बुद्धिमन्तो दुराधर्षाः सर्वशास्त्रविशारदाः । मन्त्रः खलु प्रकर्तव्यः सुगुप्तः कार्यसिद्धये
Wise and unassailable, skilled in all the scriptures—such ministers must devise a well-guarded plan for the accomplishment of the task.
मन्त्रमूलं स्मृतं राज्यं यदि स स्यात्सुरक्षितः । मन्त्रिभिश्च सदाचारैर्विधेयः सर्वथा बुधैः
If the kingdom, whose root is counsel, is thus protected, then it must always be governed by ministers of good conduct and wisdom.
मन्त्रभेदे विनाशः स्याद्राज्यस्य भूपतेस्तथा । तस्माद्भेदभयाद् गुप्तः कर्तव्यो भूतिमिच्छता
If there is division among the ministers, the king's realm will be destroyed; therefore, out of fear of discord, one who desires prosperity should act with secrecy.
तदत्र मन्त्रिभिर्वाच्यं वचनं हेतुमद्धितम् । कालदेशानुसारेण विचिन्त्य नीतिनिर्णयम्
Here, the ministers should speak words that are reasonable and beneficial, carefully considering the circumstances of time and place, and determining the proper course of policy.
या योषात्र समायाता प्रबला देवनिर्मिता । एकाकिनी निरालम्बा कारणं तद्विचिन्त्यताम्
This woman who has come here is powerful and created by the gods; she is alone and without support—let the reason for this be considered.
युद्धं प्रार्थयते बाला किमाश्चर्यमतः परम् । श्रेयोऽत्र विपरीतं वा को वेत्ति भुवनत्रये
A young woman seeks battle—what could be more astonishing than this? Who knows, in the three worlds, whether the outcome here will be good or otherwise?
न बहूनां जयोऽप्यस्ति नैकस्य च पराजयः । दैवाधीनौ सदा ज्ञेयौ युद्धे जयपराजयौ
Victory does not always belong to the many, nor is defeat always the fate of the one; in battle, victory and defeat are always to be understood as dependent on destiny.
उपायवादिनः प्राहुर्दैवं किं केन वीक्षितम् । अदृष्टमिति यन्नाम प्रवदन्ति मनीषिणः
Those who speak of strategy say, 'What is fate, and by whom has it been seen?' The wise call it the unseen, the unknown.
तत्सत्त्वेऽपि प्रमाणं किं कातराशावलम्बनम् । न समर्थजनानां हि दैवं कुत्रापि लक्ष्यते
Even if fate exists, what proof is there for relying on fearful hope? For fate is never observed among those who are capable.
उद्यमो दैवमेतौ हि शूरकातरयोर्मतम् । विचिन्त्याद्य धिया सर्वं कर्तव्यं कार्यमादरात्
Effort and destiny—these two are considered the views of the brave and the fearful; today, everything should be thoughtfully considered and the necessary action undertaken with care.
व्यास उवाच इति राज्ञो वचः श्रुत्वा हेतुगर्भं महायशाः । बिडालाख्यो महाराजमित्युवाच कृताञ्जलिः
Vyasa said: Having heard the king's words, filled with reasoning, the renowned Bidala, with joined palms, spoke to the great king as follows:
राजन्नेषा विशालाक्षी ज्ञातव्या यत्नतः पुनः । किमर्थमिह सम्प्राप्ता कुतः कस्य परिग्रहः
O King, this wide-eyed woman should be carefully examined again—why has she come here, from where, and for whom is she acting?
मरणं ते परिज्ञाय स्त्रिया सर्वात्मना सुरैः । प्रेषिता पद्मपत्राक्षी समुत्पाद्य स्वतेजसा
Knowing your death was certain at the hands of a woman, the gods have sent this lotus-eyed one, manifesting her by their own power.
तेऽपि छन्नाः स्थिताः खेऽत्र सर्वे युद्धदिदृक्षवः । समयेऽस्याः सहायास्ते भविष्यन्ति युयुत्सवः
They too are concealed here in the sky, all eager to witness the battle; at the appointed time, they will become her allies, desiring to fight.
पुरतः कामिनीं कृत्वा ते वै विष्णुपुरोगमाः । वधिष्यन्ति च नः सर्वान्सा त्वां युद्धे हनिष्यति
Placing the woman at the front, they, with Vishnu at their head, will slay us all; and she will kill you in battle.
