srimahabharat - udyoga parva - book 5 - chapters 51 to 60

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

Book 5

Udyoga Parva

Book 5
Chapter 51

 1 [dhṛ]
      yasya vai nānṛtā vācaḥ pravṛttā anuśuśrumaḥ
      trailokyam api tasya syād yodhā yasya dhanaṃjayaḥ
  2 tasyaiva ca na paśyāmi yudhi gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
      aniśaṃ cintayāno 'pi yaḥ pratīyād rathena tam
  3 asyataḥ karṇinālīkān mārgaṇān hṛdayac chidaḥ
      pratyetā na samaḥ kaś cid yudhi gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
  4 droṇakarṇau pratīyātāṃ yadi vīrau nararṣabhau
      māhātmyāt saṃśayo loke na tv asti vijayo mama
  5 ghṛṇī karṇaḥ pramādī ca ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ
      samartho balavān pārtho dṛḍhadhanvā jitaklamaḥ
      bhavet sutumulaṃ yuddhaṃ sarvaśo 'py aparājayaḥ
  6 sarve hy astravidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve prāptā mahad yaśaḥ
      api sarmāmaraiśvaryaṃ tyajeyur na punar jayam
      vadhe nūnaṃ bhavec chāntis tayor vā phalgunasya vā
  7 na tu jetārjunasyāsti hantā cāsya na vidyate
      manyus tasya kathaṃ śāmyen mandān prati ya utthitaḥ
  8 anye 'py astrāṇi jānanti jīyante ca jayanti ca
      ekāntavijayas tv eva śrūyate phalgunasya ha
  9 trayas triṃśat samāhūya khāṇḍave 'gnim atarpayat
      jigāya ca surān sarvān nāsya vedmi parājayam
  10 yasya yantā hṛṣīkeśaḥ śīlavṛttasamo yudhi
     dhruvas tasya jayas tāta yathendrasya jayas tathā
 11 kṛṣṇāv ekarathe yattāv adhijyaṃ gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ
     yugapat trīṇi tejāṃsi sametāny anuśuśrumaḥ
 12 naiva no 'sti dhanus tādṛṅ na yoddhā na ca sārathiḥ
     tac ca mandā na jānanti duryodhana vaśānugāḥ
 13 śeṣayed aśanir dīpto nipatan mūrdhni saṃjaya
     na tu śeṣaṃ śarāḥ kuryur astās tāta kirīṭinā
 14 api cāsyann ivābhāti nighnann iva ca phalgunaḥ
     uddharann iva kāyebhyaḥ śirāṃsi śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ
 15 api bāṇamayaṃ tejaḥ pradīptam iva sarvataḥ
     gāṇḍīveddhaṃ dahetājau putrāṇāṃ mama vāhinīm
 16 api sā rathaghoṣeṇa bhayārtā savyasācinaḥ
     vitrastā bahulā senā bhāratī pratibhāti me
 17 yathā kakṣaṃ dahaty agniḥ pravṛddhaḥ sarvataś caran
     mahārcir aniloddhūtas tadvad dhakṣyati māmakān
 18 yadodvaman niśitān bāṇasaṃghān; sthātātatāyī samare kirīṭī
     sṛṣṭo 'ntakaḥ sarvaharo vidhātrā; yathā bhavet tadvad avāraṇīyaḥ
 19 yadā hy abhīkṣṇaṃ subahūn prakārāñ; śrotāsmi tān āvasathe kurūṇām
     teṣāṃ samantāc ca tathā raṇāgre; kṣayaḥ kilāyaṃ bharatān upaiti

SECTION LI

"Dhritarashtra said, 'All these named by thee are, indeed, endued with great courage, but all of them together are equal to Bhima singly. My fear, O child, from the wrathful Bhima is, indeed, very great, like that of fat deer from an enraged tiger. I pass all my nights in sleeplessness, breathing deep and hot sighs afraid of Vrikodara, O child, like an animal of any other species afraid of the lion. Of mighty arms, and in energy equal unto Sakra himself, I see not in this whole army even one that can withstand him in battle. Exceedingly wrathful and determined in animosity, that son of Kunti and Pandu smileth not even in jest, is mad with rage, casteth his glances obliquely, and speaketh in a voice of thunder. Of great impetuosity and great courage, of long arms and great might, he will not, in battle, leave even one of my foolish sons alive. Indeed, Vrikodara, that bull among the Kurus, whirling his mace in battle, will, like a second Yama mace in hand slay all my sons who are afflicted by a heavy calamity. Even now I see that terrible mace of his, with eight sides made of steel, and adorned with gold, uplifted like a Brahmana's curse. As a lion of mighty strength among a flock of deer, Bhima will range among my troops. He only (amongst his brothers) always displayed his strength cruelly towards my sons. Eating voraciously, and endued with great impetuosity, from his very childhood he hath been behaving inimically towards my children. My heart trembleth (to remember) that even in their childhood, Duryodhana and other sons of mine, while fighting with him (sportively) were always ground down by the elephant-like Bhima. Alas, my sons have always been oppressed by his might, and it is that Bhima of terrible prowess that hath been the cause of this rupture. Even now I behold Bhima, mad with rage, fighting in the very van, and devouring the whole of my host consisting of men, elephants, and steeds. Equal unto Drona and Arjuna in weapons, his speed equal unto the velocity of the wind, and in wrath like unto Maheswara himself, who is there, O Sanjaya, that would slay that wrathful and terrible hero in battle? I think it to be a great gain that my sons were not even then slain by that slayer of enemies who is endued with such energy. How can a human being withstand the impetuosity of that warrior in battle who slew Yakshas and Rakshasas of terrible might before? O Sanjaya, even in his childhood he was never completely under my control. Injured by my wicked sons, how can that son of Pandu come under my control now? Cruel and extremely wrathful, he would break but not bend. Of oblique glances and contracted eye-brows, how can he be induced to remain quiet? Endued with heroism, of incomparable might and fair complexion, tall like a palmyra tree, and in height taller than Arjuna by the span of the thumb, the second son of Pandu surpasseth the very steeds in swiftness, and elephants in strength, speaketh in indistinct accents, and possesseth eyes having the hue of honey. As regards form
p. 124
and might, even such was he in his very boyhood, as I truly heard long before from the lips of Vyasa! Terrible and possessed of cruel might, when angry he will destroy in battle with his iron-mace cars and elephants and men and horses. By acting against his wishes, that foremost of smiters who is ever wrathful and furious, hath before been, O child, insulted by me. Alas, how will my sons bear that mace of his which is straight, made of steel, thick, of beautiful sides, adorned with gold, capable of slaying a hundred, and producing a terrible sound when hurled at the foe? Alas, O child, my foolish sons are desirous of crossing that inaccessible ocean constituted by Bhima, which is really shoreless, without a raft on it, immeasurable in depth, and full of currents impetuous as the course of arrows. Fools in reality though boasting of their wisdom, alas, my children do not listen to me even though I cry out. Beholding only the honey they do not see the terrible fall that is before them. They that will rush to battle with Death himself in that human shape, are certainly doomed to destruction by the Supreme Ordainer, like animals within the lion's view. Full four cubits in length, endued with six sides and great might, and having also a deadly touch, when he will hurl his mace from' the sting, how shall my sons, O child, bear its impetus? Whirling his mace and breaking therewith the heads of (hostile) elephants, licking with his tongue the corners of his mouth and drawing long breaths, when he will rush with loud roars against mighty elephants, returning the yells of those infuriated beasts that might rush against him, and when entering the close array of cars he will slay, after taking proper aim, the chief warriors before him, what mortal of my party will escape from him looking like a blazing flame? Crushing my forces and cutting a passage through them, that mighty armed hero, dancing with mace in hand, will exhibit the scene, witnessed during the universal Dissolution at the end of a Yuga. Like an infuriated elephant crushing trees adorned with flowers, Vrikodara, in battle will, furiously penetrate the ranks of my sons. Depriving my warriors of their cars, drivers, steeds, and flag-staff, and afflicting all warriors fighting from cars and the backs of elephants, that tiger among men will, O Sanjaya, like the impetuous current of Ganga throwing down diverse trees standing on its banks, crush in battle the troops of my sons. Without doubt, O Sanjaya, afflicted by the fear of Bhimasena, my sons and their dependents and all the allied kings will fly in different directions. It was this Bhima who, having entered of old, with Vasudeva's aid, the innermost apartments of Jarasandha, overthrew that king endued with great energy; that lord of Magadha, the mighty Jarasandha, having fully brought under his subjection the goddess Earth, oppressed her by his energy. That the Kauravas in consequence of Bhishma's prowess, and the Andhakas and the Vrishnis in consequence of their policy, could not be subjugated by him was due only to their good fortune. What could be more wonderful than that the heroic son of Pandu, of mighty arms and without any weapons, having approached that king, slew him in a trice? Like a venomous snake, whose poison
p. 125
hath accumulated for years, Bhima will, O Sanjaya, vomit in battle the poison of his wrath upon my sons! Like the foremost of the celestials, the great Indra, smiting the Danavas with his thunderbolt, Bhimasena will, mace in hand, slay all my sons! Incapable of being withstood or resisted, of fierce impetus and powers, and with eyes of a coppery hue, I behold even now that Vrikodara failing upon my sons. Without mace or bow, without car or coat of mail, fighting with his bare arms only, what man is there that can stand before him? Bhishma, that regenerate Drona, and Kripa the son of Saradwat,--these are as much acquainted as I myself with the energy of the intelligent Bhima. Acquainted with the practice of those that are noble, and desirous of death in battle, these bulls among men will take their stand in the van of our army. Destiny is everywhere powerful, especially in the case of a male person, for beholding the victory of the Pandavas in battle, I do not yet restrain my sons. These mighty bowmen of mine, desirous of treading in that ancient track leading up to heaven, will lay down their lives in battle, taking care, however, of earthly fame. O child, my sons are the same to these mighty bowmen as the Pandavas are to them, for all of them are grandsons of Bhishma and disciples of Drona and Kripa. O Sanjaya, the little acceptable services that we have been able to do unto these three venerable ones, will certainly be repaid by them owing to their own noble dispositions. It is said that death in battle of a Kshatriya, who hath taken up arms and desireth to observe Kshatriya practices is, indeed, both good and meritorious. I weep, however, for all those that will fight against the Pandavas. That very danger hath now come which was foreseen by Vidura at the outset. It seems, O Sanjaya, that wisdom is incapable of dispelling woe; on the other hand, it is overwhelming woe that dispelleth wisdom. When the very sages, that are emancipated from all worldly concerns and that behold, standing aloof, all the affairs of the universe, are affected by prosperity and adversity, what wonder is there that I should grieve, I who have my affections fixed on a thousand things such as sons, kingdom, wives, grandsons, and relatives? What good can possibly be in store for me on the accession of such a frightful danger? Reflecting on every circumstance, I see the certain destruction of the Kurus. That match at dice seems to be the cause of this great danger of the Kurus. Alas, this sin was committed from temptation by foolish Duryodhana, desirous of wealth; I believe all this to be the untoward effect of ever-fleeting Time that bringeth on everything. Tied to the wheel of Time, like its periphery, I am not capable of flying away from it. Tell me, O Sanjaya, where shall I go? What shall I do, and, how shall I do it? These foolish Kauravas will all be destroyed, their Time having come. Helplessly I shall have to hear the wailing of women when my hundred sons will all be slain. Oh, how may death come upon me? As a blazing fire in the summer season., when urged by the wind, consumeth dry grass, so will Bhima, mace in hand, and united with Arjuna, slay all on my side!'"

