05.054
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said:
न भेतव्यं महाराज न शोच्या भवता वयम्। समर्थाः स्म परान्राजन्विजेतुं समरे विभो ॥५-५४-१॥
Do not fear, O great king, nor lament for us. We are capable, O king, of conquering the enemies in battle, O lord.
वनं प्रव्राजितान्पार्थान्यदायान्मधुसूदनः। महता बलचक्रेण परराष्ट्रावमर्दिना ॥५-५४-२॥
Krishna, with his great military force, oppressed the enemy's kingdom and exiled the sons of Pritha to the forest upon his arrival.
केकया धृष्टकेतुश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। राजानश्चान्वयुः पार्थान्बहवोऽन्येऽनुयायिनः ॥५-५४-३॥
Kekaya, Dhrishtaketu, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and many other kings followed the sons of Pritha.
इन्द्रप्रस्थस्य चादूरात्समाजग्मुर्महारथाः। व्यगर्हयंश्च सङ्गम्य भवन्तं कुरुभिः सह ॥५-५४-४॥
The great warriors from near Indraprastha gathered and criticized you along with the Kauravas.
ते युधिष्ठिरमासीनमजिनैः प्रतिवासितम्। कृष्णप्रधानाः संहत्य पर्युपासन्त भारत ॥५-५४-५॥
The group, led by Krishna, gathered to pay homage to Yudhishthira, who was seated and adorned with deer-skins, O Bharata.
प्रत्यादानं च राज्यस्य कार्यमूचुर्नराधिपाः। भवतः सानुबन्धस्य समुच्छेदं चिकीर्षवः ॥५-५४-६॥
The kings declared that it is their duty to return the kingdom, intending to destroy you and your followers.
श्रुत्वा चैतन्मयोक्तास्तु भीष्मद्रोणकृपास्तदा। ज्ञातिक्षयभयाद्राजन्भीतेन भरतर्षभ ॥५-५४-७॥
Upon hearing these words from me, Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa were filled with fear, O king, dreading the destruction of their kinsmen, O best of the Bharatas.
न ते स्थास्यन्ति समये पाण्डवा इति मे मतिः। समुच्छेदं हि नः कृत्स्नं वासुदेवश्चिकीर्षति ॥५-५४-८॥
In my opinion, the Pāṇḍavas will not be able to stand when the time comes. Vāsudeva indeed intends to completely destroy us.
ऋते च विदुरं सर्वे यूयं वध्या महात्मनः। धृतराष्ट्रश्च धर्मज्ञो न वध्यः कुरुसत्तमः ॥५-५४-९॥
All of you, except Vidura, are to be killed, O noble ones. Dhritarashtra, who understands dharma, should not be harmed, O esteemed Kuru.
समुच्छेदं च कृत्स्नं नः कृत्वा तात जनार्दनः। एकराज्यं कुरूणां स्म चिकीर्षति युधिष्ठिरे ॥५-५४-१०॥
O father, Janardana has completely destroyed us and now desires to establish a unified kingdom of the Kurus under Yudhishthira.
तत्र किं प्राप्तकालं नः प्रणिपातः पलायनम्। प्राणान्वा सम्परित्यज्य प्रतियुध्यामहे परान् ॥५-५४-११॥
There, what should we do at this appropriate time: surrender, retreat, or fight back the enemies even at the cost of our lives?
प्रतियुद्धे तु नियतः स्यादस्माकं पराजयः। युधिष्ठिरस्य सर्वे हि पार्थिवा वशवर्तिनः ॥५-५४-१२॥
In a counter-battle, our defeat is certain because all the kings are indeed under Yudhishthira's control.
विरक्तराष्ट्राश्च वयं मित्राणि कुपितानि नः। धिक्कृताः पार्थिवैः सर्वैः स्वजनेन च सर्वशः ॥५-५४-१३॥
We are alienated from the kingdoms, and our friends are angry with us. We have been disgraced by all the kings and completely by our own people.
प्रणिपाते तु दोषोऽस्ति बन्धूनां शाश्वतीः समाः। पितरं त्वेव शोचामि प्रज्ञानेत्रं जनेश्वरम् ॥ मत्कृते दुःखमापन्नं क्लेशं प्राप्तमनन्तकम् ॥५-५४-१४॥
In bowing down, there is a fault that lasts for eternal years among relatives. However, I mourn my father, the wise leader and lord of the people, who has suffered endless sorrow and trouble because of me.
