वासुदेव उवाच एष पार्थ महान् भाति पशुमान् नित्यमम्बुमान्। निरामयः सुवेश्माढ्यो निवेशो मागधः शुभः॥
Krishna said O Partha, behold the great city of Magadha standing in all its beauty. It is full of cattle and other beasts of burden; its stock of water is inexhaustive; it is adorned with fine mansions; and it is (entirely) free from all dangers.
वैहारो विपुलः शैलो वराहो वृषभस्तथा। तथा ऋषिगिरिस्तात शुभाश्चैत्यकपञ्चमाः॥
The five large hills, namely Vaihara, Varaha, Vrishabha, Rishigiri and the beautiful fifth hill Chaityaka.
एते पञ्च महाशृङ्गाः पर्वताः शीतलद्रुमाः। रक्षन्तीवाभिसंहत्य संहताङ्गा गिरिव्रजम्॥
These five hills, all with high peaks and with tall trees with cool shades, all being connected with one another, seem jointly to protect the city of Girivraja.
पुष्पवेष्टितशाखाग्रैर्गन्धवद्भिर्मनोहरैः। निगूढा इव लोध्राणां वनैः कामिजनप्रियैः॥
They are concealed by the forest of charming and fragrant Lodhra trees with their branches covered with flowers.
शूद्रायां गौतमो यत्र महात्मा संशितव्रतः। औशीनर्यामजनयत् काक्षीवाद्यान् सुतान् मुनिः॥
This was the place where the illustrious Gotama of the rigid vows begot on the daughter of Ushinara, s Shudra woman Kakshivana and other famous sons.
गौतमः प्रणयात् तस्माद् यथासौ तत्र सद्मनि। भजते मागधं वंशं स नृपाणामनुग्रहात्॥
The race sprung from such a man as Goutama worships the sway of ordinary human race, it shows the great kindness of Goutama towards kings.
अङ्गवङ्गादयश्चैव राजानः सुमहाबलाः। गौतमक्षयमभ्येत्य रमन्ते स्म पुरार्जुन॥
O Arjuna, it was here that in olden times the powerful kings of Anga, Vanga and other countries came to the hermitage of Goutama and lives in joy and happiness.
वनराजीस्तु पश्येमाः पिप्पलानां मनोरमाः। पार्थ गौतमौकः समीपजाः॥
O Partha, behold the charming forest of Pipalas and beautiful Lodhras standing near the place where Goutama lived.
अर्बुदः शक्रवापी च पन्नगौ शत्रुतापनौ। स्वस्तिकस्यालयश्चात्र मणिनागस्य चोत्तमः॥
Here were the abodes of the chastisers of foes, the Nagas, Arbuda, Chakrapani and Swastika, and also that of the excellent Naga, called Mani.
अपिहरार्या मेघानां मागधा मनुना कृताः। कौशिको मणिमांश्चैव चक्राते चाप्यनुग्रहम्॥
Manu himself had made the country of the Magadhas to be free from draught Kaushika and Maniman also have favoured and blessed this country.
एवं प्राप्य पुरं रम्यं दुराधर्षं समन्ततः। अर्थसिद्धिं त्वनुपमा जरासंधोऽभिमन्यते॥ लोध्राणां च शुभाः
Having secured such a charming and impregnable city, Jarasandha does not fear to accomplish all his unrivalled purposes. We shall, however, today humble his pride by attacking him.
वयमासादने तस्य दर्पमद्य हरेमहि। वैशम्पायन उवाच एवमुक्तवा ततः सर्वे भ्रातरो विपुलौजसमः॥
Vaishampayana said Having said this, those brothers of matchless effulgence the Varshneya (Krishna) and the two Pandavas (Bhima and Arjuna) entered the city of Magadha.
वार्ष्णेयः पाण्डवौ चैव प्रतस्थुर्मागधं पुरम्। हृष्टपुष्टजनोपेतं चातुर्वर्ण्यसमाकुलम्॥
Then they went towards the impregnable city of Girivraja, full of cheerful and well-fed inhabitants belonging to all the four orders of men. The city was ever enlivened with perennial festivities.