Book 5
Chapter 52

1 [dhṛ]
      yathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ sarve parākrāntā jigīṣavaḥ
      tathaivābhisarās teṣāṃ tyaktātmāno jaye dhṛtāḥ
  2 tvam eva hi parākrāntān ācakṣīthāḥ parān mama
      pāñcālān kekayān matsyān māgadhān vatsabhūmipān
  3 yaś ca sendrān imāṁl lokān icchan kuryād vaśe balī
      sa śreṣṭho jagataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ jaye dhṛtaḥ
  4 samastām arjunād vidyāṃ sātyakiḥ kṣipram āptavān
      śaineyaḥ samare sthātā bījavat pravapañ śarān
  5 dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pāñcālyaḥ krūrakarmā mahārathaḥ
      māmakeṣu raṇaṃ kartā baleṣu paramāstravit
  6 yudhiṣṭhirasya ca krodhād arjunasya ca vikramāt
      yamābhyāṃ bhīmasenāc ca bhayaṃ me tāta jāyate
  7 amānuṣaṃ manuṣyendrair jālaṃ vitatam antarā
      mama senāṃ haniṣyanti tataḥ krośāmi saṃjaya
  8 darśanīyo manasvī ca lakṣmīvān brahma varcasī
      medhāvī sukṛtaprajño dharmātmā pāṇḍunandanaḥ
  9 mitrāmātyaiḥ susaṃpannaḥ saṃpanno yojya yojakaiḥ
      bhrātṛbhiḥ śvaśuraiḥ putrair upapanno mahārathaiḥ
  10 dhṛtyā ca puruṣavyāghor naibhṛtyena ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     anṛśaṃso vadānyaś ca hrīmān satyaparākramaḥ
 11 bahuśrutaḥ kṛtātmā ca vṛddhasevī jitendriyaḥ
     taṃ sarvaguṇasaṃpannaṃ samiddham iva pāvakam
 12 tapantam iva ko mandaḥ patiṣyati pataṃgavat
     pāṇḍavāgnim anāvāryaṃ mumūrṣur mūḍha cetanaḥ
 13 tanur uccaḥ śikhī rājā śuddhajāmbūnadaprabhaḥ
     mandānāṃ mama putrāṇāṃ yuddhenāntaṃ kariṣyati
 14 tair ayuddhaṃ sādhu manye kuravas tan nibodhata
     yuddhe vināśaḥ kṛtsnasya kulasya bhavitā dhruvam
 15 eṣā me paramā śāntir yayā śāmyati me manaḥ
     yadi tv ayuddham iṣṭaṃ vo vayaṃ śāntyai yatāmahe
 16 na tu naḥ śikṣamāṇānām upekṣeta yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     jugupsati hy adharmeṇa mām evoddhiśya kāraṇam

SECTION LII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'He whom we have never heard to speak a falsehood, he who hath Dhananjaya to fight for him, may have the sovereignty of even the three worlds. Reflecting from day to day I do not find the warrior who may, on his car, advance in battle against the wielder of Gandiva. When that wielder of Gandiva will shoot winged arrows and Nalikas and shafts capable of piercing the breast of warriors, there is no rival of his in battle. If those bulls among men, those heroes,--Drona and Karna,--those foremost of mighty men, versed in weapons and invincible in battle, withstand him, the result may be very doubtful, but I am sure that the victory will not be mine. Karna is both compassionate and heedless, and preceptor is aged and hath affection for this pupil. Partha, however, is able and mighty, of firm grasp (of the bow). Terrible will be the encounter between them, without resulting in any one's defeat. Conversant with weapons and endued with heroism, all of them have earned great fame. They may relinquish the very sovereignty of the gods, but not the chance of winning victory. There would be peace, without doubt, upon the fall of either of these two (Drona and Karna) or of Falguna, There is none, however, who can either slay or vanquish Arjuna. Alas, how may his wrath that hath been excited against my foolish sons be pacified. Others there are acquainted with the use of weapons, that conqueror are conquered; but it is heard that Falguna always conquereth. Three and thirty years have passed away since the time, when Arjuna, having invited Agni, gratified him at Khandava, vanquishing all the celestials. We have never heard of his defeat anywhere, O child. Like the case of Indra, victory is always Arjuna's, who hath for his charioteer in battle Hrishikesa, endued with the same character and position. We hear that the two Krishnas on the same car and the stringed Gandiva,--these three forces,--have been united together. As regards ourselves, we have not a bow of that kind, or a warrior like Arjuna, or a charioteer like Krishna. The foolish followers of Duryodhana are not aware of this. O Sanjaya, the blazing thunderbolt falling on the head leaveth something undestroyed, but the arrows, O child, shot by Kiritin leave nothing undestroyed. Even now I behold Dhanajaya shooting his arrows and committing a havoc around, picking off heads from bodies with his arrowy showers! Even now I behold the arrowy conflagration, blazing all around, issuing from the Gandiva, consuming in battle the ranks of my sons. Even now it seemeth to me that, struck with panic at the rattle of Savyasachin's car, my vast army consisting of diverse forces is running away in all directions. As a tremendous conflagration, wandering in all directions, of swelling flames and urged by the wind, consumeth dry leaves and grass, so will the great fame of Arjuna's weapons consume all my troops. Kiritin, appearing as a foe in battle, will vomit innumerable arrows and become irresistible like all destroying
p. 127
[paragraph continues] Death urged forward by the Supreme Ordainer. When I shall constantly hear of evil omens of diverse kinds happening in the homes of the Kurus. and around them and on the field of battle, then will destruction, without doubt, overtake the Bharats.'"

Book 5
Chapter 53

  1 [s]
      evam etan mahārāja yathā vadasi bhārata
      yuddhe vināśaḥ kṣatrasya gāṇḍīvena pradṛśyate
  2 idaṃ tu nābhijānāmi tava dhīrasya nityaśaḥ
      yat putra vaśam āgaccheḥ sattvajñaḥ savyasācinaḥ
  3 naiṣa kālo mahārāja tava śaśvat kṛtāgamaḥ
      tvayā hy evāditaḥ pārthā nikṛtā bharatarṣabha
  4 pitā śreṣṭhaḥ suhṛd yaś ca samyak praṇihitātmavān
      āsthyeyaṃ hi hitaṃ tena na drogdhā gurur ucyate
  5 idaṃ jitam idaṃ labdham iti śrutvā parājitān
      dyūtakāle mahārāja smayase sma kumāravat
  6 paruṣāṇy ucyamānān sma purā pārthān upekṣase
      kṛtsnaṃ rājyaṃ jayantīti prapātaṃ nānupaśyasi
  7 pitryaṃ rājyaṃ mahārāja kuravas te sa jāṅgalāḥ
      atha vīrair jitāṃ bhūmim akhilāṃ pratyapadyathāḥ
  8 bāhuvīryārjitā bhūmis tava pārthair niveditā
      mayedaṃ kṛtam ity eva manyase rājasattama
  9 grastān gandharvarājena majjato hy aplave 'mbhasi
      ānināya punaḥ pārthaḥ putrāṃs te rājasattama
  10 kumāravac ca smayase dyūte vinikṛteṣu yat
     pāṇḍaveṣu vanaṃ rājan pravrajatsu punaḥ punaḥ
 11 pravarṣataḥ śaravrātān arjunasya śitān bahūn
     apy arṇavā viśuṣyeyuḥ kiṃ punar māṃsayonayaḥ
 12 asyatāṃ phalgunaḥ śreṣṭho gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanuṣāṃ varam
     keśavaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ cakrāṇāṃ ca sudarśanam
 13 vānaro rocamānaś ca ketuḥ ketumatāṃ varaḥ
     evam etāni sa ratho vahañ śvetahayo raṇe
     kṣapayiṣyati no rājan kālacakram ivodyatam
 14 tasyādya vasudhā rājan nikhilā bharatarṣabha
     yasya bhīmārjunau yodhau sa rājā rājasattama
 15 tathā bhīma hataprāyāṃ majjantīṃ tava vāhinīm
     duryodhanamukhā dṛṣṭvā kṣayaṃ yāsyanti kauravāḥ
 16 na hi bhīma bhayād bhītā lapsyante vijayaṃ vibho
     tava putrā mahārāja rājānaś cānusāriṇaḥ
 17 matsyās tvām adya nārjanti pāñcālāś ca sa kekayāḥ
     śālveyāḥ śarasenāś ca sarve tvām avajānate
     pārthaṃ hy ete gatāḥ sarve vīryajñās tasya dhīmataḥ
 18 anarhān eva tu vadhe dharmayuktān vikarmaṇā
     sarvopāyair niyantavyaḥ sānugaḥ pāpapūruṣaḥ
     tava putro mahārāja nātra śocitum arhasi
 19 dyūtakāle mayā coktaṃ vidureṇa ca dhīmatā
     yad idaṃ te vilapitaṃ pāṇḍavān prati bhārata
     anīśeneva rājendra sarvam etan nirarthakam

SECTION LIII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Endued with great prowess and eager for victory, even as the sons themselves of Pandu are, so are their followers, who are all resolved to sacrifice their lives and determined to win victory. Even thou, O son, hast told me of my mighty enemies, viz., the kings of the Panchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and the Magadhas. He, again, who at his will can bring under his subjection all the three worlds with Indra at their head, even that Creator of the universe, the mighty Krishna is bent on giving victory upon the Pandavas. As regards Satyaki, he acquired in no time the whole science of arms from Arjuna. That scion of Sini's race will stand on the battle-field, shooting his shafts like husbandmen sowing seeds. The prince of Panchala, Dhristadyumna, that mighty car-warrior of merciless deeds, acquainted with all superior weapons, will fight with my host. Great is my fear, O child from the wrath of Yudhishthira, from the prowess of Arjuna, and from the Twins and Bhimasena. When those lords of men will, in the midst of my army, spread their superhuman net of arrows, I fear my troops will not come out of it. It is for this, O Sanjaya, that I weep. That son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, is handsome, endued with great energy, highly blessed, possessed of Brahma force, intelligent, of great wisdom, and virtuous soul. Having allies and counsellors, united with persons ready for battle, and possessing brothers and father-in-law who are all heroes and mighty car-warriors, that tiger among men, the son of Pandu, is also endued with patience, capable of keeping his counsels, compassionate, modest, of powers incapable of being baffled, possessed of great learning, with soul under proper control, ever waiting upon the aged, and subdued senses; possessed thus of every accomplishment, he is like unto a blazing fire. What fool, doomed to destruction and deprived of sense, will jump, moth-like, into that blazing and irresistible Pandava fire! Alas, I have behaved deceitfully towards him. The king, like unto a fire of long flames, will destroy all my foolish sons in battle without leaving any alive. I, therefore, think that it is not proper to fight with them. Ye Kauravas, be ye of the same mind. Without doubt, the whole race of Kuru will be destroyed, in case of hostilities being waged. This appears to me very clearly, and if we act accordingly, my mind may have peace. If war with them doth not seem beneficial to you, then we will strive to
p. 128
bring about peace. Yudhishthira will never be indifferent when he sees us distressed, for he censures me only as the cause of this unjust war.'"

