07.069
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tataḥ praviṣṭe kaunteye sindhurājajighāṁsayā। droṇānīkaṁ vinirbhidya bhojānīkaṁ ca dustaram ॥7-69-1॥
Then, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, entered with the intention to kill the Sindhu king, piercing through the formidable armies of Drona and Bhoja.
kāmbojasya ca dāyāde hate rājansudakṣiṇe। śrutāyudhe ca vikrānte nihate savyasācinā ॥7-69-2॥
O king, the heir of Kamboja, Sudakshina, has been killed, and the valiant Shrutayudha has been slain by Arjuna.
vipradruteṣvanīkeṣu vidhvasteṣu samantataḥ। prabhagnaṃ svabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā putraste droṇamabhyayāt ॥7-69-3॥
Upon witnessing his forces scattered and destroyed everywhere, your son went to Drona for counsel.
tvarannekarathenaiva sametya droṇamabravīt। gataḥ sa puruṣavyāghraḥ pramathyemāṃ mahācamūm ॥7-69-4॥
Hastening with a single chariot, he approached Drona and said: "The tiger among men has departed after crushing this great army."
atra buddhyā samīkṣasva kiṃ nu kāryamanantaram। arjunasya vighātāya dāruṇe'smiñjanakṣaye ॥7-69-5॥
Here, wisely consider what should be done next to obstruct Arjuna in this terrible destruction of people.
yathā sa puruṣavyāghro na hanyeta jayadrathaḥ। tathā vidhatsva bhadraṃ te tvaṃ hi naḥ paramā gatiḥ ॥7-69-6॥
"As that tiger among men, Jayadratha, should not be killed, please ensure our welfare, for you are indeed our ultimate refuge."
asau dhanañjayāgnir hi kopamārutacoditaḥ। senākakṣaṃ dahati me vahniḥ kakṣamivotthitaḥ ॥7-69-7॥
This fire of Arjuna, driven by the wind of anger, is burning my army camp as if it were a forest fire that has arisen.
atikrānte hi kaunteye bhittvā sainyaṃ parantapa। jayadrathasya goptāraḥ saṃśayaṃ paramaṃ gatāḥ ॥7-69-8॥
After Arjuna, the son of Kunti, pierced through the army, the protectors of Jayadratha were thrown into great doubt, O scorcher of foes.
sthirā buddhirnarendrāṇāmāsīdbrahmavidāṃ vara। nātikramiṣyati droṇaṃ jātu jīvandhanañjayaḥ ॥7-69-9॥
The kings had a firm intellect, considered the best among the knowers of Brahman. Arjuna, as long as he lives, will never surpass Drona.
so'sau pārtho vyatikrānto miṣataste mahādyute। sarvaṃ hyadyāturaṃ manye naitadasti balaṃ mama ॥7-69-10॥
Arjuna has crossed over while you were watching, O great one. I believe everything is in distress today; this is not my strength.
jānāmi tvāṃ mahābhāga pāṇḍavānāṃ hite ratam। tathā muhyāmi ca brahmankāryavattāṃ vicintayan ॥7-69-11॥
I understand that you, O fortunate one, are dedicated to the welfare of the Pandavas. However, I find myself confused, O Brahman, as I contemplate the duties.
yathāśakti ca te brahmanvartaye vṛttimuttamām। prīṇāmi ca yathāśakti tacca tvaṃ nāvabudhyase ॥7-69-12॥
O Brahman, I maintain excellent conduct and please to the best of my ability, but you do not understand that.
asmānna tvaṃ sadā bhaktānicchasyamitavikrama। pāṇḍavānsatataṃ prīṇāsyasmākaṃ vipriye ratān ॥7-69-13॥
O mighty one, you do not always wish for us, your devotees; instead, you constantly favor the Pandavas, who are engaged in hostility against us.
asmānevopajīvaṃstvamasmākaṃ vipriye rataḥ। na hyahaṃ tvāṃ vijānāmi madhudigdhamiva kṣuram ॥7-69-14॥
You are thriving at our expense, indulging in what is unpleasant. Indeed, I do not recognize you, like a razor coated with honey.
nādāsyaccedvaraṃ mahyaṃ bhavānpāṇḍavanigrahe। nāvārayiṣyaṃ gacchantamahaṃ sindhupatiṃ gṛhān ॥7-69-15॥
If you do not grant me the boon to restrain the Pāṇḍavas, I will not stop the Sindhu king from going home.
mayā tvāśaṁsamānena tvattastrāṇamabuddhinā। āśvāsitaḥ sindhupatirmohāddattaśca mṛtyave ॥7-69-16॥
The lord of the ocean, hoping for protection from you, was consoled by me, the ignorant one, and was given over to death out of delusion.
