जनमेजय उवाच किमर्थं द्विजशार्दूलं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। गान्धार्याः प्रेषयामास वासुदेवं परंतपम्॥ यदा पूर्वं गतः कृष्णः शमार्थं कौरवान् प्रति। न च तं लब्धवान् कामं ततो युद्धमभूदिदम्॥
Janamejaya said “Why did that best of kings, viz., the righteous Yudhishthira, send that scorcher of foes, viz., Vasudeva, to Gandhari? Krishna had at first gone to the Kauravas for the sake of bringing about peace. He was not successful. For this the battle took place.
निहतेषु तु योधेषु हते दुर्योधने तदा। पृथिव्यां पाण्डवेयस्य नि:सपत्ने कृते युधि॥ विद्रुते शिबिरे शून्ये प्राप्ते यशसि चोत्तमे। किं न तत् कारणं ब्रह्मन् येन कृष्णो गतः पुनः॥
When all the warriors were killed and Duryodhana was struck down, when for the battle the empire of Pandu's son became perfectly safe, when all the (Kuru) camp became empty, when the son of Pandu won great glory, what was the cause for which Krishna had once again to go (to Hastinapura)?
न चैतत् कारपां ब्रह्मनल्पं विप्रतिभाति मे। यत्रागमदमेयात्मा स्वयमेव जनार्दनः॥
It seems to me, O Brahimana, that the cause could not be an insignificant one, since it was Janarddana had himself to make the journey.
तत्त्वतो वै समाचक्ष्व सर्वमध्वर्युसत्तम। यचात्र कारणं ब्रह्मन् कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये॥
O foremost of all Adhyaryus, tell me in full what was the reason for undertaking such a mission."
वैशम्पायन उवाच त्वयुक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यन्मां पृच्छसि पार्थिव। तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि यथावद् भरतर्षभ।॥ हतं दुर्योधनं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे। व्युत्क्रम्य समयं राजन् धार्तराष्ट्र महाबलम्॥ अन्यायेन हतं दृष्ट्वा गदायुद्धेन भारत। युधिष्ठिरं महाराज महद् भयमथाविशत्॥ चिन्तयानो महाभागं गान्धारी तपसान्विताम्। घोरेण तपसा युक्तां त्रैलोक्यमपि सा दहेत्॥ तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य बुद्धिः समभवत् तदा। गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीसाया पूर्वं प्रशमनं भवेत्॥
Vaishampayana said “The question you have put, O king, is, indeed, worthy of you! I will tell you everything truly truly as it happened. See Duryodhana, the powerful son of Dhritarashtra, struck down by Bhimasena against the rule of fair fight, and beholding the Kuru king slain unfairly. O Bharata, Yudhishthira, O monarch, was filled with great fear, thinking of the highly-blessed and ascetic Gandhari-'See has practised severe ascetic austerities and can, therefore, consume the three worlds,' this was the thought of the son of Pandu. By sending Krishna, the angry Gandhari, Gandhari, would be comforted before Yudhishthira's own arrival.
सा हि पुत्रवधं श्रुत्वा कृतमस्माभिरीदृशम्। मानसेनाग्निना क्रुद्धा भस्मसान्न: करिष्यति॥
Hearing of the death of her son in such a way, she will, in anger, with the fire of her mind, reduce us to ashes.
कथं दुःखमिदं तीव्र गान्धारी सा सहिष्यति। श्रुत्वा विनिहतं पुत्रं छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम्॥ एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा भयशोकसमन्वितः। वासुदेवमिदं वाक्यं धर्मराजोऽभ्यभाषत॥
How will Gandhari bear such poignant grief, after hearing of her son, who always fought fairly, being slain unfairly by us?' Having thought thus for a long while, king Yudhishthira filled with fear and fried said these words to Vasudeva.
तव प्रसादाद् गोविन्द राज्यं निहतकण्टकम्। अप्राप्यं मनसापीदं प्राप्तमस्माभिरच्युत॥ प्रत्यक्षं मे महाबाहो संग्रामे लोमहर्षणे। विमर्दः सुमहान् प्राप्तस्त्वया यादवनन्दन॥
Through your kindness, O Govinda, my kingdom has been freed from pests. We have gained now what we could not even imagine. Omighty-armed one, in battle, making the very hair to stand on end, thou hadst to bear voilent blows before my very eyes, O delighter of the Yadavas.
