03.037
Core-Pancharatra: Yudhisthira learns prati-smriti from Vyasa and Pandavas move from Dvaita to Kamyaka forest.
Vaiśampāyana said.
Hearing Bhīmasena's words, Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī and tiger among men, sighed deeply and, as the scorcher of foes, fell into deep thought. (3-37-1)
He paused as if in meditation for a moment, determined what should be done, and then spoke these uninterrupted words to Bhīmasena. (3-37-2)
O mighty-armed Bharata, it is just as you say. Now, O expert in words, arrange this other statement of mine. (3-37-3)
O Bhīmasena, those actions which are great sins and are undertaken out of mere rashness, O Bhārata, cause suffering. (3-37-4)
O mighty-armed one, when actions are well-counseled, well-accomplished, well-done, and well-considered, purposes are achieved; here, fate too is favorable. (3-37-5)
But you, out of mere fickleness and pride in your own strength, think that this action ought to be undertaken by yourself; hear my view on that. (3-37-6)
Bhūriśravā, Śala, and Jalasandha, all powerful; Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Karṇa, and Droṇaputra, all powerful. (3-37-7)
The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, who are difficult to defeat and led by Duryodhana, are all skilled in weaponry and are constantly aggressors. (3-37-8)
The kings and earthly rulers who were afflicted by us, having now taken refuge with the Kaurava side and developed affection for them at present. (3-37-9)
O Bhārata, those engaged for Duryodhana's benefit are not so among us; with full treasuries and endowed with strength, they will strive to protect him. (3-37-10)
All members of the Kaurava army, along with their sons, ministers, and soldiers, were indeed allotted enjoyments and shares in every possible way. (3-37-11)
Those heroes, honored especially by Duryodhana, will abandon their lives in battle; thus is my determined thought. (3-37-12)
Although the conduct of Bhīṣma towards us and them is equal, O mighty-armed one, so too is that of Droṇa and the great-souled Kṛpa. (3-37-13)
It is my firm conviction that they must certainly offer the royal share; therefore, in battle, they will even give up their lives, which are so hard to abandon. (3-37-14)
All are skilled in divine weapons, all are devoted to righteousness. My understanding is that they are invincible, even by the gods together with Vāsava (Indra). (3-37-15)
There, Karṇa, the great chariot-warrior, who was not-forbearing and always gladdened, was unassailable, a knower of all weapons, and covered with impenetrable armor. (3-37-16)
Unless you have conquered all these foremost warriors in battle, it is not possible for you, unaided, to kill Duryodhana. (3-37-17)
O Vṛkodara, I do not obtain sleep while thinking about the exceptional lightness of hand of the son of the charioteer, which surpasses all archers. (3-37-18)
Upon hearing these words, Bhīmasena, who was extremely impatient, became dispirited and agitated, and did not say anything at all. (3-37-19)
While those two Pāṇḍavas were thus conversing, at that moment, the great yogi Vyāsa, the son of Satyavatī, arrived. (3-37-20)
He, having approached and having been duly honored by the Pāṇḍavas in the proper manner, spoke these words to Yudhiṣṭhira, the best among speakers. (3-37-21)
O mighty-armed Yudhiṣṭhira, I know the thoughts in your heart; therefore, by my discernment, I have quickly come here, O best of men. (3-37-22)
O Bhārata, the fear that moves in your heart regarding Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, and Droṇa's son, O destroyer of enemies, (I speak of that). (3-37-23)
I will destroy that for you by the cause ordained by rule. Having heard this, assume steadfastness and establish it by action. (3-37-24)
Then Vyāsa, the son of Parāśara, skillful in speech, led Yudhiṣṭhira to a secluded place and spoke these words with fitting meaning. (3-37-25)
O best of the Bharatas, the supreme time for your prosperity has arrived, by which Pārtha, Dhanañjaya, will conquer the enemies in battle. (3-37-26)
Accept this accomplishment spoken by me, as if it were embodied; I impart to you, who has sought refuge, the knowledge called 'remembrance'. Having obtained this, the mighty-armed Arjuna will accomplish his purpose. (3-37-27)
O Pāṇḍava, for the sake of weapons, let him approach Mahendra, Rudra, Varuṇa, Dhaneśa, and Dharmarāja; he is indeed capable of seeing the gods through austerity and prowess. (3-37-28)
This sage, endowed with great energy and supported by Nārāyaṇa, is ancient, eternal, divine, and an everlasting portion of Viṣṇu. (3-37-29)
Having received weapons from Indra, Rudra, and the guardians of the worlds, the mighty-armed one will perform a great deed. (3-37-30)
O son of Kunti, let another forest besides this one be considered for your dwelling, whichever may be suitable for you, O lord of the earth. (3-37-31)
Indeed, long dwelling together in one place does not generate affection; for ascetics and the peaceful, it would be a cause of disturbance. (3-37-32)
You make use of deer and cause the destruction of herbs and medicinal plants; indeed, you support many Brāhmaṇas who are well-versed in the Veda and its branches. (3-37-33)
Having thus spoken to the pure-hearted one who had taken refuge, the illustrious Lord, master and knower of the essence of yoga, imparted the unsurpassed knowledge of yoga. (3-37-34)
Then the wise Vyāsa, son of Satyavatī, having given permission to the king of dharma and Kuntī's son, disappeared right there. (3-37-35)
But Yudhishthira, whose nature was dharma, with a controlled mind, held that Brahman and, being intelligent, practiced it repeatedly at every proper time. (3-37-36)
He, inspired by Vyāsa's words, then left the Dvaita forest and went to the forest named Kāmyaka on the bank of the Sarasvatī. (3-37-37)
O great king, those skilled in instruction and syllables, as well as Brāhmaṇas devoted to austerity, followed him just as the sages follow Indra, the lord of the gods. (3-37-38)
Then, after reaching Kamyaka once again, those great-souled leaders of the Bharatas, along with their ministers and attendants, settled down. (3-37-39)
There, O king, those high-minded heroes, devoted to the science of archery, dwelt for some time, listening to the supreme Veda. (3-37-40)
They always went hunting with pure arrows, seeking deer, and made offerings to ancestors, deities, and Brāhmaṇas according to the prescribed rules. (3-37-41)
