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.
सुबलस्य च कल्याणीं गान्धाराधिपतेः सुताम्। सुतां च मद्रराजस्य रूपेणाप्रतिमां भुवि
And also about the virtuous daughter of Subala, king of Gandhara, and the daughter of the king of Madra, unrivaled in beauty on earth.
कदाचिदथ गाङ्गेयः सर्वनीतिमतां वरः। विदुरं धर्मतत्त्वज्ञं वाक्यमाह यथोचितम्
Once, Bhishma, foremost among those skilled in statecraft, spoke fitting words to Vidura, knower of the essence of dharma.
गुणैः समुदितं सम्यगिदं नः प्रथितं कुलम्। अत्यन्यान्पृथिवीपालान्पृथिव्यामधिराज्यभाक्
Our lineage, endowed with virtues, is well-known; it has enjoyed sovereignty on earth above other kings.
रक्षितं राजभिः पूर्वं धर्मविद्भिर्महात्मभिः। नोत्सादमगमच्चेदं कदाचिदिह नः कुलम्
Protected in the past by righteous and great-souled kings, our line has never declined at any time.
मया च सत्यवत्या च कृष्णेन च महात्मना। समवस्थापित भूयो युष्मासु कुलतन्तुषु
By me, by Satyavati, and by the great-souled Krishna, the family line has again been established among you.
तच्चैतद्वर्धते भूयः कुलं सागरवद्यथा। तथा मया विधातव्यं त्वया चैव न संशयः
This lineage, like the ocean, is growing further; so must I and you, without doubt, act to ensure its increase.
श्रूयते यादवी कन्या स्वनुरूपा कुलस्य नः। सुबलस्यात्मजा चैव तथा मद्रेश्वरस्य च
It is heard that there are maidens of the Yadava line, suitable for our family, as well as the daughters of Subala and the king of Madra.
कुलीना रूपवत्यश्च ताः कन्याः पुत्र सर्वशः। उचिताश्चैव संबन्धे तेऽस्माकं क्षत्रियर्षभाः
All these maidens, my son, are of noble birth and beauty, and are suitable for alliance with us, O best of Kshatriyas.
मन्ये वरयितव्यास्ता इत्यहं धीमतां वर। सन्तानार्थं कुलस्यास्य यद्वा विदुर मन्यसे
I think these should be chosen, O best of the wise, for the continuation of this lineage, unless you, Vidura, think otherwise.
भवान्पिता भावन्माता भवान्नः परमो गुरुः। तस्मात्स्वयं कुलस्यास्य विचार्य कुरु यद्धितम्
You are our father, you are our mother, you are our supreme teacher; therefore, consider yourself what is best for this family and do it.
अथ शुश्राव विप्रेभ्यो गान्धारीं सुबलात्मजाम्। आराध्य वरदं देवं भगनेत्रहरं हरम्
Then he heard from the Brahmins about Gandhari, the daughter of Subala, who, after worshipping the boon-giving god Hara, the destroyer of Bhaga's eye, had received a blessing.
गान्धारी किल पुत्राणां शतं लेभे वरं शुभा। इति शुश्राव तत्त्वेन भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः
It was said that Gandhari, the auspicious one, had obtained the boon of a hundred sons; Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, heard this as the truth.
ततो गान्धारराजस्य प्रेषयामास भारत। अचक्षुरिति तत्रासीत्सुबलस्य विचारणा
Then, O Bharata, he sent a message to the king of Gandhara; there was deliberation in Subala's house regarding the matter of blindness.
कुलं ख्यातिं च वृत्तं च बुद्ध्या तु प्रसमीक्ष्य सः। ददै तां धृतराष्ट्राय गान्धारीं धर्मचारिणीम्
Having examined the family, reputation, and conduct with discernment, he gave Gandhari, who followed righteousness, to Dhritarashtra.
गान्धारी त्वथ शुश्राव धृतराष्ट्रमचक्षुषम्। आत्मानं दिप्सितं चास्मै पित्रा मात्रा च भारत
Gandhari then heard that Dhritarashtra was blind, and that her father and mother had chosen her for him, O Bharata.
ततः सा पटमादाय कृत्वा बहुगुणं तदा। बबन्ध नेत्रे स्वे राजन्पतिव्रतपरायणा
Then, taking a cloth and making it many-fold, the devoted wife bound her own eyes, O King.
नाभ्यसूयां पतिमहमित्येवं कृतनिश्चया। ततो गान्धारराजस्य पुत्रः शकुनिरभ्ययात्
Firmly resolved, she said, 'I will not surpass my husband,' and then the son of the king of Gandhara, Shakuni, arrived.
स्वसारं परया लक्ष्म्या युक्तामादाय कौरवान्। तां तदा धृतराष्ट्राय ददौ परमसत्कृताम्। भीष्मस्यानुमते चैव विवाहं समकारयत्
Taking his sister, adorned with supreme beauty, to the Kauravas, he gave her to Dhritarashtra with great honor, and, with Bhishma's approval, performed the marriage.
दत्त्वा स भगिनीं वीरो यथार्हं च परिच्छदम्। पुनरायात्स्वनगरं भीष्मेण प्रतिपूजितः
Having given his sister and proper gifts, the hero returned to his own city, honored by Bhishma.
गान्धार्यपि वरारोहा शीलाचारविचिषेटितैः। तुष्टिं कुरूणां सर्वेषां जनयामास भारत
Gandhari, of noble form, by her conduct and virtues, brought satisfaction to all the Kurus, O Bharata.