तं भुक्तवन्तं विविधाः सुशब्दाः सूतमागधाः । अभितुष्टुवुरासीनं दाशार्हमपराजितम्
When he had eaten, the bards and minstrels praised the undefeated descendant of Dasharha, who was seated there, with many melodious songs.
तं भुक्तवन्तमाश्वस्तं निशायां विदुरोऽब्रवीत्। नेदं सम्यग्व्यवसितं केशवागमनं तव
When he had eaten and was at ease, Vidura spoke to him at night: 'Your coming here, Keshava, has not been properly resolved.'
अर्थधर्मातिगो मन्दः संरम्भी च जनार्दन । मानघ्नो मानकामश्च वृद्धानां शासनातिगः
'The slow-witted son of Dhritarashtra, O Janardana, disregards both profit and righteousness, is quick to anger, destroys respect, craves honor, and ignores the commands of elders.'
धर्मशास्त्रातिगो मूढो दुरात्मा प्रग्रहं गतः । अनेयः श्रेयसां मन्दो धार्तराष्ट्रो जनार्दन
'He is deluded, wicked, transgresses the law, is stubborn, and cannot be led to what is good, O Janardana; the son of Dhritarashtra is slow to attain welfare.'
कामात्मा प्राज्ञमानी च मित्रध्रुक्सर्वशङ्किता । अकर्ता चाकृतज्ञश्च त्यक्तधर्मा प्रियानृतः
'He is ruled by desire, thinks himself wise, distrusts friends, suspects everyone, does nothing, is ungrateful, has abandoned righteousness, and delights in falsehood.'
मूढश्वाकृतबुद्धिश्च इन्द्रियाणामनीश्वरः। कामानुसारी कृत्येषु सर्वेष्वकृतनिश्चयः
'He is foolish, of unsteady mind, lacks control over his senses, follows his desires, and is undecided in all actions.'
एतैश्चान्यैश्च बहुभिर्दोषैरेव समन्वितः । त्वयोच्यमानः श्रेयोऽपि संरम्भान्न ग्रहीष्यति
'Endowed with these and many other faults, even if you speak of what is best, he will not accept it due to his anger.'
भीष्मे द्रोणे कृपे कर्णे द्रोणपुत्रे जयद्रथे। भूयसीं वर्तते वृत्तिं न शमे कुरुते मनः
'With Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Karna, Drona’s son, and Jayadratha, his support is great, and he does not incline his mind toward peace.'
निश्चितं धार्तराष्ट्राणां सकर्णानां जनार्दन । भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्पार्था न शक्ताः प्रतिवीक्षितुम्
'It is certain, O Janardana, that the sons of Dhritarashtra, with Karna, cannot be faced by the sons of Pritha when Bhishma and Drona are at their head.'
सेनासमुदयं कृत्वा पार्थिवं मधुसूदन। कृतार्थं मन्यते बाल आत्मानमविचक्षणाः
'Having assembled a royal army, O Madhusudana, the foolish son of Dhritarashtra considers himself accomplished, though lacking discernment.'
एकः कर्णः पराञ्जेतुं समर्थ इति निश्चितम् । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेः स शमं नोपयास्यति
'He is convinced that Karna alone is able to defeat his enemies; because of the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra, there will be no peace.'
संविच्च धार्तराष्ट्राणां सर्वेषामेव केशव । शमे प्रयतमानस्य तव सौभ्रात्रकाङ्क्षिणः
'Knowing the minds of all the sons of Dhritarashtra, O Keshava, you strive for peace out of brotherly affection.'
न पाण्डवानामस्माभिः प्रतिदेयं यथोचितम् । इति व्यवसितास्तेषु वचनं स्यान्निरर्थकम्
We cannot properly return anything to the Pandavas; thus, among them, your words would be meaningless.
यत्र सूक्तं दुरुक्तं च समं स्यान्मधुसूदन । न तत्र प्रलपेत्प्राज्ञो बधिरेष्विव गायनः
Where good speech and harsh speech are treated alike, O Madhusudana, the wise should not speak, like a singer among the deaf.
अविजानत्सु मूढेषु निर्मर्यादेषु माधव । तत्त्वं वाक्यं ब्रुवन्निन्द्यश्चण्डालेषु द्विजो यथा
Among those ignorant, foolish, and without restraint, O Madhava, speaking truth is blameworthy, like a Brahmin among outcasts.
