15.044
युधिष्ठिरनिवर्तनम्
The return of Yudhishthira.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya said.
दृष्ट्वा पुत्रांस्तथा पौत्रान्सानुबन्धाञ्जनाधिपः। धृतराष्ट्रः किमकरोद्राजा चैव युधिष्ठिरः ॥१५-४४-१॥
Having seen his sons, grandsons, and their associates, what did the lord of people, Dhritarashtra, do? And what did King Yudhishthira do? (15-44-1)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं पुत्राणां दर्शनं पुनः। वीतशोकः स राजर्षिः पुनराश्रममागमत् ॥१५-४४-२॥
Having seen that great wonder—the sight of his sons again—the royal sage, free from sorrow, once more returned to the hermitage. (15-44-2)
इतरस्तु जनः सर्वस्ते चैव परमर्षयः। प्रतिजग्मुर्यथाकामं धृतराष्ट्राभ्यनुज्ञया ॥१५-४४-३॥
But the other people, all of them, along with the supreme sages, departed as they wished, with the permission of Dhritarashtra. (15-44-3)
पाण्डवास्तु महात्मानो लघुभूयिष्ठसैनिकाः। अनुजग्मुर्महात्मानं सदारं तं महीपतिम् ॥१५-४४-४॥
But the noble Pāṇḍavas, whose army was mostly small, followed that great-souled king along with his wife. (15-44-4)
तमाश्रमगतं धीमान्ब्रह्मर्षिर्लोकपूजितः। मुनिः सत्यवतीपुत्रो धृतराष्ट्रमभाषत ॥१५-४४-५॥
The wise brahmaṛṣi, son of Satyavatī, honored by all, having come to the hermitage, addressed Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (15-44-5)
धृतराष्ट्र महाबाहो शृणु कौरवनन्दन। श्रुतं ते ज्ञानवृद्धानामृषीणां पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥१५-४४-६॥
O Dhṛtarāṣṭra, mighty-armed, listen, O delight of the Kauravas. What you have heard comes from the sages advanced in knowledge and meritorious deeds. (15-44-6)
ऋद्धाभिजनवृद्धानां वेदवेदाङ्गवेदिनाम्। धर्मज्ञानां पुराणानां वदतां विविधाः कथाः ॥१५-४४-७॥
There are various stories told by the prosperous, noble, and aged; by knowers of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas; by those who know dharma; by the ancient ones; and by speakers. (15-44-7)
मा स्म शोके मनः कार्षीर्दिष्टेन व्यथते बुधः। श्रुतं देवरहस्यं ते नारदाद्देवदर्शनात् ॥१५-४४-८॥
Do not let your mind be overcome with grief; the wise are not troubled by destiny. You have heard the secret of the gods from Nārada during the audience with the gods. (15-44-8)
गतास्ते क्षत्रधर्मेण शस्त्रपूतां गतिं शुभाम्। यथा दृष्टास्त्वया पुत्रा यथाकामविहारिणः ॥१५-४४-९॥
Your sons, by fulfilling the kṣatriya duty, have attained an auspicious state purified by weapons—just as you saw them, enjoying themselves as they wished. (15-44-9)
युधिष्ठिरस्त्वयं धीमान्भवन्तमनुरुध्यते। सहितो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैः सदारः ससुहृज्जनः ॥१५-४४-१०॥
Yudhishthira, this wise man, follows you, accompanied by all his brothers, with his wife and his friends. (15-44-10)
विसर्जयैनं यात्वेष स्वराज्यमनुशासताम्। मासः समधिको ह्येषामतीतो वसतां वने ॥१५-४४-११॥
Dismiss him; let him return to the kingdom of the rulers. Indeed, more than a month has already passed while they have been residing in the forest. (15-44-11)
एतद्धि नित्यं यत्नेन पदं रक्ष्यं परन्तप। बहुप्रत्यर्थिकं ह्येतद्राज्यं नाम नराधिप ॥१५-४४-१२॥
O scorcher of foes, this position must always be protected with effort; this kingdom is indeed called with many rivals, O ruler of men. (15-44-12)
इत्युक्तः कौरवो राजा व्यासेनामितबुद्धिना। युधिष्ठिरमथाहूय वाग्मी वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१५-४४-१३॥
