Mahaprasthanika Parva

[ज] एवं वृष्ण्यन्धककुले शरुत्वा मौसलम आहवम पाण्डवाः किम अकुर्वन्त तथा कृष्णे दिवं गते

Janamejaya asked: Having heard of the great slaughter of the Vrishnis and Andhakas in the mace-battle, what did the Pandavas do after Krishna departed to heaven?

[वै] शरुत्वैव कौरवॊ राजा वृष्णीनां कदनं महत परस्थाने मतिम आधाय वाक्यम अर्जुनम अब्रवीत

Vaishampayana said: On hearing of the great destruction of the Vrishnis, King Yudhishthira, resolved on departure from the world, spoke these words to Arjuna.

कालः पचति भूतानि सर्वाण्य एव महामते कर्म नयासम अहं मन्ये तवम अपि दरष्टुम अर्हसि

O wise one, Time cooks all beings alike; I consider it fit that we now lay down our deeds and duties, and you too should see this truth.

इत्य उक्तः स तु कौन्तेयः कालः काल इति बरुवन अन्वपद्यत तद वाक्यं भरातुर जयेष्ठस्य वीर्यवान

So addressed, the mighty son of Kunti, repeating only "Time, Time," accepted the words of his eldest brother.

अर्जुनस्य मतं जञात्वा भीमसेनॊ यमौ तथा अन्वपद्यन्त तद वाक्यं यद उक्तं सव्यसाचिना

Learning Arjuna's assent, Bhimasena and the twins likewise accepted what the ambidextrous archer had spoken.

ततॊ युयुत्सुम आनाय्य परव्रजन धर्मकाम्यया राज्यं परिददौ सर्वं वैश्य पुत्रे युधिष्ठिरः

Then, desiring the path of dharma, Yudhishthira summoned Yuyutsu and, as he prepared to renounce the world, handed over the entire kingdom to the son of the Vaishya wife.

अभिषिच्य सवराज्ये तु तं राजानं परिक्षितम दुःखार्तश चाब्रवीद राजा सुभद्रां पाण्डवाग्रजः

Having installed King Parikshit upon his own throne, the grief-stricken king, eldest of the Pandavas, spoke to Subhadra.

एष पुत्रस्य ते पुत्रः कुरुराजॊ भविष्यति यदूनां परिशेषश च वज्रॊ राजा कृतश च ह

This grandson of your son shall become king of the Kurus, and Vajra, made king, is all that remains of the Yadus.

परिक्षिद धास्तिन पुरे शक्र परस्थे तु यादवः वज्रॊ राजा तवया रक्ष्यॊ मा चाधर्मे मनः कृथाः

Parikshit shall rule at Hastinapura, while the Yadava Vajra shall rule at Shakraprastha; you must protect King Vajra and never let your mind incline to unrighteousness.

इत्य उक्त्वा धर्मराजः स वासुदेवस्य धीमतः मातुलस्य च वृद्धस्य रामादीनां तथैव च

Having said this, the tireless and righteous King Yudhishthira, together with the mothers, performed the water-offerings for the wise Vasudeva, for his aged maternal uncle, and for Rama and the others.

मातृभिः सहधर्मात्मा कृत्वॊदकम अतन्द्रितः शराद्धान्य उद्दिश्य सर्वेषां चकार विधिवत तदा

He duly performed the shraddha rites for all of them, as was proper.

ददौ रत्नानि वासांसि गरामान अश्वान रथान अपि सत्रियश च दविजमुख्येभ्यॊ गवां शतसहस्रशः

He gave gems, garments, villages, horses, chariots, and women, and to the foremost of the twice-born he gave hundreds of thousands of cows.

कृपम अभ्यर्च्य च गुरुम अर्थमानपुरस्कृतम शिष्यं परिक्षितं तस्मै ददौ भरतसत्तमः

That best of the Bharatas honored his teacher Kripa with wealth and reverence, and entrusted his disciple Parikshit to him.

ततस तु परकृतीः सर्वाः समानाय्य युधिष्ठिरः सर्वम आचष्ट राजर्षिश चिकीर्षतम अथात्मनः

Then the royal sage Yudhishthira gathered all his subjects together and told them fully of his intention.

