The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 5.141

5.141.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
keśavasya tu tadvākyaṃ karṇaḥ śrutvā hitaṃ śubham |
abravīdabhisaṃpūjya kṛṣṇaṃ madhuniṣūdanam |
jānanmāṃ kiṃ mahābāho saṃmohayitumicchasi || 1 ||

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these beneficial and auspicious words of Kesava, Karna worshipped Krishna, the slayer of Madhu, and said these words, [paragraph continues] 'Knowing (everything), why dost thou yet, O thou of mighty arms, seek to beguile me? The destruction of the whole earth that is at hand for its cause, Sakuni, and myself, and Dussasana, and king Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra. Without doubt, O Krishna, a great and fierce battle is at hand between the Pandavas and the Kurus which will cover the earth with bloody mire. All the kings and princes following the lead of Duryodhana, consumed by the fire of weapons will proceed to the abode of Yama. Diverse frightful visions are seen, O slayer of Madhu, and many terrible portents, and fierce disturbances also. All these omens, making the hairs (of the spectators) stand on their ends, indicate, O thou of Vrishni's race, the defeat of Dhritarashtra's son and the victory of Yudhishthira. That fierce planet of great effulgence, Sanaischara (Saturn), is afflicting the constellation called Rohini, in order to afflict greatly the creatures of the earth. The planet Angaraka (Mars), wheeling, O slayer of Madhu, towards the constellation Jeshthya, approacheth towards Anuradhas, indicating a great slaughter of friends. Without doubt, O Krishna, a terrible calamity approacheth the Kurus when specially, O thou of Vrishni's race, the planet Mahapat afflicteth the constellation Chitra.

5.141.2

yo'yaṃ pṛthivyāḥ kārtsnyena vināśaḥ samupasthitaḥ |
nimittaṃ tatra śakunirahaṃ duḥśāsanastathā |
duryodhanaśca nṛpatirdhṛtarāṣṭrasuto'bhavat || 2 ||

5.141.3

asaṃśayamidaṃ kṛṣṇa mahadyuddhamupasthitam |
pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca ghoraṃ rudhirakardamam || 3 ||

5.141.4

rājāno rājaputrāśca duryodhanavaśānugāḥ |
raṇe śastrāgninā dagdhāḥ prāpsyanti yamasādanam || 4 ||

5.141.5

svapnā hi bahavo ghorā dṛśyante madhusūdana |
nimittāni ca ghorāṇi tathotpātāḥ sudāruṇāḥ || 5 ||

5.141.6

parājayaṃ dhārtarāṣṭre vijayaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhire |
śaṃsanta iva vārṣṇeya vividhā lomaharṣaṇāḥ || 6 ||

5.141.7

prājāpatyaṃ hi nakṣatraṃ grahastīkṣṇo mahādyutiḥ |
śanaiścaraḥ pīḍayati pīḍayanprāṇino'dhikam || 7 ||

5.141.8

kṛtvā cāṅgārako vakraṃ jyeṣṭhāyāṃ madhusūdana |
anurādhāṃ prārthayate maitraṃ saṃśamayanniva || 8 ||

5.141.9

nūnaṃ mahadbhayaṃ kṛṣṇa kurūṇāṃ samupasthitam |
viśeṣeṇa hi vārṣṇeya citrāṃ pīḍayate grahaḥ || 9 ||

5.141.10

somasya lakṣma vyāvṛttaṃ rāhurarkamupeṣyati |
divaścolkāḥ patantyetāḥ sanirghātāḥ sakampanāḥ || 10 ||

