Krishna Consoles Dhritarashtra and Gandhari

Verse 1 (9.64.1)

किमर्थं द्विजशार्दूल धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः । गान्धार्याः प्रेषयामास वासुदेवं परन्तपम् ॥

kimarthaṃ dvijaśārdūla dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | gāndhāryāḥ preṣayāmāsa vāsudevaṃ parantapam

Janamejaya said: "Why, O best of the twice-born, did Yudhishthira, the king of dharma, send Vasudeva, the scorcher of foes, to Gandhari?

Verse 2 (9.64.2)

यदा पूर्वं गतः कृष्णः शमार्थं कौरवान्प्रति । न च तं लब्धवान्कामं ततो युद्धमभूदिदम् ॥

yadā pūrvaṃ gataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śamārthaṃ kauravānprati | na ca taṃ labdhavānkāmaṃ tato yuddhamabhūdidam

Earlier Krishna had gone to the Kauravas to make peace, and did not get what he wished; and then came this war.

Verse 3 (9.64.3)

निहतेषु तु योधेषु हते दुर्योधने तदा । पृथिव्यां पाण्डवेयस्य निःसपत्ने कृते युधि ॥

nihateṣu tu yodheṣu hate duryodhane tadā | pṛthivyāṃ pāṇḍaveyasya niḥsapatne kṛte yudhi

When the warriors were slain and Duryodhana was dead, and the earth had been made rivalless for the Pandava in battle,

Verse 4 (9.64.4)

विद्रुते शिबिरे शून्ये प्राप्ते यशसि चोत्तमे । किं तु तत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्येन कृष्णो गतः पुनः ॥

vidrute śibire śūnye prāpte yaśasi cottame | kiṃ tu tatkāraṇaṃ brahmanyena kṛṣṇo gataḥ punaḥ

when the camp was scattered and empty and supreme glory had been won, what was the reason, O brahmin, that Krishna went there again?

Verse 5 (9.64.5)

न चैतत्कारणं ब्रह्मन्नल्पं विप्रतिभाति मे । यत्रागमदमेयात्मा स्वयमेव जनार्दनः ॥

na caitatkāraṇaṃ brahmannalpaṃ vipratibhāti me | yatrāgamadameyātmā svayameva janārdanaḥ

This reason, O brahmin, does not seem a small one to me, that Janardana, of immeasurable spirit, should go there in person.

Verse 6 (9.64.6)

तत्त्वतो वै समाचक्ष्व सर्वमध्वर्युसत्तम । यच्चात्र कारणं ब्रह्मन्कार्यस्यास्य विनिश्चये ॥

tattvato vai samācakṣva sarvamadhvaryusattama | yaccātra kāraṇaṃ brahmankāryasyāsya viniścaye

Tell me truly all of it, O best of the adhvaryu priests, whatever the reason was, O brahmin, for deciding this matter."

Verse 7 (9.64.7)

त्वद्युक्तोऽयमनुप्रश्नो यन्मां पृच्छसि पार्थिव । तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि यथावद्भरतर्षभ ॥

tvadyukto'yamanupraśno yanmāṃ pṛcchasi pārthiva | tatte'haṃ saṃpravakṣyāmi yathāvadbharatarṣabha

Vaishampayana said: "This question you ask me is fitting, O king; I shall tell you, as it was, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 8 (9.64.8)

हतं दुर्योधनं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे । व्युत्क्रम्य समयं राजन्धार्तराष्ट्रं महाबलम् ॥

hataṃ duryodhanaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena saṃyuge | vyutkramya samayaṃ rājandhārtarāṣṭraṃ mahābalam

Seeing the mighty son of Dhritarashtra, Duryodhana, slain by Bhimasena in battle, in transgression of the agreement, O king,

Verse 9 (9.64.9)

अन्यायेन हतं दृष्ट्वा गदायुद्धेन भारत । युधिष्ठिरं महाराज महद्भयमथाविशत् ॥

anyāyena hataṃ dṛṣṭvā gadāyuddhena bhārata | yudhiṣṭhiraṃ mahārāja mahadbhayamathāviśat

and seeing him struck down unfairly in the mace-fight, O Bharata, a great fear entered Yudhishthira, O great king.

Verse 10 (9.64.10)

सोऽचिन्तयन्महाभागां गान्धारीं तपसान्विताम् । घोरेण तपसा युक्तां त्रैलोक्यमपि सा दहेत् ॥

so'cintayanmahābhāgāṃ gāndhārīṃ tapasānvitām | ghoreṇa tapasā yuktāṃ trailokyamapi sā dahet

He thought of the illustrious Gandhari, rich in austerity: "Joined to such terrible penance, she could burn even the three worlds."

Verse 11 (9.64.11)

तस्य चिन्तयमानस्य बुद्धिः समभवत्तदा । गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः पूर्वं प्रशमनं भवेत् ॥

tasya cintayamānasya buddhiḥ samabhavattadā | gāndhāryāḥ krodhadīptāyāḥ pūrvaṃ praśamanaṃ bhavet

As he thought, the idea came to him that Gandhari, blazing with anger, should be appeased first.