ते शरुत्वैव वचस तस्य पौरजानपदा जनाः भृशम उद्विग्नमनसॊ नाभ्यनन्दन्त तद वचः

Hearing his words, the people of the city and country were deeply distressed at heart and did not welcome what he said.

नैवं कर्तव्यम इति ते तदॊचुस ते नराधिपम न च राजा तथाकार्षीत कालपर्याय धर्मवित

They told the king this should not be done, but the righteous king, knowing the turning of time, did not follow their wish.

ततॊ ऽनुमान्य धर्मात्मा पौरजानपदं जनम गमनाय मतिं चक्रे भरातरश चास्य ते तदा

Then the righteous king, having persuaded the people of city and country, resolved upon departure, and his brothers too made the same resolve.

ततः स राजा कौरव्यॊ धर्मपुत्रॊ युधिष्ठिरः उत्सृज्याभरणान्य अङ्गाज जगृहे वल्कलान्य उत

Then that Kaurava king, Yudhishthira the son of Dharma, cast off his ornaments and put on bark garments in their place.

भीमार्जुनौ यमौ चैव दरौपदी च यशस्विनी तथैव सर्वे जगृहुर वल्कलानि जनाधिप

Bhima, Arjuna, the twins, and the illustrious Draupadi likewise all put on bark garments, O lord of men.

विधिवत कारयित्वेष्टिं नैष्ठिकीं भरतर्षभ समुत्सृज्याप्सु सर्वे ऽगनीन परतस्थुर नरपुंगवाः

O bull of the Bharatas, having duly performed the final sacred rites and cast their sacrificial fires into the waters, those foremost of men set forth.

ततः पररुरुदुः सर्वाः सत्रियॊ दृष्ट्वा नरर्षभान परस्थितान दरौपदी षष्ठान पुरा दयूतजितान यथा

Then all the women wept, seeing those foremost of men set forth with Draupadi as the sixth, just as they had once seen them go when lost at dice.

हर्षॊ ऽभवच च सर्वेषां भरातॄणां गमनं परति युधिष्ठिर मतं जञात्वा वृष्णिक्षयम अवेष्क्य च

Yet all the brothers felt a certain joy at their departure, having learned Yudhishthira's resolve and having witnessed the destruction of the Vrishnis.

भरातरः पञ्च कृष्णा च षष्ठी शवा चैव सप्तमः आत्मना सप्तमॊ राजा निर्ययौ गजसाह्वयात पौरैर अनुगतॊ दूरं सर्वैर अन्तःपुरैस तथा

The five brothers, with Krishnaa (Draupadi) as sixth and a dog as seventh, the king himself being the seventh among them, set out from the city named after the elephant (Hastinapura), followed far by all the citizens and the entire women's quarters.

न चैनम अशकत कश्च चिन निवर्तस्वेति भाषितुम नयवर्तन्त ततः सर्वे नरा नगरवासिनः

No one could bring himself to say to him "turn back"; so all the city-dwellers finally turned back on their own.

कृप परब्भृतयश चैव युयुत्सुं पर्यवारयन विवेश गङ्गां कौरव्य उलूपी भुजगात्मजा

Kripa and the others surrounded Yuyutsu, while the Kaurava's serpent-born wife Ulupi entered the Ganga.

चित्राङ्गदा ययौ चापि मणिपूर पुरं परति शिष्टाः परिक्षितं तव अन्या मातरः पर्यवारयन

Chitrangada too departed for the city of Manipura, while the remaining mothers surrounded Parikshit.

पाण्डवाश च महात्मानॊ दरौपदी च यशस्विनी कृपॊपवासाः कौरव्य परययुः पराङ्मुखास ततः

O Kaurava, the great-souled Pandavas and the illustrious Draupadi, fasting and observing austerity, went forth without looking back.

यॊगयुक्ता महात्मानस तयागधर्मम उपेयुषः अभिजग्मुर बहून देशान सरितः सागरांस तथा

Absorbed in yoga and having taken up the vow of renunciation, those great souls traversed many lands, rivers, and seas.

युधिष्ठिरॊ ययाव अग्रे भीमस तु तदनन्तरम अर्जुनस तस्य चान्व एव यमौ चैव यथाक्रमम

Yudhishthira walked in front, Bhima just after him, then Arjuna, and the twins in due order behind.

