Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच प्रवेशने तु पार्थानां जनस्य पुरवासिनः दिदृक्षूणां सहस्राणि समाजग्मुर्बहून्यथ
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Then the sons of Pritha entered the city, thousands of citizens came out to see the spectacle.
स राजमार्गः शुशुभे समलंकृतचत्वरः यथा चन्द्रोदये राजन्वर्धमानो महोदधिः
M. N. Dutt: The well adorned squares and streets, with the crowd of men, shone like the ocean rising at the rise of the moon.
गृहाणि राजमार्गे तु रत्नवन्ति बृहन्ति च प्राकम्पन्तेव भारेण स्त्रीणां पूर्णानि भारत
M. N. Dutt: The large palaces that stood on the streetsides, gaily decked and full of ladies seemed to shake, O Bharata, with their fair denizens.
ताः शनैरिव सव्रीडं प्रशशंसुर्युधिष्ठिरम् भीमसेनार्जुनौ चैव माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ
M. N. Dutt: With soft and modest voices they described the praises of Yudhishthira, of Bhima and Arjuna, and of the two sons of Madri.
धन्या त्वमसि पाञ्चालि या त्वं पुरुषसत्तमान् उपतिष्ठसि कल्याणि महर्षीनिव गौतमी
M. N. Dutt: And they said,-You deserve every praise, O blessed princess of Panchala, who wait by the side of these foremost of men like Gautaini by the side of the (seven) Rishis.
तव कर्माण्यमोघानि व्रतचर्या च भामिनि इति कृष्णां महाराज प्रशशंसुस्तदा स्त्रियः
M. N. Dutt: 'Your acts and vows have fructified, O lady.' Thus, O king, the ladies praised the princess Krishna.
प्रशंसावचनैस्तासां मिथःशब्दैश्च भारत प्रीतिजैश्च तदा शब्दैः पुरमासीत्समाकुलम्
M. N. Dutt: Praises being thus chanted, O Bharata, and they conversing with one another, and for the shouts of joy (uttered by the men), the city became filled with a loud noise.
तमतीत्य यथायुक्तं राजमार्गं युधिष्ठिरः अलंकृतं शोभमानमुपायाद्राजवेश्म ह
M. N. Dutt: Having passed through the streets with becoming conduct, Yudhishthira then entered the beautiful palace (of the Kurus) adorned with all ornaments.
ततः प्रकृतयः सर्वाः पौरजानपदास्तथा ऊचुः कथाः कर्णसुखाः समुपेत्य ततस्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Approaching the palace, citizens and villagers uttered speeches that were pleasing to his ears.
दिष्ट्या जयसि राजेन्द्र शत्रूञ्शत्रुनिसूदन दिष्ट्या राज्यं पुनः प्राप्तं धर्मेण च बलेन च
M. N. Dutt: 'By good luck, O foremost of kings, you have defeated your enemies, O slayer of foes. By good luck, you have regained your kingdom through virtue and prowess.
भव नस्त्वं महाराज राजेह शरदां शतम् प्रजाः पालय धर्मेण यथेन्द्रस्त्रिदिवं नृप
M. N. Dutt: Be, O foremost of king, our monarch for a century and protect your subjects virtuously like Indra protecting the celestials'.
एवं राजकुलद्वारि मङ्गलैरभिपूजितः आशीर्वादान्द्विजैरुक्तान्प्रतिगृह्य समन्ततः
AI Translation: Thus, honored with auspicious rites at the royal gate, Accepting the blessings spoken by the brahmins all around,
प्रविश्य भवनं राजा देवराजगृहोपमम् श्रुत्वा विजयसंयुक्तं रथात्पश्चादवातरत्
AI Translation: Having entered the palace, which was like the abode of the king of the gods, the king, having heard about the victory, descended from the chariot.
प्रविश्याभ्यन्तरं श्रीमान्दैवतान्यभिगम्य च पूजयामास रत्नैश्च गन्धैर्माल्यैश्च सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: Entering the palace, Yudhishthira approached the tutelary deities and adored them with gems and scents and garlands.
निश्चक्राम ततः श्रीमान्पुनरेव महायशाः ददर्श ब्राह्मणांश्चैव सोऽभिरूपानुपस्थितान्
M. N. Dutt: Endued with great fame and prosperity, the king came out once more and saw a number of Brahmanas waiting with sacred articles in their hands.
स संवृतस्तदा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभिः शुशुभे विमलश्चन्द्रस्तारागणवृतो यथा
M. N. Dutt: Surrounded by those Brahmanas desirous of uttering blessings on him, the king shone beautiful like the spotless moon in the midst of the stars.
तान्स संपूजयामास कौन्तेयो विधिवद्द्विजान् धौम्यं गुरुं पुरस्कृत्य ज्येष्ठं पितरमेव च
AI Translation: The son of Kunti duly worshipped those Brahmanas, with Dhoumya, his preceptor, at their head, and his eldest father.