Verse 12 (9.64.12)

सा हि पुत्रवधं श्रुत्वा कृतमस्माभिरीदृशम् । मानसेनाग्निना क्रुद्धा भस्मसान्नः करिष्यति ॥

sā hi putravadhaṃ śrutvā kṛtamasmābhirīdṛśam | mānasenāgninā kruddhā bhasmasānnaḥ kariṣyati

"For when she hears of her son's death and of what we have done, she will be angry and reduce us to ashes with the fire of her mind.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's unspoken thought, which stays with the narrator (Vaishampayana).

Verse 13 (9.64.13)

कथं दुःखमिदं तीव्रं गान्धारी सम्प्रशक्ष्यति । श्रुत्वा विनिहतं पुत्रं छलेनाजिह्मयोधिनम् ॥

kathaṃ duḥkhamidaṃ tīvraṃ gāndhārī sampraśakṣyati | śrutvā vinihataṃ putraṃ chalenājihmayodhinam

How will Gandhari bear this bitter grief, hearing that her son, who fought without crookedness, was killed by a trick?"

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's unspoken thought, which stays with the narrator (Vaishampayana).

Verse 14 (9.64.14)

एवं विचिन्त्य बहुधा भयशोकसमन्वितः । वासुदेवमिदं वाक्यं धर्मराजोऽभ्यभाषत ॥

evaṃ vicintya bahudhā bhayaśokasamanvitaḥ | vāsudevamidaṃ vākyaṃ dharmarājo'bhyabhāṣata

Having thought it over in many ways, full of fear and sorrow, the king of dharma spoke these words to Vasudeva:

Verse 15 (9.64.15)

तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द राज्यं निहतकण्टकम् । अप्राप्यं मनसाऽपीदं प्राप्तमस्माभिरच्युत ॥

tava prasādādgovinda rājyaṃ nihatakaṇṭakam | aprāpyaṃ manasā'pīdaṃ prāptamasmābhiracyuta

"By your grace, Govinda, we have won a kingdom with its thorns removed, a thing beyond the hope even of the mind, O Achyuta.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 16 (9.64.16)

प्रत्यक्षं मे महाबाहो सङ्ग्रामे रोमहर्षणे । विमर्दः सुमहान्प्राप्तस्त्वया यादवनन्दन ॥

pratyakṣaṃ me mahābāho saṅgrāme romaharṣaṇe | vimardaḥ sumahānprāptastvayā yādavanandana

Before my eyes, mighty-armed one, in the hair-raising battle, you bore a very great crushing blow, O joy of the Yadavas.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 17 (9.64.17)

त्वया देवासुरे युद्धे वधार्थममरद्विषाम् । यथा साह्यं पुरा दत्तं हताश्च विबुधद्विषः ॥

tvayā devāsure yuddhe vadhārthamamaradviṣām | yathā sāhyaṃ purā dattaṃ hatāśca vibudhadviṣaḥ

As you gave help in the war of gods and asuras long ago, to destroy the enemies of the gods, and the foes of the gods were slain,

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 18 (9.64.18)

साह्यं तथा महाबाहो दत्तमस्माकमच्युत । सारथ्येन च वार्ष्णेय भवता हि धृता वयम् ॥

sāhyaṃ tathā mahābāho dattamasmākamacyuta | sārathyena ca vārṣṇeya bhavatā hi dhṛtā vayam

so, mighty-armed Achyuta, you gave help to us as well; by your charioteering, O Varshneya, we were sustained.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 19 (9.64.19)

यदि न त्वं भवेन्नाथः फल्गुनस्य महारणे । कथं शक्यो रणे जेतुं भवेदेष बलार्णवः ॥

yadi na tvaṃ bhavennāthaḥ phalgunasya mahāraṇe | kathaṃ śakyo raṇe jetuṃ bhavedeṣa balārṇavaḥ

If you had not been the protector of Phalguna in the great battle, how could this ocean of strength have been conquered in the field?

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 20 (9.64.20)

गदाप्रहारा विपुलाः परिघैश्चापि ताडनम् । शक्तिभिर्भिण्डिपालैश्च तोमरैः सपरश्वथैः ॥

gadāprahārā vipulāḥ parighaiścāpi tāḍanam | śaktibhirbhiṇḍipālaiśca tomaraiḥ saparaśvathaiḥ

Mighty blows of maces, beatings with iron clubs, with spears, bhindipalas, lances and axes —

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 21 (9.64.21)

अस्मत्कृते त्वया कृष्ण वाचः सुपरुषाः श्रुताः । शस्त्राणां च निपाता वै वज्रस्पर्शोपमा रणे ॥

asmatkṛte tvayā kṛṣṇa vācaḥ suparuṣāḥ śrutāḥ | śastrāṇāṃ ca nipātā vai vajrasparśopamā raṇe

for our sake, Krishna, you heard very harsh words, and endured the fall of weapons in battle like the touch of thunderbolts.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension): line 1 is its star passage 9.62.21b*0383_01 and line 2 is the star passage 9.62.21d*0384_01.

