08.064
Pancharatra and Core: Duryodhana rejects the last-minute advice by Ashwatthama to broker peace, remembering with hate Duḥśāsana's demise and believing Karna will kill Arjuna.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
taddevanāgāsurasiddhasaṅghaiḥ; gandharvayakṣāpsarasāṃ ca saṅghaiḥ। brahmarṣirājarṣisuparṇajuṣṭaṃ; babhau viyadvismayanīyarūpam ॥8-64-1॥
The sky, filled with the assemblies of gods, serpents, demons, sages, celestial musicians, demigods, and nymphs, and attended by sages, royal sages, and Garuda, appeared in a marvelous form.
nānadyamānaṃ ninadairmanojñai; rvāditragītastutibhiśca nṛttaiḥ। sarve'ntarikṣe dadṛśurmanuṣyāḥ; khasthāṃśca tānvismayanīyarūpān ॥8-64-2॥
All humans saw those in the sky, resounding with pleasing sounds of musical instruments, songs, praises, and dances, and were amazed by their wonderful forms.
tataḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ kurupāṇḍuyodhā; vāditrapatrāyudhasimhanādaiḥ। ninādayanto vasudhāṃ diśaśca; svanena sarve dviṣato nijaghnuḥ ॥8-64-3॥
Then, the elated warriors of the Kuru and Pandava clans, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments, banners, weapons, and lion-like roars, filled the earth and the directions with their resounding noise, defeating all their enemies.
nānāśvamātaṅgarathāyutākulaṁ; varāsiśaktyṛṣṭinipātaduḥsaham। abhīrujuṣṭaṁ hatadehasaṅkulaṁ; raṇājiraṁ lohitaraktamābabhau ॥8-64-4॥
The battlefield was a chaotic scene with countless horses, elephants, and chariots. It was a terrifying place with swords, spears, and javelins falling relentlessly. Cowards found pleasure in it, as it was filled with the bodies of the slain and appeared drenched in blood.
tathā pravṛtte 'strabhṛtāṃ parābhave; dhanañjayaś cādhirathiś ca sāyakaiḥ। diśaś ca sainyaṃ ca śitair ajihmagaiḥ; parasparaṃ prorṇuvatuḥ sma daṃśitau ॥8-64-5॥
In the battle, as the weapon-bearers were engaged in defeat, Arjuna and Karna, with their arrows, fiercely covered all directions and the army, striking each other with sharp, straight-flying arrows.
tatastvadīyāśca pare ca sāyakaiḥ; kṛte'ndhakāre vividurna kiñcana। bhayāttu tāveva rathau samāśrayaṃ; stamonudau khe prasṛtā ivāṃśavaḥ ॥8-64-6॥
Then, neither your side nor the enemy could discern anything as the arrows created darkness. Out of fear, they sought refuge in their chariots, like rays spreading in the sky dispelling the darkness.
tato'stramastreṇa parasparasya tau; vidhūya vātāviva pūrvapaścimau। ghanāndhakāre vitate tamonudau; yathoditau tadvadatīva rejatuḥ ॥8-64-7॥
Then, like opposing winds from the east and west dispelling dense darkness, they both shone brightly with their weapons against each other.
na cābhimantavyamiti pracoditāḥ; pare tvadīyāśca tadāvatasthire। mahārathau tau parivārya sarvataḥ; surāsurā vāsavaśambarāviva ॥8-64-8॥
They were instructed not to boast, and your people stood firm. Those two great charioteers were surrounded on all sides, like Indra and Shambara among gods and demons.
mṛdaṅgabherīpaṇavānakasvanai; rnināditē bhārata śaṅkhanisvanaiḥ। sasiṃhanādau babhaturnarottamau; śaśāṅkasūryāviva meghasamplavē ॥8-64-9॥
In the midst of the tumultuous sounds of drums, kettle-drums, small drums, and large drums, and the roaring of conches, the best among men stood like the moon and sun amidst a deluge of clouds, O Bharata.
mahādhanurmaṇḍalamadhyagāvubhau; suvarcasau bāṇasahasraraśminau। didhakṣamāṇau sacarācaraṃ jag; dyugāstasūryāviva duḥsahau raṇe ॥8-64-10॥
Both warriors, positioned at the center of the great bow's circle, shone brightly with thousands of arrow rays, ready to scorch the entire world, moving and non-moving, like the fierce sun in battle.
ubhāv ajeyāv ahitāntakāv ubhau; jighāṁsatus tau kṛtinau parasparam। mahāhave vīravarau samīyatu; ryathendrajambhāv iva karṇapāṇḍavau ॥8-64-11॥
Both invincible warriors, eager to destroy their enemies, met in the great battle like the legendary encounters of Indra and Jambha, or Karna and Pandava.
