06.046
Pancharatra and Core: Yudhisthira consults with Krishna regarding the upper hand the Kauravas had on the first day. The next day, the Pandavas arrange themselves in Krauncha formation.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
कृतेऽवहारे सैन्यानां प्रथमे भरतर्षभ। भीष्मे च युधि संरब्धे हृष्टे दुर्योधने तथा ॥६-४६-१॥
When the armies were first arranged, O best of the Bharatas, Bhishma and Duryodhana were eager and cheerful as they engaged in battle.
धर्मराजस्ततस्तूर्णमभिगम्य जनार्दनम्। भ्रातृभिः सहितः सर्वैः सर्वैश्चैव जनेश्वरैः ॥६-४६-२॥
Dharmaraja, accompanied by his brothers and all the kings, quickly approached Janardana.
शुचा परमया युक्तश्चिन्तयानः पराजयम्। वार्ष्णेयमब्रवीद्राजन्दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य विक्रमम् ॥६-४६-३॥
With great sorrow and contemplating defeat, he addressed Krishna, saying, O king, upon witnessing Bhishma's prowess.
कृष्ण पश्य महेष्वासं भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम्। शरैर्दहन्तं सैन्यं मे ग्रीष्मे कक्षमिवानलम् ॥६-४६-४॥
Krishna, behold the mighty archer Bhishma, whose prowess is formidable, as he scorches my army with his arrows, akin to how a fire consumes a forest in the heat of summer.
कथमेनं महात्मानं शक्ष्यामः प्रतिवीक्षितुम्। लेलिह्यमानं सैन्यं मे हविष्मन्तमिवानलम् ॥६-४६-५॥
How can we confront this great soul, who is consuming my army like a fire fed with oblations?
एतं हि पुरुषव्याघ्रं धनुष्मन्तं महाबलम्। दृष्ट्वा विप्रद्रुतं सैन्यं मदीयं मार्गणाहतम् ॥६-४६-६॥
Seeing this mighty warrior, armed with a bow and of great strength, my army, struck by arrows, fled in fear.
शक्यो जेतुं यमः क्रुद्धो वज्रपाणिश्च संयुगे। वरुणः पाशभृच्चापि कुबेरो वा गदाधरः ॥६-४६-७॥
It is possible to defeat even the mightiest of beings like Yama when he is angry, Vajrapani in battle, Varuna who holds the noose, or even Kubera or Gadadhara.
न तु भीष्मो महातेजाः शक्यो जेतुं महाबलः। सोऽहमेवं गते मग्नो भीष्मागाधजलेऽप्लवः ॥६-४६-८॥
Bhishma, being immensely powerful, is invincible. In this situation, I find myself overwhelmed, like someone without a boat in the deep waters of Bhishma's prowess.
आत्मनो बुद्धिदौर्बल्याद्भीष्ममासाद्य केशव। वनं यास्यामि गोविन्द श्रेयो मे तत्र जीवितुम् ॥६-४६-९॥
O Keshava, due to the weakness of my intellect, having approached Bhishma, I have decided to go to the forest, O Govinda, as it is better for me to live there.
न त्विमान्पृथिवीपालान्दातुं भीष्माय मृत्यवे। क्षपयिष्यति सेनां मे कृष्ण भीष्मो महास्त्रवित् ॥६-४६-१०॥
O Krishna, Bhishma, the great archer, will not allow these kings of the earth to die; instead, he will destroy my army.
यथानलं प्रज्वलितं पतङ्गाः समभिद्रुताः। विनाशायैव गच्छन्ति तथा मे सैनिको जनः ॥६-४६-११॥
Just as moths rush towards a blazing fire to their destruction, so do my soldiers proceed.
क्षयं नीतोऽस्मि वार्ष्णेय राज्यहेतोः पराक्रमी। भ्रातरश्चैव मे वीराः कर्शिताः शरपीडिताः ॥६-४६-१२॥
I have been brought to ruin, O Vārṣṇeya, for the sake of the kingdom; and my valiant brothers are worn out, tormented by arrows.
मत्कृते भ्रातृसौहार्दाद्राज्याद्भ्रष्टास्तथा सुखात्। जीवितं बहु मन्येऽहं जीवितं ह्यद्य दुर्लभम् ॥६-४६-१३॥
For my sake, my brothers have been deprived of brotherly affection, kingdom, and happiness. I consider life to be of great value; indeed, today life is hard to obtain.
जीवितस्य हि शेषेण तपस्तप्स्यामि दुश्चरम्। न घातयिष्यामि रणे मित्राणीमानि केशव ॥६-४६-१४॥
Indeed, with the remaining life, I shall undertake severe penance. I will not slay these friends in battle, O Keśava.
