योऽसावत्यक्रमीद्युध्यन्युद्धे दुर्योधनं तथा। स राजा पाण्डवश्रेष्ठः पुण्यभाग्बुद्धिवर्धनः
He who, fighting, did not transgress Duryodhana in battle—he is that king, the foremost Pandava, blessed with virtue and wisdom.
दुर्योधनस्यावरजैर्यौ युध्येतां प्रतीपवत्। तौ यमौ वृत्तसंपन्नौ संपन्नबलविक्रमौ
Those two, the virtuous and accomplished twins, equal in strength and valor, who opposed Duryodhana’s younger brothers in battle—
ब्रह्मरूपधराञ्श्रुत्वा प्रशान्तान्पाण्डुनन्दनान्। कौन्तेयान्मनुजेन्द्राणां विस्मयः समजायत
Hearing that the sons of Pandu, calm and possessing the form of Brahma, were present, the kings of men were struck with wonder.
पौरा हि सर्वे राजन्याः समपद्यन्त विस्मिताः।' सपुत्रा हि पुरा कुन्ती दग्धा जतुगृहे श्रुता
All the citizens and kings were amazed, for it was believed that Kunti and her sons had perished in the house of lac.
सर्वभूमिपतीनां च राष्ट्राणां च यशस्विनी।' पुनर्जातानिव च तांस्तेऽमन्यन्त नराधिपाः
The illustrious lady, and those kings of men, thought them as if born again among all the rulers and their realms.
धिगकुर्वंस्तदा भीष्मं धृतराष्ट्रं च कौरवम्। कर्मणाऽतिनृशंसेन पुरोचनकृतेन वै
Then they condemned Bhishma and the Kaurava Dhritarashtra for the exceedingly cruel act committed by Purocana.
धार्मिकान्वृत्तसंपन्नान्मातुः प्रियहिते रतान्। यदा तानीदृशान्पार्थानुत्सादयितुमिच्छति
When such sons of Pritha, righteous, accomplished in conduct, devoted to their mother’s welfare, are sought to be destroyed—
ततः स्वयंवरे वृत्ते धार्तराष्ट्राश्च भारत। मन्त्रयन्ति ततः सर्वे कर्णसौबलदूषिताः
Then, after the svayamvara had taken place, O Bharata, the sons of Dhritarashtra all took counsel, influenced by Karna and the son of Suvala.
कश्चिच्छत्रुः कर्शनीयः पीडनीयस्तथाऽपरः। उत्सादनीयाः कौन्तेयाः सर्वक्षत्रस्य मे मताः
One enemy must be weakened, another oppressed; in my view, the sons of Kunti must be destroyed for the sake of all Kshatriyas.
एवं पराजिताः सर्वे यदि यूयं गमिष्यथ। अकृत्वा संविदं कांचिन्मनस्तप्स्यत्यसंशयम्
If, thus defeated, you all depart without making any agreement, your minds will surely be troubled.
अयं देशश्च कालश्च पाण्डवाहरणाय नः। न चेदेवं करिष्यध्वं लोके हास्या भविष्यथ
This is the place and time for us to seize the Pandavas; if you do not act thus, you will become objects of ridicule in the world.
यमेते संश्रिता वस्तुं कामयन्ते च भूमिपम्। सोऽल्पवीर्यबलो राजा द्रुपदो वै मतो मम
The king whom they have sought as refuge and wish to dwell with is, in my opinion, Drupada, a ruler of little strength and power.
यावदेतान्न जानन्ति जीवतो वृष्णिपुङ्गवाः। चैद्यश्च पुरुषव्याघ्रः शिशुपालः प्रतापवान्
As long as the foremost among the Vrishnis and the mighty Shishupala, tiger among men and valiant Chedi, do not know about them while they live,
एकीभावं गतो राज्ञा द्रुपदेन महात्मना। दुराधर्षतरा राजन्भविष्यन्ति न संशयः
Once the great-souled king Drupada has united with them, O king, they will become even more difficult to overcome—there is no doubt.
यावच्चञ्चलतां सर्वे प्राप्नुवन्ति नराधिपाः। तावदेव व्यवस्यामः पाण्डवानां वधं प्रति
As long as all the kings remain unsettled, only then should we decide upon the destruction of the Pandavas.
