पाण्डुस्तु राज्यं संप्राप्तः कनीयानपि सन्नृपः । विनाशे तस्य पुत्राणामिदं राज्यमरिन्दम
Yet Pandu, though the youngest, obtained the kingdom and ruled; and after the destruction of his sons, this kingdom has come to you, O subduer of foes.
मय्यभागिनि राज्याय कथं त्वं राज्यमिच्छसि। अराजपुत्रो ह्यस्वामी परस्वं हर्तुमिच्छसि
How do you, who have no share in the kingdom, desire to rule, when you are not a king's son nor a rightful lord, but wish to seize another's property?
युधिष्ठिरो राजपुत्रो महात्मा न्यायागतं राज्यमिदं च तस्य। स कौरवस्यास्य कुलस्य भर्ता प्रशासिता चैव महानुभावः
Yudhishthira, the noble prince, has received this kingdom by rightful means; he is the lord and ruler of this Kaurava lineage, possessing great dignity.
स सत्यसन्धः स तथाऽप्रमत्तः शास्त्रे स्थितो बन्धुजनस्य साधुः। प्रियः प्रजानां सुहृदानुकम्पी जितेन्द्रियः साधुजनस्य भर्ता
He is truthful, vigilant, established in the scriptures, virtuous among kin, beloved of the people, compassionate to friends, self-controlled, and leader of the righteous.
क्षमा तितिक्षा दम आर्जवं च सत्यव्रतत्वं श्रुतमप्रमादः । भूतानुकम्पा ह्यनुशासनं च युधिष्ठिरे राजगुणाः समस्ताः
Patience, endurance, self-restraint, integrity, commitment to truth, learning, vigilance, compassion for beings, and proper governance—all royal virtues are found in Yudhishthira.
अराजपुत्रस्त्वमनार्यवृत्तो लुब्धः सदा बन्धुषु पापबुद्धिः । क्रमागतं राज्यमिदं परेषां हर्तुं कथं शक्ष्यसि दुर्विनीत
But you, not a king's son, of ignoble conduct, always greedy and malicious toward kin, how can you, unruly one, seize this kingdom that has come to others by proper succession?
प्रयच्छ राज्यार्धमपेतमोहः सवाहनं त्व सपरिच्छदं च । ततोऽवशेषं तव जीवितस्य सहानुजस्यैव भवेन्नरेन्द्र
Relinquish your delusion and grant half the kingdom, with its chariots and retinue; then the remainder of your life, O king, will be with your brother.
एवमुक्ते तु भीष्मेण द्रोणेन विदुरेण च। गान्धार्या धृतराष्ट्रेण न वै मन्दोऽन्वबुद्ध्यत
When Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra had spoken thus, the foolish one did not comprehend.
अवधूयोत्थितो मन्दः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः। अन्वद्रवन्त तं पश्चाद्राजानस्त्यक्तजीविताः
Scorning them, the fool rose, his eyes reddened with anger; the kings, ready to sacrifice their lives, followed him.
आज्ञापयच्च राज्ञस्तान्पार्थिवान्नष्टचेतसः । प्रयात वै कुरुक्षेत्रं पुष्योऽद्येति पुनः पुनः
He ordered those kings, whose minds were lost, again and again: 'Go to Kurukshetra, today is auspicious.'
ततस्ते पृथिवीपालाः प्रययुः सहसैनिकाः । भीष्मं सेनापतिं कृत्वा संहृष्टाः कालचोदिताः
Then those rulers of the earth, with their armies, departed, appointing Bhishma as commander, rejoicing, impelled by fate.
अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च कौरवाणां समागताः । तासां प्रमुखतो भीष्मस्तालकेतुर्व्यरोचत
Eleven divisions of Kaurava troops assembled; at their head, Bhishma, bearing the tall banner, shone forth.
यदत्र युक्तं प्राप्तं च तद्विधत्स्व विशांपते । उक्तं भीष्मेण यद्वाक्यं द्रोणेन विदुरेण च
Whatever is appropriate and has occurred, do that, O lord of men; what was spoken by Bhishma, Drona, and Vidura.
गान्धार्या धृतराष्ट्रेण समक्षं मम भारत । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्यद्वृत्तं कुरुसंसदि
By Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, in my presence, O Bharata, all this has been related to you—what transpired in the Kuru assembly.
साम चादौ प्रयुक्तं मे राजन्सौभ्रात्रमिच्छता । अभेदायास्य वंशस्य प्रजानां च विवृद्धये
At first, I employed conciliation, desiring brotherhood, for the unity of this lineage and the prosperity of the people.
पुनर्भेदश्च मे युक्तो यदा साम न गृह्यते। कर्मानुकीर्तनं चैव देवमानुपसंहितम्
But when conciliation was not accepted, division became justified; and I recounted deeds, invoking divine authority.
यदा नाद्रियते वाक्यं सामपूर्वं सुयोधनः । तदा मया समानीय भेदिताः सर्वपार्थिवाः
When Suyodhana does not respect words spoken with conciliation, then I have gathered and divided all the kings.
अद्भुतानि च घोराणि दारुणानि च भारत। अमानुषाणि कर्माणि दर्शितानि मया विभो
I have shown wondrous, terrible, and dreadful deeds, O Bharata, acts that are inhuman, O lord.
निर्भर्त्सयित्वा राज्ञस्तांस्तृणीकृत्य सुयोधनम् । राधेयं भीषयित्वा च सौबलं च पुनः पुनः
Having rebuked those kings and belittled Suyodhana, having frightened Radheya and Saubala again and again,
द्यूततो धार्तराष्ट्राणां निन्दां कृत्वा तथा पुनः। भेदयित्वा नृपास्नर्वान्वाग्भिर्मन्त्रेम चासकृत्
Having criticized the Kauravas for the dice game, and having repeatedly sown discord among the kings with words and counsel,
पुनः सामाभिसंयुक्तं संप्रदानमथाब्रुवम्। अभेदात्कुरुवंशस्य कार्ययोगात्तथैव च
Again, with conciliation, I spoke of giving, for the sake of the Kuru line’s unity and the fulfillment of duty.
ते शूरा धृतराष्ट्रस्य भीष्मस्य विदुरस्य च । तिष्ठेयुः पाण्डवाः सर्वे हित्वा मानमधश्चराः
Those warriors of Dhritarashtra, Bhishma, and Vidura—all the Pandavas would remain, setting aside their pride and acting humbly.
प्रयच्छन्तु च ते राज्यमनीशास्ते भवन्तु च। यथाह राजा गाङ्गेयो विदुरश्च हितं तव
Let them give the kingdom and themselves become subjects, as King Bhishma and Vidura have advised for your welfare.
सर्वं भवतु ते राज्यं पञ्च ग्रामान्विसर्जय। अवश्यं भरणीया हि पितुस्ते राजसत्तम
Let all the kingdom be yours; grant five villages. Surely, O best of kings, your father must be maintained.
एवमुक्तोऽपि दुष्टात्मा नैव भागं व्यमुञ्चत। दण्डं चतुर्थं पश्यामि तेषु पापेषु नान्यथा
Even when thus addressed, the wicked-hearted one did not yield a share; I see only punishment for those sinners, nothing else.
निर्याताश्च विनाशाय कुरुक्षेत्रं नराधिपाः । एतत्ते कथितं राजन्यद्वृत्तं कुरुसंसदि
The kings have departed for destruction to Kurukshetra; thus I have told you, O king, what happened in the Kuru assembly.
न ते राज्यं प्रयच्छन्ति विना युद्धेन पाण्डव । विनाशहेतवः सर्वे प्रत्युपस्थितमृत्यवः
They will not give you the kingdom without war, O Pandava; all are bent on destruction, with death standing before them.
जनार्दनवचः श्रुत्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। भ्रातॄनुवाच धर्मात्मा समक्षं केशवस्य ह
Hearing Janardana’s words, King Yudhishthira, righteous-souled, spoke to his brothers in the presence of Kesava.
श्रुतं भवद्भिर्यद्वृत्तं सभायां कुरुसंसदि । केशवस्यापि यद्वाक्यं तत्सर्वमवधारितम्
You have all heard what happened in the Kuru assembly, and also the words of Kesava; all this has been understood.
तस्मात्सेनाविभागं मे कुरुध्वं नरसत्तमाः । अक्षौहिण्यश्च सप्तैताः समेता विजयाय वै
Therefore, best of men, divide the army for me; these seven akshauhinis are assembled for victory.