08.001
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
tato droṇe hate rājanduryodhanamukhā nṛpāḥ। bhṛśamudvignamanaso droṇaputramupāgaman ॥8-1-1॥
After Drona was slain, the kings led by Duryodhana, deeply troubled, went to Drona's son.
te droṇamupaśocantaḥ kaśmalābhihataujasaḥ। paryupāsanta śokārtāstataḥ śāradvatīsutam ॥8-1-2॥
They lamented over Drona, their strength sapped by confusion, and then surrounded the son of Sharadvati, overwhelmed by sorrow.
muhūrtaṃ te samāśvāsya hetubhiḥ śāstrasaṃmitaiḥ। rātryāgame mahīpālāḥ svāni veśmāni bhejire ॥8-1-3॥
For a brief moment, the kings consoled them with scriptural reasons and, as night fell, they returned to their respective palaces.
viśeṣataḥ sūtaputro rājā caiva suyodhanaḥ। duḥśāsano'tha śakunirna nidrāmupalebhire ॥8-1-4॥
Especially, the son of a charioteer, the king, and Suyodhana, Duhshasana, and Shakuni could not sleep.
te veśmasvapi kauravya pṛthvīśā nāpnuvansukham। cintayantaḥ kṣayaṃ tīvraṃ nidrāṃ naivopalabhire ॥8-1-5॥
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.
sahitāste niśāyāṃ tu duryodhananiveśane। atiprachaṇḍādvidveṣātpāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām ॥8-1-6॥
Together, they stayed at Duryodhana's place at night due to their intense hatred towards the Pandavas, who were great souls.
yattaddyūtaparikliṣṭāṃ kṛṣṇāmāninyire sabhām। tatsmaranto'nvatapyanta bhṛśamudvignacetasaḥ ॥8-1-7॥
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.
cintayantaś ca pārthānāṃ tān kleśān dyūtakāritān। kṛcchreṇa kṣaṇadāṃ rājann inyur abdaśatopamām ॥8-1-8॥
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.
tataḥ prabhāte vimale sthitā diṣṭasya śāsane। cakrurāvaśyakaṃ sarve vidhidṛṣṭena karmaṇā ॥8-1-9॥
In the clear morning, all stood by the command of the appointed and performed the necessary duties as prescribed.
te kṛtvāvaśyakāryāṇi samāśvasya ca bhārata। yogamājñāpayāmāsuryuddhāya ca viniryayuḥ ॥8-1-10॥
After completing their essential tasks and taking rest, O Bharata, they commanded the preparations for battle and proceeded forth.
karṇaṁ senāpatiṁ kṛtvā kṛtakautukamaṅgalāḥ। vācayitvā dvijaśreṣṭhāndadhipātraghṛtākṣataiḥ ॥8-1-11॥
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.
niṣkairgobhirhiraṇyena vāsobhiśca mahādhanaiḥ। vardhyamānā jayāśīrbhiḥ sūtamāgadhabandibhiḥ ॥8-1-12॥
The prosperity was enhanced with coins, cows, gold, garments, and great wealth, as charioteers, bards, and panegyrists offered victorious blessings.
tathaiva pāṇḍavā rājan kṛtasarvāhṇikakriyāḥ। śibirān niryayū rājanyuddhāya kṛtaniścayāḥ ॥8-1-13॥
In the same way, O king, the Pandavas, after completing all their daily duties, left the camp decisively to engage in battle.
tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ romaharṣaṇam। kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca parasparavadhaiṣiṇām ॥8-1-14॥
Then a fierce and hair-raising battle commenced between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, both desiring to destroy each other.
tayordve divase yuddhaṁ kurupāṇḍavasenayoḥ। karṇe senāpatau rājannabhūdadbhutadarśanam ॥8-1-15॥
For two days, the battle between the Kuru and Pāṇḍava armies, with Karna as the commander, was a remarkable spectacle, O king.
tataḥ śatrukṣayaṃ kṛtvā sumahāntaṃ raṇe vṛṣaḥ। paśyatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ phalgunena nipātitaḥ ॥8-1-16॥
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.
tatastatsañjayaḥ sarvaṃ gatvā nāgāhvayaṃ puram। ācakhyau dhṛtarāṣṭrāya yadvṛttaṃ kurujāṅgale ॥8-1-17॥
Then Sanjaya went to the city of Nagahvaya and informed Dhritarashtra about the events that took place in Kurujangala.
