वैशम्पायन उवाच तस्मिन्नभिहिते वाक्ये केशवेन महात्मना। स्तिमिता हृष्टरोमाण आसन् सर्वे सभासद ॥
Vaishampayana said These words having been uttered by the high-souled, all the courtiers sat stupefied with their hairs standing on their end.
कश्चिदुत्तरमेतेषां वक्तुं नोत्सहते पुमान्। इति सर्वे मनोभिस्ते चिन्तयन्ति स्म पार्थिवाः॥
No man ventured to say anything in reply and all the rulers of the earth began to think in own minds.
तथा तेषु च सर्वेषु तूष्णीम्भूतेषु राजसु। जामदग्न्य इदं वाक्यमब्रवीत् कुरूसंसदि॥
Silence having thus prevailed in the midst of those kings, the son of Jamadagni, spoke these words in the assembly of the Kurus.
इमां मे सोपमां वाचं शृणु सत्यामशाङ्कितः। तां श्रुत्वा श्रेय आदत्स्व यदि साध्विति मन्यसे॥
"To these truthful words of mine, illustrated by an example, listen without entertaining any doubt or suspicion and hearing that accept the moral if you think my story good.
राजा दम्भोद्भवो नाम सार्वभौमः पुराभवत्। अखिला बुभुजे सर्वां पृथिवीमिति नः श्रुतम्॥
in days of old, there was a king named Dambhodbhava who had brought under his sway the entire world and enjoyed the fruits of the whole world in their; such has been heard by us.
स स्म नित्यं निशापाये प्रातरुत्थाय वीर्यवान्। ब्राह्मणान् क्षत्रियांश्चैव पृच्छन्नास्ते महारथः॥
Every day at the end or night, that great and heroic car-warrior, rising up, used to ask the Brahmanas and Krishna Kshatriyas.
अस्ति कश्चिद् विशिष्टो वा मद्विधो वा भवेद् युधि। शूद्रो वैश्यः क्षत्रियो वा ब्राह्मणो वापि शस्त्रभृत्॥
'Is there anybody who is more accomplished or even equal to myself in battle, be he a Shudra, a Vaishya, a Kshatriyas or a Brahmana?'
इति ब्रुवन्नन्वचरत् स राजा पृथिवीमिमाम्। दर्पण महता मत्तः कंचिदन्यमचिन्तयन्॥
Saying thus he would wander over the earth intoxicated with great vanity and without thinking of anything else.
तं च वैद्या अकृपणा ब्राह्मणाः सर्वतोऽभयाः। प्रत्यषेधन्त राजानं श्लाघमानं पुनः पुनः॥
Several Brahrnanas, of really noble souls, acquainted with the Vedas and having nothing lo fear, forbade the king who was boasting too often.
निषिध्यमानोऽप्यसकृत् पृच्छत्येव स वै द्विजान्। अतिमानं श्रिया मत्तं तमूचुर्ब्राह्मणास्तदा॥
Even when forbidden, that vile man used to ask the same thing to the twice born. Some Brahmanas then thus spoke to him who was too puffed up with vanity and intoxicated with prosperity.
तपस्विनो महात्मानो वेदप्रत्ययदर्शिनः। उदीर्यमाणं राजानं क्रोधदीप्ता द्विजातयः॥
Those twice born devotees, of large souls and acquainted with the cases cited in the Vedas, excited by wrath, said to that king.
अनेकजयिनौ संख्यै यौ वै पुरुषसत्तमौ। तयोस्त्वं न समो राजन् भविताऽसि कदाचन।॥
There are two persons who are the best among men and who have achieved many victories in battle; you are by no means equal to them, Oking.
एवमुक्तः स राजा तु पुनः पप्रच्छ तान् द्विजान्। क्व तौ वीरौ क्व जन्मानौ किंकर्माणौ च कौ च तौ।
The king thus spoken to, asked these Brahmanas again and again, 'Where are these two heroes? Where are they bom? What works have they achieved and who are they?'
