05.127
Pancharatra: Gandhari advises Duryodhana on Kingly dharma, and a surrender to Lord Krishna.
śavaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Śavaiśampāyana spoke:
kṛṣṇasya vacanaṃ śrutvā dhṛtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ । viduraṃ sarvadharmajñaṃ tvaramāṇo'bhyabhāṣata ॥5-127-1॥
Upon hearing Krishna's words, King Dhritarashtra, in haste, spoke to Vidura, who is knowledgeable in all dharmas.
gaccha tāta mahāprājñāṃ gāndhārīṃ dīrghadarśinīm । ānayeha tayā sārdhamanuneṣyāmi durmatim ॥5-127-2॥
Father, go to the wise and far-sighted Gandhari. Bring her here, and together we will persuade the one with evil intentions.
yadi sāpi durātmānaṃ śamayedduṣṭacetasam । api kṛṣṇāya suhṛdastiṣṭhema vacane vayam ॥5-127-3॥
If she can pacify the wicked-minded, we should also abide by the words of Krishna's friends.
api lobhābhibhūtasya panthānamanudarśayet । durbuddherduḥsahāyasya samarthaṃ bruvatī vacaḥ ॥5-127-4॥
Even to someone who is overcome by greed, one should show the right path, speaking words that are capable of guiding even the wicked and those with difficult companions.
api no vyasanaṃ ghoraṃ duryodhanakṛtaṃ mahat । śamayeccirarātrāya yogakṣemavadavyayam ॥5-127-5॥
Whether our great and terrible calamity caused by Duryodhana can be alleviated for a long time, ensuring lasting prosperity and security.
rājñastu vacanaṃ śrutvā viduro dīrghadarśinīm । ānayāmāsa gāndhārīṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrasya śāsanāt ॥5-127-6॥
Upon hearing the king's command, the wise Vidura brought Gandhari as instructed by Dhritarashtra.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
eṣa gāndhāri putras te durātmā śāsanātigaḥ । aiśvaryalobhād aiśvaryaṃ jīvitaṃ ca prahāsyati ॥5-127-7॥
This wicked son of Gandhari, your son, disobedient due to his greed for power, will lose both his power and his life.
aśiṣṭavadamaryādaḥ pāpaiḥ saha durātmabhiḥ । sabhāyā niragato mūḍho vyatikramya suhṛdvacaḥ ॥5-127-8॥
The foolish person, speaking improperly and without respect, associated with sinners and wicked individuals, left the assembly, ignoring the advice of friends.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
sā bharturvacanaṃ śrutvā rājaputrī yaśasvinī । anvicchantī mahacchreyo gāndhārī vākyamabravīt ॥5-127-9॥
Upon hearing her husband's words, the illustrious princess Gandhari, in pursuit of great good, spoke.
ānayeha sutaṃ kṣipraṃ rājyakāmukamāturam । na hi rājyamaśiṣṭena śakyaṃ dharmārthalopinā ॥5-127-10॥
Bring the son here quickly, as he is eager for the kingdom and distressed. Indeed, a kingdom cannot be maintained by someone undisciplined who neglects duty and wealth.
tvaṁ hyevātra bhṛśaṁ garhyo dhṛtarāṣṭra sutapriyaḥ । yo jānanpāpatāmasya tatprajñāmanuvartase ॥5-127-11॥
You are indeed greatly blameworthy here, Dhritarashtra, for being fond of your son. Knowing his wickedness, you still follow his counsel.
sa eṣa kāmamanyubhyāṃ pralabdho mohamāsthitaḥ । aśakyo'dya tvayā rājanvinivartayituṃ balāt ॥5-127-12॥
This person, overwhelmed by desire and anger, is in a state of delusion. It is impossible for you, O king, to turn him back by force today.
rājyapradāne mūḍhasya bāliśasya durātmanaḥ । duḥsahāyasya lubdhasya dhṛtarāṣṭro'śnute phalam ॥5-127-13॥
Dhritarashtra, by giving the kingdom to the foolish, childish, wicked, difficult ally, and greedy, reaps the consequences.
kathaṁ hi svajane bhedamupekṣeta mahāmatiḥ । bhinnaṁ hi svajanena tvāṁ prasahiṣyanti śatravaḥ ॥5-127-14॥
How can a wise person ignore division among their own people? If you are divided by your own, enemies will surely overpower you.
yā hi śakyā mahārāja sāmnā dānena vā punaḥ । nistartum āpadaḥ sveṣu daṇḍaṃ kastatra pātayet ॥5-127-15॥
O great king, who would choose to punish their own people when it is possible to resolve difficulties through conciliation or gifts?
