Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच तेष्वासीनेषु सर्वेषु तूष्णींभूतेषु राजसु वाक्यमभ्याददे कृष्णः सुदंष्ट्रो दुन्दुभिस्वनः
AI Translation: Vaishampayana said: When all the kings were seated and silent, Krishna, with his sharp teeth and the sound of a drum, began to speak.
जीमूत इव घर्मान्ते सर्वां संश्रावयन्सभाम् धृतराष्ट्रमभिप्रेक्ष्य समभाषत माधवः
AI Translation: Like a cloud at the end of the summer, addressing the entire assembly, Madhava addressed Dhritarashtra,
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च शमः स्यादिति भारत अप्रयत्नेन वीराणामेतद्यतितुमागतः
M. N. Dutt: "Between the Kurus and Pandavas there may be peace, O Bharata, without the slaying of heroes (on either side) to effect this have I come.
राजन्नान्यत्प्रवक्तव्यं तव निःश्रेयसं वचः विदितं ह्येव ते सर्वं वेदितव्यमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: Oking, I have nothing else to say, everything that ought to be known in this world is known to you, O chastiser of foes.
इदमद्य कुलं श्रेष्ठं सर्वराजसु पार्थिव श्रुतवृत्तोपसंपन्नं सर्वैः समुदितं गुणैः
M. N. Dutt: 0 ruler of the earth, this dynasty (of yours) is the best among these of all kings; it is noted for its knowledge of the scriptures as also for its good ways of life and it is endued with all the virtues.
Supplementary Passages:
5.93.5 K5 (which om. hapl. 5c-6d) ins. after 5ab: *424 त्वन्निमित्तं विशेषेण नेह युक्तं विशिष्यते
कृपानुकम्पा कारुण्यमानृशंस्यं च भारत तथार्जवं क्षमा सत्यं कुरुष्वेतद्विशिष्यते
M. N. Dutt: Kindness, pain at the sight of other's pains, desire to remedy evils and humanity, O Bharata, as also sincerity, forgiveness and truth, are specially in the nature of the Kurus.
तस्मिन्नेवंविधे राजन्कुले महति तिष्ठति त्वन्निमित्तं विशेषेण नेह युक्तमसांप्रतम्
M. N. Dutt: Belonging to this noble family which is such, 0 king, no one should do what is improper and especially an improper act is to be deplored when you are the cause of it.
त्वं हि वारयिता श्रेष्ठः कुरूणां कुरुसत्तम मिथ्या प्रचरतां तात बाह्येष्वाभ्यन्तरेषु च
M. N. Dutt: You, O best of Kuru race, being the foremost among them, bear the load of the Kurus when they behave, O Sire, deceitfully towards others or to members of their own family, when the deceit is actually done in act or when it is conceived.
ते पुत्रास्तव कौरव्य दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः धर्मार्थौ पृष्ठतः कृत्वा प्रचरन्ति नृशंसवत्
M. N. Dutt: Those sons of yours, O Kaurava, headed by Duryodhana, are acting impiously setting aside all considerations of morality and earthly good.
अशिष्टा गतमर्यादा लोभेन हृतचेतसः स्वेषु बन्धुषु मुख्येषु तद्वेत्थ भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Those wicked ones, whose self-respect is gone and whose hearts have been perverted by avarice (are acting unfairly) towards their own chief friends, O best of men.
सेयमापन्महाघोरा कुरुष्वेव समुत्थिता उपेक्ष्यमाणा कौरव्य पृथिवीं घातयिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: This exceedingly grave has its rise among the Kurus and if regarded with indifference, it will destroy the whole earth, O Kaurava.
शक्या चेयं शमयितुं त्वं चेदिच्छसि भारत न दुष्करो ह्यत्र शमो मतो मे भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: If you desire so, O Bharata, this can be averted; in this instance peace is not hard to secure; such is my opinion, O best of the Bharatas.
त्वय्यधीनः शमो राजन्मयि चैव विशां पते पुत्रान्स्थापय कौरव्य स्थापयिष्याम्यहं परान्
M. N. Dutt: Peace depends on you, o king and on myself as well, O lord of the universe. ) Kaurava, set right your sons and I shall the enemies (Pandavas) right.
