06.103
Pancharatra and Core: The Pandavas visit Bhishma that night, and as per his advice, plan to attack him keeping Shikandin in front.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
yudhyatāmeva teṣāṃ tu bhāskare'stamupāgate। sandhyā samabhavadghorā nāpaśyāma tato raṇam ॥6-103-1॥
As the sun set, the twilight became terrifying for those who were fighting, and we could no longer see the battle.
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā sandhyāṃ sandṛśya bhārata। vadhyamānaṃ balaṃ cāpi bhīṣmeṇāmitraghātinā ॥6-103-2॥
Then King Yudhishthira, observing the evening and noticing the army being decimated by Bhishma, the foe-slayer, addressed his concerns, O Bharata.
muktaśastraṃ parāvṛttaṃ palāyanaparāyaṇam। bhīṣmaṃ ca yudhi saṃrabdham anuyāntaṃ mahārathān ॥6-103-3॥
The warriors, having released their weapons, turned back intent on fleeing, while Bhishma, excited in battle, followed the great charioteers.
somakāṁśca jitāndṛṣṭvā nirutsāhānmahārathān। cintayitvā ciraṁ dhyātvā avahāramarocayat ॥6-103-4॥
Upon observing the defeated and demoralized Somakas and great warriors, and after contemplating and reflecting for a considerable time, he decided on a retreat.
tato'vahāraṃ sainyānāṃ cakre rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। tathaiva tava sainyānāmavahāro hyabhūttadā ॥6-103-5॥
Then King Yudhishthira ordered the retreat of the troops. Similarly, your troops also retreated at that time.
tato'vahāraṃ sainyānāṃ kṛtvā tatra mahārathāḥ। nyaviśanta kuruśreṣṭha saṅgrāme kṣatavikṣatāḥ ॥6-103-6॥
After withdrawing their forces, the great charioteers, though wounded and injured, settled there, O best of the Kurus, in the battlefield.
bhīṣmasya samare karma cintayānāstu pāṇḍavāḥ। nālabhanta tadā śāntiṃ bhṛśaṃ bhīṣmeṇa pīḍitāḥ ॥6-103-7॥
The Pandavas were deeply troubled by Bhishma's actions in battle and could not find peace at that time due to his severe affliction.
bhīṣmo'pi samare jitvā pāṇḍavān saha sṛñjayaiḥ। pūjyamānas tava sutair vandyamānaś ca bhārata ॥6-103-8॥
Bhishma, having defeated the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle, was honored and worshipped by your sons, O Bharata.
nyaviśatkurbhiḥ sārdhaṃ hṛṣṭarūpaiḥ samantataḥ। tato rātriḥ samabhavatsarvabhūtapramohinī ॥6-103-9॥
The Kauravas, filled with joy, entered together from all sides. Then night fell, casting a spell of delusion over all beings.
tasmin rātrimukhe ghore pāṇḍavā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha। sṛñjayāś ca durādharṣā mantrāya samupāviśan ॥6-103-10॥
At the onset of that dreadful night, the Pāṇḍavas, along with the Vṛṣṇis and the formidable Sṛñjayas, gathered for a strategic meeting.
ātmaniḥśreyasaṃ sarve prāptakālaṃ mahābalāḥ। mantrayāmāsuravyagrā mantraniścayakovidāḥ ॥6-103-11॥
All the mighty ones, being experts in decision making, attentively consulted at the appropriate time for their self-welfare.
