05171001a tato 'hamM bharatazreSTha mAtaraM vIramAtaram 'Then, O chief of the bharatas, approaching my mother,
05171001c abhigamyopasaGMgRhya dAzeyIm idam abruvam that daughter of the daza clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, I said these words,
05171002a imAH kAzipateH kanyA mayA nirjitya pArthivAn --Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters of the ruler of Kasi,
05171002c vicitravIryasya kRte vIryazulkA upArjitAH having beauty alone for their dowry, have been abducted by me for the sake of vicitravIrya!
05171003a tato mUrdhany upAghrAya paryazrunayanA nRpa --Then, O king, Satyavati with eyes bathed in tears, smelt my head,
05171003c Aha satyavatI hRSTA diSTyA putra jitanM tvayA and joyously said, 'By good luck it is, O child, that thou hast triumphed!'
05171004a satyavatyAs tv anumate vivAhe samupasthite When next, with Satyavati's acquiescence, the nuptials approached,
05171004c uvAca vAkyaM savrIDA jyeSThA kAzipatesH sutA the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi said these words in great bashfulness,
05171005a bhISma tvam asi dharmajJasH sarvazAstravizAradaH --O bhISma, thou art conversant with morality, and art well-versed in all our scriptures!
05171005c zrutvA ca dharmyaM vacanamM mahyaGM kartum ihArhasi Hearing my words, it behoveth thee to do towards me that which is consistent with morality.
05171006a mayA zAlvapatiH pUrvaM manasAbhivRto varaH The ruler of the zAlvas was before this mentally chosen by me as my lord.
05171006c tena cAsmi vRtA pUrvaM rahasy avidite pituH He had also solicited me, in private, without my father knowing.
05171007a kathamM mAm anyakAmAnM tvaM rAjaJ zAstram adhItya vai How wouldst thou transgress the laws of morality and cause me that longeth for another
05171007c vAsayethA gRhe bhISma kauravasH san vizeSataH to live in thy abode, O bhISma? Especially being thou born in kuru's race!
05171008a etad buddhyA vinizcitya manasA bharatarSabha Knowing this, O bull of bharata's race, and deliberating in thy mind,
05171008c yat kSamanM te mahAbAho tad ihArabdhum arhasi it behoveth thee, O mighty-armed one, to accomplish what is proper.
05171009a sa mAmM pratIkSate vyaktaM zAlvarAjo vizAmM pate O monarch, it is clear that the ruler of the zAlvas waiteth (for me). It behoveth thee, therefore, O best of the kurus' to permit me to depart.
05171009c kRpAGM kuru mahAbAho mayi dharmabhRtAM vara O mighty-armed one, be merciful to me, O foremost of righteous persons!
05171009e tvaM hi satyavrato vIra pRthivyAm iti nazH zrutam Thou, O hero, art devoted to truth, it is well-known all over the earth!''
