srimahabharat - Bhishma Parva (book 6) chapters 1 to 15

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

 

The Mahabharata

Book 6: Bhishma Parva

Kisari Mohan Ganguli, tr.

This book of the Mahabharata is important for two reasons. First of all, it contains the Bhagavad Gita, the best-known Hindu sacred text. Secondly, this book describes the start of the enormous battle which is the center-piece of the work, specifically the first ten days of conflict, up to the fate of the hero Bhishma.
The Bhishma Parva starts with an overture of apocalyptic and unnatural portents. It then immediately digresses into a treatise on geography and natural history--one of several texts which the great epic accreted over time.
After this comes the Bhagavad Gita, which unlike some of the other digressions, is a good thematic fit in the narrative. Arjuna, facing a battle in which he will have to fight many of his immediate relatives, is understandably hesitant to fight. The Avatar Krishna then proceeds to explain to Arjuna why he must fulfill his duty as a warrior, and how he can emerge from this spiritual crisis of conscience with a clean slate. This text deals with the contradictions of living a devotional life in an imperfect world. Even non-Hindus have found the Gita meaningful for this reason. Then Krishna reveals to Arjuna his divine form; this section is one of the best attempts to describe the indescribable ever written.
Finally we move on to the battle itself, which occupies two-thirds of Book 6, a relentless and immersive description of the horror of war. This is literally a blow-by-blow description of each incident of combat over a period of ten days. And this is no ordinary battle. The combatants absorb incredible numbers of arrows and are still standing, ready to fight the next day. The field is stalked by vampires and cannibals. There are rivers and oceans of blood and gore. The heroes wield superweapons and magic spells, only described elliptically, with which they slay thousands of opponents at a time. And at the end we learn how Bhishma, the undefeatable leader of Duryodhana's army, is finally brought down.

The Mahabharata

Book 6

Bhishma Parva

Chapter 1

1 [j]
      kathaṃ yuyudhire vīrāḥ kurupāṇḍavasomakāḥ
      pārthivāś ca mahābhāgā nānādeśasamāgatāḥ
  2 [v]
      yathā yuyudhire vīrāḥ kurupāṇḍavasomakāḥ
      kurukṣetre tapaḥkṣetre śṛṇu tat pṛthivīpate
  3 avatīrya kurukṣetraṃ pāṇḍavāḥ saha somakāḥ
      kauravān abhyavartanta jigīṣanto mahābalāḥ
  4 vedādhyayanasaṃpannāḥ sarve yuddhābhinandinaḥ
      āśaṃsanto jayaṃ yuddhe vadhaṃ vābhimukhā raṇe
  5 abhiyāya ca durdharṣāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrasya vāhinīm
      prāṅmukhāḥ paścime bhāge nyaviśanta sa sainikāḥ
  6 samantapañcakād bāhyaṃ śibirāṇi sahasraśaḥ
      kārayām āsa vidhivat kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  7 śūnyeva pṛthivī sarvā bālavṛddhāvaśeṣitā
      niraśva puruṣā cāsīd rathakuñjaravarjitā
  8 yāvat tapati sūryo hi jambūdvīpasya maṇḍalam
      tāvad eva samāvṛttaṃ balaṃ pārthiva sattama
  9 ekasthāḥ sarvavarṇās te maṇḍalaṃ bahuyojanam
      paryākrāmanta deśāṃś ca nadīḥ śailān vanāni ca
  10 teṣāṃ yudhiṣṭhiro rājā sarveṣāṃ puruṣarṣabha
     ādideśa sa vāhānāṃ bhakṣyabhojyam anuttamam
 11 saṃjñāś ca vividhās tās tās teṣāṃ cakre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     evaṃ vādī veditavyaḥ pāṇḍaveyo 'yam ity uta
 12 abhijñānāni sarveṣāṃ saṃjñāś cābharaṇāni ca
     yojayām āsa kauravyo yuddhakāla upasthite
 13 dṛṣṭvā dhvajāgraṃ pārthānāṃ dhārtarāṣṭro mahāmanāḥ
     saha sarvair mahīpālaiḥ pratyavyūhata pāṇḍavān
 14 pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani
     madhye nāgasahasrasya bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritam
 15 dṛṣṭvā duryodhanaṃ hṛṣṭāḥ sarve pāṇḍavasainikāḥ
     dadhmuḥ sarve mahāśaṅkhān bherīr jaghnuḥ sahasraśaḥ
 16 tataḥ prahṛṣṭāṃ svāṃ senām abhivīkṣyātha pāṇḍavāḥ
     babhūvur hṛṣṭamanaso vāsudevaś ca vīryavān
 17 tato yodhān harṣayantau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
     dadhmatuḥ puruṣavyāghrau divyau śaṅkhau rathe sthitau
 18 pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣaṃ devadattasya cobhayoḥ
     śrutvā sa vāhanā yodhāḥ śakṛn mūtraṃ prasusruvuḥ
 19 yathā siṃhasya nadataḥ svanaṃ śrutvetare mṛgāḥ
     traseyus tadvad evāsīd dhārtarāṣṭra balaṃ tadā
 20 udatiṣṭhad rajo bhaumaṃ na prājñāyata kiṃ cana
     antar dhīyata cādityaḥ sainyena rajasāvṛtaḥ
 21 vavarṣa cātra parjanyo māṃsaśoṇitavṛṣṭimān
     vyukṣan sarvāṇy anīkāni tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 22 vāyus tataḥ prādurabhūn nīcaiḥ śarkara karṣaṇaḥ
     vinighnaṃs tāny anīkāni vidhamaṃś caiva tad rajaḥ
 23 ubhe sene tadā rājan yuddhāya mudite bhṛśam
     kurukṣetre sthite yatte sāgarakṣubhitopame
 24 tayos tu senayor āsīd adbhutaḥ sa samāgamaḥ
     yugānte samanuprāpte dvayoḥ sāgarayor iva
 25 śūnyāsīt pṛthivī sarvā bālavṛddhāvaśeṣitā
     tena senā samūhena samānītena kauravaiḥ
 26 tatas te samayaṃ cakruḥ kurupāṇḍavasomakāḥ
     dharmāṃś ca sthāpayām āsur yuddhānāṃ bharatarṣabha
 27 nivṛtte caiva no yuddhe prītiś ca syāt parasparam
     yathā puraṃ yathāyogaṃ na ca syāc chalanaṃ punaḥ
 28 vācā yuddhe pravṛtte no vācaiva pratiyodhanam
     niṣkrāntaḥ pṛtanā madhyān na hantavyaḥ kathaṃ cana
 29 rathī ca rathinā yodhyo gajena gajadhūr gataḥ
     aśvenāśvī padātiś ca padātenaiva bhārata
 30 yathāyogaṃ yathā vīryaṃ yathotsāhaṃ yathā vayaḥ
     samābhāṣya prahartavyaṃ na viśvaste na vihvale
 31 pareṇa saha saṃyuktaḥ pramatto vimukhas tathā
     kṣīṇaśastro vivarmā ca na hantavyaḥ kathaṃ cana
 32 na sūteṣu na dhuryeṣu na ca śastropanāyiṣu
     na bherīśaṅkhavādeṣu prahartavyaṃ kathaṃ cana
 33 evaṃ te samayaṃ kṛtvā kurupāṇḍavasomakāḥ
     vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmuḥ prekṣamāṇāḥ parasparam
 34 niviśya ca mahātmānas tatas te puruṣarṣabhāḥ
     hṛṣṭarūpāḥ sumanaso babhūvuḥ saha sainikāḥ

SECTION I

(Jamvu-khanda Nirmana Parva)

OM! HAVING BOWED down to Narayana, and Nara, the most exalted of male beings, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word 'Jaya' be uttered.
Janamejaya said,--"How did those heroes, the Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas, and the high-souled kings assembled together from various countries, fight?"
Vaisampayana said,--"Listen thou, O lord of the earth, how those heroes,--the Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas,--fought on the sacred plain of the Kurukshetra. 1 Entering Kurukshetra, the Pandavas endued with great might, along with the Somakas, advanced, desirous of victory, against the Kauravas. Accomplished in the study of the Vedas, all (of them) took great delight in battle. Expectant of success in battle, with their troops (they) faced the fight. Approaching the army of Dhritarashtra's son, those (warriors) invincible in battle 2 stationed themselves with their troops on the western part (of the plain), their faces turned towards the east. Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, caused tents by thousands to be set up according to rule, beyond the region called Samantapanchaka. The whole earth seemed then to be empty, divested of horses and men, destitute of cars and elephants, and with only the children and the old left (at home). From the whole area of Jamvudwipa over which the sun sheds his rays, 3 was collected that force, O best of kings. Men of all races, 4 assembled together, occupied an area extending for many Yojanas over districts, rivers, hills, and woods. That bull among men, king Yudhishthira, ordered excellent food and other articles of enjoyment for all of them along with their animals. And Yudhishthira fixed diverse watch-words for them; so that one saying this should be known as belonging to the Pandavas. And that descendant of Kuru's race also settled names and badges for all of them for recognition during time of battle.
"Beholding the standard-top of Pritha's son, the high-souled son of
p. 2
[paragraph continues] Dhritarashtra, with a white umbrella held over his head, in the midst of a thousand elephants, and surrounded by his century of brothers, began with all the kings (on his side) to array his troops against the son of Pandu. Seeing Duryodhana, the Panchalas who took delight in battle, were filled with joy and blew their loud-sounding conches and cymbals of sweet sounds. Beholding those troops so delighted, Pandu's son and Vasudeva of great energy had their hearts filled with joy. And those tigers among men, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, seated on one car, having felt great joy, both blew their celestial conches. And hearing the blare of Gigantea and the loud blast of Theodotes belonging unto the two, the combatants ejected urine and excreta. As other animals are filled with fear on hearing the voice of the roaring lion, even so became that force upon hearing those blasts. A frightful dust arose and nothing could be seen, for the sun himself, suddenly enveloped by it, seemed to have set. 1 A black cloud poured a shower of flesh and blood over the troops all around. All this seemed extraordinary. A wind rose there, bearing along the earth myriads of stony nodules, and afflicting therewith the combatants by hundreds and thousands. (For all that), O monarch, both armies, filled with joy, stood addrest for battle, on Kurukshetra like two agitated oceans. Indeed, that encounter of the two armies was highly wonderful, like that of two oceans when the end of the Yuga is arrived. The whole earth was empty, having only the children and the old left (at home), in consequence of that large army mustered by the Kauravas. 2 Then the Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas made certain covenants, and settled the rules, O bull of Bharata's race, regarding the different kinds of combat. Persons equally circumstanced must encounter each other, fighting fairly. And if having fought fairly the combatants withdraw (without fear of molestation), even that would be gratifying to us. Those who engaged in contests of words should be fought against with words. Those that left the ranks should never be slain. 3 A car-warrior should have a car-warrior for his antagonist; he on the neck of an elephant should have a similar combatant for his foe; a horse should be met by a horse, and a foot-soldier, O Bharata; should be met by a foot-soldier. Guided by considerations of fitness, willingness, daring and might, one should strike another, giving notice. No one should strike another that is unprepared 4 or panic-struck. One engaged with another, one seeking quarter, one retreating, one whose weapon is rendered unfit, uncased in mail, should never be struck. Car-drivers, animals (yoked to cars or carrying weapons) men
p. 3
engaged in the transport of weapons, 1 players on drums and blowers of conches should never be struck. Having made these covenants, the Kurus, and the Pandavas, and the Somakas wondered much, gazing at each other. And having stationed (their forces thus), those bulls among men, those high-souled ones, with their troops, became glad at heart, their joy being reflected on their countenances."

Book 6
Chapter 2

1 [v]
      tataḥ pūrvāpare saṃdhye samīkṣya bhagavān ṛṣiḥ
      sarvaveda vidāṃ śreṣṭho vyāsaḥ satyavatī sutaḥ
  2 bhaviṣyati raṇe ghore bharatānāṃ pitāmaha
      pratyakṣadarśī bhagavān bhūtabhavya bhaviṣyavit
  3 vaicitravīryaṃ rājānaṃ sa rahasyaṃ bravīd idam
      śocantam ārtaṃ dhyāyantaṃ putrāṇām anayaṃ tadā
  4 [vy]
      rājan parītakālās te putrāś cānye ca bhūmipāḥ
      te haniṣyanti saṃgrāme samāsādyetaretaram
  5 teṣu kālaparīteṣu vinaśyatsu ca bhārata
      kālaparyāyam ājñāya mā sma śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ
  6 yadi tv icchasi saṃgrāme draṣṭum enaṃ viśāṃ pate
      cakṣur dadāni te hanta yuddham etan niśāmaya
  7 [dhṛ]
      na rocaye jñātivadhaṃ draṣṭuṃ brahmarṣisattama
      yuddham etat tv aśeṣeṇa śṛṇuyāṃ tava tejasā
  8 [v]
      tasminn anicchati draṣṭuṃ saṃgrāmaṃ śrotum icchati
      varāṇām īśvaro dātā saṃjayāya varaṃ dadau
  9 eṣa te saṃjayo rājan yuddham etad vadiṣyati
      etasya sarvaṃ saṃgrāme na parokṣaṃ bhaviṣyati
  10 cakṣuṣā saṃjayo rājan divyenaiṣa samanvitaḥ
     kathayiṣyati te yuddhaṃ sarvajñaś ca bhaviṣyati
 11 prakāśaṃ vā rahasyaṃ vā rātrau vā yadi vā divā
     manasā cintitam api sarvaṃ vetsyati saṃjayaḥ
 12 nainaṃ śastrāṇi bhetsyanti nainaṃ bādhiṣyate śramaḥ
     gāvalgaṇir ayaṃ jīvan yuddhād asmād vimokṣyate
 13 ahaṃ ca kīrtim eteṣāṃ kurūṇāṃ bharatarṣabha
     pāṇḍavānāṃ ca sarveṣāṃ prathayiṣyāmi māṃ śucaḥ
 14 diṣṭam etat purā caiva nātra śocitum arhasi
     na caiva śakyaṃ saṃyantuṃ yato dharmas tato jayaḥ
 15 [v]
     evam uktvā sa bhagavān kurūṇāṃ prapitāmahaḥ
     punar eva mahābāhuṃ dhṛtarāṣṭram uvāca ha
 16 iha yuddhe mahārāja bhaviṣyati mahān kṣayaḥ
     yathemāni nimittāni bhayāyādyopalakṣaye
 17 śyenā gṛdhrāś ca kākāś ca kaṅkāś ca sahitā balaiḥ
     saṃpatanti vanānteṣu samavāyāṃś ca kurvate
 18 atyugraṃ ca prapaśyanti yuddham ānandino dvijāḥ
     kravyādā bhakṣayiṣyanti māṃsāni gajavājinām
 19 khaṭā khaṭeti vāśanto bhairavaṃ bhayavedinaḥ
     kahvāḥ prayānti madhyena dakṣiṇām abhito diśam
 20 ubhe pūrvāpare saṃdhye nityaṃ paśyāmi bhārata
     udayāstamane sūryaṃ kabandhaiḥ parivāritam
 21 śvetalohita paryantāḥ kṛṣṇa grīvāḥ sa vidyutaḥ
     trivarṇāḥ parighāḥ saṃdhau bhānum āvārayanty uta
 22 jvalitārkendu nakṣatraṃ nirviśeṣa dinakṣapam
     ahorātraṃ mayā dṛṣṭaṃ tat kṣayāya bhaviṣyati
 23 alakṣyaḥ prabhayā hīnaḥ paurṇamāsīṃ ca kārttikīm
     candro 'bhūd agnivarṇaś ca samavarṇe nabhastale
 24 svapsyanti nihatā vīrā bhūmim āvṛtya pārthivāḥ
     rājāno rājaputrāś ca śūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ
 25 antarikṣe varāhasya vṛṣadaṃśasya cobhayoḥ
     praṇādaṃ yudhyato rātrau raudraṃ nityaṃ pralakṣaye
 26 devatā pratimāś cāpi kampanti ca hasanti ca
     vamanti rudhiraṃ cāsyaiḥ svidyanti prapatanti ca
 27 anāhatā dundubhayaḥ praṇadanti viśāṃ pate
     ayuktāś ca pravartante kṣatriyāṇāṃ mahārathāḥ
 28 kokilāḥ śatapatrāś ca cāṣā bhāsāḥ śukās tathā
     sārasāś ca mayūrāś ca vāco muñcanti dāruṇāḥ
 29 gṛhītaśastrābharaṇā varmiṇo vājipṛṣṭhagāḥ
     aruṇodayeṣu dṛśyante śataśaḥ śalabha vrajāḥ
 30 ubhe saṃdhye prakāśete diśāṃ dāhasamanvite
     āsīd rudhiravarṣaṃ ca asthi varṣaṃ ca bhārata
 31 yā caiṣā viśrutā rājaṃs trailokye sādhu saṃmatā
     arundhatī tayāpy eṣa vasiṣṭhaḥ pṛṣṭhataḥ kṛtaḥ
 32 rohiṇīṃ pīḍayann eṣa sthito rājañ śanaiścaraḥ
     vyāvṛttaṃ lakṣma somasya bhaviṣyati mahad bhayam
 33 anabhre ca mahāghoraṃ stanitaṃ śrūyate 'niśam
     vāhanānāṃ ca rudatāṃ prapatanty aśrubindavaḥ

SECTION II

Vaisampayana said,--"Seeing then the two armies (standing) on the east and the west for the fierce battle that was impending, the holy Rishi Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, that foremost of all persons acquainted with the Vedas, that grandsire of the Bharatas, conversant with the past, the present, and the future, and beholding everything as if it were present before his eyes, said these words in private unto the royal son of Vichitravirya who was then distressed and giving way to sorrow, reflecting on the evil policy of his sons.
"Vyasa said,--'O king, thy sons and the other monarchs have their hour arrived. 2 Mustered in battle they will kill one another. O Bharata, their hour having come, they will all perish. Bearing in mind the changes brought on by time, do not yield thy heart to grief. O king, if thou wish to see them (fighting) in battle, I will, O son, grant thee vision. Behold the battle."
"Dhritarashtra said,--'O best of regenerate Rishi, I like not to behold the slaughter of kinsmen. I shall, however, through thy potency hear of this battle minutely."
Vaisampayana continued.--"Upon his not wishing to see the battle but wishing to hear of it, Vyasa, that lord of boons, gave a boon to Sanjaya. (And addressing Dhritarashtra he said),--'This Sanjaya, O king, will describe the battle to thee. Nothing in the whole battle will be beyond this one's eyes.' Endued, O king with celestial vision, Sanjaya will narrate the battle to thee. He will have knowledge of everything. Manifest or concealed, (happening) by day or by night, even that which is thought of in the mind, Sanjaya shall know everything. Weapons will not cut him and exertion will not fatigue him. This son of Gavalgani will come out of the battle with life. As regards myself, O bull of Bharata's race, the fame of these Kurus, as also of all the Pandavas, I will spread. Do not grieve. This is destiny, O tiger among men. It behoveth thee not to give way to grief. It is not capable of being prevented. As regards victory, it is there where
p. 4
righteousness is.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"That highly-blessed and holy grandsire of the Kurus, having said so, once more addressed Dhritarashtra and said,--'Great will the slaughter be, O monarch, in this battle. I see here also (numerous) omens indicative of terror. Hawks and vultures, and crows and herons, together with cranes, are alighting on the tops of trees and gathering in flocks. These birds, delighted at the prospect of battle, are looking down (on the field) before them. Carnivorous beasts will feed on the flesh of elephants and steeds. Fierce herons, foreboding terror, and uttering merciless cries, are wheeling across the centre towards the southern region. In both the twilights, prior and posterior, I daily behold, O Bharata, the sun during his rising and setting to be covered by headless trunks. Tri-coloured clouds with their extremities white and red and necks black, charged with lightning, and resembling maces (in figure) envelope the sun in both twilights. I have seen the sun, the moon, and the stars to be all blazing. No difference in their aspect is to be noted in the evening. I have seen this all day and all night. All this forbodes fear. On even the fifteenth night of the lighted-fortnight in (the month of) Kartika, the moon, divested of splendour, became invisible, or of the hue of fire, the firmament being of the hue of the lotus. Many heroic lords of earth, kings and princes, endued with great bravery and possessed of arms resembling maces, will be slain and sleep lying down on the earth. Daily I notice in the sky during night time the fierce cries of battling boars and cats. 1 The images of gods and goddesses sometimes laugh, sometimes tremble, and sometimes again these vomit blood through their mouths and sometimes they sweat and sometimes fall down. O monarch! drums, without being beaten, give sounds, and the great cars of Kshatriyas move without (being drawn by) animals yoked to them. Kokilas, wood-peckers, jaws, water-cocks, parrots, crows, and peacocks, utter terrible cries. Here and there, cavalry soldiers, cased in mail, armed with weapons, send forth fierce shouts. At sun-rise flights of insects, by hundreds are seen. In both twilights, the cardinal quarters seem to be ablaze, and the clouds, O Bharata, shower dust and flesh. She, O king, who is celebrated over the three worlds and is applauded by the righteous, even that (constellation) Arundhati keepeth (her lord) Vasistha on her back. The planet Sani also, O king, appeareth afflicting (the constellation) Rohini. The sign of the deer in the Moon hath deviated from its usual position. A great terror is indicated. Even though the sky is cloudless, a terrible roar is heard there. The animals are all weeping and their tears are falling fast.'"

