03.154
जटासुरबधपर्व
The episode of the slaying of Jaṭāsura
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततस्तान्परिविश्वस्तान्वसतस्तत्र पाण्डवान्। गतेषु तेषु रक्षःसु भीमसेनात्मजेऽपि च ॥०३-१५४-१॥
Then, after the guards had departed, the Pāṇḍavas who were confidently dwelling there, as well as Bhīmasena's son, also remained. (03-154-1)
रहितान्भीमसेनेन कदाचित्तान्यदृच्छया। जहार धर्मराजानं यमौ कृष्णां च राक्षसः ॥०३-१५४-२॥
Once, when they were without Bhīmasena, the demon, by chance, seized Dharmarāja, the twins, and Kṛṣṇā. (03-154-2)
ब्राह्मणो मन्त्रकुशलः सर्वास्त्रेष्वस्त्रवित्तमः। इति ब्रुवन्पाण्डवेयान्पर्युपास्ते स्म नित्यदा ॥०३-१५४-३॥
The Brahmin, skilled in mantras and foremost in knowledge of all weapons, always attended upon the Pandavas, speaking thus. (03-154-3)
परीक्षमाणः पार्थानां कलापानि धनूंषि च। अन्तरं समभिप्रेप्सुर्नाम्ना ख्यातो जटासुरः ॥०३-१५४-४॥
Jaṭāsura, known by that name, examining the Pāṇḍavas' quivers and bows, sought to find an opening among them. (03-154-4)
स भीमसेने निष्क्रान्ते मृगयार्थमरिंदमे। अन्यद्रूपं समास्थाय विकृतं भैरवं महत् ॥०३-१५४-५॥
When Bhīmasena had gone out for hunting, O subduer of enemies, he assumed another form—strange, terrifying, and great. (03-154-5)
गृहीत्वा सर्वशस्त्राणि द्रौपदीं परिगृह्य च। प्रातिष्ठत स दुष्टात्मा त्रीन्गृहीत्वा च पाण्डवान् ॥०३-१५४-६॥
Having taken all the weapons and having seized Draupadī, that wicked-souled one set out, taking also the three Pāṇḍavas. (03-154-6)
सहदेवस्तु यत्नेन ततोऽपक्रम्य पाण्डवः। आक्रन्दद्भीमसेनं वै येन यातो महाबलः ॥०३-१५४-७॥
But Sahadeva, the Pāṇḍava, with effort withdrew from there and called out to Bhīmasena, by whom the mighty one had gone. (03-154-7)
तमब्रवीद्धर्मराजो ह्रियमाणो युधिष्ठिरः। धर्मस्ते हीयते मूढ न चैनं समवेक्षसे ॥०३-१५४-८॥
As he was being taken away, Yudhishthira, the King of Dharma, spoke to him: "Your dharma is being diminished, O deluded one, and you do not perceive it." (03-154-8)
येऽन्ये केचिन्मनुष्येषु तिर्यग्योनिगता अपि। गन्धर्वयक्षरक्षांसि वयांसि पशवस्तथा ॥ मनुष्यानुपजीवन्ति ततस्त्वमुपजीवसि ॥०३-१५४-९॥
Some others among humans, as well as those born in animal species—gandharvas, yakṣas, rākṣasas, birds, and animals—also subsist upon humans; thus, you subsist upon them. (3-154-9)
समृद्ध्या ह्यस्य लोकस्य लोको युष्माकमृध्यते। इमं च लोकं शोचन्तमनुशोचन्ति देवताः ॥ पूज्यमानाश्च वर्धन्ते हव्यकव्यैर्यथाविधि ॥०३-१५४-१०॥
Truly, through the prosperity of this world, your world prospers. And when this world is suffering, the deities lament after it. When worshipped with proper oblations and offerings, the deities are nourished and grow. (03-154-10)
वयं राष्ट्रस्य गोप्तारो रक्षितारश्च राक्षस। राष्ट्रस्यारक्ष्यमाणस्य कुतो भूतिः कुतः सुखम् ॥०३-१५४-११॥
We are the nation's protectors and guardians, O Rākṣasa. If the nation is not protected, how can there be prosperity, how can there be happiness? (03-154-11)
न च राजावमन्तव्यो रक्षसा जात्वनागसि। अणुरप्यपचारश्च नास्त्यस्माकं नराशन ॥०३-१५४-१२॥
The king should never be despised by you, O Rākṣasa, at any time, especially in one who is innocent. Not even the slightest offense exists with us, O man-eater. (03-154-12)
