srimahabharat - (Book 7) Drona Parva - chapters 69 to 82

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

 Drona Parva

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 69

 

 

 

1 [s]
      tataḥ praviṣṭe kaunteye sindhurājajighāṃsayā
      droṇānīkaṃ vinirbhidya bhojānīkaṃ ca dustaram
  2 kāmbojasya ca dāyāde hate rājan sudakṣiṇe
      śrutāyudhe ca vikrānte nihate savyasācinā
  3 vipradruteṣv anīkeṣu vidhvasteṣu samantataḥ
      prabhagnaṃ svabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā putras te droṇam abhyayāt
  4 tvarann ekarathenaiva sametya droṇam abravīt
      gataḥ sa puruṣavyāghraḥ pramathyemāṃ mahācamūm
  5 atra buddhyā samīkṣasva kiṃ nu kāryam anantaram
      arjunasya vighātāya dāruṇe 'smiñ janakṣaye
  6 yathā sa puruṣavyāghro na hanyeta jayadrathaḥ
      tathāvidhatsva bhadraṃ te tvaṃ hi naḥ paramā gatiḥ
  7 asau dhanaṃjayāgnir hi kopamāruta coditaḥ
      senā kakṣaṃ dahati me vahniḥ kakṣam ivotthitaḥ
  8 atikrānte hi kaunteye bhittvā sainyaṃ paraṃtapa
      jayadrathasya goptāraḥ saṃśayaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ
  9 sthirā buddihr narendrāṇām āsīd brahmavidāṃ vara
      nātikramiṣyati droṇaṃ jātu jīvan dhanaṃjayaḥ
  10 so 'sau pātho vyatikrānto miṣatas te mahādyute
     sarvaṃ hy adyāturaṃ manye naitad asti balaṃ mama
 11 jānāmi tvāṃ mahābhāga pāṇḍavānāṃ hite ratam
     tathā muhyāmi ca brahman kāryavattāṃ vicintayan
 12 yathāśakti ca te brahman vartaye vṛttim uttamām
     prīṇāmi ca yathāśakti tac ca tvaṃ nāvabudhyase
 13 asmān na tvaṃ sadā bhaktān icchasy amitavikrama
     pāṇḍavān satataṃ prīṇāsy asmākaṃ vipriye ratān
 14 asmān evopajīvaṃs tvam asmākaṃ vipriye rataḥ
     na hy ahaṃ tvāṃ vijānāmi madhu digdham iva kṣuram
 15 nādāsyac ced varaṃ mahyaṃ bhavān pāṇḍava nigrahe
     nāvārayiṣyaṃ gacchantam ahaṃ sindhupatiṃ gṛhān
 16 mayā tv āśaṃsamānena tvattas trāṇam abuddhinā
     āśvāsitaḥ sindhupatir mohād dattaś ca mṛtyave
 17 yama daṃṣṭrāntaraṃ prāpto mucyetāpi hi mānavaḥ
     nārjunasya vaśaṃ prāpto mucyetājau jayadrathaḥ
 18 sa tathā kuru śoṇāśva yathā rakṣyeta saindhavaḥ
     mama cārtapralāpānāṃ mā krudhaḥ pāhi saindhavam
 19 [drn]
     nābhyasūyāmi te vācam aśvatthāmnāsi me samaḥ
     satyaṃ tu te pravakṣyāmi taj juṣasva viśāṃ pate
 20 sārathiḥ pravaraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śīghrāś cāsya hayottamāḥ
     alpaṃ ca vivaraṃ kṛtvā tūrṇaṃ yāti dhanaṃjayaḥ
 21 kiṃ nu paśyasi bāṇaughān krośamātre kirīṭinaḥ
     paścād rathasya patitān kṣiptāñ śīghraṃ hi gacchataḥ
 22 na cāhaṃ śīghrayāne 'dya samartho vayasānvitaḥ
     senāmukhe ca pārthānām etad balam upasthitam
 23 yudhiṣṭhiraś ca me grāhyo miṣatāṃ sarvadhanvinām
     evaṃ mayā pratijñātaṃ kṣatramadhye mahābhuja
 24 dhanaṃjayena cotsṛṣṭo vartate pramukhe mama
     tasmād vyūha mukhaṃ hitvā nāhaṃ yāsyāmi phalgunam
 25 tulyābhijanakarmāṇaṃ śatrum ekaṃ sahāyavān
     gatvā yodhaya mā bhais tvaṃ tvaṃ hy asya jagataḥ patiḥ
 26 rājā śūraḥ kṛtī dakṣau vairam utpādya pāṇḍavaiḥ
     vīra svayaṃ prayāhy āśu yatra yāto dhanaṃjayaḥ
 27 [dur]
     kathaṃ tvām apy atikrāntaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     dhanaṃjayo mayā śakya ācārya pratibādhitum
 28 api śakyo raṇe jetuṃ vajrahastaḥ puraṃdaraḥ
     nārjunaḥ samare śakyo jetuṃ parapuraṃjayaḥ
 29 yena bhojaś ca hārdikyo bhavāṃś ca tridaśopamaḥ
     astrapratāpena jitau śrutāyuś ca nibarhitaḥ
 30 sudakṣiṇaś ca nihataḥ sa ca rājā śrutāyudhaḥ
     śrutāyuś cācyutāyuś ca mlecchāś ca śataśo hatāḥ
 31 taṃ kathaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ yuddhe dahantam ahitān bahūn
     pratiyotsyāmi durdharṣaṃ tan me śaṃsāstra kovida
 32 kṣamaṃ cen manyase yuddhaṃ mama tenādya śādhi mām
     paravān asmi bhavati preṣyakṛd rakṣa me yaśaḥ
 33 [drn]
     satyaṃ vadasi kauravya kurādharṣo dhanaṃjayaḥ
     ahaṃ tu tat kariṣyāmi yathainaṃ prasahiṣyasi
 34 adbhutaṃ cādya paśyantu loke sarvadhanurdharāḥ
     viṣaktaṃ tvayi kaunteyaṃ vāsudevasya paśyataḥ
 35 eṣa te kavacaṃ rājaṃs tathā badhnāmi kāñcanam
     yathā na bāṇā nāstrāṇi viṣahiṣyanti te raṇe
 36 yadi tvāṃ sāsurasurāḥ sa yakṣoraga rākṣasāḥ
     yodhayanti trayo lokāḥ sa narā nāsti te bhayam
 37 na kṛṣṇo na ca kauneyo na cānyaḥ śastrabhṛd raṇe
     śarānarpayituṃ kaś cit kavace tava śakṣyati
 38 sa tvaṃ kavacam āsthāya kruddham adya raṇe 'rjunam
     tvaramāṇaḥ svayaṃ yāhi na cāsau tvāṃ sahiṣyate
 39 [s]
     evam uktvā tvaran droṇaḥ spṛṣṭvāmbho varma bhāsvaram
     ābabandhādbhutatamaṃ japan mantraṃ yathāvidhi
 40 raṇe tasmin sumahati vijayāya sutasya te
     visismāpayiṣur lokaṃ vidyayā brahmavittamaḥ
 41 [drn]
     karotu svasti te brahmā svasti cāpi dvijātayaḥ
     sarīsṛpāś ca ye śreṣṭhās tebhyas te svasti bhārata
 42 yayātir nahuṣaś caiva dhundhumāro bhagīrathaḥ
     tubhyaṃ rājarṣayaḥ sarve svasti kurvantu sarvaśaḥ
 43 svasti te 'stv ekapādebhyo bahu pādebhya eva ca
     svasty astv apādakebhyaś ca nityaṃ tava mahāraṇe
 44 svāhā svadhā śacī caiva svasti kurvantu te sadā
     lakṣṇīr arundhatī caiva kurautāṃ svasti te 'nagha
 45 asito devalaś caiva viśvāmitras tathāṅgirāḥ
     vasiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapaś caiva svasti kurvantu te nṛpa
 46 dhātā vidhātā lokeśo diśaś ca sa dig īśvarāḥ
     svasti te 'dya prayacchantu kārttikeyaś ca ṣaṇ mukhaḥ
 47 vivasvān bhagavān svasti karotu tava sarvaśaḥ
     dig gajāś caiva catvāraḥ kṣitiḥ khaṃ gaganaṃ grahāḥ
 48 adhastād dharaṇīṃ yo 'sau sadā dhārayate nṛpa
     sa śeṣaḥ pannagaśreṣṭhaḥ svasti tubhyaṃ prayacchatu
 49 gāndhāre yudhi vikramya nirjitāḥ surasattamāḥ
     purā vṛtreṇa daityena bhinnadehāḥ sahasraśaḥ
 50 hṛtatejobalāḥ sarve tadā sendrā divaukasaḥ
     brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmur vṛtrād bhītā mahāsurāt
 51 [devāh]
     pramarditānāṃ vṛtreṇa devānāṃ deva sattama
     gatir bhava sura śreṣṭha trāhi no mahato bhayāt
 52 [drn]
     atha pārśve sthitaṃ viṣṇuṃ śakrādīṃś ca surottamān
     prāha tathyam idaṃ vākyaṃ viṣaṇṇān surasattamān
 53 rakṣyā me satataṃ devāḥ sahendrāḥ sa dvijātayaḥ
     tvaṣṭuḥ sudurdharaṃ tejo yana vṛtro vinirmitaḥ
 54 tvaṣṭrā purā tapas taptvā varṣāyutaśataṃ tadā
     vṛtro vinirmito devāḥ prāpyānujñāṃ maheśvarāt
 55 sa tasyaiva prasādād vai hanyād eva ripur balī
     nāgatvā śaṃkara sthānaṃ bhagavān dṛśyate haraḥ
 56 dṛṣṭvā haniṣyatha ripuṃ kṣipraṃ gacchata mandaram
     yatrāste tapasāṃ yonir dakṣayajñavināśanaḥ
     pinākī sarvabhūteśo bhaga netranipātanaḥ
 57 te gatvā sahitā devā brahmaṇā saha mandaram
     apaśyaṃs tejasāṃ rāśiṃ sūryakoṭi samaprabham
 58 so 'bravīt svāgataṃ devā brūta kiṃ karavāṇy aham
     amoghaṃ darśanaṃ mahyam āmaprāptir ato 'stu vaḥ
 59 evam uktās tu te sarve pratyūcus taṃ divaukasaḥ
     tejo hṛtaṃ novṛtreṇa gatir bhava divaukasām
 60 mūrtīr īkṣaṣva no deva prahārair jarjarīkṛtāḥ
     śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ prapannāḥ sma gatir bhava maheśvara
 61 [maheṣvara]
     viditaṃ me yathā devāḥ kṛtyeyaṃ sumahābalā
     tvaṣṭus tejo bhavā ghorā durnivāryākṛtātmabhiḥ
 62 avaśyaṃ tu mayā kāryaṃ sāhyaṃ sarvadivaukasām
     mamedaṃ gātrajaṃ śakra kavacaṃ gṛhya bhāsvaram
     badhānānena mantreṇa mānasena sureśvara
 63 [drn]
     ity uktvā varadaḥ prādād varmatan mantram eva ca
     sa tena varmaṇā guptaḥ prāyād vṛtra camūṃ prati
 64 nānāvidhaiś ca śastraughaiḥ pātyamānair mahāraṇe
     na saṃdhiḥ śakyate bhettuṃ varma bandhasya tasya tu
 65 tato jaghāna samare vṛtraṃ devapatiḥ svayam
     taṃ ca matramayaṃ bandhaṃ varma cāṅgirase dadau
 66 aṅgirāḥ prāha putrasya mantrajñasya bṛhaspateḥ
     bṛhaspatir athovāca agniveśyāya dhīmate
 67 agniveśyo mama prādāt tena badhnāmi varma te
     tavādya deharakṣārthaṃ mantreṇa nṛpasattama
 68 evam uktvā tato droṇas tava putraṃ mahādyutiḥ
     punar eva vacaḥ prāha śanair ācārya puṃgavaḥ
 69 brahmasūtreṇa badhnāmi kavacaṃ tava pārthiva
     hiraṇyagarbheṇa yathā yaddhaṃ viṣṇoḥ purā raṇe
 70 yathā ca brahmaṇā baddhaṃ saṃgrāme tārakāmaye
     śakrasya kavacaṃ divyaṃ tathā badhnāmy ahaṃ tava
 71 baddhvā tu kavacaṃ tasya mantreṇa vidhipūrvakam
     preṣayām āsa rājānaṃ yuddhāya mahate dvijaḥ
 72 sa saṃnaddho mahābāhur ācāryeṇa mahātmanā
     rathānāṃ ca sahasreṇa trigartānāṃ prahāriṇām
 73 tathā danti sahasreṇa mattānāṃ vīryaśālinām
     aśvānām ayutenaiva tathānyaiś ca mahārathaiḥ
 74 vṛtaḥ prāyān mahābāhur arjunasya rathaṃ prati
     nānā vāditraghoṣeṇa yathā vairocanis tathā
 75 tataḥ śabdo mahān āsīt sainyānāṃ tava bhārata
     agādhaṃ prasthitaṃ dṛṭṣṭvā samudram iva kauravam

 

SECTION LXIX

"Narada said, 'Vena's son, king Prithu, O Srinjaya, we hear, fell a prey to death, In the Rajasuya sacrifice he performed, the great Rishis installed
p. 132
him as Emperor (of the world). He vanquished all, and his achievements, became known (all over the world). For this he came to be called Prithu (the celebrated). And because he protected all people from wounds and injuries, for this he became a true Kshatriya. 1 Beholding Vena's son, Prithu, all his subjects said, We are highly pleased with him. In consequence of this affection that he enjoyed of his subjects he came to be called a Raja. 2 During the time of Prithu, the earth, without being cultivated, yielded crops in sufficiency. All the kine, again, yielded milk whenever they were touched. Every lotus was full of honey. The Kusa blades were all of gold, agreeable to the touch, and otherwise delightful. And the subjects of Prithu made clothes of these blades and the beds also on which they lay. All the fruits were soft and sweet and like unto Amrita (in taste). And these constituted the food of his subjects, none amongst whom had ever to starve. And all men in Prithu's time were hale and hearty. And all their wishes were crowned with fruition. They had nothing to fear. On trees, or in caves, they dwelt as they liked. His dominions were not distributed into provinces and towns. The people lived happily and in joy as each desired. When king Prithu went to the sea, the waves became solid. The very mountains used to yield him openings that he might pass through them. The standard of his car never broke (obstructed by anything). Once on a time, the tall trees of the forest, the mountains, the gods, the Asuras, men, the snakes, the seven Rishis, the Apsaras, and the Pitris, all came to Prithu, seated at his ease, and addressing him, said, 'Thou art our Emperor. Thou art our king. Thou art our protector and Father. Thou art our Lord. Therefore, O great king, give us boons after our own hearts, through which we may, for ever, obtain gratification and joy.' Unto them Prithu, the son of Vena, said, So be it. Then taking up his Ajagava bow 3 and some terrible arrows the like of which existed not, he reflected for a moment. He then addressed the Earth, saying, 'Coming quickly, O Earth! Yield to these the milk they desire. From that, blessed be thou, I will give them the food they solicit.' Thus addressed by him, the Earth said, 'It behoveth thee, O hero, to regard me as thy daughter.' Prithu answered, So be it!--And then that great ascetic, his passions under control, made all arrangements (for milking the Earth. Then the entire assemblage of creatures began to milk the Earth). And first of all, the tall trees of the forest rose for milking her, The Earth then, full of affection, stood there desiring a calf, a milker, and vessels (wherein to hold the milk). Then the blossoming Sala became the calf, the Banian became the milker, torn buds became the milk, and the auspicious fig tree became the vessel. (Next, the mountains milked her). The Eastern hill, whereon the Sun rises, became the calf; the prince of mountains, viz., Meru, became the milker; the diverse gems and deciduous herbs became the milk; and the
p. 133
stones became the vessels (for holding that milk). Next, one of the gods became the milker, and all things capable of bestowing energy and strength became the coveted milk. The Asuras then milked the Earth, having wine for their milk, and using an unbaked pot for their vessel. In that act, Dwimurddhan became the milker, and Virochana, the calf. The human beings milked the Earth for cultivation and crops. The self-created Manu became their calf, and Prithu himself the milker. Next, the Snakes milked the Earth, getting poison as the milk, and using a vessel made of a gourd, Dhritarashtra became the milker, and Takshaka the calf. The seven Rishis, capable of producing everything by their fiat, 1 then milked the Earth, getting the Vedas as their milk. Vrihaspati became the milker, the Chhandas were the vessel, and the excellent Soma, the calf. The Yakshas, milking the Earth, got the power of disappearance at will as the milk in an unbaked pot. Vaisravana (Kuvera) became their milker, and Vrishadhvaja their calf. The Gandharvas and the Apsaras milked all fragrant perfumes in a vessel made of a lotus-leaf. Chitraratha became their calf, and the puissant Viswaruchi their milker. The Pitris milked the Earth, getting Swaha as their milk in a vessel of silver. Yama, the son of Vivaswat, became their calf, and (the Destroyer Antaka) their milker. Even thus was the Earth milked by that assemblage of creatures who all got for milk what they each desired. The very calves and vessels employed by them are existing to this day and may always be seen. The powerful Prithu, the son of Vena, performing various sacrifices, gratified all creatures in respect of all their desires by gifts of articles agreeable to their hearts. And he caused golden images to be made of every article on earth, and bestowed them all on the Brahmanas as his great Horse-sacrifice, 2 The king caused six and sixty thousand elephants to be made of gold, and all those he gave away unto the Brahmanas. And this whole earth also the king caused to be decked with jewels and gems and gold, and gave her away unto the Brahmanas. When he died, O Srinjaya, who was superior to thee as regards the four cardinal virtues and who, superior to thee, was, therefore, much superior to thy son thou shouldst not, saying 'Oh, Swaitya, Oh, Swaitya,' grieve for the latter who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial present.'"

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 70

 

 

 

  1 [s]
      praviṣṭayor mahārāja pārtha vārṣṇeyayos tadā
      duryodhane prayāte ca pṛṣṭhataḥ puruṣarṣabhe
  2 javenābhyadravan droṇaṃ mahatā nisvanena ca
      pāṇḍavāḥ somakaiḥ sārdhaṃ tato yuddham avartata
  3 tad yuddham abhavad ghoraṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam
      pāñcālānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca vyūhasya purato 'dbhutam
  4 rājan kadā cin nāsmābhir dṛṣṭaṃ tādṛṅ na ca śrutam
      yādṛṅ madhyagate sūrye yuddham āsīd viśāṃ pate
  5 dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhāḥ pārthā vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
      droṇasya sainyaṃ te sarve śaravarṣair avākiran
  6 vayaṃ droṇaṃ puraskṛtya sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam
      pārṣata pramukhān pārthān abhyavarṣāma sāyakaiḥ
  7 mahāmeghāv ivodīrṇau miśravātau himātyaye
      senāgre viprakāśete rucire rathabhūṣite
  8 sametya tu mahāsene cakratur vegam uttamam
      jāhnavī yamune nadyau prāvṛṣīvolbaṇodake
  9 nānāśastrapuro vāto dvipāśvarathasaṃvṛtaḥ
      gadā vidyun mahāraudraḥ saṃgrāmajalado mahān
  10 bhāradvājāniloddhūtaḥ śaradhārā sahasravān
     abhyavarṣan mahāraudraḥ pāṇḍusenāgnim uddhatam
 11 samudram iva gharmānte vivān ghoro mahānilaḥ
     vyakṣobhayad anīkāni pāṇḍavānāṃ dvijottamaḥ
 12 te 'pi sarvaprayatnena droṇam eva samādravan
     bibhitsanto mahāsenaṃ vāryaughāḥ prabalā iva
 13 vārayām āsa tān droṇo jalaughān acalo yathā
     pāṇḍavān samare kruddhān pāñcālāṃś ca sa kekayān
 14 athāpare 'pi rājānaḥ parāvṛtya samantataḥ
     mahābālā raṇe śūrāḥ pāñcālān anvavārayan
 15 tato raṇe naravyāghraḥ pārṣataḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
     saṃjaghānāsakṛd droṇaṃ bibhitsur arivāhinīm
 16 yathaiva śaravarṣāṇi droṇo varṣati pārṣate
     tathaiva śaravarṣāṇi dhṛṣṭadyumno 'bhyavarṣata
 17 sanistriṃśapuro vātaḥ śaktiprāsarṣṭi saṃvṛtaḥ
     jyā vidyuc cāpasaṃhrādo dhṛṣṭadyumna balāhakaḥ
 18 śaradhārāśma varṣāṇi vyasṛjat sarvatodiśam
     nighnan rathavarāśvaughāṃś chādayām āsa vāhinīm
 19 yaṃ yam ārchac charair droṇaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ rathavrajam
     tatas tataḥ śarair droṇam apākarṣata pārṣataḥ
 20 tathā tu yatamānasya droṇasya yudhi bhārata
     dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ samāsādya tridhā sainyam abhidyata
 21 bhojam eke nyavartanta jalasaṃdham athāpare
     pāṇḍavair hanyamānāś ca droṇam evāpare 'vrajan
 22 sainyāny aghaṭayad yāni droṇas tu rathināṃ varaḥ
     vyadhamac cāpi tāny asya ghṛṣṭadyumno mahārathaḥ
 23 dhārtarāṣṭās tridhā bhūtā vadhyante pāṇḍusṛñjayaiḥ
     agopāḥ paśavo 'raṇye bahubhiḥ śvāpadair iva
 24 kālaḥ saṃgrasate yodhān dhṛṣṭadyumnena mohitān
     saṃgrāme tumule tasminn iti saṃmenire janāḥ
 25 kunṛpasya yathā rāṣṭraṃ durbhikṣavyādhitaskaraiḥ
     drāvyate tadvad āpannā pāṇḍavais tava vāhinī
 26 arkaraśmi prabhinneṣu śastreṣu kavaceṣu ca
     cakṣūṃṣi pratihanyante sainyena rajasā tathā
 27 tridhā bhūteṣu sainyeṣu vadhyamāneṣu pāṇḍavaiḥ
     amarṣitas tato droṇaḥ pāñcālān vyadhamac charaiḥ
 28 mṛdnatas tāny anīkāni nighnataś cāpi sāyakaiḥ
     babhūva rūpaṃ droṇasya kālāgner iva dīpyataḥ
 29 rathaṃ nāgaṃ hayaṃ cāpi pattinaś ca viśāṃ pate
     ekaikeneṣuṇā saṃkhye nirbibheda mahārathaḥ
 30 pāṇḍavānāṃ tu sainyeṣu nāsti kaś cit sa bhārata
     dadhāra yo raṇe bāṇān droṇa cāpacyutāñ śitān
 31 tat pacyamānam arkeṇa droṇa sāyakatāpitam
     babhrāma pārṣataṃ sainyaṃ tatra tatraiva bhārata
 32 tathaiva pārṣatenāpi kālyamānaṃ balaṃ tava
     abhavat sarvato dīptaṃ śuṣkaṃ vanam ivāgninā
 33 vadhyamāneṣu sainyeṣu droṇa pārṣata sāyakaiḥ
     tyaktvā prāṇān paraṃ śaktyā prāyudhyanta sma sainikāḥ
 34 tāvakānāṃ pareṣāṃ ca yudhyatāṃ bharatarṣabha
     nāsīt kaś cin mahārāja yo 'tyākṣīt saṃyugaṃ bhayāt
 35 bhīmasenaṃ tu kaunteyaṃ sodaryāḥ paryavārayan
     viviṃśatiś citraseno vikarṇaś ca mahārathaḥ
 36 vindānuvindāv āvantyau kṣemadhūrtiś ca vīryavān
     trayāṇāṃ tava putrāṇāṃ traya evānuyāyinaḥ
 37 bāhlīka rājas tejasvī kulaputro mahārathaḥ
     saha senaḥ sahāmātyo drāpadeyān avārayat
 38 śabyo govāsano rājā yodhair daśaśatāvaraiḥ
     kāśyasyābhibhuvaḥ putraṃ parākrāntam avārayat
 39 ajātaśatruṃ kaunteyaṃ jvalantam iva pāvakam
     madrāṇameśvaraḥ śalyo rājā rājānam āvṛṇot
 40 duḥśāsanas tv avasthāpya svam anīkam amarṣaṇaḥ
     sātyakiṃ prayayau kruddhaḥ śūro rathavaraṃ yudhi
 41 svakenāham anīkena saṃnaddha kavacāvṛtaḥ
     catuḥśatair maheṣvāsaiś cekitānam avārayam
 42 śakunis tu sahānīko mādrīputram avārayat
     gāndhārakaiḥ saptaśataiś cāpaśaktiśarāsibhiḥ
 43 vindānuvindāv āvantyau virāṭaṃ matsyam ārchatām
     prāṇāṃs tyaktvā maheṣvāsau mitrārthe 'bhyudyatau yudhi
 44 śikhaṇḍinaṃ yājñaseniṃ rundhānam aparājitam
     bāhlikaḥ pratisaṃyattaḥ parākrānam avārayat
 45 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca pāñcālyaṃ krūraiḥ sārdhaṃ prabhadrakaiḥ
     āvantyaḥ saha sauvīraiḥ kruddha rūpam avārayat
 46 ghaṭotkacaṃ tathā śūraṃ rākṣasaṃ krūra yodhinam
     alāyudho 'dravat tūrṇaṃ kruddham āyāntam āhave
 47 alambusaṃ rākṣasendraṃ kuntibhojo mahārathaḥ
     sainyena mahatā yuktaḥ kruddha rūpam avārayat
 48 saindhavaḥ pṛṣṭhatas tv āsīt sarvasainyasya bhārata
     rakṣitaḥ parameṣvāsaiḥ kṛpaprabhṛtibhī rathaiḥ
 49 tasyāstāṃ cakrarakṣau dvau saindhavasya bṛhattamau
     drauṇir dakṣiṇato rājan sūtaputraś ca vāmataḥ
 50 pṛṣṭhagopās tu tasyāsan saumadatti purogamāḥ
     kṛpaś ca vṛṣasenaś ca śalaḥ śalyaś ca durjayaḥ
 51 nītimanto maheṣvāsāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
     saindhavasya vidhāyaivaṃ rakṣāṃ yuyudhire tadā

