great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:
The Mahabharata
Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasatranslated by
Sreemaan Brahmasri Kisari Mohan Ganguli
Aswamedha Parva
Book 14
Book
14
Chapter 61
1 [v]
etac chrutvā tu putrasya vacaḥ śūrātmajas tadā
vihāya śokaṃ dharmātmā dadau
śrāddham anuttamam
2 tathaiva vāsudevo 'pi
svasrīyasya mahātmanaḥ
dayitasya pitur nityam akarod aurdhva dehikam
3 ṣaṣṭiṃ śatasahasrāṇi brāhmaṇānāṃ mahābhujaḥ
vidhivad bhojayām āsa bhojyaṃ sarvaguṇānvitam
4 ācchādya ca mahābāhur dhanatṛṣṇḍām apānudat
brāhmaṇānāṃ tadā kṛṣṇas tad abhūd romaharṣaṇam
5 suvarṇaṃ caiva gāś caiva śayanācchādanaṃ tathā
dīyamānaṃ tadā viprāḥ prabhūtam iti cābruvan
6 vāsudevo 'tha dāśārho baladevaḥ sa sātyakiḥ
abhimanyos tadā śrāddham akurvan satyakas tadā
atīva duḥkhasaṃtaptā na śamaṃ copalebhire
7 tathaiva pāṇḍavā vīrā nagare nāgasāhvaye
nopagacchanti vai śāntim abhimanyuvinākṛtāḥ
8 subahūni ca rājendra divasāni
virāṭajā
nābhuṅkta patiśokārtā tad
abhūt karuṇaṃ mahat
kukṣistha eva tasyāstu
sa garbhaḥ saṃpralīyata
9 ājagāma tato vyāso jñātvā
divyena cakṣuṣā
āgamya cābravīd dhīmān pṛthāṃ pṛthula locanām
uttarāṃ camahā tejāḥ śokaḥ saṃtyajyatām ayam
10 janiṣyati mahātejāḥ putras tava yaśasvini
prabhāvād vāsudevasya mama vyāharaṇād api
pāṇḍavānām ayaṃ cānte pālayiṣyati medinīm
11 dhanaṃjayaṃ ca saṃprekṣya dharmarājasya paśyataḥ
vyāso vākyam uvācedaṃ harṣayann iva bhārata
12 pautras tava mahābāho janiṣyati mahāmanāḥ
pṛthvīṃ sāgaraparyantāṃ pālayiṣyati caiva ha
13 tasmāc chokaṃ kuruśreṣṭha jahi tvam arikarśana
vicāryam atra na hi te satyam etad bhaviṣyati
14 yac cāpi vṛṣṇivīreṇa kṛṣṇena kurunandana
puroktaṃ tat tathā bhāvi mā
te 'trāstu vicāraṇā
15 vibudhānāṃ gato lokān akṣayān ātmanirjitān
na sa śocyas tvayā tāta na cānyaiḥ kurubhis tathā
16 evaṃ
pitāmahenokto dharmātmā sadhanaṃjayaḥ
tyaktvā śokaṃ mahārāja hṛṣṭarūpo 'bhavat tadā
17 pitāpi tava dharmajña garbhe tasmin
mahāmate
avardhata yathākālaṃ śuklapakṣe yathā śaśī
18 tataḥ saṃcodayām āsa vyāso dharmātmajaṃ nṛpam
aśvamedhaṃ prati tadā tataḥ so 'ntarhito 'bhavat
19 dharmarājo 'pi medhāvī śrutvā
vyāsasya tad vacaḥ
vittopanayane tāta cakāra gamane matim
SECTION LXI
"Vaisampayana said, 'After the high-souled Vasudeva of great prowess had finished his narration of the great battle of the Bharatas before his sire, it was plain that that hero had passed over the slaughter of Abhimanyu. The motive of the high-souled one was that his sire might not hear what was highly unpleasant to him. Indeed, the intelligent Krishna did not wish that his sire Vasudeva should, on hearing the dreadful intelligence of the death of his daughter's son, be afflicted with sorrow and grief. (His sister) Subhadra, noticing that the slaughter of her son had not been mentioned, addressed her brother, saying,--Do thou narrate the death of my son, O Krishna--and fell down on the earth (in a swoon). Vasudeva beheld his daughter fallenp. 110
on the ground. As soon as he saw this, he also fell down, deprived of his senses by grief. (Regaining his senses) Vasudeva, afflicted with grief at the death of his daughter's son, O king, addressed Krishna, saying, 'O lotus-eyed one, thou art famed on Earth for being truthful in speech. Why, however, O slayer of foes, dost thou not tell me today of the death of my daughter's son? O puissant one, tell me in detail of the slaughter of thy sister's son. Possessed of eyes resembling thine, alas, how was he slain in battle by foes? Since my heart does not from grief break into a hundred pieces, it seems, O thou of the Vrishni's race, that it does not die with men when its hour does not come. Oh, at the time of his fall, what words did he utter; apostrophising his mother? O lotus-eyed one what did that darling of mine, possessed of restless eyes, say unto me? I hope he has not been slain by foes while retreating from battle with his back towards them? I hope, O Govinda, that, his face did not become cheerless while fighting? He was possessed, O Krishna, of mighty energy. From a spirit of boyishness, that puissant hero, boasting (of his prowess) in my presence, used to speak of his skill (in battle). I hope that boy does not lie on the field, slain deceitfully by Drona and Karna and Kripa and others? Do thou tell me this. That son of my daughter always used to challenge Bhishma and that foremost of all mighty warriors, viz., Karna, in battle.' Unto his sire who, from excess of grief, indulged in such lamentations, Govinda, more afflicted than he answered in these words. 'His face did not become cheerless as he fought in the van of battle. Fierce though that battle was, he did not turn his back upon it. Having slain hundreds and thousands of kings of Earth, he was brought to grief by Drona and Karna and at last succumbed to the son of Dussasana. If, O lord, he had been encountered, one to one, without intermission, he was incapable of being slain in battle by even the wielder of the thunderbolt. When his sire Arjuna was withdrawn from the main body by the Samsaptakas (who challenged to fight him separately), Abhimanyu was surrounded by the enraged Kaurava heroes headed by Drona in battle. Then, O sire, after he had slaughtered a very large number of foes in battle, thy daughter's son at last succumbed to the son of Dussasana. Without doubt, he has gone to Heaven. Kill this grief of thine, O thou of great intelligence. They that are of cleansed understandings never languish when they meet with any calamity. He by whom Drona and Karna and others were checked in battle,--heroes that were equal to Indra himself in might--why would not he ascend to Heaven? O irresistible one, do thou kill this grief of thine. Do not suffer thyself to be swayed by wrath. That conqueror of hostile cities has attained in that sanctified goal which depends upon death at the edge of weapons. After the fall of that hero, this my sister Subhadra stricken with grief, indulged in loud lamentations, when she saw Kunti, like a female ospray. When she met Draupadi, she asked her in grief,--O reverend lady, where are all our sons? I desire to behold them. Hearing her lamentations, all the Kaurava ladies embraced her and wept sitting around her. Beholding (her daughter-in-law) Uttara, she said,--'O blessed girl, where has thy husband gone? When he comes back, do thou, without losing a moment, apprise me of it. Alas, O daughter of Virata, as soon he heard my voice, he used to come out
p. 111
of his chamber without the loss of a moment. Why does not thy husband come out today? Alas, O Abhimanyu, thy maternal uncles--mighty car-warriors--are all hale. They used to bless thee when they saw thee come here prepared to go out for battle. Do thou tell me the incidents of battle today as before, O chastiser of foes. Oh. why dost thou not answer me today--me who am weeping so bitterly?'--Hearing these lamentations of this daughter of the Vrishni race, Pritha, deeply afflicted with grief, addressed her and slowly said,--'O Subhadra, though protected by Vasudeva and Satyaki and by his own sire, thy youthful son has yet been slain. That slaughter is due to the influence of Time! O daughter of Yadu's race, mortal thy son was. Do not grieve. Irresistible in battle, thy son has, without doubt, attained to the highest goal. Thou art born in a high race of high-souled Kshatriyas. Do not grieve, O thou of restless glances, O girl of eyes like lotus-petals. Do thou cast thy eyes on Uttara who is quick with child. O blessed lady, do not yield to sorrow. This auspicious girl will soon bring forth a son to that hero. Having comforted her in this way, Kunti, conversant with every duty, O perpetuator of Yadu's race, casting off her grief, O irresistible one, made arrangements for Abhimanyu's obsequial rites, with the acquiescence of king Yudhishthira and Bhima, and the twins (viz., Nakula and Sahadeva) who in prowess resembled Yama himself. She also made many presents unto the Brahmanas, and bestowed upon them many kine, O perpetuator of Yadu's race, Then the Vrishni dame (Kunti), comforted a little, addressed the daughter of Virata, saying,--O faultless daughter of Virata, thou shouldst not indulge in grief. For the sake of thy husband, O thou of rotund hips, protect the child in thy womb.--Having said these words, O thou of great splendour, Kunti ceased. With her permission I have brought Subhadra here. It was even thus, O giver of honours, that thy daughter's son met with his death. Cast off thy burning grief, O irresistible one. Indeed, do not set thy heart on sorrow
Book
14
Chapter 62
1 [j]
śrutvaitad vacanaṃ brahman
vyāsenoktaṃ mahātmanā
aśvamedhaṃ prati tadā kiṃ nṛpaḥ pracakāra ha
2 ratnaṃ ca yan maruttena nihitaṃ pṛthivītale
tad avāpa kathaṃ ceti tan me
brūhi dvijottama
3 [v]
śrutvā dvaipāyana vaco dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
bhrātṝn sarvān samānāyya
kāle vacanam abravīt
arjunaṃ bhīmasenaṃ ca mādrīputrau yamāv api
4 śrutaṃ vo vacanaṃ vīrāḥ sauhṛdād yan mahātmanā
kurūṇāṃ hitakāmena proktaṃ kṛṣṇena dhīmatā
5 tapovṛddhena mahatā suhṛdāṃ bhūtim icchatā
guruṇā dharmaśīlena
vyāsenādbhuta karmaṇā
6 bhīṣmeṇa ca mahāprājña govindena ca dhīmatā
saṃsmṛtya tad ahaṃ samyak kartum icchāmi pāṇḍavāḥ
7 āyatyāṃ ca tadātve ca sarveṣāṃ tad dhi no hitam
anubandhe ca kalyāṇaṃ yad vaco brahmavādinaḥ
8 iyaṃ hi vasudhā sarvā kṣīṇaratnā
kurūdvahāḥ
tac cācaṣṭa bahu vyāso
maruttasya dhanaṃ nṛpāḥ
9 yady etad vo bahumataṃ manyadhvaṃ vā kṣamaṃ yadi
tad ānayāmahe sarve kathaṃ vā bhīma manyase
10 ity uktavākye nṛpatau tadā kurukulodvaha
bhīmaseno nṛpaśreṣṭhaṃ prāñjalir vākyam abravīt
11 rocate me mahābāho yad idaṃ bhāṣitaṃ tvayā
vyāsākhyātasya vittasya samupānayanaṃ prati
12 yadi tat prāpnuyāmeha dhanam āvikṣitaṃ prabho
kṛtam eva mahārāja bhaved iti
matir mama
13 te vayaṃ praṇipātena girīśasya mahātmanaḥ
tad ānayāma bhadraṃ te samabhyarcya
kapardinam
14 taṃ vibhuṃ devadeveśaṃ tasyaivānucarāṃś ca tān
prasādyārtham avāpsyāmo nūnaṃ vāgbuddhikarmabhiḥ
15 rakṣante ye ca
tad dravyaṃ kiṃkarā raudradarśanāḥ
te ca vaśyā bhaviṣyanti prasanne vṛṣabhadhvaje
16 śrutvaivaṃ vadatas tasya vākyaṃ bhīmasya bhārata
prīto dharmātmajo rājā babhūvātīva bhārata
arjuna pramukhāś cāpi tathety evābruvan mudā
17 kṛtvā tu pāṇḍavāḥ sarve ratnāharaṇa niścayam
senām ājñāpayām āsur nakṣatre 'hani ca
dhruve
18 tato yayuḥ pāṇḍusutā brāhmaṇān svasti vācya ca
arcayitvā suraśreṣṭhaṃ pūrvam eva maheśvaram
19 modakaiḥ pāyasenātha
māṃsāpūpais tathaiva ca
āśāsya ca mahātmānaṃ prayayur muditā bhṛśam
20 teṣāṃ prayāsyatāṃ tatra maṅgalāni śubhāny atha
prāhuḥ prahṛṣṭamanaso dvijāgryā nāgarāś ca te
21 tataḥ pradakṣiṇīkṛtya śirobhiḥ praṇipatya ca
brāhmaṇān agnisahitān prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ
22 samanujñāpya rājānaṃ putraśokasamāhatam
dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ sabhāryaṃ vai pṛthāṃ pṛthula locanām
23 mūle nikṣipya kauravyamyuyutsuṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrajam
saṃpūjyamānāḥ pauraiś ca brāhmaṇaiś ca manīṣibhiḥ
SECTION LXII
"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard these words of his son Vasudeva, that descendant of Sura, of righteous soul, casting off his grief, made excellent obsequial offerings (unto Abhimanyu). Vasudeva also performed those rites for the ascension (to Heaven) of his high-souled nephew, that hero who was ever the darling of his sire (Vasudeva). He duly fed six millions of Brahmanas, endued with great energy, with edibles possessed of every recommendation. Presenting many clothes unto them, Krishna gratified the thirst for wealth of those Brahmanas. Wonderful were the heaps of gold, the number of kine and of beds and clothes, that were then given away. The Brahmanas loudly declared--'Let (Krishna's wealth) increase.' Then Vasudeva of Dasarha's race, andp. 112
[paragraph continues] Valadeva, and Satyaki, and Satyaka, each performed the obsequial rites of Abhimanyu. Exceedingly afflicted with grief, they failed to attain comfort. The same was the case with the sons of Pandu in the city called after the elephant. Deprived of Abhimanyu, they failed to obtain peace of mind. The daughter of Virata, O monarch, for many days, totally abstained from all food, exceedingly afflicted by grief on account of the death of her husband. At this all her relatives became plunged into excess of grief. They all feared that the embryo in her womb might be destroyed. Then Vyasa, ascertaining the state of things by his spiritual vision, came there. The highly intelligent Rishi, endued with great energy, arrived (at the palace), addressed Pritha of large eyes, as also Uttara herself, saying,--'Let this grief be abandoned. O famous lady, a son endued with mighty energy will be born to thee, through the puissance of Vasudeva and at my word. That son will rule the Earth after the Pandavas (have departed from it).' Beholding Dhananjaya, he said unto him, in the hearing of king Yudhishthira the just, and gladdening him with his words, 'O Bharata.--'The grandson, O highly blessed one, will become a high-souled prince. He will righteously rule the whole Earth to the verge of the sea. Therefore, O foremost one of Kuru's race, cast off this grief, O mower of foes. Do not doubt this. This will truly happen. That which was uttered by the Vrishni hero on a former occasion, will, without doubt, happen. Do not think otherwise. As regards Abhimanyu, he has gone to the regions of the deities, conquered by him with his own acts. That hero should not be grieved for by thee or, indeed, by the other Kurus.' Thus addressed by his grandsire, Dhananjaya of righteous soul, O king, cast off his grief and even became cheerful. Thy sire, O prince, that art conversant with all duties, began to grow in that womb, O thou of great intelligence, like the Moon in the lighted fortnight. Then Vyasa urged the royal son of Dharma for performing the horse-sacrifice. Having said so, he made himself invisible there and then. The intelligent king Yudhishthira the just, hearing the words of Vyasa, set his mind on the journey for bringing wealth (for the sacrifice).'"
