srimahabharat - udyoga parva (book 5) chapters 141 to 150

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Book 5
Chapter 141

1 [s]
      keśavasya tu tad vākyaṃ karṇaḥ śrutvā hitaṃ śubham
      abravīd abhisaṃpūjya kṛṣṇaṃ madhu niṣūdanam
      jānan māṃ hiṃ mahābāho saṃmohayitum icchasi
  2 yo 'yaṃ pṛthivyāḥ kārtsnyena vināśaḥ samupasthitaḥ
      nimittaṃ tatra śakunir ahaṃ duḥśāsanas tathā
      duryodhanaś ca nṛpatir dhṛtarāṣṭra suto 'bhavat
  3 asaṃśayam idaṃ kṛṣṇa mahad yuddham upasthitam
      pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca ghoraṃ rudhirakardamam
  4 rājāno rājaputrāś ca duryodhana vaśānugāḥ
      raṇe śastrāgninā dagdhāḥ prāpsyanti yamasādanam
  5 svapnā hi bahavo ghorā dṛśyante madhusūdana
      nimittāni ca ghorāṇi tathotpātāḥ sudāruṇāḥ
  6 parājayaṃ dhārtarāṣṭre vijayaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhire
      śaṃsanta iva vārṣṇeya vividhā lomaharṣaṇāḥ
  7 prājāpatyaṃ hi nakṣatraṃ grahas tīkṣṇo mahādyutiḥ
      śanaiścaraḥ pīḍayati pīḍayan prāṇino 'dhikam
  8 kṛtvā cāṅgārako vakraṃ jyeṣṭhāyāṃ madhusūdana
      anurādhāṃ prārthayate maitraṃ saṃśamayann iva
  9 nūnaṃ maha bhayaṃ kṛṣṇa kurūṇāṃ samupasthitam
      viśeṣeṇa hi vārṣṇeya citrāṃ pīḍayate grahaḥ
  10 somasya lakṣma vyāvṛttaṃ rāhur arkam upeṣyati
     divaś colkāḥ patanty etāḥ sanirghātāḥ sakampanāḥ
 11 niṣṭananti ca mātaṅgā muñcanty asrūṇi vājinaḥ
     pānīyaṃ yavasaṃ cāpi nābhinandanti mādhava
 12 prādurbhūteṣu caiteṣu bhayam āhur upasthitam
     nimitteṣu mahābāho dāruṇaṃ prāṇināśanam
 13 alpe bhukte purīṣaṃ ca prabhūtam iha dṛśyate
     vājināṃ vāraṇānāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ ca keśava
 14 dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu sarveṣu madhusūdana
     parābhavasya tal liṅgam iti prāhur manīṣiṇaḥ
 15 prahṛṣṭaṃ vāhanaṃ kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavānāṃ pracakṣate
     pradakṣiṇā mṛgāś caiva tat teṣāṃ jayalakṣaṇam
 16 apasavyā mṛgāḥ sarve dhārtarāṣṭrasya keśava
     vācaś cāpy aśarīriṇyas tatparābhava lakṣaṇam
 17 mayūrāḥ puṣpaśakunā haṃsāḥ sārasacātakāḥ
     jīvaṃ jīvaka saṃghāś cāpy anugacchanti pāṇḍavān
 18 gṛdhrāḥ kākā baḍāḥ śyenā yātudhānāḥ śalā vṛkāḥ
     makṣikāṇāṃ ca saṃghātā anugacchanti kauravān
 19 dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu bherīṇāṃ nāsti nisvanaḥ
     anāhatāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ nadanti paṭahāḥ kila
 20 udapānāś ca nardanti yathā govṛṣabhās tathā
     dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu tatparābhava lakṣaṇam
 21 māṃsaśoṇitavarṣaṃ ca vṛṣṭaṃ devena mādhava
     tathā gandharvanagaraṃ bhānumantam upasthitam
     saprākāraṃ saparikhaṃ savapraṃ cārutoraṇam
 22 kṛṣṇaś ca parighas tatra bhānum āvṛtya tiṣṭhati
     udayāstamaye saṃdhye vedayāno mahad bhayam
     ekā sṛg vāśate ghoraṃ tatparābhava lakṣaṇam
 23 kṛṣṇa grīvāś ca śakunā kambamānā bhayānakāḥ
     saṃdhyām abhimukhā yānti tatparābhava lakṣaṇam
 24 brāhmaṇān prathamaṃ dveṣṭi gurūṃś ca madhusūdana
     bhṛtyān bhaktimataś cāpi tatparābhava lakṣaṇam
 25 pūrvā dig lohitākārā śastravarṇā ca dakṣiṇā
     āmapātrapratīkāśā paścimā madhusūdana
 26 pradīptāś ca diśaḥ sarvā dhārtarāṣṭrasya mādhava
     mahad bhayaṃ vedayanti tasminn utpātalakṣaṇe
 27 sahasrapādaṃ prāsādaṃ svapnānte sma yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     adhirohan mayā dṛṣṭaḥ saha bhrātṛbhir acyuta
 28 śvetoṣṇīṣāś ca dṛśyante sarve te śuklavāsasaḥ
     āsanāni ca śubhrāṇi sarveṣām upalakṣaye
 29 tava cāpi mayā kṛṣṇa svapnānte rudhirāvilā
     āntreṇa pṛthivī dṛṣṭā parikṣiptā janārdana
 30 asthi saṃcayam ārūḍhaś cāmitaujā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     suvarṇapātryāṃ saṃhṛṣṭo bhuktavān ghṛtapāyasam
 31 yudhiṣṭhiro mayā dṛṣṭo grasamāno vasuṃdharām
     tvayā dattām imāṃ vyaktaṃ bhokṣyate sa vasuṃdharām
 32 uccaṃ parvatam ārūḍho bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ
     gadāpāṇir naravyāghro vīkṣann iva mahīm imām
 33 kṣapayiṣyati naḥ sarvān sa suvyaktaṃ mahāraṇe
     viditaṃ me hṛṣīkeśa yato dharmas tato jayaḥ
 34 pāṇḍuraṃ gamam ārūḍho gāṇḍīvī sadhanaṃjayaḥ
     tvayā sārdhaṃ hṛṣīkeśa śriyā paramayā jvalan
 35 yūyaṃ sarvān vadhiṣyadhvaṃ tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ
     pārthivān samare kṛṣṇa duryodhana purogamān
 36 nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sātyakiś ca mahārathaḥ
     śuddhakeyūra kaṇṭhatrāḥ śuklamālyāmbarāvṛtāḥ
 37 adhirūḍhā naravyāghrā naravāhanam uttamam
     traya ete mahāmātrāḥ pāṇḍurac chatravāsasaḥ
 38 śvetoṣṇīṣāś ca dṛśyante traya eva janārdana
     dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu tānvijānīhi keśava
 39 aśvatthāmā kṛpaś caiva kṛtavarmā ca sātvataḥ
     raktoṣṇīṣāś ca dṛśyante sarve mādhava pārthivāḥ
 40 uṣṭrayuktaṃ samārūḍhau bhīṣmadroṇau janārdana
     mayā sārdhaṃ mahābāho dhārtarāṣṭreṇa cābhibho
 41 agastyaśāstāṃ ca diśaṃ prayātāḥ sma janārdana
     acireṇaiva kālena prāpsyāmo yamasādanam
 42 ahaṃ cānye ca rājāno yac ca tat kṣatramaṇḍalam
     gāṇḍīvāgniṃ pravekṣyāma iti me nāsti saṃśayaḥ
 43 upasthita vināśeyaṃ nūnam adya vasuṃdharā
     tathā hi me vacaḥ karṇa nopaiti hṛdayaṃ tava
 44 sarveṣāṃ tāta bhūtānāṃ vināśe samupasthite
     anayo nayasaṃkāśo hṛdayān nāpasarpati
 45 api tvā kṛṣṇa paśyāma jīvanto 'smān mahāraṇāt
     samuttīrṇā mahābāho vīra kṣayavināśanāt
 46 atha vā saṃgamaḥ kṛṣṇa svarge no bhavitā dhruvam
     tatredānīṃ sameṣyāmaḥ punaḥ sārdhaṃ tvayānagha
 47 ity uktvā mādhavaṃ karṇaḥ pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam
     visarjitaḥ keśavena rathopasthād avātarat
 48 tataḥ svaratham āsthāya jāmbūnadavibhūṣitam
     sahāsmābhir nivavṛte rādhyeyo dīnamānasaḥ
 49 tataḥ śīghrataraṃ prāyāt keśavaḥ saha sātyakiḥ
     punar uccārayan vāṇīṃ yāhi yāhīti sārathim

SECTION CXLI

"Karna said, 'Without doubt, O Kesava, thou hast said these words from thy love, affection, and friendship for me, as also in consequence of thy desire of doing me good, O thou of Vrishni's race. I know all that thou hast said unto me. Morally, I am the son of Pandu, as also in consequence of the injunctions of the scriptures, as thou, O Krishna, thinkest. My mother, while a maiden, bore me in her womb, O Janardana, through her connection with Surya. And at the command of Surya
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himself, she abandoned me as soon as I was born. Even thus, O Krishna, I came into the world. Morally, therefore, I am the son of Pandu. Kunti, however, abandoned me without thinking of my welfare. The Suta, Adhiratha, as soon as he beheld me, took me to his home, and from her affection for me, Radha's breasts were filled with milk that very day, and she, O Madhava, cleansed my urine and evacuations. How can one like us, conversant with duties and ever engaged in listening to scriptures deprive her of her Pinda? So also Adhiratha of the Suta class regardeth me as a son, and I too, from affection, always regard him as (my) father. O Madhava, that Adhiratha, O Janardana, from paternal affection caused all the rites of infancy to be performed on my person, according to the rules prescribed in the scriptures. It is that Adhiratha, again, who caused the name Vasusena to be bestowed upon me by the Brahmanas. When also I attained to youth, I married wives according to his selections. Through them have been born my sons and grandsons, O Janardana. My heart also, O Krishna, and all the bonds of affection and love, are fixed on them. From joy or fear. O Govinda. I cannot venture to destroy those bonds even for the sake of the whole earth or heaps of gold. In consequence also of my connection with Duryodhana of Dhritarashtra's race, I have, O Krishna, enjoyed sovereignty for thirteen years, without a thorn on my side. I have performed many sacrifices, always however in connection with persons of the Suta tribe. All my family rites and marriage rites have been performed with the Sutas. Obtaining me, O Krishna, Duryodhana hath, O thou of Vrishni's race, made this preparations for an armed encounter and provoked hostilities with the sons of Pandu. And it is for this, O Achyuta, that in the battle (that will ensue), I, O Krishna, have been chosen as the great antagonist of Arjuna to advance against him in a single combat. For the sake of death, or the ties of blood, or fear, or temptation, I cannot venture, O Janardana, to behave falsely towards the intelligent son of Dhritarashtra. If I do not now engage in a single combat with Arjuna, this will, O Hrishikesa, be inglorious for both myself and Partha. Without doubt, O slayer of Madhu, thou hast told me all this for doing me good. The Pandavas also, obedient as they are to thee, will, without doubt, do all that thou hast said. Thou must, however, conceal this our discourse for the present, O slayer of Madhu. Therein lies our benefit, I think, O delighter of all the Yadavas. If king Yudhishthira, of virtuous soul and well-controlled senses, cometh to know me as the firstborn son of Kunti, he will never accept the kingdom. If, again, O slayer of Madhu, this mighty and swelling empire becometh mine. I shall, O repressor of foes, certainly make it over to Duryodhana only. Let Yudhishthira of virtuous soul become king for ever. He that hath Hrishikesa for his guide, and Dhananjaya and that mighty car-warrior Bhima for his combatants, as also Nakula and Sahadeva, and the sons of Draupadi, is fit, O Madhava, to rule over the whole earth. Dhrishtadyumna,
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the prince of the Panchalas, that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, Uttamaujas, Yudhamanyu, the prince of Somakas who is devoted to truth, the ruler of the Chedis, Chekitana, the invincible Sikhandin, the Kekaya brothers, all of the hue of Indragopaka insects, Bhimasena's uncle Kuntibhoja of high soul and possessed of steeds endued with the colours of the rainbow, the mighty car-warrior Syenajit, Sanka the son of Virata, and thyself, O Janardana, like an ocean,--great is this assemblage, O Krishna, of Kshatriyas (that hath been made by Yudhishthira). This blazing kingdom, celebrated among all the kings of the earth, is already won (by Yudhishthira). O thou of Vrishni's race, a great sacrifice of arms is about to be celebrated by Dhritarashtra's son. Thou, O Janardana, wilt be the Upadrashtri of that sacrifice. The office of Adhyaryu also, O Krishna, in that sacrifice, will be thine. The ape-bannered Vibhatsu accoutred in mail will be the Hotri (his bow), Gandiva will be the sacrificial ladle, and the prowess of the warriors will be the clarified butter (that is to be consumed). The weapons called Aindra, Pasupata, Brahma, and Sthunakarna, applied by Arjuna, will, O Madhava, be the mantras (of that sacrifice). Resembling his father, or perhaps, excelling him in prowess, Subhadra's son (Abhimanyu) will be the chief Vedic hymn to be chanted. That destroyer of elephant ranks that utterer of fierce roars in battle, that tiger among men, the exceedingly mighty Bhima, will be Udgatri and Prastotri in this sacrifice. King Yudhishthira of virtuous Soul, ever engaged in Yapa and Homa, will himself be the Brahma of that sacrifice. The sounds of conchs, tabors, and drums, and the leonine roaring rising high in the welkin, will be the calls upon the invited to eat. The two sons of Madri, Nakula and Sahadeva, of great fame and prowess, will be the slayers of the sacrificial animals; rows of bright cars furnished with standards of variegated hue, will, O Govinda, be stakes (for tying the animals), O Janardana, in this sacrifice. Barbed arrows and Nalikas, and long shafts, and arrows with heads like calf's tooth, will play the part of spoons (wherewith to distribute the Soma juice) while Tomaras will be the vessels of Soma, and bows will be pavitras. The swords will be Kapalas, the heads (of slain warriors) the Purodasas and the blood of warriors the clarified butter. O Krishna, in this sacrifice. The lances and bright maces (of the warriors) will be pokers (for stirring the sacrificial fire) and the corner stakes (for keeping the fire-wood from falling down). The disciples of Drona and Kripa, the son of Saradwat, will be the Sadasyas (assisting priests). The arrows shot by the wielder of Gandiva and by (other) mighty car-warriors, and by Drona and Drona's son, will play the part of ladles for distributing the Soma. Satyaki will discharge the duties of the chief assistant of the Adhyaryu. Of this sacrifice, Dhritarashtra's son will be installed as the performer, while this vast army will be his wife. O thou of mighty arms, when the nocturnal rites of sacrifice will begin, the mighty Ghatotkacha will play the part of the slayer of (devoted) victims. The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, who sprang into life from the
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sacrificial fire, having for its mouth the rites celebrated with mantras, will, O Krishna, be the Dakshina of that sacrifice. For those harsh words, O Krishna, that I said before unto the sons of Pandu for the gratification of Dhritarashtra's son,--for that wicked conduct of mine,--I am consumed with repentance. When O Krishna, thou wilt behold me slain by Arjuna, then will the Punachiti of this sacrifice commence. When the (second) son of Pandu will drink the blood of the loudly roaring Dussasana, then will the Soma-drinking of this sacrifice have taken place! When the two princes of Panchala (Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin) will overthrow Drona and Bhishma, then, O Janardana, will this sacrifice be suspended for an interval. When mighty Bhimasena will slay Duryodhana, then, O Madhava, will this sacrifice of Dhritarashtra's son be concluded. When the wives of Dhritarashtra's sons and grandsons assembled together, deprived, O Kesava, of their husbands and sons and without protectors, will indulge in lamentations with Gandhari in their midst, on the field of battle haunted by dogs and vultures and other carnivorous birds, then, O Janardana, will the final bath of this sacrifice take place.
'I pray to thee, O bull of the Kshatriya race, let not the Kshatriyas, old in learning and old in years, perish miserably, O Janardana, for thy sake. Oh, let this swelling host of Kshatriyas perish by means of weapons on that most sacred of all spots in the three worlds, viz. Kurukshetra, O Kesava. O thou of eyes like lotus-leaves, accomplish on this spot what thou hast in thy mind, so that, O thou of Vrishni's race, the whole Kshatriya order may attain to heaven. As long, O Janardana, as the hills and the rivers will last, so long will the fame of these achievements last. The Brahmanas will recite this great war of the Bharatas. The fame, O thou of Vrishni's race, that they achieve in battles is the wealth that Kshatriyas own. O Kesava, bring Kunti's son (Arjuna) before me for battle, keeping for ever this our discourse a secret, O chastiser of foes.'"

