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.
दुर्योधनसमीपे तानासनस्थान्ददर्श सः। अभ्यागच्छति दाशार्हे धार्तराष्ट्रो महायशाः
He saw them seated near Duryodhana as the descendant of Dasharha approached, and the renowned son of Dhritarashtra came forward.
उदतिष्ठत्सहामात्यः पूजयन्मधुसूदनम् । समेत्य धार्तराष्ट्रेण महामात्येन केशवः
With his ministers, Duryodhana rose, honoring Madhusudana; and having met with the son of Dhritarashtra and his chief minister, Keshava—
राजभिस्तत्र वार्ष्णेयः समागच्छद्यथावयः । तत्र जाम्बूनदमयं पर्यङ्कं सुपरिष्कृतम्
There, the descendant of Vrishni was received by the kings according to their rank; and a splendid golden couch, well adorned, was prepared there.
विविधास्तरणास्तीर्णमभ्युपाविशदच्युतः । तस्मिन्गां मधुपर्कं चाप्युदकं च जनार्दने
Achyuta sat upon it, which was spread with various coverings; and for Janardana, honeyed beverage and water were offered.
निवेदयामास तदा गृहान्राज्यं च कौरवः । ` आसनं सर्वतोभद्रं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
Then the Kaurava presented to him gifts from the house and the kingdom: a seat auspicious on all sides, adorned with every kind of jewel.
कृष्णार्थमेवं संसिद्धं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य शासनात्।' तत्र गोविन्दमासीनं प्रसन्नादित्यवर्चसम्
All this was arranged for Krishna by the command of the son of Dhritarashtra; and there Govinda sat, radiant as the clear sun.
उपासाञ्चक्रिरे सर्वे कुरवो राजभिः सह। ततो दुर्योधनो राजा वार्ष्णेयं जयतां वरम्
All the Kurus, together with the kings, attended upon him as he sat there.
न्यमन्त्रयद्भोजनेन नाभ्यनन्दच्च केशवः । ततो दुर्योधनः कृष्णमब्रवीत्कुरुसंसदि
Then King Duryodhana invited the best of the Vrishnis to dine, but Keshava did not accept; and Duryodhana spoke to Krishna in the Kuru assembly.
मृदुपूर्वं शठोदर्कं कर्णमाभाष्य कौरवः । कस्मादन्नानि पापानि वासांसि शयनानि च
Addressing Karna, the Kaurava spoke gently, yet with hidden intent: 'Why, Janardana, do you not accept the food, garments, and beds brought for your sake?
त्वदर्थमुपनीतानि नाग्रहीस्त्वं जनार्दन । उभयोश्च ददत्साह्यमुभयोश्च हिते रतः
You have not accepted what was brought for you, Janardana, though you support both sides and are devoted to the welfare of both.
संबन्धी दयितश्चासि धृतराष्ट्रस्य माधव । त्वं हि गोविन्द धर्मार्थौ वेत्थ तत्त्वेन सर्वशः । तत्र कारणमिच्छामि श्रोतुं चक्रगदाधर
You are both a relative and dear to Dhritarashtra, O Madhava; truly, Govinda, you know righteousness and wealth in their entirety. Therefore, O wielder of the discus and mace, I wish to hear the reason from you.
स एवमुक्तो गोविन्दः प्रत्युवाच महामनाः । उद्यन्मेघस्वनःक काले प्रगृह्य विपुलं भुजम्
Thus addressed, Govinda, great of mind, replied—his voice resounding like thunder at the rising of clouds, grasping his mighty arm.
अलघूकृतमग्रस्तमनिरस्तमसंकुलम् । राजीवनेत्रो राजानं हेतुमद्वाक्यमुत्तमम्
With eyes like lotuses, he spoke to the king words that were weighty, clear, and unconfused, neither trivial nor obscure, and filled with reason.
कृतार्था भुञ्जते दूताः पूजां गृह्णन्ति चैव ह। कृतर्थं मां सहामात्यं समर्चिष्यसि भारत
'Messengers who have accomplished their purpose accept hospitality and gifts; O Bharata, you will honor me and my companions when my mission is fulfilled.'
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच धार्तराष्ट्रो जनार्दनम् । न युक्तं भवताऽस्मासु प्रतिपत्तुमसांप्तम्
Thus addressed, the son of Dhritarashtra replied to Janardana: 'It is not proper for you to treat us as if your mission is incomplete.'
कृतार्थं वाऽकृतार्थं वा त्वां वयं मधुसूदन। यतामहे पूजयितुं दाशार्ह न च शक्नुमः
'Whether your mission is accomplished or not, O Madhusudana, we strive to honor you, O Dasharha, but we are unable to do so.'
न च तत्कारणं विद्मो यस्मान्नो मधुसूदन । पूजां कृतां प्रीयमाणो नामंस्थाः पुरुषोत्तम
Nor do we know the reason, O Madhusudana, why, though pleased with the worship offered, you, O Supreme Person, did not remain.
वैरं नो नास्ति भवता गोविन्द न च विग्रहः । स भवान्प्रसमीक्ष्यैतन्नेदृशं वक्तुमर्हति
We bear no enmity or conflict with you, Govinda; therefore, you should consider this matter and speak accordingly.
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच धार्तराष्ट्रं जनार्दनः। अभिवीक्ष्य सहामात्यं दाशार्हः प्रहसन्निव
Thus addressed, Janardana looked upon the son of Dhritarashtra and his counselors, and the Dasharha, as if smiling, replied.
नाहं कामान्न संरम्भान्न द्वेषान्नार्थकारणात् । न हेतुवादाल्लोभाद्वा धर्मं जह्यां कथंचन
I would never abandon righteousness for desire, anger, hatred, profit, argument, or greed—under any circumstances.