07.010
Pancharatra: Suddenly King Dhritarashtra had become a devotee of Krishna and recounts the various deeds of Krishna both as an adult and in his childhood days. Asks why foolish Duryodhana does not listen to his advice and then enquires about the war details.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
शृणु दिव्यानि कर्माणि वासुदेवस्य सञ्जय।कृतवान्यानि गोविन्दो यथा नान्यः पुमान्क्वचित् ॥७-१०-१॥
Listen, O Sañjaya, to the divine acts of Vāsudeva, which Govinda performed in a manner that no other man ever could.
संवर्धता गोपकुले बालेनैव महात्मना।विख्यापितं बलं बाह्वोस्त्रिषु लोकेषु सञ्जय ॥७-१०-२॥
O Sañjaya, the great soul, nurtured in the cowherd family, manifested his strength in the three worlds through his arms.
उच्चैःश्रवस्तुल्यबलं वायुवेगसमं जवे।जघान हयराजं यो यमुनावनवासिनम् ॥७-१०-३॥
The dweller of the Yamuna forest killed the king of horses, who was as strong as Uccaiḥśravas and as swift as the wind.
दानवं घोरकर्माणं गवां मृत्युमिवोत्थितम्।वृषरूपधरं बाल्ये भुजाभ्यां निजघान ह ॥७-१०-४॥
In his childhood, he indeed killed the demon who took the form of a bull and was like the death of cows, known for his terrible deeds.
प्रलम्बं नरकं जम्भं पीठं चापि महासुरम्।मुरुं चाचलसङ्काशमवधीत्पुष्करेक्षणः ॥७-१०-५॥
The lotus-eyed Lord defeated the demons Pralamba, Naraka, Jambha, Pīṭha, and the mighty Muru, who was as formidable as a mountain.
तथा कंसो महातेजा जरासन्धेन पालितः।विक्रमेणैव कृष्णेन सगणः शातितो रणे ॥७-१०-६॥
Thus, the mighty Kaṃsa, who was protected by Jarāsandha, was ultimately slain in battle by Kṛṣṇa and his followers.
सुनामा नाम विक्रान्तः समग्राक्षौहिणीपतिः।भोजराजस्य मध्यस्थो भ्राता कंसस्य वीर्यवान् ॥७-१०-७॥
Sunama, a valiant and powerful commander of the entire army, served as a mediator for King Bhoja and was the brother of Kamsa.
बलदेवद्वितीयेन कृष्णेनामित्रघातिना।तरस्वी समरे दग्धः ससैन्यः शूरसेनराट् ॥७-१०-८॥
The energetic king of Surasena, along with his army, was defeated in battle by Krishna, the brother of Balarama and slayer of enemies.
दुर्वासा नाम विप्रर्षिस्तथा परमकोपनः।आराधितः सदारेण स चास्मै प्रददौ वरान् ॥७-१०-९॥
Durvasa, the sage known for his extreme irritability, was worshipped by a man with his wife, and he granted them boons.
तथा गान्धारराजस्य सुतां वीरः स्वयंवरे।निर्जित्य पृथिवीपालानवहत्पुष्करेक्षणः ॥७-१०-१०॥
In the svayamvara, the lotus-eyed hero defeated all the kings of the earth and married the daughter of the king of Gandhara.
अमृष्यमाणा राजानो यस्य जात्या हया इव।रथे वैवाहिके युक्ताः प्रतोदेन कृतव्रणाः ॥७-१०-११॥
The kings, by their very nature, are intolerant like horses yoked to a marriage chariot and are wounded by the goad.
जरासन्धं महाबाहुमुपायेन जनार्दनः।परेण घातयामास पृथगक्षौहिणीपतिम् ॥७-१०-१२॥
Janārdana, through strategy, had the mighty-armed Jarāsandha killed by another, the leader of the army, separately.
चेदिराजं च विक्रान्तं राजसेनापतिं बली।अर्घे विवदमानं च जघान पशुवत्तदा ॥७-१०-१३॥
The strong Chedi king and the valiant royal general were killed like animals during their dispute over the offering.
