तत आनाय्य तान्सर्वान्मन्त्रिणः सुमहायशाः। धृतराष्ट्रो महाराज मन्त्रयामास वै तदा
Then, having summoned all the renowned counselors, King Dhṛtarāṣṭra held a consultation.
न रोचते विग्रहो मे पाण्डुपुत्रैः कथंचन। यथैव धृतराष्ट्रो मे तथा पाण्डुरसंशयम्
I do not approve of conflict with the sons of Pāṇḍu in any way; just as Dhṛtarāṣṭra is mine, so is Pāṇḍu, without doubt.
गान्धार्याश्च यथा पुत्रास्तथा कुन्तीसुता मम। यथा च मम ते रक्ष्या धृतराष्ट्र तथा तव
Just as the sons of Gāndhārī are mine, so too are the sons of Kuntī; and as mine are to be protected, O Dhṛtarāṣṭra, so are yours.
यथा च मम राज्ञश्च तथा दुर्योधनस्य ते। तथा कुरूणां सर्वेषामन्येषामपि पार्थिव
Just as mine and the king’s, so too are yours and Duryodhana’s; likewise, all the Kurus and other kings, O best of rulers.
एवं गते विग्रहं तैर्न रोचे सन्धाय वीरैर्दीयतामर्धभूमिः। तेषामपीदं प्रपितामहानां राज्यं पितुश्चैव कुरूत्तमानाम्
Thus, in this situation, I do not approve of conflict with them; let half the kingdom be given to the heroes in peace. This realm belongs to their ancestors and to their father, as well as to the foremost Kurus.
दुर्योधन यथा र्जायं त्वमिदं तात पश्यसि। मम पैतृकमित्येवं तेऽपि पश्यन्ति पाण्डवाः
Just as you, Duryodhana, see this kingdom as your paternal inheritance, so too do the Pāṇḍavas see it in the same way.
यदि राज्यं न ते प्राप्ताः पाण्डवेया यशस्विनः। कुत एव तवापीदं भारतस्यापि कस्यचित्
If the illustrious sons of Pāṇḍu have not obtained the kingdom, then how could it belong to you, or to anyone else in Bhārata?
अधर्मेण च राज्यं त्वं प्राप्तवान्भरतर्षभ। तेऽपि राज्यमनुप्राप्ताः पूर्वमेवेति मे मतिः
And if you have obtained the kingdom by unrighteous means, O best of Bharatas, then they too have previously acquired it; such is my conviction.
मधुरेणैव राज्यस्य तेषामर्धं प्रदीयताम्। एतद्धि पुरुषव्याघ्र हितं सर्वजनस्य च
Let half of the kingdom be given to them gently; this is indeed beneficial for all people, O tiger among men.
अतोऽन्यथा चेत्क्रियते न हितं नो भविष्यति। तवाप्यकीर्तिः सकला भविष्यति न संशयः
If it is done otherwise, it will not be for our good; your infamy will become widespread, without doubt.
कीर्तिरक्षणमातिष्ठ कीर्तिर्हि परमं बलम्। नष्टकीर्तेर्मनुष्यस्य जीवितं ह्यफळं स्मृतम्
Uphold the protection of your honor, for honor is the highest strength; the life of a man whose honor is lost is indeed considered fruitless.
यावत्कीर्तिर्मनुष्यस्य न प्रणश्यति कौरव। तावज्जीवति गान्धरे नष्टकीर्तिस्तु नश्यति
As long as a man's honor does not perish, O Kaurava, so long does he live, O Gandhari; but one whose honor is lost perishes.
तमिमं समुपातिष्ठ धर्मं कुरुकुलोचितम्। अनुरूपं महाबाहो पूर्वेषामात्मनः कुरु
Embrace this conduct, which is fitting for the Kuru lineage; mighty-armed one, act in a manner worthy of your ancestors and yourself.
दिष्ट्या ध्रियन्ते पार्था हि दिष्ट्या जीवति सा पृथा। दिष्ट्या पुरोचनः पापो न सकामोऽत्ययं गतः
By fortune, the sons of Pritha are preserved; by fortune, she herself lives; by fortune, the wicked Purocana did not achieve his desire and met his end.
यदाप्रभृति दग्धास्ते कुन्तिभोजसुतासुताः। तदाप्रभृति गान्धारे न शक्नोम्यभिवीक्षितुम्
From the moment the sons of Kunti and their children were burned, O Gandhari, from that time I have not been able to look upon you.
