05.153
Pancharatra-Core: Duryodhana appoints Bhishma to lead Kaurava army, and Karna stays away as per Bhishma's condition.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaiśampāyana said:)
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
ततः शान्तनवं भीष्मं प्राञ्जलिर्धृतराष्ट्रजः। सह सर्वैर्महीपालैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥५-१५३-१॥
tataḥ śāntanavaṃ bhīṣmaṃ prāñjalirdhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ. saha sarvairmahīpālairidaṃ vacanamabravīt ॥5-153-1॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; शान्तनवम् (śāntanavam) - to Śāntanu's son; भीष्मम् (bhīṣmam) - Bhīṣma; प्राञ्जलिः (prāñjaliḥ) - with folded hands; धृतराष्ट्रजः (dhṛtarāṣṭrajaḥ) - Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son; सह (saha) - with; सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ) - all; महीपालैः (mahīpālaiḥ) - kings; इदम् (idam) - this; वचनम् (vacanam) - speech; अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - said;]
(Then, with folded hands, Dhṛtarāṣṭra's son, along with all the kings, said this speech to Bhīṣma, Śāntanu's son.)
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॥
ṛte senāpraṇetāraṃ pṛtanā sumahatyapi। dīryate yuddhamāsādya pipīlikapuṭaṃ yathā ॥5-153-2॥
[ऋते (ṛte) - without; सेनाप्रणेतारं (senāpraṇetāraṃ) - leader of the army; पृतना (pṛtanā) - army; सुमहत्यपि (sumahatyapi) - even if very large; दीर्यते (dīryate) - is scattered; युद्धमासाद्य (yuddhamāsādya) - upon facing battle; पिपीलिकपुटं (pipīlikapuṭaṃ) - like an ant-hill; यथा (yathā) - as;]
(Without the leader of the army, even a very large army is scattered upon facing battle, like an ant-hill.)
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॥
na hi jātu dvayorbuddhiḥ samā bhavati karhicit। śauryaṃ ca nāma netṝṇāṃ spardhate ca parasparam ॥5-153-3॥
[न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; जातु (jātu) - ever; द्वयोर्बुद्धिः (dvayorbuddhiḥ) - of two minds; समा (samā) - equal; भवति (bhavati) - becomes; कर्हिचित् (karhicit) - at any time; शौर्यं (śauryaṃ) - valor; च (ca) - and; नाम (nāma) - indeed; नेतॄणां (netṝṇāṃ) - of leaders; स्पर्धते (spardhate) - competes; च (ca) - and; परस्परम् (parasparam) - with each other;]
(Indeed, the intellect of two is never equal at any time. Valor, indeed, of leaders competes with each other.)
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॥
śrūyate ca mahāprājña haihayānamitaujasaḥ। abhyayurbrahmaṇāḥ sarve samucchritakuśadhvajāḥ ॥5-153-4॥
[श्रूयते (śrūyate) - is heard; च (ca) - and; महाप्राज्ञ (mahāprājña) - O great wise one; हैहयानमितौजसः (haihayānamitaujasaḥ) - of the Haihayas, of immeasurable energy; अभ्ययुः (abhyayuḥ) - approached; ब्राह्मणाः (brāhmaṇāḥ) - the Brāhmaṇas; सर्वे (sarve) - all; समुच्छ्रितकुशध्वजाः (samucchritakuśadhvajāḥ) - with raised blades of Kuśa grass;]
(It is heard, O great wise one, that all the Brāhmaṇas with raised blades of Kuśa grass approached the Haihayas of immeasurable energy.)
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॥
tānanvayustadā vaiśyāḥ śūdrāścaiva pitāmaha। ekatastu trayo varṇā ekataḥ kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ ॥5-153-5॥
[तान् (tān) - them; अन्वयुः (anvayuḥ) - followed; तदा (tadā) - then; वैश्याः (vaiśyāḥ) - the Vaishyas; शूद्राः (śūdrāḥ) - the Shudras; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; पितामह (pitāmaha) - O grandfather; एकतः (ekataḥ) - on one side; तु (tu) - but; त्रयः (trayaḥ) - three; वर्णाः (varṇāḥ) - castes; एकतः (ekataḥ) - on the other side; क्षत्रियर्षभाः (kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ) - the best of the Kshatriyas;]
(Then the Vaishyas and Shudras indeed followed them, O grandfather. On one side were the three castes, and on the other side were the best of the Kshatriyas.)