कृतं हि तव पुत्रैश्च परेषामवरोधनम्। मत्प्रियार्थं पुरैवैतद्विदितं ते नरोत्तम ॥५-५४-१५॥
O best of men, your sons have indeed obstructed others for my sake; you were aware of this beforehand.
ते राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य सामात्यस्य महारथाः। वैरं प्रतिकरिष्यन्ति कुलोच्छेदेन पाण्डवाः ॥५-५४-१६॥
The great warriors of King Dhritarashtra, along with his ministers, will retaliate against the Pandavas by destroying their lineage.
ततो द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्भीष्मः कृपो द्रौणिश्च भारत। मत्वा मां महतीं चिन्तामास्थितं व्यथितेन्द्रियम् ॥५-५४-१७॥
Then Droṇa, Bhīṣma, Kṛpa, and Drauṇi, O Bhārata, perceived that I was in great distress and anxiety, with my senses disturbed, and they spoke to me.
अभिद्रुग्धाः परे चेन्नो न भेतव्यं परन्तप। असमर्थाः परे जेतुमस्मान्युधि जनेश्वर ॥५-५४-१८॥
O scorcher of foes, if others are angered, we should not fear. They are incapable of defeating us in battle, O lord of people.
एकैकशः समर्थाः स्मो विजेतुं सर्वपार्थिवान्। आगच्छन्तु विनेष्यामो दर्पमेषां शितैः शरैः ॥५-५४-१९॥
We are capable of defeating each king individually. Let them come; we will shatter their pride with our sharp arrows.
पुरैकेन हि भीष्मेण विजिताः सर्वपार्थिवाः। मृते पितर्यभिक्रुद्धो रथेनैकेन भारत ॥५-५४-२०॥
Once, all the kings were defeated by Bhishma alone. After the death of their father, O Bharata, someone became enraged and took to the chariot.
जघान सुबहूंस्तेषां संरब्धः कुरुसत्तमः। ततस्ते शरणं जग्मुर्देवव्रतमिमं भयात् ॥५-५४-२१॥
The enraged best of the Kurus killed many of them. Out of fear, they sought refuge with Bhishma.
स भीष्मः सुसमर्थोऽयमस्माभिः सहितो रणे। परान्विजेतुं तस्मात्ते व्येतु भीर्भरतर्षभ ॥ इत्येषां निश्चयो ह्यासीत्तत्कालममितौजसाम् ॥५-५४-२२॥
Bhishma, who was very capable and accompanied by us in battle, was determined to conquer the enemies. Therefore, O best of the Bharatas, let go of your fear. This was indeed the decision of the immensely powerful at that time.
पुरा परेषां पृथिवी कृत्स्नासीद्वशवर्तिनी। अस्मान्पुनरमी नाद्य समर्था जेतुमाहवे ॥ छिन्नपक्षाः परे ह्यद्य वीर्यहीनाश्च पाण्डवाः ॥५-५४-२३॥
In the past, the entire earth was under the control of others. However, today, they are not capable of defeating us in battle. The others are like those with broken wings, and the Pāṇḍavas lack strength.
अस्मत्संस्था च पृथिवी वर्तते भरतर्षभ। एकार्थाः सुखदुःखेषु मयानीताश्च पार्थिवाः ॥५-५४-२४॥
O best of the Bharatas, our institution, the earth, exists. The kings are united in purpose and are led by me through both happiness and sorrow.
अप्यग्निं प्रविशेयुस्ते समुद्रं वा परन्तप। मदर्थे पार्थिवाः सर्वे तद्विद्धि कुरुसत्तम ॥५-५४-२५॥
O best of the Kurus, understand that all the kings would even enter fire or the ocean for my sake, O scorcher of foes.
उन्मत्तमिव चापि त्वां प्रहसन्तीह दुःखितम्। विलपन्तं बहुविधं भीतं परविकत्थने ॥५-५४-२६॥
Here, like a madman, you are laughed at, sorrowful and lamenting in many ways, frightened by the boasting of others.
एषां ह्येकैकशो राज्ञां समर्थः पाण्डवान्प्रति। आत्मानं मन्यते सर्वो व्येतु ते भयमागतम् ॥५-५४-२७॥
Each of these kings believes himself to be capable of facing the Pandavas. Let their fear that has come upon them be dispelled.
