ततः स्वरथामस्थाय जाम्बूनदविभूषितम्। महात्मा वै निववृते राधेयो दीनमानसः
Then the great-souled Radheya, his mind dejected, mounted his own chariot, adorned with gold, and turned back.
ततः शीघ्रतरं प्रायात्केशवः सहसात्यकिः। पुनरुच्चारयन्वाणीं याहि याहीति सारथिम्
Thereafter, Kesava, together with Satyaki, swiftly set out, repeatedly urging his charioteer, 'Go, go!'
असिद्धानुनये कृष्णे कुरुभ्यः पाण्डवान्गते। अभिगम्य पृथां क्षत्ता शनैः शोचन्निवाब्रवीत्
When Krishna's attempt at reconciliation with the Kurus failed and he departed to the Pandavas, Vidura approached Pritha and, grieving, spoke gently.
जानासि मे जीवपुत्री भावं नित्यमविग्रहे । क्रोशतो नच गृह्णीते वचनं मे सुयोधनः
You know my constant disposition toward your sons, ever free from hostility; yet, though I cry out, Suyodhana does not heed my words.
उपपन्नो ह्यसौ राजा चेदिपाञ्चालकेकयैः । भीमार्जुनाभ्यां कृष्णेन युयुधानयमैरपि
That king is supported by the Cedis, Panchalas, Kekayas, Bhima, Arjuna, Krishna, Yuyudhana, and the Yadavas.
उपप्लाव्ये निविष्टोऽपि धर्ममेव युधिष्ठिरः। काङ्क्षते ज्ञातिसौहार्दाद्बलवान्दुर्बलो यथा
Even while residing at Upaplavya, Yudhishthira, though strong, desires only righteousness out of affection for his kin, just as the weak do.
राजा तु धृतराष्ट्रोऽयं वयोवृद्धो न शाम्यति। मत्तः पुत्रमदेनैव विधर्मे पथि वर्तते
But this king Dhritarashtra, though advanced in years, does not desist; intoxicated by love for his son, he follows the path of unrighteousness.
जयद्रथस्य कर्णस्य तथा दुःशासनस्य च। सौबलस्य च दुर्बुद्ध्या मिथो भेदः प्रपत्स्यते
Because of the evil-minded Jayadratha, Karna, Duhshasana, and Saubala, division will arise among them.
अधर्मेम हि धर्मिष्ठं ह्रियते राज्यमीदृशम्। येषां तेषामयं धर्मः सानुबन्धो भविष्यति
Indeed, by unrighteousness, such a kingdom is taken from the righteous; for those who act thus, this is the law that will befall them, along with their followers.
क्रियमाणे बलाद्धर्मे कुरुभिः को न संज्वरेत्। असाम्ना केशवे याते समुद्योक्ष्यन्ति पाण्डवाः
Who would not burn with grief when the Kurus, by force, commit unrighteousness? With Kesava gone without success, the Pandavas will be roused to action.
ततः कुरूणामनयो भविता वीरनाशनः। चिन्तयन्न लभे निद्रामहःसु च निशासु च
Then, disaster will befall the Kurus, bringing destruction to heroes; thinking on this, I find no sleep, neither by day nor by night.
श्रुत्वा तु कुन्ती तद्वाक्यमर्थकामेन भाषितम्। सा निःश्वसन्ती दुःखार्ता मनसा विममर्श ह
Hearing those words, spoken by Vidura with concern for their welfare, Kunti, sighing and afflicted with sorrow, pondered in her mind.
धिगस्त्वर्थं यत्कृतेयं सुमहाञ्ज्ञातिसंक्षयः। वर्त्स्यते सुहृदां चैव युद्धेऽस्मिन्वै पराभवः
Fie upon that gain for which such a great destruction of kin will occur, and for which the defeat of friends in this battle will come about.
पाण्डवाश्चेदिपञ्चाला यादवाश्च समागताः। भारतैः सह योत्स्यन्ति किं नु दुःखमतःपरम्
If the Pandavas, Cedis, Panchalas, and Yadavas, united with the Bharatas, fight together, what sorrow could be greater than this?
पश्ये दोषं ध्रुवं युद्धे तथाऽयुद्धे पराभवम् । अधनस्य मृतं श्रेयो न हि ज्ञातिक्षयो जयः। इति मे चिन्तयन्त्या वै हृदि दुःखं प्रवर्तते
I see certain evil in war, and in peace, defeat; for the poor, death is better than victory that brings the destruction of kin. Thus, as I ponder, grief arises in my heart.
पितामहः शान्तनव आचार्यश्च युधां पतिः। कर्णश्च धार्तराष्ट्रार्थं वर्धयन्ति भयं मम
The grandsire, son of Shantanu, the preceptor, lord of battles, and Karna—all, for the sake of Dhritarashtra's sons, increase my fear.
नाचार्यः कामवाञ्शिष्यैद्रौणोयुद्ध्येत जातुचित्। पाण्डवेषु कथं हार्दं कुर्यान्न च पितामहः
Neither the teacher, who desires nothing, nor Drona's son would ever fight against their disciples; how then could the grandsire bear enmity toward the Pandavas?
अयं त्वेको वृथादृष्टिर्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्मतेः। मोहानुवर्ती सततं पापो द्वेष्टि च पाण्डवान्
But this one alone, Karna, driven by the misguided Duryodhana, always follows delusion and wickedness, and harbors hatred toward the Pandavas.
महत्यनर्थे निर्बन्धी बलवांश्च विशेषतः। कर्णः सदा पाण्डवानां तन्मे दहति संप्रति
He is determined in this great calamity, and especially powerful; Karna always opposes the Pandavas—this now burns me within.
आशंसे त्वद्य कर्णस्य मनोऽहं पाण्डवान्प्रति । ग्रसादयितुमासाद्य दर्शयन्ती यथातथम्
Today, I suspect Karna's mind is set upon destroying the Pandavas, having found the opportunity, and will show his intent plainly.
तोषितो भगवान्यत्र दुर्वासा मे वरं ददौ । आह्वानं मन्त्रसंयुक्तं वसन्त्याः पितृवेश्मनि
Once, the blessed Durvasa, being pleased, granted me a boon here: an invocation with mantras, while I dwelt in my father's house.
साहमन्तःपुरे राज्ञः कुन्तिभोजपुरस्कृता । चिन्तयन्ती बहुविधं हृदयेन विदूयता
So I, in the inner chambers of the king, honored by Kuntibhoja, pondered many things, my heart greatly troubled.
बलाबलं च मन्त्राणां ब्राह्मणस्य च वाग्बलम् । स्त्रीभावाद्बालभावाच्च चिन्तयन्ती पुनः पुनः
I considered the power and weakness of the mantras, the strength of the Brahmin's words, and, being a woman and still young, I reflected again and again.
धात्र्या विस्रब्धया गुप्ता सखीजनवृता तदा। दोषं परिहरन्ती च पितुश्चारित्र्यरक्षिणी
Guarded then by a trusted nurse and surrounded by friends, I avoided fault and preserved my father's honor.
कथं नु सुकृतं मे स्यान्नापराधवती कथम्। भवेयमिति संचिन्त्य ब्राह्मणं तं नमस्य च
Thinking, 'How might I do good? How might I not become blameworthy?'—thus pondering, I bowed to that Brahmin.
कौतूहलात्तु तं लब्धा बालिश्यादाचरं तदा। कन्या सती देवमर्कमासादयमहं ततः
Out of curiosity, and because of my youth, I then performed that act; being a maiden, I invoked the god Surya, and he appeared.
योऽसौ कानीनगर्भो मे पुत्रवत्परिरक्षितः । कस्मान्न कुर्याद्वचनं पथ्यं भ्रातृहितं तथा
He who is my son, born before marriage, whom I have cherished like a son—why would he not do what is right and beneficial for his brothers?
इति कुन्ती विनिश्चित्य कार्यनिश्चयमुत्तमम् । कार्यार्थमभिनिश्चित्य ययौ भागीरथीं प्रति
Thus, having firmly resolved upon the best course of action, Kunti, with her purpose clear, set out toward the Bhagirathi.
आत्मजस्य ततस्तस्य घृणिनः सत्यसङ्गिनः । गङ्गातीरे पृथापश्यञ्जपस्थानमनुत्तमम्
There, on the banks of the Ganga, Kunti saw her son, steadfast and true to his word, engaged in supreme recitation.
प्राङ्मुखस्योर्ध्वबाहोः सा पर्यतिष्ठत पृष्ठतः। जप्यावसानं कार्यार्थं प्रतीक्षन्ती तपस्विनी
She stood behind him, facing east, as he raised his arms in prayer, waiting for the rite to end, intent on her purpose, an ascetic in spirit.