05.021
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा प्रज्ञावृद्धो महाद्युतिः। सम्पूज्यैनं यथाकालं भीष्मो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-२१-१॥
Upon hearing those words, the wise and radiant elder Bhishma, after duly honoring him at the appropriate time, spoke.
दिष्ट्या कुशलिनः सर्वे पाण्डवाः सह बान्धवैः। दिष्ट्या सहायवन्तश्च दिष्ट्या धर्मे च ते रताः ॥५-२१-२॥
Fortunately, all the Pāṇḍavas are well along with their relatives. They are fortunate to have allies and to be engaged in righteousness.
दिष्ट्या च सन्धिकामास्ते भ्रातरः कुरुनन्दनाः। दिष्ट्या न युद्धमनसः सह दामोदरेण ते ॥५-२१-३॥
Fortunately, the Kuru brothers are seeking peace and are not inclined to engage in battle with Damodara.
भवता सत्यमुक्तं च सर्वमेतन्न संशयः। अतितीक्ष्णं तु ते वाक्यं ब्राह्मण्यादिति मे मतिः ॥५-२१-४॥
You have spoken the truth, and there is no doubt about it. However, I find your words to be very sharp, perhaps because of your Brahmin nature, this is my opinion.
असंशयं क्लेशितास्ते वने चेह च पाण्डवाः। प्राप्ताश्च धर्मतः सर्वं पितुर्धनमसंशयम् ॥५-२१-५॥
There is no doubt that the Pandavas, who have suffered both in the forest and here, have rightfully gained all of their father's wealth.
किरीटी बलवान्पार्थः कृतास्त्रश्च महाबलः। को हि पाण्डुसुतं युद्धे विषहेत धनञ्जयम् ॥५-२१-६॥
Arjuna, the one with a diadem, is strong, the son of Pritha, skilled in weapons and mighty. Who indeed can withstand Arjuna, the son of Pandu, in battle?
अपि वज्रधरः साक्षात्किमुतान्ये धनुर्भृतः। त्रयाणामपि लोकानां समर्थ इति मे मतिः ॥५-२१-७॥
Even Vajradhara himself is capable of handling the three worlds, let alone other archers. This is my belief.
भीष्मे ब्रुवति तद्वाक्यं धृष्टमाक्षिप्य मन्युमान्। दुर्योधनं समालोक्य कर्णो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-२१-८॥
While Bhishma was speaking, Karna, looking at Duryodhana and interrupting boldly in anger, said.
न तन्न विदितं ब्रह्मँल्लोके भूतेन केनचित्। पुनरुक्तेन किं तेन भाषितेन पुनः पुनः ॥५-२१-९॥
Brahman is not known in the world by any being or anyone. What is the use of repeating the same speech again and again?
दुर्योधनार्थे शकुनिर्द्यूते निर्जितवान्पुरा। समयेन गतोऽरण्यं पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥५-२१-१०॥
In the past, for the sake of Duryodhana, Shakuni defeated Yudhishthira in the game of dice. As per the agreement, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, went to the forest.
न तं समयमादृत्य राज्यमिच्छति पैतृकम्। बलमाश्रित्य मत्स्यानां पाञ्चालानां च पार्थिवः ॥५-२१-११॥
The prince, disregarding that time, seeks his ancestral kingdom, relying on the strength of the Matsyas and the Panchalas.
दुर्योधनो भयाद्विद्वन्न दद्यात्पदमन्ततः। धर्मतस्तु महीं कृत्स्नां प्रदद्याच्छत्रवेऽपि च ॥५-२१-१२॥
Duryodhana, out of fear, would not ultimately give up his position, O wise one; but rightfully, he would give the entire earth even to his enemy.
यदि काङ्क्षन्ति ते राज्यं पितृपैतामहं पुनः। यथाप्रतिज्ञं कालं तं चरन्तु वनमाश्रिताः ॥५-२१-१३॥
If they wish to regain the ancestral kingdom, as promised, let them fulfill the time dwelling in the forest.
ततो दुर्योधनस्याङ्के वर्तन्तामकुतोभयाः। अधार्मिकामिमां बुद्धिं कुर्युर्मौर्ख्याद्धि केवलम् ॥५-२१-१४॥
Then, in Duryodhana's lap, the fearless ones are present. They might act on this unrighteous intention purely out of foolishness.
अथ ते धर्ममुत्सृज्य युद्धमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः। आसाद्येमान्कुरुश्रेष्ठान्स्मरिष्यन्ति वचो मम ॥५-२१-१५॥
Then the Pandavas, having abandoned their duty, desire war. Upon approaching these esteemed Kurus, they will recall my words.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
किं नु राधेय वाचा ते कर्म तत्स्मर्तुमर्हसि। एक एव यदा पार्थः षड्रथाञ्जितवान्युधि ॥५-२१-१६॥
O son of Radha, you should remember your words and actions, especially when Arjuna alone conquered six chariots in battle.
न चेदेवं करिष्यामो यदयं ब्राह्मणोऽब्रवीत्। ध्रुवं युधि हतास्तेन भक्षयिष्याम पांसुकान् ॥५-२१-१७॥
If we do not follow what this Brahmin has said, we will surely be defeated in battle by him and will end up eating dust.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
धृतराष्ट्रस्ततो भीष्ममनुमान्य प्रसाद्य च। अवभर्त्स्य च राधेयमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-२१-१८॥
Then Dhritarashtra, after showing respect and pleasing Bhishma, and reproaching Radheya, spoke these words.
अस्मद्धितमिदं वाक्यं भीष्मः शान्तनवोऽब्रवीत्। पाण्डवानां हितं चैव सर्वस्य जगतस्तथा ॥५-२१-१९॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, spoke these words for our benefit, as well as for the benefit of the Pandavas and the whole world.
चिन्तयित्वा तु पार्थेभ्यः प्रेषयिष्यामि सञ्जयम्। स भवान्प्रतियात्वद्य पाण्डवानेव माचिरम् ॥५-२१-२०॥
After considering, I will send Sañjaya to the sons of Pṛthā. You should return to the Pāṇḍavas today without any delay.
स तं सत्कृत्य कौरव्यः प्रेषयामास पाण्डवान्। सभामध्ये समाहूय सञ्जयं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥५-२१-२१॥
After honoring him, the Kuru descendant sent the Pandavas. In the assembly, he called Sanjaya and spoke.
