05.142
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
असिद्धानुनये कृष्णे कुरुभ्यः पाण्डवान्गते । अभिगम्य पृथां क्षत्ता शनैः शोचन्निवाब्रवीत् ॥५-१४२-१॥
In the failed attempt at reconciliation, Krishna went to the Kauravas and the Pandavas. Approaching Kunti, the charioteer, as if lamenting, spoke slowly.
जानासि मे जीवपुत्रे भावं नित्यमनुग्रहे । क्रोशतो न च गृह्णीते वचनं मे सुयोधनः ॥५-१४२-२॥
You are aware of my constant favor, O son of Jiva. Despite my pleas, Suyodhana does not heed my words.
उपपन्नो ह्यसौ राजा चेदिपाञ्चालकेकयैः । भीमार्जुनाभ्यां कृष्णेन युयुधानयमैरपि ॥५-१४२-३॥
This king is indeed endowed with the support of the Cedis, Panchalas, and Kekayas, along with Bhima, Arjuna, Krishna, and also Yuyudhana and others.
उपप्लव्ये निविष्टोऽपि धर्ममेव युधिष्ठिरः । काङ्क्षते ज्ञातिसौहार्दाद्बलवान्दुर्बलो यथा ॥५-१४२-४॥
Even while settled in Upaplavya, Yudhishthira desires only righteousness for the sake of kinship harmony, treating the strong and the weak alike.
राजा तु धृतराष्ट्रोऽयं वयोवृद्धो न शाम्यति । मत्तः पुत्रमदेनैव विधर्मे पथि वर्तते ॥५-१४२-५॥
But King Dhritarashtra, though aged, does not calm down. He is intoxicated by the pride of his son and continues on the path of unrighteousness.
जयद्रथस्य कर्णस्य तथा दुःशासनस्य च । सौबलस्य च दुर्बुद्ध्या मिथोभेदः प्रवर्तते ॥५-१४२-६॥
Mutual discord is occurring among Jayadratha, Karna, Duhshasana, and Saubala due to evil counsel.
अधर्मेण हि धर्मिष्ठं हृतं वै राज्यमीदृशम् । येषां तेषामयं धर्मः सानुबन्धो भविष्यति ॥५-१४२-७॥
Indeed, the righteous kingdom has been taken away by unrighteous means. For those people, this act of righteousness will have consequences.
ह्रियमाणे बलाद्धर्मे कुरुभिः को न सञ्ज्वरेत् । असाम्ना केशवे याते समुद्योक्ष्यन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥५-१४२-८॥
When the Kauravas forcibly take away righteousness, who would not be disturbed? Without peace and with Keshava gone, the Pandavas will prepare for action.
ततः कुरूणामनयो भविता वीरनाशनः । चिन्तयन्न लभे निद्रामहःसु च निशासु च ॥५-१४२-९॥
Then, the destruction of the Kurus will lead to the downfall of heroes. While contemplating, I find no sleep either during the days or the nights.
श्रुत्वा तु कुन्ती तद्वाक्यमर्थकामेन भाषितम् । अनिष्टनन्ती दुःखार्ता मनसा विममर्श ह ॥५-१४२-१०॥
Upon hearing those words spoken with intent, Kunti, filled with sorrow and lament, pondered deeply in her mind.
धिगस्त्वर्थं यत्कृतेऽयं महाञ्ज्ञातिवधे क्षयः । वर्त्स्यते सुहृदां ह्येषां युद्धेऽस्मिन्वै पराभवः ॥५-१४२-११॥
Shame on the purpose for which this great destruction in the slaughter of relatives will occur, indeed, the defeat of these friends in this battle.
पाण्डवाश्चेदिपाञ्चाला यादवाश्च समागताः । भारतैर्यदि योत्स्यन्ति किं नु दुःखमतः परम् ॥५-१४२-१२॥
The Pandavas, Chedis, Panchalas, and Yadavas have gathered together. If they engage in battle with the Bharatas, what sorrow could be greater than this?
पश्ये दोषं ध्रुवं युद्धे तथा युद्धे पराभवम् । अधनस्य मृतं श्रेयो न हि ज्ञातिक्षये जयः ॥५-१४२-१३॥
One should see the certain fault in battle, as well as the inevitable defeat. For the poor, death is preferable, for victory does not lie in the destruction of one's relatives.
पितामहः शान्तनव आचार्यश्च युधां पतिः । कर्णश्च धार्तराष्ट्रार्थं वर्धयन्ति भयं मम ॥५-१४२-१४॥
My fear increases because of the grandfather, the son of Śantanu, the teacher, and Karna, who are all supporting the sons of Dhritarashtra in battle.
नाचार्यः कामवाञ्शिष्यैर्द्रोणो युध्येत जातु चित् । पाण्डवेषु कथं हार्दं कुर्यान्न च पितामहः ॥५-१४२-१५॥
The teacher Drona, who is desirous with his disciples, would never fight. How could he show affection towards the Pandavas, and not the grandfather?