Book
14
Chapter 63
1 [v]
tatas te prayayur hṛṣṭāḥ prahṛṣṭanaravāhanāḥ
rathaghoṣeṇa mahatā pūrayanto vasuṃdharām
2 saṃstūyamānāḥ stutibhiḥ sūtamāgadhabandibhiḥ
svena sainyena saṃvītā
yathādityāḥ svaraśmibhiḥ
3 pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani
babhau yudhiṣṭhiras tatra paurṇamāsyām ivoḍurāṭ
4 jayāśiṣaḥ prahṛṣṭānāṃ narāṇāṃ pathi pāṇḍavaḥ
pratyagṛhṇād yathānyāyaṃ yathāvat puruṣarṣabhaḥ
5 tathaiva sainikā rājan rājānam
anuyānti ye
teṣāṃ halahalāśabdo divaṃ stabdhvā vyatiṣṭhata
6 sa sarāṃsi nadīś caiva vanāny upavanāni ca
atyakrāman mahārājo giriṃ caivānvapadyata
7 tasmin deśe ca rājendra yatra
tad dravyam uttamam
cakre niveśanaṃ rājā pāṇḍavaḥ saha sainikaiḥ
śive deśe same caiva tadā bharatasattama
8 agrato brāhmaṇān kṛtvā tapo vidyā damānvitān
purohitaṃ ca kauravya
vedavedāṅgapāragam
9 prāṅ niveśāt tu rājānaṃ brāhmaṇāḥ sa purodhasaḥ
kṛtvā śāntiṃ yathānyāyaṃ sarvataḥ paryavārayan
10 kṛtvā ca madhye
rājānam amātyāṃś ca yathāvidhi
ṣaṭ pathaṃ nava saṃsthānaṃ niveśaṃ cakrire dvijāḥ
11 mattānāṃ vāraṇendrāṇāṃ niveśaṃ ca yathāvidhi
kārayitvā sa rājendro brāhmaṇān idam abravīt
12 asmin kārye dvijaśreṣṭhā nakṣatre divase śubhe
yathā bhavanto manyante kartum arhatha tat tathā
13 na naḥ kālātyayo
vai syād ihaiva parilambatām
iti niścitya viprendrāḥ kriyatāṃ yad anantaram
14 śrutvaitad vacanaṃ rājño brāhmaṇāḥ sa purodhasaḥ
idam ūcur vaco hṛṣṭā dharmarāja
priyepsavaḥ
15 adyaiva nakṣatram ahaś ca puṇyaṃ; yatāmahe śreṣṭhatamaṃ kriyāsu
ambhobhir adyeha vasāma rājann; upoṣyatāṃ cāpi bhavadbhir adya
16 śrutvā tu teṣāṃ dvijasattamānāṃ; kṛtopavāsā rajanīṃ narendrāḥ
ūṣuḥ pratītāḥ kuśasaṃstareṣu; yathādhvareṣu jvalitā havyavāhāḥ
17 tato niśā sā vyagaman mahātmanāṃ; saṃśṛṇvatāṃ vipra samīritā giraḥ
tataḥ prabhāte vimale dvijarṣabhā; vaco 'bruvan dharmasutaṃ narādhipam
SECTION LXIII
"Janamejaya said, 'Having heard these words, O regenerate one, that were spoken by the high-souled Vyasa in respect of the horse-sacrifice, what steps were taken by Yudhishthira? Do thou tell me, O foremost of regenerate ones, how the king succeeded in obtaining the wealth which Marutta had buried in the Earth.'"Vaisampayana said, 'Having heard the words of the Island-born ascetic, king Yudhishthira the just, summoned all his brothers, viz., Arjuna and Bhimasena and the twin sons of Madri, in proper time and then said unto them (the following words),--'Ye heroes, you have heard the words which the
p. 113
highly intelligent and high-souled Krishna has said from his friendship for and the desire of doing good to the Kurus! 1 Verily, you have heard those words that have been uttered by that ascetic of abundant penances, that great sage desirous of bestowing prosperity on his friends, that preceptor of righteous behaviour, viz., Vyasa of wonderful feats. You have heard what Bhishma also said, and what Govinda too of great intelligence has uttered. Remembering those words, ye gong of Pandu, I desire to obey them duly. By obeying those words of theirs great blessedness will attach to all of you. Those words spoken by those utterers of Brahma are certain (if obeyed) to bring in their train considerable benefit. Ye perpetuators of Kuru's race, the Earth has become divested of her wealth. Ye kings, Vyasa, therefore, informed us of the wealth (that lies buried in the Earth) of Marutta. If you think that wealth abundant or sufficient, how shall we bring it (to our capital)? What, O Bhima, dost thou think as regards this? When the king, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, said these words, Bhimasena, joining his hands, said these words in reply,--'The words thou hast said, O thou of mighty-arms, on the subject of bringing the wealth indicated by Vyasa, are approved by me. If, O puissant one, we succeed in getting the wealth kept there by the son of Avikshita, then this sacrifice, O king, purposed by us will be easily accomplished. Even this is what I think. We shall, therefore, bowing our heads unto the high-souled Girisa, and offering due worship unto that deity, bring that wealth. Blessed be thou. Gratifying that god of gods, as also his companions and followers, in words, thought, and deed, we shall, without doubt, obtain that wealth. Those Kinnaras of fierce mien who are protecting that treasure will certainly yield to us if the great deity having the bull for his sign become gratified with us!'--Hearing these words uttered by Bhima, O Bharata, king Yudhishthira the son of Dharma became highly pleased. The others, headed by Arjuna, at the same time, said, 'So be it.' The Pandavas then, having resolved to bring that wealth, ordered their forces to march under the constellation Dhruba and on the day called by the same name. 2 Causing the Brahmanas to utter benedictions on them, and having duly worshipped the great god Maheswara, the sons of Pandu get out (on their enterprise). Gratifying that high-souled deity with Modakas and frumenty and with cakes made of meat, the sons of Pandu set out with cheerful hearts. While they thus set out, the citizen, and many foremost of Brahmanas, with cheerful hearts, uttered auspicious blessings (on their heads). The Pandavas, circumambulating many Brahmanas that daily worshipped their fires, and bending their heads unto them, proceeded on their journey. Taking the permission of king Dhritarashtra who was afflicted with grief on account of the death of his sons, his queen (Gandhari), and Pritha also of large eyes, and keeping the Kaurava prince Yuyutsu, the
p. 114
son of Dhritarashtra, in the capital, they set out, worshipped by the citizens and by many Brahmanas possessed of great wisdom.'"
Book
14
Chapter 64
1 [brāhmaṇāh]
kriyatām upahāro 'dya tryambakasya mahātmanaḥ
kṛtvopahāraṃ nṛpate tataḥ svārthe yatāmahe
2 [v]
śrutvā tu vacanaṃ teṣāṃ brāhmaṇānāṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
nirīśasya yathānyāyam upahāram upāharat
3 ājyena tarpayitvāgniṃ vidhivat saṃskṛtena ha
mantrasiddhaṃ caruṃ kṛtvā purodhāḥ prayayau tadā
4 sa gṛhītvā sumanaso mantrapūtā janādhipa
modakaiḥ pāyasenātha māṃsaiś copāharad balim
5 sumanobhiś ca citrābhir jālair
uccāvacair api
sarvaṃ sviṣṭa kṛtaṃ kṛtvā vidhivad
vedapāragaḥ
kiṃkarāṇāṃ tataḥ paścāc cakāra balim uttamam
6 yakṣendrāya kuberāya maṇibhadrāya caiva ha
tathānyeṣāṃ ca yakṣāṇāṃ
bhūtādhipatayaś ca ye
7 kṛsareṇa sa māṃsena nivāpais tilasaṃyutaiḥ
śuśubhe sthānam atyarthaṃ devadevasya pārthiva
8 kṛtvā tu pūjāṃ rudrasya gaṇānāṃ caiva sarvaśaḥ
yayau vyāsaṃ puraskṛtya nṛpo ratnanidhiṃ prati
9 pūjayitvā dhanādhyakṣaṃ praṇipatyābhivādya ca
sumanobhir vicitrābhir apūpaiḥ kṛsareṇa ca
10 śaṅkhādīṃś ca nidhīn sarvān nidhipālāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ
arcayitvā dvijāgryān sa svasti vācya ca vīryavān
11 teṣāṃ puṇyāhaghoṣeṇa tejasā samavasthitaḥ
prītimān sa kuruśreṣṭhaḥ khānayām āsa taṃ nidhim
12 tataḥ pātryaḥ sa karakāḥ sāśmantaka manoramāḥ
bhṛṅgārāṇi kaṭāhāṇi kalaśān vardhamānakān
13 vahūni ca vicitrāṇi bhājanāni sahasraśaḥ
uddhārayām āsa tadā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
14 teṣāṃ lakṣaṇam apy āsīn mahān karapuṭas tathā
trilakṣaṃ bhājanaṃ rājaṃs tulārdham abhavan nṛpa
15 vāhanaṃ pāṇḍuputrasya tatrāsīt tu viśāṃ pate
ṣaṣṭir uṣṭrasahasrāṇi śatāni dviguṇā hayāḥ
16 vāraṇāś ca
mahārāja sahasraśatasaṃmitāḥ
śakaṭāni rathāś caiva tāvad eva kareṇavaḥ
kharāṇāṃ puruṣāṇāṃ ca parisaṃkhyā na vidyate
17 etad vittaṃ tad abhavad yad uddadhre yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
ṣoḍaśāṣṭau caturviṃśat sahasraṃ bhāralakṣaṇam
18 eteṣv ādhāya tad
dravyaṃ punar abhyarcya pāṇḍavaḥ
mahādevaṃ ratiyayau puraṃ nāgāhvayaṃ prati
19 dvaipāyanābhyanujñātaḥ puraskṛtya purohitam
goyute goyute caiva nyavasat puruṣarṣabhaḥ
20 sā purābhimukhī rājañ jagāma mahatī
camūḥ
kṛcchrād draviṇa bhārārtā harṣayantī kurūdvahān
SECTION LXIV
"Vaisampayana said, 'They then set out, with cheerful hearts, and accompanied by men and animals all of whom and which were equally cheerful. They filled the whole Earth with the loud clatter of their wheels. Their praises hymned by eulogists and Sutas and Magadhas and bards, and supported by their own army, they looked like so many Adityas adorned with their own rays. With the white umbrella held over his head, king Yudhishthira shone with beauty like the lord of the stars on the night when he is at full. That foremost of men, the eldest son of Pandu, accepted, with due forms, the blessings and cheers of his gladdened subjects as he proceeded on his way. As regards the soldiers that followed the king, their confused murmurs seemed to fill the entire welkin. That host crossed many lakes and rivers and forests and pleasure gardens. They at last came upon the mountains. Arrived at that region where that wealth was buried, O king, the royal Yudhishthira fixed his camp with all his brothers and troops. The region selected for the purpose, O chief of Bharata's race, was perfectly level and auspicious There the king pitched his camp, placing in his van such Brahmanas as were endued with penances and learning and self-restraint, as also his priest Agnivesya, O thou of Kuru's race, who was well-conversant with the Vedas and all their branches. 1 Then the royal sons of Pandu, and the other kings (who accompanied that expedition), and the Brahmanas and priests well-skilled in sacrificial rites, having duly performed same propitiatory ceremonies, spread themselves all over that spot. Having duly placed the king and his ministers in the middle, the Brahmanas caused the camp to be pitched by laying out six roads and nine divisions. 2 King Yudhishthira caused a separate encampment to be duly made for the infuriate elephants that accompanied his force. When everything was complete, he addressed the Brahmanas, saying, 'Ye foremost of Brahmanas, let that be done which you think should be done in view of the matter at hand. Indeed, let an auspicious day and constellation be fixed for it. Let not a long time pass away over our heads as we wait in suspense here. Ye foremost of learned Brahmanas, having formed this resolution, let that be done which should be done after this.' Hearing these words of the king, the Brahmanas with those amongst them that were well-skilled in the performance of religious rites, became filled with gladness and desirous of doing what was agreeablep. 115
to king Yudhishthira the just, said these words in reply, 'This very day is, an auspicious one with an auspicious constellation. We shall, therefore, strive to accomplish those high rites we propose. We shall today, O king, live upon water alone. Do you all fast also today' Hearing those words of those foremost Brahmanas, the royal sons of Pandu passed that night, abstaining from all food, and lying confidently on beds of Kusa grass, like blazing fires in a sacrifice. And the night wore away as they listened to the discourses of the learned Brahmanas (on diverse subjects). When the cloudless morning came, those foremost of Brahmanas addressed the royal son of Dharma (saying as follows).'
