05.093

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

tēṣvāsīnēṣu sarvēṣu tūṣṇīmbhūtēṣu rājasu। vākyamabhyādadē kr̥ṣṇaḥ sudaṁṣṭrō dundubhisvanaḥ ॥5-93-1॥

When all the kings were seated and became silent, Krishna—whose teeth were beautiful and whose voice resounded like a kettle-drum—spoke. (5-93-1)

jīmūta iva gharmāntē sarvāṁ saṁśrāvayansabhām। dhr̥tarāṣṭramabhiprēkṣya samabhāṣata mādhavaḥ ॥5-93-2॥

Madhava, looking toward Dhritarashtra, spoke—making the entire assembly hear, like a thundercloud at the end of the hot season. (5-93-2)

kurūṇāṁ pāṇḍavānāṁ ca śamaḥ syāditi bhārata। aprayatnēna vīrāṇāmētadyatitumāgataḥ ॥5-93-3॥

O Bhārata, that there might be peace between the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas—this is something that has arisen to be achieved without effort by the heroes. (5-93-3)

rājannānyatpravaktavyaṁ tava niḥśrēyasaṁ vacaḥ। viditaṁ hyēva tē sarvaṁ vēditavyamariṁdama ॥5-93-4॥

O king, nothing else should be said by you but words that are most beneficial. Indeed, O subduer of enemies, everything that should be known is certainly already known to you. (5-93-4)

idamadya kulaṁ śrēṣṭhaṁ sarvarājasu pārthiva। śrutavr̥ttōpasampannaṁ sarvaiḥ samuditaṁ guṇaiḥ ॥5-93-5॥

Today, O king, this family is the foremost among all kings, distinguished by conduct and knowledge, endowed with all virtues. (5-93-5)

kr̥pānukampā kāruṇyamānr̥śaṁsyaṁ ca bhārata। tathārjavaṁ kṣamā satyaṁ kuruṣvētadviśiṣyatē ॥5-93-6॥

Compassion, sympathy, pity, non-cruelty, honesty, forgiveness, and truthfulness—O Bhārata, you should practise these, for these are regarded as the highest qualities. (5-93-6)

tasminnēvaṁvidhē rājankulē mahati tiṣṭhati। tvannimittaṁ viśēṣēṇa nēha yuktamasāmpratam ॥5-93-7॥

O king, in such a great family as this exists, especially because of you, acting otherwise is not proper at this time. (5-93-7)

tvaṁ hi vārayitā śrēṣṭhaḥ kurūṇāṁ kurusattama। mithyā pracaratāṁ tāta bāhyēṣvābhyantarēṣu ca ॥5-93-8॥

For you are, indeed, the foremost restrainer among the Kurus, best of the Kurus, O dear one, of those who act wrongly both outwardly and inwardly. (5-93-8)

tē putrāstava kauravya duryōdhanapurōgamāḥ। dharmārthau pr̥ṣṭhataḥ kr̥tvā pracaranti nr̥śaṁsavat ॥5-93-9॥

Your sons, Kaurava, led by Duryodhana, cast aside righteousness and purpose and act like cruel men. (5-93-9)

aśiṣṭā gatamaryādā lōbhēna hr̥tacētasaḥ। svēṣu bandhuṣu mukhyēṣu tadvēttha bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-10॥

Undisciplined, having transgressed limits, their minds seized by greed, they behave so towards their own foremost kinsmen—you know that, O best of the Bharatas. (5-93-10)

sēyamāpanmahāghōrā kuruṣvēva samutthitā। upēkṣyamāṇā kauravya pr̥thivīṁ ghātayiṣyati ॥5-93-11॥

This very terrible calamity has arisen among the Kurus; if neglected, O Kaurava, it will destroy the earth. (5-93-11)

śakyā cēyaṁ śamayituṁ tvaṁ cēdicchasi bhārata। na duṣkarō hyatra śamō matō mē bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-12॥

This situation can indeed be pacified, if you wish, Bhārata. For in my view, bringing about peace here is not difficult, O best of the Bharatas. (5-93-12)

tvayyadhīnaḥ śamō rājanmayi caiva viśāṁ patē। putrānsthāpaya kauravya sthāpayiṣyāmyahaṁ parān ॥5-93-13॥

