09.062
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said:
kimarthaṃ rājaśārdūlo dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। gāndhāryāḥ preṣayāmāsa vāsudevaṃ parantapam ॥9-62-1॥
Why did Yudhishthira, the righteous king and tiger among kings, send Lord Krishna to Gandhari?
yadā pūrvaṃ gataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śamārthaṃ kauravānprati। na ca taṃ labdhavānkāmaṃ tato yuddhamabhūd idam ॥9-62-2॥
When Krishna previously went to the Kauravas to seek peace, and did not achieve that aim, this war ensued.
nihateṣu tu yodheṣu hate duryodhane tathā। pṛthivyāṃ pāṇḍaveyasya niḥsapatne kṛte yudhi ॥9-62-3॥
After the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was killed, the son of Pandu was left without any rivals on earth in the battle.
vidrute śibire śūnye prāpte yaśasi cottame। kiṃ nu tatkāraṇaṃ brahmanyena kṛṣṇo gataḥ punaḥ ॥9-62-4॥
When the camp was deserted and empty, and the highest fame was achieved, what was the reason, O Brahman, for which Krishna went again?
na caitatkāraṇaṃ brahmannalpaṃ vai pratibhāti me। yatrāgamadameyātmā svayameva janārdanaḥ ॥9-62-5॥
This reason, O Brahman, does not appear small to me, for it is where the immeasurable soul, Janardana himself, came.
tattvato vai samācakṣva sarvamadhvaryusattama। yaccātra kāraṇaṃ brahmankāryasyāsya viniścaye ॥9-62-6॥
O best of priests, please explain everything in reality. What is the cause here, O Brahman, in determining this action?
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
tvadyukto'yamanupraśno yanmāṁ pṛcchasi pārthiva। tatte'haṁ sampravakṣyāmi yathāvadbharatarṣabha ॥9-62-7॥
O prince, the question you have asked is indeed appropriate. I will explain it to you in detail, O best of the Bharatas.
hataṁ duryodhanaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena saṁyuge। vyutkramya samayaṁ rājandhārtarāṣṭraṁ mahābalam ॥9-62-8॥
Upon witnessing the death of Duryodhana at the hands of Bhimasena in the battle, the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, O king, violated the agreement.
anyāyena hataṃ dṛṣṭvā gadāyuddhena bhārata। yudhiṣṭhiraṃ mahārāja mahadbhayamathāviśat ॥9-62-9॥
O Bharata, upon witnessing the unjust killing during the mace battle, great fear overcame Yudhishthira, the great king.
cintayāno mahābhāgāṃ gāndhārīṃ tapasānvitām। ghoreṇa tapasā yuktāṃ trailokyamapi sā dahet ॥9-62-10॥
Thinking about the greatly fortunate Gandhari, who is endowed with terrible penance, she could even burn the three worlds.
tasya cintayamānasya buddhiḥ samabhavattadā। gāndhāryāḥ krodhadīptāyāḥ pūrvaṃ praśamanaṃ bhavet ॥9-62-11॥
As he was contemplating, his mind came to a conclusion. First, Gāndhārī, who was burning with anger, should be pacified.
sā hi putravadhaṃ śrutvā kṛtamasmābhirīdṛśam। mānasenāgninā kruddhā bhasmasānnaḥ kariṣyati ॥9-62-12॥
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.
kathaṁ duḥkham idaṁ tīvraṁ gāndhārī prasahiṣyati। śrutvā vinihataṁ putraṁ chalenājihmayodhinam ॥9-62-13॥
"How will Gandhari bear this intense grief upon hearing that her straightforward warrior son was deceitfully killed?"
evaṃ vicintya bahudhā bhayaśokasamanvitaḥ। vāsudevamidaṃ vākyaṃ dharmarājo'bhyabhāṣata ॥9-62-14॥
Thus, filled with fear and grief, Dharmaraja pondered deeply and addressed Vasudeva with these words.
tava prasādādgovinda rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam। aprāpyaṃ manasāpīha prāptamasmābhiracyuta ॥9-62-15॥
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.
pratyakṣaṃ me mahābāho saṅgrāme romaharṣaṇe। vimardaḥ sumahānprāptastvayā yādavanandana ॥9-62-16॥
O mighty-armed one, a very great and thrilling conflict has directly occurred in the battle by you, O joy of the Yadus.
tvayā devāsure yuddhe vadhārtham amaradviṣām। yathā sāhyaṃ purā dattaṃ hatāśca vibudhādviṣaḥ ॥9-62-17॥
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.
sāhyaṃ tathā mahābāho dattamasmākamacyuta। sārathyena ca vārṣṇeya bhavatā yaddhṛtā vayam ॥9-62-18॥
O mighty-armed one, the help given to us by you, O infallible one, through your charioteering, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, has sustained us.
