07.126
Pancharatra and Core: Drona responds to Duryodhana's rebuke, explaining the situation and his real helplessness against the Pandavas strength and righteousness.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
सिन्धुराजे हते तात समरे सव्यसाचिना। तथैव भूरिश्रवसि किमासीद्वो मनस्तदा ॥७-१२६-१॥
O father, when Sindhuraja was slain in battle by Savyasachi, and similarly Bhurishravas, what was going through your mind at that time?
दुर्योधनेन च द्रोणस्तथोक्तः कुरुसंसदि। किमुक्तवान्परं तस्मात्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥७-१२६-२॥
Droṇa, having been addressed by Duryodhana in the Kuru assembly, what did he say further? Tell me that, Sañjaya.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
निष्टानको महानासीत्सैन्यानां तव भारत। सैन्धवं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भूरिश्रवसमेव च ॥७-१२६-३॥
Niṣṭānaka was a great warrior among your armies, O Bhārata. He witnessed the fall of Saindhava and Bhūriśravas.
मन्त्रितं तव पुत्रस्य ते सर्वमवमेनिरे। येन मन्त्रेण निहताः शतशः क्षत्रियर्षभाः ॥७-१२६-४॥
The mantra of your son was enchanted, and all were disregarded by it, leading to the slaying of hundreds of warrior chiefs.
द्रोणस्तु तद्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य तव दुर्मनाः। मुहूर्तमिव तु ध्यात्वा भृशमार्तोऽभ्यभाषत ॥७-१२६-५॥
Drona, upon hearing those words of your son, was deeply distressed. He paused for a moment, and then, greatly afflicted, he spoke:
दुर्योधन किमेवं मां वाक्षरैरभिकृन्तसि। अजय्यं समरे नित्यं ब्रुवाणं सव्यसाचिनम् ॥७-१२६-६॥
Duryodhana, why do you speak to me in such a manner, cutting me with your words, always declaring Arjuna to be invincible in battle?
एतेनैवार्जुनं ज्ञातुमलं कौरव संयुगे। यच्छिखण्ड्यवधीद्भीष्मं पाल्यमानः किरीटिना ॥७-१२६-७॥
This alone is enough to understand Arjuna's prowess in battle, as it was Shikhandi who killed Bhishma under the protection of Arjuna, the one with the crown.
अवध्यं निहतं दृष्ट्वा संयुगे देवमानुषैः। तदैवाज्ञासिषमहं नेयमस्तीति भारती ॥७-१२६-८॥
Upon witnessing the invincible being defeated in battle by gods and men, I immediately realized that this speech does not exist.
यं पुंसां त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वशूरममंस्महि। तस्मिन्विनिहते शूरे किं शेषं पर्युपास्महे ॥७-१२६-९॥
We remember the all-heroic one among men in the three worlds. With that hero slain, what remains for us to worship?
यान्स्म तान्ग्लहते तातः शकुनिः कुरुसंसदि। अक्षान्न तेऽक्षा निशिता बाणास्ते शत्रुतापनाः ॥७-१२६-१०॥
In the Kuru assembly, Shakuni challenges those whom indeed father does not consider as mere dice, but as sharp arrows that torment the enemy.
त एते घ्नन्ति नस्तात विशिखा जयचोदिताः। यांस्तदा ख्याप्यमानांस्त्वं विदुरेण न बुध्यसे ॥७-१२६-११॥
Those arrows, driven by victory, are striking us, father. You fail to recognize those being indicated by Vidura at that time.
तास्ता विलपतश्चापि विदुरस्य महात्मनः। धीरस्य वाचो नाश्रौषीः क्षेमाय वदतः शिवाः ॥७-१२६-१२॥
Those who were lamenting did not hear the wise and auspicious words of Vidura, the great soul, who was speaking for their welfare.
तदिदं वर्तते घोरमागतं वैशसं महत्। तस्यावमानाद्वाक्यस्य दुर्योधन कृते तव ॥७-१२६-१३॥
This great and terrible calamity has arisen due to the insult caused by your words, Duryodhana.
