उद्यमः किल कर्तव्यो यथाबुद्धि यथाबलम् । दैवाधीनो भवेन्नूनं जयो वाथ पराजयः
Indeed, effort must be made according to one’s understanding and strength; victory or defeat will surely depend on fate.
सन्धियोगो न चात्रास्ति खले सन्धिर्निरर्थकः । सर्वथा साधुभिः कार्यं विचार्य च पुनः पुनः
There can be no alliance here; a treaty with the wicked is useless. In every way, actions should be carefully considered again and again by the wise.
यानमप्यधुना नैव कर्तव्यं सहसा पुनः । प्रेक्षकाः प्रेषणीयाश्च शीघ्रगाः सुप्रवेशकाः
At present, no hasty march should be undertaken; rather, swift and skillful spies should be sent as observers.
इङ्गितज्ञाश्च निःसङ्गा निःस्पृहाः सत्यवादिनः । सेनाभियोगं प्रस्थानं बलसंख्यां यथार्थतः
They should be perceptive, impartial, unattached, and truthful, to ascertain the enemy’s military preparations, movements, and the true strength of his forces.
वीराणां च परिज्ञानं कृत्वायान्तु त्वरान्विताः । ज्ञात्वा दैत्यपतेस्तस्य सैन्यस्य च बलाबलम्
Having accurately assessed the valor of the warriors and the strengths and weaknesses of the demon lord and his army, let them return quickly.
करिष्यामि ततस्तूर्णं यानं वा दुर्गसंग्रहम् । विचार्य खलु कर्तव्यं कार्यं बुद्धिमता सदा । सहसा विहितं कार्यं दुःखदं सर्वथा भवेत्
Then, having learned this, I will promptly undertake either a campaign or the securing of fortresses. Indeed, the wise should always act after careful deliberation; actions done in haste invariably bring sorrow.
तस्माद्विमृश्य कर्तव्यं सुखदं सर्वथा बुधैः । नात्र भेदविधिर्न्याय्यो दानवेषु च सर्वथा
Therefore, the wise should always act after reflection, so that the result is happiness. Here, sowing discord among the Dānavas is by no means appropriate.
एकचित्तेषु कार्येऽस्मिंस्तस्माच्चारा व्रजन्तु वै । ज्ञात्वा बलाबलं तेषां पश्चान्नीतिर्विचार्य च
Since they are united in purpose regarding this matter, let spies be sent; after learning their strengths and weaknesses, strategy should then be considered.
विधेया विधिवत्तज्ज्ञैस्तेषु कार्यपरेषु च । अन्यथा विहितं कार्यं विपरीतफलप्रदम्
Actions must be performed properly by those who know the prescribed rules and are devoted to their duties; otherwise, if performed incorrectly, the action yields the opposite result.
सर्वथा तद्भवेन्नूनमज्ञातमौषधं यथा । व्यास उवाच इति सञ्चिन्त्य तैः सर्वैः प्रणिधिं कार्यवेदिनम्
In every way, it is certain to be so, just as an unknown medicine; Vyāsa said: Thus reflecting, all of them sent an expert in the matter to investigate.
प्रेषयामास देवेन्द्रः परिज्ञानाय पार्थिव । दूतस्तु त्वरितो गत्वा समागम्य सुराधिपम्
Then Indra dispatched a messenger to ascertain the facts about the king; the messenger, hurrying there, met with the lord of the gods.
निवेदयामास तदा सर्वसैन्यबलाबलम् । ज्ञात्वा तद्बलमुद्योगं तुराषाडतिविस्मितः
At that time, he reported all the strengths and weaknesses of the entire army; learning of their power and preparations, Turaṣāḍa was greatly astonished.
देवानचोदयत्तूर्णं समाहूय पुरोहितम् । मन्त्रं मन्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठं चकार त्रिदशेश्वरः
He quickly summoned the gods and called the chief priest; the lord of the gods performed the most excellent ritual among those who know mantras.
उवाचाङ्गिरसश्रेष्ठं समासीनं वरासने । इन्द्र उवाच भो भो देवगुरो विद्वन्किं कर्तव्यं वदस्व नः
He addressed the best of the Angirases, who was seated on a noble seat; Indra said: O revered teacher of the gods, wise one, tell us what must be done.