सर्वां समग्रां सेनां मे वासवोऽपि न शक्नुयात्। हन्तुमक्षय्यरूपेयं ब्रह्मणापि स्वयम्भुवा ॥५-५४-२८॥
Even Indra cannot destroy my entire army; this form is imperishable, created by Brahma, the self-born.
युधिष्ठिरः पुरं हित्वा पञ्च ग्रामान्स याचति। भीतो हि मामकात्सैन्यात्प्रभावाच्चैव मे प्रभो ॥५-५४-२९॥
Yudhishthira, having left the city, requests five villages. He is indeed afraid of the power of my army, O lord.
समर्थं मन्यसे यच्च कुन्तीपुत्रं वृकोदरम्। तन्मिथ्या न हि मे कृत्स्नं प्रभावं वेत्थ भारत ॥५-५४-३०॥
You believe that Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, is capable, but that is not true, as you are not aware of my full power, O Bharata.
मत्समो हि गदायुद्धे पृथिव्यां नास्ति कश्चन। नासीत्कश्चिदतिक्रान्तो भविता न च कश्चन ॥५-५४-३१॥
There is truly no one on earth who is my equal in mace fighting; there has been none who surpassed me, nor will there be anyone in the future.
युक्तो दुःखोचितश्चाहं विद्यापारगतस्तथा। तस्मान्न भीमान्नान्येभ्यो भयं मे विद्यते क्वचित् ॥५-५४-३२॥
I am engaged and accustomed to suffering, and thus accomplished in knowledge. Therefore, I have no fear from the fearful ones or from others anywhere.
दुर्योधनसमो नास्ति गदायामिति निश्चयः। सङ्कर्षणस्य भद्रं ते यत्तदैनमुपावसम् ॥५-५४-३३॥
Balarama is certain that there is no one like Duryodhana in mace fighting. Blessings to you as he observes fasting.
युद्धे सङ्कर्षणसमो बलेनाभ्यधिको भुवि। गदाप्रहारं भीमो मे न जातु विषहेद्युधि ॥५-५४-३४॥
In battle, Bhīma, who is equal to Saṅkarṣaṇa in strength and superior on earth, could never withstand my mace blow.
एकं प्रहारं यं दद्यां भीमाय रुषितो नृप। स एवैनं नयेद्घोरं क्षिप्रं वैवस्वतक्षयम् ॥५-५४-३५॥
An enraged king would strike Bhima with such force that it would swiftly send him to the dreadful realm of Yama.
इच्छेयं च गदाहस्तं राजन्द्रष्टुं वृकोदरम्। सुचिरं प्रार्थितो ह्येष मम नित्यं मनोरथः ॥५-५४-३६॥
I have always desired to see Vrikodara, the one with the mace in hand, O king; this has been my long-standing wish.
गदया निहतो ह्याजौ मम पार्थो वृकोदरः। विशीर्णगात्रः पृथिवीं परासुः प्रपतिष्यति ॥५-५४-३७॥
My son Arjuna, known as Vrikodara, will be struck down in battle by a mace, and with his limbs shattered, he will fall lifeless to the ground.
गदाप्रहाराभिहतो हिमवानपि पर्वतः। सकृन्मया विशीर्येत गिरिः शतसहस्रधा ॥५-५४-३८॥
Even the mighty mountain Himavan, if struck once by my mace, would shatter into a hundred thousand pieces.
स चाप्येतद्विजानाति वासुदेवार्जुनौ तथा। दुर्योधनसमो नास्ति गदायामिति निश्चयः ॥५-५४-३९॥
He is aware that Vasudeva and Arjuna are present, and it is certain that no one equals Duryodhana in mace fighting.
तत्ते वृकोदरमयं भयं व्येतु महाहवे। व्यपनेष्याम्यहं ह्येनं मा राजन्विमना भव ॥५-५४-४०॥
May your fear related to Vrikodara vanish in the great battle. I will surely remove it. O king, do not be disheartened.
तस्मिन्मया हते क्षिप्रमर्जुनं बहवो रथाः। तुल्यरूपा विशिष्टाश्च क्षेप्स्यन्ति भरतर्षभ ॥५-५४-४१॥
O best of the Bharatas, when Arjuna is quickly killed by me, many chariots, both similar and distinguished, will attack.
