06.016
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tvadyukto'yamanupraśno mahārāja yathārhasi। na tu duryodhane doṣamimamāsaktumarhasi ॥6-16-1॥
O great king, your question is appropriate as you deserve, but you should not blame Duryodhana for this fault.
ya ātmanaḥ duścaritādaśubhaṃ prāpnuyānnaraḥ। enasā tena nānyaṃ sa upāśaṅkitumarhati ॥6-16-2॥
A person who suffers due to his own misdeeds should not blame others for the consequences.
mahārāja manuṣyeṣu nindyaṃ yaḥ sarvamācaret। sa vadhyaḥ sarvalokasya ninditāni samācaran ॥6-16-3॥
O king, a man who engages in all blameworthy acts among men deserves to be punished, as he performs acts condemned by all the world.
nikāro nikṛtiprajñaiḥ pāṇḍavaistvatpratīkṣayā। anubhūtaḥ sahāmātyaiḥ kṣāntaṃ ca suciraṃ vane ॥6-16-4॥
The Pandavas, known for their deceit, insulted and waited for you, enduring the experience with their ministers for a long time in the forest.
hayānāṃ ca gajānāṃ ca śūrāṇāṃ cāmitaujasām। pratyakṣaṃ yanmayā dṛṣṭaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ yogabalena ca ॥6-16-5॥
I have directly seen, by the power of yoga, the horses, elephants, and heroes of immeasurable energy.
śṛṇu tatpṛthivīpāla mā ca śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ। diṣṭametatpurā nūnamevambhāvi narādhipa ॥6-16-6॥
"Listen, O king, do not grieve. This was destined to happen."
namaskṛtvā pituste'haṃ pārāśaryāya dhīmate। yasya prasādādivyaṃ me prāptaṃ jñānamanutthamam ॥6-16-7॥
Having paid respects to your father, I offer my salutations to the wise Vyasa, by whose grace I have obtained divine and unsurpassed knowledge.
dṛṣṭiścātīndriyā rājandūrācchravaṇameva ca। paracittasya vijñānamatītānāgatasya ca ॥6-16-8॥
O king, there is sight and hearing beyond the senses, as well as knowledge of others' minds, and of events from the past and future.
vyutthitotpattivijñānam ākāśe ca gatiḥ sadā। śastrair asaṅgo yuddheṣu varadānān mahātmanaḥ ॥6-16-9॥
The great soul, by his boon, always has knowledge of arising and origin, movement in the sky, and detachment from weapons in battles.
śṛṇu me vistareṇedaṃ vicitraṃ paramādbhutam। bhāratānāṃ mahadyuddhaṃ yathābhūllomaharṣaṇam ॥6-16-10॥
Listen to my detailed narration of this extraordinary and most astonishing great war of the Bharatas, as it truly happened, which is hair-raising.
teṣvaṇīkeṣu yatteṣu vyūḍheṣu ca vidhānataḥ। duryodhano mahārāja duḥśāsanamathābravīt ॥6-16-11॥
In those well-organized armies, Duryodhana, the great king, addressed Duhshasana.
duḥśāsana rathāstūrṇaṃ yujyantāṃ bhīṣmarakṣiṇaḥ। anīkāni ca sarvāṇi śīghraṃ tvamanucodaya ॥6-16-12॥
Duhshasana, quickly have the chariots of Bhishma's protectors yoked and urge all the armies swiftly.
ayaṁ mā samanuprāpto varṣapūgābhicintitaḥ। pāṇḍavānāṁ sasainyānāṁ kurūṇāṁ ca samāgamaḥ ॥6-16-13॥
The long-anticipated meeting between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, along with their armies, has finally occurred after many years of contemplation.
nātaḥ kāryatamaṃ manye raṇe bhīṣmasya rakṣaṇāt। hanyādgupto hyasau pārthānsomakāṃśca sasṛñjayān ॥6-16-14॥
I believe that in battle, there is no duty more important than protecting Bhishma. If he is well-guarded, he could defeat the sons of Pritha, the Somakas, and the Srinjayas.
abravīcca viśuddhātmā nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam। śrūyate strī hyasau pūrvaṃ tasmādvarjyo raṇe mama ॥6-16-15॥
The pure-hearted one said, "I will not kill Shikhandi, as it is known that he was once a woman; hence, he should be avoided by me in battle."
tasmādbhīṣmo rakṣitavyo viśeṣeṇeti me matiḥ। śikhaṇḍino vadhe yattāḥ sarve tiṣṭhantu māmakāḥ ॥6-16-16॥
Therefore, it is my opinion that Bhishma should be especially protected. All my men should focus on the task of killing Shikhandi.
