05.131
Library: Kunti narrates the story of Vibhavari rebuking her son, encouraging him to fight.
कुन्त्युवाच॥
Kunti spoke:
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम् । विदुरायाश्च संवादं पुत्रस्य च परन्तप ॥५-१३१-१॥
Here is also cited an ancient story, the dialogue between Vidura and the son, O subduer of enemies.
अत्र श्रेयश्च भूयश्च यथा सा वक्तुमर्हति । यशस्विनी मन्युमती कुले जाता विभावरी ॥५-१३१-२॥
Here, the glorious and wise Vibhavari, born in a noble family, deserves to speak more and better.
क्षत्रधर्मरता धन्या विदुरा दीर्घदर्शिनी । विश्रुता राजसंसत्सु श्रुतवाक्या बहुश्रुता ॥५-१३१-३॥
She is engaged in the duties of a warrior, fortunate, wise, and far-sighted. She is renowned in royal assemblies, eloquent, and learned.
विदुरा नाम वै सत्या जगर्हे पुत्रमौरसम् । निर्जितं सिन्धुराजेन शयानं दीनचेतसम् ॥ अनन्दनमधर्मज्ञं द्विषतां हर्षवर्धनम् ॥५-१३१-४॥
Vidura, known as Satyā, rebuked her son who was defeated by the king of Sindhu, lying there dejected and joyless, ignorant of righteousness, and a source of delight for his enemies.
न मया त्वं न पित्रासि जातः क्वाभ्यागतो ह्यसि । निर्मन्युरुपशाखीयः पुरुषः क्लीबसाधनः ॥५-१३१-५॥
You are neither born of me nor of your father. Where indeed have you come from? You are a man branching out without anger, using effeminate means.
यावज्जीवं निराशोऽसि कल्याणाय धुरं वह । मात्मानमवमन्यस्व मैनमल्पेन बीभरः ॥ मनः कृत्वा सुकल्याणं मा भैस्त्वं प्रतिसंस्तभ ॥५-१३१-६॥
As long as you live without hope, carry the burden for the welfare of others. Do not disregard yourself, and do not fear this small burden. Make your mind focused on well-being, do not be afraid, and remain steadfast.
उत्तिष्ठ हे कापुरुष मा शेष्वैवं पराजितः । अमित्रान्नन्दयन्सर्वान्निर्मानो बन्धुशोकदः ॥५-१३१-७॥
Arise, O coward, do not lie defeated like this, making all your enemies rejoice, devoid of pride, and causing sorrow to your family.
सुपूरा वै कुनदिका सुपूरो मूषिकाञ्जलिः । सुसन्तोषः कापुरुषः स्वल्पकेनापि तुष्यति ॥५-१३१-८॥
A small well is indeed filled with a handful of mice; a cowardly man finds great satisfaction even with a little.
अप्यरेरारुजन्दंष्ट्रामाश्वेव निधनं व्रज । अपि वा संशयं प्राप्य जीवितेऽपि पराक्रम ॥५-१३१-९॥
Even if you break the enemy's fang, proceed to death like a horse. Or, even if you encounter doubt, show valour in life.
अप्यरेः श्येनवच्छिद्रं पश्येस्त्वं विपरिक्रमन् । विनदन्वाथ वा तूष्णीं व्योम्नि वापरिशङ्कितः ॥५-१३१-१०॥
Even as you move like a falcon, you should observe the enemy's weaknesses, whether you are shouting or silently, in the sky, while being cautious.
त्वमेवं प्रेतवच्छेषे कस्माद्वज्रहतो यथा । उत्तिष्ठ हे कापुरुष मा शेष्वैवं पराजितः ॥५-१३१-११॥
Why do you lie there like a dead man, as if struck by a thunderbolt? Get up, O coward, do not remain thus defeated.
मास्तं गमस्त्वं कृपणो विश्रूयस्व स्वकर्मणा । मा मध्ये मा जघन्ये त्वं माधो भूस्तिष्ठ चोर्जितः ॥५-१३१-१२॥
Do not set, you miserable one, be heard by your own duty. Do not be in the middle or the worst, but stand strong in the lower position.
अलातं तिन्दुकस्येव मुहूर्तमपि विज्वल । मा तुषाग्निरिवानर्चिः काकरङ्खा जिजीविषुः ॥ मुहूर्तं ज्वलितं श्रेयो न तु धूमायितं चिरम् ॥५-१३१-१३॥
It is better to shine brightly for a short moment like a firebrand of the Tinduka tree than to exist like a chaff-fire without flame, longing to live like the cry of a crow. It is preferable to burn brightly for a moment than to smolder for a long time.