Book 6
Chapter 3

1 [vy]
      kharā goṣu prajāyante ramante mātṛbhiḥ sutāḥ
      anārtavaṃ puṣpaphalaṃ darśayanti vane drumāḥ
  2 garbhiṇyo rājaputryaś ca janayanti vibhīṣaṇān
      kravyādān pakṣiṇaś caiva gomāyūn aparān mṛgān
  3 triviṣāṇāś caturnetrāḥ pañca pādā dvimehanāḥ
      dviśīrṣāś ca dvipucchāś ca daṃṣṭriṇaḥ paśavo 'śivāḥ
  4 jāyante vivṛtāsyāś ca vyāharanto 'śivā giraḥ
      tripadāḥ śikhinas tārkṣyāś caturdaṃṣṭrā viṣāṇinaḥ
  5 tathaivānyāś ca dṛśyante striyaś ca brahmavādinām
      vainateyān mayūrāṃś ca janayantyaḥ pure tava
  6 govatsaṃ vaḍavā sūte śvā sṛgālaṃ mahīpate
      krakarāñ śārikāś caiva śukāṃś cāśubha vādinaḥ
  7 striyaḥ kāś cit prajāyante catasraḥ pañca kanyakāḥ
      tā jātamātrā nṛtyanti gāyanti ca hasanti ca
  8 pṛthagjanasya kuḍakāḥ stanapāḥ stena veśmani
      nṛtyanti parigāyanti vedayanto mahad bhayam
  9 pratimāś cālikhanty anye sa śastrāḥ kālacoditāḥ
      anyonyam abhidhāvanti śiśavo daṇḍapāṇayaḥ
      uparundhanti kṛtvā ca nagarāṇi yuyutsavaḥ
  10 padmotpalāni vṛkṣeṣu jāyante kumudāni ca
     viṣvag vātāś ca vānty ugrā rajo na vyupaśāmyati
 11 abhīkṣṇaṃ kampate bhūmir arkaṃ rāhus tathāgrasat
     śveto grahas tathā citrāṃ samatikramya tiṣṭhati
 12 abhāvaṃ hi viśeṣeṇa kurūṇāṃ pratipaśyati
     dhūmaketur mahāghoraḥ puṣyam ākramya tiṣṭhati
 13 senayor aśivaṃ ghoraṃ kariṣyati mahāgrahaḥ
     maghāsv aṅgārako vakraḥ śravaṇe ca bṛhaspatiḥ
 14 bhāgyaṃ nakṣatram ākramya sūryaputreṇa pīḍyate
     śukraḥ proṣṭhapade pūrve samāruhya viśāṃ pate
     uttare tu parikramya sahitaḥ pratyudīkṣate
 15 śyāmo grahaḥ prajvalitaḥ sa dhūmaḥ saha pāvakaḥ
     aindraṃ tejasvi nakṣatraṃ jyeṣṭhām ākramya tiṣṭhati
 16 dhruvaḥ prajvalito ghoram apasavyaṃ pravartate
     citrā svāty antare caiva dhiṣṭhitaḥ paruṣo grahaḥ
 17 vakrānuvakraṃ kṛtvā ca śravaṇe pāvakaprabhaḥ
     brahmarāśiṃ samāvṛtya lohitāṅgo vyavasthitaḥ
 18 sarvasasya praticchannā pṛthivī phalamālinī
     pañcaśīrṣā yavāś caiva śataśīrṣāś ca śālayaḥ
 19 pradhānāḥ sarvalokasya yāsv āyattam idaṃ jagat
     tā gāvaḥ prasnutā vatsaiḥ śoṇitaṃ prakṣaranty uta
 20 niścerur apidhānebhyaḥ khaḍgāḥ prajvalitā bhṛśam
     vyaktaṃ paśyanti śastrāṇi saṃgrāmaṃ samupasthitam
 21 agnivarṇā yathā bhāsaḥ śastrāṇām udakasya ca
     kavacānāṃ dhvajānāṃ ca bhaviṣyati mahān kṣayaḥ
 22 dikṣu prajvalitāsyāś ca vyāharanti mṛgadvijāḥ
     atyāhitaṃ darśayanto vedayanti mahad bhayam
 23 ekapakṣākṣi caraṇaḥ śakuniḥ khacaro niśi
     raudraṃ vadati saṃrabdhaḥ śoṇitaṃ chardayan muhuḥ
 24 grahau tāmrāruṇa śikhau prajvalantāv iva sthitau
     saptarṣīṇām udārāṇāṃ samavacchādya vai prabhām
 25 saṃvatsarasthāyinau ca grahau prajvalitāv ubhau
     viśākhayoḥ samīpasthau bṛhaspatiśanaiścarau
 26 kṛttikāsu grahas tīvro nakṣatre prathame jvalan
     vapūṃṣy apaharan bhāsā dhūmaketur iva sthitaḥ
 27 triṣu pūrveṣu sarveṣu nakṣatreṣu viśāṃ pate
     budhaḥ saṃpatate 'bhīkṣṇaṃ janayan sumahad bhayam
 28 caturdaśīṃ pañcadaśīṃ bhūtapūrvāṃ ca ṣoḍaśīm
     imāṃ tu nābhijānāmi amāvāsyāṃ trayodaśīm
 29 candrasūryāv ubhau grastāv ekamāse trayodaśīm
     aparvaṇi grahāv etau prajāḥ saṃkṣapayiṣyataḥ
 30 rajo vṛtā diśaḥ sarvāḥ pāṃsuvarṣaiḥ samantataḥ
     utpātameghā raudrāś ca rātrau varṣanti śoṇitam
 31 māṃsavarṣaṃ punas tīvram āsīt kṛṣṇa caturdaśīm
     ardharātre mahāghoram atṛpyaṃs tatra rākṣasāḥ
 32 pratisroto 'vahan nadyaḥ saritaḥ śoṇitodakāḥ
     phenāyamānāḥ kūpāś ca nardanti vṛṣabhā iva
     patanty ulkāḥ sa nirghātāḥ śuṣkāśani vimiśritāḥ
 33 adya caiva niśāṃ vyuṣṭām udaye bhānur āhataḥ
     jvalantībhir maholkābhiś caturbhiḥ sarvatodiśam
 34 ādityam upatiṣṭhadbhis tatra coktaṃ maharṣibhiḥ
     bhūmipāla sahasrāṇāṃ bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam
 35 kailāsamandarābhyāṃ tu tathā himavato gireḥ
     sahasraśo mahāśabdaṃ śikharāṇi patanti ca
 36 mahābhūtā bhūmikampe caturaḥ sāgarān pṛthak
     velām udvartayanti sma kṣobhayantaḥ punaḥ punaḥ
 37 vṛkṣān unmathya vānty ugrā vātāḥ śarkara karṇiṇaḥ
     patanti caityavṛkṣāś ca grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca
 38 pītalohita nīlaś ca jvalaty agnir huto dvijaiḥ
     vāmārciḥ śāvagandhī ca dhūmaprāyaḥ kharasvanaḥ
     sparśā gandhā rasāś caiva viparītā mahīpate
 39 dhūmāyante dhvajā rājñāṃ kampamānā muhur muhuḥ
     muñcanty aṅgāravarṣāṇi bheryo 'tha paṭahās tathā
 40 prāsādaśikharāgreṣu puradvāreṣu caiva hi
     gṛdhrāḥ paripatanty ugrā vāmaṃ maṇḍalam āśritāḥ
 41 pakvāpakveti subhṛśaṃ vāvāśyante vayāṃsi ca
     nilīyante dhvajāgreṣu kṣayāya pṛthivīkṣitām
 42 dhyāyantaḥ prakirantaś ca vālān vepathusaṃyutāḥ
     rudanti dīnās turagā mātaṅgāś ca sahasraśaḥ
 43 etac chrutvā bhavān atra prāptakālaṃ vyavasyatām
     yathā lokaḥ samucchedaṃ nāyaṃ gaccheta bhārata
 44 [v]
     pitur vaco niśamyaitad dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd idam
     diṣṭam etat purā manye bhaviṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 45 kṣatriyāḥ kṣatradharmeṇa vadhyante yadi saṃyuge
     vīralokaṃ samāsādya sukhaṃ prāpsyanti kevalam
 46 iha kīrtiṃ pare loke dīrghakālaṃ mahat sukham
     prāpsyanti puruṣavyāghrāḥ prāṇāṃs tyaktvā mahāhave

SECTION III

"Vyasa said,--'Asses are taking births in kine. Some are having sexual pleasure with mothers. The trees in the forests are exhibiting unseasonable flowers and fruits. Women quick with child, and even those that are not so, are giving birth to monsters. Carnivorous beasts, mingling with (carnivorous) birds, are feeding together. Ill-omened beasts, some having three horns, some with four eyes, some with five legs, some with two sexual organs, some with two heads, some with two tails, some having fierce teeth, are being born, and with mouths wide open are uttering unholy cries. Horses with three legs, furnished with crests, having four teeth, and endued with horns, are also being born. O king! in thy city is also seen that the wives of many utterers of Brahma are bringing forth Garudas and peacocks. The mare is bringing forth the cow-calf and the bitch is bringing forth, O king, jackals and cocks, and antelopes and parrots are all uttering inauspicious cries. 1 Certain women are bringing forth four or five daughters (at a time), and these as soon as they are born, dance and sing and laugh. The members of the lowest orders are laughing and dancing and singing, and thus indicating direful consequences. Infants, as if urged by death, are drawing armed images, and are running against one another, armed with clubs, and desirous of battle are also breaking down the towns (they erect in sport). Lotuses of different kinds and lilies are growing on trees. Strong winds are blowing fiercely and the dust ceaseth not. The earth is frequently trembling, and Rahu approacheth towards the sun. The white planet (Ketu) stayeth, having passed beyond the constellation Chitra. All this particularly bodeth the destruction of the Kurus. A fierce comet riseth, afflicting the constellation Pusya. This great planet will cause frightful mischief to both the armies. Mars wheeleth towards Magha and Vrihaspati (Jupiter) towards Sravana. The Sun's offspring (Sani) approaching towards the constellation Bhaga, afflicteth it. The planet Sukra, ascending towards Purva Bhadra, shineth brilliantly, and wheeling towards the Uttara Bhadra, looketh towards it, having effected a junction (with a smaller planet). The white planet (Ketu), blazing up like fire mixed with smoke, stayeth, having attacked the bright constellation Jeshtha that is sacred to Indra. The constellation Dhruva, blazing fiercely, wheeleth towards the right. Both the Moon and the Sun are afflicting Rohini. The fierce planet (Rahu) hath taken up its position between the constellations Chitra and Swati. 2 The red-bodied (Mars) possessed of the effulgence of fire, wheeling circuitously, stayeth in a line with the constellation Sravana over-ridden by Vrihaspati. The earth that
p. 6
produceth particular crops at particular seasons is now covered with the crops of every season. 1 Every barley-stalk is graced with five ears, and every paddy-stalk with a hundred. They that are the best of creatures in the worlds and upon whom depends the universe, viz., kine, when milked after the calves have their suck, yield only blood. Radiant rays of light emanate from bows, and swords blaze forth brilliantly. It is evident that the weapons behold (before them) the battle, as if it were already arrived. The hue of weapons and the water, as also of coats of mail and standards, is like that of fire. A great slaughter will take place. In this battle, 2 O Bharata, of the Kurus with the Pandavas, the earth, O monarch, will be a river of blood with the standards (of warriors) as its rafts. Animals and birds on all sides, with mouths blazing like fire, uttering fierce cries, and displaying these evil omens, are foreboding terrible consequences. A (fierce) bird with but one wing, one eye, and one leg, hovering over the sky in the night, screameth frightfully in wrath, as if for making the hearers vomit blood? It seemeth, O great king, that all weapons are now blazing with radiance. The effulgence of the constellation known by the name of the seven high-souled Rishis, hath been dimmed. Those two blazing planets, viz., Vrihaspati and Sani, having approached the constellation called Visakha, have become stationary there for a whole year. Three lunations twice meeting together in course of the same lunar fortnight, the duration of the latter is shortened by two days. 3 On the thirteenth day therefore, from the first lunation, according as it is the day of the full moon or the new moon, the moon and the sun are afflicted by Rahu. Such strange eclipses, both lunar and solar, forebode a great slaughter. 4 All the quarters of the earth, being overwhelmed by showers of dust, look inauspicious. Fierce clouds, portentous of danger, drop bloody showers during the night. Rahu of fierce deeds is also, O monarch, afflicting the constellation Kirtika. Rough winds, portending fierce danger, are constantly blowing. All these
p. 7
beget a war characterised by many sad incidents. 1 The constellations are divided into three classes. Upon one or another of each class, a planet of evil omen has shed its influence, foreboding terrible dangers. 2 A lunar fortnight had hitherto consisted of fourteen days, or fifteen days (as usual), or sixteen days. This, however, I never knew that the day of new-moon would be on the thirteenth day from the first lunation, or the day of full-moon on the thirteenth day from the same. And yet in course of the same month both the Moon and the Sun have undergone eclipses on the thirteenth days from the day of the first lunation. 3 The Sun and the Moon therefore, by undergoing eclipses on unusual days, 4 will cause a great slaughter of the creatures of the earth. Indeed, Rakshasas, though drinking blood by mouthful, will yet not be satiated. The great rivers are flowing in opposite directions. The waters of rivers have become bloody. The wells, foaming up, are bellowing like bulls. 5 Meteors, effulgent like Indra's thunder-bolt, fall with loud hisses. 6 When this night passeth away, evil consequences will overtake you. People, for meeting together, coming out of their houses with lighted brands, have still to encounter a thick gloom all round. 7 Great Rishis have said that in view of such circumstances the earth drinks the blood of thousands of kings. From the mountains of Kailasa and Mandara and Himavat thousands of explosions are heard and thousands of summits are tumbling down. In consequence of the Earth's trembling, each of the four oceans having swelled greatly, seems ready to transgress its continents for afflicting the Earth. 8 Fierce winds charged with pointed pebbles are
p. 8
blowing, crushing mighty trees. In villages and towns trees, ordinary and sacred, are falling down, crushed by mighty winds and struck by lightning. The (sacrificial) fire, when Brahmanas pour libations on it, becomes blue, or red, or yellow. Its flames bend towards the left, yielding a bad scent, accompanied by loud reports. Touch, smell, and taste have, O monarch, become what they were not. The standards (of warriors), repeatedly trembling are emitting smoke. Drums and cymbals are throwing off showers of coal-dust. And from the tops of tall trees all around, crows, wheeling in circles from the left, are uttering fierce cries. All of them again are uttering frightful cries of pakka, pakka and are perching upon the tops of standards for the destruction of the kings. Vicious elephants, trembling all over, are running hither and thither, urinating and ejecting excreta. The horses are all melancholy, while the elephants are resorting to the water. Hearing all this, let that be done which is suitable, so that, O Bharata, the world may not be depopulated.'"
Vaisampayana continued,--"Hearing these words of his father, Dhritarashtra said,--'I think all this hath been ordained of old. A great slaughter of human beings will take place. If the kings die in battle observing the duties of the Kshatriya order, they will then, attaining to the regions reserved for heroes, obtain only happiness. These tigers among men, casting away their lives in great battle, will win fame in this and great bliss for ever in the next world.'
Vaisampayana continued,--"O best of kings, thus addressed by his son Dhritarashtra, that prince of poets, the Muni (Vyasa) concentrated his mind in supreme Yoga. Having contemplated for only a short space of time, Vyasa once more said,--'Without doubt, O king of kings, it is Time that destroyeth the universe. It is Time also that createth the worlds. There is nothing here that is eternal. Show the path of righteousness to the Kurus, to thy kinsmen, relatives, and friends. Thou art competent to restrain them. The slaughter of kinsmen hath been said to be sinful. Do not do that which is disagreeable to me. O king, Death himself hath been born in the shape of thy son. Slaughter is never applauded in the Vedas. It can never be beneficial. The usages of one's race are as one's own body. Those usages slay him that destroyeth them. For the destruction of this race and of those kings of the earth it is Time that maketh thee deviate into the wrong path like one in distress, although thou art competent (to walk along the path of righteousness). O king, in the shape of thy kingdom hath calamity come to thee. Thy virtue is sustaining a very great diminution. 1 Show what righteousness is unto thy sons. O thou that art invincible, of what value is that kingdom to thee which bringeth sin to thee? Take care of thy good name, thy virtue, and thy fame. Thou wilt then win heaven. Let the Pandavas have their kingdom, and let the Kauravas have peace."
"While that best of Brahmanas was saying these words in a sorrowful tone, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, accomplished in speech, once
p. 9
more addressed him, saying.---'My knowledge of life and death is similar to thine. The truth is known to me as regards these. Man, however, in what concerns his own interests, is deprived of judgment. O sire, know me to be one who is an ordinary person. Of immeasurable power thou art. I pray thee to extend thine towards us. Of soul under complete control, thou art our refuge and instructor. My sons are not obedient to me, O great Rishi. My understanding too is not inclined to commit sin. 1 Thou art the cause of the fame, the achievements, and the inclination for virtue, of the Bharatas. Thou art the reverend grandsire of both the Kurus and the Pandavas.'
"Vyasa said,--'O royal son of Vichitravirya, tell me freely what is in thy mind. I will remove thy doubts."
"Dhritarashtra said,--'O holy one, I desire to hear from thee of all those indications that happen unto those that become victorious in battle."
"Vyasa said,--'The (sacred) fire assumes a cheerful radiance. Its light ascends upwards. Its flame bends towards the right. It blazes up without being smoky. The libations poured on it yield a fragrant scent. It is said that these are the indications of future success. The conches and cymbals yield sounds that are deep and loud. The Sun as well as the Moon gives pure rays. It is said that these are the indications of future success. Crows, whether stationary or on their wings, utter cries that are agreeable. They again that are behind, urge the warriors to advance; while they that are ahead, forbid all advance. 2 Where vultures, swans, parrots, cranes, and wood-peckers utter delightful cries, and wheel towards the right, the Brahmanas say that their victory in battle is certain. They whose divisions, in consequence of ornaments, coats of mail, and standards, or the melodious neigh of their steeds, become resplendent and incapable of being gazed at, always conquer their foes. They who utter cheerful shouts, those warriors, O Bharata, whose energies are not damped and whose garlands do not fade, always cross the ocean of battle. They who utter cheerful shouts having penetrated into the divisions of the foe, who utter even kind words, 3 to the enemy, and who, before striking, forewarn the foe, win victory. The objects of hearing, vision, taste, touch, and smell, without undergoing any change for the worse, become auspicious. This also is another indication of a victorious army, viz., there is joy among the combatants at all time. This also is another indication of success, viz. the winds that blow, the clouds, and the birds, all become favourable; while the clouds (so favourable)
p. 10
and the rain-bows drop beneficial showers. These, O king, are the indications of armies to be crowned with victory, while O monarch, all these become otherwise in the case of those that are about to be destroyed. Whether the army be small or large, cheerfulness, as an attribute of the combatants, is said to be a certain indication of victory. One soldier, struck with panic, can cause even a large army to take fright and fly. And when an army, struck with panic, takes to flight, it causes even heroic warriors to take fright. If a large army is once broken and put to rout, it cannot like a herd of deer disordered in fright or a mighty current of water be easily checked. If a large army is once routed, it is incapable of being rallied; on the other hand, beholding it broken, even those well-skilled in battle, O Bharata, become heartless. Beholding soldiers struck with fear and flying, the panic spreads in other directions, and soon, O king, the whole army is broken and flies in all directions. And when an army is routed, even brave leaders, O king, at the head of large divisions consisting of the four kinds of forces, are incapable of rallying them. An intelligent man, always exerting himself with activity, should strive (to win success) by the aid of means. It is said that that success which is won by negotiation and other means is the very best. That which is achieved by producing disunion (among the foe) is indifferent. While that success, O king, which is won by battle, is the worst. In battle are many evils, the initial one, as it is said, being slaughter. Even fifty brave men who know one another, who are underpressed, who are free from family ties, and who are firmly resolved, can crush a large army. Even five, six, seven men, who are unretreating, win victory. Vinata's son Garuda, O Bharata, beholding even a large concourse of birds, asketh not the aid of many followers (to vanquish them). The strength in number, therefore of an army is not always the cause of victory. Victory is uncertain. It depends on chance. Even they that become victorious have to sustain loss.'"

