येन केनाचरेद्धर्मं तस्मिन्गर्हा न विद्यते। `महतोऽत्र स्त्रियं कामाद्वाधितां त्राहि मामपि
One may practice righteousness by any means; there is no blame in that. Save me also, who am afflicted by desire, as you would a woman in great distress.
धर्मार्थकाममोक्षेषु दयां कुर्वन्ति साधवः। तत्तु धर्ममिति प्राहुर्मुनयो धर्मवत्सलाः
The virtuous show compassion in matters of dharma, wealth, desire, and liberation; the sages devoted to dharma declare this to be righteousness.
दिव्यज्ञानेन जानामि व्यतीतानागतानहम्। तस्माद्वक्ष्यामि वः श्रेय आसन्नं सर उत्तमम्
By divine knowledge I know the past and the future; therefore I will tell you what is best—the excellent lake is near.
अद्यासाद्य सरः स्नात्वा विश्रम्य च वनस्पतौ। श्वः प्रभाते महद्भूतं प्रादुर्भूतं जगत्पतिम्
Today, after reaching the lake, bathe and rest beneath the tree; tomorrow at dawn, a great and wondrous being, the lord of the world, will appear.
व्यासं कमलपत्राक्षं दृष्ट्वा शोकं विहास्यथ। धार्तराष्ट्राद्विवासं च दहनं वारणावते
When you see Vyāsa, lotus-eyed, you will cast off your sorrow, and the exile from the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the burning at Vāraṇāvata.
त्राणं च विदुरात्तुभ्यं विदितं ज्ञानचक्षुषा। आवासे शालिहोत्रस्य स वो वासं विधास्यति
Vidura has arranged protection for you, as known by the eye of knowledge; at the dwelling of Śālihotra, he will provide you shelter.
वर्षवातातपसहो ह्ययं पुण्यो वनस्पतिः। पीतमात्रे तु पानीये क्षुत्पिपासे विनश्यतः
This sacred tree endures rain, wind, and sun; once you have drunk water, hunger and thirst will vanish.
तपसा शालिहोत्रेण सरो वृक्षश्च निर्मितः। कादम्बाः सारसा हंसाः कुरर्यः कुररैः सह
By the austerity of Śālihotra, the lake and the tree were created; kādamba birds, cranes, swans, and kuraras with their mates are there.
तस्यास्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा कुन्ती वचनमब्रवीत्
Hearing her words, Kuntī spoke these words.
त्वं हि धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो मयोक्तं शृणु भारत
You are indeed the best among the righteous; listen to what I say, O Bhārata.
राक्षस्येषा हि वाक्येन धर्मं वदति साधु वै। भावेन दुष्टा भीमं वै किं करिष्यति राक्षसी
By the words of this rākṣasī, true dharma is spoken; though evil in intent, what can the rākṣasī do to Bhīma?
एवमेतद्यथाऽऽत्थ त्वं हिडिम्बे नात्र संशयः
So it is, as you have said, Hiḍimbā; there is no doubt in this.
स्थातव्यं तु त्वया धर्मे यथा ब्रूयां सुमध्यमे। `नित्यं कृताह्निका स्नाता कृतशौचा सुरूपिणी
But you must abide by dharma, as I instruct, O slender-waisted one: always perform your daily rites, bathe, keep yourself pure, and remain beautiful.
स्नातं कृताह्निकं भद्रे कृतकौतुकमङ्गलम्। भीमसेनं भजेथास्त्वमुदिते वै दिवाकरे
Having bathed and performed your daily rites, and adorned yourself with auspicious ornaments, you shall approach Bhīmasena when the sun has risen.
अहस्सु विहरानेन यथाकामं मनोजवा। अयं त्वानयितव्यस्ते भीमसेनः सदा निशि
During the day, roam with him as you wish, swift one; but at night, Bhīmasena must always be brought back.
प्राक्सन्ध्यातो विमोक्तव्यो रक्षितव्यश्च नित्यशः। एवं रमस्व भीमेन यावद्गर्भस्य वेदनम्
Before dawn, you must release him and always protect him; thus, enjoy with Bhīma until you feel the signs of pregnancy.
