The Birth of Yudhishthira and His Brothers

Verse 1 (devibhagavatam.2.6.1)

सूत उवाच । एवं सत्यवती तेन वृता शन्तनुना किल । द्वौ पुत्रौ च तया जातौ मृतौ कालवशादपि

sūta uvāca evaṁ satyavatī tena vṛtā śantanunā kila dvau putrau ca tayā jātau mṛtau kālavaśādapi

Suta said: Thus was Satyavati taken in marriage by Shantanu. Two sons were born to her, but both, in due course, met with death.

Verse 2 (devibhagavatam.2.6.2)

व्यासवीर्यात्तु सञ्जातो धृतराष्ट्रोऽन्ध एव च । मुनिं दृष्ट्वाथ कामिन्या नेत्रसम्मीलने कृते

vyāsavīryāttu sañjāto dhṛtarāṣṭro'ndha eva ca muniṁ dṛṣṭvātha kāminyā netrasammīlane kṛte

From Vyasa's seed was born Dhritarashtra, who was blind — because that desirous woman (Ambika), on seeing the sage, had closed her eyes.

Verse 3 (devibhagavatam.2.6.3)

श्वेतरूपा यतो जाता दृष्ट्वा व्यासं नृपात्मजा । व्यासकोपात्समुत्पन्नः पाण्डुस्तेन न संशयः

śvetarūpā yato jātā dṛṣṭvā vyāsaṁ nṛpātmajā vyāsakopātsamutpannaḥ pāṇḍustena na saṁśayaḥ

That princess (Ambalika), on seeing Vyasa, turned pale with fear, and it was through Vyasa's displeasure at this that Pandu was born of her, without doubt.

Verse 4 (devibhagavatam.2.6.4)

सन्तोषितस्तया व्यासो दास्या कामकलाविदा । विदुरस्तु समुत्पन्नो धर्मांशः सत्यवाक् शुचिः

santoṣitastayā vyāso dāsyā kāmakalāvidā vidurastu samutpanno dharmāṁśaḥ satyavāk śuciḥ

That handmaiden, skilled in the arts of love, well pleased Vyasa, and thus was born Vidura, a portion of Dharma himself — truthful and pure.

Verse 5 (devibhagavatam.2.6.5)

राज्ये संस्थापितः पाण्डुः कनीयानपि मन्त्रिभिः । अन्धत्वाद्धृतराष्ट्रोऽसौ नाधिकारे नियोजितः

rājye saṁsthāpitaḥ pāṇḍuḥ kanīyānapi mantribhiḥ andhatvāddhṛtarāṣṭro'sau nādhikāre niyojitaḥ

The ministers established Pandu upon the throne, even though the younger, while Dhritarashtra, being blind, was not appointed to the office of rule.

Verse 6 (devibhagavatam.2.6.6)

भीष्मस्यानुमते राज्यं प्राप्तः पाण्डुर्महाबलः । विदुरोऽप्यथ मेधावी मन्त्रकार्ये नियोजितः

bhīṣmasyānumate rājyaṁ prāptaḥ pāṇḍurmahābalaḥ viduro'pyatha medhāvī mantrakārye niyojitaḥ

With Bhishma's consent, the mighty Pandu obtained the kingdom; and the wise Vidura was appointed to the office of minister.

Verse 7 (devibhagavatam.2.6.7)

धृतराष्ट्रस्य द्वे भार्ये गान्धारी सौबली स्मृता । द्वितीया च तथा वैश्या गार्हस्त्येषु प्रतिष्ठिता

dhṛtarāṣṭrasya dve bhārye gāndhārī saubalī smṛtā dvitīyā ca tathā vaiśyā gārhastyeṣu pratiṣṭhitā

Dhritarashtra had two wives — Gandhari, daughter of Subala, and a second, a vaishya woman, who was established in the household's domestic affairs.

Verse 8 (devibhagavatam.2.6.8)

पाण्डोरपि तथा पत्न्यौ द्वे प्रोक्ते वेदवादिभिः । शौरसेनी तथा कुन्ती माद्री च मद्रदेशजा

pāṇḍorapi tathā patnyau dve prokte vedavādibhiḥ śaurasenī tathā kuntī mādrī ca madradeśajā

Those versed in the Vedas relate that Pandu too had two wives — Kunti of the Shurasena country, and the fair Madri, born in the land of Madra.

Verse 9 (devibhagavatam.2.6.9)

गान्धारी सुषुवे पुत्रशतं परमशोभनम् । वैश्याप्येकं सुतं कान्तं युयुत्सुं सुषुवे प्रियम्

gāndhārī suṣuve putraśataṁ paramaśobhanam vaiśyāpyekaṁ sutaṁ kāntaṁ yuyutsuṁ suṣuve priyam

Gandhari gave birth to a hundred exceedingly handsome sons, and that vaishya wife too gave birth to one beloved and handsome son, Yuyutsu.

