Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच कथमासंस्तदा योधा हीना भीष्मेण संजय बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा
AI Translation: Dhritarashtra said: How were the warriors then, O Sanjaya, deprived of Bhishma, the strong one, resembling the gods, who had observed celibacy for the sake of
तदैव निहतान्मन्ये कुरूनन्यांश्च पार्थिवान् न प्राहरद्यदा भीष्मो घृणित्वाद्द्रुपदात्मजे
AI Translation: I think that at that time the Kurus and other kings were killed. When Bhishma did not strike Drupada's son out of compassion,
ततो दुःखतरं मन्ये किमन्यत्प्रभविष्यति यदद्य पितरं श्रुत्वा निहतं मम दुर्मतेः
AI Translation: I think there is nothing more painful than this. What else can happen? Today, having heard that my father has been killed by my wicked mind,
अश्मसारमयं नूनं हृदयं मम संजय श्रुत्वा विनिहतं भीष्मं शतधा यन्न दीर्यते
AI Translation: O Sanjaya, my heart is certainly made of stone, for it does not break into a hundred pieces on hearing that Bhishma has been killed.
पुनः पुनर्न मृष्यामि हतं देवव्रतं रणे न हतो जामदग्न्येन दिव्यैरस्त्रैः स्म यः पुरा
AI Translation: Again and again I cannot bear the death of Devavrata in battle, who was not killed by Jamadagni's son in the past with divine weapons.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.5 After 5, Ś1 K0-2 read 4cd; while K4 B Da Dn D4-8 ins.: *482 स हतो द्रौपदेयेन पाञ्चाल्येन शिखण्डिना
यदद्य निहतेनाजौ भीष्मेण जयमिच्छता चेष्टितं नरसिंहेन तन्मे कथय संजय
AI Translation: O Sanjaya, tell me what was done by the lion-like Bhishma today, who desired victory by killing in the battle.
संजय उवाच सायाह्ने न्यपतद्भूमौ धार्तराष्ट्रान्विषादयन् पाञ्चालानां ददद्धर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः
AI Translation: Sānjaya said: In the evening, he fell to the ground, disheartening the sons of Dhritarashtra, giving joy to the Panchālas, the grandfather, the
स शेते शरतल्पस्थो मेदिनीमस्पृशंस्तदा भीष्मो रथात्प्रपतितः प्रच्युतो धरणीतले
AI Translation: He lay on a bed of arrows, not touching the ground, Bhishma, fallen from his chariot, had fallen to the ground.
हा हेति तुमुलः शब्दो भूतानां समपद्यत सीमावृक्षे निपतिते कुरूणां समितिक्षये
AI Translation: A great cry of "Alas! Alas!" arose among the spirits, when the boundary tree fell, at the destruction of the Kurus.
उभयोः सेनयो राजन्क्षत्रियान्भयमाविशत् भीष्मं शंतनवं दृष्ट्वा विशीर्णकवचध्वजम् कुरवः पर्यवर्तन्त पाण्डवाश्च विशां पते
AI Translation: O king, both armies were filled with fear, seeing Bhishma Shantanu, his armor and banner torn. The Kurus and the Pandavas turned back, O lord of the
खं तमोवृतमासीच्च नासीद्भानुमतः प्रभा ररास पृथिवी चैव भीष्मे शांतनवे हते
AI Translation: The sky was covered with darkness, the light of the sun was not there, The earth trembled when Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, was killed.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.11 After 11ab, D2 ins.: *483 कुरुपाण्डवयोश्छत्रे आधारे च धनुष्मताम्
अयं ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो अयं ब्रह्मविदां गतिः इत्यभाषन्त भूतानि शयानं भरतर्षभम्
AI Translation: This is the best of those who know Brahman, this is the goal of those who know Brahman. Thus the beings spoke to the sleeping Bhārata bull.
अयं पितरमाज्ञाय कामार्तं शंतनुं पुरा ऊर्ध्वरेतसमात्मानं चकार पुरुषर्षभः
AI Translation: This bull among men, knowing his father, Shantanu, afflicted by desire in the past, made himself a celibate.
इति स्म शरतल्पस्थं भरतानाममध्यमम् ऋषयः पर्यधावन्त सहिताः सिद्धचारणैः
AI Translation: Thus the middle one of the Bharatas, lying on a bed of arrows, the sages, together with the Siddhas and Charanas, ran around him.
