Critical Edition
संजय उवाच रथस्थं पुरुषव्याघ्रं दृष्ट्वा कर्णमवस्थितम् हृष्टो दुर्योधनो राजन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O monarch, seeing that foremost of men Karna scated on his car, Duryodhana highly enraptured, spoke these words.
सनाथमिदमत्यर्थं भवता पालितं बलम् मन्ये किं तु समर्थं यद्धितं तत्संप्रधार्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: I consider this army, protected by you, to have found a suitable commander in you. Do you now decide that which will be beneficial (to this army) and which is practicable.
कर्ण उवाच ब्रूहि तत्पुरुषव्याघ्र त्वं हि प्राज्ञतमो नृप यथा चार्थपतिः कृत्यं पश्यते न तथेतरः
M. N. Dutt: Karna said O foremost of men, yourself speak to us, since you are the wisest of kings. A third person cannot so well descry as to what should be done, as he who is interested in any affair.
ते स्म सर्वे तव वचः श्रोतुकामा नरेश्वर नान्याय्यं हि भवान्वाक्यं ब्रूयादिति मतिर्मम
M. N. Dutt: All these rulers of men are desirous of hcaring your words; and I am sure you will never speak unjust words.
दुर्योधन उवाच भीष्मः सेनाप्रणेतासीद्वयसा विक्रमेण च श्रुतेन च सुसंपन्नः सर्वैर्योधगुणैस्तथा
AI Translation: Duryodhana said: Bhishma was the leader of the army, endowed with age, valor, learning, and all the qualities of a warrior.
तेनातियशसा कर्ण घ्नता शत्रुगणान्मम सुयुद्धेन दशाहानि पालिताः स्मो महात्मना
AI Translation: By that very fame, O Karna, you have killed my hosts of enemies. For ten days we have been protected by the great-souled one through good fighting.
तस्मिन्नसुकरं कर्म कृतवत्यास्थिते दिवम् कं नु सेनाप्रणेतारं मन्यसे तदनन्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: When that onc, who accomplished many difficult acts, is gone to heaven, ( Karna, whom do you consider capable of leading this host into battle)?
न ऋते नायकं सेना मुहूर्तमपि तिष्ठति आहवेष्वाहवश्रेष्ठ नेतृहीनेव नौर्जले
M. N. Dutt: Like an unmanned boat in waters, the army cannot stand in battle even for a short while without a leader, O Karna, O you who are foremost in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.8 T G3-5 ins. after 8ab: G1 M subst. for 8cd: *39 आहवेषु विशेषेण भ्रष्टनेत्रेष्विवाञ्जनम्
यथा ह्यकर्णधारा नौ रथश्चासारथिर्यथा द्रवेद्यथेष्टं तद्वत्स्यादृते सेनापतिं बलम्
M. N. Dutt: An army without a commander is like a boat with none to steer her through or like a chariot without a driver, going any where.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.9 After 9, N (Ś2 missing) ins.: *40 अदैशिको यथा सार्थः सर्वं पापं समर्छति अनायका तथा सेना सर्वान्दोषान्समर्छति
स भवान्वीक्ष्य सर्वेषु मामकेषु महात्मसु पश्य सेनापतिं युक्तमनु शांतनवादिह
M. N. Dutt: Therefore do you look among all these high-souled warriors of ours and find out a proper person who may, as a commander, fill the place of Shantanu's son.
यं हि सेनाप्रणेतारं भवान्वक्ष्यति संयुगे तं वयं सहिताः सर्वे प्रकरिष्याम मारिष
M. N. Dutt: The person, who you will consider to be fit to lead our army, in battle, will undoubtedly be chosen to be so unanimously.
कर्ण उवाच सर्व एव महात्मान इमे पुरुषसत्तमाः सेनापतित्वमर्हन्ति नात्र कार्या विचारणा
M. N. Dutt: Karna said All these foremost of men of high soul are worthy of the leadership (of this host). There is no necessity for making any selection. ever one
कुलसंहननज्ञानैर्बलविक्रमबुद्धिभिः युक्ताः कृतज्ञा ह्रीमन्त आहवेष्वनिवर्तिनः
M. N. Dutt: All of them are perfectly acquainted with the genelogies (of princes) and with the vital parts of the body; they are possessed of prowess, might and intelligence; they are grateful, highly intelligent and unretreating from battle.
युगपन्न तु ते शक्याः कर्तुं सर्वे पुरःसराः एक एवात्र कर्तव्यो यस्मिन्वैशेषिका गुणाः
M. N. Dutt: But all of them cannot at the same time assume the leadership; therefore only one among them is to be chosen, in whom there reside superior qualities.