रथान्मे बहुसाहस्रान्दिव्यैरस्त्रैर्महाबलः। घातयत्यनिशं भीष्मः प्रवराणां प्रहारिणाम् ॥६-४६-१५॥
Bhishma, with his immense power, continuously destroys my numerous chariots using divine weapons, being the foremost among attackers.
किं नु कृत्वा कृतं मे स्याद्ब्रूहि माधव माचिरम्। मध्यस्थमिव पश्यामि समरे सव्यसाचिनम् ॥६-४६-१६॥
What should I do to achieve my goal? Please tell me quickly, Madhava. I see Arjuna standing neutrally in the battle.
एको भीमः परं शक्त्या युध्यत्येष महाभुजः। केवलं बाहुवीर्येण क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मरन् ॥६-४६-१७॥
Bhima, the mighty-armed warrior, fights with supreme power, relying solely on the strength of his arms and remembering his duty as a warrior.
गदया वीरघातिन्या यथोत्साहं महामनाः। करोत्यसुकरं कर्म गजाश्वरथपत्तिषु ॥६-४६-१८॥
The great-minded warrior, wielding a hero-slaying mace, energetically accomplishes challenging feats amidst elephants, horses, chariots, and foot soldiers.
नालमेष क्षयं कर्तुं परसैन्यस्य मारिष। आर्जवेनैव युद्धेन वीर वर्षशतैरपि ॥६-४६-१९॥
O honorable one, it is not possible to destroy the enemy army merely by straightforward battle, even if it takes hundreds of years, O hero.
एकोऽस्त्रवित्सखा तेऽयं सोऽप्यस्मान्समुपेक्षते। निर्दह्यमानान्भीष्मेण द्रोणेन च महात्मना ॥६-४६-२०॥
Your friend, who is skilled in weaponry, also neglects us while we are being tormented by the great souls Bhishma and Drona.
दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि भीष्मस्य द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः। धक्ष्यन्ति क्षत्रियान्सर्वान्प्रयुक्तानि पुनः पुनः ॥६-४६-२१॥
The divine weapons of the great souls Bhishma and Drona will repeatedly destroy all the Kshatriyas.
कृष्ण भीष्मः सुसंरब्धः सहितः सर्वपार्थिवैः। क्षपयिष्यति नो नूनं यादृशोऽस्य पराक्रमः ॥६-४६-२२॥
Krishna and Bhishma, being very enraged and together with all the kings, will certainly destroy us with their prowess.
स त्वं पश्य महेष्वासं योगीष्वर महारथम्। यो भीष्मं शमयेत्सङ्ख्ये दावाग्निं जलदो यथा ॥६-४६-२३॥
Behold him, the great archer and lord of yogis, a mighty chariot-warrior, who can pacify Bhishma in battle just as a cloud extinguishes a forest fire.
तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द पाण्डवा निहतद्विषः। स्वराज्यमनुसम्प्राप्ता मोदिष्यन्ति सबान्धवाः ॥६-४६-२४॥
Thanks to your grace, O Govinda, the Pandavas have defeated their enemies and will enjoy their kingdom with their relatives.
एवमुक्त्वा ततः पार्थो ध्यायन्नास्ते महामनाः। चिरमन्तर्मना भूत्वा शोकोपहतचेतनः ॥६-४६-२५॥
After speaking thus, Arjuna, the son of Pritha, sat down to meditate. He was deeply introspective, his mind overwhelmed by sorrow, and remained in this state for a long time.
शोकार्तं पाण्डवं ज्ञात्वा दुःखेन हतचेतसम्। अब्रवीत्तत्र गोविन्दो हर्षयन्सर्वपाण्डवान् ॥६-४६-२६॥
Seeing the Pāṇḍava in sorrow and distress, Govinda spoke to cheer all the Pāṇḍavas.
मा शुचो भरतश्रेष्ठ न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि। यस्य ते भ्रातरः शूराः सर्वलोकस्य धन्विनः ॥६-४६-२७॥
Do not worry, O best of the Bharatas, you should not lament. Your brothers are valiant and skilled archers known throughout all the worlds.
अहं च प्रियकृद्राजन्सात्यकिश्च महारथः। विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ॥६-४६-२८॥
I, along with Satyaki, the great chariot-warrior, and the well-wisher, O King, as well as the venerable Virata and Drupada, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, stand here.
तथैव सबलाः सर्वे राजानो राजसत्तम। त्वत्प्रसादं प्रतीक्षन्ते त्वद्भक्ताश्च विशां पते ॥६-४६-२९॥
Similarly, all the powerful kings and your devotees, O best of kings and lord of the people, await your favor.
