09.062
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said:
किमर्थं राजशार्दूलो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। गान्धार्याः प्रेषयामास वासुदेवं परन्तपम् ॥९-६२-१॥
Why did Yudhishthira, the righteous king and tiger among kings, send Lord Krishna to Gandhari?
यदा पूर्वं गतः कृष्णः शमार्थं कौरवान्प्रति। न च तं लब्धवान्कामं ततो युद्धमभूदिदम् ॥९-६२-२॥
When Krishna previously went to the Kauravas to seek peace, and did not achieve that aim, this war ensued.
निहतेषु तु योधेषु हते दुर्योधने तथा। पृथिव्यां पाण्डवेयस्य निःसपत्ने कृते युधि ॥९-६२-३॥
After the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was killed, the son of Pandu was left without any rivals on earth in the battle.
विद्रुते शिबिरे शून्ये प्राप्ते यशसि चोत्तमे। किं नु तत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्येन कृष्णो गतः पुनः ॥९-६२-४॥
When the camp was deserted and empty, and the highest fame was achieved, what was the reason, O Brahman, for which Krishna went again?
न चैतत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्नल्पं वै प्रतिभाति मे। यत्रागमदमेयात्मा स्वयमेव जनार्दनः ॥९-६२-५॥
This reason, O Brahman, does not appear small to me, for it is where the immeasurable soul, Janardana himself, came.
तत्त्वतो वै समाचक्ष्व सर्वमध्वर्युसत्तम। यच्चात्र कारणं ब्रह्मन्कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये ॥९-६२-६॥
O best of priests, please explain everything in reality. What is the cause here, O Brahman, in determining this action?
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
त्वद्युक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यन्मां पृच्छसि पार्थिव। तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि यथावद्भरतर्षभ ॥९-६२-७॥
O prince, the question you have asked is indeed appropriate. I will explain it to you in detail, O best of the Bharatas.
हतं दुर्योधनं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे। व्युत्क्रम्य समयं राजन्धार्तराष्ट्रं महाबलम् ॥९-६२-८॥
Upon witnessing the death of Duryodhana at the hands of Bhimasena in the battle, the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, O king, violated the agreement.
अन्यायेन हतं दृष्ट्वा गदायुद्धेन भारत। युधिष्ठिरं महाराज महद्भयमथाविशत् ॥९-६२-९॥
O Bharata, upon witnessing the unjust killing during the mace battle, great fear overcame Yudhishthira, the great king.
चिन्तयानो महाभागां गान्धारीं तपसान्विताम्। घोरेण तपसा युक्तां त्रैलोक्यमपि सा दहेत् ॥९-६२-१०॥
Thinking about the greatly fortunate Gandhari, who is endowed with terrible penance, she could even burn the three worlds.
तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य बुद्धिः समभवत्तदा। गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः पूर्वं प्रशमनं भवेत् ॥९-६२-११॥
As he was contemplating, his mind came to a conclusion. First, Gāndhārī, who was burning with anger, should be pacified.
सा हि पुत्रवधं श्रुत्वा कृतमस्माभिरीदृशम्। मानसेनाग्निना क्रुद्धा भस्मसान्नः करिष्यति ॥९-६२-१२॥
Upon hearing of her son's killing, which was done by us in such a manner, she will, in her anger fueled by the fire of her mind, reduce us to ashes.
कथं दुःखमिदं तीव्रं गान्धारी प्रसहिष्यति। श्रुत्वा विनिहतं पुत्रं छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम् ॥९-६२-१३॥
"How will Gandhari bear this intense grief upon hearing that her straightforward warrior son was deceitfully killed?"
एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा भयशोकसमन्वितः। वासुदेवमिदं वाक्यं धर्मराजोऽभ्यभाषत ॥९-६२-१४॥
Thus, filled with fear and grief, Dharmaraja pondered deeply and addressed Vasudeva with these words.
तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द राज्यं निहतकण्टकम्। अप्राप्यं मनसापीह प्राप्तमस्माभिरच्युत ॥९-६२-१५॥
Thanks to your grace, O Govinda, we have achieved a kingdom free of obstacles, something that was previously thought to be unattainable even in thought, here and now, O Acyuta.
प्रत्यक्षं मे महाबाहो सङ्ग्रामे रोमहर्षणे। विमर्दः सुमहान्प्राप्तस्त्वया यादवनन्दन ॥९-६२-१६॥
O mighty-armed one, a very great and thrilling conflict has directly occurred in the battle by you, O joy of the Yadus.
