05.186
Pancharatra-Ext: Narada and other sages intervene and pester both Bhargava and Bhishma to withdraw the weapons and bring the war to end, for the welfare of the world.
भीष्म उवाच॥
bhīṣma uvāca॥
[भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhishma; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Bhishma said:)
Bhishma spoke:
ततो हलहलाशब्दो दिवि राजन्महानभूत्। प्रस्वापं भीष्म मा स्राक्षीरिति कौरवनन्दन ॥५-१८६-१॥
tato halahalāśabdo divi rājanmahānabhūt। prasvāpaṃ bhīṣma mā srākṣīriti kauravanandana ॥5-186-1॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; हलहलाशब्दः (halahalāśabdaḥ) - clamor; दिवि (divi) - in the sky; राजन् (rājan) - O king; महान् (mahān) - great; अभूत् (abhūt) - arose; प्रस्वापम् (prasvāpam) - sleep; भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhishma; मा (mā) - do not; स्राक्षीः (srākṣīḥ) - let go; इति (iti) - thus; कौरवनन्दन (kauravanandana) - O joy of the Kauravas;]
(Then a great clamor arose in the sky, O king. "Do not let go of sleep, Bhishma," thus spoke the joy of the Kauravas.)
Then, O king, a great noise echoed in the sky. The joy of the Kauravas said, "Bhishma, do not let go of your sleep."
अयुञ्जमेव चैवाहं तदस्त्रं भृगुनन्दने। प्रस्वापं मां प्रयुञ्जानं नारदो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥५-१८६-२॥
ayuñjameva caivāhaṃ tadastraṃ bhṛgunandane। prasvāpaṃ māṃ prayuñjānaṃ nārado vākyamabravīt ॥5-186-2॥
[अयुञ्जम् (ayuñjam) - united; एव (eva) - indeed; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; अहम् (aham) - I; तत् (tat) - that; अस्त्रं (astraṃ) - weapon; भृगुनन्दने (bhṛgunandane) - O son of Bhrigu; प्रस्वापं (prasvāpaṃ) - sleep; मां (māṃ) - me; प्रयुञ्जानं (prayuñjānaṃ) - employing; नारदः (nāradaḥ) - Narada; वाक्यम् (vākyam) - words; अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - spoke;]
(Indeed, I united that weapon, O son of Bhrigu, employing sleep on me, Narada spoke words.)
Narada spoke, 'O son of Bhrigu, I have indeed united that weapon, employing sleep upon myself.'
एते वियति कौरव्य दिवि देवगणाः स्थिताः। ते त्वां निवारयन्त्यद्य प्रस्वापं मा प्रयोजय ॥५-१८६-३॥
ete viyati kauravya divi devagaṇāḥ sthitāḥ। te tvāṃ nivārayantyadya prasvāpaṃ mā prayojaya ॥5-186-3॥
[एते (ete) - these; वियति (viyati) - in the sky; कौरव्य (kauravya) - O descendant of Kuru; दिवि (divi) - in heaven; देवगणाः (devagaṇāḥ) - the groups of gods; स्थिताः (sthitāḥ) - are situated; ते (te) - they; त्वां (tvāṃ) - you; निवारयन्ति (nivārayanti) - are preventing; अद्य (adya) - today; प्रस्वापं (prasvāpaṃ) - sleep; मा (mā) - do not; प्रयोजय (prayojaya) - engage;]
(These groups of gods are situated in the sky, O descendant of Kuru. They are preventing you today from engaging in sleep.)
O descendant of Kuru, these groups of gods are present in the sky and are preventing you from falling asleep today.
रामस्तपस्वी ब्रह्मण्यो ब्राह्मणश्च गुरुश्च ते। तस्यावमानं कौरव्य मा स्म कार्षीः कथञ्चन ॥५-१८६-४॥
rāmastapasvī brahmaṇyo brāhmaṇaśca guruśca te। tasyāvamānaṃ kauravya mā sma kārṣīḥ kathaṃcana ॥5-186-4॥
[रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; तपस्वी (tapasvī) - ascetic; ब्रह्मण्यः (brahmaṇyaḥ) - devoted to Brahman; ब्राह्मणः (brāhmaṇaḥ) - Brahmin; च (ca) - and; गुरुः (guruḥ) - teacher; च (ca) - and; ते (te) - your; तस्य (tasya) - his; अवमानं (avamānaṃ) - disrespect; कौरव्य (kauravya) - descendant of Kuru; मा (mā) - do not; स्म (sma) - indeed; कार्षीः (kārṣīḥ) - do; कथञ्चन (kathaṃcana) - in any way;]
(Rama, the ascetic, devoted to Brahman, a Brahmin and your teacher; do not, in any way, disrespect him, O descendant of Kuru.)
Rama, who is an ascetic, devoted to Brahman, a Brahmin, and your teacher, should not be disrespected in any way, O descendant of Kuru.
ततोऽपश्यं दिविष्ठान्वै तानष्टौ ब्रह्मवादिनः। ते मां स्मयन्तो राजेन्द्र शनकैरिदमब्रुवन् ॥५-१८६-५॥
tato'paśyaṃ diviṣṭhānvai tānaṣṭau brahmavādinaḥ। te māṃ smayanto rājendra śanakairidamabruvan ॥5-186-5॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अपश्यम् (apaśyam) - I saw; दिविष्ठान् (diviṣṭhān) - in the sky; वै (vai) - indeed; तान् (tān) - those; अष्टौ (aṣṭau) - eight; ब्रह्मवादिनः (brahmavādinaḥ) - Brahma-scholars; ते (te) - they; माम् (mām) - me; स्मयन्तः (smayantaḥ) - smiling; राजेन्द्र (rājendra) - O king; शनकैः (śanakaiḥ) - slowly; इदम् (idam) - this; अब्रुवन् (abruvan) - said;]
(Then I saw indeed those eight Brahma-scholars in the sky. They, smiling, slowly said this to me, O king.)
