प्राज्वलन्नग्नयो राजन्पृथिवी समकम्पत । उदपानाश्च कुम्भाश्च प्रासिञ्चञ्शतशो जलम्
Fires blazed up, O king, the earth trembled, and wells and jars poured out water by the hundreds.
तमःसंवृतमप्यासीत्सर्वं जगदिदं तथा। न दिशो नादिशो राजन्प्रज्ञायन्तेस्म रेणुना
All this world was shrouded in darkness; neither directions nor intermediate directions could be distinguished, O king, because of dust.
प्रादुरासीन्महाञ्छब्दः खेशरीरमदृश्यत । सर्वेषु राजन्देशेषु तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
A great sound arose, and something unseen moved in the sky; in all the lands, O king, it seemed a marvel.
प्रामथ्नाद्धास्तिनपुरं वातो दक्षिणपश्चिमः । आरुजन्गणशो वृक्षान्परुषोऽशनिनिःस्वनः
A fierce wind from the southwest battered Hastinapura, breaking trees in groups, harsh as the roar of thunder.
यत्रयत्र च वार्ष्णेयो वर्तते पथि भारत । तत्रतत्र सुखो वायुः सर्वं चासीत्प्रदक्षिणम्
Wherever the son of Vṛṣṇi went along the road, O Bhārata, there the wind was pleasant, and everything turned auspiciously to the right.
ववर्ष पुष्पवर्षं च कमलानि च भूरिशः । समश्च पन्था निर्दुःखो व्यपेतकुशकण्टकः
A shower of flowers and many lotuses fell; the road was level, free from hardship, cleared of grass and thorns.
संस्तुतो ब्राह्मणैर्गीर्भिस्तत्रतत्र सहस्रशः । अर्च्यते मधुपर्कैश्च वसुभिश्च वसुप्रदः
He was praised by Brahmins with thousands of hymns in every place, and was honored with offerings of honey and curds, and with gifts of wealth, as the giver of riches.
तं किरन्ति महात्मानं वन्यैः पुष्पैः सुगन्धिभिः । स्त्रियः पथि समागम्य सर्वभूतहिते रतम्
Women, gathering along the road, showered that great-souled one, devoted to the welfare of all beings, with fragrant wild flowers.
स शालिभवनं रम्यं सर्वसस्यसमाचितम्। सुख परमधर्मिष्ठमभ्यगाद्भरतर्षभ
That foremost of the Bharatas entered a delightful village of rice-fields, abundant with all crops, supremely comfortable and righteous.
पश्यन्बहुपशून्ग्रामान्रम्यान्हृदयतोपणान्। पुराणि च व्यतिकामन्राष्ट्राणि विविधानि च
He beheld many herds of cattle, charming villages pleasing to the heart, ancient towns, and various regions as he passed through.
नित्यं हृष्टाः सुमनसो भारतैरभिरक्षिताः। नोद्विग्नाः परचक्राणां व्यसनानामकोविदाः
The people, always joyful and of good spirit, protected by the Bhāratas, were untroubled by foreign armies and skilled in avoiding misfortune.
उपप्लाव्यादथागम्य जनाः पुरनिवासिनः। यथ्यतिष्ठन्त सहिता विष्वक्सेनदिदृक्षया
Then, arriving at Upaplāvya, the townspeople gathered together, standing in order, eager to see Viṣvaksena.
ते तु सर्वे समायान्तमग्निमिद्धमिव प्रभुम् । अर्चयामासुरर्चार्हं देशातिथिमुपस्थितम्
All of them honored the arriving lord, worthy of worship, like fire kindled, as a guest come from afar.
वृकस्थलं समासाद्य केशवः परवीरहा । प्रकीर्णरश्मावादित्ये व्योम्नि वै लोहितायति
Keśava, slayer of enemy heroes, reached Vṛkasthala as the sun, with its rays scattered, reddened the sky.
ततो ह्यनुचरान्सर्वानुवाच मधुसूदनः। युधिष्ठिरस्य कार्यार्थमिह वत्स्यामहे वयम्
Then Madhusūdana addressed all his attendants: 'For Yudhiṣṭhira's purpose, we shall stay here.'
