07.005
Pancharatra and Core: Recommended by Karna, Duryodhana appoints Drona as the commander of the army.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
रथस्थं पुरुषव्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा कर्णमवस्थितम्। हृष्टो दुर्योधनो राजन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥७-५-१॥
Upon seeing Karna, who was standing on the chariot and was a tiger among men, the joyful Duryodhana addressed the king with these words.
सनाथमिदमत्यर्थं भवता पालितं बलम्। मन्ये किं तु समर्थं यद्धितं तत्सम्प्रधार्यताम् ॥७-५-२॥
This strength has been exceedingly protected by you. However, I think that what is truly capable and beneficial should be considered.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said:
ब्रूहि तत्पुरुषव्याघ्र त्वं हि प्राज्ञतमो नृप। यथा चार्थपतिः कृत्यं पश्यते न तथेतरः ॥७-५-३॥
"O tiger among men, speak, for you are indeed the wisest of kings. Just as the lord of wealth perceives his duties, others do not see them in the same way."
ते स्म सर्वे तव वचः श्रोतुकामा नरेश्वर। नान्याय्यं हि भवान्वाक्यं ब्रूयादिति मतिर्मम ॥७-५-४॥
They all indeed are eager to hear your words, O king, for I believe you would not speak anything unjust.
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said:
भीष्मः सेनाप्रणेतासीद्वयसा विक्रमेण च। श्रुतेन च सुसम्पन्नः सर्वैर्योधगुणैस्तथा ॥७-५-५॥
Bhishma, the commander of the army, was well-endowed with age, prowess, and knowledge, possessing all the qualities of a warrior.
तेनातियशसा कर्ण घ्नता शत्रुगणान्मम। सुयुद्धेन दशाहानि पालिताः स्मो महात्मना ॥७-५-६॥
For ten days, we were protected by the great Karna, who, with his renowned valor, fought valiantly and defeated my enemies.
तस्मिन्नसुकरं कर्म कृतवत्यास्थिते दिवम्। कं नु सेनाप्रणेतारं मन्यसे तदनन्तरम् ॥७-५-७॥
In that challenging task, having accomplished it and reached heaven, whom do you now consider to be the leader of the army?
न ऋते नायकं सेना मुहूर्तमपि तिष्ठति। आहवेष्वाहवश्रेष्ठ नेतृहीनेव नौर्जले ॥७-५-८॥
Without a leader, an army cannot stand even for a moment. In battles, it is like a boat in water without a captain.
यथा ह्यकर्णधारा नौ रथश्चासारथिर्यथा। द्रवेद्यथेष्टं तद्वत्स्यादृते सेनापतिं बलम् ॥७-५-९॥
An army without a commander is like a ship without a helmsman or a chariot without a charioteer, moving aimlessly as it pleases.
स भवान्वीक्ष्य सर्वेषु मामकेषु महात्मसु। पश्य सेनापतिं युक्तमनु शान्तनवादिह ॥७-५-१०॥
He, having observed all my great warriors, see the general here who is engaged after Śāntanu.
यं हि सेनाप्रणेतारं भवान्वक्ष्यति संयुगे। तं वयं सहिताः सर्वे प्रकरिष्याम मारिष ॥७-५-११॥
We will all support whoever you appoint as the leader of the army in battle, O honorable one.
कर्ण उवाच॥
Karna said:
सर्व एव महात्मान इमे पुरुषसत्तमाः। सेनापतित्वमर्हन्ति नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥७-५-१२॥
All these great souls, the best among men, truly deserve to be generals; there should be no doubt about it here.
कुलसंहननज्ञानैर्बलविक्रमबुद्धिभिः। युक्ताः कृतज्ञा ह्रीमन्त आहवेष्वनिवर्तिनः ॥७-५-१३॥
They are endowed with the strength of family, knowledge, valor, and intelligence; they are grateful, modest, and do not retreat in battles.
युगपन्न तु ते शक्याः कर्तुं सर्वे पुरःसराः। एक एवात्र कर्तव्यो यस्मिन्वैशेषिका गुणाः ॥७-५-१४॥
However, it is possible to perform all tasks simultaneously, but only one task should be prioritized here, which possesses special qualities.