śāsanāddhṛtarāṣṭrasya duryodhanamamarṣaṇam । mātuśca vacanātkṣattā sabhāṃ prāveśayatpunaḥ ॥5-127-16॥
Due to Dhritarashtra's command and his mother's words, the impatient Duryodhana was once again ushered into the assembly by the charioteer.
sa māturvacanākāṅkṣī praviveśa sabhāṃ punaḥ । abhitāmrekṣaṇaḥ krodhānniḥśvasanniva pannagaḥ ॥5-127-17॥
He, eager to hear his mother's words, entered the assembly once more, his eyes red with anger, sighing like a serpent.
taṃ praviṣṭam abhiprekṣya putram utpatham āsthitam । vigarhamāṇā gāndhārī samarthaṃ vākyam abravīt ॥5-127-18॥
Seeing her son on the wrong path, Gandhari reproached him and spoke capable words.
duryodhana nibodhedaṃ vacanaṃ mama putraka । hitaṃ te sānubandhasya tathāyatyāṃ sukhodayam ॥5-127-19॥
Duryodhana, my son, listen to my words. They are meant for your benefit and that of your allies, ensuring future happiness.
bhīṣmasya tu pituścaiva mama cāpacitiḥ kṛtā । bhaveddroṇamukhānāṃ ca suhṛdāṃ śāmyatā tvayā ॥5-127-20॥
The honor of Bhishma, my father, and myself has been upheld by you through pacifying Drona, his followers, and our friends.
na hi rājyaṃ mahāprājña svena kāmena śakyate । avāptuṃ rakṣituṃ vāpi bhoktuṃ vā bharatarṣabha ॥5-127-21॥
O wise one, the kingdom cannot be obtained, protected, or enjoyed merely by one's own desire, O best of the Bharatas.
na hyavaśyendriyo rājyamaśnīyāddīrghamantaram । vijitātmā tu medhāvī sa rājyamabhipālayet ॥5-127-22॥
A person with uncontrolled senses should not rule a kingdom for long. However, a wise and self-controlled individual should govern the kingdom effectively.
kāmakrodhau hi puruṣamarthebhyo vyapakarṣataḥ । tau tu śatrū vinirjitya rājā vijayate mahīm ॥5-127-23॥
Desire and anger distract a man from his objectives, but by overcoming these two foes, a king can conquer the world.
lokeśvaraprabhutvaṃ hi mahadetaddurātmabhiḥ । rājyaṃ nāmepsitaṃ sthānaṃ na śakyamabhirakṣitum ॥5-127-24॥
Indeed, it is not possible for evil-minded individuals to protect this great lordship over the world, the kingdom, and the desired position.
indriyāṇi mahatprepsurniyacchedarthadharmayoḥ । indriyaiḥ niyatair buddhir vardhate'gnir ivendhanaiḥ ॥5-127-25॥
One who desires greatness should control the senses for the sake of wealth and righteousness. With controlled senses, intelligence grows like a fire fueled by wood.
avidheyāni hīmāni vyāpādayitumapyalam । avidheyā ivādāntā hayāḥ pathi kusārathim ॥5-127-26॥
These uncontrollable ones are indeed capable of causing destruction, just like untamed horses on a path with an unskilled charioteer.
avijitya ya ātmānam amātyān vijigīṣate । ajitātmājitāmātyaḥ so'vaśaḥ parihīyate ॥5-127-27॥
He who has not conquered himself and his ministers, yet desires to conquer others, finds himself helpless and ultimately defeated.