अन्योन्यस्पर्धिनां तेषां यद्येकं सत्करिष्यसि शेषा विमनसो व्यक्तं न योत्स्यन्ते हि भारत
M. N. Dutt: If you promote among several contending rivals, the rest, it is clear, being depressed, will not fight with a desire for doing your good.
अयं तु सर्वयोधानामाचार्यः स्थविरो गुरुः युक्तः सेनापतिः कर्तुं द्रोणः शस्त्रभृतां वरः
M. N. Dutt: But this foremost of all the wielders of weapons, this preceptor and teacher, of all the warriors, this Drona who is venerable in years, is worthy of being elected generalissimo.
को हि तिष्ठति दुर्धर्षे द्रोणे ब्रह्मविदुत्तमे सेनापतिः स्यादन्योऽस्माच्छुक्राङ्गिरसदर्शनात्
M. N. Dutt: When the indomitable Drona, who is foremost among those conversant with Brahma and is equal to Shuka and Angirasa in learning, is here, who else is worthy of being selected as a leader?
न च स ह्यस्ति ते योधः सर्वराजसु भारत यो द्रोणं समरे यान्तं नानुयास्यति संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: O Bharata, there is not even a single warrior among this mighty host of kings, who will not follow Drona when he goes to fight.
एष सेनाप्रणेतॄणामेष शस्त्रभृतामपि एष बुद्धिमतां चैव श्रेष्ठो राजन्गुरुश्च ते
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, this one is the foremost of all leaders of warriors; he is the foremost of all wielders of arms, as also of all intelligent persons and he is also your preceptor (in arms).
एवं दुर्योधनाचार्यमाशु सेनापतिं कुरु जिगीषन्तोऽसुरान्संख्ये कार्त्तिकेयमिवामराः
M. N. Dutt: As the immortals desirous of defeating the Asuras in battle made Kartikeya their leader, so, do you, O Duryodhana, soon elect this one (Drona) as the leader of your army.
संजय उवाच कर्णस्य वचनं श्रुत्वा राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा सेनामध्यगतं द्रोणमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereupon having listened to the words of Karna, king Duryodhana thus addressed Drona who was standing in the midst of the soldiers.
वर्णश्रैष्ठ्यात्कुलोत्पत्त्या श्रुतेन वयसा धिया वीर्याद्दाक्ष्यादधृष्यत्वादर्थज्ञानान्नयाज्जयात्
AI Translation: By superiority of caste, by birth in a family, by learning, by age, by intellect, By valour, by skill, by being unassailable, by knowing the meaning, by the method, by victory,
तपसा च कृतज्ञत्वाद्वृद्धः सर्वगुणैरपि युक्तो भवत्समो गोप्ता राज्ञामन्यो न विद्यते
AI Translation: By austerities and by gratitude, you have become old and endowed with all good qualities. There is no other protector of kings like you.
स भवान्पातु नः सर्वान्विबुधानिव वासवः भवन्नेत्राः पराञ्जेतुमिच्छामो द्विजसत्तम
AI Translation: May he protect us all, like Vāsava protects the gods. O best of Brahmins, we wish to conquer the enemies.
रुद्राणामिव कापाली वसूनामिव पावकः कुबेर इव यक्षाणां मरुतामिव वासवः
AI Translation: Like the Kapali of the Rudras, like the Pavaka of the Vasus, Like Kubera of the Yakshas, like Vasava of the Maruts,
वसिष्ठ इव विप्राणां तेजसामिव भास्करः पितॄणामिव धर्मोऽथ आदित्यानामिवाम्बुराट्
AI Translation: He was like Vasishtha among the Brahmanas, like the sun among the rays of light, like Dharma among the Pitris, like the lord of the waters among the Adityas,
नक्षत्राणामिव शशी दितिजानामिवोशनाः श्रेष्ठः सेनाप्रणेतॄणां स नः सेनापतिर्भव
AI Translation: Like the moon among the stars, like Agni among the offspring of Diti, The best of generals, may he be our general.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.27 After 27ab, S Cv ins.: *41 सर्वेषामेव लोकानां विश्वस्य च यथा क्षयः विश्वोत्पत्तिस्थितिलये श्रेष्ठो नारायणः प्रभुः
अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च वशगाः सन्तु तेऽनघ ताभिः शत्रून्प्रतिव्यूह्य जहीन्द्रो दानवानिव
M. N. Dutt: Like Indra slaying the Danavas, do you slay our enemies, O sinless one, by arranging in battle-array this eleven Akshauhini of soldiers which will be placed under your complete disposal.
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकिः अनुयास्यामहे त्वाजौ सौरभेया इवर्षभम्
M. N. Dutt: Like the son of Pavaka proceeding before the celestials, do you proceed at the head of this our army; we will follow you in battle like a heard of bulls following the leader.
