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.
तत्प्रसादाद्धनुर्वेदे समपद्यन्त पारगाः। गदायां पारगो भीमस्तोमरेषु युधिष्ठिरः
By his favor, they became accomplished in the science of archery; Bhima mastered the mace, and Yudhishthira the spear.
असिचर्मणि निष्णातौ यमौ सत्त्ववतां वरौ। धनुर्वेदे गतः पारं सव्यसाची परन्तपः
The two sons of Madri, foremost among the valiant, became skilled in sword and shield; Savyasachi Arjuna, the scorcher of foes, reached the summit of archery.
शुक्रेण समनुज्ञातो मत्समोऽयमिति प्रभो। अनुज्ञाय ततो राजा शक्तिं खङ्गं ततः शरान्
Permitted by Shukra, saying, 'He is my equal,' O lord, the king then granted him the spear, sword, and arrows.
धनुश्च दमतां श्रेष्ठस्तालमात्रं महाप्रभम्। विपाठक्षुरनाराचान्गृध्रपक्षैरलङ्कृतान्
And the best among the self-controlled gave him a bow, as tall as a palm tree and radiant, along with arrows, razors, and iron shafts adorned with vulture feathers.
ददौ पार्थाय संहृष्टो महोरगसमप्रभान्। अवाप्य सर्वशस्त्राणि मुदितो वासवात्मजः
Rejoicing, he gave to Partha weapons shining like mighty serpents; having obtained all weapons, the son of Vasava was delighted.
मेने सर्वान्महीपालानपर्याप्तान्स्वतेजसः
He considered all the kings of the earth as insufficient before his own energy.
एकवर्षान्तरास्त्वेवं परस्परमरिन्दमाः। अन्ववर्तन्त पार्थाश्च माद्रीपुत्रौ तथैव च
Thus, with a year between each, the Parthas and the sons of Madri, destroyers of foes, followed one after another.
ते च पञ्च शतं चैव कुरुवंशविवर्धनाः। सर्वे ववृधिरेऽल्पेन कालेनाप्स्विव पङ्कजाः
Those five, along with the hundred enhancers of the Kuru line, all grew rapidly in a short time, like lotuses in water.
कस्मिन्वयसि संप्राप्ताः पाण्डवा गजसाह्वयम्। समपद्यन्त देवेभ्यस्तेषामायुश्च किं परम्
At what age did the Pandavas reach Hastinapura, and what was their destined lifespan from the gods?
पाण्डवानामिहायुष्यं शृणु कौरवनन्दन। जगाम हास्तिनपुरं षोडशाब्दो युधिष्ठिरः
Hear now, O joy of the Kurus, the lifespan of the Pandavas: Yudhishthira went to Hastinapura at sixteen years of age.