Krishna Enters the Kuru Assembly

Verse 1 (5.94.1)

तथा कथयतोरेव तयोर्बुद्धिमतोस्तदा । शिवा नक्षत्रसंपन्ना सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी ॥

tathā kathayatoreva tayorbuddhimatostadā | śivā nakṣatrasaṃpannā sā vyatīyāya śarvarī

While the two wise men were talking in this way, the auspicious night, bright with stars, passed away.

Verse 2 (5.94.2)

धर्मार्थकामयुक्ताश्च विचित्रार्थपदाक्षराः । शृण्वतो विविधा वाचो विदुरस्य महात्मनः ॥

dharmārthakāmayuktāśca vicitrārthapadākṣarāḥ | śṛṇvato vividhā vāco vidurasya mahātmanaḥ

Krishna listened to the many and varied sayings of the great-souled Vidura, bound up with dharma, profit and desire, rich in meaning, in words and in syllables;

Verse 3 (5.94.3)

कथाभिरनुरूपाभी रक्तस्यामिततेजसः । अकामस्यैव कृष्णस्य सा व्यतीयाय शर्वरी ॥

kathābhiranurūpābhī raktasyāmitatejasaḥ | akāmasyaiva kṛṣṇasya sā vyatīyāya śarvarī

and so, with fitting talk, the night passed for Krishna of boundless splendour, who was absorbed in it and had no wish for it to end.

Verse 4 (5.94.4)

ततस्तु स्वरसंपन्ना बहवः सूतमागधाः । शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषैः केशवं प्रत्यबोधयन् ॥

tatastu svarasaṃpannā bahavaḥ sūtamāgadhāḥ | śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaiḥ keśavaṃ pratyabodhayan

Then many bards and heralds with fine voices woke Keshava with the sound of conches and drums.

Note on the text: Corrected शङ्खदुन्दुमि- → शङ्खदुन्दुभि- (misprint in Wikisource; म for भ in dundubhi, critical edition śaṅkhadundubhi-).

Verse 5 (5.94.5)

तत उत्थाय दाशार्ह ऋषभः सर्वसात्वताम् । सर्वमावश्यकं चक्रे प्रातः कार्यं जनार्दनः ॥

tata utthāya dāśārha ṛṣabhaḥ sarvasātvatām | sarvamāvaśyakaṃ cakre prātaḥ kāryaṃ janārdanaḥ

Rising, Janardana of Dasharha's line, the bull of all the Satvatas, performed all the necessary morning duties.

Note on the text: Spacing: दाशार्हऋषभः → दाशार्ह ऋषभः (two words in hiatus, the nominative दाशार्हः having lost its visarga before ऋ; critical edition dāśārha ṛṣabhaḥ).

Verse 6 (5.94.6)

कृतोदकानुजप्यः स हुताग्निः समलङ्कृतः । ततश्चादित्यमुद्यन्तमुपातिष्ठत माधवः ॥

kṛtodakānujapyaḥ sa hutāgniḥ samalaṅkṛtaḥ | tataścādityamudyantamupātiṣṭhata mādhavaḥ

Having bathed and said the prayers that follow, having made offerings into the fire and dressed himself in his ornaments, Madhava worshipped the rising sun.

Verse 7 (5.94.7)

अथ दुर्योधनः कृष्णं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । सन्ध्यां तिष्ठन्तमभ्येत्य दाशार्हमपराजितम् ॥

atha duryodhanaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ | sandhyāṃ tiṣṭhantamabhyetya dāśārhamaparājitam

Then Duryodhana and Shakuni, son of Subala, came to the unconquered Dasharha as he stood at his morning worship

Note on the text: Corrected कृष्मं → कृष्णं (misprint in Wikisource; म for ण, critical edition kṛṣṇaṃ).

Verse 8 (5.94.8)

आचक्षेतां तु कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रं सभागतम् । कुरूश्च भीष्मप्रमुखान्राज्ञः सर्वांश्च पार्थिवान् ॥

ācakṣetāṃ tu kṛṣṇasya dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ sabhāgatam | kurūśca bhīṣmapramukhānrājñaḥ sarvāṃśca pārthivān

and told Krishna that Dhritarashtra had come to the assembly hall, together with the Kurus led by Bhishma and all the kings of the earth.