 

 

SECTION LXX

"Narada said, 'Even the great ascetic Rama, the hero worshipped by all heroes, that son of Jamadagni, of great fame, will die, without being
p. 134
contented (with the period of his life). Rooting out all evils from the earth, he caused the primeval Yuga to set in. Having obtained unrivalled prosperity, no fault could be seen in him. 1 His father having been slain and his calf having been stolen by the Kshatriyas, he without any boast, slew Kartavirya who had never been vanquished before by foes. With his bow he slew four and sixty times ten thousand Kshatriyas already within the jaws of death. In that slaughter were included fourteen thousand Brahmana-hating Kshatriyas of the Dantakura country, all of whom he slew. Of the Haihayas, he slew a thousand with his short club, a thousand with his sword, and a thousand by hanging. 2 Heroic warriors, with their cars, steeds, and elephants, lay dead on the field, slain by the wise son of Jamadagni, enraged at the slaughter of his father. And Rama, on that occasion, slew ten thousand Kshatriyas with his axe. He could not quietly bear the furious speeches uttered by those (foes of his). And when many foremost of Brahmans uttered exclamations, mentioning the name of Rama of Bhrigu's race, 3 then the valiant son of Jamadagni, proceeding against the Kashmiras, the Daradas, the Kuntis, the Kshudrakas, the Malavas, the Angas, the Vangas, the Kalingas, the Videhas, the Tamraliptakas, the Rakshovahas, the Vitahotras, the Trigartas, the Martikavatas, counting by thousand, slew them all by means of his whetted shafts. Proceeding from province to province, fie thus slew thousands of crores of Kshatriyas. Creating a deluge of blood and filling many lakes also with blood as red as Indrajopakas or the wild fruit called Vandujiva, and bringing all the eighteen islands (of which the earth is composed) under his subjection, that son of Bhrigu's race performed a hundred sacrifices of great merit, all of which he completed and in all of which the presents he made unto the Brahmanas were profuse. The sacrificial altar, eighteen nalas high made entirely of gold, and constructed according to the ordinance, full of diverse kinds of jewels and gems, and decked with hundreds of standards, and this earth abounding in domestic and wild animals, were accepted by Kasyapa as sacrificial present made unto him by Rama, the son of Jamadagni. And Rama also gave him many thousand prodigious elephants, all adorned with gold. Indeed, freeing the earth from all robbers, and making her teem with honest and graceful inhabitants, Rama gave her away to Kasyapa at his great Horse-sacrifice. Having divested the earth of Kshatriyas for one and twenty times, and having performed hundreds of sacrifices, the puissant hero gave away the earth to the Brahmanas. And it was Marichi (Kasyapa) who accepted from him the earth with her seven islands. Then Kasyapa said unto Rama, 'Go out of the earth, at my command.' At the word of Kasyapa, the foremost of warriors, desirous of obeying the Brahmana's behest, caused by his arrows the
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very ocean to stand aside, and repairing to that best of mountains called Mahendra, continued to live there. Even that enhancer of the fame of the Bhrigus, possessed of such numberless virtues, that famous son of Jamadagni, of great splendour, will die. Superior to thy son, (even he will die). Do not, therefore, grieve for thy son who performed no sacrifice and made no sacrificial present. All these, superior to thee as regards the four cardinal virtues and as regards also a hundred other merits, all these foremost of men, have died, O Srinjaya, and they that are like them will also die.'"

 

The Mahabharata

Drona Parva

Book 7
Chapter 71

 

 

 1 [s]
      rājan saṃgrāmam āścaryaṃ śṛṇu kīrtayato mama
      kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca yathā yuddham avartata
  2 bhāradvājaṃ samāsādya vyūhasya pramukhe sthitam
      ayodhayan raṇe pārthā droṇānīkaṃ bibhitsavaḥ
  3 rakṣamāṇāḥ svakaṃ vyūhaṃ droṇasyāpi ca sainikāḥ
      ayodhayan raṇe pārthān prārthayanto mahad yaśaḥ
  4 vindānuvindāv āvantyau virāṭaṃ daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
      ājaghnatuḥ susaṃkruddhau tava putrahitaiṣiṇau
  5 virāṭaś ca mahārāja tāv ubhau samare sthitau
      parākrāntam parākramya yodhayām āsa sānugau
  6 teṣāṃ yuddhaṃ samabhavad dāruṇaṃ śoṇitodakam
      siṃhasya dvipamukhyābhyāṃ prabhinnābhyāṃ yathā vane
  7 bāhlīkaṃ rabhasaṃ yuddhe yājñasenir mahābalaḥ
      ājaghne viśikhais tīkṣṇair ghorair marmāsthi bhedibhiḥ
  8 bāhlīko yājñaseniṃ tu hemapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
      ājaghāna bhṛśaṃ kruddho navabhir nataparvabhiḥ
  9 tad yuddham abhavad ghoraṃ śaraśaktisamākulam
      bhīrūṇāṃ trāsajananaṃ śūrāṇāṃ harṣavardhanam
  10 tābhyāṃ tatra śarair muktair antarikṣaṃ diśas tathā
     abhavat saṃvṛtaṃ sarvaṃ na prājñāyata kiṃ cana
 11 śaibyo govāsano yuddhe kāśya putraṃ mahāratham
     sa sainyo yodhayām āsa gajaḥ pratigajaṃ yathā
 12 bāhlīka rājaḥ saṃrabdho draupadeyān mahārathān
     manaḥ pañcendriyāṇīva śuśubhe yodhayan raṇe
 13 ayodhayaṃs te ca bhṛśaṃ taṃ śaraughaiḥ samantataḥ
     indriyārthā yathā dehaṃ śaśvad dehabhṛtāṃ vara
 14 vārṣṇeyaṃ sātyakiṃ yuddhe putro duḥśāsanas tava
     ājaghne sāyakais tīkṣṇair navabhir nataparvabhiḥ
 15 so 'tividdho balavatā maheṣvāsena dhanvinā
     īṣan mūrchāṃ jagāmāśu sātyakiḥ satyavikramaḥ
 16 samāśvastas tu vārṣṇeyas tava putraṃ mahāratham
     vivyādha daśabhis tūrṇaṃ sāyakaiḥ kaṅkapatribhiḥ
 17 tāv anyonyaṃ dṛḍhaṃ viddhāv anyonyaśaravikṣatau
     rejatuḥ samare rājan puṣpitāv iva kiṃśukau
 18 alambusas tu saṃkruddhaḥ kuntibhojaśarārditaḥ
     aśobhata paraṃ lakṣmyā puṣpāḍhya iva kiṃśukaḥ
 19 kuntibhojaṃ tato rakṣo viddhvā bahubhir āyasaiḥ
     anadad bhairavaṃ nādaṃ vāhinyāḥ pramukhe tava
 20 tatas tau samare śūrau yodhayantau parasparam
     dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni śakra jambhau yathā purā
 21 śakuniṃ rabhasaṃ yuddhe kṛtavairaṃ ca bhārata
     mādrīputrau ca saṃrabdhau śarair ardayatāṃ mṛdhe
 22 tan mūlaḥ sa mahārāja prāvartata janakṣayaḥ
     tvayā saṃjanito 'tyarthaṃ karṇena ca vivardhitaḥ
 23 uddhukṣitaś ca putreṇa tava krodhahutāśanaḥ
     ya imāṃ pṛthivīṃ rājan dagdhuṃ sarvāṃ samudyataḥ
 24 śakuniḥ pāṇḍuputrābhyāṃ kṛtaḥ sa vimukhaḥ śaraiḥ
     nābhyajānata kartavyaṃ yudhi kiṃ cit parākramam
 25 vimukhaṃ cainam ālokya mādrīputrau mahārathau
     vavarṣatuḥ punar bāṇair yathā meghau mahāgirim
 26 sa vadhyamāno bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     saṃprāyāj javanair aśvair droṇānīkāya saubalaḥ
 27 ghaṭotkacas tathā śūraṃ rākṣasma tam alāyudham
     abhyayād rabhasaṃ yuddhe vegam āsthāya madhyamam
 28 tayor yuddhaṃ mahārāja citrarūpam ivābhavat
     yādṛśaṃ hi purāvṛttaṃ rāmarāvaṇayor mṛdhe
 29 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā madrarājānam āhave
     viddhvā pañcāśatā bāṇaiḥ punar vivyādha saptabhiḥ
 30 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tayor atyadbhutaṃ nṛpa
     yathāpūrvaṃ mahad yuddhaṃ śambarāmara rājayoḥ
 31 viviṃśatiś citraseno vikarṇaś ca tavātmajaḥ
     ayodhayan bhīmasenaṃ mahatyā senayā vṛtāḥ

 

SECTION LXXI

"Vyasa said, 'Hearing this sacred history of sixteen kings, capable of enhancing the period of life (of the listener), king Srinjaya remained silent without saying anything. The illustrious Rishi Narada then said unto him thus sitting silent, 'O thou of great splendour, hast thou heard those histories recited by me, and hast thou caught their purport? Or, are all these lost like Sraddha as performed by a person of regenerate classes having a Sudra wife?' Thus addressed, Srinjaya then replied with joined hands, 'O thou that hast wealth of asceticism, having listened to these excellent and praiseworthy histories of ancient royal sages, all of whom had performed great sacrifices with profuse presents unto the Brahmanas, my grief hath all been dispelled by wonder, like the darkness that is dispelled by the rays of the sun. I have now been cleansed of my sins, and I do not feel any pain now. Tell me, what shall I do now?'
"Narada said, 'By good luck it is that thy grief hath been dispelled. Solicit thou the boon that thou desirest. Thou wilt obtain all thou mayst ask. We never say what is not true.'
"Srinjaya said, 'I am happy with even this, viz., that thou, O holy one, art gratified with me. He with whom thou, O holy one, art gratified, hath nothing unobtainable here.'
"Narada said, 'I will once more give thee thy son who was fruitlessly slain by the robbers, like an animal, slaughtered in sacrifice, taking him out of terrible hell.'
"Vyasa said, 'Then the son of Srinjaya, of wonderful splendour, appeared, that child resembling the son of Kuvera himself, bestowed by the gratified Rishi (on the bereaved father). And king Srinjaya, once more meeting with his son, became highly delighted. And he performed many meritorious sacrifices, giving away profuse sacrificial presents upon completion. Srinjaya's son had not fulfilled the purposes of his being. He had performed no sacrifice and had no children. Destitute of bravery, he
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had perished miserably and not in battle. It was for this reason that he could be brought back into life. 1 As regards Abhimanyu, he was brave and heroic. He hath fulfilled the purposes of life, for the brave son of Subhadra, having blasted his foes by thousands, hath left the world, falling in the field of battle. Those inaccessible regions that are attainable by Brahmacharya, by knowledge, by acquaintance with the scriptures, by foremost of sacrifices, even, these have been obtained by thy son. Men of knowledge always desire heaven by their righteous deeds. They that are living in heaven never prefer this world to heaven. Therefore, it is not easy for any desirable thing that might have been unattained by him to bring back into the world Arjuna's son slain in battle and now residing in heaven. Thy son has attained to that eternal goal which is attained by yogins with eyes shut in contemplation or by performers of great sacrifices, or people possessed of great ascetic merit. After death, attaining a new body that hero is shining like a king in his own immortal rays. Indeed, Abhimanyu has once more got his own body of lunar essence that is desirable by all regenerate persons. He deserveth not thy grief. 2 Knowing this, be quiet, and slay thy foes. Let fortitude be thine. O sinless one, it is the living that stand in need of our grief, and not they that have attained to heaven. His sins increase, O king, for whom, the living grieve. Therefore, he that is wise, abandoning grief, should strive for (the) benefit (of the dead). The living man should think of the joy, the glory, and the happiness (of the dead). Knowing this, the wise never indulge in grief, for grief is painful. Know this to be true. Rise up! Strive (to achieve thy purpose). Do not grieve. Thou hast heard of the origin of Death, and her unexampled penances, as also the impartiality of her behaviour towards all creatures. Thou hast heard that prosperity is unstable. Thou hast heard how the dead son of Srinjaya was revived. O learned king, do not grieve. Peace be to thee, I go!'--Having said this, the holy Vyasa disappeared then and there. Upon the departure of that master of speech, that foremost of intelligent persons, viz., the holy Vyasa, whose colour was like that of the clouded sky, Yudhishthira, having derived consolation in consequence of what he had heard about the sacrificial merit and prosperity of these great monarchs of olden times, possessed of energy equal to that of the great Indra himself and all of whom had acquired wealth by righteous means, mentally applauded those illustrious persons and became freed from grief. Once more, however, with a melancholy heart he asked himself, saying, 'What shall we say unto Dhananjaya?'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 72

 

 

 1 [s]
      tathā tasmin pravṛtte tu saṃgrāme lomaharṣaṇe
      kauraveyāṃs tridhā bhūtān pāṇḍavāḥ samupādravan
  2 jalasaṃdhaṃ mahābāhur bhīmaseno nyavārayat
      yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sahānīkaḥ kṛtavarmāṇam āhave
  3 kirantaṃ śaravarṣāṇi rocamāna ivāṃśumān
      dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārāja droṇam abhyadravad raṇe
  4 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tvaratāṃ sarvadhanvinām
      kurūṇāṃ somakānāṃ ca saṃkruddhānāṃ parasparam
  5 saṃkṣaye tu tathā bhūte vartamāne mahābhaye
      dvaṃdvī bhūteṣu sainyeṣu yudhyamāneṣv abhītavat
  6 droṇaḥ pāñcāla putreṇa balī balavatā saha
      vicikṣepa pṛṣatkaughāṃs tad adbhutam ivābhavat
  7 puṇḍarīkavanānīva vidhvastāni samantataḥ
      cakrāte droṇa pāñcālyau nṛṇāṃ śīrṣāṇy anekaśaḥ
  8 vinikīrṇāni vīrāṇām anīkeṣu samantataḥ
      vastrābharaṇa śastrāṇi dhvajavarmāyudhāni ca
  9 tapanīyavicitrāṅgāḥ saṃsiktā rudhireṇa ca
      saṃsaktā iva dṛśyante meghasaṃghāḥ sa vidyutaḥ
  10 kuñjarāśvanarān saṃkhye pātayantaḥ patatribhiḥ
     tālamātrāṇi cāpāni vikarṣanto mahārathāḥ
 11 asi carmāṇi cāpāni śirāṃsi kavacāni ca
     viprakīryanta śūrāṇāṃ saṃprahāre mahātmanām
 12 utthitāny agaṇeyāni kabandhāni samantataḥ
     adṛśyanta mahārāja tasmin paramasaṃkule
 13 gṛdhrāḥ kaṅkā vaḍāḥ śyenā vāyasā jambukās tathā
     bahavaḥ piśitāśāś ca tatrādṛśyanta māriṣa
 14 bhakṣayantaḥ sma māṃsāni pibantaś cāpi śoṇitam
     vilumpantaḥ sma keśāṃś ca majjāś ca bahudhā nṛpa
 15 ākarṣantaḥ śarīrāṇi śarīrāvayavāṃs tathā
     narāśvagajasaṃghānāṃ śirāṃsi ca tatas tataḥ
 16 kṛtāstrā raṇadīkṣābhir dīkṣitāḥ śaradhāriṇaḥ
     raṇe jayaṃ prārthayanto bhṛśaṃ yuyudhire tadā
 17 asi mārgān bahuvidhān vicerus tāvakā raṇe
     ṛṣṭibhiḥ śaktibhiḥ prāsaiḥ śūlatomara paṭṭiśaiḥ
 18 gadābhiḥ parighaiś cānye vyāyudhāś ca bhujair api
     anyonyaṃ jaghnire kruddhā yuddharaṅga gatā narāḥ
 19 rathino rathibhiḥ sārdham aśvārohāś ca sādibhiḥ
     mātaṅgā varamātaṅgaiḥ padātāś ca padātibhiḥ
 20 kṣībā ivānye conmattā raṅgeṣv iva ca cāraṇāḥ
     uccukruśus tathānyonyaṃ jaghnur anyonyam āhave
 21 vartamāne tathā yuddhe nirmaryāde viśāṃ pate
     dhṛṣṭadyumno hayān aśvair droṇasya vyatyamiśrayat
 22 te hayā sādhv aśobhanta vimiśrā vātaraṃhasaḥ
     pārāvata savarṇāś ca raktaśoṇāś ca saṃyuge
     hayāḥ śuśubhire rājan meghā iva sa vidyutaḥ
 23 dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca saṃprekṣya droṇam abhyāśam āgatam
     asi carmādade vīro dhanur utsṛjya bhārata
 24 cikīrṣur duṣkaraṃ karma pārṣataḥ paravīrahā
     īṣayā samatikramya droṇasya ratham āviśat
 25 atiṣṭhad yugamadhye sa yugasaṃnahaneṣu ca
     jaghānārdheṣu cāśvānāṃ tat sainyāny abhyapūjayan
 26 khaḍgena caratas tasya śoṇāśvān adhitiṣṭhataḥ
     na dadarśāntaraṃ droṇas tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 27 yathā śyenasya patanaṃ vaneṣv āmiṣa gṛddhinaḥ
     tathaivāsīd abhīsāras tasya droṇaṃ jighāṃsataḥ
 28 tataḥ śaraśatenāsya śatacandraṃ samākṣipat
     droṇo drupadaputrasya khaḍgaṃ ca daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 29 hayāṃś caiva catuḥṣaṣṭyā śarāṇāṃ jaghnivān balī
     dhvajaṃ chatraṃ ca bhallābhyāṃ tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī
 30 athāsmai tvarito bāṇam aparaṃ jīvitāntakam
     ākarṇapūrṇaṃ cikṣepa vajraṃ vajradharo yathā
 31 taṃ caturdaśabhir bāṇair bāṇaṃ ciccheda sātyakiḥ
     prastam ācārya mukhyena dhṛṣṭadyumnam amocayat
 32 siṃheneva mṛgaṃ grastaṃ narasiṃhena māriṣa
     droṇena mocayām āsa pāñcālyaṃ śinipuṃgavaḥ
 33 sātyakiṃ prekṣya goptāraṃ pāñcālyasya mahāhave
     śarāṇāṃ tvarito droṇaḥ ṣaḍviṃśatyā samarpayat
 34 tato droṇaṃ śineḥ pautro grasantam iva sṛñjayān
     pratyavidhyac chitair bāṇaiḥ ṣaḍviṃśatyā stanānare
 35 tataḥ sarve rathās tūrṇaṃ pāñcālā jaya gṛddhinaḥ
     sātvatābhisṛte droṇe dhṛṣṭadyumnam amocayan

