संवत्सरमिमं तावदेवंशीला बुभूषथः । ततः स्वविषयं प्राप्य यथाकामं चरिष्यथ
For this one year, you must live in this manner; after that, having regained your own kingdom, you may act as you wish.
तं तथेत्यब्रुवन्पार्थाः पितृकल्पं यशस्विनम्। प्रहृष्टाश्चाभिवाद्यैनमुपातिष्ठन्परंतपाः
The sons of Pritha, scorcher of foes, joyfully replied, 'So be it,' to the illustrious elder, honored him, and stood before him with reverence.
तेषां प्रतिष्ठमानानां मन्त्रांश्च ब्राह्मणोऽजपत्। भवाय राज्यलाभाय वीर्याय विजयाय च
As they were preparing to depart, the Brahmin recited mantras for their welfare, for the attainment of their kingdom, for strength, and for victory.
ततोऽब्रवीदसौ विप्रो वाचमाशीः प्रयुज्य च। स्वद्रव्यप्रतिलाभाय शत्रूणां मर्दनाय च
Then that Brahmin, having offered his blessings, spoke words for the recovery of their wealth and the destruction of their enemies.
स्वस्ति वोस्तु शिवः पन्था द्रक्ष्यामि पुनरागतान्। इत्युक्ता हृष्टमनसो गुरुणा तेन धीमता। युधिष्ठिरमुखाः सर्वे गन्तुं समुपचक्रमुः
"May there be welfare for you, may your path be auspicious, and may I see you return again." Thus addressed by that wise teacher, their hearts uplifted, all the sons of Pandu, led by Yudhishthira, prepared to depart.
तेऽग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणं च पुरोहितम्। अभिवाद्य ततः सर्वे प्रस्थातुमुपचक्रमुः ।। 1
Having circumambulated the fire and their family priest, the Brahmin, all of them then respectfully took leave and began their journey.
अनुशिष्टोस्मि भद्रं ते नैतद्वक्ताऽस्ति कश्चन। कुन्तीमृते मातरं नः पितरं च यशस्विनम् ।। 2
"I have been instructed; blessings upon you. There is no one else who could have spoken thus, except for Kunti, our mother, and our illustrious father."
यदेवानन्तरं कार्यं तद्भवान्वक्तुमर्हति। तारणाय तु दुःखस्य प्रस्थानाय भवाय च ।। 3
"Whatever further needs to be done, you should tell us, for the sake of crossing over suffering and for our welfare as we set out."
तेषां प्रतिष्ठमानानां धौम्यो मन्त्रानथाजपत्। सर्वविघ्नप्रशमनानर्थसिद्धिकरांस्तथा। ततः पावकमुञ्ज्वाल्य मन्त्रहव्यपुरुस्कृतम् ।। 4
As they were setting out, Dhaumya recited mantras to remove all obstacles and to ensure the accomplishment of their aims. Then, having kindled the sacred fire, he offered oblations accompanied by mantras.
याज्ञसेनीं पुरस्कृत्य सर्व एव महारथाः। प्राद्रवन्सह धौम्येन बद्धशस्त्रा वनाद्वनम् ।। 5
With Draupadi at the forefront, all the great chariot-warriors, together with Dhaumya and bearing their weapons, hurried from forest to forest.
ते वीरा बद्धनिस्त्रिंशा धनुर्बाणकलापिनः । अगच्छन्भीमधन्वानः काम्यकाद्यमुनां नदीम् ।। 6
Those heroes, armed with swords and quivers, proceeded with mighty Bhima at their head, toward the river Yamuna, beginning at Kamyaka.
उत्तरेण दशार्णानां पाञ्चालान्दक्षिणेन तु। अन्तरेण यकृल्लोम्नः शूरसेनांश्च पाण्डवाः ।। 7
North of the Dasharnas and south of the Panchalas, between Yakrilloma and the Shurasenas, the Pandavas traveled.
ते तस्या दक्षिणं तीरमन्वगच्छन्पदातयः । ततः प्रत्यक्प्रयातास्ते संक्रामन्तो वनाद्वनम् ।। 8
They, on foot, followed the southern bank of the river; then, turning west, they journeyed, crossing from forest to forest.
वसाना वनदुर्गेषु रमणीयेषु धन्विनः । पल्वलेषु च रम्येषु नदीनां संगमेषु च।। 9
Dwelling in the beautiful, fortified forests, those bowmen also stayed in lovely marshes and at the confluences of rivers.
द्रुमान्नानाविधाकारान्नानाविधलताकुलान् । कुसुमाढ्यान्मनःकान्ताञ्शुभगन्धान्मनोरमान् ।। 10
They saw trees of many forms, overgrown with various creepers, filled with blossoms, delightful to the mind, fragrant, and charming.
