Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच काम्यकं प्राप्य कौन्तेया युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः कृतातिथ्या मुनिगणैर्निषेदुः सह कृष्णया
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Arriving at (the forest of) Kamyaka and being hospitably received by the saints, Yudhishthira and the other Pandavas began to dwell there with Krishna.
ततस्तान्परिविश्वस्तान्वसतः पाण्डुनन्दनान् ब्राह्मणा बहवस्तत्र समन्तात्पर्यवारयन्
M. N. Dutt: While those sons of Pandu were securely dwelling at that place they were surrounded by multitudes of Brahmanas.
अथाब्रवीद्द्विजः कश्चिदर्जुनस्य प्रियः सखा एष्यतीह महाबाहुर्वशी शौरिरुदारधीः
M. N. Dutt: And a certain Brahmana said "Shauri, the dear friend of Arjuna, of mighty arms, possessed of self-restraint and endued with high intellect, will come (here).
विदिता हि हरेर्यूयमिहायाताः कुरूद्वहाः सदा हि दर्शनाकाङ्क्षी श्रेयोऽन्वेषी च वो हरिः
M. N. Dutt: Because it is known to Hari that you the perpetuators of the Kuru race have arrived here; and he is always desirous of seeing you and secks your welfare.
बहुवत्सरजीवी च मार्कण्डेयो महातपाः स्वाध्यायतपसा युक्तः क्षिप्रं युष्मान्समेष्यति
M. N. Dutt: and Markandeya, who has lived for ages, has performed severe austerities, has studied the Vedas and who is given to devotion, will very soon come and join you.”
तथैव तस्य ब्रुवतः प्रत्यदृश्यत केशवः सैन्यसुग्रीवयुक्तेन रथेन रथिनां वरः
AI Translation: And as he spoke, Keshava appeared, on a chariot yoked to monkeys and Sugriva, the best of charioteers.
मघवानिव पौलोम्या सहितः सत्यभामया उपायाद्देवकीपुत्रो दिदृक्षुः कुरुसत्तमान्
AI Translation: Like Maghavan with Satyabhama, the son of Devaki approached the best of the Kurus, desiring to see them.
अवतीर्य रथात्कृष्णो धर्मराजं यथाविधि ववन्दे मुदितो धीमान्भीमं च बलिनां वरम्
M. N. Dutt: Getting down from the car, Krishna following the usual custom, greeted with great delight, the intellectual Dharmaraja and the highly powerful Bhima.
पूजयामास धौम्यं च यमाभ्यामभिवादितः परिष्वज्य गुडाकेशं द्रौपदीं पर्यसान्त्वयत्
M. N. Dutt: He then paid his adoration to Dhaumya and (in his turn) was greeted by the twins. Then embracing Gudakesha (Arjuna of the curly hair) he spoke soothing words to Draupadi.
स दृष्ट्वा फल्गुनं वीरं चिरस्य प्रियमागतम् पर्यष्वजत दाशार्हः पुनः पुनररिंदमम्
M. N. Dutt: And that tormentor of foes, the descendant of the Dasharhas, having met with his beloved and heroic Arjuna after a long time, embraced him again and again.
तथैव सत्यभामापि द्रौपदीं परिषस्वजे पाण्डवानां प्रियां भार्यां कृष्णस्य महिषी प्रिया
M. N. Dutt: And similarly Satyabhama, the beloved queen of Krishna, embraced Draupadi, the dear wife of the Pandavas.
ततस्ते पाण्डवाः सर्वे सभार्याः सपुरोहिताः आनर्चुः पुण्डरीकाक्षं परिवव्रुश्च सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: Then the Pandavas together with their wife and priest paid then respects to the lotus-eyed (Krishna) and surrounded him on all sides.
कृष्णस्तु पार्थेन समेत्य विद्वा;न्धनंजयेनासुरतर्जनेन बभौ यथा भूतपतिर्महात्मा; समेत्य साक्षाद्भगवान्गुहेन
M. N. Dutt: And the learned Krishna being joined with the Partha, Dhananjaya (winner of riches), the slayer of demons looked as, beautiful as that high-souled divine lord of all created beings (Shiva) when united with Kartikeya (his son).
