Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच स ददर्श हतान्भ्रातॄँल्लोकपालानिव च्युतान् युगान्ते समनुप्राप्ते शक्रप्रतिमगौरवान्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said : He (Yudhishthira) then beheld his brothers, glorious as Shakra himself, lying dead like the Lokapalas dropped down form their regions at the end of a Yuga.
विप्रकीर्णधनुर्बाणं दृष्ट्वा निहतमर्जुनम् भीमसेनं यमौ चोभौ निर्विचेष्टान्गतायुषः
AI Translation: Seeing Arjuna, his bow and arrows scattered, and Bhimasena and the twins, both lifeless and motionless,
स दीर्घमुष्णं निःश्वस्य शोकबाष्पपरिप्लुतः बुद्ध्या विचिन्तयामास वीराः केन निपातिताः
AI Translation: He sighed deeply and was overcome with tears of sorrow. He pondered with his intellect: "By whom were the heroes brought down?"
नैषां शस्त्रप्रहारोऽस्ति पदं नेहास्ति कस्यचित् भूतं महदिदं मन्ये भ्रातरो येन मे हताः एकाग्रं चिन्तयिष्यामि पीत्वा वेत्स्यामि वा जलम्
M. N. Dutt: There are no strokes of weapons on their bodies nor are there any foot prints of any body. I consider he is a mighty being who has slain my brothers.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.4 After 4, S (except G3) ins.: *1374 भ्रातॄणां व्यसनं घोरं सममेव महात्मनाम्
स्यात्तु दुर्योधनेनेदमुपांशुविहितं कृतम् गान्धारराजरचितं सततं जिह्मबुद्धिना
AI Translation: But this may have been done by Duryodhana in a whisper, or by the king of Gandhara, who is always of crooked mind.
यस्य कार्यमकार्यं वा सममेव भवत्युत कस्तस्य विश्वसेद्वीरो दुर्मतेरकृतात्मनः
AI Translation: Who is the hero who would trust the evil-minded one who has not controlled his mind, who is equal to the one who does or does not do his duty?
अथ वा पुरुषैर्गूढैः प्रयोगोऽयं दुरात्मनः भवेदिति महाबाहुर्बहुधा समचिन्तयत्
AI Translation: Or this is the method of the wicked one, hidden by men. Thus the mighty one thought in many ways.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.7 After 7, T G1.2 M ins.: *1375 आचार्यं किं नु वक्ष्यामि कृपं भीष्ममहं नु किम् T2 G2 cont.: *1376 विदुरं किं नु वक्ष्यामि बृहस्पतिसमं नये T2 G2 cont.: T1 G1 M ins. after 1375*: G4 ins. after 7: *1377 अम्बां च किं नु वक्ष्यामि सदा दुःखस्य भागिनीम् दृष्ट्वा मां भ्रातृभिर्हीनं पृच्छन्तीं पुत्रगृद्धिनीम् यदा त्वं भ्रातृभिः सर्वैः शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमैः सार्धं वनं गतो वीरैः कथमेकस्त्वमागतः
तस्यासीन्न विषेणेदमुदकं दूषितं यथा मुखवर्णाः प्रसन्ना मे भ्रातॄणामित्यचिन्तयत्
AI Translation: "He thought, ""This water is not poisoned, as it was before, and my brothers' faces are serene."""
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.8 After 8ab, B Dc Dn D2.4.6 G3 ins.: *1378 मृतानामपि चैतेषां विकृतं नैव जायते
एकैकशश्चौघबलानिमान्पुरुषसत्तमान् कोऽन्यः प्रतिसमासेत कालान्तकयमादृते
M. N. Dutt: Each of these foremost of men is possessed of the force of a water fall. Who else, therefore, can vanquish them except that being who carries away every thing in proper time."
एतेनाध्यवसायेन तत्तोयमवगाढवान् गाहमानश्च तत्तोयमन्तरिक्षात्स शुश्रुवे
M. N. Dutt: Thinking it to be certain, he plunged into that water. And as he got into it he heard these words from the firmament.
यक्ष उवाच अहं बकः शैवलमत्स्यभक्षो; मया नीताः प्रेतवशं तवानुजाः त्वं पञ्चमो भविता राजपुत्र; न चेत्प्रश्नान्पृच्छतो व्याकरोषि
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: I am a crane living on moss and fish. Your younger brothers have been, by me, brought under the control of death. If, O king's son, you do not answer the questions put by me, you shall be the fifth victim.