ātmānameva prathamaṃ deśarūpeṇa yo jayet । tato'mātyānamitrāṃśca na moghaṃ vijigīṣate ॥5-127-28॥
One must first conquer oneself in the form of a country; only then can one successfully desire to conquer ministers and enemies.
vaśyendriyaṃ jitāmātyaṃ dhṛtadaṇḍaṃ vikāriṣu । parīkṣyakāriṇaṃ dhīramatyantaṃ śrīrniṣevate ॥5-127-29॥
Prosperity attends to a person who has self-control, has subdued his ministers, wields authority, is prudent in changeable situations, and possesses great wisdom.
kṣudrākṣeṇeva jālena jhaṣāvapihitāvubhau । kāmakrodhau śarīrasthau prajñānaṃ tau vilumpataḥ ॥5-127-30॥
Desire and anger, residing within the body, obscure wisdom just as two fishes are ensnared by a small net.
yābhyāṃ hi devāḥ svaryātuḥ svargasyāpidadhurmukham । bibhyato'nupārāgasya kāmakrodhau sma vardhitau ॥5-127-31॥
The gods, fearing the stain, placed the face of heaven by whom indeed desire and anger were increased.
kāmaṃ krodhaṃ ca lobhaṃ ca dambhaṃ darpaṃ ca bhūmipaḥ । samyagvijetuṃ yo veda sa mahīmabhijāyate ॥5-127-32॥
A king who understands how to fully overcome desire, anger, greed, hypocrisy, and pride is destined to rule the world.
satataṁ nigrahe yukta indriyāṇāṁ bhavennṛpaḥ । īpsannarthaṁ ca dharmaṁ ca dviṣatāṁ ca parābhavam ॥5-127-33॥
A king should always be engaged in controlling his senses, seeking wealth and righteousness, and aiming for the defeat of his enemies.
kāmābhibhūtaḥ krodhādvā yo mithyā pratipadyate । sveṣu cānyeṣu vā tasya na sahāyā bhavantyuta ॥5-127-34॥
One who is overcome by desire or anger and acts falsely, whether in his own matters or in others', will find that he indeed has no helpers.
ekībhūtairmahāprājñaiḥ śūrairarinibarhaṇaiḥ । pāṇḍavaiḥ pṛthivīṃ tāta bhokṣyase sahitaḥ sukhī ॥5-127-35॥
Dear one, united with the wise and heroic Pāṇḍavas who are destroyers of enemies, you will happily enjoy the earth together.
yathā bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo droṇaścāpi mahārathaḥ । āhatustāta tatsatyamajeyau kṛṣṇapāṇḍavau ॥5-127-36॥
As Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and Drona, the great warrior, struck, it is indeed true, O father, that Krishna and Pandava are unconquerable.
prapadyasva mahābāhuṃ kṛṣṇamakliṣṭakāriṇam । prasanno hi sukhāya syādubhayoreva keśavaḥ ॥5-127-37॥
Surrender to the mighty-armed Krishna, who performs effortless deeds. When pleased, Keshava ensures happiness for both parties.
suhṛdāmarthakāmānāṃ yo na tiṣṭhati śāsane । prājñānāṃ kṛtavidyānāṃ sa naraḥ śatrunandanaḥ ॥5-127-38॥
O delight of foes, a man who does not abide by the command of friends, wealth and desires, and the wise, is indeed a fool.
na yuddhe tāta kalyāṇaṃ na dharmārthau kutaḥ sukham । na cāpi vijayo nityaṃ mā yuddhe ceta ādhithāḥ ॥5-127-39॥
O dear, in battle there is neither welfare nor righteousness and wealth, so where is happiness? Victory is also not always assured. Therefore, do not engage in battle if you can avoid it.
bhīṣmeṇa hi mahāprājña pitrā te bāhlikena ca । datto'ṃśaḥ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ bhedādbhītairariṃdama ॥5-127-40॥
O great wise one, indeed, a share was given by Bhishma and your father Bahlika to the sons of Pandu due to fear of division, O subduer of enemies.
