūya sacrifice for the king.
annavān dakṣiṇāvāṁś ca sarvaiḥ samudito guṇaiḥ. yudhiṣṭhireṇa samprāpto rājasūyo mahākratuḥ ॥85॥
The great Rājasūya sacrifice, abundant in food and rich in gifts, endowed with all virtues, was performed by Yudhiṣṭhira.
sunayād vāsudevasya bhīmārjuna-balena ca. ghātayitvā jarāsandhaṁ caidyaṁ ca balagarvitam ॥86॥
By the good counsel of Vāsudeva and the strength of Bhīma and Arjuna, they slew Jarāsandha and the proud king of Cedi.
duryodhanam upāgacchan narhaṇāni tataḥ tataḥ. maṇikāñcana-ratnāni go-hastyaśva-dhanāni ca ॥87॥
To Duryodhana came tributes from all sides: jewels, gold, cows, elephants, horses, and wealth.
samṛddhāṁ tāṁ tathā dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavānāṁ tadā śriyam. īrṣyā-samutthaḥ sumahāṁs tasya manyur ajāyata ॥88॥
Having seen the great prosperity of the Pāṇḍavas, a very great wrath born of envy arose in him.
vimānapratimāṁ cāpi mayena sukṛtāṁ sabhām. pāṇḍavānām upahṛtāṁ sa dṛṣṭvā paryatapyata ॥89॥
He was tormented upon seeing the hall of the Pāṇḍavas, as beautiful as a celestial palace, crafted by Maya.
yatrāvahasitaś cāsīt praskandann iva sambhramāt. pratyakṣaṁ vāsudevasya bhīmenānabhijātavat ॥90॥
There, being laughed at and stumbling in confusion, he was shamed before Vāsudeva by Bhīma as one of low birth.
sa bhogān-vividhān-bhuñjan-ratnāni vividhāni ca. kathito dhṛtarāṣṭrasya vivarṇaḥ hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ ॥91॥
He, though enjoying various pleasures and jewels, was described as Dhṛtarāṣṭra's pale and emaciated deer.
anvajānāttato dyūtaṁ dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ sutapriyaḥ. tacchrutvā vāsudevasya kopaḥ samabhavan-mahān ॥92॥
Then Dhṛtarāṣṭra, fond of his son, approved the gambling; hearing this, great anger arose in Vāsudeva.
nātiprītamanāś cāsīt vivādāṁś cānvamodata. dyūtādīn nayān ghorān pravṛddhāṁś cāpyupaikṣata ॥93॥
He was not very pleased in mind, yet approved the disputes; he also overlooked the terrible and intensified policies like gambling.
nirasya viduraṁ droṇaṁ bhīṣmaṁ śāradvataṁ kṛpam. vigrahe tumule tasmin ahan kṣatraṁ parasparam ॥94॥
Having dismissed Vidura, Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Śāradvata, and Kṛpa, the warriors struck each other in that intense conflict.
jayatsu pāṇḍuputreṣu śrutvā sumahad-apriyam. duryodhana-mataṁ jñātvā karṇasya śakuneḥ tathā ॥95॥
Hearing the very grievous news when the sons of Pāṇḍu were victorious, and knowing the counsel of Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Śakuni as well—
dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ ciraṁ dhyātvā sañjayaṁ vākyam abravīt ॥95॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, after long meditation, spoke words to Sañjaya.
śṛṇu sañjaya me sarvaṁ na me'sūyitumarhasi. śrutavānasi medhāvī buddhimān prājña-saṁmataḥ ॥96॥
Listen to me, O Sañjaya, and do not blame me; you are learned, intelligent, wise, and respected by the wise.
na vigrahe mama matiḥ na ca prīye kurukṣaye. na me viśeṣaḥ putreṣu sveṣu pāṇḍusuteṣu ca ॥97॥
My mind is not inclined toward conflict, nor am I pleased with the destruction of the Kurus; I have no preference among my own sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu.
vṛddhaṁ mām abhyasūyanti putrā manyuparāyaṇāḥ. ahaṁ tu acakṣuḥ kārpaṇyāt putraprītyā sahāmi tat ॥98॥
My sons, devoted to anger, blame me though I am aged; but being blind, out of weakness and love for them, I endure it.
muhyantaṁ ca anumuhyāmi duryodhanam acetanam ॥98॥
And as Duryodhana is deluded and foolish, I too become deluded along with him.
rājasūye śriyaṁ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavasya mahaujasaḥ. tac ca avahasanaṁ prāpya sabhārohaṇa-darśane ॥99॥
At the Rājasūya sacrifice, seeing the splendor of the mighty Pāṇḍava and being ridiculed during the viewing of the hall's elevation—
amarṣitaḥ svayaṁ jetuṁ aśaktaḥ pāṇḍavān raṇe. nirutsāhaś ca samprāptuṁ śriyam akṣatriyaḥ yathā ॥100॥
Enraged, yet unable to defeat the Pāṇḍavas in battle, he became dispirited in seeking glory—like one unworthy of a warrior.
gāndhāra-rāja-sahitaḥ chadma-dyūtam amantrayat ॥100॥
He conspired for deceitful gambling along with the king of Gāndhāra.
