12.054
Pancharatra: Being enquired by Krishna, Bhishma says his intellect has stabilized by the boon granted to him. Krishna requests him to teach eternal dharma, which is as authentic as the Vedas themselves.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
janamejaya uvāca॥
[जनमेजय (janamejaya) - Janamejaya; (a proper noun, name of a king); उवाच (uvāca) - said; (from the root 'vac', to speak);]
(Janamejaya said;)
Janamejaya said.
धर्मात्मनि महासत्त्वे सत्यसन्धे जितात्मनि। देवव्रते महाभागे शरतल्पगतेऽच्युते ॥१२-५४-१॥
dharmātmani mahāsattve satyasaṃdhe jitātmani। devavrate mahābhāge śaratalpagate'cyute ॥12-54-1॥
[धर्मात्मनि (dharmātmani) - in the one whose soul is righteousness; महासत्त्वे (mahāsattve) - in the one of great courage; सत्यसन्धे (satyasaṃdhe) - in the one firm in truth; जितात्मनि (jitātmani) - in the one who has conquered the self; देवव्रते (devavrate) - in the one devoted to divine vows; महाभागे (mahābhāge) - in the greatly fortunate one; शरतल्पगते (śaratalpagate) - in the one lying on the bed of arrows; अच्युते (acyute) - in the infallible one;]
(In the one whose soul is righteousness, in the one of great courage, in the one firm in truth, in the one who has conquered the self, in the one devoted to divine vows, in the greatly fortunate one, in the one lying on the bed of arrows, in the infallible one.)
In the infallible Bhīṣma, whose soul is righteousness, of great courage, firm in truth, self-conquered, devoted to divine vows, greatly fortunate, and lying on the bed of arrows.
शयाने वीरशयने भीष्मे शन्तनुनन्दने। गाङ्गेये पुरुषव्याघ्रे पाण्डवैः पर्युपस्थिते ॥१२-५४-२॥
śayāne vīraśayane bhīṣme śantanunandane। gāṅgeye puruṣavyāghre pāṇḍavaiḥ paryupasthite ॥12-54-2॥
[शयाने (śayāne) - lying; वीरशयने (vīraśayane) - on the hero's bed; भीष्मे (bhīṣme) - Bhīṣma; शन्तनुनन्दने (śantanunandane) - son of Śantanu; गाङ्गेये (gāṅgeye) - son of Gaṅgā; पुरुषव्याघ्रे (puruṣavyāghre) - tiger among men; पाण्डवैः (pāṇḍavaiḥ) - by the Pāṇḍavas; पर्युपस्थिते (paryupasthite) - being surrounded;]
(When Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, the son of Gaṅgā, the tiger among men, was lying on the hero's bed, being surrounded by the Pāṇḍavas.)
When Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu and Gaṅgā, the tiger among men, was lying on his bed of arrows, surrounded by the Pāṇḍavas.
काः कथाः समवर्तन्त तस्मिन्वीरसमागमे। हतेषु सर्वसैन्येषु तन्मे शंस महामुने ॥१२-५४-३॥
kāḥ kathāḥ samavartanta tasmin vīrasamāgame। hateṣu sarvasainyeṣu tan me śaṁsa mahāmune ॥12-54-3॥
[काः (kāḥ) - which; (feminine plural nominative) कथाः (kathāḥ) - stories; (feminine plural nominative) समवर्तन्त (samavartanta) - arose; (3rd person plural imperfect) तस्मिन् (tasmin) - in that; (locative singular masculine/neuter) वीरसमागमे (vīrasamāgame) - gathering of heroes; (locative singular masculine) हतेषु (hateṣu) - when slain; (locative plural masculine) सर्वसैन्येषु (sarvasainyeṣu) - in all armies; (locative plural neuter) तत् (tat) - that; (neuter nominative/accusative singular) मे (me) - to me; (dative singular first person pronoun) शंस (śaṁsa) - tell; (imperative singular) महामुने (mahāmune) - O great sage; (vocative singular masculine);]
(Which stories arose in that gathering of heroes, when all the armies were slain? That, tell me, O great sage.)
O great sage, tell me what stories arose in that assembly of heroes when all the armies had been slain.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; (name of the sage); उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaiśampāyana said;)
Vaiśampāyana said.
शरतल्पगते भीष्मे कौरवाणां धुरन्धरे। आजग्मुरृषयः सिद्धा नारदप्रमुखा नृप ॥१२-५४-४॥
śaratalpagate bhīṣme kauravāṇāṃ dhurandhare। ājagmur ṛṣayaḥ siddhā nāradapramukhā nṛpa ॥12-54-4॥
[शरतल्पगते (śaratalpagate) - when lying on a bed of arrows; भीष्मे (bhīṣme) - in Bhīṣma; कौरवाणां (kauravāṇāṃ) - of the Kauravas; धुरन्धरे (dhurandhare) - the chief supporter; आजग्मुः (ājagmuḥ) - came; ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ) - the sages; सिद्धाः (siddhāḥ) - the perfected beings; नारदप्रमुखाः (nāradapramukhāḥ) - headed by Nārada; नृप (nṛpa) - O king;]
(O king, when Bhīṣma, the chief supporter of the Kauravas, was lying on a bed of arrows, the sages and perfected beings, headed by Nārada, came.)
O king, as Bhīṣma, the foremost among the Kauravas, lay upon his bed of arrows, sages and perfected beings led by Nārada arrived.
हतशिष्टाश्च राजानो युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः। धृतराष्ट्रश्च कृष्णश्च भीमार्जुनयमास्तथा ॥१२-५४-५॥
hataśiṣṭāś ca rājāno yudhiṣṭhira-purogamāḥ। dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca kṛṣṇaś ca bhīma-arjuna-yamās tathā ॥12-54-5॥
[हतशिष्टाः (hataśiṣṭāḥ) - those remaining after being slain; (i.e., survivors after the rest were killed); च (ca) - and; राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः (yudhiṣṭhira-purogamāḥ) - headed by Yudhishthira; धृतराष्ट्रः (dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ) - Dhritarashtra; च (ca) - and; कृष्णः (kṛṣṇaḥ) - Krishna; च (ca) - and; भीमार्जुनयमाः (bhīma-arjuna-yamāḥ) - Bhima, Arjuna, and Yama (Yudhishthira); तथा (tathā) - also;]
(And the kings who survived after the rest were slain, headed by Yudhishthira; and Dhritarashtra, and Krishna, and also Bhima, Arjuna, and Yama (Yudhishthira).)
