The Mahabharata
Drona Parva
Book 7
Chapter 1
1 [j]
tam apratimasattvaujo balavīryaparākramam
hataṃ devavrataṃ śrutvā pāñcālyena śikhaṇḍinā
2 dhṛtarāṣṭras tadā rājā śokavyākula cetanaḥ
kim aceṣṭata viprarṣe hate pitari vīryavān
3 tasya putro hi bhagavan bhīṣmadroṇamukhai rathaiḥ
parājitya maheṣvāsān pāṇḍavān rājyam icchati
4 tasmin hate tu bhagavan ketau
sarvadhanuṣmatā
yad aceṣṭata kauravyas tan
me brūhi dvijottama
5 [v]
nihataṃ pitaraṃ śrutvā dhṛtarāṣṭro janādhipaḥ
lebhe na śāntiṃ kauravyaś
cintāśokaparāyaṇaḥ
6 tasya cintayato duḥkham aniśaṃ pārthivasya tat
ājagāma viśuddhātmā punar gāvalgaṇis tadā
7 śibirāt saṃjayaṃ prāptaṃ niśi gānāhvayaṃ puram
āmbikeyo mahārāja dhṛtarāṣṭro 'nvapṛcchata
8 śruvā bhīṣmasya nidhanam aprahṛṣṭamanā bhṛśam
putrāṇāṃ jayam ākāṅkṣan vilalāpāturo yathā
9 [dhṛ]
saṃsādhya tu mahātmānaṃ bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
kim akārṣuḥ paraṃ tāta kuravaḥ kālacoditāḥ
10 tasmin vinihate śūre durādharṣe mahaujasi
kiṃ nu svit kuravo 'kārṣur nimagnāḥ śokasāgare
11 tad udīrṇaṃ mahat sainyaṃ trailokyasyāpi saṃjaya
bhayam utpādayet tīvraṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām
12 devavrate tu nihate kurūṇām ṛṣabhe tadā
yad akārṣur nṛpatayas tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
13 [s]
śṛṇu rājann ekamanā vacanaṃ bruvato mama
yat te putrās tadākārṣur hate
devavrate mṛdhe
14 nihate tu tadā bhīṣme rājan satyaparākrame
tāvakāḥ pāṇḍaveyāś ca prādhyāyanta pṛthak pṛthak
15 vismitāś ca prahṛṣṭāś ca kṣatradharmaṃ niśāmya te
svadharmaṃ nindamānāś ca praṇipatya mahātmane
16 śayanaṃ kalpayām
āsur bhīṣmāyāmita tejase
sopadhānaṃ naravyāghra śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
17 vidhāya rakṣāṃ bhīṣmāya samābhāṣya parasparam
anumānya ca gāṅgeyaṃ kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam
18 krodhasaṃraktanayanāḥ samavekṣya parasparam
punar yuddhāya nirjagmuḥ kṣatriyāḥ kālacoditāḥ
19 tatas tūryaninādaiś ca bherīṇāṃ ca mahāsvanaiḥ
tāvakānām anīkāni pareṣāṃ cāpi niryayuḥ
20 vyāvṛtte 'hani
rājendra patite jāhnavīsute
amarṣavaśam āpannāḥ kālopahatacetasaḥ
21 anādṛtya vacaḥ pathyaṃ gāṅgeyasya mahātmanaḥ
niryayur bharataśreṣṭhaḥ śastrāṇy ādāya sarvaśaḥ
22 mohāt tava saputrasya vadhāc chāṃtanavasya ca
kauravyā mṛtyusād bhūtāḥ sahitāḥ sarvajārabhiḥ
23 ajāvaya ivāgopā vane śvāpada saṃkule
bhṛśam udvignamanaso hīnā
devavratena te
24 patite bharataśreṣṭhe babhūva kuru vāhinī
dyaur ivāpeta nakṣatrā hīnaṃ kham iva vāyunā
25 vipannasasyeva mahī vāk caivāsaṃskṛtā yathā
āsurīva yathā senā nigṛhīte purā
balau
26 vidhaveva varārohā śuṣkatoyeva nimnagā
vṛkair iva vane ruddhā pṛṣatī hatayūthapā
27 svādharṣa hatasiṃheva mahatī girikandarā
bhāratī bharataśreṣṭha patite
jāhnavīsute
28 viṣvag vātahatā rugṇā naur ivāsīn mahārṇave
balibhiḥ pāṇḍavair vīrair labdhalakṣair bhṛśārditā
29 sā tadāsīd bhṛśaṃ senā vyākulāśvarathadvipā
viṣaṇṇabhūyiṣṭha narā kṛpaṇā draṣṭum ābabhau
30 tasyāṃ trastā nṛpatayaḥ sainikāś ca pṛthagvidhāḥ
pātāla iva majjanto hīnā deva vatena te
karṇaṃ hi kuravo
'smārṣuḥ sa hi devavratopamaḥ
31 sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ rocamānam ivātithim
bandhum āpad gatasyeva tam evopāgaman manaḥ
32 cukruśuḥ karṇa karṇeti tatra bhārata pārthivāḥ
rādheyaṃ hitam asmākaṃ sūtaputraṃ tanutyajam
33 sa hi nāyudhyata tadā daśāhāni
mahāyaśāḥ
sāmātyabandhuḥ karṇo vai tam āhvayata māciram
34 bhīṣmeṇa hi mahābāhuḥ sarvakṣatrasya paśyataḥ
ratheṣu gaṇyamāneṣu balavikrama śāliṣu
saṃkhyāto 'rdharathaḥ karṇo dviguṇaḥ san nararṣabhaḥ
35 rathātiratha saṃkhāyāṃ yo 'graṇīḥ śūra saṃmataḥ
pitṛvittāmbudeveṣān api yo yoddhum utsahet
36 sa tu tenaiva kopena rājan gāṅgeyam uktavān
tvayi jīvati kauravya nāhaṃ yotsye kathaṃ cana
37 tvayā tu pāṇḍaveyeṣu nihateṣu mahāmṛdhe
duryodhanam anujñāpya vanaṃ yāsyāmi kaurava
38 pāṇḍavair vā hate bhīṣme tvayi svargam upeyuṣi
hantāsmy ekarathenaiva kṛtsnān yān
manyase rathān
39 evam uktvā mahārāja daśāhāni mahāyaśāḥ
nāyudhyata tataḥ karṇaḥ putrasya tava saṃmate
40 bhīṣmaḥ samaravikrāntaḥ pāṇḍaveyasya pārthiva
jaghāna samare yodhān asaṃkhyeyaparākramaḥ
41 tasmiṃs tu nihate
śūre satyasaṃdhe mahaujasi
tvatsutāḥ karṇam asmārṣus tartukāmā iva plavam
42 tāvakās tava putrāś ca sahitāḥ sarvarājabhiḥ
kā karṇa iti cākrandan kālo 'yam iti
cābruvan
43 jāmadagnyābhyanujñātam astre durvāra
pauruṣam
agaman no manaḥkarṇaṃ bandhum ātyayikeṣv iva
44 sa hi śakto raṇe rājaṃs trātum asmān mahābhayāt
tridaśān iva govindaḥ satataṃ sumahābhayāt
45 [v]
tathā karṇaṃ yudhi varaṃ kīrtayantaṃ punaḥ punaḥ
āśīviṣavad ucchvasya dhṛtarāṣṭro 'bravīd idam
46 yat tad vaikartanaṃ karṇam agamad vo manas tadā
apy apaśyata rādheyaṃ sūtaputraṃ tanutyajam
47 api tan na mṛṣākārṣīd yudhi satyaparākramaḥ
saṃbhrāntānāṃ tadārtānāṃ trastānāṃ trāṇam icchatām
48 api tat pūrayāṃ cakre dhanurdhara varo yudhi
yat tad vinihate bhīṣme kauravāṇām apāvṛtam
49 tat khaṇḍaṃ pūrayām āsa pareṣām ādadhad bhayam
kṛtavān mama putrāṇāṃ jayāśāṃ saphalām api
SECTION I
(Dronabhisheka Parva)
OM! HAVING BOWED down unto Narayan, and
unto that most exalted of male beings, viz., Nara, and unto the goddess Saraswati also,
must the word Jaya be uttered."Janamejaya said, 'Hearing that his sire Devavrata of unrivalled vigour and sturdiness, and might, energy and prowess, had been slain by Sikhandin, the prince of the Panchalas, what, indeed, O regenerate Rishi, did the powerful king Dhritarashtra with eyes bathed in tears do? O illustrious one, his son (Duryodhana) wished for sovereignty after vanquishing those mighty bowmen, viz., the sons of Panda, through Bhishma and Drona and other great car-warriors. Tell me, O thou that hast wealth of asceticism, all that he, of Kura's race, did after that chief of all bowmen had been slain.'
"Vaisampayana said, 'Hearing that his sire had been slain, king Dhritarashtra of Kura's race filled with anxiety and grief, obtained no peace of mind. And while he, of Kura's race, was thus continually brooding over that sorrow, Gavalgana's son of pure soul once more came to him. Then, O monarch, Dhritarashtra, the son of Amvika, addressed Sanjaya, who had that night come back from the camp to the city called after the elephant. With a heart rendered exceedingly cheerless in consequence of his having heard of Bhishma's fall, and desirous of the victory of his sons, he indulged in these lamentations in great distress.'
