या मे प्रीतिः पुष्कराक्ष त्वद्दर्शनसमुद्भवा। सा किमाख्यायते तुभ्यमन्तरात्माऽसि देहिनां
O lotus-eyed one, the affection that has arisen in me from seeing you—why should I speak of it to you? You are the inner soul of all embodied beings.
विदुरस्य वचः श्रुत्वा प्रश्रितं पुरुषोत्तमः । इदं होवाच वचनं मधुरं मधुसूदनः
Having heard Vidura’s courteous words, the supreme among men, Madhusudana, spoke these sweet words.
यथा व्रूयान्महाप्राज्ञो यथा ब्रूयाद्विचक्षणः। सथा वाच्यस्त्वद्विधेन भवता मद्विधः सुहृत्
As a wise and discerning person would speak, so should a friend like you address a friend like me.
धर्मार्थयुक्तं तथ्यं च यथा त्वय्युपपद्यते। तथा वचनमुक्तोऽस्ति त्वयैतत्पितृमातृवत्
Words that are true and aligned with righteousness and purpose, as you have spoken to me, are as fitting as those from a father or mother.
सत्यं प्राप्तं च युक्तं वाऽप्येवमेव यथाऽऽत्थ माम्। श्रृणुष्वागमने हेतुं विदुरावहितो मम
What you have said is true and proper, just as you have addressed me. Listen now with attention, Vidura, to the reason for my coming.
दौरात्म्यं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य क्षत्रियाणां च वैरिताम्। सर्वमेतदहं जानन्क्षत्तः प्राप्तोऽद्य कौरवान्
Knowing well the wickedness of Dhritarashtra’s sons and the enmity among the Kshatriyas, I have come today, O Kshatta, to the Kauravas.
पर्यस्तां पृथिवीं सर्वां साश्वां सरथकुञ्जराम् । यो मोचयेन्मृत्युपाशात्प्राप्नुयाद्धर्ममुत्तमम्
Whoever can rescue the whole earth, with its horses, chariots, and elephants, from the noose of death, attains the highest righteousness.
धर्मकार्यं यतञ्शक्त्या नो चेत्प्राप्नोति मानवः । प्राप्तो भवति तत्पुण्यमत्र मे नास्ति संशयः
If a person strives to the best of their ability for a righteous cause but does not succeed, they still gain merit; of this I have no doubt.
मनसा चिन्तयन्पापं कर्मणा नातिरोचयन्। न प्राप्नोति फलं तस्येत्येवं धर्मविदो विदुः
One who contemplates evil in mind but does not act upon it does not reap its fruit; thus the knowers of dharma declare.
सोऽहं यतिष्ये प्रशमं क्षत्तः कर्तुममायया। कुरूणां सृञ्जयानां च सङ्ग्राने विनशिष्यताम्
Therefore, O Kshatta, I will strive sincerely to bring peace between the Kurus and the Sṛñjayas, so that they may not perish in battle.
सेयमापन्महाघोरा कुरुष्वेव समुत्थिता । कर्णदुर्योधनकृता सर्वे ह्येते तदन्वयाः
This terrible calamity has arisen among the Kurus, caused by Karna and Duryodhana; all these others follow their lead.
व्यसने क्लिश्यमानं हि यो मित्रं नाभिपद्यते । अनुनीय यथाशक्ति तं नृशंसं विदुर्बुधाः
One who does not approach a friend suffering in adversity, even after persuading him as much as possible, is considered cruel by the wise.
आकेशग्रहणान्मित्रमकार्यात्संनिवर्तयन्। अवाच्यः कस्यचिद्भवति कृतयत्नो यथाबलम्
If, after making every effort to restrain a friend from improper actions, even to the point of seizing him by the hair, one fails, he is not blamed by anyone.
तत्समर्थं शुभं वाक्यं धर्मार्थसहितं हितम्। धार्तराष्ट्रः सहामात्यो ग्रहीतुं विदुरार्हति
The auspicious and capable words, accompanied by righteousness and benefit, which you have spoken, Vidura, are fit for Dhritarashtra and his ministers to accept.
हितं हि धार्तराष्ट्राणां पाण्डवानां तथैव च । पृथिव्यां क्षत्रियाणां च यतिष्येऽहममायया
Indeed, I will strive sincerely for the welfare of the Dhritarashtras, the Pandavas, and the Kshatriyas of the earth.