Verse 9 (5.94.9)

त्वामर्थयन्ते गोविन्द दिवि शक्रमिवामराः । तावभ्यनन्दद्गोविन्दः साम्ना परमवल्गुना ॥

tvāmarthayante govinda divi śakramivāmarāḥ | tāvabhyanandadgovindaḥ sāmnā paramavalgunā

"They are asking for you, Govinda, as the immortals in heaven ask for Shakra." Govinda greeted the two of them with gentle and most pleasing words.

Verse 10 (5.94.10)

ततो विमल आदित्ये ब्राह्मणेभ्यो जनार्दनः । ददौ हिरण्यं वासांसि गाश्चाश्वांश्च परन्तपः ॥

tato vimala āditye brāhmaṇebhyo janārdanaḥ | dadau hiraṇyaṃ vāsāṃsi gāścāśvāṃśca parantapaḥ

Then, when the sun shone clear, Janardana, scorcher of foes, gave the Brahmins gold, garments, cows and horses.

Note on the text: Corrected गाश्चाश्चांश्च → गाश्चाश्वांश्च (misprint in Wikisource; च for व in अश्वान्, critical edition gāś cāśvāṃś ca).

Verse 11 (5.94.11)

विसृष्टवन्तं रत्नानि दाशार्हमपराजितम् । तिष्ठन्तमुपसङ्गम्य ववन्दे सारथिस्तदा ॥

visṛṣṭavantaṃ ratnāni dāśārhamaparājitam | tiṣṭhantamupasaṅgamya vavande sārathistadā

When the unconquered Dasharha had given away the treasures and was standing ready, his charioteer came up and bowed to him.

Verse 12 (5.94.12)

तस्मै रथवरो युक्तः शुशुभे लोकविश्रुतः । वाजिभिः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः ॥

tasmai rathavaro yuktaḥ śuśubhe lokaviśrutaḥ | vājibhiḥ śaibyasugrīvameghapuṣpabalāhakaiḥ

The splendid chariot yoked for him, famed throughout the worlds, shone with its horses Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa and Balahaka.

Note on the text: Removed a stray wiki mark (`) that opens Wikisource's bracketed passage. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 5, lines 1–2 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 13 (5.94.13)

शैब्यस्तु शुकपत्राभः सुग्रीवः किंशुकप्रभः । मेघपुष्पो मेघवर्णः पाण्डरस्तु बलाहकः ॥

śaibyastu śukapatrābhaḥ sugrīvaḥ kiṃśukaprabhaḥ | meghapuṣpo meghavarṇaḥ pāṇḍarastu balāhakaḥ

Shaibya was the colour of a parrot's wing, Sugriva as bright as a kimshuka flower, Meghapushpa the colour of a cloud, and Balahaka white.

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. 5, lines 3–4 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 14 (5.94.14)

दक्षिणं चावहच्छैब्यः सुग्रीवः सव्यतोऽवहत् । पृष्ठवाहौ रथस्यास्तां मेघपुष्पबलाहकौ ॥

dakṣiṇaṃ cāvahacchaibyaḥ sugrīvaḥ savyato'vahat | pṛṣṭhavāhau rathasyāstāṃ meghapuṣpabalāhakau

Shaibya drew on the right and Sugriva on the left; Meghapushpa and Balahaka were the rear horses of the chariot.

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. 5, lines 5–6 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 15 (5.94.15)

विश्वकर्मकृताऽऽपीडा रत्नजालविभूषिता । आश्रिता वै रथे तस्मिन्ध्वजयष्टिरशोभत ॥

viśvakarmakṛtā''pīḍā ratnajālavibhūṣitā | āśritā vai rathe tasmindhvajayaṣṭiraśobhata

Set on that chariot, its flagstaff, crowned with an ornament made by Vishvakarman and decked with a net of jewels, shone brightly.

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. 5, lines 7–8 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 16 (5.94.16)

वैनतेयः स्थितस्तस्यां प्रभाकरमिव स्पृशन् । तस्य सत्त्ववतः केतौ भुजगारिरशोभत ॥

vainateyaḥ sthitastasyāṃ prabhākaramiva spṛśan | tasya sattvavataḥ ketau bhujagāriraśobhata

On it stood Vinata's son, Garuda, as if touching the sun; the enemy of serpents shone on the banner of that mighty hero.

