असत्कारः स तु महान्मुहूर्तमपि तस्य तु। नापैति हृदयाद्राज्ञो दुर्मनाः स कृशोऽभवत्
Yet that great dishonor, even for a moment, did not leave the king’s heart; troubled in mind, he became emaciated.
अमर्षी द्रुपदो राजा कर्मसिद्धान्द्विजर्षभान्। अन्विच्छन्परिचक्राम ब्राह्मणावसथान्बहून्
King Drupada, burning with resentment, wandered among many dwellings of Brahmins, seeking accomplished sages.
पुत्रजन्म परीप्सन्वै शोकोपहतचेतनः। `द्रोणेन वैरं द्रुपदो न सुष्वाप स्मरन्सदा।' नास्ति श्रेष्ठमपत्यं म इति नित्यमचिन्तयत्
Desiring the birth of a son, his mind afflicted by grief, Drupada could not sleep, always remembering his enmity with Droṇa; he constantly thought, 'I have no excellent offspring.'
जातान्पुत्रान्स निर्वेदाद्धिग्बन्धूनिति चाब्रवीत्। निःश्वासपरमश्चासीद्द्रोणं प्रतिचिकीर्षया
Having become disillusioned with his born sons, he declared, 'Fie upon relatives!' and, sighing deeply, was intent on acting against Droṇa.
प्रभावं विनयं शिक्षां द्रोणस्य चरितानि च। क्षात्रेण च बलेनास्य चिन्तयन्नाध्यगच्छत
Reflecting on Droṇa’s power, humility, learning, and deeds, as well as his own strength as a kṣatriya, he found no relief.
प्रतिकर्तुं नृपश्रेष्ठो यतमानोऽपि भारत। अभितः सोऽथ कल्माषीं गङ्गाकूले परिभ्रमन्
Though striving to retaliate, that foremost of kings, O Bhārata, wandered along the dark banks of the Gaṅgā.
ब्राह्मणावसथं पुम्यमाससाद महीपतिः। तत्र नास्नातकः कश्चिन्न चासीदव्रती द्विजः
The king reached a sacred Brahmin dwelling, where there was not a single uninitiated or undisciplined twice-born.
अधीयानौ महाभागौ सोऽपश्यत्संशितव्रतौ। याजोपयाजौ ब्रह्मर्षी शाम्यन्तौ परमेष्ठिनौ
There he saw the two great and resolute ascetics, Yāja and Upayāja, brahmarṣis engaged in study and self-restraint.
संहिताध्ययने युक्तौ गोत्रतश्चापि काश्यपौ। तारणेयौ युक्तरूपौ ब्राह्मणावृषिसत्तमौ
Engaged in reciting the Saṃhitā, both of the Kāśyapa lineage, the two Tārāṇeyas, fitting in every way, were the best of Brahmins and bulls among sages.
स तावामन्त्रयामास सर्वकामैरतन्द्रितः। बुद्ध्वा बलं तयोस्तत्र कनीयांसमुपह्वरे
He respectfully approached them, tireless in his attentions, and, discerning the younger’s strength, drew near to him in private.
प्रपेदे च्छन्दयन्कामैरुपयाजं धृतव्रतम्। पादशुश्रूषणे युक्तः प्रियवाक्सर्वकामदः
He sought out Upayāja, steadfast in his vows, by offering every desired service, attending to his feet, speaking kindly, and granting all wishes.
अर्चयित्वा यथान्यायमुपयाजमुवाच सः। येन मे कर्मणा ब्रह्मन्पुत्रः स्याद्द्रोणमृत्यवे
Having worshipped Upayāja as was proper, he said: 'O Brahmin, by your act, may I have a son who will be the death of Droṇa.'
अर्जुनस्य भवेद्भार्या भवेद्या वरवर्णिनी।' उपयाज कृते तस्मिन् गवां दाताऽस्मि तेऽर्बुदं
'Let the most beautiful maiden become Arjuna’s wife; if you perform this, Upayāja, I will give you a hundred thousand cows.'
यद्वा तेऽन्यद्द्विजश्रेष्ठ मनसः सुप्रियं भवेत्। सर्वं तत्ते प्रदाताऽहं न हि मेऽत्रास्ति संशयः
'Or if there is anything else, O best of twice-born, that is most pleasing to your mind, I will give you all that—there is no doubt in me.'
