नामानि चक्रिरे तेषां शतशृङ्गनिवासिनः। भक्त्या च कर्मणा चैव तथाऽऽशीर्भिर्विशांपते
The dwellers of Śataśṛṅga gave them their names, O lord of men, with devotion, with deeds, and with blessings.
ज्येष्ठं युधिष्ठिरेत्येवं भीमसेनेति मध्यमम्। अर्जुनेति तृतीयं च कुन्तीपुत्रानकल्पयन्
They named the eldest Yudhiṣṭhira, the middle one Bhīmasena, and the third Arjuna—thus were the sons of Kuntī designated.
पूर्वजं नकुलेत्येवं सहदेवेति चापरम्। माद्रीपुत्रावकथयंस्ते विप्राः प्रीतमानसाः
The elder of Mādrī's sons was called Nakula, and the younger Sahadeva; so spoke those delighted brahmins regarding the sons of Mādrī.
अनुसंवत्सरं जाता अपि ते कुरुसत्तमाः। पाण्डुपुत्रा व्यराजन्त पञ्चसंवत्सरा इव
Though born within a single year, those foremost of the Kurus, the sons of Pāṇḍu, shone as if they were five years apart in age.
महासत्त्वा महावीर्या महाबलपराक्रमाः। पाण्डुर्दृष्ट्वा सुतांस्तांस्तु देवरूपान्महौजसः
Great in spirit, mighty in valor, and possessing immense strength and prowess, Pāṇḍu beheld his sons, radiant as gods.
मुदं परमिकां लेभे ननन्द च नराधिपः। ऋषीणामपि सर्वेषां शतशृङ्गनिवासिनाम्
He attained supreme joy and the king rejoiced; they became dear to all the sages dwelling at Śataśṛṅga.
प्रिया बभूवुस्तासां च तथैव मुनियोषिताम्। कुन्तीमथ पुनः पाण्डुर्माद्र्यर्थे समचोदयत्
They were likewise beloved by the wives of the sages; then Pāṇḍu again urged Kuntī for Mādrī's sake.
तमुवाच पृथा राजन् रहस्युक्ता तदा सती। उक्ता सक्वद्द्वन्द्वमेषा लेभे तेनास्मि वञ्चिता
Then Pṛthā, O king, spoke to him privately: 'I was told that this mantra could be used only once for each deity; thus I have been deceived.'
बिभेम्यस्याः परिभवात्कुस्त्रीणां गतिरिदृशी। नाज्ञासिषमहं मूढा द्वन्द्वाह्वाने फलद्वयम्
'I fear the reproach of women, for such is their fate; I did not know, in my ignorance, that invoking the twins would yield twofold fruit.'
तस्मान्नाहं नियोक्तव्या त्वयैषोऽस्तु वरो मम। एवं पाण्डोः सुताः पञ्च देवदत्ता महाबलाः
Therefore, you must not command me again; let this be my boon. Thus, the five mighty sons of Pāṇḍu were born, given by the gods.
संभूताः कीर्तिमन्तश्च कुरुवंशविवर्धनाः। शुभलक्षणसंपन्नाः सोमवत्प्रियदर्शनाः
They were born renowned, enhancers of the Kuru lineage, endowed with auspicious marks, and as delightful to behold as the moon.
सिंहदर्पा महेष्वासाः सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनः। सिंहग्रीवा मनुष्येन्द्रा ववृधुर्देवविक्रमाः
Proud as lions, great archers, moving with lion-like stride, lion-necked, O king of men, they grew up with the might of the gods.
विवर्धमानास्ते तत्र पुण्ये हैमवते गिरौ। विस्मयं जनयामासुर्महर्षीणां समेयुषाम्
As they grew there on the sacred Himalayan mountain, they inspired wonder in the great sages who gathered.
जातमात्रानुपादाय शतशृङ्गनिवासिनः। पाण्डोः पुत्रानमन्यन्त तापसाः स्वानिवात्मजान्
From the moment of their birth, the ascetics dwelling on Śataśṛṅga regarded Pāṇḍu’s sons as their own children.
ततस्तु वृष्णयः सर्वे वसुदेवपुरोगमाः
Then all the Vṛṣṇis, with Vasudeva at their head,
पाण्डुः शापभयाद्भीतः शतशृङ्गमुपेयिवान्। तत्रैव मुनिभिः सार्धं तापसोऽभूत्तपस्विभिः
Pāṇḍu, fearful of the curse, had gone to Śataśṛṅga; there, together with the sages, he lived as an ascetic among ascetics.
