06.023
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥६-२३-१॥
In the field of dharma at Kurukshetra, my party and the Pandavas, eager for battle, were assembled. What did they do, O Sanjaya?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥६-२३-२॥
Upon seeing the Pandava army arranged in a military formation, King Duryodhana approached his teacher and spoke:
पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥६-२३-३॥
Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arranged by your wise disciple, the son of Drupada.
अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥६-२३-४॥
Here, there are heroes who are great archers, comparable to Bhima and Arjuna in battle, including Yuyudhana, Virata, and Drupada, the great chariot-warrior.
धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥६-२३-५॥
Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant Kashiraja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya are all great warriors, the best among men.
युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥६-२३-६॥
Yudhāmanyu, Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi are all great warriors.
अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य सञ्ज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥६-२३-७॥
"O best of the twice-born, let me tell you about the distinguished leaders of my army for your information."
भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥६-२३-८॥
You, along with Bhishma, Karna, Kripa, Ashwatthama, Vikarna, and the son of Somadatta, are all victorious in battle.
अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥६-२३-९॥
There are many other heroes who have also sacrificed their lives for my cause, all equipped with various weapons and skilled in the art of war.
अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥६-२३-१०॥
Our forces, under the protection of Bhishma, are inadequate, whereas their forces, protected by Bhima, are adequate.
अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥६-२३-११॥
In all strategic points, you should all be stationed according to your divisions and protect Bhishma at all costs.
तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥६-२३-१२॥
The glorious elder of the Kuru dynasty, his grandfather, filled with joy, loudly blew his conch shell, producing a sound akin to a lion's roar.
ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥६-२३-१३॥
Then, suddenly, the conch shells, kettle drums, small drums, large drums, and cow-horns were sounded, creating a tumultuous noise.
ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥६-२३-१४॥
Then, Madhava and Pandava, standing on the great chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conches.
पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥६-२३-१५॥
Krishna blew his conch named Panchajanya, Arjuna blew his conch named Devadatta, and Bhima, known for his terrible deeds, blew his mighty conch Paundra.
अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥६-२३-१६॥
King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew his conch Anantavijaya. Nakula and Sahadeva blew their conches, Sughosha and Manipushpaka, respectively.
काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥६-२३-१७॥
Kāśya, the supreme archer, along with Śikhaṇḍī, the mighty warrior; Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, and the invincible Sātyaki.
द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ॥६-२३-१८॥
Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and Abhimanyu, the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, all blew their conches individually, O lord of the earth.
स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन् ॥६-२३-१९॥
The tumultuous sound pierced the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra and echoed through the sky and the earth.
अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः। प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥६-२३-२०॥
Then, as the battle commenced and the sons of Dhritarashtra were arrayed, Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of Hanuman, took up his bow.
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥६-२३-२१॥
Then, O King, he said to Hrishikesha, "O Acyuta, place my chariot between the two armies."
यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे ॥६-२३-२२॥
I am observing those who are standing here, eager to fight, to see with whom I must engage in battle.
योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥६-२३-२३॥
I will observe those who have gathered here to fight, intending to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in battle.
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥६-२३-२४॥
O Bhārata, thus addressed by Guḍākeśa, Hṛṣīkeśa placed the magnificent chariot in the midst of the two armies.
भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥६-२३-२५॥
In front of Bhishma and Drona, and all the kings, Arjuna, the son of Pritha, was told to behold the assembled Kurus.
तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥६-२३-२६॥
There, Arjuna saw his kinsmen including fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends, all standing there.
श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥६-२३-२७॥
Arjuna, the son of Kunti, saw all his relatives, including fathers-in-law and friends, arrayed in both armies.
कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्। दृष्ट्वेमान्स्वजनान्कृष्ण युयुत्सून्समवस्थितान् ॥६-२३-२८॥
Overcome with deep compassion and sorrow, he spoke: "O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen arrayed and eager for battle, I am filled with despair."
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥६-२३-२९॥
My limbs are collapsing, my mouth is drying up, and my body is trembling with horripilation.
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥६-२३-३०॥
The Gandiva bow slips from my hand, my skin burns, and I am unable to stand as my mind seems to whirl.
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ॥६-२३-३१॥
O Keśava, I see adverse omens, and I do not foresee any good coming from killing my own kinsmen in battle.
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥६-२३-३२॥
O Krishna, I do not wish for victory, nor kingdom, nor pleasures. O Govinda, of what use is the kingdom, enjoyment, or even life to us?
येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥६-२३-३३॥
Those for whom we desired the kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures, they stand here in battle, having given up their lives and wealth.
आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः स्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥६-२३-३४॥
Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are all present.
एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥६-२३-३५॥
O Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill these, even if they are attacking me. What to speak of the earth, I do not desire the sovereignty of the three worlds.
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥६-२३-३६॥
O Janardana, what joy would we find in killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? By slaying these aggressors, we would only incur sin.
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्सबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥६-२३-३७॥
Therefore, O Madhava, we should not kill the sons of Dhritarashtra along with our relatives. How can we be happy after killing our own people?
यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥६-२३-३८॥
Even though these people, whose minds are overpowered by greed, do not see the fault in the destruction of family and the sin in enmity with friends.
कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥६-२३-३९॥
O Janardana, how can we, who see the fault caused by the destruction of a family, not know to turn away from sin?
कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥६-२३-४०॥
When the family is destroyed, the eternal family traditions perish, and when these traditions are lost, the entire family is overwhelmed by irreligion.
अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥६-२३-४१॥
O Krishna, when irreligion prevails, the women of the family become corrupted, and from the corruption of women, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, arises unwanted progeny.
सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥६-२३-४२॥
Confusion leads to hell for both the family destroyers and the family itself; the forefathers fall because their traditional rites of food and water offerings are neglected.
दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥६-२३-४३॥
Due to these faults of the family destroyers, which cause confusion of castes, the eternal community and family duties are destroyed.
उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरके नियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥६-२३-४४॥
O Janardana, it is said that those men whose family duties are destroyed are destined to reside in hell.
अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥६-२३-४५॥
"Alas, how unfortunate it is that we are resolved to commit such a great sin by being ready to kill our own kinsmen out of greed for royal happiness."
यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥६-२३-४६॥
If the sons of Dhritarashtra, armed and ready, were to kill me in battle while I am unarmed and unresisting, it would be more fortunate for me.
एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥६-२३-४७॥
After speaking in this manner, Arjuna sat down on the seat of the chariot in the battlefield, letting go of his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.