पृष्ठतस तु वरारॊहा शयामा पद्मदलेक्षणा दरौपदी यॊषितां शरेष्ठा ययौ भरतसत्तम

O best of Bharatas, behind them walked the lovely dark-hued Draupadi, lotus-petal-eyed, foremost among women.

शवा चैवानुययाव एकः पाण्डवान परस्थितान वने करमेण ते ययुर वीरा लौहित्यं सलिलार्णवम

And a single dog followed the Pandavas as they set out into the forest; step by step those heroes reached the ocean of Lauhitya (the Red Sea/Bay of Bengal region).

गाण्डीवं च धनुर दिव्यं न मुमॊच धनंजयः रत्नलॊभान महाराज तौ चाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी

O great king, out of desire not to abandon its splendor, Dhananjaya did not release the divine bow Gandiva, nor the two inexhaustible quivers.

अग्निं ते ददृशुस तत्र सथितं शैलम इवाग्रतः मार्गम आवृत्य तिष्ठन्तं साक्षात पुरुषविग्रहम

There they saw Agni standing before them like a mountain, blocking the path, in a form having a human shape.

ततॊ देवः स सप्तार्चिः पाण्डवान इदम अब्रवीत भॊ भॊ पाण्डुसुता वीराः पावकं मा विबॊधत

Then the god of the seven flames spoke to the Pandavas thus: "O heroic sons of Pandu, do not think of me merely as fire."

युधिष्ठिर महाबाहॊ भीमसेन परंतप अर्जुनाश्वसुतौ वीरौ निबॊधत वचॊ मम

O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, O scorcher of foes Bhimasena, O heroic sons of the Ashvins - listen to my words.

अहम अग्निः कुरुश्रेष्ठा मया दग्धं च खाण्डवम अर्जुनस्य परभावेन तथा नारायणस्य च

O best of the Kurus, I am Agni; by me was the Khandava forest burnt, through the power of Arjuna and of Narayana (Krishna).

अयं वः फल्गुनॊ भराता गाण्डीवं परमायुधम परित्यज्य वनं यातु नानेनार्थॊ ऽसति कश चन

This is your brother Phalguna's supreme weapon, the Gandiva; let him now leave it behind before entering the forest, for it serves no purpose any longer.

चक्ररत्नं तु यत कृष्णे सथितम आसीन महात्मनि गतं तच चा पुनर हस्ते कालेनैष्यति तस्य ह

The discus-jewel that once rested in the great-souled Krishna's hand has now gone from him; in time it will return to his hand again.

वरुणाद आहृतं पूर्वं मयैतत पार्थ कारणात गाण्डीवं कार्मुकश्रेष्ठं वरुणायैव दीयताम

O son of Pritha, this Gandiva, foremost of bows, was brought long ago from Varuna for a purpose; let it now be returned to Varuna himself.

ततस ते भरातरः सर्वे धनंजयम अचॊदयन स जले पराक्षिपत तत तु तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी

Then all the brothers urged Dhananjaya, and he cast into the water the bow together with the two inexhaustible quivers.

ततॊ ऽगनिर भरतश्रेष्ठ तत्रैवान्तरधीयत ययुश च पाण्डवा वीरास ततस ते दक्षिणामुखाः

O best of the Bharatas, then Agni vanished from that very spot, and the heroic Pandavas went onward, now facing south.

ततस ते तूत्तरेणैव तीरेण लवणाम्भसः जग्मुर भरतशार्दूल दिशं दक्षिणपश्चिमम

O tiger among the Bharatas, then, keeping along the northern shore of the salt sea, they journeyed toward the south-west.

ततः पुनः समावृत्ताः पश्चिमां दिशम एव ते ददृशुर दवारकां चापि सागरेण परिप्लुताम

Then, turning again, they went toward the west and saw Dvaraka now overwhelmed by the sea.

उदीचीं पुनर आवृत्त्य ययुर भरतसत्तमाः परादक्षिण्यं चिकीर्षन्तः पृथिव्या यॊगधर्मिणः

Those best of Bharatas, disciplined in yoga, then turned back toward the north, wishing to circumambulate the earth keeping it to their right.

[वै] ततस ते नियतात्मान उदीचीं दिशम आस्थिताः ददृशुर यॊगयुक्ताश च हिमवन्तं महागिरिम

Vaishampayana said: Then those self-controlled, yoga-disciplined ones, having set their course northward, beheld the great mountain Himavat.

