03.157
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya said.
pāṇḍoḥ putrā mahātmānaḥ sarve divya-parākramāḥ। kiyantaṃ kālam avasan parvate gandhamādane॥03-157-1॥
How long did all the great-souled sons of Pāṇḍu, possessed of divine valor, remain on Mount Gandhamādana? (03-157-1)
kāni cābhyavahāryāṇi tatra teṣāṃ mahātmanām। vasatāṃ lokavīrāṇām āsaṃs tad brūhi sattama ॥03-157-2॥
O most excellent one, tell (me) which eatables were there for those great souls, the heroic ones dwelling (there). (3-157-2)
vistareṇa ca me śaṁsa bhīmasenaparākramam। yadyaccakre mahābāhustasmin haimavate girau॥ na khalvāsīt punaryuddhaṁ tasya yakṣairdvijottama॥03-157-3॥
Tell me in detail about Bhīmasena's valor; whatever the mighty-armed one did on that Himalayan mountain. After that, there was certainly no further battle for him with the Yakṣas, O best of twice-born. (03-157-3)
kaccit samāgamas teṣām āsīd vaiśravaṇena ca। tatra hy āyāti dhanada ārṣṭiṣeṇo yathābravīt॥03-157-4॥
Was there indeed a meeting of theirs with Vaiśravaṇa? There, Dhanada (Kubera) and Ārṣṭiṣeṇa arrived just as he had spoken. (03-157-4)
etadicchāmyahaṃ śrotuṃ vistareṇa tapodhana। na hi me śṛṇvatastṛptirasti teṣāṃ viceṣṭitam ॥03-157-5॥
O ascetic, I wish to hear all this from you in detail; for, while I listen, I do not find satisfaction with regard to their deeds. (03-157-5)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
etad-ātma-hitaṃ śrutvā tasyāpratima-tejasaḥ। śāsanaṃ satataṃ cakrus tathaiva bharatarṣabhāḥ ॥03-157-6॥
Having heard this instruction, which was for their own benefit and belonged to the one of incomparable brilliance, the foremost among the Bharatas always carried out his command just as directed. (03-157-6)
bhuñjānā munibhojyāni rasavanti phalāni ca। śuddhabāṇahatānāṃ ca mṛgāṇāṃ piśitāny api॥03-157-7॥
They eat fruits full of juice that are fit for sages, and even the flesh of deer struck by purified arrows. (3-157-7)
medhyāni himavatpṛṣṭhe madhūni vividhāni ca। evaṃ te nyavasaṃstatra pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabhāḥ॥03-157-8॥
The Pāṇḍavas, the best among the Bharatas, thus lived there on the slopes of the Himalayas, subsisting on pure and various kinds of honey. (03-157-8)
tathā nivasatāṃ teṣāṃ pañcamaṃ varṣam abhyagāt। śṛṇvatāṃ lomaśoktāni vākyāni vividhāni ca॥03-157-9॥
Thus, as they dwelt there, the fifth year came to them, as they listened to the various statements uttered by Lomaśa and others. (03-157-9)
kṛtyakāla upasthāsya iti coktʋā ghaṭotkacaḥ। rākṣasaiḥ sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ pūrvam-eva gataḥ prabho ॥03-157-10॥
Having said, "I will approach at the proper time," Ghaṭotkaca, along with all the rākṣasas, went ahead beforehand, O Lord. (03-157-10)
ārṣṭiṣeṇāśrame teṣāṃ vasatāṃ vai mahātmanām। agacchanbahavo māsāḥ paśyatāṃ mahadadbhutam ॥03-157-11॥
While those great-souled ones dwelled in the hermitage of Ṛṣṭiṣeṇa, many months passed as they beheld a great wonder. (03-157-11)
