05.122

dhr̥tarāṣṭra uvāca॥

Dhritarashtra said:

bhagavannēvamēvaitadyathā vadasi nārada। icchāmi cāhamapyēvaṁ na tvīśō bhagavannaham ॥5-122-1॥

Revered one, it is exactly as you say, Nārada. I too wish for this, but, revered one, I am not capable. (5-122-1)

vaiśampāyana uvāca॥

Vaiśampāyana said:

ēvamuktvā tataḥ kr̥ṣṇamabhyabhāṣata bhārata। svargyaṁ lōkyaṁ ca māmāttha dharmyaṁ nyāyyaṁ ca kēśava ॥5-122-2॥

Having thus spoken, he then addressed Kṛṣṇa, saying, "O Bhārata, O Keśava, you have told me of what is righteous, just, and leads both to heaven and to prosperity in this world." (5-122-2)

na tvahaṁ svavaśastāta kriyamāṇaṁ na mē priyam। aṅga duryōdhanaṁ kr̥ṣṇa mandaṁ śāstrātigaṁ mama ॥5-122-3॥

But I am not in control, dear one, and what is being done is not pleasing to me. Dear friend Kṛṣṇa, Duryodhana is my foolish son, acting beyond the law. (5-122-3)

anunētuṁ mahābāhō yatasva puruṣōttama। suhr̥tkāryaṁ tu sumahatkr̥taṁ tē syājjanārdana ॥5-122-4॥

O mighty-armed, O best of men, make an effort to persuade him; by doing so, O Janardana, you will have performed a true friend's very great duty. (5-122-4)

tatō’bhyāvr̥tya vārṣṇēyō duryōdhanamamarṣaṇam। abravīnmadhurāṁ vācaṁ sarvadharmārthatattvavit ॥5-122-5॥

Then the Vrishni prince, knowing all the principles of righteousness and purpose, approached the indignant Duryodhana and spoke sweet words. (5-122-5)

duryōdhana nibōdhēdaṁ madvākyaṁ kurusattama। samarthaṁ tē viśēṣēṇa sānubandhasya bhārata ॥5-122-6॥

Duryodhana, best of the Kurus, heed these words of mine—especially as they are suitable for you and your allies, O Bhārata. (5-122-6)

mahāprājña kulē jātaḥ sādhvētatkartumarhasi। śrutavr̥ttōpasampannaḥ sarvaiḥ samuditō guṇaiḥ ॥5-122-7॥

O greatly wise one, born in a noble family, it is proper for you to do this—endowed with learning and good conduct, and possessed of all virtues. (5-122-7)

dauṣkulēyā durātmānō nr̥śaṁsā nirapatrapāḥ। ta ētadīdr̥śaṁ kuryuryathā tvaṁ tāta manyasē ॥5-122-8॥

Those of low lineage, wicked-minded, cruel, and shameless—they are the ones who would do such things as you think, dear one. (5-122-8)

dharmārthayuktā lōkē’sminpravr̥ttirlakṣyatē satām। asatāṁ viparītā tu lakṣyatē bharatarṣabha ॥5-122-9॥

In this world, conduct joined with righteousness and purpose is observed among good people; however, among bad people, the opposite is seen, O best of the Bharatas. (5-122-9)

viparītā tviyaṁ vr̥ttirasakr̥llakṣyatē tvayi। adharmaścānubandhō’tra ghōraḥ prāṇaharō mahān ॥5-122-10॥

But this contrary conduct is seen in you again and again, and here the consequence is unrighteousness—a great and terrible harm that destroys life. (5-122-10)

anēkaśastvannimittamayaśasyaṁ ca bhārata। tamanarthaṁ pariharannātmaśrēyaḥ kariṣyasi ॥5-122-11॥

O Bhārata, disgrace in many ways will arise because of you; by avoiding that misfortune, you will achieve your own welfare. (5-122-11)

bhrātr̥̄ṇāmatha bhr̥tyānāṁ mitrāṇāṁ ca parantapa। adharmyādayaśasyācca karmaṇastvaṁ pramōkṣyasē ॥5-122-12॥

