दुःशासतश्च कर्णश्च परुषाण्यभ्यभाषताम्। दुर्योधनो भीमसेनमभ्यगच्छन्मनस्विनम्
Duḥśāsana and Karṇa spoke harsh words, and Duryodhana approached the high-minded Bhimasena.
पश्यतां कुरुमुख्यानां तस्य द्रक्ष्यति यत्फलम् । न हि वैरं समासाद्य प्रशाम्यति वृकोदरः
In the presence of the foremost Kurus, he will see the result of his actions; for Vrikodara does not let enmity subside once it has arisen.
सुचिरादपि भीमस्य न हि वैरं प्रशाम्यति। यावदन्तं न नयति शात्रवाञ्चत्रुकर्शनः
Even after a long time, Bhima's enmity does not fade, until he brings his enemies to their end, he who is the tormentor of foes.
न दुःखं राज्यहरणं न च द्यूते पराजयः । प्रव्राजनं तु पुत्राणां न मे तद्दुःखकारणम्
The loss of the kingdom is not sorrowful, nor is defeat at dice; the exile of my sons is not the cause of my grief.
यत्तु सा बृहती श्यामा एकवस्त्रा सभां गता। अशृणोत्परुषा वाचः किं नु दुःखतरं ततः
But when that noble, dark-complexioned lady, clad in a single garment, entered the assembly and heard harsh words—what could be more painful than that?
स्त्रीधर्मिणी वरारोहा क्षत्रधर्मरता सदा। नाभ्यगच्छत्तदा नाथं कृष्णा नाथवती सती
That high-hipped woman, ever devoted to the warrior's duty, though a true wife, did not find a protector then—Krishna, who deserved a guardian.
यस्या मम सपुत्रायास्त्वं नाथो मधुसूदन । रामश्च बलिनां श्रेष्ठः प्रद्युम्नश्च महारथः
For her, for me, and for my sons, you are the protector, O Madhusudana, as is Rama, best of the strong, and Pradyumna, the great chariot-warrior.
साऽहमेवंविधं दुःखं सहेयं पुरुषोत्तम । भीमे जीवति दुर्धर्षे विजये चापलायिनि
Such suffering as this, O best of men, I could endure, while Bhima, the unconquerable, lives, and Vijaya does not turn away.
तत आश्वासयामास पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुताम्। पितृष्वसारं शोचन्तीं शौरिः पार्थसखः पृथाम्
Then Krishna, friend of the Parthas, comforted Kunti, who was overwhelmed by sorrow for her sons and grieving for her sister.
का नु सीमन्तिनी त्वादृग्लोकेष्वस्ति पितृष्वसः । शूरस्य राज्ञो दुहिता आजमीढकुलं गता
What other noble lady like you exists in the world, O father's sister—daughter of a heroic king, who entered the line of Ajamidha?
महाकुलीना भवती ह्रदाद्ध्रदमिवागता। ईश्वरी सर्वकल्याणी भर्त्रा परमपूजिता
You are of noble lineage, as if arisen from one deep pool to another; a sovereign, auspicious in every way, honored supremely by your husband.
वीरसूर्वीरपत्नी त्वं सर्वैः समुदिता गुणैः । मुखदुःखे महाप्राज्ञे त्वादृशी सोढुमर्हति
You, the mother of heroes, wife of a hero, endowed with every virtue, O wise one, are fit to endure such sorrow of heart.
निद्रातन्द्रे क्रोधहर्षौ क्षुत्पिपासे हिमातपौ। एतानि पार्था निर्जित्य नित्यं वीरसुखे रताः
The sons of Pāṇḍu, always delighting in the happiness of heroes, have conquered sleep and drowsiness, anger and joy, hunger and thirst, cold and heat.
त्यक्तग्राम्यसुखाः पार्था नित्यं वीरसुखप्रियाः । न तु स्वल्पेन तुष्येयुर्महोत्साहा महाबलाः
The Pāṇḍavas, having abandoned worldly pleasures, ever cherish the joy of heroes; they, mighty and energetic, would not be satisfied with little.
अन्तं धीरा निषेवन्ते मध्यं ग्राम्यसुखप्रियाः । उत्तमांश्च परिक्लेशान्भोगांश्चातीव मानुषान्
The steadfast pursue the end; those attached to ordinary pleasures remain in the middle; but the best endure great hardships and enjoyments beyond the human.
