06.061
Core and Pancharatra: Dhritarastra lamenting asks what is the secret behind the victory of the Pandavas. Bhishma narrates an episode of the Gods, where Lord Brahma goes to Lord Narayana with praise.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
bhayaṃ me sumahajjātaṃ vismayaścaiva sañjaya। śrutvā pāṇḍukumārāṇāṃ karma devaiḥ suduṣkaram ॥6-61-1॥
O Sanjaya, I am filled with fear and amazement upon hearing about the extraordinary deeds of the Pandava princes, which are challenging even for the gods.
putrāṇāṃ ca parābhavaṃ śrutvā sañjaya sarvaśaḥ। cintā me mahatī sūta bhaviṣyati kathaṃ tviti ॥6-61-2॥
Sanjaya, having heard of the complete defeat of my sons, I am greatly worried, O Suta, about how things will turn out.
dhruvaṁ viduravākyāni dhakṣyanti hṛdayaṁ mama। yathā hi dṛśyate sarvaṁ daivayogena sañjaya ॥6-61-3॥
Certainly, Vidura's words will deeply affect me, as everything seems to be unfolding according to divine will, O Sanjaya.
yatra bhīṣmamukhāñ śūrān astrajñān yodhasattamān। pāṇḍavānām anīkāni yodhayanti prahāriṇaḥ ॥6-61-4॥
In this verse, it is described that the armies of the Pandavas, led by Bhishma, consisting of heroes and expert warriors, engage in battle as formidable strikers.
kenāvadhyā mahātmānaḥ pāṇḍuputrā mahābalāḥ। kena dattavarāstāta kiṃ vā jñānaṃ vidanti te ॥ yena kṣayaṃ na gacchanti divi tārāgaṇā iva ॥6-61-5॥
Who has made the great souls, the mighty sons of Pandu, invincible? Who has granted them boons, or what knowledge do they possess that prevents their destruction, like the stars in heaven?
punaḥ punarna mṛṣyāmi hataṃ sainyaṃ sma pāṇḍavaiḥ। mayyeva daṇḍaḥ patati daivātparamadāruṇaḥ ॥6-61-6॥
I cannot bear repeatedly seeing the army slain by the Pandavas. It seems that fate has decreed a severe punishment upon me alone.
yathāvadhyāḥ pāṇḍusutā yathā vadhyāśca me sutāḥ। etanme sarvamācakṣva yathātattvena sañjaya ॥6-61-7॥
Sanjaya, tell me truly how the sons of Pandu are to be killed, and likewise, how my sons are to be killed.
na hi pāraṃ prapaśyāmi duḥkhasyāsya kathañcana। samudrasyeva mahato bhujābhyāṃ pratarnnaraḥ ॥6-61-8॥
I cannot see any way to end this sorrow, just as a man cannot cross the vast ocean with his arms.
putrāṇāṃ vyasanaṃ manye dhruvaṃ prāptaṃ sudāruṇam। ghātayiṣyati me putrānsarvānbhīmo na saṃśayaḥ ॥6-61-9॥
I believe that a terrible calamity has certainly befallen my sons. Bhima will undoubtedly kill all my sons.
na hi paśyāmi taṃ vīraṃ yo me rakṣetsutānraṇe। dhruvaṃ vināśaḥ samare putrāṇāṃ mama sañjaya ॥6-61-10॥
I do not see any hero who can protect my sons in the battle; surely, there is destruction awaiting my sons in the war, O Sanjaya.
tasmānme kāraṇaṃ sūta yuktiṃ caiva viśeṣataḥ। pṛcchato'dya yathātattvaṃ sarvamākhyātumarhasi ॥6-61-11॥
Therefore, O Sūta, please explain to me in detail the reason and logic behind this, as I am inquiring today, everything as it truly is.