yadi na tvaṁ bhavennāthaḥ phalgunasya mahāraṇe। kathaṁ śakyo raṇe jetuṁ bhavedeṣa balārṇavaḥ ॥9-62-19॥
If you were not Arjuna's protector in the great battle, how could this ocean of strength be conquered in battle?
gadāprahārā vipulāḥ parighaiścāpi tāḍanam। śaktibhirbhiṇḍipālaiśca tomaraiḥ saparaśvadhaiḥ ॥9-62-20॥
Numerous blows with maces, clubs, spears, javelins, lances, and axes were exchanged.
vāyaśca paruṣāḥ prāptāstvayā hyasmaddhitaiṣiṇā। tāśca te saphalāḥ sarvā hate duryodhane'cyuta ॥9-62-21॥
The harsh words you received, being our well-wisher, have all borne fruit with the fall of Duryodhana, O infallible one.
gāndhāryā hi mahābāho krodhaṃ budhyasva mādhava। sā hi nityaṃ mahābhāgā tapasogreṇa karśitā ॥9-62-22॥
O mighty-armed Madhava, recognize the anger of Gandhari. She is always blessed and has become emaciated due to her severe penance.
putrapautravadhaṁ śrutvā dhruvaṁ naḥ sampradhakṣyati। tasyāḥ prasādanaṁ vīra prāptakālaṁ mataṁ mama ॥9-62-23॥
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.
kaśca tāṃ krodhadīptākṣīṃ putravyasanakarśitām। vīkṣituṃ puruṣaḥ śaktastvāmṛte puruṣottama ॥9-62-24॥
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?
tatra me gamanaṃ prāptaṃ rocate tava mādhava। gāndhāryāḥ krodhadīptāyāḥ praśamārtham ariṃdama ॥9-62-25॥
O Madhava, my arrival there pleases you. It is for the pacification of the anger-ignited Gandhari, O subduer of enemies.
tvaṁ hi kartā vikartā ca lokānāṁ prabhavāpyayaḥ। hetukāraṇasaṁyuktairvākyaiḥ kālasamīritaiḥ ॥9-62-26॥
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.
kṣiprameva mahāprājña gāndhārīṃ śamayiṣyasi। pitāmahaśca bhagavān kṛṣṇastatra bhaviṣyati ॥9-62-27॥
"O great wise one, you will soon pacify Gandhari. The grandsire and Lord Krishna will be present there."
sarvathā te mahābāho gāndhāryāḥ krodhanāśanam। kartavyaṃ sātvataśreṣṭha pāṇḍavānāṃ hitaiṣiṇā ॥9-62-28॥
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.
dharmarājasya vacanaṃ śrutvā yadukulodvahaḥ। āmantrya dārukaṃ prāha rathaḥ sajjo vidhīyatām ॥9-62-29॥
Upon hearing the words of Dharmaraja, the leader of the Yadu dynasty, addressed Daruka and instructed him to prepare the chariot.
keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā tvaramāṇo'tha dārukaḥ। nyavedayadrathaṃ sajjaṃ keśavāya mahātmane ॥9-62-30॥
Upon hearing Keshava's words, Daruka quickly informed Keshava, the great soul, that the chariot was ready.
taṁ rathaṁ yādaśreṣṭhaḥ samāruhya parantapaḥ। jagāma hāstinapuraṁ tvaritaḥ keśavo vibhuḥ ॥9-62-31॥
Keshava, the mighty and best of the Yadavas, quickly mounted the chariot and proceeded to Hastinapura, the city of elephants.
tataḥ prāyānmahārāja mādhavo bhagavānrathī। nāgasāhvayamāsādya praviveśa ca vīryavān ॥9-62-32॥
Then, O great king, Mādhava, the divine charioteer, departed and entered Nāgasāhvaya, demonstrating his might.
praviśya nagaraṃ vīro rathaghoṣeṇa nādayan। vidito dhṛtarāṣṭrasya so'vatīrya rathottamāt ॥9-62-33॥
The hero entered the city, making it resound with the sound of chariots. Known to Dhritarashtra, he descended from his excellent chariot.
abhyagacchadadīnātma dhṛtarāṣṭraniveśanam। pūrvaṃ cābhigataṃ tatra so'paśyadṛṣisattamam ॥9-62-34॥
With a humble heart, he went to Dhritarashtra's residence. Before reaching there, he saw the revered sage.
pādau prapīḍya kṛṣṇasya rājñaścāpi janārdanaḥ। abhyavādayadavyagro gāndhārīṃ cāpi keśavaḥ ॥9-62-35॥
Janardana, after pressing the feet of Krishna and the king, calmly greeted Gandhari and Keshava.