त्वया देवासुरे युद्धे वधार्थममरद्विषाम्। यथा साह्यं पुरा दत्तं हताश्च विबुधद्विषः ॥९-६२-१७॥
In the battle between gods and demons, you provided assistance to kill the enemies of the immortals, and thus the enemies of the wise were slain.
साह्यं तथा महाबाहो दत्तमस्माकमच्युत। सारथ्येन च वार्ष्णेय भवता यद्धृता वयम् ॥९-६२-१८॥
O mighty-armed one, the help given to us by you, O infallible one, through your charioteering, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, has sustained us.
यदि न त्वं भवेन्नाथः फल्गुनस्य महारणे। कथं शक्यो रणे जेतुं भवेदेष बलार्णवः ॥९-६२-१९॥
If you were not Arjuna's protector in the great battle, how could this ocean of strength be conquered in battle?
गदाप्रहारा विपुलाः परिघैश्चापि ताडनम्। शक्तिभिर्भिण्डिपालैश्च तोमरैः सपरश्वधैः ॥९-६२-२०॥
Numerous blows with maces, clubs, spears, javelins, lances, and axes were exchanged.
वाचश्च परुषाः प्राप्तास्त्वया ह्यस्मद्धितैषिणा। ताश्च ते सफलाः सर्वा हते दुर्योधनेऽच्युत ॥९-६२-२१॥
The harsh words you received, being our well-wisher, have all borne fruit with the fall of Duryodhana, O infallible one.
गान्धार्या हि महाबाहो क्रोधं बुध्यस्व माधव। सा हि नित्यं महाभागा तपसोग्रेण कर्शिता ॥९-६२-२२॥
O mighty-armed Madhava, recognize the anger of Gandhari. She is always blessed and has become emaciated due to her severe penance.
पुत्रपौत्रवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवं नः सम्प्रधक्ष्यति। तस्याः प्रसादनं वीर प्राप्तकालं मतं मम ॥९-६२-२३॥
Upon hearing about the killing of sons and grandsons, she will surely destroy us. Therefore, O hero, I believe it is the right time to appease her.
कश्च तां क्रोधदीप्ताक्षीं पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिताम्। वीक्षितुं पुरुषः शक्तस्त्वामृते पुरुषोत्तम ॥९-६२-२४॥
Who else but you, O best of men, can bear to look at her, with her eyes blazing with anger and worn down by the sorrow for her son?
तत्र मे गमनं प्राप्तं रोचते तव माधव। गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः प्रशमार्थमरिंदम ॥९-६२-२५॥
O Madhava, my arrival there pleases you. It is for the pacification of the anger-ignited Gandhari, O subduer of enemies.
त्वं हि कर्ता विकर्ता च लोकानां प्रभवाप्ययः। हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैः कालसमीरितैः ॥९-६२-२६॥
You are indeed the creator and destroyer of the worlds, the origin and dissolution, expressed through statements of causes and reasons, as dictated by time.
क्षिप्रमेव महाप्राज्ञ गान्धारीं शमयिष्यसि। पितामहश्च भगवान्कृष्णस्तत्र भविष्यति ॥९-६२-२७॥
"O great wise one, you will soon pacify Gandhari. The grandsire and Lord Krishna will be present there."
सर्वथा ते महाबाहो गान्धार्याः क्रोधनाशनम्। कर्तव्यं सात्वतश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवानां हितैषिणा ॥९-६२-२८॥
In every possible way, O mighty-armed one, you must ensure the pacification of Gāndhārī's anger, O best of the Sātvatas, as a well-wisher of the Pāṇḍavas.
धर्मराजस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा यदुकुलोद्वहः। आमन्त्र्य दारुकं प्राह रथः सज्जो विधीयताम् ॥९-६२-२९॥
Upon hearing the words of Dharmaraja, the leader of the Yadu dynasty, addressed Daruka and instructed him to prepare the chariot.
केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्वरमाणोऽथ दारुकः। न्यवेदयद्रथं सज्जं केशवाय महात्मने ॥९-६२-३०॥
Upon hearing Keshava's words, Daruka quickly informed Keshava, the great soul, that the chariot was ready.