Book
14
Chapter 65
1 [v]
etasminn eva kāle tu vāsudevo 'pi vīryavān
upāyād vṛṣṇibhiḥ sārdhaṃ puraṃ vāraṇasāhvayam
2 samayaṃ vājimedhasya viditvā puruṣaiṣabhaḥ
yathokto dharmaputreṇa vrajan sa svapurīṃ prati
3 raukmiṇeyena sahito yuyudhānena caiva ha
cāru deṣṇena sāmbena gadena
kṛtavarmaṇā
4 sāraṇena ca vīreṇa niśaṭhenolmukena ca
baladevaṃ puraskṛtya subhadrā sahitas tadā
5 draupadīm uttarāṃ caiva pṛthāṃ cāpy avalokakaḥ
samāśvāsayituṃ cāpi kṣatriyā nihateśvarāḥ
6 tān āgatān samīkṣyaiva dhṛtarāṣṭro mahīpatiḥ
pratyagṛhṇād yathānyāyaṃ viduraś camahā manāḥ
7 tatraiva nyavasat kṛṣṇaḥ svarcitaḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ
virureṇa mahātejās tathaiva
ca yuyutsunā
8 vasatsu vṛṣṇivīreṇṣu tatrātha janamejaya
jajñe tava pitā rājan parikṣit paravīrahā
9 sa tu rājā mahārāja brahmāstreṇābhipīḍitaḥ
śavo babhūva niśceṣṭo harṣaśokavivardhanaḥ
10 hṛṣṭānāṃ siṃhanādena janānāṃ tatra nisvanaḥ
āviśya pradiśaḥ sarvāḥ punar eva vyupāramat
11 tataḥ so 'titvaraḥ kṛṣṇo viveśāntaḥpuraṃ tadā
yuyudhāna dvitīyo vai vyathitendriya mānasaḥ
12 tatas tvaritam āyāntīṃ dadarśa svāṃ pitṛṣvasām
krośantīm abhidhāveti vāsudevaṃ punaḥ punaḥ
13 pṛṣṭhato draupadīṃ caiva subhadrāṃ ca yaśasvinīm
sa vikrośaṃ sa karuṇaṃ bāndhavānāṃ striyo nṛpa
14 tataḥ kṛṣṇaṃ samāsādya kuntī rājasutā tadā
provāca rājaśārdūla bāṣpagadgadayā
girā
15 vāsudeva mahābāho suprajā devakī
tvayā
tvaṃ no gatiḥ pratiṣṭhā ca tvad āyattam idaṃ kulam
16 yadupravīra yo 'yaṃ te svasrīyasyātmajaḥ prabho
aśvatthāmnā hato jātas tam ujjīvaya keśava
17 tvayā hy etat pratijñātam aiṣīke yadunandana
ahaṃ saṃjīvayiṣyāmi mṛtaṃ jātam iti
prabho
18 so 'yaṃ jāto mṛtas tāta paśyainaṃ puruṣarṣabha
uttarāṃ ca subhadrāṃca draupadīṃ māṃ camādhava
19 dharmaputraṃ ca bhīmaṃ ca phalgunaṃ nakulaṃ tathā
sahadevaṃ ca durdharṣa sarvān nas trātum arhasi
20 asmin prāṇāḥ samāyattāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mamaiva ca
pāṇḍoś ca piṇḍo dāśārha tathaiva śvaśurasya me
21 abhimanyoś ca bhadraṃ te priyasya sadṛśasya ca
priyam utpādayādya tvaṃ pretasyāpi
janārdana
22 uttarā hi priyoktaṃ vai kathayaty arisūdana
abhimanyor vacaḥ kṛṣṇa priyatvāt te na saṃśayaḥ
23 abravīt kila dāśārha vairāṭīm ārjuniḥ purā
mātulasya kulaṃ bhadre tava putro
gamiṣyati
24 gatvā vṛṣṇyandhakakulaṃ dhanurvedaṃ grahīṣyati
astrāṇi ca vicitrāṇi nītiśāstraṃ ca kevalam
25 ity etat praṇayāt tāta saubhadraḥ paravīrahā
kathayām āsa durdharṣas tathā
caitna na saṃśayaḥ
26 tās tvāṃ vayaṃ praṇamyeha yācāmo madhusūdana
kulasyāsya hitārthaṃ tvaṃ kuru kalyāṇam uttamam
27 evam uktvā tu vārṣṇeyaṃ pṛthā pṛthula locanā
ucchritya bāhū duḥkhārtā tāś cānyāḥ prāpatan bhuvi
28 abruvaṃś ca mahārāja
sarvāḥ sāsrāvilekṣaṇāḥ
svasrīyo vāsudevasya mṛto jāta iti
prabho
29 evam ukte tataḥ kuntīṃ pratyagṛhṇāj janārdanaḥ
bhūmau nipatitāṃ caināṃ sāntvayām āsa bhārata
SECTION LXV
"'The Brahmanas said, 'Let offerings be made unto the high-souled Mahadeva of three eyes. Having duly dedicated those offerings, O king, we shall then strive to gain our object.' Hearing these words of those Brahmanas, Yudhishthira caused offerings to be duly made unto that deity who loved to lie down on mountain-breasts. Gratifying the (sacrificial) fire with (libations of) sanctified butter according to the ordinance, the priest (Dhaumya) cooked Charu with the aid of Mantras and performed the necessary rites. He took up many flowers and sanctified them with Mantras, O king. With Modakas and frumenty and meat, he made offerings to the deity. With diverse kinds of flowers and with fried paddy, of very superior kind, Dhaumya, well-versed in the Vedas, performed the remaining rites. He next presented offerings according to the ordinance unto those ghostly beings who formed Mahadeva's train. And offerings were next made to Kuvera, the chief of the Yakshas, and unto Manibhadra also. Unto the other Yakshas also and unto them that were the foremost ones among the ghostly companions of Mahadeva, the priest offered due worship, having filled many jugs with food, with Krisaras and meat and Nivapas mixed with sesame seeds. The king gave away unto the Brahmanas thousands of kine. He then directed the presentation, according to due rites, of offerings unto those night-wandering beings (who live with Mahadeva). Surcharged, as it were, with the scent of Dhupas, and filled with the fragrance of flowers, that region, sacred to the deity of deities, O king, became exceedingly delightful. Having performed the worship of Rudra and of all the Ganas, the king, placing Vyasa ahead, proceeded towards the place where the treasure was buried. Once more worshipping the Lord of treasures, and bowing unto him with reverence and saluting him properly, with diverse kinds of flowers and cakes and Krisara, having worshipped those foremost of gems, viz., Sankha and Nidhi, and those Yakshas who are the lords of gems, and having worshipped many foremost of Brahmanas and caused them to utter blessings, the king endued with great puissance, strengthened by the energy and thep. 116
auspicious benedictions of those Brahmanas, caused that spot to be excavated. Then numerous vessels of diverse and delightful forms, and Bhringaras and Katahas and Kalasas and Bardhamanakas, and innumerable Bhajanas of beautiful forms, were dug out by king Yudhishthira the just. The wealth thus dug out was placed in large 'Karaputas' for protection. 1 A portion of the wealth was caused to be borne upon the shoulders of men in stout balances of wood with baskets slung like scales at both ends. Indeed, O king, there were other methods of conveyance there for bearing away that wealth of the son of Pandu. 2 There were sixty thousands of camels and a hundred and twenty thousand horses, and of elephants, O monarch, there were one hundred thousand. Of cars there were as many, and of carts, too as many, and of she-elephants as many. Of mules and men the number was untold. That wealth which Yudhishthira caused to be dugout was even so much. Sixteen thousand coins were placed on the back of each camel; eight thousand on each car; four and twenty thousand on each elephant; (while proportionate loads were placed on horses and mules and on the backs, shoulder and heads of men). Having loaded these vehicles with that wealth and once more worshipping the great deity Siva, the son of Pandu set out for the city called after the elephant, with the permission of the Island-born Rishi, and placing his priest Dhaumya in the van. That foremost of men, viz., the royal son of Pandu, made short marches everyday, measured by a Goyuta (4 miles). That mighty host, O king, afflicted with the weight they bore, returned, bearing that wealth, towards the capital, gladdening the hearts of all those perpetuators of the Kuru race.'"
Book
14
Chapter 66
1 [v]
utthitāyāṃ pṛthāyāṃ tu subhadrā bhrātaraṃ tadā
dṛṣṭvā cukrośa duḥkhārtā vacanaṃ cedam abravīt
2 puṇḍarīkākṣa paśyasva pautraṃ pārthasya dhīmataḥ
parikṣīṇeṣu kuruṣu parikṣīṇaṃ gatāyuṣam
3 iṣīkā droṇaputreṇa bhīmasenārtham udyatā
sottarāyāṃ nipatitā vijaye
mayi caiva ha
4 seyaṃ jvalantī hṛdaye mayi tiṣṭhati keśava
yan na paśyāmi durdharṣaṃ mama putrasutaṃ vibho
5 kiṃ nu vakṣyati dharmātmā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
bhīmasenārjunau cāpi mādravatyāḥ sutau ca tau
6 śrutvābhimanyos tanayaṃ jātaṃ ca mṛtam eva ca
muṣitā iva vārṣṇeya droṇaputreṇa pāṇḍavāḥ
7 abhimanyuḥ priyaḥ kṛṣṇa pitṝṇāṃ nātra saṃśayaḥ
te śrutvā kiṃ nu vakṣyanti droṇaputrāstra nirjitāḥ
8 bhavitātaḥ paraṃ duḥkhaṃ kiṃ nu manye janārdana
abhimanyoḥ sutāt kṛṣṇa mṛtāj jātād ariṃdama
9 sāhaṃ prasādaye kṛṣṇa tvām adya śirasā natā
pṛtheyaṃ draupadī caiva tāḥ paśya puruṣottama
10 yadā droṇasuto garbhān pāṇḍūnāṃ hanti mādhava
tadā kila tvayā drauṇiḥ kruddhenokto 'rimardana
11 akāmaṃ tvā kariṣyāmi brahma bandho narādhama
ahaṃ saṃjīvayiṣyāmi kirīṭitanayātmajam
12 ity etad vacanaṃ śrutvā jānamānā balaṃ tava
prasādaye tvā durdharṣa jīvatām
abhimanyujaḥ
13 yady evaṃ tvaṃ pratiśrutya na karoṣi vacaḥ śubham
saphalaṃ vṛṣṇiśārdūla mṛtāṃ mām upadhāraya
14 abhimanyoḥ suto vīra na saṃjīvati yady ayam
jīvati tvayi durdharṣa kiṃ kariṣyāmy ahaṃ tvayā
15 saṃjīvayainaṃ durdharṣa mṛtaṃ tvam
abhimanyujam
sadṛśākṣa sutaṃ vīra sasyaṃ varṣann ivāmbudaḥ
16 tvaṃ hi keśava
dharmātmā satyavān satyavikramaḥ
sa tāṃ vācam ṛtāṃ kartum arhasi tvam ariṃdama
17 icchann api hi lokāṃs trīñ jīvayethā mṛtān imān
kiṃ punar dayitaṃ jātaṃ svasrīyasyātmajaṃ mṛtam
18 prabhāvajñāsmi te kṛṣṇa tasmād etad bravīmi te
kuruṣva pāṇḍuputrāṇām imaṃ param anugraham
19 svaseti vā mahābāho hataputreti vā
punaḥ
prapannā mām iyaṃ veti dayāṃ kartum ihārhasi
SECTION LXVI
"Vaisampayana said, 'Meanwhile, Vasudeva of great energy accompanied by the Vrishnis, came to the city called after the elephant. While leaving that city for returning to his own Dwaraka, he had been requested by the son of Dharma to come back. Hence, knowing that the time fixed for the horse-sacrifice had come, that foremost of men came back (to the Kuru capital). Accompanied by the son of Rukmini, by Yuyudhana, by Charudeshna, by Samva, by Gada, by Kritavarman, by the heroic Sarana, by Nisatha, and by the Unmukha, Vasudeva came with Valadeva at the head of the train, with Subhadra also accompanying him. Indeed, that hero came for seeing Draupadi and Uttara and Pirtha and for comforting those Kshatriya ladies of distinction who had been bereft of many of their protectors. Beholding those heroes come, king Dhritarashtra, as also the high-souled Vidura, received them with duep. 117
honours. That foremost of men, viz., Krishna of great energy, well adored by Vidura and Yuyutsu, continued to reside in the Kuru capital. It was while the Vrishni heroes, O Janamejaya, were residing in the Kuru city, O king, that thy sire, that slayer of hostile heroes, was born. The royal Parikshit, O monarch, afflicted by the Brahma weapon (of Aswatthaman), upon coming out of the womb, lay still and motionless, for life he had not. By his birth he had gladdened the citizens but soon plunged them into grief. The citizens, learning of the birth of the prince, uttered a leonine shout. That noise proceeded to the utmost verge of every point of the compass. Soon, however, (when it was known that the prince was bereft of life), that noise ceased. With great haste Krishna, his senses and mind considerably affected, with Yuyudhana in his company, entered the inner apartments of the palace. He beheld his own paternal aunt (Kunti) coming, loudly weeping and calling upon him repeatedly. Behind her were Draupadi and the famous Subhadra, and the wives of the relatives of the Pandavas, all weeping piteously. Meeting Krishna, Kunti, that daughter of the Bhoja race, said unto him, O foremost of monarchs, these words in a voice chocked with tears, 'O Vasudeva, O mighty-armed hero, Devaki by having borne thee, has come to be regarded as an excellent genetrix. Thou art our refuge, and our glory. This race (of Pandu) depends upon thee for its protector. O Yadava hero, O puissant one, this child of thy sister's son, has come out of the womb, slain by Aswatthaman. O Kesava, do thou revive him. O delighter of the Yadavas, even this was vowed by thee, O puissant one, when Aswatthaman had inspired the blade of grass into a Brahma-weapon of mighty energy. Indeed, O Kesava, thy words were even these, I shall revive that child if he comes out of the womb dead.--That child, O son, has been born dead. Behold him, O foremost of men. It behoveth thee, O Madhava, to rescue Uttara and Subhadra and Draupadi and myself, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira), and Bhima and Phalguna, and Nakula, and the irresistible Sahadeva. In this child are bound the life-breaths of the Pandavas and myself. O thou of the Dasarha race, on him depends the obsequial cake of Pandu, as also of my father-in-law, and of Abhimanyu too, blessed be thou, that darling nephew of thine who was so very like unto thee. Do thou accomplish today what will be beneficial to all these. I urge thee earnestly, O Janarddana. Uttara, O slayer of foes, always repeats the words said unto her by Abhimanyu. Without doubt, O Krishna, those words were highly agreeable to her. O thou of the Dasarha race, Arjuna's son said unto this daughter of Virata,--Thy son, O blessed girl, will go to my maternal uncles. Taking up his residence with the Vrishnis and Andhakas, he will obtain from them the science of arms, indeed, diverse wonderful weapons and the whole of the science of politics and morality. Even these were the words, O son, that that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Subhadra, that irresistible hero, said unto Uttara. from his affection for her. O slayer of Madhu, bowing our heads unto thee, we pray thee for making those words of Abhimanyu true. In view also of the time that has come, do thou accomplish what is highly beneficial. Having said these words unto that hero of the Vrishni's race, Pritha of large eyes, raised her arms upwards and with the other ladies in her company, fell down on the
p. 118
[paragraph continues] Earth. All of them, with eyes rendered muddy by tears, repeatedly exclaimed, saying, 'Alas, the son of Vasudeva's nephew has been born dead.' After Kunti had said so, Janarddana took hold of her, O Bharata, and gently raising her from the Earth, comforted her as follows.'"
