Sauptika Parva

[सम्जय] ततस ते सहिता वीराः परयाता दक्षिणामुखाः उपास्तमय वेलायां शिबिराभ्याशम आगताः

Sanjaya said: Then those warriors set out together facing south, and by the time the sun was setting they had reached the vicinity of the camp.

विमुच्य वाहांस तवरिता भीताः समभवंस तदा गहनं देशम आसाद्य परच्छन्ना नयविशन्त ते

Releasing their horses in haste and overcome with fear, they made their way into a dense, hidden part of the forest.

सेनानिवेशम अभितॊ नातिदूरम अवस्थिताः निवृत्ता निशितैः शस्त्रैः समन्तात कषतविक्षताः

They halted not far from the enemy camp, having turned back, their bodies wounded all over by sharp weapons.

दीर्घम उष्णं च निःश्वस्य पाण्डवान अन्वचिन्तयन शरुत्वा च निनदं घॊरं पाण्डवानां जयैषिणाम

Sighing long and hot, they thought of the Pandavas, having heard the terrible roar of the victory-seeking sons of Pandu.

अनुसार भराद भीताः पराङ्मुखा पराद्रवन पुनः ते मुहूर्तं ततॊ गत्वा शरान्तवाहाः पिपासिताः

Frightened by the fear of pursuit, they fled onward again with faces turned away; after going some distance their horses grew tired and thirsty.

नामृष्यन्त महेष्वासाः करॊधामर्षवशं गताः राज्ञॊ वधेन संतप्ता मुहूर्तं समवस्थिताः

Those great archers, overpowered by anger and impatience, could not bear it, and tormented by the king's death they stopped for a moment.

[धृ] अश्रद्धेयम इदं कर्मकृतं भीमेन संजय यत स नागायुत पराणः पुत्रॊ मम निपातितः

Dhritarashtra said: This deed of Bhima's is unbelievable, Sanjaya - that my son, whose strength equalled ten thousand elephants, has been struck down.

अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां वज्रसंहननॊ युवा पाण्डवैः समरे पुत्रॊ निहतॊ मम संजय

My son, unslayable by all beings, young and hard-bodied as a thunderbolt, has been slain by the Pandavas in battle, Sanjaya.

न दिष्टम अभ्यतिक्रान्तुं शक्यं गावल्गणे नरैः यत समेत्य रणे पार्थैः पुत्रॊ मम निपातितः

No man can overstep destiny, son of Gavalgana - my son, having met the sons of Pritha in battle, has fallen.

अद्रिसारमयं नूनं हृदयं मम संजय हतं पुत्रशतं शरुत्वा यन न दीर्णं सहस्रधा

My heart must truly be made of stone, Sanjaya, since hearing that my hundred sons are slain it did not shatter into a thousand pieces.

कथं हि वृद्धमिथुनं हतपुत्रं भविष्यति न हय अहं पाण्डवेयस्य विषये वस्तुम उत्सहे

How shall this old couple live, our sons slain? I cannot bear to dwell in the realm of a son of Pandu.

कथं राज्ञः पिता भूत्वा सवयं राजा च संजय परेष्यभूतः परवर्तेयं पाण्डवेयस्य शासनात

How, having been the father of a king and myself a king, shall I now live as a mere servant, Sanjaya, under a son of Pandu's command?

आज्ञाप्य पृथिवीं सर्वां सथित्वा मूर्ध्नि च संजय कथम अद्य भविष्यामि परेष्यभूतॊ दुरन्त कृत

Having once commanded the whole earth and stood at its very summit, how, Sanjaya, shall I now become a servant - what a wretched fate.

कथं भीमस्य वाक्यानि शरॊतुं शक्ष्यामि संजय येन पुत्रशतं पूर्णम एकेन निहतं मम

How shall I be able to bear hearing the words of Bhima, Sanjaya, by whose single hand my full hundred sons were slain?

कृतं सत्यं वचस तस्य विदुरस्य महात्मनः अकुर्वता वचस तेन मम पुत्रेण संजय

The words of the great-souled Vidura have proven true, Sanjaya, because my son did not heed them.

