पुत्र उवाच कृष्णायसस्येव च ते संहत्य हृदयं कृतम्। मम मातस्त्वकरुणे वीरप्रज्ञे घमर्षणे।।।।
The son said Your heart is made of steel shaped into that from, O my mother, who have no pity or compassion in you, who are wrathful and are of the wisdom of soldier.
अहो क्षत्रसमाचारो यत्र मामितरं यथा। नियोजयसि युद्धाय परमातेव मां तथा॥
Fie on the custom of the Kshatriyas since you, being own mother, urge me to go to battle as if were a stranger and you the mother of another.
ईदृशं वचनं ब्रूयाद् भवती पुत्रमेकजम्। किं नु ते मामपश्यन्त्याः पृथिव्या अपि सर्वया॥
Such cruel words are spoken by you to your only son; if cease to see me of what good is even the entire earth to you?
किमाभरणकृत्येन किं भोगै वितेन वा। मयि वा संगरहते प्रियपुत्रे विशेषतः॥
What is the use of ornaments? What of enjoyments and what even of life especially when you are deprived of the company of myself, your dear son.
मातोवाच सर्वावस्था हि विदुषां तात धर्मार्थकारणात्। तावेवाभिसमीक्ष्याहं संजय त्वामचूचुदम्॥
The mother said All the doings, of those who are wise, are for the attainment of either virtue or worldly profit or both; and with my eye to these two along have urged you, O Sanjaya.
स समीक्ष्यक्रमोपेतो मुख्यः कालोऽयमागतः। अस्मिश्चेदागते काले कार्यं न प्रतिपद्यसे॥
This is the time now for showing your prowess; and this suitable time having now arrived, if you do not resort to the proper action,
असम्भावितरूपस्त्वमानृशंस्यं करिष्यसि। तं त्वामयशसा स्पृष्टं न ब्रूयां यदि संजय॥
You will be showing a degree of compassion inconsistent with your birth; and if I do not speak out of affection, O Sanjaya, to you who are already contaminated by infamy,
खरीवात्सल्यमाहुस्तन्निः सामर्थ्य महेतुकम्। सद्धिर्विगर्हितं मागं त्यज मूर्खनिषेवितम्॥
Then that affection would be called an ass' for her young one,; it would besides be false and unreasonable, abandon the path trodden by the ignorant and held in contempt by the good.
अविद्या वै महत्यस्ति यामिमां संश्रिताः प्रजाः। तव स्याद् यदि सद्वृत्तं तेन मे त्वं प्रियो भवेः॥
Great is the ignorance in this world in which all living creatures have taken refuge; if your habits life be praise worthy, then will you win my esteem by that means,
धर्मार्थगुणयुक्तेन नेतरेण कथंचन। दैवमानुपयुक्तेन सद्भिराचरितेन च॥
Namely, if you are endued with the accomplishments of virtue and seek worldly but by following the path trodden by the gods and men and by the honest.
यो ह्येवमविनीतेन रमते पुत्र नप्तृणा। अनुत्थानवता चापि दुर्विनीतेन दुर्धिया॥
He who is pleased with such a son or a grandson not endued with humility, not given to exerting for himself, rebellious and badhearted.
रमते यस्तु पुत्रेण मोघं तस्य प्रजाफलम्। अकुर्वन्तो हि कर्माणि कुर्वन्तो निन्दितानि च॥
And he who is pleased with a son who does only such acts as are unrighteous, has the object of his begetting children rendered unsuccessful.
सुखं नैवेह नामुत्र लभन्ते पुरुषाधमाः। युद्धाय क्षत्रियः सृष्टः संजयेह जयाय च॥
The wretch does not attain to happiness in this world nor in the other, O Sanjaya; a Kshatriya has been created for fighting in this world and for gaining victories.
