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.
राष्ट्रं ममासकृद्राजन्राज्ञा मात्स्येन बाधितम् ।। 37
O King, my realm has been repeatedly troubled by King Matsya.
प्रणेता कीचकस्तस्य बलोत्सिक्तोऽभवन्पुरा। अमर्षी दुर्जयो जेता प्रख्यातबलपौरुषः । स हतस्तत्र गन्धर्वैः पापकर्मा नृशंसकृत् ।। 38
Kīcaka, the leader of his forces, was formerly arrogant with strength, intolerant, invincible, renowned for power and prowess; he was slain there by the Gandharvas, having committed wicked and cruel deeds.
तस्मिन्विनिहते राजन्हीनदर्पो निराश्रयः। भविष्यति निरुत्साहो विराट इति मे मतिः ।। 39
With him killed, O King, Virāṭa will be left without pride and without support, and will become dispirited—this is my opinion.
तत्र यात्रा मम मता यदि ते रोचतेऽनघ। कौरवाणां च सर्वेषां कर्णस्य च महात्मनः ।। 40
Therefore, if you approve, O faultless one, my proposal is for an expedition there, along with all the Kauravas and the great-hearted Karṇa.
एतत्कार्यमहं मन्ये परमात्ययिकं महत्। राष्ट्रं तस्याभियास्यामो धनधान्यसमाकुलम् ।। 41
I consider this task to be of utmost urgency and importance; let us march upon his realm, rich with wealth and grain.
आददामोऽस्य रत्नानि विविधानि वसूनि च। ग्रामान्राष्ट्राणि वा तस्य हरिष्यामो विभागशः ।। 42
Let us seize his jewels and various treasures, and take his villages and territories, dividing them among ourselves.
अथवा गोसहस्राणि बहूनि शुभदर्शन। विविधानि हरिष्यामः प्रतीपीड्य पुरं बलात् ।। 43
Or else, let us take by force many thousands of beautiful cows of various kinds, oppressing the city.
कौरवैः सह संगमय त्रिगर्तैश्च विशांपते। गास्तस्यापहरिष्यामः सह सर्वैर्महारथैः ।। 44
Let us join with the Kauravas and the Trigartas, O lord of men, and together with all the great chariot-warriors, carry off his cows.
सन्धिं वा तेन कृत्वा तु निबध्नीमोऽस्य पौरुषम्। हत्वा चास्य चमूं कृत्स्नां वशमेवानयामहे ।। 45
Or, making peace with him, let us bind his strength; or, having destroyed his entire army, let us bring him under our control.
तं वशे न्यायतः कृत्वा सुखं वत्स्यामहे वयम्। भवतां बलवृद्धिश्च भविष्यति न संशयः ।। 46
Having brought him lawfully under our power, we shall live comfortably; your strength will also increase, without doubt.