15.016
ब्राह्मण उवाच॥
The Brāhmaṇa said.
न तद्दुर्योधनकृतं न च तद्भवता कृतम्। न कर्णसौबलाभ्यां च कुरवो यत्क्षयं गताः ॥१५-१६-१॥
It was not done by Duryodhana, nor by you; nor by Karṇa or Saubala, nor was it the Kurus by whom they went to destruction (15-16-1).
दैवं तत्तु विजानीमो यन्न शक्यं प्रबाधितुम्। दैवं पुरुषकारेण न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ॥१५-१६-२॥
We know that destiny is what cannot be overcome; destiny cannot be surpassed by human effort. (15-16-2)
अक्षौहिण्यो महाराज दशाष्टौ च समागताः। अष्टादशाहेन हता दशभिर्योधपुङ्गवैः ॥१५-१६-३॥
O great king, eighteen military divisions assembled, and in eighteen days, they were destroyed by ten chief warriors. (15-16-3)
भीष्मद्रोणकृपाद्यैश्च कर्णेन च महात्मना। युयुधानेन वीरेण धृष्टद्युम्नेन चैव ह ॥१५-१६-४॥
By Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and others, as well as by the great-hearted Karna, by the heroic Yuyudhana and Dhrishtadyumna too—all these were present. (15-16-4)
चतुर्भिः पाण्डुपुत्रैश्च भीमार्जुनयमैर्नृप। जनक्षयोऽयं नृपते कृतो दैवबलात्कृतैः ॥१५-१६-५॥
O king, this destruction of people has been brought about by the four sons of Pāṇḍu—Bhīma, Arjuna, and the son of Yama—whose actions have been made possible by the power of fate. (15-16-5)
अवश्यमेव सङ्ग्रामे क्षत्रियेण विशेषतः। कर्तव्यं निधनं लोके शस्त्रेण क्षत्रबन्धुना ॥१५-१६-६॥
Certainly, especially in battle, death in the world ought to be inflicted by weapon by a kṣatriya, by a kṣatriya relative. (15-16-6)
तैरियं पुरुषव्याघ्रैर्विद्याबाहुबलान्वितैः। पृथिवी निहता सर्वा सहया सरथद्विपा ॥१५-१६-७॥
The entire earth, with its armies, chariots, and elephants, was conquered by courageous, tiger-like men possessing knowledge, strength, and power. (15-16-7)
न स राजापराध्नोति पुत्रस्तव महामनाः। न भवान्न च ते भृत्या न कर्णो न च सौबलः ॥१५-१६-८॥
Your great-minded son, the king, does not commit any offense. Nor do you, nor your servants, nor Karṇa, nor Saubala. (15-16-8)
यद्विनष्टाः कुरुश्रेष्ठा राजानश्च सहस्रशः। सर्वं दैवकृतं तद्वै कोऽत्र किं वक्तुमर्हति ॥१५-१६-९॥
O best of Kurus, thousands of kings have perished; all of that was done by fate—who here is worthy to say anything about it? (15-16-9)
गुरुर्मतो भवानस्य कृत्स्नस्य जगतः प्रभुः। धर्मात्मानमतस्तुभ्यमनुजानीमहे सुतम् ॥१५-१६-१०॥
We regard you as the teacher and lord of this entire world. Therefore, as you are righteous, we allow you the son. (15-16-10)
लभतां वीरलोकान्स ससहायो नराधिपः। द्विजाग्र्यैः समनुज्ञातस्त्रिदिवे मोदतां सुखी ॥१५-१६-११॥
May the lord of men, together with his companions, attain the worlds of heroes; let him, approved by the foremost Brāhmaṇas, joyfully rejoice in heaven. (15-16-11)
प्राप्स्यते च भवान्पुण्यं धर्मे च परमां स्थितिम्। वेद पुण्यं च कार्त्स्न्येन सम्यग्भरतसत्तम ॥१५-१६-१२॥
You will attain merit and the highest position in dharma; and, O best of the Bharatas, (he) fully and rightly knows merit. (15-16-12)
दृष्टापदानाश्चास्माभिः पाण्डवाः पुरुषर्षभाः। समर्थास्त्रिदिवस्यापि पालने किं पुनः क्षितेः ॥१५-१६-१३॥
Having seen by us the feet of the Pāṇḍavas, those bulls among men who are capable of protecting even heaven, what then to say of protecting the earth? (15-16-13)
अनुवत्स्यन्ति चापीमाः समेषु विषमेषु च। प्रजाः कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवाञ्शीलभूषणान् ॥१५-१६-१४॥
