05.050
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
सर्व एते महोत्साहा ये त्वया परिकीर्तिताः। एकतस्त्वेव ते सर्वे समेता भीम एकतः ॥५-५०-१॥
All these warriors, praised by you for their great enthusiasm, are on one side, while Bhima stands alone on the other.
भीमसेनाद्धि मे भूयो भयं सञ्जायते महत्। क्रुद्धादमर्षणात्तात व्याघ्रादिव महारुरोः ॥५-५०-२॥
O father, my great fear arises again from Bhīmasena, like from the great roar of an angry, intolerant tiger.
जागर्मि रात्रयः सर्वा दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वसन्। भीतो वृकोदरात्तात सिंहात्पशुरिवाबलः ॥५-५०-३॥
I stay awake all night, breathing heavily and warmly, in fear of Vrikodara, like a weak animal afraid of a lion, O father.
न हि तस्य महाबाहोः शक्रप्रतिमतेजसः। सैन्येऽस्मिन्प्रतिपश्यामि य एनं विषहेद्युधि ॥५-५०-४॥
I do not see anyone in this army who can match the mighty-armed warrior, whose splendor is equal to that of Indra, in battle.
अमर्षणश्च कौन्तेयो दृढवैरश्च पाण्डवः। अनर्महासी सोन्मादस्तिर्यक्प्रेक्षी महास्वनः ॥५-५०-५॥
The Pandava, son of Kunti, was impatient and harbored firm enmity. He was not laughing, appeared mad, looked askance, and made a loud sound.
महावेगो महोत्साहो महाबाहुर्महाबलः। मन्दानां मम पुत्राणां युद्धेनान्तं करिष्यति ॥५-५०-६॥
He, with great speed, enthusiasm, mighty arms, and strength, will bring an end to the battle for my slow sons.
ऊरुग्राहगृहीतानां गदां बिभ्रद्वृकोदरः। कुरूणामृषभो युद्धे दण्डपाणिरिवान्तकः ॥५-५०-७॥
Vrikodara, wielding his mace with great strength, stood like Yama, the god of death, with a staff in hand, as the formidable warrior of the Kurus in battle.
शैक्यायसमयीं घोरां गदां काञ्चनभूषिताम्। मनसाहं प्रपश्यामि ब्रह्मदण्डमिवोद्यतम् ॥५-५०-८॥
In my mind, I envision a formidable mace crafted from iron and embellished with gold, resembling the raised staff of Brahma.
यथा रुरूणां यूथेषु सिंहो जातबलश्चरेत्। मामकेषु तथा भीमो बलेषु विचरिष्यति ॥५-५०-९॥
Just as a lion moves fearlessly among herds of deer, Bhima will move among my forces with strength and confidence.
सर्वेषां मम पुत्राणां स एकः क्रूरविक्रमः। बह्वाशी विप्रतीपश्च बाल्येऽपि रभसः सदा ॥५-५०-१०॥
Among all my sons, he stands out as a fierce warrior, known for his voracious appetite and hostility, and even as a child, he was always impetuous.
उद्वेपते मे हृदयं यदा दुर्योधनादयः। बाल्येऽपि तेन युध्यन्तो वारणेनेव मर्दिताः ॥५-५०-११॥
My heart trembles at the thought of Duryodhana and others who, even in their childhood, were crushed as if fighting against an elephant.
तस्य वीर्येण सङ्क्लिष्टा नित्यमेव सुता मम। स एव हेतुर्भेदस्य भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥५-५०-१२॥
Due to his strength, my daughter is perpetually troubled. He is the very reason for the discord, Bhima, who possesses formidable might.
ग्रसमानमनीकानि नरवारणवाजिनाम्। पश्यामीवाग्रतो भीमं क्रोधमूर्छितमाहवे ॥५-५०-१३॥
I see Bhima in front, as if devouring the troops of men, elephants, and horses, overwhelmed with anger in battle.
अस्त्रे द्रोणार्जुनसमं वायुवेगसमं जवे। सञ्जयाचक्ष्व मे शूरं भीमसेनममर्षणम् ॥५-५०-१४॥
In terms of weaponry, he is comparable to Droṇa and Arjuna, and in speed, he matches the wind. O Sañjaya, please tell me about the heroic and impatient Bhīmasena.
अतिलाभं तु मन्येऽहं यत्तेन रिपुघातिना। तदैव न हताः सर्वे मम पुत्रा मनस्विना ॥५-५०-१५॥
I believe it is an excessive gain that by the enemy-slayer, then indeed not all my sons were killed by the wise one.
येन भीमबला यक्षा राक्षसाश्च समाहताः। कथं तस्य रणे वेगं मानुषः प्रसहिष्यति ॥५-५०-१६॥
The one who struck down the mighty Yakshas and Rakshasas, how can a mere human withstand his speed in battle?
