कालेनातिचिराद्राजन्पिता स्वर्गमुपेयिवान्। स समागम्य पाञ्चालैः पाञ्चालेष्वभिषेचितः
After a long time, O king, his father departed to heaven; then, meeting with the Panchalas, he was consecrated among them.
प्राप्तश्च राज्यं राजेन्द्र सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्धनः। राज्यं ररक्ष धर्मेण यथा चेन्द्रस्त्रिविष्टपम्
Having attained the kingdom, O lord of kings, he increased the joy of his friends; he protected the kingdom with righteousness, as Indra does his heavenly realm.
एतन्मया ते राजेन्द्र यथावत्परिकीर्तितम्। द्रुपदस्य च राजर्षेर्धृष्टद्युम्नस्य जन्म च
Thus have I recounted to you, O lord of kings, as it happened, the birth of Drupada, the royal sage, and of Dhrishtadyumna.
धृतराष्ट्रस्तु राजन्द्रे यदा कौरवनन्दनम्। युधिष्ठिरं विजानन्वै समर्थं राज्यरक्षणे
But when Dhritarashtra, O king, knew that Yudhishthira, the joy of the Kauravas, was indeed capable of protecting the kingdom—
यौवराज्याभिषेकार्थममन्त्रयत मन्त्रिभिः। ते तु बुद्ध्वान्वतप्यन्त धृतराष्ट्रात्मजास्तदा
He consulted with his ministers about installing him in the office of crown prince; but the sons of Dhritarashtra, learning of this, were troubled.
ततः संवत्सरस्यान्ते यौवराज्याय पार्थिव। स्थापितो धृतराष्ट्रेण पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
Then, at the end of the year, Yudhishthira, son of Pandu, was established as crown prince by Dhritarashtra.
ततोऽदीर्घेण कालेन कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। पितुरन्तर्दधे कीर्तिं शीलवृत्तसमाधिभिः
Then, in a short time, Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, by his character, conduct, and composure, revived his father's fame.
असियुद्धे गदायुद्धे रथयुद्धे च पाण्डवः। संकर्षणादशिक्षद्वै शश्वच्छिक्षां वृकोदरः
In sword-fighting, mace-fighting, and chariot warfare, Bhima, the son of Pandu, constantly received instruction from Sankarshana.
समाप्तशिक्षो भीमस्तु द्युमत्सेनसमो बले। पराक्रमेण संपन्नो भ्रातॄणामचरद्वशे
Having completed his training, Bhima became equal in strength to Dyumatsena, endowed with prowess, and acted under the authority of his brothers.
प्रगाढदृढमुष्टित्वे लाघवे वेधने तथा। क्षुरनाराचभल्लानां विपाठानां च तत्त्ववित्
Firm in his grip, swift, and skilled in piercing, he was an expert in the use of razors, arrows, and broad-headed shafts, knowing their true nature.
ऋजुवक्रविशालानां प्रयोक्ता फाल्गुनोऽभवत्। लाघवे सौष्ठवे चैव नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते
Arjuna became the foremost wielder of straight, curved, and broad weapons; in speed and skill, no one else could match him.
बीभत्सुसदृशो लोक इति द्रोणो व्यवस्थितः। ततोऽब्रवीद्गुडाकेशं द्रोणः कौरवसंसदि
Drona, convinced that no one in the world was equal to Arjuna, said this to Gudakesha in the Kaurava assembly.
अगस्त्यस्य धनुर्वेदे शिष्यो मम गुरुः पुरा। अग्निवेश्य इति ख्यातस्तस्य शिष्योऽस्मि भारत
In the science of archery, my teacher was once the disciple of Agastya, known as Agniveshya; I am his disciple, O Bharata.
तीर्थात्तीर्थं गमयितुमहमेतत्समुद्यतः। तपसा यन्मया प्राप्तममोघमशनिप्रभम्
I set out to visit holy places, and through austerity I obtained a weapon, unfailing and brilliant as lightning.
अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो नाम यद्दहेत्पृथिवीमपि। ददता गुरुणा चोक्तं न मनुष्येष्विदंत्वया
That weapon is called Brahmashira, which could burn even the earth; my teacher gave it to me, saying, 'Do not use this among men.'
