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Core and Pancharatra: When further enquired, Vyasa advised Yudhishthira to ask Bhishma, who is most knowledgeable on the subject. The son of Pāṇḍu, surrounded by friends and praised with auspicious words, entered the city.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhiṣṭhira said:
श्रोतुमिच्छामि भगवन्विस्तरेण महामुने। राजधर्मान्द्विजश्रेष्ठ चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य चाखिलान् ॥१२-३८-१॥
O revered one, I wish to hear in detail from you, O great sage, about the duties of kings, O best of the twice-born, and all the duties of the four classes.
आपत्सु च यथा नीतिर्विधातव्या महीक्षिता। धर्म्यमालम्ब्य पन्थानं विजयेयं कथं महीम् ॥१२-३८-२॥
In times of calamity, how should a king establish policy and, relying on the righteous path, conquer the earth?
प्रायश्चित्तकथा ह्येषा भक्ष्याभक्ष्यविवर्धिता। कौतूहलानुप्रवणा हर्षं जनयतीव मे ॥१२-३८-३॥
This story of expiation, indeed, expanded by the discussion of what is edible and inedible, and inclined towards curiosity, seems to produce joy in me.
धर्मचर्या च राज्यं च नित्यमेव विरुध्यते। येन मुह्यति मे चेतश्चिन्तयानस्य नित्यशः ॥१२-३८-४॥
The pursuit of dharma and the responsibilities of ruling are always in conflict; this is what constantly confuses my mind as I reflect upon it.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
तमुवाच महातेजा व्यासो वेदविदां वरः। नारदं समभिप्रेक्ष्य सर्वं जानन्पुरातनम् ॥१२-३८-५॥
Vyāsa, the great-brilliant sage and foremost among the knowers of the Veda, having looked upon Nārada and knowing all that is ancient, spoke to him.
श्रोतुमिच्छसि चेद्धर्मानखिलेन युधिष्ठिर। प्रैहि भीष्मं महाबाहो वृद्धं कुरुपितामहम् ॥१२-३८-६॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, if you wish to learn all the dharmas in their entirety, go to Bhīṣma, the mighty-armed and aged grandsire of the Kurus.
स ते सर्वरहस्येषु संशयान्मनसि स्थितान्। छेत्ता भागीरथीपुत्रः सर्वज्ञः सर्वधर्मवित् ॥१२-३८-७॥
He, Bhāgīrathī's son, who is all-knowing and knower of all dharmas, will remove all the doubts that are situated in your mind regarding all secrets.
जनयामास यं देवी दिव्या त्रिपथगा नदी। साक्षाद्ददर्श यो देवान्सर्वाञ्शक्रपुरोगमान् ॥१२-३८-८॥
The goddess, the divine river Ganga, gave birth to him, who directly saw all the gods led by Indra.
बृहस्पतिपुरोगांश्च देवर्षीनसकृत्प्रभुः। तोषयित्वोपचारेण राजनीतिमधीतवान् ॥१२-३८-९॥
The lord, having repeatedly pleased Bṛhaspati and the divine sages with respect, studied political science.
उशना वेद यच्छास्त्रं देवासुरगुरुर्द्विजः। तच्च सर्वं सवैयाख्यं प्राप्तवान्कुरुसत्तमः ॥१२-३८-१०॥
O best of the Kurus, Uśanas, the preceptor of gods and asuras, who is twice-born, knows that treatise and has obtained all of it with its explanation.
भार्गवाच्च्यवनाच्चापि वेदानङ्गोपबृंहितान्। प्रतिपेदे महाबुद्धिर्वसिष्ठाच्च यतव्रतात् ॥१२-३८-११॥
The great intellect received the Vedas, complete with their supplementary limbs, from Bhārgava, Cyavana, Vasiṣṭha, and the one of controlled vows.
पितामहसुतं ज्येष्ठं कुमारं दीप्ततेजसम्। अध्यात्मगतितत्त्वज्ञमुपाशिक्षत यः पुरा ॥१२-३८-१२॥
He who, in ancient times, instructed the eldest prince, the son of the grandfather, endowed with blazing splendor and knowledge of the truth of the path of the self.
