04.036
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said;
स राजधान्या निर्याय वैराटिः पृथिवीञ्जयः। प्रयाहीत्यब्रवीत्सूतं यत्र ते कुरवो गताः ॥०४-३६-१॥
Having left the capital city, the king of Virāṭa, conqueror of kings, told the charioteer, "Go where those Kauravas have gone." (04-36-1)
समवेतान्कुरून्यावज्जिगीषूनवजित्य वै। गाश्चैषां क्षिप्रमादाय पुनरायामि स्वं पुरम् ॥०४-३६-२॥
I will conquer the assembled Kurus who wish to win, take their cows swiftly, and then return again to my own city. (04-36-2)
ततस्तांश्चोदयामास सदश्वान्पाण्डुनन्दनः। ते हया नरसिंहेन चोदिता वातरंहसः ॥ आलिखन्त इवाकाशमूहुः काञ्चनमालिनः ॥०४-३६-३॥
Then the son of Pāṇḍu urged on the fine horses; those horses, spurred by the lion among men, sped like the wind, as if tracing paths through the sky, adorned with golden garlands. (04-36-3)
नातिदूरमथो यात्वा मत्स्यपुत्रधनञ्जयौ। अवेक्षेताममित्रघ्नौ कुरूणां बलिनां बलम् ॥ श्मशानमभितो गत्वा आससाद कुरूनथ ॥०४-३६-४॥
After proceeding not too far, the son of Matsya and Dhananjaya, both destroyers of foes, should observe the strength of the mighty Kurus. Having gone near the cremation ground, then he reached the Kurus. (04-36-4)
तदनीकं महत्तेषां विबभौ सागरस्वनम्। सर्पमाणमिवाकाशे वनं बहुलपादपम् ॥०४-३६-५॥
That great army of theirs, resounding like the ocean, shone as it moved like a forest thick with trees in the sky. (04-36-5)
ददृशे पार्थिवो रेणुर्जनितस्तेन सर्पता। दृष्टिप्रणाशो भूतानां दिवस्पृङ्नरसत्तम ॥०४-३६-६॥
O best of men, the earthly dust raised by his moving could be seen, causing blindness to beings and reaching up to the sky. (04-36-6)
तदनीकं महद्दृष्ट्वा गजाश्वरथसङ्कुलम्। कर्णदुर्योधनकृपैर्गुप्तं शान्तनवेन च ॥०४-३६-७॥
He saw that great army formation, crowded with elephants, horses, and chariots, protected by Karṇa, Duryodhana, Kṛpa, and by the son of Śāntanu as well. (04-36-7)
द्रोणेन च सपुत्रेण महेष्वासेन धीमता। हृष्टरोमा भयोद्विग्नः पार्थं वैराटिरब्रवीत् ॥०४-३६-८॥
Hṛṣṭaromā, agitated by fear at Droṇa, his son, the great and wise archer, spoke to Pārtha on behalf of the king of Virāṭa. (04-36-8)
नोत्सहे कुरुभिर्योद्धुं रोमहर्षं हि पश्य मे। बहुप्रवीरमत्युग्रं देवैरपि दुरासदम् ॥ प्रतियोद्धुं न शक्ष्यामि कुरुसैन्यमनन्तकम् ॥०४-३६-९॥
I am not able to fight with the Kurus; indeed, see my hair standing on end. The Kuru army, with many heroes and exceedingly fierce—difficult even for the gods to contend with—I shall not be able to oppose in battle. (04-36-9)
नाशंसे भारतीं सेनां प्रवेष्टुं भीमकार्मुकाम्। रथनागाश्वकलिलां पत्तिध्वजसमाकुलाम् ॥ दृष्ट्वैव हि परानाजावात्मा प्रव्यथतीव मे ॥०४-३६-१०॥
I have no hope of entering the Bhārata army, terrible with bows, packed with chariots, elephants, and horses, crowded with foot-soldiers and banners. Indeed, just seeing the enemy in battle, my mind feels deeply disturbed. (4-36-10)
यत्र द्रोणश्च भीष्मश्च कृपः कर्णो विविंशतिः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सोमदत्तोऽथ बाह्लिकः ॥०४-३६-११॥
Where Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, Karṇa, Viviṃśati, Aśvatthāman, Vikarṇa, Somadatta, and also Bāhlika (are present). (04-36-11)