हते शांतनवे भीष्मे भरतानां पितामहे न किंचित्प्रत्यपद्यन्त पुत्रास्तव च भारत
AI Translation: When Bhishma, the grandfather of the Bharatas, was killed, your sons, O descendant of the Bharata lineage, were not able to do anything.
विवर्णवदनाश्चासन्गतश्रीकाश्च भारत अतिष्ठन्व्रीडिताश्चैव ह्रिया युक्ता ह्यधोमुखाः
AI Translation: Their faces were pale and their glory had departed, O descendant of Bharata. They stood there, ashamed, their faces downcast, their minds full of shame.
पाण्डवाश्च जयं लब्ध्वा संग्रामशिरसि स्थिताः सर्वे दध्मुर्महाशङ्खान्हेमजालपरिष्कृतान्
AI Translation: The Pāṇḍavas, having won the victory, stood at the head of the battle, and all blew their great conches, adorned with golden nets.
भृशं तूर्यनिनादेषु वाद्यमानेषु चानघ अपश्याम रणे राजन्भीमसेनं महाबलम् आक्रीडमानं कौन्तेयं हर्षेण महता युतम्
AI Translation: O sinless one, when the sounds of musical instruments were being played, we saw in the battle the very powerful Bhimasena, the son of Kunti, playing with great joy.
निहत्य समरे शत्रून्महाबलसमन्वितान् संमोहश्चापि तुमुलः कुरूणामभवत्तदा
AI Translation: Having slain in battle the enemies, endowed with great strength, And a great confusion also arose for the Kurus at that time.
कर्णदुर्योधनौ चापि निःश्वसेतां मुहुर्मुहुः तथा निपतिते भीष्मे कौरवाणां धुरंधरे हाहाकारमभूत्सर्वं निर्मर्यादमवर्तत
AI Translation: Karna and Duryodhana sighed again and again. When Bhishma, the pillar of the Kauravas, fell down like this, there was a cry of "Alas!"
दृष्ट्वा च पतितं भीष्मं पुत्रो दुःशासनस्तव उत्तमं जवमास्थाय द्रोणानीकं समाद्रवत्
AI Translation: Seeing Bhishma fallen, your son Duhshāsana, mounting his best horse, attacked Drona's army.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.21 After 21, D1 ins.: *484 आगतस्त्वरमाणस्तु बलेन महता वृतः समेत्य पुरुषव्याघ्र त्वरमाणो महारथः while D2 ins.: *485 दुःशासनं द्रुततरं द्रोणविज्ञापनाय तत्
भ्रात्रा प्रस्थापितो वीरः स्वेनानीकेन दंशितः प्रययौ पुरुषव्याघ्रः स्वसैन्यमभिचोदयन्
AI Translation: The hero, sent by his brother, armed with his own army, went forth, urging his own army, the tiger among men.
तमायान्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य कुरवः पर्यवारयन् दुःशासनं महाराज किमयं वक्ष्यतीति वै
AI Translation: Seeing him coming, the Kurus surrounded him. "O great king! What will this Duhshāsana say?""
ततो द्रोणाय निहतं भीष्ममाचष्ट कौरवः द्रोणस्तदप्रियं श्रुत्वा सहसा न्यपतद्रथात्
AI Translation: Then the Kaurava told Drona that Bhishma had been killed. Hearing that unpleasant news, Drona suddenly fell from his chariot.
स संज्ञामुपलभ्याथ भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान् निवारयामास तदा स्वान्यनीकानि मारिष
AI Translation: Having regained consciousness, the powerful son of Bharadvaja then restrained his own troops, my friend.
विनिवृत्तान्कुरून्दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवापि स्वसैनिकान् दूतैः शीघ्राश्वसंयुक्तैरवहारमकारयन्
AI Translation: Having seen the Kurus withdraw, the Pandavas also withdrew their own troops, through messengers riding swift horses.
विनिवृत्तेषु सैन्येषु पारंपर्येण सर्वशः विमुक्तकवचाः सर्वे भीष्ममीयुर्नराधिपाः
AI Translation: When the armies had withdrawn, one after another, all the kings, their armor removed, approached Bhishma.
व्युपारम्य ततो युद्धाद्योधाः शतसहस्रशः उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं प्रजापतिमिवामराः
AI Translation: Then, after the battle had ceased, hundreds and thousands of warriors approached the great-souled one, like the immortals approaching Prajapati.