द्रोग्धव्यं न च मित्रेषु न विश्वस्तेषु कर्हिचित्। येषां चान्नानि भुञ्जीत यत्र च स्यात्प्रतिश्रयः ॥०३-१५४-१३॥
One must not harm either friends or those who are trusted at any time—especially those whose food one eats and where one finds shelter. (03-154-13)
स त्वं प्रतिश्रयेऽस्माकं पूज्यमानः सुखोषितः। भुक्त्वा चान्नानि दुष्प्रज्ञ कथमस्माञ्जिहीर्षसि ॥०३-१५४-१४॥
But you, having been honored and comfortably housed under our protection, and after partaking of our food, foolish one, how do you wish to abandon us? (03-154-14)
एवमेव वृथाचारो वृथावृद्धो वृथामतिः। वृथामरणमर्हस्त्वं वृथाद्य न भविष्यसि ॥०३-१५४-१५॥
Just so, you are of futile conduct, have grown old in vain, possess a wasted intellect, and are deserving of a worthless death; from today, you will not be in vain. (03-154-15)
अथ चेद्दुष्टबुद्धिस्त्वं सर्वैर्धर्मैर्विवर्जितः। प्रदाय शस्त्राण्यस्माकं युद्धेन द्रौपदीं हर ॥०३-१५४-१६॥
Now, if you, being of corrupt mind and devoid of all virtues, surrender our weapons and seize Draupadī by fighting, (03-154-16)
अथ चेत्त्वमविज्ञाय इदं कर्म करिष्यसि। अधर्मं चाप्यकीर्तिं च लोके प्राप्स्यसि केवलम् ॥०३-१५४-१७॥
If you do this action without understanding, then you will attain only unrighteousness and disrepute in the world. (03-154-17)
एतामद्य परामृश्य स्त्रियं राक्षस मानुषीम्। विषमेतत्समालोड्य कुम्भेन प्राशितं त्वया ॥०३-१५४-१८॥
O rākṣasa, having touched this human woman today, you have consumed this poison, well mixed in the pot. (03-154-18)
ततो युधिष्ठिरस्तस्य भारिकः समपद्यत। स तु भाराभिभूतात्मा न तथा शीघ्रगोऽभवत् ॥०३-१५४-१९॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira became his burden-bearer. But, being weighed down by the burden, he was not able to move as quickly. (03-154-19)
अथाब्रवीद्द्रौपदीं च नकुलं च युधिष्ठिरः। मा भैष्ट राक्षसान्मूढाद्गतिरस्य मया हृता ॥०३-१५४-२०॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira said to Draupadī and Nakula: "Do not fear the rākṣasas; I have taken away this deluded being's path." (03-154-20)
नातिदूरे महाबाहुर्भविता पवनात्मजः। अस्मिन्मुहूर्ते सम्प्राप्ते न भविष्यति राक्षसः ॥०३-१५४-२१॥
The son of the wind, who possesses mighty arms, will not be far off. When this very moment has arrived, the demon will cease to exist. (03-154-21)
सहदेवस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा राक्षसं मूढचेतसम्। उवाच वचनं राजन्कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥०३-१५४-२२॥
But Sahadeva, seeing that demon whose mind was deluded, spoke words to Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, O king. (03-154-22)
राजन्किं नाम तत्कृत्यं क्षत्रियस्यास्त्यतोऽधिकम्। यद्युद्धेऽभिमुखः प्राणांस्त्यजेच्छत्रूञ्जयेत वा ॥०३-१५४-२३॥
O king, can there be any deed of a kṣatriya greater than this: facing the enemy in battle, to either lay down his life or to conquer his foes? (03-154-23)
एष चास्मान्वयं चैनं युध्यमानाः परन्तप। सूदयेम महाबाहो देशकालो ह्ययं नृप ॥०३-१५४-२४॥
O mighty-armed, O king, this is the time and place for us; O scorcher of foes, if we fight, we may destroy him and his people. (03-154-24)
क्षत्रधर्मस्य सम्प्राप्तः कालः सत्यपराक्रम। जयन्तः पात्यमाना वा प्राप्तुमर्हाम सद्गतिम् ॥०३-१५४-२५॥
