07.166
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
अधर्मेण हतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन सञ्जय। ब्राह्मणं पितरं वृद्धमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत् ॥७-१६६-१॥
Upon hearing that his aged brāhmaṇa father was unrighteously slain by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, what did Aśvatthāmā say, O Sañjaya?
मानुषं वारुणाग्नेयं ब्राह्ममस्त्रं च वीर्यवान्। ऐन्द्रं नारायणं चैव यस्मिन्नित्यं प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥७-१६६-२॥
The powerful one in whom the human, Varuna-Agni, Brahma weapon, Indra, and Narayana are always established.
तमधर्मेण धर्मिष्ठं धृष्टद्युम्नेन सञ्जय। श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत् ॥७-१६६-३॥
O Sañjaya, upon hearing that the virtuous teacher was unfairly killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, what did Aśvatthāmā say?
येन रामादवाप्येह धनुर्वेदं महात्मना। प्रोक्तान्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि पुत्राय गुरुकाङ्क्षिणे ॥७-१६६-४॥
The great soul, having learned the science of archery from Rāma here, imparted divine weapons to his son who was eager to learn from a teacher.
एकमेव हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नात्मनो गुणवत्तरम्। इच्छन्ति पुत्रं पुरुषा लोके नान्यं कथञ्चन ॥७-१६६-५॥
In this world, men desire nothing more virtuous than themselves except for a son.
आचार्याणां भवन्त्येव रहस्यानि महात्मनाम्। तानि पुत्राय वा दद्युः शिष्यायानुगताय वा ॥७-१६६-६॥
Teachers indeed possess the secrets of great souls; they may impart those to a son, a disciple, or a devoted follower.
स शिल्पं प्राप्य तत्सर्वं सविशेषं च सञ्जय। शूरः शारद्वतीपुत्रः सङ्ख्ये द्रोणादनन्तरः ॥७-१६६-७॥
Sanjaya, having mastered the art with all its distinctions, stood as a hero in battle, second only to Drona, the son of Sharadvati.
रामस्यानुमतः शास्त्रे पुरंदरसमो युधि। कार्तवीर्यसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ ॥७-१६६-८॥
He is approved by Rama, matches Indra in battle, Kartavirya in prowess, and Brihaspati in wisdom.
महीधरसमो धृत्या तेजसाग्निसमो युवा। समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये क्रोधे सर्पविषोपमः ॥७-१६६-९॥
He is as firm as a mountain, as brilliant as fire, youthful, as deep as the ocean, and as venomous as a serpent when angry.
स रथी प्रथमो लोके दृढधन्वा जितक्लमः। शीघ्रोऽनिल इवाक्रन्दे चरन्क्रुद्ध इवान्तकः ॥७-१६६-१०॥
He, the charioteer, stands foremost in the world, with a firm bow and having conquered fatigue. He moves swiftly like the wind in battle, resembling death in his anger.
अस्यता येन सङ्ग्रामे धरण्यभिनिपीडिता। यो न व्यथति सङ्ग्रामे वीरः सत्यपराक्रमः ॥७-१६६-११॥
The hero, who oppresses the earth in battle by his throwing and is not distressed in battle, is truly courageous.
वेदस्नातो व्रतस्नातो धनुर्वेदे च पारगः। महोदधिरिवाक्षोभ्यो रामो दाशरथिर्यथा ॥७-१६६-१२॥
Rama, the son of Dasaratha, is proficient in the Vedas, vows, and archery, and is as unshakeable as the great ocean.
तमधर्मेण धर्मिष्ठं धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे। श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत् ॥७-१६६-१३॥
Upon hearing that the virtuous teacher was unrighteously slain by Dhrishtadyumna in battle, Ashwatthama questioned what had transpired.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य यो मृत्युः सृष्टस्तेन महात्मना। यथा द्रोणस्य पाञ्चाल्यो यज्ञसेनसुतोऽभवत् ॥७-१६६-१४॥
The great soul created the death of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, just as the Pāñcāla prince, son of Yajñasena, became the cause of Droṇa's death.
तं नृशंसेन पापेन क्रूरेणात्यल्पदर्शिना। श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत् ॥७-१६६-१५॥
Upon hearing that his teacher was killed by a cruel and wicked person with little foresight, what did Aśvatthāmā say?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
छद्मना निहतं श्रुत्वा पितरं पापकर्मणा। बाष्पेणापूर्यत द्रौणी रोषेण च नरर्षभ ॥७-१६६-१६॥
Upon hearing that his father was deceitfully killed by a wicked act, Aśvatthāmā, filled with tears and anger, O best among men, was overwhelmed.