tatra yadyat yathā jñātaṁ mayā sañjaya tat śṛṇu. śrutvā hi mama vākyāni buddhyā yuktāni tattvataḥ ॥101॥
Now hear, O Sañjaya, whatever I have known there and as it happened; for having heard my words, joined with reason and essence—
tataḥ jñāsyasi māṁ saute prajñā-cakṣuṣam iti uktam ॥101॥
Then, O Sañjaya, you will know me as one who sees with the eye of wisdom—so it is said.
yadā aśrauṣam dhanuḥ āyamya citram; viddham lakṣyaṁ pātitaṁ vai pṛthivyām. kṛṣṇāṁ hṛtāṁ paśyatāṁ sarva-rājñām; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥102॥
When I heard the bow being stretched marvelously, the target struck and fallen on the earth, and Kṛṣṇā won in the sight of all kings—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam dvārakāyāṁ subhadrāṁ; prasahya ūḍhāṁ mādhavīm arjunena. indraprasthaṁ vṛṣṇi-vīrau ca yātau; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥103॥
When I heard in Dvārakā that Subhadrā, the Mādhavī, was forcibly taken by Arjuna and both Vṛṣṇi heroes had gone to Indraprastha—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam devarājam pravṛṣṭam; śaraiḥ divyaiḥ vāritaṁ ca arjunena. agnim tathā tarpitaṁ khāṇḍave ca; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥104॥
When I heard that the king of gods was repelled by Arjuna's celestial arrows, and that Agni was satisfied in the Khāṇḍava forest—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam hṛta-rājyam yudhiṣṭhiram; parājitam saubalena akṣavatyām. anvāgataṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ aprameyaiḥ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥105॥
When I heard that Yudhiṣṭhira had lost his kingdom and was defeated by Śakuni at dice, yet followed by his immeasurable brothers—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam draupadīm aśru-kaṇṭhīm; sabhām nītām duḥkhitām eka-vastrām. rajasvalām nāthavatīm anāthavat; tadā na aśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥106॥
When I heard of Draupadī, her throat choked with tears, led into the assembly, distressed, in a single garment, menstruating, though having protectors yet as if abandoned—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam vividhāḥ tāta ceṣṭāḥ; dharmātmanāṁ prasthitānāṁ vanāya. jyeṣṭha-prītyā kliśyatāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ; tadā na aśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥107॥
When I heard, dear one, of the various sufferings of the righteous Pāṇḍavas, who went to the forest and endured hardships out of affection for their elder—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam snātakānāṁ sahasraiḥ; anvāgataṁ dharmarājaṁ vanastham. bhikṣā-bhujāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ mahātmanām; tadā na aśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥108॥
When I heard that Dharmarāja, dwelling in the forest, was followed by thousands of great-souled Brāhmaṇas living on alms—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam arjunaḥ deva-devam; kirāta-rūpam tryambakam toṣya yuddhe. avāpa tat pāśupataṁ mahā-astraṁ; tadā na aśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥109॥
When I heard that Arjuna pleased the Lord of gods, the three-eyed one in hunter form, and received the great Pāśupata weapon—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣam tridivastham dhanañjayam; śakrāt sākṣāt divyam astraṁ yathāvat. adhīyānaṁ śaṁsitaṁ satya-sandham; tadā na aśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥110॥
When I heard that Arjuna, residing in heaven, received a divine weapon directly from Indra, was praised while studying, and was steadfast in truth—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vaiśravaṇena sārdhaṁ; samāgataṁ bhīmam anyāṁś ca pārthān. tasmin deśe mānuṣāṇām agamye; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥111॥
When I heard that Bhīma and the other sons of Pṛthā met with Vaiśravaṇa in a region inaccessible to men—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ ghoṣa-yātrā-gatānāṁ; bandhaṁ gandharvaiḥ mokṣaṇaṁ ca arjunena. sveṣāṁ sutānāṁ karṇa-buddhau ratānāṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥112॥
When I heard that our sons, devoted to Karṇa’s counsel, were captured by the Gandharvas during the cattle expedition and released by Arjuna—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ yakṣa-rūpeṇa dharmaṁ; samāgataṁ dharma-rājena sūta. praśnān uktān vibruvantaṁ ca samyak; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥113॥
When I heard that Dharma, in the form of a Yakṣa, met Dharmarāja and answered all his questions rightly—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ māmakānāṁ variṣṭhān; dhanañjayena eka-rathena bhagnān. virāṭa-rāṣṭre vasatā mahātmanā; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥114॥
When I heard that my foremost warriors were defeated by Dhanañjaya with a single chariot while he dwelt in King Virāṭa’s land—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ satkṛtāṁ matsya-rājñā; sutāṁ dattāṁ uttarāṁ arjunāya. tāṁ ca arjunaḥ pratyagṛhṇāt suta-arthe; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥115॥
