01.114
Core-Pancharatra:Birth of Yudhisthira, Bheema and Arjuna.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
saṁvatsarāhite garbhe gāndhāryā janamejaya। āhvayāmāsa vai kuntī garbhārthaṁ dharmam acyutam ॥1॥
When Gāndhārī's womb had carried for a year, O Janamejaya, Kuntī indeed summoned Dharma, the infallible one, for conception.
sā baliṁ tvaritā devī dharmāya upajahāra ha। jajāpa japyaṁ vidhivad dattaṁ durvāsasā purā ॥2॥
She, the lady, quickly offered the oblation to Dharma and properly chanted the mantra formerly given by Durvāsas.
saṅgamya sā tu dharmeṇa yogamūrtidhareṇa vai। lebhe putraṁ varārohā sarvapraāṇabhṛtāṁ varam ॥3॥
She united with Dharma, who bore a yogic form, and the beautiful lady obtained a son, the best among all beings who sustain life.
aindre candrasamāyukte muhūrte'bhijite'ṣṭame। divā madhyagate sūrye tithau puṇye'bhipūjite ॥4॥
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—
samṛddhayaśasaṁ kuntī suṣāva samaye sutam। jāta-mātre sute tasmin vāg uvācāśarīriṇī ॥5॥
Kuntī gave birth at the proper time to a son of great fame; as soon as the son was born, a bodiless voice spoke.
eṣa dharmabhṛtāṁ śreṣṭho bhaviṣyati na saṁśayaḥ। yudhiṣṭhira iti khyātaḥ pāṇḍoḥ prathamajaḥ sutaḥ ॥6॥
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.
bhavitā prathito rājā triṣu lokeṣu viśrutaḥ। yaśasā tejasā caiva vṛttena ca samanvitaḥ ॥7॥
He will be a renowned king, famous in the three worlds, endowed with fame, brilliance, and virtuous conduct.
dhārmikaṁ taṁ sutaṁ labdhvā pāṇḍus tāṁ punar abravīt। prāhuḥ kṣatraṁ balajyeṣṭhaṁ balajyeṣṭhaṁ sutaṁ vṛṇu ॥8॥
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.”
tatas tathoktā patyā tu vāyum evājuhāva sā। tasmāj jajñe mahābāhur bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ ॥9॥
Then, thus addressed by her husband, she invoked only Vāyu; from him was born great - armed Bhīma of terrifying prowess.
tam apy atibalaṁ jātaṁ vāg abhyavadad acyutam। sarveṣāṁ balināṁ śreṣṭho jāto'yam iti bhārata ॥10॥
He too, being exceedingly strong, was addressed by a divine voice: “This one is born the best among all strong men, O Bhārata.”
idam atyadbhutaṁ cāsīj jātamātre vṛkodare। yad aṅkāt patito mātuḥ śilāṁ gātrair acūrṇayata ॥11॥
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.
kuntī vyāghrabhayodvignā sahasotpatitā kila। nānvabudhyata saṁsuptam utsaṅge sve vṛkodaram ॥12॥
Indeed, Kuntī, agitated by fear of a tiger, suddenly leapt up and did not notice Vṛkodara sleeping on her lap.
tataḥ sa vajrasaṅghātaḥ kumāro'bhyapatad girau। patatā tena śatadhā śilā gātrair vicūrṇitā। tāṁ śilāṁ cūrṇitāṁ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍur vismayam āgamat ॥13॥
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.
yasmin nahani bhīmas tu jajñe bharatasattama। duryodhano'pi tatraiva prajajñe vasudhādhipa ॥14॥
On the same day that Bhīma was born, O best of the Bharatas, Duryodhana too was born, O lord of the earth.
jāte vṛkodare pāṇḍur idaṁ bhūyo'nvacintayat। kathaṁ nu me varaḥ putro lokaśreṣṭho bhaved iti ॥15॥
After the birth of Vṛkodara, Pāṇḍu again pondered — how might I obtain an excellent son, the best in the world?
daive puruṣakāre ca loko'yaṁ hi pratiṣṭhitaḥ। tatra daivaṁ tu vidhinā kālayuktena labhyate ॥16॥
This world is indeed established by both fate and human effort; yet destiny is attained only through proper means and in due time.
indro hi rājā devānāṁ pradhāna iti naḥ śrutam। aprameyabalotsāho vīryavānamitadyutiḥ ॥17॥
We have heard that Indra is indeed the king of the gods, the foremost - of immeasurable strength and vigor, powerful, and of infinite radiance.
taṁ toṣayitvā tapasā putraṁ lapsye mahābalam। yaṁ dāsyati sa me putraṁ sa varīyān bhaviṣyati। karmaṇā manasā vācā tasmāt tapsye mahattapaḥ ॥18॥
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.
tataḥ pāṇḍur mahātejā mantrayitvā maharṣibhiḥ। dideśa kuntyāḥ kauravyo vrataṁ sāṁvatsaraṁ śubham ॥19॥
Then Pāṇḍu of great splendor, after consulting great sages, instructed Kuntī to undertake an auspicious year-long vow.