न स जातु वशे तस्थौ मम बालोऽपि सञ्जय। किं पुनर्मम दुष्पुत्रैः क्लिष्टः सम्प्रति पाण्डवः ॥५-५०-१७॥
O Sanjaya, even as a child, he was never under my control. How then can the Pandava, now troubled by my wicked sons, be expected to be?
निष्ठुरः स च नैष्ठुर्याद्भज्येदपि न संनमेत्। तिर्यक्प्रेक्षी संहतभ्रूः कथं शाम्येद्वृकोदरः ॥५-५०-१८॥
He is harsh and would not bow down even if broken due to his harshness. With side-glancing eyes and knitted brows, how could Vrikodara be pacified?
बृहदंसोऽप्रतिबलो गौरस्ताल इवोद्गतः। प्रमाणतो भीमसेनः प्रादेशेनाधिकोऽर्जुनात् ॥५-५०-१९॥
Bhimasena, of immense strength and unmatched power, stands tall and fair like a palm tree, and is taller than Arjuna by measure.
जवेन वाजिनोऽत्येति बलेनात्येति कुञ्जरान्। अव्यक्तजल्पी मध्वक्षो मध्यमः पाण्डवो बली ॥५-५०-२०॥
The swift horse surpasses others with its speed, and with strength, it surpasses elephants. The middle Pāṇḍava, who speaks indistinctly and has sweet eyes, is strong.
इति बाल्ये श्रुतः पूर्वं मया व्यासमुखात्पुरा। रूपतो वीर्यतश्चैव याथातथ्येन पाण्डवः ॥५-५०-२१॥
In my childhood, I had heard from Vyasa about the Pandava, who was truly remarkable in both form and valor.
आयसेन स दण्डेन रथान्नागान्हयान्नरान्। हनिष्यति रणे क्रुद्धो भीमः प्रहरतां वरः ॥५-५०-२२॥
With his iron club, the furious Bhima, the best among warriors, will destroy chariots, elephants, horses, and men in the battle.
अमर्षी नित्यसंरब्धो रौद्रः क्रूरपराक्रमः। मम तात प्रतीपानि कुर्वन्पूर्वं विमानितः ॥५-५०-२३॥
My father, who was impatient, always enraged, fierce, and cruel in his prowess, was previously insulted while performing hostile acts.
निष्कीर्णामायसीं स्थूलां सुपर्वां काञ्चनीं गदाम्। शतघ्नीं शतनिर्ह्रादां कथं शक्ष्यन्ति मे सुताः ॥५-५०-२४॥
How will my sons be able to wield the heavy, well-crafted golden mace made of solid iron, known for its deadly impact and resonating sound?
अपारमप्लवागाधं समुद्रं शरवेगिनम्। भीमसेनमयं दुर्गं तात मन्दास्तितीर्षवः ॥५-५०-२५॥
O father, the foolish ones desire to cross the boundless, boatless, unfathomable ocean, swift as an arrow, which is like a fort made of Bhimasena.
क्रोशतो मे न शृण्वन्ति बालाः पण्डितमानिनः। विषमं नावबुध्यन्ते प्रपातं मधुदर्शिनः ॥५-५०-२६॥
My cries go unheard by the children who think themselves wise; they fail to perceive the danger of the precipice, being distracted by the sight of honey.
संयुगं ये करिष्यन्ति नररूपेण वायुना। नियतं चोदिता धात्रा सिंहेनेव महामृगाः ॥५-५०-२७॥
The battle that they will engage in, with Vayu in human form, is certainly urged by the creator, like great beasts are by the lion.
शैक्यां तात चतुष्किष्कुं षडस्रिममितौजसम्। प्रहितां दुःखसंस्पर्शां कथं शक्ष्यन्ति मे सुताः ॥५-५०-२८॥
Father, how will my sons be able to withstand the immensely powerful, four-cornered, six-edged weapon made of iron that brings sorrow?
गदां भ्रामयतस्तस्य भिन्दतो हस्तिमस्तकान्। सृक्किणी लेलिहानस्य बाष्पमुत्सृजतो मुहुः ॥५-५०-२९॥
He whirled his mace, breaking the heads of elephants, while licking his cheeks and repeatedly shedding tears.
उद्दिश्य पातान्पततः कुर्वतो भैरवान्रवान्। प्रतीपान्पततो मत्तान्कुञ्जरान्प्रतिगर्जतः ॥५-५०-३०॥
Aiming at the falls, the elephants, intoxicated and roaring back, make terrifying sounds as they oppose and fall.
विगाह्य रथमार्गेषु वरानुद्दिश्य निघ्नतः। अग्नेः प्रज्वलितस्येव अपि मुच्येत मे प्रजा ॥५-५०-३१॥
Having entered the paths of the chariots and aiming at the best, striking like the blazing fire, even my people would be released.
