Critical Edition
संजय उवाच युध्यतामेव तेषां तु भास्करेऽस्तमुपागते संध्या समभवद्घोरा नापश्याम ततो रणम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said While they were thus fighting and when the sun set, the pall of hideous twilight enveloped the earth, and the battle became lost of view.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा संध्यां संदृश्य भारत वध्यमानं बलं चापि भीष्मेणामित्रघातिना
AI Translation: Then, O descendant of Bharata, King Yudhishthira, having seen the evening, and his army being slaughtered by Bhishma, the slayer of enemies,
मुक्तशस्त्रं परावृत्तं पलायनपरायणम् भीष्मं च युधि संरब्धमनुयान्तं महारथान्
AI Translation: Seeing Bhishma, who had put down his weapons, who had turned back, who was intent on fleeing, and the great warriors who were following him in battle, the Pāndavas were delighted.
सोमकांश्च जितान्दृष्ट्वा निरुत्साहान्महारथान् चिन्तयित्वा चिरं ध्यात्वा अवहारमरोचयत्
AI Translation: Seeing the Somaka warriors defeated and without enthusiasm, the great warriors, after thinking and reflecting for a long time, decided to withdraw.
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.4 After 4ab, T G ins.: *423 निशामुखं च संप्रेक्ष्य घोररूपं भयानकम्
ततोऽवहारं सैन्यानां चक्रे राजा युधिष्ठिरः तथैव तव सैन्यानामवहारो ह्यभूत्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Then king Yudhishthira withdrew his troops; so also the withdrawal of your forces was also done at the same time.
ततोऽवहारं सैन्यानां कृत्वा तत्र महारथाः न्यविशन्त कुरुश्रेष्ठ संग्रामे क्षतविक्षताः
M. N. Dutt: Then the mighty car-warriors, having withdrawn their forces, foremost of the Kurus, entered their tents, with their bodies mangled with wounds.
भीष्मस्य समरे कर्म चिन्तयानास्तु पाण्डवाः नालभन्त तदा शान्तिं भृशं भीष्मेण पीडिताः
M. N. Dutt: The Pandavas, afflicted with the arrows of Bhishma and thinking of the feats achieved in battle, did not obtain any peace.
भीष्मोऽपि समरे जित्वा पाण्डवान्सह सृञ्जयैः पूज्यमानस्तव सुतैर्वन्द्यमानश्च भारत
M. N. Dutt: Having vanquished the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle and adored and honoured by your sons, Bhishma then, O monarch.
न्यविशत्कुरुभिः सार्धं हृष्टरूपैः समन्ततः ततो रात्रिः समभवत्सर्वभूतप्रमोहिनी
M. N. Dutt: Accompanied by the delighted Kurus, entered his tent. Then night set in, that renders all creatures unconscious (in sleep).
तस्मिन्रात्रिमुखे घोरे पाण्डवा वृष्णिभिः सह सृञ्जयाश्च दुराधर्षा मन्त्राय समुपाविशन्
M. N. Dutt: In the beginning of that dread time of night, the Pandavas along with the Vrishnis and the invincible Srinjayas, sat together for consultation.
आत्मनिःश्रेयसं सर्वे प्राप्तकालं महाबलाः मन्त्रयामासुरव्यग्रा मन्त्रनिश्चयकोविदाः
M. N. Dutt: The highly powerful heroes, accomplished in drawing conclusion from inferences, coolly consulted about what would be most profitable to them under these circumstances.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा मन्त्रयित्वा चिरं नृप वासुदेवं समुद्वीक्ष्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter king Yudhishthira, O king, having pondered for a considerable length of time, addressed these words to the son of Vasudeva, casting his eyes on the latter.
पश्य कृष्ण महात्मानं भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् गजं नलवनानीव विमृद्नन्तं बलं मम
M. N. Dutt: Behold, O Krishna, the high-souled Bhishma of fierce prowess crush my ariny like an elephant crushing a forest of reeds.
न चैवैनं महात्मानमुत्सहामो निरीक्षितुम् लेलिह्यमानं सैन्येषु प्रवृद्धमिव पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: We dare not even look at that illustrious warrior when he licks, like a raging conflagration, all my troops up.