ब्राह्मणा ऊचुः नरो नारायणश्चैव तापसाविति नः श्रुतम्। आयातौ मानुषे लोके ताभ्यां युध्यस्व पार्थिव॥
The Brahmanas said WE have heard that those two are the devotees Nara and Narayana who have taken their birth in the human world. O ruler of the earth, fight with them.
श्रूयेते तौ महात्मानौ नरनारायणावुभौ। तपो घोरमनिर्देश्य तप्यते गन्धमादने॥
We hear that both of them, Nara and Narayana of large souls, are practicing severe austerities in some hidden regions in the Gandhamadana (mountain).
स राजा महतीं सेनां योजयित्वा षडङ्गिनीम्। अमृष्यमाणः सम्प्रायाद् यत्र तावपराजितौ॥
The king, having collected a large army consisting of six divisions be took himself to the regions where these two who had never to remain unconcerned at their reputation.
स गत्वा विषमं घोरं पर्वतं गन्धमादनम्। मार्गमाणोऽन्वगच्छत् तौ तापसौ वनमाश्रितौ॥
He. going to the rightful and unapproachable Gandhamadana, hunted for the two devotees and at last met them who had taken refuge in the wilderness.
तौ दृष्ट्वा क्षुत्पिपासाभ्यां कृशौ भमनिसन्ततौ। शीतवातातपैश्चैव कर्शितौ पुरुषोत्तमौ॥
Seeing them, the best among men, emaciated with hunger and thirst, with their veins visible and afflicted with cold, wind and with the rays of the sun.
अभिगम्यौपसंगृह्य पर्यपृच्छदनामयम्। तमर्चित्वा मूलफलैरासनेनोदकेन च॥ न्यमन्त्रयेतां राजानं किं कार्य क्रियतामिति। ततस्तामानुपूर्वी स पुनरेवान्वकीर्तयत्॥
He approached them and touching their feet asked them about their welfare. They received him with roots and fruits and with the offer of a seat and water. They asked the king “What can we do for you?' Then he repeated to them from the very beginning the fact
बाहुभ्यां मे जिता भूमिनिहताः सर्वशत्रवः। भवद्भ्यां युद्धमाकाङ्क्षन्नुपयातोऽस्मि पर्वतम्॥ आतिथ्यं दीयतोमेतत् काक्षितं मे चिरं प्रति।
And said-‘The earth has been conquered by my arms and all my enemies have been killed. With the desire of fighting with you, have I come to this mountain; give me this hospitality, the desire which I have entertained for a long time.'
नरनारायणावूचतुः अपेतक्रोधलोभोऽयमाश्रमो राजसत्तम॥ न ह्यस्मिन्नाश्रमे युद्धं कुतः शस्त्रं कुतोऽनृजुः। अन्यत्र युद्धमाकाक्ष बहवः क्षत्रियाः क्षितौ॥
Nara and Narayana said This retreat, O best among kings, is beyond the reach of wrath and avarice, there is no warfare in this retreat. Where are weapons to be got from? Desire war elsewhere, there are many Kshatriyas on the face of the earth.
राम उवाच उच्यमानस्तथापि स्म भूय एवाभ्यभाषत्। पुनः पुनः क्षम्यमाणः सान्त्व्यमानश्च भारत॥ दम्भोद्भवो युद्धमिच्छन्नाह्वयत्येव तापसौ।
Rama said Though spoken to in this way, he repeated his request and the ascetics, O Bharata, again and again comforted him and pardoned him (for his importunities). Dambhodbhava, desirous of battle, however summoned these two devotees to fight again and again.
ततो नरस्त्विषीकाणां मुष्टिमादाय भारत।॥ अब्रवीदेहि युद्ध्यस्व युद्धकामुक क्षत्रिय। सर्वशस्राणि चादत्स्व योजयस्व च वाहिनीम्॥ अहं हि ते विनेष्यामि युद्धश्रद्धामितः परम्।
Then Nara taking up a handful of blades of grass said, 'Come and fight, O you Kshatriya, desirous of fight as you are; take up all your arms and prepare your army. I shall destroy your thirst for war from this moment forward.'