Book 5
Chapter 142

1 [v]
      asiddhānunaye kṛṣṇe kurubhyaḥ pāṇḍavān gate
      abhigamya pṛthāṃ kṣattā śanaiḥ śocann ivābravit
  2 jānāsi me jīvaputre bhāvaṃ nityam anugrahe
      krośato na ca gṛhṇīte vacanaṃ me suyodhanaḥ
  3 upapanno hy asau rājā cedipāñcālakekayaiḥ
      bhīmārjunābhyāṃ kṛṣṇena yuyudhāna yamair api
  4 upaplavye niviṣṭo 'pi dharmam eva yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      kāṅkṣate jñātisauhārdād balavān durbalo yathā
  5 rājā tu dhṛtarāṣṭro 'yaṃ vayovṛddho na śāmyati
      mattaḥ putra madenaiva vidharme pathi vartate
  6 jayadrathasya karṇasya tathā duḥśāsanasya ca
      saubalasya ca durbuddhyā mitho bhedaḥ pravartate
  7 adharmeṇa hi dharmiṣṭhaṃ hṛtaṃ vai rājyam īdṛśam
      yeṣāṃ teṣām ayaṃ dharmaḥ sānubandho bhaviṣyati
  8 hriyamāṇe balād dharme kurubhiḥ ko na saṃjvaret
      asāmnā keśave yāte samudyokṣyanti pāṇḍavāḥ
  9 tataḥ kurūṇām anayo bhavitā vīra nāśanaḥ
      cintayan na labhe nidrām ahaḥsu ca niśāsu ca
  10 śrutvā tu kuntī tad vākyam arthakāmena bhāṣitam
     aniṣṭanantī duḥkhārtā manasā vimamarśa ha
 11 dhig astv arthaṃ yatkṛte 'yaṃ mahāñ jñātivadhe kṣayaḥ
     vartsyate suhṛdāṃ hy eṣāṃ yuddhe 'smin vai parābhavaḥ
 12 pāṇḍavāś cedipāñcālā yādavāś ca samāgatāḥ
     bhāratair yadi yotsyanti kiṃ nu duḥkham ataḥ param
 13 paśye doṣaṃ dhruvaṃ yuddhe tathā yuddhe parābhavam
     adhanasya mṛtaṃ śreyo na hi jñātikṣaye jayaḥ
 14 pitāmahaḥ śāṃtanava ācāryaś ca yudhāṃ patiḥ
     karṇaś ca dhārtarāṣṭrārthaṃ vardhayanti bhayaṃ mama
 15 nācāryaḥ kāmavāñ śiṣyair droṇo yudhyeta jātucit
     pāṇḍaveṣu kathaṃ hārdaṃ kuryān na ca pitāmahaḥ
 16 ayaṃ tv eko vṛthā dṛṣṭir dhārtarāṣṭrasya durmateḥ
     mohānuvartī satataṃ pāpo dveṣṭi ca pāṇḍavān
 17 mahaty anarthe nirbandhī balavāṃś ca viśeṣataḥ
     karṇaḥ sadā pāṇḍavānāṃ tan me dahati sāṃpratam
 18 āśaṃse tv adya karṇasya mano 'haṃ pāṇḍavān prati
     prasādayitum āsādya darśayantī yathātatham
 19 toṣito bhavagān yatra durvāsā me varaṃ dadau
     āhvānaṃ deva saṃyuktaṃ vasantyāḥ pitṛveśmani
 20 sāham antaḥpure rājñaḥ kuntibhojapuraskṛtā
     cintayantī bahuvidhaṃ hṛdayena vidūyatā
 21 balābalaṃ ca mantrāṇāṃ brāhmaṇasya ca vāgbalam
     strībhāvād bālabhāvāc ca nintayantī punaḥ punaḥ
 22 dhātryā viśrabdhayā guptā sakhījanavṛtā tadā
     doṣaṃ pariharantī ca pituś cāritrarakṣiṇī
 23 kathaṃ nu sukṛtaṃ me syān nāparādhavatī katham
     bhaveyam iti saṃcintya brāhmaṇaṃ taṃ namasya ca
 24 kautūhalāt tu taṃ labdhvā bāliśyād ācaraṃ tadā
     kanyā satī devam arkam āsādayam ahaṃ tataḥ
 25 yo 'sau kānīna garbho me putravat parivartitaḥ
     kasmān na kuryād vacanaṃ pathyaṃ bhrātṛhitaṃ tathā
 26 iti kuntī viniścitya kāryaṃ niścitam uttamam
     kāryārtham abhiniryāya yayau bhāgīrathīṃ prati
 27 ātmajasya tatas tasya ghṛṇinaḥ satyasaṅginaḥ
     gaṅgātīre pṛthāśṛṇvad upādhyayana nisvanam
 28 prāṅmukhasyordhva bāhoḥ sā paryatiṣṭhata pṛṣṭhataḥ
     japyāvasānaṃ kāryārthaṃ pratīkṣantī tapasvinī
 29 atiṣṭhat sūryatāpārtā karṇasyottara vāsasi
     kauravya patnī vārṣṇeyī padmamāleva śuṣyatī
 30 ā pṛṣṭhatāpāj japtvā sa parivṛtya yatavrataḥ
     dṛṣṭvā kuntīm upātiṣṭhad abhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ
     yathānyāyaṃ mahātejā mānī dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ

SECTION CXLII

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of Karna, Kesava, that slayer of hostile heroes, spoke unto him these words smilingly, 'Do not the means of winning an empire recommend themselves to thee. O Karna? Wishest thou not to rule over the whole earth given by me to thee? The victory of the Pandavas, therefore, is very certain. There seems to be no doubt in this. The triumphal banner of Pandu's son, with the fierce ape on it, seems to be already set up. The divine artificer, Bhaumana, hath applied such celestial illusion (in its construction) that it standeth
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high, displayed like Indra's banner. Various celestial creatures of terrific shape, indicating victory, are seen on that standard. Extending for a yojana upwards and all around, that beautiful standard of Arjuna, resembling fire in radiance, is never, O Karna, when set up, obstructed by hills or trees. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna, on his car drawn by white steeds and driven by Krishna, applying Aindra, Agneya and Maruta weapons, and when thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva piercing the welkin like the very thunder, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear (but, instead, Kali embodied will be present). When thou wilt behold in battle Kunti's son, invincible Yudhishthira, devoted to Yapa and Homa and resembling the very sun in brilliance, protecting his own mighty army and burning the army of his foes, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt behold in battle the mighty Bhimasena dancing, after having quaffed the blood of Dussasana, like a fierce elephant with rent temples after having killed a mighty antagonist, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta, and the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt behold in battle Arjuna checking Drona and Santanu's son and Kripa and king Suyodhana, and Jayadratha of Sindhu's race, all rushing fiercely to the encounter, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will disappear. When thou wilt behold in battle the two mighty sons of Madri,--those heroic car-warriors, capable of breaking into pieces all hostile cars,--agitating, from the very moment when weapons will begin to clash, the army of Dhritarashtra's sons like a couple of infuriated elephants, then all signs of the Krita, the Treta and the Dwapara ages will disappear. Returning hence, O Karna, say unto Drona and Santanu's son and Kripa that the present month is a delightful one, and that food, drink, and fuel are abundant now. All plants and herbs are vigorous now, all trees full of fruits, and flies there are none. The roads are free from mire, and the waters are of agreeable taste. The weather is neither very hot nor very cold and is, therefore, highly pleasant. Seven days after, will be the day of the new moon. Let the battle commence then, for that day, it hath been said, is presided over by Indra. Say also unto all the kings that have come for battling that I will fully accomplish the desire cherished by them. Indeed, all the kings and princes that are obedient to the orders of Duryodhana, obtaining death by weapons, will attain to an excellent state.'"

Book 5
Chapter 143

 1 [karṇa]
      rādheyo 'ham ādhirathiḥ karṇas tvām abhivādaye
      prāptā kimarthaṃ bavatī brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te
  2 kaunteyas tvaṃ na rādheyo na tavādhirathaḥ pitā
      nāsi sūta kule jātaḥ karṇa tad viddhi me vacaḥ
  3 kānīnas tvaṃ mayā jātaḥ pūrvajaḥ kukṣiṇā dhṛtaḥ
      kuntibhojasya bhavane pārthas tvam asi putraka
  4 prakāśakarmā tapano yo 'yaṃ devo virocanaḥ
      ajījanat tvāṃ mayy eṣa karṇa śastrabhṛtāṃ varam
  5 kuṇḍalī baddhakavaco devagarbhaḥ śriyā vṛtaḥ
      jātas tvam asi durdharṣa mayā putra pitur gṛhe
  6 sa tvaṃ bhrātṝn asaṃbuddhvā mohād yad upasevase
      dhārtarāṣṭrān na tad yuktaṃ tvayi putra viśeṣataḥ
  7 evad dharmaphalaṃ putra narāṇāṃ dharmaniścaye
      yat tuṣyanty asya pitaro mātā cāpy ekadarśinī
  8 arjunenārjitāṃ pūrvaṃ hṛtāṃ lobhād asādhubhiḥ
      ācchidya dhārtarāṣṭrebhyo bhuṅkṣva yaudhiṣṭhirīṃ śriyam
  9 adya paśyantu kuravaḥ karṇārjuna samāgamam
      saubhrātreṇa tad ālakṣya saṃnamantām asādhavaḥ
  10 karṇārjunau vai bhavatāṃ yathā rāma janārdanau
     asādhyaṃ kuṃ nu loke syād yuvayoḥ sahitātmanoḥ
 11 karṇa śobhiṣyase nūnaṃ pañcabhir bhrātṛbhir vṛtaḥ
     vedaiḥ parivṛto brahmā yathā vedāṅgapañcamaiḥ
 12 upapanno guṇaiḥ śreṣṭho jyeṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭheṣu bandhuṣu
     sūtaputreti mā śabdaḥ pārthas tvam asi vīryavān