अन्तेषु रेमिरे धीरा न ते मध्येषु रेमिरे । अन्तप्राप्तिं सुखं प्राहुर्दुःखमन्तरमन्तयोः
The steadfast rejoice at the end, not in the middle; they say happiness is found at the end, and sorrow lies between the two ends.
अभिवादयन्ति भवतीं पाण्डवाः सह कृष्णया । आत्मानं ते कुशलिनं निवेद्याहुरनामयम्
The Pāṇḍavas, along with Kṛṣṇā, send you their respectful greetings, declaring themselves well and free from illness.
अरोगान्सर्वसिद्धार्थान्क्षिप्रं द्रक्ष्यसि पाण्डवान् । ईश्वरान्सर्वलोकस्य हतामित्राञ्श्रिया वृतान्
You will soon see the Pāṇḍavas, healthy and having attained all their aims, lords of all the world, their enemies slain, adorned with prosperity.
एवमाश्वासिता कुन्ती प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम् । पुत्राधिभिरभिध्वस्ता निगृह्याबुद्धिजं तमः
Thus comforted, Kuntī replied to Janārdana, restraining the darkness born of confusion, though afflicted by sorrow for her sons.
यद्यत्तेषां महाबाहो पथ्यं स्यान्मधुसूदन। यथायथा त्वं मन्येथाः कुर्याः कृष्ण तथातथा
If, O mighty-armed Mādhava, what you propose is beneficial for them, then do as you think best, O Kṛṣṇa.
अविलोपेन धर्मस्य अनिकृत्या परन्तप। प्रभावज्ञाऽस्मि ते कृष्ण सत्यस्याभिजनस्य च
Without violating righteousness, without harming anyone, O scorcher of foes, I know your power, Kṛṣṇa, and the truth of your noble birth.
व्यवस्थायां च मित्रेषु बुद्धिविक्रमयोस्तथा। त्वमेव नः कुले धर्मस्त्वं सत्यं त्वं तपो महत्
In the matter of friends, in wisdom and valor as well, you alone are righteousness in our line, you are truth, you are great austerity.
त्वं त्राता त्वं महद्ब्रह्म त्वयि सर्वं प्रतिष्ठितम्। यथैवात्थ तथैवैतत्त्वयि सत्यं भविष्यति
You are the protector, you are the great Brahman; in you all is established. As you have said, so it will be; in you, truth will be fulfilled.
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च लोकानां चापराजित । सर्वस्यैतस्य वार्ष्णेय गतिस्त्वमसि माधव। प्रभावो बुद्धिवीर्यं च तादृशं तव केशव
Among the Kurus, the Pāṇḍavas, and all peoples, O unconquered one, you are the refuge of all this, O Mādhava; such is your power, wisdom, and might, O Keśava.
तामामन्त्र्य च गोविन्दः कृत्वा चाभिप्रदक्षिणम्। प्रातिष्ठत महाबाहुर्दुर्योधनगृहान्प्रति
Having thus addressed her and circumambulated, Govinda, mighty-armed, set out toward Duryodhana’s residence.
पृथामामन्त्र्य गोविन्दः कृत्वा चाभिप्रदक्षिणम् । दुर्योधनगृहं शौरिरभ्यगच्छदरिन्दमः
Having taken leave of Pṛthā and circumambulated her, Govinda, the descendant of Śūra and subduer of foes, approached Duryodhana’s house.
लक्ष्म्या परमया युक्तं पुरन्दरगृहोपमम् । विचित्रैरासनैर्युक्तं प्रविवेश जनार्दनः
Janārdana entered the house, endowed with supreme splendor, resembling the mansion of Indra, furnished with various seats.
तस्य कक्ष्या व्यतिक्रम्य तिस्रो द्वाःस्थैरवारितः । ततोऽभ्रघनसङ्काशं गिरिकूटमिवोच्छ्रितम्
Passing through its chambers, he was stopped at three doors by the doorkeepers; then he saw one resembling a mass of clouds, towering like a mountain peak.
श्रिया ज्वलन्तं प्रासादमारुरोह महायशाः । तत्र राजसहस्रैश्च कुरुभिश्चाभिसंवृतम्
The illustrious one ascended the palace, blazing with splendor, where he was surrounded by thousands of kings and Kurus.
धार्तराष्ट्रं महाबाहुं ददर्शासीनमासने । दुःशासनं च कर्णं च शकुनिं चापि सौबलम्
There he saw the mighty-armed son of Dhritarashtra seated on his throne, along with Duhshasana, Karna, and Shakuni, the son of Subala.