वैशम्पायन उवाच तथा कथयतोरेव तयोर्बुद्धिमतोस्तदा। शिवा नक्षत्रसम्पन्ना सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी॥शा
Vaishampayana said The two wise men talking together in this way spent that night which was beautiful and lit by stars.
धर्मार्थकामयुक्ताश्च विचित्रार्थपदाक्षराः। शृण्वतो विविधा वाचो विदुरस्य महात्मनः॥ कथाभिरनुरूपाभिः कृष्णस्यामिततेजसः। अकामस्येव कृष्णस्य सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी॥
That night passed away against the wishes of Krishna and Vidura, who was listening to the discourses on diverse subjects conducive to religious merit and earthly profit and conveyed in rhythmical language from Krishna and of Krishna of immeasurable prowess listening to similar discourse from high-souled Vidura.
ततस्तु स्वसम्पन्ना बहवः सूतमागधाः। शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैः केशवं प्रत्यबोधयन्॥
Then (at the break of day) many professional bards and singers having a good voice awakened Krishna with the sound of conches and cymbals.
तत उत्थाय दाशार्ह ऋषभः सर्वसात्वताम्। सर्वमावश्यकं चक्रे प्रातःकार्यं जनार्दनः॥
Janardana, that scion of the Dasharha race, that best among the Satvatas, then performed all the necessary rites of the morning.
कृतोदकानुजप्यः स हुताग्नि: समलंकृतः। ततश्चादित्यमुद्यन्तमुपातिष्ठत माधवः॥
Having performed his ablutions, having repeated the usual incantations to the god of fire and having donned his attire and ornaments, Madhava worshipped the rising sun.
अथ दुर्योधनः कृष्ण शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। संध्यां तिष्ठन्तमभ्येत्य दाशार्हमपराजितम्॥ आचक्षेतां तु कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्र सभागतम्। कुरूंश्च भीष्मप्रमुखान् राज्ञः सर्वाश्च पार्थिवान्॥ त्वामर्थयन्ते गोविन्द दिवि शक्रमिवामराः। तावभ्यनन्दद् गोविन्दः साम्ना परमवल्गुना॥
Duryodhana and Shakuni the son of Subala coming to Krishna, that scion of the Dasharha race and who had never met with a defeat, while he was yet performing his morning devotions, said to him-"King Dhritarashtra is come to the Assembly-Hall and so have the other Kurus headed by Bhishma and all the rulers of the earth. O Govinda, they are waiting for you like the gods in heaven waiting for Shakra." Govinda welcomed them by courteous words.
ततो विमल आदित्ये ब्राह्मणेभ्यो जनार्दनः। ददौ हिरण्यं वासांसि गाश्चाश्वांश्च परंतपः॥ विसृज्य बहुरत्नानि दाशार्हमपराजितम्। तिष्ठन्तमुपसंगम्य ववन्दे सारथिस्तदा॥
When the spotless sun progressed a little further in his diurnal journey, Janardana, the chastiser of foes, gave to the Brahmanas gold, cloths, cattle and horses. Thus Krishna having distributed many gems precious stones, his charioteer approached that unvanquished hero of the Dasharha race, who was seated and paid his respects to him.
ततो रथेन शुभ्रेण महता किङ्किणीकिना। हयोत्तमयुजा शीघ्रमुपातिष्ठत दारुकः॥
Then Daruka soon came back with the large and shining car furnished with tinkling bells and yoked to excellent horses.
तमुपस्थितमाज्ञाय रथं दिव्यं महामनाः। महाभ्रघननिर्घोषं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्॥ अग्नि प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणांश्च जनार्दनः। कौस्तुभं मणिमामुच्य श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्॥ कुरुभिः संवृतः कृष्णो वृष्णिभिश्चाभिरक्षितः। आतिष्ठत रथं शौरिः सर्वयादवनन्दनः॥
That one large mind, understanding that the celestial car ornamented with all sorts of gems and precious stones and whose wheels rattled as loudly as masses of thick clouds, had arrived. Made tour round the fire and also round the Brahmanas. And putting on the Kaustubha gem which was shining with excellent beauty and surrounded by the Kurus and protected by the Vrishnis, Krishna or Shauri the center of delight of all the Yadavas mounted on his car.
अन्वारुरोह दाशार्ह विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित्। सर्वप्राणभृतां श्रेष्ठं सर्वबुद्धिमतां वरम्॥
After that scion of the Dasharha race had mounted the car, Vidura, conversant with all virtues, superior to all living creatures and foremost among all wise men.
ततो दुर्योधनः कृष्णं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। द्वितीयेन रथेनैनमन्वयातां परंतपम्॥
Duryodhana and Shakuni the son of Subala on a second car followed this chastiser of enemies, Krishna. as
सात्यकिः कृतवर्मा च वृष्णीनां चापरे स्थाः। पृष्ठतोऽनुययुः कृष्णं गजैरश्वैः रथैरपि॥
Satyaki and Kritavarma, as also other warriors of the Vrishni race followed behind, some on elephants, some on horse and others on chariots.
