06.093
Core and Pancharatra: Advised by Karna, Duryodhana goes to Bhishma's camp and requests him to step down, so that Karna can takepart in the war.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। दुःशासनश्च पुत्रस्ते सूतपुत्रश्च दुर्जयः ॥६-९३-१॥
Then King Duryodhana, along with Shakuni, the son of Subala, Duhshasana, your son, and Durjaya, the son of a charioteer, were present.
समागम्य महाराज मन्त्रं चक्रूर्विवक्षितम्। कथं पाण्डुसुता युद्धे जेतव्याः सगणा इति ॥६-९३-२॥
The great king and his advisors gathered to deliberate on how to defeat the Pandavas and their allies in the upcoming battle.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सर्वांस्तानाह मन्त्रिणः। सूतपुत्रं समाभाष्य सौबलं च महाबलम् ॥६-९३-३॥
Then King Duryodhana addressed all his ministers, speaking to Karna, the son of a charioteer, and the mighty Shakuni, son of Subala.
द्रोणो भीष्मः कृपः शल्यः सौमदत्तिश्च संयुगे। न पार्थान्प्रतिबाधन्ते न जाने तत्र कारणम् ॥६-९३-४॥
Drona, Bhishma, Kripa, Shalya, and Saumadatti are unable to stop the sons of Pritha in battle. I do not understand the reason for this.
अवध्यमानास्ते चापि क्षपयन्ति बलं मम। सोऽस्मि क्षीणबलः कर्ण क्षीणशस्त्रश्च संयुगे ॥६-९३-५॥
"Being attacked, they are also destroying my strength. I am now weakened in strength and depleted of weapons, Karna, in this battle."
निकृतः पाण्डवैः शूरैरवध्यैर्दैवतैरपि। सोऽहं संशयमापन्नः प्रकरिष्ये कथं रणम् ॥६-९३-६॥
Deceived by the Pandavas and the invincible heroes, even the gods, I find myself in doubt; how can I engage in battle?
तमब्रवीन्महाराज सूतपुत्रो नराधिपम्। मा शुचो भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रकरिष्ये प्रियं तव ॥६-९३-७॥
The son of a charioteer addressed the king, reassuring him not to worry, as he would fulfill what was dear to him.
भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तूर्णमपयातु महारणात्। निवृत्ते युधि गाङ्गेये न्यस्तशस्त्रे च भारत ॥६-९३-८॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, should quickly withdraw from the great battle. Once the battle has ended and the son of Ganga has laid down his arms, O Bharata.
अहं पार्थान्हनिष्यामि सनितान्सर्वसोमकैः। पश्यतो युधि भीष्मस्य शपे सत्येन ते नृप ॥६-९३-९॥
I swear by truth, O king, that I will kill the sons of Pritha along with all the Somakas while Bhishma watches in battle.
पाण्डवेषु दयां राजन्सदा भीष्मः करोति वै। अशक्तश्च रणे भीष्मो जेतुमेतान्महारथान् ॥६-९३-१०॥
O king, Bhishma always shows compassion towards the Pandavas. However, he is unable to defeat these great warriors in battle.
अभिमानी रणे भीष्मो नित्यं चापि रणप्रियः। स कथं पाण्डवान्युद्धे जेष्यते तात सङ्गतान् ॥६-९३-११॥
The proud Bhishma, who is always fond of battle, how will he manage to defeat the Pandavas who are assembled for battle, O father?
स त्वं शीघ्रमितो गत्वा भीष्मस्य शिबिरं प्रति। अनुमान्य रणे भीष्मं शस्त्रं न्यासय भारत ॥६-९३-१२॥
"O Bharata, quickly go from here to Bhishma's camp, pay your respects to him in battle, and lay down your weapon."
न्यस्तशस्त्रे ततो भीष्मे निहतान्पश्य पाण्डवान्। मयैकेन रणे राजन्ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान् ॥६-९३-१३॥
Then, O king, behold the Pandavas, who have laid down their weapons, slain by me alone in battle, along with their friends and relatives.
एवमुक्तस्तु कर्णेन पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव। अब्रवीद्भ्रातरं तत्र दुःशासनमिदं वचः ॥६-९३-१४॥
Upon being addressed by Karna, your son Duryodhana spoke these words to his brother Duhshasana at that place.
