पराजितैर्विवस्तव्यं तैश्च द्वादशवत्सरान् । वने जनपदेऽज्ञातैरेष एव पणो हि नः
Those who are defeated must live twelve years in the forest, unknown among the people; this is the wager for us.
तेषां न तावन्निर्वृत्तो वत्सरः स त्रयोदशः । अज्ञातवासे बीभत्सुरथास्माभिः परिश्रुतः
But their thirteenth year has not yet been completed; Bibhatsu is said to be among us during their period of concealment.
अनिर्वृत्ते तु निर्वासे यदि बीभत्सुरागतः । पुनर्द्वादशवर्षाणि वने वत्स्यन्ति पाण्डवाः
If Bibhatsu has returned before the completion of their exile, then the Pandavas must again spend twelve years in the forest.
लोभाद्वा ते न जानीयुरस्मान्वा मोह आविशत्। हीनातिरिक्तमेतेषां भीष्मो वेदितुमर्हति
Whether out of greed they do not know us, or confusion has overtaken them, Bhishma should determine what is lacking or excessive for them.
अर्थानां हि पुनर्द्वैधे नित्यं भवति संशयः । अन्यथा चिन्तितो ह्यर्थः पुनर्भवति चान्यथा
For when there is doubt about matters, uncertainty always arises; what is considered one way becomes otherwise in the end.
उत्तरं मार्गमाणानां मात्स्यसेनां युयुत्सताम् । यदि बीभत्सुरायातः किंतु कृत्यमतः परम्
If Bibhatsu has arrived among those seeking the northern path, the Matsya army eager for battle, what should be done next?
त्रिगर्तानां कृतं कार्यं पाण्डवानां च मार्गणम् । विप्रकारैर्हि मात्स्येन सुशर्मा बाधित पुरा
The task of the Trigartas is accomplished, and the search for the Pandavas; Suśarman was previously harassed by the Matsya with acts of aggression.
तेषां भयाभिपन्नानां वस्तानां त्राणभिच्छताम् । अभयं याचमानानां तदाऽस्माभिः परिश्रुतम्
When those who were attacked by fear sought protection, asking for safety, we heard of this at that time.
प्रथमं वैर्ग्रहीतव्यं मात्स्यानां गोधनं महत्। अष्टम्याश्चापराह्णे तु इति नस्तैः समाहितम्
First, the great cattle wealth of the Matsyas should be seized; on the eighth day in the afternoon, this was agreed upon by them.
नवम्यां पुनरस्माभिः सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। इमा गावो ग्रहीतव्या याते मत्स्ये गवांपदम्
On the ninth day, at sunrise, we must seize these cows, once the Matsya has reached the place of the cattle.
इत्येवं निश्चयोऽस्माकं मन्त्रोऽभून्नागसाह्वये । पाण्डवानां परिज्ञाने सर्वेषां नः परस्परम्
Thus, this was our decision, the counsel at Nagasahvaya, for recognizing the Pandavas, all of us together.
ते वा गाश्च नयिष्यन्ति यदि वा स्युः पराजिताः। अस्मान्वाऽप्यतिसन्धाय कुर्युर्मात्स्येन संगतिम्
Either they will take the cows away, or they will be defeated; or, surpassing us, they may form an alliance with the Matsya.
अथवा तानुपादाय मात्स्यो जानपदैः सह । सर्वथा सेनया सार्धमस्मानेष युयुत्सति
Or perhaps, having gathered the Matsya king together with the people of the land, he comes against us with his entire army, intent on battle.
तेषामेको महावीर्यः कश्चिदेव पुनःसरः। अस्माञ्जेतुमिहायातो मात्स्यो वाऽपि स्वयं भवेत्
Among them, there is one of great valor, or perhaps a single warrior returning again, who has come here to defeat us—he may even be the Matsya king himself.
यद्येष राजा मात्स्यानां यदि बीभत्सुरागतः । सर्वैर्योद्धव्यमस्माभिरिति नः समयः कृतः
If this is the king of the Matsyas, or if Bhīmasena has arrived, then it is our agreement that we must fight them all.