"Dhritarashtra said, 'After having wept for the high-souled Bhishma of terrible prowess, what, O son, did the Kauravas, urged by fate, next do? Indeed, when that high-souled and invincible hero was slain, what did the Kauravas do, sunk as they were in an ocean of grief? Indeed, that swelling and highly efficient host of the high-souled Pandavas, would, O Sanjaya, excite the keenest fears of even the three worlds. Tell me, therefore, O Sanjaya, what the (assembled) kings did after Devavrata, that bull of Kura's race, had fallen.'
"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, with undivided attention, to me as I recite what thy sons did after Devavrata had been killed in battle. When Bhishma, O monarch, of prowess incapable of being baffled, was slain, thy warriors as also the Pandavas both reflected by themselves (on the situation). Reflecting on the duties of the Kshatriya order, they were filled with wonder and joy; but acting according to those duties of their own order,
p. 2
they all bowed to that high-souled warrior. Then those tigers among men contrived for Bhishma of immeasurable prowess a bed with a pillow made of straight shafts. And having made arrangements for Bhishma's protection, they addressed one another (in pleasant converse). Then bidding Ganga's son their farewell and walking round him, and looking at one another with eyes red in anger, those Kshatriyas, urged by fate, once more went out against one another for battle. Then by the blare of trumpets and the beat of drums, the divisions of thy army as also those of the foe, marched out. After the fall of Ganga's son, O king, when the best part of the day had passed away, yielding to the influence of wrath, with hearts afflicted by fate, and disregarding the words, worthy of acceptance, of the high-souled Bhishma, those foremost ones of Bharata's race went out with great speed, armed with weapons. In consequence of thy folly and of thy son's and of the slaughter of Santanu's son, the Kauravas with all the kings seemed to be summoned by Death himself. The Kurus, deprived of Devavrata, were filled with great anxiety, and resembled a herd of goats and sheep without a herdsman, in a forest abounding with beasts of prey. Indeed, after the fall of that foremost one of Bharata's race, the Kuru host looked like the firmament divested of stars, or like the sky without the atmosphere, or like the earth with blasted crops, or like an oration disfigured by bad grammar, 1 or like the Asura host of old after Vali had been smitten down, or like a beautiful damsel deprived of husband, 2 or like a river whose waters have been dried up, or like a roe deprived of her mate and encompassed in the woods by wolves; or like a spacious mountain cave with its lion killed by a Sarabha. 3 Indeed, O chief of the Bharatas, the Bharata host, on the fall of Ganga's son, became like a frail boat on the bosom of the ocean, tossed by a tempest blowing from every side. Exceedingly afflicted by the mighty and heroic Pandavas of sure aim, the Kaurava host, with its steeds, car-warriors and elephants much troubled, became exceedingly distressed, helpless, and panic-stricken. And the frightened kings and the common soldiers, no longer relying upon one another, of that army, deprived of Devavrata, seemed to sink into the nethermost region of the world. Then the Kauravas remembered Karna, who indeed, was equal to Devavrata himself. All hearts turned to that foremost of all wielders of arms, that one resembling a guest resplendent (with learning and ascetic austerities). And all hearts turned to him, as the heart of a man in distress turneth to a friend capable of relieving that distress. And, O Bharata, the kings then cried out saying, Karna! Karna! The son of Radha, our friend, the son of a Suta, that one who is ever prepared to lay down his life in battle! Endued with great fame, Karna, with his followers and friends, did not fight for these ten days. O, summon him soon!' The mighty-armed hero, in the presence of all the Kshatriyas, during the mention of valiant and
p. 3
mighty car-warriors, was by Bhishma classed as an Ardha-ratha, although that bull among men is equal to two Maharathas! Even thus was he classed during the counting of Rathas and Atirathas, he that is the foremost (of all Rathas and Atirathas), he that is respected by all heroes, he that would venture to fight even with Yama, Kuvera, Varuna, and Indra. Through anger caused by this, O king, he had said unto Ganga's son these words: 'As long as thou livest, O thou of Kuru's race, I will never fight! if thou, however, succeedest in slaying the sons of Pandu in great battle, I shall, O Kaurava, with Duryodhana's permission, retire into the woods. If, on the other hand, thou, O Bhishma, slain by the Pandavas, attainest to heaven, I shall then, on a single car, slay all of them, whom thou regardest as great car-warriors.' Having said this, mighty-armed Karna of great fame, with thy son's approval, did not fight for the first ten days. Bhishma, of great prowess in battle and of immeasurable might, slew, O Bharata, a very large number of warriors belonging to Yudhishthira's army. When, however, that hero of sure aim and great energy was slain, thy sons thought of Karna, like persons desirous of crossing a river thinking, of a boat. Thy warriors and thy sons, together with all the kings, cried out, saying, Karna! And they all said, 'Even this is the time for the display of his prowess.' Our hearts are turned to that Karna who derived his knowledge of weapons from Jamadagni's son, and whose prowess is incapable of being resisted! He, indeed, O king, is competent to save us from great dangers, like Govinda always saving the celestials from great dangers.'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Unto Sanjaya who was thus repeatedly applauding Karna, Dhritarashtra sighing like a snake, said those words.'
