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.
ब्रह्मक्षत्रे च विहिते ब्राह्मं तेजो विशिष्यते। सोऽहं क्षात्राद्बलाद्धीनो ब्राह्मं तेजः प्रपेदिवान्
Where both Brahmin and Kshatriya powers are present, Brahmin energy prevails; thus, though weak in Kshatriya strength, I have sought Brahmin energy.
द्रोणाद्विशिष्टमासाद्य भवन्तं ब्रह्मवित्तमम्। द्रोणान्तकमहं पुत्रं लभेयं युधि दुर्जयम्
Having attained you, superior to Droṇa and foremost knower of Brahman, I may obtain a son who will be Droṇa’s slayer and unconquerable in battle.
तत्कर्म कुरु मे मे याज वितराम्यर्बुदं गवाम्। तथेत्युक्त्वा तु तं याजो याज्यार्थमुपकल्पयत्
Perform this act for me, O Yāja; I will grant you ten million cows. Saying ‘so be it,’ Yāja prepared for the sacrifice.
गुर्वर्थ इति चाकाममुपयाजमचोदयत्। याजो द्रोणविनाशाय प्रतिजज्ञे तथा च सः
For the sake of the teacher, though unwilling, Upayāja urged Yāja; Yāja vowed to destroy Droṇa, and so he did.
ततस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य उपयाजो महातपाः। आचख्यौ कर्म वैतानं तदा पुत्रफलाय वै
Then Upayāja, the great ascetic, explained to that king the Vaitāna ritual, which indeed brings forth sons.
स च पुत्रो महावीर्यो महातेजा महाबलः। इष्यते यद्विधो राजन्भविता ते तथाविधः
And the son, O King, who is desired to be of great strength, great energy, and great might, will be born to you just as you wish.
भारद्वाजस्य हन्तारं सोऽभिसन्धाय भूपतिः। आजह्वे तत्तथा सर्वं द्रुपदः कर्मसिद्धये
With the intent of obtaining a slayer for Bhāradvāja, the king Drupada performed all the rites accordingly for the accomplishment of his purpose.
याजस्तु हवनस्यान्ते देवीमाज्ञापयत्तदा। प्रेहि मां राज्ञि पृषति मिथुनं त्वामुपस्थितम्
At the conclusion of the sacrifice, Yāja instructed the queen, 'Come to me, O Queen Pṛṣati, the pair is now present.'
अवलिप्तं मुखं ब्रह्मन्दिव्यान्गन्धान्बिभर्मि च। सूतार्थे नोपलब्धाऽस्मि तिष्ठ याज मम प्रिये
'My face is smeared, O Brāhmaṇa, and I bear divine fragrances; but I am not yet prepared for conception. Wait, Yāja, my dear.'
याजेन श्रपितं हव्यमुपयाजाभिमन्त्रितम्। कथं कामं न सन्दध्यात्सा त्वं विप्रेहि तिष्ठ वा
'The oblation consecrated by Yāja has been offered, and Upayāja has recited the mantras. How could the desired result not be achieved? So, either go, Brāhmaṇa, or stay.'