07.123
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
तथा गतेषु शूरेषु तेषां मम च सञ्जय। किं वै भीमस्तदाकार्षीत्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥७-१२३-१॥
Thus, when the heroes had departed, tell me, Sanjaya, what exactly did Bhima do?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
विरथो भीमसेनो वै कर्णवाक्षल्यपीडितः। अमर्षवशमापन्नः फल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥७-१२३-२॥
Bhimasena, having lost his chariot and being tormented by Karna's harsh words, succumbed to anger and addressed Arjuna.
पुनः पुनस्तूबरक मूढ औदरिकेति च। अकृतास्त्रक मा योधीर्बाल सङ्ग्रामकातर ॥७-१२३-३॥
"Again and again, O foolish boy, ignorant and gluttonous, do not engage in battle, for you are unskilled in weapons and afraid of the fight."
इति मामब्रवीत्कर्णः पश्यतस्ते धनञ्जय। एवं वक्ता च मे वध्यस्तेन चोक्तोऽस्मि भारत ॥७-१२३-४॥
Karna said to me in your presence, O Dhananjaya, that I am to be killed by him, O Bharata.
एतद्व्रतं महाबाहो त्वया सह कृतं मया। यथैतन्मम कौन्तेय तथा तव न संशयः ॥७-१२३-५॥
O mighty-armed one, this vow was undertaken by you along with me. Just as it is mine, O son of Kunti, it is also yours, without any doubt.
तद्वधाय नरश्रेष्ठ स्मरैतद्वचनं मम। यथा भवति तत्सत्यं तथा कुरु धनञ्जय ॥७-१२३-६॥
"O best of men, remember my words for his killing. Ensure that what happens is the truth, so act accordingly, O Dhananjaya."
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य भीमस्यामितविक्रमः। ततोऽर्जुनोऽब्रवीत्कर्णं किञ्चिदभ्येत्य संयुगे ॥७-१२३-७॥
Upon hearing the words of the immensely valiant Bhima, Arjuna approached Karna slightly in the battle and spoke to him.
कर्ण कर्ण वृथादृष्टे सूतपुत्रात्मसंस्तुत। अधर्मबुद्धे शृणु मे यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि साम्प्रतम् ॥७-१२३-८॥
"Karna, Karna, you who are vainly proud and self-praised as the son of a charioteer, with a wicked mind, listen to what I have to say to you now."
द्विविधं कर्म शूराणां युद्धे जयपराजयौ। तौ चाप्यनित्यौ राधेय वासवस्यापि युध्यतः ॥७-१२३-९॥
In battle, heroes face two outcomes: victory and defeat. These outcomes are impermanent, O son of Radha, even for the mighty Indra.
मुमूर्षुर्युयुधानेन विरथोऽसि विसर्जितः। यदृच्छया भीमसेनं विरथं कृतवानसि ॥७-१२३-१०॥
In your desire to die, you have been left without a chariot by Yuyudhana. By chance, you have rendered Bhimasena chariotless.
अधर्मस्त्वेष राधेय यत्त्वं भीममवोचथाः। युद्धधर्मं विजानन्वै युध्यन्तमपलायिनम् ॥ पूरयन्तं यथाशक्ति शूरकर्माहवे तथा ॥७-१२३-११॥
O son of Radha, it is unrighteous that you spoke to Bhima in such a manner, knowing well the duty of a warrior, as he fights bravely in battle without fleeing, fulfilling his heroic duties to the best of his ability.
पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां केशवस्य ममैव च। विरथो भीमसेनेन कृतोऽसि बहुशो रणे ॥ न च त्वां परुषं किञ्चिदुक्तवान्पण्डुनन्दनः ॥७-१२३-१२॥
In the presence of all the armies and Keshava, and even myself, you have been deprived of your chariot many times in battle by Bhimasena. Yet, the son of Pandu has not spoken any harsh words to you.
यस्मात्तु बहु रूक्षं च श्रावितस्ते वृकोदरः। परोक्षं यच्च सौभद्रो युष्माभिर्निहतो मम ॥७-१२३-१३॥
Because Vrikodara told you many harsh things, and indirectly, my Saubhadra was killed by you.
तस्मादस्यावलेपस्य सद्यः फलमवाप्नुहि। त्वया तस्य धनुश्छिन्नमात्मनाशाय दुर्मते ॥७-१२३-१४॥
Therefore, you will immediately face the consequences of his arrogance. You have broken his bow, leading to your own destruction, O wicked-minded one.