O truly valiant one, the time for the kṣatriya's duty has come. Whether we conquer or fall in battle, we deserve to attain the noble state. (03-154-25)
राक्षसे जीवमानेऽद्य रविरस्तमियाद्यदि। नाहं ब्रूयां पुनर्जातु क्षत्रियोऽस्मीति भारत ॥०३-१५४-२६॥
O Bhārata, if today, while the demon is still alive, the sun should set, I would never again claim, "I am a warrior." (3-154-26)
भो भो राक्षस तिष्ठस्व सहदेवोऽस्मि पाण्डवः। हत्वा वा मां नयस्वैनान्हतो वाद्येह स्वप्स्यसि ॥०३-१५४-२७॥
O O rākṣasa, stand! I am Sahadeva, a Pāṇḍava. Kill me and lead these away, or if killed, today here you will sleep. (03-154-27)
तथैव तस्मिन्ब्रुवति भीमसेनो यदृच्छया। प्रादृश्यत महाबाहुः सवज्र इव वासवः ॥०३-१५४-२८॥
In the same way, as Bhimasena was speaking, by chance the strong-armed Indra, like one wielding the thunderbolt, appeared. (03-154-28)
सोऽपश्यद्भ्रातरौ तत्र द्रौपदीं च यशस्विनीम्। क्षितिस्थं सहदेवं च क्षिपन्तं राक्षसं तदा ॥०३-१५४-२९॥
At that time, he saw his two brothers there, and the illustrious Draupadī, and Sahadeva standing on the ground, while the rākṣasa was hurling him. (03-154-29)
मार्गाच्च राक्षसं मूढं कालोपहतचेतसम्। भ्रमन्तं तत्र तत्रैव दैवेन विनिवारितम् ॥०३-१५४-३०॥
The rākṣasa, who was deluded and whose mind was confounded by time, was prevented by destiny from the path as he wandered about here and there. (03-154-30)
भ्रातॄंस्तान्ह्रियतो दृष्ट्वा द्रौपदीं च महाबलः। क्रोधमाहारयद्भीमो राक्षसं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥०३-१५४-३१॥
Seeing his brothers and Draupadī being carried away, the mighty Bhīma became angry and addressed the Rākṣasa with these words. (03-154-31)
विज्ञातोऽसि मया पूर्वं चेष्टञ्शस्त्रपरीक्षणे। आस्था तु त्वयि मे नास्ति यतोऽसि न हतस्तदा ॥ ब्रह्मरूपप्रतिच्छन्नो न नो वदसि चाप्रियम् ॥०३-१५४-३२॥
I previously recognized you, acting during the trial of weapons. But I have no faith in you, since you were not killed then. Concealed by the form of Brahman, you do not tell us anything unpleasant. (03-154-32)
प्रियेषु चरमाणं त्वां न चैवाप्रियकारिणम्। अतिथिं ब्रह्मरूपं च कथं हन्यामनागसम् ॥ राक्षसं मन्यमानोऽपि यो हन्यान्नरकं व्रजेत् ॥०३-१५४-३३॥
You, moving among dear ones and not doing any harm, are a guest and bear the form of Brahman—how could I kill an innocent being? Even considering as a rākṣasa, whoever were to kill one would go to hell. (03-154-33)
अपक्वस्य च कालेन वधस्तव न विद्यते। नूनमद्यासि सम्पक्वो यथा ते मतिरीदृशी ॥ दत्ता कृष्णापहरणे कालेनाद्भुतकर्मणा ॥०३-१५४-३४॥
For one who is unripe, fate does not allow death. Surely, today you are matured, as your mind is of this kind—destined by the wondrous act of time in the abduction of Krishna. (03-154-34)
बडिशोऽयं त्वया ग्रस्तः कालसूत्रेण लम्बितः। मत्स्योऽम्भसीव स्यूतास्यः कथं मेऽद्य गमिष्यसि ॥०३-१५४-३५॥
Just as a fish in water, caught on a hook and pierced in the mouth, hangs by the thread of time—how will you come to me today? (03-154-35)
यं चासि प्रस्थितो देशं मनः पूर्वं गतं च ते। न तं गन्तासि गन्तासि मार्गं बकहिडिम्बयोः ॥०३-१५४-३६॥
The place to which you have set out, where your mind had gone before, you will not go, you will go the path of Baka and Hiḍimba. (03-154-36)