सोऽयं बलस्थो मूढश्चन करिष्यति ते वचः । तस्मिन्निरर्थकं वाक्यमुक्तं संपत्स्यते तव
This one, strong and foolish, will not act on your words; whatever you say to him will prove fruitless.
तेषां समुपविष्टानां सर्वेषां पापचेतसाम् । तव मध्यावतरणं मम कृष्ण न रोचते
Among all those assembled, whose minds are evil, O Krishna, I do not approve of your entering their midst.
दुर्बुद्धीनामशिष्टानां बहूनां दुष्टचेतसाम् । प्रतीपं वचनं मध्ये तव कृष्ण न रोचते
Among many who are ill-intentioned, undisciplined, and wicked-minded, O Krishna, I do not approve of your opposing words in their midst.
अनुपासितवृद्धत्वाच्छ्रियो दर्पाच्च मोहितः । वयोदर्पादमर्षाच्च न ते श्रेयो ग्रहीष्यति
Unacquainted with elders, deluded by wealth and pride, intoxicated by youth and anger, he will not accept what is good for him.
बलं बलवदप्यस्य यदि वक्ष्यसि माधव । त्वय्यस्य महती शङ्का न करिष्यति ते वचः
Even if you speak of his strength, O Madhava, he will have great suspicion toward you and will not act on your words.
नेदमद्य युधा शक्यमिन्द्रेणापि सहामरैः । इति व्यवसिताः सर्वे धार्तराष्ट्रा जनार्दन
Today, not even Indra with the gods could win by battle; all the sons of Dhritarashtra are resolved thus, O Janardana.
तेष्वेवमुपपन्नेषु कामक्रोधानुवर्तिषु । समर्थमपि ते वाक्यमसमर्थं भविष्यति
Among those who follow desire and anger, even your capable words will become ineffective.
मध्ये तिष्ठन्हस्त्यनीकस्य मन्दो रथाश्वयुक्तस्य बलस्य मूढः। दुर्योधनो मन्यते बीतभीतिः कृत्स्ना मयेयं पृथिवी जितेति
Standing in the midst of the elephant army, dull-minded, with chariots and horses, Duryodhana, fearful yet pretending courage, thinks the whole earth has been conquered by him.
आशंसते वै धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रो महाराज्यमसपत्नं पृथिव्याम्। तस्मिञ्शमः केवलो नोपलभ्यो बद्धं सन्तं मन्यते लब्धमर्थम्
Dhritarashtra’s son hopes for a great, unrivaled kingdom on earth; in him, pure peace cannot be found, and he thinks what is bound is gained.
पर्यस्तेयं पृथिवी कालपक्वा दुर्योधनार्थे पाण्डवान्योद्धुकामाः । समागताः सर्वयोधाः पृथिव्यां राजानश्च क्षितिपालैः समेताः
This earth is surrounded, ripe with time; for Duryodhana’s sake, the Pandavas wish for battle. All warriors have gathered on earth, and kings have assembled with their protectors.
सर्वे चैते कृतवैराः पुरस्ता- त्त्वया राजानो हृतसाराश्च कृष्ण । तवोद्वेगात्संश्रिता धार्तराष्ट्रा- न्सुसंहताः सह कर्णेन वीराः
All these kings, previously made hostile by you, O Krishna, have lost their strength; out of fear of you, the sons of Dhritarashtra have gathered together with Karna and the heroes.
न तन्मतं मम दाशार्हवीर
That is not my opinion, O heroic descendant of Dasharha.
तेषां समुपविष्टानां बहूनां दुष्टचेतसाम्। कथं मध्यं प्रपद्येथाः शत्रूणां शत्रुकर्शन
Among those many assembled with evil minds, how could you enter the midst of enemies, O destroyer of foes?
सर्वथा त्वं महाबाहो देवैरपि दुरुत्सहः । प्रभावं पौरुषं बुद्धिं जानामि तव शत्रुहन्
In every way, O mighty-armed, you are hard to overcome even for the gods; I know your power, valor, and wisdom, O slayer of enemies.
या मे प्रीतिः पाण्डवेषु भूयःक सा त्वयि माधव । प्रेम्णा च बहुमानाच्च सौहृदाच्च ब्रवीम्यहम्
The affection I have for the Pandavas is even greater for you, O Madhava; out of love, respect, and friendship, I speak thus.