मा तात साहसं कार्षीर्मम पूर्वपरिग्रहः प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेय ततः पिब हरस्व च
M. N. Dutt: O child, do not attempt this. It has been possessed by me before. First! answer my questions and then drink water kind take it away.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच रुद्राणां वा वसूनां वा मरुतां वा प्रधानभाक् पृच्छामि को भवान्देवो नैतच्छकुनिना कृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : Are you the foremost of the Rudras or the Vasus or the Marutas? I ask you what god you are. It is not possible for a bird to have done this.
हिमवान्पारियात्रश्च विन्ध्यो मलय एव च चत्वारः पर्वताः केन पातिता भुवि तेजसा
M. N. Dutt: Who has felled these four mountains of great energy viz. Himavat, Pariyatra, Vindhya and Malaya?
अतीव ते महत्कर्म कृतं बलवतां वर यन्न देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरा न च राक्षसाः विषहेरन्महायुद्धे कृतं ते तन्महाद्भुतम्
M. N. Dutt: O strongest of those endued with strength, you have (indeed) achieved a very great feat in as much as neither the celestials, nor the Gandharvas nor the Asuras, nor the Rakshasas.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.15 After 15ab, S (except G3) ins.: *1379 विनिघ्नता महेष्वासांश्चतुरोऽपि ममानुजान्
न ते जानामि यत्कार्यं नाभिजानामि काङ्क्षितम् कौतूहलं महज्जातं साध्वसं चागतं मम
AI Translation: I do not know what you want to do, I do not know what you desire. Great curiosity has arisen in me, and fear has come upon me.
येनास्म्युद्विग्नहृदयः समुत्पन्नशिरोज्वरः पृच्छामि भगवंस्तस्मात्को भवानिह तिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: I am very curious (to learn all this) and am terrified also. For which my heart is troubled and my head is racked. Therefore, O adorable one, I ask you who you are that are staying here.
यक्ष उवाच यक्षोऽहमस्मि भद्रं ते नास्मि पक्षी जलेचरः मयैते निहताः सर्वे भ्रातरस्ते महौजसः
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : I am a Yaksha and not an aquatic bird. All hail to you. It is I who have slain your greatly energetic brothers.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततस्तामशिवां श्रुत्वा वाचं स परुषाक्षराम् यक्षस्य ब्रुवतो राजन्नुपक्रम्य तदा स्थितः
AI Translation: Vaishampayana said: Then, having heard that terrible and harsh-sounding speech of the Yaksha, the king stood there, addressing him.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.19 After 19, T1 G1 ins.: *1380 ततो राजन्नपाक्रम्य तस्माद्देशादवस्थितः
विरूपाक्षं महाकायं यक्षं तालसमुच्छ्रयम् ज्वलनार्कप्रतीकाशमधृष्यं पर्वतोपमम्
AI Translation: The one with the misshapen eyes, the great body, the yaksha of the height of a palm tree, Shining like fire and the sun, unassailable, like a mountain,
सेतुमाश्रित्य तिष्ठन्तं ददर्श भरतर्षभः मेघगम्भीरया वाचा तर्जयन्तं महाबलम्
AI Translation: The bull among men saw him standing on the bridge, and the very powerful one threatening him with a voice deep like the clouds.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.21 After 21, T G1.2.4 ins.: *1381 उवाच यक्षः कौन्तेयं भ्रातृशोकाभिपीडितम्
यक्ष उवाच इमे ते भ्रातरो राजन्वार्यमाणा मयासकृत् बलात्तोयं जिहीर्षन्तस्ततो वै सूदिता मया
AI Translation: The Yaksha said: O king, these are your brothers, who, though repeatedly restrained by me, tried to forcibly drink the water, and were therefore killed by me.
न पेयमुदकं राजन्प्राणानिह परीप्सता पार्थ मा साहसं कार्षीर्मम पूर्वपरिग्रहः प्रश्नानुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेय ततः पिब हरस्व च
AI Translation: O king, do not drink this water, if you wish to preserve your life. O Partha, do not be rash. This is my former possession. O Kounteya, having asked questions, then drink and take.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच नैवाहं कामये यक्ष तव पूर्वपरिग्रहम् कामं नैतत्प्रशंसन्ति सन्तो हि पुरुषाः सदा
AI Translation: Yudhiṣṭhira said: I do not desire your former wife, O Yakṣa. The good men do not always praise this.
