09.031
Core and Pancharatra: Wounded Duryodhana comes out of the water, unable to bear the harsh words of Yudhisthira, and asks one of the Pandavas to fight him with a mace. Yudhisthira asks, where was his Dharma, whem he attacked Abhimanyu with many, when he was single?
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
एवं सन्तर्ज्यमानस्तु मम पुत्रो महीपतिः। प्रकृत्या मन्युमान्वीरः कथमासीत्परन्तपः ॥९-३१-१॥
"Thus threatened, how did my son, the king, who is naturally an angry hero, react, O scorcher of foes?"
न हि सन्तर्जना तेन श्रुतपूर्वा कदाचन। राजभावेन मान्यश्च सर्वलोकस्य सोऽभवत् ॥९-३१-२॥
He was never known to intimidate anyone. With his royal demeanor, he was respected by everyone.
इयं च पृथिवी सर्वा सम्लेच्छाटविका भृशम्। प्रसादाद्ध्रियते यस्य प्रत्यक्षं तव सञ्जय ॥९-३१-३॥
O Sanjaya, this entire earth, filled with barbarians and dense forests, is greatly sustained by the grace of the one who stands visibly before you.
स तथा तर्ज्यमानस्तु पाण्डुपुत्रैर्विशेषतः। विहीनश्च स्वकैर्भृत्यैर्निर्जने चावृतो भृशम् ॥९-३१-४॥
He was thus reproached by the sons of Pandu, especially, and was greatly deprived and surrounded by his own servants in solitude.
श्रुत्वा स कटुका वाचो जययुक्ताः पुनः पुनः। किमब्रवीत्पाण्डवेयांस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥९-३१-५॥
Upon hearing those harsh and victorious words repeatedly, what did he say to the Pandavas? Please tell me, Sanjaya.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तर्ज्यमानस्तदा राजन्नुदकस्थस्तवात्मजः। युधिष्ठिरेण राजेन्द्र भ्रातृभिः सहितेन ह ॥९-३१-६॥
Then, O king, your son, while standing in water, was threatened by Yudhishthira, the king of kings, along with his brothers.
श्रुत्वा स कटुका वाचो विषमस्थो जनाधिपः। दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वस्य सलिलस्थः पुनः पुनः ॥९-३१-७॥
Upon hearing the harsh words, the king, who was in a difficult situation, sighed deeply and repeatedly while standing in the water.
सलिलान्तर्गतो राजा धुन्वन्हस्तौ पुनः पुनः। मनश्चकार युद्धाय राजानं चाभ्यभाषत ॥९-३१-८॥
The king, after entering the water and repeatedly shaking his hands, resolved to fight and spoke to the king.
यूयं ससुहृदः पार्थाः सर्वे सरथवाहनाः। अहमेकः परिद्यूनो विरथो हतवाहनः ॥९-३१-९॥
"You all, the sons of Pṛthā, are accompanied by friends and have all your chariots and vehicles. I, on the other hand, am alone, distressed, without a chariot, and deprived of my vehicle."
आत्तशस्त्रै रथगतैर्बहुभिः परिवारितः। कथमेकः पदातिः सन्नशस्त्रो योद्धुमुत्सहे ॥९-३१-१०॥
Surrounded by many charioteers with weapons, how can I, unarmed and on foot, dare to fight alone?
एकैकेन तु मां यूयं योधयध्वं युधिष्ठिर। न ह्येको बहुभिर्वीरैर्न्याय्यं योधयितुं युधि ॥९-३१-११॥
"Yudhishthira, you all should fight me one by one. It is not fair for a single warrior to be challenged by many heroes in battle."
विशेषतो विकवचः श्रान्तश्चापः समाश्रितः। भृशं विक्षतगात्रश्च श्रान्तवाहनसैनिकः ॥९-३१-१२॥
The soldiers, especially those without armor, were tired and had resorted to water. They were greatly wounded and their vehicles were also worn out.
न मे त्वत्तो भयं राजन्न च पार्थाद्वृकोदरात्। फल्गुनाद्वासुदेवाद्वा पाञ्चालेभ्योऽथ वा पुनः ॥९-३१-१३॥
I have no fear from you, O king, nor from Arjuna, Bhima, Krishna, or the Panchalas.
यमाभ्यां युयुधानाद्वा ये चान्ये तव सैनिकाः। एकः सर्वानहं क्रुद्धो न तान्योद्धुमिहोत्सहे ॥९-३१-१४॥
I am not able to fight here alone against all your soldiers, whether they are led by Yuyudhāna or anyone else, as I am angry.
धर्ममूला सतां कीर्तिर्मनुष्याणां जनाधिप। धर्मं चैवेह कीर्तिं च पालयन्प्रब्रवीम्यहम् ॥९-३१-१५॥
O ruler of people, the fame of virtuous men is rooted in dharma. Here, I declare that by protecting both dharma and fame, one upholds the highest virtues.