यथा घोरो महानागस्तक्षको वै विषोल्बणः तथा भीष्मो रणे कृष्ण तीक्ष्णशस्त्रः प्रतापवान्
M. N. Dutt: The mighty puissant Bhishma, possessed of sharp weapons and inflamed with rage battle, appears like the mighty snake Takshaka of great ferocity and virulent venom.
गृहीतचापः समरे विमुञ्चंश्च शिताञ्शरान् शक्यो जेतुं यमः क्रुद्धो वज्रपाणिश्च देवराट्
AI Translation: Taking up the bow in battle and releasing sharp arrows, The angry Yama and the king of the gods with the vajra in his hand can be defeated,
वरुणः पाशभृद्वापि सगदो वा धनेश्वरः न तु भीष्मः सुसंक्रुद्धः शक्यो जेतुं महाहवे
AI Translation: Even Varuna, the wielder of the noose, or even Kubera, the lord of wealth, but the angry Bhishma cannot be defeated in a great battle.
सोऽहमेवं गते कृष्ण निमग्नः शोकसागरे आत्मनो बुद्धिदौर्बल्याद्भीष्ममासाद्य संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: When, O Krishna, such is the state of affairs, I am, in consequence of the weakness of my own understanding, sunk in sorrow, having to fight with Bhishma as an opponent in battle.
वनं यास्यामि दुर्धर्ष श्रेयो मे तत्र वै गतम् न युद्धं रोचये कृष्ण हन्ति भीष्मो हि नः सदा
M. N. Dutt: I will again retire, O invincible one, to the forests, even that is better for me now. Battle I no longer like, O Krishna, as Bhishma always slaughters our troops.
यथा प्रज्वलितं वह्निं पतंगः समभिद्रवन् एकतो मृत्युमभ्येति तथाहं भीष्ममीयिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Just as an insect rushing at a blazing fire reaps only death, so llave I reaped the same result having dared a combat with Bhishma.
क्षयं नीतोऽस्मि वार्ष्णेय राज्यहेतोः पराक्रमी भ्रातरश्चैव मे शूराः सायकैर्भृशपीडिताः
M. N. Dutt: Put as I may, my prowess forth, ) descendant of the Vrishni race, I am being Vriven to destruction for the sake of my kingdom. My brave brothers are all surely afflicted with the shafts of Bhishma.
मत्कृते भ्रातृसौहार्दाद्राज्यात्प्रभ्रंशनं गताः परिक्लिष्टा तथा कृष्णा मत्कृते मधुसूदन
M. N. Dutt: Through their fraternal affection, they had to go into exile into the woods, for me, deprived of their kingdom. So also, O slayer of Madhu, Krishna had to undergo various troubles for me only.
जीवितं बहु मन्येऽहं जीवितं ह्यद्य दुर्लभम् जीवितस्याद्य शेषेण चरिष्ये धर्ममुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: I prize life very much; and it is dear and scare to be obtained. If I can save it now, shall husband out the rest of it in the performance of excellent deeds of piety
यदि तेऽहमनुग्राह्यो भ्रातृभिः सह केशव स्वधर्मस्याविरोधेन तदुदाहर केशव
M. N. Dutt: If, indeed, I and my brothers be worthy of your grace, then O Keshava, advice me what will be beneficial to me, without clashing against our prescribed duties.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचस्तस्य कारुण्याद्बहुविस्तरम् प्रत्युवाच ततः कृष्णः सान्त्वयानो युधिष्ठिरम्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these many words of Yudhishthra describing the state of affairs in details, out of compassion, Krishna spoke these words in reply to console the former.
धर्मपुत्र विषादं त्वं मा कृथाः सत्यसंगर यस्य ते भ्रातरः शूरा दुर्जयाः शत्रुसूदनाः
M. N. Dutt: O son of Dharma, do not indulge so much in grief, O you who are always firin in truth, you who have got, heroic and invincible warriors, all slayers of foes, in your brothers.
अर्जुनो भीमसेनश्च वाय्वग्निसमतेजसौ माद्रीपुत्रौ च विक्रान्तौ त्रिदशानामिवेश्वरौ
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna and Bhimasena are both powerful like the Wind and the Fire respectively. The twin sons of Madri equal in prowess even the Lord of the celestial himself.
