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युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥
Yudhishthira said.
के लोका युध्यमानानां शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम्। भवन्ति निधनं प्राप्य तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह ॥१२-९९-१॥
O grandsire, tell me: which worlds do those heroic warriors who do not turn back in battle attain after meeting death?
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
अत्राप्युदाहरन्तीममितिहासं पुरातनम्। अम्बरीषस्य संवादमिन्द्रस्य च युधिष्ठिर ॥१२-९९-२॥
Here too, O Yudhiṣṭhira, they recount this ancient story: the conversation between Ambarīṣa and Indra.
अम्बरीषो हि नाभागः स्वर्गं गत्वा सुदुर्लभम्। ददर्श सुरलोकस्थं शक्रेण सचिवं सह ॥१२-९९-३॥
Ambarīṣa, indeed Nābhāga, after reaching the heaven which is very difficult to attain, saw the minister together with Śakra (Indra) residing in the world of the gods.
सर्वतेजोमयं दिव्यं विमानवरमास्थितम्। उपर्युपरि गच्छन्तं स्वं वै सेनापतिं प्रभुम् ॥१२-९९-४॥
He saw the divine, all-radiant, excellent chariot occupied by his own commander and lord, ascending higher and higher.
स दृष्ट्वोपरि गच्छन्तं सेनापतिमुदारधीः। ऋद्धिं दृष्ट्वा सुदेवस्य विस्मितः प्राह वासवम् ॥१२-९९-५॥
He saw the general ascending above; seeing Sudeva's prosperity, the noble-minded man, astonished, spoke to Indra.
सागरान्तां महीं कृत्स्नामनुशिष्य यथाविधि। चातुर्वर्ण्ये यथाशास्त्रं प्रवृत्तो धर्मकाम्यया ॥१२-९९-६॥
He instructed the entire earth, bounded by the ocean, in accordance with the prescribed rules; then, being engaged in the fourfold order of society as per the śāstra, he acted with the desire for righteousness.
ब्रह्मचर्येण घोरेण आचार्यकुलसेवया। वेदानधीत्य धर्मेण राजशास्त्रं च केवलम् ॥१२-९९-७॥
Through strict celibacy, devoted service to the teacher's household, diligent study of the Vedas, and adherence to righteousness, one should study only the science of polity.
अतिथीनन्नपानेन पितॄंश्च स्वधया तथा। ऋषीन्स्वाध्यायदीक्षाभिर्देवान्यज्ञैरनुत्तमैः ॥१२-९९-८॥
Guests are to be honored with food and drink, ancestors with oblations, sages through study and vows, and gods with the best sacrifices.
क्षत्रधर्मे स्थितो भूत्वा यथाशास्त्रं यथाविधि। उदीक्षमाणः पृतनां जयामि युधि वासव ॥१२-९९-९॥
O Indra, having established myself in the warrior's duty according to the scriptures and rules, and observing the army, I am victorious in battle.
देवराज सुदेवोऽयं मम सेनापतिः पुरा। आसीद्योधः प्रशान्तात्मा सोऽयं कस्मादतीव माम् ॥१२-९९-१०॥
Sudeva, the lord of the gods, who was formerly my army commander and a warrior of tranquil mind, why is he now so exceedingly (hostile) towards me?
नानेन क्रतुभिर्मुख्यैरिष्टं नैव द्विजातयः। तर्पिता विधिवच्छक्र सोऽयं कस्मादतीव माम् ॥१२-९९-११॥
O Indra, by these principal sacrifices, the twice-born have not indeed been satisfied according to rule; so why is he exceedingly angry with me?
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
एतस्य विततस्तात सुदेवस्य बभूव ह। सङ्ग्रामयज्ञः सुमहान्यश्चान्यो युध्यते नरः ॥१२-९९-१२॥
O dear, the battle-sacrifice of Sudeva became widespread indeed. Another very great man also fights.
संनद्धो दीक्षितः सर्वो योधः प्राप्य चमूमुखम्। युद्धयज्ञाधिकारस्थो भवतीति विनिश्चयः ॥१२-९९-१३॥
It is determined that every warrior, once armed and consecrated and having reached the front of the army, becomes entitled to participate in the battle-sacrifice.