tathā prācyāḥ pratīcyāśca dākṣiṇātyottarāpathāḥ। sarvaśastrāstrakuśalāste rakṣantu pitāmaham ॥6-16-17॥
Thus, the warriors from the eastern, western, southern, and northern regions, all skilled in weapons and missiles, are to protect the grandfather.
arakṣyamāṇaṃ hi vṛko hanyātsiṃhaṃ mahābalam। mā siṃhaṃ jambukeneva ghātayāmaḥ śikhaṇḍinā ॥6-16-18॥
An unprotected lion might indeed be killed by a wolf. Let us not allow the mighty lion to be killed by a jackal, as a peacock would.
vāmaṃ cakraṃ yudhāmanyuruttamaujāśca dakṣiṇam। goptārau phalgunasyaitau phalguno'pi śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-16-19॥
Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas were stationed on the left wheel, while the protectors of Arjuna, including Shikhandi, were on the right.
saṁrakṣyamāṇaḥ pārthena bhīṣmeṇa ca vivarjitaḥ। yathā na hanyādgāṅgeyaṁ duḥśāsana tathā kuru ॥6-16-20॥
Arjuna and Bhishma are protecting and avoiding, respectively, so that Dushasana does not kill Bhishma, the son of Ganga. Do accordingly.
tato rajanyāṃ vyuṣṭāyāṃ śabdaḥ samabhavanmahān। krośatāṃ bhūmipālānāṃ yujyatāṃ yujyatāmiti ॥6-16-21॥
As the night ended and dawn broke, a great clamor arose among the kings, shouting, "Prepare yourselves, prepare yourselves."
śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaiḥ siṃhanādaśca bhārata। hayaheṣitaśabdaiśca rathanemisvanaistathā ॥6-16-22॥
The battlefield resounded with the blaring of conches and beating of drums, the roaring of lions, O Bharata, and the neighing of horses along with the clattering of chariot wheels.
gajānāṃ bṛṃhatāṃ caiva yodhānāṃ cābhigarjatām। kṣveḍitāsphoṭitotkruṣṭaistumulaṃ sarvato'bhavat ॥6-16-23॥
The tumultuous noise of the mighty elephants and the roaring warriors, accompanied by whistling, clapping, and shouting, resounded everywhere.
udatiṣṭhanmahārāja sarvaṃ yuktamaśeṣataḥ। sūryodaye mahatsainyaṃ kurupāṇḍavasenayoḥ ॥ tava rājendra putrāṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ tathaiva ca ॥6-16-24॥
O King, at sunrise, the great armies of the Kurus and Pandavas were fully prepared and arose. Your sons and the Pandavas were also ready.
tatra nāgā rathāścaiva jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtāḥ। vibhrājamānā dṛśyante meghā iva savidyutaḥ ॥6-16-25॥
There, the serpents and chariots, adorned with gold, appear shining like clouds accompanied by lightning.
rathānīkānyadṛśyanta nagarāṇīva bhūriśaḥ। atīva śuśubhe tatra pitā te pūrṇacandravat ॥6-16-26॥
The chariots appeared like numerous cities, and there your father shone exceedingly like the full moon.
dhanurbhiriṣṭibhiḥ khaḍgairgadābhiḥ śaktitomaraiḥ। yodhāḥ praharaṇaiḥ śubhraiḥ sveṣvanīkeṣvavasthitāḥ ॥6-16-27॥
The warriors, equipped with bows, spears, swords, maces, javelins, and lances, stood ready in their respective shining armies.
gajā rathāḥ padātāśca turagāśca viśāṃ pate। vyatiṣṭhanvāgurākārāḥ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ ॥6-16-28॥
O lord of men, elephants, chariots, foot soldiers, and horses stood in formations like traps, numbering in hundreds and thousands.
dhvajā bahuvidhākārā vyadṛśyanta samucchritāḥ। sveṣāṃ caiva pareṣāṃ ca dyutimantaḥ sahasraśaḥ ॥6-16-29॥
Flags of various kinds were seen raised high, shining in thousands, belonging to both one's own side and the enemy's.
kāñcanā maṇicittrāṅgā jvalanta iva pāvakāḥ। arciṣmanto vyarocanta dhvajā rājñāṃ sahasraśaḥ ॥6-16-30॥
The golden and gem-studded flags, shining like fire, radiantly adorned the kings' armies in thousands.
mahendraketavaḥ śubhrā mahendrasadaneṣviva। saṃnaddhāsteṣu te vīrā dadṛśuryuddhakāṅkṣiṇaḥ ॥6-16-31॥
The bright banners of Indra, as if in the abodes of Indra, were seen by the heroes, eager for battle, fully armed among them.
udyatairāyudhaścitrāstalabaddhāḥ kalāpinaḥ। ṛṣabhākṣā manuṣyendrāścamoomukhagatā babhuḥ ॥6-16-32॥
The archers, with their varied weapons raised and fastened on their palms, the bull-eyed lords of men, went to the front of the army.