Supplementary Passages:
5.93.13 After 13ab, D7 ins.: *425 सहभूतास्तथैवैते सर्वनाशाय भारत After 13, S (except G3.4) ins.: *426 हितं हि धार्तराष्ट्राणां पाण्डवानां तथा हितम् शमे प्रयतमानानां तव शासनकाङ्क्षिणाम्
आज्ञा तव हि राजेन्द्र कार्या पुत्रैः सहान्वयैः हितं बलवदप्येषां तिष्ठतां तव शासने
M. N. Dutt: Your commands, O chief among kings, should be followed by your sons with their followers, and it will conduce exceedingly to their own good to act according to your orders.
तव चैव हितं राजन्पाण्डवानामथो हितम् शमे प्रयतमानस्य मम शासनकाङ्क्षिणाम्
M. N. Dutt: It will conduce to your good, O king and also to the good of the Pandavas, for you try to establish peace, desirous of ruling as you are.
स्वयं निष्कलमालक्ष्य संविधत्स्व विशां पते सहभूतास्तु भरतास्तवैव स्युर्जनेश्वर
M. N. Dutt: Act for yourself after a consideration of the consequences, O lord of the universe and let the Bharatas be your allies O lord of men.
धर्मार्थयोस्तिष्ठ राजन्पाण्डवैरभिरक्षितः न हि शक्यास्तथाभूता यत्नादपि नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: Protected by the Pandavas, Oking, establish morality and earthy good. O lord of men, by every exertion in your power, allies such as they, cannot be secured.
न हि त्वां पाण्डवैर्जेतुं रक्ष्यमाणं महात्मभिः इन्द्रोऽपि देवैः सहितः प्रसहेत कुतो नृपाः
M. N. Dutt: The great-souled sons of Pandu protecting you, even Indra with the gods cannot withstand you; how can earthy kings do it?
यत्र भीष्मश्च द्रोणश्च कृपः कर्णो विविंशतिः अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सोमदत्तोऽथ बाह्लिकः
AI Translation: Where Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Vivimshati, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, Somadatta, and Bahlika are.
सैन्धवश्च कलिङ्गश्च काम्बोजश्च सुदक्षिणः युधिष्ठिरो भीमसेनः सव्यसाची यमौ तथा
AI Translation: Saindhava, Kaliṅga, Kāmbhoja, and Sudakṣiṇa, Yudhiṣṭhira, Bhīma, Savyasācī, and the twins,
सात्यकिश्च महातेजा युयुत्सुश्च महारथः को नु तान्विपरीतात्मा युध्येत भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: And the very radiant Sātyaki and the great chariot-warrior Yuyutsu, O bull of the Bharatas, who would fight against them with a mind turned away from them?
Supplementary Passages:
5.93.21 After 21ab, D3.4.9 ins.: *427 को नु तान्युधि शत्रुघ्न सहितान्कुरुपाण्डवैः
लोकस्येश्वरतां भूयः शत्रुभिश्चाप्रधृष्यताम् प्राप्स्यसि त्वममित्रघ्न सहितः कुरुपाण्डवैः
M. N. Dutt: The lordship over the word and the quality of being invincible by your foes, will you attain, O you slayer of enemies, when united with the Kurus and the Pandavas?
तस्य ते पृथिवीपालास्त्वत्समाः पृथिवीपते श्रेयांसश्चैव राजानः संधास्यन्ते परंतप
M. N. Dutt: The rulers of the earth, of the same position as yourself, o lord of the earth and kings of better position even will seek to establish peace with you and with one another if you are so united.
स त्वं पुत्रैश्च पौत्रैश्च भ्रातृभिः पितृभिस्तथा सुहृद्भिः सर्वतो गुप्तः सुखं शक्ष्यसि जीवितुम्
M. N. Dutt: You will be able to live in happiness being protected on all sides by your sons and grandsons, your fathers and brothers and friends.
