Duryodhana describes the wealth of Yudhiṣṭhira

 pṛthagvidhāni ratnāni pārthivāḥ pṛthivīpate

āharan kratumukhye ̍ smin kuntīputrāya bhūriśaḥ

O king! Kings brought to that foremost of sacrifice heaps of gems and jewels for Kaunteya.

na kvaciddhi mayā tādṛg dṛṣṭapūrvo na ca śrutaḥ

yādṛg dhanāgamo yajñe pāṇḍuputrasya dhīmataḥ

I never heard or saw such a enormous wealth as was brought to the sacrifice of intelligent Yudhiṣṭhira!

aparyantaṁ dhanaughaṁ taṁ dṛṣṭvā śatrorahaṁ nṛpa

śamaṁ naivābhigacchāmi cintayāno viśāmpate

O king! Seeing that enormous collection of wealth belonging to the enemy, I cannot enjoy peace of mind. I am afflicted with thoughts of them!

brāhmaṇā vāṭadhānāśca gomantaḥ śatasaṅghaśaḥ

trikharvaṁ balimādāya dvāri tiṣṭhanti vāritāḥ

Being stopped there by gatekeepers, hundreds of Brāhmaṇas, supported by the lands presented to them by Yudhiṣṭhira and possessing the wealth of kine, waited at the palace gate with 3 thousands of millions of the tribute!

kamaṇḍalūnupādāya jātarūpamayāñchubhān

etad dhanaṁ samādāya praveśaṁ lebhire na ca

Even having brought with them Ghee in golden Kamaṇḍalās, they could not get admission into the palace.

yathaiva madhu śakrāya dhārayantyamarastriyaḥ

tadasmai kāṁsyamāhārṣīd vāruṇaṁ kalaśodadhiḥ

Ocean himself brought to him in wessels of white copper Ambrosia, which was generated within his waters and which was superior to that which the wives of immortal Soma, i.e. flowers and annual plants produce for Indra.

śaiklaṁ rukmasahasrasya bahuratnavibhūṣitam

śaṅkhapravaramādāya vāsudevo ̍ bhiṣiktavān

Having brought an excellent conch, Vāsudeva bathed Yudhiṣṭhira at the conclusion of the sacrifice with holy water brought in 1,000 golden jars inlaid with numerous gems.

dṛṣṭvā ca mama tat sarvaṁ jvararūpamivābhavat

gṛhītvā tat tu gacchanti samudrau pūrvadakṣiṇau

tathaiva pakṣimaṁ yānti gṛhītvā bharatarṣabha

uttaraṁ tu na gacchanti vinā tāta patastriṇaḥ

Seeing all this, I felt myself as if attacked with a fever. O best of men! O sire! Jars were taken to Eastern and Southern seas. They were also taken to Western sea, but none can go to Northern sea except birds.

tatra gatvārjuno daṇḍamājahārāmitaṁ dhanam

idaṁ cādbhutamatrāsīt tanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu

Arjuna, however, went there and exacted as a tribute a vast quantity of wealth. There happened another wonderful incident, which I shall describe to you. Listen to it.

pūrṇe śatasahasre tu viprāṇāṁ pariviṣyatām

sthāpitā tatra saṁ jñābhūcchaṅkho dhmāyati nityaśaḥ

When full 1 lac of Brāhmaṇas were fed every day, it was arranged, to notify the fact, by blowing conchs in a chorus.

muhurmuhuḥ praṇadatastasya śaṅkhasya bhārata

aniśaṁ śabdamaśrauṣaṁ tato romāṇi me ̍ hṛṣan

O descendant of Bharata! I continually heard choruses of conchs blown and that too often repeated. It evach time indicated that 1 lac of Brāhmaṇas had been fed. Having heard these sounds, my hairs stood on end.

pārthivairbahubhiḥ kīrṇamupasthānaṁ didṛkṣubhiḥ

aśobhata mahārāja nakṣatrairdyaurivāmalā

O great king! That palatial grounds crowded with many kings, who came there as spectators, looked as beautiful as cloudless sky studded with the stars.

sarvaratnānyupādāya pārthivā vai janeśvara

yajñe tasya mahārāja pāṇḍuputrasya dhīmataḥ

O great king! Kings came to the sacrifice of wise Pāṇḍava bringing with them every kind of wealth.

vaiśyā iva mahīpālā dvijātipariveṣakāḥ

na sā śrīrdevarājasya yamasya varuṇasya ca

guhyakādhipatervāpi yā śrī rājan yudhiṣṭhire

Like Vaiśyas, kings became the distributors of food to Brāhmaṇas. Such a wealth does not belong even to the king of celestials, Indra or to Yama or Varuṇa,

tāṁ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍuputrasya śriyaṁ paramikāmaham

śāntiṁ na parigacchāmi dahyamānena cetasā

Or to the lord of Guhyakas, as belongs to Yudhiṣṭhira. O king! Seeing that great prosperity of Pāṇḍava, my heart is burning. I cannot get peace of mind!

śakuniruvāca

yāmetāmatulāṁ lakṣmīṁ dṛṣṭavānasi pāṇḍave

tasyāḥ prāptāvupāyaṁ me śṛṇu satyaparākrama

Śakuni said: O hero, whose prowess is truth! Hear the means by which you can obtain matchless prosperity that you have sen in Pāṇḍava:

ahamakṣeṣvabhijñātaḥ pṛthivyāmapi bhārata

hṛdayajñaḥ paṇajñaśca viśeṣajñaśca devane

O descendant of Bharata! I am an adept in dice, superior to all in the world. I can ascertain the success or otherwise of every throw and also when to stake and when not to stake. I have special knowledge of the play.

Plot of Śakuni, Duryodhana against Yudhiṣṭhira

 śakuniruvāca

dyutapriyaśca kaunteyo na sa jānāti devitum

samāhūtaśca rājendro na śakṣyati nivartitum

Śakuni said: Kaunteya Yudhiṣṭhira is very much fond of gambling, but he does not know how to play. Being asked to play, he will not be able to refuse it!

devane kuśalaścāhaṁ na me ̍ sti sadṛśo bhuvi

triṣu lokeṣu kauravya taṁ tvaṁ samāhvaya

I am skillful in the play at dice. There is none equal to me in this play on Earth, may not even in 3 worlds. O Kaurāva! Therefore, ask him to play!

tasyākṣakuśalo rājannādāsye ̍ hamasaṁśayam

rājyaṁ śriyaṁ ca tāṁ dīptāṁ tvadarthaṁ puruṣarṣabha

O king! O best of men! Expert as I am in the play of dice, I am certain to win for you his kingdom and his greatly effulgent prosperity.

idaṁ tu sarvaṁ tvaṁ rājñe duryodhana nivedaya

anujñātastu te pitrā vijeṣye tān na saṁśayaḥ

But, O Duryodhana! Tell all this to the king Dhṛtarāṣṭra! At the command of your father, I shall win whole of the possessions of Yudhiṣṭhira, without the least doubt!

duryodhana uvāca

tvameva kurumukhyāya dhṛtarāṣṭrāya saubala

nivedaya yathānyāyaṁ nāhaṁ śakṣye niveditum

Duryodhana said: O son of Subala! Tell yourself all this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra! I shall not be able to do it!

vaiśampāyana uvāca

anubhūya tu rājñastaṁ rājasūyaṁ mahākratum

yudhiṣṭhirasya nṛpatergāndhārīputrasaṁyutaḥ

priyakṛnmatamājñāya pūrvaṁ duryodhanasya tat

prajñācakṣuṣamāsīnaṁ śekuniḥ saubalastadā

duryodhanavacaḥ śrutvā dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ janādhipam

upagamya mahāprājñaṁ śakunirvākyamabravīt

Vaiśampāyana said: O king! Having been impressed with great Rājasūya sacrifice of king Yudhiṣṭhira and having also learnt intentions of Duryodhana, from what he said, and also in order to do what is pleasing to Duryodhana, son of Subala, Śakuni, accompanied by Duryodhana, came to king Dhṛtarāṣṭra, whose knowledge was his eyes, seated on the throne. Approaching that greatly intelligent king, Śakuni spoke thus to him:

śakuniruvāca

duryodhano mahārāja vivarṇo hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ

dīnaścintāparaścaiva taṁ viddhi manujādhipa

Śakuni said: O great king! O best of Bharata race! Know that Duryodhana has become colourless, pale and emaciated with anxiety!

na vai parīkṣase samyagasahyaṁ śatrusambhavam

jyeṣṭhaputrasya hṛcchokaṁ kimarthaṁ nāvabudhyase

Why do you not, after due enquiry, ascertain the cause of grief that is in the heart of your eldest son, the grief caused by the enemy?

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca

duryodhana kutomūlaṁ bhṛṣamārto ̍ si putraka

śrotavyaścenmayā so ̍ rtho brūhi me kurunandana

Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: O Duryodhana! O son! What is the cause of your grief? O Kuru prince! If it is fit for me to hear, tell it to me!

ayaṁ tvāṁ śakuniḥ prāha vivarṇaṁ hariṇaṁ kṛṣam

cintayaṁśca na paśyāmi śokasya tava sambhavam

This Śakuni says that you are colourless, pale and emaciated. After reflection, I cannot find any cause for your grief!

aiśvaryaṁ hi mahat putra tvayi sarvaṁ pratiṣṭhitam

nbhrātaraḥ suhṛdaścaiva nācaranti tavāpriyam

O son! All my vast wealth is at your command! Your brothers and our relatives, friends, never do anything to injure you!

ācchādayasi prāvārānaśnāsi viśadaudanam

ājāneyā vahantyaśvāḥ kenāsi hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ

You wear the best robes, you eat food prepared with meat, you ride the best horses, why then rae you pale and emaciated?

śayanāni mahārhāṇi yoṣitaśca manoramāḥ

guṇavanti ca veśmāni vihārāśca yathāsukham

Costly beds, charming damsels, finely furnished mansions and grounds of sports are at pleasure, when you amuse!

devānāmiva te sarvaṁ vāci buddhaṁ na saṁśayaḥ

sa dīna iva durdharṣa kasmācchocasi putrakaḥ

All these certainly wait upon your command as do they in the case of celestials. O invincible hero! O son! Why do you grieve then like a destitute person?

duryodhana uvāca

aśnāmyācchādaye cāhaṁ tathā kupuruṣastathā

amarṣaṁ dhāraye cograṁ niniṣuḥ kālaparyayam

Duryodhana said: I, no doubt, eat and dress, but I pass my time like a wretch, for I am a prey to jealousy.

amarṣaṇaḥ svāḥ prakṛtīrabhibhūyaḥ paraṁ sthitaḥ

kleśān mumukṣuḥ parajān sa vai puruṣa ucyate

He is called a true man, who lives after having vanquished his enemy in order to liberate his own subjects from the tyranny of that enemy.

saṁtoṣo vai śriyaṁ hanti hyabhimānaṁ ca bhārata

anukrośabhaye cobhe yairvṛto nāśnute mahat

O descendant of Bharata! Contentment and pride destroy one ̍ s prosperity. Being engrossed with compassion and fear, he can never rise.

na māṁ prīṇāti madbhuktaṁ śriyaṁ dṛṣṭvā yudhiṣṭhire

ati jvalantīṁ kaunteye vivarṇakaraṇīṁ mama

Seeing prosperity of Yudhiṣṭhira, whatever I enjoy, does not gratify or please me. Great and splendid prosperity of the son of Kuntī, makes me pale.

sapatnānṛdhyato ātmānaṁ hīyamānaṁ niśamya ca

adṛśyāmapi kaunteyaśriyaṁ paśyannivodyatām

Though I am not seeing now greatly effulgent prosperity of Kaunteya, yet knowing the affluence of the foe and my destitution, I feel as if I see it before me. For this reason I am colourless, in melancholy, pale and emancipated.

tasmādahaṁ vivarṇaśca dīnaśca hariṇaḥ kṛśaḥ

aṣṭāśītisahasrāṇi snātakā gṛhamedhinaḥ

Yudhiṣṭhira supports by giving 30 maid servants to each of 88,000 Snātaka Brāhmaṇas, who lead domestic life.

triṁśaddāsīka ekaiko yān bibharti yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

daśānyāni sahasrāṇi nityaṁ tatrānnamuttamam

bhuñjate rukmapātrībhiryudhiṣṭhiraniveśane

Besides these, 10,000 other Brāhmaṇas daily eat well cooked food from golden plates at the palace of Yudhiṣṭhira.

kadalīmṛgamokāni kṛṣṇaśyāmāruṇāni ca

kāmbojaḥ prāhiṇot tasmai parārghyānapi kambalān

gajayoṣidgavāśvasya śataśo ̍ tha sahasraśaḥ

triśataṁ coṣṭravāmīnāṁ śatāni vicarantyuta

rājanyā balimādāya sametā hi nṛpakṣaye

King of Kāmboja sent to him hundreds and thousands of black darkish and red skins of the deer called Kadalī and also blankets of excellent texture, hundreds and thousands of female elephants, horses and cows. 30,000 female camels wander within his palace. Kings brought all of them as a tribute, when they assembled there.