yamadaṁṣṭrāntaraṁ prāpto mucyetāpi hi mānavaḥ। nārjunasya vaśaṁ prāpto mucyetājau jayadrathaḥ ॥7-69-17॥
A man may escape even from the clutches of death, but once Jayadratha falls under Arjuna's control in battle, he cannot escape.
sa tathā kuru śoṇāśva yathā rakṣyeta saindhavaḥ। mama cārta-pralāpānāṃ mā krudhaḥ pāhi saindhavam ॥7-69-18॥
He said, "O Śoṇāśva, ensure that the horse is protected. Please do not be angry at my distressed words, just protect the horse."
droṇa uvāca॥
Drona said:
nābhyasūyāmi te vācamaśvatthāmnāsi me samaḥ। satyaṃ tu te pravakṣyāmi tajjuṣasva viśāṃ pate ॥7-69-19॥
I do not envy your words, as you are equal to me like Aśvatthāmā. However, I will tell you the truth, so accept it, O lord of men.
sārathiḥ pravaraḥ kṛṣṇaḥ śīghrāś cāsya hayottamāḥ। alpaṃ ca vivaraṃ kṛtvā tūrṇaṃ yāti dhanañjayaḥ ॥7-69-20॥
Krishna, the excellent charioteer, with his swiftest horses, creates a small gap and swiftly moves forward with Arjuna.
kiṁ nu paśyasi bāṇaughānkrośamātre kirīṭinaḥ। paścādrathasya patitānkṣiptāñśīghraṁ hi gacchataḥ ॥7-69-21॥
"What do you see? The arrows of the crowned warrior are falling behind the chariot, thrown swiftly as it moves."
na cāhaṃ śīghrayāne'dya samartho vayasaṃvitaḥ। senāmukhe ca pārthānāmetadbalamupasthitam ॥7-69-22॥
I am not capable today, due to my age, to be in a fast vehicle at the front of the army, and this strength of the sons of Pritha is present.
yudhiṣṭhiraśca me grāhyo miṣatāṃ sarvadhanvinām। evaṃ mayā pratijñātaṃ kṣatramadhye mahābhuja ॥7-69-23॥
O mighty-armed one, I have promised to capture Yudhishthira in the presence of all archers, in the midst of the warriors.
dhanañjayena cotsṛṣṭo vartate pramukhe mama। tasmādvyūhamukhaṃ hitvā nāhaṃ yāsyāmi phalgunam ॥7-69-24॥
Released by Dhananjaya, it stands before me. Hence, I shall not leave the front of the formation to go to Arjuna.
tulyābhijanakarmāṇaṃ śatrumekaṃ sahāyavān। gatvā yodhaya mā bhaistvaṃ tvaṃ hyasya jagataḥ patiḥ ॥7-69-25॥
Fight the enemy who is equal in birth and deeds, and has allies. Do not fear, for you are indeed the lord of this world.
rājā śūraḥ kṛtī dakṣo vairamutpādya pāṇḍavaiḥ। vīra svayaṃ prayāhyāśu yatra yāto dhanañjayaḥ ॥7-69-26॥
The brave and accomplished king, having incited enmity with the Pāṇḍavas, is advised to quickly proceed to where Arjuna has gone.
duryodhana uvāca॥
Duryodhana said:
kathaṁ tvāmapyatikrāntaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ। dhanañjayo mayā śakya ācārya pratibādhitum ॥7-69-27॥
How could Arjuna, the greatest among all warriors, be surpassed by you, O teacher, and be obstructed by me?
api śakyo raṇe jetuṃ vajrahastaḥ puraṃdaraḥ। nārjunaḥ samare śakyo jetuṃ parapurañjayaḥ ॥7-69-28॥
Even Indra, who wields the thunderbolt, can be defeated in battle, but Arjuna, the conqueror of enemy cities, cannot be defeated in battle.
yena bhojaśca hārdikyo bhavāṃśca tridaśopamaḥ। astrapratāpena jitau śrutāyuśca nibarhitaḥ ॥7-69-29॥
By your prowess in weapons, you, like a god, conquered Bhoja and Hārdikya, and destroyed Śrutāyu.
sudakṣiṇaśca nihataḥ sa ca rājā śrutāyudhaḥ। śrutāyuścācyutāyuśca mlecchāśca śataśo hatāḥ ॥7-69-30॥
Sudakshina, King Shrutayudha, Shrutayu, Acyutayu, and hundreds of barbarians were slain.
