Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच अनुभूय तु राज्ञस्तं राजसूयं महाक्रतुम् युधिष्ठिरस्य नृपतेर्गान्धारीपुत्रसंयुतः
AI Translation: Vaishampayana said Having experienced the great sacrifice of the royal consecration of King Yudhishthira, together with Gandhari's son,
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.1 After 1, S (G6 om. lines 2-3) ins.: *435 विवेश हस्तिनपुरं दुर्योधनमतेन सः बाढमित्येव शकुनिर्दृढं हृदि चकार ह अस्वस्थतां च तां दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य पापकृत् पापः पापात्मना तेन समेत्य पृथिवीक्षिताम् भारतानां च दुष्टात्मा क्षयाय हि नृपक्षयम्
प्रियकृन्मतमाज्ञाय पूर्वं दुर्योधनस्य तत् प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमासीनं शकुनिः सौबलस्तदा
AI Translation: Knowing the opinion of Priyakara, Duryodhana's, Shakuni Soubala then sat down with the eye of wisdom.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.2 After 2ab, S ins.: *436 वैशसं सर्वलोकस्य हृदि कृत्वा सुदुर्मतिः दैवेन विधिना चैव चोदितः क्रूरकर्मकृत्
दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा धृतराष्ट्रं जनाधिपम् उपगम्य महाप्राज्ञं शकुनिर्वाक्यमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Hearing Duryodhana's words, Shakuni, the very wise one, approached Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, and spoke these words:
दुर्योधनो महाराज विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः दीनश्चिन्तापरश्चैव तद्विद्धि भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Shakuni said O great king, O best of the Bharata race, know that Duryodhana has become colourless, pale, and emaciated with anxiety. came
न वै परीक्षसे सम्यगसह्यं शत्रुसंभवम् ज्येष्ठपुत्रस्य शोकं त्वं किमर्थं नावबुध्यसे
M. N. Dutt: Why do you not after due enquiry ascertain the cause of the grief that is in the heart of your eldest son, the grief caused by the enemy?
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.5 After 5, S ins.: *437 एवमुक्तः शकुनिना धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः दुर्योधनं समाहूय इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच दुर्योधन कुतोमूलं भृशमार्तोऽसि पुत्रक श्रोतव्यश्चेन्मया सोऽर्थो ब्रूहि मे कुरुनन्दन
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said O Duryodhana, O son, what is the cause of your grief? O Kuru prince, if it is fit for me to hear, tell it to me.
अयं त्वां शकुनिः प्राह विवर्णं हरिणं कृशम् चिन्तयंश्च न पश्यामि शोकस्य तव संभवम्
M. N. Dutt: This Shakuni says you are colourless, pale and emaciated. After reflection I can not find any cause for your grief.
ऐश्वर्यं हि महत्पुत्र त्वयि सर्वं समर्पितम् भ्रातरः सुहृदश्चैव नाचरन्ति तवाप्रियम्
M. N. Dutt: O son, all my vast wealth is at your command. Your brothers and our relatives and friends never do anything injurious to you.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.8 After 8, T1 G4-6 ins.: *438 त्वद्दत्तं चैव भुञ्जामो गान्धारी चाहमेव च
आच्छादयसि प्रावारानश्नासि पिशितौदनम् आजानेया वहन्ति त्वां केनासि हरिणः कृशः
M. N. Dutt: You wear the best robes, you eat food prepared with meat, you ride the best horses, why then are you pale and emaciated?
शयनानि महार्हाणि योषितश्च मनोरमाः गुणवन्ति च वेश्मानि विहाराश्च यथासुखम्
M. N. Dutt: Costly beds, the charming damsels finely furnished mansions and grounds of sport are at pleasure (when you amuse).
देवानामिव ते सर्वं वाचि बद्धं न संशयः स दीन इव दुर्धर्षः कस्माच्छोचसि पुत्रक
M. N. Dutt: All these certainly wait your command as do they in the case of the celestials. () invincible hero, O son, why do you grieve (then) like a destitute person?
दुर्योधन उवाच अश्नाम्याच्छादये चाहं यथा कुपुरुषस्तथा अमर्षं धारये चोग्रं तितिक्षन्कालपर्ययम्
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said I, no doubt, eat and dress but I pass my time all the while like a wretch, for I am a prey to jealousy.
