05.154
Pancharatra-Core: Seven commanders and Drishtadyumna as commander-in-chief appointed by Yudhisthira. Balarama visits and departs, unwilling to witness the great destruction about to take place.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
आपगेयं महात्मानं भीष्मं शस्त्रभृतां वरम्। पितामहं भारतानां ध्वजं सर्वमहीक्षिताम् ॥५-१५४-१॥
Bhishma, the great-souled son of the river, the best among warriors, the patriarch of the Bharatas, and the emblem of all earthly kings.
बृहस्पतिसमं बुद्ध्या क्षमया पृथिवीसमम्। समुद्रमिव गाम्भीर्ये हिमवन्तमिव स्थिरम् ॥५-१५४-२॥
He is as wise as Bṛhaspati, as patient as the earth, as deep as the ocean, and as stable as the Himalayas.
प्रजापतिमिवौदार्ये तेजसा भास्करोपमम्। महेन्द्रमिव शत्रूणां ध्वंसनं शरवृष्टिभिः ॥५-१५४-३॥
He is as generous as the lord of creatures, as splendid as the sun, and like the great Indra, he destroys his enemies with showers of arrows.
रणयज्ञे प्रतिभये स्वाभीले लोमहर्षणे। दीक्षितं चिररात्राय श्रुत्वा राजा युधिष्ठिरः ॥५-१५४-४॥
King Yudhishthira, having heard about the consecration for the long night in the terrifying and hair-raising battle sacrifice, was deeply moved.
किमब्रवीन्महाबाहुः सर्वधर्मविशारदः। भीमसेनार्जुनौ वापि कृष्णो वा प्रत्यपद्यत ॥५-१५४-५॥
What did the mighty-armed hero, who is an expert in all dharmas, say? Did Bhimasena, Arjuna, or Krishna respond?
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
आपद्धर्मार्थकुशलो महाबुद्धिर्युधिष्ठिरः। सर्वान्भ्रातॄन्समानीय वासुदेवं च सात्वतम् ॥ उवाच वदतां श्रेष्ठः सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वचः ॥५-१५४-६॥
Yudhishthira, known for his wisdom and expertise in handling crises, gathered all his brothers and Vasudeva, the descendant of Sātvata, and addressed them with conciliatory words, being the foremost among speakers.
पर्याक्रामत सैन्यानि यत्तास्तिष्ठत दंशिताः। पितामहेन वो युद्धं पूर्वमेव भविष्यति ॥५-१५४-७॥
The armies, prepared and standing firm, advanced. Your battle with the grandfather is destined to happen soon.
तस्मात्सप्तसु सेनासु प्रणेतॄन्मम पश्यत ॥५-१५४-७॥
Therefore, behold my leaders among the seven armies.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
यथार्हति भवान्वक्तुमस्मिन्काल उपस्थिते। तथेदमर्थवद्वाक्यमुक्तं ते भरतर्षभ ॥५-१५४-८॥
O best of the Bharatas, as it is appropriate for you to speak at this present time, you have spoken this meaningful sentence.
रोचते मे महाबाहो क्रियतां यदनन्तरम्। नायकास्तव सेनायामभिषिच्यन्तु सप्त वै ॥५-१५४-९॥
I am pleased, O mighty-armed one, let it be done immediately. Let the seven leaders in your army be appointed indeed.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke:
ततो द्रुपदमानाय्य विराटं शिनिपुङ्गवम्। धृष्टद्युम्नं च पाञ्चाल्यं धृष्टकेतुं च पार्थिवम् ॥ शिखण्डिनं च पाञ्चाल्यं सहदेवं च मागधम् ॥५-१५४-१०॥
Then, they brought Drupada, Virata, the best of the Shinis, Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala prince, Dhrishtaketu, the prince, Shikhandin, the Panchala prince, Sahadeva, and the Magadha prince to the battlefield.
एतान्सप्त महेष्वासान्वीरान्युद्धाभिनन्दिनः। सेनाप्रणेतॄन्विधिवदभ्यषिञ्चद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥५-१५४-११॥
Yudhishthira ceremonially appointed these seven mighty archers, who were heroes rejoicing in battle, as commanders of the army in accordance with the prescribed rituals.
सर्वसेनापतिं चात्र धृष्टद्युम्नमुपादिशत्। द्रोणान्तहेतोरुत्पन्नो य इद्धाञ्जातवेदसः ॥५-१५४-१२॥
Here, Dhṛṣṭadyumna was appointed as the commander of all armies, as he was born to bring about the end of Droṇa, having been kindled by the fire god.
सर्वेषामेव तेषां तु समस्तानां महात्मनाम्। सेनापतिपतिं चक्रे गुडाकेशं धनञ्जयम् ॥५-१५४-१३॥
Among all the great souls, Guḍākeśa, also known as Dhanañjaya, was appointed as the commander of the army.
अर्जुनस्यापि नेता च संयन्ता चैव वाजिनाम्। सङ्कर्षणानुजः श्रीमान्महाबुद्धिर्जनार्दनः ॥५-१५४-१४॥
Janardana, the glorious and wise brother of Sankarshana, is also the leader and charioteer of Arjuna's horses.
तद्दृष्ट्वोपस्थितं युद्धं समासन्नं महात्ययम्। प्राविशद्भवनं राज्ञः पाण्डवस्य हलायुधः ॥५-१५४-१५॥
Upon witnessing the impending battle and the great danger it posed, Halayudha entered the palace of the Pandava king.
