18.002
देवदूतविसर्जनम्
Dismissal of the divine messenger.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
नेह पश्यामि विबुधा राधेयममितौजसम्। भ्रातरौ च महात्मानौ युधामन्यूत्तमौजसौ ॥१८-२-१॥
O gods, here I do not see Rādheya of immeasurable energy, nor the two great-souled brothers, Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas. (18-2-1)
जुहुवुर्ये शरीराणि रणवह्नौ महारथाः। राजानो राजपुत्राश्च ये मदर्थे हता रणे ॥१८-२-२॥
The great chariot-warriors who offered their bodies in the fire of battle, and the kings and princes who were slain on the battlefield for my sake. (18-2-2)
क्व ते महारथाः सर्वे शार्दूलसमविक्रमाः। तैरप्ययं जितो लोकः कच्चित्पुरुषसत्तमैः ॥१८-२-३॥
Where are all your great chariot-warriors, whose valor equals that of tigers? Has this world also truly been conquered by those foremost among men? (18-2-3)
यदि लोकानिमान्प्राप्तास्ते च सर्वे महारथाः। स्थितं वित्त हि मां देवाः सहितं तैर्महात्मभिः ॥१८-२-४॥
If all these great warriors have attained these worlds, know that I, along with the gods and those great souls, am established (there). (18-2-4)
कच्चिन्न तैरवाप्तोऽयं नृपैर्लोकोऽक्षयः शुभः। न तैरहं विना वत्स्ये ज्ञातिभिर्भ्रातृभिस्तथा ॥१८-२-५॥
I hope those kings have indeed attained this imperishable and auspicious world; without them, I will not remain, even among my own kinsmen and brothers. (18-2-5)
मातुर्हि वचनं श्रुत्वा तदा सलिलकर्मणि। कर्णस्य क्रियतां तोयमिति तप्यामि तेन वै ॥१८-२-६॥
Having heard indeed the words of my mother, then, during the water-rite, (her words) 'Let water be offered for Karṇa', I am truly pained by that. (18-2-6)
इदं च परितप्यामि पुनः पुनरहं सुराः। यन्मातुः सदृशौ पादौ तस्याहममितौजसः ॥१८-२-७॥
I am tormented again and again by this, O gods, for though I am of immeasurable energy, I am like my mother's feet to him. (18-2-7)
दृष्ट्वैव तं नानुगतः कर्णं परबलार्दनम्। न ह्यस्मान्कर्णसहिताञ्जयेच्छक्रोऽपि संयुगे ॥१८-२-८॥
Truly, having seen him, he did not follow Karna, the destroyer of enemy hosts. Not even Indra could conquer us, together with Karna, in battle. (18-2-8)
तमहं यत्रतत्रस्थं द्रष्टुमिच्छामि सूर्यजम्। अविज्ञातो मया योऽसौ घातितः सव्यसाचिना ॥१८-२-९॥
I wish to see him, the son of the Sun, who, being unrecognized by me and present somewhere, was slain by Savyasācī (Arjuna). (18-2-9)
भीमं च भीमविक्रान्तं प्राणेभ्योऽपि प्रियं मम। अर्जुनं चेन्द्रसङ्काशं यमौ तौ च यमोपमौ ॥१८-२-१०॥
Bhīma, who is of terrible prowess and dearer to me than my own life; Arjuna, who is like Indra; and the two sons of Yama, who are equal to Yama—these (are my sons). (18-2-10)
द्रष्टुमिच्छामि तां चाहं पाञ्चालीं धर्मचारिणीम्। न चेह स्थातुमिच্ছामि सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि वः ॥१८-२-११॥
I wish to see her, Pañcālī, who follows dharma, and I do not wish to remain here. This is the truth I speak to you. (18-2-11)
किं मे भ्रातृविहीनस्य स्वर्गेण सुरसत्तमाः। यत्र ते स मम स्वर्गो नायं स्वर्गो मतो मम ॥१८-२-१२॥
O best of gods, what use is heaven to me, one who is without his brother? Wherever he is, that is my heaven; this is not regarded as heaven by me. (18-2-12)
देवा ऊचुः॥
The gods said;
यदि वै तत्र ते श्रद्धा गम्यतां पुत्र माचिरम्। प्रिये हि तव वर्तामो देवराजस्य शासनात् ॥१८-२-१३॥