Duryodhana returning from Sabhā, part II

 tairlabdhā draupadīṁ bhāryā drupadaśca sutaiḥ saha

sahāyaḥ pṛthivīlābhe vāsudevaśca vīryavān

They obtained Draupadī as their wife and Drupada with his two sons as an allies and also greatly powerful Kṛṣṇa as the help to acquire whole world.

labdhaścānabhibhūtārthaiḥ pitryoṅ ̍ śaḥ pṛthivīpate

vivr-ddhastejasā teṣāṁ tatra kā paridevanā

O king! Having obtained their paternal share of the kingdom and not being deprived of it, they have grown in prosperity by their own energy. What is there to make you sorry in all this?

dhanañjayena gāṇḍīvamakṣayyau ca maheṣudhī

labdhānyastrāṇi divyāni toṣayitvā hutāśanam

having worshipped Fire, Arjuna has obtained Gāṇḍīva bow, two inexhaustible quivers and many celestial weapons.

tena kārmukamukhyena bāhuvīryeṇa cātmanaḥ

kṛtā vaśe mahīpālāstatra kā paridevanā

With that best of bows and by the prowess of his arms, he has brought all the kings under his sway. What is there to be sorry at?

agnidāhānmayaṁ cāpi mokṣayitvā sa dānavam

sabhāṁ tāṁ kārayāmāsa savyasācī paraṁtapaḥ

Having saved Dānava Maya from the conflagration of fire, chastiser of foes, Arjuna, made him to build that Sabhā.

tena caiva mayenoktāḥ kiṁkarā nāma rākṣasāḥ

vahanti tāṁ sabhāṁ bhīmastatra kā paridevanā

At the command of Maya, those fearful Rākṣasas, named Kiṅkarās, guard that Sabhā. What is there then to be sorry at?

yaccāsahāyatāṁ rājannuktavānasi bhārata

tanmithā bhrātaro hīme tava sarve vaśānugā

O descendant of Bharata! O king! You have said that you have none to help you. This is not true. These your brothers are all obedient to you!

droṇastava maheṣvāsaḥ saha putreṇa vīryavān

sūtaputraśca rādheyo gautamaśca mahārathaḥ

Wielder of great bow, greatly powerful Droṇa with his son, son of Sūta, Karṇa, great car warrior Gautama Kṛpa.

ahaṁ ca saha sodaryaiḥ saumadattiśca pārthivaḥ

etaistvaṁ sahitaḥ sarvairjaya kṛtsnāṁ vasundharām

I with my brothers, king Somadatti, these are all your allies. Conquer whole Earth with them.

duryodhana uvāca

tvayā ca sahito rājannetaiścānyairmahārathaiḥ

etāneva vijeṣyāmi yadi tvamanumanyase

Duryodhana said: O king! If it pleases you, I shall conquer Pāṇḍavas with you and with these great car warriors.

eteṣu vijiteṣvadya bhaviṣyati mahī mama

sarve ca pṛthivīpālāḥ sabhā sā ca mahādhanā

If I can conquer them, whole world will be mine, as also kings and Sabhā, which is so full of wealth!

śakuniruvāca

dhanaṅjayo vāsudevo bhīmaseno yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

nakulaḥ sahadevaśca drupadaśca sahātmajaiḥ

naite yudhi parājetuṁ śakyā devagaṇairapi

mahārathā maheṣvāsāḥ kṛtāstrā yudhadurmadāḥ

Śakuni said: Arjuna, Vāsudeva, Bhīmasena, Yudhiṣṭhira, Nakula, Sahadeva, Drupada and his two sons, these heroes cannot be conquered in battle even by celestials. They are all great car warriors and wielders of great bows. They are accomplished in arms and invincible in war.

ahaṁ tu tad vijānāmi vijetuṁ yena śakyate

yudhiṣṭhiraṁ svayaṁ rājaṁstannibodha juṣasva ca

But I know the means by which Yudhiṣṭhira may be vanquished. O king! Listen to it and adopt it!

Duryodhana returning from Sabhā

 pāṇḍavaśrīprataptasya dhyāyamānasya gacchataḥ

duryodhanasya nṛpateḥ pāpā matirajāyata

As he proceeded towards the city, reflecting on all that he had seen, the heart of king Duryodhana, having been afflicted with the sight of prosperity of Pāṇḍavas, became inclined to sin.

pārthān sumanaso dṛṣṭvā pārthivāṁśca vaśānugān

kṛtsnaṁ cāpi hitaṁ lokamākumāraṁ kurūdvaha

mahimānaṁ paraṁ cāpi pāṇḍavānāṁ mahātmanām

duryodhano dhārtarāṣṭro vivarṇaḥ samapadyata

O perpetuator of Kuru race! Seeing Pāṇḍavas happy and all the kings of the world obedient to them and seeing also that everyone, both young and old, engaged in doing good to them, reflecting also on the splendor and prosperity of illustrious Pāṇḍavas, Duryodhana became pale.

sa tu gacchannanekāgraḥ sabhāmeko ̍ nvacintayat

śriyaṁ ca tāmanupamāṁ dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ

In proceeding towards his city, with afflicted heart, he only reflected on the matchless Sabhā and great prosperity of intelligent Yudhiṣṭhira.

pramatto dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putro duryodhanastadā

nābhyabhāṣat subalajaṁ bhāṣamāṇaṁ punaḥ punaḥ

Son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, Duryodhana, was so much taken up with his own thoughts, that he did not speak a word to Śakuni, though he repeatedly spoke to him.

anekāgraṁ tu dṛṣṭvā śakuniḥ pratyabhāṣata

duryodhana kutomūlaṁ niḥśvasanniva gacchasi

Seeing him very much agitated in heart, Śakuni spoke thus to him: O Duryodhana! Why are you proceeding, sighing all the while?

 duryodhana uvāca

dṛṣṭvemāṁ pṛthivīṁ kṛtsnāṁ yudhiṣṭhiravaśānugām

jitāmastrapratāpena śvetāśvasya mahātmanaḥ

taṁ ca yajñaṁ tathābhūtaṁ dṛṣṭvā pārthasya mātula

yathā śakrasya deveṣu tathābhūtaṁ mahādyuteḥ

Duryodhana said: O uncle! Seeing whole Earth brought under the sway of Yudhiṣṭhira by the force of illustrious weapons of Arjuna and seeing also sacrifice of Pārtha, like that of greatly effulgent Indra among celestials,

amarṣeṇa tu sampūrṇo dahyamāno divāniśam

śuciśukrāgame kāle śuṣyet toyamivālpakam

I have been filled with jealousy and I am burning day and night. I am being dried up like a shallow tank in the summer season.

paśya sātvatamukhyena śiśupālo nipātitaḥ

na ca tatra pumānāsīt kaścit tasya padānugaḥ

Behold! When Śiśupāla was killed by the chief of Sātvata race, there was none to take his side!

dahyamānā hi rājānaḥ pāṇḍavotthena vahninā

kṣantavanto ̍ parādhaṁ te ko hi tat kṣatumarhati

Kings appeared as if they were consumed by the fire of Pāṇḍavas. Therefore, they were forgiving, for else who could pardon such an offence?

vāsudevena tat karma yathāyuktaṁ mahat kṛtam

siddhaṁ ca pāṇḍuputrāṇāṁ pratāpena mahātmanām

That greatly improper act of Vāsudeva was only successful on account of the prowess of illustrious Pāṇḍavas.

tathā hi ratnānyādāya vividhāni nṛpā nṛpam

upātiṣṭhanta kaunteyā vaiśyā iva karapradāḥ

Various kings brought with them various kinds of wealth to Kaunteya Yudhiṣṭhira and worshipped him like tribute paying Vaiśyas.

śriyaṁ tathā āgatāṁ dṛṣṭvā jvalantīmiva pāṇḍave

amarṣavaśamāpanno dahyāmi na tathocitaḥ

Seeing the splendor of the prosperity of Pāṇḍavas and being afflicted with jealousy, I am as if on fire although I should not be jealous.

evaṁ sa niścayaṁ kṛtvā tato vacanamabravīt

punargāndhāranṛpatiṁ dahyamāna ivāgninā

Vaiśampāyana said: Having been burnt as if by fire and having made the following resolve, Duryodhana spoke thus to Śakuni:

vahnimeva pravekṣyāmi bhakṣayiṣyāmi vā viṣam

apo vāpi pravekṣyāmi na hi śakṣyāmi jīvitum

Duryodhana said: I shall throw myself into the fire or I shall drink poison, or I shall drown myself in water! I am unable to live.

ko hi nāma pumām̐lloke marṣayiṣyati sattvavān

sapatnṛddhyato dṛṣṭvā hīnamātmāmeva ca 

What a man is there in the world possessing manliness, who can bear to see his foes in prosperity and himself in destitution?

so ̍ haṁ na strī na cāpyastrī na pumānnāpumānapi

yo ̍ haṁ tāṁ marṣayāmyadya tādṛśīṁ śriyamāgatām

Therefore, I, who bear the sight of prosperity and fortune of my foes, I am neither a woman nor one who is not a woman, neither a man nor one who is not a man!

 īśvaratvaṁ pṛthivyāśca vasumattāṁ ca tādṛśīm

yajñaṁ ca tādṛśaṁ dṛṣṭvā mādṛśaḥ ko na saṁjvaret

Seenig their lordship over the world, their such a vast wealth and also their that sacrifice, who is there like me who will not smart under it?

aśaktaścaiva evāhaṁ tāmāhartuṁ nṛpaśriyam

sahāyāṁśca na paśyāmi tena mṛtyuṁ vicintaye

I am alone incapable of acquiring such a royal prosperity. I do not also see anyone who can help me in doing this. Therefore, I think of the death.

daivameva paraṁ manye pauruṣaṁ ca nirarthakam

dṛṣṭvā kuntīsute śuddhāṁ śriyaṁ tāmahatāṁ tathā

Seeing great and serene prosperity of Kaunteya, I consider Fate to be supreme and exertion useless.

kṛto yatno mayā pūrvaṁ vināśe tasya saubala

tacca sarvamatikramya saṁvṛddho ̍ psviva paṅkajam

O son of Subala! I formerly tried to destroy him, but baffling all my efforts, he has grown in prosperity like the lotus in the tank.

tena daivaṁ paraṁ manye pauruṣaṁ ca nirarthakam

dhārtarāṣṭrāśca hīyante pārthā vardhanti nityaśaḥ

Therefore, I consider fate to be supreme and all exertions useless. Dhārtarāṣṭras are decaying, but Pārthas are prospering!

so ̍ haṁ śriyaṁ ca tāṁ dṛṣṭvā sabhāṁ tāṁ ca tathāvidhām

rakṣibhiścāvahāsaṁ taṁ paritapye yathāgninā

Seeing their prosperity and their Sabhā and also the laughter of their servants, I am burning in my heart, as if I am on fire!

sa māmabhyanujāmīhi mātulādya suduḥkhitam

amarṣaṁ ca samāviṣṭaṁ dhṛtarāṣṭre nivedaya

O uncle! Know me now to be in great grief and full of jealousy. Speak of this to Dhṛtarāṣṭra!

śakuniruvāca

duryodhana na te ̍ marṣaḥ kāryaḥ prati yudhiṣṭhiram

bhāgadheyāni hi svāni pāṇḍavā bhuñjate sadā

Śakuni said: O Duryodhana! You should not be jealous of Yudhiṣṭhira! Pāṇḍavas are enjoying what their good fortune yields to them!

vidhānaṁ vividhākāraṁ paraṁ teṣāṁ vidhānataḥ

anekairabhyupāyaiśca tvayā na śakitāḥ purā

ārabdhāśca mahārāja punaḥ punariṅdama

vimuktāśca naravyāghrā bhāgadheyapuraskṛtāḥ

O chastiser of foes! O great king! You was unable to destroy them by repeatedly adopting various plans, many of which you reduced to practice. These best of men, for their good fortune, escaped all your machinations!

Duryodhana living in Sabhā

 vaiśampāyana uvāca

vasan duryodhanastasyāṁ sabhāyāṁ puruṣarṣabha

śanairdadarśa tāṁ sarvāṁ sabhāṁ śakuninā saha

Vaiśampāyana said: O best of men! Duryodhana lived in the Sabhā of Pāṇḍavas. He slowly examined whole of that mansion with Śakuni.

tasyāṁ divyānabhiprāyān dadarśa kurunandanaḥ

na dṛṣṭapūrvā ye tena nagare nāgasāhvaye

Kuru prince saw in it many celestial designs, which he had never seen before in the city of Hastinapura.

sa kadācit sabhāmadhye dhārtarāṣṭro mahīpatiḥ

sphāṭikaṁ sthalamāsādya jalamityabhiśaṅkayā

svavastretkarṣaṇaṁ rājā kṛtavān buddhimohitaḥ

durmanā vimukhaścaiva paricakrāma tāṁ sabhām

tataḥ sthale nipatito durmanā vrīḍito nṛpaḥ

niḥśvasan vimukhaścāpi paricakrāma tāṁ sabhām

One day son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, king Duryodhana, coming to a spot made of crystal, mistook it for water and drew up his clothes. Finding his mistake out, he wandered over Sabhā in great sorrow.

tataḥ sphāṭikatoyāṁ vai sphāṭikāmbujaśobhitām

vāpīṁ matvā sthalamiva savāsāḥ prāpatajjale

Some time after, he mistook a lake of crystal water, adorned with crystal water flowers for the land and fell into it with his clothes on.

lale nipatitaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ

jahāsa jahasuścaiva kiṁkarāśca suyodhanam

Seeing him fallen into the water, greatly strong Bhīma laughed aloud and servants also laughed at Suyodhana.

vāsāṁsi ca śubhānyasmai pradadū rājaśāsanāt

tathāgataṁ tu taṁ bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ

Other handsome and dry clothes were soon given to him at the command of Yudhiṣṭhira. Seeing his this plight, mighty Bhīmasena,

arjunaśca yamau cobhau sarve te prāhasaṁstadā

nāmarṣayat tatasteṣāmavahāsamamarṣaṇaḥ

Arjuna and twins Nakula and Sahadeva, all laughed aloud. Ever incapable of putting up with insults, Duryodhana could not bear their laughter.