SECTION CXLIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these beneficial and auspicious words of Kesava, Karna worshipped Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said these words,
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[paragraph continues] 'Knowing (everything), why dost thou yet, O thou of mighty arms, seek to beguile me? The destruction of the whole earth that is at hand for its cause, Sakuni, and myself, and Dussasana, and king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra. Without doubt, O Krishna, a great and fierce battle is at hand between the Pandavas and the Kurus which will cover the earth with bloody mire. All the kings and princes following the lead of Duryodhana, consumed by the fire of weapons will proceed to the abode of Yama. Diverse frightful visions are seen, O slayer of Madhu, and many terrible portents, and fierce disturbances also. All these omens, making the hairs (of the spectators) stand on their ends, indicate, O thou of Vrishni's race, the defeat of Dhritarashtra's son and the victory of Yudhishthira. That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), is afflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatly the creatures of the earth. The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, O slayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jeshthya, approacheth towards Anuradhas, indicating a great slaughter of friends. Without doubt, O Krishna, a terrible calamity approacheth the Kurus when specially, O thou of Vrishni's race, the planet Mahapat afflicteth the constellation Chitra. The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahu also approacheth towards the sun. Meteors are falling from the sky with loud noise and trembling motion. The elephants are sending forth frightful cries, while the steeds, O Madhava, are shedding tears, without taking any delight in food and drink. They say, O thou of mighty arms, that on the appearance of these portents, a terrible calamity approacheth, productive of a great slaughter. O Kesava, amongst the steeds, elephants and soldiers, in all the divisions of Duryodhana's army, it is seen, O slayer of Madhu, that while small is the food these take, ample is the excreta they evacuate. The wise have said that this is an indication of defect. The elephants and steeds of the Pandavas, O Krishna, all seem to be cheerful, while all the animals wheel along their right. This also is an indication of their success. The same animal, O Kesava, pass by the left side of Duryodhana's army, while incorporeal voices are constantly heard (over their heads). All this is an indication of defeat. All auspicious birds, such as peacocks, swans, cranes, Chatakas, Jivajivas, and large flights of Vakas, follow the Pandavas, while vultures, Kankas, hawks, Rakshasas, wolves and bees, in flights and herds, follow the Kauravas. The drums in the army of Dhritarashtra's son yield no sounds, while those of the Pandavas yield sounds without being struck. The wells in the midst of Duryodhana's encampment send forth loud roars like those of huge bulls. All this is an indication of defeat. The gods are showering flesh and blood, O Madhava, on Duryodhana's soldiers. Vapoury edifices of great effulgence with high walls, deep trenches, and handsome porches, are suddenly appearing in the skies (over the Kuru encampment). A black circle surrounding the solar disc appears to the view. Both twilights at sunrise and sunset indicate great terrors. The jackals yell hideously. All this
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is an indication of defeat. Diverse birds, each having but one wing, one eye, and one leg, utter terrible cries. All this, O slayer of Madhu, indicates defeat. Fierce birds with black wings and red legs hover over the Kuru encampment at nightfall. All this is an indication of defeat. The soldiers of Duryodhana betray hatred for Brahmanas first, and then for their preceptors, and then for all their affectionate servants. The, eastern horizon of (Duryodhana's encampment) appeareth red; the southern of the hue of weapons; and western, O slayer of Madhu, of an earthy hue. All the quarters around Duryodhana's encampment seem, O Madhava, to be ablaze. In the appearance of all these portents, great is the danger that is indicated.
'I have in a vision, O Achyuta, beheld Yudhishthira ascending with his brothers a palace supported by a thousand columns. All of them appeared with white head-gears and in white robes. And all of them appeared to me to be seated on white seats. In the midst of the same vision, thou, O Janardana, wast beheld by me to be employed in enveloping the blood-dyed earth with weapons. Yudhishthira at the same time, of immeasurable energy, ascending upon a heap of bones, was gladly eating buttered payasa of a golden cup. I further beheld Yudhishthira to be employed in swallowing the earth handed over to him by thee. This indicates that he will verily rule the earth I beheld that tiger among men, Vrikodara, of fierce deeds, standing on the summit, mace in hand, and as if devouring this earth. This plainly indicates that he will slay all of us in fierce battle. It is known to me, O lord of the senses, that victory is there where righteousness is. I saw also Dhananjaya, the wielder of Gandiva, seated on the back of a white elephant, with thee, O lord of the senses, and blazing forth with great beauty. I have no doubt, O Krishna, that ye will slay in battle all the kings headed by Duryodhana. I saw Nakula and Sahadeva and that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, adorned with white bracelets, white cuirasses, white garlands, and white robes. This tiger among men were seated upon excellent vehicles borne on the shoulders of men. And I saw that umbrellas were held over the heads of all the three. Amongst the soldiers of Dhritarashtra's son, these three, O Janardana, were beheld by me decked with white head-gears. Know, O Kesava, that those three were Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman of Satwata's race. All other kings, O Madhava, were seen by me to have blood-red head-ears. I saw also, O thou of mighty arms, that those mighty car-warriors Bhishma and Drona, ascending on a vehicle drawn by camels, and by myself, and Dhritarashtra's son, proceeded, O lord, to the quarter, O Janardana, ruled by Agastya. This indicates that we shall soon have to proceed to Yama's abode. I have no doubt that myself and the other kings, indeed, the entire assemblage of Kshatriyas shall have to enter into the Gandiva fire.'
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"Krishna said, 'Indeed, the destruction of the earth is at hand when my words, O Karna, do not become acceptable to thy heart. O sire, when the destruction of all creatures approacheth, wrong assuming the semblance of right leaveth not the heart.'
"Karna said, 'If, O Krishna, we come out of this great battle that will be so destructive of heroic Kshatriyas, with life, then, O thou of mighty arms may we meet here again. Otherwise, O Krishna, we shall certainly meet in heaven. O sinless one, it seemeth to me now that there only it is possible for us to meet.'
"Sanjaya said, 'Having spoken these words, Karna closely pressed Madhava to his bosom. Dismissed by Kesava, he then descended from the car. And riding on his own car decked with gold, Radha's son greatly dejected, came back with us!'"

Book 5
Chapter 144

1 [v]
      tataḥ sūryān niścaritāṃ karṇaḥ śuśrāva bhāratīm
      duratyayāṃ praṇayinīṃ pitṛvad bhāskareritām
  2 satyam āha pṛthā vākyaṃ karṇa mātṛvacaḥ kuru
      śreyas te syān naravyāghra sarvam ācaratas tathā
  3 evam uktasya mātrā ca svayaṃ pitrā ca bhānunā
      cacāla naiva karṇasya matiḥ satyadhṛtes tadā
  4 na te na śraddadhe vākyaṃ kṣatriye bhāṣitaṃ tvayā
      dharmadvāraṃ mamaitat syān niyoga karaṇaṃ tava
  5 akaron mayi yat pāpaṃ bhavatī sumahātyayam
      avakīrṇo 'smi te tena tad yaśaḥ kīrtināśanam
  6 ahaṃ ca kṣatriyo jāto na prāptaḥ kṣatrasatkriyām
      tvatkṛte kiṃ nu pāpīyaḥ śatruḥ kuryān mamāhitam
  7 kriyā kāle tv anukrośam akṛtvā tvam imaṃ mama
      hīnasaṃskāra samayam adya māṃ samacūcudaḥ
  8 na vai mama hitaṃ pūrvaṃ mātṛvac ceṣṭitaṃ tvayā
      sā māṃ saṃbodhayasy adya kevalātma hitaiṣiṇī
  9 kṛṣṇena sahitāt ko vai na vyatheta dhanaṃjayāt
      ko 'dya bhītaṃ na māṃ vidyāt pārthānāṃ samitiṃ gatam
  10 abhrātā viditaḥ pūrvaṃ yuddhakāle prakāśitaḥ
     pāṇḍavān yadi gacchāmi kiṃ māṃ kṣatraṃ vadiṣyati
 11 sarvakāmaiḥ saṃvibhaktaḥ pūjitaś ca sadā bhṛśam
     ahaṃ vai dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ kuryāṃ tad aphalaṃ katham
 12 upanahya parair vairaṃ ye māṃ nityam upāsate
     namaskurvanti ca sadā vasavo vāsavaṃ yathā
 13 mama prāṇena ye śatrūñ śaktāḥ pratisamāsitum
     manyante 'dya kathaṃ teṣām ahaṃ bhindyāṃ manoratham
 14 mayā plavena saṃgrāmaṃ titīrṣanti duratyayam
     apāre pārakāmā ye tyajeyaṃ tān ahaṃ katham
 15 ayaṃ hi kālaḥ saṃprāpto dhārtarāṣṭropajīvinām
     nirveṣṭavyaṃ mayā tatra prāṇān aparirakṣatā
 16 kṛtārthāḥ subhṛtā ye hi kṛtyakāla upasthite
     anavekṣya kṛtaṃ pāpā vikurvanty anavasthitāḥ
 17 rājakilbiṣiṇāṃ teṣāṃ bhartṛpiṇḍāpahāriṇām
     naivāyaṃ na paro loko vidyate pāpakarmaṇām
 18 dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāṇām arthe yotsyāmi te sutaiḥ
     balaṃ ca śaktiṃ cāsthāya na vai tvayy anṛtaṃ vade
 19 ānṛśaṃsyam atho vṛttaṃ rakṣan satpuruṣocitam
     ato 'rthakaram apy etan na karomy adya te vacaḥ
 20 na tu te 'yaṃ samārambho mayi mogho bhaviṣyati
     vadhyān viṣahyān saṃgrāme na haniṣyāmi te sutān
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ ca bhīmaṃ ca yamau caivārjunād ṛte
 21 arjunena samaṃ yuddhaṃ mama yaudhiṣṭhire bale
     arjunaṃ hi nihanty ājau saṃprāptaṃ syāt phalaṃ mayā
     yaśasā cāpi yujyeyaṃ nihataḥ savyasācinā
 22 na te jātu naśiṣyanti putrāḥ pañca yaśasvini
     nirarjunāḥ sakarṇā vā sārjunā va hate mayi
 23 iti karṇavacaḥ śrutvā kuntī duḥkhāt pravepatī
     uvāca putram āśliṣya karṇaṃ dhairyād akampitam
 24 evaṃ vai bhāvyam etena kṣayaṃ yāsyanti kauravaḥ
     yathā tvaṃ bhāṣase karṇa daivaṃ tu balavattaram
 25 tvayā caturṇāṃ bhrātṝṇām abhayaṃ śatrukarśana
     dattaṃ tat pratijānīhi saṃgara pratimocanam
 26 anāmayaṃ svasti ceti pṛthātho karṇam abravī
     tāṃ karṇo 'bhyavadat prītas tatas tau jagmatuḥ pṛthak

SECTION CXLIV

"Vaisampayana said, 'Upon the failure of Krishna's solicitations (for peace), and after he had started for the Pandavas from the Kurus, Kshatri approached Pritha and said these words slowly in grief, 'O mother of living children, thou knowest that my inclination is always for peace, and although I cry myself hoarse, yet Suyodhana doth not accept my words. King Yudhishthira, having the Chedis, the Panchalas, and the Kekayas, Bhima and Arjuna, Krishna, Yuyudhana, and the twins for his allies, stayeth yet at Upaplavya, and from affection for kinsmen, looketh up to righteousness only, like a weak man, though he is possessed of great strength. King Dhritarashtra here, though old in years, doth not effect peace, and intoxicated with pride of children, treadeth a sinful path. In consequence of the wickedness of Jayadratha and Karna and Dussasana and Suvala's son, intestine dissensions will break out. They that behave unrighteously towards him that is righteous, verily that sin of theirs soon produceth its consequences. Who is there that will not be filled with sorrow at the sight of the Kurus persecuting righteousness in this way? When Kesava returneth without being able to bring about peace, the Pandavas will certainly address themselves for battle. Thereupon, the sin of the Kurus will lead to a destruction of heroes. Reflecting on all this, I do not get sleep by day or by night.'
"Hearing these words uttered by Vidura, who always wished her sons the accomplishment of their objects, Kunti began to sigh heavily, afflicted with grief, and began to think within herself, 'Fie to wealth, for the sake of which this great slaughter of kinsmen is about to take place. Indeed, in this war, they that are friends will sustain defeat. What can be a greater grief than this that the Pandavas, the Chedis,
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the Panchalas, and the Yadavas, assembled together, will fight with the Bharatas? Verily, I behold demerit in war. (On the other hand) if we do not fight, poverty and humiliation would be ours. As regards the person that is poor, even death is beneficial (to him). (On the other band) the extermination of one's kinsmen is not victory. As I reflect on this, my heart swelleth with sorrow. The grandsire (Bhishma), the son of Santanu, the preceptor (Drona), who is the foremost of warriors, and Karna, having embraced Duryodhana's side, enhance my fears. The preceptor Drona, it seemeth to me, will never fight willingly against his pupils. As regards the Grandsire, why will he not show some affection for the Pandavas? There is only this sinful Karna then, of deluded understanding and ever following the deluded lead of the wicked Duryodhana, that hateth the Pandavas. Obstinately pursuing that which injureth the Pandavas, this Karna is, again, very powerful. It is this which burneth me at present. Proceeding to gratify him. I will today disclose the truth and seek to draw his heart towards the Pandavas. Pleased with me, while I was living in the inner apartments of the palace of my father, Kuntibhoja, the holy Durvasa gave me a boon in the form of an invocation consisting of mantras. Long reflecting with a trembling heart on the strength or weakness of those mantras and the power also of the Brahmana's words, and in consequence also of my disposition as a woman, and my nature as a girl of unripe years, deliberating repeatedly and while guarded by a confidential nurse and surrounded by my waiting-maids, and thinking also of how not to incur any reproach, how to maintain the honour of my father, and how I myself might have an accession of good fortune without being guilty of any transgression, I, at last, remembered that Brahmana and bowed to him, and having obtained that mantras from excess of curiosity and from folly, I summoned, during my maidenhood, the god Surya. He, therefore, who was held in my womb during my maidenhood,--why should he not obey my words that are certainly acceptable and beneficial to his brothers? And reflecting in this strain, Kunti formed an excellent resolution. And having formed that resolution, she went to the sacred stream called after Bhagiratha. And having reached the banks of Ganga, Pritha heard the chanting of the Vedic hymns by her son, endued with great kindness and firmly devoted to truth. And as Karna stood with face directed to the east and arms upraised, then helpless Kunti, for the sake of her interest stayed behind him, waiting the completion of prayers. And the lady of Vrishni's race, that wife of Kuru's house, afflicted by the heat of the sun began to look like a faded garland of lotuses. And, at last, she stood in the shade afforded by the upper garments of Karna. And Karna, of regulated vows, said his prayers until his back became heated by the rays of the sun. Then turning behind, he behold Kunti and was filled with surprise. And saluting him in proper form and with joined palms that foremost of virtuous persons, endued with great energy and
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pride, viz., Vrisha, the son of Vikartana, bowed to her and said (the following words)."'

