Critical Edition
जनमेजय उवाच किमर्थं राजशार्दूलो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः गान्धार्याः प्रेषयामास वासुदेवं परंतपम्
AI Translation: Janamejaya said For what reason did the lion among kings, the righteous king Yudhishthira, Send Vasudeva, the scorcher of enemies, to Gandhari?
यदा पूर्वं गतः कृष्णः शमार्थं कौरवान्प्रति न च तं लब्धवान्कामं ततो युद्धमभूदिदम्
AI Translation: When Krishna went to the Kauravas earlier for the sake of peace, but did not get his wish, then this war took place.
निहतेषु तु योधेषु हते दुर्योधने तथा पृथिव्यां पाण्डवेयस्य निःसपत्ने कृते युधि
AI Translation: When the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was killed, and the earth was made free from enemies for the son of Pandu in battle,
विद्रुते शिबिरे शून्ये प्राप्ते यशसि चोत्तमे किं नु तत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्येन कृष्णो गतः पुनः
AI Translation: When the camp was deserted and fled, and when the highest fame was attained, What was the reason, O Brahman, that Krishna went again?
न चैतत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्नल्पं वै प्रतिभाति मे यत्रागमदमेयात्मा स्वयमेव जनार्दनः
M. N. Dutt: It seems to me, O Brahimana, that the cause could not be an insignificant one, since it was Janarddana had himself to make the journey.
तत्त्वतो वै समाचक्ष्व सर्वमध्वर्युसत्तम यच्चात्र कारणं ब्रह्मन्कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of all Adhyaryus, tell me in full what was the reason for undertaking such a mission."
वैशंपायन उवाच त्वद्युक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यन्मां पृच्छसि पार्थिव तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि यथावद्भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Vaishmapayana said O king, this question is appropriate for you to ask me. O bull of the Bharata lineage, I shall tell you everything as it is.
हतं दुर्योधनं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे व्युत्क्रम्य समयं राजन्धार्तराष्ट्रं महाबलम्
AI Translation: Seeing Duryodhana killed by Bhimasena in the battle, transgressing the agreement, O king, the mighty son of Dhritarashtra,
अन्यायेन हतं दृष्ट्वा गदायुद्धेन भारत युधिष्ठिरं महाराज महद्भयमथाविशत्
AI Translation: Seeing that he was killed by the mace-fight, O descendant of Bharata, the great king Yudhiṣṭhira was filled with great fear.
चिन्तयानो महाभागां गान्धारीं तपसान्विताम् घोरेण तपसा युक्तां त्रैलोक्यमपि सा दहेत्
AI Translation: Thinking of the greatly fortunate Gandhari, who was endowed with austerities, Who was endowed with terrible austerities, she could burn even the three worlds.
तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य बुद्धिः समभवत्तदा गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः पूर्वं प्रशमनं भवेत्
AI Translation: And while he was thinking, this thought occurred to him: "First I will appease Gandhari, who is burning with anger."
सा हि पुत्रवधं श्रुत्वा कृतमस्माभिरीदृशम् मानसेनाग्निना क्रुद्धा भस्मसान्नः करिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Hearing of the death of her son in such a way, she will, in anger, with the fire of her mind, reduce us to ashes.
कथं दुःखमिदं तीव्रं गान्धारी प्रसहिष्यति श्रुत्वा विनिहतं पुत्रं छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम्
AI Translation: How will Gandhāri bear this intense suffering when she hears that her son, who fought without guile, has been killed in a trick?
एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा भयशोकसमन्वितः वासुदेवमिदं वाक्यं धर्मराजोऽभ्यभाषत
AI Translation: Having thus reflected in many ways, full of fear and sorrow, Dharmaraja spoke these words to Vasudeva:
तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् अप्राप्यं मनसापीह प्राप्तमस्माभिरच्युत
AI Translation: By your grace, O Govinda, the kingdom is free from thorns. O Achyuta, we have obtained it, which was not even in our minds.
प्रत्यक्षं मे महाबाहो संग्रामे रोमहर्षणे विमर्दः सुमहान्प्राप्तस्त्वया यादवनन्दन
AI Translation: In the battle that made the hair stand on end, I saw with my own eyes A great struggle has come about, O descendant of the Yadus.
त्वया देवासुरे युद्धे वधार्थममरद्विषाम् यथा साह्यं पुरा दत्तं हताश्च विबुधद्विषः
M. N. Dutt: Formerly in the battle between the gods and। the Asuras, thou hadst, lent your help for the destruction of the foes of the celestials, and those enemies were killed.