ākāraṁ rakṣamāṇastu na sa tān samudaikṣata

punarvasanamutkṣipya pratariṣyanniva sthalam

āruroha tataḥ sarve jahasuśca punarjanāḥ

dvāraṁ tu pihitākāraṁ sphāṭikaṁ prekṣya bhūmipaḥ

praviśannāhato mūrdhni vyāghūrṇita iva sthitaḥ

Concealing his emotions, he even did not cast his eyes on them. Seeing him again draw up his clothes to cross a piece of land, made of a crystal, mistaking it for a water, all men laughed aloud. Then king Duryodhana mistook a closed door made of a crystal as open.

tādṛśaṁ na paraṁ dvāraṁ sphāṭikorukapāṭakam

vighaṭṭayan karābhyāṁ tu niṣkramyāgre papāta ha

And he hurt his head to pass it. In this way, mistaking another open door made of crystal as closed, he attempted to open it with outstreched hands and tumbled down.

dvāraṁ tu vitatākāraṁ samāpede punaśca saḥ

tadvattaṁ ceti manvāno dvārasthānādupāramat

Coming upon another door that was really open, king, thinking it closed, went away from it.

evaṁ pralambhān vividhān prāpya tatra viśāmpate

pāṇdaveyābhyanujñātastato duryodhano nṛpaḥ

aprahṛṣṭena manasā rājasūye mahākratau

prekṣya tāmadbhutāmṛddhiṁ jagāma gajasāhvayam

O king! Having thus become the victim of various mistakes there in the Sabhā and having seen the vast wealth that was collected ingreat Rājasūya sacrifice, king Duryodhana, with permission of Pāṇḍavas, returned to the city of Hastinapura.

End of the sacrifice, part II

 eko duryodhano rājā śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ

tasyāṁ sabhāyāṁ divyāyāmūṣatustau nararṣabhau

King Duryodhana and son of Subala, Śakuni, these two best of men, only remained in that celestial Sabhā.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

samāpte rājasūye tu kratuśreṣṭhe sudurlabhe

śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto vyāsaḥ purastāt samapadyata

Vaiśampāyana said: When the best of sacrifices, Rājasūya, ever difficult of accomplishment, was completed, Vyāsa, surrounded by his disciples, came before Yudhiṣṭhira.

so ̍ bhyayādāsanāt tūrṇaṁ bhrātbhiḥ parivāritaḥ

pādyenāsanadānena pitāmahamapūjayat

On his arrival, he soon rose up from his seat, surrounded by his brothers and worshipped his grandfather Vyāsa with offering him a seat and water to wash his feet.

athopaviśya bhagavān kāñcane paramāsane

āstāmiti covāca dharmarājaṁ yudhiṣṭhiram

When illustrious Ṛṣi took his seat on a best seat made of gold, he said to Yudhiṣṭhira to take his seat.

athopaviṣṭaṁ rājānaṁ bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritam

uvāca bhagavān vyāsastadvākyaviśāradaḥ

When the king was seated surrounded by his brothers, illustrious Vyāsa, skillful speaker, spoke thus:

diṣṭyā vardhasi kaunteya sāmrājyaṁ prāpya durlabham

vardhitāḥ kuravaḥ sarve tvayā kurukulodvaha

O Kaunteya! You grow in prosperity for good fortune. You have acquired imperial dignity, which is very difficult to be acquired. O perpetuator of Kuru race! All Kurus have grown in prosperity for your sake.

āpṛcche tvāṁ gamiṣyāmi pūjito ̍ smi viśāmpate

evamuktaḥ sa kṛṣṇena dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

O king! With your permission I shall now go! I have been duly worshipped! Having been thus addressed by Vyāsa, Yudhaiṣṭhira,

abhivādyopasaṁgṛhya pitāmahamathābravīt

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca

saṁśayo dvipadāṁ śreṣṭha mamotpannaḥ sudurlabhaḥ

Saluted his grandfather by touching his feet and spoke thus to him: O foremost of all men! Very great doubt has arisen in my mind.

tasya nānye ̍ sti vaktā vai tvāmṛte dvijapuṅgava

utpātāṁstrividhān prāha nārado bhagavānṛṣiḥ

divyāṁścaivāntarikṣāṁśca pārthivāṁśca pitāmaha

api caidyasya patanācchannamautpātikaṁ mahat

O best of twice born! There is none except you, who can remove it!Illustrious Ṛṣi Nārada said that 3 kinds of impediments, namely - celestial, atmospherical and terrestrial happened if Rājasūya sacrifice is performed. O grandsire! Have these been removed by the fall of Cedi king? 

vaiśampāyana uvāca

rājñastu vacanaṁ śrutvā parāśarasutaḥ prabhuḥ

kṛṣṇadvaipāyano vyāsa idaṁ vacanamabravīt

Vaiśampāyana said: Having heard these words from king, son of Parāśara, Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, spoke thus to him:

trayodaśa samā rājannutpātānāṁ phalaṁ mahat

sarvakṣatravināśāya bhaviṣyati viśāmpate

O king! For 13 years those impediments will produce great results. O king! They may even cause the destruction of all Kṣatriyas.

tvāmekaṁ kāraṇaṁ kṛtvā kālena bharatarṣabha

sametaṁ pārthivaṁ kṣatraṁ kṣayaṁ yāsyati bhārata

duryodhanāparādhena bhīmārjunabalena ca

O best of Bharata race! O descendant of Bharata! In the course of time, making you the sole cause, assembled Kṣatriya kings will be all destroyed for the fault of Duryodhana and the prowess of Bhīma and Arjuna.

svapne drakṣyasi rājendra rājendra kṣapānte tvaṁ vṛṣadhvajam

nīlakaṇddaṁ bhavaṁ sthāṇuṁ kapāliṁ tripurāntakam

ugraṁ rudraṁ paśupatiṁ mahādevamumāpatim

haraṁ śarvaṁ vṛṣaṁ śūlaṁ pinākiṁ kṛttivāsasam

kailāsakūṭapratimaṁ vṛṣabhe ̍ vasthitaṁ śivam

nirīkṣamāṇaṁ satataṁ pitṛrājāśritāṁ diśam

O king of kings! In your dream towards the end of this night you will see  Vṛṣadhvaja - Bull marked, Nīlakantha - Blue throated, Bhava, Sthāṇu - deep in meditation, Kapali - drinking from the skull, Tripurāntaka - Slayer of Tripura, fierce and terrible Paśupati - lord of all creatures, Mahādeva - god of gods, Umāpati - Husband of Umā, Hara, Hara, Śarva, Vṛṣa, Śūla, Pināki - armed with Pināka bow, attired in the skin, tall and white as the cliff of Kailāsa, seated on his bull and always gazzing towards direction, presided over by Pitṛs - South.

evamīdṛṣakaṁ svapnaṁ drakṣyasi tvaṁ viśāmpate

mā tatkṛte hyanudhyāhi kālo hi duratikramaḥ

O king! You will see such a dream today! Do not be grieved for it, for none can rise superior of Time.

svasti te ̍ stu gamiṣyāmi kailāsaṁ parvataṁ prati

apramattaḥ sthito dāntaḥ pṛthivīṁ paripālaya

Be blessed! I shall now go towards Kailāsa mountain. Rule Earth with vigilance and steadiness and bear patiently all privations!

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamuktvā sa bhagavān kailāsaṁ parvataṁ yayau

kṛṣṇadvaipāyano vyāsaḥ saha śiṣyaiḥ śrutānugaiḥ

Having said this, illustrious Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana Vyāsa, accompanied by his disciples, who always followed dictates of the Vedas, went towards Kailāsa mountain.

gate pitāmaha rājā cintāśokasamanvitaḥ

niḥśvasannuṣṇamasakṛt tamevārthaṁ vicintayan

On departure of grandfather Vyāsa, king became afflicted with grief and anxiety. He continuously sighted and reflected on what Ṛṣi had said.

kathaṁ tu daivaṁ śakyeta pauruṣeṇa prabādhitum

avaśyameva bhavitā yaduktaṁ paramarṣiṇā

He said to himself: What great Ṛṣi has said, must came to pass! How can fate be warded off by human exertions?

tato ̍ bravīnmahātejāḥ sarvān bhrātṛn yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

śrutaṁ vai puruṣavyāghrā yanmāṁ dvaipāyano ̍ bravīt

Thereupon, greatly effulgent Yudhiṣṭhira spoke thus to all his brothers: O best of men! You have heard what Vyāsa has said.

tadā tadvacanaṁ śrutvā maraṇe niścitā matiḥ

sarvakṣatrasya nidhane yadyahaṁ heturīpsitaḥ

Hearing his words, my firm resolve is to die, when I have ordained to be the cause of destruction of all Kṣatriyas.

kālena nirmitastāta ko mamārtho ̍ sti jīvataḥ

evaṁ bruvantaṁ rājānaṁ phālgunaḥ pratyabhāṣata

O children! If Time has wanted it so, what need is there for me to live! Arjuna replied to king, who was thus speaking:

mārājan kaśmalaṁ ghoraṁ praviṣo buddhināśanam

sampradhārya mahārāja yat kṣemaṁ tat samācara

O king! Do not yield yourself to great depression, which destroys one ̍ s reason! O great king! Mustering fortitude, do what is beneficial!

tato ̍ bravīt satyadhṛtirbhrātṝn sarvān yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

dvaipāyanasya vacanaṁ hyevaṁ samanucintayan

Therupon Yudhiṣṭhira, ever devoted to truth, thinking all the while about the words of Vyāsa, spoke thus to all his brothers:

adyaprabhṛti bhadraṁ vaḥ pratijñāṁ me nibodhata

trayodaśa samāstāta ko mamārtho ̍ sti jīvataḥ

O children! O blessed ones! Listen to the vow I make from this day! For what other purpose I am to live for 13 years?

na pravakṣyāmi paruṣaṁ bhrātṛnanyāṁśca pārthivān

sthito nideśe jñātīnāṁ yokṣye tat samudāharan

I shall not speak a harsh word to my brothers or to any of the kings of the Earth! I shall remain obedient to my relatives and practice virtue.

evaṁ me vartamānasya svasuteṣvitareṣu ca

bhedo na bhavitā loke bhedamūlo hi vigrahaḥ

If I live in this way, making no distinction between my own sons and those of others, there will be no disagreement in the world. Daisagreements is the cause of war.

vigrahaṁ dūrato rakṣan priyāṇyeva samācaran

vācyatāṁ na gamiṣyāmi lokeṣu manujarṣabhāḥ

O best of men! I shall keep war at a distance and I shall ever do what is agreeable to others! Thus no evil reputation will touch me in the world!

bhrāturjyeṣṭhasya vacanaṁ pāṇḍavāḥ saṁniśamya tat

tameva samavartanta dharmarājahite ratāḥ

Having heard these words of their elder brother, Pāṇḍavas, ever engaged in doing what is agreeable to Dharmarāja Yudhiṣṭhira, approved them.

saṁsatsu samayaṁ kṛtvā dharmarāḍ bhrātṛbhiḥ saha

pitṛṅstarpya yathānyāyaṁ devatāśca viśāmpate

O king! Yudhiṣṭhira, having taken the vow thus, with his brothers in that assembly, gratified Pitṛs and celestials.

kṛtamaṅgalakalyāṇo bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ

gateṣu kṣatriyendreṣu bharatarṣabha

O best of Bharata race! On departure of all Kṣatriya kings, Yudhiṣṭhira, surrounded by his brothers, performed usual auspicious rites.

yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sahāmātyaḥ praviveśa purottamam

duryodhano mahārāja śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ

sabhāyāṁ ramaṇīyāyāṁ tatraivāste narādhipa

Yudhiṣṭhira then with his ministers entered his excellent palace. O great king! Duryodhana and son of Subala, Śakuni then lived in that charming Sabhā.