Book 5
Chapter 145

1 [v]
      āgamya hāstinapurād upaplavyam ariṃdamaḥ
      pāṇḍavānāṃ yathāvṛttaṃ keśavaḥ sarvam uktavān
  2 saṃbhāṣya suciraṃ kālaṃ mantrayitvā punaḥ punaḥ
      svam evāvasathaṃ śaurir viśrāmārthaṃ jagāma ha
  3 visṛjya sarvān nṛpatīn virāṭa pramukhāṃs tadā
      pāṇḍavā bhrātaraḥ pañca bhānāv astaṃ gate sati
  4 saṃdhyām upāsya dhyāyantas tam eva gatamānasāḥ
      ānāyya kṛṣṇaṃ dāśārhaṃ punar mantram amantrayan
  5 tvayā nāgapuraṃ gatvā sabhāyāṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ
      kim uktaḥ puṇḍarīkākṣa tan naḥ śaṃsitum arhasi
  6 mayā nāgapuraṃ gatvā sabhāyāṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ
      tathyaṃ pathyaṃ hitaṃ cokto na ca gṛhṇāti durmatiḥ
  7 tasminn utpatham āpanne kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ
      kim uktavān hṛṣīkeśa duryodhanam amarṣaṇam
      ācāryo vā mahābāho bhāradvājaḥ kim abravīt
  8 pitā yavīyān asmākaṃ kṣattā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      putraśokābhisaṃtaptaḥ kim āha dhṛtarāṣṭrajam
  9 kiṃ ca sarve nṛpatayaḥ sabhāyāṃ ye samāsate
      uktavanto yathātattvaṃ tad brūhi tvaṃ janārdana
  10 uktavān hi bhavān sarvaṃ vacanaṃ kurumukhyayoḥ
     kāmalobhābhibhūtasya mandasya prājñamāninaḥ
 11 apriyaṃ hṛdaye mahyaṃ tan na tiṣṭhati keśava
     teṣāṃ vākyāni govinda śrotum icchāmy ahaṃ vibho
 12 yathā ca nābhipadyeta kālas tāta tathā kuru
     bhavān hi no gatiḥ kṛṣṇa bhavān nātho bhavān guruḥ
 13 śṛṇu rājan yathā vākyam ukto rājā suyodhanaḥ
     madhye kurūṇāṃ rājendra sabhāyāṃ tan nibodha me
 14 mayā vai śrāvite vākye jahāsa dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ
     atha bhīṣmaḥ susaṃkruddha idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 15 duryodhana nibodhedaṃ kulārthe yad bravīmi te
     tac chrutvā rājaśārdūla svakulasya hitaṃ kuru
 16 mama tāta pitā rājañ śaṃtanur lokaviśrutaḥ
     tasyāham eka evāsaṃ putraḥ putravatāṃ varaḥ
 17 tasya buddhiḥ samutpannā dvitīyaḥ syāt kathaṃ sutaḥ
     ekaputram aputraṃ vai pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ
 18 na cocchedaṃ kulaṃ yāyād vistīryeta kathaṃ yaśaḥ
     tasyāham īpsitaṃ buddhvā kālīṃ mātaram āvaham
 19 pratijñāṃ kuṣkarāṃ kṛtvā pitur arthe kulasya ca
     arājā cordhvaretāś ca yathā suviditaṃ tava
     pratīto nivasāmy eṣa pratijñām anupālayan
 20 tasyāṃ jajñe mahābāhuḥ śrīmān kurukulodvahaḥ
     vicitravīryo dharmātmā kanīyān mama pārthivaḥ
 21 svaryāte 'haṃ pitari taṃ svarājye saṃnyaveśayam
     vicitravīryaṃ rājānaṃ bhṛtyo bhūtvā hy adhaś caraḥ
 22 tasyāhaṃ sadṛśān dārān rājendra samudāvaham
     jitvā pārthiva saṃghātam api te bahuśaḥ śrutam
 23 tato rāmeṇa samare dvandvayuddham upāgamam
     sa hi rāma bhayād ebhir nāgarair vipravāsitaḥ
     dāreṣv atiprasaktaś ca yakṣmāṇaṃ samapadyata
 24 yadā tv arājake rāṣṭre na vavarṣa sureśvaraḥ
     tadābhyadhāvan mām eva prajāḥ kṣudbhayapīḍitāḥ
 25 upakṣīṇāḥ prajāḥ sarvā rājā bhava bhavāya naḥ
     ītayo nuda bhadraṃ te śaṃtanoḥ kulavardhana
 26 pīḍyante te prajāḥ sarvā vyādhibhir bhṛśadāruṇaiḥ
     alpāvaśiṣṭā gāṅgeya tāḥ paritrātum arhasi
 27 vyādhīn praṇudya vīra tvaṃ prajā dharmeṇa pālaya
     tvayi jīvati mā rāṣṭraṃ vināśam upagacchatu
 28 prajānāṃ krośatīnāṃ vai naivākṣubhyata me manaḥ
     pratijñāṃ rakṣamāṇasya sadvṛttaṃ smaratas tathā
 29 tataḥ paurā mahārāja mātā kālī ca me śubhā
     bhṛtyāḥ purohitācāryā brāhmaṇāś ca bahuśrutāḥ
     mām ūcur bhṛśasaṃtaptā bhava rājeti saṃtatam
 30 pratīpa rakṣitaṃ rāṣṭraṃ tvāṃ prāpya vinaśiṣyati
     sa tvam asmaddhitārthaṃ vai rājā bhava mahāmate
 31 ity uktaḥ prāñjalir bhūtvā duḥkhito bhṛśam āturaḥ
     tebhyo nyavedayaṃ putra pratijñāṃ pitṛgauravāt
     ūrdhvaretā hy arājā ca kulasyārthe punaḥ punaḥ
 32 tato 'haṃ prāñjalir bhūtvā mātaraṃ saṃprasādayam
     nāmba śaṃtanunā jātaḥ kauravaṃ vaṃśam udvahan
     pratijñāṃ vitathāṃ kuryām iti rājan punaḥ punaḥ
 33 viśeṣatas tvadarthaṃ ca dhuri mā māṃ niyojaya
     ahaṃ preṣyaś ca dāsaś ca tavāmba suta vatsale
 34 evaṃ tām anunīyāhaṃ mātaraṃ janam eva ca
     ayācaṃ bhrātṛdāreṣu tadā vyāsaṃ mahāmunim
 35 saha mātrā mahārāja prasādya tam ṛṣiṃ tadā
     apatyārtham ayācaṃ vai prasādaṃ kṛtavāṃś ca saḥ
     trīn saputrān ajanayat tadā bharatasattama
 36 andhaḥ karaṇa hīneti na vai rājā pitā tava
     rājā tu pāṇḍur abhavan mahātmā lokaviśrutaḥ
 37 sa rājā tasya te putrāḥ pitur dāyādya hāriṇaḥ
     mā tāta kalahaṃ kārṣī rājyasyārdhaṃ pradīyatām
 38 mayi jīvati rājyaṃ kaḥ saṃpraśāset pumān iha
     māvamaṃsthā vaco mahyaṃ śamam icchāmi vaḥ sadā
 39 na viśeṣo 'sti me putra tvayi teṣu ca pārthiva
     matam etat pitus tubhyaṃ gāndhāryāvidurasya ca
 40 śrotavyaṃ yadi vṛddhānāṃ mātiśaṅkīr vaco mama
     nāśayiṣyasi mā sarvam ātmānaṃ pṛthivīṃ tathā

SECTION CXLV

"Karna said, 'I am Karna, son of Radha and Adhiratha. For what, O lady, hast thou come here? Tell me what I am to do for thee?'
"Kunti said, 'Thou art Kunti's son, and not Radha's. Nor is Adhiratha thy father. Thou, O Karna, art not born in the Suta order. Believe what I say. Thou wert brought forth by me while a maiden. I held thee first in my womb. O son, thou wert born in the palace of Kuntiraja. O Karna, that divine Surya who blazeth forth in light and maketh everything visible, O foremost of all wielders of weapons, begat thee upon me. O irresistible one, thou, O son, wert brought forth by me in my father's abode, decked with (natural) ear-rings and accoutred in a (natural) coat of mail, and blazing forth in beauty. That thou, without knowing thy brothers, shouldst, therefore, from ignorance, wait upon Dhritarashtra's son, is not proper. It is improper in thee especially, O son. The gratification of one's father and one's mother, who is the sole displayer of affection (for her child), hath, O son, in the matter of ascertaining the duties of men, been declared to be the highest of all duties. Acquired formerly by Arjuna, the prosperity of Yudhishthira hath, from avarice, been wrested by wicked persons. Snatching it back from Dhritarashtra's sons, do thou enjoy that prosperity. Let the Kurus behold today the union of Karna and Arjuna. Beholding thee and thy brother united together in bonds of brotherly love, let those wicked persons bow down unto ye. Let Karna and Arjuna be named in the same breath as Rama and Janardana. If you two are united together, what cannot be accomplished in the world? O Karna, surrounded by thy brothers, thou wilt, without doubt, blaze forth like Brahma Himself, surrounded by the gods on the platform of a great sacrifice. Endued with every virtue, thou art the first of all my relations. Let not the epithet Suta's son attach to thee. Thou art a Partha, endued with great energy.'"