ततः समस्तानि किरीटमाली; वनेषु वृत्तानि गदाग्रजाय उक्त्वा यथावत्पुनरन्वपृच्छ;त्कथं सुभद्रा च तथाभिमन्युः
M. N. Dutt: Then he who wore a coronet on his head (Arjuna) having related in detail to the elder brother of Gada (Krishna) all the incidents in connection with their forest life asked how are Subhadra and Abhimanyu?
स पूजयित्वा मधुहा यथाव;त्पार्थांश्च कृष्णां च पुरोहितं च उवाच राजानमभिप्रशंस;न्युधिष्ठिरं तत्र सहोपविश्य
M. N. Dutt: And the destroyer of (the demon) Madhu, having, in the usual manner greeted Arjuna, Draupadi and the priest (Dhaumya) and having eulogised the king Yudhishthira took his seat with them and spoke these words.
धर्मः परः पाण्डव राज्यलाभा;त्तस्यार्थमाहुस्तप एव राजन् सत्यार्जवाभ्यां चरता स्वधर्मं; जितस्तवायं च परश्च लोकः
M. N. Dutt: "It is asserted (by the wise), O Pandava, that righteousness is superior to winning kingdoms and, O king, in order to foster it (virtue), asceticism is necessary. And you, who have performed your duties in strict obedience to truth and candour have conquered both this world and the next.
अधीतमग्रे चरता व्रतानि; सम्यग्धनुर्वेदमवाप्य कृत्स्नम् क्षात्रेण धर्मेण वसूनि लब्ध्वा; सर्वे ह्यवाप्ताः क्रतवः पुराणाः
M. N. Dutt: You first studied (the Vedas) by observing the proper rites; you have next acquired mastery over the whole science of weapons; and then having obtained wealth by pursuing the methods followed by the Kshatriyas you have performed all the ancient sacrificial rites.
न ग्राम्यधर्मेषु रतिस्तवास्ति; कामान्न किंचित्कुरुषे नरेन्द्र न चार्थलोभात्प्रजहासि धर्मं; तस्मात्स्वभावादसि धर्मराजः
M. N. Dutt: You are are neither addicted to sensual pleasures, nor, O king of kings, do you perform anything froin motives of self-interest nor do you subserve your duties to greed of wealth. It is (for these reasons) that you have been styled the virtuous King.
दानं च सत्यं च तपश्च राज;ञ्श्रद्धा च शान्तिश्च धृतिः क्षमा च अवाप्य राष्ट्राणि वसूनि भोगा;नेषा परा पार्थ सदा रतिस्ते
M. N. Dutt: O King, although you have won kingdoms, wealth and are surrounded by all sorts of luxury, you are ever bent on charity, truthfulness, asceticism, faith, meditation, forgiveness and patience.
Supplementary Passages:
3.180.19 After 19ab, D1.2 ins.: *891 आपत्स्वपि त्वं न जहासि राजन्
यदा जनौघः कुरुजाङ्गलानां; कृष्णां सभायामवशामपश्यत् अपेतधर्मव्यवहारवृत्तं; सहेत तत्पाण्डव कस्त्वदन्यः
M. N. Dutt: When the inhabitants of Kuru Jangala beheld (the modesty of) Krishna outraged in the assembly hall, O Pandu who but yourself could brook that (beastly) conduct (on the part of the Kurus) so very odious to virtue and custom?
असंशयं सर्वसमृद्धकामः; क्षिप्रं प्रजाः पालयितासि सम्यक् इमे वयं निग्रहणे कुरूणां; यदि प्रतिज्ञा भवतः समाप्ता
M. N. Dutt: It admits of no doubt that with all your desires gratified you will soon creditably govern your subjects. And when your promise (to spend twelve years in exile) will be fulfilled, we will try our utmost to chastise the Kurus."
