06.116
Pancharatra and Core: The next morning, Arjuna creates a continuous spring to provide water to Bhishma, who advises both sides to cease hostilities.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya spoke.
vyuṣṭāyāṃ tu mahārāja rajanyāṃ sarvapārthivāḥ। pāṇḍavā dhārtarāṣṭrāśca abhijagmuḥ pitāmaham ॥6-116-1॥
At dawn, O great king, all the kings, including the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra, approached the grandsire.
taṁ vīraśayane vīraṁ śayānaṁ kurusattamam। abhivādyopatasturvai kṣatriyāḥ kṣatriyarṣabham ॥6-116-2॥
The warriors, having saluted, stood near the hero lying on the hero's bed, the best of the Kurus, the bull among Kshatriyas.
kanyāś candanacūrṇaiś ca lājair mālyaiś ca sarvaśaḥ। striyo bālās tathā vṛddhāḥ prekṣakāś ca pṛthagjanāḥ ॥ samabhyayuḥ śāntanavaṃ bhūtānīva tamonudam ॥6-116-3॥
Girls, women, children, the elderly, spectators, and common people, all carrying sandalwood powder, parched grains, and garlands, approached Śāntanu's son, who was like a disperser of darkness.
tūryāṇi gaṇikā vārāstathaiva naṭanartakāḥ। upānṛtyañjaguścaiva vṛddhaṃ kurupitāmaham ॥6-116-4॥
Musical instruments played, courtesans and prostitutes gathered, and dancers performed around the old Kuru grandfather, singing to him.
upāramya ca yuddhebhyaḥ saṃnāhān vipramucya ca। āyudhāni ca nikṣipya sahitāḥ kurupāṇḍavāḥ ॥6-116-5॥
The Kurus and Pandavas, having stopped fighting, removed their armors, and laid down their weapons, stood together.
anvāsata durādharṣaṃ devavratamariṃdamam। anyonyaṃ prītimantaste yathāpūrvaṃ yathāvayaḥ ॥6-116-6॥
They lived harmoniously with the invincible Devavrata, the subduer of enemies, maintaining mutual affection as they did in the past, according to their ages.
sā pārthivaśatākīrṇā samitirbhīṣmaśobhitā। śuśubhe bhāratī dīptā divīvādityamaṇḍalam ॥6-116-7॥
The assembly, graced by Bhishma and filled with numerous kings, shone brilliantly like the sun in the sky.
vibabhau ca nṛpāṇāṃ sā pitāmahamupāsatām। devānāmiva deveśaṃ pitāmahamupāsatām ॥6-116-8॥
She shone among the kings as they worshipped her like the gods worship the lord of gods, the grandfather.
bhīṣmastu vedanāṃ dhairyānnigṛhya bharatarṣabha। abhitaptaḥ śaraiścaiva nātihṛṣṭamanābravīt ॥6-116-9॥
Bhishma, despite being in pain, courageously restrained himself, O best of the Bharatas, and though afflicted by arrows and not very pleased, he spoke.
śarābhitaptakāyo'haṃ śarasantāpamūrchitaḥ। pānīyamabhikāṅkṣe'haṃ rājñastānpratyabhāṣata ॥6-116-10॥
I am scorched by arrows and faint from their heat; I long for water. The king spoke to them.
tataste kṣatriyā rājansamājahruḥ samantataḥ। bhakṣyān uccāvacāṃs tatra vārikumbhāṃś ca śītalān ॥6-116-11॥
Then, O king, the warriors gathered from all directions various kinds of food and cool water pots there.
upanītaṃ ca taddṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo'bravīt। nādya tāta mayā śakyaṃ bhogān kāṃścana mānuṣān ॥6-116-12॥
Upon seeing what was brought near, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, remarked: "Dear one, today I am unable to partake in any human pleasures."
upabhoktuṃ manuṣyebhyaḥ śaraśayyāgato hyaham। pratīkṣamāṇastiṣṭhāmi nivṛttiṃ śaśisūryayoḥ ॥6-116-13॥
I have come to rest on the bed of arrows, awaiting the time when the sun and the moon cease to be.
evamuktvā śāntanavo dīnavāksarvapārthivān। dhanañjayaṃ mahābāhumabhyabhāṣata bhārata ॥6-116-14॥
After speaking in this manner, Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, humbly addressed all the kings and the mighty-armed Arjuna, O descendant of Bharata.