"Dhritarashtra said, '[I understand] that the hearts of all of you are turned towards Vikartana's son Karna, and that all of you, saw that son of Radha, that hero of the Suta caste, ever prepared to lay down his life in battle. I hope that hero of prowess incapable of being baffled, did not falsify the expectations of Duryodhana and his brothers, all of whom were then afflicted with grief and fear, and desirous of being relieved from their danger. When Bhishma, that refuge of Kauravas, was slain, could Karna, that foremost of bowmen, succeed in filling up the gap caused? Filling up that gap, could Karna fill the foe with fear? Could he also crown with fruit the hopes, entertained by my sons, of victory?'"
Book
7
Chapter 2
1 [s]
hataṃ bhīṣmam ādhirathir viditvā; bhinnāṃ nāvam ivātyagādhe
kurūṇām
sodaryavad vyasanāt sūtaputraḥ; saṃtārayiṣyaṃs tava
putrasya senām
2 śrutvā tu karṇaḥ puruṣendram acyutaṃ; nipātitaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ mahāratham
athopāyāt tūrṇam amitrakarśano;
dhanurdharāṇāṃ pravaras tadā vṛṣaḥ
3 hate tu bhīṣme rathasattame parair; nimajjatīṃ nāvam ivārṇave kurūn
piteva putrāṃs tvarito 'bhyayāt
tataḥ; saṃtārayiṣyaṃs tava putrasya senām
4 [karṇa]
yasmin dhṛtir
buddhiparākramaujo; damaḥ satyaṃ vīra gaṇāś ca sarve
astrāṇi divyāny atha saṃnatir hrīr; priyā ca vāg anapāyīni bhīṣme
5 brahma dviṣaghne satataṃ kṛtajñe; sanātanaṃ candramasīva lakṣma
sa cet praśāntaḥ paravīra
hantā; manye hatān eva hi sarvayodhān
6 neha dhruvaṃ kiṃ cana jātu vidyate; asmiṁl loke karmaṇo 'nitya yogāt
sūryodaye ko hi vimuktasaṃśayo; bhāvaṃ kurvītādya mahāvrate hate
7 vasu prabhāve vasu vīryasaṃbhave; gate vasūn eva vasuṃdharādhipe
vasūni putrāṃś ca vasuṃdharāṃ tathā; kurūṃś ca śocadhvam imāṃ ca vāhinīm
8 [s]
mahāprabhāve varade nipātite; lokaśreṣṭhe śāṃtanave mahaujasi
parājiteṣu bharateṣu durmanāḥ; karṇo bhṛśaṃ nyaśvasad aśruvartayan
9 idaṃ tu rādheya vaco niśamya te; sutāś ca rājaṃs tava sainikāś ca ha
parasparaṃ cukruśur ārtijaṃ bhṛśaṃ; tadāśru netrair mumucur hi
śabdavat
10 pravartamāne tu punar mahāhave;
vigāhyamānāsu camūṣu pārthivaiḥ
athābravīd dharṣa karaṃ vacas tadā; ratharṣabhān sarvamahāratharṣabhaḥ
11 [k]
jagaty anitye satataṃ pradhāvati;
pracintayann asthiram adya lakṣaye
bhavatsu tiṣṭhatsv iha pātito raṇe; giriprakāśaḥ kurupuṃgavaḥ katham
12 nipātite śāṃtanave mahārathe; divākare bhūtalam āsthite yathā
na pārthivāḥ soḍhum alaṃ dhanaṃjayaṃ; giripravoḍhāram ivānilaṃ drumāḥ
13 hatapradhānaṃ tv idam ārtarūpaṃ; parair hatotsāham anātham adya vai
mayā kurūṇāṃ paripālyam āhave; balaṃ yathā tena mahātmanā tathā
14 samāhitaṃ cātmani bhāram īdṛśaṃ; jagat
tathānityam idaṃ ca lakṣaye
nipātitaṃ cāhavaśauṇḍam āhave; kathaṃ nu kuryām aham āhave bhayam
15 ahaṃ tu tān kuru
vṛṣabhān ajihmagaiḥ; praverayan yama
sadanaṃ raṇe caran
yaśaḥ paraṃ jagati vibhāvya vartitā; parair hato yudhi śayitātha vā punaḥ
16 yudhiṣṭhiro dhṛtimatidharmatattvavān; vṛkodaro
gajaśatatulyavikramaḥ
tathārjunas tridaśavarātmajo yato; na tad balaṃ sujayam athāmarair api
17 yamau raṇe yatra yamopamau bale; sa sātyakir yatra ca devakī sutaḥ
na tad balaṃ kāpuruṣo 'bhyupeyivān; nivartate mṛtyumukhād ivāsakṛt
18 tapo 'bhyudīrṇaṃ tapasaiva gamyate; balaṃ balenāpi
tathā manasvibhiḥ
manaś ca me śatrunivāraṇe dhruvaṃ; svarakṣaṇe cācalavad vyavasthitam
19 evaṃ caiṣāṃ budhyamānaḥ prabhāvaṃ; gatvaivāhaṃ tāñ jayāmy adya sūta
mitradroho marṣaṇīyo na me 'yaṃ; bhagne sainye yaḥ sahāyaḥ sa mitram
20 kartāsmy etat satpuruṣārya karma; tyaktvā prāṇān anuyāsyāmi bhīṣmam
sarvān saṃkhye śatrusaṃghān haniṣye; hatas tair vā vīralokaṃ gamiṣye
21 saṃprākruṣṭe ruditastrī kumāre; parābhūte pauruṣe dhārtarāṣṭre
mayā kṛtyam iti jānāmi sūta; tasmāc
chatrūn dhārtarāṣṭrasya jeṣye
22 kurūn rakṣan pāṇḍuputrāñ jighāṃsaṃs; tyaktvā prāṇān gora rūpe raṇe 'smin
sarvān saṃkhye śatrusaṃghān nihatya; dāsyāmy ahaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāya rājyam
23 nibadhyatāṃ me kavacaṃ vicitraṃ; haimaṃ śubhraṃ maṇiratnāvabhāsi
śiras trāṇaṃ cārkasamānabhāsaṃ; dhanuḥ śarāṃś cāpi viṣāhi kalpān
24 upāsan gān ṣoḍaśa yojayantu; dhanūṃṣi divyāni
tathāharantu
asīṃś ca śaktīś ca gadāś ca gurvīḥ; śaṅkhaṃ ca jāmbūnadacitrabhāsam
25 etāṃ raukmīṃ nāgakakṣyāṃ ca jaitrīṃ; jaitraṃ ca me dhvajam indīvarābham
ślakṣṇair vastrair vipramṛjyānayasva; citrāṃ mālāṃ cātra baddhvā sa jālām
26 aśvān agryān pāṇḍurābhraprakāśān; puṣṭān snātān mantrapūtābhir adbhiḥ
taptair bhāṇḍaiḥ kāñcanair abhyupetāñ; śīghrāñ śīghraṃ
sūtaputrānayasva
27 rathaṃ cāgryaṃ hemajālāvanaddhaṃ; ratraiś citraṃ candrasūryaprakāśaiḥ
dravyair yuktaṃ saṃprahāropapannair; vāhair yuktaṃ tūrṇam āvartayasva
28 citrāṇi cāpāni ca
vegavanti; jyāś cottamāḥ saṃhananopapannāḥ
tūrṇāṃś ca pūrṇān mahataḥ śarāṇām; āsajya gātrāvaraṇāni caiva
29 prāyātrikaṃ cānayatāśu sarvaṃ; kanyāḥ pūrṇaṃ vīra kāṃsyaṃ ca haimam
ānīya mālām avabadhya cāṅke;
pravādayantv āśu jayāya bherīḥ
30 prayāhi sūtāśu yataḥ kirīṭī; vṛkodaro dharmasuto yamau ca