हिते प्रयतमानं मां शङ्केद्दुर्योधनो यदि। हृदयस्य च मे प्रीतिरानृण्यं च भविष्यति
If Duryodhana suspects me, though I am striving for his welfare, my heart will remain satisfied and free from debt.
ज्ञातीनां हि मिथो भेदे यन्मित्रं नाभिपद्यते । सर्वयत्नेन माध्यस्थ्यं न तन्मित्रं विदुर्बुधाः
When relatives are divided and a friend does not intervene with all effort, but remains neutral, the wise do not regard him as a true friend.
न मां ब्रूयुरधर्मिष्ठा मूढा ह्यसुहृदस्तथा । शक्तो नावारयत्कृष्णः संरब्धान्कुरुपाण्डवान्
Let not the unrighteous, foolish, or ill-disposed say of me: 'Krishna was unable to restrain the enraged Kurus and Pandavas.'
उभयोः साधयन्नर्थमहामागत इत्युत । तत्र यत्नमहं कृत्वा गच्छेयं नृष्ववाच्यताम्
If I succeed in accomplishing the purpose of both sides in this great matter, then, having made every effort, I would attain honor among men.
मम धर्मार्थयुक्तं हि श्रुत्वा वाक्यमनामयम्। न चेदादास्यते बालो दिष्टस्य वशमेष्यति
If, after hearing my words, which are righteous and beneficial, the young prince does not accept them, he will fall under the sway of destiny.
अहापयन्पाण्डवार्थं यथाव- च्छमं कुरूणां यदि चाचरेयम्। पुण्यं च मे स्याच्चरितं महात्म- न्मुच्येरंश्च कुरवो मृत्युपाशात्
If, to the best of my ability, I strive for the Pandavas’ cause and act for the peace of the Kurus, then I would earn merit, and the great Kurus would be freed from the noose of death.
अपि वाचं भाषमाणस्य काव्यां धर्मरामामर्थवतीमहिंस्राम्। अवेक्षेरन्धार्तराष्ट्राः शमार्थं मां च प्राप्तं कुरवः पूजयेयुः
If the sons of Dhritarashtra consider my speech, which is poetic, righteous, meaningful, and nonviolent, for the sake of peace, then the Kurus would honor me upon my arrival.
न चापि मम पर्याप्ताः सहिताः सर्वपार्थिवाः। क्रुद्धस्य प्रमुखे स्थातुं सिंहस्येवेतरे मृगाः
Nor could all the assembled kings together withstand me when I am angry, just as other beasts cannot stand before a lion.
इत्येवमुक्त्वा वचनं वृष्णीनामृषभस्तदा। शयने सुखसंस्पर्शे शिश्ये यदुसुखावहः
Having spoken thus to the Vrishnis, the mighty bull among them lay down on a comfortable bed, bringing happiness to the Yadus.
तथा कथयतोरेव तयोर्बुद्धिमतोस्तदा। शिवा नक्षत्रसंपन्ना सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी
While those two wise ones were conversing, the night, blessed with auspicious stars, passed away.
धर्मार्थकामयुक्ताश्च विचित्रार्थपदाक्षराः। शृण्वतो विविधा वाचो विदुरस्य महात्मनः
The noble Vidura listened to various words, rich in righteousness, wealth, and desire, and adorned with diverse meanings and expressions.
कथाभिरनुरूपाभी रक्तस्यामिततेजसः । अकामस्यैव कृष्णस्य सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी
The night passed with fitting stories for Krishna, who was uninterested yet possessed immeasurable energy.
ततस्तु स्वरसंपन्ना बहवः सूतमागधाः ।। शङ्खदुन्दुमिनिर्घोषैः केशवं प्रत्यबोधयन्
Then, many bards and Magadha singers, skilled in their art, awakened Kesava with the sounds of conch shells and drums.
तत उत्थाय दाशार्हऋषभः सर्वसात्वताम् । सर्वमावश्यकं चक्रे प्रातः कार्यं जनार्दनः
Rising, Janardana, the foremost among the Dasharhas and all the Satvatas, performed all the necessary morning duties.
कृतोदकानुजप्यः स हुताग्निः समलङ्कृतः। ततश्चादित्यमुद्यन्तमुपातिष्ठत माधवः
Having performed ablutions, recited prayers, offered fire, and adorned himself, Madhava then worshipped the rising sun.