05.145
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
आगम्य हास्तिनपुरादुपप्लव्यमरिंदमः । पाण्डवानां यथावृत्तं केशवः सर्वमुक्तवान् ॥५-१४५-१॥
Upon arriving from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, Keshava, the subduer of enemies, narrated everything to the Pandavas as it had occurred.
सम्भाष्य सुचिरं कालं मन्त्रयित्वा पुनः पुनः । स्वमेवावसथं शौरिर्विश्रामार्थं जगाम ह ॥५-१४५-२॥
After a lengthy discussion and repeated consultations, Krishna returned to his abode to rest.
विसृज्य सर्वान्नृपतीन्विराटप्रमुखांस्तदा । पाण्डवा भ्रातरः पञ्च भानावस्तङ्गते सति ॥५-१४५-३॥
The five Pandava brothers departed, leaving behind all the kings led by Virata, as the sun set.
सन्ध्यामुपास्य ध्यायन्तस्तमेव गतमानसाः । आनाय्य कृष्णं दाशार्हं पुनर्मन्त्रममन्त्रयन् ॥५-१४५-४॥
After worshipping the evening, they meditated on him with focused minds. Having brought Krishna of the Dasharhas, they deliberated once more on their counsel.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
त्वया नागपुरं गत्वा सभायां धृतराष्ट्रजः । किमुक्तः पुण्डरीकाक्ष तन्नः शंसितुमर्हसि ॥५-१४५-५॥
O lotus-eyed one, you should tell us what was said by the son of Dhritarashtra in the assembly after you went to Nagapura.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
मया नागपुरं गत्वा सभायां धृतराष्ट्रजः । तथ्यं पथ्यं हितं चोक्तो न च गृह्णाति दुर्मतिः ॥५-१४५-६॥
I went to Nagapura and in the assembly, I told the son of Dhritarashtra what was true, beneficial, and for his welfare, but the evil-minded one does not accept it.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
तस्मिन्नुत्पथमापन्ने कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः । किमुक्तवान्हृषीकेश दुर्योधनममर्षणम् ॥ आचार्यो वा महाबाहो भारद्वाजः किमब्रवीत् ॥५-१४५-७॥
When Duryodhana was led astray, what did the elder of the Kurus, the grandfather, say, O Hrishikesha? Or, O mighty-armed, what did the teacher Bharadvaja say?
पिता यवीयानस्माकं क्षत्ता धर्मभृतां वरः । पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तः किमाह धृतराष्ट्रजम् ॥५-१४५-८॥
The younger minister, esteemed among the upholders of dharma, deeply afflicted by his son's death, questioned Dhritarashtra's son.
किं च सर्वे नृपतयः सभायां ये समासते । उक्तवन्तो यथातत्त्वं तद्ब्रूहि त्वं जनार्दन ॥५-१४५-९॥
Janardana, tell what all the kings seated in the assembly have truthfully spoken.
उक्तवान्हि भवान्सर्वं वचनं कुरुमुख्ययोः । कामलोभाभिभूतस्य मन्दस्य प्राज्ञमानिनः ॥५-१४५-१०॥
You have indeed recounted everything said by the chief of the Kurus, who is foolish, overcome by desire and greed, yet considers himself wise.
अप्रियं हृदये मह्यं तन्न तिष्ठति केशव । तेषां वाक्यानि गोविन्द श्रोतुमिच्छाम्यहं विभो ॥५-१४५-११॥
O Keśava, what is unpleasant to my heart does not remain. O Govinda, I wish to hear their words, O Lord.
यथा च नाभिपद्येत कालस्तात तथा कुरु । भवान्हि नो गतिः कृष्ण भवान्नाथो भवान्गुरुः ॥५-१४५-१२॥
Dear Krishna, just as time does not overcome, please act accordingly. You are indeed our refuge, lord, and teacher.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva spoke:
शृणु राजन्यथा वाक्यमुक्तो राजा सुयोधनः । मध्ये कुरूणां राजेन्द्र सभायां तन्निबोध मे ॥५-१४५-१३॥
Listen, O King, to the words spoken by King Suyodhana in the assembly of the Kurus, and understand my message.
मया वै श्राविते वाक्ये जहास धृतराष्ट्रजः । अथ भीष्मः सुसङ्क्रुद्ध इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-१४५-१४॥
After I spoke the words, the son of Dhritarashtra laughed. Then, Bhishma, in great anger, spoke these words.
