स राजगृहमासाद्य कुबेरभवनोपमम्। अभ्यागच्छत धर्मात्मा धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
Arriving at the royal palace, which resembled the mansion of Kubera, the righteous Vidura approached Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma.
तं वै राजा सत्यधृतिर्महात्मा अजातशत्रुर्विदुरं यथावत्। पूजापूर्वं प्रतिगृह्याजमीढ- स्ततोऽपृच्छद्धृतराष्ट्रं सपुत्रम्
That great-souled king, steadfast in truth and free from enemies, duly received Vidura with honor, and then asked after the welfare of Dhritarashtra and his sons.
विज्ञायते ते मनसोऽप्रहर्षः कच्चित्क्षत्तः कुशलेनागतोऽसि। कच्चित्पुत्राः स्थविरस्यानुलोमा वशानुगाश्चापि विशोऽथ कच्चित्
‘It is clear your mind is not at ease; I hope, Kshatta, you have come in good health. Are the king’s sons obedient to the aged one, and are the people also under control?’
राजा महात्मा कुशली सपुत्र आस्ते वृतो ज्ञातिभिरिन्द्रकल्पः। प्रीतो राजन्पुत्रगुणैर्विनीतो विशोक एवात्मरतिर्महात्मा
‘The great-souled king, together with his sons, dwells in well-being, surrounded by kinsmen and like Indra in splendor. He is pleased with the virtues of his sons, disciplined, free from sorrow, and content in himself, O great king.’
इदं तु त्वां कुरुराजोऽभ्युवाच पूर्वं पृष्ट्वा कुशलं चाव्ययं च। इयं सभा त्वत्सभातुल्यरूपा भ्रातॄणां ते दृस्यतामेत्य पुत्र
‘But, O son, the king of the Kurus, after first inquiring of your welfare and unchanging prosperity, has sent this message: “This assembly hall, equal in splendor to yours, should be seen by you and your brothers.”’
समागम्य भ्रातृभिः पार्थ तस्यां सुहृद्द्यूतं क्रियतां रम्यतां च। प्रीयामहे भवतां सङ्गमेन समागताः कुरवश्चापि सर्वे
‘Having gathered there with your brothers, O Partha, let a friendly game of dice be played and let there be delight. We are pleased by your coming together, and all the Kurus have assembled as well.’
दुरोदरा विहिता ये तु तत्र महात्मना धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा। तान्द्रक्ष्यसे कितवान्सन्निविष्टा- नित्यागतोऽहं नृपते तज्जुषस्व
‘Those skilled gamblers appointed there by the great-souled King Dhritarashtra you will see assembled, O king; I have come for this—accept it, O ruler of men.’
द्यूते क्षत्तः कलहो विद्यते नः को वै रोचतने बुध्यमानः। किं वा भवान्मन्यते युक्तरूपं भवद्वाक्ये सर्व एव स्थिताः स्मः
‘In this game of dice, Kshatta, there is no quarrel among us; who, being wise, would find pleasure in conflict? What do you consider proper? We all stand by your word.’
जानाम्यहं द्यूतमनर्थमूलं कृतश्च यत्नोऽस्य मया निवारणे। राजा च मां प्राहिमोत्त्वत्सकाशं श्रुत्वा विद्वञ्श्रेय इहाचरस्व
I know that gambling is the root of misfortune, and I have made every effort to prevent it; yet the king has sent me to you, having heard, 'O wise one, act here for the best.'
के तत्रान्ये कितवा दीव्यमाना विना राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रैः। पृच्छामि त्वां विदुर ब्रूहि नस्तान् यैर्दीव्यामः शतशः सन्निपत्य
Who else among the gamblers will be playing there, apart from the sons of King Dhritarashtra? I ask you, Vidura, tell us the names of those with whom we will be gambling, gathered in hundreds.
गन्धारराजः शकुनिर्विशाम्पते राजाऽतिदेवी कृतहस्तो मताक्षः। विनिंशतिश्चित्रसेनश्च राजा सत्यव्रतः पुरुमित्रो जयश्च
The king of Gandhara, Shakuni, O lord of men, the king Atidevi, skilled with dice and expert in the game, Viniṃshati, King Citrasena, Satyavrata, Purumitra, and Jaya.
महाभयाः कितवाः सन्निविष्टा मायोपधा देवितारोऽत्र सन्ति। धात्रा तु दिष्टस्य वशे किलेदं सर्वं जगत्तिष्ठति न स्वतन्त्रम्
These formidable gamblers have assembled, skilled in deceit and trickery; but truly, everything in this world stands under the sway of destiny, not by its own will.
नाहं राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासना- न्न गन्तुमिच्छामि कवे दुरोदरम्। इष्टो हि पुत्रस्य पिता सदैव तदस्मि कर्ता विदुरात्थ मां यथा
I do not wish, O wise one, to go to the gaming hall at the command of King Dhritarashtra; yet a father is always dear to his son, so I must act as you instruct me, Vidura.
