05.145
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
āgamya hāstinapurād upaplavyaṃ ariṃdamaḥ . pāṇḍavānāṃ yathāvṛttaṃ keśavaḥ sarvam uktavān ..5-145-1..
Upon arriving from Hastinapura to Upaplavya, Keshava, the subduer of enemies, narrated everything to the Pandavas as it had occurred.
sambhāṣya suciraṃ kālaṃ mantrayitvā punaḥ punaḥ । svamevāvasathaṃ śaurirviśrāmārthaṃ jagāma ha ॥5-145-2॥
After a lengthy discussion and repeated consultations, Krishna returned to his abode to rest.
visṛjya sarvān nṛpatīn virāṭa-pramukhāṃs tadā । pāṇḍavā bhrātaraḥ pañca bhānāv astaṅgate sati ॥5-145-3॥
The five Pandava brothers departed, leaving behind all the kings led by Virata, as the sun set.
sandhyāmupāsya dhyāyantastameva gatamānasāḥ । ānāyya kṛṣṇaṃ dāśārhaṃ punarmantramamantrayan ॥5-145-4॥
After worshipping the evening, they meditated on him with focused minds. Having brought Krishna of the Dasharhas, they deliberated once more on their counsel.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
tvayā nāgapuraṃ gatvā sabhāyāṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ । kimuktaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣa tannaḥ śaṃsitumarhasi ॥5-145-5॥
O lotus-eyed one, you should tell us what was said by the son of Dhritarashtra in the assembly after you went to Nagapura.
vāsudeva uvāca॥
Vasudeva said:
mayā nāgapuraṃ gatvā sabhāyāṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ । tathyaṃ pathyaṃ hitaṃ cokto na ca gṛhṇāti durmatiḥ ॥5-145-6॥
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.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
tasminnutpathamāpanne kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ । kimuktavānhṛṣīkeśa duryodhanamamarṣaṇam ॥ ācāryo vā mahābāho bhāradvājaḥ kimabravīt ॥5-145-7॥
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?
pitā yavīyān asmākaṃ kṣattā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ । putraśokābhisantaptaḥ kim āha dhṛtarāṣṭrajam ॥5-145-8॥
The younger minister, esteemed among the upholders of dharma, deeply afflicted by his son's death, questioned Dhritarashtra's son.
kiṁ ca sarve nṛpatayaḥ sabhāyāṁ ye samāsate । uktavanto yathātattvaṁ tadbrūhi tvaṁ janārdana ॥5-145-9॥
Janardana, tell what all the kings seated in the assembly have truthfully spoken.
uktavān hi bhavān sarvaṃ vacanaṃ kurumukhyayoḥ । kāmalobhābhibhūtasya mandasya prājñamāninaḥ ॥5-145-10॥
You have indeed recounted everything said by the chief of the Kurus, who is foolish, overcome by desire and greed, yet considers himself wise.
apriyaṃ hṛdaye mahyaṃ tanna tiṣṭhati keśava । teṣāṃ vākyāni govinda śrotumicchāmyahaṃ vibho ॥5-145-11॥
O Keśava, what is unpleasant to my heart does not remain. O Govinda, I wish to hear their words, O Lord.
yathā ca nābhipadyeta kālastāta tathā kuru । bhavānhi no gatiḥ kṛṣṇa bhavānnātho bhavānguruḥ ॥5-145-12॥
Dear Krishna, just as time does not overcome, please act accordingly. You are indeed our refuge, lord, and teacher.
vāsudeva uvāca॥
Vasudeva spoke:
śṛṇu rājanyathā vākyamukto rājā suyodhanaḥ । madhye kurūṇāṃ rājendra sabhāyāṃ tannibodha me ॥5-145-13॥
Listen, O King, to the words spoken by King Suyodhana in the assembly of the Kurus, and understand my message.
mayā vai śrāvite vākye jahāsa dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ । atha bhīṣmaḥ susaṅkruddha idaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥5-145-14॥
After I spoke the words, the son of Dhritarashtra laughed. Then, Bhishma, in great anger, spoke these words.
duryodhana nibodhedaṁ kulārthe yadbravīmi te । tacchrutvā rājaśārdūla svakulasya hitaṁ kuru ॥5-145-15॥
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.
mama tāta pitā rājañśantanurlokaviśrutaḥ । tasyāhameka evāsaṃ putraḥ putravatāṃ varaḥ ॥5-145-16॥
My father, King Shantanu, was famous throughout the world. I was his only son, considered the best among sons.
tasya buddhiḥ samutpannā dvitīyaḥ syātkathaṃ sutaḥ । ekaputramaputraṃ vai pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ ॥5-145-17॥
His mind pondered: 'How could there be a second son? The wise say that having only one son is as good as having none.'
na cocchedaṃ kulaṃ yāyādvistīryeta kathaṃ yaśaḥ । tasyāhamīpsitaṃ buddhvā kālīṃ mātaramāvaham ॥5-145-18॥
Understanding his desire, I brought Mother Kali, so that the family's fame should expand and not face destruction.
pratijñāṃ duṣkarāṃ kṛtvā piturarthe kulasya ca । arājā cordhvaretāśca yathā suviditaṃ tava ॥ pratīto nivasāmyeṣa pratijñāmanupālayan ॥5-145-19॥
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.
tasyāṃ jajñe mahābāhuḥ śrīmānkurukulodvahaḥ । vicitravīryo dharmātmā kanīyānmama pārthivaḥ ॥5-145-20॥
In her, the mighty-armed and glorious Vichitravirya, the upholder of the Kuru dynasty and a righteous soul, was born as my younger prince.
