05.020
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
स तु कौरव्यमासाद्य द्रुपदस्य पुरोहितः। सत्कृतो धृतराष्ट्रेण भीष्मेण विदुरेण च ॥५-२०-१॥
He, the priest of Drupada, upon reaching the Kauravas, was honored by Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, and Vidura.
सर्वं कौशल्यमुक्त्वादौ पृष्ट्वा चैवमनामयम्। सर्वसेनाप्रणेतॄणां मध्ये वाक्यमुवाच ह ॥५-२०-२॥
He began by speaking of all skills and inquiring about the well-being, and then he addressed the words among all the army leaders.
सर्वैर्भवद्भिर्विदितो राजधर्मः सनातनः। वाक्योपादानहेतोस्तु वक्ष्यामि विदिते सति ॥५-२०-३॥
The eternal royal duty is known to all of you; however, I will speak for the purpose of quoting, as it is already known.
धृतराष्ट्रश्च पाण्डुश्च सुतावेकस्य विश्रुतौ। तयोः समानं द्रविणं पैतृकं नात्र संशयः ॥५-२०-४॥
Dhritarashtra and Pandu, both sons of the same lineage, are renowned. There is no doubt that their ancestral wealth is equal.
धृतराष्ट्रस्य ये पुत्रास्ते प्राप्ताः पैतृकं वसु। पाण्डुपुत्राः कथं नाम न प्राप्ताः पैतृकं वसु ॥५-२०-५॥
The sons of Dhritarashtra have received their ancestral wealth. How is it that the Pandavas have not received their ancestral wealth?
एवं गते पाण्डवेयैर्विदितं वः पुरा यथा। न प्राप्तं पैतृकं द्रव्यं धार्तराष्ट्रेण संवृतम् ॥५-२०-६॥
Thus, as you knew from before by the sons of Pandu, the ancestral wealth was not obtained because it was withheld by the son of Dhritarashtra.
प्राणान्तिकैरप्युपायैः प्रयतद्भिरनेकशः। शेषवन्तो न शकिता नयितुं यमसादनम् ॥५-२०-७॥
Even with numerous life-threatening efforts, those who strive are unable to lead the remaining ones to the abode of Yama.
पुनश्च वर्धितं राज्यं स्वबलेन महात्मभिः। छद्मनापहृतं क्षुद्रैर्धार्तराष्ट्रैः ससौबलैः ॥५-२०-८॥
Once more, the kingdom that was expanded by the great souls through their own strength was deceitfully seized by the mean sons of Dhritarashtra along with Saubala.
तदप्यनुमतं कर्म तथायुक्तमनेन वै। वासिताश्च महारण्ये वर्षाणीह त्रयोदश ॥५-२०-९॥
That action was indeed approved by him, and they lived in the great forest here for thirteen years.
सभायां क्लेशितैर्वीरैः सहभार्यैस्तथा भृशम्। अरण्ये विविधाः क्लेशाः सम्प्राप्तास्तैः सुदारुणाः ॥५-२०-१०॥
In the assembly, the heroes, along with their wives, were greatly tormented; in the forest, they encountered various very terrible troubles.
तथा विराटनगरे योन्यन्तरगतैरिव। प्राप्तः परमसङ्क्लेशो यथा पापैर्महात्मभिः ॥५-२०-११॥
In the city of Virata, great distress was experienced by those who had taken other forms, similar to the suffering caused by the wicked, as understood by the great souls.
ते सर्वे पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तत्सर्वं पूर्वकिल्बिषम्। सामैव कुरुभिः सार्धमिच्छन्ति कुरुपुङ्गवाः ॥५-२०-१२॥
The best of the Kurus, having put all their past sins behind, now seek only peace with the Kauravas.
तेषां च वृत्तमाज्ञाय वृत्तं दुर्योधनस्य च। अनुनेतुमिहार्हन्ति धृतराष्ट्रं सुहृज्जनाः ॥५-२०-१३॥
Understanding the behavior of both them and Duryodhana, the friends are here to persuade Dhritarashtra.
न हि ते विग्रहं वीराः कुर्वन्ति कुरुभिः सह। अविनाशेन लोकस्य काङ्क्षन्ते पाण्डवाः स्वकम् ॥५-२०-१४॥
The Pandavas do not engage in conflict with the Kauravas because they desire their own indestructible world.
यश्चापि धार्तराष्ट्रस्य हेतुः स्याद्विग्रहं प्रति। स च हेतुर्न मन्तव्यो बलीयांसस्तथा हि ते ॥५-२०-१५॥
Whoever may be the cause of Dhritarashtra's conflict should not be considered stronger, for indeed they are not.
अक्षौहिण्यो हि सप्तैव धर्मपुत्रस्य सङ्गताः। युयुत्समानाः कुरुभिः प्रतीक्षन्तेऽस्य शासनम् ॥५-२०-१६॥
Seven divisions of Dharmaputra's army have gathered, ready to battle the Kauravas, and are awaiting his orders.
अपरे पुरुषव्याघ्राः सहस्राक्षौहिणीसमाः। सात्यकिर्भीमसेनश्च यमौ च सुमहाबलौ ॥५-२०-१७॥
Others, who are like tigers among men and equal to a thousand divisions, include Satyaki, Bhimasena, and the very mighty twins.
एकादशैताः पृतना एकतश्च समागताः। एकतश्च महाबाहुर्बहुरूपो धनञ्जयः ॥५-२०-१८॥
Eleven armies gathered on one side, while on the other stood the mighty and versatile Arjuna.
यथा किरीटी सेनाभ्यः सर्वाभ्यो व्यतिरिच्यते। एवमेव महाबाहुर्वासुदेवो महाद्युतिः ॥५-२०-१९॥
Just as Arjuna, the one with a crown, stands out among all the armies, so does the mighty-armed Vasudeva, Krishna, shine with great splendor.
बहुलत्वं च सेनानां विक्रमं च किरीटिनः। बुद्धिमत्तां च कृष्णस्य बुद्ध्वा युध्येत को नरः ॥५-२०-२०॥
Who would dare to fight, knowing the vastness of the armies, the valor of Arjuna, and the wisdom of Krishna?
ते भवन्तो यथाधर्मं यथासमयमेव च। प्रयच्छन्तु प्रदातव्यं मा वः कालोऽत्यगादयम् ॥५-२०-२१॥
Gentlemen, let them give what is due according to the law and the time, so that your opportunity does not pass by.