End of the sacrifice

 tataḥ sa kururājasya kratuḥ sarvasamṛddhimān

yūnāṁ prītikaro rājan sa babhau vipulaujasaḥ

śāntavighnaḥ sukhārambhaḥ prabhūtadhanadhānyavān

annavān bahubhakṣyaśca keśavena surakṣitaḥ

O king! Furnished with plentiful of corn, rice and every kind of food and in abundance of wealth, that sacrifice of the greatly effulgent king of Kurus, blessed with every kind of prosperity and well protected by Keśava, commenced with all auspicious ceremonies and became exceedingly beautiful and pleasing to all young men.

samāpayāmāsa ca taṁ rājasūyaṁ mahākratum

taṁ tu yajñaṁ mahābāhurāsamāpterjanārdanaḥ

rarakṣa bhagavāñchauriḥ śārṇgacakragadādharaḥ

So long great Rājasūya sacrifice was not completed, mighty armed Janārdana, illustrious Kṛṣṇa, guarded it with his bow called Śārṅga, his discus and club and thus in due time it was completed.

tatastvavabhṛthasnātaṁ dharmātmānaṁ yudhiṣṭhiram

samastaṁ pārthivaṁ kṣatramupagamyedamabravīt

Thereupon all Kṣatriya kings came to virtuous Yudhiṣṭhira, who had bathed after completion of sacrifice and spoke thus to him:

diṣṭyā vardhasi dharmajña sāmrājyaṁ prāptavānasi

ājamīḍhājamīḍhānāṁ yaśaḥ saṁvardhitaṁ tvayā

O virtuous man! You have grown in prosperity by good fortune. You have acquired imperial dignity. Fame of Ājamīḍha race has been greatly increased by you, the descendant of Ājamīḍha.

karmaṇaitena rājendra dharmaśca sumahān kṛtaḥ

āpṛcchāmo naravyāghra sarvakāmaiḥ supūjitāḥ

O king of kings! You have acquired great religious merit by your this act. O best of kings! We tell you that we have been worshipped by you to the full extent of our desires.

svarāṣṭrāṇi gamiṣyāmastadanujñātumarhasi

śrutvā tu vacanaṁ rājñāṁ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

We now desire to return to our own kingdoms. You should give us permission. Having heard the words of the kings, Yudhiṣṭhira,

yathārhaṁ pūjya nṛpatīn bhrātṛn sarvānuvāca ha

rājānaḥ sarva evaite prītyāsmān samupāgatāḥ

Worshipped them as each deserved and then commanded his brothers thus: All these kings have come to us at their own pleasure.

prasthitāḥ svāni rāṣṭrāṇi māmāpṛcchya paraṁtapāḥ

anuvrajata bhadraṁ vo viṣayāntaṁ nṛpottamān

These chastisers of foes are now desirous of returning to their kingdoms after bidding me farewell. Blessed brothers, follow these excellent kings to confines of our kingdom!

bhrāturvacanamājñāya pāṇḍavā dharmacāriṇaḥ

yathārhaṁ nṛpatīn sarvānekakaikaṁ samanuvrajan

Having been thus commanded by their brother, virtuous Pāṇḍavas followed kings one after the other as each deserved.

virāṭamanvayāt tūrṇaṁ dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ pratāpavān

dhanaṅjayo yajñasenaṁ mahātmānaṁ mahāratham

Powerful Dhṛṣṭadyumna followed king of Virāṭa, Arjuna followed great car warrior and high souled Yajñasena.

bhīṣmaṁ ca dhṛtarāṣṭraṁ ca bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ

droṇaṁ tu sasutaṁ vīraṁ sahadevo yudhāmpatiḥ

Mighty Bhīmasena followed Bhīṣma and Dhṛtarāṣṭra. Lord of battle, Sahadeva, followed heroic Droṇa and his son.

nakulaḥ subalaṁ rājan sahaputraṁ samanvayāt

draupadeyāḥ sasaubhadrāḥ parvatīyān mahārathān

O king! Nakula followed Subala and his son. Sons of Drupadī and son of Subhadrā followed great car warrior, mountain kings.

anvagacchaṁstathaivānyān kṣatriyān kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ

evaṁ supūjitāḥ sarve jagmurviprāḥ sahasraśaḥ

Other best of Kṣatriyas followed other Kṣatriyas and thousands of Brāhmaṇas also, after being duly worshipped, went away.

gateṣu pārthivendreṣu sarveṣu brāhmaṇeṣu ca

yudhiṣṭhiramuvācedaṁ vāsudevaḥ pratāpavān

On departure of all the kings and Brāhmaṇas, powerful Kṛṣṇa spoke thus to Yudhiṣṭhira:

āpṛcche tvāṁ gamiṣyāmi dvārakāṁ kurunandana

rājasūyaṁ kratuśreṣṭhaṁ diṣṭyā tvaṁ prāptavānasi

Kṛṣṇa said: O descendant of Kuru! With your permission I shall go now to Dvāraka! By good fortune you have accomplished the best of sacrifices, Rājasūya!

tamuvācaivamuktastu dharmarājo janārdanam

tava prasādād govinda prāptaḥ kratuvaro mayā

Vaiśampāyana said: Having been thus addressed, Yudhiṣṭhira replied thus to Kṛṣṇa: O Govinda! Though your grace I have accomplished great sacrifice!

kṣatraṁ samagramapi ca tvatprasādād vaśe sthitam

upādāya baliṁ mukhyaṁ māmeva samupasthitam

Through your grace all Kṣatriya kings came under my sway and brought here for me valuable tribute!

kathaṁ tvadgamanārthaṁ me vāṇī vitarate ̍ nagha

na hyahaṁ tvāmṛte vīraṁ prāpnomi karhicit

O sinless  one! O hero! How can I give you permission to go? Without you my heart never feels any delight!

avaśyaṁ caiva gantavyā bhavatā dvārakāpurī

evamuktaḥ sa dharmātmā yudhiṣṭhirasahāyavān

abhigamyābravīt prītaḥ pṛthāṁ pṛthuyaśā hariḥ

sāmrājyaṁ samanuprāptāḥ putrāste ̍ dya pitṛṣvasaḥ

But I know, you must have to go to Dvārakā city. Having been thus addressed, virtuous minded and world renowned Kṛṣṇa, accompanied by Yudhiṣṭhira, went to Pṛthā and cheerfully said: O aunt! Your sons have today obtained imperial dignity!

siddhārthā vasumantaśca sā tvaṁ prītimavāpnuhi

anujñātastvayā cāhaṁ dvārakāṁ gantumutsahe

They have obtained vast wealth and they have been crowned with success. Be pleased with all this! With your permission I shall now go to Dvārakā!

subhadrāṁ draupadīṁ caiva sabhājayata keśavaḥ

niṣkramyāntaḥpurāt tasmād yudhiṣṭhira sahāyavān

Kṛṣṇa then bade farewell to Subhadrā and Draupadī. Then he came out of the inner apartments accompanied by Yudhiṣṭhira.

snātaśca kṛtajapyaśca brāhmaṇān svasti vācya ca

tato meghavapuḥprakhyaṁ syandanaṁ ca sukalpitam

yojayitvā mahābāhurdārukaḥ samupasthitaḥ

upasthitaṁ rathaṁ dṛṣṭvā tārkṣyapravaraketanam

pradakṣiṇamupāvṛtya samāruhya mahāmanāḥ

prayayau puṇḍarīkākṣastato dvāravatīṁ purīm

He performed his ablutions and went through the daily rites of worship. Brāhmaṇas uttered benedictions. Then mighty armed Dāruka came with car of excellent make and the body resembling clouds. Seeing Garuḍa bannered car arrived, high souled and lotus eyed Kṛṣṇa walked round it respectfully and ascending on it started for the city of Dvārakā.

taṁ padbhyāmanuvavrāja dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ śrīmān vāsudevaṁ mahābalam

Blessed Yudhiṣṭhira, accompanied by his brothers, followed on foot greatly powerful Vāsudeva Kṛṣṇa.

tato muhūrtaṁ saṁgṛhya syandanapravaraṁ hariḥ

abravīt puṇḍarīkākṣaḥ kuntīputraṁ yudhiṣṭhiram

Then lotus eyed Kṛṣṇa stopped for a moment that excellent chariot and spoke thus to Yudhiṣṭhira:

apramattaḥ sthito nityaṁ prajāḥ pāhi viśāmpate

parjanyamiva bhūtāni mahādrumamiva dvijāḥ

O kings! Cherish your subjects with ceaseless vigilance and patience! As clouds are to all creatures, as large tree to birds.

bāndhavāstvopajīvantu sahasrākṣamivāmarāḥ

kṛtvā paraspareṇaivaṁ saṁvidaṁ kṛṣṇapāḍavau

And as 1,000 eyed Indra to immortals, so you also become the refuge of all your friends and relatives! Kṛṣṇa and Yudhiṣṭhira, thus talking with each other,

anyonyaṁ samanujñāpya jagmatuḥ svagṛhān prati

gate dvāravatīṁ kṛṣṇe sātvatapravare nṛpa

Took each other ̍ s leave and went towards their respective homes. O king! When the foremost of Sātvata race, Kṛṣṇa, had gone away to Dvārakā,

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part XI

 kṣama vā yadi te śraddhā mā vā kṛṣṇa mama kṣama

kruddhād vāpi prasannād vā kiṁ me tvatto bhaviṣyati

O Kṛṣṇa! If you please pardon me or pardon me not, angry or friendly, what can you do to me?

tathā braṁvuta evāsya bhagavān madhusūdanaḥ

manasācintayaccakraṁ daityavarganiṣūdanam

Vaiśampāyana said: When Śiśupāla was thus talking, high souled slayer of Madhu, Kṛṣṇa, thought in his mind of the discus that humbles the pride of Daityas.

etasminneva kāle tu cakre hastagate sati

uvāca bhagavānuccairvākyaṁ vākyaviśāradaḥ

As soon as discus came into his hands, skillful speaker, high souled Kṛṣṇa, spoke loudly these words:

ṣṛṇvantu me mahīpālā yenaitat kṣamitaṁ mayā

aparādhaśataṁ kṣāmyaṁ māturasyaiva yācane

Kṛṣṇa said: O kings! Hear why this man has been hither to pardoned by me! Asked by his mother, I promised to pardon his 100 offences.

dattaṁ mayā yācitaṁ ca tāni pūrṇāni pārthivāḥ

adhunā vadhayiṣyāmi paśyatāṁ vo mahīkṣitām

This was the boon that she asked me and this was the boon that I granted to her. O kings! That number has now become completed! I shall now kill him in the presence of the kings!

evamuktvā yaduśreṣṭhaśredirājasya tatkṣaṇāt

vyapāharacchiraḥ kruddhaścakreṇāmitrakarṣaṇaḥ

Vaiśampāyana said: Having said this, chief of Yadu race, that chastiser of foes, Kṛṣṇa, immediately cut off, in anger, by his discus the head of Cedi king.

sa papāta mahābāhurvajrāhata ivācalaḥ

tataścedipaterdehāt tejo ̍ gryaṁ dadṛśurnṛpāḥ

Mighty armed hero fell like a cliff struck by the thunder. Kings saw a fearful effulgence from the body of Cedi king,

utpatantaṁ mahārāja gaganādiva bhāskaram

tataḥ kamalapatrākṣaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ lokanamaskṛtam

vavande tat tadā tejo viveṣa ca narādhipa

Issuing like that of the sun in the sky. O great king! That effulgence then adorned lotus eyed Kṛṣṇa, ever worshipped by all the worlds and it then entered Kṛṣṇa ̍ s body.

tasadbhutamamanyanta dṛṣṭvā sarve mahīkṣitaḥ

yad viveśa mahābāhuṁ tat tejaḥ puruṣottamam

Seeing effulgence of Śiśupāla enter the body of Kṛṣṇa, all the kings thought that the phenomenon was very wonderful.

anabhre pravavarṣa dyauḥ papāta jvalitāśaniḥ

kṛṣṇena nihate caidye cacāla ca vasuṁdharā

When Cedi king was killed by Kṛṣṇa, cloudless sky poured showers of rain, blasting thunders were hurled and Earth itself began to tremble.

tataḥ kecinmahīpālā nābruvaṁstatra kiṁcana

atītavākpathe kāle prekṣamāṇā janārdanam

Some amongst those kings did not speak a word during those unspeakable moments. They sat gazing at Janārdana, Kṛṣṇa.

...stairhastāgramapare pratyarpiṣannamarṣitāḥ

... ra daśanairoṣṭhānadaśan krodhamūrcchitāḥ

Some rubbed in anger their palms with their fore fingers. Others, being deprived of their senses by anger, bit their lips with their teeth.

rathaśca kecid vārṣṇeyaṁ praśaśaṁsurnarādhipāḥ

kecideva susaṁrabdhā madhyasthāstvapare ̍ bhavan

Some kings praised Vṛṣṇi hero in private, some become excited with anger, while others became mediators.

prahṛṣṭāḥ keśavaṁ jagmuḥ saṁstuvanto maharṣayaḥ

brāhmaṇāśca mahātmānaḥ pārthivāśca mahābalāḥ

śiśaṁsurnirvṛtāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇasya vikramam

pāṇḍavastvabravīd bhrātṝn satkāreṇa mahīpatim

Great Ṛṣis became much pleased and praised Kṛṣṇa and high souled Brāhmaṇas and greatly powerful kings, seeing the prowess of Kṛṣṇa, became glad at heart and praised him. Yudhiṣṭhira then commanded his brothers to perform the funeral ceremony of the king Śiśupāla.

damaghoṣātmajaṁ vīraṁ saṁskārayata mā ciram

tathā ca kṛtavantaste bhrāturvai śāsanaṁ tadā

cedīnāmādhipatye ca putramasya mahīpateḥ

abhyaṣiñcat tadā pārthaḥ saha tairvasudhādhipaiḥ

Heroic son of Damaghoṣa without delay and with all proper respect. They obeyed their brother ̍ s command. Then Yudhiṣṭhira with his brothers and all the kings installed son of the king of Śiśupāla on the throne of Cedi.

