04.025
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said;
tato duryodhanaḥ rājā śrutvā teṣāṃ vacas tadā। ciram antarmanā bhūtvā pratyuvāca sabhāsadaḥ ॥04-25-1॥
Then King Duryodhana, after hearing their words and remaining thoughtful for a long time, replied to the members of the assembly. (04-25-1)
suduḥkhā khalu kāryāṇāṃ gatirvijñātumantataḥ। tasmātsarve udīkṣadhvaṃ kva nu syuḥ pāṇḍavā gatāḥ॥04-25-2॥
It is indeed very difficult to know the outcome of events in the end. Therefore, all of you look around to see where the Pāṇḍavas might have gone. (04-25-2)
alpāvaśiṣṭaṃ kālasya gatabhūyiṣṭhamantataḥ। teṣāmajñātacaryāyāmasminvarṣe trayodaśe ॥04-25-3॥
Little remains of the time; most of it has already passed; for them, in this thirteenth year of incognito residence. (04-25-3)
asya varṣasya śeṣaṁ ced vyatīyur iha pāṇḍavāḥ। nivṛttasamayās te hi satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ ॥04-25-4॥
If the Pāṇḍavas spend the remainder of this year here, then, as their period (of exile) is over, they are truly devoted to their vows. (04-25-4)
kṣaranta iva nāgendraāḥ sarva āśīviṣopamāḥ। duḥkhā bhaveyuḥ saṃrabdhāḥ kauravān prati te dhruvam ॥04-25-5॥
They would certainly be enraged towards the Kauravas, flowing as if kings among serpents, all resembling venomous snakes and bringing pain. (04-25-5)
arvāk-kālasya vijñātāḥ kṛcchra-rūpa-dharāḥ punaḥ। praviśeyur-jita-krodhās tāvad-eva punar-vanam॥04-25-6॥
As soon as they perceived the imminent time bringing hardships again, those who had conquered anger would once more enter the forest at that very moment. (04-25-6)
tasmātkṣipraṁ bubhutsadhvaṁ yathā no’tyantamavyayam। rājyaṁ nirdvandvamavyagraṁ niḥsapatnaṁ ciraṁ bhavet ॥04-25-7॥
Therefore, quickly strive so that our kingdom may be utterly everlasting, free from conflict, without agitation, devoid of enemies, and enduring for a long time. (04-25-7)
athābravīttataḥ karṇaḥ kṣipraṃ gacchantu bhārata। anye dhūrtatarā dakṣā nibhṛtāḥ sādhukāriṇaḥ ॥04-25-8॥
Then Karṇa said: Let them go quickly, O Bhārata. Others are more cunning, skilled, reserved, and doers of good deeds. (04-25-8)
carantu deśān saṁvītāḥ sphītān janapadākulān। tatra goṣṭhīṣv athānyāsu siddha-pravrajiteṣu ca ॥04-25-9॥
Let them wander throughout regions filled with prosperous and populous settlements. There, in assemblies and elsewhere, and among accomplished mendicants too. (04-25-9)
paricāreṣu tīrtheṣu vividheṣvākareṣu ca। vijñātavyā manuṣyaistaistarkayā suvinītayā ॥04-25-10॥
That which should be known by humans is to be determined, with proper reasoning and right conduct, in services, holy places, and various sources. (04-25-10)
vividhaiḥ tat-paraiḥ samyak-tad-jñaiḥ nipuṇa-saṁvṛtaiḥ। anveṣṭavyāś ca nipuṇaṁ pāṇḍavāś channa-vāsinaḥ ॥04-25-11॥
By various persons devoted to that task, who properly know of it, and who are accompanied by experts, the Pāṇḍavas dwelling in hiding must be carefully searched for. (04-25-11)
nadīkuñjeṣu tīrtheṣu grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca. āśrameṣu ca ramyeṣu parvateṣu guhāsu ca ॥04-25-12॥
In the groves by rivers, at sacred fords, in villages, in cities, in hermitages, in delightful places, in mountains, and in caves. (4-25-12)
athāgrajānantarajaḥ pāpabhāvānurāgiṇam। jyeṣṭhaṃ duḥśāsanastatra bhrātā bhrātaramabravīt ॥04-25-13॥
Then Duḥśāsana, the brother born immediately after the eldest and attached to evil intentions, spoke to his eldest brother there. (04-25-13)
etacca karṇo yatprāha sarvam īkṣāmahe tathā। yathoddiṣṭaṃ carāḥ sarve mṛgayantu tatastataḥ ॥ ete ca anye ca bhūyāṃso deśād deśaṃ yathāvidhi ॥04-25-14॥
And as Karṇa has spoken, let us observe everything accordingly. Let all the scouts search everywhere as instructed. These and many other men also should proceed from region to region according to rule. (04-25-14)
na tu teṣāṃ gatirvāsaḥ pravṛttiścopalabhyate। atyāhitaṃ vā gūḍhāste pāraṃ vormimato gatāḥ॥04-25-15॥
But for them, neither their course, their dwelling, nor their activity can be ascertained; whether they are highly placed or hidden, they have crossed to the other shore of the surging sea. (04-25-15)
vyālair vāpi mahāraṇye bhakṣitāḥ śūramāninaḥ। atha vā viṣamaṃ prāpya vinaṣṭāḥ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ॥04-25-16॥
Those who considered themselves brave were either devoured by wild beasts in the great forest or, having encountered danger, have perished for all time. (04-25-16)
tasmān mānasam-avyagraṁ kṛtvā tvaṁ kurunandana। kuru kāryaṁ yathotsāhaṁ manyase yan narādhipa ॥04-25-17॥
Therefore, O Kurunandana, compose your mind and calmly perform such duties as you think right with enthusiasm, O lord of men. (04-25-17)