साह्यं तथा महाबाहो दत्तमस्माकमच्युत सारथ्येन च वार्ष्णेय भवता यद्धृता वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Similarly, O mighty-armed one, you have helped us, O you of unfading glory. By agreeing to act as our charioteer, O Vrishnihero, you have all along protected us.
यदि न त्वं भवेन्नाथः फल्गुनस्य महारणे कथं शक्यो रणे जेतुं भवेदेष बलार्णवः
M. N. Dutt: If you had not protected Phalguna in dreadful battle, this sea of troops would not have been vanquished?
Supplementary Passages:
9.62.19 After 19, B5 ins.: *382 जेतुं परान्परिव्यूढान्प्राप्तांश्चैव त्वयाच्युत
गदाप्रहारा विपुलाः परिघैश्चापि ताडनम् शक्तिभिर्भिण्डिपालैश्च तोमरैः सपरश्वधैः
M. N. Dutt: You have suffered many blows of the mace, and many strokes of spiked bludgeons and dart and short arrows and lances and battle-axes.
वाचश्च परुषाः प्राप्तास्त्वया ह्यस्मद्धितैषिणा ताश्च ते सफलाः सर्वा हते दुर्योधनेऽच्युत
AI Translation: And harsh words have been spoken by you, who are intent on our welfare. And all those words of yours have borne fruit, O sinless one, with the death of Duryodhana
Supplementary Passages:
9.62.21 For 21ab, B1.2.5 Dn D1.4-10 subst.: *383 अस्मत्कृते त्वया कृष्ण वाचः सुपरुषाः श्रुताः B1-3.5 Dn D1.3-10 ins. after 21b: D2 after 21: *384 शस्त्राणां च निपाता वै वज्रस्पर्शोपमा रणे B1.3.5 Dn D1.3 (marg.).4-10 ins. after 21: B2 D2 cont. after 384*: *385 तत्सर्वं न यथा नश्येत्पुनः कृष्ण तथा कुरु संदेहदोलां प्राप्तं नश्चेतः कृष्ण जये सति
गान्धार्या हि महाबाहो क्रोधं बुध्यस्व माधव सा हि नित्यं महाभागा तपसोग्रेण कर्शिता
AI Translation: O mighty-armed one, O Madhava, understand the anger of Gandhari. She, the greatly fortunate one, was always emaciated by severe austerities.
पुत्रपौत्रवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवं नः संप्रधक्ष्यति तस्याः प्रसादनं वीर प्राप्तकालं मतं मम
M. N. Dutt: That highly-blessed lady is always weakening herself with the austerest of penances. Hearing of the death of her sons and grandsons, she will forsooth, reduce us to ashes. It is time, O hero, I think, for pacifying her.
कश्च तां क्रोधदीप्ताक्षीं पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिताम् वीक्षितुं पुरुषः शक्तस्त्वामृते पुरुषोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Save you, O foremost of men, what other person is there that can even face that lady of red and ranging eyes and greatly overwhelmed with the misfortunes of her children.
तत्र मे गमनं प्राप्तं रोचते तव माधव गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः प्रशमार्थमरिंदम
M. N. Dutt: O Madhava, I think it is better for you to go, for pacifying Gandhari, O chastiser of foes, who is blazing with wrath. You are the Creator and the Destroyer. You are the first cause of all the worlds, yourself being eternal.
त्वं हि कर्ता विकर्ता च लोकानां प्रभवाप्ययः हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैः कालसमीरितैः
AI Translation: You are the creator and transformer of the worlds, the cause of their origin and destruction. With statements connected with causes and reasons, proclaimed by time,
क्षिप्रमेव महाप्राज्ञ गान्धारीं शमयिष्यसि पितामहश्च भगवान्कृष्णस्तत्र भविष्यति
AI Translation: O very wise one, you will soon pacify Gandhāri. And the grandfather, the Blessed Lord Kṛṣṇa, will be there.
सर्वथा ते महाबाहो गान्धार्याः क्रोधनाशनम् कर्तव्यं सात्वतश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवानां हितैषिणा
M. N. Dutt: Our grandsire, the holy KrishnaDvaipayana, will be there. O mighty-armed one, it is your duty to remove by all means in thy power, the anger of Gandhari.