The surviving kings, led by Yudhishthira, along with Dhritarashtra, Krishna, Bhima, Arjuna, and Yudhishthira, were present.
तेऽभिगम्य महात्मानो भरतानां पितामहम्। अन्वशोचन्त गाङ्गेयमादित्यं पतितं यथा ॥१२-५४-६॥
te'bhigamya mahātmāno bharatānāṃ pitāmaham। anvaśocanta gāṅgeyamadityaṃ patitaṃ yathā ॥12-54-6॥
[ते (te) - they; अभिगम्य (abhigamya) - having approached; महात्मानः (mahātmānaḥ) - great-souled ones; भरतानाम् (bharatānām) - of the Bharatas; पितामहम् (pitāmaham) - the grandsire; अन्वशोचन्त (anvaśocanta) - lamented after; गाङ्गेयम् (gāṅgeyam) - son of Ganga; आदित्यम् (ādityam) - sun-like; पतितम् (patitam) - fallen; यथा (yathā) - as; ॥१२-५४-६॥ (॥12-54-6॥) -;]
(They, having approached the great-souled grandsire of the Bharatas, lamented after Gāṅgeya, sun-like, fallen as (he was).)
They approached the great-souled grandsire of the Bharatas and mourned Gāṅgeya, who had fallen like the sun.
मुहूर्तमिव च ध्यात्वा नारदो देवदर्शनः। उवाच पाण्डवान्सर्वान्हतशिष्टांश्च पार्थिवान् ॥१२-५४-७॥
muhūrtam iva ca dhyātvā nārado devadarśanaḥ। uvāca pāṇḍavān sarvān hataśiṣṭāṃś ca pārthivān ॥12-54-7॥
[मुहूर्तम् (muhūrtam) - a moment; इव (iva) - like; च (ca) - and; ध्यात्वा (dhyātvā) - having meditated; नारदः (nāradaḥ) - Nārada; देवदर्शनः (devadarśanaḥ) - having the vision of the gods; उवाच (uvāca) - said; पाण्डवान् (pāṇḍavān) - the Pāṇḍavas; सर्वान् (sarvān) - all; हतशिष्टान् (hataśiṣṭān) - those remaining after being slain; च (ca) - and; पार्थिवान् (pārthivān) - kings;]
(Having meditated for a moment, Nārada, who has the vision of the gods, said to all the Pāṇḍavas and the kings who survived after being slain.)
After meditating for a moment, Nārada, the sage with divine vision, addressed all the Pāṇḍavas and the surviving kings.
प्राप्तकालं च आचक्षे भीष्मोऽयमनुयुज्यताम्। अस्तमेति हि गाङ्गेयो भानुमानिव भारत ॥१२-५४-८॥
prāptakālaṃ ca ācakṣe bhīṣmo'yanuyujyatām। astameti hi gāṅgeyo bhānumāniva bhārata ॥12-54-8॥
[प्राप्तकालं (prāptakālam) - attained time; च (ca) - and; आचक्षे (ācakṣe) - I declare; भीष्मः (bhīṣmaḥ) - Bhishma; अयम् (ayam) - this; अनुयुज्यताम् (anuyujyatām) - let him be urged; अस्तम् (astam) - to setting; एति (eti) - goes; हि (hi) - indeed; गाङ्गेयः (gāṅgeyaḥ) - son of Ganga; भानुमान् (bhānumān) - the sun; इव (iva) - like; भारत (bhārata) - O Bharata;]
(Attained time and I declare, Bhishma—this one—let him be urged. To setting goes indeed the son of Ganga, like the sun, O Bharata.)
O Bharata, I declare that the time has come; let Bhishma be urged, for the son of Ganga is going to his setting, like the sun.
अयं प्राणानुत्सिसृक्षुस्तं सर्वेऽभ्येत्य पृच्छत। कृत्स्नान्हि विविधान्धर्मांश्चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य वेत्त्ययम् ॥१२-५४-९॥
ayaṃ prāṇān utsisṛkṣus taṃ sarve'bhyetya pṛcchata। kṛtsnān hi vividhān dharmāṃś cāturvarṇyasya vetty ayam ॥12-54-9॥
[अयम् (ayam) - this; प्राणान् (prāṇān) - lives; उत्सिसृक्षुः (utsisṛkṣuḥ) - desiring to give up; तम् (tam) - him; सर्वे (sarve) - all; अभ्येत्य (abhyetya) - having approached; पृच्छत (pṛcchata) - asked; कृत्स्नान् (kṛtsnān) - all; हि (hi) - indeed; विविधान् (vividhān) - various; धर्मान् (dharmān) - duties; चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य (cāturvarṇyasya) - of the fourfold order; वेत्य (vetti) - knows; अयम् (ayam) - this;]
(This, desiring to give up his lives, all having approached him, asked. For indeed, all various duties of the fourfold order this one knows.)
All approached this one, who was desiring to give up his life, and asked him, for he indeed knows all the various duties of the fourfold order.
