संजय उवाच एवमुक्तस्ततो राजा गौतमेन तपस्विना। निःश्वस्य दीर्घमुष्णं च तूष्णीमासीद् विशाम्पते॥
Sanjaya said Thus addressed by the famous son of Gotama, the king Duryodhana, breathing hard, remained silent, O king.
ततो मुहूर्तं स ध्यात्वा धार्तराष्ट्रो महामनाः। कृपं शारद्वतं वाक्यमित्युवाच परंतपः॥
Having thought for a little while, the great son of Dhritarashtra, that scorcher of foes, then said these words to Sharadvat's son Kripa-
यत् किञ्चित् सुहृदा वाच्यं तत् सर्वं श्रावितो ह्यहम्। कृतं च भवता सर्वं प्राणान् संत्यज्य युध्यता॥
"You have said to me whatever a friend should say. You have also, whilst fighting, done everything for ine, without caring for your very life.
गाहमानमनीकानि युध्यमानं महारथैः। पाण्डवैरतितेजोभिर्लोकस्त्वामनुदृष्टवान्॥
People have seen you enter into the midst of the Pandavas army and fight with the mighty and energetic car-warriors of the Pandavas.
सुहृदां यदिदं वाक्यं भवता श्रावितो ह्यहम्। न मां प्रीणाति तत्सर्वं मुमूर्षोरिव भेषजम्॥
What a friend should say has been said by you. Your words, however, do not please me like medicine that pleases not the person who is no the verge of death.
हेतुकारणसंयुक्तं हितं वचनमुत्तमम्। उच्यमानं महाबाहो न मे विप्राय रोचते॥
These beneficial and excellent words, pregnant with reason, which you, O mightyarmed one, have said, do not scem acceptable to me, O foremost of Brahmanas.
राज्याद् विनिकृतोऽस्माभिः कथं सोऽस्मासु विश्वसेत्। अक्षयूते च नृपतिर्जितोऽस्माभिर्महाधनः॥
Deprived by us of his kingdom on a former occasion, why will the son of Pandu trust us? That great king was once defeated by us at dice. Why will we again believe my words?
स कथं मम वाक्यानि श्रद्दध्याद् भूय एव तु। तथा दौत्येन सम्प्राप्तः कृष्णः पार्थहिते रतः॥
So also, Krishna, ever engaged in the good of the Parthas, when he came to us as an emissary, was cheated by us. Our act was exceedingly unfair. Why then, will Hrishikesha trust my words?
प्रलब्धश्च हृषीकेशस्तच कर्माविचारितम्। स च मे वचनं ब्रह्मन् कथमेवाभिमन्यते॥
The princess Krishna, while standing in the midst of the assembly, wept piteously. Krishna will never forget that act of ours, nor, the deprivation of Yudhishthira by us of his kingdom.
विललाप च यत् कृष्ण सभामध्ये समेयुषी। न तन्मर्षयते कृष्णो न राज्यहरणं तथा॥
Formerly it was heard by us that the two Krishnas are of the same mind and are firmly attached to each other. Today, O lord, we have seen it with our eyes.
एकप्राणावुभौ कृष्णावन्योन्यमभिसंश्रितौ। पुरा यच्छ्रुतमेवासीदद्य पश्यामि तत् प्रभो॥ स्वस्रीयं निहतं श्रुत्वा दुःखं स्वपिति केशवः। कृतागसो वयं तस्य स मदर्थं कथं क्षमेत्॥
Having heard of the death of his sister's son, Keshava passes his nights in sorrow. We have offended him highly. Why will he forgive us then?
आभिमन्योर्विनाशेन न शर्म लभतेऽर्जुनः। स कथं मद्धिते यत्नं प्रकरिष्यति याचितः॥
Arjuna also, in consequence of Abhimanyu's death, has become very miserable. Even if requested, why will he try for iny good?
