09.002
Pancharatra and Core: Lamenting the past events, Dhritarashtra again asks Sanjaya to narrate the battle events, after dispatching the women to the inner quarters.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaishampayana spoke.
विसृष्टास्वथ नारीषु धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः। विललाप महाराज दुःखाद्दुःखतरं गतः ॥९-२-१॥
Then, among the women who were released, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, lamented deeply, as the great king was overwhelmed by sorrow.
सधूममिव निःश्वस्य करौ धुन्वन्पुनः पुनः। विचिन्त्य च महाराज ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥९-२-२॥
Sighing as if with smoke, shaking his hands repeatedly, and contemplating, the great king then spoke.
अहो बत महद्दुःखं यदहं पाण्डवान्रणे। क्षेमिणश्चाव्ययांश्चैव त्वत्तः सूत शृणोमि वै ॥९-२-३॥
"Alas, what great sorrow it is that I hear from you, O charioteer, that the Pandavas remain safe and unchanged in battle."
वज्रसारमयं नूनं हृदयं सुदृढं मम। यच्छ्रुत्वा निहतान्पुत्रान्दीर्यते न सहस्रधा ॥९-२-४॥
Indeed, my heart must be made of diamond essence, very strong, as it does not shatter into a thousand pieces upon hearing of my sons being killed.
चिन्तयित्वा वचस्तेषां बालक्रीडां च सञ्जय। अद्य श्रुत्वा हतान्पुत्रान्भृशं मे दीर्यते मनः ॥९-२-५॥
Sanjaya, reflecting on their words and child's play, today my mind is greatly tormented upon hearing of the death of my sons.
अन्धत्वाद्यदि तेषां तु न मे रूपनिदर्शनम्। पुत्रस्नेहकृता प्रीतिर्नित्यमेतेषु धारिता ॥९-२-६॥
If due to blindness, I cannot see their form, the love created by affection for my sons is always held in them.
बालभावमतिक्रान्तान्यौवनस्थांश्च तानहम्। मध्यप्राप्तांस्तथा श्रुत्वा हृष्ट आसं तथानघ ॥९-२-७॥
I have moved beyond childhood and youth, and upon hearing about those who have reached middle age, I felt pleased, O sinless one.
तानद्य निहताञ्श्रुत्वा हृतैश्वर्यान्हृतौजसः। न लभे वै क्वचिच्छान्तिं पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतः ॥९-२-८॥
Hearing today of their slaughter, stripped of wealth and vigor, he finds no peace anywhere, overwhelmed by his sons and others.
एह्येहि पुत्र राजेन्द्र ममानाथस्य साम्प्रतम्। त्वया हीनो महाबाहो कां नु यास्याम्यहं गतिम् ॥९-२-९॥
"Come, come, my son, O king, for now my lord is deprived by you, O mighty-armed one. Which path shall I take now?"
गतिर्भूत्वा महाराज ज्ञातीनां सुहृदां तथा। अन्धं वृद्धं च मां वीर विहाय क्व नु गच्छसि ॥९-२-१०॥
O great king, having become the refuge of your relatives and friends, and leaving behind the blind, the old, and me, O hero, where indeed are you going?
सा कृपा सा च ते प्रीतिः सा च राजन्सुमानिता। कथं विनिहतः पार्थैः संयुगेष्वपराजितः ॥९-२-११॥
She embodies compassion and affection, and is respected by you, O king. How could he, who was undefeated in battles, be slain by the sons of Pritha?
कथं त्वं पृथिवीपालान्भुक्त्वा तात समागतान्। शेषे विनिहतो भूमौ प्राकृतः कुनृपो यथा ॥९-२-१२॥
"How, dear, after having enjoyed the company of assembled kings, do you now lie slain on the ground like an ordinary bad king?"
को नु मामुत्थितं काल्ये तात तातेति वक्ष्यति। महाराजेति सततं लोकनाथेति चासकृत् ॥९-२-१३॥
Who will call me 'Father, father' when I wake up in the morning? Who will repeatedly call me 'Great king' and 'Lord of the people'? (This reflects a sense of longing or loss.)
परिष्वज्य च मां कण्ठे स्नेहेनाक्लिन्नलोचनः। अनुशाधीति कौरव्य तत्साधु वद मे वचः ॥९-२-१४॥
Embracing me by the neck with affection and tearful eyes, he said, "O descendant of Kuru, please instruct me and speak those good words."
ननु नामाहमश्रौषं वचनं तव पुत्रक। भूयसी मम पृथ्वीयं यथा पार्थस्य नो तथा ॥९-२-१५॥
"Indeed, dear son, I have heard your words. My domain is greater than that of Arjuna."
