02.066
Core-Pancharatra: Succumbing to Duryodhana, Dhritarastra sends messengers to bring back Pandavas for a game of dice.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said.
अनुज्ञातांस्तान्विदित्वा सरत्नधनसञ्चयान्। पाण्डवान्धार्तराष्ट्राणां कथमासीन्मनस्तदा ॥२-६६-१॥
Having permitted them and knowing the collections of jewels and wealth of the Pāṇḍavas and the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, how was the mind at that time? (2-66-1)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अनुज्ञातांस्तान्विदित्वा धृतराष्ट्रेण धीमता। राजन्दुःशासनः क्षिप्रं जगाम भ्रातरं प्रति ॥२-६६-२॥
O king, after realizing that the wise Dhṛtarāṣṭra had permitted them, Duḥśāsana quickly went to his brother. (2-66-2)
दुर्योधनं समासाद्य सामात्यं भरतर्षभ। दुःखार्तो भरतश्रेष्ठ इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥२-६६-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, having approached Duryodhana along with his ministers, the illustrious descendant of Bharata, afflicted by sorrow, spoke these words. (2-66-3)
दुःखेनैतत्समानीतं स्थविरो नाशयत्यसौ। शत्रुसाद्गमयद्द्रव्यं तद्बुध्यध्वं महारथाः ॥२-६६-४॥
O great chariot-warriors, know that the old one destroys this wealth, which has been brought together by suffering, and the enemy, having led the wealth to ruin. (2-66-4)
अथ दुर्योधनः कर्णः शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। मिथः सङ्गम्य सहिताः पाण्डवान्प्रति मानिनः ॥२-६६-५॥
Then Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Śakuni, the son of Subala, having come together, proudly advanced towards the Pāṇḍavas. (2-66-5)
वैचित्रवीर्यं राजानं धृतराष्ट्रं मनीषिणम्। अभिगम्य त्वरायुक्ताः श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रुवन् ॥२-६६-६॥
They quickly approached the wise king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, descendant of Vicitravīrya, and addressed him with gentle words. (2-66-6)
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said.
न त्वयेदं श्रुतं राजन्यज्जगाद बृहस्पतिः। शक्रस्य नीतिं प्रवदन्विद्वान्देवपुरोहितः ॥२-६६-७॥
O king, this has not been heard by you, which Bṛhaspati, the learned priest of the gods, spoke while expounding the policy of Śakra. (2-66-7)
सर्वोपायैर्निहन्तव्याः शत्रवः शत्रुकर्षण। पुरा युद्धाद्बलाद्वापि प्रकुर्वन्ति तवाहितम् ॥२-६६-८॥
O subduer of enemies, enemies must be destroyed by all means. Before the battle, they may cause you harm by force or by other means. (2-66-8)
ते वयं पाण्डवधनैः सर्वान्सम्पूज्य पार्थिवान्। यदि तान्योधयिष्यामः किं वा नः परिहास्यति ॥२-६६-९॥
We, having honored all the kings with the wealth of the Pāṇḍavas, if we fight them, what ridicule will come to us? (2-66-9)
अहीनाशीविषान्क्रुद्धान्दंशाय समुपस्थितान्। कृत्वा कण्ठे च पृष्ठे च कः समुत्स्रष्टुमर्हति ॥२-६६-१०॥
Who, having placed angry venomous serpents ready to bite on his neck and back, would be able to release them? (2-66-10)
आत्तशस्त्रा रथगताः कुपितास्तात पाण्डवाः। निःशेषं नः करिष्यन्ति क्रुद्धा ह्याशीविषा यथा ॥२-६६-११॥
O father, the Pāṇḍavas, having taken up weapons and mounted on their chariots, angry and enraged like venomous serpents, will indeed destroy us completely, just as serpents do. (2-66-11)
संनद्धो ह्यर्जुनो याति विवृत्य परमेषुधी। गाण्डीवं मुहुरादत्ते निःश्वसंश्च निरीक्षते ॥२-६६-१२॥