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॥
te sma yuddheṣvabhajyanta trayo varṇāḥ punaḥ punaḥ। kṣatriyāstu jayantyeva bahulaṃ caikato balam ॥5-153-6॥
[ते (te) - they; स्म (sma) - indeed; युद्धेषु (yuddheṣu) - in battles; अभज्यन्त (abhajyanta) - were broken; त्रयः (trayaḥ) - three; वर्णाः (varṇāḥ) - classes; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; क्षत्रियाः (kṣatriyāḥ) - Kshatriyas; तु (tu) - but; जयन्ति (jayanti) - conquer; एव (eva) - indeed; बहुलं (bahulaṃ) - abundant; च (ca) - and; एकतः (ekataḥ) - on one side; बलम् (balam) - strength;]
(They indeed were broken in battles, the three classes, again and again. But the Kshatriyas indeed conquer abundant strength on one side.)
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॥
tataste kṣatriyāneva papracchurdvijasattamāḥ। tebhyaḥ śaśaṃsurdharmajñā yāthātathyaṃ pitāmaha ॥5-153-7॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; ते (te) - they; क्षत्रियान् (kṣatriyān) - the Kshatriyas; एव (eva) - only; पप्रच्छुः (papracchuḥ) - asked; द्विजसत्तमाः (dvijasattamāḥ) - the best of the twice-born; तेभ्यः (tebhyaḥ) - to them; शशंसुः (śaśaṃsuḥ) - told; धर्मज्ञाः (dharmajñāḥ) - those who know dharma; याथातथ्यम् (yāthātathyam) - truthfully; पितामह (pitāmaha) - grandfather;]
(Then they, the best of the twice-born, asked only the Kshatriyas. Those who know dharma told them truthfully, O grandfather.)
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॥
vayamekasya śṛṇumo mahābuddhimato raṇe। bhavantastu pṛthaksarve svabuddhivaśavartinaḥ ॥5-153-8॥
[वयम् (vayam) - we; एकस्य (ekasya) - of one; शृणुमः (śṛṇumaḥ) - listen; महाबुद्धिमतः (mahābuddhimataḥ) - of great wisdom; रणे (raṇe) - in battle; भवन्तः (bhavantaḥ) - you all; तु (tu) - but; पृथक् (pṛthak) - separately; सर्वे (sarve) - all; स्वबुद्धिवशवर्तिनः (svabuddhivaśavartinaḥ) - following own intellect;]
(We listen to the one of great wisdom in battle. But you all, separately, follow your own intellect.)
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॥
tataste brāhmaṇāścakrurekaṃ senāpatiṃ dvijam। nayeṣu kuśalaṃ śūramajayaṇkṣatriyāṃstataḥ ॥5-153-9॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; ते (te) - they; ब्राह्मणाः (brāhmaṇāḥ) - Brahmins; चक्रुः (cakruḥ) - made; एकं (ekaṃ) - one; सेनापतिं (senāpatiṃ) - general; द्विजम् (dvijam) - Brahmin; नयेषु (nayeṣu) - in strategies; कुशलं (kuśalam) - skilled; शूरम् (śūram) - brave; अजयन् (ajayan) - defeated; क्षत्रियान् (kṣatriyān) - Kshatriyas; ततः (tataḥ) - then;]
(Then they, the Brahmins, made a Brahmin general, skilled in strategies and brave, who then defeated the Kshatriyas.)
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॥
evaṃ ye kuśalaṃ śūraṃ hite sthitamakalmaṣam। senāpatiṃ prakurvanti te jayanti raṇe ripūn ॥5-153-10॥
[एवं (evaṃ) - thus; ये (ye) - who; कुशलं (kuśalam) - skilled; शूरं (śūram) - brave; हिते (hite) - in welfare; स्थितम् (sthitam) - situated; अकल्मषम् (akalmaṣam) - blameless; सेनापतिं (senāpatiṃ) - general; प्रकुर्वन्ति (prakurvanti) - appoint; ते (te) - they; जयन्ति (jayanti) - conquer; रणे (raṇe) - in battle; रिपून् (ripūn) - enemies;]
(Thus, those who appoint a skilled, brave, blameless general situated in welfare, they conquer enemies in battle.)