अधर्मेण हते तात पुत्रे दुर्यॊधने मम कृतवर्मा कृपॊ दरौणिः किम अकुर्वत संजय

Now that my son Duryodhana has been slain unrighteously, dear one, tell me, Sanjaya, what did Kritavarman, Kripa and Drona's son do?

[स] गत्वा तु तावका राजन नातिदूरम अवस्थिताः अपश्यन्त वनं घॊरं नानाद्रुमलताकुलम

Sauti said: Your men, O king, having gone not very far, saw a terrible forest tangled with many trees and creepers.

ते मुहूर्तं तु विश्रम्य लब्धतॊयैर हयॊत्तमैः सूर्यास्तमय वेलायाम आसेदुः सुमहद वनम

Resting there a while, with their excellent horses having drunk water, they reached a great forest just as the sun was setting.

नानामृगगणैर जुष्टं नानापक्षिसमाकुलम नानाद्रुमलताच्छन्नं नानाव्यालनिषेवितम

That forest was inhabited by many wild animals, thronged with many birds, covered with many trees and creepers, and home to many serpents.

नाना तॊयसमाकीर्णं तडागैर उपशॊभितम पद्मिनी शतसंछन्नं नीलॊत्पलसमायुतम

It was full of many waters, adorned with lakes, covered with hundreds of lotus-pools, and rich with blue lotuses.

परविश्य तद वनं घॊरं वीक्षमाणाः समन्ततः शाखा सहस्रसंछन्नं नयग्रॊधं ददृशुस ततः

Entering that terrible forest and looking about on every side, they then saw a banyan tree covered with a thousand branches.

उपेत्य तु तदा राजन नयग्रॊधं ते महारथाः ददृशुर दविपदां शरेष्ठाः शरेष्ठं तं वै वनस्पतिम

Approaching that banyan, O king, those great warriors, foremost among men, beheld it as the finest of trees.

ते ऽवतीर्य रथेभ्यस तु विप्रमुच्य च वाजिनः उपस्पृश्य यथान्यायं संध्याम अन्वासत परभॊ

Descending from their chariots and freeing the horses, they performed the proper evening rites, O lord.

ततॊ ऽसतं पर्वतश्रेष्ठम अनुप्राप्ते दिवाकरे सर्वस्य जगतॊ धात्री शर्वरी समपद्यत

Then, as the sun sank behind the finest of mountains, night, the nurturer of all the world, descended.

गरहनक्षत्रताराभिः परकीर्णाभिर अलंकृतम नभॊऽंशुकम इवाभाति परेक्षणीयं समन्ततः

Adorned with scattered planets, stars and constellations, the sky shone all around, beautiful to behold, like a fine cloth.

ईषच चापि परवल्गन्ति ये सत्त्वा रात्रिचारिणः दिवा चराश च ये सत्त्वास ते निद्रावशम आगताः

The creatures that roam at night began to stir a little, while the creatures that roam by day fell under the sway of sleep.

रात्रिंचराणां सत्त्वानां निनादॊ ऽभूत सुदारुणः करव्यादाश च परमुदिता घॊरा पराप्ता च शर्वरी

A most terrible din arose from the night-roving creatures, and the flesh-eating beasts grew jubilant as the fearsome night deepened.

तस्मिन रात्रिमुखे घॊरे दुःखशॊकसमन्विताः कृतवर्मा कृपॊ दरौणिर उपॊपविविशुः समम

In that terrible first watch of night, filled with grief and sorrow, Kritavarman, Kripa and Drona's son sat down together.

तत्रॊपविष्टाः शॊचन्तॊ नयग्रॊधस्य समन्ततः तम एवार्थम अतिक्रान्तं कुरुपाण्डवयॊः कषयम

Sitting there around the banyan, they grieved over that very calamity - the mutual destruction of the Kurus and Pandavas that had come to pass.

निद्रया च परीताङ्गा निषेदुर धरणीतले शरमेण सुदृढं युक्ता विक्षता विविधैः शरैः

Overcome by sleep in their limbs, exhausted and sorely worn out, wounded in many places by various arrows, they lay down upon the ground.