न चाकामः शकुनिना देविताहं न चेन्मां जिष्णुराह्वयिता सभायाम्। आहूतोऽहं न निवर्ते कदाचित् तदाहितं शाश्वतं वै व्रतं मे
Nor do I wish to gamble with Shakuni against my will, unless Arjuna summons me to the assembly; but once called, I never turn back—such is the unchanging vow I have taken.
एवमुक्त्वा विदुरं धर्मराजः प्रायात्रिकं सर्वमाज्ञाप्य तूर्णम्। प्रायाच्छ्वोभूते सगणः सानुयात्रः सह स्त्रीभिर्दौपदामादि कृत्वा
Having spoken thus to Vidura, the righteous king, after quickly giving all necessary orders for the journey, set out the next day with his retinue, accompanied by his wives, with Draupadi at their head.
दैवं हि प्रज्ञां मुष्णाति चक्षुस्तेज इवापतत्। धातुश्च वशमन्वेति पाशैरिव नरः सितः
For fate steals away wisdom, just as a sudden blow dims the eye’s brightness; and a man is bound by the power of destiny, as if by cords.
इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ राजा सह क्षत्र्रा युधिष्ठिरः। अमृष्यमाणस्तस्याथ समाह्वानमरिन्दमः
Having said this, King Yudhishthira, the subduer of foes, departed with his kshatriya companions, unable to bear the summons.
बाह्लिकेन रथं यत्तमास्थाय परवीरहा। परिच्छन्नो ययौ पार्थो भ्रातृभिः सह पाण्डवः। राजश्रिया दीप्यमानो ययौ ब्रह्मपुरः सरः
Mounting the prepared chariot of Bahlik, the destroyer of enemy heroes, Partha, the Pandava, set out with his brothers, shining with royal splendor, heading toward the city of Brahmapura.
सन्दिदेश ततः प्रेष्यानागतान्नगरं प्रति। ततस्ते नृपशार्दूल चक्रुर्वै नृपशासनम्
Then he dispatched messengers toward the city, and those tiger-like kings carried out the royal command.
ततो राजा महातेजाः संयम्य सपरिच्छदम्। ह्मणैः स्वस्ति वाच्याथ प्रययौ मन्दिराद्बहिः
Then the great and radiant king, gathering his attendants, had blessings pronounced by the Brahmins, and departed from his palace.
ब्राह्मणेभ्यो धनं दत्त्वा गत्यर्थं स यथाविधि। अन्येभ्यः स तु दत्त्वा च गन्तुमेवोपचक्रमे
He gave wealth to the Brahmins for their journey, as was proper, and after giving to others as well, he began his departure.
सर्वलक्षणसम्पन्नं राजहंसपरिच्छदम्। तमारुह्य महाराजो गजेन्द्रं षष्टिहायनम्
Mounting the great elephant, sixty years old, adorned with all auspicious marks and attended by royal swans, the great king set forth.
हारी किरीटी हेमाभः सर्वाभरणभूषितः। रराज राजन्पार्थो वै परया नृपशोभया
Adorned with a necklace, crown, golden in hue, and all ornaments, Partha shone, O king, with supreme royal splendor.
रुक्मवेदिगतः प्राज्यो ज्वलन्निव हुताशनः। ततो जगाम राजा स प्रहृष्टनरवाहनः
Seated on a golden platform, resplendent like blazing fire, the king then proceeded, his men rejoicing.
रथघोषेण महता पूरयन्वै नभः स्थलम्। संस्तूयमानः स्तुतिभिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः
With the great sound of chariot wheels filling the sky and earth, he was praised with hymns by bards, sutas, and magadhas.
महासैन्येन सहितो यथादित्यः स्वरश्मिभिः। ण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि
Accompanied by a great army, like the sun with its rays, he was shaded on his head by a white parasol.
बभौ युधिष्ठिरो राजा पौर्णमास्यामिवोडुराट्। चामरैर्हेमदण्डैश्च धूयमानः समन्ततः
King Yudhishthira shone like the lord of the stars on the full moon night, fanned all around with yak-tail whisks with golden handles.
याशिषः प्रहृष्टानां नराणां पथि पाण्डवः। प्रत्यगृह्णाद्यथान्यायं यथआवद्भरतर्षभः
The bull among the Bharatas, the son of Pandu, received the blessings of the joyful people along the way, properly and as was fitting.
तथैव सैनिका राजन्राजानमनुयान्ति ये। तेषां हलहलाशब्दो दिवं स्तब्धः प्रतिष्ठितः
In the same way, O King, those soldiers who followed the king made a tumultuous sound that stood firm in the sky.
नृपस्याग्ने ययौ राजन्भीमसेनो रथी बली। उभौ पार्श्वगतौ राज्ञः सतल्पौ वै सुकल्पितौ
Bhimasena, mighty and armed with a chariot, went at the king’s side, both of them well-seated on their splendid seats.