07.053
Pancharatra and Core: Krishna warns of the difficulty in fulfilling his vow, but Arjuna reassures himself and others.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
प्रतिज्ञाते तु पार्थेन सिन्धुराजवधे तदा। वासुदेवो महाबाहुर्धनञ्जयमभाषत ॥७-५३-१॥
When Pārtha (Arjuna) promised to kill the king of Sindhu, Vāsudeva (Krishna), the mighty-armed, then spoke to Dhanañjaya (Arjuna).
भ्रातॄणां मतमाज्ञाय त्वया वाचा प्रतिश्रुतम्। सैन्धवं श्वोऽस्मि हन्तेति तत्साहसतमं कृतम् ॥७-५३-२॥
Understanding the opinion of your brothers, you pledged by word to kill Saindhava tomorrow. That was indeed a very daring act.
असंमन्त्र्य मया सार्धमतिभारोऽयमुद्यतः। कथं नु सर्वलोकस्य नावहास्या भवेमहि ॥७-५३-३॥
Without consulting me, this great burden has been undertaken. How can we avoid being ridiculed by the entire world?
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य शिबिरे मया प्रणिहिताश्चराः। त इमे शीघ्रमागम्य प्रवृत्तिं वेदयन्ति नः ॥७-५३-४॥
In the camp of Dhritarashtra, the spies I have sent come swiftly and report the information to us.
त्वया वै सम्प्रतिज्ञाते सिन्धुराजवधे तदा। सिंहनादः सवादित्रः सुमहानिह तैः श्रुतः ॥७-५३-५॥
When you indeed promised to kill the king of Sindhu, then a very great lion's roar accompanied by musical instruments was heard by them.
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता धार्तराष्ट्राः ससैन्धवाः। नाकस्मात्सिंहनादोऽयमिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः ॥७-५३-६॥
The sons of Dhritarashtra and the Sindhus, frightened by that sound, stood firm, thinking that this lion's roar is not without reason.
सुमहाञ्शब्दसम्पातः कौरवाणां महाभुज। आसीन्नागाश्वपत्तीनां रथघोषश्च भैरवः ॥७-५३-७॥
The mighty-armed Kauravas experienced a terrifying clash of sounds from elephants, horses, infantry, and chariots.
अभिमन्युवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवमार्तो धनञ्जयः। रात्रौ निर्यास्यति क्रोधादिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः ॥७-५३-८॥
Upon hearing of Abhimanyu's death, Arjuna was deeply distressed and it was certain that he would go out at night driven by anger. Thus, they prepared themselves for it.
तैर्यतद्भिरियं सत्या श्रुता सत्यवतस्तव। प्रतिज्ञा सिन्धुराजस्य वधे राजीवलोचन ॥७-५३-९॥
O lotus-eyed one, by their efforts, this truthful promise of Satyavata, your heard, regarding the killing of the king of Sindhu.
ततो विमनसः सर्वे त्रस्ताः क्षुद्रमृगा इव। आसन्सुयोधनामात्याः स च राजा जयद्रथः ॥७-५३-१०॥
Then all of Suyodhana's ministers and King Jayadratha were disheartened and frightened like small animals.
अथोत्थाय सहामात्यैर्दीनः शिबिरमात्मनः। आयात्सौवीरसिन्धूनामीश्वरो भृशदुःखितः ॥७-५३-११॥
Then, the distressed lord of Sauvīra and Sindhu, accompanied by his ministers, rose and came to his camp, deeply troubled.
स मन्त्रकाले संमन्त्र्य सर्वा नैःश्रेयसीः क्रियाः। सुयोधनमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीद्राजसंसदि ॥७-५३-१२॥
In the royal assembly, he consulted and discussed all beneficial actions and then addressed Suyodhana with these words.
मामसौ पुत्रहन्तेति श्वोऽभियाता धनञ्जयः। प्रतिज्ञातो हि सेनाया मध्ये तेन वधो मम ॥७-५३-१३॥
Arjuna, known as the son-killer, has promised to attack me tomorrow in the midst of the army, ensuring my death.
तां न देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरोरगराक्षसाः। उत्सहन्तेऽन्यथा कर्तुं प्रतिज्ञां सव्यसाचिनः ॥७-५३-१४॥
No divine being, celestial, demon, serpent, or ogre can change the vow made by Arjuna.