Peace, O King, depends on you and also on me, O lord of men. Restrain your sons, O Kaurava, and I will restrain the others. (5-93-13)

ājñā tava hi rājēndra kāryā putraiḥ sahānvayaiḥ। hitaṁ balavadapyēṣāṁ tiṣṭhatāṁ tava śāsanē ॥5-93-14॥

King, your command should indeed be carried out by the sons along with their descendants. Even what is forceful, if it is for their good, for those who abide by your rule. (5-93-14)

tava caiva hitaṁ rājanpāṇḍavānāmathō hitam। śamē prayatamānasya mama śāsanakāṅkṣiṇām ॥5-93-15॥

O King, your welfare and that of the Pāṇḍavas, and for me—who desires that my counsel be heeded—while striving for peace... (5-93-15)

svayaṁ niṣkalamālakṣya saṁvidhatsva viśāṁ patē। sahabhūtāstu bharatāstavaiva syurjanēśvara ॥5-93-16॥

O lord of men, consider things thoroughly yourself and make the arrangements, so that the Bharatas stand united as yours alone, O king. (5-93-16)

dharmārthayōstiṣṭha rājanpāṇḍavairabhirakṣitaḥ। na hi śakyāstathābhūtā yatnādapi narādhipa ॥5-93-17॥

O king, stand firm in righteousness and profit, well-protected by the Pāṇḍavas; for it is not possible—even with effort—for anyone to prevail against you in such a state, O lord of men. (5-93-17)

na hi tvāṁ pāṇḍavairjētuṁ rakṣyamāṇaṁ mahātmabhiḥ। indrō’pi dēvaiḥ sahitaḥ prasahēta kutō nr̥pāḥ ॥5-93-18॥

Indeed, not even Indra together with the gods could overpower you, when you are being protected by the great-souled Pāṇḍavas—how much less other kings. (5-93-18)

yatra bhīṣmaśca drōṇaśca kr̥paḥ karṇō viviṁśatiḥ। aśvatthāmā vikarṇaśca sōmadattō’tha bāhlikaḥ ॥5-93-19॥

Where Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Vivimshati, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, Somadatta, and Bahlika are present... (5-93-19)

saindhavaśca kaliṅgaśca kāmbōjaśca sudakṣiṇaḥ। yudhiṣṭhirō bhīmasēnaḥ savyasācī yamau tathā ॥5-93-20॥

Saindhava, Kalinga, Kamboja, Sudakshina, Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Savyasachi, and also the sons of Yama (the twins)... (5-93-20)

sātyakiśca mahātējā yuyutsuśca mahārathaḥ। kō nu tānviparītātmā yudhyēta bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-21॥

Satyaki, of great energy, and Yuyutsu, the great chariot-warrior—who indeed, with a perverse mind, would choose to fight against them, O bull among the Bharatas? (5-93-21)

lōkasyēśvaratāṁ bhūyaḥ śatrubhiścāpradhr̥ṣyatām। prāpsyasi tvamamitraghna sahitaḥ kurupāṇḍavaiḥ ॥5-93-22॥

You, destroyer of foes, will again attain sovereignty over the people and be invincible to your enemies, together with the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas. (5-93-22)

tasya tē pr̥thivīpālāstvatsamāḥ pr̥thivīpatē। śrēyāṁsaścaiva rājānaḥ sandhāsyantē parantapa ॥5-93-23॥

O ruler of the earth, among these, kings equal to you and indeed greater kings will form alliances with you, O scorcher of foes. (5-93-23)

sa tvaṁ putraiśca pautraiśca bhrātr̥bhiḥ pitr̥bhistathā। suhr̥dbhiḥ sarvatō guptaḥ sukhaṁ śakṣyasi jīvitum ॥5-93-24॥

Therefore, surrounded on all sides by your sons, grandsons, brothers, fathers, and friends, you will be able to live happily. (5-93-24)

ētānēva purōdhāya satkr̥tya ca yathā purā। akhilāṁ bhōkṣyasē sarvāṁ pr̥thivīṁ pr̥thivīpatē ॥5-93-25॥

