08.001
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
ततो द्रोणे हते राजन्दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः। भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो द्रोणपुत्रमुपागमन् ॥८-१-१॥
After Drona was slain, the kings led by Duryodhana, deeply troubled, went to Drona's son.
ते द्रोणमुपशोचन्तः कश्मलाभिहतौजसः। पर्युपासन्त शोकार्तास्ततः शारद्वतीसुतम् ॥८-१-२॥
They lamented over Drona, their strength sapped by confusion, and then surrounded the son of Sharadvati, overwhelmed by sorrow.
मुहूर्तं ते समाश्वास्य हेतुभिः शास्त्रसंमितैः। रात्र्यागमे महीपालाः स्वानि वेश्मानि भेजिरे ॥८-१-३॥
For a brief moment, the kings consoled them with scriptural reasons and, as night fell, they returned to their respective palaces.
विशेषतः सूतपुत्रो राजा चैव सुयोधनः। दुःशासनोऽथ शकुनिर्न निद्रामुपलेभिरे ॥८-१-४॥
Especially, the son of a charioteer, the king, and Suyodhana, Duhshasana, and Shakuni could not sleep.
ते वेश्मस्वपि कौरव्य पृथ्वीशा नाप्नुवन्सुखम्। चिन्तयन्तः क्षयं तीव्रं निद्रां नैवोपलेभिरे ॥८-१-५॥
Even in their homes, the kings, O descendant of Kuru, could not find happiness. They were unable to sleep, tormented by thoughts of intense destruction.
सहितास्ते निशायां तु दुर्योधननिवेशने। अतिप्रचण्डाद्विद्वेषात्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् ॥८-१-६॥
Together, they stayed at Duryodhana's place at night due to their intense hatred towards the Pandavas, who were great souls.
यत्तद्द्यूतपरिक्लिष्टां कृष्णामानिन्यिरे सभाम्। तत्स्मरन्तोऽन्वतप्यन्त भृशमुद्विग्नचेतसः ॥८-१-७॥
Draupadi, who was distressed due to the gambling, was brought into the assembly. Recalling this event, they were filled with deep regret and their minds were greatly disturbed.
चिन्तयन्तश्च पार्थानां तान्क्लेशान्द्यूतकारितान्। कृच्छ्रेण क्षणदां राजन्निन्युरब्दशतोपमाम् ॥८-१-८॥
Thinking of the troubles caused by gambling to the sons of Pṛthā, O King, they spent the night with difficulty, which seemed like a hundred years.
ततः प्रभाते विमले स्थिता दिष्टस्य शासने। चक्रुरावश्यकं सर्वे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा ॥८-१-९॥
In the clear morning, all stood by the command of the appointed and performed the necessary duties as prescribed.
ते कृत्वावश्यकार्याणि समाश्वस्य च भारत। योगमाज्ञापयामासुर्युद्धाय च विनिर्ययुः ॥८-१-१०॥
After completing their essential tasks and taking rest, O Bharata, they commanded the preparations for battle and proceeded forth.
कर्णं सेनापतिं कृत्वा कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाः। वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्दधिपात्रघृताक्षतैः ॥८-१-११॥
After appointing Karna as the general and conducting auspicious ceremonies, they recited to the best of the Brahmins using curd, vessels, ghee, and unbroken rice.
निष्कैर्गोभिर्हिरण्येन वासोभिश्च महाधनैः। वर्ध्यमाना जयाशीर्भिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः ॥८-१-१२॥
The prosperity was enhanced with coins, cows, gold, garments, and great wealth, as charioteers, bards, and panegyrists offered victorious blessings.
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्कृतसर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः। शिबिरान्निर्ययू राजन्युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः ॥८-१-१३॥
In the same way, O king, the Pandavas, after completing all their daily duties, left the camp decisively to engage in battle.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्। कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च परस्परवधैषिणाम् ॥८-१-१४॥
Then a fierce and hair-raising battle commenced between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, both desiring to destroy each other.
तयोर्द्वे दिवसे युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः। कर्णे सेनापतौ राजन्नभूदद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥८-१-१५॥
For two days, the battle between the Kuru and Pāṇḍava armies, with Karna as the commander, was a remarkable spectacle, O king.
ततः शत्रुक्षयं कृत्वा सुमहान्तं रणे वृषः। पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां फल्गुनेन निपातितः ॥८-१-१६॥
Then, after causing a massive destruction of the enemy in battle, the mighty warrior was struck down by Arjuna in the sight of the sons of Dhritarashtra.
ततस्तत्सञ्जयः सर्वं गत्वा नागाह्वयं पुरम्। आचख्यौ धृतराष्ट्राय यद्वृत्तं कुरुजाङ्गले ॥८-१-१७॥
Then Sanjaya went to the city of Nagahvaya and informed Dhritarashtra about the events that took place in Kurujangala.