ते मां रक्षत सङ्ग्रामे मा वो मूर्ध्नि धनञ्जयः। पदं कृत्वाप्नुयाल्लक्ष्यं तस्मादत्र विधीयताम् ॥७-५३-१५॥
"They protect me in battle; let not Arjuna take a step on your head and reach the target; therefore, let it be arranged here."
अथ रक्षा न मे सङ्ख्ये क्रियते कुरुनन्दन। अनुजानीहि मां राजन्गमिष्यामि गृहान्प्रति ॥७-५३-१६॥
Now, O descendant of Kuru, there is no protection for me in battle. Permit me, O king, to return home.
एवमुक्तस्त्ववाक्षीर्षो विमनाः स सुयोधनः। श्रुत्वाभिशप्तवन्तं त्वां ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत ॥७-५३-१७॥
Thus addressed, with his head bowed and disheartened, Suyodhana, upon hearing that he was cursed by you, entered into meditation.
तमार्तमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य राजा किल स सैन्धवः। मृदु चात्महितं चैव सापेक्षमिदमुक्तवान् ॥७-५३-१८॥
Upon seeing him distressed, the Sindhu king gently and considerately spoke for his own benefit.
नाहं पश्यामि भवतां तथावीर्यं धनुर्धरम्। योऽर्जुनस्यास्त्रमस्त्रेण प्रतिहन्यान्महाहवे ॥७-५३-१९॥
I do not see any archer among you with the strength to counter Arjuna's weapon in the great battle.
वासुदेवसहायस्य गाण्डीवं धुन्वतो धनुः। कोऽर्जुनस्याग्रतस्तिष्ठेत्साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः ॥७-५३-२०॥
Even Indra himself cannot stand before Arjuna, who wields the Gāṇḍīva bow with Vāsudeva's assistance.
महेश्वरोऽपि पार्थेन श्रूयते योधितः पुरा। पदातिना महातेजा गिरौ हिमवति प्रभुः ॥७-५३-२१॥
It is said that the great lord Shiva, in his splendor, once fought with Arjuna on foot in the Himalayas.
दानवानां सहस्राणि हिरण्यपुरवासिनाम्। जघानेकरथेनैव देवराजप्रचोदितः ॥७-५३-२२॥
Urged by the king of gods, he destroyed thousands of demons residing in Hiranyapura with just one chariot.
समायुक्तो हि कौन्तेयो वासुदेवेन धीमता। सामरानपि लोकांस्त्रीन्निहन्यादिति मे मतिः ॥७-५३-२३॥
In my opinion, when united with the wise Vasudeva, the son of Kunti could even destroy the three worlds along with their enemies.
सोऽहमिच्छाम्यनुज्ञातुं रक्षितुं वा महात्मना। द्रोणेन सहपुत्रेण वीरेण यदि मन्यसे ॥७-५३-२४॥
I wish to be permitted or protected by the great soul, Drona, along with his heroic son, if you think so.
स राज्ञा स्वयमाचार्यो भृशमाक्रन्दितोऽर्जुन। संविधानं च विहितं रथाश्च किल सज्जिताः ॥७-५३-२५॥
The teacher himself, greatly lamented by the king, ensured that the arrangements were made and the chariots were prepared.
कर्णो भूरिश्रवा द्रौणिर्वृषसेनश्च दुर्जयः। कृपश्च मद्रराजश्च षडेतेऽस्य पुरोगमाः ॥७-५३-२६॥
Karna, Bhūriśravā, Aśvatthāmā (son of Droṇa), Vṛṣasena, Durjaya, Kṛpa, and the king of Madra are the six foremost warriors leading his army.
शकटः पद्मपश्चार्धो व्यूहो द्रोणेन कल्पितः। पद्मकर्णिकमध्यस्थः सूचीपाशे जयद्रथः ॥ स्थास्यते रक्षितो वीरैः सिन्धुराड्युद्धदुर्मदैः ॥७-५३-२७॥
The cart formation, resembling a half-lotus, was strategically arranged by Drona. Jayadratha is positioned at the center of this formation, within the needle trap, and will be protected by valiant warriors, including the Sindhu king and those fierce in battle.
धनुष्यस्त्रे च वीर्ये च प्राणे चैव तथोरसि। अविषह्यतमा ह्येते निश्चिताः पार्थ षड्रथाः ॥ एतानजित्वा सगणान्नैव प्राप्यो जयद्रथः ॥७-५३-२८॥
O son of Pritha, these six chariots are most formidable in bow, weapon, strength, life, and chest. Without defeating them and their followers, Jayadratha cannot be captured.