Book 6
Chapter 4

 1 [v]
      evam ukto munis tattvaṃ kavīndro rājasattama
      putreṇa dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa dhyānam anvagamat param
  2 punar evābravīd vākyaṃ kālavādī mahātapāḥ
      asaṃśayaṃ pārthivendra kālaḥ saṃkṣipate jagat
  3 sṛjate ca punar lokān neha vidyati śāśvatam
      jñātīnāṃ ca kurūṇāṃ ca saṃbandhisuhṛdāṃ tathā
  4 dharmyaṃ deśaya panthānaṃ samartho hy asi vāraṇe
      kṣudraṃ jñātivadhaṃ prāhur mā kuruṣva mamāpriyam
  5 kālo 'yaṃ putra rūpeṇa tava jāto viśāṃ pate
      na vadhaḥ pūjyate vede hitaṃ naitat kathaṃ cana
  6 hanyāt sa eva yo hanyāt kuladharmaṃ svakāṃ tanum
      kālenotpatha gantāsi śakye sati yathā pathi
  7 kulasyāsya vināśāya tathaiva ca mahīkṣitām
      anartho rājyarūpeṇa tyajyatām asukhāvahaḥ
  8 luptaprajñaḥ pareṇāsi dharmaṃ darśaya vai sutān
      kiṃ te rājyena durdharṣa yena prāpto 'si kilbiṣam
  9 yaśodharmaṃ ca kīrtiṃ ca pālayan svargam āpsyasi
      labhantāṃ pāṇḍavā rājyaṃ śamaṃ gacchantu kauravāḥ
  10 evaṃ bruvati viprendre dhṛtarāṣṭro 'mbikā sutaḥ
     ākṣipya vākyaṃ vākyajño vākpathenāpy ayāt punaḥ
 11 [dhṛ]
     yathā bhavān veda tathāsmi vettā; bhāvābhāvau viditau me yathāvat
     svārthe hi saṃmuhyati tāta loko; māṃ cāpi lokātmakam eva viddhi
 12 prasādaye tvām atulaprabhāvaṃ; tvaṃ no gatir darśayitā ca dhīraḥ
     na cāpi te vaśagā me maharṣe; na kalmaṣaṃ kartum ihārhase mām
 13 tvaṃ hi dharmaḥ pavitraṃ ca yaśaḥ kīrtir dhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ
     karuṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca mānyaś cāsi pitāmahaḥ
 14 [vy]
     vaicitravīrya nṛpate yat te manasi vartate
     abhidhatsva yathākāmaṃ chettāsmi tava saṃśayam
 15 [dhṛ]
     yāni liṅgāni saṃgrāme bhavanti vijayiṣyatām
     tāni sarvāṇi bhagavañ śrotum icchāmi tattvataḥ
 16 [vy]
     prasannabhāḥ pāvaka ūrdhvaraśmiḥ; pradakṣiṇāvartaśikho vidhūmaḥ
     puṇyā gandhāś cāhutīnāṃ pravānti; jayasyaitad bhāvino rūpam āhuḥ
 17 gambhīraghoṣāś ca mahāsvanāś ca; śaṅkhā mṛdaṅgāś ca nadanti yatra
     viśuddharaśmis tapanaḥ śaśī ca; jayasyaitad bhāvino rūpam āhuḥ
 18 iṣṭā vācaḥ pṛṣṭhato vāyasānāṃ; saṃprasthitānāṃ ca gamiṣyatāṃ ca
     ye pṛṣṭhatas te tvarayanti rājan; ye tv agratas te pratiṣedhayanti
 19 kalyāṇa vācaḥ śakunā rājahaṃsāḥ; śukāḥ krauñcāḥ śatapatrāś ca yatra
     pradakṣiṇāś caiva bhavanti saṃkhye; dhruvaṃ jayaṃ tatra vadanti viprāḥ
 20 alaṃkāraiḥ kavacaiḥ ketubhiś ca; mukhaprasādair hemavarṇaiś ca nṝṇām
     bhrājiṣmatī duṣpratiprekṣaṇīyā; yeṣāṃ camūs te vijayanti śatrūn
 21 hṛṣṭā vācas tathā sattvaṃ yodhānāṃ yatra bhārata
     na mlāyante srajaś caiva te taranti raṇe ripūn
 22 iṣṭo vātaḥ praviṣṭasya dakṣiṇā pravivikṣataḥ
     paścāt saṃsādhayaty arthaṃ purastāt pratiṣedhate
 23 śabdarūparasasparśa gandhāś cāviṣkṛtāḥ śubhāḥ
     sadā yodhāś ca hṛṣṭāś ca yeṣāṃ teṣāṃ dhruvaṃ jayaḥ
 24 anv eva vāyavo vānti tathābhrāṇi vayāṃsi ca
     anuplavante meghāś ca tathaivendra dhanūṃṣi ca
 25 etāni jayamānānāṃ lakṣaṇāni viśāṃ pate
     bhavanti viparītāni mumūrṣāṇāṃ janādhipa
 26 alpāyāṃ vā mahatyāṃ vā senāyām iti niścitam
     harṣo yodhagaṇasyaikaṃ jayalakṣaṇam ucyate
 27 eko dīrṇo dārayati senāṃ sumahatīm api
     taṃ dīrṇam anudīryante yodhāḥ śūratamā api
 28 durnivāratamā caiva prabhagnā mahatī camūḥ
     apām iva mahāvegas trastā mṛgagaṇā iva
 29 naiva śakyā samādhātuṃ sa nipāte mahācamūḥ
     dīrṇā ity eva dīryante yodhāḥ śūratamā api
     bhītān bhagnāṃś ca saṃprekṣya bhayaṃ bhūyo vivardhate
 30 prabhagnā sahasā rājan diśo vibhrāmitā paraiḥ
     naiva sthāpayituṃ śakyā śūrair api mahācamūḥ
 31 saṃbhṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturaṅgāṃ mahīpatiḥ
     upāyapūrvaṃ medhāvī yateta satatotthitaḥ
 32 upāyavijayaṃ śreṣṭham āhur bhedena madhyamam
     jaghanya eṣa vijayo yo yuddhena viśāṃ pate
     mahādoṣaḥ saṃnipātas tato vyaṅgaḥ sa ucyate
 33 parasparajñāḥ saṃhṛṣṭā vyavadhūtāḥ suniścitāḥ
     pañcāśad api ye śūrā mathnanti mahatīṃ camūm
     atha vā pañcaṣaṭ sapta vijayanty anivartinaḥ
 34 na vainateyo garuḍaḥ praśaṃsati mahājanam
     dṛṣṭvā suparṇopacitiṃ mahatīm api bhārata
 35 na bāhulyena senāyā jayo bhavati bhārata
     adhruvo hi jayo nāma daivaṃ cātra parāyaṇam
     jayanto hy api saṃgrāme kṣatravanto bhavanty uta

SECTION IV

Vaisampayana said,--"Having said these words unto Dhritarashtra, Vyasa took his departure. And Dhritarashtra also, having heard those words, began to reflect in silence. And having reflected for only a short space of time, he began to sigh repeatedly. And, soon, O bull of Bharata's race, the king asked Sanjaya of soul worthy of praise,--saying,--'O Sanjaya, these kings, these lords of earth, so brave and taking delight in battle, are for smiting one another with weapons of diverse kinds, being prepared to lay down their very lives for the sake of earth. Incapable of being restrained, they are, indeed, smiting one another for increasing the population of Yama's domain. Desirous of prosperity connected with the possession
p. 11
of earth they are incapable of bearing one another. I, therefore, think that earth must be possessed of many attributes. Tell me all these, O Sanjaya, Many thousands, many millions, many tens of millions, many hundreds of millions, heroic men have come together at Kurujangala. I desire to hear, O Sanjaya, with accurate details, about the situation and dimensions of those countries and cities from which they have come. Through the potency of that regenerate Rishi Vyasa of immeasurable energy, thou art endued with the lamp of celestial perception and the eye of knowledge.
"Sanjaya said,--'O thou of great wisdom, I will recount to thee the merits of earth according to my knowledge. Behold them with thy eye of wisdom. I bow to thee, O bull of Bharata's race. Creatures in this world are of two kinds, mobile and immobile. Mobile creatures are of three kinds according to their birth, viz., oviparous, viviparous, and those engendered by heat and damp. Of mobile creatures, O king, the foremost are certainly those called viviparous. Of viviparous creatures the foremost are men and animals. Animals, O king, of diverse forms, are of fourteen species. Seven have their abodes in the woods, and seven of these are domestic. Lions, tigers, boars, buffaloes, and elephants as also bears and apes, are, O king, regarded as wild. Kine, goats, sheep, men, horses, mules, and asses,--these seven amongst animals are reckoned as domestic by the learned. These fourteen, O king, complete the tale of domestic and wild animals, mentioned, O lord of earth, in the Vedas, and on which the sacrifices rest. Of creatures that are domestic, men are foremost, while lions are the foremost of those that have their abode in the woods. All creatures support their life by living upon one another. Vegetables are said to be immobile, and they are of four species viz., trees, shrubs, creepers, creeping plants existing for only a year, and all stemless plants of the grass species. 1 Of mobile and immobile creatures, there are thus one less twenty; and as regards their universal constituents, there are five. Twenty-four in all, these are described as Gayatri (Brahma) as is well-known to all. 2 He who knows these truly to be the sacred Gayatri possessed of every virtue, is not liable, O best of the Bharatas, to destruction in this world. Everything springeth from the earth and everything, when destroyed, mergeth into the Earth. The Earth is the stay and refuge of all creatures, and the Earth is eternal. He that hath the Earth, hath the entire universe with its mobile and immobile population. It is for this that longing for (the possession of the) Earth, kings slay one another.'"

Book 6
Chapter 5

1 [v]
      evam uktvā yayau vyāso dhṛtarāṣṭrāya dhīmate
      dhṛtarāṣṭro 'pi tac chrutvā dhyānam evānvapadyata
  2 sa muhūrtam iva dhyātvā viniḥśvasya muhur muhuḥ
      saṃjayaṃ saṃśitātmānam apṛcchad bharatarṣabha
  3 saṃjayeme mahīpālāḥ śūrā yuddhābhinandinaḥ
      anyonyam abhinighnanti śastrair uccāvacair api
  4 pārthivāḥ pṛthivī hetoḥ samabhityaktajīvitāḥ
      na ca śāmyati nighnanto vardhayanto yamakṣayam
  5 bhaimam aiśvaryam icchanto na mṛṣyante parasparam
      manye bahuguṇā bhūmis tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  6 bahūni ca sahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca
      koṭyaś ca lokavīrāṇāṃ sametāḥ kurujāṅgale
  7 deśānāṃ ca parīmāṇaṃ nagarāṇāṃ ca saṃjaya
      śrotum icchāmi tattvena yata ete samāgatāḥ
  8 divyabuddhipradīptena yuktas tvaṃ jñānacakṣuṣā
      prasādāt tasya viprarṣer vyāsasyāmita tejasaḥ
  9 [s]
      yathā prajñaṃ mahāprājña bhaimān vakṣyāmi te guṇān
      śāstracakṣur avekṣasva namas te bharatarṣabha
  10 dvividhānīha bhūtāni trasāni sthāvarāṇi ca
     trasānāṃ trividhā yonir aṇḍa svedajarāyujāḥ
 11 trasānāṃ khalu sarveṣāṃ śreṣṭhā rājañ jarāyujāḥ
     jarāyujānāṃ pravarā mānavāḥ paśavaś ca ye
 12 nānārūpāṇi bibhrāṇās teṣāṃ bhedāś caturdaśa
     araṇyavāsinaḥ sapta saptaiṣāṃ grāmavāsinaḥ
 13 siṃhavyāghra varāhāś ca mahiṣā vāraṇās tathā
     ṛkṣāś ca vānarāś caiva saptāraṇyāḥ smṛtā nṛpa
 14 gaur ajo manujo meṣo vājy aśvatara gardabhāḥ
     ete grāmyāḥ samākhyātāḥ paśavaḥ sapta sādhubhiḥ
 15 ete vai paśavo rājan grāmyāraṇyāś caturdaśa
     vedoktāḥ pṛthivīpāla yeṣu yajñāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ
 16 grāmyāṇāṃ puruṣaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ siṃhaś cāraṇyavāsinām
     sarveṣām eva bhūtānām anyonyenābhijīvanam
 17 udbhijjāḥ sthāvarāḥ proktās teṣāṃ pañcaiva jātayaḥ
     vṛkṣagulma latāvallyas tvak sārās tṛṇajātayaḥ
 18 eṣāṃ viṃśatir ekonā mahābhūteṣu pañcasu
     caturviṃśatir uddiṣṭā gāyatrī lokasaṃmatā
 19 ya etāṃ veda gāyatrīṃ puṇyāṃ sarvaguṇānvitām
     tattvena bharataśreṣṭha sa lokān na praṇaśyati
 20 bhūmau hi jāyate sarvaṃ bhūmau sarvaṃ praṇaśyati
     bhūmiḥ pratiṣṭhā bhūtānāṃ bhūmir eva parāyaṇam
 21 yasya bhūmis tasya sarvajagat sthāvarajaṅgamam
     tatrābhigṛddhā rājāno vinighnantītaretaram

SECTION V

"Dhritarashtra said,--'The names of rivers and mountains, O Sanjaya, as also of provinces, and all other things resting on the earth, and their dimensions, O thou that are acquainted with the measures of things of the earth in its entirety and the forests, O Sanjaya, recount to me in detail.'
"Sanjaya said,--'O great king, all things in the universe, in consequence of the presence (in them) of the five elements, have been said to be equal by the wise. These elements, are space, air, fire, water, and earth. Their (respective) attributes are sound, touch, vision, taste, and scent. Every one of these elements possesses (in addition to what is especially its own) the attribute or attributes of that or those coming before it. The earth, therefore, is the foremost of them all, possessing as it does the attributes of all the other four, besides what is specially its own, as said by Rishis acquainted with truth. 1 There are four attributes, O king, in water. Scent does not exist in it. Fire has three attributes viz., sound, touch, and vision. Sound and touch belong to air, while space has sound alone. These five attributes, O king, exist (in this way) in the five principal elements depending on which all creatures in the universe exist. They exist separately and independently when there is homogeneity in the universe. 2 When, however, these do not exist in their natural state but with one another, then creatures spring into life, furnished with bodies. This is never otherwise. The elements are destroyed, in the order of the one succeeding, merging into the one that proceeds; and they spring also into existence, one arising from the one before it. 3 All of these are immeasurable, their forms being Brahma itself. In the universe are seen creatures consisting of the five elements. Men endeavour to ascertain their proportions by exercising their reason. Those matters, however, that are inconceivable, should never be sought to be solved by reason. That which is above (human) nature is an indication of the inconceivable.
"'O son of Kuru's race, I will, however, describe to thee the island called Sudarsana. This island, O king, is circular and of the form of a wheel. It is covered with rivers and other pieces of water and with mountains looking like masses of clouds, and with cities and many delightful provinces. It is also full of trees furnished with flowers and fruits, and with crops of diverse
p. 13
kinds and other wealth. And it is surrounded on all sides with the salt ocean. As a person can see his own face in a mirror, even so is the island called Sudarsana seen in the lunar disc. Two of its parts seem to be a peepul tree, while two others look like a large hare. It is surrounded on all sides with an assemblage of every kind of deciduous plants. Besides these portions, the rest is all water. What remains I will describe to thee shortly. The rest I will speak of afterwards. Listen now to this that I describe in brief. 1"

Book 6
Chapter 6

1 [dhṛ]
      nadīnāṃ parvatānāṃ ca nāmadheyāni saṃjaya
      tathā janapadānāṃ ca ye cānye bhūmim āśritāḥ
  2 pramāṇaṃ ca pramāṇajña pṛthivyā api sarvaśaḥ
      nikhilena samācakṣva kānanāni ca saṃjaya
  3 pañcemāni mahārāja mahābhūtāni saṃgrahāt
      jagat sthitāni sarvāṇi samāny āhur manīṣiṇaḥ
  4 bhūmir āpas tathā vāyur agnir ākāśam eva ca
      guṇottarāṇi sarvāṇi teṣāṃ bhūmiḥ pradhānataḥ
  5 śabdaḥ sparśaś ca rūpaṃ ca raso gandhaś ca pañcamaḥ
      bhūmer ete guṇāḥ proktā ṛṣibhis tattvavedibhiḥ
  6 catvāro 'psu guṇā rājan gandhas tatra na vidyate
      śabdaḥ sparśaś ca rūpaṃ ca tejaso 'tha guṇās trayaḥ
      śabdaḥ sparśaś ca vāyos tu ākāśe śabda eva ca
  7 ete pañca guṇā rājan mahābhūteṣu pañcasu
      vartante sarvalokeṣu yeṣu lokāḥ pratiṣṭhitāḥ
  8 anyonyaṃ nābhivartante sāmyaṃ bhavati vai yadā
      yadā tu viṣamībhāvam āviśanti parasparam
      tadā dehair dehavanto vyatirohanti nānyathā
  9 ānupūrvyād vinaśyanti jāyante cānupūrvaśaḥ
      sarvāṇy aparimeyāni tad eṣāṃ rūpam aiśvaram
  10 tatra tatra hi dṛśyante dhātavaḥ pāñca bhautikāḥ
     teṣāṃ manuṣyās tarkeṇa pramāṇāni pracakṣate
 11 acintyāḥ khalu ye bhāvā na tāṃs tarkeṇa sādhayet
     prakṛtibhyaḥ paraṃ yat tu tad acintyasya lakṣaṇam
 12 sudarśanaṃ pravakṣyāmi dvīpaṃ te kurunandana
     parimaṇḍalo mahārāja dvīpo 'sau cakrasaṃsthitaḥ
 13 nadī jalapraticchannaḥ parvataiś cābhrasaṃnibhaiḥ
     puraiś ca vividhākārai ramyair janapadais tathā
 14 vṛkṣaiḥ puṣpaphalopetaiḥ saṃpannadhanadhānyavān
     lāvaṇena samudreṇa samantāt parivāritaḥ
 15 yathā ca puruṣaḥ paśyed ādarśe mukham ātmanaḥ
     evaṃ sudarśana dvīpo dṛśyate candramaṇḍale
 16 dvir aṃśe pippalas tatra dvir aṃśe ca śaśo mahān
     sarvauṣadhisamāvāpaiḥ sarvataḥ parivṛṃhitaḥ
     āpas tato 'nyā vijñeyā eṣa saṃkṣepa ucyate

SECTION VI

"Dhritarashtra said.---"Thou art intelligent, O Sanjaya, and acquainted with the truth (about everything). Thou hast duly given a description of the island in brief. Tell us now of the island in detail. Tell us now of the dimension of the expanse of land that lies in the portion looking like a hare. Thou mayst then speak of the portion resembling peepul tree."
Vaisampayana said,--"Thus addressed by the king, Sanjaya began to say.
"Sanjaya said,--'Stretching from east to west, are these six mountains that are equal 2 and that extend from the eastern to the western ocean. They are Himavat, Hemakuta, that best of mountains called Nishadha, Nila abounding with stones of lapis lazuli, Sweta white as the moon, and the mountains called Sringavat composed of all kinds of metals. 3 These are the six mountains, O king, which are always the resorts of Siddhas and Charanas. The space lying between each of these measures a thousand Yojanas, and thereon are many delightful kingdoms. And these divisions are called Varshas, O Bharata. In all those kingdoms reside creatures of diverse species. This (the land where we are) is in the Varsha that is called after Bharata. Next to it (northwards) is the Varsha called after Himavat. The land that is beyond Hemakuta is called Harivarsha, South of the Nila range and on the north of the Nishadha is a mountain, O king, called Malyavat that stretches from east to west. Beyond Malyavat northwards is the mountain called Gandhamadana. 4 Between these two (viz., Malyavat and Gandhamadana) is a globular mountain called Meru made of gold. Effulgent as the morning sun, it is like fire without smoke. 5 It is eighty-four thousand Yojanas high, and, O king, its depth also is eighty-four Yojanas. It standeth
p. 14
bearing the worlds above, below and transversely. Besides Meru are situated, O lord, these four islands, viz., Bhadraswa, and Ketumala, and Jamvudwipa otherwise called Bharata, and Uttar-Kuru which is the abode of persons who have achieved the merit of righteousness. The bird Sumukha, the son of Suparna, beholding that all the birds on Meru were of golden plumage, reflected that he should leave that mountain inasmuch as there was no difference between the good, middling, and bad birds. The foremost of luminaries, the sun, always circumambulates Meru, as also the moon with (his) attendant constellation, and the Wind-god too. The mountain, O king, is endued with celestial fruits and flowers, and it is covered all over with mansions made of furnished gold. There, on that mountain, O king, the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Asuras, and the Rakshasas, accompanied by the tribes of Apsaras, always sport. There Brahman, and Rudra, and also Sakra the chief of the celestials, assembled together, performed diverse kinds of sacrifices with plentiful gifts. Tumvuru, and Narada and Viswavasu, and the Hahas and the Huhus, repairing thither, adored the foremost of the celestials with diverse hymns. The high-souled seven Rishis, and Kasyapa the lord of creatures, repair thither, blessed be thou, on every parva day. 1 Upon the summit of that mountain, Usanas, otherwise called the Poet, sporteth with the Daityas (his disciples). 2 The jewels and gems (that we see) and all the mountains abounding in precious stones are of Meru. Therefrom a fourth part is enjoyed by the holy Kuvera. Only a sixteenth part of that wealth he giveth unto men. On the northern side of Meru is a delightful and excellent forest of Karnikaras, covered with the flowers of every season, 3 and occupying a range of hills. There the illustrious Pasupati himself, the creator of all things, surrounded by his celestial attendants and accompanied by Uma, sporteth bearing a chain of Karnikara flowers (on his neck) reaching down to his feet, and blazing with radiance with his three eyes resembling three risen suns. Him Siddhas truthful in speech, of excellent vows and austere ascetic penances, can behold. Indeed, Maheswara is incapable of being seen by persons of wicked conduct. From the summit of that mountain, like a stream of milk, O ruler of men, the sacred and auspicious Ganga, otherwise called Bhagirathi, adored by the most righteous, of universal form and immeasurable and issuing out with terrific noise, falleth with impetuous force on the delightful lake of Chandramas. 4 Indeed that sacred lake, like an ocean, hath been formed by Ganga herself. (While leaping from the mountains), Ganga, incapable of being supported by even the mountains, was held for a hundred thousand years by the bearer of Pinaka
p. 15
on his head. 1 On the western side of Meru, O king, is Ketumala. 2 And there also is Jamvukhanda. Both are great seats of humanity, O king. 3 There, O Bharata, the measure of human life is ten thousand years. The men are all of a golden complexion, and the women are like Apsaras. And all the residents are without sickness, without sorrow, and always cheerful. The men born there are of the effulgence of melted gold. On the summits of Gandhamadana, Kuvera the lord of the Guhyakas, with many Rakshasas and accompanied by tribes of Apsaras, passeth his time in joy. Besides Gandhamadana there are many smaller mountains and hills. The measure of human life there is eleven thousand years. There, O king, the men are cheerful, and endued with great energy and great strength and the women are all of the complexion of the lotus and highly beautiful. Beyond Nila is (the Varsha called) Sweta, beyond Sweta is (the Varsha called) Hiranyaka. Beyond Hiranyaka is (the Varsha called) Airavata covered with provinces. The last Varsha in the (extreme) north and Bharata's Varsha in the (extreme) south are both, O king, of the form of a bow. These five Varshas (viz., Sweta, Hiranyaka, Elavrita, Harivarsha, and Haimavat-varsha) are in the middle, of which Elavrita exists in the very middle of all. Amongst these seven Varshas (the five already mentioned and Airavata and Bharata) that which is further north excels the one to its immediate south in respect of these attributes, viz., the period of life, stature, health, righteousness, pleasure, and profit. In these Varshas, O Bharata, creatures (though of diverse species) yet, live together. Thus, O king, is Earth covered with mountains. The huge mountains of Hemakuta are otherwise called Kailasa. There, O king, Vaisravana passeth his time in joy with his Guhyakas. Immediately to the north of Kailasa and near the mountains of Mainaka there is a huge and beautiful mountain called Manimaya endued with golden summits. Beside this mountain is a large, beautiful, crystal and delightful lake called Vindusaras with golden sands (on its beach). There king Bhagiratha, beholding Ganga (since) called after his own name, resided for many years. There may be seen innumerable sacrificial stakes made of gems, and Chaitya tree made of gold. It was there that he of a thousand eyes and great fame won (ascetic) success by performing sacrifices. There the Lord of all creatures, the eternal Creator of all the worlds, endued with supreme energy surrounded by his ghostly attendants, is adored. There Nara and Narayana, Brahman, and Manu, and Sthanu as the fifth, are (ever present). And there the celestial stream Ganga having three currents, 4 issuing out of the region of Brahman, first showed herself, and then dividing
p. 16
herself into seven streams, became Vaswokasara, Nalini, the sin-cleansing Saraswati, Jamvunadi, Sita, Ganga and Sindhu as the seventh. The Supreme Lord hath (himself) made the arrangement with reference to that inconceivable and celestial stream. It is there that 1 sacrifices have been performed (by gods and Rishis) on a thousand occasions after the end of the Yuga (when creation begins). As regards the Saraswati, in some parts (of her course) she becometh visible and in some parts not so. This celestial sevenfold Ganga is widely known over the three worlds. Rakshasas reside on Himavat, Guhyakas on Hemakuta, and serpents and Nagas on Nishadha, and ascetics on Gokarna. The Sweta mountains are said to be the abode of the celestial and the Asuras. The Gandharvas always reside on Nishadhas, and the regenerate Rishis on Nila. The mountains of Sringavat also are regarded as the resort of the celestials.
"'These then, O great king, are the seven Varshas of the world as they are divided. Diverse creatures, mobile 2 and immobile, are placed in them all. Diverse kinds of prosperity, both providential and human, are noticeable in them. They are incapable of being counted. Those desirous, however, of their own good believe (all this), I have now told thee of that delightful region (of land) of the form of a hare about which thou hadst asked me. At the extremities of that region are the two Varshas, viz., one on the north and the other on the south. Those two also have now been told to thee. Then again the two islands Naga-dwipa and Kasyapa-dwipa are the two ears of this region of the form of a hare. The beautiful mountains of Maleya, O king, having rocks like plates of copper, form another (prominent) part of Jamvudwipa that having its shape resembling a hare.'"