When I heard that King Matsya had honored Arjuna and given his daughter Uttarā to him, and Arjuna accepted her for his son—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ nirjitasya adhanasya; pravrājitasya svajanāt pracyutasya. akṣauhiṇīḥ sapta yudhiṣṭhirasya; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥116॥
When I heard that Yudhiṣṭhira, though defeated, impoverished, exiled, and cast off from his own kin, had assembled seven armies—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ nara-nārāyaṇau tau; kṛṣṇārjunau vadataḥ nāradasya. ahaṁ draṣṭā brahma-loke sadā iti; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥117॥
When I heard Nārada say that Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna are Nara and Nārāyaṇa, whom he always sees in Brahmā’s world—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ mādhavaṁ vāsudevaṁ; sarvātmanā pāṇḍavārthe niviṣṭam. yasya imāṁ gāṁ vikramam ekam āhuḥ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥118॥
When I heard that Mādhava Vāsudeva had wholly committed himself to the cause of the Pāṇḍavas, he whose single stride is said to encompass the earth—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ karṇa-duryodhanābhyāṁ; buddhiṁ kṛtāṁ nigrahe keśavasya. taṁ ca ātmānaṁ bahudhā darśayānaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥119॥
When I heard that Karṇa and Duryodhana planned to bind Keśava, and he revealed himself in many forms—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vāsudeve prayāte; rathasya ekām agrataḥ tiṣṭhamānām. ārtāṁ pṛthāṁ sāntvitāṁ keśavena; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥120॥
When I heard that as Vāsudeva departed, Pṛthā, distressed, stood alone before his chariot and was consoled by Keśava—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ mantriṇaṁ vāsudevaṁ; tathā bhīṣmaṁ śāntanavaṁ ca teṣām. bhāradvājaṁ ca āśiṣaḥ anubruvāṇaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥121॥
When I heard Vāsudeva as counsellor, Bhīṣma son of Śāntanu, and Bharadvāja’s son bestowing blessings upon them—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ karṇa uvāca bhīṣmaṁ; na ahaṁ yotsye yudhyamāne tvayi iti. hitvā senām apacakrāma ca eva; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥122॥
When I heard Karṇa say to Bhīṣma, “I shall not fight while you are in battle,” and then abandon the army and withdraw—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vāsudeva-arjunau tau; tathā dhanuḥ gāṇḍivam aprameyam. trīṇi ugra-vīryāṇi samāgatāni; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥123॥
When I heard that the three fierce powers—Vāsudeva, Arjuna, and the immeasurable bow Gāṇḍīva—had come together—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ kaśmalena abhipanne; ratha-upasthe sīdamāne arjune vai. kṛṣṇaṁ lokān darśayānaṁ śarīre; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥124॥
When I heard that Arjuna, overcome with dejection, had collapsed on the chariot seat, and Kṛṣṇa revealed the worlds within his own body—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ bhīṣmam amittra-karśanam; nighnantam ājāva-yutaṁ rathānām. naiṣāṁ kaścit vadhyate dṛśya-rūpaḥ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥125॥
When I heard that Bhīṣma, the scourge of enemies, was slaying chariot warriors with banners and none among them, though visible, could be struck down—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ bhīṣmam atyanta-śūraṁ; hataṁ pārthena āhaveṣu apradhṛṣyam. śikhaṇḍinaṁ purataḥ sthāpayitvā; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥126॥
When I heard that the supremely heroic and invincible Bhīṣma was slain by Arjuna in battle, placing Śikhaṇḍin before him—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ śara-talpe śayānaṁ; vṛddhaṁ vīraṁ sāditaṁ citra-puṅkhaiḥ. bhīṣmaṁ kṛtvā somakān alpa-śeṣān; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥127॥
When I heard that the aged and valiant Bhīṣma, lying on a bed of arrows, had been struck down with ornate shafts and had left only a few of the Somakas remaining—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ śāntanave śayāne; pānīya-arthe coditena arjunena. bhūmiṁ bhittvā tarpitaṁ tatra bhīṣmaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥128॥
When I heard that Bhīṣma, lying on the ground, had his thirst quenched by Arjuna piercing the earth to bring forth water—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ śukra-sūryau ca yuktau; kaunteyānām anulomau jayāya. nityaṁ ca asmān śvāpadāḥ vyābhaṣanta; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥129॥
When I heard that Venus and the Sun were aligned favorably for the sons of Kuntī, and beasts of prey constantly howled around us—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā droṇaḥ vividhān astra-mārgān; vidarśayan samare citra-yodhī. na pāṇḍavān śreṣṭhatamān nihanti; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥130॥
When Droṇa, the brilliant warrior, displayed many kinds of weapon techniques in battle, yet did not slay the foremost among the Pāṇḍavas—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ ca asmadīyān mahārathān; vyavasthitān arjunasya antakāya. saṁśaptakān nihatān arjunena; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥131॥