tān vā haniṣyāmi sametya saṃkhye; bhīṣmāya vaiṣyāmi hato dviṣadbhiḥ
31 yasmin rājā satyadhṛtir yudhiṣṭhiraḥ; samāsthito bhīmasenārjunau ca
vāsudevaḥ sātyakiḥ sṛñjayāś ca; manye balaṃ tad ajayyaṃ mahīpaiḥ
32 taṃ cen mṛtyuḥ sarvaharo 'bhirakṣet; sadā pramattaḥ samare kirīṭinam
tathāpi hantāsmi sametya saṃkhye; yāsyāmi vā bhīṣma pathā yamāya
33 na tv evāhaṃ na gamiṣyāmi teṣāṃ; madhye śūrāṇāṃ tat tathāhaṃ bravīmi
mitra druho durbalabhaktayo ye; pāpātmāno na mamaite
sahāyāḥ
34 [s]
sa siddhimantaṃ ratham uttamaṃ dṛḍhaṃ; sa kūbaraṃ hemapariṣkṛtaṃ śubham
patākinaṃ vātajavair
hayottamair; yuktaṃ samāsthāya yayau jayāya
35 saṃpūjyamānaḥ kurubhir mahātmā; ratharṣabhaḥ pāṇḍuravājiyātā
yayau tadāyodhanam ugradhanvā; yatrāvasānaṃ bharatarṣabhasya
36 varūthinā mahatā sa dhvajena; suvarṇamuktā maṇivajra śālinā
sadaśvayuktena rathena karṇo; meghasvanenārka ivāmitaujāḥ
37 hutāśanābhaḥ sa hutāśanaprabhe; śubhaḥ śubhe vai svarathe
dhanurdharaḥ
sthito rarājādhirathir mahārathaḥ; svayaṃ vimāne surarāḍ iva sthitaḥ
SECTION II
"Sanjaya said, 'Then Adhiratha's son of the Suta caste, knowing that Bhishma had been slain, became desirous of rescuing, like a brother, thy son's army from the distress into which it had fallen, and which thenp. 4
resembled a boat sunk in the fathomless ocean. [Indeed], O king, having heard that that mighty car-warrior and foremost of men, that hero of unfading glory, viz., Santanu's son, had been thrown down (from his car), that grinder of foes, that foremost of all wielders of bows, viz., Karna, soon came (to the field of battle). When the best of car-warriors, viz., Bhishma, was slain by the foe, Karna speedily came there, desirous of rescuing the Kuru host which resembled a boat sunk in the ocean, like a sire desirous of rescuing his children.'
"And Karna (addressing the soldiers) said, 'That Bhishma who possessed firmness, intelligence, prowess, vigour, truth, self-restraint, and all the virtues of a hero, as also celestial weapons, and humidity, and modesty, agreeable speech, and freedom from malice, that ever-grateful Bhishma, that slayer of the foes of Brahmanas, in whom were these attributes as permanently as Lakshmi in the moon, alas, when that Bhishma, that slayer of hostile heroes, hath received his quietus, I regard all other heroes as already slain. In consequence of the eternal connection (of all things) with work, nothing exists in this world that is imperishable. When Bhisma of high vows hath been slain, who is there that would take upon himself to say with certitude that tomorrow's sun will rise? When he that was endued with prowess equal to that of the Vasus, he that was born of the energy of the Vasus, when he, that ruler of the earth, hath once more been united with the Vasus, grieve ye, therefore, for your possessions and children for this earth and the Kurus, and this host.' 1
"Sanjaya continued, 'Upon the fall of that boon-giving hero of great might, that lord of the world, viz., Santanu's son of great energy, and upon the (consequent) defeat of the Bharatas, Karna, with cheerless heart and eyes filled with tears, began to console (the Dhartarashtras). Hearing these words of Radha's son, thy sons, O monarch, and thy troops, began to wail aloud and shed copious tears of grief corresponding with the loudness of those wails. 2 When, however, the dreadful battle once more took place and the Kaurava divisions, urged on by the Kings, once more set up loud shouts, that bull among mighty car-warriors, viz., Karna, then addressed the great car-warriors (of the Kaurava army) and said words which caused them great delight: In this transient world everything is continually flitting (towards the jaws of Death). Thinking of this, I regard everything as ephemeral. When, however, all of you were here, how could Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, immovable as a hill, be thrown down from his car? When that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Santanu, hath been overthrown, who even now lieth on the ground like the Sun himself dropped (from the firmament), the Kuru kings are scarcely competent
p. 5
to bear Dhananjaya, like trees incapable of bearing the mountain-wind. I shall, however, now protect, as that high-souled one did, this helpless Kuru host of cheerless mien, whose foremost warriors have already been slain by the foe. Let this burden now devolve on me. I see that this universe is transient, since that foremost of heroes hath been slain in battle. Why shall I then cherish any fear of battle? Coursing, therefore, on the field I shall despatch those bulls of Kuru's race (viz., the Pandavas) to Yama's abode by means of my straight shafts. Regarding fame as the highest object in the world, I shall slay them in battle, or, slain by the foe, shall sleep on the field. Yudhishthira is possessed of firmness, intelligence, virtue, and might. Vrikodara is equal to a hundred