Appointing these very ones as your foremost and honoring them just as before, O lord of the earth, you will enjoy the entire earth in its entirety. (5-93-25)

ētairhi sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ svaiśca bhārata। anyānvijēṣyasē śatrūnēṣa svārthastavākhilaḥ ॥5-93-26॥

For with all of these—the Pāṇḍavas and your own—together, O Bhārata, you will conquer other enemies; this is your entire benefit. (5-93-26)

tairēvōpārjitāṁ bhūmiṁ bhōkṣyasē ca parantapa। yadi sampatsyasē putraiḥ sahāmātyairnarādhipa ॥5-93-27॥

O scourge of foes, you will enjoy the land acquired by those very ones, if you join with your sons and ministers, O king. (5-93-27)

saṁyugē vai mahārāja dr̥śyatē sumahānkṣayaḥ। kṣayē cōbhayatō rājankaṁ dharmamanupaśyasi ॥5-93-28॥

O great king, in battle there is seen a very great destruction, and when both sides are being destroyed, O king, what do you see as dharma? (5-93-28)

pāṇḍavairnihataiḥ saṅkhyē putrairvāpi mahābalaiḥ। yadvindēthāḥ sukhaṁ rājaṁstadbrūhi bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-29॥

O King, best of the Bharatas, whether it be by the Pāṇḍavas or by your mighty sons slain in battle—tell me, whatever you would find as comfort. (5-93-29)

śūrāśca hi kr̥tāstrāśca sarvē yuddhābhikāṅkṣiṇaḥ। pāṇḍavāstāvakāścaiva tānrakṣa mahatō bhayāt ॥5-93-30॥

For the Pāṇḍavas and your men are all brave and skilled with weapons, eager for battle; protect them from great danger. (5-93-30)

na paśyēma kurūnsarvānpāṇḍavāṁścaiva saṁyugē। kṣīṇānubhayataḥ śūrānrathēbhyō rathibhirhatān ॥5-93-31॥

May we not see all the Kauravas and also the Pandavas—valiant warriors on both sides—destroyed in battle, slain by chariot-warriors from their chariots. (5-93-31)

samavētāḥ pr̥thivyāṁ hi rājānō rājasattama। amarṣavaśamāpannā nāśayēyurimāḥ prajāḥ ॥5-93-32॥

O best of kings, if the assembled kings on earth, overcome by anger, would destroy these people... (5-93-32)

trāhi rājannimaṁ lōkaṁ na naśyēyurimāḥ prajāḥ। tvayi prakr̥timāpannē śēṣaṁ syātkurunandana ॥5-93-33॥

Protect this world, O king, so that these subjects are not destroyed; if you return to your normal state, O joy of the Kurus, the rest will be well. (5-93-33)

śuklā vadānyā hrīmanta āryāḥ puṇyābhijātayaḥ। anyōnyasacivā rājaṁstānpāhi mahatō bhayāt ॥5-93-34॥

O king, protect those who are pure, generous, modest, noble, of virtuous birth, and mutually supportive from great danger. (5-93-34)

śivēnēmē bhūmipālāḥ samāgamya parasparam। saha bhuktvā ca pītvā ca pratiyāntu yathāgr̥ham ॥5-93-35॥

Let these kings, having come together peacefully, eat and drink together and then return to their homes. (5-93-35)

suvāsasaḥ sragviṇaśca satkr̥tya bharatarṣabha। amarṣāṁśca nirākr̥tya vairāṇi ca parantapa ॥5-93-36॥

Well-dressed and adorned with garlands, honoring one another, O best of the Bharatas, and setting aside resentments and enmities, O scorcher of foes, (5-93-36)

hārdaṁ yatpāṇḍavēṣvāsītprāptē’sminnāyuṣaḥ kṣayē। tadēva tē bhavatvadya śaśvacca bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-37॥

The affection you had for the Pāṇḍavas when your life was in decline—may that same affection be yours now and always, O best of the Bharatas. (5-93-37)

bālā vihīnāḥ pitrā tē tvayaiva parivardhitāḥ। tānpālaya yathānyāyaṁ putrāṁśca bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-38॥

