09.053
Library: Significance of Plaksha Prasravana, the most excellent pilgrimage site of Karapachana. Holiness of the river Sarasvati. Narada recounts the events of the war, and curious Balarama decides to see the mace battle between Bhima and Duryodhana.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaiśampāyana; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaiśampāyana said:)
Vaiśampāyana spoke:
कुरुक्षेत्रं ततो दृष्ट्वा दत्त्वा दायांश्च सात्वतः। आश्रमं सुमहद्दिव्यमगमज्जनमेजय ॥९-५३-१॥
kurukṣetraṁ tato dṛṣṭvā dattvā dāyāṁśca sātvataḥ। āśramaṁ sumahaddivyamagamajjanamejaya ॥9-53-1॥
[कुरुक्षेत्रं (kurukṣetraṁ) - Kurukshetra; ततः (tataḥ) - then; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; दत्त्वा (dattvā) - having given; दायांश्च (dāyāṁśca) - shares; सात्वतः (sātvataḥ) - Sātvata; आश्रमं (āśramaṁ) - hermitage; सुमहद्दिव्यम् (sumahaddivyam) - great and divine; अगमज्जनमेजय (agamajjanamejaya) - Janamejaya went;]
(Then, having seen Kurukshetra and given the shares, Sātvata went to the great and divine hermitage, O Janamejaya.)
After witnessing Kurukshetra and distributing the shares, Sātvata proceeded to the magnificent and divine hermitage, O Janamejaya.
मधूकाम्रवनोपेतं प्लक्षन्यग्रोधसङ्कुलम्। चिरिबिल्वयुतं पुण्यं पनसार्जुनसङ्कुलम् ॥९-५३-२॥
madhūkāmravanopetaṃ plakṣanyagrodhasaṅkulam। ciribilvayutaṃ puṇyaṃ panasārjunasaṅkulam ॥9-53-2॥
[मधूक (madhūka) - Madhuka tree; आम्र (āmra) - mango tree; वन (vana) - forest; उपेतं (upetaṃ) - endowed with; प्लक्ष (plakṣa) - fig tree; न्यग्रोध (nyagrodha) - banyan tree; सङ्कुलम् (saṅkulam) - crowded with; चिरिबिल्व (ciribilva) - Bilva tree; युतं (yutaṃ) - joined with; पुण्यं (puṇyaṃ) - sacred; पनस (panasa) - jackfruit tree; अर्जुन (arjuna) - Arjuna tree; सङ्कुलम् (saṅkulam) - crowded with;]
(Endowed with Madhuka and mango forests, crowded with fig and banyan trees. Joined with Bilva, sacred, crowded with jackfruit and Arjuna trees.)
The forest, rich with Madhuka and mango trees, is densely populated with fig and banyan trees. It is also adorned with Bilva trees, considered sacred, and is filled with jackfruit and Arjuna trees.
तं दृष्ट्वा यादवश्रेष्ठः प्रवरं पुण्यलक्षणम्। पप्रच्छ तानृषीन्सर्वान्कस्याश्रमवरस्त्वयम् ॥९-५३-३॥
taṁ dṛṣṭvā yādavaśreṣṭhaḥ pravaraṁ puṇyalakṣaṇam। papraccha tānṛṣīnsarvānkasyāśramavarastvayam ॥9-53-3॥
[तं (taṁ) - him; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; यादवश्रेष्ठः (yāda-va-śreṣṭhaḥ) - the best of the Yadavas; प्रवरं (pravaram) - excellent; पुण्यलक्षणम् (puṇya-lakṣaṇam) - with auspicious signs; पप्रच्छ (papraccha) - asked; तान् (tān) - those; ऋषीन् (ṛṣīn) - sages; सर्वान् (sarvān) - all; कस्य (kasya) - whose; आश्रमवरः (āśrama-varaḥ) - best hermitage; त्वयम् (tvayam) - this is;]
(Seeing him, the best of the Yadavas, with auspicious signs, asked all those sages, 'Whose is this best hermitage?')
Upon seeing him, the foremost among the Yadavas, marked with auspicious signs, inquired of all the sages, 'To whom does this excellent hermitage belong?'
ते तु सर्वे महात्मानमूचू राजन्हलायुधम्। शृणु विस्तरतो राम यस्यायं पूर्वमाश्रमः ॥९-५३-४॥
te tu sarve mahāt-mānam ūcuḥ rājan halāyudham। śṛṇu vistarato rāma yasyāyaṃ pūrvam āśramaḥ ॥9-53-4॥
[ते (te) - they; तु (tu) - but; सर्वे (sarve) - all; महात्मानम् (mahāt-mānam) - great soul; ऊचुः (ūcuḥ) - said; राजन् (rājan) - O king; हलायुधम् (halāyudham) - Halayudha; शृणु (śṛṇu) - listen; विस्तरतः (vistara-taḥ) - in detail; राम (rāma) - Rama; यस्मिन् (yasmin) - in which; अयम् (ayam) - this; पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - formerly; आश्रमः (āśramaḥ) - hermitage;]
(They, however, all said to the great soul, O king Halayudha, "Listen in detail, O Rama, to this hermitage which was formerly.")
All of them addressed the great soul, King Halayudha, saying, "Listen in detail, O Rama, to the story of this hermitage as it was in the past."
अत्र विष्णुः पुरा देवस्तप्तवांस्तप उत्तमम्। अत्रास्य विधिवद्यज्ञाः सर्वे वृत्ताः सनातनाः ॥९-५३-५॥
atra viṣṇuḥ purā devastaptavāṃstapa uttamam। atrāsya vidhivadyajñāḥ sarve vṛttāḥ sanātanāḥ ॥9-53-5॥
[अत्र (atra) - here; विष्णुः (viṣṇuḥ) - Vishnu; पुरा (purā) - formerly; देवः (devaḥ) - god; तप्तवान् (taptavān) - performed austerities; तपः (tapaḥ) - penance; उत्तमम् (uttamam) - excellent; अत्र (atra) - here; अस्य (asya) - his; विधिवत् (vidhivat) - properly; यज्ञाः (yajñāḥ) - sacrifices; सर्वे (sarve) - all; वृत्ताः (vṛttāḥ) - conducted; सनातनाः (sanātanāḥ) - eternal;]
(Here Vishnu, the god, formerly performed excellent penance. Here all his sacrifices were conducted properly and eternally.)
