02.072
Core-Pancharatra: Vidura’s description of Pandavas departure.
Vaiśampāyana said.
O great king, when the sons of Pṛthā, having been defeated by Duryodhana, went to the forest, then Dhṛtarāṣṭra was overcome by anxiety. (2-72-1)
Seeing Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, seated and pondering, sighing with a distracted mind, Sanjaya thus spoke. (2-72-2)
O king, even after having acquired the earth filled with riches and banishing the Pāṇḍavas from the kingdom, why do you still grieve? (2-72-3)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
But how can there be sorrow for those against whom enmity will arise from the Pāṇḍavas, who are skilled in battle and are great chariot-warriors, yet fight like friends? (2-72-4)
Sañjaya said.
O king, this act of yours will lead to great enmity. The destruction of all worlds, along with their associates, will occur. (2-72-5)
Even though Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Vidura tried to restrain him, he seized Draupadī, the beloved and righteous wife of the Pāṇḍavas. (2-72-6)
Your son Duryodhana, who is very dull-minded, shameless, and desirous of opposition, sent for the son of the charioteer, saying, 'Bring him here.' (2-72-7)
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said.
When the gods intend ruin for a person, they take away his intellect, so that he perceives only what is backward. (2-72-8)
When the intellect is tainted and destruction is imminent, unrighteousness disguised as righteousness does not leave the heart. (2-72-9)
Undesirable things appearing as desirable, and desirable things appearing as undesirable, arise; at the end of ruin, even that pleases a man. (2-72-10)
Time does not literally raise a staff and cut off anyone's head. The power of time is such that it causes people to perceive the opposite of the true meaning. (2-72-11)
This dreadful and tumultuous event has occurred: Panchali, the devoted one, was dragged away in the midst of the assembly. (2-72-12)
Who indeed would disregard her, the illustrious and beautiful one, not born from a womb, born in a noble family, the knower of all dharmas, the radiant night? (2-72-13)
Except for the wretched bad gambler, bring into the assembly the woman who follows the duties of a woman, of excellent hips, besmeared with blood. (2-72-14)
Panchali, clad in a single garment, looked at the Pandavas, who had been deprived of their wealth, whose minds were confounded, who had lost their wives and prosperity. (2-72-15)
Deprived of all desires, subject to servitude, bound by the fetters of dharma, and powerless as if unable to act. (2-72-16)
In the Kuru assembly, Duryodhana and Karṇa spoke harsh words to Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī), who was angry, indignant, and distressed. (2-72-17)
O Sañjaya, even if the earth were to be scorched by her pitiable gaze, let at least some of my sons survive today. (2-72-18)
All the women of the Bhāratas, together with Gāndhārī, gathered and, upon seeing Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) present in the assembly, cried out in terror there. (2-72-19)
The evening fire-offerings were entirely neglected; the Brāhmaṇas, enraged and separated from Draupadī, were being dragged. (2-72-20)
A dreadful sound arose, and a great thunderbolt appeared. Terrible meteors fell from the sky, and Rahu seized the sun. Not on a festival day, a great fear was caused among the people. (2-72-21)
Likewise, fire appeared in the chariot-houses; and the banners of the Bharatas were scattered for their welfare. (2-72-22)
During Duryodhana's fire-sacrifice, jackals howled fearfully, and then asses brayed in reply from every direction. (2-72-23)
Then Bhishma set out together with Drona, O Sanjaya; Kripa, Somadatta, and Bahlika, the great chariot-warrior. (2-72-24)
Then, urged by Vidura, I said there, "I grant Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) whatever boon she desires." (2-72-25)
There, Panchali (Draupadi) chose the Pandavas of immeasurable energy; I too gave permission for those with chariots and bows. (2-72-26)
Then the greatly wise Vidura, knower of all dharmas, spoke: "O Bharatas, this is the end for you, now that your Kṛṣṇā has entered the assembly." (2-72-27)
This is the unsurpassed fortune, the daughter of the king of the Pāñcālas; Pāñcālī, created by destiny, approaches these Pāṇḍavas. (2-72-28)
Her sons, the Pāṇḍavas, will not tolerate her great distress, being extremely intolerant; nor will the Vṛṣṇis, the great archers, or the powerful Pāñcālas. (2-72-29)
Protected by Vāsudeva, who is steadfast in truth, they are safe. Bībhatsu (Arjuna), well-guarded by the Pāñcālas, will arrive. (2-72-30)
Among them, the mighty archer Bhīmasena, endowed with great strength, will come forward, wielding his mace like a staff, resembling Yama, the god of death. (2-72-31)
Then, hearing the sound of Arjuna's Gāṇḍīva bow and the force of Bhīma's mace, the kings could not withstand it. (2-72-32)
Therefore, it always pleases me that there is no conflict with the sons of Pṛthā. Indeed, I always think that the Pāṇḍavas are more powerful than the Kurus. (2-72-33)
Thus, the mighty and illustrious king Jarāsandha was killed in battle by Bhīma using only his arms as weapons. (2-72-34)
Let there be peace for you from him through the Pāṇḍavas, O best of the Bharatas. Let what is proper for both sides be done without any doubt. (2-72-35)
Thus, O Gāvalgaṇa, the charioteer spoke words of righteousness and purpose, but I did not accept them, out of my desire for my son's welfare. (2-72-36)
