अर्जुन उवाच कुरूणामद्य सर्वेषां भवान् सुहृदनुत्तमः। सम्बन्धी दयितो नित्यमुभयोः पक्षयोरपि॥
Arjuna said You are now the best friend of the Kurus. Being related to both parties by thick ties, you are now their friend.
पाण्डवैर्धार्तराष्ट्राणां प्रतिपाद्यमनामयम्। समर्थः प्रशमं चैव कर्तुमर्हसि केशव॥
O Keshava, you are competent to bring about what is good both for the Pandavas and the son of Dhritarashtra; and therefore it is proper that you should bring about peace between them.
त्वमितः पुण्डरीकाक्ष सुयोधनममर्षणम्। शान्त्यर्थं भ्रातरंब्रूया यत् तद् वाच्यममित्रहन्॥
Having set out from here, O you like lotus, being free from wrath to Suyodhana, with the objects of peace, speak to our brothers what should be spoken, O you slayer of enemies.
त्वया धर्मार्थयुक्तं चेदुक्तं शिवमनामयम्। हितं नादास्यते बालो दिष्टस्य वशमेष्यति॥
with eyes If the boy does not accept your beneficial words conducive both to morality and worldly good and calculated to assure their weal; then shall he be subject to his fate,
श्रीभगवानुवाच धर्म्यमस्मद्धितं चैव कुरूणां यदनामयम्। एष यास्यामि राजानं धृतराष्ट्रमभीप्सया॥
The blessed God said I shall go to king Dhritarashtra with the desire of doing what is righteous and what is our good and the benefit of the Kuru.
वैशम्पायन उवाच ततो व्यपेततमसि सूर्ये विमलवद्गते। मैत्रे मुहूर्ते सम्प्राप्ते मृदर्चिषि दिवाकरे॥
Vaishampayana said The night passed away and the sun having risen, as it were and on the setting in of the moment, called Maitri, while the rays of the sun were still mild.
कौमुदे मासि रेवत्यां शरदन्ते हिमागमे। स्फीतसस्यसुखे काले कल्पः सत्त्ववतां वरः॥
In the month of Kaumuda (Kartika) under the constellation of Revati after the passing away of Autumn and in the dewy season and at time when the earth had an abundance of crops on it, that foremost of men of prowess
मङ्गल्याः पुण्यनिर्घोषा वाचः शृण्वंश्च सूनृताः। ब्राह्मणानां प्रतीतानामृषीणामिव वासवः॥ कृत्वा पौर्वाह्निकं कृत्यं स्नातः शुचिरलंकृतः। उपतस्थे विवस्वन्तं पावकं च जनार्दनः॥ ऋषभं पृष्ठ आलभ्य ब्राह्मणानभिवाद्य च। अग्नि प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा पश्यन् कल्याणमग्रतः॥ तत् प्रतिज्ञाय वचनं पाण्डवस्य जनार्दनः। शिने प्तारमासीनमभ्यभाषत सात्यकिम्॥
(Janardana) listening to auspicious and lily sounding words by the Brahmanas, like Vasava hearing the prayers of the Rishis and having performed the customary rites of the morning and after a bath wearing holy ornaments, worshipped the sun and the fire, having touched the tail of a bull and having paid due respect to the Brahmanas and going round the fire and looking an auspicious object placed before him, Janardana addressed Satyaki, the grandson of Shirii, who was seated near, after knowing the exact wishes of the Pandava (Yudhishthira), sayingरथ आरोप्यतां शङ्खश्चक्रं च गदया सह।
उपासंगाच शक्त्यश्च सर्वप्रहरणानि च॥
‘Make ready my car along with my conch, discus and mace and my arrows and arrowholders all sorts of offensive and defensive weapons;
दुर्योधनश्च दुष्टात्मा कर्णश्च सहसौबलः। न च शत्रुरवज्ञेयो दुर्बलोऽपि बलीयसा॥
For Duryodhana is wicked-souled and so are Karna and the son of Subala. Even by a strong man an enemy should not be made light of though be he weak.
ततस्तन्मतमाज्ञाय केशवस्य पुरःसराः। प्रसस्रुर्योजयिष्यन्तो रथं चक्रगदाभृतः॥
Knowing his wishes, the attendants of Keshava, the wielder of the mace and the discus, employed themselves in yoking the car.