In this place, Vishnu, the god, once performed supreme penance. Here, all his sacrifices were carried out in accordance with the eternal traditions.
अत्रैव ब्राह्मणी सिद्धा कौमारब्रह्मचारिणी। योगयुक्ता दिवं याता तपःसिद्धा तपस्विनी ॥९-५३-६॥
atraiva brāhmaṇī siddhā kaumārabrahmacāriṇī। yogayuktā divaṃ yātā tapaḥsiddhā tapasvinī ॥9-53-6॥
[अत्रैव (atraiva) - here itself; ब्राह्मणी (brāhmaṇī) - a Brahmin woman; सिद्धा (siddhā) - perfected; कौमारब्रह्मचारिणी (kaumārabrahmacāriṇī) - practicing celibacy from youth; योगयुक्ता (yogayuktā) - engaged in yoga; दिवं (divaṃ) - to heaven; याता (yātā) - gone; तपःसिद्धा (tapaḥsiddhā) - perfected through penance; तपस्विनी (tapasvinī) - ascetic;]
(Here itself, a Brahmin woman, perfected, practicing celibacy from youth, engaged in yoga, has gone to heaven, perfected through penance, an ascetic.)
Here, a Brahmin woman, who was perfected and practiced celibacy from her youth, engaged in yoga, has ascended to heaven, perfected through her penance, as an ascetic.
बभूव श्रीमती राजञ्शाण्डिल्यस्य महात्मनः। सुता धृतव्रता साध्वी नियता ब्रह्मचारिणी ॥९-५३-७॥
babhūva śrīmatī rājañśāṇḍilyasya mahātmanaḥ। sutā dhṛtavratā sādhvī niyatā brahmacāriṇī ॥9-53-7॥
[बभूव (babhūva) - became; श्रीमती (śrīmatī) - auspicious; राजञ्शाण्डिल्यस्य (rājañśāṇḍilyasya) - of King Shandilya; महात्मनः (mahātmanaḥ) - of the great soul; सुता (sutā) - daughter; धृतव्रता (dhṛtavratā) - firm in vows; साध्वी (sādhvī) - virtuous; नियता (niyatā) - disciplined; ब्रह्मचारिणी (brahmacāriṇī) - celibate;]
(There was an auspicious daughter of the great soul King Shandilya, who was firm in vows, virtuous, disciplined, and celibate.)
The auspicious daughter of the great King Shandilya was known for her firm vows, virtue, discipline, and celibacy.
सा तु प्राप्य परं योगं गता स्वर्गमनुत्तमम्। भुक्त्वाश्रमेऽश्वमेधस्य फलं फलवतां शुभा ॥ गता स्वर्गं महाभागा पूजिता नियतात्मभिः ॥९-५३-८॥
sā tu prāpya paraṃ yogaṃ gatā svargamanuttamam। bhuktvāśrame'śvamedhasya phalaṃ phalavatāṃ śubhā ॥ gatā svargaṃ mahābhāgā pūjitā niyatātmabhiḥ ॥9-53-8॥
[सा (sā) - she; तु (tu) - but; प्राप्य (prāpya) - having attained; परं (param) - supreme; योगं (yogam) - union; गता (gatā) - went; स्वर्गम् (svargam) - heaven; अनुत्तमम् (anuttamam) - unsurpassed; भुक्त्वा (bhuktvā) - having enjoyed; आश्रम (āśrama) - hermitage; अश्वमेधस्य (aśvamedhasya) - of the horse sacrifice; फलं (phalam) - fruit; फलवतां (phalavatām) - of those who bear fruit; शुभा (śubhā) - auspicious; गता (gatā) - went; स्वर्गं (svargam) - heaven; महाभागा (mahābhāgā) - greatly fortunate; पूजिता (pūjitā) - honored; नियतात्मभिः (niyatātmabhiḥ) - by those of disciplined mind;]
(She, having attained the supreme union, went to the unsurpassed heaven. Having enjoyed the fruit of the horse sacrifice in the hermitage, the auspicious one went to heaven, greatly fortunate and honored by those of disciplined mind.)
She attained the supreme state of union and went to the highest heaven. After enjoying the fruits of the horse sacrifice in the hermitage, she, being auspicious and greatly fortunate, was honored by those with disciplined minds and ascended to heaven.
अभिगम्याश्रमं पुण्यं दृष्ट्वा च यदुपुङ्गवः। ऋषींस्तानभिवाद्याथ पार्श्वे हिमवतोऽच्युतः ॥ स्कन्धावाराणि सर्वाणि निवर्त्यारुरुहेऽचलम् ॥९-५३-९॥
abhigamyāśramaṃ puṇyaṃ dṛṣṭvā ca yadupuṅgavaḥ। ṛṣīṃstānabhivādyātha pārśve himavato'cyutaḥ ॥ skandhāvārāṇi sarvāṇi nivartyāruruhe'calam ॥9-53-9॥
[अभिगम्य (abhigamya) - having approached; आश्रमं (āśramaṃ) - hermitage; पुण्यं (puṇyaṃ) - sacred; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; च (ca) - and; यदुपुङ्गवः (yadupuṅgavaḥ) - the chief of the Yadus; ऋषीन् (ṛṣīn) - sages; तान् (tān) - them; अभिवाद्य (abhivādya) - having saluted; अथ (atha) - then; पार्श्वे (pārśve) - beside; हिमवत: (himavataḥ) - Himalayas; अच्युतः (acyutaḥ) - Acyuta (Krishna); स्कन्धावाराणि (skandhāvārāṇi) - camps; सर्वाणि (sarvāṇi) - all; निवर्त्य (nivartya) - having withdrawn; आरुह्य (āruhya) - having ascended; अचलम् (acalam) - the mountain;]
(Having approached the sacred hermitage and having seen it, the chief of the Yadus, having saluted the sages there, then beside the Himalayas, Acyuta withdrew all the camps and ascended the mountain.)