śakuniḥ saubalaḥ śalyaḥ saindhavo'tha jayadrathaḥ। vindānuvindāvāvantyau kāmbojaśca sudakṣiṇaḥ ॥6-16-33॥
Shakuni, the son of Subala, Shalya, the king of Sindhu, Jayadratha, Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, along with Kamboja and Sudakshina, were present.
śrutāyudhaśca kāliṅgo jayatsenaśca pārthivaḥ। bṛhadbalaśca kauśalyaḥ kṛtavarmā ca sātvataḥ ॥6-16-34॥
Śrutayudha, Kalinga, Jayatsena, the king Brihadbala, Kaushalya, Kritavarma, and Satyaki were present.
daśaite puruṣavyāghrāḥ śūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ। akṣauhiṇīnāṃ patayo yajvāno bhūridakṣiṇāḥ ॥6-16-35॥
These ten valiant men, resembling tigers, with arms as strong as iron clubs, are the leaders of the armies, known for their sacrificial rituals and generosity in gifts.
ete cānye ca bahavo duryodhanavaśānugāḥ। rājāno rājaputrāśca nītimanto mahābalāḥ ॥6-16-36॥
These and many others, who are followers under Duryodhana's control, are kings and princes, wise and mighty.
saṁnaddhāḥ samadṛśyanta sveṣvanīkeṣvavasthitāḥ। baddhakṛṣṇājināḥ sarve dhvajino muñjamālinaḥ ॥6-16-37॥
The warriors, fully armed and appearing equal, were stationed in their respective ranks. They all wore black deer skins, carried banners, and adorned themselves with grass garlands.
sṛṣṭā duryodhanasyārthe brahmalokāya dīkṣitāḥ। samṛddhā daśa vāhinyaḥ parigṛhya vyavasthitāḥ ॥6-16-38॥
Ten prosperous armies, consecrated for the realm of Brahma, were created for Duryodhana's cause and were strategically positioned after surrounding.
ekādaśī dhārtarāṣṭrī kauravāṇāṃ mahācamūḥ। agrataḥ sarvasainyānāṃ yatra śāntanavo'graṇīḥ ॥6-16-39॥
On the eleventh day, the great army of the Kauravas, sons of Dhritarashtra, was positioned at the forefront of all the armies, led by Bhishma, the son of Shantanu.
śvetoṣṇīṣaṃ śvetahayaṃ śvetavarmāṇamacyutam। apaśyāma mahārāja bhīṣmaṃ candramivoditam ॥6-16-40॥
O great king, we saw Bhishma, adorned in white turban, riding a white horse, and wearing white armor, appearing like the risen moon.
hematāladhvajaṃ bhīṣmaṃ rājate syandane sthitam। śvetābhra iva tīkṣṇāṃśuṃ dadṛśuḥ kurupāṇḍavāḥ ॥6-16-41॥
The Kurus and Pandavas beheld Bhishma, standing in his radiant chariot with a golden banner, resembling a bright white cloud.
dṛṣṭvā camūmukhe bhīṣmaṃ samakampanta pāṇḍavāḥ। sṛñjayāśca maheṣvāsā dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ ॥6-16-42॥
Upon seeing Bhishma at the forefront of the army, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, who were great archers led by Dhrishtadyumna, were filled with trepidation.
jṛmbhamāṇaṃ mahāsiṃhaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṣudramṛgā yathā। dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhāḥ sarve samudvivijire muhuḥ ॥6-16-43॥
Upon seeing the great lion yawning, all the warriors led by Dhrishtadyumna were repeatedly filled with fear, just like small animals would be.
ekādaśaitāḥ śrījuṣṭā vāhinyastava bhārata। pāṇḍavānāṃ tathā sapta mahāpuruṣapālitāḥ ॥6-16-44॥
O Bharata, these eleven glorious armies of yours and the seven of the Pandavas are protected by great warriors.
unmattamakarāvartau mahāgrāhasamākulau। yugānte samupetau dvau dṛśyete sāgarāviva ॥6-16-45॥
At the end of an age, two oceans appear, filled with mad whirlpools and great alligators, resembling the tumultuous seas.
naiva nastādṛśo rājandṛṣṭapūrvo na ca śrutaḥ। anīkānāṃ sametānāṃ samavāyastathāvidhaḥ ॥6-16-46॥
O king, we have neither seen nor heard of such a gathering of assembled armies before.