सौभं दैत्यपुरं स्वस्थं शाल्वगुप्तं दुरासदम्।समुद्रकुक्षौ विक्रम्य पातयामास माधवः ॥७-१०-१४॥
Madhava, having ventured into the demon city of Saubha, which was well-guarded by Shalva and considered impregnable, managed to bring it down into the depths of the ocean.
अङ्गान्वङ्गान्कलिङ्गांश्च मागधान्काशिकोसलान्।वत्सगर्गकरूषांश्च पुण्ड्रांश्चाप्यजयद्रणे ॥७-१०-१५॥
He defeated the tribes of Angas, Vangas, Kalingas, Magadhas, Kashis, Kosalas, Vatsas, Gargas, Karushas, and Pundras in battle.
आवन्त्यान्दाक्षिणात्यांश्च पार्वतीयान्दशेरकान्।काश्मीरकानौरसकान्पिशाचांश्च समन्दरान् ॥७-१०-१६॥
The text lists various groups of people, including those from Avanti, the southern regions, the mountains, Dasharaka, Kashmir, Aurasa, as well as demons and sea dwellers.
काम्बोजान्वाटधानांश्च चोलान्पाण्ड्यांश्च सञ्जय।त्रिगर्तान्मालवांश्चैव दरदांश्च सुदुर्जयान् ॥७-१०-१७॥
O Sañjaya, the Kambojas, Vāṭadhānas, Cholas, Pāṇḍyas, Trigartas, Mālavas, Daradas, and Sudurjayas are mentioned.
नानादिग्भ्यश्च सम्प्राप्तान्व्रातानश्वशकान्प्रति।जितवान्पुण्डरीकाक्षो यवनांश्च सहानुगान् ॥७-१०-१८॥
The lotus-eyed Lord conquered the groups of horse riders coming from various directions, as well as the Yavanas and their followers.
प्रविश्य मकरावासं यादोभिरभिसंवृतम्।जिगाय वरुणं युद्धे सलिलान्तर्गतं पुरा ॥७-१०-१९॥
Once, having entered the abode of the crocodile and surrounded by aquatic creatures, he defeated Varuna in an underwater battle.
युधि पञ्चजनं हत्वा पातालतलवासिनम्।पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो दिव्यं शङ्खमवाप्तवान् ॥७-१०-२०॥
In the battle, Hṛṣīkeśa killed the demon Pañcajana, who lived in the netherworld, and obtained the divine conch named Pāñcajanya.
खाण्डवे पार्थसहितस्तोषयित्वा हुताशनम्।आग्नेयमस्त्रं दुर्धर्षं चक्रं लेभे महाबलः ॥७-१०-२१॥
In the Khandava forest, the mighty one, along with Partha, pleased the fire god and obtained the invincible fiery weapon, the discus.
वैनतेयं समारुह्य त्रासयित्वामरावतीम्।महेन्द्रभवनाद्वीरः पारिजातमुपानयत् ॥७-१०-२२॥
Garuda, the mighty bird, mounted and frightened the inhabitants of Amaravati, and the hero brought back the Parijata tree from Indra's abode.
तच्च मर्षितवाञ्शक्रो जानंस्तस्य पराक्रमम्।राज्ञां चाप्यजितं कञ्चित्कृष्णेनेह न शुश्रुम ॥७-१०-२३॥
Indra, recognizing his valor, forgave him. It is said that no king here has remained unconquered by Krishna.
यच्च तन्महदाश्चर्यं सभायां मम सञ्जय।कृतवान्पुण्डरीकाक्षः कस्तदन्य इहार्हति ॥७-१०-२४॥
O Sanjaya, what a great wonder has the lotus-eyed one performed in the assembly! Who else here deserves such a feat?
यच्च भक्त्या प्रपन्नोऽहमद्राक्षं कृष्णमीश्वरम्।तन्मे सुविदितं सर्वं प्रत्यक्षमिव चागमत् ॥७-१०-२५॥
With devotion, I surrendered and saw Krishna, the Lord. That knowledge became clear to me, as if I had directly perceived it.