स्फीतोत्सवमनाधृष्यमासेदुश्च गिरिव्रजम्। ततो द्वारमनासाद्य पुरस्य गिरिमुच्छ्रितम्॥ बार्हद्रथैः पूज्यमानं तथा नगरवासिभिः। मगधानां सुरुचिरं चैत्यकान्तं समाद्रवन्॥
Going to the gate of the city (they did not enter through it); the brothers pierced the heart of the high Chaityaka (hill) which was ever worshipped by there of Brihadratha and by the citizens (of Girivraja), the hill that delighted the hearts of all the Magadhas.
यत्र मांसादमृषभमाससाद बृहद्रथः। तं हत्वा मासतालाभिस्तिस्रो भेरीरकारयत्॥ स्वपुरे स्थापयामास तेन चानह्य चर्मणा। यत्र ताः प्राणदन् भेर्यो दिव्यपुष्पावचूर्णिताः॥ भङ्क्त्वा भेरीत्रयं तेऽपि चैत्यप्राकारमाद्रवन्। द्वारतोऽभिमुखाः सर्वे ययुर्नानाऽऽयुधास्तदा।॥ मागधानां सुरुचिरं चैत्यकं तं समाद्रवन्। शिरसीव समाघ्नन्तो जरासंधं जिघांसवः॥
Here (on this Chaityaka hill) Brihadratha had killed a cannibal, called Rishava,. Having killed the monster, he caused three drums to be made of his skin. He then kept these drums in his city. They were such that if once played upon their sound lasted for full one month. The brothers (Krishna & c.) broke down the Chaityaka, ever charming to all the people, at the place where these drums, covered with celestials flowers, sent forth their continuous sound. Desirous Desirous as they as they were to kill Jarasandha, they seemed to place their feet on the head of their foe by their this act.
स्थिरं सुविपुलं शृङ्गं सुमहत् तत् पुरातनम्। अर्चितं गन्धमाल्यैश्च सततं सुप्रतिष्ठितम्॥ विपुलैर्बाहुभिर्वीरास्तेऽभिहत्याभ्यपातयन्। ततस्ते मागधं हृष्टाः पुरं प्रविविशुस्तदा॥
Attacking with their powerful arms that immovable, huge, high, old and famous peak, ever worshipped with perfumes and garlands, those heroes broke it down. They then with joyful hearts entered the city.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु ब्राह्मणा वेदपारगाः। दृष्ट्वा तु दुर्निमित्तानि जरासंधमदर्शयन्॥
At that very time the Veda-knowing Brahmanas inhabiting the city saw many evil omens which they duly reported to Jarasandha.
पर्यग्न्यकुर्वश्च नृपं द्विरदस्थं पुरोहिताः। ततस्तच्छान्तये राजा जरासंधः प्रतापवान्। दीक्षितो नियमस्थोऽसावुपवासपरोऽभवत्॥
The priest made the king mount on an elephant; and he then sanctified him by whirling lighted woods about him. The greatly powerful king Jarasandha commenced a fasting with proper vows to wards off these evils.
स्नातकव्रतिनस्ते तु बाहुशस्त्रा निरायुधाः। युयुत्सवः प्रविविशुर्जरासंधेन भारत॥
O descendant of Bharata, they (the brothers) in the meantime, unarmed and with their bare arms as their only weapons, entered the city in the guise of Snataka Brahmanas in order to fight with Jarasandha.
भक्ष्यमाल्यापणानां च ददृशुः श्रियमुत्तमाम्। स्फीतां सर्वगुणोपेतां सर्वकामसमृद्धिनीम्॥
They saw many beautiful shops, full of v...ious eataoles and garlands, every shop swelling with every article and every wealth that man can ever desire.
तां तु दृष्ट्वा समृद्धि ते वीथ्यां तस्यां नरोत्तमाः। राजमार्गेण गच्छन्तः कृष्णभीमधनंजयाः। बलाद् गृहीत्वा माल्यानि मालाकारान्महाबलाः॥
Seeing the great wealth of those shops, those best of men, Krishna, Bhima and Dhananjaya (Arjuna), proceeded along the public streets. Those greatly powerful heroes snatched garlands from the flower vendors.