यच्च नः प्रेक्षमाणानां कृष्णामानाययः सभाम्। अनर्हतीं कुले जातां सर्वधर्मानुचारिणीम् ॥७-१२६-१४॥
Draupadi, who was unworthy and born in a noble family, was brought to the assembly in front of those watching, despite being a follower of all dharma.
तस्याधर्मस्य गान्धारे फलं प्राप्तमिदं त्वया। नो चेत्पापं परे लोके त्वमर्च्छेथास्ततोऽधिकम् ॥७-१२६-१५॥
The consequences of his unrighteous actions in Gandhara have come upon you. Otherwise, you would face even greater sin in the afterlife.
यच्च तान्पाण्डवान्द्यूते विषमेण विजित्य ह। प्राव्राजयस्तदारण्ये रौरवाजिनवाससः ॥७-१२६-१६॥
And having unfairly won against the Pāṇḍavas in the game of dice, you exiled them to the forest, where they wore deer skin from Raurava.
पुत्राणामिव चैतेषां धर्ममाचरतां सदा। द्रुह्येत्को नु नरो लोके मदन्यो ब्राह्मणब्रुवः ॥७-१२६-१७॥
Who in the world would harm those who, like sons, always practice their duty, other than me, who claims to be a Brahmin?
पाण्डवानामयं कोपस्त्वया शकुनिना सह। आहृतो धृतराष्ट्रस्य संमते कुरुसंसदि ॥७-१२६-१८॥
The anger of the Pandavas, instigated by you and Shakuni, was presented in the Kuru assembly with Dhritarashtra's consent.
दुःशासनेन संयुक्तः कर्णेन परिवर्धितः। क्षत्तुर्वाक्यमनादृत्य त्वयाभ्यस्तः पुनः पुनः ॥७-१२६-१९॥
You, having been associated with Duḥśāsana and nurtured by Karṇa, repeatedly ignored the charioteer's advice and continued your actions.
यत्तत्सर्वे पराभूय पर्यवारयतार्जुनिम्। सिन्धुराजानमाश्रित्य स वो मध्ये कथं हतः ॥७-१२६-२०॥
How was he, who had defeated all and surrounded Arjuna relying on the Sindhu king, killed in your midst?
कथं त्वयि च कर्णे च कृपे शल्ये च जीवति। अश्वत्थाम्नि च कौरव्य निधनं सैन्धवोऽगमत् ॥७-१२६-२१॥
O Kaurava, how did Saindhava meet his death while you, Karna, Kripa, Shalya, and Ashwatthama are still alive?
यद्वस्तत्सर्वराजानस्तेजस्तिग्ममुपासते। सिन्धुराजं परित्रातुं स वो मध्ये कथं हतः ॥७-१२६-२२॥
The Sindhu king, whom all the kings revered for his sharp brilliance, how was he killed among you?
मय्येव हि विशेषेण तथा दुर्योधन त्वयि। आशंसत परित्राणमर्जुनात्स महीपतिः ॥७-१२६-२३॥
The king especially hoped for protection from Arjuna, both in me and in you, Duryodhana.
ततस्तस्मिन्परित्राणमलब्धवति फल्गुनात्। न किञ्चिदनुपश्यामि जीवितत्राणमात्मनः ॥७-१२६-२४॥
Then, having not obtained protection from Arjuna, I do not see any means of preserving my life.
मज्जन्तमिव चात्मानं धृष्टद्युम्नस्य किल्बिषे। पश्याम्यहत्वा पाञ्चालान्सह तेन शिखण्डिना ॥७-१२६-२५॥
I perceive myself as if drowning in the sin associated with Dhrishtadyumna, for not having slain the Panchalas along with Shikhandi.
तन्मा किमभितप्यन्तं वाक्षरैरभिकृन्तसि। अशक्तः सिन्धुराजस्य भूत्वा त्राणाय भारत ॥७-१२६-२६॥
O Bharata, why do you torment me with words? Having become powerless, I am unable to protect the king of Sindhu.
सौवर्णं सत्यसन्धस्य ध्वजमक्लिष्टकर्मणः। अपश्यन्युधि भीष्मस्य कथमाशंससे जयम् ॥७-१२६-२७॥
Seeing the golden flag of the truthful and tireless Bhishma in battle, how do you expect to achieve victory?