Book 5
Chapter 146

[vāsu]
      bhīṣmeṇokte tato droṇo duryodhanam abhāṣata
      madhye nṛpāṇāṃ bhadraṃ te vacanaṃ vacanakṣamaḥ
  2 pātīpaḥ śaṃtanus tāta kurasyārthe yathotthitaḥ
      tathā devavrato bhīṣmaḥ kulasyārthe sthito 'bhavat
  3 tataḥ pāṇḍur narapatiḥ satyasaṃdho jitendriyaḥ
      rājā kurūṇāṃ dharmātmā suvrataḥ susamāhitaḥ
  4 jyeṣṭhāya rājyam adadād dhṛtarāṣṭrāya dhīmate
      yavīyasas tathā kṣattuḥ kuruvaṃśavivardhanaḥ
  5 tataḥ siṃhāsane rājan sthāpayitvainam acyutam
      vanaṃ jagāma kauravyo bhāryābhyāṃ sahito 'nagha
  6 nīcaiḥ sthitvā tu vidura upāste sma vinītavat
      preṣyavat puruṣavyāghro vālavyajanam utkṣipan
  7 tataḥ sarvāḥ prajās tāta dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janeśvaram
      anvapadyanta vidhivad yathā pāṇḍuṃ narādhipam
  8 visṛjya dhṛtarāṣṭrāya rājyaṃ sa vidurāya ca
      cacāra pṛthivīṃ pāṇḍuḥ sarvāṃ parapuraṃjayaḥ
  9 kośasaṃjanane dāne bhṛtyānāṃ cānvavekṣaṇe
      bharaṇe caiva sarvasya viduraḥ satyasaṃgaraḥ
  10 saṃdhivighraha saṃyukto rājñaḥ saṃvāhana kriyāḥ
     avaikṣata mahātejā bhīṣmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
 11 siṃhāsanastho nṛpatir dhṛtarāṣṭro mahābalaḥ
     anvāsyamānaḥ satataṃ vidureṇa mahātmanā
 12 kathaṃ tasya kule jātaḥ kulabhedaṃ vyavasyasi
     saṃbhūya bhrātṛbhiḥ sārdhaṃ bhuṅkṣva bhogāñ janādhipa
 13 bravīmy ahaṃ na kārpaṇyān nārthahetoḥ kathaṃ cana
     bhīṣmeṇa dattam aśnāmi na tvayā rājasattama
 14 nāhaṃ tvatto 'bhikāṅkṣiṣye vṛttyupāyaṃ janādhipa
     yato bhīṣmas tato droṇo yad bhīṣmas tv āha tat kuru
 15 dīyatāṃ pāṇḍuputrebhyo rājyārdham arikarśana
     samam ācāryakaṃ tāta tava teṣāṃ ca me sadā
 16 aśvathāmā yathā mahyaṃ tathā śvetahayo mama
     bahunā kiṃ pralāpena yato dharmas tato jayaḥ
 17 evam ukte mahārāja droṇenāmitatejasā
     vyājahāra tato vākyaṃ viduraḥ satyasaṃgaraḥ
     pitur vadanam anvīkṣya parivṛtya ca dharmavit
 18 devavrata nibodhedaṃ vacanaṃ mama bhāṣataḥ
     pranaṣṭaḥ kauravo vaṃśas tvayāyaṃ punar uddhṛtaḥ
 19 tan me vilapamānasya vacanaṃ samupekṣase
     ko 'yaṃ duryodhano nāma kule 'smin kulapāṃsanaḥ
 20 yasya lobhābhibhūtasya matiṃ samanuvartase
     anāryasyākṛtajñasya lobhopahatacetasaḥ
     atikrāmati yaḥ śāstraṃ pitur dharmārthadarśinaḥ
 21 ete naśyanti kuravo duryodhanakṛtena vai
     yathā te na praṇaśyeyur mahārāja tathā kuru
 22 māṃ caiva dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ ca pūrvam eva mahādyute
     citrakāra ivālekhyaṃ kṛtvā mā sma vināśaya
     prajāpatiḥ prajāḥ sṛṣṭvā yathā saṃharate tathā
 23 nopekṣasva mahābāho paśyamānaḥ kulakṣayam
     atha te 'dya matir naṣṭā vināśe pratyupasthite
     vanaṃ gaccha mayā sārdhaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa caiva ha
 24 baddhvā vā nikṛtiprajñaṃ dhārtarāṣṭraṃ sudurmatim
     sādhv idaṃ rājyam adyāstu pāṇḍavair abhirakṣitam
 25 prasīda rājaśārdūla vināśo dṛśyate mahān
     pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca rājñāṃ cāmitatejasām
 26 virarāmaivam uktvā tu viduro dīnamānasaḥ
     pradhyāyamānaḥ sa tadā niḥśvasaṃś ca punaḥ punaḥ
 27 tato 'tha rājñaḥ subalasya putrī; dharmārthayuktaṃ kulanāśa bhītā
     duryodhanaṃ pāpamatiṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ; rājñāṃ samakṣaṃ sutam āha kopāt
 28 ye pārthivā rājasabhāṃ praviṣṭā; brahmarṣayo ye ca sabhāsado 'nye
     śṛṇvantu vakṣyāmi tavāparādhaṃ; pāpasya sāmātyaparicchadasya
 29 rājyaṃ kurūṇām anupūrva bhogyaṃ; kramāgato naḥ kuladharma eṣaḥ
     tvaṃ pāpabuddhe 'tinṛśaṃsa karman; rājyaṃ kurūṇām anayād vihaṃsi
 30 rājye sthito dhṛtarāṣṭro manīṣī; tasyānugo viduro dīrghadarśī
     etāv atikramya kathaṃ nṛpatvaṃ; duryodhana prārthayase 'dya mohāt
 31 rājā ca kṣattā ca mahānubhāvau; bhīṣme sthite paravantau bhavetām
     ayaṃ tu dharmajñatayā mahātmā; na rājyakāmo nṛparo nadījaḥ
 32 rājyaṃ tu pāṇḍor idam apradhṛṣyaṃ; tasyādya putrāḥ prabhavanti nānye
     rājyaṃ tad etan nikhilaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ; paitāmahaṃ putrapautrānugāmi
 33 yad vai brūte kurumukhyo mahātmā; devavrataḥ satyasaṃdho manīṣī
     sarvaṃ tad asmābhir ahatya dharmaṃ; grāhyaṃ svadharmaṃ paripālayadbhiḥ
 34 anujñayā cātha mahāvratasya; brūyān nṛpo yad viduras tathaiva
     kāryaṃ bhavet tat suhṛdbhir niyujya; dharmaṃ puraskṛtya sudīrgha kālam
 35 nyāyāgataṃ rājyam idaṃ kurūṇāṃ; yudhiṣṭhiraḥ śāstu vai dharmaputraḥ
     pracodito dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa rājñā; puraskṛtaḥ śāṃtanavena caiva

SECTION CXLVI

"Vaisampayana said (After Kunti had said this), Karna heard an affectionate voice issued out of the solar circle. Coming from a great
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distance, that voice was uttered by Surya himself with paternal affection. (And it said)--The words said by Pritha are true. O Karna, act according to the words of thy mother. O tiger among men, great good will result to thee if thou fully followest those words.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Though, thus addressed by his mother, and by also his father Surya himself, Karna's heart did not yet waver, for he was firmly devoted to truth. And he said, 'O Kshatriya lady, I cannot admit what thou hast said, viz., that obedience to thy commands constituteth (in my case) the highest of my duties. O mother, I was abandoned by thee as soon as I was born. This great injury, involving risk to life itself, that thou didst me, hath been destructive of my achievements and fame. If, indeed, I am a Kshatriya, I have, for thee, been deprived of all the rites of a Kshatriya. What enemy would have done me a greater injury? Without showing me mercy, when thou shouldst have shown it, and having kept me divested of all the rites (that are obligatory in consequence of the order of my birth), thou wouldst however, lay thy command on me today! Thou hadst never before sought my good as a mother should. Thou addressest me today, however, desiring to do good to thyself. Who is there that would not be afraid of Dhananjaya having Krishna with him (for the driver of his car)? If, therefore, I go today unto the Parthas, who is there that would not regard me as doing so from fright? Hitherto, nobody knew me to be their brother. If, giving out on the eve of battle that I am their brother, I go to the Pandavas, what would all the Kshatriyas say? Furnished with every object of desire, and worshipped by them with a view to make me happy, how can I render that friendship of Dhritarashtra's sons utterly futile? Having provoked hostilities with others, they always wait on me respectfully, and always bow down to me, as the Vasus bow down to Vasava. They think that aided by my might, they are capable of encountering the foe. How can I then frustrate that cherished hope of theirs? With me as their boat, they desire to cross the impassable ocean of battle. How can I then abandon them that are desirous of crossing that ocean which hath no other ferry? This is the time when all those have been supported by Dhritarashtra's sons should exert themselves for their masters. I shall certainly act for them, reckless of even my life. Those sinful men of unsteady heart, who, well-fed and well-furnished (with every necessary) by their masters, undo the benefit received by them when the time cometh for paying back, are thieves of their master's cakes, have neither this nor the other world for them. I will not speak deceitfully unto thee. For the sake of Dhritarashtra's son, I shall fight against thy sons to the best of my strength and might. I must not, however, abandon kindness and the conduct that becometh the good. Thy words, therefore, however beneficial cannot be obeyed by me now. This thy solicitation to me will not yet be fruitless. Except Arjuna, thy other sons, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and the twins, though capable of being withstood by me in tight and capable also of being
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slain, shall not yet be slain by me. It is with Arjuna alone, among all the combatants of Yudhishthira, that I will fight. Slaying Arjuna in battle, I shall achieve great merit, or slain by Savyasachin, I shall be covered with glory. O famous lady, the number of thy sons will never be less than five. Five it will always be,--either with me, or with Arjuna, and myself slain.'
"Hearing these words of Karna, Kunti who was trembling with grief, embraced her son who was unmoved in consequence of his fortitude, and said, 'Indeed, O Karna, even if what thou sayest seemeth to be possible, the Kauravas will certainly be exterminated. Destiny is all. Thou hast, however, O grinder of foes, granted to four of thy brothers the pledge of safety. Let that pledge be borne in thy remembrance at the time of shooting of weapons in battle.' And having told all this, Pritha also addressed Karna, saying, 'Blessed be thou, and let health be thine.' And Karna replied unto her, saying, 'Be it so!' And they then left the spot, wending in different directions.'"

Book 5
Chapter 147

1 [vāsu]
      evam ukte tu gāndhāryā dhṛtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ
      duryodhanam uvācedaṃ nṛpamadhye janādhipa
  2 duryodhana nibodhedaṃ yad vāṃ vakṣyāmi putraka
      tathā tat kuru bhadraṃ te yady asti pitṛgauravam
  3 somaḥ prajāpatiḥ pūrvaṃ kurūṇāṃ vaṃśavardhanaḥ
      somād babhūva ṣaṣṭho vai yayātir nahuṣātmajaḥ
  4 tasya putrā babhūvuś ca pañca rājarṣisattamāḥ
      teṣāṃ yadur mahātejā jyeṣṭhaḥ samabhavat prabhuḥ
  5 pūrur yavīyāṃś ca tato yo 'smākaṃ vaṃśavardhanaḥ
      śarmiṣṭhāyāḥ saṃprasūto duhitur vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ
  6 yaduś ca bharataśreṣṭha deva yānyāḥ suto 'bhavat
      dauhitras tāta śukrasya kāvyasyāmita tejasaḥ
  7 yādavānāṃ kulakaro balavān vīryasaṃmataḥ
      avamene sa tu kṣatraṃ darpapūrṇaḥ sumandadhīḥ
  8 na cātiṣṭhat pituḥ śāstre baladarpa vimohitaḥ
      avamene ca pitaraṃ bhrātṝṃś cāpy aparājitaḥ
  9 pṛthivyāṃ caturantāyāṃ yadur evābhavad balī
      vaśe kṛtvā sa nṛpatīn avasan nāgasāhvaye
  10 taṃ pitā paramakruddho yayātir nahuṣātmajaḥ
     śaśāpa putraṃ gāndhāre rājyā ca vyaparopayat
 11 ya cainam anvavartanta bhrātaro baladarpitam
     śaśāpa tān api kruddho yayātis tanayān atha
 12 yavīyāṃsaṃ tataḥ pūruṃ putraṃ svavaśavartinam
     rājye niveśayām āsa vidheyaṃ nṛpasattamaḥ
 13 evaṃ jyeṣṭho 'py athotsikto na rājyam abhijāyate
     yavīyāṃso 'bhijāyante rājyaṃ vṛddhopasevayā
 14 tathaiva sarvadharmajñaḥ pitur mama pitāmahaḥ
     pratīpaḥ pṛthivīpālas triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ
 15 tasya pārthiva siṃhasya rājyaṃ dharmeṇa śāsataḥ
     trayaḥ prajajñire putrā devakalpā yaśasvinaḥ
 16 devāpir abhavaj jyeṣṭho bāhlīkas tadanantaram
     tṛtīyaḥ śaṃtanus tāta dhṛtimān me pitāmahaḥ
 17 devāpis tu mahātejās tvag doṣī rājasattamaḥ
     dhārmikaḥ satyavādī ca pituḥ śuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ
 18 paurajānapadānāṃ ca saṃmataḥ sādhu satkṛtaḥ
     sarveṣāṃ bālavṛddhānāṃ devāpir hṛdayaṃgamaḥ
 19 prājñaś ca satyasaṃdhaś ca sarvabhūtahite rataḥ
     vartamānaḥ pituḥ śāstre brāhmaṇānāṃ tathaiva ca
 20 bāhlīkasya priyo bhrātā śaṃtanoś ca mahātmanaḥ
     saubhrātraṃ ca paraṃ teṣāṃ sahitānāṃ mahātmanām
 21 atha kālasya paryāye vṛddho nṛpatisattamaḥ
     saṃbhārān abhiṣekārthaṃ kārayām āsa śāstrataḥ
     maṅgalāni ca sarvāṇi kārayām āsa cābhibhūḥ
 22 taṃ brāhmaṇāś ca vṛddhāś ca paurajānapadaiḥ saha
     sarve nivārayām āsur devāper abhiṣecanam
 23 sa tac chrutvā tu nṛpatir abhiṣekanivāraṇam
     aśrukaṇṭho 'bhavad rājā paryaśocata cātmajam
 24 evaṃ vadānyo dharmajñaḥ satyasaṃdhaś ca so 'bhavat
     priyaḥ prajānām api saṃs tvag doṣeṇa pradūṣitaḥ
 25 hīnāṅgaṃ pṛthivīpālaṃ nābhinandanti devatāḥ
     iti kṛtvā nṛpaśreṣṭhaṃ pratyaṣedhan dvijarṣabhāḥ
 26 tataḥ pravyathitātmāsau putraśokasamanvitaḥ
     mamāra taṃ mṛtaṃ dṛṭvā devāpiḥ saṃśrito vanam
 27 bāhlīko mātulakule tyaktvā rājyaṃ vyavasthitaḥ
     pitṛbhrātṝn parityajya prāptavān puram ṛddhimat
 28 bāhlīkena tv anujñātaḥ śaṃtanur lokaviśrutaḥ
     pitary uparate rājan rājā rājyam akārayat
 29 tathaivāhaṃ matimatā paricintyeha pāṇḍunā
     jyeṣṭhaḥ prabhraṃśito rājyād dhīnāṅga iti bhārata
 30 pāṇḍus tu rājyaṃ saṃprāptaḥ kanīyān api san nṛpaḥ
     vināśe tasya putrāṇām idaṃ rājyam ariṃdama
     mayy abhāgini rājyāya kathaṃ tvaṃ rājyam icchasi
 31 yudhiṣṭhiro rājaputro mahātmā; nyāyāgataṃ rājyam idaṃ ca tasya
     sa kauravasyāsya janasya bhartā; praśāsitā caiva mahānubhāvaḥ
 32 sa satyasaṃdhaḥ satatāpramattaḥ; śāstre sthito bandhujanasya sādhuḥ
     priyaḥ prajānāṃ suhṛda anukampī; jitendriyaḥ sādhu janasya bhartā
 33 kṣamā titikṣā dama ārjavaṃ ca; satyavratatvaṃ śrutam apramādaḥ
     bhūtānukampā hy anuśāsanaṃ ca; yudhiṣṭhire rājaguṇāḥ samastāḥ
 34 arāja putras tvam anārya vṛtto; lubdhas tathā bandhuṣu pāpabuddhiḥ
     kramāgataṃ rājyam idaṃ pareṣāṃ; hartuṃ kathaṃ śakṣyasi durvinītaḥ
 35 prayaccha rājyārtham apetamohaḥ; savāhanaṃ tvaṃ saparicchadaṃ ca
     tato 'vaśeṣaṃ tava jīvitasya; sahānujasyaiva bhaven narendra