तेषामेकैकशो वीर्यं षण्णां त्वमनुचिन्तय। सहिता हि नरव्याघ्रा न शक्या जेतुमञ्जसा ॥७-५३-२९॥
Reflect on the strength of each of the six individually. Together, these formidable warriors are not easily defeated.
भूयश्च चिन्तयिष्यामि नीतिमात्महिताय वै। मन्त्रज्ञैः सचिवैः सार्धं सुहृद्भिः कार्यसिद्धये ॥७-५३-३०॥
"I will once again deliberate on the strategy for my own benefit, in consultation with wise counselors, ministers, and friends to ensure the success of the task."
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said:
षड्रथान्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य मन्यसे यान्बलाधिकान्। तेषां वीर्यं ममार्धेन न तुल्यमिति लक्षये ॥७-५३-३१॥
You believe that the six chariots of Dhritarashtra's sons are stronger, but I see that their strength is not even half of mine.
अस्त्रमस्त्रेण सर्वेषामेतेषां मधुसूदन। मया द्रक्ष्यसि निर्भिन्नं जयद्रथवधैषिणा ॥७-५३-३२॥
O Madhusudana, you will see all these weapons pierced by my desire to kill Jayadratha.
द्रोणस्य मिषतः सोऽहं सगणस्य विलप्यतः। मूर्धानं सिन्धुराजस्य पातयिष्यामि भूतले ॥७-५३-३३॥
I will make the head of the Sindhu king fall to the ground while Drona watches and laments with his followers.
यदि साध्याश्च रुद्राश्च वसवश्च सहाश्विनः। मरुतश्च सहेन्द्रेण विश्वेदेवास्तथासुराः ॥७-५३-३४॥
If the Sādhyas, Rudras, Vasus, along with the Aśvins, Maruts with Indra, Viśvedevas, and also the Asuras, are present.
पितरः सहगन्धर्वाः सुपर्णाः सागराद्रयः। द्यौर्वियत्पृथिवी चेयं दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः ॥७-५३-३५॥
The ancestors along with the Gandharvas, Suparnas, oceans, and mountains; the sky, space, this earth, and the directions along with their lords.
ग्राम्यारण्यानि भूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च। त्रातारः सिन्धुराजस्य भवन्ति मधुसूदन ॥७-५३-३६॥
O Madhusudana, both domestic and wild beings, whether immobile or mobile, become protectors of the ocean king.
तथापि बाणैर्निहतं श्वो द्रष्टासि रणे मया। सत्येन ते शपे कृष्ण तथैवायुधमालभे ॥७-५३-३७॥
Nevertheless, you will see tomorrow in battle that I have killed with arrows. I swear to you by truth, O Krishna, that I will take up the weapon in the same way.
यश्च गोप्ता महेष्वासस्तस्य पापस्य दुर्मतेः। तमेव प्रथमं द्रोणमभियास्यामि केशव ॥७-५३-३८॥
Kṛṣṇa, I will first approach Droṇa, who is the protector and great archer of the sinful and evil-minded.
तस्मिन्द्यूतमिदं बद्धं मन्यते स्म सुयोधनः। तस्मात्तस्यैव सेनाग्रं भित्त्वा यास्यामि सैन्धवम् ॥७-५३-३९॥
Suyodhana indeed thinks that this is bound in that gambling. Therefore, I will pierce through his vanguard and go to Sindhu.
द्रष्टासि श्वो महेष्वासान्नाराचैस्तिग्मतेजनैः। शृङ्गाणीव गिरेर्वज्रैर्दार्यमाणान्मया युधि ॥७-५३-४०॥
Tomorrow, you will witness the great archers, armed with sharp iron arrows, being shattered by me in battle, just like the peaks of a mountain are shattered by thunderbolts.
नरनागाश्वदेहेभ्यो विस्रविष्यति शोणितम्। पतद्भ्यः पतितेभ्यश्च विभिन्नेभ्यः शितैः शरैः ॥७-५३-४१॥
Blood will flow from the bodies of men, elephants, and horses, as they are struck down by sharp arrows, whether they are falling, fallen, or pierced.
गाण्डीवप्रेषिता बाणा मनोनिलसमा जवे। नृनागाश्वान्विदेहासून्कर्तारश्च सहस्रशः ॥७-५३-४२॥
The arrows shot from Gandiva were as swift as the mind and wind, rendering thousands of men, elephants, and horses lifeless.