The spot on the lunar disc hath changed its position; and Rahu also approacheth towards the sun. Meteors are falling from the sky with loud noise and trembling motion. The elephants are sending forth frightful cries, while the steeds, O Madhava, are shedding tears, without taking any delight in food and drink. They say, O thou of mighty arms, that on the appearance of these portents, a terrible calamity approacheth, productive of a great slaughter. O Kesava, amongst the steeds, elephants and soldiers, in all the divisions of Duryodhana's army, it is seen, O slayer of Madhu, that while small is the food these take, ample is the excreta they evacuate. The wise have said that this is an indication of defect. The elephants and steeds of the Pandavas, O Krishna, all seem to be cheerful, while all the animals wheel along their right. This also is an indication of their success. The same animal, O Kesava, pass by the left side of Duryodhana's army, while incorporeal voices are constantly heard (over their heads). All this is an indication of defeat. All auspicious birds, such as peacocks, swans, cranes, Chatakas, Jivajivas, and large flights of Vakas, follow the Pandavas, while vultures, Kankas, hawks, Rakshasas, wolves and bees, in flights and herds, follow the Kauravas. The drums in the army of Dhritarashtra's son yield no sounds, while those of the Pandavas yield sounds without being struck.

5.141.11

niṣṭananti ca mātaṅgā muñcantyaśrūṇi vājinaḥ |
pānīyaṃ yavasaṃ cāpi nābhinandanti mādhava || 11 ||

5.141.12

prādurbhūteṣu caiteṣu bhayamāhurupasthitam |
nimitteṣu mahābāho dāruṇaṃ prāṇināśanam || 12 ||

5.141.13

alpe bhukte purīṣaṃ ca prabhūtamiha dṛśyate |
vājināṃ vāraṇānāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ ca keśava || 13 ||

5.141.14

dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu sarveṣu madhusūdana |
parābhavasya talliṅgamiti prāhurmanīṣiṇaḥ || 14 ||

5.141.15

prahṛṣṭaṃ vāhanaṃ kṛṣṇa pāṇḍavānāṃ pracakṣate |
pradakṣiṇā mṛgāścaiva tatteṣāṃ jayalakṣaṇam || 15 ||

5.141.16

apasavyā mṛgāḥ sarve dhārtarāṣṭrasya keśava |
vācaścāpyaśarīriṇyastatparābhavalakṣaṇam || 16 ||

5.141.17

mayūrāḥ puṣpaśakunā haṃsāḥ sārasacātakāḥ |
jīvaṃ jīvakasaṃghāścāpyanugacchanti pāṇḍavān || 17 ||

5.141.18

gṛdhrāḥ kākā baḍāḥ śyenā yātudhānāḥ śalāvṛkāḥ |
makṣikāṇāṃ ca saṃghātā anugacchanti kauravān || 18 ||

5.141.19

dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu bherīṇāṃ nāsti nisvanaḥ |
anāhatāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ nadanti paṭahāḥ kila || 19 ||

5.141.20

udapānāśca nardanti yathā govṛṣabhāstathā |
dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu tatparābhavalakṣaṇam || 20 ||

The wells in the midst of Duryodhana's encampment send forth loud roars like those of huge bulls. All this is an indication of defeat. The gods are showering flesh and blood, O Madhava, on Duryodhana's soldiers. Vapoury edifices of great effulgence with high walls, deep trenches, and handsome porches, are suddenly appearing in the skies (over the Kuru encampment). A black circle surrounding the solar disc appears to the view. Both twilights at sunrise and sunset indicate great terrors. The jackals yell hideously. All this is an indication of defeat. Diverse birds, each having but one wing, one eye, and one leg, utter terrible cries. All this, O slayer of Madhu, indicates defeat. Fierce birds with black wings and red legs hover over the Kuru encampment at nightfall. All this is an indication of defeat. The soldiers of Duryodhana betray hatred for Brahmanas first, and then for their preceptors, and then for all their affectionate servants. The, eastern horizon of (Duryodhana's encampment) appeareth red; the southern of the hue of weapons; and western, O slayer of Madhu, of an earthy hue. All the quarters around Duryodhana's encampment seem, O Madhava, to be ablaze. In the appearance of all these portents, great is the danger that is indicated.

5.141.21

māṃsaśoṇitavarṣaṃ ca vṛṣṭaṃ devena mādhava |
tathā gandharvanagaraṃ bhānumantamupasthitam |
saprākāraṃ saparikhaṃ savapraṃ cārutoraṇam || 21 ||

5.141.22

kṛṣṇaśca parighastatra bhānumāvṛtya tiṣṭhati |
udayāstamaye saṃdhye vedayāno mahadbhayam |
ekā sṛgvāśate ghoraṃ tatparābhavalakṣaṇam || 22 ||

5.141.23

kṛṣṇagrīvāśca śakunā lambamānā bhayānakāḥ |
saṃdhyāmabhimukhā yānti tatparābhavalakṣaṇam || 23 ||

5.141.24

brāhmaṇānprathamaṃ dveṣṭi gurūṃśca madhusūdana |
bhṛtyānbhaktimataścāpi tatparābhavalakṣaṇam || 24 ||

5.141.25

pūrvā diglohitākārā śastravarṇā ca dakṣiṇā |
āmapātrapratīkāśā paścimā madhusūdana || 25 ||

5.141.26

pradīptāśca diśaḥ sarvā dhārtarāṣṭrasya mādhava |
mahadbhayaṃ vedayanti tasminnutpātalakṣaṇe || 26 ||

5.141.27

sahasrapādaṃ prāsādaṃ svapnānte sma yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
adhirohanmayā dṛṣṭaḥ saha bhrātṛbhiracyuta || 27 ||

'I have in a vision, O Achyuta, beheld Yudhishthira ascending with his brothers a palace supported by a thousand columns. All of them appeared with white head-gears and in white robes. And all of them appeared to me to be seated on white seats. In the midst of the same vision, thou, O Janardana, wast beheld by me to be employed in enveloping the blood-dyed earth with weapons. Yudhishthira at the same time, of immeasurable energy, ascending upon a heap of bones, was gladly eating buttered payasa of a golden cup. I further beheld Yudhishthira to be employed in swallowing the earth handed over to him by thee. This indicates that he will verily rule the earth I beheld that tiger among men, Vrikodara, of fierce deeds, standing on the summit, mace in hand, and as if devouring this earth. This plainly indicates that he will slay all of us in fierce battle. It is known to me, O lord of the senses, that victory is there where righteousness is. I saw also Dhananjaya, the wielder of Gandiva, seated on the back of a white elephant, with thee, O lord of the senses, and blazing forth with great beauty. I have no doubt, O Krishna, that ye will slay in battle all the kings headed by Duryodhana. I saw Nakula and Sahadeva and that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, adorned with white bracelets, white cuirasses, white garlands, and white robes. This tiger among men were seated upon excellent vehicles borne on the shoulders of men. And I saw that umbrellas were held over the heads of all the three. Amongst the soldiers of Dhritarashtra's son, these three, O Janardana, were beheld by me decked with white head-gears. Know, O Kesava, that those three were Aswatthaman, Kripa, and Kritavarman of Satwata's race. All other kings, O Madhava, were seen by me to have blood-red head-ears. I saw also, O thou of mighty arms, that those mighty car-warriors Bhishma and Drona, ascending on a vehicle drawn by camels, and by myself, and Dhritarashtra's son, proceeded, O lord, to the quarter, O Janardana, ruled by Agastya. This indicates that we shall soon have to proceed to Yama's abode. I have no doubt that myself and the other kings, indeed, the entire assemblage of Kshatriyas shall have to enter into the Gandiva fire.'

5.141.28

śvetoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante sarve te śuklavāsasaḥ |
āsanāni ca śubhrāṇi sarveṣāmupalakṣaye || 28 ||

5.141.29

tava cāpi mayā kṛṣṇa svapnānte rudhirāvilā |
āntreṇa pṛthivī dṛṣṭā parikṣiptā janārdana || 29 ||

5.141.30

asthisaṃcayamārūḍhaścāmitaujā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
suvarṇapātryāṃ saṃhṛṣṭo bhuktavānghṛtapāyasam || 30 ||

5.141.31

yudhiṣṭhiro mayā dṛṣṭo grasamāno vasuṃdharām |
tvayā dattāmimāṃ vyaktaṃ bhokṣyate sa vasuṃdharām || 31 ||

5.141.32

uccaṃ parvatamārūḍho bhīmakarmā vṛkodaraḥ |
gadāpāṇirnaravyāghro vīkṣanniva mahīmimām || 32 ||

5.141.33

kṣapayiṣyati naḥ sarvānsa suvyaktaṃ mahāraṇe |
viditaṃ me hṛṣīkeśa yato dharmastato jayaḥ || 33 ||

5.141.34

pāṇḍuraṃ gajamārūḍho gāṇḍīvī sa dhanaṃjayaḥ |
tvayā sārdhaṃ hṛṣīkeśa śriyā paramayā jvalan || 34 ||

5.141.35

yūyaṃ sarvānvadhiṣyadhvaṃ tatra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ |
pārthivānsamare kṛṣṇa duryodhanapurogamān || 35 ||

5.141.36

nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sātyakiśca mahārathaḥ |
śuddhakeyūrakaṇṭhatrāḥ śuklamālyāmbarāvṛtāḥ || 36 ||

5.141.37

adhirūḍhā naravyāghrā naravāhanamuttamam |
traya ete mahāmātrāḥ pāṇḍuracchatravāsasaḥ || 37 ||

5.141.38

śvetoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante traya eva janārdana |
dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu tānvijānīhi keśava || 38 ||

5.141.39

aśvatthāmā kṛpaścaiva kṛtavarmā ca sātvataḥ |
raktoṣṇīṣāśca dṛśyante sarve mādhava pārthivāḥ || 39 ||

5.141.40

uṣṭrayuktaṃ samārūḍhau bhīṣmadroṇau janārdana |
mayā sārdhaṃ mahābāho dhārtarāṣṭreṇa cābhibho || 40 ||

5.141.41

agastyaśāstāṃ ca diśaṃ prayātāḥ sma janārdana |
acireṇaiva kālena prāpsyāmo yamasādanam || 41 ||

5.141.42

ahaṃ cānye ca rājāno yacca tatkṣatramaṇḍalam |
gāṇḍīvāgniṃ pravekṣyāma iti me nāsti saṃśayaḥ || 42 ||

5.141.43

kṛṣṇa uvāca |
upasthitavināśeyaṃ nūnamadya vasuṃdharā |
tathā hi me vacaḥ karṇa nopaiti hṛdayaṃ tava || 43 ||

"Krishna said, 'Indeed, the destruction of the earth is at hand when my words, O Karna, do not become acceptable to thy heart. O sire, when the destruction of all creatures approacheth, wrong assuming the semblance of right leaveth not the heart.'

5.141.44

sarveṣāṃ tāta bhūtānāṃ vināśe samupasthite |
anayo nayasaṃkāśo hṛdayānnāpasarpati || 44 ||

5.141.45

karṇa uvāca |
api tvā kṛṣṇa paśyāma jīvanto'smānmahāraṇāt |
samuttīrṇā mahābāho vīrakṣayavināśanāt || 45 ||

"Karna said, 'If, O Krishna, we come out of this great battle that will be so destructive of heroic Kshatriyas, with life, then, O thou of mighty arms may we meet here again. Otherwise, O Krishna, we shall certainly meet in heaven. O sinless one, it seemeth to me now that there only it is possible for us to meet.'

5.141.46

atha vā saṃgamaḥ kṛṣṇa svarge no bhavitā dhruvam |
tatredānīṃ sameṣyāmaḥ punaḥ sārdhaṃ tvayānagha || 46 ||

5.141.47

saṃjaya uvāca |
ityuktvā mādhavaṃ karṇaḥ pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam |
visarjitaḥ keśavena rathopasthādavātarat || 47 ||

"Sanjaya said, 'Having spoken these words, Karna closely pressed Madhava to his bosom. Dismissed by Kesava, he then descended from the car. And riding on his own car decked with gold, Radha's son greatly dejected, came back with us!'"

5.141.48

tataḥ svarathamāsthāya jāmbūnadavibhūṣitam |
sahāsmābhirnivavṛte rādheyo dīnamānasaḥ || 48 ||

5.141.49

tataḥ śīghrataraṃ prāyātkeśavaḥ sahasātyakiḥ |
punaruccārayanvāṇīṃ yāhi yāhīti sārathim || 49 ||