इत्युक्तो नाहमित्येवं तमृषिः प्रत्यभाषत। आराधयिष्यन्द्रुपदः स तं पर्यचरत्पुनः
Thus addressed, the sage replied only, 'No,' and Drupada continued to serve him, seeking to win his favor.
ततः संवत्सरस्यान्ते द्रुपदं स द्विजोत्तमः। उपयाजोऽब्रवीत्काले राजन्मधुरया गिरा
Then, at the end of a year, Upayāja, the best of twice-born, spoke to Drupada at the proper time, O king, with sweet words.
ज्येष्ठो भ्राता ममागृह्माद्विचरन् गहने वने। अपरिज्ञातशौचायां भूमौ निपतितं फलम्
My eldest brother, wandering from our home in the dense forest, found a fruit fallen upon the ground, where its purity was unknown.
तदपश्यमहं भ्रातुरसाम्प्रतमनुव्रजन्। विमर्शं संकरादाने नायं कुर्यात्कदाचन
Following my brother at that time, I saw this and reflected: one should never take what is mixed and uncertain.
दृष्ट्वा फलस्य नापश्यद्दोषान्पापानुबन्धकान्। विविनक्ति न शौचं यः सोऽन्यत्रापि कथं भवेत्
Seeing the fruit, he did not perceive its faults or sinful consequences; one who does not discern purity here, how will he do so elsewhere?
संहिताध्ययनं कुर्वन्वसन्गुरुकुले च यः। भैक्षमुत्सृष्टमन्येषां भुङ्क्ते स्म च यदा तदा
While studying the scriptures and residing in the teacher’s house, he would eat food that was left by others whenever it was available.
कीर्तयन्गुणमन्नानामघृणी च पुनः पुनः। तं वै फलार्थिनं मन्ये भ्रातरं तर्कचक्षुषा
He repeatedly praised the virtues of various foods, and was without compassion; I consider that brother, with the eye of reasoning, as one who seeks fruit.
तं वै गच्छस्व नृपते स त्वां संयाजयिष्यति। जुगुप्समानो नृपतिर्मनसेदं विचिन्तयन्
Go to him, O king; he will perform the sacrifice for you, though the king, contemplating this in his mind, will feel aversion.
उपयाजवचः श्रुत्वा याजस्याश्रममभ्यगात्। अभिसम्पूज्य पूजार्हमथ याजमुवाच ह
Hearing Upayāja’s words, Yājāsa approached the hermitage; after honoring him who was worthy of respect, he spoke to Yāja.
अयुतानि ददान्यष्टौ गवां याजय मां विभो। द्रोणवैराभिसन्तप्तं प्रह्लादयितुमर्हसि
I will give you eighty thousand cows; conduct the sacrifice for me, O illustrious one. You ought to gladden me, afflicted by enmity with Droṇa.
स हि ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो ब्रह्मास्त्रे चाप्यनुत्तमः। तस्माद्द्रोणः पराजैष्ट मां वै स सखिविग्रहे
He is the foremost among those who know Brahman, and unsurpassed in the Brahma weapon; thus Droṇa defeated me in the contest of friends.
क्षत्रियो नास्ति तस्यास्यां पृथिव्यां कश्चिदग्रणीः। कौरवाचायर्मुख्यस्य भारद्वाजस्य धीमतः
There is no Kshatriya on this earth who is superior to him—the chief preceptor of the Kauravas, the wise son of Bhāradvāja.
द्रोणस्य शरजालानि प्राणिदेहहराणि च। षडरत्नि धनुश्चास्य दृश्यते परमं महत्
Droṇa’s showers of arrows take away life and body; his six-gemmed bow is seen to be supremely great.
स हि ब्राह्मणवेषेण क्षात्रं वेगमशंसयम्। प्रतिहन्ति महेष्वासो भारद्वाजो महामनाः
Though clad as a Brahmin, he displays the speed of a Kshatriya; the great-minded Bhāradvāja, mighty archer, repels all.
क्षत्रोच्छेदाय विहितो जामदग्न्य इवास्थितः। तस्य ह्यस्त्रबलं घोरमप्रधृष्यं नरैर्भुवि
He stands, like Jāmadagnya, intent on the destruction of Kshatriyas; his terrible power of weapons is invincible by men on earth.
ब्राह्मं सन्धारयंस्तेजो हुताहुतिरिवानलः। समेत्य स दहत्याजौ क्षात्रधर्मपुरःसरः
Bearing Brahmin energy, like fire fed by offerings, he meets and burns in battle, preceded by the duty of Kshatriyas.