ततॊ निद्रावशं पराप्तौ कृप भॊजौ महारथौ सुखॊचिताव अदुःखार्हौ निषण्णौ धरणीतले तौ तु सुप्तौ महाराज शरमशॊकसमन्वितौ

Then Kripa and the Bhoja Kritavarman, those two great warriors used to comfort and undeserving of such suffering, fell asleep on the ground, worn out with fatigue and grief, O great king.

करॊधामर्षवशं पराप्तॊ दरॊणपुत्रस तु भारत नैव सम स जगामाथ निद्रां सर्प इव शवसन

But Drona's son, O Bharata, overcome by anger and impatience, did not fall asleep at all, breathing hard like a serpent.

न लेभे स तु निद्रां वै दह्यमानॊ ऽतिमन्युना वीक्षां चक्रे महाबाहुस तद वनं घॊरदर्शनम

Consumed by excessive rage, he could find no sleep; the mighty-armed one kept gazing about at that terrible-looking forest.

वीक्षमाणॊ वनॊद्देशं नाना सत्त्वैर निषेवितम अपश्यत महाबाहुर नयग्रॊधं वायसायुतम

Surveying that part of the forest full of many creatures, the mighty-armed one saw the banyan tree crowded with crows.

तत्र काकसहस्राणि तां निशां पर्यणामयन सुखं सवपन्तः कौरव्य पृथक्पृथग अपाश्रयाः

There, O Kaurava, thousands of crows passed that night sleeping peacefully, each perched separately on its own place.

सुप्तेषु तेषु काकेषु विस्रब्धेषु समन्ततः सॊ ऽपश्यत सहसायान्तम उलूकं घॊरदर्शनम

While those crows slept, trustingly relaxed on every side, he suddenly saw a fearsome-looking owl arrive.

महास्वनं महाकायं हर्यक्षं बभ्रु पिङ्गलम सुदीर्घघॊणा नखरं सुपर्णम इव वेगिनम

It had a loud voice and a huge body, was brownish-tawny in colour, with a very long beak and sharp talons, swift like an eagle.

सॊ ऽथ शब्दं मृदुं कृत्वा लीयमान इवाण्डजः नयग्रॊधस्य ततः शाखां परार्थयाम आस भारत

Making a soft sound, as if trying to hide itself, the bird then approached a branch of the banyan tree, O Bharata.

संनिपत्य तु शाखायां नयग्रॊधस्य विहंगमः सुप्ताञ जघान सुबहून वायसान वायसान्तकः

Alighting on a branch of the banyan, that destroyer of crows killed a great many of the sleeping birds.

केषां चिद अच्छिनत पक्षाञ शिरांसि च चकर्त ह चरणांश चैव केषां चिद बभञ्ज चरणायुधः

Of some it tore off the wings, of some it severed the heads, and of some it broke the legs with its clawed talons.

कषणेनाहन सबलवान ये ऽसय दृष्टिपथे सथिताः तेषां शरीरावयवैः शरीरैश च विशां पते नयग्रॊधमण्डलं सर्वं संछन्नं सर्वतॊ ऽभवत

In an instant it slew, along with its strength, all that came within its sight; O lord of the people, the whole circle of the banyan became strewn with the crows' torn limbs and whole bodies.

तांस तु हत्वा ततः काकान कौशिकॊ मुदितॊ ऽभवत परतिकृत्य यथाकामं शत्रूणां शत्रुसूदनः

Having slain those crows, the owl Kaushika became delighted, having thus wreaked its will upon its enemies, that destroyer of foes.

तद दृष्ट्वा सॊपधं कर्म कौशिकेन कृतं निशि तद्भावकृतसंकल्पॊ दरौणिर एकॊ वयचिन्तयत

Seeing that deceitful deed done at night by the owl, Drona's son, his resolve now shaped by that very act, reflected alone.

उपदेशः कृतॊ ऽनेन पक्षिणा मम संयुगे शत्रुणां कषपणे युक्तः पराप्तकालश च मे मतः

"This bird has given me a lesson for my own battle - fit for the destruction of enemies; I deem the right time for me has come."

