ततो व्यपेते तमसि सूर्ये विमल उद्गते । मैत्रे मुहूर्ते संप्राप्ते मद्वर्चिषि दिवाकरे
Then, when the darkness had departed and the pure sun had risen, at the auspicious moment, as the day began to shine with my radiance,
कौमुदे मासि रेवत्यां शरदन्ते हिमागमे । स्फीतसस्यसुखे काले कल्यः सत्ववतां वरः
In the month of Kartika, under the star Revati, at the end of autumn, as winter approached, in a season of abundant crops and happiness, the best among the strong arose early.
मङ्गल्याः पुण्यनिर्घोषा वाचः श्रृण्वंश्च सूनृताः । ब्राह्मणानां प्रतीतानामृषीणामिव वासवः
Hearing auspicious, pure, and truthful words, resounding with merit, from Brahmanas who were delighted, like Indra listening to the seers,
कृत्वा पौर्वाह्णिकं कृत्यं स्नातः शुचिरलङ्कृतः । उपतस्थे विवस्वन्तं पावकं च जनार्दनः
Having performed the morning rites, bathed, purified, and adorned, Janardana approached the sun and the fire.
ऋषभं पृष्ठ आलभ्य ब्राह्मणानभिवाद्य च। अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पश्यन्कल्याणमग्रतः
Touching the back of a bull and saluting the Brahmanas, having circumambulated the fire, he looked ahead for a favorable omen.
तत्प्रतिज्ञाय वचनं पाण्डवस्य जनार्दनः। शिनेर्नप्तारमासीनमभ्यभाषत सात्यकिम्
Having pledged to fulfill the words of the Pandava, Janardana spoke to Satyaki, the grandson of Sini, who was seated there.
रथ आरोप्यतां शङ्खश्चक्रं च गदया सह। उपासङ्गाश्च शक्त्यश्च सर्वप्रहरणानि च
Let the chariot be made ready, with the conch, discus, and mace, and let all the auxiliary weapons and spears be brought as well.
दुर्योधनश्च दुष्टात्मा कर्णश्च सहसौबलः । न च शत्रुरवज्ञेयो दुर्बलोऽपि बलीयसा
Duryodhana, wicked in heart, and Karna, together with the son of Subala—one should not underestimate an enemy, even if weak, when one is strong.
ततस्तन्मतमाज्ञाय केशवस्य पुनःसराः । प्रसस्त्नुर्योजयिष्यन्तो रथं चक्रगदाभृतः
Then, understanding the command of Kesava, the skilled charioteers prepared to yoke the chariot of the wielder of the discus and mace.
तं दीप्तमिव कालाग्निमाकाशगमिवाशुगम् । सूर्यचन्द्रप्रकाशाभ्यां चक्राभ्यां समलङ्कृतम्
That chariot, blazing like the fire at the end of time, swift as if flying through the sky, adorned with two wheels shining like the sun and moon,
अर्धचन्द्रैश्च चन्द्रैश्च मत्स्यैः समृगपक्षिभिः । पुष्पैश्च विविधैश्चित्रं मणिरत्नैश्च सर्वशः
Beautifully decorated everywhere with crescents, full moons, fish, beasts, birds, various flowers, and all kinds of gems and jewels,
तरुणादित्यसङ्काशं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम् । मणिहेमविचित्राङ्गं सुध्वजं सुपताकिनम्
Resembling the young sun in brilliance, large and pleasing to behold, with parts adorned with gems and gold, bearing a fine banner and excellent pennants.
सूपस्करमनाधृष्यं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम्। यशोघ्नं प्रत्यमित्राणां यदूनां नन्दिवर्धनम्
That city, well-fortified and unassailable, surrounded by tiger-like warriors, a destroyer of the fame of enemies, and an increaser of the glory of the Yadus—
वाजिभिः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेधपुष्पबलाहकैः । स्नातैः संपादयामासुः संपन्नैः सर्वसंपदा
With horses named Shaibya, Sugriva, Medha, Pushpa, and Balāhaka, all bathed and adorned with every auspicious mark, they prepared the chariot.
महिमानं तु कृष्णस्य भूय एवाभिवर्धयन्। सुघोषः पतगेन्द्रेण ध्वजेन युयुजे रथः
Further exalting Krishna’s majesty, Satyaki yoked to the chariot the banner bearing Garuda, the king of birds.
