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.
Sanjaya spoke.
At dawn, O great king, all the kings, including the Pandavas and the sons of Dhritarashtra, approached the grandsire.
The warriors, having saluted, stood near the hero lying on the hero's bed, the best of the Kurus, the bull among Kshatriyas.
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.
Musical instruments played, courtesans and prostitutes gathered, and dancers performed around the old Kuru grandfather, singing to him.
The Kurus and Pandavas, having stopped fighting, removed their armors, and laid down their weapons, stood together.
They lived harmoniously with the invincible Devavrata, the subduer of enemies, maintaining mutual affection as they did in the past, according to their ages.
The assembly, graced by Bhishma and filled with numerous kings, shone brilliantly like the sun in the sky.
She shone among the kings as they worshipped her like the gods worship the lord of gods, the grandfather.
Bhishma, despite being in pain, courageously restrained himself, O best of the Bharatas, and though afflicted by arrows and not very pleased, he spoke.
I am scorched by arrows and faint from their heat; I long for water. The king spoke to them.
Then, O king, the warriors gathered from all directions various kinds of food and cool water pots there.
Upon seeing what was brought near, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, remarked: "Dear one, today I am unable to partake in any human pleasures."
I have come to rest on the bed of arrows, awaiting the time when the sun and the moon cease to be.
After speaking in this manner, Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, humbly addressed all the kings and the mighty-armed Arjuna, O descendant of Bharata.
Then, the mighty-armed warrior approached the grandsire, saluted him, stood humbly with folded hands, and asked, "What should I do?"
Upon seeing the Pāṇḍava standing respectfully before him, the virtuous Bhīṣma, pleased, spoke to Dhanañjaya.
My body is burning and pierced by great arrows. My vital organs are in pain, and my face is drying up.
Arjuna, for the pleasure of my body, please provide water. You are indeed capable, O great archer, to offer water in the proper manner.
Arjuna, the valiant, ascended the chariot and, having said thus, strongly strung the Gandiva bow and stretched it.
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.
Then, the best among charioteers, after circumambulating by chariot, lay down, being the best among the Bharatas and all weapon-bearers.
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.
A pure and auspicious stream of water emerged, cool and nectar-like, with a divine fragrance and taste.
Then Arjuna, heroic in divine deeds, drenched Bhishma, the esteemed leader of the Kurus, with a refreshing stream of water.
By the actions of Pārtha, which were as remarkable as those of Śakra, the lords of the earth were greatly amazed.
Upon witnessing that terrifying and extraordinary superhuman act, the Kurus shivered as if they were cows suffering from the cold.
In astonishment, the kings waved their upper garments in all directions; the sound of conches and drums created a tumultuous atmosphere everywhere.
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.
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.
With the help of Vasudeva, you will accomplish a great task that even Indra, along with the other gods, cannot undertake.
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.
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.
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.
Dhritarashtra's son did not heed the words, despite being repeatedly advised by Vidura, Drona, Rama, Janardana, and Sanjaya.
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.
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."
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.
The divine weapons of Agni, Varuna, Soma, Vayu, Vishnu, Indra, Pashupati, Brahma, Parameshthi, Prajapati, Dhata, Tvashta, and Savita are all mentioned.
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.
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.
As long as mighty-armed Kṛṣṇa is in control in the Kuru assembly, dear father, Pārtha, the hero, should make peace with you.
Dear father, as long as Arjuna has not destroyed your remaining forces with his curved arrows, you should make peace.
O king, as long as the surviving brothers and many kings remain in the battle, let peace be established.
O dear, as long as your eyes inflamed with anger do not destroy the army, let peace be established with Yudhishthira.
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.
"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."
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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