You, O subduer of foes, will be freed from unrighteous and disgraceful action toward your brothers, dependents, and friends. (5-122-12)

prājñaiḥ śūrairmahōtsāhairātmavadbhirbahuśrutaiḥ। sandhatsva puruṣavyāghra pāṇḍavairbharatarṣabha ॥5-122-13॥

Tiger among men, bull of the Bharatas, ally yourself with the Pāṇḍavas—those who are wise, brave, greatly energetic, self-possessed, and well-learned. (5-122-13)

taddhitaṁ ca priyaṁ caiva dhr̥tarāṣṭrasya dhīmataḥ। pitāmahasya drōṇasya vidurasya mahāmatēḥ ॥5-122-14॥

that which is beneficial and also pleasing to wise Dhṛtarāṣṭra, to the Grandsire, to Droṇa, and to the very wise Vidura, (5-122-14)

kr̥pasya sōmadattasya bāhlīkasya ca dhīmataḥ। aśvatthāmnō vikarṇasya sañjayasya viśāṁ patē ॥5-122-15॥

of Kṛpa, Somadatta, the wise Bāhlika, Aśvatthāman, Vikarna, Sanjaya—O King, (5-122-15)

jñātīnāṁ caiva bhūyiṣṭhaṁ mitrāṇāṁ ca parantapa। śamē śarma bhavēttāta sarvasya jagatastathā ॥5-122-16॥

May there be happiness in peace, dear son, especially among kinsmen and friends, and likewise for the whole world. (5-122-16)

hrīmānasi kulē jātaḥ śrutavānanr̥śaṁsavān। tiṣṭha tāta pituḥ śāstrē mātuśca bharatarṣabha ॥5-122-17॥

You are modest, born in a noble family, learned, and compassionate—abide, dear son, by the teachings of your father and mother, O bull among the Bharatas. (5-122-17)

ētacchrēyō hi manyantē pitā yacchāsti bhārata। uttamāpadgataḥ sarvaḥ pituḥ smarati śāsanam ॥5-122-18॥

O Bhārata, this is indeed considered best—the father's instruction. For, when faced with great calamity, everyone remembers their father's teaching. (5-122-18)

rōcatē tē pitustāta pāṇḍavaiḥ saha saṅgamaḥ। sāmātyasya kuruśrēṣṭha tattubhyaṁ tāta rōcatām ॥5-122-19॥

Dear one, your father is pleased with your meeting together with the Pāṇḍavas—best of the Kurus, may that also be pleasing to you, dear one, along with your ministers. (5-122-19)

śrutvā yaḥ suhr̥dāṁ śāstraṁ martyō na pratipadyatē। vipākāntē dahatyēnaṁ kimpākamiva bhakṣitam ॥5-122-20॥

A mortal who, having heard instruction from friends, does not accept it, is burned in the end, like one who is burned by undigested food he has eaten. (5-122-20)

yastu niḥśrēyasaṁ vākyaṁ mōhānna pratipadyatē। sa dīrghasūtrō hīnārthaḥ paścāttāpēna yujyatē ॥5-122-21॥

But one who, out of delusion, does not embrace teaching that leads to the highest good—that procrastinator, lacking purpose, is afflicted with regret. (5-122-21)

yastu niḥśrēyasaṁ śrutvā prāptamēvābhipadyatē। ātmanō matamutsr̥jya sa lōkē sukhamēdhatē ॥5-122-22॥

But he who, having heard of the highest good that is within reach, embraces it—abandoning his own opinion—he prospers in happiness in this world. (5-122-22)

yō’rthakāmasya vacanaṁ prātikūlyānna mr̥ṣyatē। śr̥ṇōti pratikūlāni dviṣatāṁ vaśamēti saḥ ॥5-122-23॥

He who does not accept the advice of someone seeking gain and pleasure because it is unpleasant, who listens to unpleasant things from his enemies and comes under their control— (5-122-23)

satāṁ matamatikramya yō’satāṁ vartatē matē। śōcantē vyasanē tasya suhr̥dō nacirādiva ॥5-122-24॥