duryodhano'pi yaccakre dṛṣṭvā svānvimukhānraṇe। bhīṣmadroṇau kṛpaścaiva saubaleyo jayadrathaḥ ॥ drauṇirvāpi maheṣvāso vikarṇo vā mahābalaḥ ॥6-61-12॥
Duryodhana, upon seeing his own forces turning away in battle, questioned what actions were taken by Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, Jayadratha, the son of Subala, the son of Drona, the great archer, Vikarna, or the mighty warriors.
niścayo vāpi kasteṣāṃ tadā hyāsīnmahātmanām। vimukheṣu mahāprājña mama putreṣu sañjaya ॥6-61-13॥
O wise Sanjaya, what certainty was there among my sons who had turned away at that time, indeed, among those great souls?
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
śṛṇu rājannavahitaḥ śrutvā caivavadhāraya। naiva mantrakṛtaṃ kiñcinnaiva māyāṃ tathāvidhām ॥ na vai vibhīṣikāṃ kāñcidrājankurvanti pāṇḍavāḥ ॥6-61-14॥
Listen attentively, O king, and understand that there is nothing created by spells or illusions of such kind. The Pandavas do not create any fear, O king.
yudhyanti te yathānyāyaṃ śaktimantaśca saṃyuge। dharmeṇa sarvakāryāṇi kīrtitānīti bhārata ॥ ārabhante sadā pārthāḥ prārthayānā mahadyaśaḥ ॥6-61-15॥
The powerful ones engage in battle justly, and all actions are praised by righteousness, O Bharata. The sons of Pritha always strive for great fame.
na te yuddhānnivartante dharmopetā mahābalāḥ। śriyā paramayā yuktā yato dharmastato jayaḥ ॥ tenāvadhyā raṇe pārthā jayayuktāśca pārthiva ॥6-61-16॥
The warriors, endowed with righteousness and great strength, do not retreat from battle. They are adorned with supreme splendor, and where there is righteousness, there is victory. Therefore, the sons of Pritha are invincible in battle and assured of victory, O king.
tava putrā durātmānaḥ pāpeṣvabhiratāḥ sadā। niṣṭhurā hīnakarmāṇastena hīyanti saṃyuge ॥6-61-17॥
Your sons, being wicked-minded and always engaged in sinful acts, are harsh and perform vile deeds; therefore, they are defeated in battle.
subahūni nṛśaṁsāni putraistava janeśvara। nikṛtānīha pāṇḍūnāṁ nīcairiva yathā naraiḥ ॥6-61-18॥
O king, many cruel acts have been committed by your sons here against the Pandavas, just as lowly men would do.
sarvaṁ ca tadanādṛtya putrāṇāṁ tava kilbiṣam। sāpahnavāḥ sadaivāsanpāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja ॥ na cainānbahu manyante putrāstava viśāṁ pate ॥6-61-19॥
Ignoring all the sins of your sons, the Pāṇḍavas have always been deniers, O elder of the Pāṇḍus. And your sons do not hold them in high regard, O lord of the people.
tasya pāpasya satataṁ kriyamāṇasya karmaṇaḥ। samprāptaṁ sumahadghoraṁ phalaṁ kimpākasaṁnibham ॥ sa tadbhuṅkṣva mahārāja saputraḥ sasuhṛjjanaḥ ॥6-61-20॥
The terrible consequences of the sins constantly committed have now come to fruition, resembling a poisonous fruit. O great king, you must now face these consequences along with your sons and friends.
nāvabudhyasi yadrājanvāryamāṇaḥ suhṛjjanaiḥ। vidureṇātha bhīṣmeṇa droṇena ca mahātmanā ॥6-61-21॥
O king, despite being advised by your well-wishers like Vidura, Bhishma, and Drona, you fail to comprehend the situation.
tathā mayā cāpyasakṛdvāryamāṇo na gṛhṇasi। vākyaṃ hitaṃ ca pathyaṃ ca martyaḥ pathyamivauṣadham ॥ putrāṇāṃ matamāsthāya jitānmanyasi pāṇḍavān ॥6-61-22॥
Despite my repeated attempts to restrain you, you refuse to accept the beneficial and wholesome advice, much like a mortal refusing medicine. You believe the Pandavas are defeated, following your sons' opinion.