अहमुत्थाय वः सर्वान्प्रतियोत्स्यामि संयुगे। अन्वंशाभ्यागतान्सर्वानृतून्संवत्सरो यथा ॥९-३१-१६॥
I will rise and fight against you all in battle, just as the year contends with all the seasons that come as its descendants.
अद्य वः सरथान्साश्वानशस्त्रो विरथोऽपि सन्। नक्षत्राणीव सर्वाणि सविता रात्रिसङ्क्षये ॥ तेजसा नाशयिष्यामि स्थिरीभवत पाण्डवाः ॥९-३१-१७॥
Today, I will destroy your chariots with horses, even if unarmed and without chariot, like the sun destroys all stars at the end of the night. Be steady, O sons of Pandu.
अद्यानृण्यं गमिष्यामि क्षत्रियाणां यशस्विनाम्। बाह्लीकद्रोणभीष्माणां कर्णस्य च महात्मनः ॥९-३१-१८॥
Today, I will fulfill my obligations to the renowned warriors, including Bahlika, Drona, Bhishma, and the noble Karna.
जयद्रथस्य शूरस्य भगदत्तस्य चोभयोः। मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य भूरिश्रवस एव च ॥९-३१-१९॥
The verse refers to the valor and significance of Jayadratha, Bhagadatta, the king of Madra - Shalya, and Bhurishravas, highlighting their roles and importance.
पुत्राणां भरतश्रेष्ठ शकुनेः सौबलस्य च। मित्राणां सुहृदां चैव बान्धवानां तथैव च ॥९-३१-२०॥
O best of the Bharatas, the sons, Shakuni the son of Subala, friends, well-wishers, and relatives are all similarly involved.
आनृण्यमद्य गच्छामि हत्वा त्वां भ्रातृभिः सह। एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं विरराम जनाधिपः ॥९-३१-२१॥
The king declared, "Today, I shall be free from debt by killing you along with my brothers." Having said this, he fell silent.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said:
दिष्ट्या त्वमपि जानीषे क्षत्रधर्मं सुयोधन। दिष्ट्या ते वर्तते बुद्धिर्युद्धायैव महाभुज ॥९-३१-२२॥
"Suyodhana, it is fortunate that you are aware of the warrior's duty. It is also fortunate that your mind is set on battle, O mighty-armed one."
दिष्ट्या शूरोऽसि कौरव्य दिष्ट्या जानासि सङ्गरम्। यस्त्वमेको हि नः सर्वान्संयुगे योद्धुमिच्छसि ॥९-३१-२३॥
"Fortunately, you are a hero, O descendant of Kuru, and you know the art of battle. It is indeed fortunate that you wish to take on all of us alone in the battlefield."
एक एकेन सङ्गम्य यत्ते संमतमायुधम्। तत्त्वमादाय युध्यस्व प्रेक्षकास्ते वयं स्थिताः ॥९-३१-२४॥
Unite with one and take your approved weapon to fight; we stand here as your spectators.
अयमिष्टं च ते कामं वीर भूयो ददाम्यहम्। हत्वैकं भवतो राज्यं हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्नुहि ॥९-३१-२५॥
O hero, I grant you this desired wish again. Either by killing one, attain your kingdom, or if you are killed, attain heaven.
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said:
एकश्चेद्योद्धुमाक्रन्दे वरोऽद्य मम दीयते। आयुधानामियं चापि वृता त्वत्संमते गदा ॥९-३१-२६॥
If today I am granted a boon to fight in the battle, then this mace is chosen with your consent.
भ्रातॄणां भवतामेकः शक्यं मां योऽभिमन्यते। पदातिर्गदया सङ्ख्ये स युध्यतु मया सह ॥९-३१-२७॥
One among you brothers who thinks it possible to challenge me, let him, as a foot-soldier with a mace, fight with me in battle.
वृत्तानि रथयुद्धानि विचित्राणि पदे पदे। इदमेकं गदायुद्धं भवत्वद्याद्भुतं महत् ॥९-३१-२८॥
There have been various events of chariot battles at every step. Let this mace battle today be a great and wonderful one.
अन्नानामपि पर्यायं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति मानवाः। युद्धानामपि पर्यायो भवत्वनुमते तव ॥९-३१-२९॥
Humans desire to find alternatives for food, and with your consent, let there also be alternatives for wars.
गदया त्वां महाबाहो विजेष्यामि सहानुजम्। पाञ्चालान्सृञ्जयांश्चैव ये चान्ये तव सैनिकाः ॥९-३१-३०॥
O mighty-armed one, with my mace, I shall defeat you, your younger brother, the Panchalas, the Srinjayas, and all your other warriors.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said:
उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ गान्धारे मां योधय सुयोधन। एक एकेन सङ्गम्य संयुगे गदया बली ॥९-३१-३१॥
"Arise, arise, O son of Gandhari, fight me, Suyodhana. Let us meet one by one in battle, strong with our maces."