SECTION LXXII

"Sanjaya said, 'When that terrible day, so fraught with the slaughter of creatures, departed, and when the sun set, the beautiful twilight of the evening spread itself. The troops, O bull of Bharata's race, of both parties, had retired to their tents. Then the ape-bannered Jishnu, having slain a large number of Samsaptakas by means of his celestial weapons, proceeded towards his tent, mounted on that victorious car of his. And as he was proceeding, he asked Govinda, with voice choked with tears, 'Why is my heart afraid, O Kesava, and why both my speech falter? Evil omens encounter me, and my limbs are weak. Thoughts of disaster possess my mind without living it. On earth, on all sides, various omens strike me with fear. Of many kinds are those omens and indications, and seen everywhere, foreboding dire calamity. Is it all right with my venerable superior, viz., the king with all his friends?'
"Vasudeva said, 'It is evident that everything is right with thy brother and his friends. Do not grieve, some trifling evil in another direction will happen.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Then those two heroes (viz., Krishna and Arjuna), having adored the Twilight, 1 mounted on their car and proceeded, talking of the day's battle so destructive of heroes. Having achieved feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, Vasudeva and Arjuna, at last, reached the (Pandava) encampment. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Vibhatsu, beholding the camp joyless and melancholy and everything to be in confusion, addressed Krishna with an agonised heart, and said, 'O Janardana, no auspicious trumpet blows today, its blasts mingled with the beat of drums and the loud blare of conchs. The sweet Vina also is nowhere played upon in accompaniment with slapping of palms. 2 Auspicious and delightful songs fraught with praise are nowhere recited or sung by our bards amongst the troops. The warriors also, all recede hanging down their heads. They do not tell me beholding me, as before, of the feats achieved by them. O Madhava, is it all right with my brothers today? Beholding our own men plunged in grief, I know no peace. Is it all right, O giver of honours, with the ruler of the Panchalas, or Virata, or all our warriors, O thou of unfading glory? Alas, Subhadra's son, ever cheerful, doth not today, with his brothers, come out with smiles to receive me returning from battle.'
"Sanjaya said, 'Thus conversing, those two, (viz., Krishna and Arjuna), entered their own camp. And they saw that the Pandavas, all cheerless, were sitting, plunged in great grief. Beholding his brothers and sons, the ape-bannered Arjuna became very cheerless. Not seeing the son of Subhadra there, Arjuna said, 'Pale is the colour I behold of the faces of
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you all. I do not, again, see Abhimanyu. Nor doth he come to congratulate me. I heard that Drona had today formed the circular array. None amongst you, save the boy Abhimanyu, could break that array. I, however, did not teach him how to come out of that array, after having pierced it. Did you cause the boy to enter that array? Hath that slayer of heroes, viz., the son of Subhadra, that mighty bowman, having pierced that array, through numberless warriors of the enemy in battle, fallen, at last in the fight? Oh, tell me, how that hero of mighty arms and red eyes, born (in our line) like a lion on the mountain breast, and equal unto the younger brother of Indra himself, hath fallen on the field of battle? What warrior, deprived on his senses by Death ventured to slay that dear son of Subhadra, that favourite of Draupadi and Kesava, that child ever loved by Kunti? Equal unto the high-souled Vrishni hero, Kesava, himself in prowess and learning and dignity, how hath he been slain on the field of battle? The favourite son of that daughter of the Vrishni race, always cherished by me, alas, if I do not see him I will repair to the abode of Yama. With locks ending in soft curls, of tender years, with eyes like those of a young gazelle, with tread like that of an infuriated elephant, tall like a Sala offshoot, of sweet speech accompanied with smiles, quiet, ever obedient to the behest of his superiors, acting like one of mature years though tender in age, of agreeable speech, reft of vanity, of great courage and great energy, of large eyes resembling lotus-petals, kind to those devoted to him, self-restrained, following nothing mean, grateful, possessed of knowledge, accomplished in weapons, unretreating from battle, always delighting in fight, and enhancing the fears of foes, engaged in the welfare of kinsmen, desirous of victory into sires, never striking first, perfectly fearless in battle, alas, if I do not behold that son, I will repair to the abode of Yama. In the counting of car-warriors always reckoned as a Maharatha, superior to me one and a half times, of tender years, of mighty arms, even dear to Pradyumna and Kesava and myself, alas, if I do not behold that son I will repair to the abode of Yama. Of beautiful nose, of beautiful forehead, of fair eyes and eyebrows and lips, if I do not behold that face, what peace can my heart have? Melodious as the voice of the male Kokila, delightful, and sweet as the warblings of the Vina, without listening to his voice, what peace can my heart have? His beauty was unrivalled, rare even among the celestials. Without casting my eyes on that form, what peace can my heart have? Accomplished in saluting (his superiors) with reverence, and always obedient to the behests of his sires, alas, if I do not behold him, what peace can my heart have? Brave in battle, accustomed to every luxury, deserving of the softest bed, alas, he sleepeth today on the bare earth, as if there is none to take care of him, although he is foremost of those that have protectors to look after them. He on whom, while on his bed, the foremost of beautiful women used to attend, alas, he mangled with shafts, will have inauspicious jackals, prowling over the field, to attend upon him today. He who was formerly roused from his slumbers by singers and bards and panegyrists, alas, he
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will today be surely awakened by discordant beasts of prey. That beautiful face of his eminently deserved to be shaded by the umbrella, alas, the dust of battle-field will surely befoul today. O child, unfortunate that I am, death forcibly takes thee away from me, who was never satiated with looking at thee. Without doubt, that abode of Yama, which is always the goal of persons of righteous deeds, that delightful mansion, illuminated today by thy own splendours, is rendered exceedingly beautiful by thee. Without doubt, Yama and Varuna and Satakratu and Kuvera, obtaining thee as a favourite guest, are making much of thy heroic self. Thus indulging in diverse lamentations, like a merchant whose vessel has been sunken. Arjuna, afflicted with great grief, asked Yudhishthira, saying, 'O, thou of Kuru's race, hath he ascended to heaven, having caused a great slaughter among the enemy and contended with the foremost warriors in the face of battle? Without doubt, while contending single-handed with foremost of warriors, countless in number, and fighting with vigour and resolution, his heart turned towards me from a desire of help. While afflicted by Karna and Drona and Kripa and others with sharp shafts of diverse kinds and bright points, my sons of little strength, must have repeatedly thought, 'My father will in this press be my rescuer.' I think, while indulging in such lamentations, he was felled on the ground by cruel warriors. Or, perhaps, when he was begotten by me, when he was the nephew of Madhva, when he was born in Subhadra he could not have uttered such lamentations. Without doubt, my heart, hard as it is, is made of the essence of the thunder, since it breaketh not, even though I do not behold that mighty-armed hero of red eyes. How could those mighty bowmen of cruel hearts shoot their deep-piercing shafts upon that child of tender years, who, again, Was my son and the nephew of Vasudeva? That noble-hearted youth who, coming forward every day, used to congratulate me, alas, why doth he not present himself today to me when I come back having slain the foe? Without doubt, overthrown, he lieth today on the bare earth bathed in blood. Beautifying the earth by his body, he lieth like the sun fallen (from the firmament). I grieve for Subhadra, who, hearing of the death in battle of her unretreating son, will, afflicted with sorrow, cast away her life. What will Subhadra missing Abhimanyu, say unto me? What also will Draupadi say unto me? Afflicted with grief as they are, what also shall I say unto them? Without doubt, my heart is made of the essence of the thunder, since it breaketh not in a thousand fragments at the sight of my weeping daughter-in-law, pierced with grief. The leonine shouts of the Dhritarashtras swelling with pride did, indeed, enter my ears. Krishna also heard Yuyutsu, censuring the heroes (of the Dhritarashtra army in these words): 'Ye mighty car-warriors, having been unable to vanquish Vibhatsu, and having slain only a child, why do ye rejoice? Why, having done what is disagreeable to those two, viz., Kesava and Arjuna, in battle, why do you in joy roar like lions, when truly the hour for sorrow is come? The fruits of this sinful deed of Yours will soon overtake you. Heinous is the crime perpetrated
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by you. How long will it not bear its fruits?' Rebuking them in these words, the high-souled son of Dhritarashtra by his Vaisya wife, went away, casting off his weapons afflicted with rage and grief. O Krishna, why did you not tell me all this during the battle? I would then have consumed all those car-warriors of cruel hearts.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Then Vasudeva, consoling Partha who was afflicted with grief on account of his son, who was exceedingly anxious, whose eyes were bathed in tears, and who was, in fact, overwhelmed with this sorrow caused by the slaughter of his child, said unto him, 'Do not yield so to grief. This is the way of all brave, unretreating heroes, especially of Kshatriyas, whose profession is battle. O foremost of intelligent men, even this is the goal ordained by the authors of our scriptures for unretreating heroes engaged in battle. Death is certain for heroes that do not retreat. There is no doubt that Abhimanyu hath ascended to those regions that are reserved for persons of righteous acts. O bull of Bharata's race, even this is coveted by all that are brave, viz., that they may die in battle, facing their foes. As regards Abhimanyu, he having slain in battle many heroic and mighty princes, hath met with that death in the face of battle which is coveted by heroes. Do not grieve, O tiger among men I The legislators of old have declared this to be the eternal merit of the Kshatriyas, viz., their death in battle. O best of the Bharatas, these brothers of thine are all exceedingly cheerless, as also the king, and these thy friends, seeing thee plunged in grief. O giver of honours, comfort them in consoling words. That which should be is known to thee. It behoveth thee not to grieve.' Thus comforted by Krishna of wonderful deeds, Partha then said these words unto all his brothers, with voice choked with sorrow: 'O lord of the earth, I desire to hear how the mighty-armed Abhimanyu, how that hero of large eyes, resembling lotus-petals, fought. Ye will see that I will exterminate the foe with his elephants and cars and steeds, I will exterminate in battle those slayers of my son with all their followers and kinsmen. Ye all are accomplished in arms. Ye all were armed with weapons, how then could Subhadra's son be slain, even if it were the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself with whom he fought? Alas, if I had known that Pandavas and the Panchalas would be able to protect my son in battle, I myself would have then protected him. Ye were then on your cars, ye were shooting your shafts. Alas, how then could Abhimanyu be slain by the foe, causing a great carnage in your ranks? Alas, ye have no manliness, nor have ye any prowess, since in the very sight of you all was Abhimanyu slain. Or, I should chide my own self, since knowing that ye all are weak, cowardly, and irresolute, I went away! Alas, are your coats of mail and weapons of all kinds only ornaments for decking your persons, and were words given to you only for speaking in assemblies, that ye failed to protect my son (even though ye were clad in mail, armed from head to foot, and even though you had assured me in words of your competence)?--Having said these words, Partha sat down, holding bow and his excellent sword. Indeed, none could, at that time, even look at Vibhatsu who then
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resembled the Destroyer himself in wrath, repeatedly drawing deep breaths. None of his friends or kinsmen could venture to look at or speak unto Arjuna, as he sat there exceedingly afflicted with grief on account of his son, and with face bathed in tears. None! Indeed could address him, save Vasudeva or Yudhishthira. These two, under all circumstances, were acceptable to Arjuna. And because they were highly reverenced and dearly loved, therefore, could they alone address him at such times. Then king Yudhishthira addressing Partha, of eyes like lotus-petals, who was then filled with rage and exceedingly afflicted with grief on account of the death of his son, said these words.

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 73

 

1 [dhṛ]
      bāṇe tasmin nikṛtte tu dhṛṣṭadyumne ca mokṣite
      tena vṛṣṇipravīreṇa yuyudhānena saṃjaya
  2 amarṣito maheṣvāsaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
      naravyāghraḥ śineḥ pautre droṇaḥ kim akarod yudhi
  3 [s]
      saṃpradrutaḥ krodhaviṣo vyāditāsya śarāsanaḥ
      tīkṣṇadhāreṣu daśanaḥ śitanārāca daṃṣṭravān
  4 saṃrambhāmarṣa tāmrākṣo mahāhir iva niḥśvasan
      naravīra pramuditaiḥ śoṇair aśvair mahājavaiḥ
  5 utpatadbhir ivākāśaṃ kramadbhir iva sarvataḥ
      rukmapuṅkhāñ śarān asyan yuyudhānam upādravat
  6 śarapāta mahāvarṣaṃ rathaghoṣabalāhakam
      kārmukākarṣa vikṣiptaṃ nārācabahu vidyutam
  7 śaktikhaḍgāśani dharaṃ krodhavegasamutthitam
      droṇa megham anāvāryaṃ hayamāruta coditam
  8 dṛṣṭvaivābhipatantaṃ taṃ śūraḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
      uvāca sūtaṃ śaineyaḥ prahasan yuddhadurmadaḥ
  9 etaṃ vai brāhmaṇaṃ krūraṃ svakarmaṇy anavasthitam
      āśrayaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrasya rājño duḥkhabhayāvaham
  10 śīghraṃ prajavitair aśvaiḥ pratyudyāhi prahṛṣṭavat
     ācāryaṃ rājaputrāṇāṃ satataṃ śūramāninam
 11 tato rajatasaṃkāśā mādhavasya hayottamāḥ
     droṇasyābhimukhāḥ śīghram agacchan vātaraṃhasaḥ
 12 iṣujālāvṛtaṃ ghoram andhakāram anantaram
     anādhṛṣyam ivānyeṣāṃ śūrāṇām abhavat tadā
 13 tataḥ śīghrāstra viduṣor droṇa sātvatayos tadā
     nāntarma śaravṛṣṭīnāṃ dṛśyate narasiṃhayoḥ
 14 iṣūṇāṃ saṃnipātena śabdo dhārābhighātajaḥ
     śuśruve śakram uktānām aśanīnām iva svanaḥ
 15 nārācair atividdhānāṃ śarāṇāṃ rūpam ābabhau
     āśīviṣavidaṣṭānāṃ sarpāṇām iva bhārata
 16 tayor jyātalanirghoṣo vyaśrūyata sudāruṇaḥ
     ajasraṃ śailaśṛṅgāṇāṃ vajreṇāhanyatām iva
 17 ubhayos tau rathau rājaṃs te cāśvāstau ca sārathī
     rukmapuṅkhaiḥ śaraiś channāś citrarūpā babhus tadā
 18 nirmalānām ajihmānāṃ nārācānāṃ viśāṃ pate
     nirmuktāśīviṣābhānāṃ saṃpāto 'bhūt sudāruṇaḥ
 19 ubhayoḥ patite chattraṃ tathaiva patitau dhvajau
     ubhau rudhirasiktāṅgāv ubhau ca vijayaiṣiṇau
 20 sravadbhiḥ śoṇitaṃ gātraiḥ prasrutāv iva vāraṇau
     anyonyam abhividhyetāṃ jīvitāntakaraiḥ śaraiḥ
 21 garjitotkruṣṭa saṃnādāḥ śaṅkhadundubhinisvanāḥ
     upāraman mahārāja vyājahāra na kaś cana
 22 tūṣṇīṃbhūtāny anīkāni yodhā yuddhād upāraman
     dadṛśe dvairathaṃ tābhyāṃ jātakautūhalo janaḥ
 23 rathino hastiyantāro hayārohāḥ padātayaḥ
     avaikṣantācalair netraiḥ parivārya ratharṣabhau
 24 hastyanīkāny atiṣṭhanta tahānīkāni vājinām
     tathaiva rathavāhinyaḥ prativyūhya vyavasthitāḥ
 25 muktā vidrumacitraiś ca maṇikāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ
     dhvajair ābharaṇaiś citraiḥ kavacaiś ca hiraṇmayaiḥ
 26 vaijayantī patākābhiḥ paristomāṅgakambalaiḥ
     vimalair niśitaiḥ śastrair hayānāṃ ca prakīrṇakaiḥ
 27 jātarūpamayībhiś ca rājatībhiś ca mūrdhasu
     gajānāṃ kumbhamālābhir dantaveṣṭaiś ca bhārata
 28 sabalākāḥ sa khadyotāḥ sairāvata śatahradāḥ
     adṛśyantoṣṇa paryāye meghānām iva vāgurāḥ
 29 apaśyann asmadīyāś ca te ca yaudhiṣṭhirāḥ sthitāḥ
     tad yuddhaṃ yuyudhānasya droṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ
 30 vimānāgragatā devā brahma śakrapurogamāḥ
     siddhacāraṇasaṃghāś ca vidyādharamahoragāḥ
 31 gatapratyāgatākṣepaiś citraiḥ śastravighātibhiḥ
     vividhair vismayaṃ jagmus tayoḥ puruṣasiṃhayoḥ
 32 hastalāghavam astreṣu darśayantau mahābalau
     anyonyaṃ samavidhyetāṃ śarais tau droṇa sātyakī
 33 tato droṇasya dāśārhaḥ śarāṃś ciccheda saṃyuge
     patribhiḥ sudṛḍhair āśu dhanuś caiva mahādyute
 34 nimeṣāntaramātreṇa bhāradvājo 'paraṃ dhanuḥ
     sajyaṃ cakāra tac cāśu cicchedāsya sa sātyakiḥ
 35 tatas tvaran punar droṇo dhanur hasto vyatiṣṭhata
     sajyaṃ sajyaṃ punaś cāsya ciccheda niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 36 tato 'sya saṃyuge droṇo dṛṣṭvā karmātimānuṣam
     yuyudhānasya rājendra manasedam acintayat
 37 etad astrabalaṃ rāme kārtavīrye dhanaṃjaye
     bhīṣme ca puruṣavyāghre yad idaṃ sātvatāṃ vare
 38 taṃ cāsya manasā droṇaḥ pūjayām āsa vikramam
     lāghavaṃ vāsavasyeva saṃprekṣya dvijasattamaḥ
 39 tutoṣāstravidāṃ śreṣṭhas tathā devāḥ sa vāsavāḥ
     na tām ālakṣayām āsur laghutāṃ śīghrakāriṇaḥ
 40 devāś ca yuyudhānasya gandharvāś ca viśāṃ pate
     siddhacāraṇasaṃghāś ca vidur droṇasya karma tat
 41 tato 'nyad dhanur ādāya droṇaḥ kṣatriya mardanaḥ
     astrair astravidāṃ śreṣṭho yodhayām āsa bhārata
 42 tasyāstrāṇy astramāyābhiḥ pratihanya sa sātyakiḥ
     jaghāna niśitair bāṇais tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 43 tasyātimānuṣaṃ karma dṛṣṭvānyair asamaṃ raṇe
     yuktaṃ yogena yogajñās tāvakāḥ samapūjayan
 44 yad astram asyati droṇas tad evāsyati sātyakiḥ
     tam ācāryo 'py asaṃbhrānto 'yodhayatlśatru tāpanaḥ
 45 tataḥ kruddho mahārāja dhanurvedasya pāragaḥ
     vadhāya yuyudhānasya divyam astram udairayat
 46 tad āgneyaṃ mahāghoraṃ vipughnam upalakṣya saḥ
     astraṃ divyaṃ maheṣvāso vāruṇaṃ samudairayat
 47 hāhākāro mahān āsīd dṛṣṭvā divyāstradhāriṇau
     na vicerus tadākāśe bhūtāny ākāśagāny api
 48 astre te vāruṇāgneye tābhyāṃ bāṇasamāhite
     na tāvad abhiṣajyete vyāvartad atha bhāskaraḥ
 49 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā bhīmasenaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca paryarakṣanta sātyakim
 50 dhṛṣṭvadyumna mukhaiḥ sārdhaṃ virāṭaś ca sa kekayaḥ
     matsyāḥ śālveya senāś ca droṇam ājagmur añjasā
 51 duḥśāsanaṃ puraskṛtya rājaputraḥ sahasraśaḥ
     droṇam abhyupapadyanta sapatnaiḥ parivāritam
 52 tato yuddham abhūd rājaṃs tava teṣāṃ ca dhanvinām
     rajasā saṃvṛte loke śarajālasamāvṛte
 53 sarvam āvignam abhavan na prājñāyata kiṃ cana
     sainyena rajasā dhvaste nirmaryādam avartata

 