उग्रधन्वा महेष्वासो दिव्यं विस्फारयन्धनुः अग्रे भवन्तं दृष्ट्वा नो नार्जुनः प्रसहिष्यते
M. N. Dutt: That fierce bowman, that mighty champion, : Arjuna, stretching his celestial bow, will not strike us seeing you go before us.
ध्रुवं युधिष्ठिरं संख्ये सानुबन्धं सबान्धवम् जेष्यामि पुरुषव्याघ्र भवान्सेनापतिर्यदि
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, if you accept our leadership, then I am sure to conquer in battle Yudhishthira with all his friends and followers.
एवमुक्ते ततो द्रोणे जयेत्यूचुर्नराधिपाः सिंहनादेन महता हर्षयन्तस्तवात्मजम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When Duryodhana had finished his address, the kings, imparting great delight to your sons by their loud defiant shouts, exclaimed Victory to Drona.
सैनिकाश्च मुदा युक्ता वर्धयन्ति द्विजोत्तमम् दुर्योधनं पुरस्कृत्य प्रार्थयन्तो महद्यशः
M. N. Dutt: Then the soldiers also filled with delight and desirous of earning fame, began to extol that foremost of regenerate ones, with Duryodhana at their head. Thereupon, O monarch, Drona spoke these words of Duryodhana.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.33 After 33, Dn1 D7.8 ins.: *42 मेनिरे निहितान्पार्थानात्मनश्चोत्तमं यशः Dn1 D7.8 cont.: Ś1 K1-3.5 B5 D1.2.5.6 ins. after 33ab: B1.3 (marg.) D3.4 after 33: *43 दुर्योधनं तदा राजन्द्रोणो वचनमब्रवीत्
द्रोण उवाच वेदं षडङ्गं वेदाहमर्थविद्यां च मानवीम् त्रैयम्बकमथेष्वस्त्रमस्त्राणि विविधानि च
M. N. Dutt: Drona said I am versed in the Vedas and in their six auxiliaries; and in the science of practical life concerning itself with men. I know the weapons of Tryambaka and various other weapons and mantras.
ये चाप्युक्ता मयि गुणा भवद्भिर्जयकाङ्क्षिभिः चिकीर्षुस्तानहं सत्यान्योधयिष्यामि पाण्डवान्
M. N. Dutt: Those qualities, which, you, desirous of victory, have ascribed to me, bringing them to play, I will offer battle to the sons of Pandu.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.35 After 35, N (Ś2 missing) ins.: *44 पार्षतं तु रणे राजन्न हनिष्ये कथंचन स हि सृष्टो वधार्थाय ममैव पुरुषर्षभ योधयिष्ये तु सैन्यानि नाशयन्सर्वसोमकान् न च मां पाण्डवा युद्धे योधयिष्यन्ति हर्षिताः
संजय उवाच स एवमभ्यनुज्ञातश्चक्रे सेनापतिं ततः द्रोणं तव सुतो राजन्विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O monarch, then your son, with the perinission of Drona, made him the commander of his troops, with ceremonies enjoined by the ordinances for such occasions.
अथाभिषिषिचुर्द्रोणं दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः सेनापत्ये यथा स्कन्दं पुरा शक्रमुखाः सुराः
M. N. Dutt: As in days of yore, the gods with Indra at their head, invested Skanda with their leadership, so now did the monarchs headed by Duryodhana, invest Drona with the command of the troops.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.37 After 37ab, S ins.: *45 स्वस्तिवादरवैश्चान्यैः श्लक्ष्णैः पुण्यैर्मनोरमैः
ततो वादित्रघोषेण सह पुंसां महास्वनैः प्रादुरासीत्कृते द्रोणे हर्षः सेनापतौ तदा
M. N. Dutt: thereupon on Drona's investiture with the command, the delight (of troops) was manifest by the sound of musical instruments and the deafening blare of the conchs.
ततः पुण्याहघोषेण स्वस्तिवादस्वनेन च संस्तवैर्गीतशब्दैश्च सूतमागधबन्दिनाम्
AI Translation: Then with the sound of auspicious declarations and the sound of "May there be well-being", with praises, the sound of singing, and the bards, minstrels, and panegyrists,
जयशब्दैर्द्विजाग्र्याणां सुभगानर्तितैस्तथा सत्कृत्य विधिवद्द्रोणं जितान्मन्यन्त पाण्डवान्
AI Translation: With the sounds of victory from the best of Brahmins and the dancing of the fortunate ones, Having honored Drona properly, the Pandavas considered themselves victorious.
Supplementary Passages:
7.5.40 After 40ab, K5 D2.5.6 ins.: *46 प्रादुरासीन्महाशब्दः कृते सेनापतौ द्विजे सेनापत्ये महात्मानं सर्वे संहृष्टमानसाः