13.153
भीष्मस्वर्गारोहणपर्व
The section on Bhīṣma's ascent to heaven.
भीष्मस्वर्गानुज्ञा
Permission for Bhīṣma to ascend to heaven.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततः कुन्तीसुतो राजा पौरजानपदं जनम्। पूजयित्वा यथान्यायमनुजज्ञे गृहान्प्रति ॥१३-१५३-१॥
Then the son of Kuntī, the king, having properly honored the townspeople and country-folk, allowed them to return home. (13-153-1)
सान्त्वयामास नारीश्च हतवीरा हतेश्वराः। विपुलैरर्थदानैश्च तदा पाण्डुसुतो नृपः ॥१३-१५३-२॥
Then the son of Pandu, the king, comforted the women whose husbands and heroes had been slain with generous gifts of wealth. (13-153-2)
सोऽभिषिक्तो महाप्राज्ञः प्राप्य राज्यं युधिष्ठिरः। अवस्थाप्य नरश्रेष्ठः सर्वाः स्वप्रकृतीस्तदा ॥१३-१५३-३॥
Yudhishthira, the best among men, having been consecrated and having obtained the kingdom, then established all his subjects.
द्विजेभ्यो बलमुख्येभ्यो नैगमेभ्यश्च सर्वशः। प्रतिगृह्याशिषो मुख्यास्तदा धर्मभृतां वरः ॥१३-१५३-४॥
Having received principal blessings from the twice-born, the army chiefs, and the tradesmen in every way, then the foremost among upholders of dharma (the king) acted. (13-153-4)
उषित्वा शर्वरीः श्रीमान्पञ्चाशन्नगरोत्तमे। समयं कौरवाग्र्यस्य सस्मार पुरुषर्षभः ॥१३-१५३-५॥
Having spent the night in Pañcāśan, the foremost of cities, the illustrious best of men remembered the appointed time of the chief of the Kauravas. (13-153-5)
स निर्ययौ गजपुराद्याजकैः परिवारितः। दृष्ट्वा निवृत्तमादित्यं प्रवृत्तं चोत्तरायणम् ॥१३-१५३-६॥
He left Gajapura, accompanied by the sacrificers, after seeing the sun set and the beginning of the sun’s northern movement. (13-153-6)
घृतं माल्यं च गन्धांश्च क्षौमाणि च युधिष्ठिरः। चन्दनागरुमुख्यानि तथा कालागरूणि च ॥१३-१५३-७॥
Yudhiṣṭhira gave clarified butter, garlands, fragrant substances, linen cloths, sandalwood and agaru as chief among such items, as well as black agaru. (13-153-7)
प्रस्थाप्य पूर्वं कौन्तेयो भीष्मसंसाधनाय वै। माल्यानि च महार्हाणि रत्नानि विविधानि च ॥१३-१५३-८॥
Kaunteya, having previously arranged, indeed sent garlands and very precious and various kinds of gems for the honoring of Bhishma. (13-153-8)
धृतराष्ट्रं पुरस्कृत्य गान्धारीं च यशस्विनीम्। मातरं च पृथां धीमान्भ्रातॄंश्च पुरुषर्षभः ॥१३-१५३-९॥
Having placed Dhṛtarāṣṭra at the front, and together with illustrious Gāndhārī, his mother Pṛthā, the wise one, his brothers, the best of men (acted thus). (13-153-9)
जनार्दनेनानुगतो विदुरेण च धीमता। युयुत्सुना च कौरव्यो युयुधानेन चाभिभो ॥१३-१५३-१०॥
O mighty one, the Kaurava was accompanied by Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa), the intelligent Vidura, Yuyutsu, and Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki). (13-153-10)
महता राजभोग्येन परिबर्हेण संवृतः। स्तूयमानो महाराज भीष्मस्याग्नीननुव्रजन् ॥१३-१५३-११॥
He, covered with great royal offerings and praised, O great king, followed the funeral fires of Bhīṣma. (13-153-11)
निश्चक्राम पुरात्तस्माद्यथा देवपतिस्तथा। आससाद कुरुक्षेत्रे ततः शान्तनवं नृपम् ॥१३-१५३-१२॥
Just as the lord of the gods would, he went out from that city and, in Kurukṣetra, then approached King Śāntanava. (13-153-12)
उपास्यमानं व्यासेन पाराशर्येण धीमता। नारदेन च राजर्षे देवलेनासितेन च ॥१३-१५३-१३॥
