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.
मूलं च सुकृतं कृत्वा भुङ्क्ते भूमिं च पाण्डवः। अशक्यान्पाण्डवान्मन्ये देवैरपि सवासवैः
Having established a righteous foundation, the Pandava enjoys the land; I think even the gods together with Indra could not overcome the Pandavas.
येषामर्थे सदा युक्तौ कृष्णसंकर्षणावुभौ। श्रेयश्च यदि मन्यद्वं मन्मतं यदि वा मतम्
For whose sake Krishna and Sankarshana are always engaged; if you consider it beneficial, or if you agree with my opinion—
संविदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैः कृत्वा याम यथागतम्। गोपुराट्टालकैरुच्चैरुपतल्पशतैरपि
Let us, after reaching an understanding with all the Pandavas, depart as we have come, even though there are lofty gateways, towers, and hundreds of inner chambers.
गुप्तं पुरवरश्रेष्ठमेतदद्भिश्च संवृतम्। तृणधान्येन्धरसैस्तथा यन्त्रायुधौषधैः
This excellent and well-guarded city is surrounded by water, and filled with grass, grain, fuel, machines, weapons, and medicinal herbs.
युक्तं बहुकवाटैश्च द्रव्यागारसुवेदिकैः। भीमोच्छ्रितमहाचक्रं बृहदट्टालसंवृतम्
It is equipped with many gates, storerooms, and altars; with massive wheels raised by Bhima's strength, and enclosed by great towers.
दृढप्राकारनिर्यूहं शतघ्नीशतसंकुलम्। ऐष्टको दारवो वप्रो मानुषश्चेति यः स्मृतः
With strong ramparts and outworks, crowded with hundreds of engines of war; the embankment is said to be made of bricks, wood, and earth.
प्राकारकर्तृभिर्वीरैर्नृगर्भस्तत्र पूजितः। तदेतन्नरगर्भेण पाण्डरेण विराजते
Within, the city is honored by heroic builders of the ramparts; and it shines with the presence of Pandara, born in the city.
सालेनानेकतालेन सर्वतः संवृतं पुरम्। अनुरक्ताः प्रकृतयो द्रुपदस्य महात्मनः
The city is surrounded on all sides by a great wall of many palmyra trees; the people of the great-souled Drupada are loyal.
दानमानार्जिताः सर्वे बाह्याभ्यन्तरगाश्च ये। प्रतिरुद्धानिमाञ्ज्ञात्वा राजभिर्भीमविक्रमैः
All those within and without, who have been won over by gifts and respect, are loyal; knowing these are restrained by kings of mighty valor.
उपयास्यन्ति दाशार्हाः समुदग्रोच्छ्रितायुधाः। तस्मात्संन्धिं वयं कृत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य पाण्डवैः
The Dasharhas, bearing weapons raised high, will come; therefore, let us make peace between the sons of Dhritarashtra and the Pandavas.
स्वराष्ट्रमेव गच्छामो यद्याप्तं वचनं मम। एतन्मम मतं सर्वैः क्रियतां यदि रोचते। एतद्धि सुकृतं मन्ये क्षेमं चापि महीभिताम्
Let us return to our own kingdom, if my words are acceptable; let this be done by all if it pleases you. I think this is the righteous and safe course for kings.
सौमदत्तेर्वचः श्रुत्वा कर्णो वैकर्तनो वृषा। उवाच वचनं काले कालज्ञः सर्वकर्मणाम्
Hearing the words of Saumadatti, Karna, son of Vikartana, the mighty one, who knows the proper time for all actions, spoke these timely words.
नीतिपूर्वमिदं सर्वमुक्तं वचनमर्थवत्। वचनं नाभ्यसूयामि श्रूयतां यद्वचस्त्विति
All this has been spoken with policy and meaning; I do not find fault with these words. Listen now to what I have to say.
द्वैधीभावो न गन्तव्यः सर्वकर्मसु मानवैः। द्विधाभूतेन मनसा अन्यत्कर्म न सिध्यति
One should not act with a divided mind in any undertaking; with a mind split in two, no action succeeds.
संप्रयाणासनाभ्यां तु कर्शनेन तथैव च। नैतच्छक्यं पुरं हर्तुमाक्रन्दश्चाप्यशोभनः
By siege or by assault, or by wearing them down, this city cannot be taken; and a mere outcry is not fitting.
अवमर्दनकालोऽत्र मतश्चिन्तयतो मम। यावन्नो वृष्णयः पार्ष्णिं न गृह्णन्तिरणप्रियाः
Now is the time for pressing the attack, as I consider while reflecting; before the Vrishnis, dear to battle, seize our rear.
भवन्तश्च तथा हृष्टाः स्वबाहुबलशालिनः। प्राकारमवमृद्रन्तु परिघाः पूरयन्त्वपि
You all, strong in the power of your own arms, should break down the rampart, and let the battering rams fill the moat.
प्रस्रावयन्तु सलिलं क्रियतां विषमं समम्। तृणकाष्ठेन महता खातमस्य प्रपूर्यताम्
Let water be drained away, let the ground be made uneven and level; let the great moat be filled with grass and wood.
घुष्यतां राजमार्गेषु परेषां यो हनिष्यति। नागमश्वं पदातिं वा दानमानं स लप्स्यति
Let it be proclaimed in the royal roads: whoever kills the enemy—whether elephant, horse, or foot-soldier—shall receive gifts and honor.
नागे दशसहस्राणि पञ्च चाश्वपदातिषु। रथे वै द्विगुणं नागाद्वसु दास्यन्ति पार्थिवाः
For an elephant, ten thousand; for horse and foot-soldier, five thousand; for a chariot, twice as much as for an elephant—the kings will bestow wealth.