धर्मराजस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा यदुकुलोद्वहः आमन्त्र्य दारुकं प्राह रथः सज्जो विधीयताम्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira, the Yadu-hero summoning Daruka, said 'Get may car ready.'
केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्वरमाणोऽथ दारुकः न्यवेदयद्रथं सज्जं केशवाय महात्मने
M. N. Dutt: Having received Keshava's command, Daruka speedily returned and represented to his great master that the car was ready.
तं रथं यादवश्रेष्ठः समारुह्य परंतपः जगाम हास्तिनपुरं त्वरितः केशवो विभुः
M. N. Dutt: That destroyer of foes and chief of Yadu's race, viz., the Lord Keshava, having got upon the car, proceeded speedily to the city of the Kurus.
ततः प्रायान्महाराज माधवो भगवान्रथी नागसाह्वयमासाद्य प्रविवेश च वीर्यवान्
M. N. Dutt: The worshipful Madhava then, mounting his vehicle, proceeded, and arrived Hastinapur. at
प्रविश्य नगरं वीरो रथघोषेण नादयन् विदितो धृतराष्ट्रस्य सोऽवतीर्य रथोत्तमात्
M. N. Dutt: Making the city resound with the rattle of his car-wheels as he entered it, he sent word to Dhritarashtra and then got down from his car and entered the palace of the old king.
अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा धृतराष्ट्रनिवेशनम् पूर्वं चाभिगतं तत्र सोऽपश्यदृषिसत्तमम्
AI Translation: He approached Dhritarashtra's residence with a fearless mind. And there he saw the best of sages who had come before him.
पादौ प्रपीड्य कृष्णस्य राज्ञश्चापि जनार्दनः अभ्यवादयदव्यग्रो गान्धारीं चापि केशवः
AI Translation: Pressing the feet of Krishna and the king, Janardana bowed to Gandhari with respect.
ततस्तु यादवश्रेष्ठो धृतराष्ट्रमधोक्षजः पाणिमालम्ब्य राज्ञः स सस्वरं प्ररुरोद ह
AI Translation: Then the best of the Yadus, the son of Vasudeva, taking the hand of the king, Dhritarashtra, wept aloud.
स मुहूर्तमिवोत्सृज्य बाष्पं शोकसमुद्भवम् प्रक्षाल्य वारिणा नेत्रे आचम्य च यथाविधि उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रमरिंदमः
AI Translation: Having shed tears for a moment, born of grief, Having washed his eyes with water and performed the proper rites of purification, The conqueror of enemies spoke these gentle words to Dhritarashtra:
न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचिद्भूतभव्यस्य भारत कालस्य च यथा वृत्तं तत्ते सुविदितं प्रभो
AI Translation: There is nothing unknown to you, O descendant of Bharata, about the past and the future. O Lord, you know well about the course of time.
यदिदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैस्तव चित्तानुरोधिभिः कथं कुलक्षयो न स्यात्तथा क्षत्रस्य भारत
M. N. Dutt: Out of respect for you the Pandavas had tried to prevent the destruction of their family and the extermination of the Kshatriyas, O Bharata.
भ्रातृभिः समयं कृत्वा क्षान्तवान्धर्मवत्सलः द्यूतच्छलजितैः शक्तैर्वनवासोऽभ्युपागतः
M. N. Dutt: Having made a compact with his brothers, the virtuous Yudhishthira had lived peacefully. He even went to exile after the unfair defeat at dice.
अज्ञातवासचर्या च नानावेशसमावृतैः अन्ये च बहवः क्लेशास्त्वशक्तैरिव नित्यदा
M. N. Dutt: With his brothers he lived in concealment and disguise. They also suffered various miseries as if they were quite helpless.
मया च स्वयमागम्य युद्धकाल उपस्थिते सर्वलोकस्य सांनिध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं पञ्च याचितः
M. N. Dutt: On the eve of batile I myself came, and before all begged of you only five villages.
त्वया कालोपसृष्टेन लोभतो नापवर्जिताः तवापराधान्नृपते सर्वं क्षत्रं क्षयं गतम्
M. N. Dutt: Out of covetousness, and as destiny would nave it, you did not grant my request. Through you folly, O king, all the Kshatriyas have been exterminated.