When I heard that our mighty warriors, the Saṁśaptakas, who had vowed to kill Arjuna, were slain by him—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vyūham abhedyam anyaiḥ; bhāradvājena ātta-śastreṇa guptam. bhittvā saubhadraṁ vīram ekaṁ praviṣṭaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥132॥
When I heard that Abhimanyu, the heroic son of Subhadrā, alone entered the impenetrable formation guarded by Droṇa, which others could not breach—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā abhimanyuṁ parivārya bālaṁ; sarve hatvā hṛṣṭa-rūpā babhūvuḥ. mahārathāḥ pārtham aśaknuvanta; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥133॥
When I heard that all the great warriors surrounded and slew the young Abhimanyu and rejoiced, but could not face Pārtha—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ abhimanyuṁ nihatya; harṣāt mūḍhān krośataḥ dhārtarāṣṭrān. krodhaṁ muktaṁ saindhave ca arjunena; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥134॥
When I heard that after killing Abhimanyu, the deluded sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra shouted in joy, and Arjuna released his wrath on Jayadratha—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ saindhava-arthe pratijñām; pratijñātām tad-vadhāya arjunena. satyām nistīrṇām śatru-madhye ca tena; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥135॥
When I heard that Arjuna had vowed to slay the Saindhava and fulfilled that vow truly in the midst of enemies—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ śrānta-haye dhanañjaye; muktvā hayān pāyayitvā upavṛttān. punaḥ yuktvā vāsudevaṁ prayātaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥136॥
When I heard that Arjuna, with exhausted horses, had unyoked and watered them, then yoked them again with Vāsudeva and resumed battle—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vāhaneṣu āśvasatsu; ratha-upasthe tiṣṭhatā gāṇḍivena. sarvān yodhān vāritān arjunena; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥137॥
When I heard that even while the steeds were resting, Arjuna, standing on his chariot with Gāṇḍīva, was still repelling all warriors—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ nāga-balaiḥ durutsahaṁ; droṇa-ānīkaṁ yuyudhānaṁ pramathya. yātaṁ vārṣṇeyaṁ yatra tau kṛṣṇa-pārthau; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥138॥
When I heard that Sātyaki had crushed Droṇa’s mighty elephant-guarded division and reached the place where Kṛṣṇa and Arjuna were—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ karṇam āsādya muktaṁ; vadhāt bhīmaṁ kutsayitvā vacobhiḥ. dhanuṣ-koṭyā tudya karṇena vīraṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥139॥
When I heard that Karṇa, after insulting Bhīma with harsh words, struck the hero with the tip of his bow yet spared his life—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā droṇaḥ kṛtavarmā kṛpaś ca; karṇaḥ drauṇiḥ madrarājaś ca śūraḥ. amarṣayan saindhavaṁ vadhyamānaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥140॥
When Droṇa, Kṛtavarmā, Kṛpa, Karṇa, Aśvatthāma, and Śalya the mighty king of Madra all burned with rage as Jayadratha was being slain—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ devarājena dattāṁ; divyāṁ śaktiṁ vyaṁsitāṁ mādhavena. ghaṭotkace rākṣase ghora-rūpe; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥141॥
When I heard that the divine weapon given by the king of gods was wasted by Mādhava on the terrifying demon Ghaṭotkaca—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ karṇa-ghaṭotkacābhyām; yuddhe muktāṁ sūta-putreṇa śaktim. yayā vadhyaḥ samare savyasācī; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥142॥
When I heard that the deadly missile, which could have slain Arjuna in battle, was released by Karṇa upon Ghaṭotkaca in their duel—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ droṇam ācāryam ekaṁ; dhṛṣṭadyumnena ati-kramya dharmam. ratha-upasthe prāyagataṁ viśastaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥143॥
When I heard that Droṇa, the lone preceptor, was beheaded by Dhṛṣṭadyumna even after he had given up fighting, in defiance of righteousness—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ drauṇinā dvairatha-sthaṁ; mādrī-putraṁ nakulaṁ loka-madhye. samaṁ yuddhe pāṇḍavaṁ yudhyamānaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥144॥
When I heard that Aśvatthāma engaged Nakula, the son of Mādrī, in equal single combat in the midst of all—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā droṇe nihate droṇa-putraḥ; nārāyaṇaṁ divya-astram vikurvan. naiṣāṁ antaṁ gatavān pāṇḍavānāṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥145॥
When I heard that after Droṇa's death, his son released the celestial Nārāyaṇa weapon but it failed to destroy the Pāṇḍavas—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ karṇam atyanta-śūraṁ; hataṁ pārthena āhaveṣu apradhṛṣyam. tasmin bhrātṝṇāṁ vigrahe deva-guhye; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥146॥