भगदत्तः कृपः शल्य आवन्त्योऽथ जयद्रथः। भूरिश्रवाः सोमदत्तो महाराजोऽथ बाह्लिकः ॥९-२-१६॥
Bhagadatta, Kṛpa, Śalya, Avanti, and Jayadratha, along with Bhūriśravāḥ, Somadatta, the king, and Bāhlika, were present.
अश्वत्थामा च भोजश्च मागधश्च महाबलः। बृहद्बलश्च काशीशः शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः ॥९-२-१७॥
Ashwatthama, Bhoja, Magadha, and the greatly powerful Brihadbala, along with the king of Kashi, Shakuni, and the son of Subala, were present.
म्लेच्छाश्च बहुसाहस्राः शकाश्च यवनैः सह। सुदक्षिणश्च काम्बोजस्त्रिगर्ताधिपतिस्तथा ॥९-२-१८॥
Sudakshina, along with many thousands of foreigners, Scythians, and Greeks, as well as Kamboja, the lord of Trigarta, were present.
भीष्मः पितामहश्चैव भारद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः। श्रुतायुश्चाच्युतायुश्च शतायुश्चापि वीर्यवान् ॥९-२-१९॥
Bhishma, the grandfather, along with Bharadwaja, Gautama, Shrutayu, Acyutayu, and Shatayu, all powerful warriors, were present.
जलसन्धोऽथार्श्यशृङ्गी राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः। अलम्बुसो महाबाहुः सुबाहुश्च महारथः ॥९-२-२०॥
Jalasandha, Ṛṣyaśṛṅgī, the demon Alāyudha, Alambusa, the mighty-armed, and Subāhu, the great chariot-warrior, were present.
एते चान्ये च बहवो राजानो राजसत्तम। मदर्थमुद्यताः सर्वे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा रणे प्रभो ॥९-२-२१॥
These and many other kings, O best of kings, have all prepared to sacrifice their lives in battle for my sake, O lord.
येषां मध्ये स्थितो युद्धे भ्रातृभिः परिवारितः। योधयिष्याम्यहं पार्थान्पाञ्चालांश्चैव सर्वशः ॥९-२-२२॥
In the midst of the battle, surrounded by my brothers, I stand ready to fight the sons of Pritha and the Panchalas with all my might.
चेदींश्च नृपशार्दूल द्रौपदेयांश्च संयुगे। सात्यकिं कुन्तिभोजं च राक्षसं च घटोत्कचम् ॥९-२-२३॥
The Chedis, the tiger among kings, the sons of Draupadi, Satyaki, Kuntibhoja, and the demon Ghatotkacha were all present in the battle, O tiger among kings.
एकोऽप्येषां महाराज समर्थः संनिवारणे। समरे पाण्डवेयानां सङ्क्रुद्धो ह्यभिधावताम् ॥ किं पुनः सहिता वीराः कृतवैराश्च पाण्डवैः ॥९-२-२४॥
O great king, even a single one among these warriors is capable of holding back the enraged sons of Pandu in battle. What then can be said of the heroes united, who bear enmity with the Pandavas?
अथ वा सर्व एवैते पाण्डवस्यानुयायिभिः। योत्स्यन्ति सह राजेन्द्र हनिष्यन्ति च तान्मृधे ॥९-२-२५॥
Then, O king, all these followers of the Pandava will either fight with you or kill them in battle.
कर्णस्त्वेको मया सार्धं निहनिष्यति पाण्डवान्। ततो नृपतयो वीराः स्थास्यन्ति मम शासने ॥९-२-२६॥
Karna, with my support, will single-handedly defeat the Pandavas. After that, the kings and heroes will be under my command.
यश्च तेषां प्रणेता वै वासुदेवो महाबलः। न स संनह्यते राजन्निति मामब्रवीद्वचः ॥९-२-२७॥
Vasudeva, the mighty leader of them, is not ready, O king, he said these words to me.
तस्याहं वदतः सूत बहुशो मम संनिधौ। युक्तितो ह्यनुपश्यामि निहतान्पाण्डवान्मृधे ॥९-२-२८॥
O charioteer, I have often heard him speak in my presence, and I can logically see that the Pandavas have been killed in battle.
तेषां मध्ये स्थिता यत्र हन्यन्ते मम पुत्रकाः। व्यायच्छमानाः समरे किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-२९॥
In the midst of them, where my sons are being killed while struggling in battle, what else can be expected as destined?
भीष्मश्च निहतो यत्र लोकनाथः प्रतापवान्। शिखण्डिनं समासाद्य मृगेन्द्र इव जम्बुकम् ॥९-२-३०॥
Bhishma, the glorious lord of the world, was slain there, having approached Shikhandin like a lion approaches a jackal.
द्रोणश्च ब्राह्मणो यत्र सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगः। निहतः पाण्डवैः सङ्ख्ये किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३१॥
Drona, the Brahmin and master of all weapons and missiles, was slain by the Pandavas in battle; what else could be attributed to fate?