मां वा नियुङ्क्ष्व सौहार्दाद्योत्स्ये भीष्मेण पाण्डव त्वत्प्रयुक्तो ह्यहं राजन्किं न कुर्यां महाहवे
M. N. Dutt: Out of the friendship that exists between lis, employ me also (to perforin the task of slaying Bhishma). O son of Pandu, I will fight Bhishma. For you, O mighty monarch, what could I not do in battle.
हनिष्यामि रणे भीष्ममाहूय पुरुषर्षभम् पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां यदि नेच्छति फल्गुनः
M. N. Dutt: Summoning that foremost of men Bhishma in battle, I will slay him, even before the very eyes of the Dhritarashtra's troops, if indeed Arjuna desists from slaying the former.
यदि भीष्मे हते राजञ्जयं पश्यसि पाण्डव हन्तास्म्येकरथेनाद्य कुरुवृद्धं पितामहम्
M. N. Dutt: If, O son of Pandu, by the slaughter of Bhishma you see victory certain to yourself, then even this day riding on a singie car, I will slay the venerable grandsire of the Kurss.
पश्य मे विक्रमं राजन्महेन्द्रस्येव संयुगे विमुञ्चन्तं महास्त्राणि पातयिष्यामि तं रथात्
M. N. Dutt: Behold, O king, my rowess in battle, o be cqual to that of tl.. great Indra himself. I will overthrow nim (Bhishma) from lus car, in spite of his shooting mighty weapons.
यः शत्रुः पाण्डुपुत्राणां मच्छत्रुः स न संशयः मदर्था भवदर्था ये ये मदीयास्तवैव ते
M. N. Dutt: He that is inimical to the sons of Pandu, is surely inim.cal also to myself. Those that are friendly to you are also so to me and those that are friendly to me are also so to you
तव भ्राता मम सखा संबन्धी शिष्य एव च मांसान्युत्कृत्य वै दद्यामर्जुनार्थे महीपते
M. N. Dutt: Your brother, Arjuna, is my friend, relative and pupil; O ruler of earth, I can cut off and give away my own flesh for Arjuna's sake.
एष चापि नरव्याघ्रो मत्कृते जीवितं त्यजेत् एष नः समयस्तात तारयेम परस्परम् स मां नियुङ्क्ष्व राजेन्द्र यावद्द्वीपो भवाम्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: This foremost of men also will lay down his own life for my sake. This O sire, is our understanding, that we will protect one another.
प्रतिज्ञातमुपप्लव्ये यत्तत्पार्थेन पूर्वतः घातयिष्यामि गाङ्गेयमित्युलूकस्य संनिधौ
AI Translation: What Partha had promised to Upalavya, in the presence of Ulūka, that he would kill Gāṅgeya,
परिरक्ष्यं च मम तद्वचः पार्थस्य धीमतः अनुज्ञातं तु पार्थेन मया कार्यं न संशयः
AI Translation: And this is to be protected by me, the words of the wise Partha. But when Partha gives his consent, there is no doubt that I will do it.
अथ वा फल्गुनस्यैष भारः परिमितो रणे निहनिष्यति संग्रामे भीष्मं परपुरंजयम्
AI Translation: Or this is the limited burden of Phalguna in battle. He will slay Bhishma, the conqueror of enemy cities, in battle.
अशक्यमपि कुर्याद्धि रणे पार्थः समुद्यतः त्रिदशान्वा समुद्युक्तान्सहितान्दैत्यदानवैः निहन्यादर्जुनः संख्ये किमु भीष्मं नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna is capable of slaying in battle, O ruler of men, the very immortals along with the Daityas and Danavas, exerting their best in the fight, what to speak of Bhishma.
विपरीतो महावीर्यो गतसत्त्वोऽल्पजीवितः भीष्मः शांतनवो नूनं कर्तव्यं नावबुध्यते
M. N. Dutt: The highly puissani Bhishma the son of Shantanu, now perverted in his judgment, decayed in intelligence and in vitality surely knows not what he ought to do."
युधिष्ठिर उवाच एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि माधव सर्वे ह्येते न पर्याप्तास्तव वेगनिवारणे
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said It is even so as you say, O mightv-armed descendant of Madhu's race. All these (universe) taken together are not capable of bearing your force.
नियतं समवाप्स्यामि सर्वमेव यथेप्सितम् यस्य मे पुरुषव्याघ्र भवान्नाथो महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: I am sure of obtaining all those things that I may desire, I, O foremost of men, on whose side you are staying.