जनमेजय उवाच॥
Janamejaya spoke:
आपगेयं हतं श्रुत्वा द्रोणं च समरे परैः। यो जगाम परामार्तिं वृद्धो राजाम्बिकासुतः ॥८-१-१८॥
Upon hearing that Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and Drona were killed in battle by the enemies, the old king Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, was deeply distressed.
स श्रुत्वा निहतं कर्णं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम्। कथं द्विजवर प्राणानधारयत दुःखितः ॥८-१-१९॥
Upon hearing of the death of Karṇa, who was a well-wisher of Duryodhana, how did he, O esteemed sage, manage to sustain his life while being overwhelmed with grief?
यस्मिञ्जयाशां पुत्राणाममन्यत स पार्थिवः। तस्मिन्हते स कौरव्यः कथं प्राणानधारयत् ॥८-१-२०॥
The king, who believed that his sons' hope of victory rested in him, wondered how Kauravya could sustain his life after being slain.
दुर्मरं बत मन्येऽहं नृणां कृच्छ्रेऽपि वर्तताम्। यत्र कर्णं हतं श्रुत्वा नात्यजज्जीवितं नृपः ॥८-१-२१॥
I believe it is truly hard for men to die even in dire situations, as the king did not give up his life upon hearing of Karṇa's death.
तथा शान्तनवं वृद्धं ब्रह्मन्बाह्लिकमेव च। द्रोणं च सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च ॥८-१-२२॥
Thus, O Brahman, the old Śāntanu's son, Bahlika, Droṇa, Somadatta, and Bhūriśravas were also present.
तथैव चान्यान्सुहृदः पुत्रपौत्रांश्च पातितान्। श्रुत्वा यन्नाजहात्प्राणांस्तन्मन्ये दुष्करं द्विज ॥८-१-२३॥
In the same way, O Brahmin, I believe it is difficult that he did not give up his life after hearing about the fall of his other friends, sons, and grandsons.
एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तरेण तपोधन। न हि तृप्यामि पूर्वेषां शृण्वानश्चरितं महत् ॥८-१-२४॥
"O ascetic, please narrate all this to me in detail. I am never satisfied listening to the great deeds of the ancients."
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
हते कर्णे महाराज निशि गावल्गणिस्तदा। दीनो ययौ नागपुरमश्वैर्वातसमैर्जवे ॥८-१-२५॥
After Karna was killed, O great king, Gavalganih, feeling sorrowful, went to Nagapura at night, riding horses that were as swift as the wind.
स हास्तिनपुरं गत्वा भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः। जगाम धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्षयं प्रक्षीणबान्धवम् ॥८-१-२६॥
He went to Hastinapura, deeply troubled, and visited the house of Dhritarashtra, which was now empty of relatives.
स समुद्वीक्ष्य राजानं कश्मलाभिहतौजसम्। ववन्दे प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा मूर्ध्ना पादौ नृपस्य ह ॥८-१-२७॥
He saw the king, whose energy was diminished by despondency, and respectfully bowed down, touching the king's feet with his head.
सम्पूज्य च यथान्यायं धृतराष्ट्रं महीपतिम्। हा कष्टमिति चोक्त्वा स ततो वचनमाददे ॥८-१-२८॥
After duly worshipping King Dhritarashtra, he exclaimed, "Alas, what distress!", and then began to speak.
सञ्जयोऽहं क्षितिपते कच्चिदास्ते सुखं भवान्। स्वदोषेणापदं प्राप्य कच्चिन्नाद्य विमुह्यसि ॥८-१-२९॥
Sanjaya said, "O King, do you reside happily? Having obtained calamity by your own fault, are you not confused today?"
हितान्युक्तानि विदुरद्रोणगाङ्गेयकेशवैः। अगृहीतान्यनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम् ॥८-१-३०॥
Are you not feeling distressed by remembering the beneficial advice spoken by Vidura, Droṇa, Gāṅgeya, and Keśava, which you did not accept?
रामनारदकण्वैश्च हितमुक्तं सभातले। नगृहीतमनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम् ॥८-१-३१॥
Rama, Narada, Kanva, and others spoke beneficial words in the assembly. Do you remember and not feel distress about what was not accepted?
सुहृदस्त्वद्धिते युक्तान्भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्परैः। निहतान्युधि संस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम् ॥८-१-३२॥
Reflecting on your friends who were devoted to your cause, led by Bhishma and Drona, and slain by others in battle, do you not experience sorrow?
तमेवंवादिनं राजा सूतपुत्रं कृताञ्जलिम्। सुदीर्घमभिनिःश्वस्य दुःखार्त इदमब्रवीत् ॥८-१-३३॥
The king, deeply sighing and filled with sorrow, addressed the son of a charioteer with folded hands, saying these words.