भूरिश्रवा हतो यत्र सोमदत्तश्च संयुगे। बाह्लीकश्च महाराज किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३२॥
Bhūriśravā was slain where Somadatta and Bahlika fought in battle. O great king, what else can be attributed to destiny?
सुदक्षिणो हतो यत्र जलसन्धश्च कौरवः। श्रुतायुश्चाच्युतायुश्च किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३३॥
Sudakshina, Jalasandha, the Kaurava, Shrutayu, and Acyutayu were all killed there; what else can be attributed to fate?
बृहद्बलो हतो यत्र मागधश्च महाबलः। आवन्त्यो निहतो यत्र त्रिगर्तश्च जनाधिपः ॥ संशप्तकाश्च बहवः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३४॥
Brihadbala was slain where the powerful kings of Magadha and Avanti fell, along with the ruler of Trigarta and many Samsaptakas. What else can be attributed to destiny?
अलम्बुसस्तथा राजन्राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः। आर्श्यशृङ्गश्च निहतः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३५॥
Alambusa, the demon Alayudha, and Arshyashringa have been killed, O king. What else can be attributed to fate?
नारायणा हता यत्र गोपाला युद्धदुर्मदाः। म्लेच्छाश्च बहुसाहस्राः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३६॥
In the place where the followers of Narayana were slain, the cowherds, proud in battle, and numerous foreigners, what else could be attributed to destiny?
शकुनिः सौबलो यत्र कैतव्यश्च महाबलः। निहतः सबलो वीरः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३७॥
In the place where Shakuni, the son of Subala, and the mighty son of Ketu were killed, what else can be attributed to fate?
राजानो राजपुत्राश्च शूराः परिघबाहवः। निहता बहवो यत्र किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३८॥
Kings, princes, and heroes with iron-clad arms were slain there; what else can be attributed to destiny?
नानादेशसमावृत्ताः क्षत्रिया यत्र सञ्जय। निहताः समरे सर्वे किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-३९॥
O Sanjaya, the warriors who had returned from various countries were all slain in battle. What else could be expected by fate?
पुत्राश्च मे विनिहताः पौत्राश्चैव महाबलाः। वयस्या भ्रातरश्चैव किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ॥९-२-४०॥
My sons and grandsons, who were mighty, have been killed. Friends and brothers as well. What else can be attributed to fate?
भागधेयसमायुक्तो ध्रुवमुत्पद्यते नरः। यश्च भाग्यसमायुक्तः स शुभं प्राप्नुयान्नरः ॥९-२-४१॥
A man who is destined is certainly born, and a man who is fortunate attains auspiciousness.
अहं वियुक्तः स्वैर्भाग्यैः पुत्रैश्चैवेह सञ्जय। कथमद्य भविष्यामि वृद्धः शत्रुवशं गतः ॥९-२-४२॥
I am left without my fortunes and sons here, Sanjaya. How will I survive today, being old and under the control of my enemies?
नान्यदत्र परं मन्ये वनवासादृते प्रभो। सोऽहं वनं गमिष्यामि निर्बन्धुर्ज्ञातिसङ्क्षये ॥९-२-४३॥
I believe there is nothing more important here than dwelling in the forest, O lord. Therefore, I shall go to the forest alone, as my kin are destroyed.
न हि मेऽन्यद्भवेच्छ्रेयो वनाभ्युपगमादृते। इमामवस्थां प्राप्तस्य लूनपक्षस्य सञ्जय ॥९-२-४४॥
O Sañjaya, for me, there is no better option than going to the forest, given my current state of having lost my strength and freedom.
दुर्योधनो हतो यत्र शल्यश्च निहतो युधि। दुःशासनो विशस्तश्च विकर्णश्च महाबलः ॥९-२-४५॥
Duryodhana has been killed where Śalya was also slain in battle. Duḥśāsana was mutilated, and Vikarṇa, known for his might, was also defeated.
कथं हि भीमसेनस्य श्रोष्येऽहं शब्दमुत्तमम्। एकेन समरे येन हतं पुत्रशतं मम ॥९-२-४६॥
How can I possibly hear the mighty sound of Bhimasena, who single-handedly killed my hundred sons in battle?
असकृद्वदतस्तस्य दुर्योधनवधेन च। दुःखशोकाभिसन्तप्तो न श्रोष्ये परुषा गिरः ॥९-२-४७॥
Repeatedly speaking of his and by the killing of Duryodhana, I am afflicted with sorrow and grief and will not hear harsh words.
एवं स शोकसन्तप्तः पार्थिवो हतबान्धवः। मुहुर्मुहुर्मुह्यमानः पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतः ॥९-२-४८॥
Thus, the king, stricken with grief over the loss of his relatives, repeatedly fainted, overwhelmed by the sorrow brought by his sons and others.