Having reached the sacred hermitage and seen it, the chief of the Yadus, Krishna, saluted the sages and then, beside the Himalayas, withdrew all the camps and ascended the mountain.
नातिदूरं ततो गत्वा नगं तालध्वजो बली। पुण्यं तीर्थवरं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं परमं गतः ॥९-५३-१०॥
nātidūraṃ tato gatvā nagaṃ tāladhvajo balī। puṇyaṃ tīrthavaraṃ dṛṣṭvā vismayaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ ॥9-53-10॥
[न (na) - not; अति (ati) - very; दूरं (dūraṃ) - far; ततः (tataḥ) - then; गत्वा (gatvā) - having gone; नगं (nagaṃ) - mountain; तालध्वजः (tāladhvajaḥ) - Tāladhvaja; बली (balī) - strong; पुण्यं (puṇyaṃ) - sacred; तीर्थवरं (tīrthavaraṃ) - best of pilgrimage sites; दृष्ट्वा (dṛṣṭvā) - having seen; विस्मयं (vismayaṃ) - wonder; परमं (paramaṃ) - supreme; गतः (gataḥ) - went;]
(Not very far from there, having gone to the mountain, Tāladhvaja, the strong one, having seen the sacred best of pilgrimage sites, went into supreme wonder.)
Tāladhvaja, the strong one, traveled not very far to the mountain and upon seeing the sacred and best of pilgrimage sites, he was filled with supreme wonder.
प्रभवं च सरस्वत्याः प्लक्षप्रस्रवणं बलः। सम्प्राप्तः कारपचनं तीर्थप्रवरमुत्तमम् ॥९-५३-११॥
prabhavaṁ ca sarasvatyāḥ plakṣaprasravaṇaṁ balaḥ। samprāptaḥ kārapacanaṁ tīrthapravaramuttamam ॥9-53-11॥
[प्रभवं (prabhavam) - origin; च (ca) - and; सरस्वत्याः (sarasvatyāḥ) - of Sarasvati; प्लक्षप्रस्रवणं (plakṣaprasravaṇam) - Plaksha Prasravana; बलः (balaḥ) - strength; सम्प्राप्तः (samprāptaḥ) - reached; कारपचनं (kārapacanaṁ) - Karapachana; तीर्थप्रवरम् (tīrthapravaram) - the excellent pilgrimage; उत्तमम् (uttamam) - supreme;]
(The origin and strength of Sarasvati reached Plaksha Prasravana, the supreme excellent pilgrimage of Karapachana.)
The origin and might of the Sarasvati river reached the Plaksha Prasravana, the most excellent pilgrimage site of Karapachana.
हलायुधस्तत्र चापि दत्त्वा दानं महाबलः। आप्लुतः सलिले शीते तस्माच्चापि जगाम ह ॥ आश्रमं परमप्रीतो मित्रस्य वरुणस्य च ॥९-५३-१२॥
halāyudhastatra cāpi dattvā dānaṁ mahābalaḥ। āplutaḥ salile śīte tasmāccāpi jagāma ha ॥ āśramaṁ paramaprīto mitrasya varuṇasya ca ॥9-53-12॥
[हलायुधः (halāyudhaḥ) - Halayudha; तत्र (tatra) - there; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; दत्त्वा (dattvā) - having given; दानं (dānaṁ) - gift; महाबलः (mahābalaḥ) - the mighty one; आप्लुतः (āplutaḥ) - having bathed; सलिले (salile) - in the water; शीते (śīte) - cold; तस्मात् (tasmāt) - from there; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; जगाम (jagāma) - went; ह (ha) - indeed; आश्रमं (āśramaṁ) - to the hermitage; परमप्रीतः (paramaprītaḥ) - very pleased; मित्रस्य (mitrasya) - of Mitra; वरुणस्य (varuṇasya) - of Varuna; च (ca) - and;]
(Halayudha, the mighty one, having given a gift there, also bathed in the cold water, and then went to the hermitage, very pleased, of Mitra and Varuna.)
Halayudha, the mighty warrior, after offering gifts and bathing in the cold waters, proceeded to the hermitage of his friends, Mitra and Varuna, feeling very pleased.
इन्द्रोऽग्निरर्यमा चैव यत्र प्राक्प्रीतिमाप्नुवन्। तं देशं कारपचनाद्यमुनायां जगाम ह ॥९-५३-१३॥
indro'gniraryamā caiva yatra prākprītimāpnuvan। taṃ deśaṃ kārapacanādyamunāyāṃ jagāma ha ॥9-53-13॥
[इन्द्रः (indraḥ) - Indra; अग्निः (agniḥ) - Agni; अर्यमा (aryamā) - Aryaman; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; यत्र (yatra) - where; प्राक् (prāk) - before; प्रीतिम् (prītim) - pleasure; आप्नुवन् (āpnuvan) - obtained; तम् (tam) - that; देशम् (deśam) - region; कारपचनात् (kārapacanāt) - from Kārapacana; यमुनायाम् (yamunāyām) - in Yamuna; जगाम (jagāma) - went; ह (ha) - indeed;]
(Indra, Agni, and Aryaman indeed obtained pleasure where before. He went to that region from Kārapacana in Yamuna.)
Indra, Agni, and Aryaman once found joy in that place. He then traveled to that region from Kārapacana along the Yamuna.