भीष्मो द्रोणः कृपो द्रौणिः कर्णो भूरिश्रवास्तथा। प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपः शल्यः सिन्धुराजो जयद्रथः ॥५-५४-४२॥
Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Ashwatthama (son of Drona), Karna, Bhurishrava, along with the king of Pragjyotisha, Shalya, the king of Sindhu, and Jayadratha were present.
एकैक एषां शक्तस्तु हन्तुं भारत पाण्डवान्। समस्तास्तु क्षणेनैतान्नेष्यन्ति यमसादनम् ॥५-५४-४३॥
Each one of these warriors is capable of killing the Pandavas, O Bharata; however, together, they will send them to the abode of Yama in an instant.
समग्रा पार्थिवी सेना पार्थमेकं धनञ्जयम्। कस्मादशक्ता निर्जेतुमिति हेतुर्न विद्यते ॥५-५४-४४॥
The entire army of the earth cannot defeat Arjuna, known as Dhananjaya. There is no reason for this inability.
शरव्रातैस्तु भीष्मेण शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। द्रोणद्रौणिकृपैश्चैव गन्ता पार्थो यमक्षयम् ॥५-५४-४५॥
Arjuna, with showers of arrows from Bhishma, Drona, Drona's son, and Kripa, in hundreds and thousands, will reach the abode of Yama.
पितामहो हि गाङ्गेयः शन्तनोरधि भारत। ब्रह्मर्षिसदृशो जज्ञे देवैरपि दुरुत्सहः ॥ पित्रा ह्युक्तः प्रसन्नेन नाकामस्त्वं मरिष्यसि ॥५-५४-४६॥
O Bharata, the grandfather, the son of Ganga, was born above Shantanu, like a Brahmarshi, and was difficult to withstand even by the gods. His father, pleased, told him that he would not die against his will.
ब्रह्मर्षेश्च भरद्वाजाद्द्रोण्यां द्रोणो व्यजायत। द्रोणाज्जज्ञे महाराज द्रौणिश्च परमास्त्रवित् ॥५-५४-४७॥
Drona was born to the sage Brahmarshi and Bharadvaja in Droni. From Drona, O great king, was born Drauni, the supreme master of weapons.
कृपश्चाचार्यमुख्योऽयं महर्षेर्गौतमादपि। शरस्तम्बोद्भवः श्रीमानवध्य इति मे मतिः ॥५-५४-४८॥
Kṛpa, the chief among teachers, is considered to be from the lineage of the great sage Gautama. He is believed to have emerged from the arrow pillar and is regarded as prosperous and invincible, according to my opinion.
अयोनिजं त्रयं ह्येतत्पिता माता च मातुलः। अश्वत्थाम्नो महाराज स च शूरः स्थितो मम ॥५-५४-४९॥
O great king, indeed, this trio—father, mother, and uncle—of Ashwatthama is not born from a womb. He stands as a hero of mine.
सर्व एते महाराज देवकल्पा महारथाः। शक्रस्यापि व्यथां कुर्युः संयुगे भरतर्षभ ॥५-५४-५०॥
O great king, all these warriors, who are like gods, could cause even Indra to suffer in battle, O best of the Bharatas.
भीष्मद्रोणकृपाणां च तुल्यः कर्णो मतो मम। अनुज्ञातश्च रामेण मत्समोऽसीति भारत ॥५-५४-५१॥
Karna is regarded by me as equal to Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa. Furthermore, with Rama's permission, you are considered my equal, O Bharata.
कुण्डले रुचिरे चास्तां कर्णस्य सहजे शुभे। ते शच्यर्थे महेन्द्रेण याचितः स परन्तपः ॥ अमोघया महाराज शक्त्या परमभीमया ॥५-५४-५२॥
The beautiful and auspicious earrings of Karna were requested by Mahendra for the sake of Shachi. O great king, with his infallible and formidable power, he is known as the scorcher of foes.
तस्य शक्त्योपगूढस्य कस्माज्जीवेद्धनञ्जयः। विजयो मे ध्रुवं राजन्फलं पाणाविवाहितम् ॥ अभिव्यक्तः परेषां च कृत्स्नो भुवि पराजयः ॥५-५४-५३॥
Why would Arjuna, who is concealed by his power, continue to live? My victory is assured, O king, as if the fruit is already in hand. The total defeat of the enemies is evident on earth.
