Mahabharata - Udyoga Parva (महाभारत - उद्योगपर्वम्)
05.147
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
एवमुक्ते तु गान्धार्या धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः । दुर्योधनमुवाचेदं नृपमध्ये जनाधिप ॥५-१४७-१॥
Upon hearing Gāndhārī's words, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra addressed Duryodhana amidst the assembly of kings, O ruler of men.
दुर्योधन निबोधेदं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक । तथा तत्कुरु भद्रं ते यद्यस्ति पितृगौरवम् ॥५-१४७-२॥
Duryodhana, listen to what I am going to tell you, my son. Do accordingly for your own good if you have respect for your father.
सोमः प्रजापतिः पूर्वं कुरूणां वंशवर्धनः । सोमाद्बभूव षष्ठो वै ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः ॥५-१४७-३॥
Soma, the progenitor and lord of all beings, was once the enhancer of the Kuru dynasty. From Soma was born the sixth descendant, Yayati, the son of Nahusha.
तस्य पुत्रा बभूवुश्च पञ्च राजर्षिसत्तमाः । तेषां यदुर्महातेजा ज्येष्ठः समभवत्प्रभुः ॥५-१४७-४॥
His sons were five in number, all excellent royal sages. Among them, Yadu, known for his great power, became the eldest and the leader.
पूरुर्यवीयांश्च ततो योऽस्माकं वंशवर्धनः । शर्मिष्ठायाः सम्प्रसूतो दुहितुर्वृषपर्वणः ॥५-१४७-५॥
Puru, the younger, who is the enhancer of our dynasty, was born to Sharmishtha, the daughter of Vrishaparva.
यदुश्च भरतश्रेष्ठ देवयान्याः सुतोऽभवत् । दौहित्रस्तात शुक्रस्य काव्यस्यामिततेजसः ॥५-१४७-६॥
Yadu, the illustrious son of Devayani, was also the grandson of the wise and radiant Shukra, O esteemed Bharata.
यादवानां कुलकरो बलवान्वीर्यसंमतः । अवमेने स तु क्षत्रं दर्पपूर्णः सुमन्दधीः ॥५-१४७-७॥
The leader of the Yadavas, known for his strength and valor, arrogantly disregarded the Kshatriyas, being full of pride and quite foolish.
न चातिष्ठत्पितुः शास्त्रे बलदर्पविमोहितः । अवमेने च पितरं भ्रातॄंश्चाप्यपराजितः ॥५-१४७-८॥
He, deluded by the pride of his strength, did not adhere to his father's teachings and disrespected his father and his undefeated brothers.
पृथिव्यां चतुरन्तायां यदुरेवाभवद्बली । वशे कृत्वा स नृपतीनवसन्नागसाह्वये ॥५-१४७-९॥
Yadu became powerful on the earth extending to all four corners; he brought the kings under his control and resided in Nāgasāhvaya.
तं पिता परमक्रुद्धो ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः । शशाप पुत्रं गान्धारे राज्याच्च व्यपरोपयत् ॥५-१४७-१०॥
Yayati, the son of Nahusha, in great anger, cursed his son in Gandhara and removed him from the kingdom.
य चैनमन्ववर्तन्त भ्रातरो बलदर्पितम् । शशाप तानपि क्रुद्धो ययातिस्तनयानथ ॥५-१४७-११॥
Yayati, in his anger, cursed his sons who were arrogant with their strength and followed him.
यवीयांसं ततः पूरुं पुत्रं स्ववशवर्तिनम् । राज्ये निवेशयामास विधेयं नृपसत्तमः ॥५-१४७-१२॥
The noble king then appointed his younger son Puru, who was obedient and submissive, to rule the kingdom.
एवं ज्येष्ठोऽप्यथोत्सिक्तो न राज्यमभिजायते । यवीयांसोऽभिजायन्ते राज्यं वृद्धोपसेवया ॥५-१४७-१३॥
Thus, even if the elder is arrogant, he does not inherit the kingdom; the younger ones inherit the kingdom by serving the elders.