Book
14
Chapter 67
1 [v]
evam uktas tu rājendra keśihā duḥkhamūrchitaḥ
tatheti vyājahāroccair hlādayann iva taṃ janam
2 vākyena tena hi tadā taṃ janaṃ puruṣarṣabhaḥ
hlādayām āsa sa vibhur gharmārtaṃ salilair iva
3 tataḥ sa prāviśat tūrṇaṃ janma veśma pitus tava
arcitaṃ puruṣavyāghra sitair mālyair yathāvidhi
4 apāṃ kumbhaiḥ supūrṇaiś ca vinyastaiḥ sarvatodiśam
ghṛtena tindukālātaiḥ sarṣapaiś ca mahābhuja
5 śastraiś ca vimalair nyastaiḥ pāvakaiś ca samantataḥ
vṛddhābhiś cābhirāmā
bhiḥ paricārārtham acyutaḥ
6 dakṣaiś ca parito vīra miṣagbhiḥ kuśalais tathā
dadarśa ca sa tejasvī rakṣoghnāny api sarvaśaḥ
dravyāṇi sthāpitāni sma
vidhivat kuśalair janaiḥ
7 tathāyuktaṃ ca tad dṛṣṭvā janma veśma pitus tava
hṛṣṭo 'bhavad dhṛṣī keśaḥ sādhu sādhv iti cābravīt
8 tathā bruvati vārṣṇeye prahṛṣṭavadane tadā
draupadī tvaritā gatvā vairāṭīṃ vākyam abravīt
9 ayam āyāti te bhadre śvaśuro
madhusūdanaḥ
purāṇarṣir acintyātmā samīpam aparājitaḥ
10 sāpi bāṣpakalāṃ vācaṃ nigṛhyāśrūṇi caiva ha
susaṃvītābhavad devī devavat kṛṣṇam īkṣatī
11 sā tathā dūyamānena hṛdayena tapasvinī
dṛṣṭvā govindam āyāntaṃ kṛpaṇaṃ paryadevayat
12 puṇḍarīkākṣa paśyasva bālāv iha vinākṛtau
abhimanyuṃ ca māṃ caiva hatau tulyaṃ janārdana
13 vārṣṇeya madhuhan
vīra śirasā tvāṃ prasādaye
droṇaputrāstra nirdagdhaṃ jīvayainaṃ mamātmajam
14 yadi sma dharmarājñā vā bhīmasenena
vā punaḥ
tvayā vā puṇḍarīkākṣa vākyam uktam idaṃ bhavet
15 ajānatīm īṣikeyaṃ janitrīṃ jantv iti prabho
aham eva vinaṣṭā syāṃ nedam evaṃgataṃ bhavet
16 garbhasthasyāsya bālasya brahmāstreṇa nipātanam
kṛtvā nṛśaṃsaṃ durbuddhir drauṇiḥ kiṃ phalam aśnute
17 sā tvā prasādya śirasā yāce
śatrunibarhaṇa
prāṇāṃs tyakṣyāmi govinda nāyaṃ saṃjīvate yadi
18 asmin hi bahavaḥ sādho ye mamāsan manorathāḥ
te droṇaputreṇa hatāḥ kiṃ nu jīvāmi keśava
19 āsīn mama matiḥ kṛṣṇa pūrṇotsaṅgā janārdana
abhivādayiṣye diṣṭyeti tad idaṃ vitathīkṛtam
20 capalākṣasya dāyāde mṛte 'smin puruṣarṣabha
viphalā me kṛtāḥ kṛṣṇa hṛdi sarve manorathāḥ
21 calapākṣaḥ kilātīva priyas te madhusūdana
sutaṃ paśyasva tasyemaṃ brahmāstreṇa nipātitam
22 kṛtaghno 'yaṃ nṛśaṃso 'yaṃ yathāsya janakas tathā
yaḥ pāṇḍavīṃ śriyaṃ tyaktvā gato 'dya yamasādanam
23 mayā caitat pratijñātaṃ raṇamūrdhani keśava
abhimanyau hate vīra tvām eṣyāmy acirād iti
24 tac ca nākaravaṃ kṛṣṇa nṛśaṃsā
jīvitapriyā
idānīm āgatāṃ tatra kiṃ nu vakṣyati phālguniḥ
SECTION LXVII
"Vaisampayana said, 'After Kunti had sat up, Subhadra, beholding her brother, began to weep aloud, and afflicted with excessive grief, said,--'O thou of eyes like lotus petals, behold the grandson of Arjuna of great intelligence. Alas, the Kuru race having been thinned, a child has been born that is feeble and dead. The blade of grass (inspired into a weapon of great efficacy), uplifted by Drona's son for compassing the destruction of Bhimasena, fell upon Uttara and Vijaya and myself. 1 Alas, that blade, O Kesava, is still existing unextracted in me, after having pierced my heart, since I do not, O irresistible hero, behold this child with (his sire who was) my son. What will the righteous-souled king Yudhishthira the just say? What will Bhimasena and Arjuna and the two sons of Madravati also say? Hearing that Abhimanyu's son was born and dead, the Pandavas, O thou of Vrishni's race, will regard themselves as cheated by Aswatthaman. Abhimanyu, O Krishna, was the favourite of all the Pandava brothers, without doubt. Hearing this intelligence, what will those heroes, vanquished by the weapon of Drona's son say? What grief, O Janarddana, can be greater than this viz., that Abhimanyu's son should be born dead! Bowing unto thee with my head, O Krishna, I seek to gratify thee today. Behold, O foremost of men, these two standing here, viz., Pritha and Draupadi. When, O Madhava, the son of Drona sought to destroy the embryos even in the wombs of the ladies of the Pandavas, at that time, O grinder of foes, thou saidst in wrath unto Drona's son (ever these words), 'O wretch of a Brahmana, O vilest of men, I shall disappoint thy wish. I shall revive the son of Kiritin's son.' Hearing these words of thine and well knowing thy puissance, I seek to gratify thee, O irresistible hero. Let the son of Abhimanyu be revived. It having pledged thyself previously thou dost not accomplish thy auspicious vow, do thou then know for certain, O chief of the Vrishni race, that I shall cast off my life. If, O hero, this son of Abhimanyu doth not revive when thou, O irresistible one, art alive and near, of what other use wilt thou be to me? Do thou, therefore, O irresistible one, revive this son of Abhimanyu,--this child possessed of eyes similar to his,--'even as a rain-charged cloud revives the lifeless crops (on a field). Thou, O Kesava, art righteous-souled, truthful, and of prowess incapable of being baffled. It behoveth thee, O chastiser of foes, to make thy words truthful. If only thou wishest it, thou canst revivep. 119
the three worlds (of being) if dead. What need I say, therefore, of this darling child, born but dead, of thy sister's son? I know thy puissance, O Krishna. Therefore, do I solicit thee. Do thou show this great favour to the sons of Pandu. It behoveth thee, O mighty-armed one, to show compassion to this Uttara or to me, thinking that I am thy sister or even a mother that hath lost her son, and one that hath thrown herself upon thy protection.'"
Book
14
Chapter 68
1 [v]
saivaṃ vipalya karuṇaṃ sonmādeva tapasvinī
uttarā nyapatad bhūmau kṛpaṇā putragṛddhinī
2 tāṃ tu dṛṣṭvā nipatitāṃ hatabandhuparicchadām
cukrośa kuntī duḥkhārtā sarvāś
ca bharata striyaḥ
3 muhūrtam iva tad rājan pāṇḍavānāṃ niveśanam
aprekṣaṇīyam abhavad ārtasvaranināditam
4 sā muhūta ca rājendra
putraśokābhipīḍitā
kaśmalābhihatā vīra vairāṭī tv abhavat tadā
5 pratilabhya tu sā saṃjñām uttarā bharatarṣabha
aṅkam āropya taṃ putram idaṃ vacanam abravīt
6 dharmajñasya sutaḥ saṃs tvam adharmam avabudhyase
yas tvaṃ vṛṣṇipravīrasya kuruṣe nābhivādanam
7 putragatvā mama vaco brūyās tvaṃ pitaraṃ tava
durmaraṃ prāṇināṃ vīra kāle prāpte kathaṃ cana
8 yāhaṃ tvayā vihīnādya patyā putreṇa caiva ha
martavye sati jīvāmi hatasvastir akiṃcanā
9 atha vā dharmarājñāham anujñātā
mahābhuja
bhakṣayiṣye viṣaṃ tīkṣṇaṃ pravekṣye vā hutāśanam
10 atha vā durmaraṃ tāta yad idaṃ me sahasradhā
patiputra vihīnāyā hṛdayaṃ na vidīryate
11 uttiṣṭha
putrapaśyemāṃ duḥkhitāṃ prapitāmahīm
ārtām upaplutāṃ dīnāṃ nimagnāṃ śokasāgare
12 āryāṃ ca paśya
pāñcālīṃ sātvatīṃ ca tapasvinīm
māṃ ca paśya susuḥkhārtāṃ vyādha viddhāṃ mṛgīm iva
13 uttiṣṭha paśya
vadanaṃ lokanāthasya dhīmataḥ
puṇḍarīkapalāśākṣaṃ pureva capalekṣaṇam
14 evaṃ vipralapantīṃ tu dṛṣṭvā nipatitāṃ punaḥ
uttarāṃ tāḥ striyaḥ sarvāḥ punar utthāpayanty uta
15 utthāya tu punar dhairyāt tadā
matsyapateḥ sutā
prāñjaliḥ punarīkākṣaṃ bhūmāv evābhyavādayat
16 śrutvā sa tasyā vipulaṃ vilāpaṃ puruṣarṣabhaḥ
upaspṛśya tataḥ kṛṣṇo brahmāstraṃ saṃjahāra tat
17 pratijajñe ca dāśārhas tasya jīvitam
acyutaḥ
abravīc ca viśuddhātmā sarvaṃ viśrāvayañ jagat
18 na bravīmy uttare mithyā satyam etad
bhaviṣyati
eṣa saṃjīvayāmy enaṃ paśyatāṃ sarvadehinām
19 noktapūrvaṃ mayā mithyā svaireṣv api kadā cana
na ca yuddhe parā vṛttas tathā saṃjīvatām ayam
20 yathā me dayito dharmo brāhmaṇāś ca viśeṣataḥ
abhimanyoḥ suto jāto mṛto jīvatv ayaṃ tathā
21 yathāhaṃ nābhijānāmi
vijayena kadā cana
virodhaṃ tena satyena mṛto jīvatv ayaṃ śiśuḥ
22 yathāsatyaṃ ca dharmaś ca mayi nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitau
tathā mṛtaḥ śiśur ayaṃ jīvatām abhimanyujaḥ
23 yathā kaṃśaś ca keśī ca dharmeṇa nihatau mayā
tena satyena bālo 'yaṃ punar
ujjīvatām iha
24 ity ukto vāsudevena sa bālo bharatarṣabha
śanaiḥ śanair mahārāja prāspandata sa
cetanaḥ
SECTION LXVIII
"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed, O king, (by his sister and others), the slayer of Kesin, exceedingly afflicted by grief, answered,--'So be it!'--These words were uttered with sufficient loudness and they gladdened all the inmates of the inner apartments of the palace. The puissant Krishna, that foremost of men, by uttering these words, gladdened all the people assembled there, like one pouring cold water on a person afflicted with sweat. He then quickly entered the lying-in room in which thy sire was born. It was duly sanctified, O chief of men, with many garlands of white flowers, with many well-filled water pots arranged on every side; with charcoal, soaked in ghee, of Tinduka wood, and mustard seeds, O thou of mighty arms; with shining weapons properly arrayed, and several fires on every side. And it was peopled by many agreeable and aged dames summoned for waiting (upon thy grandmother). It was also surrounded by many well-skilled and clever physicians, O thou of great intelligence. Endued with great energy, he also saw there all articles that are destructive of Rakshasas, duly placed by persons conversant with the subject. Beholding the lying-in room in which thy sire was born thus equipt, Hrishikesa became very glad and said,--'Excellent, Excellent!' When he of Vrishni's race said so and presented such a cheerful countenance, Draupadi, repairing thither with great speed, addressed the daughter of Virata, saying,--'O blessed lady, here comes to thee thy father-in-law, the slayer of Madhu, that ancient Rishi of inconceivable soul, that unvanquished one.'--Virata's daughter, checking her tears, said these words in a voice suffocated with grief. Covering herself properly, the princess waited for Krishna like the deities reverentially waiting for him. The helpless lady, with heart agitated by grief, beholding Govinda coming, indulged in these lamentations; O lotus-eyed one, behold us two deprived of our child. O Janarddana, both Abhimanyu and myself have been equally slain. O thou of Vrishni's race, O slayer of Madhu, I seek to gratify thee by bending my head, O hero, unto thee. Do thou revive this child of mine that has been consumed by the weapon of Drona's son. If king Yudhishthira the just, or Bhimasena, or thyself, O lotus-eyed one, had, on that occasion, said, 'Let the blade of grass (inspired by Aswatthaman into a Brahma-weapon) destroy the unconscious mother'--O puissant one, then I would have been destroyed and this (sad occurrence)p. 120
would not have happened. Alas, what benefit has been reaped by Drona's son by accomplishing this cruel deed, viz., the destruction of the child in the womb by his Brahma-weapon. The self-same mother now seeks to gratify thee, O slayer of foes, by bending her head. Surely, O Govinda, I shall cast off my life-breaths if this child does not revive. In him, O righteous one, were placed many expectations by me. Alas, when these have been frustrated by Drona's son, what need have I, O Kesava, to bear, the burden of life? The hope, O Krishna, was cherished by me that with my child on my lap, O Janarddana, I would salute thee with reverence. Alas, O Kesava, that hope has been destroyed. O foremost of all beings, at the death of this heir of Abhimanyu of restless eyes, all the hopes in my breast have been destroyed. Abhimanyu of restless eyes, O slayer of Madhu, was exceedingly dear to thee. Behold this child of his slain by the Brahma-weapon. This child is very ungrateful and very heartless, like his sire, for, behold, disregarding the prosperity and affluence of the Pandavas, he has gone to Yama's abode. I had, before this, vowed, O Kesava, that if Abhimanyu fell on the field of battle, O hero, I would follow him without any loss of time. I did not, however, keep my vow, cruel that I am and fond of life. If I repair to him now, what, indeed, will Phalguna's son say?'"