एतच्चिकीर्षितं तेषां मया ज्ञातं नराधिप । भवितव्यस्य न ज्ञानं वर्तते मम सर्वथा
O King, I have learned of their intention; but as for what must come to pass, I have no knowledge at all.
योद्धव्यं न त्वयाद्येति नाहं वक्तुं क्षमः प्रभो । प्रमाणं त्वं महाराज कार्येऽत्र देवनिर्मिते
I am not able to say, 'You must fight today,' O Lord; you are the authority here, O great king, in this matter established by the gods.
तदर्थेऽस्माभिरनिशं मर्तव्यं कार्यगौरवात् । विहर्तव्यं त्वया सार्धमेष धर्मोऽनुजीविनाम्
For this reason, we must always be ready to die, out of respect for the importance of the task; but you should act together with us—this is the duty of those who serve.
विचारोऽत्र महानस्ति यदेका कामिनी नृप । युद्धं प्रार्थयतेऽस्माभिः ससैन्यैर्बलदर्पितैः
There is great cause for reflection here, O King, that a single woman seeks battle against us, who are proud of our strength and armies.
दुर्मुख उवाच राजन् युद्धे जयो नोऽद्य भविता वेद्म्यहं किल । पलायनं न कर्तव्यं यशोहानिकरं नृणाम्
Durmukha said: O King, I know that today victory in battle will not be ours; but flight must not be undertaken, for it brings disgrace to men.
इन्द्रादीनां संयुगेऽपि न कृतं यज्जुगुप्सितम् । एकाकिनीं स्त्रियं प्राप्य को हि कुर्यात्पलायनम्
Even in battle with Indra and others, nothing disgraceful was done; who, upon encountering a solitary woman, would flee?
तस्माद्युद्धं प्रकर्तव्यं मरणं वा रणे जयः । यद्भावि तद्भवत्येव कात्र चिन्ता विपश्यतः
Therefore, battle must be undertaken—either death or victory in combat; whatever is destined will surely occur, so what is the use of worry for one who understands?
मरणेऽत्र यशःप्राप्तिर्जीवने च तथा सुखम् । उभयं मनसा कृत्वा कर्तव्यं युद्धमद्य वै
In death, there is attainment of fame; in life, likewise, there is happiness. Considering both in mind, battle must indeed be fought today.
पलायने यशोहानिर्मरणं चायुषः क्षये । तस्माच्छोको न कर्तव्यो जीविते मरणे वृथा
In fleeing, there is loss of reputation; in death, the end of life. Therefore, sorrow should not be made in vain, whether living or dying.
व्यास उवाच दुर्मुखस्य वचः श्रुत्वा बाष्कलो वाक्यमब्रवीत् । प्रणतः प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा राजानं वाक्यकोविदः
Vyasa said: Hearing Durmukha's words, Baskala spoke, bowing with joined palms, skilled in speech, to the king.
बाष्कल उवाच राजंश्चिन्ता न कर्तव्या कार्येऽस्मिन्कातरप्रिये । अहमेको हनिष्यामि चण्डीं चञ्चललोचनाम्
Baskala said: O king, do not be anxious or fearful about this task; I alone will slay Candika, whose eyes are restless.
उत्साहस्तु प्रकर्तव्यः स्थायीभावो रसस्य च । भयानको भवेद्वैरी वीरस्य नृपसत्तम
Enthusiasm must be cultivated, as well as steadfastness in spirit; the enemy is terrifying only to the coward, O best of kings, but not to the hero.
तस्मात्त्यक्त्वा भयं भूप करिष्ये युद्धमद्भुतम् । नयिष्यामि नरेन्द्राहं चण्डिकां यमसादनम्
Therefore, casting aside fear, O king, I will perform a wondrous battle; I will lead Candika to the abode of Yama.
न बिभेमि यमादिन्द्रात्कुबेराद्वरुणादपि । वायोर्वह्नेस्तथा विष्णोः शङ्कराच्छशिनो रवेः
I do not fear Yama, Indra, Kubera, or Varuna; nor Vayu, Agni, Vishnu, Shankara, the moon, or the sun.
एकाकिनी तथा नारी किं पुनर्मदगर्विता । अहं तां निहनिष्यामि विशिखैश्च शिलाशितैः
She is alone and a woman—what then, especially when she is proud because of me? I will slay her with arrows and sharp stones.