धर्मज्ञः स तु दुर्ज्ञेयः सर्वज्ञैश्च द्विजातिभिः। किंपुनः प्राकृतैस्तात पार्थो विज्ञायते क्वचित् ।। 50
He who knows righteousness is difficult to comprehend even for learned twice-born men; how much more so for ordinary people, O dear one—Arjuna is recognized only rarely.
यस्मिन्सत्यं धृतिर्दानं परा शान्तिर्ध्रुवा क्षमा। ह्रीः श्रीः कीर्तिः परं तेज आनृशंस्यमथार्जवम् ।। 51
In whom truth, steadfastness, generosity, supreme tranquility, unwavering forbearance, modesty, prosperity, fame, supreme energy, compassion, and honesty reside—
तस्मान्निवासः पार्थानां चिन्त्यतां यद्ब्रवीमि वः । गतिर्वा परमा तत्र नोत्सहे वक्तुमन्यथा ।। 52
Therefore, consider carefully the dwelling place of the sons of Pritha, as I advise you; their ultimate course lies there, and I cannot speak otherwise.
एवमेतत्तु संचिन्त्य यत्कृत्यं साधु मन्यसे। तत्क्षिप्रं कुरु कौरव्य यद्येतच्छ्रद्दधासि मे। कुलस्य हि क्षमं तात यदहं प्रब्रवीमि ते ।। 53
Thus, having reflected in this way, whatever action you judge to be proper, do it quickly, O Kaurava, if you trust my words; for what I say to you is truly fitting for your lineage, dear one.
ततः शारद्वतो वाक्यमित्युवाच कृतस्तदा। युक्तं प्राप्तं च वृद्धेन पाण्डवान्प्रति भापितम् ।। 1
Then Kripa, son of Sharadvat, spoke these words: 'What the elder has said regarding the Pandavas is appropriate and timely.'
धर्मार्थसहितं श्लक्ष्णं सर्वं सत्यं सहेतुकम्। तत्रानुरूपं भीष्मस्य ममापि वचनं शृणु ।। 2
All that has been said is righteous, purposeful, gentle, entirely true, and reasoned; now hear my words, which are in accord with Bhishma's.
तेषां चैव गतिस्तत्र र्निवासश्चानुचिन्त्यताम् । नीतिर्विधीयतां तत्र सांप्रतं या हिता भवेत् ।। 3
Their course and residence should be carefully considered; let a policy be established now that would be beneficial.
नावज्ञेयो रिपुस्तात प्राकृतोऽपि बुभूषता। किं पुनः पाण्डवाः शूरा विद्वांसो बलिनस्तथा ।। 4
An enemy, even if ordinary, should not be disregarded by one who seeks to prosper; how much less so the Pandavas, who are valiant, learned, and strong.
तस्मात्सत्रं प्रविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु । गूढभावेषु छन्नेषु काले चोदयमागते ।। 5
Therefore, with the great-souled Pandavas having entered the assembly, concealed in their purpose and hidden in their actions, and the time having come—
स्वराष्ट्रे परराष्ट्रे च ज्ञातव्यं बलमात्मनः । उदयः पाण्डवानां च प्राप्तकालो न संशयः ।। 6
One must know one's own strength, both in one's own realm and in others; the time for the Pandavas' rise has surely come, there is no doubt.
निवृत्तसमयाः पार्था महात्मानो महाबलाः । महोत्साहा भविष्यन्ति पाण्डवा ह्यमितौजसः ।। 7
The Parthas, whose period of exile is over, are great-souled and mighty; the Pandavas, of immeasurable energy, will become highly enthusiastic.
तस्माद्बलं च कोशं च नातिश्चापि विधीयताम्। यथा कालोदये प्राप्ते सम्यक् तैः संदधामहे ।। 8
Therefore, let neither the army nor the treasury be neglected, so that when the time of their rise arrives, we may be fully prepared.
यत्र यन्मन्यसे श्रेयो बुध्यस्व बलमात्मनः । नियतं सर्वमित्रेषु बलवत्स्वबलेषु च ।। 9
Wherever you think your advantage lies, consider your own strength—certainly among all friends and among those strong in their own forces.
सारं फल्गु बलं ज्ञात्वा मध्यस्थं चापि भारत । स्वराष्ट्रपरराष्ट्रेषु ज्ञातव्यं बलमात्मनः ।। 10
Knowing the essence, the weak, and the moderate strength, O Bharata, one must assess one's own power in one's own realm and in others.
अप्रहृशष्टं प्राहृष्टं वा संदधाम तथा परैः । साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेन बलिकर्मणा ।। 11
Let us make arrangements with others, whether they are pleased or displeased, by conciliation, gifts, division, punishment, or tribute.