SECTION LXXIII

"Yudhishthira said,--O mighty-armed one, after thou hadst gone towards the army of the Samsaptakas, the preceptor Drona made fierce endeavours for seizing me. We succeeded, however, in resisting Drona at the head of the array at all points, having in that battle, disposed our vigorously contending car-divisions in counter-array. Held in check by a large number of warriors, and myself also having been well protected, Drona began to smite us with great activity, afflicting us with his whetted shafts. Thus afflicted by him, we could not then even gaze at his army, far less face it in battle. All of us then, addressing thy son by Subhadra, who was equal to thyself, O lord, in prowess said unto him, [O son, pierce this array of Drona!]--That valorous hero thus urged by us, then sought, like a good horse, to take that burden on himself, however unbearable it might have been for him. Endued as he was with thy energy, aided by that knowledge of weapons which he derived from thee, that child then penetrated unto that array, like Garuda penetrating into the ocean. As regards ourselves, we followed that hero, that son of Subhadra, desirous in that battle, of penetrating (into the Dhritarashtra army) by the same path by which Abhimanyu had entered it. Then, O sire, the wretched king of the Sindhus, viz., Jayadratha, in consequence of the boon granted to him by Rudra, checked all of us! Then Drona, Kripa and Karna and Drona's son, and the king of the Kosalas, and Kritavarman, these six car-warriors surrounded the son of Subhadra. Having surrounded that child all those great car-warriors--too many for him although he was contending to the utmost of his power, deprived him of his car. After he had been deprived of his car, Dussasana's son, though he himself had a hair-breadth escape, succeeded, as chance would have it, in making Abhimanyu, meet with his end. As regards Abhimanyu, he, having slain many thousands of men and steeds and elephants, and eight thousand cars, and once more nine hundred elephants, two thousand princes, and
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a large number of heroic warriors unknown to fame, and despatching in that battle king Vrihadvala also to heaven, at last, through ill luck, met with his own death. Thus hath occurred this event that so enhances our grief! That tiger among men hath even thus ascended to heaven! Hearing these words uttered by king Yudhishthira, Arjuna, saying--Oh son!--and breathing a deep sigh, fell down on the earth in great pain. Then all the warriors of the Pandavas, surrounding Dhananjaya with cheerless faces began, filled with grief, to look at one another with winkless eyes. Recovering consciousness then, Vasava's son became furious with rage. He seemed to be in a feverish tremor, and sighed frequently. Squeezing his hands, drawing deep breaths, with eyes bathed in tears, and casting his glances like a mad man, he said these words.'
"Arjuna said,---'Truly do I swear that tomorrow I will slay Jayadratha! If from fear of death, he doth not forsake the Dhritarashtras, or implore our protection, or the protection of Krishna that foremost of men or of thine, O king, I shall assuredly slay him tomorrow! Forgetting his friendship for me, engaged in doing what is agreeable to Dhritarashtra's son, that wretch is the cause of the child's slaughter! Tomorrow I will slay him! Whoever they may be that will encounter me in battle tomorrow for protecting him, be it Drona, or Kripa, O king, I will cover them all with my arrow! Ye bulls among men, if I do not achieve even this in (tomorrow's) battle, let me not attain the region., reserved for the righteous, ye foremost of heroes! Those regions that are for them that slay their mothers, or for them that slay their fathers, or them that violate their preceptor's beds, or them that are vile and wicked, or them that cherish envy against the righteous, or them that speak ill of others or them that appropriate the wealth confidingly deposited with them by others, or them that are betrayers of trusts, or them that speak ill of wives enjoyed by them before, or them that have slain Brahmanas, or them that have killed kine, or them that eat sugared milk and rice, or food prepared of barley, or pot-herbs, or dishes prepared of milk, sesamum, and rice, or thin cakes of powdered barley fried in clarified butter or other kinds of cakes, or meat, without having dedicated the same to the gods,--even those regions shall speedily be mine if I do not slay Jayadratha!--Those regions to which they go that offer insults to Brahmanas devoted to the study of the Vedas, or otherwise worthy of respect, or to those that are their preceptors, (those regions shall speedily be mine if I do not slay Jayadratha!) That end which becomes theirs who touch Brahmanas or fire with the feet, that end which becomes theirs who throw phlegm and excreta and eject urine into water, even that miserable end shall be mine, if I do not slay Jayadratha! That end which is his who bathes (in water) in a state of nudity, or his who does not hospitably entertain a guest, that end which is theirs who receive bribes, speak falsehood, and deceive and cheat others, that end which is theirs who offend against their own souls, or who falsely utter praises (of others), or of those low wretches who eat sweetmeats in the sight of servants and sons and wives and
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dependents without sharing the same with those, that awful end shall be mine if I do not slay Jayadratha! That end which overtakes the wretch of ruthless soul who without supporting a righteous and obedient protégé casts him off, or him who, without giving unto a deserving neighbour the offerings in Sraddhas, giveth them away unto those that deserve them not, that end which is his who drinks wine, or his who insults those that are worthy of respect, or his who is ungrateful, or his who speaketh ill of his brothers, that end shall soon be mine if I do not stay Jayadratha! The end of all those sinful persons whom I have not mentioned, as also of those whom I have mentioned, shall soon be attained by me, if after this night passes away, I do not slay Jayadratha tomorrow:
"--Listen now to another oath of mine! If tomorrow's sun set without my slaying that wretch, then even here I shall enter the blazing fire! Ye Asuras and gods and men. Ye birds and snakes, ye Pitris and all wanderers of the night, ye regenerate Rishis and celestial Rishis, ye mobile and immobile creatures, ye all that I have not mentioned, ye will not succeed in protecting my foe from me! If he enters the abode of the nether region, or ascends the firmament, or repairs to the celestials, or the realms of the Daityas, I shall still, with a hundred arrows, assuredly cut off, on the expiration of this night, the head of Abhimanyu's foe!--'
"Sanjaya continued,--'Having uttered these words, Arjuna began to stretch Gandiva with both his arms. Transcending Arjuna's voice the sound of that bow rose and touched the very heavens. After Arjuna had taken that oath, Janarddana, filled with wrath, blew his conch, Panchajanya. And Phalguna blew Devadatta. The great conch Panchajanya, well filled with the wind from Krishna's mouth, produced a loud blare. And that blare made the regents of the cardinal and the subsidiary points, the nether regions, and the whole universe, to shake, as it happens at the end of the Yuga. Indeed after the high-souled Arjuna had taken the oath, the sound of thousands of musical instruments and loud leonine roars arose from the Pandava camp.

 

Book 7
Chapter 74

 

 

 

 

 

1 [s]
      parivartamāne tv āditye tatra sūryasya raśmibhiḥ
      rajasā kīryamāṇāś ca mandī bhūtāś ca sainikāḥ
  2 tiṣṭhatāṃ yudhyamānānāṃ punarāvartatām api
      bhajyatāṃ jayatāṃ caiva jagāma tad ahaḥ śanaiḥ
  3 tathā teṣu viṣakteṣu sainyeṣu jaya gṛddhiṣu
      arjuno vāsudevaś ca saindhavāyaiva jagmatuḥ
  4 rathamārga pramāṇaṃ tu kaunteyo niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
      cakāra tatra panthānaṃ yayau yena janārdanaḥ
  5 yatra yatra ratho yāti pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ
      tatra tatraiva dīryante senās tava viśāṃ pate
  6 rathaśikṣāṃ tu dāśārho darśayām āsa vīryavān
      uttamādhamamadhyāni maṇḍalāni vidarśayan
  7 te tu nāmāṅkitāḥ pītāḥ kālajvalana saṃnibhāḥ
      snāyu naddhāḥ suparvāṇaḥ pṛthavo dīrghagāminaḥ
  8 vaiṇavāyasmaya śarāḥ svāyatā vividhānanāḥ
      rudhiraṃ patagaiḥ sārdhaṃ prāṇināṃ papur āhave
  9 rathasthiraḥ krośamātre yān asyaty arjunaḥ śarān
      rathe krośam atikrānte tasya te ghnanti śātravān
  10 tārkṣya māruta raṃhobhir vājibhiḥ sādhu vāhibhiḥ
     tathāgacchad dhṛṣīkeśaḥ kṛtsnaṃ vismāpayañ jagat
 11 na tathā gacchati rathas tapanasya viśāṃ pate
     nendrasya na ca rudrasya nāpi vaiśravaṇasya ca
 12 nānyasya samare rājan gatapūrvas tathā rathaḥ
     yathā yayāv arjunasya mano 'bhiprāya śīghragaḥ
 13 praviśya tu raṇe rājan keśavaḥ paravīrahā
     senā madhye hayāṃs tūrṇaṃ codayām āsa bhārata
 14 tatas tasya rathaughasya madhyaṃ prāpya hayottamāḥ
     kṛcchreṇa ratham ūhus taṃ kṣutpipāsāśramānvitāḥ
 15 kṣatāś ca bahubhiḥ śastrair yuddhaśauṇḍair anekaśaḥ
     maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi vicerus te muhur muhuḥ
 16 hatānāṃ vājināgānāṃ rathānāṃ ca naraiḥ saha
     upariṣṭād atikrāntāḥ śailābhānāṃ sahasraśaḥ
 17 etasminn antare vīrāv āvantyau bhrātarau nṛpa
     sahasenau samārchetāṃ pāṇḍavaṃ klāntavāhanam
 18 tāv arjunaṃ catuḥṣaṣṭyā saptatyā ca janārdanam
     śarāṇāṃ ca śatenāśvān avidhyetāṃ mudānvitau
 19 tāv arjuno mahārāja navabhir nataparvabhiḥ
     ājaghāna raṇe kruddho marmajño marmabhedibhiḥ
 20 tatas tau tu śaraugheṇa bībhatsuṃ saha keśavam
     ācchādayetāṃ saṃrabdhau siṃhanādaṃ ca nedatuḥ
 21 tayos tu dhanuṣī citre bhallābhyāṃ śvetavāhanaḥ
     ciccheda samare tūrṇaṃ dhvajau ca kanakojjvalau
 22 athānye dhanuṣī rājan pragṛhya samare tadā
     pāṇḍavaṃ bhṛśasaṃkruddhāv ardayām āsatuḥ śaraiḥ
 23 tayos tu bhṛśasaṃkruddhaḥ śarābhyāṃ pāṇḍunandanaḥ
     ciccheda dhanuṣī tūrṇaṃ bhūya eva dhanaṃjayaḥ
 24 tathānyair viśikhais tūrṇaṃ hemapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
     jaghānāśvān sapadātāṃs tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī
 25 jyeṣṭhasya ca śiraḥ kāyāt kṣurapreṇa nyakṛntata
     sa papāta hataḥ pṛthvyāṃ vātarugṇa iva drumaḥ
 26 vindaṃ tu nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā anuvindaḥ pratāpavān
     hatāśvaṃ ratham utsṛjya gadāṃ gṛhya mahābalaḥ
 27 abhyadravata saṃgrāme bhrātur vadham anusmaran
     gadayā gadināṃ śreṣṭho nṛtyann iva mahārathaḥ
 28 anuvindas tu dagayā lalāṭe madhusūdanam
     spṛṣṭvā nākampayat kruddho mainākam iva parvatam
 29 tasyārjunaḥ śariḥ ṣaḍbhir grīvāṃ pādau bhujau śiraḥ
     nicakarta sa saṃchinnaḥ papātādricayo yathā
 30 tatas tau nihatau dṛṣṭvā tayo rājan padānugāḥ
     abhyadravanta saṃkruddhāḥ kirantaḥ śataśaḥ śarān
 31 tān arjunaḥ śarais tūrṇaṃ nihatya bharatarṣabha
     vyarocata yathā vahnir dāvaṃ dagdhvā himātyaye
 32 tayoḥ senām atikramya kṛcchrān niryād dhanaṃjayaḥ
     vibabhau jaladān bhittvā divākara ivoditaḥ
 33 taṃ dṛṣṭvā kuravas trastāḥ prahṛṣṭāś cābhavan punaḥ
     abhyavarṣaṃs tadā pārthaṃ samantād bharatarṣabha
 34 śrāntaṃ cainaṃ samālakṣya jñātvā dūre ca saindhavam
     siṃhanādena mahatā sarvataḥ paryavārayan
 35 tāṃs tu dṛṣṭvā susaṃrabdhān utsmayan puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     śanakair iva dāśārham arjuno vākyam abravīt
 36 śarārditāś ca glānāś ca hayā dūre ca saindhavaḥ
     kim ihānantaraṃ kāryaṃ jyāyiṣṭhaṃ tava rocate
 37 brūhi kṛṣṇa yathātattvaṃ tvaṃ hi prājñatamaḥ sadā
     bhavan netrā raṇe śatrūn vijeṣyantīha pāṇḍavāḥ
 38 mama tv anantarma kṛtyaṃ yad vai tat saṃnibodha me
     hayān vimucya hi sukhaṃ viśalyān kuru māghava
 39 evam uktas tu pārthena keśavaḥ pratyuvāca tam
     mamāpy etan mataṃ pātha yad idaṃ te prabhāṣitam
 40 [arj]
     aham āvārayiṣyāmi sarvasainyāni keśava
     tvam apy atra yathānyāyaṃ kuru kāyam anantaram
 41 [s]
     so 'vatīrya rathopasthād asaṃbhrānto dhanaṃjayaḥ
     gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanur ādāya tasthau girir ivācalaḥ
 42 tam abhyadhāvan krośantaḥ kṣatriyā jayakāṅkṣiṇaḥ
     idaṃ chidram iti jñātvā dharaṇīsthaṃ dhanaṃjayam
 43 tam ekaṃ rathavaṃśena mahatā paryavārayan
     vikarṣantaś ca cāpāni visṛjantaś ca sāyakān
 44 astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi kruddhās tatra vyadarśayan
     chādayantaḥ śaraiḥ pārthaṃ meghā iva divākaram
 45 abhyadravanta vegena kṣatriyāḥ kṣatriyarṣabham
     rathasiṃhaṃ rathodārāḥ siṃhaṃ mattā iva dvipāḥ
 46 tatra pārthasya bhujayor mahad balam adṛśyata
     yat kruddho bahulāḥ senāḥ sarvataḥ samavārayat
 47 astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya dviṣatāṃ sarvato vibhuḥ
     iṣubhir bahubhis tūrṇaṃ sarvān eva samāvṛṇot
 48 tatrāntarikṣe bāṇānāṃ pragāḍhānāṃ viśāṃ pate
     saṃgharṣeṇa mahārciṣmān pāvakaḥ samajāyata
 49 tatra tatra maheṣvāsaiḥ śvasadbhiḥ śoṇid ukṣitaiḥ
     hayair nāgaiś ca saṃbhinnair nadadbhiś cāri karśanaiḥ
 50 saṃrabdhaiś cāribhir vīraiḥ prārthayadbhir jayaṃ mṛdhe
     ekasthair bahubhiḥ kruddhair ūṣmā va samajāyata
 51 śarormiṇaṃ dhvajāvartaṃ nāganakraṃ duratyayam
     padātimatsya kalilaṃ śaṅkhadundubhinisvanam
 52 asaṃkhyeyam apāraṃ ca rajo ''bhīlam atīva ca
     uṣṇīṣa kamaṭhac channaṃ patākāphena mālinam
 53 rathasāgaram akṣobhyaṃ mātaṅgāṅgaśilā citam
     velā bhūtās tadā pārthaḥ patribhiḥ samavārayat
 54 tato janārdanaḥ saṃkhye priyaṃ puruṣasattamam
     asaṃbhrānto mahābāhur arjunaṃ vākyam abravīt
 55 udapānam ihāśvānāṃ nālam asti raṇe 'rjune
     parīpsante jalaṃ ceme peyaṃ ca tv avagāhanam
 56 idam astīty asaṃbhrānto bruvann astreṇa medinīm
     abhihatyārjunaś cakre vājipānaṃ saraḥ śubham
 57 śaravaṃśaṃ śarasthūṇaṃ śarācchādanam adbhutam
     śaraveśmākarot pārthas tvaṣṭevādbhuta karmakṛt
 58 tataḥ prahasya govindaḥ sādhu sādhv ity athābravīt
     śaraveśmani pārthena kṛte tasmin mahāraṇe

 

SECTION LXXIV

"Sanjaya said, 'When the spies (of Duryodhana), having heard that loud uproar made by the Pandavas desirous of victory, informed (their masters of the cause), Jayadratha, overwhelmed with sorrow, and with heart stupefied with grief, and like one sinking in a fathomless ocean of distress, slowly rose up and having reflected for a long while, proceeded to the assembly of the kings. Reflecting for a while in the presence of those gods among men, Jayadratha, in fear of Abhimanyu's father and covered with shame, said these words--He who in Pandu's soil was begotten by
p. 144
[paragraph continues] Indra under the influence of desire, that wicked wretch is thinking of despatching me to the abode of Yama! Blessed be ye, I shall, therefore go back to my home from desire of life! Or, ye bulls among Kshatriyas, protect me by the force of your weapons! Partha seeks to slay me, ye heroes, render me fearless! Drona and Duryodhana and Kripa, and Karna, and the ruler of the Madras, and Valhika, and Dussasana and others, are capable of protecting a person who is afflicted by Yama himself. When however, I am threatened by Phalguna alone, will not all these the lords of earth, will not all of you, joined together, be able to protect me? Having heard the shouts of joy of the Pandavas, great hath been my fear. My limbs, ye lords of earth, have become powerless like those of a person on the point of death? Without doubt, the wielder of Gandiva hath sworn for my death! It is for this that the Pandavas are shouting in joy at a time when they should weep! Let alone the rulers of men, the very gods and Gandharvas, the Asuras, the Uragas, and the Rakshasas, cannot venture to baffle a vow of Arjuna. Therefore, ye bulls among men, blessed be ye, give me permission (to leave the Kuru camp). I want to make myself scarce. The Pandavas will no longer be able to find me! While indulging in such lamentations, with heart agitated by fear, king Duryodhana, always looking upon the accomplishment of his own business to be preferable to everything else, said unto him these words-Do not fear, O tiger among men! O bull among men, who will seek to encounter thee in battle when thou will remain in the midst of these Kshatriya heroes! Myself, Vikartana's son, Karna, Chitrasena, Vivinsati, Bhurisravas, Sala, Salya, the invincible Vrishasena, Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja, Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, Satyavrata, the mighty-armed, Vikarna, Durmukha, Dussasana, Subahu, the ruler of the Kalingas, with his weapons upraised, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, Drona, Drona's son, and Suvala's son (Sakuni),--these and numerous other kings will, with their forces, face the battle surrounding thee on all sides! Let the fever of thy heart, therefore, be dispelled! Thou art thyself one of the foremost of car-warriors! O thou of immeasurable splendour, thou thyself art a hero! Being what thou art how canst thou then see any cause of fear, O king of the Sindhus! The eleven Akshauhinis of troops I own will carefully fight for protecting thee! Therefore, do not fear, O king of the Sindhus! Let thy fears be dispelled!'
'Sanjaya continued, 'Thus comforted, O monarch, by thy son, the king of the Sindhus then, accompanied by Duryodhana, repaired that very night to Drona (the generalissimo of the Kuru army). Then, O king, having touched Drona's feet with reverence, and taken his seat with humility, he asked the preceptor these words--In hitting the aim, in hitting it from it distance, in tightness of hand, and in the force of the stroke, O illustrious one, tell the difference between myself and Phalguna! O preceptor, I wish to know accurately the difference as regards proficiency (in the science of arms) between myself and Arjuna! Say it unto me truly'
"Drona said, 'Of tutorial instruction, both of you, i.e., thyself and
p. 145
[paragraph continues] Arjuna, have had the same measure, O son! In consequence, however, of yoga and the hard life led by Arjuna, he is superior to thee! Thou shouldst not, however, for any reason, cherish fear of Partha! Without doubt, I will, O son, protect thee from this fear! The very gods, cannot prevail over him who is protected by my arms! I will form an array which Partha will not succeed in piercing! 1 Therefore contained thou in battle, do not fear, observing the duties of thy own order! O mighty car-warrior, tread in the track of thy sires and grandsires! Having duly studied the Vedas, thou hast poured libations, according to the ordinance, into fire! Thou hast also performed many sacrifices: Death cannot, therefore, be an object of terror to thee! (For if thou diest), attaining then to that great good fortune which is unattainable by vile men, thou will acquire all those excellent regions in heaven that are attainable by the might of one's arms! The Kaurvas, the Pandavas, the Vrishnis, and other men, as also myself with my son, are all mortal and short-lived! Think of this. One after another, all of us, slain by Time which is all powerful, shall go to the other world, carrying with us only our respective deeds I Those regions that ascetics acquire by undergoing severe penances, those regions are acquired by heroic Kshatriyas that are observant of the duties of their order. Even thus was the ruler of the Sindhus consoled by Bharadwaja's son. Banishing his fear of Partha, he set his heart on battle. Then, O king thy troops also felt great delight, and the loud sounds of musical instruments were heard, mingled with leonine shouts.'"

 

Book 7
Chapter 75

 

 

  1 [s]
      salile janite tasmin kaunteyena mahātmanā
      nivārite dviṣat sainye kṛte ca śaraveśmani
  2 vāsudevo rathāt tūrṇam avatīrya mahādyutiḥ
      mocayām āsa turagān vitunnān kaṅkapatribhiḥ
  3 adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ tad dṛṣṭvā siṃhanādo mahān abhūt
      siddhacāraṇasaṃghānāṃ sainikānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
  4 padātinaṃ tu kaunteyaṃ yudhyamānaṃ nararṣabhāḥ
      nāśaknuvan vārayituṃ tad adbhutam ivābhavat
  5 āpatatsu rathaugheṣu prabhūtagajavājiṣu
      nāsaṃbhramat tadā pārthas tad asya puruṣān ati
  6 vyasṛjanta śaraughāṃs te pāṇḍavaṃ prati pārthivāḥ
      na cāvyathata dharmātmā vāsaviḥ paravīrahā
  7 sa tāni śarajālāni gadāḥ prāsāṃś ca vīryavān
      āgatān agrasat pārthaḥ saritaḥ sāgato yathā
  8 astravegena mahatā pārtho bāhubalena ca
      sarveṣāṃ pārthivendrāṇām agrasat tāñ śarottamān
  9 tat tu pārthasya vikrāntaṃ vāsudevasya cobhayoḥ
      apūjayan mahārāja kauravāḥ paramādbhutam
  10 kim adbhutataraṃ loke bhavitāpy atha vāpy abhūt
     yad aśvān pārtha govindau mocayām āsatū raṇe
 11 bhayaṃ vipulam asmāsu tāv adhattāṃ narottamau
     tejo vidadhatuś cograṃ visrabdhau raṇamūrdhani
 12 athotsmayan hṛṣīkeśaḥ strīmadhya iva bhārata
     arjunena kṛte saṃkhye śaragarbhagṛhe tadā
 13 upāvartayad avyagras tān aśvān puṣkarekṣaṇaḥ
     miṣatāṃ sarvasainyānāṃ tvadīyānāṃ viśāṃ pate
 14 teṣāṃ śramaṃ ca glāniṃ ca vepathuṃ vamathuṃ vraṇān
     sarvaṃ vyapānudat kṛṣṇaḥ kuśalo hy aśvakarmaṇi
 15 śalyān uddhṛtya pāṇibhyāṃ parimṛjya ca tān hayān
     upāvṛtya yathānyāyaṃ pāyayām āsa vāri saḥ
 16 sa tāṁl labdhodakān snātāñ jagdhānnān vigataklamān
     yojayām āsa saṃhṛṣṭaḥ punar eva rathottame
 17 sa taṃ rathavaraṃ śauriḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
     samāsthāya mahātejāḥ sārjunaḥ prayayau drutam
 18 rathaṃ rathavarasyājau yuktaṃ labdhodakair hayaiḥ
     dṛṣṭvā kuru balaśreṣṭhāḥ punar vimanaso 'bhavan
 19 viniḥśvasantas te rājan bhagnadaṃṣṭrā ivoragāḥ
     dhig aho dhig gataḥ pārthaḥ kṛṣṇaś cety abruvan pṛthak
 20 sarvakṣatrasya miṣato rathenaikena daṃśitau
     bāla krīḍanakeneva kadarthī kṛtyano balam
 21 krośatāṃ yatamānānām asaṃsaktau paraṃtapau
     darśayitvātmano vīryaṃ prayātau sarvarājasu
 22 tau prayātau punar dṛṣṭvā tadānye sainikābruvan
     tvaradhvaṃ kuravaḥ sarve vadhe kṛṣṇa kirīṭinoḥ
 23 rathaṃ yuktvā hi dāśārho miṣatāṃ sarvadhanvinām
     jayadrathāya yāty eṣa kadarthī kṛtyano raṇe
 24 tatra ke cin mitho rājan samabhāṣanta bhūmipāḥ
     adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ saṃgrāme tad dṛṣṭvā mahad adbhutam
 25 sarvasainyāni rājā ca dhṛtaraṣṭro 'tyayaṃ gataḥ
     duryodhanāparādhena kṣatraṃ kṛtsnā ca medinī
 26 vilayaṃ samanuprāptā tac ca rājā na budhyate
     ity evaṃ kṣatriyās tatra bruvanty anye ca bhārata
 27 sindhurājasya yatkṛtyaṃ gatasya yamasādanam
     tat karotu vṛthā dṛṣṭir dhārtarāṣṭro 'nupāyavit
 28 tataḥ śīghrataraṃ prāyāt pāṇḍavaḥ saindhavaṃ prati
     nivartamāne tigmāṃśau hṛṣṭaiḥ pītodakair hayaiḥ
 29 taṃ prayāntaṃ mahābāhuṃ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam
     nāśaknuvan vārayituṃ yodhāḥ kruddham ivāntakam
 30 vidrāvya tu tataḥ sainyaṃ pāṇḍavaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ
     yathā mṛgagaṇān siṃhaḥ saindhavārthe vyaloḍayat
 31 gāhamānas tv anīkāni tūrṇam aśvān acodayat
     balāka varṇān dāśārhaḥ pācajanyaṃ vyanādayat
 32 kaunteyenāgrataḥ sṛṣṭā nyapatan pṛṣṭhataḥ śarāḥ
     tūrṇāt tūrṇataraṃ hy aśvās te 'vahan vātaraṃhasaḥ
 33 vātoddhūta patākāntaṃ rathaṃ jaladanisvanam
     ghoraṃ kapidhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā viṣaṇṇā rathino 'bhavan
 34 divākare 'tha rajasā sarvataḥ saṃvṛte bhṛśam
     śarārtāś ca raṇe yodhā na kṛṣṇau śekur īkṣitum
 35 tato nṛpatayaḥ kurddhāḥ parivavrur dhanaṃjayam
     kṣatriyā bahavaś cānye jayadrathavadhaiṣiṇam
 36 apanīyatsu śalyeṣu dhiṣṭhitaṃ puruṣarṣabham
     duryodhanas tv agāt pārthaṃ tvaramāṇo mahāhave