Book 6
Chapter 7

1 [dhṛ]
      ukto dvīpasya saṃkṣepo vistaraṃ brūhi saṃjaya
      yāvad bhūmyavakāśo 'yaṃ dṛśyate śaśalakṣaṇe
      tasya pramāṇaṃ prabrūhi tato vakṣyasi pippalam
  2 [v]
      evam uktaḥ sa rājñā tu saṃjayo vākyam abravīt
      prāg āyatā mahārāja ṣaḍ ete ratnaparvatāḥ
      avagāḍhā hy ubhayataḥ samudrau pūrvapaścimau
  3 himavān hemakūṭaś ca niṣadhaś ca nagottamaḥ
      nīlaś ca vaiḍūryamayaḥ śvetaś ca rajataprabhaḥ
      sarvadhātuvinaddhaś ca śṛṅgavān nāma parvataḥ
  4 ete vai parvatā rājan siddhacāraṇasevitāḥ
      teṣām antaraviṣkambho yojanāni sahasraśaḥ
  5 tatra puṇyā janapadās tāni varṣāṇi bhārata
      vasanti teṣu sattvāni nānā jātīni sarvaśaḥ
  6 idaṃ tu bhārataṃ varṣaṃ tato haimavataṃ param
      hemakūṭāt paraṃ caiva harivarṣaṃ pracakṣate
  7 dakṣiṇena tu nīlasya niṣadhasyottareṇa ca
      prāg āyato mahārāja mālyavān nāma parvataḥ
  8 tataḥ paraṃ mālyavataḥ parvato gandhamādanaḥ
      parimaṇḍalas tayor madhye meruḥ kanakaparvataḥ
  9 ādityataruṇābhāso vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ
      yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi ṣoḍaśādhaḥ kila smṛtaḥ
  10 uccaiś ca caturāśītir yojanānāṃ mahīpate
     ūrdhvam antaś ca tiryak ca lokān āvṛtya tiṣṭhati
 11 tasya pārśve tv ime dvīpāś catvāraḥ saṃsthitāḥ prabho
     bhadrāśvaḥ ketumālaś ca jambūdvīpaś ca bhārata
     uttarāś caiva kuravaḥ kṛtapuṇyapratiśrayāḥ
 12 vihagaḥ sumukho yatra suparṇasyātmajaḥ kila
     sa vai vicintayām āsa sauvarṇān prekṣya vāyasān
 13 merur uttamamadhyānām adhamānāṃ ca pakṣiṇām
     aviśeṣa karo yasmāt tasmād enaṃ tyajāmy aham
 14 tam ādityo 'nuparyeti satataṃ jyotiṣāṃ patiḥ
     candramāś ca sa nakṣatro vāyuś caiva pradakṣiṇam
 15 sa parvato mahārāja divyapuṣpaphalānvitaḥ
     bhavanair āvṛtaḥ sarvair jāmbūnadamayaiḥ śubhaiḥ
 16 tatra devagaṇā rājan gandharvāsurarākṣasāḥ
     apsarogaṇasaṃyuktāḥ śaile krīḍanti nityaśaḥ
 17 tatra brahmā ca rudraś ca śakraś cāpi sureśvaraḥ
     sametya vividhair yajñair yajante 'nekadakṣiṇaiḥ
 18 tumburur nāradaś caiva viśvāvasur hahāhuhūḥ
     abhigamyāmara śreṣṭhāḥ stavai stunvanti cābhibho
 19 saptarṣayo mahātmānaḥ kaśyapaś ca prajāpatiḥ
     tatra gacchanti bhadraṃ te sadā parvaṇi parvaṇi
 20 tasyaiva mūrdhany uśanāḥ kāvyo daityair mahīpate
     tasya hīmāni ratnāni tasyeme ratnaparvatāḥ
 21 tasmāt kubero bhagavāṃś caturthaṃ bhāgam aśnute
     tataḥ kalāṃśaṃ vittasya manuṣyebhyaḥ prayacchati
 22 pārśve tasyottare divyaṃ sarvartukusumaṃ śivam
     karṇikāravanaṃ ramyaṃ śilā jālasamudgatam
 23 tatra sākṣāt paśupatir divyair bhūtaiḥ samāvṛtaḥ
     umā sahāyo bhagavān ramate bhūtabhāvanaḥ
 24 karṇikāramayīṃ mālāṃ bibhrat pādāvalambinīm
     tribhir netraiḥ kṛtoddyotas tribhiḥ sūryair ivoditaiḥ
 25 tam ugratapasaḥ siddhāḥ suvratāḥ satyavādinaḥ
     paśyanti na hi durvṛttaiḥ śakyo draṣṭuṃ maheśvaraḥ
 26 tasya śailasya śikharāt kṣīradhārā nareśvara
     triṃśad bāhuparigrāhyā bhīma nirghata nisvanā
 27 puṇyā puṇyatamair juṣṭā gaṅgā bhāgīrathī śubhā
     pataty ajasra vegena hrade cāndramase śubhe
     tayā hy utpāditaḥ puṇyaḥ sa hradaḥ sāgaropamaḥ
 28 tāṃ dhārayām āsa purā durdharāṃ parvatair api
     śataṃ varṣasahasrāṇāṃ śirasā vai maheśvaraḥ
 29 meros tu paścime pārśve ketumālo mahīpate
     jambū ṣaṇḍaś ca tatraiva sumahān nandanopamaḥ
 30 āyur daśasahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ tatra bhārata
     suvarṇavarṇāś ca narāḥ striyaś cāpsarasopamāḥ
 31 anāmayā vītaśokā nityaṃ muditamānasāḥ
     jāyante mānavās tatra niṣṭapta kanakaprabhāḥ
 32 gandhamādana śṛṅgeṣu kuberaḥ saha rākṣasaiḥ
     saṃvṛto 'psarasāṃ saṃghair modate guhyakādhipaḥ
 33 gandhamādana pādeṣu pareṣv aparagaṇḍikāḥ
     ekādaśa sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ paramāyuṣaḥ
 34 tatra kṛṣṇā narā rājaṃs tejoyuktā mahābalāḥ
     striyaś cotpalapatrābhāḥ sarvāḥ supriyadarśanāḥ
 35 nīlotparataraṃ śvetaṃ śvetād dhairaṇyakaṃ param
     varṣam airāvataṃ nāma tataḥ śṛṅgavataḥ param
 36 dhanuḥsaṃsthe mahārāja dve varṣe dakṣiṇottare
     ilā vṛtaṃ madhyamaṃ tu pañcavarṣāṇi caiva ha
 37 uttarottaram etebhyo varṣam udricyate guṇaiḥ
     āyuṣ pramāṇam ārogyaṃ dharmataḥ kāmato 'rthataḥ
 38 samanvitāni bhūtāni teṣu varṣeṣu bhārata
     evam eṣā mahārāja parvataiḥ pṛthivī citā
 39 hemakūṭas tu sumahān kailāso nāma parvataḥ
     yatra vaiśravaṇo rājā guhyakaiḥ saha modate
 40 asty uttareṇa kailāsaṃ mainākaṃ parvataṃ prati
     hiraṇyaśṛṅgaḥ sumahān divyo maṇimayo giriḥ
 41 tasya pārśve mahad divyaṃ śubhaṃ kāñcanavālukam
     ramyaṃ bindusaro nāma yatra rājā bhagīrathaḥ
     dṛṣṭvā bhāgīrathīṃ gaṅgām uvāsa bahulāḥ samāḥ
 42 yūpā maṇimayās tatra cityāś cāpi hiraṇmayāḥ
     tatreṣṭvā tu gataḥ siddhiṃ sahasrākṣo mahāyaśāḥ
 43 sṛṣṭvā bhūtapatir yatra sarvalokān sanātanaḥ
     upāsyate tigmatejā vṛto bhūtaiḥ samāgataiḥ
     naranārāyaṇau brahmā manuḥ sthāṇuś ca pañcamaḥ
 44 tatra tripathagā devī prathamaṃ tu pratiṣṭhitā
     brahmalokād apakrāntā saptadhā pratipadyate
 45 vasv oka sārā nalinī pāvanā ca sarasvatī
     jambūnadī ca sītā ca gaṅgā sindhuś ca saptamī
 46 acintyā divyasaṃkalpā prabhor eṣaiva saṃvidhiḥ
     upāsate yatra satraṃ sahasrayugaparyaye
 47 dṛśyādṛśyā ca bhavati tatra tatra sarasvatī
     etā divyāḥ sapta gaṅgās triṣu lokeṣu viśrutāḥ
 48 rakṣāṃsi vai himavati hemakūṭe tu guhyakāḥ
     sarpā nāgāś ca niṣadhe gokarṇe ca tapodhanāḥ
 49 devāsurāṇāṃ ca gṛhaṃ śvetaḥ parvata ucyate
     gandharvā niṣadhe śaile nīle brahmarṣayo nṛpa
     śṛṅgavāṃs tu mahārāja pitṝṇāṃ pratisaṃcaraḥ
 50 ity etāni mahārāja sapta varṣāṇi bhāgaśaḥ
     bhūtāny upaniviṣṭāni gatimanti dhruvāṇi ca
 51 teṣām ṛddhir bahuvidhā dṛśyate daivamānuṣī
     aśakyā parisaṃkhyātuṃ śraddheyā tu bubhūṣatā
 52 yāṃ tu pṛcchasi mā rājan divyām etāṃ śaśākṛtim
     pārśve śaśasya dve varṣe ubhaye dakṣiṇottare
     karṇau tu nāgadvīpaṃ ca kaśyapa dvīpam eva ca
 53 tāmravarṇaḥ śiro rājañ śrīmān malayaparvataḥ
     etad dvitīyaṃ dvīpasya dṛśyate śaśasaṃsthitam

SECTION VII

"Dhritarashtra said,--'Tell me, O Sanjaya, thou of great intelligence, of the regions to the north and the east side of Meru, as also of the mountains of Malyavat, in detail. 3
"Sanjaya said,--'On the south of the Nila mountain and the northern side of Meru are the sacred Northern Kurus, O king, which are the residence of the Siddhas. The trees there bear sweet fruits, and are always covered with fruits and flowers. All the flowers (there) are fragrant, and the fruits of excellent taste. Some of the trees, again, O king, yield fruits according to (the) will (of the plucker). There are again some other trees, O king, that
p. 17
are called milk-yielding. These always yield milk and the six different kinds of food of the taste of Amrita itself. Those trees also yield cloths and in their fruits are ornaments (for the use of man). The entire land abounds with fine golden sands. A portion of the region there, extremely delightful, is seen to be possessed of the radiance of the ruby or diamond, or of the lapis lazuli or other jewels and gems. 1 All the seasons there are agreeable and nowhere does the land become miry, O king. The tanks are charming, delicious, and full of crystal water. The men born there have dropped from the world of the celestials. 2 All are of pure birth and all are extremely handsome in appearance. There twins (of opposite sexes) are born and the women resemble Apsaras in beauty. They drink the milk, sweet as Amrita, of those milk-yielding trees (already mentioned). And the twins born there (of opposite sexes) grow up equally. Both possessed of equal beauty, both endued with similar virtues, and both equally dressed, both grow up in love, O monarch, like a couple of chakrabakas. The people of that country are free from illness and are always cheerful. Ten thousand and ten hundred years they live, O king, and never abandon one another. A class of birds called Bharunda, furnished with sharp beaks and possessed of great strength, take them up when dead and throw them into mountain caves. I have now described to thee, O king, the Northern Kurus briefly.
"I will now describe to thee the eastern side of Meru duly. Of all the regions there, the foremost, O king, is called Bhadraswa, where there is a large forest of Bhadra-salas, as also a huge tree called Kalamra. This Kalamra, O king, is always graced with fruits and flowers. That tree again is a Yojana in height and is adored by Siddhas 3 and the Charanas. The men there are all of a white complexion, endued with great energy, and possessed of great strength. The women are of the complexion of lilies, very beautiful, and agreeable to sight. Possessed of radiance of the moon, 4 and white as the moon, their faces are as the full-moon. Their bodies again are as cool as the rays of the moon and they are all accomplished in singing and dancing. The period of human life there, O bull of the Bharata's race, is ten thousand years. Drinking the juice of the Kalamra they continue youthful for ever. On the south of Nila and the north of Nishadha, there is a huge Jamvu tree that is eternal. Adored by the Siddhas and Charanas, that sacred tree granteth every wish. After the name of that tree this division hath ever been called Jamvudwipa. O bull of Bharata race, a thousand and a hundred Yojanas is the height of that prince of trees, which touches the very heavens, O king of men. Two thousand and five hundred cubits measure the circumference of a fruit of that tree which bursts when
p. 18
ripe. In falling upon the earth these fruits make a loud noise, and then pour out, O king, a silvery juice on the ground. That juice of the Jamvu, becoming, O king, a river, and passing circuitously round Meru, cometh to the (region of the) Northern Kurus. If the juice of that fruit is quaffed, it conduces to peace of mind. No thirst is felt ever after, O king. Decrepitude never weakens them. And there a species of gold called Jamvunada and used for celestial ornaments, very brilliant and like the complexion of Indragopoka insects, is produced. The men born there are of the complexion of the morning sun.
"'On the summit of Malyavat is always seen, O bull of Bharata's race, the fire called Samvataka which blazeth forth at the end of the Yuga for the destruction of the universe. On Malyavat's summit towards the east are many small mountains and Malyavat, O king, measures eleven thousand 1 Yojanas. The men born there are of the complexion of gold. And they are all fallen from the region of Brahman and are utterers of Brahma. They undergo the severest of ascetic austerities, and their vital seed is drawn up. For the protection of creatures they all enter the sun. Numbering sixty-six thousand, they proceed in advance of Aruna, surrounding the sun. Heated with the sun's rays for sixty-six thousand years, they then enter the lunar disc.'"

Book 6
Chapter 8

 1 [dhṛ]
      meror athottaraṃ pārśvaṃ pūrvaṃ cācakṣva saṃjaya
      nikhilena mahābuddhe mālyavantaṃ ca parvatam
  2 [s]
      dakṣiṇena tu nīlasya meroḥ pārśve tathottare
      uttarāḥ kuravo rājan puṇyāḥ siddhaniṣevitāḥ
  3 tatra vṛkṣā madhu phalā nityapuṣpaphalopagāḥ
      puṣpāṇi ca sugandhīni rasavanti phalāni ca
  4 sarvakāmaphalās tatra ke cid vṛkṣā janādhipa
      apare kṣīriṇo nāma vṛkṣās tatra narādhipa
  5 ye kṣaranti sadā kṣīraṃ ṣaḍrasaṃ hy amṛtopamam
      vastrāṇi ca prasūyante phaleṣv ābharaṇāni ca
  6 sarvā maṇimayī bhūmiḥ sūkṣmakāñcanavālukā
      sarvatra sukhasaṃsparśā niṣpaṅkā ca janādhipa
  7 devalokacyutāḥ sarve jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
      tulyarūpaguṇopetāḥ sameṣu viṣameṣu ca
  8 mithunāni ca jāyante striyaś cāpsarasopamāḥ
      teṣāṃ te kṣīriṇāṃ kṣīraṃ pibanty amṛtasaṃnibham
  9 mithunaṃ jāyamānaṃ vai samaṃ tac ca pravardhate
      tulyarūpaguṇopetaṃ samaveṣaṃ tathaiva ca
      ekaikam anuraktaṃ ca cakravāka samaṃ vibho
  10 nirāmayā vītaśokā nityaṃ muditamānasāḥ
     daśavarṣasahasrāṇi daśavarṣaśatāni ca
     jīvanti te mahārāja na cānyonyaṃ jahaty uta
 11 bhāruṇḍā nāma śakunās tīkṣṇatuṇḍā mahābalāḥ
     te nirharanti hi mṛtān darīṣu prakṣipanti ca
 12 uttarāḥ kuravo rājan vyākhyātās te samāsataḥ
     meroḥ pārśvam ahaṃ pūrvaṃ vakṣyāmy atha yathātatham
 13 tasya pūrvābhiṣekas tu bhadrāśvasya viśāṃ pate
     bhadra sālavanaṃ yatra kālāmraś ca mahādrumaḥ
 14 kālāmraś ca mahārāja nityapuṣpaphalaḥ śubhaḥ
     dvīpaś ca yojanotsedhaḥ siddhacāraṇasevitaḥ
 15 tatra te puruṣāḥ śvetās tejoyuktā mahābalāḥ
     striyaḥ kumudavarṇāś ca sundaryaḥ priyadarśanāḥ
 16 candraprabhāś candra varṇāḥ pūrṇacandranibhānanāḥ
     candra śītalagātryaś ca nṛttagītaviśāradāḥ
 17 daśavarṣasahasrāṇi tatrāyur bharatarṣabha
     kālāmra rasapītās te nityaṃ saṃsthita yauvanāḥ
 18 dakṣiṇena tu nīlasya niṣadhasyottareṇa tu
     sudarśano nāma mahāñ jāmbūvṛkṣaḥ sanātanaḥ
 19 sarvakāmaphalaḥ puṇyaḥ siddhacāraṇasevitaḥ
     tasya nāmnā samākhyāto jambūdvīpaḥ sanātanaḥ
 20 yojanānāṃ sahasraṃ ca śataṃ ca bharatarṣabha
     utsedho vṛkṣarājasya divaspṛn manujeśvara
 21 aratnīnāṃ sahasraṃ ca śatāni daśa pañca ca
     pariṇāhas tu vṛkṣasya phalānāṃ rasabhedinām
 22 patamānāni tāny urvyāṃ kurvanti vipulaṃ svanam
     muñcanti ca rasaṃ rājaṃs tasmin rajatasaṃnibham
 23 tasyā jambvāḥ phalaraso nadī bhūtvā janādhipa
     meruṃ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā saṃprayāty uttarān kurūn
 24 pibanti tad rasaṃ hṛṣṭā janā nityaṃ janādhipa
     tasmin phalarase pīte na jarā bādhate ca tān
 25 tatra jāmbūnadaṃ nāma kanakaṃ deva bhūṣaṇam
     taruṇādityavarṇāś ca jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
 26 tathā mālyavataḥ śṛṅge dīpyate tatra havyavāṭ
     nāmnā saṃvartako nāma kālāgnir bharatarṣabha
 27 tathā mālyavataḥ śṛṅge pūrve pūrvānta gaṇḍikā
     yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi pañcāśan mālyavān sthitaḥ
 28 mahārajata saṃkāśā jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
     brahmalokāc cyutāḥ sarve sarve ca brahmavādinaḥ
 29 tapas tu tapyamānās te bhavanti hy ūrdhvaretasaḥ
     rakṣaṇārthaṃ tu bhūtānāṃ praviśanti divākaram
 30 ṣaṣṭis tāni sahasrāṇi ṣaṣṭir eva śatāni ca
     aruṇasyāgrato yānti parivārya divākaram
 31 ṣaṣṭiṃ varṣasahasrāṇi ṣaṣṭim eva śatāni ca
     ādityatāpa taptās te viśanti śaśimaṇḍalam

SECTION VIII

"Dhritarashtra said,--'Tell me truly, O Sanjaya, the names of all the Varshas, and of all the mountains, and also of all those that dwell on those mountains.
"Sanjaya said,--'On the south of Sweta and the north of Nishadha, is the Varsha, called Romanaka. The men that are born there are all of white complexion, of good parentage, and handsome features. And the men born there are also all without enemies. And they live, O king, for eleven thousand and five hundred years, being ever of cheerful hearts. On the south of Nishadha is the Varsha called Hiranmaya where is the river called Hiranwati. There, O king, liveth that foremost of birds named Garuda. And the people there, O monarch, are all followers of the Yakshas, wealthy, and of handsome features. And, O king, the men there are endued with great strength and have: cheerful hearts. And they live for twelve thousand and five hundred years., O king, which is the measure of their lives. The
p. 19
mountains of Sringavat, 1 O ruler of men, have three beautiful summits. One of these is made of jewels and gems, another is very wonderful, being made of all kinds of gems and adorned with palatial mansions. There the self-luminous lady named Sandili always liveth. On the north of Sringavat and up to the margin of the sea, O king, the Varsha called Airavat. And because this jewelled mountain is there, therefore is this Varsha superior to all. The sun giveth no heat there and men are not subject to decay. And the moon there, with the stars, becoming the only source of light, covereth (the firmament). Possessing the radiance and complexion of the lotus, and endued with eyes that resemble lotus-petals, the men born there have the fragrance of the lotus. With winkless eyes, and agreeable scent (emanating from their bodies), they go without food and have their senses under control. They are all fallen from the region of the celestials, and are all, O king, without sin of any kind. And they live, O monarch, for thirteen thousand years, that being. O best of the Bharatas, the measure of their lives. And so on the north of the milky ocean, the Lord Hari of unlimited puissance dwelleth on his car made of gold. That vehicle is endued with eight wheels, with numerous supernatural creatures stationed on it, and having the speed of the mind. And its complexion is that of fire, and it is endued with mighty energy and adorned with Jamvunada gold. He is the Lord of all creatures, and is possessed, O bull of Bharata's race, of every kind of prosperity. In him the universe merges (when dissolution comes), and from him it again emanates (when the creative desire seizes him). He is the actor, and it is He that makes all others act. He, O monarch, is earth, water, space, air, and fire. He is Sacrifice's self unto all creatures, and fire is His mouth."
Vaisampayana continued,--"The high-souled king Dhritarashtra, thus addressed by Sanjaya, became, O monarch, absorbed in meditation about his sons. Endued with great energy, he then, having reflected, said these words: 'Without doubt, O Suta's son, it is Time that destroyeth the universe. And it is Time that again createth everything. Nothing here is eternal. It is Nara and Narayana, endued with omniscience, that destroyeth all creatures. 2 The gods speak of him as Vaikuntha (of immeasurable puissance), while men call him Vishnu (one that pervadeth the Universe)!'"