janamejaya uvāca॥
Janamejaya spoke:
āpageyaṃ hataṃ śrutvā droṇaṃ ca samare paraiḥ। yo jagāma parāmārtiṃ vṛddho rājāmbikāsutaḥ ॥8-1-18॥
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.
sa śrutvā nihataṃ karṇaṃ duryodhanahitaiṣiṇam। kathaṃ dvijavara prāṇānadhārayata duḥkhitaḥ ॥8-1-19॥
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?
yasmiñjayāśāṃ putrāṇāmamanyata sa pārthivaḥ। tasminhate sa kauravyaḥ kathaṃ prāṇānadhārayat ॥8-1-20॥
The king, who believed that his sons' hope of victory rested in him, wondered how Kauravya could sustain his life after being slain.
durmaraṁ bata manye'haṁ nṛṇāṁ kṛcchre'pi vartatām। yatra karṇaṁ hataṁ śrutvā nātyajajjīvitaṁ nṛpaḥ ॥8-1-21॥
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.
tathā śāntanavaṃ vṛddhaṃ brahmanbāhlikameva ca। droṇaṃ ca somadattaṃ ca bhūriśravasameva ca ॥8-1-22॥
Thus, O Brahman, the old Śāntanu's son, Bahlika, Droṇa, Somadatta, and Bhūriśravas were also present.
tathaiva cānyānsuhṛdaḥ putrapautrāṃśca pātitān। śrutvā yannājahātprāṇāṃstanmanye duṣkaraṃ dvija ॥8-1-23॥
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.
etanme sarvamācakṣva vistareṇa tapodhana। na hi tṛpyāmi pūrveṣāṃ śṛṇvānaścaritaṃ mahat ॥8-1-24॥
"O ascetic, please narrate all this to me in detail. I am never satisfied listening to the great deeds of the ancients."
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
hate karṇe mahārāja niśi gāvalgaṇistadā। dīno yayau nāgapuramaśvairvātasamairjave ॥8-1-25॥
After Karna was killed, O great king, Gavalganih, feeling sorrowful, went to Nagapura at night, riding horses that were as swift as the wind.
sa hāstinapuraṃ gatvā bhṛśamudvignamānasaḥ। jagāma dhṛtarāṣṭrasya kṣayaṃ prakṣīṇabāndhavam ॥8-1-26॥
He went to Hastinapura, deeply troubled, and visited the house of Dhritarashtra, which was now empty of relatives.
sa samudvīkṣya rājānaṃ kaśmalābhihataujasam। vavande prāñjalirbhūtvā mūrdhnā pādau nṛpasya ha ॥8-1-27॥
He saw the king, whose energy was diminished by despondency, and respectfully bowed down, touching the king's feet with his head.
sampūjya ca yathānyāyaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ mahīpatim। hā kaṣṭamiti coktvā sa tato vacanamādade ॥8-1-28॥
After duly worshipping King Dhritarashtra, he exclaimed, "Alas, what distress!", and then began to speak.
sañjayo'haṃ kṣitipate kaccidāste sukhaṃ bhavān। svadoṣeṇāpadaṃ prāpya kaccinnādya vimuhyasi ॥8-1-29॥
Sanjaya said, "O King, do you reside happily? Having obtained calamity by your own fault, are you not confused today?"
hitānyuktāni viduradroṇagāṅgeyakeśavaiḥ। agṛhītānyanusmṛtya kaccinna kuruṣe vyathām ॥8-1-30॥
Are you not feeling distressed by remembering the beneficial advice spoken by Vidura, Droṇa, Gāṅgeya, and Keśava, which you did not accept?
rāmanāradakaṇvaiśca hitamuktaṃ sabhātale। nagṛhītamanusmṛtya kaccinna kuruṣe vyathām ॥8-1-31॥
Rama, Narada, Kanva, and others spoke beneficial words in the assembly. Do you remember and not feel distress about what was not accepted?
suhṛdastvaddhite yuktānbhīṣmadroṇamukhānparaiḥ। nihatānyudhi saṃsmṛtya kaccinna kuruṣe vyathām ॥8-1-32॥
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?