 

SECTION LXXV

"Sanjaya said, 'After Partha had vowed the death of the ruler of the Sindhus, the mighty-armed Vasudeva addressed Dhananjaya and said,--With the consent of thy brothers (alone, but without consulting me), thou hast sworn, saying--I will slay the ruler of the Sindhus! This hath been an act of great rashness (on thy part)! Without consulting me, thou hast taken up a great weight (upon thy shoulders)! Alas, how shall we escape the ridicule of all men? I had sent some spies into the camp of Dhritarashtra's son. Those spies, quickly coming unto me, gave me this information, viz., that after thou, O lord, hadst vowed to slay the ruler of the Sindhus, loud leonine shouts, mingled with the sounds of (our) musical instruments, were heard by the Dhritarashtras. In consequence of that uproar, the Dhritarashtras, with their well-wishers, became terrified,--These leonine shouts are not, causeless!--thought they, and waited (for what would ensue). O thou of mighty arms, an uproarious din
p. 146
then arose amongst the Kauravas, of their elephants and steeds and infantry. And a terrible rattle was also heard of their cars.--Having heard of the death of Abhimanyu, Dhananjaya, deeply afflicted will in wrath come out in the night for battle!--Than king even thus, they waited (ready for battle). While preparing themselves. O thou of eyes like lotus-petals, they then learnt truly the vow about the slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus, made by thee that art wedded to truth. 1 Then all the counsellors of Suyodhana became heartless and frightened like little animals. As regards king Jayadratha, that ruler of the Sindhus and the Sauviras, overwhelmed with grief and becoming thoroughly cheerless he stood up and entered his own tent with all his counsellors. Having consulted (with them) about every remedy that could benefit him at a time when he stood in need of consultation, he proceeded to the assembly of the (allied) kings and there said these words unto Suyodhana--Dhananjaya thinking me to be the slayer of his son, will tomorrow encounter me in battle! He hath, in the midst of his army, vowed to stay me! That vow of Savyasachin the very gods and Gandharvas and Asuras and Uragas and Rakshasas cannot venture to frustrate! Protect me, therefore, ye all in battle! Let not Dhananjaya, placing his foot on your head, succeed in hitting the mark! Let proper arrangements be made in respect of this matter! Or, if, O delighter of the Kurus, you think that you will not succeed in protecting me in battle, grant me permission then, O king, so that I may return home! Thus addressed (by Jayadratha), Suyodhana became cheerless and sat, hanging down his head. Ascertaining that Jayadratha was in a great fright, Suyodhana began to reflect in silence. Beholding the Kuru king to be greatly afflicted, king Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus, slowly said these words having a beneficial reference to himself--I do not behold here that bowman of superior energy who can baffle with his arms the weapons of Arjuna in great battle! Who, even if it be Satakratu himself, will stay in front of Arjuna having Vasudeva for his ally, while wielding the bow Gandiva? It is heard that lord Maheswara himself of supreme energy had been encountered, before this, by Partha on foot, on the mountains of Himvat! Urged by the chief of the celestials, he slew on a single car, a thousand Danavas dwelling in Hiranyapura! That son of Kunti is now allied with Vasudeva of great intelligence. I think that he is competent to destroy the three worlds including the very gods. I wish that you will either grant me permission (to leave the field for my home) or that the high-souled and heroic Drona with his son will protect me! Or, I would await thy pleasure!--O Arjuna, (thus addressed by Jayadratha) king Suyodhana humbly beseeched the preceptor in this matter. 2 All remedial measures have been adopted. Cars and steeds have been arranged. Karna and Bhurisravas, and Drona's son, and the invincible Vrishasena,
p. 147
and Kripa, and the ruler of the Madras, these six will be in (Jayadratha's) van. Drona will form an array half of which will be a Sakata 1 and half a lotus. In the middle of the leaves of that lotus will be a needle-mouthed array. Jayadratha, that ruler of the Sindhus, difficult of being conquered in battle, will take his stand, by it, protected by heroes! In (the use of) the bow, in weapons, in prowess, in strength, and also in lineage, those six car-warriors, O Partha are without doubt, exceedingly difficult of being borne. Without first vanquishing those six car-warriors, access to Jayadratha will not to be had. Think, O Arjuna, of the prowess of each of those six, O tiger among men, when united together, they are not capable of being easily vanquished! We should, therefore, once again, take counsel with well-wishing counsellors, conversant with policy, for our benefit and for the success of our object!'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 76

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      sraṃsanta iva majjānas tāvakānāṃ bhayān nṛpa
      tau dṛṣṭvā samatikrāntau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
  2 sarve tu pratisaṃrabdhā hrīmantaḥ sattvacoditāḥ
      sthirī būtā mahātmānaḥ pratyagacchan dhanaṃjayam
  3 ye gatāḥ pāṇḍavaṃ yuddhe krodhāmarṣasamanvitāḥ
      te 'dyāpi na nivartante sindhavaḥ sāgarād iva
  4 asantas tu nyavartanta vedebhya iva nāstikāḥ
      narakaṃ bhajamānās te pratyapadyanta kilbiṣam
  5 tāv atītya rathānīkaṃ vimuktau puruṣarṣabhau
      dadṛśāte yathā rāhor āsyān muktau prabhā karau
  6 matsyāv iva mahājālaṃ vidārya vigatajvarau
      tathā kṛṣṇāv adṛśyetāṃ senā jālaṃ vidārya tat
  7 vimuktau śastrasaṃbādhād droṇānīkāt sudurbhidāt
      adṛśyetāṃ mahātmānau kālasūryāv ivoditau
  8 astrasaṃbādha nirmuktau vimuktau śastrasaṃkaṭāt
      adṛśyetāṃ mahātmānau śatrusaṃbādha kāriṇau
  9 vimuktau jvalanasparśān makarāsyāj jhaṣāv iva
      vyakṣobhayetāṃ senāṃ tau samudraṃ makarāv iva
  10 tāvakās tava putrāś ca droṇānīkasthayos tayoḥ
     naitau tariṣyato droṇam iti cakrus tadā matim
 11 tau tu dṛṣṭvā vyatikrāntau droṇānīkaṃ mahādyutī
     nāśaśaṃsur mahārāja sindhurājasya jīvitam
 12 āśā balavatī rājan putrāṇām abhavat tava
     droṇa hārdikyayoḥ kṛṣṇau na mokṣyete iti prabho
 13 tām āśāṃ viphalāṃ kṛtvā nistīrṇau tau paraṃtapau
     droṇānīkaṃ mahārāja bhojānīkaṃ ca dustaram
 14 atha dṛṣṭvā vyatikrāntau jvalitāv iva pāvakau
     nirāśāḥ sindhurājasya jīvitaṃ nāśaśaṃsire
 15 mithaś ca samabhāṣetām abhītau bhayavardhanau
     jayadratha vade vācas tās tāḥ kṛṣṇa dhanaṃjayau
 16 asau madhye kṛtaḥ ṣaḍbhir dhārtarāṣṭrair mahārathaiḥ
     cakṣurviṣayasaṃprāpto na nau mokṣyati saindhavaḥ
 17 yady asya samare goptā śakro devagaṇaiḥ saha
     tathāpy enaṃ haniṣyāva iti kṛṣṇāv abhāṣatām
 18 iti kṛṣṇau mahābāhū mithaḥ kathayatāṃ tadā
     sindhurājam avekṣantau tat putrās tava śuśruvuḥ
 19 atītya maru dhanveva prayāntau tṛṣitau gajau
     pītvā vāri samāśvastau tathaivāstām ariṃdamau
 20 vyāghrasiṃhagajākīrṇān atikramyeva parvatān
     adṛśyetāṃ mahābāhū yathā mṛtyujarātigau
 21 tathā hi mukhavarṇo 'yam anayor iti menire
     tāvakā dṛśyamuktau tau vikrośanti sma sarvataḥ
 22 doṇād āśīviṣākārāj jvalitād iva pāvakāt
     anyebhyaḥ pārthivebhyaś ca bhāsvantāv iva bhāskarau
 23 tau muktau sāgaraprakhyād droṇānīkād ariṃdamau
     adṛśyetāṃ mudā yuktau samuttīryārṇavaṃ yathā
 24 śastraughān mahato muktau droṇa hārdikya rakṣitān
     rocamānāv adṛśyetām indrāgnyoḥ sadṛśau raṇe
 25 udbhinna rudhirau kṛṣṇau bhāradvājasya sāyakaiḥ
     śitaiś citau vyarocetāṃ karṇikārair ivācalau
 26 droṇa grāhahradān muktau śaktyāśīviṣasaṃkaṭāt
     ayaḥ śarogram akarot kṣatriya pravarāmbhasaḥ
 27 jyāghoṣatalanirhrādād gadā nistriṃśavidyutaḥ
     droṇāstra meghān nirmuktau sūryendū timirād iva
 28 bāhubhyām iva saṃtīrṇau sindhuṣaṣṭhāḥ samudragāḥ
     tapānte saritaḥ pūrṇā mahāgrāhasamākulāḥ
 29 iti kṛṣṇā maheṣvāsau yaśasā lokaviśrutau
     sarvabhūtāny amanyanta droṇāstra balavismayāt
 30 jayadrathaṃ samīpastham avekṣantau jighāṃsayā
     ruruṃ nipāne lipsantau vyāghravat tāv atiṣṭhatām
 31 yathā hi mukhavarṇo 'yam anayor iti menire
     tava yodhā mahārāja hatam eva jayadratham
 32 lohitākṣau mahābāhū saṃyattau kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavau
     sindhurājam abhiprekṣya hṛṣṭau vyanadatāṃ muhuḥ
 33 śaurer abhīśu hastasya pārthasya ca dhanuṣmataḥ
     tayor āsīt pratibhrājaḥ sūryapāvakayor iva
 34 harṣa eva tayor āsīd droṇānīka pramuktayoḥ
     samīpe saindhavaṃ dṛṣṭvā śyenayor āmiṣaṃ yathā
 35 tau tu saindhavam ālokya vartamānam ivāntike
     sahasā petatuḥ kruddhau kṣipraṃ śyenāv ivāmiṣe
 36 tau tu dṛṣṭvā vyatikrāntau hṛṣīkeśa dhanaṃjayau
     sindhurājasya rakṣārthaṃ parākrāntaḥ sutas tava
 37 droṇenābaddha kavaco rājā duryodhanas tadā
     yayāv ekarathenājau hayasaṃskāravit prabho
 38 kṛṣṇa pārthau maheṣvāsau vyatikramyātha te sutaḥ
     agrataḥ puṇḍarīkākṣaṃ pratīyāya narādhipa
 39 tataḥ sarveṣu sainyeṣu vāditrāṇi prahṛṣṭavat
     prāvādyan samatikrānte tava putre dhanaṃjayam
 40 siṃhanāda ravāś cāsañ śaṅkhadundubhimiśritāḥ
     dṛṣṭvā duryodhanaṃ tatra kṛṣṇayoḥ pramukhe sthitam
 41 ye ca te sindhurājasya goptāraḥ pāvakopamāḥ
     te prahṛṣyanta samare dṛṣṭvā putraṃ tavābhibho
 42 dṛṣṭvā duryodhanaṃ kṛṣṇas tv atikrāntaṃ sahānugam
     abravīd arjunaṃ rājan prāptakālam idaṃ vacaḥ

 

SECTION LXXVI

"Arjuna said, 'These six car-warriors of the Dhritarashtra army whom thou regardest to be so strong their (united) energy, I think is not equal to even half of mine! Thou shalt see, O slayer of Madhu, the weapons of all these cut off and baffled by me when I go against them for slaying Jayadratha! In the very sight of Drona and all his men, I will fell the head of the ruler of the Sindhus, on the earth, beholding which they will indulge in lamentations. If the Siddhas, the Rudras, the Vasus, with the Aswins, the Maruts with Indra: (at their head) the Viswadevas with other gods, the Pitris, the Gandharvas, Garuda, the Ocean, the mountains, the firmament, Heaven, Earth, the point of the compass (cardinal and subsidiary), and the regents of those points, all the creatures that are domestic and all that are wild, in fact if all the mobile and the immobile beings together, become the protectors of the ruler of the Sindhus, yet, O slayer of Madhu, shalt thou behold Jayadratha slain by me tomorrow in battle with my arrows! O Krishna, I swear by Truth, I touch my weapons (and swear by them), that I shall, O Kesava, at the very outset, encounter that Drona, that mighty bowman, who hath become the protector of that sinful wretch Jayadratha! Suyodhana thinks that this game (of battle) resteth on Drona! Therefore, piercing through the very van commanded by Drona himself, I shall get at Jayadratha! Thou shalt tomorrow behold the mightiest of bowmen riven by me in battle by means of my shafts endued with fierce energy, like summits of a hill riven by the thunder, Blood shall flow (in torrents) from the breasts of fallen men and elephants and steeds, split open by whetted shafts failing fast upon them! The shafts shot from
p. 148
[paragraph continues] Gandiva, fleet as the mind or the wind, will deprive thousands of men and elephants and steeds of life! Men will behold in tomorrow's battle those weapons which I have obtained from Yama and Kaurva and Varuna and Indra and Rudra! Thou shalt behold in tomorrow's battle the weapons of all those who come to protect the ruler of the Sindhus, baffled by me with my Brahma weapon! Thou shalt in tomorrow's battle, O Kesava, behold the earth strewn by me with the heads of kings cut off by the force, of my shafts! (Tomorrow) I shall gratify all cannibals, rout the foe, gladden my friends, and crush the ruler of the Sindhus! A great offender, one who hath not acted like a relative, born in a sinful country, the ruler of the Sindhu, slain by me, will sadden his own. Thou shalt behold that ruler of the Sindhus, of sinful behaviour, and brought up in every luxury, pierced by me with my shafts! On the morrow, O Krishana, I shall do that which shall make Suyodhana think that there is no other bowman in the world who is equal to me! My Gandiva is a celestial bow! I myself am the warrior. O bull among men! Thou, O Hrishikesa, art the charioteer! What is that I will not be able to vanquish? Through thy grace, O holy one, what is there unattainable by me in battle? Knowing my prowess to be incapable of being resisted, why, O Hrishikesa, dost thou, yet rebuke me? As Lakshmi is ever present in Soma, as water is ever present in the Ocean, know this, O Janarddana, that even so is my vow ever accomplished! Do not think lightly of my weapons! Do not think lightly of my tough bow! Do not think lightly of the might of my arms! Do not think lightly of Dhananjaya! I shall go to battle in such a way that I shall truly win and not lose! When I have vowed it, know that Jayadratha hath already been slain in battle! Verily, in the Brahmana is truth; verily, in the righteous is humility; verily, in sacrifice is prosperity; verily, in Narayana is victory!
"Sanjaya continued,--'Having said these words unto Hrishikesa, the son of Vasudeva, having himself said so unto his own self, Arjuna in a deep voice, once more addressed lord Kesava, saying--Thou shouldst O Krishna, so act that my car may be well equipt as soon as this night dawns, since grave is the task that is at hand!'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 77

 

 

 

 

 1 [vāsu]
      suyodhanam atikrāntam enaṃ paśya dhanaṃjaya
      āpad gatam imaṃ manye nāsty asya sadṛśo rathaḥ
  2 dūrapātī maheṣvāsaḥ kṛtāstro yuddhadurmadaḥ
      dṛḍhāstraś citrayodhī ca dhārtarāṣṭro mahābalaḥ
  3 atyantasukhasaṃvṛddo mānitaś ca mahārathaiḥ
      kṛtī ca satataṃ pārtha nityaṃ dveṣṭi ca pāṇḍavān
  4 tena yuddham ahaṃ manye prāptakālaṃ tavānagha
      atra vo dyūtam āyātaṃ vijayāyetarāya vā
  5 atra krodhaviṣaṃ pārtha vimuñca cirasaṃbhṛtam
      eṣa mūlam anarthānāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ
  6 so 'yaṃ prāptas tavākṣepaṃ paśya sāphalyam ātmanaḥ
      kathaṃ hi rājā rājyārthī tvayā gaccheta saṃyugam
  7 diṣṭyā tv idānīṃ saṃprāpta eṣa te bāṇagocaram
      sa yathā jīvitaṃ jahyāt tathā kuru dhanaṃjaya
  8 aiśvaryamadasaṃmūḍho naiṣa duḥkham upeyivān
      na ca te saṃyuge vīryaṃ jānāti puruṣarṣabha
  9 tvāṃ hi lokās trayaḥ pārtha sa surāsuramānuṣāḥ
      notsahante raṇe jetuṃ kim utaikaḥ suyodhanaḥ
  10 sa diṣṭyā samanuprāptas tava pārtharathāntikam
     jahy enaṃ vai mahābāho yathā vṛtraṃ puraṃdaraḥ
 11 eṣa hy anarthe satataṃ parākrāntas tavānagha
     nikṛtyā dharmarājaṃ ca dyūte vañcitavān ayam
 12 bahūni sunṛśaṃsāni kṛtāny etena mānada
     yuṣmāsu pāpamatinā apāpeṣv eva nityadā
 13 tam anāryaṃ sadā kṣudraṃ puruṣaṃ kāmacāriṇam
     āryāṃ yuddhe matiṃ kṛtvā jahi pārthāvicārayan
 14 nikṛtyā rājyaharaṇaṃ vanavāsaṃ ca pāṇḍava
     parikleśaṃ ca kṛṣṇāyā hṛdi kṛtvā parākrama
 15 diṣṭyaiṣa tava bāṇānāṃ gocare parivartate
     pratighātāya kāryasya diṣṭyā ca yatate 'grataḥ
 16 diṣṭyā jānāti saṃgrāme yoddhavyaṃ hi tvayā saha
     diṣṭyā ca saphalāḥ pārtha sarve kāmā hi kāmitāḥ
 17 tasmāj jahi raṇe pārtha dhārtarāṣṭraṃ kulādhamam
     yathendreṇa hataḥ pūrvaṃ jambho devāsure mṛdhe
 18 asmin hate tvayā sainyam anāthaṃ bhidyatām idam
     vairasyāsyās tv avabhṛtho mūlaṃ chindhi durātmanām
 19 [s]
     taṃ tathety abravīt pārthaḥ kṛtyarūpam idaṃ mama
     sarvam anyad anādṛtya gaccha yatra suyodhanaḥ
 20 yenaitad dīrghakālaṃ no bhuktaṃ rājyam akaṇṭakam
     apy asya yudhi vikramya chindyāṃ mūrdhānam āhave
 21 api tasyā anarhāyāḥ parikleśasya mādhava
     kṛṣṇāyāḥ śaknuyāṃ gantuṃ padaṃ keśapradharṣaṇe
 22 ity evaṃ vādinau hṛṣṭau hṛṣṇau śvetān hayottamān
     preṣayām āsatuḥ saṃkhye prepsantau taṃ narādhipam
 23 tayoḥ samīpaṃ saṃprāpya putras te bharatarṣabha
     na cakāra bhayaṃ prāpte bhaye mahati māriṣa
 24 tad asya kṣatriyās tatra sarva evābhyapūjayan
     yad arjuna hṛṣīkeśau pratyudyāto 'vicārayan
 25 tataḥ sarvasya sainyasya tāvakasya viśāṃ pate
     mahān nādo hy abhūt tatra dṛṣṭvā rājānam āhave
 26 tasmiñ janasamunnāde pravṛtte bhairave sati
     kadarthī kṛtyate putraḥ pratyamitram avārayat
 27 āvāritas tu kaunteyas tava putreṇa dhanvinā
     saṃrambham agamad bhūyaḥ sa ca tasmin paraṃtapaḥ
 28 tau dṛṣṭvā pratisaṃrabdhau duryodhana dhanaṃjayau
     abhyavaikṣanta rājāno bhīmarūpāḥ samantataḥ
 29 dṛṣṭvā tu pārthaṃ saṃrabdhaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca māriṣa
     prahasann iva putras te yoddhukāmaḥ samāhvayat
 30 tataḥ prahṛṣṭo dāśārhaḥ pāṇḍavaś ca dhanaṃjayaḥ
     vyākrośetāṃ mahānādaṃ dadhmatuś cāmbujottamau
 31 tau hṛṣṭarūpau saṃprekṣya kauraveyāś ca sarvaśaḥ
     nirāśāḥ samapadyanta putrasya tava jīvite
 32 śokam īyuḥ paraṃ caiva kuravaḥ sarva eva te
     amanyanta ca putraṃ te vaiśvānara mukhe hutam
 33 tathā tu dṛṣṭvā yodhās te prahṛṣṭau kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavau
     hato rājā hato rājety ūcur evaṃ bhayārditāḥ
 34 janasya saṃninādaṃ tu śrutvā duryodhano 'bravīt
     vyetu vo bhīr ahaṃ kṛṣṇau preṣayiṣyāmi mṛtyave
 35 ity uktvā sainikān sarvāñ jayāpekṣī narādhipaḥ
     pārtham ābhāṣya saṃrambhād idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 36 pārtha yac chikṣitaṃ te 'straṃ divyaṃ mānuṣam eva ca
     tad darśaya mayi kṣipraṃ yadi jāto 'si pāṇḍunā
 37 yad balaṃ tava vīryaṃ ca keśavasya tathaiva ca
     tat kuruṣva mayi kṣipraṃ paśyāmas tava pauruṣam
 38 asmat parokṣaṃ karmāṇi pravadanti kṛtāni te
     svāmisatkārayuktāni yāni tānīha darśaya