ते तु भीष्मं समासाद्य शयानं भरतर्षभम् अभिवाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त पाण्डवाः कुरुभिः सह
AI Translation: Having approached Bhishma, the bull of the Bharata lineage, lying down, the Pandavas, together with the Kurus, bowed and stood by.
अथ पाण्डून्कुरूंश्चैव प्रणिपत्याग्रतः स्थितान् अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भीष्मः शांतनवस्तदा
AI Translation: Then the righteous Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, having bowed to the Pandus and Kurus who were standing before him, spoke to them.
स्वागतं वो महाभागाः स्वागतं वो महारथाः तुष्यामि दर्शनाच्चाहं युष्माकममरोपमाः
AI Translation: Welcome to you, O noble ones, welcome to you, O great warriors. I am pleased by your sight, O immortals.
अभिनन्द्य स तानेवं शिरसा लम्बताब्रवीत् शिरो मे लम्बतेऽत्यर्थमुपधानं प्रदीयताम्
AI Translation: Having thus approved of them, he bowed his head and said: "My head is hanging down too much. Give me a support."
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.32 After 32ab, B2 Da Dn1 D5 S ins.: *486 परिपार्श्वे तव सुतान्स्थितानुद्वीक्ष्य भारत After 32, B2 D8 ins.: *487 एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं भीष्माद्भागीरथीसुतात्
ततो नृपाः समाजह्रुस्तनूनि च मृदूनि च उपधानानि मुख्यानि नैच्छत्तानि पितामहः
AI Translation: Then the kings brought forth their soft bodies, and the best of coverings, but the Grandfather did not desire them.
अब्रवीच्च नरव्याघ्रः प्रहसन्निव तान्नृपान् नैतानि वीरशय्यासु युक्तरूपाणि पार्थिवाः
AI Translation: The tiger among men smiled and said to those kings: "These things are not appropriate for heroes lying on their beds, O kings."
ततो वीक्ष्य नरश्रेष्ठमभ्यभाषत पाण्डवम् धनंजयं दीर्घबाहुं सर्वलोकमहारथम्
AI Translation: Then, having seen the best of men, he addressed the Pandava Dhananjaya, the long-armed one, the great chariot of all the worlds,
धनंजय महाबाहो शिरसो मेऽस्य लम्बतः दीयतामुपधानं वै यद्युक्तमिह मन्यसे
AI Translation: O Dhananjaya, O mighty-armed one, this head of mine is hanging down. Please give me a support, if you think it is appropriate here.
स संन्यस्य महच्चापमभिवाद्य पितामहम् नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then Arjuna, fixing the string on his mighty bow and saluting the grandsire and with his eyes overflowing with tears thus spoke.
आज्ञापय कुरुश्रेष्ठ सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वर प्रेष्योऽहं तव दुर्धर्ष क्रियतां किं पितामह
M. N. Dutt: Command me, O foremost of the Kurus, O chief of all wielders of weapons. I am your slave, O invincible one. What, O grandsire, shall I do for you.
तमब्रवीच्छांतनवः शिरो मे तात लम्बते उपधानं कुरुश्रेष्ठ फल्गुनोपनयस्व मे शयनस्यानुरूपं हि शीघ्रं वीर प्रयच्छ मे
M. N. Dutt: The son of Shantanu then thus replied to him saying "My head, O sire, is hanging down. Fetch me, O foremost of the Kurus, Phalguna, a pillow,
त्वं हि पार्थ महाबाहो श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम् क्षत्रधर्मस्य वेत्ता च बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वितः
AI Translation: You are the best of all archers, O mighty-armed Partha, and you know the duty of the warrior class, endowed with intelligence, courage, and virtue.
फल्गुनस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा व्यवसायपुरोजवः प्रगृह्यामन्त्र्य गाण्डीवं शरांश्च नतपर्वणः
AI Translation: Phalguna, having said "So be it", with the speed of a man of determination, took up the Gandīva bow and the arrows with bent joints,
अनुमान्य महात्मानं भरतानाममध्यमम् त्रिभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्महावेगैरुदगृह्णाच्छिरः शरैः
AI Translation: Having honored the great one named Bharata, the middle one, He seized his head with three sharp and swift arrows.