दम्भोद्भव उवाच यद्येतदस्त्रमस्मासु युक्तं तापस मन्यसे॥ एतेनापि त्वया योत्स्ये युद्धार्थी ह्यहमागतः।
Dambhodbhava said If, O devotee, you think this weapon fit to be used against me and mine, I shall fight with you though you use that weapon. I am come here for fight.
राम उवाच इत्युक्त्वा शरवर्षेण सर्वतः समवाकिरत्॥ दम्भोद्भवस्तापसं तं जिघांसुः सहसैनिकः।
Rama said Saying these Dambhodbhava with his army, desirous of killing that devotee, covered all sides with a downpour of arrows.
तस्य तानस्यतो घोरानिषून परतनुच्छिदः :॥ कदर्थीकृत्य स मुनिरिषीकाभिः समार्पयत्।
The Rishi, by means of the same blades of grass, neutralized the terrible arrows capable of rending asunder the body of the enemies.
ततोऽस्मै प्रासृजद् धोरमैषीकमपराजितः॥ अस्त्रमप्रतिसंधेयं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्।
Then the one, who had never sustained a defeat, shot terrible weapons in the shape of blades of grass, which were incapable of being withstood and a strange effect they had.
तेषामक्षीणि कर्णाश्च नासिकाश्चैव मायया॥ निमित्तवेधी स मुनिरिषीकाभिः समार्पयत्।
The eyes, ears and noses of his solders were cut off by the Muni who could not possibly miss his aim, by the e blades of grass through his illusive energy.
स दृष्ट्वा श्वेतमाकाशमिषीकाभिः समाचितम्॥ पादयो→पतद् राजा स्वस्ति मेऽस्त्विति चाब्रवीत्।
Then seeing the sky rendered white with blades of grass, the king fell at Nara's feet and exclaimed-'May good betide me.'
तमब्रवीनरो राजशरण्यः शरणैषिणाम्॥ ब्रह्मण्यो भव धर्मात्मा मा च स्मैवं पुन: कृथाः।
Nara, who is the proper refuge to those that deserve and desire protection, said to him 'O king, be virtuous-souled and act up to the instructions of the Brahmanas and do not again behave in this way.
नैतादृक् पुरुषो राजन् क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मरन्॥ मनसा नृपशार्दूल भवेत् परपुरंजयः।
A conqueror of cities, in the possession of his enemies, performing the duties of Kshatriya should not, Oking, be such even in his intentions, O best of the rulers of men.
मा च दर्पसमाविष्टः क्षेप्सीः कांश्चित् कथंचन॥ अल्पीयांसं विशिष्टं वां तत् ते राजन् समाहितम्।
Subject to the influence of vanity never insult any body in any way, who he be, your inferior or your superior; such a conduct, O king, would not be proper for you.
कृतप्रज्ञो वीतलोभो निरहंकार आत्मवान्॥ दान्तः क्षान्तो मृदुः सौम्यः प्रजाः पालय पार्थिवा मा स्म भूयः क्षिपे: कंचिदविदित्वा बलाबलम्॥
Acquiring wisdom, being beyond the reach of covetousness, without vanity, acquiring mastery over self, restraining your desires, endued with forgiveness, humility and being peaceful protect your subjects, O ruler of the carth and do not again insult any body with out knowing his strength and weakness.
अनुज्ञातः स्वस्ति गच्छ मैवं भूयः समाचरेः। कुशलं ब्राह्मणान् पृच्छेरावयोर्वचनाद् भृशम्॥
May good betide you; with our permission depart and never again act in this way; in obedience to our command, enquire of the Brahmanas about their welfare and what is for your good.'
ततो राजा तयोः पादावभिवाद्य महात्मनोः। प्रत्याजगाम स्वपुरं धर्मं चैवाचरद् भृशम्॥
Then the king, bowing to the feet of the two great-souled beings, returned to his own capital and thenceforward acted most righteously.