त्वया देवासुरे युद्धे वधार्थममरद्विषाम्। यथा साह्यं पुरा दत्तं हताश्च विबुधद्विषः॥
Formerly in the battle between the gods and। the Asuras, thou hadst, lent your help for the destruction of the foes of the celestials, and those enemies were killed.
साह्यं तथा महाबाहो दत्तमस्माकमच्युत। सारथ्येन च वार्ष्णेय भवता हि धृता वयम्॥
Similarly, O mighty-armed one, you have helped us, O you of unfading glory. By agreeing to act as our charioteer, O Vrishnihero, you have all along protected us.
यदि न त्वं भवेर्नाथ: फाल्गुनस्य महारणे। कथं शक्यो रणे जेतुं भवेदेष बलार्णवः॥
If you had not protected Phalguna in dreadful battle, this sea of troops would not have been vanquished?
गदाप्रहारा विपुलाः परिधैश्चापि ताडनम्। शक्तिभिर्भिन्दिपालैश्च तोमरैः सपरश्वधैः॥
You have suffered many blows of the mace, and many strokes of spiked bludgeons and dart and short arrows and lances and battle-axes.
अस्मत्कृते त्वया कृष्ण वाचः सुपरुषाः श्रुताः। शस्त्राणां च निपाता वै वस्पर्शोपमा रणे॥
For our sake, O Krishna, you also put up with many harsh words and endure the violent fall of weapons in battle.
ते च ते सफला जाता हते दुर्योधनेऽच्युत। तत्सर्वं न यथा नश्येत् क्रोधं बुद्ध्यस्व माधव॥
On account of Duryodhana's death, all this has not been fruitless, O you of unfading glory. O Krishna, our heart, however, is yet trembling in doubt. Know, O Madhava, that Gandhari's wrath, has been excited.
सा हि नित्यं महाभाग तपसोग्रेण कर्शिता। पुत्रपौत्रवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवं नः सम्प्रधक्ष्यति॥ तस्याः प्रसादनं वीर प्राप्तकालं मतं मम।
That highly-blessed lady is always weakening herself with the austerest of penances. Hearing of the death of her sons and grandsons, she will forsooth, reduce us to ashes. It is time, O hero, I think, for pacifying her.
कश्च तां क्रोधताम्राक्षी पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिताम्॥ वीक्षितुं पुरुषः शक्तस्त्वामृते पुरुषोत्तम।
Save you, O foremost of men, what other person is there that can even face that lady of red and ranging eyes and greatly overwhelmed with the misfortunes of her children.
तत्र मे गमनं प्राप्तं रोचते तव माधव॥ गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः प्रशमार्थमरिंदम। त्वं हि कर्ता विकर्ता च लोकानां प्रभवाव्ययः॥
O Madhava, I think it is better for you to go, for pacifying Gandhari, O chastiser of foes, who is blazing with wrath. You are the Creator and the Destroyer. You are the first cause of all the worlds, yourself being eternal.
हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैः कालसमीरितैः। क्षिप्रमेव महाबाहो गान्धारी शमयिष्यसि॥
With reasonable words, you will quickly, O you of great wisdomn, be able to pacify Gandhari.
पितामहश्च भगवान् कृष्णस्तत्र भविष्यति। सर्वथा ते महाबाहो गान्धार्याः क्रोधनाशनम्॥ कर्तव्यं सात्वतां श्रेष्ठ पाण्डवानां हितार्थिना।
Our grandsire, the holy KrishnaDvaipayana, will be there. O mighty-armed one, it is your duty to remove by all means in thy power, the anger of Gandhari.
धर्मराजस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा यदुकुलोद्वहः॥ आमन्त्र्य दारुकं प्राह रथः सजो विधीयताम्।
Hearing these words of king Yudhishthira, the Yadu-hero summoning Daruka, said 'Get may car ready.'
केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्वरमाणोऽथ दारुकः॥ न्यवेदयद् रथं सज्जे केशवाय महात्मने।
Having received Keshava's command, Daruka speedily returned and represented to his great master that the car was ready.
