06.004
Pancharatra-Ext: Vyasa tries to persuade Dhritarastra away from war. Dhritarashtra further inquires on omens of war.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
एवमुक्तो मुनिस्तत्त्वं कवीन्द्रो राजसत्तम। पुत्रेण धृतराष्ट्रेण ध्यानमन्वगमत्परम् ॥६-४-१॥
Thus addressed by the sage, the best of poets and kings, Dhritarashtra's son followed the supreme meditation.
पुनरेवाब्रवीद्वाक्यं कालवादी महातपाः। असंशयं पार्थिवेन्द्र कालः सङ्क्षिपते जगत् ॥६-४-२॥
The great ascetic, who speaks of time, reiterated: "Without a doubt, O king, time diminishes the world."
सृजते च पुनर्लोकान्नेह विद्यति शाश्वतम्। ज्ञातीनां च कुरूणां च सम्बन्धिसुहृदां तथा ॥६-४-३॥
He creates the worlds again, but nothing eternal exists here. The relatives, the Kurus, and their relations and friends are also transient.
धर्म्यं देशय पन्थानं समर्थो ह्यसि वारणे। क्षुद्रं ज्ञातिवधं प्राहुर्मा कुरुष्व ममाप्रियम् ॥६-४-४॥
Show the righteous path, as you are indeed capable of preventing it. They say that killing relatives is a petty act; do not do what is unpleasant to me.
कालोऽयं पुत्ररूपेण तव जातो विशां पते। न वधः पूज्यते वेदे हितं नैतत्कथञ्चन ॥६-४-५॥
O lord of the people, time has manifested as your son. The Vedas do not praise killing; it is not beneficial in any way.
हन्यात्स एव यो हन्यात्कुलधर्मं स्वकां तनुम्। कालेनोत्पथगन्तासि शक्ये सति यथापथि ॥६-४-६॥
He who destroys his own family duty and body will eventually deviate from the right path, if it is possible to stay on it.
कुलस्यास्य विनाशाय तथैव च महीक्षिताम्। अनर्थो राज्यरूपेण त्यज्यतामसुखावहः ॥६-४-७॥
The disaster that comes in the form of a kingdom should be abandoned as it leads to the destruction of this family and the kings, bringing unhappiness.
लुप्तप्रज्ञः परेणासि धर्मं दर्शय वै सुतान्। किं ते राज्येन दुर्धर्ष येन प्राप्तोऽसि किल्बिषम् ॥६-४-८॥
You have lost your wisdom and are influenced by others. Show your duty to your sons. What use is the kingdom to you, unassailable one, if it has led you to sin?
यशो धर्मं च कीर्तिं च पालयन्स्वर्गमाप्स्यसि। लभन्तां पाण्डवा राज्यं शमं गच्छन्तु कौरवाः ॥६-४-९॥
By upholding fame, righteousness, and glory, you shall reach heaven. Let the Pandavas gain the kingdom, and let the Kauravas find peace.
एवं ब्रुवति विप्रेन्द्रे धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः। आक्षिप्य वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्पथेनाप्ययात्पुनः ॥६-४-१०॥
As the best of the Brahmanas spoke, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, interrupted and, being skilled in speech, responded once more.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
यथा भवान्वेद तथास्मि वेत्ता; भावाभावौ विदितौ मे यथावत्। स्वार्थे हि संमुह्यति तात लोको; मां चापि लोकात्मकमेव विद्धि ॥६-४-११॥
Just as you know, I am also the knower; I understand existence and non-existence as they truly are. People, O dear, are indeed deluded by self-interest; know that I am also of the nature of the world.
प्रसादये त्वामतुलप्रभावं; त्वं नो गतिर्दर्शयिता च धीरः। न चापि ते वशगा मे महर्षे; न कल्मषं कर्तुमिहार्हसे माम् ॥६-४-१२॥
I seek your favor, O sage of incomparable influence; you are our refuge and guide. O great sage, you are not under my control, nor should you commit any sin against me here.
त्वं हि धर्मः पवित्रं च यशः कीर्तिर्धृतिः स्मृतिः। कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च मान्यश्चासि पितामहः ॥६-४-१३॥
You embody righteousness, purity, fame, glory, steadfastness, and memory, and are respected among both the Kurus and the Pandavas, O grandfather.
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyasa said:
वैचित्रवीर्य नृपते यत्ते मनसि वर्तते। अभिधत्स्व यथाकामं छेत्तास्मि तव संशयम् ॥६-४-१४॥
O King Vaicitravirya, express whatever is on your mind freely; I am here to resolve your doubts.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
यानि लिङ्गानि सङ्ग्रामे भवन्ति विजयिष्यताम्। तानि सर्वाणि भगवञ्श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः ॥६-४-१५॥
O Lord, I wish to hear in detail about all those omens in battle that signify victory.
व्यास उवाच॥
Vyasa said:
प्रसन्नभाः पावक ऊर्ध्वरश्मिः; प्रदक्षिणावर्तशिखो विधूमः। पुण्या गन्धाश्चाहुतीनां प्रवान्ति; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥६-४-१६॥
The fire glows brightly with upward rays, its flame spirals clockwise without smoke. Auspicious fragrances from the offerings spread around; this is said to be the sign of impending victory.
गम्भीरघोषाश्च महास्वनाश्च; शङ्खा मृदङ्गाश्च नदन्ति यत्र। विशुद्धरश्मिस्तपनः शशी च; जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥६-४-१७॥
"Deep and loud sounds of conches and drums resonate where the pure rays of the sun and moon shine; this is described as the form of impending victory."
