धर्मस्य जानमानोऽहं गतिमग्र्यां सुदुर्विदाम्। कथं बलात्करिष्यामि मेरोरिव विवर्तनम्
Though I know well the highest and most difficult path of dharma, how can I forcibly overturn it, like turning Mount Meru?
स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा विनिश्चित्येतिकृत्यताम्। भीमसेनमिद वाक्यमपदान्तरमब्रवीत्
After reflecting for a moment and deciding what should be done, he spoke these words to Bhimasena, without pause.
एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। इदमन्यत्समादत्स्व वाक्यं मे वाक्यकोविद
So it is, O mighty-armed one, just as you say, O descendant of Bharata. Now accept this other counsel of mine, you who are skilled in speech.
महापापानि कर्माणि यानि केवलसाहसात्। आरभ्यन्ते भीमसेन व्यथन्ते तानि भारत
Great sins are committed solely out of recklessness, O Bhimasena, but such deeds bring suffering, O Bharata.
सुमन्त्रिते सुविक्रान्ते सुकृतेसुविचारिते। सिद्ध्यन्त्यर्था महाबाहो दैवं चात्र प्रदक्षिणम्
O mighty-armed one, objectives succeed when well deliberated, bravely undertaken, and rightly considered; and fate must also be honored in this.
यत्तु केवलचापल्याद्बलदर्पोत्थितः स्वयम्। आरब्धव्यमिदं कार्यं मन्यसे शृणु तत्रमे
But if you think this task should be undertaken merely out of impulsiveness, arising from pride in strength, then listen to my words about this.
भूरिश्रवाः शलश्चैव जलसन्धश्च वीर्यवान्। भीष्मो द्रोणश्च कर्णशच् द्रोणपुत्रश्च वीर्यवान्
Bhurishravas, Shala, the valiant Jalasandha, Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and Drona’s heroic son—
धार्तराष्ट्रा दुराधर्षा दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः। सर्व एव कृताशस्त्राश्च सततं चाततायिनः
The sons of Dhritarashtra, difficult to overcome, led by Duryodhana, all skilled in weapons and ever ready for battle—
राजानः पार्थिवाश्चैव येऽस्माभिरुपतापिताः। ते श्रिताः कौरवं पक्षं जातस्नेहाश्च सांप्रतम्
The kings and rulers whom we have subdued have now joined the Kaurava side, and at present are bound by affection.
दुर्योधनहिते युक्ता न तथाऽस्मासु भारत। पूर्णकोशा बलोपेताः प्रयतिष्यन्ति रक्षणे
They are devoted to Duryodhana’s interests, not so much to ours, O Bharata; with full treasuries and armed strength, they will strive to protect him.
सर्वे कौरवसैन्यस् सपुत्रामात्यसैनिकाः। संविभक्ता हि मात्राभिर्भोगैरपि च सर्वशः
All the Kaurava armies, with sons, ministers, and soldiers, are well provided for in every way, sharing enjoyments in equal measure.
दुर्योधनेन ते वीरा मानिताश्च विशेषतः। प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यन्ति संग्रामे इति मे निश्चिता मतिः
Those warriors have been especially honored by Duryodhana; they will lay down their lives in battle—this is my firm conviction.
समा यद्यपि भीष्मस्य वृत्तिरस्मासु तेषु च। द्रोणस् च महाबाहो कृषस्य च महात्मनः
Though Bhishma’s conduct is equal toward us and them, O mighty-armed one, so too Drona and the great-souled Kripa—
अवश्यं राजपिण्डस्तैर्निर्वेश्य इति मे मतिः। तस्मात्त्यक्ष्यन्ति संग्रामे प्राणानपि सुदुस्त्यजान्
Yet, I believe they must fulfill their duty to the king; therefore, they will give up even their most precious lives in battle.
सर्वेदिव्यास्त्रविद्वांसः सर्वे धर्मपरायणाः। अजेयाश्चेति मे बुद्धिरपि देवैः सवासवैः
All are masters of divine weapons, all devoted to righteousness; my judgment is that they are unconquerable, even by the gods with Vasava.