Supplementary Passages:
12.39.17 After 17, T G ins.: *53 प्रविवेश सभां राजा सुधर्मां वासवो यथा
सुमनोमोदकै रत्नैर्हिरण्येन च भूरिणा गोभिर्वस्त्रैश्च राजेन्द्र विविधैश्च किमिच्छकैः
AI Translation: With flowers, sweets, jewels, and much gold, With cows and garments, O King, and various things desired,
ततः पुण्याहघोषोऽभूद्दिवं स्तब्ध्वेव भारत सुहृदां हर्षजननः पुण्यः श्रुतिसुखावहः
M. N. Dutt: Then loud acclamations of—This is a blessed day,-arose, filling the entire sky, O Bharata. That sacred sound which was sweet to the ear was highly gratifying to the friends and well-wishers of the Pandavas.
हंसवन्नेदुषां राजन्द्विजानां तत्र भारती शुश्रुवे वेदविदुषां पुष्कलार्थपदाक्षरा
M. N. Dutt: The king heard that sound uttered by those learned Brahmanas loud and clear like the sound of swans. He listened also to the melodious and significant speeches, of those persons well read in the Vedas.
ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः शङ्खानां च मनोरमः जयं प्रवदतां तत्र स्वनः प्रादुरभून्नृप
M. N. Dutt: Then arose, O king, the peal of drums and the pleasant blare of conchs, indicative of triumph.
निःशब्दे च स्थिते तत्र ततो विप्रजने पुनः राजानं ब्राह्मणच्छद्मा चार्वाको राक्षसोऽब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Some time after, when the Brahmanas had become silent, a Rakshasa of the name of Charvaka, who had disguised himself as a Brahmana, addressed the king.
तत्र दुर्योधनसखा भिक्षुरूपेण संवृतः सांख्यः शिखी त्रिदण्डी च धृष्टो विगतसाध्वसः
AI Translation: There, a friend of Duryodhana, disguised as a mendicant, a Sāṃkhya with matted locks and three staffs, bold and fearless,
वृतः सर्वैस्तदा विप्रैराशीर्वादविवक्षुभिः परंसहस्रै राजेन्द्र तपोनियमसंस्थितैः
AI Translation: Surrounded by all the Brahmins who wished to give blessings, O king, with a thousand supreme ones who were established in austerities and restraints,
स दुष्टः पापमाशंसन्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् अनामन्त्र्यैव तान्विप्रांस्तमुवाच महीपतिम्
M. N. Dutt: That wicked Rakshasa, desirous of doing evil to the high-souled Pandavas, and without having consulted those Brahmanas, said these words to the king.
इमे प्राहुर्द्विजाः सर्वे समारोप्य वचो मयि धिग्भवन्तं कुनृपतिं ज्ञातिघातिनमस्तु वै
M. N. Dutt: Charvaka said Making me their spokesman all these Brahmanas, are saying,-Fie on you. You are a wicked king. You are a destroyer of kinsmen.
किं ते राज्येन कौन्तेय कृत्वेमं ज्ञातिसंक्षयम् घातयित्वा गुरूंश्चैव मृतं श्रेयो न जीवितम्
M. N. Dutt: What will you gain, O son of Kunti, by having thus exterminated your race? Having killed also your elders and preceptor, it is proper for you to cast away your life.
इति ते वै द्विजाः श्रुत्वा तस्य घोरस्य रक्षसः विव्यथुश्चुक्रुशुश्चैव तस्य वाक्यप्रधर्षिताः
M. N. Dutt: 'Hearing these words of that wicked Rakshasa, the Brahmanas there were greatly moved. Cut to the quick by that speech, they set up a loud uproar.
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे स च राजा युधिष्ठिरः व्रीडिताः परमोद्विग्नास्तूष्णीमासन्विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: And all those Brahmanas, with king Yudhishthira, O king, became silent from anxiety and shame.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच प्रसीदन्तु भवन्तो मे प्रणतस्याभियाचतः प्रत्यापन्नं व्यसनिनं न मां धिक्कर्तुमर्हथ
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said I bow down to you and solicit you humbly, to be pleased with me. You should not cry fie on me. I shall soon cast off my life. not
वैशंपायन उवाच ततो राजन्ब्राह्मणास्ते सर्व एव विशां पते ऊचुर्नैतद्वचोऽस्माकं श्रीरस्तु तव पार्थिव
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said O lord of men, then all those Brahmanas, loudly said,-These are our words. Prosperity to you, O king.
जज्ञुश्चैव महात्मानस्ततस्तं ज्ञानचक्षुषा ब्राह्मणा वेदविद्वांसस्तपोभिर्विमलीकृताः
M. N. Dutt: Those great persons, well read in the Vedas, with understandings rendered clear by penances, then learnt the disguise of the speaker by means of their spiritual sight.
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः एष दुर्योधनसखा चार्वाको नाम राक्षसः परिव्राजकरूपेण हितं तस्य चिकीर्षति
M. N. Dutt: This is the Rakshasa Charvaka, the friend of Duryodhana. Having put on the guise of a religious mendicant, he seeks the well-being of his friend Duryodhana.