tatastu yādaśreṣṭho dhṛtarāṣṭramadhokṣajaḥ। pāṇimālambya rājñaḥ sa sasvaraṃ praruroda ha ॥9-62-36॥
Then, the best of the Yadavas, known as the imperceptible Dhritarashtra, held the king's hand and cried out loudly.
sa muhūrtamivotsṛjya bāṣpaṃ śokasamudbhavam। prakṣālya vāriṇā netre ācāmya ca yathāvidhi ॥ uvāca praśritaṃ vākyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭramariṃdamaḥ ॥9-62-37॥
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.
na te'astyaviditaṁ kiñcidbhūtabhavvasya bhārata। kālasya ca yathā vṛttaṁ tatte suviditaṁ prabho ॥9-62-38॥
O Bharata, nothing of the past or future is unknown to you. You are well aware of how events unfolded over time, O lord.
yadidaṁ pāṇḍavaiḥ sarvaistava cittānurodhibhiḥ। kathaṁ kulakṣayo na syāttathā kṣatrasya bhārata ॥9-62-39॥
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?
bhrātṛbhiḥ samayaṃ kṛtvā kṣāntavāndharmavatsalaḥ। dyūtacchalajitaiḥ śaktairvanavāso'bhyupāgataḥ ॥9-62-40॥
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.
ajñātavāsacaryā ca nānāveśasamāvṛtaiḥ। anye ca bahavaḥ kleśāstvaśaktairiva nityadā ॥9-62-41॥
The practice of living incognito, disguised in various attires, and many other troubles are always faced by those who are powerless.
mayā ca svayamāgamya yuddhakāla upasthite। sarvalokasya sāṃnidhye grāmāṃstvaṃ pañca yācitaḥ ॥9-62-42॥
I personally came at the time of battle and in the presence of everyone, you asked for five villages.
tvayā kālopasṛṣṭena lobhato nāpavarjitāḥ। tavāparādhān nṛpate sarvaṃ kṣatraṃ kṣayaṃ gatam ॥9-62-43॥
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.
bhīṣmeṇa somadattena bāhlikena kṛpeṇa ca। droṇena ca saputreṇa vidureṇa ca dhīmatā ॥ yācitastvaṃ śamaṃ nityaṃ na ca tatkṛtavānasi ॥9-62-44॥
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.
kālopahatacitto hi sarvo muhyati bhārata। yathā mūḍho bhavānpūrvamasminarthe samudyate ॥9-62-45॥
O Bhārata, everyone whose mind is afflicted by time becomes deluded, just as you were previously confused in this matter when you were engaged.
kim anyat kāla-yogād dhi diṣṭam eva parāyaṇam। mā ca doṣaṃ mahārāja pāṇḍaveṣu niveśaya ॥9-62-46॥
What else can be done, O great king? It is the destined refuge due to the conjunction of time. Do not blame the Pandavas.
alpo'pyatikramo nāsti pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām। dharmato nyāyataścaiva snehataśca parantapa ॥9-62-47॥
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.
etatsarvaṁ tu vijñāya ātmadoṣakṛtaṁ phalam। asūyāṁ pāṇḍuputreṣu na bhavānkartumarhati ॥9-62-48॥
Understanding that all this is the result of one's own faults, you should not harbor envy towards the sons of Pandu.
kulaṁ vaṁśaśca piṇḍaśca yacca putrakṛtaṁ phalam। gāndhāryāstava caivādya pāṇḍaveṣu pratiṣṭhitam ॥9-62-49॥
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.
etatsarvamanudhyātvā ātmanaśca vyatikramam। śivena pāṇḍavāndhyāhi namaste bharatarṣabha ॥9-62-50॥
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.
jānāsi ca mahābāho dharmarājasya yā tvayi। bhaktirbharataśārdūla snehaścāpi svabhāvataḥ ॥9-62-51॥
O mighty-armed one, you are aware of the devotion and natural affection that Dharmaraja holds for you, O tiger among the Bharatas.
etacca kadanaṃ kṛtvā śatrūṇāmapakāriṇām। dahyate sma divārātraṃ na ca śarmādhigacchati ॥9-62-52॥
After committing this act of slaughter against his enemies and wrongdoers, he was tormented day and night and found no peace.
tvāṃ caiva naraśārdūla gāndhārīṃ ca yaśasvinīm। sa śocanbharataśreṣṭha na śāntimadhigacchati ॥9-62-53॥
O best of the Bharatas, he laments for you and the illustrious Gandhari, O tiger among men, and does not find peace.
hriyā ca parayāviṣṭo bhavantaṃ nādhigacchati। putraśokābhisantaptaṃ buddhivyākulitendriyam ॥9-62-54॥
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.
evamuktvā mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ yadūttamaḥ। uvāca paramaṃ vākyaṃ gāndhārīṃ śokakarśitām ॥9-62-55॥
Having thus spoken, O great king, the noble Yadava addressed Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, who was overwhelmed with sorrow, with profound words.