तं चाप्य अतिक्रमन्तस ते ददृशुर वालुकार्णवम अवैक्षन्त महाशैलं मेरुं शिखरिणां वरम

Crossing beyond it, they saw the ocean of sand, and then beheld the great mountain Meru, foremost among peaks.

तेषां तु गच्छतां शीघ्रं सर्वेषां यॊगधर्मिणाम याज्ञसेनी भरष्टयॊगा निपपात महीतले

As all those yoga-disciplined ones were journeying swiftly, Yajnaseni (Draupadi), her yoga broken, fell to the ground.

तां तु परपतितां दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनॊ महाबलः उवाच धर्मराजानं याज्ञसेनीम अवेक्ष्य ह

Seeing her fallen, the mighty Bhimasena, looking at Krishnaa (Draupadi), spoke to the king of righteousness.

नाधर्मश चरितः कश चिद राजपुत्र्या परंतप कारणं किं नु तद राजन यत कृष्णा पतिता भुवि

O scorcher of foes, this princess never committed any wrong - what then is the reason, O king, that Krishnaa has fallen to the ground?

[य] पक्षपातॊ महान अस्या विशेषेण धनंजये तस्यैतत फलम अद्यैषा भुङ्क्ते पुरुषसत्तम

Yudhishthira said: She had a great partiality, especially toward Dhananjaya; she now reaps that fruit of hers, O best of men.

[वै] एवम उक्त्वानवेक्ष्यैनां ययौ धर्मसुतॊ नृपः समाधाय मनॊ धीमन धर्मात्मा पुरुषर्षभः

Vaishampayana said: Having said this, the wise and righteous King Yudhishthira, foremost of men, composed his mind and went on without looking back at her.

सहदेवस ततॊ धीमान निपपात महीतले तं चापि पतितं दृष्ट्वा भीमॊ राजानम अब्रवीत

Then the wise Sahadeva fell to the ground; seeing him too fallen, Bhima spoke to the king.

यॊ ऽयम अस्मासु सर्वेषु शुश्रूषुर अनहंकृतः सॊ ऽयं माद्रवती पुत्रः कस्मान निपतितॊ भुवि

This son of Madravati, who served us all without any pride, why has he now fallen to the ground?

[य] आत्मनः सदृशं पराज्ञं नैषॊ ऽमन्यत कं चन तेन दॊषेण पतितस तस्माद एष नृपात्मजः

Yudhishthira said: This prince considered no one his equal in wisdom; because of that fault this son of a king has fallen.

[वै] इत्य उक्त्वा तु समुत्सृज्य सहदेवं ययौ तदा भरातृभिः सह कौन्तेयः शुना चैव युधिष्ठिरः

Vaishampayana said: Having said this, the son of Kunti, Yudhishthira, leaving Sahadeva behind, went onward together with his brothers and the dog.

कृष्णां निपतितां दृष्ट्वा सहदेवं च पाण्डवम आर्तॊ बन्धुप्रियः शूरॊ नकुलॊ निपपात ह

Seeing Krishnaa and Sahadeva the Pandava fallen, Nakula, heroic and dear to his kin, fell down in grief.

तस्मिन निपतिते वीरे नकुले चारुदर्शने पुनर एव तदा भीमॊ राजानम इदम अब्रवीत

When that hero of lovely appearance, Nakula, had fallen, Bhima again spoke these words to the king.

यॊ ऽयम अक्षत धर्मात्मा भराता वचनकारकः रूपेणाप्रतिमॊ लॊके नकुलः पतितॊ भुवि

This brother of unblemished righteousness, obedient in word, unmatched in beauty in all the world - this Nakula has fallen to the ground.

इत्य उक्तॊ भीमसेनेन परत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरः नकुलं परति धर्मात्मा सर्वबुद्धिमतां वरः

So addressed by Bhimasena, the righteous Yudhishthira, foremost among the wise, replied concerning Nakula.

रूपेण मत्समॊ नास्ति कश चिद इत्य अस्य दर्शनम अधिकश चाहम एवैक इत्य अस्य मनसि सथितम

He held the view that in beauty none was equal to him, and that he alone excelled everyone in this regard - that was fixed in his mind.

