यदाऽश्रौषं कलहद्यूतमूलं मायाबलं सौबलं पाण्डवेन। हतं सङ्ग्रामे सहदेवेन पापं तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that Shakuni, master of deceit and root of the quarrel, was slain in battle by Sahadeva—at that time, Sanjaya, I did not hope for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं श्रान्तमेकं शयानं ह्रदं गत्वा स्तम्भयित्वा तदम्भः। दुर्योधनं विरथं भग्नशक्तिं तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that Duryodhana, exhausted and alone, entered the lake, immobilized its waters, and was left without chariot or weapon—at that time, Sanjaya, I did not hope for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं पाण्डवांस्तिष्ठमानान् गत्वा ह्रदे वासुदेवेन सार्धम्। अमर्षणं धर्षयतः सुतं मे तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that my son, unable to endure, attacked the Pandavas as they stood with Vasudeva by the lake—at that time, Sanjaya, I did not hope for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं विविधांश्चित्रमार्गान् गदायुद्धे मण्डलशश्चरन्तम्। मिथ्या हतं वासुदेवस्य बुद्ध्या तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that in the mace duel, as he moved in many wondrous circles, my son was slain by Krishna's stratagem, though it was a false blow—at that time, Sanjaya, I did not hope for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं द्रोणपुत्रादिभिस्तै- र्हतान्पञ्चालान्द्रौपदेयांश्च सुप्तान्। कृतं बीभत्समयशस्यं च कर्म तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that the Panchalas and the sons of Draupadi were slain in their sleep by the son of Drona and others, and that Bhimasena performed a terrible and glorious deed, then, Sanjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं भीमसेनानुयाते- नाश्वत्थाम्ना परमास्त्रं प्रयुक्तम्। क्रुद्धेनैषीकमवधीद्येन गर्भं तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that Ashvatthama, pursued by Bhimasena, unleashed the supreme weapon in anger and destroyed the unborn child, then, Sanjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं ब्रह्मशिरोऽर्जुनेन स्वस्तीत्युक्त्वाऽस्त्रमस्त्रेण शान्तम्। अश्वत्थाम्ना मणिरत्नं च दत्तं तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that Arjuna, uttering words of peace, neutralized the Brahmashira weapon with another weapon, and that Ashvatthama gave up his precious jewel, then, Sanjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
यदाऽश्रौषं द्रोणपुत्रेण गर्भे वैराट्या वै पात्यमाने महास्त्रैः। संजीवयामीति हरेः प्रतिज्ञां तदा नाशंसे विजयाय संजय
When I heard that the son of Drona, with mighty weapons, sought to destroy the unborn child of Uttara, and that Hari (Krishna) vowed to restore life, then, Sanjaya, I no longer hoped for victory.
द्वैपायनः केशवो द्रोणपुत्रं परस्पेरणाभिशापैः शशाप। बुद्ध्वा चाहं बुद्धिहीनोऽद्य सूत संतप्ये वै पुत्रपौत्रैश्च हीनः
Vyasa and Krishna cursed the son of Drona with mutual imprecations; and now, Suta, knowing this, I, devoid of wisdom, grieve, bereft of sons and grandsons.
शोच्या गान्धारी पुत्रपौत्रैर्विहीना तथा वध्वा पितृभिर्भ्रातृभिश्च। कृतं कार्यं दुष्करं पाण्डवेयैः प्राप्तं राज्यमसपत्नं पुनस्तैः
Gandhari is to be pitied, deprived of sons and grandsons, as are the daughters-in-law, bereft of fathers and brothers; the Pandavas have accomplished a most difficult task and regained the kingdom without rivals.
कष्टं युद्धे दश शेषाः श्रुता मे त्रयोऽस्माकं पाण्डवानां च सप्त। द्व्यूना विंशतिराहताऽक्षौहिणीनां तस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामे भैरवे क्षत्रियाणाम्
It is dreadful: only ten survived the war—three of ours and seven of the Pandavas; in that terrible battle of the Kshatriyas, eighteen Akshauhinis were destroyed.
तमस्त्वतीव विस्तीर्णं मोह आविशतीव माम्। संज्ञां नोपलभे सूत मनो विह्वलतीव मे
A vast darkness overwhelms me, as if delusion has seized me; I cannot regain my senses, Suta, and my mind is greatly disturbed.
इत्युक्त्वा धृतराष्ट्रोऽथ विलप्य बहु दुःखितः। मूर्च्छितः पुनराश्वस्तः संजयं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Having spoken thus, Dhritarashtra, lamenting much in his deep sorrow, fainted; regaining consciousness, he addressed Sanjaya.