Book
14
Chapter 69
1 [v]
brahmāstraṃ tu yadā rājan kṛṣṇena pratisaṃhṛtam
tadā tad veśma te viprā tejasābhividīpitam
2 tato rakṣāṃsi sarvāṇi neśus tyaktvā gṛhaṃ tu tat
antarikṣe ca vāg āsīt sādhu
keśava sādhv iti
3 tad astraṃ jvalitaṃ cāpi pitāmaham agāt tadā
tataḥ prāṇān punar lebhe pitā tava janeśvara
vyaceṣṭata ca bālo 'sau
yathotsāhaṃ yathābalam
4 babhūvur muditā rājaṃs tatas tā bharata striyaḥ
brāhmaṇān vācayām āsur
govindasya ca śāsanāt
5 tatas tā muditāḥ sarvāḥ praśaśaṃsur janārdanam
striyo bharata siṃhānāṃ nāvaṃ labdhveva pāragāḥ
6 kuntī drupadaputrī ca subhadrā
cottarā tathā
striyaś cānyā nṛsiṃhānāṃ babhūvur hṛṣṭamānasāḥ
7 tatra mallā naṭā jhallā granthikāḥ saukhaśāyikāḥ
sūtamāgadha saṃghāś cāpy
astuvan vai janārdanam
kuruvaṃśas tavākhyābhir
āśīrbhir bharatarṣabha
8 utthāya tu yathākālam uttarā
yadunandanam
abhyavādayata prītā saha putreṇa bhārata
tatas tasmai dadau prīto bahuratnaṃ viśeṣataḥ
9 tathānye vṛṣṇiśārdūlā nāma cāsyākarot prabhuḥ
pitus tava mahārāja satyasaṃdho janārdanaḥ
10 parikṣīṇe kule yasmāj jāto 'yam abhimanyujaḥ
parikṣid iti nāmāsya bhavatv ity
abravīt tadā
11 so 'vardhata yathākālaṃ pitā tava narādhipa
manaḥ prahlādanaś cāsīt sarvalokasya
bhārata
12 māsajātas tu te vīra pitā bhavati
bhārata
athājagmuḥ subahulaṃ ratnam ādāya pāṇḍavāḥ
13 tān samīpagatāñ śrutvā niryayur vṛṣṇi puṃgavāḥ
alaṃcakruś ca mālyaughaiḥ puruṣā nāgasāhvayam
14 patākābhir vicitrābhir dhvajaiś ca
vividhair api
veśmāni samalaṃcakruḥ paurāś cāpi janādhipa
15 devatāyatanānāṃ ca pūjā bahuvidhās tathā
saṃdideśātha viduraḥ pāṇḍuputra priyepsayā
16 rājamārgāś ca tatrāsan sumanobhir alaṃkṛtāḥ
śuśubhe tatparaṃ cāpi
samudraughanibhasvanam
17 nartakaiś cāpi nṛtyadbhir gāyanānāṃ ca nisvanaiḥ
āsīd vaiśravaṇasyeva nivāsas tat
puraṃ tadā
18 bandibhiś ca narai rājan strī sahāyaiḥ sahasraśaḥ
tatra tatra vivikteṣu samantād
upaśobhitam
19 patākā dhūyamānāś ca śvasatā
mātariśvanā
adarśayann iva tadā kurūn vai dakṣiṇottarān
20 aghoṣayat tadā
cāpi puruṣo rājadhūr gataḥ
sarvarātri vihāro 'dya ratnābharaṇa lakṣaṇaḥ
SECTION LXIX
"Vaisampayana said, 'The helpless Uttara, desirous of getting back her child, having indulged in these piteous lamentations, fell down in affliction on the earth like a demented creature. Beholding the princess fallen on the earth deprived of her son and with her body uncovered, Kunti as also all the (other) Bharata ladies deeply afflicted, began to weep aloud. Resounding with the voice of lamentation, the palace of the Pandavas, O king, was soon converted into a mansion of sorrow where nobody could remain. Exceedingly afflicted by grief on account of her son, Virata's daughter, O king, seemed to be struck down for some time by sorrow and cheerlessness. Regaining consciousness, O chief of Bharata's race, Uttara took up her child on her lap and said these words: Thou art the child of one who was conversant with every duty. Art thou not conscious then of the sin thou committest, since thou dost not salute this foremost one of the Vrishni's race? O son, repairing to thy sire tell him these words of mine, viz.,--it is difficult for living creatures to die before their time comes, since though reft of thee, my husband, and now deprived of my child also, I am yet alive when I should die, unendued as I am with everything auspicious and everything possessed of value.--O mighty-armed one, with the permission of king Yudhishthira the just I shall swallow some virulent poison or cast myself on the blazing fire. O sire, difficult of destruction is my heart since, though I am deprived of husband and child, thatp. 121
heart of mine does not yet break into a thousand pieces. Rise, O son and behold this thy afflicted great-grandmother. She is deeply afflicted with grief, bathed in tears, exceedingly cheerless, and plunged in an ocean of sorrow. Behold the reverend princess of Panchala, and the helpless princess of the Satwata race. Behold myself, exceedingly afflicted with grief, and resembling a deer pierced by a hunter. Rise, O child, and behold the face of this lord of the worlds, that is endued with great wisdom, and possessed of eyes like lotus-petals and resembling thy sire of restless glance. Beholding Uttara, who indulged in these lamentations, fallen on the earth, all those ladies, raising her, caused her to sit up. Having sat up, the daughter of the king of the Matsyas, summoning her patience, joined her hands in reverence and touched the earth with her head for saluting Kesava of eyes like the petals of the lotus. That foremost of beings, hearing those heart-rending lamentations of hers, touched water and withdrew the (force of the) Brahma-weapon. 1 That hero of unfading glory, belonging to the race of the Dasarhas, promised to give the child his life. Then he of pure soul, said these words in the hearing of the whole universe,--'O Uttara, I never utter an untruth. My words will prove true. I shall revive this child in the presence of all creatures. Never before have I uttered an untruth even in jest. Never have I turned back from battle. (By the merit of those acts) let this child revive! As righteousness is dear to me, as Brahmanas are specially dear to me, (by the merit of that disposition of mine) let Abhimanyu's son, who is born dead, revive! Never hath a misunderstanding arisen between me and my friend Vijaya. Let this dead child revive by that truth! As truth and righteousness are always established in me, let this dead child of Abhimanyu revive (by the merit of these)! As Kansa and Kesi have been righteously slain by me, let this child revive today by that truth!' After these words were uttered by Vasudeva, that child, O foremost one of Bharata's race, became animate and began gradually to move, O monarch.'
Book
14
Chapter 70
1 [v]
tān samīpagatāñ śrutvā pāṇḍavāñ śatrukarśanaḥ
vāsudevaḥ sahāmātyaḥ pratyudyāto didṛkṣayā
2 te sametya yathānyāyaṃ pāṇḍavā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha
viviśuḥ sahitā rājan puraṃ vāraṇasāhvayam
3 mahatas tasya sainyasya
khuranemisvanena ca
dyāvāpṛthivyau khaṃ caiva śabdenāsīt samāvṛtam
4 te kośam agrataḥ kṛtvā viviśuḥ svapuraṃ tadā
pāṇḍavāḥ prītamanasaḥ sāmātyāḥ sasuhṛd gaṇāḥ
5 te sametya yathānyāyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ janādhipam
kīrtayantaḥ svanāmāni tasya
pādau vavandire
6 dhṛtarāṣṭrād anu ca te gāndhārīṃ subalātmajām
kuntīṃ ca rājaśārdūla tadā
bharatasattamāḥ
7 viduraṃ pūjayitvā ca vaiśyāputraṃ sametya ca
pūjyamānāḥ sma te vīrā
vyarājanta viśāṃ pate
8 tatas tatparamāścaryaṃ vicitraṃ mahad adbhutam
śuśruvus te tadā vīrāḥ pitus te janma bhārata
9 tad upaśrutya te karma
vāsudevasya dhīmataḥ
pūjārhaṃ pūjayām āsuḥ kṛṣṇaṃ devakinandanam
10 tataḥ kati payāhasya vyāsaḥ satyavatī sutaḥ
ājagāma mahātejā nagaraṃ nāgasāhvayam
11 tasya sarve yathānyāyaṃ pūjāṃ cakruḥ kurūdvahāḥ
saha vṛṣṇyandhakavyāghrair upāsāṃ cakrire tadā
12 tatra nānāvidhākārāḥ kathāḥ samanukīrtya vai
yudhiṣṭhiro dharmasuto vyāsaṃ vacanam abravīt
13 bhavatprasādād bhagavan yad idaṃ ratnam āhṛtam
upayoktuṃ tad icchāmi
vājimedhe mahākratau
14 tadanujñātum icchāmi bhavatā
munisattama
tvadadhīnā vayaṃ sarve kṛṣṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ
15 [v]
anujānāmi rājaṃs tvāṃ kriyatāṃ yad anantaram
yajasva vājimedhena vidhivad dakṣiṇāvatā
16 aśvamedho hi rājendra pāvanaḥ sarvapāpmanām
teneṣṭvā tvaṃ vipāpmā vai bhavitā nātra saṃśayaḥ
17 [v]
ity uktaḥ sa tu dharmātmā
kururājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
aśvamedhasya kauravya cakārāharaṇe matim
18 samanujñāpya tu sa taṃ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanaṃ nṛpaḥ
vāsudevam athāmantrya vāgmī vacanam abravīt
19 devakī suprajā devī tvayā puruṣasattama
yad brūyāṃ tvāṃ mahābāho tat kṛthās tvam ihācyuta
20 tvat prabhāvārjitān bhogān aśnīma
yadunandana
parākrameṇa buddhyā ca tvayeyaṃ nirjitā mahī
21 dīkṣayasva tvam
ātmānaṃ tvaṃ naḥ paramako guruḥ
tvayīṣṭavati dharmajña vipāpmā syām
ahaṃ vibho
tvaṃ hi yajño 'kṣaraḥ sarvas tvaṃ dharmas tvaṃ prajāpatiḥ
22 [v]
tvam evaitan mahābhāho vaktum arhasy ariṃdama
tvaṃ gatiḥ sarvabhūtānām iti me niścitā matiḥ
23 tvaṃ cādya
kuruvīrāṇāṃ dharmeṇābhivirājase
guṇabhūtāḥ sma te rājaṃs tvaṃ no rājan mato guruḥ
24 yajasva mad anujñātaḥ prāpta eva kratur mayā
yunaktu no bhavān kārye yatra vāñchasi bhārata
satyaṃ te pratijānāmi sarvaṃ kartāsmi te 'nagha
25 bhīmasenārjunau caiva tathā
mādravatīsutau
iṣṭavanto bhaviṣyanti tvayīṣṭavati bhārata
SECTION LXX
"Vaisampayana said, 'When the Brahma-weapon was withdrawn by Krishna, at that time, the laying-in room was illumined by thy father with his energy. All the Rakshasas (that had come there) were forced to leave the room and many of them met with destruction. In the welkin a voice was heard, saying, 'Excellent, O Kesava, Excellent!'--The blazing Brahma-weapon then returned to the Grandsire (of all the worlds). Thy sire got back his life-breaths, O king. The child began to move according to his energy and might. The Bharatap. 122
ladies became filled with joy. At the command of Govinda, the Brahmanas were made to utter benedictions. All the ladies, filled with joy, praised Janarddana. Indeed, the wives of those Bharata lions, viz., Kunti and Drupada's daughter and Subhadra, and Uttara, and the wives of other lions among men, like (ship-wrecked) persons who have reached the shore after having obtained a boat, became exceedingly glad. Then wrestlers and actors and astrologers and those who enquire after the slumbers (of princes), and bands of bards and eulogists all uttered the praises of Janarddana, while uttering benedictions fraught with the praises of the Kuru race, O chief of the Bharatas. Uttara, rising up at the proper time, with a delighted heart and bearing her child in her arms, reverentially saluted the delighter of the Yadus. Rejoicing greatly, Krishna made gifts unto the child of many valuable gems. The other chiefs of the Vrishni race, did the same. Then the puissant Janarddana, firmly adhering to truth, bestowed a name on the infant who was thy sire, O monarch.--'Since this child of Abhimanyu has been born at a time when this race has become nearly extinct, let his name be Parikshit!' Even this is what he said. Then thy father, O king, began to grow, and gladden all the people, O Bharata. When thy father was a month old, O hero, the Pandavas came back to their capital, bringing with them a profusion of wealth. Hearing that the Pandavas were near, those foremost ones of the Vrishni race went out. The citizens decked the city called after the elephant with garlands of flowers in profusions, with beautiful pennons and standards of diverse kinds. The citizens also, O king, adorned their respective mansions. Desirous of doing what was beneficial to the sons of Pandu, Vidura ordered diverse kinds of worship to be offered to the deities established in their respective temples. The principal streets of the city were adorned with flowers. Indeed, the city was filled with the hum of thousands of voices which resembled the softened roar of distant ocean waves. With dancers all engaged in their vocation, and with the voice of singers, the (Kuru) city then resembled the mansion of Vaisravana himself. 1 Bards and eulogists, O king, accompanied by beautiful women were seen to adorn diverse retired spots in the city. The pennons were caused by the wind to float gaily on every part of the city, as if bent upon showing the Kurus the southern and the northern points of the compass. All the officers also of the government loudly proclaimed that that was to be a day of rejoicing for the entire kingdom as an indication of the success of the enterprise for bringing a profusion of gems and other valuables.'" 2
Book
14
Chapter 71
1
[v]
evam uktas tu kṛṣṇena
dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
vyāsam āmantrya medhāvī tato vacanam abravīt
2 yathākālaṃ bhavān vetti hayamedhasya tattvataḥ
dīkṣayasva tadā mā tvaṃ tvayy āyatto hi me kratuḥ
3 [v]
ahaṃ pailo 'tha kaunteya
yājñavalkyas tathaiva ca
vidhānaṃ yady athākālaṃ tat kartāro na saṃśayaḥ
4 caitryāṃ hi paurṇamāsyāṃ ca tava dīkṣā bhaviṣyati
saṃbhārāḥ saṃbhriyantāṃ te yajñārthaṃ puruṣarṣabha
5 aśvavidyā vidaś caiva sūtā
viprāś ca tadvidaḥ
medhyam aśvaṃ parīkṣantāṃ tava yajñārtha siddhaye
6 tam utsṛjya yathāśāstraṃ pṛthivīṃ sāgarāmbarām
sa paryetu yaśo nāmnā tava pārthiva vardhayan
7 [v]
ity uktaḥ sa tathety uktvā pāṇḍavaḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ
cakāra sarvaṃ rājendra yathoktaṃ brahmavādinā
saṃbhārāś caiva
rājendra sarve saṃkalpitābhavan
