07.052
Pancharatra and Core: Both Duryodhana and Drona assure Saindhava of protection and prepare him for the next day's war.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
श्रुत्वा तु तं महाशब्दं पाण्डूनां पुत्रगृद्धिनाम्। चारैः प्रवेदिते तत्र समुत्थाय जयद्रथः ॥७-५२-१॥
Upon hearing the great noise made by the Pandavas, who were eager for their sons, Jayadratha, having been informed by spies, rose up there.
शोकसंमूढहृदयो दुःखेनाभिहतो भृशम्। मज्जमान इवागाधे विपुले शोकसागरे ॥७-५२-२॥
His heart, overwhelmed by grief, was deeply afflicted by sorrow, as if he were sinking in a vast and unfathomable ocean of grief.
जगाम समितिं राज्ञां सैन्धवो विमृशन्बहु। स तेषां नरदेवानां सकाशे परिदेवयन् ॥७-५२-३॥
The Sindhu prince, after much contemplation, went to the assembly of kings and lamented before them.
अभिमन्योः पितुर्भीतः सव्रीडो वाक्यमब्रवीत्। योऽसौ पाण्डोः किल क्षेत्रे जातः शक्रेण कामिना ॥७-५२-४॥
Fearful and ashamed, Abhimanyu's father spoke, referring to the one who was indeed born in the field of Pandu by Indra with desire.
स निनीषति दुर्बुद्धिर्मां किलैकं यमक्षयम्। तत्स्वस्ति वोऽस्तु यास्यामि स्वगृहं जीवितेप्सया ॥७-५२-५॥
The evil-minded one indeed wishes to take me alone to the abode of Yama. Therefore, may welfare be to you all; I shall return to my home with the hope of preserving my life.
अथ वा स्थ प्रतिबलास्त्रातुं मां क्षत्रियर्षभाः। पार्थेन प्रार्थितं वीरास्ते ददन्तु ममाभयम् ॥७-५२-६॥
Now, if you are equal in strength, O best of the warriors, let those heroes requested by Arjuna grant me protection.
द्रोणदुर्योधनकृपाः कर्णमद्रेशबाह्लिकाः। दुःशासनादयः शक्तास्त्रातुमप्यन्तकाद्रितम् ॥७-५२-७॥
Drona, Duryodhana, Kripa, Karna, the King of Madra, Bahlika, Duhshasana, and others are capable of protecting the truth even from death.
किमङ्ग पुनरेकेन फल्गुनेन जिघांसता। न त्रायेयुर्भवन्तो मां समस्ताः पतयः क्षितेः ॥७-५२-८॥
What indeed, if Arjuna alone desires to kill, would you all, the lords of the earth, not protect me?
प्रहर्षं पाण्डवेयानां श्रुत्वा मम महद्भयम्। सीदन्तीव च मेऽङ्गानि मुमूर्षोरिव पार्थिवाः ॥७-५२-९॥
Upon hearing the joy of the Pandavas, I felt immense fear. My limbs seem to be sinking as if I were a dying king.
वधो नूनं प्रतिज्ञातो मम गाण्डीवधन्वना। तथा हि हृष्टाः क्रोशन्ति शोककालेऽपि पाण्डवाः ॥७-५२-१०॥
The Pandavas, confident in the promise made by the wielder of the Gandiva bow, are expressing their joy even during this time of sorrow.
न देवा न च गन्धर्वा नासुरोरगराक्षसाः। उत्सहन्तेऽन्यथा कर्तुं कुत एव नराधिपाः ॥७-५२-११॥
Neither gods, celestial beings, demons, serpents, nor ogres can act otherwise; how then can kings?
तस्मान्मामनुजानीत भद्रं वोऽस्तु नरर्षभाः। अदर्शनं गमिष्यामि न मां द्रक्ष्यन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥७-५२-१२॥
Therefore, O best among men, permit me to leave. May your welfare be ensured. I shall become invisible, and the Pandavas will not see me.
एवं विलपमानं तं भयाद्व्याकुलचेतसम्। आत्मकार्यगरीयस्त्वाद्राजा दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत् ॥७-५२-१३॥
Seeing him lamenting and distressed out of fear, King Duryodhana spoke to emphasize the importance of his own duty.
न भेतव्यं नरव्याघ्र को हि त्वा पुरुषर्षभ। मध्ये क्षत्रियवीराणां तिष्ठन्तं प्रार्थयेद्युधि ॥७-५२-१४॥
"Do not be afraid, O tiger among men, for who would dare challenge you, O bull among men, as you stand among the warrior kshatriyas in battle?"
अहं वैकर्तनः कर्णश्चित्रसेनो विविंशतिः। भूरिश्रवाः शलः शल्यो वृषसेनो दुरासदः ॥७-५२-१५॥
I am Karṇa, the son of Vikartana, along with Citrasena, Viviṁśati, Bhūriśravā, Śala, Śalya, Vṛṣasena, and Durāsadaḥ.
पुरुमित्रो जयो भोजः काम्बोजश्च सुदक्षिणः। सत्यव्रतो महाबाहुर्विकर्णो दुर्मुखः सहः ॥७-५२-१६॥
Purumitra, Jaya, Bhoja, Kamboja, Sudakshina, Satyavrata the mighty-armed, Vikarna, Durmukha, and Saha were present.