तेषां हेमपरिष्कारैर्युक्ताः परमवाजिभिः। गच्छतां घोषिणश्चित्ररथा राजन् विरेजिरे॥
The chariots of these men, O king, adorned with excellent gold and yoked to good horses and producing diverse sounds they proceeded on, looked very beautiful.
सम्मृष्टसंसिक्तरजः प्रतिपेदे महापथम्। राजर्षिचरितं काले कृष्णो धीमाच्छ्रिया ज्वलन्॥
The wise Krishna, blazing with beauty, in fit time, came up on a high way well swept and whose dust had been cleared away and which was fit to be used even by the Rishis of royal descent.
ततः प्रयाते दाशार्हे प्रावाद्यन्तैकपुष्कराः। शङ्खाश्च दमिरे तत्र वाद्यान्यन्यानि यानि च॥
The scion Dasharha race having set out, there was one continual music of cymbals. The conches began to be played, also all the other instruments that were there.
प्रवीराः सर्वलोकस्य युवानः सिंहविक्रमाः। परिवार्य रथं शौरेरगच्छन्त परंतपाः॥
A large number of young men of the strength of lions, heroic chastisers of foes in the world surrounding the car of Shauri, followed him.
ततोऽन्ये बहुसाहस्रा विचित्राद्भुतवाससः। असिप्रासायुधधराः कृष्णस्यासन् पुरःसराः॥
And there were others by thousands, who in diverse and strange attires holding swords, lances and axes followed Krishna.
गजाः पञ्चशतातत्र रथाश्चासन् सहस्रशः। प्रयान्तमन्वयुर्वीरं दाशार्हमपराजितम्॥
There were five hundred elephants and chariots by thousands, that came up behind the heroic scion of the Dasharha race, who had never sustained a defeat.
पुरं कुरूणां संवृत्तं द्रष्टुकामं जनार्दनम्। सबालवृद्धं सस्त्रीकं रथ्यागतमरिंदम॥
chatiser of enemies, the city of the Kurus was filled by old and young men including women, who were desirous of seeing Janardana advancing on a car.
वेदिकालमाश्रिताभिश्च समाकान्तान्यनेकशः। प्रचलन्तीव भारेण योषिद्भिर्भवनान्युत॥
Many were the houses that were tottering under the load of women, who were in the terraces and balconies.
स पूज्यमानः कुरुभिः संशृण्वन् मधुराः कथाः। यथार्ह प्रातसत्कुर्वन् प्रेक्षमाणः शनैर्ययौ॥
He proceeded slowly along gazing in all directions, worshipped by the Kurus; and listening to sweet speeches and returning suitable greetings.
ततः सभा समासाद्य केशवस्यानुयायिनः। सशङ्खर्वेणुनिघोषैर्दिशः सर्वा व्यनादयन्॥
The followers of Keshava having arrived at the Assembly-Hall filled all directions with the sound of conches and cymbals.
ततः सा समितिः सर्वा राज्ञाममिततेजसाम्। सम्प्राकम्पत हर्षेण कृष्णागमनकाझया॥
The entire assembly of those kings of immeasurable energy began to shake with delight with the desire of seeing Krishna come.
ततोऽभ्याशगते कृष्णे समहष्यन् नराधिपाः। श्रुत्वा तं रथनिर्घोषं पर्जन्यनिनदोपमम्॥
Then those rulers of men became rejoiced at the inference that he was near, which they drew on account of their hearing the rattles of his chariot, which was like the roar of clouds charged with rain.
आसाद्य तु सभाद्वारमृषभः सर्वसात्वताम्। अवतीर्य रथाच्छौरिः कैलासशिखरोपमात्॥
Shauri, the best among the entire Satvata race, coming to the gate of the Assembly-Hall, got down from the car which was like the peak of the Kailasa mountain.
नवमेघप्रतीकाशां ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा। महेन्द्रसदनप्रख्यां प्रविवेश सभां ततः॥
He then entered the Hall, which was like the abode of the great Indra and was blazing as it were with the beauty of energy and which looked like a mass newly formed clouds.
पाणौ गृहीत्वा विदुरं सात्यकिं च महायशाः। ज्योतीष्यादित्यवद् राजन् कुरून् प्राच्छादयच्छ्रिया।।३३।
Getting hold of the hand of Vidura and that of Satyaki (on either side) the one of great fame (entered the Assembly-Hall) eclipsing the Kurus (planets) in splendour like the sun.
अग्रतो वासुदेवस्य कर्णदुर्योधनावुभौ। वृष्णयः कृतवर्मा चाप्यासन् कृष्णस्य पृष्ठतः॥
I front of Vasudeva were the two, Karna and Duryodhana; while behind him sat the Vrishnis and Kritavarma.
धृतराष्ट्रं पुरुस्कृत्य भीष्मद्रोणादयस्ततः। आसनेभ्योऽचलन् सर्वे पूजयन्तो जनार्दनम्॥
Bhishma, Drona and others following the example of Dhritarashtra rose up from their seats with the object of honouring Janardana.