Note on the text: Corrected सत्ववतः → सत्त्ववतः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped त् in sattva, as in the critical edition's apparatus, sattvavataḥ). Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 5, lines 9–10 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 17 (5.94.17)

तस्य कीर्तिमतस्तेन भास्वरेण विराजता । शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठः पतगेन्द्रेण केतुना ॥

tasya kīrtimatastena bhāsvareṇa virājatā | śuśubhe syandanaśreṣṭhaḥ patagendreṇa ketunā

With that radiant, glittering lord of birds for its banner, the renowned hero's chariot, the best of chariots, shone.

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. 5, lines 11–12 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 18 (5.94.18)

रश्मिजालैः पताकाभिः सौवर्णेन च केतुना । बभूव स रथश्रेष्ठः कालसूर्य इवोदितः ॥

raśmijālaiḥ patākābhiḥ sauvarṇena ca ketunā | babhūva sa rathaśreṣṭhaḥ kālasūrya ivoditaḥ

With its nets of rays, its pennons and its golden banner, that finest of chariots looked like the sun that rises at the end of an age.

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. 5, lines 13–14 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 19 (5.94.19)

पक्षिध्वजवितानैश्च रुक्मजालकृताङ्गणैः । दण्डमार्गविभागैश्च सुकृतैर्विश्वकर्मणा ॥

pakṣidhvajavitānaiśca rukmajālakṛtāṅgaṇaiḥ | daṇḍamārgavibhāgaiśca sukṛtairviśvakarmaṇā

With bird-banners and canopies, with platforms worked in gold lattice, and with its shafts and gangways well fashioned by Vishvakarman;

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. 5, lines 15–16 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 20 (5.94.20)

प्रवालमणिशोभैश्च मुक्तावैडूर्यशोभनैः । किङ्किणीशतसङ्घैश्च वालजालकृतान्तरैः ॥

pravālamaṇiśobhaiśca muktāvaiḍūryaśobhanaiḥ | kiṅkiṇīśatasaṅghaiśca vālajālakṛtāntaraiḥ

with ornaments of coral and gems, with lovely pearls and lapis lazuli, with clusters of hundreds of little bells and the spaces between hung with nets of yak-tail hair;

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. 5, lines 17–18 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 21 (5.94.21)

कार्तस्वरमयीभिश्च पद्मिनीभिरलङ्कृतः । शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठस्तापनीयैश्च पादपैः ॥

kārtasvaramayībhiśca padminībhiralaṅkṛtaḥ | śuśubhe syandanaśreṣṭhastāpanīyaiśca pādapaiḥ

adorned with lotus pools of pure gold and with trees of refined gold, the best of chariots shone,

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. 5, lines 19–20 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 22 (5.94.22)

व्याघ्रसिंहवराहैश्च गोभिश्च मृगपक्षिभिः । ताराभिर्भास्करैश्चापि वारणैश्च हिरण्मयैः ॥

vyāghrasiṃhavarāhaiśca gobhiśca mṛgapakṣibhiḥ | tārābhirbhāskaraiścāpi vāraṇaiśca hiraṇmayaiḥ

with tigers, lions and boars, with cattle, beasts and birds, with stars and suns and with elephants, all made of gold,

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. 5, lines 21–22 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 23 (5.94.23)

वज्राङ्कुशविमानैश्च कूबरावृत्तसन्धिषु । समुच्छ्रितमहानाभिः स्तनयित्नुमहास्वनः ॥

vajrāṅkuśavimānaiśca kūbarāvṛttasandhiṣu | samucchritamahānābhiḥ stanayitnumahāsvanaḥ

and with thunderbolts, goads and heavenly cars worked on the joints where the pole turns; its great nave rose high, and it rumbled like a thundercloud.

Note on the text: Removed the stray wiki mark (') and doubled verse-end mark that close Wikisource's bracketed passage. Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as Appendix I No. 5, lines 23–24 (printed after 5.92.11). Wikisource marks verses 12–23 off as a bracketed insertion.

Verse 24 (5.94.24)

ततो रथेन शुभ्रेण महता किङ्किणीकिना । हयोत्तमयुजा शीघ्रमुपातिष्ठत दारुकः ॥

tato rathena śubhreṇa mahatā kiṅkiṇīkinā | hayottamayujā śīghramupātiṣṭhata dārukaḥ

Then Daruka swiftly drew up with the great shining chariot, jingling with little bells and yoked with the finest horses.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); it appears in its apparatus as the star passage 5.92.11d*0421, lines 1–2.