दुःशासनः सुबाहुश्च कलिङ्गश्चाप्युदायुधः। विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ द्रोणो द्रौणिः ससौबलः ॥७-५२-१७॥
Duhshasana, Subahu, Kalinga, Udayudha, Vindanuvinda, the princes of Avanti, Drona, Drauni, and Saubala were present.
त्वं चापि रथिनां श्रेष्ठः स्वयं शूरोऽमितद्युतिः। स कथं पाण्डवेयेभ्यो भयं पश्यसि सैन्धव ॥७-५२-१८॥
You, who are the best among charioteers, heroic and of immeasurable splendor, how can you, O Saindhava, perceive fear from the Pandavas?
अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च मदीयास्तव रक्षणे। यत्ता योत्स्यन्ति मा भैस्त्वं सैन्धव व्येतु ते भयम् ॥७-५२-१९॥
My eleven armies are prepared to fight for your protection. Do not fear, O Saindhava, let your fear be dispelled.
एवमाश्वासितो राजन्पुत्रेण तव सैन्धवः। दुर्योधनेन सहितो द्रोणं रात्रावुपागमत् ॥७-५२-२०॥
Thus reassured by your son, O king, Saindhava, along with Duryodhana, went to meet Drona during the night.
उपसङ्ग्रहणं कृत्वा द्रोणाय स विशां पते। उपोपविश्य प्रणतः पर्यपृच्छदिदं तदा ॥७-५२-२१॥
After approaching and paying respects to Droṇa, he, the lord of men, sat down nearby, bowed, and then inquired about this.
निमित्ते दूरपातित्वे लघुत्वे दृढवेधने। मम ब्रवीतु भगवान्विशेषं फल्गुनस्य च ॥७-५२-२२॥
May the revered one explain the unique qualities of myself and Arjuna in terms of cause, long-distance striking, lightness, and firm piercing.
विद्याविशेषमिच्छामि ज्ञातुमाचार्य तत्त्वतः। ममार्जुनस्य च विभो यथातत्त्वं प्रचक्ष्व मे ॥७-५२-२३॥
I wish to truly understand the specific knowledge, O teacher. O lord, please explain to me the true nature concerning my Arjuna.
द्रोण उवाच॥
Drona said:
सममाचार्यकं तात तव चैवार्जुनस्य च। योगाद्दुःखोचितत्वाच्च तस्मात्त्वत्तोऽधिकोऽर्जुनः ॥७-५२-२४॥
O father, both you and Arjuna have been equally instructed. However, due to his practice and the appropriateness of suffering, Arjuna has become greater than you.
न तु ते युधि सन्त्रासः कार्यः पार्थात्कथञ्चन। अहं हि रक्षिता तात भयात्त्वां नात्र संशयः ॥७-५२-२५॥
"Do not fear Arjuna in battle, for I am your protector, dear one. There is no doubt about it."
न हि मद्बाहुगुप्तस्य प्रभवन्त्यमरा अपि। व्यूहिष्यामि च तं व्यूहं यं पार्थो न तरिष्यति ॥७-५२-२६॥
Even the gods cannot overcome the one protected by my arms. I will arrange a formation that Arjuna cannot penetrate.
तस्माद्युध्यस्व मा भैस्त्वं स्वधर्ममनुपालय। पितृपैतामहं मार्गमनुयाहि नराधिप ॥७-५२-२७॥
Therefore, O king, do not fear and engage in battle. Uphold your duty and follow the path of your ancestors.
अधीत्य विधिवद्वेदानग्नयः सुहुतास्त्वया। इष्टं च बहुभिर्यज्ञैर्न ते मृत्युभयाद्भयम् ॥७-५२-२८॥
Having properly studied the Vedas and offered sacrifices, you have worshipped the fires well. Therefore, you have no fear from the fear of death.
दुर्लभं मानुषैर्मन्दैर्महाभाग्यमवाप्य तु। भुजवीर्यार्जिताँल्लोकान्दिव्यान्प्राप्स्यस्यनुत्तमान् ॥७-५२-२९॥
Though great fortune is difficult to obtain by the slow-witted humans, by the strength of your arms, you will attain the unsurpassed divine worlds.
कुरवः पाण्डवाश्चैव वृष्णयोऽन्ये च मानवाः। अहं च सह पुत्रेण अध्रुवा इति चिन्त्यताम् ॥७-५२-३०॥
The Kurus, Pāṇḍavas, Vṛṣṇis, and other humans, including myself and my son, should be considered as impermanent. This is a reflection on the transient nature of life.
पर्यायेण वयं सर्वे कालेन बलिना हताः। परलोकं गमिष्यामः स्वैः स्वैः कर्मभिरन्विताः ॥७-५२-३१॥
In due course, we all are overpowered by time and shall proceed to the other world, each accompanied by our own deeds.
तपस्तप्त्वा तु याँल्लोकान्प्राप्नुवन्ति तपस्विनः। क्षत्रधर्माश्रिताः शूराः क्षत्रियाः प्राप्नुवन्ति तान् ॥७-५२-३२॥
The worlds attained by ascetics through austerity are also reached by brave warriors who adhere to their warrior duties.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमाश्वासितो राजन्भारद्वाजेन सैन्धवः। अपानुदद्भयं पार्थाद्युद्धाय च मनो दधे ॥७-५२-३३॥
Encouraged by Bharadvaja, Saindhava overcame his fear of Partha and prepared himself for the battle.
