13.153
bhīṣmasvargarāhoṇaparva
The section on Bhīṣma's ascent to heaven.
bhīṣmasvargānujñā
Permission for Bhīṣma to ascend to heaven.
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
tataḥ kuntīsuto rājā paurajanapadaṃ janam। pūjayitvā yathā-nyāyam anujajñe gṛhān prati ॥13-153-1॥
Then the son of Kuntī, the king, having properly honored the townspeople and country-folk, allowed them to return home. (13-153-1)
sāntvyāmāsa nārīś ca hatavīrā hateśvarāḥ। vipulair arthadānaiś ca tadā pāṇḍusuto nṛpaḥ॥13-153-2॥
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)
so'bhiṣikto mahāprājñaḥ prāpya rājyaṃ yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। avasthāpya naraśreṣṭhaḥ sarvāḥ svaprakṛtīs tadā ॥13-153-3॥
Yudhishthira, the best among men, having been consecrated and having obtained the kingdom, then established all his subjects.
dvijebhyo balamukhyebhyo naigamebhyaś ca sarvaśaḥ। pratigṛhyāśiṣo mukhyās tadā dharmabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ॥13-153-4॥
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)
uṣitvā śarvarīḥ śrīmān pañcāśan nagarottame। samayaṃ kauravāgryasya sasmāra puruṣarṣabhaḥ ॥13-153-5॥
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)
sa niryyayau gajapurād yājakaiḥ parivāritaḥ। dṛṣṭvā nivṛttam ādityaṁ pravṛttaṁ ca uttarāyaṇam॥13-153-6॥
He left Gajapura, accompanied by the sacrificers, after seeing the sun set and the beginning of the sun’s northern movement. (13-153-6)
ghṛtaṃ mālyaṃ ca gandhāṃś ca kṣaumāṇi ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। candanāgarumukhyāni tathā kālāgarūṇi ca ॥13-153-7॥
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)
prasthāpya pūrvaṃ kaunteyo bhīṣmasaṃsādhanāya vai। mālyāni ca mahārhāṇi ratnāni vividhāni ca ॥13-153-8॥
Kaunteya, having previously arranged, indeed sent garlands and very precious and various kinds of gems for the honoring of Bhishma. (13-153-8)
dhṛtarāṣṭraṃ puraskṛtya gāndhārīṃ ca yaśasvinīm। mātaraṃ ca pṛthāṃ dhīmānbhrātṝṃśca puruṣarṣabhaḥ॥13-153-9॥
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)
janārdanenānugato vidureṇa ca dhīmatā। yuyutsunā ca kauravyo yuyudhānena cābhibho ॥13-153-10॥
O mighty one, the Kaurava was accompanied by Janārdana (Kṛṣṇa), the intelligent Vidura, Yuyutsu, and Yuyudhāna (Sātyaki). (13-153-10)
mahatā rājabhogyena paribarheṇa saṁvṛtaḥ। stūyamāno mahārāja bhīṣmasyāgnīn anuvrajan ॥13-153-11॥
He, covered with great royal offerings and praised, O great king, followed the funeral fires of Bhīṣma. (13-153-11)
niścakrāma purāttasmādyathā devapatistathā। āsasāda kurukṣetre tataḥ śāntanavaṁ nṛpam ॥13-153-12॥
Just as the lord of the gods would, he went out from that city and, in Kurukṣetra, then approached King Śāntanava. (13-153-12)
upāsyamānaṁ vyāsena pārāśaryeṇa dhīmatā। nāradena ca rājarṣe devalenasitena ca ॥13-153-13॥
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)
hataśiṣṭair nṛpaiś cānyair nānādeśa-samāgataih rakṣibhiś ca mahātmānaṃ rakṣyamāṇaṃ samantataḥ ॥13-153-14॥
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)
śayānaṃ vīraśayane dadarśa nṛpatistataḥ। tato rathād avārohad bhrātṛbhiḥ saha dharmarāṭ ॥13-153-15॥
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)
abhivādyātha kaunteyaḥ pitāmaham ariṁ-damam। dvaipāyanādīn viprāṁś ca taiś ca pratyabhinanditaḥ ॥13-153-16॥
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)
ṛtvigbhir brahma-kalpaiś ca bhrātṛbhiś ca saha acyutaḥ। āsādya śarat-alpa-stham ṛṣibhiḥ parivāritam॥13-153-17॥
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)
abravīd bharataśreṣṭhaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ. bhrātṛbhiḥ saha kauravya śayānaṃ nimnagāsutam ॥13-153-18॥
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)
yudhiṣṭhiro'ham nṛpate namaste jāhnavīsuta। śṛṇoṣi cenmahābāho brūhi kiṃ karavāṇi te ॥13-153-19॥
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)
prāpto'smi samaye rājann agnīn ādāya te vibho। ācāryā brāhmaṇāś caiva ṛtvijo bhrāta raś ca me ॥13-153-20॥
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)
putraś ca te mahātejā dhṛtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ। upasthitaḥ sahāmātyo vāsudevaś ca vīryavān ॥13-153-21॥
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)
hataśiṣṭāś ca rājānaḥ sarve ca kurujāṅgalāḥ। tān paśya kuruśārdūla sammanmīlaya locane॥13-153-22॥
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)
yacceha kiñcitkartavyaṃ tatsarvaṃ prāpitaṃ mayā। yathoktaṃ bhavatā kāle sarvameva ca tatkṛtam ॥13-153-23॥
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)
evam-uktas tu gāṅgeyaḥ kuntī-putreṇa dhīmatā। dadarśa bhāratān sarvān sthitān samparivārya tam॥13-153-24॥
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)
tataś calavalir bhīṣmaḥ pragṛhya vipulaṃ bhujam | ogha-megha-svano vāgmī kāle vacanam abravīt ॥13-153-25॥
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)
diṣṭyā prāpto'si kaunteya sahāmātyo yudhiṣṭhira। parivṛtto hi bhagavānsahasrāṃśurdivākaraḥ ॥13-153-26॥
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)
aṣṭapañcāśataṃ rātryaḥ śayānasya adya me gatāḥ। śareṣu niśitāgreṣu yathā varṣaśataṃ tathā ॥13-153-27॥
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)
māgho'yaṃ samanuprāpto māsaḥ puṇyo yudhiṣṭhira। tribhāgaśeṣaḥ pakṣo'yaṃ śuklo bhavitumarhati ॥13-153-28॥
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)
evam-uktvā tu gāṅgeyo dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram। dhṛtarāṣṭram athāmantrya kāle vacanam abravīt ॥13-153-29॥
Having spoken thus to Dharmaputra Yudhishthira, Gāṅgeya (Bhishma), after addressing Dhritarashtra, also spoke words at the proper time. (13-153-29)
rājan-vidita-dharmo'si su-nirṇīta-artha-saṁśayaḥ। bahuśrutā hi te viprā bahavaḥ paryupāsitāḥ॥13-153-30॥
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)
vedaśāstrāṇi sarvāṇi dharmāṁś ca manujeśvara। vedāṁś ca caturaḥ sāṅgān nikhilenāvabudhyase ॥13-153-31॥
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)
na śocitavyaṃ kauravya bhavitavyaṃ hi tat tathā। śrutaṃ devarahasyaṃ te kṛṣṇadvaipāyanād api॥13-153-32॥
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)
yathā pāṇḍoḥ sutā rājan tathaiva tava dharmataḥ। tān pālaya sthito dharme guruśuśrūṣaṇe ratān ॥13-153-33॥
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)
dharmarājo hi śuddhātmā nideśe sthāsyate tava। ānṛśaṃsyaparaṃ hyenaṃ jānāmi guruvatsalam ॥13-153-34॥
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)
tava putrā durātmānaḥ krodhalobhaparāyaṇāḥ। īrṣyābhibhūtā durvṛttāstānnna śocitumarhasi ॥13-153-35॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
etāvad uktvā vacanam dhṛtarāṣṭram manīṣiṇam। vāsudevam mahābāhum abhyabhāṣata kauravaḥ ॥13-153-36॥
Having spoken these words to the wise Dhritarashtra, the Kaurava addressed Vasudeva, the mighty-armed. (13-153-36)
bhagavan devadeveśa surāsuranamaskṛta। trivikrama namaste'stu śaṅkhacakragadādhara ॥13-153-37॥
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)
anujānīhi māṁ kṛṣṇa vaikuṇṭha puruṣottama । rakṣyāś ca te pāṇḍaveyā bhavān hyeṣāṁ parāyaṇam ॥13-153-38॥
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)
uktavānasmi durbuddhiṃ mandaṃ duryodhanaṃ purā। yataḥ kṛṣṇas tato dharmo yato dharmas tato jayaḥ॥13-153-39॥
I once called Duryodhana wicked-minded and foolish. Wherever Kṛṣṇa is, there is righteousness; where righteousness is, there is victory. (13-153-39)
vāsudevena tīrthena putra sanśāmya pāṇḍavaiḥ। sandhānasya paraḥ kālas taveti ca punaḥ punaḥ॥13-153-40॥
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)
na ca me tadvaco mūḍhaḥ kṛtavān sa sumandadhīḥ. ghātayitva iha pṛthivīm tataḥ sa nidhanaṃ gataḥ ॥13-153-41॥
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)
tvāṃ ca jānāmy ahaṃ vīra purāṇam ṛṣisattamam। nareṇa sahitaṃ devaṃ badaryāṃ suciroṣitam ॥13-153-42॥
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)
tathā me nāradaḥ prāha vyāsaś ca sumahātapāḥ। nara-nārāyaṇāv etau sambhūtau manujeṣv iti ॥13-153-43॥
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)
vāsudeva uvāca॥
Vasudeva said.
anujānāmi bhīṣma tvāṃ vasūn āpnuhi pārthiva। na te-'sti vṛjinaṃ kiñcin mayā dṛṣṭaṃ mahādyute ॥13-153-44॥
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)
pitṛbhakto'si rājarṣe mārkaṇḍeya ivāparaḥ। tena mṛtyus tava vaśe sthito bhṛtya ivānataḥ॥13-153-45॥
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)
vaiśampāyana uvāca॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
evam-uktas tu gāṅgeyaḥ pāṇḍavān idam abravīt. dhṛtarāṣṭra-mukhāṁś ca api sarvān sa-suhṛdas tathā ॥13-153-46॥
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)
prāṇān utsraṣṭum icchāmi tan mānujñātum arhatha। satye prayatitavyaṃ vaḥ satyaṃ hi paramaṃ balam ॥13-153-47॥
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)
ānṛśaṁsyaparairbhāvyaṁ sadaiva niyatātmabhiḥ। brahmaṇyairdharmaśīlaiśca taponītyaiśca bhārata॥13-153-48॥
O Bhārata, one should always act with compassion, self-restraint, devotion to the Veda, righteousness, and steadfastness in austerity. (13-153-48)
ity uktvā suhṛdaḥ sarvān sampariṣvajya caiva ha। punar evābravīd dhīmān yudhiṣṭhiram idaṃ vacaḥ॥13-153-49॥
Having thus spoken and embraced all his friends, the wise one again said these words to Yudhishthira. (13-153-49)
brāhmaṇāścaiva te nityaṃ prājñāścaiva viśeṣataḥ। ācāryā ṛtvijaścaiva pūjanīyā narādhipa ॥13-153-50॥
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)