तं रथं यादवश्रेष्ठः समारुह्य परन्तपः। जगाम हास्तिनपुरं त्वरितः केशवो विभुः ॥९-६२-३१॥
Keshava, the mighty and best of the Yadavas, quickly mounted the chariot and proceeded to Hastinapura, the city of elephants.
ततः प्रायान्महाराज माधवो भगवान्रथी। नागसाह्वयमासाद्य प्रविवेश च वीर्यवान् ॥९-६२-३२॥
Then, O great king, Mādhava, the divine charioteer, departed and entered Nāgasāhvaya, demonstrating his might.
प्रविश्य नगरं वीरो रथघोषेण नादयन्। विदितो धृतराष्ट्रस्य सोऽवतीर्य रथोत्तमात् ॥९-६२-३३॥
The hero entered the city, making it resound with the sound of chariots. Known to Dhritarashtra, he descended from his excellent chariot.
अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा धृतराष्ट्रनिवेशनम्। पूर्वं चाभिगतं तत्र सोऽपश्यदृषिसत्तमम् ॥९-६२-३४॥
With a humble heart, he went to Dhritarashtra's residence. Before reaching there, he saw the revered sage.
पादौ प्रपीड्य कृष्णस्य राज्ञश्चापि जनार्दनः। अभ्यवादयदव्यग्रो गान्धारीं चापि केशवः ॥९-६२-३५॥
Janardana, after pressing the feet of Krishna and the king, calmly greeted Gandhari and Keshava.
ततस्तु यादवश्रेष्ठो धृतराष्ट्रमधोक्षजः। पाणिमालम्ब्य राज्ञः स सस्वरं प्ररुरोद ह ॥९-६२-३६॥
Then, the best of the Yadavas, known as the imperceptible Dhritarashtra, held the king's hand and cried out loudly.
स मुहूर्तमिवोत्सृज्य बाष्पं शोकसमुद्भवम्। प्रक्षाल्य वारिणा नेत्रे आचम्य च यथाविधि ॥ उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रमरिंदमः ॥९-६२-३७॥
He paused for a moment, as if releasing tears born of grief, washed his eyes with water, sipped according to the ritual, and then spoke humble words to Dhritarashtra, the subduer of enemies.
न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किञ्चिद्भूतभव्यस्य भारत। कालस्य च यथा वृत्तं तत्ते सुविदितं प्रभो ॥९-६२-३८॥
O Bharata, nothing of the past or future is unknown to you. You are well aware of how events unfolded over time, O lord.
यदिदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैस्तव चित्तानुरोधिभिः। कथं कुलक्षयो न स्यात्तथा क्षत्रस्य भारत ॥९-६२-३९॥
O Bhārata, since all this is done by the Pāṇḍavas to please your mind, how can there not be the destruction of the family, and thus of the kṣatriyas?
भ्रातृभिः समयं कृत्वा क्षान्तवान्धर्मवत्सलः। द्यूतच्छलजितैः शक्तैर्वनवासोऽभ्युपागतः ॥९-६२-४०॥
The righteous and forgiving one, having made an agreement with his brothers, accepted the exile to the forest after being deceitfully defeated in gambling by the powerful ones.
अज्ञातवासचर्या च नानावेशसमावृतैः। अन्ये च बहवः क्लेशास्त्वशक्तैरिव नित्यदा ॥९-६२-४१॥
The practice of living incognito, disguised in various attires, and many other troubles are always faced by those who are powerless.
मया च स्वयमागम्य युद्धकाल उपस्थिते। सर्वलोकस्य सांनिध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं पञ्च याचितः ॥९-६२-४२॥
I personally came at the time of battle and in the presence of everyone, you asked for five villages.
त्वया कालोपसृष्टेन लोभतो नापवर्जिताः। तवापराधान्नृपते सर्वं क्षत्रं क्षयं गतम् ॥९-६२-४३॥
Because of your negligence, O king, driven by greed and overcome by time, you did not avoid this. As a result, all the kshatriyas have been destroyed.
भीष्मेण सोमदत्तेन बाह्लिकेन कृपेण च। द्रोणेन च सपुत्रेण विदुरेण च धीमता ॥ याचितस्त्वं शमं नित्यं न च तत्कृतवानसि ॥९-६२-४४॥
You were repeatedly urged by Bhishma, Somadatta, Bahlika, Kripa, Drona with his son, and the wise Vidura to seek peace, yet you did not act upon it.