स्नात्वा तत्रापि धर्मात्मा परां तुष्टिमवाप्य च। ऋषिभिश्चैव सिद्धैश्च सहितो वै महाबलः ॥ उपविष्टः कथाः शुभ्राः शुश्राव यदुपुङ्गवः ॥९-५३-१४॥
snātvā tatrāpi dharmātmā parāṃ tuṣṭimavāpya ca। ṛṣibhiścaiva siddhaiśca sahito vai mahābalaḥ ॥ upaviṣṭaḥ kathāḥ śubhrāḥ śuśrāva yadupuṅgavaḥ ॥9-53-14॥
[स्नात्वा (snātvā) - having bathed; तत्र (tatra) - there; अपि (api) - also; धर्मात्मा (dharmātmā) - righteous soul; पराम् (parām) - supreme; तुष्टिम् (tuṣṭim) - satisfaction; अवाप्य (avāpya) - having obtained; च (ca) - and; ऋषिभिः (ṛṣibhiḥ) - with sages; च (ca) - and; एव (eva) - indeed; सिद्धैः (siddhaiḥ) - with perfected beings; च (ca) - and; सहितः (sahitaḥ) - accompanied; वै (vai) - indeed; महाबलः (mahābalaḥ) - mighty one; उपविष्टः (upaviṣṭaḥ) - seated; कथाः (kathāḥ) - stories; शुभ्राः (śubhrāḥ) - pure; शुश्राव (śuśrāva) - heard; यदुपुङ्गवः (yadupuṅgavaḥ) - chief of the Yadus;]
(Having bathed there, the righteous soul, having obtained supreme satisfaction, indeed accompanied by sages and perfected beings, the mighty one seated heard the pure stories, the chief of the Yadus.)
After bathing there, the righteous soul, accompanied by sages and perfected beings, found supreme satisfaction. The mighty one, seated, listened to the pure stories, being the chief of the Yadus.
तथा तु तिष्ठतां तेषां नारदो भगवानृषिः। आजगामाथ तं देशं यत्र रामो व्यवस्थितः ॥९-५३-१५॥
tathā tu tiṣṭhatāṃ teṣāṃ nārado bhagavānṛṣiḥ। ājagāmātha taṃ deśaṃ yatra rāmo vyavasthitaḥ ॥9-53-15॥
[तथा (tathā) - thus; तु (tu) - but; तिष्ठतां (tiṣṭhatāṃ) - standing; तेषां (teṣāṃ) - of them; नारदः (nāradaḥ) - Nārada; भगवान् (bhagavān) - divine; ऋषिः (ṛṣiḥ) - sage; आजगाम (ājagāma) - arrived; अथ (atha) - then; तम् (tam) - that; देशम् (deśam) - place; यत्र (yatra) - where; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rāma; व्यवस्थितः (vyavasthitaḥ) - situated;]
(Thus, while they were standing, the divine sage Nārada arrived at that place where Rāma was situated.)
While they were standing there, the divine sage Nārada arrived at the place where Rāma was present.
जटामण्डलसंवीतः स्वर्णचीरी महातपाः। हेमदण्डधरो राजन्कमण्डलुधरस्तथा ॥९-५३-१६॥
jaṭāmaṇḍalasaṁvītaḥ svarṇacīrī mahātapāḥ। hemadaṇḍadharo rājankamaṇḍaludharastathā ॥9-53-16॥
[जटा (jaṭā) - matted hair; मण्डल (maṇḍala) - circle; संवीतः (saṁvītaḥ) - enveloped; स्वर्ण (svarṇa) - golden; चीरी (cīrī) - clothed; महातपाः (mahātapāḥ) - great ascetic; हेम (hema) - gold; दण्डधरः (daṇḍadharaḥ) - staff-bearer; राजन् (rājan) - O king; कमण्डलु (kamaṇḍalu) - water-pot; धरः (dharaḥ) - bearer; तथा (tathā) - also;]
(Enveloped in matted hair, clothed in golden, the great ascetic, the staff-bearer of gold, O king, also the bearer of a water-pot.)
The great ascetic, enveloped in matted hair and clothed in golden attire, bore a golden staff and a water-pot, O king.
कच्छपीं सुखशब्दां तां गृह्य वीणां मनोरमाम्। नृत्ये गीते च कुशलो देवब्राह्मणपूजितः ॥९-५३-१७॥
kacchapīṃ sukhaśabdāṃ tāṃ gṛhya vīṇāṃ manoramām। nṛtye gīte ca kuśalo devabrāhmaṇapūjitaḥ ॥9-53-17॥
[कच्छपीं (kacchapīm) - tortoise-shaped; सुखशब्दां (sukhaśabdām) - pleasant-sounding; तां (tām) - that; गृह्य (gṛhya) - having taken; वीणां (vīṇām) - lute; मनोरमाम् (manoramām) - charming; नृत्ये (nṛtye) - in dance; गीते (gīte) - in song; च (ca) - and; कुशलः (kuśalaḥ) - skilled; देवब्राह्मणपूजितः (devabrāhmaṇapūjitaḥ) - worshipped by gods and Brahmins;]
(Having taken that tortoise-shaped, pleasant-sounding, charming lute, skilled in dance and song, worshipped by gods and Brahmins.)
He, who is worshipped by gods and Brahmins, took the charming, tortoise-shaped lute that produces pleasant sounds, and is skilled in dance and song.
प्रकर्ता कलहानां च नित्यं च कलहप्रियः। तं देशमगमद्यत्र श्रीमान्रामो व्यवस्थितः ॥९-५३-१८॥
prakartā kalahānāṃ ca nityaṃ ca kalahapriyaḥ। taṃ deśamagamadyatra śrīmānrāmo vyavasthitaḥ ॥9-53-18॥
[प्रकर्ता (prakartā) - instigator; कलहानाम् (kalahānām) - of quarrels; च (ca) - and; नित्यम् (nityam) - always; च (ca) - and; कलहप्रियः (kalahapriyaḥ) - fond of quarrels; तम् (tam) - that; देशम् (deśam) - place; अगमत् (agamat) - went; यत्र (yatra) - where; श्रीमान् (śrīmān) - the illustrious; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; व्यवस्थितः (vyavasthitaḥ) - is situated;]
(The instigator of quarrels and always fond of quarrels went to that place where the illustrious Rama is situated.)
The instigator of quarrels, who is always fond of them, went to the place where the illustrious Rama resides.