Verse 25 (5.94.25)

तमुपस्थितमाज्ञाय रथं दिव्यं महामनाः । महाभ्रघननिर्घोषं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम् ॥

tamupasthitamājñāya rathaṃ divyaṃ mahāmanāḥ | mahābhraghananirghoṣaṃ sarvaratnavibhūṣitam

Seeing the divine chariot standing ready, rumbling like a great mass of cloud and adorned with every kind of jewel, the high-minded Janardana

Verse 26 (5.94.26)

अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणांश्च जनार्दनः । कौस्तुभं मणिमाबध्य श्रिया परमया ज्वलन् ॥

agniṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā brāhmaṇāṃśca janārdanaḥ | kaustubhaṃ maṇimābadhya śriyā paramayā jvalan

walked around the fire and the Brahmins, keeping them on his right; then he fastened on the Kaustubha jewel and blazed with supreme splendour.

Verse 27 (5.94.27)

कुरुभिः संवृतः कृष्णो वृष्णिभिश्चाभिरक्षितः । आतिष्ठत रथं शौरिः सर्वयादवनन्दनः ॥

kurubhiḥ saṃvṛtaḥ kṛṣṇo vṛṣṇibhiścābhirakṣitaḥ | ātiṣṭhata rathaṃ śauriḥ sarvayādavanandanaḥ

Surrounded by the Kurus and guarded by the Vrishnis, Krishna Shauri, the joy of all the Yadavas, mounted the chariot.

Verse 28 (5.94.28)

अन्वारुरोह दाशार्हं विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित् । सर्वप्राणभृतां श्रेष्ठं सर्वबुद्धिमतां वरम् ॥

anvāruroha dāśārhaṃ viduraḥ sarvadharmavit | sarvaprāṇabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ sarvabuddhimatāṃ varam

Vidura, who knew all of dharma, climbed up after the Dasharha, the best of all living beings and the foremost of all the wise.

Verse 29 (5.94.29)

ततो दुर्योधनः कृष्णं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । द्वितीयेन रथेनैनमन्वयातां परन्तपम् ॥

tato duryodhanaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ | dvitīyena rathenainamanvayātāṃ parantapam

Then Duryodhana and Shakuni, son of Subala, followed Krishna, the scorcher of foes, in a second chariot.

Verse 30 (5.94.30)

सात्यकिः कृतवर्मा च वृष्णीनां चापरे रथाः । पृष्ठतोऽनुययुः कृष्णं गजैरश्वै रथैरपि ॥

sātyakiḥ kṛtavarmā ca vṛṣṇīnāṃ cāpare rathāḥ | pṛṣṭhato'nuyayuḥ kṛṣṇaṃ gajairaśvai rathairapi

Satyaki, Kritavarman and the other chariot-warriors of the Vrishnis followed behind Krishna, with elephants, horses and chariots.

Verse 31 (5.94.31)

तेषां हेमपरिष्कारैर्युक्ताः परमवाजिभिः । गच्छतां घोषिणश्चित्ररथा राजन्विरेजिरे ॥

teṣāṃ hemapariṣkārairyuktāḥ paramavājibhiḥ | gacchatāṃ ghoṣiṇaścitrarathā rājanvirejire

As they went, their many-coloured chariots, decked with gold and yoked to excellent horses, rattled loudly and shone, O king.

Verse 32 (5.94.32)

संमृष्टसंसिक्तरजः प्रतिपेदे महापथम् । राजर्षिचरितं काले कृष्णो धीमाञ्श्रिया ज्वलन् ॥

saṃmṛṣṭasaṃsiktarajaḥ pratipede mahāpatham | rājarṣicaritaṃ kāle kṛṣṇo dhīmāñśriyā jvalan

In due time wise Krishna, blazing with splendour, reached the great highway that royal sages had travelled, swept and sprinkled to settle its dust.