अयं त्वेको वृथादृष्टिर्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्मतेः । मोहानुवर्ती सततं पापो द्वेष्टि च पाण्डवान् ॥५-१४२-१६॥
This one, however, is alone in his vain vision, being a deluded follower of Dhritarashtra's evil-minded son, and he always sinfully hates the Pandavas.
महत्यनर्थे निर्बन्धी बलवांश्च विशेषतः । कर्णः सदा पाण्डवानां तन्मे दहति साम्प्रतम् ॥५-१४२-१७॥
In this great calamity, Karna, who is insistent and especially strong, always opposes the Pandavas, and that burns me now.
आशंसे त्वद्य कर्णस्य मनोऽहं पाण्डवान्प्रति । प्रसादयितुमासाद्य दर्शयन्ती यथातथम् ॥५-१४२-१८॥
Today, I hope to influence Karna's mind towards the Pandavas by approaching and showing things as they truly are.
तोषितो भगवान्यत्र दुर्वासा मे वरं ददौ । आह्वानं देवसंयुक्तं वसन्त्याः पितृवेश्मनि ॥५-१४२-१९॥
The Lord Durvasa, being pleased, granted me a boon where an invitation involving the gods is present in the ancestral home of Vasantya.
साहमन्तःपुरे राज्ञः कुन्तिभोजपुरस्कृता । चिन्तयन्ती बहुविधं हृदयेन विदूयता ॥५-१४२-२०॥
She, honored by Kuntibhoja, was in the inner chambers of the king, contemplating various matters with a troubled heart.
बलाबलं च मन्त्राणां ब्राह्मणस्य च वाग्बलम् । स्त्रीभावाद्बालभावाच्च चिन्तयन्ती पुनः पुनः ॥५-१४२-२१॥
Reflecting repeatedly on the strengths and weaknesses of the mantras and the eloquence of the Brahmin, considering the nature of women and children.
धात्र्या विश्रब्धया गुप्ता सखीजनवृता तदा । दोषं परिहरन्ती च पितुश्चारित्ररक्षिणी ॥५-१४२-२२॥
She was then confidently protected by the nurse, surrounded by friends, avoiding any fault, and safeguarding her father's reputation.
कथं नु सुकृतं मे स्यान्नापराधवती कथम् । भवेयमिति सञ्चिन्त्य ब्राह्मणं तं नमस्य च ॥५-१४२-२३॥
Reflecting on how my actions could be virtuous and free from fault, I offer my respects to that Brahmin.
कौतूहलात्तु तं लब्ध्वा बालिश्यादाचरं तदा । कन्या सती देवमर्कमासादयमहं ततः ॥५-१४२-२४॥
Out of curiosity, the chaste maiden, having obtained him and acting out of foolishness, then approached the sun god, and then I followed.
योऽसौ कानीनगर्भो मे पुत्रवत्परिवर्तितः । कस्मान्न कुर्याद्वचनं पथ्यं भ्रातृहितं तथा ॥५-१४२-२५॥
He who was born of an unmarried girl and whom I have treated like a son, why would he not follow the advice that is beneficial for his brother's welfare?
इति कुन्ती विनिश्चित्य कार्यं निश्चितमुत्तमम् । कार्यार्थमभिनिर्याय ययौ भागीरथीं प्रति ॥५-१४२-२६॥
Thus, having made up her mind about the best course of action, Kunti set out with determination towards the river Bhagirathi.
आत्मजस्य ततस्तस्य घृणिनः सत्यसङ्गिनः । गङ्गातीरे पृथाशृण्वदुपाध्ययननिस्वनम् ॥५-१४२-२७॥
Then, his son, known for his compassion and truthfulness, was on the bank of the Ganges, listening to the sound of Pṛthā's recitation.
प्राङ्मुखस्योर्ध्वबाहोः सा पर्यतिष्ठत पृष्ठतः । जप्यावसानं कार्यार्थं प्रतीक्षन्ती तपस्विनी ॥५-१४२-२८॥
The ascetic stood behind, facing east with her arms raised, waiting for the chanting to conclude for her purpose.
अतिष्ठत्सूर्यतापार्ता कर्णस्योत्तरवाससि । कौरव्यपत्नी वार्ष्णेयी पद्ममालेव शुष्यती ॥५-१४२-२९॥
The wife of the Kaurava, who was the daughter of Vrishni, stood in Karna's upper garment, afflicted by the sun's heat, withering like a lotus garland.
आ पृष्ठतापाज्जप्त्वा स परिवृत्य यतव्रतः । दृष्ट्वा कुन्तीमुपातिष्ठदभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः ॥ यथान्यायं महातेजा मानी धर्मभृतां वरः ॥५-१४२-३०॥
He, having turned around after muttering towards the heat of the back, saw Kunti and approached her with folded hands, saluting her. He was greatly radiant, honorable, and the best among the upholders of dharma, acting according to justice.