These boys, bereft of their father, have truly been raised by you. Protect them and their sons according to what is right, O best of the Bharatas. (5-93-38)

bhavataiva hi rakṣyāstē vyasanēṣu viśēṣataḥ। mā tē dharmastathaivārthō naśyēta bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-39॥

They must be protected by you alone, especially in times of trouble; let not your righteousness nor your welfare be lost, O foremost of the Bharatas. (5-93-39)

āhustvāṁ pāṇḍavā rājannabhivādya prasādya ca। bhavataḥ śāsanādduḥkhamanubhūtaṁ sahānugaiḥ ॥5-93-40॥

King, the Pāṇḍavas, having bowed to you and respectfully entreated you, said that they bore suffering together with their attendants by your command. (5-93-40)

dvādaśēmāni varṣāṇi vanē nirvyuṣitāni naḥ। trayōdaśaṁ tathājñātaiḥ sajanē parivatsaram ॥5-93-41॥

We have spent these twelve years in the forest, and likewise the thirteenth year in concealment among people. (5-93-41)

sthātā naḥ samayē tasminpitēti kr̥taniścayāḥ। nāhāsma samayaṁ tāta tacca nō brāhmaṇā viduḥ ॥5-93-42॥

We are firmly resolved, father, that we shall abide by that commitment. We did not conceal the agreement, dear father—Brahmins know it as well. (5-93-42)

tasminnaḥ samayē tiṣṭha sthitānāṁ bharatarṣabha। nityaṁ saṅklēśitā rājansvarājyāṁśaṁ labhēmahi ॥5-93-43॥

Therefore, O bull among the Bharatas, in that situation stand for us who remain, O King. Constantly afflicted as we are, let us obtain a share of our own kingdom. (5-93-43)

tvaṁ dharmamarthaṁ yuñjānaḥ samyaṅnastrātumarhasi। gurutvaṁ bhavati prēkṣya bahūnklēśāṁstitikṣmahē ॥5-93-44॥

You, rightly following dharma and artha, should protect us, considering the authority of a teacher, for we endure many hardships. (5-93-44)

sa bhavānmātr̥pitr̥vadasmāsu pratipadyatām। gurōrgarīyasī vr̥ttiryā ca śiṣyasya bhārata ॥5-93-45॥

Therefore, you should act towards us as a mother and father would. The conduct of a teacher is greater than that of a student, O Bhārata. (5-93-45)

pitrā sthāpayitavyā hi vayamutpathamāsthitāḥ। saṁsthāpaya pathiṣvasmāṁstiṣṭha rājansvavartmani ॥5-93-46॥

It is indeed the father's duty to set us right when we have gone astray. Guide us back onto the right path and, O king, remain on your own course. (5-93-46)

āhuścēmāṁ pariṣadaṁ putrāstē bharatarṣabha। dharmajñēṣu sabhāsatsu nēha yuktamasāmpratam ॥5-93-47॥

And your sons, bull of the Bharatas, call this an assembly; but among those who know what is right and sit in the assembly, this is not proper at this time. (5-93-47)

yatra dharmō hyadharmēṇa satyaṁ yatrānr̥tēna ca। hanyatē prēkṣamāṇānāṁ hatāstatra sabhāsadaḥ ॥5-93-48॥

Where righteousness is destroyed by unrighteousness and truth by falsehood, while people look on, there the members of the assembly are slain. (5-93-48)

viddhō dharmō hyadharmēṇa sabhāṁ yatra prapadyatē। na cāsya śalyaṁ kr̥ntanti viddhāstatra sabhāsadaḥ । dharma ētānārujati yathā nadyanukūlajān ॥5-93-49॥

Where righteousness, wounded by unrighteousness, enters the assembly, and the assembly members, themselves wounded, do not remove its dart—there, righteousness torments them, as rivers do those born on their banks. (5-93-49)

yē dharmamanupaśyantastūṣṇīṁ dhyāyanta āsatē। tē satyamāhurdharmaṁ ca nyāyyaṁ ca bharatarṣabha ॥5-93-50॥

O best of the Bharatas, those who silently contemplate and reflect on dharma—such people are said to speak the truth and what is just. (5-93-50)