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā mantrayitvā ciraṃ nṛpa। vāsudevaṃ samudvīkṣya vākyametaduvāca ha ॥6-103-12॥
Then King Yudhishthira, after consulting for a long time, looked at Vasudeva and spoke these words.
paśya kṛṣṇa mahātmānaṃ bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam। gajaṃ nalavanānīva vimṛdnantaṃ balaṃ mama ॥6-103-13॥
Behold Kṛṣṇa, the great soul, and Bhīṣma of immense strength, crushing my forces as an elephant crushes a forest of reeds.
na caivainaṃ mahātmānamutsahāmo nirīkṣitum। lelihyamānaṃ sainyeṣu pravṛddhamiva pāvakam ॥6-103-14॥
We cannot even look at this great soul, who is blazing among the armies like a growing fire.
yathā ghorō mahānāgastakṣakō vai viṣōlbaṇaḥ। tathā bhīṣmō raṇē kṛṣṇa tīkṣṇaśastraḥ pratāpavān ॥6-103-15॥
Just as the fearsome serpent Takshaka is known for his deadly venom, similarly, in battle, Bhishma is formidable, and Krishna wields sharp weapons with great prowess.
gṛhītacāpaḥ samare vimuñcaṃśca śitāñśarān। śakyo jetuṃ yamaḥ kruddho vajrapāṇiśca devarāṭ ॥6-103-16॥
Armed with a bow in the battlefield, releasing sharp arrows, one can overcome even Yama, the furious Vajrapani, and the king of gods.
varuṇaḥ pāśabhṛdvāpi sagado vā dhaneśvaraḥ। na tu bhīṣmaḥ susaṅkruddhaḥ śakyo jetuṃ mahāhave ॥6-103-17॥
Neither Varuna, the god of water, nor Kubera, the lord of wealth, even with all their might, can defeat the enraged Bhishma in a great battle.
so'ham evaṃ gate kṛṣṇa nimagnaḥ śokasāgare। ātmano buddhidaurbalyād bhīṣmam āsādya saṃyuge ॥6-103-18॥
Thus, O Krishna, I am immersed in an ocean of sorrow, having approached Bhishma in battle due to my own weakness of intellect.
vanaṁ yāsyāmi durdharṣa śreyo me tatra vai gatam। na yuddhaṁ rocaye kṛṣṇa hanti bhīṣmo hi naḥ sadā ॥6-103-19॥
I have decided to go to the forest, O unassailable one, as it is truly better for me there. I do not favor war, O Krishna, because Bhishma is always a threat to us.
yathā prajvalitaṃ vahniṃ pataṅgaḥ samabhidravan। ekato mṛtyumabyeti tathāhaṃ bhīṣmamīyivān ॥6-103-20॥
Just as a moth rushes towards a blazing fire, meeting its death, so too did I advance towards Bhishma, accepting the inevitable fate.
kṣayaṃ nīto'smi vārṣṇeya rājyahetoḥ parākramī। bhrātaraścaiva me śūrāḥ sāyakairbhṛśapīḍitāḥ ॥6-103-21॥
I have been brought to ruin, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi, due to my valiant efforts for the kingdom. My brothers, who are heroes, have also been severely wounded by arrows.
matkṛte bhrātṛsauhārdādrājyātprabhraṁśanaṁ gatāḥ। parikliṣṭā tathā kṛṣṇā matkṛte madhusūdana ॥6-103-22॥
O Madhusūdana, for my sake, my brothers have lost their kingdom due to their affection for me. Kṛṣṇā is also distressed for my sake.
jīvitaṃ bahu manye'haṃ jīvitaṃ hyadya durlabham। jīvitasyaadya śeṣeṇa cariṣye dharmamuttamam ॥6-103-23॥
I hold life in high regard, for today it is truly rare. With the life that remains today, I shall pursue the highest dharma.
yadi te'hamanugrāhyo bhrātṛbhiḥ saha keśava। svadharmasyāvirodhena tadudāhara keśava ॥6-103-24॥
O Keśava, if I am worthy of favor by the brothers, then speak that which does not oppose one's own duty, O Keśava.
etacchrutvā vacastasya kāruṇyādbahu-vistaram। pratyuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sāntvayāno yudhiṣṭhiram ॥6-103-25॥
Upon hearing these extensive and compassionate words, Krishna then replied to Yudhishthira, offering him consolation.
dharmaputra viṣādaṃ tvaṃ mā kṛthāḥ satyasaṅgara। yasya te bhrātaraḥ śūrā durjayāḥ śatrusūdanāḥ ॥6-103-26॥
O son of Dharma, do not lose heart, O true warrior. Your brothers are valiant and unbeatable, the vanquishers of foes.