धौम्यं च कृष्णां च युधिष्ठिरं च; यमौ च भीमं च दशार्हसिंहः उवाच दिष्ट्या भवतां शिवेन; प्राप्तः किरीटी मुदितः कृतास्त्रः
M. N. Dutt: Then, the chief of the Dasharhas said to Dhaumya, Bhima, Yudhishthira, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Draupadi “it is by your good fortune that Kiriti (Arjuna who wears a coronet on his head) has returned with a merry mind after having been well-versed in the science of weapons."
प्रोवाच कृष्णामपि याज्ञसेनीं; दशार्हभर्ता सहितः सुहृद्भिः कृष्णे धनुर्वेदरतिप्रधानाः; सत्यव्रतास्ते शिशवः सुशीलाः सद्भिः सदैवाचरितं समाधिं; चरन्ति पुत्रास्तव याज्ञसेनि
AI Translation: He spoke to Krishna, the daughter of the king of Panchala, who was the wife of the son of the king of Dasharha, along with his friends. "O Krishna,
Supplementary Passages:
3.180.23 After 23ab, N ins.: *892 दिष्ट्या समग्रासि धनंजयेन समागतेत्येवमुवाच कृष्णः
राज्येन राष्ट्रैश्च निमन्त्र्यमाणाः; पित्रा च कृष्णे तव सोदरैश्च न यज्ञसेनस्य न मातुलानां; गृहेषु बाला रतिमाप्नुवन्ति
M. N. Dutt: And, O Krishna, although your father and your brothers try to tempt them with a kingdom and territories, the boys find no pleasure in the abodes of Yajnasena or of their maternal uncles.
आनर्तमेवाभिमुखाः शिवेन; गत्वा धनुर्वेदरतिप्रधानाः तवात्मजा वृष्णिपुरं प्रविश्य; न दैवतेभ्यः स्पृहयन्ति कृष्णे
M. N. Dutt: And, O Krishna, safely proceeding towards the country of the Anartas when your sons, chiefly bent on the acquisition of arms, enter the city of the Vrishnis, they do not even long for celestials happiness.
यथा त्वमेवार्हसि तेषु वृत्तिं; प्रयोक्तुमार्या च यथैव कुन्ती तेष्वप्रमादेन सदा करोति; तथा च भूयश्च तथा सुभद्रा
M. N. Dutt: And Subhadra always instructs them carefully to observe good manners as you yourself or the venerable Kunti would do.
यथानिरुद्धस्य यथाभिमन्यो;र्यथा सुनीथस्य यथैव भानोः तथा विनेता च गतिश्च कृष्णे; तवात्मजानामपि रौक्मिणेयः
M. N. Dutt: O Krishna, as the son of Rukmani (Pradyumna) is the tutor and guide to Aniruddha, Abhimanyu Sunitha and Bhanu, so he is to your sons also.
गदासिचर्मग्रहणेषु शूरा;नस्त्रेषु शिक्षासु रथाश्वयाने सम्यग्विनेता विनयत्यतन्द्री;स्तांश्चाभिमन्युः सततं कुमारः
AI Translation: In the use of the mace, sword, and shield, in the use of weapons, in education, in driving chariots and horses, The preceptor, who is well-versed, trains them
स चापि सम्यक्प्रणिधाय शिक्षा;मस्त्राणि चैषां गुरुवत्प्रदाय तवात्मजानां च तथाभिमन्योः; पराक्रमैस्तुष्यति रौक्मिणेयः
M. N. Dutt: And the son of Rukmani, having thoroughly instructed and having duly conferred weapons upon them, takes much delight in witnessing the valour of your sons and of Abhimanyu.
यदा विहारं प्रसमीक्षमाणाः; प्रयान्ति पुत्रास्तव याज्ञसेनि एकैकमेषामनुयान्ति तत्र; रथाश्च यानानि च दन्तिनश्च
M. N. Dutt: And O daughter of Yajnasena, when your sons go out for field sports, each of them is followed by cars, horses, vehicles and elephants."
