09.004
Pancharatra and Core: Duryodhana rejects Kripa's proposal, as he thinks he will go to heaven and enjoy with the ladies after death.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said.
एवमुक्तस्ततो राजा गौतमेन यशस्विना। निःश्वस्य दीर्घमुष्णं च तूष्णीमासीद्विशां पते ॥९-४-१॥
After being addressed in this way by the illustrious Gautama, the king sighed deeply and warmly, and remained silent, O lord of the people.
ततो मुहूर्तं स ध्यात्वा धार्तराष्ट्रो महामनाः। कृपं शारद्वतं वाक्यमित्युवाच परन्तपः ॥९-४-२॥
Then, after meditating for a moment, the wise son of Dhritarashtra addressed Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, with these words.
यत्किञ्चित्सुहृदा वाच्यं तत्सर्वं श्रावितो ह्यहम्। कृतं च भवता सर्वं प्राणान्सन्त्यज्य युध्यता ॥९-४-३॥
I have been informed of everything that was to be said by a friend. You have done everything, even abandoning lives, to fight.
गाहमानमनीकानि युध्यमानं महारथैः। पाण्डवैरतितेजोभिर्लोकस्त्वामनुदृष्टवान् ॥९-४-४॥
The world witnessed you deeply engaged in the battle formations, fighting alongside the mighty charioteers, as the Pāṇḍavas, with their extraordinary prowess, observed you.
सुहृदा यदिदं वाच्यं भवता श्रावितो ह्यहम्। न मां प्रीणाति तत्सर्वं मुमूर्षोरिव भेषजम् ॥९-४-५॥
I was made to hear by you, my friend, what is to be spoken. However, none of it pleases me, just like medicine does not please a dying person.
हेतुकारणसंयुक्तं हितं वचनमुत्तमम्। उच्यमानं महाबाहो न मे विप्राग्र्य रोचते ॥९-४-६॥
O mighty-armed, the speech that is combined with cause and reason, though beneficial and excellent, does not please me, best of the Brahmins.
राज्याद्विनिकृतोऽस्माभिः कथं सोऽस्मासु विश्वसेत्। अक्षद्यूते च नृपतिर्जितोऽस्माभिर्महाधनः ॥ स कथं मम वाक्यानि श्रद्दध्याद्भूय एव तु ॥९-४-७॥
Having been deprived of his kingdom by us, how can he trust us? Moreover, the king, who was defeated by us in the dice game and lost great wealth, how can he believe my words again?
तथा दौत्येन सम्प्राप्तः कृष्णः पार्थहिते रतः। प्रलब्धश्च हृषीकेशस्तच्च कर्म विरोधितम् ॥ स च मे वचनं ब्रह्मन्कथमेवाभिमंस्यते ॥९-४-८॥
Thus, Krishna, acting as a messenger, came for the welfare of the Pandavas but was insulted, and Hrishikesha opposed this action. O Brahman, how will my words be regarded?
विललाप हि यत्कृष्णा सभामध्ये समेयुषी। न तन्मर्षयते कृष्णो न राज्यहरणं तथा ॥९-४-९॥
Kṛṣṇā lamented in the assembly, and Kṛṣṇa does not forgive that act, nor does he forgive the seizure of the kingdom.
एकप्राणावुभौ कृष्णावन्योन्यं प्रति संहतौ। पुरा यच्छ्रुतमेवासीदद्य पश्यामि तत्प्रभो ॥९-४-१०॥
Both Krishnas, who are like one soul, are united towards each other. What was once only heard of, today I see it, O lord.
स्वस्रीयं च हतं श्रुत्वा दुःखं स्वपिति केशवः। कृतागसो वयं तस्य स मदर्थं कथं क्षमेत् ॥९-४-११॥
Keshava, upon hearing of the death of his sister's son, is engulfed in sorrow and sleeps. How can he forgive us for the sins committed for my sake?
अभिमन्योर्विनाशेन न शर्म लभतेऽर्जुनः। स कथं मद्धिते यत्नं प्रकरिष्यति याचितः ॥९-४-१२॥
Arjuna is unable to find peace after Abhimanyu's death. How will he, when asked, make an effort for my benefit?
