ādiparva - Chapter-21

 

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 21  ::Chapter-21 

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सर्वास्ताः प्रकृतीः शनैः । अर्थमानप्रदानाभ्यां सञ्जहार सहानुजः ॥ 1॥ धृतराष्ट्रप्रयुक्तास्तु केचित्कुशलमन्त्रिणः । कथयां चक्रिरे रम्यं नगरं वारणावतम् ॥ 2॥ अयं समाजः सुमहान्रमणीयतमो भुवि । उपस्थितः पशुपतेर्नगरे वारणावते ॥ 3॥ सर्वरत्नसमाकीर्णे पुंसां देशे मनोरमे । इत्येवं धृतराष्ट्रस्य वचनाच्चक्रिरे कथाः ॥ 4॥ कथ्यमाने तथा रम्ये नगरे वारणावते । गमने पाण्डुपुत्राणां जज्ञे तत्र मतिर्नृप ॥ 5॥ यदा त्वमन्यत नृपो जातकौतूहला इति । उवाचैनानथ तदा पाण्डवानम्बिकासुतः ॥ 6॥ ममेमे पुरुषा नित्यं कथयन्ति पुनः पुनः । रमणीयतरं लोके नगरं वारणावतम् ॥ 7॥ ते तात यदि मन्यध्वमुत्सवं वारणावते । सगणाः सानुयात्राश्च विहरध्वं यथामराः ॥ 8॥ ब्राह्मणेभ्यश्च रत्नानि गायनेभ्यश्च सर्वशः । प्रयच्छध्वं यथाकामं देवा इव सुवर्चसः ॥ 9॥ कञ्चित्कालं विहृत्यैवमनुभूय परां मुदम् । इदं वै हास्तिनपुरं सुखिनः पुनरेष्यथ ॥ 10॥ धृतराष्ट्रस्य तं काममनुबुद्ध्वा युधिष्ठिरः । आत्मनश्चासहायत्वं तथेति प्रत्युवाच तम् ॥ 11॥ ततो भीष्मं महाप्राज्ञं विदुरं च महामतिम् । द्रोणं च बाह्लिकं चैव सोमदत्तं च कौरवम् ॥ 12॥ कृपमाचार्यपुत्रं च गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम् । मान्यानन्यानमात्यांश्च ब्राह्मणांश्च तपोधनान्॥ 13 पुरोहितांश्च पौत्रांश्च गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम्। युधिष्ठिरः शनैर्दीनमुवाचेदं वचस्तदा ॥ 14॥ रमणीये जनाकीर्णे नगरे वारणावते । सगणास्तात वत्स्यामो धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात् ॥ 15॥ प्रसन्नमनसः सर्वे पुण्या वाचो विमुञ्चत । आशीर्भिर्वर्धितानस्मान्न पापं प्रसहिष्यति ॥ 16॥ एवमुक्तास्तु ते सर्वे पाण्डुपुत्रेण कौरवाः । प्रसन्नवदना भूत्वा तेऽभ्यवर्तन्त पाण्डवान् ॥ 17॥ स्वस्त्यस्तु वः पथि सदा भूतेभ्यश्चैव सर्वशः । मा च वोऽस्त्वशुभं किञ्चित्सर्वतः पाण्डुनन्दनाः ॥ 18॥ ततः कृतस्वस्त्ययना राज्यलाभाय पाण्डवाः । कृत्वा सर्वाणि कार्याणि प्रययुर्वारणावतम् ॥ 19॥	19 (1371)
Vaisampayana said, Then Prince Duryodhana, along with his brothers, began to win the people over gradually by offering them wealth and honors. Meanwhile, some clever advisors, guided by Dhritarashtra, started to describe the town of Varanavata in court as a lovely place. They said, 'The festival of Pasupati (Siva) has begun in Varanavata. The crowd is immense, and the procession is the most delightful seen on earth. Adorned with beautiful decorations, it captivates everyone's hearts.' As the advisors spoke so highly of Varanavata, the Pandavas, O king, felt eager to visit that charming town. When King Dhritarashtra realized the Pandavas' curiosity, he addressed them, saying, 'My advisors often speak of Varanavata as the most wonderful town in the world. Therefore, if you wish to see the festival, go to Varanavata with your friends and followers, and enjoy yourselves like celestial beings. Give pearls and gems to the Brahmanas and musicians gathered there. Enjoy your time there as much as you like, and then return to Hastinapura.'' Vaisampayana continued, 'Yudhishthira, realizing the intentions of Dhritarashtra and knowing he was weak and alone, replied to the king, saying, 'So be it.' He then spoke slowly and humbly to Bhishma, the wise Vidura, Drona, Valhika, the Kaurava, Somadatta, Kripa, Aswatthaman, Bhurisravas, and the other advisors, ascetics, priests, citizens, and the notable Gandhari, 'With our allies and followers, we are heading to the lovely and bustling town of Varanavata at Dhritarashtra's command. Please bless us so that as we gain success, we remain untouched by wrongdoing.' Responding to the eldest son of Pandu, the Kaurava leaders gladly offered their blessings, saying, 'Sons of Pandu, may all forces of nature favour you on your journey and may no harm come your way.' The Pandavas, having performed rituals to secure their claim to the kingdom and finishing their preparations, set out for Varanavata.'