अभ्यागच्छति दाशार्हे प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्नरेश्वरः। सहैव द्रोणभीष्माभ्यामुदतिष्ठन्महायशाः॥
That scion of the Dasharha approaching the lord of men having eyes of wisdom along with Drona and Bhishma and others all of great fame rose up from their seats.
उत्तिष्ठति महाराजे धृतराष्ट्र जनेश्वरे। तानि राजसहस्राणि समुत्तस्थुः समन्ततः॥
The great king Dhritarashtra, the lord of men, having got up, those thousands of kings all rose up also.
आसनं सर्वतोभद्रं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्। कृष्णार्थं कल्पितं तत्र धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात्॥
A seat respectable in every way and adorned with gold was placed there under instructions from Dhritarashtra.
स्मयमानस्तु राजानं भीष्मद्रोणौ च माधवः। अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा राज्ञश्चान्यान् यथावयः॥
With a smiling face, did the virtuoussouled Madhava great the king, Bhishma and Drona, as also other kings according to their respective age. race
तत्र केशवमानचुः सम्यगभ्यागतं सभाम्। राजानः पार्थिवाः सर्वे कुरवश्च जनार्दनम्॥
Then all the kings and rulers of the earth and all the Kurus worshipped Keshava or Janardana who had come into the AssemblyHall..
तत्र तिष्ठन् स दाशार्हो राजमध्ये परंतपः। अपश्यदन्तरिक्षस्थानृषीन् परपुरंजयः। ततस्तानभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य नारदप्रमुखानृषी॥ अभ्यभाषत दाशार्हो भीष्मं शान्तनवं शनैः। पार्थिवीं समितिं द्रष्टुमृषयोऽभ्यागता नृप॥
That chastiser of foes, the scion of the Dasharha race, while staying there, beheld in the heaven the Rishis who had attained to the better world. And seeing the Rishis under the leadership of Narada, the scion of the Dasharha race said to Bhishma the son of Shantanu slowly, “To see this earthly assembly have the Rishis come, O ruler of men.
निमन्त्र्यन्तामासनैश्च सत्कारेण च भूयसां। नैतेष्वनुपविष्टेषु शक्यं केनचिदासितुम्॥
Invite them with plenty of seats and welcome them; for they remaining unseated, who is capable of taking his seat?
पूजा प्रयुज्यतामाशु मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम्। ऋषीछान्तनवो दृष्ट्वा सभाद्वारमुपस्थितान्॥
Arrange therefore immediately for the worship of these Munis who have conquered their souls.” The son of Shantanu seeing the Rishis come at the very gates of the AssemblyHall.
त्वरमाणस्ततो भृत्यानासनानीत्यचोदयत्। आसनान्यथ मृष्टानि महान्ति विपुलानि च॥
Quickly commanded the attendants to get seats soon for them and they brought many spacious and beautiful seats.
मणिकाञ्चनचित्राणि समाजह्वस्ततस्ततः। तेषु तत्रोपविष्टेषु गृहीतार्धेषु भारत॥
Embroidered with gold and set with gems. After they had accepted due worship and seated themselves, O Bharata.
निषसादासने कृष्णो राजानश्च यथासनम्। दुःशासनः सात्यकये ददावासनमुत्तमम्॥
Krishna took his seat; so did all the kings, in their respective seats. Dushasana offered to Satyaki an excellent seat.
विविंशतिर्ददौ पीठं काञ्चनं कृतवर्मणे। अविदूरे तु कृष्णस्य कर्णदुर्योधनावुभौ॥ एकासने महात्मानौ निषीदतुरमर्षणौ। गान्धारराजः शकुनिर्गान्धारैरभिरक्षितः॥
Vivingshati gave a beautiful golden seat to Kritavarma and not far from Krishna. Karna and Duryodhana, the two men of large-souled and wrathful sat on one and the same seat. The king of the Gandharas Shakuni, surrounded by the Gandhara chiefs.
निषसादासने राजा सहपुत्रो विशाम्पते। विदुरो मणिपीठे तु शुक्लस्पर्ध्या जिनोत्तरे॥
With his son sat on one seat, О lord of the world. The great Vidura sat on a holy seat covered with a white deer skin and decked with gems.
संस्पृशन्नासनं शौरेर्महामतिरूपाविशत्। चिरस्य दृष्ट्वा दाशार्ह राजानः सर्व एव ते॥ अमृतस्येव नातृप्यन् प्रेक्षमाणा जनार्दनम्। अतसीपुष्पसंकाशः पीतवासा जनार्दनः॥
That of great intelligence sat contiguous to the seat of Shauri. All those kings, having for a long time looked at the scion of the Dasharha race, were not gratified with gazing on Janardana as if drinking nectar. Janardana was attired in a yellow robe and looked like the Atasi flower.
व्यभ्राजत सभामध्ये हेम्नीवोपहितो मणि॥
He sat in the midst of that Assembly like a dark gem placed on gold.
ततस्तूष्णीं सर्वमासीद् गोविन्दगतमानसम्। न तत्र कश्चित् किञ्चिद् वा व्याजहार पुमान् क्वचित्।।
They all were silent while Govinda was thinking within himself and no man there mad the slightest utterance. one