śṛṇu bhūyo yathātattvaṃ yanmāṃ tvaṃ paripṛcchasi। kāraṇaṃ bharataśreṣṭha pāṇḍavānāṃ jayaṃ prati ॥ tatte'haṃ kathayiṣyāmi yathāśrutamariṃdama ॥6-61-23॥
Listen once more to the true account of what you ask me, O best of the Bharatas, concerning the reason for the Pandavas' victory. I shall narrate it to you as I have heard it, O subduer of enemies.
duryodhanena sampṛṣṭa etamarthaṃ pitāmahaḥ। dṛṣṭvā bhrātṝnraṇe sarvān nirjitān sumahārathān ॥6-61-24॥
Duryodhana asked the grandfather about this matter. Upon seeing all his brothers, the great charioteers, conquered in battle.
śokasaṁmūḍhahṛdayo niśākāle sma kauravaḥ। pitāmahaṁ mahāprājñaṁ vinayenopagamya ha ॥ yadabravītsutaste'sau tanme śṛṇu janeśvara ॥6-61-25॥
The Kaurava, with a heart overwhelmed by sorrow, approached the wise grandsire at night with humility. Listen to what your son said, O lord of the people.
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said:
tvaṁ ca droṇaśca śalyaśca kṛpo drauṇistathaiva ca। kṛtavarmā ca hārdikyaḥ kāmbojaśca sudakṣiṇaḥ ॥6-61-26॥
You, along with Droṇa, Śalya, Kṛpa, the son of Droṇa, Kṛtavarmā, the son of Hṛdika, Kāmboja, and Sudakṣiṇa, are all present.
bhūriśravā vikarṇaśca bhagadattaśca vīryavān। mahārathāḥ samākhyātāḥ kulaputrāstanutyajaḥ ॥6-61-27॥
Bhūriśravā, Vikarṇa, and Bhagadatta were valiant warriors, renowned as great charioteers, and sons of noble families who sacrificed their lives.
trayāṇām api lokānāṃ paryāptā iti me matiḥ। pāṇḍavānāṃ samastāś ca na tiṣṭhanti parākrame ॥6-61-28॥
In my view, even the three worlds are sufficient, yet all the Pandavas do not stand firm in valor.
tatra me saṁśayo jātastanmamācakṣva pṛcchataḥ। yaṁ samāśritya kaunteyā jayantyasmānpade pade ॥6-61-29॥
I have a doubt about this matter. Please tell me, whom do the sons of Kunti rely upon to defeat us at every step?
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma spoke:
śṛṇu rājanvaco mahyaṃ yattvāṃ vakṣyāmi kaurava। bahuśaśca mamokto'si na ca me tattvayā kṛtam ॥6-61-30॥
"Listen, O King, to my words that I will speak to you, Kaurava. You have been told many times by me, yet you have not acted upon them."
kriyatāṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ sārdhaṃ śamo bharatasattama। etatkṣamamahaṃ manye pṛthivyāstava cābhibho ॥6-61-31॥
O best of the Bharatas, let peace be established with the Pandavas. I believe this is the right course for both the earth and you, O lord.
bhuñjemāṃ pṛthivīṃ rājanbhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ sukhī। durhṛdastāpayan sarvān nandayaṃś cāpi bāndhavān ॥6-61-32॥
O king, enjoy this earth happily with your brothers, causing distress to your enemies and bringing joy to your relatives.
na ca me krośatastāta śrutavānasi vai purā। tadidaṃ samanuprāptaṃ yatpāṇḍūnavamanyase ॥6-61-33॥
Father, you have not heard my cries before, and now this situation has arisen where you disrespect the Pāṇḍavas.
