05.094
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
तस्मिन्नभिहिते वाक्ये केशवेन महात्मना। स्तिमिता हृष्टरोमाण आसन्सर्वे सभासदः ॥५-९४-१॥
When that statement was spoken by the great-souled Keśava, all the members of the assembly were stunned, their hair standing on end. (5-94-1)
कः स्विदुत्तरमेतस्माद्वक्तुमुत्सहते पुमान्। इति सर्वे मनोभिस्ते चिन्तयन्ति स्म पार्थिवाः ॥५-९४-२॥
Who among men dares to give a reply to this? Thus all the kings were thinking in their minds. (5-94-2)
तथा तेषु च सर्वेषु तूष्णीम्भूतेषु राजसु। जामदग्न्य इदं वाक्यमब्रवीत्कुरुसंसदि ॥५-९४-३॥
Then, when all the kings had fallen silent, Jamadagni's son spoke these words in the Kuru assembly. (5-94-3)
इमामेकोपमां राजञ्शृणु सत्यामशङ्कितः। तां श्रुत्वा श्रेय आदत्स्व यदि साध्विति मन्यसे ॥५-९४-४॥
O King, listen without doubt to this true parable. Having heard it, accept what is better, if you think it is good. (5-94-4)
राजा दम्भोद्भवो नाम सार्वभौमः पुराभवत्। अखिलां बुभुजे सर्वां पृथिवीमिति नः श्रुतम् ॥५-९४-५॥
There was once a universal sovereign named King Dambhodbhava; we have heard that he enjoyed possession of the entire earth. (5-94-5)
स स्म नित्यं निशापाये प्रातरुत्थाय वीर्यवान्। ब्राह्मणान्क्षत्रियांश्चैव पृच्छन्नास्ते महारथः ॥५-९४-६॥
He, the powerful great chariot-warrior, would always, upon rising in the morning after night had passed, ask brahmins and kshatriyas. (5-94-6)
अस्ति कश्चिद्विशिष्टो वा मद्विधो वा भवेद्युधि। शूद्रो वैश्यः क्षत्रियो वा ब्राह्मणो वापि शस्त्रभृत् ॥५-९४-७॥
Is there anyone distinguished, or anyone like me, who might exist in battle—a śūdra, a vaiśya, a kṣatriya, or even a brāhmaṇa—who is a wielder of weapons? (5-94-7)
इति ब्रुवन्नन्वचरत्स राजा पृथिवीमिमाम्। दर्पेण महता मत्तः कञ्चिदन्यमचिन्तयन् ॥५-९४-८॥
Saying this, the king roamed this earth, intoxicated with great arrogance, considering no one else at all. (5-94-8)
तं स्म वैद्या अकृपणा ब्राह्मणाः सर्वतोऽभयाः। प्रत्यषेधन्त राजानं श्लाघमानं पुनः पुनः ॥५-९४-९॥
Him, the king who boasted, was again and again restrained by the physicians, the compassionless and utterly fearless Brahmins. (5-94-9)
प्रतिषिध्यमानोऽप्यसकृत्पृच्छत्येव स वै द्विजान्। अभिमानी श्रिया मत्तस्तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तदा ॥५-९४-१०॥
Even though he was repeatedly restrained, he kept questioning the brahmins; proud and intoxicated by his splendor, him the brahmins then addressed. (5-94-10)
तपस्विनो महात्मानो वेदव्रतसमन्विताः। उदीर्यमाणं राजानं क्रोधदीप्ता द्विजातयः ॥५-९४-११॥
The ascetics of great soul, endowed with the Vedas and vows—the twice-born, inflamed with anger, as the king was being questioned... (5-94-11)
अनेकजननं सख्यं ययोः पुरुषसिंहयोः। तयोस्त्वं न समो राजन्भवितासि कदाचन ॥५-९४-१२॥
The friendship of those two tiger-like men was shared with many, and you, O king, will never be their equal. (5-94-12)
एवमुक्तः स राजा तु पुनः पप्रच्छ तान्द्विजान्। क्व तौ वीरौ क्वजन्मानौ किङ्कर्माणौ च कौ च तौ ॥५-९४-१३॥
Thus addressed, the king again asked those Brahmins, "Where are those two heroes? Where were they born? What deeds have they done? And who are they?" (5-94-13)
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः॥
The Brahmins said:
नरो नारायणश्चैव तापसाविति नः श्रुतम्। आयातौ मानुषे लोके ताभ्यां युध्यस्व पार्थिव ॥५-९४-१४॥
Nara and Nārāyaṇa, who are said to be ascetics—we have heard that they have come to the world of men. O king, fight with them. (5-94-14)
श्रूयते तौ महात्मानौ नरनारायणावुभौ। तपो घोरमनिर्देश्यं तप्येते गन्धमादने ॥५-९४-१५॥
It is said that those two, the great-souled Nara and Nārāyaṇa, are both practicing fierce and indescribable austerities on Gandhamādana. (5-94-15)
राम उवाच॥
Rāma said.