ātmanā ca mahābāhur ekapādasthito'bhavat। ugraṁ sa tapa ātasthe parameṇa samādhinā ॥20॥
And he, the mighty-armed, stood on one foot and undertook intense penance with supreme concentration.
ārirādhayiṣur devaṁ tridaśānāṁ tam īśvaram। sūryeṇa saha dharmātmā paryavartata bhārata ॥21॥
Desiring to propitiate the god who is lord of the deities, the righteous one circumambulated along with the sun, O Bhārata.
taṁ tu kālena mahatā vāsavaḥ pratyabhāṣata। putraṁ tava pradāsyāmi triṣu lokeṣu viśrutam ॥22॥
After a long time, Indra addressed him: I shall give you a son renowned in the three worlds.
devānāṁ brāhmaṇānāṁ ca suhṛdāṁ cārthasādhakam। sutaṁ te'gryaṁ pradāsyāmi sarvāmitravināśanam ॥23॥
I shall give you a foremost son who will accomplish the aims of the gods, brāhmaṇas, and friends—destroyer of all enemies.
ityuktaḥ kauravo rājā vāsavena mahātmanā। uvāca kuntīṁ dharmātmā devarājavacaḥ smaran ॥24॥
Thus addressed by the great-souled Indra, the righteous Kuru king spoke to Kuntī, remembering the words of the king of gods.
nītimantaṁ mahātmānam ādityasamatejasam। durādharṣaṁ kriyāvantam atīvād-bhutadarśanam ॥25॥
One who possesses noble conduct, great soul, brilliance like the sun, unassailable, active in deeds, and of wondrous appearance.
putraṁ janaya suśroṇi dhāma kṣatriyatejasām। labdhaḥ prasādo devendrāt tam āhvaya śucismite ॥26॥
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.
evam uktā tataḥ śakram ājuhāva yaśasvinī। athājagāma devendro janayām āsa cārjunam ॥27॥
Thus addressed, the illustrious one invoked Indra, who then came and begot Arjuna.
jātamātre kumāre tu vāg uvācāśarīriṇī। mahāgambhīranirghoṣā nabho nādayatī tadā ॥28॥
Then, as the boy was just born, a bodiless voice with deep resonance echoed through the sky.
kārtavīryasamaḥ kunti śibitulyaparākramaḥ। eṣa śakra ivājeyo yaśas te prathayiṣyati ॥29॥
O Kuntī, he is equal to Kārtavīrya and has valor like Śibi. He will be unconquerable like Indra and spread your fame.
adityā viṣṇunā prītir yathābhūd abhivardhitā। tathā viṣṇusamaḥ prītiṁ vardhayiṣyati te'rjunaḥ ॥30॥
As the affection between Aditi and Viṣṇu grew, so too will Arjuna, equal to Viṣṇu, increase your joy.
eṣa madrān vaśe kṛtvā kurūṁś ca saha kekayaiḥ। cedi-kāśi-karūṣāṁś ca kuru-lakṣma sudhāsyati ॥31॥
He will bring the Madras, Kurus, Kekayas, Cedis, Kāśis, and Karūṣas under control and enhance the glory of the Kurus.
etasya bhuja-vīryeṇa khāṇḍave havyavāhanaḥ। medasā sarva-bhūtānāṁ tṛptiṁ yāsyati vai parām ॥32॥
By the might of his arms, the fire-god in Khāṇḍava will attain supreme satisfaction with the fat of all beings.
grāmaṇīś ca mahīpālān eṣa jitvā mahābalaḥ। bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito vīras trīn medhān āhariṣyati ॥33॥
This mighty hero, having conquered chieftains and kings, will perform three sacrifices together with his brothers.
jāmadagnyasamaḥ kunti viṣṇutulyaparākramaḥ। eṣa vīryavatāṁ śreṣṭho bhaviṣyaty aparājitaḥ ॥34॥
O Kuntī, he will be equal to Paraśurāma and Viṣṇu in valor, the foremost among the mighty, and will remain unconquered.
tathā divyāni cāstrāṇi nikhilāny āhariṣyati। vipranaṣṭāṁ śriyaṁ cāyam āhartā puruṣarṣabhaḥ ॥35॥
He will acquire all divine weapons and restore the prosperity lost by the brāhmaṇas, this bull among men.
etām atyadbhutāṁ vācaṁ kuntīputrasya sūtake। uktavān vāyur ākāśe kuntī śuśrāva cāsya tām ॥36॥
The wind-god uttered this wondrous speech at the birth of Kuntī’s son, and Kuntī heard it in the sky.
