मम हतोर्हि राजाऽयं दिवं राजर्पिसत्तमः। न चैव तादृशी बुद्धिर्बान्धवाश्च न तादृशाः
For my king has been slain, O best of royal sages, and has gone to heaven; neither is my mind such, nor are my kinsmen thus disposed.
न चोत्सहे धारयितुं प्राणान्भर्त्रा विना कृता। तस्मात्तमनुयास्यामि यान्तं वैवस्वतक्षयम्
I am unable to sustain my life without my husband; therefore I shall follow him as he goes to the realm of Vaivasvata.
वर्तेयं न समां वृत्तिं जात्वहं न सुतेषु ते। तथाहि वर्तमानां मामधर्मः संस्पृशेन्महान्
I could never live in the same manner among your children; for if I were to do so, great unrighteousness would touch me.
तस्मान्मे सुतयोर्देवि वर्तितव्यं स्वपुत्रवत्। अन्वेष्यामि च भर्तारं व्रजन्तं यमसादनम्
Therefore, O queen, I must act toward your sons as toward my own; and I will seek my husband as he goes to the abode of Yama.
मां हि कामयमानोऽयं राजा प्रेतवशं गतः। राज्ञः शरीरेण सह मामपीदं कलेवरम्
For this king, desiring me, has gone under the sway of the departed; together with the king’s body, let this body of mine also—
दग्धव्यं सुप्रतिच्छन्नं त्वेतदार्ये प्रियं कुरु। दारकेष्वप्रमत्ता त्वं भवेश्चाभिहिता मया। अतोऽहं न प्रपश्यामि संदेष्टव्यं हितं तव
Be burned, well covered—O noble lady, do this dear thing; be vigilant regarding the children, as I have instructed you; therefore I do not see any advice to give you.
ऋषयस्तान्समाश्वास्य पाण्डवान्सत्यविक्रमान्। ऊचुः कुन्तीं च माद्रीं च समाश्वास्य तपस्विनः
The sages, comforting those truthful and valiant Pandavas, spoke to Kunti and Madri, consoling them, those devoted to austerity.
सुभगे बालपुत्रा तु न मर्तव्यं तथंचन। पाण्डवांश्चापि नेष्यामः कुरुराष्ट्रं परन्तपान्
O fortunate one, with young sons, you must not die in any way; we will take the Pandavas, those scorers of foes, to the land of the Kurus.
अधर्मेष्वर्थजातेषु धृतराष्ट्रश्च लोभवान्। स कदाचिन्न वर्तेत पाण्डवेषु यथाविधि
When unrighteousness arises from greed, Dhritarashtra is covetous; he may at some time not act toward the Pandavas as is proper.
कुन्त्याश्च वृष्णयो नाथाः कुन्तिभोजस्तथैव च। माद्र्याश्च बलिनांश्रेष्ठः शल्यो भ्राता महारथः
Among Kunti’s protectors are the Vrishnis and also Kuntibhoja; among Madri’s, the foremost of the strong, Shalya, her brother, a great chariot-warrior.
भर्त्रा तु मरणं सार्धं फलवन्नात्र संशयः। युवाभ्यां दुष्करं चैतद्वदन्ति द्विजपुङ्गवाः
There is no doubt that dying together with one's husband bears fruit; yet, O youths, the foremost of twice-born say this is difficult to accomplish.
मृते भर्तरि साध्वी स्त्री ब्रह्मचर्यव्रते स्थिता। यमैश्च नियमैः पूता मनोवाक्कायजैः शुभा
A virtuous woman, after her husband's death, who remains steadfast in the vow of chastity, purified by self-restraint and discipline, and by pure thought, word, and deed—she is auspicious.
भर्तारं चिन्तयन्ती सा भर्तारं निस्तरेच्छुभा। तारितश्चापि भर्ता स्यादात्मा पुत्रस्तथैव च
Thinking of her husband, that auspicious woman can deliver her husband; and the husband, as well as herself and her son, would be saved.
तस्माञ्जीवितमेवैतद्युवयोर्विद्म शोभनम्
Therefore, we consider it best for you both to continue living.
यथा पाण्डोस्तु निर्देशस्तथा विप्रगणस्य च। आज्ञा शिरसि निक्षिप्ता करिष्यामि च तत्तथा
As is the command of Pandu and likewise of the assembly of Brahmins, that order has been placed upon my head, and I shall act accordingly.