अह्ना ह्येकेन भीष्मोऽयमयुतं हन्ति भारत। तत्समाश्च महेष्वासा द्रोणद्रौणिकृपा अपि ॥५-५४-५४॥
During the day, Bhishma alone slays ten thousand warriors, O Bharata. Equally skilled are the great archers Drona, Ashwatthama, and Kripa.
संशप्तानि च वृन्दानि क्षत्रियाणां परन्तप। अर्जुनं वयमस्मान्वा धनञ्जय इति स्म ह ॥५-५४-५५॥
O scorcher of foes, the sworn groups of warriors, either Arjuna or us, are certainly known as Dhananjaya.
तांश्चालमिति मन्यन्ते सव्यसाचिवधे विभो। पार्थिवाः स भवान्राजन्नकस्माद्व्यथते कथम् ॥५-५४-५६॥
The kings think that it is enough to kill Arjuna, O lord. How is it that you, O king, are agitated without cause?
भीमसेने च निहते कोऽन्यो युध्येत भारत। परेषां तन्ममाचक्ष्व यदि वेत्थ परन्तप ॥५-५४-५७॥
O Bharata, if Bhimasena is slain, who else would fight the enemies? Tell me that, if you know, O chastiser of the foes.
पञ्च ते भ्रातरः सर्वे धृष्टद्युम्नोऽथ सात्यकिः। परेषां सप्त ये राजन्योधाः परमकं बलम् ॥५-५४-५८॥
Your five brothers, along with Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki, are all there. Among the enemies, there are seven royal warriors who are supreme in strength.
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये भीष्मद्रोणकृपादयः। द्रौणिर्वैकर्तनः कर्णः सोमदत्तोऽथ बाह्लिकः ॥५-५४-५९॥
Among our ranks, the most distinguished are Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and others, including the son of Drona, Karna, the son of Vikartana, Somadatta, and Bahlika.
प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपः शल्य आवन्त्योऽथ जयद्रथः। दुःशासनो दुर्मुखश्च दुःसहश्च विशां पते ॥५-५४-६०॥
The king of Prāgjyotiṣa, Śalya, the king of Avanti, Jayadratha, Duḥśāsana, Durmukha, and Duḥsaha are present, O lord of the people.
श्रुतायुश्चित्रसेनश्च पुरुमित्रो विविंशतिः। शलो भूरिश्रवाश्चोभौ विकर्णश्च तवात्मजः ॥५-५४-६१॥
Śrutāyu, Citrasena, Purumitra, Viviṁśati, Śala, Bhūriśravā, and both Vikarṇa and your son were present.
अक्षौहिण्यो हि मे राजन्दशैका च समाहृताः। न्यूनाः परेषां सप्तैव कस्मान्मे स्यात्पराजयः ॥५-५४-६२॥
O king, I have assembled eleven divisions of army. They are only seven less than those of others, so why should I face defeat?
बलं त्रिगुणतो हीनं योध्यं प्राह बृहस्पतिः। परेभ्यस्त्रिगुणा चेयं मम राजन्ननीकिनी ॥५-५४-६३॥
Brihaspati said, "The strength is three times less than others, and this army of mine, O king, is three times stronger."
गुणहीनं परेषां च बहु पश्यामि भारत। गुणोदयं बहुगुणमात्मनश्च विशां पते ॥५-५४-६४॥
O Bharata, I observe many lacking qualities in others, but the rise of many qualities in oneself, O lord of the people.
एतत्सर्वं समाज्ञाय बलाग्र्यं मम भारत। न्यूनतां पाण्डवानां च न मोहं गन्तुमर्हसि ॥५-५४-६५॥
O Bhārata, having comprehended all this, including my supreme strength and the shortcomings of the Pāṇḍavas, you should not fall into delusion.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
इत्युक्त्वा सञ्जयं भूयः पर्यपृच्छत भारत। विधित्सुः प्राप्तकालानि ज्ञात्वा परपुरञ्जयः ॥५-५४-६६॥
After speaking to Sañjaya once more, the conqueror of enemy cities, eager to understand, inquired about the right moments, O descendant of Bharata.
