02.052
Core-Pancharatra: Yudhisthira along with his brothers and Draupadi come to Hastinapura to participate in the game of dice.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tataḥ prāyād viduro'śvair udāraiḥ mahājavair balibhiḥ sādhu-dāntaiḥ. balāt niyukto dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa rājñā; manīṣiṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ sakāśam ॥2-52-1॥
Then Vidura, compelled by King Dhritarashtra, set out with noble, swift, strong, and well-trained horses towards the wise Pandavas. (2-52-1)
so'bhipatya tadadhvānam āsādya nṛpateḥ puram। praviveśa mahābuddhiḥ pūjyamāno dvijātibhiḥ ॥2-52-2॥
He, having traversed that path and reached the king's city, the wise one entered, being honored by the Brahmins. (2-52-2)
sa rājakṛham āsādya kuberabhavanopamam। abhyagacchata dharmātmā dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥2-52-3॥
He reached the royal palace, which resembled Kubera's mansion, and the righteous one approached Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma. (2-52-3)
taṃ vai rājā satyadhṛtirmahātmā; ajātaśatrurviduraṃ yathāvat। pūjāpūrvaṃ pratigṛhyājamīḍha; stato'pṛcchaddhṛtarāṣṭraṃ saputram ॥2-52-4॥
King Satyadhṛti, the great-souled, and Ajātaśatru (Yudhiṣṭhira), after properly receiving Vidura with due honor, then Ajamīḍha (Yudhiṣṭhira) asked Dhṛtarāṣṭra along with his son. (2-52-4)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
vijñāyate te manaso na praharṣaḥ; kaccitkṣattaḥ kuśalenāgato'si. kaccitputrāḥ sthaviras-yānulomā; vaśānugāścāpi viśo'pi kaccit ॥2-52-5॥
It is understood that your mind is not overjoyed; O charioteer, have you come safely? Are the sons of the elder obedient to him? And are the people also under control? (2-52-5)
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura said.
rājā mahātmā kuśalī saputra; āste vṛto jñātibhir indrakalpaiḥ। prīto rājan putragaṇair vinītaiḥ; viśoka eva ātmaratir dṛḍhātmā ॥2-52-6॥
The great-souled king, prosperous and with sons, lives surrounded by relatives equal to Indra. O king, he is pleased by his well-mannered sons, free from sorrow, delighting in his own self, and firm in mind. (2-52-6)
idaṃ tu tvāṃ kururājo'bhyuvāca; pūrvaṃ pṛṣṭvā kuśalaṃ cāvyayaṃ ca. iyaṃ sabhā tvatsabhātulyarūpā; bhrātṝṇāṃ te paśya tāmetya putra ॥2-52-7॥
But the king of the Kurus addressed you, having first inquired about your well-being and imperishable state. This assembly is of a form equal to your own; see her, having come, O son, of your brothers. (2-52-7)
samāgamya bhrātṛbhiḥ pārtha tasyāṃ; suhṛddyūtaṃ kriyatāṃ ramyatāṃ ca। prīyāmahe bhavataḥ saṅgamena; samāgatāḥ kuravaścaiva sarve ॥2-52-8॥
O Pārtha, having gathered here with your brothers, let a friendly game of dice be played and let there be enjoyment. We are pleased by your company; all the Kurus have assembled here as well. (2-52-8)
durodarā vihitā ye tu tatra; mahātmanā dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa rājñā. tāndrakṣyase kitavānsaṃniviṣṭā; nityāgato'haṃ nṛpate tajjuṣasva ॥2-52-9॥
Those difficult-to-conquer ones appointed there by the great-souled King Dhritarashtra, you will see them assembled, O gambler; I am always present, O king, accept that. (2-52-9)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
dyūte kṣattaḥ kalaho vidyate naḥ; ko vai dyūtaṃ rocayedbudhyamānaḥ. kiṃ vā bhavān manyate yuktarūpaṃ; bhavadvākye sarva eva sthitāḥ sma ॥2-52-10॥
O Kṣatta, there is quarrel for us in gambling; who, being aware, would approve of gambling? What do you think is proper? We all indeed stood by your words. (2-52-10)
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura said.
jānāmyahaṃ dyūtamanarthamūlaṃ; kṛtaśca yatno'sya mayā nivāraṇe. rājā tu māṃ prāhiṇottvatsakāśaṃ; śrutvā vidvañśreya ihācarasva ॥2-52-11॥
I am aware that gambling is the root of misfortune, and I have made efforts to prevent it. However, the king has sent me to you; having heard this, O learned one, please act here for the welfare. (2-52-11)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
ke tatrānye kitavā dīvyamānā; vinā rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putraiḥ। pṛcchāmi tvāṃ vidura brūhi nastā; nyairdīvyāmaḥ śataśaḥ saṃnipatya ॥2-52-12॥
Who are the other gamblers there, apart from the sons of King Dhritarashtra? I ask you, Vidura, tell us, those with whom we assemble by the hundreds to play dice. (2-52-12)
vidura uvāca॥
Vidura said.