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part X

 kecidūcurmaheṣvāsāḥ śrutvā bhīṣmasya tad vacaḥ

pāpo ̍ valipto vṛddhaśca nāyaṁ bhīṣmo ̍ rhati kṣamām

Having heard these words of Bhīṣma, some of these bow men said: This sinful wretch, Bhīṣma, though old, is exceedingly boastful. He deserves no pardon!

hanyatāṁ durmatirbhīṣmaḥ paśuvat sādhvayaṁ nṛpāḥ

sarvaiḥ sametya saṁrabdhairdahyātā vā kaṭāgninā

Therefore, O kings! This wicked minded Bhīṣma will be killed like an animal, or let us master all together and let him be burnt in a fire made of a straw.

iti teṣāṁ vacaḥ śrutvā tataḥ kurupitāmahaḥ

uvāca matimān bhīṣmastāneva vasudhādhipān

Having heard these words, grandsire of Kurus, intelligent Bhīṣma, spoke then to the kings:

uktasyoktasya nehāntamahaṁ samupalakṣaye

yat tu vakṣyāmi tat sarvaṁ śṛṇudhvaṁ vasudhādhipāḥ

Bhīṣma said: O kings! I do not see the end of our speeches, for words may be answered with words. Therefore, listen to what I say:

paśuvad ghātanaṁ vā me dahanaṁ vā kaṭāgninā

kriyatāṁ mūrghni vo nyastaṁ mayedaṁ sakalaṁ padam

Whether I may be killed by you like an animal or be burnt in a fire made of a straw, I say, I place my foot on the head of all!

eṣa tiṣṭhati govindaḥ pūjito ̍ smābhiracyutaḥ

yasya vastvarate buddhirmaraṇāya sa mādhavam

kṛṣṇamāhvayatāmadya yuddhe cakragadādharam

yādavasyaiva devasya dehaṁ viśatu pātitaḥ

Here is Govinda, Kṛṣṇa, who knows no deterioration. Him have we worshipped. let him, who is willing to meet a speedy death, call today to battle Mādhava Kṛṣṇa, wielder of discus and club, falling in the battle. Let him enter and mix with the body of this Deity!

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tataḥ śrutvaiva bhīṣmasya cedirāḍuruvikramaḥ

yuyutsurvāsudevena vāsudevamuvāca haḥ

Vaiśampāyana said: Having heard these words of Bhīṣma, greatly powerful Cedi king, being desirous of fighting with Vāsudeva, spoke thus to Kṛṣṇa:

āhvaye tvāṁ raṇaṁ gaccha mayā sārdhaṁ janārdana

yāvadadya nihanmi tvāṁ sahitaṁ sarvapāṇḍavaiḥ

Śiśupāla said: O Janārdana! I challenge you! Come, fight with  me till I kill you today with all the Pāṇḍavas!

saha tvay hi me vadhyāḥ sarvathā kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavāḥ

nṛpatīn samatikramya yairarājā tvamarcitaḥ

O Kṛṣṇa! Pāṇḍavas also deserve to be killed by me with you, for they, having passed over all these kings, have worshipped you, who are not a king!

ye tvāṁ dāramarājānaṁ bālyādarcanti durmatim

anarhamarhavat kṛṣṇa vadhyāsta iti me matiḥ

O Kṛṣṇa! It is my opinion that those who have from the childishness worshipped you, as if you deserve it, although you are unworthy of worship, you being only a slave and a wretch and not a king, deserve to be killed by me!

ityuktvā rājaśārdūlastasthau garjannamarṣaṇaḥ

evamuktastataḥ kṛṣṇo mṛdupūrvamidaṁ vacaḥ

uvāca pārthivān sarvān sa samakṣaṁ ca vīryavān

Vaiśampāyana said: Having said this, that best of men, Śiśupāla, stood up and roared in anger. When he ceased talking, Kṛṣṇa spoke these words in a soft voice to all the kings in presence of Pāṇḍavas:

eṣa naḥ śatruratyantaṁ pārthivāḥ sātvatīsutaḥ

sātvatānāṁ nṛśaṁsātmā na hito ̍ napakāriṇām

Kṛṣṇa said: O kings! This cruel hearted man, who is the son of a lady of Sātvata race, is a great enemy of Sātvata race! Though we never seek to injure him, yet he always seek to do us injury!

prāgjyotiṣapuraṁ yātānasmāñjñātvā nṛśaṁsakṛt

adahad dvārakāmeṣa svasrīyaḥ san narādhipāḥ

O king! Hearing that we had gone to the city of Prāgjyotiṣa, this wretch of cruel deeds, came and burnt Dvārakā, though he is the son of my aunt, the sister of my father.

krīḍato bhojarājasya eṣa raivatake girau

hatvā baddhvā ca tān sarva-nupāyāt svapuraṁ purā

When Bhoja king was sporting on Raivataka hill, he killed many of the king ̍ s attendants and carried away many in a chains to his own city.

krīḍato bhojarājasya eṣa raivatake girau

hatvā baddhvā ca tān sarva-nupāyāt svapuraṁ purā

When Bhoja king was sporting on Raivataka hill, he killed many of the king ̍ s attendants and carried away many in a chains to his own city.

aśvamedhe hayaṁ medhyamutsṛṣṭaṁ rakṣibhirvṛtam

piturme yajñavighnārthamaharat pāpaniścayaḥ

This wretch, sinful in all his purposes in order to obstruct my father ̍ s sacrifice, stole horse of the horse sacrifice, which was let loose under armed guards.

sauvīrān prati yātāṁ ca babhroreṣa tapasvinaḥ

bhāryāmabhyaharanmohādakāmāṁ tāmito gatām

This wretch, prompted by sinful motives, though she was unwilling, stole the wife of saintly Babhru, Akrūra, when she was on her way from Dvārakā to the country of Sauvīras.

eṣa māyāpraticchannaḥ karūṣārthaṁ tapasvinīm

jahāra bhadrāṁ vaiśālīṁ mātulasya nṛśaṁsakṛt

This wretch, ever intent to injure his maternal uncle, ravished in disguise of the king of Karūṣa, sintly Bhadra, princess of Viśāla, who was maternal relative.

pitṛṣvasuḥ kṛte duḥkhaṁ sumahanmarṣayāmyaham

diṣṭyā hīdaṁ sarvarājñāṁ saṁnidhāvadya vartate

I have patiently born all these for the sake of my father ̍ s sister. It is, however, very fortunate that today, all this has happened before all these kings.

paśyanti hi bhavanto ̍ dya mayyatīva vyatikramam

kṛtāni tu parokṣaṁ me yāni tāni nibodhata

Look, Sirs, at the hospitality that he bears towards me! Knowing also all that he has done against me at my back.

imaṁ tvasya na śakṣyāmi kṣantumadya vyatikramam

avalepād vadhārhasya samagre rājamaṇḍale

He deserves to be killed by me only on account of great pride that he has displayed today before all these kings. i am hardly able to pardon him today for the injuries he has done to me.

rukmiṇyāmasya mūḍhasya prārthanā āsīnmumūrṣataḥ

na ca tāṁ prāptavān mūḍhaḥ śūdro vedaśrutīmiva

Desirous as he was of a speedy death, this fool had once desired to possess Rukmiṇī, but the fool did not obtained her, as a Śūdra cannot get a hearing of the Vedas.

rukmiṇyāmasya mūḍhasya prārthanā āsīnmumūrṣataḥ

na ca tāṁ prāptavān mūḍhaḥ śūdro vedaśrutīmiva

Desirous as he was of a speedy death, this fool had once desired to possess Rukmiṇī, but the fool did not obtained her, as a Śūdra cannot get a hearing of the Vedas.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

evamādi tataḥ sarve sahitāste narādhipāḥ

vāsudevavacaḥ śrutvā cedirājaṁ vyagarhayan

Vaiśampāyana said: Having heard these words of Vāsudeva, all kings assembled there began to reproach king of Cedi.

tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā śiśupāl pratāpavān

jahāsa svanavaddhāsaṁ vākyaṁ cedamuvāca ha

Having heard these words, powerful Śiśupāla laughed aloud and spoke thus:

matpūrvāṁ rukmiṇīṁ kṛṣṇa saṁsatsu parikīrtayan

viśeṣataḥ pārthiveṣu vrīḍāṁ na kuruṣe katham

Śiśupāla said: O Kṛṣṇa! Are you not ashamed to talk in this assembly, specially before all these kings, of Rukmiṇī, who had been intended for me!

manyamāno hi kaḥ satsu puruṣaḥ parikīrtayet

anyapūrvāṁ striyaṁ jātu tvadanyo madhusūdanaḥ

O slayer of Madhu! Who else is there but you, who regarding himself a  man, would say in the midst of respectable men, that his wife was intended for someone else?

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part IX

 vṛddhaṁ ca bhāratācāryaṁ tathā śāradvataṁ kṛpam

atkramya mahāvīryaṁ kiṁ praśaṁsasi keśavam

And also old Kṛpa, son of Śāradvata, who is Guru of Bharata race. Passing over these greatly powerful men, why do you praise Kṛṣṇa?

dhanurdharāṇāṁ pravaraṁ rukmiṇaṁ puruṣottamam

ātkramya mahāvīryaṁ kiṃ praśaṁsasi keśavam

Pasiing over that foremost of bowmen, that excellent man, greatly powerful Rukmiṇ, why do you praise Keśava?

bhīṣmakaṁ ca mahāvīryaṁ dantavakraṁ ca bhūmipam

bhagadattaṁ yūpaketuṁ jayatsenaṁ ca māgadham

Passing over greatly energetic Bhīṣmaka and king Dantavakra and also Bhagadatta, celebrated for his many sacrificial stakes, king of Māgadha Jayatsena.

virāṭadrupadau cobhau śakuniṁ bṛhadbalam

vindānuvindāvāvantyau pāṇḍyaṁ śvetamathottaram

And also Drupada and Virāṭa, Śakuni and Bṛhadbala, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, Pāṇḍya, Śveta, Uttara.

śaṇkhaṁ ca sumahābhāgaṁ vṛṣasenaṁ ca māninam

ekalavyaṁ ca vikrāntaṁ kāliṅgaṁ ca mahāratham

Greatly prosperous Śaṅkha, proud Vṛṣasena, powerful Ekalavya, great car warrior king Kaliṅga, passing over all these powerful men, why do you praise Keśava?

atikramya mahāvīryaṁ kiṁ praśaṁsasi keśavam

śalyādīnapi kasmāt tvaṁ na stauṣi vasudhādhipān

stavāya yadi te buddhirvartate bhīṣma sarvadā

O Bhīṣma! If your mind is always eager to praise others, why do you not praise Śalya and other kings?

kiṁ hi śakyaṁ mayā kartuṁ yad vṛddhānāṁ tvayā nṛpa

putrā kathayatāṁ nūnaṁ na śrutaṁ dharmavādinām

O king! What I am capable of doing, is giving you a good advice, when you have never before heard anything from the virtuous men, who are learned in the precepts of virtue.

ātmanindā ātmapūjā ca paranindā parastavaḥ

anācaritamāryāṇāṁ vṛttametaccaturvidham

O Bhīṣma! Have you not heard that reproach and glorification of the self and reproach and glorification of others are not the practices of those who are respectable?

yadastvayamimaṁ śaśvanmohāt saṁstauṣi bhaktitaḥ

kaṁśavaṁ tacca te bhīṣma na kaścidanumanyate

O Bhīṣma! There is none who approves your conduct in thus continually praising this Keśava, who is unworthy of any praise. You surely do it from ignorance alone.

kathaṁ bhojasya puruṣe vargapāle durātmani

samāveśayase sarvaṁ jagat kevalakāmyayā

How can you from your desire alone establish whole universe in this wicked mind slave and cow heard of Vraja?

atha caiṣā na te buddhiḥ prakṛtiṁ yāti bhārata

mayaiva kathitaṁ pūrvaṁ bhūliṅgaśakuniryathā

O descendant of Bharata! Perhaps your inclination is not conformable to your true nature, like that of the bird Bhūliṅga, the story of which has been already told by me.

bhūliṅgaśakunirnāma pārthe himavataḥ pare

bhīṣma tasyā sadā vācaḥ śrūyante ̍ rthavigarhitāḥ

O Bhīṣma! There was a bird called Bhūliṅga, living on the other side of Himalayas. His words were always without any meaning.

mā sāhasamitīdaṁ sā satataṁ vāśate kila

sāhasaṁ cātmanātīva carantī nāvagudhyate

Never act rashly! Was what he always said, but he never knew that he himself always acted rashly.

sā hi māṁsargalaṁ bhīṣma mukhāt siṁhasya khādataḥ

dantāntaravilagnaṁ yat tadādatte ̍ lpacetanā

O Bhīṣma! That foolish bird used to pick from the lion ̍ s mouth pieces of flesh sticking between his teeth, when the lion was engaged in eating.

icchataḥ sā hi siṁhasya bhīṣma jīvatyasaṁśayam

tadvat tvamapladharmiṣṭha sadā vācaḥ prabhāṣase

O Bhīṣma! That bird surely lived at the pleasure of the lion. O sinful wretch! You always speak like that bird!

icchatāṁ bhūmipālānāṁ bhīṣma jīvasya saṁśayam

lokavidviṣṭakarmā hi nānyo ̍ sti bhavatā samaḥ

O Bhīṣma! Surely you live at the pleasure of these kings. There is none else like you who are engaged in doing things contrary to the opinions of all.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tataścedipateḥ śrutvā bhīṣmaḥ sa kaṭukaṁ vacaḥ

uvācedaṁ vaco rājaṁścedirājasya śṛṇvataḥ

Vaiśampāyana said: O king! Having heard these rude and harsh words of king of Cedi, Bhīṣma spoke thus in hearing of Cedi king:

bhīṣma uvāca

icchatāṁ kila nāmāhaṁ jīvāmyeṣāṁ mahīkṣitān

so ̍ haṁ na gaṇayāmyetāṁstṛṇenāpi narādhipān

Bhīṣma said: Truly I am alive at the pleasure of these kings, but I do not consider these kings as equal to even straws.

evamukte tu bhīṣmeṇa tataḥ saṁcakruśurnṛpāḥ

kecijjahṛṣire tatra kecid bhīṣmaṁ jagarhire

Vaiśampāyana said: Having been thus addressed by Bhīṣma, kings became full of anger. Some amongst them stood erect and some began to reproach Bhīṣma.

