02.045
Core-Pancharatra: Duyodhana, Shakuni and Dritarastra plan for a game of dice and send Vidura to fetch Yudhisthira.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अनुभूय तु राज्ञस्तं राजसूयं महाक्रतुम्। युधिष्ठिरस्य नृपतेर्गान्धारीपुत्रसंयुतः ॥२-४५-१॥
But having participated in that great Rājasūya sacrifice of King Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by the sons of Gandhari. (2-45-1)
प्रियकृन्मतमाज्ञाय पूर्वं दुर्योधनस्य तत्। प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमासीनं शकुनिः सौबलस्तदा ॥२-४५-२॥
Śakuni, son of Subala, who was seated with insight, having previously understood the opinion of the well-wisher, that is, Duryodhana, then (spoke). (2-45-2)
दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा धृतराष्ट्रं जनाधिपम्। उपगम्य महाप्राज्ञं शकुनिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥२-४५-३॥
After hearing Duryodhana's words, Shakuni, the greatly wise, approached Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and spoke these words. (2-45-3)
दुर्योधनो महाराज विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः। दीनश्चिन्तापरश्चैव तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ ॥२-४५-४॥
O best of the Bharatas, know that Duryodhana, the great king, was pale, emaciated like a deer, dejected, and deeply absorbed in anxiety. (2-45-4)
न वै परीक्षसे सम्यगसह्यं शत्रुसम्भवम्। ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य शोकं त्वं किमर्थं नावबुध्यसे ॥२-४५-५॥
You do not properly examine the unbearable origin of the enemy. Why do you not understand the grief of your eldest son? (2-45-5)
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
दुर्योधन कुतोमूलं भृशमार्तोऽसि पुत्रक। श्रोतव्यश्चेन्मया सोऽर्थो ब्रूहि मे कुरुनन्दन ॥२-४५-६॥
Duryodhana, what is the root cause? You seem deeply troubled, my son. If there is something I should hear, tell me, O joy of the Kurus. (2-45-6)
अयं त्वां शकुनिः प्राह विवर्णं हरिणं कृशम्। चिन्तयंश्च न पश्यामि शोकस्य तव सम्भवम् ॥२-४५-७॥
This bird said to you, the pale and emaciated deer: 'Even as I think, I do not see the cause of your sorrow.' (2-45-7)
ऐश्वर्यं हि महत्पुत्र त्वयि सर्वं समर्पितम्। भ्रातरः सुहृदश्चैव नाचरन्ति तवाप्रियम् ॥२-४५-८॥
O great prince, all sovereignty is indeed entrusted to you; your brothers and friends do not do anything that would displease you. (2-45-8)
आच्छादयसि प्रावारानश्नासि पिशितौदनम्। आजानेया वहन्ति त्वां केनासि हरिणः कृशः ॥२-४५-९॥
You wear garments, eat meat and rice, and thoroughbred horses carry you. Why then are you thin, O tawny one? (2-45-9)
शयनानि महार्हाणि योषितश्च मनोरमाः। गुणवन्ति च वेश्मानि विहाराश्च यथासुखम् ॥२-४५-१०॥
There were very costly beds, charming women, mansions endowed with qualities, and pleasure-grounds, all arranged for comfort. (2-45-10)
देवानामिव ते सर्वं वाचि बद्धं न संशयः। स दीन इव दुर्धर्षः कस्माच्छोचसि पुत्रक ॥२-४५-११॥
All your words are as if bound in speech like those of the gods, without doubt. He, though appearing miserable, is difficult to overcome. Why do you grieve, O son? (2-45-11)
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said.
