ऊर्ध्वसस्याऽभवद्भूमिः सस्यानि फलवन्ति च। यथर्तुवर्षी पर्जन्यो बहुपुष्पफला द्रुमाः
The earth yielded abundant crops, and the grains bore fruit; as the rain fell in its season, the trees produced many flowers and fruits.
वाहनानि प्रहृष्टानि मुदिता मृगपक्षिणः। गन्धवन्ति च माल्यानि रसवन्ति फलानि च
The vehicles were joyful, the wild animals and birds were delighted; the garlands were fragrant, and the fruits were full of flavor.
वणिग्भिश्चान्वकीर्यन्त नगराण्यथ शिल्पिभिः। शूराश्च कृतविद्याश्च सन्तश्च सुखिनोऽभवन्
The cities were filled with merchants and artisans; the heroes, those skilled in knowledge, and the virtuous were happy.
नाभवन्दस्यवः केचिन्नाधर्मरुचयो जनाः। प्रदेशेष्वपि राष्ट्राणां कृतं युगमवर्तत
There were no robbers, nor people inclined to unrighteousness; even in the regions of the kingdoms, a golden age prevailed.
धर्मक्रिया यज्ञशीलाः सत्यव्रतपरायणाः। अन्योन्यप्रीतिसंयुक्ता व्यवर्धन्त प्रजास्तदा
At that time, the people, devoted to righteous acts, sacrificial rites, and the observance of truth, flourished together, united by mutual affection.
मानक्रोधविहीनाश्च नरा लोभविवर्जिताः। अन्योन्यमभ्यनन्दन्त धर्मोत्तरमवर्तत
Men were free from pride and anger, untouched by greed; they rejoiced in one another, and the highest righteousness prevailed.
तन्महोदधिवत्पूर्णं नगरं वै व्यरोचत। द्वारतोरणनिर्यूहैर्युक्तमभ्रचयोपमैः
That city shone, filled like a great ocean, adorned with gates, arches, and exits resembling masses of clouds.
प्रसादशतसंबाधं महेन्द्रपुरसन्निभम्। नदीषु वनखण्डेषु वापीपल्वलसानुषु। काननेषु च रम्येषु विजह्रुर्मुदिता जनाः
Crowded with hundreds of palaces, resembling the city of Indra, the joyful people delighted in the rivers, forest tracts, ponds, marshes, and beautiful groves.
उत्तरैः कुरुभिः सार्धं दक्षिणाः कुरवस्तथा। विस्पर्धमाना व्यचरंस्तथा देवर्षिचारणैः
The southern Kurus, together with the northern Kurus, moved about in rivalry, just like the divine sages and celestial beings.
नाभवत्कृपणः कश्चिन्नाभवन्विधवाः स्त्रियः। तस्मिञ्जनपदे रम्ये कुरुभिर्बहुलीकृते
In that delightful land, made populous by the Kurus, there was no one destitute, nor were there any widowed women.
कूपारामसभावाप्यो ब्राह्मणावसथास्तथा। बभूवुः सर्वर्द्धियुतास्तस्मिन्राष्ट्रे सदोत्सवाः
Wells, gardens, assembly halls, ponds, and Brahmin dwellings, all endowed with every prosperity, were ever festive in that kingdom.
भीष्मेण धर्मतो राजन्सर्वतः परिरक्षिते। बभूव रमणीयश्च चैत्ययूपशताङ्कितः
O King, with Bhishma protecting all sides in accordance with dharma, the land became beautiful, marked by hundreds of shrines and sacrificial posts.
स देशः परराष्ट्राणि विमृज्याभिप्रवर्धितः। भीष्मेण विहितं राष्ट्रे धर्मचक्रमवर्तत
That country, surpassing other realms, grew in strength; under Bhishma's rule, the wheel of righteousness was set in motion.
क्रियमाणेषु कृत्येषु कुमाराणां महात्मनाम्। पौरजानपदाः सर्वे बभूवुः परमोत्सुकाः
As the great-souled princes performed their duties, all the citizens and country people became exceedingly eager.
गृहेषु कुरुमुख्यानां पौराणां च नराधिप। दीयतां भुज्यतां चेति वाचोऽश्रूयन्त सर्वशः
In the houses of the chief Kurus and the townspeople, the words 'Give' and 'Enjoy' were heard everywhere.