पार्था निरीक्षमाणाश्च तान्द्रुमान्पुष्पशालिनः। जिघ्रन्तः पुष्पगन्धांश्च फलगन्धान्मनोरमान् ।। 11
The sons of Pritha, gazing at those flower-laden trees, inhaled the sweet scents of the blossoms and the delightful fragrances of the fruits.
विध्यन्तो मृगजातानि महेप्वासा महाबलाः । उपित्वा द्वादशसमा वने परपुरंजयाः । लुब्धान्ब्रुवाणा मात्स्यस्य विपयं प्राविशंस्तदा ।। 12
Shooting at wild animals, those mighty-armed, powerful heroes, after spending twelve years in the forest, the conquerors of enemy cities, entered the Matsya kingdom, saying to the hunters:
तत्र धौम्यं महेप्वासाः पाण्डवेया व्यसर्जयन् । अग्निहोत्रं परिचरन्सोऽबुद्धोऽवसदाश्रमे ।। 13
There, the sons of Pandu respectfully left Dhaumya, who, while performing the fire ritual, unknowingly remained at the hermitage.
ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु। इन्द्रसेनमुखाश्चैव यथोक्तं प्राप्य निर्वृताः। रथानश्वांश्च रक्षन्तः सुखमूषुः सुसंवृताः ।। 14
Then, after the great-souled Pandavas had departed, Indrasena and his companions, having fulfilled their instructions, rested content, guarding the chariots and horses, and remained comfortably and securely.
ततो जनपदं प्राप्य कृष्णा राजानमब्रवीत् ।। 15
Then, upon reaching the countryside, Krishna spoke to the king.
पश्यैकपद्यो दृश्यन्ते क्षेत्रे गोष्ठं समाश्रिताः । वृक्षांश्चोपवनोपेतान्ग्रामाणां नगरस्य च ।। 16
See, only single footprints are visible in the fields, where the cattle have gathered; and trees, surrounded by groves, are seen in the villages and the city.
व्यक्तं दूरे विराटम...राजधानी भविष्यति। वसामेहापरां रात्रिं बलवान्मे परिश्रमः ।। 17
Clearly, Virata’s royal city lies at a distance; let us spend another night here, for I am greatly fatigued.
इमां कमलपत्राक्षीं द्रौपदीं माद्रिनन्दन। मुहूर्तं परिगृह्यैनां घाहुभ्यां नकुल व्रज ।। 18
Nakula, son of Madri, for a moment take hold of this lotus-eyed Draupadi and carry her with your arms.
ततोऽदूरे विराटस्य नगरं भरतर्षभ । राजधान्यां निवत्स्यामः प्रमुक्तमिव नो वनम् ।। 19
Soon, O bull among the Bharatas, Virata’s city will be near; we shall dwell in the royal capital, as if freed from the forest.
पूर्वाह्णे मृगयां कृत्वा मया विद्धा मृगा वने। अटवी च मया दूरं धृता मृगवधेप्सुना ।। 20
In the morning, after hunting, I wounded animals in the forest; and, desiring to slay them, I traversed the woods far and wide.
विषमा ह्यतिदुर्गा च वेगवत्परिधावता। सोहं धर्माभितप्तो वै नैनामादातुमुत्सहे ।। 21
The terrain was rough and exceedingly difficult, and I moved swiftly around it; thus, afflicted by duty, I am unable to carry her.
सहदेव त्वमादाय मुहूर्तं द्रौपदीं नय। राजधान्यां निवत्स्यामः सुमुक्तमिव नो वनम् ।। 22
Sahadeva, you take Draupadi for a moment and lead her; we shall dwell in the royal capital, as if freed from the forest.
अहमप्यस्मि तृषितः क्षुधया परिपीडितः। परिश्रान्तश्च भद्रं ते नैनामादातुमुत्सहे ।। 23
I too am thirsty and greatly afflicted by hunger; I am exhausted, good sir, and unable to carry her.
एहि वीर विशालाश्च वीरसिंह इवार्जुन । इमां कमलपत्राक्षीं द्रौपदीं द्रुपदात्मजाम् ।। 24
Come, O hero, broad-shouldered and lion-like Arjuna; take this lotus-eyed Draupadi, daughter of Drupada.
परिगृह्य मुहूर्तं त्वं बाहुभ्यां कुशलं व्रज । राजधान्यां निवत्स्यामः प्रमुक्तमिव नो वनम् ।। 25
Take her for a moment with your arms, skillfully; we shall dwell in the royal capital, as if freed from the forest.