03.241
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said.
vasamāneṣu pārtheṣu vane tasmin mahātmasu। dhārtarāṣṭrā maheṣvāsāḥ kim akurvanta sattama ॥03-241-1॥
O best of men, while the sons of Pr̥thā, those great-souled ones, were dwelling in that forest, what did the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the mighty bowmen, do? (03-241-1)
karṇo vaikartanaś cāpi śakuniś ca mahābalaḥ। bhīṣmadroṇakṛpāś caiva tan me śaṁsitum arhasi॥03-241-2॥
Karṇa, the son of Vikartana, as well as the mighty Śakuni, Bhīṣma, Droṇa, and Kṛpa—please tell me about them.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said;
evaṃ gateṣu pārtheṣu visṛṣṭe ca suyodhane। āgate hāstinapuraṃ mokṣite pāṇḍunandanaiḥ ॥ bhīṣmo'bravīn mahārāja dhārtarāṣṭram idaṃ vacaḥ ॥03-241-3॥
Thus, when the sons of Pṛthā had left, and Suyodhana had also been released, and when they had come to Hastinapura, having been freed by the sons of Pāṇḍu, Bhīṣma spoke these words to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (03-241-3)
uktaṃ tāta mayā pūrvaṃ gacchatas te tapovanaṃ। gamanaṃ me na rucitaṃ tava tan na kṛtaṃ ca te॥03-241-4॥
O father, what I had said before, as you were leaving for the hermitage, the act of going was not pleasing to me, and that was not done by you as well. (03-241-4)
tataḥ prāptaṃ tvayā vīra grahaṇaṃ śatrubhirbalāt| mokṣitaścāsi dharmajñaiḥ pāṇḍavairna ca lajjase ॥03-241-5॥
Then you, O hero, were forcibly captured by your enemies; released by the righteous Pāṇḍavas, and yet you are not ashamed. (03-241-5)
pratyakṣaṃ tava gāndhāre sasainyasya viśāṃ pate| sūtaputro'payādbhīto gandharvāṇāṃ tadā raṇāt||krośatastava rājendra sasainyasya nṛpātmaja||03-241-6||
O Gandhāra, in the very presence of you and your army, O lord of men, the son of a charioteer fled in fear from the battle with the Gandharvas, while you and your entire force, O king, O prince, were crying out. (03-241-6)
dṛṣṭas te vikramaś caiva pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām। karṇasya ca mahābāho sūtaputrasya durmateḥ ॥03-241-7॥
You have also seen the valor of the high-souled Pāṇḍavas and of Karṇa, O mighty-armed one, the son of the charioteer, of wicked mind. (03-241-7)
na cāpi pādabhāk karṇaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ nṛpottama. dhanurvede ca śaurye ca dharme vā dharmavatsala ॥03-241-8॥
O best of kings, O lover of righteousness, Karna was not even as a recipient of a share among the Pāṇḍavas, whether in the science of archery, in heroism, or in righteousness. (03-241-8)
tasya te'haṁ kṣamaṁ manye pāṇḍavaistairmahātmabhiḥ। sandhiṁ sandhividāṁ śreṣṭha kulasyāsya vivṛddhaye ॥03-241-9॥
O best of those who know alliances, I think making an alliance with those great-souled Pāṇḍavas, by you for him, is proper for the prosperity of this lineage. (03-241-9)
evam-uktas tu bhīṣmeṇa dhārtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ। prahasya sahasā rājan vipratasthe sasaubalaḥ॥03-241-10॥
Thus, O king, when Bhīṣma had said this, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of the people, laughed suddenly and departed with Saubala (Śakuni). (03-241-10)
taṁ tu prasthitam ājñāya karṇa-duḥśāsanādayaḥ। anujagmur maheṣvāsā dhārtarāṣṭraṁ mahābalam॥03-241-11॥
But having perceived that he had departed, Karna, Duḥśāsana and the other great archers followed the mighty son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (03-241-11)
tāṃs tu samprasthitān dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaḥ kuru-pitāmahaḥ। lajjayā vrīḍito rājan jagāma svaṃ niveśanam॥03-241-12॥
But, O king, when Bhīṣma, the grandsire of the Kuru(s), saw them departing, he, feeling ashamed, went to his own residence. (03-241-12)
gate bhīṣme mahārāja dhārtarāṣṭro janādhipaḥ। punarāgamya taṃ deśam amantrayata mantribhiḥ॥03-241-13॥
O great king, when Bhiṣma had departed, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, the lord of men, having returned again to that place, consulted with his ministers. (03-241-13)
kim asmākaṁ bhavet śreyaḥ kiṁ kāryam avaśiṣyate. kathaṁ nu sukṛtaṁ ca syān mantrayāmāsa bhārata ॥03-241-14॥
O Bhārata, he deliberated as to what would be the highest good for us, what duty still remains, and how indeed good might be accomplished. (03-241-14)
karṇa uvāca॥
Karna said.