वीथीं कुर्वन्महाबाहुर्द्रावयन्मम वाहिनीम्। नृत्यन्निव गदापाणिर्युगान्तं दर्शयिष्यति ॥५-५०-३२॥
The mighty-armed warrior, clearing a path through my forces as if in a dance with his mace, will reveal the end of an era.
प्रभिन्न इव मातङ्गः प्रभञ्जन्पुष्पितान्द्रुमान्। प्रवेक्ष्यति रणे सेनां पुत्राणां मे वृकोदरः ॥५-५०-३३॥
My Vrikodara (Bhima), like a rampaging elephant breaking through flowering trees, will charge into the army of my sons in the battle.
कुर्वन्रथान्विपुरुषान्विध्वजान्भग्नपुष्करान्। आरुजन्पुरुषव्याघ्रो रथिनः सादिनस्तथा ॥५-५०-३४॥
The tiger among men made the chariots devoid of men and flags, broke their axles, and destroyed the charioteers and horsemen.
गङ्गावेग इवानूपांस्तीरजान्विविधान्द्रुमान्। प्रवेक्ष्यति महासेनां पुत्राणां मम सञ्जय ॥५-५०-३५॥
Sanjaya, like the swift flow of the Ganga, my sons will enter the diverse trees that grow along the riverbanks of Mahasena.
वशं नूनं गमिष्यन्ति भीमसेनबलार्दिताः। मम पुत्राश्च भृत्याश्च राजानश्चैव सञ्जय ॥५-५०-३६॥
O Sanjaya, certainly my sons, servants, and kings, afflicted by Bhimasena's strength, will come under control.
येन राजा महावीर्यः प्रविश्यान्तःपुरं पुरा। वासुदेवसहायेन जरासन्धो निपातितः ॥५-५०-३७॥
The king of great valor, who once entered the inner chambers with the help of Vasudeva, defeated Jarāsandha.
कृत्स्नेयं पृथिवी देवी जरासन्धेन धीमता। मागधेन्द्रेण बलिना वशे कृत्वा प्रतापिता ॥५-५०-३८॥
The wise and powerful king of Magadha, Jarasandha, brought the entire earth under his control and oppressed it.
भीष्मप्रतापात्कुरवो नयेनान्धकवृष्णयः। ते न तस्य वशं जग्मुः केवलं दैवमेव वा ॥५-५०-३९॥
Because of Bhishma's prowess, neither the Kurus through policy nor the Andhakas and Vrishnis came under his control; it was only fate or destiny.
स गत्वा पाण्डुपुत्रेण तरसा बाहुशालिना। अनायुधेन वीरेण निहतः किं ततोऽधिकम् ॥५-५०-४०॥
He went and was killed by the strong-armed son of Pandu, who was a hero even without weapons. What more is there to say?
दीर्घकालेन संसिक्तं विषमाशीविषो यथा। स मोक्ष्यति रणे तेजः पुत्रेषु मम सञ्जय ॥५-५०-४१॥
O Sanjaya, just as a venomous snake that has been soaked for a long time releases its poison, so will he release his brilliance in battle among my sons.
महेन्द्र इव वज्रेण दानवान्देवसत्तमः। भीमसेनो गदापाणिः सूदयिष्यति मे सुतान् ॥५-५०-४२॥
O best of the gods, just as Indra destroys demons with his thunderbolt, Bhimasena will annihilate my sons with his mace.
अविषह्यमनावार्यं तीव्रवेगपराक्रमम्। पश्यामीवातिताम्राक्षमापतन्तं वृकोदरम् ॥५-५०-४३॥
I see Vrikodara (Bhima) coming towards us with an unstoppable and intense force, his eyes appearing very red.
अगदस्याप्यधनुषो विरथस्य विवर्मणः। बाहुभ्यां युध्यमानस्य कस्तिष्ठेदग्रतः पुमान् ॥५-५०-४४॥
Who would dare to stand in front of a man fighting with his bare arms, even if he is unarmed, without a bow, chariot, or armor?
भीष्मो द्रोणश्च विप्रोऽयं कृपः शारद्वतस्तथा। जानन्त्येते यथैवाहं वीर्यज्ञस्तस्य धीमतः ॥५-५०-४५॥
Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, are wise men who know the valor of that wise one, just as I do.
आर्यव्रतं तु जानन्तः सङ्गरान्न बिभित्सवः। सेनामुखेषु स्थास्यन्ति मामकानां नरर्षभाः ॥५-५०-४६॥
The noble warriors, aware of their vows and unafraid of battles, will stand at the forefront of my army, like bulls among men.