प्रत्युत्थाय तु ते सर्वे पूजयित्वा यतव्रतम्। देवर्षिं पर्यपृच्छन्त यथावृत्तं कुरून्प्रति ॥९-५३-१९॥
pratyutthāya tu te sarve pūjayitvā yatavratam। devarṣiṃ paryapṛcchanta yathāvṛttaṃ kurūnprati ॥9-53-19॥
[प्रत्युत्थाय (pratyutthāya) - having risen; तु (tu) - but; ते (te) - they; सर्वे (sarve) - all; पूजयित्वा (pūjayitvā) - having worshipped; यतव्रतम् (yatavratam) - the sage with vows; देवर्षिम् (devarṣim) - the divine sage; पर्यपृच्छन्त (paryapṛcchanta) - asked; यथावृत्तम् (yathāvṛttam) - as it happened; कुरून् (kurūn) - the Kurus; प्रति (prati) - towards;]
(Having risen, they all worshipped the sage with vows and asked the divine sage about what happened towards the Kurus.)
After rising, they all paid homage to the sage with vows and inquired from the divine sage about the events concerning the Kurus.
ततोऽस्याकथयद्राजन्नारदः सर्वधर्मवित्। सर्वमेव यथावृत्तमतीतं कुरुसङ्क्षयम् ॥९-५३-२०॥
tato'syākathayadrājannāradaḥ sarvadharmavit। sarvameva yathāvṛttamatītaṃ kurusaṅkṣayam ॥9-53-20॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अस्य (asya) - to him; आकथयत् (ākathayat) - narrated; राजन् (rājan) - O king; नारदः (nāradaḥ) - Nārada; सर्वधर्मवित् (sarvadharmavit) - knower of all dharmas; सर्वम् (sarvam) - everything; एव (eva) - indeed; यथा (yathā) - as; वृत्तम् (vṛttam) - happened; अतीतं (atītaṃ) - past; कुरुसङ्क्षयम् (kurusaṅkṣayam) - destruction of the Kurus;]
(Then Nārada, the knower of all dharmas, narrated everything to him, O king, as it happened in the past, the destruction of the Kurus.)
Then Nārada, who knows all dharmas, narrated to the king everything that had happened in the past, including the destruction of the Kurus.
ततोऽब्रवीद्रौहिणेयो नारदं दीनया गिरा। किमवस्थं तु तत्क्षत्रं ये च तत्राभवन्नृपाः ॥९-५३-२१॥
tato'bravīdrauhiṇeyo nāradaṃ dīnayā girā। kimavasthaṃ tu tatkṣatraṃ ye ca tatrābhavannṛpāḥ ॥9-53-21॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; अब्रवीत् (abravīt) - said; रौहिणेयः (rauhineyaḥ) - son of Rohini; नारदम् (nāradam) - to Narada; दीनया (dīnayā) - in a distressed; गिरा (girā) - voice; किम् (kim) - what; अवस्थम् (avastham) - condition; तु (tu) - but; तत् (tat) - that; क्षत्रम् (kṣatram) - kshatriya; ये (ye) - who; च (ca) - and; तत्र (tatra) - there; अभवन् (abhavan) - were; नृपाः (nṛpāḥ) - kings;]
(Then the son of Rohini said to Narada in a distressed voice: "What is the condition of that Kshatriya and the kings who were there?")
Then the son of Rohini, in a distressed voice, asked Narada about the condition of the Kshatriya and the kings who were present there.
श्रुतमेतन्मया पूर्वं सर्वमेव तपोधन। विस्तरश्रवणे जातं कौतूहलमतीव मे ॥९-५३-२२॥
śrutametanmaya pūrvaṃ sarvameva tapodhana। vistaraśravaṇe jātaṃ kautūhalamatīva me ॥9-53-22॥
[श्रुतम् (śrutam) - heard; एतत् (etat) - this; मया (mayā) - by me; पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - before; सर्वम् (sarvam) - all; एव (eva) - indeed; तपोधन (tapodhana) - O sage; विस्तर (vistara) - in detail; श्रवणे (śravaṇe) - in hearing; जातम् (jātam) - arisen; कौतूहलम् (kautūhalam) - curiosity; अतीव (atīva) - very much; मे (me) - my;]
(This has been heard by me before, O sage. In hearing it in detail, my curiosity has arisen very much.)
"I have heard all this before, O sage. However, my curiosity has greatly increased upon hearing it in detail."
नारद उवाच॥
nārada uvāca॥
[नारद (nārada) - Narada; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Narada said:)
Narada said:
पूर्वमेव हतो भीष्मो द्रोणः सिन्धुपतिस्तथा। हतो वैकर्तनः कर्णः पुत्राश्चास्य महारथाः ॥९-५३-२३॥
pūrvameva hato bhīṣmo droṇaḥ sindhupatistathā। hato vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ putrāścāsya mahārathāḥ ॥9-53-23॥
[पूर्वम् (pūrvam) - previously; एव (eva) - indeed; हतः (hataḥ) - killed; भीष्मः (bhīṣmaḥ) - Bhishma; द्रोणः (droṇaḥ) - Drona; सिन्धुपतिः (sindhupatiḥ) - the king of Sindhu; तथा (tathā) - also; हतः (hataḥ) - killed; वैकर्तनः (vaikartanaḥ) - Karna; कर्णः (karṇaḥ) - Karna; पुत्राः (putrāḥ) - sons; च (ca) - and; अस्य (asya) - his; महारथाः (mahārathāḥ) - great warriors;]
(Previously indeed, Bhishma, Drona, the king of Sindhu, Karna, and his sons, the great warriors, were killed.)
Previously, Bhishma, Drona, the king of Sindhu, Karna, and his sons, the great warriors, were all slain.
भूरिश्रवा रौहिणेय मद्रराजश्च वीर्यवान्। एते चान्ये च बहवस्तत्र तत्र महाबलाः ॥९-५३-२४॥
bhūriśravā rauhiṇeya madrarājaśca vīryavān। ete cānye ca bahavastatra tatra mahābalāḥ ॥9-53-24॥
[भूरिश्रवा (bhūriśravā) - Bhūriśravā; रौहिणेय (rauhiṇeya) - son of Rohiṇī; मद्रराजः (madrarājaḥ) - king of Madra; च (ca) - and; वीर्यवान् (vīryavān) - powerful; एते (ete) - these; च (ca) - and; अन्ये (anye) - others; च (ca) - and; बहवः (bahavaḥ) - many; तत्र (tatra) - there; तत्र (tatra) - there; महाबलाः (mahābalāḥ) - mighty;]
(Bhūriśravā, the son of Rohiṇī, and the powerful king of Madra. These and many other mighty ones were there.)