He who disregards the opinion of the virtuous and acts by the counsel of the wicked—when he meets with adversity, his friends soon come to grief. (5-122-24)

mukhyānamātyānutsr̥jya yō nihīnānniṣēvatē। sa ghōrāmāpadaṁ prāpya nōttāramadhigacchati ॥5-122-25॥

He who abandons his chief ministers and associates with inferior people, when he falls into terrible adversity, does not find deliverance. (5-122-25)

yō’satsēvī vr̥thācārō na śrōtā suhr̥dāṁ sadā। parānvr̥ṇītē svāndvēṣṭi taṁ gauḥ śapati bhārata ॥5-122-26॥

O Bhārata, whoever keeps bad company, whose conduct is vain, who never listens to his friends, who chooses outsiders and hates his own people—the earth curses him. (5-122-26)

sa tvaṁ virudhya tairvīrairanyēbhyastrāṇamicchasi। aśiṣṭēbhyō’samarthēbhyō mūḍhēbhyō bharatarṣabha ॥5-122-27॥

Yet you, having opposed those warriors, seek protection from others—undisciplined, incapable, and deluded—O bull among the Bharatas. (5-122-27)

kō hi śakrasamāñjñātīnatikramya mahārathān। anyēbhyastrāṇamāśaṁsēttvadanyō bhuvi mānavaḥ ॥5-122-28॥

For who else on earth but you would hope to grant protection to others, overlooking his own kinsmen—great warriors who are the equals of Indra? (5-122-28)

janmaprabhr̥ti kauntēyā nityaṁ vinikr̥tāstvayā। na ca tē jātu kupyanti dharmātmānō hi pāṇḍavāḥ ॥5-122-29॥

From birth, O sons of Kunti, the Pandavas have always been wronged by you, yet they have never become angry with you, for the Pandavas are truly righteous. (5-122-29)

mithyāpracaritāstāta janmaprabhr̥ti pāṇḍavāḥ। tvayi samyaṅmahābāhō pratipannā yaśasvinaḥ ॥5-122-30॥

Dear one, from birth the Pāṇḍavas have been unjustly treated, yet these illustrious men have always behaved rightly toward you, O mighty-armed. (5-122-30)

tvayāpi pratipattavyaṁ tathaiva bharatarṣabha। svēṣu bandhuṣu mukhyēṣu mā manyuvaśamanvagāḥ ॥5-122-31॥

You too, best of the Bharatas, must act in the same way toward your foremost kinsmen—do not let yourself be carried away by anger. (5-122-31)

trivargayuktā prājñānāmārambhā bharatarṣabha। dharmārthāvanurudhyantē trivargāsambhavē narāḥ ॥5-122-32॥

O bull among the Bharatas, the endeavors of the wise are aligned with the three aims of life; when all three cannot be attained, people pursue dharma and artha. (5-122-32)

pr̥thaktu viniviṣṭānāṁ dharmaṁ dhīrō’nurudhyatē। madhyamō’rthaṁ kaliṁ bālaḥ kāmamēvānurudhyatē ॥5-122-33॥

But when these are distinctly established, the wise person pursues virtue, the average person pursues gain, the immature pursues only desire, and error. (5-122-33)

indriyaiḥ prasr̥tō lōbhāddharmaṁ viprajahāti yaḥ। kāmārthāvanupāyēna lipsamānō vinaśyati ॥5-122-34॥

He who, overpowered by the senses and greed, abandons righteousness, and seeks to attain desire and wealth by improper means, is ruined. (5-122-34)

kāmārthau lipsamānastu dharmamēvāditaścarēt। na hi dharmādapaityarthaḥ kāmō vāpi kadācana ॥5-122-35॥

But one who seeks desire and wealth should follow only dharma from the very start—for neither wealth nor desire ever departs from dharma. (5-122-35)

upāyaṁ dharmamēvāhustrivargasya viśāṁ patē। lipsamānō hi tēnāśu kakṣē’gniriva vardhatē ॥5-122-36॥

O lord of men, they say that dharma alone is the means for attaining all three aims of life; indeed, one who seeks them grows quickly by it, like fire in the brushwood. (5-122-36)

sa tvaṁ tātānupāyēna lipsasē bharatarṣabha। ādhirājyaṁ mahaddīptaṁ prathitaṁ sarvarājasu ॥5-122-37॥

