02.045
Core-Pancharatra: Duyodhana, Shakuni and Dritarastra plan for a game of dice and send Vidura to fetch Yudhisthira.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
anubhūya tu rājñas taṃ rājasūyaṃ mahākratum। yudhiṣṭhirasya nṛpater gāndhārīputrasaṃyutaḥ ॥2-45-1॥
But having participated in that great Rājasūya sacrifice of King Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by the sons of Gandhari. (2-45-1)
priyakṛnmatamājñāya pūrvaṃ duryodhanasya tat। prajñācakṣuṣamāsīnaṃ śakuniḥ saubalastadā ॥2-45-2॥
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)
duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janādhipam। upagamya mahāprājñaṃ śakunirvākyamabravīt ॥2-45-3॥
After hearing Duryodhana's words, Shakuni, the greatly wise, approached Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and spoke these words. (2-45-3)
duryodhanaḥ mahārāja vivarṇaḥ hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ। dīnaś cintāparaś caiva tad viddhi bharatarṣabha ॥2-45-4॥
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)
na vai parīkṣase samyag asahyaṃ śatrusambhavam। jyeṣṭhaputrasya śokaṃ tvaṃ kimarthaṃ nāvabudhyase ॥2-45-5॥
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)
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
duryodhana kutomūlaṃ bhṛśam ārto'si putraka। śrotavyaś cen mayā so'rtho brūhi me kurunandana ॥2-45-6॥
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)
ayaṃ tvāṃ śakuniḥ prāha vivarṇaṃ hariṇaṃ kṛśam| cintayaṃś ca na paśyāmi śokasya tava sambhavam ॥2-45-7॥
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)
aiśvaryaṃ hi mahatputra tvayi sarvaṃ samarpitam। bhrātaraḥ suhṛdaścaiva nācaranti tavāpriyam ॥2-45-8॥
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)
ācchādayasi prāvārānaśnāsi piśitaudanam। ājāneyā vahanti tvāṃ kenāsi hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ ॥2-45-9॥
You wear garments, eat meat and rice, and thoroughbred horses carry you. Why then are you thin, O tawny one? (2-45-9)
śayanāni mahārhāṇi yoṣitaś ca manoramāḥ। guṇavanti ca veśmāni vihārāś ca yathāsukham ॥2-45-10॥
There were very costly beds, charming women, mansions endowed with qualities, and pleasure-grounds, all arranged for comfort. (2-45-10)
devānām iva te sarvaṃ vāci baddhaṃ na saṃśayaḥ। sa dīna iva durdharṣaḥ kasmāc chocasi putraka ॥2-45-11॥
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)
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said.
aśnāmyācchādaye cāhaṃ yathā kupuruṣastathā| amarṣaṃ dhārye cograṃ titikṣan kālaparyayam ॥2-45-12॥
I eat and clothe myself just like a wicked man; I bear fierce anger, enduring it for a period of time. (2-45-12)
amarṣaṇaḥ svāḥ prakṛtīr abhibhūya pare sthitāḥ। kleśān mumukṣuḥ parajāns vai puruṣa ucyate ॥2-45-13॥
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)
santoṣo vai śriyaṃ hanti abhimānaś ca bhārata। anukrośa-bhaye ca ubhe yair vṛto nāśnute mahat ॥2-45-14॥
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)
na mām avati tadbhuktaṃ śriyaṃ dṛṣṭvā yudhiṣṭhire। jvalantīm iva kaunteye vivarṇakaraṇīṃ mama ॥2-45-15॥
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)
sapatnānṛdhyato''tmānaṃ hīyamānaṃ niśāmya ca। adṛśyāmapi kaunteye sthitāṃ paśyannivodyatām ॥ tasmādahaṃ vivarṇaśca dīnaśca hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ ॥2-45-16॥
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)
aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi snātakā gṛhamedhinaḥ। triṃśaddāsīka ekaiko yānbibharti yudhiṣṭhiraḥ॥2-45-17॥
Yudhishthira supports eighty-eight thousand householders who are graduates of sacred study, each of whom has thirty servants. (2-45-17)
daśānyāni sahasrāṇi nityaṃ tatrānnamuttamam। bhuñjate rukmapātrībhiryudhiṣṭhiraniveśane ॥2-45-18॥
Every day, ten thousand others enjoy excellent food served in golden vessels in the abode of Yudhishthira. (2-45-18)
kadalī-mṛga-mokāni kṛṣṇa-śyāma-aruṇāni ca। kāmbojaḥ prāhiṇot tasmai parārdhyān api kambalān ॥2-45-19॥
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)
rathayoṣidgavāśvasya śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ। triṃśataṃ coṣṭravāmīnāṃ śatāni vicarantyuta ॥2-45-20॥