Verse 10 (devibhagavatam.2.6.10)

कुन्ती तु प्रथमं कन्या सूर्यात्कर्णं मनोहरम् । सुषुवे पितृगेहस्था पश्चात्पाण्डुपरिग्रहः

kuntī tu prathamaṁ kanyā sūryātkarṇaṁ manoharam suṣuve pitṛgehasthā paścātpāṇḍuparigrahaḥ

Kunti, while still a maiden and dwelling in her father's house, first gave birth to the lovely Karna by Surya — this occurred before her marriage to Pandu.

Verse 11 (devibhagavatam.2.6.11)

ऋषय ऊचुः । किमेतत्सूत चित्रं त्वं भाषसे मुनिसत्तम । जनितश्च सुतः पूर्वं पाण्डुना सा विवाहिता

ṛṣaya ūcuḥ kimetatsūta citraṁ tvaṁ bhāṣase munisattama janitaśca sutaḥ pūrvaṁ pāṇḍunā sā vivāhitā

The sages said: O Suta, O foremost of sages, what a strange thing is this you tell us? A son was born to her first, and only afterward was she married to Pandu?

Verse 12 (devibhagavatam.2.6.12)

सूर्यात्कर्णः कथं जातः कन्यायां वद विस्तरात् । कन्या कथं पुनर्जाता पाण्डुना सा विवाहिता

sūryātkarṇaḥ kathaṁ jātaḥ kanyāyāṁ vada vistarāt kanyā kathaṁ punarjātā pāṇḍunā sā vivāhitā

How was Karna born by Surya to an unmarried maiden — tell us this in full detail. And how, once again a maiden, was she then married by Pandu?

Verse 13 (devibhagavatam.2.6.13)

सूत उवाच । शूरसेनसुता कुन्ती बालभावे यदा द्विजाः । कुन्तिभोजेन राज्ञा तु प्रार्थिता कन्यका शुभा

sūta uvāca śūrasenasutā kuntī bālabhāve yadā dvijāḥ kuntibhojena rājñā tu prārthitā kanyakā śubhā

Suta said: O twice-born ones, when Kunti, the daughter of Shurasena, was still a child, that auspicious girl was adopted by King Kuntibhoja.

Verse 14 (devibhagavatam.2.6.14)

कुन्तिभोजेन सा बाला पुत्री तु परिकल्पिता । सेवनार्थं तु दीप्तस्य विहिता चारुहासिनी

kuntibhojena sā bālā putrī tu parikalpitā sevanārthaṁ tu dīptasya vihitā cāruhāsinī

Kuntibhoja accepted that girl as his own daughter; and that sweetly-smiling maiden was appointed to the task of attending upon guests.

Verse 15 (devibhagavatam.2.6.15)

दुर्वासास्तु मुनिः प्राप्तश्चातुर्मास्ये स्थितो द्विजः । परिचर्या कृता कुन्त्या मुनिस्तोषं जगाम ह

durvāsāstu muniḥ prāptaścāturmāsye sthito dvijaḥ paricaryā kṛtā kuntyā munistoṣaṁ jagāma ha

Once the sage Durvasa arrived there and stayed for the four months of the rainy season; Kunti attended upon him, and the sage became greatly pleased with her service.

Verse 16 (devibhagavatam.2.6.16)

ददौ मन्त्रं शुभं तस्यै येनाहूतः सुरः स्वयम् । समायाति तथा कामं पूरयिष्यति वाञ्छितम्

dadau mantraṁ śubhaṁ tasyai yenāhūtaḥ suraḥ svayam samāyāti tathā kāmaṁ pūrayiṣyati vāñchitam

He gave her an auspicious mantra, by which whatever god she invoked would himself come as she desired and fulfil her wish.

Verse 17 (devibhagavatam.2.6.17)

गते मुनौ ततः कुन्ती निश्चयार्थं गृहे स्थिता । चिन्तयामास मनसा कं सुरं समचिन्तये

gate munau tataḥ kuntī niścayārthaṁ gṛhe sthitā cintayāmāsa manasā kaṁ suraṁ samacintaye

When the sage had departed, Kunti remained at home, resolving in her mind, wondering which god she should invoke.

Verse 18 (devibhagavatam.2.6.18)

उदितश्च तदा भानुस्तया दृष्टो दिवाकरः । मन्त्रोच्चारं तया कृत्वा चाहूतस्तिग्मगुस्तदा

uditaśca tadā bhānustayā dṛṣṭo divākaraḥ mantroccāraṁ tayā kṛtvā cāhūtastigmagustadā

At that time she beheld the rising sun; reciting the mantra, she thus summoned that radiant sun-god.