सहाक्रूरप्रभृतिभिर्गदसाम्बोल्मुकादिभिः। रौक्मिणेयाहुकसुतैश्चारुदेष्णपुरोगमैः ॥५-१५४-१६॥
Accompanied by Akrura and others, including Gada, Samba, and Ulmuka, along with the sons of Rukmini and Ahuka, led by Charudeshna.
वृष्णिमुख्यैरभिगतैर्व्याघ्रैरिव बलोत्कटैः। अभिगुप्तो महाबाहुर्मरुद्भिरिव वासवः ॥५-१५४-१७॥
The mighty-armed hero was protected by the chief warriors of the Vrishnis, who approached fiercely like tigers, just as Indra is protected by the Maruts.
नीलकौशेयवसनः कैलासशिखरोपमः। सिंहखेलगतिः श्रीमान्मदरक्तान्तलोचनः ॥५-१५४-१८॥
He is dressed in blue silk, resembling the peak of Mount Kailasa, moves with the majestic gait of a playful lion, and is glorious with eyes reddened at the edges due to intoxication.
तं दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजश्च केशवश्च महाद्युतिः। उदतिष्ठत्तदा पार्थो भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥५-१५४-१९॥
Upon seeing him, the illustrious Dharmaraja and Keshava rose, followed by Partha, the mighty Vrikodara.
गाण्डीवधन्वा ये चान्ये राजानस्तत्र केचन। पूजयां चक्रुरभ्येत्य ते स्म सर्वे हलायुधम् ॥५-१५४-२०॥
Arjuna and some other kings who were present there approached and worshipped Balarama.
ततस्तं पाण्डवो राजा करे पस्पर्श पाणिना। वासुदेवपुरोगास्तु सर्व एवाभ्यवादयन् ॥५-१५४-२१॥
Then the Pāṇḍava king touched him with his hand. However, all those led by Vāsudeva greeted him respectfully.
विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धावभिवाद्य हलायुधः। युधिष्ठिरेण सहित उपाविशदरिंदमः ॥५-१५४-२२॥
Halayudha, after saluting the elders Virata and Drupada, sat down with Yudhishthira, the subduer of enemies.
ततस्तेषूपविष्टेषु पार्थिवेषु समन्ततः। वासुदेवमभिप्रेक्ष्य रौहिणेयोऽभ्यभाषत ॥५-१५४-२३॥
Then, when all the kings were seated around, the son of Rohini, looking at Vasudeva, spoke.
भवितायं महारौद्रो दारुणः पुरुषक्षयः। दिष्टमेतद्ध्रुवं मन्ये न शक्यमतिवर्तितुम् ॥५-१५४-२४॥
This fierce and terrible destruction of men is destined to happen; I believe it is certain and cannot be averted.
अस्माद्युद्धात्समुत्तीर्णानपि वः ससुहृज्जनान्। अरोगानक्षतैर्देहैः पश्येयमिति मे मतिः ॥५-१५४-२५॥
My thought is that I may see you and your friends emerge from this battle unharmed and with intact bodies.
समेतं पार्थिवं क्षत्रं कालपक्वमसंशयम्। विमर्दः सुमहान्भावी मांसशोणितकर्दमः ॥५-१५४-२६॥
A great conflict involving the earthly warrior class, matured over time, is inevitable, resulting in a mire of flesh and blood.
उक्तो मया वासुदेवः पुनः पुनरुपह्वरे। सम्बन्धिषु समां वृत्तिं वर्तस्व मधुसूदन ॥५-१५४-२७॥
I have repeatedly addressed Vasudeva in the assembly. O Madhusudana, maintain impartial conduct among your relatives.
पाण्डवा हि यथास्माकं तथा दुर्योधनो नृपः। तस्यापि क्रियतां युक्त्या सपर्येति पुनः पुनः ॥५-१५४-२८॥
The Pandavas, like our king Duryodhana, should also be honored repeatedly with strategy.
तच्च मे नाकरोद्वाक्यं त्वदर्थे मधुसूदनः। निविष्टः सर्वभावेन धनञ्जयमवेक्ष्य च ॥५-१५४-२९॥
Madhusudana, being fully aware and composed, did not convey my message to you after observing Dhananjaya.
ध्रुवो जयः पाण्डवानामिति मे निश्चिता मतिः। तथा ह्यभिनिवेशोऽयं वासुदेवस्य भारत ॥५-१५४-३०॥
The victory of the Pandavas is certain, this is my firm belief. This is also the conviction of Vasudeva, O Bharata.
न चाहमुत्सहे कृष्णमृते लोकमुदीक्षितुम्। ततोऽहमनुवर्तामि केशवस्य चिकीर्षितम् ॥५-१५४-३१॥
I cannot bear to see the world without Krishna. Hence, I follow Keshava's desire.
उभौ शिष्यौ हि मे वीरौ गदायुद्धविशारदौ। तुल्यस्नेहोऽस्म्यतो भीमे तथा दुर्योधने नृपे ॥५-१५४-३२॥
Both of my disciples are valiant and skilled in mace combat. I hold equal affection for both Bhima and King Duryodhana.
तस्माद्यास्यामि तीर्थानि सरस्वत्या निषेवितुम्। न हि शक्ष्यामि कौरव्यान्नश्यमानानुपेक्षितुम् ॥५-१५४-३३॥
Therefore, I will visit the sacred places along the Sarasvati river, as I cannot bear to see the Kauravas perishing.
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुरनुज्ञातश्च पाण्डवैः। तीर्थयात्रां ययौ रामो निवर्त्य मधुसूदनम् ॥५-१५४-३४॥
After speaking thus, the mighty-armed Rama, with the permission of the Pandavas, embarked on a pilgrimage after sending back Madhusudana.