Verse 22 (9.64.22)

ते च ते सफला जाता हते दुर्योधनेऽच्युत । तत्सर्वं न यथा नश्येत्पुनः कृष्ण तथा कुरु ॥

te ca te saphalā jātā hate duryodhane'cyuta | tatsarvaṃ na yathā naśyetpunaḥ kṛṣṇa tathā kuru

Those hardships of yours have borne fruit, Achyuta, now that Duryodhana is slain. Do so, Krishna, that none of it may be lost again.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 9.62.21c; line 2 is its star passage 9.62.21d*0385_01.

Verse 23 (9.64.23)

सन्देहडोलां प्राप्तं नश्चेतः कृष्ण जये सति । गान्धार्या हि महाबाहो क्रोधं शमय माधव ॥

sandehaḍolāṃ prāptaṃ naścetaḥ kṛṣṇa jaye sati | gāndhāryā hi mahābāho krodhaṃ śamaya mādhava

Though we have won, Krishna, our mind has fallen into a swing of doubt. Calm Gandhari's anger, mighty-armed Madhava.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 9.62.21d*0385_02; line 2 is a variant of 9.62.22a (gāndhāryā hi mahābāho krodhaṃ budhyasva mādhava; Wikisource reads śamaya for budhyasva).

Verse 24 (9.64.24)

सा हि नित्यं महाभागा तपसोग्रेण कर्शिता । पुत्रपौत्रवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवं नः सम्प्रधक्ष्यति । तस्याः प्रसादनं वीर प्राप्तकालं मतं मम ॥

sā hi nityaṃ mahābhāgā tapasogreṇa karśitā | putrapautravadhaṃ śrutvā dhruvaṃ naḥ sampradhakṣyati | tasyāḥ prasādanaṃ vīra prāptakālaṃ mataṃ mama

That greatly fortunate lady has long been wasted by fierce austerities; hearing of the deaths of her sons and grandsons, she will surely burn us. To appease her, O hero, I judge the time has come.

Note on the text: Corrected तस्या → तस्याः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped visarga; the critical edition reads tasyāḥ). Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). The three lines are the critical edition's 9.62.22c, 23a, 23c.

Verse 25 (9.64.25)

कश्च तां क्रोधसन्दीप्तां पुत्रव्यसनकर्शिताम् । वीक्षितुं पुरुषः शक्तस्त्वामृते पुरुषोत्तम ॥

kaśca tāṃ krodhasandīptāṃ putravyasanakarśitām | vīkṣituṃ puruṣaḥ śaktastvāmṛte puruṣottama

And who but you, O best of men, could dare to look at her, her eyes aflame with anger, wasted by grief for her sons?

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 26 (9.64.26)

तत्र मे गमनं प्राप्तं रोचते तव माधव । गान्धार्याः क्रोधदीप्तायाः प्रशमार्थमरिन्दम ॥

tatra me gamanaṃ prāptaṃ rocate tava mādhava | gāndhāryāḥ krodhadīptāyāḥ praśamārthamarindama

O Madhava, I think the time has come for a visit there, to calm Gandhari, blazing with anger, O tamer of foes.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Matches the critical edition's 9.62.25 exactly (not matched by the alignment, which had given that verse to the near-copy in the previous adhyaya).

Verse 27 (9.64.27)

त्वं हि कर्ता विकर्ता च लोकानां प्रभवाव्ययः । हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैः कालसमीरितैः ॥

tvaṃ hi kartā vikartā ca lokānāṃ prabhavāvyayaḥ | hetukāraṇasaṃyuktairvākyaiḥ kālasamīritaiḥ

For you are the maker and unmaker of the worlds, their origin and their dissolution. With words fitted to reasons and causes and to the occasion,

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 28 (9.64.28)

क्षिप्रमेव महाबाहो गान्धारीं शमयिष्यसि । पितामहश्च भगवान्कृष्णस्तत्र भविष्यति ॥

kṣiprameva mahābāho gāndhārīṃ śamayiṣyasi | pitāmahaśca bhagavānkṛṣṇastatra bhaviṣyati

you will quickly calm Gandhari, O mighty-armed one. And the revered grandsire Krishna will be there.

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Here the grandsire Krishna is Vyasa, Krishna Dvaipayana.

Verse 29 (9.64.29)

सर्वथा ते महाबाहो गान्धार्याः क्रोधनाशनम् । कर्तव्यं सात्वतां श्रेष्ठ पाण्डवानां हितार्थिना ॥

sarvathā te mahābāho gāndhāryāḥ krodhanāśanam | kartavyaṃ sātvatāṃ śreṣṭha pāṇḍavānāṃ hitārthinā

In every way, O mighty-armed best of the Satvatas, it is for you, wishing the good of the Pandavas, to put an end to Gandhari's anger."

Note on the text: Yudhishthira's direct speech to Krishna with no printed heading (verses 15–29); speaker given to Yudhishthira (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 30 (9.64.30)

धर्मराजस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा यदुकुलोद्वहः । आमन्त्र्य दारुकं प्राह रथः सज्जो विधीयताम् ॥

dharmarājasya vacanaṃ śrutvā yadukulodvahaḥ | āmantrya dārukaṃ prāha rathaḥ sajjo vidhīyatām

Hearing the words of the king of dharma, the Yadava, upholder of the Yadu line, addressed Daruka: "Let the chariot be made ready."