दुर्योधनस्तथा वीरो राजा च रथिनां वरः। द्युतिमन्तो महेष्वासाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥०४-३६-१२॥
Duryodhana, likewise a hero, a king and the best among chariot-warriors, and all the resplendent, great bowmen are skilled in battle. (04-36-12)
दृष्ट्वैव हि कुरूनेतान्व्यूढानीकान्प्रहारिणः। हृषितानि च रोमाणि कश्मलं चागतं मम ॥०४-३६-१३॥
As soon as I saw these Kurus arrayed for battle and ready to strike, my hairs stood on end and a weakness came upon me. (04-36-13)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अवियातो वियातस्य मौर्ख्याद्धूर्तस्य पश्यतः। परिदेवयते मन्दः सकाशे सव्यसाचिनः ॥०४-३६-१४॥
Out of his own foolishness and carelessness regarding a rogue, the foolish man laments before Savyasācin (Arjuna), even while seeing what is happening. (04-36-14)
त्रिगर्तान्मे पिता यातः शून्ये सम्प्रणिधाय माम्। सर्वां सेनामुपादाय न मे सन्तीह सैनिकाः ॥०४-३६-१५॥
My father has gone from Trigarta, having left me alone in this empty place, taking all the army with him; there are no soldiers of mine here. (04-36-15)
सोऽहमेको बहून्बालः कृतास्त्रानकृतश्रमः। प्रतियोद्धुं न शक्ष्यामि निवर्तस्व बृहन्नडे ॥०४-३६-१६॥
He—I am alone, a young man, facing many who are armed and not yet wearied; I shall not be able to fight them. Turn back, O Bṛhannadā. (04-36-16)
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
भयेन दीनरूपोऽसि द्विषतां हर्षवर्धनः। न च तावत्कृतं किञ्चित्परैः कर्म रणाजिरे ॥०४-३६-१७॥
Through fear you appear pitiable, and you bring joy to your enemies. Yet, nothing at all has been done by others in the battlefield. (4-36-17)
स्वयमेव च मामात्थ वह मां कौरवान्प्रति। सोऽहं त्वां तत्र नेष्यामि यत्रैते बहुला ध्वजाः ॥०४-३६-१८॥
You yourself told me, 'Carry me to the Kauravas.' So I will lead you there, where these numerous standards are. (04-36-18)
मध्यमामिषगृध्राणां कुरूणामाततायिनाम्। नेष्यामि त्वां महाबाहो पृथिव्यामपि युध्यताम् ॥०४-३६-१९॥
O mighty-armed one, I shall take you even among those fighting, to the midst of the Kurus—those offenders greedy for flesh—upon the earth. (04-36-19)
तथा स्त्रीषु प्रतिश्रुत्य पौरुषं पुरुषेषु च। कत्थमानोऽभिनिर्याय किमर्थं न युयुत्ससे ॥०४-३६-२०॥
Having thus promised manliness among women and among men, and having boasted as you went forth, for what reason do you now not wish to fight? (04-36-20)
न चेद्विजित्य गास्तास्त्वं गृहान्वै प्रतियास्यसि। प्रहसिष्यन्ति वीर त्वां नरा नार्यश्च सङ्गताः ॥०४-३६-२१॥
O hero, if you do not return to the houses having conquered those cows, the assembled men and women will laugh at you. (04-36-21)
अहमप्यत्र सैरन्ध्र्या स्तुतः सारथ्यकर्मणि। न हि शक्ष्याम्यनिर्जित्य गाः प्रयातुं पुरं प्रति ॥०४-३६-२२॥
Here, I too have been praised by Sairandhri for my charioteer's task. But I surely cannot go towards the city without first recovering the cows. (04-36-22)
स्तोत्रेण चैव सैरन्ध्र्यास्तव वाक्येन तेन च। कथं न युध्येयमहं कुरून्सर्वान्स्थिरो भव ॥०४-३६-२३॥
Owing to the hymn, Sairandhri's statement, your words and that too, how could I not fight all the Kurus — I shall be firm. (04-36-23)
उत्तर उवाच॥
Uttara said.