Arjuna, fully armed, moves forward after opening (his chariot), as the supreme archer. He repeatedly grasps his Gāṇḍīva bow, sighs, and surveys the surroundings. (2-66-12)
गदां गुर्वीं समुद्यम्य त्वरितश्च वृकोदरः। स्वरथं योजयित्वाशु निर्यात इति नः श्रुतम् ॥२-६६-१३॥
We have heard that Vṛkodara, after lifting his heavy mace and swiftly yoking his own chariot, departed quickly. (2-66-13)
नकुलः खड्गमादाय चर्म चाप्यष्टचन्द्रकम्। सहदेवश्च राजा च चक्रुराकारमिङ्गितैः ॥२-६६-१४॥
Nakulah took up his sword, shield, and the eight-moon ornament; Sahadeva and the king also made a formation by gestures. (2-66-14)
ते त्वास्थाय रथान्सर्वे बहुशस्त्रपरिच्छदान्। अभिघ्नन्तो रथव्रातान्सेनायोगाय निर्ययुः ॥२-६६-१५॥
But they all mounted their chariots equipped with many weapons and armours, and, striking at groups of chariots, set out for the battle array. (2-66-15)
न क्षंस्यन्ते तथास्माभिर्जातु विप्रकृता हि ते। द्रौपद्याश्च परिक्लेशं कस्तेषां क्षन्तुमर्हति ॥२-६६-१६॥
Those who have wronged us will never be forgiven by us. Who among them is worthy to forgive the distress caused to Draupadī? (2-66-16)
पुनर्दीव्याम भद्रं ते वनवासाय पाण्डवैः। एवमेतान्वशे कर्तुं शक्ष्यामो भरतर्षभ ॥२-६६-१७॥
Let us once again enjoy ourselves; may good befall you during the Pāṇḍavas' exile. In this way, we shall be able to keep these matters under control, O best of the Bharatas. (2-66-17)
ते वा द्वादश वर्षाणि वयं वा द्यूतनिर्जिताः। प्रविशेम महारण्यमजिनैः प्रतिवासिताः ॥२-६६-१८॥
Whether it is they or we who must spend twelve years, having been defeated in dice, let us enter the great forest clothed in skins. (2-66-18)
त्रयोदशं च सजने अज्ञाताः परिवत्सरम्। ज्ञाताश्च पुनरन्यानि वने वर्षाणि द्वादश ॥२-६६-१९॥
They spent the thirteenth year unknown among people, and the other twelve years known in the forest. (2-66-19)
निवसेम वयं ते वा तथा द्यूतं प्रवर्तताम्। अक्षानुप्त्वा पुनर्द्यूतमिदं दीव्यन्तु पाण्डवाः ॥२-६६-२०॥
Let us live here, or you may; otherwise, let the dice-game proceed. Having cast the dice, let the Pāṇḍavas play this game of dice again. (2-66-20)
एतत्कृत्यतमं राजन्नस्माकं भरतर्षभ। अयं हि शकुनिर्वेद सविद्यामक्षसम्पदम् ॥२-६६-२१॥
O king, this is the most important thing for us to do, bull among the Bharatas. Śakuni indeed knows this; he possesses the knowledge and mastery of dice. (2-66-21)
दृढमूला वयं राज्ये मित्राणि परिगृह्य च। सारवद्विपुलं सैन्यं सत्कृत्य च दुरासदम् ॥२-६६-२२॥
We, firmly established in the kingdom, having gathered friends and honored a strong and abundant army, are difficult to overcome. (2-66-22)
ते च त्रयोदशे वर्षे पारयिष्यन्ति चेद्व्रतम्। जेष्यामस्तान्वयं राजन्रोचतां ते परन्तप ॥२-६६-२३॥
If they complete the vow in the thirteenth year, O king, then we shall conquer them. Let this be pleasing to you, O scorcher of foes. (2-66-23)
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
तूर्णं प्रत्यानयस्वैतान्कामं व्यध्वगतानपि। आगच्छन्तु पुनर्द्यूतमिदं कुर्वन्तु पाण्डवाः ॥२-६६-२४॥
Quickly bring them back as desired, even those who have already departed; let the Pāṇḍavas return and play this dice game again. (2-66-24)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततो द्रोणः सोमदत्तो बाह्लीकश्च महारथः। विदुरो द्रोणपुत्रश्च वैश्यापुत्रश्च वीर्यवान् ॥२-६६-२५॥
