05.048
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
समवेतेषु सर्वेषु तेषु राजसु भारत। दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्यं भीष्मः शान्तनवोऽब्रवीत् ॥५-४८-१॥
In the assembly of all the gathered kings, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, addressed Duryodhana with these words, O Bharata.
बृहस्पतिश्चोशना च ब्रह्माणं पर्युपस्थितौ। मरुतश्च सहेन्द्रेण वसवश्च सहाश्विनौ ॥५-४८-२॥
Bṛhaspati and Uśanā attended upon Brahmā, along with the Maruts with Indra and the Vasus with the Aśvins.
आदित्याश्चैव साध्याश्च ये च सप्तर्षयो दिवि। विश्वावसुश्च गन्धर्वः शुभाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः ॥५-४८-३॥
The Adityas, the Sadhyas, the seven sages in heaven, Viśvāvasu the Gandharva, and the auspicious groups of Apsaras are all present.
नमस्कृत्वोपजग्मुस्ते लोकवृद्धं पितामहम्। परिवार्य च विश्वेशं पर्यासत दिवौकसः ॥५-४८-४॥
After offering their salutations, they approached the revered elder and grandfather of the worlds. The celestials then surrounded and sat around the lord of the universe.
तेषां मनश्च तेजश्चाप्याददानौ दिवौकसाम्। पूर्वदेवौ व्यतिक्रान्तौ नरनारायणावृषी ॥५-४८-५॥
Nara and Nārāyaṇa, the ancient sages, received the mind and splendor of the gods, surpassing them.
बृहस्पतिश्च पप्रच्छ ब्राह्मणं काविमाविति। भवन्तं नोपतिष्ठेते तौ नः शंस पितामह ॥५-४८-६॥
Bṛhaspati inquired of the Brahmin sage, "Do they not come to you? Please tell us, O grandfather."
ब्रह्मोवाच॥
Brahma spoke:
यावेतौ पृथिवीं द्यां च भासयन्तौ तपस्विनौ। ज्वलन्तौ रोचमानौ च व्याप्यातीतौ महाबलौ ॥५-४८-७॥
These two mighty ascetics illuminate both the earth and the sky, shining brightly and radiantly, and their presence is all-pervading.
नरनारायणावेतौ लोकाल्लोकं समास्थितौ। ऊर्जितौ स्वेन तपसा महासत्त्वपराक्रमौ ॥५-४८-८॥
Nara and Narayana, these two sages, are established across worlds, empowered by their own penance, and possess immense strength and courage.
एतौ हि कर्मणा लोकान्नन्दयामासतुर्ध्रुवौ। असुराणामभावाय देवगन्धर्वपूजितौ ॥५-४८-९॥
These two steadfast beings, through their actions, brought joy to the worlds and were revered by gods and celestial beings for the destruction of the demons.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
जगाम शक्रस्तच्छ्रुत्वा यत्र तौ तेपतुस्तपः। सार्धं देवगणैः सर्वैर्बृहस्पतिपुरोगमैः ॥५-४८-१०॥
Upon hearing the news, Indra, accompanied by all the groups of gods led by Brihaspati, went to the place where the two were performing their penance.
तदा देवासुरे घोरे भये जाते दिवौकसाम्। अयाचत महात्मानौ नरनारायणौ वरम् ॥५-४८-११॥
At that time, when a dreadful fear arose among the gods and demons, the great souls Nara and Narayana requested a boon from the inhabitants of heaven.
तावब्रूतां वृणीष्वेति तदा भरतसत्तम। अथैतावब्रवीच्छक्रः साह्यं नः क्रियतामिति ॥५-४८-१२॥
Those two addressed, "Choose," at that time, O best of the Bharatas. Then Indra said to those two, "Let assistance be rendered to us."
ततस्तौ शक्रमब्रूतां करिष्यावो यदिच्छसि। ताभ्यां च सहितः शक्रो विजिग्ये दैत्यदानवान् ॥५-४८-१३॥
Then those two said to Indra, "We will do what you wish." With their help, Indra defeated the demons and giants.
नर इन्द्रस्य सङ्ग्रामे हत्वा शत्रून्परन्तपः। पौलोमान्कालखञ्जांश्च सहस्राणि शतानि च ॥५-४८-१४॥
The warrior, who is a terror to his enemies, defeated the foes of Indra in battle, along with the Paulomas and Kalakhanjas, in their thousands and hundreds.
एष भ्रान्ते रथे तिष्ठन्भल्लेनापहरच्छिरः। जम्भस्य ग्रसमानस्य यज्ञमर्जुन आहवे ॥५-४८-१५॥
Arjuna, while standing on the chaotic chariot, severed the head of Jambha with an arrow as he was consuming the sacrifice during the battle.