दुर्योधन निबोधेदं कुलार्थे यद्ब्रवीमि ते । तच्छ्रुत्वा राजशार्दूल स्वकुलस्य हितं कुरु ॥५-१४५-१५॥
Duryodhana, listen to what I am saying for the benefit of the family. After hearing it, O great king, act for the welfare of your family.
मम तात पिता राजञ्शन्तनुर्लोकविश्रुतः । तस्याहमेक एवासं पुत्रः पुत्रवतां वरः ॥५-१४५-१६॥
My father, King Shantanu, was famous throughout the world. I was his only son, considered the best among sons.
तस्य बुद्धिः समुत्पन्ना द्वितीयः स्यात्कथं सुतः । एकपुत्रमपुत्रं वै प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः ॥५-१४५-१७॥
His mind pondered: 'How could there be a second son? The wise say that having only one son is as good as having none.'
न चोच्छेदं कुलं यायाद्विस्तीर्येत कथं यशः । तस्याहमीप्सितं बुद्ध्वा कालीं मातरमावहम् ॥५-१४५-१८॥
Understanding his desire, I brought Mother Kali, so that the family's fame should expand and not face destruction.
प्रतिज्ञां दुष्करां कृत्वा पितुरर्थे कुलस्य च । अराजा चोर्ध्वरेताश्च यथा सुविदितं तव ॥ प्रतीतो निवसाम्येष प्रतिज्ञामनुपालयन् ॥५-१४५-१९॥
I have taken a difficult vow for the sake of my father and family, to remain without a king and celibate, as you well know. I live confidently, upholding this vow.
तस्यां जज्ञे महाबाहुः श्रीमान्कुरुकुलोद्वहः । विचित्रवीर्यो धर्मात्मा कनीयान्मम पार्थिवः ॥५-१४५-२०॥
In her, the mighty-armed and glorious Vichitravirya, the upholder of the Kuru dynasty and a righteous soul, was born as my younger prince.
स्वर्यातेऽहं पितरि तं स्वराज्ये संन्यवेशयम् । विचित्रवीर्यं राजानं भृत्यो भूत्वा ह्यधश्चरः ॥५-१४५-२१॥
Upon my father's ascension to heaven, I established Vichitravirya in his rightful kingdom. As a servant, Vichitravirya indeed ruled as a king, moving among his subjects.
तस्याहं सदृशान्दारान्राजेन्द्र समुदावहम् । जित्वा पार्थिवसङ्घातमपि ते बहुशः श्रुतम् ॥५-१४५-२२॥
O King, I brought together suitable wives for him after conquering the assembly of kings; you have heard this many times.
ततो रामेण समरे द्वन्द्वयुद्धमुपागमम् । स हि रामभयादेभिर्नागरैर्विप्रवासितः ॥ दारेष्वतिप्रसक्तश्च यक्ष्माणं समपद्यत ॥५-१४५-२३॥
Then Rama engaged in a duel in battle. Indeed, he was exiled by the citizens due to fear of Rama. Being excessively attached to his wives, he contracted a disease.
यदा त्वराजके राष्ट्रे न ववर्ष सुरेश्वरः । तदाभ्यधावन्मामेव प्रजाः क्षुद्भयपीडिताः ॥५-१४५-२४॥
When the kingdom was without a king and the lord of gods did not send rain, the people, suffering from hunger and fear, came to me for help.
प्रजा ऊचुः॥
The subjects spoke:
उपक्षीणाः प्रजाः सर्वा राजा भव भवाय नः । ईतयो नुद भद्रं ते शन्तनोः कुलवर्धन ॥५-१४५-२५॥
All the subjects are diminished; be the king for our welfare; remove the calamities; may auspiciousness be with you, O scion of Śantanu's family.
पीड्यन्ते ते प्रजाः सर्वा व्याधिभिर्भृशदारुणैः । अल्पावशिष्टा गाङ्गेय ताः परित्रातुमर्हसि ॥५-१४५-२६॥
All the subjects are severely afflicted by terrible diseases. O son of Ganga, it is your duty to save the few who remain.
व्याधीन्प्रणुद्य वीर त्वं प्रजा धर्मेण पालय । त्वयि जीवति मा राष्ट्रं विनाशमुपगच्छतु ॥५-१४५-२७॥
O hero, dispel the diseases and protect your subjects with righteousness. As long as you live, may the kingdom not face destruction.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
प्रजानां क्रोशतीनां वै नैवाक्षुभ्यत मे मनः । प्रतिज्ञां रक्षमाणस्य सद्वृत्तं स्मरतस्तथा ॥५-१४५-२८॥
My mind was not disturbed by the cries of the people, as I was upholding my promise and remembering the importance of good conduct.