जयन् वावध्यमानो वा प्राप्नोतीन्द्रसलोकताम्। न शक्रभवने पुण्ये दिवि तद् विद्यते सुखम्।
Whether he is victorious or is slain he attains to the world of Indra. And that happiness does not exist in heaven or in the sacred region of Indra;
यदमित्रान् वशे कृत्वा क्षत्रियः सुखमेधते॥ मन्युना दह्यमानेन पुरुषेण मनस्विना। निकृतेनेह बहुशः शत्रून् प्रतिजिगीषया॥
Namely the happiness to which a Kshatriya attains by bringing his friends under his influence (according to some readings it would be by subjugating his enemies). A spirited man, who has been defeated many times, should live on with the hope of vanquishing his enemy and consumed by wrath,
आत्मानं वा परित्यज्य शत्रु वा विनिपात्य च। अतोऽन्येन प्रकारेण शान्तिरस्य कुतो भवेत्॥
He should either abandon self or vanquish his enemy; how can there be peace in any other way save this.
इह प्राज्ञो हि पुरुषः स्वल्पमप्रियमिच्छति। यस्य स्वल्पं प्रियं लोके ध्रुवं तस्याल्पमप्रियम्॥
In this world a wise man regards little as undesirable; the man to whom little is sufficient soon becomes weary of that little (and wishes for more).
प्रियाभावाच्च पुरुषो नैव प्राप्नोति शोभनम्। ध्रुवं चाभावमभ्येति गत्वा गङ्गेव सागरम्॥
A man does not attain to happiness who has not got what he desires; and in fact he certainly feels his want as does the Ganga on losing herself in the ocean.
पुत्र उवाच नेयं मतिस्त्वया वाच्या मातः पुत्रे विशेषतः। कारुण्यमेवात्र पश्य भूत्वेह जडमूकवत्॥
The son said You should not speak in this strain, O mother, especially to your son; exercise your compassion only in this case like a silent and dumb woman.
मातोवाच अतो मे भूयसी नन्दिर्यदेवमनुपश्यसि। चोद्यं मां चोदयस्येतद् भृशं वै चोदयामि ते॥
The mother said It is indeed a matter of great pleasure to me that you understand what I say. You urge me in my duty and therefore should I urge you all the more in yours.
अथत्वां पूजयिष्यामि हत्वा वै सर्वसैन्धवान्। अहं पश्यामि विजयं कृच्छ्रभावितमेव ते॥
When you have slain all the Saindhavas and are thus victorious and beyond all your troubles, I shall honour you.
पुत्र उवाच अकोशस्यासहायस्य कुतः सिद्धिर्जयो मम। इत्यवस्थां विदित्वैतामात्मनाऽऽत्मनि दारुणाम्॥
The son said Having no wealth, having no friends, how can I gain success and victory. Knowing these circumstances I have thus dealt harshly with myself.
राज्याद् भावो निवृत्तो मे त्रिदिवादिव दुष्कृतः। ईदृशं भवती कंचिदुपायमनुपश्यति॥
I am without exertion in recovering the kingdom as a sinful man makes no attempt to get into heaven. Such being the case, do you see any way to my fighting with the enemy.
तन्मे परिणतप्रज्ञे सम्यक् प्रबूहि पृच्छते। करिष्यामि हि तत् सर्वं यथावदनुशासनम्॥
Speak to me who are asking you in detail of that, O you of ripe and practical wisdom-I shall perform in a suitable manner all that you command me.
मातोवाच पुत्र नात्मावमन्तव्यः पूर्वाभिरसमृद्धिभिः। अभूत्वा हि भवन्त्यर्था भूत्वा नश्यन्ति चापरे।
The mother said O son, your mind should not be insulted by anticipation's of failure. Objects unattained at first are gained subsequently and other objects attained at first are lost afterwards.
अमर्षेणैव चाप्यर्था नारब्धव्याः सुबालिशैः॥ सर्वेषां कर्मणां तात फले नित्यमनित्यता। अनित्यमिति जानन्तो न भवन्ति भवन्ति च॥
An object should not be pursued in wrath or with folly; my dear son, there is always uncertainly in the results of all actions. To those who know that the result is uncertain objects are sometimes successful and sometimes not.
अथ ये नैव कुर्वन्ति नैव जातु भवन्ति ते। ऐकगुण्यमनीहायामभावः कर्मणां फलम्॥
To those who do not make any attempt success does not come in the absence of exertion; there is only result of actions.