तं दीप्तमिव कालाग्निमाकाशगमिवाशुगम्। सूर्यचन्द्रप्रकाशाभ्यां चक्राभ्यां समलंकृतम्॥
The car was shining and effulgent like the fire appearing before the dissolution of the world and quick of speed like the wind and ornamented with two wheels which were shining like the sun and the moon.
अर्धचन्दैश्च चन्द्रश्च मत्स्यैः समृगपक्षिभिः। पुष्पैश्च विविधैश्चित्रं मणिरत्नैश्च सर्वशः॥
(And it was ornamented) with figures of half moons and of fishes, animals and birds with various kinds of flowers and with all sorts of precious stones all over.
तरुणादित्यसंकाशं बृहन्तं चारुदर्शनम्। मणिहेमविचित्राङ्गं सुध्वजं सुपताकिनम्॥
It was beautiful to look at, being large and effulgent like the morning sun and having its several parts ornamented with gems and gold and furnished with nice flags and banners. Ornamented with gems and gold and furnished with nice flags and banners.
सूपस्करमनाधृष्यं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम्। यशोघ्र प्रत्यमित्राणां यदूनां नन्दिवर्धनम्॥
Ornamented with beautiful objects and covered over with tiger skins, it was incapable of being opposed, the destroyer of the fame of enemies and the cause of enhancement of the joys of the Yadu race.
वाजिभिः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः। स्नातैः सम्पादयामासुः सम्पन्नैः सर्वसम्पदा॥
They yoked to it the horses Shaivya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka, after they had been bathed and attired in all their harness.
महिमानं तु कृष्णस्य भूय एवाभिवर्धयन्। सुघोषः पतगेन्द्रेण ध्वजेन युयुजे रथः॥
And, as if enhancing the glory of Krishna, the chariot with flag was perched on with a loud noise by the chief of the fatherly creation.
तं मेरुशिखरप्रख्यं मेघदुन्दुभिनिस्वनम्। आरुरोह रथं शौरिविमानमिव कामगम्॥
Shaurin then ascended the chariot, which moved along at the will of the rider, which was high as the peak of the Meru and which rattled as the roar of the clouds or the sound of the kettle drums.
ततः सात्यकिमारोप्य प्रययौ पुरुषोत्तमः। पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षं च रथघोषेण नादयन्॥
Then having caused Satyaki to mount on it, that best of male beings set out filling the earth and the sky with the rattle of the wheels of the chariot.
व्यपोढाभ्रस्ततः कालः क्षणेन समपद्यत। शिवश्चानुववौ वायुः प्रशान्तमभवद् रजः॥
And in a moment the sky became cloudless; and favourable winds blew; and the weather became calm and serene.
प्रदक्षिणानुलोमाश्च मङ्गल्या मृगपक्षिणः। प्रयाणे वासुदेवस्य बभूवुरनुयायिनः॥
Auspicious animals and birds going round the car became the followers of Vasudeva in his journey.
मङ्गल्यार्थप्रदैः शब्दैरन्ववर्तन्त सर्वशः। सारसाः शतपत्राश्च हंसाश्च मधुसूदनम्॥
The birds of the crane peacock and goose species followed the slayer of Madhu with sounds signifying the attainment of the object for which the journey was undertaken.
मन्त्राहुतिमहाहोमैहूयमानश्च पावकः। प्रदक्षिणमुखो भूत्वा विधूमः समपद्यत॥
The fire, too, on which had been offered Homa libations accompanied by incantations, became bright and smokeless inclining towards the right.
वसिष्ठो वामदेवश्च भूरिद्युम्नो गयः क्रथः। शुक्रनारदवाल्मीका मरुत्तः कुशिको भृगुः॥ देवब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव कृष्णं यदुसुखावहम्। प्रदक्षिणमवर्तन्त सहिता वासवानुजम्॥
Vasishtha and Vamadeva, Bhuridyumna, Gaya, Kratha, Shukra, Narada and Valmika, Maruta, Kushika and Bhrigu and other Brahmarshis and the gods united together and stood to the right of Krishna, who contributed to the happiness of the Yadus and was ihe younger brother of Vasava.
एवमेतैर्महाभागैर्महर्षिगणसाधुभिः। पूजितः प्रययौ कृष्णः कुरूणां सदनं प्रति॥
In this way worshipped by this blessed group of great qualities, Krishna set out for the encampment of the Kurus.
