THE MAHABHARATA
CONDENSED IN
THE POET’S OWN WORDS
THE POET’S OWN WORDS
By PANDIT
A. M. SRINIVASACHARIAR
A. M. SRINIVASACHARIAR
Translated By Dr V, Raghavan M.A.,
Ph.D. & Published By G.A. Natesan & Co., Madras
Ph.D. & Published By G.A. Natesan & Co., Madras
॥ आदिपर्व ॥
Return of Pandavas , get half of the Kingdom, Yudhishthira crowned
at Indraprastha
at Indraprastha
विदुरस्त्वथ ताच्छ्रुत्वा द्रौपद्या
पाण्डवान्वृतान्।
पाण्डवान्वृतान्।
व्रीडितान्धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च
धृतराष्ट्रं [विशांपते]
धृतराष्ट्रं [विशांपते]
उचाच ’दिष्ट्या
कुरवो वर्धन्त ’ इति विस्मितः।
कुरवो वर्धन्त ’ इति विस्मितः।
“कृष्णया संवृताः पार्थाः पूजिता
द्रुपदेन च” ॥
द्रुपदेन च” ॥
Hearing
then that Pandavas had been chosen as husbands by Draupadi and that the sons of
Dhritarashtra had been stricken with shame, Vidura, with pleasant surprise,
told Dhritarashtra: “Luckily, the Kurus thrive in glory. The Pandavas have been chosen as husbands by
Draupadi and have been honoured by Drupada”
then that Pandavas had been chosen as husbands by Draupadi and that the sons of
Dhritarashtra had been stricken with shame, Vidura, with pleasant surprise,
told Dhritarashtra: “Luckily, the Kurus thrive in glory. The Pandavas have been chosen as husbands by
Draupadi and have been honoured by Drupada”
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं विदुरस्य
नराधिपः।
नराधिपः।
आकारच्छादनार्थाय दिष्ट्या दिष्ट्येति
चाब्रवीत्॥
चाब्रवीत्॥
On hearing
these words of Vidura, the king, to conceal his feeling, said: “Luckily,
luckily.”
these words of Vidura, the king, to conceal his feeling, said: “Luckily,
luckily.”
ततो दुर्योधनश्चाति राधेयश्च
[विशांपते]।
[विशांपते]।
धृतराष्ट्रमुपागम्य वचोऽब्रूतामिदं
तदा॥
तदा॥
Then,
Duryodhana and Karna, approached Dhritarashtra and said these words:
Duryodhana and Karna, approached Dhritarashtra and said these words:
सन्निधौ विदुरस्य त्वां दोषं
वक्तुं न शक्नुवः।
वक्तुं न शक्नुवः।
विविक्तमिति वक्ष्यावः किं तवेदं
चिकीर्षितम्॥
चिकीर्षितम्॥
“We are not
able to criticise you in Vidura’s presence; we speak (now) because we are
alone; what is this you want to do?
able to criticise you in Vidura’s presence; we speak (now) because we are
alone; what is this you want to do?
’सपत्नवृद्धिं यत्तात मन्यसे
वृद्धिमात्मनः।
वृद्धिमात्मनः।
अभिष्टौषि च यत्क्षत्तुः समीपे
द्विपदां वर।
द्विपदां वर।
तेषां बलविघातो हि कर्तव्यस्तात
नित्यशः॥
नित्यशः॥
“You
consider the prosperity of our rivals your own! You, best among men, praise the
(Pandavas) in the presence of Vidura! Father, destruction of their power it is
that should be our constant task.”
consider the prosperity of our rivals your own! You, best among men, praise the
(Pandavas) in the presence of Vidura! Father, destruction of their power it is
that should be our constant task.”
धृतराष्ट्रः-
’अहमप्येवमेवैतच्चिकीर्षामि
यथा युवाम्।
यथा युवाम्।
विवेक्तुं नाहमिच्छामि त्वाकारं
विदुरं प्रति॥
विदुरं प्रति॥
Dhritarashtra-
“ I too am
desirous of doing this even as you are, but I do not want to disclose my
intention to Vidura.”
desirous of doing this even as you are, but I do not want to disclose my
intention to Vidura.”
“भूय एव तु भीष्मश्च द्रोणो
विदुर एव च।
विदुर एव च।
युवां च कुरुतां बुद्धिं
भवेद्या नस्सुखोदया॥
भवेद्या नस्सुखोदया॥
“Again let
Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and you two also think out a policy which will be productive
of weal for us.”