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part VIII

 antarbhūtaṁ tato bhūtamuvācedaṁ punarvacaḥ

yasyotsaṅge gṛhītasya bhujāvabhyadhikāvubhau

patiṣyataḥ kṣititale pañcaśīrṣāvivoragau

tṛtīyatad bālasya lalāṭasthaṁ tu locanam

nimajjiṣyati yaṁ dṛṣṭvā so ̍ sya mṛtyurbhaviṣyati

tryakṣaṁ caturbhujaṁ śrutvā tathā ca samudāhṛtam

Invisible being then again said: He upon whose lap this child being taken, his extra arms will fall down on the ground like a pair of 5 headed snakes and observing whom his 3rd eye on the forehead will disappear, will be his slayer! Having heard of the child ̍ s 3 eyes and 5 arms and also of the words of invisible being,

pṛthivyāṁ pārthivāḥ sarve abhyāgacchan didṛkṣavaḥ

tān pūjayitvā samprāptān yathārhaṁ sa mahīpatiḥ

All the kings of the world came to see him. Cedi king worshipped kings who came as each deserved.

ekaikasya nṛpasyāṇke putramāropayat tadā

evaṁ rājasahasrāṇāṁ pṛthaktvena yathākramam

śiśuraṅkasamārūḍho na tat prāpa nidarśanam

etadeva tu saṁśrutya dvāravatyāṁ mahābalau

And gave his child upon their laps one after the other. Thus child was placed on the laps of 1,000 kings one after the other, but what was heard from invisible being, did not come to pass. Having heard this about the child at Dvāravatī, two greatly powerful heroes,

tataśvediparaṁ prāptau saṁkarṣaṇajanārdanau

yādavau yādavīṁ draṣṭuṁ svasāraṁ tau pitaustadā

Yadu princes, Saṅkarṣaṇa, Baladeva and Janārdana, Kṛṣṇa, went to the capital of Cedi king to see their aunt, princess of Yadu race, queen of the Cedi king.

abhivādya yathānyāyaṁ yathāśreṣṭhaṁ nṛpaṁ ca tām

kuṣalānāmayaṁ pṛṣṭvā niṣaṇṇau rāmakeśavau

Saluting everybody according to his rank and saluting also the king and queen and inquiring after everyone ̍ s welfare, Rāma and Kṛṣṇa took their seats.

sābhyarcya tau tadā vīrau prītyā cābhyadhikaṁ tataḥ

putraṁ dāmodarotsaṅge devī saṁnyadadhāt svayam

When those two heroes were duly worshipped, queen with great pleasure and joy, placed herself the child on the lap of Kṛṣṇa.

nyastamātrasya tasyāṅke bhujāvabhyadhikāvubhau

petatustacca nayanaṁ nyamajjata lalāṭajam

As soon as the child was placed on his lap, his extra arms fell down and the eye on his forehead disappeared.

tad dṛṣṭvā vyathitā trastā varaṁ kṛṣṇamayācata

dada..va me varaṁ kṛṣṇa bhayārtāyā mahābhuja

Seeing this, queen became alarmed and aggrieved. She begged Kṛṣṇa to grant her a boon. She said: O mighty hero! I am afflicted with fear. Grant me a boon!

tvaṁ hyārtānāṁ samāśvāso bhītānāmabhayapradaḥ

evamuktastataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ so ̍ bravīd yadunandanaḥ

You are assuager of all men afflicted with grief. You are dispeller of everyone ̍ s fear. Having been thus addressed, Yādava Kṛṣṇa replied thus:

mā bhaistvaṁ devi dharmajñe na matto ̍ sti bhayaṁ tava

dadāmi kaṁ varaṁ ca karavāṇi pitṛṣvasaḥ

O lady! Do not be alarmed! O virtuous queen! You have no fear from me! O aunt! What a boon should I give to you? 

śakyaṁ vā yadi vāśakyaṁ kariṣyāmi vacastava

evamuktā tataḥ kṛṣṇamabravīd yadunandanam

Whether I am able or not, I should do what you will say! Having been thus addressed, she spoke thus to Yādava Kṛṣṇa:

śiśupālasyāparādhān kṣamethāstvaṁ mahābala

matkṛte yaduśārdūla viddyenaṁ me varaṁ prabho

O greatly powerful hero! O best of Yādavas! You will have to pardon for my sake the offence committed by Śiśupāla! O lord! Know that this is the boon I ask for!

śrī kṛṣṇa uvāca

aparādhaśataṁ kṣāmyaṁ mayā hyasya pitṛṣvasaḥ

putrasya te vadhārhasya mātvaṁ śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ

Kṛṣṇa said: O aunt! Even when he will deserve to be killed, in 100 occasions of offences, this Śiśupāla will be pardoned by me! Do not be therefore aggrieved!

bhīṣma uvāca

evameṣa nṛpaḥ pāpaḥ śiśupālaḥ sumandadhīḥ

tvāṁ samāhvayate vīra govindavaradarpitaḥ

Bhīṣma said: O Bhīma! Such is this wretch, Śiśupāla! A king with a wicked heart! Being proud for the boon granted by Govinda, he now calls you to battle!

bhīṣma uvāca

naiṣā cedipaterbuddhiryayā tvā a̍ hvayate ̍ cyutam

nūnameṣa jagadbhartuḥ kṛṣṇasyaiva viniścayaḥ

Bhīṣma said: Desire, that caused Cedi king to call you, whose strength knows no deterioration to fight, is hardly of his own wish. This is surely the purpose of Kṛṣṇa himself, who is the lord of the universe!

ko hi māṁ bhīmasenādya kṣitāvarhati pārthivaḥ

kṣeptuṁ kālaparītātmā yathaiṣa kulapāṁsanaḥ

O Bhīmasena! What a king was there on Earth, who could abuse me as this wretch of his race, who has been already taken for his own by the Death, has done today?

eṣa hyasya mahābāhustejoṁ ̍ śaśca harerdhruvam

tameva punarādātumicchatyuta tathā vibhuḥ

This mighty armed hero is certainly a portion of Kṛṣṇa ̍ s energy. Kṛṣṇa wishes to take back to himself his that energy.

yenaiṣa kuruśārdūla śārdūla iva cedirāṭ

garjatyatīva durbuddhiḥ sarvānasmānacintayan

O best of Kuru race! For this reason only this wicked minded and tiger like Cedi king roars in this way without caring little for any of us!

vaiśamapāyana uvāca

tato na mamṛṣe caidyastad bhīṣmavacanaṁ tadā 

uvāca cainaṁ saṁkruddhaḥ punarbhīṣmamathottaram

Vaiśampāyana said:  Having heard these words of Bhīṣma, Cedi king could not brook them. He replied thus to Bhīṣma in great wrath:

śiśupāla uvāca

dviṣatāṁ no ̍ stu bhīṣmaiṣa prabhāvaḥ keśavasya yaḥ

yasya saṁstavavaktā tvaṁ vandivat satatotthitaḥ

Śiśupāla said: O Bhīṣma! When always rising from your seat you are praising him like a professional chanter, let our enemies possess that prowess which is possessed by Kṛṣṇa!

saṁstave ca mano bhīṣme pareṣāṁ ramate yadi

tadā saṁstauṣi rājñastvamimaṁ hitvā janārdanam

O Bhīṣma! If your mind takes pleasure in praising others, then praise these kings present here and leave Janārdana, Kṛṣṇa!

daradaṁ stuhi bāhlīkamimaṁ pārthivasattamam

jāyamānena yeneyamabhavad dāritā mahī

Praise this best of kings, Darada, king of Bāhlīka, who as soon as was born, rent this Earth.

vaṅgāṅgaviṣayādhyadhyakṣaṁ sahasrākṣasamaṁ bale

stuhi karṇamimaṁ bhīṣma mahācāpavikarṣaṇam

O Bhīṣma! Praise this Karṇa, king of Aṅga and Baṅga, who is like Indra in strength, who draws great bow.

yasyeme kuṇḍale divye sahaje devanirmite

kavacaṁ ca mahābāho bālārkasadṛśaprabham

Who is adorned with celestial earrings heavenly made and with armour possessing the splendour of a rising sun with both of which he was born.

vāsavapratimo yena jarāsaṅdho ̍ tidurjayaḥ

vijito bāhuyuddhena dehabhedaṁ ca lambhitaḥ

And who vanquished and mangled in a wrestling mach greatly invincible Jarāsaṅdha equal to Indra.

droṇaṁ drauṇiṁ ca sādhu tvaṁ pitāputrau mahārathau

stuhi stutyāvubhau bhīṣma satataṁ dvijasattamau

O Bhīṣma! Praise always Droṇa and his son Aśvatthāmā, who are both father and son, worthy of praise, who are great car warriors and who are the best of Brāhamaṇas.

yayoranyataro bhīṣma saṁkruddhaḥ sacarācarām

imāṁ vasumatīṁ kuryānniḥśeṣāmiti me matiḥ

O Bhīṣma! It is my opinion that if they are enraged, either of two can annihilate this Earth with all its mobile and immobile creatures.

droṇasya hi samaṁ yuddhe na paśyāmi narādhipam

nāśvatthāmnaḥ samaṁ bhīṣma naca tau stotumicchasi

O Bhīṣma! I do not see any king who is equal to Droṇa or Aṣvatthāmā in battle. Why do not desire to praise them?

pṛthivyāṁ sāgarāntāyāṁ yo vai pratisamo bhavet

duryodhanaṁ tvaṁ rājendramatikramya mahābhujam

Passing over Duryodhana, who is mighty king of kings and who is unrivalled on Earth girt with the seas.

jayadrathaṁ ca rājānaṁ kṛtāstraṁ dṛḍhavikramam

drumaṁ kimpuruṣācāryaṁ loke prathitavikramam

atikramya mahāvīryaṁ kiṁ praśaṁsasi keśavam

Also king Jayadratha, who is accompanied in weapons and who is of great prowess and also Druma, Guru of Kiṁpuruṣas, who is renowned on Earth for his prowess.

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part VII

 keśavena kṛtaṁ karma jarāsaṅdhavadhe tadā

bhīmasenārjunābhyāṁ ca kastat sādhviti manyate

Who will consider praiseworthy the act of killing Jarāsaṅdha, which was done by Keśava, as also by Bhīma and Arjuna?

advāreṇa praviṣṭena chadmanā brahmavādinā

dṛṣṭaḥ prabhāvaḥ kṛṣṇena jarāsaṅdhasya bhūpateḥ

Entering the city by a way which was not the public gate and disguised as a Veda knowing Brāhamaṇa, this Kṛṣṇa saw the prowess of king Jarāsaṅdha.

yena dharmātmanā ātmānaṁ brahmaṇyamavijānatā

neṣitaṁ pādyamasmai tad dātumagre durātmane

When that illustrious king offered this wretch a water to wash his feet, it was then he said from seeming motives of virtue, that he was not a Brāhmaṇa.

bhujyatāmiti tenoktāḥ kṛṣṇabhīmadhanaṅjayāḥ

jarāsaṅdhena kauravya kṛṣṇena vikṛtaṁ kṛtam

O descendant of Kuru! When Bhīma, Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa were asked by Jarāsaṅdha to eat, that request was refused by Kṛṣṇa.

yadyayaṁ jagataḥ kartā yathainaṁ mu-rkha manyase

kasmānna brāhmaṇaṁ samyagātmānamavagachati

If Kṛṣṇa is the lord of the universe, as this fool thinks himself to be, why does he not then consider himself a Brāhamaṇa?

idaṁ tvāścaryabhūtaṁ me yadime pāṇḍavāstvayā

apakṛṣṭāḥ satāṁ mārgānmanyante tacca sādhviti

It is greatly surprising that though you often lead Pāṇḍavas away from the path of the pious, yet they consider you to be the honest.

atha vā naitadāścaryaṁ yeṣāṁ tvamasi bhārata

strīsadharmā ca vṛddhaśca sarvārthānāṁ pradarśakaḥ

O descendant of Bharata! There is nothing to be surprised in those who have got you, who are no better than a woman and who are old, to be their counsellor im all things.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tasya tad vacanaṁ śrutvā rūkṣaṁ rūkṣākṣaraṁ bahu

cukopa balināṁ śreṣṭho bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān

Vaiśampāyana said: Hearing these harsh words, both in import and sound, that foremost of all strong men, powerful Bhīmasena, became angry.

tathā padmapratīkāśe svabhāvāyatavistṛte

bhūyaḥ krodhābhitāmrākṣe rakte netre babhūvatuḥ

Under the influence of anger, his lotus like eyes, naturally large and expanding, became still more extended and also as red as the copper. 

triśikhāṁ bhrukuṭīṁ cāsya dadṛśuḥ sarvapārthivāḥ

lalāṭasthāṁ trikūṭasthāṁ gaṅgāṁ tripathagāmiva

Assembled kings saw on his forehead 3 lines of wrinkles like Gaṅgā with her 3 courses of current on the 3 peaked mountain.

dantān saṁdaśatastasya kopād dadṛśurānanam

yugānte sarvabhūtāni kālasyeva jighatsataḥ

When he began to grind his teeth in anger, kings saw his face resemble like that of the Death, preparing to swallow every creature at the end of the Yuga.

utpatantaṁ tu vegena jagrāhainaṁ manasvinam

bhīṣma eva mahābāhurmahāsenamiveśvaraḥ

As the strong minded hero was about to jump up with great impetuosity, mighty armed Bhīṣma caught him by the hand, as if Mahādeva seized Mahāsena.

tasya bhīmasya bhīṣmeṇa vāryamāṇasya bhārata

guruṇā vividhairvākyaiḥ krodhaḥ praśamamāgataḥ

O descendant of Bharata! Bhīma ̍ s anger was soon appeased by Bhīṣma with various words of sound counsels.

nāticakrāma bhīṣmasya sa hi vākyamariṁdamaḥ

samudvṛtto ghanāpāye velāmiva mahodadhiḥ

That chastiser of foes could not disobey Bhīṣma ̍ s words, as the ocean never goes beyound its shore, though swollen with the waters of the rainy season.