Book 6
Chapter 9

1 [dhṛ]
      varṇāṇāṃ caiva nāmāni parvatānāṃ ca saṃjaya
      ācakṣva me yathātattvaṃ ye ca parvatavāsinaḥ
  2 [s]
      dakṣiṇena tu śvetasya nīlasyaivottareṇa tu
      varṣaṃ ramaṇakaṃ nāma jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
  3 śuklābhijana saṃpannāḥ sarve supriyadarśanāḥ
      ratipradhānāś ca tathā jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
  4 daśavarṣasahasrāṇi śatāni daśa pañca ca
      jīvanti te mahārāja nityaṃ muditamānasāḥ
  5 dakṣiṇe śṛṅgiṇaś caiva śvetasyāthottareṇa ca
      varṣaṃ hairaṇvataṃ nāma yatra hairaṇvatī nadī
  6 yakṣānugā mahārāja dhaninaḥ praiya darśanāḥ
      mahābalās tatra sadā rājan muditamānasāḥ
  7 ekādaśa sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ te janādhipa
      āyuṣ pramāṇaṃ jīvanti śatāni daśa pañca ca
  8 śṛṅgāṇi vai śṛṅgavatas trīṇy eva manujādhipa
      ekaṃ maṇimayaṃ tatra tathaikaṃ raukmam adbhutam
  9 sarvaratnamayaṃ caikaṃ bhavanair upaśobhitam
      tatra svayaṃprabhā devī nityaṃ vasati śāṇḍilī
  10 uttareṇa tu śṛṅgasya samudrānte janādhipa
     varṣam airāvataṃ nāma tasmāc chṛṅgavataḥ param
 11 na tatra sūryas tapati na te jīryanti mānavāḥ
     candramāś ca sa nakṣatro jyotir bhūta ivāvṛtaḥ
 12 padmaprabhāḥ padmavarṇāḥ padmapatra nibhekṣaṇāḥ
     padmapatra sugandhāś ca jāyante tatra mānavāḥ
 13 aniṣpandāḥ sugandhāś ca nirāhārā jitendriyāḥ
     devalokacyutāḥ sarve tathā virajaso nṛpa
 14 trayodaśa sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ te janādhipa
     āyuṣ pramāṇaṃ jīvanti narā bharatasattama
 15 kṣīrodasya samudrasya tathaivottarataḥ prabhuḥ
     harir vasati vaikuṇṭhaḥ śakaṭe kanakātmake
 16 aṣṭacakraṃ hi tad yānaṃ bhūtayuktaṃ manojavam
     agnivarṇaṃ mahāvegaṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtam
 17 sa prabhuḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ vibhuś ca bharatarṣabha
     saṃkṣepo vistaraś caiva kartā kārayitā ca saḥ
 18 pṛthivy āpas tathākāśaṃ vāyus tejaś ca pārthiva
     sa yajñaḥ sarvabhūtānām āsyaṃ tasya hutāśanaḥ
 19 [v]
     evam uktaḥ saṃjayena dhṛtarāṣṭro mahāmanāḥ
     dhyānam anvagamad rājā putrān prati janādhipa
 20 sa vicintya mahārāja punar evābravīd vacaḥ
     asaṃśayaṃ sūtaputra kālaḥ saṃkṣipate jagat
     sṛjate ca punaḥ sarvaṃ na ha vidyati śāśvatam
 21 naro nārāyaṇaś caiva sarvajñaḥ sarvabhūtabhṛt
     devā vaikuṇṭha ity āhur vedā viṣṇur iti prabhum

SECTION IX

"Dhritarashtra said,--'Tell me truly (O Sanjaya) of this Varsha that is called after Bharata, where this senseless force hath been collected, in
p. 20
respect of which this my son Duryodhana hath been so very covetous, which the sons of Pandu also are desirous of obtaining, and in which my mind too sinketh. O, tell me this, for thou art, in my judgment endued with intelligence.
"Sanjaya said,--'Listen to me, O king The sons of Pandu are not covetous about this country. On the other hand, it is Duryodhana that is covetous, and Sakuni the son of Suvala, as also many other Kshatriyas who are rulers of the provinces, who being covetous of this country are not able to bear one another. I will now will thee, O thou of Bharata's race, of the tract of land known by Bharata's name. This land is the beloved one of Indra, and, O thou of Bharata's race, this land, O monarch, that is called after Bharata, is also the beloved land of Manu, the son of Vivaswat, of Prithu, of Vainya, of the high-souled Ikshwaku, of Yayati, of Amvarisha, of Mandhatri, of Nahusha, of Muchukunda, of Sivi the son of Usinara, of Rishava, of Ila, of king Nriga, of Kusika, O invincible one, of the high-souled Gadhi, of Somaka, O irrepressible one, and of Dilipa, and also, O monarch, of many other mighty Kshatriyas. I will now, O chastiser of foes, describe to thee that country as I have heard of it. Listen to me, O king, as I speak of what thou hast asked me. Mahendra, Malaya, Sahya, Suktimat, Rakshavat, Vindhya, and Paripatra,--these seven are the Kala-mountains 1 (of Bharatvarsha). Besides these, O king, there are thousands of mountains that are unknown, of hard make, huge, and having excellent valleys. Besides these there are many other smaller mountains inhabited by barbarous tribes. Aryans and Mlecchas, O Kauravya, and many races, O lord, mixed of the two elements, drink the waters of the following rivers, viz., magnificent Ganga, Sindhu, and Saraswati; of Godavari, and Narmada, and the large river called Yamuna; of Dhrishadwati, and Vipapa, and Vipasa and Sthulavaluka; of the river Vetravati, and that other one called Krishna-vena; of Iravati, and Vitasta, and Payosyini, and Devika; of Vedasmrita and Vedavati, and Tridiva, and Ikshumalavi; 2 of Karishini, and Chitravaha, and the river called Chitrasena; of Gomati, and Dhutapada and the large river called Gandaki 3, of Kausiki, and Nischitra, and Kirtya, and Nichita, and Lohatarini; 4 of Rashasi and Satakumbha, and also Sarayu; of Charmanwati, and Vetravati, 5 and Hastisoma, and Disa; of the river called Saravati, and Venna, and Bhimarathi; of Kaveri, and Chuluka, and Vina, and Satavala; of Nivara, and Mahila, and Suprayoga, O king; of Pavitra,
p. 21
and Kundala, and Rajani, and Puramalini; of Purvabhirama, and Vira, and Bhima, and Oghavati; of Palasini, and Papahara, and Mahendra, and Patalavati, of Karishini, and Asikni, and the large river Kusachira: of Makari, and Pravara, and Mena, and Hema, and Dhritavati; of Puravati, and Anushna, and Saivya, and Kapi, O Bharata; of Sadanira, and Adhrishya, and the mighty stream Kusadhara; of Sadakanta, and Siva, and Viravati; of Vatsu, and Suvastu, and Kampana with Hiranwati; of Vara, and the mighty river Panchami, of Rathachitra, and Jyotiratha, and Viswamitra, and Kapinjala; of Upendra, and Vahula, and Kuchira, and Madhuvahini: of Vinadi, and Pinjala, and Vena, and the great river Pungavena; of Vidisa and Krishna-vena, and Tamra, and Kapila, of Salu, and Suvama, the Vedaswa, and the mighty river Harisrava; of Sighra, and Pischala, and the river Bharadwaji, of the river Kausiki, and Sona, and Chandrama; of Durgamantrasila, and Brahma-vodhya, and Vrihadvati; of Yaksha, and Rohi, and Yamvunadi; of Sunasa and Tamasa, and Dasi, and Vasa, and Varuna, and Asi; of Nila, and Dhrimati, and the mighty river Parnasa; of Pomasi, and Vrishabha, and Brahma-meddhya, and Vrihaddhani. These and many other large rivers, O king, such as Sadonirmaya and Krishna, and Mandaga, and Mandavahini; and Mahagouri, and Durga, O Bharata; and Chitropala. Chitraratha, and Manjula, and Vahini; and Mandakini, and Vaitarani, and Kosa, and Mahanadi; and Suktimati, and Ananga, and Pushpaveni, and Utpalavati; and Lohitya, Karatoya, and Vrishasabhya; and Kumari, and Rishikullya and Marisha, and Saraswati; and Mandakini, and Supunya, Sarvasanga, O Bharata, are all mothers of the universe and productive of great merit. Besides these, there are rivers, by hundreds and thousands, that are not known (by names), I have now recounted to thee, O king, all the rivers as far as I remember.
"After this, listen to the names of the provinces as I mention them. They are the Kuru-Panchalas, the Salwas, the Madreyas, the Jangalas, the Surasena, the Kalingas, the Vodhas, the Malas, the Matsyas, the Sauvalyas, the Kuntalas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Bhojas, the Sindhus, the Pulindakas, the Uttamas, the Dasarnas, the Mekalas, the Utkalas; the Panchalas, the Kausijas, the Nikarprishthas, Dhurandharas; the Sodhas, the Madrabhujingas, the Kasis, and the further-Kasis; the Jatharas, the Kukuras, O Bharata; the Kuntis, the Avantis, and the further-Kuntis; the Gomantas, the Mandakas, the Shandas, the Vidarbhas, the Rupavahikas; the Aswakas, the Pansurashtras, the Goparashtras, and the Karityas; the Adhirjayas, the Kuladyas, the Mallarashtras, the Keralas, the Varatrasyas, the Apavahas, the Chakras, the Vakratapas, the Sakas; the Videhas, the Magadhas, the Swakshas, the Malayas, the Vijayas, the Angas, the Vangas, the Kalingas, the Yakrillomans; the Mallas, the Suddellas, the Pranradas, the Mahikas, the Sasikas; the Valhikas, the Vatadhanas, the Abhiras, the Kalajoshakas; the Aparantas, the Parantas, the Pahnabhas, the Charmamandalas; the Atavisikharas, the Mahabhutas, O sire; the Upavrittas, the Anupavrittas, the Surashatras, Kekayas; the Kutas, the Maheyas, the Kakshas, the Samudranishkutas; the Andhras,
p. 22
and, O king, many hilly tribes, and many tribes residing on lands laying at the foot of the hills, and the Angamalajas, and the Manavanjakas; the Pravisheyas, and the Bhargavas, O king; the Pundras, the Bhargas, the Kiratas, the Sudeshnas, and the Yamunas, the Sakas, the Nishadhas, the Anartas, the Nairitas, the Durgalas, the Pratimasyas, the Kuntalas, and the Kusalas; the Tiragrahas, the Ijakas, the Kanyakagunas, the Tilabharas, the Samiras, the Madhumattas, the Sukandakas; the Kasmiras, the Sindhusauviras, the Gandharvas, and the Darsakas; the Abhisaras, the Utulas, the Saivalas, and the Valhikas; the Darvis, the Vanavadarvas, the Vatagas, the Amarathas, and the Uragas; the Vahuvadhas, the Kauravyas, the Sudamanas, the Sumalikas; the Vadhras, the Karishakas, the Kalindas, and the Upatyakas; the Vatayanas, the Romanas, and the Kusavindas; the Kacchas, the Gopalkacchas, the Kuruvarnakas; the Kiratas, the Varvasas, the Siddhas, the Vaidehas, and the Tamraliptas; the Aundras, the Paundras, the Saisikatas, and the Parvatiyas, O sire.
"'There are other kingdoms, O bull of Bharata's race, in the south. They are the Dravidas, the Keralas, the Prachyas, the Mushikas, and the Vanavashikas; the Karanatakas, the Mahishakas, the Vikalpas, and also the Mushakas; the Jhillikas, the Kuntalas, the Saunridas, and the Nalakananas; the Kankutakas, the Cholas, and the Malavayakas; the Samangas, the Kanakas, the Kukkuras, and the Angara-marishas; the Samangas, the Karakas, the Kukuras, the Angaras, the Marishas: the Dhwajinis, the Utsavas, the Sanketas, the Trigartas, and the Salwasena; the Vakas, the Kokarakas, the Pashtris, and the Lamavegavasas; the Vindhyachulakas, the Pulindas, and the Valkalas; the Malavas, the Vallavas, the further-Vallavas, the Kulindas, the Kalavas, the Kuntaukas, and the Karatas; the Mrishakas, the Tanavalas, the Saniyas; the Alidas, the Pasivatas, the Tanayas, and the Sulanyas; the Rishikas, the Vidarbhas, the Kakas, the Tanganas, and the further-Tanganas. Among the tribes of the north are the Mlecchas, and the Kruras, O best of the Bharatas; the Yavanas, the Chinas, the Kamvojas, the Darunas, and many Mleccha tribes; the Sukritvahas, the Kulatthas, the Hunas, and the Parasikas; the Ramanas, and the Dasamalikas. These countries are, besides, the abodes of many Kshatriya, Vaisya, and Sudra tribes. Then again there are the Sudra-abhiras, the Dardas, the Kasmiras, and the Pattis; the Khasiras; the Atreyas, the Bharadwajas, the Stanaposhikas, the Poshakas, the Kalingas, and diverse tribes of Kiratas; the Tomaras, the Hansamargas, and the Karamanjakas. These and other kingdoms are on the east and on the north. O lord, alluding to them briefly I have told thee all. Earth, if its resources are properly developed according to its qualities and prowess, is like an ever-yielding 1 cow, from which the three-fold fruits of virtue, profit and pleasure, may be milked. Brave kings conversant with virtue and profit have become covetous of Earth. Endued with activity, they would even cast away their lives in battle, from hunger of wealth. Earth is certainly the refuge
p. 23
of creatures endued with celestial bodies as also of creatures endued with human bodies. 1 Desirous of enjoying Earth, the kings, O chief of the Bharatas, have become like dogs that snatch meat from one another. Their ambition is unbounded, knowing no gratification. 2 It is for this that the Kurus and the Pandavas are striving for possession of Earth, by negotiation, disunion, gift, and battle, O Bharata. If Earth be well looked after, it becometh the father, mother, children, firmament and heaven, of all creatures, O bull among men.'"

Book 6
Chapter 10

1 [dhṛ]
      yad idaṃ bhārataṃ varṣaṃ yatredaṃ mūrchitaṃ balam
      yatrātimātraṃ lubdho 'yaṃ putro duryodhano mama
  2 yatra gṛddhāḥ pāṇḍusutā yatra me sajjate manaḥ
      etan me tattvam ācakṣva kuśalo hy asi saṃjaya
  3 [s]
      na tatra pāṇḍavā gṛddhāḥ śṛṇu rājan vaco mama
      gṛddho duryodhanas tatra śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
  4 apare kṣatriyāś cāpi nānājanapadeśvarāḥ
      ye gṛddhā bhārate varṣe na mṛṣyanti parasparam
  5 atra te varṇayiṣyāmi varṣaṃ bhārata bhāratam
      priyam indrasya devasya manor vaivasvatasya ca
  6 pṛthoś ca rājan vainyasya tathekṣvākor mahātmanaḥ
      yayāter ambarīṣasya māndhātur nahuṣasya ca
  7 tathaiva mucukundasya śiber auśīnarasya ca
      ṛṣabhasya tathailasya nṛgasya nṛpates tathā
  8 anyeṣāṃ ca mahārāja kṣatriyāṇāṃ balīyasām
      sarveṣām eva rājendra priyaṃ bhārata bhāratam
  9 tat te varṣaṃ pravakṣyāmi yathā śutam ariṃdama
      śṛṇu me gadato rājan yan māṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi
  10 mahendro malayaḥ sahyaḥ śuktimān ṛkṣavān api
     vindhyaś ca pāriyātraś ca saptaite kulaparvatāḥ
 11 teṣāṃ sahasraśo rājan parvatās tu samīpataḥ
     abhijñātāḥ sāravanto vipulāś citrasānavaḥ
 12 anye tato 'parijñātā hrasvā hrasvopajīvinaḥ
     āryā mlecchāś ca kauravya tair miśrāḥ puruṣā vibho
 13 nadīḥ pibanti bahulā gaṅgāṃ sindhuṃ sarasvatīm
     godāvarīṃ narmadāṃ ca bāhudāṃ ca mahānadīm
 14 śatadruṃ candrabhāgāṃ ca yamunāṃ ca mahānadīm
     dṛṣadvatīṃ vipāśāṃ ca vipāpāṃ sthūlavālukām
 15 nadīṃ vetravatīṃ caiva kṛṣṇa veṇāṃ ca nimnagām
     irāvatīṃ vitastāṃ ca payoṣṇīṃ devikām api
 16 veda smṛtiṃ vetasinīṃ tridivām iṣku mālinīm
     karīṣiṇīṃ citravahāṃ citrasenāṃ ca nimnagām
 17 gomatīṃ dhūtapāpāṃ ca vandanāṃ ca mahānadīm
     kauśikīṃ tridivāṃ kṛtyāṃ vicitrāṃ lohatāriṇīm
 18 rathasthāṃ śatakumbhāṃ ca sarayūṃ ca nareśvara
     carmaṇvatīṃ vetravatīṃ hastisomāṃ diśaṃ tathā
 19 śatāvarīṃ payoṣṇīṃ ca parāṃ bhaimarathīṃ tathā
     kāverīṃ culukāṃ cāpi vāpīṃ śatabalām api
 20 nicīrāṃ mahitāṃ cāpi suprayogāṃ narādhipa
     pavitrāṃ kuṇḍalāṃ sindhuṃ vājinīṃ puramālinīm
 21 pūrvābhirāmāṃ vīrāṃ ca bhīmām oghavatīṃ tathā
     palāśinīṃ pāpaharāṃ mahendraṃ pippalāvatīm
 22 pāriṣeṇām asiknīṃ ca saralāṃ bhāramardinīm
     puruhīṃ pravarāṃ menāṃ moghāṃ ghṛtavatīṃ tathā
 23 dhūmatyām atikṛṣṇāṃ ca sūcīṃ chāvīṃ ca kaurava
     sadānīrām adhṛṣyāṃ ca kuśa dhārāṃ mahānadīm
 24 śaśikāntāṃ śivāṃ caiva tathā vīravatīm api
     vāstuṃ suvāstuṃ gaurīṃ ca kampanāṃ sa hiraṇvatīm
 25 hiraṇvatīṃ citravatīṃ citrasenāṃ ca nimnagām
     rathacitrāṃ jyotirathāṃ viśvāmitrāṃ kapiñjalām
 26 upendrāṃ bahulāṃ caiva kucarām ambuvāhinīm
     vainandīṃ piñjalāṃ veṇṇāṃ tuṅgaveṇāṃ mahānadīm
 27 vidiśāṃ kṛṣṇa veṇṇāṃ ca tāmrāṃ ca kapilām api
     śaluṃ suvāmāṃ vedāśvāṃ harisrāvāṃ mahāpagām
 28 śīghrāṃ ca picchilāṃ caiva bhāradvājīṃ ca nimnagām
     kauśikīṃ nimnagāṃ śoṇāṃ bāhudām atha candanām
 29 durgām antaḥśilāṃ caiva brahma medhyāṃ bṛhadvatīm
     carakṣāṃ mahirohīṃ ca tathā jambunadīm api
 30 sunasāṃ tamasāṃ dāsīṃ trasām anyāṃ varāṇasīm
     loloddhṛta karāṃ caiva pūrṇāśāṃ ca mahānadīm
 31 mānavīṃ vṛṣabhāṃ caiva mahānadyo janādhipa
     sadā nirāmayāṃ vṛtyāṃ mandagāṃ mandavāhinīm
 32 brahmāṇīṃ ca mahāgaurīṃ durgām api ca bhārata
     citropalāṃ citrabarhāṃ majjuṃ makaravāhinīm
 33 mandākinīṃ vaitaraṇīṃ kokāṃ caiva mahānadīm
     śuktimatīm araṇyāṃ ca puṣpaveṇy utpalāvatīm
 34 lohityāṃ karatoyāṃ ca tathaiva vṛṣabhaṅginīm
     kumārīm ṛṣikulyāṃ ca brahma kulyāṃ ca bhārata
 35 sarasvatīḥ supuṇyāś ca sarvā gaṅgāś ca māriṣa
     viśvasya mātaraḥ sarvāḥ sarvāś caiva mahābalāḥ
 36 tathā nadyas tv aprakāśāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
     ity etāḥ sarito rājan samākhyātā yathā smṛti
 37 ata ūrdhvaṃ janapadān nibodha gadato mama
     tatreme kurupāñcālāḥ śālva mādreya jāṅgalāḥ
 38 śūrasenāḥ kaliṅgāś ca bodhā maukās tathaiva ca
     matsyāḥ sukuṭyaḥ saubalyāḥ kuntalāḥ kāśikośalāḥ
 39 cedivatsāḥ karūṣāś ca bhojāḥ sindhupulindakāḥ
     uttamaujā daśārṇāś ca mekalāś cotkalaiḥ saha
 40 pāñcālāḥ kauśikāś caiva ekapṛṣṭhā yugaṃ dharāḥ
     saudhā madrā bhujiṅgāś ca kāśayo 'parakāśayaḥ
 41 jaṭharāḥ kukkuśāś caiva sudāśārṇāś ca bhārata
     kuntayo 'vantayaś caiva tathaivāparakuntayaḥ
 42 govindā mandakāḥ ṣaṇḍā vidarbhānūpavāsikāḥ
     aśmakāḥ pāṃsurāṣṭrāś ca gopa rāṣṭrāḥ panītakāḥ
 43 ādi rāṣṭrāḥ sukuṭṭāś ca balirāṣṭraṃ ca kevalam
     vānarāsyāḥ pravāhāś ca vakrā vakrabhayāḥ śakāḥ
 44 videhakā māgadhāś ca suhmāś ca vijayās tathā
     aṅgā vaṅgāḥ kaliṅgāś ca yakṛl lomāna eva ca
 45 mallāḥ sudeṣṇāḥ prāhūtās tathā māhiṣa kārṣikāḥ
     vāhīkā vāṭadhānāś ca ābhīrāḥ kālatoyakāḥ
 46 aparandhrāś ca śūdrāś ca pahlavāś carma khaṇḍikāḥ
     aṭavī śabarāś caiva maru bhaumāś ca māriṣa
 47 upāvṛścānupāvṛśca surāṣṭrāḥ kekayās tathā
     kuṭṭāparāntā dvaidheyāḥ kākṣāḥ sāmudra niṣkuṭāḥ
 48 andhrāś ca bahavo rājann antargiryās tathaiva ca
     bahirgiry āṅgamaladā māgadhā mānavarjakāḥ
 49 mahyuttarāḥ prāvṛṣeyā bhārgavāś ca janādhipa
     puṇḍrā bhārgāḥ kirātāś ca sudoṣṇāḥ pramudās tathā
 50 śakā niṣādā niṣadhās tathaivānartanairṛtāḥ
     dugūlāḥ pratimatsyāś ca kuśalāḥ kunaṭās tathā
 51 tīragrāhāstara toyā rājikā ramyakā gaṇāḥ
     tilakāḥ pārasīkāś ca madhumantaḥ prakutsakāḥ
 52 kāśmīrāḥ sindhusauvīrā gāndhārā darśakās tathā
     abhīsārā kulūtāś ca śauvalā bāhlikās tathā
 53 darvīkāḥ sakacā darvā vātajāma rathoragāḥ
     bahu vādyāś ca kauravya sudāmānaḥ sumallikāḥ
 54 vadhrāḥ karīṣakāś cāpi kulindopatyakās tathā
     vanāyavo daśā pārśvā romāṇaḥ kuśa bindavaḥ
 55 kacchā gopāla kacchāś ca lāṅgalāḥ paravallakāḥ
     kirātā barbarāḥ siddhā videhās tāmraliṅgakāḥ
 56 oṣṭrāḥ puṇḍrāḥ sa sairandhrāḥ pārvatīyāś ca māriṣa
     athāpare janapadā dakṣiṇā bharatarṣabha
 57 draviḍāḥ keralāḥ prācyā bhūṣikā vanavāsinaḥ
     unnatyakā māhiṣakā vikalpā mūṣakās tathā
 58 karṇikāḥ kuntikāś caiva saubdhidā nalakālakāḥ
     kaukuṭṭakās tathā colāḥ koṅkaṇā mālavāṇakāḥ
 59 samaṅgāḥ kopanāś caiva kukurāṅgada māriṣāḥ
     dhvajiny utsava saṃketās trivargāḥ sarvasenayaḥ
 60 tryaṅgāḥ kekarakāḥ proṣṭhāḥ parasaṃcarakās tathā
     tathaiva vindhyapulakāḥ pulindāḥ kalkalaiḥ saha
 61 mālakā mallakāś caiva tathaivāparavartakāḥ
     kulindāḥ kulakāś caiva karaṇṭhāḥ kurakās tathā
 62 mūṣakā stanabālāś ca satiyaḥ pattipañjakāḥ
     ādidāyāḥ sirālāś ca stūbakā stanapās tathā
 63 hṛṣīvidarbhāḥ kāntīkās taṅgaṇāḥ parataṅgaṇāḥ
     uttarāś cāpare mlecchā janā bharatasattama
 64 yavanāś ca sa kāmbojā dāruṇā mleccha jātayaḥ
     sakṣaddruhaḥ kuntalāś ca hūṇāḥ pāratakaiḥ saha
 65 tathaiva maradhāś cīnās tathaiva daśa mālikāḥ
     kṣatriyopaniveśāś ca vaiśyaśūdra kulāni ca
 66 śūdrābhīrātha daradāḥ kāśmīrāḥ paśubhiḥ saha
     khaśikāś ca tukhārāś ca pallavā girigahvarāḥ
 67 ātreyāḥ sa bharadvājās tathaiva stanayoṣikāḥ
     aupakāś ca kaliṅgāś ca kirātānāṃ ca jātayaḥ
 68 tāmarā haṃsamārgāś ca tathaiva karabhañjakāḥ
     uddeśa mātreṇa mayā deśāḥ saṃkīrtitāḥ prabho
 69 yathā guṇabalaṃ cāpi trivargasya mahāphalam
     duhyed dhenuḥ kāmadhuk ca bhūmiḥ samyag anuṣṭhitā
 70 tasyāṃ gṛdhyanti rājānaḥ śūrā dharmārthakovidāḥ
     te tyajanty āhave prāṇān rasā gṛddhās tarasvinaḥ
 71 deva mānuṣakāyānāṃ kāmaṃ bhūmiḥ parāyaṇam
     anyonyasyāvalumpanti sārameyā ivāmiṣam
 72 rājāno bharataśreṣṭha bhoktukāmā vasuṃdharām
     na cāpi tṛptiḥ kāmānāṃ vidyate ceha kasya cit
 73 tasmāt parigrahe bhūmer yatante kurupāṇḍavāḥ
     sāmnā dānena bhedena daṇḍenaiva ca pārthiva
 74 pitā mātā ca putrāś ca khaṃ dyauś ca narapuṃgava
     bhūmir bhavati bhūtānāṃ samyag acchidra darśinī

SECTION X

"Dhritarashtra said,--'Tell me, O Sanjaya, of the period of life, the strength, the good and bad things, the future, past and present, of the residents, O Suta, of this Varsha of Bharata, and of the Himavat-varsha, as also of Hari-varsha, in detail."
"Sanjaya said,--'O bull of Bharata's race, four Yugas set in Bharata's Varsha, viz., Krita, Treta, Dwapara, and Kali. The Yuga that sets in first is Krita. O Lord; after the expiry of Krita comes Treta; after expiry of Treta comes Dwapara; and after that last of all, sets in Kali. Four thousand years, O best of the Kurus, are reckoned as the measure of life, O best of kings, in the Krita epoch. Three thousand years is the period in Treta, O ruler of men. At present in Dwapara, persons live on Earth for two thousand years. In Kali, however, O bull of Bharata's race, there is no fixed limit of life's measure, in so much that men die while in the womb, as also soon after birth. In the Krita age, O king, men are born and beget children, by hundreds and thousands, that are of great strength and great power, endued with the attribute of great wisdom, and possessed of wealth and handsome features. In that age are born and begotten Munis endued with wealth of asceticism, capable of great exertion, possessed of high souls, and virtuous, and truthful in speech. The Kshatriyas also, born in that age are of agreeable features, able-bodied, possessed of great energy, accomplished in the use of the bow, highly skilled in battle and exceedingly brave. In the Treta age, O king, all the Kshatriya kings were emperors ruling from sea to sea. In Treta are
p. 24
begotten brave Kshatriyas not subject to any one, endued with long lives, possessed of heroism, and wielding the bow in battle with great skill. When Dwapara sets in, O king, all the (four) orders born become capable of great exertion, endued with great energy, and desirous of conquering one another. The men born in Kali, O king, are endued with little energy, highly wrathful, covetous, and untruthful. Jealousy, pride, anger, deception, malice and covetousness, O Bharata, are the attributes of creatures in the Kali age. The portion that remains, O king, of this the Dwapara age, is small, O ruler of men. The Varsha known as Haimavat is superior to Bharatavarsha, while Harivarsha is superior to Hainavatvarsha, in respect of all qualities.'

Book 6
Chapter 11

 1 [dhṛ]
      bhāratasyāsya varṣasya tathā haimavatasya ca
      pramāṇam āyuṣaḥ sūta phalaṃ cāpi śubhāśubham
  2 anāgatam atikrāntaṃ vartamānaṃ ca saṃjaya
      ācakṣva me vistareṇa harivarṣaṃ tathaiva ca
  3 [s]
      catvāri bhārate varṣe yugāni bharatarṣabha
      kṛtaṃ tretā dvāparaṃ ca puṣyaṃ ca kuruvardhana
  4 pūrvaṃ kṛtayugaṃ nāma tatas tretāyugaṃ vibho
      saṃkṣepād dvāparasyātha tatha puṣyaṃ pravartate
  5 catvāri ca sahasrāṇi varṣāṇāṃ kurusattama
      āyuḥ saṃkhyā kṛtayuge saṃkhyātā rājasattama
  6 tatra trīṇi sahasrāṇi tretāyāṃ manujādhipa
      dvisahasraṃ dvāpare tu śate tiṣṭhati saṃprati
  7 na pramāṇa sthitir hy asti puṣye 'smin bharatarṣabha
      garbhasthāś ca mriyante 'tra tathā jātā mriyanti ca
  8 mahābalā mahāsattvāḥ prajā guṇasamanvitāḥ
      ajāyanta kṛte rājan munayaḥ sutapodhanāḥ
  9 mahotsāhā mahātmāno dhārmikāḥ satyavādinaḥ
      jātāḥ kṛtayuge rājan dhaninaḥ priyadarśanāḥ
  10 āyuṣmanto mahāvīrā dhanurdhara varā yudhi
     jāyante kṣatriyāḥ śūrās tretāyāṃ cakravartinaḥ
 11 sarvavarṇā mahārāja jāyante dvāpare sati
     mahotsāhā mahāvīryāḥ parasparavadhaiṣiṇaḥ
 12 tejasālpena saṃyuktāḥ krodhanāḥ puruṣā nṛpa
     lubdhāś cānṛtakāś caiva puṣye jāyanti bhārata
 13 īrṣyā mānas tathā krodho māyāsūyā tathaiva ca
     puṣye bhavanti martyānāṃ rāgo lobhaś ca bhārata
 14 saṃkṣepo vartate rājan dvāpare 'smin narādhipa
     guṇottaraṃ haimavataṃ harivarṣaṃ tataḥ param

SECTION XI

(Bhumi Parva)

"Dhritarashtra said,--'Thou hast, O Sanjaya, duly described Jamvukhanda to me. Tell me now its dimensions and extent truly. Tell me also, O Sanjaya, of the extent of the ocean of Sakadwipa, and Kusadwipa, of Salmalidwipa and Kraunchadwipa, truly and without leaving anything and tell me also, O son of Gavalgani, of Rahu and Soma and Surya.'
"Sanjaya said,--'There are, O king, many islands, over which the Earth extended. I will describe to thee, however, only seven islands, and the moon, and the sun, and the planet (Rahu), also. The Jamvu mountain, O king, extends over full eighteen thousand and six hundred Yojanas. The extent of the salt ocean is said to be twice this. That ocean is covered with many kingdoms, and is adorned with gems and corals. It is, besides, decked with many mountains that are variegated with metals of diverse kinds. Thickly peopled by Siddhas and Charanas, the ocean is circular in form.
"I will now tell thee truly of Sakadwipa, O Bharata. Listen to me, O son of Kuru's race, as I describe it to thee duly. That island, O ruler of men, is of twice the extent of Jamvudwipa. And the ocean also, O great king, is of twice the extent of that island. Indeed, O best of the Bharatas, Sakadwipa is surrounded on all sides by the ocean. The kingdoms there are full of righteousness, and the men there never die. How can famine take place there? The people are all endued with forgiveness and great energy. I have now, O bull of Bharata's race, given thee duly a brief description of Sakadwipa. What else, O king, dost thou wish to hear?'" 1
p. 25
"Dhritarashtra said,--'Thou hast given me, O Sanjaya, a description of Sakadwipa in brief. O thou that art possessed of great wisdom, tell me now everything in detail truly.'
"Sanjaya said,--'In that island, O king, there are seven mountains that are decked with jewels and that are mines of gems, precious stones. There are many rivers also in that island. Listen to me as I recount their names. Everything there, O king, is excellent and delightful, The first of these mountains is called Meru. It is the abode of the gods, Rishis, and Gandharvas. The next mountain, O king, is called Malaya stretching towards the east. It is there that the clouds are generated and it is thence that they disperse on all sides. The next, O thou of Kuru's race, is the large mountain called Jaladhara. 1 Thence Indra daily taketh water of the best quality. It is from that water that we get showers in the season of rains, O ruler of men. Next cometh the high mountain called Raivataka, over which, in the firmament, hath been permanently placed the constellation called Revati. This arrangement hath been made by the Grandsire himself. On the north of this, O great king, is the large mountain called Syama. It hath the splendour of newly-risen clouds, is very high, beautiful and of bright body. And since the hue of those mountains is dark, the people residing there are all dark in complexion, O king.'
"Dhritarashtra said,--'A great doubt ariseth in my mind, O Sanjaya, from what thou hast said. Why, O Suta's son, would the people there be of dark complexion?'
"Sanjaya said,--'O great king, in all islands, O son of Kuru's race, men may be found that are fair, and those that are dark, and those also that are produced by a union of the fair and the dark races. But because the people there are all dark, therefore is that mountain called the Dark Mountain. After this, O chief of the Kurus, is the large mountain called Durgasaila. And then cometh the mountain called Kesari. The breezes that blow from that mountain are all charged with (odoriferous) effluvia. The measure of each of these mountains is double that of the one mentioned immediately before. O thou of Kuru's race, it hath been said by the wise that there are seven Varshas in that island. The Varsha of Meru is called Mahakasa; that of the water-giving (Malaya) is called Kumudottara. The Varsha of Jaladhara is called Sukumara: while that of Raivatak is called Kaumara; and of Syama, Manikanchana. The Varsha of Kesara is called Mandaki, and that called after the next mountain is called Mahapuman. In the midst of that island is a large tree called Saka. In height and breadth the measure of that tree is equal to that of the Jamvu tree in Jamvudwipa. And the people there always adore that tree. There in that island are, many delightful provinces where Siva is worshipped, and thither repair the Siddhas, the Charanas, and the celestials. The people there, O king, are virtuous, and all the four orders, O Bharata, are devoted to
p. 26
their respective occupation. No instance of theft can be seen there. Freed from decrepitude and death and gifted with long life, the people there, O king, grow like rivers during the season of rains. The rivers there are full of sacred water, and Ganga herself, distributed as she hath been into various currents, is there, Sukumari, and Kumari, and Seta, and Keveraka, and Mahanadi, O Kauravya, and the river Manijala, and Chakshus, and the river Vardhanika, O thou best of the Bharatas,--these and many other rivers by thousands and hundreds, all full of sacred water, are there, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, from which Vasava draweth water for showering it as rain. It is impossible to recount the names and lengths of rivers. All of them are foremost of rivers and sin-cleansing. As heard by all men there, in that island of Saka, are four sacred provinces. They are the Mrigas, the Masakas, the Manasas, and the Mandagas. The Mrigas for the most part are Brahmanas devoted to the occupations of their order. Amongst the Masakas are virtuous Kshatriyas granting (unto Brahmanas) every wish (entertained by them). The Manasas, O king, live by following the duties of the Vaisya order. Having every wish of theirs gratified, they are also brave and firmly devoted to virtue and profit. The Mandagas are all brave Sudras of virtuous behaviour. In these provinces, O monarch, there is no king, no punishment, no person that deserves to be punished. Conversant with the dictates of duty they are all engaged in the practice of their respective duties and protect one another. This much is capable of being said of the island called Saka. This much also should be listened to about that island endued with great energy." 1

Book 6
Chapter 12

1 [dhṛ]
      jambū khaṇḍas tvayā prokto yathāvad iha saṃjaya
      viṣkambham asya prabrūhi parimāṇaṃ ca tattvataḥ
  2 samudrasya pramāṇaṃ ca samyag acchidra darśana
      śākadvīpaṃ ca me brūhi kuśa dvīpaṃ ca saṃjaya
  3 śālmalaṃ caiva tattvena krauñcadvīpaṃ tathaiva ca
      brūhi gāvalgaṇe sarvaṃ rāhoḥ somārkayos tathā
  4 [s]
      rājan subahavo dvīpā yair idaṃ saṃtataṃ jagat
      sapta tv ahaṃ pravakṣyāmi candrādityau grahāṃs tathā
  5 aṣṭādaśasahasrāṇi yojanānāṃ viśāṃ pate
      ṣaṭśatāni ca pūrṇāni viṣkambho jambuparvataḥ
  6 lāvaṇasya samudrasya viṣkambho dviguṇaḥ smṛtaḥ
      nānājanapadākīrṇo maṇividruma citritaḥ
  7 naikadhātuvicitraiś ca parvatair upaśobhitaḥ
      siddhacāraṇasaṃkīrṇaḥ sāgaraḥ parimaṇḍalaḥ
  8 śākadvīpaṃ ca vakṣyāmi yathāvad iha pārthiva
      śṛṇu me tvaṃ yathānyāyaṃ bruvataḥ kurunandana
  9 jambūdvīpapramāṇena dviguṇaḥ sa narādhipa
      viṣkambheṇa mahārāja sāgaro 'pi vibhāgaśaḥ
      kṣīrodo bharataśreṣṭha yena saṃparivāritaḥ
  10 tatra puṇyā janapadā na tatra mriyate janaḥ
     kuta eva hi durbhikṣaṃ kṣamā tejo yutā hi te
 11 śākadvīpasya saṃkṣepo yathāvad bharatarṣabha
     ukta eṣa mahārāja kim anyac chrotum icchasi
 12 [dhṛ]
     śākadvīpasya saṃkṣepo yathāvad iha saṃjaya
     uktas tvayā mahābhāga vistaraṃ brūhi tattvataḥ
 13 [s]
     tathaiva parvatā rājan saptātra maṇibhūṣitāḥ
     ratnākarās tathā nadyas teṣāṃ nāmāni me śṛṇu
     atīva guṇavat sarvaṃ tatra puṇyaṃ janādhipa
 14 devarṣigandharvayutaḥ paramo merur ucyate
     prāgāyato mahārāja malayo nāma parvataḥ
     yato meghāḥ pravartante prabhavanti ca sarvaśaḥ
 15 tataḥ pareṇa kauravya jaladhāro mahāgiriḥ
     yatra nityam upādatte vāsavaḥ paramaṃ jalam
     yato varṣaṃ prabhavati varṣā kāle janeśvara
 16 uccair girī raivatako yatra nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitaḥ
     revatī divi nakṣatraṃ pitāmaha kṛto vidhiḥ
 17 uttareṇa tu rājendra śyāmo nāma mahāgiriḥ
     yataḥ śyāmatvam āpannāḥ prajā janapadeśvara
 18 [dhṛ]
     sumahān saṃśayo me 'dya proktaṃ saṃjaya yat tvayā
     prajāḥ kathaṃ sūtaputra saṃprāptāḥ śyāmatām iha
 19 [s]
     sarveṣv eva mahāprājña dvīpeṣu kurunandana
     gauraḥ kṛṣṇaś ca varṇau dvau tayor varṇāntaraṃ nṛpa
 20 śyāmo yasmāt pravṛtto vai tat te vakṣyāmi bhārata
     āste 'tra bhagavān kṛṣṇas tat kāntyā śyāmatāṃ gataḥ
 21 tataḥ paraṃ kauravendra durga śailo mahodayaḥ
     kesarī kesara yuto yato vātaḥ pravāyati
 22 teṣāṃ yojanaviṣkambho dviguṇaḥ pravibhāgaśaḥ
     varṣāṇi teṣu kauravyaṃ saṃproktāni manīṣibhiḥ
 23 mahāmerur mahākāśo jaladaḥ kumudottaraḥ
     jaladhārāt paro rājan sukumāra iti smṛtaḥ
 24 raivatasya tu kaumāraḥ śyāmasya tu maṇī cakaḥ
     kesarasyātha modākī pareṇa tu mahāpumān
 25 parivārya tu kauravya dairghyaṃ hrasvatvam eva ca
     jambūdvīpena vikhyātas tasya madhye mahādrumaḥ
 26 śāko nāma mahārāja tasya dvīpasya madhyagaḥ
     tatra puṇyā janapadāḥ pūjyate tatra śaṃkaraḥ
 27 tatra gacchanti siddhāś ca cāraṇā daivatāni ca
     dhārmikāś ca prajā rājaṃś catvāro 'tīva bhārata
 28 varṇāḥ svakarmaniratā na ca steno 'tra dṛśyate
     dīrghāyuṣo mahārāja jarāmṛtyuvivarjitāḥ
 29 prajās tatra vivardhante varṣāsv iva samudragāḥ
     nadyaḥ puṇyajalās tatra gaṅgā ca bahudhā gatiḥ
 30 sukumārī kumārī ca sītā kāverakā tathā
     mahānadī ca kauravya tathā maṇijalā nadī
     ikṣuvardhanikā caiva tathā bharatasattama
 31 tataḥ pravṛttāḥ puṇyodā nadyaḥ kurukulodvaha
     sahasrāṇāṃ śatāny eva yato varṣati vāsavaḥ
 32 na tāsāṃ nāmadheyāni parimāṇaṃ tathaiva ca
     śakyate parisaṃkhyātuṃ puṇyās tā hi sarid varāḥ
 33 tatra puṇyā janapadāś catvāro lokasaṃmatāḥ
     magāś ca maśakāś caiva mānasā mandagās tathā
 34 magā brāhmaṇabhūyiṣṭhāḥ svakarmaniratā nṛpa
     maśakeṣu tu rājanyā dhārmikāḥ sarvakāmadāḥ
 35 mānaseṣu mahārāja vaiśyāḥ karmopajīvinaḥ
     sarvakāmasamāyuktāḥ śūrā dharmārthaniścitāḥ
     śūdrās tu mandage nityaṃ puruṣā dharmaśīlinaḥ
 36 na tatra rājā rājendra na daṇḍo na ca daṇḍikāḥ
     svadharmeṇaiva dharmaṃ ca te rakṣanti parasparam
 37 etāvad eva śakyaṃ tu tasmin dvīpe prabhāṣitum
     etāvad eva śrotavyaṃ śākadvīpe mahaujasi

SECTION XII

"Sanjaya said, 'O Kauravya, that which is heard about the islands in the north, I will recount to thee, O Great king. Listen to me now. (Thither in the north) is the ocean whose waters are clarified butter. Then is the ocean whose waters are curds. Next cometh the ocean whose waters are wine, and then is another ocean of water. The islands, O king, are double in area of one another as they proceed further and further towards the north. And they are surrounded, O king, by these oceans. 2 In the island that is in the middle, there is a large mountain called Goura made of red arsenic; on
p. 27
the western island, O king, is the mountain Krishna that is the favourite (abode) of Narayana. There Kesava guardeth celestial gems (in profusion), and thence, inclined to grace, he bestoweth happiness on creatures. Along with the kingdoms there, O king, the (celestial) clump of Kusa grass in Kusadwipa, and the Salmali tree in the island of Salmalika, are adored. In the Krauncha island also, the mountain called Maha-krauncha that is a mine of all kinds of gems is, O king, always adored by all the four orders of men. (There), O monarch, is the mountain called Gomanta that is huge and consists of all kinds of metals, and whereon always resideth, mingling with those that have been emancipated, the puissant Narayana, otherwise called Hari, graced with prosperity and possessed of eyes like lotus leaves. In Kusadwipa, O king of kings, there is another mountain variegated with corals and called after the name of that island itself. This mountain is inaccessible and made of gold. Possessed of great splendour, O Kauravya, there is a third mountain there that is called Sumida. The sixth is called Harigiri. These are the six principal mountains. The intervening spaces between one another of these six mountains increaseth in the ratio of one to two as they proceed further and further towards the north. The first Varsha is called Audhido; the second is Venumandala; the third is called Suratha; the fourth is known by the name of Kamvala; the fifth Varsha is called Dhritimat; and the sixth is named Prabhakara; the seventh Varsha is called Kapila. These are the seven successive Varshas. In these, gods and Gandharvas, and other creatures of the universe, sport and take delight. In these Varshas the inhabitants never die. There, O king, are no robbers, nor any tribes of Mlecchas. All the residents are almost white in complexion, and very delicate, O king.
"'As regards the rest of the islands, O ruler of men, I will recount all that hath been heard by me. Listen, O monarch, with an attentive mind. In the Krauncha island, O great king, there is a large mountain called Krauncha. Next to Krauncha is Vamanaka; and next to Vamanaka is Andhakara. And next to Andhakara, 1 O king, is that excellent of mountains called Mainaka. After Mainaka, O monarch, is that best of mountains called Govinda; and after Govinda, O king, is the mountain called Nivida. O multiplier of thy race, the intervening spaces between one another of these mountains increaseth in the ratio of one to two. I will now tell thee the countries that lie there. Listen to me as I speak of them. The region near Krauncha is called Kusala; that near Vamanaka is Manonuga. The region next to Manonuga, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, is called Ushna. After Ushna is Pravaraka; and after Pravaraka is Andhakaraka. The country after Andhakaraka is named Munidesa. After Munidesa the region is called Dundubhiswana teeming with Siddhas and Charanas. The people are almost white in complexion, O king. All these countries, O monarch, are the habitations of gods and Gandharvas. In
p. 28
[paragraph continues] (the island of) Pushkara is a mountain called Pushkara that abounds with jewels and gems. There always dwelleth the divine Prajapati himself. Him all the gods and great Rishis always adore with gratifying words and worship reverently, O king. Diverse gems from Jamvudwipa are used there. In all these islands, O king, Brahmacharyya, truth, and self-control of the dwellers, as also their health and periods of life, are in the ratio of one to two as the islands are more and more remote (northwards). O king, the land in those islands, O Bharata, comprises but one country, for that is said to be one country in which one religion is met with. The Supreme Prajapati himself, upraising the rod of chastisement, always dwelleth there, protecting those islands. He, O monarch, is the king. He is their source of bliss. He is the father, and he is the grand-father. He it is, O best of men, that protecteth all creatures there, mobile or immobile. Cooked food, O Kauravya, cometh there of itself and the creatures eat it daily. O mighty-armed one. After these regions is seen a habitation of the name of Sama. It is of a starry-shape having four corners, and it hath, O king, thirty-three mandalas. There dwell, O Kauravya, four princely elephants adored by all. 1 They are, O best of the Bharatas, Vamana, and Airavata, and another, and also Supratika. 2 O king, with rent cheeks and mouth, I do not venture to calculate the proportions of these four elephants. 3 Their length, breadth and thickness have for ever remained unascertained. There in those regions, O king, winds blow irregularly from all directions. 4 These are seized by those elephants with the tips of their trunks which are of the complexion of the lotus and endued with great splendour and capable of drawing up everything in their way. And soon enough after seizing them they then always let them out. The winds, O king, thus let out by those respiring elephants, come over the Earth and in consequence thereof creatures draw breath and live.'
"Dhritarashtra said,--'Thou hast, O Sanjaya, told me everything about the first subject very elaborately. Thou hast also indicated the positions of the islands. 'Tell now, O Sanjaya, about what remains.'
"Sanjaya said,--'Indeed, O great king, the islands have all been described to thee. Listen now to what I truly say about the heavenly bodies and about Swarbhanu, O chief of the Kauravas, as regards its dimensions. It is heard, O king, that the planet Swarbhanu is globular. Its diameter is twelve thousand Yojanas, and its circumference, because
p. 29
it is very large, is forty-two thousand Yojanas, O sinless one, 1 as said by the learned of olden times. The diameter of the moon, O king, is stated to be eleven thousand Yojanas. Its circumference, O chief of the Kurus, is stated to be thirty-eight thousand nine hundred Yojanas of the illustrious planet of cool rays. It hath been heard that the diameter of the beneficent, fast going and light-giving Sun, O thou of Kuru's race, is ten thousand Yojanas, and his circumference, O king, is thirty-five thousand eight hundred miles, in consequence of his largeness, O sinless one. These are the dimensions reckoned here, O Bharata, of Arka. The planet Rahu, in consequence of his greater bulk, envelops both the Sun and the Moon in due times. I tell thee this in brief. With the eye of science, O great king, I have now told thee all that thou hadst asked. Let peace be thine. I have now told thee about the construction of the universe as indicated in the Shastras. Therefore, O Kauravya, pacify thy son Duryodhana. 2'
"Having listened to this charming Bhumi Parva, O chief of the Bharatas, a Kshatriya becometh endued with prosperity, obtaineth fruition of all his desires, and winneth the approbation of the righteous. 3 The king who listeneth to this on days of the full-moon or the new-moon, carefully observing vows all the while, hath the period of his life, his fame and energy, all enhanced. His (deceased) sires and grandsires become gratified. Thou hast now heard of all the merits that flow from this Varsha of Bharata where we now are!'"

Book 6
Chapter 13

 1 [s]
      uttareṣu tu kauravya dvīpeṣu śrūyate kathā
      yathā śrutaṃ mahārāja bruvatas tan nibodha me
  2 ghṛtatoyaḥ samudro 'tra dadhi maṇḍodako 'paraḥ
      surodaḥ sāgaraś caiva tathānyo gharmasāgaraḥ
  3 paraspareṇa dviguṇāḥ sarve dvīpā narādhipa
      sarvataś ca mahārāja parvataiḥ parivāritāḥ
  4 gauras tu madhyame dvīpe girir mānaḥ śilo mahān
      parvataḥ paścimaḥ kṛṣṇo nārāyaṇa nibho nṛpa
  5 tatra ratnāni divyāni svayaṃ rakṣati keśavaḥ
      prajāpatim upāsīnaḥ prajānāṃ vidadhe sukham
  6 kuśa dvīpe kuśa stambo madhye janapadasya ha
      saṃpūjyate śalmaliś ca dvīpe śālmalike nṛpa
  7 krauñcadvīpe mahākrauñco girī ratnacayākaraḥ
      saṃpūjyate mahārāja cāturvarṇyena nityadā
  8 gomandaḥ parvato rājan sumahān sarvadhātumān
      yatra nityaṃ nivasati śrīmān kamalalocanaḥ
      mokṣibhiḥ saṃstuto nityaṃ prabhur nārāyaṇo hariḥ
  9 kuśa dvīpe tu rājendra parvato vidrumaiś citaḥ
      sudhāmā nāma durdharṣo dvitīyo hemaparvataḥ
  10 dyutimān nāma kauravya tṛtīyaḥ kumudo giriḥ
     caturthaḥ puṣpavān nāma pañcamas tu kuśeśayaḥ
 11 ṣaṣṭho hari girir nāma ṣaḍ ete parvatottamāḥ
     teṣām antaraviṣkambho dviguṇaḥ pravibhāgaśaḥ
 12 audbhidaṃ prathamaṃ varṣaṃ dvitīyaṃ veṇumaṇḍalam
     tṛtīyaṃ vai rathākāraṃ caturthaṃ pālanaṃ smṛtam
 13 dhṛtimat pañcamaṃ varṣaṃ ṣaṣṭhaṃ varṣaṃ prabhā karam
     saptamaṃ kāpilaṃ varṣaṃ saptaite varṣapuñjakāḥ
 14 eteṣu devagandharvāḥ prajāś ca jagatīśvara
     viharanti ramante ca na teṣu mriyate janaḥ
 15 na teṣu dasyavaḥ santi mleccha jātyo 'pi vā nṛpa
     gaura prāyo janaḥ sarvaḥ sukumāraś ca pārthiva
 16 avaśiṣṭeṣu varṣeṣu vakṣyāmi manujeśvara
     yathā śrutaṃ mahārāja tad avyagramanāḥ śṛṇu
 17 krauñcadvīpe mahārāja krauñco nāma mahāgiriḥ
     krauñcāt paro vāmanako vāmanād andhakārakaḥ
 18 andhakārāt paro jānan mainākaḥ parvatottamaḥ
     mainākāt parato rājan govindo girir uttamaḥ
 19 govindāt tu paro rājan nibiḍo nāma parvataḥ
     paras tu dviguṇas teṣāṃ viṣkambho vaṃśavardhana
 20 deśāṃs tatra pravakṣyāmi tan me nigadataḥ śṛṇu
     krauñcasya kuśalo deśo vāmanasya mano'nugaḥ
 21 mano'nugāt paraś coṣṇo deśaḥ kurukulodvaha
     uṣṇāt paraḥ prāvarakaḥ prāvarād andhakārakaḥ
 22 andhakāraka deśāt tu munideśaḥ paraḥ smṛtaḥ
     munideśāt paraś caiva procyate dundubhisvanaḥ
 23 siddhacāraṇasaṃkīrṇo gaura prāyo janādhipa
     ete deśā mahārāja devagandharvasevitāḥ
 24 puṣkare puṣkaro nāma parvato maṇiratnamān
     tatra nityaṃ nivasati svayaṃ devaḥ prajāpatiḥ
 25 taṃ paryupāsate nityaṃ devāḥ sarve maharṣibhiḥ
     vāgbhir mano 'nukūlābhiḥ pūjayanto janādhipa
 26 jambūdvīpāt pravartante ratnāni vividhāny uta
     dvīpeṣu teṣu sarveṣu prajānāṃ kurunandana
 27 viprāṇāṃ brahmacaryeṇa satyena ca damena ca
     ārogyāyuḥ pramāṇābhyāṃ dviguṇaṃ dviguṇaṃ tataḥ
 28 eko janapado rājan dvīpeṣv eteṣu bhārata
     uktā janapadā yeṣu dharmaś caikaḥ pradṛśyate
 29 īśvaro daṇḍam udyamya svayam eva prajāpatiḥ
     dvīpān etān mahārāja rakṣaṃs tiṣṭhati nityadā
 30 sa rājā sa śivo rājan sa pitā sa pitāmahaḥ
     gopāyati naraśreṣṭha prajāḥ sa jaḍa paṇḍitāḥ
 31 bhojanaṃ cātra kauravya prajāḥ svayam upasthitam
     siddham eva mahārāja bhuñjate tatra nityadā
 32 tataḥ paraṃ samā nāma dṛśyate lokasaṃsthitiḥ
     caturaśrā mahārāja trayas triṃśat tu maṇḍalam
 33 tatra tiṣṭhanti kauravya catvāro lokasaṃmitāḥ
     dig gajā bharataśreṣṭha vāmanairāvatādayaḥ
     supratīkas tathā rājan prabhinnakaraṭā mukhaḥ
 34 tasyāhaṃ parimāṇaṃ tu na saṃkhyātum ihotsahe
     asaṃkhyātaḥ sa nityaṃ hi tiryag ūrdhvam adhas tathā
 35 tatra vai vāyavo vānti digbhyaḥ sarvābhya eva ca
     asaṃbādhā mahārāja tān nigṛhṇanti te gajāḥ
 36 puṣkaraiḥ padmasaṃkāśair varṣmavadbhir mahāprabhaiḥ
     te śanaiḥ punar evāśu vāyūn muñcanti nityaśaḥ
 37 śvasadbhir mucyamānās tu dig gajair iha mārutāḥ
     āgacchanti mahārāja tatas tiṣṭhanti vai prajāḥ
 38 [dhṛ]
     paro vai vistaro 'tyarthaṃ tvayā saṃjaya kīrtitaḥ
     darśitaṃ dvīpasaṃsthānam uttaraṃ brūhi saṃjaya
 39 [s]
     uktā dvīpā mahārāja grahān me śṛṇu tattvataḥ
     svarbhānuḥ kauravaśreṣṭha yāvad eṣa prabhāvataḥ
 40 parimaṇḍalo mahārāja svarbhānuḥ śrūyate grahaḥ
     yojanānāṃ sahasrāṇi viṣkambho dvādaśāsya vai
 41 pariṇāhena ṣaṭ triṃśad vipulatvena cānagha
     ṣaṣṭim āhuḥ śatāny asya budhāḥ paurāṇikās tathā
 42 candramās tu sahasrāṇi rājann ekādaśa smṛtaḥ
     viṣkambheṇa kuruśreṣṭha trayas triṃśat tu maṇḍalam
     ekona ṣaṣṭivaipulyāc chīta raśmer mahātmanaḥ
 43 sūryas tv aṣṭau sahasrāṇi dve cānye kurunandana
     viṣkambheṇa tato rājan maṇḍalaṃ triṃśataṃ samam
 44 aṣṭa pañcāśataṃ rājan vipulatvena cānagha
     śrūyate paramodāraḥ pataṃgo 'sau vibhāvasuḥ
     etat pramāṇam arkasya nirdiṣṭam iha bhārata
 45 sa rāhuś chādayaty etau yathākālaṃ mahattayā
     candrādityau mahārāja saṃkṣepo 'yam udāhṛtaḥ
 46 ity etat te mahārāja pṛcchataḥ śāstracakṣuṣā
     sarvam uktaṃ yathātattvaṃ tasmāc chamam avāpnuhi
 47 yathādṛṣṭaṃ mayā proktaṃ sa niryāṇam idaṃ jagat
     tasmād āśvasa kauravya putraṃ duryodhanaṃ prati
 48 śrutvedaṃ bharataśreṣṭha bhūmiparva mano'nugam
     śrīmān bhavati rājanyaḥ siddhārthaḥ sādhu saṃmataḥ
     āyur balaṃ ca vīryaṃ ca tasya tejaś ca vardhate
 49 yaḥ śṛṇoti mahīpāla parvaṇīdaṃ yatavrataḥ
     prīyante pitaras tasya tathaiva ca pitāmahāḥ
 50 idaṃ tu bhārataṃ varṣaṃ yatra vartāmahe vayam
     pūrvaṃ pravartate puṇyaṃ tat sarvaṃ śrutavān asi

SECTION XIII

(Bhagavat-Gita Parva)

Vaisampayana said,--"Possessing a knowledge of the past, the present and the future, and seeing all things as if present before his eyes, the learned son of Gavalgana, O Bharata, coming quickly from the field of battle, and rushing with grief (into the court) represented unto Dhritarashtra who was
p. 30
plunged in thought that Bhishma the grandsire of the Bharatas had been slain."
"Sanjaya said,--'I am Sanjaya, O great king. I bow to thee, O bull of Bharata's race. Bhishma, the son of Santanu and the grandsire of the Bharatas, hath been slain. That foremost of all warriors, that grandsire of the Bharatas, hath been slain. That foremost of all warriors, that embodied energy of all bowmen, that grandsire of the Kurus lieth to-day on a bed of arrows. That Bhishma. O king, relying on whose energy thy son had been engaged in that match at dice, now lieth on the field of battle slain by Sikhandin. That mighty car-warrior who on a single car had vanquished in terrific combat at the city of Kasi all the kings of the Earth mustered together, he who had fearlessly fought in battle with Rama, the son of Jamadagni, he whom Jamadagni's son could not slay, oh, even hath he been to-day slain by Sikhandin. Resembling the great Indra himself in bravery, and Himavat in firmness, like unto the ocean itself in gravity, and the Earth herself in patience, that invincible warrior having arrows for his teeth, that bow for his mouth, and the sword for his tongue, that lion among men, hath to-day been slain by the prince of Panchala. That slayer of heroes, beholding whom when addrest for battle the mighty army of the Pandavas, unmanned by fear, used to tremble like a herd of kine when beholding a lion, alas, having protected that army (of thine) for ten nights and having achieved feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, hath set like the Sun. 1 He who like Sakra himself, scattering arrows in thousands with the utmost composure, daily slew ten thousand warriors for ten days, even he slain (by the enemy), lieth, though he deserveth it not, on the bare ground like a (mighty) tree broken by the wind, in consequence, O king, of thy evil counsels, O Bharata.'"

Book 6
Chapter 14

1 [v]
      atha gāvalgaṇir dhīmān samarād etya saṃjayaḥ
      pratyakṣadarśī sarvasya bhūtabhavya bhaviṣyavit
  2 dhyāyate dhṛtarāṣṭrāya sahasopetya duḥkhitaḥ
      ācaṣṭa nihataṃ bhīṣmaṃ bharatānām amadhyamam
  3 saṃjayo 'haṃ mahārāja namas te bharatarṣabha
      hato bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo bharatānāṃ pitāmahaḥ
  4 kakudaṃ sarvayodhānāṃ dhāma sarvadhanuṣmatām
      śaratalpagataḥ so 'dya śete kurupitāmahaḥ
  5 yasya vīryaṃ samāśritya dyūtaṃ putras tavākarot
      sa śete nihato rājan saṃkhye bhīṣmaḥ śikhaṇḍinā
  6 yaḥ sarvān pṛthivīpālān samavetān mahāmṛdhe
      jigāyaika rathenaiva kāśipuryāṃ mahārathaḥ
  7 jāmadagnyaṃ raṇe rāmam āyodhya vasu saṃbhavaḥ
      na hato jāmadagnyena sa hato 'dya śikhaṇḍinā
  8 mahendrasadṛśaḥ śaurye sthairye ca himavān iva
      samudra iva gāmbhīrye sahiṣṇutve dharā samaḥ
  9 śaradaṃṣṭro dhanur vaktraḥ khaḍgajihvo durāsadaḥ
      narasiṃhaḥ pitā te 'dya pāñcālyena nipātitaḥ
  10 pāṇḍavānāṃ mahat sainyaṃ yaṃ dṛṣṭvodyantam āhave
     pravepata bhayodvignaṃ siṃhaṃ dṛṣṭveva gogaṇaḥ
 11 parirakṣya sa senāṃ te daśarātram anīkahā
     jagāmāstam ivādityaḥ kṛtvā karma suduṣkaram
 12 yaḥ sa śakra ivākṣobhyo varṣan bāṇān sahasraśaḥ
     jaghāna yudhi yodhānām arbudaṃ daśabhir dinaiḥ
 13 sa śete niṣṭanan bhūmau vātarugṇa iva drumaḥ
     tava durmantrite rājan yathā nārhaḥ sa bhārata