एष वृद्धः पुरा लोकान्सम्प्राप्नोति तनुत्यजाम्। तं शीघ्रमनुयुञ्जध्वं संशयान्मनसि स्थितान् ॥१२-५४-१०॥
eṣa vṛddhaḥ purā lokān samprāpnoti tanutya-jām। taṃ śīghram anuyuñjadhvaṃ saṃśayān manasi sthitān ॥12-54-10॥
[एष (eṣa) - this; वृद्धः (vṛddhaḥ) - old man; पुरा (purā) - formerly; लोकान् (lokān) - worlds; सम्प्राप्नोति (samprāpnoti) - attains; तनुत्यजाम् (tanutyajām) - of those who have left the body; तं (taṃ) - him; शीघ्रम् (śīghram) - quickly; अनुयुञ्जध्वं (anuyuñjadhvaṃ) - pursue; संशयान् (saṃśayān) - doubts; मनसि (manasi) - in the mind; स्थितान् (sthitān) - remaining;]
(This old man formerly attains the worlds of those who have left the body. Quickly pursue him, (removing) the doubts remaining in the mind.)
This old man once attained the worlds of those who have left their bodies. Quickly pursue him, dispelling any doubts that remain in your mind.
एवमुक्ता नारदेन भीष्ममीयुर्नराधिपाः। प्रष्टुं चाशक्नुवन्तस्ते वीक्षां चक्रुः परस्परम् ॥१२-५४-११॥
evamuktā nāradena bhīṣmamīyur narādhipāḥ। praṣṭuṃ cāśaknuvantas te vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ parasparam ॥12-54-11॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; उक्ता (uktā) - having been addressed; नारदेन (nāradena) - by Nārada; भीष्मम् (bhīṣmam) - to Bhīṣma; ईयुः (īyur) - went; नराधिपाः (narādhipāḥ) - the kings; प्रष्टुम् (praṣṭum) - to ask; च (ca) - and; अशक्नुवन्तः (aśaknuvantaḥ) - being unable; ते (te) - they; वीक्षाम् (vīkṣām) - glance; चक्रुः (cakruḥ) - made; परस्परम् (parasparam) - at each other;]
(Thus having been addressed by Nārada, the kings went to Bhīṣma; to ask (him), and being unable, they made glances at each other.)
Thus addressed by Nārada, the kings went to Bhīṣma; wishing to ask him, but being unable, they glanced at each other.
अथोवाच हृषीकेशं पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नान्यस्त्वद्देवकीपुत्र शक्तः प्रष्टुं पितामहम् ॥१२-५४-१२॥
athovāca hṛṣīkeśaṃ pāṇḍuputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। nānyastvaddevakīputra śaktaḥ praṣṭuṃ pitāmaham ॥12-54-12॥
[अथ (atha) - now; then; उवाच (uvāca) - said; हृषीकेशम् (hṛṣīkeśam) - to Hṛṣīkeśa (Kṛṣṇa); पाण्डुपुत्रः (pāṇḍuputraḥ) - the son of Pāṇḍu; युधिष्ठिरः (yudhiṣṭhiraḥ) - Yudhiṣṭhira; न (na) - not; अन्यः (anyaḥ) - other; त्वत् (tvat) - than you; देवकीपुत्र (devakīputra) - O son of Devakī (Kṛṣṇa); शक्तः (śaktaḥ) - capable; प्रष्टुम् (praṣṭum) - to ask; पितामहम् (pitāmaham) - the grandsire (Bhīṣma);]
(Then said to Hṛṣīkeśa the son of Pāṇḍu, Yudhiṣṭhira: Not any other than you, O son of Devakī, is capable to ask the grandsire.)
Then Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Pāṇḍu, said to Hṛṣīkeśa: "O son of Devakī, no one but you is capable of questioning the grandsire (Bhīṣma)."
प्रव्याहारय दुर्धर्ष त्वमग्रे मधुसूदन। त्वं हि नस्तात सर्वेषां सर्वधर्मविदुत्तमः ॥१२-५४-१३॥
pravyāhāraya durdharṣa tvam agre madhusūdana। tvaṃ hi nas tāta sarveṣāṃ sarvadharmaviduttamaḥ ॥12-54-13॥
[प्रव्याहारय (pravyāhāraya) - utter forth; दुर्धर्ष (durdharṣa) - O unassailable one; त्वम् (tvam) - you; अग्रे (agre) - in front; मधुसूदन (madhusūdana) - O Madhusūdana; त्वम् (tvam) - you; हि (hi) - indeed; नः (naḥ) - our; तात (tāta) - dear one; सर्वेषाम् (sarveṣām) - of all; सर्वधर्मविदुत्तमः (sarvadharmaviduttamaḥ) - the foremost knower of all dharmas;]
(Utter forth, O unassailable one, you in front, O Madhusūdana. You indeed are our dear one, of all, the foremost knower of all dharmas.)
Speak out, O unconquerable Madhusūdana, you go ahead. For you, dear one, are the foremost knower of all dharmas among us all.
एवमुक्तः पाण्डवेन भगवान्केशवस्तदा। अभिगम्य दुराधर्षं प्रव्याहारयदच्युतः ॥१२-५४-१४॥
evam-uktaḥ pāṇḍavena bhagavān keśavas tadā। abhigamya durādharṣaṃ pravyāhārayad acyutaḥ ॥12-54-14॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; उक्तः (uktaḥ) - having been spoken; पाण्डवेन (pāṇḍavena) - by the son of Pāṇḍu; भगवान् (bhagavān) - the revered one; केशवः (keśavaḥ) - Keśava; तदा (tadā) - then; अभिगम्य (abhigamya) - having approached; दुराधर्षम् (durādharṣam) - the unassailable; प्रव्याहारयत् (pravyāhārayat) - uttered; अच्युतः (acyutaḥ) - Acyuta;]
(Thus having been spoken by the son of Pāṇḍu, the revered one Keśava then, having approached the unassailable, Acyuta uttered.)
Thus, when addressed in this way by the son of Pāṇḍu, the revered Keśava, Acyuta, approached the unassailable one and spoke.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
vāsudeva uvāca॥
[वासुदेव (vāsudeva) - Vāsudeva; (name of Kṛṣṇa) उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vāsudeva said;)
Vāsudeva said.