कामं हरन्तु मत्स्यानां भूयांसं कुरवो धनम्। प्रहसन्तु च मां नार्यो नरा वापि बृहन्नडे ॥०४-३६-२४॥
Let the Kurus take the greater part of the Matsyas' wealth as they wish; let women or men, O Bṛhannadā, laugh at me as well. (04-36-24)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
इत्युक्त्वा प्राद्रवद्भीतो रथात्प्रस्कन्द्य कुण्डली। त्यक्त्वा मानं स मन्दात्मा विसृज्य सशरं धनुः ॥०४-३६-२५॥
Having thus spoken, Kuṇḍalī, frightened, jumped down from the chariot, abandoned his pride, and that weak-minded one threw aside his bow and arrows. (04-36-25)
बृहन्नडोवाच॥
Bṛhannaḍa said.
नैष पूर्वैः स्मृतो धर्मः क्षत्रियस्य पलायनम्। श्रेयस्ते मरणं युद्धे न भीतस्य पलायनम् ॥०४-३६-२६॥
This fleeing has not been considered the duty of a kṣatriya by the ancients; death in battle is better for you, not flight from fear. (04-36-26)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमुक्त्वा तु कौन्तेयः सोऽवप्लुत्य रथोत्तमात्। तमन्वधावद्धावन्तं राजपुत्रं धनञ्जयः ॥ दीर्घां वेणीं विधुन्वानः साधु रक्ते च वाससी ॥०४-३६-२७॥
After speaking thus, Kaunteya leapt down from the excellent chariot and Dhanañjaya chased the prince as he ran, his long braid shaking and his garments brightly red. (4-36-27)
विधूय वेणीं धावन्तमजानन्तोऽर्जुनं तदा। सैनिकाः प्राहसन्केचित्तथारूपमवेक्ष्य तम् ॥०४-३६-२८॥
Then, not recognizing Arjuna, some soldiers laughed on seeing him running with his braid loosened in such a manner. (04-36-28)
तं शीघ्रमभिधावन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य कुरवोऽब्रुवन्। क एष वेषप्रच्छन्नो भस्मनेव हुताशनः ॥०४-३६-२९॥
Seeing him swiftly running towards, the Kurus said: Who is this, disguised in appearance, like fire covered with ash? (04-36-29)
किञ्चिदस्य यथा पुंसः किञ्चिदस्य यथा स्त्रियः। सारूप्यमर्जुनस्येव क्लीबरूपं बिभर्ति च ॥०४-३६-३०॥
It bears a form that is somewhat like that of a man and somewhat like that of a woman, resembling Arjuna, and also has a neuter aspect. (04-36-30)
तदेवैतच्छिरोग्रीवं तौ बाहू परिघोपमौ। तद्वदेवास्य विक्रान्तं नायमन्यो धनञ्जयात् ॥०४-३६-३१॥
This is indeed that head and neck, those two arms are like iron clubs; in just the same way, his valor—this is none other than Dhananjaya (Arjuna). (04-36-31)
अमरेष्विव देवेन्द्रो मानुषेषु धनञ्जयः। एकः कोऽस्मानुपायायादन्यो लोके धनञ्जयात् ॥०४-३६-३२॥
Just as Indra is among the immortals, so is Dhanañjaya among humans; who else in the world is there besides Dhanañjaya for accomplishing our purpose? (04-36-32)
एकः पुत्रो विराटस्य शून्ये संनिहितः पुरे। स एष किल निर्यातो बालभावान्न पौरुषात् ॥०४-३६-३३॥
One son of Virāṭa, present in the deserted city—this is he, who left due to childishness, not out of manliness. (04-36-33)
सत्रेण नूनं छन्नं हि चरन्तं पार्थमर्जुनम्। उत्तरः सारथिं कृत्वा निर्यातो नगराद्बहिः ॥०४-३६-३४॥
Surely, Uttara, making Pārtha Arjuna—who is concealed and moving about under cover—his charioteer, has gone outside the city. (04-36-34)
स नो मन्ये ध्वजान्दृष्ट्वा भीत एष पलायति। तं नूनमेष धावन्तं जिघृक्षति धनञ्जयः ॥०४-३६-३५॥
I think he, frightened after seeing our banners, is fleeing. Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) certainly wishes to catch that one who is running. (04-36-35)
इति स्म कुरवः सर्वे विमृशन्तः पृथक्पृथक्। न च व्यवसितुं किञ्चिदुत्तरं शक्नुवन्ति ते ॥ छन्नं तथा तं सत्रेण पाण्डवं प्रेक्ष्य भारत ॥०४-३६-३६॥
Thus, all the Kurus, though each deliberated separately, were unable to reach any decision in reply, having seen the Pāṇḍava hidden by the assembly in this way, O Bhārata. (04-36-36)
उत्तरं तु प्रधावन्तमनुद्रुत्य धनञ्जयः। गत्वा पदशतं तूर्णं केशपक्षे परामृशत् ॥०४-३६-३७॥
But Dhanañjaya, having run after the one going north, quickly covered a hundred steps and seized him by the hair.