Then I saw those eight Brahma-scholars in the sky. Smiling, they slowly spoke to me, O King.
यथाह भरतश्रेष्ठ नारदस्तत्तथा कुरु। एतद्धि परमं श्रेयो लोकानां भरतर्षभ ॥५-१८६-६॥
yathāha bharataśreṣṭha nāradastattathā kuru। etaddhi paramaṃ śreyo lokānāṃ bharatarṣabha ॥5-186-6॥
[यथा (yathā) - as; आह (āha) - said; भरतश्रेष्ठ (bharataśreṣṭha) - O best of the Bharatas; नारदः (nāradaḥ) - Nārada; तत्तथा (tattathā) - that so; कुरु (kuru) - do; एतत् (etat) - this; हि (hi) - indeed; परमं (paramaṃ) - supreme; श्रेयः (śreyaḥ) - good; लोकानाम् (lokānām) - of the worlds; भरतर्षभ (bharatarṣabha) - O bull among the Bharatas;]
(As Nārada said, O best of the Bharatas, so do. This indeed is the supreme good of the worlds, O bull among the Bharatas.)
O best of the Bharatas, do as Nārada has said. This is indeed the highest good for all the worlds, O bull among the Bharatas.
ततश्च प्रतिसंहृत्य तदस्त्रं स्वापनं मृधे। ब्रह्मास्त्रं दीपयां चक्रे तस्मिन्युधि यथाविधि ॥५-१८६-७॥
tataśca pratisaṁhṛtya tadastraṁ svāpanaṁ mṛdhe। brahmāstraṁ dīpayāṁ cakre tasminyudhi yathāvidhi ॥5-186-7॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; च (ca) - and; प्रतिसंहृत्य (pratisaṁhṛtya) - withdrawing; तत् (tat) - that; अस्त्रं (astraṁ) - weapon; स्वापनं (svāpanaṁ) - sleep-inducing; मृधे (mṛdhe) - in battle; ब्रह्मास्त्रं (brahmāstraṁ) - Brahma weapon; दीपयां (dīpayāṁ) - ignited; चक्रे (cakre) - made; तस्मिन् (tasmin) - in that; युधि (yudhi) - battle; यथाविधि (yathāvidhi) - according to the rules;]
(Then, withdrawing that sleep-inducing weapon in battle, he ignited the Brahma weapon in that battle according to the rules.)
Then, having withdrawn the sleep-inducing weapon in the battle, he properly ignited the Brahma weapon in that battle.
ततो रामो रुषितो राजपुत्र; दृष्ट्वा तदस्त्रं विनिवर्तितं वै। जितोऽस्मि भीष्मेण सुमन्दबुद्धि; रित्येव वाक्यं सहसा व्यमुञ्चत् ॥५-१८६-८॥
tato rāmo ruṣito rājaputra; dṛṣṭvā tadastraṃ vinivartitaṃ vai। jito'smi bhīṣmeṇa sumandabuddhi; rityeva vākyaṃ sahasā vyamuñcat ॥5-186-8॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; रुषितः (ruṣitaḥ) - angry; राजपुत्रः (rājaputraḥ) - prince; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; तत् (tat) - that; अस्त्रं (astraṃ) - weapon; विनिवर्तितं (vinivartitaṃ) - withdrawn; वै (vai) - indeed; जितः (jitaḥ) - defeated; अस्मि (asmi) - I am; भीष्मेण (bhīṣmeṇa) - by Bhishma; सुमन्दबुद्धिः (sumandabuddhiḥ) - foolish; इति (iti) - thus; एव (eva) - indeed; वाक्यम् (vākyam) - words; सहसा (sahasā) - suddenly; व्यमुञ्चत् (vyamuñcat) - uttered.;]
(Then Rama, the prince, angry, having seen that weapon withdrawn, indeed, said, "I am defeated by Bhishma, foolish indeed," suddenly uttered these words.)
Then the angry prince Rama, upon seeing his weapon withdrawn, exclaimed suddenly, "I have been defeated by Bhishma, how foolish of me," expressing his frustration.
ततोऽपश्यत्पितरं जामदग्न्यः; पितुस्तथा पितरं तस्य चान्यम्। त एवैनं सम्परिवार्य तस्थु; रूचुश्चैनं सान्त्वपूर्वं तदानीम् ॥५-१८६-९॥
tato'paśyat pitaraṃ jāmadagnyaḥ; pitus tathā pitaraṃ tasya cānyam। ta evainaṃ samparivārya tasthu; rūcuś cainaṃ sāntvapūrvaṃ tadānīm ॥5-186-9॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अपश्यत् (apaśyat) - saw; पितरं (pitaraṃ) - father; जामदग्न्यः (jāmadagnyaḥ) - Jamadagni's son; पितुः (pituḥ) - of the father; तथा (tathā) - also; पितरं (pitaraṃ) - father; तस्य (tasya) - his; च (ca) - and; अन्यम् (anyam) - another; ते (te) - they; एव (eva) - indeed; एनम् (enam) - him; सम्परिवार्य (samparivārya) - surrounding; तस्थुः (tasthuḥ) - stood; रूचुः (rūcuḥ) - said; च (ca) - and; एनम् (enam) - him; सान्त्वपूर्वम् (sāntvapūrvam) - with gentle words; तदानीम् (tadānīm) - then;]
(Then Jamadagni's son saw his father; also his father's father and another. They indeed surrounded him and stood; and said to him with gentle words then.)