Note on the text: Corrected सञ्जो → सज्जो (misprint in Wikisource; ञ्ज for ज्ज; the critical edition reads sajjo). Line 1 is narration and line 2 Krishna's order; the verse is given to the narrator.

Verse 31 (9.64.31)

केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा त्वरमाणोऽथ दारुकः । न्यवेदयद्रथं सज्जं केशवाय महात्मने ॥

keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā tvaramāṇo'tha dārukaḥ | nyavedayadrathaṃ sajjaṃ keśavāya mahātmane

Hearing Keshava's words, Daruka quickly reported to great-souled Keshava that the chariot was ready.

Verse 32 (9.64.32)

तं रथं यादवश्रेष्ठः समारुह्य परन्तपः । जगाम हास्तिनपुरं त्वरितः केशवो विभुः ॥

taṃ rathaṃ yādavaśreṣṭhaḥ samāruhya parantapaḥ | jagāma hāstinapuraṃ tvaritaḥ keśavo vibhuḥ

Mounting that chariot, the best of the Yadavas, the scorcher of foes, mighty Keshava drove swiftly to Hastinapura.

Verse 33 (9.64.33)

ततः प्रायान्महाराज माधवो भगवान्रथी । नागसाह्वयमासाद्य प्रविवेश च वीर्यवान् ॥

tataḥ prāyānmahārāja mādhavo bhagavānrathī | nāgasāhvayamāsādya praviveśa ca vīryavān

Then the Lord Madhava went on in his chariot, O great king, and reaching Nagasahvaya he, the mighty one, entered it.

Verse 34 (9.64.34)

प्रविश्य नगरं वीरो रथघोषेण नादयन् । विदितो धृतराष्ट्रस्य सोऽवतीर्य रथोत्तमात् । अभ्यगच्छददीनात्मा धृतराष्ट्रनिवेशनम् ॥

praviśya nagaraṃ vīro rathaghoṣeṇa nādayan | vidito dhṛtarāṣṭrasya so'vatīrya rathottamāt | abhyagacchadadīnātmā dhṛtarāṣṭraniveśanam

Entering the city, filling it with the rumble of his chariot, the hero had his coming made known to Dhritarashtra; getting down from the splendid chariot, with unshaken spirit he went to Dhritarashtra's house.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment: lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 9.62.33ac and line 3 is its 9.62.34a (Wikisource divides the critical edition's verses 33–34 differently).

Verse 35 (9.64.35)

पूर्वं चाभिगतं तत्र सोऽपश्यदृषिसत्तमम् ॥

pūrvaṃ cābhigataṃ tatra so'paśyadṛṣisattamam

There he saw that the best of sages had come there before him.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.34c (9.62.34a stands as line 3 of the previous Wikisource verse).

Verse 36 (9.64.36)

पादौ प्रपीड्य कृष्णस्य राज्ञश्चापि जनार्दनः । अभ्यवादयदव्यग्रो गान्धारीं चापि केशवः ॥

pādau prapīḍya kṛṣṇasya rājñaścāpi janārdanaḥ | abhyavādayadavyagro gāndhārīṃ cāpi keśavaḥ

Janardana clasped the feet of Krishna (Vyasa) and of the king as well and saluted them with calm composure, and Gandhari too, Keshava did.

Verse 37 (9.64.37)

ततस्तु यादवश्रेष्ठो धृतराष्ट्रमधोक्षजः । पाणिमालम्ब्य राजेन्द्र सुस्वरं प्ररुरोद ह ॥

tatastu yādavaśreṣṭho dhṛtarāṣṭramadhokṣajaḥ | pāṇimālambya rājendra susvaraṃ praruroda ha

Then the best of the Yadavas, Adhokshaja, took Dhritarashtra by the hand, O king of kings, and wept aloud.

Verse 38 (9.64.38)

स मुहूर्तादिवोत्सृज्य बाष्पं शोकसमुद्भवम् । प्रक्षाल्य वारिणा नेत्रे ह्याचम्य च यथाविधि । उवाच प्रश्रितं वाक्यं धृतराष्ट्रमरिन्दमः ॥

sa muhūrtādivotsṛjya bāṣpaṃ śokasamudbhavam | prakṣālya vāriṇā netre hyācamya ca yathāvidhi | uvāca praśritaṃ vākyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭramarindamaḥ

After a moment he put aside the tears born of grief, washed his eyes with water, sipped water as is proper, and, subduer of foes, spoke these respectful words to Dhritarashtra:

Verse 39 (9.64.39)

न तेऽस्त्यविदितं किञ्चिद्भूतं भव्यं च भारत । कालस्य च यथावृत्तं तत्ते सुविदितं प्रभो ॥

na te'styaviditaṃ kiñcidbhūtaṃ bhavyaṃ ca bhārata | kālasya ca yathāvṛttaṃ tatte suviditaṃ prabho

"Nothing, O Bharata, of what has been or what is to come is unknown to you; and how the course of time runs is well known to you, my lord.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech to Dhritarashtra (verses 39–56) introduced by line 3 of verse 38, with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 40 (9.64.40)

यदिदं पाण्डवैः सर्वैस्तव चित्तानुरोधिभिः । कथं कुलक्षयो न स्यात्तथा क्षत्रस्य भारत ॥

yadidaṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ sarvaistava cittānurodhibhiḥ | kathaṃ kulakṣayo na syāttathā kṣatrasya bhārata

As for what has happened: with all the Pandavas following your wishes, how could the ruin of the family and of the warrior class have been avoided, O Bharata?

