Dhritarashtra Recounts the Law of Succession

Verse 1 (5.149.1)

एवमुक्ते तु गान्धार्या धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः । दुर्योधनमुवाचेदं राजमध्ये जनाधिप ॥

evamukte tu gāndhāryā dhṛtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ | duryodhanamuvācedaṃ rājamadhye janādhipa

When Gandhari had spoken thus, Dhritarashtra, lord of the people, said this to Duryodhana in the midst of the kings, lord of men:

Verse 2 (5.149.2)

दुर्योधन निबोधेदं यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक । तथा तत्कुरु भद्रं ते यद्यस्ति पितृगौरवम् ॥

duryodhana nibodhedaṃ yattvāṃ vakṣyāmi putraka | tathā tatkuru bhadraṃ te yadyasti pitṛgauravam

Duryodhana, my son, understand what I am going to tell you, and act on it — may it go well with you — if you have any reverence for your father.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra: his speech, announced by Krishna in verse 1, fills verses 2–36 with no printed heading in Wikisource (nor in the critical edition).

Verse 3 (5.149.3)

सोमः प्रजापतिः पूर्वं कुरूणां वंशवर्धनः । सोमाद्बभूव षष्ठोऽयं ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः ॥

somaḥ prajāpatiḥ pūrvaṃ kurūṇāṃ vaṃśavardhanaḥ | somādbabhūva ṣaṣṭho'yaṃ yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ

Long ago Soma, lord of creatures, founded the Kuru line. Sixth from Soma came this Yayati, son of Nahusha.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 4 (5.149.4)

तस्य पुत्रा बभूवुर्हि पञ्च राजर्षिसत्तमाः । तेषां यदुर्महातेजा ज्येष्ठः समभवत्प्रभुः ॥

tasya putrā babhūvurhi pañca rājarṣisattamāḥ | teṣāṃ yadurmahātejā jyeṣṭhaḥ samabhavatprabhuḥ

He had five sons, the best of royal seers. Of them the mighty and splendid Yadu was the eldest.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 5 (5.149.5)

पूरुर्यवीयांश्च ततो योऽस्माकं वंशवर्धनः । शर्मिष्ठया संप्रसूतो दुहित्रा वृषपर्वणः ॥

pūruryavīyāṃśca tato yo'smākaṃ vaṃśavardhanaḥ | śarmiṣṭhayā saṃprasūto duhitrā vṛṣaparvaṇaḥ

And the youngest was Puru, who increased our line, born of Sharmishtha, daughter of Vrishaparvan.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 6 (5.149.6)

यदुश्च भरतश्रेष्ठ देवयान्याः सुतोऽभवत् । दौहित्रस्तात शुक्रस्य काव्यस्यामिततेजसः ॥

yaduśca bharataśreṣṭha devayānyāḥ suto'bhavat | dauhitrastāta śukrasya kāvyasyāmitatejasaḥ

Yadu, best of the Bharatas, was the son of Devayani, and so, dear son, the daughter's son of Shukra Kavya of boundless splendour.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 7 (5.149.7)

यादवानां कुलकरो बलवान्वीर्यसंमतः । अवमेने स तु क्षत्रं दर्पपूर्णः सुमन्दधीः ॥

yādavānāṃ kulakaro balavānvīryasaṃmataḥ | avamene sa tu kṣatraṃ darpapūrṇaḥ sumandadhīḥ

The founder of the Yadava clan, strong and honoured for his valour, he was full of pride and very dull of mind, and he held the kshatriyas in contempt.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 8 (5.149.8)

न चातिष्ठत्पितुः शास्त्रे बलदर्पविमोहितः । अवमेने च पितरं भ्रातॄंश्चाप्यपराजितः ॥

na cātiṣṭhatpituḥ śāstre baladarpavimohitaḥ | avamene ca pitaraṃ bhrātṝṃścāpyaparājitaḥ

Deluded by pride in his strength, he would not abide by his father's command; unconquered, he despised his father and his brothers as well.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Corrected शस्त्रि → शास्त्रे (misprint in Wikisource; "in the command" is required, as in the critical edition's śāstre).