मध्यमः पाण्डवस्तीक्ष्णो भीमसेनो महाबलः। प्रतिज्ञातं च तेनोग्रं स भज्येत न संनमेत् ॥९-४-१३॥
The middle Pāṇḍava, Bhīmasena, known for his sharpness and might, had fiercely promised that he would break but never bend.
उभौ तौ बद्धनिस्त्रिंशावुभौ चाबद्धकङ्कटौ। कृतवैरावुभौ वीरौ यमावपि यमोपमौ ॥९-४-१४॥
Both of them, with their swords drawn and armor untied, stood as fierce warriors, resembling Yama, the god of death, in their enmity.
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च कृतवैरौ मया सह। तौ कथं मद्धिते यत्नं प्रकुर्यातां द्विजोत्तम ॥९-४-१५॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Śikhaṇḍī, who have enmity with me, how could they possibly make an effort for my benefit, O esteemed sage?
दुःशासनेन यत्कृष्णा एकवस्त्रा रजस्वला। परिक्लिष्टा सभामध्ये सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः ॥९-४-१६॥
Duhshasana humiliated Draupadi, who was single-clothed and in her period, in the assembly in front of everyone.
तथा विवसनां दीनां स्मरन्त्यद्यापि पाण्डवाः। न निवारयितुं शक्याः सङ्ग्रामात्ते परन्तपाः ॥९-४-१७॥
Even today, the Pandavas remember the distress and humiliation they faced, and they cannot refrain from engaging in battle, O subduer of enemies.
यदा च द्रौपदी कृष्णा मद्विनाशाय दुःखिता। उग्रं तेपे तपः कृष्णा भर्तॄणामर्थसिद्धये ॥ स्थण्डिले नित्यदा शेते यावद्वैरस्य यातना ॥९-४-१८॥
When Draupadi was sorrowful for my destruction, she performed intense penance. Krishna, for the attainment of her husbands' purpose, always lies on the bare ground as long as the suffering of enmity continues.
निक्षिप्य मानं दर्पं च वासुदेवसहोदरा। कृष्णायाः प्रेष्यवद्भूत्वा शुश्रूषां कुरुते सदा ॥९-४-१९॥
The sister of Vasudeva, having set aside her pride and arrogance, serves Krishna like a devoted servant at all times.
इति सर्वं समुन्नद्धं न निर्वाति कथञ्चन। अभिमन्योर्विनाशेन स सन्धेयः कथं मया ॥९-४-२०॥
Thus, everything that has been raised does not cease in any way. How can I reconcile him with the destruction of Abhimanyu?
कथं च नाम भुक्त्वेमां पृथिवीं सागराम्बराम्। पाण्डवानां प्रसादेन भुञ्जीयां राज्यमल्पकम् ॥९-४-२१॥
How could I, having enjoyed this vast earth surrounded by the ocean, now be content with ruling a small kingdom by the grace of the Pandavas?
उपर्युपरि राज्ञां वै ज्वलितो भास्करो यथा। युधिष्ठिरं कथं पश्चादनुयास्यामि दासवत् ॥९-४-२२॥
Just as the sun shines above all kings, how can I follow Yudhishthira afterwards like a servant?
कथं भुक्त्वा स्वयं भोगान्दत्त्वा दायांश्च पुष्कलान्। कृपणं वर्तयिष्यामि कृपणैः सह जीविकाम् ॥९-४-२३॥
How can I, after enjoying pleasures and giving away abundant shares, live a miserly life with other misers?
नाभ्यसूयामि ते वाक्यमुक्तं स्निग्धं हितं त्वया। न तु सन्धिमहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं कथञ्चन ॥९-४-२४॥
I do not resent your affectionate and beneficial words, but I do not think the alliance is timely in any way.
सुनीतमनुपश्यामि सुयुद्धेन परन्तप। नायं क्लीबयितुं कालः संयोद्धुं काल एव नः ॥९-४-२५॥
"O scorcher of foes, I perceive that good conduct is through a noble fight. This is not the time for weakness; it is indeed the time for us to engage in battle."