भीष्मेण सोमदत्तेन बाह्लिकेन कृपेण च द्रोणेन च सपुत्रेण विदुरेण च धीमता याचितस्त्वं शमं नित्यं न च तत्कृतवानसि
M. N. Dutt: Bhisma, and Somadatta, and Valhika, and Kripa, and Drona, and his son and the Wise Vidura, always begged you for peace. You did not, however, follow their advice.
कालोपहतचित्तो हि सर्वो मुह्यति भारत यथा मूढो भवान्पूर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे समुद्यते
M. N. Dutt: Every one, it seems, loses sense under the influence of Destiny, O Bharata, since even you, O king, as regards this matter, did act so foolishly.
किमन्यत्कालयोगाद्धि दिष्टमेव परायणम् मा च दोषं महाराज पाण्डवेषु निवेशय
M. N. Dutt: What else can it be but the effect of Time? Indeed, Destiny always reigns supreme! Do not, O you of great wisdom, attribute any fault to the Pandavas.
अल्पोऽप्यतिक्रमो नास्ति पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् धर्मतो न्यायतश्चैव स्नेहतश्च परंतप
M. N. Dutt: Judged by the standard of Ethics or reason or affection, the Pandavas have not committed the slightest offense, O scorcher of foes.
एतत्सर्वं तु विज्ञाय आत्मदोषकृतं फलम् असूयां पाण्डुपुत्रेषु न भवान्कर्तुमर्हति
M. N. Dutt: Knowing all this to be the fruit of you own folly, it is proper for you not to entertain any ill felling towards the Pandavas.
कुलं वंशश्च पिण्डश्च यच्च पुत्रकृतं फलम् गान्धार्यास्तव चैवाद्य पाण्डवेषु प्रतिष्ठितम्
M. N. Dutt: The perpetuity of race, the offering of funeral cake, and every thing else that depends upon offspring, now depend on the Pandavas as regards both yourself and Gandhari.
Supplementary Passages:
9.62.49 Ś K D4-10 ins. after 49: B Dn D1-3 after 48: *386 त्वं चैव नरशार्दूल गान्धारी च यशस्विनी मा शुचो नरशार्दूल पाण्डवान्प्रति किल्बिषम्
एतत्सर्वमनुध्यात्वा आत्मनश्च व्यतिक्रमम् शिवेन पाण्डवान्ध्याहि नमस्ते भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Thinking of all this, and thinking also of your own sins, cherish good feelings towards the Pandavas. I bow to you, O Bharata chief.
जानासि च महाबाहो धर्मराजस्य या त्वयि भक्तिर्भरतशार्दूल स्नेहश्चापि स्वभावतः
M. N. Dutt: You know, O mighty armed one, the devotion of king Yudhisthira and his affection towards you.
एतच्च कदनं कृत्वा शत्रूणामपकारिणाम् दह्यते स्म दिवारात्रं न च शर्माधिगच्छति
M. N. Dutt: Having caused this destruction of foes that wronged him so, he is burning day and night in grief and does and enjoy peace of mind.
त्वां चैव नरशार्दूल गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम् स शोचन्भरतश्रेष्ठ न शान्तिमधिगच्छति
M. N. Dutt: Grieving for you and for Gandhari, he does not enjoy any happiness.
ह्रिया च परयाविष्टो भवन्तं नाधिगच्छति पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तं बुद्धिव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम्
AI Translation: He is overcome with great shame and does not approach you. Afflicted by grief for his son, his senses are disturbed.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्रं यदूत्तमः उवाच परमं वाक्यं गान्धारीं शोककर्शिताम्
AI Translation: Having spoken thus to the great king Dhritarashtra, the best of the Yadus spoke these supreme words to Gandhari, who was afflicted by grief.
सौबलेयि निबोध त्वं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि सुव्रते त्वत्समा नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नद्य सीमन्तिनी शुभे
AI Translation: O Subala's daughter, listen to what I shall tell you, O you of good vows. There is no woman like you in this world today, O auspicious one.
जानामि च यथा राज्ञि सभायां मम संनिधौ धर्मार्थसहितं वाक्यमुभयोः पक्षयोर्हितम् उक्तवत्यसि कल्याणि न च ते तनयैः श्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: You remember, O queen, those just and fair words which you gave utterance to the assembly before me, words that were beneficial to both the parties—but which your sons, ( auspicious lady, did not pay any heed to.
दुर्योधनस्त्वया चोक्तो जयार्थी परुषं वचः शृणु मूढ वचो मह्यं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः
AI Translation: You have spoken harsh words to Duryodhana, desiring victory. Listen to my words, O fool, from where there is Dharma, from there is victory.
तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं तव वाक्यं नृपात्मजे एवं विदित्वा कल्याणि मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः पाण्डवानां विनाशाय मा ते बुद्धिः कदाचन
AI Translation: This your speech, O prince, has come to pass. Knowing this, O fair one, do not grieve. Let not your mind ever be bent on the destruction of the Pandavas.
शक्ता चासि महाभागे पृथिवीं सचराचराम् चक्षुषा क्रोधदीप्तेन निर्दग्धुं तपसो बलात्
M. N. Dutt: Let not your heart be bent towards the destruction of the Pandavas. On account of the power of your penances, you are able, O highly blessed one, to consume with your cyes, burning in anger, the whole Earth with her mobile and immobile creatures.'
वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत् एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि केशव
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these words of Vasudeva, Gandhari said-'O Keshava, what you say is truel
आधिभिर्दह्यमानाया मतिः संचलिता मम सा मे व्यवस्थिता श्रुत्वा तव वाक्यं जनार्दन
M. N. Dutt: My heart, burning in grief, had been unfixed. After hearing what you said, however, that heart, O Janarddana, has been settled.
राज्ञस्त्वन्धस्य वृद्धस्य हतपुत्रस्य केशव त्वं गतिः सह तैर्वीरैः पाण्डवैर्द्विपदां वर
M. N. Dutt: Regarding the blind old king, who had now become childless, O foremost of men, you and the sons of Pandu, are his refuge.'
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं मुखं प्रच्छाद्य वाससा पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्ता गान्धारी प्ररुरोद ह
M. N. Dutt: having said so Gandhari, burning in grief for the death of her sons, covered her face with her cloth and began to weep aloud.
तत एनां महाबाहुः केशवः शोककर्शिताम् हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैराश्वासयत्प्रभुः
M. N. Dutt: The mighty-armed lord Keshava then solaced the grief-stricken princess with reasonable words and examples.
समाश्वास्य च गान्धारीं धृतराष्ट्रं च माधवः द्रौणेः संकल्पितं भावमन्वबुध्यत केशवः
M. N. Dutt: Having comforted Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Keshava of Madhu's race, came to know the evil that was thought of by Drona's son.
ततस्त्वरित उत्थाय पादौ मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य च द्वैपायनस्य राजेन्द्र ततः कौरवमब्रवीत्
AI Translation: Then, quickly rising, bowing his head at his feet, to Dvaipāyana, O King of the Kauravas, he then spoke.
आपृच्छे त्वां कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा च शोके मनः कृथाः द्रौणेः पापोऽस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेनास्मि सहसोत्थितः पाण्डवानां वधे रात्रौ बुद्धिस्तेन प्रदर्शिता
AI Translation: I take leave of you, best of the Kurus. Do not grieve. Drona's son has an evil intention. I have risen up suddenly because of that. He
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं गान्धार्या सहितोऽब्रवीत् धृतराष्ट्रो महाबाहुः केशवं केशिसूदनम्
AI Translation: Hearing these words, together with Gandhari, the mighty-armed Dhritarashtra spoke to Keshava, the slayer of Keshi.
शीघ्रं गच्छ महाबाहो पाण्डवान्परिपालय भूयस्त्वया समेष्यामि क्षिप्रमेव जनार्दन प्रायात्ततस्तु त्वरितो दारुकेण सहाच्युतः
M. N. Dutt: See us again soon, O Janarddana!-Then Keshava of unfading glory proceeded with Daruka.
वासुदेवे गते राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम् आश्वासयदमेयात्मा व्यासो लोकनमस्कृतः
M. N. Dutt: After Vasudeva had gone, O king, Vyasa, worshipped of the whole world, began to comfort king Dhritarashtra.
वासुदेवोऽपि धर्मात्मा कृतकृत्यो जगाम ह शिबिरं हास्तिनपुराद्दिदृक्षुः पाण्डवान्नृप
M. N. Dutt: The righteous Vasudeva departed, having gained his object successfully, from Hastinapura, for seeing the camp and the Pandavas.
आगम्य शिबिरं रात्रौ सोऽभ्यगच्छत पाण्डवान् तच्च तेभ्यः समाख्याय सहितस्तैः समाविशत्
M. N. Dutt: Arrived at the camp, he went to the Pandavas, Informing them of everything he took his seat with them."