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.
नदीकुञ्जेषु तीर्थेषु ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च। आश्रमेषु च रम्येषु पर्वतेषु गुहासु च ।। 13
In river groves, at sacred sites, in villages and cities, in pleasant hermitages, on mountains and in caves.
विज्ञातव्या मनुष्येन्द्र तर्कया सुविनूतया । विविधैस्तत्परैः सम्यङ्विपुणैस्तज्ज्ञसंमतैः ।। 14
They must be discovered, O king, by well-guided reasoning, by various experts, skilled and approved by those knowledgeable.
अथाग्रजानन्तरजो भ्रातुः प्रियहिते रतः। ज्येष्ठं दुःशासनस्तत्र भ्राता भ्रातरमब्रवीत् ।। 15
Then Duhshasana, devoted to his elder brother's welfare, spoke to his elder brother there.
येषु नः प्रत्ययो राजंश्चारेषु मनुजाधिप। ते यान्तु दत्तदेया वै भूयस्तान्परिमार्गितुम् ।। 16
Those in whom we have confidence, O king, among the spies, should be sent, giving them rewards, to search further.
यदाह कर्णो राजेन्द्र सर्वमेतदवेक्ष्यताम् । यथोद्दिष्टं चराः सर्वे मृगयन्तु यतस्ततः ।। 17
As Karna has said, O king, let all this be observed; let all the spies search as directed, wherever possible.
घ्राणैः पश्यन्ति पशवो वेदैरेव द्विजोत्तमाः। चारैः पश्यन्ति राजानश्चक्षुर्भ्यामितरे जनाः ।। 18
Animals see with their noses, Brahmins with the Vedas, kings with spies, and others with their eyes.
यथोक्ताश्चारपुरुषा मृगयन्तु पुनःपुनः । एते चान्ये च बहवो देशांश्च नगराणि च ।। 19
Let the appointed spies search again and again, both these and many others, through the regions and the cities.
न हि तेषां गतिर्वासः प्रवृत्तिर्वोपलभ्यते। अत्यन्तं वा निगूढास्ते पारं वोर्मिमतो गताः ।। 20
For neither their movements, nor their dwelling, nor any information about them can be found; they are completely concealed, as if they have crossed to the far shore of the ocean.
व्यालैर्वाऽपि महारण्ये भक्षिताः शूरमानिनः। द्वीपं वा परमं प्राप्ता गिरिदुर्गवनेष्वपि ।। 21
Perhaps, boasting of their valor, they have been devoured by wild beasts in the great forest, or have reached some distant island, or are in mountain fortresses and woods.
हीनदर्पा निराशास्ते भक्षिता वाऽपि राक्षसैः । अथवा विषमं प्राप्य विनष्टाः शाश्वतीः समाः ।। 22
Stripped of pride and hope, they may have been eaten by demons, or, having reached some perilous place, perished for countless years.
तस्मान्मानसमव्यग्रं कृत्वाऽऽत्मानं नियम्य च। कुरु कार्यं महोत्साहं मन्यसे यन्नराधिप ।। 23
Therefore, compose your mind, restrain yourself, and with great enthusiasm, O king, do what you consider ought to be done.
अथाऽब्रवीत्सभामध्ये द्रोणः सूक्ष्मार्थदर्शिवान्। न तादृशा विनश्यन्ति नापि यान्ति पराभवम् ।। 1
Then, in the midst of the assembly, Droṇa, who perceives subtle meanings, spoke: Such men do not perish, nor do they meet with defeat.
शूराश्च कृतविद्याश्च बुद्धिमन्तो जितेन्द्रियाः। धर्मज्ञाः सत्यसन्धाश्च युधिष्ठिरमनुव्रताः ।। 2
They are heroes, accomplished in knowledge, intelligent, self-controlled, versed in righteousness, true to their word, and devoted to Yudhishthira.
नीतिधर्मार्थतत्वज्ञं पितृवच्च समाहितम्। धर्मे स्थितं सत्यधृतिं ज्येष्ठं श्रेष्ठापचायिनम् ।। 3
He knows the essence of policy, righteousness, and wealth, is composed like a father, steadfast in virtue and truth, the eldest, and foremost in merit.
अनुव्रता महात्मानो भ्रातरो भ्रातरं प्रियम् । अजातशत्रुं श्रीमन्तं सर्वभ्रातॄननुव्रतम् ।। 4
His noble brothers, devoted to their dear brother, follow Ajatashatru, resplendent, who himself is devoted to all his brothers.
तेषां तथाविधेयानां निभृतानां महात्मनाम् । किमर्थं नीतिमान्प्राज्ञः श्रेयो नैषां करिष्यति ।। 5
For such great-souled men, so reserved, what reason would a wise and prudent person have not to seek their welfare?
तस्माद्यत्नात्परीक्षध्वं न तावत्समयो गतः। न ते विनाशमृच्छेयुरिति मे नैष्ठिकी मतिः ।। 6
Therefore, investigate diligently; the time has not yet passed. It is my firm conviction that they have not perished.
चिन्त्यतां चैव यत्कार्यं तच्च क्षिप्रमकालिकम् । क्रियतां साधु संचिन्त्य वासश्चैषां प्रचिन्त्यतां ।। 7
Let us consider what should be done, and let it be done quickly, without delay. Let us carefully reflect, and also consider where they might be staying.
यथा च पाण्डुपुत्राणां सर्वार्थेषु धृतात्मनाम् । प्रवृत्तिरुपलभ्येत तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् ।। 8
Let policy be devised so that the activities of the steadfast sons of Pandu may be discovered in all respects.
सर्वोपायैर्यतस्व त्वं यथा पश्यसि पाण्डवान् । दुर्ज्ञेयाः खलु शूरास्ते रक्ष्या नित्यं च दैवतैः ।। 9
Exert yourself by every means so that you may see the Pandavas; for those heroes are difficult to comprehend and are always protected by the gods.