अश्नाम्याच्छादये चाहं यथा कुपुरुषस्तथा। अमर्षं धारये चोग्रं तितिक्षन्कालपर्ययम् ॥२-४५-१२॥
I eat and clothe myself just like a wicked man; I bear fierce anger, enduring it for a period of time. (2-45-12)
अमर्षणः स्वाः प्रकृतीरभिभूय परे स्थिताः। क्लेशान्मुमुक्षुः परजान्स वै पुरुष उच्यते ॥२-४५-१३॥
He who is not envious, who has overcome his own natures, who remains among others, who desires liberation from afflictions, he indeed is called a person who regards other beings thus. (2-45-13)
सन्तोषो वै श्रियं हन्ति अभिमानश्च भारत। अनुक्रोशभये चोभे यैर्वृतो नाश्नुते महत् ॥२-४५-१४॥
Contentment truly destroys prosperity; pride, O Bhārata, and both compassion and fear—one who is possessed by these does not attain greatness. (2-45-14)
न मामवति तद्भुक्तं श्रियं दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरे। ज्वलन्तीमिव कौन्तेये विवर्णकरणीं मम ॥२-४५-१५॥
That prosperity which I have enjoyed does not protect me, having seen blazing in Yudhiṣṭhira, like a fire in the son of Kunti, causing pallor in me. (2-45-15)
सपत्नानृध्यतोऽऽत्मानं हीयमानं निशाम्य च। अदृश्यामपि कौन्तेये स्थितां पश्यन्निवोद्यताम् ॥ तस्मादहं विवर्णश्च दीनश्च हरिणः कृशः ॥२-४५-१६॥
Seeing myself declining while my enemies prosper, and perceiving, as if, the unseen force standing ready within Kunti's son, therefore I am pale, miserable, and thin like a deer. (2-45-16)
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि स्नातका गृहमेधिनः। त्रिंशद्दासीक एकैको यान्बिभर्ति युधिष्ठिरः ॥२-४५-१७॥
Yudhishthira supports eighty-eight thousand householders who are graduates of sacred study, each of whom has thirty servants. (2-45-17)
दशान्यानि सहस्राणि नित्यं तत्रान्नमुत्तमम्। भुञ्जते रुक्मपात्रीभिर्युधिष्ठिरनिवेशने ॥२-४५-१८॥
Every day, ten thousand others enjoy excellent food served in golden vessels in the abode of Yudhishthira. (2-45-18)
कदलीमृगमोकानि कृष्णश्यामारुणानि च। काम्बोजः प्राहिणोत्तस्मै परार्ध्यानपि कम्बलान् ॥२-४५-१९॥
The king of Kamboja sent him very precious blankets made of banana plant and deer skins, which were black, dark, and reddish in color. (2-45-19)
रथयोषिद्गवाश्वस्य शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। त्रिंशतं चोष्ट्रवामीनां शतानि विचरन्त्युत ॥२-४५-२०॥
There are hundreds and thousands of chariots, women, cows, and horses; and thirty hundreds of she-camels also roam about here. (2-45-20)
पृथग्विधानि रत्नानि पार्थिवाः पृथिवीपते। आहरन्क्रतुमुख्येऽस्मिन्कुन्तीपुत्राय भूरिशः ॥२-४५-२१॥
O lord of the earth, the kings brought various kinds of gems in abundance to the son of Kuntī at this chief sacrifice. (2-45-21)
न क्वचिद्धि मया दृष्टस्तादृशो नैव च श्रुतः। यादृग्धनागमो यज्ञे पाण्डुपुत्रस्य धीमतः ॥२-४५-२२॥
Nowhere have I seen or heard of such an acquisition of wealth in a sacrifice as that of the wise son of Pāṇḍu. (2-45-22)
अपर्यन्तं धनौघं तं दृष्ट्वा शत्रोरहं नृप। शर्म नैवाधिगच्छामि चिन्तयानोऽनिशं विभो ॥२-४५-२३॥
O king, having seen that endless mass of wealth belonging to the enemy, I find no happiness at all, constantly reflecting on it, O lord. (2-45-23)
ब्राह्मणा वाटधानाश्च गोमन्तः शतसङ्घशः। त्रैखर्वं बलिमादाय द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वारिताः ॥२-४५-२४॥
Brahmins, garden-keepers, and Gomanta, in groups of hundreds, having brought an offering of three kharvas, stand restrained at the gate. (2-45-24)
कमण्डलूनुपादाय जातरूपमयाञ्शुभान्। एवं बलिं समादाय प्रवेशं लेभिरे ततः ॥२-४५-२५॥
They took auspicious golden water pots, collected the offering, and then gained entrance. (2-45-25)
यन्नैव मधु शक्राय धारयन्त्यमरस्त्रियः। तदस्मै कांस्यमाहार्षीद्वारुणं कलशोदधिः ॥२-४५-२६॥
The honey that the immortal women do not offer to Śakra, the ocean gave to him in a bronze vessel, the pitcher of Varuṇa. (2-45-26)
शैक्यं रुक्मसहस्रस्य बहुरत्नविभूषितम्। दृष्ट्वा च मम तत्सर्वं ज्वररूपमिवाभवत् ॥२-४५-२७॥
Seeing my iron chariot, worth a thousand gold pieces and adorned with many gems, all of it seemed to me as if it had become like a fever. (2-45-27)