When I heard that Karṇa, supremely valiant and unconquerable in battle, was slain by Arjuna in that god-concealed fraternal war—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ droṇa-putraṁ kṛpaṁ ca; duḥśāsanaṁ kṛtavarmāṇam ugram. yudhiṣṭhiraṁ śūnyam adharṣayantam; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥147॥
When I heard that Aśvatthāma, Kṛpa, Duḥśāsana, and the fierce Kṛtavarmā attacked the solitary Yudhiṣṭhira—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ nihatam madrarājaṁ; raṇe śūraṁ dharmarājena sūta. sadā saṅgrāme spardhate yaḥ sa kṛṣṇaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥148॥
When I heard that Śalya, the brave king of Madra who always contended with Kṛṣṇa in battle, was slain by Yudhiṣṭhira—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ kalaha-dyūta-mūlaṁ; māyā-balaṁ saubalaṁ pāṇḍavena. hatam saṅgrāme sahadevena pāpam; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥149॥
When I heard that the deceitful Śakuni, root of the dice game and quarrel, was slain in battle by Sahadeva—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ śrāntam ekaṁ śayānaṁ; hradam gatvā stambhayitvā tat ambhaḥ. duryodhanaṁ virathaṁ bhagna-darpaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥150॥
When I heard that the weary and lone Duryodhana, his pride broken, had gone to a lake, stilled its waters, and lay hidden without his chariot—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ pāṇḍavāṁs tiṣṭhamānān; gaṅgā-hrade vāsudevena sārdham. amarṣaṇaṁ dharṣayataḥ sutaṁ me; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥151॥
When I heard that my wrathful son attacked the Pāṇḍavas who stood firm with Vāsudeva in the Ganga lake—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ vividhān tāta mārgān; gadā-yuddhe maṇḍalaṁ sañcarantam. mithyā hatam vāsudevasya buddhyā; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥152॥
When I heard that various mace-fighting techniques were displayed in circular motion, and the opponent was slain deceitfully by Vāsudeva’s strategy—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ droṇa-putrādibhiḥ taiḥ; hatān pāñcālān draupadeyān ca suptān. kṛtaṁ bībhatsam ayaśasyaṁ ca karma; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥153॥
When I heard that Droṇa’s son and others slew the sleeping Pāñcālas and Draupadī’s sons in a ghastly and disgraceful act—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ bhīmasenānuyātena; aśvatthāmnā paramāstram prayuktam. kruddhena aiṣīkam avadhīd yena garbhaṁ; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥154॥
When I heard that Aśvatthāma, followed by Bhīma, released the supreme weapon in rage and struck down the womb with an iron dart—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ brahma-śiraḥ arjunena; muktaṁ svasti iti astram astreṇa śāntam. aśvatthāmnā maṇi-ratnaṁ ca dattam; tadā nāśaṁse vijayāya sañjaya ॥155॥
When I heard that Arjuna neutralized the Brahmāstra with another peaceful weapon, and Aśvatthāma gave up his jewel—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
yadā aśrauṣaṁ droṇa-putreṇa garbhe; vairāṭyāyā vai pātyamāne mahāastre. dvaipāyanaḥ keśavaḥ droṇa-putraṁ; paraspareṇa abhiśāpaiḥ śaśāpa ॥156॥
When I heard that Droṇa’s son hurled the supreme weapon into the womb of the princess of Virāṭa, then Dvaipāyana and Keśava cursed him mutually with imprecations—then, O Sañjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
śocyāḥ gāndhārī putra-pautraiḥ vihīnā; tathā vadhvaḥ pitṛbhiḥ bhrātṛbhiḥ ca. kṛtaṁ kāryaṁ duṣkaraṁ pāṇḍaveyaiḥ; prāptaṁ rājyaṁ asapatnaṁ punaḥ taiḥ ॥157॥
Gāndhārī, bereft of sons and grandsons, and the wives, deprived of fathers and brothers, are to be pitied. The Pāṇḍavas accomplished their dreadful task and once again attained a kingdom free of rivals.
kaṣṭaṁ yuddhe daśa śeṣāḥ śrutāḥ me; trayaḥ asmākaṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ ca sapta. dvi-ūnā viṁśatiḥ āhata-akṣauhiṇīnām; tasmin saṅgrāme vigrahe kṣatriyāṇām ॥158॥
Terrible indeed was the war, for only ten survived—three of ours and seven of the Pāṇḍavas. Eighteen full armies were destroyed in that conflict among the kṣatriyas.
tamasā tu abhyavastīrṇo; mohaḥ āviśatīva mām. sañjñāṁ na upalabhe sūta; manaḥ vihvalatīva me ॥159॥
Darkness seems to envelop me, delusion overtakes my heart. I cannot grasp awareness, O charioteer—my mind is as though distraught.
iti uktvā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ atha; vilapya bahu-duḥkhitaḥ. mūrcchitaḥ punaḥ āśvastaḥ; sañjayaṁ vākyam abravīt ॥160॥
Thus spoke Dhṛtarāṣṭra, then grieving bitterly he fainted. Regaining consciousness, he again addressed Sañjaya with these words.
sañjaya evaṁ gate prāṇān tyaktum icchāmi mā ciram. stokam hi api na paśyāmi phalam jīvita-dhāraṇe ॥161॥
O Sañjaya, since things have come to this, I no longer wish to live—do not delay. I see not even the slightest purpose in holding on to life.
taṁ tathā vādinam dīnaṁ vilapantaṁ mahī-patim. gāvalgaṇiḥ idaṁ dhīmān mahārtham vākyam abravīt ॥162॥
Seeing the sorrowful king thus lamenting and speaking in distress, the wise Gāvalgaṇi (Sañjaya) spoke these weighty words.