But you, dear one, bull of the Bharatas, seek by improper means that great, brilliant, and renowned sovereignty among all kings. (5-122-37)

ātmānaṁ takṣati hyēṣa vanaṁ paraśunā yathā। yaḥ samyagvartamānēṣu mithyā rājanpravartatē ॥5-122-38॥

O king, indeed, he harms himself, just as one cuts down a tree with an axe—who acts wrongly toward those who act righteously. (5-122-38)

na tasya hi matiṁ chindyādyasya nēcchētparābhavam। avicchinnasya dhīrasya kalyāṇē dhīyatē matiḥ ॥5-122-39॥

One should not undermine the judgment of a person whose downfall one does not wish; the resolve of a steadfast and undisturbed person is set upon what is good. (5-122-39)

tyaktātmānaṁ na bādhēta triṣu lōkēṣu bhārata। apyanyaṁ prākr̥taṁ kiñcitkimu tānpāṇḍavarṣabhān ॥5-122-40॥

O Bhārata, one who has abandoned himself would not harm anyone in all three worlds, not even an ordinary person—how much less those outstanding Pāṇḍavas. (5-122-40)

amarṣavaśamāpannō na kiñcidbudhyatē naraḥ। chidyatē hyātataṁ sarvaṁ pramāṇaṁ paśya bhārata ॥5-122-41॥

O Bhārata, when a man is overcome by anger, he understands nothing. Indeed, all sound judgment that existed is cut off—see for yourself. (5-122-41)

śrēyastē durjanāttāta pāṇḍavaiḥ saha saṅgamaḥ। tairhi samprīyamāṇastvaṁ sarvānkāmānavāpsyasi ॥5-122-42॥

Dear one, it is better for you to associate with the Pāṇḍavas than with wicked people; by gaining their favor, you will obtain all your desires. (5-122-42)

pāṇḍavairnirjitāṁ bhūmiṁ bhuñjānō rājasattama। pāṇḍavānpr̥ṣṭhataḥ kr̥tvā trāṇamāśaṁsasē’nyataḥ ॥5-122-43॥

O best of kings, while you enjoy the land conquered by the Pāṇḍavas, having set the Pāṇḍavas behind you, you look for protection elsewhere. (5-122-43)

duḥśāsanē durviṣahē karṇē cāpi sasaubalē। ētēṣvaiśvaryamādhāya bhūtimicchasi bhārata ॥5-122-44॥

O Bhārata, placing your power in Duḥśāsana, the formidable one Karṇa, and Soubala, you desire prosperity. (5-122-44)

na caitē tava paryāptā jñānē dharmārthayōstathā। vikramē cāpyaparyāptāḥ pāṇḍavānprati bhārata ॥5-122-45॥

Nor are these men of yours sufficient in wisdom or in righteousness and wealth, nor are they adequate in prowess against the Pāṇḍavas, O Bhārata. (5-122-45)

na hīmē sarvarājānaḥ paryāptāḥ sahitāstvayā। kruddhasya bhīmasēnasya prēkṣituṁ mukhamāhavē ॥5-122-46॥

For even all these kings together with you are not sufficient to face the enraged Bhimasena in battle. (5-122-46)

idaṁ saṁnihitaṁ tāta samagraṁ pārthivaṁ balam। ayaṁ bhīṣmastathā drōṇaḥ karṇaścāyaṁ tathā kr̥paḥ ॥5-122-47॥

O father, this entire army of kings is assembled here—this is Bhishma, and Drona, and Karna, and also Kripa. (5-122-47)

bhūriśravāḥ saumadattiraśvatthāmā jayadrathaḥ। aśaktāḥ sarva ēvaitē pratiyōddhuṁ dhanañjayam ॥5-122-48॥

Bhurishrava, the son of Somadatta, Ashvatthaman, Jayadratha—all these are incapable of opposing Dhananjaya in battle. (5-122-48)

ajēyō hyarjunaḥ kruddhaḥ sarvairapi surāsuraiḥ। mānuṣairapi gandharvairmā yuddhē cēta ādhithāḥ ॥5-122-49॥