यदात्मना स्वमात्मानं प्रशंसेत्पुरुषः प्रभो यथाप्रज्ञं तु ते प्रश्नान्प्रतिवक्ष्यामि पृच्छ माम्
AI Translation: If a man praises himself, O Lord, I shall answer your questions according to my wisdom. Ask me.
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विदादित्यमुन्नयति के च तस्याभितश्चराः कश्चैनमस्तं नयति कस्मिंश्च प्रतितिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is that which makes Aditya, (the sun) rise? Who remain near him? Who does make him set? (And) in what is he established?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ब्रह्मादित्यमुन्नयति देवास्तस्याभितश्चराः धर्मश्चास्तं नयति च सत्ये च प्रतितिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is that which makes Aditya, (the sun) rise? Who remain near him? Who does make him set? (And) in what is he established?
यक्ष उवाच केन स्विच्छ्रोत्रियो भवति केन स्विद्विन्दते महत् केन द्वितीयवान्भवति राजन्केन च बुद्धिमान्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What makes one Shrotriya (learned) By what does one attain to what is very exalted? what makes one have a second And, by what, O king, one becomes wise?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच श्रुतेन श्रोत्रियो भवति तपसा विन्दते महत् धृत्या द्वितीयवान्भवति बुद्धिमान्वृद्धसेवया
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: By hearing, one becomes learned; by austerities, one attains greatness; By patience, one becomes a companion; by serving the elders, one becomes wise;
यक्ष उवाच किं ब्राह्मणानां देवत्वं कश्च धर्मः सतामिव कश्चैषां मानुषो भावः किमेषामसतामिव
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What is the divine attribute of the Brahmanas? What virtuous practices of theirs resemble those of the pious? What is their human attribute? And what (practices) of theirs resemble those of the impious?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच स्वाध्याय एषां देवत्वं तप एषां सतामिव मरणं मानुषो भावः परिवादोऽसतामिव
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: Their study is like the divinity of the gods, their austerity is like the truth of the good. Death is like the human state, slander is like the unt
यक्ष उवाच किं क्षत्रियाणां देवत्वं कश्च धर्मः सतामिव कश्चैषां मानुषो भावः किमेषामसतामिव
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What is the divine attribute of the Brahmanas? What virtuous practices of theirs resemble those of the pious? What is their human attribute? And what (practices) of theirs resemble those of the impious?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच इष्वस्त्रमेषां देवत्वं यज्ञ एषां सतामिव भयं वै मानुषो भावः परित्यागोऽसतामिव
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: The bow is their god, the sacrifice is their truth, Fear is their human nature, abandonment is their untruth.
यक्ष उवाच किमेकं यज्ञियं साम किमेकं यज्ञियं यजुः का चैका वृश्चते यज्ञं कां यज्ञो नातिवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is that one thing) which is the sacrificial Soma? What is that which constitutes the sacrificial Yaju? What is that which sacrifice can not do without?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच प्राणो वै यज्ञियं साम मनो वै यज्ञियं यजुः वागेका वृश्चते यज्ञं तां यज्ञो नातिवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is that one thing) which is the sacrificial Soma? What is that which constitutes the sacrificial Yaju? What is that which sacrifice can not do without?
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विदापततां श्रेष्ठं किं स्विन्निपततां वरम् किं स्वित्प्रतिष्ठमानानां किं स्वित्प्रवदतां वरम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What thing is the best with regard to the cultivators? What is of the greatest value to those that seek prosperity? And what is of the highest value to those that bring forth?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच वर्षमापततां श्रेष्ठं बीजं निपततां वरम् गावः प्रतिष्ठमानानां पुत्रः प्रवदतां वरः
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: The best of the seasons is the rainy season, the best of seeds is the seed that falls, The best of those who are established is the cow, the best of those who speak is the son.
यक्ष उवाच इन्द्रियार्थाननुभवन्बुद्धिमाँल्लोकपूजितः संमतः सर्वभूतानामुच्छ्वसन्को न जीवति
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : Is there any person, endowed with intelligence, worshipped by the world, respected by all the creatures, who, though enjoying the objects of senses and breathing, is not alive?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच देवतातिथिभृत्यानां पितॄणामात्मनश्च यः न निर्वपति पञ्चानामुच्छ्वसन्न स जीवति
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : That person, who does not satisfy the gods, the guests, the servants, the Pitris and his own self, though breathing, is not alive.