नान्तो विक्रमयुक्तस्य बुद्ध्या युक्तस्य वा पुनः।कर्मणः शक्यते गन्तुं हृषीकेशस्य सञ्जय ॥७-१०-२६॥
O Sañjaya, there is no end to the valor and intelligence of one who is engaged in action; it is possible to reach Hṛṣīkeśa.
तथा गदश्च साम्बश्च प्रद्युम्नोऽथ विदूरथः।आगावहोऽनिरुद्धश्च चारुदेष्णश्च सारणः ॥७-१०-२७॥
Thus, Gada, Sāmba, Pradyumna, Vidūratha, Āgāvaha, Aniruddha, Cārudeṣṇa, and Sāraṇa were present.
उल्मुको निशठश्चैव झल्ली बभ्रुश्च वीर्यवान्।पृथुश्च विपृथुश्चैव समीकोऽथारिमेजयः ॥७-१०-२८॥
Ulmuka, Nishatha, Jhalli, Babhru, the powerful Prithu, Viprithu, Samika, and Arimejaya were present.
एते वै बलवन्तश्च वृष्णिवीराः प्रहारिणः।कथञ्चित्पाण्डवानीकं श्रयेयुः समरे स्थिताः ॥७-१०-२९॥
These strong and striking heroes of the Vṛṣṇi clan might somehow join the Pāṇḍava army standing in battle.
आहूता वृष्णिवीरेण केशवेन महात्मना।ततः संशयितं सर्वं भवेदिति मतिर्मम ॥७-१०-३०॥
When called by the great soul Keśava, the hero of the Vṛṣṇis, I believe that everything would then become doubtful.
नागायुतबलो वीरः कैलासशिखरोपमः।वनमाली हली रामस्तत्र यत्र जनार्दनः ॥७-१०-३१॥
The mighty hero, as strong as ten thousand elephants and resembling the peak of Kailasa, the forest-dweller and ploughman Rama, is present wherever Janardana is.
यमाहुः सर्वपितरं वासुदेवं द्विजातयः।अपि वा ह्येष पाण्डूनां योत्स्यतेऽर्थाय सञ्जय ॥७-१०-३२॥
The twice-born refer to Vasudeva as the universal father. Indeed, this one will fight for the cause of the Pandavas, O Sanjaya.
स यदा तात संनह्येत्पाण्डवार्थाय केशवः।न तदा प्रत्यनीकेषु भविता तस्य कश्चन ॥७-१०-३३॥
O father, when Krishna prepares himself for the Pandavas, there will be no one among the opposing forces to stand against him.
यदि स्म कुरवः सर्वे जयेयुः सर्वपाण्डवान्।वार्ष्णेयोऽर्थाय तेषां वै गृह्णीयाच्छस्त्रमुत्तमम् ॥७-१०-३४॥
If all the Kurus were to defeat all the Pandavas, Krishna would indeed take up the best weapon for their cause.
ततः सर्वान्नरव्याघ्रो हत्वा नरपतीन्रणे।कौरवांश्च महाबाहुः कुन्त्यै दद्यात्स मेदिनीम् ॥७-१०-३५॥
Then the mighty-armed hero, having slain all the kings and the Kauravas in battle, would give the earth to Kunti.
यस्य यन्ता हृषीकेशो योद्धा यस्य धनञ्जयः।रथस्य तस्य कः सङ्ख्ये प्रत्यनीको भवेद्रथः ॥७-१०-३६॥
With Hṛṣīkeśa as the charioteer and Dhanañjaya as the warrior, who can stand as an opposing chariot in the battle?
न केनचिदुपायेन कुरूणां दृश्यते जयः।तस्मान्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व यथा युद्धमवर्तत ॥७-१०-३७॥
"There seems to be no way for the Kurus to achieve victory. Therefore, tell me everything about how the battle unfolded."
अर्जुनः केशवस्यात्मा कृष्णोऽप्यात्मा किरीटिनः।अर्जुने विजयो नित्यं कृष्णे कीर्तिश्च शाश्वती ॥७-१०-३८॥
Arjuna is the soul of Keshava, and Krishna is also the soul of the crowned one. Victory always resides with Arjuna, and everlasting fame with Krishna.