तथैव सर्वधर्मज्ञः पितुर्मम पितामहः । प्रतीपः पृथिवीपालस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः ॥५-१४७-१४॥
Similarly, my grandfather Pratipa, known for his wisdom and as the ruler of the earth, was renowned across the three worlds.
तस्य पार्थिवसिंहस्य राज्यं धर्मेण शासतः । त्रयः प्रजज्ञिरे पुत्रा देवकल्पा यशस्विनः ॥५-१४७-१५॥
The lion among kings ruled his kingdom with righteousness, and he had three glorious sons who were like gods.
देवापिरभवज्ज्येष्ठो बाह्लीकस्तदनन्तरम् । तृतीयः शन्तनुस्तात धृतिमान्मे पितामहः ॥५-१४७-१६॥
Devāpi was the eldest, followed by Bahlika, and then Shantanu, who was my steadfast grandfather, O father.
देवापिस्तु महातेजास्त्वग्दोषी राजसत्तमः । धार्मिकः सत्यवादी च पितुः शुश्रूषणे रतः ॥५-१४७-१७॥
Devāpi, although afflicted with a skin disease, was a greatly powerful and righteous king, known for speaking the truth and devoted to serving his father.
पौरजानपदानां च संमतः साधुसत्कृतः । सर्वेषां बालवृद्धानां देवापिर्हृदयङ्गमः ॥५-१४७-१८॥
Devapi, respected and honored by the virtuous, is beloved by all citizens and countrymen, young and old.
प्राज्ञश्च सत्यसन्धश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः । वर्तमानः पितुः शास्त्रे ब्राह्मणानां तथैव च ॥५-१४७-१९॥
He is wise and truthful, dedicated to the welfare of all beings, and follows the teachings of his father and the Brahmins.
बाह्लीकस्य प्रियो भ्राता शन्तनोश्च महात्मनः । सौभ्रात्रं च परं तेषां सहितानां महात्मनाम् ॥५-१४७-२०॥
Bahlika's beloved brother Śantanu, who was a great soul, shared a supreme brotherhood with those great souls.
अथ कालस्य पर्याये वृद्धो नृपतिसत्तमः । सम्भारानभिषेकार्थं कारयामास शास्त्रतः ॥ मङ्गलानि च सर्वाणि कारयामास चाभिभूः ॥५-१४७-२१॥
Then, as time passed, the wise and aged king arranged for the consecration materials to be prepared as per the scriptures. The conqueror also ensured that all auspicious ceremonies were conducted.
तं ब्राह्मणाश्च वृद्धाश्च पौरजानपदैः सह । सर्वे निवारयामासुर्देवापेरभिषेचनम् ॥५-१४७-२२॥
The Brahmins, elders, and all the citizens and countrymen together prevented the consecration of Devapi.
स तच्छ्रुत्वा तु नृपतिरभिषेकनिवारणम् । अश्रुकण्ठोऽभवद्राजा पर्यशोचत चात्मजम् ॥५-१४७-२३॥
Upon hearing the prevention of the consecration, the king, with a choked throat, lamented for his son.
एवं वदान्यो धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च सोऽभवत् । प्रियः प्रजानामपि संस्त्वग्दोषेण प्रदूषितः ॥५-१४७-२४॥
Thus, he became generous, knowledgeable in dharma, truthful, and dear to the people, although he was blemished with a skin defect.
हीनाङ्गं पृथिवीपालं नाभिनन्दन्ति देवताः । इति कृत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठं प्रत्यषेधन्द्विजर्षभाः ॥५-१४७-२५॥
The gods do not praise a king with physical defects. With this understanding, the foremost of the twice-born advised against the best of kings.
ततः प्रव्यथितात्मासौ पुत्रशोकसमन्वितः । ममार तं मृतं दृष्ट्वा देवापिः संश्रितो वनम् ॥५-१४७-२६॥
Then, overwhelmed with sorrow for his son, he passed away upon seeing him dead. Devapi sought refuge in the forest.