विरागवसनाः सर्वे स्रग्विणो मृष्टकुण्डलाः। निवेशनमथाजग्मुर्जरासंधस्य धीमतः॥ गोवासमिव वीक्षन्तः सिंहा हैमवता यथा। शालस्तम्भनिभास्तेषां चन्दनागुरुरूषिताः॥ अशोभन्त महाराज बाहवो युद्धशालिनाम्। तान् दृष्ट्वा द्विरदप्रख्याशालस्कन्धानिवोद्गतान्। व्यूढोरस्कान् मागधानां विस्मयः: समपद्यत॥
Having attired in robes of various colours and adorned with garlands and earrings, the heroes entered the palace of the greatly intelligent Jarasandha as Himalayan lions longingly look at the pen of cattle. The arms of those warriors, smeared sandal and aloe paste, looked like the trunks of Sala trees, O great king, when the people of Magadha saw those heroes with necks and broad as those of Sala trees and with wide chests, they began to be very much astonished.
तेत्वतीत्य जनाकीर्णाः कक्षास्तिस्रो नरर्षभाः। अहंकारेण राजानमुपतस्थुर्गतव्यथाः॥
Passing through three rooms crowded with men those best of men, with pride and cheerfulness came to the king.
तान् पाद्यमधुपर्कार्हान् गवार्हान् सत्कृतिं गतान्। प्रत्युत्थाय जरासंध उपतस्थे यथाविधि॥ उवाच चैतान् राजासौ स्वागतं वोऽस्त्विति प्रभुः। मौनमासीत् तदा पार्थभीमयोर्जनमेजय॥
Jarasandha rose up in haste saying “Welcome to you”. He received his visitors with proper ceremonies, with water to wash their feet, with honey, with Arghya, with gift of kine and with the other forms of respect. O Janamejaya, both Partha and Bhima remained silent.
तेषां मध्ये महाबुद्धिः कृष्णो वचनमब्रवीत्। वक्तुं नायाति राजेन्द्र एतयोर्नियमस्थयोः॥
Amongst them the greatly intelligent Krishna thus spoke to him, “O king of kings, these two are observing a vow. They will not therefore speak.
अर्वानिशीथात् परतस्त्वया सार्धं वदिष्यतः। यज्ञागारे स्थापयित्वा राजा राजगृहं गतः॥
They will remain silent till midnight. After that hour they will talk with you." The king quartered them in the sacrificial apartments, and he then went to his own royal apartments.
ततोऽर्धरात्रे सम्प्राप्ते यातो यत्र स्थिता द्विजाः। तस्य ह्येतद् व्रतं राजन् बभूव भुवि विश्रुतम्॥ स्नातकान् ब्राह्मणान् प्राप्ताञ्छ्रुत्वा स समितिंजयः। अत्यर्धरात्रे नृपतिः प्रत्युद्गच्छति भारत॥
O king, at midnight he(Jarasandha) came to the place where the Brahmanas (Krishna & c.) were. O descendant of Bharata, that ever victorious king observed the vow which was known all over the earth that as soon as he should hear of the arrival of any Snataka Brahmanas in his palace-even if it be midnight, he would immediately come out and grant them an interview.
तांस्त्वपूर्वेण वेषेण दृष्ट्वा स नृपसत्तमः। उपतस्थे जरासंधो विस्मिताश्चाभवत् तदा॥
Seeing the strange attire (of his guests), that best of kings, Jarasandha, be came, very much astonished, but he waited upon them with all respect.
ते तु दृष्ट्वैव राजानं जरासंधं नरर्षभाः। इदमूचुरमित्रघ्नाः सर्वे भरतसत्तम।॥
O best of the Bharata race, seeing the king Jarasandha, those best of men, those slayers of foes (Krishna etc.) thus spoke to him,
स्वस्त्यस्तु कुशलं राजनिति तत्र व्यवस्थिताः। तं नृपं नृपशार्दूल प्रेक्षमाणाः परस्परम्॥
"O king, let salvation be attained by you without any difficulty.” And O best of king, having said this to the king, they stood looking at one another.
तानब्रवीज्जरासंधस्तथा पाण्डवयादवान्। आस्यतामिति राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणच्छद्मसंवृतान्॥
O king of kings, then Jarasandha said to the Pandavas (Bhima and Arjuna) and the Yadava (Krishna), who were all disguised as Brahmanas, “Take your seat.”
अथोपविविशुः सर्वे त्रयस्ते पुरुषर्षभाः। सम्प्रदीप्तास्त्रयो लक्ष्या महाध्वर इवाग्नयः॥
Blazing forth in their own beauty like the three fires of a great sacrifice, these three best of men then took their seats.