Then Jamadagni's son saw his father, his grandfather, and another. They surrounded him and spoke to him gently at that moment.
मा स्मैवं साहसं वत्स पुनः कार्षीः कथञ्चन। भीष्मेण संयुगं गन्तुं क्षत्रियेण विशेषतः ॥५-१८६-१०॥
mā smaivaṃ sāhasaṃ vatsa punaḥ kārṣīḥ kathañcana। bhīṣmeṇa saṃyugaṃ gantuṃ kṣatriyeṇa viśeṣataḥ ॥5-186-10॥
[मा (mā) - do not; स्म (sma) - indeed; एवं (evaṃ) - thus; साहसं (sāhasaṃ) - rashness; वत्स (vatsa) - child; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; कार्षीः (kārṣīḥ) - perform; कथञ्चन (kathañcana) - in any way; भीष्मेण (bhīṣmeṇa) - with Bhishma; संयुगं (saṃyugaṃ) - battle; गन्तुं (gantuṃ) - to go; क्षत्रियेण (kṣatriyeṇa) - by a warrior; विशेषतः (viśeṣataḥ) - especially;]
(Do not, indeed, thus rashness, child, again perform in any way. With Bhishma, to go to battle, by a warrior, especially.)
Do not, my child, ever again act so rashly, especially in going to battle with Bhishma, a warrior of great distinction.
क्षत्रियस्य तु धर्मोऽयं यद्युद्धं भृगुनन्दन। स्वाध्यायो व्रतचर्या च ब्राह्मणानां परं धनम् ॥५-१८६-११॥
kṣatriyasya tu dharmo'yaṁ yadyuddhaṁ bhṛgunandana। svādhyāyo vratacaryā ca brāhmaṇānāṁ paraṁ dhanam ॥5-186-11॥
[क्षत्रियस्य (kṣatriyasya) - of the Kshatriya; तु (tu) - but; धर्मः (dharmaḥ) - duty; अयम् (ayam) - this; यत् (yat) - which; युद्धम् (yuddham) - battle; भृगुनन्दन (bhṛgunandana) - O descendant of Bhrigu; स्वाध्यायः (svādhyāyaḥ) - self-study; व्रतचर्या (vratacaryā) - observance of vows; च (ca) - and; ब्राह्मणानाम् (brāhmaṇānām) - of the Brahmanas; परम् (param) - supreme; धनम् (dhanam) - wealth;]
(But the duty of the Kshatriya, O descendant of Bhrigu, is this battle; self-study and observance of vows are the supreme wealth of the Brahmanas.)
O descendant of Bhrigu, the duty of a Kshatriya is indeed to engage in battle, while for the Brahmanas, self-study and the observance of vows are considered the highest wealth.
इदं निमित्ते कस्मिंश्चिदस्माभिरुपमन्त्रितम्। शस्त्रधारणमत्युग्रं तच्च कार्यं कृतं त्वया ॥५-१८६-१२॥
idaṁ nimitte kasmiṁścidasmābhirupamantritam। śastradhāraṇamatyugraṁ tacca kāryaṁ kṛtaṁ tvayā ॥5-186-12॥
[इदं (idaṁ) - this; निमित्ते (nimitte) - for a purpose; कस्मिंश्चित् (kasmiṁścit) - some; अस्माभिः (asmābhiḥ) - by us; उपमन्त्रितम् (upamantritam) - discussed; शस्त्रधारणम् (śastradhāraṇam) - bearing arms; अत्युग्रम् (atyugram) - very fierce; तत् (tat) - that; च (ca) - and; कार्यं (kāryaṁ) - task; कृतम् (kṛtam) - done; त्वया (tvayā) - by you;]
(This was discussed by us for some purpose. Bearing arms is very fierce, and that task was done by you.)
This was discussed by us for a certain purpose. Bearing arms is a very fierce task, and you have accomplished it.
वत्स पर्याप्तमेतावद्भीष्मेण सह संयुगे। विमर्दस्ते महाबाहो व्यपयाहि रणादितः ॥५-१८६-१३॥
vatsa paryāptametāvadbhīṣmeṇa saha saṃyuge। vimardaste mahābāho vyapayāhi raṇāditaḥ ॥5-186-13॥
[वत्स (vatsa) - O child; पर्याप्तम् (paryāptam) - enough; एतावत् (etāvat) - this much; भीष्मेण (bhīṣmeṇa) - with Bhishma; सह (saha) - together; संयुगे (saṃyuge) - in battle; विमर्दः (vimardaḥ) - conflict; ते (te) - your; महाबाहो (mahābāho) - O mighty-armed one; व्यपयाहि (vyapayāhi) - withdraw; रणात् (raṇāt) - from the battlefield; इतः (itaḥ) - from here;]
(O child, enough of this much conflict with Bhishma in battle. O mighty-armed one, withdraw from the battlefield from here.)
O child, it is enough of this conflict with Bhishma in battle. O mighty-armed one, withdraw from the battlefield now.
पर्याप्तमेतद्भद्रं ते तव कार्मुकधारणम्। विसर्जयैतद्दुर्धर्ष तपस्तप्यस्व भार्गव ॥५-१८६-१४॥
paryāptametadbhadraṃ te tava kārmukadhāraṇam। visarjayaitaddurdharṣa tapastapyasva bhārgava ॥5-186-14॥
[पर्याप्तम् (paryāptam) - sufficient; एतत् (etat) - this; भद्रं (bhadraṃ) - good; ते (te) - your; तव (tava) - your; कार्मुकधारणम् (kārmukadhāraṇam) - bow-bearing; विसर्जय (visarjaya) - abandon; एतत् (etat) - this; दुर्धर्ष (durdharṣa) - formidable; तपः (tapaḥ) - penance; तप्यस्व (tapyasva) - perform; भार्गव (bhārgava) - Bhārgava;]
(This is sufficient, good for you, your bow-bearing. Abandon this formidable penance, perform, O Bhārgava.)