तस्य क्रुद्धस्य राजेन्द्र वपुर्दिव्यमदृश्यत। अन्तकस्येव भूतानि जिहीर्षोः कालपर्यये ॥७-१६६-१७॥
His angry form appeared divine, O king, like Yama's, as he sought to conquer beings at the time of death.
अश्रुपूर्णे ततो नेत्रे अपमृज्य पुनः पुनः। उवाच कोपान्निःश्वस्य दुर्योधनमिदं वचः ॥७-१६६-१८॥
Then, repeatedly wiping his tear-filled eyes, he sighed with anger and spoke these words to Duryodhana.
पिता मम यथा क्षुद्रैर्न्यस्तशस्त्रो निपातितः। धर्मध्वजवता पापं कृतं तद्विदितं मम ॥ अनार्यं सुनृशंसस्य धर्मपुत्रस्य मे श्रुतम् ॥७-१६६-१९॥
My father was treacherously killed by the mean ones after he laid down his arms; I am aware of the sin committed by the hypocrite. I have heard about the ignoble act of the cruel son of Dharma.
युद्धेष्वपि प्रवृत्तानां ध्रुवौ जयपराजयौ। द्वयमेतद्भवेद्राजन्वधस्तत्र प्रशस्यते ॥७-१६६-२०॥
In battles, those who engage must face the certainty of victory or defeat. Both outcomes are possible, O king, and in such situations, killing is often praised.
न्यायवृत्तो वधो यस्तु सङ्ग्रामे युध्यतो भवेत्। न स दुःखाय भवति तथा दृष्टो हि स द्विजः ॥७-१६६-२१॥
The killing of a just person who fights in battle does not lead to sorrow; he is regarded as a noble Brahmin.
गतः स वीरलोकाय पिता मम न संशयः। न शोच्यः पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तथा स निधनं गतः ॥७-१६६-२२॥
My father has undoubtedly gone to the world of heroes. The tiger among men should not be mourned, for he has met his end.
यत्तु धर्मप्रवृत्तः सन्केशग्रहणमाप्तवान्। पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां तन्मे मर्माणि कृन्तति ॥७-१६६-२३॥
But the act of grasping the hair, which was done in the presence of all the armies, cuts into my vital parts.
कामात्क्रोधादवज्ञानाद्दर्पाद्बाल्येन वा पुनः। वैधर्मिकानि कुर्वन्ति तथा परिभवेन च ॥७-१६६-२४॥
Due to desire, anger, disrespect, arrogance, or childishness, people repeatedly commit unrighteous acts, and thus face humiliation.
तदिदं पार्षतेनेह महदाधर्मिकं कृतम्। अवज्ञाय च मां नूनं नृशंसेन दुरात्मना ॥७-१६६-२५॥
This great unrighteous act has been committed here by Pārṣata, who has disregarded me, surely by the cruel and wicked soul.
तस्यानुबन्धं स द्रष्टा धृष्टद्युम्नः सुदारुणम्। अनार्यं परमं कृत्वा मिथ्यावादी च पाण्डवः ॥७-१६६-२६॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the seer, observed the severe consequences of his actions, which were ignoble and supreme, marking him as a liar and a Pāṇḍava.
यो ह्यसौ छद्मनाचार्यं शस्त्रं संन्यासयत्तदा। तस्याद्य धर्मराजस्य भूमिः पास्यति शोणितम् ॥७-१६६-२७॥
The one who deceitfully abandoned his weapon against the teacher, today the earth under Dharmaraja's rule will drink his blood.
सर्वोपायैर्यतिष्यामि पाञ्चालानामहं वधे। धृष्टद्युम्नं च समरे हन्ताहं पापकारिणम् ॥७-१६६-२८॥
I will use all means to destroy the Pāñcālas. In battle, I will kill Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the evil-doer.
कर्मणा येन तेनेह मृदुना दारुणेन वा। पाञ्चालानां वधं कृत्वा शान्तिं लब्धास्मि कौरव ॥७-१६६-२९॥
O Kaurava, by whatever means, gentle or harsh, I have achieved peace here by the destruction of the Pāñcālas.
यदर्थं पुरुषव्याघ्र पुत्रमिच्छन्ति मानवाः। प्रेत्य चेह च सम्प्राप्तं त्राणाय महतो भयात् ॥७-१६६-३०॥
O tiger among men, humans desire a son for the purpose of obtaining protection from great fear, both in this world and the next.
पित्रा तु मम सावस्था प्राप्ता निर्बन्धुना यथा। मयि शैलप्रतीकाशे पुत्रे शिष्ये च जीवति ॥७-१६६-३१॥
My father left me in a state where I was without relatives, like a mountain, while my son and disciple are still alive.
