वैशम्पायन उवाच तत: शारद्वतो वाक्यमित्युवाच कृपस्तदा। युक्तं प्राप्तं च वृद्धेन पाण्डवान् प्रति भाषितम्॥
Vaishampayana said Thereupon Sharadvata's son Kripa said the following words: “What the aged Bhishma has said about the Pandavas is reasonable and suited to the occasion.
धर्मार्थसहितं श्लक्ष्णं तत्त्वतश्च सहेतुकम्। तत्रानुरूपं भीष्मेण ममाप्यत्र गिरं शृणु।॥
Consistent with Dharma and Artha, praise worthy, reasonable, truthful and is worthy of him. Hear my words on this.
तेषां चैव गतिस्तीर्थैर्वासश्चैषां प्रचिन्त्यताम्। नीतिर्विधीयतां चापि साम्प्रतं या हिता भवेत्॥
It is proper for you to find out the way they have followed and their whereabouts through spies and adopt what may conduce to your well-being.
नावज्ञेयो रिपुस्तात प्राकृतोऽपि बुभूषता। किं पुनः पाण्डवास्तात सर्वास्त्रकुशला रणे॥
O my child, one seeking his welfare should not disregard an enemy, even if he be an ordinary man, what to speak of the Pandavas, well-versed in forms of warfare.
तस्मात् सत्रं प्रविष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु। गूढभावेषु छन्नेषु काले चोदयमागते॥ स्वराष्ट्र परराष्ट्रे च ज्ञातव्यं बलमात्मनः। उदयः पाण्डवानां च प्राप्ते काले न संशयः॥
When the time for the return of the highsoul Pandavas comes, who are now passing their days in close disguise in woods you should gauge your own strength in your own kingdom and in those of other kings. Forsooth, the time of the return of the Pandavas is near at hand.
निवृत्तसमयाः पार्था महात्मानो महाबलाः। महोत्साहा भविष्यन्ति पाण्डवा ह्यमितौजसः॥
When the time of their exile shall be over, the high-minded and the greatly powerful son of Pritha, of incomparable prowess, shall be brimful with energy.
तस्माद् बलं च कोषश्च नीतिश्चापि विधीयताम्। यथा कालोदये प्राप्ते सम्यक् तैः संदधामहे॥
Therefore (replenish) your treasury and (increase) your forces; and take recourse to a sound policy to conclude an advantageous treaty with them, when the proper time of their return comes.
तात बुद्ध्यापि तत् सर्वं बुध्यस्व बलमात्मनः। नियतं सर्वमित्रेषु बलवत्स्वबलेषु च॥
Knowing all this, determine your own strength, O my child, with respect to your allies, weak and powerful.
उच्चावचं बलं ज्ञात्वा मध्यस्थं चापि भारत। प्रहृष्टमप्रहृष्टं च संदधाम तथा परैः॥
Determining the efficiency, weakness or indifference of your forces, as well as who amongst them are satisfied and dissatisfied we should enter into fight with our enemies or form a treaty.
साम्ना दानेन भेदेन दण्डेन बलिकर्मणा। न्यायेनाक्रम्य च परान् बलाच्चानभ्य दुर्बलान्॥ सान्त्वयित्वा तु मित्राणि बलं चाभाष्यतां सुखम्। सुकोषबलसंवृद्धः सम्यक् सिद्धिमवाप्स्यसि॥
Resorting to the expedients of conciliation, disunion, chastisement, bribery, presents and fair conduct attack your-enemies and vanquish the weak by strength and reconcile the allies and soldiers by sweet speeches. When you shall be able to reinforce your army and replenish your treasury success shall be yours.
योत्स्यसे चापि बलिभिररिभिः प्रत्युपस्थितैः। अन्यस्त्वं पाण्डवैर्वापि हीनैः स्वबलवाहनैः
You shall then be able to fight with the powerful enemies who will come-what of Pandavas, weak in soldiers and animals.
एवं सर्वं विनिश्चित्य व्यवसायं स्वधर्मतः। यथाकालं मनुष्येन्द्र चिरं सुखमवाप्स्यसि॥
Having determined all these expedients according to the practice of your order, you shall, O king of men, acquire lasting happiness in due time.