01.114
Core-Pancharatra:Birth of Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
संवत्सराहिते गर्भे गान्धार्या जनमेजय । आह्वयामास वै कुन्ती गर्भार्थं धर्ममच्युतम् ॥१-११४-१॥
When Gāndhārī's womb had carried for a year, O Janamejaya, Kuntī indeed summoned Dharma, the infallible one, for conception.
सा बलिं त्वरिता देवी धर्मायोपजहार ह । जजाप जप्यं विधिवद्दत्तं दुर्वाससा पुरा ॥१-११४-२॥
She, the lady, quickly offered the oblation to Dharma and properly chanted the mantra formerly given by Durvāsas.
सङ्गम्य सा तु धर्मेण योगमूर्तिधरेण वै । लेभे पुत्रं वरारोहा सर्वप्राणभृतां वरम् ॥१-११४-३॥
She united with Dharma, who bore a yogic form, and the beautiful lady obtained a son, the best among all beings who sustain life.
ऐन्द्रे चन्द्रसमायुक्ते मुहूर्तेऽभिजितेऽष्टमे । दिवा मध्यगते सूर्ये तिथौ पुण्येऽभिपूजिते ॥१-११४-४॥
In the eighth Abhijit muhurta, ruled by Indra and associated with the moon, during midday when the sun was overhead, on an auspicious and honored lunar day—
समृद्धयशसं कुन्ती सुषाव समये सुतम् । जातमात्रे सुते तस्मिन्वागुवाचाशरीरिणी ॥१-११४-५॥
Kuntī gave birth at the proper time to a son of great fame; as soon as the son was born, a bodiless voice spoke.
एष धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो भविष्यति न संशयः । युधिष्ठिर इति ख्यातः पाण्डोः प्रथमजः सुतः ॥१-११४-६॥
This one will be the best among the sustainers of righteousness — there is no doubt; he will be known as Yudhiṣṭhira, the firstborn son of Pāṇḍu.
भविता प्रथितो राजा त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतः । यशसा तेजसा चैव वृत्तेन च समन्वितः ॥१-११४-७॥
He will be a renowned king, famous in the three worlds, endowed with fame, brilliance, and virtuous conduct.
धार्मिकं तं सुतं लब्ध्वा पाण्डुस्तां पुनरब्रवीत् । प्राहुः क्षत्रं बलज्येष्ठं बलज्येष्ठं सुतं वृणु ॥१-११४-८॥
Having obtained that righteous son, Pāṇḍu again said to her, “They say the warrior class is eldest in might — choose a son of superior strength.”
ततस्तथोक्ता पत्या तु वायुमेवाजुहाव सा । तस्माज्जज्ञे महाबाहुर्भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥१-११४-९॥
Then, thus addressed by her husband, she invoked only Vāyu; from him was born great - armed Bhīma of terrifying prowess.
तमप्यतिबलं जातं वागभ्यवददच्युतम् । सर्वेषां बलिनां श्रेष्ठो जातोऽयमिति भारत ॥१-११४-१०॥
He too, being exceedingly strong, was addressed by a divine voice: “This one is born the best among all strong men, O Bhārata.”
इदमत्यद्भुतं चासीज्जातमात्रे वृकोदरे । यदङ्कात्पतितो मातुः शिलां गात्रैरचूर्णयत् ॥१-११४-११॥
This was exceedingly marvelous — when Vṛkodara was just born, though he fell from his mother's lap upon a rock, he did not shatter it with his limbs.
कुन्ती व्याघ्रभयोद्विग्ना सहसोत्पतिता किल । नान्वबुध्यत संसुप्तमुत्सङ्गे स्वे वृकोदरम् ॥१-११४-१२॥
Indeed, Kuntī, agitated by fear of a tiger, suddenly leapt up and did not notice Vṛkodara sleeping on her lap.
ततः स वज्रसङ्घातः कुमारोऽभ्यपतद्गिरौ । पतता तेन शतधा शिला गात्रैर्विचूर्णिता ॥ तां शिलां चूर्णितां दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुर्विस्मयमागमत् ॥१-११४-१३॥
Then the boy, like a thunderbolt, fell upon the mountain. By his fall the rock was shattered into a hundred pieces by his limbs. Seeing that shattered rock, Pāṇḍu was amazed.