Bhūriśravā, the son of Rohiṇī, and the powerful king of Madra were present there, along with many other mighty warriors.
प्रियान्प्राणान्परित्यज्य प्रियार्थं कौरवस्य वै। राजानो राजपुत्राश्च समरेष्वनिवर्तिनः ॥९-५३-२५॥
priyān prāṇān parityajya priyārthaṃ kauravasya vai। rājāno rājaputrāś ca samareṣv anivartinaḥ ॥9-53-25॥
[प्रियान् (priyān) - beloved; प्राणान् (prāṇān) - lives; परित्यज्य (parityajya) - having abandoned; प्रियार्थम् (priyārtham) - for the sake of the beloved; कौरवस्य (kauravasya) - of the Kaurava; वै (vai) - indeed; राजानः (rājānaḥ) - kings; राजपुत्राः (rājaputrāḥ) - princes; च (ca) - and; समरेषु (samareṣu) - in battles; अनिवर्तिनः (anivartinaḥ) - non-retreating;]
(Having abandoned beloved lives for the sake of the beloved Kaurava, indeed, kings and princes are non-retreating in battles.)
Kings and princes, having forsaken their cherished lives for the sake of the beloved Kaurava, indeed, do not retreat in battles.
अहतांस्तु महाबाहो शृणु मे तत्र माधव। धार्तराष्ट्रबले शेषाः कृपो भोजश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ अश्वत्थामा च विक्रान्तो भग्नसैन्या दिशो गताः ॥९-५३-२६॥
ahatāṁstu mahābāho śṛṇu me tatra mādhava। dhārtarāṣṭrabale śeṣāḥ kṛpo bhojaśca vīryavān ॥ aśvatthāmā ca vikrānto bhagnasainyā diśo gatāḥ ॥9-53-26॥
[अहताम् (ahatām) - unharmed; तु (tu) - but; महाबाहो (mahābāho) - O mighty-armed one; शृणु (śṛṇu) - hear; मे (me) - my; तत्र (tatra) - there; माधव (mādhava) - O Mādhava; धार्तराष्ट्रबले (dhārtarāṣṭrabale) - in the Kaurava army; शेषाः (śeṣāḥ) - remaining; कृपः (kṛpaḥ) - Kṛpa; भोजः (bhojaḥ) - Bhoja; च (ca) - and; वीर्यवान् (vīryavān) - valiant; अश्वत्थामा (aśvatthāmā) - Aśvatthāmā; विक्रान्तः (vikrāntaḥ) - courageous; भग्नसैन्याः (bhagnasainyāḥ) - with broken armies; दिशः (diśaḥ) - directions; गताः (gatāḥ) - gone;]
(But hear from me, O mighty-armed one, O Mādhava, those who remain unharmed in the Kaurava army: Kṛpa, Bhoja, the valiant Aśvatthāmā, and the courageous ones with broken armies have gone in all directions.)
O mighty-armed one, listen to me, O Mādhava, about those who remain unharmed in the Kaurava army: Kṛpa, Bhoja, the valiant Aśvatthāmā, and the courageous ones with broken armies have scattered in all directions.
दुर्योधनो हते सैन्ये प्रद्रुतेषु कृपादिषु। ह्रदं द्वैपायनं नाम विवेश भृशदुःखितः ॥९-५३-२७॥
duryodhano hate sainye pradruteṣu kṛpādiṣu। hradaṃ dvaipāyanaṃ nāma viveśa bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ ॥9-53-27॥
[दुर्योधनः (duryodhanaḥ) - Duryodhana; हते (hate) - slain; सैन्ये (sainye) - army; प्रद्रुतेषु (pradruteṣu) - fleeing; कृपादिषु (kṛpādiṣu) - Kṛpa and others; ह्रदं (hradam) - lake; द्वैपायनं (dvaipāyanam) - Dvaipāyana; नाम (nāma) - named; विवेश (viveśa) - entered; भृशदुःखितः (bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ) - deeply distressed;]
(Duryodhana, with his army slain and Kṛpa and others fleeing, entered a lake named Dvaipāyana, deeply distressed.)
Duryodhana, deeply distressed by the defeat and the fleeing of Kṛpa and others, entered the lake called Dvaipāyana.
शयानं धार्तराष्ट्रं तु स्तम्भिते सलिले तदा। पाण्डवाः सह कृष्णेन वाग्भिरुग्राभिरार्दयन् ॥९-५३-२८॥
śayānaṃ dhārtarāṣṭraṃ tu stambhite salile tadā। pāṇḍavāḥ saha kṛṣṇena vāgbhirugrābhirārdayan ॥9-53-28॥
[शयानं (śayānam) - lying; धार्तराष्ट्रं (dhārtarāṣṭram) - Dhritarashtra's son; तु (tu) - but; स्तम्भिते (stambhite) - in the still; सलिले (salile) - water; तदा (tadā) - then; पाण्डवाः (pāṇḍavāḥ) - the Pandavas; सह (saha) - with; कृष्णेन (kṛṣṇena) - Krishna; वाग्भिः (vāgbhiḥ) - with words; उग्राभिः (ugrābhiḥ) - harsh; आरदयन् (ārdayan) - tormented;]
(Lying in the still water, Dhritarashtra's son was then tormented by the Pandavas with Krishna, with harsh words.)
Dhritarashtra's son was lying in the still water, and then the Pandavas, along with Krishna, tormented him with harsh words.
स तुद्यमानो बलवान्वाग्भी राम समन्ततः। उत्थितः प्राग्घ्रदाद्वीरः प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम् ॥९-५३-२९॥
sa tudyamāno balavānvāgbhī rāma samantataḥ। utthitaḥ prāghradādvīraḥ pragṛhya mahatīṃ gadām ॥9-53-29॥
[स (sa) - he; तुद्यमानः (tudyamānaḥ) - being attacked; बलवान् (balavān) - strong; वाग्भिः (vāgbhiḥ) - by words; राम (rāma) - Rama; समन्ततः (samantataḥ) - from all sides; उत्थितः (utthitaḥ) - arose; प्राक् (prāk) - before; ह्रदात् (hradāt) - from the lake; वीरः (vīraḥ) - hero; प्रगृह्य (pragṛhya) - holding; महतीम् (mahatīm) - great; गदाम् (gadām) - mace;]
(He, being attacked by words from all sides, the strong hero Rama arose from the lake, holding a great mace.)