एवमुक्तस्तु भीमेन राक्षसः कालचोदितः। भीत उत्सृज्य तान्सर्वान्युद्धाय समुपस्थितः ॥०३-१५४-३७॥
When thus addressed by Bhīma, the demon, impelled by fate, terrified, abandoned all his companions and stood ready for battle. (03-154-37)
अब्रवीच्च पुनर्भीमं रोषात्प्रस्फुरिताधरः। न मे मूढा दिशः पाप त्वदर्थं मे विलम्बनम् ॥०३-१५४-३८॥
Then, with quivering lips in anger, he spoke to Bhīma again: 'My senses are not confused, O sinner; my delay is only for your sake.' (03-154-38)
श्रुता मे राक्षसा ये ये त्वया विनिहता रणे। तेषामद्य करिष्यामि तवास्रेणोदकक्रियाम् ॥०३-१५४-३९॥
I have heard of the rākṣasas who were slain by you in battle; today, with your blood, I will perform the water-rite for them. (03-154-39)
एवमुक्तस्ततो भीमः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्। स्मयमान इव क्रोधात्साक्षात्कालान्तकोपमः ॥ बाहुसंरम्भमेवेच्छन्नभिदुद्राव राक्षसम् ॥०३-१५४-४०॥
Thus, when addressed, Bhima, licking his lips and grinning as if in anger, looking just like Death himself, wishing only for the exertion of his arms, rushed at the demon. (03-154-40)
राक्षसोऽपि तदा भीमं युद्धार्थिनमवस्थितम्। अभिदुद्राव संरब्धो बलो वज्रधरं यथा ॥०३-१५४-४१॥
The Rākṣasa too then, enraged, rushed towards Bhīma—who was standing ready for battle—just like Bala (the strong one) would rush at the wielder of the thunderbolt (Indra). (03-154-41)
वर्तमाने तदा ताभ्यां बाहुयुद्धे सुदारुणे। माद्रीपुत्रावभिक्रुद्धावुभावप्यभ्यधावताम् ॥०३-१५४-४२॥
At that moment, as the fierce hand-to-hand combat continued, the two sons of Mādrī, both very enraged, rushed at each other. (03-154-42)
न्यवारयत्तौ प्रहसन्कुन्तीपुत्रो वृकोदरः। शक्तोऽहं राक्षसस्येति प्रेक्षध्वमिति चाब्रवीत् ॥०३-१५४-४३॥
Smiling, Vṛkodara, the son of Kuntī, restrained the two and said, 'I am capable of facing the Rākṣasa—just watch.' (03-154-43)
आत्मना भ्रातृभिश्चाहं धर्मेण सुकृतेन च। इष्टेन च शपे राजन्सूदयिष्यामि राक्षसम् ॥०३-१५४-४४॥
O king, I swear by myself, my brothers, righteousness, good deeds, and sacrifices performed, that I will destroy the rākṣasa. (03-154-44)
इत्येवमुक्त्वा तौ वीरौ स्पर्धमानौ परस्परम्। बाहुभिः समसज्जेतामुभौ रक्षोवृकोदरौ ॥०३-१५४-४५॥
Thus, having spoken in this way, those two heroes—the Rākṣasa and Bhīma (Vṛkodara)—competed with each other and both engaged in battle with their arms. (03-154-45)
तयोरासीत्सम्प्रहारः क्रुद्धयोर्भीमरक्षसोः। अमृष्यमाणयोः सङ्ख्ये देवदानवयोरिव ॥०३-१५४-४६॥
A fierce attack took place between those two enraged and terrible rāksasas, each not tolerating the other, in the battle—like that between gods and demons. (03-154-46)
आरुज्यारुज्य तौ वृक्षानन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः। जीमूताविव घर्मान्ते विनदन्तौ महाबलौ ॥०३-१५४-४७॥
Having torn off trees, both of them struck each other, roaring like clouds at the end of summer, both possessing great strength. (03-154-47)
बभञ्जतुर्महावृक्षानूरुभिर्बलिनां वरौ। अन्योन्येनाभिसंरब्धौ परस्परजयैषिणौ ॥०३-१५४-४८॥
The two strongest heroes, enraged and eager to surpass each other, broke great trees with their thighs, each intent on victory over the other. (03-154-48)