Bhishma, Drona, Vidura and you two also think out a policy which will be productive
of weal for us.”
तत आनाय्य तान् सर्वान्
मन्त्रयामास वै तदा॥
मन्त्रयामास वै तदा॥
Bringing
then all those persons, Dhritarashtra held a consultation.
then all those persons, Dhritarashtra held a consultation.
भीष्मः-
’न रोचते विग्रहो मे पाण्डुपुत्रैः
कथञ्चन।
कथञ्चन।
यथैव धृतराष्ट्रो मे तथा
पाण्डुरसंशयम्
Bhishma-
पाण्डुरसंशयम्
Bhishma-
Hostility
in any manner with the sons of Pandu is not to my liking. Surely, as
Dhritarashtra is to me, so is Pandu also.
in any manner with the sons of Pandu is not to my liking. Surely, as
Dhritarashtra is to me, so is Pandu also.
मधुरेणैव राज्यस्य तेषामर्धं
प्रदीयताम्।
प्रदीयताम्।
न चापि तेषां वीराणां जीवतां
कुरुनन्दन।
कुरुनन्दन।
पित्र्योंऽशः शक्य आदातुमपि वज्रभृता स्वयम् ॥
“In love,
let half of the kingdom be given to them.
Nor is it possible, scion of Kuru, even for Indra himself to take away
their paternal share while those warriors are alive”
let half of the kingdom be given to them.
Nor is it possible, scion of Kuru, even for Indra himself to take away
their paternal share while those warriors are alive”
द्रोणः-
ममाप्येषा मतिस्तात या
भीष्मस्य महात्मनः॥
भीष्मस्य महात्मनः॥
Drona-
“Dear king,
the opinion of the high-souled Bhishma is mine also”
the opinion of the high-souled Bhishma is mine also”
विदुरः-
’प्रियं हितं च तद्वाक्यमुक्तवान्
कुरुसत्तमः।
कुरुसत्तमः।
भीष्मो, द्रोणेन बहुधा भाषितं हितमुत्तमम्॥
एतद्धि परमं श्रेयो मन्येऽहं
तव भारत॥
तव भारत॥
Vidura-
“Bhishma,
the best of the Kurus, has spoken words which are pleasing and beneficial; and
what is best and salutary in various ways has been spoken by Drona”
“Scion of Bharata! I consider this as the greatest good for you”
the best of the Kurus, has spoken words which are pleasing and beneficial; and
what is best and salutary in various ways has been spoken by Drona”
“Scion of Bharata! I consider this as the greatest good for you”
‘यच्चाप्यशक्यतां तेषामाहतुः पुरुषर्षभौ।
तत्तथा पुरुषव्याघ्र यतः
कृष्णस्ततो जयः॥
कृष्णस्ततो जयः॥
“And as to
what those two great men said of the invincibility of the Pandavas, that is
true, great man. Where Krishna is, there
victory is.
what those two great men said of the invincibility of the Pandavas, that is
true, great man. Where Krishna is, there
victory is.
‘यच्च साम्नैव शक्येत कार्यं
साधयितुं नृप।
साधयितुं नृप।
को दैवशप्तस्तत्कार्यं
विग्रहेण समाचरेत् ॥’
विग्रहेण समाचरेत् ॥’
“King,
which fate-accursed person will do by conflict the thing which can be achieved
by conciliation itself?”
which fate-accursed person will do by conflict the thing which can be achieved
by conciliation itself?”
“श्रुत्वा च जीवतः पार्थान्
पौरजानपदा जनाः।
पौरजानपदा जनाः।
बलवद्दर्शने हृष्टाः तेषां
राजन् प्रियं कुरु॥
राजन् प्रियं कुरु॥
“Hearing
that the Pandavas are alive, the citizens and the country-folk are intensely
eager to see them; king, do what pleases them.
that the Pandavas are alive, the citizens and the country-folk are intensely
eager to see them; king, do what pleases them.
“दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च शकुनिश्चापि
सौबलः।
सौबलः।
अधर्मयुक्ताः दुष्प्रज्ञा
बाला मैषां वचः कृथाः॥“
बाला मैषां वचः कृथाः॥“
“Duryodhana,
Karna and Sakuni are unrighteous, of vicious mind and (mere) boys; do not do
what they say.”
Karna and Sakuni are unrighteous, of vicious mind and (mere) boys; do not do
what they say.”