Then Droṇa, Somadatta, Bāhlīka, and the great chariot-warrior, along with Vidura, the son of Droṇa, the son of a Vaiśya, and the powerful one, were present. (2-66-25)
भूरिश्रवाः शान्तनवो विकर्णश्च महारथः। मा द्यूतमित्यभाषन्त शमोऽस्त्विति च सर्वशः ॥२-६६-२६॥
Bhūriśravāḥ, the son of Śāntanu, Vikarṇa, and the great chariot-warrior all said: "Do not gamble" and also, "Let there be peace" by everyone. (2-66-26)
अकामानां च सर्वेषां सुहृदामर्थदर्शिनाम्। अकरोत्पाण्डवाह्वानं धृतराष्ट्रः सुतप्रियः ॥२-६६-२७॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who was fond of his son, extended the invitation to the Pāṇḍavas, even though all the well-wishing and discerning friends were unwilling. (2-66-27)
अथाब्रवीन्महाराज धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम्। पुत्रहार्दाद्धर्मयुक्तं गान्धारी शोककर्शिता ॥२-६६-२८॥
Then Gandhari, worn down by grief and filled with righteousness, out of affection for her son, addressed the great king Dhritarashtra, the lord of men. (2-66-28)
जाते दुर्योधने क्षत्ता महामतिरभाषत। नीयतां परलोकाय साध्वयं कुलपांसनः ॥२-६६-२९॥
After Duryodhana had left, the wise charioteer (Vidura) said, "Let this disgrace of the family be justly taken to the next world." (2-66-29)
वयनदज्जातमात्रो हि गोमायुरिव भारत। अन्तो नूनं कुलस्यास्य कुरवस्तन्निबोधत ॥२-६६-३०॥
O Bhārata, just as a newborn jackal cries out, so too, know that this marks the certain end of the Kurus of this family. (2-66-30)
मा बालानामशिष्टानामभिमंस्था मतिं प्रभो। मा कुलस्य क्षये घोरे कारणं त्वं भविष्यसि ॥२-६६-३१॥
O lord, do not consider the opinion of ill-mannered children. Do not become the terrible cause of the destruction of the family. (2-66-31)
बद्धं सेतुं को नु भिन्द्याद्धमेच्छान्तं च पावकम्। शमे धृतान्पुनः पार्थान्कोपयेत्को नु भारत ॥२-६६-३२॥
O Bhārata, who would break a constructed bridge, or wish to put out a fire? Who would again provoke the steadfast sons of Pṛthā when they are at peace? (2-66-32)
स्मरन्तं त्वामाजमीढ स्मारयिष्याम्यहं पुनः। शास्त्रं न शास्ति दुर्बुद्धिं श्रेयसे वेतराय वा ॥२-६६-३३॥
O descendant of Jamīḍha, as you remember, I will remind you again. The scripture does not instruct a person of poor understanding, whether for his good or otherwise. (2-66-33)
न वै वृद्धो बालमतिर्भवेद्राजन्कथञ्चन। त्वन्नेत्राः सन्तु ते पुत्रा मा त्वां दीर्णाः प्रहासिषुः ॥२-६६-३४॥
O king, an old man should never be childish in mind. May your sons remain under your guidance; let them not, in distress, ridicule you. (2-66-34)
शमेन धर्मेण परस्य बुद्ध्या; जाता बुद्धिः सास्तु ते मा प्रतीपा। प्रध्वंसिनी क्रूरसमाहिता श्री; र्मृदुप्रौढा गच्छति पुत्रपौत्रान् ॥२-६६-३५॥
May the understanding that arises from tranquility, righteousness, and another's intellect be yours and not adverse. Prosperity, when accompanied by cruelty and destruction, departs even from the gentle and mature, going to the sons and grandsons. (2-66-35)
अथाब्रवीन्महाराजो गान्धारीं धर्मदर्शिनीम्। अन्तः कामं कुलस्यास्तु न शक्ष्यामि निवारितुम् ॥२-६६-३६॥
Then the great king said to Gāndhārī, the one who perceives dharma: 'Let the desire for the family remain within; I am unable to restrain it.' (2-66-36)
यथेच्छन्ति तथैवास्तु प्रत्यागच्छन्तु पाण्डवाः। पुनर्द्यूतं प्रकुर्वन्तु मामकाः पाण्डवैः सह ॥२-६६-३७॥
Let it be as they wish; let the Pāṇḍavas return. Let my people play dice again together with the Pāṇḍavas. (2-66-37)
