The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 6.41: eka catvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

6.41.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
tato dhanaṃjayaṃ dṛṣṭvā bāṇagāṇḍīvadhāriṇam |
punareva mahānādaṃ vyasṛjanta mahārathāḥ || 1 ||

Sanjaya said,--"Beholding Dhananjaya then to take up once again (his) arrows and Gandiva, the mighty car-warriors (of the Pandava party) uttered a tremendous shout. And those heroes, viz., the Pandavas and the Somakas, and those who followed them, filled with joy, blew their sea-born conches. And drums, and Pesis, and Karkachas, and cow-horns were beaten and blown together, and the uproar made was very loud. And then, O ruler of men, there came the gods, with Gandharvas and the Pitris, and the hosts of Siddhas and Charanas, from desire of witnessing (the sight). And Rishis highly blessed came there in a body with him (Indra) of a hundred sacrifices at their head, for beholding that great slaughter. Then, O king, beholding the two armies, that looked like two oceans, ready for the encounter and continuously moving, the heroic king Yudhishthira, the Just, putting off his coat of mail and casting aside his excellent weapon and quickly descending from his car, with joined hands, proceeded on foot, eyeing the grandsire, with restrained speech, facing the east, towards the direction where the hostile host was (standing). And seeing him proceed (thus), Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, speedily alighting from his car, followed him, accompanied by his (other) brothers. And the Lord Vasudeva also followed him behind. And the principal kings too (of his army), filled with anxiety, followed in the same path.

6.41.2

pāṇḍavāḥ somakāścaiva ye caiṣāmanuyāyinaḥ |
dadhmuśca muditāḥ śaṅkhānvīrāḥ sāgarasaṃbhavān || 2 ||

6.41.3

tato bheryaśca peśyaśca krakacā goviṣāṇikāḥ |
sahasaivābhyahanyanta tataḥ śabdo mahānabhūt || 3 ||

6.41.4

atha devāḥ sagandharvāḥ pitaraśca janeśvara |
siddhacāraṇasaṃghāśca samīyuste didṛkṣayā || 4 ||

6.41.5

ṛṣayaśca mahābhāgāḥ puraskṛtya śatakratum |
samīyustatra sahitā draṣṭuṃ tadvaiśasaṃ mahat || 5 ||

6.41.6

tato yudhiṣṭhiro dṛṣṭvā yuddhāya susamudyate |
te sene sāgaraprakhye muhuḥ pracalite nṛpa || 6 ||

6.41.7

vimucya kavacaṃ vīro nikṣipya ca varāyudham |
avaruhya rathāttūrṇaṃ padbhyāmeva kṛtāñjaliḥ || 7 ||

6.41.8

pitāmahamabhiprekṣya dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
vāgyataḥ prayayau yena prāṅmukho ripuvāhinīm || 8 ||

6.41.9

taṃ prayāntamabhiprekṣya kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ |
avatīrya rathāttūrṇaṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ sahito'nvayāt || 9 ||

6.41.10

vāsudevaśca bhagavānpṛṣṭhato'nujagāma ha |
yathāmukhyāśca rājānastamanvājagmurutsukāḥ || 10 ||

6.41.11

arjuna uvāca |
kiṃ te vyavasitaṃ rājanyadasmānapahāya vai |
padbhyāmeva prayāto'si prāṅmukho ripuvāhinīm || 11 ||

"Arjuna said, 'What is this act of thine, O king, that abandoning thy brothers, thou proceedest on foot, face eastwards, to the hostile host?'

6.41.12

bhīmasena uvāca |
kva gamiṣyasi rājendra nikṣiptakavacāyudhaḥ |
daṃśiteṣvarisainyeṣu bhrātṝnutsṛjya pārthiva || 12 ||

"Bhimasena said, 'Where wilt thou go, O king of kings, having cast off thy coat of mail and weapons, towards the warriors of the foe cased in mail, and leaving thy brothers, O ruler of earth?'

6.41.13

nakula uvāca |
evaṃgate tvayi jyeṣṭhe mama bhrātari bhārata |
bhīrme dunoti hṛdayaṃ brūhi gantā bhavānkva nu || 13 ||

"Nakula said, 'Thou art my eldest brother, O Bharata, (beholding) thee proceeding in this way, fear troubleth my bosom. Tell (us), whither wilt thou go?'

6.41.14

sahadeva uvāca |
asminraṇasamūhe vai vartamāne mahābhaye |
yoddhavye kva nu gantāsi śatrūnabhimukho nṛpa || 14 ||

"Sahadeva said, 'When these hostile divisions, terrible and numerous, are here with whom we are to fight, whither dost thou go, O king, in the direction of our foes?'

6.41.15

saṃjaya uvāca |
evamābhāṣyamāṇo'pi bhrātṛbhiḥ kurunandana |
novāca vāgyataḥ kiṃcidgacchatyeva yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 15 ||

Sanjaya continued, "Though thus addressed by his brothers, O son of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira of restrained speech said nothing but continued to proceed. Unto them (then), the high-souled Vasudeva of great wisdom smilingly said,--His object is known to me. Having paid his respects to all his superiors (such as) Bhishma, Drona, and Kripa, and Salya also, he will fight the foe. It is heard in histories of olden times that he who, having paid his respects according to the ordinance unto his preceptors, revered in years and his kinsmen, fighteth with those that are his superiors, is sure to obtain victory in battle. Even that is my opinion.--When Krishna was saying this, among the ranks of Dhritarashtra's son, a loud uproar of Alas, and Oh arose, but the other (army) remained perfectly still. Beholding Yudhishthira, the heroic warriors of Dhritarashtra's Son conversed with one another saying,--'This one is an infamous wretch of his race. It is plain that this king is coming in terror towards Bhishma's side. Yudhishthira, with his brothers, hath become a seeker after (Bhishma's) shelter. When Dhananjaya, however, is (his) protector, and Pandu's son Vrikodara, and Nakula, and Sahadeva also, why doth the (eldest) son of Pandu come (hither) in fear? Though celebrated in the world, this one, however, could never have been born in the Kshatriya order, since he is weak and his bosom is filled with fear (at the prospect) of battle.' Then those warriors all praised the Kauravas. And all of them, becoming rejoiced, with cheerful hearts waved their garments. And, O monarch, all the warriors there (then) censured Yudhishthira with all his brothers and along with Kesava too. Then the Kaurava army, having said Fie to Yudhishthira, soon again, O monarch, became perfectly still,--What will this king say? What will Bhishma say in reply? What will Bhima boastful of his powers in battle, (say), and what Krishna and Arjuna? What, indeed, hath (Yudhishthira) to say?--Great was the curiosity then, O king, of both the armies in respect of Yudhishthira. The king (meanwhile), penetrating the hostile array bristling with arrows and darts, proceeded quickly towards Bhishma, surrounded by his brothers. Seizing his feet with his two hands, the royal son of Pandu then said unto Santanu's son Bhishma who was there ready for battle, (these words).

6.41.16

tānuvāca mahāprājño vāsudevo mahāmanāḥ |
abhiprāyo'sya vijñāto mayeti prahasanniva || 16 ||

6.41.17

eṣa bhīṣmaṃ tathā droṇaṃ gautamaṃ śalyameva ca |
anumānya gurūnsarvānyotsyate pārthivo'ribhiḥ || 17 ||

6.41.18

śrūyate hi purākalpe gurūnananumānya yaḥ |
yudhyate sa bhavedvyaktamapadhyāto mahattaraiḥ || 18 ||

6.41.19

anumānya yathāśāstraṃ yastu yudhyenmahattaraiḥ |
dhruvastasya jayo yuddhe bhavediti matirmama || 19 ||

6.41.20

evaṃ bruvati kṛṣṇe tu dhārtarāṣṭracamūṃ prati |
hāhākāro mahānāsīnniḥśabdāstvapare'bhavan || 20 ||

6.41.21

dṛṣṭvā yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dūrāddhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikāḥ |
mithaḥ saṃkathayāṃ cakrurneśo'sti kulapāṃsanaḥ || 21 ||

6.41.22

vyaktaṃ bhīta ivābhyeti rājāsau bhīṣmamantikāt |
yudhiṣṭhiraḥ sasodaryaḥ śaraṇārthaṃ prayācakaḥ || 22 ||

6.41.23

dhanaṃjaye kathaṃ nāthe pāṇḍave ca vṛkodare |
nakule sahadeve ca bhīto'bhyeti ca pāṇḍavaḥ || 23 ||

6.41.24

na nūnaṃ kṣatriyakule jātaḥ saṃprathite bhuvi |
yathāsya hṛdayaṃ bhītamalpasattvasya saṃyuge || 24 ||

6.41.25

tataste kṣatriyāḥ sarve praśaṃsanti sma kauravān |
hṛṣṭāḥ sumanaso bhūtvā cailāni dudhuvuḥ pṛthak || 25 ||

6.41.26

vyanindanta tataḥ sarve yodhāstatra viśāṃ pate |
yudhiṣṭhiraṃ sasodaryaṃ sahitaṃ keśavena ha || 26 ||

6.41.27

tatastatkauravaṃ sainyaṃ dhikkṛtvā tu yudhiṣṭhiram |
niḥśabdamabhavattūrṇaṃ punareva viśāṃ pate || 27 ||

6.41.28

kiṃ nu vakṣyati rājāsau kiṃ bhīṣmaḥ prativakṣyati |
kiṃ bhīmaḥ samaraślāghī kiṃ nu kṛṣṇārjunāviti || 28 ||

6.41.29

vivakṣitaṃ kimasyeti saṃśayaḥ sumahānabhūt |
ubhayoḥ senayo rājanyudhiṣṭhirakṛte tadā || 29 ||

6.41.30

sa vigāhya camūṃ śatroḥ śaraśaktisamākulām |
bhīṣmamevābhyayāttūrṇaṃ bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ || 30 ||

6.41.31

tamuvāca tataḥ pādau karābhyāṃ pīḍya pāṇḍavaḥ |
bhīṣmaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ rājā yuddhāya samupasthitam || 31 ||

6.41.32

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
āmantraye tvāṃ durdharṣa yotsye tāta tvayā saha |
anujānīhi māṃ tāta āśiṣaśca prayojaya || 32 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'I salute thee, O invincible one. With thee we will do battle. Grant (us) thy permission in that matter. Give (us) also (thy) blessing."

6.41.33

bhīṣma uvāca |
yadyevaṃ nābhigacchethā yudhi māṃ pṛthivīpate |
śapeyaṃ tvāṃ mahārāja parābhāvāya bhārata || 33 ||

"Bhishma said, 'If, O lord of the earth, thou hadst not, in this battle come to me thus, I would have, O great king, cursed thee, O Bharata, for bringing about thy defeat. I am gratified (with thee), O son. Do battle, and obtain victory, O son of Pandu, What else may be desired by thee, obtain thou in battle. Solicit also the boon, O son of Pritha, which thou desirest to have from us. If it happens so, O great king, then defeat will not be thine. A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is no one's slave. This is very true, O king. I have been bound by the Kauravas with (their) wealth. It is for this, O son of Kuru's race, that like a eunuch I am uttering these words, viz.,--Bound I am by the Kauravas with wealth. Battle excepted, what dost thou desire? '

6.41.34

prīto'smi putra yudhyasva jayamāpnuhi pāṇḍava |
yatte'bhilaṣitaṃ cānyattadavāpnuhi saṃyuge || 34 ||

6.41.35

vriyatāṃ ca varaḥ pārtha kimasmatto'bhikāṅkṣasi |
evaṃ gate mahārāja na tavāsti parājayaḥ || 35 ||

6.41.36

arthasya puruṣo dāso dāsastvartho na kasyacit |
iti satyaṃ mahārāja baddho'smyarthena kauravaiḥ || 36 ||

6.41.37

atastvāṃ klībavadvākyaṃ bravīmi kurunandana |
hṛto'smyarthena kauravya yuddhādanyatkimicchasi || 37 ||

6.41.38

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
mantrayasva mahāprājña hitaiṣī mama nityaśaḥ |
yudhyasva kauravasyārthe mamaiṣa satataṃ varaḥ || 38 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'O thou of great wisdom, do thou, desirous of my welfare, from day to day, consult my interests. Do battle, however for the sake of the Kauravas. Even this is always my prayer (to thee).'

6.41.39

bhīṣma uvāca |
rājankimatra sāhyaṃ te karomi kurunandana |
kāmaṃ yotsye parasyārthe brūhi yatte vivakṣitam || 39 ||

"Bhishma said, 'O king, O son of Kuru's race, what aid can I render thee in this? I shall, of course, fight for (thy) foes. Tell me what thou hast to say.'

6.41.40

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
kathaṃ jayeyaṃ saṃgrāme bhavantamaparājitam |
etanme mantraya hitaṃ yadi śreyaḥ prapaśyasi || 40 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Therefore, O Sire, I ask thee, I bow to thee, O grandsire, how shall we, in battle, vanquish thee that art invincible? Tell me this that is for my benefit, if indeed, thou seest any good in it."

6.41.41

bhīṣma uvāca |
na taṃ paśyāmi kaunteya yo māṃ yudhyantamāhave |
vijayeta pumānkaścidapi sākṣācchatakratuḥ || 41 ||

"Bhishma said, 'I do not, O son of Kunti, see the person who, even if he were the chief of the celestials himself, can defeat me in battle when I fight.'

6.41.42

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
hanta pṛcchāmi tasmāttvāṃ pitāmaha namo'stu te |
jayopāyaṃ bravīhi tvamātmanaḥ samare paraiḥ || 42 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'My salutations to thee, O grandsire. Therefore, do I ask thee (this). Tell us how thy own death may be compassed by foes in battle.'

6.41.43

bhīṣma uvāca |
na śatruṃ tāta paśyāmi samare yo jayeta mām |
na tāvanmṛtyukālo me punarāgamanaṃ kuru || 43 ||

"Bhishma said, 'I do not see the person, O sire, who can vanquish me in battle. The time also of my death is not yet come to me once again."

6.41.44

saṃjaya uvāca |
tato yudhiṣṭhiro vākyaṃ bhīṣmasya kurunandana |
śirasā pratijagrāha bhūyastamabhivādya ca || 44 ||

Sanjaya continued,--"Then, O son of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira, once more saluting him, accepted Bhishma's words with a bend of his head. And that mighty-armed one then proceeded towards the car of the preceptor ( Drona) through the midst of all the soldiers who were eyeing him, accompanied by his brothers. Then saluting Drona and walking round him, the king spoke to that invincible warrior words that were for his own benefit.

6.41.45

prāyātpunarmahābāhurācāryasya rathaṃ prati |
paśyatāṃ sarvasainyānāṃ madhyena bhrātṛbhiḥ saha || 45 ||

6.41.46

sa droṇamabhivādyātha kṛtvā caiva pradakṣiṇam |
uvāca vācā durdharṣamātmaniḥśreyasaṃ vacaḥ || 46 ||

6.41.47

āmantraye tvāṃ bhagavanyotsye vigatakalmaṣaḥ |
jayeyaṃ ca ripūnsarvānanujñātastvayā dvija || 47 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'I ask thee, O invincible one, how I may fight without incurring sin, and how, with thy permission, O regenerate one, I may vanquish all my foes?

6.41.48

droṇa uvāca |
yadi māṃ nābhigacchethā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ |
śapeyaṃ tvāṃ mahārāja parābhāvāya sarvaśaḥ || 48 ||

"Drona said, 'If, having resolved to fight, thou hadst not come to me (thus), I would have cursed thee. O king, for thy complete overthrow. I am, however, gratified, O Yudhishthira, and honoured by thee, O sinless one. I permit thee, fight and obtain victory. I will also fulfil thy wish. Say what thou hast to say. Under these circumstances, battle excepted, what dost thou wish? A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is not one's slave. This is quite true, O king! Bound I have been with (their) wealth by the Kauravas! It is for this that like a eunuch I shall fight for the sake of the Kauravas. It is for this that like a eunuch I am uttering these words--Battle excepted, what dost thou wish? I shall fight for the sake of the Kauravas, but will pray for thy victory.'

6.41.49

tadyudhiṣṭhira tuṣṭo'smi pūjitaśca tvayānagha |
anujānāmi yudhyasva vijayaṃ samavāpnuhi || 49 ||

6.41.50

karavāṇi ca te kāmaṃ brūhi yatte'bhikāṅkṣitam |
evaṃ gate mahārāja yuddhādanyatkimicchasi || 50 ||

6.41.51

arthasya puruṣo dāso dāsastvartho na kasyacit |
iti satyaṃ mahārāja baddho'smyarthena kauravaiḥ || 51 ||

6.41.52

atastvāṃ klībavadbrūmo yuddhādanyatkimicchasi |
yotsyāmi kauravasyārthe tavāśāsyo jayo mayā || 52 ||

6.41.53

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
jayamāśāssva me brahmanmantrayasva ca maddhitam |
yudhyasva kauravasyārthe vara eṣa vṛto mayā || 53 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Pray for my victory, O regenerate one, and counsel what is for my good. Fight, however, for the Kauravas. This is the boon solicited by me.'

6.41.54

droṇa uvāca |
dhruvaste vijayo rājanyasya mantrī haristava |
ahaṃ ca tvābhijānāmi raṇe śatrūnvijeṣyasi || 54 ||

"Drona said, 'Victory, O king, is certain for thee that hast Hari for thy counsellor. I (also) grant thee that thou wilt vanquish thy foes in battle. Thither where righteousness is, thither is Krishna, and thither where Krishna is, thither is victory. Go, fight, O son of Kunti! Ask me, what shall I say unto thee?'

6.41.55

yato dharmastataḥ kṛṣṇo yataḥ kṛṣṇastato jayaḥ |
yudhyasva gaccha kaunteya pṛccha māṃ kiṃ bravīmi te || 55 ||

6.41.56

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
pṛcchāmi tvāṃ dvijaśreṣṭha śṛṇu me yadvivakṣitam |
kathaṃ jayeyaṃ saṃgrāme bhavantamaparājitam || 56 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'I ask thee, O foremost of regenerate ones, listen to what I have to say. How shall we in battle vanquish thee that art invincible?'

6.41.57

droṇa uvāca |
na te'sti vijayastāvadyāvadyudhyāmyahaṃ raṇe |
mamāśu nidhane rājanyatasva saha sodaraiḥ || 57 ||

"Drona said, 'As long as I will fight, so long victory can never be thine. (Therefore) O king, seek with thy brothers, for my speedy slaughter.'

6.41.58

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
hanta tasmānmahābāho vadhopāyaṃ vadātmanaḥ |
ācārya praṇipatyaiṣa pṛcchāmi tvāṃ namo'stu te || 58 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Alas, for this, O thou of mighty arms, tell (us) the means of thy death. O preceptor, prostrating myself I ask thee this. (My) salutations to thee."

6.41.59

droṇa uvāca |
na śatruṃ tāta paśyāmi yo māṃ hanyādraṇe sthitam |
yudhyamānaṃ susaṃrabdhaṃ śaravarṣaughavarṣiṇam || 59 ||

"Drona said, 'The foe, O sire, I see not who may slay me while standing in battle I am engaged in fight, with wrath excited, and scattering (my) arrowy showers continually. Except when addrest for death O king, having abandoned my arms and withdrawn (in Yoga meditation) from surrounding sights, none will be able to slay me. This that I tell thee is true. I also tell thee truly that I will cast off my arms in battle, having heard something very disagreeable from some one of credible speech.--'"

6.41.60

ṛte prāyagataṃ rājannyastaśastramacetanam |
hanyānmāṃ yudhi yodhānāṃ satyametadbravīmi te || 60 ||

6.41.61

śastraṃ cāhaṃ raṇe jahyāṃ śrutvā sumahadapriyam |
śraddheyavākyātpuruṣādetatsatyaṃ bravīmi te || 61 ||

6.41.62

saṃjaya uvāca |
etacchrutvā mahārāja bhāradvājasya dhīmataḥ |
anumānya tamācāryaṃ prāyācchāradvataṃ prati || 62 ||

Sanjaya continued, "Hearing these words, O king, of the wise son of Bharadwaja, and honouring the preceptor, (Yudhishthira then) proceeded towards the son of Saradwat. And saluting Kripa and walking round him, O king, Yudhishthira, accomplished in speech, said these words unto that warrior of great valour.

6.41.63

so'bhivādya kṛpaṃ rājā kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam |
uvāca durdharṣatamaṃ vākyaṃ vākyaviśāradaḥ || 63 ||

6.41.64

anumānaye tvāṃ yotsyāmi guro vigatakalmaṣaḥ |
jayeyaṃ ca ripūnsarvānanujñātastvayānagha || 64 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Obtaining thy permission, O preceptor, I will fight without incurring sin, and permitted by thee, O sinless one, I will vanquish all (my) foes."

6.41.65

kṛpa uvāca |
yadi māṃ nābhigacchethā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ |
śapeyaṃ tvāṃ mahārāja parābhāvāya sarvaśaḥ || 65 ||

"Kripa said, 'If having resolved on fight, thou hadst not come to me (thus), I would have cursed thee, O king, for thy complete overthrow. A man is the slave of wealth, but wealth is no one's slave. This is very true, O king, and bound I have been with wealth by the Kauravas. I must, O king, fight for their sake. This is my opinion. I therefore, speak like a eunuch in asking thee,--Battle excepted, what dost thou desire?'

6.41.66

arthasya puruṣo dāso dāsastvartho na kasyacit |
iti satyaṃ mahārāja baddho'smyarthena kauravaiḥ || 66 ||

6.41.67

teṣāmarthe mahārāja yoddhavyamiti me matiḥ |
atastvāṃ klībavadbrūmi yuddhādanyatkimicchasi || 67 ||

6.41.68

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
hanta pṛcchāmi te tasmādācārya śṛṇu me vacaḥ || 68 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Alas, I ask thee, therefore., O preceptor, listen to my words.--Saying this, the king, greatly agitated and deprived of his sense, stood silent."

6.41.69

saṃjaya uvāca |
ityuktvā vyathito rājā novāca gatacetanaḥ |
taṃ gautamaḥ pratyuvāca vijñāyāsya vivakṣitam |
avadhyo'haṃ mahīpāla yudhyasva jayamāpnuhi || 69 ||

Sanjaya continued.--"Understanding, however, what he intended to say, Gautama (Kripa) replied to him, saying,--I am incapable of being slain, O king. Fight, and obtain victory. I am gratified with thy coming. Rising every day [from bed] I will pray for thy victory, O monarch. I say this to thee truly.--Hearing, O king, these words of Gautama, and paying him due honours, the king proceeded thither where the ruler of the Madra was. Saluting Salya and walking round him the king said unto that invincible warrior those words that were for his own benefit.

6.41.70

prītastvabhigamenāhaṃ jayaṃ tava narādhipa |
āśāsiṣye sadotthāya satyametadbravīmi te || 70 ||

6.41.71

etacchrutvā mahārāja gautamasya vacastadā |
anumānya kṛpaṃ rājā prayayau yena madrarāṭ || 71 ||

6.41.72

sa śalyamabhivādyātha kṛtvā cābhipradakṣiṇam |
uvāca rājā durdharṣamātmaniḥśreyasaṃ vacaḥ || 72 ||

6.41.73

anumānaye tvāṃ yotsyāmi guro vigatakalmaṣaḥ |
jayeyaṃ ca mahārāja anujñātastvayā ripūn || 73 ||

'Yudhishthira said,--'Obtaining thy permission, O invincible one, I will fight without incurring sin, and permitted by thee, O king, I will vanquish (my) valourous foes.' --

6.41.74

śalya uvāca |
yadi māṃ nābhigacchethā yuddhāya kṛtaniścayaḥ |
śapeyaṃ tvāṃ mahārāja parābhāvāya vai raṇe || 74 ||

"Salya said, 'If, having resolved on fight, thou hadst not come to me (thus), I would have, O king, cursed thee for thy overthrow in battle. I am gratified (with thee) and honoured (by thee). Let it be as thou wishest. I grant thee permission, fight and obtain victory. Speak, O hero, for what hast thou any need? What shalt I give thee? Under these circumstances, O king, battle excepted, what dost thou desire? A man is the slave of wealth but wealth is no one's slave. This is true, O king. Bound I have been with wealth by the Kauravas, O nephew, it is for this that I am speaking to thee like a eunuch,--I will accomplish the desire thou mayst cherish. Battle excepted, what dost thou wish.'

6.41.75

tuṣṭo'smi pūjitaścāsmi yatkāṅkṣasi tadastu te |
anujānāmi caiva tvāṃ yudhyasva jayamāpnuhi || 75 ||

6.41.76

brūhi caiva paraṃ vīra kenārthaḥ kiṃ dadāmi te |
evaṃ gate mahārāja yuddhādanyatkimicchasi || 76 ||

6.41.77

arthasya puruṣo dāso dāsastvartho na kasyacit |
iti satyaṃ mahārāja baddho'smyarthena kauravaiḥ || 77 ||

6.41.78

kariṣyāmi hi te kāmaṃ bhāgineya yathepsitam |
bravīmyataḥ klībavattvāṃ yuddhādanyatkimicchasi || 78 ||

6.41.79

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
mantrayasva mahārāja nityaṃ maddhitamuttamam |
kāmaṃ yudhya parasyārthe varametadvṛṇomyaham || 79 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Think, O king, daily of what is for my great good. Fight, according to thy pleasure, for the sake of the foe. This is the boon that I solicit.'

6.41.80

śalya uvāca |
brūhi kimatra sāhyaṃ te karomi nṛpasattama |
kāmaṃ yotsye parasyārthe vṛto'smyarthena kauravaiḥ || 80 ||

"Salya said, 'Under these circumstances, say, O best of kings what aid shall I render thee? I shall, of course, fight for the sake of (thy) enemy, for I have been made one of their party by the Kauravas with their wealth.

6.41.81

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
sa eva me varaḥ satya udyoge yastvayā kṛtaḥ |
sūtaputrasya saṃgrāme kāryastejovadhastvayā || 81 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Even that is my boon, O Salya, which was solicited by me during the preparations (for the fight). The energy of the Suta's son (Karna) should be weakened by thee in battle.'

6.41.82

śalya uvāca |
saṃpatsyatyeṣa te kāmaḥ kuntīputra yathepsitaḥ |
gaccha yudhyasva visrabdhaṃ pratijāne jayaṃ tava || 82 ||

"Salya said, 'This thy wish, O Yudhishthira, shall be accomplished, O son of Kunti. Go, fight according to thy pleasure. I shall look after thy victory."

6.41.83

saṃjaya uvāca |
anumānyātha kaunteyo mātulaṃ madrakeśvaram |
nirjagāma mahāsainyādbhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ || 83 ||

'Sanjaya continued, "Having obtained the permission of his maternal uncle, the ruler of the Madra, the son of Kunti, surrounded by his brothers, came out of that vast army. Vasudeva then went to Radha's son on the field of battle. And the elder brother of Gada, for the sake of the Pandavas, then said to Karna,--It hath been heard by me, O Karna, that from hatred of Bhishma thou wilt not fight. Come to our side, O son of Radha, and (stay with us) as long as Bhishma is not slain. After Bhishma is slain, O son of Radha, thou mayst then again engage in battle on Duryodhana's side, if thou hast no preference for any of the parties.--'

6.41.84

vāsudevastu rādheyamāhave'bhijagāma vai |
tata enamuvācedaṃ pāṇḍavārthe gadāgrajaḥ || 84 ||

6.41.85

śrutaṃ me karṇa bhīṣmasya dveṣātkila na yotsyasi |
asmānvaraya rādheya yāvadbhīṣmo na hanyate || 85 ||

6.41.86

hate tu bhīṣme rādheya punareṣyasi saṃyuge |
dhārtarāṣṭrasya sāhāyyaṃ yadi paśyasi cetsamam || 86 ||

6.41.87

karṇa uvāca |
na vipriyaṃ kariṣyāmi dhārtarāṣṭrasya keśava |
tyaktaprāṇaṃ hi māṃ viddhi duryodhanahitaiṣiṇam || 87 ||

"Karna said, 'I will not do anything that is disagreeable to Dhritarashtra's son, O Kesava. Devoted to Duryodhana's good, know that I have cast off my life (for him).--Hearing these words (of Karna), Krishna ceased, O Bharata, and reunited himself with the sons of Pandu headed by Yudhishthira. Then amid all the warriors the eldest son of Pandu, loudly exclaimed,--He who will choose us, him we shall choose for our ally!--Casting his eyes then upon them, Yuyutsu said these words, with a cheerful heart, unto Kunti's son king Yudhishthira the Just,--I will fight under thee in battle, for the sake of you all, with the sons of Dhritarashtra, if, O king, thou wilt accept me, sinless one.'

6.41.88

saṃjaya uvāca |
tacchrutvā vacanaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ saṃnyavartata bhārata |
yudhiṣṭhirapurogaiśca pāṇḍavaiḥ saha saṃgataḥ || 88 ||

6.41.89

atha sainyasya madhye tu prākrośatpāṇḍavāgrajaḥ |
yo'smānvṛṇoti tadahaṃ varaye sāhyakāraṇāt || 89 ||

6.41.90

atha tānsamabhiprekṣya yuyutsuridamabravīt |
prītātmā dharmarājānaṃ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram || 90 ||

6.41.91

ahaṃ yotsyāmi miṣataḥ saṃyuge dhārtarāṣṭrajān |
yuṣmadarthe mahārāja yadi māṃ vṛṇuṣe'nagha || 91 ||

6.41.92

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca |
ehyehi sarve yotsyāmastava bhrātṝnapaṇḍitān |
yuyutso vāsudevaśca vayaṃ ca brūma sarvaśaḥ || 92 ||

"Yudhishthira said, 'Come, come, all of us will fight with thy foolish brothers. O Yuyutsu, both Vasudeva and we all say to thee--I accept thee, O thou of mighty arms, fight for my cause. On thee rests, it seems, the thread of Dhritarashtra's line as also his funeral cake. O prince, O thou of great splendour, accept us that accept thee. The wrathful Duryodhana of wicked understanding will cease to live.'"

6.41.93

vṛṇomi tvāṃ mahābāho yudhyasva mama kāraṇāt |
tvayi piṇḍaśca tantuśca dhṛtarāṣṭrasya dṛśyate || 93 ||

6.41.94

bhajasvāsmānrājaputra bhajamānānmahādyute |
na bhaviṣyati durbuddhirdhārtarāṣṭro'tyamarṣaṇaḥ || 94 ||

6.41.95

saṃjaya uvāca |
tato yuyutsuḥ kauravyaḥ parityajya sutāṃstava |
jagāma pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ senāṃ viśrāvya dundubhim || 95 ||

Sanjaya continued, 'Yuvutsu then, abandoning the Kurus thy sons, went over to the army of the Pandavas, with beat of drums and cymbals. Then king Yudhishthira of mighty arms, filled with joy, again put on his shining coat of mail of golden effulgence. And those bulls among men then mounted their respective cars. And they counter-arrayed their troops in battle-array as before. And they caused drums and cymbals in many hundreds to be sounded. And those bulls among men also set up diverse leonine roars. And beholding those tigers among men, viz., the sons of Pandu, on their cars, the kings (on their side) with Dhrishtadyumna and others, once more set up shouts of joy. And beholding the nobility of the sons of Pandu who had paid due honour to those that were deserving of honour, all the kings there present applauded them highly. And the monarchs, talked with one another about the friendship, the compassion, and the kindness to kinsmen, displayed at the proper season by those high-souled personages. Excellent,--Excellent,--were the delightful words everywhere bruited about, coupled with eulogistic hymns about those famous men. And in consequence of this the minds and hearts of every one there were attracted towards them. And the Mlechchhas and the Aryas there who witnessed or heard of that behaviour of the sons of Pandu, all wept with choked voices. And those warriors then, endued with great energy, caused large drums and Pushkaras by hundreds upon hundreds to be sounded and also blew their conches all white as the milk of cows.'"

6.41.96

tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā saṃprahṛṣṭaḥ sahānujaiḥ |
jagrāha kavacaṃ bhūyo dīptimatkanakojjvalam || 96 ||

6.41.97

pratyapadyanta te sarve rathānsvānpuruṣarṣabhāḥ |
tato vyūhaṃ yathāpūrvaṃ pratyavyūhanta te punaḥ || 97 ||

6.41.98

avādayandundubhīṃśca śataśaścaiva puṣkarān |
siṃhanādāṃśca vividhānvineduḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ || 98 ||

6.41.99

rathasthānpuruṣavyāghrānpāṇḍavānprekṣya pārthivāḥ |
dhṛṣṭadyumnādayaḥ sarve punarjahṛṣire mudā || 99 ||

6.41.100

gauravaṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ mānyānmānayatāṃ ca tān |
dṛṣṭvā mahīkṣitastatra pūjayāṃ cakrire bhṛśam || 100 ||

6.41.101

sauhṛdaṃ ca kṛpāṃ caiva prāptakālaṃ mahātmanām |
dayāṃ ca jñātiṣu parāṃ kathayāṃ cakrire nṛpāḥ || 101 ||

6.41.102

sādhu sādhviti sarvatra niśceruḥ stutisaṃhitāḥ |
vācaḥ puṇyāḥ kīrtimatāṃ manohṛdayaharṣiṇīḥ || 102 ||

6.41.103

mlecchāścāryāśca ye tatra dadṛśuḥ śuśruvustadā |
vṛttaṃ tatpāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ ruruduste sagadgadāḥ || 103 ||

6.41.104

tato jaghnurmahābherīḥ śataśaścaiva puṣkarān |
śaṅkhāṃśca gokṣīranibhāndadhmurhṛṣṭā manasvinaḥ || 104 ||