Verse 9 (5.149.9)

पृथिव्यां चतुरन्तायां यदुरेवाभवद्बली । वशे कृत्वा स नृपतीन्न्यवसन्नागसाह्वये ॥

pṛthivyāṃ caturantāyāṃ yadurevābhavadbalī | vaśe kṛtvā sa nṛpatīnnyavasannāgasāhvaye

On the four-cornered earth Yadu alone was mighty; having brought the kings under his sway, he dwelt in the City of the Elephant.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Corrected यदुदेवाभवद्बली → यदुरेवाभवद्बली (misprint in Wikisource; द for र, as in the critical edition's yadur evābhavad balī).

Verse 10 (5.149.10)

तं पिता परमक्रुद्धो ययातिर्नहुषात्मजः । शशाप पुत्रं गान्धारे राज्याच्चापि व्यरोपयत् ॥

taṃ pitā paramakruddho yayātirnahuṣātmajaḥ | śaśāpa putraṃ gāndhāre rājyāccāpi vyaropayat

His father Yayati, son of Nahusha, in great anger cursed that son, son of Gandhari, and cast him out of the kingdom.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 11 (5.149.11)

ये चैनमन्ववर्तन्त भ्रातरो बलदर्पिताः । शशाप तानपि क्रुद्धो ययातिस्तनयानथ ॥

ye cainamanvavartanta bhrātaro baladarpitāḥ | śaśāpa tānapi kruddho yayātistanayānatha

And the brothers, proud of their strength, who followed him — those sons too Yayati cursed in his anger.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 12 (5.149.12)

यवीयांसं ततः पुरुं पुत्रं स्ववशवर्तिनम् । राज्ये निवेशयामास विधेयं नृपसत्तमः ॥

yavīyāṃsaṃ tataḥ puruṃ putraṃ svavaśavartinam | rājye niveśayāmāsa vidheyaṃ nṛpasattamaḥ

Then that best of kings installed in the kingdom his youngest son Puru, who was obedient and submissive to his will.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 13 (5.149.13)

एवं ज्येष्ठोऽप्यथोत्सिक्तो न राज्यमभिजायते । यवीयांसोऽपि जायन्ते राज्यं वृद्धोपसेवया ॥

evaṃ jyeṣṭho'pyathotsikto na rājyamabhijāyate | yavīyāṃso'pi jāyante rājyaṃ vṛddhopasevayā

So even an eldest son, if he is arrogant, does not come to the kingship, while younger sons come to it by serving their elders.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Corrected यवीयांसोपि → यवीयांसोऽपि (misprint in Wikisource; missing avagraha).

Verse 14 (5.149.14)

तथैव सर्वधर्मज्ञः पितुर्मम पितामहः । प्रतीपः पृथिवीपालस्त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः ॥

tathaiva sarvadharmajñaḥ piturmama pitāmahaḥ | pratīpaḥ pṛthivīpālastriṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ

In the same way my father's grandfather Pratipa, protector of the earth, who knew every dharma, was renowned in the three worlds.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 15 (5.149.15)

तस्य पार्थिवसिंहस्य राज्यं धर्मेण शासतः । त्रयः प्रजज्ञिरे पुत्रा देवकल्पा यशस्विनः ॥

tasya pārthivasiṃhasya rājyaṃ dharmeṇa śāsataḥ | trayaḥ prajajñire putrā devakalpā yaśasvinaḥ

While that lion among kings ruled his kingdom righteously, three sons were born to him, glorious and like gods.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 16 (5.149.16)

देवापिरभवच्छ्रेष्ठो बाह्लीकस्तदनन्तरम् । तृतीयः शन्तनुस्तात धृतिमान्मे पितामहः ॥

devāpirabhavacchreṣṭho bāhlīkastadanantaram | tṛtīyaḥ śantanustāta dhṛtimānme pitāmahaḥ