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॥
bhavānuśanasā tulyo hitaiṣī ca sadā mama। asaṃhāryaḥ sthito dharme sa naḥ senāpatirbhava ॥5-153-11॥
[भवानुशनसा (bhavānuśanasā) - like Bhṛgu's son; तुल्यः (tulyaḥ) - equal; हितैषी (hitaiṣī) - well-wisher; च (ca) - and; सदा (sadā) - always; मम (mama) - my; असंहार्यः (asaṃhāryaḥ) - invincible; स्थितः (sthitaḥ) - established; धर्मे (dharme) - in righteousness; सः (saḥ) - he; नः (naḥ) - our; सेनापतिः (senāpatiḥ) - general; भव (bhava) - be;]
(Like Bhṛgu's son, equal, well-wisher, and always mine, invincible, established in righteousness, he be our general.)
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॥
raśmīvatām ivādityo vīrudhām iva candramāḥ। kubera iva yakṣāṇāṃ marutām iva vāsavaḥ ॥5-153-12॥
[रश्मीवताम् (raśmīvatām) - of those with rays; इव (iva) - like; आदित्यः (ādityaḥ) - the sun; वीरुधाम् (vīrudhām) - of the plants; इव (iva) - like; चन्द्रमाः (candramāḥ) - the moon; कुबेरः (kuberaḥ) - Kubera; इव (iva) - like; यक्षाणाम् (yakṣāṇām) - of the Yakshas; मरुताम् (marutām) - of the Maruts; इव (iva) - like; वासवः (vāsavaḥ) - Indra;]
(Like the sun among those with rays, like the moon among the plants, like Kubera among the Yakshas, like Indra among the Maruts.)
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॥
parvatānāṃ yathā meruḥ suparṇaḥ patatāmiva। kumāra iva bhūtānāṃ vasūnāmiva havyavāṭ ॥5-153-13॥
[पर्वतानां (parvatānāṃ) - of mountains; यथा (yathā) - as; मेरुः (meruḥ) - Meru; सुपर्णः (suparṇaḥ) - Suparna; पतताम् (patatām) - of birds; इव (iva) - like; कुमारः (kumāraḥ) - Kumara; इव (iva) - like; भूतानां (bhūtānāṃ) - of beings; वसूनाम् (vasūnām) - of Vasus; इव (iva) - like; हव्यवाट् (havyavāṭ) - fire;]
(Among mountains, like Meru; among birds, like Suparna; among beings, like Kumara; among Vasus, like fire.)
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॥
bhavatā hi vayaṃ guptāḥ śakreṇeva divaukasaḥ। anādhṛṣyā bhaviṣyāmastridaśānāmapi dhruvam ॥5-153-14॥
[भवता (bhavatā) - by you; हि (hi) - indeed; वयम् (vayam) - we; गुप्ताः (guptāḥ) - protected; शक्रेण (śakreṇa) - by Indra; इव (iva) - like; दिवौकसः (divaukasaḥ) - the gods; अनाधृष्याः (anādhṛṣyāḥ) - unassailable; भविष्यामः (bhaviṣyāmaḥ) - we shall become; त्रिदशानाम् (tridaśānām) - of the gods; अपि (api) - even; ध्रुवम् (dhruvam) - certainly;]
(By you indeed we are protected like the gods by Indra. We shall become unassailable, even by the gods, certainly.)
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॥
prayātu no bhavānagre devānāmiva pāvakiḥ। vayaṃ tvāmanuyāsyāmaḥ saurabheyā ivarṣabham ॥5-153-15॥
[प्रयातु (prayātu) - may go; नः (naḥ) - our; भवान् (bhavān) - you; अग्रे (agre) - in front; देवानाम् (devānām) - of the gods; इव (iva) - like; पावकिः (pāvakiḥ) - fire; वयम् (vayam) - we; त्वाम् (tvām) - you; अनुयास्यामः (anuyāsyāmaḥ) - will follow; सौरभेयाः (saurabheyāḥ) - Saurabheyas; इव (iva) - like; ऋषभम् (ṛṣabham) - bull;]
(May you go in front of us like fire of the gods. We will follow you like Saurabheyas follow a bull.)