elephant in prowess, Arjuna is young and is the son of the chief of the celestials. The Pandava host, therefore, is not capable of being easily defeated by the very celestials. That force in which are the twins, each resembling Yama himself, that force in which are Satyaki and the son of Devaki, that force is like the jaws of Death. No coward, approaching it, can come back with life. The wise oppose swelling ascetic power with ascetic austerities, so should force be opposed by force. Verily, my mind is firmly fixed upon opposing the foe and protecting my own party, O charioteer, I shall today certainly resist the might of the enemy, and vanquish him by repairing only to the field of battle. I will not tolerate this intestine feud. When the troops are broken, he that cometh (for aiding) in the endeavour to rally is a friend. I shall either achieve this righteous feat worthy of an honest man, or casting off my life shall follow Bhishma. I shall either slay all my foes united together, or slain by them proceed to the regions reserved for heroes. O charioteer, I know that even this is what I should do, when women and children cry for help, or when Duryodhana's prowess sustains a check. Therefore, I shall today conquer the foe. Reckless of my very life in this terrible battle, I shall protect the Kurus and slay the sons of Pandu. Slaying in battle all my foes banded together, I shall bestow (undisputed) sovereignty on Dhritarashtra's son. Let my armour, beautiful, made of gold, bright, and radiant with jewels and gems, be donned; and my head-gear, of effulgence equal to that of the sun; and my bows and arrows that resemble fire, poison, or snakes. Let also sixteen quivers be tied (to my car) at the proper places, and let a number of excellent bows be procured. Let also shafts, and darts and heavy maces, and my conch, variegated with gold, be got ready. Bring also my variegated, beautiful, and excellent standard, made of gold, possessed of the effulgence of the lotus, and bearing the device of the elephant's girth, cleaning it with a delicate cloth, and decking it with excellent garlands and a network of wires. 1 O charioteer's son, bring me also, with speed, some fleet steeds of the hue of tawny clouds, not lean, and bathed in water sanctified with mantras, and furnished with trappings of bright gold. Bring me also, with speed, an excellent car decked with garlands of gold, adorned gems, bright as the sun or the moon, furnished
p. 6
with every necessary, as also with weapons, and unto which are yoked excellent animals. Bring me also a number of excellent bows of great toughness, and a number of excellent bow-strings capable of smitting (the foe), and some quivers, large and full of shafts and some coats of mail for my body. Bring me also, with speed, O hero, every (auspicious) article needed for occasions of setting out (for battle), such as vessels of brass and gold, full of curds. Let garlands of flowers be brought, and let them be put on the (proper) limbs of my body. Let drums also be beaten for victory! Go, O charioteer, quickly to the spot where the diadem-decked (Arjuna), and Vrikodara, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira), and the twins, are. Encountering them in battle, either I shall slay them, or, being slain by them, my foes, I shall follow Bhishma. Arjuna, and Vasudeva, and Satyaki, and the Srinjayas, that force, I think, is incapable of being conquered by the kings. If all-destroying Death himself with unremitting vigilance, were to protect Kiritin, still shall I slay him, encountering him in battle, or repair myself to Yama's abode by Bhishma's track. Verily, I say, that I will repair into the midst of those heroes. Those (kings) that are my allies are not provokers of intestine feuds, or of weak attachment to me, or of unrighteous souls.'
"Sanjaya continued, Riding on an excellent and costly car of great strength, with an excellent pole, decked with gold, auspicious, furnished with a standard, and unto which were yoked excellent steeds that were fleet as the wind, Karna proceeded (to battle) for victory. Worshipped by the foremost of Kuru car-warriors like Indra by the celestials, that high-souled and fierce bowman, endued with immeasurable energy like the Sun himself, upon his car decked with gold and jewels and gems, furnished with an excellent standard, unto which were yoked excellent steeds, and whose rattle resembled the roll of the clouds, proceeded, accompanied by a large force, to that field of battle where that bull of Bharata's race (Bhishma) had paid his debt to nature. Of beautiful person, and endued with the splendour of fire, that great bowman and mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Adhiratha, then mounted on his own beautiful car possessed of the effulgence of fire, and shone like the lord of the celestials himself riding on his celestial car.'"