कच्चित्सुखेन रजनी व्युष्टा ते राजसत्तम। विस्पष्टलक्षणा बुद्धिः कच्चिच्चोपस्थिता तव ॥१२-५४-१५॥
kaccitsuḵhena rajanī vyuṣṭā te rājasattama। vispaṣṭalakṣaṇā buddhiḥ kacciccōpasthitā tava ॥12-54-15॥
[कच्चित् (kaccit) - whether; सुखेन (sukhena) - with ease; रजनी (rajanī) - night; व्युष्टा (vyuṣṭā) - passed; ते (te) - for you; राजसत्तम (rājasattama) - O best among kings; विस्पष्टलक्षणा (vispaṣṭalakṣaṇā) - with clear signs; बुद्धिः (buddhiḥ) - understanding; कच्चित् (kaccit) - whether; च (ca) - and; उपस्थिता (upasthitā) - has arisen; तव (tava) - for you;]
(Whether the night has passed with ease for you, O best among kings? Whether an understanding with clear signs has arisen for you?)
O best of kings, did you spend the night comfortably? And has a clear understanding arisen in you?
कच्चिज्ज्ञानानि सर्वाणि प्रतिभान्ति च तेऽनघ। न ग्लायते च हृदयं न च ते व्याकुलं मनः ॥१२-५४-१६॥
kaccijjñānāni sarvāṇi pratibhānti ca te'nagha। na glāyate ca hṛdayaṃ na ca te vyākulaṃ manaḥ ॥12-54-16॥
[कच्चित् (kaccit) - whether; ज्ञानानि (jñānāni) - knowledges; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; प्रतिभान्ति (pratibhānti) - appear; च (ca) - and; ते (te) - to you; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one; न (na) - not; ग्लायते (glāyate) - is weakened; च (ca) - and; हृदयं (hṛdayam) - heart; न (na) - not; च (ca) - and; ते (te) - your; व्याकुलं (vyākulaṃ) - agitated; मनः (manaḥ) - mind;]
(Whether all knowledges appear to you, O sinless one? Is your heart not weakened and is your mind not agitated?)
O sinless one, do all forms of knowledge present themselves to you? Is your heart steady and your mind untroubled?
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; (name of a person); उवाच (uvāca) - said; spoke;]
(Bhīṣma said;)
Bhīṣma said.
दाहो मोहः श्रमश्चैव क्लमो ग्लानिस्तथा रुजा। तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द सद्यो व्यपगतानघ ॥१२-५४-१७॥
dāho mohaḥ śramaścaiva klamo glānis tathā rujā। tava prasādād govinda sadyo vyapagatānagha ॥12-54-17॥
[दाहः (dāhaḥ) - burning; मोहः (mohaḥ) - delusion; श्रमः (śramaḥ) - fatigue; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; क्लमः (klamaḥ) - exhaustion; ग्लानिः (glāniḥ) - weakness; तथा (tathā) - also; रुजा (rujā) - pain; तव (tava) - your; प्रसादात् (prasādāt) - by grace; गोविन्द (govinda) - Govinda; सद्यः (sadyaḥ) - immediately; व्यपगताः (vyapagatāḥ) - dispelled; अनघ (anagha) - O sinless one;]
(Burning, delusion, fatigue, and indeed exhaustion, weakness also, pain—by your grace, O Govinda, immediately dispelled, O sinless one.)
Burning, delusion, fatigue, exhaustion, weakness, and pain were all immediately dispelled by your grace, O Govinda, O sinless one.
यच्च भूतं भविष्यच्च भवच्च परमद्युते। तत्सर्वमनुपश्यामि पाणौ फलमिवाहितम् ॥१२-५४-१८॥
yacca bhūtaṃ bhaviṣyacca bhavacca paramadyute। tatsarvamanupaśyāmi pāṇau phalamivāhitam ॥12-54-18॥
[यत् (yat) - which; च (ca) - and; भूतम् (bhūtam) - past; भविष्यत् (bhaviṣyat) - future; च (ca) - and; भवत् (bhavat) - present; च (ca) - and; परमद्युते (paramadyute) - O supremely radiant one; तत् (tat) - that; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; अनुपश्यामि (anupaśyāmi) - I see; पाणौ (pāṇau) - in (your) hand; फलम् (phalam) - fruit; इव (iva) - like; आहितम् (āhitam) - placed;]
(And which is past, and future, and present, O supremely radiant one, all that I see as placed in (your) hand like a fruit.)
O supremely radiant one, I see all that is past, future, and present as if it is placed in your hand like a fruit.
वेदोक्ताश्चैव ये धर्मा वेदान्तनिहिताश्च ये। तान्सर्वान्सम्प्रपश्यामि वरदानात्तवाच्युत ॥१२-५४-१९॥
vedoktāścaiva ye dharmā vedāntanihitāśca ye। tānsarvānsamprapaśyāmi varadānāttavācyuta ॥12-54-19॥
[वेदोक्ताः (vedoktāḥ) - spoken in the Veda; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; ये (ye) - which; धर्माः (dharmāḥ) - righteous duties; वेदान्तनिहिताः (vedāntanihitāḥ) - established in the Vedānta; च (ca) - and; ये (ye) - which; तान् (tān) - those; सर्वान् (sarvān) - all; सम्प्रपश्यामि (samprapaśyāmi) - I perceive completely; वरदानात् (varadānāt) - by the boon; तव (tava) - your; अच्युत (acyuta) - O Acyuta (unfailing one);]
(The righteous duties which are spoken in the Veda and those which are established in the Vedānta, all those I perceive completely by your boon, O Acyuta.)
O Acyuta, by your boon, I now perceive all the righteous duties spoken in the Veda and those established in the Vedānta.