अम्बरीष उवाच॥
Ambarīṣa said.
कानि यज्ञे हवींष्यत्र किमाज्यं का च दक्षिणा। ऋत्विजश्चात्र के प्रोक्तास्तन्मे ब्रूहि शतक्रतो ॥१२-९९-१४॥
O Indra, tell me which things are considered the oblations in the sacrifice here, what is the clarified butter, which is the sacrificial fee, and who are said to be the priests here.
इन्द्र उवाच॥
Indra said.
ऋत्विजः कुञ्जरास्तत्र वाजिनोऽध्वर्यवस्तथा। हवींषि परमांसानि रुधिरं त्वाज्यमेव च ॥१२-९९-१५॥
There were sacrificial priests, elephants, horses, and performers of sacrifice; there were also oblations, excellent meats, blood, clarified butter, and more.
सृगालगृध्रकाकोलाः सदस्यास्तत्र सत्रिणः। आज्यशेषं पिबन्त्येते हविः प्राश्नन्ति चाध्वरे ॥१२-९९-१६॥
Jackals, vultures, and crows are the participants there at the sacrifice; they drink the leftover ghee and consume the offerings during the ritual.
प्रासतोमरसङ्घाताः खड्गशक्तिपरश्वधाः। ज्वलन्तो निशिताः पीताः स्रुचस्तस्याथ सत्रिणः ॥१२-९९-१७॥
Then, the blazing, sharp, and drunk ladles of the sacrificer became like masses of spears, javelins, swords, lances, and battle-axes.
चापवेगायतस्तीक्ष्णः परकायावदारणः। ऋजुः सुनिशितः पीतः सायकोऽस्य स्रुवो महान् ॥१२-९९-१८॥
His arrow, driven by the force of the bow, sharp and straight, pierces the enemy's body; it is well-sharpened and, having struck, becomes like a great ladle.
द्वीपिचर्मावनद्धश्च नागदन्तकृतत्सरुः। हस्तिहस्तगतः खड्गः स्फ्यो भवेत्तस्य संयुगे ॥१२-९९-१९॥
In battle, he would have a sword bound with tiger skin, with a handle made of elephant's tusk, and a shaft in the hand of the elephant.
ज्वलितैर्निशितैः पीतैः प्रासशक्तिपरश्वधैः। शैक्यायसमयैस्तीक्ष्णैरभिघातो भवेद्वसु ॥१२-९९-२०॥
O Vasu, a blow may be dealt by blazing, sharp, golden spears, missiles, battle-axes, and by sharp weapons made of iron and steel.
आवेगाद्यत्तु रुधिरं सङ्ग्रामे स्यन्दते भुवि। सास्य पूर्णाहुतिर्होत्रे समृद्धा सर्वकामधुक् ॥१२-९९-२१॥
But the blood that, from the force of battle, flows upon the earth is regarded as his complete offering to the fire, bringing prosperity and fulfilling all desires.
छिन्धि भिन्धीति यस्यैतच्छ्रूयते वाहिनीमुखे। सामानि सामगास्तस्य गायन्ति यमसादने ॥१२-९९-२२॥
He, of whom the words "Cut! Split!" are heard at the front of the army, for him the singers of Sāman chant Sāman hymns in the abode of Yama.
हविर्धानं तु तस्याहुः परेषां वाहिनीमुखम्। कुञ्जराणां हयानां च वर्मिणां च समुच्चयः ॥ अग्निः श्येनचितो नाम तस्य यज्ञे विधीयते ॥१२-९९-२३॥
They say that the offering-hall of him is the front of the army of the others; it is the gathering of elephants, horses, and armored ones. In that sacrifice, the fire called 'arranged like a hawk' is prescribed.
उत्तिष्ठति कबन्धोऽत्र सहस्रे निहते तु यः। स यूपस्तस्य शूरस्य खादिरोऽष्टाश्रिरुच्यते ॥१२-९९-२४॥
Here, the trunk rises; but when a thousand are slain, that which is the eight-sided sacrificial post of the hero, made of khadira wood, is so called.