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 41 (9.64.41)

भ्रातृभिः समयं कृत्वा क्षान्तवान्धर्मवत्सलः । द्यूतच्छलजितैः शुद्धैर्वनवासो ह्युपागतः ॥

bhrātṛbhiḥ samayaṃ kṛtvā kṣāntavāndharmavatsalaḥ | dyūtacchalajitaiḥ śuddhairvanavāso hyupāgataḥ

Having made an agreement with his brothers, the dharma-loving Yudhishthira endured; defeated by the trick of the dice, those pure men went to live in the forest.

Note on the text: Corrected शुद्वैर् → शुद्धैर् (शुद्वैर्वनवासो → शुद्धैर्वनवासो) (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध). Wikisource's शुद्धैः is a recension variant of the critical edition's śaktaiḥ in 9.62.40c, and is kept. Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 42 (9.64.42)

अज्ञातवासचर्या च नानावेषसमावृतैः । अन्ये च बहवः क्लेशास्त्वशक्तैरिव सर्वदा ॥

ajñātavāsacaryā ca nānāveṣasamāvṛtaiḥ | anye ca bahavaḥ kleśāstvaśaktairiva sarvadā

There was the life in concealment, hidden in many disguises, and many other hardships, as though they were powerless, always.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 43 (9.64.43)

मया च स्वयमागम्य युद्धकाल उपस्थिते । सर्वलोकस्य सान्निध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं पञ्चयाचितः ॥

mayā ca svayamāgamya yuddhakāla upasthite | sarvalokasya sānnidhye grāmāṃstvaṃ pañcayācitaḥ

And when the time of war was near, I came myself, and in the presence of the whole world you were asked for five villages.

Note on the text: Corrected सान्निध्येग्रामांस्त्वं → सान्निध्ये ग्रामांस्त्वं (misprint in Wikisource; missing space, the sandhi ए+ग् is not valid). Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 44 (9.64.44)

त्वया कालोपसृष्टेन लोभतो नापवर्जिताः । तवापराधान्नृपते सर्वं क्षत्रं क्षयं गतम् ॥

tvayā kālopasṛṣṭena lobhato nāpavarjitāḥ | tavāparādhānnṛpate sarvaṃ kṣatraṃ kṣayaṃ gatam

But you, seized by time, did not give them up, from greed. Through your fault, O king, the whole warrior class has gone to destruction.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 45 (9.64.45)

भीष्मेण सोमदत्तेन बाह्लीकेन कृपेण च । द्रोणेन च सपुत्रेण विदुरेण च धीमता । याचितस्त्वं शमं नित्यं न च तत्कृतवानसि ॥

bhīṣmeṇa somadattena bāhlīkena kṛpeṇa ca | droṇena ca saputreṇa vidureṇa ca dhīmatā | yācitastvaṃ śamaṃ nityaṃ na ca tatkṛtavānasi

Bhishma, Somadatta, Bahlika, Kripa, Drona with his son, and wise Vidura always begged you for peace, and you did not make it.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 46 (9.64.46)

कालोपहतचित्ता हि सर्वे मुह्यन्ति भारत । यथा मूढो भवान्पूर्वमस्मिन्नर्थे समुद्यते ॥

kālopahatacittā hi sarve muhyanti bhārata | yathā mūḍho bhavānpūrvamasminnarthe samudyate

All whose minds are struck by time are bewildered, O Bharata, as you yourself were deluded earlier when this matter arose.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 47 (9.64.47)

किमन्यत्कालयोगाद्धि द्विष्टमेव परायणम् । मा च दोषान्महाप्राज्ञ पाण्डवेषु निवेशय ॥

kimanyatkālayogāddhi dviṣṭameva parāyaṇam | mā ca doṣānmahāprājña pāṇḍaveṣu niveśaya

What else is there but the working of time? Fate is the final resort. And do not lay blame on the Pandavas, O wise one.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 48 (9.64.48)

अल्पोऽप्यतिक्रमो नास्ति पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् । धर्मतो न्यायतश्चैव स्नेहतश्च परन्तप ॥

alpo'pyatikramo nāsti pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām | dharmato nyāyataścaiva snehataśca parantapa

There is not even a small transgression by the great-souled Pandavas, in dharma, in justice, or in affection, O scorcher of foes.