Verse 19 (devibhagavatam.2.6.19)

मण्डलान्मानुषं रूपं कृत्वा सर्वातिपेशलम् । अवातरत्तदाकाशात्समीपे तत्र मन्दिरे

maṇḍalānmānuṣaṁ rūpaṁ kṛtvā sarvātipeśalam avātarattadākāśātsamīpe tatra mandire

Assuming from his solar orb a most beautiful human form, he descended at once from the sky and drew near that dwelling.

Verse 20 (devibhagavatam.2.6.20)

दृष्ट्वा देवं समायान्तं कुन्ती भानुं सुविस्मिता । वेपमाना रजोदोषं प्राप्ता सद्यस्तु भामिनी

dṛṣṭvā devaṁ samāyāntaṁ kuntī bhānuṁ suvismitā vepamānā rajodoṣaṁ prāptā sadyastu bhāminī

Seeing the god thus approaching, Kunti was struck with great wonder; trembling, that lovely woman was overcome at once with dismay and misgiving.

Verse 21 (devibhagavatam.2.6.21)

कृताञ्जलिः स्थिता सूर्यं बभाषे चारुलोचना । सुप्रीता दर्शनेनाद्य गच्छ त्वं निजमण्डलम्

kṛtāñjaliḥ sthitā sūryaṁ babhāṣe cārulocanā suprītā darśanenādya gaccha tvaṁ nijamaṇḍalam

Standing with joined hands, that lotus-eyed girl said to Surya, "I am today most pleased to have had your vision; now return, please, to your own orb."

Verse 22 (devibhagavatam.2.6.22)

सूर्य उवाच । आहूतोऽस्मि कथं कुन्ति त्वया मन्त्रबलेन वै । न मां भजसि कस्मात्त्वं समाहूय पुरोगतम्

sūrya uvāca āhūto'smi kathaṁ kunti tvayā mantrabalena vai na māṁ bhajasi kasmāttvaṁ samāhūya purogatam

Surya said: "O Kunti, why was I summoned by the power of your mantra, if you will not now consort with me? Having called me and set me before you, why do you not now unite with me?

Verse 23 (devibhagavatam.2.6.23)

कामार्तोऽस्म्यसितापाङ्गि भज मां भावसंयुतम् । मन्त्रेणाधीनतां प्राप्प्तं क्रीडितुं नय मामिति

kāmārto'smyasitāpāṅgi bhaja māṁ bhāvasaṁyutam mantreṇādhīnatāṁ prāpptaṁ krīḍituṁ naya māmiti

O dark-eyed one, I am afflicted with desire; unite with me wholeheartedly. I have been brought under your power by this mantra — take me now to enjoy your company."

Verse 24 (devibhagavatam.2.6.24)

कुन्त्युवाच । कन्यास्म्यहं तु धर्मज्ञ सर्वसाक्षिन्नमाम्यहम् । तवाप्यहं न दुर्वाच्या कुलकन्यास्मि सुव्रत

kuntyuvāca kanyāsmyahaṁ tu dharmajña sarvasākṣinnamāmyaham tavāpyahaṁ na durvācyā kulakanyāsmi suvrata

Kunti said: "O knower of dharma, I am but an unwed maiden — I bow to the witness of all. O one of good vows, I am a girl of noble family; even you should not speak such improper words to me."

Verse 25 (devibhagavatam.2.6.25)

सूर्य उवाच । लज्जा मे महती चाद्य यदि गच्छाम्यहं वृथा । वाच्यतां सर्वदेवानां यास्याम्यत्र न संशयः

sūrya uvāca lajjā me mahatī cādya yadi gacchāmyahaṁ vṛthā vācyatāṁ sarvadevānāṁ yāsyāmyatra na saṁśayaḥ

Surya said: "If I return today in vain, great shame will be mine; I shall surely become an object of reproach among all the gods, of this there is no doubt.

Verse 26 (devibhagavatam.2.6.26)

शप्स्यामि तं द्विजं चाद्य येन मन्त्रः समर्पितः । त्वां चापि सुभृशं कुन्ति नोचेन्मां त्वं भजिष्यसि

śapsyāmi taṁ dvijaṁ cādya yena mantraḥ samarpitaḥ tvāṁ cāpi subhṛśaṁ kunti nocenmāṁ tvaṁ bhajiṣyasi

I shall today curse even that brahmin who gave you this mantra, and I shall curse you too, O Kunti, if you do not unite with me.

Verse 27 (devibhagavatam.2.6.27)

कन्याधर्मः स्थिरस्ते स्यान्न ज्ञास्यन्ति जनाः किल । मत्समस्तु तथा पुत्रो भविता ते वरानने

kanyādharmaḥ sthiraste syānna jñāsyanti janāḥ kila matsamastu tathā putro bhavitā te varānane

Your maidenhood shall remain wholly unimpaired, and people shall never come to know of this; and you shall obtain a son equal to myself, O fair one."