śakyaṁ kimanyadvaktuṁ tē dānādanyajjanēśvara। bruvantu vā mahīpālāḥ sabhāyāṁ yē samāsatē । dharmārthau sampradhāryaiva yadi satyaṁ bravīmyaham ॥5-93-51॥

O lord of people, what more could be said to you apart from generosity? Let the kings who are assembled in the court speak—if I am to speak the truth, it is only after duly considering righteousness and profit. (5-93-51)

pramuñcēmānmr̥tyupāśātkṣatriyānkṣatriyarṣabha। praśāmya bharataśrēṣṭha mā manyuvaśamanvagāḥ ॥5-93-52॥

Release these Kṣatriyas, O bull among Kṣatriyas, from the noose of death. Restrain yourself, best of the Bharatas; do not allow yourself to be overwhelmed by anger. (5-93-52)

pitryaṁ tēbhyaḥ pradāyāṁśaṁ pāṇḍavēbhyō yathōcitam। tataḥ saputraḥ siddhārthō bhuṅkṣva bhōgānparantapa ॥5-93-53॥

Having given the Pandavas their rightful paternal share as is proper, then, O scorcher of foes, enjoy pleasures with your sons, your purpose accomplished. (5-93-53)

ajātaśatruṁ jānīṣē sthitaṁ dharmē satāṁ sadā। saputrē tvayi vr̥ttiṁ ca vartatē yāṁ narādhipa ॥5-93-54॥

You know that Ajātaśatru, who always abides in the righteousness of the virtuous, O king, maintains toward you and your sons such conduct as... (5-93-54)

dāhitaśca nirastaśca tvāmēvōpāśritaḥ punaḥ। indraprasthaṁ tvayaivāsau saputrēṇa vivāsitaḥ ॥5-93-55॥

He was burned and driven away, yet again took refuge with you; but you exiled him and his son from Indraprastha. (5-93-55)

sa tatra nivasansarvānvaśamānīya pārthivān। tvanmukhānakarōdrājanna ca tvāmatyavartata ॥5-93-56॥

There, residing, he brought all the kings under his control through you, O king, and did not act against you. (5-93-56)

tasyaivaṁ vartamānasya saubalēna jihīrṣatā। rāṣṭrāṇi dhanadhānyaṁ ca prayuktaḥ paramōpadhiḥ ॥5-93-57॥

While he was thus situated, the utmost deceit was employed by the son of Subala, who desired to seize the kingdoms, wealth, and grain. (5-93-57)

sa tāmavasthāṁ samprāpya kr̥ṣṇāṁ prēkṣya sabhāgatām। kṣatradharmādamēyātmā nākampata yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥5-93-58॥

He, Yudhiṣṭhira—seeing Kṛṣṇā present in the assembly and having reached that situation—whose mind could not be swayed, was not shaken from the duty of a kṣatriya. (5-93-58)

ahaṁ tu tava tēṣāṁ ca śrēya icchāmi bhārata। dharmādarthātsukhāccaiva mā rājannīnaśaḥ prajāḥ ॥5-93-59॥

But I, O Bhārata, desire what is best for you and them, that from righteousness, profit, and pleasure, O King, the people may not be destroyed. (5-93-59)

anarthamarthaṁ manvānā arthaṁ vānarthamātmanaḥ। lōbhē’tiprasr̥tānputrānnigr̥hṇīṣva viśāṁ patē ॥5-93-60॥

O lord of the people, restrain your sons who, in their greed, regard what is harmful as beneficial or what is beneficial as harmful for themselves. (5-93-60)

sthitāḥ śuśrūṣituṁ pārthāḥ sthitā yōddhumariṁdamāḥ। yattē pathyatamaṁ rājaṁstasmiṁstiṣṭha parantapa ॥5-93-61॥

The sons of Pāṇḍu are standing here to listen, and the warriors are standing to fight, O subduer of enemies. Whatever you judge to be most beneficial, O king, stand firm on that, O scorcher of foes. (5-93-61)

tadvākyaṁ pārthivāḥ sarvē hr̥dayaiḥ samapūjayan। na tatra kaścidvaktuṁ hi vācaṁ prākrāmadagrataḥ ॥5-93-62॥

All the kings honored those words in their hearts; but none of them ventured to speak a word in reply. (5-93-62)