अनुयात्रं यथा सज्जं सर्वं भवति सर्वतः। दुःशासन तथा क्षिप्रं सर्वमेवोपपादय ॥६-९३-१५॥
Duhshasana, make sure everything is quickly arranged as the expedition is ready everywhere.
एवमुक्त्वा ततो राजन्कर्णमाह जनेश्वरः। अनुमान्य रणे भीष्ममितोऽहं द्विपदां वरम् ॥६-९३-१६॥
After speaking thus, the lord of men addressed Karna, saying, 'O king, having saluted Bhishma in battle, I am the best among bipeds from here.'
आगमिष्ये ततः क्षिप्रं त्वत्सकाशमरिंदम। ततस्त्वं पुरुषव्याघ्र प्रकरिष्यसि संयुगम् ॥६-९३-१७॥
I will soon come to you, O subduer of enemies. Then, O tiger among men, you will engage in the battle.
निष्पपात ततस्तूर्णं पुत्रस्तव विशां पते। सहितो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैर्देवैरिव शतक्रतुः ॥६-९३-१८॥
Then your son, O lord of the people, swiftly descended, accompanied by all his brothers, just as Indra is accompanied by the gods.
ततस्तं नृपशार्दूलं शार्दूलसमविक्रमम्। आरोहयद्धयं तूर्णं भ्राता दुःशासनस्तदा ॥६-९३-१९॥
Then Duhshasana quickly helped his brother, the valiant king, mount the horse.
अङ्गदी बद्धमुकुटो हस्ताभरणवान्नृपः। धार्तराष्ट्रो महाराज विबभौ स महेन्द्रवत् ॥६-९३-२०॥
The great king, son of Dhritarashtra, adorned with armlets and a crown, shone with ornaments on his hands, resembling the splendor of Indra.
भाण्डीपुष्पनिकाशेन तपनीयनिभेन च। अनुलिप्तः परार्ध्येन चन्दनेन सुगन्धिना ॥६-९३-२१॥
He was adorned with fragrant sandalwood paste, appearing like Bhāṇḍī flowers and shining like gold.
अरजोम्बरसंवीतः सिंहखेलगतिर्नृपः। शुशुभे विमलार्चिष्मञ्शरदीव दिवाकरः ॥६-९३-२२॥
The king, moving with the grace of a lion and enveloped by the clear sky, shone brilliantly like the sun in the autumn season.
तं प्रयान्तं नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मस्य शिबिरं प्रति। अनुजग्मुर्महेष्वासाः सर्वलोकस्य धन्विनः ॥ भ्रातरश्च महेष्वासास्त्रिदशा इव वासवम् ॥६-९३-२३॥
As he departed towards Bhishma's camp, the tiger among men was followed by the great archers, the bowmen of the entire world. His brothers, who were also great archers, followed like the gods follow Indra.
हयानन्ये समारुह्य गजानन्ये च भारत। रथैरन्ये नरश्रेष्ठाः परिवव्रुः समन्ततः ॥६-९३-२४॥
O Bharata, some mounted horses, others elephants, and others surrounded on all sides with chariots, being the best among men.
आत्तशस्त्राश्च सुहृदो रक्षणार्थं महीपतेः। प्रादुर्बभूवुः सहिताः शक्रस्येवामरा दिवि ॥६-९३-२५॥
The king's friends, armed and ready, appeared together to protect him, just like Indra's immortals in heaven.
सम्पूज्यमानः कुरुभिः कौरवाणां महारथः। प्रययौ सदनं राजन्गाङ्गेयस्य यशस्विनः ॥ अन्वीयमानः सहितैः सोदरैः सर्वतो नृपः ॥६-९३-२६॥
The great chariot warrior of the Kauravas, honored by the Kuru, departed to the abode of the glorious son of Ganga, followed by his brothers from all sides, O king.
दक्षिणं दक्षिणः काले सम्भृत्य स्वभुजं तदा। हस्तिहस्तोपमं शैक्षं सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम् ॥६-९३-२७॥
At the right moment, he gathered his strength, his arm trained and powerful like an elephant's trunk, ready to vanquish all foes.
प्रगृह्णन्नञ्जलीन्नॄणामुद्यतान्सर्वतोदिशम्। शुश्राव मधुरा वाचो नानादेशनिवासिनाम् ॥६-९३-२८॥
He accepted the offerings from all directions and heard the sweet voices of people from various regions.