यमात्कुबेराद्वरुणाद्रुद्रादिन्द्राच्च यन्मया। उपात्तमस्त्रं घोरं वै तद्द्रष्टारो नरा युधि ॥७-५३-४३॥
The men in battle witnessed the terrible weapon that I had obtained from Yama, Kubera, Varuṇa, Rudra, and Indra.
ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेण चास्त्राणि हन्यमानानि संयुगे। मया द्रष्टासि सर्वेषां सैन्धवस्याभिरक्षिणाम् ॥७-५३-४४॥
In the battle, you will see all the weapons being destroyed by the Brahma weapon and other weapons, as I protect the Sindhu prince.
शरवेगसमुत्कृत्तै राज्ञां केशव मूर्धभिः। आस्तीर्यमाणां पृथिवीं द्रष्टासि श्वो मया युधि ॥७-५३-४५॥
O Keśava, tomorrow you will witness the earth covered with the heads of kings, severed by the swift arrows, in the battle by me.
क्रव्यादांस्तर्पयिष्यामि द्रावयिष्यामि शात्रवान्। सुहृदो नन्दयिष्यामि पातयिष्यामि सैन्धवम् ॥७-५३-४६॥
I will appease the carnivores, repel the enemies, bring joy to the friends, and let the salt fall.
बह्वागस्कृत्कुसम्बन्धी पापदेशसमुद्भवः। मया सैन्धवको राजा हतः स्वाञ्शोचयिष्यति ॥७-५३-४७॥
The king of the Saindhava, who was sinful and had bad relations, originating from an evil country, has been killed by me; he will mourn for his own people.
सर्वक्षीरान्नभोक्तारः पापाचारा रणाजिरे। मया सराजका बाणैर्नुन्ना नङ्क्ष्यन्ति सैन्धवाः ॥७-५३-४८॥
All those who consume milk and rice and are wicked in their conduct will perish in the battlefield, pierced by my arrows along with the kings, the Sindhus.
तथा प्रभाते कर्तास्मि यथा कृष्ण सुयोधनः। नान्यं धनुर्धरं लोके मंस्यते मत्समं युधि ॥७-५३-४९॥
Thus, in the morning, I will act like Krishna and Suyodhana. No other archer in the world will think of themselves as equal to me in battle.
गाण्डीवं च धनुर्दिव्यं योद्धा चाहं नरर्षभ। त्वं च यन्ता हृषीकेश किं नु स्यादजितं मया ॥७-५३-५०॥
With the Gandiva bow and divine weapons, as a warrior and I being the best among men, and you as the charioteer Hrishikesha, what indeed could remain unconquered by me?
यथा हि लक्ष्म चन्द्रे वै समुद्रे च यथा जलम्। एवमेतां प्रतिज्ञां मे सत्यां विद्धि जनार्दन ॥७-५३-५१॥
Just as the mark on the moon and the water in the ocean are certain, know this promise of mine to be true, O Janardana.
मावमंस्था ममास्त्राणि मावमंस्था धनुर्दृढम्। मावमंस्था बलं बाह्वोर्मावमंस्था धनञ्जयम् ॥७-५३-५२॥
Do not underestimate my weapons, the firmness of my bow, the strength of my arms, or Arjuna.
यथा हि यात्वा सङ्ग्रामे न जीये विजयामि च। तेन सत्येन सङ्ग्रामे हतं विद्धि जयद्रथम् ॥७-५३-५३॥
"As I go to battle, I am neither defeated nor do I conquer. By this truth, know that Jayadratha has been slain in battle."
ध्रुवं वै ब्राह्मणे सत्यं ध्रुवा साधुषु संनतिः। श्रीर्ध्रुवा चापि दक्षेषु ध्रुवो नारायणे जयः ॥७-५३-५४॥
Indeed, truth is steadfast in a brāhmaṇa; humility resides in the virtuous; prosperity is assured in the skillful; and victory is certain in Nārāyaṇa.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं स्वयमात्मानमात्मना। संदिदेशार्जुनो नर्दन्वासविः केशवं प्रभुम् ॥७-५३-५५॥
After speaking in this manner to Hrishikesha, Arjuna, the descendant of Nardana and Vasava, gave instructions to Lord Keshava himself.
यथा प्रभातां रजनीं कल्पितः स्याद्रथो मम। तथा कार्यं त्वया कृष्ण कार्यं हि महदुद्यतम् ॥७-५३-५६॥
Just as the night is imagined to be dawn, so too, Krishna, a great task is indeed undertaken by you.
