Critical Edition
जनमेजय उवाच कथितं वै समासेन त्वया सर्वं द्विजोत्तम महाभारतमाख्यानं कुरूणां चरितं महत्
M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya said : O best of Brahmanas, you have told me in brief the history called Mahabharata, containing the great deeds of the Kurus.
कथां त्वनघ चित्रार्थामिमां कथयति त्वयि विस्तरश्रवणे जातं कौतूहलमतीव मे
M. N. Dutt: O great ascetic, recite now fully this wonderful history. I feel a great curiosity to hear it.
स भवान्विस्तरेणेमां पुनराख्यातुमर्हति न हि तृप्यामि पूर्वेषां शृण्वानश्चरितं महत्
M. N. Dutt: You should, therefore, recite it in full. I am not satisfied with hearing in the abstract this great history of my ancestors.
न तत्कारणमल्पं हि धर्मज्ञा यत्र पाण्डवाः अवध्यान्सर्वशो जघ्नुः प्रशस्यन्ते च मानवैः
M. N. Dutt: It could not be a trifling cause for which the virtuous Pandavas killed those whom they should not have killed and for which they are still praised by men.
किमर्थं ते नरव्याघ्राः शक्ताः सन्तो ह्यनागसः प्रयुज्यमानान्संक्लेशान्क्षान्तवन्तो दुरात्मनाम्
M. N. Dutt: Why did those best of men, (the Pandavas), capable of avenging themselves on enemies, though innocent, quietly suffered the persecutions of the wicked Kurus?
कथं नागायुतप्राणो बाहुशाली वृकोदरः परिक्लिश्यन्नपि क्रोधं धृतवान्वै द्विजोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: O best of Brahmanas, why did the mighty armed Bhima, having the strength of ten thousand elephants, though persecuted, patiently kept his anger down?
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.6 T1 M ins. after 6ab: T2 G (except G3), after 6: *483 भ्रातॄणां क्लेशमायातं गतवान्वै परंतपः
कथं सा द्रौपदी कृष्णा क्लिश्यमाना दुरात्मभिः शक्ता सती धार्तराष्ट्रान्नादहद्घोरचक्षुषा
M. N. Dutt: Why did not the chaste Krishnaa, the daughter of Drupada, though persecuted by the wicked (Kurus), burn the sons of Dhritarashtra by her angry eyes, capable as she was to do it?
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.7 After 7, G1 ins.: *484 कथं सा द्रौपदी शक्ता धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च नादहत्
कथं व्यतिक्रमन्द्यूते पार्थौ माद्रीसुतौ तथा अनुव्रजन्नरव्याघ्रं वञ्च्यमानं दुरात्मभिः
M. N. Dutt: Why did the two sons of Pritha, (Bhima and Arjuna) and the two sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) those best of men, though persecuted by the wretches, follow Yudhishthira, who was addicted to the evil habit of gambling?
कथं धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठः सुतो धर्मस्य धर्मवित् अनर्हः परमं क्लेशं सोढवान्स युधिष्ठिरः
M. N. Dutt: Why did Yudhishthira, the best of all virtuous men and the son of Dharma himself, though acquainted with all duties, suffer great afflictions?
कथं च बहुलाः सेनाः पाण्डवः कृष्णसारथिः अस्यन्नेकोऽनयत्सर्वाः पितृलोकं धनंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Why did the son of Pandu, Arjuna, Krishna himself being his charioteer and who could by his arrows send to the other world hosts of fighting men, suffer so many persecutions?
एतदाचक्ष्व मे सर्वं यथावृत्तं तपोधन यद्यच्च कृतवन्तस्ते तत्र तत्र महारथाः
M. N. Dutt: O great, Rishi, tell me all this as they happened. (Tell me) everything that those highly mighty car-warriors did.
वैशंपायन उवाच महर्षेः सर्वलोकेषु पूजितस्य महात्मनः प्रवक्ष्यामि मतं कृत्स्नं व्यासस्यामिततेजसः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : O great king, appoint a time (to hear it). This history is very extensive. This is but the beginning. I shall recite the whole of this history, composed by the illustrious Krishna Dvaipayana, the great Rishi, Vyasa of immeasurable mental power, who is adored by all the world.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.12 After vaiśaṃ. u., N ins.: *485 क्षणं कुरु महाराज विपुलोऽयमनुक्रमः पुण्याख्यानस्य वक्तव्यः कृष्णद्वैपायनेरितः
इदं शतसहस्रं हि श्लोकानां पुण्यकर्मणाम् सत्यवत्यात्मजेनेह व्याख्यातममितौजसा
M. N. Dutt: This (Bharata) contains one lac sacred slokas, composed by the son of Satyavati, Vyasa of immeasurable mental power.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.13 S subst. for 13cd: D3.4 ins. after 13: *486 उपाख्यानैः सह ज्ञेयं श्राव्यं भारतमुत्तमम् संक्षेपेण तु वक्ष्यामि सर्वमेतन्नराधिप अध्यायानां सहस्रे द्वे पर्वणां शतमेव च श्लोकानां तु सहस्राणि नवतिश्च दशैव च ततोऽष्टादशभिः पर्वैः संगृहीतं महर्षिणा
य इदं श्रावयेद्विद्वान्यश्चेदं शृणुयान्नरः ते ब्रह्मणः स्थानमेत्य प्राप्नुयुर्देवतुल्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: The learned man who reads it to others and those that hear it read, go to the world of Brahma and become equal to the celestials.