SECTION CXLVII

"Vaisampayana said, 'Coming back to Upaplavya from Hastinapura, that chastiser of foes, Kesava, represented unto the Pandavas all that had happened, and conferring with them for a long space of time, and holding repeated consultations, Sauri went to his own quarters for rest. And dismissing all the kings, with Virata and others at their heads, the five brothers--the Pandavas--when the sun had set, said their evening prayers. And with hearts ever fixed on Krishna they began to think of him. And, at last, bringing Krishna of Dasarha's race into their midst, they began to deliberate again about what they should do. And Yudhishthira said, 'O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, it behoveth thee to tell us all that thou saidst unto Dhritarashtra's son in the assembly (of the Kurus), having gone to Nagapura.' Vasudeva said, 'Having gone to Nagapura, I addressed Dhritarashtra's son in the assembly such words as were true, reasonable, and beneficial. That wicked minded fellow did not, however, accept them.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'When Duryodhana desired to tread along the wrong path, what did the aged Kuru grandsire say, O Hrishikesa, unto that vindictive prince? What also did the highly-blessed preceptor--the son of Bharadwaja, say? And what did his parents Dhritarashtra and Gandhari say? What did our junior father Kshattri, who is the foremost of all persons conversant with virtue, and who is always afflicted with sorrow on account of ourselves whom he regards as his sons, say unto Dhritarashtra's son? What also did all the kings who sat in that assembly
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say? O Janardana, say it all unto us, exactly as it happened. Thou hast already told us all the disagreeable words that the Kuru chiefs (Bhishma and Dhritarashtra) and others in that assembly of the Kurus said unto the wicked Duryodhana who is overwhelmed with lust and covetousness, and who regardeth himself wise. Those words, however, O Kesava, have flitted away from my memory. O Govinda, I desire to hear, O lord, all those words again. Act thou in such a way that the opportunity may not pass away. Thou, O Krishna, art our refuge, thou art our lord, thou art our guide!'
"Vasudeva said, 'Hear, O king, the words that were addressed to king Suyodhana in the midst of the assembly of the Kurus, and, O king of kings, bear them in thy mind. After my words were ended, Dhritarashtra's son laughed aloud. Highly incensed at this, Bhishma then said, 'Hear, O Duryodhana, what I say for (the preservation of) our race, and having heard it, O tiger among kings, do what is beneficial to thy own house. O sire, O king, my father Santanu, was widely known in the world. I was, at first, his only son. A desire sprung up in his heart as to how he might obtain a second son, for the wise say that an only son is no son,--Let not my race be extinct may my fame be spread. Even this was his desire. Knowing this to have been his desire, I procured Kali to become my mother, having myself made a promise highly difficult to observe, for the sake of my father as also for the sake of our race. How, in consequence of that promise I could not be king and have drawn up my vital seed, are, of course, well-known to thee. (I do not grieve for that). Observing that vow of mine, behold, I am living in happiness and joy. In her, O king, was born my younger brother, that mighty-armed and handsome supporter of Kuru's race, viz., Vichitravirya of virtuous soul. After my father's ascension to heaven, I installed Vichitravirya as a ruler of the kingdom, that was mine, while I placed myself under him as a servant of his. O king of kings, I then brought him suitable wives, having vanquished many assembled monarchs. Thou hast heard of it often. Sometime after, I was engaged in a single combat with the (great) Rama. From fear of Rama, my brother fled, the more so as his subject deserted him. During this period, he became very much attached to his wives and accordingly had an attack of phthisis. Upon his death, there was anarchy in the kingdom and the chief of the gods poured not a drop of rain (on the realm).' The subjects then, afflicted by fear of hunger, hastened to me and said, 'Thy subjects are on the point of being exterminated. Be thou our king for the sake of our good. Dispel this drought. Blessed be thou, O perpetuator of Santanu's race. Thy subjects are being greatly afflicted by severe and frightful maladies. Very few of them are still alive. It behoveth thee, O son of Ganga, to save them. Dispel these tortures. O hero, cherish thy subjects righteously. When thou art alive, let not the kingdom go to destruction.' Hearing these words of theirs uttered in a weeping voice, my heart was undisturbed. Remembering the behaviour of good, I desired to maintain
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my vow. Then, O king, the citizens, my auspicious mother Kali herself, our servants, the priests and the preceptors (of our house), and many Brahmanas of great learning, all afflicted with great woe, solicited me to occupy the throne.' And they said, 'When thou art alive, shall the kingdom, ruled by Pratipa (of old), go to ruin? O thou of magnanimous heart, be thou the king for our good.' Thus addressed by them, I joined my hands together and, myself filled with grief and greatly afflicted, I represented to them the vow I had made from filial respect. I repeatedly informed them that for the sake of our race, I had vowed to live with vital seed drawn up and foreswearing the throne. It was especially for my mother, again, that I did so. I, therefore, begged them not to put me to the yoke. I again joined my hands and conciliated my mother, saying, 'O mother, begot by Santanu and being a member of Kuru's race, I cannot falsify my promise.' I repeatedly told her this. And, O king, I said further, It is for thee especially, O mother, that I took this vow; I am verily thy servant and slave, O mother, thou that art distinguished for parental affection.' Having begged my mother and the people thus, I then solicited the great sage Vyasa for begetting children upon the wives of my brother. Indeed, O king, both myself and my mother gratified that Rishi. At last, O king, the Rishi granted our prayers in the matter of the children. And he begot three sons in all, O best of Bharata's race. Thy father was born blind, and in consequence of this congenital defect of a sense, he could not become king. The high-souled and celebrated Pandu became king. And when Pandu became king, his sons must obtain their paternal inheritance. O sire, do not quarrel, give them half the kingdom. When I am alive, what other man is competent to reign? Do not disregard my words. I only wish that there should be peace amongst you. O sire, O king, I make no distinction between thee and then (but love all of you equally). What I have said unto thee represents also the opinion of thy father, of Gandhari, and also of Vidura. The words of those that are old should always be listened to. Do not disregard these words of mine. Do not destroy all thou hast and the earth also.'"

Book 5
Chapter 148

 1 [vāsu]
      evam ukte tu bhīṣmeṇa droṇena vidureṇa ca
      gāndhāryā dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa na ca mando 'nvabudhyata
  2 avadhūyotthitaḥ kruddho roṣāt saṃraktalocanaḥ
      anvadravanta taṃ paścād rājānas tyaktajīvitāḥ
  3 ajñāpayac ca rājñas tān pārthivan duṣṭacetasaḥ
      prayādhvaṃ vai kurukṣetraṃ puṣyo 'dyeti punaḥ punaḥ
  4 tatas te pṛthivīpālāḥ prayayuḥ saha sainikāḥ
      bhīṣmaṃ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā saṃhṛṣṭāḥ kālacoditāḥ
  5 akṣauhiṇyo daśaikā ca pārthivānāṃ samāgatāḥ
      tāsāṃ pramukhato bhīṣmas tālaketur vyarocata
      yad atra yuktaṃ prāptaṃ ca tad vidhatsva viśāṃ pate
  6 uktaṃ bhīṣmeṇa yad vākyaṃ droṇena vidureṇa ca
      gāndhāryā dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa samakṣaṃ mama bhārata
      etat te kathitaṃ rājan yadvṛttaṃ kurusaṃsadi
  7 sāma dādau prayuktaṃ me rājan saubhrātram icchatā
      abhedāt kuruvaṃśasya prajānāṃ ca vivṛddhaye
  8 punar bhedaś ca me yukto yadā sāma na gṛhyate
      karmānukīrtanaṃ caiva deva mānuṣasaṃhitam
  9 yadā nādriyate vākyaṃ sāmapūrvaṃ suyodhanaḥ
      tadā mayā samānīya bheditāḥ sarvapārthivāḥ
  10 adbhutāni ca ghorāṇi dāruṇāni ca bhārata
     amānuṣāṇi karmāṇi darśitāni ca me vibho
 11 bhartsayitvā tu rājñas tāṃs tṛṇī kṛtyasuyodhanam
     rādhyeyaṃ bhīṣayitvā ca saubalaṃ ca punaḥ punaḥ
 12 nyūnatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ nindāṃ caiva punaḥ punaḥ
     bhedayitvā nṛpān sarvān vāgbhir mantreṇa cāsakṛt
 13 punaḥ sāmābhisaṃyuktaṃ saṃpradānam athābruvam
     abhedāt kuruvaṃśasya kāryayogāt tathaiva ca
 14 te bālā dhṛtarāṣṭrasya bhīṣmasya vidurasya ca
     tiṣṭheyuḥ pāṇḍavāḥ sarve hitvā mānam adhaś carāḥ
 15 prayacchantu ca te rājyam anīśās te bhavantu ca
     yathāha rājā gāṅgeyo viduraś ca tathāstu tat
 16 sarvaṃ bhavatu te rājyaṃ pañca grāmān visarjaya
     avaśyaṃ bharaṇīyā hi pitus te rājasattama
 17 evam uktas tu duṣṭātmā naiva bhāvaṃ vyamuñcata
     daṇḍaṃ caturthaṃ paśyāmi teṣu pāpeṣu nānyathā
 18 niryātāś ca vināśāya kurukṣetraṃ narādhipāḥ
     etat te kathitaṃ sarvaṃ yadvṛttaṃ kurusaṃsadi
 19 na te rājyaṃ prayacchanti vinā yuddhena pāṇḍava
     vināśahetavaḥ sarve pratyupasthita mṛtyavaḥ

SECTION CXLVIII

"Vasudeva said, 'After Bhishma had said these words, Drona, always competent to speak, then addressed Duryodhana in the midst of the (assembled) monarchs and said these words that are beneficial to thee. And he said, 'O sire, as Pratipa's son, Santanu, was devoted to the welfare of his race, and as Devavrata, otherwise called Bhishma was devoted to the welfare of his race, so was the royal Pandu, that king of
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the Kurus, who was firmly devoted to truth, who had his passions under control, who was virtuous, of excellent vows, and attentive to all duties. (Though king by right) that perpetuator of Kuru's race yet made over the sovereignty to his elder brother, Dhritarashtra, endued with great wisdom, and to his younger brother Kshattri (Vidura). And placing this Dhritarashtra of unfading glory on the throne, that royal son of Kuru's race went to the woods with his two wives. And that tiger among men, Vidura, with great humility, placing himself in subjection to Dhritarashtra, began to wait on him like a slave, fanning him with the branch of a tender palm. And all the subjects then, O sire, duly tendered their submission to king Dhritarashtra just as they had done to king Pandu himself. And having made over the kingdom to Dhritarashtra and Vidura, that conqueror of hostile cities, Pandu, wandered over the whole earth. Always devoted to truth, Vidura then took charge of the finances, gifts, superintendence of the servants (of the state), and the feeding of all, while that conqueror of hostile cities, Bhishma, of mighty energy, supervised the making of war and peace and the necessity of making or withholding gifts to kings. When king Dhritarashtra of great strength was on the throne, the high-souled Vidura was near him. Born in Dhritarashtra's race how dost thou venture to bring about a disunion in the family? Uniting with thy brothers (the Pandavas) enjoy all objects of enjoyment. O king, I do not say this to you from cowardice, nor for the sake of wealth. I am enjoying the wealth that Bhishma gave me, and not thou, O best of kings. I do not desire, O king, to have from thee my means of sustenance. Where Bhishma is, there Drona must be. Do what Bhishma hath told thee. O grinder of foes, give unto the sons of Pandu half the kingdom. O sire, I acted as their preceptor as much as thine. Indeed, even as Aswatthaman is to me, so is Arjuna of white steeds. What use is there of much declamation? Victory is there where righteousness is.'
"Vasudeva continued, 'After Drona, of immeasurable energy, had said this, the virtuous Vidura then, O king, who is devoted to truth, said these words, turning towards his uncle (Bhishma) and looking at his face. And Vidura said, 'O Devavrata, attend to the words I speak. This race of Kuru, when it became extinct, was revived by thee. It is for this that thou art indifferent to my lamentations now. In this our race, its stain is this Duryodhana, whose inclinations are followed by thee, although he is enslaved by avarice, and is wicked and ungrateful and deprived of his senses by lust. The Kurus will certainly bear consequence of the acts of that Duryodhana who transgresseth the command of his father, observant of virtue and profit. O great king, act thou so that the Kurus may not perish. Like a painter producing a picture, it was thou, O king, who hadst caused me and Dhritarashtra to spring into life. The Creator, having created creatures, destroys them again. Do not act like him. Seeing before thy very eyes this extinction of thy race, be not indifferent to it. If, however, thy understanding is gone in
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consequence of the universal slaughter that is at hand, go then to the woods, taking me and Dhritarashtra with thee. Otherwise, binding this very day wicked Duryodhana that hath deceit for his wisdom, rule this kingdom with the sons of Pandu guarding it around. Relent, O tiger among kings. A great slaughter of the Pandavas, the Kurus, and of other kings of immeasurable energy is before us.'
'Having said this, Vidura ceased, his heart overflowing with sorrow. And reflecting on the matter, he began to draw repeated sighs. Then the daughter of king Suvala, alarmed at the prospect of the destruction of a whole race, said, from wrath, these words fraught with virtue and profit, to cruel Duryodhana of wicked heart, in the presence of the assembled monarchs, 'Let all the kings present in this royal assembly and let the regenerate Rishis that form the other members of this conclave, listen (to me) as I proclaim the guilt of thy sinful self backed by all thy counsellors. The kingdom of the Kurus is enjoyable in due order of succession. Even this hath always been the custom of our race. Of sinful soul and exceedingly wicked in acts, thou seekest the destruction of the Kuru kingdom by thy unrighteousness. Wise Dhritarashtra is in possession of the kingdom, having Vidura of great foresight under him (as his adviser). Passing over these two, why, O Duryodhana, dost thou, from delusion, covet the sovereignty now? Even the high-souled king and Kshattri, when Bhishma is alive, should both be subordinate to him. Indeed, this foremost of men, this offspring of Ganga, the high-souled Bhishma, in consequence of his righteousness, doth not desire the sovereignty. It is for this reason that this invincible kingdom became Pandu's. His sons, therefore, are masters today and no other. The extensive kingdom, then by paternal right, belongeth to the Pandavas, and their sons and grandsons in due order. Observing the customs of our race and the rule with respect to our kingdom, we all fully accomplish that which this high-souled and wise chief of the Kurus, Devavrata, firmly adhering to truth, sayeth, 'Let this king (Dhritarashtra) and Vidura also, at the command of Bhishma of great vows, proclaim the same thing. Even that is an act that should be done by those that are well-wishers (of this race). Keeping virtue in front, let Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, guided by king Dhritarashtra and urged by Santanu's son, rule for many long years this kingdom of the Kurus lawfully obtainable by him.'"