yaśca heturavadhyatve teṣāmakliṣṭakarmaṇām। taṃ śṛṇuṣva mahārāja mama kīrtayataḥ prabho ॥6-61-34॥
O great king, listen to the reason behind the invincibility of those who perform actions effortlessly, as I narrate it to you, O lord.
nāsti lokeṣu tadbhūtaṃ bhavitā no bhaviṣyati। yo jayetpāṇḍavānsaṅkhye pālitāñśārṅgadhanvanā ॥6-61-35॥
In all the worlds, nothing has existed, nor will exist, that can defeat the Pandavas in battle, as they are protected by Krishna, the wielder of the Sharnga bow.
yattu me kathitaṃ tāta munibhirbhāvitātmabhiḥ। purāṇagītaṃ dharmajña tacchṛṇuṣva yathātatham ॥6-61-36॥
Dear one, listen to the ancient song told to me by the sages with purified souls, exactly as it is, O knower of dharma.
purā kila surāḥ sarve ṛṣayaśca samāgatāḥ। pitāmahamupāseduḥ parvate gandhamādane ॥6-61-37॥
Once upon a time, all the gods and sages gathered and paid homage to the grandfather on Mount Gandhamadana.
madhye teṣāṃ samāsīnaḥ prajāpatiḥ apaśyat। vimānaṃ jājvaladbhāsā sthitaṃ pravaram ambare ॥6-61-38॥
Prajapati, seated among them, saw a magnificent chariot shining brightly, standing prominently in the sky.
dhyānenāvedya taṃ brahmā kṛtvā ca niyato'ñjalim। namaścakāra hṛṣṭātmā paramaṃ parameśvaram ॥6-61-39॥
Through meditation, Brahma realized the Supreme Lord and, with controlled reverence and a delighted mind, bowed to Him.
ṛṣayastvatha devāśca dṛṣṭvā brahmāṇamutthitam। sthitāḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve paśyanto mahadadbhutam ॥6-61-40॥
The sages and gods, upon witnessing Brahma rise, stood with folded hands, all gazing at the great wonder.
yathāvac ca tam abhyarcya brahmā brahmavidāṃ varaḥ। jagāda jagataḥ sraṣṭā paraṃ paramadharmavit ॥6-61-41॥
After properly worshipping him, Brahma, the foremost among the knowers of Brahman and the creator of the universe, spoke as the supreme authority on duty.
viśvāvasurviśvamūrtirviśveśo; viṣvakseno viśvakarmā vaśī ca। viśveśvaro vāsudevo'si tasmā; dyogātmānaṃ daivataṃ tvāmupaimi ॥6-61-42॥
You are the universal wealth, the universal form, the lord of the universe; all-conquering, the creator of the universe, and the controller. Therefore, I approach you, the spiritual essence and divine Vasudeva.
jaya viśva mahādeva jaya lokahite rata। jaya yogīśvara vibho jaya yogaparāvara ॥6-61-43॥
Hail to the great universal god, who is engaged in the welfare of the world. Hail to the lord of yogis, the master of all aspects of yoga.
padmagarbha viśālākṣa jaya lokeśvareśvara। bhūtabhavyabhavannātha jaya saumyātmajātmaja ॥6-61-44॥
Victory to the lotus-wombed, large-eyed lord of the lords of the world, and to the lord of past, present, and future, the son of the gentle one.
asaṅkhyeyaguṇājeya jaya sarvapārāyaṇaḥ। nārāyaṇa suduṣpāra jaya śārṅgadhanurdharaḥ ॥6-61-45॥
Victory to the invincible Narayana, who possesses innumerable qualities and is the refuge of all. He is difficult to cross and holds the Sharnga bow.
sarvaguhyaguṇopeta viśvamūrte nirāmaya। viśveśvara mahābāho jaya lokārthatatpara ॥6-61-46॥
O Lord of the universe, endowed with all secret virtues and free from afflictions, O mighty-armed one, may you be victorious and dedicated to the welfare of the world.