अमर्षणः स्वाः प्रकृतीरभिभूय परे स्थिताः क्लेशान्मुमुक्षुः परजान्स वै पुरुष उच्यते
M. N. Dutt: He is called a (true) man who lives after having vanquished his enemy in order to liberate his own subjects from the tyranny of that enemy.
संतोषो वै श्रियं हन्ति अभिमानश्च भारत अनुक्रोशभये चोभे यैर्वृतो नाश्नुते महत्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, contentment and pride destroy (one's) prosperity. Being engrossed with compassion and fear he can never rise.
न मामवति तद्भुक्तं श्रियं दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरे ज्वलन्तीमिव कौन्तेये विवर्णकरणीं मम
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the prosperity of Yudhishthira, whatever I enjoy does not gratify or please me. The great and splendid prosperity of the son of Kunti makes me pale.
सपत्नानृध्यतोऽऽत्मानं हीयमानं निशाम्य च अदृश्यामपि कौन्तेये स्थितां पश्यन्निवोद्यताम् तस्मादहं विवर्णश्च दीनश्च हरिणः कृशः
M. N. Dutt: Though I am not now seeing the greatly effulgent prosperity of the son of Kunti, yet knowing the affluence of the foe and my destitution, I (feel as if I) see it before me. For this reason I am colourless melancholy, pale and emaciated.
अष्टाशीतिसहस्राणि स्नातका गृहमेधिनः त्रिंशद्दासीक एकैको यान्बिभर्ति युधिष्ठिरः
AI Translation: Eighty-eight thousand householders who have completed their studies, Each of whom has thirty female slaves, are supported by Yudhishthira.
दशान्यानि सहस्राणि नित्यं तत्रान्नमुत्तमम् भुञ्जते रुक्मपात्रीभिर्युधिष्ठिरनिवेशने
M. N. Dutt: Besides these, ten thousand other B:ahmanas daily eat well cooked food from golden plates at the palace of Yudhishthira.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.18 After 18, S ins.: *439 शत्रोरृद्धिविशेषेण विरूपोऽन्नविवर्जितः
कदलीमृगमोकानि कृष्णश्यामारुणानि च काम्बोजः प्राहिणोत्तस्मै परार्ध्यानपि कम्बलान्
AI Translation: and the Kada-li, the Mriga-moka, the Krishna-sya, and the Aru-na. The Kamboja sent him the finest of blankets.
रथयोषिद्गवाश्वस्य शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः त्रिंशतं चोष्ट्रवामीनां शतानि विचरन्त्युत
AI Translation: Hundreds and thousands of chariots, women, cows, and horses And thirty hundred camels and donkeys roam about.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.20 After 20, N ins.: *440 राजानो बलिमादाय समेता हि नृपक्षये
पृथग्विधानि रत्नानि पार्थिवाः पृथिवीपते आहरन्क्रतुमुख्येऽस्मिन्कुन्तीपुत्राय भूरिशः
M. N. Dutt: O lord of earth, the kings brought to that foremost of sacrifice heaps of gems and jewels for the son of Kunti,
न क्वचिद्धि मया दृष्टस्तादृशो नैव च श्रुतः यादृग्धनागमो यज्ञे पाण्डुपुत्रस्य धीमतः
M. N. Dutt: I never heard or saw such enormous wealth as was brought to the sacrifice of the intelligent (son) of Pandu (Yudhishthira).
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.22 After 22, T1 G5.6 ins.: *441 असत्यं चेदिदं सर्वं संजयं प्रष्टुमर्हसि
अपर्यन्तं धनौघं तं दृष्ट्वा शत्रोरहं नृप शर्म नैवाधिगच्छामि चिन्तयानोऽनिशं विभो
M. N. Dutt: O king, seeing that enormous collection of wealth belonging to the enemy. I cannot enjoy peace of mind. 'I am afflicted with their thoughts. O king.
ब्राह्मणा वाटधानाश्च गोमन्तः शतसंघशः त्रैखर्वं बलिमादाय द्वारि तिष्ठन्ति वारिताः
M. N. Dutt: Being stopped there by the gatekeepers hundreds of Brahmanas, supported by the land presented to them (by Yudhishthira) and possessing wealth of kine, waited at the palace gate with three thousands of millions of tribute.