Book 5
Chapter 54

  1 [dur]
      na bhetavyaṃ mahārāja na śocyā bhavatā vayam
      samarthāḥ sma parān rājan vijetuṃ samare vibho
  2 vanaṃ pravrājitān pārthān yad āyān madhusūdanaḥ
      mahatā balacakreṇa pararāṣṭrāvamardinā
  3 kekayā dhṛṣṭaketuś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
      rājānaś cānvayuḥ pārthān bahavo 'nye 'nuyāyinaḥ
  4 indraprasthasya cādūrāt samājagmur mahārathāḥ
      vyagarhayaṃś ca saṃgamya bhavantaṃ kurubhiḥ saha
  5 te yudhiṣṭhiram āsīnam ajinaiḥ prativāsitam
      kṛṣṇa pradhānāḥ saṃhatya paryupāsanta bhārata
  6 pratyādānaṃ ca rājyasya kāryam ūcur narādhipāḥ
      bhavataḥ sānubandhasya samucchedaṃ cikīrṣavaḥ
  7 śrutvā caitan mayoktās tu bhīṣmadroṇakṛpās tadā
      jñātikṣayabhayād rājan bhītena bharatarṣabha
  8 na te sthāsyanti samaye pāṇḍavā iti me matiḥ
      samucchedaṃ hi naḥ kṛtsnaṃ vāsudevaś cikīrṣati
  9 ṛte ca viduraṃ sarve yūyaṃ vadhyā mahātmanaḥ
      dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca dharmajño na vadhyaḥ kurusattamaḥ
  10 samucchedaṃ ca kṛtsnaṃ naḥ kṛtvā tāta janārdanaḥ
     ekarājyaṃ kurūṇāṃ sma cikīrṣati yudhiṣṭhire
 11 tatra kiṃ prāptakālaṃ naḥ praṇipātaḥ palāyanam
     prāṇān vā saṃparityajya pratiyudhyāmahe parān
 12 pratiyuddhe tu niyataḥ syād asmākaṃ parājayaḥ
     yudhiṣṭhirasya sarve hi pārthivā vaśavartinaḥ
 13 virakta rāṣṭrāś ca vayaṃ mitrāṇi kupitāni naḥ
     dhikkṛtāḥ pārthivaiḥ sarvaiḥ svajanena ca sarvaśaḥ
 14 praṇipāte tu doṣo 'sti bandhūnāṃ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
     pitaraṃ tv eva śocāmi prajñā netraṃ janeśvaram
     matkṛte duḥkham āpannaṃ kleśaṃ prāptam anantakam
 15 kṛtaṃ hi tava putraiś ca pareṣām avarodhanam
     matpriyārthaṃ puraivaitad viditaṃ te narottama
 16 te rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya sāmātyasya mahārathāḥ
     vairaṃ patikariṣyanti kulocchedena pāṇḍavāḥ
 17 tato droṇo 'bravīd bhīṣmaḥ kṛpo drauṇiś ca bhārata
     matvā māṃ mahatīṃ cintām āsthitaṃ vyathitendriyam
 18 abhidrugdhāḥ pare cen no na bhetavyaṃ paraṃtapa
     asamarthāḥ pare jetum asmān yudhi janeśvara
 19 ekaikaśaḥ samarthāḥ smo vijetuṃ sarvapārthivān
     āgacchantu vineṣyāmo darpam eṣāṃ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 20 puraikena hi bhīṣmeṇa vijitāḥ sarvapārthivāḥ
     mṛte pitary abhikruddho rathenaikena bhārata
 21 jaghāna subahūṃs teṣāṃ saṃrabdhaḥ kurusattamaḥ
     tatas te śaraṇaṃ jagmur devavratam imaṃ bhayāt
 22 sa bhīṣmaḥ susamartho 'yam asmābhiḥ sahito raṇe
     parān vijetuṃ tasmāt te vyetu bhīr bharatarṣabha
     ity eṣāṃ niścayo hy āsīt tat kālam amitaujasām
 23 purā pareṣāṃ pṛthivī kṛtsnāsīd vaśavartinī
     asmān punar amī nādya samarthā jetum āhave
     chinnapakṣāḥ pare hy adya vīryahīnāś ca pāṇḍavāḥ
 24 asmat saṃsthā ca pṛthivī vartate bharatarṣabha
     ekārthāḥ sukhaduḥkheṣu mayānītāś ca pārthivāḥ
 25 apy agniṃ praviśeyus te samudraṃ vā paraṃtapa
     madarthe pārthivāḥ sarve tad viddhi kurusattama
 26 unmattam iva cāpi tvāṃ prahasantīha duḥkhitam
     vilapantaṃ bahuvidhaṃ bhītaṃ paravikatthane
 27 eṣāṃ hy ekaikaśo rājñāṃ samarthaḥ pāṇḍavān prati
     ātmānaṃ manyate sarvo vyetu te bhayam āgatam
 28 sarvāṃ samagrāṃ senāṃ me vāsavo 'pi na śaknuyāt
     hantum akṣayya rūpeyaṃ brahmaṇāpi svayambhuvā
 29 yudhiṣṭhiraḥ puraṃ hitvā pañca grāmān sa yācati
     bhīto hi māmakāt sainyāt prabhāvāc caiva me prabho
 30 samarthaṃ manyase yac ca kuntīputraṃ vṛkodaram
     tan mithyā na hi me kṛtsnaṃ prabhāvaṃ vettha bhārata
 31 matsamo hi gadāyuddhe pṛthivyāṃ nāsti kaś cana
     nāsīt kaś cid atikrānto bhavitā na ca kaś cana
 32 yukto duḥkhocitaś cāhaṃ vidyā pāragatas tathā
     tasmān na bhīmān nānyebhyo bhayaṃ me vidyate kva cit
 33 duryodhana samo nāsti gadāyām iti niścayaḥ
     saṃkarṣaṇasya bhadraṃ te yat tadainam upāvasam
 34 yuddhe saṃkarṣaṇa samo balenābhyadhiko bhuvi
     gadāprahāraṃ bhīmo me na jātu viṣahed yudhi
 35 ekaṃ prahāraṃ yaṃ dadyāṃ bhīmāya ruṣito nṛpa
     sa evainaṃ nayed ghoraṃ kṣipraṃ vaivasvatakṣayam
 36 iccheyaṃ ca gadāhastaṃ rājan draṣṭuṃ vṛkodaram
     suciraṃ prārthito hy eṣa mama nityaṃ manorathaḥ
 37 gadayā nihato hy ājau mama pārtho vṛkodaraḥ
     viśīrṇagātraḥ pṛthivīṃ parāsuḥ prapatiṣyati
 38 gadāprahārābhihato himavān api parvataḥ
     sakṛn mayā viśīryeta giriḥ śatasahasradhā
 39 sa cāpy etad vijānāti vāsudevārjunau tathā
     duryodhana samo nāsti gadāyām iti niścayaḥ
 40 tat te vṛkodaramayaṃ bhayaṃ vyṛtu mahāhave
     vyapaneṣyāmy ahaṃ hy enaṃ mā rājan vimanā bhava
 41 tasmin mayā hate kṣipram arjunaṃ bahavo rathāḥ
     tulyarūpā viśiṣṭāś ca kṣepsyanti bharatarṣabha
 42 bhīṣmo droṇaḥ kṛpo drauṇiḥ karṇo bhūriśravās tathā
     prāgjyotiṣādhipaḥ śalyaḥ sindhurājo jayadrathaḥ
 43 ekaika eṣāṃ śaktas tu hantuṃ bhārata pāṇḍavān
     samastās tu kṣaṇenaitān neṣyanti yamasādanam
 44 samagrā pārthivī senā pārtham ekaṃ dhanaṃjayam
     kasmād aśaktā nirjetum iti hetur na vidyate
 45 śaravrātais tu bhīṣmeṇa śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
     droṇa drauṇikṛpaiś caiva gantā pārtho yamakṣayam
 46 pitāmaho hi gāṅgeyaḥ śaṃtanor adhi bhārata
     brahmarṣisadṛśo jajñe devair api durutsahaḥ
     pitrā hy uktaḥ prasannena nākāmas tvaṃ mariṣyasi
 47 brahmarṣeś ca bharadvājād droṇyāṃ droṇo vyajāyata
     droṇāj jajñe mahārāja drauṇiś ca paramāstravit
 48 kṛpaś cācāya mukhyo 'yaṃ maharṣer gautamād api
     śarastambodbhavaḥ śrīmān avadhya iti me matiḥ
 49 ayonijaṃ trayaṃ hy etat pitā mātā ca mātulaḥ
     aśvatthāmno mahārāja sa ca śūraḥ sthito mama
 50 sarva ete mahārāja devakalpā mahārathāḥ
     śakrasyāpi vyathāṃ kuryuḥ saṃyuge bharatarṣabha
 51 bhīṣmadroṇakṛpāṇāṃ ca tulyaḥ karṇo mato mama
     anujñātaś ca rāmeṇa matsamo 'sīti bhārata
 52 kuṇḍale rucire cāstāṃ karṇasya sahaje śubhe
     te śacy arthe mahendreṇa yācitaḥ sa paraṃtapaḥ
     amoghayā mahārāja śaktyā paramabhīmayā
 53 tasya śaktyopagūḍhasya kasmāj jīved dhanaṃjayaḥ
     vijayo me dhruvaṃ rājan phalaṃ pāṇāv ivāhitam
     abhivyaktaḥ pareṣāṃ ca kṛtsno bhuvi parājayaḥ
 54 ahnā hy ekena bhīṣmo 'yam ayutaṃ hanti bhārata
     tat samāś ca maheṣvāsā droṇa drauṇikṛpā api
 55 saṃśaptāni ca vṛndāni kṣatriyāṇāṃ paraṃtapa
     arjunaṃ vayam asmān vā dhanaṃjaya iti sma ha
 56 tāṃś cālam iti manyante savyasāci vadhe vibho
     pārthivāḥ sa bhavān rājann akasmād vyathate katham
 57 bhīmasene ca nihate ko 'nyo yudhyeta bhārata
     pareṣāṃ tan mamācakṣva yadi vettha paraṃtapa
 58 pañca te bhrātaraḥ sarve dhṛṣṭadyumno 'tha sātyakiḥ
     pareṣāṃ sapta ye rājan yodhāḥ paramakaṃ balam
 59 asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā ye bhīṣmadroṇakṛpādayaḥ
     drauṇir vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ somadatto 'tha bāhlikaḥ
 60 prāgjyotiṣādhipaḥ śalya āvantyo 'tha jayadrathaḥ
     duḥśāsano durmukhaś ca duḥsahaś ca viśāṃ pate
 61 śrutāyuś citrasenaś ca purumitro viviṃśatiḥ
     śalo bhūriśravāś cobhau vikarṇaś ca tavātmajaḥ
 62 akṣauhiṇyo hi me rājan daśaikā ca samāhṛtāḥ
     nyūnāḥ pareṣāṃ saptaiva kasmān me syāt parājayaḥ
 63 balaṃ triguṇato hīnaṃ yodhyaṃ prāha bṛhaspatiḥ
     parebhyas triguṇā ceyaṃ mama rājann anīkinī
 64 guṇahīnaṃ pareṣāṃ ca bahu paśyāmi bhārata
     guṇodayaṃ bahuguṇam ātmanaś ca viśāṃ pate
 65 etat sarvaṃ samājñāya balāgryaṃ mama bhārata
     nyūnatāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca na mohaṃ gantum arhasi
 66 ity uktvā saṃjayaṃ bhūyaḥ paryapṛcchata bhārata
     vidhitsuḥ prāptakālāni jñātvā parapuraṃjayaḥ

SECTION LIV

"Sanjaya said, It is even so, O great king, as thou, O Bharata, sayest. On the event of battle, the destruction of the Kshatriyas by means of Gandiva is certain. This, however, I do not understand, how when thou art always wise and especially acquainted with the prowess of Savyasachin, thou followest yet the counsels of thy sons. Having O bull of the Bharata race, injured the sons of Pritha from the very beginning, having in fact, committed sins repeatedly, this is not, O great king, the time (to grieve). He that occupies the position of a father and a friend, if he is always watchful and of good heart, should seek the welfare (of his children); but he that injures, cannot be called a father. Hearing of the defeat of the Pandavas at dice, thou hadst, O king, laughed like a child, saying, 'This is won, this is acquired!' When the harshest speeches were addressed to the sons of Pritha, thou didst not then interfere, pleased at the prospect of thy sons winning the whole kingdom. Thou couldst not however, then see before thee inevitable fall. The country of the Kurus, including the region called Jangala is, O king, thy paternal kingdom. Thou hast, however, obtained the whole earth by those heroes. Won by the strength of their arms, the sons of Pritha made over thee this extensive empire. Thou thinkest, however, O best of kings, that all this was acquired by thee. When thy sons, seized by the king of the Gandharvas, were about to sink in a shoreless sea without a raft to save them, it was Partha, O king, that brought them back. Thou hadst, like a child, repeatedly laughed, O monarch, at the Pandavas when they were defeated at dice and were going into exile. When Arjuna poureth a shower of keen arrows, the very oceans dry up, let alone beings of flesh and blood. Falguna is the foremost of all shooters; Gandiva is the foremost of all bows; Kesava is the foremost of all beings; the Sudarsana is the foremost of all weapons; and of cars, that furnished with the banner bearing the blazing Ape on it is the foremost. That car of his, bearing all these and drawn by white steeds, will, O king, consume us all in battle like the upraised wheel of Time. O bull of the Bharata race, his is even now the whole earth and he is the foremost of all kings, who hath Bhima and Arjuna to fight for him. Beholding the host sinking in despair when smitten by Bhima, the Kauravas headed by Duryodhana will all meet destruction. Struck with the fear of Bhima and Arjuna, the sons, O king, and the kings following them, will not, O lord, be able to win victory. The Matsyas, the Panchalas, the Salways and the Surasenas, all decline
p. 129
to pay thee homage now and all disregard thee. Acquainted with the energy of that wise king, all of them, however, have joined that son of Pritha, and for their devotion to him they are always opposed to thy sons. He that, by his evil deeds, afflicted the sons of Pandu, who are all wedded to virtue and undeserving of destruction, he that hateth them even now,--that sinful man, O monarch, who is none else than thy son,--should, with all his adherents, be checked by all means. It behoveth thee not to bewail in this strain. Even this was said by myself as well as by the wise Vidura at the time of the gambling match at dice. These thy lamentations in connection with the Pandavas, as if thou wert a helpless person, are, O king, all useless.'"