8 sa saṃbhārān samāhṛtya nṛpo dharmātmajas tadā
nyavedayad ameyātmā kṛṣṇadvaipāyanāya vai
9 tato 'bravīn mahātejā vyāso
dharmātmajaṃ nṛpam
yathākālaṃ yathāyogaṃ sajjāḥ sma tava dīkṣaṇe
10 sphyaś ca kūrcaś ca sauvarṇo yac cānyad api kaurava
tatra yogyaṃ bhavet kiṃ cit tad raukmaṃ kriyatām iti
11 aśvaś cotsṛjyatām adya pṛthvyām atha yathākramam
suguptaś ca caratv eṣa yathāśāstraṃ yudhiṣṭhira
12 [y]
ayam aśvo mayā brahmann utsṛṣṭaḥ pṛthivīm imām
cariṣyati yathākāmaṃ tatra vai saṃvidhīyatām
13 pṛthivīṃ paryaṭantaṃ hi turagaṃ kāmacāriṇam
kaḥ pālayed iti mune tad bhavān
vaktum arhati
14 [v]
ity uktaḥ sa tu rājendra kṛṣṇadvaipāyano 'bravīt
bhīmasenād avarajaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām
15 jiṣṇuḥ sahiṣṇur dhṛṣṇuś ca sa enaṃ pālayiṣyati
śaktaḥ sa hi mahīṃ jetuṃ nivātakavacāntakaḥ
16 tasmin hy astrāṇi divyāni divyaṃ saṃhananaṃ tathā
divyaṃ dhanuś ceṣudhī ca sa enam anuyāsyati
17 sa hi dharmārthakuśalaḥ sarvavidyā viśāradaḥ
yathāśāstraṃ nṛpaśreṣṭha cārayiṣyati te hayam
18 rājaputro mahābāhuḥ śyāmo rājīvalocanaḥ
abhimanyoḥ pitā vīraḥ sa enam anuyāsyati
19 bhīmaseno 'pi tejasvī kaunteyo
'mitavikramaḥ
samartho rakṣituṃ rāṣṭraṃ nakulaś ca viśāṃ pate
20 sahadevas tu kauravya samādhāsyati buddhimān
kuṭumba tantraṃ vidhivat sarvam eva mahāyaśāḥ
21 tat tu sarvaṃ yathānyāyam uktaṃ kurukulodvahaḥ
cakāra phalgunaṃ cāpi saṃdideśa hayaṃ prati
22 [y]
ehy arjuna tvayā vīra hayo 'yaṃ paripālyatām
tvam arho rakṣituṃ hy enaṃ nānyaḥ kaś cana mānavaḥ
23 ye cāpi tvāṃ mahābāho pratyudīyur narādhipāḥ
tair vigraho yathā na syāt tathā kāryaṃ tvayānagha
24 ākhyātavyaś ca bhavatā yajño 'yaṃ mama sarvaśaḥ
pārthivebhyo mahābāho samaye gamyatām iti
25 evam uktvā sa dharmātmā bhrātaraṃ savyasācinam
bhīmaṃ ca nakulaṃ caiva puraguptau samādadhat
26 kuṭumba tantre ca tathā
sahadevaṃ yudhāṃ patim
anumānya mahīpālaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
SECTION LXXI
Vaisampayana, said, 'Hearing that the Pandavas were near, that crusher ofp. 123
foes, viz., Vasudeva, accompanied by his ministers, went out for seeing them.
The Pandavas then, uniting with the Vrishnis according to the usual formalities, together entered, O king, the city named after the elephant. With the hum of voices and the clatter of cars of that mighty host, the Earth and the welkin, and the firmament itself, became as it were entirely filled. The Pandavas, with rejoicing hearts, accompanied by their officers and friends entered the capital, placing that treasure in their van. Repairing, agreeably to custom, to king Dhritarashtra first, they worshipped his feet, announcing their respective names. Those foremost ones of Bharata's race, O chief of kings, then paid their respectful salutations to Gandhari, the daughter of Suvala and to Kunti, They next worshipped (their uncle) Vidura and met Yuyutsu, the son of Dhritarashtra by his Vaisya wife. Those heroes were then worshipped by others and they blazed forth in beauty, O king. After this, O Bharata, those heroes heard the tidings of that highly wonderful and marvellous and glad-some birth of thy father. Hearing of that feat of Vasudeva of great intelligence, they all worshipped Krishna, the delighter of Devaki, who was every way worthy of worship. Then, after a few days, Vyasa, the son of Satyavati, endued with great energy, came to the city named after the elephant. The perpetuators of Kuru's race worshipped the great Rishi according to the usual custom. Indeed, those heroes, with those foremost princes of the Vrishni and the Andhaka races, paid the sage their adorations. After having conversed on various subjects, Dharma's son Yudhishthira addressed Vyasa and said, 'This treasure, O holy one, which has been brought through thy grace I wish to devote to that great sacrifice known by the name of the horse-sacrifice. O best of ascetics, I desire to have thy permission. We are all, O Rishi, at thy disposal, and at that of the high-souled Krishna.'
"Vyasa said, 'I give thee permission, O king. Do what should be done after this. Do thou worship the deities duly by performing the horse-sacrifice with profuse gifts. The horse-sacrifice, O king, is a cleanser of all sins. Without doubt, having worshipped the deities by that sacrifice thou wilt surely be cleansed of all sins.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed, the Kuru king Yudhisthira of righteous soul then set his heart, O monarch, on making the necessary preparations for the horse-sacrifice. Having represented all this unto the Island-born Krishna, the king endued with great eloquence approached Vasudeva and said,--'O foremost of all beings, the goddess Devaki has, through thee, come to be regarded as the most fortunate of mothers! O thou of unfading glory, do thou accomplish that which I shall now tell thee, O mighty-armed one. O delighter of the Kurus, the diverse enjoyments we enjoy have all been acquired through thy puissance. The whole Earth has been subjugated by thee with the aid of thy prowess and intelligence. Do thou, therefore, cause thyself to undergo the rites of initiation. Thou art our highest preceptor and master. If thou performest the sacrifice, O thou of the Dasarha race, I shall be cleansed from every sin. Thou art Sacrifice. Thou art the Indestructible. Thou art this All. Thou art Righteousness. Thou art Prajapati. Thou art the goal of all creatures. Even this is my certain conclusion.'
p. 124
"Vasudeva said, 'O mighty-armed one, it becomes thee to say so, O chastiser of foes. Thou art the goal of all creatures. Even this is my certain conclusion. Amongst the heroes of the Kuru race, in consequence of thy righteousness, thou shinest today in great glory. They have all been cast into the shade, O king, by thee. Thou art our king, and thou art our senior. With my approval freely granted, do thou adore the deities in the sacrifice suggested. Do thou, O Bharata, appoint us to whatever tasks thou likest. Truly, do I pledge myself that I shall accomplish all, O sinless one, that thou mayst bid me accomplish. Bhimasena and Arjuna and the two sons of Madravati will be sacrificing when thou, O king, sacrificest.'" 1
Book
14
Chapter 72
1 [v]
dīkṣā kāle tu saṃprāpte tatas te sumahartvijaḥ
vidhivad dīkṣayām āsur
aśvamedhāya pārthivam
2 kṛtvā sa
paśubandhāṃś ca dīkṣitaḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ
dharmarājo mahātejāḥ sahartvigbhir vyarocata
3 hayaś ca hayamedhārthaṃ svayaṃ sa brahmavādinā
utsṛṣṭaḥ śāstravidhinā vyāsenāmita tejasā
4 sa rājā dharmajo rājan dīkṣito vibabhau tadā
hemamālī rukmakaṇṭhaḥ pradīpta iva pāvakaḥ
5 kṛṣṇājinī daṇḍapāṇiḥ kṣaumavāsāḥ sa dharmajaḥ
vibabhau dyutimān bhūyaḥ prajāpatir ivādhvare
6 tathaivāsyartvijaḥ sarve tulyaveṣā viśāṃ pate
babhūvur arjunaś caiva pradīpta iva pāvakaḥ
7 śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasāraṃ taṃ sa sārāśvaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
vidhivat pṛthivīpāla
dharmarājasya śāsanāt
8 vikṣipan gāṇḍivaṃ rājan baddhagodhāṅguli travān
tam aśvaṃ pṛthivīpāla mudā yuktaḥ sasāra ha
9 ā kumāraṃ tadā rājann āgamat tat puraṃ vibho
draṣṭukāmaṃ kuruśreṣṭhaṃ prayāsyantaṃ dhanaṃjayam
10 teṣām anyonyasaṃmardād ūṣmeva samajāyata
didṛkṣūṇāṃ hayaṃ taṃ ca taṃ caiva hayasāriṇam
11 tataḥ śabdo
mahārāja daśāśāḥ pratipūrayan
babhūva prekṣatāṃ nṝṇāṃ kuntīputraṃ dhanaṃjayam
12 eṣa gacchati kaunteyas
turagaś caiva dīptimān
yam anveti mahābāhuḥ saṃspṛśan dhanur uttamam
13 evaṃ śuśrāva
vadatāṃ giro jiṣṇur udāradhīḥ
svasti te 'stu vrajāriṣṭaṃ punaś caihīti bhārata
14 athāpare manuṣyendra puruṣā vākyam abruvan
nainaṃ paśyāma saṃmarde dhanur etat pradṛśyate
15 etad dhi bhīmanirhrādaṃ viśrutaṃ gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ
svasti gacchatv ariṣṭaṃ vai panthānam akutobhayam
nivṛttam enaṃ drakṣyāmaḥ punar evaṃ ca te 'bruvan
16 evamādyā manuṣyāṇāṃ strīṇāṃ ca bharatarṣabha
śuśrāva madhurā vācaḥ punaḥ punar udīritāḥ
17 yājñavalkyasya śiṣyaś ca kuśalo yajñakarmaṇi
prāyāt pārthena sahitaḥ śānty arthaṃ vedapāragaḥ
18 brāhmaṇāś ca
mahīpāla bahavo vedapāragāḥ
anujagmur mahātmānaṃ kṣatriyāś ca viśo 'pi ca
19 pāṇḍavaiḥ pṛthivīm aśvo nirjitām astratejasā
cacāra sa mahārāja yathādeśaṃ sa sattama
20 tatra yuddhāni vṛttāni yāny āsan pāṇḍavasya ha
tāni vakṣyāmi te vīra vicitrāṇi mahānti ca
21 sahayaḥ pṛthivīṃ rājan pradakṣiṇam ariṃdama
sasārottarataḥ pūrvaṃ tan nibodha mahīpate
22 avamṛdnan sarāṣṭrāṇi pārthivānāṃ hayottamaḥ
śanais tadā pariyayau śvetāśvaś ca mahārathaḥ
23 tatra saṃkalanā nāsti rājñām ayutaśas tadā
ye 'yudhyanta mahārāja kṣatriyā
hatabāndhavāḥ
24 kirātā vikṛtā rājan bahavo 'si dhanurdharāḥ
mlecchāś cānye bahuvidhāḥ pūrvaṃ nivikṛtā raṇe
25 āryāś ca pṛthivīpālāḥ prahṛṣṭanaravāhanāḥ
samīyuḥ pāṇḍuputreṇa bahavo yuddhadurmadāḥ
26 evaṃ yuddhāni vṛttāni tatra tatra mahīpate
arjunasya mahīpālair nānādeśanivāsibhiḥ
27 yāni tūbhayato rājan prataptāni
mahānti ca
tāni yuddhāni vakṣyāmi kaunteyasya
tavānagha
SECTION LXXII
"Vaisampayana said, 'Thus addressed by Krishna, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, endued with great intelligence, saluted Vyasa and said these words: 'Do thou cause me to be initiated when the proper hour, as thou truly knowest, comes for that rite. This my sacrifice is entirely dependent on thee.'"Vyasa said, 'Myself, O son of Kunti, and Paila and Yajnavalkya, shall without doubt, achieve every rite at the proper time. The rite of initiating thee will be performed on the day of full moon belonging to the month of Chaitra. Let all the necessaries of the sacrifice, O foremost of men, be got ready. Let Sutas well-versed in the science of horses, and let Brahmanas also possessed of the same lore, select, after examination, a worthy horse in order that thy sacrifice maybe completed. Loosening the animal according to the injunctions of the scriptures, let him wander over the whole Earth with her belt of seas, displaying thy blazing glory, O king!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed (by the Rishi), Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, that lord of Earth, answered,--'So be it!'--and then, O monarch, he accomplished all that that utterer of Brahma had directed. All the articles necessary for the sacrifice, O king, were duly procured. The royal son of Dharma, possessed of immeasurable soul, having procured all the necessaries, informed the Island-born Krishna of it. Then Vyasa of great energy said unto the royal son of Dharma,--'As regards ourselves, we are all prepared to initiate thee in view of the sacrifice. Let the Sphya and the Kurcha and all the other articles that, O thou of Kuru's race, may be needed for thy sacrifice, be made of gold. 2 Let the horse also be loosened today, for roaming on the Earth, agreeably to the ordinances of the scriptures. Let the
p. 125
animal, duly protected, wander over the Earth.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Let arrangements be made by thee, O regenerate one, about loosening this horse for enabling it to wander over the Earth at its will. It behoveth thee, O ascetic, to say who will protect this steed while roaming over the Earth freely according to its will.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed (by king Yudhishthira), O monarch, the Island-born Krishna said,--'He who is born after Bhimasena, who is the foremost of all bowmen, who is called Jishnu, who is endued with great patience and capable of overcoming all resistance,--he will protect the horse. That destroyer of the Nivatakavachas is competent to conquer the whole Earth. In him are all celestial weapons. His body is like that of a celestial in its powers of endurance. His bow and quivers are celestial. Even he will follow this horse.--He is well versed in both Religion and wealth. He is a master of all the sciences. O foremost of kings, he will agreeably to the scriptures, cause the steed to roam and graze at its will. This mighty-armed prince, of dark complexion, is endued with eyes resembling the petals of the lotus. That hero, the father of Abhimanyu, will protect the steed. Bhimasena also is endued with great energy. The son of Kunti is possessed of immeasurable might. He is competent to protect the kingdom, aided by Nakula, O monarch. Possessed of great intelligence and fame, Sahadeva will, O thou of Kuru's race, duly attend to all the relatives that have been invited to thy capital.' Thus addressed by the Rishi, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, viz., Yudhishthira, accomplished every injunction duly and appointed Phalguna to attend to the horse.'