सर्वज्ञोऽसि समुत्पन्ने कार्ये त्वं गतिरद्य नः । दानवो महिषो नाम महावीर्यो मदान्वितः
You are all-knowing; in this situation, you are our refuge today. The demon named Mahiṣa, full of great strength and intoxication,
योद्धुकामः समायाति बहुभिर्दानवैर्वृतः । तत्र प्रतिक्रिया कार्या त्वया मन्त्रविदाधुना
Desires to fight and is approaching, surrounded by many demons; therefore, you, who are skilled in mantras, must now devise a countermeasure.
तेषां शुक्रस्तथा त्वं मे विघ्नहर्ता सुसंयतः । व्यास उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं प्राह तुरासाहं बृहस्पतिः
Among them, Śukra is their obstacle-remover, and you, self-controlled one, are ours; Vyāsa said: Hearing these words, Bṛhaspati spoke to Turaṣāha.
विचिन्त्य मनसा कामं कार्यसाधनतत्परः । गुरुरुवाच स्वस्थो भव सुरेन्द्र त्वं धैर्यमालम्ब्य मारिष
After considering in his mind, intent on accomplishing the task, the guru said: Compose yourself, O lord of the gods, take courage, O Indra.
व्यसने च समुत्पन्ने न त्याज्यं धैर्यमाशु वै । जयाजयौ सुराध्यक्ष दैवाधीनौ सदैव हि
Even when adversity arises, courage must never be abandoned; victory and defeat, O lord of the gods, are always dependent on fate.
स्थातव्यं धैर्यमालम्ब्य तस्माद् बुद्धिमता सदा । भवितव्यं भवत्येव जानन्नेव शतक्रतो
Therefore, the wise must always stand firm, relying on courage; whatever is destined will certainly happen, O Śatakratu, knowing this.
उद्यमः सर्वथा कार्यो यथापौरुषमात्मनः । मुनयोऽपि हि मुक्त्यर्थमुद्यमैकरताः सदा
One must always make effort according to one's own ability; even sages, seeking liberation, are always devoted to effort.
दैवाधीनं च जानन्तो योगध्यानपरायणाः । तस्मात्सदैव कर्तव्यो व्यवहारोदितोद्यमः
Knowing that the result depends on fate, they remain devoted to yoga and meditation; therefore, action and effort must always be undertaken.
सुखं भवतु वा मा वा दैवे का परिदेवना । विना पुरुषकारेण कदाचित्सिद्धिमाप्नुयात्
Whether happiness comes or not, what is the use of lamenting over fate? Without personal effort, one rarely attains success.
अन्धवत्पङ्गुवत्कामं न तथा मुदमावहेत् । कृते पुरुषकारेऽपि यदि सिद्धिर्न जायते
Like the blind or the lame, one should not rejoice in such a way; even if effort is made, if success does not arise,
न तत्र दूषणं तस्य दैवाधीने शरीरिणि । कार्यसिद्धिर्न सैन्येऽस्ति न मन्त्रे न च मन्त्रणे
There is no fault in that, for embodied beings are subject to fate; success in action is not found in the army, nor in mantras, nor in counsel.
न रथे नायुधे नूनं दैवाधीना सुराधिप । बलवाञ्क्लेशमाप्नोति निर्बलः सुखमश्नुते
Certainly, O lord of the gods, it is not in chariots or weapons, but dependent on fate; the strong experience hardship, while the weak enjoy comfort.
बुद्धिमान्क्षुधितः शेते निर्बुद्धिर्भोगवान्भवेत् । कातरो जयमाप्नोति शूरो याति पराजयम्
The intelligent man, when hungry, lies down; the unintelligent enjoys pleasures. The timid attains victory; the brave meets defeat.
दैवाधीने तु संसारे कामं का परिदेवना । उद्यमे योजयेन्नूनं भवितव्यं सुराधिप
In this world, which is governed by fate, what is the use of lamentation? One should certainly apply effort, O lord of the gods; what is destined will occur.
दुःखदे सुखदे वापि तत्र तौ न विचिन्तयेत् । दुःखे दुःखाधिकान्पश्येत्सुखे पश्येत्सुखाधिकम्
Whether it brings pain or pleasure, one should not dwell on either. In pain, see those who suffer more; in pleasure, see those who enjoy more.
आत्मानं हर्षशोकाभ्यां शत्रुभ्यामिव नार्पयेत् । धैर्यमेवावगन्तव्यं हर्षशोकोद्भवे बुधैः
One should not surrender oneself to joy or sorrow, as to enemies; wise people recognize only steadfastness when joy or sorrow arises.