वासुदेव उवाच जातस्य भारते वंशे तथा कुन्त्याः सुतस्य च। या वै युक्ता मतिः सेयमर्जुनेन प्रदर्शिता॥
Krishna said Arjuna has shown what should be the inclination of one born in the Bharata race, specially of one who is the son of Kunti.
न स्म मृत्यु विद्म रात्रौ वा यदि वा दिवा। न चापि कंचिदमरमयुद्धेनानुशुश्रुम॥
We do not know when death will overtake us, whether in the night or in the day; nor have we heard the immortality has been obtained by desisting from battle.
एतावदेव पुरुषैः कार्य हृदयतोषणम्। नयेन विधिदृष्टेन यदुपक्रमते परान्॥
Therefore, the duty of a man (a hero) is to attack all enemies with the help of the policy indicated in the ordinance. This always gives satisfaction to the heart.
सुनयस्यानपायस्य संयोगे परमः क्रमः। संगत्या जायतेऽसाम्यं साम्यं च न भवेद् द्वयोः॥
If aided by good policy, and if not frustrated by destiny, an undertaking is sure to be crowned with success. If both the parties are aided by such means, and if they fight with each other, one must get the better of the other, for both cannot win or lose.
अनयस्यानुपायस्य संयुगे परमः क्षयः। संशयो जायते साम्याज्जयश्च न भवेद् द्वयोः॥
If aided by bad policy which is destitute of all well-known arts, a man is sure to be defeated and meet with destruction. If, however, both parties are equally circumstance, the result becomes doubtful, but booth cannot win.
ते वयं नयमास्थाय शत्रुदेहसमीपगाः। कथमन्तं न गच्छेम वृक्षस्येव नदीरयाः। पररन्ध्र पराक्रान्ताः स्वरन्ध्रावरणे स्थिताः॥
When such is the case, why should we not, with the aid of good policy, go to the enemy and kill him as a river uproots a tree? if hiding our own drawbacks and taking advantage of his holes (faults), we attack the enemy, why should we not be successful?
व्यूढानीकैरतिबलैर्न युद्ध्येदरिभिः सह। इति बुद्धिमतां नीतिस्तन्ममापीह रोचते॥
It is the policy of all intelligent men that one should fight with enemies who are exceedingly powerful and who stand at the head of their well-arrayed forces. It is my opinion also.
अनवद्या ह्यसम्बुद्धाः प्रविष्टाः शत्रुसद्म तत्। शत्रुदेहमुपाक्रम्य तं कामं प्राप्नुयामहे॥
If we can accomplish our purpose by secretly entering the abode of our enemy and attacking his person, we shall never meet with obloquy.
एको ह्येव श्रियं नित्यं बिभर्ति पुरुषर्षभः। अन्तरात्मेव भूतानां तत्क्षणं नैव लक्षये॥
That best of men (Jarasandha) alone enjoys unfading prosperity like him who is inner-soul of every created being. But I see his destruction (before me).
अथवैनं निहत्याजौ शेषेणापि समाहताः। प्राप्नुयाम ततः स्वर्ग ज्ञातित्राणपरायणाः॥
Desirous as we are of protecting our relatives we shall either kill him, in battle or being ourselves killed by him we shall ascend to heaven.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच कृष्ण कोऽयं जरासंधः किंवीर्यः किम्पराक्रमः। यस्त्वां स्पृष्टवाग्निसदृशं न दग्धः शलभो यथा॥
Yudhishthira said O Krishna, who is this Jarasandha? What is his might, and what is his prowess that he has not been burnt by touching you as a insect is burnt at the touch of fire?
कृष्ण उवाच शृणु राजञ्जरासंधो यद्वीर्यो यत्पराक्रमः। यथा चोपेक्षितोऽस्माभिबहुशः कृतविप्रियः॥
Krishna said O king, hear who is Jarasandha, what is his might and prowess, and why he has been spared by us, though he repeatedly offended us.