arjuno bhīmasenaśca vāyvagnisamatejasau। mādrīputrau ca vikrāntau tridaśānāmiveśvarau ॥6-103-27॥
Arjuna and Bhimasena, with brilliance comparable to the wind and fire, stood valiant like the lords among the gods, as the sons of Madri.
māṁ vā niyuṅkṣva sauhārdādyotsye bhīṣmeṇa pāṇḍava। tvatprayukto hyahaṁ rājankiṁ na kuryāṁ mahāhave ॥6-103-28॥
"O Pandava, either appoint me out of friendship, and I shall fight with Bhishma. For, O King, being engaged by you, what would I not do in this great battle?"
haniṣyāmi raṇe bhīṣmamāhūya puruṣarṣabham। paśyatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ yadi necchati phalgunaḥ ॥6-103-29॥
I will call upon the best among men and slay Bhishma in battle, in front of the sons of Dhritarashtra, if Arjuna does not wish to do so.
yadi bhīṣme hate rājañjayaṃ paśyasi pāṇḍava। hantāsmyekarathenādya kuruvṛddhaṃ pitāmaham ॥6-103-30॥
If Bhishma is defeated, O king, and you foresee victory, O Pandava, I shall slay the elder of the Kurus, the grandfather, with a single chariot today.
paśya me vikramaṃ rājanmahendrasyeva saṃyuge। vimuñcantaṃ mahāstrāṇi pātayiṣyāmi taṃ rathāt ॥6-103-31॥
"Behold my prowess, O king, akin to that of Mahendra in battle; as I release mighty weapons, I shall bring him down from his chariot."
yaḥ śatruḥ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ macchatruḥ sa na saṃśayaḥ। madarthā bhavadarthā ye ye madīyāstavaiva te ॥6-103-32॥
The enemy of the Pandavas is certainly my enemy. Those who support me support you; what is mine is yours.
tava bhrātā mama sakhā sambandhī śiṣya eva ca। māṁsānyutkṛtya vai dadyāmarjunārthe mahīpate ॥6-103-33॥
Your brother is my friend, relative, and disciple. I would indeed cut the flesh and give it for Arjuna's sake, O king.
eṣa cāpi naravyāghro matkṛte jīvitaṃ tyajet। eṣa naḥ samayastāta tārayema parasparam ॥ sa māṃ niyuṅkṣva rājendra yāvaddvīpo bhavāmyaham ॥6-103-34॥
This noble warrior is willing to sacrifice his life for my sake. We have a pact, dear friend, to support each other. Command me, O king, as long as I am able to stand firm.
pratijñātamupaplavye yattatpārthena pūrvataḥ। ghātayiṣyāmi gāṅgeyamitīlūkasya saṃnidhau ॥6-103-35॥
Pārtha had previously promised at Upaplavya, in the presence of Uluka, that he would kill Gāṅgeya.
parirakṣyaṃ ca mama tadvacaḥ pārthasya dhīmataḥ। anujñātaṃ tu pārthena mayā kāryaṃ na saṃśayaḥ ॥6-103-36॥
The wise Pārtha's word is to be protected, and what is permitted by Pārtha is to be done by me without any doubt.
atha vā phalgunasya eṣa bhāraḥ parimito raṇe। nihaniṣyati saṅgrāme bhīṣmaṃ parapurañjayam ॥6-103-37॥
Then, or perhaps, this burden of Arjuna, though limited in battle, will be enough to slay Bhishma, the conqueror of enemy cities, in the war.
aśakyamapi kuryāddhi raṇe pārthaḥ samudyataḥ। tridaśānvā samudyuktān sahitān daityadānavaiḥ ॥ nihanyādarjunaḥ saṅkhye kimu bhīṣmaṃ narādhipa ॥6-103-38॥
Arjuna, when prepared for battle, can achieve even the impossible; he could defeat the gods along with demons and giants, let alone Bhishma, O king.