अथाब्रवीद्धर्मराजं तु कृष्णो; दशार्हयोधाः कुकुरान्धकाश्च एते निदेशं तव पालयन्ति; तिष्ठन्ति यत्रेच्छसि तत्र राजन्
M. N. Dutt: Krishna, then addressing the Dharmaraja, said “O king, let the Dasharha warrior, the Kukuras and the Andhakas, obeying your orders remain wherever you wish.
Supplementary Passages:
3.180.31 After 31, K2 ins.: *893 योधास्तवार्थेषु नरेन्द्रयन्ता कुर्वन्तु कार्यं सरथाः सनागाः
आवर्ततां कार्मुकवेगवाता; हलायुधप्रग्रहणा मधूनाम् सेना तवार्थेषु नरेन्द्र यत्ता; ससादिपत्त्यश्वरथा सनागा
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, let the army of the Madhus, the strength of whose bows is as impetuous as the wind and led by Halayudha (the wielder of the plough) and consisting of cavalry, infantry, horses, chariots and elephants, prepare to carry out your commands.
प्रस्थाप्यतां पाण्डव धार्तराष्ट्रः; सुयोधनः पापकृतां वरिष्ठः स सानुबन्धः ससुहृद्गणश्च; सौभस्य सौभाधिपतेश्च मार्गम्
M. N. Dutt: O Pandava, send Suyodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, the vilest of sinners together with his friends and followers to the path of the lord of Subha (Soila) the son of the earth.
कामं तथा तिष्ठ नरेन्द्र तस्मि;न्यथा कृतस्ते समयः सभायाम् दाशार्हयोधैस्तु ससादियोधं; प्रतीक्षतां नागपुरं भवन्तम्
M. N. Dutt: Dwell where you please, O monarch, during the period appointed by you in the assembly hall; but at the end of which let the city Nagpur (Hastina) await your arrival therein when the Dasharha warriors have cut down the forces of your enemies.
व्यपेतमन्युर्व्यपनीतपाप्मा; विहृत्य यत्रेच्छसि तत्र कामम् ततः समृद्धं प्रथमं विशोकः; प्रपत्स्यसे नागपुरं सराष्ट्रम्
M. N. Dutt: (During the appointed period) abandoning your sorrow and getting rid of your sin, wander at pleasure wherever you like; and then with a merry heart you will enter the renowned city of Hastina and also your principality.”
ततस्तदाज्ञाय मतं महात्मा; यथावदुक्तं पुरुषोत्तमेन प्रशस्य विप्रेक्ष्य च धर्मराजः; कृताञ्जलिः केशवमित्युवाच
M. N. Dutt: Then the high-souled Dharmaraja, being informed of the views thus clearly expressed by that best of men and praising the same and looking at Krishna spoke these words with joined hands to him.
असंशयं केशव पाण्डवानां; भवान्गतिस्त्वच्छरणा हि पार्थाः कालोदये तच्च ततश्च भूयः; कर्ता भवान्कर्म न संशयोऽस्ति
M. N. Dutt: "O Keshava, it admits of no doubt that you are the refuge of the Pandavas; and the Parthas are under your protection. When the time for action will arrive, you will undoubtedly do all that you have just said.
यथाप्रतिज्ञं विहृतश्च कालः; सर्वाः समा द्वादश निर्जनेषु अज्ञातचर्यां विधिवत्समाप्य; भवद्गताः केशव पाण्डवेयाः
M. N. Dutt: We will spend the period of twelve years, as we have promised, in lonely forests. And then having duly completed the period of our are incognito life, O Keshava, the sons of Pandu will place themselves under your protection.
Supplementary Passages:
3.180.38 After 38, T G read 37ab; while K3.4 B D (D4 om. lines 1 and 2; D6 marg.) ins.: *894 एषैव बुद्धिर्जुषतां सदा त्वां सत्ये स्थिताः केशव पाण्डवेयाः सदानधर्माः सजनाः सदाराः सबान्धवास्त्वच्छरणा हि पार्थाः
वैशंपायन उवाच तथा वदति वार्ष्णेये धर्मराजे च भारत अथ पश्चात्तपोवृद्धो बहुवर्षसहस्रधृक् प्रत्यदृश्यत धर्मात्मा मार्कण्डेयो महातपाः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said: O Bharata, when the descendant of the Vrishnis and the Dharmaraja were thus conversing, the high-souled Markandeya, of great devotion, grown wise by austerities, who had lived many thousands of years, was seen to approach (there). Being immortal and without signs of senility, endued with beauty and magnanimity.