mahoraga varāhādya harikeśa vibho jaya। harivāsa viśāmīśa viśvāvāsāmitāvyaya ॥6-61-47॥
Victory to the omnipresent lord of Hari, who is the great serpent, boar, and beginning. He is the abode of Hari, lord of the people, dwelling in the universe, immeasurable and imperishable.
vyaktāvyaktāmitasthāna niyatendriya sendriya। asaṅkhyeyātmabhāvajña jaya gambhīra kāmada ॥6-61-48॥
The one who knows the nature of the innumerable selves, who is victorious, profound, and fulfills desires, resides in both the manifest and unmanifest, in an immeasurable place with controlled senses.
ananta viditaprajña nityaṃ bhūtavibhāvana। kṛtakārya kṛtaprajña dharmajña vijayājaya ॥6-61-49॥
The one who is endless, possessing known wisdom, eternal, manifesting all beings, having accomplished tasks and wisdom, knower of dharma, and who experiences both victory and defeat.
guhyātman sarvabhūtātman sphuṭasambhūtasambhava। bhūtārthatattva lokeśa jaya bhūtavibhāvana ॥6-61-50॥
O secret self, soul of all beings, you who are the clearly manifest origin and essence of the meaning of all beings, lord of the world, victory to you, the manifestation of all beings.
ātmayone mahābhāga kalpasaṅkṣepatatpara। udbhāvana manodbhāva jaya brahmajanapriya ॥6-61-51॥
O self-born and greatly fortunate one, who is eager for the summary of creation and manifestation, may victory be yours, dear to the progeny of Brahma.
nisargasargābhirata kāmeśa parameśvara। amṛtodbhava sadbhāva yugāgne vijayaprada ॥6-61-52॥
O supreme lord Kāmeśa, engaged in the creation of nature, you are born of nectar and possess a good disposition. You are the fire of the era and the giver of victory.
prajāpatipate deva padmanābha mahābala। ātmabhūta mahābhūta karmātmañjaya karmada ॥6-61-53॥
O lord of all beings, divine one with a lotus in the navel, possessing immense strength, self-existent and great being, victorious through actions, and bestower of deeds.
pādau tava dharā devī diśo bāhurdivaṃ śiraḥ। mūrtiste'haṃ surāḥ kāyaścandrādityau ca cakṣuṣī ॥6-61-54॥
The earth is your feet, O goddess, the directions are your arms, and heaven is your head. I am your form, the gods are your body, and the moon and sun are your eyes.
balaṁ tapaśca satyaṁ ca dharmaḥ kāmātmajaḥ prabho। tejo'gniḥ pavanaḥ śvāsa āpaste svedasambhavāḥ ॥6-61-55॥
O lord, son of desire, strength, austerity, truth, and righteousness are your attributes. Your brilliance, fire, wind, breath, and water are born of your sweat.
aśvinau śravaṇau nityaṃ devī jihvā sarasvatī। vedāḥ saṃskāraniṣṭhā hi tvayīdaṃ jagadāśritam ॥6-61-56॥
The two Ashvins are always the ears, and the goddess Sarasvati is the tongue. The Vedas are indeed established in rituals, and this world depends on you.
na saṅkhyāṃ na parīmāṇaṃ na tejo na parākramam। na balaṃ yogayogīśa jānīmaste na sambhavam ॥6-61-57॥
O lord of yoga, we are unaware of your number, measure, splendor, valor, strength, or origin.
tvadbhaktiniratā deva niyamais tvā samāhitāḥ। arcayāmaḥ sadā viṣṇo parameśaṃ maheśvaram ॥6-61-58॥
O Lord, devoted to your worship and disciplined, we remain focused. We always worship you, O Vishnu, the supreme and great lord.