अभिप्राये तु विदिते धर्मात्मा सव्यसाचिना अतुष्यद्भरतश्रेष्ठो भीष्मो धर्मार्थतत्त्ववित्
AI Translation: But when the true intention was known, the soul of the law, the left-handed archer, was pleased, O best of Bharatas, Bhishma, the knower of the truth of dharma and artha.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.43 For 43, D1 subst.: *488 उपधाने तथा दत्ते भीष्मस्य सव्यसाचिना भीष्मोऽपि भरतां श्रेष्ठः सर्वधर्मार्थतत्त्ववित्
उपधानेन दत्तेन प्रत्यनन्दद्धनंजयम् कुन्तीपुत्रं युधां श्रेष्ठं सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्धनम्
AI Translation: With the gift of a robe, he delighted Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, the best of warriors, the increaser of the joy of his friends.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.44 After 44ab, K2 Dn2 D4.8 ins.: *489 प्राह सर्वान्समुद्वीक्ष्य भरतान्भारतं प्रति
अनुरूपं शयानस्य पाण्डवोपहितं त्वया यद्यन्यथा प्रवर्तेथाः शपेयं त्वामहं रुषा
M. N. Dutt: O son of Pandu, you have indeed fetched me a pillow becoming my bed. Had you fetched me something else, I would have cursed you
एवमेतन्महाबाहो धर्मेषु परिनिष्ठितम् स्वप्तव्यं क्षत्रियेणाजौ शरतल्पगतेन वै
M. N. Dutt: O mighty-armed hero this indeed is the way in which a Kshatriya not transgressing his duties, should sleep on the battle-field lying on an arrowy bed.
एवमुक्त्वा तु बीभत्सुं सर्वांस्तानब्रवीद्वचः राज्ञश्च राजपुत्रांश्च पाण्डवेनाभि संस्थितान्
M. N. Dutt: Having thus spoken to Vibhatsu' he said to all the kings and princes present there, the following words. in rage.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.47 After 47, K4 B Da Dn D4.5.7.8 ins.: *490 पश्यध्वमुपधानं मे पाण्डवेनाभिसंधितम्
शयेयमस्यां शय्यायां यावदावर्तनं रवेः ये तदा पारयिष्यन्ति ते मां द्रक्ष्यन्ति वै नृपाः
AI Translation: I shall lie on this bed until the sun returns. Those who will be able to cross the ocean at that time will see me, O kings.
दिशं वैश्रवणाक्रान्तां यदा गन्ता दिवाकरः अर्चिष्मान्प्रतपँल्लोकान्रथेनोत्तमतेजसा विमोक्ष्येऽहं तदा प्राणान्सुहृदः सुप्रियानपि
AI Translation: When the sun has set in the direction of Vaishravana, Shining brightly, illuminating the world with his supreme radiance, Then I shall give up my life, even though it is dear to my friends.
परिखा खन्यतामत्र ममावसदने नृपाः उपासिष्ये विवस्वन्तमेवं शरशताचितः उपारमध्वं संग्रामाद्वैराण्युत्सृज्य पार्थिवाः
M. N. Dutt: O kings, dig up an entrenchment around here; mangled with hundreds of arrows as I am I will offer my homage's to the sun. You, O kings, do desist from the battle, vanquishing all thoughts of hostility.
उपातिष्ठन्नथो वैद्याः शल्योद्धरणकोविदाः सर्वोपकरणैर्युक्ताः कुशलास्ते सुशिक्षिताः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereafter there came several practitioners of the healing are, all well-trained and skillful in drawing out shafts, carrying with them all the necessary balms and appliances.
तान्दृष्ट्वा जाह्नवीपुत्रः प्रोवाच वचनं तदा दत्तदेया विसृज्यन्तां पूजयित्वा चिकित्सकाः
M. N. Dutt: Beholding them, Ganga's son said to your son. “Paying proper respect to these physicians, and rewarding them with money, do you dismiss them.
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.52 For 52cd and 53ab, D1 subst.: *491 भवन्तः कुशला नित्यं भिषजो वेदनाहराः उवाच पुत्रो गंगाया न वैद्यैः कार्यमस्ति मे
एवंगते न हीदानीं वैद्यैः कार्यमिहास्ति मे क्षत्रधर्मप्रशस्तां हि प्राप्तोऽस्मि परमां गतिम्
M. N. Dutt: Reduced to this condition, what necessity have I of physicians? I have attained to that blessed existence that is so applauded in those that observe the Kshatriya duties.