शाकमूलफलाहारस्तपस्वी नियतेन्द्रियः। योगध्यानपरो राजा बभूवेति च वादकाः
Sustained by roots, vegetables, and fruits, devoted to austerity and self-restraint, the king became absorbed in yoga and meditation, so it is said.
प्रबुवन्ति स्म बहवस्तच्छ्रुत्वा शोककर्शिताः। पाण्डोः प्रीतिसमायुक्ताः कदा श्रोष्याम संकथाः
Many, hearing this, were afflicted by sorrow, yet filled with affection for Pāṇḍu, they would say, 'When shall we hear news of them?'
इत्येवं कथयन्तस्ते वृष्णयः सह बान्धवैः। पाण्डोः पुत्रागमं श्रुत्वा सर्वे हर्षसमन्विताः
Thus, as the Vṛṣṇis spoke together with their kin, upon hearing of the arrival of Pāṇḍu’s sons, they were all filled with joy.
सभाजयन्तस्तेऽन्योन्यं वसुदेवं वचोऽब्रुवन्। न भवेरन्क्रियाहीनाः पाण्डुपुत्रा महाबलाः
They honored one another and said to Vasudeva, 'May the mighty sons of Pāṇḍu never lack in sacred rites.'
पाण्डोः प्रियहितान्वेषी प्रेषय त्वं पुरोहितम्। वसुदेवस्तथेत्युक्त्वा विससर्ज पुरोहितम्
Seeking Pāṇḍu’s welfare, they said, 'Send the family priest.' Vasudeva, agreeing, dispatched the priest.
युक्तानि च कुमाराणां पारबर्हाण्यनेकशः। कुन्तीं माद्रीं च संदिश्य दासीदासपरिच्छदम्
He sent various garments adorned with peacock feathers for the princes, and for Kuntī and Mādrī, along with servants and attendants.
गावो हिरण्यं रौप्यं च प्रेषयामास भारत। तानि सर्वाणि संगृह्य प्रययौ स पुरोहितः
He also sent cows, gold, and silver, O Bhārata; gathering all these, the priest set out.
तमागतं द्विजश्रेष्ठं काश्यपं वै पुरोहितम्। पूजयामास विधिवत्पाण्डुः परपुरञ्जयः
When the distinguished priest, Kāśyapa, arrived, Pāṇḍu, conqueror of enemy cities, honored him according to proper rites.
पृथा माद्री च संहृष्टे वसुदेवं प्रशंसताम्। ततः पाण्डुः क्रियाः सर्वाः पाण्डवानामकारयत्
Kuntī and Mādrī, delighted, praised Vasudeva; then Pāṇḍu performed all the rites for the Pāṇḍavas.
गर्भाधानादिकृत्यानि चौलोपनयनानि च। काश्यपः कृतवान्सर्वमुपाकर्म च भारत
Kāśyapa performed all the ceremonies, from conception rites to the first tonsure and sacred thread, as well as the initiation, O Bhārata.
चौलोपनयनादूर्ध्वमृषभाक्षा यशस्विनः। वैदिकाध्ययने सर्वे समपद्यन्त पारगाः
After the tonsure and sacred thread ceremonies, the illustrious sons, marked by the bull, all became accomplished in Vedic study.
शर्यातेः प्रथमः पुत्रः शुक्रो नाम परन्तपः। येन सागरपर्यन्ता धुषा निर्जिता मही
The first son of Śaryāti was named Śukra, O subduer of foes, by whom the earth, bounded by the ocean, was conquered.
अश्वमेधशतैरिष्ट्वा स महात्मा महामखैः। आराध्य देवताः सर्वाः पितॄनपि महामतिः
Having performed a hundred horse sacrifices, that great soul, through grand rites, worshipped all the gods and his ancestors as well.
शतशृह्गे तपस्तेपे शाकमूलफलाशनः। तेनोपकरणश्रेष्ठैः शिक्षया चोपबृंहिताः
At Śataśṛṅga, he practiced austerities, subsisting on roots, vegetables, and fruits; by his excellent implements and instruction, they were further strengthened.