गाङ्गेये निहते शूरे दिव्यास्त्रवति सञ्जय। द्रोणे च परमेष्वासे भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः ॥८-१-३४॥
Sanjaya, my mind is deeply troubled with the fall of the heroic son of Ganga, the wielder of divine weapons, and the supreme archer Drona.
यो रथानां सहस्राणि दंशितानां दशैव हि। अहन्यहनि तेजस्वी निजघ्ने वसुसम्भवः ॥८-१-३५॥
The powerful son of Vasu, who indeed killed ten thousands of adorned chariots day by day.
स हतो यज्ञसेनस्य पुत्रेणेह शिखण्डिना। पाण्डवेयाभिगुप्तेन भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः ॥८-१-३६॥
He was slain by Shikhandi, the son of Yajnasena, under the protection of the Pandavas; my mind is deeply troubled.
भार्गवः प्रददौ यस्मै परमास्त्रं महात्मने। साक्षाद्रामेण यो बाल्ये धनुर्वेद उपाकृतः ॥८-१-३७॥
Bhrigu's descendant gave the supreme weapon to the great soul, who was directly taught the science of archery by Rama in his childhood.
यस्य प्रसादात्कौन्तेया राजपुत्रा महाबलाः। महारथत्वं सम्प्राप्तास्तथान्ये वसुधाधिपाः ॥८-१-३८॥
Through his grace, the sons of Kunti, who are mighty princes, achieved the status of great chariot-warriors, as did other rulers of the earth.
तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे। सत्यसन्धं महेष्वासं भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः ॥८-१-३९॥
Upon hearing that Droṇa was killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the battle, my mind is deeply troubled for the honest and mighty archer.
त्रैलोक्ये यस्य शास्त्रेषु न पुमान्विद्यते समः। तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा किमकुर्वत मामकाः ॥८-१-४०॥
In the three worlds, there was no man equal to him in the scriptures. Upon hearing that Droṇa was slain, what did my people do?
संशप्तकानां च बले पाण्डवेन महात्मना। धनञ्जयेन विक्रम्य गमिते यमसादनम् ॥८-१-४१॥
The great Pandava, Dhananjaya, valiantly defeated the Samsaptakas and sent them to the abode of Yama.
नारायणास्त्रे निहते द्रोणपुत्रस्य धीमतः। हतशेषेष्वनीकेषु किमकुर्वत मामकाः ॥८-१-४२॥
When the Narayana weapon was nullified, what actions did my wise son of Drona take among the remaining forces?
विप्रद्रुतानहं मन्ये निमग्नः शोकसागरे। प्लवमानान्हते द्रोणे सन्ननौकानिवार्णवे ॥८-१-४३॥
I feel as if I am scattered and submerged in a sea of sorrow, like boats adrift and sinking after the fall of Drona.
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णस्य भोजस्य कृतवर्मणः। मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च ॥८-१-४४॥
This verse lists the names of the warriors associated with Duryodhana, including Karna, Bhoja, Kritavarma, the king of Madra (Shalya), Drona's son (Ashwatthama), and Kripa.
मत्पुत्रशेषस्य तथा तथान्येषां च सञ्जय। विप्रकीर्णेष्वनीकेषु मुखवर्णोऽभवत्कथम् ॥८-१-४५॥
O Sanjaya, how did the facial color of my remaining sons and others appear in the scattered armies?
एतत्सर्वं यथा वृत्तं तत्त्वं गावल्गणे रणे। आचक्ष्व पाण्डवेयानां मामकानां च सर्वशः ॥८-१-४६॥
Narrate everything as it truly happened in the battle to Gāvalgaṇa, concerning both the Pandavas and my people in full detail.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
पाण्डवेयैर्हि यद्वृत्तं कौरवेयेषु मारिष। तच्छ्रुत्वा मा व्यथां कार्षीदिष्टे न व्यथते मनः ॥८-१-४७॥
O venerable one, do not be distressed by what happened between the sons of Pandu and the sons of Kuru. Having heard it, the mind that is focused on the desired goal is not disturbed.
यस्मादभावी भावी वा भवेदर्थो नरं प्रति। अप्राप्तौ तस्य वा प्राप्तौ न कश्चिद्व्यथते बुधः ॥८-१-४८॥
A wise person is not distressed by what may or may not happen to a man, whether it is attained or not.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
न व्यथा शृण्वतः काचिद्विद्यते मम सञ्जय। दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये कथयस्व यथेच्छकम् ॥८-१-४९॥
There is no pain in hearing this, Sanjaya. I believe this was destined before. You may narrate as you wish.