If, indeed, you have faith there, let it go, my son, do not delay. Dear one, truly, we remain here according to the command of the king of the gods. (18-2-13)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
इत्युक्त्वा तं ततो देवा देवदूतमुपादिशन्। युधिष्ठिरस्य सुहृदो दर्शयेति परन्तप ॥१८-२-१४॥
Having thus spoken to him, the gods then instructed the divine messenger, 'Show Yudhishthira's friends,' O scorcher of foes. (18-2-14)
ततः कुन्तीसुतो राजा देवदूतश्च जग्मतुः। सहितौ राजशार्दूल यत्र ते पुरुषर्षभाः ॥१८-२-१५॥
Then, O tiger among kings, Kunti's son the king and the divine messenger went together to where those foremost of men were. (18-2-15)
अग्रतो देवदूतस्तु ययौ राजा च पृष्ठतः। पन्थानमशुभं दुर्गं सेवितं पापकर्मभिः ॥१८-२-१६॥
The messenger of the gods went ahead, but the king followed behind, (along) a difficult and inauspicious path, frequented by those who perform evil deeds. (18-2-16)
तमसा संवृतं घोरं केशशैवलशाद्वलम्। युक्तं पापकृतां गन्धैर्मांसशोणितकर्दमम् ॥१८-२-१७॥
It is covered by darkness, terrible, filled with matted hair, seaweed, and moss, pervaded by the stench of the wicked, with mud made of flesh and blood. (18-2-17)
दंशोत्थानं सझिल्लीकं मक्षिकामशकावृतम्। इतश्चेतश्च कुणपैः समन्तात्परिवारितम् ॥१८-२-१८॥
It is produced by biting insects, filled with crickets, swarming with flies and mosquitoes, and all around, here and there, surrounded by corpses. (18-2-18)
अस्थिकेशसमाकीर्णं कृमिकीटसमाकुलम्। ज्वलनेन प्रदीप्तेन समन्तात्परिवेष्टितम् ॥१८-२-१९॥
Covered with bones and hair, infested with worms and insects, and surrounded on all sides by blazing fire. (18-2-19)
अयोमुखैश्च काकोलैर्गृध्रैश्च समभिद्रुतम्। सूचीमुखैस्तथा प्रेतैर्विन्ध्यशैलोपमैर्वृतम् ॥१८-२-२०॥
It was completely assailed by iron-mouthed beings, kākolas, and vultures; also by needle-mouthed creatures and pretas, covered with those resembling the Vindhya mountains. (18-2-20)
मेदोरुधिरयुक्तैश्च छिन्नबाहूरुपाणिभिः। निकृत्तोदरपादैश्च तत्र तत्र प्रवेरितैः ॥१८-२-२१॥
There, fat mixed with blood, together with severed arms, thighs, hands, bellies, and feet, was cast all about here and there. (18-2-21)
स तत्कुणपदुर्गन्धमशिवं रोमहर्षणम्। जगाम राजा धर्मात्मा मध्ये बहु विचिन्तयन् ॥१८-२-२२॥
He, the righteous king, while thinking much in the midst, went towards that corpse with its inauspicious, foul odor and hair-raising nature. (18-2-22)
ददर्शोष्णोदकैः पूर्णां नदीं चापि सुदुर्गमाम्। असिपत्रवनं चैव निशितक्षुरसंवृतम् ॥१८-२-२३॥
He saw a river filled with hot water, very hard to cross, and a sword-leaf forest covered everywhere with sharp razors. (18-2-23)
करम्भवालुकास्तप्ता आयसीश्च शिलाः पृथक्। लोहकुम्भीश्च तैलस्य क्वाथ्यमानाः समन्ततः ॥१८-२-२४॥
Heated sand mixed with grain-paste, and separately iron stones; and iron cauldrons filled with boiling oil all around. (18-2-24)
कूटशाल्मलिकं चापि दुस्पर्शं तीक्ष्णकण्टकम्। ददर्श चापि कौन्तेयो यातनाः पापकर्मिणाम् ॥१८-२-२५॥
The son of Kuntī (Arjuna) also saw the spiked śālmalī tree, difficult to touch and covered with sharp thorns, as well as the torments inflicted upon evil-doers. (18-2-25)
स तं दुर्गन्धमालक्ष्य देवदूतमुवाच ह। कियदध्वानमस्माभिर्गन्तव्यमिदमीदृशम् ॥१८-२-२६॥
Having noticed the foul smell, he said to the divine messenger: "How much of such a path remains for us to go?" (18-2-26)
क्व च ते भ्रातरो मह्यं तन्ममाख्यातुमर्हसि। देशोऽयं कश्च देवानामेतदिच्छामि वेदितुम् ॥१८-२-२७॥