duryodhana nibodhedaṃ yat-tvā vakṣyāmi kaurava। śrutvā ca tat-tathā sarvaṃ kartum arhasi ariṃdama ॥03-241-15॥
O Duryodhana, understand this which I am about to tell you, O Kaurava. Having heard it, you should do all that in the way I say, O subduer of enemies. (03-241-15)
tavādya pṛthivī vīra niḥsapatnā nṛpottama। tāṃ pālaya yathā śakro hataśatrur mahāmanāḥ ॥03-241-16॥
Now the earth is yours, O hero, without rivals, O best of kings. Rule her as Śakra (Indra), the destroyer of enemies and great-minded one, does. (03-241-16)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said;
evam-uktas tu karṇena karṇaṃ rājā abravīt punaḥ। na kiñcid durlabhaṃ tasya yasya tvaṃ puruṣarṣabha ॥03-241-17॥
After Karṇa had spoken thus, the king said again to Karṇa: "Nothing is difficult to attain for him who has you, O best of men." (03-241-17)
sahāyaś cānuraktaś ca mad-arthaṃ ca samudyataḥ। abhiprāyas tu me kaścit taṃ vai śṛṇu yathā-tatham ॥03-241-18॥
A helper, affectionate, prepared for my sake—there is some intention of mine; now hear it just as it is. (03-241-18)
rājasūyaṁ pāṇḍavasya dṛṣṭvā kratuvaraṁ tadā। mama spṛhā samutpannā tāṁ sampādaya sūtaja ॥03-241-19॥
Seeing the great Rājasūya sacrifice performed by the son of Pāṇḍu, my desire was born; fulfill that desire for me, O son of the charioteer. (03-241-19)
evam-uktas tataḥ karṇo rājānam idam abravīt। tavādya pṛthivī-pālā vaśyāḥ sarve nṛpot-tama ॥03-241-20॥
Thus, when addressed so, Karna then said to the king: "Today, O best of kings, all the rulers of the earth are under your command." (03-241-20)
āhūyantāṃ dvijavarāḥ sambhārāś ca yathāvidhi. sambhriyantāṃ kuruśreṣṭha yajñopakaraṇāni ca ॥03-241-21॥
Invite the excellent Brāhmaṇas and gather all the materials as prescribed; assemble the sacrificial implements as well, O best of the Kurus. (03-241-21)
ṛtvi-jaś ca samāhūtā yathoktaṃ vedapāragāḥ। kriyāṃ kurvantu te rājan yathāśāstram ariṃ-dama ॥03-241-22॥
O king, let the summoned officiating priests and those proficient in the Vedas perform the ritual according to the scriptures, O subduer of enemies. (03-241-22)
bahv-annapāna-saṁyuktaḥ susamṛddha-guṇānvitaḥ। pravartatāṁ mahā-yajñas tavāpi bharatarṣabha ॥03-241-23॥
O best of the Bharatas, may your great sacrifice, endowed with plentiful food and drink and possessed of excellent prosperity and virtues, also begin. (03-241-23)
evam-uktas tu karṇena dhārtarāṣṭro viśāṃ pate। purohitaṃ samānāyya idaṃ vacanam abravīt॥03-241-24॥
O lord of men, when Karṇa had thus spoken, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra brought the priest near and spoke these words. (03-241-24)
rājasūyaṃ kratuśreṣṭhaṃ samāptavaradakṣiṇam। āhara tvaṃ mama kṛte yathānyāyaṃ yathākramam॥03-241-25॥
You perform the rājasūya, the best of sacrifices, having completed it with excellent gifts, for me, according to justice and proper order. (03-241-25)
sa evam-ukto nṛpatim-uvāca dvija-puṅgavaḥ। na sa śakyaḥ kratu-śreṣṭhaḥ jīvamāne yudhiṣṭhire ॥ āhartuṃ kaurava-śreṣṭha kule tava nṛpa-uttama ॥03-241-26॥
Thus addressed, the foremost among twice-born spoke to the king: "O best of the Kauravas, O best of kings, that greatest sacrifice cannot be performed in your family while Yudhiṣṭhira lives." (03-241-26)