एतानेव पुरोधाय सत्कृत्य च यथा पुरा अखिलां भोक्ष्यसे सर्वां पृथिवीं पृथिवीपते
M. N. Dutt: Keeping their interests well before you and treating them well, as in days gone by will you enjoy this entire earth, O lord of the earth.
एतैर्हि सहितः सर्वैः पाण्डवैः स्वैश्च भारत अन्यान्विजेष्यसे शत्रूनेष स्वार्थस्तवाखिलः
M. N. Dutt: United with these and with all the Pandavas, O Bharata, will you win victories over other enemies; this is all to your own advantage.
तैरेवोपार्जितां भूमिं भोक्ष्यसे च परंतप यदि संपत्स्यसे पुत्रैः सहामात्यैर्नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: Territories acquired by them will you enjoy, O chastiser of enemies if you are allied to your sons, kinsmen and counselors, O lord of men.
संयुगे वै महाराज दृश्यते सुमहान्क्षयः क्षये चोभयतो राजन्कं धर्ममनुपश्यसि
M. N. Dutt: In the case of a fight, O great king, you will see a great loss and in loss to both parties what meritorious deed do you see?
पाण्डवैर्निहतैः संख्ये पुत्रैर्वापि महाबलैः यद्विन्देथाः सुखं राजंस्तद्ब्रूहि भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: The Pandavas being killed in battle or your own sons of great strength, describe O great king the feelings that you will experience, O best of the Bharatas.
शूराश्च हि कृतास्त्राश्च सर्वे युद्धाभिकाङ्क्षिणः पाण्डवास्तावकाश्चैव तान्रक्ष महतो भयात्
M. N. Dutt: They are heroes who have mastered the use of weapons and all of them are desirous of war-these sons of Pandu and of yourself; save them from a great calamity,
न पश्येम कुरून्सर्वान्पाण्डवांश्चैव संयुगे क्षीणानुभयतः शूरान्रथेभ्यो रथिभिर्हतान्
M. N. Dutt: You will not see all the Kurus, nor all the Pandavas, in the event of a battle, the heroes on both sides being weakened in number and in strength and car-warriors slain by car-warriors.
समवेताः पृथिव्यां हि राजानो राजसत्तम अमर्षवशमापन्ना नाशयेयुरिमाः प्रजाः
M. N. Dutt: The kings have assembled here, O best of kings; they will destroy these creatures, being influenced by wrath,
त्राहि राजन्निमं लोकं न नश्येयुरिमाः प्रजाः त्वयि प्रकृतिमापन्ने शेषं स्यात्कुरुनन्दन
M. N. Dutt: Rescue, O king, the world; do not destroy these creatures; yourself regaining your natural disposition all this will end, O delighted of the Kuru race.
शुक्ला वदान्या ह्रीमन्त आर्याः पुण्याभिजातयः अन्योन्यसचिवा राजंस्तान्पाहि महतो भयात्
M. N. Dutt: Coming from noble families, liberal and generous, endued with modesty, honourable, picus they are related to one another by blood, O king. Save them from a grave calamity.
शिवेनेमे भूमिपालाः समागम्य परस्परम् सह भुक्त्वा च पीत्वा च प्रतियान्तु यथागृहम्
M. N. Dutt: These protectors of the earth meeting one another in a spirit of peace and having dined and drank together, let them return to their respective homes.
सुवाससः स्रग्विणश्च सत्कृत्य भरतर्षभ अमर्षांश्च निराकृत्य वैराणि च परंतप
M. N. Dutt: With good robes on, with wreaths on and doing courtesies to one another, O best of the Bharata race; and with their wrath and enmity against one another plucked out (from their hearts), O chastiser of your foes.
हार्दं यत्पाण्डवेष्वासीत्प्राप्तेऽस्मिन्नायुषः क्षये तदेव ते भवत्वद्य शश्वच्च भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Let the feelings of affection that you had for the Pandavas, return to you at the expiration of this age; and let them be the same to you; act it this way, O best of the Bharata race.