सोऽर्जुनेन परामृष्टः पर्यदेवयदार्तवत्। बहुलं कृपणं चैव विराटस्य सुतस्तदा ॥०४-३६-३८॥
When struck by Arjuna, the son of Virata then lamented profusely and pitiably, like one in distress. (04-36-38)
शातकुम्भस्य शुद्धस्य शतं निष्कान्ददामि ते। मणीनष्टौ च वैडूर्यान्हेमबद्धान्महाप्रभान् ॥०४-३६-३९॥
I give you one hundred pure electrum niṣka coins, and also eight gems of lapis lazuli bound in gold, all of great luster. (04-36-39)
हेमदण्डप्रतिच्छन्नं रथं युक्तं च सुव्रजैः। मत्तांश्च दश मातङ्गान्मुञ्च मां त्वं बृहन्नडे ॥०४-३६-४०॥
O Bṛhannadā, you release me along with the chariot covered with golden poles, yoked with excellent horses, and ten intoxicated elephants. (04-36-40)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमादीनि वाक्यानि विलपन्तमचेतसम्। प्रहस्य पुरुषव्याघ्रो रथस्यान्तिकमानयत् ॥०४-३६-४१॥
Having laughed at him as he lamented such statements in an unconscious state, the tiger among men brought (him) close to the chariot. (04-36-41)
अथैनमब्रवीत्पार्थो भयार्तं नष्टचेतसम्। यदि नोत्सहसे योद्धुं शत्रुभिः शत्रुकर्शन ॥ एहि मे त्वं हयान्यच्छ युध्यमानस्य शत्रुभिः ॥०४-३६-४२॥
Then Arjuna said to him, who was afflicted by fear and had lost his mind: "If you are not able to fight with the enemies, O subduer of enemies, then come, you take hold of my horses as I fight with the enemies." (04-36-42)
प्रयाह्येतद्रथानीकं मद्बाहुबलरक्षितः। अप्रधृष्यतमं घोरं गुप्तं वीरैर्महारथैः ॥०४-३६-४३॥
Go forward to this chariot-army, protected by the strength of my arms—most unassailable, dreadful, guarded by heroes and mighty chariot-warriors. (04-36-43)
मा भैस्त्वं राजपुत्राग्र्य क्षत्रियोऽसि परन्तप। अहं वै कुरुभिर्योत्स्याम्यवजेष्यामि ते पशून् ॥०४-३६-४४॥
Do not fear, O foremost of princes, you are a Kshatriya and a conqueror of enemies. I will fight the Kurus and retrieve your cattle for you. (04-36-44)
प्रविश्यैतद्रथानीकमप्रधृष्यं दुरासदम्। यन्ता भूस्त्वं नरश्रेष्ठ योत्स्येऽहं कुरुभिः सह ॥०४-३६-४५॥
Enter this invincible and hard-to-approach chariot-division; you be the charioteer, O best of men, and I will fight along with the Kurus. (04-36-45)
एवं ब्रुवाणो बीभत्सुर्वैराटिमपराजितः। समाश्वास्य मुहूर्तं तमुत्तरं भरतर्षभ ॥०४-३६-४६॥
O bull among the Bharatas, thus Bībhatsu (Arjuna), unvanquished, having spoken to Uttara, comforted him for a moment. (04-36-46)
तत एनं विचेष्टन्तमकामं भयपीडितम्। रथमारोपयामास पार्थः प्रहरतां वरः ॥०४-३६-४७॥
Then Pārtha, the foremost of warriors, caused him—struggling, unwilling, and afflicted by fear—to ascend the chariot. (04-36-47)