tais tatra ramamāṇaiś ca viharadbhiś ca pāṇḍavaiḥ। prītimanto mahābhāgā munayaś cāraṇās tathā ॥03-157-12॥
With those Pāṇḍavas, who were enjoying themselves and sporting there, the affectionate, greatly fortunate sages and the Cāraṇas (celestial singers) were also present. (03-157-12)
ājagmuḥ pāṇḍavān draṣṭuṃ siddhātmānaḥ yatavratāḥ। tais taiḥ saha kathāś cakrur divyā bharatasattamāḥ ॥03-157-13॥
Perfected beings devoted to vows came to see the Pāṇḍavas; together with them, the best of the Bharatas engaged in divine conversations. (03-157-13)
tataḥ katipayāhasya mahāhradnivāsinam | ṛddhimantaṃ mahānāgaṃ suparṇaḥ sahasāharat ॥03-157-14॥
Then, after a few days, Suparṇa (Garuda) suddenly carried away the prosperous great serpent who was dwelling in the great lake. (03-157-14)
prākampata mahāśailaḥ prāmṛdyanta mahādrumāḥ। dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni pāṇḍavāś ca tadadbhutam ॥03-157-15॥
The great mountain trembled, the mighty trees were crushed, and all beings along with the Pāṇḍavas witnessed that marvelous event. (03-157-15)
tataḥ śailottamasya agrāt pāṇḍavān prati mārutaḥ। avahat sarvamālyāni gandhavanti śubhāni ca ॥03-157-16॥
Then, from the summit of the foremost mountain, the wind blew all the fragrant and auspicious garlands towards the Pāṇḍavas. (03-157-16)
tatra puṣpāṇi divyāni suhṛdbhiḥ saha pāṇḍavāḥ। dadṛśuḥ pañca varṇāni draupadī ca yaśasvinī ॥03-157-17॥
There, the Pāṇḍavas together with friends saw divine flowers of five colors, and Draupadī, the illustrious one, saw them too. (03-157-17)
bhīmasenaṁ tataḥ kṛṣṇā kāle vacanam abravīt । vivikte parvatoddeśe sukhāsīnaṁ mahābhujam ॥03-157-18॥
Then, at the right time, Kṛṣṇā (Draupadī) spoke to Bhīmasena, who was comfortably seated in a secluded mountain region, his arms mighty. (03-157-18)
suparṇānilavegena śvasanena mahābalāt। pañcavarṇāni pātyante puṣpāṇi bharatarṣabha ॥ pratyakṣaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ nadīmaśvarathāṃ prati ॥03-157-19॥
O best of the Bharatas, by the swift speed and great force of the Garuda-like wind, five-colored flowers are brought down, clearly, for all beings, towards the river, animals, and chariots. (03-157-19)
khāṇḍave satyasaṃdhena bhrātrā tava nareśvara। gandharvoragarakṣāṃsi vāsavaś ca nivāritaḥ॥ hatā māyāvinaś cogrā dhanuḥ prāptaṃ ca gāṇḍivam॥03-157-20॥
O lord of men, in Khāṇḍava, by your truthful brother, Gandharvas, serpents, Rākṣasas, and even Indra were repelled; fierce magicians were slain, and the Gāṇḍīva bow was obtained. (03-157-20)
tavāpi sumahat tejo mahad bāhubalaṃ ca te। aviṣahyam anādhṛṣyaṃ śatakratu-balopamam ॥03-157-21॥
Your brilliance is very great, and your arm strength is immense; it is irresistible, unassailable, and equal to the strength of Indra. (03-157-21)
tvad-bāhu-bala-vegena trāsitāḥ sarva-rākṣasāḥ। hitvā śailaṃ prapadyantāṃ bhīmasena diśo daśa ॥03-157-22॥
By the force of your arm's strength, Bhīmasena, all the rākṣasas, frightened, abandoned the mountain and rushed off in all ten directions. (03-157-22)