कालोपहतचित्तो हि सर्वो मुह्यति भारत। यथा मूढो भवान्पूर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे समुद्यते ॥९-६२-४५॥
O Bhārata, everyone whose mind is afflicted by time becomes deluded, just as you were previously confused in this matter when you were engaged.
किमन्यत्कालयोगाद्धि दिष्टमेव परायणम्। मा च दोषं महाराज पाण्डवेषु निवेशय ॥९-६२-४६॥
What else can be done, O great king? It is the destined refuge due to the conjunction of time. Do not blame the Pandavas.
अल्पोऽप्यतिक्रमो नास्ति पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्। धर्मतो न्यायतश्चैव स्नेहतश्च परन्तप ॥९-६२-४७॥
O conqueror of enemies, the Pāṇḍavas, who are great souls, do not commit even the smallest transgression, whether it be according to dharma, justice, or affection.
एतत्सर्वं तु विज्ञाय आत्मदोषकृतं फलम्। असूयां पाण्डुपुत्रेषु न भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥९-६२-४८॥
Understanding that all this is the result of one's own faults, you should not harbor envy towards the sons of Pandu.
कुलं वंशश्च पिण्डश्च यच्च पुत्रकृतं फलम्। गान्धार्यास्तव चैवाद्य पाण्डवेषु प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥९-६२-४९॥
The family, lineage, and funeral offerings, as well as the results of actions performed by the son, of Gandhari and yourself, are now firmly established among the Pandavas.
एतत्सर्वमनुध्यात्वा आत्मनश्च व्यतिक्रमम्। शिवेन पाण्डवान्ध्याहि नमस्ते भरतर्षभ ॥९-६२-५०॥
Reflect on all these matters and your own transgressions, and meditate on the Pāṇḍavas with a pure heart. Salutations to you, O noble descendant of Bharata.
जानासि च महाबाहो धर्मराजस्य या त्वयि। भक्तिर्भरतशार्दूल स्नेहश्चापि स्वभावतः ॥९-६२-५१॥
O mighty-armed one, you are aware of the devotion and natural affection that Dharmaraja holds for you, O tiger among the Bharatas.
एतच्च कदनं कृत्वा शत्रूणामपकारिणाम्। दह्यते स्म दिवारात्रं न च शर्माधिगच्छति ॥९-६२-५२॥
After committing this act of slaughter against his enemies and wrongdoers, he was tormented day and night and found no peace.
त्वां चैव नरशार्दूल गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम्। स शोचन्भरतश्रेष्ठ न शान्तिमधिगच्छति ॥९-६२-५३॥
O best of the Bharatas, he laments for you and the illustrious Gandhari, O tiger among men, and does not find peace.
ह्रिया च परयाविष्टो भवन्तं नाधिगच्छति। पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तं बुद्धिव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम् ॥९-६२-५४॥
Due to modesty and being greatly overwhelmed, he does not come to you. He is tormented by the grief of his son, and his mind and senses are agitated.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्रं यदूत्तमः। उवाच परमं वाक्यं गान्धारीं शोककर्शिताम् ॥९-६२-५५॥
Having thus spoken, O great king, the noble Yadava addressed Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, with profound words.
सौबलेयि निबोध त्वं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि सुव्रते। त्वत्समा नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नद्य सीमन्तिनी शुभे ॥९-६२-५६॥
O daughter of Subala, listen to what I have to say, O virtuous one. Today, there is no lady in this world who is your equal, O auspicious one.
जानामि च यथा राज्ञि सभायां मम संनिधौ। धर्मार्थसहितं वाक्यमुभयोः पक्षयोर्हितम् ॥ उक्तवत्यसि कल्याणि न च ते तनयैः श्रुतम् ॥९-६२-५७॥
I am aware, O queen, that in the assembly, in my presence, you delivered a speech filled with righteousness and purpose, beneficial to both parties, O auspicious one, but unfortunately, your sons did not hear it.
दुर्योधनस्त्वया चोक्तो जयार्थी परुषं वचः। शृणु मूढ वचो मह्यं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥९-६२-५८॥
Duryodhana, you have spoken harsh words in your desire for victory. Listen, fool, to my words: where there is righteousness, there is victory.
तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं तव वाक्यं नृपात्मजे। एवं विदित्वा कल्याणि मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः ॥ पाण्डवानां विनाशाय मा ते बुद्धिः कदाचन ॥९-६२-५९॥
"O princess, your words have been received. Knowing this, O auspicious one, do not let your mind dwell in grief. Never let your intention be for the destruction of the Pandavas."