śrutavān asi vai rājño mahotsāhān mahābalān. dvaipāyanasya vadataḥ nāradasya ca dhīmataḥ ॥163॥
You have indeed heard of the mighty and spirited kings, as spoken of by the wise Dvaipāyana and Nārada.
mahatsu rāja-vaṁśeṣu guṇaiḥ samuditeṣu ca. jātān divya-astra-viduṣaḥ śakra-pratima-tejasaḥ ॥164॥
In those great royal lineages, born with virtues and mastery over divine weapons, were warriors of radiance equal to Indra.
dharmeṇa pṛthivīṁ jitvā yajñaiḥ iṣṭvā āpta-dakṣiṇaiḥ. asmin loke yaśaḥ prāpya tataḥ kāla-vaśaṁ gatāḥ ॥165॥
Having righteously conquered the earth and performed duly-offered sacrifices, they attained glory in this world and then submitted to the power of Time.
vainyaṁ mahārathaṁ vīraṁ sṛñjayaṁ jayatāṁ varam. suhotraṁ rantidevaṁ ca kakṣīvantaṁ tathā auśijam ॥166॥
Vainya, the mighty charioteer; Sṛñjaya, best among the victorious; Suhotra, Rantideva, Kakṣīvanta, and Auśija—all these heroic kings.
bāhlīkaṁ damanaṁ śaibyaṁ śaryātim ajitaṁ jitam. viśvāmitram amitra-ghnam ambarīṣaṁ mahā-balam ॥167॥
Bāhlīka, Damana, Śaibya, Śaryāti who overcame defeat; Viśvāmitra, the slayer of foes; Ambarīṣa of great strength—
maruttaṁ manum ikṣvākuṁ gayaṁ bharatam eva ca. rāmaṁ dāśarathiṁ caiva śaśabinduṁ bhagīratham ॥168॥
Marutta, Manu, Ikṣvāku, Gaya, and Bharata; also Rāma, the son of Daśaratha; Śaśabindu and Bhagīratha—
yayātiṁ śubha-karmāṇaṁ devaiḥ yaḥ yājitaḥ svayam. caitya-yūpāṅkitā bhūmiḥ yasya iyam savanā-karā ॥169॥
Yayāti, performer of noble deeds, whom even the gods had made to conduct sacrifices themselves—his was this earth, marked with sacrificial posts and filled with sacred rites.
iti rājñāṁ catur-viṁśat nāradena surarṣiṇā. putra-śoka-abhi-taptāya purā śaibyāya kīrtitāḥ ॥170॥
Thus were twenty-four illustrious kings once recounted by the divine sage Nārada to King Śaibya, who was tormented by grief over his son.
tebhyaś ca anye gatāḥ pūrvaṁ; rājānaḥ balavat-tarāḥ. mahārathāḥ mahātmānaḥ; sarvaiḥ samuditāḥ guṇaiḥ ॥171॥
Others too have passed before them—kings even mightier, great warriors and noble souls, endowed with every virtue.
pūruḥ kuruḥ yaduḥ śūraḥ; viṣvagaśvaḥ mahā-dhṛtiḥ. anenāḥ yuvanāśvaḥ ca; kakutsthaḥ vikramī raghuḥ ॥172॥
Pūru, Kuru, Yadu, Śūra, Viṣvagaśva the steadfast, Anenā, Yuvanāśva, Kakutstha and the valiant Raghu—
vijitī vītihotraḥ ca; bhavaḥ śvetaḥ bṛhadguruḥ. uśīnaraḥ śatarathaḥ; kaṅkaḥ duliduhaḥ drumaḥ ॥173॥
Vijitī, Vītihotra, Bhava, Śveta, Bṛhadguru, Uśīnara, Śataratha, Kaṅka, Duliduha, and Druma—
dambhodbhavaḥ paraḥ venaḥ; sagaraḥ saṅkṛtiḥ nimiḥ. ajeyaḥ paraśuḥ puṇḍraḥ; śambhuḥ devāvṛddhaḥ anaghaḥ ॥174॥
Dambhodbhava, Para, Vena, Sagara, Saṅkṛti, Nimi; the invincible Ajeṣya, Paraśu, Puṇḍra, Śambhu, Devāvṛddha the sinless—
deva-āhvayaḥ supratimaḥ supratīkaḥ bṛhadrathaḥ. mahotsāhaḥ vinītātmā sukratuḥ naiṣadhaḥ nalaḥ ॥175॥
Deva-āhvaya, Supratima, Supratīka, Bṛhadratha; the zealous Mahotsāha, the humble Sukratu, and Nala, king of Niṣadha—
satyavrataḥ śānta-bhayaḥ sumitraḥ subalaḥ prabhuḥ. jānujaṅghaḥ anaraṇyaḥ arkaḥ priya-bhṛtyaḥ śubha-vrataḥ ॥176॥
Satyavrata, calm and fearless; Sumitra, Subala, the noble ruler; Jānujaṅgha, Anaraṇya, Arka; one loved by his servants and firm in his sacred vows—
balabandhuḥ nirāmardaḥ ketuśṛṅgaḥ bṛhadbalaḥ. dhṛṣṭaketuḥ bṛhatketuḥ dīptaketuḥ nirāmayaḥ ॥177॥
Balabandhu, the strong ally; Nirāmarda, Ketuśṛṅga, Bṛhadbala; Dhṛṣṭaketu, Bṛhatketu, Dīptaketu, and Nirāmaya—
avikṣit prabalaḥ dhūrtaḥ kṛtabandhuḥ dṛḍheṣudhiḥ. mahāpurāṇaḥ sambhāvyaḥ pratyaṅgaḥ parahā śrutiḥ ॥178॥
Avikṣit, mighty and clever; loyal in friendship, firm in archery; ancient in fame, revered, strong-limbed, slayer of foes, and widely known—
ete ca anye ca bahavaḥ śataśaḥ atha sahasraśaḥ. śrūyante ayutaśaḥ ca anye saṅkhyātāḥ ca api padmaśaḥ ॥179॥
These and many others—by the hundreds, by the thousands, even tens of thousands—are heard of; others are counted by the millions.