तं रथं यादवश्रेष्ठः समारुह्य परंतपः॥ जगाम हास्तिनपुरं त्वरितः केशवो विभुः।
That destroyer of foes and chief of Yadu's race, viz., the Lord Keshava, having got upon the car, proceeded speedily to the city of the Kurus.
ततः प्रायान्महाराज माधवो भगवान् रथी॥ नागसाह्वयमासाद्य प्रविवेश न वीर्यवान्।
The worshipful Madhava then, mounting his vehicle, proceeded, and arrived Hastinapur. at
प्रविश्य नगरं वीरो रथघोषेण नादयन्॥ विदितो धृतराष्ट्रस्य सोऽवतीर्य रथोत्तमात्। अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा धृतराष्ट्रनिवेशनम्॥
Making the city resound with the rattle of his car-wheels as he entered it, he sent word to Dhritarashtra and then got down from his car and entered the palace of the old king.
पूर्वं चाभिगतं तत्र सोऽपश्यदृषिसत्तमम्। पादौ प्रपीड्य कृष्णस्य राज्ञश्चापि जनार्दनः॥ अभ्यवादयदव्यग्रो गान्धारीं चापि केशवः। ततस्तु यादवश्रेष्ठो धृतराष्ट्रमधोक्षजः॥ पाणिमालम्ब्य राजेन्द्र सुस्वरं प्ररुरोद ह।
He there saw that best of Rishis, (viz., Dvaipayana), arrived before him. Embracing the feet of both Vyasa and Dhritarashtra, Janarddana quietly saluted Gandhari also. Then the best of the Yadavas, viz., Vishnu, holding Dhritarashtra by the hand, O king, began to weep.
स मुहूर्तादिवोत्सृज्य बाष्पं शोकसमुद्भवम्॥ प्रक्षाल्य वारिणा नेत्रे ह्याचम्य च यथाविधि। उवाच प्रस्तुतं वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रमरिंदमः॥ न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किंचिद् वृद्धस्य तव भारत। कालस्य च यथावृत्तं तत् ते सुविदितं प्रभो॥
Having wept for a while, he washed his eyes and his face with water according to rules, He then said sweetly to Dhritarashtra'Nothing is unknown to you, O Bharata, about the past and the future. You are wellacquainted, O lord, with the course of time.
यदिदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैस्तव चित्तानुरोधिभिः। कथं कुलक्षयो न स्यात्तथा क्षत्रस्य भारत॥
Out of respect for you the Pandavas had tried to prevent the destruction of their family and the extermination of the Kshatriyas, O Bharata.
भ्रातृभिः समयं कृत्वा क्षान्तवान् धर्मवत्सलः। द्यूतच्छलजितैः शुद्धर्वनवासो ह्युपागतः॥
Having made a compact with his brothers, the virtuous Yudhishthira had lived peacefully. He even went to exile after the unfair defeat at dice.
अज्ञातवासचर्या च नानावेषसमावृतैः। अन्ये च बहवः केशात् त्वशक्तैरिव सर्वदा॥
With his brothers he lived in concealment and disguise. They also suffered various miseries as if they were quite helpless.
मया च स्वयमागम्य युद्धकाल उपस्थिते। सर्वलोकस्य सांनिध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं पञ्च याचितः॥
On the eve of batile I myself came, and before all begged of you only five villages.
त्वया कालोपसृष्टेन लोभतो नापवर्जिताः। तवापराधान्नृपते सर्वं क्षत्रं क्षयं गतम्॥
Out of covetousness, and as destiny would nave it, you did not grant my request. Through you folly, O king, all the Kshatriyas have been exterminated.
भीष्मेण सोमदत्तेन बाह्लीकेन कृपेण च। द्रोणेन च सपुत्रेण विदुरेण च धीमता॥ याचितस्त्वं शमं नित्यं न च तत्कृतवानसि।
Bhisma, and Somadatta, and Valhika, and Kripa, and Drona, and his son and the Wise Vidura, always begged you for peace. You did not, however, follow their advice.
कालोपहतचित्ता हि सर्वे मुह्यन्ति भारत॥ यथा मूढो भवान् पूर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे समुद्यते।
Every one, it seems, loses sense under the influence of Destiny, O Bharata, since even you, O king, as regards this matter, did act so foolishly.