vācām uccāritām uccais tāṁ niśamya tapasvinām। babhūva paramo harṣaḥ śataśṛṅganivāsinām ॥37॥
Hearing that loudly uttered speech, the ascetics of Shataśṛṅga experienced supreme joy.
tathā devaṛṣīṇāṁ ca sendrāṇāṁ ca divaukasām। ākāśe dundubhīnāṁ ca babhūva tumulaḥ svanaḥ ॥38॥
Likewise, among the divine sages and celestials with Indra, a loud sound of drums arose in the sky.
udatiṣṭhan mahāghoṣaḥ puṣpavṛṣṭibhir āvṛtaḥ। samavetya ca devānāṁ gaṇāḥ pārtham apūjayan ॥39॥
A great sound rose up, enveloped by showers of flowers, as the hosts of gods assembled and honored Arjuna.
kādraveyā vainateyā gandharvāpsarasas tathā। prajānāṁ patayaḥ sarve sapta caiva maharṣayaḥ ॥40॥
The Nāgas and Garuḍas, Gandharvas and Apsaras, all lords of beings, and the seven great sages indeed were present.
bharadvājaḥ kaśyapo gautamaś ca; viśvāmitro jamadagnir vasiṣṭhaḥ। yaś ca udito bhāskare abhūt pranaṣṭe; saḥ api atra atrir bhagavān ājagāma ॥41॥
Bharadvāja, Kaśyapa, Gautama, Viśvāmitra, Jamadagni, and Vasiṣṭha; and he who arose with the sun and vanished — the venerable Atri — also arrived here.
marīcir aṅgirāś caiva pulastyaḥ pulahaḥ kratuḥ। dakṣaḥ prajāpatiś caiva gandharvāpsarasas tathā ॥42॥
Marīci, Aṅgirās, Pulastya, Pulaha, Kratu, Dakṣa the Prajāpati, and likewise the Gandharvas and Apsaras.
divyamālyāmbaradharāḥ sarvālankārabhūṣitāḥ। upagāyanti bībhatsum upanṛtyanti ca apsarāḥ॥ gandharvaiḥ sahitaḥ śrīmān prāg āyata ca tumburuḥ ॥43॥
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.
bhīmasenograsenau ca ūrṇāyur anaghas tathā। gopatir dhṛtarāṣṭraś ca sūryavarcāś ca saptamaḥ ॥44॥
Bhīmasena, Ugrasena, Ūrṇāyu, Anagha, Gopati, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, and the seventh, Sūryavarcās, were also present.
yugapas tṛṇapaḥ kārṣṇir nandiś citrarathas tathā। trayodaśaḥ śāliśirāḥ parjanyaś ca caturdaśaḥ ॥45॥
Yugapa, Tṛṇapa, Kārṣṇi, Nandi, Citraratha; the thirteenth was Śāliśirās, and the fourteenth was Parjanya.
kaliḥ pañcadaśaś cātra nāradaś caiva ṣoḍaśaḥ। sadvā bṛhadvā bṛhakaḥ karālaś ca mahāyaśāḥ ॥46॥
Kali was the fifteenth and Nārada the sixteenth. Also present were Sadvā, Bṛhadvā, Bṛhaka, Karāla, and the greatly renowned ones.
brahmacārī bahuguṇaḥ suparṇaś ceti viśrutaḥ। viśvāvasur bhumanyuś ca sucandro daśamas tathā ॥47॥
The famous ones were the celibate Bahuguṇa, Suparṇa, Viśvāvasu, Bhumanyu, Sucandra as the tenth.
gītamādhuryasampannau vikhyātau ca hahāhuhū। ity ete devagandharvā jagus tatra nararṣabham ॥48॥
Hahā and Huhū, renowned and endowed with the sweetness of song, were among the celestial Gandharvas who sang there to the bull among men.
tathaivāpsaraso hṛṣṭāḥ sarvālankārabhūṣitāḥ। nanṛtur vai mahābhāgā jaguś cāyatalocanāḥ ॥49॥
Likewise, the delighted and ornamented Apsaras, greatly fortunate and broad-eyed, danced and sang.
anūnā cānavadyā ca priyamukhyā guṇāvarā। adrikā ca tathā sācī miśrakeśī alambusā ॥50॥
Not deficient, faultless, most pleasing-faced, and best in virtues — Adrikā, Sācī, Miśrakeśī, and Alambusā also were there.
marīciḥ śicukā caiva vidyutparṇā tilottamā। agnikā lakṣaṇā kṣemā devī rambhā manoramā ॥51॥
Marīcī, Śicukā, Vidyutparṇā, Tilottamā, Agnikā, Lakṣaṇā, Kṣemā, Devī, Rambhā, and Manoramā.