अक्षौहिणीनां तिसृणां पतिः समरदर्पितः। राजा बृहद्रथो नाम मगधाधिपतिर्बली॥
There was a king, named Brihadratha who was the heroic lord of Magadha. He was proud in battle battle and had any army of three Akshauhinis of soldiers,
रूपवान् वीर्यसम्पन्नः श्रीमानतुलविक्रमः। नित्यं दीक्षाङ्किततनुः शतक्रतुरिवापरः॥
He was handsome, mighty, wealthy and matchlessly powerful. He always bore (sacrificial) marks on his person and looked like a second Shakra (Indra).
तेजसा सूर्यसंकाशः क्षमया पृथिवीसमः। यमान्तकसमः क्रोधे श्रिया वैश्रवणोयमः॥
He was like Surya in glory, like earth in patience, like the destroyer Yama in anger and like Vaishravana (Kubera) in wealth.
तस्याभिजनसंयुक्तैर्गुणैर्भरतसत्तम। व्याप्तेयं पृथिवी सर्वा सूर्यस्येव गभस्तिभिः॥
O best of the Bharata race, as the rays of the sun (covers the whole earth), so the whole carth was covered by his merits which descended to him from a long line of ancestors.
स काशिराजस्य सुते यमजे भरतर्षभ। उपयेमे महावीर्यो रूपद्रविणसंयुते। तयोश्चकार समयं मिथः स पुरुषर्षभः॥ नातिवर्तिष्य इत्येवं पत्नीभ्यां संनिधौ तदा। स ताभ्यां शुशुभे राजा पत्नीभ्यां वसुधाधिपः॥ प्रियाभ्यामनुरूपाभ्यां करेणुभ्यामिव द्विपः। तयोर्मध्यगतश्चापि रराज वसुधाधिपः॥ गङ्गायमुनयोर्मध्ये मूर्तिमानिव सागरः। विषयेषु निमग्नस्य तस्य यौवनमभ्यगात्॥
O best of the Bharata race, that greatly powerful hero married the two beautiful twindaughters of the king of Kashi. That best of men made an engagement in secret with his two wives, namely that he would equally love them both, and that he would never show a preference for any of them. Like a mighty elephant in the company of two femaleelephants, or like the ocean in his personified form in the company of the Ganga and the Yamuna, that lord of the earth passed his days in joy in the company of his two wives, both of whom suited him well. His youth passed away in the enjoyment of his wealth.
न च वंशकरः पुत्रस्तस्याजायत कश्चन। मङ्गलैर्बहुभिर्होमैः पुत्रकामाभिरिष्टिभिः। नाससाद नृपश्रेष्ठः पुत्रं कुलविवर्धनम्॥
No son was (however) born to him to perpetuate his line; though he performed many auspicious rites, Homas, and sacrifices with the desire of getting a son, yet that best of men did not get a son who could perpetuate his line.
अथ काक्षीवतः पुत्रं गौतमस्य महात्मनः। शुश्राव तपसि श्रान्तमुदारं चण्डकौशिकम्॥ यदृच्छयाऽऽगतं तं तु वृक्षमूलमुपाश्रितम्। पत्नीभ्यां सहितो राजा सर्वरत्नैरतोषयत्॥
He heard one day that the illustrious Chandakaushika, the son of Kakshivana of the Goutama race, having been tired of ascetic penances, have come to his city in his wandering at pleasure, and that he sat under a tree. The king with his wives gratified the Rishi with presents of Jewels.
तमब्रवीत् सत्यधृतिः सत्यवागृषिसत्तमः। परितुष्टोऽस्मि राजेन्द्र वरं वरय सुव्रत॥
That best of Rishis ever truthful in speech and firmly devoted to truth, thus spoke to him (the king), “O king of kings I have been much gratified. O hero of excellent vows, ask from me a boon.
ततः सभार्यः प्रणतस्तमुवाच बृहद्रथः। पुत्रदर्शननैराश्याद् वाष्पसंदिग्धया गिरा॥
Thereupon Brihadratha with his wives bowed down to the Rishi, and he spoke thus to him, his voice being choked with tears in consequences of his despair to obtain a son.
राजोवाच भगवन् राज्यमुत्सृज्य प्रस्थितोऽहं तपोवनम्। किं वरेणाल्पभाग्यस्य किं राज्येनाप्रजस्य मे॥
The king said O exalted one, I am about to give up my kingdom and to go into the forest to lead an ascetic life. I am unfortunate, (for not having a son), what shall I do with the kingdom or with a boon?
कृष्ण उवाच एतच्छ्रुत्वा मुनिर्ध्यानमगमत् क्षुभितेन्द्रियः। तस्यैव चाम्रवृक्षस्यच्छायायां समुपाविशत्॥
Krishna said Having heard this the Rishi, sitting in the shade of that every mangoes tree where he was, controlled his outer senses and entered into the Yoga meditation.
तस्योपविष्टस्य मुनेरुत्सङ्गे निपपात ह। अवातमशुकादष्टमेकमाम्रफलं किल॥
There fell in the lap of the seated Rishi a juicy mango, untouched by the beak of parrots or other birds.
तत् प्रगृह्य मुनिश्रेष्ठो हृदयेनाभिमन्त्र्य च। राज्ञे ददावप्रतिमं पुत्रसम्प्राप्तिकारणम्॥
That best of Rishis, taking up the fruit and mentally pronouncing some mantras over it, gave it to the king as the means of his obtaining a son.
उवाच च महाप्राज्ञस्तं राजानं महामुनिः। गच्छ राजन् कृतार्थोऽसि निवर्तस्व नराधिप॥
That greatly learned Rishi spoke thus to the king, “O king, go, your wish is fulfilled. O king, desist from going to the forest."
एतच्छ्रुत्वा मुनेर्वाक्यं शिरसा प्रणिपत्य च। मुनेः पादौ महाप्राज्ञः स नृपः स्वगृहं गतः॥
Having heard these words of the Rishi, the greatly intelligent king bowed down his head before the Rishi and returned to his own house.
यथासमयमाज्ञाय तदा स नृपसत्तमः। द्वाभ्यामेकं फलं प्रादात् पत्नीभ्यां भरतर्षभ॥
O best of the Bharata race, recollecting his former promise, that best of kings gave that one fruit to his two wives.
ते तदानं द्विधा कृत्वा भक्षयामासतुः शुभे। भावित्वादपि चार्थस्य सत्यवाक्यतया मुनेः॥ गर्भः फलप्राशनसम्भवः। ते च दृष्ट्वा स नृपतिः परां मुदमवाप ह॥
His two beautiful wives ate the mango, dividing it into two equal parts. In consequence of the certainty of the Muni's words and his truthfulness both of them conceived as an effect of their having eaten that fruit. Seeing them in that state, the king was filled with great joy.
अथ काले महाप्राज्ञ यथासमयमागते। प्रजायेतामुभे राजञ्छरीरशकले तदा॥
O greatly wise (king), sometime after when the (proper) season came, each of the two queens brought forth two fragmentary bodies.
एकाक्षिबाहुचरणे अर्धेदरमुखस्फिचे। दृष्ट्वा शरीरकाले प्रवेपतुरुभे भृशम्॥
Each of those two bodies had one eye, one arm, one leg, half a stomach, half a face, and half an anus. Seeing the fragmentary bodies, they (the queens) trembled much.
तयोः समभवद् उद्विग्ने सह सम्मन्त्र्य ते भगिन्यौ तदाबले। सजीवे प्राणिशकले तत्यजाते सुदुःखिते॥
The helpless sisters then a great anxiety consulted with each other, and they abandoned in sorrow the fragments that had life in them.
तथोर्धात्र्यौ सुसंवीते कृत्वा ते गर्भसम्प्लवे। निर्गम्यान्तः पुरद्वारात् समुत्सृज्याभिजग्मतुः॥
The two midwives then carefully wrapped up those still-born fragments and went out of the inner apartments (of the palace), by the back door. Throwing away the bodies, they returned in haste.
ते चतुष्पथनिक्षिप्ते जरा नामाथ राक्षसी। जग्राह मनुजव्याघ्र मांसशोणितभोजना॥
O best of men, sometime after a Rakshasas woman, named, Jara who lived on flesh and blood, took up the fragments that lay on a crossing (or roads).
कर्तुकामा सुखवहे शकले सा तु राक्षसी। संयोजयामास तदा विधानबलचोदिता॥४०
Being impelled by fate, that Rakshasas woman united the fragments to make them easier to carry.
ते समानीतमात्रे तु शकले पुरुषर्षभ। एकमूर्तिधरो वीरः कुमारः समपद्यत॥
O best of men, as soon as the fragments were united, they formed into a heroic child of one body.
ततः सा राक्षसी राजन् विस्मयोत्फुल्ललोचना। न शशाक समुद्वोढुं वज्रसारमयं शिशुम्॥
O king, the Rakshasas woman, with her cyes wide opened in wonder, found herself unable to carry that child who had a body as hard and strong as the thunderbolt.
बालस्ताम्रतलं मुष्टिं कृत्वा चास्ये निधाय सः। प्राक्रोशदतिसंरब्धः सतोय इव तोयदः॥
Closing his coppery red fists and inserting it into its mouth, that child roared as terribly as the clouds charged with rains.
तेन शब्देन सम्भ्रान्तः सहसान्तःपुरे जनः। निर्जगाम नरव्याघ्र राज्ञा सह परंतप॥
O best of men, O chastiser of foes, being much alarmed by the sound, the inmates of the palace along with the king all came out (to see what was the matter).
ते चाबले परिम्लाने पयःपूर्णपयोधरे। निराशे पुत्रलाभाय सहसैवाभ्यगच्छताम्॥
The helpless, disappointed and the sad queens also, with their breasts full of milk suddenly came out to get back their child.
अथ दृष्ट्वा तथाभूते राजानं चेष्टसंततिम्। तं च बालं सुबलिनं चिन्तयामास राक्षसी॥
Seeing them (the queens) in that condition and the king also, who was so much desirous of getting a son, and also the child which was so very strong, the Rakshasas woman reflected thus.
नार्हामि विषये राज्ञो वसन्ती पुत्रगृद्धिनः। बालं पुत्रमिमं हन्तुं धार्मिकस्य महात्मनः॥
“I live in the kingdom of the king who is so eager to get a son. I should not therefore, kill the child so such a virtuous and illustrious king.
सा तं बालमुपादाय मेघलेखेव भास्करम्। कृत्वा च मानुषं रूपमुवाच वसुधाधिपम्॥
Then hiding the child in her arms as the clouds envelope the sun, and assuming a human form, she thus spoke to the lord of earth (Brihadratha).
राक्षस्युवाच बृहद्रथ सुतस्तेऽयं मया दत्तः प्रगृह्यताम्। तव पत्नीद्वये जातो द्विजातिवरशासनात्। धात्रीजनपरित्यक्तो मयायं परिरक्षितः॥
The Rakshasi Said O Brihadratha, this is your son. It is given to you by me. Take it. It is born in the wombs of your two wives in consequence of the boon granted to you by the Brahmana. It was abandoned by the midwives, but it was protected by me.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच ततस्ते भरतश्रेष्ठ काशिराजसुते शुभे। तं बालमभिपद्याशु प्रस्रवैरभ्यषिञ्चताम्॥
Krishna said O best of the Bharata race, having obtained the child, the handsome daughters of the king of Kashi drenched it with their lacteal streams.
ततः स राजा संहृष्टः सर्वं तदुपलभ्य च। अपृच्छद्धेगर्भाभां राक्षसी तामराक्षसीम्॥
having ascertained everything, the king was filled with joy. He then spoke thus to the Rakshasas woman who was in the guise of a human female possessing the complexion of gold.
राजोवाच का त्वं कमलगर्भाभे मम पुत्रप्रदायिनी। कामया ब्रूहि कल्याणि देवता प्रतिभासि मे॥
“O lotus-complexioned lady, who are you that give me the child? O blessed lady, you appear to me as a goddess roaming (over the earth) at pleasure."