विराटनगराच्चैव गजाश्वरथसंकुलाः । योधैः क्षत्रियदायादैर्बलवद्भिरधिष्ठिताः
From the city of Virata, filled with elephants, horses, and chariots, warriors—the heirs of kshatriyas, mighty and valiant—set forth.
विराटप्रहिता सेना नगराच्छीघ्रयायिनी । उत्तरं सह सूतेन प्रत्ययात्तमरिन्दमम्
The army dispatched by Virata, swift-moving from the city, advanced with Uttara and his charioteer to meet the unconquerable foe.
तस्मिंस्तूर्यशताकीर्णे हस्त्यश्चरथसंकुले । प्रहर्षः स्त्रीकुमाराणां तुमुलः समपद्यत
There, amidst the blare of hundreds of instruments and the throng of elephants, horses, and chariots, a tumult of joy arose among the women and youths.
अर्जुनस्तु ततो दृष्ट्वा सैन्यरेणुं समुत्थितम् । सैन्यध्वजं निशम्याथ वैराटिं समभाषत
Then Arjuna, seeing the dust of the army rising and hearing the army's banner, spoke to the prince of Virata.
नगरे तुमुलः शब्दो रेणुश्चाक्रमते नभः। किंनु खल्वपयातास्ते कुरवो नगरं गताः
A tumultuous sound fills the city, and dust rises to the sky; have the Kurus perhaps retreated, or have they entered the city?
ते चैव निर्जिताऽस्माभिर्महेष्वासाः सुतेजसः । आमुञ्च कवचं वीर चोदयस्व च वाजिनः । जवेनाभिप्रपद्यस्व विराटनगरं प्रति
Those mighty archers of great energy have been defeated by us; O hero, remove your armor, urge on the horses, and swiftly drive toward the city of Virata.
न तावत्तलनिर्घोषं गाण्डीवस्य च निस्वनम् । ध्वजं वा दर्शयिष्यामि अथवा स्वजनो भवेत्
Until then, I will not display the thunderous sound of Gandiva or the banner—unless these are our own people.
सेनाग्रमेतन्मात्स्यानां गणिकाश्च स्वलंकृताः। कन्या रथेषु दृश्यन्ते योधा विविधवाससः
This is the vanguard of the Matsya army; courtesans, adorned, and maidens are seen on the chariots, and warriors in various garments.
उत्तरामत्र पश्यामि सखीभिः परिवारिताम्। अनीकिन्यः प्रदृश्यन्ते हस्तिनोश्वाश्च वर्मिताः
Here I see Uttara, surrounded by her companions; the divisions are visible, as are armored elephants and horses.
रथिनश्च पदाताश्च बहवो न च शस्त्रिणः। विराटवचनात्सर्वे संहृष्टाः प्रतिभान्ति मे। न च मेऽत्र प्रतीघातश्चित्तस्य स्वजने यथा
Many charioteers and foot soldiers are present, though not all are armed; by Virata's command, all appear joyful to me, and my mind feels no resistance here, as it would among strangers.
ततः शीघ्रं समासाद्य उत्तरं स्वजनो बहु। परस्परममित्रघ्नं सस्वजे तं समागतम्
Then, swiftly, Uttara was approached by his many kinsmen; they gathered together, rejoicing at the slayer of enemies.
प्रीतिमान्पुरुषव्याघ्रो हर्षयुक्तः पुनः पुनः । दिष्ट्या जयसि भद्रं ते दिष्ट्या सूतो बृहन्नलाः। दिष्ट्या संग्राममागम्य भयं तव न किंचन
The tiger among men, full of joy, repeatedly said: 'By fortune you are victorious, blessings to you; by fortune the charioteer Brihannala is safe; by fortune, having come from battle, you have no fear at all.'
अजैषीदेष जाञ्जिष्णुः कुरूनेकरथो रणे। एतस्यक बाहुवीर्यं तद्येन गावो जिता मया। कुरवो निर्जिता यस्मात्सग्रामेऽमिततेजसः
This Jāñjiṣṇu has conquered the Kurus alone in battle; it is by his strength of arms that I have won the cows; the Kurus, of immeasurable energy, were defeated by him in battle.
अकार्षीदेष तत्कर्म देवपुत्रोपमो युवा। एष तत्पुरुषव्याघ्रो विक्षोभ्य कुरुमण्डलम्। गावः प्रसह्य विजिता रणे मां चाभ्यपालयत्
He accomplished that deed, this young man equal to a son of the gods; this tiger among men shook the Kuru host, seized the cows in battle, and protected me.
