05.153
Pancharatra-Core: Duryodhana appoints Bhishma to lead Kaurava army, and Karna stays away as per Bhishma's condition.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
ततः शान्तनवं भीष्मं प्राञ्जलिर्धृतराष्ट्रजः। सह सर्वैर्महीपालैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-१५३-१॥
Then, Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son, with folded hands, addressed Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, in the presence of all the kings.
ऋते सेनाप्रणेतारं पृतना सुमहत्यपि। दीर्यते युद्धमासाद्य पिपीलिकपुटं यथा ॥५-१५३-२॥
Without its leader, even a very large army scatters in battle, just as an ant-hill would.
न हि जातु द्वयोर्बुद्धिः समा भवति कर्हिचित्। शौर्यं च नाम नेतॄणां स्पर्धते च परस्परम् ॥५-१५३-३॥
Indeed, the intellect of two people is never the same at any time. The valor of leaders always competes with each other.
श्रूयते च महाप्राज्ञ हैहयानमितौजसः। अभ्ययुर्ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे समुच्छ्रितकुशध्वजाः ॥५-१५३-४॥
It is said, O wise one, that all the Brāhmaṇas, holding high the Kuśa grass, approached the powerful Haihayas.
तानन्वयुस्तदा वैश्याः शूद्राश्चैव पितामह। एकतस्तु त्रयो वर्णा एकतः क्षत्रियर्षभाः ॥५-१५३-५॥
At that time, O grandfather, the Vaishyas and Shudras followed them. On one side stood the three castes, while on the other were the noble Kshatriyas.
ते स्म युद्धेष्वभज्यन्त त्रयो वर्णाः पुनः पुनः। क्षत्रियास्तु जयन्त्येव बहुलं चैकतो बलम् ॥५-१५३-६॥
In battles, the three classes were repeatedly broken, but the Kshatriyas always emerged victorious, amassing great strength on one side.
ततस्ते क्षत्रियानेव पप्रच्छुर्द्विजसत्तमाः। तेभ्यः शशंसुर्धर्मज्ञा याथातथ्यं पितामह ॥५-१५३-७॥
Then the best of the twice-born asked the Kshatriyas, and those who knew dharma told them the truth, O grandfather.
वयमेकस्य शृणुमो महाबुद्धिमतो रणे। भवन्तस्तु पृथक्सर्वे स्वबुद्धिवशवर्तिनः ॥५-१५३-८॥
We heed the counsel of a wise leader in battle, while you all act independently, guided by your own judgment.
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाश्चक्रुरेकं सेनापतिं द्विजम्। नयेषु कुशलं शूरमजयन्क्षत्रियांस्ततः ॥५-१५३-९॥
Then the Brahmins appointed a Brahmin as the general, who was skilled in strategies and bravery, and he defeated the Kshatriyas.
एवं ये कुशलं शूरं हिते स्थितमकल्मषम्। सेनापतिं प्रकुर्वन्ति ते जयन्ति रणे रिपून् ॥५-१५३-१०॥
Those who appoint a skilled and brave general who stands blamelessly for the welfare, they achieve victory over their enemies in battle.
भवानुशनसा तुल्यो हितैषी च सदा मम। असंहार्यः स्थितो धर्मे स नः सेनापतिर्भव ॥५-१५३-११॥
May you, like Bhṛgu's son, always be my equal and well-wisher, invincible and steadfast in righteousness, become our general.
रश्मीवतामिवादित्यो वीरुधामिव चन्द्रमाः। कुबेर इव यक्षाणां मरुतामिव वासवः ॥५-१५३-१२॥
Just as the sun is supreme among those with rays, the moon among plants, Kubera among the Yakshas, so is Indra among the Maruts.
पर्वतानां यथा मेरुः सुपर्णः पततामिव। कुमार इव भूतानां वसूनामिव हव्यवाट् ॥५-१५३-१३॥
Just as Meru is the foremost among mountains, Suparna among birds, Kumara among beings, and fire among the Vasus.
भवता हि वयं गुप्ताः शक्रेणेव दिवौकसः। अनाधृष्या भविष्यामस्त्रिदशानामपि ध्रुवम् ॥५-१५३-१४॥
Indeed, we are protected by you like the gods are by Indra. We shall certainly become unassailable, even by the gods.
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकिः। वयं त्वामनुयास्यामः सौरभेया इवर्षभम् ॥५-१५३-१५॥
May you lead us like the fire leads the gods. We will follow you as the Saurabheyas follow their bull.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma spoke:
एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। यथैव हि भवन्तो मे तथैव मम पाण्डवाः ॥५-१५३-१६॥
O mighty-armed one, as you say, O descendant of Bharata, indeed, just as you are mine, so are my Pāṇḍavas.
अपि चैव मय श्रेयो वाच्यं तेषां नराधिप। योद्धव्यं तु तवार्थाय यथा स समयः कृतः ॥५-१५३-१७॥
O king, it is indeed better for me to speak of their virtues. However, the battle must be fought for your purpose, as per the agreement made.
न तु पश्यामि योद्धारमात्मनः सदृशं भुवि। ऋते तस्मान्नरव्याघ्रात्कुन्तीपुत्राद्धनञ्जयात् ॥५-१५३-१८॥
However, I do not see any warrior on earth who is equal to me, except for Arjuna, the son of Kunti, who is like a tiger among men.