dīrghāyurjīvati ca vai dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ pitā tava। ataś cāpi viruddhas te kratureṣa nṛpottama ॥03-241-27॥
Dhritarashtra, your father, who is long-lived, is indeed still alive; therefore this sacrifice is also hostile to you, O best of kings. (03-241-27)
asti tvan-yan-mahat-satram rājasūya-samaṃ prabho। tena tvaṃ yaja rājendra śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama ॥03-241-28॥
O king, there is for you another great sacrifice equal to the Rājasūya, O lord; perform that, and also listen to this my speech. (03-241-28)
ya ime pṛthivī-pālāḥ karadās tava pārthiva। te karān samprayaĉchantu suvarṇaṃ ca kṛtākṛtam ॥03-241-29॥
O king, these kings who are your tribute-payers—let them present tributes and gold, both what is accomplished and unaccomplished. (03-241-29)
tena te kriyatām adya lāṅgalaṁ nṛpasattama। yajñavāṭasya te bhūmiḥ kṛṣyatāṁ tena bhārata ॥03-241-30॥
O best of kings, let your plough be made by that today. Let your land for the sacrificial ground be cultivated by that, O Bhārata. (03-241-30)
tatra yajño nṛpaśreṣṭha prabhūtānnaḥ susaṃskṛtaḥ। pravartatāṃ yathānyāyaṃ sarvato hyanivāritaḥ ॥03-241-31॥
O best of kings, there let a sacrifice be performed, abundant with food and well-prepared, in every way according to rule, indeed unobstructed. (03-241-31)
eṣa te vaiṣṇavo nāma yajñaḥ satpuruṣocitaḥ। etena neṣṭavān kaśc id ṛte viṣṇuṃ purātanam ॥03-241-32॥
This sacrifice named Viṣṇava, appropriate for noble persons, is for you. By this, no one has worshipped anyone except the ancient Viṣṇu. (03-241-32)
rājasūyaṃ kratuśreṣṭhaṃ spardhatyeṣa mahākratuḥ। asmākaṃ rocate caiva śreyaśca tava bhārata॥ avighnaśca bhavedeṣa saphalā syātspr̥hā tava॥03-241-33॥
This great sacrifice contends with the Rājasūya, the foremost of rituals. For us, it is indeed pleasing, and for you, O Bhārata, it is the highest good. May this proceed without obstacle, and may your wish be fulfilled. (03-241-33)
evam-uktas tu tair viprair dhārtarāṣṭro mahīpatiḥ। karṇaṃ ca saubalaṃ caiva bhrātṝṃś caiva idam abravīt ॥03-241-34॥
Having thus been addressed by the Brāhmaṇas, the king, son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, spoke as follows to Karṇa, Saubala, and his brothers. (03-241-34)
rocate me vacaḥ kṛtsnaṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ na saṃśayaḥ। rocate yadi yuṣmākaṃ tanmā prabrūta māciram ॥03-241-35॥
My entire speech pleases the Brāhmaṇas, there is no doubt. If it pleases you (also), then please tell me that without delay. (03-241-35)
evam-uktās tu te sarve tathety ūcur narādhipam। saṁdideśa tato rājā vyāpārasthāny athākramaṁ ॥03-241-36॥
When thus addressed, all of them said 'so it is' to the king; then the king gave instructions for the places of activity in due order. (03-241-36)
halasya karaṇe cāpi vyādiṣṭāḥ sarvaśilpinaḥ। yathoktaṃ ca nṛpaśreṣṭha kṛtaṃ sarvaṃ yathākramam॥03-241-37॥
All the craftsmen were instructed in the making of the plough, and, O best of kings, all was accomplished as previously directed and in proper order. (03-241-37)