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विद्गुरुतरं भूमेः किं स्विदुच्चतरं च खात् किं स्विच्छीघ्रतरं वायोः किं स्विद्बहुतरं नृणाम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What thing is weightier than the earth? What is it that is higher than the sky? What is fleeter than the wind? And what is more numerous than the grass?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच माता गुरुतरा भूमेः पिता उच्चतरश्च खात् मनः शीघ्रतरं वायोश्चिन्ता बहुतरी नृणाम्
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: The mother is heavier than the earth, the father is higher than the sky, The mind is swifter than the wind, and the worries of men are greater.
यक्ष उवाच किं स्वित्सुप्तं न निमिषति किं स्विज्जातं न चोपति कस्य स्विद्धृदयं नास्ति किं स्विद्वेगेन वर्धते
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is that which does not close the eyes while sleeping? What is it that has no heart? And what is it that swells with its own force?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच मत्स्यः सुप्तो न निमिषत्यण्डं जातं न चोपति अश्मनो हृदयं नास्ति नदी वेगेन वर्धते
AI Translation: Yudhi Shthira said: A fish sleeping does not blink. An egg born does not grow. A stone has no heart. A river increases by force.
यक्ष उवाच किं स्वित्प्रवसतो मित्रं किं स्विन्मित्रं गृहे सतः आतुरस्य च किं मित्रं किं स्विन्मित्रं मरिष्यतः
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked Who is the friend of an exile? Who is the friend of a householder? Who is the friend of a sick person and who of a dying one?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच सार्थः प्रवसतो मित्रं भार्या मित्रं गृहे सतः आतुरस्य भिषङ्मित्रं दानं मित्रं मरिष्यतः
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked Who is the friend of an exile? Who is the friend of a householder? Who is the friend of a sick person and who of a dying one?
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.45 After 45, B Dc Dn D2.4.6 G3 ins.: *1382 यक्ष उवाच कोऽतिथिः सर्वभूतानां किं स्विद्धर्मं सनातनम् अमृतं किं स्विद्राजेन्द्र किं स्वित्सर्वमिदं जगत् युधिष्ठिर उवाच अतिथिः सर्वभूतानामग्निः सोमो गवामृतम् सनातनोऽमृतो धर्मो वायुः सर्वमिदं जगत्
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विदेको विचरति जातः को जायते पुनः किं स्विद्धिमस्य भैषज्यं किं स्विदावपनं महत्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : What is it what wanders alone? What is it that is born again after its birth? What is the antidote to cold? And what is the largest field?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच सूर्य एको विचरति चन्द्रमा जायते पुनः अग्निर्हिमस्य भैषज्यं भूमिरावपनं महत्
AI Translation: Yudhi Shthira said: The sun moves alone, the moon is born again, Fire is the remedy for cold, the earth is the great receptacle.
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विदेकपदं धर्म्यं किं स्विदेकपदं यशः किं स्विदेकपदं स्वर्ग्यं किं स्विदेकपदं सुखम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked What is the crowning refuge of religion? What of renown? What is the highest refuge of heaven and what of happiness?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच दाक्ष्यमेकपदं धर्म्यं दानमेकपदं यशः सत्यमेकपदं स्वर्ग्यं शीलमेकपदं सुखम्
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: Dacsyam (skill) is the one-step Dharma, Dānam (charity) is the one-step fame, Satyam (truth) is the one-step heavenly, Śīlam (good conduct) is the one-step happiness
यक्ष उवाच किं स्विदात्मा मनुष्यस्य किं स्विद्दैवकृतः सखा उपजीवनं किं स्विदस्य किं स्विदस्य परायणम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked What is the soul of a man? Who is that friend given to him by Destiny? What is his chief support and what is his best refuge?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच पुत्र आत्मा मनुष्यस्य भार्या दैवकृतः सखा उपजीवनं च पर्जन्यो दानमस्य परायणम्
AI Translation: Yudhiṣṭhira said: Son, self, wife, human being, friend made by fate, Subsistence and rain, giving is his refuge.
यक्ष उवाच धन्यानामुत्तमं किं स्विद्धनानां किं स्विदुत्तमम् लाभानामुत्तमं किं स्वित्किं सुखानां तथोत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked What is the best of all praise-worthy objects? What is the best of all sorts of wealth? What is the most important of all gains? And what is the best of all kinds of happiness?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच धन्यानामुत्तमं दाक्ष्यं धनानामुत्तमं श्रुतम् लाभानां श्रेष्ठमारोग्यं सुखानां तुष्टिरुत्तमा
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira replied Skillfulness is the best of all praise-worthy objects. Knowledge (of the (Vedas) is the best of all (sorts of) wealth. Of all gain health is the most important one. And of all (sorts of) happiness contentment is the best.