धिङ्ममास्त्राणि दिव्यानि धिग्बाहू धिक्पराक्रमम्। यन्मां द्रोणः सुतं प्राप्य केशग्रहणमाप्तवान् ॥७-१६६-३२॥
"Shame on my divine weapons, arms, and valor, for Drona's son has managed to seize me by the hair."
स तथाहं करिष्यामि यथा भरतसत्तम। परलोकगतस्यापि गमिष्याम्यनृणः पितुः ॥७-१६६-३३॥
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, I will act in such a way that even if my father has departed to the other world, I shall fulfill my obligations to him.
आर्येण तु न वक्तव्या कदाचित्स्तुतिरात्मनः। पितुर्वधममृष्यंस्तु वक्ष्याम्यद्येह पौरुषम् ॥७-१६६-३४॥
A noble person should never speak praise of themselves. However, unable to tolerate my father's killing, I will demonstrate my manliness here today.
अद्य पश्यन्तु मे वीर्यं पाण्डवाः सजनार्दनाः। मृद्नतः सर्वसैन्यानि युगान्तमिव कुर्वतः ॥७-१६६-३५॥
Today, let the Pāṇḍavas, along with Janārdana, witness my might as I crush all the armies, resembling the end of an era.
न हि देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरा न च राक्षसाः। अद्य शक्ता रणे जेतुं रथस्थं मां नरर्षभ ॥७-१६६-३६॥
O best of men, neither gods, celestial musicians, demons, nor ogres are capable of defeating me in battle today while I stand on the chariot.
मदन्यो नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नर्जुनाद्वास्त्रवित्तमः। अहं हि ज्वलतां मध्ये मयूखानामिवांशुमान् ॥ प्रयोक्ता देवसृष्टानामस्त्राणां पृतनागतः ॥७-१६६-३७॥
In this world, there is no one other than me who surpasses Arjuna in the knowledge of weapons. I am like the sun among the shining ones, the wielder of divine weapons, who has come to the battlefield.
कृशाश्वतनया ह्यद्य मत्प्रयुक्ता महामृधे। दर्शयन्तोऽऽत्मनो वीर्यं प्रमथिष्यन्ति पाण्डवान् ॥७-१६६-३८॥
The sons of Kṛśāśva, employed by me today, will demonstrate their valor in the great battle and crush the Pāṇḍavas.
अद्य सर्वा दिशो राजन्धाराभिरिव सङ्कुलाः। आवृताः पत्रिभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्द्रष्टारो मामकैरिह ॥७-१६६-३९॥
Today, O king, all directions appear crowded as if with streams, covered by my sharp arrows here.
किरन्हि शरजालानि सर्वतो भैरवस्वरम्। शत्रून्निपातयिष्यामि महावात इव द्रुमान् ॥७-१६६-४०॥
"I will scatter arrow-nets from all sides with a terrifying sound and strike down the enemies like a great wind fells trees."
न च जानाति बीभत्सुस्तदस्त्रं न जनार्दनः। न भीमसेनो न यमौ न च राजा युधिष्ठिरः ॥७-१६६-४१॥
Neither Bibhatsu, Janardana, Bhimasena, the twins, nor King Yudhishthira knows about that weapon.
न पार्षतो दुरात्मासौ न शिखण्डी न सात्यकिः। यदिदं मयि कौरव्य सकल्यं सनिवर्तनम् ॥७-१६६-४२॥
O Kauravya, neither Pārṣata, nor that wicked soul, nor Śikhaṇḍī, nor Sātyaki can cause this entire return in me.
नारायणाय मे पित्रा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम्। उपहारः पुरा दत्तो ब्रह्मरूप उपस्थिते ॥७-१६६-४३॥
My father, having bowed to Nārāyaṇa according to the rules, once offered a gift in the presence of Brahma.
तं स्वयं प्रतिगृह्याथ भगवान्स वरं ददौ। वव्रे पिता मे परममस्त्रं नारायणं ततः ॥७-१६६-४४॥
Then, the Lord himself accepted it and granted the boon. My father chose the supreme weapon, Narayana, thereafter.
अथैनमब्रवीद्राजन्भगवान्देवसत्तमः। भविता त्वत्समो नान्यः कश्चिद्युधि नरः क्वचित् ॥७-१६६-४५॥
Then the divine sage, best among the gods, addressed the king, saying that there will be no man equal to him in battle anywhere.
न त्विदं सहसा ब्रह्मन्प्रयोक्तव्यं कथञ्चन। न ह्येतदस्त्रमन्यत्र वधाच्छत्रोर्निवर्तते ॥७-१६६-४६॥
"O Brahman, this weapon should never be used hastily or in any other way, as it will not retract except in the destruction of enemies."