तद्वृक्षयुद्धमभवन्महीरुहविनाशनम्। वालिसुग्रीवयोर्भ्रात्रोः पुरेव कपिसिंहयोः ॥०३-१५४-४९॥
That battle with trees became a destruction of trees for Vāli and Sugrīva, the two brother monkey-chiefs, just as before. (03-154-49)
आविध्याविध्य तौ वृक्षान्मुहूर्तमितरेतरम्। ताडयामासतुरुभौ विनदन्तौ मुहुर्मुहुः ॥०३-१५४-५०॥
Striking repeatedly, the two struck each other and the trees for a moment, both of them roaring again and again. (03-154-50)
तस्मिन्देशे यदा वृक्षाः सर्व एव निपातिताः। पुञ्जीकृताश्च शतशः परस्परवधेप्सया ॥०३-१५४-५१॥
In that region, when all the trees had indeed been felled and piled up in hundreds, with mutual desire to destroy one another. (03-154-51)
तदा शिलाः समादाय मुहूर्तमिव भारत। महाभ्रैरिव शैलेन्द्रौ युयुधाते महाबलौ ॥०३-१५४-५२॥
Then, O Bhārata, having seized rocks, the two mighty lords of mountains, each of great strength, engaged in battle for a brief moment, like great clouds. (03-154-52)
उग्राभिरुग्ररूपाभिर्बृहतीभिः परस्परम्। वज्रैरिव महावेगैराजघ्नतुरमर्षणौ ॥०३-१५४-५३॥
The unyielding ones struck each other with fierce, mighty, and terrible-formed weapons, like thunderbolts with great speed. (03-154-53)
अभिहत्य च भूयस्तावन्योन्यं बलदर्पितौ। भुजाभ्यां परिगृह्याथ चकर्षाते गजाविव ॥०३-१५४-५४॥
Having struck at each other again, those two, proud of their strength, seized each other with their arms and then dragged one another, like two elephants. (03-154-54)
मुष्टिभिश्च महाघोरैरन्योन्यमभिपेततुः। तयोश्चटचटाशब्दो बभूव सुमहात्मनोः ॥०३-१५४-५५॥
With their very terrifying fists, the two rushed at each other, and from both of those exceedingly great-souled ones arose the sound 'caṭacaṭā'. (03-154-55)
ततः संहृत्य मुष्टिं तु पञ्चशीर्षमिवोरगम्। वेगेनाभ्यहनद्भीमो राक्षसस्य शिरोधराम् ॥०३-१५४-५६॥
Then Bhima, having drawn back his fist, struck the demon’s neck with great force, like (striking) a five-headed serpent. (03-154-56)
ततः श्रान्तं तु तद्रक्षो भीमसेनभुजाहतम्। सुपरिश्रान्तमालक्ष्य भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत ॥०३-१५४-५७॥
Then Bhīmasena, seeing that the exhausted rakṣas whom he had struck with his arm was completely spent, approached him. (03-154-57)
तत एनं महाबाहुर्बाहुभ्याममरोपमः। समुत्क्षिप्य बलाद्भीमो निष्पिपेष महीतले ॥०३-१५४-५८॥
Then Bhima, the mighty-armed and equal to the immortals, seized him with his arms, lifted him up forcefully, and crushed him onto the ground. (03-154-58)
तस्य गात्राणि सर्वाणि चूर्णयामास पाण्डवः। अरत्निना चाभिहत्य शिरः कायादपाहरत् ॥०३-१५४-५९॥
The Pāṇḍava crushed all his limbs; and with the club, after striking, he removed the head from the body. (03-154-59)
संदष्टोष्ठं विवृत्ताक्षं फलं वृन्तादिव च्युतम्। जटासुरस्य तु शिरो भीमसेनबलाद्धृतम् ॥ पपात रुधिरादिग्धं संदष्टदशनच्छदम् ॥०३-१५४-६०॥
With lips bitten and eyes bulging, the severed head of Jaṭāsura, like fruit fallen from its stalk, was cut off by the strength of Bhīmasena and fell, smeared with blood, its jaws clenched. (03-154-60)
तं निहत्य महेष्वासो युधिष्ठिरमुपागमत्। स्तूयमानो द्विजाग्र्यैस्तैर्मरुद्भिरिव वासवः ॥०३-१५४-६१॥
Having slain him, the great archer approached Yudhishthira, praised by the foremost of the twice-born, just as Indra is praised by the Maruts. (03-154-61)