विलप्य सुचिरं कालं धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः। दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वस्य चिन्तयित्वा पराभवम् ॥९-२-४९॥
Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, lamented for a long time. He sighed deeply and warmly, contemplating his defeat.
दुःखेन महता राजा सन्तप्तो भरतर्षभ। पुनर्गावल्गणिं सूतं पर्यपृच्छद्यथातथम् ॥९-२-५०॥
The king, deeply afflicted by great sorrow, once again questioned the charioteer Gāvalgaṇi with precision, O best of the Bharatas.
भीष्मद्रोणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा सूतपुत्रं च पातितम्। सेनापतिं प्रणेतारं किमकुर्वत मामकाः ॥९-२-५१॥
Upon hearing of the fall of Bhishma and Drona, and the death of Karna, my sons, who were the generals and leaders, were left wondering what actions to take next.
यं यं सेनाप्रणेतारं युधि कुर्वन्ति मामकाः। अचिरेणैव कालेन तं तं निघ्नन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥९-२-५२॥
Whoever my people appoint as the leader in battle, the Pandavas quickly kill him.
रणमूर्ध्नि हतो भीष्मः पश्यतां वः किरीटिना। एवमेव हतो द्रोणः सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम् ॥९-२-५३॥
In the forefront of the battle, Bhishma was killed by Arjuna, the crowned one, as you all witnessed. Similarly, Drona was also killed, as everyone witnessed.
एवमेव हतः कर्णः सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। स राजकानां सर्वेषां पश्यतां वः किरीटिना ॥९-२-५४॥
Thus, the mighty Karṇa, son of a charioteer, was slain by Arjuna in the presence of all your kings.
पूर्वमेवाहमुक्तो वै विदुरेण महात्मना। दुर्योधनापराधेन प्रजेयं विनशिष्यति ॥९-२-५५॥
Vidura, the great soul, had previously informed me that the people would perish because of Duryodhana's misdeeds.
केचिन्न सम्यक्पश्यन्ति मूढाः सम्यक्तथापरे। तदिदं मम मूढस्य तथाभूतं वचः स्म ह ॥९-२-५६॥
Some do not see things properly, being fools, while others do. This is indeed the speech of my foolish self, as it happened.
यदब्रवीन्मे धर्मात्मा विदुरो दीर्घदर्शिवान्। तत्तथा समनुप्राप्तं वचनं सत्यवादिनः ॥९-२-५७॥
The words spoken to me by the righteous and far-sighted Vidura have indeed come true, as he was truthful.
दैवोपहतचित्तेन यन्मयापकृतं पुरा। अनयस्य फलं तस्य ब्रूहि गावल्गणे पुनः ॥९-२-५८॥
O Gāvalgaṇa, tell me again the consequences of the wrongs I committed in the past due to a mind afflicted by fate.
को वा मुखमनीकानामासीत्कर्णे निपातिते। अर्जुनं वासुदेवं च को वा प्रत्युद्ययौ रथी ॥९-२-५९॥
Who was leading the front ranks when Karna was killed? Who dared to face Arjuna and Vasudeva, the charioteer?
केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं मद्रराजस्य संयुगे। वामं च योद्धुकामस्य के वा वीरस्य पृष्ठतः ॥९-२-६०॥
Who guarded the right wheel of the Madra king in battle, and the left of the warrior eager to fight, or who stood behind the hero?
कथं च वः समेतानां मद्रराजो महाबलः। निहतः पाण्डवैः सङ्ख्ये पुत्रो वा मम सञ्जय ॥९-२-६१॥
Sanjaya, tell me how the mighty king of Madra, who was with you all, was killed in battle by the Pandavas, or is it my son?
ब्रूहि सर्वं यथातत्त्वं भरतानां महाक्षयम्। यथा च निहतः सङ्ख्ये पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम ॥९-२-६२॥
Tell me everything as it truly happened, about the great destruction of the Bharatas, and how my son Duryodhana was killed in the battle.
पाञ्चालाश्च यथा सर्वे निहताः सपदानुगाः। धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपद्याः पञ्च चात्मजाः ॥९-२-६३॥
The Panchalas, along with their followers, were all slain; Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandi, and the five sons of Draupadi were killed.
पाण्डवाश्च यथा मुक्तास्तथोभौ सात्वतौ युधि। कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च भारद्वाजस्य चात्मजः ॥९-२-६४॥
The Pandavas, as they were released, so were both the Satvatas in battle. Kripa and Kritavarma, the son of Bharadvaja, were also involved.
यद्यथा यादृशं चैव युद्धं वृत्तं च साम्प्रतम्। अखिलं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कुशलो ह्यसि सञ्जय ॥९-२-६५॥
I wish to hear everything about the nature and details of the battle that has occurred recently, as you are indeed knowledgeable, Sanjaya.
