05.094

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

tasminnabhihitē vākyē kēśavēna mahātmanā। stimitā hr̥ṣṭarōmāṇa āsansarvē sabhāsadaḥ ॥5-94-1॥

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)

kaḥ sviduttaramētasmādvaktumutsahatē pumān। iti sarvē manōbhistē cintayanti sma pārthivāḥ ॥5-94-2॥

Who among men dares to give a reply to this? Thus all the kings were thinking in their minds. (5-94-2)

tathā tēṣu ca sarvēṣu tūṣṇīmbhūtēṣu rājasu। jāmadagnya idaṁ vākyamabravītkurusaṁsadi ॥5-94-3॥

Then, when all the kings had fallen silent, Jamadagni's son spoke these words in the Kuru assembly. (5-94-3)

imāmēkōpamāṁ rājañśr̥ṇu satyāmaśaṅkitaḥ। tāṁ śrutvā śrēya ādatsva yadi sādhviti manyasē ॥5-94-4॥

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)

rājā dambhōdbhavō nāma sārvabhaumaḥ purābhavat। akhilāṁ bubhujē sarvāṁ pr̥thivīmiti naḥ śrutam ॥5-94-5॥

There was once a universal sovereign named King Dambhodbhava; we have heard that he enjoyed possession of the entire earth. (5-94-5)

sa sma nityaṁ niśāpāyē prātarutthāya vīryavān। brāhmaṇānkṣatriyāṁścaiva pr̥cchannāstē mahārathaḥ ॥5-94-6॥

He, the powerful great chariot-warrior, would always, upon rising in the morning after night had passed, ask brahmins and kshatriyas. (5-94-6)

asti kaścidviśiṣṭō vā madvidhō vā bhavēdyudhi। śūdrō vaiśyaḥ kṣatriyō vā brāhmaṇō vāpi śastrabhr̥t ॥5-94-7॥

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)

iti bruvannanvacaratsa rājā pr̥thivīmimām। darpēṇa mahatā mattaḥ kañcidanyamacintayan ॥5-94-8॥

Saying this, the king roamed this earth, intoxicated with great arrogance, considering no one else at all. (5-94-8)

taṁ sma vaidyā akr̥paṇā brāhmaṇāḥ sarvatō’bhayāḥ। pratyaṣēdhanta rājānaṁ ślāghamānaṁ punaḥ punaḥ ॥5-94-9॥

Him, the king who boasted, was again and again restrained by the physicians, the compassionless and utterly fearless Brahmins. (5-94-9)

pratiṣidhyamānō’pyasakr̥tpr̥cchatyēva sa vai dvijān। abhimānī śriyā mattastamūcurbrāhmaṇāstadā ॥5-94-10॥

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)

tapasvinō mahātmānō vēdavratasamanvitāḥ। udīryamāṇaṁ rājānaṁ krōdhadīptā dvijātayaḥ ॥5-94-11॥

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)

anēkajananaṁ sakhyaṁ yayōḥ puruṣasiṁhayōḥ। tayōstvaṁ na samō rājanbhavitāsi kadācana ॥5-94-12॥

The friendship of those two tiger-like men was shared with many, and you, O king, will never be their equal. (5-94-12)

ēvamuktaḥ sa rājā tu punaḥ papraccha tāndvijān। kva tau vīrau kvajanmānau kiṅkarmāṇau ca kau ca tau ॥5-94-13॥

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)

brāhmaṇā ūcuḥ॥

The Brahmins said:

narō nārāyaṇaścaiva tāpasāviti naḥ śrutam। āyātau mānuṣē lōkē tābhyāṁ yudhyasva pārthiva ॥5-94-14॥

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)

śrūyatē tau mahātmānau naranārāyaṇāvubhau। tapō ghōramanirdēśyaṁ tapyētē gandhamādanē ॥5-94-15॥

It is said that those two, the great-souled Nara and Nārāyaṇa, are both practicing fierce and indescribable austerities on Gandhamādana. (5-94-15)

rāma uvāca॥

Rāma said.