इष्टा वाचः पृष्ठतो वायसानां; सम्प्रस्थितानां च गमिष्यतां च। ये पृष्ठतस्ते त्वरयन्ति राज; न्ये त्वग्रतस्ते प्रतिषेधयन्ति ॥६-४-१८॥
The desired words come from behind the crows, from those who have set out and those who are going. Those behind hasten, O king, while those in front restrain.
कल्याणवाचः शकुना राजहंसाः; शुकाः क्रौञ्चाः शतपत्राश्च यत्र। प्रदक्षिणाश्चैव भवन्ति सङ्ख्ये; ध्रुवं जयं तत्र वदन्ति विप्राः ॥६-४-१९॥
The sages say that where there are auspicious-voiced birds like royal swans, parrots, cranes, and lotuses, and where circumambulations occur in great numbers, victory is assured.
अलङ्कारैः कवचैः केतुभिश्च; मुखप्रसादैर्हेमवर्णैश्च नॄणाम्। भ्राजिष्मती दुष्प्रतिप्रेक्षणीया; येषां चमूस्ते विजयन्ति शत्रून् ॥६-४-२०॥
The army adorned with ornaments, armors, and banners, with faces shining like gold, is formidable and hard to face; such an army conquers its enemies.
हृष्टा वाचस्तथा सत्त्वं योधानां यत्र भारत। न म्लायन्ते स्रजश्चैव ते तरन्ति रणे रिपून् ॥६-४-२१॥
O Bharata, where the warriors' words are joyful and their courage is strong, the garlands do not wither, and they indeed overcome their enemies in battle.
इष्टो वातः प्रविष्टस्य दक्षिणा प्रविविक्षतः। पश्चात्संसाधयत्यर्थं पुरस्तात्प्रतिषेधते ॥६-४-२२॥
The favorable wind aids the one who has entered the south and intends to proceed further, achieving the goal and preventing obstacles ahead.
शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शगन्धाश्चाविष्कृताः शुभाः। सदा योधाश्च हृष्टाश्च येषां तेषां ध्रुवं जयः ॥६-४-२३॥
The manifestations of sound, form, taste, touch, and smell are auspicious. The warriors who are always joyful are assured of victory.
अन्वेव वायवो वान्ति तथाभ्राणि वयांसि च। अनुप्लवन्ते मेघाश्च तथैवेन्द्रधनूंषि च ॥६-४-२४॥
The winds blow along with the clouds and birds. Similarly, the clouds float, as do the rainbows.
एतानि जयमानानां लक्षणानि विशां पते। भवन्ति विपरीतानि मुमूर्षूणां जनाधिप ॥६-४-२५॥
O lord of the people, these signs that appear for the victorious are quite the opposite for those who are on the verge of death, O ruler.
अल्पायां वा महत्यां वा सेनायामिति निश्चितम्। हर्षो योधगणस्यैकं जयलक्षणमुच्यते ॥६-४-२६॥
Whether in a small or large army, it is determined that the joy among the warriors is considered a sign of victory.
एको दीर्णो दारयति सेनां सुमहतीमपि। तं दीर्णमनुदीर्यन्ते योधाः शूरतमा अपि ॥६-४-२७॥
Even a single broken warrior can tear apart a very great army, and even the bravest warriors follow that broken one.
दुर्निवारतमा चैव प्रभग्ना महती चमूः। अपामिव महावेगस्त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव ॥६-४-२८॥
The great army, which was most irresistible, was scattered and frightened like herds of deer by the great speed of the waters.
नैव शक्या समाधातुं संनिपाते महाचमूः। दीर्णा इत्येव दीर्यन्ते योधाः शूरतमा अपि ॥ भीतान्भग्नांश्च सम्प्रेक्ष्य भयं भूयो विवर्धते ॥६-४-२९॥
In the assembly, the great army cannot be controlled at all. Even the bravest warriors are torn apart. Seeing those who are frightened and broken, fear grows once more.
प्रभग्ना सहसा राजन्दिशो विभ्रामिता परैः। नैव स्थापयितुं शक्या शूरैरपि महाचमूः ॥६-४-३०॥
O King, the great army, once suddenly broken and confused by others, cannot be reassembled even by the bravest of heroes.
सम्भृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरङ्गां महीपतिः। उपायपूर्वं मेधावी यतेत सततोत्थितः ॥६-४-३१॥
The wise king, having gathered a formidable fourfold army, should always be proactive and strategic in his efforts.
उपायविजयं श्रेष्ठमाहुर्भेदेन मध्यमम्। जघन्य एष विजयो यो युद्धेन विशां पते ॥ महादोषः संनिपातस्ततो व्यङ्गः स उच्यते ॥६-४-३२॥
The best victory is achieved through strategy, a moderate one through division, and the least through war, O lord of men. A collision is a great fault, and thus it is considered a defect.
परस्परज्ञाः संहृष्टा व्यवधूताः सुनिश्चिताः। पञ्चाशदपि ये शूरा मथ्नन्ति महतीं चमूम् ॥ अथ वा पञ्च षट्सप्त विजयन्त्यनिवर्तिनः ॥६-४-३३॥
Fifty mutually-knowing, delighted, and well-determined heroes can crush a great army. Alternatively, five, six, or seven relentless conquerors can achieve victory.
न वैनतेयो गरुडः प्रशंसति महाजनम्। दृष्ट्वा सुपर्णोपचितिं महतीमपि भारत ॥६-४-३४॥
O Bharata, Garuda, the son of Vinata, does not praise the great people even after witnessing the grandeur of Suparna's abode.
न बाहुल्येन सेनाया जयो भवति भारत। अध्रुवो हि जयो नाम दैवं चात्र परायणम् ॥ जयन्तो ह्यपि सङ्ग्रामे क्षयवन्तो भवन्त्युत ॥६-४-३५॥
O Bhārata, victory does not come from the size of the army. Victory is uncertain and depends on fate. Even those who win battles are ultimately subject to destruction.