taṁ kathaṁ pāṇḍavaṁ yuddhe dahantamahitānbahūn। pratiyotsyāmi durdharṣaṁ tanme śaṁsāstrakovida ॥7-69-31॥
How can I confront the invincible Pāṇḍava in battle, who is destroying many enemies? Please tell me, O expert in weapons.
kṣamaṃ cen manyase yuddhaṃ mama tenādya śādhi mām। paravān asmi bhavati preṣyakṛd rakṣa me yaśaḥ ॥7-69-32॥
If you believe I am fit for battle, then command me today. I am at your service; please protect my honor.
droṇa uvāca॥
Drona said:
satyaṁ vadasi kauravya durādharṣo dhanañjayaḥ। ahaṁ tu tatkariṣyāmi yathainaṁ prasahiṣyasi ॥7-69-33॥
"You are right, O Kauravya, Arjuna is indeed invincible. However, I will take actions to ensure that you can overcome him."
adbhutaṁ cādya paśyantu loke sarvadhanurdharāḥ। viṣaktaṁ tvayi kaunteyaṁ vāsudevasya paśyataḥ ॥7-69-34॥
Today, let all the archers witness the extraordinary attachment you have, O son of Kunti, as observed by Vasudeva.
eṣa te kavacaṃ rājaṃstathā badhnāmi kāñcanam। yathā na bāṇā nāstrāṇi viṣahiṣyanti te raṇe ॥7-69-35॥
I am tying this golden armor on you, O king, so that no arrows or weapons will be able to harm you in the battle.
yadi tvāṃ sāsurasurāḥ sayakṣoragarākṣasāḥ। yodhayanti trayo lokāḥ sanarā nāsti te bhayam ॥7-69-36॥
If the demons, gods, yakshas, serpents, and demons of the three worlds, along with men, fight against you, you have nothing to fear.
na kṛṣṇo na ca kaunteyo na cānyaḥ śastrabhṛdraṇe। śarānarpayituṃ kaścitkavace tava śakṣyati ॥7-69-37॥
Neither Kṛṣṇa, nor Arjuna, nor any other warrior will be able to strike your armor with arrows in battle.
sa tvaṁ kavacam āsthāya kruddham adya raṇe'rjunam। tvaramāṇaḥ svayaṁ yāhi na ca asau tvāṁ sahiṣyate ॥7-69-38॥
Today, you must put on your armor and quickly go to the angry Arjuna in battle, for he will not be able to withstand you.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evamuktvā tvarandroṇaḥ spṛṣṭvāmbho varma bhāsvaram। ābabandhādbhutatamaṃ japanmantraṃ yathāvidhi ॥7-69-39॥
After speaking thus, Droṇa hastily touched water and donned his shining armor, chanting a mantra as per the prescribed rule, creating a most wonderful sight.
raṇe tasminsumahati vijayāya sutasya te। visismāpayiṣurlokaṃ vidyayā brahmavittamaḥ ॥7-69-40॥
In that great battle for the victory of your son, the greatest knower of Brahman intended to astonish the world with his knowledge.
droṇa uvāca॥
Drona said:
karotu svasti te brahmā svasti cāpi dvijātayaḥ। sarīsṛpāśca ye śreṣṭhāstebhyaste svasti bhārata ॥7-69-41॥
May Brahma and the twice-born bless you with well-being. May the best of reptiles also bless you, O Bharata.
yayātirnahuṣaścaiva dhundhumāro bhagīrathaḥ। tubhyaṃ rājarṣayaḥ sarve svasti kurvantu sarvaśaḥ ॥7-69-42॥
Yayati, Nahuṣa, Dhundhumara, and Bhagiratha, may all the royal sages bestow complete well-being upon you.
svasti te' stvekapādebhyo bahupādebhya eva ca। svastyastvapādakebhyaśca nityaṃ tava mahāraṇe ॥7-69-43॥
May there be well-being to you, to those with one foot, many feet, and without feet, always in your great battle.
svāhā svadhā śacī caiva svasti kurvantu te sadā। lakṣmīrarundhatī caiva kurutāṃ svasti te'nagha ॥7-69-44॥
May oblations, offerings to ancestors, Shachi, Lakshmi, and Arundhati always bring you welfare, O sinless one.
asito devalaścaiva viśvāmitrastathāṅgirāḥ। vasiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapaścaiva svasti kurvantu te nṛpa ॥7-69-45॥
May Asita, Devala, Viśvāmitra, Aṅgirā, Vasiṣṭha, and Kaśyapa bless you with well-being, O king.
dhātā vidhātā lokeśo diśaśca sadigīśvarāḥ। svasti te'dya prayacchantu kārttikeyaśca ṣaṇmukhaḥ ॥7-69-46॥
May the creator, ordainer, and lord of the worlds, along with all the lords of directions, bless you with welfare today, including Kartikeya and Shanmukha.