Book
7
Chapter 3
1 [s]
śaratalpe mahātmānaṃ śayānam amitaujasam
mahāvātasamūhena samudram iva śoṣitam
2 divyair astrair maheṣvāsaṃ pātitaṃ savyasācinā
jayāśāṃ tava putrāṇāṃ saṃbhagnāṃ śarma varma ca
3 apārāṇām iva dvīpam agādhe gādham icchatām
srotasā yāmuneneva śaraugheṇa pariplutam
4 mahāntam iva mainākam asahyaṃ bhuvi pātitam
nabhaś cyutam ivādityaṃ patitaṃ dharaṇītale
5 śatakrator ivācintyaṃ purā vṛtreṇa nirjayam
mohanaṃ sarvasainyasya
yudhi bhīṣmasya pātanam
6 kakudaṃ sarvasainyānāṃ lakṣma sarvadhanuṣmatām
dhanaṃjaya śaravyāptaṃ pitaraṃ te mahāvratam
7 taṃ vīraśayane
vīraṃ śayānaṃ puruṣarṣabham
bhīṣmam ādhirathir dṛṣṭvā bharatānām amadhyamam
8 avatīrya rathād arto bāṣpavyākulitākṣaram
abhivādyāñjaliṃ baddhvā
vandamāno 'bhyabhāṣata
9 karṇo 'ham asmi bhadraṃ te adya mā vada bhārata
puṇyayā kṣemayā vācā cakṣuṣā cāvalokaya
10 na nūnaṃ sukṛtasyeha phalaṃ kaś cit samaśnute
yatra dharmaparo vṛddhaḥ śete bhuvi bhavān iha
11 kośasaṃjanane mantre
vyūha praharaṇeṣu ca
nātham anyaṃ na paśyāmi kurūṇāṃ kurusattama
12 buddhyā viśuddhayā yukto yaḥ kurūṃs tārayed bhayāt
yodhāṃs tvam aplave hitvā pitṛlokaṃ gamiṣyasi
13 adya prabhṛti saṃkruddhā vyāghrā iva mṛgakṣayam
pāṇḍavā bharataśreṣṭha kariṣyanti kuru kṣayam
14 adya gāṇḍīvaghoṣasya vīryajñāḥ savyasācinaḥ
kuravaḥ saṃtrasiṣyanti vajrapāṇer ivāsurāḥ
15 adya gāṇḍīvamuktānām
aśanīnām iva svanaḥ
trāsayiṣyati saṃgrāme kurūn anyāṃś ca pārthivān
16 samiddho 'gnir yathā vīra mahājvālo
drumān dahet
dhārtarāṣṭrān pradhakṣyanti tathā bāṇāḥ kirīṭinaḥ
17 yena yena prasarato vāyvagnī sahitau
vane
tena tena pradahato bhagavantau yad icchataḥ
18 yādṛśo 'gniḥ samiddho hi tādṛk pārtho na saṃśayaḥ
yathā vāyur naravyāghra tathā kṛṣṇo na saṃśayaḥ
19 nadataḥ
pāñcajanyasya rasato gāṇḍivasya ca
śrutvā sarvāṇi sainyāni trāsaṃ yāsyanti bhārata
20 kapidhvajasya cotpāte rathasyāmitra
karśinaḥ
śabdaṃ soḍhuṃ na śakṣyanti tvām ṛte vīrapārthivāḥ
21 ko hy arjunaṃ raṇe yoddhuṃ tvadanyaḥ pārthivo 'rhati
yasya divyāni karmāṇi pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ
22 amānuṣaś ca saṃgrāmas tryambakena ca dhīmataḥ
tasmāc caiva varaḥ prāpto duṣprāpaś cākṛtātmabhiḥ
23 tam adyāhaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ yuddhaśauṇḍam; amṛṣyamāṇo bhavatānuśiṣṭaḥ
āśīviṣaṃ dṛṣṭiharaṃ sughoram; iyāṃ puraskṛtya vadhaṃ jayaṃ vā
SECTION III
"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the grandsire, viz., the venerable Bhishma, that destroyer of all the Kshatriyas, that hero of righteous soul and immeasurable energy, that great bowman thrown down (from his car) by Savyasachin with his celestial weapons, lying on a bed of arrows, and looking like the vast ocean dried up by mighty winds, the hope of thyp. 7
sons for victory had disappeared along with their coats of mail and peace of mind. Beholding him who was always an island unto persons sinking in the fathomless ocean in their endeavours to cross it, beholding that hero covered with arrows that had coursed in a stream as continuous as that of Yamuna, that hero who looked like Mainaka of unbearable energy thrown down on the earth by the great Indra, that warrior lying prostrate on the earth like the Sun dropped down from the firmament, that one who looked like the inconceivable Indra himself after his defeat of old by Vritra, that depriver of all warriors of their senses, that foremost of all combatants, that signal of all bowmen, beholding that hero and bull among men, viz., thy sire Bhishma of high vows, that grandsire of the Bharatas thrown down in battle and lying covered with Arjuna's shafts, on a hero's bed. Adhiratha's son (Karna) alighted from his car, in great affliction, filled with grief, and almost senseless. Afflicted (with sorrow), and with eyes troubled with tears, he proceeded on foot. Saluting him with joined palms, and addressing him reverentially, he said, 'I am Karna! Blessed be thou! Speak to me, O Bharata, in sacred and auspicious words, and look at me, opening thy eyes. No man certainly enjoyeth in this world the fruits of his pious deeds, since thou, reverend in years and devoted to virtue, liest slain on the ground. O thou that art the foremost one amongst the Kurus, I do not see that there is any one else among them, who is competent (like thee) in filling the treasury, in counsels, in the matter of disposing the troops in battle array, and in the use of weapons, Alas, he that was endued with a righteous understanding, he that always protected the Kurus from every danger, alas, he, having slain numberless warriors, proceedeth to the region of the Pitris. From this day, O chief of the Bharatas, the Pandavas, excited with wrath, will slaughter the Kurus like tigers slaying deer. Today the Kauravas, acquainted with the force of Gandiva's twang, will regard Savyasachin, like the Asuras regarding the wielder of the thunder-bolt, with terror. Today the noise, resembling that of heaven's thunder, of the arrows shot from Gandiva, will inspire the Kurus and other kings with great terror. Today, O hero, like a raging conflagration of fierce flames consuming a forest, the shafts of Kiritin will consume the Dhartarashtras. In those parts of the forest through which fire and wind march together, they burn all plants and creepers and trees. Without doubt, Partha is even like a surging fire, and, without doubt, O tiger among men, Krishna is like the wind. Hearing the blare of Panchajanya and the twang of Gandiva all the Kaurava troops, O Bharata, will be filled with fear. O hero, without thee, the kings will never be able to bear the rattle of the ape-bannered car belonging to that grinder of foes, when he will advance (upon them). Who amongst the kings, save thyself, is competent to battle with that Arjuna whose feats, as described by the wise, are all superhuman? Superhuman was the battle that he fought with the high-souled (Mahadeva) of three eyes. From him he obtained a boon that is unattainable by persons of unsanctified souls. Delighted in battle, that son
p. 8
of Pandu is protected by Madhava. Who is there that is competent to vanquish him who could not be vanquished by thee before, although thou, endued with great energy, hadst vanquished Rama himself in battle, that fierce destroyer of the Kshatriya race, worshipped, besides, by the gods and the Danavas? Incapable of putting up with that son of Pandu, that foremost of heroes in battle, even I, with thy permission, am competent to slay, with the force of my weapons, that brave and fierce warrior who resembleth a snake of virulent poison and who slayeth his foes with his glances alone!'"
