05.091

bhagavānuvāca॥

The Blessed One said:

yathā brūyānmahāprājñō yathā brūyādvicakṣaṇaḥ। yathā vācyastvadvidhēna suhr̥dā madvidhaḥ suhr̥t ॥5-91-1॥

Just as a very wise person should speak, as a discerning person should speak, and just as a friend like me ought to be addressed by a friend like you... (5-91-1)

dharmārthayuktaṁ tathyaṁ ca yathā tvayyupapadyatē। tathā vacanamuktō’smi tvayaitatpitr̥mātr̥vat ॥5-91-2॥

I have spoken words that are joined with righteousness, purpose, and truth, as is fitting for you; you, to me, are like a father or mother. (5-91-2)

satyaṁ prāptaṁ ca yuktaṁ cāpyēvamēva yathāttha mām। śr̥ṇuṣvāgamanē hētuṁ vidurāvahitō bhava ॥5-91-3॥

What you have said to me is true, appropriate, and reasonable indeed; now listen attentively, Vidura, to the reason for my coming. (5-91-3)

daurātmyaṁ dhārtarāṣṭrasya kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca vairitām। sarvamētadahaṁ jānankṣattaḥ prāptō’dya kauravān ॥5-91-4॥

Knowing all this—the wickedness of Dhritarashtra's son and the hostility among the kshatriyas—I have come to the Kauravas today, O Kshatta. (5-91-4)

paryastāṁ pr̥thivīṁ sarvāṁ sāśvāṁ sarathakuñjarām। yō mōcayēnmr̥tyupāśātprāpnuyāddharmamuttamam ॥5-91-5॥

Whoever were to free the entire afflicted earth—together with its horses, chariots, and elephants—from the noose of death would obtain supreme merit. (5-91-5)

dharmakāryaṁ yatañśaktyā na cēcchaknōti mānavaḥ। prāptō bhavati tatpuṇyamatra mē nāsti saṁśayaḥ ॥5-91-6॥

If a person strives to perform a righteous action with all his ability but is not able to accomplish it, he still attains that merit; of this I have no doubt. (5-91-6)

manasā cintayanpāpaṁ karmaṇā nābhirōcayan। na prāpnōti phalaṁ tasya ēvaṁ dharmavidō viduḥ ॥5-91-7॥

If someone contemplates wrongdoing in their mind, but does not approve it in action, they do not incur its result—thus, those who know dharma understand. (5-91-7)

sō’haṁ yatiṣyē praśamaṁ kṣattaḥ kartumamāyayā। kurūṇāṁ sr̥ñjayānāṁ ca saṅgrāmē vinaśiṣyatām ॥5-91-8॥

Therefore, O Kshatta, I will strive by honest means to bring about appeasement while the Kurus and the Srinjayas are perishing in battle. (5-91-8)

sēyamāpanmahāghōrā kuruṣvēva samutthitā। karṇaduryōdhanakr̥tā sarvē hyētē tadanvayāḥ ॥5-91-9॥

This very terrible calamity has indeed arisen among the Kurus, caused by Karna and Duryodhana, for all these men are their followers. (5-91-9)

vyasanaiḥ kliśyamānaṁ hi yō mitraṁ nābhipadyatē। anunīya yathāśakti taṁ nr̥śaṁsaṁ vidurbudhāḥ ॥5-91-10॥

The wise consider as cruel one who does not assist a friend distressed by misfortunes and, having brought them along, helps to the best of their ability. (5-91-10)

ā kēśagrahaṇānmitramakāryātsaṁnivartayan। avācyaḥ kasyacidbhavati kr̥tayatnō yathābalam ॥5-91-11॥

One who, turning a friend back from wrongdoing to the best of his ability before he is seized by the hair, becomes subject to reproach by no one, having made the effort. (5-91-11)

tatsamarthaṁ śubhaṁ vākyaṁ dharmārthasahitaṁ hitam। dhārtarāṣṭraḥ sahāmātyō grahītuṁ vidurārhati ॥5-91-12॥