नाद्य शक्या मया हन्तुं पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः बलवन्तः कृतॊत्साहा लब्धलक्षाः परहारिणः राज्ञः सकाशे तेषां च परतिज्ञातॊ वधॊ मया

"I cannot slay the triumphant Pandavas today by open means - they are powerful, resolute, having achieved their aims and mighty in battle; yet before their king I have vowed their death."

पतंगाग्निसमां वृत्तिम आस्थायात्म विनाशिनीम नयायतॊ युध्यमानस्य पराणत्यागॊ न संशयः छद्मना तु भवेत सिद्धिः शत्रूणां च कषयॊ महान

"To fight fairly, like a moth flying into fire, would surely destroy myself; but through stratagem, success and the great destruction of the enemy can be achieved."

तत्र संशयिताद अर्थाद यॊ ऽरथॊ निःसंशयॊ भवेत तं जना बहु मन्यन्ते ये ऽरथशास्त्रविशारदाः

"A certain result obtained through an uncertain (doubtful) means is what those learned in statecraft hold in high regard."

यच चाप्य अत्र भवेद वाच्यं गर्हितं लॊकनिन्दितम कर्तव्यं तन मनुष्येण कषत्रधर्मेण वर्तता

"And whatever action here might be censured or condemned by the world, that too must be done by one who follows the duty of a kshatriya."

निन्दितानि च सर्वाणि कुत्सितानि पदे पदे सॊपधानि कृतान्य एव पाण्डवैर अकृतात्मभिः

"All manner of blameworthy, contemptible and deceitful deeds have indeed already been done, step by step, by the wicked-minded Pandavas themselves."

अस्मिन्न अर्थे पुरा गीतौ शरूयेते धर्मचिन्तकैः शलॊकौ नयायम अवेक्षद्भिस तत्त्वार्थं तत्त्वदर्शिभिः

"On this very matter, two verses were once sung by those who ponder dharma - seers of truth examining what is right."

परिश्रान्ते विदीर्णे च भुञ्जाने चापि शत्रुभिः परस्थाने च परवेशे च परहर्तव्यं रिपॊर बलम

"When the enemy's force is exhausted, broken, or engaged in eating, or when it is marching out or entering camp, it should be struck."

निद्रार्तम अर्धरात्रे च तथा नष्टप्रणायकम भिन्नयॊधं बलं यच च दविधा युक्तं च यद भवेत

"When it is afflicted by sleep at midnight, when its leaders are lost, when its warriors are scattered, or when the force is divided in two, that too is the time to strike."

इत्य एवं निश्चयं चक्रे सुप्तानां युधि मारणे पाण्डूनां सह पाञ्चालैर दरॊणपुत्रः परतापवान

Thus the mighty Drona's son firmly resolved to slay the sleeping Pandavas together with the Panchalas.

स करूरां मतिम आस्थाय विनिश्चित्य मुहुर मुहुः सुप्तौ पराबॊधयत तौ तु मातुलं भॊजम एव च

Fixing on this cruel resolve after deliberating it again and again, he woke the two sleeping men - his maternal uncle Kripa and Kritavarman the Bhoja.

नॊत्तरं परतिपेदे च तत्र युक्तं हरिया वृतः स मुहूर्तम इव धयात्वा बाष्पविह्वलम अब्रवीत

Overcome with shame, Kripa gave no fitting reply there; after reflecting a moment, Ashvatthama spoke, his voice choked with tears.

हतॊ दुर्यॊधनॊ राजा एकवीरॊ महाबलः यस्यार्थे वैरम अस्माभिर आसक्तं पाण्डवैः सह

"King Duryodhana, sole hero and man of immense might, for whose sake we took up this feud with the Pandavas, has been slain."

एकाकी बहुभिः कषुद्रैर आहवे शुद्धविक्रमः पातितॊ भीमसेनेन एकादश चमूपतिः

"Alone amid many contemptible foes in battle, that man of pure valour, commander of eleven armies, was felled by Bhimasena."