tataḥ śailottamasya agraṃ citramālyadharaṃ śivam। vyapetabhayasaṃmohāḥ paśyantu suhṛdas tava ॥03-157-23॥
Then, let your friends, free from fear and delusion, behold the auspicious peak of the best mountain, adorned with wonderful garlands. (03-157-23)
evaṁ praṇihitaṁ bhīma cirātprabhṛti me manaḥ। draṣṭumicchāmi śailāgraṁ tvadbāhubalamāśritā ॥03-157-24॥
Thus, O Bhīma, my mind has been set for a long time; I wish to see the mountain summit, relying on your arm's strength. (03-157-24)
tataḥ kṣiptam ivātmānaṃ draupadyā sa parantapaḥ। nāmṛṣyata mahābāhuḥ prahāram iva sadgavaḥ॥03-157-25॥
Then, as if hurled by Draupadī herself, that mighty-armed scorcher of foes could not endure it, just as a fine ox cannot endure a blow. (03-157-25)
siṃharṣabhagatiḥ śrīmānudāraḥ kanakaprabhaḥ। manasvī balavāndṛpto mānī śūraśca pāṇḍavaḥ॥03-157-26॥
The son of Pāṇḍu, who walks with the gait of a lion, is fortunate, generous, possesses a golden radiance, spirited, strong, proud, high-minded, and courageous. (03-157-26)
lohitàkṣaḥ pṛthu-vyaṃsaḥ matta-vāraṇa-vikramaḥ। siṃha-daṃṣṭraḥ bṛhat-skandhaḥ śāla-pota iva udgataḥ ॥03-157-27॥
Red-eyed, broad-jawed, possessing the vigour of a mad elephant, with fangs like a lion, broad-shouldered, and risen like a young śāla tree. (03-157-27)
mahātmā cāru-sarvāṅgaḥ kambugrīvaḥ mahābhujaḥ। rukma-pṛṣṭhaṃ dhanuḥ khaḍgaṃ tūṇāṃś cāpi parāmṛśat ॥03-157-28॥
The great-souled one, possessing beautiful limbs, a conch-shaped neck, and mighty arms, touched his gold-backed bow, sword, and also the quivers. (03-157-28)
kesarīva yathotsiktaḥ prabhinna iva vāraṇaḥ। vyapetabhayasaṃmohaḥ śailamabhyapatadbālī ॥03-157-29॥
Like a lion, appearing with pride, just as a broken elephant would, the powerful one, whose fear and confusion had been cast aside, rushed toward the mountain. (03-157-29)
taṁ mṛgendram ivāyāntaṁ prabhinnam iva vāraṇam। dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni bāṇa-khaḍga-dhanuḥ-dharam ॥03-157-30॥
All beings saw him, approaching like a lion, like an enraged elephant, bearing arrows, sword, and bow. (03-157-30)
draupadyā vardhayan harṣaṁ gadām ādāya pāṇḍavaḥ। vyapeta-bhaya-sammohaḥ śailarājaṁ samāviśat ॥03-157-31॥
The Pāṇḍava, having taken up his mace and feeling joy for Draupadī—free from fear and confusion—entered the king of mountains. (03-157-31)
na glānirna ca kātaryaṃ na vaiklavyaṃ na matsaraḥ। kadācijjuṣate pārthamātmajaṃ mātariśvanaḥ॥03-157-32॥
Neither dejection nor cowardice, nor weakness nor envy ever affect the son of Pṛthā, the son of Mātariśvan. (03-157-32)
tad-ekāyanam-āsādya viṣamaṃ bhīma-darśanam। bahutāla-ucchrayaṃ śṛṅgam āruroha mahā-balaḥ॥03-157-33॥
Having reached that single, uneven path, fearful in appearance and of great height, the very strong one ascended the peak. (03-157-33)
sa kiṁnaramahānāgamunigandharvarākṣasān। harṣayan parvatasya agram āsasāda mahābalaḥ ॥03-157-34॥
The mighty one, delighting the Kinnaras, great Nāgas, sages, Gandharvas, and Rākṣasas, approached the summit of the mountain. (03-157-34)