This is enough for you, O Bhārgava, to bear the bow. Abandon this formidable penance and perform your duties.
एष भीष्मः शान्तनवो देवैः सर्वैर्निवारितः। निवर्तस्व रणादस्मादिति चैव प्रचोदितः ॥५-१८६-१५॥
eṣa bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo devaiḥ sarvairnivāritaḥ। nivartasva raṇādasmāditi caiva pracoditaḥ ॥5-186-15॥
[एष (eṣa) - this; भीष्मः (bhīṣmaḥ) - Bhishma; शान्तनवः (śāntanavaḥ) - son of Shantanu; देवैः (devaiḥ) - by the gods; सर्वैः (sarvaiḥ) - all; निवारितः (nivāritaḥ) - stopped; निवर्तस्व (nivartasva) - turn back; रणात् (raṇāt) - from battle; अस्मात् (asmāt) - this; इति (iti) - thus; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; प्रचोदितः (pracoditaḥ) - urged;]
(This Bhishma, son of Shantanu, was stopped by all the gods and was urged, "Turn back from this battle.")
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, was stopped by all the gods and urged to turn back from the battle.
रामेण सह मा योत्सीर्गुरुणेति पुनः पुनः। न हि रामो रणे जेतुं त्वया न्याय्यः कुरूद्वह ॥ मानं कुरुष्व गाङ्गेय ब्राह्मणस्य रणाजिरे ॥५-१८६-१६॥
rāmeṇa saha mā yotsīrguruṇeti punaḥ punaḥ। na hi rāmo raṇe jetuṃ tvayā nyāyyaḥ kurūdvaha ॥ mānaṃ kuruṣva gāṅgeya brāhmaṇasya raṇājire ॥5-186-16॥
[रामेण (rāmeṇa) - with Rama; सह (saha) - together; मा (mā) - do not; योत्सीः (yotsīḥ) - fight; गुरुणा (guruṇā) - with the elder; इति (iti) - thus; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; न (na) - not; हि (hi) - indeed; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; रणे (raṇe) - in battle; जेतुम् (jetum) - to conquer; त्वया (tvayā) - by you; न्याय्यः (nyāyyaḥ) - just; कुरूद्वह (kurūdvaha) - O best of the Kurus; मानम् (mānam) - honor; कुरुष्व (kuruṣva) - give; गाङ्गेय (gāṅgeya) - O son of Ganga; ब्राह्मणस्य (brāhmaṇasya) - of the Brahmin; रणाजिरे (raṇājire) - in the battlefield;]
(Do not fight with Rama together with the elder, again and again. Indeed, O best of the Kurus, it is not just for you to conquer Rama in battle. O son of Ganga, give honor to the Brahmin in the battlefield.)
Do not engage in battle with Rama alongside the elder repeatedly. It is not right for you to defeat Rama in combat, O esteemed Kuru. Show respect to the Brahmin on the battlefield, O son of Ganga.
वयं तु गुरवस्तुभ्यं ततस्त्वां वारयामहे। भीष्मो वसूनामन्यतमो दिष्ट्या जीवसि पुत्रक ॥५-१८६-१७॥
vayaṁ tu guravastubhyaṁ tatastvāṁ vārayāmahe। bhīṣmo vasūnāmanyatamo diṣṭyā jīvasi putraka ॥5-186-17॥
[वयं (vayaṁ) - we; तु (tu) - but; गुरवः (guravaḥ) - elders; तुभ्यम् (tubhyam) - to you; ततः (tataḥ) - then; त्वाम् (tvām) - you; वारयामहे (vārayāmahe) - restrain; भीष्मः (bhīṣmaḥ) - Bhishma; वसूनाम् (vasūnām) - of the Vasus; अन्यतमः (anyatamaḥ) - one among; दिष्ट्या (diṣṭyā) - fortunately; जीवसि (jīvasi) - you live; पुत्रक (putraka) - dear son;]
(We, the elders, restrain you then. Bhishma, one among the Vasus, fortunately, you live, dear son.)
We, the elders, are here to restrain you. It is fortunate that Bhishma, one of the Vasus, is alive, dear son.
गाङ्गेयः शन्तनोः पुत्रो वसुरेष महायशाः। कथं त्वया रणे जेतुं राम शक्यो निवर्त वै ॥५-१८६-१८॥
gāṅgeyaḥ śantanoḥ putro vasureṣa mahāyaśāḥ। kathaṁ tvayā raṇe jetuṁ rāma śakyo nivarta vai ॥5-186-18॥
[गाङ्गेयः (gāṅgeyaḥ) - son of Ganga; शन्तनोः (śantanoḥ) - of Shantanu; पुत्रः (putraḥ) - son; वसुः (vasuḥ) - Vasu; एषः (eṣaḥ) - this; महायशाः (mahāyaśāḥ) - greatly renowned; कथम् (katham) - how; त्वया (tvayā) - by you; रणे (raṇe) - in battle; जेतुम् (jetum) - to conquer; राम (rāma) - Rama; शक्यः (śakyaḥ) - possible; निवर्त (nivarta) - turn back; वै (vai) - indeed;]
(The son of Ganga, of Shantanu, this Vasu, greatly renowned, how by you in battle to conquer Rama is possible, turn back indeed.)