मध्यमः पाण्डवस्तीक्ष्णो भीमसेनो महाबलः। प्रतिज्ञातं च तेनोग्रं भज्येतापि न संनमेत्॥
The second son of Pandu, Bhimascna, is highly powerful. He has taken a terrible vow. He will break but not bend.
उभौ तौ बद्धनिस्त्रिंशावुभौ चाबद्धकङ्कटौ। कृतवैराबुभौ वीरौ यमावपि यमोपमौ॥
The heroic twins, cherishing hostility against us, when clad in mail and armed with their swords, resemble a pair of Yamas.
धृष्टद्युम्न: शिखण्डी च कृतवैरौ मया सहा तौ कथं मद्धिते यत्नं कुर्यातां द्विजसत्तम॥
Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandin have taken up their swords against me. Why will those two, O best of Brahmanas, try for my good?
दुःशासनेन यत् कृष्ण एकवस्त्रा रजस्वलाः। परिक्लिष्टा सभामध्ये सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः॥
Clad in onc piece of cloth and in her scason, the princess Krishna was treated cruelly by Dushasana in the midst of the assembly and before all.
तथा विवसनां दीनां स्मरत्वद्यापि पाण्डवाः। न निवारयितुं शक्याः संग्रामात्ते परंतपाः॥
Those scorchers of focs, the Pandavas, who still remember the naked Draupadi greatly distressed, can never be dissuaded from batile.
यदा च द्रौपदी क्लिष्टा मद्विनाशाय दुःखिता। स्थण्डिले नित्यदा शेते यावद् वैरस्य यातनम्।॥ उग्रं तेपे तपः कृष्णा भर्तृणामर्थसिद्धये।
Then again, Krishna, the daughter of Drupada, is, with great difficulty, practising the austerest of penances for my destruction and the success of her husbands and sleeps every day on the bare ground, intending to do so till the end of the hostilities is got at.
निक्षिप्य मानं दर्प च वासुदेवसहोदरा॥ कृष्णायाः प्रेष्यवद् भूत्वा शुश्रूषां कुरुते सदा।
Casting off honour and pride, the sister of Vasudeva, Subhadra, is always serving Draupadi like a waiting woman.
इति सर्वं समुन्नद्धं न निर्वाति कथञ्चन॥ अभिमन्योर्विनाशेन स संधेयः कथं मया।
Everything, therefore, is on fire. That fire can never be extinguished. Peace with them is impossible on account of the death of Abhimanyu.
कथं च राजा भुक्त्वेमां पृथिवीं सागराम्बराम्॥ पाण्डवानां प्रसादेन भोक्ष्ये राज्यमहं कथम्।
Having reigned as the sovereign of this Earth bounded by the ocean, how shall I be able to enjoy, by the favor of the Pandavas, a kingdom in peace?
उपर्युपरि राज्ञां वै ज्वलित्वा भास्करो यथा॥ युधिष्ठिरं कथं पश्यादनुयास्यामि दासवत्।
Having spread rays like the sun upon the heads of all the kings, how shall I walk behind Yudhishthira as slave?
कथं भुक्त्वा स्वयं भोगान् दत्त्वा दायांश्च युप्कलान्॥ कृपणं वर्तयिष्यामि कृपणैः सह जीविकाम्।
Having enjoyed all luxuries and shown cat mercy, how shall I lead a miserable life now with wretched men as my companions?
नाभ्यसूयामि ते वाक्यमुक्तं स्निग्धं हितं त्वया॥ न तु सन्धिमहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं कथञ्चन।
I do not disapprove those mild and wholesome words you have spoken. I, however do not think that this is the time for peace.
सुनीतमनुपश्यामि सुयुद्धेन परंतप॥ नायं कीबयितुं कालः संयोद्धं काल एव नः।
A righteous fight is, O scorcher of foes, is regarded by me to be a good policy. This is not the time for acting like a eunuch. On the other hand, this is the time for fighting.
