04.027
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tataḥ śāntanavo bhīṣmo bharatānāṃ pitāmahaḥ। śrutavān deśakālajñaḥ tattvajñaḥ sarvadharmavit ॥04-27-1॥
Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, grandfather of the Bharatas, learned in all scriptures, knowing time and place, a knower of the essence, and knowledgeable in all dharmas, (spoke thus). (04-27-1)
ācārya-vākya-uparame tad-vākyam abhisandadhat। hitārtham sa uvāca imām bhāratīm bhāratān prati॥04-27-2॥
After the teacher's words had ceased, he uttered that statement for their benefit; he spoke this discourse to the Bharatas. (4-27-2)
yudhiṣṭhire samāsaktāṃ dharmajñe dharmasaṃśritām। asatsu durlabhāṃ nityaṃ satāṃ cābhimatāṃ sadā॥ bhīṣmaḥ samavadattatra giraṃ sādhubhirarcitām॥04-27-3॥
Bhīṣma there uttered words, honored by the virtuous, about that quality — which, attached to Yudhiṣṭhira, who knows dharma, rests in dharma, is always difficult to find among the unworthy, and always cherished by the virtuous. (04-27-3)
yathaiṣa brāhmaṇaḥ prāha droṇaḥ sarvārthatattvavit। sarvalakṣaṇasampannā nāśaṃ nārhanti pāṇḍavāḥ ॥04-27-4॥
As this brāhmaṇa Drona, who knows the essence of all things, has said: 'The Pāṇḍavas, endowed with all auspicious marks, do not deserve to be destroyed.' (4-27-4)
śrutavṛttopasampannāḥ sādhuvratasamanvitāḥ। vṛddhānuśāsane magnāḥ satyavrataparāyaṇāḥ॥04-27-5॥
They are endowed with learned conduct, possess good vows, are immersed in the instruction of elders, and are devoted to truthfulness in their vows. (04-27-5)
samayaṃ samayajñās te pālayantaḥ śucivratāḥ। nāvasīditum arhanti udvahantaḥ satāṃ dhuram ॥04-27-6॥
Those who know the proper time, are of pure vows and keep their observances, bearing the burden of the virtuous, are not fit to become despondent. (04-27-6)
dharmataś caiva guptās te svavīryeṇa ca pāṇḍavāḥ। na nāśam adhigaccheyur iti me dhīyate matiḥ॥04-27-7॥
The Pāṇḍavas, being protected both by righteousness and their own strength, will not meet destruction—this is the opinion I hold. (04-27-7)
tatra buddhiṃ praṇeṣyāmi pāṇḍavānprati bhārata. na tu nītiḥ sunītasya śakyate’nveṣituṃ paraiḥ ॥04-27-8॥
O Bhārata, there I will devise a plan concerning the Pāṇḍavas. But the strategy of a wise person cannot be detected by others. (04-27-8)
yattu śakyam ihāsmābhis tān vai sañcintya pāṇḍavān। buddhyā pravaktuṃ na drohāt pravakṣyāmi nibodha tat॥ 04-27-9॥
But what can be done by us here, having thoroughly considered the Pāṇḍavas, that I will tell you with intelligence, not out of malice—understand this. (04-27-9)
sā tviyaṃ sādhu vaktavyā na tvanītiḥ kathañcana। vṛddhānuśāsane tāta tiṣṭhataḥ satyaśīlinaḥ ॥04-27-10॥
She indeed must be properly spoken thus, and never should your conduct (be otherwise), O dear father, when remaining under the guidance of elders, being truthful in character. (04-27-10)
avaśyaṁ tv iha dhīreṇa satāṁ madhye vivakṣatā। yathāmati vivaktavyaṁ sarvaśo dharmalipsayā ॥04-27-11॥
But here, one must certainly, with wisdom, express oneself among virtuous people, always and fully according to one's understanding, motivated by the desire for righteousness. (04-27-11)
tatra nāhaṁ tathā manye yathāyamitaro janaḥ। pure janapade vāpi yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ॥04-27-12॥
There, I do not think in the same way as this other person does, either in the city or the country where king Yudhishthira lives. (04-27-12)
nāsūyako na cāpīrṣur nātivādī na matsarī। bhaviṣyati janas tatra svaṃ svaṃ dharmam anuvrataḥ॥04-27-13॥
There, no one will be envious, jealous, boastful, or malicious; each person will steadfastly follow their own duty. (04-27-13)
brahmaghoṣāś ca bhūyāṃsaḥ pūrṇāhutyaḥ tathaiva ca। kratavaś ca bhaviṣyanti bhūyāṃsaḥ bhūridakṣiṇāḥ॥04-27-14॥
The chants of the Veda will become more abundant, as will completed offerings; there will also be many more sacrifices, lavishly endowed with generous gifts to priests. (04-27-14)