The son of Ganga, Vasu, who is greatly renowned, how can you conquer Rama in battle? Turn back indeed.
अर्जुनः पाण्डवश्रेष्ठः पुरंदरसुतो बली। नरः प्रजापतिर्वीरः पूर्वदेवः सनातनः ॥५-१८६-१९॥
arjunaḥ pāṇḍavaśreṣṭhaḥ puraṃdarasuto balī। naraḥ prajāpativīraḥ pūrvadevaḥ sanātanaḥ ॥5-186-19॥
[अर्जुनः (arjunaḥ) - Arjuna; पाण्डवश्रेष्ठः (pāṇḍavaśreṣṭhaḥ) - best of the Pandavas; पुरंदरसुतः (puraṃdarasutaḥ) - son of Purandara; बली (balī) - strong; नरः (naraḥ) - man; प्रजापतिः (prajāpatiḥ) - lord of creatures; वीरः (vīraḥ) - hero; पूर्वदेवः (pūrvadevaḥ) - ancient god; सनातनः (sanātanaḥ) - eternal;]
(Arjuna, the best of the Pandavas, son of Purandara, strong, man, lord of creatures, hero, ancient god, eternal.)
Arjuna, the foremost of the Pandavas, son of Purandara, is strong and heroic, an ancient and eternal god, and the lord of all creatures.
सव्यसाचीति विख्यातस्त्रिषु लोकेषु वीर्यवान्। भीष्ममृत्युर्यथाकालं विहितो वै स्वयम्भुवा ॥५-१८६-२०॥
savyasācīti vikhyātastriṣu lokeṣu vīryavān। bhīṣmamṛtyuryathākālaṃ vihito vai svayambhuvā ॥5-186-20॥
[सव्यसाची (savyasācī) - ambidextrous; इति (iti) - thus; विख्यातः (vikhyātaḥ) - famous; त्रिषु (triṣu) - in three; लोकेषु (lokeṣu) - worlds; वीर्यवान् (vīryavān) - powerful; भीष्ममृत्युः (bhīṣmamṛtyuḥ) - Bhishma's death; यथाकालं (yathākālaṃ) - at the right time; विहितः (vihitaḥ) - ordained; वै (vai) - indeed; स्वयम्भुवा (svayambhuvā) - by the self-existent one;]
(Ambidextrous, thus famous in the three worlds, powerful. Bhishma's death, at the right time, ordained indeed by the self-existent one.)
The ambidextrous one, thus renowned in the three worlds for his prowess, was Bhishma's death, ordained at the right time by the self-existent one.
एवमुक्तः स पितृभिः पितॄन्रामोऽब्रवीदिदम्। नाहं युधि निवर्तेयमिति मे व्रतमाहितम् ॥५-१८६-२१॥
evamuktaḥ sa pitṛbhiḥ pitṝnrāmo'bravīdidam। nāhaṃ yudhi nivarteyamiti me vratamāhitam ॥5-186-21॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; उक्तः (uktaḥ) - addressed; सः (saḥ) - he; पितृभिः (pitṛbhiḥ) - by the ancestors; पितॄन् (pitṝn) - ancestors; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - said; इदम् (idam) - this; न (na) - not; अहम् (aham) - I; युधि (yudhi) - in battle; निवर्तेयम् (nivarteyam) - will retreat; इति (iti) - thus; मे (me) - my; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; आहितम् (āhitam) - is established;]
(Thus addressed by the ancestors, Rama said this: "I will not retreat in battle; thus is my vow established.")
Upon being addressed in this manner by his ancestors, Rama declared: "I shall not retreat in battle; this is the vow I have taken."
न निवर्तितपूर्वं च कदाचिद्रणमूर्धनि। निवर्त्यतामापगेयः कामं युद्धात्पितामहाः ॥ न त्वहं विनिवर्तिष्ये युद्धादस्मात्कथञ्चन ॥५-१८६-२२॥
na nivartitapūrvaṃ ca kadācidraṇamūrdhani। nivartyatāmāpageyaḥ kāmaṃ yuddhātpitāmahāḥ ॥ na tvahaṃ vinivartiṣye yuddhādasmātkathaṃcana ॥5-186-22॥
[न (na) - not; निवर्तितपूर्वं (nivartitapūrvaṃ) - retreated before; च (ca) - and; कदाचित् (kadācit) - ever; रणमूर्धनि (raṇamūrdhani) - in the forefront of battle; निवर्त्यताम् (nivartyatām) - let (him) retreat; आपगेयः (āpageyaḥ) - son of the river (Bhishma); कामम् (kāmam) - at will; युद्धात् (yuddhāt) - from battle; पितामहाः (pitāmahāḥ) - O grandsire; न (na) - not; तु (tu) - but; अहम् (aham) - I; विनिवर्तिष्ये (vinivartiṣye) - shall retreat; युद्धात् (yuddhāt) - from battle; अस्मात् (asmāt) - this; कथञ्चन (kathaṃcana) - in any way;]
(It has never happened before that anyone has retreated in the forefront of battle. Let the son of the river (Bhishma) retreat from the battle at will, O grandsire. But I shall not retreat from this battle in any way.)
It has never been the case that anyone has retreated in the forefront of battle. Let Bhishma, the son of the river, retreat from the battle if he wishes, O grandsire. However, I will not retreat from this battle under any circumstances.
