Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच श्रोतुमिच्छामि भगवन्विस्तरेण महामुने राजधर्मान्द्विजश्रेष्ठ चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य चाखिलान्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said O holy and great ascetic, I wish to hear at length what the duties of kings are and what the duties, in full, of all the four orders.
आपत्सु च यथा नीतिर्विधातव्या महीक्षिता धर्म्यमालम्ब्य पन्थानं विजयेयं कथं महीम्
M. N. Dutt: I wish to hear, O foremost of Brahmanas, how persons should behave in times of distress, and how I may subjugate the world by following path of morality.
प्रायश्चित्तकथा ह्येषा भक्ष्याभक्ष्यविवर्धिता कौतूहलानुप्रवणा हर्षं जनयतीव मे
M. N. Dutt: This discourse on expiation, describing facts and capable of exciting great curiosity, has pleased me.
धर्मचर्या च राज्यं च नित्यमेव विरुध्यते येन मुह्यति मे चेतश्चिन्तयानस्य नित्यशः
M. N. Dutt: The practice of virtue and the performance of royal duties are always inconsistent with each other. I am always perplexed to think how one may reconcile the two.
वैशंपायन उवाच तमुवाच महातेजा व्यासो वेदविदां वरः नारदं समभिप्रेक्ष्य सर्वं जानन्पुरातनम्
AI Translation: Vyasa said to him, "The greatly radiant Vyasa, the best of those who know the Vedas, said this to him, looking at Narada, knowing everything from the past.
श्रोतुमिच्छसि चेद्धर्मानखिलेन युधिष्ठिर प्रैहि भीष्मं महाबाहो वृद्धं कुरुपितामहम्
AI Translation: If you wish to hear the Dharma in its entirety, O Yudhishthira, Go to Bhishma, the aged grandfather of the Kurus, O mighty-armed one.
स ते सर्वरहस्येषु संशयान्मनसि स्थितान् छेत्ता भागीरथीपुत्रः सर्वज्ञः सर्वधर्मवित्
M. N. Dutt: Conversant with all duties and endued with universal knowledge that son of Bhagirathi will remove all your doubts regarding the difficult subjects of duties.
जनयामास यं देवी दिव्या त्रिपथगा नदी साक्षाद्ददर्श यो देवान्सर्वाञ्शक्रपुरोगमान्
M. N. Dutt: That goddess the celestial river of three courses, gave birth to him. He saw with his physical eyes all the celestials headed by Indra.
बृहस्पतिपुरोगांश्च देवर्षीनसकृत्प्रभुः तोषयित्वोपचारेण राजनीतिमधीतवान्
M. N. Dutt: Having pleased with his dutiful services the celestial Rishis, headed by Brihaspati, he acquired a knowledge of royal duties.
उशना वेद यच्छास्त्रं देवासुरगुरुर्द्विजः तच्च सर्वं सवैयाख्यं प्राप्तवान्कुरुसत्तमः
M. N. Dutt: That foremost one among the Kurus acquired a knowledge also of that science, with its interpretations, which Ushanas and the Rishi who is the preceptor of the celestials know.
भार्गवाच्च्यवनाच्चापि वेदानङ्गोपबृंहितान् प्रतिपेदे महाबुद्धिर्वसिष्ठाच्च यतव्रतात्
M. N. Dutt: Having practised rigid vows, that mightyarined one obtained a knowledge of all the Vedas and their branches, from Vashishtha and from Chyavana of Bhrigu's race.
पितामहसुतं ज्येष्ठं कुमारं दीप्ततेजसम् अध्यात्मगतितत्त्वज्ञमुपाशिक्षत यः पुरा
M. N. Dutt: In the days of yore he studied under the eldest son of the Grandfather himself, viz., the effulgent Sanatkumara, well conversant with the truths of mental and spiritual science.
मार्कण्डेयमुखात्कृत्स्नं यतिधर्ममवाप्तवान् रामादस्त्राणि शक्राच्च प्राप्तवान्भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: He learnt the duties in full of the Yatis from Markandeya. That foremost of men learnt the science from Rama and Shakra.
मृत्युरात्मेच्छया यस्य जातस्य मनुजेष्वपि तथानपत्यस्य सतः पुण्यलोका दिवि श्रुताः
M. N. Dutt: Although born as man, his death itself is in his own hands. Although childless, yet he has many blissful regions hereafter as heard by us.
यस्य ब्रह्मर्षयः पुण्या नित्यमासन्सभासदः यस्य नाविदितं किंचिज्ज्ञानज्ञेयेषु विद्यते
M. N. Dutt: Rishis of great merit were his courtiers. There is nothing on earth which is unknown to him.
स ते वक्ष्यति धर्मज्ञः सूक्ष्मधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित् तमभ्येहि पुरा प्राणान्स विमुञ्चति धर्मवित्
M. N. Dutt: Conversant with all duties and the subtile truths of morality, he wili describe to you the duty and morality. See him before he dies.