tato mahāstrāṇi mahādhanurdharau; vimuñcamānāviśubhirbhayānakaiḥ। narāśvanāgānamitau nijaghnatuḥ; parasparaṃ jaghnaturuttameṣubhiḥ ॥8-64-12॥
Then the two great archers, wielding their mighty bows, unleashed terrifying arrows, slaughtering countless men, horses, and elephants; they also struck each other with their finest arrows.
tato visasruḥ punararditāḥ śarai; narottamābhyāṃ kurupāṇḍavāśrayāḥ। sanāgapattyaśvarathā diśo gatā; stathā yathā siṃhabhayādvanaukasaḥ ॥8-64-13॥
Then, once again afflicted by arrows, the followers of the Kuru and Pandava, along with their elephants, horses, and chariots, scattered in all directions as forest dwellers would from the fear of a lion.
tatastu duryodhanabhojasaubalāḥ; kṛpaśca śāradvatasūnunā saha। mahārathāḥ pañca dhanañjayācyutau; śaraiḥ śarīrāntakarairatāḍayan ॥8-64-14॥
Then, Duryodhana, Bhoja, and the sons of Subala, along with Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, joined forces as five great charioteers to attack Dhanañjaya and Acyuta with deadly arrows.
dhanūṃṣi teṣāmiṣudhīnhayāndhvajā; nrathāṃśca sūtāṃśca dhanañjayaḥ śaraiḥ। samaṃ ca ciccheda parābhinacca tā; ñśarottamairdvādaśabhiśca sūtajam ॥8-64-15॥
Arjuna, with his arrows, cut down the bows, quivers, horses, flags, chariots, and charioteers of his enemies. He then pierced them equally with twelve excellent arrows, including Karna.
athābhyadhāvaṃstvaritāḥ śataṃ rathāḥ; śataṃ ca nāgārjunamātatāyinaḥ। śakāstukārā yavanāśca sādinaḥ; sahaiva kāmbojavarairjighāṃsavaḥ ॥8-64-16॥
Then a hundred swift chariots and a hundred Nāgārjuna warriors rushed forward. The Śakas, Tukhāras, and Yavanas horsemen, along with the best of Kambojas, were intent on killing.
varāyudhānpāṇigatānkaraiḥ saha; kṣurairnyakṛntaṃstvaritāḥ śirāṃsi ca। hayāṃśca nāgāṃśca rathāṃśca yudhyatāṃ; dhanañjayaḥ śatrugaṇaṃ tamakṣiṇot ॥8-64-17॥
Arjuna, wielding the best weapons in his hands, swiftly cut down the heads, horses, elephants, and chariots of the fighting enemies with razors, destroying the entire enemy host.
tato'ntarikṣe suratūryanisvanāḥ; sasādhuvādā hṛṣitaiḥ samīritāḥ। nipeturapyuttamapuṣpavṛṣṭayaḥ; surūpagandhāḥ pavaneritāḥ śivāḥ ॥8-64-18॥
Then, in the sky, the sounds of divine instruments echoed with joyful praises. Showers of excellent flowers, carrying beautiful fragrances, were auspiciously carried by the wind and fell down.
tadadbhutaṃ devamanuṣyasākṣikaṃ; samīkṣya bhūtāni visiṣmiyurnṛpa। tavātmajaḥ sūtasutaśca na vyathāṃ; na vismayaṃ jagmaturekaniścayau ॥8-64-19॥
The marvelous event, seen by both gods and humans, left the beings astonished, O king. However, your son and the son of Sūta remained undisturbed and unamazed, steadfast in their resolve.
athābravīddroṇasutastavātmajaṁ; karaṁ kareṇa pratipīḍya sāntvayan. prasīda duryodhana śāmya pāṇḍavai; ralaṁ virodhena dhigastu vigraham ॥8-64-20॥
Then the son of Droṇa, consoling your son by pressing his hand, said: "Please, Duryodhana, make peace with the Pandavas; enough of this enmity, shame on this conflict."
hato gururbrahmasamo mahāstravi; ttathaiva bhīṣmapramukhā nararṣabhāḥ। ahaṃ tvavadhyo mama cāpi mātulaḥ; praśādhi rājyaṃ saha pāṇḍavaiściram ॥8-64-21॥
The great teacher, akin to Brahma and a master of weapons, has been slain; likewise, the noble warriors led by Bhishma. However, I am invincible, and so is my uncle; govern the kingdom alongside the Pandavas for an extended period.