ततस्ते मुनयो राजन्नृचीकप्रमुखास्तदा। नारदेनैव सहिताः समागम्येदमब्रुवन् ॥५-१८६-२३॥
tataste munayo rājannṛcīkapramukhāstadā। nāradenaiva sahitāḥ samāgamyedamabruvan ॥5-186-23॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; ते (te) - they; मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages; राजन् (rājan) - O king; ऋचीक (ṛcīka) - Ṛcīka; प्रमुखाः (pramukhāḥ) - headed by; तदा (tadā) - at that time; नारदेन (nāradena) - by Nārada; एव (eva) - indeed; सहिताः (sahitāḥ) - together; समागम्य (samāgamya) - having assembled; इदम् (idam) - this; अब्रुवन् (abruvan) - said;]
(Then those sages, O king, headed by Ṛcīka, indeed together with Nārada, having assembled, said this.)
Then, O king, those sages, led by Ṛcīka and accompanied by Nārada, gathered and spoke these words.
निवर्तस्व रणात्तात मानयस्व द्विजोत्तमान्। नेत्यवोचमहं तांश्च क्षत्रधर्मव्यपेक्षया ॥५-१८६-२४॥
nivartasva raṇāttāta mānayasva dvijottamān। netyavocamahaṃ tāṃśca kṣatradharmavapekṣayā ॥5-186-24॥
[निवर्तस्व (nivartasva) - return; रणात् (raṇāt) - from battle; तात (tāta) - father; मानयस्व (mānayasva) - honor; द्विजोत्तमान् (dvijottamān) - the best of the twice-born; न (na) - not; इति (iti) - thus; अवोचम् (avocam) - I said; अहम् (aham) - I; तान् (tān) - them; च (ca) - and; क्षत्रधर्म (kṣatradharma) - warrior's duty; व्यपेक्षया (vyapekṣayā) - with disregard;]
(Return from battle, father, honor the best of the twice-born. I said to them, 'No,' with disregard for the warrior's duty.)
Father, return from the battle and honor the best of the Brahmins. I told them 'No,' disregarding the warrior's duty.
मम व्रतमिदं लोके नाहं युद्धात्कथञ्चन। विमुखो विनिवर्तेयं पृष्ठतोऽभ्याहतः शरैः ॥५-१८६-२५॥
mama vratamidaṁ loke nāhaṁ yuddhātkathañcana। vimukho vinivarteyaṁ pṛṣṭhato'bhayāhataḥ śaraiḥ ॥5-186-25॥
[मम (mama) - my; व्रतम् (vratam) - vow; इदम् (idam) - this; लोके (loke) - in the world; न (na) - not; अहम् (aham) - I; युद्धात् (yuddhāt) - from battle; कथञ्चन (kathañcana) - in any way; विमुखः (vimukhaḥ) - turned away; विनिवर्ते (vinivarte) - retreat; अहम् (aham) - I; पृष्ठतः (pṛṣṭhataḥ) - from the back; अभ्याहतः (abhyāhataḥ) - struck; शरैः (śaraiḥ) - by arrows;]
(This is my vow in the world: I will not retreat from battle in any way, even if struck by arrows from behind.)
In this world, it is my vow that I shall never turn away from battle, even if I am struck by arrows from behind.
नाहं लोभान्न कार्पण्यान्न भयान्नार्थकारणात्। त्यजेयं शाश्वतं धर्ममिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ॥५-१८६-२६॥
nāhaṃ lobhānna kārpaṇyānna bhayānna arthakāraṇāt। tyajeyaṃ śāśvataṃ dharmamiti me niścitā matiḥ ॥5-186-26॥
[न (na) - not; अहम् (aham) - I; लोभात् (lobhāt) - from greed; न (na) - not; कर्पण्यात् (karpaṇyāt) - from miserliness; न (na) - not; भयात् (bhayāt) - from fear; न (na) - not; अर्थकारणात् (arthakāraṇāt) - for material reasons; त्यजेयम् (tyajeyam) - I would abandon; शाश्वतम् (śāśvatam) - eternal; धर्मम् (dharmam) - dharma; इति (iti) - thus; मे (me) - my; निश्चिता (niścitā) - determined; मतिः (matiḥ) - mind;]
(I would not abandon eternal dharma out of greed, miserliness, fear, or for material reasons; thus is my determined mind.)
My mind is firmly resolved that I will not abandon the eternal dharma due to greed, miserliness, fear, or for any material reason.
ततस्ते मुनयः सर्वे नारदप्रमुखा नृप। भागीरथी च मे माता रणमध्यं प्रपेदिरे ॥५-१८६-२७॥
tataste munayaḥ sarve nāradapramukhā nṛpa। bhāgīrathī ca me mātā raṇamadhyaṃ prapedire ॥5-186-27॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; ते (te) - they; मुनयः (munayaḥ) - sages; सर्वे (sarve) - all; नारदप्रमुखा (nāradapramukhā) - headed by Narada; नृप (nṛpa) - O king; भागीरथी (bhāgīrathī) - Bhagirathi; च (ca) - and; मे (me) - my; माता (mātā) - mother; रणमध्यं (raṇamadhyaṃ) - battlefield; प्रपेदिरे (prapedire) - entered;]
(Then all the sages, headed by Narada, O king, and my mother Bhagirathi entered the battlefield.)
Then, O king, all the sages led by Narada, along with my mother Bhagirathi, entered the battlefield.