viparīto mahāvīryo gatasattvo'lpajīvitaḥ। bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo nūnaṃ kartavyaṃ nāvabudhyate ॥6-103-39॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, though a great hero, is now reversed in his strength and short-lived, certainly does not understand his duty.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira spoke:
evam etan mahābāho yathā vadasi mādhava। sarve hy ete na paryāptās tava veganivāraṇe ॥6-103-40॥
O mighty-armed Mādhava, as you have said, all these are indeed insufficient to withstand your force.
niyataṃ samavāpsyāmi sarvameva yathepsitam। yasya me puruṣavyāghra bhavānnātho mahābalaḥ ॥6-103-41॥
Certainly, I will achieve everything I desire, as you, O mighty tiger among men, are my protector.
sendrānapi raṇe devāñjayeyaṃ jayatāṃ vara। tvayā nāthena govinda kimu bhīṣmaṃ mahāhave ॥6-103-42॥
O Govinda, with you as my protector, I can conquer even the gods along with Indra in battle. What then of Bhishma in this great war?
na tu tvāmanṛtaṃ kartumutsahe svārthagauravāt। ayudhyamānaḥ sāhāyyaṃ yathoktaṃ kuru mādhava ॥6-103-43॥
However, I cannot bring myself to speak falsehood for the sake of my own honor. O Mādhava, please assist as promised without engaging in battle.
samayastu kṛtaḥ kaścidbhīṣmeṇa mama mādhava। mantrayiṣye tavārthāya na tu yotsye kathañcana ॥ duryodhanārthe yotsyāmi satyametaditi prabho ॥6-103-44॥
O Madhava, Bhishma made an agreement that I will advise you but not engage in battle in any way. However, for Duryodhana's cause, I will indeed fight; this is the truth, O lord.
sa hi rājyasya me dātā mantrasyaiva ca mādhava। tasmāddevavrataṃ bhūyo vadhopāyārthamātmanaḥ ॥ bhavatā sahitāḥ sarve pṛcchāmo madhusūdana ॥6-103-45॥
He is indeed the one who grants me the kingdom and counsel, O Mādhava. Therefore, O Madhusudana, we all seek your guidance once more on how to bring about the end of Devavrata.
tadvayaṃ sahitā gatvā bhīṣmam āśu narottamam। rucite tava vārṣṇeya mantraṃ pṛcchāma kauravam ॥6-103-46॥
Then we shall go together to Bhishma, the best of men, and quickly seek your pleasing counsel, O descendant of Vrishni, regarding the Kaurava.
sa vakṣyati hitaṃ vākyaṃ tathyaṃ caiva janārdana। yathā sa vakṣyate kṛṣṇa tathā kartāsmi saṃyuge ॥6-103-47॥
He will speak beneficial and truthful words, O Janardana. As he speaks, O Krishna, so shall I act in battle.
sa no jayasya dātā ca mantrasya ca dhṛtavrataḥ। bālāḥ pitrā vihīnāśca tena saṁvardhitā vayam ॥6-103-48॥
He, who is steadfast in his vows, has been both the giver of victory and wise counsel to us. We, as children who were deprived of our father, have been nurtured by him.
taṁ cetpitāmahaṁ vṛddhaṁ hantumicchāmi mādhava। pituḥ pitaramiṣṭaṁ vai dhigastu kṣatrajīvikām ॥6-103-49॥
Madhava, if I desire to kill that aged grandfather, who is the beloved father of my father, then indeed, shame on the life of a warrior.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tato'bravīn mahārāja vārṣṇeyaḥ kurunandanam। rocate me mahābāho satataṃ tava bhāṣitam ॥6-103-50॥
Then the descendant of Vṛṣṇi addressed the descendant of Kuru, saying, "O great king, your words are always pleasing to me, O mighty-armed one."
