01.124
Core:Arrangements for display of military skills by Kurus.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said:
कृतास्त्रान्धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च पाण्डुपुत्रांश्च भारत। दृष्ट्वा द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम् ॥१-१२४-१॥
O Bhārata, seeing both the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the sons of Pāṇḍu trained in weapons, Droṇa said to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of men.
कृपस्य सोमदत्तस्य बाह्लीकस्य च धीमतः। गाङ्गेयस्य च सांनिध्ये व्यासस्य विदुरस्य च ॥१-१२४-२॥
In the presence of the wise Kṛpa, Somadatta, Bāhlīka, Gāṅgeya, Vyāsa, and Vidura.
राजन्सम्प्राप्तविद्यास्ते कुमराः कुरुसत्तम। ते दर्शयेयुः स्वां शिक्षां राजन्ननुमते तव ॥१-१२४-३॥
O King, your sons who have gained knowledge, O best of the Kurus, should demonstrate their training with your consent.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराजः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना। भारद्वाज महत्कर्म कृतं ते द्विजसत्तम ॥१-१२४-४॥
Then the great king, delighted within, said, “O Bhāradvāja, a great deed has been done by you, O best of Brāhmaṇas.”
यदा तु मन्यसे कालं यस्मिन्देशे यथा यथा। तथा तथा विधानाय स्वयमाज्ञापयस्व माम् ॥१-१२४-५॥
Whenever and wherever you consider fit, please command me yourself for making the necessary arrangements.
स्पृहयाम्यद्य निर्वेदात्पुरुषाणां सचक्षुषाम्। अस्त्रहेतोः पराक्रान्तान्ये मे द्रक्ष्यन्ति पुत्रकान् ॥१-१२४-६॥
I desire today, with detachment, that people with eyes will witness my sons performing valor for the sake of weapons.
क्षत्तर्यद्गुरुराचार्यो ब्रवीति कुरु तत्तथा। न हीदृशं प्रियं मन्ये भविता धर्मवत्सल ॥१-१२४-७॥
O minister, do whatever the teacher says, for I do not think there will be anything more pleasing than this, O lover of dharma.
ततो राजानमामन्त्र्य विदुरानुगतो बहिः। भारद्वाजो महाप्राज्ञो मापयामास मेदिनीम्। समामवृक्षां निर्गुल्मामुदक्प्रवणसंस्थिताम् ॥१-१२४-८॥
Then, after taking leave of the king and accompanied by Vidura, the wise Bhāradvāja measured out land—level, treeless, shrubless, and sloping toward water.
तस्यां भूमौ बलिं चक्रे तिथौ नक्षत्रपूजिते। अवघुष्टं पुरे चापि तदर्थं वदतां वर ॥१-१२४-९॥
On that land, he performed a sacrificial offering on an auspicious day under a favorable star, and it was proclaimed throughout the city for that purpose, O best of speakers.
रङ्गभूमौ सुविपुलं शास्त्रदृष्टं यथाविधि। प्रेक्षागारं सुविहितं चक्रुस्तत्र च शिल्पिनः। राज्ञः सर्वायुधोपेतं स्त्रीणां चैव नरर्षभ ॥१-१२४-१०॥
In the arena, the artisans constructed a very spacious and properly designed viewing gallery according to scriptural directions, equipped with all weapons for the king and also arranged for women, O best of men.
मञ्चांश्च कारयामासुस्तत्र जानपदा जनाः । विपुलानुच्छ्रयोपेताञ्शिबिकाश्च महाधनाः ॥१-१२४-११॥
The people of the region constructed elevated platforms and palanquins for the wealthy.
तस्मिंस्ततोऽहनि प्राप्ते राजा ससचिवस्तदा । भीष्मं प्रमुखतः कृत्वा कृपं चाचार्यसत्तमम् ॥१-१२४-१२॥
Then, on that day, the king arrived with his ministers, placing Bhīṣma and Kṛpa, the best of teachers, at the front.
मुक्ताजालपरिक्षिप्तं वैडूर्यमणिभूषितम् । शातकुम्भमयं दिव्यं प्रेक्षागारमुपागमत् ॥१-१२४-१३॥
He entered the divine viewing pavilion, made of refined gold, adorned with cat’s-eye gems, and enclosed by a net of pearls.
गान्धारी च महाभागा कुन्ती च जयतां वर । स्त्रियश्च सर्वा या राज्ञः सप्रेष्याः सपरिच्छदाः ॥ हर्षादारुरुहुर्मञ्चान्मेरुं देवस्त्रियो यथा ॥१-१२४-१४॥
Gāndhārī the blessed, Kuntī, and all the king’s women with attendants and ornaments joyfully ascended the platforms like celestial women ascending Mount Meru.
ब्राह्मणक्षत्रियाद्यं च चातुर्वर्ण्यं पुराद्द्रुतम् । दर्शनेप्सु समभ्यागात्कुमाराणां कृतास्त्रताम् ॥१-१२४-१५॥
The four castes—Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, and others—swiftly came from the city, desiring to witness the martial skill of the princes.
प्रवादितैश्च वादित्रैर्जनकौतूहलेन च । महार्णव इव क्षुब्धः समाजः सोऽभवत्तदा ॥१-१२४-१६॥
With musical instruments playing and people full of curiosity, the assembly became like an agitated ocean.