ṛṣayo devagandharvā yakṣarākṣasapannagāḥ। piśācā mānuṣāścaiva mṛgapakṣisarīsṛpāḥ ॥6-61-59॥
Sages, divine musicians, yakṣas, rākṣasas, serpents, goblins, humans, and indeed all creatures including beasts, birds, and reptiles were present.
evamādi mayā sṛṣṭaṃ pṛthivyāṃ tvatprasādajam। padmanābha viśālākṣa kṛṣṇa duḥsvapnanāśana ॥6-61-60॥
Thus, O Padmanabha, large-eyed Krishna, destroyer of bad dreams, what has been created by me on earth is by your grace.
tvaṁ gatiḥ sarvabhūtānāṁ tvaṁ netā tvaṁ jaganmukham। tvatprasādena deveśa sukhino vibudhāḥ sadā ॥6-61-61॥
You are the ultimate refuge and leader of all beings, the very face of the universe. By your grace, O Lord of the gods, the wise remain perpetually happy.
pṛthivī nirbhayā deva tvatprasādātsadābhavat। tasmādbhava viśālākṣa yaduvaṃśavivardhanaḥ ॥6-61-62॥
O god, your grace has always made the earth fearless. Therefore, O large-eyed one, continue to enhance the Yadu dynasty.
dharmasaṁsthāpanārthāya daiteyānāṁ vadhāya ca। jagato dhāraṇārthāya vijñāpyaṁ kuru me prabho ॥6-61-63॥
O Lord, please inform me of your intentions to establish righteousness, destroy the demons, and sustain the world.
yadetat paramaṁ guhyaṁ tvatprasādamayaṁ vibho। vāsudeva tadetat te mayodgītaṁ yathātatham ॥6-61-64॥
O Vāsudeva, this supreme secret, filled with your grace, has been sung by me to you exactly as it is.
sṛṣṭvā saṅkarṣaṇaṃ devaṃ svayamātmānamātmanā। kṛṣṇa tvamātmanāsrākṣīḥ pradyumnaṃ cātmasambhavam ॥6-61-65॥
Kṛṣṇa, you created the god Saṅkarṣaṇa by yourself, and then you also created Pradyumna, who is self-born.
pradyumnāccāniruddhaṃ tvaṃ yaṃ vidurviṣṇumavyayam। aniruddho'sṛjanmāṃ vai brahmāṇaṃ lokadhāriṇam ॥6-61-66॥
From Pradyumna came Aniruddha, whom you know as the eternal Viṣṇu. Aniruddha then created me, Brahmā, the upholder of the world.
vāsudevamayaḥ so'haṃ tvayaivāsmi vinirmitaḥ। vibhajya bhāgaśo''tmānaṃ vraja mānuṣatāṃ vibho ॥6-61-67॥
I am created by you and am a part of Vāsudeva. Now, divide yourself and take a human form, O mighty one.
tatrāsuravadhaṃ kṛtvā sarvalokasukhāya vai। dharmaṃ sthāpya yaśaḥ prāpya yogaṃ prāpsyasi tattvataḥ ॥6-61-68॥
There, by slaying the demons for the happiness of all worlds, and establishing righteousness, you will gain fame and truly attain union.
tvāṁ hi brahmarṣayo loke devāścāmitavikrama। taistaiśca nāmabhirbhaktā gāyanti paramātmakam ॥6-61-69॥
In the world, the sages and gods of immeasurable valor indeed sing of you, the supreme soul, by various names, O devotee.
sthitāśca sarve tvayi bhūtasaṅghāḥ; kṛtvāśrayaṃ tvāṃ varadaṃ subāho। anādimadhyāntamapārayogaṃ; lokasya setuṃ pravadanti viprāḥ ॥6-61-70॥
All beings are established in you, O strong-armed one, taking refuge in you, the giver of boons. The sages proclaim you as the eternal bridge of the world, without beginning, middle, or end, and of boundless union.