Note on the text: Corrected अल्पोप्यतिक्रमो → अल्पोऽप्यतिक्रमो (missing avagraha in Wikisource; the critical edition reads alpo 'py atikramo). Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 49 (9.64.49)

एतत्सर्वं तु विज्ञाय ह्यात्मदोषकृतं फलम् । तन्मन्युं पाण्डुपुत्रेषु न भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥

etatsarvaṃ tu vijñāya hyātmadoṣakṛtaṃ phalam | tanmanyuṃ pāṇḍuputreṣu na bhavānkartumarhati

Knowing all this to be the fruit of your own faults, you should not bear anger against the sons of Pandu.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Line 2 is a recension variant of the critical edition's 9.62.48c (asūyāṃ pāṇḍuputreṣu); the page's commentary records that reading.

Verse 50 (9.64.50)

कुलं वंशश्च पिण्डाश्च यच्च पुत्रकृतं फलम् । गान्धार्यास्तव वै नाथ पाण्डवेषु प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥

kulaṃ vaṃśaśca piṇḍāśca yacca putrakṛtaṃ phalam | gāndhāryāstava vai nātha pāṇḍaveṣu pratiṣṭhitam

The family, the line, the funeral offerings, and whatever fruit comes from sons — for Gandhari and for you, my lord, all of it now rests on the Pandavas.

Note on the text: Corrected पुत्रकृत फलम् → पुत्रकृतं फलम् (misprint in Wikisource; dropped anusvara; the critical edition reads putrakṛtaṃ phalam). Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 51 (9.64.51)

त्वं चैव कुरुशार्दूल गान्धारी च यशस्विनी । मा शुचो नरशार्दूल पाण्डवान्प्रति किल्बिषम् ॥

tvaṃ caiva kuruśārdūla gāndhārī ca yaśasvinī | mā śuco naraśārdūla pāṇḍavānprati kilbiṣam

You, tiger of the Kurus, and the illustrious Gandhari — do not grieve, tiger among men, and hold no offence against the Pandavas.

Note on the text: Corrected पाण्डवान्प्रतिकिल्बिम् → पाण्डवान्प्रति किल्बिषम् (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct and a missing space; the critical edition reads pāṇḍavān prati kilbiṣam). Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 9.62.49d*0386_01–02. Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 52 (9.64.52)

एतत्सर्वमनुध्याय आत्मनश्च व्यतिक्रमम् । शिवेन पाण्डवान्ध्याहि नमस्ते भरतर्षभ ॥

etatsarvamanudhyāya ātmanaśca vyatikramam | śivena pāṇḍavāndhyāhi namaste bharatarṣabha

Reflecting on all this and on your own transgression, think kindly of the Pandavas. Homage to you, best of the Bharatas.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 53 (9.64.53)

जानासि च महाबाहो धर्मराजस्य या त्वयि । भक्तिर्भरतशार्दूल स्नेहश्चापि स्वभावतः ॥

jānāsi ca mahābāho dharmarājasya yā tvayi | bhaktirbharataśārdūla snehaścāpi svabhāvataḥ

You know, mighty-armed one, tiger of the Bharatas, the devotion the king of dharma bears toward you, and the affection that is natural to him.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 54 (9.64.54)

एतच्च कदनं कृत्वा शत्रूणामपकारिणाम् । दह्यते स दिवारात्रौ न च शर्माधिगच्छति ॥

etacca kadanaṃ kṛtvā śatrūṇāmapakāriṇām | dahyate sa divārātrau na ca śarmādhigacchati

Having done this slaughter of his wrongdoing enemies, he burns day and night and finds no peace.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 55 (9.64.55)

त्वां चैव नरशार्दूल गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम् । स शोचन्नरशार्दूलः शान्तिं नैवाधिगच्छति ॥

tvāṃ caiva naraśārdūla gāndhārīṃ ca yaśasvinīm | sa śocannaraśārdūlaḥ śāntiṃ naivādhigacchati

Grieving for you, tiger among men, and for the illustrious Gandhari, that tiger among men finds no peace.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Line 2 is a variant of the critical edition's 9.62.53c (sa śocan bharataśreṣṭha).

Verse 56 (9.64.56)

हिया च परयाऽविष्टो भवन्तं नाधिगच्छति । पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तं बुद्धिव्याकुलितेन्द्रियम् ॥

hiyā ca parayā'viṣṭo bhavantaṃ nādhigacchati | putraśokābhisantaptaṃ buddhivyākulitendriyam

Overcome by great shame, he does not come into your presence, tormented as you are by grief for your sons, your mind and senses in turmoil."

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 57 (9.64.57)

एवमुक्त्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्रं यदूत्तमः । उवाच परमं वाक्यं गान्धारीं शोककर्शिताम् ॥

evamuktvā mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ yadūttamaḥ | uvāca paramaṃ vākyaṃ gāndhārīṃ śokakarśitām

Having spoken thus to Dhritarashtra, O great king, the best of the Yadus spoke these excellent words to Gandhari, wasted by grief:

Verse 58 (9.64.58)

सौबलेयि निबोध त्वं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि सुव्रते । त्वत्समा नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नद्य सीमन्तिनी शुभे ॥

saubaleyi nibodha tvaṃ yattvāṃ vakṣyāmi suvrate | tvatsamā nāsti loke'sminnadya sīmantinī śubhe

"Daughter of Subala, listen to what I shall tell you, virtuous lady; today there is no woman in this world equal to you, noble one.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech to Gandhari (verses 58–63), introduced by verse 57, with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 59 (9.64.59)

जानासि च यथा राज्ञि सभायां मम सन्निधौ । धर्मार्थसहितं वाक्यमुभयोः पक्षयोर्हितम् ॥

jānāsi ca yathā rājñi sabhāyāṃ mama sannidhau | dharmārthasahitaṃ vākyamubhayoḥ pakṣayorhitam

You know, queen, how in the assembly, in my presence, you spoke words full of dharma and profit, good for both sides.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: lines 1–2 are a variant of the critical edition's 9.62.57ac (Wikisource jānāsi for jānāmi).