"Yudhishthira said, 'Come, O Arjuna, let the horse, O hero, be protected by thee. Thou alone art competent to protect it, and none else. Those kings, O mighty-armed hero, who will come forward to encounter thee, try, O sinless one, to avoid battles with them to the best of thy power. Thou shouldst also invite them all to this sacrifice of mine. Indeed, O mighty-armed one go forth but try to establish friendly relations with them.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'The righteous-souled king Yudhishthira, having said so unto his brother Savyasachin, commanded Bhima and Nakula to protect the city. With the permission of king Dhritarashtra, Yudhishthira then set Sahadeva, that foremost of warriors, to wait upon all the invited guests.'"
Book
14
Chapter 73
1 [v]
trigartair abhavad yuddhaṃ kṛtavairaiḥ kirīṭinaḥ
mahārathasamājñātair hatānāṃ putra naptṛbhiḥ
2 te samājñāya saṃprāptaṃ yajñiyaṃ turagottamam
viṣayānte tato vīrā daṃśitāḥ paryavārayan
3 rathino baddhatūṇīrāḥ sadaśvaiḥ samalaṃkṛtaiḥ
parivārya hayaṃ rājan
grahītuṃ saṃpracakramuḥ
4 tataḥ kirīṭī saṃcintya teṣāṃ rājñāṃ cikīrṣitam
vārayām āsa tān vīrān sāntvapūrvam ariṃdamaḥ
5 tam anādṛtya te sarve śarair abhyahanaṃs tadā
tamo rajobhyāṃ saṃchannāṃs tān kirīṭī nyavārayat
6 abravīc ca tato jiṣṇuḥ prahasann iva bhārata
nivartadhvam adharmajñāḥ śreyo jīvitam eva vaḥ
7 sa hi vīraḥ prayāsyan vai dharmarājena vāritaḥ
hatabāndhavā na te pārtha hantavyāḥ pārthivā iti
8 sa tadā tad vacaḥ śrutvā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
tān nivartadhvam ity āha na nyavartanta cāpi te
9 tatas trigartarājānaṃ sūryavarmāṇam āhave
vitatya śarajālena prajahāsa dhanaṃjayaḥ
10 tatas te rathaghoṣeṇa khuranemisvanena ca
pūrayanto diśaḥ sarvā dhanaṃjayam upādravan
11 sūryavarmā tataḥ pārthe śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām
śatāny amuñcad rājendra labhv astram abhidarśayan
12 tathaivānye maheṣvāsā ye tasyaivānuyāyinaḥ
mumucuḥ śaravarṣāṇi dhanaṃjaya vadhaiṣiṇaḥ
13 sa tāñ jyā puṅkhanirmuktair bahubhiḥ subahūñ śarān
ciccheda pāṇḍavo rājaṃs te bhūmau nyapataṃs tadā
14 ketuvarmā tu tejasvī tasyaivāvarajo
yuvā
yuyudhe bhrātur arthāya pāṇḍavena mahātmanā
15 tam āpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya ketuvarmāṇam āhave
abhyaghnan niśitair bāṇair bībhatsuḥ paravīrahā
16 ketuvarmaṇy abhihate dhṛtavarmā mahārathaḥ
rathenāśu samāvṛtya śarair jiṣṇum avākirat
17 tasya tāṃ śīghratām īkṣya tutoṣātīva vīryavān
guḍākeśo mahātejā bālasya dhṛtavarmaṇaḥ
18 na saṃdadhānaṃ dadṛśe nādadānaṃ ca taṃ tadā
kirantam eva sa śarān dadṛśe pākaśāsaniḥ
19 sa tu taṃ pūjayām āsa dhṛtavarmāṇam āhave
manasā sa muhūrtaṃ vai raṇe samabhiharṣayan
20 taṃ pannagam iva
kruddhaṃ kuruvīraḥ smayann iva
prītipūrvaṃ mahārāja prāṇair na vyaparopayat
21 sa tathā rakṣyamāṇo vai pārthenāmita tejasā
dhṛtavarmā śaraṃ tīkṣṇaṃ mumoca vijaye tadā
22 sa tena vijayas tūrṇam asyan viddhaḥ kare bhṛśam
mumoca gāṇḍīvaṃ duḥkhāt tat papātātha bhūtale
23 dhanuṣaḥ patatas tasya savyasāci karād vibho
indrasyevāyudhasyāsīd rūpaṃ bharatasattama
24 tasmin nipatite divye mahādhanuṣi pārthiva
jahāsa sa svanaṃ hāsaṃ dhṛtavarmā mahāhave
25 tato roṣānvito jiṣṇuḥ pramṛjya rudhiraṃ karāt
dhanur ādatta tad divyaṃ śaravarṣaṃ vavarṣa ca
26 tato halahalāśabdo divaspṛg abhavat tadā
nānāvidhānāṃ bhūtānāṃ tat karmātīva śaṃsatām
27 tataḥ saṃprekṣya taṃ kruddhaṃ kālāntakayamopamam
jiṣṇuṃ traigartakā
yodhās tvaritāḥ paryavārayan
28 abhisṛtya
parīpsārthaṃ tatas te dhṛtavarmaṇaḥ
parivavrur guḍākeśaṃ tatrākrudhyad dhanaṃjayaḥ
29 tato yodhāñ jaghānāśu teṣāṃ sa daśa cāṣṭa ca
mahendravajrapratimair āyasair niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
30 tāṃs tu prabhagnān saṃprekṣya tvaramāṇo dhanaṃjayaḥ
śarair āśīviṣākārair jaghāna
svanavad dhasan
31 te bhagnamanasaḥ sarve traigartaka mahārathāḥ
diśo vidudruvuḥ sarvā dhanaṃjaya śarārditāḥ
32 ta ūcu puruṣavyāghraṃ saṃśaptaka niṣūdanam
tava sma kiṃkarāḥ sarve sarve ca vaśagās tava
33 ājñāpayasva naḥ pārtha prahvān preṣyān avasthitān
kariṣyāmaḥ priyaṃ sarvaṃ tava kauravanandana
34 etad ājñāya vacanaṃ sarvāṃs tān abravīt tadā
jīvitaṃ rakṣata nṛpāḥ śāsanaṃ gṛhyatām iti
SECTION LXXIII
"Vaisampayana said, 'When the hour for initiation came, all those great Ritwijas duly initiated the king in view of the horse-sacrifice. Having finished the rites of binding the sacrificial animals, the son of Pandu, viz., king Yudhishthira the just endued with great energy, the initiation being over, shone withp. 126
great splendour along with those Ritwijas. The horse that was brought for the horse-sacrifice was let loose, agreeably to the injunctions of the scriptures, that utterer of Brahma, viz., Vyasa himself of immeasurable energy. The king Yudhishthira the just, O monarch, after his initiation, adorned with a garland of gold around his neck, shone in beauty like a blazing fire. Having a black deer skin for his upper garment, bearing a staff in hand, and wearing a cloth of red silk, the son of Dharma, possessed of great splendour, shone like a second Prajapati seated on the sacrificial altar. All his Ritwijas also, O king, were clad in similar robes. Arjuna also shone like a blazing fire. Dhananjaya, unto whose car were yoked white steeds, then duly prepared, O king, to follow that horse of the complexion of a black deer, at the command of Yudhishthira. Repeatedly drawing his bow, named Gandiva, O king, and casing his hand in a fence made of iguana skin, Arjuna, O monarch, prepared to follow that horse, O ruler of men, with a cheerful heart. All Hastinapore, O king, with very children, came out at that spot from desire of beholding Dhananjaya, that foremost of the Kurus on the eve of his journey. So thick was the crowd of spectators that came to behold the horse and the prince who was to follow it, that in consequence of the pressure of bodies, it seemed a fire was created. Loud was the noise that arose from that crowd of men who assembled together for beholding Dhananjaya the son of Kunti, and it seemed to fill all the points of the compass and the entire welkin. And they said,--'There goes the son of Kunti, and there that horse of blazing beauty. Indeed, the mighty-armed hero follows the horse, having armed himself with his excellent bow.'--Even these were the words which Jishnu of noble intelligence heard. The citizens also blessed him, saying,--'Let blessings he thine! Go thou safely and come back, O Bharata.' Others, O chief of men uttered these words--'So great is the press that we do not see Arjuna. His bow, however, is visible to us. Even that is celebrated bow Gandiva of terrible twang. Blessed be thou. Let all dangers fly from thy path. Let fear nowhere inspire thee. When he returns we shall behold him, for it is certain that he will come back.' The high-souled Arjuna repeatedly heard these and similar other sweet words of men and women, O chief of the Bharatas. A disciple of Yajnavalkya, who was well-versed in all sacrificial rites and who was a complete master of the Vedas, proceeded with Partha for performing auspicious rites in favour of the hero. Many Brahmanas also, O king, all well-conversant with the Vedas, and many Kshatriyas too, followed the high-souled hero, at the command, O monarch, of Yudhishthira the just. The horse then roamed, O foremost of men, wherever he liked over the Earth already conquered by Pandavas with the energy of their weapons. In course of the horse's wanderings, O king, many great and wonderful battles were fought between Arjuna and many kings. These I shall describe to thee. The horse, O king, roamed over the whole Earth. Know, O monarch, that from the north it turned towards the East. Grinding the kingdoms of many monarchs that excellent horse wandered. And it was followed slowly by the great car-warrior Arjuna of white steeds. Countless, O monarch, was the fete of Kshatriyas,--of kings in myriads--who fought with Arjuna on that occasion, for having lost their kinsmen on the geld of Kurukshetra. Innumerable
p. 127
[paragraph continues] Kiratas also, O king, and Yavanas, all excellent bowmen, and diverse tribes of Mlechechas too, who had been discomfited before (by the Pandavas on the field of Kurukshetra), and many Aryan kings, possessed of soldiers and animals endued with great alacrity, and all irresistible in fight encountered the son of Pandu in battle. Thus occurred innumerable battles in diverse countries, O monarch, between Arjuna and the rulers of diverse realms who came to encounter him. I shall, O sinless king, narrate to thee those battles only which raged with great fury and which were the principal ones among all he fought.'"