Verse 33 (5.94.33)

ततः प्रयाते दाशार्हे प्रावाद्यन्तैकपुष्कराः । शङ्खाश्च दध्मिरे तत्र वाद्यान्यन्यानि यानि च ॥

tataḥ prayāte dāśārhe prāvādyantaikapuṣkarāḥ | śaṅkhāśca dadhmire tatra vādyānyanyāni yāni ca

As the Dasharha set out, single-faced drums were beaten, conches were blown, and every other kind of instrument was sounded.

Verse 34 (5.94.34)

प्रवीराः सर्वलोकस्य युवानः सिंहविक्रमाः । परिवार्य रथं शौरेरगच्छन्त परन्तपाः ॥

pravīrāḥ sarvalokasya yuvānaḥ siṃhavikramāḥ | parivārya rathaṃ śaureragacchanta parantapāḥ

Heroes from the whole world, young men with the courage of lions, scorchers of foes, went along surrounding Shauri's chariot.

Verse 35 (5.94.35)

ततोऽन्ये बहुसाहस्रा विचित्राद्भुतवाससः । असिप्रासायुधधराः कृष्णस्यासन्पुरःसराः ॥

tato'nye bahusāhasrā vicitrādbhutavāsasaḥ | asiprāsāyudhadharāḥ kṛṣṇasyāsanpuraḥsarāḥ

Then many thousands of others, in bright and wonderful clothes, carrying swords, darts and other weapons, went ahead of Krishna.

Verse 36 (5.94.36)

गजाः पञ्चशतास्तत्र रथाश्चासन्सहस्रशः । प्रयान्तमन्वयुर्वीरं दाशार्हमपराजितम् ॥

gajāḥ pañcaśatāstatra rathāścāsansahasraśaḥ | prayāntamanvayurvīraṃ dāśārhamaparājitam

Five hundred elephants and thousands of chariots were there, following the heroic, unconquered Dasharha as he went.

Verse 37 (5.94.37)

पुरं कुरूणां संवृत्तं द्रष्टुकामं जनार्दनम् । सबालवृद्धं सस्त्रीकं रथ्यागतमरिन्दम ॥

puraṃ kurūṇāṃ saṃvṛttaṃ draṣṭukāmaṃ janārdanam | sabālavṛddhaṃ sastrīkaṃ rathyāgatamarindama

The whole city of the Kurus, children and old men and women too, had come out into the streets, eager to see Janardana, O tamer of foes.

Verse 38 (5.94.38)

वेदिकामाश्रिताभिश्च समाक्रान्तान्यनेकशः । प्रचलन्तीव भारेण योषिद्भिर्भवनान्युत ॥

vedikāmāśritābhiśca samākrāntānyanekaśaḥ | pracalantīva bhāreṇa yoṣidbhirbhavanānyuta

In many places the houses were so crowded with women standing on their terraces that they seemed to sway under the weight.

Verse 39 (5.94.39)

स पूज्यमानः कुरुभिः संशृण्वन्मधुराः कथाः । यथार्हं प्रतिसत्कुर्वन्प्रेक्षमाणः शनैर्ययौ ॥

sa pūjyamānaḥ kurubhiḥ saṃśṛṇvanmadhurāḥ kathāḥ | yathārhaṃ pratisatkurvanprekṣamāṇaḥ śanairyayau

Honoured by the Kurus, listening to their pleasant talk, returning every courtesy as was fitting and looking about him, he went slowly on.

Note on the text: Corrected संश्रृण्वन् → संशृण्वन् (misprint in Wikisource; श्रृ for शृ, critical edition saṃśṛṇvan).

Verse 40 (5.94.40)

ततः सभां समासाद्य केशवस्यानुयायिनः । सशङ्खैर्वेणुनिर्घोषैर्दिशः सर्वा व्यनादयन् ॥

tataḥ sabhāṃ samāsādya keśavasyānuyāyinaḥ | saśaṅkhairveṇunirghoṣairdiśaḥ sarvā vyanādayan

When they reached the assembly hall, Keshava's followers made every quarter resound with conches and the music of flutes.

Verse 41 (5.94.41)

ततः सा समितिः सर्वा राज्ञाममिततेजसाम् । संप्राकम्पत हर्षेण कृष्णागमनकाङ्क्षया ॥

tataḥ sā samitiḥ sarvā rājñāmamitatejasām | saṃprākampata harṣeṇa kṛṣṇāgamanakāṅkṣayā

Then that whole gathering of kings of boundless splendour trembled with joy, longing for Krishna to come.