May you lead us like the fire leads the gods. We will follow you as the Saurabheyas follow their bull.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhishma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhishma said:)
Bhishma spoke:
एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। यथैव हि भवन्तो मे तथैव मम पाण्डवाः ॥५-१५३-१६॥
evam etan mahābāho yathā vadasi bhārata। yathaiva hi bhavanto me tathaiva mama pāṇḍavāḥ ॥5-153-16॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; एतत् (etat) - this; महाबाहो (mahābāho) - O mighty-armed one; यथा (yathā) - as; वदसि (vadasi) - you speak; भारत (bhārata) - O descendant of Bharata; यथा (yathā) - as; एव (eva) - indeed; हि (hi) - certainly; भवन्तः (bhavantaḥ) - you all; मे (me) - my; तथा (tathā) - so; एव (eva) - indeed; मम (mama) - my; पाण्डवाः (pāṇḍavāḥ) - Pāṇḍavas;]
(Thus, O mighty-armed one, as you speak, O descendant of Bharata, indeed, as you all are mine, so indeed are my Pāṇḍavas.)
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॥
api caiva maya śreyo vācyaṃ teṣāṃ narādhipa। yoddhavyaṃ tu tavārthāya yathā sa samayaḥ kṛtaḥ ॥5-153-17॥
[अपि (api) - also; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; मय (maya) - by me; श्रेयो (śreyo) - better; वाच्यं (vācyaṃ) - to be spoken; तेषां (teṣāṃ) - of them; नराधिप (narādhipa) - O king; योद्धव्यं (yoddhavyaṃ) - to be fought; तु (tu) - but; तव (tava) - for your; अर्थाय (arthāya) - purpose; यथा (yathā) - as; स (sa) - that; समयः (samayaḥ) - agreement; कृतः (kṛtaḥ) - was made;]
(Also, indeed, by me, better to be spoken of them, O king. To be fought, but for your purpose, as that agreement was made.)
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॥
na tu paśyāmi yoddhāramātmanaḥ sadṛśaṃ bhuvi। ṛte tasmānnaravyāghrātkuntīputrāddhanañjayāt ॥5-153-18॥
[न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; पश्यामि (paśyāmi) - I see; योद्धारम् (yoddhāram) - warrior; आत्मनः (ātmanaḥ) - of myself; सदृशं (sadṛśam) - equal; भुवि (bhuvi) - on earth; ऋते (ṛte) - except; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - from him; नरव्याघ्रात् (naravyāghrāt) - from the tiger among men; कुन्तीपुत्रात् (kuntīputrāt) - from Kunti's son; धनञ्जयात् (dhanañjayāt) - from Dhananjaya;]
(But I do not see a warrior equal to myself on earth, except from him, from the tiger among men, from Kunti's son, from Dhananjaya.)
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॥
sa hi veda mahābāhur divyāny astrāṇi sarvaśaḥ। na tu māṃ vivṛto yuddhe jātu yudhyeta pāṇḍavaḥ ॥5-153-19॥
[स (sa) - he; हि (hi) - indeed; वेद (veda) - knows; महाबाहुः (mahābāhuḥ) - mighty-armed; दिव्यानि (divyāni) - divine; अस्त्राणि (astrāṇi) - weapons; सर्वशः (sarvaśaḥ) - all; न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; माम् (mām) - me; विवृतः (vivṛtaḥ) - openly; युद्धे (yuddhe) - in battle; जातु (jātu) - ever; युध्येत (yudhyeta) - would fight; पाण्डवः (pāṇḍavaḥ) - Pāṇḍava;]
(He indeed knows all the divine weapons, the mighty-armed one. But the Pāṇḍava would never fight me openly in battle.)
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॥
ahaṃ sa ca kṣaṇenaiva nirmanuṣyamidaṃ jagat. kuryāṃ śastrabalenaiva sasurāsurarākṣasam ॥5-153-20॥
[अहं (ahaṃ) - I; स (sa) - he; च (ca) - and; क्षणेन (kṣaṇena) - in a moment; एव (eva) - indeed; निर्मनुष्यम् (nirmanuṣyam) - devoid of humans; इदं (idaṃ) - this; जगत् (jagat) - world; कुर्यां (kuryāṃ) - I would make; शस्त्रबलेन (śastrabalena) - by the power of weapons; एव (eva) - indeed; स (sa) - with; सुर (sura) - gods; असुर (asura) - demons; राक्षसम् (rākṣasam) - and ogres;]
(I and he, indeed in a moment, would make this world devoid of humans, indeed by the power of weapons, with gods, demons, and ogres.)
