वत्मन्यन्विच्छमानास्तु रथानां रथिसत्तम। कंचित्कालं मनुष्येन्द्र सूताननुगता वयम् ।। 20
O best of charioteers, while searching for the tracks of the chariots, we followed the charioteers for some time, O king of men.
मृगयित्वा यथान्यायं विदितार्थाश्च तत्वतः। प्राप्ता द्वारवतीं सूता विना पार्थैः परंतप ।। 21
Having searched properly and learned the facts, the charioteers, scorcher of foes, reached Dvaravati without the Pandavas.
न तत्र कृष्णा राजेन्द्र पाण्डवाश्च महाव्रताः। नरदेव यथोद्दिष्टं न च विद्मात्र पाण्डवान् ।। 22
There, O king, neither Krishna nor the great-vowed Pandavas were present as described; nor do we know of the Pandavas here.
निर्वृतो भव नष्टास्ते स्वस्थो भव परंतप । सर्वथैव प्रनष्टास्ते नमस्ते भरतर्षभ ।। 23
Be at ease, they are lost to you; be calm, O scorcher of foes. In every way they are lost to you; our respects to you, bull among the Bharatas.
सर्वा च पृथिवी कृत्स्ना सशैलवनकानना । सराष्ट्रनगरग्रामा पत्तनैश्च समन्विता । अन्वेषिता च सर्वत्र न च पश्यामा पाण्डवान् ।। 24
The entire earth, with its mountains, forests, groves, kingdoms, cities, villages, and towns, has been searched everywhere, but we do not see the Pandavas.
पुनः शाधि मनुष्येन्द्र अत ऊर्ध्वं विशांपते। अन्वेषणे पाण्डवानां भूयः किं करवामहे ।। 25
Now instruct us again, O king of men, lord of the people: what should we do next in the search for the Pandavas?
इमां च नः प्रियां वीर वाचं भद्रवतीं शृणु ।। 26
And now, hero, listen to this pleasant and auspicious news from us.
येन त्रिगर्ता निहता बलेन बहुशो नृप। सूतेन राज्ञो मत्स्यस्य कीचकेन बलीयसा। स हतः पतितः शेते गन्धर्वैर्निशि भारत ।। 27
He by whose strength the Trigartas were repeatedly defeated, the mighty Suta Kichaka, general of the Matsya king, lies slain and fallen at night by the Gandharvas, O Bharata.
स्यालो राज्ञो विराटस्य सेनापतिरुदारधीः। सुदेष्णायानुजः क्रूरः शूरो वीरो गतव्यथः ।। 28
He was the brother-in-law of King Virata, commander of the army, noble-minded, Sudeshna's younger brother, cruel, brave, heroic, and fearless.
उत्साहवान्महावीर्यो नीतिमान्बलवानपि । युद्धज्ञो रिपुवीर्यघ्नःक सिंहतुल्यपराक्रमः ।। 29
He was energetic, of great valor, wise in policy, strong, skilled in battle, destroyer of enemy strength, and his courage was like a lion's.
प्रजारक्षणदक्षश्च शत्रुग्रहणशक्तिमान्। विजितारिर्महायुद्धे प्रचण्डो मानतत्परः ।। 30
He was skilled in protecting the people, capable of capturing enemies, conqueror of foes in great battles, fierce, and devoted to honor.
नरनारीमनोह्लादी धीरो वाग्मी रणप्रियः। पुण्यकर्माऽर्थकामानां भाजनं मनुजोत्तमः ।। 31
He delighted men and women, was steadfast, eloquent, fond of battle, performer of virtuous deeds, and a worthy recipient of wealth and desires, best among men.
स हतो निशि गन्धैर्वः स्त्रीनिमित्तं नराधिप। अमृष्यमाणो दुष्टात्मा निशीथे सह सोदरैः । सुहृदश्चास्य निहता योधाश्च प्रहरैर्हताः ।। 32
That wicked-hearted one, unable to endure, was slain at night by the Gandharvas for the sake of a woman, along with his brothers; his friends and warriors were also killed in the attack.
गन्धर्वाणां च महिषी काचिदस्ति नितम्बिनी। सैरन्ध्री नाम तां दृप्तो दुष्टात्माऽकामयद्बली ।। 33
There is a certain queen among the Gandharvas, shapely-hipped, named Sairandhri; that arrogant, wicked-hearted, and powerful man desired her.
इत्येवं श्रुतमस्माभिर्गन्धर्वैर्निहतो निशि ।। 34
Thus we have heard that he was slain at night by the Gandharvas.
