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.
ततस्ते पाण्डवाः श्रेष्ठाः पूज्यमानाः सदा त्वया। प्रकृतीनामनुमते पदे स्थास्यन्ति पैतृके
Then those foremost Pandavas, always honored by you, with the approval of the people, will remain in their ancestral position.
एतत्तव महाराज तेषु पुत्रेषु चैव हि। वृत्तमौपयिकं मन्ये भीष्मेण सह भारत
O great king, I consider this conduct proper for you and your sons, together with Bhishma, O Bharata.
योजितावर्थमानाभ्यां सर्वकार्येष्वनन्तरौ। न मन्त्रयेतां त्वच्छ्रेयः किमद्भुततरं ततः
If two people, intent on their own interests, are joined in all matters and do not consult for your welfare, what could be more astonishing than that?
दुष्टेन मनसा यो वै प्रच्छन्नेनान्तरात्मना। ब्रूयान्नि)श्रेयसं नाम कथं कुर्यात्सतां मतम्
How could one with a wicked mind, who secretly harbors ill intent, speak of supreme good and act according to the judgment of the virtuous?
न मित्राण्यर्थकृच्छ्रेषु श्रेयसे चेतराय वा। विधिपूर्वं हि सर्वस्य दुःखं वा यदि वा सुखम्
Friends do not act for benefit or harm in times of difficulty; for all joy or sorrow comes to everyone according to destiny.
कृतप्रज्ञोऽकृतप्रज्ञो बालो वृद्धश्च मानवः। ससहायोऽसहायश्च सर्वं सर्वत्र विन्दति
Whether wise or unwise, young or old, with allies or without, every person everywhere experiences all outcomes.
श्रूयते हि पुरा कश्चिदम्बुवीच इतीश्वरः। आसीद्राजगृहे राजा मागधानां महीक्षिताम्
It is heard that long ago there was a king named Ambuvicha, lord of the Magadhas, who ruled from the royal palace.
स हीनः करणैः सर्वैरुच्छ्वासपरमो नृपः। अमात्यसंस्थः सर्वेषु कार्येष्वेवाभवत्तदा
That king, deprived of all faculties and concerned only with breathing, was entirely dependent on his ministers in all affairs.
तस्यामात्यो महाकर्णिर्बभूवैकेश्वरस्तदा। स लब्धबलमात्मानं मन्यमानोऽवमन्यते
At that time, his minister Mahakarni, the sole authority, considering himself empowered, began to despise others.
स राज्ञ उपभोग्यानि स्त्रियो रत्नधनानि च। आददे सर्वशो मूढ ऐश्वर्यं च स्वयं तदा
That foolish man took for himself all the king's enjoyments—women, jewels, and wealth—and claimed the sovereignty for himself.
तदादाय च लुब्धस्य लोभाल्लोभोऽभ्यवर्धत। तथाहि सर्वमादाय राज्यमस्य जिहीर्षति
Having seized these out of greed, his greed only increased; thus, after taking everything, he sought to seize the kingdom itself.
हीनस्य करणैः सर्वैरच्छ्वासपरमस्य च। यतमानोऽपि तद्राज्यं न शशाकेति नः श्रुतं
Though the king was deprived of all faculties and concerned only with breathing, still, even with effort, he could not maintain the kingdom, as we have heard.
किमन्यद्विहिता नूनं तस्य सा पुरुषेन्द्रता। यदि ते विहितं राज्यं भविष्यति विशांपते
What else but destiny granted him that lordship among men? If the kingdom is destined for you, O ruler of the people, it will be yours.
मिषतः सर्वलोकस्य स्थास्यते त्वयि तद्धुवम्। अतोऽन्यथा चेद्विहितं यतमानो न लप्स्यसे
While all the world looks on, it will surely remain with you; but if destiny ordains otherwise, you will not obtain it, however much you strive.
एवं विद्वन्नुपादत्स्व मन्त्रिणां साध्वसाधुताम्। दुष्टानां चैव बोद्धव्यमदुष्टानां च भाषितम्
Thus, O wise one, discern well the virtue or vice of your counselors; you must understand the words of the wicked and the blameless alike.
विद्म ते भावदोषेण यदर्थमिदमुच्यते। दुष्ट पाण्डवहेतोस्त्वं दोषमाख्यापयस्युत
We know that you speak these words because of your own bias; indeed, you point out faults because of your hostility toward the Pandavas.
हितं तु परमं कर्ण ब्रवीमि कुलवर्धनम्। अथ त्वं मन्यसे दुष्टं ब्रूहि यत्परमं हितम्
I speak what is supremely beneficial, O Karna, and brings honor to the lineage; but if you consider it harmful, then tell me what you deem most beneficial.
अतोऽन्यथा चेत्क्रियते यद्ब्रवीमि परं हितम्। कुरवो वै विनङ्क्ष्यन्ति नचिरेणैव मे मतिः
If, however, things are done differently from what I declare as the highest good, then, in my judgment, the Kurus will surely perish soon.
राजन्निःसंशयं श्रेयो वाच्यस्त्वमसि बान्धवैः। न त्वशुश्रूषमाणे वै वाक्यं संप्रति तिष्ठति
O King, you are undoubtedly worthy of counsel from your kinsmen for your welfare; yet, when you do not listen, their words hold no weight at this time.
प्रियं हितं च तद्वाक्यमुक्तवान्कुरुसत्तमः। भीष्मः शान्तनवो राजन्प्रतिगृह्णासि तन्न च
Bhishma, son of Shantanu and foremost among the Kurus, has spoken words that are both pleasing and beneficial, O King, but you neither accept nor heed them.