Verse 28 (devibhagavatam.2.6.28)

इत्युक्त्वा तरणिः कुन्तीं तन्मनस्कां सुलज्जिताम् । भुक्त्वा जगाम देवेशो वरं दत्त्वातिवाञ्छितम्

ityuktvā taraṇiḥ kuntīṁ tanmanaskāṁ sulajjitām bhuktvā jagāma deveśo varaṁ dattvātivāñchitam

Having spoken thus, the lord of the gods, Surya, united with that deeply embarrassed and absorbed Kunti, and having granted her the boon she so desired, took his leave.

Verse 29 (devibhagavatam.2.6.29)

गर्भं दधार सुश्रोणी सुगुप्ते मन्दिरे स्थिता । धात्री वेद प्रिया चैका न माता न जनस्तथा

garbhaṁ dadhāra suśroṇī sugupte mandire sthitā dhātrī veda priyā caikā na mātā na janastathā

That fair woman, remaining in a hidden chamber, bore the child in her womb; only one beloved nurse knew of it — not her mother, nor anyone else.

Verse 30 (devibhagavatam.2.6.30)

गुप्तः सद्मनि पुत्रस्तु जातश्चातिमनोहरः । कवचेनातिरम्येण कुण्डलाभ्यां समन्वितः

guptaḥ sadmani putrastu jātaścātimanoharaḥ kavacenātiramyeṇa kuṇḍalābhyāṁ samanvitaḥ

In secret, in that chamber, a most beautiful son was born, endowed with a wondrously radiant armour and a pair of earrings —

Verse 31 (devibhagavatam.2.6.31)

द्वितीय इव सूर्यस्तु कुमार इव चापरः । करे कृत्वाथ धात्रेयी तामुवाच सुलज्जिताम्

dvitīya iva sūryastu kumāra iva cāparaḥ kare kṛtvātha dhātreyī tāmuvāca sulajjitām

as if a second sun, or another Kumara himself. Then that maidservant, taking him upon her lap, said to the deeply ashamed Kunti.

Verse 32 (devibhagavatam.2.6.32)

कां चिन्तां करभोरु त्वमाधत्सेऽद्य स्थितास्म्यहम् । मञ्जूषायां सुतं कुन्ती मुञ्चन्ती वाक्यमब्रवीत्

kāṁ cintāṁ karabhoru tvamādhatse'dya sthitāsmyaham mañjūṣāyāṁ sutaṁ kuntī muñcantī vākyamabravīt

"O fair-thighed one, what troubles you now? I am here at your side" — so saying, Kunti, placing her son in a wicker basket, spoke these words.

Verse 33 (devibhagavatam.2.6.33)

किं करोमि सुतार्ताहं त्यजे त्वां प्राणवल्लभम् । मन्दभाग्या त्यजामि त्वां सर्वलक्षणसंयुतम्

kiṁ karomi sutārtāhaṁ tyaje tvāṁ prāṇavallabham mandabhāgyā tyajāmi tvāṁ sarvalakṣaṇasaṁyutam

"What am I to do — grieving for my own son, I abandon you, dearer to me than my very life. O one endowed with every auspicious mark, ill-fated as I am, I now cast you away.

Verse 34 (devibhagavatam.2.6.34)

पातुत्वां सगुणागुणा भगवती । सर्वेश्वरी चाम्बिका । स्तन्यं सैव ददातु विश्वजननी । कात्यायनी कामदा । द्रक्ष्येऽहंमुखपङ्कजं सुललितं । प्राणप्रियार्हं कदा । त्यक्त्वा त्वां विजने वने रविसुतं । दुष्टा यथा स्वैरिणी

pātutvāṁ saguṇāguṇā bhagavatī sarveśvarī cāmbikā stanyaṁ saiva dadātu viśvajananī kātyāyanī kāmadā drakṣye'haṁmukhapaṅkajaṁ sulalitaṁ prāṇapriyārhaṁ kadā tyaktvā tvāṁ vijane vane ravisutaṁ duṣṭā yathā svairiṇī

May that Goddess who transcends all qualities and their absence, that Bhagavati, Ishvari of all, that universal mother Katyayani who grants every desire, protect you and give you her own breast to nurse. When shall I again behold that most lovely lotus face of yours, dearer to me than life itself? O son of the sun, leaving you thus in a lonely forest, I seem to myself as wicked as any wanton woman.