तं प्रयान्तमनुप्रायात् कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। भीमसेनार्जुनौ चोभो माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ।॥ चेकितानश्च विक्रान्तो धृष्टकेतुश्च चेदिपः। दुपदः काशिराजश्च शिखण्डी च महारथः॥ धृष्टद्युम्नः सपुत्रश्च विराटः केकयैः सह। संसाधनार्थ प्रययुः क्षत्रियाः क्षत्रियर्षभ॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, Bhimasena and Arjuna and the two descendants of Pandu-the two sons of Madri followed him as he proceeded along. The powerful Chekitana and Dhrishtaketu, the lord of the Chedis, Drupada, Kashi and the great car-warrior Shikhandi and Dhrishtadyumna and Virata in company with his sons, the Kaikeya princes, all Kshatriyas followed the bull of the Kshatriya race to attain his object.
ततोऽनुव्रज्य गोविन्दं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। राज्ञां सकाशे द्युतिमानुवाचेदं वचस्तदा॥
And the just king Yudhishthira, endued with luster, having followed Govinda to some distance, said these words in the midst of those kings.
यो वै न कामान भयान्न लोभान्नार्थकारणात्। अन्यायमनुवर्तेत स्थिरबुद्धिरलोलुपः॥
He, who from desire or anger, fear or object of gaining his ends, never does an unjust act; and he who is of a calm intellect and not given to avarice,
धर्मज्ञो धृतिमान् प्राज्ञः सर्वभूतेषु केशवः। ईश्वरः सर्वभूतानां देवदेवः सनातनः॥
Who knows what virtue is, who is wise and endued with intelligence, who is cognizant of the inner working of the hearts of all beings, who is the lord of all creatures and the eternal god of the gods.
तं सर्वगुणसम्पन्न श्रीवत्सकृतलक्षणम्। सम्परिष्वज्य कौन्तेयः संदेष्टुमुपचक्रमे॥
The son of Kunti embracing this being, endued with all the virtues and having the mark of the auspicious whirl on his person, began to address thus-
युधिष्ठिर उवाच या सा बाल्यात् प्रभृत्यस्मान् पर्यवर्धयताबला। उपवासतप:शीला सदा स्वस्त्ययने रता॥ देवतातिथिपूजासु गुरुशुश्रूषणे रता। वत्सला प्रियपुत्रा च प्रियास्माकं जनार्दन॥ सुयोधनभयाद् या नोऽत्रायतामित्रकर्शन। महतो मृत्युसम्बाधादुद्धरेनौरिवार्णवात्॥ अस्मत्कृते च सततं यया दुःखानि माधव। अनुभूतान्यदुःखार्हाः तां स्म पृच्छेरनामयम्॥
Yudhishthira said The lady, who had reared us from our infancy, with whom fasts and devotion are habits and who is ever attached to propitiatory rites and ceremonics, who is attached to the worship of the Gods and the guest and the due service of her elder, who is fond of her sons and bearing great affection for them and who, OJanardana, are dear to us, who has saved us from the wickedness of Suyodhana, O grinder of enemies, like a boat (saving the ship wracked) from the great and terrific death in the sea and by whom troubles have often been encountered, O Madhava, for our sake, though she herself is not desiring it, should be interrogated regarding her welfare.
भृशमाश्वासयेश्चैनां पुत्रशोकपरिप्लुताम्। अभिवाद्य स्वजेथास्त्वं पाण्डवान् परिकीर्तयन्॥
Having saluted her first, embrace this lady and comfort her, who is filled with grief for her sons by talking again and again of the Pandavas.
ऊढात् प्रभृति दुःखानि श्वसुराणामरिंदम। निकारानतदर्हा च पश्यन्ती दुःखमश्नुते॥
Ever since her wedding has she, O chastiser of foes, encountered troubles and grief's due to her father-in-law, though she has not deserved these.
अपि जातु स काल: स्यात् कृष्ण दुःखविपर्ययः। यदहं मातरं क्लिष्टा सुखं दद्यामरिंदम॥
Will there ever come a time, O Krishna, when at the end of all my troubles, I shall give my troubled mother happiness, O chastiser of foes.
प्रव्रजन्तोऽनुधावन्तीं कृपणां पुत्रगृद्धिनीम्। रुदतीमुपहायैनामगच्छाम वयं वनम्॥
When we were about to go into exile, she followed us in distress out of fondness for her children crying aloud; but we went to the forest leaving her behind.