dhanañjayaḥ sthāsyati vārito mayā; janārdano naiva virodhamicchati। yudhiṣṭhiro bhūtahite sadā rato; vṛkodarastadvaśagastathā yamau ॥8-64-22॥
Arjuna will be held back by me; Krishna does not wish for any conflict. Yudhishthira is always devoted to the welfare of all beings, and Bhima, along with the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, follows his lead.
tvayā ca pārthaiśca paraspareṇa; prajāḥ śivaṃ prāpnuyuricchati tvayi। vrajantu śeṣāḥ svapurāṇi pārthivā; nivṛttavairāśca bhavantu sainikāḥ ॥8-64-23॥
You and the sons of Pṛthā mutually desire that the subjects may attain auspiciousness in you. Let the remaining kings return to their own cities, and let the soldiers be free from enmity.
na cedvacaḥ śroṣyasi me narādhipa; dhruvaṃ prataptāsi hato'ribhiryudhi। idaṃ ca dṛṣṭaṃ jagatā saha tvayā; kṛtaṃ yadekena kirīṭamālinā ॥ yathā na kuryādbalabhinna cāntako; na ca pracetā bhagavānna yakṣarāṭ ॥8-64-24॥
If you do not heed my words, O king, you are surely tormented and slain by enemies in battle. This has been witnessed by the world along with you, accomplished by the one with a crown. Just as neither the one broken by strength nor death would act, nor the wise, nor the blessed, nor the king of Yakshas.
ato'pi bhūyāṁśca guṇairdhanaṅjayaḥ; sa cābhipatsyatyakhilaṁ vaco mama. tavānuyātrāṁ ca tathā kariṣyati; prasīda rājañjagataḥ śamāya vai ॥8-64-25॥
Therefore, Arjuna, who possesses greater qualities, will follow all my instructions and will accompany you. Please be gracious, O King, for the peace of the world.
mamāpi mānaḥ paramaḥ sadā tvayi; bravīmyatastvāṃ paramācca sauhṛdāt। nivārayiṣyāmi hi karṇamapyahaṃ; yadā bhavānsapraṇayo bhaviṣyati ॥8-64-26॥
"My respect for you is always supreme; therefore, I speak to you from the highest friendship. I will indeed restrain even my ear when you show affection."
vadanti mitraṁ sahajaṁ vicakṣaṇā; stathaiva sāmnā ca dhanena cārjitam। pratāpataścopanataṁ caturvidhaṁ; tadasti sarvaṁ tvayi pāṇḍaveṣu ca ॥8-64-27॥
The wise declare that friendship is inherent and also acquired through conciliation, wealth, and power. All these qualities are present in you and the Pandavas.
nisargataste tava vīra bāndhavāḥ; punaśca sāmnā ca samāpnuhi sthiram। tvayi prasanne yadi mitratāmiyu; rdhuvaṃ narendrendra tathā tvamācara ॥8-64-28॥
Naturally, your heroic relatives should achieve steadiness again by conciliation. If they become pleased with you and attain friendship, O king of kings, then certainly act accordingly.
sa evamuktaḥ suhṛdā vaco hitaṁ; vicintya niḥśvasya ca durmanābravīt. yathā bhavānāha sakhe tathaiva ta; nmamāpi ca jñāpayato vacaḥ śṛṇu ॥8-64-29॥
He, having been addressed by his friend with beneficial words, thought deeply, sighed, and said with distress: "Friend, as you have spoken, so also hear my words."
nihatya duḥśāsanamuktavānbahu; prasahya śārdūlavadeṣa durmatiḥ। vṛkodarastaddhṛdaye mama sthitaṃ; na tatparokṣaṃ bhavataḥ kutaḥ śamaḥ ॥8-64-30॥
After killing Duḥśāsana, Bhīma, with a wicked mind, spoke much forcefully like a tiger. Vṛkodara (Bhīma) is deeply rooted in my heart; this is not hidden from you, so where can there be peace?
na cāpi karṇaṃ guruputra saṃstavā; dupārametyarhasi vaktumacyuta। śrameṇa yukto mahatādya phalguna; stameṣa karṇaḥ prasabhaṃ haniṣyati ॥8-64-31॥
Do not praise Karna, O son of the teacher; having approached this difficult task, you should speak, O infallible one. Today, with great effort, Arjuna is engaged, and this Karna will forcibly kill him.
tamevamuktvābhyanunīya cāsakṛ; tavātmajaḥ svānanuśāsti sainikān। samāghnatābhidravatāhitānimā; nsabāṇaśabdānkim u joṣamāsyate ॥8-64-32॥
Having thus spoken and repeatedly persuaded, your son commands his soldiers to strike and charge with the sounds of arrows, questioning why they sit silently.