Verse 35 (devibhagavatam.2.6.35)

पूर्वस्मिन्नपि जन्मनि त्रिजगतां । माता न चाराधिता । न ध्यातं पदपङ्कजं सुखकरं । देव्याः शिवायाश्चिरम् । तेनाहं सुत दुर्भगास्मि सततं । त्यक्त्वा पुनस्त्वां वने । तप्स्यामि प्रिय पातकं स्मृतवती । बुद्ध्या कृतं यत्स्वयम्

pūrvasminnapi janmani trijagatāṁ mātā na cārādhitā na dhyātaṁ padapaṅkajaṁ sukhakaraṁ devyāḥ śivāyāściram tenāhaṁ suta durbhagāsmi satataṁ tyaktvā punastvāṁ vane tapsyāmi priya pātakaṁ smṛtavatī buddhyā kṛtaṁ yatsvayam

In a former birth too I must not have worshipped the mother of the three worlds, that gracious Goddess, nor long meditated upon her blissful lotus feet — and it is for this, O son, that I remain ever unfortunate, abandoning you once more in a forest. O beloved, remembering this sin done by my own deliberate will, I shall perform penance for it.

Verse 36 (devibhagavatam.2.6.36)

सूत उवाव । इत्युक्त्या तं सुतं कुन्ती मञ्जूषायां धृतं किल । धात्रीहस्ते ददौ भीता जनदर्शनतस्तथा

sūta uvāva ityuktyā taṁ sutaṁ kuntī mañjūṣāyāṁ dhṛtaṁ kila dhātrīhaste dadau bhītā janadarśanatastathā

Suta said: Having spoken thus, and having placed her son in the basket, fearful of being seen by people, Kunti gave that basket into the nurse's hands.

Verse 37 (devibhagavatam.2.6.37)

स्नात्वा त्रस्ता तदा कुन्ती पितृवेश्मन्युवास सा । मञ्जूषा वहमाना च प्राप्ता ह्यधिरथेन वै

snātvā trastā tadā kuntī pitṛveśmanyuvāsa sā mañjūṣā vahamānā ca prāptā hyadhirathena vai

Having bathed, the fearful Kunti then remained on in her father's house; that floating basket came to be found by Adhiratha.

Verse 38 (devibhagavatam.2.6.38)

राधा सूतस्य भार्या वै तयासौ प्रार्थितः सुतः । कर्णोऽभूद्बलवान्वीरः पालितः सूतसद्मनि

rādhā sūtasya bhāryā vai tayāsau prārthitaḥ sutaḥ karṇo'bhūdbalavānvīraḥ pālitaḥ sūtasadmani

Radha, the wife of that charioteer, herself entreated for that son; and that valiant and mighty Karna was reared there in the charioteer's household.

Verse 39 (devibhagavatam.2.6.39)

कुन्ती विवाहिता कन्या पाण्डुना सा स्वयम्वरे । माद्री चैवापरा भार्या मद्रराजसुता शुभा

kuntī vivāhitā kanyā pāṇḍunā sā svayamvare mādrī caivāparā bhāryā madrarājasutā śubhā

At a svayamvara, the maiden Kunti was married by Pandu; and the fair Madri, daughter of the king of the Madra country, became his second wife.

Verse 40 (devibhagavatam.2.6.40)

मृगयां रममाणस्तु वने पाण्डुर्महाबलः । जघान मृगबुद्ध्या तु रममाणं मुनिं वने

mṛgayāṁ ramamāṇastu vane pāṇḍurmahābalaḥ jaghāna mṛgabuddhyā tu ramamāṇaṁ muniṁ vane

Once the mighty Pandu, while hunting in the forest, mistaking him for a deer, slew a sage who was sporting there in the forest.

Verse 41 (devibhagavatam.2.6.41)

शप्तस्तेन तदा पाण्डुर्मुनिना कुपितेन च । स्त्रीसङ्गं यदि कर्तासि तदा ते मरणं धुवम्

śaptastena tadā pāṇḍurmuninā kupitena ca strīsaṅgaṁ yadi kartāsi tadā te maraṇaṁ dhuvam

That enraged sage cursed Pandu at once: "If you ever unite with a woman, your death shall follow without fail."

Verse 42 (devibhagavatam.2.6.42)

इति शप्तस्तु मुनिना पाण्डुः शोकसमन्वितः । त्यक्त्वा राज्यं वने वासं चकार भृशदुःखितः

iti śaptastu muninā pāṇḍuḥ śokasamanvitaḥ tyaktvā rājyaṁ vane vāsaṁ cakāra bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ

Thus cursed by the sage, Pandu, overcome with grief, relinquished his kingdom and, deeply sorrowful, went to dwell in the forest.

Verse 43 (devibhagavatam.2.6.43)

कुन्ती माद्री च भार्ये द्वे जग्मतुः सह सङ्गते । सेवनार्थं सतीधर्मं संश्रिते मुनिसत्तमाः

kuntī mādrī ca bhārye dve jagmatuḥ saha saṅgate sevanārthaṁ satīdharmaṁ saṁśrite munisattamāḥ

His two wives, Kunti and Madri, went along with him together; O foremost of sages, they went into that same forest in devotion to the duty of chaste wifehood, sharing his refuge.