Thus, having been addressed by Vyāsa of immeasurable intellect, the Kaurava king, after calling Yudhiṣṭhira, the eloquent one, spoke these words. (15-44-13)
अजातशत्रो भद्रं ते शृणु मे भ्रातृभिः सह। त्वत्प्रसादान्महीपाल शोको नास्मान्प्रबाधते ॥१५-४४-१४॥
O Ajātaśatru, blessings to you; listen to me along with my brothers. O king, it is by your grace that grief does not trouble us. (15-44-14)
रमे चाहं त्वया पुत्र पुरेव गजसाह्वये। नाथेनानुगतो विद्वन्प्रियेषु परिवर्तिना ॥१५-४४-१५॥
O son, once before in Gajasāhvaya, I delighted with you, being accompanied by my lord—O wise one—among dear ones, by one whose affections change. (15-44-15)
प्राप्तं पुत्रफलं त्वत्तः प्रीतिर्मे विपुला त्वयि। न मे मन्युर्महाबाहो गम्यतां पुत्र मा चिरम् ॥१५-४४-१६॥
I have obtained the fruit of having a son from you; my affection for you is abundant. I have no anger, O long-armed one; go, O son, do not delay long. (15-44-16)
भवन्तं चेह सम्प्रेक्ष्य तपो मे परिहीयते। तपोयुक्तं शरीरं च त्वां दृष्ट्वा धारितं पुनः ॥१५-४४-१७॥
When I see you here, my penance diminishes. Yet, upon seeing you, with your body sustained by asceticism, it is supported again. (15-44-17)
मातरौ ते तथैवेमे शीर्णपर्णकृताशने। मम तुल्यव्रते पुत्र नचिरं वर्तयिष्यतः ॥१५-४४-१८॥
Your two mothers, O son, who are sustaining themselves on dried leaves in the same way and are practicing a vow equal to mine, will not survive for long. (15-44-18)
दुर्योधनप्रभृतयो दृष्टा लोकान्तरं गताः। व्यासस्य तपसो वीर्याद्भवतश्च समागमात् ॥१५-४४-१९॥
Duryodhana and his companions, who had departed to another world, were seen due to the power of Vyāsa's penance and your presence together. (15-44-19)
प्रयोजनं चिरं वृत्तं जीवितस्य च मेऽनघ। उग्रं तपः समास्थास्ये त्वमनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥१५-४४-२०॥
O faultless one, my purpose and the life have long been fulfilled. I shall undertake severe austerity; you ought to permit me. (15-44-20)
त्वय्यद्य पिण्डः कीर्तिश्च कुलं चेदं प्रतिष्ठितम्। श्वो वाद्य वा महाबाहो गम्यतां पुत्र मा चिरम् ॥१५-४४-२१॥
Today, in you, offspring, fame, and this family are established. O mighty-armed son, let it be accomplished either today or tomorrow—do not delay. (15-44-21)
राजनीतिः सुबहुशः श्रुता ते भरतर्षभ। संदेष्टव्यं न पश्यामि कृतमेतावता विभो ॥१५-४४-२२॥
O best of the Bharatas, you have heard political science many times, O master, but I do not see that what ought to be commanded has been accomplished by this alone. (15-44-22)
इत्युक्तवचनं तात नृपो राजानमब्रवीत्। न मामर्हसि धर्मज्ञ परित्यक्तुमनागसम् ॥१५-४४-२३॥
Thus, having said these words, the king spoke to the king: "O knower of dharma, you ought not to abandon me who am blameless." (15-44-23)
कामं गच्छन्तु मे सर्वे भ्रातरोऽनुचरास्तथा। भवन्तमहमन्विष्ये मातरौ च यतव्रते ॥१५-४४-२४॥
Let all my brothers and attendants go as they wish. As for you, O resolute in vow, I will seek you and the two mothers. (15-44-24)
तमुवाचाथ गान्धारी मैवं पुत्र शृणुष्व मे। त्वय्यधीनं कुरुकुलं पिण्डश्च श्वशुरस्य मे ॥१५-४४-२५॥
Then Gāndhārī said to him: "Do not speak thus, my son, listen to me; the Kuru family and the ancestral offerings of my father-in-law depend upon you." (15-44-25)
गम्यतां पुत्र पर्याप्तमेतावत्पूजिता वयम्। राजा यदाह तत्कार्यं त्वया पुत्र पितुर्वचः ॥१५-४४-२६॥
Go now, son; this much is sufficient, we have been respected enough. What the king has said, that you must do, son—that is your father's command. (15-44-26)