तानुवाच जरासंधः सत्यसंधो नराधिपः। बिगर्हमाणः कौरव्य वेषग्रहणवैकृतान्। न स्नातकव्रता विप्रा बहिर्माल्यानुलेपनाः॥ भवन्तीति नृलोकेऽस्मिन् विदितं मम सर्वशः। के यूयं पुष्पवन्तश्च भुजाकृतलक्षणैः॥
O descendant of Kuru, the firmly truthful king Jarasandha spoke to them thus, “It is wellknown to me that no where in the whole world the Brahmanas engaged in observing the Snataka vows ever adorn themselves with garlands or with fragrant paste. Who are you then, thus adorned with flowers and with hands that bear the marks of the bow-string?
बिभ्रतः क्षात्रमोजश्च ब्राह्मण्यं प्रतिजानथ। एवं विरागवसना बहिर्माल्यानुलेपनाः॥
Attired in ascetic robes and adorned unseasonably with flowers and fragrant paste, you give me to understand that you are Brahmanas, though you bear all the signs of the Kshatriyas. Tell me truly who you are. Truth adorns (even) kings.
चैत्यकस्य गिरेः शृङ्गं भित्त्वा किमिह छद्मना। अद्वारेण प्रविष्टाः स्थ निर्भया राजकिल्बिषात्॥
Breaking down the peak of the Chaityaka hill, why in disguise have you entered (the city) by the other ways than the gates without fearing the royal anger?
वदध्वं वाचि वीर्यं च ब्राह्मणस्य विशेषतः। कर्म चैतद् विलिङ्गस्थं किं वोऽद्य प्रसमीक्षितम्॥
The prowess of a Brahmana rests mainly in his speech. Your action does not suit the order you profess to belong. Tell me what is your object today.
एवं च मामुपास्थाय कस्माच्च विधिनार्हणाम्। प्रतीतां नानुगृहणीत कार्य किं वास्मदागमे॥
Though you have arrived by such an improper way, why do you not accept the worship, I offer to you? What is your object in coming to me?
एवमुक्ते ततः कृष्णः प्रत्युवाच महामनाः। स्निग्धगम्भीरया वाचा वाक्यं वाक्यविशारदः॥
Having been thus addressed, the high minded Krishna, well-skilled in speech, thus replied to him in a calm and grave voice.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच स्नातकान् ब्राह्मणान् राजन् विद्ध्यस्मांस्त्वं नराधिप। स्नातकव्रतिनो राजन् ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया विशः॥
Krishna said O king, know us for Snataka Brahmanas. O king of men, O monarch, Brahmanas, Kshatriyas and Vaishyas are all competent to observe the Snataka vow.
विशेषनियमाश्चैषामविशेषाश्च सन्त्युज। विशेषवांश्च सततं क्षत्रियः श्रियमृच्छति॥
This vow has both special and general rules. A Kshatriya who observes this vow with special rules always obtains (great) prosperity.
पुष्पवत्सु ध्रुवा श्रीश्च पुष्पवन्तस्ततो वयम्। क्षत्रियो बाहुवीर्यस्तु न तथा वाक्यवीर्यवान्। अप्रगल्भं वचस्तस्य तस्माद् बार्हद्रथेरितम्॥
Persons who adorn themselves with flowers always gain prosperity, therefore we have adorned ourselves with flowers. The Kshatriyas are powerful in their prowess of arms and in the prowess of speech. O son of Brihadratha it is therefore the speeches of the Kshatriyas are never audacious.
स्ववीर्यं क्षत्रियाणां तु बाह्वोर्धाता न्यवेशयत्। तद् दिदृक्षसि चेद् राजन् द्रष्टास्यद्य न संशयः॥
O king, the creator has placed his own energy in the arms of the Kshatriya. If you desire to see it, you will certainly see it today.
अद्वारेण रिपोर्गेहं द्वारेण सुहृदो गृहान्। प्रविशन्ति नरा धीरा द्वाराण्येतानि धर्मतः॥
The intelligent men enter the house of the enemy through a way which is not the general gate; but in the house of a friend they enter by the right gate. This is the rule of the ordinance.
कार्यवन्तो गृहानेत्य शत्रुतो नार्हणां वयम्। प्रतिगृह्णीम तद् विद्धि एतन्नः शाश्वतं व्रतम्॥
O king, know that this is our eternal vow that having entered the house of the enemy for the purpose of accomplishing an object, we do not accept the worship offered by him.