There are hundreds and thousands of chariots, women, cows, and horses; and thirty hundreds of she-camels also roam about here. (2-45-20)
pṛthagvidhāni ratnāni pārthivāḥ pṛthivīpate। āharan kratumukhye'smin kuntīputrāya bhūriśaḥ ॥2-45-21॥
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)
na kvacid dhi mayā dṛṣṭas tādṛśo naiva ca śrutaḥ। yādṛg dhanāgamo yajñe pāṇḍuputrasya dhīmataḥ॥2-45-22॥
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)
aparyantaṃ dhanaughaṃ taṃ dṛṣṭvā śatrorahaṃ nṛpa। śarma naivādhigacchāmi cintayāno'niśaṃ vibho ॥2-45-23॥
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)
brāhmaṇā vāṭadhānāś ca gomantaḥ śatasaṅghaśaḥ। traikharvaṃ balim ādāya dvāri tiṣṭhanti vāritāḥ॥2-45-24॥
Brahmins, garden-keepers, and Gomanta, in groups of hundreds, having brought an offering of three kharvas, stand restrained at the gate. (2-45-24)
kamaṇḍalūn upādāya jātarūpamayāñ śubhān। evaṃ baliṃ samādāya praveśaṃ lebhire tataḥ ॥2-45-25॥
They took auspicious golden water pots, collected the offering, and then gained entrance. (2-45-25)
yannaiva madhu śakrāya dhārayantyamara-striyaḥ। tadasmai kāṁsyamāhārṣīdvāruṇaṁ kalaśodadhiḥ ॥2-45-26॥
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)
śaikyaṃ rukmasahasrasya bahuratnavibhūṣitam। dṛṣṭvā ca mama tatsarvaṃ jvararūpamivābhavat ॥2-45-27॥
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)
gṛhītvā tattu gacchanti samudrau pūrvadakṣiṇau। tathaiva paścimaṃ yānti gṛhītvā bharatarṣabha ॥2-45-28॥
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)
uttaraṃ tu na gacchanti vinā tāta patatribhiḥ। idaṃ cādbhutam atrāsīt tan me nigadataḥ śṛṇu ॥2-45-29॥
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)
pūrṇe śatasahasre tu viprāṇāṃ pariviṣyatām। sthāpitā tatra sañjñābhūcchaṅkho dhmāyati nityaśaḥ ॥2-45-30॥
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)
muhurmuhuḥ praṇadatastasya śaṅkhasya bhārata। uttamaṃ śabdam aśrauṣaṃ tato romāṇi me' hṛṣan ॥2-45-31॥
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)
pārthivair bahubhiḥ kīrṇam upasthānaṃ didṛkṣubhiḥ। sarva-ratnāni upādāya pārthivā vai janeśvara ॥2-45-32॥
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)
yajñe tasya mahārāja pāṇḍuputrasya dhīmataḥ। vaiśyā iva mahīpālā dvijātapariveṣakāḥ ॥2-45-33॥
O great king, at the sacrifice of the wise son of Pāṇḍu, the kings served the twice-born like Vaiśyas. (2-45-33)
na sā śrīr devarājasya yamasya varuṇasya vā। guhyakādhipater vāpi yā śrī rājan yudhiṣṭhire ॥2-45-34॥
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)
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍuputrasya śriyaṃ paramikāmaham। śāntiṃ na parigacchāmi dahyamānena cetasā ॥2-45-35॥
Seeing the supreme prosperity of the son of Pandu, I cannot find peace, my mind burning with anguish. (2-45-35)
śakuniruvāca॥
Shakuni said.
yāmetāmuttamāṃ lakṣmīṃ dṛṣṭavānasi pāṇḍave| tasyāḥ prāptāvupāyaṃ me śṛṇu satyaparākrama ॥2-45-36॥
O truly valiant Pāṇḍava, listen to my method for attaining this excellent fortune whom you have seen. (2-45-36)
aham akṣeṣu abhijñātaḥ pṛthivyām api bhārata। hṛdayajñaḥ paṇajñaś ca viśeṣajñaś ca devane ॥2-45-37॥
O Bhārata, I am well-known among dice on earth; in gambling, I am the knower of hearts, stakes, and distinctions. (2-45-37)
dyūtapriyaś ca kaunteyo na ca jānāti devitum। āhūtaś caiṣyati vyaktaṃ dīvyāvet yāhvayasva tam ॥2-45-38॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evam-uktaḥ śakuninā rājā duryodhanas-tadā। dhṛtarāṣṭram-idaṃ vākyam-apadāntaram-abravīt ॥2-45-39॥
When Śakuni had spoken thus, King Duryodhana immediately addressed these words to Dhṛtarāṣṭra without pause. (2-45-39)
ayam utsahate rājan śriyam āhartum akṣavit। dyūtena pāṇḍuputrasya tad anujñātum arhasi ॥2-45-40॥
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)
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
kṣattā mantrī mahāprājñaḥ sthito yasyāsmi śāsane। tena saṅgamya vetsyāmi kāryasyāsya viniścayam ॥2-45-41॥
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)
sa hi dharmaṃ puraskṛtya dīrghadarśī paraṃ hitam। ubhayoḥ pakṣayor yuktaṃ vakṣyaty arthaviniścayam ॥2-45-42॥
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)
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said.
