03.154
jaṭāsurabadha-parva
The episode of the slaying of Jaṭāsura
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tatastān pariviśvastān vasatas tatra pāṇḍavān। gateṣu teṣu rakṣaḥsu bhīmasenātmaje'pi ca ॥03-154-1॥
Then, after the guards had departed, the Pāṇḍavas who were confidently dwelling there, as well as Bhīmasena's son, also remained. (03-154-1)
rahitān bhīmasenena kadācit tān yadṛcchayā | jahāra dharmarājānam yamau kṛṣṇāṁ ca rākṣasaḥ ॥03-154-2॥
Once, when they were without Bhīmasena, the demon, by chance, seized Dharmarāja, the twins, and Kṛṣṇā. (03-154-2)
brāhmaṇo mantrakuśalaḥ sarvāstreṣv astravittamaḥ। iti bruvan pāṇḍaveyān paryupāste sma nityadā ॥03-154-3॥
The Brahmin, skilled in mantras and foremost in knowledge of all weapons, always attended upon the Pandavas, speaking thus. (03-154-3)
parīkṣamāṇaḥ pārthānāṃ kalāpāni dhanuṃṣi ca। antaraṃ samabhiprepsur nāmnā khyāto jaṭāsuraḥ॥03-154-4॥
Jaṭāsura, known by that name, examining the Pāṇḍavas' quivers and bows, sought to find an opening among them. (03-154-4)
sa bhīmasene niṣkrānte mṛgayārtham ariṃdame। anyad rūpaṃ samāsthāya vikṛtaṃ bhairavaṃ mahat ॥03-154-5॥
When Bhīmasena had gone out for hunting, O subduer of enemies, he assumed another form—strange, terrifying, and great. (03-154-5)
gṛhītvā sarvaśastrāṇi draupadīṃ parigṛhya ca। prātiṣṭhata sa duṣṭātmā trīngṛhītvā ca pāṇḍavān ॥03-154-6॥
Having taken all the weapons and having seized Draupadī, that wicked-souled one set out, taking also the three Pāṇḍavas. (03-154-6)
sahadevastu yatnena tato'pakramya pāṇḍavaḥ। ākrandadbhīmasenaṃ vai yena yāto mahābalaḥ॥03-154-7॥
But Sahadeva, the Pāṇḍava, with effort withdrew from there and called out to Bhīmasena, by whom the mighty one had gone. (03-154-7)
tam abravīd dharmarājo hriyamāṇo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। dharmas te hīyate mūḍha na ca enaṃ samavekṣase॥03-154-8॥
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)
ye 'anye kecin manuṣyeṣu tiryag-yonigatā api। gandharva-yakṣa-rakṣāṃsi vayāṃsi paśavas tathā ॥ manuṣyān upajīvanti tatas tvam upajīvasi ॥03-154-9॥
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)
samṛddhyā hy asya lokasya loko yuṣmākam ṛdhyate। imaṃ ca lokaṃ śocantam anuśocanti devatāḥ॥ pūjyamānāś ca vardhante havyakavyair yathāvidhi॥03-154-10॥
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)
vayaṁ rāṣṭrasya goptāro rakṣitāraś ca rākṣasa। rāṣṭrasya arakṣyamāṇasya kuto bhūtiḥ kutaḥ sukham ॥03-154-11॥
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)
na ca rājā'vamantavyo rakṣasā jātvanāgasi. aṇur apy apacāraś ca nāsty asmākaṃ narāśana ॥03-154-12॥
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)
drogdhavyaṃ na ca mitreṣu na viśvastēṣu karhicit। yeṣāṃ cānnāni bhuñjīta yatra ca syāt pratiśrayaḥ॥03-154-13॥
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)
sa tvaṃ pratiśraye'smākaṃ pūjyamānaḥ sukhoṣitaḥ। bhuktvā cānnāni duṣprajña katham asmāñ jihīrṣasi ॥03-154-14॥
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)
evameva vṛthācāro vṛthāvṛddho vṛthāmatiḥ। vṛthāmaraṇamarhastvaṃ vṛthādya na bhaviṣyasi॥03-154-15॥
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)
atha ced duṣṭabuddhis tvaṃ sarvair dharmair vivarjitaḥ। pradāya śastrāṇy asmākaṃ yuddhena draupadīṃ hara ॥03-154-16॥
Now, if you, being of corrupt mind and devoid of all virtues, surrender our weapons and seize Draupadī by fighting, (03-154-16)
atha cettvam avijñāya idaṃ karma kariṣyasi। adharmaṃ cāpyakīrtiṃ ca loke prāpsyasi kevalam ॥03-154-17॥
If you do this action without understanding, then you will attain only unrighteousness and disrepute in the world. (03-154-17)
etām adya parāmṛśya striyaṃ rākṣasa mānuṣīm। viṣam etat samāloḍya kumbhena prāśitaṃ tvayā ॥03-154-18॥
O rākṣasa, having touched this human woman today, you have consumed this poison, well mixed in the pot. (03-154-18)
tato yudhiṣṭhiras tasya bhārikaḥ samapadyata। sa tu bhārābhibhūtātmā na tathā śīghrago 'bhavat॥03-154-19॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira became his burden-bearer. But, being weighed down by the burden, he was not able to move as quickly. (03-154-19)
athābravīddraupadīṃ ca nakulaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। mā bhaiṣṭa rākṣasānmūḍhādgatir asya mayā hṛtā॥03-154-20॥
Then Yudhiṣṭhira said to Draupadī and Nakula: "Do not fear the rākṣasas; I have taken away this deluded being's path." (03-154-20)
nātidūre mahābāhur bhavitā pavanātmajaḥ। asmin muhūrte samprāpte na bhaviṣyati rākṣasaḥ॥03-154-21॥
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)
sahadevastu taṃ dṛṣṭvā rākṣasaṃ mūḍhacetāsam। uvāca vacanaṃ rājan kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥03-154-22॥
But Sahadeva, seeing that demon whose mind was deluded, spoke words to Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, O king. (03-154-22)
rājan kiṁ nāma tat kṛtyaṁ kṣatriyasya asti ataḥ adhikam। yat yuddhe abhimukhaḥ prāṇān tyajet śatrūn jayet vā ॥03-154-23॥
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)
eṣa cāsmānvayaṃ cainaṃ yudhyamānāḥ parantapa. sūdayema mahābāho deśakālo hyayaṃ nṛpa ॥03-154-24॥
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)
kṣatradharmasya samprāptaḥ kālaḥ satyaparākrama। jayantaḥ pātyamānā vā prāptumarhāma sad-gatim ॥03-154-25॥
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)
rākṣase jīvamāne'dya ravirastamiyādyadi. nāhaṃ brūyāṃ punarjātu kṣatriyo'smīti bhārata ॥03-154-26॥
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)
bho bho rākṣasa tiṣṭhasva sahadevo'smi pāṇḍavaḥ। hatvā vā māṁ nayasva enān hato vā adya iha svapsyasi॥03-154-27॥
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)
tathaiva tasmin bruvati bhīmaseno yadṛcchayā। prādṛśyata mahābāhuḥ savajra iva vāsavaḥ ॥03-154-28॥
In the same way, as Bhimasena was speaking, by chance the strong-armed Indra, like one wielding the thunderbolt, appeared. (03-154-28)
so'paśyadbhrātarau tatra draupadīṃ ca yaśasvinīm। kṣitisthaṃ sahadevaṃ ca kṣipantaṃ rākṣasaṃ tadā॥03-154-29॥
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)
mārgāc ca rākṣasaṃ mūḍhaṃ kālopahata-cetasam। bhramantaṃ tatra tatraiva daivena vinivāritam ॥03-154-30॥
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)
bhrātṝṃs tān hriyato dṛṣṭvā draupadīṃ ca mahābalaḥ। krodham āhārayad bhīmo rākṣasaṃ ca idam abravīt॥03-154-31॥
Seeing his brothers and Draupadī being carried away, the mighty Bhīma became angry and addressed the Rākṣasa with these words. (03-154-31)
vijñāto'si mayā pūrvaṃ ceṣṭañśastraparīkṣaṇe। āsthā tu tvayi me nāsti yato'si na hatastadā ॥ brahmarūpapraticchanno na no vadasi cāpriyam ॥03-154-32॥
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)
priyeṣu caramāṇaṃ tvāṃ na caivāpriyakāriṇam। atithiṃ brahmarūpaṃ ca kathaṃ hanyāmanāgasam॥ rākṣasaṃ manyamāno'pi yo hanyānnarakaṃ vrajet॥03-154-33॥
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)
apakvasya ca kālena vadhas tava na vidyate। nūnam ady āsi sampakvo yathā te matir īdṛśī॥ dattā kṛṣṇāpaharaṇe kālena adbhutakarmaṇā॥ 03-154-34॥
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)
baḍiśo'yaṃ tvayā grastaḥ kālasūtreṇa lambitaḥ। matsyo'mbhasīva syūtāsyaḥ kathaṃ me'dya gamiṣyasi॥03-154-35॥
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)
yaṃ cāsi prasthito deśaṃ manaḥ pūrvaṃ gataṃ ca te। na taṃ gantāsi gantāsi mārgaṃ bakahiḍimbayoḥ॥03-154-36॥
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)
evam uktas tu bhīmena rākṣasaḥ kāla-coditaḥ। bhīta utsṛjya tān sarvān yuddhāya samupasthitaḥ॥03-154-37॥
When thus addressed by Bhīma, the demon, impelled by fate, terrified, abandoned all his companions and stood ready for battle. (03-154-37)
abravīc ca punar bhīmaṃ roṣāt prasphuritādharaḥ। na me mūḍhā diśaḥ pāpa tvadartham me vilambanam॥03-154-38॥
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)
śrutā me rākṣasā ye ye tvayā vinihatā raṇe। teṣām adya kariṣyāmi tavāsreṇodakakriyām ॥03-154-39॥
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)
evam-uktas-tato bhīmaḥ sṛkkiṇī parisaṁlihan। smayamāna iva krodhāt sākṣāt kālāntakopamaḥ॥ bāhu-saṁrambham eva icchan abhidudrāva rā kṣasam॥03-154-40॥
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)
rākṣaso'pi tadā bhīmaṃ yuddhārthinam avasthitam। abhidudrāva saṃrabdho balo vajradharaṃ yathā॥03-154-41॥
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)
vartamāne tadā tābhyāṃ bāhuyuddhe sudāruṇe। mādrīputrāvabhikruddhāvubhāvapyabhyadhāvatām ॥03-154-42॥
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)
nyavārayattau prahasan kuntīputro vṛkodaraḥ। śakto'haṃ rākṣasasyeti prekṣadhvam iti cābravit ॥03-154-43॥
Smiling, Vṛkodara, the son of Kuntī, restrained the two and said, 'I am capable of facing the Rākṣasa—just watch.' (03-154-43)
ātmanā bhrātṛbhiśca ahaṃ dharmeṇa sukṛtena ca | iṣṭena ca śape rājan sūdayiṣyāmi rākṣasam ॥03-154-44॥
O king, I swear by myself, my brothers, righteousness, good deeds, and sacrifices performed, that I will destroy the rākṣasa. (03-154-44)
ityevam uktvā tau vīrau spardhamānau parasparam | bāhubhiḥ samasajjetām ubhau rakṣo-vṛkodarau ॥03-154-45॥
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)
tayor āsīt samprahāraḥ kruddhayor bhīma-rakṣasoḥ। amṛṣyamāṇayoḥ saṅkhye deva-dānavayor iva॥03-154-46॥
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)
ārujyārujya tau vṛkṣān anyonyam abhijaghnatuḥ। jīmūtāv iva gharmānte vinadantau mahābalau॥03-154-47॥
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)
babhañjatur mahāvṛkṣān ūrubhir balināṃ varau। anyonyenābhisaṃrabdhau parasparajayaiṣiṇau ॥03-154-48॥
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)
tad-vṛkṣa-yuddham abhavat mahī-ruha-vināśanam। vāli-sugrīvayoḥ bhrātroḥ purā iva kapi-siṃhayoḥ ॥03-154-49॥
That battle with trees became a destruction of trees for Vāli and Sugrīva, the two brother monkey-chiefs, just as before. (03-154-49)
āvidhyāvidhya tau vṛkṣān muhūrtam itaretaram. tāḍayāmāsatur ubhau vinadantau muhurmuhuḥ ॥03-154-50॥
Striking repeatedly, the two struck each other and the trees for a moment, both of them roaring again and again. (03-154-50)
tasmin deśe yadā vṛkṣāḥ sarva eva nipātitāḥ। puñjīkṛtāś ca śataśaḥ parasparavadhepsayā ॥03-154-51॥
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)
tadā śilāḥ samādāya muhūrtam iva bhārata। mahābhrair iva śailendrau yuyudhāte mahābalau ॥03-154-52॥
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)
ugrābhir ugrarūpābhir bṛhatībhiḥ parasparam। vajrair iva mahāvegair ājaghnatur amarṣaṇau ॥03-154-53॥
The unyielding ones struck each other with fierce, mighty, and terrible-formed weapons, like thunderbolts with great speed. (03-154-53)
abhihatya ca bhūyas tāv anyonyaṃ baladarpitau. bhujābhyāṃ parigṛhyātha cakarṣāte gajāv iva ॥03-154-54॥
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)
muṣṭibhiś ca mahāghorair anyonyam abhipetatūḥ। tayoś caṭacaṭāśabdo babhūva sumahātmanoḥ॥03-154-55॥
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)
tataḥ saṃhṛtya muṣṭiṃ tu pañcaśīrṣam-iva-oragam. vegenābhyahanad-bhīmo rākṣasasya śiro-dharām ॥03-154-56॥
Then Bhima, having drawn back his fist, struck the demon’s neck with great force, like (striking) a five-headed serpent. (03-154-56)
tataḥ śrāntaṃ tu tadrakṣo bhīmasenabhujāhatam। supariśrāntamālakṣya bhīmaseno'bhyavartata ॥03-154-57॥
Then Bhīmasena, seeing that the exhausted rakṣas whom he had struck with his arm was completely spent, approached him. (03-154-57)
tat enaṁ mahābāhur bāhubhyām amaropamaḥ। samutkṣipya balād bhīmo niṣpipeṣa mahītale॥03-154-58॥
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)
tasya gātrāṇi sarvāṇi cūrṇayāmāsa pāṇḍavaḥ। aratninā cābhihatya śiraḥ kāyād apāharat ॥03-154-59॥
The Pāṇḍava crushed all his limbs; and with the club, after striking, he removed the head from the body. (03-154-59)
saṁdaṣṭoṣṭhaṁ vivṛttākṣaṁ phalaṁ vṛntād iva cyutam। jaṭāsurasya tu śiro bhīmasenabalādd hṛtam॥ papāta rudhirādigdhaṁ saṁdaṣṭadaśanacchadam॥03-154-60॥
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)
taṁ nihatya maheṣvāso yudhiṣṭhiram upāgamat। stūyamāno dvijāgryaistair marudbhir iva vāsavaḥ ॥03-154-61॥
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)
