10.001
Sanjaya said:
Then the heroes set out together facing south and arrived near the camp at sunset.
Frightened and in haste, they abandoned their vehicles and entered a dense region to hide.
They were positioned not too far from the army camp, surrounded and severely wounded by sharp weapons.
He sighed deeply and warmly, contemplating the Pandavas. Upon hearing the terrifying sound of the Pandavas eager for victory.
Frightened by the fear of pursuit, they fled eastward again. After traveling for a moment, their vehicles were exhausted and they were thirsty.
The great archers, unable to endure, were overtaken by anger and impatience. They were tormented by the king's death and stood still for a moment.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, this act done by Bhima is unbelievable, that my son, who had the strength of ten thousand elephants, has been slain.
O Sanjaya, my son, who was invincible among all beings and had a body as hard as a thunderbolt, was killed by the Pandavas in battle.
"O Gavalgaṇa, it is impossible for men to overcome fate. My son was slain in battle by the sons of Pṛthā."
O Sanjaya, indeed my heart must be made of stone, for it has not shattered into a thousand pieces upon hearing that a hundred sons have been killed.
"How will the old couple, who have lost their children, survive? I cannot bring myself to stay in the land of the Pandavas."
How can I, Sanjaya, who has become the father of the king and myself a king, act as a servant under the command of the son of Pandu?
After commanding the whole earth and standing on its head, Sanjaya, how can I become a servant today, O perpetrator of dreadful acts?
How can I listen to Bhima's words, Sanjaya, when he alone has slain my hundred sons completely?
The great Vidura's words were indeed true, but my son Sanjaya did not heed them.
O father, my son Duryodhana was killed by unrighteous means. Sanjaya, what did Kritavarma, Kripa, and Drauni do?
Sanjaya said:
After proceeding a little distance, your men, O king, stopped and saw a dense and terrifying forest filled with various kinds of trees and creepers.
They paused for a moment to rest their excellent horses, which had been watered, and reached the vast forest by sunset.
The place was teeming with diverse groups of animals and was bustling with various birds. It was covered with different kinds of trees and creepers and was inhabited by various wild creatures.
The area was filled with various waters and adorned with ponds, covered with hundreds of lotus plants and filled with blue lotuses.
After entering that dreadful forest, they looked around and saw a banyan tree covered with thousands of branches.
Upon approaching, O king, your great warriors saw the best banyan tree, truly the best among all trees.
They descended from their chariots, released the horses, performed the evening rituals by touching water as per the rules, O lord.
Then, as the sun set behind the great mountain, night, the nurturer of the entire world, descended.
The sky, adorned with scattered planets, constellations, and stars, shines beautifully like a garment spread all around.
The beings who wander at night are slightly active, while those who wander during the day have succumbed to sleep.
The night was filled with the dreadful sounds of nocturnal creatures. The fearsome carnivores were delighted as the night descended.
At the onset of that dreadful night, overwhelmed with sorrow and grief, Kritavarma, Kripa, and Ashwatthama (Drona's son) sat together.
There, seated around the banyan tree, they lamented the destruction that had befallen the Kurus and Pandavas, transcending the very purpose they had gathered for.
Exhausted and with limbs weary from sleep, they sat down on the ground, firmly engaged in their fatigue, having been wounded by various arrows.
Then, Kṛpa and Bhoja, the great warriors who were accustomed to comfort and not deserving of sorrow, were overcome by sleep and seated on the ground. However, O great king, they both fell asleep, burdened by fatigue and sorrow.
Drona's son, overwhelmed by anger and impatience, did not go to sleep, O Bharata, and was breathing heavily like a snake.
He could not sleep due to his great anger. The mighty-armed one surveyed the terrible-looking forest.
The mighty-armed one, while observing the forest area inhabited by various creatures, saw a banyan tree filled with crows.
In that place, thousands of crows spent the night happily, each finding their own separate shelter, O descendant of Kuru.
While the crows were sleeping fearlessly all around, he suddenly saw an owl approaching with a terrifying appearance.
The creature was great-sounding, large-bodied, with yellow eyes and a reddish-brown hue, possessing long nose and nails, and was swift like Garuda.
Then he made a soft sound and, like a bird disappearing, desired the branch of the banyan tree, O Bhārata.
The bird, known as the crow-killer, gathered on the branch of the banyan tree and killed many sleeping crows.
He severed the wings and heads of some, and with his foot-weapon, he also broke the legs of others.
In an instant, the mighty one slew all who stood before him. O lord of the people, the entire area around the banyan tree was covered with their bodies and body parts.
Kausika, the destroyer of enemies, became happy after killing the crows, having retaliated against his enemies as he desired.
Upon witnessing the deceitful act performed by Kauśika during the night, Drauṇi, driven by his inherent resolve, contemplated in solitude.
The advice given by this bird during the battle is deemed appropriate for defeating the enemies and is considered timely by me.
Today, I cannot kill the victorious Pandavas, who are strong, enthusiastic, have achieved their goals, and are ready to strike. I have promised their death in the presence of the king.
Adopting a self-destructive behavior akin to a moth drawn to a flame, one who fights justly will undoubtedly sacrifice their life. However, through deceit, one may achieve success and cause great destruction to their enemies.
In matters where there is doubt, the meaning that becomes clear and doubtless is highly regarded by those who are experts in economics.
Even if something here is considered reprehensible and condemned by the world, it must be done by a man following the duty of a warrior.
The Pandavas, who have not mastered their minds, have indeed committed blameworthy and despicable acts at every step, using deceit.
In this context, there are verses that were sung in the past, which are heard by the thinkers of dharma and those who observe justice, capturing the essence as seen by the seers of truth.
When exhausted, torn, and even when enjoying by enemies, whether in departure or entrance, the enemy's strength should be attacked.
At midnight, when the army is sleepy and leaderless, with its warriors divided and engaged in two parts, it may face challenges.
The mighty son of Drona decided to kill the sleeping Pandavas and Panchalas during the battle.
He repeatedly resolved with a cruel intention and awakened his sleeping uncle and Bhoja.
He did not respond there, being appropriately modest. After contemplating for a moment, as if overwhelmed with tears, he spoke:
Duryodhana, the king and a great hero of immense strength, has been slain. It was for his sake that we engaged in enmity alongside the Pandavas.
The commander of eleven divisions, known for his pure valor, was felled by Bhīmasena while he was alone in battle against many small warriors.
This cruel act was committed by Vrikodara, the mean one, as he trampled the head of the crowned king with his foot.
The Panchalas were roaring, whistling, and laughing. Joyfully, they blew conches by the hundreds and beat the drums.
The loud and mixed sounds of musical instruments and conches, carried by the wind, seem to fill the directions ominously.
The sounds of neighing horses, trumpeting elephants, and the roaring of heroes are heard here, creating a grand atmosphere.
The delighted ones, having taken refuge in the eastern direction, roar intensely. The hair-raising sounds of the chariot wheels can indeed be heard.
The Pandavas have caused this slaughter of the sons of Dhritarashtra. Only we three remain after that great calamity.
Some warriors, possessing the strength of a hundred elephants and expertise in all weapons, were slain by the Pandavas. I believe it is the destined turn of time.
Thus, by this task, it is certainly to be done truly, as indeed his determination is such even in a difficult task.
If your wisdom remains undiminished by delusion, then in this significant matter, let that which is beneficial to us be stated.