athopetya mahābāhurabhivādya pitāmaham। atiṣṭhatprāñjaliḥ prahvaḥ kiṃ karomīti cābravīt ॥6-116-15॥
Then, the mighty-armed warrior approached the grandsire, saluted him, stood humbly with folded hands, and asked, "What should I do?"
taṃ dṛṣṭvā pāṇḍavaṃ rājannabhivādyāgrataḥ sthitam। abhyabhāṣata dharmātmā bhīṣmaḥ prīto dhanañjayam ॥6-116-16॥
Upon seeing the Pāṇḍava standing respectfully before him, the virtuous Bhīṣma, pleased, spoke to Dhanañjaya.
dahyate'daḥ śarīraṃ me saṃsyūto'smi maheṣubhiḥ। marmāṇi paridūyante vadanaṃ mama śuṣyati ॥6-116-17॥
My body is burning and pierced by great arrows. My vital organs are in pain, and my face is drying up.
hlādanārthaṃ śarīrasya prayacchāpo mamārjuna। tvaṃ hi śakto maheṣvāsa dātumambho yathāvidhi ॥6-116-18॥
Arjuna, for the pleasure of my body, please provide water. You are indeed capable, O great archer, to offer water in the proper manner.
arjunastu tathetyuktvā rathamāruhya vīryavān। adhijyaṃ balavatkṛtvā gāṇḍīvaṃ vyākṣipaddhanuḥ ॥6-116-19॥
Arjuna, the valiant, ascended the chariot and, having said thus, strongly strung the Gandiva bow and stretched it.
tasya jyātalanirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ। vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni śrutvā sarve ca pārthivāḥ ॥6-116-20॥
The sound of his bowstring was as loud as the thunder of a thunderbolt, causing all beings and kings to be terrified upon hearing it.
tataḥ pradakṣiṇaṃ kṛtvā rathena rathināṃ varaḥ। śayānaṃ bharataśreṣṭhaṃ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varam ॥6-116-21॥
Then, the best among charioteers, after circumambulating by chariot, lay down, being the best among the Bharatas and all weapon-bearers.
sandhāya ca śaraṃ dīptamabhimantrya mahāyaśāḥ। parjanyāstreṇa saṃyojya sarvalokasya paśyataḥ ॥ avidhyatpṛthivīṃ pārthaḥ pārśve bhīṣmasya dakṣiṇe ॥6-116-22॥
The greatly renowned Arjuna, after fixing and chanting over the blazing arrow and uniting it with the Parjanya weapon, pierced the earth while all the worlds watched, standing beside Bhishma on the right.
utpapāta tato dhārā vimalā vāriṇaḥ śivā। śītasya amṛtakalpasya divyagandharasasya ca ॥6-116-23॥
A pure and auspicious stream of water emerged, cool and nectar-like, with a divine fragrance and taste.
atarpayattataḥ pārthaḥ śītayā vāridhārayā। bhīṣmaṃ kurūṇāmṛṣabhaṃ divyakarmaparākramaḥ ॥6-116-24॥
Then Arjuna, heroic in divine deeds, drenched Bhishma, the esteemed leader of the Kurus, with a refreshing stream of water.
karmaṇā tena pārthasya śakraṣyeva vikurvataḥ। vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmustataste vasudhādhipāḥ ॥6-116-25॥
By the actions of Pārtha, which were as remarkable as those of Śakra, the lords of the earth were greatly amazed.
tatkarma prekṣya bībhatsoratimānuṣamadbhutam। samprāvepanta kuravo gāvaḥ śītārditā iva ॥6-116-26॥
Upon witnessing that terrifying and extraordinary superhuman act, the Kurus shivered as if they were cows suffering from the cold.
vismayāccottarīyāṇi vyāvidhyansarvato nṛpāḥ। śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaistumulaṃ sarvato'bhavat ॥6-116-27॥
In astonishment, the kings waved their upper garments in all directions; the sound of conches and drums created a tumultuous atmosphere everywhere.
tṛptaḥ śāntanavaścāpi rājanbībhatsumabravīt। sarvapārthivavīrāṇāṃ saṃnidhau pūjayanniva ॥6-116-28॥
The son of Śantanu, being satisfied, addressed Bībhatsu, O king, in the presence of all the kings and heroes, as if he were honoring him.