इष्टं मे बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्दत्ता विप्रेषु दक्षिणाः। प्राप्ताः क्रमश्रुता वेदाः शत्रूणां मूर्ध्नि च स्थितम् ॥९-४-२६॥
The gifts desired by me were given to the priests through many sacrifices. The Vedas, systematically learned, were obtained and established on the heads of the enemies.
भृत्या मे सुभृतास्तात दीनश्चाभ्युद्धृतो जनः। यातानि परराष्ट्राणि स्वराष्ट्रमनुपालितम् ॥९-४-२७॥
"Dear father, my servants are well taken care of, the distressed people have been uplifted, other kingdoms have been visited, and my own kingdom is well-governed."
भुक्ताश्च विविधा भोगास्त्रिवर्गः सेवितो मया। पितॄणां गतमानृण्यं क्षत्रधर्मस्य चोभयोः ॥९-४-२८॥
I have enjoyed various pleasures and served the threefold aim of life. I have fulfilled my duties towards my ancestors and the warrior's duty, both are now complete.
न ध्रुवं सुखमस्तीह कुतो राज्यं कुतो यशः। इह कीर्तिर्विधातव्या सा च युद्धेन नान्यथा ॥९-४-२९॥
In this world, happiness is not permanent, so where is the kingdom, and where is the fame? Here, glory must be established, and that can only be achieved through battle, not by any other means.
गृहे यत्क्षत्रियस्यापि निधनं तद्विगर्हितम्। अधर्मः सुमहानेष यच्छय्यामरणं गृहे ॥९-४-३०॥
The death of a warrior in his own home is considered disgraceful. It is a great sin to die in bed at home.
अरण्ये यो विमुञ्चेत सङ्ग्रामे वा तनुं नरः। क्रतूनाहृत्य महतो महिमानं स गच्छति ॥९-४-३१॥
A man who sacrifices his body in the forest or in battle, after performing great sacrifices, attains great glory.
कृपणं विलपन्नार्तो जरयाभिपरिप्लुतः। म्रियते रुदतां मध्ये ज्ञातीनां न स पूरुषः ॥९-४-३२॥
A miserable person, lamenting and afflicted by old age, overwhelmed by it, dies in the midst of crying relatives; such a person is not considered a true man.
त्यक्त्वा तु विविधान्भोगान्प्राप्तानां परमां गतिम्। अपीदानीं सुयुद्धेन गच्छेयं सत्सलोकताम् ॥९-४-३३॥
Having given up various pleasures and reached the highest state, now I wish to attain the realm of the virtuous through honorable combat.
शूराणामार्यवृत्तानां सङ्ग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्। धीमतां सत्यसन्धानां सर्वेषां क्रतुयाजिनाम् ॥९-४-३४॥
The brave ones of noble conduct, who do not retreat in battles, who are wise and truthful, and who perform all sacrifices.
शस्त्रावभृथमाप्तानां ध्रुवं वासस्त्रिविष्टपे। मुदा नूनं प्रपश्यन्ति शुभ्रा ह्यप्सरसां गणाः ॥९-४-३५॥
The pure groups of celestial nymphs, indeed, behold with joy those who have certainly attained residence in the heavenly abode after completing the weapon ceremony.
पश्यन्ति नूनं पितरः पूजिताञ्शक्रसंसदि। अप्सरोभिः परिवृतान्मोदमानांस्त्रिविष्टपे ॥९-४-३६॥
The ancestors certainly witness those who are honored in Indra's assembly, surrounded by celestial nymphs, rejoicing in the heavenly realm.
पन्थानममरैर्यातं शूरैश्चैवानिवर्तिभिः। अपि तैः सङ्गतं मार्गं वयमप्यारुहेमहि ॥९-४-३७॥
May we also ascend the path traveled by immortals and heroes who do not turn back, joining them in their journey.
पितामहेन वृद्धेन तथाचार्येण धीमता। जयद्रथेन कर्णेन तथा दुःशासनेन च ॥९-४-३८॥
The wise and elder grandfather, along with the teacher, Jayadratha, Karna, and Duhshasana, were involved.
