मृगव्यवायनिधनात्कृच्छ्रां प्राप स आपदम्। जन्मप्रभृति पार्थानां तत्राचारविधिक्रमः
Due to the hardship of killing a deer during the chase, he encountered a great calamity; from their very birth, the sons of Pritha followed the proper conduct and discipline.
मात्रोरभ्युपपत्तिश्च धर्मोपनिषदं प्रति। धर्मानिलेन्द्रांस्ताभिः साऽऽजुहाव सुतवाञ्छया
With her mother's consent, in accordance with the secret teaching of righteousness, she invoked Dharma, Vayu, and Indra with the desire for sons.
ततो धर्मोपनिषदं भूत्वा भर्तुः प्रिया पृथा। धर्मानिलेन्द्रांस्ताभिः साऽऽजुहाव सुतवाञ्छया
Then Kunti, beloved of her husband, following the secret teaching of righteousness, invoked Dharma, Vayu, and Indra with the desire for sons.
तद्दत्तोपनिषन्माद्री चाश्विनावाजुहाव च। जाताः पार्थास्ततः सर्वे कुन्त्या माद्र्याश्च मन्त्रतः।' तापसैः सह संवृद्धा मातृभ्यां परिरक्षिताः
By that invocation, Madri also summoned the Ashvins; thus, all the sons of Pandu were born to Kunti and Madri through mantras, raised together with ascetics and protected by their mothers.
मेध्यारण्येषु पुण्येषु महतामाश्रमेषु च। `तेषु जातेषु सर्वेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु
In pure and sacred forests, and in the great hermitages of the noble, all the mighty sons of Pandu were born.
माद्र्या तु सह संगम्य ऋषिशापप्रभावतः। मृतः पाण्डुर्महापुण्ये शतशृङ्गे महागिरौ
But uniting with Madri, due to the power of a sage's curse, Pandu died on the holy mountain Shatasringa.
ऋषिभिश्च समानीता धार्तराष्ट्रान्प्रति स्वयम्। शिशवश्चाभिरूपाश्च जटिला ब्रह्मचारिणः
The sages themselves brought the children, ascetic and handsome, with matted hair and observing celibacy, to the sons of Dhritarashtra.
पुत्राश्च भ्रातरश्चेमे शिष्याश्च सुहृदश्च वः। पाण्डवा एत इत्युक्त्वा मुनयोऽन्तर्हितास्ततः
Saying, 'These are your sons, brothers, disciples, and friends—the Pandavas,' the sages then vanished from sight.
तांस्तैर्निवेदितान्दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवान्कौरवास्तदा। शिष्टाश्च वर्णाः पौरा ये ते हर्षाच्चुक्रुशुर्भृशम्
When the Kauravas saw the Pandavas introduced by those sages, all the respected citizens and townsfolk rejoiced greatly and shouted with delight.
आहुः केचिन्न तस्यैते तस्यैत इति चापरे। यदा चिरमृतः पाण्डुः कथं तस्येतदि चापरे
Some said, 'These are his,' while others said, 'They are not his'; others wondered, 'How can these be his, since Pandu has long been dead?'
स्वागतं सर्वथा दिष्ट्या पाण्डोः पश्याम सन्ततिम्। उच्यतां स्वागतमिति वाचोऽश्रूयन्त सर्वशः
'Welcome indeed! By good fortune we see the lineage of Pandu!'—such words of welcome were heard everywhere.
तस्मिन्नुपरते शब्दे दिशः सर्वा निनादयन्। अन्तर्हितानां भूतानां निःस्वनस्तुमुलीऽभवत्
As that clamor subsided, a tumultuous sound arose from all directions, as if from invisible beings.
पुष्पवृष्टिः शुभा गन्धाः शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिःस्वनाः। आसन्प्रवेशे पार्थानां तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
There was a shower of flowers, auspicious fragrances, and the sounds of conches and drums; at the Pandavas' entrance, it seemed a marvel.
तत्प्रीत्या चैव सर्वेषां पौराणां हर्षसंभवः। शब्द आसीन्महांस्तत्र दिवस्पृक्कीर्तिवर्धनः
Out of joy, all the citizens felt great happiness; there arose a mighty sound there, touching the heavens and increasing their fame.