śiśupālastu saṁkruddhe bhīmasene janādhipa

nākampata tadā vīraḥ pauruṣe sve vyavasthitaḥ

O king! Though Bhīma was angry, heroic Śiśupāla, depending on his own valor, did not tremble in fear.

utpatantaṁ tu vegena punaḥ punarariṁdamaḥ

na sa taṁ cintayāmāsa siṁhaḥ kruddho mṛgaṁ yathā

Though Bhīma was jumping every moment up from his seat with great impetuosity, yet Śiśupāla did not bestow a single thought on him, as a lion does not mind a small animal, who leaps up in a rage.

prahasaṁścābravīd vākyaṁ cedirājaḥ pratāpavān

bhīmasenamabhikruddhaṁ dṛṣṭvā bhīmaparākramam

Seeing Bhīma of terrible prowess, in such a great rage, mighty king of Cedi laughingly spoke thus:

muñcainaṁ bhīṣma paśyantu yāvadenaṁ narādhipāḥ

matprabhāvavinirdagdhaṁ pataṅgamiva vahninā

O Bhīṣma! Release him! Let all these kings see him burnt down by my prowess, like an insect by the fire!

tataścedipatervākyaṁ śrutvā tat kurusattamaḥ

bhīmasenamuvācedaṁ bhīṣmo matimatāṁ varaḥ

Having heard these words of the king of Cedis, that foremost of Kurus, that best of all intelligent men, Bhīṣma spoke thus to Bhīma:

bhīṣma uvāca

cedirājakule jātastryakṣa eṣa caturbhujaḥ

rāsabhārāvasadṛśaṁ rarāsa ca nanāda ca

Bhīṣma said: This Śiśupāla was born with 3 eyes and 4 hands in the dynasty of the kings of Cedi. As soon as he was born, he screemed and brayed like an ass.

tenāsya mātāpitarau traisatustau sabāndhavau

vaikṛtaṁ tasya tau dṛṣṭvā tyāgāyākurutāṁ matim

His father and mother along with all their relatives were struck with fear on seeing this phenomenon. Seeing this evil omens, they resolved to abandon him.

tataḥ sabhāryaṁnṛpatiṁ sāmātyaṁ sapurohitam

cintāsammūḍhadayaṁ vāguvācāśarīriṇī

But at that time an invisible voice said thus to the king and his wife with their ministers and priest, all of whose hearts were paralysed by anxiety.

eṣa te nṛpateḥ putraḥ śrīmāñjāto balādhikaḥ

tasmādasmānna bhetavyamavyagaḥ pāhi vai śiśum

Voice said: O king! This your son, who has been just born, will become fortunate and superior in strength. Therefore, you have no fear for him. Cherich this child without any anxiety!

na ca vai tasya mṛtyurvai na kālaḥ pratyupasthitaḥ

mṛtyurhantāsya śastreṇa sa cotpanno narādhipa

O king! He will not die. His time is not yet come. He who will kill him with weapons has also been born.

saṁśrutyodāhṛtaṁ vākyaṁ bhūtamantarhitaṁ tataḥ

putrasneha-bhisaṁtaptā jananī vākyamabravīt

Bhīṣma said: Having heard these words, mother, becoming anxious by affection for her son, spoke thus to invisible being:

yenedamīritaṁ vākyaṁ mamaitaṁ tanayaṁ prati

prāñjalistaṁ namasyāmi bravītu sa punarvacaḥ

yāthātathyena bhagavān devo vā yadi vetaraḥ

śrotumiccha-mi putrasya ko ̍ sya mṛtyurbhaviṣyati

I bow with joined hands to him who has uttered these words regarding my son. Let him, that invisible being, whether he is an exalted god or nay other being, tell me from another world. I desire to hear who will be the slayer of this my son.

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part VI

 na te śrutamidaṁ bhīṣma nūnaṁ kathayatāṁ satām

yad vakṣye tvāmadharmajñaṁ vākyaṁ kurukulādhama

O Bhīṣma! O wretch of Pūru race! You are ignorant of the precepts of religion. You have not heard from the pious men what I would now tell you.

strīṣu goṣu na śastrāṇi pātayed brāhmaṇeṣu ca

yasya cānnāni bhuñjīta yatra ca syāt pratiśrayaḥ

iti santo ̍ nuśāsanti sajjanaṁ dharmiṇaḥ sadā

bhīṣma loke hi tat sarvaṁ vitathaṁ tvayi dṛśyate

Pious men always instruct good men not to use weapons against women, kine, Brāhamaṇas and men, whose food has been partaken and also those whose shelter has been enjoyed. O Bhīṣma! It appears that all this teachings has been thrown away by you.

jñānavṛddhaṁ ca vṛddhaṁ ca bhūyāṁsaṁ keśavaṁ mama

ajānata ivākhyāsi saṁstuvan kauravādhama

O wretch of Kuru race! Wishing to praise Keśava, you describe him before me as a great and superior in knowledge and age, as if I know nothing.

goghnaḥ strīghnaśca san bhīṣma tvadvākyād yadi pūjyate

evaṁbhūtaśca yo bhīṣma kathaṁ saṁstavamarhati

O Bhīṣma! If at your words one who has killed women and kine be worshipped, what then is to become of these teachings? O Bhīṣma! How can he deserve praise who is such?

asau matimatāṁ śreṣṭho ya etha jagataḥ prabhuḥ

sambhāvayati cāpyevaṁ tvadvākyācca janārdanaḥ

This one is the foremost of all wise men and this one is the lord of the universe! Hearing these words of you, Janārdana, Kṛṣṇa believes that they are all true, but they are surely all false!

na gāthāgāthinaṁ śāsti bahu cedapi gāyati

prakṛtiṁ yānti bhūtāni bhūliṅgaśakuniryathā

Verse that a chanter chants, through he chants them very often, would produce no impression on him. Every creature acts according to his own disposition, like a bird Bhūliṅga.

nūnaṁ prakṛtireṣā te jaghanyā nātra saṁśayaḥ

ati pāpīyasī caiṣā pāṇḍavānāmapīṣyate

yeṣāmarcyatamaḥ kṛṣṇastvaṁ ca yeṣāṁ pradarśakaḥ

dharmavāṁstvamadharmajñaḥ satāṁ mārgadavaplutaḥ

There is not the least doubt that your disposition is very mean. It appears that Pāṇḍavas also consider Kṛṣṇa as deserving of worship and who have you for their leader, are of sinful disposition. Though you possess knowledge of virtue, yet you have fallen from the path of virtue.

ko hi dharmiṇamātmānaṁ jānañjñānavidāṁ varaḥ

kuryād yathā tvayā bhīṣma kṛtaṁ dharmamavekṣatā

O Bhīṣma! Who will act so as you have done from the motives of virtue, knowing himself to be virtuous and superior in knowledge?

cet tvaṁ dharmaṁ vijānāsi yadi prājñā matistava

anyakāmā hi dharmajñā kanyakā prājñamāninā

ambā nāmeti bhadraṁ te kathaṁ sāpahṛtā tvayā

tāṁ tvayāpi hṛtāṁ bhīṣma kanyāṁ naiṣitavān yataḥ

bhrātā vicitravīryaste satāṁ mārgamanuṣṭhitaḥ

O Bhīṣma! If you know Dharma, if your mind is guided by wisdom, why was that virtuous maiden Ambā, who desired to have another for her husband, was forcibly carried away by you? Your brother Vicitravīrya, who followed the path of the pious men.

dārayoryasya cānyena miṣataḥ prājñamāninaḥ

tava jātānyapatyāni sajjanācarite pathi

Knowing her state of mind, did not marry her, though she was brought by you. Proud as you are of your virtue, in your very sight sons were begotten by another on the widow of your brother according to the ways of the pious.

ke hi dharmo ̍ sti te bhīṣma brahmacaryamidaṁ vṛthā

yad dhārayasi mohād vā klībatvād vā na saṁśayaḥ

O Bhīṣma! Where is your virtue? Your Brahmacarya is in vain. Your celibacy is no doubt the result of your ignorance or importance.

na tvahaṁ tava dharmajña paśyāmyupacayaṁ kvacit

na hi te sevitā vṛddhā ya evaṁ dharmamabravīḥ

O Bhīṣma! Learned in Dharma, I do not see your prosperity. You, who thus preach morality, do not seem to have ever waited upon the old.

 iṣaṁ dattamadhītaṁ ca yajñāśca bahudakṣiṇāḥ

sarvametadapatyasya kalāṁ nārhanti ṣoḍaśīm

Worship, gift, study, large Dakṣiṇa giving, sacrifices, these are not equal to one 16th part of that merit which is obtained by possession of a son.

 vratopavāsairbahubhiḥ kṛtaṁ bhavati bhīṣma yat

sarvaṁ tadanapatyasya moghaṁ bhavati niścayāt

O Bhīṣma! Merit that is obtained by observing many vows and fasts, surely goes all in vain if one is childless.

so ̍ napatyaśca vṛddhaśca mithyādharmānusārakaḥ

haṁsavat tvamapīdānīṁ jñātibhyaḥ prāpnuyā vadham

You are childless, you are old, you are expounder of false morality, like a swan in the story, you will be now killed by your own relatives.

evaṁ hi kathayantyanye narā jñānavidaḥ purā

bhīṣma yat tadahaṁ samyag vakṣyāmi tava śṛṇvataḥ

O Bhīṣma! Learned men have said this story of old. I shall presently narrate it in full in your hearing.

vṛddhaḥ kila samudrānte kaścidvaṁso ̍ bhavat purā

dharmavāganyathāvṛttaḥ pakṣiṇaḥ so ̍ nuśāsti ca

In the days of yore there lived an old swan on the coast of the sea. He always spoke of morality and used to instruct all the birds, but his conduct was different.

dharmaṁ carata mādharmamiti tasya vacaḥ kila

pakṣiṇaḥ śuśruvurbhīṣma satataṁ satyavādinaḥ

O Bhīṣma! Practice virtue and forego sin! These were the words that truthful birds heard him saying.

athāsya bhakṣyamājahruḥ samudrajalacāriṇaḥ

aṇḍajā bhīṣma tasmānye dharmārthamiti śuśruma

O Bhīṣma! It has been heard by us that oviparous creatures, all dwelling in the sea, brought him food for the sake of virtue.

te ca tasya samabhyāśe nikṣipyāṇḍāni sarvaśaḥ

samudrāmbhasyamajjanta caranto bhīṣma pakṣiṇaḥ

teṣāmaṇḍāni sarveṣāṁ bhakṣyāmāsa pāpakṛt

O Bhīṣma! All those birds left their eggs with him, ranged and divided in the waters of the sea, but that sinful wretch ate these all eggs.

sa haṁsaḥ sampramattānāmapramattaḥ svakarmaṇi

tataḥ prakṣīyamāṇeṣu teṣu teṣvaṇḍajo ̍ paraḥ

aśaṅkata mahāprājñaḥ sa kadācid dadarśa ha

That swan, always attentive to his own purpose, ate the eggs foolishly trusted to him. Some time after, seeing the eggs decreased in number, another greatly intelligent bird suspected him and one day he saw him eating those eggs.

tataḥ sa kathayāmāsa dṛṣṭvā haṁsasya kilbiṣam

teṣāṁ paramaduḥkhārtaḥ sa pakṣī sarvapakṣiṇām

Having witnessed sinful act of the swan, that bird spoke of it to all other birds in great sorrow.

tataḥ pratyakṣato dṛṣṭvā pakṣiṇaste samīpagāḥ

nijaghnustaṁ tadā haṁsaṁ mithyāvṛttaṁ kurūdvaha

O excellent Pūru! Then all those birds, witnessing with their own eyes the act of old swan, came to him and they then killed that wretch of false conduct.

te tvāṁ haṁsasadharmāṇamapīme vasudhādhipāḥ

nihanyurbhīṣma saṁkruddhāḥ pakṣiṇastaṁ yathāṇḍajam

O Bhīṣma! Your conduct is like that of the old swan. These kings might kill you in anger as birds killed old swan.

gāthāmapyatra gāyanti ye purāṇavido janāḥ

bhīṣma yāṁ tāṁ ca te samyak kathayiṣyāmi bhārata

O Bhīṣma! Purāṇa knowing men mention a proverb as regards this occurence. O descendant of Bharata! I shall repeat it to you in detail.

antarātmanyabhihate rauṣi patrarathāśuci

aṇḍabhakṣaṇakarmaitat tava vācamatīyate

It is this: O bird! Though your heart is affected, yet you preach, but your this sinful act of eating the eggs transgresses your speeches!