सेन्द्रानपि रणे देवाञ्जयेयं जयतां वर त्वया नाथेन गोविन्द किमु भीष्मं महाहवे
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of those that are ever victorious, with yourself as our master, we can conquer in battle, even the celestial with Indra at their head, what to speak of Bhishma that mighty car-warrior.
न तु त्वामनृतं कर्तुमुत्सहे स्वार्थगौरवात् अयुध्यमानः साहाय्यं यथोक्तं कुरु माधव
M. N. Dutt: For my own glorification, I dare not falsify your words; so do you render me assistance, O Madhava, as promised, without fighting on my behalf.
समयस्तु कृतः कश्चिद्भीष्मेण मम माधव मन्त्रयिष्ये तवार्थाय न तु योत्स्ये कथंचन दुर्योधनार्थे योत्स्यामि सत्यमेतदिति प्रभो
AI Translation: O Madhava, Bhishma has made a vow that he will not fight with me. I will counsel for your sake, but I will not fight in any way. I will fight for the sake of Duryodhana. This is the truth, O Lord.
स हि राज्यस्य मे दाता मन्त्रस्यैव च माधव तस्माद्देवव्रतं भूयो वधोपायार्थमात्मनः भवता सहिताः सर्वे पृच्छामो मधुसूदन
M. N. Dutt: Therefore once more accompanied by you, Oslayer of Madhu, we shall repair to Bhishma for inquiring of him the means of his own death.
तद्वयं सहिता गत्वा भीष्ममाशु नरोत्तमम् रुचिते तव वार्ष्णेय मन्त्रं पृच्छाम कौरवम्
M. N. Dutt: So, O descendant of the Vrishni race, repairing speedily with you to that foremost of men Bhishma, we shall seek counsel from that descendant of Kuru's race.
स वक्ष्यति हितं वाक्यं तथ्यं चैव जनार्दन यथा स वक्ष्यते कृष्ण तथा कर्तास्मि संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: He, O Janardana, will truly offer us salutary advice; and O Krishna, in battle we will do, what he shall advice.
स नो जयस्य दाता च मन्त्रस्य च धृतव्रतः बालाः पित्रा विहीनाश्च तेन संवर्धिता वयम्
M. N. Dutt: O you of firm vows, he will give us counsel as well as victory. We became fatherless when we were mere children. It was he who reared us.
तं चेत्पितामहं वृद्धं हन्तुमिच्छामि माधव पितुः पितरमिष्टं वै धिगस्तु क्षत्रजीविकाम्
M. N. Dutt: O Madhava, even such an aged grandsire, I want to slay-him who is the father of our dearloved father! Fie on the life of a Kshatriya.”
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.49 After 49ab, D1 ins.: *424 यस्याङ्गे क्रीडितं नित्यं बाल्ये च परिवर्धिताः अस्त्राणि विधिवच्चैव शिक्षितानि जनार्दन तं हन्तुमुद्यताः कृष्ण राज्यहेतोर्वयं युधि After 49, D1 ins.: *425 सत्यं बृहस्पतेर्वाक्यं देवानामग्रतः किल भाषितं गुरुणा पूर्वं तन्निबोध जनार्दन पुत्रः पितरमासाद्य पिता पुत्रं च मानद राज्यार्थे घातयेदेवं क्षत्रधर्मः सनातनः
संजय उवाच ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराज वार्ष्णेयः कुरुनन्दनम् रोचते मे महाबाहो सततं तव भाषितम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereupon, O mighty monarch, he of the Vrishni race, said to that delighter of the Kuru race, O highly wise king, your words find an echo in soul.
देवव्रतः कृती भीष्मः प्रेक्षितेनापि निर्दहेत् गम्यतां स वधोपायं प्रष्टुं सागरगासुतः वक्तुमर्हति सत्यं स त्वया पृष्टो विशेषतः
M. N. Dutt: Devavrata of fierce Vows, is wellaccomplished in weapons. He can consume the foe even by his glances only. Let us go to that son of the ocean-going Ganga for asking the means of his death.