स राजा महतीं सेनां योजयित्वा षडङ्गिनीम्। अमृष्यमाणः सम्प्रायाद्यत्र तावपराजितौ ॥५-९४-१६॥
That king, unable to bear it, deployed a great army with all six divisions and set out to the place where those two unconquered ones were. (5-94-16)
स गत्वा विषमं घोरं पर्वतं गन्धमादनम्। मृगयाणोऽन्वगच्छत्तौ तापसावपराजितौ ॥५-९४-१७॥
He went to the difficult and terrifying Gandhamadana mountain, and while hunting, he followed those two unconquered ascetics. (5-94-17)
तौ दृष्ट्वा क्षुत्पिपासाभ्यां कृशौ धमनिसन्ततौ। शीतवातातपैश्चैव कर्शितौ पुरुषोत्तमौ । अभिगम्योपसङ्गृह्य पर्यपृच्छदनामयम् ॥५-९४-१८॥
Seeing those two best of men, emaciated by hunger and thirst, their veins prominent, worn out by cold, wind, and heat, he approached, greeted them respectfully, and asked after their well-being. (5-94-18)
तमर्चित्वा मूलफलैरासनेनोदकेन च। न्यमन्त्रयेतां राजानं किं कार्यं क्रियतामिति ॥५-९४-१९॥
After worshipping him with roots and fruits, a seat, and water, they asked the king, "What should be done?" (5-94-19)
दम्भोद्भव उवाच॥
Dambhodbhava said:
बाहुभ्यां मे जिता भूमिर्निहताः सर्वशत्रवः। भवद्भ्यां युद्धमाकाङ्क्षन्नुपयातोऽस्मि पर्वतम् । आतिथ्यं दीयतामेतत्काङ्क्षितं मे चिरं प्रति ॥५-९४-२०॥
With my own arms I have conquered the earth and slain all enemies; now I have come to this mountain, desiring battle with you both. Grant me this hospitality, which I have long desired. (5-94-20)
नरनारायणावूचतुः॥
Nara and Nārāyaṇa said:
अपेतक्रोधलोभोऽयमाश्रमो राजसत्तम। न ह्यस्मिन्नाश्रमे युद्धं कुतः शस्त्रं कुतोऽनृजुः । अन्यत्र युद्धमाकाङ्क्ष्व बहवः क्षत्रियाः क्षितौ ॥५-९४-२१॥
O best of kings, this hermitage is free from anger and greed. In this hermitage, how could there be battle, how could there be weapons, or injustice? If you desire battle, let it be elsewhere—there are many kshatriyas upon the earth. (5-94-21)
राम उवाच॥
Rāma said:
उच्यमानस्तथापि स्म भूय एवाभ्यभाषत। पुनः पुनः क्षम्यमाणः सान्त्व्यमानश्च भारत । दम्भोद्भवो युद्धमिच्छन्नाह्वयत्येव तापसौ ॥५-९४-२२॥
Even though he was being addressed, forgiven, and pacified—again and again, O Bhārata—driven by deceit and desiring battle, he kept challenging the two ascetics. (5-94-22)
ततो नरस्त्विषीकाणां मुष्टिमादाय कौरव। अब्रवीदेहि युध्यस्व युद्धकामुक क्षत्रिय ॥५-९४-२३॥
Then the man of the Tiṣīkas, making a fist, said, "Come, fight, you battle-hungry Kshatriya, O Kaurava." (5-94-23)
सर्वशस्त्राणि चादत्स्व योजयस्व च वाहिनीम्। अहं हि ते विनेष्यामि युद्धश्रद्धामितः परम् ॥५-९४-२४॥
Take up all your weapons and ready your troops, for I will utterly destroy your confidence in battle right here. (5-94-24)