न वयं ब्रूम धर्मात्मन्व्येतु ते भयमीदृशम् उपतिष्ठतु कल्याणं भवन्तं भ्रातृभिः सह
M. N. Dutt: We have not, O you righteous soul, said anything of the kind. Drive away your anxiety. May prosperity be with you and your brothers.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे हुंकारैः क्रोधमूर्छिताः निर्भर्त्सयन्तः शुचयो निजघ्नुः पापराक्षसम्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Those Brahmanas then, beside themselves with anger, uttered the sound hum. Freed off of all sins, they censured the sinful Rakshasa and killed him there.
स पपात विनिर्दग्धस्तेजसा ब्रह्मवादिनाम् महेन्द्राशनिनिर्दग्धः पादपोऽङ्कुरवानिव
M. N. Dutt: Consumed by by the power of those Brahmavadins, Charvaka fell down dead, like a tree with all its blasted spouts by the thunder of Indra.
पूजिताश्च ययुर्विप्रा राजानमभिनन्द्य तम् राजा च हर्षमापेदे पाण्डवः ससुहृज्जनः
M. N. Dutt: Duly adored the Brahmanas went away, having pleased the king with their blessing. The royal son of Pandu also, with all his friends, became highly happy. tree with all its blasted spouts by the thunder of Indra.
Supplementary Passages:
12.39.37 After the addl. colophon, Dn D2.3.6 T G ins.: *54 वैशंपायन उवाच ततस्तत्र तु राजानं तिष्ठन्तं भ्रातृभिः सह उवाच देवकीपुत्रः सर्वदर्शी जनार्दनः
वासुदेव उवाच ब्राह्मणास्तात लोकेऽस्मिन्नर्चनीयाः सदा मम एते भूमिचरा देवा वाग्विषाः सुप्रसादकाः
M. N. Dutt: Vasudeva said In this world, O friend, I adore only the Brahmanas. They are gods on Earth, have venom in their words, and are exceedingly easy to gratify.
पुरा कृतयुगे तात चार्वाको नाम राक्षसः तपस्तेपे महाबाहो बदर्यां बहुवत्सरम्
M. N. Dutt: Formerly, in the Krita age, O king, a Rakshasa of the name of Charvaka, O mightyarmed one, practised austere penances for many years in Badari.
छन्द्यमानो वरेणाथ ब्रह्मणा स पुनः पुनः अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यो वरयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Brahma repeatedly asked him to ask for boons. At last the Rakshasa prayed for the boon, O Bharata, of being freed from fear of every being in the universe.
द्विजावमानादन्यत्र प्रादाद्वरमनुत्तमम् अभयं सर्वभूतेभ्यस्ततस्तस्मै जगत्प्रभुः
M. N. Dutt: The Lord of the universe granted that high boon of freedom from fear of all creatures, subject to the only condition that he should be careful of how he offended the Brahmanas.
स तु लब्धवरः पापो देवानमितविक्रमः राक्षसस्तापयामास तीव्रकर्मा महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: Having obtained that boon, the sinful and powerful Rakshasa of terrific deeds and great power began to assail the gods.
ततो देवाः समेत्याथ ब्रह्माणमिदमब्रुवन् वधाय रक्षसस्तस्य बलविप्रकृतास्तदा
M. N. Dutt: The gods, oppressed by the power of the Rakshasa, assembling together, approached Brahman, for bringing about their enemy's destruction.
तानुवाचाव्ययो देवो विहितं तत्र वै मया यथास्य भविता मृत्युरचिरेणैव भारत
M. N. Dutt: The eternal god answered them, O Bharata, saying,-I have already arranged the means by which the death of this Rakshasa may soon be encompassed.
राजा दुर्योधनो नाम सखास्य भविता नृप तस्य स्नेहावबद्धोऽसौ ब्राह्मणानवमंस्यते
M. N. Dutt: There will be a king of the name of Duryodhana. Among men, he will be the friend of this creature. Out of affection towards him, the Rakshasa will insult the Brahmanas.
तत्रैनं रुषिता विप्रा विप्रकारप्रधर्षिताः धक्ष्यन्ति वाग्बलाः पापं ततो नाशं गमिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Pained by the wrong he will inflict upon them, the Brahmanas, whose power is in speech, will in anger censure him, at which he will die.
स एष निहतः शेते ब्रह्मदण्डेन राक्षसः चार्वाको नृपतिश्रेष्ठ मा शुचो भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: That Rakshasa Charvaka, foremost of kings, killed by the curse of the Brahmanas, lies there, dead. Do not, O foremost of Bharata's race, grieve.
हतास्ते क्षत्रधर्मेण ज्ञातयस्तव पार्थिव स्वर्गताश्च महात्मानो वीराः क्षत्रियपुंगवाः
M. N. Dutt: Your kinsinen, O king, have all died while perforining the Kshatriya duties, Those leading Kshatriyas, those high-souled heroes, have all gone to heaven.
स त्वमातिष्ठ कल्याणं मा ते भूद्ग्लानिरच्युत शत्रूञ्जहि प्रजा रक्ष द्विजांश्च प्रतिपालय
M. N. Dutt: Do you attend to your duties now, O you of unfading glory, do not grieve, Kill your enemies, protect your subjects, and worship the Brahmanas.