Verse 42 (5.94.42)

ततोऽभ्याशंगते कृष्णे समहृष्यन्नराधिपाः । श्रुत्वा तं रथनिर्घोषं पर्जन्यनिनदोपमम् ॥

tato'bhyāśaṃgate kṛṣṇe samahṛṣyannarādhipāḥ | śrutvā taṃ rathanirghoṣaṃ parjanyaninadopamam

As Krishna drew near, the lords of men rejoiced, hearing the rumble of his chariot, like the roar of a rain cloud.

Note on the text: Corrected श्रुत्वां → श्रुत्वा (misprint in Wikisource; stray anusvara on the absolutive, critical edition śrutvā).

Verse 43 (5.94.43)

आसाद्य तु सभाद्वारमृषभः सर्वसात्वताम् । अवतीर्य रथाच्छौरिः कैलासशिखरोपमात् ॥

āsādya tu sabhādvāramṛṣabhaḥ sarvasātvatām | avatīrya rathācchauriḥ kailāsaśikharopamāt

Reaching the door of the hall, Shauri, the bull of all the Satvatas, stepped down from his chariot, which was like a peak of Kailasa,

Verse 44 (5.94.44)

नवमेघप्रतीकाशां ज्वलन्तीमिव तेजसा । महेन्द्रसदनप्रख्यां प्रविवेश सभां ततः ॥

navameghapratīkāśāṃ jvalantīmiva tejasā | mahendrasadanaprakhyāṃ praviveśa sabhāṃ tataḥ

and entered the hall, which was like a fresh rain cloud and seemed to blaze with splendour, like the palace of great Indra.

Verse 45 (5.94.45)

पाणौ गृहीत्वा विदुरं सात्यकिं च महायशाः । ज्योतींष्यादित्यवद्राजन्कुरून्प्राच्छादयच्छ्रिया ॥

pāṇau gṛhītvā viduraṃ sātyakiṃ ca mahāyaśāḥ | jyotīṃṣyādityavadrājankurūnprācchādayacchriyā

Holding Vidura and Satyaki by the hand, the glorious one outshone the Kurus with his splendour, O king, as the sun outshines the stars.

Note on the text: Corrected ज्येतींषि → ज्योतींषि (misprint in Wikisource; े for ो, critical edition jyotīṃṣi).

Verse 46 (5.94.46)

अग्रतो वासुदेवस्य कर्णदुर्योधनावुभौ । वृष्णयः कृतवर्मा चाप्यासन्कृष्णस्य पृष्ठतः ॥

agrato vāsudevasya karṇaduryodhanāvubhau | vṛṣṇayaḥ kṛtavarmā cāpyāsankṛṣṇasya pṛṣṭhataḥ

Karna and Duryodhana both went in front of Vasudeva; the Vrishnis and Kritavarman were behind Krishna.

Note on the text: Corrected कृष्णयः → वृष्णयः (misprint in Wikisource; कृष्णयः is no word, and Krishna's own name follows in the same line; critical edition vṛṣṇayaḥ).

Verse 47 (5.94.47)

धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य भीष्मद्रोणादयस्ततः । आसनेभ्योऽचलन्सर्वे पूजयन्तो जनार्दनम् ॥

dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya bhīṣmadroṇādayastataḥ | āsanebhyo'calansarve pūjayanto janārdanam

Then Bhishma, Drona and all the others, with Dhritarashtra at their head, rose from their seats, honouring Janardana.

Verse 48 (5.94.48)

अभ्यागच्छति दाशार्हे प्रज्ञाचक्षुर्नरेश्वर । सहैव द्रोणभीष्माभ्यामुदतिष्ठन्महायशाः ॥

abhyāgacchati dāśārhe prajñācakṣurnareśvara | sahaiva droṇabhīṣmābhyāmudatiṣṭhanmahāyaśāḥ

As the Dasharha approached, the glorious king whose only eyes were wisdom rose together with Drona and Bhishma, O lord of men.

Verse 49 (5.94.49)

उत्तिष्ठति महाराजे धृतराष्ट्रे जनेश्वरे । तानि राजसहस्राणि समुत्तस्थुः समन्ततः ॥

uttiṣṭhati mahārāje dhṛtarāṣṭre janeśvare | tāni rājasahasrāṇi samuttasthuḥ samantataḥ

When the great king Dhritarashtra, lord of men, rose, those thousands of kings rose up all around.