स हि वेद महाबाहुर्दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः। न तु मां विवृतो युद्धे जातु युध्येत पाण्डवः ॥५-१५३-१९॥
The mighty-armed one indeed knows all the divine weapons, but the Pāṇḍava would never dare to fight me openly in battle.
अहं स च क्षणेनैव निर्मनुष्यमिदं जगत्। कुर्यां शस्त्रबलेनैव ससुरासुरराक्षसम् ॥५-१५३-२०॥
In a moment, I and he would make this world devoid of humans by the power of weapons, along with gods, demons, and ogres.
न त्वेवोत्सादनीया मे पाण्डोः पुत्रा नराधिप। तस्माद्योधान्हनिष्यामि प्रयोगेणायुतं सदा ॥५-१५३-२१॥
O king, my sons of Pandu are not to be destroyed. Therefore, I will always slay ten thousand warriors by application.
एवमेषां करिष्यामि निधनं कुरुनन्दन। न चेत्ते मां हनिष्यन्ति पूर्वमेव समागमे ॥५-१५३-२२॥
Thus, O descendant of Kuru, I will destroy them if they do not kill me first in the battle.
सेनापतिस्त्वहं राजन्समयेनापरेण ते। भविष्यामि यथाकामं तन्मे श्रोतुमिहार्हसि ॥५-१५३-२३॥
O King, I will become your general by another agreement as desired. You should hear that here.
कर्णो वा युध्यतां पूर्वमहं वा पृथिवीपते। स्पर्धते हि सदात्यर्थं सूतपुत्रो मया रणे ॥५-१५३-२४॥
O lord of the earth, either Karna or I am the foremost among the warriors. The son of a charioteer always competes with me excessively in battle.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna spoke:
नाहं जीवति गाङ्गेये योत्स्ये राजन्कथञ्चन। हते भीष्मे तु योत्स्यामि सह गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥५-१५३-२५॥
I will not engage in battle while Bhīṣma, the son of Ganga, is alive, O king. However, I will join the fight alongside Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, once Bhīṣma is slain.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
ततः सेनापतिं चक्रे विधिवद्भूरिदक्षिणम्। धृतराष्ट्रात्मजो भीष्मं सोऽभिषिक्तो व्यरोचत ॥५-१५३-२६॥
Then, the son of Dhritarashtra appointed Bhishma as the general with due ceremony and many gifts. Bhishma, once consecrated, shone brightly.
ततो भेरीश्च शङ्खांश्च शतशश्चैव पुष्करान्। वादयामासुरव्यग्राः पुरुषा राजशासनात् ॥५-१५३-२७॥
Then, by the king's command, the men eagerly played drums, conches, and hundreds of kettledrums.
सिंहनादाश्च विविधा वाहनानां च निस्वनाः। प्रादुरासन्ननभ्रे च वर्षं रुधिरकर्दमम् ॥५-१५३-२८॥
The roars of lions and various sounds of vehicles emerged, and in the clear sky, there was a rain of blood and mud.
निर्घाताः पृथिवीकम्पा गजबृंहितनिस्वनाः। आसंश्च सर्वयोधानां पातयन्तो मनांस्युत ॥५-१५३-२९॥
The thunderous sounds, earthquakes, and roars of elephants were causing all the warriors to lose heart.
वाचश्चाप्यशरीरिण्यो दिवश्चोल्काः प्रपेदिरे। शिवाश्च भयवेदिन्यो नेदुर्दीप्तस्वरा भृशम् ॥५-१५३-३०॥
Bodiless voices were heard from the sky and meteors fell. Jackals, sensing fear, howled intensely with loud voices.
सेनापत्ये यदा राजा गाङ्गेयमभिषिक्तवान्। तदैतान्युग्ररूपाणि अभवञ्शतशो नृप ॥५-१५३-३१॥
When the king appointed Bhishma, the son of Ganga, as the general, numerous terrible forms appeared, O king.
ततः सेनापतिं कृत्वा भीष्मं परबलार्दनम्। वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्निष्कैर्गोभिश्च भूरिशः ॥५-१५३-३२॥
Then, Bhishma was appointed as the general, known for crushing enemies, and after reciting to the best of the twice-born, he was gifted abundantly with ornaments and cows.
वर्धमानो जयाशीर्भिर्निर्ययौ सैनिकैर्वृतः। आपगेयं पुरस्कृत्य भ्रातृभिः सहितस्तदा ॥ स्कन्धावारेण महता कुरुक्षेत्रं जगाम ह ॥५-१५३-३३॥
He, growing with victorious blessings and surrounded by soldiers, departed. Then, having placed the river in front and together with his brothers, he went to Kurukshetra with a great army.
परिक्रम्य कुरुक्षेत्रं कर्णेन सह कौरवः। शिबिरं मापयामास समे देशे नराधिपः ॥५-१५३-३४॥
The Kaurava king, along with Karna, circled Kurukshetra and set up camp in a flat area.
मधुरानूषरे देशे प्रभूतयवसेन्धने। यथैव हास्तिनपुरं तद्वच्छिबिरमाबभौ ॥५-१५३-३५॥
The camp appeared in the delightful region, rich in barley and fuel, resembling Hastinapura.