किमन्यत् कालयोगाद्धि दिष्टमेव परायणम्॥ मा च दोषान् महाप्राज्ञ पाण्डवेषु निवेशय।
What else can it be but the effect of Time? Indeed, Destiny always reigns supreme! Do not, O you of great wisdom, attribute any fault to the Pandavas.
अल्पोऽप्यतिक्रमो नास्ति पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्॥ धर्मतो न्यायतश्चैव स्नेहतश्च परंतप।
Judged by the standard of Ethics or reason or affection, the Pandavas have not committed the slightest offense, O scorcher of foes.
एतत् सर्वं तु विज्ञाय ह्यात्मदोषकृतं फलम्॥ असूयां पाण्डुपुत्रेषु न भवान् कर्तुमर्हति।
Knowing all this to be the fruit of you own folly, it is proper for you not to entertain any ill felling towards the Pandavas.
कुलं वंशश्च पिण्डाश्च यच्च पुत्रकृतं फलम्॥ गान्धार्यास्तव वै नाथ पाण्डवेषु प्रतिष्ठितम्।
The perpetuity of race, the offering of funeral cake, and every thing else that depends upon offspring, now depend on the Pandavas as regards both yourself and Gandhari.
त्वं चैव कुरुशार्दूल गान्धारी च यशस्विनी॥ मा शुचो नरशार्दूल पाण्डवान् प्रति किल्बिषम्।
Both you and the renowned Gandhar also, should not entertain malice towards the Pandavas.
एतत्सर्वमनुध्याय आत्मनश्च व्यतिक्रमम्॥ शिवेन पाण्डवान् पाहि नमस्ते भरतर्षभ।
Thinking of all this, and thinking also of your own sins, cherish good feelings towards the Pandavas. I bow to you, O Bharata chief.
जानासि च महाबाहो धर्मराजस्य या त्वयि॥ भक्तिर्भरतशार्दूल स्नेहश्चापि स्वभावतः।
You know, O mighty armed one, the devotion of king Yudhisthira and his affection towards you.
एतच कदनं कृत्वा शत्रूणामपकारिणाम्॥ दह्यते स दिवा रात्रौ न च शर्माधिगच्छति।
Having caused this destruction of foes that wronged him so, he is burning day and night in grief and does and enjoy peace of mind.
त्वां चैव नरशार्दूल गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम्॥ स शोचन् नरशार्दूल: शान्तिं नैवाधिगच्छति।
Grieving for you and for Gandhari, he does not enjoy any happiness.
हिया च परयाऽऽविष्टो भवन्तं नाधिगच्छति॥ पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तं बुद्धिव्याकुलतेन्द्रियम्। एवमुक्त्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्र यदूत्तमः॥ उवाच परमं वाक्यं गान्धारी शोककर्शिताम्। सौबलेयि निबोध त्वं यत् त्वां वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु॥ त्वत्समा नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नद्य सीमन्तिनी शुभे।
Out of shame he does not appear before you who are burning with grief on account of your children and whose understanding and senses have been bewildered.'—having said these words to Dhritarashtra, that foremost one Yadu's race, O king, addressed the griefstricken Gandhari in these words of great significance-O daughter of Subala, O you of excellent vows, hear what I say. O auspicious dame, there is no lady like you in world.
जानासि च यथा राज्ञि सभायां मम संनिधौ॥ धर्मार्थसहितं वाक्यमुभयोः एक्षयोर्हितम्। उक्तवत्यसि कल्याणि न च ते तनयः कृतम्॥
You remember, O queen, those just and fair words which you gave utterance to the assembly before me, words that were beneficial to both the parties—but which your sons, ( auspicious lady, did not pay any heed to.
दुर्योधनस्त्वया चोक्तो जयार्थी परुषं वचः। शृणु मूढ वचो मह्यं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः॥ तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं तव वाक्यं नृपात्मजे। एवं विदित्वा कल्याणि मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः॥
Duryodhana, who coveted victory was reprimanded by you. You told him then-Listen, O fool, to these eternal words, viz., victory follows righteousness-your words, O princes, have now been fulfilled. Knowing all this, O auspicious lady, do not grieve.