संस्तूयमानः सूतैश्च मागधैश्च महायशाः। पूजयानश्च तान्सर्वान्सर्वलोकेश्वरेश्वरः ॥६-९३-२९॥
The greatly renowned lord of all worlds was being praised by charioteers and bards, and was worshipped by all.
प्रदीपैः काञ्चनैस्तत्र गन्धतैलावसेचनैः। परिवव्रुर्महात्मानं प्रज्वलद्भिः समन्ततः ॥६-९३-३०॥
They surrounded the great soul with golden lamps and fragrant oil offerings, illuminating him from all sides.
स तैः परिवृतो राजा प्रदीपैः काञ्चनैः शुभैः। शुशुभे चन्द्रमा युक्तो दीप्तैरिव महाग्रहैः ॥६-९३-३१॥
The king, surrounded by those auspicious golden lamps, shone like the moon accompanied by brilliant great planets.
कञ्चुकोष्णीषिणस्तत्र वेत्रझर्झरपाणयः। प्रोत्सारयन्तः शनकैस्तं जनं सर्वतोदिशम् ॥६-९३-३२॥
There, the armored and turbaned men, holding canes and whisks, were gently dispersing the crowd from all sides.
सम्प्राप्य तु ततो राजा भीष्मस्य सदनं शुभम्। अवतीर्य हयाच्चापि भीष्मं प्राप्य जनेश्वरः ॥६-९३-३३॥
The king, after reaching Bhishma's auspicious abode and descending from his horse, approached Bhishma, the lord of men.
अभिवाद्य ततो भीष्मं निषण्णः परमासने। काञ्चने सर्वतोभद्रे स्पर्ध्यास्तरणसंवृते ॥ उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भीष्मं बाष्पकण्ठोऽश्रुलोचनः ॥६-९३-३४॥
After saluting Bhishma, he sat on the supreme golden seat, which was auspicious and splendidly covered, and with folded hands, a choked throat, and tearful eyes, he spoke to Bhishma.
त्वां वयं समुपाश्रित्य संयुगे शत्रुसूदन। उत्सहेम रणे जेतुं सेन्द्रानपि सुरासुरान् ॥६-९३-३५॥
By relying on you, O destroyer of foes, we are confident in our ability to defeat even the gods and demons, including Indra, in battle.
किमु पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान्। तस्मादर्हसि गाङ्गेय कृपां कर्तुं मयि प्रभो ॥ जहि पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्महेन्द्र इव दानवान् ॥६-९३-३६॥
What indeed are the sons of Pandu, the heroes, with their friends, groups, and relatives? Therefore, O son of Ganga, you should show mercy on me, O lord. Conquer the sons of Pandu, the heroes, just as the great Indra conquered the demons.
पूर्वमुक्तं महाबाहो निहनिष्यामि सोमकान्। पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवैः सार्धं करूषांश्चेति भारत ॥६-९३-३७॥
O mighty-armed one, it was previously declared that I will destroy the Somakas, the Panchalas, along with the Pandavas and the Karushas, thus, O Bharata.
तद्वचः सत्यमेवास्तु जहि पार्थान्समागतान्। सोमकांश्च महेष्वासान्सत्यवाग्भव भारत ॥६-९३-३८॥
"Let your words be true; defeat the gathered sons of Pritha and the Somakas, the great archers; be a speaker of truth, O Bharata."
दयया यदि वा राजन्द्वेष्यभावान्मम प्रभो। मन्दभाग्यतया वापि मम रक्षसि पाण्डवान् ॥६-९३-३९॥
O king, whether it is out of compassion, enmity, or my misfortune, my lord, you protect the Pandavas.
अनुजानीहि समरे कर्णमाहवशोभिनम्। स जेष्यति रणे पार्थान्ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान् ॥६-९३-४०॥
Allow Karna, who shines in battle, to engage in the fight. He will defeat the sons of Pritha along with their friends and relatives in the battle.
एतावदुक्त्वा नृपतिः पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव। नोवाच वचनं किञ्चिद्भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥६-९३-४१॥
After saying this, your son, King Duryodhana, remained silent and did not address Bhishma, who was known for his formidable strength.