Rama, the strong hero, was verbally attacked from all sides. He rose from the lake, holding a great mace, ready to confront the challenge.
स चाप्युपगतो युद्धं भीमेन सह साम्प्रतम्। भविष्यति च तत्सद्यस्तयो राम सुदारुणम् ॥९-५३-३०॥
sa cāpyupagato yuddhaṃ bhīmena saha sāmpratam। bhaviṣyati ca tatsadyastayo rāma sudāruṇam ॥9-53-30॥
[स (sa) - he; च (ca) - and; अपि (api) - also; उपगतः (upagataḥ) - approached; युद्धम् (yuddham) - battle; भीमेन (bhīmena) - with Bhima; सह (saha) - together; साम्प्रतम् (sāmpratam) - now; भविष्यति (bhaviṣyati) - will be; च (ca) - and; तत् (tat) - that; सद्यः (sadyaḥ) - immediately; तयोः (tayoḥ) - of them; राम (rāma) - O Rama; सुदारुणम् (sudāruṇam) - very terrible;]
(He has also approached the battle with Bhima together now. And that will be immediately very terrible for them, O Rama.)
He has now joined the battle with Bhima. O Rama, it will soon become very terrible for both of them.
यदि कौतूहलं तेऽस्ति व्रज माधव मा चिरम्। पश्य युद्धं महाघोरं शिष्ययोर्यदि मन्यसे ॥९-५३-३१॥
yadi kautūhalaṁ te'sti vraja mādhava mā ciram। paśya yuddhaṁ mahāghoraṁ śiṣyayoryadi manyase ॥9-53-31॥
[यदि (yadi) - if; कौतूहलम् (kautūhalam) - curiosity; ते (te) - your; अस्ति (asti) - is; व्रज (vraja) - go; माधव (mādhava) - Madhava; मा (mā) - not; चिरम् (ciram) - delay; पश्य (paśya) - see; युद्धम् (yuddham) - battle; महाघोरम् (mahāghoram) - very terrible; शिष्ययोः (śiṣyayoḥ) - of the disciples; यदि (yadi) - if; मन्यसे (manyase) - you think;]
(If you have curiosity, go, Madhava, do not delay. See the very terrible battle of the disciples, if you think.)
If you are curious, Madhava, go quickly. Witness the dreadful battle between the disciples, if you wish.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
[वैशम्पायन (vaiśampāyana) - Vaishampayana; उवाच (uvāca) - said;]
(Vaishampayana said:)
Vaishampayana spoke:
नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तानभ्यर्च्य द्विजर्षभान्। सर्वान्विसर्जयामास ये तेनाभ्यागताः सह ॥ गम्यतां द्वारकां चेति सोऽन्वशादनुयायिनः ॥९-५३-३२॥
nāradasya vacaḥ śrutvā tānabhyarcya dvijarṣabhān। sarvānvisarjayāmāsa ye tenābhyāgatāḥ saha ॥ gamyatāṃ dvārakāṃ ceti so'nvaśādanuyāyinaḥ ॥9-53-32॥
[नारदस्य (nāradasya) - of Nārada; वचः (vacaḥ) - words; श्रुत्वा (śrutvā) - having heard; तान् (tān) - them; अभ्यर्च्य (abhyarcya) - having worshipped; द्विजर्षभान् (dvijarṣabhān) - the best of the twice-born; सर्वान् (sarvān) - all; विसर्जयामास (visarjayāmāsa) - he dismissed; ये (ye) - who; तेन (tena) - with him; अभ्यागताः (abhyāgatāḥ) - had come; सह (saha) - together; गम्यताम् (gamyatām) - let it be gone; द्वारकाम् (dvārakām) - to Dvārakā; च (ca) - and; इति (iti) - thus; सः (saḥ) - he; अन्वशात् (anvaśāt) - ordered; अनुयायिनः (anuyāyinaḥ) - the followers;]
(Having heard the words of Nārada, he worshipped them, the best of the twice-born, and dismissed all who had come with him. "Let it be gone to Dvārakā," thus he ordered the followers.)
Upon hearing Nārada's words, he honored the best of the twice-born and dismissed all those who had accompanied him, instructing the followers, "Proceed to Dvārakā."
सोऽवतीर्याचलश्रेष्ठात्प्लक्षप्रस्रवणाच्छुभात्। ततः प्रीतमना रामः श्रुत्वा तीर्थफलं महत् ॥ विप्राणां संनिधौ श्लोकमगायदिदमच्युतः ॥९-५३-३३॥
so'vatīryācaleśreṣṭhāt plakṣaprasravaṇācchubhāt। tataḥ prītamanā rāmaḥ śrutvā tīrthaphalaṃ mahat॥ viprāṇāṃ sannidhau ślokamagāyadidamacyutaḥ॥9-53-33॥
[सः (saḥ) - he; अवतीर्य (avatīrya) - descending; अचल (acala) - mountain; श्रेष्ठात् (śreṣṭhāt) - from the best; प्लक्ष (plakṣa) - banyan tree; प्रस्रवणात् (prasravaṇāt) - from the spring; शुभात् (śubhāt) - auspicious; ततः (tataḥ) - then; प्रीतमना (prītamanā) - with a pleased mind; रामः (rāmaḥ) - Rama; श्रुत्वा (śrutvā) - having heard; तीर्थ (tīrtha) - pilgrimage; फलं (phalaṃ) - fruit; महत् (mahat) - great; विप्राणाम् (viprāṇām) - of the Brahmins; संनिधौ (sannidhau) - in the presence; श्लोकम् (ślokam) - verse; अगायत् (agāyat) - sang; इदम् (idam) - this; अच्युतः (acyutaḥ) - the infallible one;]
(He, descending from the best mountain, from the auspicious banyan tree spring, then Rama, with a pleased mind, having heard the great fruit of the pilgrimage, in the presence of the Brahmins, sang this verse, the infallible one.)