Devapi was the best of them, Bahlika came after him, and the third, dear son, was the steadfast Shantanu, my grandfather.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 17 (5.149.17)

देवापिस्तु महातेजास्त्वग्दोषी राजसत्तमः । धार्मिकः सत्यवादी च पितुः शुश्रूषणे रतः ॥

devāpistu mahātejāstvagdoṣī rājasattamaḥ | dhārmikaḥ satyavādī ca pituḥ śuśrūṣaṇe rataḥ

Devapi, of great splendour and best of kings, had a disease of the skin; he was righteous, truthful and devoted to serving his father.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 18 (5.149.18)

पौरजानपदानां च संमतः साधुसत्कृतः । सर्वेषां बालवृद्धानां देवापिर्हृदयङ्गमः ॥

paurajānapadānāṃ ca saṃmataḥ sādhusatkṛtaḥ | sarveṣāṃ bālavṛddhānāṃ devāpirhṛdayaṅgamaḥ

He was esteemed by the people of town and country and honoured by the good; Devapi won the hearts of all, young and old.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 19 (5.149.19)

वदान्यः सत्यसन्धश्च सर्वभूतहिते रतः । वर्तमानः पितुः शास्त्रे ब्राह्मणानां तथैव च ॥

vadānyaḥ satyasandhaśca sarvabhūtahite rataḥ | vartamānaḥ pituḥ śāstre brāhmaṇānāṃ tathaiva ca

He was generous, true to his word and devoted to the good of all beings, and he abided by the command of his father and of the brahmins alike.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 20 (5.149.20)

बाह्लीकस्य प्रियो भ्राता शन्तनोश्च महात्मनः । सौभ्रात्रं च परं तेषां सहितानां महात्मनाम् ॥

bāhlīkasya priyo bhrātā śantanośca mahātmanaḥ | saubhrātraṃ ca paraṃ teṣāṃ sahitānāṃ mahātmanām

He was dear to his brother Bahlika and to the great-souled Shantanu; and among those great-souled brothers, united as they were, there was the deepest brotherly love.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 21 (5.149.21)

अथ कालस्य पर्याये वृद्धो नृपतिसत्तमः । संभारानभिषेकार्थं कारयामास शास्त्रतः ॥

atha kālasya paryāye vṛddho nṛpatisattamaḥ | saṃbhārānabhiṣekārthaṃ kārayāmāsa śāstrataḥ

Then in the course of time the aged best of kings had the materials for the consecration prepared according to the scriptures.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Wikisource divides 5.147.21–23 differently: this verse is the critical edition's 5.147.21ab–cd.

Verse 22 (5.149.22)

कारयामास सर्वाणि मङ्गलार्थानि वै विभुः । तं ब्राह्मणाश्च वृद्धाश्च पौरजानपदैः सह ॥

kārayāmāsa sarvāṇi maṅgalārthāni vai vibhuḥ | taṃ brāhmaṇāśca vṛddhāśca paurajānapadaiḥ saha

The lord had all the auspicious preparations made. But the brahmins and the elders, together with the people of town and country,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). This verse joins the critical edition's 5.147.21ef and 5.147.22ab.

Verse 23 (5.149.23)

सर्वे निवारयामासुर्देवापेरभिषेचनम् । स तच्छ्रुत्वा तु नृपतिरभिषेकनिवारणम् । अश्रुकण्ठोऽभवद्राजा पर्यशोचत चात्मजम् ॥

sarve nivārayāmāsurdevāperabhiṣecanam | sa tacchrutvā tu nṛpatirabhiṣekanivāraṇam | aśrukaṇṭho'bhavadrājā paryaśocata cātmajam

all forbade Devapi's consecration. When the king heard that the consecration had been forbidden, his throat was choked with tears, and he grieved for his son.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). This verse joins the critical edition's 5.147.22cd and 5.147.23.