ततः शुक्लाम्बरधरः शुक्लयज्ञोपवीतवान् । शुक्लकेशः सितश्मश्रुः शुक्लमाल्यानुलेपनः ॥१-१२४-१७॥
Then appeared one clad in white garments, with white sacred thread, white hair, white beard, and adorned with white garlands and ointments.
रङ्गमध्यं तदाचार्यः सपुत्रः प्रविवेश ह । नभो जलधरैर्हीनं साङ्गारक इवांशुमान् ॥१-१२४-१८॥
Then the teacher, with his son, entered the center of the arena, like the radiant Mars shining in a sky devoid of clouds.
स यथासमयं चक्रे बलिं बलवतां वरः । ब्राह्मणांश्चात्र मन्त्रज्ञान्वाचयामास मङ्गलम् ॥१-१२४-१९॥
He, the best among the mighty, performed the offering at the right time and had the mantra-knowing Brāhmaṇas chant auspicious hymns.
अथ पुण्याहघोषस्य पुण्यस्य तदनन्तरम् । विविशुर्विविधं गृह्य शस्त्रोपकरणं नराः ॥१-१२४-२०॥
Then, after the declaration of the sacred day, men entered with various weapons and equipment.
ततो बद्धतनुत्राणा बद्धकक्ष्या महाबलाः । बद्धतूणाः सधनुषो विविशुर्भरतर्षभाः ॥१-१२४-२१॥
Then the mighty Bharatas, equipped with armor, belts, quivers, and bows, entered the arena.
अनुज्येष्ठं च ते तत्र युधिष्ठिरपुरोगमाः । चक्रुरस्त्रं महावीर्याः कुमाराः परमाद्भुतम् ॥१-१२४-२२॥
The powerful princes, led by Yudhiṣṭhira and following the eldest, performed marvelous feats of weaponry.
केचिच्छराक्षेपभयाच्छिरांस्यवननामिरे । मनुजा धृष्टमपरे वीक्षां चक्रुः सविस्मयाः ॥१-१२४-२३॥
Some men bent their heads in fear of flying arrows, while others watched boldly with amazement.
ते स्म लक्ष्याणि विविधुर्बाणैर्नामाङ्कशोभितैः । विविधैर्लाघवोत्सृष्टैरुह्यन्तो वाजिभिर्द्रुतम् ॥१-१२४-२४॥
They struck targets with named arrows, skillfully released while swiftly riding horses.
तत्कुमारबलं तत्र गृहीतशरकार्मुकम् । गन्धर्वनगराकारं प्रेक्ष्य ते विस्मिताभवन् ॥१-१२४-२५॥
Seeing the princely strength, armed with bows and arrows, like a city of Gandharvas, they were amazed.
सहसा चुक्रुशुस्तत्र नराः शतसहस्रशः । विस्मयोत्फुल्लनयनाः साधु साध्विति भारत ॥१-१२४-२६॥
Suddenly, hundreds of thousands of men with eyes wide in amazement shouted, "Well done! Well done!"
कृत्वा धनुषि ते मार्गान्रथचर्यासु चासकृत् । गजपृष्ठेऽश्वपृष्ठे च नियुद्धे च महाबलाः ॥१-१२४-२७॥
The mighty warriors repeatedly displayed bowmanship during chariot movements, and on elephant and horse backs, as well as in close combat.
गृहीतखड्गचर्माणस्ततो भूयः प्रहारिणः । त्सरुमार्गान्यथोद्दिष्टांश्चेरुः सर्वासु भूमिषु ॥१-१२४-२८॥
Then, holding swords and shields, they again moved through all the designated fighting patterns across the grounds.
लाघवं सौष्ठवं शोभां स्थिरत्वं दृढमुष्टिताम् । ददृशुस्तत्र सर्वेषां प्रयोगे खड्गचर्मणाम् ॥१-१२४-२९॥
They observed agility, elegance, beauty, steadiness, and firm grip in everyone's sword and shield performance.
अथ तौ नित्यसंहृष्टौ सुयोधनवृकोदरौ । अवतीर्णौ गदाहस्तावेकशृङ्गाविवाचलौ ॥१-१२४-३०॥
Then the ever-delighted Suyodhana and Vṛkodara descended, mace in hand, like two immovable mountain peaks.
बद्धकक्ष्यौ महाबाहू पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितौ । बृंहन्तौ वाशिताहेतोः समदाविव कुञ्जरौ ॥१-१२४-३१॥
With belts secured and mighty arms, the two stood firm in manly pride, massive like excited elephants stirred by trumpet calls.
तौ प्रदक्षिणसव्यानि मण्डलानि महाबलौ । चेरतुर्निर्मलगदौ समदाविव गोवृषौ ॥१-१२४-३२॥
Those two mighty warriors circled left and right with shining maces, like excited bulls.
विदुरो धृतराष्ट्राय गान्धार्यै पाण्डवारणिः । न्यवेदयेतां तत्सर्वं कुमाराणां विचेष्टितम् ॥१-१२४-३३॥
Vidura, the ally of the Pāṇḍavas, reported to Dhṛtarāṣṭra and Gāndhārī all the activities of the princes.
