समवायः स राजेन्द्र सुमहाद्भुतदर्शनः। आसीन्महात्मनां तेषां काम्यके भरतर्षभ
That assembly, O king, was a wondrous sight, composed of those great souls, in Kamyaka, O bull among Bharatas.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु विप्रांस्ताननुमान्य महामनाः। शशास पुरुषान्काले रथान्योजयतेति वै
Yudhishthira, of great mind, respectfully addressed those Brahmanas, ordered the men at the proper time, and yoked the chariots.
तस्मिन्दशार्हाधिपतौ प्रयाते युधिष्ठिरो भीमसेनार्जुनौ च। यमौ च कृष्ण च पुरोहितश्च रथान्महार्हान्परमाश्वयुक्तान्
When the lord of the Dasharhas departed, Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Arjuna, the twins, Krishna, and the priest prepared splendid chariots drawn by excellent horses.
अस्थाय वीराः सहिता वनाय प्रतस्थिरे भूतपतिप्रकाशाः। हिरण्यनिष्कान्वसनानि गाश्च गदाय शिक्षाक्षरमन्त्रविद्भ्यः
The heroes, united, set out for the forest, shining like lords of beings, carrying golden coins, garments, cows, and maces for those skilled in mantras and weapons.
प्रेष्याः पुरो विंशतिरात्तशस्त्रा धनूंषि शस्त्राणि शरांश्च दीप्तान्। मौर्वीश्च यन्त्राणि च सायकांश्च सर्वे समादाय जघन्यमीयुः
Twenty armed servants went ahead, bearing bows, weapons, and blazing arrows, as well as bowstrings, machines, and shafts; all took these and went to the rear.
तत्सतु वासांसि च राजपुत्र्या धात्र्यश्च दास्यश्च विभूषणं च। तदिन्द्रसेनस्त्वरितः प्रगृह्य जघन्यमेवोपययौ रथेन
The garments of the princess, the nurses, the maids, and the ornaments were quickly gathered by Indrasena, who went to the rear with the chariot.
ततः कुरुश्रेष्ठमुपेत्य पौराः प्रदक्षिणं चक्रुरदीनसत्वाः। तं ब्राह्मणाश्चाभ्यवदन्प्रसन्ना मुख्याश्च सर्वे कुरुजाङ्गलानाम्
Then the citizens, approaching the best of the Kurus, circled him with unwavering hearts; the Brahmanas, pleased, addressed him, and all the foremost leaders of the Kurujangala region as well.
स चापि तानभ्यवदत्प्रसन्नः सहैव तैर्भ्रातृभिर्धर्मराजः। तस्थौ च तत्राधिपतिर्महात्मा दृष्ट्वा जनौघं कुरुजाङ्गलानाम्
He too, pleased, addressed them—the righteous king, together with his brothers; and that great-souled lord stood there, seeing the multitude of people from Kurujangala.
पितेव पुत्रेषु स तेषु भावं चक्रे कुरूणामृषभो महात्मा। ते चापि तस्मिन्भरतप्रबर्हे तथा बभूवुः पितरीव पुत्राः
That great-souled bull among the Kurus showed them the affection of a father toward his sons; and they, for their part, regarded the foremost of the Bharatas as sons regard their father.
ततस्तमासाद्य महाजनौघाः कुरुप्रवीरं परिवार्य तस्थुः। हानाथ हाधर्म इति ब्रुवाणा हीताश्च सर्वेऽऽश्रुमुखा बभूवुः
Then, gathering around that foremost Kuru hero, the great multitude stood, saying 'Alas! Alas! This is unrighteous!' and all, devoted, became tearful-faced.
वरः कुरूणामधिपः प्रजानां पितेव पुत्रानपहाय चास्मान्। पौरानिमाञ्जानपदांश्च सर्वान् हित्वा प्रयातः क्वनु धर्मराजः
The best of the Kurus, lord of the people, like a father to his sons, has abandoned us; where has King Yudhishthira gone, leaving behind all these citizens and countryfolk?
धिग्धार्तराष्ट्रं सुनृशंसबुद्धिं धिक्सौबलं पापमतिं च कर्णम्। अनर्थमिच्छन्ति नरेन्द्र पापा ये धर्मनित्यस्य सतस्तवोग्राः
Shame on Dhritarashtra, of cruel mind! Shame on Shakuni, wicked in thought, and on Karna! Evil kings desire calamity for the ever-righteous, steadfast in virtue, like you.
स्वयं निवेश्याप्रतिमं महात्मा पुरं महादेवपुरप्रकाशम्। शतक्रतुप्रस्थममोघकर्मा हित्वा प्रयातः क्वनु धर्मराजः
The great-souled one himself established an unrivaled city, shining like the city of Mahadeva; the infallible in deeds, like Indra, has departed—where has King Yudhishthira gone?