शिष्टैश्च धर्मो यः प्रोक्तः स च मे हृदि वर्तते। देशजातिकुलानां च धर्मज्ञोऽस्मि जनार्दन ॥१२-५४-२०॥
śiṣṭaiś ca dharmo yaḥ proktaḥ sa ca me hṛdi vartate। deśa-jāti-kulānāṃ ca dharmajño'smi janārdana ॥12-54-20॥
[शिष्टैः (śiṣṭaiḥ) - by the learned; by the virtuous; by the noble; च (ca) - and; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - dharma; righteousness; law; यः (yaḥ) - which; who; प्रोक्तः (proktaḥ) - declared; spoken; taught; स (sa) - that; he; च (ca) - and; मे (me) - in me; my; हृदि (hṛdi) - in the heart; वर्तते (vartate) - abides; exists; देश (deśa) - region; country; जाति (jāti) - caste; birth; कुलानाम् (kulānām) - of families; of lineages; च (ca) - and; धर्मज्ञः (dharmajñaḥ) - knower of dharma; one who knows righteousness; अस्मि (asmi) - I am; जनार्दन (janārdana) - O Janardana; O Krishna;]
(And the dharma which has been declared by the learned, that also abides in my heart. Of the regions, castes, and families, I am a knower of dharma, O Janardana.)
O Janardana, the dharma declared by the learned also dwells in my heart. I am one who knows the dharma of regions, castes, and families.
चतुर्ष्वाश्रमधर्मेषु योऽर्थः स च हृदि स्थितः। राजधर्मांश्च सकलानवगच्छामि केशव ॥१२-५४-२१॥
caturṣvāśramadharmeṣu yo'rthaḥ sa ca hṛdi sthitaḥ। rājadharmāṃś ca sakalān avagacchāmi keśava ॥12-54-21॥
[चतुर्षु (caturṣu) - in the four; आश्रमधर्मेषु (āśramadharmeṣu) - in the duties of the āśramas; यः (yaḥ) - which; अर्थः (arthaḥ) - meaning; स (sa) - that; च (ca) - and; हृदि (hṛdi) - in the heart; स्थितः (sthitaḥ) - established; राजधर्मान् (rājadharmān) - kingly duties; च (ca) - and; सकलान् (sakalān) - all; अवगच्छामि (avagacchāmi) - I understand; केशव (keśava) - O Keśava;]
(In the four āśrama duties, that meaning is also established in the heart. And all the kingly duties, O Keśava, I understand.)
O Keśava, the meaning of the duties of the four āśramas is established in my heart, and I understand all the duties of a king.
यत्र यत्र च वक्तव्यं तद्वक्ष्यामि जनार्दन। तव प्रसादाद्धि शुभा मनो मे बुद्धिराविशत् ॥१२-५४-२२॥
yatra yatra ca vaktavyaṃ tadvakṣyāmi janārdana। tava prasādāddhi śubhā mano me buddhirāviśat ॥12-54-22॥
[यत्र (yatra) - wherever; यत्र (yatra) - wherever; च (ca) - and; वक्तव्यं (vaktavyam) - to be spoken; तत् (tat) - that; वक्ष्यामि (vakṣyāmi) - I shall say; जनार्दन (janārdana) - O Janardana; तव (tava) - your; प्रसादात् (prasādāt) - by grace; हि (hi) - indeed; शुभा (śubhā) - auspicious; मनो (mano) - mind; मे (me) - my; बुद्धिः (buddhiḥ) - intellect; आविशत् (āviśat) - entered;]
(Wherever wherever and to be spoken, that I shall say, O Janardana. By your grace indeed, auspicious mind my intellect entered.)
O Janardana, wherever and whenever something is to be spoken, I shall say that. By your grace, indeed, an auspicious mind and intellect have entered me.
युवेव चास्मि संवृत्तस्त्वदनुध्यानबृंहितः। वक्तुं श्रेयः समर्थोऽस्मि त्वत्प्रसादाज्जनार्दन ॥१२-५४-२३॥
yuveva cāsmi saṁvṛttastvadanudhyānabṛṁhitaḥ। vaktuṁ śreyaḥ samartho'smi tvatprasādājjanārdana ॥12-54-23॥
[युवा (yuvā) - young; इव (iva) - like; च (ca) - and; अस्मि (asmi) - I am; संवृत्तः (saṁvṛttaḥ) - become; त्वत् (tvat) - by you; अनुध्यान (anudhyāna) - by contemplation; बृंहितः (bṛṁhitaḥ) - strengthened; वक्तुम् (vaktum) - to speak; श्रेयः (śreyaḥ) - auspicious; समर्थः (samarthaḥ) - capable; अस्मि (asmi) - I am; त्वत् (tvat) - by you; प्रसादात् (prasādāt) - by grace; जनार्दन (janārdana) - O Janardana;]
(Like a youth, I have become, strengthened by your contemplation. To speak auspicious (words), I am capable by your grace, O Janardana.)
O Janardana, by your grace and through contemplation on you, I have become like a youth, strengthened and capable of speaking what is auspicious.
स्वयं किमर्थं तु भवाञ्श्रेयो न प्राह पाण्डवम्। किं ते विवक्षितं चात्र तदाशु वद माधव ॥१२-५४-२४॥
svayaṃ kimarthaṃ tu bhavāñśreyo na prāha pāṇḍavam। kiṃ te vivakṣitaṃ cātra tadāśu vada mādhava ॥12-54-24॥
[स्वयं (svayam) - oneself; by oneself; किमर्थं (kimartham) - for what reason; why; तु (tu) - but; however; भवान् (bhavān) - you (respectful); श्रेयो (śreyo) - better; superior; न (na) - not; प्राह (prāha) - said; spoke; पाण्डवम् (pāṇḍavam) - to the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna); किं (kiṃ) - what; ते (te) - your; विवक्षितं (vivakṣitam) - intended to be said; meant; च (ca) - and; अत्र (atra) - here; तत् (tat) - that; आशु (āśu) - quickly; at once; वद (vada) - speak; tell; माधव (mādhava) - O Mādhava (Krishna);]
(By yourself, for what reason, however, you did not say better (advice) to the Pāṇḍava. What is your intended meaning here? That, at once, speak, O Mādhava.)