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॥
na tvevotsādanīyā me pāṇḍoḥ putrā narādhipa। tasmādyodhān haniṣyāmi prayogeṇāyutaṃ sadā ॥5-153-21॥
[न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; एव (eva) - indeed; उत्सादनीया (utsādanīyā) - to be destroyed; मे (me) - my; पाण्डोः (pāṇḍoḥ) - of Pandu; पुत्रा (putrā) - sons; नराधिप (narādhipa) - O king; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - therefore; योधान् (yodhān) - warriors; हनिष्यामि (haniṣyāmi) - I will slay; प्रयोगेण (prayogeṇa) - by application; आयुतं (āyutaṃ) - ten thousand; सदा (sadā) - always;]
(But indeed, my sons of Pandu, O king, are not to be destroyed. Therefore, I will always slay ten thousand warriors by application.)
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॥
evameṣāṃ kariṣyāmi nidhanaṃ kurunandana। na cet te māṃ haniṣyanti pūrvameva samāgame ॥5-153-22॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; एषाम् (eṣām) - of these; करिष्यामि (kariṣyāmi) - I will do; निधनम् (nidhanam) - destruction; कुरुनन्दन (kurunandana) - O descendant of Kuru; न (na) - not; चेत् (cet) - if; ते (te) - they; माम् (mām) - me; हनिष्यन्ति (haniṣyanti) - will kill; पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - before; एव (eva) - indeed; समागमे (samāgame) - in the encounter;]
(Thus, I will cause the destruction of these, O descendant of Kuru, if they do not kill me first in the encounter.)
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॥
senāpatistvahaṃ rājansamayenāpareṇa te। bhaviṣyāmi yathākāmaṃ tanme śrotumihārhasi ॥5-153-23॥
[सेनापतिः (senāpatiḥ) - general; त्व (tva) - you; अहम् (aham) - I; राजन् (rājan) - O king; समयेन (samayena) - by agreement; अपरेण (apareṇa) - another; ते (te) - your; भविष्यामि (bhaviṣyāmi) - I will become; यथाकामम् (yathākāmam) - as desired; तत् (tat) - that; मे (me) - my; श्रोतुम् (śrotum) - to hear; इह (iha) - here; अर्हसि (arhasi) - you should;]
(General, you I O king by agreement another your I will become as desired that my to hear here you should.)
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॥
karṇo vā yudhyatāṃ pūrvamahaṃ vā pṛthivīpate। spardhate hi sadātyarthaṃ sūtaputro mayā raṇe ॥5-153-24॥
[कर्णः (karṇaḥ) - Karna; वा (vā) - or; युध्यताम् (yudhyatām) - of those fighting; पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - first; अहम् (aham) - I; वा (vā) - or; पृथिवीपते (pṛthivīpate) - O lord of the earth; स्पर्धते (spardhate) - competes; हि (hi) - indeed; सदा (sadā) - always; अत्यर्थम् (atyartham) - excessively; सूतपुत्रः (sūtaputraḥ) - the son of a charioteer; मया (mayā) - with me; रणे (raṇe) - in battle;]
(Karna or I first among those fighting, O lord of the earth. Indeed, the son of a charioteer always competes excessively with me in battle.)
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॥
karṇa uvāca॥
[कर्ण (karṇa) - Karna; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Karna said:)
Karna spoke:
नाहं जीवति गाङ्गेये योत्स्ये राजन्कथञ्चन। हते भीष्मे तु योत्स्यामि सह गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥५-१५३-२५॥
nāhaṃ jīvati gāṅgeye yotsye rājankathaṃcana। hate bhīṣme tu yotsyāmi saha gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ॥5-153-25॥
[न (na) - not; अहम् (aham) - I; जीवति (jīvati) - living; गाङ्गेये (gāṅgeye) - Gāṅgeya; योत्स्ये (yotsye) - will fight; राजन् (rājan) - O king; कथञ्चन (kathaṃcana) - in any way; हते (hate) - killed; भीष्मे (bhīṣme) - Bhīṣma; तु (tu) - but; योत्स्यामि (yotsyāmi) - I will fight; सह (saha) - with; गाण्डीवधन्वना (gāṇḍīvadhanvanā) - with the wielder of the Gandiva bow;]
(I will not fight in any way while Gāṅgeya is living, O king. But I will fight when Bhīṣma is killed, with the wielder of the Gandiva bow.)
