05.085

विदुर उवाच॥

Vidura said:

राजन्बहुमतश्चासि त्रैलोक्यस्यापि सत्तमः। सम्भावितश्च लोकस्य संमतश्चासि भारत ॥५-८५-१॥

O King, you are highly respected and the best even among the three worlds, esteemed and honored by the people, O Bhārata. (5-85-1)

यत्त्वमेवङ्गते ब्रूयाः पश्चिमे वयसि स्थितः। शास्त्राद्वा सुप्रतर्काद्वा सुस्थिरः स्थविरो ह्यसि ॥५-८५-२॥

Whatever you might say in this situation, having reached old age—whether grounded in scripture or sound reasoning—you are steadfast, for you are indeed an elder. (5-85-2)

लेखाश्मनीव भाः सूर्ये महोर्मिरिव सागरे। धर्मस्त्वयि महान्राजन्निति व्यवसिताः प्रजाः ॥५-८५-३॥

O King, the people have decided that righteousness is great in you, just as brilliance is (clear) in the sun upon a tablet, or a great wave is in the ocean. (5-85-3)

सदैव भावितो लोको गुणौघैस्तव पार्थिव। गुणानां रक्षणे नित्यं प्रयतस्व सबान्धवः ॥५-८५-४॥

O king, the people have always regarded you for your abundant virtues; always strive, together with your kinsmen, to protect those virtues. (5-85-4)

आर्जवं प्रतिपद्यस्व मा बाल्याद्बहुधा नशीः। राज्यं पुत्रांश्च पौत्रांश्च सुहृदश्चापि सुप्रियान् ॥५-८५-५॥

Adopt uprightness—do not, out of childishness, go to ruin in many ways, along with your kingdom, sons, grandsons, and even your most beloved friends. (5-85-5)

यत्त्वं दित्ससि कृष्णाय राजन्नतिथये बहु। एतदन्यच्च दाशार्हः पृथिवीमपि चार्हति ॥५-८५-६॥

Whatever you give to Kṛṣṇa as an honored guest, O king—this and even more—the scion of the Dāśārhas deserves, even the whole earth. (5-85-6)

न तु त्वं धर्ममुद्दिश्य तस्य वा प्रियकारणात्। एतदिच्छसि कृष्णाय सत्येनात्मानमालभे ॥५-८५-७॥

However, you do not desire this for Kṛṣṇa with reference to righteousness or for what would please him; I call upon truth as my witness. (5-85-7)

मायैषातत्त्वमेवैतच्छद्मैतद्भूरिदक्षिण। जानामि ते मतं राजन्गूढं बाह्येन कर्मणा ॥५-८५-८॥

This is deception, truly lacking in substance, this is a pretense, O giver of great gifts. I know your hidden intention, O king, behind your outward actions. (5-85-8)

पञ्च पञ्चैव लिप्सन्ति ग्रामकान्पाण्डवा नृप। न च दित्ससि तेभ्यस्तांस्तच्छमं कः करिष्यति ॥५-८५-९॥

The Pāṇḍavas desire only five villages, O King, but you do not give them even those—so who will bring about peace? (5-85-9)

अर्थेन तु महाबाहुं वार्ष्णेयं त्वं जिहीर्षसि। अनेनैवाभ्युपायेन पाण्डवेभ्यो बिभित्ससि ॥५-८५-१०॥

But you wish to take the mighty-armed descendant of Vrishni by means of wealth, and by this very approach you wish to obtain the Pandavas. (5-85-10)

न च वित्तेन शक्योऽसौ नोद्यमेन न गर्हया। अन्यो धनञ्जयात्कर्तुमेतत्तत्त्वं ब्रवीमि ते ॥५-८५-११॥

This cannot be accomplished by wealth, nor by effort, nor by reproach—no one other than Dhananjaya can do it. I tell you this truth. (5-85-11)

वेद कृष्णस्य माहात्म्यं वेदास्य दृढभक्तिताम्। अत्याज्यमस्य जानामि प्राणैस्तुल्यं धनञ्जयम् ॥५-८५-१२॥

He knows Kṛṣṇa's greatness, he knows his fixed devotion. I know that Dhanañjaya is as dear to him as his own life and cannot be abandoned. (5-85-12)

अन्यत्कुम्भादपां पूर्णादन्यत्पादावसेचनात्। अन्यत्कुशलसम्प्रश्नान्नैषिष्यति जनार्दनः ॥५-८५-१३॥

Janardana will not want water from some other full pitcher, nor the water used for washing feet, nor any other inquiry after his health. (5-85-13)

यत्त्वस्य प्रियमातिथ्यं मानार्हस्य महात्मनः। तदस्मै क्रियतां राजन्मानार्हो हि जनार्दनः ॥५-८५-१४॥

O King, whatever hospitality would be pleasing to him, who is great-souled and worthy of honor, let that be done for him—for Janardana is indeed worthy of honor. (5-85-14)

आशंसमानः कल्याणं कुरूनभ्येति केशवः। येनैव राजन्नर्थेन तदेवास्मा उपाकुरु ॥५-८५-१५॥

Keshava comes to the Kurus, hoping for their well-being; O King, provide him with exactly the intention he seeks. (5-85-15)

शममिच्छति दाशार्हस्तव दुर्योधनस्य च। पाण्डवानां च राजेन्द्र तदस्य वचनं कुरु ॥५-८५-१६॥

Kṛṣṇa desires peace for you, for Duryodhana, and for the Pāṇḍavas, O king; therefore, grant his request. (5-85-16)

पितासि राजन्पुत्रास्ते वृद्धस्त्वं शिशवः परे। वर्तस्व पितृवत्तेषु वर्तन्ते ते हि पुत्रवत् ॥५-८५-१७॥

You are their father, O king, and they are your sons; you are the elder, the others are children. Act towards them as a father would, for they indeed behave towards you as sons. (5-85-17)