यस्मिन्नहनि भीमस्तु जज्ञे भरतसत्तम । दुर्योधनोऽपि तत्रैव प्रजज्ञे वसुधाधिप ॥१-११४-१४॥
On the same day that Bhīma was born, O best of the Bharatas, Duryodhana too was born, O lord of the earth.
जाते वृकोदरे पाण्डुरिदं भूयोऽन्वचिन्तयत् । कथं नु मे वरः पुत्रो लोकश्रेष्ठो भवेदिति ॥१-११४-१५॥
After the birth of Vṛkodara, Pāṇḍu again pondered — how might I obtain an excellent son, the best in the world?
दैवे पुरुषकारे च लोकोऽयं हि प्रतिष्ठितः । तत्र दैवं तु विधिना कालयुक्तेन लभ्यते ॥१-११४-१६॥
This world is indeed established by both fate and human effort; yet destiny is attained only through proper means and in due time.
इन्द्रो हि राजा देवानां प्रधान इति नः श्रुतम् । अप्रमेयबलोत्साहो वीर्यवानमितद्युतिः ॥१-११४-१७॥
We have heard that Indra is indeed the king of the gods, the foremost - of immeasurable strength and vigor, powerful, and of infinite radiance.
तं तोषयित्वा तपसा पुत्रं लप्स्ये महाबलम् । यं दास्यति स मे पुत्रं स वरीयान्भविष्यति ॥ कर्मणा मनसा वाचा तस्मात्तप्स्ये महत्तपः ॥१-११४-१८॥
By pleasing him with austerity, I shall obtain a son of great strength; the one whom he gives shall be my son and shall be the greatest. Therefore, by deed, mind, and speech, I shall perform great penance.
ततः पाण्डुर्महातेजा मन्त्रयित्वा महर्षिभिः । दिदेश कुन्त्याः कौरव्यो व्रतं सांवत्सरं शुभम् ॥१-११४-१९॥
Then Pāṇḍu of great splendor, after consulting great sages, instructed Kuntī to undertake an auspicious year-long vow.
आत्मना च महाबाहुरेकपादस्थितोऽभवत् । उग्रं स तप आतस्थे परमेण समाधिना ॥१-११४-२०॥
And he, the mighty-armed, stood on one foot and undertook intense penance with supreme concentration.
आरिराधयिषुर्देवं त्रिदशानां तमीश्वरम् । सूर्येण सह धर्मात्मा पर्यवर्तत भारत ॥१-११४-२१॥
Desiring to propitiate the god who is lord of the deities, the righteous one circumambulated along with the sun, O Bhārata.
तं तु कालेन महता वासवः प्रत्यभाषत । पुत्रं तव प्रदास्यामि त्रिषु लोकेषु विश्रुतम् ॥१-११४-२२॥
After a long time, Indra addressed him: I shall give you a son renowned in the three worlds.
देवानां ब्राह्मणानां च सुहृदां चार्थसाधकम् । सुतं तेऽग्र्यं प्रदास्यामि सर्वामित्रविनाशनम् ॥१-११४-२३॥
I shall give you a foremost son who will accomplish the aims of the gods, brāhmaṇas, and friends—destroyer of all enemies.
इत्युक्तः कौरवो राजा वासवेन महात्मना । उवाच कुन्तीं धर्मात्मा देवराजवचः स्मरन् ॥१-११४-२४॥
Thus addressed by the great-souled Indra, the righteous Kuru king spoke to Kuntī, remembering the words of the king of gods.
नीतिमन्तं महात्मानमादित्यसमतेजसम् । दुराधर्षं क्रियावन्तमतीवाद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥१-११४-२५॥
One who possesses noble conduct, great soul, brilliance like the sun, unassailable, active in deeds, and of wondrous appearance.
पुत्रं जनय सुश्रोणि धाम क्षत्रियतेजसाम् । लब्धः प्रसादो देवेन्द्रात्तमाह्वय शुचिस्मिते ॥१-११४-२६॥
Beget, O fair-hipped one, a son who is the abode of kṣatriya splendor. Having obtained Indra’s favor, invoke him, O pure-smiling one.