भारद्वाज विमोक्तव्यमल्पवीर्येषु संयुगे। यद्यदन्तर्हितं भूतं किंचिद्युद्ध्येत्त्वया सह
O Bharadvaja, it is to be released only against beings of little strength in battle, or if any hidden being fights with you.
महातेजस्त्वमेतेन हन्याः शस्त्रेण संयुगे। त्वया प्राप्तमिदं वीर दिव्यं नान्योऽर्हति त्विदम्
With this weapon of great power, you could destroy in battle; you alone, O hero, have obtained this divine weapon—no other is worthy.
समयस्तु त्वया रक्ष्यो मुनिसृष्टो विशांपते। आचार्यदक्षिणां देहि ज्ञातिग्रामस्य पश्यतः
But you must keep the vow established by the sage, O lord of men: give your teacher's fee in the presence of your kinsmen and village.
ददानीति प्रतिज्ञाते फाल्गुनेनाब्रवीद्गुरुः। युद्धेऽहं प्रतियोद्धव्यो युध्यमानस्त्वयाऽनघ
When Phalguna promised to give, the teacher said, 'You must fight me in battle, O sinless one, as your teacher's fee.'
तथेति च प्रतिज्ञाय द्रोणाय कुरुपुङ्गवः। उपसंगृह्य चरणावुपतस्थे विनीतवत्
Having agreed, the best of the Kurus bowed respectfully, embraced Drona's feet, and stood before him with humility.
द्रोणो जगाद वचनं समालिङ्ग्य तु फाल्गुनम्। यन्मयोक्तं पुरा पार्थ तव लोके नरं क्वचित्
Drona, embracing Phalguna, spoke these words: 'O Partha, as I once said, there is no man in the world equal to you.'
सदृशं कारये नैव सर्वप्रहरणे युधि। तत्कृतं च मया सम्यक्तव तुल्यो न वर्तते
I have ensured that in all weapons and in battle, no one is your equal; I have truly accomplished this, and none matches you.
देवा युधि न शक्तास्त्वां योद्धुं दैत्या न दानवाः। नाहं त्वत्तो विशिष्टोऽस्मि किं पुनर्मानवा रणे
Even the gods, demons, and Danavas are not able to fight you in battle; I am not superior to you—how much less, then, are men in war?
एकस्तवाधिको लोके यो हि वृष्णिकुलोद्भवः। कृष्णः कमलपत्राक्षः कंसकालियसूदनः
There is only one in the world superior to you: Krishna, lotus-eyed, born in the Vrishni line, slayer of Kamsa and Kaliya.
स जेता सर्वलोकानां सर्वप्रहरणायुधः। नैतावता ते पार्थाहं भवाम्यनृतवागिह
He who is armed with all weapons will conquer all worlds; yet, O son of Pritha, by this alone I do not become one who speaks untruth here.
तदधीनं जगत्सर्वं तत्प्रलीनं तदुद्भवम्। तत्पदं न विजानन्ति ब्रह्मेशानादयोऽपि वा
All the universe depends on him, dissolves into him, and arises from him; even Brahma and Ishana and others do not know his supreme state.
तन्नाभिप्रभवो ब्रह्मा सर्वभूतानि निर्ममे। स एव कर्ता भोक्ता च संहर्ता च जगन्मयम्
From his navel was born Brahma, who created all beings; he alone is the creator, enjoyer, and destroyer of the universe.
स एव भूतं भव्यं च भवच्च पुरुषः परः। नित्यः सर्वगतः स्थाणुरचलोऽयं सनातनः
He alone is the supreme person—past, future, and present; eternal, all-pervading, unchanging, immovable, and ancient.
प्रादुर्भवति योगात्मा पालनार्थं स लीलया। तत्तुल्यो हि न जायेत न जातो न जनिष्यते
He manifests himself, endowed with yoga, for the protection of the world, by his own play; none equal to him is born, has been born, or will be born.
स हि मातुलजोऽभूत्ते चराचरगुरुः पिता। को हि तं जेतुमीहेत जानन्नात्महितं नरः
He, the son of his maternal uncle, became the teacher and father of all moving and unmoving beings; what man, knowing his own good, would wish to conquer him?