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एवमुक्तेषु राज्ञा तु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु । दुर्योधनः परं हर्षमाजगाम दुरात्मवान् ॥ 1॥ स पुरोचनमेकान्तमानीय भरतर्षभ । गृहीत्वा दक्षिणे पाणौ सचिवं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 2॥ ममेयं वसुसम्पूर्णा पुरोचन वसुन्धरा । यथेयं मम तद्वत्ते स तां रक्षितुमर्हसि ॥ 3॥ न हि मे कश्चिदन्योऽस्ति वैश्वासिकतरस्त्वया । सहायो येन सन्धाय मन्त्रयेयं यथा त्वया ॥ 4॥ संरक्ष तात मन्त्रं च सपत्नांश्च ममोद्धर । निपुणेनाभ्युपायेन यद्ब्रवीमि तथा कुरु ॥ 5॥ पाण्डवा धृतराष्ट्रेण प्रेषिता वारणावतम् । उत्सवे विहरिष्यन्ति धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात् ॥ 6॥ स त्वं रासभयुक्तेन स्यन्दनेनाशुगामिना । वारणावतमद्यैव यथा यासि तथा कुरु ॥ 7॥ तत्र गत्वा चतुःशालं गृहं परमसंवृतम् । आयुधागारमाश्रित्य कारयेथा महाधनम् ॥ 8॥ शणसर्जरसादीनि यानि द्रव्याणि कानिचित् । आग्नेयान्युत सन्तीह तानि सर्वाणि दापय ॥ 9॥ सर्पिषा च सतैलेन लाक्षया चाप्यनल्पया । मृत्तिकां मिश्रयित्वा त्वं लेपं कुड्येषु दापयेः ॥ 10॥ शणान्वंशं घृतं दारु यन्त्राणि विविधानि च । तस्मिन्वेश्मनि सर्वाणि निक्षिपेथाः समन्ततः ॥ 11॥ यथा च त्वां न शङ्केरन्परीक्षन्तोऽपि पाण्डवाः । आग्नेयमिति तत्कार्यमिति चान्ये च मानवाः ॥ 12॥ वेश्मन्येवं कृते तत्र कृत्वा तान्परमार्चितान् । वासयेः पाण्डवेयांश्च कुन्तीं च ससुहृज्जनाम् ॥ 13॥ तत्रासनानि मुख्यानि यानानि शयनानि च । विधातव्यानि पाण्डूनां यथा तुष्येत मे पिता ॥ 14॥ यथा रमेरन्विश्रब्धा नगरे वारणावते । तथा सर्वं विधातव्यं यावत्कालस्य पर्ययः ॥ 15॥ ज्ञात्वा तु तान्सुविश्वस्ताञ्शयानानकुतोभयान् । अग्निस्ततस्त्वया देयो द्वारतस्तस्य वेश्मनः ॥ 16॥ दग्धानेवं स्वके गेहे दग्धा इति ततो जनाः । ज्ञातयो वा वदिष्यन्ति पाण्डवार्थाय कर्हिचित् ॥ 17॥ तत्तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय कौरवाय पुरोचनः । प्रायाद्रासभयुक्तेन नगरं वारणावतम् ॥ 18॥ स गत्वा त्वरितो राजन्दुर्योधनमते स्थितः । यथोक्तं राजपुत्रेण सर्वं चक्रे पुरोचनः ॥ 19॥	19 (1390)
Vaisampayana said, 'The wicked Duryodhana was very pleased when the king spoke to the Pandavas. O great one of Bharata's lineage, Duryodhana then called his advisor, Purochana, privately, took his hand, and said, 'Purochana, this world is full of riches, and it belongs to me. But you share in it too. Therefore, it is your duty to help protect it. You are my most trusted advisor, so listen closely and find a cunning way to eliminate my enemies. Please follow my orders. The Pandavas have been sent to Varanavata by Dhritarashtra, where they will enjoy themselves during the festivities. I want you to reach Varanavata today in a carriage pulled by swift mules. Once there, build a quadrangular palace near the arsenal, filled with fine materials and furnishings, and guard it well from prying eyes. Use hemp, resin, and any other flammable materials you can find to construct this house. Mix some earth with ghee, oil, fat, and plenty of lac to create plaster for the walls, and scatter hemp, oil, ghee, lac, and wood around the house in such a way that the Pandavas or anyone else can't see them or suspect it’s vulnerable to fire.' After building this grand mansion, make sure the Pandavas, along with Kunti and their friends, honor it with their presence. Provide them with high-quality seats, vehicles, and beds so that Dhritarashtra has no reason to complain. You must also ensure that no one in Varanavata learns of your plans until our goal is achieved.  