nivartayiṣyati tvāsau yadi kṣattā sameṣyati। nivṛtte tvayi rājendra mariṣye'hamasaṃśayam ॥2-45-43॥
If the charioteer brings you back, then when you have returned, O king, I shall certainly die. (2-45-43)
sa mayi tvaṃ mṛte rājan vidureṇa sukhī bhava। bhokṣyase pṛthivīṃ kṛtsnāṃ kiṃ mayā tvaṃ kariṣyasi ॥2-45-44॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ārtavākyaṃ tu tat tasya praṇayoktaṃ niśamya saḥ। dhṛtarāṣṭro'bravīt preṣyān duryodhanamate sthitaḥ ॥2-45-45॥
But when he heard that distressed and affectionate speech, Dhritarashtra, who was aligned with Duryodhana's views, spoke to the messengers. (2-45-45)
sthūṇāsahasrair bṛhatīṃ śatadvārāṃ sabhāṃ mama। manoramāṃ darśanīyām āśu kurvantu śilpinaḥ ॥2-45-46॥
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)
tataḥ saṃstīrya ratnaistām akṣān āvāpya sarvaśaḥ। sukṛtāṃ supraveśāṃ ca nivedayata me śanaiḥ ॥2-45-47॥
Then, after spreading jewels and arranging the dice completely, he gently informed me about the well-made and easily accessible place. (2-45-47)
duryodhanasya śānty-artham iti niścitya bhūmipaḥ। dhṛtarāṣṭro mahārāja prāhiṇod vidurāya vai ॥2-45-48॥
O great king, having resolved for the sake of peace with Duryodhana, King Dhritarashtra indeed sent Vidura. (2-45-48)
apṛṣṭvā viduraṃ hy asya nāsīt kaścid viniścayaḥ। dyūtadoṣāṃś ca jānans putrasnehād akṛṣyata ॥2-45-49॥
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)
tacchrutvā viduro dhīmān kalidvāram upasthitam। vināśamukham utpannaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭram upādravat ॥2-45-50॥
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)
so'bhigamya mahātmānaṃ bhrātā bhrātaramagrajam। mūrdhnā praṇamya caraṇāvidan vacanamabravīt ॥2-45-51॥
He approached his elder brother, the great-souled one, and, bowing his head at his feet, spoke these words. (2-45-51)
nābhinandāmi te rājan vyavasāyam imaṃ prabho। putrair bhedo yathā na syād dyūta-hetos tathā kuru ॥2-45-52॥
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)
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
kṣattaḥ putreṣu putrair me kalaho na bhaviṣyati। divi devāḥ prasādaṃ naḥ kariṣyanti na saṃśayaḥ ॥2-45-53॥
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)
aśubhaṃ vā śubhaṃ vāpi hitaṃ vā yadi vāhitam। pravartatāṃ suhṛddyūtaṃ diṣṭametanna saṃśayaḥ ॥2-45-54॥
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)
mayi saṃnihite caiva bhīṣme ca bharatarṣabhe। anayo daivavihito na kathaṃcidbhaviṣyati ॥2-45-55॥
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)
gaccha tvaṃ ratham āsthāya hayair vāta-samaiḥ jave। khāṇḍavaprastham adyaiva samānaya yudhiṣṭhiram ॥2-45-56॥
Go now, mount the chariot drawn by horses as swift as the wind, and bring Yudhishthira to Khandavaprastha today itself. (2-45-56)
na vāryo vyavasāyo me viduraitadbravīmi te। daivameva paraṃ manye yenaitadupapadyate ॥2-45-57॥
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)
ityukto viduro dhīmān naitad astīti cintayan। āpageyaṃ mahāprājñam abhyagacchat suduḥkhitaḥ ॥2-45-58॥
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)