Book 5
Chapter 55

  1 [dur]
      akṣauhiṇīḥ sapta labdhvā rājabhiḥ saha saṃjaya
      kiṃ svid icchati kaunteyo yuddhaprepsur yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  2 atīva mudito rājan yuddhaprepsur yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      bhīmasenārjunau cobhau yamāv api na bibhyataḥ
  3 rathaṃ tu divyaṃ kaunteyaḥ sarvā vibhrājayan diśaḥ
      mantraṃ jijñāsamānaḥ san bībhatsuḥ samayojayat
  4 tam apaśyāma saṃnaddhaṃ meghaṃ vidyutprabhaṃ yathā
      sa mantrān samabhidhyāya hṛṣyamāṇo 'bhyabhāṣata
  5 pūrvarūpam idaṃ paśya vayaṃ jeṣyāma saṃjaya
      bībhatsur māṃ yathovāca tathāvaimy aham apy uta
  6 [dur]
      praśaṃsasy abhinandaṃs tān pārthān akṣaparājitān
      arjunasya rathe brūhi katham aśvāḥ kathaṃ dhvajaḥ
  7 bhauvanaḥ saha śakreṇa bahu citraṃ viśāṃ pate
      rūpāṇi kalpayām āsa tvaṣṭā dhātrā sahābhibho
  8 dhvaje hi tasmin rūpāṇi cakrus te deva māyayā
      mahādhanāni divyāni mahānti ca laghūni ca
  9 sarvā diśo yojanamātram antaraṃ; sa tiryag ūrdhvaṃ ca rurodha vai dhvajaḥ
      na saṃsajjet tarubhiḥ saṃvṛto 'pi; tathā hi māyāvihitā bhauvanena
  10 yathākāśe śakradhanuḥprakāśate; na caikavarṇaṃ na ca vidma kiṃ nu tat
     tathā dhvajo vihito bhauvanena; bahv ākāraṃ dṛśyate rūpam asya
 11 yathāgnidhūmo divam eti ruddhvā; varṇān bibhrat taijasaṃ tac charīram
     tathā dhvajo vihito bhauvanena; na ced bhāro bhavitā nota rodhaḥ
 12 śvetās tasmin vātavegāḥ sadaśvā; divyā yuktāś citrarathena dattāḥ
     śataṃ yat tat pūryate nityakālaṃ; hataṃ hataṃ dattavaraṃ purastāt
 13 tathā rājño dantavarṇā bṛhanto; rathe yuktā bhānti tad vīryatulyāḥ
     ṛśya prakhyā bhīmasenasya vāhā; raṇe vāyos tulyavegā babhūvuḥ
 14 kalmāṣāṅgās tittiri citrapṛṣṭhā; bhrātrā dattāḥ prīyatā phalgunena
     bhrātur vīrasya svais turaṃgair viśiṣṭā; mudā yuktāḥ sahadevaṃ vahanti
 15 mādrīputraṃ nakulaṃ tv ājamīḍhaṃ; mahendradattā harayo vājimukhyāḥ
     samā vāyor balavantas tarasvino; vahanti vīraṃ vṛtra śatruṃ yathendram
 16 tulyāś caibhir vayasā vikrameṇa; javena caivāpratirūpāḥ sadaśvāḥ
     saubhadrādīn draupadeyān kumārān; vahanty aśvā devadattā bṛhantaḥ

SECTION LV

"Duryodhana said, 'Fear not, O king. Nor shouldest thou grieve for us. O monarch, O lord, we are quite able to vanquish the foe in battle. When the Parthas had been exiled to the woods, there came unto them the slayer of Madhu with a vast army in battle array and capable of crushing hostile kingdoms; and there also came unto them the Kekayas, and Dhrishtaketu, and Dhrishtadyumna of Pritha's race and numerous other kings in their train; and all those great car-warriors were assembled in a place not far from Indraprastha; and having assembled together they censured thee and all the Kurus. And O Bharata, all those warriors with Krishna at their head paid their homage unto Yudhishthira clad in deerskin and seated in their midst. And all those kings then suggested to Yudhishthira that he should take back the kingdom. And all of them desired to slay thee with all the followers. And hearing of all this, O bull of the Bharata race, I addressed Bhishma and Drona and Kripa, struck with fear, O king, at the prospect of the ruin that threatened our kindred. And I said unto them, 'I think the Pandavas will not abide by the agreement made by them; Vasudeva desireth our utter extinction. I think also that with the exception of Vidura all of you will be slain, although the chief of the Kurus, Dhritarashtra, conversant with morality, will not be included in the slaughter, O sire, effecting our complete destruction, Janardana wisheth to bestow upon Yudhishthira the entire kingdom of the Kurus. What should be done? Shall we surrender, or fly, or shall we fight the foe giving up every hope of life? If, indeed, we stand up against them, our defeat is certain, for all the kings of the earth are under Yudhishthira's command. The people of the realm are all annoyed with us, and all our friends also are angry with us. All the kings of the earth are speaking ill of us, and especially all our friends and relatives. There can be no fault in our surrender, for from time immemorial, the weaker

party is known to conclude peace. I grieve, however, for that lord of men, my, blind father, who may, on my account, be overtaken by woe and misery that is endless. [It is known to thee, O king, even before this, that thy other sons were all opposed to the foe for pleasing me only]. Those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Pandu, will, indeed, avenge their wrongs by destroying the whole race of king Dhritarashtra with all his counsellors.--(It was thus that I addressed them, and) seeing me afflicted by great anxiety and my senses tortured, Drona and Bhishma and Kripa and Drona's son then addressed me, saying, 'Fear not, O represser of foes, for if the foe wage hostilities with us, they will not be able to vanquish us when we take the field. Every one of us is singly capable of vanquishing all the kings of the earth. Let them come. With keen-edged arrows we will curb their pride. Inflamed with anger upon the death of his father, this Bhishma (amongst us) in days of old had conquered all the kings of the earth, on a single car. O Bharata, his wrath excited, that best of the Kurus smote numberless ones amongst them, whereupon from fear, they are surrendered to this Devavrata seeking his protection. That Bhishma, united with us, is still capable of vanquishing the foe in battle. Let thy fears, therefore, O bull of the Bharata race, be all dispelled.'
"Duryodhana continued, 'Even this was the resolve then formed by these heroes of immeasurable energy. The whole earth was formerly under the foe's command. Now, however, they are incapable of vanquishing us in battle, for our enemies, the sons of Pandu, are now without allies and destitute of energy. O bull of the Bharata race, the sovereignty of the earth now resteth in me, and the kings also, assembled by me, are of the same mind with me in weal or woe. Know thou, O best of the Kuru race, that all these kings, O slayer of foes, can, for my sake, enter into the fire or the sea. They are all laughing at thee, beholding thee filled with grief and including in these lamentations like one out of his wits, and affrighted at the praises of the foe. Every one amongst these kings is able to withstand the Pandavas. Indeed, sire, every one regardeth himself; let thy fears, therefore, be dispelled. Even Vasava himself is not capable of vanquishing my vast host. The Self-create Brahma himself, if desirous of slaying it, cannot annihilate it. Having given up all hopes of a city, Yudhishthira craveth only five villages, affrighted, O lord, at the army I have assembled and at my power. The belief thou entertainest in the prowess of Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, is unfounded. O Bharata, thou knowest not the extent of my prowess. There is none on earth equal to me in an encounter with the mace. None have ever surpassed me in such an encounter, nor will any surpass me. With devoted application and undergoing many privations, I have lived in my preceptor's abode. I have completed my knowledge and exercises there. It is for this that I have no fear either of Bhima or of others. When I humbly waited upon Sankarshana (my preceptor), blessed be thou, it was his firm conviction that Duryodhana hath no equal in the mace. In battle I am
p. 131
[paragraph continues] Sankarshana's equal, and in might there is none superior to me on earth. Bhima will never be able to bear the blow of my mace in battle. A single blow, O king, that I may wrathfully deal unto Bhima will certainly, O hero, carry him without delay to the abode of Yama. O king, I wish to see Vrikodara mace in hand. This hath been my long-cherished desire. Struck in battle with my mace, Vrikodara, the son of Pritha, will fall dead on the ground, his limbs shattered. Smitten with a blow of my mace, the mountains of Himavat may split into a hundred thousands fragments. Vrikodra himself knoweth this truth, as also Vasudeva and Arjuna, that there is no one equal to Duryodhana in the use of mace. Let thy fears, therefore, caused by Vrikodara. be dispelled, for I will certainly slay him in fierce conflict. Do not, O king, give way to melancholy. And after I have slain him, numerous car-warriors of equal or superior energy, will, O bull among the Bharatas, speedily throw Arjuna down. Bhishma, Drona Kripa and Drona's son, Karna and, Bhurisravas, Salya, the king of Pragjyotish, and Jayadratha, the king of the Sindhus,--every one of these, O Bharata, is singly capable of slaying the Pandavas. When united together, they will, within a moment, send Arjuna to the abode of Yama. There, indeed, is no reason why the united army of all the kings will be incapable of vanquishing Dhananjaya singly. A hundred times shrouded by immeasurable arrows shot by Bhishma and Drona and Drona's son and Kripa, and deprived of strength, Partha will have to go unto Yama's abode. Our grandsire born of Ganga is, O Bharata, superior to Santanu himself. Like unto a regenerate saint, and incapable of being withstood by the very celestials, he took his birth amongst men. There is no slayer of Bhishma, O king, on earth, for his father, being gratified, gave him the boon,--Thou shalt not die except when it is thy own wish. And Drona took his birth in a water-pot from the regenerate saint Bharadwaja. And from Drona hath taken birth his son, having a knowledge of the highest weapons. And this the foremost of preceptors. Kripa also, hath taken his birth from the great Rishi Gautama. Born in a clump of heath this illustrious one, I think, is incapable of being slain. Then again, O king, the father, mother and maternal uncle of Aswatthaman,--these three,--are not born of woman's womb. I have that hero also on my side. All these mighty car-warriors, O king, are like unto celestials, and can, O bull of the Bharata race, inflict pain on Sakra himself in battle. Arjuna is incapable of even looking at any one of these singly. When united together, these tigers among men will certainly slay Dhananjaya. Karna also, I suppose, is equal unto Bhishma and Drona and Kripa. O Bharata, Rama himself had told him,--Thou art equal unto me. Karna had two ear-rings born with him, of great brilliance and beauty; for Sachi's gratification Indra begged them of that repressor of foes, in exchange, O king, of an infallible and terrible shaft. How would Dhananjaya, therefore, escape with life from Karna who is protected by that arrow? My success, therefore, O king, is as certain as a fruit held fast in my own grasp. The utter defeat also of my foes is already bruited about on earth. This

[paragraph continues] Bhishma, O Bharata, killeth every day ten thousand soldiers. Equal unto him are these bowmen, Drona, Drona's son and Kripa. Then, O repressor of foes, the ranks of the Samsaptaka warriors have made this resolution,--Either we will slay Arjuna or that Ape-bannered warrior will slay us. There are other kings also, who firm in their resolve of slaying Savyasachin, regard him as unequal to themselves. Why dost thou then apprehend danger from the Pandavas? When Bhimasena will be slain, O Bharata, who else (amongst them) will fight? Tell me this, O repressor of foes, if thou knowest any amongst the foes. The five brothers, with Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki,--these seven warriors of the enemy, O king, are regarded as their chief strength. Those, however, amongst us, that are our chief warriors, are Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Drona's son, Karna, Somadatta, Vahlika, and Salya, the king of Pragjyotisha, the two kings (Vindha and Anuvinda) of Avanti, and Jayadratha; and then, O king, thy sons Dussasana, Durmukha, Dussaha, Srutayu; Chitrasena, Purumitra, Vivingsati, Sala, Bhurisravas, and Vikarna. O king, I have assembled one and ten Akshauhinis. The army of the enemy is less than mine, amounting only to seven Akshauhinis. How then can I be defeated? Vrihaspati hath said that an army which is less by a third ought to be encountered. My army, O king, exceedeth that of the foe by a third. Besides, O Bharata, I know that the enemy hath many defects, while mine, O lord, are endued with many good virtues. Knowing all this, O Bharata, as also the superiority of my force and the inferiority of the Pandavas, it behoveth thee not to lose thy senses.
'Having said this, O Bharata, that conqueror of hostile chiefs, Duryodhana, asked Sanjaya again, anxious to known more about the doings of the Pandavas.'"

