05.023
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
Upon hearing King Dhritarashtra's words, Sanjaya proceeded to Upaplavya to meet the Pandavas, who were of immense strength.
He approached the righteous King Yudhishthira, bowed down, and then the son of a charioteer spoke first.
Sañjaya, the son of a charioteer, confidently addressed the enemy of silver, saying: "O king, it is fortunate that I see you in good health and accompanied by allies, resembling the great Indra."
The wise old king Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, inquires about your well-being. He asks whether Bhima, the foremost of the Pandavas, Dhananjaya, and the two sons of Madri are doing well.
O Bhārata, is Kṛṣṇā, Draupadī, the princess, who is true to her vows, the wife of a hero, and blessed with sons, doing well wherever you desire her to be, wishing for her well-being?
Yudhishthira spoke:
O Gāvalgaṇa, Sañjaya, welcome to you; I am pleased at heart and greet you, O charioteer. I assure you of your well-being; I am well with my brothers, O learned one.
After a long time, hearing about the welfare of Bharata from the king, the elder of the Kuru, O charioteer, I feel as if I have directly seen the king himself, having seen you, Sanjaya, due to my affection.
Our grandfather, the venerable and wise Bhishma, who is greatly wise and endowed with all virtues, is well, dear descendant of Kuru. Is his conduct as before?
Is King Dhritarashtra, along with his sons and Vicitravirya, the noble soul, doing well? Is the great King Bahlika, son of Pratipa, doing well? Is the wise son of a charioteer doing well?
Is Somadatta well, father? Are Bhūriśravāḥ, the truthful Śala, Droṇa with his son, and Kṛpa, the wise archer, also healthy?
The greatly wise, who are versed in all scriptures, are the foremost among archers on earth. Dear, do these archers receive honor? Are they also in good health?
Everyone desires to be like the Kurus, Sanjaya; the young archers of the earth. In their kingdom resides the handsome and virtuous great archer, the son of Drona.
O father, is the son of a merchant well? Is the greatly wise prince eager to fight? Is Karna, the minister, well? Is Suyodhana, in whom the slow is obedient, doing well?
Are the women, elderly, and mothers of the Bharatas; the great ones, wives of servants, and charioteers, as well as the brides, sons, nephews, sisters, and grandsons, all unharmed?
O Sanjaya, does the king continue to act properly towards the Brahmanas as before, and does Dhritarashtra's son not harm my inheritance meant for the twice-born?
Is King Dhritarashtra, along with his sons, ignoring the wrongdoings of the Brahmins? Does he, like a path, overlook their shortcomings for any reason?
This supreme light in the world of the living is pure and ordained by the creator for beings. If the foolish do not restrain their greed, it will lead to the complete destruction of the Kauravas.
Is King Dhritarashtra, along with his sons, seeking prosperity among his ministers? Are those who appear as friends but are actually enemies, and a single ally, not trying to survive through division?
Father, do the Kurus speak no ill of the Pandavas? Do they remember Partha, the leader of battles, when they see the assembled groups of bandits?
Father, do they remember the arrows released from the Gandiva bow, which made a thunderous sound, and were sent straight from the tip of the arm by the shaking of the archer?
Indeed, I have not seen anyone on earth, nor heard of anyone equal to or greater than Arjuna, whose sixty-one sharp and keen-edged arrows are well-dressed and respected.
Mighty Bhimasena, with his mace in hand, shakes the enemy troops on the battlefield; like a broken elephant wandering through the reeds, perhaps they remember him.
Sahadeva, the son of Madri, defeated the gathered Kalingas at Dantakura. With his left and right, he showed great strength, and perhaps they still remember him.
As Nakula rises, he was indeed sent by Gāvalgaṇa. Sañjaya, as you see towards the west, bringing under control my Mādrī's son, perhaps they remember him.
In the Dvaita forest, Bhimasena overcame those who were ill-advised and had come to the cow-pen, where the slow-witted had fallen under enemy control, ensuring victory.
I protected Arjuna afterwards, and Bhimasena along with the sons of Madri did the same. The wielder of Gandiva, after driving away the enemy groups, returned safely; I wonder if they remember him.
Indeed, Sanjaya, it is not possible to achieve anything here by the action of a good person alone. We are unable to conquer the son of Dhritarashtra with all our efforts.