तस्य तन्मतमाज्ञाय चक्रुरावसथं नराः । क्षणेन चान्नपानानि ररावन्ति समार्जयन्
Hearing his decision, the men quickly prepared a lodging, and in a moment arranged food and drink, cleaning everything.
अवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं कृत्वा शौचं यथाविधि । रथमोचनमादिश्य सन्ध्यामुपविवेश ह
Swiftly descending from the chariot, performing purification as prescribed, and ordering the unyoking of the chariot, he sat down for the evening rites.
दारुकोऽपि हयान्मुक्त्वा परिचर्य च शास्त्रतः। मुमोच सर्वं योक्तादि मुक्त्वा चैतानवासृजत्
Dāruka too, after unharnessing the horses and attending to them according to rule, released all the harness and let them go.
तस्मिन्ग्रामे प्रधानास्तु य आसन्ब्राह्मणा नृप । आर्याः कुलीना ह्रीमन्तो ब्राह्मीं वृत्तिमनुष्ठिताः
In that village, O king, the leading Brahmins were noble, of good family, modest, and devoted to the conduct of Brahmins.
तेऽभिगम्य महात्मानं हृषीकेशमरिन्दमम्। पूजां चक्रुर्यथान्यायमाशीर्मङ्गलसंयुताम्
They approached the great-souled Hṛṣīkeśa, subduer of enemies, and performed worship as was proper, with blessings and auspicious words.
ते पूजयित्वा दाशार्हं सर्वलोकेषु पूजितम्। न्यवेदयन्त वेश्मानि गुणवन्ति महात्मने
Having honored Dāśārha, revered in all the worlds, they offered their excellent homes to the great-souled one.
तान्प्रभुः कृतमित्युक्ता सत्कृत्य च यथार्हतः । अभ्येत्य चैषां वेश्मानि पुनरायात्सहैव तैः
The lord, saying 'It is done,' honored them as was fitting, visited their homes, and then returned together with them.
सुमृष्टं भोजयित्वा च ब्राह्मणांस्तत्र केशवः । भुक्ता च सह तैः सर्वैरवसत्तां क्षपां सुखम्
Having served well-prepared food to the Brahmins there, Keśava, after eating together with them all, spent the night happily.
तदा दूतैः समाज्ञाय आयान्तं मधुसूदनम्। धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीद्भीष्ममर्चयित्वा महाभुजम्
Then, having learned from the messengers that Madhusūdana was coming, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, after honoring mighty-armed Bhīṣma, spoke to him.
द्रोणं च सञ्जयं चैव विदुरं च महामतिम् । दुर्योदनं सहामात्यं हृष्टरोमाऽब्रवीदिदम्
He also addressed Droṇa, Sañjaya, wise Vidura, and Duryodhana with his ministers, his body thrilled with joy, and spoke these words.
अद्भुतं महादाश्चर्यं श्रूयते कुरुनन्दन । स्त्रियो बालाश्च वृद्धाश्च कथयन्ति गृहेगृहे
A marvelous and astonishing thing is being spoken of, O joy of the Kurus; women, children, and the old are telling it in every house.
सत्कृत्याचक्षते चान्ये तथैवान्ये समागताः । पृथग्वादाश्च वर्तन्ते चत्वरेषु सभासु च
Some recount it with honor, others gather and speak likewise; differing opinions are heard in the squares and in the assemblies.
उपायास्यति दाशार्हः पाण्डवार्थे पराक्रमी । स नो मान्यश्च पूज्यश्च सर्वथा मधुसूदनः
The valiant Dāśārha is coming for the sake of the Pāṇḍavas; in every way, Madhusūdana is to be respected and honored by us.
तस्मिन्हि यात्रा लोकस्य भूतानामीश्वरोऽहि सः। तस्मिन्धृतिश्च वीर्यं च प्रज्ञा चौजश्च माधवे
For in him is the journey of the world, he is the lord of beings; in Mādhava are steadfastness, strength, wisdom, and vigor.
स मान्यतां नरश्रेष्ठः स हि धर्मः सनातनः । पूजितो हि सुखाय स्यादसुखः स्यादपूजितः
That best of men should be honored, for he is the eternal dharma; being honored, he brings happiness, but if not honored, brings unhappiness.