एवमुक्तस्तु कौन्तेयो दीर्घप्रज्ञो महाद्युतिः उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठं व्यासं सत्यवतीसुतम्
M. N. Dutt: Thus accosted by him, the high-souled and wise son of Kunti, said the following to Satyavati's son Vyasa, that foremost of all orators.
वैशसं सुमहत्कृत्वा ज्ञातीनां लोमहर्षणम् आगस्कृत्सर्वलोकस्य पृथिवीनाशकारकः
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Having caused a great and dreadful destruction of kinsmen, I have offended all and am a destroyer of the Earth.
घातयित्वा तमेवाजौ छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम् उपसंप्रष्टुमर्हामि तमहं केन हेतुना
M. N. Dutt: Having caused that Bhishma himself, that honest warrior, to be killed deceitfully how shall I approach him for asking him (about duties and morality)?
ततस्तं नृपतिश्रेष्ठं चातुर्वर्ण्यहितेप्सया पुनराह महाबाहुर्यदुश्रेष्ठो महाद्युतिः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Actuated by the desire of benefiting all the four orders, the mighty-armed and great chief of Yadu's race once more addressed that
नेदानीमतिनिर्बन्धं शोके कर्तुमिहार्हसि यदाह भगवान्व्यासस्तत्कुरुष्व नृपोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: You should not thus continually indulge in grief. Do, O best of kings, what the holy Vyasa has said.
ब्राह्मणास्त्वां महाबाहो भ्रातरश्च महौजसः पर्जन्यमिव घर्मार्ता आशंसाना उपासते
M. N. Dutt: The Brahmanas, O mighty-armed one, and these your highly energetic brothers stand before you beseechingly like persons soliciting Indra the gods of the clouds at the close of summer.
हतशिष्टाश्च राजानः कृत्स्नं चैव समागतम् चातुर्वर्ण्यं महाराज राष्ट्रं ते कुरुजाङ्गलम्
M. N. Dutt: The surviving kings, and the people belonging to all the four orders of your kingdom of Kurujangala, O king, are here.
प्रियार्थमपि चैतेषां ब्राह्मणानां महात्मनाम् नियोगादस्य च गुरोर्व्यासस्यामिततेजसः
AI Translation: For the sake of the beloved ones, for the sake of these great-souled Brahmanas, and by the command of this teacher, of Vyasa of immeasurable splendour,
सुहृदां चास्मदादीनां द्रौपद्याश्च परंतप कुरु प्रियममित्रघ्न लोकस्य च हितं कुरु
AI Translation: O scorcher of enemies, do what is pleasing to us and to Droupadi and to our friends. O slayer of enemies, do what is pleasing to the world.
एवमुक्तस्तु कृष्णेन राजा राजीवलोचनः हितार्थं सर्वलोकस्य समुत्तस्थौ महातपाः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Thus addressed by Krishna, the great king (Yudhishthira) having eyes like lotus petals, rose from his seat for the well-being of the entire world.
सोऽनुनीतो नरव्याघ्रो विष्टरश्रवसा स्वयम् द्वैपायनेन च तथा देवस्थानेन जिष्णुना
AI Translation: The tiger among men was persuaded by Viṣṭaraśravas himself, and by Dvaipāyana, Devasttha, and Jishnu.
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिरनुनीतो युधिष्ठिरः व्यजहान्मानसं दुःखं संतापं च महामनाः
AI Translation: And by these and many others was Yudhishthira entreated, and the high-souled one shook off his sorrow and his grief.
श्रुतवाक्यः श्रुतनिधिः श्रुतश्रव्यविशारदः व्यवस्य मनसः शान्तिमगच्छत्पाण्डुनन्दनः
M. N. Dutt: Full conversant with the teachings of the Srutis, with the science that explains them and with all that men usually hear and all that is worthy of being heard, the son of Pandu acquired peace of mind and resolved upon what he should next do.
स तैः परिवृतो राजा नक्षत्रैरिव चन्द्रमाः धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य स्वपुरं प्रविवेश ह
M. N. Dutt: Surrounded by them all like the moon by the stars, the king, placing Dhritarashtra at the head started for the city.
प्रविविक्षुः स धर्मज्ञः कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः अर्चयामास देवांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्च सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: Desirous of entering the city, Kunti's son Yudhishthira, conversant with everyday, worshipped the gods and thousands of Brahmanas.
ततो रथं नवं शुभ्रं कम्बलाजिनसंवृतम् युक्तं षोडशभिर्गोभिः पाण्डुरैः शुभलक्षणैः
AI Translation: Then he took a new, beautiful chariot covered with blankets and hides, Yoked to sixteen white cows with auspicious marks.