इदं हि वेदैः समितं पवित्रमपि चोत्तमम् श्राव्याणामुत्तमं चेदं पुराणमृषिसंस्तुतम्
M. N. Dutt: This (Bharata) is equal to the Vedas; it is holy and excellent; it is the worthiest of all that should be listened to. It is a Purana, adored by the Rishis.
अस्मिन्नर्थश्च धर्मश्च निखिलेनोपदिश्यते इतिहासे महापुण्ये बुद्धिश्च परिनैष्ठिकी
M. N. Dutt: It contains many useful instructions on Artha and Kama. This sacred history makes the heart desire to attain salvation.
अक्षुद्रान्दानशीलांश्च सत्यशीलाननास्तिकान् कार्ष्णं वेदमिमं विद्वाञ्श्रावयित्वार्थमश्नुते
M. N. Dutt: The learned men earn much wealth by reciting this Veda composed by Krishna (Dvaipayana) to those who are noble, liberal, truthful and believing.
भ्रूणहत्याकृतं चापि पापं जह्यादसंशयम् इतिहासमिमं श्रुत्वा पुरुषोऽपि सुदारुणः
AI Translation: Even the sin of killing a fetus would be destroyed without a doubt. Even a man who is extremely cruel, upon hearing this history,
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.18 After 18, K3 Ñ2.3 V1 B D ins.: *487 मुच्यते सर्वपापेभ्यो राहुणा चन्द्रमा यथा K0.2.4 ins. after 18: D5, after 487*: *488 तत्क्षणाज्जायते दान्तः शश्वच्छान्तिं नियच्छति
जयो नामेतिहासोऽयं श्रोतव्यो विजिगीषुणा महीं विजयते सर्वां शत्रूंश्चापि पराजयेत्
AI Translation: This history named Jayam should be heard by one who desires victory. He conquers the entire earth and defeats enemies.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.19 After 19, D6 ins.: *489 प्रसूते गर्भिणी पुत्रं कन्या सत्पतिमश्नुते
इदं पुंसवनं श्रेष्ठमिदं स्वस्त्ययनं महत् महिषीयुवराजाभ्यां श्रोतव्यं बहुशस्तथा
AI Translation: This is the best for the birth of a son, this is the great one for well-being. It should be heard many times by the queen and the crown prince.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.20 After 20, K4 Ñ2.3 V1 B D ins.: *490 वीरं जनयते पुत्रं कन्यां वा राज्यभागिनीम्
अर्थशास्त्रमिदं पुण्यं धर्मशास्त्रमिदं परम् मोक्षशास्त्रमिदं प्रोक्तं व्यासेनामितबुद्धिना
M. N. Dutt: It is the Dharma Shastra, it is also the sacred Artha Shastra, it is also the great Moksha Shastra, said Vyasa of immeasurable intelligence.
संप्रत्याचक्षते चैव आख्यास्यन्ति तथापरे पुत्राः शुश्रूषवः सन्ति प्रेष्याश्च प्रियकारिणः
M. N. Dutt: It is recited in the present age and will be recited in future ages. He, who hears it, gets sons and survivors, who perform their favourite works.
शरीरेण कृतं पापं वाचा च मनसैव च सर्वं तत्त्यजति क्षिप्रमिदं शृण्वन्नरः सदा
M. N. Dutt: He who hears it escapes immediately from all his sins that are committed by him in body, word or mind.
भारतानां महज्जन्म शृण्वतामनसूयताम् नास्ति व्याधिभयं तेषां परलोकभयं कुतः
M. N. Dutt: He who hears the history of the Bharata race without being fault-finding, can have no fear from diseases, let alone the fear of the other world.
धन्यं यशस्यमायुष्यं स्वर्ग्यं पुण्यं तथैव च कृष्णद्वैपायनेनेदं कृतं पुण्यचिकीर्षुणा
AI Translation: It is auspicious, glorious, long-lived, heavenly, meritorious, and so on. This was composed by Krishna Dvaipayana, who desired merit.