नकुलः पतितस तस्माद आगच्छ तवं वृकॊदर यस्य यद विहितं वीर सॊ ऽवश्यं तद उपाश्नुते

For that reason Nakula has fallen; come now, O Vrikodara - whatever is destined for each, that he surely receives.

तांस तु परपतितान दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवः शवेतवाहनः पपात शॊकसंतप्तस ततॊ ऽनु परवीरहा

Seeing them fallen, Arjuna the white-horsed slayer of great heroes, overcome with grief, then fell down himself.

तस्मिंस तु पुरुषव्याघ्रे पतिते शक्र तेजसि मरियमाणे दुराधर्षे भीमॊ राजानम अब्रवीत

When that tiger among men, of Indra-like splendor, unassailable, fell down, dying, Bhima spoke to the king.

अनृतं न समराम्य अस्य सवैरेष्व अपि महात्मनः अथ कस्य विकारॊ ऽयं येनायं पतितॊ भुवि

I do not recall this great soul ever speaking falsehood, even in jest - what then is the flaw for which he has fallen to the ground?

[य] एकाह्ना निर्दहेयं वै शत्रून इत्य अर्जुनॊ ऽबरवीत न च तत कृतवान एष शूरमानी ततॊ ऽपतत

Yudhishthira said: Arjuna once boasted he would burn up his enemies in a single day, but he did not accomplish that, being proud of his valor - hence he has fallen.

अवमेने धनुर गराहान एष सर्वांश च फल्गुनः यथा चॊक्तं तथा चैव कर्तव्यं भूतिम इच्छता

This Phalguna held all other bow-wielders in contempt; whatever one has spoken, one who seeks true prosperity must indeed fulfil.

[वै] इत्य उक्त्वा परस्थितॊ राजा भीमॊ ऽथ निपपात ह पतितश चाब्रवीद भीमॊ धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम

Vaishampayana said: Having said this, King Yudhishthira went onward; then Bhima too fell, and as he fell, he spoke to King Yudhishthira.

भॊ भॊ राजन्न अवेक्षस्व पतितॊ ऽहं परियस तव किंनिमित्तं च पतितं बरूहि मे यदि वेत्थ ह

O king, look at me - I, your beloved, have fallen; tell me the reason for my fall, if you know it.

[य] अतिभुक्तं च भवता पराणेन च विकत्थसे अनवेक्ष्य परं पार्थ तेनासि पतितः कषितौ

Yudhishthira said: O son of Pritha, you ate too much and boasted overly of your strength, disregarding others - for that reason you have fallen to the earth.

[वै] इत्य उक्त्वा तं महाबाहुर जगामानवलॊकयन शवा तव एकॊ ऽनुययौ यस ते बहुशः कीर्तितॊ मया

Vaishampayana said: Having said this, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira went on without looking back; only the dog, whom he had praised so often, kept following him.

[वै] ततः संनादयञ शक्रॊ दिवं भूमिं च सर्वशः रथेनॊपययौ पार्थम आरॊहेत्य अब्रवीच च तम

Then Indra, making heaven and earth resound on every side, approached Yudhishthira on his chariot and said, "Ascend."

स भरातॄन पतितान दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजॊ युधिष्ठिरः अब्रवीच छॊकसंतप्तः सहस्राक्षम इदं वचः

Seeing his brothers fallen, King Yudhishthira, overcome with grief, spoke this to the thousand-eyed Indra.

भरातरः पतिता मे ऽतर आगच्छेयुर मया सह न विना भरातृभिः सवर्गम इच्छे गन्तुं सुरेश्वर

My brothers who have fallen here should come along with me; O lord of the gods, I do not wish to go to heaven without my brothers.

सुकुमारी सुखार्हा च राजपुत्री पुरंदर सास्माभिः सह गच्छेत तद भवान अनुमन्यताम

O Purandara, that tender and deserving princess (Draupadi) too should go along with us - may you kindly grant this.

[इन्द्र] भरातॄन दरक्ष्यसि पुत्रांस तवम अग्रतस तरिदिवं गतान कृष्णया सहितान सर्वान मा शुचॊ भरतर्षभ

Indra said: You shall see your brothers and your sons, all gone ahead of you to the third heaven along with Krishnaa (Draupadi); grieve not, O bull of the Bharatas.