For truly, Arjuna is invincible when enraged, even by all the gods, asuras, men, and Gandharvas; do not engage him in battle if you encounter him. (5-122-49)

dr̥śyatāṁ vā pumānkaścitsamagrē pārthivē balē। yō’rjunaṁ samarē prāpya svastimānāvrajēdgr̥hān ॥5-122-50॥

Let there be seen, if there is any man in this entire army of kings who, having met Arjuna in battle, would return home safe and sound. (5-122-50)

kiṁ tē janakṣayēṇēha kr̥tēna bharatarṣabha। yasmiñjitē jitaṁ tē syātpumānēkaḥ sa dr̥śyatām ॥5-122-51॥

O best of the Bharatas, what do you gain here by causing the destruction of people? If there is one man, by conquering whom everything is conquered for you, let that one be found. (5-122-51)

yaḥ sa dēvānsagandharvānsayakṣāsurapannagān। ajayatkhāṇḍavaprasthē kastaṁ yudhyēta mānavaḥ ॥5-122-52॥

He who conquered the gods, along with the Gandharvas, Yakṣas, Asuras, and Nāgas, at Khāṇḍavaprastha—what man would dare fight him? (5-122-52)

tathā virāṭanagarē śrūyatē mahadadbhutam। ēkasya ca bahūnāṁ ca paryāptaṁ tannidarśanam ॥5-122-53॥

Likewise, it is said that something great and wondrous happened in the city of Virata; that is an example of one being sufficient against many. (5-122-53)

tamajēyamanādhr̥ṣyaṁ vijētuṁ jiṣṇumacyutam। āśaṁsasīha samarē vīramarjunamūrjitam ॥5-122-54॥

Here in battle, do you expect to defeat him—invincible, unassailable, victorious, infallible, Arjuna the mighty hero? (5-122-54)

maddvitīyaṁ punaḥ pārthaṁ kaḥ prārthayitumarhati। yuddhē pratīpamāyāntamapi sākṣātpuraṁdaraḥ ॥5-122-55॥

Who would be worthy to engage Pārtha in battle when he comes, with me beside him, even if Indra himself were to face him directly? (5-122-55)

bāhubhyāmuddharēdbhūmiṁ dahētkruddha imāḥ prajāḥ। pātayēttridivāddēvānyō’rjunaṁ samarē jayēt ॥5-122-56॥

With his arms, he could lift up the earth, burn these creatures if enraged, cast the gods down from heaven—whoever could defeat Arjuna in battle. (5-122-56)

paśya putrāṁstathā bhrātr̥̄ñjñātīnsambandhinastathā। tvatkr̥tē na vinaśyēyurētē bharatasattama ॥5-122-57॥

See that these sons, brothers, kinsmen, and relatives do not perish for your sake, best of the Bharatas. (5-122-57)

astu śēṣaṁ kauravāṇāṁ mā parābhūdidaṁ kulam। kulaghna iti nōcyēthā naṣṭakīrtirnarādhipa ॥5-122-58॥

Let there be a remnant of the Kauravas; do not let this family be destroyed. Do not be called a destroyer of your family or one with lost reputation, O king. (5-122-58)

tvāmēva sthāpayiṣyanti yauvarājyē mahārathāḥ। mahārājyē ca pitaraṁ dhr̥tarāṣṭraṁ janēśvaram ॥5-122-59॥

The great warriors will install you alone as crown prince, and your father Dhritarashtra as king. (5-122-59)

mā tāta śriyamāyāntīmavamaṁsthāḥ samudyatām। ardhaṁ pradāya pārthēbhyō mahatīṁ śriyamāpsyasi ॥5-122-60॥

Do not, dear father, scorn the approaching prosperity that is at hand. By giving half to the sons of Pāṇḍu, you will gain great prosperity. (5-122-60)

pāṇḍavaiḥ saṁśamaṁ kr̥tvā kr̥tvā ca suhr̥dāṁ vacaḥ। samprīyamāṇō mitraiśca ciraṁ bhadrāṇyavāpsyasi ॥5-122-61॥

By making peace with the Pāṇḍavas and heeding the counsel of your friends, pleased and together with your allies, you will enjoy prosperity for a long time. (5-122-61)