asitā ca subāhuś ca supriyā suvapus tathā। puṇḍarīkā sugandhā ca surathā ca pramāthinī ॥52॥
Asitā, Subāhu, Supriyā, Suvapu, Puṇḍarīkā, Sugandhā, Surathā, and Pramāthinī.
kāmyā śāradvatī caiva nanṛtus tatra saṅghaśaḥ। menakā sahajanyā ca parṇikā puñjikasthalā ॥53॥
Kāmyā, Śāradvatī, Menakā, Sahajanyā, Parṇikā, and Puñjikāsthalā danced there in groups.
kratusthalā ghṛtācī ca viśvācī pūrvacitty api। umlocety abhivikhyātā pramloceti ca tā daśa॥ urvaśy ekādaśī ity etā jagur āyatalocanāḥ ॥54॥
Kratusthalā, Ghṛtācī, Viśvācī, Pūrvacitti, Umlocā, and Pramlocā — these ten famed Apsaras, along with Urvaśī as the eleventh, all broad-eyed, sang together.
dhātā aryamā ca mitraś ca varuṇo aṁśaḥ bhagaḥ tathā। indraḥ vivasvān pūṣā ca tvaṣṭā ca savitā tathā ॥55॥
Dhātā, Aryaman, Mitra, Varuṇa, Aṁśa, Bhaga, Indra, Vivasvān, Pūṣā, Tvaṣṭā, and Savitā were all present.
parjanyaś caiva viṣṇuś ca ādityāḥ pāvakārciṣaḥ। mahimānaṁ pāṇḍavasya vardhayanto ambare sthitāḥ ॥56॥
Parjanya and Viṣṇu, along with the flaming Ādityas, stood in the sky increasing the glory of the Pāṇḍava.
mṛgavyādhaś ca śarvaś ca nirṛtiś ca mahāyaśāḥ। ajaikapād ahirbudhnyaḥ pinākī ca parantapaḥ ॥57॥
Mṛgavyādha, Śarva, Nirṛti the greatly renowned, Ajaikapād, Ahirbudhnya, Pinākī, and Parantapa were present.
dahano atha īśvaraś caiva kapālī ca viśāṁ pate। sthāṇuḥ bhavaḥ ca bhagavān rudrāḥ tatra avatasthire ॥58॥
Dahana, Īśvara, Kapālī, Sthāṇu, Bhava, and the venerable Rudras all stood firmly there, O lord of men.
aśvinau vasavaś cāṣṭau marutaś ca mahābalāḥ। viśvedevās tathā sādhyās tatrāsan parisaṁsthitāḥ ॥59॥
The two Aśvins, the eight Vasus, the mighty Maruts, the Viśvedevas, and the Sādhyas were all assembled there.
karkoṭakaḥ atha śeṣaḥ ca vāsukiḥ ca bhujaṅgamaḥ। kacchapaḥ ca apakuṇḍaḥ ca takṣakaḥ ca mahoragaḥ ॥60॥
Then Karkoṭaka, Śeṣa, Vāsuki the serpent, Kacchapa, Āpakuṇḍa, Takṣaka, and other great serpents appeared.
āyayus tejasā yuktā mahākrodhā mahābalāḥ। ete ca anye ca bahavas tatra nāgā vyavasthitāḥ ॥61॥
Endowed with brilliance, great wrath, and immense strength, these and many other serpents assembled there.
tārkṣyaś cāriṣṭanemiś ca garuḍaś ca asitadhvajaḥ। aruṇaś cāruṇiś caiva vainateyā vyavasthitāḥ ॥62॥
Tārkṣya, Ariṣṭanemi, Garuḍa the dark-bannered, Aruṇa and Āruṇi — all sons of Vinatā — were assembled.
tad dṛṣṭvā mahat āścaryam vismitā munisattamāḥ। adhikāṁ sma tato vṛttim avartan pāṇḍavān prati ॥63॥
Seeing that great wonder, the astonished sages turned even greater attention toward the Pāṇḍavas.
pāṇḍus tu punar evaināṁ putralobhān mahāyaśāḥ। prāhiṇod darśanīyāṅgīṁ kuntī tu enam athābravīt ॥64॥
Desiring more sons, the highly renowned Pāṇḍu again sent the beautiful-limbed Kuntī; but Kuntī then said to him:
nātaś caturthaṁ prasavam āpatsv api vadanty uta। ataḥ paraṁ cāriṇī syāt pañcame bandhākī bhavet ॥65॥
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.
sa tvaṁ vidvan dharmam imaṁ buddhigamyaṁ kathaṁ nu mām। apatyārthaṁ samutkramya pramādād iva bhāṣase ॥66॥
O learned one, how indeed do you speak to me, transgressing this intelligible dharma for the sake of offspring, as if in error?