svaryāte'haṃ pitari taṃ svarājye saṃnyaveśayam । vicitravīryaṃ rājānaṃ bhṛtyo bhūtvā hyadhaścaraḥ ॥5-145-21॥
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.
tasyāhaṃ sadṛśāndārānrājendra samudāvaham । jitvā pārthivasaṅghātamapi te bahuśaḥ śrutam ॥5-145-22॥
O King, I brought together suitable wives for him after conquering the assembly of kings; you have heard this many times.
tato rāmeṇa samare dvandvayuddhamupāgamam । sa hi rāmabhayādebhirnāgarairvipravāsitaḥ ॥ dāreṣvatiprasaktaśca yakṣmāṇaṃ samapadyata ॥5-145-23॥
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.
yadā tvarājake rāṣṭre na vavarṣa sureśvaraḥ । tadābhyadhāvanmāmeva prajāḥ kṣudbhayapīḍitāḥ ॥5-145-24॥
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.
prajā ūcuḥ॥
The subjects spoke:
upakṣīṇāḥ prajāḥ sarvā rājā bhava bhavāya naḥ । ītayo nuda bhadraṃ te śantanoḥ kulavardhana ॥5-145-25॥
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.
pīḍyante te prajāḥ sarvā vyādhibhirbhṛśadāruṇaiḥ । alpāvaśiṣṭā gāṅgeya tāḥ paritrātumarhasi ॥5-145-26॥
All the subjects are severely afflicted by terrible diseases. O son of Ganga, it is your duty to save the few who remain.
vyādhīn praṇudya vīra tvaṃ prajā dharmeṇa pālaya । tvayi jīvati mā rāṣṭraṃ vināśam upagacchatu ॥5-145-27॥
O hero, dispel the diseases and protect your subjects with righteousness. As long as you live, may the kingdom not face destruction.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
prajānāṃ krośatīnāṃ vai naivākṣubhyata me manaḥ । pratijñāṃ rakṣamāṇasya sadvṛttaṃ smaratastathā ॥5-145-28॥
My mind was not disturbed by the cries of the people, as I was upholding my promise and remembering the importance of good conduct.
tataḥ paurā mahārāja mātā kālī ca me śubhā । bhṛtyāḥ purohitācāryā brāhmaṇāśca bahuśrutāḥ ॥5-145-29॥
Then, O great king, my auspicious mother Kali, along with the citizens, servants, chief priests, and well-learned Brahmins, were present.
māmūcurbhṛśasantaptā bhava rājeti santatam ॥5-145-29॥
The greatly distressed ones always addressed him as "O Lord, O King."
pratīparakṣitaṃ rāṣṭraṃ tvāṃ prāpya vinaśiṣyati । sa tvamasmaddhitārthaṃ vai rājā bhava mahāmate ॥5-145-30॥
The kingdom, once protected by enemies, will fall upon your arrival. Therefore, you should become the king for our benefit, O wise one.
ityuktaḥ prāñjalirbhūtvā duḥkhito bhṛśamāturaḥ । tebhyo nyavedayaṃ putra pratijñāṃ pitṛgauravāt ॥ ūrdhvaretā hyarājā ca kulasyārthe punaḥ punaḥ ॥5-145-31॥
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.
tato'haṁ prāñjalirbhūtvā mātaraṁ samprasādayam । nāmba śantanunā jātaḥ kauravaṁ vaṁśamudvahan ॥ pratijñāṁ vitathāṁ kuryāmiti rājanpunaḥ punaḥ ॥5-145-32॥
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.
viśeṣatastvadarthaṃ ca dhuri mā māṃ niyojaya । ahaṃ preṣyaśca dāsaśca tavāmba sutavatsale ॥5-145-33॥
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.
evaṃ tāmanunīyāhaṃ mātaraṃ janameva ca । ayācaṃ bhrātṛdāreṣu tadā vyāsaṃ mahāmunim ॥5-145-34॥
Thus, after consoling her, I requested my mother and the people, and then approached Vyasa, the great sage, among the brothers' wives.
saha mātrā mahārāja prasādya tamṛṣiṃ tadā । apatyārtham ayācaṃ vai prasādaṃ kṛtavāṃś ca saḥ ॥ trīns putrān ajanayat tadā bharatasattama ॥5-145-35॥
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.
andhaḥ karaṇahīneti na vai rājā pitā tava । rājā tu pāṇḍurabhavanmahātmā lokaviśrutaḥ ॥5-145-36॥
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.
sa rājā tasya te putrāḥ piturdāyādyahāriṇaḥ । mā tāta kalahaṃ kārṣī rājyasyārdhaṃ pradīyatām ॥5-145-37॥
The king's sons, who are the heirs, should not quarrel, dear father. Let half of the kingdom be given to them.
mayi jīvati rājyaṃ kaḥ sampraśāset pumāniha । māvamaṃsthā vaco mahyaṃ śamam icchāmi vaḥ sadā ॥5-145-38॥
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.
na viśeṣo'sti me putra tvayi teṣu ca pārthiva । matametatpitustubhyaṃ gāndhāryā vidurasya ca ॥5-145-39॥
My son, there is no difference between you and them, O prince. This is the shared opinion of your father, Gandhari, and Vidura.
śrotavyaṁ yadi vṛddhānāṁ mātiśaṅkīrvaco mama । nāśayiṣyasi mā sarvamātmānaṁ pṛthivīṁ tathā ॥5-145-40॥
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.