Where are your brothers? You ought to tell me that. What is this place of the gods? I wish to know this. (18-2-27)
स संनिववृते श्रुत्वा धर्मराजस्य भाषितम्। देवदूतोऽब्रवीच्चैनमेतावद्गमनं तव ॥१८-२-२८॥
He withdrew after hearing Dharmarāja’s words. The divine messenger said to him, 'Your journey goes only this far.' (18-2-28)
निवर्तितव्यं हि मया तथास्म्युक्तो दिवौकसैः। यदि श्रान्तोऽसि राजेन्द्र त्वमथागन्तुमर्हसि ॥१८-२-२९॥
I must return, for I have thus been told by the gods. If you are tired, O king, then you may come. (18-2-29)
युधिष्ठिरस्तु निर्विण्णस्तेन गन्धेन मूर्छितः। निवर्तने धृतमनाः पर्यावर्तत भारत ॥१८-२-३०॥
But Yudhiṣṭhira, O Bhārata, dispirited and fainted by that smell, having resolved to turn back, returned. (18-2-30)
स संनिवृत्तो धर्मात्मा दुःखशोकसमन्वितः। शुश्राव तत्र वदतां दीना वाचः समन्ततः ॥१८-२-३१॥
He, having returned—a righteous man filled with pain and sorrow—heard there, from all sides, the words of the distressed as they spoke. (18-2-31)
भो भो धर्मज राजर्षे पुण्याभिजन पाण्डव। अनुग्रहार्थमस्माकं तिष्ठ तावन्मुहूर्तकम् ॥१८-२-३२॥
O dharma-born, royal sage of virtuous lineage, O Pāṇḍava, please stay at least for a moment out of compassion for us. (18-2-32)
आयाति त्वयि दुर्धर्षे वाति पुण्यः समीरणः। तव गन्धानुगस्तात येनास्मान्सुखमागमत् ॥१८-२-३३॥
O irresistable one, a holy breeze comes to you, blowing and carrying your fragrance, dear sir; by which happiness has come to us. (18-2-33)
ते वयं पार्थ दीर्घस्य कालस्य पुरुषर्षभ। सुखमासादयिष्यामस्त्वां दृष्ट्वा राजसत्तम ॥१८-२-३४॥
O Pārtha, best of kings, having seen you after a long time, we shall obtain happiness. (18-2-34)
सन्तिष्ठस्व महाबाहो मुहूर्तमपि भारत। त्वयि तिष्ठति कौरव्य यातनास्मान्न बाधते ॥१८-२-३५॥
O mighty-armed Bharata, remain for even a moment. O Kaurava, while you stay, sorrow does not trouble us. (18-2-35)
एवं बहुविधा वाचः कृपणा वेदनावताम्। तस्मिन्देशे स शुश्राव समन्ताद्वदतां नृप ॥१८-२-३६॥
Thus, in that place, the king heard from all sides the pitiful words of many kinds uttered by those suffering. (18-2-36)
तेषां तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा दयावान्दीनभाषिणाम्। अहो कृच्छ्रमिति प्राह तस्थौ स च युधिष्ठिरः ॥१८-२-३७॥
Having heard their words, being compassionate for those speaking in distress, Yudhiṣṭhira said, "Alas, how difficult!" He stood still. (18-2-37)
स ता गिरः पुरस्ताद्वै श्रुतपूर्वाः पुनः पुनः। ग्लानानां दुःखितानां च नाभ्यजानत पाण्डवः ॥१८-२-३८॥
But the Pāṇḍava did not recognize those voices coming repeatedly from in front, which he had heard before, as they were of people weary and sorrowful. (18-2-38)
अबुध्यमानस्ता वाचो धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। उवाच के भवन्तो वै किमर्थमिह तिष्ठथ ॥१८-२-३९॥
As he awakened, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, spoke those words: "Who are you indeed, and for what reason do you stand here?" (18-2-39)
इत्युक्तास्ते ततः सर्वे समन्तादवभाषिरे। कर्णोऽहं भीमसेनोऽहमर्जुनोऽहमिति प्रभो ॥१८-२-४०॥
Thus having been addressed, then all of them on every side spoke out, each declaring, 'I am Karna, I am Bhimasena, I am Arjuna,' O lord. (18-2-40)
नकुलः सहदेवोऽहं धृष्टद्युम्नोऽहमित्युत। द्रौपदी द्रौपदेयाश्च इत्येवं ते विचुक्रुशुः ॥१८-२-४१॥
Nakula, Sahadeva, and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, each (cried) 'I'; Draupadī and the sons of Draupadī as well—thus, in this manner, they all wailed aloud. (18-2-41)