सुमहच्चापि तत् कर्म यन्नरेण कृतं पुरा। ततो गुणैः सुबहुभिः श्रेष्ठो नारायणोऽभवत्॥
The deed, which was achieved by Nara in days of old, was very great indeed. Narayana was still greater in regard to many virtues.
तस्माद् यावद् धनुःश्रेष्ठे गाण्डीवेऽस्त्रं न युज्यते। तावत् त्वं मानमुत्सृज्य गच्छ राजन् धनंजयम्॥
For that reason so long as weapons are not joined to that foremost of bows the Gandiva, putting aside your vanity go you, O king, to Dhananjaya.
काकुदीकं शुकं नाकमक्षिसंतर्जनं तथा। संतानं नर्तकं घोरमास्यमोदकमष्टम्॥
Kakudika, Shuka, Naka, Akshisantarjana, Santana, Ghora and Asyamodaka-these eight types of weapons.
एतैर्विद्धाः सर्व एव मरणं यान्ति मानवाः। कामक्रोधौ लोभमोहौ मदमानौ तथैव च॥ मात्सर्याहंकृती चैव क्रमादेत उदाहृताः।
Pierced by these all men go to the regions of death and the same is the case when they are influenced by desire, wrath, covetousness, vanity, insolence, pride, malice and selfishness. The eight weapons are represented by these vices respectively
उन्मत्ताश्च विचेष्टन्ते नष्टसंज्ञा विचेतसः॥ स्वपन्ति च प्लवन्ते च छर्दयन्ति च मानवाः। मूत्रयन्ते च सततं रुदन्ति च हसन्ति च॥
By using these weapons men, struck with them, move about intoxicated, taking leave of their senses and with their minds bewildered. When pierced by them, men sleep, move about here and there, pass excrete and urine and always weep and laugh,
निर्माता सर्वलोकानामीश्वरः सर्वकर्मवित्। यस्य नारायणो बन्धुरर्जुनो दुःसहो युधि॥
Arjuna, whose friend is Narayana, the creator of the entire world and its lord and conversant with the nature of all acts, is hard to withstand in battle.
कस्तमुत्सहते जेतुं त्रिषु लोकेषु भारत। वीरं कपिध्वजं जिष्णुं यस्य नास्ति समो युधि॥
O Bharata, who can are defeat in the three worlds, the heroic Vishnu, having the emblem of a monkey on his banner and none equal to him in battle?
असंख्येया गुणाः पार्थे तद्विशिष्टो जनार्दनः। त्वमेव भूयो जानासि कुन्तीपुत्र धनंजयम्॥
Innumerable are the virtues of the son of Pritha; Janardana excels him however. You know very well Dhananjaya the son of Kunti.
नरनारायणौ यौ तौ तावेवार्जुनकेशवौ। विजानीहि महाराज प्रवीरौ पुरुषोत्तमौ॥
Nara and Narayana, as these two were, so are Arjuna and Keshava; know this O great king, that those two best among men are heroes.
यद्येतदेवं जानासि न च मामभिशङ्कसे। आर्यां मतिं समास्थाय शाम्य भारत पाण्डवैः॥
If you know it to be so and do not suspect to mistrust me then adopting a virtuous resolution effect peace with the Pandavas.
अथ चेन्मन्यसे श्रेयो न मे भेदो भवेदिति। प्रशाम्य भरतश्रेष्ठ मा च युद्धे मनः कृथाः॥
And if you think that a rupture with them is not beneficial to you, be peaceful, O foremost among the race of Bharata and do not set your heart on battle.
भवतां च कुरुश्रेष्ठ कुलं बहुमतं भुवि। तत् तथैवास्तु भद्रं ते स्वार्थमेवोपचिन्तय॥
Your family, O foremost of the Kuru race, is well thought of in this world; let it continue to be so, may good betide you, think of what is good for you.