02.071
Pancharatra: Vidura’s description of Pandavas departure.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
कथं गच्छति कौन्तेयो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। भीमसेनः सव्यसाची माद्रीपुत्रौ च तावुभौ ॥२-७१-१॥
How does Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti and king of dharma, proceed? And what of Bhimasena, Arjuna the ambidextrous, and the two sons of Madri, those two as well? (2-71-1)
धौम्यश्चैव कथं क्षत्तर्द्रौपदी वा तपस्विनी। श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं सर्वं तेषामङ्गविचेष्टितम् ॥२-७१-२॥
I wish to hear everything about the bodily actions of Dhaumya, the steward, and Draupadī the ascetic lady—how each of them acted. (2-71-2)
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura said.
वस्त्रेण संवृत्य मुखं कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। बाहू विशालौ कृत्वा तु भीमो गच्छति पाण्डवः ॥२-७१-३॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, covered his face with a cloth, while Bhima, the Pandava, walked with his large arms outstretched. (2-71-3)
सिकता वपन्सव्यसाची राजानमनुगच्छति। माद्रीपुत्रः सहदेवो मुखमालिप्य गच्छति ॥२-७१-४॥
Savyasācī (Arjuna) follows the king carrying sand and shaving tools. Sahadeva, the son of Mādrī, proceeds with his face smeared. (2-71-4)
पांसूपलिप्तसर्वाङ्गो नकुलश्चित्तविह्वलः। दर्शनीयतमो लोके राजानमनुगच्छति ॥२-७१-५॥
Nakula, his entire body covered in dust and his mind distraught, the most handsome man in the world, follows the king. (2-71-5)
कृष्णा केशैः प्रतिच्छाद्य मुखमायतलोचना। दर्शनीया प्ररुदती राजानमनुगच्छति ॥२-७१-६॥
The dark-complexioned, wide-eyed and beautiful woman, covering her face with her hair and weeping intensely, follows the king. (2-71-6)
धौम्यो याम्यानि सामानि रौद्राणि च विशां पते। गायन्गच्छति मार्गेषु कुशानादाय पाणिना ॥२-७१-७॥
Dhaumya, singing the southern Sāma and Rudra chants, proceeds along the paths, holding sacred grasses in his hand, O lord of the people. (2-71-7)
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said:
विविधानीह रूपाणि कृत्वा गच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः। तन्ममाचक्ष्व विदुर कस्मादेवं व्रजन्ति ते ॥२-७१-८॥
The Pāṇḍavas assume various forms and go forth. Tell me, O Vidura, why do they proceed in this way? (2-71-8)
विदुर उवाच॥
Vidura said.
निकृतस्यापि ते पुत्रैर्हृते राज्ये धनेषु च। न धर्माच्चलते बुद्धिर्धर्मराजस्य धीमतः ॥२-७१-९॥
Even though your sons have deceitfully taken away his kingdom and wealth, the wise Dharmarāja's mind does not stray from righteousness. (2-71-9)
योऽसौ राजा घृणी नित्यं धार्तराष्ट्रेषु भारत। निकृत्या क्रोधसन्तप्तो नोन्मीलयति लोचने ॥२-७१-१०॥
O Bhārata, that king, who is always compassionate towards the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, does not open his eyes due to deceit and being consumed by anger. (2-71-10)
नाहं जनं निर्दहेयं दृष्ट्वा घोरेण चक्षुषा। स पिधाय मुखं राजा तस्माद्गच्छति पाण्डवः ॥२-७१-११॥
I would not burn a person by looking at him with a terrible eye; therefore, the king, having covered his face, goes away, O Pāṇḍava. (2-71-11)