तेऽधीत्य निखिलान्वेदाञ्शास्त्राणि विविधानि च। न्यवसन्पाण्डवास्तत्र पूजिता अकुतोभयाः
There, the Pandavas, having studied all the Vedas and various sciences, resided, honored and free from fear.
युधिष्ठिरस्य शौचेन प्रीताः प्रकृतयोऽभवन्। धृत्या च भीमसेनस्य विक्रमेणार्जुनस्य च
The people became pleased with Yudhishthira for his purity, with Bhimasena for his steadfastness, and with Arjuna for his valor.
गुरुशुश्रूषया कुन्त्या यमयोर्विनयेन च। तुतोष लोकः सकलस्तेषां शौर्यगुणेन च
Through Kunti's service to elders, the humility of the twins, and the heroism of all, the entire world was satisfied.
समवाये ततो राज्ञां कन्यां भर्तृस्वयंवराम्। प्राप्तवानर्जुनः कृष्णां कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्
Then, at the assembly of kings, Arjuna won Krishna as his bride in her self-choice ceremony, accomplishing a deed most difficult.
ततः प्रभृति लोकेऽस्मिन्पूज्यः सर्वधनुष्मताम्। आदित्य इव दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः समरेष्वपि चाभवत्
From that time onward, in this world, he became honored among all bowmen, like the sun, hard to behold even in battle.
स सर्वान्पार्थिवाञ्जित्वा सर्वांश्च महतो गणान्। आजहारार्जुनो राज्ञो राजसूयं महाक्रतुम्
Having conquered all the kings and great hosts, Arjuna brought the great Rajasuya sacrifice to the king.
युधिष्ठिरेण संप्राप्तो राजसूयो महाक्रतुः
The great Rajasuya sacrifice was accomplished by Yudhishthira.
सुनयाद्वासुदेवस्य भीमार्जुनबलेन च। घातयित्वा जरासन्धं चैद्यं च बलगर्वितम्
By the wise counsel of Vasudeva and the strength of Bhima and Arjuna, Jarasandha and the proud Chedi king were slain.
दुर्योधनं समागच्छन्नर्हणानि ततस्ततः। मणिकाञ्चनरत्नानि गोहस्त्यश्वधनानि च
Then Duryodhana, coming there, saw the many gifts—gems, gold, jewels, cows, elephants, horses, and wealth.
विचित्राणि च वासांसि प्रावारावरणानि च। कम्बलाजिनरत्नानि राङ्कवास्तरणानि च
He saw also the varied garments, cloaks, coverings, woolen blankets, deer skins, precious rugs, and fine carpets.
समृद्धां तां तथा दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानां तदा श्रियम्। ईर्ष्यासमुत्थः सुमहांस्तस्य मन्युरजायत
Beholding the great prosperity of the Pandavas, a vast envy arose in him, born of jealousy.
विमानप्रतिमां तत्र मयेन सुकृतां सभाम्। पाण्डवानामुपहृतां स दृष्ट्वा पर्यतप्यत
Seeing the assembly hall, crafted by Maya and resembling a celestial palace, brought to the Pandavas, he was tormented.
तत्रावहसितश्चासीत्प्रस्कन्दन्निव संभ्रमात्। प्रत्यक्षं वासुदेवस्य भीमेनानभिजातवत्
There, in his confusion, he was laughed at as he stumbled, right before Vasudeva and Bhima, as if he lacked noble birth.
स भोगान्विविधान्भुञ्जन्रत्नानि विविधानि च। कथितो धृतराष्ट्रस्य विवर्णो हरिणः कृशः
Enjoying various pleasures and jewels, Dhritarashtra's son was described as pale, thin, and emaciated like a deer.
अन्वजानात्ततो द्यूतं धृतराष्ट्रः सुतप्रियः। तच्छ्रुत्वा वासुदेवस्य कोपः समभवन्महान्
Then Dhritarashtra, fond of his son, approved the game of dice; hearing this, Vasudeva's anger became great.
नातिप्रीतमनाश्चासीद्विवादांश्चान्वमोदत। द्यूतादीननयान्घोरान्विविधांश्चाप्युपैक्षत
His mind was not well pleased, and he took no joy in the disputes; he overlooked the terrible injustices and various wrongs arising from the dice.