मार्कण्डेयमुखात्कृत्स्नं यतिधर्ममवाप्तवान्। रामादस्त्राणि शक्राच्च प्राप्तवान्भरतर्षभ ॥१२-३८-१३॥
He learned the complete duties of an ascetic from Markandeya, and, O best of the Bharatas, he received weapons from Rama and Indra.
मृत्युरात्मेच्छया यस्य जातस्य मनुजेष्वपि। तथानपत्यस्य सतः पुण्यलोका दिवि श्रुताः ॥१२-३८-१४॥
It is heard that among men, death by one's own wish occurs; likewise, for one who is childless but virtuous, the worlds of merit in heaven are spoken of.
यस्य ब्रह्मर्षयः पुण्या नित्यमासन्सभासदः। यस्य नाविदितं किञ्चिज्ज्ञानज्ञेयेषु विद्यते ॥१२-३८-१५॥
In whose assembly the pure brahma-ṛṣis always resided, and for whom nothing remains unknown among knowledge and knowables.
स ते वक्ष्यति धर्मज्ञः सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित्। तमभ्येहि पुरा प्राणान्स विमुञ्चति धर्मवित् ॥१२-३८-१६॥
He, who knows the essence of subtle dharma and artha, will explain it to you. Go to him before he, the knower of dharma, passes away.
एवमुक्तस्तु कौन्तेयो दीर्घप्रज्ञो महाद्युतिः। उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठं व्यासं सत्यवतीसुतम् ॥१२-३८-१७॥
Thus addressed, the wise and illustrious son of Kunti spoke to Vyāsa, the best among speakers and son of Satyavatī.
वैशसं सुमहत्कृत्वा ज्ञातीनां लोमहर्षणम्। आगस्कृत्सर्वलोकस्य पृथिवीनाशकारकः ॥१२-३८-१८॥
Having perpetrated a tremendous massacre that horrified his kinsmen, he became a sinner in the eyes of all worlds and the cause of the earth's destruction.
घातयित्वा तमेवाजौ छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम्। उपसम्प्रष्टुमर्हामि तमहं केन हेतुना ॥१२-३८-१९॥
By what reason am I worthy to approach him, having caused only him, who fights honestly, to be killed in battle by deceit?
ततस्तं नृपतिश्रेष्ठं चातुर्वर्ण्यहितेप्सया। पुनराह महाबाहुर्यदुश्रेष्ठो महाद्युतिः ॥१२-३८-२०॥
Then the mighty-armed, illustrious best of the Yadus, again addressed that foremost of kings, wishing for the welfare of the four orders.
नेदानीमतिनिर्बन्धं शोके कर्तुमिहार्हसि। यदाह भगवान्व्यासस्तत्कुरुष्व नृपोत्तम ॥१२-३८-२१॥
Now, you should not persist excessively in grief here. Do what the venerable Vyāsa has said, O best of kings.
ब्राह्मणास्त्वां महाबाहो भ्रातरश्च महौजसः। पर्जन्यमिव घर्मार्ता आशंसाना उपासते ॥१२-३८-२२॥
Brāhmaṇas and your powerful brothers, O mighty-armed one, worship you with hope, just as those suffering from heat long for the rain-cloud.
हतशिष्टाश्च राजानः कृत्स्नं चैव समागतम्। चातुर्वर्ण्यं महाराज राष्ट्रं ते कुरुजाङ्गलम् ॥१२-३८-२३॥
O great king, the surviving kings and the entire assembled fourfold society—your kingdom is the Kuru-jāṅgala.
प्रियार्थमपि चैतेषां ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम्। नियोगादस्य च गुरोर्व्यासस्यामिततेजसः ॥१२-३८-२४॥
Even for the sake of affection for these Brāhmaṇas of great soul, and by the command of the teacher Vyāsa of immeasurable brilliance.