Book 5
Chapter 56

 1 [dhṛ]
      kāṃs tatra saṃjayāpaśyaḥ pratyarthena samāgatān
      ye yotsyante pāṇḍavārthe putrasya mama vāhinīm
  2 mukhyam andhakavṛṣṇīnām apaśyaṃ kṛṣṇam āgatam
      cekitānaṃ ca tatraiva yuyudhānaṃ ca satyakim
  3 pṛthag akṣauhiṇībhyāṃ tau pāṇḍavān abhisaṃśritau
      mahārathau samākhyātāv ubhau puruṣamāninau
  4 akṣauhiṇyātha pāñcālyo daśabhis tanayair vṛtaḥ
      satyajit pramukhair vīrair dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamaiḥ
  5 drupado vardhayan mānaṃ śikhaṇḍiparipālitaḥ
      upāyāt sarvasainyānāṃ praticchādya tadā vapuḥ
  6 virāṭaḥ saha putrābhyāṃ śaṅkhenaiv uttareṇa ca
      sūryadattādibhir vīrair madirāśvapurogamaiḥ
  7 sahitaḥ pṛthivīpālo bhrātṛbhis tanayais tathā
      akṣauhiṇyaiva sainyasya vṛtaḥ pārthaṃ samāśritaḥ
  8 jārāsaṃdhir māgadhaś ca dhṛṣṭaketuś ca cedirāṭ
      pṛthakpṛthag anuprāptau pṛthag akṣauhiṇī vṛtau
  9 kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca sarve lohitaka dhvajāḥ
      akṣauhiṇīparivṛtāḥ pāṇḍavān abhisaṃśritāḥ
  10 etān etāvatas tatra yān apaśyaṃ samāgatān
     ye pāṇḍavārthe yotsyanti dhārtarāṣṭrasya vāhinīm
 11 yo veda mānuṣaṃ vyūhaṃ daivam āndharvam āsuram
     sa tasya senā pramukhe dhṛṣṭadyumno mahāmanāḥ
 12 bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo rājan bhāgaḥ kḷptaḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ
     taṃ virāṭo 'nu saṃyātā saha matsyaiḥ prahāribhiḥ
 13 jyeṣṭaḥsya pāṇḍuputrasya bhāgo madrādhipo balī
     tau tu tatrābruvan ke cid viṣamau no matāv iti
 14 duryodhanaḥ saha sutaḥ sārdhaṃ bhrātṛśatena ca
     prācyāś ca dākṣiṇātyāś ca bhīmasenasya bhāgataḥ
 15 arjunasya tu bhāgena karṇo vaikartano mataḥ
     aśvatthāmā vikarṇaś ca saindhavaś ca jayadrathaḥ
 16 aśakyāś caiva ye ke cit pṛthivyāṃ śūramāninaḥ
     sarvāṃs tān arjunaḥ pārthaḥ kalpayām āsa bhāgataḥ
 17 maheṣvāsā rājaputrā bhrātaraḥ pañca kekayāḥ
     kekayān eva bhāgena kṛtvā yotsyanti saṃyuge
 18 teṣām eva kṛto bhāgo mālavāḥ śālva kekayāḥ
     trigartānāṃ ca dvau mukhyau yau tau saṃśaptakāv iti
 19 duryodhana sutāḥ sarve tathā duḥśāsanasya ca
     saubhadreṇa kṛto bhāgo rājā caiva bṛhadbalaḥ
 20 drupadeyā maheṣvāsāḥ suvarṇavikṛtadhvajāḥ
     dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhā droṇam abhiyāsyanti bhārata
 21 cekitānaḥ somadattaṃ dvairathe yoddhum icchati
     bhojaṃ tu kṛtavarmāṇaṃ yuyudhāno yuyutsati
 22 sahadevas tu mādreyaḥ śūraḥ saṃkrandano yudhi
     svam aṃśaṃ kalpayām āsa śyālaṃ te subalātmajam
 23 ulūkaṃ cāpi kaitavyaṃ ye ca sārasvatā gaṇāḥ
     nakulaḥ kalpayām āsa bhāgaṃ mādravatīsutaḥ
 24 ye cānye pārthivā rājan pratyudyāsyanti saṃyuge
     samāhvānena tāṃś cāpi pāṇḍuputrā akalpayan
 25 evam eṣām anīkāni pravibhaktāni bhāgaśaḥ
     yat te kāryaṃ saputrasya kriyatāṃ tad akālikam
 26 na santi sarve putrā me mūḍhā durdyūta devinaḥ
     yeṣāṃ yuddhaṃ balavatā bhīmena raṇamūrdhani
 27 rājānaḥ pārthivāḥ sarve prokṣitāḥ kāladharmaṇā
     gāṇḍīvāgniṃ pravekṣyanti pataṅgā iva pāvakam
 28 vidurtāṃ vāhinīṃ manye kṛtavairair mahātmabhiḥ
     tāṃ raṇe ke 'nuyāsyanti prabhagnāṃ pāṇḍavair yudhi
 29 sarve hy atirathāḥ śūrāḥ kīrtimantaḥ pratāpinaḥ
     sūryapāvakayos tulyās tejasā samitiṃjayāḥ
 30 yeṣāṃ yudhiṣṭhiro netā guptā ca madhusūdanaḥ
     yodhau ca pāṇḍavau vīrau savyasāci vṛkodarau
 31 nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     sātyakir drupadaś caiva dhṛṣṭadyumnasya cātmajaḥ
 32 uttamaujāś ca pāñcālyo yudhāmanyuś ca durjayaḥ
     śikhaṇḍī kṣatradevaś ca tathā vairāṭir uttaraḥ
 33 kāśayaś cedayaś caiva matsyāḥ sarve ca sṛñjayāḥ
     virāṭa putro babhrūś ca pāñcālāś ca prabhadrakāḥ
 34 yeṣām indro 'py akāmānāṃ na haret pṛthivīm imām
     vīrāṇāṃ raṇadīrāṇāṃ ye bhindyuḥ parvatān api
 35 tān sarvān guṇasaṃpannān amanuṣyapratāpinaḥ
     krośato mama duṣputro yoddhum icchati saṃjaya
 36 [dur]
     ubhau sva ekajātīyau tathobhau bhūmigocarau
     atha kasmāt pāṇḍavānām ekato manyase jayam
 37 pitāmahaṃ ca droṇaṃ ca kṛpaṃ karṇaṃ ca durjayam
     jayadrathaṃ somadattam aśvatthāmānam eva ca
 38 sucetaso maheṣvāsān indro 'pi sahito 'maraiḥ
     aśaktaḥ samare jetuṃ kiṃ punar tāta pāṇḍavāḥ
 39 sarvā ca pṛthivī sṛṣṭā madarthe tāta pāṇḍavān
     āryān dhṛtimataḥ śūrān agnikalpān prabādhitum
 40 na māmakān pāṇḍavās te samarthāḥ prativīkṣitum
     parākrānto hy ahaṃ pāṇḍūn saputrān yoddhum āhave
 41 matpriyaṃ pārthivāḥ sarve ye cikīrṣanti bhārata
     te tān āvārayiṣyanti aiṇeyān iva tantunā
 42 mahatā rathavaṃśena śarajālaiś ca māmakaiḥ
     abhidrutā bhaviṣyanti pāñcālāḥ pānavaiḥ saha
 43 unmatta iva me putro vilapaty eṣa saṃjaya
     na hi śakto yudhā jetuṃ dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
 44 jānāti hi sadā bhīṣmaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ yaśasvinām
     balavattāṃ saputrāṇāṃ dharmajñānāṃ mahātmanām
 45 yato nārocayam ahaṃ vigrahaṃ tair mahātmabhiḥ
     kiṃ tu saṃjaya me brūhi punas teṣāṃ viceṣṭitam
 46 kas tāṃs tarasvino bhūyaḥ saṃdīpayati pāṇḍavān
     arciṣmato mahaiṣvāsān haviṣā pāvakān iva
 47 dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ sadaivaitān saṃdīpayati bhārata
     yudhyadhvam iti mā bhaiṣṭa yuddhād bharatasattamāḥ
 48 ye ke cit pārthivās tatra dhārtarāṣṭreṇa saṃvṛtāḥ
     yuddhe samāgamiṣyanti tumule kavacahrade
 49 tān sarvān āhave kruddhān sānubandhān samāgatān
     aham ekaḥ samādāsye timir matsyān ivaudakān
 50 bhīṣmaṃ droṇaṃ kṛpaṃ karṇaṃ drauṇiṃ śalyaṃ suyodhanam
     etāṃś cāpi nirotsyāmi veleva makarālayam
 51 tathā bruvāṇaṃ dharmātmā prāha rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     tava dhairyaṃ ca vīryaṃ ca pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
     sarve samadhirūḍhāḥ sma saṃgrāmān naḥ samuddhara
 52 jānāmi tvāṃ mahābāho kṣatradharme vyavasthitam
     samartham ekaṃ paryāptaṃ kauravāṇāṃ yuyutsatām
     bhavatā yad vidhātavyaṃ tan naḥ śreyaḥ paraṃtapa
 53 saṃgrāmād apayātānāṃ bhagnānāṃ śaraṇaiṣiṇām
     pauruṣaṃ darśayañ śūro yas tiṣṭhed agrataḥ pumān
     krīṇīyāt taṃ sahasreṇa nītiman nāma tat padam
 54 sa tvaṃ śūraś ca vīraś ca vikrāntaś ca nararṣabha
     bhayārtānāṃ paritrātā saṃyugeṣu na saṃśayaḥ
 55 evaṃ bruvati kaunteye dharmātmani yudhiṣṭhire
     dhṛṣṭadyumna uvācedaṃ māṃ vaco gatasādhvasaḥ
 56 sarvāñ janapadān sūta yodhā duryodhanasya ye
     sa bāhlīkān kurūn brūyāḥ prātipeyāñ śaradvataḥ
 57 sūtaputraṃ tathā droṇaṃ saha putraṃ jayadratham
     duḥśāsanaṃ vikarṇaṃ ca tathā duryodhanaṃ nṛpam
 58 bhīṣmaṃ caiva brūhi gatvā tvam āśu; yudhiṣṭhiraṃ sādhunaivābhyupeta
     mā vo vadhīd arjuno deva guptaḥ; kṣipraṃ yācadhvaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ lokavīram
 59 naitādṛśo hi yodho 'sti pṛthivyām iha kaś cana
     yathāvidhaḥ savyasācī pāṇḍavaḥ śastravittamaḥ
 60 devair hi saṃbhṛto divyo ratho gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
     na sa jeyo manuṣyeṇa mā sma kṛdhvaṃ mano yudhi

SECTION LVI

"Duryodhana said, 'Having obtained, O Sanjaya, an army numbering seven Akshauhinis, what is Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, with the other kings in his company, doing in view of the war?'
"Sanjaya said, 'Yudhishthira, O king, is very cheerful in view of the battle. And so also are Bhimasena and Arjuna. The twins also are perfectly fearless. Desirous of making an experiment of the mantras (obtained by him). Vibhatsu, the son of Kunti, yoked his celestial car illuminating all the directions. Accoutred in mail, he looked like a mass of clouds charged with lightning. After reflecting for a while, he cheerfully addressed me, saying,--Behold, O Sanjaya, these preliminary signs. We will certainly conquer.' Indeed, what Vibhatsu said unto me appeared to me to be true.'
p. 133
"Duryodhana said, 'Thou rejoicest to applaud those sons of Pritha defeated at dice. Tell us now what sort of steeds are yoked unto Arjuna's car and what sort of banners are set up on it?'
"Sanjaya said, 'O great king, the celestial artificer called Tashtri or Bhaumana, aided by Sakra and Dhatri, created forms of diverse kinds and great beauty for Arjuna's car. And displaying divine illusion they placed on his flagstaff those celestial forms, large and small, of great value. And at Bhimasena's request, Hanumat, the son of the Wind-god, will also place his own image on it. And Bhaumana has, in its creation, had recourse to such illusion that that banner covers, both perpendicularly and laterally, an area of one yojana, and even if trees stand in its way, its course cannot be impeded. Indeed, even as Sakra's bow of diverse colours is exhibited in the firmament, and nobody knows of what it is made, so hath that banner been contrived by Bhaumana, for its form is varied and ever varying. And as column of smoke mixed with fire riseth up, covering the sky and displaying many bright hues and elegant shapes, so doth that banner contrived by Bhaumana rear its head. Indeed, it hath no weight, nor is it capable of being obstructed. And unto that car are a century of excellent celestial steeds of white hue and endued with the speed of the mind, all presented by Chitrasena (the king of the Gandharvas). And neither on earth, O king, nor in the sky, nor in heaven, their course can be impeded. And formerly a boon hath been granted to the effect that their number would always remain full how often so ever they might be slain. And unto Yudhishthira's car are yoked large steeds of equal energy and white in colour like ivory. And unto Bhimasena's car are yoked courses endued with the speed of the wind and the splendour of the seven Rishis. And steeds of sable bodies and backs variegated like the wings of the Tittri bird, all presented by his gratified brother Falguna, and superior to those of the heroic Falguna himself, cheerfully carry Sahadeva. And Nakula of Ajamida's race, the son of Madri, is borne, like Indra the slayer of Vritra, by excellent steeds, presented by the great Indra himself, all mighty as the wind and endued with great speed. And excellent steed of large size, equal unto those of the Pandavas themselves in years and strength, endued with great swiftness and of handsome make, and all presented by the celestials, carry those youthful princes, the sons of Subhadra and Draupadi.'"