नैष धर्मो महीपालाः शरतल्पगतस्य मे एतैरेव शरैश्चाहं दग्धव्योऽन्ते नराधिपाः
M. N. Dutt: As I lie on this arrowy bed, it is not indeed my duty to allow myself to be treated by these physicians. I should like, O rulers of earth, to be consumed even by these arrows,
Supplementary Passages:
6.115.54 For 54ab, D1 subst.: *492 एतान्पूजय राजेन्द्र वस्त्रालंकरणादिभिः After 54, Da Dn D5 ins.: *493 विद्यास्तिष्ठन्ति कुशलाः सदा व्याधिचिकित्सने
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव वैद्यान्विसर्जयामास पूजयित्वा यथार्हतः
M. N. Dutt: Having heard those words of his, your son Duryodhana dismissed all those physicians, having honoured them duly.
ततस्ते विस्मयं जग्मुर्नानाजनपदेश्वराः स्थितिं धर्मे परां दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः
M. N. Dutt: Then the rulers of the various countries, beholding the religious firmness of Bhishma of infinite prowess, were greatly amazed.
उपधानं ततो दत्त्वा पितुस्तव जनेश्वर सहिताः पाण्डवाः सर्वे कुरवश्च महारथाः
M. N. Dutt: Then having offered that pillow of your sire, all those kings, together with the mighty car-warriors of the Kurus and the Pandavas,
उपगम्य महात्मानं शयानं शयने शुभे तेऽभिवाद्य ततो भीष्मं कृत्वा चाभिप्रदक्षिणम्
AI Translation: Having approached the great-souled one lying on a splendid bed, they bowed to Bhishma and circumambulated him.
विधाय रक्षां भीष्मस्य सर्व एव समन्ततः वीराः स्वशिबिराण्येव ध्यायन्तः परमातुराः निवेशायाभ्युपागच्छन्सायाह्ने रुधिरोक्षिताः
AI Translation: Having made a protection for Bhishma all around, all the heroes, thinking of the supreme suffering, went to their own camps, covered with blood, at sunset, to take rest.
निविष्टान्पाण्डवांश्चापि प्रीयमाणान्महारथान् भीष्मस्य पतनाद्धृष्टानुपगम्य महारथान् उवाच यादवः काले धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
AI Translation: The Pandavas, who were stationed there, were delighted to see the great warriors. And the great warriors, who were delighted at Bhishma's fall, approached him. At that time, the Yadava spoke to Dharma's son, Yudhishthira,
दिष्ट्या जयसि कौरव्य दिष्ट्या भीष्मो निपातितः अवध्यो मानुषैरेष सत्यसंधो महारथः
M. N. Dutt: “Through good fortune, O best of the Kurus, have you attained victory; through good fortune has Bhishma, that mighty car-warrior of unerring aim, incapable of being slain by men, been overthrown.
अथ वा दैवतैः पार्थ सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगः त्वां तु चक्षुर्हणं प्राप्य दग्धो घोरेण चक्षुषा
M. N. Dutt: Or it may be, that having, through Destiny, obtained you that slay with your very glances for a foe, that one through conversant with the use of all weapons has been destroyed by your angry looks."
एवमुक्तो धर्मराजः प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम् तव प्रसादाद्विजयः क्रोधात्तव पराजयः त्वं हि नः शरणं कृष्ण भक्तानामभयंकरः
M. N. Dutt: Being thus spoken to, the very virtuous king Yudhishthira replied to Janardana saying. “Victory comes to a man through your grace, and defcat overtakes him through your wrath.
अनाश्चर्यो जयस्तेषां येषां त्वमसि केशव रक्षिता समरे नित्यं नित्यं चापि हिते रतः सर्वथा त्वां समासाद्य नाश्चर्यमिति मे मतिः
M. N. Dutt: You always protect in battle, and for whose welfare you always concern yourself. Having yourself for our protector, I do not consider anything wonderful for us."
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच स्मयमानो जनार्दनः त्वय्येवैतद्युक्तरूपं वचनं पार्थिवोत्तम
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to Janardana smilingly replied. “Indeed, O foremost of all the rulers of earth, these are words suited to fall from your lips only."