मा ह स्म कस्यचिद्गेहे जनी राज्ञः खरीमृदुः । कृत्वा मानुष्यकं कर्म सृत्वाजिं यावदुत्तमम् ॥ धर्मस्यानृण्यमाप्नोति न चात्मानं विगर्हते ॥५-१३१-१४॥
One should not remember the wife of anyone in the house, whether harsh or gentle, after performing human duties and hearing of the battle as long as it is excellent. This way, one attains freedom from the debt of duty and does not blame oneself.
अलब्ध्वा यदि वा लब्ध्वा नानुशोचन्ति पण्डिताः । आनन्तर्यं चारभते न प्राणानां धनायते ॥५-१३१-१५॥
Whether they gain or not, the wise do not grieve. They act immediately and do not value life for the sake of wealth.
उद्भावयस्व वीर्यं वा तां वा गच्छ ध्रुवां गतिम् । धर्मं पुत्राग्रतः कृत्वा किंनिमित्तं हि जीवसि ॥५-१३१-१६॥
Manifest your strength or proceed to that certain state. Having fulfilled your duty before your son, why indeed do you continue to live?
इष्टापूर्तं हि ते क्लीब कीर्तिश्च सकला हता । विच्छिन्नं भोगमूलं ते किंनिमित्तं हि जीवसि ॥५-१३१-१७॥
O coward, your sacrificial rites and charitable acts, as well as your entire fame, are destroyed. Your source of enjoyment is severed. For what reason do you continue to live?
शत्रुर्निमज्जता ग्राह्यो जङ्घायां प्रपतिष्यता । विपरिच्छिन्नमूलोऽपि न विषीदेत्कथञ्चन ॥ उद्यम्य धुरमुत्कर्षेदाजानेयकृतं स्मरन् ॥५-१३१-१८॥
Seize the enemy who is sinking by the leg when they are about to fall. Even if one's roots are cut off, one should never despair. Lift the burden and pull, remembering the deeds of Hanuman.
कुरु सत्त्वं च मानं च विद्धि पौरुषमात्मनः । उद्भावय कुलं मग्नं त्वत्कृते स्वयमेव हि ॥५-१३१-१९॥
Cultivate strength and honor, recognize your own manliness. Indeed, you must personally uplift the family that has sunk because of you.
यस्य वृत्तं न जल्पन्ति मानवा महदद्भुतम् । राशिवर्धनमात्रं स नैव स्त्री न पुनः पुमान् ॥५-१३१-२०॥
A person whose deeds are not spoken of as great and wonderful by others is merely someone who adds to the population; such a person is neither truly a woman nor a man.
दाने तपसि शौर्ये च यस्य न प्रथितं यशः । विद्यायामर्थलाभे वा मातुरुच्चार एव सः ॥५-१३१-२१॥
A person whose fame is not recognized in acts of charity, austerity, valor, knowledge, or wealth acquisition is merely a mention by the mother.
श्रुतेन तपसा वापि श्रिया वा विक्रमेण वा । जनान्योऽभिभवत्यन्यान्कर्मणा हि स वै पुमान् ॥५-१३१-२२॥
A person who surpasses others through learning, austerity, wealth, valor, or action is truly a man.
न त्वेव जाल्मीं कापालीं वृत्तिमेषितुमर्हसि । नृशंस्यामयशस्यां च दुःखां कापुरुषोचिताम् ॥५-१३१-२३॥
You should not engage in deceitful and cruel actions that are inglorious, painful, and suited to a coward.
यमेनमभिनन्देयुरमित्राः पुरुषं कृशम् । लोकस्य समवज्ञातं निहीनाशनवाससम् ॥५-१३१-२४॥
Enemies would praise this thin man, who is despised by the world and deprived of food and clothing.
अहोलाभकरं दीनमल्पजीवनमल्पकम् । नेदृशं बन्धुमासाद्य बान्धवः सुखमेधते ॥५-१३१-२५॥
Alas, it is beneficial to have a poor, short-lived, insignificant relative. A kinsman does not find happiness in such a relative.
अवृत्त्यैव विपत्स्यामो वयं राष्ट्रात्प्रवासिताः । सर्वकामरसैर्हीनाः स्थानभ्रष्टा अकिञ्चनाः ॥५-१३१-२६॥
Indeed, due to lack of livelihood, we will find ourselves in distress, exiled from the kingdom, deprived of all pleasures, displaced from our positions, and left destitute.
अवर्णकारिणं सत्सु कुलवंशस्य नाशनम् । कलिं पुत्रप्रवादेन सञ्जय त्वामजीजनम् ॥५-१३१-२७॥
O Sanjaya, I have begotten you as Kali, who causes the destruction of family lineage and loss of caste among the virtuous, through the rumor of a son.