एवमुक्ता ततः शक्रमाजुहाव यशस्विनी । अथाजगाम देवेन्द्रो जनयामास चार्जुनम् ॥१-११४-२७॥
Thus addressed, the illustrious one invoked Indra, who then came and begot Arjuna.
जातमात्रे कुमारे तु वागुवाचाशरीरिणी । महागम्भीरनिर्घोषा नभो नादयती तदा ॥१-११४-२८॥
Then, as the boy was just born, a bodiless voice with deep resonance echoed through the sky.
कार्तवीर्यसमः कुन्ति शिबितुल्यपराक्रमः । एष शक्र इवाजेयो यशस्ते प्रथयिष्यति ॥१-११४-२९॥
O Kuntī, he is equal to Kārtavīrya and has valor like Śibi. He will be unconquerable like Indra and spread your fame.
अदित्या विष्णुना प्रीतिर्यथाभूदभिवर्धिता । तथा विष्णुसमः प्रीतिं वर्धयिष्यति तेऽर्जुनः ॥१-११४-३०॥
As the affection between Aditi and Viṣṇu grew, so too will Arjuna, equal to Viṣṇu, increase your joy.
एष मद्रान्वशे कृत्वा कुरूंश्च सह केकयैः । चेदिकाशिकरूषांश्च कुरुलक्ष्म सुधास्यति ॥१-११४-३१॥
He will bring the Madras, Kurus, Kekayas, Cedis, Kāśis, and Karūṣas under control and enhance the glory of the Kurus.
एतस्य भुजवीर्येण खाण्डवे हव्यवाहनः । मेदसा सर्वभूतानां तृप्तिं यास्यति वै पराम् ॥१-११४-३२॥
By the might of his arms, the fire-god in Khāṇḍava will attain supreme satisfaction with the fat of all beings.
ग्रामणीश्च महीपालानेष जित्वा महाबलः । भ्रातृभिः सहितो वीरस्त्रीन्मेधानाहरिष्यति ॥१-११४-३३॥
This mighty hero, having conquered chieftains and kings, will perform three sacrifices together with his brothers.
जामदग्न्यसमः कुन्ति विष्णुतुल्यपराक्रमः । एष वीर्यवतां श्रेष्ठो भविष्यत्यपराजितः ॥१-११४-३४॥
O Kuntī, he will be equal to Paraśurāma and Viṣṇu in valor, the foremost among the mighty, and will remain unconquered.
तथा दिव्यानि चास्त्राणि निखिलान्याहरिष्यति । विप्रनष्टां श्रियं चायमाहर्ता पुरुषर्षभः ॥१-११४-३५॥
He will acquire all divine weapons and restore the prosperity lost by the brāhmaṇas, this bull among men.
एतामत्यद्भुतां वाचं कुन्तीपुत्रस्य सूतके । उक्तवान्वायुराकाशे कुन्ती शुश्राव चास्य ताम् ॥१-११४-३६॥
The wind-god uttered this wondrous speech at the birth of Kuntī’s son, and Kuntī heard it in the sky.
वाचमुच्चारितामुच्चैस्तां निशम्य तपस्विनाम् । बभूव परमो हर्षः शतशृङ्गनिवासिनाम् ॥१-११४-३७॥
Hearing that loudly uttered speech, the ascetics of Shataśṛṅga experienced supreme joy.
तथा देवऋषीणां च सेन्द्राणां च दिवौकसाम् । आकाशे दुन्दुभीनां च बभूव तुमुलः स्वनः ॥१-११४-३८॥
Likewise, among the divine sages and celestials with Indra, a loud sound of drums arose in the sky.
उदतिष्ठन्महाघोषः पुष्पवृष्टिभिरावृतः । समवेत्य च देवानां गणाः पार्थमपूजयन् ॥१-११४-३९॥
A great sound rose up, enveloped by showers of flowers, as the hosts of gods assembled and honored Arjuna.
काद्रवेया वैनतेया गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा । प्रजानां पतयः सर्वे सप्त चैव महर्षयः ॥१-११४-४०॥
The Nāgas and Garuḍas, Gandharvas and Apsaras, all lords of beings, and the seven great sages indeed were present.