एष पारे समुद्रस्य हिरण्यपुरमारुजत्। हत्वा षष्टिसहस्राणि निवातकवचान्रणे ॥५-४८-१६॥
He crossed to the other side of the ocean and ascended Hiranyapura, after defeating sixty thousand Nivatakavachas in battle.
एष देवान्सहेन्द्रेण जित्वा परपुरञ्जयः। अतर्पयन्महाबाहुरर्जुनो जातवेदसम् ॥ नारायणस्तथैवात्र भूयसोऽन्याञ्जघान ह ॥५-४८-१७॥
This mighty-armed Arjuna, the conqueror of enemy cities, having conquered the gods with Indra, satisfied Agni. Similarly, Narayana here killed many others indeed.
एवमेतौ महावीर्यौ तौ पश्यत समागतौ। वासुदेवार्जुनौ वीरौ समवेतौ महारथौ ॥५-४८-१८॥
Behold these two mighty warriors, Vasudeva and Arjuna, who have come together as great charioteers.
नरनारायणौ देवौ पूर्वदेवाविति श्रुतिः। अजेयौ मानुषे लोके सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः ॥५-४८-१९॥
Nara and Narayana are revered as ancient gods, known to be invincible in the human world, even by gods and demons along with Indra.
एष नारायणः कृष्णः फल्गुनस्तु नरः स्मृतः। नारायणो नरश्चैव सत्त्वमेकं द्विधाकृतम् ॥५-४८-२०॥
This Narayana is Krishna, and Arjuna is remembered as a man. Narayana and man are indeed one essence divided into two.
एतौ हि कर्मणा लोकानश्नुवातेऽक्षयान्ध्रुवान्। तत्र तत्रैव जायेते युद्धकाले पुनः पुनः ॥५-४८-२१॥
These two, by their actions, attain the eternal and imperishable worlds. In those worlds, they are reborn at the time of war, repeatedly.
तस्मात्कर्मैव कर्तव्यमिति होवाच नारदः। एतद्धि सर्वमाचष्ट वृष्णिचक्रस्य वेदवित् ॥५-४८-२२॥
Therefore, Nārada said that action must indeed be performed. The knower of the Vedas explained all this to the Vṛṣṇi circle.
शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्तं यदा द्रक्ष्यसि केशवम्। पर्याददानं चास्त्राणि भीमधन्वानमर्जुनम् ॥५-४८-२३॥
When you see Keshava holding the conch, discus, and mace, and Arjuna, the mighty archer, wielding his weapons.
सनातनौ महात्मानौ कृष्णावेकरथे स्थितौ। दुर्योधन तदा तात स्मर्तासि वचनं मम ॥५-४८-२४॥
The eternal great souls, Krishna and Arjuna, stood together on one chariot. Duryodhana, at that time, dear one, you should remember my words.
नो चेदयमभावः स्यात्कुरूणां प्रत्युपस्थितः। अर्थाच्च तात धर्माच्च तव बुद्धिरुपप्लुता ॥५-४८-२५॥
If this situation had not arisen among the Kurus, dear, your judgment would have been clouded by both wealth and duty.
न चेद्ग्रहीष्यसे वाक्यं श्रोतासि सुबहून्हतान्। तवैव हि मतं सर्वे कुरवः पर्युपासते ॥५-४८-२६॥
If you do not heed the advice, you will hear of many deaths. Indeed, all the Kurus are acting according to your opinion.
त्रयाणामेव च मतं तत्त्वमेकोऽनुमन्यसे। रामेण चैव शप्तस्य कर्णस्य भरतर्षभ ॥५-४८-२७॥
O bull among the Bharatas, you approve only one of the three truths, which is the opinion of the cursed Karna by Rama.
दुर्जातेः सूतपुत्रस्य शकुनेः सौबलस्य च। तथा क्षुद्रस्य पापस्य भ्रातुर्दुःशासनस्य च ॥५-४८-२८॥
This refers to the ill-born, the charioteer's son, Shakuni, the son of Subala, and also to the mean and sinful brother Duhshasana.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said:
नैवमायुष्मता वाच्यं यन्मामात्थ पितामह। क्षत्रधर्मे स्थितो ह्यस्मि स्वधर्मादनपेयिवान् ॥५-४८-२९॥
O venerable one, what you have said to me, O grandfather, is not appropriate. I am firmly established in the duty of a warrior and do not deviate from my own duty.
किं चान्यन्मयि दुर्वृत्तं येन मां परिगर्हसे। न हि मे वृजिनं किञ्चिद्धार्तराष्ट्रा विदुः क्वचित् ॥५-४८-३०॥
What other misconduct do I have that you blame me for? Indeed, the sons of Dhritarashtra do not know of any sin of mine at any time.
