01.055
Library: The story of Mahabharata summarized.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
गुरवे प्राङ्नमस्कृत्य मनोबुद्धिसमाधिभिः। सम्पूज्य च द्विजान्सर्वांस्तथान्यान्विदुषो जनान् ॥१-५५-१॥
Having first saluted the teacher with mind, intellect, and concentration, and having worshipped all the twice-born and other wise people.
महर्षेः सर्वलोकेषु विश्रुतस्यास्य धीमतः। प्रवक्ष्यामि मतं कृत्स्नं व्यासस्यामिततेजसः ॥१-५५-२॥
I shall narrate the entire opinion of the wise and renowned great sage Vyasa, who possesses immeasurable energy, known throughout all worlds.
श्रोतुं पात्रं च राजंस्त्वं प्राप्येमां भारतीं कथाम्। गुरोर्वक्तुं परिस्पन्दो मुदा प्रोत्साहतीव माम् ॥१-५५-३॥
O King, you are worthy to hear this eloquent story. The impulse to speak, having been obtained from the teacher, encourages me with joy as if.
शृणु राजन्यथा भेदः कुरुपाण्डवयोरभूत्। राज्यार्थे द्यूतसम्भूतो वनवासस्तथैव च ॥१-५५-४॥
Listen, O king, to how the conflict between the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas began. It started with gambling for the kingdom and led to their exile.
यथा च युद्धमभवत्पृथिवीक्षयकारकम्। तत्तेऽहं सम्प्रवक्ष्यामि पृच्छते भरतर्षभ ॥१-५५-५॥
I will explain to you, O best of the Bharatas, how the war caused the destruction of the earth, as you are asking.
मृते पितरि ते वीरा वनादेत्य स्वमन्दिरम्। नचिरादिव विद्वांसो वेदे धनुषि चाभवन् ॥१-५५-६॥
Upon the death of your father, the heroes came back from the forest to their home. In no time, they became scholars in the Vedas and masters of archery.
तांस्तथा रूपवीर्यौजःसम्पन्नान्पौरसंमतान्। नामृष्यन्कुरवो दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवाञ्श्रीयशोभृतः ॥१-५५-७॥
The Kurus, upon seeing the Pandavas, who were endowed with beauty, valor, and energy and approved by the citizens, could not tolerate their glory.
ततो दुर्योधनः क्रूरः कर्णश्च सहसौबलः। तेषां निग्रहनिर्वासान्विविधांस्ते समाचरन् ॥१-५५-८॥
Then the cruel Duryodhana, along with Karna and Saubala, executed various punishments and exiles upon them.
ददावथ विषं पापो भीमाय धृतराष्ट्रजः। जरयामास तद्वीरः सहान्नेन वृकोदरः ॥१-५५-९॥
The wicked son of Dhritarashtra gave poison to Bhima, but the heroic Vrikodara digested it along with his food.
प्रमाणकोट्यां संसुप्तं पुनर्बद्ध्वा वृकोदरम्। तोयेषु भीमं गङ्गायाः प्रक्षिप्य पुरमाव्रजत् ॥१-५५-१०॥
After binding the sleeping Vrikodara (Bhima) once more, he threw him into the waters of the Ganges and returned to the city.
यदा प्रबुद्धः कौन्तेयस्तदा सञ्छिद्य बन्धनम्। उदतिष्ठन्महाराज भीमसेनो गतव्यथः ॥१-५५-११॥
When Bhimasena, the son of Kunti, was awakened and freed from his bonds, he stood up without any distress, O great king.
आशीविषैः कृष्णसर्पैः सुप्तं चैनमदंशयत्। सर्वेष्वेवाङ्गदेशेषु न ममार च शत्रुहा ॥१-५५-१२॥
The enemy killer, while sleeping, was bitten by venomous black serpents, but he did not die despite being bitten all over his body.
तेषां तु विप्रकारेषु तेषु तेषु महामतिः। मोक्षणे प्रतिघाते च विदुरोऽवहितोऽभवत् ॥१-५५-१३॥
Vidura, the great-minded one, became attentive to the disturbances and oppositions, focusing on liberation.
स्वर्गस्थो जीवलोकस्य यथा शक्रः सुखावहः। पाण्डवानां तथा नित्यं विदुरोऽपि सुखावहः ॥१-५५-१४॥
Just as Indra, who resides in heaven, brings happiness to the world of the living, Vidura always brings happiness to the Pandavas.
यदा तु विविधोपायैः संवृतैर्विवृतैरपि। नाशक्नोद्विनिहन्तुं तान्दैवभाव्यर्थरक्षितान् ॥१-५५-१५॥
When he could not destroy them by any means, whether hidden or open, because they were protected by divine destiny.