 

SECTION LXXVII

"Sanjaya said, 'Both Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, afflicted with sorrow and grief and frequently sighing like two snakes, got no sleep that night. Understanding that both Nara and Narayana were in rage, the gods with Vasava became very anxious thinking, 'What will come of it?' Fierce winds, that were again dry and foreboded danger, began to blow. And a headless trunk and a mace appeared on the disc of the sun. And although it was
p. 149
cloudless, frequent thunders were heard, of loud report, mixed with flashes of lightning. The earth with her mountains and waters and forests, shook. The seas, those habitation of Makaras, swelled O king, in agitation. The rivers ran in directions opposite to their usual course. The nether and upper lips of car-warriors and steeds and men and elephants began to tremble. And as if for gladdening the cannibals, on that occasion foreboding a great accession of population to the domain of Yama, the animals (on the field) began to eject urine and excreta, and utter loud cries of woe. Beholding these fierce omens that made the hair stand on end, and hearing also of the fierce vow of the mighty Arjuna, all thy warriors, O bull of Bharata's race became exceedingly agitated. Then the mighty-armed son of Pakasasana said unto Krishna. 'Go, and comfort thy sister Subhadra with her daughter-in-law. And, O Madhava, let also that daughter-in-law, and her companions, be comforted by thee; O lord, comfort them with soothing words that are again fraught with truth.' Thus addressed, Vasudeva, with a cheerless heart, wending to Arjuna's abode, began to comfort his sorrowing sister afflicted with grief on account of the death of her son.'
"Vasudeva said, 'O lady of Vrishni's race, do not grieve, with thy daughter-in-law, for thy son. G timid one, all creatures have but one end ordained by Time. The end thy son hath met with-that becometh a hero of proud lineage, especially who is a Kshatriya. Do not, therefore, grieve. By good luck it is that mighty car-warrior of great wisdom, of prowess equal to that of his father, hath, after the Kshatriya custom, met with an end that is coveted by heroes. Having vanquished numberless foes and despatched them unto Yama's presence, he hath himself repaired to those eternal regions, that grant the fruition of every wish, and that are for the righteous. Thy son hath attained that end which the righteous attain by penance, by Brahmacharya, by knowledge of the scriptures, and by wisdom. The mother of a hero, the wife of a hero, the daughter of a hero, and a kinsman of heroes, O amiable one, grieve not thou for thy son who hath obtained the supreme end. The wretched ruler of the Sindhus, O beautiful lady, that murderer of a child, that perpetrator of a sinful act, shall, with his friends and kinsmen, obtain the fruit of this arrogance of his on the expiry of this night. Even if he enters the abode of Indra himself he will not escape from the hands of Partha. Tomorrow thou shalt hear that the head of the Sindhus hath, in battle, been cut off from his trunk to roll on the outskirts of Samantapanchaka! Dispel thy sorrow, and do not grieve. Keeping the duties of a Kshatriya before him, thy brave son hath attained the end of the righteous, that end, viz., which we here expect to obtain as also others that bear arms as a profession. Of broad chest, mighty arms, unreturning, a crusher of car-warriors, thy son, O beautiful lady, hath gone to heaven. Drive away this fever (of thy heart). Obedient to his sires and maternal relations, that heroic and mighty car-warriors of great prowess hath fallen a prey to death, after having slain thousands of foes comfort thy-daughter-in-law, O queen! Do not grieve too much, O Kshatriya lady!
p. 150
[paragraph continues] Drive away thy grief, O daughter, as thou shalt hear such agreeable news on the morrow. That which Partha hath vowed must be accomplished. It cannot be otherwise. That which is sought to be done by thy husband can never remain unaccomplished. Even if all human beings and snakes and Pisachas and all the wanderers of the night and birds, and all the gods and the Asuras, help the ruler of the Sindhus on the field of battle; he shall still, with them, cease to exist tomorrow.'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 78

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      evam uktvārjunaṃ rājā tribhir marmātigaiḥ śaraiḥ
      pratyavidhyan mahāvegaiś caturbhiś aturo hayān
  2 vāsudevaṃ ca daśabhiḥ pratyavidhyat stanāntare
      patodaṃ cāsya bhallena chittvā bhūmāv apātayat
  3 taṃ caturdaśabhiḥ pārthaś citrapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
      avidhyat tūrṇam avyagras te 'syābhraśyanta varmaṇaḥ
  4 teṣāṃ vaiphalyam ālokya punar nava ca pañca ca
      prāhiṇon niśitān bāṇāṃs te cābhraśyanta varmaṇaḥ
  5 aṣṭāviṃśat tu tān bāṇān astān viprekṣya niṣphalān
      abravīt paravīraghnaḥ kṛṣṇo 'rjunam idaṃ vacaḥ
  6 adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ paśyāmi śilānām iva sarpaṇam
      tvayā saṃpreṣitāḥ pārtha nārthaṃ kurvanti patriṇaḥ
  7 kac cid gāṇḍīvataḥ prāṇās tathaiva bharatarṣabha
      muṣṭiś ca te yathāpūrvaṃ bhujayoś ca balaṃ tava
  8 na ced vidher ayaṃ kālaḥ prāptaḥ syād adya paścimaḥ
      tava caivāsya śatroś ca tan mamācakṣva pṛcchataḥ
  9 vismayo me mahān pārtha tava dṛṣṭvā śarān imān
      vyarthān nipatataḥ saṃkhye duryodhana rathaṃ prati
  10 vajrāśanisamā ghorāḥ parakāyāvabhedinaḥ
     śarāḥ kurvanti te nārthaṃ pārtha kādya viḍanbanā
 11 [arj]
     droṇenaiṣā matiḥ kṛṣṇa dhārtarāṣṭre niveśitāḥ
     ante vihitam astrāṇām etat kavacadhāraṇam
 12 asminn antarhitaṃ kṛṣṇa trailokyam api varmaṇi
     eko droṇo hi vedaitad ahaṃ tasmāc ca sattamāt
 13 na śakyam etat kavacaṃ bāṇair bhettuṃ kathaṃ cana
     api vajreṇa govinda svayaṃ maghavatā yudhi
 14 jānaṃs tvam api vai kṛṣṇa māṃ vimohayase katham
     yadvṛttaṃ triṣu lokeṣu yac ca keśava vartate
 15 tathā bhaviṣyad yac caiva tat sarvaṃ viditaṃ tava
     na tv evaṃ veda vai kaś cid yathā tvaṃ madhusūdana
 16 eṣa duryodhanaḥ kṛṣṇa droṇena vihitām imām
     tiṣṭhaty abhītavat saṃkhye bibhrat kavacadhāraṇām
 17 yat tv atra vihitaṃ kāryaṃ naiṣa tad vetti mādhava
     strīvad eṣa bibharty etāṃ yuktāṃ kavacadhāraṇām
 18 paśya bāhvoś ca me vīryaṃ dhanuṣaś ca janārdana
     parājayiṣye kauravyaṃ kavacenāpi rakṣitam
 19 idam aṅgirase prādād deveśo varma bhāsvaram
     punar dadau surapatir mahyaṃ varma sa saṃgraham
 20 daivaṃ yady asya varmaitad brahmaṇā vā svayaṃ kṛtam
     naitad gopsyati durbuddhim adya bāṇahataṃ mayā
 21 [s]
     evam uktvārjuno bāṇān abhimantrya vyakarṣayat
     vikṛṣyamāṇāṃs tenaivaṃ dhanurmadhya gatāñ śarān
     tān asyāstreṇa ciccheda drauṇiḥ sarvāstraghātinā
 22 tān nikṛttān iṣūn dṛṣṭvā dūrato brahmavādinā
     nyavedayat keśavāya vismitaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ
 23 naitad astraṃ mayā śakyaṃ dviḥ prayoktuṃ janārdana
     astraṃ mām eva hanyād dhi paśya tv adya balaṃ mama
 24 tato duryodhanaḥ kṛṣṇau navabhir nataparvabhiḥ
     avidhyata raṇe rājañ śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ
     bhūya evābhyavarṣac ca samare kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavau
 25 śaravarṣeṇa mahatā tato 'hṛṣyanta tāvakāḥ
     cakrur vāditraninadān siṃhanāda ravāṃs tathā
 26 tatha kruddho raṇe pārthaḥ sṛkkaṇī parisaṃhihan
     nāpaśyata tato 'syāṅgaṃ yan na syād varma rakṣitam
 27 tato 'sya niśitair bāṇaiḥ sumuktair antakopamaiḥ
     hayāṃś cakāra nirdehān ubhau ca pārṣṇisārathī
 28 dhanur asyācchinac citraṃ hastāvāpaṃ ca vīryavān
     rathaṃ ca śakalīkartuṃ savyasācī pracakrame
 29 duryodhanaṃ ca bāṇābhyāṃ tikṣṇābhyāṃ virathī kṛtam
     avidhyad dhasta talayor ubhayor arjunas tadā
 30 taṃ kṛcchrām āpadaṃ prāptaṃ dṛṣṭvā paramadhanvinaḥ
     samāpetuḥ parīpsanto dhanaṃjaya śarārditam
 31 te rathair bahusāhasraiḥ kalpitaiḥ kuñjarair hayaiḥ
     padātyoghaiś ca saṃrabdhaiḥ parivavrur dhanaṃjayam
 32 atha nārjuna govindau rathau vāpi vyadṛśyata
     astravarṣeṇa mahatā janaughaiś cāpi saṃvṛtau
 33 tato 'rjuno 'stravīryeṇa nijaghne tāṃ varūthinīm
     tatra vyaṅgī kṛtāḥ petuḥ śataśo 'tha rathadvipāḥ
 34 te hatā hanyamānāś ca nyagṛhṇaṃs taṃ rathottamam
     sa rathastambhitas tasthau krośamātraṃ samantataḥ
 35 tato 'rjunaṃ vṛṣṇivīras tvarito vākyam abravīt
     dhanur visphārayātyartham ahaṃ dhmāsyāmi cāmbujam
 36 tato visphārya balavad gāṇḍīvaṃ jaghnivān ripūn
     mahatā śaravarṣeṇa talaśabdena cārjunaḥ
 37 pāñcajanyaṃ ca balavad dadhmau tāreṇa keśavaḥ
     rajasā dhvastapakṣmāntaḥ prasvinnavadano bhṛśam
 38 tasya śaṅkhasya nādena dhanuṣo nisvanena ca
     niḥsattvāś ca sa sattāś ca kṣitau petur tadā janāḥ
 39 tair vimukto ratho reje vāyvīrita ivāmbudaḥ
     jayadrathasya goptāras tataḥ kṣubdhāḥ sahānugāḥ
 40 te dṛṣṭvā sahasā pārthaṃ goptāraḥ saindhavasya tu
     cakrur nādān bahuvidhān kampayanto vasuṃdharām
 41 bāṇaśabdaravāṃś cogrān vimiśrāñ śaṅkhanisvanaiḥ
     prāduścakrur mahātmānaḥ siṃhanāda ravān api
 42 taṃ śrutvā ninadaṃ ghoraṃ tāvakānāṃ samutthitam
     pradadhmatus tadā śaṅkhau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
 43 tena śabdena mahatā pūriteyaṃ vasuṃdharā
     sa śailā sārṇava dvīpā sa pātālā viśāṃ pate
 44 sa śabdo bharataśreṣṭha vyāpya sarvā diśo daśa
     pratisasvāna tatraiva kurupāṇḍavayor bale
 45 tāvakā rathinas tatra dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇa dhanaṃjayau
     saṃrambhaṃ paramaṃ prāptās tvaramāṇā mahārathāḥ
 46 atha kṛṣṇau mahābhāgau tāvakā dṛśyadaṃśitau
     abhyadravanta saṃkruddhās tad adbhutam ivābhavat

SECTION LXXVIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of the high-souled Kesava, Subhadra, afflicted with grief on account of the death of her son, began to indulge in these piteous lamentations: 'Oh, son of my wretched self, O thou that wast in prowess equal to thy father, O child, how couldst thou perish, going to battle! Alas, how doth that face of thine which resembleth the blue lotus and is graced with beautiful teeth and excellent eyes, now seem, now that, O child, it is covered with battle's dust! Without doubt, thee so brave and unreturning, thee fallen on the field, with beautiful head and neck and arms, with broad chest, low belly, thy limbs decked with ornaments, thee that art endued with beautiful eyes, thee that art mangled with weapon wounds, thee all creatures are, without doubt, beholding as the rising moon! Alas, thou whose bed used to be overlaid with the whitest and costliest sheets, alas, deserving as thou art of every luxury, how dost thou sleep today on the bare earth, thy body pierced with arrows? That hero of mighty arms who used of old to be waited upon by the foremost of beautiful women, alas, how can he, fallen on the field of battle, pass his time now in the company of jackals! He who of old was praised with hymns by singers and bards and panegyrists, alas, he is today greeted by fierce and yelling cannibals and beasts of prey. By whom, alas, hast thou been helplessly slain when thou hadst the Pandavas, O lord, and all the Panchalas, for thy protectors? Oh son, O sinless one, I am not yet gratified with looking at thee. Wretched as I am, it is evident that I shall have to go to Yama's abode. When again shall I cast my eyes on that face of thine, adorned, with large eyes and beautiful locks that smooth face without pimples, from which sweet words and exquisite fragrance constantly issued? Fie on the strength of Bhimasena, on the bowmanship of Partha, on the prowess of the Vrishni heroes, and the might of the Panchalas! Fie on the Kaikeyas, the Chedis, the Matsyas, and the Srinjayas, they that could not protect thee, O hero, while engaged in battle! I behold the earth today to be vacant and cheerless. Without seeing my Abhimanyu, my eyes are troubled with affliction. Thou wast the sister's son of Vasudeva, the son of the wielder of Gandiva, and thyself, a hero and an Atiratha. Alas, how shall I behold
p. 151
the slain! Alas, O hero, thou hast been to me like a treasure in a dream that is seen and lost. Oh, every thing human is as transitory as a bubble of water. This thy young wife is overwhelmed with grief on account of the evil that hath befallen thee. Alas, how shall I comfort her who is even like a cow without her calf! Alas, O son, thou hast prematurely fled from me at a time when thou wast about to bear fruit of greatness, although I am longing for a sight of thee. Without, doubt, the conduct of the Destroyer cannot be understood even by the wise, since although thou hast Kesava for thy protector, thou wast yet slain, as if thou wast perfectly helpless. O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that perform sacrifices and theirs that are Brahmanas of purified soul, and theirs that have practised Brahmacharya, and theirs that have bathed in sacred waters, and theirs that are grateful and charitable and devoted to the service of their preceptors, and theirs that have made sacrificial presents in profusion. That end which is theirs that are brave and unretreating while engaged in battle, or theirs that have fallen in battle, having slain their foes, let that end be thine. That auspicious end which is theirs that have given away a thousand kine, or theirs that have given away in sacrifices, or theirs that give away houses and mansions agreeable to the recipients, that end which is theirs that give away gems and jewels to deserving Brahmanas, or theirs that are punishers of crime, O, let that end be thine. That end which is attained by Munis of rigid vows by Brahmacharya, or that which is attained by those women that adhere to but one husband, O son, let that end be thine. That eternal end which is attained by kings by means of good behaviour, or by those persons that have cleansed themselves by leading, one after another, all the four modes of life, and through due observance of their duties, that end which is theirs that are compassionate to the poor and the distressed, or theirs that equitably divide sweets amongst themselves and their dependants, or theirs that are never addicted to deceit and wickedness, O son, let that end be thine! That end which is theirs that are observant of vows, or theirs that are virtuous, or theirs that are devoted to the service of preceptors, or theirs that have never sent away a guest unentertained, O son, let that end be thine. That end which is theirs that succeed in distress and the most difficult straits in preserving the equanimity of their souls, however much scorched they might be by the fire of grief, O son, let that end be thine. O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that are always devoted to the service of their fathers and mothers, or theirs that are devoted to their own wives only. O son, let that end be thine which is attained by those wise men who, restraining themselves from the wives of others, seek the companionship of only their own wives in season. O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that look upon all creatures with an eye of peace, or theirs that never give pain to others, or theirs that always forgive. O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that abstain from honey, meat, wine, pride and untruth, or theirs that have refrained from giving pain to others. Let that goal be thine which they
p. 152
attain that are modest, acquainted with all the scriptures, content with knowledge, and have their passions under control.'
"And while cheerless Subhadra, afflicted with grief, was indulging in such lamentations, the princess of Panchala (Draupadi), accompanied by Virata's daughter (Uttara), came to her. All of them, in great grief, wept copiously and indulged in heart-rending lamentations. And like persons reft of reason by sorrow, they fainted away and fell down on the earth. Then Krishna, who stood, ready with water, deeply afflicted, sprinkled it over his weeping, unconscious and trembling sister, pierced in her very heart, and comforting her, said what should be said on such an occasion. And the lotus-eyed one said, 'Grieve not, O Subhadra! O Panchali, console Uttara! Abhimanyu, that bull among Kshatriyas, hath obtained the most laudable goal. O thou of beautiful face, let all the other men yet alive in our race obtain that goal which Abhimanyu of great fame hath obtained. Ourselves with all our friends, wish to achieve, in this battle, that feat, the like of which, O lady, thy son, that mighty car-warrior, hath achieved without any assistance.' Having consoled his sister and Draupadi and Uttara thus, that chastiser of foes, viz., the mighty-armed (Krishna), returned to Partha's side. Then Krishna, saluting the kings, friends and Arjuna, entered the inner apartments of the (latter's) tent while those kings also repaired to respective abodes.'"

\

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 79

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      tāvakās tu samīkṣyaiva vṛṣṇyandhakakurūttamau
      prāg atvarañ jighāṃsantas tathaiva vijayaḥ parān
  2 suvarṇacitrair vaiyāghraiḥ svanavadbhir mahārathaiḥ
      dīpayanto diśaḥ sarvā jvaladbhir iva pāvakaiḥ
  3 rukmapṛṣṭhaiś ca duṣprekṣyaiḥ kārmukaiḥ pṛthivīpate
      kūjadbhir atulān nādān roṣitair uragair iva
  4 bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ karṇo vṛṣaseno jayadrathaḥ
      kṛpaś ca madrarājaś ca drauṇiś ca rathināṃ varaḥ
  5 te pibanta ivākāśam aśvair aṣṭau mahārathāḥ
      vyarājayan daśa diśo vaiyāghrair hemacandrakaiḥ
  6 te daṃśitāḥ susaṃrabdhā rathair meghaughanisvanaiḥ
      samāvṛṇvan diśaḥ sarvāḥ pārthaṃ ca viśikhaiḥ śitaiḥ
  7 kaulūtakā hayāś citrā vahantas tān mahārathān
      vyaśobhanta tadā śīghrā dīpayanto diśo daśa
  8 ājāneyair mahāvegair nānādeśasamutthitaiḥ
      pārvatīyair nadījaiś ca saindhavaiś ca hayottamaiḥ
  9 kuru yodhavarā rājaṃs tava putraṃ parīpsavaḥ
      dhanaṃjayarathaṃ śīghraṃ sarvataḥ samupādravan
  10 te pragṛhya mahāśaṅkhān dadhmuḥ puruṣasattamāḥ
     pūrayanto divaṃ rājan pṛthivīṃ ca sa sāragām
 11 tathaiva dadhmatuḥ śaṅkhau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
     pravarau sarvabhūtānāṃ sarvaśaṅkhavarau bhuvi
     devadattaṃ ca kaunteyaḥ pāñcajanyaṃ ca keśavaḥ
 12 śabdas tu devadattasya dhanaṃjaya samīritaḥ
     pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣaṃ ca diśaś caiva samāvṛṇot
 13 tathaiva pāñcajanyo 'pi vāsudeva samīritaḥ
     sarvaśabdān atikramya pūrayām āsa rodasī
 14 tasmiṃs tathā vartamāne dāruṇe nādasaṃkule
     bhīrūṇāṃ trāsajanane śūrāṇāṃ harṣavardhane
 15 pravāditāsu bherīṣu jharjhareṣv ānakeṣu ca
     mṛdaṅgeṣu ca rājendra vādyamāneṣv anekaśaḥ
 16 mahārathasamākhyāta duryodhanahitaiṣiṇaḥ
     amṛṣyamāṇās taṃ śabdaṃ kruddhāḥ paramadhanvinaḥ
     nānādeśyā mahīpālāḥ svasainyaparirakṣiṇaḥ
 17 amarṣitā mahāśaṅkhān dadhmur vīrā mahārathāḥ
     kṛte pratikariṣyantaḥ keśavasyārjunasya ca
 18 babhūva tava tat sainyaṃ śaṅkhaśabdasamīritam
     udvignarathanāgāśvam asvastham iva cābhibho
 19 tat prayuktam ivākāśaṃ śūraiḥ śaṅkhanināditam
     babhūva bhṛśam udvignaṃ nirghātair iva nāditam
 20 sa śabdaḥ sumahān rājan diśaḥ sarvā vyanādayat
     trāsayām āsa tat sainyaṃ yugānta iva saṃbhṛtaḥ
 21 tato duryodhano 'ṣṭau ca rājānas te mahārathāḥ
     jayadrathasya rakṣārthaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ paryavārayan
 22 tato drauṇis trisaptatyā vāsudevam atāḍayat
     arjunaṃ ca tribhir bhallair dhvajam aśvāṃś ca pañcabhiḥ
 23 tam arjunaḥ pṛṣatkānāṃ śataiḥ ṣaḍbhir atāḍayat
     atyartham iva saṃkruddhaḥ pratividdhe janārdane
 24 karṇaṃ dvādaśabhir viddhvā vṛṣasenaṃ tribhis tathā
     śalyasya sa śaraṃ cāpaṃ muṣṭau ciccheda vīryavān
 25 gṛhītvā dhanur anyat tu śalyo vivyādha pāṇḍavam
     bhūriśravās tribhir bāṇair hemapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
 26 karṇo dvātriśatā caiva vṛṣasenaś ca pañcabhiḥ
     jayadrathas trisaptatyā kṛpaś ca daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     madrarājaś ca daśabhir vivyadhuḥ phalgunaṃ raṇe
 27 tataḥ śarāṇāṃ ṣaṣṭyā tu drauṇiḥ pārtham avākirat
     vāsudevaṃ ca saptatyā punaḥ pārthaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ
 28 prahasaṃs tu naravyāghraḥ śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ
     pratyavidhyat sa tān sarvān darśayan pāṇilāghavam
 29 karṇaṃ dvādaśabhir viddhvā vṛṣasenaṃ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ
     śalyasya samare cāpaṃ muṣṭideśe nyakṛntata
 30 saumadattiṃ tribhir viddhvā śalyaṃ ca daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     śitair agniśikhākārair drauṇiṃ vivyādha cāṣabhiḥ
 31 gautamaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā śaindhavaṃ ca śatena ha
     punar drauṇiṃ ca saptatyā śarāṇāṃ so 'bhyatāḍayat
 32 bhūri śvarās tu saṃkruddhaḥ pratodaṃ cicchide hareḥ
     arjunaṃ ca trisaptatyā bāṇānām ājaghāna ha
 33 tataḥ śaraśatais tīkṣṇais tān arīñ śvetavāhanaḥ
     pratyaṣedhad drutaṃ kruddho mahāvāto ghanān iva