Verse 44 (devibhagavatam.2.6.44)

गङ्गातीरे स्थितः पाण्डुर्मुनीनामाश्रमेषु च । शृण्वानो धर्मशास्त्राणि चकार दुश्चरं तपः

gaṅgātīre sthitaḥ pāṇḍurmunīnāmāśrameṣu ca śṛṇvāno dharmaśāstrāṇi cakāra duścaraṁ tapaḥ

Dwelling on the bank of the Ganga and in the hermitages of sages, Pandu would listen to the scriptures of dharma and perform the most severe austerities.

Verse 45 (devibhagavatam.2.6.45)

कथायां वर्तमानायां कदाचिद्धर्मसंश्रितम् । अशृणोद्वचनं राजा सुपृष्टं मुनिभाषितम्

kathāyāṁ vartamānāyāṁ kadāciddharmasaṁśritam aśṛṇodvacanaṁ rājā supṛṣṭaṁ munibhāṣitam

Once, in the course of a discourse, the king heard a certain saying about dharma, uttered by the sages in response to a question well posed.

Verse 46 (devibhagavatam.2.6.46)

अपुत्रस्य गतिर्नास्ति स्वर्गे गन्तुं परन्तप । येन केनाप्युपायेन पुत्रस्य जननं चरेत्

aputrasya gatirnāsti svarge gantuṁ parantapa yena kenāpyupāyena putrasya jananaṁ caret

"O scorcher of foes, one without a son has no path to heaven; therefore, by whatever means, one should bring about the birth of a son.

Verse 47 (devibhagavatam.2.6.47)

अंशजः पुत्रिकापुत्रः क्षेत्रजो गोलकस्तथा । कुण्डः सहोढः कानीनः क्रीतः प्राप्तस्तथा वने

aṁśajaḥ putrikāputraḥ kṣetrajo golakastathā kuṇḍaḥ sahoḍhaḥ kānīnaḥ krītaḥ prāptastathā vane

There is the natural son, the daughter's-son-as-son, the field-begotten son, the golaka, the kunda, the sahodha, the kanina, the purchased son, and the son found in the forest,

Verse 48 (devibhagavatam.2.6.48)

दत्तः केनापि चाशक्तौ धनग्राहिसुताः स्मृताः । उत्तरोत्तरतः पुत्रा निकृष्टा इति निश्चयः

dattaḥ kenāpi cāśaktau dhanagrāhisutāḥ smṛtāḥ uttarottarataḥ putrā nikṛṣṭā iti niścayaḥ

and the son given by another in case of incapacity — these too are known, sought for the sake of wealth (inheritance); each successive kind is held inferior to the one before, this is certain."

Verse 49 (devibhagavatam.2.6.49)

इत्याकर्ण्य तदा प्राह कुन्तीं कमललोचनाम् । सुतमुत्पादयाशु त्वं मुनिं गत्वा तपोऽन्वितम्

ityākarṇya tadā prāha kuntīṁ kamalalocanām sutamutpādayāśu tvaṁ muniṁ gatvā tapo'nvitam

Hearing this, the king said to the lotus-eyed Kunti, "Go swiftly, seek out some austere and accomplished sage, and beget a son.

Verse 50 (devibhagavatam.2.6.50)

ममाज्ञया न दोषस्ते पुरा राज्ञा महात्मना । वसिष्ठाज्जनितः पुत्रः सौदासेनेति मे श्रुतम्

mamājñayā na doṣaste purā rājñā mahātmanā vasiṣṭhājjanitaḥ putraḥ saudāseneti me śrutam

By my command there shall be no fault in you for this; I have heard that in earlier times the wife of the great King Sudasa bore a son from Vasishtha."

Verse 51 (devibhagavatam.2.6.51)

तं कुन्ती वचनं प्राह मम मन्त्रोऽस्ति कामदः । दत्तो दुर्वाससा पूर्वं सिद्धिदः सर्वथा प्रभो

taṁ kuntī vacanaṁ prāha mama mantro'sti kāmadaḥ datto durvāsasā pūrvaṁ siddhidaḥ sarvathā prabho

Kunti said to him, "O lord, I possess a mantra that grants any desire, given to me long ago by Durvasa, one that unfailingly brings success.

Verse 52 (devibhagavatam.2.6.52)

निमन्त्रयेऽहं यं देवं मन्त्रेणानेन पार्थिव । आगच्छेत्सर्वथासौ वै मम पार्श्वं निमन्त्रितः

nimantraye'haṁ yaṁ devaṁ mantreṇānena pārthiva āgacchetsarvathāsau vai mama pārśvaṁ nimantritaḥ

O king, whatever god I summon by this mantra, that god, thus invoked, is bound to come to my side."