तं मेरुशिखरप्रख्यं मेघदुन्दुभिनिस्वनम् । आरुरोह रथं सौरिर्विमानमिव कामगम्
Sauri (Krishna) ascended that chariot, towering like the peak of Meru and resounding like thunderclouds, as if it were a celestial vehicle moving at will.
ततः सात्यकिमारोप्य प्रययौ पुरुषोत्तमः। पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षं च रथघोषेण नादयन्
Then, having Satyaki mount, the Supreme Person set out, filling the earth and sky with the sound of his chariot.
व्यपोढाभ्रस्ततः कालः क्षणेन समपद्यत। शिवश्चानुववौ वायुः प्रशान्तमभवद्रजः
Then the clouds dispersed, the time became auspicious in a moment, the wind blew gently, and the dust settled into calm.
प्रदक्षिणानुलोमाश्च मङ्गल्या मृगपक्षिणः। प्रयाणे वासुदेवस्य बभूवुरनुयायिनः
Auspicious beasts and birds, moving in a rightward and favorable direction, followed Vasudeva on his journey.
मङ्गल्यार्थप्रदैः शब्दैरन्ववर्तन्त सर्वशः। सारसाः शतपत्राश्च हंसाश्च मधुसूदनम्
Cranes, swans, and sarasa birds accompanied Madhusudana, uttering sounds that bestowed blessings and good fortune.
मन्त्राहुतिमहाहोमैर्हूयमानश्च पावकः । प्रदक्षिणशिखो भूत्वा विधूमः समपद्यत
The fire, offered great oblations with mantras, became smokeless, its flames turning rightward, as if circumambulating.
वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च भूरिद्युम्नो गयः क्रथः। शुकनारदवाल्मीका मरुत्तः कुशिको भृगुः
Vasishtha, Vamadeva, Bhuridyumna, Gaya, Kratha, Shuka, Narada, Valmiki, Marutta, Kushika, and Bhrigu—
देवब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव कृष्णं यदुसुखावहम्। प्रदक्षिणमवर्तन्त सहिता वासवानुजम्
The divine sages and Brahmarshis, together with Indra’s younger brother, circumambulated Krishna, the bringer of happiness to the Yadus.
एवमेतैर्महाभागैर्महर्षिगणसाधुभिः । पूजितः प्रययौ कृष्णः कुरूणां सदनं प्रति
Thus honored by these great and virtuous sages, Krishna departed for the assembly of the Kurus.
देवताभ्यो नमस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणान्स्वस्ति वाच्य च। प्रययौ पुण्डरीकाक्षः सात्यकेन सहाच्युतः
Having bowed to the deities and spoken words of blessing to the Brahmins, lotus-eyed Achyuta set out with Satyaki.
तं प्रयान्तमनुप्रायात्कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । भीमसेनार्जुनौ चोभौ माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ
As he departed, Kunti’s son Yudhishthira followed him, along with Bhimasena, Arjuna, and the two sons of Madri.
चेकितानश्च विक्रान्तो धृष्टकेतुश्च चेदिपः । द्रुपदः काशिराजश्च शिखण्डी च महारथः
The valiant Chekitana, Dhṛṣṭaketu the king of the Cedis, Drupada, the king of Kashi, and the great chariot-warrior Shikhandi also followed.
धृष्टद्युम्नः सपुत्रश्च विराटः केकयैः सह। संसाधनार्थं प्रययुः क्षत्रियाः क्षत्रियर्षभम्
Dhṛṣṭadyumna with his sons, Virata with the Kekayas, and other Kshatriyas set out to accompany the best among warriors.
ततोऽनुव्रज्य गोविन्दं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। राज्ञां सकाशे द्युतिमानुवाचेदं वचस्तदा
Then, having followed Govinda, King Yudhishthira, radiant among kings, spoke these words in their presence.
यो वै न कामान्न भयान्न लोभान्नार्थकारणात्। अन्यायमनुवर्तेत स्थिरबुद्धिरलोलुपः
He who does not follow unrighteousness out of desire, fear, greed, or for the sake of gain, whose mind is steady and not covetous—