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॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaishampayana; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaishampayana said:)
Vaishampayana spoke:
ततः सेनापतिं चक्रे विधिवद्भूरिदक्षिणम्। धृतराष्ट्रात्मजो भीष्मं सोऽभिषिक्तो व्यरोचत ॥५-१५३-२६॥
tataḥ senāpatiṃ cakre vidhivadbhūridakṣiṇam। dhṛtarāṣṭrātmajo bhīṣmaṃ so'bhiṣikto vyarocata ॥5-153-26॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; सेनापतिं (senāpatiṃ) - general; चक्रे (cakre) - appointed; विधिवत् (vidhivat) - properly; भूरिदक्षिणम् (bhūridakṣiṇam) - with great gifts; धृतराष्ट्रात्मजः (dhṛtarāṣṭrātmajaḥ) - son of Dhritarashtra; भीष्मम् (bhīṣmam) - Bhishma; सः (saḥ) - he; अभिषिक्तः (abhiṣiktaḥ) - consecrated; व्यारोचत (vyarocata) - shone;]
(Then, the son of Dhritarashtra appointed Bhishma as the general properly with great gifts. He, being consecrated, shone.)
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॥
tato bherīśca śaṅkhāṃśca śataśaścaiva puṣkarān। vādayāmāsuravyagrāḥ puruṣā rājaśāsanāt ॥5-153-27॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; भेरीः (bherīḥ) - drums; च (ca) - and; शङ्खान् (śaṅkhān) - conches; च (ca) - and; शतशः (śataśaḥ) - hundreds; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; पुष्करान् (puṣkarān) - kettledrums; वादयामासुः (vādayāmāsuḥ) - played; अव्यग्राः (avyagrāḥ) - eagerly; पुरुषाः (puruṣāḥ) - men; राजशासनात् (rājaśāsanāt) - by the king's order;]
(Then, drums and conches and hundreds of kettledrums were played eagerly by men by the king's order.)
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॥
siṃhanādāś ca vividhā vāhanānāṃ ca nisvanāḥ। prādurāsannabhre ca varṣaṃ rudhirakardamam ॥5-153-28॥
[सिंहनादाः (siṃhanādāḥ) - lion-roars; च (ca) - and; विविधाः (vividhāḥ) - various; वाहनानाम् (vāhanānām) - of vehicles; च (ca) - and; निस्वनाः (nisvanāḥ) - sounds; प्रादुरासन् (prādurāsan) - appeared; अनभ्रे (anabhre) - in the cloudless sky; च (ca) - and; वर्षम् (varṣam) - rain; रुधिरकर्दमम् (rudhirakardamam) - of blood and mud;]
(Lion-roars and various sounds of vehicles appeared, and in the cloudless sky, there was a rain of blood and mud.)
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॥
nirghātāḥ pṛthivīkampā gajabṛṃhitanisvanāḥ. āsaṃśca sarvayodhānāṃ pātayanto manāṃsyuta ॥5-153-29॥
[निर्घाताः (nirghātāḥ) - thunderous sounds; पृथिवीकम्पा (pṛthivīkampā) - earthquakes; गजबृंहितनिस्वनाः (gajabṛṃhitanisvanāḥ) - elephant roars; आसन् (āsan) - were; च (ca) - and; सर्वयोधानां (sarvayodhānāṃ) - of all warriors; पातयन्तः (pātayantaḥ) - causing to fall; मनांसि (manāṃsi) - minds; उत (uta) - indeed;]
(Thunderous sounds, earthquakes, and elephant roars were indeed causing the minds of all warriors to fall.)
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॥
vāśaś cāpy aśarīriṇyo divaś colkāḥ prapedire। śivāś ca bhayavedinyo nedur dīptasvarā bhṛśam ॥5-153-30॥
[वाचः (vācaḥ) - words; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; अशरीरिण्यः (aśarīriṇyaḥ) - bodiless; दिवः (divaḥ) - from the sky; च (ca) - and; उल्काः (ulkāḥ) - meteors; प्रपेदिरे (prapedire) - fell; शिवाः (śivāḥ) - jackals; च (ca) - and; भयवेदिन्यः (bhayavedinyaḥ) - fearful; नेदुः (neduḥ) - howled; दीप्तस्वराः (dīptasvarāḥ) - with loud voices; भृशम् (bhṛśam) - intensely;]
(Words also bodiless from the sky and meteors fell. Jackals and fearful howled with loud voices intensely.)