Vidura deserves to have the son of Dhritarashtra, along with his counselors, accept that capable, auspicious, and beneficial speech, united with righteousness and purpose. (5-91-12)

hitaṁ hi dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ tathaiva ca। pr̥thivyāṁ kṣatriyāṇāṁ ca yatiṣyē’hamamāyayā ॥5-91-13॥

Indeed, I will sincerely strive for what is beneficial for the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, for the Pāṇḍavas, and likewise for all the kṣatriyas on earth, without deceit. (5-91-13)

hitē prayatamānaṁ māṁ śaṅkēdduryōdhanō yadi। hr̥dayasya ca mē prītirānr̥ṇyaṁ ca bhaviṣyati ॥5-91-14॥

If Duryodhana should distrust me as I act for their welfare, still my heart will be satisfied and I will be free from obligation. (5-91-14)

jñātīnāṁ hi mithō bhēdē yanmitraṁ nābhipadyatē। sarvayatnēna madhyasthaṁ na tanmitraṁ vidurbudhāḥ ॥5-91-15॥

Indeed, when there is discord among kinsmen, that person who with every effort remains neutral and does not side with either party is not regarded as a friend by the wise. (5-91-15)

na māṁ brūyuradharmajñā mūḍhā asuhr̥dastathā। śaktō nāvārayatkr̥ṣṇaḥ saṁrabdhānkurupāṇḍavān ॥5-91-16॥

Those ignorant of righteousness, fools, and enemies would not call me someone whom Kṛṣṇa, though able, did not restrain from the enraged Kuru and Pāṇḍava parties. (5-91-16)

ubhayōḥ sādhayannarthamahamāgata ityuta। tatra yatnamahaṁ kr̥tvā gacchēyaṁ nr̥ṣvavācyatām ॥5-91-17॥

Saying, 'I have come to bring about a settlement between both sides,' if I make an effort for that, I might incur blame among men. (5-91-17)

mama dharmārthayuktaṁ hi śrutvā vākyamanāmayam। na cēdādāsyatē bālō diṣṭasya vaśamēṣyati ॥5-91-18॥

If the boy does not accept my harmless words, which are connected with righteousness and purpose, then he will fall under the power of fate. (5-91-18)

ahāpayanpāṇḍavārthaṁ yathāva; cchamaṁ kurūṇāṁ yadi cācarēyam। puṇyaṁ ca mē syāccaritaṁ mahārthaṁ; mucyēraṁśca kuravō mr̥tyupāśāt ॥5-91-19॥

If, acting for the sake of the Pāṇḍavas as much as is possible for the Kurus, I should conduct myself accordingly, then my action would be meritorious and of great value, and the Kurus would be freed from the noose of death. (5-91-19)

api vācaṁ bhāṣamāṇasya kāvyāṁ; dharmārāmāmarthavatīmahiṁsrām। avēkṣērandhārtarāṣṭrāḥ samarthāṁ; māṁ ca prāptaṁ kuravaḥ pūjayēyuḥ ॥5-91-20॥

If, as I spoke words both skillful and meaningful, rooted in righteousness and free from harm, the sons of Dhritarashtra would recognize their force, and if, upon my arrival, the Kurus would honor me... (5-91-20)

na cāpi mama paryāptāḥ sahitāḥ sarvapārthivāḥ। kruddhasya pramukhē sthātuṁ siṁhasyēvētarē mr̥gāḥ ॥5-91-21॥

Nor would all the kings together be sufficient to stand before me when I am enraged, just as other beasts cannot face a lion. (5-91-21)

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

ityēvamuktvā vacanaṁ vr̥ṣṇīnāmr̥ṣabhastadā। śayanē sukhasaṁsparśē śiśyē yadusukhāvahaḥ ॥5-91-22॥

Having spoken these words, the foremost of the Vṛṣṇis then lay down on a bed soft to the touch, bringing joy to the Yadus. (5-91-22)