tatra vaiśravaṇāvāsaṃ dadarśa bharatarṣabhaḥ। kāñcanaiḥ sphāṭikākārair veśmabhiḥ samalaṅkṛtam ॥03-157-35॥
There, the bull among the Bharatas saw the abode of Vaiśravaṇa, magnificently adorned with mansions of gold and crystal. (03-157-35)
modayan sarvabhūtāni gandhamādanasambhavaḥ। sarvagandhavahas tatra mārutaḥ susukho vavau ॥03-157-36॥
A very pleasant wind, carrying every fragrance and sprung from Gandhamādana, blew there, gladdening all beings. (03-157-36)
citrā vividhavarṇābhāś citramañjaridhāriṇaḥ। acintyā vividhās tatra drumāḥ paramaśobhanāḥ ॥03-157-37॥
There are various trees with variegated, diverse-colored appearances, bearing wonderful flower-clusters and supreme beauty, that are inconceivably splendid. (03-157-37)
ratnajālaparikṣiptaṃ citramālyadharaṃ śivam। rākṣasādhipateḥ sthānaṃ dadarśa bharatarṣabhaḥ ॥03-157-38॥
The foremost of the Bharatas saw the auspicious abode of the lord of the rākṣasas, which was surrounded by a net of jewels and adorned with varied garlands. (03-157-38)
gadākhaḍgadhanuṣpāṇiḥ samabhityaktajīvitaḥ। bhīmaseno mahābāhustasthau giririvācalaḥ ॥03-157-39॥
Bhīmasena, mighty-armed, holding mace, sword, and bow in his hands, stood firm like an immovable mountain, having completely renounced concern for his life. (03-157-39)
tataḥ śaṅkham upādhmāsīd dviṣatāṃ lomaharṣaṇam। jyāghoṣatalaghoṣaṃ ca kṛtvā bhūtāni amohayat॥03-157-40॥
Then he blew the conch, which was hair-raising to his enemies; making the twang of the bowstring and the sound of the palm, he bewildered all beings. (03-157-40)
tataḥ saṁhṛṣṭaromāṇaḥ śabdaṁ tam abhidadruvuḥ। yakṣarākṣasagandharvāḥ pāṇḍavasya samīpataḥ ॥03-157-41॥
Then the yakṣas, rākṣasas, and gandharvas, their hair standing on end with delight, rushed towards that sound near Pāṇḍava. (03-157-41)
gadāparighanistriṃśaśaktiśūlaparaśvadhāḥ। pragṛhītā vyarocanta yakṣarākṣasabāhubhiḥ ॥03-157-42॥
Maces, clubs, swords, spears, tridents, and battle-axes, when grasped, shone (brightly) in the hands of the Yakṣas and Rākṣasas. (03-157-42)
tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ teṣāṃ tasya ca bhārata। taiḥ prayuktān mahākāyaiḥ śakti-śūla-paraśvadhān ॥ bhallair bhīmaḥ praciccheda bhīma-vega-taraiḥ tataḥ ॥03-157-43॥
Then, O Bhārata, the battle commenced between them and him. The lances, spears, and battle-axes with great bodies, which were hurled by them, Bhīma cut off with arrows of even greater speed. (03-157-43)
antarikṣacaraṇāṃ ca bhūmiṣṭhānāṃ ca garjatām। śarair vivyādha gātrāṇi rākṣasānāṃ mahābalaḥ॥03-157-44॥
The mighty one pierced the bodies of the roaring rākṣasas, both those moving in the sky and those standing on the earth, with his arrows. (3-157-44)
sā lohitamahāvṛṣṭir abhyavarṣan mahābalam। kāyebhyaḥ pracyutā dhārā rākṣasānāṃ samantataḥ॥03-157-45॥
That great red rain poured down mightily; from the bodies of the Rākṣasas, streams (of blood) fell everywhere. (03-157-45)
bhīma-bāhu-bala-utsṛṣṭair bahudhā yakṣa-rakṣasām। vinikṛttāni adṛśyanta śarīrāṇi śirāṃsi ca ॥03-157-46॥
Bodies and heads of the yakṣas and rākṣasas, severed in many ways by mighty blows of terrible arm-strength, were seen. (3-157-46)
pracchādyamānaṃ rakṣobhiḥ pāṇḍavaṃ priyadarśanam। dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni sūryam abhragaṇair iva॥03-157-47॥
All beings saw the Pāṇḍava of delightful appearance being covered by the rākṣasas, as the sun is (seen) covered by groups of clouds. (03-157-47)
sa raśmibhir ivādityaḥ śarair arinighātibhiḥ। sarvān ārchan mahābāhur balavān satyavikramaḥ ॥03-157-48॥
He, the mighty-armed, powerful, and truly valiant one, shone upon all with enemy-destroying arrows, just as the sun does with its rays. (03-157-48)
abhitarjayamānāś ca ruvantaś ca mahāravān। na mohaṃ bhīmasenasya dadṛśuḥ sarvarākṣasāḥ॥03-157-49॥
Though all the rākṣasas threatened, roared, and made great noise, none of them saw Bhīmasena become bewildered. (03-157-49)
te śaraiḥ kṣata-sarvāṅgā bhīmasena-bhayārdhitāḥ। bhīma-mārta-svaraṃ cakruḥ viprakīrṇa-mahāyudhāḥ॥03-157-50॥
They, their bodies pierced by arrows and shaken by fear of Bhīmasena, uttered a loud, anguished cry as their mighty weapons lay scattered about. (3-157-50)
utsṛjya te gadāśūlānasiśaktiparaśvadhān। dakṣiṇāṃ diśam ājagmus trāsitā dṛḍhadhanvanā ॥03-157-51॥
Frightened by the one with the firm bow, they abandoned their clubs, spears, swords, missiles, and axes and fled toward the southern direction. (03-157-51)
tatra śūla-gadā-pāṇir-vyūḍha-uras-ko mahā-bhujaḥ। sakhā vaiśravaṇasya āsīt maṇimān nāma rākṣasaḥ॥03-157-52॥
There was a rākṣasa named Maṇimān, a friend of Vaiśravaṇa, who was broad-chested, mighty-armed, and bore a spear and a mace in his hands. (03-157-52)
adarśayad adhikāraṁ pauruṣaṁ ca mahābalaḥ. sa tān dṛṣṭvā parāvṛttān smayamāna iva abravīt ॥03-157-53॥
The mighty one displayed his authority and manliness; seeing them turn away, he spoke with a smile, as if amused. (03-157-53)
ekena bahavaḥ saṅkhye mānuṣeṇa parājitāḥ। prāpya vaiśravaṇāvāsaṃ kiṃ vakṣyatha dhaneśvaram॥03-157-54॥
Having been defeated by a single man, though you are many in number, after reaching the abode of Vaiśravaṇa, what will you say to the lord of wealth? (03-157-54)
evam ābhāṣya tān sarvān nyavartata sa rākṣasaḥ । śakti-śūla-gadā-pāṇiḥ abhyadhāvat ca pāṇḍavam ॥03-157-55॥
Having thus addressed them all, the rākṣasa turned back; with spear, trident, and mace in hand, he rushed toward the Pāṇḍava. (03-157-55)
tam āpatantaṃ vegena prabhinnam iva vāraṇam। vatsadantais tribhiḥ pārśve bhīmasenaḥ samarpayat ॥03-157-56॥
Bhimasena struck him, who was rushing at speed and, like a shattered elephant, in the side with his three-pronged weapon. (03-157-56)
maṇimān api saṅkruddhaḥ pragṛhya mahatīṃ gadām। prāhiṇod bhīmasenāya parikṣipya mahābalaḥ॥03-157-57॥
Maṇimān, though enraged, seized his great mace, whirled it, and with his immense strength hurled it at Bhīmasena. (03-157-57)
vidyudrūpāṃ mahāghorām ākāśe mahatīṃ gadām| śarair bahubhir abhyarcchad bhīmasenaḥ śilāśitaiḥ ॥03-157-58॥
Bhimasena attacked the great, very terrible mace in the sky, which had the form of lightning, with many arrows fitted with stone points. (03-157-58)
pratyahanyanta te sarve gadām āsādya sāyakāḥ। na vegaṃ dhārayāmāsur gadā-vegasya vegitāḥ॥03-157-59॥
All those arrows, having approached the mace, were struck again and again; impelled, they could not withstand the force of the mace's momentum. (03-157-59)
gadāyuddhasamācāraṃ budhyamānaḥ sa vīryavān। vyaṃsayāmāsa taṃ tasya prahāraṃ bhīmavikramaḥ॥03-157-60॥
Becoming aware of the news of the mace duel, that powerful Bhīma, of terrible prowess, foiled his blow. (03-157-60)
tataḥ śaktiṃ mahāghorāṃ rukmadaṇḍāmayasmayīm। tasminnevāntare dhīmān prajahārātha rākṣasaḥ॥03-157-61॥
Then, in that very moment, the wise demon hurled a most terrible iron spear with a golden shaft. (03-157-61)
sā bhujaṃ bhīma-nirhrādā bhittvā bhīmasya dakṣiṇam। sā-agni-jvālā mahā-raudrā papāta sahasā bhuvi॥03-157-62॥
She—the arm, roaring terribly, having pierced Bhīma’s right arm and covered in fiery flames, very fiercely and suddenly fell to the earth. (03-157-62)
so'tividdho maheṣvāsaḥ śaktyāmitaparākramaḥ। gadāṃ jagrāha kauravyo gadāyuddhaviśāradaḥ॥03-157-63॥
Greatly pierced by the spear, the Kaurava—who was a great archer of immeasurable valor and skilled in mace combat—seized his mace. (03-157-63)
tāṃ pragṛhyonnadan bhīmaḥ sarvaśaikyāyasīṃ gadām। tarasā so'bhidudrāva maṇimantaṃ mahābalam॥03-157-64॥
Seizing that entirely iron mace and roaring, Bhima, with force, rushed at the mighty Manimanta. (03-157-64)
dīpyamānaṃ mahāśūlaṃ pragṛhya maṇimān api। prāhiṇod bhīmasenāya vegena mahatā nadan ॥03-157-65॥
Seizing the shining great trident, the jewelled one also sent it roaring at great speed towards Bhīmasena. (3-157-65)
bhaṅktvā śūlaṃ gadāgreṇa gadāyuddhaviśāradaḥ। abhidudrāva taṃ tūrṇaṃ garutmān iva pannagam ॥03-157-66॥
Having shattered the spear with the tip of his mace, the mace-combat expert swiftly rushed at him, like Garutmān rushing at a serpent. (03-157-66)
so'ntarikṣam abhiplutya vidhūya sahasā gadām। pracikṣepa mahābāhur vinadya raṇamūrdhani ॥03-157-67॥
He, the mighty-armed, leaping into the sky, suddenly shook off his mace and, with a roar, hurled it on the battlefield. (03-157-67)
sendrāśanirivendreṇa visṛṣṭā vātaraṃhasā| hatvā rakṣaḥ kṣitiṃ prāpya kṛtyeva nipapāta ha ॥03-157-68॥
Just as Indra's thunderbolt, hurled by Indra and driven by the swift wind, after slaying the demon, fell to the earth as if it were a magical being, so did it indeed fall down. (03-157-68)
taṃ rākṣasaṃ bhīmabalaṃ bhīmasenena pātitam। dadṛśuḥ sarvabhūtāni siṃheneva gavāṃ patim ॥03-157-69॥
All beings saw that rākṣasa of terrible strength, who was struck down by Bhīmasena, just as the lord of cows is (struck down) by a lion. (03-157-69)
taṁ prekṣya nihataṁ bhūmau hataśeṣā niśācarāḥ। bhīmam-ārtasvaraṁ kṛtvā jagmuḥ prācīṁ diśaṁ prati ॥03-157-70॥
When they saw him slain upon the ground, the surviving night-wanderers uttered a dreadful cry of anguish and fled towards the eastern direction. (03-157-70)