Verse 24 (5.149.24)

एवं वदान्यो धर्मज्ञः सत्यसन्धश्च सोऽभवत् । प्रियः प्रजानामपि संस्त्वग्दोषेण प्रदूषितः ॥

evaṃ vadānyo dharmajñaḥ satyasandhaśca so'bhavat | priyaḥ prajānāmapi saṃstvagdoṣeṇa pradūṣitaḥ

Thus, though he was generous, knew dharma, was true to his word and was loved by the people, he was marred by his skin disease.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 25 (5.149.25)

हीनाङ्गं पृथिवीपालं नाभिनन्दन्ति देवताः । इति कृत्वा नृपश्रेष्ठं प्रत्यषेधन्द्विजर्षभाः ॥

hīnāṅgaṃ pṛthivīpālaṃ nābhinandanti devatāḥ | iti kṛtvā nṛpaśreṣṭhaṃ pratyaṣedhandvijarṣabhāḥ

"The gods take no delight in a king whose body is impaired" — with this in mind, the bulls among the twice-born barred that best of princes.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 26 (5.149.26)

ततः प्रव्यथिताङ्गोऽसौ पुत्रशोकसमन्वितः । ममार तं मृतं दृष्ट्वा देवापिः संश्रितो वनम् ॥

tataḥ pravyathitāṅgo'sau putraśokasamanvitaḥ | mamāra taṃ mṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā devāpiḥ saṃśrito vanam

Then, stricken in body and overcome by grief for his son, the king died. Seeing him dead, Devapi took refuge in the forest.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 27 (5.149.27)

बाह्लीको मातुलकुलं त्यक्त्वा राज्यं समाश्रितः । पितृभ्रातॄन्परित्यज्य प्राप्तवान्परमर्धिमत् ॥

bāhlīko mātulakulaṃ tyaktvā rājyaṃ samāśritaḥ | pitṛbhrātṝnparityajya prāptavānparamardhimat

Bahlika left the kingdom and took refuge with his mother's family; abandoning his father and brothers, he won a most prosperous realm.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 28 (5.149.28)

बाह्लीकेन त्वनुज्ञातः शन्तनुर्लोकविश्रुतः । पितर्युपरते राजन्राजा राज्यमकारयत् ॥

bāhlīkena tvanujñātaḥ śantanurlokaviśrutaḥ | pitaryuparate rājanrājā rājyamakārayat

With Bahlika's leave, Shantanu, renowned in the world, ruled the kingdom as king when his father had passed away, O king.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 29 (5.149.29)

तथैवाहं मतिमता परिचिन्त्येह पाण्डुना । ज्येष्ठः प्रभ्रंशितो राज्याद्धीनाङ्ग इति भारत ॥

tathaivāhaṃ matimatā paricintyeha pāṇḍunā | jyeṣṭhaḥ prabhraṃśito rājyāddhīnāṅga iti bhārata

In the same way, Bharata, though I was the eldest, the wise Pandu, after reflection, had me set aside from the kingship as one impaired in body.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 30 (5.149.30)

पाण्डुस्तु राज्यं संप्राप्तः कनीयानपि सन्नृपः । विनाशे तस्य पुत्राणामिदं राज्यमरिन्दम ॥

pāṇḍustu rājyaṃ saṃprāptaḥ kanīyānapi sannṛpaḥ | vināśe tasya putrāṇāmidaṃ rājyamarindama

Pandu, though the younger, obtained the kingdom and became king. Now that he is gone, this kingdom belongs to his sons, subduer of enemies.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). This verse is the critical edition's 5.147.30ab–cd.

Verse 31 (5.149.31)

मय्यभागिनि राज्याय कथं त्वं राज्यमिच्छसि । अराजपुत्रो ह्यस्वामी परस्वं हर्तुमिच्छसि ॥

mayyabhāgini rājyāya kathaṃ tvaṃ rājyamicchasi | arājaputro hyasvāmī parasvaṃ hartumicchasi

When I myself have no share in the kingdom, how can you desire the kingdom? You are no king's son and no owner, yet you want to seize what belongs to others.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.147.30ef. Line 2 is not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); it is recorded in its apparatus as 5.147.30f*0539 (pārakyaṃ for परस्वं).

Verse 32 (5.149.32)

युधिष्ठिरो राजपुत्रो महात्मा । न्यायागतं राज्यमिदं च तस्य । स कौरवस्यास्य कुलस्य भर्ता । प्रशासिता चैव महानुभावः ॥

yudhiṣṭhiro rājaputro mahātmā | nyāyāgataṃ rājyamidaṃ ca tasya | sa kauravasyāsya kulasya bhartā | praśāsitā caiva mahānubhāvaḥ

Yudhishthira is a king's son and great-souled; this kingdom has come to him by right. He is the lord of this Kaurava family and its ruler, a man of great nobility.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 33 (5.149.33)

स सत्यसन्धः स तथाऽप्रमत्तः । शास्त्रे स्थितो बन्धुजनस्य साधुः । प्रियः प्रजानां सुहृदानुकम्पी । जितेन्द्रियः साधुजनस्य भर्ता ॥

sa satyasandhaḥ sa tathā'pramattaḥ | śāstre sthito bandhujanasya sādhuḥ | priyaḥ prajānāṃ suhṛdānukampī | jitendriyaḥ sādhujanasya bhartā

He is true to his word and likewise ever watchful; he abides by the scriptures and is good to his kinsmen. He is dear to the people, kind to his friends, master of his senses, and the support of good men.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 34 (5.149.34)

क्षमा तितिक्षा दम आर्जवं च । सत्यव्रतत्वं श्रुतमप्रमादः । भूतानुकम्पा ह्यनुशासनं च । युधिष्ठिरे राजगुणाः समस्ताः ॥

kṣamā titikṣā dama ārjavaṃ ca | satyavratatvaṃ śrutamapramādaḥ | bhūtānukampā hyanuśāsanaṃ ca | yudhiṣṭhire rājaguṇāḥ samastāḥ

Forbearance, endurance, self-control and uprightness, faithfulness to truth, learning and vigilance, compassion for living beings and the power to govern — all the virtues of a king are found in Yudhishthira.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 35 (5.149.35)

अराजपुत्रस्त्वमनार्यवृत्तो । लुब्धः सदा बन्धुषु पापबुद्धिः । क्रमागतं राज्यमिदं परेषां । हर्तुं कथं शक्ष्यसि दुर्विनीत ॥

arājaputrastvamanāryavṛtto | lubdhaḥ sadā bandhuṣu pāpabuddhiḥ | kramāgataṃ rājyamidaṃ pareṣāṃ | hartuṃ kathaṃ śakṣyasi durvinīta

You are not a king's son; your conduct is ignoble, you are ever greedy and evil-minded toward your kin. How will you, ill-disciplined one, manage to seize this kingdom that has come down in succession to others?

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2).

Verse 36 (5.149.36)

प्रयच्छ राज्यार्धमपेतमोहः । सवाहनं त्वं सपरिच्छदं च । ततोऽवशेषं तव जीवितस्य । सहानुजस्यैव भवेन्नरेन्द्र ॥

prayaccha rājyārdhamapetamohaḥ | savāhanaṃ tvaṃ saparicchadaṃ ca | tato'vaśeṣaṃ tava jīvitasya | sahānujasyaiva bhavennarendra

Cast off your delusion and give up half the kingdom, with its vehicles and its retinue. Then, lord of men, what remains of your life may still be yours, and your younger brothers'.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Dhritarashtra (see verse 2). Corrected त्व → त्वं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped anusvara, as in the critical edition's tvaṃ).