Once you’re certain the Pandavas are safely inside, feeling secure and unafraid, set fire to the mansion starting at the outer door. The Pandavas will perish in the flames, but the people will believe it was an accidental fire. Saying, 'It will be done' to the Kuru prince, Purochana hurriedly went to Varanavata in a chariot pulled by swift mules. Following Duryodhana's orders, he wasted no time and did everything the prince instructed.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ पाण्डवास्तु रथान्युक्त्वा सदश्वैरनिलोपमैः । आरोहमाणा भीष्मस्य पादौ जगृहुरार्तवत् ॥ 1॥ राज्ञश्च धृतराष्ट्रस्य द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः । अन्येषां चैव वृद्धानां विदुरस्य कृपस्य च ॥ 2॥ एवं सर्वान्कुरून्वृद्धानभिवाद्य यतव्रताः । समालिङ्ग्य समानांश्च बालैश्चाप्यभिवादिताः ॥ 3॥ सर्वा मातृस्तथापृष्ट्वा कृत्वा चैव प्रदक्षिणम् । सर्वाः प्रकृतयश्चैव प्रययुर्वारणावतम् ॥ 4॥ विदुरश्च महाप्राज्ञस्तथान्ये कुरुपुङ्गवाः । पौराश्च पुरुषव्याघ्रानन्वयुः शोककर्शिताः ॥ 5॥ तत्र केच्चिद्ब्रुवन्ति स्म ब्राह्मणा निर्भयास्तदा । शोचमानाः पाण्डुपुत्रानतीव भरतर्षभ ॥ 6॥ विषमं पश्यते राजा सर्वथा तमसावृतः । धृतराष्ट्रः सुदुर्बुद्धिर्न च धर्मं प्रपश्यति ॥ 7॥ न हि पापमपापात्मा रोचयिष्यति पाण्डवः । भीमो वा बलिनां श्रेष्ठः कौन्तेयो वा धनञ्जयः ॥ 8॥ कुत एव महाप्राज्ञौ माद्रीपुत्रौ करिष्यतः ॥ ॥ तद्राज्यं पितृतः प्राप्तं धृतराष्ट्रो न मृष्यते ।9 अधर्ममखिलं किं नु भीष्मोऽयमनुमन्यते ॥ ॥ विवास्यमानानस्थाने कौन्तेयान्भरतर्षभान् ॥ 10॥ पितेव हि नृपोऽस्माकमभूच्छान्तनवः पुरा । विचित्रवीर्यो राजर्षिः पाण्डुश्च कुरुनन्दनः ॥ 11॥ स तस्मिन्पुरुषव्याघ्रे दिष्टभावं गते सति । राजपुत्रानिमान्बालान्धृतराष्ट्रो न मृष्यते ॥ 12॥ वयमेतदमृष्यन्तः सर्व एव पुरोत्तमात् । गृहान्विहाय गच्छामो यत्र याति युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 13॥ तांस्तथावादिनः पौरान्दुःखितान्दुःखकर्शितः । उवाच परमप्रीतो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 14॥ पिता मान्यो गुरुः श्रेष्ठो यदाह पृथिवीपतिः । अशङ्कमानैस्तत्कार्यमस्माभिरिति नो व्रतम् ॥ 15॥ भवन्तः सुहृदोऽस्माकमस्मान्कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणम् । आशीर्भिरभिनन्द्यास्मान्निवर्तध्वं यथागृहम् ॥ 16॥ यदा तु कार्यमस्माकं भवद्भिरुपपत्स्यते । तदा करिष्यथ मम प्रियाणि च हितानि च ॥ 17॥ एवमुक्तास्तदा पौराः कृत्वा चापि प्रदक्षिणम्। आशीर्भिश्चाभिनन्द्यैताञ्जग्मुर्नगरमेव हि॥ 18॥ पौरेषु तु निवृत्तेषु विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित् । बोधयन्पाण्डवश्रेष्ठमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 19॥ प्राज्ञः प्राज्ञं प्रलापज्ञः सम्यग्धर्मार्थदर्शिवान् ॥ ॥ यो जानाति परप्रज्ञां नीतिशास्त्रानुसारिणीम्।20 विज्ञायेदं तथा कुर्यादापदं निस्तरेद्यथा । अलोहं निशितं शस्त्रं शरीरपरिकर्तनम् ॥ 21॥ यो वेत्ति न तमाघ्नन्ति प्रतिघातविदं द्विषः ॥ ॥ कक्षघ्नः शिशिरघ्नश्च महाकक्षे बिलौकसः ।22 न दहेदिति चात्मानं यो रक्षति स जीवति ॥ ॥ नाचक्षुर्वेत्ति पन्थानं नाचक्षुर्विन्दते दिशः ।23 नाधृतिर्भूतिमाप्नोति बुध्यस्वैवं प्रबोधितः ॥ ॥ अनाप्तैर्दत्तमादत्ते नरः शस्त्रमलोहजम् ।24 श्वाविच्छरणमासाद्य प्रमुच्येत हुताशनात् ॥ ॥ चरन्मार्गान्विजानाति नक्षत्रैर्विन्दते दिशः ।25 आत्मना चात्मनः पञ्च पीडयन्नानुपीड्यते ॥ ॥ एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः।26 विदुरं विदुषां श्रेष्ठं ज्ञातमित्येव पाण्डवः॥ अनुशिष्ट्वानुगत्वा च कृत्वा चैनान्प्रदक्षिणम् ।27 पाण्डवानभ्यनुज्ञाय विदुरः प्रययौ गृहान् ॥ ॥ निवृत्ते विदुरे चैव भीष्मे पौरजने तथा । अजातशत्रुमामन्त्र्य कुन्ती वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 28॥ क्षत्ता यदब्रवीद्वाक्यं जनमध्येऽब्रुवन्निव । त्वया च तत्तथेत्युक्तो जानीमो न च तद्वयम् ॥ 29॥ यदि तच्छक्यमस्माभिः श्रोतुं न च सदोषवत् । श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्सर्वं संवादं तव तस्य च ॥ 30॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ विषादग्नेश्च बोद्धव्यमिति मां विदुरोऽब्रवीत् । पन्थाश्च वो नाविदितः कश्चित्स्यादिति चाब्रवीत् ॥ 31॥ जितेन्द्रियश्च वसुधां प्राप्स्यसीति च माब्रवीत् । विज्ञातमिति तत्सर्वमित्युक्तो विदुरो मया ॥ 32॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ अष्टमेऽहनि रोहिण्यां प्रयाताः फल्गुनस्य ते । वारणावतमासाद्य ददृशुर्नागरं जनम् ॥ 33॥	33 (1423)
Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile, the Pandavas climbed into their chariots, harnessing fine horses that moved as swiftly as the wind. As they were about to board their chariots, filled with deep sorrow, they touched the feet of Bhishma, King Dhritarashtra, the esteemed Drona, Kripa, Vidura, and the other elders of the Kuru lineage. After respectfully greeting all the elder men, embracing their peers, receiving the farewells of even the children, and saying goodbye to the venerable women of their household, they walked around them in reverence and bid farewell to all the townspeople, the Pandavas, ever mindful of their promises, set off for Varanavata.  Vidura, wise and compassionate, along with the other prominent Kurus and citizens, followed these tigers among men for a distance, deeply troubled. Some citizens and villagers who trailed the Pandavas, heartbroken at seeing the sons of Pandu in such anguish, began to voice their feelings, saying, 'King Dhritarashtra, wicked at heart, does not see things clearly. The Kuru king does not acknowledge righteousness. Yudhishthira, the sinless one, Bhima, the mightiest of men, and Dhananjaya, Kunti’s youngest son, will never be guilty of starting a rebellious war. If they remain peaceful, how could the illustrious son of Madri dare to do anything?'  After inheriting the kingdom from their father, Dhritarashtra could not tolerate the situation. How can Bhishma, who has allowed the Pandavas to be sent into exile to that miserable place, approve of such a great injustice? Vichitravirya, the son of Santanu, and Pandu, the noble sage from the Kuru lineage, both cared for us like a father. But now that Pandu, the mightiest of men, has passed away, Dhritarashtra refuses to support his own sons. We who oppose this exile will leave, abandoning this fine city and our homes, where Yudhishthira will go.  