धृतराष्ट्रश्च पाण्डुश्च विदुरश्च महामतिः। जन्मप्रभृति भीष्मेण पुत्रवत्परिपालिताः
Dhritarashtra, Pandu, and the wise Vidura were cared for by Bhishma from birth, as if they were his own sons.
संस्कारैः संस्कृतास्ते तु व्रताध्ययनसंयुताः। श्रमव्यायामकुशलाः समपद्यन्त यौवनम्
They were refined through ceremonies, engaged in vows and study, skilled in exertion and exercise, and thus attained youth.
धनुर्वेदे च वेदे च गदायुद्धेऽसिचर्मणि। तथैव गजशिक्षायां नीतिशास्त्रेषु पारगाः
They mastered the science of archery, the Vedas, mace combat, sword and shield, as well as elephant training and the treatises on polity.
इतिहासपुराणेषु नानाशिक्षासु बोधिताः। वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञाः सर्वत्र कृतनिश्चयाः
In histories, ancient tales, and various sciences they were instructed; knowing the essence of the Vedas and their branches, they were resolute in all matters.
वैदिकाध्ययने युक्तो नीतिशास्त्रेषु पारगः। भीष्मेण राजा कौरव्यो धृतराष्ट्रोऽभिषेचितः
Devoted to Vedic study and accomplished in the science of polity, King Dhritarashtra of the Kauravas was anointed by Bhishma.
धनुर्वेदेऽश्वपृष्ठे च गदायुद्धेऽसिचर्मणि। तथैव गजशिक्षायामस्त्रेषु विविधेषु च
In the science of archery, horseback riding, mace combat, sword and shield, elephant training, and various weapons, he was thoroughly trained.
अर्थधर्मप्रधानासु विद्यासु विविधासु च। गतः पारं यदा पाण्डुस्तदा सेनापतिः कृतः
When Pandu had mastered the various sciences, especially those concerning wealth and righteousness, he was then appointed commander of the army.
पाण्डुर्धनुषि विक्रान्तो नरेष्वभ्यदिकोऽभवत्। अन्येभ्यो बलवानासीद्धृतराष्ट्रो महीपतिः
Pandu, valiant with the bow, surpassed other men; Dhritarashtra, the king, was stronger than the rest.
अमात्यो मनुजेन्द्रस्य बाल एव यशस्विनः। भीष्मेण सर्वधर्माणां प्रणेता विदुरः कृतः
Though still a boy, Vidura, renowned for his virtue, was made by Bhishma the chief adviser in all matters of dharma for the king.
सर्वशास्त्रार्थतत्त्वज्ञो बुद्धिमेधापटुर्युवा। भावेनागमयुक्तेन सर्वं वेदयते जगत्
A youth skilled in intellect, wisdom, and learning, knowing the true essence of all the scriptures, he comprehended the entire world through reasoning and tradition.
त्रिषु लोकेषु न त्वासीत्कश्चिद्विदुरसंमितः। धर्मनित्यस्तथा राजन्धर्मं च परमं गतः
In the three worlds, O king, there was no one equal to Vidura; ever devoted to righteousness, he attained the highest dharma.
प्रनष्टं शान्तनोर्वंशं समीक्ष्य पुनरुद्धृतम्। ततो निर्वचनं लोके सर्वराष्ट्रेष्ववर्तत
Seeing the line of Shantanu restored after its destruction, a saying spread throughout all the kingdoms.
वीरसूनां काशिसुते देशानां कुरुजाङ्गलम्। सर्वध्रमविदां भीष्मः पुराणां गजसाह्वयम्
Bhishma, son of the Kashi princess, was the foremost among the knowers of dharma and the ancient Gajasahvaya of the Kurujangala region.
धृतराष्ट्रस्त्वचक्षुष्ट्वाद्रज्यं न प्रत्यपद्यत। पारसवत्वाद्विदुरो राजा पाण्डुर्बभूव ह
Because Dhritarashtra was blind, he did not accept the kingdom; and since Vidura was born of a serving woman, Pandu became king.
अथ शुश्राव विप्रेभ्यः कुन्तिभोजमहीपतेः। रूपयौवनसंपन्नां सुतां सागरगासुतः
Then the son of Sagara heard from the Brahmins about the daughter of King Kuntibhoja, endowed with beauty and youth.