मुक्ता जतुगृहाद्भीमादाशीविषमुखादिव। पुनस्ते यदि मुच्यन्ते महन्नो भयमागतम्
If, like Bhima escaping the house of lac, they are freed again from danger as from the mouth of a poisonous serpent, then great fear will come upon us.
तेषामिहोपयातानामेषां तु चिरवासिनाम्। अन्तरे दुष्करं स्थातुं गजयोर्महतोरिव
For those who have arrived here and have dwelt long, it is difficult to stand against them, just as it is between two mighty elephants.
हनध्वं प्रगृहीतानि बलानि बलिनां वराः। यावन्नः कुरुसेनायां पतन्ति पतगा इव
Strike down the gathered forces, O best among the strong, before they fall upon our Kuru army like birds.
तावत्सर्वाभिसारेण पुरमेतद्विहन्यताम्। एतन्मम मतं चैव प्राप्तकालं नरर्षभ
Let this city be destroyed with a full assault before all converge; this is my opinion, O bull among men, and the time has come.
शकुनेर्वचनं श्रुत्वा भाषमाणस्य दुर्मतेः। सोमदत्तिरिदं वाक्यं जगाद परमं ततः
Hearing the words of Shakuni, who spoke with evil intent, Somadatta then uttered this supreme statement:
प्रकृतीः सप्त वै ज्ञात्वा आत्मनश्च परस्य च। तथा देशं च कालं च षड्विधान्स नयोद्गुणान्
Having understood the seven elements of one's own and another's nature, as well as place, time, and the six qualities of policy,
स्थानं वृद्धिं क्षयं चैव भूमिं मित्राणि विक्रमम्। प्रसमीक्ष्याभियुञ्जीत परं व्यसनपीडितम्
One should carefully consider position, growth, decline, land, allies, and prowess, and then attack the enemy afflicted by calamity.
ततोऽहं पाण्डवान्मन्ये मित्रकोशसमन्वितान्। बलस्थान्विक्रमस्थांश्च स्वकृतैः प्रकृतिप्रियान्
Therefore, I regard the Pandavas as endowed with friends and treasury, established in strength and valor, and beloved by their people through their own deeds.
वपुषा हि तु भूतानां नेत्राणि हृदयानि च। श्रोत्रं मधुरया वाचा रमयत्यर्जुनो नृणाम्
By his appearance, Arjuna delights the eyes and hearts of all beings, and by his sweet speech, he charms the ears of men.
न तु केवलदैवेन प्रजा भावेन भेजिरे। यद्बभूव मनःकान्तं कर्मणा स चकार तत्
Not merely by destiny did the people follow; whatever was pleasing to their minds, he accomplished by his actions.
न ह्ययुक्तं न चासक्तं नानृतं न च विप्रियम्। भाषितं चारुभाषस्य जज्ञे पार्थस्य भारती
Nothing improper, nothing attached, nothing false, nor anything displeasing was ever spoken by Partha, whose speech was beautiful.
तानेवंगुणसंपन्नान्संपन्नान्राजलक्षणैः। न तान्पश्यामि ये शक्ताः समुच्छेत्तुं यथा बलात्
Such ones, endowed with these virtues and royal marks, I do not see anyone capable of overthrowing them by force.
प्रभावशक्तिर्विपुला मन्त्रशक्तिश्च पुष्कला। तथैवोत्साहशक्तिश्च पार्थेष्वप्यधितिष्ठति
Great power and influence, abundant counsel, and likewise energetic strength reside in the sons of Pritha.
मौलमित्रबलानां च कालज्ञो वै युधिष्टिरः। साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेनेति युधिष्ठिरः
Yudhishthira knows the strength of hereditary allies and the proper time; Yudhishthira acts by conciliation, gifts, division, and punishment.
अमित्रांश्च ततो जेतुनं न रोषेणेति मे मतिः। परिक्रीय धनैः शत्रुं मित्राणि च बलानि च
Therefore, my opinion is that enemies should be conquered not by anger, but by winning them over with wealth, as well as allies and forces.