vivasvān bhagavān svasti karotu tava sarvaśaḥ। diggajāś caiva catvāraḥ kṣitiḥ khaṃ gaganaṃ grahāḥ ॥7-69-47॥
May the blessed Sun god grant you welfare in every way, along with the four directional elephants, the earth, sky, heavens, and planets.
adhastāddharaṇīṃ yo'sau sadā dhārayate nṛpa। sa śeṣaḥ pannagaśreṣṭhaḥ svasti tubhyaṃ prayacchatu ॥7-69-48॥
Below the earth, Śeṣa, the best of serpents, always supports it, O king. May he grant you welfare.
gāndhāre yudhi vikramya nirjitāḥ surasattamāḥ। purā vṛtreṇa daityena bhinnadehāḥ sahasraśaḥ ॥7-69-49॥
In the region of Gandhara, the best of the gods were once defeated in battle by the demon Vritra, leaving thousands with shattered bodies.
hṛtatejobalāḥ sarve tadā sendrā divaukasaḥ। brahmāṇaṃ śaraṇaṃ jagmurvṛtrādbhītā mahāsurāt ॥7-69-50॥
Deprived of their brilliance and strength, all the gods, along with Indra, sought refuge in Brahma, fearing the great demon Vritra.
devā ūcuḥ॥
The gods spoke:
pramarditānāṃ vṛtreṇa devānāṃ devasattama। gatirbhava suraśreṣṭha trāhi no mahato bhayāt ॥7-69-51॥
O supreme deity, please become the refuge for the gods oppressed by Vritra and protect us, the celestials, from this immense fear.
droṇa uvāca॥
Drona said:
atha pārśve sthitaṃ viṣṇuṃ śakrādīṃśca surottamān। prāha tathyamidaṃ vākyaṃ viṣaṇṇānsurasattamān ॥7-69-52॥
Then, standing beside Vishnu, Indra, and the other supreme gods, he addressed the distressed deities with these truthful words.
rakṣyā me satataṃ devāḥ sahendrāḥ sadvijātayaḥ। tvaṣṭuḥ sudurdharaṃ tejo yena vṛtro vinirmitaḥ ॥7-69-53॥
My gods, along with Indra and the noble twice-born, are always to be protected; it is the formidable energy of Tvashta by which Vritra was created.
tvaṣṭrā purā tapastaptvā varṣāyutaśataṃ tadā। vṛtro vinirmito devāḥ prāpyānujñāṃ maheśvarāt ॥7-69-54॥
Long ago, Tvaṣṭṛ performed penance for a hundred thousand years, and then Vṛtra was created after the gods received permission from Maheśvara.
sa tasyaiva prasādād vai hanyād eva ripur balī। nāgatvā śaṅkarasthānaṃ bhagavān dṛśyate haraḥ ॥7-69-55॥
By the grace of Shankara, he would certainly defeat the strong enemy. However, without coming to the abode of Shankara, Lord Hara is perceived.
dṛṣṭvā haniṣyatha ripuṃ kṣipraṃ gacchata mandaram। yatrāste tapasāṃ yonirdakṣayajñavināśanaḥ ॥ pinākī sarvabhūteśo bhaganetranipātanaḥ ॥7-69-56॥
Upon seeing, you will swiftly defeat the enemy; proceed to Mandara, where the source of penances resides, the destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice, Pinaki, the lord of all beings, and the one who destroyed Bhaga's eye.
te gatvā sahitā devā brahmaṇā saha mandaram। apaśyaṃstejasāṃ rāśiṃ sūryakoṭisamaprabham ॥7-69-57॥
They went together with the gods and Brahma to the Mandara mountain and saw a heap of lights shining as brightly as a million suns.
so'bravītsvāgataṃ devā brūta kiṃ karavāṇyaham। amoghaṃ darśanaṃ mahyaṃ kāmaprāptirato'stu vaḥ ॥7-69-58॥
He said, "Welcome, gods, tell me what I should do. The sight is infallible to me, so may your wishes be fulfilled."
evamuktāstu te sarve pratyūcustaṃ divaukasaḥ। tejo hṛtaṃ no vṛtreṇa gatirbhava divaukasām ॥7-69-59॥
Upon being addressed in this way, all the gods replied to him: "Our brilliance has been taken by Vritra; please become the refuge for the gods."
mūrtīrīkṣaṣva no deva prahārairjarjarīkṛtāḥ। śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ prapannāḥ sma gatirbhava maheśvara ॥7-69-60॥
O great lord, see our forms battered by attacks. We have taken refuge in you; please be our shelter.