चकार यामप्रतिमां महात्मा सभां मयो देवसभाप्रकाशाम्। तां देवगुप्तामिव देवमायां हित्वाप्रयातः क्वनु धर्मराजः
The great-souled one built a wondrous assembly hall, like the divine hall of the gods, crafted by Maya; leaving that, guarded as if by the gods and full of divine illusion, where has King Yudhishthira gone?
तान्धर्मकामार्थविदुत्तमौजा बीभत्सुरुच्चैः सहितानुवाच। आदास्यते वासमिमं निरुष्य रवनेषु राजा द्विषतां यशांसि
Then the mighty Bhimasena, knower of righteousness, wealth, and desire, addressed those assembled, together with Arjuna: 'The king, having left this dwelling, will win glory among the enemies in the forests.'
द्विजातिमुख्याः सहिताः पृथक्व भवद्भिरासाद्य तपस्विनश्च। प्रसाद्य धर्मार्थविदश्च वाच्या यथार्थसिद्धिः परमा भवेन्नः
The foremost Brahmanas, together with you and the ascetics, should be approached separately; having pleased those who know righteousness and wealth, ask them so that we may attain the highest success.
इत्येवमुक्ते वचनेऽऽर्जुनेन ते ब्राह्मणाः सर्ववर्णाश्च राजन्। मुदाऽभ्यनन्दन्सहिताश्च चक्रुः प्रदक्षिणं धर्मभृतांवरिष्ठम्
When Arjuna had spoken these words, O King, all the Brahmanas and people of every class, rejoicing together, circled the foremost upholder of righteousness.
आमन्त्र्य पार्थं च वृकोदरं च धनंजयं याज्ञसेनीं यमौ च। प्रतस्थिरे राष्ट्रमरपेतहार्षा युधिष्ठिरेणानुमता यथास्वम्
Taking leave of Partha, Vrikodara, Dhananjaya, Draupadi, and the twins, they departed for their own lands, their joy gone, with Yudhishthira's permission.
ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु कौन्तेयः सत्यसंगरः। अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भ्रातॄन्सर्वान्युधिष्ठिरः
When they had departed, Kunti's son, steadfast in truth, the righteous Yudhishthira, addressed all his brothers.
द्वादशेमाः समाऽस्माभिर्वस्तव्यं निर्जने वने। समीक्षध्वं महारण्ये देशं बहुमृगद्विजम्
We must dwell in this lonely forest for twelve years; search out a place in this great wilderness, rich in deer and birds.
बहुपुष्पफलं रम्यं शिवं पुण्यजनोचितम्। यत्रेमा द्वादश समाः सुखं प्रतिवसेमहि
A place abundant with flowers and fruits, delightful, auspicious, and fit for the virtuous—where we may happily reside for these twelve years.
एवमुक्ते प्रत्युवाच धर्मराजं धनंजयः। गुरुवन्मानववरं मानयित्वा मनस्विनम्
When he had spoken thus, Dhananjaya replied to the king of righteousness, honoring him as a disciple honors a wise and noble teacher.
भवानेव महर्षीणां वृद्धानां पर्युपासिता। अज्ञातं मानुषे लोके भवतो नास्ति किंचन
You alone, among the elders and sages, are attended by all; nothing in the world of men is unknown to you.
त्वया ह्युपासिता नित्यं ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। द्वैपायनप्रभृतयो नारदश्च महातपाः
For you have always served Brahmanas accomplished in the Vedas—like Vyasa and the great ascetic Narada.
यः सर्वलोकद्वाराणि नित्यं संचरते वशी। देवलोकाद्ब्रह्मलोकं गन्धर्वाप्सरसामपि
He, self-controlled, moves constantly through all the worlds' gates—from the world of the gods up to the world of Brahma, and even among the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
अनुभावांश्च जानासि ब्राह्मणानां न संशयः। प्रभावांश्चैव वेत्थ त्वं सर्वेषामेव पार्थिव
You know the powers of the Brahmanas, without doubt; and you also understand the might of all, O king.
त्वमेव राजञ्जानासि श्रेयःकारणमेव च। यत्रेच्छसि महाराज निवासं तत्र कुंर्महे
You alone, O king, know what is truly beneficial and the reasons for it; wherever you wish to dwell, O great king, there we shall reside.
इदं द्वैतवनं नाम सरः पुण्यजनोषितम्। बहुपुष्पफलं रम्यं नानाद्विजनिषेवितम्
This is the lake called Dvaitavana, inhabited by virtuous people, delightful with many flowers and fruits, and frequented by various twice-born sages.
अत्रेमा द्वादश समा विहरेमेति रोचये। यदि तेऽनुमतं राजन्किमन्यन्मन्यते भवान्
Here I wish to spend twelve years; if this pleases you, O king, what else do you think?
ममाप्येतन्मतं पार्थ त्वया यत्समुदाहृतम्। गच्छामः पुण्यविख्यातं महद्द्वैतवनं सरः
This is also my opinion, O Partha, what you have proposed; let us go to the great and renowned holy lake Dvaitavana.