sa rājā mahatīṁ sēnāṁ yōjayitvā ṣaḍaṅginīm। amr̥ṣyamāṇaḥ samprāyādyatra tāvaparājitau ॥5-94-16॥

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)

sa gatvā viṣamaṁ ghōraṁ parvataṁ gandhamādanam। mr̥gayāṇō’nvagacchattau tāpasāvaparājitau ॥5-94-17॥

He went to the difficult and terrifying Gandhamadana mountain, and while hunting, he followed those two unconquered ascetics. (5-94-17)

tau dr̥ṣṭvā kṣutpipāsābhyāṁ kr̥śau dhamanisantatau। śītavātātapaiścaiva karśitau puruṣōttamau । abhigamyōpasaṅgr̥hya paryapr̥cchadanāmayam ॥5-94-18॥

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)

tamarcitvā mūlaphalairāsanēnōdakēna ca। nyamantrayētāṁ rājānaṁ kiṁ kāryaṁ kriyatāmiti ॥5-94-19॥

After worshipping him with roots and fruits, a seat, and water, they asked the king, "What should be done?" (5-94-19)

dambhōdbhava uvāca॥

Dambhodbhava said:

bāhubhyāṁ mē jitā bhūmirnihatāḥ sarvaśatravaḥ। bhavadbhyāṁ yuddhamākāṅkṣannupayātō’smi parvatam । ātithyaṁ dīyatāmētatkāṅkṣitaṁ mē ciraṁ prati ॥5-94-20॥

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)

naranārāyaṇāvūcatuḥ॥

Nara and Nārāyaṇa said:

apētakrōdhalōbhō’yamāśramō rājasattama। na hyasminnāśramē yuddhaṁ kutaḥ śastraṁ kutō’nr̥juḥ । anyatra yuddhamākāṅkṣva bahavaḥ kṣatriyāḥ kṣitau ॥5-94-21॥

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)

rāma uvāca॥

Rāma said:

ucyamānastathāpi sma bhūya ēvābhyabhāṣata। punaḥ punaḥ kṣamyamāṇaḥ sāntvyamānaśca bhārata । dambhōdbhavō yuddhamicchannāhvayatyēva tāpasau ॥5-94-22॥

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)

tatō narastviṣīkāṇāṁ muṣṭimādāya kaurava। abravīdēhi yudhyasva yuddhakāmuka kṣatriya ॥5-94-23॥

Then the man of the Tiṣīkas, making a fist, said, "Come, fight, you battle-hungry Kshatriya, O Kaurava." (5-94-23)

sarvaśastrāṇi cādatsva yōjayasva ca vāhinīm। ahaṁ hi tē vinēṣyāmi yuddhaśraddhāmitaḥ param ॥5-94-24॥

Take up all your weapons and ready your troops, for I will utterly destroy your confidence in battle right here. (5-94-24)

dambhōdbhava uvāca॥

Dambhodbhava said:

yadyētadastramasmāsu yuktaṁ tāpasa manyasē। ētēnāpi tvayā yōtsyē yuddhārthī hyahamāgataḥ ॥5-94-25॥

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)

rāma uvāca॥

Rāma said.

ityuktvā śaravarṣēṇa sarvataḥ samavākirat। dambhōdbhavastāpasaṁ taṁ jighāṁsuḥ sahasainikaḥ ॥5-94-26॥

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)

tasya tānasyatō ghōrāniṣūnparatanucchidaḥ। kadarthīkr̥tya sa muniriṣīkābhirapānudat ॥5-94-27॥

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)

tatō’smai prāsr̥jadghōramaiṣīkamaparājitaḥ। astramapratisandhēyaṁ tadadbhutamivābhavat ॥5-94-28॥

Then the unconquerable one launched a terrible arrow-weapon at him, one that could not be countered, and it appeared wondrous. (5-94-28)

tēṣāmakṣīṇi karṇāṁśca nastakāṁścaiva māyayā। nimittavēdhī sa muniriṣīkābhiḥ samarpayat ॥5-94-29॥