ततः संमन्त्र्य सचिवैर्वृषदुःशासनादिभिः। धृतराष्ट्रमनुज्ञाप्य जातुषं गृहमादिशत् ॥१-५५-१६॥
After consulting with his ministers, including Vṛṣasena and Duḥśāsana, and obtaining Dhṛtarāṣṭra's permission, he ordered the construction of the lacquer house.
तत्र तान्वासयामास पाण्डवानमितौजसः। अदाहयच्च विस्रब्धान्पावकेन पुनस्तदा ॥१-५५-१७॥
There, he settled the mighty Pāṇḍavas and once again burned the unsuspecting ones with fire.
विदुरस्यैव वचनात्खनित्री विहिता ततः। मोक्षयामास योगेन ते मुक्ताः प्राद्रवन्भयात् ॥१-५५-१८॥
According to Vidura's advice, a digger was constructed. Through yoga, they were released and fled in fear.
ततो महावने घोरे हिडिम्बं नाम राक्षसम्। भीमसेनोऽवधीत्क्रुद्धो भुवि भीमपराक्रमः ॥१-५५-१९॥
In the dreadful great forest, the mighty Bhīmasena, in his anger, slew the demon Hiḍimba on the ground.
अथ सन्धाय ते वीरा एकचक्रां व्रजंस्तदा। ब्रह्मरूपधरा भूत्वा मात्रा सह परन्तपाः ॥१-५५-२०॥
Then, those valiant ones, having made preparations, went to Ekacakra, assuming divine forms, along with their mother, the scorchers of foes.
तत्र ते ब्राह्मणार्थाय बकं हत्वा महाबलम्। ब्राह्मणैः सहिता जग्मुः पाञ्चालानां पुरं ततः ॥१-५५-२१॥
There, for the sake of the Brahmin, they killed the mighty Baka and then went with the Brahmins to the city of the Panchalas.
ते तत्र द्रौपदीं लब्ध्वा परिसंवत्सरोषिताः। विदिता हास्तिनपुरं प्रत्याजग्मुररिंदमाः ॥१-५५-२२॥
The subduers of enemies, having won Draupadī and stayed there for a year, returned to Hastinapura, known to all.
त उक्ता धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा शान्तनवेन च। भ्रातृभिर्विग्रहस्तात कथं वो न भवेदिति ॥ अस्माभिः खाण्डवप्रस्थे युष्मद्वासोऽनुचिन्तितः ॥१-५५-२३॥
Dhritarashtra, the king, and Shantanu's son expressed their concern: 'Dear brothers, how can you avoid conflict?' We have thought about your dwelling in Khandavaprastha.
तस्माज्जनपदोपेतं सुविभक्तमहापथम्। वासाय खाण्डवप्रस्थं व्रजध्वं गतमन्यवः ॥१-५५-२४॥
Therefore, with your minds resolved, proceed to Khandavaprastha, a place surrounded by settlements and well-laid roads, for your dwelling.
तयोस्ते वचनाज्जग्मुः सह सर्वैः सुहृज्जनैः। नगरं खाण्डवप्रस्थं रत्नान्यादाय सर्वशः ॥१-५५-२५॥
Following their advice, they, along with all their friends, went to the city of Khandavaprastha, taking all the jewels with them.
तत्र ते न्यवसन्राजन्संवत्सरगणान्बहून्। वशे शस्त्रप्रतापेन कुर्वन्तोऽन्यान्महीक्षितः ॥१-५५-२६॥
There, O king, they lived for many years, subjugating other kings through their martial prowess.
एवं धर्मप्रधानास्ते सत्यव्रतपरायणाः। अप्रमत्तोत्थिताः क्षान्ताः प्रतपन्तोऽहितांस्तदा ॥१-५५-२७॥
Thus, those who were chiefly devoted to dharma and dedicated to truth and vows, arose with vigilance and forgiveness, tormenting their enemies at that time.
अजयद्भीमसेनस्तु दिशं प्राचीं महाबलः। उदीचीमर्जुनो वीरः प्रतीचीं नकुलस्तथा ॥१-५५-२८॥
Bhimasena, the mighty warrior, conquered the east; Arjuna, the valiant hero, took the north; and Nakula, too, claimed victory in the west.
दक्षिणां सहदेवस्तु विजिग्ये परवीरहा। एवं चक्रुरिमां सर्वे वशे कृत्स्नां वसुन्धराम् ॥१-५५-२९॥
Sahadeva, known for his prowess in defeating enemy warriors, successfully conquered the southern regions. In this way, they brought the entire earth under their control.