ते वयं तत्र गच्छामः प्रष्टुं कुरुपितामहम् प्रणम्य शिरसा चैनं मन्त्रं पृच्छाम माधव स नो दास्यति यं मन्त्रं तेन योत्स्यामहे परान्
AI Translation: We shall go there to ask the grandfather of the Kurus. Having bowed our heads to him, we shall ask him about the mantra, O Madhava. He will give us the mantra by which we shall fight with the enemy.
एवं संमन्त्र्य वै वीराः पाण्डवाः पाण्डुपूर्वज जग्मुस्ते सहिताः सर्वे वासुदेवश्च वीर्यवान् विमुक्तशस्त्रकवचा भीष्मस्य सदनं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Having thus consulted, the heroic Pandavas, together with the highly powerful son of Vasudeva, went, O elder brother of Pandu,
प्रविश्य च तदा भीष्मं शिरोभिः प्रतिपेदिरे पूजयन्तो महाराज पाण्डवा भरतर्षभ प्रणम्य शिरसा चैनं भीष्मं शरणमन्वयुः
M. N. Dutt: Then, O mighty monarch, the Pandavas, saluting that foremost of the Bharatas with their bent heads, sought his protection.
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.54 After 54, D1.6 ins.: *426 चरणोपगतान्गृह्य परिष्वज्य च पाण्डवान् मूर्ध्नि चैतानुपाघ्राय अङ्कमारोपयत्तदा बाष्पपर्याकुलमुखः स्मृत्वा पाण्डुं पुनः पुनः
तानुवाच महाबाहुर्भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः स्वागतं तव वार्ष्णेय स्वागतं ते धनंजय स्वागतं धर्मपुत्राय भीमाय यमयोस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Then the mighty-armed Bhishma the grandsire of the Kurus thus addressed them saying “All hail, O you of Vrishni's race, all hail, O Dhananjaya.
किं कार्यं वः करोम्यद्य युष्मत्प्रीतिविवर्धनम् सर्वात्मना च कर्तास्मि यद्यपि स्यात्सुदुष्करम्
AI Translation: What can I do today to increase your joy? I will do it with all my being, even if it is very difficult.
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.56 After 56ab, G2 ins.: *427 युद्धादन्यत्र हे वत्साः प्रीयन्तां मा विशङ्कथ
तथा ब्रुवाणं गाङ्गेयं प्रीतियुक्तं पुनः पुनः उवाच वाक्यं दीनात्मा धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
AI Translation: Thus speaking again and again to the son of Ganga, who was full of affection, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, whose soul was distressed, spoke these words:
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.57 After 57, K4 ins.: *428 यथा पृच्छसि मामद्य कथं तन्मे च वा विभो
कथं जयेम धर्मज्ञ कथं राज्यं लभेमहि प्रजानां संक्षयो न स्यात्कथं तन्मे वदाभिभो
AI Translation: How can we conquer? How can we obtain the kingdom? How can there be no destruction of the subjects? Please tell me that, O Lord.
भवान्हि नो वधोपायं ब्रवीतु स्वयमात्मनः भवन्तं समरे राजन्विषहेम कथं वयम्
AI Translation: You yourself tell us the means of killing you. O king, how can we withstand you in battle?
न हि ते सूक्ष्ममप्यस्ति रन्ध्रं कुरुपितामह मण्डलेनैव धनुषा सदा दृश्योऽसि संयुगे
AI Translation: O grandfather of the Kurus, there is not even the slightest chink in you. You are always visible in battle with your bow.
नाददानं संदधानं विकर्षन्तं धनुर्न च पश्यामस्त्वा महाबाहो रथे सूर्यमिव स्थितम्
AI Translation: We do not see you drawing the bow, or stretching it, or releasing it, O mighty-armed one, we see you standing on the chariot like the sun.
नराश्वरथनागानां हन्तारं परवीरहन् क इवोत्सहते हन्तुं त्वां पुमान्भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: The slayer of men, horses, chariots, and elephants, the slayer of the enemy's heroes, Who would dare to kill you, bull of the Bharata clan?
वर्षता शरवर्षाणि महान्ति पुरुषोत्तम क्षयं नीता हि पृतना भवता महती मम
AI Translation: O best of men, you have showered down great showers of arrows. My great army has been destroyed by you.