धृतराष्ट्रः-
“ दिष्ट्या जीवन्ति ते पार्था
दिष्ट्या जीवति सा पृथा।
दिष्ट्या जीवति सा पृथा।
दिष्ट्या द्रुपदकन्यां
च लब्धवन्तो महारथाः।
च लब्धवन्तो महारथाः।
त्वमेव गत्वा विदुर तानिहानय
मा चिरम् ॥“
मा चिरम् ॥“
Dhritarashtra-
“Luckily,
the Pandavas are alive; luckily, Kunti lives; luckily those warriors have
obtained the daughter of Drupada also.
Vidura, yourself go and bring them; delay not.”
the Pandavas are alive; luckily, Kunti lives; luckily those warriors have
obtained the daughter of Drupada also.
Vidura, yourself go and bring them; delay not.”
एवमुक्तस्ततः क्षत्ता
रथमारुह्य शीघ्रगम्।
रथमारुह्य शीघ्रगम्।
आगात्कतिपयाहोभिः पाञ्चालान्
राजधर्मवित् ॥
राजधर्मवित् ॥
So told,
Vidura who knew the royal code, then mounted a swift chariot and in a few days,
came to the Panchala country.
Vidura who knew the royal code, then mounted a swift chariot and in a few days,
came to the Panchala country.
ददर्श पाण्डवांस्तत्र
वासुदेवं च [भारत]।
वासुदेवं च [भारत]।
वचनाद् धृतराष्ट्रस्य
पप्रच्छानामयं ततः ॥
पप्रच्छानामयं ततः ॥
There he
saw the Pandavas and Krishna. He then
enquired of their welfare in Dhritarashtra’s name.
saw the Pandavas and Krishna. He then
enquired of their welfare in Dhritarashtra’s name.
ततस्ते समनुज्ञाता द्रुपदेन
महात्मना।
महात्मना।
आदाय द्रौपदीं जग्मुर्नगरं
नागसाह्वयम्॥
नागसाह्वयम्॥
Then, given
leave by the high souled Drupada, the Pandavas went to the city of Hastinapura,
taking Draupadi.
leave by the high souled Drupada, the Pandavas went to the city of Hastinapura,
taking Draupadi.
पाण्डवानागताञ्छ्रुत्वा
नागरास्तु कुतूहलात्।
नागरास्तु कुतूहलात्।
मण्डयाञ्चक्रिरे तत्र
नगरं नागसाह्वयम्॥
नगरं नागसाह्वयम्॥
In their
delight on hearing that the Pandavas had come, the citizens decorated the city
of Hastinapura.
delight on hearing that the Pandavas had come, the citizens decorated the city
of Hastinapura.
पृष्टास्तु कुशलप्रश्नं
सर्वेण नगरेण ते।
सर्वेण नगरेण ते।
समाविशन्त वेश्मानि धृतराष्ट्रस्य
शासनात् ||
शासनात् ||
Enquired of
their welfare by the whole city , the Pandavas took up their abodes at the
behest of Dhritarashtra.
their welfare by the whole city , the Pandavas took up their abodes at the
behest of Dhritarashtra.
विश्रान्तास्ते महात्मानः
कञ्चित्कालं सकेशवाः ।
कञ्चित्कालं सकेशवाः ।
आहूता धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा
शान्तनवेन च ॥
शान्तनवेन च ॥
When they
had rested for some time along with Krishna, the high-souled Pandavas were
called by King Dhritarashtra and Bhima
had rested for some time along with Krishna, the high-souled Pandavas were
called by King Dhritarashtra and Bhima
धृतराष्ट्रः-
भ्रातृभिस्सह कौन्तेय निबोधेदं वचो मम।
पाण्डुना वर्धितं राज्यं पालितं शासनान्मम॥
Dhritarashtra:-
“Son of
Kunti! Harken these words of mine along with your brothers. This kingdom was
developed by Pandu and protected (by him) on my behest.
Kunti! Harken these words of mine along with your brothers. This kingdom was
developed by Pandu and protected (by him) on my behest.
अर्धराज्यं तु संप्राप्य
खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविश।
खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविश।
केशवो यदि मन्येत तत्कर्तव्यमसंशयम्॥
“Take half
of the kingdom and settle in Khandavaprastha.
If Krishna were to approve, it must be surely done.
of the kingdom and settle in Khandavaprastha.
If Krishna were to approve, it must be surely done.
