Critical Edition
युधिष्ठिर उवाच नापदामस्ति मर्यादा न निमित्तं न कारणम् धर्मस्तु विभजत्यत्र उभयोः पुण्यपापयोः
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : There is no limit to misfortunes and neither their effects nor their causes can be ascertained. It is Dharma who distributes the fruits of both virtue and sin.
भीम उवाच प्रातिकाम्यनयत्कृष्णां सभायां प्रेष्यवत्तदा न मया निहतस्तत्र तेन प्राप्ताः स्म संशयम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhima said: We have met with this disaster, because I did not slay Pratikami when he dragge Krishna into the assembly hall like a slave.
अर्जुन उवाच वाचस्तीक्ष्णास्थिभेदिन्यः सूतपुत्रेण भाषिताः अतितीक्ष्णा मया क्षान्तास्तेन प्राप्ताः स्म संशयम्
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said: As I did not present those very sharp and biting words, piercing the very bones, uttered by the son of Suta, so we have met with this calamity.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.3 After 3, K4 D1 ins.: *1360 नकुल उवाच धार्तराष्ट्राः कुत्सयन्तो यन्मे न निहतास्तदा द्यूतकाले महाराज तेनेमामापदं गताः
सहदेव उवाच शकुनिस्त्वां यदाजैषीदक्षद्यूतेन भारत स मया न हतस्तत्र तेन प्राप्ताः स्म संशयम्
M. N. Dutt: Sahadeva said : This calamity, O Bharata, has overtaken us because I did not kill Shakuni when he defeated you at the game of dice.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा नकुलं वाक्यमब्रवीत् आरुह्य वृक्षं माद्रेय निरीक्षस्व दिशो दश
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : Then, king Yudhishthira said to Nakula "O son of Madri, climbing this tree look around the ten points.
पानीयमन्तिके पश्य वृक्षान्वाप्युदकाश्रयान् इमे हि भ्रातरः श्रान्तास्तव तात पिपासिताः
M. N. Dutt: O affectionate one, as these your brothers are fatigued and thirsty, so see whether any water or trees growing by water-side, are near.”
नकुलस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा शीघ्रमारुह्य पादपम् अब्रवीद्भ्रातरं ज्येष्ठमभिवीक्ष्य समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Nakula too saying “be it so" soon ascended a tree. And casting his looks around said to his eldest brother thus,
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.7 After 7a, T2 G2.4 ins.: *1361 भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य शासनात् तत उत्थाय मतिमान्
पश्यामि बहुलान्राजन्वृक्षानुदकसंश्रयान् सारसानां च निर्ह्रादमत्रोदकमसंशयम्
M. N. Dutt: "O king, I see numerous trees growing near water and also hear the cries of the Sarasas. Therefore, surely water must be somewhere here."
ततोऽब्रवीत्सत्यधृतिः कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः गच्छ सौम्य ततः शीघ्रं तूर्णं पानीयमानय
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, firm in truth, said "O beautiful one, do go (there) and soon bring water in the quivers."
नकुलस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा भ्रातुर्ज्येष्ठस्य शासनात् प्राद्रवद्यत्र पानीयं शीघ्रं चैवान्वपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: Saying “be it so" Nakula, at the command of his eldest brother, quickly, proceeded towards the spot where the water was and soon reached it.
स दृष्ट्वा विमलं तोयं सारसैः परिवारितम् पातुकामस्ततो वाचमन्तरिक्षात्स शुश्रुवे
M. N. Dutt: And seeing the transparent water surrounded by cranes, as he was desirous of drinking of it, he heard these words from the firmament.
मा तात साहसं कार्षीर्मम पूर्वपरिग्रहः प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु माद्रेय ततः पिब हरस्व च
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: O child, do not venture to do this. I have got possession of it before. O son of Madri, first answer my questions and then drink of it and carry it away.
अनादृत्य तु तद्वाक्यं नकुलः सुपिपासितः अपिबच्छीतलं तोयं पीत्वा च निपपात ह
M. N. Dutt: Nakula, (however), who was very thirsty, disregarding these words, drank the cool water. But as (soon) as he drank it he fell dead.