Book 5
Chapter 149

1 [v]
      janārdanavacaḥ śrutvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      bhrātṝn uvāca dharmātmā samakṣaṃ keśavasya ha
  2 śrutaṃ bhavadbhir yadvṛttaṃ sabhāyāṃ kurusaṃsadi
      keśavasyāpi yad vākyaṃ tat sarvam avadhāritam
  3 tasmāt senā vibhāgaṃ me kurudhvaṃ narasattamāḥ
      akṣauhiṇyas tu saptaitāḥ sametā vijayāya vai
  4 tāsāṃ me patayaḥ sapta vikhyātās tān nibodhata
      drupadaś ca virāṭaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumna śikhaṇḍinau
  5 sātyakiś cekitānaś ca bhīmasenaś ca vīryavān
      ete senā praṇetāro vīrāḥ sarve tanutyajaḥ
  6 sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve sucaritavratāḥ
      hrīmanto nītimantaś ca sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
      iṣvastrakuśalāś caiva tathā sarvāstrayodhinaḥ
  7 saptānām api yo netā senānāṃ pravibhāgavit
      yaḥ saheta raṇe bhīṣmaṃ śarārciḥ pāvakopamam
  8 tvaṃ tāvat sahadevātra prabrūhi kurunandana
      svamataṃ puruṣavyāghra ko naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ
  9 saṃyukta ekaduḥkhaś ca vīryavāṃś ca mahīpatiḥ
      yaṃ samāśritya dharmajñaṃ svam aṃśam anuyuñjmahe
  10 matsyo virāṭo balavān kṛtāstro yuddhadurmadaḥ
     prasahiṣyati saṃgrāme bhīṣmaṃ tāṃś ca mahārathān
 11 tathokte sahadevena vākye vākyaviśāradaḥ
     nakulo 'nantaraṃ tasmād idaṃ vacanam ādade
 12 vayasā śāstrato dhairyāt kulenābhijanena ca
     hrīmān kulānvitaḥ śrīmān sarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ
 13 veda cāstraṃ bharadvājād durdharṣaḥ satyasaṃgaraḥ
     yo nityaṃ spardhate droṇaṃ bhīṣmaṃ caiva mahābalam
 14 ślāghyaḥ pārthiva saṃghasya pramukhe vāhinīpatiḥ
     putrapautraiḥ parivṛtaḥ śataśākha iva drumaḥ
 15 yas tatāpa tapo ghoraṃ sadāraḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ
     roṣād droṇa vināśāya vīraḥ samitiśobhanaḥ
 16 pitevāsmān samādhatte yaḥ sadā pārthivarṣabhaḥ
     śvaśuro drupado 'smākaṃ senām agre prakarṣatu
 17 sa droṇa bhīṣmāv āyāntau sahed iti matir mama
     sa hi divyāstravid rājā sakhā cāṅgiraso nṛpaḥ
 18 mādrī sutābhyām ukte tu svamate kurunandanaḥ
     vāsavir vāsava samaḥ savyasācy abravīd vacaḥ
 19 yo 'yaṃ tapaḥ prabhāvena ṛṣisaṃtoṣaṇena ca
     divyaḥ puruṣa utpanno jvālā varṇo mahābalaḥ
 20 dhanuṣmān kavacī khaṅgī ratham āruhya daṃśitaḥ
     divyair hayavarair yuktam agnikuṇḍāt samutthitaḥ
 21 garhann iva mahāmegho rathaghoṣeṇa vīryavān
     siṃhasaṃhanano vīraḥ siṃhavikrānta vikramaḥ
 22 siṃhorasko mahābāhuḥ siṃhavakṣā mahāvalaḥ
     siṃhapragarjano vīraḥ siṃhaskandho mahādyutiḥ
 23 subhrūḥ sudaṃṣṭraḥ suhanuḥ subāhu sumukho 'kṛśaḥ
     sujatruḥ suviśālākṣaḥ supādaḥ supratiṣṭhitaḥ
 24 abhedyaḥ sarvaśastrāṇāṃ prabhinna iva vāraṇaḥ
     jajñe droṇa vināśāya satyavādī jitendriyaḥ
 25 dhṛṣṭadyumnam ahaṃ manye sahed bhīṣmasya sāyakān
     vajrāśanisamasparśān dīptāsyān uragān iva
 26 yamadūta samān vege nipāte pāvakopamān
     rāmeṇājau viṣahitān vajraniṣpeṣa dāruṇān
 27 puruṣaṃ taṃ na paśyāmi yaḥ saheta mahāvratam
     dhṛṣṭadyumnam ṛte rājann iti me dhīyate matiḥ
 28 kṣiprahastaś citrayodhī mataḥ senāpatir mama
     abhedyakavacaḥ śrīmān mātaṅga iva yūthapaḥ
 29 vadhārthaṃ yaḥ samutpannaḥ śikhaṇḍī drupadātmajaḥ
     vadanti siddhā rājendra ṛṣayaś ca samāgatāḥ
 30 yasya saṃgrāmamadhyeṣu divyam astraṃ vikurvataḥ
     rūpaṃ drakṣyanti puruṣā rāmasyeva mahātmanaḥ
 31 na taṃ yuddheṣu paśyāmi yo vibhindyāc chikhaṇḍinam
     śastreṇa samare rājan saṃnaddhaṃ syandane sthitam
 32 dvairathe viṣahen nānyo bhīṣmaṃ rājan mahāvratam
     śikhaṇḍinam ṛte vīraṃ sa me senāpatir mataḥ
 33 sarvasya jagatas tāta sārāsāraṃ balābalam
     sarvaṃ jānāti dharmātmā gatam eṣyac ca keśavaḥ
 34 yam āha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ so 'stu no vāhinīpatiḥ
     kṛtāstro hy akṛtāstro vā vṛddho vā yadi vā yuvā
 35 eṣa no vijaye mūlam eṣa tāta viparyaye
     atra prāṇāś ca rājyaṃ ca bhāvābhāvau sukhāsukhe
 36 eṣa dhātā vidhātā ca siddhir atra pratiṣṭhitā
     yam āha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ sa naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ
     bravītu vadatāṃ śreṣṭho niśā samativartate
 37 tataḥ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā kṛṣṇasya vaśavartinam
     rātriśeṣe vyatikrānte prayāsyāmo raṇājiram
     adhivāsita śastrāś ca kṛtakautuka maṅgalāḥ
 38 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
     abravīt puṇḍarīkākṣo dhanaṃjayam avekṣya ha
 39 mamāpy ete mahārāja bhavadbhir ya udāhṛtāḥ
     netāras tava senāyāḥ śūrā vikrāntayodhinaḥ
     sarva ete samarthā hi tava śatrūn pramarditum
 40 indrasyāpi bhayaṃ hy ete janayeyur mahāhave
     kiṃ punar dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ lubdhānāṃ pāpacetasām
 41 mahāpi hi mahābāho tvatpriyārtham ariṃdama
     kṛto yatno mahāṃs tatra śamaḥ syād iti bhārata
     dharmasya gatam ānṛṇyaṃ na sma vācyā vivakṣatām
 42 kṛtārthaṃ manyate bālaḥ so ''tmānam avicakṣaṇaḥ
     dhārtarāṣṭro balasthaṃ ca manyate ''tmānam āturaḥ
 43 yujyatāṃ vāhinī sādhu vadhasādhyā hi te matāḥ
     na dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ śakṣyanti sthātuṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanaṃjayam
 44 bhīmasenaṃ ca saṃkruddhaṃ yamau cāpi yamopamau
     yuyudhāna dvitīyaṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnam amarṣaṇam
 45 abhimanyuṃ draupadeyān virāṭadrupadāv api
     akṣauhiṇīpatīṃś cānyān narendrān dṛḍhavikramān
 46 sāravad balam asmākaṃ duṣpradharṣaṃ durāsadam
     dhārtarāṣṭra balaṃ saṃkhye vadhiṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 47 evam ukte tu keṣṇena saṃprahṛṣyan narottamāḥ
     teṣāṃ prahṛṣṭamanasāṃ nādaḥ samabhavan mahān
 48 yoga ity atha sainyānāṃ tvaratāṃ saṃpradhāvatām
     hayavāraṇaśabdaś ca nemighoṣaś ca sarvaśaḥ
     śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣas tumulaḥ sarvato 'bhavat
 49 prayāsyatāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ sasainyānāṃ samantataḥ
     gaṅgeva pūrṇā durdharṣā samadṛśyata vāhinī
 50 agrānīke bhīmaseno mādrīputrau ca daṃśitau
     saubhadro draupadeyāś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     prabhadrakāś ca pāñcālā bhīmasenamukhā yayuḥ
 51 tataḥ śabdaḥ samabhavat samudrasyeva parvaṇi
     hṛṣṭānāṃ saṃprayātānāṃ ghoṣo divam ivāspṛśat
 52 prahṛṣṭā daṃśitā yodhāḥ parānīka vidāraṇāḥ
     teṣāṃ madhye yayau rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 53 śakaṭāpaṇa veśāś ca yānayugyaṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
     kośayantrāyudhaṃ caiva ye ca vaidyāś cikitsakāḥ
 54 phalgu yac ca balaṃ kiṃ cit tathaiva kṛśa durbalam
     tat saṃgṛhya yayau rājā ya cāpi paricārakāḥ
 55 upaplavye tu pāñcālī draupadī satyavādinī
     saha strībhir nivavṛte dāsīdāsa samāvṛtā
 56 kṛtvā mūlapratīkārān gulmaiḥ sthāvarajaṅgamaiḥ
     skandhāvāreṇa mahatā prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ
 57 dadato gāṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca brāhmaṇair abhisaṃvṛtāḥ
     stūyamānā yayū rājan rathair maṇivibhūṣitaiḥ
 58 kekayā dhṛṣṭaketuś ca putraḥ kāśyasya cābhibhūḥ
     śreṇimān vasu dānaś ca śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ
 59 hṛṣṭās tuṣṭāḥ kavacinaḥ saśastrāḥ samalaṃkṛtāḥ
     rājānam anvayuḥ sarve parivārya yudhiṣṭhiram
 60 jaghanārdhe virāṭaś ca yajñasenaś ca somakiḥ
     sudharmā kuntibhojaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnasya cātmajāḥ
 61 rathāyutāni catvāri hayāḥ pañca guṇās tataḥ
     pattisainyaṃ daśaguṇaṃ sādinām ayutāni ṣaṭ
 62 anādhṛṣṭiś cekitānaś cedirājo 'tha sātyakiḥ
     parivārya yayuḥ sarve vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
 63 āsādya tu kurukṣetraṃ vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
     pāṇḍavāḥ samadṛśyanta nardanto vṛṣabhā iva
 64 te 'vagāhya kurukṣetraṃ śaṅkhān dadhmur ariṃdamāḥ
     tathaiva dadhmatuḥ śaṅkhau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
 65 pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ
     niśamya sarvasainyāni samahṛṣyanta sarvaśaḥ
 66 śaṅkhadundubhisaṃsṛṣṭaḥ siṃhanādas tarasvinām
     pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣaṃ ca sāgarāṃś cānvanādayat
 67 tado deśe same snigdhe prabhūtayavasendhane
     niveśayām āsa tadā senāṃ rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 68 parihṛtya śmaśānāni devatāyatanāni ca
     āśramāṃś ca maharṣīṇāṃ tīrthāny āyatanāni ca
 69 madhurānūṣare deśe śive puṇye mahīpatiḥ
     niveśaṃ kārayām āsa kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 70 tataś ca punar utthāya sukhī viśrānta vāhanaḥ
     prayayau pṛthivīpālair vṛtaḥ śatasahasraśaḥ
 71 vidrāvya śataśo gulmān dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikān
     paryakrāmat samantāc ca pārthena saha keśavaḥ
 72 śibiraṃ māpayām āsa dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     sātyakiś ca rathodāro yuyudhānaḥ pratāpavān
 73 āsādya saritaṃ puṇyāṃ kurukṣetre hiraṇvatīm
     sūpatīrthām śuci jalāṃ śarkarā paṅkavarjitām
 74 khānayām āsa parikhāṃ keśavas tatra bhārata
     guptyartham api cādiśya balaṃ tatra nyaveśayat
 75 vidhir yaḥ śibirasyāsīt pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām
     tad vidhāni narendrāṇāṃ kārayām āsa keśavaḥ
 76 prabhūtajalakāṣṭhāni durādharṣatarāṇi ca
     bhakṣyabhojyopapannāni śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 77 śibirāṇi mahārhāṇi rājñāṃ tatra pṛthak pṛthak
     vimānānīva rājendra niviṣṭāni mahītale
 78 tatrāsañ śilpinaḥ prājñāḥ śataśo dattavetanāḥ
     sarv aupakaraṇair yuktā vaidyāś ca suviśāradāḥ
 79 jyā dhanurvarma śastrāṇāṃ tathaiva madhusarpiṣoḥ
     sasarja rasapāṃsūnāṃ rāśayaḥ parvatopamāḥ
 80 bahūdakaṃ suyavasaṃ tuṣāṅgāra samanvitam
     śibire śibire rājā saṃcakāra yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 81 mahāyantrāṇi nārācās tomararṣṭi paraśvadhāḥ
     dhanūṃṣi kavacādīni hṛdy abhūvan nṛṇāṃ tadā
 82 gajāḥ kaṅkaṭa saṃnāhā lohavarmottarac chadāḥ
     adṛśyaṃs tatra giryābhāḥ sahasraśatayodhinaḥ
 83 niviṣṭān pāṇḍavāṃs tatra jñātvā mitrāṇi bhārata
     abhisasrur yathoddeśaṃ sabalāḥ sahavāhanāḥ
 84 caritabrahma caryās te somapā bhūridakṣiṇāḥ
     jayāya pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ samājagmur mahīkṣitaḥ