राज्ञो हि धृतराष्ट्रस्य सर्वं कार्यं प्रियं मया। तथा दुर्योधनस्यापि स हि राज्ये समाहितः ॥५-४८-३१॥
Indeed, I am devoted to fulfilling all the duties of King Dhritarashtra and Duryodhana, as he is truly engaged in the kingdom.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
कर्णस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा भीष्मः शान्तनवः पुनः। धृतराष्ट्रं महाराजमाभाष्येदं वचोऽब्रवीत् ॥५-४८-३२॥
Upon hearing Karna's words, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, once again spoke to King Dhritarashtra.
यदयं कत्थते नित्यं हन्ताहं पाण्डवानिति। नायं कलापि सम्पूर्णा पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् ॥५-४८-३३॥
When he always boasts, "I am the slayer of the Pandavas," he is not even a fraction of the greatness of the Pandavas.
अनयो योऽयमागन्ता पुत्राणां ते दुरात्मनाम्। तदस्य कर्म जानीहि सूतपुत्रस्य दुर्मतेः ॥५-४८-३४॥
Among these two, who is this visitor of your wicked sons? Understand that this is the act of the charioteer's son, who has an evil mind.
एनमाश्रित्य पुत्रस्ते मन्दबुद्धिः सुयोधनः। अवमन्यत तान्वीरान्देवपुत्रानरिंदमान् ॥५-४८-३५॥
Relying on this person, your foolish son Suyodhana showed disrespect towards those heroic sons of gods, who are subduers of enemies.
किं चाप्यनेन तत्कर्म कृतं पूर्वं सुदुष्करम्। तैर्यथा पाण्डवैः सर्वैरेकैकेन कृतं पुरा ॥५-४८-३६॥
What is more, that very difficult task was accomplished by him in the past, just as it was done individually by all the Pandavas.
दृष्ट्वा विराटनगरे भ्रातरं निहतं प्रियम्। धनञ्जयेन विक्रम्य किमनेन तदा कृतम् ॥५-४८-३७॥
Upon witnessing his beloved brother killed in the city of Virata by Dhananjaya, what actions did he take at that time?
सहितान्हि कुरून्सर्वानभियातो धनञ्जयः। प्रमथ्य चाच्छिनद्गावः किमयं प्रोषितस्तदा ॥५-४८-३८॥
Dhananjaya indeed approached all the Kurus together; having crushed and cut off the cows, what happened then when he was absent?
गन्धर्वैर्घोषयात्रायां ह्रियते यत्सुतस्तव। क्व तदा सूतपुत्रोऽभूद्य इदानीं वृषायते ॥५-४८-३९॥
In the festive procession, your son is being taken away by the Gandharvas. Where was the charioteer's son then, who is now being praised?
ननु तत्रापि पार्थेन भीमेन च महात्मना। यमाभ्यामेव चागम्य गन्धर्वास्ते पराजिताः ॥५-४८-४०॥
Indeed, even there, the Gandharvas were defeated by Arjuna, Bhima, and the great soul, along with the two Yamas.
एतान्यस्य मृषोक्तानि बहूनि भरतर्षभ। विकत्थनस्य भद्रं ते सदा धर्मार्थलोपिनः ॥५-४८-४१॥
These are many false words of his, O best of Bharatas. May welfare always be yours, from the boaster who neglects duty and wealth.
भीष्मस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा भारद्वाजो महामनाः। धृतराष्ट्रमुवाचेदं राजमध्येऽभिपूजयन् ॥५-४८-४२॥
Upon hearing Bhishma's words, the wise Bharadvaja addressed Dhritarashtra, showing him respect among the assembled kings.
यदाह भरतश्रेष्ठो भीष्मस्तत्क्रियतां नृप। न काममर्थलिप्सूनां वचनं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥५-४८-४३॥
O King, you should follow what Bhishma, the best of the Bharatas, has advised. Do not heed the words of those who are driven by desire for wealth.
पुरा युद्धात्साधु मन्ये पाण्डवैः सह सङ्गमम्। यद्वाक्यमर्जुनेनोक्तं सञ्जयेन निवेदितम् ॥५-४८-४४॥
I believe that the meeting with the Pandavas after the battle was favorable, as the statement made by Arjuna was conveyed by Sanjaya.
सर्वं तदभिजानामि करिष्यति च पाण्डवः। न ह्यस्य त्रिषु लोकेषु सदृशोऽस्ति धनुर्धरः ॥५-४८-४५॥
I am aware of everything, and Pāṇḍava will accomplish it. Truly, there is no archer like him in all the three worlds.
अनादृत्य तु तद्वाक्यमर्थवद्द्रोणभीष्मयोः। ततः स सञ्जयं राजा पर्यपृच्छत पाण्डवम् ॥५-४८-४६॥
Ignoring the meaningful advice of Drona and Bhishma, the king then asked Sanjaya about the Pandavas.
तदैव कुरवः सर्वे निराशा जीवितेऽभवन्। भीष्मद्रोणौ यदा राजा न सम्यगनुभाषते ॥५-४८-४७॥
At that very moment, all the Kurus lost hope in life because the king failed to properly address Bhishma and Drona.