अन्योन्यस्पर्धिनां तेषां यद्येकं सत्करिष्यसि। शेषा विमनसो व्यक्तं न योत्स्यन्ते हि भारत ॥७-५-१५॥
O Bhārata, if you honor one among those who are in mutual rivalry, the others will become disheartened and clearly will not fight.
अयं तु सर्वयोधानामाचार्यः स्थविरो गुरुः। युक्तः सेनापतिः कर्तुं द्रोणः शस्त्रभृतां वरः ॥७-५-१६॥
This elder teacher and master of all warriors, Drona, is indeed fit to be made the general, being the best among weapon-bearers.
को हि तिष्ठति दुर्धर्षे द्रोणे ब्रह्मविदुत्तमे। सेनापतिः स्यादन्योऽस्माच्छुक्राङ्गिरसदर्शनात् ॥७-५-१७॥
Who indeed can stand invincible against Droṇa, the supreme knower of Brahman? Who else could be the commander other than him, as seen by Śukra and Aṅgiras?
न च स ह्यस्ति ते योधः सर्वराजसु भारत। यो द्रोणं समरे यान्तं नानुयास्यति संयुगे ॥७-५-१८॥
O Bharata, there is no warrior among all the kings who will not follow Droṇa as he goes into battle.
एष सेनाप्रणेतॄणामेष शस्त्रभृतामपि। एष बुद्धिमतां चैव श्रेष्ठो राजन्गुरुश्च ते ॥७-५-१९॥
This person is the leader among the army chiefs, the foremost among the wielders of weapons, and indeed the best among the wise. O king, he is also your teacher.
एवं दुर्योधनाचार्यमाशु सेनापतिं कुरु। जिगीषन्तोऽसुरान्सङ्ख्ये कार्त्तिकेयमिवामराः ॥७-५-२०॥
Thus, quickly appoint Duryodhana as the commander, just as the gods appointed Kartikeya in the battle to conquer the demons.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
कर्णस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा। सेनामध्यगतं द्रोणमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥७-५-२१॥
Upon hearing Karna's words, King Duryodhana addressed Drona, who was positioned in the center of the army, with these words.
वर्णश्रैष्ठ्यात्कुलोत्पत्त्या श्रुतेन वयसा धिया। वीर्याद्दाक्ष्यादधृष्यत्वादर्थज्ञानान्नयाज्जयात् ॥७-५-२२॥
Victory is achieved through superiority of caste, noble birth, learning, age, wisdom, valor, skill, invincibility, knowledge of wealth, and policy.
तपसा च कृतज्ञत्वाद्वृद्धः सर्वगुणैरपि। युक्तो भवत्समो गोप्ता राज्ञामन्यो न विद्यते ॥७-५-२३॥
By penance and gratitude, you have grown with all virtues and are endowed as a protector. There is no other equal to you among kings.
स भवान्पातु नः सर्वान्विबुधानिव वासवः। भवन्नेत्राः पराञ्जेतुमिच्छामो द्विजसत्तम ॥७-५-२४॥
May you protect us all like Indra protects the wise. With your guidance, we wish to achieve victory, O noble sage.
रुद्राणामिव कापाली वसूनामिव पावकः। कुबेर इव यक्षाणां मरुतामिव वासवः ॥७-५-२५॥
He is like Kāpālī among the Rudras, Pāvaka among the Vasus, Kubera among the Yakṣas, and Vāsava among the Maruts.
वसिष्ठ इव विप्राणां तेजसामिव भास्करः। पितॄणामिव धर्मोऽथ आदित्यानामिवाम्बुराट् ॥७-५-२६॥
He is like Vasiṣṭha among the learned, like the sun among the brilliant, like dharma among the ancestors, and like the lord of waters among the Ādityas.
नक्षत्राणामिव शशी दितिजानामिवोशनाः। श्रेष्ठः सेनाप्रणेतॄणां स नः सेनापतिर्भव ॥७-५-२७॥
May he be our commander, like the moon is the best among the stars and Ushanas is among the demons.
अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च वशगाः सन्तु तेऽनघ। ताभिः शत्रून्प्रतिव्यूह्य जहीन्द्रो दानवानिव ॥७-५-२८॥
May you have eleven armies under your command, O sinless one. With these forces, surround and defeat your enemies just as Indra defeated the demons.
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकिः। अनुयास्यामहे त्वाजौ सौरभेया इवर्षभम् ॥७-५-२९॥
May you lead us like the divine fire, and we shall follow you into battle like bullocks follow a bull.
उग्रधन्वा महेष्वासो दिव्यं विस्फारयन्धनुः। अग्रे भवन्तं दृष्ट्वा नो नार्जुनः प्रसहिष्यते ॥७-५-३०॥
The fierce bowman and great archer, wielding the divine bow, stands before you; Arjuna will not be able to overcome.
ध्रुवं युधिष्ठिरं सङ्ख्ये सानुबन्धं सबान्धवम्। जेष्यामि पुरुषव्याघ्र भवान्सेनापतिर्यदि ॥७-५-३१॥
"O tiger among men, if you are the commander, I am certain that I will defeat Yudhishthira in battle along with his followers and relatives."
एवमुक्ते ततो द्रोणे जयेत्यूचुर्नराधिपाः। सिंहनादेन महता हर्षयन्तस्तवात्मजम् ॥७-५-३२॥
Upon hearing these words addressed to Droṇa, the kings, with a great lion's roar, encouraged your son by saying, "May you be victorious."
सैनिकाश्च मुदा युक्ता वर्धयन्ति द्विजोत्तमम्। दुर्योधनं पुरस्कृत्य प्रार्थयन्तो महद्यशः ॥७-५-३३॥
The soldiers, filled with joy, support the best of the twice-born by placing Duryodhana at the forefront, seeking great fame.
द्रोण उवाच॥
Drona said:
वेदं षडङ्गं वेदाहमर्थविद्यां च मानवीम्। त्रैयम्बकमथेष्वस्त्रमस्त्राणि विविधानि च ॥७-५-३४॥
I know the Veda with its six limbs, the science of wealth, and human knowledge. Then, the three-eyed one, various weapons and arrows.
ये चाप्युक्ता मयि गुणा भवद्भिर्जयकाङ्क्षिभिः। चिकीर्षुस्तानहं सत्यान्योधयिष्यामि पाण्डवान् ॥७-५-३५॥
I will fight the Pandavas with the qualities you have spoken of in me, as you desire victory.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
स एवमभ्यनुज्ञातश्चक्रे सेनापतिं ततः। द्रोणं तव सुतो राजन्विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥७-५-३६॥
Thus permitted, your son made Droṇa the commander according to the prescribed method, O king.
अथाभिषिषिचुर्द्रोणं दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः। सेनापत्ये यथा स्कन्दं पुरा शक्रमुखाः सुराः ॥७-५-३७॥
Then the kings, led by Duryodhana, appointed Droṇa as their commander, just as the gods, led by Indra, had once appointed Skanda.
ततो वादित्रघोषेण सह पुंसां महास्वनैः। प्रादुरासीत्कृते द्रोणे हर्षः सेनापतौ तदा ॥७-५-३८॥
At that time, when Drona was made the general, there was a great joy accompanied by the sound of musical instruments and the loud cheers of men.
ततः पुण्याहघोषेण स्वस्तिवादस्वनेन च। संस्तवैर्गीतशब्दैश्च सूतमागधबन्दिनाम् ॥७-५-३९॥
Then, the atmosphere was filled with auspicious proclamations, sounds of blessings, praises, and musical sounds by the bards, genealogists, and heralds.
जयशब्दैर्द्विजाग्र्याणां सुभगानर्तितैस्तथा। सत्कृत्य विधिवद्द्रोणं जितान्मन्यन्त पाण्डवान् ॥७-५-४०॥
The foremost of the twice-born, with sounds of victory and charmed by the blessed ones, honored Droṇa properly and considered the Pāṇḍavas to be conquered.