यथा युधि जयेयं त्वां यथा राज्यं भवेन्मम भवेत्सैन्यस्य वा शान्तिस्तन्मे ब्रूहि पितामह
AI Translation: How can I conquer you in battle, how can I have the kingdom, How can there be peace for the army? Tell me that, O Grandfather.
ततोऽब्रवीच्छांतनवः पाण्डवान्पाण्डुपूर्वज न कथंचन कौन्तेय मयि जीवति संयुगे युष्मासु दृश्यते वृद्धिः सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि वः
AI Translation: Then Shantanu's son spoke to the Pandavas, the sons of Pandu: "O Kounteya, in no way will there be an increase in you in battle as long as I am alive. I am telling you the truth."
निर्जिते मयि युद्धे तु ध्रुवं जेष्यथ कौरवान् क्षिप्रं मयि प्रहरत यदीच्छथ रणे जयम् अनुजानामि वः पार्थाः प्रहरध्वं यथासुखम्
AI Translation: If I am defeated in battle, you will certainly defeat the Kauravas. Quickly strike me in battle, if you desire victory. I give you permission, Parthas, strike as you
एवं हि सुकृतं मन्ये भवतां विदितो ह्यहम् हते मयि हतं सर्वं तस्मादेवं विधीयताम्
M. N. Dutt: I permit you, O sons of Pritha, to strike me as you please. Indeed I consider it to be a favourable circumstance for you that you know me (to te invincible). When i shall be slaughtered, all eise will be slaughtered. So do as I tell you."
युधिष्ठिर उवाच ब्रूहि तस्मादुपायं नो यथा युद्धे जयेमहि भवन्तं समरे क्रुद्धं दण्डपाणिमिवान्तकम्
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Tell us the means by which we may be able to vanquish your enraged self in battle-you who resemble the vely god of Death himself wielding the mace.
शक्यो वज्रधरो जेतुं वरुणोऽथ यमस्तथा न भवान्समरे शक्यः सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः
M. N. Dutt: We can vanquish the wielder the thunder-bolt, or Varuna, or Yama himself, but you are incapable of being defeated by the celestial and Asuras rnited together with Indra at their head.
भीष्म उवाच सत्यमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि पाण्डव नाहं शक्यो रणे जेतुं सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः
AI Translation: Bhishma said: O mighty-armed one, it is true, just as you say, O Pandava. I cannot be defeated in battle even by Indra and the gods and demons together.
आत्तशस्त्रो रणे यत्तो गृहीतवरकार्मुकः न्यस्तशस्त्रं तु मां राजन्हन्युर्युधि महारथाः
AI Translation: Armed, ready for battle, with my bow drawn, the great warriors would kill me in battle, O king, if I had laid down my arms.
निक्षिप्तशस्त्रे पतिते विमुक्तकवचध्वजे द्रवमाणे च भीते च तवास्मीति च वादिनि
AI Translation: When the weapons are dropped, when the armor and banner are discarded, when fleeing, when frightened, and when saying, "I am yours."
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.72 After 72, G2.3 ins.: *429 स्त्रीजिते स्त्रीप्रधाने च स्त्रीप्रधायिनि धर्मज
स्त्रियां स्त्रीनामधेये च विकले चैकपुत्रके अप्रसूते च दुष्प्रेक्ष्ये न युद्धं रोचते मम
AI Translation: In a woman, in one whose name is woman, in one who is disabled, in one who has only one son, in one who has not borne a child, in one who is
इमं च शृणु मे पार्थ संकल्पं पूर्वचिन्तितम् अमङ्गल्यध्वजं दृष्ट्वा न युध्येयं कथंचन
AI Translation: And listen to this, O Partha, to my former resolve: "Seeing the flag of misfortune, I shall not fight in any way."
य एष द्रौपदो राजंस्तव सैन्ये महारथः शिखण्डी समराकाङ्क्षी शूरश्च समितिंजयः
AI Translation: O king, that great warrior of Drupada, who is in your army, who desires battle, who is a hero, and who is victorious in assemblies,
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.75 After 75ab, D1 ins.: *430 अपुमांस्तस्य पुत्रस्तु पूर्वमासीद्विशां पते
यथाभवच्च स्त्री पूर्वं पश्चात्पुंस्त्वमुपागतः जानन्ति च भवन्तोऽपि सर्वमेतद्यथातथम्
AI Translation: As a woman was in the past, and later became a man, And you all know all this as it is.