hitvā suvipulān bhogān buddhimantaḥ mahābalāḥ. rājānaḥ nidhanaṁ prāptāḥ tava putraiḥ mahattamāḥ ॥180॥
Having renounced vast pleasures, the wise and powerful kings—foremost of men—met their death at the hands of your sons.
yeṣāṁ divyāni karmāṇi vikramaḥ tyāgaḥ eva ca. māhātmyam api ca āstikyaṁ satyatā śaucam ārjavam ॥181॥
Those whose deeds were divine, whose valor and renunciation were evident, who possessed greatness, faith, truthfulness, purity, and honesty—
vidvadbhiḥ kathyate loke purāṇaiḥ kavi-sattamaiḥ. sarva-ṛddhi-guṇa-sampannāḥ te ca api nidhanaṁ gatāḥ ॥182॥
They, possessed of all virtues and glories, are praised by the wise in the world, in the Purāṇas, and by the greatest poets—yet even they have passed away.
tava putrāḥ durātmānaḥ prataptāḥ ca eva manyunā. lubdhāḥ durvṛtta-bhūyiṣṭhāḥ na tān śocitum arhasi ॥183॥
Your sons were evil-minded, overcome with anger, greedy and mostly unrighteous—you ought not to grieve for them.
śrutavān asi medhāvī buddhimān prājña-sammataḥ. yeṣāṁ śāstra-anugā buddhiḥ na te muhyanti bhārata ॥184॥
You are learned, intelligent, wise, and respected by scholars; those whose intellect follows the śāstra are not deluded, O Bhārata.
nigraha-anugrahau ca api viditau te narādhipa. na atyantam eva anuvṛttiḥ śrūyate putra-rakṣaṇe ॥185॥
Restraint and favor, O king, are both known to you; absolute indulgence in protecting sons is not commended.
bhavitavyaṁ tathā tat ca; na ataḥ śocitum arhasi. daivaṁ prajñā-viśeṣeṇa; kaḥ nivartitum arhati ॥186॥
What was destined has come to pass; therefore you should not grieve. Who can, by intellect alone, turn aside what is ordained by fate?
vidhātṛ-vihitaṁ mārgaṁ; na kaścit ativartate. kāla-mūlam idaṁ sarvaṁ; bhāva-abhāvau sukha-asukhe ॥187॥
No one can overstep the path ordained by the Creator. All existence and non-existence, joy and sorrow—are rooted in time.
kālaḥ pacati bhūtāni; kālaḥ saṁharati prajāḥ. nirdahantaṁ prajāḥ kālaṁ; kālaḥ śamayate punaḥ ॥188॥
Time matures all beings; time also destroys them. When time scorches the creatures, it again brings peace to them.
kālaḥ vikurute bhāvān; sarvān loke śubha-aśubhān. kālaḥ saṅkṣipate sarvāḥ; prajāḥ visṛjate punaḥ ॥189॥
Time changes all conditions, good and bad, in the world; it withdraws all beings, and again sends them forth.
kālaḥ sarveṣu bhūteṣu; carati avidhṛtaḥ samaḥ ॥189॥
Time moves equally and without restraint among all beings.
atīta-anāgatāḥ bhāvāḥ; ye ca vartanti sāmpratam. tān kāla-nirmitān buddhvā; na sañjñāṁ hātum arhasi ॥190॥
Knowing that all past, future, and present conditions are shaped by time, you ought not to abandon your awareness.
sūta uvāca॥
The narrator (Sūta) said—
atra upaniṣadaṁ puṇyām kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyanaḥ abravīt. bhārata-adhyayanāt puṇyāt api pādam adhīyataḥ ॥191॥
Here, the sacred Upaniṣad was spoken by Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana; even a quarter of it studied brings more merit than the entire reading of the Mahābhārata.
śraddadhānasya pūyante sarva-pāpāni aśeṣataḥ ॥191॥
All sins of the faithful are entirely cleansed.
devarṣayaḥ hi atra puṇyāḥ brahma-rājarṣayaḥ tathā. kīrtyante śubha-karmāṇaḥ tathā yakṣa-mahoragāḥ ॥192॥
Here are praised the virtuous divine sages, brahmarṣis, royal sages, noble actors, and beings like yakṣas and mighty serpents.
bhagavān vāsudevaḥ ca kīrtyate atra sanātanaḥ. saḥ hi satyam amṛtam caiva pavitram puṇyam eva ca ॥193॥
Here, the eternal Lord Vāsudeva is glorified—he is truth, immortality, purity, and sacredness itself.