gāndhārarājaḥ śakunirviśāṃ pate; rājātidevī kṛtahasto matākṣaḥ. viviṃśatiścitrasenaśca rājā; satyavrataḥ purumitro jayaśca ॥2-52-13॥
Śakuni, the king of Gandhara and lord of men; Rājātidevī, the accomplished-handed, Matākṣa; Viviṃśati, Citrasena, the king; Satyavrata, Purumitra, and Jaya. (2-52-13)
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
mahābhayāḥ kitavāḥ saṁniviṣṭā; māyopadhā devitāro'tra santi. dhātrā tu diṣṭasya vaśe kiledam; nādevanaṁ kitavairadya tairme ॥2-52-14॥
Terrifying deceivers have gathered here, employing trickery and pretending to be divine. Yet, all this is truly under the control of fate as ordained by the Creator; today, what happens to me is not outside the divine order, even though it is caused by those deceivers. (2-52-14)
nāhaṃ rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya śāsanā; nna gantumicchāmi kave durodaram। iṣṭo hi putrasya pitā sadaiva; tadasmi kartā vidurāttha māṃ yathā ॥2-52-15॥
I am not under the command of King Dhritarashtra; I do not wish to go to Duryodhana, O sage. A father is always dear to his son; I am such a doer, as you have known me from Vidura. (2-52-15)
na cākāmaḥ śakunina devitāhaṃ; na cen māṃ dhṛṣṇur āhvayitā sabhāyām. āhūto'ham na nivarte kadā ci; tadāhitaṃ śāśvataṃ vai vrataṃ me ॥2-52-16॥
I am not unwilling to play at dice with Śakuni; nor, if a bold one challenges me in the assembly, will I refuse. If summoned, I never turn back; that is my eternal and indeed established vow. (2-52-16)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evam-uktvā viduraṃ dharmarājaḥ; prāyātrikaṃ sarvam-ājñāpya tūrṇam। prāyāt-śvo bhūte sagaṇaḥ sānuyātraḥ; saha strībhiḥ draupadīm-ādi-kṛtvā ॥2-52-17॥
Having thus spoken to Vidura, Dharmarāja quickly instructed all matters related to departure and, on the next day, set out with his retinue and followers, together with the women, taking Draupadī and the others with him. (2-52-17)
daivaṃ prajñāṃ tu muṣṇāti tejaś cakṣur ivāpatat। dhātuś ca vaśam anveti pāśair iva naraḥ sitaḥ ॥2-52-18॥
Fate deprives a person of wisdom, just as energy leaves the eyes; and the bodily constitution comes under control, like an old man bound by fetters. (2-52-18)
ity uktvā prayayau rājā saha kṣattrā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। amṛṣyamāṇas tat pārthaḥ samāhvānam ariṃdamaḥ ॥2-52-19॥
Having spoken thus, King Yudhishthira departed with his charioteer. Unable to bear it, Arjuna, the son of Pritha and subduer of enemies, accepted the challenge. (2-52-19)
bāhlikena rathaṃ dattam āsthāya paravīrahā। paricchanno yayau pārtho bhrātṛbhiḥ saha pāṇḍavaḥ ॥2-52-20॥
Pārtha (Arjuna), armored and the destroyer of enemy heroes, mounted the chariot given by Bāhlika and went forth together with his brothers, the Pāṇḍavas. (2-52-20)
rājaśriyā dīpyamāno yayau brahmapuraḥsaraḥ। dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa cāhūtaḥ kālasya samayena ca ॥2-52-21॥
Radiant with royal splendour and accompanied by Brahmins, he proceeded, having been summoned by Dhritarashtra at the appointed time. (2-52-21)
sa hāstinapuraṃ gatvā dhṛtarāṣṭragṛhaṃ yayau। samiyāya ca dharmātmā dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa pāṇḍavaḥ ॥2-52-22॥
He went to Hastinapura and then to the house of Dhritarashtra. The righteous Pandava was received by Dhritarashtra. (2-52-22)
tathā droṇena bhīṣmeṇa karṇena ca kṛpeṇa ca। samiyāya yathānyāyaṃ drauṇinā ca vibhuḥ saha ॥2-52-23॥
Thus, the mighty one approached together with Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Kṛpa, and the son of Droṇa, in the proper manner. (2-52-23)