Book
7
Chapter 4
1 [s]
tasya lālapyataḥ śrutvā vṛddhaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ
deśakālocitaṃ vākyam abravīt
prītimānasaḥ
2 samudra iva sundhūnāṃ jyotiṣām iva bhāskaraḥ
satyasya ca yathā santo bījānām iva corvarā
3 parjanya iva bhūtānāṃ pratiṣṭhā suhṛdāṃ bhava
bāndhavās tvānujīvantu sahasrākṣam ivāmarāḥ
4 svabāhubalavīryeṇa dhārtarāṣṭra priyaiṣiṇā
karṇa rājapuraṃ gatvā kāmpojā nihatās tvayā
5 girivraja gatāś cāpi nagnajit
pramukhā nṛpāḥ
ambaṣṭhāś ca videhāś ca
gāndhārāś ca jitās tvayā
6 himavad durga nilayāḥ kirātā raṇakarkaśāḥ
duryodhanasya vaśagāḥ kṛtāḥ karṇa tvayā purā
7 tatra tatra ca saṃgrāme duryodhanahitaiṣiṇā
bahavaś ca jitā vīrās tvayā karma mahaujasā
8 yathā duryodhanas tāta sa
jñātikulabāndhavaḥ
tathā tvam api sarveṣāṃ kauravāṇāṃ gatir bhava
9 śivenābhivadāmi tvāṃ gaccha yudhyasva śatrubhiḥ
anuśādhi kurūn saṃkhye dhatsva
duryodnane jayam
10 bhavān pautra samo 'smākaṃ yathā duryodhanas tathā
tavāpi dharmataḥ sarve yathā tasya
vayaṃ tathā
11 yaunāt saṃbandhakāl loke viśiṣṭaṃ saṃgataṃ satām
sadbhiḥ saha naraśreṣṭha pravadanti manīṣiṇaḥ
12 sa satyasaṃgaro bhūtvā mamedam iti niścitam
kurūṇāṃ pālaya balaṃ yathā duryodhanas tathā
13 iti śrutvā vacaḥ so 'tha caraṇāv abhivādya ca
yayau vaikartanaḥ karṇas tūrṇam āyodhanaṃ prati
14 so 'bhivīkṣya naraughāṇāṃ sthānam apratimaṃ mahat
vyūḍhapraharaṇoraskaṃ sainyaṃ tat samabṛṃhayat
15 karṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā maheṣvāsaṃ yuddhāya samavasthitam
kṣveḍitāsphoṭita ravaiḥ siṃhanāda ravair api
dhanuḥ śabdaiś ca vividhaiḥ kuravaḥ samapūjayan
SECTION IV
"Sanjaya said, 'Unto him who was talking thus, the aged Kuru grandsire with a cheerful heart, said these words adapted to both time and place: 'Like the ocean unto rivers, like the Sun unto all luminous bodies, like the righteous unto Truth, like a fertile soil unto seeds, like the clouds unto all creatures, be thou the refuge of thy relatives and friends! Like the celestials upon him of a thousand eyes, let thy kinsmen depend on thee. Be thou the humiliator of thy foes, and the enhancer of the joys of thy friends. Be thou unto the Kauravas as Vishnu unto the dwellers of heaven. Desirous of doing what was agreeable to Dhritarashtra's son, thou didst with the might and prowess of own arms, O Karna, vanquish the Kamvojas having proceeded to Rajpura. Many kings, amongst whom Nagnajit was the foremost, while staying in Girivraja, as also the Amvashthas, the Videhas, and the Gandharvas, were all vanquished by thee. The Kiratas, fierce in battle, dwelling in the fastness of Himavat, were formerly, O Karna, made by thee to own Duryodhana's sway. And so also, the Utpalas, the Mekalas, the Paundras, the Kalingas, the Andhras, the Nishadas, the Trigartas, and the Valhikas, were all vanquished by thee, O Karna, in battle. In many other countries, O Karna, impelled by the desire of doing good to Duryodhana, thou didst, O hero, vanquish many races and kings of great energy. Like Duryodhana, O child, with his kinsmen, and relatives, and friends, be thou also the refuge of all the Kauravas. In auspicious words I command thee, go and fight with the enemy. Lead the Kurus in battle, and give victory unto Duryodhana. Thou art to us our grandson even as Duryodhana is. According to the ordinance, all of us also are as much thine as Duryodhana's! 1The wise, O foremost of men, say that the companionship of the righteous with the righteous is a superior relationship to thatp. 9
born of the same womb. Without falsifying, therefore, thy relationship with Kurus, protect thou the Kaurava host like Duryodhana, regarding it as thy own.
"Hearing these words of his, Vikartana's. son Karna, reverentially saluting Bhishma's feet, (bade him farewell) and came to that spot where all the Kaurava bowmen were. Viewing that wide and unparalleled encampment of the vast host, he began to cherish (by words of encouragement) those well-armed and broad-chested warriors. And all the Kauravas headed by Duryodhana were filled with joy. And beholding the mighty-armed and high-souled Karna come to the field and station himself at the head of the whole army, for battle, the Kauravas received him with loud shouts and slapping of arm-pits and leonine roars and twang of bows and diverse other kinds of noise.'"
Book
7
Chapter 5
1 [s]
rathasthaṃ puruṣavyāghraṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇam avasthitam
hṛṣṭo duryodhano
rājann idaṃ vacanam abravīt
2 sa nātham idam atyarthaṃ bhavatā pālitaṃ balam
manye kiṃ tu samarthaṃ yad dhitaṃ tat saṃpradhāryatām
3 [k]
brūhi tat puruṣavyāghra tvaṃ hi prājñatamo nṛpa
yathā cārthapatiḥ kṛtyaṃ paśyate na tathetaraḥ
4 te sma sarve tava vacaḥ śrotukāmā nareśvara
nānyāyyaṃ hi bhavān vākyaṃ brūyād iti matir mama
5 [dur]
bhīṣmaḥ senā praṇetāsīd vayasā vikrameṇa ca
śrutena ca susaṃpannaḥ sarvair yodhaguṇais tathā
6 tenātiyaśasā karṇa ghnatā śatrugaṇān mama
suyuddhena daśāhāni pālitāḥ smo mahātmanā
7 tasminn asukaraṃ karmakṛtavaty āsthite divam
kaṃ nu senā praṇetāraṃ manyase tadanantaram
8 na ṛte nāyakaṃ senā muhūrtam api tiṣṭhati
āhaveṣv āhavaśreṣṭha netṛhīneva naur jale
9 yathā hy akarṇadhārā nau rathaś cāsārathir yathā
draved yatheṣṭaṃ tadvat syād ṛte senāpatiṃ balam
10 sa bhavān vīkṣya sarveṣu māmakeṣu mahātmasu
paśya senāpatiṃ yuktam anu śāṃtanavād iha
11 yaṃ hi senā praṇetāraṃ bhavān vakṣyati saṃyuge
taṃ vayaṃ sahitāḥ sarve prakariṣyāma māriṣa
12 [k]
sarva eva mahātmāna ime puruṣasattamāḥ
senāpatitvam arhanti nātra kāryā vicāraṇā
13 kulasaṃhanana
jñānair balavikrama buddhibhiḥ
yuktāḥ kṛtajñā
hrīmanta āhaveṣv anivartinaḥ
14 yugapan na tu te śakyāḥ kartuṃ sarve puraḥsarāḥ
eka evātra kartavyaṃ yasmin vaiśekikā guṇāḥ
15 anyonyasparthināṃ teṣāṃ yady ekaṃ sat kariṣyasi
śeṣā vimanaso vyaktaṃ na yotsyante hi bhārata
16 ayaṃ tu
sarvayodhānām ācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ
yuktaḥ senāpatiḥ kartuṃ droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
