None: Chapter 163

The return of Uluka

संजय उवाच दुर्योधनस्य तद् वाक्य निशम्य भरतर्षभ। नेत्राभ्यामतिताम्राभ्यां कैतव्य समुदैक्षत॥
Sanjaya said That foremost of the Bharata race, hearing those words of Duryodhana, looked on that son of a gambler with eyes excessively red.

स केशवमभिप्रेक्ष्य गुडाकेशो महायशाः। अभ्याभाषत कैतव्यं प्रगृह्य विपुलं भुजम्॥
Gudakesha, of great renown, looking on Keshava, said to the gambler's son tossing up his mighty arms.

स्ववीर्यं यः समाश्रित्य समाह्वयति वै परान्। अभीतो युध्यते शत्रून् स वै पुरुष उच्यते॥
He, who, relying on his own prowess challenges his enemies to fight and fights with them without being struck with fear, is said to be a man.

परवीर्यं समाश्रित्य यः समाह्वयते परान्। क्षत्रबन्धुरशक्तत्वाल्लोके स पुरुषाधमः॥
But he, who challenges his enemies relying on the prowess of others, is the lowest among the Kshatriyas and owing to his weakness he is called the lowest of men.

स त्वं परेषां वीर्येण मन्यसे वीर्यमात्मनः। स्वयं कापुरुषो मूढ परांश्च क्षेप्तुमिच्छसि॥
You too think the prowess of others to be your own prowess; being yourself a coward, O fool, you want to have others slain.

यस्त्वं वृद्धं सर्वराज्ञां हितबुद्धिं जितेन्द्रियम्। मरणाय महाप्रज्ञं दीक्षयित्वा विकत्थसे॥
You now boast, having installed as your leader the oldest of all kings, whose intelligence is directed to the good of others, who has brought his senses under control and who is endued with great wisdom and has made his death certain.

भावस्ते विदितोऽस्माभिर्दुर्बुद्धे कुलपांसन। न हनिष्यन्ति गाङ्गेयं पाण्डवा घृणयेति हि॥
O you of wicked intelligence, O you the stain of your race, your intention is known by us. (You thought) the son of Pandu, would, out of kindness, not slay the son of Ganga,

यस्य वीर्यं समाश्रित्य धार्तराष्ट्र विकत्यसे। हन्तास्मि प्रथमं भीष्मं मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्॥
Him depending on whose strength you are now boasting. I shall first slay that Bhishma within the sight of all bow men.

कैतव्य गत्वा भरतान् समेत्य सुयोधनं धार्तराष्ट्रं वदस्व। तथेत्युवाचार्जुनः सव्यसाची निशाव्यपाये भविता विमर्दः॥
O gambler's son, going to the Bharatas, and going near the son of Dhritarashtra say that Arjuna or Savyasachin has said “Be it so; on the down of the day there will be war.”

यद् वाब्रवीद् वाक्यमदीनसत्त्वं मध्ये कुरून् हर्षयन् सत्यसंघः। अहं हन्ता सृञ्जयानामनीकं शाल्वेयकांचेति ममैष भारः॥
The one of unfailing prowess (Bhishma) said among those men leading noble lives and delighting the Kurus namely "that I shall slay the army of the Srinjayas and the army of Shalva; that is my task."

हन्यामहं द्रोणमृतेऽपि लोकं न ते भयं विद्यते पाण्डवेभ्यः। ततो हि ते लब्धतमं च राज्यमापद्गताः पाण्डवाश्चेति भावः॥
(Bhishma also said) I shall also slay the entire world except Drona" and therefore do you consider this kingdom already gained and that the sons of Pandu are in a calamity?

मात्मन्यपि वर्तमानम्। तस्मादहं ते प्रथमं समूहे हन्ता समक्षं कुरुवृद्धमेव॥
Being filled with that proud thought you will however see ruin overtake yourself and I shall first slay you in the army in the presence of the oldest among the Kurus.