In response to the distressed citizens, the virtuous Yudhishthira, himself filled with sorrow, thought for a moment and said, 'The king is our father, deserving of respect, our spiritual leader, and our superior. It is our duty to follow his wishes with trust. You are our loyal friends. Please walk around us and bless us, then return to your homes. When the time comes for you to help us, do what is pleasing and beneficial.' After hearing this, the citizens honored the Pandavas with their blessings and returned home.  Once the citizens stopped following the Pandavas, Vidura, wise in the ways of ethics and eager to warn the eldest Pandava of impending dangers, spoke to him with these words. The knowledgeable  Vidura, fluent in the language of the outsiders, addressed the learned Yudhishthira—the only one capable of understanding him—in the same tongue. He said, ‘A person who understands the plots of his enemies, following the rules of political wisdom, should act wisely to stay out of harm’s way. Anyone aware of hidden dangers, not necessarily made of steel, and knows how to defend against them will never suffer harm. He survives who shields himself with the wisdom that neither the one who consumes wood nor the one who collects dew ignites fire in the depths of the forest. A blind man cannot see his path, lacking understanding of direction. A person without resolve will never find success. Keep this in mind and stay alert. One who receives a non-metal weapon from foes can avoid danger by making their dwelling like a jackal’s, with many exits. Through wandering, a person may learn the paths, and by following the stars, they can find their direction. He who masters his senses will never be defeated by enemies.’  " Addressing them, Yudhishthira, the just son of Pandu, responded to Vidura, the wise man, saying, 'I understand you.' After instructing the Pandavas and accompanying them so far, Vidura walked around them and, bidding them farewell, returned home. Once the citizens, Bhishma, and Vidura had stopped following, Kunti approached Yudhishthira and said, 'The words that Kshattri spoke to you amidst a crowd were so unclear that we hardly caught them, as well as your similar reply. If it isn’t too much to ask, I would like to hear all that was exchanged between you two.'  Yudhishthira replied, 'The virtuous Vidura informed me that our place in Varanavata is built from flammable materials. He also assured me that 'you won't be unaware of the escape route,' adding, 'Those who can master their senses can rule the entire world.' I simply replied to Vidura, 'I understand you.' Vaisampayana continued, 'The Pandavas departed on the eighth day of Phalguna, during the rise of the Rohini star, and upon arriving at Varanavata, they saw the town and its people.'

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते आदिपर्वणि एकविंशतितमोऽध्यायः॥

 

 

Ādiparva Chapter-20

Ādiparva Chapter-22