गृहीत्वा तत्तु गच्छन्ति समुद्रौ पूर्वदक्षिणौ। तथैव पश्चिमं यान्ति गृहीत्वा भरतर्षभ ॥२-४५-२८॥
O best of the Bharatas, having taken that, they proceed to the eastern and southern oceans; likewise, having taken it, they go to the western ocean. (2-45-28)
उत्तरं तु न गच्छन्ति विना तात पतत्रिभिः। इदं चाद्भुतमत्रासीत्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥२-४५-२९॥
But, dear one, they do not go north without birds. And here, a wonderful thing happened; listen to me as I tell you about it. (2-45-29)
पूर्णे शतसहस्रे तु विप्राणां परिविष्यताम्। स्थापिता तत्र सञ्ज्ञाभूच्छङ्खो ध्मायति नित्यशः ॥२-४५-३०॥
When one hundred thousand meals were completed and the Brāhmaṇas had been served, a conch was established there as a signal, and it is always blown. (2-45-30)
महुर्मुहुः प्रणदतस्तस्य शङ्खस्य भारत। उत्तमं शब्दमश्रौषं ततो रोमाणि मेऽहृषन् ॥२-४५-३१॥
O Bhārata, as that conch sounded again and again, I heard its excellent sound, and then the hairs on my body stood on end. (2-45-31)
पार्थिवैर्बहुभिः कीर्णमुपस्थानं दिदृक्षुभिः। सर्वरत्नान्युपादाय पार्थिवा वै जनेश्वर ॥२-४५-३२॥
O lord of men, the assembly was filled with many kings who had come, desiring to see, bringing all kinds of jewels. (2-45-32)
यज्ञे तस्य महाराज पाण्डुपुत्रस्य धीमतः। वैश्या इव महीपाला द्विजातिपरिवेषकाः ॥२-४५-३३॥
O great king, at the sacrifice of the wise son of Pāṇḍu, the kings served the twice-born like Vaiśyas. (2-45-33)
न सा श्रीर्देवराजस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य वा। गुह्यकाधिपतेर्वापि या श्री राजन्युधिष्ठिरे ॥२-४५-३४॥
O king, the prosperity found in Yudhiṣṭhira is not that which belongs to the king of gods, Yama, Varuṇa, or even the lord of the Guhyakas. (2-45-34)
तां दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुपुत्रस्य श्रियं परमिकामहम्। शान्तिं न परिगच्छामि दह्यमानेन चेतसा ॥२-४५-३५॥
Seeing the supreme prosperity of the son of Pandu, I cannot find peace, my mind burning with anguish. (2-45-35)
शकुनिरुवाच॥
Shakuni said.
यामेतामुत्तमां लक्ष्मीं दृष्टवानसि पाण्डवे। तस्याः प्राप्तावुपायं मे शृणु सत्यपराक्रम ॥२-४५-३६॥
O truly valiant Pāṇḍava, listen to my method for attaining this excellent fortune whom you have seen. (2-45-36)
अहमक्षेष्वभिज्ञातः पृथिव्यामपि भारत। हृदयज्ञः पणज्ञश्च विशेषज्ञश्च देवने ॥२-४५-३७॥
O Bhārata, I am well-known among dice on earth; in gambling, I am the knower of hearts, stakes, and distinctions. (2-45-37)
द्यूतप्रियश्च कौन्तेयो न च जानाति देवितुम्। आहूतश्चैष्यति व्यक्तं दीव्यावेत्याह्वयस्व तम् ॥२-४५-३८॥
The son of Kunti is fond of gambling but does not know how to play; if invited, he will certainly come. Let him know to play and invite him. (2-45-38)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमुक्तः शकुनिना राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा। धृतराष्ट्रमिदं वाक्यमपदान्तरमब्रवीत् ॥२-४५-३९॥
When Śakuni had spoken thus, King Duryodhana immediately addressed these words to Dhṛtarāṣṭra without pause. (2-45-39)
अयमुत्सहते राजञ्श्रियमाहर्तुमक्षवित्। द्यूतेन पाण्डुपुत्रस्य तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥२-४५-४०॥
O king, this master of dice is able to take away the prosperity of the son of Pāṇḍu by gambling; you ought to permit that. (2-45-40)
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
क्षत्ता मन्त्री महाप्राज्ञः स्थितो यस्यास्मि शासने। तेन सङ्गम्य वेत्स्यामि कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चयम् ॥२-४५-४१॥
I am the chamberlain, minister, and very wise, standing under his rule; after meeting with him, I will ascertain the decision regarding this task. (2-45-41)
स हि धर्मं पुरस्कृत्य दीर्घदर्शी परं हितम्। उभयोः पक्षयोर्युक्तं वक्ष्यत्यर्थविनिश्चयम् ॥२-४५-४२॥
He, being truly farsighted and upholding dharma, will declare the proper determination of the matter for the supreme welfare of both sides. (2-45-42)
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said.