SECTION XIV

"Dhritarashtra said,--'How hath Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, been slain by Sikhandin? How did my father, who resembled Vasava himself, fall down from his car? What became of my sons, O Sanjaya, when they were deprived of the mighty Bhishma who was like unto a celestial, and who led life of Brahmacharyya for the sake of his father? 2 Upon the fall of that tiger among men who was endued with great wisdom, great
p. 31
capacity for exertion, great might and great energy, how did our warriors feel? Hearing that bull amongst the Kurus, that foremost of men, that unwavering hero is slain, great is the grief that pierceth my heart. While advancing (against the foe), who followed him and who proceeded ahead? Who stayed by his side? Who proceeded with him? What brave combatants followed behind (protecting his rear) that tiger among car-warriors, that wonderful archer, that bull among Kshatriyas, while he penetrated into the divisions of the foe? 1 While seizing the hostile ranks, what warriors opposed that slayer of foes resembling the luminary of thousand rays, who spreading terror among the foe destroyed their ranks like the Sun destroying darkness, and who achieved in battle amongst the ranks of Pandu's sons feats exceedingly difficult of accomplishment? How, indeed, O Sanjaya, did the Pandavas oppose in battle the son of Santanu, that accomplished and invincible warrior when he approached them smiting? Slaughtering the (hostile) ranks, having arrows for his teeth, and full of energy, with the bow for his wide-open mouth, and with the terrible sword for his tongue, and invincible, a very tiger among men, endued with modesty, and never before vanquished, alas, how did Kunti's son overthrow in battle that unconquered one, undeserving as he was of such a fate, 2--that fierce bowman shooting fierce shafts, stationed on his excellent car, and plucking off the heads of foes (from their bodies)--that warrior, irresistible as the Yuga-fire, beholding whom addrest for battle the great army of the Pandavas always used to waver? Mangling the hostile troops for ten nights, alas, that slayer of ranks hath set like the Sun, having achieved feats difficult of achievement. He who, scattering like Sakra himself and inexhaustible shower of arrows, slew in battle a hundred millions of warriors in ten days, that scion of Bharata's race, now lieth, although he deserveth it not, on the bare ground, in the field of battle, deprived of life, a mighty tree uprooted by the winds, as a result of my evil counsels! Beholding Santanu's son Bhishma of terrible prowess, how indeed, could the army of the Pandavas 3 succeed in smiting him there? How did the sons of Pandu battle with Bhishma? How is it, O Sanjaya, that Bhishma could not conquer when Drona liveth? When Kripa, again, was near him, and Drona's son (Aswatthaman) also, how could Bhishma, that foremost of smiters be slain? How could Bhishma who was reckoned as an Atiratha and who could not be resisted by the very gods, be slain in battle by Sikhandin, the prince of Panchala? He, who always regarded himself as the equal of the mighty son of Jamadagni in battle, he whom Jamadagni's son himself could
p. 32
not vanquish, he who resembled Indra himself in prowess,--alas, O Sanjaya, tell me how that hero, Bhishma, born in the race of Maharathas, was slain in battle, for without knowing all the particulars I cannot regain my equanimity. What great bowmen of my army, O Sanjaya, did not desert that hero of unfading glory? What heroic warriors, again, at Duryodhana's command, stood around that hero (for protecting him)? When all the Pandavas placing Sikhandin in their van advanced against Bhishma, did not all the Kurus, 1 O Sanjaya, stay by the side of that hero of unfading prowess? Hard as my heart is, surely it must be made of adamant, for it breaketh not on hearing the death of that tiger among men, viz., Bhishma! In that irresistible bull of Bharata's race, were truth, and intelligence, and policy, to an immeasurable extent. Alas, how was he slain in battle? Like unto a mighty cloud of high altitude, having the twang of his bowstring for its roar, his arrows for its rain-drops, and the sound of his bow for its thunder, that hero showering his shafts on Kunti's sons with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas on their side, smote hostile car-warriors like the slayer of Vala smiting the Danavas. Who were the heroes that resisted, like the bank resisting the surging sea, that chastiser of foes, who was a terrible ocean of arrows and weapons, an ocean in which shafts were the irresistible crocodiles and bows were the waves, an ocean that was inexhaustible, without an island, agitated and without a raft to cross it, in which maces and swords were like sharks and steeds and elephants like eddies, and foot-soldiers like fishes in abundance, and the sound of conches and drums like its roar, and ocean that swallowed horses and elephants and foot-soldiers quickly, an ocean that devoured hostile heroes and that seethed with wrath and energy which constituted its Yadava-fire? 2 When for Duryodhana's good, that slayer of foes, Bhishma, achieved (terrible) feats in battle, who were then in his van? Who were they that protected the right wheel of that warrior of immeasurable energy? Who were they that, mustering patience and energy, resisted hostile heroes from his rear? Who stationed themselves in his near front for protecting him? Who were those heroes that protected the fore-wheel of that brave warrior while he battled (with the foe)? Who were they that stationing themselves by his left wheel smote the Srinjayas? Who were they that protected the irresistible advance ranks of his van? Who protected the wings of that warrior who hath made the last painful journey? And who, O Sanjaya, fought with hostile heroes in the general engagement? If he was protected by (our) heroes, and if they were protected by. him, why could he not then speedily vanquish in battle the army of the Pandavas, invincible though it be? Indeed, O Sanjaya, how could the Pandavas succeed even in
p. 33
striking Bhishma who was like Parameshti himself, that Lord and creator of all creatures? 1 Thou tellest me, O Sanjaya, if the disappearance of that Bhishma, that tiger among men, who was our refuge and relying upon whom the Kurus were fighting with their foes, that warrior of mighty strength relying on whose energy my son had never reckoned the Pandavas, alas, how hath he been slain by the enemy? 2 In days of yore, all the gods while engaged in slaying the Danavas, sought the aid of that invincible warrior, viz., my father of high vows. That foremost of sons endued with great energy, on whose birth the world-renowned Santanu abandoned all grief, melancholy, and sorrows, how canst thou tell me, O Sanjaya, that that celebrated hero, that great refuge of all, that wise and holy personage who was devoted to the duties of his order and conversant with the truths of the Vedas and their branches, hath been slain? Accomplished in every weapon and endued with humility, gentle and with passions under full control, and possessed of great energy as he was, alas, hearing that son of Santanu slain I regard the rest of my army as already slain. In my judgment, unrighteousness hath now become stronger than righteousness, for the sons of Pandu desire sovereignty even by killing their venerable superior! In days of yore, Jamadagni's son Rama, who was acquainted with every weapon and whom none excelled, when addrest for battle on behalf of Amvya, was vanquished by Bhishma in combat. Thou tellest me that that Bhishma, who was the foremost of all warriors and who resembled Indra himself in the feats he achieved, hath been slain. What can be a greater grief to me than this? Endued with great intelligence, he that was not slain even by that slayer of hostile heroes, that Rama, the son of Jamadagni, who defeated in battle crowds of Kshatriyas repeatedly, he hath now been slain by Sikhandin. Without doubt, Drupada's son Sikhandin, therefore who hath slain in battle that bull of Bharata's race, that hero acquainted with the highest weapons, that brave and accomplished warrior conversant with every weapon, is superior in energy, prowess, and might to the invincible Vargava endued with the highest energy. In that encounter of arms who were the heroes that followed that slayer of foes? Tell me how the battle was fought between Bhishma and the Pandavas. The army of my son, O Sanjaya, reft of its hero, is like an unprotected woman. Indeed, that army of mine is like a panic-struck herd of kine reft of its herdsman. He in whom resided prowess superior to that of every one, when he was laid low on the field of battle, what was the state of mind of my army? What power is there, O Sanjaya, in our life, when we have caused our father of mighty energy, that foremost of righteous men in the world, to be slain? Like a person desirous of crossing
p. 34
the sea when he beholds the boat sunk in fathomless waters, alas, my sons, I ween, are bitterly weeping from grief on Bhishma's death. My heart, O Sanjaya, is surely made of adamant, for it rendeth not even after hearing the death of Bhishma, that tiger among men. That bull among men in whom were weapons, intelligence, and policy, to an immeasurable extent, how, alas, hath that invincible warrior been slain in battle? Neither in consequence of weapons nor of courage, nor of ascetic merit, nor of intelligence, nor of firmness, nor of gift, can a man free himself from death. Indeed, time, endued with great energy, is incapable of being transgressed by anything in the world, when thou tellest me, O Sanjaya, that Santanu's son Bhishma is dead. Burning with grief on account of my sons, in fact, overwhelmed with great sorrow, I had hoped for relief from Bhishma, the son of Santanu. When he beheld Santanu's son, O Sanjaya, lying on earth like the Sun (dropped from the firmament), what else was made by Duryodhana as his refuge? O Sanjaya, reflecting with the aid of my understanding, I do not see what the end will be of the kings belonging to my side and that of the enemy and now mustered in the opposing ranks of battle. Alas, cruel are the duties of the Kshatriya order as laid down by the Rishis, since the Pandavas are desirous of sovereignty by even compassing the death of Santanu's son, and we also are desirous of sovereignty by offering up that hero of high vows as a sacrifice. 1 The sons of Pritha, as also my sons, are all in the observance of Kshatriya duties. They, therefore, incur no sin (by doing) this. Even a righteous person should do this, O Sanjaya, when direful calamities come. The display of prowess and the exhibition of the utmost might have been laid down among the duties of the Kshatriyas.
"'How, indeed, did the sons of Pandu oppose my father Bhishma, the son of Santanu, that unvanquished hero endued with modesty, while he was engaged in destroying the hostile ranks? How were the troops arrayed, and how did he battle with high-souled foes? How, O Sanjaya, was my father Bhishma slain by the enemy? Duryodhana and Karna and the deceitful Sakuni, the son of Suvala, and Dussasana also,--what did they say when Bhishma was slain? Thither where the dice-board is constituted by the bodies of men, elephants, and steeds, and, where arrows and javelins and large swords and bearded darts from the dice, entering that frightful mansion of destructive battle's play, who were those wretched gamblers,--those bulls among men,--that gambled, making their very lives the frightful stakes? Who won, who were vanquished, who cast the dice successfully, and who have been slain, besides Bhishma, the son of Santanu? Tell me all, O Sanjaya, for peace cannot be mine, hearing that Devavrata hath been slain,--that father of mine, of terrible deeds, that ornament of battle, viz., Bhishma! Keen anguish had penetrated my heart, born of the thought that all my children would die. Thou makest that grief of mine blaze forth, O Sanjaya, like fire by pouring clarified butter on it. My sons,
p. 35
I ween, are even now grieving, beholding Bhishma slain,--Bhishma celebrated in all worlds and who had taken upon himself a heavy burden. I will listen to all those sorrows arising from Duryodhana's act. Therefore, tell me, O Sanjaya, everything that happened there,--everything that happened in the battle, born of the folly of my wicked son. Ill-ordered or well-ordered, tell me everything, O Sanjaya. Whatever was achieved with the aid of energy in the battle by Bhishma desirous of victory,--by that warrior accomplished in arms,--tell me all fully and in detail. How, in fact, the battle took place between the armies of the Kurus and the manner in which each happened.'"

Book 6
Chapter 15

1 [dhṛ]
      kathaṃ kurūṇām ṛṣabho hato bhīṣmaḥ śikhaṇḍinā
      kathaṃ rathāt sa nyapatat pitā me vāsavopamaḥ
  2 katham āsaṃś ca me putrā hīnā bhīṣmeṇa saṃjaya
      balinā devakalpena gurvarthe brahmacāriṇā
  3 tasmin hate mahāsattve maheṣvāse mahābale
      mahārathe naravyāghra kim u āsīn manas tadā
  4 ārtiḥ parā māviśati yataḥ śaṃsasi me hatam
      kurūṇām ṛṣabhaṃ vīram akampyaṃ puruṣarṣabham
  5 ke taṃ yāntam anupreyuḥ ke cāsyāsan purogamāḥ
      ke 'tiṣṭhan ke nyavartanta ke 'bhyavartanta saṃjaya
  6 ke śūrā rathaśārdūlam acyutaṃ kṣatriyarṣabham
      rathānīkaṃ gāhamānaṃ sahasā pṛṣṭhato 'nvayuḥ
  7 yas tamo 'rka ivāpohan parasainyam amitrahā
      sahasraraśmi pratimaḥ pareṣāṃ bhayam ādadhat
      akarod duṣkaraṃ karma raṇe kaurava śāsanāt
  8 grasamānam anīkāni ya enaṃ paryavārayan
      kṛtinaṃ taṃ durādharṣaṃ samyag yāsyantam antike
      kathaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ yuddhe pāṇḍavāḥ pratyavārayan
  9 nikṛntantam anīkāni śaradaṃṣṭraṃ tarasvinam
      cāpavyāttānanaṃ ghoram asi jihvaṃ durāsadam
  10 atyanyān puruṣavyāghrān hrīmantam aparājitam
     pātayām āsa kaunteyaḥ kathaṃ tam ajitaṃ yudhi
 11 ugradhanvānam ugreṣuṃ vartamānaṃ rathottame
     pareṣām uttamāṅgāni pracinvantaṃ śiteṣubhiḥ
 12 pāṇḍavānāṃ mahat sainyaṃ yaṃ dṛṣṭvodyantam āhave
     kālāgnim iva durdharṣaṃ samaveṣṭata nityaśaḥ
 13 parikṛṣya sa senāṃ me daśarātram anīkahā
     jagāmāstam ivādityaḥ kṛtvā karma suduṣkaram
 14 yaḥ sa śakra ivākṣayyaṃ varṣaṃ śaramayaṃ sṛjan
     jaghāna yudhi yodhānām arbudaṃ daśabhir dinaiḥ
 15 sa śete niṣṭanan bhūmau vātarugṇa iva drumaḥ
     mama durmantritenāsau yathā nārha sa bhārata
 16 kathaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavānām anīkinī
     prahartum aśakat tatra bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
 17 kathaṃ bhīṣmeṇa saṃgrāmam akurvan pāṇḍunandanāḥ
     kathaṃ ca nājayad bhīṣmo droṇe jīvati saṃjaya
 18 kṛpe saṃnihite tatra bharadvājātmaje tathā
     bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ kathaṃ sa nidhanaṃ gataḥ
 19 kathaṃ cātirathas tena pāñcālyena śikhaṇḍinā
     bhīṣmo vinihato yuddhe devair api durutsahaḥ
 20 yaḥ spardhate raṇe nityaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ mahābalam
     ajitaṃ jāmadagnyena śakratulyaparākramam
 21 taṃ hataṃ samare bhīṣmaṃ mahārathabalocitam
     saṃjayācakṣva me vīraṃ yena śarma na vidmahe
 22 māmakāḥ ke maheṣvāsā nājahuḥ saṃjayācyutam
     duryodhanaṃ samādiṣṭāḥ ke vīrāḥ paryavārayan
 23 yac chikhaṇḍi mukhāḥ sarve pāṇḍavā bhīṣmam abhyayuḥ
     kac cin na kuravo bhītās tatyajuḥ saṃjayācyutam
 24 maurvī ghoṣastanayitnuḥ pṛṣatka pṛṣato mahān
     dhanur hvāda mahāśabdo mahāmegha ivonnataḥ
 25 yad abhyavarṣat kaunteyān sapāñcālān sa sṛñjayān
     nighnan pararathān vīro dānavān iva vajrabhṛt
 26 iṣvastrasāgaraṃ ghoraṃ bāṇagrāhaṃ durāsadam
     kārmukormiṇam akṣayyam advīpaṃ samare 'plavam
     gadāsimakarāvartaṃ hayagrāhaṃ gajākulam
 27 hayān gajān padātāṃś ca rathāṃś ca tarasā bahūn
     nimajjayantaṃ samare paravīrāpahāriṇam
 28 vidahyamānaṃ kopena tejasā ca paraṃtapam
     veleva makarāvāsaṃ ke vīrāḥ paryavārayan
 29 bhīṣmo yad akarot karma samare saṃjayārihā
     duryodhanahitārthāya ke tadāsya puro 'bhavan
 30 ke 'rakṣan dakṣiṇaṃ cakraṃ bhīṣmasyāmitatejasaḥ
     pṛṣṭhataḥ ke parān vīrā upāsedhan yatavratāḥ
 31 ke purastād avartanta rakṣanto bhīṣmam antike
     ke 'rakṣann uttaraṃ cakraṃ vīrā vīrasya yudhyataḥ
 32 vāme cakre vartamānāḥ ke 'ghnan saṃjaya sṛñjayān
     sametāgram anīkeṣu ke 'bhyarakṣan durāsadam
 33 pārśvataḥ ke 'bhyavartanta gacchanto durgamāṃ gatim
     samūhe ke parān vīrān pratyayudhyanta saṃjaya
 34 rakṣyamāṇaḥ kathaṃ vīrair gopyamānāś ca tena te
     durjayānām anīkāni nājayaṃs tarasā yudhi
 35 sarvalokeśvarasyeva parameṣṭhi prajāpateḥ
     kathaṃ prahartum api te śekuḥ saṃjaya pāṇḍavāḥ
 36 yasmin dvīpe samāśritya yudhyanti kuravaḥ paraiḥ
     taṃ nimagnaṃ naravyāghraṃ bhīṣmaṃ śaṃsasi saṃjaya
 37 yasya vīrye samāśvasya mama putro bṛhadbalaḥ
     na pāṇḍavān agaṇayat kathaṃ sa nihataḥ paraiḥ
 38 yaḥ purā vibudhaiḥ sendraiḥ sāhāyye yuddhadurmadaḥ
     kāṅkṣito dānavān ghnadbhiḥ pitā mama mahāvrataḥ
 39 yasmiñ jāte mahāvīrye śaṃtanur lokaśaṃkare
     śokaṃ duḥkhaṃ ca dainyaṃ ca prājahāt putra lakṣmaṇi
 40 prajñā parāyaṇaṃ tajjñaṃ sad dharmanirataṃ śucim
     vedavedāṅgatattvajñaṃ kathaṃ śaṃsasi me hatam
 41 sarvāstravinayopetaṃ dāntaṃ śāntaṃ manasvinam
     hataṃ śāṃtanavaṃ śrutvā manye śeṣaṃ balaṃ hatam
 42 dharmād adharmo balavān saṃprāpta iti me matiḥ
     yatra vṛddhaṃ guruṃ hatvā rājyam icchanti pāṇḍavāḥ
 43 jāmadagnyaḥ purā rāmaḥ sarvāstravid anuttamaḥ
     ambārtham udyataḥ saṃkhye bhīṣmeṇa yudhi nirjitaḥ
 44 tam indrasamakarmāṇaṃ kakudaṃ sarvadhanvinām
     hataṃ śaṃsasi bhīṣmaṃ me kiṃ nu duḥkham ataḥ param
 45 asakṛt kṣatriya vrātāḥ saṃkhye yena vinirjitāḥ
     jāmadagnyas tathā rāmaḥ paravīra nighātinā
 46 tamān nūnaṃ mahāvīryād bhārgavād yuddhadurmadāt
     tejo vīryabalair bhūyāñ śikhaṇḍī drupadātmajaḥ
 47 yaḥ śūraṃ kṛtinaṃ yuddhe sarvaśāstraviśāradam
     paramāstravidaṃ vīraṃ jaghāna bharatarṣabham
 48 ke vīrās tam amitraghnam anvayuḥ śatrusaṃsadi
     śaṃsa me tad yathāvṛttaṃ yuddhaṃ bhīṣmasya pāṇḍavaiḥ
 49 yoṣeva hatavīrā me senā putrasya saṃjaya
     agopam iva codbhrāntaṃ gokulaṃ tad balaṃ mama
 50 pauruṣaṃ sarvalokasya paraṃ yasya mahāhave
     parāsikte ca vas tasmin katham āsīn manas tadā
 51 jīvite 'py adya sāmarthyaṃ kim ivāsmāsu saṃjaya
     ghātayitvā mahāvīryaṃ pitaraṃ lokadhārmikam
 52 agādhe salile magnāṃ nāvaṃ dṛṣṭveva pāragāḥ
     bhīṣme hate bhṛśaṃ duḥkhān manye śocanti putrakāḥ
 53 adrisāramayaṃ nūnaṃ sudṛḍhaṃ hṛdayaṃ mama
     yac chrutvā puruṣavyāghraṃ hataṃ bhīṣmaṃ na dīryate
 54 yasminn astraṃ ca medhā ca nītiś ca bharatarṣabhe
     aprameyāṇi durdharṣe kathaṃ sa nihato yudhi
 55 na cāstreṇa na śauryeṇa tapasā medhayā na ca
     na dhṛtyā na punas tyāgān mṛtyoḥ kaś cid vimucyate
 56 kālo nūnaṃ mahāvīryaḥ sarvalokaduratyayaḥ
     yatra śāṃtanavaṃ bhīṣmaṃ hataṃ śaṃsasi saṃjaya
 57 putraśokābhisaṃtapto mahad duḥkham acintayan
     āśaṃse 'haṃ purā trāṇaṃ bhīṣmāc chaṃtanunandanāt
 58 yadādityam ivāpaśyat patitaṃ bhuvi saṃjaya
     duryodhanaḥ śāṃtanavaṃ kiṃ tadā pratyapadyata
 59 nāhaṃ sveṣāṃ pareṣāṃ vā buddhyā saṃjaya cintayan
     śeṣaṃ kiṃ cit prapaśyāmi pratyanīke mahīkṣitām
 60 dāruṇaḥ kṣatradharmo 'yam ṛṣibhiḥ saṃpradarśitaḥ
     yatra śāṃtanavaṃ hatvā rājyam icchanti pāṇḍavāḥ
 61 vayaṃ vā rājyam icchāmo ghātayitvā pitāmaham
     kṣatradharme sthitāḥ pārthā nāparādhyanti putrakāḥ
 62 etad āryeṇa kartavyaṃ kṛcchrāsv āpatsu saṃjaya
     parākramaḥ paraṃ śaktyā tac ca tasmin pratiṣṭhitam
 63 anīkāni vinighnantaṃ hrīmantam aparājitam
     kathaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ tāta pāṇḍuputrā nyapātayan
 64 kathaṃ yuktāny anīkāni kathaṃ yuddhaṃ mahātmabhiḥ
     kathaṃ vā nihato bhīṣmaḥ pitā saṃjaya me paraiḥ
 65 duryodhanaś ca karṇaś ca śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
     duḥśāsanaś ca kitavo hate bhīṣme kim abruvan
 66 yac charīrair upastīrṇāṃ naravāraṇavājinām
     śaraśaktigadākhaḍgatomarākṣāṃ bhayāvahām
 67 prāviśan kitavā mandāḥ sabhāṃ yudhi durāsadām
     prāṇadyūte pratibhaye ke 'dīvyanta nararṣabhāḥ
 68 ke 'jayan ke jitās tatra hṛtalakṣā nipātitāḥ
     anye bhīṣmāc chāṃtanavāt tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
 69 na hi me śāntir astīha yudhi devavrataṃ hatam
     pitaraṃ bhīmakarmāṇaṃ śrutvā me duḥkham āviśat
 70 ārtiṃ me hṛdaye rūḍhāṃ mahatīṃ putra kāritām
     tvaṃ siñcan sarpiṣevāgnim uddīpayasi saṃjaya
 71 mahāntaṃ bhāram udyamya viśrutaṃ sārva laukikam
     dṛṣṭvā vinihataṃ bhīṣmaṃ manye śocanti putrakāḥ
 72 śroṣyāmi tāni duḥkhāni duryodhanakṛtāny aham
     tasmān me sarvam ācakṣva yadvṛttaṃ tatra saṃjaya
 73 saṃgrāme pṛthivīśānāṃ mandasyābuddhi saṃbhavam
     apanītaṃ sunītaṃ vā tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
 74 yatkṛtaṃ tatra bhīṣmeṇa saṃgrāme jayam icchatā
     teyo yuktaṃ kṛtāstreṇa śaṃsa tac cāpy aśeṣataḥ
 75 yathā tad abhavad yuddhaṃ kurupāṇḍavasenayoḥ
     krameṇa yena yasmiṃś ca kāle yac ca yathā ca tat

SECTION XV

Sanjaya said,--"Deserving as thou art, this question is, indeed, worthy of thee, O great king. It behoveth thee not, however, to impute this fault to Duryodhana. The man who incurreth evil as the consequence of his own misconduct, should not attribute that misconduct to others. O great king, the man that doth every kind of injury to other men, deserveth to be slain by all men in consequence of those censurable deeds of his. The Pandavas unacquainted with the ways of wickedness had, for a long time, with their friends and counsellors, looking up to thy face, borne the injuries (done to them) and forgiven them, dwelling in the woods.
"Of steeds and elephants and kings of immeasurable energy that which hath been seen by the aid of Yoga-power, hear, O lord of earth, and do not set thy heart on sorrow. All this was pre-destined, O king. Having bowed down to thy father, that (wise and high-souled 1) son of Parasara, through whose grace, (through whose boon bestowed on me,) I have obtained excellent and celestial apprehension, sight beyond the range of the visual sense, and hearing, O king, from great distance, knowledge of other people's hearts and also of the past and the future, a knowledge also of the origin of all persons transgressing the ordinances, 2 the delightful power of coursing through the skies, and untouchableness by weapons in battles, listen to me in detail as I recite the romantic and highly wonderful battle that happened between the Bharatas, a battle that makes one's hair stand on end.
"When the combatants were arrayed according to rule and when they were addrest for battle. Duryodhana, O king, said these words to Dussasana,--O Dussasana, let cars be speedily directed for the protection of Bhishma,
p. 36
and do thou speedily urge all our divisions (to advance). That hath now come to me of which I had been thinking for a series of years, viz., the meeting of the Pandavas and the Kurus at the head of their respective troops. I do not think that there is any act more important (for us) in this battle than the protecting of Bhishma. If protected he will slay the Pandavas, the Somakas, and the Srinjayas. That warrior of pure soul said,--'I will not slay Sikhandin. It is heard that he was a female before. For this reason he should be renounced by me in battle. For this, Bhishma should be particularly protected. Let all my warriors take up their positions, resolved to slay Sikhandin. Let also all the troops from the east, the west, the south, and the north, accomplished in every kind of weapon, protect the grandsire. Even the lion of mighty strength, if left unprotected may be slain by the wolf. Let us not, therefore, cause Bhishma to be slain by Sikhandin like the lion slain by the jackal. Yudhamanyu protects the left wheel, and Uttamauja protects the right wheel of Phalguni. Protected by those two, Phalguni himself protects Sikhandin. O Dussasana, act in such a way that Sikhandin who is protected by Phalguni and whom Bhishma will renounce, may not slay Ganga's son."

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