’अभिषेकस्य संभारान् क्षत्तरानय
मा चिरम्।
मा चिरम्।
अभिषिक्तं करिष्यामि ह्यद्य
वै कुरुनन्दनम् ॥
वै कुरुनन्दनम् ॥
“Vidura!,
delay not; bring the things necessary for the coronation; now shall I have the
scion of Kuru (Yudhishthira) crowned.
delay not; bring the things necessary for the coronation; now shall I have the
scion of Kuru (Yudhishthira) crowned.
‘ब्राह्मणा नैगमश्रेष्ठाः
श्रेणीमुख्याश्च सर्वशः।
श्रेणीमुख्याश्च सर्वशः।
आहूयन्तां प्रकृतयो बान्धवाश्च
विशेषतः ॥
विशेषतः ॥
“Let
Brahmins, the principal citizens, all the chief of guilds, the counsellors and
(our) kinsmen especially, be called.
Brahmins, the principal citizens, all the chief of guilds, the counsellors and
(our) kinsmen especially, be called.
भीष्मो द्रोणः कृपः
क्षत्ता साधुसाध्वित्यथाब्रुवन् ॥
Then, “Well
done, well done.” said Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura.
done, well done.” said Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Vidura.
तस्मिन् क्षणे [महाराज] कृष्णद्वैपायनस्तदा।
कारयामास विधिवत् केशवानुमते
तदा।
तदा।
मूर्धाभिषक्तं कौन्तेयं
धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥
धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥
At that
moment, Vyasa, with Krishna’s permission, crowned Yudhishthara in the
prescribed manner. And Dhritarashtra spoke thus:
moment, Vyasa, with Krishna’s permission, crowned Yudhishthara in the
prescribed manner. And Dhritarashtra spoke thus:
समक्षं वासुदेवस्य कुरूणां
च समक्षतः।
च समक्षतः।
अभिषेकस्त्वया प्राप्तो
दुष्प्रापो ह्यकृतात्मभिः ॥
दुष्प्रापो ह्यकृतात्मभिः ॥
“(Yudhishthira!) in the presence of Krishna and the Kurus, you
have had the coronation that can hardly be obtained by those who have not
conquered themselves.
have had the coronation that can hardly be obtained by those who have not
conquered themselves.
‘गच्छ त्वं खाण्डवप्रस्थं
पुरं राष्ट्रं च वर्धय।
पुरं राष्ट्रं च वर्धय।
“Go to
Khandavaprastha and bring the city and the country to prosperity.
Khandavaprastha and bring the city and the country to prosperity.
‘प्रतिगृह्य तु तद्वाक्यं
तस्मै सर्वे प्रणम्य च।
तस्मै सर्वे प्रणम्य च।
प्रतस्थिरे ततो घोषसंयुक्तैस्स्यन्दनैर्वरैः
॥
॥
Accepting
those words and bowing to Dhritarashtra, all the Pandavas started then in
excellent, rumbling chariots.
those words and bowing to Dhritarashtra, all the Pandavas started then in
excellent, rumbling chariots.
वासुदेवो जगन्नाथश्चिन्तयामास वासवम्।
महेन्द्रशासनाद्गत्वा विश्वकर्मा
तु केशवम्|
तु केशवम्|
प्रणम्य प्रणिपातार्हं किं
करोमीत्यभाषत॥
करोमीत्यभाषत॥
Vasudeva,
the Lord of the Universe, thought of Indra.
Going to Kesava at the bidding of Indra, and bowing to him who is worthy
of salutation, Vishwakarma said:”What shall I do?”
the Lord of the Universe, thought of Indra.
Going to Kesava at the bidding of Indra, and bowing to him who is worthy
of salutation, Vishwakarma said:”What shall I do?”
वासुदेवस्तु तच्छ्रुत्वा
विश्वकर्माणमूचिवान्।
विश्वकर्माणमूचिवान्।
कुरुष्व कुरुराजस्य महेन्द्रपुरसन्निभम्।
इन्द्रेण कृतनामानमिन्द्रप्रस्थं
महापुरम्॥
महापुरम्॥
Hearing
that Vasudeva told Vishwakarma-
that Vasudeva told Vishwakarma-
“Create for
Yudhishthira the great city of Indraprastha similar to the city of Indra and
named after Indra.”
Yudhishthira the great city of Indraprastha similar to the city of Indra and
named after Indra.”