न नूनं म्रियते दुःखैः सा चेज्जीवति केशव। तथा पुत्रादिभिर्गाढमार्ता ह्यानर्तसत्कृत॥
One does not necessarily die of grief and if she is alive, O Keshava, hospitably entertained by the Anartas through in extreme distress on account of her sons and others.
अभिवाद्याथ सा कृष्ण त्वया मद्वचनाद् विभो। धृतराष्ट्रश्च कौरव्यौ राजानश्च वयोऽधिकाः॥ भीष्मं द्रोणं कृपं चैव महाराजं च बाह्निकम्। द्रौणिं च सोमदत्तं च सर्वांश्च भरतान् प्रति॥ विदुरं च महाप्राज्ञं कुरूणां मन्त्रधारिणम्। अगाधबुद्धिं मर्मज्ञं स्वजेथा मधुसूदन॥
Then, O Krishna, having greeted her on my behalf, O Lord and also Dhritarashtra and the kings on the side of the Kurus and those who are my seniors in age and Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and the great king Balhika and the son of Drona and Somadatta and all the Bharatas and the exceedingly wise Vidura, the adviser of the Kurus, O slayer of Madhu, that man of illimitable knowledge and conversant with the rulers of morality should be embraced by you.
इत्युक्त्वा केशवं तत्र राजमध्ये युधिष्ठिरः। अनुज्ञातो निववृते कृष्णां कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम्॥
Yudhishthira, having thus addressed Keshava in the midst of those kings, returned at the bidding of Krishna, after going round him.
व्रजन्नेव तु बीभत्सुः सखायं पुरुषर्षभम्। अब्रवीत् परवीरनं दाशार्हमपराजितम्॥
Vibhatsu, too, as he proceeded along, said to his friend, that bull among men, that slayer of heroes on the enemy's side, that scion of the Dasharha race who has never been defeated.
यदस्माकं विभो वृत्तं पुरा वै मन्त्रनिश्चये। अर्धराज्यस्य गोविन्द विदितं सर्वराजसु॥
O Lord, O Govinda, it is know among all the kings that it has already been decided in our consultation to demand the return of one half of the kingdom.
तच्चेद् दद्यादसंगेन सत्कृत्यानवमन्य च। प्रियं मे स्यान्महाबाहो मुच्येरन् महतो भयात्॥
And if they give us that for the sake of honesty without insult to us and with due respect to yourself, then, O you with long arms, they should do what is desired by me and themselves escape a great evil.
अतश्चेदन्यथा कर्ता धार्तराष्ट्रोऽनुपायवित्। अन्तं नूनं करिष्यामि क्षत्रियाणां जनार्दन॥
But if the son of Dhritarashtra, who is not cognizant of the proper way of executing acts, does otherwise, I shall surely bring on the annihilation of the Kshatriyas, O Janardana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्ते पाण्डवेन समहृष्यद् वृकोदरः। मुहुर्मुहुः क्रोधवशात् प्रावेपत च पाण्डवः॥
The son of Pandu (Arjuna) having thus addressed, Vrikodara became greatly pleased; and every moment out of rage, the Pandava's frames shook.
वेपमानश्च कौन्तेयः प्राक्रोशन्महतो रवान्। धनंजयवचः श्रुत्वा हर्षोत्सिक्तमना भृशम्॥
And while trembling, the son of Kunti sent forth loud shouts hearing the words of Dhananjaya; and his mind was exceedingly filled with delight.
तस्य तं निनदं श्रुत्वा सम्प्रावेपन्त धन्विनः। वाहनानि च सर्वाणि शकृन्मूत्रे प्रसुस्रुवुः॥
Hearing that shout of his, the bowmen trembled (with fear); and the animals in the army passed urine and dung.
इत्युक्त्वा केशवं तत्र तथा चोक्त्वा विनिश्चयम्। अनुज्ञातो निववृते परिष्वज्य जनार्दनम्॥
Having thus addressed Keshava and thus given out his resolve, he (Arjuna) returned at his bidding after first going round Janardana.
तेषु राजसु सर्वेषु निवृत्तेषु जनार्दनः। तूर्णमभ्यगमद्धृष्टः शैव्यसुग्रीववाहनः॥
And all these kings having returned Janardana made good progress in his journey, light of heart, drawn by Saivya and Sugriva.