अथ द्वैगुण्यमीहायां फलं भवति वा न वा। यस्य प्रागेव विदिता सर्वार्थानामनित्यता॥
To those who make attempts there are two results, namely success or failure. He, to whom is know from the very first the uncertainly of the result of all actions,
नुदेद् वृद्ध्यसमृद्धी स प्रतिकूले नृपात्मजा उत्थातव्यं जागृतव्यं योक्तव्यं भूतिकर्मसु॥
Fails to obtain success and prosperity; O you who have been born of the soul of a ruler of men, in every act should one engage himself with energy and wakefulness.
भविष्यतीत्येव मनः कृत्वा सततमव्यथैः। मङ्गलानि पुरस्कृत्य ब्राह्मणांश्चेश्वरैः सह॥
Resolving within himself-This must beand ever without any depression of heart. One who placing auspicious signs before him and in company with the Brahmanas and the gods (engages in action),
प्राज्ञस्य नृपतेराशु वृद्धिर्भवति पुत्रक। अभिवर्तति लक्ष्मीस्तं प्राचीमिव दिवाकरः॥
To that wise king does prosperity soon come, my dear son. The goddess of prosperity and grace comes to him like the sun coming to the east.
निदर्शनान्युपायांश्च बहून्युद्धर्षणानि च। अनुदर्शितरूपोऽसि पश्यामि कुरु पौरुषम्॥
I see, you have shown yourself fit to appreciate many examples, expedients and words given vent to excite your energy-now show your manliness.
पुरुषार्थमभिप्रेतं समाहर्तुमिहार्हसि। क्रुद्धाल्लुब्धान् परिक्षीणानवलिप्तान् विमानितान्॥
It is proper that you should attain to your desired object which is indeed desired by every man. Those who entertain angry feelings against your enemy, those who covet his prosperity, those who have been weakened by him or have been eclipsed by him or insulted by him,
स्पर्धिनश्चैव ये केचित् तान् युक्त उपधारय। एतेन त्वं प्रकारेण महतो भेत्स्यसे गणान्॥
Those who look on him with contempt and all others against him, do you bring together, and with their help will you be able to break the thick ranks of your enemy,
महावेग इवोद्भूतो मातरिश्वा बलाहकान्। तेषामग्रप्रदायी स्याः कल्योत्थायी प्रियंवदः॥
Like a tempest of great force scattering the clouds. Make payments to them (your allies) before such payments are due, use your energy, and speak to them mildly.
ते त्वां प्रियं करिष्यन्ति पुरोधास्यन्ति च ध्रुवम्। यदैव शत्रुर्जानीयात् सपन्नं त्यक्तजीवितम्। तदैवास्मादुद्विजते सर्पाद् वेश्मगतादिव॥
Then will they do what is desirable to you and will surely stand before you to take on themselves the charge of the battle). As soon as the enemy knows that you have grown careless of life, he will begin to fear you as a snake entering his house.
तं विदित्वा पराक्रान्तं वशे न कुरुते यदि। निर्वादैनिर्वदेदेनमन्ततस्तद् भविष्यति॥
Knowing him to be powerful if one (his enemy) does not subjugate him, he should at least conciliate him, by friendliness and the like.
निर्वादादास्पदं लब्वा धनवृद्धिर्भवष्यति। धनवन्तं हि मित्राणि भजन्ते चाश्रयन्ति च॥
Attaining to prosperity by these friendly means, there occurs an increase in wealth. Friends seeks the refuge of the wealthy and worship him.
स्खलितार्थ पुनस्तात संत्यजन्ति च बान्धवाः। अप्यस्मिन् नाश्वसन्ते च जुगुप्सन्ते च तादृशम्॥
And again friends abandon him who is deprived of his wealth and they even view with suspicion and contempt such a man.
शत्रु कृत्वा यः सहायं विश्वासमुपगच्छति। स न सम्भाव्यमेवैतद् यद् राज्यं प्राप्नुयादिति॥
He, who making an ally of his enemy, lives confidently, cannot be possibly expected to regain his kingdom.