यक्ष उवाच कश्च धर्मः परो लोके कश्च धर्मः सदाफलः किं नियम्य न शोचन्ति कैश्च संधिर्न जीर्यते
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is the greatest virtue in the world? What religion always bears fruits? What is that controlling which (men) never experience misery? With whom does friendship never break:
युधिष्ठिर उवाच आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मस्त्रयीधर्मः सदाफलः मनो यम्य न शोचन्ति सद्भिः संधिर्न जीर्यते
AI Translation: Yudhisthira said: Non-violence is the highest duty, the duty of the three Vedas is always fruitful. Those who control the mind do not grieve, the alliance with the good does not decay.
यक्ष उवाच किं नु हित्वा प्रियो भवति किं नु हित्वा न शोचति किं नु हित्वार्थवान्भवति किं नु हित्वा सुखी भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked What is it, the renunciation of which makes one dear? What is that which if given up, does not lead to misery? What is that renouncing which one become wealthy? And what is it the renunciation of which makes one happy?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच मानं हित्वा प्रियो भवति क्रोधं हित्वा न शोचति कामं हित्वार्थवान्भवति लोभं हित्वा सुखी भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha asked What is it, the renunciation of which makes one dear? What is that which if given up, does not lead to misery? What is that renouncing which one become wealthy? And what is it the renunciation of which makes one happy?
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.57 After 57, B Dc Dn D2.4.6 T2 G2-4 ins.: *1383 यक्ष उवाच किमर्थं ब्राह्मणे दानं किमर्थं नटनर्तके किमर्थं चैव भृत्येषु किमर्थं चैव राजसु युधिष्ठिर उवाच धर्मार्थं ब्राह्मणे दानं यशोर्थं नटनर्तके भृत्येषु भरणार्थं वै भयार्थं चैव राजसु यक्ष उवाच केन स्विदावृतो लोकः केन स्विन्न प्रकाशते केन त्यजति मित्राणि केन स्वर्गं न गच्छति युधिष्ठिर उवाच अज्ञानेनावृतो लोकस्तमसा न प्रकाशते लोभात्त्यजति मित्राणि सङ्गात्स्वर्गं न गच्छति
यक्ष उवाच मृतः कथं स्यात्पुरुषः कथं राष्ट्रं मृतं भवेत् श्राद्धं मृतं कथं च स्यात्कथं यज्ञो मृतो भवेत्
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : Why is a person regarded as dead? Is it for what that a kingdom becomes dead? And for what does a sacrifice become dead?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच मृतो दरिद्रः पुरुषो मृतं राष्ट्रमराजकम् मृतमश्रोत्रियं श्राद्धं मृतो यज्ञस्त्वदक्षिणः
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira replied A poor person (though alive) is (considered as) dead. A kingdom without the king becomes dead. A Shraddha celebrated by an ignorant priest becomes dead. And a sacrifice in which nothing is given away is (as good as) dead.
यक्ष उवाच का दिक्किमुदकं प्रोक्तं किमन्नं पार्थ किं विषम् श्राद्धस्य कालमाख्याहि ततः पिब हरस्व च
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: What is the direction (i.e. the path one should follow)? What is spoken of as water, what, as food and what, as poison? Relate what is the (proper) time of a Shraddha and then drink and carry away water,
युधिष्ठिर उवाच सन्तो दिग्जलमाकाशं गौरन्नं प्रार्थना विषम् श्राद्धस्य ब्राह्मणः कालः कथं वा यक्ष मन्यसे
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : It is the righteous that are the direction (i.e. one should follow in the foot steps of the virtuous). The firmament is spoken of as water, the cow as food and request as poison. A Brahmana is the (proper) time for a Shraddha as (i.e. there is no special time for a Shraddha. It may be celebrated whenever an able priest can be secured). O Yaksha, what is your opinion?
यक्ष उवाच व्याख्याता मे त्वया प्रश्ना याथातथ्यं परंतप पुरुषं त्विदानीमाख्याहि यश्च सर्वधनी नरः
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: O tormentor of foes, you have rightly answered all my questions. Now relate to me who can be called a man and what man is enriched with all sorts of wealth.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच दिवं स्पृशति भूमिं च शब्दः पुण्यस्य कर्मणः यावत्स शब्दो भवति तावत्पुरुष उच्यते
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : The report of a man's meritorious deeds reaches both heaven and earth. And so long as that report continues, he is called a man.
