03.120
Sātyaki said.
O Rāma, this is not a time for lamentation; whatever response is required there, that indeed all of us shall do. We must act now, not concerning past time, even though Yudhiṣṭhira has not said anything. (03-120-1)
Those who have protectors in this world do not undertake actions by themselves; for their affairs, protectors such as Śaibya and others become their guardians, O Rama, just as (they were) for Yayāti. (03-120-2)
O Rāma, those in the world whose protectors undertake actions by their own judgment—such eminent men with protectors do not face hardships like men who are without protectors. (03-120-3)
For what reason are Rāma and Janārdana, along with Pradyumna and Sāmba whom I have united, dwelling in the forest with their own brothers, though they have attained the lords of the three worlds as their lords? (03-120-4)
Today, let the Daśārha army, equipped with many kinds of weapons and shining armor, march ahead. Let the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and his kinsmen, overpowered by the strength of the Vṛṣṇis, proceed to Yama's abode. (03-120-5)
You alone, indeed, in your wrath could envelop even this earth; but let Śārṅgadhanvan remain. Slay that son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra with his followers, as Mahendra, the lord of the gods, slew Vṛtra. (03-120-6)
Pārtha, who is my brother, my friend, my teacher, and who is to Janārdana as his own self; whatever excellent action he undertakes for a purpose, that highest deed he accomplishes, which ought not to be neglected. (03-120-7)
O Rāma, having repelled all his showers of missiles in battle with excellent missiles and overpowering him, I am harassed on my body and head by excellent arrows comparable to serpent-poison-fire. (03-120-8)
With my sharp sword in battle, I will forcibly cut off his head from his body; then I will slay all his followers, Duryodhana, and indeed all the Kurus. (03-120-9)
O son of Rohinī, see me here, armed for battle; let the sons of Earth, elated in battle, witness me alone destroying the chiefs of Kuru warriors, like the fire of destruction consuming a great forest at the destined time. (03-120-10)
Kṛpa, Droṇa, Vikarṇa, and Karṇa are not able to withstand the sharp arrows released by Pradyumna; I know your son's heroic strength, and this son of Kṛṣṇa is as powerful as him as he stands in battle. (03-120-11)
Sāmba, with his charioteer and chariot, using his arms, should subdue Duḥśāsana by force, having overthrown him. There is nothing in battle irresistible for the son of Jāmbavatī, who is outstanding in warfare. (03-120-12)
It was by this very boy that the army of the Daitya Śambara was swiftly routed. With rounded thighs and exceptionally long and strong arms, this hero in battle destroyed horses and chariots. In truth, who is the man in battle who, upon drawing near, could withstand the reach of Sāmba's arms? (03-120-13)
Just as when a human enters the domain of Yama (the Ender), in due course he does not come back out, so too, once one has entered this cycle of enumeration, who indeed among the living could ever return? (03-120-14)
Vasudeva will burn Drona, Bhishma—those two great chariot-warriors—Somadatta (who is also surrounded by his sons), and all the armies, by nets of arrow-fire. (03-120-15)
"What can there be in all the worlds that is irresistible to Kṛṣṇa, among all the gods? Armed, holding the best arrows in hand, possessing the discus as his weapon—there is none his equal in battle." (03-120-16)
Then, unrestrained and still holding sword and shield, let him make this earth—strewn with the slain and headless, unconscious sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra—like an altar covered with kuśa grass in sacrifices. (03-120-17)
Let Gada and Ulmuka; Bāhuka and Bhānunītha; and Śūra along with prince Niśaṭha, Sāraṇa and Cārudeṣṇa, who are all foremost in battle, accomplish the action befitting their lineage. (03-120-18)
May the kṣatriya Śūrasena army, together with the warrior-chiefs of the Vṛṣṇis, Bhojas, and Āndhakas, having slain those sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra in battle, bring abundant fame in the world. (03-120-19)
Then Abhimanyu should rule the earth, for as long as Yudhishthira, the foremost among the upholders of dharma, fulfils the vow in the game of dice, as stated by the best of the Kurus. (3-120-20)
When, by the arrows discharged by us, the enemy is conquered, then Dharmaraja (Yudhishthira) will enjoy the earth—freed from the Dhārtarāṣṭras with the son of the charioteer killed. Indeed, this is for us the greatest and most glorious deed to accomplish. (03-120-21)
Vāsudeva said.
Without doubt, Mādhava, this is true; I accept your statement, O one of firm spirit. The chief of the Kurus, unconquered, would not wish for the kingdom by his own two arms in any manner. (03-120-22)
Indeed, Yudhiṣṭhira would never abandon his own dharma out of desire, fear, or greed; nor would Bhīma and Arjuna, the mighty warriors, or Nakula and Sahadeva, or even Kṛṣṇā, the daughter of Drupada. (03-120-23)
Both Vṛkodara and Dhanañjaya are truly without equal in battle on earth. Why should not this one, especially honored by the two sons of Mādrī, rule the entire world? (03-120-24)
But when the great-souled king of the Pāñcālas, along with the Kekayas and the king of the Cedis, and we ourselves, fight and overcome our enemies, then indeed Suyodhana will leave the world of the living. (03-120-25)
Yudhiṣṭhira said.
O Mādhava, what you speak is not surprising; for me, the truth is most worth protecting, not the kingdom. In fact, Kṛṣṇa alone knows me as I really am, and I also know Kṛṣṇa truly as he is. (03-120-26)
When the time comes and the foremost among men realizes Mādhava's valor, then in battle both you, O best of the Shinis, and Keśava will conquer Suyodhana. (03-120-27)
Let the Daśārha heroes return today; I am firm, being protected by the lords of men. In regard to dharma, be free from negligence, O immeasurable ones; I shall see you all happily assembled again. (03-120-28)
Vaiśampāyana said.
After exchanging farewells and salutations, embracing the elders and all the children, the heroes of the Yadu race returned to their respective homes; the king too proceeded to visit the holy places. (3-120-29)
Having left the Krishna river, then King Yudhishthira came to the sacred river with good fords, honored by the king of Vidarbha. Together with his son Soma, whose waters were mixed, then he stayed near the river Payoṣṇī. (03-120-30)