Verse 50 (5.94.50)

आसनं सर्वतोभद्रं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम् । कृष्णार्थे कल्पितं तत्र धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात् ॥

āsanaṃ sarvatobhadraṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam | kṛṣṇārthe kalpitaṃ tatra dhṛtarāṣṭrasya śāsanāt

By Dhritarashtra's order a seat called Sarvatobhadra, decked with Jambunada gold, had been placed there for Krishna.

Verse 51 (5.94.51)

स्मयमानस्तु राजानं भीष्मद्रोणौ च माधवः । अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा राज्ञश्चान्यान्यथावयः ॥

smayamānastu rājānaṃ bhīṣmadroṇau ca mādhavaḥ | abhyabhāṣata dharmātmā rājñaścānyānyathāvayaḥ

Smiling, the righteous Madhava spoke to the king, to Bhishma and Drona, and to the other kings, each according to his age.

Verse 52 (5.94.52)

तत्र केशवमानर्चुः सम्यगभ्यागतं सभाम् । राजानः पार्थिवाः सर्वे कुरवश्च जनार्दनम् ॥

tatra keśavamānarcuḥ samyagabhyāgataṃ sabhām | rājānaḥ pārthivāḥ sarve kuravaśca janārdanam

There all the kings, the rulers of the earth, and the Kurus paid due honour to Keshava Janardana, who had come to the hall.

Verse 53 (5.94.53)

तत्र तिष्ठन्स दाशार्हो राजमध्ये परन्तपः । अपश्यदन्तरिक्षस्थानृषीन्परपुरञ्जयः ॥

tatra tiṣṭhansa dāśārho rājamadhye parantapaḥ | apaśyadantarikṣasthānṛṣīnparapurañjayaḥ

Standing there among the kings, the Dasharha, scorcher of foes and conqueror of enemy cities, saw seers standing in the sky.

Verse 54 (5.94.54)

ततस्तानभिसंप्रेक्ष्य नारदप्रमुखानृषीन् । अभ्यभाषत दाशार्हो भीष्मं शान्तनवं शनैः ॥

tatastānabhisaṃprekṣya nāradapramukhānṛṣīn | abhyabhāṣata dāśārho bhīṣmaṃ śāntanavaṃ śanaiḥ

Looking at those seers, led by Narada, the Dasharha said softly to Bhishma, son of Shantanu:

Note on the text: From verse 53 to verse 65 Wikisource prints its verse-end marks half a line out of step with its numbered rows; the rows are kept as numbered, the division the critical edition also has (5.92.40–52).

Verse 55 (5.94.55)

पार्थिवीं समितिं द्रष्टुमृषयोऽभ्यागता नृप । निमन्त्र्यन्तामासनैश्च सत्कारेण च भूयसा ॥

pārthivīṃ samitiṃ draṣṭumṛṣayo'bhyāgatā nṛpa | nimantryantāmāsanaiśca satkāreṇa ca bhūyasā

"The seers have come to see this assembly of kings, O king. Let them be invited to take seats, and be shown great honour.

Note on the text: Speaker: Krishna's direct speech to Bhishma (verses 55–56); Wikisource prints no heading, and the input carried Vaishampayana over. Its "वैशंपायन उवाच" before verse 57 marks the return to narration.

Verse 56 (5.94.56)

नैतेष्वनुपविष्टेषु शक्यं केनचिदासितुम् । पूजा प्रयुज्यतामाशु मुनीनां भावितात्मनाम् ॥

naiteṣvanupaviṣṭeṣu śakyaṃ kenacidāsitum | pūjā prayujyatāmāśu munīnāṃ bhāvitātmanām

"No one can sit down while they remain unseated. Let worship be offered at once to these sages of purified soul."

Note on the text: Speaker: Krishna's direct speech, no printed heading (see verse 55).

Verse 57 (5.94.57)

ऋषीञ्शान्तनवो दृष्ट्वा सभाद्वारमुपस्थितान् । त्वरमाणस्ततो भृत्यानासनानीत्यचोदयत् ॥

ṛṣīñśāntanavo dṛṣṭvā sabhādvāramupasthitān | tvaramāṇastato bhṛtyānāsanānītyacodayat

Seeing the seers present at the door of the hall, Shantanu's son hastily ordered the servants: "Seats!"

