अयं च बलिनां श्रेष्ठः श्रीमानपि वृकोदरः। युवाभ्यां सहितो वीर किं न कुर्यान्महायशाः
And this Vrikodara, foremost of the strong and prosperous, together with you two heroes—what is there that the illustrious one could not accomplish?
सुप्रणीतो बलौघो हि कुरुते कार्यमुत्तमम्। अन्धं बलं जडं प्राहुः प्रणेतव्यं विचक्षणैः
A well-guided force indeed accomplishes the highest aim; but a blind or dull force, they say, must be directed by the wise.
यतो हि निम्नं भवति नयन्ति हि ततो जलम्। यतश्छिद्रं ततश्चापि नयन्ते धीवरा जलम्
For water flows where the ground slopes, and fishermen lead water where there is an opening.
तस्मान्नयविधानज्ञं पुरुषं लोकविश्रुतम्। वयमाश्रित्य गोविन्दं यतामः कार्यसिद्धये
Therefore, relying on Govinda, renowned among men and skilled in the science of policy, let us strive for the accomplishment of our task.
एवं प्रज्ञानयबलं क्रियोपायसमन्वितम्। पुरस्कृर्वीत कार्येषु कृष्णकार्यार्थसिद्धये
Thus, one endowed with wisdom, policy, strength, and practical means should be placed at the forefront of actions for the success of Krishna’s purpose.
एवमेव यदुश्रेष्ठ यावत्कार्याथिसिद्धये। अर्जुनः कृष्णमन्वेतु भीमोऽन्वेतु धनञ्जयम्। नयो जयो बलं चैव विक्रमे सिद्धिमेष्यति
Just so, O best of the Yadus, for the accomplishment of our purpose, let Arjuna follow Krishna, Bhima follow Dhananjaya; policy, victory, and strength will bring success through valor.
एवमुक्तास्ततः सर्वे भ्रातरो विपुलौजसः। वार्ष्णेयः पाण्डवेयौ च प्रतस्थुर्मागधं प्रति
Thus addressed, all the powerful brothers, the Vrishni and the Pandavas, set out toward Magadha.
वर्चस्विनां ब्राह्मणानां स्नातकानां परिच्छदैः। आच्छाद्य सुहृदां वाक्यैर्मनोज्ञैरभिनन्दिताः
Clad in the garments of radiant, learned Brahmanas who had completed their vows, they were honored with pleasing words by their friends.
माधवः पाण्डवेयौ च प्रतस्थुर्व्रतधारिणः'। अमर्षादभितप्तानां ज्ञात्यर्थं मुख्यतेजसाम्। रविसोमाग्निवपुषां दीप्तमासीत्तदा वपुः
Madhava and the sons of Pandu, steadfast in their vows, set forth; their forms, radiant like the sun, moon, and fire, shone brilliantly for the sake of their kinsmen, burning with indignation.
इतं मेने जरासन्धं दृष्ट्वा भीमपुरोगमौ। एककार्यसमुद्यन्तौ कृष्णौ युद्धेऽपराजितौ
Seeing Bhima at the forefront, with Krishna and his brother, both undefeated in battle and united in a single purpose, Jarasandha considered them thus.
ईशौ हितौ महात्मानौ सर्वकार्यप्रवर्तिनौ। धर्मकामार्थलोकानां कार्याणां च प्रवर्तकौ
These two great souls, sovereign and benevolent, initiators of all undertakings, are the promoters of the worlds of righteousness, desire, and wealth, and of all noble deeds.
कुरुभ्यः प्रस्थितास्ते तु मध्येन कुरुजाङ्गलम्। रम्यं पद्मसरो गत्वा कालकूडमतीत्य च
Departing from the Kuru lands, they traveled through the heart of Kurujangala, reached the delightful Padma lake, and passed beyond Kalakuta.
गण्डकीं च महाशोणं सदानीरां तथैव च। एकपर्वतके नद्यः क्रमेणैत्याव्रजन्त ते
They crossed the Gandaki, the great Shona, and the Sadanira rivers; then, in turn, they traversed the rivers at Ekaparvata.
उत्तीर्य सरयूं रम्यां दृष्ट्वा पूर्वांश्च कोसलान्। अतीत्य जग्मुर्मिथिलां मालां चर्मण्वतीं नदीम्
Having crossed the lovely Sarayu and seen the eastern Kosalas, they passed on to Mithila, Mala, and the river Carmanvati.
अतीत्य गङ्गां शोणं च त्रयस्ते प्राङ्मुखास्तदा। कुशचीरच्छदा जग्मुर्मागधं क्षेत्रमच्युताः
Crossing the Ganga and the Shona, those three, facing east, journeyed on, clad in kusa grass and bark, to the land of the Magadhas.