O best of the Kuru family, the subjects will follow these Pāṇḍavas, who are adorned with virtue, in both prosperous and adverse times. (15-16-14)
ब्रह्मदेयाग्रहारांश्च परिहारांश्च पार्थिव। पूर्वराजातिसर्गांश्च पालयत्येव पाण्डवः ॥१५-१६-१५॥
O king, the descendant of Pandu indeed protects the Brahmin endowments, the agrahāras, the tax-free grants, and the donations from previous kings. (15-16-15)
दीर्घदर्शी कृतप्रज्ञः सदा वैश्रवणो यथा। अक्षुद्रसचिवश्चायं कुन्तीपुत्रो महामनाः ॥१५-१६-१६॥
This son of Kuntī, like Vaiśravaṇa, is always far-seeing, grateful, attended by ministers who are not low, and is great-minded. (15-16-16)
अप्यमित्रे दयावांश्च शुचिश्च भरतर्षभ। ऋजु पश्यति मेधावी पुत्रवत्पाति नः सदा ॥१५-१६-१७॥
O best of Bharatas, the wise man, even towards an enemy, is compassionate and pure; he regards all with straightforwardness and always protects us like a son. (15-16-17)
विप्रियं च जनस्यास्य संसर्गाद्धर्मजस्य वै। न करिष्यन्ति राजर्षे तथा भीमार्जुनादयः ॥१५-१६-१८॥
O royal sage, indeed, because of their association with Dharma's son, neither the people nor Bhīma, Arjuna, and the others will do anything unpleasant. (15-16-18)
मन्दा मृदुषु कौरव्यास्तीक्ष्णेष्वाशीविषोपमाः। वीर्यवन्तो महात्मानः पौराणां च हिते रताः ॥१५-१६-१९॥
The Kauravas are gentle towards the mild but like poisonous serpents towards the harsh; they are powerful, noble-hearted, and dedicated to the welfare of the citizens. (15-16-19)
न कुन्ती न च पाञ्चाली न चोलूपी न सात्वती। अस्मिञ्जने करिष्यन्ति प्रतिकूलानि कर्हिचित् ॥१५-१६-२०॥
Neither Kuntī nor Pāñcālī, nor Ulūpī, nor Sātvati will ever act contrary to this person. (15-16-20)
भवत्कृतमिमं स्नेहं युधिष्ठिरविवर्धितम्। न पृष्ठतः करिष्यन्ति पौरजानपदा जनाः ॥१५-१६-२१॥
The affection you have shown, strengthened by Yudhishthira, the people—both of the town and country—will not display behind your back. (15-16-21)
अधर्मिष्ठानपि सतः कुन्तीपुत्रा महारथाः। मानवान्पालयिष्यन्ति भूत्वा धर्मपरायणाः ॥१५-१६-२२॥
Even those who were established in unrighteousness, the sons of Kunti—the great warriors—having become devoted to righteousness, will protect mankind. (15-16-22)
स राजन्मानसं दुःखमपनीय युधिष्ठिरात्। कुरु कार्याणि धर्म्याणि नमस्ते भरतर्षभ ॥१५-१६-२३॥
O king, after relieving Yudhiṣṭhira of his mental sorrow, perform righteous duties. Salutations to you, O best of the Bharatas. (15-16-23)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तस्य तद्वचनं धर्म्यमनुबन्धगुणोत्तरम्। साधु साध्विति सर्वः स जनः प्रतिगृहीतवान् ॥१५-१६-२४॥
All the people accepted his words, which were righteous and of excellent consequence, saying, "Well done, well done." (15-16-24)
धृतराष्ट्रश्च तद्वाक्यमभिपूज्य पुनः पुनः। विसर्जयामास तदा सर्वास्तु प्रकृतीः शनैः ॥१५-१६-२५॥
Dhritarashtra, having honored that speech again and again, then slowly dismissed all the ministers. (15-16-25)
स तैः सम्पूजितो राजा शिवेनावेक्षितस्तदा। प्राञ्जलिः पूजयामास तं जनं भरतर्षभ ॥१५-१६-२६॥
O best of the Bharatas, the king, honored by them and observed by Śiva at that time, with joined palms, worshipped that person. (15-16-26)
ततो विवेश भुवनं गान्धार्या सहितो नृपः। व्युष्टायां चैव शर्वर्यां यच्चकार निबोध तत् ॥१५-१६-२७॥
Then the king, together with Gāndhārī, entered the palace; when night had ended and dawn broke, learn what he did. (15-16-27)