यथा च भीमो व्रजति तन्मे निगदतः शृणु। बाह्वोर्बले नास्ति समो ममेति भरतर्षभ ॥२-७१-१२॥
Listen as I tell you how Bhīma proceeds. In the strength of arms, there is none equal to me, O best of the Bharatas. (2-71-12)
बाहू विशालौ कृत्वा तु तेन भीमोऽपि गच्छति। बाहू दर्शयमानो हि बाहुद्रविणदर्पितः ॥ चिकीर्षन्कर्म शत्रुभ्यो बाहुद्रव्यानुरूपतः ॥२-७१-१३॥
Bhima, having made his arms wide, also proceeds by him. Displaying his arms, indeed, proud of the wealth of his arms, wishing to act against the enemies according to the strength of his arms. (2-71-13)
प्रदिशञ्शरसम्पातान्कुन्तीपुत्रोऽर्जुनस्तदा। सिकता वपन्सव्यसाची राजानमनुगच्छति ॥२-७१-१४॥
Then Arjuna, the son of Kuntī, known as Savyasācī, pointed out the showers of arrows and, casting sand, followed the king. (2-71-14)
असक्ताः सिकतास्तस्य यथा सम्प्रति भारत। असक्तं शरवर्षाणि तथा मोक्ष्यति शत्रुषु ॥२-७१-१५॥
O Bhārata, just as his sand grains are now unattached, so too will he release showers of arrows unattached upon the enemies. (2-71-15)
न मे कश्चिद्विजानीयान्मुखमद्येति भारत। मुखमालिप्य तेनासौ सहदेवोऽपि गच्छति ॥२-७१-१६॥
O Bhārata, let no one recognize my face today. Having smeared his face with that, Sahadeva also goes. (2-71-16)
नाहं मनांस्याददेयं मार्गे स्त्रीणामिति प्रभो। पांसूपचितसर्वाङ्गो नकुलस्तेन गच्छति ॥२-७१-१७॥
O lord, I should not take the minds of women on the path, thus. Therefore, Nakula goes with all his limbs covered in heaped-up dust. (2-71-17)
एकवस्त्रा तु रुदती मुक्तकेशी रजस्वला। शोणिताक्तार्द्रवसना द्रौपदी वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥२-७१-१८॥
Draupadī, wearing a single garment, weeping, her hair loose, menstruating, her clothes wet and stained with blood, spoke these words.
यत्कृतेऽहमिमां प्राप्ता तेषां वर्षे चतुर्दशे। हतपत्यो हतसुता हतबन्धुजनप्रियाः ॥२-७१-१९॥
For whose sake I have come to this, in the fourteenth year, their husbands, sons, and dear kinsmen have been slain. (2-71-19)
बन्धुशोणितदिग्धाङ्ग्यो मुक्तकेश्यो रजस्वलाः। एवं कृतोदका नार्यः प्रवेक्ष्यन्ति गजाह्वयम् ॥२-७१-२०॥
The women, their limbs smeared with the blood of their relatives, their hair loosened, and menstruating, having thus performed the water-rite, will enter Gajahvaya. (2-71-20)
कृत्वा तु नैरृतान्दर्भान्धीरो धौम्यः पुरोहितः। सामानि गायन्याम्यानि पुरतो याति भारत ॥२-७१-२१॥
O Bhārata, Dhaumya, the wise priest, having performed the Nairṛta darbha rites, proceeds in front, singing the auspicious Sāman hymns. (2-71-21)
हतेषु भारतेष्वाजौ कुरूणां गुरवस्तदा। एवं सामानि गास्यन्तीत्युक्त्वा धौम्योऽपि गच्छति ॥२-७१-२२॥
When the Bhāratas were slain in battle, the elders of the Kurus, having said, "the Sāman hymns will be sung," Dhaumya also departed. (2-71-22)
हा हा गच्छन्ति नो नाथाः समवेक्षध्वमीदृशम्। इति पौराः सुदुःखार्ताः क्रोशन्ति स्म समन्ततः ॥२-७१-२३॥
"Alas, alas, our protectors are leaving; look at this!" Thus, the citizens, greatly distressed, cried out everywhere. (2-71-23)
एवमाकारलिङ्गैस्ते व्यवसायं मनोगतम्। कथयन्तः स्म कौन्तेया वनं जग्मुर्मनस्विनः ॥२-७१-२४॥