संजयैवं गते प्राणांस्त्यक्तुमिच्छामि मा चिरम्। स्तोकं ह्यपि न पश्यामि फलं जीवितधारणे
Sanjaya, in this state, I wish to give up my life without delay; I see not the slightest benefit in preserving it.
तं तथा वादिनं दीनं विलपन्तं महीपतिम्। निःश्वसन्तं यथा नागं मुह्यमानं पुनः पुनः
Seeing the king so distressed, lamenting and sighing like a serpent, repeatedly losing consciousness, Gāvalgaṇa spoke these weighty words.
गावल्गणिरिदं धीमान्महार्थं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
Gāvalgaṇa, wise and discerning, spoke these significant words.
द्वैपायनस्य वदतो नारदस्य च धीमतः। महत्सु राजवंशेषु गुणैः समुदितेषु च
As Vyasa and the wise Narada have said, in the great royal lineages, adorned with virtues,
जातान्दिव्यास्त्रविदुषः शक्रप्रतिमतेजसः। धर्मेण पृथिवीं जित्वा यज्ञैरिष्ट्वाप्तदक्षिणैः
Were born those skilled in divine weapons, possessing the brilliance of Indra, who conquered the earth by righteousness and performed sacrifices with abundant gifts.
अस्मिँल्लोके यशः प्राप्य ततः कालवशं गतान्। शैब्यं महारथं वीरं सृंजयं जयतां वरम्।। 250 ||
Having attained fame in this world, they then passed under the sway of time: Shaibya, the great chariot-warrior, the heroic Sṛnjaya, foremost among the victorious.
बाह्लीकं दमनं चैद्यं शर्यातिमजितं नलम्
Bahlika, Damana, the king of Chedi, Sharyati, the unconquered Nala,
विश्वामित्रममित्रघ्नमम्बरीषं महाबलम्। मरुत्तं मनुमिक्ष्वाकुं गयं भरतमेव च
Vishvamitra, destroyer of foes, the mighty Ambarisha, Marutta, Manu, Ikshvaku, Gaya, and Bharata as well,
रामं दाशरथिं चैव शशबिन्दुं भगीरथम्। कृतवीर्यं महाभागं तथैव जनमेजयम्
Rama, son of Dasharatha, Shashabindu, Bhagiratha, the illustrious Kritavirya, and likewise Janamejaya.
ययातिं शुभकर्माणं देवैर्यो याजितः स्वयम्। `चैत्ययूपाङ्किता भूमिर्यस्येयं सवनाकरा
Yayati, of virtuous deeds, was himself invited by the gods; this earth, marked by sacrificial posts, belonged to him, who performed many Soma sacrifices.
इति राज्ञां चतुर्विंशन्नारदेन सुरर्षिणा। पुत्रशोकाभितप्ताय पुरा श्वैत्याय कीर्तितम्
Thus, of those kings, the illustrious sage Narada once spoke to Shveta, who was tormented by grief for his sons.
तेभ्यश्चान्ये गताः पूर्वं राजानो बलवत्तराः। महारथा महात्मानः सर्वैः समुदिता गुणैः
And before them, there were other kings, even more powerful—great chariot-warriors, noble in spirit, endowed with every virtue.
पूरुः कुरुर्यदुः शूरो विष्वगश्वो महाद्युतिः। अणुहो युवनाश्वश्च ककुत्स्थो विक्रमी रघुः
Puru, Kuru, Yadu, Shura, Vishvagashva of great splendor, Anuha, Yuvanashva, Kakutstha, the valiant Raghu—
विजयो वीतिहोत्रोऽह्गो भवः श्वेतो बृहद्गुरुः। उशीनरः शतरथः कङ्को दुलिदुहो द्रुमः
Vijaya, Vitihotra, Anga, Bhava, Shveta, Brihadguru, Ushinara, Shataratha, Kanka, Duliduha, Druma—
दम्भोद्भवः परो वेनः सगरः संकृतिर्निमिः। अजेयः परशुः पुण्ड्रः शंभुर्देवावृधोऽनघः
Dambhodbhava, Parovena, Sagara, Samkriti, Nimi, Ajeya, Parashu, Pundra, Shambhu, Devavriddha, Anagha—
देवाह्वयः सुप्रतिमः सुप्रतीको बृहद्रथः। महोत्साहो विनीतात्मा सुक्रतुर्नैषधो नलः
Devahvaya, Supratima, Supratika, Brihadratha, Mahotsaha, Vinita-atma, Sukratu, Naishadha, Nala—
सत्यव्रतः शान्तभयः सुमित्रः सुबलः प्रभुः। जानुजङ्घोऽनरण्योऽर्कः प्रियभृत्यः शुचिव्रतः
Satyavrata, Shantabhaya, Sumitra, Subala the mighty, Janujangha, Anaranya, Arka, Priyabhrit, Shucivrata—