Book
14
Chapter 74
1 [v]
prāgjyotiṣam athābhyetya
vyacarat sahayottamaḥ
bhagadattātmajas tatra niryayau raṇakarkaśaḥ
2 sahayaṃ pāṇḍuputrasya viṣayāntam upāgatam
yuyudhe bharataśreṣṭha
vajradatto mahīpatiḥ
3 so 'bhiniryāya nagarād
bhagadattasuto nṛpaḥ
aśvam āyāntam unmathya nagarābhimukho yayau
4 tam ālakṣya mahābāhuḥ kurūṇām ṛṣabhas tadā
gāṇḍīvaṃ vikṣipaṃs tūrṇaṃ sahasā samupādravat
5 tato gāṇḍīvanirmuktair iṣubhir mohito nṛpaḥ
hayam utsṛjya taṃ vīras tataḥ pārtham upādravat
6 punaḥ praviśya nagaraṃ daṃśitaḥ sa nṛpottamaḥ
āruhya nāgapravaraṃ niryayau
yuddhakāṅkṣayā
7 pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani
dodhūyatā cāmareṇa śvetena ca
mahārathaḥ
8 tataḥ pārthaṃ samāsādya pāṇḍavānāṃ mahāratham
āhvayām āsa kauravyaṃ bālyān mohāc ca saṃyuge
9 sa vāraṇaṃ nagaprakhyaṃ prabhinnakaraṭā mukham
preṣayām āsa saṃkruddhas tataḥ śvetahayaṃ prati
10 vikṣarantaṃ yathā meghaṃ paravāraṇavāraṇam
śāstravat kalpitaṃ saṃkhye trisāhaṃ yuddhadurmadam
11 pracodyamānaḥ sa gajas tena rājñā mahābalaḥ
tadāṅkuśena vibabhāv utpatiṣyann ivāmbaram
12 tam āpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya kruddho rājan dhanaṃjayaḥ
bhūmiṣṭho vāraṇagataṃ yodhayām āsa bhārata
13 vajradattas tu saṃkruddho mumocāśu dhanaṃjaye
tomarān agnisaṃkāśāñ śalabhān iva
vegitān
14 arjunas tān asaṃprāptān gāṇḍīvapreṣitaiḥ śaraiḥ
dvidhā tridhā ca ciccheda kha eva khagamais tadā
15 sa tān dṛṣṭvā tathā chinnāṃs tomarān bhagadattajaḥ
iṣūn asaktāṃs tvaritaḥ prāhiṇot pāṇḍavaṃ prati
16 tato 'rjunas tūrṇataraṃ rukmapuṅkhān ajihmagān
preṣayām āsa saṃkruddho bhagadattātmajaṃ prati
17 sa tair viddho mahātejā vajradatto
mahāhave
bhṛśāhataḥ papātorvyāṃ na tv enam ajahāt smṛtiḥ
18 tataḥ sa punar
āruhya vāraṇapravaraṃ raṇe
avyagraḥ preṣayām āsa jayārthī vijayaṃ prati
19 tasmai bāṇāṃs tato jiṣṇur nirmuktāśīviṣopamān
preṣayām āsa saṃkruddho jvalitān iva pāvakān
20 sa tair viddho mahānāgo visravan
rudhiraṃ babhau
himavān iva śailendro bahu prasravaṇas tadā
SECTION LXXIV
"Vaisampayana said. 'A battle took place between the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and the sons and grandsons of the Trigartas whose hostility the Pandavas has incurred before and all of whom were well-known as mighty car-warriors. Having learnt that that foremost of steeds, which was intended for the sacrifice, had come to their realm, these heroes, casing themselves in mail, surrounded Arjuna. Mounted on their cars, drawn by excellent and well-decked horses, and with quivers on their backs, they surrounded that horse, O king, and endeavoured to capture it. The diadem-decked Arjuna, reflecting on that endeavour of theirs, forbade those heroes, with conciliatory speeches, O chastiser of foes. Disregarding Arjuna's message, they assailed him with their shafts. The diadem-decked Arjuna resisted those warriors who were under the sway of darkness and passion. Jishnu, addressed them smilingly and said, 'Desist, ye unrighteous ones. Life is a benefit (that should not be thrown away).' At the time of his setting out, he had been earnestly ordered by king Yudhishthira the just, not to slay those Kshatriyas whose kinsmen had been slain before on the field of Kurukshetra. Recollecting these commands of king Yudhishthira the just who was endued with great intelligence, Arjuna asked the Trigartas to forbear. But they disregarded Arjuna's injunction. Then Arjuna vanquished Suryavarman, the king of the Trigartas, in battle, by shooting countless shafts at him and laughed in scorn. The Trigarta warriors, however, filling the ten points with the clatter of their cars and car-wheels, rushed towards Dhananjaya. Then Suryavarman, displaying his great lightness of hand, pierced Dhananjaya with hundreds of straight arrows, O monarch. The other great bowmen who followed the king and who were all desirous of compassing the destruction of Dhananjaya, shot showers of arrows on him. With countless shafts shot from his own bow-siring, the son of Pandu, O king, cut off those clouds of arrows; upon which they fell down. Endued with great energy, Ketuvarman, the younger brother of Suryavarman, and possessed of youthful vigour, fought, for the sake of his brother, against Pandu's son possessed of great fame. Beholding Ketuvarman approaching towards him for battle,p. 128
[paragraph continues] Vibhatsu, that slayer of hostile heroes, slew him with many sharp-pointed arrows. Upon Ketuvarman's fall, the mighty car-warrior Dhritavarman, rushing on his car towards Arjuna, showered a perfect downpour of arrows on him. Beholding that lightness of hand displayed by the youth Dhritavarman, Gudakesa of mighty energy and great prowess became highly gratified with him. The son of Indra could not see when the young warrior took out his arrows and when he placed them on his bow-string aiming at him. He only saw showers of arrows in the air. For a brief space of time, Arjuna gladdened his enemy and mentally admired his heroism and skill. The Kuru hero, smiling the while, fought with that youth who resembled an angry snake. The mighty armed Dhananjaya, glad as he was in beholding the valour of Dhritavarman, did not take his life. While, however, Partha of immeasurable energy fought mildly with him without wishing to take his life, Dhritavarman shot a blazing arrow at him. Deeply pierced in the hand by that arrow, Vijaya became stupefied and his bow Gandiva fell down on the Earth from his relaxed grasp. The form of that bow, O king, when it fell from the grasp of Arjuna, resembled, O Bharata, that of the bow of Indra (that is seen in the welkin after a shower). When that great and celestial bow fell down, O monarch, Dhritavarman laughed loudly in battle. At this, Jishnu, excited with rage, wiped the blood from his hand and once more taking up his bow, showered a perfect downpour of arrows. Then a loud and confused noise arose, filling the welkin and touching the very heavens as it were, from diverse creatures who applauded that feat of Dhananjaya. Beholding Jishnu inflamed with rage and looking like Yama himself as he appears at the end of the Yuga, the Trigarta warriors hastily surrounded him, rushing from their posts and desirous of rescuing Dhritavarman. Seeing himself surrounded by his foes, Arjuna became more angry than before. He then quickly despatched eight and ten of their foremost warriors with many shafts of hard iron that resembled the arrows of the great Indra himself. The Trigarta warriors then began to fly. Seeing them retreat, Dhananjaya, with great speed, shot many shafts at them that resembled wrathful snakes of virulent poison, and laughed aloud. The mighty car-warriors of the Trigartas, with dispirited hearts, fled in all directions, exceedingly afflicted by Dhananjaya with his arrows. They then addressed that tiger among men, that slayer of the Samsaptaka host (on the field of Kurukshetra), saying, 'We are your slaves. We yield to thee. 1 Do thou command us, O Partha. Lo, we wait here as the most docile of thy servants. O delighter of the Kurus, we shall execute all thy commands.' Hearing these words expressive of their submission, Dhananjaya, said unto them, 'Do ye, O kings, save your lives, and accept my dominion.'"
Book
14
Chapter 75
1 [v]
evaṃ trirātram abhavat
tad yuddhaṃ bharatarṣabha
arjunasya narendreṇa vṛtreṇeva śatakratoḥ
2 tataś caturthe divase vajradatto
mahābalaḥ
jahāsa sa svanaṃ hāsaṃ vākyaṃ cedam athābravīt
3 arjunārjuna tiṣṭhasva na me jīvan vimokṣyase
tvāṃ nihatya kariṣyāmi putus toyaṃ yathāvidhi
4 tvayā vṛddho mama pitā bhagadattaḥ pituḥ sakhā
hato vṛddho 'pacāyitvāc
chiśuṃ mām adya yodhaya
5 ity evam uktvā saṃkruddho vajradatto narādhipaḥ
preṣayām āsa kauravya
vāraṇaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ prati
6 saṃpreṣyamāṇo nāgendro vajradattena dhīmatā
utpatiṣyann ivākāśam
abhidudrāva pāṇḍavam
7 agrahastapramuktena śīkareṇa saphalgunam
samukṣata mahārāja śailaṃ nīla ivāmbudaḥ
8 sa tena preṣito rājñā meghavan ninadan muhuḥ
mukhāḍambara ghoṣeṇa samādravata phalgunam
9 sa nṛtyann iva nāgendro vajradattapracoditaḥ
āsasāda drutaṃ rājan kauravāṇāṃ mahāratham
10 tam āpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya vajradattasya vāraṇam
gāṇḍīvam āśritya balī na vyakampata
śatruhā
11 cukrodha balavac cāpi pāṇḍavas tasya bhūpateḥ
kāryavighnam anusmṛtya pūrvavairaṃ ca bhārata
12 tatas taṃ vāraṇaṃ kruddhaḥ śarajālena pāṇḍavaḥ
nivārayām āsa tadā veleva makarālayam
13 sa nāgapravaro vīryād arjunena
nivāritaḥ
tasthau śarair vitunnāṅgaḥ śvāvic chalalito yathā
14 nivāritaṃ gajaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhagadattātmajo nṛpaḥ
utsasarja śitān bāṇān arjune krodhamūrchitaḥ
15 arjunas tu mahārāja śaraiḥ śaravighātibhiḥ
vārayām āsa tān astāṃs tad
adbhutam ivābhavat
16 tataḥ punar
atikruddho rājā prāgjyotiṣādhipaḥ
preṣayām āsa nāgendraṃ balavac chvasanopamam
17 tam āpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya balavān pākaśāsaniḥ
nārācam agnisaṃkāśaṃ prāhiṇod vāraṇaṃ prati
18 sa tena vāraṇo rājan marmāṇy abhihato bhṛśam
papāta sahasā bhūmau vajrarugṇa ivācalaḥ
19 sa patañ śuśubhe nāgo dhanaṃjaya śarāhataḥ
viśann iva mahāśailo mahīṃ vajraprapīḍitaḥ
20 tasmin nipatite nāge vajradattasya pāṇḍavaḥ
taṃ na bhetavyam ity āha tato
bhūmigataṃ nṛpam
21 abravīd dhi mahātejāḥ prasthitaṃ māṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
rājānas te na hantavyā dhanaṃjaya kathaṃcanan
22 sarvam etan naravyāghra bhavatv
etāvatā kṛtam
yodhāś cāpi na hantavyā dhanaṃjaya raṇe tvayā
23 vaktavyāś cāpi rājānaḥ sarvaiḥ saha suhṛjjanaiḥ
yudhiṣṭhirasyāśvamedho bhavadbhir
anubhūyatām
24 iti bhrātṛvacaḥ śrutvā na hanmi tvāṃ janādhipa
uttiṣṭha na bhayaṃ te 'sti svastimān gaccha pārthiva
25 āgacchethā mahārāja parāṃ caitrīm upasthitām
tadāśvamedho bhavitā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ
26 evam uktaḥ sa rājā tu bhagadattātmajas tadā
tathety evābravīd vākyaṃ pāṇḍavenābhinirjitaḥ
SECTION LXXV
"Vaisampayana said, 'That foremost of steeds then proceeded to the realm of Pragjyotisha and began to wander there. At this, Bhagadatta's son, who was exceedingly valorous in battle, came out (for encountering Arjuna). King Vajradatta, O chief of the Bharatas, finding the (sacrificial) steed arrived within his realm, fought (for detaining it). The royal son of Bhagadatta, issuing out of his city, afflicted the steed that was coming (and seizing it), marched back towards his own place. Marking this, the mighty-armed chief of the Kuru race, speedily stretched his Gandiva, and suddenly rushed towards his foe. Stupefied by the shafts sped from Gandiva, the heroic son of Bhagadatta, letting off loose the steed, fled from Partha. 1 Once more entering his capital, that foremost of kings, irresistible in battle, cased himself in mail, and mounting on his prince of elephants, came out. That mighty car-warrior had a white umbrella held over his head, and was fanned with a milk-white yak-tail. Impelled by childishness and folly, he challenged Partha, the mighty car-warrior of the Pandavas, famed for terrible deeds in battle, to an encounter with him. The enraged prince then urged towards Arjuna that elephant of his, which resembled a veritable mountain, and from whose temples and mouth issued streams of juice indicative of excitement. Indeed, that elephant showered its secretions like a mighty mass of clouds pouring rain. Capable of resisting hostile feats of its own species, it had been equipped agreeably to the ordinances of the treatises (on war-elephants). Irresistible in battle, it had become so infuriate as to be beyond control. Urged on by the prince with the iron-hook, that mighty elephant then seemed (as it advanced) as if it would cut through the welkin (like a flying hill). Beholding it advance towards him, O king, Dhananjaya, filled with rage and standing on the earth, O Bharata, encountered the prince on its back. Filled with wrath, Vajradatta quickly sped at Arjuna a number of broad-headed shafts endued with the energy of fire and resembling (as they coursed through the air) a cloud of speedily-moving locusts. Arjuna, however, with shafts sped from Gandiva, cut off those arrows, some into two and some into three pieces. He cut them off in the welkin itself with those shafts of his coursing through the welkin. The son of Bhagadatta, beholding his broad-headed shafts thus cut off, quickly sped at Arjuna a number of other arrows in a continuous line. Filled with rage at this, Arjuna, more quickly than before, shot at Bhagadatta's son a number of straightly coursing arrows equipt with golden wings. Vajradatta of mighty energy, struck with great force and pierced with these arrows in that fierce encounter, fell down on the Earth. Consciousness, however, did not desert him. Mounting on his prince of elephants again in the midst of that battle the son of Bhagadatta, desirous of victory, very coolly sped a number of shafts at Arjuna. Filled with wrath, Jishnu then sped at the prince a number of arrows that looked like blazingp. 130
flames of fire and that seemed to be so many snakes of virulent poison. Pierced therewith, the mighty elephant, emitting a large quantity of blood, looked like a mountain of many springs discharging rills of water coloured with red chalk.'"
(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman
Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the collection)
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