naitac citraṁ mahābāho tvayi kauravanandana। kathito nāradenāsi pūrvarṣir amitadyutiḥ ॥6-116-29॥
It is not surprising, O mighty-armed one, that you, the joy of the Kauravas, are described by Narada as an ancient sage of immeasurable splendor.
vāsudevasahāyastvaṃ mahatkarma kariṣyasi। yannotsahati devendraḥ saha devairapi dhruvam ॥6-116-30॥
With the help of Vasudeva, you will accomplish a great task that even Indra, along with the other gods, cannot undertake.
vidustvāṃ nidhanaṃ pārtha sarvakṣatrasya tadvidaḥ। dhanurdharāṇāmekastvaṃ pṛthivyāṃ pravaro nṛṣu ॥6-116-31॥
O son of Pritha, those who know recognize you as the end of all warriors; you are the foremost among archers and the best among men on earth.
manuṣyā jagati śreṣṭhāḥ pakṣiṇāṃ garuḍo varaḥ। sarasāṃ sāgaraḥ śreṣṭho gaurvariṣṭhā catuṣpadām ॥6-116-32॥
In the world, humans are considered the best; among birds, Garuda holds the highest place; the ocean is deemed the greatest among bodies of water; and the cow is regarded as the most superior among four-legged animals.
ādityastejasāṃ śreṣṭho girīṇāṃ himavānvaraḥ। jātīnāṃ brāhmaṇaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhastvamasi dhanvinām ॥6-116-33॥
The sun is the foremost among the radiant, the Himalayas are the most excellent among the mountains, the Brahmin is the highest among the castes, and you are the best among the archers.
na vai śrutaṃ dhārtarāṣṭreṇa vākyaṃ; sambodhyamānaṃ vidureṇa caiva। droṇena rāmeṇa janārdanena; muhurmuhuḥ sañjayenāpi coktam ॥6-116-34॥
Dhritarashtra's son did not heed the words, despite being repeatedly advised by Vidura, Drona, Rama, Janardana, and Sanjaya.
parītabuddhirhi visañjñakalpo; duryodhano nābhyanandadvaco me। sa śeṣyate vai nihataścirāya; śāstrātigo bhīmabalābhibhūtaḥ ॥6-116-35॥
Duryodhana, with his mind confused and almost unconscious, did not welcome my words. He will lie slain for a long time, having transgressed the scriptures and being overcome by Bhima's strength.
tataḥ śrutvā tadvacaḥ kauravendro; duryodhano dīnamanā babhūva. tamabravīcchāntanavo'bhivīkṣya; nibodha rājanbhava vītamanyuḥ ॥6-116-36॥
Upon hearing those words, Duryodhana, the lord of the Kauravas, became dejected. Observing him, Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, advised, "Understand, O king, and let go of your anger."
dṛṣṭaṃ duryodhanedaṃ te yathā pārthena dhīmatā। jalasya dhārā janitā śītasya amṛtagandhinaḥ ॥ etasya kartā loke'smin nānyaḥ kaścana vidyate ॥6-116-37॥
This has been seen by Duryodhana as it was by the wise Partha, a stream of water produced, cool and nectar-scented. In this world, there is no other doer of this.
āgneyaṃ vāruṇaṃ saumyaṃ vāyavyamatha vaiṣṇavam। aindraṃ pāśupataṃ brāhmaṃ pārameṣṭhyaṃ prajāpateḥ ॥ dhātustvaṣṭuśca saviturdivyānyastrāṇi sarvaśaḥ ॥6-116-38॥
The divine weapons of Agni, Varuna, Soma, Vayu, Vishnu, Indra, Pashupati, Brahma, Parameshthi, Prajapati, Dhata, Tvashta, and Savita are all mentioned.
sarvasmin mānuṣe loke vettyeko hi dhanañjayaḥ। kṛṣṇo vā devakīputro nānyo vai veda kaścana ॥ na śakyāḥ pāṇḍavāstāta yuddhe jetuṃ kathaṃcana ॥6-116-39॥
In the entire human world, only Dhananjaya or Krishna, the son of Devaki, truly knows; no one else does. O dear, the Pandavas cannot be defeated in battle in any way.
amānuṣāṇi karmāṇi yasyaitāni mahātmanaḥ। tena sattvavatā saṅkhye śūreṇāhavaśobhinā ॥ kṛtinā samare rājansandhiste tāta yujyatām ॥6-116-40॥
The great soul, whose deeds are superhuman, by him, the virtuous hero shining in battle, skillful in war, O king, let peace be made, dear.