सूर्योदये युक्तसेनः प्रतीक्ष्य द्वजी रथी रक्ष तं सत्यसंधम्। अहं हि वः पश्यतां द्वीपमेनं भीष्मं रथात् पातयिष्यामि बाणैः॥
At sun rise, at the head of your army attend with your chariot and your flags on, that one devoted to truth and protect him. I shall within your sight by my arrows fell down from the chariot Bhishma, your refuge,

श्वोभूते कत्थनावाक्यं विज्ञास्यति सुयोधनः। आचितं शरजालेन मया दृष्ट्वा पितामहम्॥
When the morrow comes Suyodhana will know what it is to boast of seeing the grandfather felled down by my shower of arrows.

यदुक्तश्च सभामध्ये पुरुषो ह्रस्वदर्शनः। क्रुद्धेन भीमसेनेन भ्राता दुःशासनस्तव॥ अधर्मज्ञो नित्यवैरी पापबुद्धिर्नृशंसवत्। सत्यां प्रतिज्ञामचिराद् द्रक्ष्यसे तां सुयोधन॥
What your brother Dushasana, that man of little foresight, who does not know what virtue is, who is ever hostile to me, who is sinful intellect and inhuman, has been told by the angry Bhimasena, you will soon see that resolve fulfilled, O Suyodhana.

अभिमानस्य दर्पस्य क्रोधपारुष्ययोस्तथा। नैष्ठुर्यस्यावलेपस्य आत्मसम्भावनस्य च॥
Of too much pride, vanity and of anger and harsh words, of enmity, arrogance and boasts,

नृशंसतायास्तैक्ष्ण्यस्य धर्मविद्वेषणस्य च। अधर्मस्यातिवादस्य वृद्धातिक्रमणस्य च॥
Of inhumanity, of cutting speeches, of hating virtue, of vice, of speaking ill of others, and of action against the advice of the old,

दर्शनस्य च चक्रस्य कृत्स्नस्यापनयस्य च। द्रक्ष्यसि त्वं फलं तीव्रमचिरेण सुयोधन॥
Of partial opinions and of all vices united together, you shall soon see the sharp effects, O Suyodhana.

वासुदेवद्वितीये हि मयि क्रुद्धे नराधमा आशा ते जीविते मूढ राज्ये वा केन हेतुना।॥
Having Vasudeva for my second and myself being angry, O worst of men, who are you that have hopes of life and of getting the kingdom, O fool.

शान्ते भीष्मे तथा द्रोणे सूतपुत्रे च पातिते। निराशो जीविते राज्ये पुत्रेषु च भविष्यसि॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and Drona and the son of a Suta being felled down, you will despair of your life, of the kingdom and of the life of your sons.

भ्रातृणां निधनं श्रुत्वा पुत्राणां च सुयोधन। भीमसेनेन निहतो दुष्कृतानि स्मरिष्यसि॥
Hearing of the death of your brother and of your son, O Suyodhana, and being struck by Bhimasena you will remember your vices.

न द्वितीयां प्रतिज्ञां हि प्रतिजानामि कैतव। सत्यं ब्रवीम्यहं ह्येतत् सर्वं सत्यं भविष्यति॥
O gambler's son, I do not know how to make a second resolve. I tell you the truth, all this will truly happen."

युधिष्ठिरोऽपि कैतव्यमुलूकमिदमब्रवीत्। उलूक मद्वचो ब्रूहि गत्वा तात सुयोधनम्॥
Yudhishthira too said to Uluka the gambler's son, “Uluka, tell my words when you go to Suyodhana.'

स्वेन वृत्तेन मे वृत्तं नाधिगन्तुं त्वमर्हसि। उभयोरन्तरं वेद सूनृतानृतयोरपि॥
It is not proper that you should judge of my conduct to you by your own conduct; know that the difference between us two is the same as the difference between truth and falsehood.

न चाहं कामये पापमपि कीटपिपीलयोः। किं पुनर्जातिषु वधं कामयेयं कथंचन॥
I do not desire to harm even the worms and ants; how can I then by any means desire the massacre of my kinsmen?

एतदर्थं मया तात पञ्च ग्रामा वृताः पुरा। कथं तव सुदुर्बुद्धे न प्रेक्ष्ये व्यसनं महत्॥
It was for this reason, my dear brothers, that I asked for five villages only before; why is it that you do not realize this great calamity, O you of exceedingly sinful understanding?