śiśupāla uvāca

sa me bahumato rājā jarāsaṅdho mahābalaḥ

yo ̍ nena yuddhaṁ neyeṣa dāso ̍ yamiti saṁyuge

Śiśupāla said: Greatly powerful king Jarāsandha, who did not desired to fight with Kṛṣṇa, saying that he was but a servant, was surely worthy of my greatest esteem.

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part V

 yajñasya ca na vighnaḥ syāt prajānāṁ ca hitaṁ bhavet

yathā sarvatra tat sarvaṁ brūhi me ̍ dya pitāmaha

O grandsire! Tell me what I should do now, when my sacrifice may not be obstructed and my subjects may not be injured? 

ityuktvati dharmajñe dharmarāje yudhiṣṭhire

uvācedaṁ vaco bhīṣmastataḥ kurupitāmahaḥ

When Yudhiṣṭhira, learned in morality, said this, grandsire of Kurus, Bhīṣma, spoke thus to him:

mā bhaistvaṁ kuruśārdūla śvā siṁhaṁ hantumarhati

śivaḥ panthāḥ surīto ̍ tra mayā pūevataraṁ vṛtaḥ

O best of Kurus! Do not be alarmed! Can a dog kill a lion? I have already settled some means that is both beneficial and conformable to a policy.

prasupte hi yathā siṁhe śvānastasmin samāgatāḥ

bhaṣeyuḥ sahitāḥ sarve tatheme vasudhādhipāḥ

As a pack of dogs bark all together at a sleeping lion, so do all these kings.

vṛṣṇisiṁhasya suptasya tathāmī pramukhe sthitāḥ

bhaṣante tāta saṁkruddhāḥ śvānaḥ siṁhasya saṁnidhau

O child! Like dogs at the lion, these kings are angrily barking before sleeping lion of the Vṛṣṇi race, Kṛṣṇa.

na hi sambuddyate yāvat suptaḥ siṁha ivācyutaḥ

tena siṁhīkarotyetān nṛsiṁhaścedipuṅgavaḥ

Acyuta, Kṛṣṇa, is now like a lion who is asleep. So long he does not wake up, this king of Cedis, this foremost of men, makes these kings look like a lions.

pārthivān pārthivaśreṣṭhaḥ śiśupālo ̍ pyacetanaḥ

sarvān sarvātmanā tāta netukāmo yamakṣayam

O best of kings! This Śiśupāla possesses but a little intelligence. He is desirous of taking along with him all these kings to the abode of Yama through the agency of him who is the soul of this universe.

nūnametat samādātuṁ punaricchatyadhokṣajaḥ

yadasya śiśupālasya tejastiṣṭhati bhārata

O descendant of Bharata! Kṛṣṇa has been surely desirous of taking back to himself the effulgence and prowess that now lives in Śiśupāla.

viplutā cāsya bhadraṁ te buddhirbuddhamatāṁ vara

cedirājasya kaunteya sarveṣāṁ ca mahīkṣitām

O Kaunteya! O foremost of all intelligent men! Intelligence of this wicked king of Cedis, as well as that of all these kings, have become perverse.

ādātuṁ ca naravyāghro yaṁ yamicchatyayaṁ tadā

tasya viplavate buddhirevaṁ cedipateryathā

Intelligence of all men whom this best of men, Kṛṣṇa, desires to take to himself, becomes as perverse as that of this Cedi king.

caturvidhānāṁ bhūtānāṁ triṣu lokeṣu mādhavaḥ

prabhavaścaiva sarveṣāṁ nidhanaṁ ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

O Yudhiṣṭhira! Mādhava is the creator and destroyer of all 4 kinds of beings existing in 3 worlds.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

iti tasya vacaḥ śrutvā tataścedipatirnṛpaḥ

bhīṣmaṁ rukṣākṣarā vācaḥ śrāvayāmāsa bhārata

O descendant of Bharata! Having heard his words, king of Cedis spoke thus to Bhīṣma in stern and harsh words.

śiśupāla uvāca

vibhīṣikābhirbahvībhirbhīṣayan sarvapārthivān

na vyapatrapase kasmād vṛddhaḥ san kulapāṁsana

Śiśupāla said: An old and infamous wretch of your race! Are you not ashamed to frighten all these kings by these false terrors?

yuktametat tṛtīyāyāṁ prakṛtau vartatā tvayā

vaktuṁ dharmādaprtārthaṁ tvaṁ hi sarvakurūtttamaḥ

You are the foremost of Purus, living as you do in the 3rd state, celibacy. It is but fit that you should give such advice, which is so void of morality.

nāvi nauriva sambaddhā yathāndho vāndhamanviyāt

tathābhūtā hi kauravyā yeṣāṁ bhīṣma tvamagraṇīḥ

O Bhīṣma! When you are their leader, Purus are like a boat tied to a boat, or like a blind man following a blind man.

pūtanāghātapūrvāṇi karmāṇyasya viśeṣataḥ

tvayā kīrtayatāsmākaṁ bhūyaḥ pravyathitaṁ manaḥ

You have once again given pains to our hearts by reciting the deeds of this Kṛṣṇa, such as his killing of Pūtanā and others.

avaliptasya mūrkhasya keśavaṁ stotumicchataḥ

kathaṁ bhīṣma na te jihvā śatadheyaṁ vidīryate

O Bhīṣma! Arrogant and fool as you are, also desirous of praising Kṛṣṇa, why does your tongue split into a hundred parts?

yatra kutsā prayoktavyā bhīṣma bālatarairnaraiḥ

tamimaṁ jñānavṛddhaḥ san gopaṁ saṁstotumicchasi

O Bhīṣma! How do you, superior as you are in knowledge, desire to praise the cowherd Kṛṣṇa, whose evil repute is told even by men with a childish intelligence?

yadyanena hato bālye śakuniścitramatra kim

tau vāśvavṛṣabhau bhīṣma yau na yuddhaviśāradau

O Bhīṣma! If Kṛṣṇa has killed a vulture in his childhood, what is there to praise in that feat? What is there also in his killing of Aśva and Vṛṣabha, both of whom were ignorant of the science of war?

cetanārahitaṁ kāṣṭhaṁ yadyanena nipātitam

pādena śakaṭaṁ bhīṣma tatra kiṁ kṛtamadbhutam

O Bhīṣma! What is there wonderful if this Kṛṣṇa threw down by a kick an inanimate piece of wood, namely a car?

valmīkamātraḥ saptāhaṁ yadyanena dhṛto ̍ calaḥ

tadā govardhano bhīṣma na taccitraṁ mataṁ mama

O Bhīṣma! In my opinion, there was nothing remarkable in this Kṛṣṇa ̍ s holding for a week Govardhana hill, which is like an anthill.

bhuktametena bahvannaṁ krīḍatā nagamūrdhani

iti te bhīṣma śṛṇvānāḥ pare vismayamāgatāḥ

O Bhīṣma! While sporting on the hill, one ate a large quantity of food. Hearing these words oy you, many have been much astonished.

yasya cānena dharmajña bhuktamannaṁ balīyasaḥ

sa cānena hataḥ kaṁsa ityetanna mahādbhutam

O Bhīṣma! Learned in the precepts of religion, what could be more wonderful than this killing of Kaṁsa, by whose given food he became fattened and strong?

Śiśupāla, king of Cedi protests, part IV

 keśavaṁ keśihantāramaprameyaparākramam

pūjayāmānaṁ mayā yo vaḥ kṛṣṇaṁ na sahate nṛpāḥ

If there is any king present her, who cannot bear the worship offered by me to Keśava, the slayer of Keśī and possessor of immeasurable energy.

sarveṣāṁ balināṁ mūrdhni mayedaṁ padam

evamukte mayā samyaguttaraṁ prabravītu saḥ 

On the head of such a heroes I place my foot. When I say this, let that one give me a proper reply!

sa eva hi mayā vadho bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ

matimanthaśca ye kecidācāryaṁ pitaraṁ gurum

arcyamarcitamarghārhamanujānantu te nṛpāḥ

tato na vyājahāraiṣāṁ kaścid buddhimatāṁ satām

mānināṁ balināṁ rājñāṁ madhye vai darṣite pade

tato ̍ patat puṣpavṛṣṭtiḥ sahadevasya mūrdhani

Let those kings who possess inteligence approve the worship of Guru, father and Kṛṣṇa, who fully deserves Arghya and worship. When Sahadeva thus showed his foot, none among those intelligent, wise, proud and powerful kings said anything. Thereupon, showers of flowers fell upon the head of Sahadeva.

adṛśyarūpā vacāścāpyabruvan sādhu sādhviti

āvidhyadajitaṁ kṛṣṇaṁ bhviṣyadbhūtajalpakaḥ

An invisible voice said: Excellent! Excellent! Clad in a black deer skin, speaker of both the past and future.

sarvasaṁśayanirmoktā nāradaḥ sarvalokavit 

uvācākhilabhūtānāṁ madhe spaṣṭataraṁ vacaḥ

Dispeller of all dobts, Nārada learned in the mysteries of all world, then said in the midst of innumerable creatures, these words of the clearest import.

kṛṣṇaṁ kamalapatrākṣaṁ nārcayiṣyanti ye narāḥ

jīvanmṛtāstu te jñeyā na sambhāṣyāḥ kadācana

Those men, who will not not worship the lotus eyed Kṛṣṇa, should be considered a dead though living. He should never be talked to.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

pūjayitvā ca pūjārhān brahmakṣatraviśeṣavit

sahadevo nṛṇāṁ devaḥ samāpadyata karma tat

Vaiśampāyana said: Having worshipped those who deserved worship, then that god among men, Sahadeva, well acquainted with difference between a Brāhmaṇa and Kṣatriya competed the ceremony.

tasminnabhyarcite kṛṣṇe sunīthaḥ śatrukarṣaṇaḥ

atitāmrekṣaṇaḥ kopāduvāca manujādhipān

When Kṛṣṇa received the first worship, that slayer of foes, Sunītha, Śiśupāla, with eyes red as copper in anger, thus addressed kings present there.

sthitaḥ senāpatiryo ̍ haṁ manyadhvaṁ kiṁ tu sāmpratam

yudhi tiṣṭhāma saṁnahma sametān vṛṣṇipāṇḍavān

When I am hare to be the generalissimo, what are you thinking now? In battle array let us stand against the assembled Vṛṣṇis and Pāṇḍavas.

iti sarvān samutsāhya rājñastāṁścodipuṅgavaḥ

yajñopaghātāya tataḥ so ̍ mantrayata rājabhiḥ

Having thus stirred up kings, that best of Cedis, Śiśupāla, began to consult with them on how to obstruct the completion of the sacrifice.

tatrāhūtā gatāḥ sarve sunīthapramukhā gaṇāḥ

samadṛṣyanta saṁkruddhā vivarṇavadanāstathā

Invited kings, who had come to the sacrifice, all with Sunītha, Śiśupāla at their head, looked angry and their face became pale.

yudhiṣṭhirābhiṣekaṁ ca vāsudevasya cārhaṇam

na syād yathā tathā kāryamevaṁ sarve tadābruvan

They all said: We must act in such a way as the final sacrifical rites to be performed by Yudhiṣṭhira and this worship of Kṛṣṇa may not be supposed to have our acquaintance.

niṣkarṣānniścayāt sarve rājānaḥ krodhamūrchitāḥ

abruvaṁstatra rājāno nirvedādātmaniścayāt

Having been impelled by a belief in their great power and confidence and having been also deprived of all sense by anger, all the kings began to talk in this way.

suhṛdbhirvāyamāṇānāṁ teṣāṁ hi vapurābabhau

āmiṣādapakṛṣṭānāṁ siṁhānāmiva garjatām

Thouh they were appeased by their friends, their faces glowed with anger, they roared like lions driven away from their prey.

taṁ balaughamaparyantaṁ rājasāgaramakṣayam

kurvāṇaṁ samayaṁ kṛṣṇo yuddhāya bubudhe tadā

Kṛṣṇa understood that undeteriorating great sea of kings with its countless waves of soldiers was making preparations for a fight.

vaiśampāyana uvāca

tataḥ sāgarasaṁkāśaṁ dṛṣṭvā nṛpatimaṇḍalam

saṁvartavātābhihataṁ bhīmaṁ kṣubdhamivārṇavam

roṣāt pracalitaṁ sarvamidamāha yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

bhīṣmaṁ matimatāṁ mukhyaṁ vṛddhaṁ kurupitāmaham

bṛhaspatiṁ bṛhattejāḥ puruhūta ivārihā

asau roṣāt pracalito mahān nṛpatisāgaraḥ

atra yat pratipattavyaṁ tanme brūhi pitāmaha

Vaiśampāyana said: Seeing that assembly of kings agitated by anger, as a fearful ocean is agitated by the winds at a time of universal dissolution, Yudhiṣṭhira spoke thus to that foremost of all intelligent men, grandsire of Kurus, aged Bhīṣma, as that slayer of foes, Purohita, Indra, of extraordinary prowess, speaks to Bṛhaspati: This vast ocean of kings have been agitated by wrath. O grandsire! Tell me what should be done now?