ततः पौरा महाराज माता काली च मे शुभा । भृत्याः पुरोहिताचार्या ब्राह्मणाश्च बहुश्रुताः ॥५-१४५-२९॥
Then, O great king, my auspicious mother Kali, along with the citizens, servants, chief priests, and well-learned Brahmins, were present.
मामूचुर्भृशसन्तप्ता भव राजेति सन्ततम् ॥५-१४५-२९॥
The greatly distressed ones always addressed him as "O Lord, O King."
प्रतीपरक्षितं राष्ट्रं त्वां प्राप्य विनशिष्यति । स त्वमस्मद्धितार्थं वै राजा भव महामते ॥५-१४५-३०॥
The kingdom, once protected by enemies, will fall upon your arrival. Therefore, you should become the king for our benefit, O wise one.
इत्युक्तः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा दुःखितो भृशमातुरः । तेभ्यो न्यवेदयं पुत्र प्रतिज्ञां पितृगौरवात् ॥ ऊर्ध्वरेता ह्यराजा च कुलस्यार्थे पुनः पुनः ॥५-१४५-३१॥
Thus addressed, with folded hands and greatly distressed, I submitted the promise to them, O son, for the honor of the father. Indeed, being celibate and without a king, it was for the sake of the family, again and again.
ततोऽहं प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा मातरं सम्प्रसादयम् । नाम्ब शन्तनुना जातः कौरवं वंशमुद्वहन् ॥ प्रतिज्ञां वितथां कुर्यामिति राजन्पुनः पुनः ॥५-१४५-३२॥
Then, with folded hands, I appeased my mother, for I was born of Śantanu, carrying the Kaurava dynasty. I would not break my promise, O king, again and again.
विशेषतस्त्वदर्थं च धुरि मा मां नियोजय । अहं प्रेष्यश्च दासश्च तवाम्ब सुतवत्सले ॥५-१४५-३३॥
Especially for your sake, do not assign me to the task. I am your servant and slave, O mother who is affectionate to her children.
एवं तामनुनीयाहं मातरं जनमेव च । अयाचं भ्रातृदारेषु तदा व्यासं महामुनिम् ॥५-१४५-३४॥
Thus, after consoling her, I requested my mother and the people, and then approached Vyasa, the great sage, among the brothers' wives.
सह मात्रा महाराज प्रसाद्य तमृषिं तदा । अपत्यार्थमयाचं वै प्रसादं कृतवांश्च सः ॥ त्रीन्स पुत्रानजनयत्तदा भरतसत्तम ॥५-१४५-३५॥
With his mother, the great king pleased the sage and requested a favor for the sake of offspring. He then begot three sons, O best of the Bharatas.
अन्धः करणहीनेति न वै राजा पिता तव । राजा तु पाण्डुरभवन्महात्मा लोकविश्रुतः ॥५-१४५-३६॥
Your father was not the king who was blind and without organs. King Pandu, however, was a great soul and was renowned throughout the world.
स राजा तस्य ते पुत्राः पितुर्दायाद्यहारिणः । मा तात कलहं कार्षी राज्यस्यार्धं प्रदीयताम् ॥५-१४५-३७॥
The king's sons, who are the heirs, should not quarrel, dear father. Let half of the kingdom be given to them.
मयि जीवति राज्यं कः सम्प्रशासेत्पुमानिह । मावमंस्था वचो मह्यं शममिच्छामि वः सदा ॥५-१४५-३८॥
As long as I am alive, who else would rule the kingdom here? Please do not disregard my words; I always wish for your peace.
न विशेषोऽस्ति मे पुत्र त्वयि तेषु च पार्थिव । मतमेतत्पितुस्तुभ्यं गान्धार्या विदुरस्य च ॥५-१४५-३९॥
My son, there is no difference between you and them, O prince. This is the shared opinion of your father, Gandhari, and Vidura.
श्रोतव्यं यदि वृद्धानां मातिशङ्कीर्वचो मम । नाशयिष्यसि मा सर्वमात्मानं पृथिवीं तथा ॥५-१४५-४०॥
If you listen to the words of the elders and do not doubt my words, you will not destroy yourself and the earth as well.