स त्वं कामपरीतात्मा मूढभावाच्च कत्थसे। तथैव वासुदेवस्य न गृह्णासि हितं वचः॥
Having your soul now overpowered by lust and out of folly you are now boasting and for the same reason you do not accept the beneficial words of Vasudeva.

किं चेदानी बहूक्तेन युध्यस्व सह बान्धवैः। मम विप्रियकर्तारं कैतव्य ब्रूहि कौरवम्॥
What is the use of much speaking now? Fight with all your friends” O gambler's son, speak this to the Kuru who ever does what I do not like.

श्रुतं वाक्यं गृहीतोऽर्थो मतं यत् ते तथास्तु तत्। भीमसेनस्ततो वाक्यं भूय आह नृपात्मजम्॥ उलूक मद्वचो ब्रूहि दुर्मति पापपूरुषम्।
Your words have been heard by us and their sense accepted; let it be as you wish.” Then did Bhimasena, that son of a king, again say O Uluka, tell my words to that wicked man of sinful intellect.

शठं नैकृतिकं पापं दुराचारं सुयोधनम्॥ गृध्रोदरे वा वस्तव्यं पुरे वा नागसाह्वये। प्रतिज्ञातं मया तच्च सभामध्ये नराधम॥
To that vicious wretch of sinful habits, Suyodhana; "you will have to remain in the belly of a vulture or in the city called by the name of an elephant. And the resolve made by me in the council,

कर्ताह तद् वचः सत्यं सत्येनैव शपामि ते। दुःशासनस्य रुधिरं हत्वा पास्याम्यहं मृधे॥
I shall make true, I swear by truth. Having slain Dushasana, I shall drink his blood in the battle.

सक्थिनी तव भक्त्वैव हत्वा हि तव सोदरान्। सर्वेषां धार्तराष्ट्राणामहं मृत्युः सुयोधन॥ ।
I shall break down your thighs after slaying your brothers. I am the death, O Suyodhana, of all the sons of Dhritarashtra.

सर्वेषां राजपुत्राणामभिमन्युरसंशयम्। कर्मणाः तोषयिष्यामि भूयश्चैव वचः शृणु॥
And Abhimanyu is without doubt the death of all the princes. I shall satisfy you by my deeds. Hear again my words.

हत्वा सुयोधन त्वां वै सहितं सर्वसोदरैः। आक्रमिष्ये पदा मूर्ध्नि धर्मराजस्य पश्यतः॥
Slaying yourself, O Suyodhana, with all your brothers, I shall strike you on the head with my feet in the sight of the virtuous king.”

नकुलस्तु ततो वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। उलूक ब्रूहि कौरव्यं धार्तराष्ट्र सुयोधनम्॥
Nakula also, O lord of the earth, then said these words; "O Uluka, O Kauravya, say to Suyodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra,

श्रुतं ते गदतो वाक्यं सर्वमेव यथातथम्। तथा कर्तास्मि कौरव्य यथा त्वमनुशासि माम्॥
The words uttered by you have all been heard by me, let them be so; I shall, O Kauravya, do what you have instructed me to do.

सहदेवोऽपि नृपते इदमाह वचोऽर्थवत्। सुयोधन मतिर्या ते वृथैषा ते भविष्यति॥
Sahadeva too, O ruler of men, said these words pregnant with meaning. “O Suyodhana, the hopes entertained by you will be vain.

शोचिष्यसे महाराज सपुत्रज्ञातिबान्धवः। इमं च क्लेशमस्माकं हृष्टो यत् त्वं विकत्थसे॥
You will grieve, ogreat king, along with your sons, kinsmen and friends, for this brag of yours at our troubles."

विराटदुपदौ वृद्धावुलूकमिदमूचतुः। दासभावं नियच्छेव साधोरिति मतिः सदा। तौ च दासावदासौ वा पौरुषं यस्य यादृशम्॥
The two old kings Virata and Drupada said this to Uluka "We are ever willing to be the slaves of a good man and we shall see who is the slave and who the master and who is now powerful in the battle.”

शिखण्डी तु ततो वाक्यमुलूकमिदमब्रवीत्। वक्तव्यो भवता राजा पापेष्वभिरतः सदा॥
Shikhandin then said these words to Uluka “By you should the king ever addicted to vice be thus spoken.