पुरुषो भव गान्धारे युध्यस्व सुसमाहितः। अद्य ते जीवितं नास्ति यद्यपि त्वं मनोजवः ॥९-३१-३२॥
"Be a man in Gandhara and fight with full preparation. Today, your life is at stake, even though you are as swift as the mind."
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एतत्स नरशार्दूलो नामृष्यत तवात्मजः। सलिलान्तर्गतः श्वभ्रे महानाग इव श्वसन् ॥९-३१-३३॥
Your son, the tiger among men, could not bear it and, submerged in water, he breathed like a great serpent in the depths.
तथासौ वाक्प्रतोदेन तुद्यमानः पुनः पुनः। वाचं न ममृषे धीमानुत्तमाश्वः कशामिव ॥९-३१-३४॥
Thus, the wise one, being repeatedly urged by words, did not tolerate the speech, just as an excellent horse does not tolerate the whip.
सङ्क्षोभ्य सलिलं वेगाद्गदामादाय वीर्यवान्। अद्रिसारमयीं गुर्वीं काञ्चनाङ्गदभूषणाम् ॥ अन्तर्जलात्समुत्तस्थौ नागेन्द्र इव निःश्वसन् ॥९-३१-३५॥
The powerful warrior, after stirring the waters with great speed and taking up his heavy mace made of mountain essence and adorned with golden armlets, emerged from the water like a mighty serpent king, breathing heavily.
स भित्त्वा स्तम्भितं तोयं स्कन्धे कृत्वायसीं गदाम्। उदतिष्ठत पुत्रस्ते प्रतपन्रश्मिमानिव ॥९-३१-३६॥
Your son, having pierced the stagnant water and placed the iron mace on his shoulder, rose like the sun with scorching rays.
ततः शैक्यायसीं गुर्वीं जातरूपपरिष्कृताम्। गदां परामृशद्धीमान्धार्तराष्ट्रो महाबलः ॥९-३१-३७॥
Then the wise and mighty son of Dhritarashtra, with great strength, grasped the heavy iron mace adorned with gold.
गदाहस्तं तु तं दृष्ट्वा सशृङ्गमिव पर्वतम्। प्रजानामिव सङ्क्रुद्धं शूलपाणिमवस्थितम् ॥ सगदो भारतो भाति प्रतपन्भास्करो यथा ॥९-३१-३८॥
Bharata, with his mace in hand, stood like a towering mountain with peaks, appearing as an angry protector of the people, wielding a trident. He shone brilliantly, like the blazing sun.
तमुत्तीर्णं महाबाहुं गदाहस्तमरिंदमम्। मेनिरे सर्वभूतानि दण्डहस्तमिवान्तकम् ॥९-३१-३९॥
All beings regarded the mighty-armed, mace-wielding subduer of foes as if he were death itself, holding a staff.
वज्रहस्तं यथा शक्रं शूलहस्तं यथा हरम्। ददृशुः सर्वपाञ्चालाः पुत्रं तव जनाधिप ॥९-३१-४०॥
All the Panchalas saw your son, O ruler of the people, as if he were Indra with a thunderbolt in hand and Shiva with a trident.
तमुत्तीर्णं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य समहृष्यन्त सर्वशः। पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवेयाश्च तेऽन्योन्यस्य तलान्ददुः ॥९-३१-४१॥
Upon witnessing the crossing, the Panchalas and Pandavas were filled with joy and exchanged greetings by clapping each other's palms.
अवहासं तु तं मत्वा पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव। उद्वृत्य नयने क्रुद्धो दिधक्षुरिव पाण्डवान् ॥९-३१-४२॥
But considering him a mockery, your son Duryodhana, with anger in his eyes, seemed as if he wanted to burn the Pandavas.
त्रिशिखां भ्रुकुटीं कृत्वा संदष्टदशनच्छदः। प्रत्युवाच ततस्तान्वै पाण्डवान्सहकेशवान् ॥९-३१-४३॥
With his eyebrows raised in three peaks and his teeth clenched, he then replied to the Pāṇḍavas and Keśava.
अवहासस्य वोऽस्याद्य प्रतिवक्तास्मि पाण्डवाः। गमिष्यथ हताः सद्यः सपाञ्चाला यमक्षयम् ॥९-३१-४४॥
Today, I am the responder to your ridicule, O Pandavas; you and the Panchalas will be slain and immediately go to the abode of Yama.
उत्थितस्तु जलात्तस्मात्पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव। अतिष्ठत गदापाणी रुधिरेण समुक्षितः ॥९-३१-४५॥
Your son Duryodhana rose from the water, standing with a mace in hand, covered in blood.