एष ते पार्षतो नित्यं हितकामः प्रिये रतः। सेनापत्यमनुप्राप्तो धृष्टद्युम्नो महाबलः ॥ शिखण्डी च महाबाहो भीष्मस्य निधनं किल ॥६-४६-३०॥
This son of Prishata, Dhrishtadyumna, who always desires your welfare and is dear to you, has obtained the position of general. Shikhandi, O mighty-armed one, is indeed destined to bring about the death of Bhishma.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततो राजा धृष्टद्युम्नं महारथम्। अब्रवीत्समितौ तस्यां वासुदेवस्य शृण्वतः ॥६-४६-३१॥
Upon hearing this, King Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the great warrior, addressed the assembly while Vāsudeva was listening.
धृष्टद्युम्न निबोधेदं यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि मारिष। नातिक्रम्यं भवेत्तच्च वचनं मम भाषितम् ॥६-४६-३२॥
O Dhṛṣṭadyumna, listen to what I am about to tell you, dear one. My words should not be disregarded.
भवान्सेनापतिर्मह्यं वासुदेवेन संमतः। कार्त्तिकेयो यथा नित्यं देवानामभवत्पुरा ॥ तथा त्वमपि पाण्डूनां सेनानीः पुरुषर्षभ ॥६-४६-३३॥
You are appointed as the commander by Vāsudeva for me, just as Kārttikeya was the eternal commander of the gods in ancient times. Similarly, you are the commander of the Pāṇḍavas, O best among men.
स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल विक्रम्य जहि कौरवान्। अहं च त्वानुयास्यामि भीमः कृष्णश्च मारिष ॥६-४६-३४॥
You, O tiger among men, go forth and defeat the Kauravas. I, along with Bhima and Krishna, will follow you, O lord.
माद्रीपुत्रौ च सहितौ द्रौपदेयाश्च दंशिताः। ये चान्ये पृथिवीपालाः प्रधानाः पुरुषर्षभ ॥६-४६-३५॥
The sons of Madri and Draupadi, along with other prominent kings of the earth, were struck down, O best of men.
तत उद्धर्षयन्सर्वान्धृष्टद्युम्नोऽभ्यभाषत। अहं द्रोणान्तकः पार्थ विहितः शम्भुना पुरा ॥६-४६-३६॥
Then, Dhrishtadyumna, encouraging everyone, said: "I was appointed by Lord Shiva in the past to bring an end to Drona, O Arjuna."
रणे भीष्मं तथा द्रोणं कृपं शल्यं जयद्रथम्। सर्वानद्य रणे दृप्तान्प्रतियोत्स्यामि पार्थिव ॥६-४६-३७॥
O king, today I will fight against Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Shalya, and Jayadratha, all of whom are proud in battle.
अथोत्क्रुष्टं महेष्वासैः पाण्डवैर्युद्धदुर्मदैः। समुद्यते पार्थिवेन्द्रे पार्षते शत्रुसूदने ॥६-४६-३८॥
Then, the great archers, the Pandavas, intoxicated with the fervor of battle, prepared themselves along with the king, the son of Prishata, who is the destroyer of enemies.
तमब्रवीत्ततः पार्थः पार्षतं पृतनापतिम्। व्यूहः क्रौञ्चारुणो नाम सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणः ॥६-४६-३९॥
Arjuna then addressed the son of Prishata, the commander of the army, saying that the formation called Krauncha and Aruna is capable of destroying all enemies.
यं बृहस्पतिरिन्द्राय तदा देवासुरेऽब्रवीत्। तं यथावत्प्रतिव्यूह परानीकविनाशनम् ॥ अदृष्टपूर्वं राजानः पश्यन्तु कुरुभिः सह ॥६-४६-४०॥
Bṛhaspati advised Indra during the battle of gods and demons to strategically arrange for the destruction of the enemy's army. Let the kings witness, along with the Kauravas, something unprecedented.
तथोक्तः स नृदेवेन विष्णुर्वज्रभृता इव। प्रभाते सर्वसैन्यानामग्रे चक्रे धनञ्जयम् ॥६-४६-४१॥
Thus, as instructed by the king, Viṣṇu, akin to the wielder of the thunderbolt, positioned Arjuna at the forefront of all the armies at dawn.
आदित्यपथगः केतुस्तस्याद्भुतमनोरमः। शासनात्पुरुहूतस्य निर्मितो विश्वकर्मणा ॥६-४६-४२॥
Ketu, who travels the path of the sun, has a wonderful and charming form, created by Vishvakarma under the command of Indra.