एष ते समयो भद्रे शुश्रूषा चाप्रमत्तया। नित्यानुकूलया भूत्वा कर्तव्यं शोभनं त्वया
This is your agreement, good lady; with attentive service and constant goodwill, you must act properly.
युधिष्ठिरवचः श्रुत्वा कुन्तीमङ्गेऽधिरोप्य सा। भीमार्जुनान्तरगता यमाभ्यां च पुरस्कृता
Having heard Yudhiṣṭhira’s words, she placed Kuntī on her hip, with Bhīma and Arjuna between, and led by the twins.
तिर्यग्युधिष्ठिरे याति हिडिम्बा भीमगामिनी। शालिहोत्रसरो रम्यमाससाद जलार्थिनी
Hiḍimbā, who moved with Bhīma, went beside Yudhiṣṭhira and, desiring water, reached the delightful lake of Śālihotra.
वनस्पतितलं गत्वा परिमृज्य गृहं यथा। पाण्डवानां च वासं सा कृत्वा पर्णमयं तथा
Having gone beneath the tree, she cleaned the ground as one would a house, and made a leaf-hut for the Pāṇḍavas to dwell in.
आत्मनश्च तथा कुन्त्या एकोद्देशे चकार सा। पाण्डवास्तु ततः स्नात्वा शुद्धाः सन्ध्यामुपास्य च
Kunti also performed her ablutions separately, and after bathing and worshipping at twilight, the Pandavas became purified.
तृषिताः क्षुत्पिपासार्ता जलमात्रेण वर्तयन्। शालिहोत्रस्ततो ज्ञात्वा क्षुधार्तान्पाण्डवांस्तदा
Afflicted by thirst and hunger, they sustained themselves with only water; then Śālihotra, seeing the Pandavas tormented by hunger,
मनसा चिन्तयामास पानीयं भोजनं महत्। ततस्ते पाण्डवाः सर्वे विश्रान्ताः पृथया सह
began to contemplate in his mind about obtaining water and abundant food; then all the Pandavas, together with Pritha, rested.
यथा जतुगृहे वृत्तं राक्षसेन कृतं च यत्। कृत्वा कथा बहुविधाः कथान्ते पाण्डुनन्दनम्
They recounted in detail the events at the house of lac and the deeds of the rakshasa, and after many such stories, the son of Pandu,
कुन्ती राजसुता वाक्यं भीमसेनमथाब्रवीत्। यथा पाण्डुस्तथा मान्यस्तव ज्येष्ठो युधिष्ठिरः
Kunti, the royal mother, then spoke to Bhimasena: 'Just as your father Pandu is to be honored, so too is your elder brother Yudhishthira.'
अहं धर्मविदाऽनेन मान्या गुरुतरा तव। तस्मात्पाण्डुहितार्थं मे युवराज हितं कुरु
'By this knower of dharma, I am to be honored even more than you; therefore, for the sake of the Pandu lineage, do what is beneficial for the crown prince.'
निकृता धार्तराष्ट्रेण पापेनाकृतबुद्धिना। दुष्कृतस्य प्रतीकारं न पश्यामि वृकोदर
'We have been wronged by Duryodhana, who is sinful and of evil intent; O Vrikodara, I do not see any remedy for his wickedness.'
तस्मात्कतिपयाहेन योगक्षेमं भविष्यति। क्षेमं दुर्गमिमं वासं वत्स्याम हि यथा वयम्
'Therefore, for a few days, our safety and sustenance will depend on this; we must dwell securely in this inaccessible place as best we can.'
इदमन्यन्महदुःखं धर्मकृच्छ्रं वृकोदर। दृष्ट्वैव त्वां महाप्राज्ञ अनङ्गाभिप्रचोदिता
'This is another great hardship, a trial of dharma, O Vrikodara; seeing you, O wise one, she, impelled by desire, has chosen you.'
युधिष्ठिरं च मां चैव वरयामास धर्मतः। धर्मार्थं देहि पुत्रं त्वं स नः श्रेयः करिष्यति
'She chose both Yudhishthira and me according to righteousness; for the sake of dharma, give her a son, for he will bring us good fortune.'