15.014
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said.
शन्तनुः पालयामास यथावत्पृथिवीमिमाम्। तथा विचित्रवीर्यश्च भीष्मेण परिपालितः ॥ पालयामास वस्तातो विदितं वो नसंशयः ॥१५-१४-१॥
Śantanu properly protected this earth. Likewise, Vicitravīrya was protected by Bhīṣma. Your father too protected (it); this is well known to you, without any doubt. (15-14-1)
यथा च पाण्डुर्भ्राता मे दयितो भवतामभूत्। स चापि पालयामास यथावत्तच्च वेत्थ ह ॥१५-१४-२॥
Just as my dear Pāṇḍu's brother was affectionate to you all, and he also protected (you) properly, that indeed you know. (15-14-2)
मया च भवतां सम्यक्छुश्रूषा या कृतानघाः। असम्यग्वा महाभागास्तत्क्षन्तव्यमतन्द्रितैः ॥१५-१४-३॥
O faultless and greatly fortunate ones, whatever proper service I have rendered to you or, if anything was improper, that should be forgiven by you who are ever vigilant. (15-14-3)
यच्च दुर्योधनेनेदं राज्यं भुक्तमकण्टकम्। अपि तत्र न वो मन्दो दुर्बुद्धिरपराद्धवान् ॥१५-१४-४॥
As for this kingdom, which Duryodhana has enjoyed without hindrance—even there, not one of your dull, misguided, or offending men was involved. (15-14-4)
तस्यापराधाद्दुर्बुद्धेरभिमानान्महीक्षिताम्। विमर्दः सुमहानासीदनयान्मत्कृतादथ ॥१५-१४-५॥
Because of his offense and the pride of the evil-minded kings, then a very great conflict arose from wickedness, caused by me. (15-14-5)
तन्मया साधु वापीदं यदि वासाधु वै कृतम्। तद्वो हृदि न कर्तव्यं मामनुज्ञातुमर्हथ ॥१५-१४-६॥
Whether this was done by me properly or improperly, you should not keep that in your hearts; you ought to permit me. (15-14-6)
वृद्धोऽयं हतपुत्रोऽयं दुःखितोऽयं जनाधिपः। पूर्वराज्ञां च पुत्रोऽयमिति कृत्वानुजानत ॥१५-१४-७॥
Considering him as aged, bereaved of his son, afflicted with sorrow, a king, and also the son of former kings—thus, permit (him). (15-14-7)
इयं च कृपणा वृद्धा हतपुत्रा तपस्विनी। गान्धारी पुत्रशोकार्ता तुल्यं याचति वो मया ॥१५-१४-८॥
This miserable, aged, ascetic woman who has lost her sons—Gandhari, afflicted with the grief for her sons—now begs from you through me equally. (15-14-8)
हतपुत्राविमौ वृद्धौ विदित्वा दुःखितौ तथा। अनुजानीत भद्रं वो व्रजावः शरणं च वः ॥१५-१४-९॥
Having understood that these two elderly are distressed and have lost their sons, allow us—welfare be to you—that we may go, seeking refuge with you. (15-14-9)
अयं च कौरवो राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। सर्वैर्भवद्भिर्द्रष्टव्यः समेषु विषमेषु च ॥ न जातु विषमं चैव गमिष्यति कदाचन ॥१५-१४-१०॥
This king, the Kaurava and Kunti's son Yudhishthira, should be regarded by all of you in both favorable and unfavorable situations. He will never act with unfairness at any time. (15-14-10)
चत्वारः सचिवा यस्य भ्रातरो विपुलौजसः। लोकपालोपमा ह्येते सर्वे धर्मार्थदर्शिनः ॥१५-१४-११॥
He has four ministers who are his brothers, all possessing great strength, all of whom are like the guardians of the world and who understand righteousness and purpose. (15-14-11)
ब्रह्मेव भगवानेष सर्वभूतजगत्पतिः। युधिष्ठिरो महातेजा भवतः पालयिष्यति ॥१५-१४-१२॥
Yudhishthira, who is as the revered Brahma himself and the lord of all beings, endowed with great brilliance, will protect your people. (15-14-12)
अवश्यमेव वक्तव्यमिति कृत्वा ब्रवीमि वः। एष न्यासो मया दत्तः सर्वेषां वो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ भवन्तोऽस्य च वीरस्य न्यासभूता मया कृताः ॥१५-१४-१३॥
Having certainly decided that it must be spoken, I say to you: this Yudhiṣṭhira has been given by me as a deposit for all of you. And you all, too, have been entrusted by me as a deposit for this hero. (15-14-13)
यद्येव तैः कृतं किञ्चिद्व्यलीकं वा सुतैर्मम। यद्यन्येन मदीयेन तदनुज्ञातुमर्हथ ॥१५-१४-१४॥
If indeed anything wrong has been done by them, my sons, or by any other of mine, you ought to pardon that. (15-14-14)
भवद्भिर्हि न मे मन्युः कृतपूर्वः कथञ्चन। अत्यन्तगुरुभक्तानामेषोऽञ्जलिरिदं नमः ॥१५-१४-१५॥
Indeed, I have never before felt any anger towards you in any way. To the supremely respected devotees, this is my salute and offering of folded hands. (15-14-15)
तेषामस्थिरबुद्धीनां लुब्धानां कामचारिणाम्। कृते याचामि वः सर्वान्गान्धारीसहितोऽनघाः ॥१५-१४-१६॥
O sinless ones, for the sake of those with unsteady minds, greed, and acting as they please, I request all of you along with Gandhari. (15-14-16)
इत्युक्तास्तेन ते राज्ञा पौरजानपदा जनाः। नोचुर्बाष्पकलाः किञ्चिद्वीक्षां चक्रुः परस्परम् ॥१५-१४-१७॥
Thus, when addressed by the king, the city-dwellers and country-folk, choked with tears, did not speak, but glanced at each other a little. (15-14-17)