Why did you yourself not tell the Pāṇḍava what is better? What did you intend here? Please tell that quickly, O Mādhava.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
vāsudeva uvāca॥
[वासुदेव (vāsudeva) - Vāsudeva; (a name of Kṛṣṇa) उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vāsudeva said;)
Vāsudeva said.
यशसः श्रेयसश्चैव मूलं मां विद्धि कौरव। मत्तः सर्वेऽभिनिर्वृत्ता भावाः सदसदात्मकाः ॥१२-५४-२५॥
yaśasaḥ śreyasaścaiva mūlaṃ māṃ viddhi kaurava। mattaḥ sarve'bhinirvṛttā bhāvāḥ sadasadātmakaāḥ ॥12-54-25॥
[यशसः (yaśasaḥ) - of fame; श्रेयसः (śreyasaḥ) - of excellence; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; मूलं (mūlam) - root; माम् (mām) - me; विद्धि (viddhi) - know; कौरव (kaurava) - O Kaurava; मत्तः (mattaḥ) - from me; सर्वे (sarve) - all; अभिनिर्वृत्ताः (abhinirvṛttāḥ) - have arisen; भावाः (bhāvāḥ) - entities; सत् (sat) - existent; असत् (asat) - non-existent; आत्मकाः (ātmakaāḥ) - of the nature of;]
(Of fame and of excellence, indeed, the root know me, O Kaurava; from me all entities of the nature of existent and non-existent have arisen.)
O Kaurava, know me as the root of both fame and excellence; from me all entities, both existent and non-existent, have arisen.
शीतांशुश्चन्द्र इत्युक्ते को लोके विस्मयिष्यति। तथैव यशसा पूर्णे मयि को विस्मयिष्यति ॥१२-५४-२६॥
śītāṃśuś candra ity ukte ko loke vismayiṣyati. tathaiva yaśasā pūrṇe mayi ko vismayiṣyati ॥12-54-26॥
[शीतांशुः (śītāṃśuḥ) - cool-rayed; (the moon); चन्द्रः (candraḥ) - moon; (shining one); इति (iti) - thus; (so); उक्ते (ukte) - when said; (having been spoken); कः (kaḥ) - who; (what person); लोके (loke) - in the world; (among people); विस्मयिष्यति (vismayiṣyati) - will be amazed; (will wonder); तथैव (tathaiva) - just so; (in the same way); यशसा (yaśasā) - by fame; (by glory); पूर्णे (pūrṇe) - full; (complete); मयि (mayi) - in me; (in myself); कः (kaḥ) - who; (what person); विस्मयिष्यति (vismayiṣyati) - will be amazed; (will wonder);]
(When it is said 'the cool-rayed moon', who in the world will be amazed? In the same way, when I am full of fame, who will be amazed at me?)
When one says 'the cool-rayed moon', who in the world is surprised? Likewise, when I am full of fame, who would be amazed at me?
आधेयं तु मया भूयो यशस्तव महाद्युते। ततो मे विपुला बुद्धिस्त्वयि भीष्म समाहिता ॥१२-५४-२७॥
ādheyaṃ tu mayā bhūyo yaśas tava mahādyute। tato me vipulā buddhis tvayi bhīṣma samāhitā ॥12-54-27॥
[आधेयं (ādheyaṃ) - to be placed; तु (tu) - but; मया (mayā) - by me; भूयः (bhūyaḥ) - again; यशः (yaśas) - glory; तव (tava) - your; महाद्युते (mahādyute) - O greatly radiant one; ततः (tataḥ) - then; मे (me) - my; विपुला (vipulā) - great; बुद्धिः (buddhiḥ) - intellect; त्वयि (tvayi) - in you; भीष्म (bhīṣma) - O Bhīṣma; समाहिता (samāhitā) - concentrated;]
(But to be placed again by me is your glory, O greatly radiant one. Then my great intellect is concentrated in you, O Bhīṣma.)
But your glory, O greatly radiant one, is to be established again by me. Therefore, my great intellect is now focused on you, O Bhīṣma.
यावद्धि पृथिवीपाल पृथिवी स्थास्यते ध्रुवा। तावत्तवाक्षया कीर्तिर्लोकाननु चरिष्यति ॥१२-५४-२८॥
yāvad dhi pṛthivī-pāla pṛthivī sthāsyate dhruvā। tāvat tavākṣayā kīrtir lokān anu cariṣyati॥12-54-28॥
[यावत् (yāvat) - as long as; हि (hi) - indeed; पृथिवीपाल (pṛthivī-pāla) - O protector of the earth; पृथिवी (pṛthivī) - the earth; स्थास्यते (sthāsyate) - will remain; ध्रुवा (dhruvā) - steadfast; तावत् (tāvat) - so long; तव (tava) - your; अक्षया (akṣayā) - imperishable; कीर्तिः (kīrtiḥ) - fame; लोकान् (lokān) - worlds; अनु (anu) - throughout; चरिष्यति (cariṣyati) - will move;]
(As long as, indeed, O protector of the earth, the earth will remain steadfast, so long your imperishable fame will move throughout the worlds.)
O protector of the earth, as long as the earth endures, your imperishable fame will be celebrated throughout the worlds.
यच्च त्वं वक्ष्यसे भीष्म पाण्डवायानुपृच्छते। वेदप्रवादा इव ते स्थास्यन्ति वसुधातले ॥१२-५४-२९॥
yacca tvaṃ vakṣyase bhīṣma pāṇḍavāyānupṛcchate। vedapravādā iva te sthāsyanti vasudhātale ॥12-54-29॥
[यत् (yat) - which; च (ca) - and; त्वम् (tvam) - you; वक्ष्यसे (vakṣyase) - will say; भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhīṣma; पाण्डवाय (pāṇḍavāya) - to Pāṇḍava; अनुपृच्छते (anupṛcchate) - who is asking; वेदप्रवादा (vedapravādā) - Vedic utterances; इव (iva) - like; ते (te) - your; स्थास्यन्ति (sthāsyanti) - will remain; वसुधातले (vasudhātale) - on the surface of the earth;]
(And that which you, Bhīṣma, will say to Pāṇḍava who is asking, your words will remain on the surface of the earth like Vedic utterances.)