maheśvara uvāca॥
Lord Shiva spoke:
viditaṁ me yathā devāḥ kṛtyeyaṁ sumahābalā। tvaṣṭustejobhavā ghorā durnivāryākṛtātmabhiḥ ॥7-69-61॥
I am aware, O gods, that this formidable task, born from Tvaṣṭṛ's energy, is extremely powerful and cannot be resisted by those who are unrestrained.
avaśyaṃ tu mayā kāryaṃ sāhyaṃ sarvadivaukasām। mamedaṃ gātrajaṃ śakra kavacaṃ gṛhya bhāsvaram ॥7-69-62॥
Certainly, I must render help to all the gods. O Indra, take this shining armor born from my body.
badhānānena mantreṇa mānasena sureśvara ॥7-69-62॥
O lord of gods, bind with this mantra mentally.
droṇa uvāca॥
Drona said:
ityuktvā varadaḥ prādādvarma tanmantrameva ca। sa tena varmaṇā guptaḥ prāyādvṛtracamūṃ prati ॥7-69-63॥
After speaking thus, the boon-giver granted the armor and the mantra itself. With that protection, he proceeded towards Vritra's army.
nānāvidhaiśca śastraughaiḥ pātyamānairmahāraṇe। na sandhiḥ śakyate bhettuṃ varmabandhasya tasya tu ॥7-69-64॥
In the great battle, despite the various kinds of weapons being hurled, the fastening of that armor cannot be broken.
tato jaghāna samare vṛtraṃ devapatiḥ svayam। taṃ ca matramayaṃ bandhaṃ varma cāṅgirase dadau ॥7-69-65॥
Then the lord of the gods himself slew Vritra in battle and gave the spell-bound armor to Angiras.
aṅgirāḥ prāha putrasya mantrajñasya bṛhaspateḥ। bṛhaspatirathovāca agniveśyāya dhīmate ॥7-69-66॥
Angiras spoke to the son of the wise Brihaspati. Then Brihaspati addressed the wise Agniveshya.
agniveśyo mama prādāttena badhnāmi varma te। tavādya deharakṣārthaṃ mantreṇa nṛpasattama ॥7-69-67॥
Agnivesha has given me this armor, and with it, I bind your protection today with a mantra, O noble king.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evamuktvā tato droṇastava putraṃ mahādyutiḥ। punareva vacaḥ prāha śanairācāryapuṅgavaḥ ॥7-69-68॥
Having spoken thus, Droṇa, the greatly radiant teacher, slowly spoke again to your son.
brahmasūtreṇa badhnāmi kavacaṃ tava pārthiva। hiraṇyagarbheṇa yathā baddhaṃ viṣṇoḥ purā raṇe ॥7-69-69॥
"With the thread of Brahman, I bind your armor, O prince, just as Hiranyagarbha once bound it to Vishnu in the ancient battle."
yathā ca brahmaṇā baddhaṃ saṅgrāme tārakāmaye। śakrasya kavacaṃ divyaṃ tathā badhnāmyahaṃ tava ॥7-69-70॥
Just as Brahma bound the divine armor of Indra in the battle against Tāraka, so do I bind your armor now.
baddhvā tu kavacaṃ tasya mantreṇa vidhipūrvakam। preṣayāmāsa rājānaṃ yuddhāya mahate dvijaḥ ॥7-69-71॥
The sage, after ritually binding the armor with a mantra, sent the king to the great battle.
sa sannaddho mahābāhurācāryeṇa mahātmanā। rathānāṃ ca sahasreṇa trigartānāṃ prahāriṇām ॥7-69-72॥
He, the mighty-armed, was equipped by the noble teacher with a thousand chariots of the Trigartas, the attackers.
tathā dantisahasreṇa mattānāṃ vīryaśālinām। aśvānāmayutenaiva tathānaiśca mahārathaiḥ ॥7-69-73॥
Thus, there were thousands of intoxicated and mighty elephants, ten thousand horses, and many other great chariots.
vṛtaḥ prāyānmahābāhurarjunasya rathaṃ prati। nānāvāditraghoṣeṇa yathā vairocanistathā ॥7-69-74॥
The mighty-armed hero, surrounded by various musical sounds, proceeded towards Arjuna's chariot, much like the destroyer of enemies.
tataḥ śabdo mahān āsīt sainyānāṃ tava bhārata। agādhaṃ prasthitaṃ dṛṣṭvā samudram iva kauravam ॥7-69-75॥
Then, O Bharata, a great sound arose from your armies as they saw the Kauravas, vast and unfathomable, set out like an ocean.