tasya caitatpradānasya phalamadyānupaśyasi । yadbhuṅkṣe pṛthivīṃ sarvāṃ śūrairnihatakaṇṭakām ॥5-127-41॥
Today, you witness the result of his generosity, as you enjoy the whole earth, made free of obstacles by the valor of heroes.
prayaccha pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ yathocitamariṃdama । yadīcchasi sahāmātyo bhoktumardhaṃ mahīkṣitām ॥5-127-42॥
O subduer of enemies, if you wish to enjoy half of the earth with your ministers, then give to the sons of Pandu what is appropriate.
alam ardhaṃ pṛthivyās te sahāmātyasya jīvanam । suhṛdāṃ vacane tiṣṭhan yaśaḥ prāpsyasi bhārata ॥5-127-43॥
O Bharata, having half of the earth is enough for you along with the life of the minister. By adhering to the words of friends, you will gain fame.
śrīmadbhirātmavadbhirhi buddhimadbhirjitendriyaiḥ । pāṇḍavairvigrahastāta bhraṃśayenmahataḥ sukhāt ॥5-127-44॥
O dear one, indeed, the conflict initiated by the Pandavas, who are glorious, self-possessed, and wise, having conquered their senses, would lead to a great loss of happiness.
nigṛhya suhṛdāṃ manyuṃ śādhi rājyaṃ yathocitam । svamaṃśaṃ pāṇḍuputrebhyaḥ pradāya bharatarṣabha ॥5-127-45॥
Control the anger of your friends and govern the kingdom as is appropriate. Give your share to the sons of Pandu, O best of the Bharatas.
alamahnā nikāro'yaṃ trayodaśa samāḥ kṛtaḥ । śamaya enaṃ mahāprājña kāmakrodhasamedhitam ॥5-127-46॥
For thirteen years, this insult has persisted. O great wise one, please pacify this situation, inflamed with desire and anger.
na caiṣa śaktaḥ pārthānāṃ yastvadarthamabhīpsati । sūtaputro dṛḍhakrodho bhrātā duḥśāsanaśca te ॥5-127-47॥
This son of a charioteer, firm in anger, who desires to act for your sake, is not capable of overcoming the sons of Pṛthā, nor is your brother Duḥśāsana.
bhīṣme droṇe kṛpe karṇe bhīmasene dhanañjaye । dhṛṣṭadyumne ca saṅkruddhe na syuḥ sarvāḥ prajā dhruvam ॥5-127-48॥
In the presence of Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Bhimasena, Dhananjaya, and the enraged Dhrishtadyumna, it is certain that all people would not exist.
amarṣavaśamāpanno mā kurūṁstāta jīghanaḥ । sarvā hi pṛthivī spṛṣṭā tvatpāṇḍavakṛte vadham ॥5-127-49॥
Dear one, do not kill the Kurus in anger; indeed, the entire earth has been affected for your sake, Pandava, for destruction.
yacca tvaṃ manyase mūḍha bhīṣmadroṇakṛpādayaḥ । yotsyante sarvaśaktyeti naitadadyopapadyate ॥5-127-50॥
You foolishly think that Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and others will fight with all their might, but this is not possible today.
samaṃ hi rājyaṃ prītiśca sthānaṃ ca vijitātmanām । pāṇḍaveṣvatha yuṣmāsu dharmastvabhyadhikastataḥ ॥5-127-51॥
For those who have conquered themselves, the kingdom, affection, and position are the same among the Pandavas and you; however, righteousness is superior to all of these.
rājapiṇḍabhayādete yadi hāsyanti jīvitam । na hi śakṣyanti rājānaṃ yudhiṣṭhiramudīkṣitum ॥5-127-52॥
If these people abandon their lives out of fear of the king's punishment, they will not be able to face King Yudhishthira.
na lobhādarthasam pattirnarāṇāmiha dṛśyate । tadalaṃ tāta lobhena praśāmya bharatarṣabha ॥5-127-53॥
Wealth does not come to men through greed. Therefore, dear one, let go of greed and be at peace, O best of the Bharatas.