चिरायमाणे नकुले कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः अब्रवीद्भ्रातरं वीरं सहदेवमरिंदमम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing Nakula's delay, Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, said to his heroic brother Sahadeva, the tormentor of his foes,
भ्राता चिरायते तात सहदेव तवाग्रजः तं चैवानय सोदर्यं पानीयं च त्वमानय
M. N. Dutt: “O Sahadeva, our brother (Nakula) who was born (just) before you, has been long out. Go and bring him and also water.
सहदेवस्तथेत्युक्त्वा तां दिशं प्रत्यपद्यत ददर्श च हतं भूमौ भ्रातरं नकुलं तदा
M. N. Dutt: Saying “be it so,” Sahadeva proceeded towards that direction and he then beheld his brother Nakula lying dead on the ground.
भ्रातृशोकाभिसंतप्तस्तृषया च प्रपीडितः अभिदुद्राव पानीयं ततो वागभ्यभाषत
M. N. Dutt: Sorely afflicted at the death of his brother and oppressed with thirst, as he made for the water he heard these words.
मा तात साहसं कार्षीर्मम पूर्वपरिग्रहः प्रश्नानुक्त्वा यथाकामं ततः पिब हरस्व च
M. N. Dutt: "O child, do not venture this. It has been before obtained possession by me. First answer my questions and then drink water and carry it away.”
अनादृत्य तु तद्वाक्यं सहदेवः पिपासितः अपिबच्छीतलं तोयं पीत्वा च निपपात ह
M. N. Dutt: Sahadeva, as he was thirsty, despising those words drank the cool water and as he drank he fell dead.
अथाब्रवीत्स विजयं कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः भ्रातरौ ते चिरगतौ बीभत्सो शत्रुकर्शन तौ चैवानय भद्रं ते पानीयं च त्वमानय
M. N. Dutt: Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, said to Vijaya (Arjuna) “O Vivatsu, O tormentor of foes, your brothers (Nakula and Sahadeva) have been long out.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.20 After 20, N (D3 missing) G3 M1 ins.: *1362 त्वं हि नस्तात सर्वेषां दुःखितानामपाश्रयः
एवमुक्तो गुडाकेशः प्रगृह्य सशरं धनुः आमुक्तखड्गो मेधावी तत्सरः प्रत्यपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to, the intellectual Gudakesha taking up his bow together with arrows and his naked sword soon proceeded towards that lake.
यतः पुरुषशार्दूलौ पानीयहरणे गतौ तौ ददर्श हतौ तत्र भ्रातरौ श्वेतवाहनः
M. N. Dutt: (Having arrived at that lake), Shvetavahana beheld his two brothers, those most valiant of men, who came to fetch water, lying dead.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.22 After 22, S (except G3) ins.: *1363 विगतासू नरव्याघ्रौ शयानौ वसुधातले
प्रसुप्ताविव तौ दृष्ट्वा नरसिंहः सुदुःखितः धनुरुद्यम्य कौन्तेयो व्यलोकयत तद्वनम्
M. N. Dutt: And that lion amongst men, beholding them as if buried in slumber, became very afflicted, And then the son of Kunti upraising his bow looked around that forest.
नापश्यत्तत्र किंचित्स भूतं तस्मिन्महावने सव्यसाची ततः श्रान्तः पानीयं सोऽभ्यधावत
M. N. Dutt: But he beheld no creature in that great forest. And oppressed with fatigue, Savyasachi made for the water.
अभिधावंस्ततो वाचमन्तरिक्षात्स शुश्रुवे किमासीदसि पानीयं नैतच्छक्यं बलात्त्वया
M. N. Dutt: And as he rushed (towards the water) he heard these words from the firmament “Why are you coming towards the water You will not। be able to drink of it forcibly.
कौन्तेय यदि वै प्रश्नान्मयोक्तान्प्रतिपत्स्यसे ततः पास्यसि पानीयं हरिष्यसि च भारत
M. N. Dutt: O son of Kunti, O Bharata, if you can answer the questions put by me, then you may drink of the water and take it away.”