शक्ता चासि महाभागे पृथिवीं सचराचराम्। चक्षुषा क्रोधदीप्तेन निर्दग्धुं तपसो बलात् ॥९-६२-६०॥
O fortunate one, you possess the power to incinerate the entire earth, along with all its creatures, using your gaze fueled by the strength of your penance.
वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत्। एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि केशव ॥९-६२-६१॥
Upon hearing Vasudeva's words, Gandhari spoke: "Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is as you say, Keshava."
आधिभिर्दह्यमानाया मतिः सञ्चलिता मम। सा मे व्यवस्थिता श्रुत्वा तव वाक्यं जनार्दन ॥९-६२-६२॥
My mind was disturbed by various afflictions, but it has become steady after listening to your words, O Janardana.
राज्ञस्त्वन्धस्य वृद्धस्य हतपुत्रस्य केशव। त्वं गतिः सह तैर्वीरैः पाण्डवैर्द्विपदां वर ॥९-६२-६३॥
O Keshava, you are the refuge for the blind and aged king who has lost his sons, along with the heroic Pandavas, the best among men.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं मुखं प्रच्छाद्य वाससा। पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्ता गान्धारी प्ररुरोद ह ॥९-६२-६४॥
After speaking those words, Gandhari covered her face with a cloth and cried, overwhelmed with grief for her son.
तत एनां महाबाहुः केशवः शोककर्शिताम्। हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैराश्वासयत्प्रभुः ॥९-६२-६५॥
Then the mighty-armed Keshava, seeing her afflicted by grief, consoled her with words full of reasoning and causes.
समाश्वास्य च गान्धारीं धृतराष्ट्रं च माधवः। द्रौणेः सङ्कल्पितं भावमन्वबुध्यत केशवः ॥९-६२-६६॥
After consoling Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Madhava (Krishna) perceived the intentions of Ashwatthama, the son of Drona.
ततस्त्वरित उत्थाय पादौ मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य च। द्वैपायनस्य राजेन्द्र ततः कौरवमब्रवीत् ॥९-६२-६७॥
Then, having quickly risen, and having bowed with his head to the feet of Dvaipayana, the king spoke to Kaurava.
आपृच्छे त्वां कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा च शोके मनः कृथाः। द्रौणेः पापोऽस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेनास्मि सहसोत्थितः ॥ पाण्डवानां वधे रात्रौ बुद्धिस्तेन प्रदर्शिता ॥९-६२-६८॥
I seek your permission, O best of the Kurus, do not let your mind dwell in sorrow. Drona's son harbors an evil intention, and it is because of him that I have suddenly arisen. His plan to kill the Pandavas at night has been revealed.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं गान्धार्या सहितोऽब्रवीत्। धृतराष्ट्रो महाबाहुः केशवं केशिसूदनम् ॥९-६२-६९॥
Upon hearing Gāndhārī's words, the mighty-armed Dhṛtarāṣṭra addressed Keśava, the slayer of Keśi.
शीघ्रं गच्छ महाबाहो पाण्डवान्परिपालय। भूयस्त्वया समेष्यामि क्षिप्रमेव जनार्दन ॥ प्रायात्ततस्तु त्वरितो दारुकेण सहाच्युतः ॥९-६२-७०॥
"Quickly go, O mighty-armed one, and protect the Pāṇḍavas. I will meet you again soon, O Janārdana." Then, Acyuta, along with Dāruka, departed swiftly.
वासुदेवे गते राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम्। आश्वासयदमेयात्मा व्यासो लोकनमस्कृतः ॥९-६२-७१॥
After Vasudeva's departure, Vyasa, who is revered by all, consoled King Dhritarashtra, the ruler of the people, with his boundless spirit.
वासुदेवोऽपि धर्मात्मा कृतकृत्यो जगाम ह। शिबिरं हास्तिनपुराद्दिदृक्षुः पाण्डवान्नृप ॥९-६२-७२॥
Vasudeva, being a righteous soul and having completed his duties, went from Hastinapura to the camp with the desire to see the Pandavas, O king.
आगम्य शिबिरं रात्रौ सोऽभ्यगच्छत पाण्डवान्। तच्च तेभ्यः समाख्याय सहितस्तैः समाविशत् ॥९-६२-७३॥
He arrived at the camp during the night and approached the Pandavas. After explaining the situation to them, he entered along with them.