बाला विहीनाः पित्रा ते त्वयैव परिवर्धिताः तान्पालय यथान्यायं पुत्रांश्च भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: As boys they lost their father and were raced and brought up by you; protect them in a way that would be in accordance with justice as you would do your sons, O best of the Bharata race.
भवतैव हि रक्ष्यास्ते व्यसनेषु विशेषतः मा ते धर्मस्तथैवार्थो नश्येत भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: By you they ought to be protected and especially when in distress. Let not your sense of virtue and appreciation of worldly good be lost, O best of the Bharata race.
आहुस्त्वां पाण्डवा राजन्नभिवाद्य प्रसाद्य च भवतः शासनाद्दुःखमनुभूतं सहानुगैः
M. N. Dutt: The Pandavas, O king, having saluted and propitiated you, have sent you this message. 'At your command have we with our followers suffered misery.
द्वादशेमानि वर्षाणि वने निर्व्युषितानि नः त्रयोदशं तथाज्ञातैः सजने परिवत्सरम्
M. N. Dutt: These twelve years have been spent by us in exile in the forest and the thirteenth year have we spent in each other's company in disguise.
स्थाता नः समये तस्मिन्पितेति कृतनिश्चयाः नाहास्म समयं तात तच्च नो ब्राह्मणा विदुः
M. N. Dutt: Truly believing that our father would not break that pledge of his towards us, did we not break, O sire, our own. The Brahmanas who accompanied us know this.
तस्मिन्नः समये तिष्ठ स्थितानां भरतर्षभ नित्यं संक्लेशिता राजन्स्वराज्यांशं लभेमहि
M. N. Dutt: Therefore do you abide by your pledge, as we have done ours, O best of the Bharata race; having long suffered grave troubles, O king, we desire to get the share of our own kingdom.
त्वं धर्ममर्थं युञ्जानः सम्यङ्नस्त्रातुमर्हसि गुरुत्वं भवति प्रेक्ष्य बहून्क्लेशांस्तितिक्ष्महे
M. N. Dutt: Knowing the principles of virtue and worldly good, it is your duty to save us; seeing that you are our elder, have we patiently suffered troubles.
स भवान्मातृपितृवदस्मासु प्रतिपद्यताम् गुरोर्गरीयसी वृत्तिर्या च शिष्यस्य भारत
M. N. Dutt: Therefore do you act towards us as our father and mother; and treat us, O Bharata, according to the excellent principles that ought to be adopted by an elder.
Supplementary Passages:
5.93.45 After 45, K4 B D (except D1; D2.10 both marg.; Dn2 missing) ins.: *428 वर्तामहे त्वयि च तां त्वं च वर्तस्व नस्तथा
पित्रा स्थापयितव्या हि वयमुत्पथमास्थिताः संस्थापय पथिष्वस्मांस्तिष्ठ राजन्स्ववर्त्मनि
AI Translation: "For we have strayed from the path, and must be established by our father." "Establish us in the path, O king, and abide in your own path."
आहुश्चेमां परिषदं पुत्रास्ते भरतर्षभ धर्मज्ञेषु सभासत्सु नेह युक्तमसांप्रतम्
AI Translation: The sons of the lord of the earth, the best of the Bharata race, have spoken to this assembly. It is not proper for you to act thus in the presence of the wise.
यत्र धर्मो ह्यधर्मेण सत्यं यत्रानृतेन च हन्यते प्रेक्षमाणानां हतास्तत्र सभासदः
AI Translation: Where Dharma is destroyed by Adharma, and truth by falsehood, and people are killed while watching, the members of the assembly are defeated.
विद्धो धर्मो ह्यधर्मेण सभां यत्र प्रपद्यते न चास्य शल्यं कृन्तन्ति विद्धास्तत्र सभासदः धर्म एतानारुजति यथा नद्यनुकूलजान्
M. N. Dutt: If this happens with the knowledge of the members thereof, they are themselves slain; when virtue, pierced by vice, makes an appeal to an assembly and the shaft (of vice) is not taken out, the members thereof are themselves pierced by it. In fact virtue kills them like a river destroying the trees growing upon its banks.