वृकॊदरेण कषुद्रेण सुनृशंसम इदं कृतम मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य शिरः पादेन परिमृद्नता

"This most cruel deed was done by the base Vrikodara (Bhima) - crushing with his foot the head of one who was an anointed king."

विनर्दन्ति सम पाञ्चालाः कष्वेडन्ति च हसन्ति च धमन्ति शङ्खाञ शतशॊ हृष्टा घनन्ति च दुन्दुभीन

"The Panchalas are roaring, shouting and laughing; delighted, they blow their conches by the hundreds and beat their war-drums."

वादित्रघॊषस तुमुलॊ विमिश्रः शङ्खनिस्वनैः अनिलेनेरितॊ घॊरॊ दिशः पूरयतीव हि

"The tumultuous sound of instruments mingled with the blare of conches, driven by the wind, seems terrible enough to fill every direction."

अश्वानां हेषमाणानां गजानां चैव बृंहताम सिंहनादश च शूराणां शरूयते सुमहान अयम

"The neighing of horses, the trumpeting of elephants, and this great lion-roar of the heroes can be heard."

दिशं पराचीं समाश्रित्य हृष्टानां गर्जतां भृशम रथनेमि सवनाश चैव शरूयन्ते लॊमहर्षणाः

"From the eastern direction, the loud roars of the greatly rejoicing Panchalas and the hair-raising rumble of chariot-wheels can be heard."

पाण्डवैर धार्तराष्ट्राणां यद इदं कदनं कृतम वयम एव तरयः शिष्टास तस्मिन महति वैशसे

"In this destruction of Dhritarashtra's sons wrought by the Pandavas, we three alone remain from that great carnage."

के चिन नागशतप्राणाः के चित सर्वास्त्रकॊविदाः निहताः पाण्डवेयैः सम मन्ये कालस्य पर्ययम

"Some with the strength of a hundred elephants, some skilled in every weapon, have been slain by the Pandavas - I think this is the working of Time itself."

एवम एतेन भाव्यं हि नूनं कार्येण तत्त्वतः यथा हय अस्येदृशी निष्ठा कृते कार्ये ऽपि दुष्करे

"Surely such must truly be the nature of this event, since even a difficult deed once accomplished ends in this manner."

भवतॊस तु यदि परज्ञा न मॊहाद अपचीयते वयापन्ने ऽसमिन महत्य अर्थे यन नः शरेयस तद उच्यताम

"If your wisdom is not clouded by delusion, tell us now, since this great calamity has befallen us, what is best for us to do."

[कृप] शरुतं ते वचनं सर्वं हेतुयुक्तं मया विभॊ ममापि तु वचः किं चिच छृणुष्वाद्य महाभुज

Kripa said: "I have heard all your words, backed with reasoning, O mighty one; now hear also a few words of mine, O great-armed one."

आबद्धा मानुषाः सर्वे निर्बन्धाः कर्मणॊर दवयॊः दैवे पुरुषकारे च परं ताभ्यां न विद्यते

"All men are bound by the working of two forces - fate (daiva) and human effort (purushakara); beyond these two, nothing else exists."

न हि दैवेन सिध्यन्ति कर्माण्य एकेन सत्तम न चापि कर्मणैकेन दवाभ्यां सिद्धिस तु यॊगतः

"Deeds are not accomplished by fate alone, O excellent one, nor by effort alone; success comes only when the two act together."

ताभ्याम उभाभ्यां सर्वार्था निबद्धा हय अधमॊत्तमाः परवृत्ताश चैव दृश्यन्ते निवृत्ताश चैव सर्वशः

"By these two together, all outcomes - both base and noble - are bound; and they are seen to succeed as well as fail in every way."

पर्जन्यः पर्वते वर्षन किं नु साधयते फलम कृष्टे कषत्रे तथावर्षन किं नु साधयते फलम

"What fruit does the rain-cloud achieve by raining on a mountain? And what fruit does it achieve by not raining on tilled fields?"