तस्माद्वध्योऽसि मे मूढ सभृत्यबलवाहनः। कुरु त्वं सर्वकृत्यानि महत्ते भयमागतम् ॥७-१२३-१५॥
Therefore, you are sentenced to death, my foolish one, along with your servants, strength, and vehicle. Attend to all your duties, for great fear has come upon you.
हन्तास्मि वृषसेनं ते प्रेक्षमाणस्य संयुगे। ये चान्येऽप्युपयास्यन्ति बुद्धिमोहेन मां नृपाः ॥ तांश्च सर्वान्हनिष्यामि सत्येनायुधमालभे ॥७-१२३-१६॥
I will kill Vṛṣasena in the battle while you watch. Any other kings who approach me in their delusion, I will also kill them all. Truly, I take up my weapon.
त्वां च मूढाकृतप्रज्ञमतिमानिनमाहवे। दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनो मन्दो भृशं तप्स्यति पातितम् ॥७-१२३-१७॥
Seeing you, who is foolish and arrogant in battle, Duryodhana, being slow-witted, will greatly suffer upon your fall.
अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते वधे कर्णसुतस्य तु। महान्सुतुमुलः शब्दो बभूव रथिनां तदा ॥७-१२३-१८॥
When Arjuna vowed to kill Karna's son, a great tumultuous sound arose from the charioteers.
तस्मिन्नाकुलसङ्ग्रामे वर्तमाने महाभये। मन्दरश्मिः सहस्रांशुरस्तं गिरिमुपागमत् ॥७-१२३-१९॥
In the midst of that chaotic and fearsome battle, the sun, with its slow and thousand rays, approached the mountain to set.
ततो राजन्हृषीकेशः सङ्ग्रामशिरसि स्थितम्। तीर्णप्रतिज्ञं बीभत्सुं परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत् ॥७-१२३-२०॥
Then, O king, Krishna, standing at the forefront of the battle, embraced Arjuna, who had fulfilled his vow, and spoke these words.
दिष्ट्या सम्पादिता जिष्णो प्रतिज्ञा महती त्वया। दिष्ट्या च निहतः पापो वृद्धक्षत्रः सहात्मजः ॥७-१२३-२१॥
"O conqueror, it is fortunate that you have accomplished the great promise. It is also fortunate that the wicked Vṛddhakṣatra, along with his sons, has been killed."
धार्तराष्ट्रबलं प्राप्य देवसेनापि भारत। सीदेत समरे जिष्णो नात्र कार्या विचारणा ॥७-१२३-२२॥
O Bharata, having acquired the army of Dhritarashtra and the divine forces, even a conqueror would falter in battle; hence, no further deliberation is needed here.
न तं पश्यामि लोकेषु चिन्तयन्पुरुषं क्वचित्। त्वदृते पुरुषव्याघ्र य एतद्योधयेद्बलम् ॥७-१२३-२३॥
"O tiger among men, I do not see anyone in the world who could think of fighting this strength without you."
महाप्रभावा बहवस्त्वया तुल्याधिकापि वा। समेताः पृथिवीपाला धार्तराष्ट्रस्य कारणात् ॥ ते त्वां प्राप्य रणे क्रुद्धं नाभ्यवर्तन्त दंशिताः ॥७-१२३-२४॥
Many kings of great influence, equal or superior to you, assembled for Dhritarashtra's sake. Upon encountering you, angry in battle, they did not dare to approach, being frightened.
तव वीर्यं बलं चैव रुद्रशक्रान्तकोपमम्। नेदृशं शक्नुयात्कश्चिद्रणे कर्तुं पराक्रमम् ॥ यादृशं कृतवानद्य त्वमेकः शत्रुतापनः ॥७-१२३-२५॥
Your strength and power are comparable to the wrath of Rudra and Indra. No one else could display such valor in battle as you have today, single-handedly defeating your foes.
एवमेव हते कर्णे सानुबन्धे दुरात्मनि। वर्धयिष्यामि भूयस्त्वां विजितारिं हतद्विषम् ॥७-१२३-२६॥
Thus, with the death of Karna and his followers, the wicked ones, I shall further empower you, the conqueror and destroyer of enemies.
तमर्जुनः प्रत्युवाच प्रसादात्तव माधव। प्रतिज्ञेयं मयोत्तीर्णा विबुधैरपि दुस्तरा ॥७-१२३-२७॥
Arjuna replied to Krishna, "O Mādhava, it is by your grace that I have fulfilled this promise, which even the wise find difficult to accomplish."