Thus, perceiving the signs and indications, the high-minded sons of Kunti, having resolved in their minds, spoke among themselves and proceeded to the forest. (2-71-24)
एवं तेषु नराग्र्येषु निर्यत्सु गजसाह्वयात्। अनभ्रे विद्युतश्चासन्भूमिश्च समकम्पत ॥२-७१-२५॥
Thus, as those foremost men were departing from Gajasāhvaya, lightning flashed in a cloudless sky and the earth trembled. (2-71-25)
राहुरग्रसदादित्यमपर्वणि विशां पते। उल्का चाप्यपसव्यं तु पुरं कृत्वा व्यशीर्यत ॥२-७१-२६॥
O lord of the people, Rāhu devoured the sun on an inauspicious day. A meteor, too, moved to the left and shattered the city. (2-71-26)
प्रव्याहरन्ति क्रव्यादा गृध्रगोमायुवायसाः। देवायतनचैत्येषु प्राकाराट्टालकेषु च ॥२-७१-२७॥
Flesh-eating creatures such as vultures, jackals, and crows make cries in temples, shrines, enclosures, and on turrets and similar places. (2-71-27)
एवमेते महोत्पाता वनं गच्छति पाण्डवे। भारतानामभावाय राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥२-७१-२८॥
O king, thus these great omens are going to the forest with the Pāṇḍava, for the destruction of the Bhāratas, as a result of your misguided counsel. (2-71-28)
नारदश्च सभामध्ये कुरूणामग्रतः स्थितः। महर्षिभिः परिवृतो रौद्रं वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥२-७१-२९॥
Nārada, standing in the midst of the assembly before the Kurus, surrounded by the great sages, spoke a fierce speech. (2-71-29)
इतश्चतुर्दशे वर्षे विनङ्क्ष्यन्तीह कौरवाः। दुर्योधनापराधेन भीमार्जुनबलेन च ॥२-७१-३०॥
From this point, in the fourteenth year, the Kauravas will be destroyed here due to Duryodhana's offence and by the strength of Bhima and Arjuna. (2-71-30)
इत्युक्त्वा दिवमाक्रम्य क्षिप्रमन्तरधीयत। ब्राह्मीं श्रियं सुविपुलां बिभ्रद्देवर्षिसत्तमः ॥२-७१-३१॥
Having said this, he quickly ascended to heaven and disappeared, bearing the great splendour of Brahmā, the best among the divine sages. (2-71-31)
ततो दुर्योधनः कर्णः शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। द्रोणं द्वीपममन्यन्त राज्यं चास्मै न्यवेदयन् ॥२-७१-३२॥
Then Duryodhana, Karṇa, and Śakuni, the son of Subala, regarded Droṇa as their sole refuge and entrusted the kingdom to him. (2-71-32)
अथाब्रवीत्ततो द्रोणो दुर्योधनममर्षणम्। दुःशासनं च कर्णं च सर्वानेव च भारतान् ॥२-७१-३३॥
Then Droṇa addressed Duryodhana, who was impatient, as well as Duḥśāsana, Karṇa, and all the sons of Bharata. (2-71-33)
अवध्यान्पाण्डवानाहुर्देवपुत्रान्द्विजातयः। अहं तु शरणं प्राप्तान्वर्तमानो यथाबलम् ॥२-७१-३४॥
The twice-born declare that the Pāṇḍavas, sons of gods, are inviolable; but I, for my part, will protect those who have sought my refuge, to the best of my ability. (2-71-34)
गतान्सर्वात्मना भक्त्या धार्तराष्ट्रान्सराजकान्। नोत्सहे समभित्यक्तुं दैवमूलमतः परम् ॥२-७१-३५॥
I am not able to completely forsake the departed sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and their kings, with all my soul and devotion, for this is rooted in destiny and beyond (my power). (2-71-35)
धर्मतः पाण्डुपुत्रा वै वनं गच्छन्ति निर्जिताः। ते च द्वादश वर्षाणि वने वत्स्यन्ति कौरवाः ॥२-७१-३६॥