ततस्स विश्वकर्मा तु चकार
पुरमुत्तमम्।
पुरमुत्तमम्।
प्राकारेण च संपन्नं दिवमावृत्य
तिष्ठता॥
तिष्ठता॥
Vishwakarma
then built an excellent city, having a rampart which stood hiding the heavens.
then built an excellent city, having a rampart which stood hiding the heavens.
तत्रागच्छन्द्विजा
[राजन्] सर्ववेदविदां वराः।
[राजन्] सर्ववेदविदां वराः।
निवासं रोचयन्ति स्म सर्वभाषाविदस्तथा।
वणिजश्चाययुस्तत्र सर्वशिल्पविदस्तदा॥
Brahmins,
the best among those who knew all the Vedas, came to that city; similarly those
knowing all languages loved to live there; and merchants and artisans of all
kinds came there.
the best among those who knew all the Vedas, came to that city; similarly those
knowing all languages loved to live there; and merchants and artisans of all
kinds came there.
उद्यानानि च रम्याणि नगरस्य
समन्ततः।
समन्ततः।
तटाकानि च रम्याणि बृहन्ति
सुबहूनि च॥
सुबहूनि च॥
There were
beautiful gardens around the city and
there were also many beautiful and big tanks.
beautiful gardens around the city and
there were also many beautiful and big tanks.
चातुर्वर्ण्यसमाकीर्णमिन्द्रप्रस्थं
युधिष्ठिरः
युधिष्ठिरः
कृतमङ्गलसंस्कारैर्ब्राह्मणैर्वेदपारगैः।
द्वैपायनं पुरस्कृत्य
धौम्यस्याभिमते स्थितः।
द्वैपायनं पुरस्कृत्य
धौम्यस्याभिमते स्थितः।
भ्रातृभिस्सहितो राजा केशवेन
सहाभिभूः ।
सहाभिभूः ।
तोरणद्वारसुमुखं प्रविवेश महाद्युतिः॥
With
the auspicious rites and worship performed by Brahmins who were masters of the
Vedas, with Vyasa in the front and in obedience to Dhaumya, king yudhishthira
of great splendour entered, together with his brothers and Krishna,
Indraprastha, which teemed with people of the four castes and was beautiful
with arched gateways.
the auspicious rites and worship performed by Brahmins who were masters of the
Vedas, with Vyasa in the front and in obedience to Dhaumya, king yudhishthira
of great splendour entered, together with his brothers and Krishna,
Indraprastha, which teemed with people of the four castes and was beautiful
with arched gateways.
प्रविश्य भवनं राजा ततो वार्ष्णेयमब्रवीत्।
’तव प्रसादाद्वार्ष्णेय राज्यं
प्राप्तं मयाऽनघ।
प्राप्तं मयाऽनघ।
गतिस्त्वमापत्कालेऽपि पाण्डवानां
च माधव॥
च माधव॥
After entering the palace, king Yudhishthira
said to Krishna: “Immaculate Krishna, by your grace has this kingdom been
obtained. In times of adversity, you are
the refuge of the Pandavas.
said to Krishna: “Immaculate Krishna, by your grace has this kingdom been
obtained. In times of adversity, you are
the refuge of the Pandavas.
कृष्णः
त्वत्प्रभावान्महाराज्यं
संप्राप्तं हि स्वधर्मतः।
संप्राप्तं हि स्वधर्मतः।
पितृपैतामहं राज्यं कथं न
स्यात्तव प्रभो।
स्यात्तव प्रभो।
यथेष्टं पालय जगच्छश्वद्धर्मधुरं
वह ॥
वह ॥
Krishna-
“King, this
vast kingdom has been obtained by your greatness and by your own Dharma. How can this kingdom handed down by your
father and grandfather fail to be yours? Protect the world according to its wishes. Uphold Dharma for all time.”
vast kingdom has been obtained by your greatness and by your own Dharma. How can this kingdom handed down by your
father and grandfather fail to be yours? Protect the world according to its wishes. Uphold Dharma for all time.”
प्राप्य राज्यं महातेजास्सत्यसन्धो युधिष्ठिरः।
पालयामास धर्मेण पृथिवीं भ्रातृभिस्सह॥
Having
obtained the kingdom, the very virtuous Yudhishthira, true to his promise,
together with his brothers, protected the world with Dharma.
obtained the kingdom, the very virtuous Yudhishthira, true to his promise,
together with his brothers, protected the world with Dharma.