अमर्षी नित्यसंरब्धस्तत्र कर्णो महारथः। सर्वास्त्रविदनाधृष्यो ह्यभेद्यकवचावृतः
There, Karna the great chariot-warrior is ever wrathful and impatient; skilled in all weapons, invincible, and clad in impenetrable armor.
अनिर्जित्यरणे सर्वानेतान्पुरुषसत्तमान्। अशक्यो ह्यसहायेन हन्तुं दुर्योधनस्त्वया
Without defeating all those foremost men in battle, it is impossible for you alone, without allies, to slay Duryodhana.
न निद्रामधिगच्छामि चिन्तयानो वृकोदर। अतिसर्वान्धनुर्ग्राहान्सूतपुत्रस्य लाघवम्
I find no sleep, O Vrikodara, as I ponder the extraordinary skill in archery of the son of the charioteer, surpassing all others.
एतद्वचनमाज्ञाय भीमसेनोऽत्यमर्षणः। बभूव शान्तिसंयुक्तो गुरोर्वचनवारितः
Hearing these words, Bhimasena, though deeply angered, became calm, restrained by the words of his teacher.
तयोः संवदतोरेवं तदा पाण्डवयोर्द्वयोः। आजगाम महायोगी व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः
As the two Pandavas thus conversed, the great yogi Vyasa, son of Satyavati, arrived.
सोऽभिगम्य यथान्यायं पाण्डवैः प्रतिपूजितः। युधिष्ठिरमिदं वाक्यमुवाच वदतांवरः
Having approached in due manner, he was honored by the Pāṇḍavas; then, the best of speakers addressed these words to Yudhiṣṭhira.
युधिष्ठिर महाबाहो वेद्मि ते हृदयस्थितम्। मनीषया तत क्षिप्रमागतोस्मि नरर्षभ
O mighty-armed Yudhiṣṭhira, I know what is in your heart; perceiving it with my insight, I have come swiftly, O bull among men.
भीष्माद्द्रोणात्कृपात्कर्णाद्द्रोणपुत्राच्च भारत। दुर्योधनान्नृपसुतात्तथा दुःशासनादपि
From Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, the son of Droṇa, O descendant of Bharata, from Duryodhana, the prince, and also from Duḥśāsana—
त्ते भयममित्रघ्न हृदि संपरिवर्तते। तत्तेऽहं नाशयिष्यामि विधिदृष्टेन हेतुना
O destroyer of foes, fear from them turns within your heart; I shall dispel that fear of yours by a means prescribed by the law.
तच्छ्रुत्वा धृतिमास्थाय कर्मणा प्रतिपादय। प्रतिपाद्य तु राजेन्द्र ततः क्षिप्रं ज्वरं जहि
Hearing this, take courage and perform the act as instructed; having done so, O king, quickly cast off your anxiety.
तत एकान्तमानाय्य पाराशर्यो युधिष्ठिरम्। अब्रवीदुपपन्नार्थमिदं वाक्यविशारदः
Then, having taken Yudhiṣṭhira aside, the son of Parāśara, skilled in speech, spoke these fitting words.
श्रेयसस्तेऽपरः कालः प्राप्तो भरतसत्तम। येनाभिभविता शत्रून्रणे पार्थो धनुर्धरः
O best of the Bharatas, a favorable time has come for your welfare, by which Pārtha, the wielder of the bow, will overcome his enemies in battle.
गृहाणेमां मया प्रोक्तां सिद्धिं मूर्तिमर्तामिव। विद्यां प्रतिस्मृतिं नाम प्रपन्नाय ब्रवीमि ते
Receive this knowledge, which I have spoken, as if it were success embodied; I impart to you the science called Pratismṛti, for one who seeks refuge.
यामवाप्यमहाबाहुरर्जुनः साधयिष्यति। अस्त्रहेतोर्महेन्द्रं च रुद्रं चैवाभिगच्छतु
By attaining this, mighty-armed Arjuna will accomplish his aim; for the sake of weapons, let him approach Mahendra and Rudra.
वरुणं च कुबेरं च धर्मराजं च पाण्डव। शक्तो ह्येष सुरान्द्रष्टुं तपसा विक्रमेण च
Let him also approach Varuṇa, Kubera, and Dharmarāja, O son of Pāṇḍu; for he is able to behold the gods by his austerity and valor.