कमण्डलूनुपादाय जातरूपमयाञ्शुभान् एवं बलिं समादाय प्रवेशं लेभिरे ततः
M. N. Dutt: Even having brought with them Ghee in golden Kamandalus (sort of water pot), they could not get admission into the palace.
यन्नैव मधु शक्राय धारयन्त्यमरस्त्रियः तदस्मै कांस्यमाहार्षीद्वारुणं कलशोदधिः
M. N. Dutt: Ocean himself brought to him in vessels of white copper Ambrosia which was generated within his waters and which was superior to that which the wives of the immortal (Soma, i.e. flowers and annual plants) produce for Shakra (Indra)
शैक्यं रुक्मसहस्रस्य बहुरत्नविभूषितम् दृष्ट्वा च मम तत्सर्वं ज्वररूपमिवाभवत्
AI Translation: The golden thousand, adorned with many jewels, Seeing all that, it seemed to me like a form of fever.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.27 K1-3 Dn D1.4.5 ins. after 27ab: B4, after 26: *442 शङ्खप्रवरमादाय वासुदेवोऽभिषिक्तवान्
गृहीत्वा तत्तु गच्छन्ति समुद्रौ पूर्वदक्षिणौ तथैव पश्चिमं यान्ति गृहीत्वा भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Having taken it, they go to the eastern and southern oceans, and likewise to the western ocean, O bull among the Bharatas.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.28 T1 G3.5 ins. after 28: G6 (which om. 25c-29b) ins. after 25ab: *443 जलार्थं तत्र राजेन्द्र घटानादाय राक्षसाः दिशो ययुर्जलार्थं ते वर्जयित्वोत्तरां दिशम्
उत्तरं तु न गच्छन्ति विना तात पतत्रिभिः इदं चाद्भुतमत्रासीत्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु
AI Translation: But they do not go to the northern region without birds, my son. And this wonderful thing happened here. Listen to me as I tell it.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.29 After 29ab, N1 V1 Dn (!) D4 G1 ins.: *444 तत्र गत्वार्जुनो दण्डमाजहारामितं धनम्
पूर्णे शतसहस्रे तु विप्राणां परिविष्यताम् स्थापिता तत्र संज्ञाभूच्छङ्खो ध्मायति नित्यशः
M. N. Dutt: When (full) one lac Brahmanas were every day fed, it was arranged (to notify) the fact by blowing conchs in a chorus.
मुहुर्मुहुः प्रणदतस्तस्य शङ्खस्य भारत उत्तमं शब्दमश्रौषं ततो रोमाणि मेऽहृषन्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, I continually heard (choruses of) conchs blown; and that too often repeatedly. It each time indicated that one lac Brahmanas had been fed. Having heard these sounds, my hairs stood on end.
पार्थिवैर्बहुभिः कीर्णमुपस्थानं दिदृक्षुभिः सर्वरत्नान्युपादाय पार्थिवा वै जनेश्वर
AI Translation: The assembly hall was filled with many kings who wished to see him, and the kings had brought all kinds of jewels.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.32 After 32ab, Dn (!) D6 ins.: *445 अशोभत महाराज नक्षत्रैर्द्यौरिवामला
यज्ञे तस्य महाराज पाण्डुपुत्रस्य धीमतः वैश्या इव महीपाला द्विजातिपरिवेषकाः
AI Translation: At the sacrifice of that wise son of Pandu, great king, the kings were like vaishyas, dressed in the attire of the twice-born.
न सा श्रीर्देवराजस्य यमस्य वरुणस्य वा गुह्यकाधिपतेर्वापि या श्री राजन्युधिष्ठिरे
M. N. Dutt: Like the Vaishyas the kings became the distributors of food to the Brahmanas. Such wealth does not belong even to the king of the celestials (Indra) or to Yama or to Varuna,
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.34 After 34c, T1 G5.6 ins.: *446 स्वयं विष्णोरपि प्रभो राक्षसाधिपतेर्वापि
तां दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुपुत्रस्य श्रियं परमिकामहम् शान्तिं न परिगच्छामि दह्यमानेन चेतसा
M. N. Dutt: Or to the lord of the Guhyakas, as belongs to Yudhishthira. O king, seeing that great prosperity of the son of Pandu, my heart is burning. I cannot get peace (of mind).