घटमाना मदर्थेऽस्मिन्हताः शूरा जनाधिपाः। शेरते लोहिताक्ताङ्गाः पृथिव्यां शरविक्षताः ॥९-४-३९॥
The heroes and kings, striving for my sake, have been killed in this battle and now lie on the earth with their limbs stained with blood, wounded by arrows.
उत्तमास्त्रविदः शूरा यथोक्तक्रतुयाजिनः। त्यक्त्वा प्राणान्यथान्यायमिन्द्रसद्मसु धिष्ठिताः ॥९-४-४०॥
The excellent warriors, skilled in weaponry and heroic in nature, who performed sacrifices as prescribed, having given up their lives unjustly, are now residing in the abode of Indra.
तैस्त्वयं रचितः पन्था दुर्गमो हि पुनर्भवेत्। सम्पतद्भिर्महावेगैरितो याद्भिश्च सद्गतिम् ॥९-४-४१॥
The path you have constructed becomes difficult again, indeed, by those who are flying with great speed from here, leading to a good path.
ये मदर्थे हताः शूरास्तेषां कृतमनुस्मरन्। ऋणं तत्प्रतिमुञ्चानो न राज्ये मन आदधे ॥९-४-४२॥
Reflecting on the sacrifice of the heroes who died for me, I released that debt and did not focus my mind on ruling the kingdom.
पातयित्वा वयस्यांश्च भ्रातॄनथ पितामहान्। जीवितं यदि रक्षेयं लोको मां गर्हयेद्ध्रुवम् ॥९-४-४३॥
If I were to save my life by causing the downfall of my friends, brothers, and grandfathers, the world would surely blame me.
कीदृशं च भवेद्राज्यं मम हीनस्य बन्धुभिः। सखिभिश्च सुहृद्भिश्च प्रणिपत्य च पाण्डवम् ॥९-४-४४॥
What kind of kingdom would I have, being deprived of my relatives, friends, and well-wishers, after bowing down to Pāṇḍava?
सोऽहमेतादृशं कृत्वा जगतोऽस्य पराभवम्। सुयुद्धेन ततः स्वर्गं प्राप्स्यामि न तदन्यथा ॥९-४-४५॥
"Having caused such a defeat of this world, I shall attain heaven by a good fight; there is no other way."
एवं दुर्योधनेनोक्तं सर्वे सम्पूज्य तद्वचः। साधु साध्विति राजानं क्षत्रियाः सम्बभाषिरे ॥९-४-४६॥
Thus, after Duryodhana spoke, all the warriors honored his words and addressed the king, saying "Well done, well done."
पराजयमशोचन्तः कृतचित्ताश्च विक्रमे। सर्वे सुनिश्चिता योद्धुमुदग्रमनसोऽभवन् ॥९-४-४७॥
Without lamenting their defeat and with determined minds, all were firmly resolved to fight with uplifted spirits.
ततो वाहान्समाश्वास्य सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः। ऊने द्वियोजने गत्वा प्रत्यतिष्ठन्त कौरवाः ॥९-४-४८॥
Then, after reassuring their vehicles, all the Kauravas, who were rejoicing in the battle, proceeded less than two yojanas and stood firm.
आकाशे विद्रुमे पुण्ये प्रस्थे हिमवतः शुभे। अरुणां सरस्वतीं प्राप्य पपुः सस्नुश्च तज्जलम् ॥९-४-४९॥
In the sky, on the auspicious plateau of the Himalayas, they reached the reddish Sarasvati and drank and bathed in its waters.
तव पुत्राः कृतोत्साहाः पर्यवर्तन्त ते ततः। पर्यवस्थाप्य चात्मानमन्योन्येन पुनस्तदा ॥ सर्वे राजन्न्यवर्तन्त क्षत्रियाः कालचोदिताः ॥९-४-५०॥
Your sons, having been encouraged, turned back at that time. After arranging themselves with each other once more, all the warriors, O king, returned, driven by the force of time.