 

SECTION LXXIX

"Sanjaya said, 'Then lord Kesava, of eyes like lotus-petals, having entered the unrivalled mansion of Arjuna, touched water, and spread (for Arjuna) on the auspicious and even floor an excellent bed of Kusa blades that were of the hue of the lapis lazuli. And keeping excellent weapons around that bed, he adorned it duly with garlands of flowers and fried paddy, perfumes and other auspicious articles. And after Partha (also) had touched water, meek and submissive attendants brought the usual nightly sacrifice to the Three-eyed (Mahadeva). Then Partha, with a cheerful soul, having smeared Madhava with perfumes and adorned with floral garlands, presented unto Mahadeva the nightly offering. 1 Then Govinda, with a faint smile, addressed Partha, saying, 'Blessed be thou, O Partha, lay thyself down, I leave thee.' Placing door-keepers then, and also sentinels well-armed, blessed Kesava, followed by (his charioteer) Daruka, repaired to his own tent. He then laid himself down on his white bed, and thought of diverse measures to be adopted. And the illustrious one (Kesava) of eyes like lotus petals, began for Partha's sake, to think of various means that
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would dispel (Partha's) grief and anxiety and enhance his prowess and splendour. Of soul wrapt in yoga, that Supreme Lord of all, viz., Vishnu of wide-spread fame, who always did what was agreeable to Jishnu, desirous of benefiting (Arjuna), lapsed into yoga, and meditation. There was none in the Pandava camp who slept that night. Wakefulness possessed every one, O monarch. And everybody (in the Pandava camp) thought of this, viz.,--The high-souled wielder of Gandiva, burning with grief for the death of his son, hath suddenly vowed the slaughter of the Sindhus. How, indeed, will that slayer of hostile heroes, that son of Vasava, that mighty-armed warrior, accomplish his vow? The high-souled son of Pandu hath, indeed made a most difficult resolve. King Jayadratha is endued with mighty energy. Oh, let Arjuna succeed in fulfilling his vow. Difficult is that vow which he, afflicted with grief on account of his son, hath made. Duryodhana's brothers are all possessed of great prowess. His forces also are countless. The son of Dhritarashtra hath assigned all these to Jayadratha (as his protectors). Oh, let Dhananjaya come back (to the camp), having slain the ruler of the Sindhus in battle. Vanquishing his foes, let Arjuna accomplish his vow. If he fails to slay the ruler of the Sindhus tomorrow, he will certainly enter into blazing fire. Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, will not falsify his oath. If Arjuna dies, how will the son of Dharma succeed in recovering his kingdom? Indeed, (Yudhishthira) the son of Pandu hath reposed (all his hopes of) victory of Arjuna. If we have achieved any (religious) merit, if we have ever poured libations of clarified butter into fire, let Savyasachin, aided by the fruits thereof, vanquish all his foes.' Thus talking, O lord, with one another about the victory (of the morrow), that long night, O king, of theirs, at last, passed away. In the middle of the night, Janardana, having awaked, remembered Partha's vow, and addressing (his charioteer) Daruka, said, 'Arjuna, in grief for the death of his son, hath vowed. O Daruka, that before tomorrow's sun goes down he will slay Jayadratha. Hearing of this, Duryodhana will assuredly take counsel with his counsellors, about how Partha may fail to achieve his object. His several Akshauhinis of troops will protect Jayadratha. Fully conversant with the ways of applying all weapons, Drona also, with his son, will protect him. That matchless hero, the Thousand-eyed (Indra himself), that crusher of the pride of Daityas and Danavas cannot venture to slay him in battle who is protected by Drona. I, therefore, will do that tomorrow by which Arjuna, the son of Kunti, may slay Jayadratha before the sun sets. My wives, my kinsmen, my relatives, non amongst these is dearer to me than Arjuna. O Daruka, I shall not be able to cast my eyes, even for a single moment, on the earth bereft of Arjuna. I tell thee, the earth shall not be reft to Arjuna. Myself vanquishing them all with their steeds and elephants by putting forth my strength for the sake of Arjuna, I will slay them with Karna and Suyodhana. Let the three worlds tomorrow behold my prowess in great battle, when I put forth my valour, O Daruka, for Dhananjaya's sake. Tomorrow thousands of kings and hundreds of princes, with their steeds and cars and elephants, will,
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[paragraph continues] O Daruka, fly away from battle. Thou shalt tomorrow, O Daruka, behold that army of kings overthrown and crushed with my discus, by myself in wrath for the sake of the son of Pandu. Tomorrow the (three) worlds with the gods, the Gandharvas, the Pisachas, the Snakes, and the Rakshasas, will know me as a (true) friend of Savyasachin. He that hateth him, hateth me. He that followeth him, followeth me. Thou hast intelligence. Know that Arjuna is half of myself. When morning comes after the expiry of this night, thou, O Daruka, equipping my excellent car according to the rules of military science, must bring it and follow me with it carefully, placing on it my celestial mace called Kaumodaki, my dart and discus, bow and arrows, and every other thing necessary. O Suta, making room on the terrace of my car for my standard and for the heroic Garuda thereon, that adorns my umbrella, and yoking thereto my foremost of steeds named Valahaka and Meghapushpa and Saivya and Sugriva, having cased them in golden mail of the splendour of the sun and fire, and thyself putting on thy armour, stay on it carefully. Upon hearing the loud and terrible blast of my conch Panchajanya emitting the shrill Rishava note, 1 thou wilt come quickly to me. In course of a single day, O Daruka, I shall dispel the wrath and the diverse woes of my cousin, the son of my paternal aunt. By every means shall I strive so that Vibhatsu in battle may slay Jayadratha in the very sight of the Dhartarashtras. O charioteer, I tell thee that Vibhatsu will certainly succeed in slaying all these for whose slaughter he will strive.'
"Daruka said, 'He is certain to have victory whose charioteership, O tiger among men, hath been taken by thee. Whence, indeed, can defeat come to him? As regards myself, I will do that which thou hast commanded me to do. This night will bring (on its train) the auspicious morn for Arjuna's victory.'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 80

 

 

 

1 [dhṛ]
      dhvajān bahuvidhākārān bhrājamānān atiśriyā
      pārthānāṃ māmakānāṃ ca tān mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  2 [s]
      dhvajān bahuvidhākārāñ śṛṇu teṣāṃ mahātmanām
      rūpato varṇataś caiva nāmataś ca nibodha me
  3 teṣāṃ tu rathamuhyānāṃ ratheṣu vividhā dhvajāḥ
      pratyadṛśyanta rājendra jvalitā iva pāvalāḥ
  4 kāñcanāḥ kāñcanāpīḍāḥ kāñcanasrag alaṃkṛtāḥ
      kāñcanānīva śṛṅgāṇi kāñcanasya mahāgireḥ
  5 te dhvajāḥ saṃvṛtās teṣāṃ patākābhiḥ samantataḥ
      nānāvarṇavirāgābhir vibabhuḥ sarvatovṛtāḥ
  6 patākāś ca tatas tās tu śvasanena samīritāḥ
      nṛtyamānā vyadṛśyanta raṅgamadhye vilāsikāḥ
  7 indrāyudhasavarṇābhāḥ patākā bharatarṣabha
      dodhūyamānā rathināṃ śobhayanti mahārathān
  8 sinha lāṅgūlam ugrāsyaṃ dhajaṃ vānaralakṣaṇam
      dhanaṃjayasya saṃgrāme pratyapaśyama bhairavam
  9 sa vānaravaro rājan patākābhir alaṃkṛtaḥ
      trāsayām āsa tat sainyam dhvajo gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
  10 tathaiva siṃhalāṅgūlaṃ droṇaputrasya bhārata
     dhvajāgraṃ samapaśyāma bālasūryasamaprabham
 11 kāñcanaṃ pavanoddhūtaṃ śakradhvajasamaprabham
     nandanaṃ kauravendrāṇāṃ drauṇer lakṣaṇam ucchritam
 12 hastikakṣyā punar haimī babhūvādhirather dhvaje
     āhave khaṃ mahārāja dadṛśe pūrayann iva
 13 patākī kāñcanasragvī dhvajaḥ karṇasya saṃyuge
     nṛtyatīva rathopasthe śvasanena samīritaḥ
 14 ācāryasya ca pāṇḍūnāṃ brāhmaṇasya yaśasvinaḥ
     govṛṣo gautamasyāsīt kṛpasya supariṣkṛtaḥ
 15 sa tena bhrājate rājan govṛṣeṇa mahārathaḥ
     tripuraghna ratho yadvad govṛṣeṇa virājate
 16 mayūro vṛṣasenasya kāñcano maṇiratnavān
     vyāhariṣyann ivātiṣṭhat senāgram api śobhayan
 17 tena tasya ratho bhāti mayūreṇa mahātmanaḥ
     yathā sthandasya rājendra mayūreṇa virājatā
 18 madrarājasya śalyasya dhvajāgre 'gniśikhām iva
     sauvarṇīṃ pratipaśyāma sītām apratimāṃ śubhām
 19 sā sītā bhrājate tasya ratham āsthāya māriṣa
     sarvabījavirūḍheva yathā sītā śriyā vṛtā
 20 varāhaḥ sindhurājasya rājato 'bhivirājate
     dhvajāgre 'lohitārkābho hemajālapariṣkṛtaḥ
 21 śuśubhe ketunā tena rājatena jayadrathaḥ
     yathā devāsure yuddhe purā pūṣā sma śobhate
 22 saumadatteḥ punar yūpo yajñaśīlasya dhīmataḥ
     dhvajaḥ sūrya ivābhāti somaś cātra pradṛśyate
 23 sa yūpaḥ kāñcano rājan saumadatter virājate
     rājasūye makhaśreṣṭhe yathā yūpaḥ samucchritaḥ
 24 śalasya tu mahārāja rājato dvirado mahān
     ketuḥ kāñcanacitrāṅgair mayūrair upaśobhitaḥ
 25 sa ketuḥ śobhayām āsa sainyaṃ te bharatarṣabha
     yathā śveto mahānāgo devarājacamūṃ tathā
 26 nāgo maṇimayo rājño dhvajaḥ kanakasaṃvṛtaḥ
     kiṅkiṇīśatasaṃhrādo bhrājaṃś citre rathottame
 27 vyabhrājata bhṛśaṃ rājan putras tava viśāṃ pate
     dhvajena mahatā saṃkhye kurūṇām ṛṣabhas tadā
 28 navaite tava vāhinyām ucchritāḥ paramadhvajāḥ
     vyadīpayaṃs te pṛtanāṃ yugāntādityasaṃnibhāḥ
 29 daśamas tv arjunasyāsīd eka eva mahākapiḥ
     adīpyatārjuno yena himavān iva vahninā
 30 tataś citrāṇi śubhrāṇi sumahānti mahārathāḥ
     kārmukāṇy ādadus tūrṇam arjunārthe paraṃtapāḥ
 31 tathaiva dhanur āyacchat pārthaḥ śatruvināśanaḥ
     gāṇḍīvaṃ divyakarmā tad rājan durmantrite tava
 32 tavāparādhād dhi narā nihatā bahudhā yudhi
     nānādigbhyaḥ samāhūtāḥ sahayāḥ sa rathadvipāḥ
 33 teṣām āsīd vyatikṣepo garjatām itaretaram
     duryodhanamukhānāṃ ca pāṇḍūnām ṛṣabhasya ca
 34 tatrādbhutaṃ paraṃ cakrje kaunteyaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ
     yad eko bahubhiḥ sārdhaṃ samāgacchad abhītavat
 35 aśobhata mahābāhur gāṇḍīvaṃ vikṣipan dhanuḥ
     jigīṣus tān naravyāghrāñ jighāṃsuś ca jayadratham
 36 tatrārjuno mahārāja śarair muktaiḥ sahasraśaḥ
     adṛśyān akarod yodhāṃs tāvakāñ śatrutāpanaḥ
 37 tatas te 'pi naravyāghrāḥ pārthaṃ sarve mahārathāḥ
     adṛśyaṃ samare cakruḥ sāyakaughaiḥ samantataḥ
 38 saṃvṛte narasiṃhais taiḥ kurūṇām ṛṣabhe 'rjune
     mahān āsīt samuddhūtas tasya sainyasya nisvanaḥ

 

SECTION LXXX

"Sanjaya said, 'Kunti's son, Dhananjaya, of inconceivable prowess thinking of how to accomplish his vow, recollected the mantras (given to him by Vyasa). And soon he was lulled in the arms of sleep. Unto that ape-bannered hero, burning with grief and immersed in thought Kesava, having Garuda on his banner, appeared in a dream. Dhananjaya of righteous soul, inconsequence of his love and veneration for Kesava, never omitted under any circumstances to stand up and advance a few steps for receiving Krishna. Rising up, therefore, now (in his dream), he gave unto Govinda a seat. He himself, however, at that time, did not set his heart
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upon taking his seat. Then Krishna, of mighty energy, knowing the resolution of Partha, said, while seated, unto the son of Kunti, these words while the latter was standing: 'Do not set thy heart, O Partha, on grief. Time is unconquerable. Time forceth all creatures into the inevitable course. O foremost of men what for is this grief of thine? Grief should not be indulged in, O foremost of learned persons! Grief is an impediment to action. Accomplish that act which should be accomplished. The grief that maketh a person forgo all efforts is, indeed, O Dhananjaya, an enemy of that person. A person, by indulging in grief, gladdens his foes and saddens his friends, while the person is himself weakened. Therefore, it behoveth thee not to grieve.' Thus addressed by Vasudeva, the unvanquished Vibhatsu of great learning then said these words of grave import: 'Grave is the vow that I have made about the slaughter of Jayadratha. Even tomorrow I shall slay that wicked wretch, that slayer of my son. Even this hath been my vow, O Kesava! For frustrating my vow, Jayadratha, protected by all the mighty car-warriors, will be kept in their rear by the Dhartarashtras. Their force, number, consists, O Madhava, of remnant, after slaughter, of eleven Akshauhinis of troops, difficult of being vanquished. Surrounded in battle as he will be by all of them and by all the great car-warriors, how shall he obtain a sight, O Krishna, of the wicked rule of the Sindhus? My vow will not be accomplished, O Kesava! How can a person like me live, having failed to accomplish his vow? O hero, the non-accomplishment is evident of this (my vow which to me is a) source of great grief. (At this season of the year), I tell thee that the sun setteth quickly.' The bird-bannered Krishna hearing this cause of Partha's grief, touched water and sat with face turned to the east. And then that hero, of eyes like lotus leaves, and possessed of great energy, said these words for the benefit of Pandu's son who had resolved upon the slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus, 'O Partha, there is an indestructible, supreme weapon of the name of Pasupata. With it the god Maheswara slew in battle all the Daityas! If thou rememberest it now, thou shalt then be able to slay Jayadratha tomorrow. If it is unknown to thee (now), adore within thy heart the god having the bull for his mark. Thinking of that god in thy mind, remember him, O Dhananjaya! Thou art his devotee. Through his grace thou shalt obtain that rich possession.' Hearing these words of Krishna, Dhananjaya, having touched water, sat on the earth with concentrated mind and thought of the god Bhava. After he had thus sat with rapt mind at that hour called Brahma of auspicious indications, Arjuna saw himself journeying through the sky with Kesava. And Partha, possessed of the speed of the mind, seemed to reach, with Kesava, the sacred foot of Himavat and the Manimat mountain abounding in many brilliant gems and frequented by Siddhas and Charanas. And the lord Kesava seemed to have caught hold of his left arm. And he seemed to see many wonderful sights as he reached (those place). And Arjuna of righteous soul then seemed to arrive at the White mountain on the north. And then he beheld, in the pleasure-gardens of Kuvera the beautiful
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lake decked with lotuses. And he also saw that foremost of rivers, viz., the Ganga full of water. And then he arrived at the regions about the Mandara mountains. Those regions were covered with trees that always bore blossoms and fruits. And they abounded with stones lying scattered about, that were all transparent crystal. And they were inhabited by lions and tigers and abounded with animals of diverse kinds. And they were adorned with many beautiful retreats of ascetics, echoing with the sweet notes of delightful warblers. And they resounded also with the songs of Kinnaras. Graced with many golden and silver peaks, they were illumined with diverse herbs and plants. And many Mandara trees with their pretty loads of flowers, adorned them. And then Arjuna reached the mountains called Kala that looked like a mound of antimony. And then he reached the summit called Brahmatunga, and then many rivers, and then many inhabited provinces. And he arrived at Satasinga, and the woods known by the name of Sharyati. And then he beheld the sacred spot known as the Horse-head, and then the region of Atharvana. And then he beheld that prince of mountains called Vrishadansa, and the great Mandara, abounding in Apsaras, and graced with the presence of the Kinnaras. And roaming on that mountain, Partha, with Krishna, beheld a spot of earth adorned with excellent fountains, decked with golden mineral, and possessed of the splendour of the lunar rays, and having many cities and towns. And he also beheld many seas of wonderful forms and diverse mines of wealth. And thus going through the sky and firmament and the earth, he reached the spot called Vishnupada. And wandering, with Krishna in his company, he came down with great velocity, like a shaft shot (from a bow). And soon Partha beheld a blazing mountain whose splendour equalled that of the planets, the constellations, or fire. And arrived at that mountain, he beheld on its top, the high-souled god having the bull for his mark, and ever engaged in ascetic penances, like a thousand suns collected together, and blazing with his own effulgence. Trident in hand, matted locks on the head, of snow-white colour, he was robed in bark and skin. Endued with great energy, his body seemed to be flaming with a thousand eyes. And he was seated with Parvati and many creatures of brilliant forms (around him). And his attendants were engaged in singing and playing upon musical instruments, in laughing and dancing, in moving and stretching their hands, and In uttering loud shouts. And the place was perfumed with fragrant odours, and Rishis that worshipped Brahma adored with excellent hymns of unfading glory, that God who was the protector of all creatures, and wielded the (great) bow (called Pinaka). Beholding him, Vasudeva of righteous soul, with Partha, touched the earth with his head, uttering the eternal words of the Veda. And Krishna adored, with speech, mind, understanding, and acts, that God who is the first source of the universe, himself uncreate, the supreme lord of unfading glory: who is the highest cause of the mind, who is space and the wind, who is the cause of all the luminous bodies (in the firmament), who is the creator of the rain, and
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the supreme, primordial substance of the earth, who is the object of adoration, with the gods, the Danavas, the Yakshas, and human beings; who is the supreme Brahma that is seen by Yogins and the refuge of those acquainted with Shastras, who is the creator of all mobile and immobile creatures, and their destroyer also; who is the Wrath that burns everything at the end of the Yuga; who is the supreme soul; who is the Sakra and Surya, and the origin of all attributes. And Krishna sought the protection of that Bhava, whom men of knowledge, desirous of attaining to that which is called the subtle and the spiritual, behold; that uncreate one is the soul of all causes. And Arjuna repeatedly adored that Deity, knowing that he was the origin of all creatures and the cause of the past, the future, and the present. Beholding those two, viz., Nara and Narayana arrived, Bhava of cheerful soul, smilingly said unto them, 'Welcome are ye, ye foremost of men! Rise up and let the fatigue of your journey be over. What, O heroes, is the desire in your heart? Let it be uttered quickly. What is the business that has brought you hither? I will accomplish it and do what would benefit you. I will grant everything ye may desire., Hearing those words of the god, they both rose. And then with joined hands, the faultless Vasudeva and Arjuna, both of great wisdom, began to gratify that high-souled deity with an excellent hymn. And Krishna and Arjuna said, 'We bow to Bhava, to Sarva, to Rudra, to the boon-giving deity. We bow to the lord of all creatures endued with life, to the god who is always fierce, to him who is called Kapardin! We bow to Mahadeva, to Bhima, to the Three-eyed, to him who is peace and contentment. We bow to Isana, to him who is the destroyer of (Daksha's) sacrifice. Let salutations be to the slayer of Andhaka, to the father of Kumara, to him who is of blue throat, to him who is the creator.' Let salutation be to the wielder of Pinaka, to one worthy of the offer of libations of clarified butter, to him who is truth, to him who is all-pervading. To him who is unvanquished! To him who is always of blue locks, to him who is armed with the trident, to him who is of celestial vision! To him who is Hotri, to him who protects all, to, him who is of three eyes, to him who is disease, to him whose vital seed fell on fire! To him who is inconceivable, to him who is the lord of Amvika, to him who is adored by all the gods! To him who hath the bull for his mark, to him who is bold, to him who is of matted lock, to him who is a Brahmacharin! To him who standeth as an ascetic in the water, to him who is devoted to Brahma, to him who hath never been conquered! To him who is the soul of the universe, to him who is the creator of the universe, to him who liveth pervading the whole universe! We bow to thee that art, the object of the reverence of all, to thee that art the original cause of all creatures! To thee that art called Brahmachakra, to thee that art called Sarva, Sankara, and Siva! We bow to thee that art the lord of all great beings! We bow to thee that hast a thousand heads, to thee that hast a thousand arms, to thee that art called Death! To thee that hast a thousand eyes, a thousand legs? To thee whose acts are innumerable! We bow to thee
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whose complexion is that of gold, to thee that art cased in golden mail, to thee that art ever compassionate to thy devotees! O lord, let our wish be accomplished.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Having adored Mahadeva in these terms, Vasudeva with Arjuna then began to gratify him for obtaining (the great) weapon (called Pasupata).'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 81