तुल्ये प्रियाप्रिये यस्य सुखदुःखे तथैव च अतीतानागते चोभे स वै सर्वधनी नरः
M. N. Dutt: The man to whom the agreeable and the disagreeable, happiness and misery the past and the future are all alike, is enriched with all sorts of wealth.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.64 After 64ab, T2 G2.4 ins.: *1384 समत्वं यस्य सर्वेषु स वै पुरुष उच्यते भूतभव्यभविष्येषु निःस्पृहः शान्तमानसः
यक्ष उवाच व्याख्यातः पुरुषो राजन्यश्च सर्वधनी नरः तस्मात्तवैको भ्रातॄणां यमिच्छसि स जीवतु
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: O king, you have (truly) related as to what erson is possessed of all sorts of wealth. Therefore, one of your brothers whomever you wish, be restored to life.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच श्यामो य एष रक्ताक्षो बृहच्छाल इवोद्गतः व्यूढोरस्को महाबाहुर्नकुलो यक्ष जीवतु
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said : O Yaksha, let this Nakula, having dark complexion, red eyes, towering as a sala tree, endued with broad chest and long arms, be brought back to life.
यक्ष उवाच प्रियस्ते भीमसेनोऽयमर्जुनो वः परायणम् स कस्मान्नकुलं राजन्सापत्नं जीवमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said : This Bhimasena is (very) dear to you and this Arjuna is your chief support. Why then, O king, do you desire for the life of Nakula, who is only a step brother of yours?
यस्य नागसहस्रेण दशसंख्येन वै बलम् तुल्यं तं भीममुत्सृज्य नकुलं जीवमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: Why do you, leaving out of consideration Bhima, endued with the strength of ten thousand elephants, desire Nakula to be restored to life?
तथैनं मनुजाः प्राहुर्भीमसेनं प्रियं तव अथ केनानुभावेन सापत्नं जीवमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: They say that Bhimasena is very dear to you. On what consideration, then do you desire for the life of a step brother?
यस्य बाहुबलं सर्वे पाण्डवाः समुपाश्रिताः अर्जुनं तमपाहाय नकुलं जीवमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: Why do you, forsaking Arjuna the strength of whose arms is worshipped by all the Pandavas, wish Nakula to revive?
युधिष्ठिर उवाच आनृशंस्यं परो धर्मः परमार्थाच्च मे मतम् आनृशंस्यं चिकीर्षामि नकुलो यक्ष जीवतु
M. N. Dutt: Refraining from cruelty is the greater virtue and in my opinion greater than the greatest desirable object. I prefer that virtue, viz., refraining from cruelty. Let, O Yaksha, therefore, Nakula be alive.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.71 After the ref., B2.4 Dc Dn D2.4.6 G3 ins.: *1385 धर्म एव हतो हन्ति धर्मो रक्षति रक्षितः तस्माद्धर्मं न त्यजामि मा नो धर्मो हतो वधीत्
धर्मशीलः सदा राजा इति मां मानवा विदुः स्वधर्मान्न चलिष्यामि नकुलो यक्ष जीवतु
M. N. Dutt: People know that, king (Yudhishthira) is always given to virtue. I will never swerve from my duty. Therefore, O Yaksha, let Nakula revive.
Supplementary Passages:
3.297.72 B2.4 Dc Dn D2.4.6 ins. after 72: T2 G1.2.4 M, after 70: *1386 कुन्ती चैव तु माद्री च द्वे भार्ये तु पितुर्मम उभे सपुत्रे स्यातां वै इति मे धीयते मतिः
यथा कुन्ती तथा माद्री विशेषो नास्ति मे तयोः मातृभ्यां सममिच्छामि नकुलो यक्ष जीवतु
M. N. Dutt: As Kunti is to me, so also is Madri. I do not make any distinction between them. I desire to behave equally towards my two mothers, Therefore, O Yaksha, let Nakula be brought back to life.
यक्ष उवाच यस्य तेऽर्थाच्च कामाच्च आनृशंस्यं परं मतम् तस्मात्ते भ्रातरः सर्वे जीवन्तु भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: The Yaksha said: O best of the Bharatas, since abstention from cruelty is, in your opinion, superior to both profit and desire, let, therefore all your brothers be restored to life.