इत्युक्तः स तु गान्धार्या कुन्तीमिदमुवाच ह। स्नेहबाष्पाकुले नेत्रे प्रमृज्य रुदतीं वचः ॥१५-४४-२७॥
Having thus been addressed by Gāndhārī, he spoke these words to Kuntī, having wiped his eyes filled with loving tears, to the weeping (woman). (15-44-27)
विसर्जयति मां राजा गान्धारी च यशस्विनी। भवत्यां बद्धचित्तस्तु कथं यास्यामि दुःखितः ॥१५-४४-२८॥
The king and the illustrious Gāndhārī have released me; but with my mind bound to you, how can I, suffering, depart? (15-44-28)
न चोत्सहे तपोविघ्नं कर्तुं ते धर्मचारिणि। तपसो हि परं नास्ति तपसा विन्दते महत् ॥१५-४४-२९॥
O follower of dharma, I am not able to cause any hindrance to your austerity; for nothing is higher than austerity—by austerity, one attains greatness. (15-44-29)
ममापि न तथा राज्ञि राज्ये बुद्धिर्यथा पुरा। तपस्येवानुरक्तं मे मनः सर्वात्मना तथा ॥१५-४४-३०॥
O queen, my mind is no longer set on the kingdom as before; rather, my whole soul is entirely attached to penance. (15-44-30)
शून्येयं च मही सर्वा न मे प्रीतिकरी शुभे। बान्धवा नः परिक्षीणा बलं नो न यथा पुरा ॥१५-४४-३१॥
This whole earth feels empty and does not give me delight, O auspicious one. Our relatives are diminished and our strength is not as it was before. (15-44-31)
पाञ्चालाः सुभृशं क्षीणाः कन्यामात्रावशेषिताः। न तेषां कुलकर्तारं कञ्चित्पश्याम्यहं शुभे ॥१५-४४-३२॥
O auspicious one, I see that the Pāñcālas are greatly diminished, with only a girl remaining; I do not see any maker of lineage among them. (15-44-32)
सर्वे हि भस्मसान्नीता द्रोणेनैकेन संयुगे। अवशेषास्तु निहता द्रोणपुत्रेण वै निशि ॥१५-४४-३३॥
All were indeed reduced to ashes in battle by Droṇa alone; but those who remained were certainly slain at night by Droṇa's son. (15-44-33)
चेदयश्चैव मत्स्याश्च दृष्टपूर्वास्तथैव नः। केवलं वृष्णिचक्रं तु वासुदेवपरिग्रहात् ॥ यं दृष्ट्वा स्थातुमिच्छामि धर्मार्थं नान्यहेतुकम् ॥१५-४४-३४॥
Both the Chedis and the Matsyas are already familiar to us; only the Vṛṣṇi clan, through their alliance with Vāsudeva, is different—seeing whom, I wish to stand (fight) for the sake of dharma, and for no other reason. (15-44-34)
शिवेन पश्य नः सर्वान्दुर्लभं दर्शनं तव। भविष्यत्यम्ब राजा हि तीव्रमारप्स्यते तपः ॥१५-४४-३५॥
By auspiciousness, see for all of us your difficult-to-obtain sight. O mother, the king indeed will undertake intense austerity. (15-44-35)
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाबाहुः सहदेवो युधां पतिः। युधिष्ठिरमुवाचेदं बाष्पव्याकुललोचनः ॥१५-४४-३६॥
Having heard this, the mighty-armed Sahadeva, lord of battles, with eyes full of tears, said this to Yudhishthira. (15-44-36)
नोत्सहेऽहं परित्यक्तुं मातरं पार्थिवर्षभ। प्रतियातु भवान्क्षिप्रं तपस्तप्स्याम्यहं वने ॥१५-४४-३७॥
O best of kings, I am not able to abandon my mother. Please return quickly; I shall perform austerities in the forest. (15-44-37)
इहैव शोषयिष्यामि तपसाहं कलेवरम्। पादशुश्रूषणे युक्तो राज्ञो मात्रोस्तथानयोः ॥१५-४४-३८॥
Here itself, I shall dry up my body with austerity, engaged in serving the feet of the king and both mothers. (15-44-38)
तमुवाच ततः कुन्ती परिष्वज्य महाभुजम्। गम्यतां पुत्र मैव त्वं वोचः कुरु वचो मम ॥१५-४४-३९॥
Then Kunti, embracing the mighty-armed, said to him: "Go, son. But do not speak; do my bidding." (15-44-39)
आगमा वः शिवाः सन्तु स्वस्था भवत पुत्रकाः। उपरोधो भवेदेवमस्माकं तपसः कृते ॥१५-४४-४०॥