That sage who knew omens, by his illusion, directed reeds at their eyes, ears, and noses. (5-94-29)

sa dr̥ṣṭvā śvētamākāśamiṣīkābhiḥ samācitam। pādayōrnyapatadrājā svasti mē’stviti cābravīt ॥5-94-30॥

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)

tamabravīnnarō rājañśaraṇyaḥ śaraṇaiṣiṇām। brahmaṇyō bhava dharmātmā mā ca smaivaṁ punaḥ kr̥thāḥ ॥5-94-31॥

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)

mā ca darpasamāviṣṭaḥ kṣēpsīḥ kāṁścitkadācana। alpīyāṁsaṁ viśiṣṭaṁ vā tattē rājanparaṁ hitam ॥5-94-32॥

Also, never, with pride, speak contemptuously to anyone, whether inferior or superior; that, O king, is for your highest good. (5-94-32)

kr̥taprajñō vītalōbhō nirahaṅkāra ātmavān। dāntaḥ kṣāntō mr̥duḥ kṣēmaḥ prajāḥ pālaya pārthiva ॥5-94-33॥

O king, be steadfast in wisdom, free from greed, without arrogance, self-controlled, disciplined, forbearing, gentle, and welcoming—protect your people. (5-94-33)

anujñātaḥ svasti gaccha maivaṁ bhūyaḥ samācarēḥ। kuśalaṁ brāhmaṇānpr̥cchērāvayōrvacanādbhr̥śam ॥5-94-34॥

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)

tatō rājā tayōḥ pādāvabhivādya mahātmanōḥ। pratyājagāma svapuraṁ dharmaṁ caivācinōdbhr̥śam ॥5-94-35॥

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)

sumahaccāpi tatkarma yannarēṇa kr̥taṁ purā। tatō guṇaiḥ subahubhiḥ śrēṣṭhō nārāyaṇō’bhavat ॥5-94-36॥

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)

tasmādyāvaddhanuḥśrēṣṭhē gāṇḍīvē’straṁ na yujyatē। tāvattvaṁ mānamutsr̥jya gaccha rājandhanañjayam ॥5-94-37॥

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)

kākudīkaṁ śukaṁ nākamakṣisantarjanaṁ tathā। santānaṁ nartanaṁ ghōramāsyamōdakamaṣṭamam ॥5-94-38॥

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)

ētairviddhāḥ sarva ēva maraṇaṁ yānti mānavāḥ। unmattāśca vicēṣṭantē naṣṭasañjñā vicētasaḥ ॥5-94-39॥

All humans struck by these go to their death; raving and senseless, they move about uncomprehending. (5-94-39)

svapantē ca plavantē ca chardayanti ca mānavāḥ। mūtrayantē ca satataṁ rudanti ca hasanti ca ॥5-94-40॥

Humans sleep, float, vomit, urinate continually, cry, and laugh. (5-94-40)

asaṅkhyēyā guṇāḥ pārthē tadviśiṣṭō janārdanaḥ। tvamēva bhūyō jānāsi kuntīputraṁ dhanañjayam ॥5-94-41॥

Pārtha has innumerable virtues, but Janārdana surpasses even those; and you alone truly know Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī. (5-94-41)

naranārāyaṇau yau tau tāvēvārjunakēśavau। vijānīhi mahārāja pravīrau puruṣarṣabhau ॥5-94-42॥

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)

yadyētadēvaṁ jānāsi na ca māmatiśaṅkasē। āryāṁ matiṁ samāsthāya śāmya bhārata pāṇḍavaiḥ ॥5-94-43॥

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)

atha cēnmanyasē śrēyō na mē bhēdō bhavēditi। praśāmya bharataśrēṣṭha mā ca yuddhē manaḥ kr̥thāḥ ॥5-94-44॥

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)

bhavatāṁ ca kuruśrēṣṭha kulaṁ bahumataṁ bhuvi। tattathaivāstu bhadraṁ tē svārthamēvānucintaya ॥5-94-45॥

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)