devavrataḥ kṛtī bhīṣmaḥ prekṣitenāpi nirdahēt। gamyatāṁ sa vadhopāyaṁ praṣṭuṁ sāgaragāsutaḥ ॥ vaktumarhati satyaṁ sa tvayā pṛṣṭo viśēṣataḥ ॥6-103-51॥
Devavrata, known as the wise Bhishma, possesses the power to destroy with just a glance. Approach him to inquire about the means to defeat him, as he, the son of the river, is the one who can truthfully reveal this, especially when questioned by you.
te vayaṃ tatra gacchāmaḥ praṣṭuṃ kurupitāmaham। praṇamya śirasā cainaṃ mantraṃ pṛcchāma mādhava ॥ sa no dāsyati yaṃ mantraṃ tena yotsyāmahe parān ॥6-103-52॥
We will go there to ask the Kuru grandfather. After bowing our heads to him, we will ask for his counsel, Madhava. He will give us the counsel with which we will fight the enemies.
evaṃ saṃmantrya vai vīrāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja। jagmuste sahitāḥ sarve vāsudevaśca vīryavān ॥ vimuktaśastrakavacā bhīṣmasya sadanaṃ prati ॥6-103-53॥
After consulting among themselves, the heroic Pandavas, along with the mighty Vasudeva, proceeded unarmed towards Bhishma's abode.
praviśya ca tadā bhīṣmaṃ śirobhiḥ pratipedire। pūjayanto mahārāja pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabha ॥ praṇamya śirasā cainaṃ bhīṣmaṃ śaraṇamanvayuḥ ॥6-103-54॥
The Pandavas, having entered, approached Bhishma with bowed heads, honoring him. They sought refuge in Bhishma, O great king, O bull of Bharata.
tānuvāca mahābāhurbhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ। svāgataṃ tava vārṣṇeya svāgataṃ te dhanañjaya ॥ svāgataṃ dharmaputrāya bhīmāya yamayostathā ॥6-103-55॥
The mighty-armed Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, addressed them, extending his welcome to Krishna, Arjuna, Yudhishthira, Bhima, and the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva.
kiṁ kāryaṁ vaḥ karomyadya yuṣmatprītivivardhanam। sarvātmanā ca kartāsmi yadyapi syātsuduṣkaram ॥6-103-56॥
What can I do for you today to increase your happiness? I will do it wholeheartedly, even if it is extremely difficult.
tathā bruvāṇaṃ gāṅgeyaṃ prītiyuktaṃ punaḥ punaḥ। uvāca vākyaṃ dīnātmā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥6-103-57॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, repeatedly spoke with affection to Bhishma, the son of Ganga, expressing his distressed feelings.
kathaṁ jayema dharmajña kathaṁ rājyaṁ labhemahi। prajānāṁ saṅkṣayo na syātkathaṁ tanme vadābhibho ॥6-103-58॥
O knower of dharma, how can we achieve victory and secure the kingdom without causing harm to the people? Please tell me, O lord.
bhavān hi no vadhopāyaṃ bravītu svayam ātmanaḥ। bhavantaṃ samare rājan viṣahema kathaṃ vayam ॥6-103-59॥
You should tell us the way to kill you yourself. O king, how can we possibly withstand you in battle?
na hi te sūkṣmamapyasti randhraṃ kurupitāmaha। maṇḍalenaiva dhanuṣā sadā dṛśyo'si saṃyuge ॥6-103-60॥
O grandsire of the Kurus, there is not even the slightest gap in your defense. You are perpetually visible in battle, encircled by the bow.
nādadānaṃ saṃdadhānaṃ vikarṣantaṃ dhanurna ca। paśyāmastvā mahābāho rathe sūryamiva sthitam ॥6-103-61॥
O mighty-armed one, we see you standing in the chariot like the sun, without making a sound, fixing, or drawing the bow.
narāśvarathanāgānāṃ hantāraṃ paravīrahan। ka ivotsahate hantuṃ tvāṃ pumānbharatarṣabha ॥6-103-62॥
Who can dare to kill you, the slayer of men, horses, chariots, and elephants, and the destroyer of enemy heroes, O bull of the Bharatas?