पाण्डवानां विनाशाय मा ते बुद्धिः कदाचन। शक्ता चासि महाभागे पृथिवीं सचराचराम्॥ चक्षुषा क्रोधदीप्तेन निर्दग्धुं तपसो बलात्।
Let not your heart be bent towards the destruction of the Pandavas. On account of the power of your penances, you are able, O highly blessed one, to consume with your cyes, burning in anger, the whole Earth with her mobile and immobile creatures.'
वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत्॥ एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि केशव।
Hearing these words of Vasudeva, Gandhari said-'O Keshava, what you say is truel
आधिभिर्दह्यमानाया मति: संचलिता मम॥ सा मे व्यवस्थिता श्रुत्वा तव वाक्यं जनार्दन।
My heart, burning in grief, had been unfixed. After hearing what you said, however, that heart, O Janarddana, has been settled.
राज्ञस्त्वन्धस्य वृद्धस्य हतपुत्रस्य केशव॥ त्वं गतिः सहितैर्वीरैः पाण्डवैर्द्विपदां वर।
Regarding the blind old king, who had now become childless, O foremost of men, you and the sons of Pandu, are his refuge.'
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं मुखं प्रच्छाद्य वाससा॥ पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्ता गान्धारी प्ररुरोद ह।
having said so Gandhari, burning in grief for the death of her sons, covered her face with her cloth and began to weep aloud.
तत एनां महाबाहुः केशवः शोककर्शिताम्॥ हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैराश्वासयत् प्रभुः।
The mighty-armed lord Keshava then solaced the grief-stricken princess with reasonable words and examples.
समाश्वास्य च गान्धारी धृतराष्ट्रं च माधवः॥ द्रौणिसंकल्पितं भावमवबुद्ध्यत् केशवः।
Having comforted Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Keshava of Madhu's race, came to know the evil that was thought of by Drona's son.
ततस्त्वरित उत्थाय पादौ मूर्धा प्रणम्य च॥ द्वैपायनस्य राजेन्द्र ततः कौरवमब्रवीत्। आपृच्छे त्वां कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा च शोके मनः कृथाः॥ द्रौणेः पापोऽस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेनास्मि सहसोत्थितः
Rising up quickly after worshipping the feet of Vyasa with his head, Keshava, O king, addressed Dhritarashtra, saying, 'I take your leave. O foremost of Kuru's race! Do not grieve. The son of Drona has an evil desire. It is for this that I rise so suddenly.
पाण्डवानां वधे रात्रौ बुद्धिस्तेन प्रदर्शिता॥ एतच्छुत्वा तु वचनं गान्धार्या सहितोऽब्रवीत्। धृतराष्ट्रो महाबाहुः केशवं केशिसूदनम्॥ शीघ्रं गच्छ महाबाहो पाण्डवान् परिपालय।
It seems that he had formed a plan for destroying the Pandavas during the night.'.-Hearing these words, both Gandhari and Dhritarashtra said Keshava, the destroyer of Keshin, these words— 'Go quickly, O mighty-armed one, and protect the Pandavas.
भूयस्त्वया समेष्यामि क्षिप्रमेव जनार्दन॥ प्रायात् ततस्तु त्वरितो दारुकेण सहाच्युतः।
See us again soon, O Janarddana!-Then Keshava of unfading glory proceeded with Daruka.
वासुदेवे गते राजन् धृतराष्ट्र जनेश्वरम्॥ आश्वासयदमेयात्मा व्यासो लोकनमस्कृतः।
After Vasudeva had gone, O king, Vyasa, worshipped of the whole world, began to comfort king Dhritarashtra.
वासुदेवोऽपि धर्मात्मा कृतकृत्यो जगाम ह॥ शिबिर हास्तिनपुराद् दिदृक्षुः पाण्डवान् नृप।
The righteous Vasudeva departed, having gained his object successfully, from Hastinapura, for seeing the camp and the Pandavas.
आगम्य शिबिरं सोऽभ्यगच्छत पाण्डवान्। तच तेभ्यः समाख्याय सहितस्तैः समाहितः॥
Arrived at the camp, he went to the Pandavas, Informing them of everything he took his seat with them."