Verse 58 (5.94.58)

आसनान्यथ मृष्टानि महान्ति विपुलानि च । मणिकाञ्चनचित्राणि समाजह्रुस्ततस्ततः ॥

āsanānyatha mṛṣṭāni mahānti vipulāni ca | maṇikāñcanacitrāṇi samājahrustatastataḥ

Then from all sides they brought seats, polished, large and broad, bright with gems and gold.

Verse 59 (5.94.59)

तेषु तत्रोपविष्टेषु गृहीतार्घ्येषु भारत । निषसादासने कृष्णो राजानश्च यथासनम् ॥

teṣu tatropaviṣṭeṣu gṛhītārghyeṣu bhārata | niṣasādāsane kṛṣṇo rājānaśca yathāsanam

When the sages had sat down there and received the guest-offering, O Bharata, Krishna took his seat, and the kings took theirs, each in his place.

Verse 60 (5.94.60)

दुःशासनः सात्यकये ददावासनमुत्तमम् । विविंशतिर्ददौ पीठं काञ्चनं कृतवर्मणे ॥

duḥśāsanaḥ sātyakaye dadāvāsanamuttamam | viviṃśatirdadau pīṭhaṃ kāñcanaṃ kṛtavarmaṇe

Duhshasana gave Satyaki a fine seat; Vivimshati gave Kritavarman a golden chair.

Verse 61 (5.94.61)

अविदूरे तु कृष्णस्य कर्णदुर्योधनावुभौ । एकासने महात्मानौ निषीदतुरमर्षणौ ॥

avidūre tu kṛṣṇasya karṇaduryodhanāvubhau | ekāsane mahātmānau niṣīdaturamarṣaṇau

Not far from Krishna, Karna and Duryodhana, both high-minded and both quick to anger, sat together on one seat.

Verse 62 (5.94.62)

गान्धारराजः शकुनिर्गान्धारैरभिरक्षितः । निषसादासने राजा सहपुत्रो विशांपते ॥

gāndhārarājaḥ śakunirgāndhārairabhirakṣitaḥ | niṣasādāsane rājā sahaputro viśāṃpate

Shakuni, king of Gandhara, guarded by the men of Gandhara, sat down on his seat with his son, O lord of the people.

Verse 63 (5.94.63)

विदुरो मणिपीठे तु शुक्लस्पर्ध्याजिनोत्तरे । संस्पृशन्नासनं शौरेर्महामतिरुपाविशत् ॥

viduro maṇipīṭhe tu śuklaspardhyājinottare | saṃspṛśannāsanaṃ śaurermahāmatirupāviśat

The wise Vidura sat on a jewelled chair spread with a deerskin of dazzling white, touching Shauri's seat.

Verse 64 (5.94.64)

चिरस्य दृष्ट्वा दाशार्हं राजानः सर्व एव ते । अमृतस्येव नातृप्यन्प्रेक्षमाणा जनार्दनम् ॥

cirasya dṛṣṭvā dāśārhaṃ rājānaḥ sarva eva te | amṛtasyeva nātṛpyanprekṣamāṇā janārdanam

Seeing the Dasharha after so long, none of those kings could have enough of gazing at Janardana, as one can never have enough of nectar.

Verse 65 (5.94.65)

अतसीपुष्पसङ्काशः पीतवासा जनार्दनः । व्यभ्राजत सभामध्ये हेम्नीवोपहितो मणिः ॥

atasīpuṣpasaṅkāśaḥ pītavāsā janārdanaḥ | vyabhrājata sabhāmadhye hemnīvopahito maṇiḥ

Janardana, dark as a flax flower and clad in yellow, shone in the middle of the hall like a gem set in gold.

Verse 66 (5.94.66)

ततस्तूष्णीं सर्वमासीद्गोविन्दगतमानसम् । न तत्र कश्चित्किंचिद्वा व्याजहार पुमान्क्वचित् ॥

tatastūṣṇīṃ sarvamāsīdgovindagatamānasam | na tatra kaścitkiṃcidvā vyājahāra pumānkvacit

Then everyone fell silent, their minds fixed on Govinda; no man there said anything at all.