tamevaṃvādinaṃ rājā sūtaputraṃ kṛtāñjalim। sudīrghamabhiniḥśvasya duḥkhārta idamabravīt ॥8-1-33॥
The king, deeply sighing and filled with sorrow, addressed the son of a charioteer with folded hands, saying these words.
gāṅgeye nihate śūre divyāstravati sañjaya। droṇe ca parameṣvāse bhṛśaṃ me vyathitaṃ manaḥ ॥8-1-34॥
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.
yo rathānāṃ sahasrāṇi daṃśitānāṃ daśaiva hi। ahanyahani tejasvī nijaghne vasusambhavaḥ ॥8-1-35॥
The powerful son of Vasu, who indeed killed ten thousands of adorned chariots day by day.
sa hato yajñasenasya putreṇeha śikhaṇḍinā। pāṇḍaveyābhiguptena bhṛśaṃ me vyathitaṃ manaḥ ॥8-1-36॥
He was slain by Shikhandi, the son of Yajnasena, under the protection of the Pandavas; my mind is deeply troubled.
bhārgavaḥ pradadau yasmai paramāstraṃ mahātmane। sākṣādrāmeṇa yo bālye dhanurveda upākṛtaḥ ॥8-1-37॥
Bhrigu's descendant gave the supreme weapon to the great soul, who was directly taught the science of archery by Rama in his childhood.
yasya prasādātkāunteyā rājaputrā mahābalāḥ। mahārathatvaṃ samprāptāstathānye vasudhādhipāḥ ॥8-1-38॥
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.
taṁ droṇaṁ nihataṁ śrutvā dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṁyuge। satyasandhaṁ maheṣvāsaṁ bhṛśaṁ me vyathitaṁ manaḥ ॥8-1-39॥
Upon hearing that Droṇa was killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the battle, my mind is deeply troubled for the honest and mighty archer.
trailokye yasya śāstreṣu na pumānvidyate samaḥ। taṃ droṇaṃ nihataṃ śrutvā kimakurvata māmakāḥ ॥8-1-40॥
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?
saṁśaptakānāṁ ca bale pāṇḍavena mahātmanā। dhanañjayena vikramya gamite yamasādanam ॥8-1-41॥
The great Pandava, Dhananjaya, valiantly defeated the Samsaptakas and sent them to the abode of Yama.
nārāyaṇāstre nihate droṇaputrasya dhīmataḥ। hataśeṣeṣvanīkeṣu kimakurvata māmakāḥ ॥8-1-42॥
When the Narayana weapon was nullified, what actions did my wise son of Drona take among the remaining forces?
vipradrutānahaṃ manye nimagnaḥ śokasāgare। plavamānān hate droṇe sannanaukānivārṇave ॥8-1-43॥
I feel as if I am scattered and submerged in a sea of sorrow, like boats adrift and sinking after the fall of Drona.
duryodhanasya karṇasya bhojasya kṛtavarmaṇaḥ। madrarājasya śalyasya drauṇeścaiva kṛpasya ca ॥8-1-44॥
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.
matputraśeṣasya tathā tathānyeṣāṃ ca sañjaya। viprakīrṇeṣvanīkeṣu mukhavarṇo'bhavatkatham ॥8-1-45॥
O Sanjaya, how did the facial color of my remaining sons and others appear in the scattered armies?
etatsarvaṃ yathā vṛttaṃ tattvaṃ gāvalgaṇe raṇe। ācakṣva pāṇḍaveyānāṃ māmakānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ ॥8-1-46॥
Narrate everything as it truly happened in the battle to Gāvalgaṇa, concerning both the Pandavas and my people in full detail.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
pāṇḍaveyair hi yad vṛttaṃ kauraveyeṣu māriṣa। tac chrutvā mā vyathāṃ kārṣīḍ iṣṭe na vyathate manaḥ ॥8-1-47॥
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.
yasmādabhāvī bhāvī vā bhavedartho naraṃ prati। aprāptau tasya vā prāptau na kaścidvyathate budhaḥ ॥8-1-48॥
A wise person is not distressed by what may or may not happen to a man, whether it is attained or not.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra said:
na vyathā śṛṇvataḥ kācidvidyate mama sañjaya। diṣṭametatpurā manye kathayasva yathecchakam ॥8-1-49॥
There is no pain in hearing this, Sanjaya. I believe this was destined before. You may narrate as you wish.