śāśvataṁ brahma paramaṁ dhruvaṁ jyotiḥ sanātanam. yasya divyāni karmāṇi kathayanti manīṣiṇaḥ ॥194॥
He is the eternal, supreme, unchanging, and everlasting light—whose divine deeds the wise describe as that of the Supreme Brahman.
asat sat sat-asat ca eva; yasmāt devāt pravartate. santatiḥ ca pravṛttiḥ ca; janma mṛtyuḥ punarbhavaḥ ॥195॥
The real, the unreal, and both—proceed from that Divine; from him arise continuity, activity, birth, death, and rebirth.
adhyātmaṁ śrūyate yat ca pañca-bhūta-guṇātmakam. avyakta-ādi paraṁ yat ca saḥ eva parigīyate ॥196॥
That which is called the Self, composed of the qualities of the five elements, beginning from the unmanifest to the supreme—that indeed is sung as the highest truth.
yat tat yativarāḥ yuktāḥ dhyāna-yoga-balānvitāḥ. pratibimbam iva ādarśe paśyanti ātmani avasthitam ॥197॥
That reality the best of ascetics, endowed with meditative strength, behold within themselves—like a reflection in a mirror.
śraddadhānaḥ sadā udyuktaḥ satya-dharma-parāyaṇaḥ. āsevan imam adhyāyam naraḥ pāpāt pramucyate ॥198॥
One who is faithful, always disciplined, and devoted to truth and righteousness—by reciting this chapter is freed from sin.
anukramaṇi-adhyāyaṁ bhāratasya imam āditaḥ. āstikaḥ satataṁ śṛṇvan na kṛcchreṣu avasīdati ॥199॥
He who constantly listens to this introductory chapter of the Mahābhārata from the beginning, being faithful, does not succumb in times of hardship.
ubhe sandhye japan kiñcit; sadyaḥ mucyeta kilbiṣāt. anukramaṇyā yāvat syāt; ahnā rātryā ca sañcitam ॥200॥
Even by chanting a little at both twilight hours, one is freed at once from sin; so long as this Anukramaṇī remains, it cleanses the sins gathered by day and night.
bhāratasya vapuḥ hi etat; satyaṁ ca amṛtam eva ca. navanītaṁ yathā dadhnaḥ; dvipadāṁ brāhmaṇaḥ yathā ॥201॥
This, indeed, is the very essence of the Mahābhārata—truth and immortality itself; just as butter is from curd, so is the Brāhmaṇa among bipeds.
hradānām udadhiḥ śreṣṭhaḥ; gauḥ variṣṭhā catuṣpadām. yathā etāni variṣṭhāni; tathā bhāratam ucyate ॥202॥
Just as the ocean is the greatest of waters, and the cow the best of quadrupeds, so is the Mahābhārata held to be the greatest among texts.
yaḥ ca enam śrāvayet śrāddhe; brāhmaṇān pādam antataḥ. akṣayyam anna-pānaṁ tat; pitṝn tasya upatiṣṭhati ॥203॥
Whoever causes even a portion of this to be heard by Brāhmaṇas at a śrāddha, his ancestors receive inexhaustible food and drink.
itihāsa-purāṇābhyāṁ; vedam samupabṛṁhayet. bibheti alpa-śrutāt vedaḥ; mām ayam pratariṣyati ॥204॥
One should augment the Veda through the Itihāsa and Purāṇas; the Veda fears the one of little knowledge, saying, “This person will not carry me across.”
kārṣṇam vedam imam vidvān; śrāvayitvā artham aśnute. bhrūṇa-hatyā-kṛtaṁ ca api; pāpaṁ jahyāt na saṁśayaḥ ॥205॥
He who recites this Mahābhārata—called the Kārṣṇa Veda—gains its fruit, and is freed even from the sin of foetal destruction—there is no doubt of this.
yaḥ imaṁ śuciḥ adhyāyaṁ paṭhet parvaṇi parvaṇi. adhītaṁ bhārataṁ tena kṛtsnaṁ syāt iti me matiḥ ॥206॥
Whoever, remaining pure, reads this chapter on each festival day—it is as though he has studied the entire Mahābhārata; such is my conviction.
yaḥ ca imaṁ śṛṇuyāt nityam; ārṣaṁ śraddhā-samanvitaḥ. saḥ dīrgham āyuḥ kīrtiṁ ca; svarga-gatim ca āpnuyāt naraḥ ॥207॥
He who listens daily to this ancient scripture with faith attains long life, fame, and the path to heaven.
catvāraḥ ekataḥ vedāḥ; bhāratam ca ekam ekataḥ. samāgataiḥ surarṣibhiḥ; tulām āropitaṁ purā ॥208॥
The four Vedas on one side, and the Mahābhārata on the other—thus, long ago, the divine sages weighed them on a balance.
mahatve ca gurutve ca; dhriyamāṇaṁ tataḥ adhikam ॥208॥
And in both greatness and gravity, the Mahābhārata weighed heavier on the scale.
mahatvāt bhāravattvāt ca; mahābhāratam ucyate. niruktam asya yaḥ veda; sarva-pāpaiḥ pramucyate ॥209॥
Because of its greatness and profundity, it is called the Mahābhārata; whoever knows its true import is freed from all sin.
tapaḥ na kalkaḥ adhyayanaṁ na kalkaḥ. svābhāvikaḥ veda-vidhiḥ na kalkaḥ. prasahya vitta-haraṇaṁ na kalkaḥ; tāni eva bhāva-upahatāni kalkaḥ ॥210॥
Austerity is not impurity; study is not impurity; natural adherence to the Vedic order is not impurity; even forcible seizure of wealth is not impurity—only those acts corrupted by inner disposition are truly impure.