yāvatkṛṣṇo mahābāhuḥ svādhīnaḥ kurusaṁsadi। tāvatpārthena śūreṇa sandhiste tāta yujyatām ॥6-116-41॥
As long as mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa is in control in the Kuru assembly, dear father, Pārtha, the hero, should make peace with you.
yāvaccamūṃ na te śeṣāṃ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ। nāśayatyarjunastāvatsandhiste tāta yujyatām ॥6-116-42॥
Dear father, as long as Arjuna has not destroyed your remaining forces with his curved arrows, you should make peace.
yāvattiṣṭhanti samare hataśeṣāḥ sahodarāḥ। nṛpāśca bahavo rājaṃstāvat sandhiḥ prayujyatām ॥6-116-43॥
O king, as long as the surviving brothers and many kings remain in the battle, let peace be established.
na nirdahati te yāvatkrodhadīptakṣaṇaścamūm। yudhiṣṭhiro hi tāvadvai sandhiste tāta yujyatām ॥6-116-44॥
O dear, as long as your eyes inflamed with anger do not destroy the army, let peace be established with Yudhishthira.
nakulaḥ sahadevaśca bhīmasenaśca pāṇḍavaḥ। yāvaccamūṃ mahārāja nāśayanti na sarvaśaḥ ॥ tāvatte pāṇḍavaiḥ sārdhaṃ saubhrātraṃ tāta rocatām ॥6-116-45॥
Nakul, Sahadev, and Bhimasena, the Pandavas, are engaged in battle. As long as they do not completely destroy the army, O great king, may your alliance with the Pandavas remain strong and pleasing, dear father.
yuddhaṁ madantamevāstu tāta saṁśāmya pāṇḍavaiḥ। etatte rocatāṁ vākyaṁ yadukto'si mayānagha ॥ etatkṣemamahaṁ manye tava caiva kulasya ca ॥6-116-46॥
"Let the war be my end, dear father; make peace with the Pandavas. May these words I have spoken please you, O sinless one. I believe this is for your welfare and that of the family."
tyaktvā manyumupaśāmyasva pārthaiḥ; paryāptametadyatkṛtaṃ phalgunena। bhīṣmasyāntādastu vaḥ sauhṛdaṃ vā; sampraśleṣaḥ sādhu rājanprasīda ॥6-116-47॥
Abandon your anger and calm yourself, for what has been done by Arjuna is sufficient. Let there be friendship or reconciliation after Bhishma's end; O king, please be gracious.
rājyasyārdhaṃ dīyatāṃ pāṇḍavanā; mindraprasthaṃ dharmarājo'nuśāstuḥ। mā mitradhṛkpārthivānāṃ jaghanyaḥ; pāpāṃ kīrtiṃ prāpsyase kauravendra ॥6-116-48॥
Half of the kingdom should be given to the Pandavas, and Yudhishthira should rule Indraprastha. Do not become the lowest among kings, betraying your friends, as you will gain a sinful reputation, O King of the Kauravas.
mamāvasānācchāntirastu prajānāṃ; saṅgacchantāṃ pārthivāḥ prītimantaḥ। pitā putraṃ mātulaṃ bhāgineyo; bhrātā caiva bhrātaraṃ praitu rājan ॥6-116-49॥
At the end of my life, let there be peace among the people; let the affectionate kings unite. Let fathers be with their sons, maternal uncles with their nephews, and brothers with their brothers, O king.
na cedevaṃ prāptakālaṃ vaco me; mohāviṣṭaḥ pratipatsyasyabuddhyā। bhīṣmasyāntādetadantāḥ stha sarve; satyāmetāṃ bhāratīmīrayāmi ॥6-116-50॥
If you fail to act wisely and timely as per my words, being deluded, you all will meet your end here as Bhishma did; truly, I declare this.
etadvākyaṃ sauhṛdādāpageyo; madhye rājñāṃ bhārataṃ śrāvayitvā। tūṣṇīmāsīcchalyasantaptamarmā; yatvātmānaṃ vedanāṃ saṃnigṛhya ॥6-116-51॥
This statement was sung out of friendship, making the Bharata heard among the kings. Silently, he endured, his vital parts burning with pain, having controlled himself and restrained the pain.