ये धर्ममनुपश्यन्तस्तूष्णीं ध्यायन्त आसते ते सत्यमाहुर्धर्मं च न्याय्यं च भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Those, who are adopting a calm attitude and are silently waiting for virtue to assert itself, have said what is righteous, true and just, 0 best of the Bharata race.
शक्यं किमन्यद्वक्तुं ते दानादन्यज्जनेश्वर ब्रुवन्तु वा महीपालाः सभायां ये समासते धर्मार्थौ संप्रधार्यैव यदि सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: What else are you capable of saying to them than giving back their kingdom? Let the protectors of the earth who are assembled in this council, speak.
प्रमुञ्चेमान्मृत्युपाशात्क्षत्रियान्क्षत्रियर्षभ प्रशाम्य भरतश्रेष्ठ मा मन्युवशमन्वगाः
AI Translation: Release these kshatriyas from the noose of death, O bull among kshatriyas. Be pacified, O best of the Bharatas, do not come under the influence of anger.
पित्र्यं तेभ्यः प्रदायांशं पाण्डवेभ्यो यथोचितम् ततः सपुत्रः सिद्धार्थो भुङ्क्ष्व भोगान्परंतप
AI Translation: Having given them their due share of the paternal inheritance, O Pandavas, Then, O scorcher of enemies, with your sons, having accomplished your purpose, enjoy the pleasures.
अजातशत्रुं जानीषे स्थितं धर्मे सतां सदा सपुत्रे त्वयि वृत्तिं च वर्तते यां नराधिप
AI Translation: You know Ajātaśatru, who is always in the Dharma of the good, and the way in which he and his son live under your rule.
दाहितश्च निरस्तश्च त्वामेवोपाश्रितः पुनः इन्द्रप्रस्थं त्वयैवासौ सपुत्रेण विवासितः
AI Translation: Having been burnt and banished, I have again taken refuge in you. Indraprastha has been banished by you, along with your son.
स तत्र निवसन्सर्वान्वशमानीय पार्थिवान् त्वन्मुखानकरोद्राजन्न च त्वामत्यवर्तत
AI Translation: Living there, he brought all the kings under his control, O king, he made them face towards you, but did not transgress you.
तस्यैवं वर्तमानस्य सौबलेन जिहीर्षता राष्ट्राणि धनधान्यं च प्रयुक्तः परमोपधिः
AI Translation: While he was thus acting, Soubala, desiring to conquer his kingdom, wealth, and grain, employed the highest means.
स तामवस्थां संप्राप्य कृष्णां प्रेक्ष्य सभागताम् क्षत्रधर्मादमेयात्मा नाकम्पत युधिष्ठिरः
AI Translation: Having attained that state, seeing Krishna in that assembly, Yudhishthira, whose soul was immeasurable due to the duty of kshatriyas, did not tremble.
अहं तु तव तेषां च श्रेय इच्छामि भारत धर्मादर्थात्सुखाच्चैव मा राजन्नीनशः प्रजाः
AI Translation: But I desire the welfare of you and of them, O descendant of Bharata. O king, do not destroy your subjects for the sake of dharma, artha, and happiness.
अनर्थमर्थं मन्वाना अर्थं वानर्थमात्मनः लोभेऽतिप्रसृतान्पुत्रान्निगृह्णीष्व विशां पते
AI Translation: O Lord of the earth, restrain your sons who are too much addicted to greed, considering what is not good as good, or what is good as not good.
स्थिताः शुश्रूषितुं पार्थाः स्थिता योद्धुमरिंदमाः यत्ते पथ्यतमं राजंस्तस्मिंस्तिष्ठ परंतप
M. N. Dutt: Restrain your sons, O lord of the universe, who are too much attached to avarice. The sons of Pritha live to serve you and to fight for you, O chastiser of foes; whatever course, O king, appears better, follow, O chastiser of foes.”
तद्वाक्यं पार्थिवाः सर्वे हृदयैः समपूजयन् न तत्र कश्चिद्वक्तुं हि वाचं प्राक्रामदग्रतः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said All the rulers of the earth, agreeing as they did in their minds with these words, could not venture to say any thing there in the presence (of Duryodhana).