ते शश्वद्गोधनाकीर्णमम्बुमन्तं शुभद्रुमम्। गोरथं गिरिमासाद्य ददृशुर्मागधं पुरम्
Arriving at the mountain teeming with cattle, abundant water, and beautiful trees, they beheld the city of the Magadhas.
एष पार्थ महान्भाति पशुमान्नित्यमम्बुमान्। निरामयः सुवेश्माढ्यो निवेशो मागधः शुभः
O Partha, this great and splendid settlement of the Magadhas shines forth, ever rich in cattle and food, full of water, free from affliction, with fine houses and prosperity.
वैहारो विपुलः शैलो वाराहो वृषभस्तथा। तथा ऋषिगिरिस्तात शुभाश्चैत्यकपञ्चमाः
Vaihāra, the vast mountain, Vārāha, and Vṛṣabha as well, and also Ṛṣigiri, father, and the five auspicious peaks of Caityaka.
एते पञ्चमहाशृङ्गाः पर्वताः शीतलद्रुमाः। रक्षन्तीवाभिसंहत्य संहताङ्गा गिरिव्रजम्
These five great-peaked mountains, cool with trees, stand together as if guarding Girivraja with their joined forms.
पुष्पवेष्टितशाखाग्रैर्गन्धवद्भिर्मनोहरैः। निगूढा इव लोध्राणां वनैः कामिजनप्रियैः
With branches adorned by fragrant, delightful flowers, and hidden by the beloved forests of lodhra trees, they seem concealed.
यत्र दीर्घतमा नाम ऋषिः परमन्त्रितः'। शूद्रायां गौतमो यत्र महात्मा संशितव्रतः। औशीनर्यामजनयत्काक्षीवाद्यान्सुतान्मुनिः
Here dwelled the great sage Dirghatamas, deeply versed in mantras, where the high-souled Gautama, steadfast in his vows, begot sons like Kakshivat with the Shudra woman from Ushinara.
गौतमः प्रणयात्तस्माद्यथाऽसौ तत्र सद्मनि। भजते मागधं वंशं स नृपाणामनुग्रहः
Out of affection, Gautama resides there in that abode; thus, he grants his favor to the royal line of Magadha.
अङ्गवङ्गादयश्चैव राजानः सुमहाबलाः। गौतमक्षयमभ्येत्य रमन्ते स्म पुरार्जुन
Kings of Anga, Vanga, and others of great might, O Arjuna, came to Gautama’s hermitage and found delight in the city.
वनराजीस्तु पश्येमाः पिप्लानां मनोरमाः। लोघ्राणां च शुभाः पार्थ गौतमौकः समीपजाः
Behold these charming groves of pipal trees and the beautiful lodhra forests, O Partha, near the dwelling of Gautama.
अर्बुदः शक्रवापी च पन्नगौ शत्रुतापनौ। स्वस्तिकस्यालयश्चात्र मणिनागस्य चोत्तमः
Here are Arbuda and Shakravapi, and the serpents Pannaga and Shatrutapana; this is the abode of Svastika and the noble Mani-naga.
अपारिहार्या मेघानां मागधा मनुना कृताः। कौशिको मणिमांश्चैव चक्राते चाप्यनुग्रहम्
These Magadha fortresses, made by Manu, are impregnable to clouds; Kaushika and Maniman also bestowed their favor here.
पाण्डरे विपुले चैव तथा वाराहकेऽपि च। चैत्यके चज गिरिश्रेष्ठे मादङ्गे च शिलोच्चये
On the broad mountain Pāṇḍara, as well as on Vārāhaka, on Caityaka, and on the great peak Mādaṅga, and on the rocky heights—
एतेषु पर्वतेन्द्रेषु सर्वसिद्धसमालयाः। यतीनामाश्रमाश्चैव मुनीनां च महात्मनाम्
On these chief mountains, all filled with accomplished beings, are the hermitages of ascetics and of great-souled sages.
वृषभस्य तमालस्य महावीर्यस्य वै तथा। गन्धर्वरक्षसां चैव नागानां च तथाऽऽलयाः
There are also the abodes of the mighty Vṛṣabha and Tamāla, and likewise of Gandharvas, Rākṣasas, and Nāgas.
कक्षीवतस्तपोवीर्यात्तपोदा इति विश्रुताः। पुण्यतीर्थाश्च ते सर्वे सिद्धानां चैव कीर्तिताः। मणेश्च दर्शनादेव भद्रं शिवमवाप्नुयात्
Because of Kakṣīvata’s ascetic power, these are renowned as Tapodā; all these are sacred for accomplished beings, and it is said that by merely seeing the jewel, one attains auspiciousness and well-being.