अर्जुनः समरे शूरः पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् मामेव विशिखैस्तूर्णमभिद्रवतु दंशितः
AI Translation: Let the hero Arjuna, placing Shikhándin at the head of his army, hurry to attack me with his arrows.
अमङ्गल्यध्वजे तस्मिन्स्त्रीपूर्वे च विशेषतः न प्रहर्तुमभीप्सामि गृहीतेषुं कथंचन
AI Translation: In that inauspicious banner, and especially in one who is a woman, I do not wish to strike at all, even when the sword is raised.
तदन्तरं समासाद्य पाण्डवो मां धनंजयः शरैर्घातयतु क्षिप्रं समन्ताद्भरतर्षभ
AI Translation: Having approached that interval, Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, may quickly strike me with arrows from all sides, O bull of the Bharata lineage.
न तं पश्यामि लोकेषु यो मां हन्यात्समुद्यतम् ऋते कृष्णान्महाभागात्पाण्डवाद्वा धनंजयात्
AI Translation: I do not see anyone in the world who could kill me when I am fully armed, Except for the greatly fortunate Krishna or the Pandava Dhananjaya.
एष तस्मात्पुरोधाय कंचिदन्यं ममाग्रतः मां पातयतु बीभत्सुरेवं ते विजयो भवेत्
AI Translation: "Therefore, appoint some other priest in front of me, " "Let him throw me down, O terrible one, so that your victory may be like this."
एतत्कुरुष्व कौन्तेय यथोक्तं वचनं मम ततो जेष्यसि संग्रामे धार्तराष्ट्रान्समागतान्
AI Translation: Do this, O son of Kunti, as I have said. Then you will conquer in battle the assembled sons of Dhritarashtra.
संजय उवाच तेऽनुज्ञातास्ततः पार्था जग्मुः स्वशिबिरं प्रति अभिवाद्य महात्मानं भीष्मं कुरुपितामहम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then, the sons of Pritha, ascertaining all these things, went back to their own camps, having saluted the high-souled Bhishma the grandsire of the Kurus.
तथोक्तवति गाङ्गेये परलोकाय दीक्षिते अर्जुनो दुःखसंतप्तः सव्रीडमिदमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: When Ganga's son ready to repair to the regions of the departed, had thus spoken, Arjuna, afflicted with grief and with his face covered with blushes of shame, said :Arjuna said
गुरुणा कुलवृद्धेन कृतप्रज्ञेन धीमता पितामहेन संग्रामे कथं योत्स्यामि माधव
M. N. Dutt: "How, O Madhava, shall I fight in battle, with the venerable and aged preceptor of the Kurus, the grandsire of accomplished understanding and intelligence.
क्रीडता हि मया बाल्ये वासुदेव महामनाः पांसुरूषितगात्रेण महात्मा परुषीकृतः
M. N. Dutt: O Vasudeva, while playing in the days of childhood, I used to soil the garments of the high-souled and illustrious one by climbing on his lap with my body smeared with dust.
यस्याहमधिरुह्याङ्कं बालः किल गदाग्रज तातेत्यवोचं पितरं पितुः पाण्डोर्महात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: O elder brother of Gada, in my childhood, climbing on the lap of the high-souled father of Pandu (our father), I used to say 'Father';
नाहं तातस्तव पितुस्तातोऽस्मि तव भारत इति मामब्रवीद्बाल्ये यः स वध्यः कथं मया
M. N. Dutt: I am not your father, but your father's father, O Bharata' even these were the words he used to say in reply to me. Oh he who used to treat me thus how could he be now slain by me!
कामं वध्यतु मे सैन्यं नाहं योत्स्ये महात्मना जयो वास्तु वधो वा मे कथं वा कृष्ण मन्यसे
M. N. Dutt: Let him slay all my troops. I will not fight with that high-souled one, whether thereby I reap victory or death. What do you, O Krishna, think?
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.89 After 89, T G M1 ins.: *431 कथमस्मद्विधः कृष्ण जानन्धर्मं सनातनम् न्यस्तशस्त्रे च वृद्धे च प्रहरेद्धि पितामहे
श्रीकृष्ण उवाच प्रतिज्ञाय वधं जिष्णो पुरा भीष्मस्य संयुगे क्षत्रधर्मे स्थितः पार्थ कथं नैनं हनिष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: O Vishnu, having promised to slay Bhishma in battle, how can you desist from slaying him without transgressing the duties of a Kshatriya?