दम्भोद्भव उवाच॥
Dambhodbhava said:
यद्येतदस्त्रमस्मासु युक्तं तापस मन्यसे। एतेनापि त्वया योत्स्ये युद्धार्थी ह्यहमागतः ॥५-९४-२५॥
If you believe that this weapon is fitting to use against us, ascetic, I will still fight you with it, for I have indeed come seeking battle. (5-94-25)
राम उवाच॥
Rāma said.
इत्युक्त्वा शरवर्षेण सर्वतः समवाकिरत्। दम्भोद्भवस्तापसं तं जिघांसुः सहसैनिकः ॥५-९४-२६॥
Having said this, Dambhodbhava, together with his soldiers, seeking to kill that ascetic, completely covered him from all sides with a shower of arrows. (5-94-26)
तस्य तानस्यतो घोरानिषून्परतनुच्छिदः। कदर्थीकृत्य स मुनिरिषीकाभिरपानुदत् ॥५-९४-२७॥
Ward off those terrible arrows, capable of rending an enemy's body, released by him—the sage repelled them with blades of grass. (5-94-27)
ततोऽस्मै प्रासृजद्घोरमैषीकमपराजितः। अस्त्रमप्रतिसन्धेयं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥५-९४-२८॥
Then the unconquerable one launched a terrible arrow-weapon at him, one that could not be countered, and it appeared wondrous. (5-94-28)
तेषामक्षीणि कर्णांश्च नस्तकांश्चैव मायया। निमित्तवेधी स मुनिरिषीकाभिः समर्पयत् ॥५-९४-२९॥
That sage who knew omens, by his illusion, directed reeds at their eyes, ears, and noses. (5-94-29)
स दृष्ट्वा श्वेतमाकाशमिषीकाभिः समाचितम्। पादयोर्न्यपतद्राजा स्वस्ति मेऽस्त्विति चाब्रवीत् ॥५-९४-३०॥
Seeing the sky white and covered with reeds, the king fell at his feet and said, "May there be blessings for me." (5-94-30)
तमब्रवीन्नरो राजञ्शरण्यः शरणैषिणाम्। ब्रह्मण्यो भव धर्मात्मा मा च स्मैवं पुनः कृथाः ॥५-९४-३१॥
To him, the man who is the refuge of those seeking shelter said: 'O king, be devoted to brahman, be righteous, and do not act thus again.' (5-94-31)
मा च दर्पसमाविष्टः क्षेप्सीः कांश्चित्कदाचन। अल्पीयांसं विशिष्टं वा तत्ते राजन्परं हितम् ॥५-९४-३२॥
Also, never, with pride, speak contemptuously to anyone, whether inferior or superior; that, O king, is for your highest good. (5-94-32)
कृतप्रज्ञो वीतलोभो निरहङ्कार आत्मवान्। दान्तः क्षान्तो मृदुः क्षेमः प्रजाः पालय पार्थिव ॥५-९४-३३॥
O king, be steadfast in wisdom, free from greed, without arrogance, self-controlled, disciplined, forbearing, gentle, and welcoming—protect your people. (5-94-33)
अनुज्ञातः स्वस्ति गच्छ मैवं भूयः समाचरेः। कुशलं ब्राह्मणान्पृच्छेरावयोर्वचनाद्भृशम् ॥५-९४-३४॥
Having received permission, go forth with blessings; do not act in this way again. You should earnestly inquire after the welfare of the Brahmins on our behalf. (5-94-34)