इडोपहूतं क्रोशन्ति कुञ्जरा अङ्कुशेरिताः। व्याघुष्टतलनादेन वषट्कारेण पार्थिव ॥ उद्गाता तत्र सङ्ग्रामे त्रिसामा दुन्दुभिः स्मृतः ॥१२-९९-२५॥
O king, the elephants, driven by the goad and invoked by the iḍā, cry out with the sound of drums and the exclamation 'vaṣaṭ'. There, in the battle, the drum is regarded as the chanter of the threefold Sāman.
ब्रह्मस्वे ह्रियमाणे यः प्रियां युद्धे तनुं त्यजेत्। आत्मानं यूपमुच्छ्रित्य स यज्ञोऽनन्तदक्षिणः ॥१२-९९-२६॥
If, when the property of a Brāhmaṇa is being seized, a person gives up his dear life in battle, offering himself as the sacrificial post, that act is a sacrifice of infinite merit.
भर्तुरर्थे तु यः शूरो विक्रमेद्वाहिनीमुखे। भयान्न च निवर्तेत तस्य लोका यथा मम ॥१२-९९-२७॥
But the hero who, for his master's sake, advances to the front of the army and does not turn back out of fear, attains worlds like mine.
नीलचन्द्राकृतैः खड्गैर्बाहुभिः परिघोपमैः। यस्य वेदिरुपस्तीर्णा तस्य लोका यथा मम ॥१२-९९-२८॥
He whose altar is spread with swords shaped like blue moons and arms like iron clubs, his worlds are like mine.
यस्तु नावेक्षते कञ्चित्सहायं विजये स्थितः। विगाह्य वाहिनीमध्यं तस्य लोका यथा मम ॥१२-९९-२९॥
But the one who, standing victorious and without seeking any assistance, penetrates the midst of the army—his realms are like mine.
यस्य तोमरसङ्घाटा भेरीमण्डूककच्छपा। वीरास्थिशर्करा दुर्गा मांसशोणितकर्दमा ॥१२-९९-३०॥
Its fortress is such that its ramparts are made of spears, its drums are frogs and tortoises, its gravel is the bones of heroes, and its moats are mud of flesh and blood.
असिचर्मप्लवा सिन्धुः केशशैवलशाद्वला। अश्वनागरथैश्चैव सम्भिन्नैः कृतसङ्क्रमा ॥१२-९९-३१॥
The river was filled with rafts made of swords and hides, with hair, waterweed, and grassy patches; and crossings were made with the broken remains of horses, elephants, and chariots.
पताकाध्वजवानीरा हतवाहनवाहिनी। शोणितोदा सुसम्पूर्णा दुस्तरा पारगैर्नरैः ॥१२-९९-३२॥
The river, filled with banners and flags and the wreckage of destroyed vehicles, its waters turned to blood, was so full that it was difficult for even the bravest men to cross.
हतनागमहानक्रा परलोकवहाशिवा। ऋष्टिखड्गध्वजानूका गृध्रकङ्कवडप्लवा ॥१२-९९-३३॥
The auspicious river, filled with slain serpents and great crocodiles, carries the dead to the other world; spears, swords, and banners serve as boats, while vultures, herons, and banyan trees float as rafts.
पुरुषादानुचरिता भीरूणां कश्मलावहा। नदी योधमहायज्ञे तदस्यावभृथं स्मृतम् ॥१२-९९-३४॥
The river, which is followed by men and brings impurity to the fearful, is regarded as the purificatory bath in this great battle-sacrifice.
वेदी यस्य त्वमित्राणां शिरोभिरवकीर्यते। अश्वस्कन्धैर्गजस्कन्धैस्तस्य लोका यथा मम ॥१२-९९-३५॥
He whose altar is covered with the heads of your enemies, with the shoulders of horses and elephants—his worlds are like mine.
पत्नीशाला कृता यस्य परेषां वाहिनीमुखम्। हविर्धानं स्ववाहिन्यस्तदस्याहुर्मनीषिणः ॥१२-९९-३६॥
The wise say that for one whose wife's hall is made the front of the enemy's army, the storehouse of oblations in his own army is his true front.
सदश्चान्तरयोधाग्निराग्नीध्रश्चोत्तरां दिशम्। शत्रुसेनाकलत्रस्य सर्वलोकानदूरतः ॥१२-९९-३७॥
The assembly, inner warriors, fire, the priest tending the fire, and the northern direction are all not far from the enemy's army, his wife, and all the worlds.