मन्त्रैरभ्यर्चितः पुण्यैः स्तूयमानो महर्षिभिः आरुरोह यथा देवः सोमोऽमृतमयं रथम्
AI Translation: Worshipped with auspicious mantras and praised by the great sages, He ascended the chariot made of nectar, like the god Soma.
जग्राह रश्मीन्कौन्तेयो भीमो भीमपराक्रमः अर्जुनः पाण्डुरं छत्रं धारयामास भानुमत्
M. N. Dutt: His powerful brother Bhima took the reins. Arjuna held over his head a highly lustrous umbrella.
ध्रियमाणं तु तच्छत्रं पाण्डुरं तस्य मूर्धनि शुशुभे तारकाराजसितमभ्रमिवाम्बरे
M. N. Dutt: That white a umbrella held upon the car shone like a white cloud adorned with stars in the sky.
चामरव्यजने चास्य वीरौ जगृहतुस्तदा चन्द्ररश्मिप्रभे शुभ्रे माद्रीपुत्रावलंकृते
M. N. Dutt: The two heroic sons of Madri, viz., Nakula and Sahadeva, took up two yak-tails white as the rays of the moon and let with gems, for fanning the king.
ते पञ्च रथमास्थाय भ्रातरः समलंकृताः भूतानीव समस्तानि राजन्ददृशिरे तदा
M. N. Dutt: The five brothers, adorned with ornaments, having got upon the car, O king, shone like the five elements.
आस्थाय तु रथं शुभ्रं युक्तमश्वैर्महाजवैः अन्वयात्पृष्ठतो राजन्युयुत्सुः पाण्डवाग्रजम्
M. N. Dutt: Riding upon another white car to which were yoked horses fleet as thought, Yuyutsu, O king, followed the eldest son of Pandu.
रथं हेममयं शुभ्रं सैन्यसुग्रीवयोजितम् सह सात्यकिना कृष्णः समास्थायान्वयात्कुरून्
M. N. Dutt: Upon his own shining car of gold to which were yoked Shivya and Sugriva. Krishna, with Satyaki, followed the Kurus.
नरयानेन तु ज्येष्ठः पिता पार्थस्य भारत अग्रतो धर्मराजस्य गान्धारीसहितो ययौ
M. N. Dutt: The eldest uncle of Pritha's son, O Bharata, accompanied by Gandhari, headed the train, upon a vehicle carried by men.
कुरुस्त्रियश्च ताः सर्वाः कुन्ती कृष्णा च द्रौपदी यानैरुच्चावचैर्जग्मुर्विदुरेण पुरस्कृताः
M. N. Dutt: The other Kuru ladies, as also Kunti and Krishna, all proceeded on excellent cars, headed by Vidura.
ततो रथाश्च बहुला नागाश्च समलंकृताः पादाताश्च हयाश्चैव पृष्ठतः समनुव्रजन्
M. N. Dutt: Then followed a large number of cars and elephants adorned with ornaments, and the infantry and horses.
ततो वैतालिकैः सूतैर्मागधैश्च सुभाषितैः स्तूयमानो ययौ राजा नगरं नागसाह्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: His praises sung by sweet-voiced panegyrists and birds, the king went towards the city of Hastinapur.
तत्प्रयाणं महाबाहोर्बभूवाप्रतिमं भुवि आकुलाकुलमुत्सृष्टं हृष्टपुष्टजनान्वितम्
M. N. Dutt: The march, O might-armed one, of king Yudhishthira, was so beautiful that its like had never been witnessed on Earth. Containing healthy and cheerful men, the busy hum of numberless voices was heard there.
अभियाने तु पार्थस्य नरैर्नगरवासिभिः नगरं राजमार्गश्च यथावत्समलंकृतम्
M. N. Dutt: During the march of Pritha's son, the city and its streets were adorned with lively citizens.
पाण्डुरेण च माल्येन पताकाभिश्च वेदिभिः संवृतो राजमार्गश्च धूपनैश्च सुधूपितः
M. N. Dutt: The part through which the king passed had been adorned with white festoons of flowers and numberless flags. The streets of the city were perfumed with incense.
अथ चूर्णैश्च गन्धानां नानापुष्पैः प्रियङ्गुभिः माल्यदामभिरासक्तै राजवेश्माभिसंवृतम्
M. N. Dutt: The palace was covered with powdered perfumes and flowers and fragrant plants, and ornamented with garlands and wreaths.
कुम्भाश्च नगरद्वारि वारिपूर्णा दृढा नवाः कन्याः सुमनसश्छागाः स्थापितास्तत्र तत्र ह
M. N. Dutt: New inetallic jars, brimful with water, were kept at the door of every house, and bevies of beautiful maidens stood at different parts.
तथा स्वलंकृतद्वारं नगरं पाण्डुनन्दनः स्तूयमानः शुभैर्वाक्यैः प्रविवेश सुहृद्वृतः
M. N. Dutt: Accompanied by his friends, and welcomed with sweet words the son of Pandu, entered the city through its well-adorned gate.