लोके प्राणभृतां किंचिच्छ्रुत्वा कुन्तीं तथागताम्। न चापि दोषेण तथा लोको मन्येत्पुरोचनम्। यथा त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र लोको दोषेण गच्छति
In the world, when people hear that Kunti has come to such a state, they do not blame Purocana as much as, O tiger among men, they blame you.
तदिदं जीवितं तेषां तव किल्बिषनाशनम्। संमन्तव्यं महाराज पाण्डवानां च दर्शनम्
This survival of theirs should be regarded, O great king, as the destruction of your sin, and the sight of the Pandavas likewise.
न चापि तेषां वीराणां जीवतां कुरुनन्दन। पित्र्योंशः शक्य आदातुमपि वज्रभृता स्वयं
Nor, O joy of the Kurus, could even the wielder of the thunderbolt himself take the ancestral share from those heroic men while they live.
ते सर्वेऽवस्थिता धर्मे सर्वे चैवैकचेतसः। अधर्मेण निरस्ताश्च तुल्ये राज्ये विशेषतः
All of them stand firm in righteousness, all with united purpose; yet they were deprived by unrighteousness, especially regarding their equal share in the kingdom.
यदि धर्मस्त्वया कार्यो यदि कार्यं प्रियं च मे। क्षेमं च यदि कर्तव्यं तेषामर्धं प्रदीयताम्
If you wish to act righteously, if you wish to do what pleases me, and if you wish to ensure their welfare, then grant them half the kingdom.
मन्त्राय समुपानीतैर्धृतराष्ट्र हितैर्नृप। धर्म्यमर्थ्यं यशस्यं च वाच्यमित्यनुशुश्रुम
We have heard that, for counsel brought by those devoted to Dhritarashtra's welfare, one should speak what is righteous, expedient, and brings honor.
ममाप्येषा मतिस्तात या भीष्मस्य महात्मनः। संविभज्यास्तु कौन्तेया धर्म एष सनातनः
This is also my opinion, O father, as that of the great-souled Bhishma: let the sons of Kunti be given their share; this is the eternal law.
प्रेष्यतां द्रुपदायाशु नऱः कश्चित्प्रियंवदः। बहुलं रत्नमादाय तेषामर्थाय भारत
Let someone who speaks pleasantly be sent quickly to Drupada, O Bharata, bearing abundant jewels for their sake.
मिथः कृत्यं च तस्मै स आदाय वसु गच्छतु। वृद्धिं च परमां ब्रूयात्तत्संयोगोद्भवां तथा
Let him take gifts and go to them to discuss mutual matters, and let him speak of the great prosperity that will arise from this alliance.
संप्रीयमाणं त्वां ब्रूयाद्राजन्दुर्योधनं तथा। असकृद्द्रुपदे चैव धृष्टद्युम्ने च भारत
Let him repeatedly speak to King Duryodhana of your goodwill, and likewise to Drupada and Dhrishtadyumna, O Bharata.
उचितत्वं प्रियत्वं च योगस्यापि च वर्णयेत्। पुनःपुनश्च कौन्येयान्माद्रीपुत्रौ च सान्त्वयन्
Let him describe the appropriateness and affection of this alliance, and, again and again, console the sons of Kunti and the sons of Madri.
हिरण्मयानि शुभ्राणि बहून्याभरणानि च। वचनात्तव राजेन्द्र द्रौपद्याः संप्रयच्छतु
Let him, at your command, O king, present to Draupadi many golden, splendid ornaments.
तथा द्रुपदपुत्राणां सर्वेषां भरतर्षभ। पाण्डवानां च सर्वेषां कुन्त्या युक्तानि यानि च
Likewise, O bull among the Bharatas, let him give to all the sons of Drupada, all the Pandavas, and to Kunti whatever is suitable for them.
दत्त्वा तानि महार्हाणि पाण्डवान्संप्रहर्षय।' एवं सान्त्वसमायुक्तं द्रुपदं पाण्डवैः सह। उक्त्वा सोऽनन्तरं ब्रूयात्तेषामागमनं प्रति
Having given those precious gifts, he delighted the Pandavas; thus, having spoken conciliatory words to Drupada in the presence of the Pandavas, he would then immediately speak regarding their arrival.
अनुज्ञातेषु वीरेषु बलं गच्छतु शोभनम्। दुःशासनो विकर्णश्चाप्यानेतुं पाण्डवानिह
When the heroes have been granted permission, let the army proceed in good order; let Duhshasana and Vikarna bring the Pandavas here.