निक्षिप्य मानुषं देहं गतास ते भरतर्षभ अनेन तवं शरीरेण सवर्गं गन्ता न संशयः

O bull of the Bharatas, they have cast off their human bodies and gone there; but you shall go to heaven with this very body of yours, without doubt.

[य] अथ शवा भूतभाव्येश भक्तॊ मां नित्यम एव ह स गच्छेत मया सार्धम आनृशंस्या हि मे मतिः

Yudhishthira said: O lord of beings past and future, this dog has been devoted to me always - let him come with me, for compassion is my resolve.

[इन्द्र] अमर्त्यत्वं मत सामत्वं च राजञ; शरियं कृत्स्नां महतीं चैव कीर्तिम संप्राप्तॊ ऽदय सवर्गसुखानि च तवं; तयज शवानं नात्र नृशंसम अस्ति

Indra said: O king, you have today attained immortality, equality with me, complete prosperity, great fame, and the joys of heaven - abandon the dog; there is no cruelty in this.

[य] अनार्यम आर्येण सहस्रनेत्र; शक्यं कर्तुं दुष्करम एतद आर्य मा मे शरिया संगमनं तयास्तु; यस्याः कृते भक्त जनं तयजेयम

Yudhishthira said: O thousand-eyed one, it would be ignoble for one noble like you to ask this difficult, unworthy act of me; let there be no union with such fortune for which I must abandon a devoted being.

[इन्द्र] सवर्गे लॊके शववतां नास्ति धिष्ण्यम; इष्टापूर्तं करॊधवशा हरन्ति ततॊ विचार्य करियतां धर्मराज; तयज शवानं नात्र नृशंसम अस्ति

Indra said: There is no place in heaven for those who keep a dog, O king of righteousness; the wrathful deities snatch away one's merit earned by sacrifice and charity - consider well, therefore, and act accordingly; abandon the dog, there is no cruelty in this.

[य] भक्त तयागं पराहुर अत्यन्तपापं; तुल्यं लॊके बरह्म वध्या कृतेन तस्मान नाहं जातु कथं चनाद्य; तयक्ष्याम्य एनं सवसुखार्थी महेन्द्र

Yudhishthira said: They say that abandoning a devoted follower is an utterly sinful act, equal in this world to the killing of a Brahmin. Therefore, O Mahendra, I will never abandon this dog for the sake of my own happiness.

[इन्द्र] शुना दृष्टं करॊधवशा हरन्ति; यद दत्तम इष्टं विवृतम अथॊ हुतं च तस्माच छुनस तयागम इमं कुरुष्व; शुनस तयागात पराप्यसे देवलॊकम

Indra said: A dog in its rage carries away whatever is given, offered, displayed, or sacrificed. Therefore give up this dog; by abandoning it you will attain the world of the gods.

तयक्त्वा भरातॄन दयितां चापि कृष्णां; पराप्तॊ लॊकः कर्मणा सवेन वीर शवानं चैनं न तयजसे कथं नु; तयागं कृत्स्नं चास्थितॊ मुह्यसे ऽदय

O hero, you reached this heavenly world through your own deeds, having already left behind your brothers and even your beloved Krishna (Draupadi). Why then do you hesitate to abandon this dog, when today you have already undertaken complete renunciation?

[य] न विद्यते संधिर अथापि विग्रहॊ; मृतैर मर्त्यैर इति लॊकेषु निष्ठा न ते मया जीवयितुं हि शक्या; तस्मात तयागस तेषु कृतॊ न जीवताम

Yudhishthira said: With the dead there can be no more alliance or enmity — this is the settled truth known in the worlds. Since I had no power to bring my kin back to life, my leaving them behind was different from abandoning a living devoted being.

परतिप्रदानं शरणागतस्य; सत्रिया वधॊ बराह्मणस्व आपहारः मित्रद्रॊहस तानि चत्वारि शक्र; भक्त तयागश चैव समॊ मतॊ मे

O Shakra, returning a trust once given to one who sought refuge, the killing of a woman, robbing a Brahmin, and betraying a friend — these four I consider equal in sin to the abandonment of a devoted follower.

[वै] तद धर्मराजस्य वचॊ निशम्य; धर्मस्वरूपी भगवान उवाच युधिष्ठिरं परति युक्तॊ नरेन्द्रं; शलक्ष्णैर वाक्यैः संस्तव संप्रयुक्तैः

Vaishampayana said: Hearing these words of the King of Dharma, the blessed one who was Dharma himself, addressed King Yudhishthira with gentle words full of praise.

