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.
अथ दुर्योधनः कृष्मं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। सन्ध्यां तिष्ठन्तमभ्येत्य दाशार्हमपराजितम्
Then Duryodhana and the son of Subala, Shakuni, approached the unconquered Dasharha as he stood at dawn.
आचक्षेतां तु कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रं सभागतम्। कुरूश्च भीष्मप्रमुखान्राज्ञः सर्वांश्च पार्थिवान्
They informed Krishna of Dhritarashtra, who was accompanied by his assembly, and of the Kurus headed by Bhishma, as well as all the kings.
त्वामर्थयन्ते गोविन्द दिवि शक्रमिवामराः । तावभ्यनन्दद्गोविन्दः साम्ना परमवल्गुना
O Govinda, the gods in heaven seek you as they seek Indra; Govinda graciously accepted them with utmost gentleness.
ततो विमल आदित्ये ब्राह्मणेभ्यो जनार्दनः। ददौ हिरण्यं वासांसि गाश्चाश्चांश्च परन्तपः
Then, when the spotless sun had risen, Janardana, scorcher of foes, gave gold, garments, cows, and food to the Brahmins.
विसृष्टवन्तं रत्नानि दाशार्हमपराजितम्। तिष्ठन्तमुपसङ्गम्य ववन्दे सारथिस्तदा
When the unconquered Dasharha had distributed jewels and was standing, the charioteer approached and bowed to him.
तस्मै रथवरो युक्तः शुशुभे लोकविश्रुतः । वाजिभिः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः
For him, a splendid chariot was made ready, renowned throughout the worlds, yoked with horses named Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka.
शैब्यस्तु शुकपत्राभः सुग्रीवः किंशुकप्रभः । मेघपुष्पो मेघवर्णः पाण्डरस्तु बलाहकः
Shaibya was like a parrot's feather in hue, Sugriva shone with the brilliance of a kimshuka flower, Meghapushpa was cloud-colored, and Balahaka was pale as a white cloud.
दक्षिणं चावहच्छैब्यः सुग्रीवः सव्यतोऽवहत्। पृष्ठवाहौ रथस्यास्तां मेघपुष्पबलाहकौ
Shaibya drew the chariot on the right, Sugriva on the left; Meghapushpa and Balahaka were yoked at the rear of the chariot.
विश्वकर्मकृताऽऽपीडा रत्नजालविभूषिता । आश्रिता वै रथे तस्मिन्ध्वजयष्टिरशोभत
The yoke, crafted by Vishvakarman and adorned with a network of jewels, was set upon that chariot, and the banner-staff shone resplendently.
वैनतेयः स्थितस्तस्यां प्रभाकरमिव स्पृशन्। तस्य सत्ववतः केतौ भुजगारिरशोभत
Upon that banner stood Garuda, as if touching the sun, and on the banner of that mighty one, the enemy of serpents shone brilliantly.