अथ दुर्योधं राजा धृतराष्ट्रोऽभ्यभाषत। आसीनं भ्रातृभिः सार्धं राजभिः परिवारितम्
Then King Dhritarashtra spoke to Duryodhana, who was seated with his brothers, surrounded by kings.
दुर्योधन निबोधेदं शौरिणोक्तं महात्मना । आदत्स्व शिवमत्यन्तं योगक्षेमवदव्ययम्
Duryodhana, listen to what was spoken by the great-souled Shouri; take up what is supremely auspicious, secure, and imperishable.
अनेन हि सहायेन कृष्णेनाक्लिष्टकर्मणा । इष्टान्सर्वानभिप्रायान्प्राप्स्यामः सर्वराजसु
With this ally, Krishna, whose deeds are untainted, we shall attain all our desired aims among all the kings.
सुसंहतः केशवेन तात गच्छ युधिष्ठिरम् । चर स्वस्त्ययनं कृत्स्नं भरतानामनामयम्
United with Keśava, go to Yudhishthira, son; ensure the complete welfare and safety of the Bharatas.
वासुदेवेन तीर्थेन तात गच्छस्व संशमम् । कालप्राप्तमिदं मन्ये मा त्वं दुर्योधनातिगाः
Dear one, go to peace through the pilgrimage of Vāsudeva; I believe the time has come—do not transgress beyond Duryodhana.
शमं चेद्याचमानं त्वं प्रत्याख्यास्यसि केशवम् । त्वदर्थमभिजल्पन्तं न तवास्त्यपराभवः
If you refuse Keśava when he asks for peace, while he speaks on your behalf, you will not suffer defeat.
धृतराष्ट्रवचः श्रुत्वा भीष्मद्रोणौ समव्यथौ। दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्यमूचतुः शासनातिगम्
Hearing Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s words, Bhīṣma and Droṇa were equally troubled; by his command, they spoke these words to Duryodhana.
यावत्कृष्णावसन्नद्धौ यावत्तिष्ठति गाण्डिवम् । यावद्धौम्यो न मेधाग्नौ जुहोतीह द्विषद्बलम्
As long as Kṛṣṇa is bound to them, as long as the bow Gāṇḍīva stands, as long as Dhaumya offers oblations in the sacrificial fire, let the hostilities against the enemy’s army cease.
यावन्न प्रेक्षते क्रूद्धः सेनां तव युधिष्ठिरः। ह्रीनिषेवो महेष्वासस्तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as Yudhiṣṭhira, the great archer, does not angrily gaze upon your army in battle, let the violence be restrained.
यावन्न दृश्यते पार्थः स्वेऽप्यनीके व्यवस्थितः। भीमसेनो महेष्वासस्तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as Pārtha is not seen standing in his own division, as long as Bhīmasena, the mighty archer, is not present, let the violence be restrained.
यावन्न चरते मार्गान्पृतनामभिधर्षयन् । भीमसेनो गदापाणिस्तावत्संशाम्य पाण्डवैः
As long as Bhīmasena, with mace in hand, does not charge through the ranks, attacking the troops, let peace be maintained with the Pāṇḍavas.
यावन्न शातयत्याजौ शिरांसि गजयोधिनाम् । गदया वीरघातिन्या फलानीव वनस्पतेः । कालेन परिपक्वानि तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as Bhīmasena does not, in battle, strike off the heads of elephant-warriors with his deadly mace, like ripe fruits falling from a tree, let the violence be restrained.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ।। विराटश्च शिखण्डी च शैशुपालिश्च दंशिताः
Nakula, Sahadeva, Dhṛṣṭadyumna the son of Pṛṣata, Virāṭa, Śikhaṇḍī, and Śaiśupāla, all are ready and eager.
यावन्न प्रविशन्त्येते नक्रा इव महार्णवम् । कृतास्त्राः क्षिप्रमस्यन्तस्तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as these warriors, skilled in weapons, do not rush like crocodiles into the great ocean, swiftly attacking, let the violence be restrained.
यावन्न सुकुमारेषु शरीरेषु महीक्षिताम्। गार्ध्रपत्राः पतन्त्युग्रास्तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as fierce vulture-feathered arrows do not fall upon the tender bodies of the kings, let the violence be restrained.
चन्दनागुरुदिग्धेषु हारनिष्कधरेषु च । नोरस्सु यावद्योधानां महेष्वासैर्महेषवः
As long as mighty arrows from great archers do not pierce the bodies of warriors, adorned with sandalwood, aloe, necklaces, and gold, let the violence be restrained.
कृतस्त्रैः क्षिप्रमस्यद्भिर्दूरपातिभिरायसाः । अभिलक्ष्यैर्निपात्यन्ते तावच्छाम्यतु वैशसम्
As long as iron arrows, swiftly shot by those skilled in weapons, do not strike down the marked targets from afar, let the violence be restrained.
अभिवादयमानं त्वां शिरसा राजकुञ्जरः । पाणिभ्यां प्रतिगृह्णातु धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः
Let King Yudhiṣṭhira, the lord of dharma, greet you with his hands, as the royal elephant bows to you with its head.
ध्वजाङ्कुशपताकाङ्कं दक्षिणं ते सुदक्षिणः । स्कन्धे निक्षिपतां बहुं शान्तये भरतर्षभ
Let Sudakṣiṇa, bearing the banner, goad, and flag, place his strong arm upon your shoulder for peace, O bull among the Bharatas.
रत्नौषधिसमेतेन रत्नाङ्गुलितलेन च। उपविष्टस्य पृष्ठं ते पाणिना परिमार्जतु
Let him, seated, gently rub your back with his hand, adorned with jewels and medicinal herbs, and with a jeweled ring.
शालस्कन्धो महाबहुस्त्वां स्वजानो वृकोदरः । साम्नाऽभिवदतां चापि शान्तये भरतर्षभ
Let Vṛkodara, broad-shouldered and mighty-armed, your kinsman, greet you with gentle words for peace, O bull among the Bharatas.
अर्जुनेन यमाभ्यां च त्रिभिस्तैरभिवादितः। मूर्ध्नि तान्समुपाघ्राय प्रेम्णाऽभिवद पार्थिव
When you are greeted by Arjuna and the two sons of Yama, bow your head to them and greet them with affection, O king.
दृष्ट्वा त्वां पाण्डवैर्वीरैर्भ्रातृभिः सह संगतम् । यावदानन्दजाश्रूणि प्रन्मुञ्चन्तु नराधिपाः
When the kings see you united with your heroic brothers, the sons of Pandu, let them shed tears of joy.
घुष्यतां राजधानीषु सर्वसंपन्महीक्षिताम् । पृथिवी भ्रातृभावेन भुज्यतां विज्वरो भव
Let it be proclaimed in the capitals of all the mighty kings: let the earth be enjoyed in brotherhood, and be free from anxiety.
श्रुत्वा दुर्योधनो वाक्यमप्रियं कुरुसंसदि। प्रत्युवाच महाबाहुं वासुदेवं यशस्विनम्
Hearing Duryodhana's harsh words in the Kuru assembly, the illustrious Vasudeva, strong-armed, replied to him.
प्रसमीक्ष्य भवानेतद्वक्तुमर्हति केशव। मामेव हि विशेषेण विभाष्य परिगर्हसे
You, O Kesava, ought to consider this carefully before speaking; for you single me out and reproach me in particular.
भक्तिवादेन पार्थानामकस्मान्मधुसूदन। भवान्गर्हयति नित्यं किं समीक्ष्य बलाबलम्
Why, O slayer of Madhu, do you always censure me, praising the sons of Pritha with words of devotion, without considering strength and weakness?
भवान्क्षत्ता च राजा वाऽप्याचार्यो वा पितामहः । मामेव परिगर्हन्ते नान्यं कंचन पाण्डवम्
You, the charioteer, the king, the teacher, and the grandsire—all of you reproach only me, and not any of the Pandavas.
न चाहं लक्षये कंचिद्व्यभिचारमिहात्मनः । अथ सर्वे भवन्तो मां विद्विषन्ति सराजकाः
I do not perceive any fault in myself here; yet all of you, along with the kings, bear enmity towards me.
न चाहं कंचिदत्यर्थमपराधमरिन्दम । विचिन्तयन्प्रपश्यामि सुसूक्ष्ममपि केशव
Nor, O subduer of foes, do I see in myself any excessive wrongdoing, even upon careful and subtle reflection, O Kesava.