सुहृदां चास्मदादीनां द्रौपद्याश्च परन्तप। कुरु प्रियममित्रघ्न लोकस्य च हितं कुरु ॥१२-३८-२५॥
O Parantapa, do what is pleasing to your friends, to us, and to Draupadī, and also act for the welfare of the people, O destroyer of enemies.
एवमुक्तस्तु कृष्णेन राजा राजीवलोचनः। हितार्थं सर्वलोकस्य समुत्तस्थौ महातपाः ॥१२-३८-२६॥
When Kṛṣṇa had spoken thus, the lotus-eyed king, the great ascetic, arose for the welfare of all beings.
सोऽनुनीतो नरव्याघ्रो विष्टरश्रवसा स्वयम्। द्वैपायनेन च तथा देवस्थानेन जिष्णुना ॥१२-३८-२७॥
He, the tiger among men, was persuaded by Viṣṭaraśravas himself, as well as by Dvaipāyana, Devasthāna, and Jiṣṇu (Arjuna).
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिरनुनीतो युधिष्ठिरः। व्यजहान्मानसं दुःखं सन्तापं च महामनाः ॥१२-३८-२८॥
Consoled by these and many others, Yudhishthira, the great-minded, abandoned his mental sorrow and affliction.
श्रुतवाक्यः श्रुतनिधिः श्रुतश्रव्यविशारदः। व्यवस्य मनसः शान्तिमगच्छत्पाण्डुनन्दनः ॥१२-३८-२९॥
O son of Pāṇḍu, who is renowned for his words, a treasure of knowledge, and an expert in all that is heard and to be heard, having resolved in his mind, attained peace.
स तैः परिवृतो राजा नक्षत्रैरिव चन्द्रमाः। धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य स्वपुरं प्रविवेश ह ॥१२-३८-३०॥
He, surrounded by them like the moon by stars, entered his own city with Dhritarashtra at the forefront.
प्रविविक्षुः स धर्मज्ञः कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। अर्चयामास देवांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्च सहस्रशः ॥१२-३८-३१॥
Desiring to enter, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti and knower of dharma, worshipped the gods and thousands of Brahmanas.
ततो रथं नवं शुभ्रं कम्बलाजिनसंवृतम्। युक्तं षोडशभिर्गोभिः पाण्डुरैः शुभलक्षणैः ॥१२-३८-३२॥
Then there appeared a new, bright chariot, covered with blankets and animal skins, yoked with sixteen white bulls of auspicious marks.
मन्त्रैरभ्यर्चितः पुण्यैः स्तूयमानो महर्षिभिः। आरुरोह यथा देवः सोमोऽमृतमयं रथम् ॥१२-३८-३३॥
Worshipped with hymns and praised by the meritorious and great sages, he ascended just as the god Soma ascends his chariot of nectar.
जग्राह रश्मीन्कौन्तेयो भीमो भीमपराक्रमः। अर्जुनः पाण्डुरं छत्रं धारयामास भानुमत् ॥१२-३८-३४॥
Bhima, the mighty son of Kunti, took hold of the reins, while Arjuna held aloft the shining white umbrella.
ध्रियमाणं तु तच्छत्रं पाण्डुरं तस्य मूर्धनि। शुशुभे तारकाराजसितमभ्रमिवाम्बरे ॥१२-३८-३५॥
But that white umbrella, held above his head, shone like a cloud illuminated by the moon, the king of stars, in the sky.
चामरव्यजने चास्य वीरौ जगृहतुस्तदा। चन्द्ररश्मिप्रभे शुभ्रे माद्रीपुत्रावलङ्कृते ॥१२-३८-३६॥
At that time, the two heroes held yak-tail fans for him; the son of Mādrī, adorned and bright as moonbeams, was present.
ते पञ्च रथमास्थाय भ्रातरः समलङ्कृताः। भूतानीव समस्तानि राजन्ददृशिरे तदा ॥१२-३८-३७॥
O king, then those five well-adorned brothers, having mounted the chariot, appeared as if they were all beings themselves.