17 ko hi tiṣṭhati durdharṣe droṇe brahmavid uttame
senāpatiḥ syād anyo 'smāc
chukrāṅgirasa darśanāt
18 na ca sa hy asti te yodhaḥ sarvarājasu bhārata
yo droṇaṃ samare yāntaṃ nānuyāsyati saṃyuge
19 eṣa senā praṇetṝṇām eṣa śastrabhṛtām api
eṣa buddhimatāṃ caiva śreṣṭho rājan guruś ca te
20 evaṃ
duryodhanācāryam āśu senāpatiṃ kuru
jigīṣanto 'surān saṃkhye kārttikeyam ivāmarāḥ
21 [s]
karṇasya vacanaṃ śrutvā rājā duryodhanas tadā
senā madhyagataṃ droṇam idaṃ vacanam abravīt
22 varṇaśraiṣṭhyāt kulotpattyā śrutena vayasā dhiyā
vīryād dākṣyād adhṛṣyatvād arthajñānān nayāj jayāt
23 tapasā ca kṛtajñatvād vṛddhaḥ sarvaguṇair api
yukto bhavat samo goptā rājñām anyo na vidyate
24 sa bhavān pātu naḥ sarvān vibudhān iva vāsavaḥ
bhavan netrāḥ parāñ jetum icchāmo
dvijasattama
25 rudrāṇām iva kāpālī
vasūnām iva pāvakaḥ
kubera iva yakṣāṇāṃ marutām iva vāsavaḥ
26 vaṣiṣṭha iva viprāṇāṃ tejasām iva bhāskaraḥ
pitṝṇām iva dharmo 'tha ādityānām
ivāmburāṭ
27 nakṣatrāṇām iva śaśī dijitānām ivośanaḥ
śreṣṭhaḥ senā praṇetṝṇāṃ sa naḥ senāpatir bhava
28 akṣauhiṇyo daśaikā ca vaśagāḥ santu te 'nagha
tābhiḥ śatrūn prativyūhya jahīndro
dānavān iva
29 prayātu no bhavān agre devānām iva
pāvakiḥ
anuyāsyāmahe tv ājau saurabheyā ivarṣabham
30 ugradhanvā maheṣvāso divyaṃ visphārayan dhanuḥ
agre bhavantaṃ dṛṣṭvā no nārjuhaḥ prasahiṣyate
31 dhruvaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraṃ saṃkhye sānubandhaṃ sa bāndhavam
jeṣyāmi puruṣavyāghra bhavān senāpatir yadi
32 evam ukte tato droṇe jayety ūcur narādhipāḥ
siṃhanādena mahatā harṣayantas tavātmajam
33 sainikāś ca mudā yuktā vardhayanti
dvijottamam
duryodhanaṃ puraskṛtya prārthayanto mahad yaśaḥ
34 [drn]
vedaṃ ṣaḍaṅgaṃ vedāham arthavidyāṃ ca mānavīm
traiyy ambakam atheṣv astram astrāṇi vividhāni ca
35 ye cāpy uktā mayi guṇā bhavadbhir jayakāṅkṣibhiḥ
cikīrṣur tān ahaṃ satyān yodhayiṣyāmi pāṇḍavān
36 [s]
sa evam abhyanujñātaś cakre senāpatiṃ tataḥ
droṇaṃ tava suto
rājan vidhidṛṣṭtena karmaṇā
37 athābhiṣiṣicur droṇaṃ duryodhanamukhā nṛpāḥ
senāpatye yathā skandaṃ purā śakra
mukhāḥ surāḥ
38 tato vāditraghoṣeṇa saha puṃsāṃ mahāsvanaiḥ
prādurāsīt kṛte droṇe harṣaḥ senāpatau tadā
39 tataḥ puṇyāhaghoṣeṇa svasti vādasvanena ca
saṃstavair gītaśabdaiś ca
sūtamāgadhabandinām
40 jayaśabdair dvijāgryāṇāṃ subhagānartitair tathā
satkṛtya vidhivad droṇaṃ jitān manyanta pāṇḍavān
SECTION V
"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that tiger among men, viz., Karna, mounted on his car, Duryodhana, O king, filled with joy, said these words, 'This host, protected by thee, hath now, I think, got a proper leader. Let that, however, be settled now which is proper and within our power.''Karna said, 'Tell us thyself, O tiger among men, for thou art the wisest of kings. Another can never see so well what should be done as one seeth it whose concern it is. Those kings are all desirous of listening to what thou mayst have to say. I am sure that no improper words will be uttered by thee.'
"Duryodhana, said, 'Bhishma was our commander possessed (as he was) of years, prowess, and learning and supported by all our warriors. That high-souled one, O Karna, achieving great glory and slaying large numbers of my enemies protected us by fair fight for ten days. He achieved the most difficult of feats. But now that he is about to ascend to heaven, whom, O Karna, dost thou think fit to our commander after him? Without a leader, an army cannot stay in battle for even a short while. Thou art foremost in battle, like a boat without a helmsman in the waters. Indeed, as a boat without a helmsman, or a car without a driver, would go anywhere, so would the plight be of a host that is without a leader. Like a merchant who falleth into every kind of distress when he is unacquainted with the ways of the country he visits, an army that is without a leader is exposed to every kind of distress. Look thou, therefore, among all the high-souled warriors of our army and find out a proper leader who may succeed the son of Santanu. Him whom thou wouldst regard as a fit leader in battle, him, all of us, without doubt, will together make our leader.'
p. 10
"Karna said, 'All these foremost of men are high-souled persons. Every one of them deserveth to be our leader. There is no need of any minute examination. All of them are conversant with noble genealogies and with the art of smiting; all of them are endued with prowess and intelligence, all of them are attentive and acquainted with the scriptures, possessed of wisdom, and unretreating from battle. 1 All, however, cannot be leaders at the same time. Only one should be selected as leader, in whom are special merits. All of these regard one another as equals. If one amongst them, therefore, be honoured, others will be dissatisfied, and, it is evident, will no longer fight for thee from a desire of benefiting thee. This one, however, is the Preceptor (in arms) of all these warriors; is venerable in years, and worthy of respect. Therefore, Drona, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, should be made the leader. Who is there worthy of becoming a leader, when the invincible Drona, that foremost of persons conversant with Brahma, is here, that one who is equal to Sukra or Vrihaspati himself? Amongst all the kings in thy army, O Bharata, there is not a single warrior who will not follow Drona when the latter goeth to battle. 2 This Drona is the foremost of all leaders of forces, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, and the foremost of all intelligent persons. He is, besides, O king, thy preceptor (in arms). Therefore, O Duryodhana, make this one the leader of thy forces without delay, as the celestials made Kartikeya their leader in battle for vanquishing the Asuras.'"
(My humble
salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguliji for the
collection )
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