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.35 After 35, K1 ins. an addl. colophon; while S ins. (cf. 2.50.27-28): *447 अप्राप्य पाण्डवैश्वर्यं शमो मम न विद्यते अवाप्स्ये वा श्रियं बाणैः शयिष्ये वा हतः परैः अतादृशस्य मे किं नु जीवितेन परंतप वर्धन्ते पाण्डवा राजन्वयं हि स्थितवृद्धयः Colophon.
शकुनिरुवाच यामेतामुत्तमां लक्ष्मीं दृष्टवानसि पाण्डवे तस्याः प्राप्तावुपायं मे शृणु सत्यपराक्रम
M. N. Dutt: Shakuni said O hero whose prowess is truth, hear the means by which you can obtain the matchless prosperity that you have seen in the Pandava.
अहमक्षेष्वभिज्ञातः पृथिव्यामपि भारत हृदयज्ञः पणज्ञश्च विशेषज्ञश्च देवने
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, I am an adept in dice, superior to all in the world. I can ascertain the success or otherwise of every throw, and also when to stake and when not to stake. I have special knowledge of the play.
द्यूतप्रियश्च कौन्तेयो न च जानाति देवितुम् आहूतश्चैष्यति व्यक्तं दीव्यावेत्याह्वयस्व तम्
M. N. Dutt: The son of Kunti (Yudhishthira) is also fond of the play, although he possesses little skill in it. He is sure to come, if challenged to pay or to fight.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.38 After 38c, K4 V1 B D (except D6) ins.: *448 द्यूतादपि रणादपि नियतं तं विजेष्यामि कृत्वा तु कपटं विभो आनयामि समृद्धिं तां
वैशंपायन उवाच एवमुक्तः शकुनिना राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा धृतराष्ट्रमिदं वाक्यमपदान्तरमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Having been thus addressed by Shakuni, the king Duryodhana, without allowing a moment to elapse, spoke thus to Dhritarashtra.
अयमुत्सहते राजञ्श्रियमाहर्तुमक्षवित् द्यूतेन पाण्डुपुत्रस्य तदनुज्ञातुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: O king, this (Shakuni) is an adept in dice; he is ready to win at dice the wealth of the sons of Pandu. You should grant him permission.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच क्षत्ता मन्त्री महाप्राज्ञः स्थितो यस्यास्मि शासने तेन संगम्य वेत्स्यामि कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चयम्
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra says I always follow the counsel of greatly intelligent Khattwa (Vidura), my minister. Having consulted with him, I shall inform you my decision (in this matter).
स हि धर्मं पुरस्कृत्य दीर्घदर्शी परं हितम् उभयोः पक्षयोर्युक्तं वक्ष्यत्यर्थविनिश्चयम्
M. N. Dutt: He is endued with great foresight; keeping the rules of morality before his eyes, he will point out what is good and what is proper for both parties and what should be done in this matter.
दुर्योधन उवाच निवर्तयिष्यति त्वासौ यदि क्षत्ता समेष्यति निवृत्ते त्वयि राजेन्द्र मरिष्येऽहमसंशयम्
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said If you consult with Kshatta (Vidura) he will make you desist (from it). O king of kings, if you desist (from this), I will certainly kill myself.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.43 G2 ins. after the ref.: T1 G6 (om. line 2) after 43ab: *449 अथ वा वासुदेवं वा भीष्मं वा कार्यनिश्चये आहूय मन्त्रणं कुर्याः कथं व्यवसितं यतः
स मयि त्वं मृते राजन्विदुरेण सुखी भव भोक्ष्यसे पृथिवीं कृत्स्नां किं मया त्वं करिष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: O king, when I am dead, be happy with Vidura. Enjoy then the whole earth. What need you have with me?
वैशंपायन उवाच आर्तवाक्यं तु तत्तस्य प्रणयोक्तं निशम्य सः धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीत्प्रेष्यान्दुर्योधनमते स्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Hearing his (Duryodhana's) words of affection. Dhritarashtra, ever ready to do what Duryodhana said, commanded his servant thus.