आस्थाय तु रथं शुभ्रं युक्तमश्वैर्महाजवैः। अन्वयात्पृष्ठतो राजन्युयुत्सुः पाण्डवाग्रजम् ॥१२-३८-३८॥
But, O king, desiring battle, he mounted his white chariot yoked with swift horses and followed the eldest of the Pāṇḍavas from behind.
रथं हेममयं शुभ्रं सैन्यसुग्रीवयोजितम्। सह सात्यकिना कृष्णः समास्थायान्वयात्कुरून् ॥१२-३८-३९॥
Kṛṣṇa, along with Sātyaki, mounted the bright golden chariot yoked by the army-chief and advanced towards the Kurus.
नरयानेन तु ज्येष्ठः पिता पार्थस्य भारत। अग्रतो धर्मराजस्य गान्धारीसहितो ययौ ॥१२-३८-४०॥
O Bhārata, the eldest, the father of Pārtha, went ahead of Dharmarāja in a chariot, accompanied by Gāndhārī.
कुरुस्त्रियश्च ताः सर्वाः कुन्ती कृष्णा च द्रौपदी। यानैरुच्चावचैर्जग्मुर्विदुरेण पुरस्कृताः ॥१२-३८-४१॥
All the Kuru women, including Kuntī, Kṛṣṇā, and Draupadī, proceeded in various vehicles, with Vidura leading them.
ततो रथाश्च बहुला नागाश्च समलङ्कृताः। पादाताश्च हयाश्चैव पृष्ठतः समनुव्रजन् ॥१२-३८-४२॥
Then, well-adorned chariots, numerous elephants, foot-soldiers, and horses followed together from behind.
ततो वैतालिकैः सूतैर्मागधैश्च सुभाषितैः। स्तूयमानो ययौ राजा नगरं नागसाह्वयम् ॥१२-३८-४३॥
Then, as he was praised with eloquent words by bards, charioteers, and Māgadhas, the king proceeded to the city called Nāgasāhvaya.
तत्प्रयाणं महाबाहोर्बभूवाप्रतिमं भुवि। आकुलाकुलमुत्सृष्टं हृष्टपुष्टजनान्वितम् ॥१२-३८-४४॥
The departure of the mighty-armed was unmatched on earth, filled with great commotion, as it was left behind and accompanied by joyful and robust people.
अभियाने तु पार्थस्य नरैर्नगरवासिभिः। नगरं राजमार्गश्च यथावत्समलङ्कृतम् ॥१२-३८-४५॥
But during Pārtha's expedition, the city and the royal road were properly and splendidly decorated by the city-dwellers and other men.
पाण्डुरेण च माल्येन पताकाभिश्च वेदिभिः। संवृतो राजमार्गश्च धूपनैश्च सुधूपितः ॥१२-३८-४६॥
The royal road was covered with white decorations and garlands, adorned with flags and altars, and was well-perfumed with incense.
अथ चूर्णैश्च गन्धानां नानापुष्पैः प्रियङ्गुभिः। माल्यदामभिरासक्तै राजवेश्माभिसंवृतम् ॥१२-३८-४७॥
Then, the area was adorned with powders, fragrances, various flowers, Priyangu flowers, and garland-strings, and was enclosed by royal mansions.
कुम्भाश्च नगरद्वारि वारिपूर्णा दृढा नवाः। कन्याः सुमनसश्छागाः स्थापितास्तत्र तत्र ह ॥१२-३८-४८॥
Water-pots filled with water, firm and new, were placed at the city gate; maidens, flowers, and goats were also stationed here and there.
तथा स्वलङ्कृतद्वारं नगरं पाण्डुनन्दनः। स्तूयमानः शुभैर्वाक्यैः प्रविवेश सुहृद्वृतः ॥१२-३८-४९॥
Thus, the son of Pāṇḍu, surrounded by friends and praised with auspicious words, entered the city whose gate was beautifully adorned.