भरद्वाजः कश्यपो गौतमश्च; विश्वामित्रो जमदग्निर्वसिष्ठः । यश्चोदितो भास्करेऽभूत्प्रनष्टे; सोऽप्यत्रात्रिर्भगवानाजगाम ॥१-११४-४१॥
Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, and Vasiṣṭha; and he who arose with the sun and vanished — the venerable Atri — also arrived here.
मरीचिरङ्गिराश्चैव पुलस्त्यः पुलहः क्रतुः । दक्षः प्रजापतिश्चैव गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा ॥१-११४-४२॥
Marīci, Aṅgirās, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakṣa the Prajāpati, and likewise the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
दिव्यमाल्याम्बरधराः सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताः । उपगायन्ति बीभत्सुमुपनृत्यन्ति चाप्सराः ॥ गन्धर्वैः सहितः श्रीमान्प्रागायत च तुम्बुरुः ॥१-११४-४३॥
Wearing divine garlands and garments, adorned with all ornaments, the Apsaras danced and sang around Arjuna. The splendid Tumburu also sang formerly along with the Gandharvas.
भीमसेनोग्रसेनौ च ऊर्णायुरनघस्तथा । गोपतिर्धृतराष्ट्रश्च सूर्यवर्चाश्च सप्तमः ॥१-११४-४४॥
Bhīmasena, Ugrasena, Ūrṇāyu, Anagha, Gopati, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and the seventh, Sūryavarcās, were also present.
युगपस्तृणपः कार्ष्णिर्नन्दिश्चित्ररथस्तथा । त्रयोदशः शालिशिराः पर्जन्यश्च चतुर्दशः ॥१-११४-४५॥
Yugapa, Tṛṇapa, Kārṣṇi, Nandi, Citraratha; the thirteenth was Śāliśirās, and the fourteenth was Parjanya.
कलिः पञ्चदशश्चात्र नारदश्चैव षोडशः । सद्वा बृहद्वा बृहकः करालश्च महायशाः ॥१-११४-४६॥
Kali was the fifteenth and Nārada the sixteenth. Also present were Sadvā, Bṛhadvā, Bṛhaka, Karāla, and the greatly renowned ones.
ब्रह्मचारी बहुगुणः सुपर्णश्चेति विश्रुतः । विश्वावसुर्भुमन्युश्च सुचन्द्रो दशमस्तथा ॥१-११४-४७॥
The famous ones were the celibate Bahuguṇa, Suparṇa, Viśvāvasu, Bhumanyu, Sucandra as the tenth.
गीतमाधुर्यसम्पन्नौ विख्यातौ च हहाहुहू । इत्येते देवगन्धर्वा जगुस्तत्र नरर्षभम् ॥१-११४-४८॥
Hahā and Huhū, renowned and endowed with the sweetness of song, were among the celestial Gandharvas who sang there to the bull among men.
तथैवाप्सरसो हृष्टाः सर्वालङ्कारभूषिताः । ननृतुर्वै महाभागा जगुश्चायतलोचनाः ॥१-११४-४९॥
Likewise, the delighted and ornamented Apsaras, greatly fortunate and broad-eyed, danced and sang.
अनूना चानवद्या च प्रियमुख्या गुणावरा । अद्रिका च तथा साची मिश्रकेशी अलम्बुसा ॥१-११४-५०॥
Not deficient, faultless, most pleasing-faced, and best in virtues — Adrikā, Sācī, Miśrakeśī, and Alambusā also were there.
मरीचिः शिचुका चैव विद्युत्पर्णा तिलोत्तमा । अग्निका लक्षणा क्षेमा देवी रम्भा मनोरमा ॥१-११४-५१॥
Marīcī, Śicukā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Agnikā, Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, and Manoramā.
असिता च सुबाहुश्च सुप्रिया सुवपुस्तथा । पुण्डरीका सुगन्धा च सुरथा च प्रमाथिनी ॥१-११४-५२॥
Asitā, Subāhu, Supriyā, Suvapu, Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Surathā, and Pramāthinī.
काम्या शारद्वती चैव ननृतुस्तत्र सङ्घशः । मेनका सहजन्या च पर्णिका पुञ्जिकस्थला ॥१-११४-५३॥
Kāmyā, Śāradvatī, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇikā, and Puñjikāsthalā danced there in groups.