वारितस्त्वब्रवीत्पार्थो दृश्यमानो निवारय यावद्बाणैर्विनिर्भिन्नः पुनर्नैवं वदिष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: Thus forbidden, Partha said "come to my presence and then prevent me. You will not speak again in this strain when I will rive you with darts."
एवमुक्त्वा ततः पार्थः शरैरस्त्रानुमन्त्रितैः ववर्ष तां दिशं कृत्स्नां शब्दवेधं च दर्शयन्
M. N. Dutt: Saying this, Partha displaying his skill in hitting at an invisible object by sound alone, entirely covered all the sides by discharges of arrows inspired with the mantras,
कर्णिनालीकनाराचानुत्सृजन्भरतर्षभ अनेकैरिषुसंघातैरन्तरिक्षं ववर्ष ह
AI Translation: Showering down arrows, darts and iron arrows, O bull among the Bharatas, He rained down a multitude of arrows from the sky.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.29 After 29, M1 ins.: *1364 सोऽप्यदृश्याय भूताय नभस्यामिततेजसे उत्ससर्ज महाबाहुर्बाणजालं धनंजयः ततस्तानिषुसंघातान्गाण्डीवधनुषश्च्युतान् मेघान्कृत्वा जहासोच्चैस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
यक्ष उवाच किं विघातेन ते पार्थ प्रश्नानुक्त्वा ततः पिब अनुक्त्वा तु ततः प्रश्नान्पीत्वैव न भविष्यसि
AI Translation: The Yaksha said: O Partha, why do you delay? Ask your questions and then drink. If you drink without asking your questions, you will not exist.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.30 After 30, B Dc Dn D2.4.6 G3 ins.: *1365 एवमुक्तस्ततः पार्थः सव्यसाची धनंजयः
वैशंपायन उवाच स त्वमोघानिषून्मुक्त्वा तृष्णयाभिप्रपीडितः अविज्ञायैव तान्प्रश्नान्पीत्वैव निपपात ह
AI Translation: Vaishampayana said: Having shot those unfailing arrows, afflicted by thirst, Not understanding those questions, having drunk, he fell down.
अथाब्रवीद्भीमसेनं कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः नकुलः सहदेवश्च बीभत्सुश्चापराजितः
AI Translation: Then Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, said to Bhimasena: Nakula, Sahadeva, and the invincible Bibhatsu,
चिरं गतास्तोयहेतोर्न चागच्छन्ति भारत तांश्चैवानय भद्रं ते पानीयं च त्वमानय
AI Translation: "They have gone for water for a long time and do not return, O descendant of Bharata. " "And bring them back, O fortunate one, and bring water for yourself."
भीमसेनस्तथेत्युक्त्वा तां दिशं प्रत्यपद्यत यत्र ते पुरुषव्याघ्रा भ्रातरोऽस्य निपातिताः
M. N. Dutt: May you be blessed.” Saying “be it so" Bhimasena proceeded towards that place, where his brothers, those most valiant of men, lay dead. Afflicted at seeing them (dead) and oppressed with thirst.
तान्दृष्ट्वा दुःखितो भीमस्तृषया च प्रपीडितः अमन्यत महाबाहुः कर्म तद्यक्षरक्षसाम् स चिन्तयामास तदा योद्धव्यं ध्रुवमद्य मे
M. N. Dutt: That mighty-armed one considered (within himself). “This act must have been done by some Yaksha or Rakshasa." And he thought (further) “I will have surely to fight today.
पास्यामि तावत्पानीयमिति पार्थो वृकोदरः ततोऽभ्यधावत्पानीयं पिपासुः पुरुषर्षभः
M. N. Dutt: Let me therefore, (first) drink water.” Then, Vrikodara, the son of Pritha and the best of the Bharatas, desirous of drinking, rushed towards the water.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.36 After 36, Dc D2 ins.: *1366 वागुवाचाथ सुस्पष्टमदृश्या पाण्डुनन्दनम्
यक्ष उवाच मा तात साहसं कार्षीर्मम पूर्वपरिग्रहः प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेय ततः पिब हरस्व च
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: O child, do not attempt it. It has already been in my possession, (first) answer my questions and then drink water and carry it away (for your brother).