अभिजातॊ ऽसि राजेन्द्र पितुर वृत्तेन मेधया अनुक्रॊशेन चानेन सर्वभूतेषु भारत

O lord of kings, you are truly worthy of your birth, through your father's conduct, your wisdom, and this compassion you show toward all beings, O descendant of Bharata.

पुरा दवैतवने चासि मया पुत्र परीक्षितः पानीयार्थे पराक्रान्ता यत्र ते भरातरॊ हताः

Long ago in the Dwaita forest, O son, I tested you at the place where your brothers had fallen after going in search of water.

भीमार्जुनौ परित्यज्य यत्र तवं भरातराव उभौ मात्रॊः साम्यम अभीप्सन वै नकुलं जीवम इच्छसि

There, setting aside Bhima and Arjuna and both your other brothers, wishing for fairness between your two mothers, you chose that only Nakula should live.

अयं शवा भक्त इत्य एव तयक्तॊ देव रथस तवया तस्मात सवर्गे न ते तुल्यः कश चिद अस्ति नराधिप

O king, now again, saying only 'he is devoted,' you refused to abandon this dog even from your heavenly chariot — therefore, O lord of men, there is none in heaven equal to you.

अतस तवाक्षया लॊकाः सवशरीरेण भारत पराप्तॊ ऽसि भरतश्रेष्ठ दिव्यां गतिम अनुत्तमाम

Therefore, O Bharata, the imperishable worlds are yours, attained with your own body; O best of the Bharatas, you have reached the supreme and unsurpassed divine state.

ततॊ धर्मश च शक्रश च मरुतश चाश्विनाव अपि देवा देवर्षयश चैव रथम आरॊप्य पाण्डवम

Then Dharma, Shakra (Indra), the Maruts, and the two Ashvins, along with the gods and the divine sages, placed the Pandava upon the chariot.

परययुः सवैर विमानैस ते सिद्धाः कामविहारिणः सर्वे विरजसः पुण्याः पुण्यवाग बुद्धिकर्मिणः

They set forth in their own celestial chariots, those perfected beings who move as they wish, all free of worldly passion, holy, and pure in speech, thought, and deed.

स तं रथं समास्थाय राजा कुरुकुलॊद्वहः ऊर्ध्वम आचक्रमे शीघ्रं तेजसावृत्य रॊदसी

Mounting that chariot, the king, upholder of the Kuru lineage, swiftly rose upward, his radiance filling heaven and earth.

ततॊ देव निकायस्थॊ नारदः सर्वलॊकवित उवाचॊच्चैस तदा वाक्यं बृहद वादी बृहत तपाः

Then Narada, who dwelt among the gods, the knower of all worlds, of great eloquence and great austerity, spoke these words aloud.

ये ऽपि राजर्षयः सर्वे ते चापि समुपस्थिताः कीर्तिं परच्छाद्य तेषां वै कुरुराजॊ ऽधितिष्ठति

All the royal sages who had gathered there — even their fame, the king of the Kurus now surpasses as he takes his place among them.

लॊकान आवृत्य यशसा तेजसा वृत्तसंपदा सवशरीरेण संप्राप्तं नान्यं शुश्रुम पाण्डवात

Having pervaded the worlds with his fame, his radiance, and the wealth of his virtuous conduct, arriving here with his own very body — we have heard of no other than this Pandava who has done so.

नारदस्य वचः शरुत्वा राजा वचनम अब्रवीत देवान आमन्त्र्य धर्मात्मा सवपक्षांश चैव पार्थिवान

Hearing Narada's words, the righteous king, having greeted the gods and the kings gathered on his own side, spoke this reply.

शुभं वा यदि वा पापं भरातॄणां सथानम अद्य मे तद एव पराप्तुम इच्छामि लॊकान अन्यान न कामये

Whether good or evil, wherever my brothers now dwell — that alone is the place I wish to reach; I desire no other worlds.

राज्ञस तु वचनं शरुत्वा देवराजः पुरंदरः आनृशंस्य समायुक्तं परत्युवाच युधिष्ठिरम

Hearing the king's words, Indra, the lord of the gods, Purandara, replied to Yudhishthira with words full of compassion.