स्थूणासहस्रैर्बृहतीं शतद्वारां सभां मम मनोरमां दर्शनीयामाशु कुर्वन्तु शिल्पिनः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said. Let artifices be employed to crect without delay a delightful, charming and spacious Sabha with one hundred doors and with one thousand pillars.
ततः संस्तीर्य रत्नैस्तामक्षानावाप्य सर्वशः सुकृतां सुप्रवेशां च निवेदयत मे शनैः
M. N. Dutt: Having brought carpenters and joiners, set jewels and precious stones all over its walls. Make it handsome and easy of access; and then inform me when every thing is complete.
दुर्योधनस्य शान्त्यर्थमिति निश्चित्य भूमिपः धृतराष्ट्रो महाराज प्राहिणोद्विदुराय वै
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said O great king, having resolved to pacify Duryodhana the ruler of earth, Dhritarashtra, sent men to Vidura to summon him (before his presence).
अपृष्ट्वा विदुरं ह्यस्य नासीत्कश्चिद्विनिश्चयः द्यूतदोषांश्च जानन्स पुत्रस्नेहादकृष्यत
M. N. Dutt: Because without asking Vidura, he (Dhritarashtra) never framed any resolution. Knowing (full well) the evils of gambling, he was still attracted towards it out of his fondness for his son.
तच्छ्रुत्वा विदुरो धीमान्कलिद्वारमुपस्थितम् विनाशमुखमुत्पन्नं धृतराष्ट्रमुपाद्रवत्
M. N. Dutt: Having heard this, the intelligent Vidura knew that the arrival of Kali (Yuga) is near at hand. Seeing also the way to destruction (of the Kuru race) about to the opened, he soon came to Dhritarashtra.
सोऽभिगम्य महात्मानं भ्राता भ्रातरमग्रजम् मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य चरणाविदं वचनमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Coming to his illustrious eldest brother and bowing his head to his feet, he thus spoke to him.
नाभिनन्दामि ते राजन्व्यवसायमिमं प्रभो पुत्रैर्भेदो यथा न स्याद्द्यूतहेतोस्तथा कुरु
M. N. Dutt: Vidura said O king, O lord, I do not approve of the resolution you have formed. You should act in such a way that no dispute may arise amongst your sons on account of this gambling.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच क्षत्तः पुत्रेषु पुत्रैर्मे कलहो न भविष्यति दिवि देवाः प्रसादं नः करिष्यन्ति न संशयः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said O Khattwa, there is no doubt that if the gods are propitious to us, no dispute will ever arise amongst my children.
अशुभं वा शुभं वापि हितं वा यदि वाहितम् प्रवर्ततां सुहृद्द्यूतं दिष्टमेतन्न संशयः
M. N. Dutt: Auspicious or not auspicious, beneficial or not beneficial, let this friendly gambling match be held. This is certainly what Fate has ordained (for us).
मयि संनिहिते चैव भीष्मे च भरतर्षभे अनयो दैवविहितो न कथंचिद्भविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, when Drona, Bhishma, you and I will be near at hand, no evil, can possible happen, even if Fate has ordained it.
गच्छ त्वं रथमास्थाय हयैर्वातसमैर्जवे खाण्डवप्रस्थमद्यैव समानय युधिष्ठिरम्
M. N. Dutt: Go ascending a car yoked with horses possessing the speed of wind, so that you may reach Khandavaprastha day. Bring Yudhishthira with you.
न वार्यो व्यवसायो मे विदुरैतद्ब्रवीमि ते दैवमेव परं मन्ये येनैतदुपपद्यते
M. N. Dutt: O Vidura, I tell you, this is my resolution. Do not tell me any thing. I regard Fate as supreme; she brings all this.
इत्युक्तो विदुरो धीमान्नैतदस्तीति चिन्तयन् आपगेयं महाप्राज्ञमभ्यगच्छत्सुदुःखितः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said Having heard this, and having concluded that his race was doomed, the intelligent to Vidura went to the greatly wise Bhishma in great sorrow.
Supplementary Passages:
2.45.58 After 58a, K1 ins.: *450 इदं वचनमब्रवीत् कुलं सबान्धवं चैतन्