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॥
senāpatye yadā rājā gāṅgeyama'bhisiktavān। tadaitānyugrarūpāṇi abhavañśataśo nṛpa ॥5-153-31॥
[सेनापत्ये (senāpatye) - in the generalship; यदा (yadā) - when; राजा (rājā) - the king; गाङ्गेयम् (gāṅgeyam) - Ganga's son; अभिषिक्तवान् (abhisiktavān) - anointed; तदा (tadā) - then; एतानि (etāni) - these; उग्ररूपाणि (ugrarūpāṇi) - terrible forms; अभवन् (abhavan) - became; शतशः (śataśaḥ) - by hundreds; नृप (nṛpa) - O king;]
(When the king anointed Ganga's son in the generalship, then these terrible forms became by hundreds, O king.)
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॥
tataḥ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā bhīṣmaṃ parabalārdanam। vācayitvā dvijaśreṣṭhānniṣkairgobhiśca bhūriśaḥ ॥5-153-32॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; सेनापतिं (senāpatiṃ) - general; कृत्वा (kṛtvā) - having made; भीष्मं (bhīṣmaṃ) - Bhishma; परबलार्दनम् (parabalārdanam) - crusher of enemies; वाचयित्वा (vācayitvā) - having recited; द्विजश्रेष्ठान् (dvijaśreṣṭhān) - best of the twice-born; निष्कैः (niṣkaiḥ) - with ornaments; गोभिः (gobhiḥ) - with cows; च (ca) - and; भूरिशः (bhūriśaḥ) - abundantly;]
(Then, having made Bhishma the general, the crusher of enemies, and having recited to the best of the twice-born, with ornaments and cows, abundantly.)
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॥
vardhamāno jayāśīrbhirniryayau sainikairvṛtaḥ। āpageyaṃ puraskṛtya bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitastadā ॥ skandhāvāreṇa mahatā kurukṣetraṃ jagāma ha ॥5-153-33॥
[वर्धमानः (vardhamānaḥ) - growing; जयाशीर्भिः (jayāśīrbhiḥ) - with victorious blessings; निर्वयौ (nirvayau) - departed; सैनिकैः (sainikaiḥ) - with soldiers; वृतः (vṛtaḥ) - surrounded; आपगेयम् (āpageyam) - to the river; पुरस्कृत्य (puraskṛtya) - having placed in front; भ्रातृभिः (bhrātṛbhiḥ) - with brothers; सहितः (sahitaḥ) - together; तदा (tadā) - then; स्कन्धावारेण (skandhāvāreṇa) - with the army; महता (mahatā) - great; कुरुक्षेत्रम् (kurukṣetram) - Kurukshetra; जगाम (jagāma) - went; ह (ha) - indeed;]
(Growing with victorious blessings, he departed surrounded by soldiers. Having placed the river in front, together with his brothers, then with a great army, he went to Kurukshetra indeed.)
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॥
parikramya kurukṣetraṃ karṇena saha kauravaḥ। śibiraṃ māpayāmāsa same deśe narādhipaḥ ॥5-153-34॥
[परिक्रम्य (parikramya) - having circumambulated; कुरुक्षेत्रं (kurukṣetraṃ) - Kurukshetra; कर्णेन (karṇena) - with Karna; सह (saha) - together; कौरवः (kauravaḥ) - Kaurava; शिबिरं (śibiraṃ) - camp; मापयामास (māpayāmāsa) - established; समे (same) - in an even; देशे (deśe) - place; नराधिपः (narādhipaḥ) - king;]
(Having circumambulated Kurukshetra with Karna, the Kaurava king established the camp in an even place.)
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॥
madhurānūṣare deśe prabhūtayavasendhane। yathaiva hāstinapuraṃ tadvacchibiramābabhau ॥5-153-35॥
[मधुरानूषरे (madhurānūṣare) - in the sweet and pleasant region; देशे (deśe) - in the country; प्रभूतयवसेन्धने (prabhūtayavasendhane) - abundant in barley and fuel; यथैव (yathaiva) - just like; हास्तिनपुरं (hāstinapuraṃ) - Hastinapura; तद्वत् (tadvat) - like that; शिबिरम् (śibiram) - the camp; आबभौ (ābabhau) - appeared;]
(In the sweet and pleasant region, in the country abundant in barley and fuel, just like Hastinapura, the camp appeared like that.)
The camp appeared in the delightful region, rich in barley and fuel, resembling Hastinapura.