वैशंपायन उवाच एवमुक्तस्ततो भीमो यक्षेणामिततेजसा अविज्ञायैव तान्प्रश्नान्पीत्वैव निपपात ह
M. N. Dutt: Thus addressed by that Yaksha of unrivalled energy, soon as Bhima without answering his questions, drank of it, he fell down dead.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.38 After 38, B3 ins.: *1367 ततः कुन्तीसुतो राजा धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः while B4 ins.: *1368 ततश्चिरगतान्भ्रातॄनथ ज्ञातुं युधिष्ठिरः B3.4 cont. (cf. 1370* below): *1369 चिरायमानान्बहुशः पुनः पुनरुवाच ह माद्रेयौ किं चिरायेते गाण्डीवी किं चिरायते महाबलधरस्तत्र किं नु भीमश्चिरायते गच्छाम्येषां पदं द्रष्टुमिति कृत्वा युधिष्ठिरः
ततः कुन्तीसुतो राजा विचिन्त्य पुरुषर्षभः समुत्थाय महाबाहुर्दह्यमानेन चेतसा
AI Translation: Then the king, Kunti's son, the bull among men, reflected, and the mighty-armed one, with a burning mind, arose.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.39 After 39ab, K4 B2-4 (see below) Dc D2 ins.: *1370 आत्मनात्मानमेतच्च चिन्तयन्निदमब्रवीत् Colophon. वैशंपायन उवाच ततश्चिरगतान्भ्रातॄनथ राजा युधिष्ठिरः चिरायमाणान्बहुशः पुनः पुनरुवाच ह किं स्विद्वनमिदं द्रष्टुं किं स्विद्दृष्टो मृगो भवेत् प्राहसन्वा महाभूतं शप्तास्तेनाथ तेऽपतन् न पश्यन्त्यथ वा वीराः पानीयं यत्र ते गताः अन्विषद्भिर्वने तोयं कालोऽयमिति पातितः किं नु तत्कारणं येन नायान्ति पुरुषर्षभाः गच्छाम्येषां पदं द्रष्टुमिति कृत्वा युधिष्ठिरः B4 cont.: *1371 वैशंपायन उवाच एवमादीनि वाक्यानि विमृषन्नृपसत्तमः
अपेतजननिर्घोषं प्रविवेश महावनम् रुरुभिश्च वराहैश्च पक्षिभिश्च निषेवितम्
AI Translation: He entered the great forest, devoid of human sounds, frequented by deer, boars, and birds.
नीलभास्वरवर्णैश्च पादपैरुपशोभितम् भ्रमरैरुपगीतं च पक्षिभिश्च महायशाः
M. N. Dutt: Adorned with trees of blue and bright colours and ringing with the hum of bees and warbling of birds. And that highly renowned.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.41 After 41, S (except G3) ins.: *1372 मृदुशाड्वलसंकीर्णं भूमिभागं मनोहरम्
स गच्छन्कानने तस्मिन्हेमजालपरिष्कृतम् ददर्श तत्सरः श्रीमान्विश्वकर्मकृतं यथा
M. N. Dutt: And illustrious one, entering into the forest saw that lake beautified with gold-coloured filaments, looking as if it had been made by the Architect of the universe.
उपेतं नलिनीजालैः सिन्धुवारैश्च वेतसैः केतकैः करवीरैश्च पिप्पलैश्चैव संवृतम् श्रमार्तस्तदुपागम्य सरो दृष्ट्वाथ विस्मितः
M. N. Dutt: Adorned with rows of lotuses, Sindhuvara flowers together with cane trees and covered all over with Ketakas, Karaviras and Pippalas. Oppressed with fatigue, he approached that lake and was wonder-struck at what he saw.
Supplementary Passages:
3.296.43 After 43cd, S (except G3) ins.: *1373 ततो धर्मसुतः श्रीमान्भ्रातृदर्शनलालसः