न वैराण्यभिजानन्ति गुणान्पश्यन्ति नागुणान्। विरोधं नाधिगच्छन्ति ये त उत्तमपूरुषाः
Those who are the highest among men do not recognize enmities; they see virtues, not faults; they do not engage in conflict.
स्मरन्ति सुकृतान्येव न वैराणि कृतान्यपि। सन्तः परार्थं कुर्वाणा नावेक्षन्ति प्रतिक्रियाम्
The virtuous remember only good deeds, not even the wrongs done to them; acting for the sake of others, they do not seek retaliation.
संवादे परुषाण्याहुर्युधिष्ठिर नराधमाः। प्रत्याहुर्मध्यमास्त्वेतेऽनुक्ताः नराधमाः
In conversation, the lowest of men speak harsh words, O Yudhishthira; the middling reply in kind, while the lowest remain unspoken.
न चोक्ता नैव चानुक्तास्त्वहिताः परुषा गिरः। प्रतिजल्पन्ति वै धीराः सदा तूत्तमपुरुषाः
Neither spoken nor unspoken harsh words are beneficial; the wise always respond calmly, and the highest among men do so unfailingly.
स्मरन्ति सुकृतान्येव न वैराणि कृतान्यपि। सन्तः प्रतिविजानन्तो लब्ध्वा प्रत्ययमात्मनः
The virtuous remember only good deeds, not even the wrongs done to them; knowing the truth within themselves, they recognize what is right.
असम्भिन्नार्यमर्यादाः साधवः प्रियदर्शनाः। तथा चरित्तंमार्येण त्वयाऽस्मिन्सत्समागमे
The noble, steadfast in their code of conduct, are pleasant to behold; so too should your behavior be noble in this assembly of the virtuous.
दुर्योधनस्य पारुष्यं तत्तात हृदि मा कृथाः। मातरं चैव गान्धारीं मां च त्वं गुणकाङ्क्षया
Do not let Duryodhana’s harshness dwell in your heart, dear one; for the sake of virtue, honor Gandhari your mother and me as well.
उपस्थितं वृद्धमन्धं पितरं पश्य भारत। प्रेक्षापूर्वं मया द्यूतमिदमासीदुपेक्षितम्
Behold your aged, blind father, O Bharata; I overlooked this game of dice, having first sought his permission.
मित्राणि द्रष्टुकामेन पुत्राणां च बलाबलम्। अशोच्याः कुरवो राजन्येषां त्वमनुशासिता
Desiring to see friends and to know the strength and weakness of your sons, the Kurus are not to be grieved; you are their guide among kings.
मन्त्री च विदुरो धीमान्सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः। त्वयि धर्मोऽर्जुने धैर्यं भीमसेने पराक्रमः
Vidura, wise and skilled in all scriptures, is your counselor; in you is righteousness, in Arjuna courage, in Bhimasena valor.
शुद्धा च गुरुशुश्रूषा यमयोः पुरुषाग्र्ययोः। अजातशत्रो भद्रं ते खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविश। भ्रातृभिस्तेऽस्तु सौभ्रात्रं धर्मे ते धीयताम मनः
Pure is the service to elders by the foremost sons of Yama; may blessings be upon you, Ajatasatru, as you enter Khandavaprastha; let brotherhood prevail among your brothers, and let your mind be set on righteousness.
इत्युक्तो भरतश्रेष्ठ धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। कृत्वाऽऽर्यसमयं सर्वं प्रतस्थे भ्रातृभिः सह
Thus addressed, the illustrious king Yudhishthira, having fulfilled all noble duties, departed together with his brothers.
ते रथान्मेघसङ्काशानास्थाय सह कृष्णया। प्रययुर्हृष्टमनस इन्द्रप्रस्थं पुरोत्तमम्
They mounted chariots resembling clouds, and with Krishna, joyfully journeyed to the splendid city of Indraprastha.
अनुज्ञातांस्तान्विदित्वा सरत्नधनसञ्जयान्। पाण्डवान्धार्तराष्ट्राणां कथमासीन्मनस्तदा
Knowing that the Pandavas had been permitted to depart with their wealth and jewels, what was the state of mind of the sons of Dhritarashtra at that time?
अनुज्ञातांस्तान्विदित्वा धृतराष्ट्रेण धीमता। राजन्दुः शासनः क्षिप्रं जगाम भ्रातरं प्रति
Learning that the wise Dhritarashtra had granted permission, the king, distressed, quickly went to his brother.