Verse 53 (devibhagavatam.2.6.53)

भर्तुर्वाक्येन सा तत्र स्मृत्वा धर्मं सुरोत्तमम् । सङ्गम्य सुषुवे पुत्रं प्रथमं च युधिष्ठिरम्

bharturvākyena sā tatra smṛtvā dharmaṁ surottamam saṅgamya suṣuve putraṁ prathamaṁ ca yudhiṣṭhiram

At her husband's word, remembering there the office of the foremost gods, she thus united and first gave birth to the son Yudhishthira.

Verse 54 (devibhagavatam.2.6.54)

वायोर्वृकोदरं पुत्रं जिष्णुं चैव शतक्रतोः । वर्षे वर्षे त्रयः पुत्राः कुन्त्या जाता महाबलाः

vāyorvṛkodaraṁ putraṁ jiṣṇuṁ caiva śatakratoḥ varṣe varṣe trayaḥ putrāḥ kuntyā jātā mahābalāḥ

Then, from Vayu, she bore the son Vrikodara (Bhima), and from Indra, the son Jishnu (Arjuna); thus, one each year, three mighty sons were born to Kunti.

Verse 55 (devibhagavatam.2.6.55)

माद्री प्राह पतिं पाण्डुं पुत्रं मे कुरु सत्तम । किं करोमि महाराज दुःखं नाशय मे प्रभो

mādrī prāha patiṁ pāṇḍuṁ putraṁ me kuru sattama kiṁ karomi mahārāja duḥkhaṁ nāśaya me prabho

Madri said to her husband Pandu, "O excellent one, let a son be granted to me as well. What am I to do, O great king? O lord, remove this sorrow of mine."

Verse 56 (devibhagavatam.2.6.56)

प्रार्थिता पतिना कुन्ती ददौ मन्त्रं दयान्विता । एकपुत्रप्रबन्धेन माद्री पतिमते स्थिता

prārthitā patinā kuntī dadau mantraṁ dayānvitā ekaputraprabandhena mādrī patimate sthitā

At her husband's request, the compassionate Kunti gave that mantra to Madri — under the condition of only one son, in keeping with her husband's wish.

Verse 57 (devibhagavatam.2.6.57)

स्मृत्वा तदाश्विनौ देवौ मद्रराजसुता सुतौ । नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुषुवे वरवर्णिनी

smṛtvā tadāśvinau devau madrarājasutā sutau nakulaḥ sahadevaśca suṣuve varavarṇinī

That fair daughter of the Madra king, invoking the twin Ashvin gods, gave birth to two sons at once — Nakula and Sahadeva.

Verse 58 (devibhagavatam.2.6.58)

एवं ते पाण्डवाः पञ्च क्षेत्रोत्पन्ताः सुरात्मजाः । वर्षवर्षान्तरे जाता वने तस्मिन्द्विजोत्तमाः

evaṁ te pāṇḍavāḥ pañca kṣetrotpantāḥ surātmajāḥ varṣavarṣāntare jātā vane tasmindvijottamāḥ

Thus were all five Pandavas — begotten in the field, portions of the gods, O foremost of the twice-born — born there in that forest, at intervals of a year each.

Verse 59 (devibhagavatam.2.6.59)

एकस्मिन्समये पाण्डुर्माद्रीं दृष्ट्वाथ निर्जने । आश्रमे चातिकामार्तो जग्राहागतवैशसः

ekasminsamaye pāṇḍurmādrīṁ dṛṣṭvātha nirjane āśrame cātikāmārto jagrāhāgatavaiśasaḥ

Once, seeing Madri in the solitude of the hermitage, Pandu was overcome with great desire, and, though the destruction of the curse was now come upon him, he seized her.

Verse 60 (devibhagavatam.2.6.60)

मा मा मा मेति बहुधा निषिद्धोऽपितया भृशम् । आलिलिङ्ग प्रियां दैवात्पपात धरणीतले

mā mā mā meti bahudhā niṣiddho'pitayā bhṛśam āliliṅga priyāṁ daivātpapāta dharaṇītale

Though she forbade him again and again, saying "Do not, do not, do not," he, driven by fate, embraced his beloved — and fell to the ground.

Verse 61 (devibhagavatam.2.6.61)

यथा वृक्षगता वल्ली छिन्ने पतति वै द्रुमे । तथा सा पतिता बाला कुर्वन्ती रोदनं बहु

yathā vṛkṣagatā vallī chinne patati vai drume tathā sā patitā bālā kurvantī rodanaṁ bahu

Just as a creeper clinging to a tree falls when the tree is felled, so too that young woman fell, weeping bitterly.

Verse 62 (devibhagavatam.2.6.62)

प्रत्यागता तदा कुन्ती रुदती बालकास्तथा । मुनयश्च महाभागाः श्रुत्वा कोलाहलं तदा

pratyāgatā tadā kuntī rudatī bālakāstathā munayaśca mahābhāgāḥ śrutvā kolāhalaṁ tadā

Then Kunti and the children too returned there, to the weeping Madri; and the greatly fortunate sages also, hearing the commotion, arrived there.