बलीयः सर्वतो दिष्टं पुरुषस्य विशेषतः। पश्यन्नपि जयं तेषां न नियच्छामि यत्सुतान् ॥५-५०-४७॥
Fate is stronger from all directions, especially for a man. Even when I see their victory, I cannot control their sons.
ते पुराणं महेष्वासा मार्गमैन्द्रं समास्थिताः। त्यक्ष्यन्ति तुमुले प्राणान्रक्षन्तः पार्थिवं यशः ॥५-५०-४८॥
The ancient great archers, positioned on the path of Indra, will sacrifice their lives amidst the tumult to protect the earthly glory.
यथैषां मामकास्तात तथैषां पाण्डवा अपि। पौत्रा भीष्मस्य शिष्याश्च द्रोणस्य च कृपस्य च ॥५-५०-४९॥
Just as these are my own, so too are the Pandavas, who are grandsons of Bhishma and disciples of Drona and Kripa.
यत्त्वस्मदाश्रयं किञ्चिद्दत्तमिष्टं च सञ्जय। तस्यापचितिमार्यत्वात्कर्तारः स्थविरास्त्रयः ॥५-५०-५०॥
O Sanjaya, whatever is dependent on us, whether given or desired, the honor of that is upheld by the three noble elders.
आददानस्य शस्त्रं हि क्षत्रधर्मं परीप्सतः। निधनं ब्राह्मणस्याजौ वरमेवाहुरुत्तमम् ॥५-५०-५१॥
It is said that for a warrior who takes up arms to fulfill his duty, the death of a Brahmin in battle is considered the most noble and excellent.
स वै शोचामि सर्वान्वै ये युयुत्सन्ति पाण्डवान्। विक्रुष्टं विदुरेणादौ तदेतद्भयमागतम् ॥५-५०-५२॥
He indeed laments for all those who wish to fight the Pāṇḍavas. This fear, initially shouted by Vidura, has now come to pass.
न तु मन्ये विघाताय ज्ञानं दुःखस्य सञ्जय। भवत्यतिबले ह्येतज्ज्ञानमप्युपघातकम् ॥५-५०-५३॥
However, O Sañjaya, I believe that knowledge does not necessarily lead to the eradication of sorrow. In fact, O mighty one, this knowledge can also be detrimental.
ऋषयो ह्यपि निर्मुक्ताः पश्यन्तो लोकसङ्ग्रहान्। सुखे भवन्ति सुखिनस्तथा दुःखेन दुःखिताः ॥५-५०-५४॥
Even liberated sages, when they see the welfare of the world, become happy in happiness and sorrowful in sorrow.
किं पुनर्योऽहमासक्तस्तत्र तत्र सहस्रधा। पुत्रेषु राज्यदारेषु पौत्रेष्वपि च बन्धुषु ॥५-५०-५५॥
What then, of me who is attached in thousands of ways to sons, kingdom, wives, grandsons, and relatives?
संशये तु महत्यस्मिन्किं नु मे क्षममुत्तमम्। विनाशं ह्येव पश्यामि कुरूणामनुचिन्तयन् ॥५-५०-५६॥
In this great doubt, what indeed is the best course of action for me? Reflecting, I certainly see the destruction of the Kurus.
द्यूतप्रमुखमाभाति कुरूणां व्यसनं महत्। मन्देनैश्वर्यकामेन लोभात्पापमिदं कृतम् ॥५-५०-५७॥
Gambling is seen as the greatest vice among the Kurus. This sin was committed by the foolish due to their greed and desire for wealth.
मन्ये पर्यायधर्मोऽयं कालस्यात्यन्तगामिनः। चक्रे प्रधिरिवासक्तो नास्य शक्यं पलायितुम् ॥५-५०-५८॥
I believe that the nature of time is ever-changing and transient. Just as an axle is fixed to a wheel, it is impossible to escape from it.
किं नु कार्यं कथं कुर्यां क्व नु गच्छामि सञ्जय। एते नश्यन्ति कुरवो मन्दाः कालवशं गताः ॥५-५०-५९॥
What should I do, Sanjaya? Where should I go? These foolish Kurus are perishing, succumbing to the inevitable passage of time.
अवशोऽहं पुरा तात पुत्राणां निहते शते। श्रोष्यामि निनदं स्त्रीणां कथं मां मरणं स्पृशेत् ॥५-५०-६०॥
O father, once I was helpless when a hundred of my sons were slain. How can death touch me when I hear the cries of women?
यथा निदाघे ज्वलनः समिद्धो; दहेत्कक्षं वायुना चोद्यमानः। गदाहस्तः पाण्डवस्तद्वदेव; हन्ता मदीयान्सहितोऽर्जुनेन ॥५-५०-६१॥
Just as a kindled fire in summer, driven by the wind, consumes the forest, so too does the Pāṇḍava with his mace, alongside Arjuna, destroy my people.