Verse 60 (9.64.60)

उक्तवत्यसि कल्याणि न च ते तनयैः कृतम् । दुर्योधनस्त्वया चोक्तो जयार्थी परुषं वचः ॥

uktavatyasi kalyāṇi na ca te tanayaiḥ kṛtam | duryodhanastvayā cokto jayārthī paruṣaṃ vacaḥ

You spoke them, gracious lady, but your sons did not act on them; and you spoke harsh words to Duryodhana, who sought victory:

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 9.62.57e (kṛtam for śrutam) and line 2 is its 9.62.58a.

Verse 61 (9.64.61)

शृणु मूढ वचो मह्यं यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः । तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं तव वाक्यं नृपात्मजे ॥

śṛṇu mūḍha vaco mahyaṃ yato dharmastato jayaḥ | tadidaṃ samanuprāptaṃ tava vākyaṃ nṛpātmaje

"Listen to my words, fool: where there is dharma, there is victory." That word of yours has now come true, O princess.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.58c and 59a. (The raw page labels line 1 "6-64-61a", a typing slip for 9-64-61a.)

Verse 62 (9.64.62)

एवं विदित्वा कल्याणि मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः । पाण्डवानां विनाशाय मा ते बुद्धिः कदाचन ॥

evaṃ viditvā kalyāṇi mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ vināśāya mā te buddhiḥ kadācana

Knowing this, gracious lady, do not set your mind on grief, and never let your thought turn to the destruction of the Pandavas.

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.59ce.

Verse 63 (9.64.63)

शक्ता चासि महाभागे पृथिवीं सचराचराम् । चक्षुषा क्रोधदीप्तेन निर्दग्धुं तपसो बलात् ॥

śaktā cāsi mahābhāge pṛthivīṃ sacarācarām | cakṣuṣā krodhadīptena nirdagdhuṃ tapaso balāt

You are able, great lady, through the power of austerity, to burn up the earth with all that moves and does not move, by a glance enflamed with anger."

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 64 (9.64.64)

वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा गान्धारी वाक्यमब्रवीत् । एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि केशव ॥

vāsudevavacaḥ śrutvā gāndhārī vākyamabravīt | evametanmahābāho yathā vadasi keśava

Hearing Vasudeva's words, Gandhari said: "It is so, mighty-armed Keshava, just as you say.

Note on the text: Line 1 is narration and line 2 begins Gandhari's words, which continue in verses 65–66; the verse is given to the narrator.

Verse 65 (9.64.65)

आधिभिर्दह्यमानाया मतिः सञ्चलिता मम । सा मे व्यवस्थिता श्रुत्वा तव वाक्यं जनार्दन ॥

ādhibhirdahyamānāyā matiḥ sañcalitā mama | sā me vyavasthitā śrutvā tava vākyaṃ janārdana

My mind, burning with torments, had wavered; having heard your words, Janardana, it has become steady.

Note on the text: Gandhari's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Gandhari (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 66 (9.64.66)

राज्ञस्त्वन्धस्य वृद्धस्य हतपुत्रस्य केशव । त्वं गतिः सहितैर्वीरैः पाण्डवैर्द्विपदां वर ॥

rājñastvandhasya vṛddhasya hataputrasya keśava | tvaṃ gatiḥ sahitairvīraiḥ pāṇḍavairdvipadāṃ vara

For the king, blind and aged, whose sons are slain, you, Keshava, are the refuge — you, best of two-footed beings, together with the heroic Pandavas."

Note on the text: Corrected दिपदा → द्विपदां (misprint in Wikisource; the critical edition reads dvipadāṃ vara). Gandhari's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Gandhari (the input carried Vaishampayana over).

Verse 67 (9.64.67)

एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं मुखं प्रच्छाद्य वाससा । पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्ता गान्धारी प्ररुरोद ह ॥

etāvaduktvā vacanaṃ mukhaṃ pracchādya vāsasā | putraśokābhisantaptā gāndhārī praruroda ha

Having said only this, covering her face with her garment, Gandhari, tormented by grief for her son, wept.

Verse 68 (9.64.68)

तत एनां महाबाहुः केशवः शोककर्शिताम् । हेतुकारणसंयुक्तैर्वाक्यैराश्वासयत्प्रभुः ॥

tata enāṃ mahābāhuḥ keśavaḥ śokakarśitām | hetukāraṇasaṃyuktairvākyairāśvāsayatprabhuḥ

Then mighty-armed Lord Keshava consoled her, wasted with sorrow, with words fitted to reason and cause.