Book 5
Chapter 57

1 [dhṛ]
      kṣatratejā brahma cārī kaumārād api pāṇḍavaḥ
      tena saṃyugam eṣyanti mandā vilapato mama
  2 duryodhana nivartasva yuddhād bharatasattama
      na hi yuddhaṃ praśaṃsanti sarvāvastham ariṃdama
  3 alam ardhaṃ pṛthivyās te sahāmātyasya jīvitum
      prayaccha pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ yathocitam ariṃdama
  4 etad dhi kuravaḥ sarve manyante dharmasaṃhitam
      yat tvaṃ praśāntim icchethāḥ pāṇḍuputrair mahātmabhiḥ
  5 aṅgemāṃ samavekṣasva putra svām eva vāhinīm
      jāta eva tava srāvas tvaṃ tu mohān na budhyase
  6 na hy ahaṃ yuddham icchāmi naitad icchati bāhlikaḥ
      na ca bhīṣmo na ca droṇo nāśvatthāmā na saṃjayaḥ
  7 na somadatto na śalyo na kṛpo yuddham icchati
      satyavrataḥ purumitro jayo bhūriśravās tathā
  8 yeṣu saṃpratitiṣṭheyuḥ kuravaḥ pīḍitāḥ paraiḥ
      te yuddhaṃ nābhinandanti ta tubhyaṃ tāta rocatām
  9 na tvaṃ karoṣi kāmena karṇaḥ kārayitā tava
      duḥśāsanaś ca pāpātmā śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
  10 nāhaṃ bhavati na droṇe nāśvatthāmni na saṃjaye
     na vikarṇe na kāmboje na kṛpe na ca bāhlike
 11 satyavrate purumitre bhūriśravasi vā punaḥ
     anyeṣu vā tāvakeṣu bhāraṃ kṛtvā samāhvaye
 12 ahaṃ ca tāta karṇaś ca raṇayajñaṃ vitatya vai
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ paśuṃ kṛtvā dīkṣitau bharatarṣabha
 13 ratho vedī sruvaḥ khaḍgo gadā sruk kavacaṃ sadaḥ
     cāturhotraṃ ca dhuryo me śarā darbhā havir yaśaḥ
 14 ātmayajñena nṛpate iṣṭvā vaivasvataṃ raṇe
     vijitya svayam eṣyāvo hatāmitrau śriyā vṛtau
 15 ahaṃ ca tāta karṇaś ca bhrātā duḥśāsanaś ca me
     ete vayaṃ haniṣyāmaḥ pāṇḍavān samare trayaḥ
 16 ahaṃ hi pāṇḍavān hatvā praśāstā pṛthivīm imām
     māṃ vā hatvā pāṇḍuputrā bhoktāraḥ pṛthivīm imām
 17 tyaktaṃ me jīvitaṃ rājan dhanaṃ rājyaṃ ca pārthiva
     na jātu pāṇḍavaiḥ sārdhaṃ vaseyam aham acyuta
 18 yāvad dhi sūcyās tīkṣṇāyā vidhyed agreṇa māriṣa
     tāvad apy aparityājyaṃ bhūmer naḥ pāṇḍavān prati
 19 sarvān vas tāta śocāmi tyakto duryodhano mayā
     ye mandam anuyāsyadhvaṃ yāntaṃ vaivasvatakṣayam
 20 rurūṇām iva yūtheṣu vyāghrāḥ praharatāṃ varāḥ
     varān varān haniṣyanti sametā yudhi pāṇḍavāḥ
 21 pratīpam iva me bhāti yuyudhānena bhāratī
     vyatā sīmantinī trastā pramṛṣṭā dīrghavāhunā
 22 saṃpūrṇaṃ pūrayan bhūyo balaṃ pārthasya mādhavaḥ
     śaineyaḥ samare sthātā bījavat pravapañ śarān
 23 senāmukhe prayuddhānāṃ bhīmaseno bhaviṣyati
     taṃ sarve saṃśrayiṣyanti prākāram akutobhayam
 24 yadā draṣkyasi bhīmena kuñjarān vinipātitān
     viśīrṇadantān giryābhān bhinnakumbhān sa śoṇitān
 25 tān abhiprekṣya saṃgrāme viśīrṇān iva parvatān
     bhīto bhīmasya saṃsparśāt smartāsi vacanasya me
 26 nirdagdhaṃ bhīmasenena sainyaṃ hatarathadvipam
     gatim agner iva prekṣya smartāsi vacanasya me
 27 mahad vo bhayam āgāmi na cec chāmyatha pāṇḍavaiḥ
     gadayā bhīmasenena hatāḥ śamam upaiṣyatha
 28 mahāvanam iva chinnaṃ yadā drakṣyasi pātitam
     balaṃ kurūṇāṃ saṃgrāme tadā smartāsi me vacaḥ
 29 etāvad uktvā rājā tu sa sarvān pṛthivīpatīn
     anubhāṣya mahārāja punaḥ papraccha saṃjayam

SECTION LVII

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Whom hast thou, O Sanjaya, seen to have, from affection, arrived there, and who will, on behalf of the Pandavas, fight my son's forces?'

"Sanjaya said, 'I have seen Krishna, the foremost of the Andhakas and the Vrishnis, arrived there, and Chekitana, as also Satyaki, otherwise called Yuyudhana. And those two mighty car-warriors, proud of their strength and famed over all the world, have joined the Pandavas, each with a separate Akshauhini of troops. And Drupada, the king of the Panchalas, surrounded by his ten heroic sons--Satyajit and others--headed by Dhrishtadyumna, and well-protected by Sikhandin, and having furnished his soldiers with every necessary thing, hath come there with a full Akshauhini, desirous of honouring Yudhishthira. And that lord of earth, Virata, with his two sons Sankha and Uttara, as also with those heroes Suryadatta and others--headed by Madiraksha and surrounded by one Akshauhini of troops, hath thus accompanied by brothers and sons, joined the son of Pritha. And the son of Jarasandha, the king of Magadha, and Dhrishtaketu, the king of the Chedis, have separately come there, each accompanied by an Akshauhini of troops. And the five brothers of Kekaya, all having purple flags, have joined the Pandavas, surrounded by an Akshauhini of troops. Then numbering to this extent, have I seen assembled there, and these, on behalf of the Pandavas, will encounter the Dhartarashtra host. That great car-warrior, Dhrishtadyumna, who is acquainted with human, celestial, Gandharva and Asura arrays of battle, leadeth that host. O king, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, has been assigned to Sikhandin as his share; and Virata with all his Matsya warriors will support Sikhandin. The mighty king of the Madras hath been assigned to the eldest son of Pandu as his share, though some are of opinion that those two are not well-matched. Duryodhana with his sons and his ninety-nine brothers, as also the rulers of the east and the south, have been assigned to Bhimasena as his share. Karna, the son of Vikartana, and Jayadratha the king of the Sindhus, have been assigned to Arjuna as his share. And those heroes also on the earth who are incapable of being withstood and who are proud of their might, have been accepted by Arjuna as his share. And those mighty bowmen, the five royal brothers of Kekaya, will put forth their strength in battle, accepting the Kekaya warriors (on Dhritarashtra's side) as antagonists. And in their share are included the Malavas also, and the Salwakas, as also, the two famous warriors of the Trigarta host who have sworn to conquer or die. And all the sons of Duryodhana and Dussasana, as also king Vrihadvala, have been assigned to Subhadra's son as his share. And those great bowmen, the sons of Draupadi, having cars furnished with gold-embroidered banners, all headed by Dhrishtadyumna, will, O Bharata, advance against Drona. And Chekitana on his car desireth to encounter Somadatta in single combat with him, while Satyaki is anxious to battle against the Bhoja chief, Kritavarman. And the heroic son of Madri, Sahadeva, who setteth up terrible roars in battle, hath intended to take as his share thy brother-in-law, the son of Suvala. And Nakula also, the son of Madravati, hath intended to take as his share the deceitful Uluka and the tribes of the Saraswatas. As for all the other kings
p. 135
of the earth, O Monarch, who will go to battle, the sons of Pandu have, by naming them, distributed them in their own respective shares. Thus hath the Pandava host been distributed into divisions. Do thou now, without delay, with thy sons, act as thou thinkest best.'
"Dhritarashtra said, 'Alas, all my foolish sons, addicted to deceitful dice, are already dead when it is the mighty Bhima with whom they desire to encounter in the field of battle. All the kings of the earth too, consecrated by Death himself for sacrifice, will rush to the Gandiva, like so many moths into fire. Methinks my host is already put to flight by those illustrious warriors formerly injured by me. Who, indeed, shall follow to battle my warriors, whose ranks will be broken by the sons of Pandu in the encounter? All of them are mighty car-warriors, possessed of great bravery, of famous achievements, endued with great prowess, equal unto the fiery sun in energy, and all victorious in battle. Those that have Yudhishthira for their leader, the slayer of Madhu for their protector, the heroic Savyasachin and Vrikodara for their warriors, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and Satyaki, and Drupada, and Dhrishtaketu with his son, and Uttamaujas, and the unconquerable Yudhamanyu of the Panchalas, and Sikhandin, and Kshatradeva, and Uttara, the son of Virata, and Kasayas, the Chedis, the Matsyas, the Srinjayas, Vabhru the son of Virata, the Panchalas, and the Prabhadrakas, for fighting for them, those, indeed, from whom Indra himself cannot, if they are unwilling, snatch this earth,--those heroes, cool and steady, in fight, who can split the very mountains--alas, it is with them that are endued with every virtue and possessed of superhuman prowess that this wicked son of mine, O Sanjaya, desireth to fight, disregarding me even though I am crying myself hoarse!'
"Duryodhana said, 'Both the Pandavas and ourselves are of the same race; both they and we tread upon the same earth, why dost thou think that victory will declare itself for only the Pandavas? Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, the unconquerable Karna, Jayadratha, Somadatta, and Aswatthaman-all mighty bowmen and endued with great energy,--are incapable of being vanquished by Indra himself united with the celestials. What sayst thou then, O father of the Pandavas? Ali these noble and heroic kings of the earth, bearing weapons, O father, are quite capable, for my sake, of withstanding the Pandavas, while the latter are not capable of even gazing at my troops. I am powerful enough to encounter in battle the Pandavas with their sons. O Bharata, all those rulers of the earth, who are anxious for my welfare, will certainly seize all the Pandavas like a herd of young deer by means of net. I tell thee, in consequence of our crowds of cars and snares of arrows, the Panchalas and the Pandavas will all be routed.'
"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Sanjaya, this my son speaketh like a mad man, for he is incapable of vanquishing in battle Yudhishthira the just. This Bhishma truly knoweth the might of the famous, powerful, virtuous, and high-souled Pandavas and their sons, for he doth not wish a battle with
p. 136
those illustrious ones. But tell me again O Sanjaya, of their movements. Tell me, who are inciting those illustrious and mighty bowmen endued with great activity, like priests enkindling (Homa) fires with libations of clarified butter?'
"Sanjaya said, 'O Bharata, Dhrishtadyumna is always urging the Pandavas to war, saying, 'Fight ye, best among the Bharatas. Do not entertain the least fear. All those rulers of the earth, who, courted by Dhritarashtra's son, will become in that fierce encounter target of showers of weapons,--indeed, I alone will encounter all those angry kings assembled together with their relatives, like a whale seizing little fishes from the water. Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Karna and Drona's son and Salya and Suyodhana,--them all I withstand, like the bank resisting the swelling sea.' Unto him saying thus, the virtuous king Yudhishthira said, 'The Panchalas and the Pandavas wholly depend upon thy prowess and steadiness. Rescue us safely from the war. I know, O mighty-armed one, that thou art firm in the duties of the Kshatriya order. Thou art, indeed, quite competent to smite alone the Kauravas. When the latter, eager for fight, will stand before us, what thou, O repressor of foes, wilt arrange, will certainly be for our good. Even this is the opinion of those acquainted with the scriptures, that the hero, who, displaying his prowess, relieth those that after the rout run away from the battle-field, seeking for protection, is to be bought with a thousand. Thou, O bull among men, art brave, mighty, and powerful. Without doubt, thou art that deliverer of those that are over-powered with fear on the field of battle.' And when the righteous Yudhishthira the son of Kunti said this, Dhrishtadyumna fearlessly addressed me in these words, 'Go thou, O Suta, without delay, and say unto all those that have come to fight for Duryodhana, say unto the Kurus of the Pratipa dynasty with the Vahlikas, the son of Saradwata and Karna and Drona, and Drona's son, and Jayadratha, and Dussasana, and Vikarna and king Duryodhana, and Bhishma,--Do not suffer yourselves to be slain by Arjuna, who is protected by the celestials. Before that happens, let some good man approach Yudhishthira and entreat that son of Pandu, that best of men, to accept the kingdom (surrendered by them) without delay. There is no warrior on the earth like unto Savyasachin, son of Pandu, of prowess incapable of being baffled. The celestial car of the holder of Gandiva is protected by the very gods. He is incapable of being vanquished by human beings. Do not, therefore, bend your mind to war!'"