उत्थानं चाप्य अदैवस्य हय अनुत्थानस्य दैवतम वयर्थं भवति सर्वत्र पूर्वं कस तत्र निश्चयः

"Effort without fate, and fate without effort, both are useless everywhere; which of the two comes first is hard to determine."

परवृष्टे च यथा देवे सम्यक कषेत्रे च कर्षिते बीजं महागुणं भूयात तथा सिद्धिर हि मानुषी

"But when the rain falls well and the field has been well tilled, the seed becomes highly fruitful - so too is human success."

तयॊर दैवं विनिश्चित्य सववशेनैव वर्तते पराज्ञाः पुरुषकारं तु घटन्ते दाक्ष्यम आस्थिताः

"Having recognized that fate acts independently by its own will, the wise nevertheless strive after human effort, relying on skill."

ताभ्यां सर्वे हि कार्यार्था मनुष्याणां नरर्षभ विचेष्टन्तश च दृश्यन्ते निवृत्ताश च तथैव हि

"By these two, O bull among men, all the purposes of men's actions are seen to proceed as well as sometimes to fail."

कृतः पुरुषकारः सन सॊ ऽपि दैवेन सिध्यति तथास्य कर्मणः कर्तुर अभिनिर्वर्तते फलम

"Even when human effort has been made, it is fate that brings it to fulfillment; thus the fruit of an action belongs to its doer."

उत्थानं तु मनुष्याणां दक्षाणां दैववर्जितम अफलं दृश्यते लॊके सम्यग अप्य उपपादितम

"The effort of skillful men, when devoid of fate, is often seen in this world to bear no fruit, even though well carried out."

तत्रालसा मनुष्याणां ये भवन्त्य अमनस्विनः उत्थानं ते विगर्हन्ति पराज्ञानां तन न रॊचते

"It is only the lazy and thoughtless among men who, for this reason, condemn effort; this view does not please the wise."

परायशॊ हि कृतं कर्म अफलं दृश्यते भुवि अकृत्वा च पुनर दुःखं कर्म दृश्येन महाफलम

"Often, an action performed is seen to bear no fruit in this world; and yet, sorrowfully, an action left undone is later seen as one that would have borne great fruit."

चेष्टाम अकुर्वँल लभते यदि किं चिद यदृच्छया यॊ वा न लभते कृत्वा दुर्दशौ ताव उभाव अपि

"If one who makes no effort obtains something by chance, or one who has striven fails to obtain it, both are in an unhappy predicament."

शक्नॊति जीवितुं दक्षॊ नालसः सुखम एधते दृश्यन्ते जीवलॊके ऽसमिन दक्षाः परायॊ हितैषिणः

A capable, industrious man is able to live and prosper; in this world the capable are mostly seen to be well-wishers of others.

यदि दक्षः समारम्भात कर्मणां नाश्नुते फलम नास्य वाच्यं भवेत किं चित तत्त्वं चाप्य अधिगच्छति

If a capable man undertakes action but does not obtain the fruit of his effort, no blame attaches to him, for he has truly understood the nature of things.

अकृत्वा कर्म यॊ लॊके फलं विन्दति विष्ठितः स तु वक्तव्यतां याति दवेष्यॊ भवति परायशः

One who, without acting, sits idle expecting to gain the fruit of action becomes blameworthy and is generally despised.

एवम एतद अनादृत्य वर्तते यस तव अतॊ ऽनयथा स करॊत्य आत्मनॊ ऽनर्थान नैष बुद्धिमतां नयः

He who disregards this truth and acts otherwise brings ruin upon himself; that is not the way of the wise.

हीनं पुरुषकारेण यदा दैवेन वा पुनः कारणाभ्याम अथैताभ्याम उत्थानम अफलं भवेत हीनं पुरुषकारेण कर्म तव इह न सिध्यति

When effort fails for lack of human exertion, or for lack of destiny, or from both causes together, the endeavor bears no fruit; but action lacking human effort never succeeds at all.

दैवतेभ्यॊ नमस्कृत्य यस तव अर्थान सम्यग ईहते दक्षॊ दाक्षिण्यसंपन्नॊ न स मॊघं विहन्यते

But one who, having bowed to the gods, rightly strives for his goals — skillful and endowed with competence — is never thwarted in vain.