ततो राजा तयोः पादावभिवाद्य महात्मनोः। प्रत्याजगाम स्वपुरं धर्मं चैवाचिनोद्भृशम् ॥५-९४-३५॥
Then the king, having bowed to the feet of those two great-souled ones, returned to his own city and diligently pursued virtue. (5-94-35)
सुमहच्चापि तत्कर्म यन्नरेण कृतं पुरा। ततो गुणैः सुबहुभिः श्रेष्ठो नारायणोऽभवत् ॥५-९४-३६॥
That deed done long ago by that man was indeed very great; because of it, by many virtues, Nārāyaṇa became the most excellent. (5-94-36)
तस्माद्यावद्धनुःश्रेष्ठे गाण्डीवेऽस्त्रं न युज्यते। तावत्त्वं मानमुत्सृज्य गच्छ राजन्धनञ्जयम् ॥५-९४-३७॥
Therefore, as long as the weapon is not mounted on the excellent bow Gāṇḍīva, you, king, casting aside your pride, go to Dhananjaya. (5-94-37)
काकुदीकं शुकं नाकमक्षिसन्तर्जनं तथा। सन्तानं नर्तनं घोरमास्यमोदकमष्टमम् ॥५-९४-३८॥
Hunching of the shoulders, crying out, the nose, staring of the eyes, also dragging, violent trembling, and frothing at the mouth as the eighth. (5-94-38)
एतैर्विद्धाः सर्व एव मरणं यान्ति मानवाः। उन्मत्ताश्च विचेष्टन्ते नष्टसञ्ज्ञा विचेतसः ॥५-९४-३९॥
All humans struck by these go to their death; raving and senseless, they move about uncomprehending. (5-94-39)
स्वपन्ते च प्लवन्ते च छर्दयन्ति च मानवाः। मूत्रयन्ते च सततं रुदन्ति च हसन्ति च ॥५-९४-४०॥
Humans sleep, float, vomit, urinate continually, cry, and laugh. (5-94-40)
असङ्ख्येया गुणाः पार्थे तद्विशिष्टो जनार्दनः। त्वमेव भूयो जानासि कुन्तीपुत्रं धनञ्जयम् ॥५-९४-४१॥
Pārtha has innumerable virtues, but Janārdana surpasses even those; and you alone truly know Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī. (5-94-41)
नरनारायणौ यौ तौ तावेवार्जुनकेशवौ। विजानीहि महाराज प्रवीरौ पुरुषर्षभौ ॥५-९४-४२॥
Know that those two, Arjuna and Keśava, are themselves Nara and Nārāyaṇa—great heroes and the foremost of men, O great king. (5-94-42)
यद्येतदेवं जानासि न च मामतिशङ्कसे। आर्यां मतिं समास्थाय शाम्य भारत पाण्डवैः ॥५-९४-४३॥
If you understand this to be so and do not distrust me, then, adopting a noble intention, make peace with the Pāṇḍavas, O Bhārata. (5-94-43)
अथ चेन्मन्यसे श्रेयो न मे भेदो भवेदिति। प्रशाम्य भरतश्रेष्ठ मा च युद्धे मनः कृथाः ॥५-९४-४४॥
But if you think it is better that there be no division on my account, then make peace, O best of the Bharatas, and do not set your mind on war. (5-94-44)
भवतां च कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुलं बहुमतं भुवि। तत्तथैवास्तु भद्रं ते स्वार्थमेवानुचिन्तय ॥५-९४-४५॥
And your family, best of the Kurus, is highly esteemed in the world. May it remain so—blessings to you. Only consider your own interest. (5-94-45)