इष्टं मे बुहभिर्यज्ञैर्दत्ता विप्रेषु दक्षिणाः॥ प्राप्ता: कामाः श्रुता वेदाः शत्रूणां मूर्ध्नि च स्थितम्।
I have celebrated many sacrifices. I have given away presents to Brahmanas. I have achieved all my wishes. I have listened to the recitation of the Vedas. I have saved the heads of my foes.
भृत्या मे सुभृतास्तात दीनश्चाभ्युद्धतो जनः॥ नोत्सहेऽद्य द्विजश्रेष्ठ पाण्डवान् वक्तुमीदृशम्।
My servants have all been well cared for by me. I have relieved people in distress. I dare not, O foremost of men, speak such humble words to the Pandavas.
जितानि परराष्ट्रानि स्वराष्ट्रमनुपालितम्॥ भुक्ताश्च विविधा भोगास्त्रिवर्ग: सेवितो मया। पितॄणां गतमानृण्यं क्षत्रधर्मस्य चोभयोः॥
I have conquered foreign kingdoms. I have properly guverned by own kingdom. I have enjoyed various luxuries. I have pursued religion, profit and desire. I have paid off my debt to the departed manes and to Kshatriya duty.
न ध्रुवं सुखमस्तीति कुतो राष्ट्रं कुतो यशः। इह कीर्तिर्विधातव्या सा च युद्धेन नान्यथा॥
Indeed, there is no happiness on this earth. What becomes of kingdom and what of good name? Fame is all that one should acquire here. That fame can be acquired by battle and by no other means.
गृहे यत् क्षत्रियस्यापि निधनं तद् विगर्हितम्। अधर्मः सुमहानेष यच्छय्यामरणं गृहे॥
The death a Kshatriya meets with at home is blamcable. Death on one's bed at home is highly sinful.
अरण्ये यो विमुच्येत संग्रामे वा तनुं नरः। ऋतूनादृत्य महतो महिमानं स गच्छति॥
The man, who casts off his body in the forest or in battle after having performed sacrifices, attains great glory.
कृपणं विलपन्ना” जरयाभिपरिप्लुतः। म्रियते रुद्रतां मध्ये ज्ञातीनां न स पूरुषः॥
He is no man who dies miserably crying in agony, afflicted by disease and decay in the midst of crying kinsmen.
त्यक्त्वा तु विविधान् भोगान् प्राप्तानां परमां गतिम्। अपीदानीं सुयुद्धेन गच्छेयं यत्सलोकताम्॥ शूराणामार्यवृत्तानां संग्रामेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्। धीमतां सत्यसंघानां सर्वेषां ऋतुयाजिनाम्॥ शस्त्रावभृथपूतानां ध्रुवं वासस्त्रिविष्टपे। मुदा नूनं प्रपश्यन्ति युद्धे ह्यप्सरसां गणाः॥ पश्यन्ति नूनं पितरः पूजितान् सुरसंसदि। अप्सरोभिः परिवृतान् मोदमानांस्त्रिविष्टपे॥
Abandoning various objects of enjoyment, I shall now, by a righteous battle, repair to the regions of Shakra, obtaining the companionship of those that have attained to the highest end. Forsooth, that is the habitation of pious heroes, who never retreat from battle, who are intelligence and devoted to truth and who celebrate sacrifices, who took bath in the current of weapons, they always reside in the heaven The various divisions of Apsaras, forsooth, look with joy at such heroes when engaged in battle. Forsooth, the Pitris behold them adored in the assembly of the gods and rejoicing in heaven, in the company of Apsaras.
पन्थानममरैर्यान्तं शूरैश्चैवानिवर्तिभिः। अपि तत्संगतं मार्ग वयमध्यारुहेमहि॥ पितामहेन वृद्धेन तथाऽऽचार्येण धीमता। जयद्रथेन कर्णेन तथा दुःशासनेन च॥
We will now ascend the path that is trod by the celestials and by heroes who never retreat from battle, the path followed by our venerable grandfather, by the highly intelligent preceptor, by Jayadratha, by Karna and by Dushasana.