According to dharma, the sons of Pāṇḍu, having been defeated, are indeed going to the forest. They, along with the Kauravas, will live in the forest for twelve years. (2-71-36)
चरितब्रह्मचर्याश्च क्रोधामर्षवशानुगाः। वैरं प्रत्यानयिष्यन्ति मम दुःखाय पाण्डवाः ॥२-७१-३७॥
The Pāṇḍavas, who have practiced celibacy and are now driven by anger and impatience, will bring enmity against me, causing me sorrow. (2-71-37)
मया तु भ्रंशितो राज्याद्द्रुपदः सखिविग्रहे। पुत्रार्थमयजत्क्रोधाद्वधाय मम भारत ॥२-७१-३८॥
But it was I who deprived Drupada of his kingdom due to our enmity as friends; seeking a son, he performed a sacrifice out of anger for my destruction, O Bhārata. (2-71-38)
याजोपयाजतपसा पुत्रं लेभे स पावकात्। धृष्टद्युम्नं द्रौपदीं च वेदीमध्यात्सुमध्यमाम् ॥२-७१-३९॥
Through the austerities of Yāja and Upayāja, he obtained a son from the fire—Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Draupadī, the slender-waisted one, emerged from the center of the altar. (2-71-39)
ज्वालावर्णो देवदत्तो धनुष्मान्कवची शरी। मर्त्यधर्मतया तस्मादिति मां भयमाविशत् ॥२-७१-४०॥
Seeing Devadatta, who had the color of flame, bore a bow, was armored and equipped with arrows, and knowing the condition of mortality, therefore, fear entered me. (2-71-40)
गतो हि पक्षतां तेषां पार्षतः पुरुषर्षभः। सृष्टप्राणो भृशतरं तस्माद्योत्स्ये तवारिभिः ॥२-७१-४१॥
The son of Pṛṣata, Sātyaki, that bull among men, has indeed gone over to their side, having given up his life; therefore, I will fight your enemies even more fiercely. (2-71-41)
मद्वधाय श्रुतो ह्येष लोके चाप्यतिविश्रुतः। नूनं सोऽयमनुप्राप्तस्त्वत्कृते कालपर्ययः ॥२-७१-४२॥
It is well known in the world, and indeed very famous, that my death was destined; certainly, this destined time has now arrived for your sake. (2-71-42)
त्वरिताः कुरुत श्रेयो नैतदेतावता कृतम्। मुहूर्तं सुखमेवैतत्तालच्छायेव हैमनी ॥२-७१-४३॥
Act swiftly for what is truly good; this much is not sufficient. Momentary happiness is fleeting, like the shade of a palm tree in winter. (2-71-43)
यजध्वं च महायज्ञैर्भोगानश्नीत दत्त च। इतश्चतुर्दशे वर्षे महत्प्राप्स्यथ वैशसम् ॥२-७१-४४॥
Perform sacrifices and enjoy pleasures with great sacrifices, and give (charity). From now, in the fourteenth year, you will encounter a great calamity. (2-71-44)
दुर्योधन निशम्यैतत्प्रतिपद्य यथेच्छसि। साम वा पाण्डवेयेषु प्रयुङ्क्ष्व यदि मन्यसे ॥२-७१-४५॥
Duryodhana, after hearing and understanding this, do as you wish; if you think it appropriate, apply conciliation towards the Pāṇḍavas. (2-71-45)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
द्रोणस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम्। सम्यगाह गुरुः क्षत्तरुपावर्तय पाण्डवान् ॥२-७१-४६॥
After hearing Droṇa's words, Dhṛtarāṣṭra said, "The teacher has spoken rightly. Vidura, bring the Pāṇḍavas back." (2-71-46)
यदि वा न निवर्तन्ते सत्कृता यान्तु पाण्डवाः। सशस्त्ररथपादाता भोगवन्तश्च पुत्रकाः ॥२-७१-४७॥
If, however, they do not return, let the honored Pāṇḍavas go; let the sons, armed, with chariots and infantry, and possessing enjoyments, depart. (2-71-47)