पृश्य त्वं मां राजन् कुर्वाणं कर्म दारुणम्। यस्य वीर्यं समासाद्य मन्यसे विजयं युधि॥
Behold me, O king, to be doing hard deeds in the battle. Depending on whose prowess you hope for victory in the battle,

तमहं पातयिष्यामि रथात् तव पितामहम्। अहं भीष्मवधात् सृष्टो नूनं धात्रा महात्मना॥
I shall fell down that grand gather of yours from the chariot. I was surely created by the great souled Creator for the slaying of Bhishma.

सोऽहं भीष्मं हनिष्यामि मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्। धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि कैतव्यमुलूकमिदमब्रवीत्॥
Therefore shall I slay Bhishma within the sight of all bowmen.” Dhrishtadyumna said this to Uluka, the son of a gambler.

सुयोधनो मम वचो वक्तव्यो नृपतेः सुतः। अहं द्रोणं हनिष्यामि सगणं सहबान्धवम्॥
Suyodhana, the son of the king should thus be spoken to, on my behalf. “I shall kill Drona along with his host and his friends.

अवश्यं च मया कार्य पूर्वेषां चरितं महत्। कर्ता चाहं तथा कर्म यथा नान्यः करिष्यति॥
The work of which I shall be the doer no one else will do.” Then did the virtuous king say the noble words out of kindness to him.

तमब्रवीद् धर्मराजः कारुण्यार्थं वचो महत्। नाहं ज्ञातिवधं राजन् कामयेयं कथंचन॥
“O king, I never desire the massacre of my kinsmen and all this is going to happen owing to your fault.

तवैव दोषाद् दुर्बुद्धे सर्वमेतत् त्वनावृतम्। स गच्छ मा चिरं तात उलूक यदि मन्यसे॥
Of course, I shall have to approve of the doings of these followers. There do you go without delay, O Uluka, if you wish it,

इह वा तिष्ठ भद्रं ते वयं हि तव बान्धवाः। उलूकस्तु ततो राजन् धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्॥
Or remain here, may you farewell for we are your kinsmen too." Then Uluka taking leave of Yudhishthira, the son of Dharina, O king,

आमन्त्र्य प्रययौ तत्र यत्र राजा सुयोधनः। उलूकस्तत आगम्य दुर्योधनममर्षणम्॥
Went where the king Suyodhana was staying. Uluka then coming to the wrathful Duryodhana,

अर्जुनस्य समादेशं यथोक्तं सर्वमब्रवीत्। वासुदेवस्य भीमस्य धर्मराजस्य पौरुषम्॥
Told him all he had been instructed to say by Arjuna as also the manly speeches of Vasudeva, of Bhima and of the virtuous king,

नकुलस्य विराटस्य द्रुपदस्य च भारत। सहदेवस्य च वचो धृष्टद्युम्नशिखण्डिनोः।
And of Nakula, Virata, and Drupada, 0 Bharata and the speeches of Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi,

केशवार्जुनयोर्वाक्यं यथोक्तं सर्वमब्रवीत्॥ कैतव्यस्य तु तद् वाक्यं निशम्य भरतर्षभः।
And the speeches of Keshava and Arjuna, all as he had been instructed to say. The foremost of the Bharata race hearing the words of that gambler's son,

दुःशासनं च कर्णं च शकुनि चापि भारत॥ आज्ञापयत राज्ञश्च बलं मित्रबलं तथा।
Commanded Dushasana, Karna, Shakuni, O Bharata, and his own army as also those of his allies,

यथा प्रागुदयात् सर्वेयुक्तास्तिष्ठन्त्यनीकिनः॥ ततः कर्णसमादिष्टा दूताः संत्वरिता रथैः।
So that all might be at the head of their respective divisions before sun rise. Then did messengers instructed by Karna, mount on cars speedily.

उष्ट्रवामीभिरप्यन्ये सदश्चैश्च महाजवैः॥ तूर्णं परिययुः सेनां कृत्स्ना कर्णस्य शासनात्। आज्ञापयन्तो राज्ञश्च योग: प्रागुदयादिति॥
And others on camels, and others again on good horses went out and ordered the united army at Karna's behest to be ready for battle before sunrise.