तथैवात्तशरो धन्वी तथैव दृढनिश्चयः। स्थितोऽहमाहवे योद्धुं ततस्ते राममब्रुवन् ॥ समेत्य सहिता भूयः समरे भृगुनन्दनम् ॥५-१८६-२८॥
tathaivāttaśaro dhanvī tathaiva dṛḍhaniścayaḥ। sthito'hamāhave yoddhuṃ tataste rāmamabruvan ॥ sametya sahitā bhūyaḥ samare bhṛgunandanam ॥5-186-28॥
[तथैव (tathaiva) - in the same way; आत्तशरः (āttaśaraḥ) - with an arrow fitted; धन्वी (dhanvī) - the archer; तथैव (tathaiva) - in the same way; दृढनिश्चयः (dṛḍhaniścayaḥ) - with firm resolve; स्थितः (sthitaḥ) - standing; अहम् (aham) - I; आहवे (āhave) - in battle; योद्धुम् (yoddhum) - to fight; ततः (tataḥ) - then; ते (te) - they; रामम् (rāmam) - to Rama; अब्रुवन् (abruvan) - said; समेत्य (sametya) - having assembled; सहिताः (sahitāḥ) - together; भूयः (bhūyaḥ) - again; समरे (samare) - in battle; भृगुनन्दनम् (bhṛgunandanam) - to the delight of Bhrigu;]
(In the same way, with an arrow fitted, the archer with firm resolve stood to fight in battle. Then they said to Rama, having assembled together again in battle, to the delight of Bhrigu.)
In the same manner, the archer with an arrow ready and firm resolve stood to fight in the battle. Then they approached Rama and spoke to him, having gathered together once more in the battlefield, pleasing the descendant of Bhrigu.
नावनीतं हि हृदयं विप्राणां शाम्य भार्गव। राम राम निवर्तस्व युद्धादस्माद्द्विजोत्तम ॥ अवध्यो हि त्वया भीष्मस्त्वं च भीष्मस्य भार्गव ॥५-१८६-२९॥
nāvanītaṃ hi hṛdayaṃ viprāṇāṃ śāmya bhārgava। rāma rāma nivartasva yuddhādasmāddvijottama ॥ avadhyo hi tvayā bhīṣmastvaṃ ca bhīṣmasya bhārgava ॥5-186-29॥
[नावनीतं (nāvanītaṃ) - softened; हि (hi) - indeed; हृदयं (hṛdayaṃ) - heart; विप्राणां (viprāṇāṃ) - of the wise; शाम्य (śāmya) - calm down; भार्गव (bhārgava) - O descendant of Bhṛgu; राम (rāma) - Rama; राम (rāma) - Rama; निवर्तस्व (nivartasva) - turn back; युद्धात् (yuddhāt) - from battle; अस्मात् (asmāt) - this; द्विजोत्तम (dvijottama) - O best of the twice-born; अवध्यः (avadhyaḥ) - invincible; हि (hi) - indeed; त्वया (tvayā) - by you; भीष्मः (bhīṣmaḥ) - Bhishma; त्वं (tvaṃ) - you; च (ca) - and; भीष्मस्य (bhīṣmasya) - of Bhishma; भार्गव (bhārgava) - O descendant of Bhṛgu;]
(The heart of the wise is indeed softened, calm down, O descendant of Bhṛgu. Rama, Rama, turn back from this battle, O best of the twice-born. Bhishma is indeed invincible by you, and you are of Bhishma, O descendant of Bhṛgu.)
The wise have a softened heart, calm yourself, O descendant of Bhṛgu. Rama, Rama, withdraw from this battle, O best of the twice-born. Bhishma cannot be defeated by you, and you are connected to Bhishma, O descendant of Bhṛgu.
एवं ब्रुवन्तस्ते सर्वे प्रतिरुध्य रणाजिरम्। न्यासयां चक्रिरे शस्त्रं पितरो भृगुनन्दनम् ॥५-१८६-३०॥
evaṁ bruvantaste sarve pratirudhya raṇājiram। nyāsayāṁ cakrire śastraṁ pitaro bhṛgunandanam ॥5-186-30॥
[एवम् (evam) - thus; ब्रुवन्तः (bruvantaḥ) - speaking; ते (te) - they; सर्वे (sarve) - all; प्रतिरुध्य (pratirudhya) - blocking; रणाजिरम् (raṇājiram) - battlefield; न्यासयाम् (nyāsayām) - placing; चक्रिरे (cakrire) - made; शस्त्रं (śastram) - weapons; पितरः (pitaraḥ) - fathers; भृगुनन्दनम् (bhṛgunandanam) - O descendant of Bhrigu;]
(Thus speaking, they all blocked the battlefield and the fathers placed the weapons, O descendant of Bhrigu.)
Thus, all of them, while speaking, blocked the battlefield and the fathers placed the weapons, O descendant of Bhrigu.
ततोऽहं पुनरेवाथ तानष्टौ ब्रह्मवादिनः। अद्राक्षं दीप्यमानान्वै ग्रहानष्टाविवोदितान् ॥५-१८६-३१॥
tato'ham punarevātha tānaṣṭau brahmavādinaḥ। adrākṣaṃ dīpyamānān vai grahānaṣṭāvivoditān ॥5-186-31॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अहम् (aham) - I; पुनः (punaḥ) - again; एव (eva) - indeed; अथ (atha) - then; तान् (tān) - those; अष्टौ (aṣṭau) - eight; ब्रह्मवादिनः (brahmavādinaḥ) - sages; अद्राक्षम् (adrākṣam) - saw; दीप्यमानान् (dīpyamānān) - shining; वै (vai) - indeed; ग्रहान् (grahān) - planets; अष्टौ (aṣṭau) - eight; इव (iva) - like; उदितान् (uditān) - risen;]
(Then I again indeed saw those eight sages, shining indeed like eight risen planets.)
Then I saw those eight sages again, shining brightly like eight planets that had risen.