दुर्योधनं समासाद्य सामात्यं भरतर्षभ। दुःखार्तो भरतश्रेष्ठ इदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Approaching Duryodhana with his ministers, O best of Bharatas, the sorrowful king spoke these words.
दुःखेनैतत्समानीतं स्थविरो नाशयत्यसौ। शत्रुसाद्गमयद्द्रव्यं तद्बुध्यध्वं महारथाः
This has been brought about by sorrow; the elder will not destroy it; the enemy has gained wealth—understand this, O great warriors.
अथ दुर्योधनः कर्णः शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। मिथः सङ्गम्य सहिताः पाण्डवान्प्रति मानिनः
Then Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni son of Subala, gathered together, united in pride, to discuss the Pandavas.
वैचित्रवीर्यं राजानं धृतराष्ट्रं मनीषिणम्। अभिगम्य त्वरायुक्ताः श्लक्ष्णं वचनमब्रुवन्
The swift messengers approached King Dhritarashtra, son of Vichitravirya and wise in counsel, and spoke gentle words to him.
न त्वयेदं श्रुतं राजन्यज्जगाद बृहस्पतिः। शक्रस्य नीतिं प्रवदन्विद्वान्देवपुरोहितः
O King, you have not heard what Brihaspati, the learned priest of the gods, once declared, expounding the policy of Indra.
सर्वोपायैर्निहन्तव्याः शत्रवः शत्रुसूदन। पुरा युद्धाद्बलाद्वापि प्रकुर्वन्ति तवाहितम्
O destroyer of foes, enemies must be vanquished by every means, for in the past they have acted against you, whether by force or before the outbreak of war.
ते वयं पाण्डवधनैः सर्वान्सम्पूज्य पार्थिवान्। यदि तान्योधयिष्यामः किं वै निः परिहास्यति
If, after honoring all the kings with gifts of Pandava wealth, we then challenge them to battle, what indeed will be left unscathed?
अहीनाशीविषान्क्रुद्धान्नाशाय समुपस्थितान्। कृत्वा कण्ठे च पृष्ठे च कः समुत्स्रष्टुमर्हति
Who, having placed enraged serpents with deadly venom at his throat and back, and seeing them poised for destruction, would dare to cast them away?
आत्तशस्त्रा रथगताः कुपितास्तात पाण्डवाः। निःशेषान्नः करिष्यन्ति क्रुद्धा ह्याशीविषा इव
Father, the Pandavas, armed and mounted on their chariots, are furious; in their wrath, like venomous serpents, they will utterly destroy us.
सन्नद्धो ह्यर्जुनो याति विधृत्य परमेषुधी। गाण्डीवं मुहुरादत्ते निःश्वसंश्च निरीक्षते
Arjuna, fully armored and bearing his supreme bow, advances; he repeatedly grasps the Gandiva, sighing and casting fierce glances.
गदां गुर्वी समुद्यम्य त्वरितश्च वृकोदरः। स्वरथं योजयित्वाऽशु निर्यात इति नः श्रुतम्
Bhima, quickly raising his heavy mace, has yoked his chariot and is setting out at speed—so we have heard.
नकुलः खह्गमादाय चर्म चाप्यर्धचन्द्रवत्। सहदेवश्च राजा च चक्रुराकारमिङ्गितैः
Nakula has taken up his sword and a shield shaped like a crescent moon, while Sahadeva and the king have signaled their readiness through their gestures.
ते त्वास्थाय रथान्सर्वे बहुशस्त्रपरिच्छदान्। अभिघ्नान्तो रथव्रातान्सेनायोगाय निर्ययुः
All of them, mounting their chariots equipped with many weapons, have set out, striking down ranks of charioteers, readying themselves for battle.
न क्षंस्यन्ते तथाऽस्माभिर्जातु विप्रकृता हि ते। द्रौपद्याश्च परिक्लेशं कस्तेषां क्षन्तुमर्हति
They, having been wronged by us, will never forgive; who could pardon the suffering inflicted upon Draupadi?
न पश्यामि रणे क्रद्धुं बीभत्सुं प्रतिवारणम्। भीष्मो द्रोणश्च कर्णश्च द्रौणिश्च रथिनां वरः
I see no one able to withstand Arjuna in battle—not Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Karna, nor Drona's son, the best of chariot-warriors.