 

 

 

 1 [dhṛ]
      arjune saidhavaṃ prāpte bhāradvājena saṃvṛtāḥ
      pāñcālāḥ kurubhiḥ sārdhaṃ kim akurvata saṃjaya
  2 [s]
      aparāhṇe mahārāja saṃgrāme lomaharṣaṇe
      pāñcālānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca droṇe dyūtam avartata
  3 pāñcālā hi jighāṃsanto droṇaṃ saṃhṛṣṭacetasaḥ
      abhyavarṣanta garjantaḥ śaravarṣāṇi māriṣa
  4 tataḥ sutumulas teṣāṃ saṃgrāmo 'vartatādbhutaḥ
      pāñcālānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca ghoro devāsuropamaḥ
  5 sarve droṇa rathaṃ prāpya pāñcālāḥ paṇḍavaiḥ saha
      tad anīkaṃ bibhitsanto mahāstrāṇi vyadarśayan
  6 droṇasya rathaparyantaṃ rathino ratham āsthitāḥ
      kampayanto 'bhyavartanta vegam āsthāya madhyamam
  7 tam abhyagād bṛhat kṣatraḥ kekayānāṃ mahārathaḥ
      pravapan niśitān bāṇān mahendrāśanisaṃnibhān
  8 taṃ tu pratyudiyāc chīghraṃ kṣemadhūrtir mahāyaśāḥ
      vimuñcan niśitān bāṇāñ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
  9 dhṛṣṭaketuś ca cedīnām ṛṣabho 'tibaloditaḥ
      tvarito 'bhyadravad droṇaṃ mahendra iva śambaram
  10 tam āpatantaṃ sahasā vyāditāsyam ivāntakam
     vīra dhanvā maheṣvāsas tvaramāṇaḥ samabhyayāt
 11 yudhiṣṭhiraṃ mahārāja jigīṣuṃ samavasthitam
     sahānīkaṃ tato droṇo nyavārayata vīryavān
 12 nakulaṃ kuśalaṃ yuddhe parākrāntaṃ parākramī
     abhyagacchat samāyāntaṃ vikarṇas te sutaḥ prabho
 13 sahadevaṃ tathāyāntaṃ durmukhaḥ śatrukarśanaḥ
     śanair anekasāhasraiḥ samavākirad āśugaiḥ
 14 sātyakiṃ tu naravyāghraṃ vyāghradattas tv avārayat
     śaraiḥ suniśitais tīkṣṇaiḥ kampayan vai muhur muhuḥ
 15 draupadeyān naravyāghrān muñcataḥ sāyakottamān
     saṃrabdhān rathināṃ śreṣṭhān saumadattir avārayat
 16 bhīmasenaṃ tathā kruddhaṃ bhīmarūpo bhayānakam
     pratyavārayad āyāntam ārṣyaśṛṅgir mahārathaḥ
 17 tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ nararākṣasayor mṛdhe
     yādṛg eva purāvṛttaṃ rāmarāvaṇayor nṛpa
 18 tato yudhiṣṭhiro droṇaṃ navatyā nataparvaṇām
     ājaghne bharataśreṣṭha sarvamarmasu bhārata
 19 taṃ droṇaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā nijaghāna stanāntare
     roṣito bharataśreṣṭha kaunteyena yaśasvinā
 20 bhūya eva tu viṃśatyā sāyakānāṃ samācinot
     sāśvasūta dhvajaṃ droṇaḥ paśyatāṃ sarvadhanvinām
 21 tāñ śarān droṇa muktāṃs tu śaravarṣeṇa pāṇḍavaḥ
     avārayata dharmātmā darśayan pāṇilāghavam
 22 tato droṇo bhṛśaṃ kruddho dharmarājasya saṃyuge
     ciccheda sahasā dhanvī dhanus tasya mahātmanaḥ
 23 athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ tvaramāṇo mahārathaḥ
     śarair anekasāhasraiḥ purayām āsa sarvataḥ
 24 adṛśyaṃ dṛśyarājānaṃ bhāradvājasya sāyakaiḥ
     sarvabhūtāny amanyanta hatam eva yudhiṣṭhiram
 25 ke cic cainam amanyanta tathā vai vimukhīkṛtam
     hṛto rājeti rājendra brāhmaṇena yaśasvinā
 26 sa kṛcchraṃ paramaṃ prāpto dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     tyaktvā tat kārmukaṃ chinnaṃ bhāradvājena saṃyuge
     ādade 'nyad dhanur divyaṃ bhāraghnaṃ vegavattaram
 27 tatas tān sāyakān sarvān droṇa muktān sahasraśaḥ
     ciccheda samare vīras tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 28 chittvā ca tāñ śarān rājā krodhasaṃraktalocanaḥ
     śaktiṃ jagrāha samare girīṇām api dāraṇīm
     svarṇadaṇḍāṃ mahāghorām aṣṭaghaṇṭāṃ bhayāvahām
 29 samutkṣipya ca tāṃ hṛṣṭo nanāda balavad balī
     nādena sarvabhūtāni trāsayann iva bhārata
 30 śaktiṃ samudyatāṃ dṛṣṭvā dharmarājena saṃyuge
     svasti droṇāya sahasā sarvabhūtāny athābruvan
 31 sā rājabhuja nirmuktā nirmuktaraga saṃnibhā
     prajvālayantī gaganaṃ diśaś ca vidiśas tathā
     droṇāntikam anuprāptā dīptāsyā pannagī yathā
 32 tām āpatantīṃ sahasā prekṣya droṇo viśāṃ pate
     prāduścakre tato brāhmam astram astravidāṃ varaḥ
 33 tad astraṃ bhasmasāt kṛtvā tāṃ śaktiṃ ghoradarśanām
     jagāma syandanaṃ tūrṇaṃ pāṇḍavasya yaśasvinaḥ
 34 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā droṇāstraṃ tat samudyatam
     aśāmayan mahāprājño brahmāstreṇaiva bhārata
 35 vivyādha ca raṇe droṇaṃ pañcabhir nataparvabhiḥ
     kṣurapreṇa ca tīkṣṇena cicchedāsya mahad dhanuḥ
 36 tad apāsya dhanuś chinnaṃ droṇaḥ kṣatriya mardanaḥ
     gadāṃ cikṣepa sahasā dharmaputrāya māriṣa
 37 tām āpatantīṃ sahasā gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     gadām evāgrahīt kruddhaś cikṣepa ca paraṃtapaḥ
 38 te gade sahasā mukte samāsādya parasparam
     saṃgharṣāt pāvakaṃ muktvā sameyātāṃ mahītale
 39 tato droṇo bhṛśaṃ kruddho dharmarājasya māriṣa
     caturbhir niśitais tīkṣṇair hayāñ jaghne śarottamaiḥ
 40 dhanuś caikena bāṇena cicchedendra dhvajopamam
     ketum ekena ciccheda pāṇḍavaṃ cārdayat tribhiḥ
 41 hayāśvat tu rathāt tūrṇam avaplutya yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     tasthāv ūrdhvabhujo rājā vyāyudho bharatarṣabha
 42 virathaṃ taṃ samālokya vyāyudhaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ
     droṇo vyamohayac chatrūn sarvasainyāni cābhibho
 43 muñcann iṣugaṇāṃs tīkṣṇāṁl laghuhasto dṛḍhavrataḥ
     abhidudrāva rājānaṃ siṃho mṛgam ivolbaṇaḥ
 44 tam abhidrutam ālokya droṇenāmitra ghātinā
     hāheti sahasā śabdaḥ pāṇḍūnāṃ samajāyata
 45 hṛto rājā hṛto rājā bhāradvājena māriṣa
     ity āsīt sumahāñ śabdaḥ pāṇḍusainyasya sarvataḥ
 46 tatas tvaritam āruhya sahadeva rathaṃ nṛpaḥ
     apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

 

SECTION LXXXI

"Sanjaya said, 'Then Partha, with a cheerful soul and joined hands and eyes expanded (in wonder), gazed at the god having the bull for his mark and who was the receptacle of every energy. And he beheld the offerings he made every night to Vasudeva lying by the side of the Three-eyed deity. The son of Pandu then, mentally worshipping both Krishna and Sarva, said unto the latter, 'I desire (to obtain) the celestial weapon.' Hearing these words of Partha desiring the boon he sought, god Siva smilingly said unto Vasudeva and Arjuna, 'Welcome to you, ye foremost of men! I know the wish cherished by you, and the business for which you have come here. I will give you what you wish. There is a celestial lake full of Amrita, not far from this place, ye slayers of foes! There were kept some time back, that celestial bow and arrow of mine. With them I slew in battle all the enemies of the gods. Bring hither, ye Krishna, that excellent bow with arrow fixed on it.' Hearing these words of Siva, Vasudava with Arjuna answered, 'So be it.' And then accompanied by all the attendants of Siva, those two heroes set out for that celestial lake which possessed hundreds of heavenly wonders, that sacred lake, capable of granting every object, which the god, having the bull for his mark, had indicated to them, And unto that lake, the Rishis Nara and Narayana (viz., Arjuna and Vasudeva) went fearlessly. And having reached that lake, bright as the disc of the sun, Arjuna and Achyuta beheld within its waters a terrible snake. And they beheld there another foremost of snakes, that had a thousand heads. And possessed of the effulgence of fire, that snake was vomiting fierce flames. Then Krishna and Partha having touched water, joined their hands, and approached those snakes, having bowed unto the god having the bull for his mark. And as they approached the snakes, conversant as they were with the Vedas, they uttered the hundred stanzas of the Veda, to the praise of Rudra, bowing the while with their sincere souls unto Bhava of immeasurable power. Then those two terrible snakes, in consequence of the power of those adorations to Rudra, abandoned their snake-forms and assumed the forms of a foe-killing bow and arrow. Gratified (with what they saw), Krishna and Arjuna then seized that bow and arrow of great effulgence. And those
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high-souled heroes then brought them away and gave them unto the illustrious Mahadeva. Then from one of the sides of Siva's body there came out a Brahmacharin of tawny eyes. And he seemed to be the refuge of asceticism. Of blue throat and red locks, he was endued with great might. Taking up that best of bows that Brahmacharin stood placing (both the bow and his feet properly). And fixing the arrow on the bowstring, he began to stretch the latter duly. Beholding the manner of his seizing the handle of the bow and drawing the string and placing of his feet, and hearing also the Mantras uttered by Bhava, the son of Pandu, of inconceivable prowess, learnt everything duly. The mighty and puissant Brahmacharin then sped that arrow to that same lake. And he once more threw that bow also in that self-same lake. Then Arjuna of good memory knowing that Bhava was gratified with him, and remembering also the boon the latter had given him in the forest, and the sight also he gave him of his person, mentally entertained the desire, 'Let all this become productive of fruit!' Understanding this to be his wish, Bhava, gratified with him, gave him the boon. And the god also granted him the terrible Pasupata weapon and the accomplishment of his vow. Then having thus once more obtained the Pasupata weapon from the supreme god, the invincible Arjuna, with hair standing on end, regarded his business to be already achieved. Then Arjuna and Krishna filled with joy, paid their adorations unto the great god by bowing their heads. And permitted by Bhava both Arjuna and Kesava, those two heroes, almost immediately came back to their own camp, filled with transports of delight. Indeed, their joy was as great as that of Indra and Vishnu when those two gods, desirous of slaying Jambha, obtained the permission of Bhava that slayer of great Asuras.'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 82

 

 

 

1 [s]
      bṛhat kṣatram athāyāntaṃ kekayaṃ dṛḍhavikramam
      kṣemadhūrtir mahārāja vivyādhorasi mārgaṇaiḥ
  2 bṛhat kṣatras tu taṃ rājā navatyā nataparvaṇām
      ājaghne tvarito yuddhe droṇānīka bibhitsayā
  3 kṣemadhūrtis tu saṃkruddhaḥ kekayasya mahātmanaḥ
      dhanuś ciccheda bhallena pītena niśitena ca
  4 athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ śareṇa nataparvaṇā
      vivyādha hṛdaye tūrṇaṃ pravaraṃ sarvadhanvinām
  5 athānyad dhanur ādāya bṛhat kṣatro hasann iva
      vyaśva sūta dhvajaṃ cakre kṣemadhūrtiṃ mahāratham
  6 tato 'pareṇa bhallena pītena niśitena ca
      jahāra nṛpateḥ kāyāc chiro jvalitakuṇḍalam
  7 ta chinnaṃ sahasā tasya śiraḥ kuñcitamūrdhajam
      sa kirīṭaṃ mahīṃ prāpya babhau jyotir ivāmbarāt
  8 taṃ nihatya raṇe hṛṣṭo bṛhat kṣatro mahārathaḥ
      sahasābhyapatat sainyaṃ tāvakaṃ pārtha kāraṇāt
  9 dhṛṣṭaketum athāyāntaṃ droṇa hetoḥ parākramī
      vīra dhanvā maheṣvāso vārayām āsa bhārata
  10 tau parasparam āsādya śaradaṃṣṭrau tarasvinau
     śarair anekasāhasrair anyonyam abhijaghnatuḥ
 11 tāv ubhau naraśārdūlau yuyudhāte parasparam
     mahāvane tīvramadau vāraṇāv iva yūthapau
 12 girigahvaram āsādya śārdūlāv iva roṣitau
     yuyudhāte mahāvīryau parasparajighāṃsayā
 13 tad yuddham āsīt tumulaṃ prekṣaṇīyaṃ viśāṃ pate
     siddhacāraṇasaṃghānāṃ vismayādbhuta darśanam
 14 vīra dhanvā tataḥ kruddho dhṛṣṭaketoḥ śarāsanam
     dvidhā ciccheda bhallena prahasann iva bhārata
 15 tad utsṛjya dhanuś chinnaṃ cedirājo mahārathaḥ
     śaktiṃ jagrāha vipulāṃ rukmadaṇḍām ayasmayīm
 16 tāṃ tu śaktiṃ mahāvīryāṃ dorbhyām āyamya bhārata
     cikṣepa sahasā yatto vīra dhanva rathaṃ prati
 17 sa tayā vīra ghātinyā śaktyā tv abhihato bhṛśam
     nirbhinnahṛdayas tūrṇaṃ nipapāta rathān mahīm
 18 tasmin vinihate śūre trigartānāṃ mahārathe
     balaṃ te 'bhajyata vibho pāṇḍaveyaiḥ samantataḥ
 19 sahadeve tataḥ ṣaṣṭiṃ sāyakān durmukho 'kṣipat
     nanāda ca mahānādaṃ tarjayan pāṇḍavaṃ raṇe
 20 madreyas tu tataḥ kruddho durmukhaṃ daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     bhrātā bhrātaram āyāntaṃ vivyādha prahasann iva
 21 taṃ raṇe rabhasaṃ dṛṣṭvā sahadevaṃ mahābalam
     durmukho navabhir bāṇais tāḍayām āsa bhārata
 22 durmukhasya tu bhallena chitvā ketuṃ mahābalaḥ
     jaghāna caturo vāhāṃś caturbhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 23 athāpareṇa bhallena pītena niśitena ca
     ciccheda sāratheḥ kāyāc chiro jvalitakuṇḍalam
 24 kṣurapreṇa ca tīkṣṇena kauravyasya mahad dhanuḥ
     sahadevo raṇe chittvā taṃ ca vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
 25 hatāśvaṃ tu rathaṃ tyaktvā durmukho vimanās tadā
     āruroha rathaṃ rājan niramitrasya bhārata
 26 sahadevas tataḥ kruddho niramitraṃ mahāhave
     jaghāna pṛtanā madhye bhallena paravīrahā
 27 sa papāta rathopasthan niramitro janeśvaraḥ
     trigartarājasya suto vyathayaṃs tava vāhinīm
 28 taṃ tu hatvā mahābāhuḥ sahadevo vyarocata
     yathā dāśarathī rāmaḥ kharaṃ hatvā mahābalam
 29 hāhākāro mahān āsīt trigartānāṃ janeśvara
     rājaputraṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā niramitraṃ mahābalam
 30 nakulas te sutaṃ rājan vikarṇaṃ pṛthulocanam
     muhūrtāj jitavān saṃkhye tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 31 sātyakiṃ vyāghradattas tu śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     cakre 'dṛśyaṃ sāśvasūtaṃ sa dhvajaṃ pṛtanāntare
 32 tān nivārya śarāñ śūraḥ śaineyaḥ kṛtahastavat
     sāśvasūta dhvajaṃ bāṇair vyāghradattam apātayat
 33 kumāre nihate tasmin magadhasya sute prabho
     māgadhāḥ sarvato yattā yuyudhānam upādravan
 34 visṛjantaḥ śarāṃś caiva tomarāṃś ca sahasraśaḥ
     bhiṇḍipālāṃs tathā prāsān mudgarān musalān api
 35 ayodhayan raṇe śūrāḥ sātvataṃ yuddhadurmadam
     tāṃs tu sarvān sabalavān sātyaktir yuddhadurmadaḥ
     nātikṛcchrād dhasann eva vijigye puruṣarṣabha
 36 māgadhan dravato dṛṣṭvā hataśeṣān samantataḥ
     balaṃ te 'bhajyata vibho yuyudhāna śarārditam
 37 nāśayitvā raṇe sainyaṃ tvadīyaṃ mādhavottamaḥ
     vidhunvāno dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ vyabhrājata mahāyaśāḥ
 38 bhajyamānaṃ balaṃ rājan sātvatena mahātmanā
     nābhyavartata yuddhāya trāsitaṃ dīrghabāhunā
 39 tato droṇo bhṛśaṃ kruddhaḥ sahasodvṛtya cakṣuṣī
     sātyakiṃ satyakarmāṇaṃ svayam evābhidudruve

 

SECTION LXXXII

"Sanjaya said, 'While Krishna and Daruka were thus conversing together, that night, O king, passed away. (When morning dawned), king Yudhishthira rose from his bed. Paniswanikas and Magadhas and Madhuparkikas and Sutas, gratified that bull among men (with songs and music). And dancers began their dance, and sweet-voiced singers sang their sweet songs fraught with the praises of the Kuru race. And skilled musicians, well-trained (in their respective instruments), played on Mridangas and Jharjharas and Bheris, and Panavas, and Anakas, and Gomukhas, and Adamvaras, and conchs, and Dundubhis of loud sound, and diverse other instruments. That loud noise, deep as the roar of the clouds, touched the very heavens. And it awoke that foremost of kings, viz., Yudhishthira, from his slumber. Having slept happily on his excellent and costly bed, the king awoke.
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And the monarch, rising from his bed, proceeded to the bath-room for performing those acts that were absolutely necessary. Then a hundred and eight servants, attired in white, themselves washed, and all young, approached the king with many golden jars filled to the brim. Seated at his ease on a royal seat, attired in a thin cloth, the king bathed in several kinds of water fragrant with sandal-wood and purified with Mantras. His body was rubbed by strong and well-trained servants with water in which diverse kinds of medicinal herbs had been soaked. He then washed with adhivasha water rendered fragrant by various odoriferous substances. Obtaining then a long piece of cloth (for the head) that was as white as the feathers of the swan, and that had been kept loose before him, the king tied it round his head for drying the water. Smearing his body then with excellent sandal-paste, and wearing floral garlands, and addressing himself in clean robes, the mighty-armed monarch sat with face towards the cast, and his hands joined together. Following the path of the righteous, the son of Kunti then mentally said his prayers. And then with great humility he entered the chamber in which the blazing fire (for worship) was kept. And having worshipped the fire with faggots of sacred wood and with libations of clarified butter sanctified with Mantras, he came out of the chamber. Then that tiger among men, entering a second chamber, beheld there many bulls among Brahmanas well-acquainted with the Vedas. And they were all self-restrained, purified by the study of the Vedas and by vows. And all of them had undergone the bath on the completion of sacrifices performed by them. Worshippers of the Sun, they numbered a thousand. And, besides them, there were also eight thousand others of the same class. And the mighty-armed son of Pandu, having caused them to utter, in distinct voices, agreeable benedictions, by making presents to them of honey and clarified butter and auspicious fruits of the best kind, gave unto each of them a nishka of gold, a hundred steeds decked with ornaments, and costly robes and such other presents as were agreeable to them. And making unto them presents also of kine yielding milk whenever touched, with calves and having their horns decked with gold and their hoofs with silver, the son of Pandu circumambulated them. And then seeing and touching Swastikas fraught with increase of good fortune, and Nandyavartas made of gold, and floral garlands, water-pots and blazing fire, and vessels full of sun-dried rice and other auspicious articles, and the yellow pigment prepared from the urine of the cow, and auspicious and well-decked maidens, and curds and clarified butter and honey, and auspicious birds and diverse other things held sacred, the son of Kunti came into the outer chamber. Then, O mighty-armed one, the attendants waiting in that chamber brought an excellent and costly seat of gold that was of a circular shape. Decked with pearls and lapis lazuli, and overlaid with a very costly carpet over which was spread another cloth of fine texture, that scat was the handiwork of the artificer himself. After the high-souled monarch had taken his seat, the servants brought to him all his costly and bright ornaments. The high-souled son of Kunti put
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on those begemmed ornaments, whereupon his beauty became such as to enhance the grief of his foes. And when the servants began to fan him with white yak-tails of the bright effulgence of the moon and all furnished with handles of gold, the king looked resplendent like a mass of clouds charged with lightning. And bards began to sing his praises, and panegyrists uttered his eulogies. And singers began to sing unto that delighter of Kuru's race, and in a moment the voices of the panegyrists swelled into a loud noise. And then was heard the clatter of car-wheels, and the tread of horse-hoofs. And in consequence of that noise mingling with the tinkle of elephants' bells and the blare of conchs and the tread of men, the very earth seemed to tremble. Then one of the orderlies in charge of the doors, cased in mail, youthful in years, decked with ear-rings, and his sword hanging by his side, entering the private apartment, knelt down on the ground, and saluting with (a bend of) his head the monarch who deserved every adoration, represented unto that high-souled and royal son of Dharma that Hrishikesa was waiting to be introduced. Then that tiger among men, having ordered his servants, 'Let an excellent seat and an Arghya be kept ready for him,' caused him of Vrishni's race to be introduced and seated on a costly seat. And addressing Madhava with the usual enquiries of welcome, king Yudhishthira the just duly worshipped Kesava.'

 

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection )