Duryodhana's Defiance and Vidura on Self-Restraint

Verse 1 (5.63.1)

सदृशानां मनुष्येषु सर्वेषां तुल्यजन्मनाम् । कथमेकान्ततस्तेषां पार्थानां मन्यसे जयम् ॥

sadṛśānāṃ manuṣyeṣu sarveṣāṃ tulyajanmanām | kathamekāntatasteṣāṃ pārthānāṃ manyase jayam

Among men we are all alike, all of equal birth. How then can you believe that victory belongs to the Parthas alone?

Verse 2 (5.63.2)

वयं च तेऽपि तुल्या वै वीर्येण च पराक्रमैः । समेन वयसा चैव प्रातिभेन श्रुतेन च ॥

vayaṃ ca te'pi tulyā vai vīryeṇa ca parākramaiḥ | samena vayasā caiva prātibhena śrutena ca

We and they are equal in strength and in valour, equal in age too, in ready wit and in learning,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.62.1d*0355, lines 1–2.

Verse 3 (5.63.3)

अस्त्रेण योधयुग्या च शीघ्रत्वे कौशले तथा । सर्वे स्म समजातीयाः सर्वे मानुषयोनयः ॥

astreṇa yodhayugyā ca śīghratve kauśale tathā | sarve sma samajātīyāḥ sarve mānuṣayonayaḥ

in weapons, in the strength of our fighting men, in speed and in skill. We are all of one kind; all of us are born of human wombs.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 5.62.1d*0355, line 3 (reading yodhayugyāsu where the page has योधयुग्या च, kept as a variant); line 2 is 5.62.2ab. The page divides 5.62.2–5 differently from the critical edition; its own verse division is followed.

Verse 4 (5.63.4)

पितामह विजानीषे पार्थेषु विजयं कथम् । नाहं भवति न द्रोणे न कृपे न च बाह्लिके ॥

pitāmaha vijānīṣe pārtheṣu vijayaṃ katham | nāhaṃ bhavati na droṇe na kṛpe na ca bāhlike

Grandsire, how is it that you foresee victory for the Parthas? It is not on you, nor on Drona, nor on Kripa, nor on Bahlika,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.62.2cd; line 2 is 5.62.3ab.

Verse 5 (5.63.5)

अन्येषु च नरेन्द्रेषु पराक्रम्य समारभे । अहं वैकर्तनः कर्णो भ्राता दुःशासनश्च मे ॥

anyeṣu ca narendreṣu parākramya samārabhe | ahaṃ vaikartanaḥ karṇo bhrātā duḥśāsanaśca me

nor on the other kings that I rely when I put forth my valour and begin this war. I, Vaikartana Karna, and my brother Duhshasana —

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.62.3cd; line 2 is 5.62.4ab.

Verse 6 (5.63.6)

पाण्डवान्समरे पञ्च हनिष्यामः शितैः शरैः । ततो राजन्महायज्ञैर्विविधैर्भूरिदक्षिणैः ॥

pāṇḍavānsamare pañca haniṣyāmaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | tato rājanmahāyajñairvividhairbhūridakṣiṇaiḥ

we will slay the five Pandavas in battle with sharpened arrows. Then, O king, with great sacrifices of many kinds and rich gifts to the priests,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.62.4cd; line 2 is 5.62.5ab.

Verse 7 (5.63.7)

ब्राह्मणांस्तर्पयिष्यामि गोभिरश्वैर्धनेन च । यदा परिकरिष्यन्ति ऐणेयानिव तन्तुना । अतरित्रानिव जले बाहुभिर्मामका रणे ॥

brāhmaṇāṃstarpayiṣyāmi gobhiraśvairdhanena ca | yadā parikariṣyanti aiṇeyāniva tantunā | ataritrāniva jale bāhubhirmāmakā raṇe

I will satisfy the brahmins with cows, horses and wealth. When my warriors in battle hem them in with their arms, like antelopes caught in a snare, like men in deep water without a boat,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.62.5cd; lines 2–3 are not in its text (vulgate recension) but are recorded in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 1–2 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 8 (5.63.8)

पश्यन्तस्ते परांस्तत्र रथनागसमाकुलान् । तदा दर्पं विमोक्ष्यन्ति पाण्डवाः स च केशवः ॥

paśyantaste parāṃstatra rathanāgasamākulān | tadā darpaṃ vimokṣyanti pāṇḍavāḥ sa ca keśavaḥ

and when they see their foes there, crowded with chariots and elephants, then the Pandavas will cast off their pride, and Keshava too.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 3–4 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 9 (5.63.9)

सुखान्यवाप्य सहिताः कृत्वा कर्म सुदुस्तरम् । विस्रब्धास्तु भविष्यामः प्राप्ते काले गतज्वराः ॥

sukhānyavāpya sahitāḥ kṛtvā karma sudustaram | visrabdhāstu bhaviṣyāmaḥ prāpte kāle gatajvarāḥ

Having done this most arduous deed and won our joys together, we shall live at ease, free from fever, when the time comes.

Note on the text: Removed a stray backtick (a wiki mark) at the start of the verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.62.5d*0356, lines 1–2 (reading suduṣkaram and visrabdhāḥ svargam eṣyāmaḥ kāle prāpte where the page has सुदुस्तरम् and विस्रब्धास्तु भविष्यामः प्राप्ते काले).

Verse 10 (5.63.10)

अथाब्रवीन्महाराजो धृतराष्ट्रः सुदुर्मनाः । विदुरं विदुषां श्रेष्ठं सर्वपार्थिवसंनिधौ ॥

athābravīnmahārājo dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ sudurmanāḥ | viduraṃ viduṣāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ sarvapārthivasaṃnidhau

Then the great king Dhritarashtra, sick at heart, spoke to Vidura, foremost of the wise, in the presence of all the kings:

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.62.5d*0356, lines 3–4.

Verse 11 (5.63.11)

मोहितो मृत्युपाशेन कालस्य वशमागतः । तात कर्णेन सहितः पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम ॥

mohito mṛtyupāśena kālasya vaśamāgataḥ | tāta karṇena sahitaḥ putro duryodhano mama

Bewildered by the noose of death, my son Duryodhana, together with Karna, has fallen into the power of Time, my dear.

Note on the text: Removed a stray doubled danda and quote mark (wiki marks closing the inserted passage) at the end of the verse. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 5.62.5d*0356, lines 5–6.

Verse 12 (5.63.12)

इह निःश्रेयसं प्राहुर्वृद्धा निश्चितदर्शिनः । ब्राह्मणस्य विशेषेण दमो धर्मः सनातनः ॥

iha niḥśreyasaṃ prāhurvṛddhā niścitadarśinaḥ | brāhmaṇasya viśeṣeṇa damo dharmaḥ sanātanaḥ

Here the elders, whose vision is settled, say that self-restraint is the highest good; for a brahmin above all, restraint is the eternal dharma.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 5–6 (printed after 5.62.5); Vidura's whole discourse, verses 12–27, is Appendix I No. 3, lines 5–37.

Verse 13 (5.63.13)

तस्य दानं क्षमा सिद्धिर्यथावदुपपद्यते । दमो दानं तपो ज्ञानमधीतं चानुवर्तते ॥

tasya dānaṃ kṣamā siddhiryathāvadupapadyate | damo dānaṃ tapo jñānamadhītaṃ cānuvartate

In him who has it, charity, forbearance and success come about as they should; charity, austerity, knowledge and learning all follow restraint.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 7–8 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 14 (5.63.14)

दमस्तेजो वर्धयति पवित्रं दम उत्तमम् । विपाप्मा वृद्धतेजास्तु पुरुषो विन्दते महत् ॥

damastejo vardhayati pavitraṃ dama uttamam | vipāpmā vṛddhatejāstu puruṣo vindate mahat

Restraint increases energy; restraint is the supreme purifier. Freed from sin and grown in energy, a man attains what is great.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 9–10 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 15 (5.63.15)

क्रव्याद्भ्य इव भूतानामदान्तेभ्यः सदा भयम् । येषां च प्रतिषेधार्थं क्षत्रं सृष्टं स्वयंभुवा ॥

kravyādbhya iva bhūtānāmadāntebhyaḥ sadā bhayam | yeṣāṃ ca pratiṣedhārthaṃ kṣatraṃ sṛṣṭaṃ svayaṃbhuvā

Creatures live in constant fear of the unrestrained, as of beasts that eat flesh; and it was to hold them in check that the Self-born created the kshatriya order.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 11–12 (printed after 5.62.5); the apparatus reads teṣāṃ where the page has येषां.

Verse 16 (5.63.16)

आश्रमेषु चतुर्ष्वाहुर्दममेवोत्तमं व्रतम् । तस्य लिङ्गं प्रवक्ष्यामि येषां समुदयो दमः ॥

āśrameṣu caturṣvāhurdamamevottamaṃ vratam | tasya liṅgaṃ pravakṣyāmi yeṣāṃ samudayo damaḥ

In all four stages of life, they say, restraint is the highest vow. I shall tell you its marks — the qualities that spring from restraint.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 13–14 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 17 (5.63.17)

क्षमा धृतिरहिंसा च समता सत्यमार्जवम् । इन्द्रियाभिजयो धैर्यं मार्दवं ह्रीरचापलम् ॥

kṣamā dhṛtirahiṃsā ca samatā satyamārjavam | indriyābhijayo dhairyaṃ mārdavaṃ hrīracāpalam

Forbearance, steadfastness, non-violence, evenness of mind, truth, straightforwardness, mastery of the senses, fortitude, gentleness, modesty, freedom from fickleness,

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 15–16 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 18 (5.63.18)

अकार्पण्यमसंरम्भः सन्तोषं श्रद्दधानता । एतानि यस्य राजेन्द्र स दान्तः पुरुषः स्मृतः ॥

akārpaṇyamasaṃrambhaḥ santoṣaṃ śraddadhānatā | etāni yasya rājendra sa dāntaḥ puruṣaḥ smṛtaḥ

freedom from meanness, absence of agitation, contentment and faith — the man in whom these are found, O lord of kings, is called self-restrained.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 17–18 (printed after 5.62.5); the apparatus reads saṃtoṣaḥ where the page has सन्तोषं.

Verse 19 (5.63.19)

कामो लोभश्च दर्पश्च मन्युर्निद्रा विकत्थनम् । मान ईर्ष्या च शोकश्च नैतद्दान्तो निषेवते । अजिह्ममशठं शुद्धमेतद्दान्तस्य लक्षणम् ॥

kāmo lobhaśca darpaśca manyurnidrā vikatthanam | māna īrṣyā ca śokaśca naitaddānto niṣevate | ajihmamaśaṭhaṃ śuddhametaddāntasya lakṣaṇam

Desire, greed, arrogance, wrath, sloth, boasting, pride, envy and grief — these the self-restrained man does not indulge. To be without crookedness or deceit, and pure — this is the mark of the self-restrained.

Note on the text: Corrected ईर्ष्यां → ईर्ष्या (misprint in Wikisource; stray anusvara in a list of nominatives, Appendix I No. 3 īrṣyā). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 19–21 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 20 (5.63.20)

अलोलुपस्तथाऽल्पेप्सुः कामानामविचिन्तिता । समुद्रकल्पः पुरुषः स दान्तः परिकीर्तितः ॥

alolupastathā'lpepsuḥ kāmānāmavicintitā | samudrakalpaḥ puruṣaḥ sa dāntaḥ parikīrtitaḥ

Free from craving, wanting little, not brooding on desires, deep like the ocean — such a man is called self-restrained.

Note on the text: Corrected परुषः → पुरुषः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped u-sign, which turns "man" into "harsh"; Appendix I No. 3 puruṣaḥ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 22–23 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 21 (5.63.21)

सुवृत्तः शीलसंपन्नः प्रसन्नात्माऽत्मविद्बुधः । प्राप्येह लोके संमानं सुगतिं प्रेत्य गच्छति ॥

suvṛttaḥ śīlasaṃpannaḥ prasannātmā'tmavidbudhaḥ | prāpyeha loke saṃmānaṃ sugatiṃ pretya gacchati

Of good conduct and rich in character, serene, knowing the Self and wise, he wins honour in this world and after death goes to a blessed state.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 24–25 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 22 (5.63.22)

अभयं यस्य भूतेभ्यः सर्वेषामभयं यतः । स वै परिणतप्रज्ञः प्रख्यातो मनुजोत्तमः ॥

abhayaṃ yasya bhūtebhyaḥ sarveṣāmabhayaṃ yataḥ | sa vai pariṇataprajñaḥ prakhyāto manujottamaḥ

He who has nothing to fear from any creature, and of whom no creature need be afraid — he is truly of ripened wisdom, renowned as the best of men.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 26–27 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 23 (5.63.23)

सर्वभूतहितो मैत्रस्तस्मान्नोद्विजते जनः । समुद्र इव गम्भीरः प्रज्ञातृप्तः प्रशाम्यति ॥

sarvabhūtahito maitrastasmānnodvijate janaḥ | samudra iva gambhīraḥ prajñātṛptaḥ praśāmyati

Devoted to the good of all beings and friendly to all, he is one from whom no one shrinks; deep as the ocean and content in wisdom, he is at peace.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 28–29 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 24 (5.63.24)

कर्मणाऽचरितं पूर्वं सद्भिराचरितं च यत् । तदेवास्थाय मोदन्ते दान्ताः शमपरायणाः ॥

karmaṇā'caritaṃ pūrvaṃ sadbhirācaritaṃ ca yat | tadevāsthāya modante dāntāḥ śamaparāyaṇāḥ

Taking their stand on the works practised of old and followed by the good, the self-restrained, intent on tranquillity, live in joy.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 30–31 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 25 (5.63.25)

नैष्कर्म्यं वा समास्थाय ज्ञानतृप्तो जितेन्द्रियः । कालाकाङ्क्षी चरँल्लोके ब्रह्मभूयाय कल्पते ॥

naiṣkarmyaṃ vā samāsthāya jñānatṛpto jitendriyaḥ | kālākāṅkṣī caram̐lloke brahmabhūyāya kalpate

Or, taking up freedom from action, content in knowledge, his senses mastered, moving through the world as he awaits his time, he becomes fit to become one with Brahman.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 32–33 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 26 (5.63.26)

शकुनीनामिवाकाशे पदं नैवोपलभ्यते । एवं प्रज्ञानतृप्तस्य मुनेर्वर्त्म न दृश्यते ॥

śakunīnāmivākāśe padaṃ naivopalabhyate | evaṃ prajñānatṛptasya munervartma na dṛśyate

As the tracks of birds in the sky are never found, so the path of the sage who is content in wisdom is not seen.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 34–35 (printed after 5.62.5).

Verse 27 (5.63.27)

उत्सृज्यैव गृहान्यस्तु मोक्षमेवाभिमन्यते । लोकास्तेजोमयास्तस्य कल्पन्ते शाश्वता दिवि ॥

utsṛjyaiva gṛhānyastu mokṣamevābhimanyate | lokāstejomayāstasya kalpante śāśvatā divi

He who leaves his home and sets his mind on liberation alone — for him eternal worlds full of radiance are made ready in heaven.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 3, lines 36–37 (printed after 5.62.5); the apparatus reads utsṛjya vā where the page has उत्सृज्यैव.