May your arrivals be auspicious, and may you, children, remain well. Otherwise, our penance may thus be hindered. (15-44-40)
त्वत्स्नेहपाशबद्धा च हीयेयं तपसः परात्। तस्मात्पुत्रक गच्छ त्वं शिष्टमल्पं हि नः प्रभो ॥१५-४४-४१॥
This person, bound by the tie of your affection, is losing the excellence of austerity; therefore, O child, go and complete the little that remains for us, O master. (15-44-41)
एवं संस्तम्भितं वाक्यैः कुन्त्या बहुविधैर्मनः। सहदेवस्य राजेन्द्र राज्ञश्चैव विशेषतः ॥१५-४४-४२॥
O king, thus by many kinds of statements of Kuntī, the mind of Sahadeva and especially of the king were restrained. (15-44-42)
ते मात्रा समनुज्ञाता राज्ञा च कुरुपुङ्गवाः। अभिवाद्य कुरुश्रेष्ठमामन्त्रयितुमारभन् ॥१५-४४-४३॥
Those best of the Kurus, having obtained permission from both the mother and the king, respectfully bowed to the foremost of the Kurus and began to speak to him. (15-44-43)
राजन्प्रतिगमिष्यामः शिवेन प्रतिनन्दिताः। अनुज्ञातास्त्वया राजन्गमिष्यामो विकल्मषाः ॥१५-४४-४४॥
O King, having been greeted by Śiva, we will return; and, permitted by you, O King, we shall proceed free from sin. (15-44-44)
एवमुक्तः स राजर्षिर्धर्मराज्ञा महात्मना। अनुजज्ञे जयाशीर्भिरभिनन्द्य युधिष्ठिरम् ॥१५-४४-४५॥
Having thus been addressed by Dharmarāja, the great-souled royal sage consented, blessing Yudhishthira for victory after congratulating him. (15-44-45)
भीमं च बलिनां श्रेष्ठं सान्त्वयामास पार्थिवः। स चास्य सम्यङ्मेधावी प्रत्यपद्यत वीर्यवान् ॥१५-४४-४६॥
The king consoled Bhīma, the foremost among the powerful. And the mighty, intelligent one properly accepted what he said. (15-44-46)
अर्जुनं च समाश्लिष्य यमौ च पुरुषर्षभौ। अनुजज्ञे स कौरव्यः परिष्वज्याभिनन्द्य च ॥१५-४४-४७॥
The Kaurava, having warmly embraced Arjuna and also the two sons of Yama, the illustrious bulls among men, after embracing and congratulating them, gave his permission. (15-44-47)
गान्धार्या चाभ्यनुज्ञाताः कृतपादाभिवन्दनाः। जनन्या समुपाघ्राताः परिष्वक्ताश्च ते नृपम् ॥ चक्रुः प्रदक्षिणं सर्वे वत्सा इव निवारणे ॥१५-४४-४८॥
Permitted by Gāndhārī, having bowed to her feet, and after their mother had blessed and embraced them, they all circumambulated the king, like calves do at the time of weaning. (15-44-48)
पुनः पुनर्निरीक्षन्तः प्रजग्मुस्ते प्रदक्षिणम्। तथैव द्रौपदी साध्वी सर्वाः कौरवयोषितः ॥१५-४४-४९॥
They kept looking back repeatedly as they went around in circumambulation. Likewise, virtuous Draupadī and all the Kaurava women did the same. (15-44-49)
न्यायतः श्वशुरे वृत्तिं प्रयुज्य प्रययुस्ततः। श्वश्रूभ्यां समनुज्ञाताः परिष्वज्याभिनन्दिताः ॥ संदिष्टाश्चेतिकर्तव्यं प्रययुर्भर्तृभिः सह ॥१५-४४-५०॥
Having rightly served their father-in-law, they then departed; granted permission, embraced, and blessed by the two mothers-in-law, and instructed about the duty to return, they went together with their husbands. (15-44-50)
ततः प्रजज्ञे निनदः सूतानां युज्यतामिति। उष्ट्राणां क्रोशतां चैव हयानां हेषतामपि ॥१५-४४-५१॥
Then the sound arose from the charioteers, crying, "Let (the chariots) be yoked," together with the camels' neighing and the neighing of horses as well. (15-44-51)
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा सदारः सहसैनिकः। नगरं हास्तिनपुरं पुनरायात्सबान्धवः ॥१५-४४-५२॥
Then King Yudhishthira, with his wife, together with his army and relatives, returned again to the city of Hastinapura. (15-44-52)