क्रतुस्थला घृताची च विश्वाची पूर्वचित्त्यपि । उम्लोचेत्यभिविख्याता प्रम्लोचेति च ता दश ॥ उर्वश्येकादशीत्येता जगुरायतलोचनाः ॥१-११४-५४॥
Kratusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacitti, Umlocā, and Pramlocā — these ten famed Apsaras, along with Urvaśī as the eleventh, all broad-eyed, sang together.
धातार्यमा च मित्रश्च वरुणोंऽशो भगस्तथा । इन्द्रो विवस्वान्पूषा च त्वष्टा च सविता तथा ॥१-११४-५५॥
Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṁśa, Bhaga, Indra, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Tvaṣṭā, and Savitā were all present.
पर्जन्यश्चैव विष्णुश्च आदित्याः पावकार्चिषः । महिमानं पाण्डवस्य वर्धयन्तोऽम्बरे स्थिताः ॥१-११४-५६॥
Parjanya and Viṣṇu, along with the flaming Ādityas, stood in the sky increasing the glory of the Pāṇḍava.
मृगव्याधश्च शर्वश्च निरृतिश्च महायशाः । अजैकपादहिर्बुध्न्यः पिनाकी च परन्तपः ॥१-११४-५७॥
Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, Nirṛti the greatly renowned, Ajaikapād, Ahirbudhnya, Pinākī, and Parantapa were present.
दहनोऽथेश्वरश्चैव कपाली च विशां पते । स्थाणुर्भवश्च भगवान्रुद्रास्तत्रावतस्थिरे ॥१-११४-५८॥
Dahana, Īśvara, Kapālī, Sthāṇu, Bhava, and the venerable Rudras all stood firmly there, O lord of men.
अश्विनौ वसवश्चाष्टौ मरुतश्च महाबलाः । विश्वेदेवास्तथा साध्यास्तत्रासन्परिसंस्थिताः ॥१-११४-५९॥
The two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the Viśvedevas, and the Sādhyas were all assembled there.
कर्कोटकोऽथ शेषश्च वासुकिश्च भुजङ्गमः । कच्छपश्चापकुण्डश्च तक्षकश्च महोरगः ॥१-११४-६०॥
Then Karkoṭaka, Śeṣa, Vāsuki the serpent, Kacchapa, Āpakuṇḍa, Takṣaka, and other great serpents appeared.
आययुस्तेजसा युक्ता महाक्रोधा महाबलाः । एते चान्ये च बहवस्तत्र नागा व्यवस्थिताः ॥१-११४-६१॥
Endowed with brilliance, great wrath, and immense strength, these and many other serpents assembled there.
तार्क्ष्यश्चारिष्टनेमिश्च गरुडश्चासितध्वजः । अरुणश्चारुणिश्चैव वैनतेया व्यवस्थिताः ॥१-११४-६२॥
Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, Garuḍa the dark-bannered, Aruṇa and Āruṇi — all sons of Vinatā — were assembled.
तद्दृष्ट्वा महदाश्चर्यं विस्मिता मुनिसत्तमाः । अधिकां स्म ततो वृत्तिमवर्तन्पाण्डवान्प्रति ॥१-११४-६३॥
Seeing that great wonder, the astonished sages turned even greater attention toward the Pāṇḍavas.
पाण्डुस्तु पुनरेवैनां पुत्रलोभान्महायशाः । प्राहिणोद्दर्शनीयाङ्गीं कुन्ती त्वेनमथाब्रवीत् ॥१-११४-६४॥
Desiring more sons, the highly renowned Pāṇḍu again sent the beautiful-limbed Kuntī; but Kuntī then said to him:
नातश्चतुर्थं प्रसवमापत्स्वपि वदन्त्युत । अतः परं चारिणी स्यात्पञ्चमे बन्धकी भवेत् ॥१-११४-६५॥
They say a fourth birth is not permitted even in distress; beyond that, she becomes a wanderer, and with a fifth, she would be confined as fallen.
स त्वं विद्वन्धर्ममिमं बुद्धिगम्यं कथं नु माम् । अपत्यार्थं समुत्क्रम्य प्रमादादिव भाषसे ॥१-११४-६६॥
O learned one, how indeed do you speak to me, transgressing this intelligible dharma for the sake of offspring, as if in error?
