05.083

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

Vaiśaṁpāyana said:

तथा दूतैः समाज्ञाय आयान्तं मधुसूदनम्। धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीद्भीष्ममर्चयित्वा महाभुजम् ॥५-८३-१॥

Then, having learned from the messengers that Madhusudana was arriving, Dhritarashtra—after honoring the mighty-armed Bhishma—spoke to him. (5-83-1)

द्रोणं च सञ्जयं चैव विदुरं च महामतिम्। दुर्योधनं च सामात्यं हृष्टरोमाब्रवीदिदम् ॥५-८३-२॥

He also said this to Drona, Sanjaya, Vidura the wise, and to Duryodhana with his counselors, his hair standing on end. (5-83-2)

अद्भुतं महदाश्चर्यं श्रूयते कुरुनन्दन। स्त्रियो बालाश्च वृद्धाश्च कथयन्ति गृहे गृहे ॥५-८३-३॥

A great and wondrous marvel is being reported, O Kuru prince—women, children, and the elderly are telling of it in every house. (5-83-3)

सत्कृत्याचक्षते चान्ये तथैवान्ये समागताः। पृथग्वादाश्च वर्तन्ते चत्वरेषु सभासु च ॥५-८३-४॥

Some retell it respectfully, and others who have gathered do the same; people of differing views gather in the public squares and in the assemblies. (5-83-4)

उपयास्यति दाशार्हः पाण्डवार्थे पराक्रमी। स नो मान्यश्च पूज्यश्च सर्वथा मधुसूदनः ॥५-८३-५॥

The mighty descendant of Dasarha will approach for the sake of the Pandavas; Madhusudana is entirely worthy of our honor and worship. (5-83-5)

तस्मिन्हि यात्रा लोकस्य भूतानामीश्वरो हि सः। तस्मिन्धृतिश्च वीर्यं च प्रज्ञा चौजश्च माधवे ॥५-८३-६॥

For in him lies the progress of the world, for he is indeed the lord of beings; in Mādhava are steadfastness, heroic strength, wisdom, and energy. (5-83-6)

स मान्यतां नरश्रेष्ठः स हि धर्मः सनातनः। पूजितो हि सुखाय स्यादसुखः स्यादपूजितः ॥५-८३-७॥

He, the best among men, should be honored, for he is eternal righteousness. If he is honored, it will bring happiness; if he is dishonored, it will bring unhappiness. (5-83-7)

स चेत्तुष्यति दाशार्ह उपचारैररिंदमः। कृत्स्नान्सर्वानभिप्रायान्प्राप्स्यामः सर्वराजसु ॥५-८३-८॥

If the subduer of enemies, the Dāśārha, is pleased by our attentions, we shall attain all our goals among all the kings. (5-83-8)

तस्य पूजार्थमद्यैव संविधत्स्व परन्तप। सभाः पथि विधीयन्तां सर्वकामसमाहिताः ॥५-८३-९॥

For honoring him today itself, O scorcher of foes, take care that reception halls equipped with every comfort are prepared along the way. (5-83-9)

यथा प्रीतिर्महाबाहो त्वयि जायेत तस्य वै। तथा कुरुष्व गान्धारे कथं वा भीष्म मन्यसे ॥५-८३-१०॥

Just as affection might arise for you, O mighty-armed one, so do for him, O son of Gāndhārī; or how do you think, O Bhīṣma? (5-83-10)

ततो भीष्मादयः सर्वे धृतराष्ट्रं जनाधिपम्। ऊचुः परममित्येवं पूजयन्तोऽस्य तद्वचः ॥५-८३-११॥

Then Bhishma and all the others, honoring his words, said to Dhritarashtra, lord of the people, "So be it." (5-83-11)

तेषामनुमतं ज्ञात्वा राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा। सभावास्तूनि रम्याणि प्रदेष्टुमुपचक्रमे ॥५-८३-१२॥

Then, having obtained their approval, King Duryodhana began to arrange splendid assembly halls. (5-83-12)

ततो देशेषु देशेषु रमणीयेषु भागशः। सर्वरत्नसमाकीर्णाः सभाश्चक्रुरनेकशः ॥५-८३-१३॥

Then, in various beautiful regions and in different parts, they constructed many assembly halls filled with all kinds of gems. (5-83-13)

आसनानि विचित्राणि युक्तानि विविधैर्गुणैः। स्त्रियो गन्धानलङ्कारान्सूक्ष्माणि वसनानि च ॥५-८३-१४॥

seats of various kinds adorned with many qualities, women, perfumes, ornaments, fine garments, (5-83-14)

गुणवन्त्यन्नपानानि भोज्यानि विविधानि च। माल्यानि च सुगन्धीनि तानि राजा ददौ ततः ॥५-८३-१५॥

Then the king gave excellent foods and drinks, various dishes, and fragrant garlands. (5-83-15)

विशेषतश्च वासार्थं सभां ग्रामे वृकस्थले। विदधे कौरवो राजा बहुरत्नां मनोरमाम् ॥५-८३-१६॥

And especially, for accommodation, the Kaurava king arranged a charming assembly hall, rich in many gems, in the village of Vṛkasthala. (5-83-16)

एतद्विधाय वै सर्वं देवार्हमतिमानुषम्। आचख्यौ धृतराष्ट्राय राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा ॥५-८३-१७॥

Having arranged all this—fit for the gods, surpassing mortals—King Duryodhana then informed Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (5-83-17)

ताः सभाः केशवः सर्वा रत्नानि विविधानि च। असमीक्ष्यैव दाशार्ह उपायात्कुरुसद्म तत् ॥५-८३-१८॥

Without even glancing at those assembly halls or the various gems, Kṛṣṇa, the descendent of the Daśārhas, went to the palace of the Kurus. (5-83-18)