इन्द्रायुधसवर्णाभिः पताकाभिरलङ्कृतः। आकाशग इवाकाशे गन्धर्वनगरोपमः ॥ नृत्यमान इवाभाति रथचर्यासु मारिष ॥६-४६-४३॥
Adorned with banners and flags resembling the colors of Indra's bow, it moves through the sky like a city of Gandharvas, shining as if dancing during the chariot maneuvers, dear one.
तेन रत्नवता पार्थः स च गाण्डीवधन्वना। बभूव परमोपेतः स्वयम्भूरिव भानुना ॥६-४६-४४॥
Arjuna, adorned with jewels and holding the Gandiva bow, became as radiant as the self-born creator with the sun.
शिरोऽभूद्द्रुपदो राजा महत्या सेनया वृतः। कुन्तिभोजश्च चैद्यश्च चक्षुष्यास्तां जनेश्वर ॥६-४६-४५॥
Drupada, the king, was at the forefront, surrounded by a great army. Alongside were Kuntibhoja and Caidya, all under the watchful eyes of the lord of people.
दाशार्णकाः प्रयागाश्च दाशेरकगणैः सह। अनूपगाः किराताश्च ग्रीवायां भरतर्षभ ॥६-४६-४६॥
O best of the Bharatas, the people of Dasharna, Prayaga, and Anupa, along with the groups of Dāśerakas and Kiratas, gathered at the neck.
पटच्चरैश्च हुण्डैश्च राजन्पौरवकैस्तथा। निषादैः सहितश्चापि पृष्ठमासीद्युधिष्ठिरः ॥६-४६-४७॥
O king, Yudhishthira was positioned behind, accompanied by soldiers, Huns, Pauravas, and Nishadas.
पक्षौ तु भीमसेनश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। द्रौपदेयाभिमन्युश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः ॥६-४६-४८॥
On the two sides were Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata, the sons of Draupadi, Abhimanyu, and Satyaki, all great warriors.
पिशाचा दरदाश्चैव पुण्ड्राः कुण्डीविषैः सह। मडका लडकाश्चैव तङ्गणाः परतङ्गणाः ॥६-४६-४९॥
The goblins, Daradas, Puṇḍras, and Kuṇḍīviṣas, along with Maḍakas, Laḍakas, Taṅgaṇas, and Parataṅgaṇas, were all present.
बाह्लिकास्तित्तिराश्चैव चोलाः पाण्ड्याश्च भारत। एते जनपदा राजन्दक्षिणं पक्षमाश्रिताः ॥६-४६-५०॥
O Bharata, the Bahlika, Tittiri, Chola, and Pandya peoples are the nations that reside on the southern side, O King.
अग्निवेष्या जगत्तुण्डाः पलदाशाश्च भारत। शबरास्तुम्बुपाश्चैव वत्साश्च सह नाकुलैः ॥ नकुलः सहदेवश्च वामं पार्श्वं समाश्रिताः ॥६-४६-५१॥
Agni's wife, the world-devourers, and the fruit-eaters, O Bharata, along with the Shabaras, Tumbupas, and Vatsas, are with the Nakulais. Nakula and Sahadeva are positioned on the left side.
रथानामयुतं पक्षौ शिरश्च नियुतं तथा। पृष्ठमर्बुदमेवासीत्सहस्राणि च विंशतिः ॥ ग्रीवायां नियुतं चापि सहस्राणि च सप्ततिः ॥६-४६-५२॥
The wings were like ten thousand chariots, and the head was as large as one hundred thousand. The back was indeed as vast as one hundred million and twenty thousand. In the neck, there were one hundred thousand and also seventy thousand.
पक्षकोटिप्रपक्षेषु पक्षान्तेषु च वारणाः। जग्मुः परिवृता राजंश्चलन्त इव पर्वताः ॥६-४६-५३॥
The elephants, positioned at the divisions and ends of the wings, moved like mountains, O king, as they were surrounded.
जघनं पालयामास विराटः सह केकयैः। काशिराजश्च शैब्यश्च रथानामयुतैस्त्रिभिः ॥६-४६-५४॥
Virata, along with the Kekayas, protected the rear. The kings of Kashi and Shaibya supported with thirty thousand chariots.
एवमेतं महाव्यूहं व्यूह्य भारत पाण्डवाः। सूर्योदयनमिच्छन्तः स्थिता युद्धाय दंशिताः ॥६-४६-५५॥
Thus, O descendant of Bharata, the Pandavas arranged the great formation and stood ready for battle, eager for the sunrise.
तेषामादित्यवर्णानि विमलानि महान्ति च। श्वेतच्छत्राण्यशोभन्त वारणेषु रथेषु च ॥६-४६-५६॥
Their pure and great white umbrellas, resembling the sun, were shining on both elephants and chariots.