अथ कस्मात्थिता ह्येते रथेषु रथिसत्तमाः । भीष्मद्रोणकृपाः कर्णो विकर्णो द्रौणिरेव च। संभ्रान्तमनसः सर्वे प्राप्ते ह्यस्मिन्धनञ्जये
Then why do these foremost chariot-warriors—Bhīṣma, Droṇa, Kṛpa, Karṇa, Vikarṇa, and Droṇa's son—stand on their chariots, all with disturbed minds, now that Dhanañjaya has arrived?
नान्यत्र युद्धाच्छ्रेयोस्ति तथाऽऽत्मा प्रणिधीयताम् । सर्वलोकेन वा युद्धं देवैर्वाऽस्तु सवासवैः
There is no greater good than battle; thus, let each one devote himself fully. Let the fight be with all the world, or even with the gods and Indra himself.
अनाच्छिन्ने धनेऽस्माकमथ शक्रेण वज्रिणा। यमेन वाऽपि संग्रामे को हास्तिनपुरं व्रजेत्
While our wealth remains unbroken, who, even if it were Śakra the thunder-wielder or Yama in battle, could enter Hastinapura?
शरैरभिप्रणुन्नानां भग्नानां गहने वने । को हि जीवेत्पदातीनां भवेदश्वेषु संशयः
Who among the foot soldiers, driven back by arrows and broken in the dense forest, could survive? Even among the horsemen, there is doubt.
आचार्यं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् । जानामि च मतं तेषामतस्त्रासयतीव नः
Place the teacher at the rear, and let the strategy be arranged accordingly. I also know their intention; it does not seem to frighten us.
अर्जुने चापि संप्रीतिमधिकामुपलक्षये । तथा दृष्ट्वा हि बीभत्सुमुपायान्तं प्रशंसति । यथा सेना न भज्येत तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्
I observe a special delight in Arjuna as well; seeing Bhīmasena approach, he praises him. Let the strategy be arranged so that the army is not broken.
अदेशिका ह्यरण्येऽस्मिन्कृच्छ्रे शत्रुवशं गता। यथा न विभ्रमेत्सेना तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्
Here in this pathless forest, we have fallen into the power of the enemy in hardship; let the strategy be arranged so that the army does not fall into confusion.
अश्वानां हेषितं श्रुत्वा का प्रशंसा भवेत्परे । स्थाने वाऽपि व्रजन्तो वा सदा हेषन्ति वाजिनः
What praise can there be for the neighing of horses, which others have heard? Whether standing or moving, steeds always neigh.
सदा च वायवो वान्ति नित्यं वर्षति वासवः । स्तनयित्नोश्च निर्घोषः श्रूयते बहुशस्तथा
The winds always blow, and Indra always sends rain; the thunder's roar is often heard as well.
भीषयन्पाण्डवेयेभ्यो भवान्सर्वानिमाञ्जनान्। प्रमुखे सर्वसैन्यानामबद्धं बहु भाषते
You, frightening the sons of Pāṇḍu, speak much and openly before all these people and the entire army.
यथैवाश्वान्मार्गमाणास्तानेवाभिपरीप्सवः । हेषितानीव शृण्वन्ति तदिदं भवतस्तथा
Just as those seeking horses listen for their neighing, so too do these people listen to your words.
किमत्र कार्यं पार्थस्य कथं वा स प्रशस्यते। अन्यत्र कामाद्द्वेषाद्वा रोषाद्वाऽस्मासु केवलम्
What is there to be done regarding Pārtha, or how is he to be praised? Except out of desire, hatred, or anger toward us alone.
आचार्या वै कारुणिकाः प्राज्ञाश्चापायदर्शिनः । नैते महाहवे घोरे संप्रष्टव्याः कथंचन
The teachers are compassionate, wise, and foresee danger; in this great and terrible battle, they should not be questioned in any way.
प्रासादेषु विचित्रेषु गोष्ठीपानाशनेषु च। कथा विचित्राः कुर्वाणाः पण्डितास्तत्र सोभनः
In splendid palaces, in gatherings, and at feasts, the learned converse on many varied topics, and there they shine.
बहून्याश्चर्यरूपाणि कुर्वते जनसंसदि । इष्वस्त्रे चापसंधाने पण्डितास्तत्र शोभनाः
They perform many wondrous deeds in the midst of people; in the use of weapons and the drawing of bows, the learned excel there.