03.248
द्रौपदीहरणपर्व
Section on the abduction of Draupadī
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तस्मिन्बहुमृगेऽरण्ये रममाणा महारथाः। काम्यके भरतश्रेष्ठा विजह्रुस्ते यथामराः ॥०३-२४८-१॥
In that forest abounding with deer, the great chariot-warriors, the best of the Bhāratas, enjoyed themselves in Kāmyaka just like the gods. (03-248-1)
प्रेक्षमाणा बहुविधान्वनोद्देशान्समन्ततः। यथर्तुकालरम्याश्च वनराजीः सुपुष्पिताः ॥०३-२४८-२॥
She looked about at many kinds of forest regions on every side, and at the rows of forests beautifully blossoming in their proper season. (03-248-2)
पाण्डवा मृगयाशीलाश्चरन्तस्तन्महावनम्। विजह्रुरिन्द्रप्रतिमाः कञ्चित्कालमरिंदमाः ॥०३-२४८-३॥
The Pandavas, who were fond of hunting, roamed that great forest and, being as powerful as Indra, spent some time there enjoying themselves, those subduers of enemies. (03-248-3)
ततस्ते यौगपद्येन ययुः सर्वे चतुर्दिशम्। मृगयां पुरुषव्याघ्रा ब्राह्मणार्थे परन्तपाः ॥०३-२४८-४॥
Then all of them, the tiger-men and destroyers of foes, set out simultaneously in the four directions to hunt for the sake of the brāhmaṇa. (03-248-4)
द्रौपदीमाश्रमे न्यस्य तृणबिन्दोरनुज्ञया। महर्षेर्दीप्ततपसो धौम्यस्य च पुरोधसः ॥०३-२४८-५॥
Draupadī was left in the hermitage with the permission of Tṛṇabindu, the great sage of blazing austerity, and Dhaumya the priest. (03-248-5)
ततस्तु राजा सिन्धूनां वार्द्धक्षत्रिर्महायशाः। विवाहकामः शाल्वेयान्प्रयातः सोऽभवत्तदा ॥०३-२४८-६॥
Then, however, the greatly renowned king of the Sindhus, Vārdhakhatri, who desired a marriage, set out for Śālva at that time. (03-248-6)
महता परिबर्हेण राजयोग्येन संवृतः। राजभिर्बहुभिः सार्धमुपायात्काम्यकं च सः ॥०३-२४८-७॥
He, accompanied by a great retinue suitable for a king and surrounded by many kings, came to Kāmyaka as well. (03-248-7)
तत्रापश्यत्प्रियां भार्यां पाण्डवानां यशस्विनीम्। तिष्ठन्तीमाश्रमद्वारि द्रौपदीं निर्जने वने ॥०३-२४८-८॥
There he saw Draupadī, the illustrious and beloved wife of the Pāṇḍavas, standing at the entrance of the hermitage in the lonely forest. (03-248-8)
विभ्राजमानां वपुषा बिभ्रतीं रूपमुत्तमम्। भ्राजयन्तीं वनोद्देशं नीलाभ्रमिव विद्युतम् ॥०३-२४८-९॥
Radiant in form, bearing an excellent appearance, she illuminated the forest region like lightning brightens a dark cloud. (03-248-9)
अप्सरा देवकन्या वा माया वा देवनिर्मिता। इति कृत्वाञ्जलिं सर्वे ददृशुस्तामनिन्दिताम् ॥०३-२४८-१०॥
Considering her as a celestial nymph, a divine maiden, an illusion, or one created by the gods, all with joined palms gazed upon that blameless lady. (03-248-10)
ततः स राजा सिन्धूनां वार्द्धक्षत्रिर्जयद्रथः। विस्मितस्तामनिन्द्याङ्गीं दृष्ट्वासीद्धृष्टमानसः ॥०३-२४८-११॥
Then Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus and son of Vṛddhakṣatra, was astonished on seeing her with faultless limbs and became confident. (03-248-11)
स कोटिकाश्यं राजानमब्रवीत्काममोहितः। कस्य त्वेषानवद्याङ्गी यदि वापि न मानुषी ॥०३-२४८-१२॥
Deluded by desire, he said to King Koṭikāśya, “Whose is this woman with faultless limbs, or is she even not human?” (03-248-12)
विवाहार्थो न मे कश्चिदिमां दृष्ट्वातिसुन्दरीम्। एतामेवाहमादाय गमिष्यामि स्वमालयम् ॥०३-२४८-१३॥
No one has come to me with marriage in mind after seeing this very beautiful girl. I will take only her and go to my own abode. (03-248-13)
गच्छ जानीहि सौम्यैनां कस्य का च कुतोऽपि वा। किमर्थमागता सुभ्रूरिदं कण्टकितं वनम् ॥०३-२४८-१४॥
Go, gentle one, find out whose, who she is and from where she may have come. For what purpose has this beautiful-browed lady come to this thorn-filled forest? (3-248-14)
अपि नाम वरारोहा मामेषा लोकसुन्दरी। भजेदद्यायतापाङ्गी सुदती तनुमध्यमा ॥०३-२४८-१५॥
Oh, if only, by chance, this beautiful-hipped, world-renowned beauty with long eyes, lovely teeth, and a slender waist, might choose me today. (03-248-15)
अप्यहं कृतकामः स्यामिमां प्राप्य वरस्त्रियम्। गच्छ जानीहि को न्वस्या नाथ इत्येव कोटिक ॥०३-२४८-१६॥
Indeed, having won this excellent woman, I may become one whose desires are fulfilled. Go and find out, Koṭika, who her lord is. (03-248-16)
स कोटिकाश्यस्तच्छ्रुत्वा रथात्प्रस्कन्द्य कुण्डली। उपेत्य पप्रच्छ तदा क्रोष्टा व्याघ्रवधूमिव ॥०३-२४८-१७॥
Then Koṭikāśya, having heard that, Kuṇḍalī leapt down from the chariot and, approaching, questioned the jackal like the tiger's wife. (3-248-17)