Book 5
Chapter 58

 1 [dhṛ]
      yad abrūtāṃ mahātmānau vāsudevadhanaṃjayau
      tan me brūhi mahāprājña śuśrūṣe vacanaṃ tava
  2 śṛṇu rājan yathādṛṣṭau mayā kṛṣṇa dhanaṃjayau
      ūcatuś cāpi yad vīrau tat te vakṣyāmi bhārata
  3 pādāṅgulīr abhiprekṣan prayato 'haṃ kṛtāñjaliḥ
      śuddhāntaṃ prāviśaṃ rājann ākhyātuṃ naradevayoḥ
  4 naivābhimanyur na yamau taṃ deśam abhiyānti vai
      yatra kṛṣṇau ca kṛṣṇā ca satyabhāmā ca bhāminī
  5 ubhau madhvāsavakṣībāv ubhau candanarūṣitau
      sragviṇau varavastrau tau divyābharaṇabhūṣitau
  6 naikaratnavicitraṃ tu kāñcanaṃ mahad āsanam
      vividhāstaraṇāstīrṇaṃ yatrāsātām ariṃdamau
  7 arjunotsaṅgamau pādau keśavasyopalakṣaye
      arjunasya ca kṛṣṇāyāṃ satyāyāṃ ca mahātmanaḥ
  8 kāñcanaṃ pādapīṭhaṃ tu pārtho me prādiśat tadā
      tad ahaṃ pāṇinā spṛṣṭvā tato bhūmāv upāviśam
  9 ūrdhvarekha talau pādau pārthasya śuba lakṣaṇau
      pādapīṭhād ahapṛtau tatrāpaśyam ahaṃ śubhau
  10 śyāmau bṛhantau taruṇau śālaskandhāv ivodgatau
     ekāsana gatau dṛṣṭvā bhayaṃ māṃ mahad āviśat
 11 indra viṣṇusamāvetau mandātmā nāvabudhyate
     saṃśrayād droṇa bhīṣmābhyāṃ karṇasya ca vikatthanāt
 12 nideśasthāv imau yasya mānasas tasya setsyate
     saṃkalpo dharmarājasya niścayo me tadābhavat
 13 satkṛtaś cānna pānābhyām ācchanno labdhasatkriyaḥ
     añjaliṃ mūrdhni saṃdhāya tau saṃdeśam acodayam
 14 dhanur bāṇocitenaika pāṇinā śubhalakṣaṇam
     pādam ānamayan pārthaḥ keśavaṃ samacodayat
 15 indraketur ivotthāya sarvābharaṇabhūṣitaḥ
     indravīryopamaḥ kṛṣṇaḥ saṃviṣṭo mābhyabhāṣata
 16 vācaṃ sa vadatāṃ śreṣṭho hlādinīṃ vacanakṣamām
     trāsanīṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ mṛdupūrvāṃ sudāruṇām
 17 vācaṃ tāṃ vacanārhasya śikṣākṣara samanvitām
     aśrauṣam aham iṣṭārthāṃ paścād dhṛdaya śoṣiṇīm
 18 [vāsu]
     saṃjayedaṃ vaco brūyā dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ manīṣiṇam
     śṛṇvataḥ kurumukhyasya droṇasyāpi ca śṛṇvataḥ
 19 yajadhvaṃ vipulair yajñair viprebhyo dattadakṣiṇāḥ
     putrair dāraiś ca modadhvaṃ mahad vo bhayam āgatam
 20 arthāṃs tyajata pātrebhyaḥ sutān prāpnuta kāmajān
     priyaṃ priyebhyaś carata rājā hi tvarate jaye
 21 ṛṇam etat pravṛddhaṃ me hṛdayān nāpasarpati
     yad govindeti cukrośa kṛṣṇā māṃ dūravāsinam
 22 tejomayaṃ durādharṣaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ yasya kārmukam
     maddvitīyena teneha vairaṃ vaḥ savyasācinā
 23 maddvitīyaṃ punaḥ pārthaṃ kaḥ prārthayitum icchati
     yo na kālaparīto vāpy api sākṣāt puraṃdaraḥ
 24 bāhubhyām udvahed bhūmiṃ dahet kruddha imāḥ prajāḥ
     pātayet tridivād devān yo 'rjunaṃ samare jayet
 25 devāsuramanuṣyeṣu yakṣagandharvabhogiṣu
     na taṃ paśyāmy ahaṃ yuddhe pāṇḍavaṃ yo 'bhyayād raṇe
 26 yat tad virāṭanagare śrūyate mahad adbhutam
     ekasya ca bahūnāṃ ca paryāptaṃ tannidarśanam
 27 ekena pāṇḍuputreṇa virāṭanagare yadā
     bhagnāḥ palāyanta diśaḥ paryāptaṃ tannidarśanam
 28 balaṃ vīryaṃ ca tejaś ca śīghratā laghuhastatā
     aviṣādaś ca dhairyaṃ ca pārthān nānyatha vidyate
 29 ity abravīd dhṛṣīkeśaḥ pārtham uddharṣayan girā
     garjan samayavarṣīva gagane pākaśāsanaḥ
 30 keśavasya vacaḥ śrutvā kirīṭī śvetavāhanaḥ
     arjunas tan mahad vākyam abravīl lomaharṣaṇam

SECTION LVIII

"Dhritarashtra said, Yudhishthira the son of Pandu is endued with Kshatriya energy and leadeth the Brahmacharya mode of life from his
p. 137
very youth. Alas, with him these foolish sons of mine desire to fight, disregarding me that am thus bewailing. I ask thee, O Duryodhana, O foremost of the Bharata race, desist from hostility. O chastiser of foes, under any circumstances, war is never applauded. Half the earth is quite enough for the maintenance of thyself and all thy followers. Give back unto the sons of Pandu, O chastiser of foes, their proper share. All the Kauravas deem just this to be consistent with justice, that thou shouldst make peace with the high-souled sons of Pandu. Reflect thus, O son, and thou wilt find that this thy army is for thy own death. Thou understandest not this from thy own folly. I myself do not desire war, nor Vahlika, nor Bhishma, nor Drona, nor Aswatthaman, nor Sanjaya, nor Somadatta, nor Salya, nor Kripa, nor Satyavrata, nor Purumitra, nor Bhurisravas,--in fact, none of these desireth war. Indeed, those warriors upon whom the Kauravas, when afflicted by the foe, will have to rely, do not approve of the war. O child, let that be acceptable to thee. Alas, thou dost not seek it of thy own will, but it is Karna and the evil-minded Dussasana and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, that are leading thee to it.'
"Duryodhana said, 'I challenge the Pandavas to battle, without depending upon thyself, Drona, or Aswatthaman, or Sanjaya, or Vikarna, or Kamvoja, or Kripa, or Vahlika, or Satyavrata, or Purumitra, or Bhurisravas, or others of thy party. But, O bull among men, only myself and Karna, O sire, are prepared to celebrate the sacrifice of battle with all the necessary rites, making Yudhishthira the victim. In that sacrifice, my car will be the altar; my sword will be the smaller ladle, my mace, the large one, for pouring libations; my coat of mail will be assembly of spectators; my four steeds will be the officiating priests; my arrows will be the blades of Kusa grass; and fame will be the clarified butter. O king, performing, in honour of Yama, such a sacrifice in battle, the ingredients of which will all be furnished by ourselves, we will return victoriously covered with glory, after having slain our foes. Three of us, O sire, viz., myself and Karna and my brother Dussasana,--will slay the Pandavas in battle. Either I, slaying the Pandavas, will sway this Earth, or the sons of Pandu, having slain me, will enjoy this Earth. O king, O thou of unfading glory, I would sacrifice my life, kingdom, wealth, everything, but would not be able to live side by side with the Pandavas. O venerable one, I will not surrender to the Pandavas even that much of land which may be covered by the sharp point of a needle.'
"Dhritarashtra said, 'I now abandon Duryodhana for ever. 'A nevertheless grieve for you all, ye kings, that will follow this fool who is about to proceed to Yama's abode. Like tigers among a herd of deer, those foremost of smiters-the sons of Pandu,--will smite down your principal leaders assembled for battle. Methinks, the Bharata host, like a helpless woman, will be afflicted and crushed and hurled to a distance by Yuyudhana of long arms. Adding to the strength of Yudhishthira's army, which without him was already sufficient, Sini's son will take up
p. 138
his stand on the field of battle and scatter his arrows like seeds on a cultivated field. And Bhimasena will take up his position in the very van of the combatants, and all his soldiers will fearlessly stand in his rear, as behind a rampart. Indeed, when thou, O Duryodhana, wilt behold elephants, huge as hills, prostrated on the ground with their tusks disabled, their temples crushed and bodies dyed with gore,--in fact, when thou wilt see them lying on the field of battle like riven hills, then, afraid of a clash with him, thou wilt remember these my words. Beholding thy host consisting of cars, steeds, and elephants, consumed by Bhimasena, and presenting the spectacle of a wide-spread conflagration's track, thou wilt remember these my words. If ye do not make peace with the Pandavas, overwhelming calamity will be yours. Slain by Bhimasena with his mace, ye will rest in peace. Indeed, when thou wilt see the Kuru host levelled to the ground by Bhima, like a large forest torn up by the roots, then wilt thou remember these my words.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Having said this unto all those rulers of the earth, the king addressing Sanjaya again, asked him as follows.'"

Book 5
Chapter 59

 1 [v]
      saṃjayasya vacaḥ śrutvā prajñā cakṣur nareśvaraḥ
      tataḥ saṃkhyātum ārebhe tad vaco guṇadoṣataḥ
  2 prasaṃkhyāya ca saukṣmyeṇa guṇadoṣān vicakṣaṇaḥ
      yathāvan matitattvena jaya kāmaḥ sutān prati
  3 balābale viniścitya yāthātathyena buddhimān
      śaktiṃ saṃkhyātum ārebhe tadā vai manujādhipaḥ
  4 deva mānuṣayoḥ śaktyā tejasā caiva pāṇḍavān
      kurūñ śaktyālpatarayā duryodhanam athābravīt
  5 duryodhaneyaṃ cintā me śaśvan nāpy upaśāmyati
      satyaṃ hy etad ahaṃ manye pratyakṣaṃ nānumānataḥ
  6 ātmajeṣu paraṃ snehaṃ sarvabhūtāni kurvate
      priyāṇi caiṣāṃ kurvanti yathāśakti hitāni ca
  7 evam evopakartṝṇāṃ prāyaśo lakṣayāmahe
      icchanti bahulaṃ santaḥ pratikartuṃ mahat priyam
  8 agniḥ sācivya kartā syāt khāṇḍave tat kṛtaṃ smaran
      arjunasyātibhīme 'smin kuru pāṇḍusamāgame
  9 jātagṛdhyābhipannāś ca pāṇḍavānām anekaśaḥ
      dharmādayo bhaviṣyanti samāhūtā divaukasaḥ
  10 bhīṣmadroṇakṛpādīnāṃ bhayād aśanisaṃmitam
     rirakṣiṣantaḥ saṃrambhaṃ gamiṣyantīti me matiḥ
 11 te deva sahitāḥ pārthā na śakyāḥ prativīkṣitum
     mānuṣeṇa naravyāghrā vīryavanto 'strapāragāḥ
 12 durāsadaṃ yasya divyaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ dhanur uttamam
     vāruṇau cākṣayau divyau śarapūrṇau maheṣudhī
 13 vānaraś ca dhvajo divyo niḥsaṅgo dhūmavad gatiḥ
     rathaś ca caturantāyāṃ yasya nāsti samas tviṣā
 14 mahāmeghanibhaś cāpi nirghoṣaḥ śrūyate janaiḥ
     mahāśani samaḥ śabdaḥ śātravāṇāṃ bhayaṃkaraḥ
 15 yaṃ cātimānuṣaṃ vīrye kṛtsno loko vyavasyati
     devānām api jetāraṃ yaṃ viduḥ pārthivā raṇe
 16 śatāni pañca caiveṣūn udvapann iva dṛśyate
     nimeṣāntaramātreṇa muñcan dūraṃ ca pātayan
 17 yam āha bhīṣmo droṇaś ca kṛpo drauṇis tathaiva ca
     madrarājas tathā śalyo madhyasthā ye ca mānavāḥ
 18 yuddhāyāvasthitaṃ pārthaṃ pārthivair atimānuṣaiḥ
     aśakyaṃ rathaśārdūlaṃ parājetum ariṃdamam
 19 kṣipaty ekena vegena pañcabāṇaśatāni yaḥ
     sadṛśaṃ bāhuvīryeṇa kārtavīryasya pāṇḍavam
 20 tam arjunaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ mahendropendra rakṣitam
     nighnantam iva paśyāmi vimarde 'smin mahāmṛdhe
 21 ity evaṃ cintayan kṛtsnam ahorātrāṇi bhārata
     anidro niḥsukhaś cāsmi kurūṇāṃ śama cintayā
 22 kṣayodayo 'yaṃ sumahān kurūṇāṃ pratyupasthitaḥ
     asya cet kalahasyāntaḥ śamād anyo na vidyate
 23 śamo me rocate nityaṃ pārthais tāta na vigrahaḥ
     kurubhyo hi sadā manye pāṇḍavāñ śaktimattarān

SECTION LIX

Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O thou of great wisdom, what high-souled Vasudeva and Dhananjaya said. I am anxious to hear from thee all about this.'
"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, as I tell thee the state in which I found Krishna and Dhananjaya. I will also, O Bharata, tell thee what those heroes said; O king, with looks bent down and hands joined together, and with senses well restrained, I entered the inner apartments for conferring with those gods among men. Neither Abhimanyu nor the Twins can repair to that place where are the two Krishnas and Draupadi and lady Satyabhama. There I beheld those chastisers of foes, exhilarated with Bassia wine, their bodies adorned with garlands of flowers. Attired in excellent robes and adorned with celestial ornaments, they sat on a golden dais, decked with numerous gems, and covered over with carpets of diverse texture and hue. And I beheld Kesava's feet resting upon Arjuna's lap while those of the high-souled Arjuna rested upon the laps of Krishna and Satyabhama. Partha then pointed out to me (for a seat) a foot-stool made of gold. Touching it with my hand, I seated myself down on the ground. And when he withdraw his feet from the foot-stool, I beheld auspicious marks on both his soles. Those consisted of two longitudinal lines running from heels to fore-toe, O sire, endued with black complexions, of high statures, and erect like Sala trunks, beholding those youthful heroes, both seated on the same
p. 139
seat, a great fear seized me. They seemed to me to be Indra and Vishnu seated together, though Duryodhana of dull sense knoweth it no consequence of his reliance on Drona and Bhishma and on the loud vaunts of Karna. That very moment, I was convinced that the wishes of Yudhishthira the just, who had those two for obeying his orders, were certain to succeed. Being hospitably entertained with food and drink, and honoured with other courtesies, I conveyed to them thy message, placing my joined hands on my head. Then Partha, removing Kesava's auspicious foot from his lap, with his hand scarred by the flappings of the bow-string, urged him to speak. Sitting up erect like Indra's banner, adorned with every ornament, and resembling Indra himself in energy, Krishna then addressed me. And the words which that best of speakers said were sweet, charming and mild, though awful and alarming to the son of Dhritarashtra. Indeed, the words uttered by Krishna, who alone is fit to speak, were of correct emphasis and accent, and pregnant with meaning, though heart-rending in the end. And Vasudeva said, 'O Sanjaya, say thou these words unto the wise Dhritarashtra and in the hearing of that foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma, and also of Drona, having first saluted at our request, O Suta, all the aged ones and hawing enquired after the welfare of the younger ones, 'Do ye celebrate diverse sacrifices, making presents unto the Brahmanas, and rejoice with your sons and wives, for a great danger threatens ye? Do ye give away wealth unto deserving persons, beget desirable sons, and do agreeable offices to those that are dear to thee, for king Yudhishthira is eager for victory?' While I was at a distance, Krishna with tears addressing me said, 'That debt, accumulating with time, hath not yet been paid off by me. Ye have provoked hostilities with that Savyasachin, who hath for his bow the invincible Gandiva, of fiery energy, and who hath me for his helpmate. Who, even if he were Purandara himself, would challenge Partha having me for his help-mate, unless, of course, his span of life were full? He that is capable of vanquishing Arjuna in battle is, indeed, able to uphold the Earth with his two arms, to consume all created things in anger and hurl the celestials from Heaven. Among the celestials, Asuras, and men, among Yakshas, Gandharvas, and Nagas, I do not find the person that can encounter Arjuna in battle. That wonderful story which is heard of an encounter in the city of Virata between a single person on one side and innumerable warriors on the other, is sufficient proof of this. That ye all fled in all directions being routed in the city of Virata by that son of Pandu singly, is sufficient proof of this. Might, prowess, energy, speed, lightness of hand, indefatiguableness, and patience are not to be found in any one else save Partha.' Thus spoke Hrishikesa cheering up Partha by his words and roaring like rain-charged clouds in the firmament. Having heard these words of Kesava, the diadem-decked Arjuna, of white steeds, also spoke to the same effect.'"

Book 5
Chapter 60

1 [v]
      pitur etad vacaḥ śrutvā dhārtarāṣṭro 'tyamarṣaṇaḥ
      ādhāya vipulaṃ krodhaṃ punar evedam abravīt
  2 aśakyā deva sacivāḥ pārthāḥ syur iti yad bhavān
      manyate tadbhayaṃ vyetu bhavato rājasattama
  3 akāma dveṣasaṃyogād rohāl lobhāc ca bhārata
      upekṣayā ca bhāvānāṃ devā devatvam āpnuvan
  4 iti dvaipāyano vyāso nāradaś ca mahātapāḥ
      jāmadagnyaś ca rāmo naḥ kathām akathayat purā
  5 naiva mānuṣavad devāḥ pravartante kadā cana
      kāmāl lobhād anukrośād dveṣāc ca bharatarṣabha
  6 yadi hy agniś ca vāyuś ca dharma indro 'śvināv api
      kāmayogāt pravarteran na pārthā duḥkham āpnuyuḥ
  7 tasmān na bhavatā cintā kāryaiṣā syāt kadā cana
      daiveṣv apekṣakā hy ete śaśvad bhāveṣu bhārata
  8 atha cet kāmasaṃyogād dveṣāl lobhāc ca lakṣyate
      deveṣu deva prāmāṇyaṃ naiva tad vikramiṣyati
  9 mayābhimantritaḥ śaśvaj jātavedāḥ praśaṃsati
      didhakṣuḥ sakalāṁl lokān parikṣipya samantataḥ
  10 yad vā paramakaṃ tejo yena yuktā divaukasaḥ
     mamāpy anupamaṃ bhūyo devebhyo viddhi bhārata
 11 pradīryamāṇāṃ vasudhāṃ girīṇāṃ śikharāṇi ca
     lokasya paśyato rājan sthāpayāmy abhimantraṇāt
 12 cetanācetanasyāsya jaṅgama sthāvarasya ca
     vināśāya samutpannaṃ mahāghoraṃ mahāsvanam
 13 aśmavarṣaṃ ca vāyuṃ ca śamayāmīha nityaśaḥ
     jagataḥ paśyato 'bhīkṣṇaṃ bhūtānām anukampayā
 14 stambhitāsv apsu gacchanti mayā rathapadātayaḥ
     devāsurāṇāṃ bhāvānām aham ekaḥ pravartitā
 15 akṣauhiṇībhir yān deśān yāmi kāryeṇa kena cit
     tatrāpo me pravartante yatra yatrābhikāmaye
 16 bhayāni viṣaye rājan vyālādīni na santi me
     mattaḥ suptāni bhūtāni na hiṃsanti bhayaṃkarāḥ
 17 nikāmavarṇī parjanyo rājan viṣayavāsinām
     dharmiṣṭhāś ca prajāḥ sarvā ītayaś ca na santi me
 18 aśvināv atha vāyvagnī marudbhiḥ saha vṛtrahā
     dharmaś caiva mayā dviṣṭān notsahante 'bhirakṣitum
 19 yadi hy ete samarthāḥ syur mad dviṣas trātum ojasā
     na sma trayodaśa samāḥ pārthā duḥkham avāpnuyuḥ
 20 naiva devā na gandharvā nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ
     śaktās trātuṃ mayā dviṣṭaṃ satyam etad bravīmi te
 21 yad abhidhyāmy ahaṃ śaśvac chubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubham
     naitad vipannapūrvaṃ me mitreṣv ariṣu cobhayoḥ
 22 bhaviṣyatīdam iti vā yad bravīmi paraṃtapa
     nānyathā bhūtapūrvaṃ tat satyavāg iti māṃ viduḥ
 23 lokasākṣikam etan me māhātmyaṃ diṣku viśrutam
     āśvāsanārthaṃ bhavataḥ proktaṃ na ślāghayā nṛpa
 24 na hy ahaṃ ślāghano rājan bhūtapūrvaḥ kadā cana
     asad ācaritaṃ hy etad yad ātmānaṃ praśaṃsati
 25 pāṇḍavāṃś caiva matsyāṃś ca pāñcālān kekayaiḥ saha
     sātyakiṃ vāsudevaṃ ca śrotāsi vijitān mayā
 26 saritaḥ sāgaraṃ prāpya yathā naśyanti sarvaśaḥ
     tathaiva te vinaṅkṣyanti mām āsādya sahānvayāḥ
 27 parā buddhiḥ paraṃ tejo vīryaṃ ca paramaṃ mayi
     parā vidyā paro yogo mama tebhyo viśiṣyate
 28 pitāmahaś ca droṇaś ca kṛpaḥ śalyaḥ śalas tathā
     astreṣu yat prajānanti sarvaṃ tan mayi vidyate
 29 ity uktvā saṃjayaṃ bhūyaḥ paryapṛcchata bhārata
     jñātvā yuyutsuḥ kāryāṇi prāptakālam ariṃdama

SECTION LX

"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard these words of Sanjaya, the monarch endued with the eye of wisdom, took that speech into his consideration as regards its merits and demerits. And having counted in detail the merits and demerits as far as he could, and having exactly ascertained the strength and weakness of both parties, the learned and intelligent king, ever desirous of victory to his sons, then began to compare the powers of both sides. And having at last ascertained that the Pandavas were endued with strength and energy both human and divine, and that the Kurus were much weaker Dhritarashtra said unto Duryodhana, 'This anxiety, O Duryodhana, always filleth me. Indeed, it doth not leave me. Truly, it seemeth that I behold it with my eye. This conviction is not a matter of inference. All created beings show great affection for their offsprings, and do, to the best of their power, what is agreeable and beneficial to them. This is generally to be seen also in the case of benefactors. They that are good always desire to return the good done to them and to do what is highly agreeable to their benefactors. Remembering what was done to him to Khandava, Agni will, no doubt, reader aid to Arjuna in this terrible encounter between the Kurus and the Pandavas. And from parental affection, Dharma. and other celestials duly invoked, will come together to the aid of the Pandavas. I think that to save them from Bhishma and Drona and Kripa, the celestials will be filled with wrath, resembling the thunderbolt in its effects. Endued with energy and well-versed in the use of weapons, those tigers among men, the sons of Pritha, when united with the celestials, will be incapable of being even gazed upon by human warriors, He who hath the irresistible, excellent and celestial Gandiva for his bow, he who hath a couple of celestial quivers obtained from Varuna,--large, full of shafts, and inexhaustible, he on whose banner, that is unobstructed like smoke in its action, is stationed the monkey-image of celestial origin, whose car is unequalled on the earth girt by the four seas, and the rattle of which as heard by men is like the roar of the clouds, and which like the rolling of the thunder frightens the foe; he whom the whole world regards as superhuman in energy; he whom all the kings of the earth know to be the vanquisher of the very gods in battle; he that taketh up five hundred arrows at a time and in the twinkling of the eye, shooteth them, unseen by other, to a great distance; that son of Pritha and tiger among car-warriors and chastiser of foes, whom Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son and Salya, the king of the Madras, and in fact, all impartial persons, regard as incapable of being vanquished by even earthly kings of superhuman prowess, when ready for fight who shooteth at one stretch full five hundred arrows, and who is equal unto Kartavirya in strength of arms; that great bowman, Arjuna, equal unto Indra or Upendra in prowess,--I behold that great warrior committing a great havoc in this

terrible battle. O Bharata, reflecting day and night on this, I am unhappy and sleepless, through anxiety for the welfare of the Kurus. A terrible destruction is about to overtake the Kurus, if there is nothing but Peace for ending this quarrel. I am for peace with the Parthas and not for war. O child, I always deem the Pandavas mightier than the Kurus.'"

(My humble salutation to the lotus feet of  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguliji for the collection)