न्यायेनाक्रम्य च परान्बलाच्चानम्य दुर्बलान् । सान्त्वयित्वा च मित्राणि बलं चाभाष्यतां सुखम् ।। 12
By just means, overpowering the strong and humbling the weak, and by reassuring friends, let strength be spoken of with ease.
स्वकोशबलसंवृद्धः सम्यक्सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि । योत्स्यसे चापि बलिभिररिभिः प्रत्युपस्थितैः। अन्यैस्त्वं पाण्डवैर्वाऽपि हीनैः स्वबलवाहनैः ।। 13
With your treasury and forces well increased, you will surely attain success; you will fight with strong enemies who confront you, whether with others or with the Pandavas, or with those whose forces are inferior.
एवं सर्वं विनिश्चित्य व्यवहर्तासि न्यायतः। यथाकालं मनुष्येन्द्र चिरं सुखमवाप्स्यसि ।। 14
Thus, having considered everything, act justly; O king of men, you will attain lasting happiness in due time.
भीष्माद्रोणकृपैरुक्ते कर्णदुःशासनादिभिः। ततो दुर्योधनो वाक्यं श्रुत्वा तेषां महात्मनाम् । मुहूर्तमनुसंचिन्त्य सचिवानिदमब्रवीत् ।। 15
After hearing the words spoken by Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Duhshasana, and the others, Duryodhana, reflecting for a moment, addressed his counselors.
श्रुतमेतन्मया पूर्वं कथासु जनसंसदि। धीराणां शास्त्रविदुषां प्राज्ञानां मतिनिश्चये । कृतिनां सारफल्गुत्वे जानामि नयचक्षुषा ।। 16
I have heard this before in assemblies and discussions among people, among the wise, learned in the scriptures, firm in their judgments, and skilled in discerning the essence; I know it by my own insight into policy.
सत्वे बाहुबले धैर्ये प्राणे शारीरसंभवे। सांप्रतं मानुषे लोके सदैत्यनरराक्षसे ।। 17
In strength, in the power of arms, in courage, in vitality, and in bodily prowess, at present among humans, as well as among demons and rakshasas, there are such qualities.
चत्वारस्तु नरव्याघ्रा बले शक्रोपमा भुवि। उत्तमाः प्राणिनां तेषां नास्ति कश्चिद्बले समः ।। 18
There are four tiger-like men on earth, equal to Indra in might; among living beings, none matches them in strength.
बलदेवश्च भीमश्च मद्रराजश्च वीर्यवान् । चतुर्थः कीचकस्तेषां पञ्चमं नानुशुश्रुमः ।। 19
They are Baladeva, Bhima, the mighty king of Madra, and the fourth is Kichaka; I have not heard of a fifth.
अन्योन्यानन्तरबलाः परस्परजयैपिणः। बाहूयुद्धमभीप्सन्तो नित्यं संरब्धमानसाः ।। 20
Each is nearly equal in strength to the others, eager for mutual victory, always desiring hand-to-hand combat, their minds constantly inflamed.
तेनाहमवगच्छामि प्रत्ययेन वृकोदरम्। मनस्यभिनिविष्टं मे व्यक्तं जीवन्ति पाण्डवाः ।। 21
Therefore, I am convinced by this evidence that Vrikodara is involved; it is clear to my mind that the Pandavas are alive.
तत्राहं कीचकं मन्ये भीमसेनेन मारितम्। सैरन्ध्रीं द्रौपदीं मन्ये नात्र कार्या विचारणा ।। 22
Thus, I consider that Kichaka was killed by Bhimasena, and that Sairandhri is Draupadi; there is no need for further deliberation.
शङ्के कृष्णानिमित्तं तु भीमसेनेन कीचकः। गन्धर्वव्यपदेशेन हतो निशि महाबलः ।। 23
I suspect that for Krishna's sake, Kichaka was slain by Bhimasena, under the pretense of a Gandharva, at night, though he was immensely powerful.
को हि शक्तः परो भीमात्कीचकं हन्तुमोजसा । शस्त्रं विना बाहुबलात्तथा सर्वाङ्गचूर्णने ।। 24
Who else could have the strength to kill Kichaka, apart from Bhima, without weapons, using only the power of his arms, crushing all his limbs?
मर्दितुं वा तथा तीव्रं चर्ममांसास्थिचूर्णनम् । रूपमन्यत्समास्थाय भीमस्यैतद्विचेष्टितम् ।। 25
Or to so fiercely crush his skin, flesh, and bones, assuming another form—this deed was surely performed by Bhima.
ध्रुवं कृष्णानिमित्तं तु भीमसेनेन सूतजाः । गन्धर्वव्यपदेशेन हता निशि न संशयः ।। 26
Certainly, for Krishna's sake, Kichaka was killed by Bhimasena, under the guise of a Gandharva, at night; there is no doubt.