ते हया वासुदेवस्य दारुकेण दारुकेण प्रचोदिताः। पन्थानमाचेमुरिव ग्रसमाना इवाम्बरम्॥
These horses of Vasudeva, led by Daruka, (wenton) as if kissing the roads and swallowing the sky.
अथापश्यन्महावाहुर्ऋषीनध्वनि केशवः। ब्राह्मया श्रिया दीप्यमानान् स्थितानुभयतः पथि॥
Keshava of long arms saw on the road, standing on either side, several Rishis effulgent with the Brahmic luster; and Janardana, too, quickly alighting from his chariot paid them due respects.
सोऽवतीर्य स्थात् तूर्णमभिवाद्य जनार्दनः। यथावृत्तानृषीन् सर्वानभ्यभाषत पूजयन्॥
Then Janardana quickly step down from his chariot, and said all those Rishis with adoration and respect.
कच्चिल्लोकेषु कुशलं कच्चिद् धर्मः स्वनुष्ठितः। ब्राह्मणानां त्रयो वर्णाः कच्चित् तिष्ठन्ति शासने॥
As he worshipped them, he addressed to each in suitable terms, inquiring of them if all went on well in the worlds and if piety was well established there. And also if the three orders acted in obedience to the Brahmanas.
तेभ्यः प्रयुज्य तां पूजां प्रोवाच मधुसूदनः। भगवन्तः क्व संसिद्धाः का वीथी भवतामिह॥ किं वा कार्यं भगवतामहं किं करवाणि वः। केनार्थेनोपसम्प्राप्ता भगवन्तो महीतलम्॥
Having paid them due honours, the slayer of Madhu said to them. What is the object of you prosperous ones? Where are you going? What are you, prosperous beings, going to do? What shall I do for you? With what object have you, prosperous ones, come down to the face of the earth?
तमब्रवीज्जामदग्न्य उपेत्य मधुसूदनम्। परिष्वज्य च गोविन्दं सुरासुरपतेः सखा।॥
The son of Jamadagni said coming near that slayer of Madhu the friend of the lord of the gods and the Asuras had embraced Govinda and said-
देवर्षयः पुण्यकृतो ब्राह्मणाश्च बहुश्रुताः। राजर्षयश्च दाशार्ह मानयन्तस्तपस्विनः। देवासुरस्य द्रष्टारः पुराणस्य महामते॥ समेतं पार्थिवं क्षत्रं दिदृक्षन्तश्च सर्वतः। सभासदश्च राजानस्त्वां च सत्यं जनार्दनम्॥ एतन्महत् प्रेक्षणीयं द्रष्टुं गच्छाम केशव। धर्मार्थसहिता वाचः श्रोतुमिच्छाम माधव॥
The divine Rishis and vastly learned Brahmanas of a pious life. And Rishis of royal descent, O you of the Dasharha race, as also venerable devotees, who were witnesses, O you exceedingly wise Being, to the ancient feats of the gods and the Asuras. Are desirous of seeing all the Kshatriya rulers of the earth and the countries and the kings assembled together from all sides, as also yourself, the true Janardana. We are going, O Keshava, to behold this grand sight worthy of being seen; and we desire to hear, O Madhava, words conducive to morality and worldly profit. Which will be addressed by you to the Kurus in the midst of the kings, O you chastiser of foes.
त्वयोच्यमानाः कुरुषु राजमध्ये परंतप। भीष्मद्रोणादयश्चैव विदुरश्च महामतिः॥
Bhishma, Drona and others as also the greatly intelligent Vidura and yourself, O you tiger among the race of the Yadus, will be assembled together in the Council Chamber.
त्वं च यादवशार्दूल सभायां वै समेष्यथ। तव वाक्यानि दिव्यानि तथा तेषां च माधव॥ श्रोतुमिच्छाम गोविन्द सत्यानि च हितानि च।
O Govinda, O Madhava, we desire to hear your divine, truth and of benefit words assembled together in the Council Chamber.
आपृष्टोऽसि महाबाहो पुनर्चक्ष्यामहे वयम्॥ याह्यविन्नेन वै वीर द्रक्ष्यामस्त्वां समागतम्। आसीनमासने दिव्ये बलतेज:समाहितम्॥
You now know our purpose, O you of long arms; and you will again see us. O hero, we will see you come to the Council safely and sealed on a divine seat, endued with strength and prowess.