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.
गुरोर्वचनमाज्ञाय संप्रहृष्टो जितेन्द्रियः। बाहुभ्यां परिगृह्याथ राजपुत्रीमनिन्दिताम् । प्रवव्राज महाबाहुरर्जुनः प्रियदर्शनाम् ।। 26
Hearing the teacher’s command, rejoicing and self-controlled, Arjuna, mighty-armed and pleasing in appearance, took the blameless princess in his arms and set out.
जटिलो वल्कलधरः शततूणीधनुर्धरः। स्कन्धे कृत्वा वरारोहां बालामायतलोचनाम्
Wearing matted hair and bark garments, bearing a bow with a hundred arrows, he placed the beautiful, wide-eyed maiden on his shoulder.
आनीय नगराभ्याशमवातारयदर्जुनः ।। 27
Arjuna brought her near the city and set her down.
स राजधानीं संप्राप्य पार्थिवोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत्। इमानि पुरुषव्याघ्र आयुधानि परंतप। कस्मिन्न्यासयितव्यानि गुप्तिश्चैषां कथं भवेत् ।। 1
Having reached the royal capital, the king spoke to Arjuna: 'O tiger among men, O scorcher of foes, these weapons—where should they be deposited, and how should they be guarded?'
सायुधा हि वयं तात प्रवेक्ष्यामः पुरं यदि। समुद्वेगं जनस्यास्य करिष्यामो न संशयः ।। 2
'If we enter the city armed, dear one, we will surely cause alarm among its people—there is no doubt.'
गाण्डीवं हि नरव्याघ्र त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम्। कथं नाविष्कृताः स्यामो धार्तराष्ट्रस्य मारिष ।। 3
'For Gandiva, O tiger among men, is renowned in all three worlds; how can we remain undiscovered by Dhritarashtra’s son, O hero?'
यदीद.. धनुरादाय चरेम सजने पुरे। क्षिप्र नः प्रतिजानीयुर्मनुष्या नात्र संशयः ।। 4
If we were to take up our bows and move about openly in the city, people would quickly recognize us—of this there is no doubt.
एकस्मिन्नपि विज्ञाते समयं नो व्यतीत्य च । भूयो द्वादशवर्षाणि प्रविशेम वनं वयम् ।। 5
Even if just one of us were discovered, we would have to return to the forest for another twelve years, breaking our agreement.
तस्मात्सर्वाणि शस्त्राणि प्रच्छाद्यान्यत्र यत्र वा । प्रविशेम पुरश्रेष्ठं तथा सम्यक्कृतं भवेत् ।। 6
Therefore, let us conceal all our weapons somewhere, so that when we enter the chief city, everything will be properly arranged.
अजातशत्रोर्वचनं श्रुत्वा चैव महायशाः। उवाच धर्मपुत्रं तमर्जुनः परवीरहा ।। 7
Hearing the words of Ajātaśatru, the illustrious Arjuna, destroyer of enemy heroes, spoke to the righteous king.