sadā ca tatra parjanyaḥ samyag-varṣī na saṁśayaḥ। sampannasasyā ca mahī nirītikā bhaviṣyati ॥04-27-15॥
There, rain will always fall properly without any doubt; and the earth, with abundant crops, will be free from calamity. (04-27-15)
rasavanti ca dhānyāni guṇavanti phalāni ca| gandhavanti ca mālyāni śubhaśabdā ca bhāratī ॥04-27-16॥
Grains are juicy, fruits are virtuous, garlands are fragrant, and Bhāratī (goddess of speech) has auspicious words. (04-27-16)
vāyuś ca sukhasaṃsparśo niṣpratīpaṃ ca darśanam| bhayaṃ nābhyāviśet tatra yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥04-27-17॥
Wherever the king Yudhishthira is, the wind is pleasant to the touch, the sight is undisturbed, and no fear enters there. (04-27-17)
gāvaś ca bahulās tatra na kṛśā na ca durduhāḥ। payāṃsi dadhisarpīṃṣi rasavanti hitāni ca॥04-27-18॥
There, the cows are abundant, neither emaciated nor difficult to milk; their milk, curds, and ghee are full of flavor and wholesome. (04-27-18)
guṇavanti ca pānāni bhojyāni rasavanti ca। tatra deśe bhaviṣyanti yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ॥04-27-19॥
There will be high-quality drinks and foods rich in flavor in that land where King Yudhishthira is present. (04-27-19)
rasāḥ sparśāś ca gandhāś ca śabdāś ca api guṇānvitāḥ. dṛśyāni ca prasannāni yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥04-27-20॥
Where king Yudhiṣṭhira is, tastes, touches, scents, and sounds endowed with qualities, and even the visible things, are all pleasant. (04-27-20)
svaiḥ svair guṇaiḥ susaṁyuktās tasmin varṣe trayodaśe। deśe tasmin bhaviṣyanti tāta pāṇḍava-saṁyute ॥04-27-21॥
O father, in that thirteenth year, in that country connected with the Pāṇḍavas, there will be those who are well-endowed with their own qualities. (04-27-21)
samprītimāñjanas tatra santuṣṭaḥ śuciravyayaḥ। devatātithipūjāsu sarvabhūtānurāgavān॥04-27-22॥
There, he is one who spreads affection, remains content, is pure and steadfast, and in the worship of gods and guests, he is full of love for all beings. (04-27-22)
iṣṭadāno mahotsāhaḥ śaśvaddharmaparāyaṇaḥ। aśubhadviṭśubhaprepsurnityayajñaḥ śubhavrataḥ॥ bhaviṣyati janastatra yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ॥04-27-23॥
Where king Yudhishthira rules, there will be people who give the desired gifts, are highly enthusiastic, always devoted to righteousness, hate evil, seek good, perpetually engage in sacrifice, and practice auspicious vows. (04-27-23)
tyaktavākyānṛtastāta śubhakalyāṇamaṅgalaḥ | śubhārthepsuḥ śubhamatiryatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥ bhaviṣyati janastatra nityaṃ ceṣṭapriyavrataḥ ॥04-27-24॥
O dear, wherever King Yudhiṣṭhira—who rejects false speech, is auspicious, desires what is good, and is pure-minded—will reign, the people there will always be engaged in good deeds and devoted to what is right. (04-27-24)
dharmātmā sa tadādṛśyaḥ so'pi tāta dvijātibhiḥ। kiṃ punaḥ prākṛtaiḥ pārthaḥ śakyo vijñātumantataḥ॥04-27-25॥
That virtuous-souled one then became invisible, O dear one, even to the twice-born; how then, O Pārtha, can he possibly be known thoroughly by ordinary men? (04-27-25)
yasmin satyaṃ dhṛtir dānaṃ parā śāntir dhruvā kṣamā | hrīḥ śrīḥ kīrtiḥ paraṃ teja ānṛśaṃsyam athārjavam ||04-27-26||
In whom truth, steadfastness, generosity, supreme peace, unwavering forbearance, modesty, prosperity, fame, supreme brilliance, compassion, and honesty abide. (04-27-26)
tasmāttatra nivāsaṃ tu channaṃ satreṇa dhīmataḥ। gatiṃ vā paramāṃ tasya notsahe vaktumanyathā ॥04-27-27॥
Therefore, I am not able to disclose otherwise the hidden residence there, or the supreme path of that wise one, by means of the sacrificial session. (04-27-27)
evam etat tu sañcintya yat kṛtaṃ manyase hitam। tat kṣipraṃ kuru kauravya yad evam śraddadhāsi me॥04-27-28॥
But after thus reflecting, whatever you think is beneficial, do that at once, O Kaurava, since you have such faith in me. (04-27-28)