निवर्तयिष्यति त्वासौ यदि क्षत्ता समेष्यति। निवृत्ते त्वयि राजेन्द्र मरिष्येऽहमसंशयम् ॥२-४५-४३॥
If the charioteer brings you back, then when you have returned, O king, I shall certainly die. (2-45-43)
स मयि त्वं मृते राजन्विदुरेण सुखी भव। भोक्ष्यसे पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां किं मया त्वं करिष्यसि ॥२-४५-४४॥
O king, when I am dead, be happy with Vidura. You will enjoy the whole earth. What will you do with me? (2-45-44)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
आर्तवाक्यं तु तत्तस्य प्रणयोक्तं निशम्य सः। धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीत्प्रेष्यान्दुर्योधनमते स्थितः ॥२-४५-४५॥
But when he heard that distressed and affectionate speech, Dhritarashtra, who was aligned with Duryodhana's views, spoke to the messengers. (2-45-45)
स्थूणासहस्रैर्बृहतीं शतद्वारां सभां मम। मनोरमां दर्शनीयामाशु कुर्वन्तु शिल्पिनः ॥२-४५-४६॥
Let the artisans quickly construct my great assembly hall, adorned with a thousand pillars and a hundred doors, delightful and beautiful to behold. (2-45-46)
ततः संस्तीर्य रत्नैस्तामक्षानावाप्य सर्वशः। सुकृतां सुप्रवेशां च निवेदयत मे शनैः ॥२-४५-४७॥
Then, after spreading jewels and arranging the dice completely, he gently informed me about the well-made and easily accessible place. (2-45-47)
दुर्योधनस्य शान्त्यर्थमिति निश्चित्य भूमिपः। धृतराष्ट्रो महाराज प्राहिणोद्विदुराय वै ॥२-४५-४८॥
O great king, having resolved for the sake of peace with Duryodhana, King Dhritarashtra indeed sent Vidura. (2-45-48)
अपृष्ट्वा विदुरं ह्यस्य नासीत्कश्चिद्विनिश्चयः। द्यूतदोषांश्च जानन्स पुत्रस्नेहादकृष्यत ॥२-४५-४९॥
Without consulting Vidura, he had no certainty; though aware of the faults of gambling, out of affection for his son, he was drawn in. (2-45-49)
तच्छ्रुत्वा विदुरो धीमान्कलिद्वारमुपस्थितम्। विनाशमुखमुत्पन्नं धृतराष्ट्रमुपाद्रवत् ॥२-४५-५०॥
When Vidura, the wise one, heard this, and saw that the gate of Kali (discord) had arrived and the face of destruction had arisen, he approached Dhritarashtra. (2-45-50)
सोऽभिगम्य महात्मानं भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजम्। मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य चरणाविदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥२-४५-५१॥
He approached his elder brother, the great-souled one, and, bowing his head at his feet, spoke these words. (2-45-51)
नाभिनन्दामि ते राजन्व्यवसायमिमं प्रभो। पुत्रैर्भेदो यथा न स्याद्द्यूतहेतोस्तथा कुरु ॥२-४५-५२॥
O king, I do not approve of this course of action, O lord; act in such a way that there may not be division among the sons due to gambling. (2-45-52)
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
क्षत्तः पुत्रेषु पुत्रैर्मे कलहो न भविष्यति। दिवि देवाः प्रसादं नः करिष्यन्ति न संशयः ॥२-४५-५३॥
O Vidura, there will be no quarrel among my sons. The gods in heaven will bestow their favor upon us, there is no doubt about this. (2-45-53)
अशुभं वा शुभं वापि हितं वा यदि वाहितम्। प्रवर्ततां सुहृद्द्यूतं दिष्टमेतन्न संशयः ॥२-४५-५४॥
Whether it is inauspicious, auspicious, or even beneficial, or if it is carried out, let the friendly game of dice proceed; this is fate, there is no doubt about it. (2-45-54)
मयि संनिहिते चैव भीष्मे च भरतर्षभे। अनयो दैवविहितो न कथञ्चिद्भविष्यति ॥२-४५-५५॥
O best of the Bharatas, as long as I and Bhishma are present, nothing that is ordained by fate for these two will ever occur. (2-45-55)
गच्छ त्वं रथमास्थाय हयैर्वातसमैर्जवे। खाण्डवप्रस्थमद्यैव समानय युधिष्ठिरम् ॥२-४५-५६॥
Go now, mount the chariot drawn by horses as swift as the wind, and bring Yudhishthira to Khandavaprastha today itself. (2-45-56)
न वार्यो व्यवसायो मे विदुरैतद्ब्रवीमि ते। दैवमेव परं मन्ये येनैतदुपपद्यते ॥२-४५-५७॥
My effort cannot be restrained, this is known, I tell you. Yet, I consider fate alone to be supreme, by which all this is accomplished. (2-45-57)
इत्युक्तो विदुरो धीमान्नैतदस्तीति चिन्तयन्। आपगेयं महाप्राज्ञमभ्यगच्छत्सुदुःखितः ॥२-४५-५८॥
Thus, when addressed, the wise Vidura, thinking "this is not so", approached the greatly wise Bhīṣma, son of the river, in great distress. (2-45-58)