अनाश्चर्यो जयस्तेषां येषां नाथोऽसि माधव। त्वत्प्रसादान्महीं कृत्स्नां सम्प्राप्स्यति युधिष्ठिरः ॥७-१२३-२८॥
It is no wonder that those who have you as their lord, O Mādhava, achieve victory. Through your grace, Yudhiṣṭhira will gain dominion over the entire earth.
तवैव भारो वार्ष्णेय तवैव विजयः प्रभो। वर्धनीयास्तव वयं प्रेष्याश्च मधुसूदन ॥७-१२३-२९॥
The responsibility and victory are solely yours, O descendant of Vṛṣṇi and lord. We are to be uplifted as your servants, O slayer of Madhu.
एवमुक्तः स्मयन्कृष्णः शनकैर्वाहयन्हयान्। दर्शयामास पार्थाय क्रूरमायोधनं महत् ॥७-१२३-३०॥
Upon being spoken to in this manner, Krishna, with a smile, slowly drove the horses, revealing to Arjuna the vast and dreadful battlefield.
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच॥
Shri Krishna said:
प्रार्थयन्तो जयं युद्धे प्रथितं च महद्यशः। पृथिव्यां शेरते शूराः पार्थिवास्त्वच्छरैर्हताः ॥७-१२३-३१॥
Desiring victory in battle and great fame, the heroes and kings lie on the earth, slain by your arrows.
विकीर्णशस्त्राभरणा विपन्नाश्वरथद्विपाः। सञ्छिन्नभिन्नवर्माणो वैक्लव्यं परमं गताः ॥७-१२३-३२॥
The battlefield was strewn with weapons and ornaments, the horses, chariots, and elephants were destroyed, and the soldiers, with their armors cut and broken, were in a state of extreme despair.
ससत्त्वा गतसत्त्वाश्च प्रभया परया युताः। सजीवा इव लक्ष्यन्ते गतसत्त्वा नराधिपाः ॥७-१२३-३३॥
The kings, though devoid of vitality, appear as if alive, endowed with supreme radiance.
तेषां शरैः स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शस्त्रैश्च विविधैः शितैः। वाहनैरायुधैश्चैव सम्पूर्णां पश्य मेदिनीम् ॥७-१२३-३४॥
Behold the earth filled with their golden-feathered arrows, sharp weapons, and various vehicles and arms.
वर्मभिश्चर्मभिर्हारैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः। उष्णीषैर्मुकुटैः स्रग्भिश्चूडामणिभिरम्बरैः ॥७-१२३-३५॥
The scene was adorned with armors, skins, necklaces, heads, earrings, turbans, crowns, garlands, crest-jewels, and garments, creating a vivid and opulent display.
कण्ठसूत्रैरङ्गदैश्च निष्कैरपि च सुप्रभैः। अन्यैश्चाभरणैश्चित्रैर्भाति भारत मेदिनी ॥७-१२३-३६॥
The land of India is adorned with necklaces, armlets, coins, and various other brilliant ornaments, shining beautifully.
चामरैर्व्यजनैश्चित्रैर्ध्वजैश्चाश्वरथद्विपैः। विविधैश्च परिस्तोमैरश्वानां च प्रकीर्णकैः ॥७-१२३-३७॥
The scene was adorned with yak-tail fans, colorful flags, horses, chariots, elephants, and various praises, with scattered horses adding to the grandeur.
कुथाभिश्च विचित्राभिर्वरूथैश्च महाधनैः। संस्तीर्णां वसुधां पश्य चित्रपट्टैरिवावृताम् ॥७-१२३-३८॥
Behold the earth adorned with blankets, diverse canopies, and immense wealth, as if covered with painted cloths.
नागेभ्यः पतितानन्यान्कल्पितेभ्यो द्विपैः सह। सिंहान्वज्रप्रणुन्नेभ्यो गिर्यग्रेभ्य इव च्युतान् ॥७-१२३-३९॥
The others, imagined as fallen from the elephants, were like lions struck by thunderbolts, fallen from the mountain peaks.
संस्यूतान्वाजिभिः सार्धं धरण्यां पश्य चापरान्। पदातिसादिसङ्घांश्च क्षतजौघपरिप्लुतान् ॥७-१२३-४०॥
Observe the scene where others are bound with horses on the ground, and groups of infantry and others are soaked in streams of blood.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवं संदर्शयन्कृष्णो रणभूमिं किरीटिनः। स्वैः समेतः स मुदितः पाञ्चजन्यं व्यनादयत् ॥७-१२३-४१॥
Thus, Krishna, showing the battlefield to Arjuna, joyfully blew his conch Panchajanya, surrounded by his own.
