05.007
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
गते द्वारवतीं कृष्णे बलदेवे च माधवे। सह वृष्ण्यन्धकैः सर्वैर्भोजैश्च शतशस्तथा ॥५-७-१॥
Krishna, Balarama, and Madhava went to Dvaraka along with all the Vrishnis, Andhakas, and hundreds of Bhojas.
सर्वमागमयामास पाण्डवानां विचेष्टितम्। धृतराष्ट्रात्मजो राजा दूतैः प्रणिहितैश्चरैः ॥५-७-२॥
The king, son of Dhritarashtra, had all the activities of the Pandavas reported to him through messengers and spies.
स श्रुत्वा माधवं यातं सदश्वैरनिलोपमैः। बलेन नातिमहता द्वारकामभ्ययात्पुरीम् ॥५-७-३॥
Upon hearing that Madhava had departed with horses as swift as the wind, he approached the city of Dvaraka with a modest force.
तमेव दिवसं चापि कौन्तेयः पाण्डुनन्दनः। आनर्तनगरीं रम्यां जगामाशु धनञ्जयः ॥५-७-४॥
On that same day, Arjuna, the son of Kunti and descendant of Pandu, swiftly traveled to the enchanting city of Anarta.
तौ यात्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रौ द्वारकां कुरुनन्दनौ। सुप्तं ददृशतुः कृष्णं शयानं चोपजग्मतुः ॥५-७-५॥
The two heroes, the best among men and descendants of Kuru, went to Dvaraka and saw Krishna asleep. They approached him as he lay there.
ततः शयाने गोविन्दे प्रविवेश सुयोधनः। उच्छीर्षतश्च कृष्णस्य निषसाद वरासने ॥५-७-६॥
Then, when Govinda was resting, Suyodhana entered and took a seat on the distinguished chair at Krishna's head.
ततः किरीटी तस्यानु प्रविवेश महामनाः। पश्चार्धे च स कृष्णस्य प्रह्वोऽतिष्ठत्कृताञ्जलिः ॥५-७-७॥
Then the crowned one, with a great mind, followed him and entered. In the latter half, he stood humbly with folded hands before Krishna.
प्रतिबुद्धः स वार्ष्णेयो ददर्शाग्रे किरीटिनम्। स तयोः स्वागतं कृत्वा यथार्हं प्रतिपूज्य च ॥ तदागमनजं हेतुं पप्रच्छ मधुसूदनः ॥५-७-८॥
Upon awakening, the descendant of Vṛṣṇi saw the crowned one before him. He welcomed and honored them appropriately, and then Madhusūdana inquired about the reason for their visit.
ततो दुर्योधनः कृष्णमुवाच प्रहसन्निव। विग्रहेऽस्मिन्भवान्साह्यं मम दातुमिहार्हति ॥५-७-९॥
Then Duryodhana, with a smile, said to Krishna: "In this conflict, you should assist me here."
समं हि भवतः सख्यं मयि चैवार्जुनेऽपि च। तथा सम्बन्धकं तुल्यमस्माकं त्वयि माधव ॥५-७-१०॥
Indeed, your friendship is equally shared with me and Arjuna; thus, our relationship with you, O Mādhava, is the same.
अहं चाभिगतः पूर्वं त्वामद्य मधुसूदन। पूर्वं चाभिगतं सन्तो भजन्ते पूर्वसारिणः ॥५-७-११॥
I have approached you first today, O Madhusudana. Previously, the saints who follow the ancient path have also approached and worshipped.
त्वं च श्रेष्ठतमो लोके सतामद्य जनार्दन। सततं संमतश्चैव सद्वृत्तमनुपालय ॥५-७-१२॥
O Janardana, today you are considered the best among the virtuous in the world; always maintain good conduct and remain respected.
कृष्ण उवाच॥
Krishna spoke:
भवानभिगतः पूर्वमत्र मे नास्ति संशयः। दृष्टस्तु प्रथमं राजन्मया पार्थो धनञ्जयः ॥५-७-१३॥
There is no doubt that you have come here before. However, the first person I saw, O king, was Arjuna, the conqueror of wealth.
तव पूर्वाभिगमनात्पूर्वं चाप्यस्य दर्शनात्। साहाय्यमुभयोरेव करिष्यामि सुयोधन ॥५-७-१४॥
Before you came and before seeing him, I will indeed help both of you, Suyodhana.
प्रवारणं तु बालानां पूर्वं कार्यमिति श्रुतिः। तस्मात्प्रवारणं पूर्वमर्हः पार्थो धनञ्जयः ॥५-७-१५॥
The scriptures state that the invitation should first be extended to the young. Therefore, Arjuna, known as Dhananjaya, is worthy of being invited first.
मत्संहननतुल्यानां गोपानामर्बुदं महत्। नारायणा इति ख्याताः सर्वे सङ्ग्रामयोधिनः ॥५-७-१६॥
A vast number of cowherds, renowned as Nārāyaṇa, were all warriors, possessing strength comparable to that of a fish.
ते वा युधि दुराधर्षा भवन्त्वेकस्य सैनिकाः। अयुध्यमानः सङ्ग्रामे न्यस्तशस्त्रोऽहमेकतः ॥५-७-१७॥
They, or the invincible soldiers in battle, may become the soldiers of one; I, not fighting in battle, stand alone, weaponless.