बान्धवैर्बहुभिः सार्धं कीचको निहतो यतः। अद्यप्रभृति राजेन्द्र पाण्डवान्वेषणं प्रति। चारांश्च सर्वतश्चर्तुं प्रेषयेति मतिर्हि नः ।। 35
Since Kichaka was slain along with many relatives, O king, from today onward, regarding the search for the Pandavas, our opinion is to send spies everywhere.
निहतो निशि गन्धर्वैर्दुष्टात्मा भ्रातृभिः सह । एतावच्छ्रुतमस्माभिर्भद्रं तेऽस्तु नराधिप ।। 36
That wicked-hearted one was slain at night by the Gandharvas along with his brothers; this much we have heard. May good fortune be yours, O king.
प्रियमेतदुपश्रुत्य शत्रूणां च पराभवम् । कृतकृत्यश्च कौरव्य विधत्स्व यदनन्तरम् ।। 37
Having heard this pleasing news and the defeat of the enemies, O Kaurava, consider your task accomplished and decide what is to be done next.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा श्रुत्वा तेषां वचस्तदा। चिरमन्तर्मना भूत्वा इदमाह सभासदः ।। 1
Then King Duryodhana, having heard their words, became thoughtful for a long time and spoke this to the assembly.
अशक्यं खलु कार्यस्य गतिं ज्ञातुं हि तत्वतः । तस्मात्सर्वे परीक्षध्वं क्वनु स्युः पाण्डवा गताः ।। 2
Indeed, it is impossible to truly know the course of this matter; therefore, all of you should investigate where the Pandavas might have gone.
अल्पावशिष्टः कालस्तु गतो भूयिष्ठ एव च। तेषामज्ञातचर्यायामस्मिन्वर्षे त्रयोदशे ।। 3
Only a little time remains, and most of the thirteenth year has passed in their unknown exile.
अपि वर्षस्य शेषं ते ह्यतीयुरिह पाण्डवाः। निवृत्तसमयास्ते हि सत्यव्रतपरायणाः ।। 4
The Pandavas have surely completed the remainder of the year here; their period is over, for they are devoted to truth and vows.
क्षरन्त इव नागेन्द्राः सर्वे ह्याशीविषोपमाः । दुःखाद्भवेयुः संरब्धाः कौरवान्प्रति ते ध्रुवम् ।। 5
Like great serpents, all of them, fierce as venomous snakes, will certainly become enraged against the Kauravas out of suffering.
विज्ञातव्या मनुष्येन्द्रास्तर्कया सुप्रणीतया। निपुणैश्चारपुरुषैः प्राज्ञैर्दक्षैः सुसंवृतैः ।। 6
These kings must be discovered by careful reasoning and by skilled, wise, and discreet spies.
अज्ञातसमये ज्ञाताः कृच्छ्ररूपसमाश्रिताः। प्रविशेयुर्जितक्रोधास्तावदेव पुनर्वनम् ।। 7
If they are found during their time of concealment, having endured hardship, they will return to the forest, their anger subdued.
तस्मात्क्षिप्रं विचिन्वध्वं यथा चात्यन्तमव्ययम्। राज्यं निर्द्वन्द्वमव्यग्रं निःसपत्नं चिरं भवेत् ।। 8
Therefore, search quickly so that the kingdom may remain forever undivided, untroubled, and free from enemies.
दुर्योधनेनैवमुक्ते वचनेऽतीव दुःखिना। ततः कर्णोऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं सत्यधर्मार्थसंयुतम् ।। 9
When Duryodhana spoke these words in great distress, Karna then spoke a statement filled with truth, righteousness, and purpose.
एते पुनर्न गच्छन्तु अन्ये गच्छन्तु भारत । शीघ्रवृत्ता नरा योग्या निपुणाश्छन्नचारिणः ।। 10
Let these men not go again, but let others depart, O Bharata; let swift, capable, and skilled spies, adept at moving in disguise, go.
चरन्तु देशान्विविधान्स्फीताञ्जनपदाकुलान् । तत्र गोष्ठीषु रम्यासु सिद्धा ब्राह्मणरूपिणः ।। 11
Let them roam various regions, prosperous and crowded with people; among delightful gatherings, disguised as accomplished Brahmins.
परिवाहेषु तीर्थेषु विविधेष्वाकरेषु च। अन्वेष्टव्या मनुष्येन्द्र पाण्डवाश्छन्नचारिणः ।। 12
In crossings, at sacred places, and in various mines, O king, the Pandavas moving in disguise must be sought.