प्राधान्येन हि भूयिष्ठममेयाः केशवे गुणाः।मोहाद्दुर्योधनः कृष्णं यन्न वेत्तीह माधवम् ॥७-१०-३९॥
Duryodhana, due to his delusion, fails to recognize the immeasurable and abundant qualities of Keśava, who is Kṛṣṇa, here as Mādhava.
मोहितो दैवयोगेन मृत्युपाशपुरस्कृतः।न वेद कृष्णं दाशार्हमर्जुनं चैव पाण्डवम् ॥७-१०-४०॥
Under the influence of divine will and bound by the noose of death, he fails to recognize Krishna, the descendant of Dasharha, as well as Arjuna and the Pandava.
पूर्वदेवौ महात्मानौ नरनारायणावुभौ।एकात्मानौ द्विधाभूतौ दृश्येते मानवैर्भुवि ॥७-१०-४१॥
The great souls, Nara and Nārāyaṇa, who were once the former gods, are perceived by humans on earth as two distinct entities, though they are one in essence.
मनसापि हि दुर्धर्षौ सेनामेतां यशस्विनौ।नाशयेतामिहेच्छन्तौ मानुषत्वात्तु नेच्छतः ॥७-१०-४२॥
Even in thought, the invincible and glorious ones could destroy this army here if they wished, but due to their human nature, they do not wish to do so.
युगस्येव विपर्यासो लोकानामिव मोहनम्।भीष्मस्य च वधस्तात द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः ॥७-१०-४३॥
O father, it is like the reversal of the age and the delusion of the people, the killing of the great souls Bhishma and Drona.
न ह्येव ब्रह्मचर्येण न वेदाध्ययनेन च।न क्रियाभिर्न शस्त्रेण मृत्योः कश्चिद्विमुच्यते ॥७-१०-४४॥
Indeed, no one is liberated from death by celibacy, study of the Vedas, rituals, or weapons.
लोकसम्भावितौ वीरौ कृतास्त्रौ युद्धदुर्मदौ।भीष्मद्रोणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा किं नु जीवामि सञ्जय ॥७-१०-४५॥
Sanjaya, having heard that the revered heroes Bhishma and Drona, who were honored by the world and skilled in weapons, have been slain, how can I continue to live?
यां तां श्रियमसूयामः पुरा यातां युधिष्ठिरे।अद्य तामनुजानीमो भीष्मद्रोणवधेन च ॥७-१०-४६॥
The prosperity that we once envied in Yudhishthira, which had departed, today we accept due to the fall of Bhishma and Drona.
तथा च मत्कृते प्राप्तः कुरूणामेष सङ्क्षयः।पक्वानां हि वधे सूत वज्रायन्ते तृणान्यपि ॥७-१०-४७॥
Thus, for my sake, this destruction of the Kurus has come about. Indeed, O charioteer, even the most insignificant things become powerful in the killing of the ripe.
अनन्यमिदमैश्वर्यं लोके प्राप्तो युधिष्ठिरः।यस्य कोपान्महेष्वासौ भीष्मद्रोणौ निपातितौ ॥७-१०-४८॥
Yudhishthira attained unmatched sovereignty in the world, and it was by his wrath that the great warriors Bhishma and Drona were defeated.
प्राप्तः प्रकृतितो धर्मो नाधर्मो मानवान्प्रति।क्रूरः सर्वविनाशाय कालः समतिवर्तते ॥७-१०-४९॥
Righteousness is naturally attained, not unrighteousness towards humans. Cruel time surpasses everything, leading to total destruction.
अन्यथा चिन्तिता ह्यर्था नरैस्तात मनस्विभिः।अन्यथैव हि गच्छन्ति दैवादिति मतिर्मम ॥७-१०-५०॥
Dear, the purposes thought by wise men often turn out differently due to fate; this is my belief.
तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे सम्प्राप्ते कृच्छ्र उत्तमे।अपारणीये दुश्चिन्त्ये यथाभूतं प्रचक्ष्व मे ॥७-१०-५१॥
Therefore, in this inevitable and worrisome situation that has come upon us, tell me exactly as it is, despite the great difficulty.