varṣatā śaravarṣāṇi mahānti puruṣottama। kṣayaṃ nītā hi pṛtanā bhavatā mahatī mama ॥6-103-63॥
O best of men, your relentless shower of arrows has led my mighty army to its destruction.
yathā yudhi jayeyam tvāṃ yathā rājyaṃ bhavenmama। bhavetsainyasya vā śāntistanme brūhi pitāmaha ॥6-103-64॥
Grandfather, tell me how I may conquer you in battle, how the kingdom may become mine, or how there may be peace for the army.
tato'bravīcchāntanavaḥ pāṇḍavānpāṇḍupūrvaja। na kathañcana kaunteya mayi jīvati saṃyuge ॥6-103-65॥
Then Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, addressed the Pāṇḍavas, saying that as long as he is alive in the battle, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, will not be able to defeat him.
yuṣmāsu dṛśyate vṛddhiḥ satyam etad bravīmi vaḥ ॥6-103-65॥
I truly tell you that growth is evident among you.
nirjite mayi yuddhe tu dhruvaṁ jeṣyatha kauravān। kṣipraṁ mayi praharata yadīcchatha raṇe jayam ॥6-103-66॥
If I am defeated in this battle, you will surely defeat the Kauravas. Quickly attack me if you wish to achieve victory in the battle.
anujānāmi vaḥ pārthāḥ praharadhvaṃ yathāsukham ॥6-103-66॥
I allow you, sons of Pritha, to engage in battle as you wish.
evaṃ hi sukṛtaṃ manye bhavatāṃ vidito hyaham। hate mayi hataṃ sarvaṃ tasmādevaṃ vidhīyatām ॥6-103-67॥
I believe that your good deeds are indeed recognized. If I am killed, everything will be destroyed; therefore, let it be done in this manner.
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
brūhi tasmādupāyaṃ no yathā yuddhe jayemahi। bhavantaṃ samare kruddhaṃ daṇḍapāṇimivāntakam ॥6-103-68॥
Tell us the strategy by which we can win the battle, as you stand in the battlefield, fierce like Yama wielding a staff.
śakyo vajradharo jetuṃ varuṇo'tha yamastathā। na bhavānsamare śakyaḥ sendrairapi surāsuraiḥ ॥6-103-69॥
Even the wielder of the thunderbolt, Varuna, and Yama can be conquered, but you cannot be defeated in battle, not even by gods and demons along with Indra.
bhīṣma uvāca॥
Bhishma said:
satyam etan mahābāho yathā vadasi pāṇḍava। nāhaṃ śakyo raṇe jetuṃ sendrair api surāsuraiḥ ॥6-103-70॥
Indeed, O mighty-armed Pandava, what you say is true. I cannot be defeated in battle even by the gods and demons together with Indra.
āttaśastro raṇe yatto gṛhītavarakārmukaḥ। nyastaśastraṃ tu māṃ rājanhanyuryudhi mahārathāḥ ॥6-103-71॥
Armed and ready with the best bow in battle, but if I lay down my weapons, O king, the great warriors would kill me in the fight.
nikṣiptaśastre patite vimuktakavacadhvaje। dravamāṇe ca bhīte ca tavāsmīti ca vādini ॥6-103-72॥
When the weapons were laid down, and the armor and banner were discarded, while fleeing in fear, someone declared, 'I am yours.'
striyāṃ strīnāmadheye ca vikale caikaputrake। aprasūte ca duṣprekṣye na yuddhaṃ rocate mama ॥6-103-73॥
I do not find pleasure in war with women, those named after women, the deficient, those with only one son, the barren, or those unpleasant to look at.
imaṁ ca śṛṇu me pārtha saṅkalpaṁ pūrvacintitam। amaṅgalyadhvajaṁ dṛṣṭvā na yudhye yaṁ kathaṁcana ॥6-103-74॥
Listen to my decision, O Arjuna, which I have thought about before: Upon seeing the inauspicious banner, I shall not engage in battle under any circumstances.