सम्यग ईहा पुनर इयं यॊ वृद्धान उपसेवते आपृच्छति च यच छरेयः करॊति च हितं वचः

True right effort belongs to one who attends upon elders, asks what is beneficial, and acts on their good counsel.

उत्थायॊत्थाय हि सदा परष्टव्या वृद्धसंमताः ते ऽसय यॊगे परं मूलं तन मूला सिद्धिर उच्यते

Before every undertaking one should always consult those elders held in high esteem; they are the root foundation of success in any endeavor.

वृद्धानां वचनं शरुत्वा यॊ हय उत्थानं परयॊजयेत उत्थानस्य फलं सम्यक तदा स लभते ऽचिरात

One who undertakes action after hearing the counsel of elders soon obtains the full fruit of his effort.

रागात करॊधाद भयाल लॊभाद यॊ ऽरथान ईहेत मानवः अनीशश चावमानीच स शीघ्रं भरश्यते शरियः

A man who pursues his goals out of passion, anger, fear, or greed, powerless and contemptuous of good counsel, quickly falls from prosperity.

सॊ ऽयं दुर्यॊधनेनार्थॊ लुब्धेनादीर्घ दर्शिना असमर्थ्य समारब्धॊ मूढत्वाद अविचिन्तितः

This very enterprise was begun by the greedy, short-sighted Duryodhana, undertaken thoughtlessly, out of folly, without proper assessment.

हितबुद्धीन अनादृत्य संमन्त्र्यासाधुभिः सह वार्यमाणॊ ऽकरॊद वैरं पाण्डवैर गुणवत्तरैः

Disregarding well-wishers, taking counsel with the wicked, though repeatedly warned against it he brought about enmity with the Pandavas, who were his superiors in virtue.

पूर्वम अप्य अतिदुःशीलॊ न दैन्यं कर्तुम अर्हति तपत्य अर्थे विपन्ने हि मित्राणाम अकृतं वचः

Even one of very bad character should not show weakness once committed; but when the enterprise fails, it is the friends' unheeded advice that torments the mind.

अन्वावर्तामहि वयं यत तु तं पापपूरुषम अस्मान अप्य अनयस तस्मात पराप्तॊ ऽयं दारुणॊ महान

Because we followed that sinful man, this terrible and great calamity has fallen upon us too.

अनेन तु ममाद्यापि वयसनेनॊपतापिता बुद्धिश चिन्तयतः किं चित सवं शरेयॊ नावबुध्यते

Even now, my mind, tormented by this calamity, though pondering, cannot discern what is truly good for me.

मुह्यता तु मनुष्येण परष्टव्याः सुहृदॊ बुधाः ते च पृष्टा यथा बरूयुस तत कर्तव्यं तथा भवेत

A man who is confused should consult wise friends, and should act according to whatever they advise when asked.

ते वयं धृतराष्ट्रं च गान्धारीं च समेत्य ह उपपृच्छामहे गत्वा विदुरं च महामतिम

So let us go and meet Dhritarashtra and Gandhari, and also consult the wise Vidura.

ते पृष्टाश च वदेयुर यच छरेयॊ नः समनन्तरम तद अस्माभिः पुनः कार्यम इति मे नैष्ठिकी मतिः

Whatever they tell us, when asked, is best for us immediately — that is what we should do; this is my firm resolve.

अनारम्भात तु कार्याणां नार्थसंपद्यते कव चित कृते पुरुषकारे च येषां कार्यं न सिध्यति दैवेनॊपहतास ते तु नात्र कार्या विचारणा

Without undertaking action, success is never achieved at all; and for those whose task fails even after human effort has been made, it is fate that has thwarted them — there is no need for further deliberation in that.

[स] कृपस्य वचनं शरुत्वा धर्मार्थसहितं शुभम अश्वत्थामा महाराज दुःखशॊकसमन्वितः

Sauti said: Having heard Kripa's auspicious words, filled with righteousness and sound counsel, Ashvatthama, O great king, remained overwhelmed with sorrow and grief.