Whatever you, Bhīṣma, speak to Pāṇḍava who is inquiring, your words will endure on earth like the declarations of the Vedas.
यश्चैतेन प्रमाणेन योक्ष्यत्यात्मानमात्मना। स फलं सर्वपुण्यानां प्रेत्य चानुभविष्यति ॥१२-५४-३०॥
yaś caitena pramāṇena yokṣyaty ātmānam ātmanā। sa phalaṃ sarvapuṇyānāṃ pretya cānubhaviṣyati ॥12-54-30॥
[यः (yaḥ) - who; च (ca) - and; एतेन (etena) - by this; प्रमाणेन (pramāṇena) - by the measure; योक्ष्यति (yokṣyati) - will restrain; आत्मानम् (ātmānam) - the self; आत्मना (ātmanā) - by the self; सः (saḥ) - he; फलं (phalaṃ) - fruit; सर्वपुण्यानाम् (sarvapuṇyānām) - of all merits; प्रेत्य (pretya) - having departed; च (ca) - and; अनुभविष्यति (anubhaviṣyati) - will experience;]
(Who and by this measure will restrain the self by the self, he the fruit of all merits having departed and will experience.)
Whoever restrains himself by himself according to this measure, he will experience, after death, the fruit of all merits.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्भीष्म मतिर्दिव्या मया हि ते। दत्ता यशो विप्रथेत कथं भूयस्तवेति ह ॥१२-५४-३१॥
etasmātkāraṇādbhīṣma matirdivyā mayā hi te। dattā yaśo vipratheta kathaṃ bhūyastaveti ha ॥12-54-31॥
[एतस्मात् (etasmāt) - from this; कारणात् (kāraṇāt) - reason; भीष्म (bhīṣma) - O Bhīṣma; मतिः (matiḥ) - intellect; दिव्या (divyā) - divine; मया (mayā) - by me; हि (hi) - indeed; ते (te) - to you; दत्ता (dattā) - given; यशः (yaśaḥ) - fame; विप्रथेत (vipratheta) - may spread; कथम् (katham) - how; भूयः (bhūyaḥ) - further; तव (tava) - your; इति (iti) - thus; ह (ha) - indeed;]
(O Bhīṣma, for this reason, a divine intellect has indeed been given to you by me. May your fame spread further—thus indeed.)
O Bhīṣma, for this reason, I have granted you divine intellect. May your fame spread even more—thus it is.
यावद्धि प्रथते लोके पुरुषस्य यशो भुवि। तावत्तस्याक्षयं स्थानं भवतीति विनिश्चितम् ॥१२-५४-३२॥
yāvad dhi prathate loke puruṣasya yaśo bhuvi। tāvat tasyākṣayaṃ sthānaṃ bhavatīti viniścitam ॥12-54-32॥
[यावत् (yāvat) - as long as; हि (hi) - indeed; प्रथते (prathate) - spreads; लोके (loke) - in the world; पुरुषस्य (puruṣasya) - of a man; यशः (yaśaḥ) - fame; भुवि (bhuvi) - on earth; तावत् (tāvat) - so long; तस्य (tasya) - his; अक्षयम् (akṣayam) - undecaying; स्थानम् (sthānam) - state; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; इति (iti) - thus; विनिश्चितम् (viniścitam) - ascertained;]
(As long indeed as the fame of a man spreads in the world on earth, so long his undecaying state exists—thus it is ascertained.)
It is certain that as long as a man's fame spreads in the world, his undiminished status endures.
राजानो हतशिष्टास्त्वां राजन्नभित आसते। धर्माननुयुयुक्षन्तस्तेभ्यः प्रब्रूहि भारत ॥१२-५४-३३॥
rājāno hataśiṣṭāstvāṃ rājannabhita āsate। dharmān anuyuyukṣantas tebhyaḥ prabrūhi bhārata ॥12-54-33॥
[राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; हतशिष्टाः (hataśiṣṭāḥ) - those remaining after being defeated; त्वाम् (tvām) - you; राजन् (rājan) - O king; अभितः (abhitaḥ) - all around; आसते (āsate) - are seated; धर्मान् (dharmān) - righteous duties; अनुयुयुक्षन्तः (anuyuyukṣantaḥ) - desiring to understand; तेभ्यः (tebhyaḥ) - to them; प्रब्रूहि (prabrūhi) - declare; भारत (bhārata) - O Bhārata;]
(Kings, those remaining after being defeated, you, O king, all around are seated; righteous duties desiring to understand, to them declare, O Bhārata.)
O Bhārata, the kings who have survived after defeat are seated all around you, O king, desiring to understand righteous duties; declare (them) to them.
भवान्हि वयसा वृद्धः श्रुताचारसमन्वितः। कुशलो राजधर्माणां पूर्वेषामपराश्च ये ॥१२-५४-३४॥
bhavān hi vayasā vṛddhaḥ śrutācārasamanvitaḥ। kuśalo rājadharmāṇāṃ pūrveṣām aparāś ca ye॥12-54-34॥
[भवान् (bhavān) - you; (honorific) हि (hi) - indeed; वयसा (vayasā) - by age; वृद्धः (vṛddhaḥ) - aged; elder; श्रुत (śruta) - learned; (in scriptures) आचार (ācāra) - in conduct; समन्वितः (samanvitaḥ) - endowed with; कुशलः (kuśalaḥ) - skilled; राजधर्माणां (rājadharmāṇāṃ) - in royal duties; पूर्वेषाम् (pūrveṣām) - of the former (kings); अपरे (apare) - of the later (kings); च (ca) - and; ये (ye) - who;]
(You indeed by age are aged, endowed with learning and conduct, skilled in royal duties of the former and later (kings) who.)
You are indeed aged by years, endowed with learning and good conduct, skilled in the royal duties of both former and later kings.
