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.
तस्य कीर्तिमतस्तेन भास्वरेण विराजता । शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठः पतगेन्द्रेण केतुना
By that illustrious and radiant banner, the foremost of chariots was adorned, shining with the king of birds as its standard.
रश्मिजालैः पताकाभिः सौवर्णेन च केतुना । बभूव स रथश्रेष्ठः कालसूर्य इवोदितः
With its rays, pennants, and golden banner, that best of chariots appeared like the sun at the end of time rising up.
पक्षिध्वजवितानैश्च रुक्मजालकृताङ्गणैः । दण्डमार्गविभागैश्च सुकृतैर्विश्वकर्मणा
With bird-emblazoned canopies, floors inlaid with golden latticework, and skillfully crafted divisions of the pole and yoke by Vishvakarman,
प्रवालमणिशोभैश्च मुक्तावैडूर्यशोभनैः । किङ्किणीशतसङ्घैश्च वालजालकृतान्तरैः
With coral and gem adornments, pearls and cat's-eye stones, hundreds of tinkling bells, and inner panels woven with hair,
कार्तस्वरमयीभिश्च पद्मिनीभिरलङ्कृतः। शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठस्तापनीयैश्च पादपैः
Adorned with golden lotuses and trees of refined gold, that foremost of chariots shone brilliantly.
व्याघ्रसिंहवराहैश्च गोभिश्च मृगपक्षिभिः । ताराभिर्भास्करैश्चापि वारणैश्च हिरण्मयैः
With tigers, lions, boars, cows, deer, birds, stars, suns, and golden elephants depicted,
वज्राङ्कुशविमानैश्च कूबरावृत्तसन्धिषु । समुच्छ्रितमहानाभिः स्तनयित्नुमहास्वनः
With vimanas bearing thunderbolt-hooks at the joints of the axle, with a great and lofty nave, and a thunderous, resounding roar,
ततो रथेन शुभ्रेण महता किङ्किणीकिना । हयोत्तमयुजा शीघ्रमुपातिष्ठत दारुकः
Then Daruka approached swiftly with that splendid, great chariot, decked with bells and yoked to excellent horses.
तमुपस्थितमाज्ञाय रथं दिव्यं महामनाः । महाभ्रघननिर्घोषं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
Recognizing that divine chariot, resounding like a mass of great clouds and adorned with every jewel, the high-minded one prepared himself.
अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणांश्च जनार्दनः। कौस्तुभं मणिमाबध्य श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्
Having circumambulated the fire and the Brahmanas, Janardana, blazing with supreme glory, fastened the Kaustubha gem upon himself.