बाह्लीको मातुलकुले त्यक्त्वा राज्यं व्यवस्थितः । पितृभ्रातॄन्परित्यज्य प्राप्तवान्पुरमृद्धिमत् ॥५-१४७-२७॥
Bahlika, after leaving his kingdom in the care of his maternal uncle's family, settled down. He left his father and brothers and acquired a prosperous city.
बाह्लीकेन त्वनुज्ञातः शन्तनुर्लोकविश्रुतः । पितर्युपरते राजन्राजा राज्यमकारयत् ॥५-१४७-२८॥
Permitted by Bahlika, the world-renowned Shantanu ruled the kingdom after his father's demise, O king.
तथैवाहं मतिमता परिचिन्त्येह पाण्डुना । ज्येष्ठः प्रभ्रंशितो राज्याद्धीनाङ्ग इति भारत ॥५-१४७-२९॥
Thus, O Bhārata, I, the eldest, considered by the wise Pāṇḍu, am deprived of the kingdom and defective in limb.
पाण्डुस्तु राज्यं सम्प्राप्तः कनीयानपि सन्नृपः । विनाशे तस्य पुत्राणामिदं राज्यमरिंदम ॥ मय्यभागिनि राज्याय कथं त्वं राज्यमिच्छसि ॥५-१४७-३०॥
Pandu, despite being the younger king, acquired the kingdom. O conqueror of enemies, with the demise of his sons, this kingdom is mine. How can you desire the kingdom when I am so unfortunate?
युधिष्ठिरो राजपुत्रो महात्मा; न्यायागतं राज्यमिदं च तस्य । स कौरवस्यास्य जनस्य भर्ता; प्रशासिता चैव महानुभावः ॥५-१४७-३१॥
Yudhishthira, the noble prince, rightfully owns this kingdom. He is the leader and ruler of the Kaurava people, a person of great character.
स सत्यसन्धः सतताप्रमत्तः; शास्त्रे स्थितो बन्धुजनस्य साधुः । प्रियः प्रजानां सुहृदानुकम्पी; जितेन्द्रियः साधुजनस्य भर्ता ॥५-१४७-३२॥
He is truthful and ever vigilant, established in the scriptures, virtuous among his relatives, dear to his subjects, a compassionate friend, self-controlled, and the protector of virtuous people.
क्षमा तितिक्षा दम आर्जवं च; सत्यव्रतत्वं श्रुतमप्रमादः । भूतानुकम्पा ह्यनुशासनं च; युधिष्ठिरे राजगुणाः समस्ताः ॥५-१४७-३३॥
In Yudhishthira, all royal qualities such as forgiveness, forbearance, self-control, honesty, truthfulness, learning, vigilance, compassion for beings, and discipline are present.
अराजपुत्रस्त्वमनार्यवृत्तो; लुब्धस्तथा बन्धुषु पापबुद्धिः । क्रमागतं राज्यमिदं परेषां; हर्तुं कथं शक्ष्यसि दुर्विनीतः ॥५-१४७-३४॥
You, the son of a non-king, of ignoble conduct, greedy and wicked-minded among relatives, how will you, being ill-behaved, be able to steal this kingdom that rightfully belongs to others?
प्रयच्छ राज्यार्धमपेतमोहः; सवाहनं त्वं सपरिच्छदं च । ततोऽवशेषं तव जीवितस्य; सहानुजस्यैव भवेन्नरेन्द्र ॥५-१४७-३५॥
O king, give half of the kingdom, free from delusion, along with vehicles and retinue. Then, the remainder of your life shall be with your younger brother.

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ॐ असतो मा सद्गमय। तमसो मा ज्योतिर्गमय। मृत्योर्माऽमृतं गमय। ॐ शान्ति: शान्ति: शान्ति: ॥ - बृहदारण्यकोपनिषद् 1.3.28
"Ōm! Lead me from the unreal to the real, from darkness to light, and from death to immortality. Let there be peace, peace, and peace. Ōm!" - Brihadaranyaka Upanishad 1.3.28

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