Rama, pleased after hearing about the great benefits of the pilgrimage, descended from the best mountain, the auspicious banyan tree spring, and in the presence of the Brahmins, the infallible one sang this verse.
सरस्वतीवाससमा कुतो रतिः; सरस्वतीवाससमाः कुतो गुणाः। सरस्वतीं प्राप्य दिवं गता जनाः; सदा स्मरिष्यन्ति नदीं सरस्वतीम् ॥९-५३-३४॥
sarasvatīvāsasamā kuto ratiḥ; sarasvatīvāsasamāḥ kuto guṇāḥ। sarasvatīṃ prāpya divaṃ gatā janāḥ; sadā smariṣyanti nadīṃ sarasvatīm ॥9-53-34॥
[सरस्वती (sarasvatī) - Saraswati; वास (vāsa) - abode; समा (samā) - equal; कुतः (kutaḥ) - where; रतिः (ratiḥ) - pleasure; सरस्वती (sarasvatī) - Saraswati; वास (vāsa) - abode; समाः (samāḥ) - equal; कुतः (kutaḥ) - where; गुणाः (guṇāḥ) - qualities; सरस्वतीम् (sarasvatīm) - Saraswati; प्राप्य (prāpya) - having attained; दिवम् (divam) - heaven; गताः (gatāḥ) - gone; जनाः (janāḥ) - people; सदा (sadā) - always; स्मरिष्यन्ति (smariṣyanti) - will remember; नदीम् (nadīm) - river; सरस्वतीम् (sarasvatīm) - Saraswati;]
(Where is pleasure equal to the abode of Saraswati? Where are qualities equal to the abode of Saraswati? Having attained Saraswati, the people who have gone to heaven will always remember the river Saraswati.)
Where can one find pleasure comparable to the abode of Saraswati? Where can one find qualities comparable to the abode of Saraswati? Those who have reached heaven after attaining Saraswati will always remember the river Saraswati.
सरस्वती सर्वनदीषु पुण्या; सरस्वती लोकसुखावहा सदा। सरस्वतीं प्राप्य जनाः सुदुष्कृताः; सदा न शोचन्ति परत्र चेह च ॥९-५३-३५॥
sarasvatī sarvanadīṣu puṇyā; sarasvatī lokasukhāvahā sadā। sarasvatīṃ prāpya janāḥ suduṣkṛtāḥ; sadā na śocanti paratra ceha ca ॥9-53-35॥
[सरस्वती (sarasvatī) - Sarasvati; सर्वनदीषु (sarvanadīṣu) - among all rivers; पुण्या (puṇyā) - sacred; सरस्वती (sarasvatī) - Sarasvati; लोकसुखावहा (lokasukhāvahā) - bringer of happiness to the world; सदा (sadā) - always; सरस्वतीं (sarasvatīṃ) - Sarasvati; प्राप्य (prāpya) - having reached; जनाः (janāḥ) - people; सुदुष्कृताः (suduṣkṛtāḥ) - those with bad deeds; सदा (sadā) - always; न (na) - not; शोचन्ति (śocanti) - grieve; परत्र (paratra) - in the other world; च (ca) - and; इह (iha) - here; च (ca) - and;]
(Sarasvati, sacred among all rivers; Sarasvati, always the bringer of happiness to the world. Having reached Sarasvati, people with bad deeds always do not grieve, in the other world and here and.)
Sarasvati is considered sacred among all rivers and is always known to bring happiness to the world. Those who reach Sarasvati, even if they have committed bad deeds, do not grieve either in this world or the next.
ततो मुहुर्मुहुः प्रीत्या प्रेक्षमाणः सरस्वतीम्। हयैर्युक्तं रथं शुभ्रमातिष्ठत परन्तपः ॥९-५३-३६॥
tato muhurmuhuḥ prītyā prekṣamāṇaḥ sarasvatīm। hayairyuktaṃ rathaṃ śubhramātiṣṭhata parantapaḥ ॥9-53-36॥
[ततः (tataḥ) - then; मुहुर्मुहुः (muhurmuhuḥ) - again and again; प्रीत्या (prītyā) - with affection; प्रेक्षमाणः (prekṣamāṇaḥ) - looking at; सरस्वतीम् (sarasvatīm) - Sarasvati; हयैः (hayaiḥ) - with horses; युक्तं (yuktaṃ) - yoked; रथं (ratham) - chariot; शुभ्रम् (śubhram) - white; अतिष्ठत (atiṣṭhata) - stood; परन्तपः (parantapaḥ) - scorcher of foes;]
(Then, again and again, with affection, looking at Sarasvati, the scorcher of foes stood on the white chariot yoked with horses.)
Then, repeatedly and affectionately gazing at Sarasvati, the scorcher of foes stood on the white chariot harnessed with horses.
स शीघ्रगामिना तेन रथेन यदुपुङ्गवः। दिदृक्षुरभिसम्प्राप्तः शिष्ययुद्धमुपस्थितम् ॥९-५३-३७॥
sa śīghragāminā tena rathena yadupuṅgavaḥ। didṛkṣurabhisamprāptaḥ śiṣyayuddhamupasthitam ॥9-53-37॥
[स (sa) - he; शीघ्रगामिना (śīghragāminā) - with swift-moving; तेन (tena) - by that; रथेन (rathena) - chariot; यदुपुङ्गवः (yadupuṅgavaḥ) - chief of the Yadus; दिदृक्षुः (didṛkṣuḥ) - desiring to see; अभिसम्प्राप्तः (abhisamprāptaḥ) - arrived; शिष्ययुद्धम् (śiṣyayuddham) - disciples' battle; उपस्थितम् (upasthitam) - present;]
(He, the chief of the Yadus, arrived with a swift-moving chariot, desiring to see the disciples' battle present.)
The chief of the Yadus arrived swiftly by chariot, eager to witness the battle of the disciples that was taking place.