saubaleyi nibodha tvaṁ yattvāṁ vakṣyāmi suvrate। tvatsamā nāsti loke'sminnadya sīmantinī śubhe ॥9-62-56॥
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.
jānāmi ca yathā rājñi sabhāyāṃ mama saṃnidhau। dharmārthasahitaṃ vākyamubhayoḥ pakṣayorhitam ॥ uktavatyasi kalyāṇi na ca te tanayaiḥ śrutam ॥9-62-57॥
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.
duryodhanastvayā cokto jayārthī paruṣaṃ vacaḥ। śṛṇu mūḍha vaco mahyaṃ yato dharmastato jayaḥ ॥9-62-58॥
Duryodhana, you have spoken harsh words in your desire for victory. Listen, fool, to my words: where there is righteousness, there is victory.
tadidaṁ samanuprāptaṁ tava vākyaṁ nṛpātmaje। evaṁ viditvā kalyāṇi mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ ॥ pāṇḍavānāṁ vināśāya mā te buddhiḥ kadācana ॥9-62-59॥
"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."
śaktā cāsi mahābhāge pṛthivīṃ sacarācarām। cakṣuṣā krodhadīptena nirdagdhuṃ tapaso balāt ॥9-62-60॥
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.
vāsudevavacaḥ śrutvā gāndhārī vākyamabravīt। evametanmahābāho yathā vadasi keśava ॥9-62-61॥
Upon hearing Vasudeva's words, Gandhari spoke: "Indeed, O mighty-armed one, it is as you say, Keshava."
ādhibhirdahyamānāyā matiḥ sañcalitā mama। sā me vyavasthitā śrutvā tava vākyaṃ janārdana ॥9-62-62॥
My mind was disturbed by various afflictions, but it has become steady after listening to your words, O Janardana.
rājñastvandhasya vṛddhasya hataputrasya keśava। tvaṃ gatiḥ saha tairvīraiḥ pāṇḍavairdvipadāṃ vara ॥9-62-63॥
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.
etāvad uktvā vacanaṃ mukhaṃ pracchādya vāsasā। putraśokābhisantaptā gāndhārī praruroda ha ॥9-62-64॥
After speaking those words, Gandhari covered her face with a cloth and cried, overwhelmed with grief for her son.
tata enāṃ mahābāhuḥ keśavaḥ śokakarśitām। hetukāraṇasaṃyuktairvākyairāśvāsayatprabhuḥ ॥9-62-65॥
Then the mighty-armed Keshava, seeing her afflicted by grief, consoled her with words full of reasoning and causes.
samāśvāsya ca gāndhārīṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ ca mādhavaḥ। drauṇeḥ saṅkalpitaṃ bhāvamanvabudhyata keśavaḥ ॥9-62-66॥
After consoling Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Madhava (Krishna) perceived the intentions of Ashwatthama, the son of Drona.
tatas tvarita utthāya pādau mūrdhnā praṇamya ca। dvaipāyanasya rājendra tataḥ kauravam abravīt ॥9-62-67॥
Then, having quickly risen, and having bowed with his head to the feet of Dvaipayana, the king spoke to Kaurava.
āpṛcche tvāṃ kuruśreṣṭha mā ca śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ। drauṇeḥ pāpo'styabhiprāyastenāsmi sahasotthitaḥ ॥ pāṇḍavānāṃ vadhe rātrau buddhistena pradarśitā ॥9-62-68॥
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.
etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ gāndhāryā sahito'bravīt। dhṛtarāṣṭro mahābāhuḥ keśavaṃ keśisūdanam ॥9-62-69॥
Upon hearing Gāndhārī's words, the mighty-armed Dhṛtarāṣṭra addressed Keśava, the slayer of Keśi.
śīghraṃ gaccha mahābāho pāṇḍavānparipālaya। bhūyastvayā sameṣyāmi kṣiprameva janārdana ॥ prāyāttatastu tvarito dārukeṇa sahācyutaḥ ॥9-62-70॥
"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.
vāsudeve gate rājandhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janeśvaram। āśvāsayadameyātmā vyāso lokanamaskṛtaḥ ॥9-62-71॥
After Vasudeva's departure, Vyasa, who is revered by all, consoled King Dhritarashtra, the ruler of the people, with his boundless spirit.
vāsudevo'pi dharmātmā kṛtakṛtyo jagāma ha। śibiraṃ hāstinapurāddidṛkṣuḥ pāṇḍavānnṛpa ॥9-62-72॥
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.
āgamya śibiraṃ rātrau so'bhyagacchat pāṇḍavān। tacca tebhyaḥ samākhyāya sahitastaiḥ samāviśat ॥9-62-73॥
He arrived at the camp during the night and approached the Pandavas. After explaining the situation to them, he entered along with them.