He was being worshipped by Vyāsa, the intelligent son of Parāśara, as well as by Nārada, the royal sage, Devala, and Asita. (13-153-13)
हतशिष्टैर्नृपैश्चान्यैर्नानादेशसमागतैः। रक्षिभिश्च महात्मानं रक्ष्यमाणं समन्ततः ॥१३-१५३-१४॥
The great-souled one was being protected on all sides by the kings who survived the slaughter, by other kings assembled from various regions, and by guards. (13-153-14)
शयानं वीरशयने ददर्श नृपतिस्ततः। ततो रथादवारोहद्भ्रातृभिः सह धर्मराट् ॥१३-१५३-१५॥
The king then saw him lying upon the hero's couch; thereupon, accompanied by his brothers, Dharmarāj (Yudhiṣṭhira) descended from the chariot. (13-153-15)
अभिवाद्याथ कौन्तेयः पितामहमरिंदमम्। द्वैपायनादीन्विप्रांश्च तैश्च प्रत्यभिनन्दितः ॥१३-१५३-१६॥
Then, having offered his salutations, Kaunteya (the son of Kunti) greeted the grandsire and the subduer of enemies, as well as Dvaipayana and the other Brahmanas, and he was in turn greeted by them. (13-153-16)
ऋत्विग्भिर्ब्रह्मकल्पैश्च भ्रातृभिश्च सहाच्युतः। आसाद्य शरतल्पस्थमृषिभिः परिवारितम् ॥१३-१५३-१७॥
Acyuta, accompanied by the officiating priests, Brahma-like sages, and his brothers, approached the one lying on the bed of arrows, who was surrounded by sages. (13-153-17)
अब्रवीद्भरतश्रेष्ठं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। भ्रातृभिः सह कौरव्य शयानं निम्नगासुतम् ॥१३-१५३-१८॥
Yudhishthira, the King of Dharma, along with his brothers, said to the best of the Bharatas, O Kaurava, seeing the son of the river lying (down). (13-153-18)
युधिष्ठिरोऽहं नृपते नमस्ते जाह्नवीसुत। शृणोषि चेन्महाबाहो ब्रूहि किं करवाणि ते ॥१३-१५३-१९॥
I am Yudhishthira, O king—obeisance to you, O son of Jahnavi. If you hear me, O mighty-armed one, tell me what I should do for you. (13-153-19)
प्राप्तोऽस्मि समये राजन्नग्नीनादाय ते विभो। आचार्या ब्राह्मणाश्चैव ऋत्विजो भ्रातरश्च मे ॥१३-१५३-२०॥
O king, at the appointed time I have come, O mighty one, having brought your sacred fires, along with my teachers, Brāhmaṇas, ritual priests, and brothers. (13-153-20)
पुत्रश्च ते महातेजा धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः। उपस्थितः सहामात्यो वासुदेवश्च वीर्यवान् ॥१३-१५३-२१॥
Your son, the most brilliant Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of men, is present here with his ministers, and Vāsudeva, the powerful one, is also here. (13-153-21)
हतशिष्टाश्च राजानः सर्वे च कुरुजाङ्गलाः। तान्पश्य कुरुशार्दूल समुन्मीलय लोचने ॥१३-१५३-२२॥
O tiger among the Kurus, look—fully open your eyes—and behold the kings who are the survivors after the slaughter, and all the people of the Kuru region. (13-153-22)
यच्चेह किञ्चित्कर्तव्यं तत्सर्वं प्रापितं मया। यथोक्तं भवता काले सर्वमेव च तत्कृतम् ॥१३-१५३-२३॥
Whatever here was to be done, all that has been accomplished by me. As stated by you in due time, all indeed and that has been done. (13-153-23)
एवमुक्तस्तु गाङ्गेयः कुन्तीपुत्रेण धीमता। ददर्श भारतान्सर्वान्स्थितान्सम्परिवार्य तम् ॥१३-१५३-२४॥
Thus, when the wise son of Kuntī spoke so, the son of Gaṅgā saw that all the Bhāratas had surrounded and were standing around him. (13-153-24)
ततश्चलवलिर्भीष्मः प्रगृह्य विपुलं भुजम्। ओघमेघस्वनो वाग्मी काले वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१३-१५३-२५॥
Then Bhīṣma, his limbs trembling, grasped his broad arm and, eloquent and deep-voiced like a mass of clouds, spoke timely words. (13-153-25)
दिष्ट्या प्राप्तोऽसि कौन्तेय सहामात्यो युधिष्ठिर। परिवृत्तो हि भगवान्सहस्रांशुर्दिवाकरः ॥१३-१५३-२६॥
Fortunately, you have arrived here with your ministers, O Yudhiṣṭhira, son of Kuntī. For the illustrious sun, the thousand-rayed maker of day, has indeed set. (13-153-26)
अष्टपञ्चाशतं रात्र्यः शयानस्याद्य मे गताः। शरेषु निशिताग्रेषु यथा वर्षशतं तथा ॥१३-१५३-२७॥
Fifty-eight nights have now passed for me lying here; while resting on these sharp-pointed arrows, it has felt like a hundred years. (13-153-27)
माघोऽयं समनुप्राप्तो मासः पुण्यो युधिष्ठिर। त्रिभागशेषः पक्षोऽयं शुक्लो भवितुमर्हति ॥१३-१५३-२८॥
O Yudhiṣṭhira, the auspicious month of Māgha has fully arrived. Only a third of this fortnight remains, which is to be the bright half. (13-153-28)
एवमुक्त्वा तु गाङ्गेयो धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्। धृतराष्ट्रमथामन्त्र्य काले वचनमब्रवीत् ॥१३-१५३-२९॥
Having spoken thus to Dharmaputra Yudhishthira, Gāṅgeya (Bhishma), after addressing Dhritarashtra, also spoke words at the proper time. (13-153-29)
राजन्विदितधर्मोऽसि सुनिर्णीतार्थसंशयः। बहुश्रुता हि ते विप्रा बहवः पर्युपासिताः ॥१३-१५३-३०॥
O king, you are one who knows dharma and whose doubts regarding meanings are well resolved. Indeed, you have attended upon many learned brahmins. (13-153-30)
वेदशास्त्राणि सर्वाणि धर्मांश्च मनुजेश्वर। वेदांश्च चतुरः साङ्गान्निखिलेनावबुध्यसे ॥१३-१५३-३१॥
O lord of men, you completely understand all the Vedic sciences, all the duties of righteousness, and the four Vedas along with their appendages. (13-153-31)
न शोचितव्यं कौरव्य भवितव्यं हि तत्तथा। श्रुतं देवरहस्यं ते कृष्णद्वैपायनादपि ॥१३-१५३-३२॥
You should not grieve, O Kauravya; what is destined will certainly happen as such. You have also heard the divine secret from Kṛṣṇa-dvaipāyana. (13-153-32)
यथा पाण्डोः सुता राजंस्तथैव तव धर्मतः। तान्पालय स्थितो धर्मे गुरुशुश्रूषणे रतान् ॥१३-१५३-३३॥
O king, protect them—just as you do the sons of Pāṇḍu, so also your own—according to dharma; protect those who are established in virtue and engaged in service to elders. (13-153-33)
धर्मराजो हि शुद्धात्मा निदेशे स्थास्यते तव। आनृशंस्यपरं ह्येनं जानामि गुरुवत्सलम् ॥१३-१५३-३४॥
The lord of dharma is indeed pure-minded and will act according to your command. I know him to be supremely compassionate and devoted to his elders. (13-153-34)
तव पुत्रा दुरात्मानः क्रोधलोभपरायणाः। ईर्ष्याभिभूता दुर्वृत्तास्तान्न शोचितुमर्हसि ॥१३-१५३-३५॥
Your sons, who are wicked by nature, driven by anger and greed, overcome by envy and of evil conduct— you ought not to grieve for them. (13-153-35)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं धृतराष्ट्रं मनीषिणम्। वासुदेवं महाबाहुमभ्यभाषत कौरवः ॥१३-१५३-३६॥
Having spoken these words to the wise Dhritarashtra, the Kaurava addressed Vasudeva, the mighty-armed. (13-153-36)
भगवन्देवदेवेश सुरासुरनमस्कृत। त्रिविक्रम नमस्तेऽस्तु शङ्खचक्रगदाधर ॥१३-१५३-३७॥
O Lord, Lord of the gods' lords, honored by devas and asuras, O Trivikrama, salutations to you, bearer of conch, discus, and mace. (13-153-37)
अनुजानीहि मां कृष्ण वैकुण्ठ पुरुषोत्तम। रक्ष्याश्च ते पाण्डवेया भवान्ह्येषां परायणम् ॥१३-१५३-३८॥
O Kṛṣṇa, Lord Vaikuṇṭha, Supreme Person, permit me. The sons of Pāṇḍu are to be protected by you, for you are their refuge. (13-153-38)
उक्तवानस्मि दुर्बुद्धिं मन्दं दुर्योधनं पुरा। यतः कृष्णस्ततो धर्मो यतो धर्मस्ततो जयः ॥१३-१५३-३९॥
I once called Duryodhana wicked-minded and foolish. Wherever Kṛṣṇa is, there is righteousness; where righteousness is, there is victory. (13-153-39)
वासुदेवेन तीर्थेन पुत्र संशाम्य पाण्डवैः। सन्धानस्य परः कालस्तवेति च पुनः पुनः ॥१३-१५३-४०॥
O son, Vāsudeva, the holy one, repeatedly said to you to reconcile with the Pāṇḍavas; he said that you still have time to make peace. (13-153-40)
न च मे तद्वचो मूढः कृतवान्स सुमन्दधीः। घातयित्वेह पृथिवीं ततः स निधनं गतः ॥१३-१५३-४१॥
But that deluded one did not follow my advice; he, being of very dull intellect, after causing destruction upon this earth, then met his own end. (13-153-41)
त्वां च जानाम्यहं वीर पुराणमृषिसत्तमम्। नरेण सहितं देवं बदर्यां सुचिरोषितम् ॥१३-१५३-४२॥
O hero, I know you also—the ancient best among sages, the deity who, together with the man, stayed in Badarī for a long time. (13-153-42)
तथा मे नारदः प्राह व्यासश्च सुमहातपाः। नरनारायणावेतौ सम्भूतौ मनुजेष्विति ॥१३-१५३-४३॥
Thus Nārada said to me, and Vyāsa, who is of great austerity, (also) that these two, Nara and Nārāyaṇa, have appeared among men. (13-153-43)
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said.
अनुजानामि भीष्म त्वां वसूनाप्नुहि पार्थिव। न तेऽस्ति वृजिनं किञ्चिन्मया दृष्टं महाद्युते ॥१३-१५३-४४॥
I grant permission, Bhīṣma, attain the Vasus, O king. I have seen no sin in you at all, O greatly radiant one. (13-153-44)
पितृभक्तोऽसि राजर्षे मार्कण्डेय इवापरः। तेन मृत्युस्तव वशे स्थितो भृत्य इवानतः ॥१३-१५३-४५॥
You are devoted to your father, O royal sage, another like Markandeya. Therefore, death remains in your control, just like a submissive servant. (13-153-45)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
एवमुक्तस्तु गाङ्गेयः पाण्डवानिदमब्रवीत्। धृतराष्ट्रमुखांश्चापि सर्वान्ससुहृदस्तथा ॥१३-१५३-४६॥
Thus addressed, the son of Ganga spoke these words to the Pandavas, and also to all those headed by Dhritarashtra, together with their friends, likewise. (13-153-46)
प्राणानुत्स्रष्टुमिच्छामि तन्मानुज्ञातुमर्हथ। सत्ये प्रयतितव्यं वः सत्यं हि परमं बलम् ॥१३-१५३-४७॥
I wish to give up my life, so you ought to permit me. You should strive for truth, for truth is truly the supreme strength. (13-153-47)
आनृशंस्यपरैर्भाव्यं सदैव नियतात्मभिः। ब्रह्मण्यैर्धर्मशीलैश्च तपोनीत्यैश्च भारत ॥१३-१५३-४८॥
O Bhārata, one should always act with compassion, self-restraint, devotion to the Veda, righteousness, and steadfastness in austerity. (13-153-48)
इत्युक्त्वा सुहृदः सर्वान्सम्परिष्वज्य चैव ह। पुनरेवाब्रवीद्धीमान्युधिष्ठिरमिदं वचः ॥१३-१५३-४९॥
Having thus spoken and embraced all his friends, the wise one again said these words to Yudhishthira. (13-153-49)
ब्राह्मणाश्चैव ते नित्यं प्राज्ञाश्चैव विशेषतः। आचार्या ऋत्विजश्चैव पूजनीया नराधिप ॥१३-१५३-५०॥
O lord of men, the Brāhmaṇas, and especially the wise among them, as well as teachers and sacrificial priests, are always to be honored by you. (13-153-50)