तस्य शोणितदिग्धस्य सलिलेन समुक्षितम्। शरीरं स्म तदा भाति स्रवन्निव महीधरः ॥९-३१-४६॥
His body, smeared with blood and washed with water, shone like a mountain with streams flowing down.
तमुद्यतगदं वीरं मेनिरे तत्र पाण्डवाः। वैवस्वतमिव क्रुद्धं किङ्करोद्यतपाणिनम् ॥९-३१-४७॥
The Pandavas saw the hero with the raised mace and thought of him as Yama, the god of death, angry and with a servant ready to strike.
स मेघनिनदो हर्षान्नदन्निव च गोवृषः। आजुहाव ततः पार्थान्गदया युधि वीर्यवान् ॥९-३१-४८॥
He, mighty and roaring like a cloud-roaring bull from joy, then called the sons of Pritha to battle with a mace.
दुर्योधन उवाच॥
Duryodhana said:
एकैकेन च मां यूयमासीदत युधिष्ठिर। न ह्येको बहुभिर्न्याय्यो वीर योधयितुं युधि ॥९-३१-४९॥
"Yudhishthira, you should approach me one by one. It is not fair for one warrior to fight against many in battle."
न्यस्तवर्मा विशेषेण श्रान्तश्चाप्सु परिप्लुतः। भृशं विक्षतगात्रश्च हतवाहनसैनिकः ॥९-३१-५०॥
He had laid down his armor, was especially tired and submerged in water, greatly wounded, and his vehicle and soldiers were destroyed.
युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said:
नाभूदियं तव प्रज्ञा कथमेवं सुयोधन। यदाभिमन्युं बहवो जघ्नुर्युधि महारथाः ॥९-३१-५१॥
Suyodhana, it was not your wisdom that led to many great warriors killing Abhimanyu in battle. How could this happen?
आमुञ्च कवचं वीर मूर्धजान्यमयस्व च। यच्चान्यदपि ते नास्ति तदप्यादत्स्व भारत ॥ इममेकं च ते कामं वीर भूयो ददाम्यहम् ॥९-३१-५२॥
Remove your armor and headgear, brave one. Take whatever else you lack, O Bharata. I grant you this wish once more, hero.
पञ्चानां पाण्डवेयानां येन योद्धुमिहेच्छसि। तं हत्वा वै भवान्राजा हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्नुहि ॥ ऋते च जीविताद्वीर युद्धे किं कुर्म ते प्रियम् ॥९-३१-५३॥
Among the five sons of Pandu, the one you wish to fight here, if you kill him, you will indeed become king, or if you are killed, you will attain heaven. Without life, O hero, what can we do to please you in battle?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततस्तव सुतो राजन्वर्म जग्राह काञ्चनम्। विचित्रं च शिरस्त्राणं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम् ॥९-३१-५४॥
Then your son, O king, took the golden armor and the beautifully adorned helmet.
सोऽवबद्धशिरस्त्राणः शुभकाञ्चनवर्मभृत्। रराज राजन्पुत्रस्ते काञ्चनः शैलराडिव ॥९-३१-५५॥
Your son, O king, with his helmet securely fastened and adorned in beautiful golden armor, shone resplendently like a majestic golden mountain.
संनद्धः स गदी राजन्सज्जः सङ्ग्राममूर्धनि। अब्रवीत्पाण्डवान्सर्वान्पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव ॥९-३१-५६॥
Armed with a mace and ready for battle, your son Duryodhana addressed all the Pandavas, O king.
भ्रातॄणां भवतामेको युध्यतां गदया मया। सहदेवेन वा योत्स्ये भीमेन नकुलेन वा ॥९-३१-५७॥
I, one among your brothers, will fight with a mace, either with Sahadeva, Bhima, or Nakula.
अथ वा फल्गुनेनाद्य त्वया वा भरतर्षभ। योत्स्येऽहं सङ्गरं प्राप्य विजेष्ये च रणाजिरे ॥९-३१-५८॥
Then, today, I will fight either with Arjuna or with you, O best of the Bharatas, and having reached the battlefield, I will emerge victorious.
अहमद्य गमिष्यामि वैरस्यान्तं सुदुर्गमम्। गदया पुरुषव्याघ्र हेमपट्टविनद्धया ॥९-३१-५९॥
Today, I shall go to the very challenging end of enmity, O tiger among men, armed with a mace bound with a golden belt.
गदायुद्धे न मे कश्चित्सदृशोऽस्तीति चिन्तय। गदया वो हनिष्यामि सर्वानेव समागतान् ॥ गृह्णातु स गदां यो वै युध्यतेऽद्य मया सह ॥९-३१-६०॥
In the battle of maces, consider that there is no one equal to me. With the mace, I shall slay all those who have gathered. Let him take up the mace who dares to fight with me today.