sametya ca mahābāhuḥ somadattena caiva ha। duryodhanena śalyena saubalena ca vīryavān ॥2-52-24॥
Having assembled, the mighty-armed Bhīṣma, along with Somadatta, Duryodhana, Śalya, and the powerful son of Subala (Śakuni), gathered together. (2-52-24)
ye cānye tatra rājānaḥ pūrvameva samāgatāḥ। jayadrathena ca tathā kurubhiścāpi sarvaśaḥ ॥2-52-25॥
And those other kings who had already assembled there, along with Jayadratha and also entirely by the Kurus. (2-52-25)
tataḥ sarvair mahābāhur bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ। praviveśa gṛhaṃ rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya dhīmataḥ ॥2-52-26॥
Then, surrounded by all his brothers, the mighty-armed one entered the house of the wise King Dhritarashtra. (2-52-26)
dadarśa tatra gāndhārīṃ devīṃ patimanuvratām। snuṣābhiḥ saṃvṛtāṃ śaśvattārābhiriva rohiṇīm ॥2-52-27॥
There he saw Queen Gandhari, ever devoted to her husband, surrounded by her daughters-in-law, just as Rohini is always encircled by the stars. (2-52-27)
abhivādya sa gāndhārīṃ tayā ca pratinanditaḥ। dadarśa pitaraṃ vṛddhaṃ prajñācakṣuṣam īśvaram ॥2-52-28॥
After saluting Gandhari and being greeted by her, he saw his aged father, the lord whose vision is wisdom. (2-52-28)
rājñā mūrdhanyupāghrātās te ca kauravanandanāḥ। catvāraḥ pāṇḍavā rājān bhīmasenapurogamāḥ ॥2-52-29॥
O king, the four Pāṇḍavas, headed by Bhīmasena, who were the delight of the Kauravas, had their heads smelled by the king as a mark of blessing. (2-52-29)
tato harṣaḥ samabhavat kauravāṇāṃ viśāṃ pate. tān dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrān pāṇḍavān priyadarśanān ॥2-52-30॥
Then, O lord of kings, joy arose among the Kauravas when they saw the Pāṇḍavas, those tigers among men, who were pleasing to behold. (2-52-30)
viviśus te'bhyanujñātā ratnavanti gṛhāṇy atha। dadṛśuś copayātās tān draupadī-pramukhāḥ striyaḥ ॥2-52-31॥
Having received permission, they entered the jewel-filled houses; then the women, led by Draupadī, came forward and saw them. (2-52-31)
yājñasenyāḥ parāmṛddhiṃ dṛṣṭvā prajvalitām iva। snuṣās tā dhṛtarāṣṭrasya nātipramanaso'bhavan ॥2-52-32॥
When the daughters-in-law of Dhṛtarāṣṭra saw the blazing great prosperity of the son of Yājñasena (Draupadī), they were not very pleased. (2-52-32)
tataste puruṣavyāghrā gatvā strībhistu saṃvidam। kṛtvā vyāyāmapūrvāṇi kṛtyāni pratikarma ca ॥2-52-33॥
Then those tiger-like men, after going and making arrangements with the women, performed the preliminary exercises, duties, and counter-actions. (2-52-33)
tataḥ kṛtāhnikāḥ sarve divyacandanarūṣitāḥ। kalyāṇamanasaścaiva brāhmaṇānsvasti vācya ca ॥2-52-34॥
Then, after all had performed their daily rituals and were anointed with divine sandalwood, with auspicious minds, they were to offer words of well-being to the Brāhmaṇas. (2-52-34)
manojñamaśanaṃ bhuktvā viviśuḥ śaraṇānyatha। upagīyamānā nārībhirasvapankurunandanāḥ ॥2-52-35॥
After enjoying delicious food, the Kurus entered their shelters; as the women sang to them, they fell asleep. (2-52-35)
jagāma teṣāṃ sā rātriḥ puṇyā rativihāriṇām। stūyamānāś ca viśrāntāḥ kāle nidrām athātyajan ॥2-52-36॥
That auspicious night for those who delighted in pleasure passed; praised and having rested, at the proper time, they then gave up sleep. (2-52-36)
sukhoṣitāstāṃ rajanīṃ prātaḥ sarve kṛtāhnikāḥ। sabhāṃ ramyāṃ praviviśuḥ kitavairabhisaṃvṛtām ॥2-52-37॥
After spending the night happily, in the morning, all of them, having completed their morning rituals, entered the beautiful assembly hall, which was surrounded by gamblers. (2-52-37)