Verse 63 (devibhagavatam.2.6.63)

मृतः पाण्डुस्तदा सर्वे मुनयः संशितव्रताः । सहाग्निभिर्विधिं कृत्वा गङ्गातीरे तदादहन्

mṛtaḥ pāṇḍustadā sarve munayaḥ saṁśitavratāḥ sahāgnibhirvidhiṁ kṛtvā gaṅgātīre tadādahan

Pandu had died; and then all those sages of strict vows, together with the sacred fires, performed the proper rites and cremated him there on the bank of the Ganga.

Verse 64 (devibhagavatam.2.6.64)

चक्रे सहैव गमनं माद्री दत्त्वा सुतौ शिशू । कुन्त्यै धर्मं पुरस्कृत्य सतीनां सत्यकामतः

cakre sahaiva gamanaṁ mādrī dattvā sutau śiśū kuntyai dharmaṁ puraskṛtya satīnāṁ satyakāmataḥ

Having entrusted her two infant sons to Kunti, and placing the duty of a chaste wife foremost, out of true devotion Madri too went along with him (into the fire).

Verse 65 (devibhagavatam.2.6.65)

जलदानादिकं कृत्वा मुनयस्तत्र वासिनः । पञ्चपुत्रयुतां कुन्तीमनयन्हस्तिनापुरम्

jaladānādikaṁ kṛtvā munayastatra vāsinaḥ pañcaputrayutāṁ kuntīmanayanhastināpuram

The sages dwelling there, having performed the water-libation and other rites, then conducted Kunti, together with her five sons, to Hastinapura.

Verse 66 (devibhagavatam.2.6.66)

तां प्राप्तां च समाज्ञाय गाङ्गेयो विदुरस्तथा । नगरीं धृतराष्ट्रस्य सर्वे तत्र समाययुः

tāṁ prāptāṁ ca samājñāya gāṅgeyo vidurastathā nagarīṁ dhṛtarāṣṭrasya sarve tatra samāyayuḥ

Learning of their arrival, both Gangeya (Bhishma) and Vidura went there to Dhritarashtra's city, having learned of everything.

Verse 67 (devibhagavatam.2.6.67)

पप्रच्छुश्च जनाः सर्वे कस्य पुत्रा वरानने । पाण्डोः शापं समाज्ञाय कुन्ती दुःखान्विता तदा

papracchuśca janāḥ sarve kasya putrā varānane pāṇḍoḥ śāpaṁ samājñāya kuntī duḥkhānvitā tadā

All the people began to ask, "O fair lady, whose sons are these?" And Kunti, then deeply grieved as the curse upon Pandu became known —

Verse 68 (devibhagavatam.2.6.68)

तानुवाच सुराणां वै पुत्राः कुरुकुलोद्भवाः । विश्वासार्थं समाहूताः कुन्त्या सर्वे सुरास्तदा

tānuvāca surāṇāṁ vai putrāḥ kurukulodbhavāḥ viśvāsārthaṁ samāhūtāḥ kuntyā sarve surāstadā

said to them, "These are the sons of the gods, born into the Kuru lineage." And to convince them, Kunti summoned all those gods there and then.

Verse 69 (devibhagavatam.2.6.69)

आगत्य खे तदा तैस्तु कथितं नः सुताः किल । भीष्मेण सत्कृतं वाक्यं देवानां सत्कृताः सुताः

āgatya khe tadā taistu kathitaṁ naḥ sutāḥ kila bhīṣmeṇa satkṛtaṁ vākyaṁ devānāṁ satkṛtāḥ sutāḥ

Coming into the sky, they then said to all of us, "These are indeed our sons." Bhishma received this word of the gods with reverence, and those sons too were duly honoured.

Verse 70 (devibhagavatam.2.6.70)

गता नागपुरं सर्वे तानादाय सुतान्वधूम् । भीष्मादयः प्रीतचित्ताः पालयामासुरर्थतः

gatā nāgapuraṁ sarve tānādāya sutānvadhūm bhīṣmādayaḥ prītacittāḥ pālayāmāsurarthataḥ

Then all of them, taking those sons and the daughter-in-law (Kunti) with them, went to Hastinapura; Bhishma and the others, glad at heart, duly raised and cared for them.

Verse 71 (devibhagavatam.2.6.71)

एवं पार्थाः समुत्पन्ना गाङ्गेयेनाथ पालिताः

evaṁ pārthāḥ samutpannā gāṅgeyenātha pālitāḥ

Thus were the sons of Pritha (the Pandavas) born, and thus were they raised and nurtured by Gangeya (Bhishma).