निरमर्षं निरुत्साहं निर्वीर्यमरिनन्दनम् । मा स्म सीमन्तिनी काचिज्जनयेत्पुत्रमीदृशम् ॥५-१३१-२८॥
Let no woman give birth to a son who is without anger, enthusiasm, or strength, and is a delight to enemies.
मा धूमाय ज्वलात्यन्तमाक्रम्य जहि शात्रवान् । ज्वल मूर्धन्यमित्राणां मुहूर्तमपि वा क्षणम् ॥५-१३१-२९॥
Do not produce smoke; instead, burn intensely and attack to destroy the enemies. Burn the chief enemies even if only for a moment or an instant.
एतावानेव पुरुषो यदमर्षी यदक्षमी । क्षमावान्निरमर्षश्च नैव स्त्री न पुनः पुमान् ॥५-१३१-३०॥
A true man is one who is patient and without impatience, not just a woman or a man.
सन्तोषो वै श्रियं हन्ति तथानुक्रोश एव च । अनुत्थानभये चोभे निरीहो नाश्नुते महत् ॥५-१३१-३१॥
Indeed, contentment destroys prosperity, and so does compassion. Both fear of inactivity and indifference do not lead to greatness.
एभ्यो निकृतिपापेभ्यः प्रमुञ्चात्मानमात्मना । आयसं हृदयं कृत्वा मृगयस्व पुनः स्वकम् ॥५-१३१-३२॥
Free yourself from these deceitful sins by your own effort. Strengthen your heart like iron and seek your true self once more.
पुरं विषहते यस्मात्तस्मात्पुरुष उच्यते । तमाहुर्व्यर्थनामानं स्त्रीवद्य इह जीवति ॥५-१३१-३३॥
A man is called so because he endures the city. They say he lives here with a useless name, like a woman.
शूरस्योर्जितसत्त्वस्य सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनः । दिष्टभावं गतस्यापि विघसे मोदते प्रजा ॥५-१३१-३४॥
The people find joy even in difficult times when a hero of strong character and lion-like courage meets his destined end.
य आत्मनः प्रियसुखे हित्वा मृगयते श्रियम् । अमात्यानामथो हर्षमादधात्यचिरेण सः ॥५-१३१-३५॥
He who forsakes his own comfort in pursuit of wealth soon brings joy to his ministers.
पुत्र उवाच॥
The son spoke:
किं नु ते मामपश्यन्त्याः पृथिव्या अपि सर्वया । किमाभरणकृत्यं ते किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥५-१३१-३६॥
What is the use of the entire earth to you if you cannot see me? What is the use of ornaments, enjoyments, or even life itself?
मातोवाच॥
The mother spoke:
किमद्यकानां ये लोका द्विषन्तस्तानवाप्नुयुः । ये त्वादृतात्मनां लोकाः सुहृदस्तान्व्रजन्तु नः ॥५-१३१-३७॥
May those who harbor envy reach the realms meant for the envious, while our friends journey to the realms of the respectful.
भृत्यैर्विहीयमानानां परपिण्डोपजीविनाम् । कृपणानामसत्त्वानां मा वृत्तिमनुवर्तिथाः ॥५-१३१-३८॥
Avoid adopting the ways of those who are weak, miserly, dependent on others for sustenance, and abandoned by their own servants.
अनु त्वां तात जीवन्तु ब्राह्मणाः सुहृदस्तथा । पर्जन्यमिव भूतानि देवा इव शतक्रतुम् ॥५-१३१-३९॥
May the Brahmins and friends continue to thrive after you, dear father, just as beings flourish with rain and gods with Indra.
यमाजीवन्ति पुरुषं सर्वभूतानि सञ्जय । पक्वं द्रुममिवासाद्य तस्य जीवितमर्थवत् ॥५-१३१-४०॥
O Sanjaya, all beings live for the man who, like a ripe tree, having reached maturity, finds his life meaningful.
यस्य शूरस्य विक्रान्तैरेधन्ते बान्धवाः सुखम् । त्रिदशा इव शक्रस्य साधु तस्येह जीवितम् ॥५-१३१-४१॥
The life of a hero whose relatives thrive in happiness due to his courage is indeed good, just like the gods live under the rule of Indra.
स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य योऽभ्युज्जीवति मानवः । स लोके लभते कीर्तिं परत्र च शुभां गतिम् ॥५-१३१-४२॥
A man who relies on his own strength and thrives will gain fame in this world and an auspicious path in the hereafter.