कीर्तिं प्रथयता लोके पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् अन्येषां क्षत्रियाणां च भूरिद्रविणतेजसाम्
AI Translation: Praising the glory of the great-souled Pandavas in the world, and of other Kshatriyas of great wealth and energy,
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.26 K ins. after the repetition of 26ab (K3, after that of 26cd): Ñ2.3 V1 B (except B6) D, after 26: *491 सर्वविद्यावदातानां लोके प्रथितकर्मणाम् K ins. after 26: Ñ2.3 V1 B (except B6) D ins. after 26ab (Dn D1, after 491*): *492 य इदं मानवो लोके पुण्यान्वै ब्राह्मणाञ्शुचीन् श्रावयेत महापुण्यं तस्य धर्मः सनातनः कुरूणां प्रथितं वंशं कीर्तयन्सततं शुचिः After the above, K3 repeats 26cd (which is follow- ed by 491*); while Dn D1.4 ins.: *493 वंशमाप्नोति विपुलं लोके पूज्यतमो भवेत् N ins. after 492* (K3, after 491*; Dn D1.4, after 493*): T2 G2.4-6, after 26: *494 योऽधीते भारतं पुण्यं ब्राह्मणो नियतव्रतः चतुरो वार्षिकान्मासान्सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते विज्ञेयः स च वेदानां पारगो भारतं पठन् देवा ब्रह्मर्षयो यत्र पुण्या राजर्षयस्तथा कीर्त्यन्ते धूतपाप्मानः कीर्त्यते केशवस्तथा N cont.: *495 भगवांश्चापि देवेशो यत्र देवी च कीर्त्यते अनेकजननो यत्र कार्त्तिकेयस्य संभवः ब्राह्मणानां गवां चैव माहात्म्यं यत्र कीर्त्यते सर्वश्रुतिसमूहोऽयं श्रोतव्यो धर्मबुद्धिभिः
यथा समुद्रो भगवान्यथा च हिमवान्गिरिः ख्यातावुभौ रत्ननिधी तथा भारतमुच्यते
M. N. Dutt: This Bharata is said to be a mine of gems, as the illustrious ocean or the great mountain Meru.
य इदं श्रावयेद्विद्वान्ब्राह्मणानिह पर्वसु धूतपाप्मा जितस्वर्गो ब्रह्मभूयं स गच्छति
AI Translation: He who would cause this to be recited by the learned Brāhmanas here on the holy days, having shaken off sin and conquered heaven, he attains to the state of Brahman.
यश्चेदं श्रावयेच्छ्राद्धे ब्राह्मणान्पादमन्ततः अक्षय्यं तस्य तच्छ्राद्धमुपतिष्ठेत्पितॄनपि
AI Translation: And he who would recite this at a śrāddha to Brahmins, even if only a foot, that śrāddha of his would be inexhaustible, and would serve the manes.
अह्ना यदेनश्चाज्ञानात्प्रकरोति नरश्चरन् तन्महाभारताख्यानं श्रुत्वैव प्रविलीयते
AI Translation: Whatever a man does in ignorance during the day, that is destroyed by merely hearing the story of the Mahābhārata.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.30 S expands 30 into two stanzas, which are included in a long passage given in App. I (No. 32); while B1 D (except D2) expand 30ab into the following two lines: *496 अह्ना यदेनः क्रियते इन्द्रियैर्मनसापि वा ज्ञानादज्ञानतो वापि प्रकरोति नरश्च यत्
भारतानां महज्जन्म महाभारतमुच्यते निरुक्तमस्य यो वेद सर्वपापैः प्रमुच्यते
AI Translation: The great birth of the Bharatas is called the Mahābhārata. He who knows its etymology is freed from all sins.
त्रिभिर्वर्षैः सदोत्थायी कृष्णद्वैपायनो मुनिः महाभारतमाख्यानं कृतवानिदमुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: The Rishi Krishna Dvaipayana, regularly rising (every morning) for three years, composed this wonderful history, called Mahabharata.
धर्मे चार्थे च कामे च मोक्षे च भरतर्षभ यदिहास्ति तदन्यत्र यन्नेहास्ति न तत्क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: O best of the Bharata race, whatever about Dharma, Artha, Kama and Moksha, that is contained in this Bharata, may be met with elsewhere; but whatever is not in it, is not to be found anywhere.
Supplementary Passages:
1.56.33 After 33, K4 ins. a passage of six lines given in App. I (No. 34), while D3 S ins.: *497 इदं हि ब्राह्मणैर्लोके आख्यातं ब्राह्मणेष्विह