15.014
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra said.
śantanuḥ pālayāmāsa yathāvat pṛthivīm imām। tathā vicitravīryaś ca bhīṣmeṇa paripālitaḥ॥ pālayāmāsa vas tāto viditaṃ vo na saṃśayaḥ॥15-14-1॥
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)
yathā ca pāṇḍurbhrātā me dayito bhavatāmabhūt। sa cāpi pālayāmāsa yathāvattacca vettha ha ॥15-14-2॥
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)
mayā ca bhavatāṁ samyakśuśrūṣā yā kṛtānaghāḥ। asamyagvā mahābhāgāstatkṣantavyamatandritaiḥ ॥15-14-3॥
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)
yacca duryodhanenedaṁ rājyaṁ bhuktamakaṇṭakam। api tatra na vo mando durbuddhiraparāddhavān॥15-14-4॥
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)
tasyāparādhād durbuddher abhimānān mahīkṣitām। vimardaḥ sumahān āsīd anayān matkṛtād atha ॥15-14-5॥
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)
tanmayā sādhu vāpīdaṁ yadi vāsādhu vai kṛtam। tadvo hṛdi na kartavyaṁ māmanujñātumarhatha ॥15-14-6॥
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)
vṛddho'yaṃ hataputro'yaṃ duḥkhito'yaṃ janādhipaḥ। pūrvarājñāṃ ca putro'yamiti kṛtvānujānata ॥15-14-7॥
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)
iyaṁ ca kṛpaṇā vṛddhā hataputrā tapasvinī। gāndhārī putraśokārtā tulyaṁ yācati vo mayā ॥15-14-8॥
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)
hataputrāv imau vṛddhau viditvā duḥkhitau tathā। anujānīta bhadraṃ vo vrajāvaḥ śaraṇaṃ ca vaḥ ॥15-14-9॥
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)
ayaṃ ca kauravo rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ. sarvair bhavadbhir draṣṭavyaḥ sameṣu viṣameṣu ca ॥ na jātu viṣamaṃ caiva gamiṣyati kadācana ॥15-14-10॥
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)
catvāraḥ sacivā yasya bhrātaro vipulaujasaḥ। lokapālopamā hyete sarve dharmārthadarśinaḥ ॥15-14-11॥
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)
brahmeva bhagavāneṣa sarvabhūtajagatpatiḥ. yudhiṣṭhiro mahātejā bhavataḥ pālayiṣyati ॥15-14-12॥
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)
avaśyameva vaktavyamiti kṛtvā bravīmi vaḥ। eṣa nyāso mayā dattaḥ sarveṣāṃ vo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥ bhavanto'sya ca vīrasya nyāsabhūtā mayā kṛtāḥ ॥15-14-13॥
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)
yadyeva taiḥ kṛtaṃ kiñcid vyalīkaṃ vā sutair mama| yady anyena madīyena tad anujñātum arhatha ॥15-14-14॥
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)
bhavadbhir hi na me manyuḥ kṛtapūrvaḥ kathañcana। atyantagurubhaktānāmeṣo'ñjalir idaṃ namaḥ ॥15-14-15॥
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)
teṣām asthirabuddhīnāṃ lubdhānāṃ kāmacāriṇām। kṛte yā cāmi vaḥ sarvān gāndhārī-sahito 'naghāḥ॥ 15-14-16॥
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)
ityuktās tena te rājñā paurajanapadā janāḥ। nocur bāṣpakalāḥ kiñcid vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ parasparam ॥15-14-17॥
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)