Note on the text: Corrected केश्वः → केशवः (misprint in Wikisource; श् for श, a stray virama; the critical edition reads keśavaḥ).

Verse 69 (9.64.69)

समाश्वास्य च गान्धारीं धृतराष्ट्रं च माधवः । द्रौणिसङ्कल्पितं भावमन्वबुध्यत केशवः ॥

samāśvāsya ca gāndhārīṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ ca mādhavaḥ | drauṇisaṅkalpitaṃ bhāvamanvabudhyata keśavaḥ

Having consoled Gandhari and Dhritarashtra, Madhava, Keshava, realised the intent that Drona's son had formed.

Verse 70 (9.64.70)

ततस्त्वरित उत्थाय पादौ मूर्ध्ना प्रणम्य च । द्वैपायनस्य राजेन्द्र ततः कौरवमब्रवीत् ॥

tatastvarita utthāya pādau mūrdhnā praṇamya ca | dvaipāyanasya rājendra tataḥ kauravamabravīt

Then, rising in haste and bowing his head to the feet of Dvaipayana, O king of kings, he spoke to the Kaurava:

Verse 71 (9.64.71)

आपृच्छे त्वां कुरुश्रेष्ठ मा च शोके मनः कृथाः । द्रौणेः पापोऽस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेनास्मि सहसोत्थितः ॥

āpṛcche tvāṃ kuruśreṣṭha mā ca śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ | drauṇeḥ pāpo'styabhiprāyastenāsmi sahasotthitaḥ

"I take my leave of you, best of the Kurus; do not let your mind dwell on grief. Drona's son has an evil design, and that is why I have risen so suddenly.

Note on the text: Corrected पापोस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेन → पापोऽस्त्यभिप्रायस्तेन (missing avagraha in Wikisource; the critical edition reads pāpo 'sty abhiprāyaḥ). Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.68ac.

Verse 72 (9.64.72)

पाण्डवानां वधे रात्रौ बुद्धिस्तेन प्रदर्शिता ॥

pāṇḍavānāṃ vadhe rātrau buddhistena pradarśitā

He has set his mind on killing the Pandavas at night."

Note on the text: Krishna's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Vasudeva (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.68e.

Verse 73 (9.64.73)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं गान्धार्या सहितोऽब्रवीत् । धृतराष्ट्रो महाबाहुः केशवं केशिसूदनम् ॥

etacchrutvā tu vacanaṃ gāndhāryā sahito'bravīt | dhṛtarāṣṭro mahābāhuḥ keśavaṃ keśisūdanam

Hearing these words, mighty-armed Dhritarashtra, together with Gandhari, said to Keshava, slayer of Keshin:

Verse 74 (9.64.74)

शीघ्रं गच्छ महाबाहो पाण्डवान्परिपालय । भूयस्त्वया समेष्यामि क्षिप्रमेव जनार्दन ॥

śīghraṃ gaccha mahābāho pāṇḍavānparipālaya | bhūyastvayā sameṣyāmi kṣiprameva janārdana

"Go quickly, mighty-armed one, and protect the Pandavas; I shall meet you again soon, Janardana."

Note on the text: Dhritarashtra's direct speech with no printed heading; speaker given to Dhritarashtra (the input carried Vaishampayana over). Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.70ac.

Verse 75 (9.64.75)

प्रायात्ततस्तु त्वरितो दारुकेण सहाच्युतः ॥

prāyāttatastu tvarito dārukeṇa sahācyutaḥ

Then Achyuta set out in haste with Daruka.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment: the critical edition's 9.62.70e.

Verse 76 (9.64.76)

वासुदेवे गते राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम् । आश्वासयदमेयात्मा व्यासो लोकनमस्कृतः ॥

vāsudeve gate rājandhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janeśvaram | āśvāsayadameyātmā vyāso lokanamaskṛtaḥ

When Vasudeva had gone, O king, Vyasa, of immeasurable spirit and honoured by the worlds, comforted Dhritarashtra, lord of men.

Verse 77 (9.64.77)

वासुदेवोऽपि धर्मात्मा कृतकृत्यो जगाम ह । शिबिरं हास्तिनपुराद्दिदृक्षुः पाण्डवान्नृप ॥

vāsudevo'pi dharmātmā kṛtakṛtyo jagāma ha | śibiraṃ hāstinapurāddidṛkṣuḥ pāṇḍavānnṛpa

And Vasudeva too, righteous and his task done, went from Hastinapura to the camp, wishing to see the Pandavas, O king.

Verse 78 (9.64.78)

आगम्य शिबिरं रात्रौ सोऽभ्यगच्छत पाण्डवान् । तच्च तेभ्यः समाख्याय सहितस्तैः समाहितः ॥

āgamya śibiraṃ rātrau so'bhyagacchata pāṇḍavān | tacca tebhyaḥ samākhyāya sahitastaiḥ samāhitaḥ

Coming to the camp at night, he went to the Pandavas, and after telling them all this, he stayed with them, composed.