ता वाचः सा तदा श्रुत्वा तद्देशसदृशीर्नृप। ततो विममृशे राजा किं न्विदं दैवकारितम् ॥१८-२-४२॥
O king, having heard those words suitable to that place, the king then pondered, "What indeed is this that has been wrought by fate?" (18-2-42)
किं नु तत्कलुषं कर्म कृतमेभिर्महात्मभिः। कर्णेन द्रौपदेयैर्वा पाञ्चाल्या वा सुमध्यया ॥१८-२-४३॥
What is that impure deed which has been done by these great-souled ones—by Karṇa, or by the sons of Draupadī, or by Pāñcālī, the slender-waisted one? (18-2-43)
य इमे पापगन्धेऽस्मिन्देशे सन्ति सुदारुणे। न हि जानामि सर्वेषां दुष्कृतं पुण्यकर्मणाम् ॥१८-२-४४॥
I do not know what evil deed has been committed by all these people of meritorious actions, who now dwell in this terribly evil-tainted place. (18-2-44)
किं कृत्वा धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रो राजा सुयोधनः। तथा श्रिया युतः पापः सह सर्वैः पदानुगैः ॥१८-२-४५॥
What did Suyodhana, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and king, do—he who was thus endowed with splendour, sinful, and accompanied by all his attendants? (18-2-45)
महेन्द्र इव लक्ष्मीवानास्ते परमपूजितः। कस्येदानीं विकारोऽयं यदिमे नरकं गताः ॥१८-२-४६॥
He, like Mahendra, who is endowed with fortune, sits greatly honoured. Now, whose is this change, if these have gone to hell? (18-2-46)
सर्वधर्मविदः शूराः सत्यागमपरायणाः। क्षात्रधर्मपराः प्राज्ञा यज्वानो भूरिदक्षिणाः ॥१८-२-४७॥
They are knowers of all dharmas, valiant, devoted to truth and tradition, dedicated to the kṣatriya duty, wise, performers of sacrifices, and givers of great gifts. (18-2-47)
किं नु सुप्तोऽस्मि जागर्मि चेतयानो न चेतये। अहो चित्तविकारोऽयं स्याद्वा मे चित्तविभ्रमः ॥१८-२-४८॥
What is this? Am I asleep or awake? Though I am conscious, I do not perceive. Ah! perhaps this is a disturbance of my mind, or it may be my own mental confusion. (18-2-48)
एवं बहुविधं राजा विममर्श युधिष्ठिरः। दुःखशोकसमाविष्टश्चिन्ताव्याकुलितेन्द्रियः ॥१८-२-४९॥
Thus, King Yudhishthira, overcome with pain and sorrow and with his senses disturbed by anxiety, considered many different matters. (18-2-49)
क्रोधमाहारयच्चैव तीव्रं धर्मसुतो नृपः। देवांश्च गर्हयामास धर्मं चैव युधिष्ठिरः ॥१८-२-५०॥
The son of Dharma, the king Yudhishthira, indeed brought forth intense anger. Yudhishthira censured both the gods and Dharma. (18-2-50)
स तीव्रगन्धसन्तप्तो देवदूतमुवाच ह। गम्यतां भद्र येषां त्वं दूतस्तेषामुपान्तिकम् ॥१८-२-५१॥
Afflicted by the intense odor, he said to the divine messenger: "Go, O fortunate one, to the presence of those whom you serve as a messenger." (18-2-51)
न ह्यहं तत्र यास्म्यामि स्थितोऽस्मीति निवेद्यताम्। मत्संश्रयादिमे दूत सुखिनो भ्रातरो हि मे ॥१८-२-५२॥
Indeed, let it be communicated that I shall not go there and that I remain here. By my protection, let my messenger inform that my brothers are truly happy. (18-2-52)
इत्युक्तः स तदा दूतः पाण्डुपुत्रेण धीमता। जगाम तत्र यत्रास्ते देवराजः शतक्रतुः ॥१८-२-५३॥
Thus, having been addressed by the wise son of Pāṇḍu, the messenger then went to that place where the king of the gods, Indra, abides. (18-2-53)
निवेदयामास च तद्धर्मराजचिकीर्षितम्। यथोक्तं धर्मपुत्रेण सर्वमेव जनाधिप ॥१८-२-५४॥
He reported to the king all that had been intended by Dharmarāja, just as Dharmaputra had spoken. (18-2-54)
