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.
पितामहेन ये चोक्ता देशस्य च जनस्य च। गुणास्ते मत्स्यराष्ट्रेषु बहुशोऽपि मया श्रुताः ।। 27
The virtues of the land and its people, as spoken by the grandsire, have been heard by me many times in the Matsya kingdom.
विराटनगरे मन्ये पाण्डवाश्छन्नचारिणः। निवसन्ति पुरे रम्ये तत्र यात्रा विधीयताम् ।। 28
I believe the Pandavas are living in disguise in the city of Virata; let us therefore undertake an expedition there.
मत्स्यराष्ट्रं गमिष्यामो ग्रहीष्यामश्च गोधनम्। गृहीते गोधने नूनं तेऽपि योत्स्यन्ति पाण्डवाः।। 29
We will go to the Matsya kingdom and seize their cattle; once the cattle are taken, the Pandavas will surely fight.
अपूर्णे समये चापि यदि पश्येम पाण्डवान्। द्वादशान्यानि वर्षाणि प्रवेक्ष्यन्ति पुनर्वनम् ।। 30
If, before the period is complete, we see the Pandavas, then they will have to enter the forest again for another twelve years.
तस्मादन्यतरेणापि लाभोऽस्माकं भविष्यति। कोशवृद्धिरिहास्माकं शत्रूणां निधनं भवेत् ।। 31
Thus, by either outcome, we will gain: our treasury will grow here, and the destruction of our enemies may occur.
कथं सुयोधनं गच्छेद्युधिष्ठिरभृतः पुरा। एतच्चापि वदत्येष मात्स्यः परिभवान्मयि ।। 32
How could Suyodhana go, while Yudhishthira is still in the city? This is also what the Matsya king says, insulting me.
तस्मात्कर्तव्यमेतद्वै तत्र यात्रा विधीयताम्। एतत्सुनीतं मन्येऽहं सर्वेषां यदि रोचते ।। 33
Therefore, this action must indeed be undertaken; let the expedition be arranged there. I consider this to be well-advised, if it pleases everyone.
ततो राजा त्रिगर्तानां सुशर्मा रथयूथपः। पूर्वमाभाष्य कर्णेन तथा दुःशासनेन च। प्राप्तकालमिदं वाक्यमुवाच त्वरितो बली ।। 34
Then King Suśarman of the Trigartas, leader of charioteers, after first speaking with Karṇa and likewise with Duḥśāsana, uttered these timely words, eager and strong.
असकृन्निकृतः पूर्वं मात्स्यसाल्वेयकेकयैः । सूतेनैव च मात्स्यस्य कीचकेन पुनः पुनः ।। 35
I have been repeatedly wronged before by the Matsyas, Śālvas, and Kekayas, and also by the charioteer of the Matsya king, and by Kīcaka again and again.
बाधितो बन्धुभिः सार्धं बलाद्बलवता विभो। स कर्णमभिवीक्ष्याथ दुर्योधनमभाषत ।। 36
Oppressed along with my kinsmen by force from the powerful lord, he then looked at Karṇa and addressed Duryodhana.