आभ्यामन्यतरं पार्थ यत्ते हृद्यतरं मतम्। तद्वृणीतां भवानग्रे प्रवार्यस्त्वं हि धर्मतः ॥५-७-१८॥
O son of Pritha, you should choose whichever of the two options is more agreeable to you, as you are indeed the most excellent in terms of duty.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
एवमुक्तस्तु कृष्णेन कुन्तीपुत्रो धनञ्जयः। अयुध्यमानं सङ्ग्रामे वरयामास केशवम् ॥५-७-१९॥
Upon being addressed by Krishna, the son of Kunti, Arjuna, who was not fighting in the battle, chose Keshava.
सहस्राणां सहस्रं तु योधानां प्राप्य भारत। कृष्णं चापहृतं ज्ञात्वा सम्प्राप परमां मुदम् ॥५-७-२०॥
O Bharata, upon obtaining a thousand thousands of warriors and realizing that Krishna was taken away, he attained supreme joy.
दुर्योधनस्तु तत्सैन्यं सर्वमादाय पार्थिवः। ततोऽभ्ययाद्भीमबलो रौहिणेयं महाबलम् ॥५-७-२१॥
Duryodhana, the prince, gathered all that army and then approached the mighty Bhima's strength, Rauhiṇeya.
सर्वं चागमने हेतुं स तस्मै संन्यवेदयत्। प्रत्युवाच ततः शौरिर्धार्तराष्ट्रमिदं वचः ॥५-७-२२॥
He explained everything about the arrival to him. Then Krishna spoke these words to Dhritarashtra's son.
विदितं ते नरव्याघ्र सर्वं भवितुमर्हति। यन्मयोक्तं विराटस्य पुरा वैवाहिके तदा ॥५-७-२३॥
O tiger among men, you are aware that everything I mentioned earlier during the marriage of Virata is destined to occur.
निगृह्योक्तो हृषीकेशस्त्वदर्थं कुरुनन्दन। मया सम्बन्धकं तुल्यमिति राजन्पुनः पुनः ॥५-७-२४॥
Hrishikesha, having restrained himself, spoke repeatedly for your sake, O joy of the Kurus, saying that it was equally related by me, O king.
न च तद्वाक्यमुक्तं वै केशवः प्रत्यपद्यत। न चाहमुत्सहे कृष्णं विना स्थातुमपि क्षणम् ॥५-७-२५॥
Keshava did not accept that statement. And I cannot stay even for a moment without Krishna.
नाहं सहायः पार्थानां नापि दुर्योधनस्य वै। इति मे निश्चिता बुद्दिर्वासुदेवमवेक्ष्य ह ॥५-७-२६॥
I am neither a supporter of the sons of Pṛthā nor of Duryodhana. This is my firm decision, having considered Vāsudeva.
जातोऽसि भारते वंशे सर्वपार्थिवपूजिते। गच्छ युध्यस्व धर्मेण क्षात्रेण भरतर्षभ ॥५-७-२७॥
You are born in the noble lineage of Bharata, honored by all kings. Proceed to battle with righteousness and fulfill your duty as a warrior, O esteemed prince of the Bharatas.
इत्येवमुक्तः स तदा परिष्वज्य हलायुधम्। कृष्णं चापहृतं ज्ञात्वा युद्धान्मेने जितं जयम् ॥५-७-२८॥
Having been spoken to in this way, he embraced Halayudha. Knowing that Krishna had been taken away, he considered the victory in battle to be won.
सोऽभ्ययात्कृतवर्माणं धृतराष्ट्रसुतो नृपः। कृतवर्मा ददौ तस्य सेनामक्षौहिणीं तदा ॥५-७-२९॥
The son of Dhritarashtra, the king, went to Kritavarma, who then provided him with an Akshauhini division of his army.
स तेन सर्वसैन्येन भीमेन कुरुनन्दनः। वृतः प्रतिययौ हृष्टः सुहृदः सम्प्रहर्षयन् ॥५-७-३०॥
The descendant of Kuru, accompanied by Bhima and the entire army, returned joyfully, bringing delight to his friends.
गते दुर्योधने कृष्णः किरीटिनमथाब्रवीत्। अयुध्यमानः कां बुद्धिमास्थायाहं त्वया वृतः ॥५-७-३१॥
After Duryodhana departed, Krishna asked Arjuna why he chose him, knowing he would not fight.
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said:
भवान्समर्थस्तान्सर्वान्निहन्तुं नात्र संशयः। निहन्तुमहमप्येकः समर्थः पुरुषोत्तम ॥५-७-३२॥
There is no doubt that you are capable of destroying them all. I too am capable of destroying them alone, O best of men.
भवांस्तु कीर्तिमाँल्लोके तद्यशस्त्वां गमिष्यति। यशसा चाहमप्यर्थी तस्मादसि मया वृतः ॥५-७-३३॥
You are renowned in the world, and that fame will reach you. I too desire fame, and that is why I have chosen you.
सारथ्यं तु त्वया कार्यमिति मे मानसं सदा। चिररात्रेप्सितं कामं तद्भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥५-७-३४॥
You should take up the role of a charioteer, as it has always been my long-desired wish.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
उपपन्नमिदं पार्थ यत्स्पर्धेथा मया सह। सारथ्यं ते करिष्यामि कामः सम्पद्यतां तव ॥५-७-३५॥
O son of Pritha, it is fitting that you compete with me. I shall be your charioteer; may your wish be granted.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
एवं प्रमुदितः पार्थः कृष्णेन सहितस्तदा। वृतो दाशार्हप्रवरैः पुनरायाद्युधिष्ठिरम् ॥५-७-३६॥
Thus, a joyful Arjuna, accompanied by Krishna and surrounded by the best of the Dasharhas, returned once more to Yudhishthira.