SECTION CXLIX

"Vasudeva said, 'After Gandhari had said this, that ruler of men, Dhritarashtra, then said these words to Duryodhana in the midst of the
p. 287
[paragraph continues] (assembled) monarchs, 'O Duryodhana, listen, O son, to what I say, and blessed be thou; do that if thou hast any respect for thy father. The lord of creatures, Soma, was the original progenitor of the Kuru race. Sixth in descent from Soma, was Yayati, the son of Nahusha. Yayati had five best of royal sages as his sons. Amongst them, lord Yadu of mighty energy was the eldest-born. Younger to Yadu was Puru, who, as our progenitor, brought forth by Sarmistha the daughter of Vrishaparvan. Yadu, O best of the Bharatas, was born of Devayani and, therefore, O sire, was the daughter's son of Sukra, otherwise called Kavya, of immeasurable energy. Endued with great strength and prowess, that progenitor of the Yadavas, filled with pride and possessed of wicked understanding, humiliated all the Kshatriyas. Intoxicated with pride of strength, he obeyed not the injunctions of his father. Invincible in battle, he insulted his father and brother. On this earth girt on four sides by the sea, Yadu became all-powerful, and reducing all to subjection, he established himself in this city called after the elephant. His father Yayati, the son of Nahusha, enraged with him, cursed that son of his, and, O son of Gandhari, even expelled him from the kingdom. Angry Yayati also cursed those brothers of Yadu who were obedient to that eldest brother of theirs, who was so proud of his strength. And having cursed his these sons, that best of kings placed on his throne his youngest son Puru who was docile and obedient to him. Thus even the eldest son may be passed over and deprived of the kingdom, and younger sons may, in consequence of their respectful behaviour to the aged, obtain the kingdom. So also, conversant with every virtue there was my father's grandfather, king Pratipa, who was celebrated over the three worlds. Unto that lion among kings, who ruled his kingdom virtuously were born three sons of great fame and resembling three gods. Of them, Devapi was the eldest, Vahlika the next and Santanu of great intelligence, who, O sire, was my grandfather, was the youngest. Devapi, endued with great energy, was virtuous, truthful in speech, and ever engaged in waiting upon his father. But that best of kings had a skin-disease. Popular with both the citizens and the subjects of the provinces, respected by the good, and dearly loved by the young and the old, Devapi was liberal firmly adhering to truth, engaged in the good of all creatures, and obedient to the instructions of his father as also of the Brahmanas. He was dearly loved by his brother Vahlika as also the high-souled Santanu. Great, indeed, was the brotherly love that prevailed between him and his high-souled brothers. In course of time, the old and best of kings, Pratipa, caused all preparations to be made according to the scriptures for the installation of Devapi (on the throne). Indeed, the lord Pratipa caused every auspicious preparation. The installation of Devapi, however, was forbidden by the Brahmanas and all aged persons amongst the citizens and the inhabitants of the provinces. Hearing that the installation of his son was forbidden, the voice of the old king became choked with tears and he began to grieve for his son. Thus,
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though Devapi was liberal, virtuous, devoted to truth, and loved by the subjects, yet in consequence of his skin-disease, he was excluded from his inheritance. The gods do not approve of a king that is defective of a limb. Thinking of this, those bulls among Brahmanas forbade king Pratipa to install his eldest son. Devapi then, who was defective of one limb, beholding the king (his father) prevented (from installing him on the throne) and filled with sorrow on his account, retired into the woods. As regards Vahlika, abandoning his (paternal) kingdom he dwelt with his maternal uncle. Abandoning his father and brother, he obtained the highly wealthy kingdom of his maternal grandfather. With Vahlika's permission, O prince, Santanu of world-wide fame, on the death of his father (Pratipa), became king and ruled the kingdom. In this way also, O Bharata, though I am the eldest, yet being defective of a limb, I was excluded from the kingdom by intelligent Pandu, no doubt, after much reflection. And Pandu himself, though younger to me in age, obtained the kingdom and became king. At his death, O chastiser of foes, that kingdom must pass to his sons. When I could not obtain the kingdom, how canst thou covet it? Thou art not the son of a king, and, therefore, hast no right to this kingdom. Thou, however, desirest to appropriate the property of others. High-souled Yudhishthira is the son of a king. This kingdom is lawfully his. Of magnanimous soul, even he is the ruler and lord of this race of Kuru. He is devoted to truth, of clear perception, obedient to the counsels of friends, honest, loved by the subjects, kind to all well-wishers, master of his passions, and the chastiser of all that are not good. Forgiveness, renunciation, self-control, knowledge of the scriptures, mercy to all creatures, competence to rule according to the dictates of virtue, of all these attributes of royalty exist in Yudhishthira. Thou art not the son of a king, and art always sinfully inclined towards thy relatives. O wretch, how canst thou succeed in appropriating this kingdom that lawfully belongeth to others? Dispelling this delusion, give half the kingdom with (a share of the) animals and other possessions. Then, O king, mayest thou hope to live for some time with thy younger brothers.'"

Book 5
Chapter 150

1 [j]
      yudhiṣṭhiraṃ sahānīkam upayāntaṃ yuyutsayā
      saṃniviṣṭaṃ kurukṣetraṃ vāsudevena pālitam
  2 virāṭadrupadābhyāṃ ca saputrābhyāṃ samanvitam
      kekayair vṛṣṇibhiś caiva pārthivaiḥ śataśo vṛtam
  3 mahendram iva cādityair abhiguptaṃ mahārathaiḥ
      śrutvā duryodhano rājā kiṃ kāryaṃ pratyapadyata
  4 etad icchāmya haṃ śrotuṃ vistareṇa tapodhana
      saṃbhrame tumule tasmin yadāsīt kurujāṅgale
  5 vyathayeyur hi devānāṃ senām api samāgame
      pāṇḍavā vāsudevaś ca virāṭadrupadau tathā
  6 dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca mahārathaḥ
      yuyudhānaś ca vikrānto devair api durāsadaḥ
  7 etad icchāmy ahaṃ śrotuṃ vistareṇa tapodhana
      kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca yad yad āsīd viceṣṭitam
  8 pratiyāte tu dāśārhe rājā duryodhanas tadā
      karṇaṃ duḥśāsanaṃ caiva śakuniṃ cābravīd idam
  9 akṛtenaiva kāryeṇa gataḥ pārthān adhokṣajaḥ
      sa enān manyunāviṣṭo dhruvaṃ vakṣyaty asaṃśayam
  10 iṣṭo hi vāsudevasya pāṇḍavair mama vigrahaḥ
     bhīmasenārjunau caiva dāśārhasya mate sthitau
 11 ajātaśatrur apy adya bhīmārjunavaśānugaḥ
     nikṛtaś ca mayā pūrvaṃ saha sarvaiḥ sahodaraiḥ
 12 virāṭadrupadau caiva kṛtavairau mayā saha
     tau ca senā praṇetārau vāsudeva vaśānugau
 13 bhavitā vigrahaḥ so 'yaṃ tumulo lomaharṣaṇaḥ
     tasmāt sāṃgrāmikaṃ sarvaṃ kārayadhvam atandritāḥ
 14 śibirāṇi kurukṣetre kriyantāṃ vasudhādhipāḥ
     suparyāptāvakāśāni durādeyāni śatrubhiḥ
 15 āsanna jalakāṇṭhāni śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
     acchedyāhāra mārgāṇi ratnoccaya citāni ca
     vividhāyudhapūrṇāni patākādhvajavanti ca
 16 samāś ca teṣāṃ panthānaḥ kriyantāṃ nagarād bahiḥ
     prayāṇaṃ ghuṣyatām adya śvobhūta iti māciram
 17 te tatheti pratijñāya śvobhūte cakrire tathā
     hṛṣṭarūpā mahātmāno vināśāya mahīkṣitām
 18 tatas te pārthivāḥ sarve tac chrutvā rājaśāsanam
     āsanebhyo mahārhebhya udatiṣṭhann amarṣitāḥ
 19 bāhūn parighasaṃkāśān saṃskpṛśantaḥ śanaiḥ śanaiḥ
     kāñcanāṅgadadīptāṃś ca candanāgarubhūṣitān
 20 uṣṇīṣāṇi niyacchanntaḥ puṇḍarīkanibhaiḥ karaiḥ
     antarīyottarīyāṇi bhūṣaṇāni ca sarvaśaḥ
 21 te rathān rathinaḥ śreṣṭhā hayāṃś ca hayakovidāḥ
     sajjayanti sma nāgāṃś ca nāgaśikṣāsu niṣṭhitāḥ
 22 atha varmāṇi citrāṇi kāñcanāni bahūni ca
     vividhāni ca śastrāṇi cakruḥ sajjāni sarvaśaḥ
 23 padātayaś ca puruṣāḥ śastrāṇi vividhāni ca
     upajahruḥ śarīreṣu hemacitrāṇy anekaśaḥ
 24 tad utsava ivodagraṃ saṃprahṛṣṭanarāvṛtam
     nagaraṃ dhārtarāṣṭrasya bhāratāsīt samākulam
 25 janaughasalilāvarto rathanāgāśvamīnavān
     śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaḥ kośasaṃcaya ratnavān
 26 citrābharaṇa varmormiḥ śastranirmala phenavān
     prāsādamālādrivṛto rathyāpaṇa mahāhradaḥ
 27 yodhacandrodayodbhūtaḥ kururājamahārṇavaḥ
     adṛśyata tadā rājaṃś candrodaya ivārṇavaḥ

SECTION CXLX

"Vasudeva said, 'Though thus addressed by Bhishma, and Drona, and Vidura, and Gandhari, and Dhritarashtra, that wicked wight could not yet be brought to his senses. On the other hand, the wicked Duryodhana, disregarding them all, rose (and left the assembly) with eyes red in anger. And all the kings (invited by him), prepared to lay down their lives, followed him behind. King Duryodhana then repeatedly ordered those
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wicked-hearted rulers, saying, 'Today constellation Pushya is ascendant--march ye (this very day) to Kurukshetra. Impelled by Fate, those monarchs then, with their soldiers, gladly set out, making Bhishma their generalissimo. Eleven Akshauhinis of troops have been, O King, assembled for the Kauravas. At the head of that host, shineth Bhishma, with the device of the palmyra on the banner of his car. In view, therefore, of What hath happened, do now, O monarch, that which seemeth to be proper. I have told thee, O king, everything that, O Bharata, that was said by Bhishma, Drona, Vidura, Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, in my presence. The arts beginning with conciliation were all, O king, employed by me from desire of establishing brotherly feelings (between yourselves and your cousins), for the preservation of this race, and for the growth and prosperity of the (earth's) population. When conciliation failed, I employed the art of (producing) dissensions and mentioned, ye Pandavas, all your ordinary and extraordinary feats. Indeed, when Suyodhana showed no respect for the conciliatory words, (I spoke), I caused all the kings to be assembled together and endeavoured to produce dissension (amongst them). Extraordinary and awful and terrible and superhuman indications, O, Bharata, were then manifested by me. O lord, rebuking all the kings, making a straw of Suyodhana, terrifying Radha's son and repeatedly censuring Suvala's son for the gambling match of Dhritarashtra's sons, and once again endeavouring to disunite all the kings by means of both words and intrigues, I again had recourse to conciliation. For the unity of Kuru's race and in view of the special requirements of the business (at hand), I spoke also of gift. Indeed, I said, 'Those heroes, the sons of Pandu, sacrificing their pride, will live in dependence on Dhritarashtra, Bhishma and Vidura. Let the kingdom be given to thee. Let them have no power. Let: it all be as the king (Dhritarashtra), as Ganga's son (Bhishma) and as Vidura say for thy good. Let the kingdom be thine. Relinquish but five villages (to the Pandavas). O best of kings, without doubt they deserve to be supported by thy father. Though addressed thus, that wicked soul do not still give you your share. I, therefore, see that chastisement, and nothing else, is now the means that should be employed against those sinful persons. Indeed, all those kings have already marched to, Kurukshetra. I have now told thee everything that had happened in the assembly of the Kurus. They will not, O son of Pandu, give thee thy kingdom without battle. With death waiting before them, they have all become the cause of a universal destruction.'"

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection)