Critical Edition
वासुदेव उवाच ततोऽहं भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रगृह्य रुचिरं धनुः शरैरपातयं सौभाच्छिरांसि विबुधद्विषाम्
M. N. Dutt: Krishna said : O best of the Bharata race, then taking up my beautiful bow, I began to cut off with my arrows the heads of the enemies of the celestials from the (car) Saubha.
शरांश्चाशीविषाकारानूर्ध्वगांस्तिग्मतेजसः अप्रैषं शाल्वराजाय शार्ङ्गमुक्तान्सुवाससः
M. N. Dutt: I began to discharge from the Saranga (bow) many excellent arrows of the forms of snakes, each capable of going to a great height and each possessing great energy.
ततो नादृश्यत तदा सौभं कुरुकुलोद्वह अन्तर्हितं माययाभूत्ततोऽहं विस्मितोऽभवम्
M. N. Dutt: O perpetuator of the Kuru race, I could not then see the Saubha, for it had then disappeared on account of the illusion (displayed by the Danava). I became astonished.
अथ दानवसंघास्ते विकृताननमूर्धजाः उदक्रोशन्महाराज विष्ठिते मयि भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, O great king, the host of Asuras of fearful visages and hair then sent up a loud roar as I was waiting for it (Saubha).
ततोऽस्त्रं शब्दसाहं वै त्वरमाणो महाहवे अयोजयं तद्वधाय ततः शब्द उपारमत्
M. N. Dutt: In that great battle, I then with the object of destroying them, fixed on my bowstring the weapon capable of piercing the foes, if only their voice could be heard. Thereupon their roaring ceased.
हतास्ते दानवाः सर्वे यैः स शब्द उदीरितः शरैरादित्यसंकाशैर्ज्वलितैः शब्दसाधनैः
M. N. Dutt: But all those Danavas that had sent up that shout were killed by my those arrows, which were as blazing as the sun and which were capable of striking (at a foe) if only his voice could be heard.
तस्मिन्नुपरते शब्दे पुनरेवान्यतोऽभवत् शब्दोऽपरो महाराज तत्रापि प्राहरं शरान्
M. N. Dutt: O great king, when the shout (of the Danavas) ceased at one place, it arose at another place. There also I sent up my arrows.
एवं दश दिशः सर्वास्तिर्यगूर्ध्वं च भारत नादयामासुरसुरास्ते चापि निहता मया
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, in this way the Asuras sent up roars from all the ten quarters, above and across. But they were all killed by me.
Supplementary Passages:
3.23.8 After 8, B3 ins.: *87 शरैर्नानाविधाकारैर्दिव्यास्त्रप्रतिमन्त्रितैः अस्त्रैः शस्त्रैश्च विविधैः खस्था ह्यन्तर्हिता अपि
ततः प्राग्ज्योतिषं गत्वा पुनरेव व्यदृश्यत सौभं कामगमं वीर मोहयन्मम चक्षुषी
M. N. Dutt: O hero, bewildering my eyes and going to Pragjotisha the Saubha, capable of going every where at will, reappeared again.
ततो लोकान्तकरणो दानवो वानराकृतिः शिलावर्षेण सहसा महता मां समावृणोत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon those agents of destruction, the Danavas of fearful forms, suddenly covered me with a great shower of rocks.
सोऽहं पर्वतवर्षेण वध्यमानः समन्ततः वल्मीक इव राजेन्द्र पर्वतोपचितोऽभवम्
M. N. Dutt: O king of kings, he tried to kill me again and again by showers of rocks; and I looked like an ant-hill covered with those rocks.
ततोऽहं पर्वतचितः सहयः सहसारथिः अप्रख्यातिमियां राजन्सध्वजः पर्वतैश्चितः
M. N. Dutt: O king, being covered with those rocks along with my horses, charioteer, (car with) flag-staff, I altogether disappeared from the view.
ततो वृष्णिप्रवीरा ये ममासन्सैनिकास्तदा ते भयार्ता दिशः सर्वाः सहसा विप्रदुद्रुवुः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the foremost heroes of the Vrishni race who were in my army were seized with panic and they suddenly began to fly in all directions.
ततो हाहाकृतं सर्वमभूत्किल विशां पते द्यौश्च भूमिश्च खं चैवादृश्यमाने तथा मयि
M. N. Dutt: O king, seeing me in that state, the heaven the sky and the earth were all filled with exclamation of “Oh" and "Alas."
ततो विषण्णमनसो मम राजन्सुहृज्जनाः रुरुदुश्चुक्रुशुश्चैव दुःखशोकसमन्विताः
M. N. Dutt: O king, my friends, afflicted with sorrow and grief, then wept and wailed in sorrowful hearts.
द्विषतां च प्रहर्षोऽभूदार्तिश्चाद्विषतामपि एवं विजितवान्वीर पश्चादश्रौषमच्युत
M. N. Dutt: O hero, O undeteriorating one, delight filled the hearts of the enemies as sorrow filled those of iny men. I heard of this after I had defeated the enemy.
ततोऽहमस्त्रं दयितं सर्वपाषाणभेदनम् वज्रमुद्यम्य तान्सर्वान्पर्वतान्समशातयम्
M. N. Dutt: Then wielding the thunder, the favourite (weapon) of Indra, which is (ever) capable of grinding stones, I destroyed that entire mass of rocks.
ततः पर्वतभारार्ता मन्दप्राणविचेष्टिताः हया मम महाराज वेपमाना इवाभवन्
M. N. Dutt: O great king, my horses, afflicted with the weight of the rocks and almost at the point of death, stood trembling.
मेघजालमिवाकाशे विदार्याभ्युदितं रविम् दृष्ट्वा मां बान्धवाः सर्वे हर्षमाहारयन्पुनः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing me, all my friends rejoiced as men are rejoiced on seeing the sun rising in the sky after dispersing the clouds.
ततो मामब्रवीत्सूतः प्राञ्जलिः प्रणतो नृप साधु संपश्य वार्ष्णेय शाल्वं सौभपतिं स्थितम्
AI Translation: Then the Sūta, with folded hands, bowed down and said to me, O king: "Well, Varshnéya, look at Shālva, the lord of Soubha
अलं कृष्णावमन्यैनं साधु यत्नं समाचर मार्दवं सखितां चैव शाल्वादद्य व्यपाहर
AI Translation: Enough of this contempt for Krishna. Do well to make an effort. Today, remove the softness and friendship with Shala.
जहि शाल्वं महाबाहो मैनं जीवय केशव सर्वैः पराक्रमैर्वीर वध्यः शत्रुरमित्रहन्
AI Translation: O mighty one, kill Shala. Do not bring him back to life, O Keshava. O hero, O slayer of enemies, he should be killed by all means. He is an enemy.
न शत्रुरवमन्तव्यो दुर्बलोऽपि बलीयसा योऽपि स्यात्पीठगः कश्चित्किं पुनः समरे स्थितः
AI Translation: One should not despise an enemy, even if he is weak, for he may be stronger. Even if he is seated on a throne, how much more so if he is standing in battle.
स त्वं पुरुषशार्दूल सर्वयत्नैरिमं प्रभो जहि वृष्णिकुलश्रेष्ठ मा त्वां कालोऽत्यगात्पुनः
AI Translation: But you, best of the Vrishni clan, best of men, with all your efforts, destroy this (enemy) before time passes you by again.
Supplementary Passages:
3.23.24 After 24, G1 ins.: *88 जितवाञ्जामदग्न्यं यः कोटिवर्षगणान्बहून् स एष नान्यैर्वध्यो हि त्वामृते नैव कैश्चन
नैष मार्दवसाध्यो वै मतो नापि सखा तव येन त्वं योधितो वीर द्वारका चावमर्दिता
AI Translation: This is not to be accomplished by gentleness, nor is it your friend. By whom you were fought with, O hero, and Dvārakā was trampled upon.
एवमादि तु कौन्तेय श्रुत्वाहं सारथेर्वचः तत्त्वमेतदिति ज्ञात्वा युद्धे मतिमधारयम्
AI Translation: Thus, O son of Kunti, having heard these and other words from the charioteer, knowing this to be the truth, I made up my mind to fight.
वधाय शाल्वराजस्य सौभस्य च निपातने दारुकं चाब्रुवं वीर मुहूर्तं स्थीयतामिति
AI Translation: For the killing of the king of Shala and for the destruction of Soubha, And to Daruka I said, "O hero, wait a moment."
ततोऽप्रतिहतं दिव्यमभेद्यमतिवीर्यवत् आग्नेयमस्त्रं दयितं सर्वसाहं महाप्रभम्
AI Translation: Then the invincible divine, impenetrable, very powerful, beloved, all-destroying, very radiant, Agneya missile,
Supplementary Passages:
3.23.28 After 28, K2 B D (except D2; D1.3 missing) ins.: *89 योजयं तत्र धनुषा दानवान्तकरं रणे
यक्षाणां राक्षसानां च दानवानां च संयुगे राज्ञां च प्रतिलोमानां भस्मान्तकरणं महत्
AI Translation: In the battle of the yakshas, rakshasas, and danavas, and of the kings who oppose them, it is the great cause of reducing them to ashes.
क्षुरान्तममलं चक्रं कालान्तकयमोपमम् अभिमन्त्र्याहमतुलं द्विषतां च निबर्हणम्
AI Translation: The razor-edged, stainless wheel, equal to the destroyer of time, Yama, Having invoked it, I am incomparable, the destroyer of enemies.
जहि सौभं स्ववीर्येण ये चात्र रिपवो मम इत्युक्त्वा भुजवीर्येण तस्मै प्राहिणवं रुषा
AI Translation: "Kill Sauma with your own strength, and those who are my enemies here." Having said this, I angrily sent him with the strength of my arms.
रूपं सुदर्शनस्यासीदाकाशे पततस्तदा द्वितीयस्येव सूर्यस्य युगान्ते परिविष्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Rising into the sky, the Sudarshana (discuss) seemed to look like the exceedingly effulgent sun at the end of the Yuga.
तत्समासाद्य नगरं सौभं व्यपगतत्विषम् मध्येन पाटयामास क्रकचो दार्विवोच्छ्रितम्
M. N. Dutt: Approaching the city of Saubha, the splendour of which had disappeared, it went right through it as a saw divides a tall tree.
द्विधा कृतं ततः सौभं सुदर्शनबलाद्धतम् महेश्वरशरोद्धूतं पपात त्रिपुरं यथा
M. N. Dutt: Cut in twain by the force of the Sudarshana, the Saubha fell like the city of Tripura shaken by the weapon of the great God (Shiva).
तस्मिन्निपतिते सौभे चक्रमागात्करं मम पुनश्चोद्धूय वेगेन शाल्वायेत्यहमब्रुवम्
M. N. Dutt: When the Saubha fell, the discuss came (back) to my hand. Taking it up, I once more hurled it with great, force, saying “Go to Shalva."
ततः शाल्वं गदां गुर्वीमाविध्यन्तं महाहवे द्विधा चकार सहसा प्रजज्वाल च तेजसा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon it suddenly cut Shalva in twain who was at the point of hurling a great club in that great battle. With its effulgence it soon set the foe (Shalva) ablaze.
तस्मिन्निपतिते वीरे दानवास्त्रस्तचेतसः हाहाभूता दिशो जग्मुरर्दिता मम सायकैः
M. N. Dutt: When that brave warrior was killed by my bow, the disheartened Danavas fled in all directions, exclaiming “Oh” and “Alas.”
ततोऽहं समवस्थाप्य रथं सौभसमीपतः शङ्खं प्रध्माप्य हर्षेण सुहृदः पर्यहर्षयम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon taking my chariot in front of the city of Saubha, I cheerfully blew my conch and gladdened the hearts of my friends.
तन्मेरुशिखराकारं विध्वस्ताट्टालगोपुरम् दह्यमानमभिप्रेक्ष्य स्त्रियस्ताः संप्रदुद्रुवुः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing their city as high as the peak of the Meru (mountain) with its palaces and gateways utterly destroyed and all ablaze (in fire), the Danavas all fled in fear.
एवं निहत्य समरे शाल्वं सौभं निपात्य च आनर्तान्पुनरागम्य सुहृदां प्रीतिमावहम्
M. N. Dutt: Having thus killed Shalva and destroyed Saubha, I returned to the Anartas and delighted my friends.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्राजन्नागमं नागसाह्वयम् यद्यगां परवीरघ्न न हि जीवेत्सुयोधनः
AI Translation: For this reason, O king, I have come to Nagasahvaya. If I had not come, O slayer of enemy heroes, Suyodhana would not have lived.
Supplementary Passages:
3.23.41 After 41, Dn2 ins.: *90 मय्यागतेऽथवा वीर द्यूतं न भविता तथा On the other hand, K2 B Dc Dn ins. after 41 (Dn2, after 90*): *91 अद्याहं किं करिष्यामि भिन्नसेतुरिवोदकम्
वैशंपायन उवाच एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः कौरवं पुरुषोत्तमः आमन्त्र्य प्रययौ धीमान्पाण्डवान्मधुसूदनः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said: Having thus spoken to the Kurus, that handsome slayer of Madhu, that foremost of men, that mighty-armed hero, saluting the Pandavas, was prepared to go away.
अभिवाद्य महाबाहुर्धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् राज्ञा मूर्धन्युपाघ्रातो भीमेन च महाभुजः
M. N. Dutt: The mighty-armed hero was saluted in return by king Dharmaraja Yudhishthira. And the mighty-armed Bhima also smelt the crown of his head.
Supplementary Passages:
3.23.43 After 43, Ś1 K2.3 B2.4 D (D1.3 missing) ins.: *92 परिष्वक्तश्चार्जुनेन यमाभ्यां चाभिवादितः संमानितश्च धौम्येन द्रौपद्या चार्चितोऽश्रुभिः
सुभद्रामभिमन्युं च रथमारोप्य काञ्चनम् आरुरोह रथं कृष्णः पाण्डवैरभिपूजितः
M. N. Dutt: Causing Subhadra and Abhimanyu to ascend his golden car, Krishna, being duly worshipped by the Pandavas, ascended it himself.
सैन्यसुग्रीवयुक्तेन रथेनादित्यवर्चसा द्वारकां प्रययौ कृष्णः समाश्वास्य युधिष्ठिरम्
M. N. Dutt: Consoling Yudhishthira, Krishna started for Dvarka on his car which was as effulgent as the sun and to which were yoked (his horses) Shaivya and Sugriva.
ततः प्रयाते दाशार्हे धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि पार्षतः द्रौपदेयानुपादाय प्रययौ स्वपुरं तदा
M. N. Dutt: When the hero of the Dashahara race had gone away, Dhristadyumna, the son of Prishata, taking with him the son of Draupadi started for his own city.
धृष्टकेतुः स्वसारं च समादायाथ चेदिराट् जगाम पाण्डवान्दृष्ट्वा रम्यां शुक्तिमतीं पुरीम्
M. N. Dutt: After seeing the Pandavas the king of Chedi, Dhristaketu also, taking his sister (Karenumati, the wife of Nakula) started for his beautiful city, named Suktimati.
केकयाश्चाप्यनुज्ञाताः कौन्तेयेनामितौजसा आमन्त्र्य पाण्डवान्सर्वान्प्रययुस्तेऽपि भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, the Kaikeyas also, with the permission of Kunti's immeasurably energetic son (Yudhishthira) and having reverentially saluted all the Pandavas. went away.
ब्राह्मणाश्च विशश्चैव तथा विषयवासिनः विसृज्यमानाः सुभृशं न त्यजन्ति स्म पाण्डवान्
M. N. Dutt: Though the Brahmanas, the Vaishyas and the (other) inhabitants of his kingdom, were repeatedly requested to go, but they did not leave the Pandavas.
समवायः स राजेन्द्र सुमहाद्भुतदर्शनः आसीन्महात्मनां तेषां काम्यके भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O king of kings, O best of the Bharata race, the crowd of people that surrounded those high-souled men the (Pandavas) in the forest of Kamyaka was extraordinary.
युधिष्ठिरस्तु विप्रांस्ताननुमान्य महामनाः शशास पुरुषान्काले रथान्योजयतेति ह
M. N. Dutt: Honouring those high-souled Brahmanas, Yudhishthira in due time ordered his men to "Make ready the chariots."