मध्ये महारथानां च यत्राहन्यत सैन्धवः। हतो भूरिश्रवाश्चैव किं शेषं तत्र मन्यसे ॥७-१२६-२८॥
In the midst of the great charioteers, where Saindhava was killed and Bhūriśravā was slain, what do you think remains there?
कृप एव च दुर्धर्षो यदि जीवति पार्थिव। यो नागात्सिन्धुराजस्य वर्त्म तं पूजयाम्यहम् ॥७-१२६-२९॥
I worship the invincible Kripa, who, if the king lives, is on the path from the elephant of the king of elephants.
यच्चापश्यं हतं भीष्मं पश्यतस्तेऽनुजस्य वै। दुःशासनस्य कौरव्य कुर्वाणं कर्म दुष्करम् ॥ अवध्यकल्पं सङ्ग्रामे देवैरपि सवासवैः ॥७-१२६-३०॥
I witnessed Bhishma being slain while your younger brother Duhshasana was watching, performing a feat that seemed impossible, as if he were invincible in battle even to the gods with Indra.
न ते वसुन्धरास्तीति तदहं चिन्तये नृप। इमानि पाण्डवानां च सृञ्जयानां च भारत ॥ अनीकान्याद्रवन्ते मां सहितान्यद्य मारिष ॥७-१२६-३१॥
O king, I do not think these lands are yours. Today, the armies of the Pandavas and the Sṛñjayas are advancing towards me together, O Bharata.
नाहत्वा सर्वपाञ्चालान्कवचस्य विमोक्षणम्। कर्तास्मि समरे कर्म धार्तराष्ट्र हितं तव ॥७-१२६-३२॥
I will not remove my armor without killing all the Panchalas. I will fight in the battle for your benefit, O Dhritarashtra.
राजन्ब्रूयाः सुतं मे त्वमश्वत्थामानमाहवे। न सोमकाः प्रमोक्तव्या जीवितं परिरक्षता ॥७-१२६-३३॥
O king, instruct my son Aśvatthāmā in the battle not to spare the Somakas, ensuring they are not left alive.
यच्च पित्रानुशिष्टोऽसि तद्वचः परिपालय। आनृशंस्ये दमे सत्ये आर्जवे च स्थिरो भव ॥७-१२६-३४॥
Follow the instructions given by your father and remain steadfast in kindness, self-control, truth, and honesty.
धर्मार्थकामकुशलो धर्मार्थावप्यपीडयन्। धर्मप्रधानः कार्याणि कुर्याश्चेति पुनः पुनः ॥७-१२६-३५॥
One should be skilled in the pursuits of duty, wealth, and desire, ensuring that duty and wealth are not harmed, and should repeatedly perform actions with duty as the primary focus.
चक्षुर्मनोभ्यां सन्तोष्या विप्राः सेव्याश्च शक्तितः। न चैषां विप्रियं कार्यं ते हि वह्निशिखोपमाः ॥७-१२६-३६॥
The eyes and mind should be contented, and wise men should be served as per one's capacity. One should not cause them any displeasure, as they are akin to flames of fire.
एष त्वहमनीकानि प्रविशाम्यरिसूदन। रणाय महते राजंस्त्वया वाक्षल्यपीडितः ॥७-१२६-३७॥
"O enemy-slayer, I am entering the armies for the great battle, O king, as I am afflicted by your harshness."
त्वं च दुर्योधन बलं यदि शक्नोषि धारय। रात्रावपि हि योत्स्यन्ते संरब्धाः कुरुसृञ्जयाः ॥७-१२६-३८॥
Duryodhana, if you can hold your strength, the eager Kurus and Sṛñjayas will indeed fight even at night.
एवमुक्त्वा ततः प्रायाद्द्रोणः पाण्डवसृञ्जयान्। मुष्णन्क्षत्रियतेजांसि नक्षत्राणामिवांशुमान् ॥७-१२६-३९॥
After speaking thus, Droṇa moved towards the Pāṇḍavas and Sṛñjayas, diminishing the warriors' brilliance as the sun does to the stars.