ya eṣa draupado rājaṁstava sainye mahārathaḥ। śikhaṇḍī samarākāṅkṣī śūraśca samitiñjayaḥ ॥6-103-75॥
This is Draupada, O king, a great chariot-warrior in your army. He is Shikhandi, eager for battle, heroic and victorious in combat.
yathābhavacca strī pūrvaṃ paścātpuṃstvamupāgataḥ। jānanti ca bhavanto'pi sarvametadyathātatham ॥6-103-76॥
As it happened, she was a woman before and later attained manhood. You also know all this truly.
arjunaḥ samare śūraḥ puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam। māmeva viśikhaistūrṇamabhidravatu daṃśitaḥ ॥6-103-77॥
Arjuna, known for his heroism in battle, should place Shikhandi in front and swiftly attack me with arrows, being urged on.
amaṅgalyadhvaje tasminstrīpūrve ca viśeṣataḥ। na prahartumabhipsāmi gṛhīteṣuṃ kathaṃcana ॥6-103-78॥
I do not desire to attack the inauspicious banner, especially one led by women, with a drawn arrow in any manner.
tadantaraṃ samāsādya pāṇḍavo māṃ dhanañjayaḥ। śarairghātayatu kṣipraṃ samantādbharatarṣabha ॥6-103-79॥
Then, as the Pandava Dhananjaya approached me, let him swiftly strike with arrows from every direction, O best of the Bharatas.
na taṃ paśyāmi lokeṣu yo māṃ hanyātsamudyatam। ṛte kṛṣṇānmahābhāgātpāṇḍavādvā dhanañjayāt ॥6-103-80॥
I see no one in the world who can defeat me when I am ready, except for the great Krishna or Arjuna, the son of Pandu.
eṣa tasmātpurodhāya kañcidanyaṃ mamāgrataḥ। māṃ pātayatu bībhatsurevaṃ te vijayo bhavet ॥6-103-81॥
Therefore, let Bibhatsu place someone else in front of me and cause me to fall; in this way, your victory will be assured.
etat kuruṣva kaunteya yathoktaṃ vacanaṃ mama। tato jeṣyasi saṅgrāme dhārtarāṣṭrān samāgatān ॥6-103-82॥
"O son of Kunti, follow my instructions as stated. Then you will defeat the assembled sons of Dhritarashtra in battle."
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
te'anujñātāstataḥ pārthā jagmuḥ svaśibiraṃ prati। abhivādya mahātmānaṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham ॥6-103-83॥
After receiving permission, the sons of Pritha returned to their camp, paying respects to the noble Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus.
tathoktavati gāṅgeye paralokāya dīkṣite। arjuno duḥkhasantaptaḥ savrīḍamidamabravīt ॥6-103-84॥
After Bhishma, the son of Ganga, had spoken and was consecrated for his journey to the other world, Arjuna, overwhelmed with grief and shame, spoke these words.
guruṇā kulavṛddhena kṛtaprajñena dhīmatā। pitāmahena saṅgrāme kathaṃ yotsyāmi mādhava ॥6-103-85॥
O Mādhava, how can I fight against my teacher, the elder of my family, the wise and intelligent grandfather, in this battle?
krīḍatā hi mayā bālye vāsudeva mahāmanāḥ। pāṃsurūṣitagātreṇa mahātmā paruṣīkṛtaḥ ॥6-103-86॥
In my childhood, while playing, I made Vasudeva, the great-minded soul, rough with dust-covered limbs.
yasyāham adhiruhyāṅkaṃ bālaḥ kila gadāgrajaḥ। tātetyavocaṃ pitaraṃ pituḥ pāṇḍor mahātmanaḥ ॥6-103-87॥
As a child, I sat on the lap of the great soul Pandu's father and addressed him as 'father', O elder brother of Gada.
nāhaṃ tātastava pitustāto'smi tava bhārata। iti māmabravīdbālye yaḥ sa vadhyaḥ kathaṃ mayā ॥6-103-88॥
In my childhood, someone told me, 'I am not your father, nor your grandfather, O Bharata.' How can I kill him?
kāmaṃ vadhyatu me sainyaṃ nāhaṃ yotsye mahātmanā। jayo vāstu vadho vā me kathaṃ vā kṛṣṇa manyase ॥6-103-89॥
I am willing to let my army be destroyed; I will not fight against the great soul. Whether it results in victory or defeat for me, what is your opinion, O Krishna?
śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca॥
Shri Krishna said:
pratijñāya vadhaṃ jiṣṇo purā bhīṣmasya saṃyuge। kṣatradharme sthitaḥ pārtha kathaṃ nainaṃ haniṣyasi ॥6-103-90॥
O Arjuna, having once vowed to kill Bhishma in battle, as a warrior, how can you now refrain from killing him?
pātayainaṃ rathātpārtha vajrāhatamiva drumam। nāhatvā yudhi gāṅgeyaṃ vijayaste bhaviṣyati ॥6-103-91॥
"O son of Pritha, make him fall from the chariot like a tree struck by a thunderbolt. Your victory will not be assured without killing the son of Ganga in battle."
diṣṭametatpurā devairbhaviṣyatyavaśasya te। hantā bhīṣmasya pūrvendra iti tanna tadanyathā ॥6-103-92॥
This was predestined by the gods in ancient times; it will inevitably happen to you, who are powerless. The one who will slay Bhishma is the former Indra; thus, it cannot be otherwise.
na hi bhīṣmaṃ durādharṣaṃ vyāttānanamivāntakam। tvadanyaḥ śaknuyāddhantumapi vajradharaḥ svayam ॥6-103-93॥
Indeed, no one other than you could kill the invincible Bhishma, who is like death with an open mouth, not even Indra himself.
jahi bhīṣmaṃ mahābāho śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama। yathovāca purā śakraṃ mahābuddhirbṛhaspatiḥ ॥6-103-94॥
O mighty-armed one, conquer Bhishma and listen to my words, just as the wise Brihaspati once advised Indra.
jyāyāṁsamapi cecchakra guṇairapi samanvitam। ātatāyinamāmantrya hanyādghātakamāgatam ॥6-103-95॥
Even if someone is superior and endowed with qualities like Indra, one should address and kill the aggressor who has come as a killer.
śāśvato'yaṃ sthito dharmaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ dhanañjaya। yoddhavyaṃ rakṣitavyaṃ ca yaṣṭavyaṃ cān asūyubhiḥ ॥6-103-96॥
O Dhanañjaya, the eternal duty of the warriors is to fight, protect, and worship without envy.
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said:
śikhaṇḍī nidhanaṃ kṛṣṇa bhīṣmasya bhavitā dhruvam। dṛṣṭvaiva hi sadā bhīṣmaḥ pāñcālyaṃ vinivartate ॥6-103-97॥
Shikhandi's presence will lead to Bhishma's downfall, as Bhishma cannot fight against Panchali and thus will turn away, ensuring his defeat.
te vayaṃ pramukhe tasya sthāpayitvā śikhaṇḍinam। gāṅgeyaṃ pātayiṣyāma upāyeneti me matiḥ ॥6-103-98॥
We will place Shikhandi in front of him and, by strategy, bring down Bhishma, the son of Ganga; this is my plan.
aham anyān maheṣvāsān vārayiṣyāmi sāyakaiḥ। śikhaṇḍi api yudhāṃ śreṣṭho bhīṣmam eva abhiyāsyatu ॥6-103-99॥
I will take on the other great archers with my arrows, while Śikhaṇḍi, the best among warriors, should focus solely on Bhīṣma.
śrutaṃ te kurumukhyasya nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam। kanyā hyeṣā purā jātā puruṣaḥ samapadyata ॥6-103-100॥
I have heard, O chief of the Kurus, that I would not kill Shikhandi, for she was born a woman and later became a man.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
ityevaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtvā pāṇḍavāḥ sahamādhavāḥ। śayanāni yathāsvāni bhejire puruṣarṣabhāḥ ॥6-103-101॥
In this way, after making their decision, the Pandavas, accompanied by Madhava, retired to their respective beds, being the foremost among men.
