सञ्जययान पर्व — धृतराष्ट्रको दौत्य

Dhritarashtra said It is said, O Sanjaya, that the sons of Pandu have reached Upaplavya; going out do you find out (if) this (is true), do due honours to the one who has created no enemies (Yudhishthira); it is fortunate that you are present here.

To all do you, O Sanjaya, communicate our well being. Having resided in the forest and met with troubles, they who are inclined to do good to others without deceit and honest still entertain friendly feeling towards us.

Never did I, O Sanjaya, observe any falsehood in the sons of Pandu. Having gained all their wealth through sheer strength of their own, have they made over the same to me.

Never did I observe any questionable act in them. Though I was always on the look-out, yet never did I find anything done by these sons of Pritha for which we could blame them. They always work for the sake of virtue and their own interests and never request others for : their own well being.

Having by their patience and wisdom subjugated heat, cold, hunger, thirst, sleep, laziness anger, pleasure and folly, the sons of Pritha always try for virtue and their own interests.

On suitable occasions, do they give away wealth to their friends and friendship with them does not decrease through long residence together. The sons of Pritha honour others and promote their interest according to their deserts. They have no haters in the side of Ajmida.

Except the great weak-minded fool, Duryodhana and the still meaner Karna. These two alone are increasing the energy of these large-minded souls who do not desire for their own happiness.

Duryodhana who is strong in the beginning only and who is accustomed to every sort of indulgence thinks that he does well (increasing their energy). The boy thinks too that he is capable of robbing the living son of Pandu, of their share.

He who is followed by Arjuna, Keshava, Vrikodara, Satyaki, the two sons of Madri (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Sanjaya; it is best to give up his share before the war.

Savyasachin, holding the Gandiva bow is alone capable of subjugating the ear from his chariot and in the same way is the nobleminded Keshava, accustomed to got victories and unapproachable, the ruler of the three worlds.

In all the worlds, he is the only worthy man. What man could stand against his flight of arrows which roar like the clouds and which fly with the swiftness of locusts.

Seated on one car, with the help of the Gandiva bow, Savyasachin, having subjugated the Kauravas of the north and the northern country as well, took away their wealth and turned the people of Dravida into his soldier followers.

Savyasachin, with the help of the Govinda bow, having subjugated the gods with Indra at their head, in the Agni and thus enhanced the honour and redwing of the sons of Pandu.

There is none equal to Bhima in wielding the mace, none too equal to him in riding elephants and it is said that as a car-warrior he is not inferior to Arjuna and in strength of arms he has the prowess of ten thousand elephants.

Well-trained and strong, being rendered an enemy and inspired with worth he would burn down the sons of Dhritarashtra. Being always very wrathful and strong he is incapable of being defeated even by Vasava (Indra) himself.

The two brothers, the sons of the king of Madri, of good heart, strong quick-handed and well trained by the sons of Falguna, will leave no vestige of the enemies as a pair of birds of prey destroy a flight of birds.

I regard this vast army of ours, as being not in existence, when it encounters them. Among them is the powerful Dhrishtadyumna who is regarded as one of the Pandavas.

I understand that the foremost, among the Somakas with his ministers, has devoted his soul to the cause of the sons of Pandu; who else can withstand him who has made no enemies (Yudhishthira) whose army is led by that best among the Vrishnis.

Virata, the lord of the people of Matsya, who is of mature age, who has lived with the Pandavas and whose desires have been fulfilled by them, with his sons is there ever increased in the cause of the sons of Pandu and a staunch adherent of Yudhishthira.

And the five brothers, the eminent and mighty princes of Kaikeya, have been deprived of their kingdom (by us) and they follow the sons of Pritha, desirous of the kingdom of the Kaikeyas and waiting for an opportunity of fighting (with us).

And all the heroes among the lords of the Earth have been brought together and are interested in the cause of the sons of Pandu. I hear that these heroes worthy of respect have become followers of the virtuous king out of love.

Heroes who live in the hills and in fortresses, who are of good lineage in the world and aged and many Mlechas who are adepts in handling various weapons have been brought together and made interested in the cause of the sons of Pandu.

And king Pandya too, in battle an equal of Indra, who is noble-minded, a hero energy, accompanied by many heroes, has come, espousing the cause of the sons of Pandu.

That Satyaki, who has learnt the use of arms from Drona, Arjuna, Vasudeva, Kripa and Bhima and who is said to be the equal of the son of Krishna, Pradyumna, is enlisted in the cause of the sons of Pandu.

Formerly did assemble the kings of the Chedis and the Karushas with all their preparations and among them stood the king of Chedis, with his blazing beauty and scorching (sight) like the sun.

He was regarded as being incapable of being vanquished in battle and the foremost among all the users of the bow. Krishna at once killed him by force of his own strength and thus destroyed all the hopes of the Kshatriyas.

In days of old did Krishna merely by looking at him (Shishupala) who was honoured by the kings, at whose head stood the king of the Karushas thereby increasing the fame and honour of the Pandavas.

Seeing that Keshava was incapable of being vanquished in his chariot drawn by white horses they fled leaving the ruler of the Chedis as small animals do at the sight of a lion.

He, who out of impudence, engaged in a fight in chariots with Vasudeva, lies killed by Krishna like a Karnikara tree uprooted by the wind.

Remembering what has been brought to my notice regarding the might of Keshava and the deeds of Vishnu I got no peace of mind, O son of Gavalgani.

No enemy whatever can withstand them whose leader is that best of the Vrishnis. My heart trembles with fear at hearing that the, two Krishna's are united together on one the same chariot.

If the dull-headed one dose not fight with these two then may my son fare well, otherwise will they burn up the Kurus as Indra and Vishnu did the army of the Daityas.

In my opinion is equal to Shakra himself and the hero of the Vrishni race is Vishnu himself. The son of Kunti has refuge in virtue, is brave and avoids shameful deeds and the son of Pandu has created no enemies.

He. who has been banished by Duryodhana, is not evil-minded otherwise being wrathful he would have consumed all the sons of Dhritarashtra. I do not fear Arjuna, Vasudeva or even Bhima or the twins so I, in the same measure, fear.

The wrath of the king, O Suta, when he is angry; having practiced great austerities and Brahmacharya vows his desire will be fulfilled.

Seeing his wrath and knowing that the cause is just, I am now very much afraid, therefore as an emissary from me do you quickly go to the encampment of the king of Panchala on a swift-going car.

Repeatedly will you ask him who has created no enemies in affectionate terms about his health; and going, O son, near Janardana also, who is possessed of great qualities, heroic and noble-minded.

Will you ask about his welfare, on my behalf and say that Dhritarashtra is desirous of peace with the sons of Pandu. There is request of that the son of Kunti will not comply with, O Suta.

Krishna is as dear to them as their own selves and being wise he is ever engaged in their. Also of the assembled sons of Pandu and the Srinjayas and Janardana and Yuyudhana and Virata,

Will you enquire about their health on my behalf and in the same way of the five sons of Draupadi, And whatever you think fit to be said to the foe, as occasion arises and also whatever you think to be conducive the interests of the race of Bharata must you say, O Sanjaya, among those kings. And do not utter anything which may give cause for hostility.