पातयैनं रथात्पार्थ वज्राहतमिव द्रुमम् नाहत्वा युधि गाङ्गेयं विजयस्ते भविष्यति
M. N. Dutt: Vasudeva said Overthrow, O son of Pritha, this Kshatriya ever invincible in battle, from his car. Without slaying Ganga's son in battle you can not hope to win victory.
दिष्टमेतत्पुरा देवैर्भविष्यत्यवशस्य ते हन्ता भीष्मस्य पूर्वेन्द्र इति तन्न तदन्यथा
AI Translation: This was destined long ago by the gods. It will happen to you, helpless one. "The former Indra will be the slayer of Bhishma." That cannot be otherwise.
न हि भीष्मं दुराधर्षं व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम् त्वदन्यः शक्नुयाद्धन्तुमपि वज्रधरः स्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Except yourself, O invincible one, none including the wielder of the thunder bolt himself will be able to fight with Bhishma who resembles Death himself with wide open mouth.
जहि भीष्मं महाबाहो शृणु चेदं वचो मम यथोवाच पुरा शक्रं महाबुद्धिर्बृहस्पतिः
M. N. Dutt: Do you slay Bhishma, with great coolness. Hear also these words of mine which were said to Shakra formerly by the highly intelligent Brihaspati.
ज्यायांसमपि चेच्छक्र गुणैरपि समन्वितम् आततायिनमामन्त्र्य हन्याद्घातकमागतम्
M. N. Dutt: One ought to slay even an aged man, or a person who is older than himself, or one who may be endowed with all virtues, if he comes as an enemy, or indeed any one else who comes for destroying him.
शाश्वतोऽयं स्थितो धर्मः क्षत्रियाणां धनंजय योद्धव्यं रक्षितव्यं च यष्टव्यं चानसूयुभिः
M. N. Dutt: This, O Dhananjaya, is the eternal duty prescribed for Kshatriyas viz., they should fight, protect their subjects, and perform sacrifices, all without any maliciousness.
अर्जुन उवाच शिखण्डी निधनं कृष्ण भीष्मस्य भविता ध्रुवम् दृष्ट्वैव हि सदा भीष्मः पाञ्चाल्यं विनिवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said Surely, O Krishna, Shikhandin has been born as the Death of Bhishma; for as soon as Bhishma sees the Panchala prince, he desists from striking.
ते वयं प्रमुखे तस्य स्थापयित्वा शिखण्डिनम् गाङ्गेयं पातयिष्याम उपायेनेति मे मतिः
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, placing Shikhandin in front of him (Bhishma) and stationing him in our van, we shall, by this means, overthrow the son of Ganga. This is my opinion.
अहमन्यान्महेष्वासान्वारयिष्यामि सायकैः शिखण्ड्यपि युधां श्रेष्ठो भीष्ममेवाभियास्यतु
M. N. Dutt: I will preclude the attack made by the great archers through arrows I shot on them. Shikhandi too should carry battle against Bhishma, the best warrior.
श्रुतं ते कुरुमुख्यस्य नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम् कन्या ह्येषा पुरा जाता पुरुषः समपद्यत
AI Translation: You have heard that I will not kill Shikhándin, the chief of the Kurus. For he was a girl in the past, and then became a man.
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.100 After 100, S ins.: *432 संजय उवाच अर्जुनस्य वचः श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य वधसंयुतम् जहृषुर्हृष्टरोमाणः सकृष्णाः पाण्डवास्तदा
संजय उवाच इत्येवं निश्चयं कृत्वा पाण्डवाः सहमाधवाः शयनानि यथास्वानि भेजिरे पुरुषर्षभाः
AI Translation: Sānjaya said: Having thus decided, the Pāndavas, together with the Mādhava, went to their respective beds, those bulls among men.
Supplementary Passages:
6.103.101 After 101ab, N T G ins.: *433 अनुमान्य महात्मानं प्रययुर्हृष्टमानसाः On the other hand, M ins. after 101ab: T2 subst. for 101cd: *434 स्वान्स्वान्गृहानभिगतास्तां रात्रिमवसन्सुखम्