जन्मप्रभृति ते कश्चिद्वृजिनं न ददर्श ह। ज्ञातारमनुधर्माणां त्वां विदुः सर्वपार्थिवाः ॥१२-५४-३५॥
janmaprabhṛti te kaścid vṛjinaṃ na dadarśa ha। jñātāram anudharmāṇāṃ tvāṃ viduḥ sarvapārthivāḥ ॥12-54-35॥
[जन्मप्रभृति (janmaprabhṛti) - from birth onwards; ते (te) - your; कश्चित् (kaścit) - anyone; वृजिनम् (vṛjinam) - sin; न (na) - not; ददर्श (dadarśa) - saw; ह (ha) - indeed; ज्ञातारम् (jñātāram) - knower; अनुधर्माणाम् (anudharmāṇām) - of those who follow dharma; त्वाम् (tvām) - you; विदुः (viduḥ) - knew; सर्वपार्थिवाः (sarvapārthivāḥ) - all kings;]
(From birth onwards, anyone did not see sin of yours indeed; all kings knew you as the knower of those who follow dharma.)
From your birth, no one ever saw any fault in you; all the kings recognized you as the knower of those who uphold dharma.
तेभ्यः पितेव पुत्रेभ्यो राजन्ब्रूहि परं नयम्। ऋषयश्च हि देवाश्च त्वया नित्यमुपासिताः ॥१२-५४-३६॥
tebhyaḥ piteva putrebhyo rājan brūhi paraṃ nayam। ṛṣayaś ca hi devāś ca tvayā nityam upāsitāḥ ॥12-54-36॥
[तेभ्यः (tebhyaḥ) - to them; पितेव (piteva) - like a father; पुत्रेभ्यः (putrebhyaḥ) - to sons; राजन् (rājan) - O king; ब्रूहि (brūhi) - speak; परम् (param) - supreme; नयम् (nayam) - policy; ऋषयः (ṛṣayaḥ) - sages; च (ca) - and; हि (hi) - indeed; देवाः (devāḥ) - gods; च (ca) - and; त्वया (tvayā) - by you; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; उपासिताः (upāsitāḥ) - worshipped;]
(To them, like a father to sons, O king, speak the supreme policy. The sages and indeed the gods have always been worshipped by you.)
O king, speak to them the highest policy as a father would to his sons. For you have always worshipped both the sages and the gods.
तस्माद्वक्तव्यमेवेह त्वया पश्याम्यशेषतः। धर्माञ्शुश्रूषमाणेभ्यः पृष्टेन च सता पुनः ॥१२-५४-३७॥
tasmād vaktavyam eva iha tvayā paśyāmi aśeṣataḥ। dharmān śuśrūṣamāṇebhyaḥ pṛṣṭena ca satā punaḥ॥12-54-37॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; वक्तव्यम् (vaktavyam) - should be spoken; एव (eva) - indeed; इह (iha) - here; त्वया (tvayā) - by you; पश्यामि (paśyāmi) - I see; अशेषतः (aśeṣataḥ) - completely; धर्मान् (dharmān) - dharmas; शुश्रूषमाणेभ्यः (śuśrūṣamāṇebhyaḥ) - to those wishing to listen; पृष्टेन (pṛṣṭena) - by the one who has asked; च (ca) - and; सता (satā) - by the truthful; पुनः (punaḥ) - again;]
(Therefore, it should indeed be spoken here by you; I see completely the dharmas to those wishing to listen, by the one who has asked and by the truthful, again.)
Therefore, you must speak here; I see all the dharmas completely, for those eager to listen, asked again by the truthful one.
वक्तव्यं विदुषा चेति धर्ममाहुर्मनीषिणः। अप्रतिब्रुवतः कष्टो दोषो हि भवति प्रभो ॥१२-५४-३८॥
vaktavyaṃ viduṣā ceti dharmam āhur manīṣiṇaḥ। apratibruvataḥ kaṣṭo doṣo hi bhavati prabho ॥12-54-38॥
[वक्तव्यं (vaktavyam) - to be spoken; विदुषा (viduṣā) - by the wise; च (ca) - and; इति (iti) - thus; धर्मम् (dharmam) - duty; आहुः (āhuḥ) - they say; मनीषिणः (manīṣiṇaḥ) - the learned; अप्रतिब्रुवतः (apratibruvataḥ) - of one not replying; कष्टः (kaṣṭaḥ) - severe; दोषः (doṣaḥ) - fault; हि (hi) - indeed; भवति (bhavati) - arises; प्रभो (prabho) - O lord;]
(To be spoken by the wise, thus, duty, they say, the learned; of one not replying, severe fault indeed arises, O lord.)
The learned say that it is the duty of the wise to speak; O lord, a severe fault indeed arises for one who does not reply.
तस्मात्पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च धर्मान्पृष्टः सनातनान्। विद्वाञ्जिज्ञासमानैस्त्वं प्रब्रूहि भरतर्षभ ॥१२-५४-३९॥
tasmāt putraiś ca pautraiś ca dharmān pṛṣṭaḥ sanātanān। vidvān jijñāsāmanais tvaṃ prabrūhi bharatarṣabha ॥12-54-39॥
[तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; पुत्रैः (putraiḥ) - by sons; च (ca) - and; पौत्रैः (pautraiḥ) - by grandsons; च (ca) - and; धर्मान् (dharmān) - the dharmas; पृष्टः (pṛṣṭaḥ) - asked; सनातनान् (sanātanān) - eternal; विद्वान् (vidvān) - O learned one; जिज्ञासामानैः (jijñāsāmanaiḥ) - by those desiring to know; त्वम् (tvam) - you; प्रब्रूहि (prabrūhi) - please explain; भरतर्षभ (bharatarṣabha) - O best of the Bharatas;]
(Therefore, by sons and by grandsons, the eternal dharmas having been asked, O learned one, by those desiring to know, you please explain, O best of the Bharatas.)
Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, you, being learned, please explain the eternal dharmas that have been asked by sons and grandsons who desire to know.