Supplementary Passages:
3.180.39 After 39, K4 B Dc Dn D4.6 ins.: *895 अजरश्चामरश्चैव रूपौदार्यगुणान्वितः व्यदृश्यत तथा युक्तो यथा स्यात्पञ्चविंशकः K4 cont.: *896 महावराहकोट्यां च ब्रह्मणामयुतानि च व्यचिन्तयन्महात्मा वै तथा रामं सलक्ष्मणम्
तमागतमृषिं वृद्धं बहुवर्षसहस्रिणम् आनर्चुर्ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे कृष्णश्च सह पाण्डवैः
AI Translation: When the sage, who had lived for many thousands of years, arrived, all the Brahmanas and Krishna with the Pandavas honored him.
तमर्चितं सुविश्वस्तमासीनमृषिसत्तमम् ब्राह्मणानां मतेनाह पाण्डवानां च केशवः
M. N. Dutt: All the Brahmanas and the Pandavas together with Krishna paid their adoration to him. And when that most exalted of saints, thus honoured, was peacefully seated, Keshava giving expression to the views of the Brahmanas and the Pandavas thus addressed him.
शुश्रूषवः पाण्डवास्ते ब्राह्मणाश्च समागताः द्रौपदी सत्यभामा च तथाहं परमं वचः
M. N. Dutt: Krishna said : The Pandavas, the assembled Brahmanas, Draupadi, Satyablama as well as myself are all desirous of hearing your most excellent words.
पुरावृत्ताः कथाः पुण्याः सदाचाराः सनातनाः राज्ञां स्त्रीणामृषीणां च मार्कण्डेय विचक्ष्व नः
M. N. Dutt: (Graciously) narrate to us (therefore) the sacred events of ancient ages and the eternal rules of righteous conduct by which kings, women and saints should be guided.
तेषु तत्रोपविष्टेषु देवर्षिरपि नारदः आजगाम विशुद्धात्मा पाण्डवानवलोककः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : When they were all seated the divine saint Narada too, of pure soul, came there to see the Pandavas.
तमप्यथ महात्मानं सर्वे तु पुरुषर्षभाः पाद्यार्घ्याभ्यां यथान्यायमुपतस्थुर्मनीषिणम्
M. N. Dutt: Then, all those highly intellectual and most exalted of mortals, honoured that magnanimous saint by offering him, according to the usual custom, water to wash his feet and the oblation called Arghya.
नारदस्त्वथ देवर्षिर्ज्ञात्वा तांस्तु कृतक्षणान् मार्कण्डेयस्य वदतस्तां कथामन्वमोदत
M. N. Dutt: Learning that they were about to hear the words of Markandeya, the divine saint Narada signified his assent to the proposal.
उवाच चैनं कालज्ञः स्मयन्निव स नारदः ब्रह्मर्षे कथ्यतां यत्ते पाण्डवेषु विवक्षितम्
M. N. Dutt: Then the eternal Krishna, who knows well what is the convenient moment, spoke to Markandeya, with a smile "O Brahmarshi, kindly relate to the Pandavas whatever you wish to say"
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच मार्कण्डेयो महातपाः क्षणं कुरुध्वं विपुलमाख्यातव्यं भविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed, Markandeya, of great austerities replied “wait a moment. I will relate lots of events."
एवमुक्ताः क्षणं चक्रुः पाण्डवाः सह तैर्द्विजैः मध्यंदिने यथादित्यं प्रेक्षन्तस्तं महामुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to, the Pandavas together with the Brahmanas waited a little looking at that great saint glorious as the noon-day sun.