यदा तूभयतो व्यूहो भवत्याकाशमग्रतः। सास्य वेदी तथा यज्ञे नित्यं वेदास्त्रयोऽग्नयः ॥१२-९९-३८॥
When the array is formed on both sides and the sky is in front, that is its altar; so too in the sacrifice, always, the three Vedas are the three fires.
यस्तु योधः परावृत्तः सन्त्रस्तो हन्यते परैः। अप्रतिष्ठं स नरकं याति नास्त्यत्र संशयः ॥१२-९९-३९॥
But if a warrior turns away in fear and is killed by the enemy, he, having lost his standing, goes to hell; of this there is no doubt.
यस्य शोणितवेगेन नदी स्यात्समभिप्लुता। केशमांसास्थिसङ्कीर्णा स गच्छेत्परमां गतिम् ॥१२-९९-४०॥
He whose river is completely flooded by the force of blood, mixed with hair, flesh, and bone, may attain the supreme state.
यस्तु सेनापतिं हत्वा तद्यानमधिरोहति। स विष्णुविक्रमक्रामी बृहस्पतिसमः क्रतुः ॥१२-९९-४१॥
But he who, having slain the army-chief, ascends that vehicle, is one who follows the stride of Viṣṇu, equal to Bṛhaspati, and is like a sacrifice.
नायकं वा प्रमाणं वा यो वा स्यात्तत्र पूजितः। जीवग्राहं निगृह्णाति तस्य लोका यथा मम ॥१२-९९-४२॥
Whoever is respected there, whether a leader or an authority, restrains the vital principle; his worlds are like mine.
आहवे निहतं शूरं न शोचेत कदाचन। अशोच्यो हि हतः शूरः स्वर्गलोके महीयते ॥१२-९९-४३॥
One should never grieve for a hero slain in battle; for such a hero is not to be mourned, as he is honored in heaven.
न ह्यन्नं नोदकं तस्य न स्नानं नाप्यशौचकम्। हतस्य कर्तुमिच्छन्ति तस्य लोकाञ्शृणुष्व मे ॥१२-९९-४४॥
Indeed, neither food nor water, nor bathing or purification are desired for the slain; hear from me what worlds are intended for him.
वराप्सरःसहस्राणि शूरमायोधने हतम्। त्वरमाणा हि धावन्ति मम भर्ता भवेदिति ॥१२-९९-४५॥
Thousands of the best apsarases, eager, rush to the slain hero in battle, each hoping, "May he become my husband."
एतत्तपश्च पुण्यं च धर्मश्चैव सनातनः। चत्वारश्चाश्रमास्तस्य यो युद्धे न पलायते ॥१२-९९-४६॥
This is eternal austerity, merit, and righteousness; and the four stages of life belong to him who does not flee in battle.
वृद्धं बलं न हन्तव्यं नैव स्त्री न च वै द्विजः। तृणपूर्णमुखश्चैव तवास्मीति च यो वदेत् ॥१२-९९-४७॥
Neither the aged, the strong, women, nor the twice-born should be killed; nor one with a mouth full of grass, nor one who says 'I am yours'—whoever says thus.
अहं वृत्रं बलं पाकं शतमायं विरोचनम्। दुरावार्यं च नमुचिं नैकमायं च शम्बरम् ॥१२-९९-४८॥
I have vanquished Vṛtra, Bala, Pāka, Śatamāya, Virocana, Durāvārya, Namuci, Naikamāya, and Śambara.
विप्रचित्तिं च दैतेयं दनोः पुत्रांश्च सर्वशः। प्रह्रादं च निहत्याजौ ततो देवाधिपोऽभवम् ॥१२-९९-४९॥
Having slain Vipracitti, Daiteya, all the sons of Danu, and also Prahlāda in battle, then I became the lord of the gods.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhīṣma said.
इत्येतच्छक्रवचनं निशम्य प्रतिगृह्य च। योधानामात्मनः सिद्धिमम्बरीषोऽभिपन्नवान् ॥१२-९९-५०॥
Having listened to and accepted Indra's words, Ambarīṣa achieved success for himself and his warriors.