घटमाना मदर्थेऽस्मिन् हताः शूरा जनाधिपाः। शेरते लोहिताक्ताङ्गा संग्रामे शरविक्षतः॥
Many brave kings, who tried their best for me in this battle, have been killed. Wounded with shafts and their limbs bathed in blood, they lie now on the nacked Earth.
उत्तमास्त्रविदः शूरा यथोक्तक्रतुयाजिनः। त्यक्त्वा प्राणान् यथान्यायमिन्द्रसास्वधिष्ठिताः॥
Courageous and masters of weapons, those kings, who had performed sacrifices according to the scriptures, having given their lives in the discharge of their duties, have now become the inhabitants of Indra's region.
तैः स्वयं रचितो मार्गो दुर्गमो हि पुनर्भवेत्। सम्पतद्भिर्महावेगैर्यास्यद्भिरिह सद्गतिम्॥
They have gone there. The road will once more become difficult on account of a number of heroes that will hurry along it for reaching that happy region.
ये मदर्थे हता शूरास्तेषां कृतमनुस्मरन्। ऋणं तत् प्रतियुञ्जानो न राज्ये मन आदधे॥
Recollect with gratitude the deeds of those heroes that have died for me. I desire to satisfy my debt, instead of thinking of the kingdom.
घातयित्वा वयस्यांश्च भ्रातृनथ पितामहान्। जीवितं यदि रक्षेयं लोको मां गर्हयेद् ध्रुवम्॥
If, having caused my friends and brothers and grandsires to be killed, I save my own life, people will undoubtedly blame me.
कीदृशं च भवेद् राज्यं मम हीनस्य बन्धुभिः। सखिभिश्च विशेषेण प्रणिपत्य च पाण्डवम्॥
It will be useless for me to enjoy the kingdom, destitute of kinsmen and friends and well-wishers and submitting to the son of Pandu.
सोऽहमेतादृशं कृत्वा जगतोऽस्य पराभवम्। सुयुद्धेन ततः स्वर्गं प्राप्स्यामि न तदन्यथा॥
I, who was the master of the universe, will now acquire heaven by fair fight. It will not be otherwise.
एवं दुर्योधनेनोक्तं सर्वे सम्पूज्य तद्वचः। साधु साध्विति राजानं क्षत्रियाः सम्बभाषिरे॥
Thus addressed by Duryodhana, all the Kshatriyas praised that speech and cheered the king, saying-Well, Well!
पराजयमशोचन्तः कृतचित्ताश्च विक्रमे। सर्वे सुनिश्चिता योद्धमुदग्रमनसोऽभवन्॥
Without at all grieving for their defeat and firmly bent upon displaying their prowess, all of them, prepared for fight, became enthusiastic.
ततो वाहान् समाश्वस्य सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः। ऊने द्वियोजने गत्वा प्रत्यतिष्ठन्त कौरवाः॥
Having given their horses to the syces, the Kauravas, delighting at the prospect of battle, lived (for the night) at a spot little less than two Yojanas in distance from the field.
आकाशे विद्रुमे पुण्ये प्रस्थे हिमवतः शुभे। अरुणां सरस्वतीं प्राप्य पपुः सस्नुश्च ते जलम्॥ तव पुत्रकृतोत्साहाः पर्यवर्तन्त ते ततः।
Having reached the Sarasvati of red waters on the sacred and beautiful table-land at the foot of the Himalaya, they bathed in that water and satisfied their thirst with it. Excited by your son, they halted there.
पर्यवस्थाप्य चात्मानमन्योन्येन पुनस्तदा। सर्वे राजन् न्यवर्तन्त क्षत्रियाः कालचोदिताः॥
Once more rallying themselves, all the Kshatriyas, O king, urged by destiny waited there.