यदाद्दुर्भगवन्तोऽपि तन्मन्ये शोभनं परम्। भर्तुश्च मम पुत्राणामात्मनश्च न संशयः
Even when misfortune befalls, I believe this is truly best—for my husband, for my sons, and for myself—there is no doubt.
कुन्ती समर्था पुत्राणां योगक्षेमस्य धारणे। अस्या हि न समा बुद्ध्या यद्यपि स्यादरुन्धती
Kunti is capable of maintaining the welfare and security of her sons; in wisdom, there is none equal to her, not even Arundhati.
कुन्त्याश्च वृष्णयो नाथाः कुन्तिभोजस्तथैव च। नाहं त्वमिव पुत्राणां समर्था धारणे तथा
The Vrishnis and Kuntibhoja are protectors of Kunti; but I am not, like you, able to care for the children in the same way.
साऽहं भर्तारमन्विष्ये संतृप्ता नापि भोगतः। भर्तृलोकस्य तु ज्येष्ठा देवी मामनुमन्यताम्
I, who have not been satisfied with enjoyment, will follow my husband; let the chief queen of the world of husbands grant me permission.
धर्मज्ञस्य कृतज्ञस्य सत्यसन्धस्य धीमतः। पादौ परिचरिष्यामि तथार्याऽद्यानुमन्यताम्
I shall serve at the feet of the righteous, grateful, truthful, and wise one; let the noble lady grant me leave today.
एवमुक्त्वा तदा राजन्मद्रराजसुता शुभा। ददौ कुन्त्यै यमौ माद्री शिरसाऽभिप्रणम्य च
Having spoken thus, O King, the auspicious daughter of the Madra king, Madri, bowed her head to Kunti and entrusted the twins to her.
अभिवाद्य महर्षीन्सा परिष्वज्य च पाण्डवान्। मूर्ध्न्युपाघ्राय बहुशः पार्थानात्मसुतौ तदा
She saluted the great sages, embraced the Pandavas, and repeatedly kissed her two sons on the head.
हस्ते युधिष्ठिरं गृह्य माद्री वाक्यमभाषत। कुन्ती माता अहं धात्री युष्माकं तु पिता मृतः
Taking Yudhishthira by the hand, Madri spoke these words: 'Kunti is your mother, I am your nurse, and your father is dead.'
युधिष्ठिरः पिता ज्येष्ठश्चतुर्णां धर्मतः सदा। वृद्धाद्युपासनासक्ताः सत्यधर्मपरायणाः
Yudhishthira is the eldest and, by righteousness, always the father among the four; be devoted to serving elders, and steadfast in truth and virtue.
तादृशा न विनश्यन्ति नैव यान्ति पराभवम्। तस्मात्सर्वे कुरुध्वं वै गुरुवृत्तिमतन्द्रिताः
Such ones do not perish nor meet with defeat; therefore, all of you should diligently fulfill your duties to your elders.
ऋषीणां च पृथायाश्च नमस्कृत्य पुनःपुनः। आयासकृपणा माद्री प्रत्युवाच पृथां तदा
Having repeatedly bowed to the sages and to Pritha, sorrowful Madri then addressed Pritha.
ऋषीणां संनिधावेषां यथा वागभ्युदीरिता। दिदृक्षमाणायाः स्वर्गं न ममैषा वृथा भवेत्
In the presence of these sages, as these words have been spoken, let my desire to see heaven not be in vain.
धन्या त्वमसि वार्ष्णेयि नास्ति स्त्री सदृशी त्वया। वीर्यं तेजश्च योगं च माहात्म्यं च यशस्विनाम्
Blessed are you, O daughter of the Vrishni, there is no woman equal to you; your strength, brilliance, discipline, greatness, and the glory of the illustrious are unmatched.
कुन्ति द्रक्ष्यसि पुत्राणां पञ्चानाममितौजसाम्। आर्या चाप्यभिवाद्या च मम पूज्या च सर्वतः
Kunti, you will see your five sons of immeasurable might; and the noble lady, honored and revered by me in every way.
ज्येष्ठा वरिष्ठा त्वं देवि भूषिता स्वगुणैः शुभैः। अभ्यनुज्ञातुमिच्छामि त्वया यावनन्दिनि
You are the eldest and most distinguished, O goddess, adorned with your own auspicious virtues; I wish to receive your permission, O joyful one.