ते मां सप्रणयं वाक्यमब्रुवन्समरे स्थितम्। प्रैहि रामं महाबाहो गुरुं लोकहितं कुरु ॥५-१८६-३२॥
te māṃ sapraṇayaṃ vākyam abruvan samare sthitam। praihi rāmaṃ mahābāho guruṃ lokahitaṃ kuru ॥5-186-32॥
[ते (te) - they; माम् (mām) - me; सप्रणयम् (sapraṇayam) - with affection; वाक्यम् (vākyam) - words; अब्रुवन् (abruvan) - spoke; समरे (samare) - in battle; स्थितम् (sthitam) - standing; प्रैहि (praiḥi) - send; रामम् (rāmam) - Rama; महाबाहो (mahābāho) - O mighty-armed one; गुरुम् (gurum) - teacher; लोकहितम् (lokahitam) - for the welfare of the world; कुरु (kuru) - do;]
(They spoke affectionate words to me standing in battle: 'Send Rama, O mighty-armed one, do what is for the welfare of the world.')
They addressed me with affection while I stood in battle, saying, 'Send Rama, O mighty-armed one, and act for the welfare of the world.'
दृष्ट्वा निवर्तितं रामं सुहृद्वाक्येन तेन वै। लोकानां च हितं कुर्वन्नहमप्याददे वचः ॥५-१८६-३३॥
dṛṣṭvā nivartitaṃ rāmaṃ suhṛdvākyena tena vai। lokānāṃ ca hitaṃ kurvannahamapyādade vacaḥ ॥5-186-33॥
[दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; निवर्तितं (nivartitaṃ) - returned; रामं (rāmaṃ) - Rama; सुहृद्वाक्येन (suhṛdvākyena) - by friend's words; तेन (tena) - by him; वै (vai) - indeed; लोकानां (lokānāṃ) - of the worlds; च (ca) - and; हितं (hitaṃ) - welfare; कुर्वन् (kurvan) - doing; अहम् (aham) - I; अपि (api) - also; आददे (ādade) - accepted; वचः (vacaḥ) - words;]
(Having seen Rama returned by friend's words, indeed doing the welfare of the worlds, I also accepted the words.)
Seeing that Rama was persuaded to return by his friend's words, and considering the welfare of the worlds, I too accepted the advice.
ततोऽहं राममासाद्य ववन्दे भृशविक्षतः। रामश्चाभ्युत्स्मयन्प्रेम्णा मामुवाच महातपाः ॥५-१८६-३४॥
tato'ham rāmaṃ āsādya vavande bhṛśavikṣataḥ। rāmaścābhyutsmayanpremṇā māmuvāca mahātapāḥ ॥5-186-34॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अहम् (aham) - I; रामम् (rāmam) - Rama; आसाद्य (āsādya) - having approached; ववन्दे (vavande) - bowed; भृशविक्षतः (bhṛśavikṣataḥ) - severely wounded; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; च (ca) - and; अभ्युत्स्मयन् (abhyutsmayan) - smiling; प्रेम्णा (premṇā) - with affection; माम् (mām) - to me; उवाच (uvāca) - said; महातपाः (mahātapāḥ) - great ascetic;]
(Then I, having approached Rama, bowed, severely wounded. And Rama, smiling with affection, said to me, the great ascetic.)
Then I approached Rama and bowed, though I was severely wounded. Rama, with a smile of affection, spoke to me, acknowledging my great asceticism.
त्वत्समो नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्क्षत्रियः पृथिवीचरः। गम्यतां भीष्म युद्धेऽस्मिंस्तोषितोऽहं भृशं त्वया ॥५-१८६-३५॥
tvatsamo nāsti loke'smin kṣatriyaḥ pṛthivīcaraḥ। gamyatāṃ bhīṣma yuddhe'smiṃstoṣito'haṃ bhṛśaṃ tvayā ॥5-186-35॥
[त्वत्समः (tvatsamaḥ) - equal to you; न (na) - not; अस्ति (asti) - exists; लोके (loke) - in the world; अस्मिन (asmin) - in this; क्षत्रियः (kṣatriyaḥ) - warrior; पृथिवीचरः (pṛthivīcaraḥ) - wanderer of the earth; गम्यताम् (gamyatām) - go; भीष्म (bhīṣma) - Bhishma; युद्धे (yuddhe) - in battle; अस्मिन् (asmin) - in this; तोषितः (toṣitaḥ) - pleased; अहम् (aham) - I; भृशम् (bhṛśam) - greatly; त्वया (tvayā) - by you;]
(There is no warrior equal to you in this world, O wanderer of the earth. Go, Bhishma, I am greatly pleased by you in this battle.)
There is no warrior like you on this earth, O Bhishma. Go forth, for I am greatly pleased with you in this battle.
मम चैव समक्षं तां कन्यामाहूय भार्गवः। उवाच दीनया वाचा मध्ये तेषां तपस्विनाम् ॥५-१८६-३६॥
mama caiva samakṣaṃ tāṃ kanyām āhūya bhārgavaḥ। uvāca dīnayā vācā madhye teṣāṃ tapasvinām ॥5-186-36॥
[मम (mama) - my; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; समक्षम् (samakṣam) - in presence; ताम् (tām) - that; कन्याम् (kanyām) - girl; आहूय (āhūya) - having called; भार्गवः (bhārgavaḥ) - Bhārgava; उवाच (uvāca) - said; दीनया (dīnayā) - with humble; वाचा (vācā) - speech; मध्ये (madhye) - in the midst; तेषाम् (teṣām) - of them; तपस्विनाम् (tapasvinām) - ascetics;]
(Bhārgava, having called that girl in my presence, said with humble speech in the midst of those ascetics.)
Bhārgava called the girl in my presence and spoke humbly among the ascetics.