न चैतच्छक्यते ज्ञातुं को न वध्येदिति प्रभो। अवध्यमपि हन्याद्धि तस्मान्नैतत्प्रयोजयेत् ॥७-१६६-४७॥
O lord, it is impossible to determine who would not be killed, as even the invincible can be slain. Therefore, this should not be used.
वधः सङ्ख्ये द्रवश्चैव शस्त्राणां च विसर्जनम्। प्रयाचनं च शत्रूणां गमनं शरणस्य च ॥७-१६६-४८॥
In battle, killing, fleeing, abandoning weapons, begging from enemies, and seeking refuge are described.
एते प्रशमने योगा महास्त्रस्य परन्तप। सर्वथा पीडितो हि स्यादवध्यान्पीडयन्रणे ॥७-१६६-४९॥
These are the methods to pacify the great weapon, O Parantapa. In every way, one might be afflicted by causing harm to the invincible in battle.
तज्जग्राह पिता मह्यमब्रवीच्चैव स प्रभुः। त्वं वर्षिष्यसि दिव्यानि शस्त्रवर्षाण्यनेकशः ॥ अनेनास्त्रेण सङ्ग्रामे तेजसा च ज्वलिष्यसि ॥७-१६६-५०॥
My father, the lord, took it and said to me: "You will shower divine weapon showers many times. With this weapon, you will shine brilliantly in battle."
एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्दिवमाचक्रमे प्रभुः। एतन्नारायणादस्त्रं तत्प्राप्तं मम बन्धुना ॥७-१६६-५१॥
After speaking thus, the blessed lord ascended to the heavens. This weapon from Nārāyaṇa was acquired by my kinsman.
तेनाहं पाण्डवांश्चैव पाञ्चालान्मत्स्यकेकयान्। विद्रावयिष्यामि रणे शचीपतिरिवासुरान् ॥७-१६६-५२॥
With his power, I will disperse the Pāṇḍavas, as well as the Pāñcālas, Matsyas, and Kekayas in the battle, just as Indra, the husband of Śacī, scatters the demons.
यथा यथाहमिच्छेयं तथा भूत्वा शरा मम। निपतेयुः सपत्नेषु विक्रमत्स्वपि भारत ॥७-१६६-५३॥
O Bhārata, may my arrows fall upon the advancing enemies just as I desire.
यथेष्टमश्मवर्षेण प्रवर्षिष्ये रणे स्थितः। अयोमुखैश्च विहगैर्द्रावयिष्ये महारथान् ॥ परश्वधांश्च विविधान्प्रसक्ष्येऽहमसंशयम् ॥७-१६६-५४॥
Standing firm in battle, I shall unleash a desired shower of stones; with iron-beaked birds, I will scatter the great charioteers. Without a doubt, I will hurl various axes.
सोऽहं नारायणास्त्रेण महता शत्रुतापन। शत्रून्विध्वंसयिष्यामि कदर्थीकृत्य पाण्डवान् ॥७-१६६-५५॥
I, with the great Narayana weapon, will destroy the enemies, humiliating the Pandavas.
मित्रब्रह्मगुरुद्वेषी जाल्मकः सुविगर्हितः। पाञ्चालापसदश्चाद्य न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यते ॥७-१६६-५६॥
The deceitful and highly condemned outcast of Panchala, who hates friends, Brahma, and teachers, will not be spared today.
तच्छ्रुत्वा द्रोणपुत्रस्य पर्यवर्तत वाहिनी। ततः सर्वे महाशङ्खान्दध्मुः पुरुषसत्तमाः ॥७-१६६-५७॥
Upon hearing this, the army led by Drona's son retreated, and then all the noble warriors blew their mighty conches.
भेरीश्चाभ्यहनन्हृष्टा डिण्डिमांश्च सहस्रशः। तथा ननाद वसुधा खुरनेमिप्रपीडिता ॥ स शब्दस्तुमुलः खं द्यां पृथिवीं च व्यनादयत् ॥७-१६६-५८॥
Joyful warriors beat drums and kettle-drums by the thousands, causing the earth, oppressed by hoofs and wheels, to resound. The tumultuous sound echoed through the sky, heaven, and earth.
तं शब्दं पाण्डवाः श्रुत्वा पर्जन्यनिनदोपमम्। समेत्य रथिनां श्रेष्ठाः सहिताः संन्यमन्त्रयन् ॥७-१६६-५९॥
The Pāṇḍavas, upon hearing the sound resembling the roar of clouds, gathered with the foremost charioteers and held a council.
तथोक्त्वा द्रोणपुत्रोऽपि तदोपस्पृश्य भारत। प्रादुश्चकार तद्दिव्यमस्त्रं नारायणं तदा ॥७-१६६-६०॥
After speaking thus, Drona's son, having purified himself, O Bharata, then invoked the divine weapon of Narayana.