उत्तरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा शंसमानस्य चार्जुनम्। चोदिता राजपुत्रेण जयं मङ्गलवादिनः
Hearing Uttara's words praising Arjuna, and urged by the prince, those who spoke auspiciously celebrated the victory.
ततो गन्धैश्च माल्यैश्च धूपैश्च वसुसंभृतैः । कन्याः पार्थममित्रघ्नं किरन्त्यः समपूजयन्
Then maidens, with perfumes, garlands, incense, and precious gifts, honored Partha, the slayer of enemies, showering him.
आपूर्यमाणो माल्यैश्च गन्धैश्च विविधैः शुभैः । संपूज्यमानो लोकेन नगरद्वारमागमत्
Filled with garlands and various fragrant scents, and honored by the people, he approached the city gate.
भेर्यश्च तूर्याणि च वेणवश्च विचित्रवेषाः प्रमदाजनाश्च। पुरो विराटस्य महाबलस्य निष्क्रम्य भूमिंजयमभ्यनन्दनम्
Drums and trumpets and flutes sounded; women in splendid attire, and the people, came forth from mighty Virata's palace, rejoicing at the victory.
प्रशस्यमानस्तु जयेन तत्र पुत्रो विराटस्य न हृष्यति स्म। संभाष्यमाणस्तु जयेन तत्र सोऽन्तर्मनाः पाण्डवमीक्षमाणः
Praised for the victory, Virata's son did not rejoice; though congratulated for the victory, he looked at the Pandava with a troubled heart.
पुत्र्यै विराटस्य ततो वराणि वस्त्राण्यदात्पाण्डुसुतः सखीभ्यः। सभाजयंश्चापि समागतास्ता दृष्ट्वा जयं तच्च बलं कुमार्यः
Then the Pandava gave fine garments to Virata's daughter and her companions, honoring those assembled maidens who had witnessed the victory and the strength.
सभाज्यमानः पौरैश्च स्त्रीभिर्जानपदैरपि। आसाद्यान्तःपुरद्वारं पित्रे संप्रत्यवेदयत्
Honored by citizens, women, and country folk, he reached the inner palace gate and reported to his father.
ततो द्वाःस्थः समासाद्य प्रणिपत्य कृताञ्जलिः । वर्धयित्वा जयाशीर्भिरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Then the doorkeeper approached, bowed with joined palms, offered blessings for victory, and spoke these words.
राजन्पृथुयशस्तुभ्यं जित्वा शत्रून्समागतः। उत्तरः सह सूतेन द्वारि तिष्ठति वारितः
'O king of great fame, Uttara has returned victorious with the charioteer; he stands at the door, stopped.'
कुमारो योधमुख्यैस्च गणिकाभिस्च संवृतः । पौरजानपदैर्युक्तः पूज्यमानो जयाशिषाः
The prince, surrounded by chief warriors and courtesans, joined by citizens and country folk, was honored with blessings for victory.
ततो हृष्टो महीपालः क्षत्तारमिदमब्रवीत् । प्रवेशयोभौ तौ तूर्णं दर्शनेप्सुरहं तयोः
Then the delighted king said to the steward: 'Let both of them enter quickly; I wish to see them.'
क्षत्तारं कुरुराजस्तु शनैः कर्ण उपाजपत्। उत्तरः प्रविशत्वेको न प्रवेश्या बृहन्नलाः
But Karna quietly addressed the steward of the Kuru king: 'Let Uttara enter alone; Brihannala must not be admitted.'
तस्य हि महाबाहोर्व्रतं नित्यं महात्मनः। यो ममाङ्गे व्रणं कुर्याच्छोणितं वा प्रदर्शयेत्। अन्यत्र संग्रामगतान्न स जीवेत्कथंचन
For that great-souled, mighty-armed one has a vow: whoever causes a wound or shows blood on my body, except in battle, shall never live.
व्यक्तं भृसं सुसंक्रुद्धो मां दृष्ट्वैव सशोणितम्। विराटमिह सामात्यं हन्यात्सबलावाहनम्
Clearly, greatly enraged, seeing me with blood, he would slay Virata here, along with his ministers, army, and vehicles.
इन्द्रं वापि कुबेरं वा यमं वा वरुणं तथा। मम शोणितकर्तारं मृद्गीयात्किं पुनर्नरम्
Even if it were Indra, Kubera, Yama, or Varuna—whoever would shed my blood, let him be subdued; what then to say of a mere man?
क्षणमात्रं तु तत्रैव द्वारि तिष्ठतु वीर्यवान् । इति प्रोवाच धर्मात्मा युधिष्ठिर उदारधीः
Let the valiant one stand there at the door for just a moment—so spoke the righteous and noble-minded Yudhishthira.