पञ्चभिः सूर्यसङ्काशैः सूर्येण च विराजता। षट्सूर्येवाबभौ पृथ्वी पाण्डवैः सत्यविक्रमैः ॥१-५५-३०॥
The earth, adorned by the Pandavas of true valor, shone as if it had six suns, with the five sun-like Pandavas and the radiant sun.
ततो निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चिद्धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। वनं प्रस्थापयामास भ्रातरं वै धनञ्जयम् ॥१-५५-३१॥
Then, for some reason, King Yudhishthira, known for his righteousness, sent his brother Arjuna to the forest.
स वै संवत्सरं पूर्णं मासं चैकं वनेऽवसत्। ततोऽगच्छद्धृषीकेशं द्वारवत्यां कदाचन ॥१-५५-३२॥
He lived in the forest for a full year and one month. Then, once upon a time, he went to Hṛṣīkeśa in Dvārakā.
लब्धवांस्तत्र बीभत्सुर्भार्यां राजीवलोचनाम्। अनुजां वासुदेवस्य सुभद्रां भद्रभाषिणीम् ॥१-५५-३३॥
There, Bībhatsu married Subhadrā, the lotus-eyed sister of Vāsudeva, known for her auspicious speech.
सा शचीव महेन्द्रेण श्रीः कृष्णेनेव सङ्गता। सुभद्रा युयुजे प्रीता पाण्डवेनार्जुनेन ह ॥१-५५-३४॥
Subhadrā, like Śacī with Indra and Śrī with Kṛṣṇa, was joyfully united with Arjuna, the Pāṇḍava.
अतर्पयच्च कौन्तेयः खाण्डवे हव्यवाहनम्। बीभत्सुर्वासुदेवेन सहितो नृपसत्तम ॥१-५५-३५॥
O best of kings, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, along with Vasudeva, satisfied the fire in the Khandava forest.
नातिभारो हि पार्थस्य केशवेनाभवत्सह। व्यवसायसहायस्य विष्णोः शत्रुवधेष्विव ॥१-५५-३६॥
The burden was not too heavy for Arjuna because he had Krishna by his side, just as Viṣṇu, with determination as his ally, was effective in vanquishing his enemies.
पार्थायाग्निर्ददौ चापि गाण्डीवं धनुरुत्तमम्। इषुधी चाक्षयैर्बाणै रथं च कपिलक्षणम् ॥१-५५-३७॥
Agni gave Arjuna the Gandiva bow, which is an excellent bow, along with quivers filled with inexhaustible arrows and a chariot drawn by tawny horses.
मोक्षयामास बीभत्सुर्मयं तत्र महासुरम्। स चकार सभां दिव्यां सर्वरत्नसमाचिताम् ॥१-५५-३८॥
Bibhatsu freed the great demon Maya there. He then constructed a divine assembly hall adorned with all kinds of jewels.
तस्यां दुर्योधनो मन्दो लोभं चक्रे सुदुर्मतिः। ततोऽक्षैर्वञ्चयित्वा च सौबलेन युधिष्ठिरम् ॥१-५५-३९॥
In that situation, the foolish and wicked-minded Duryodhana was overcome by greed. Then, with the help of Saubala, he deceitfully defeated Yudhishthira in a game of dice.
वनं प्रस्थापयामास सप्त वर्षाणि पञ्च च। अज्ञातमेकं राष्ट्रे च तथा वर्षं त्रयोदशम् ॥१-५५-४०॥
He sent them to the forest for twelve years and kept them unknown in the kingdom for the thirteenth year.
ततश्चतुर्दशे वर्षे याचमानाः स्वकं वसु। नालभन्त महाराज ततो युद्धमवर्तत ॥१-५५-४१॥
In the fourteenth year, when they begged for their own wealth and did not receive it, O great king, a war ensued.
ततस्ते सर्वमुत्साद्य हत्वा दुर्योधनं नृपम्। राज्यं विद्रुतभूयिष्ठं प्रत्यपद्यन्त पाण्डवाः ॥१-५५-४२॥
Then the Pandavas, after destroying everything and killing King Duryodhana, regained their scattered kingdom.
एवमेतत्पुरावृत्तं तेषामक्लिष्टकर्मणाम्। भेदो राज्यविनाशश्च जयश्च जयतां वर ॥१-५५-४३॥
In this way, this event occurred in the past to those who performed their duties tirelessly: there was division, the kingdom was destroyed, and victory was achieved, O best among the victorious.
