Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच किं कुर्वाणं रणे द्रोणं जघ्नुः पाण्डवसृञ्जयाः तथा निपुणमस्त्रेषु सर्वशस्त्रभृतामपि
M. N. Dutt: What was Drona doing when the Pandavas and the Srinjayas slew him in battle,-he who was so skillful in the use of weapons amongst all wielders of arms?
रथभङ्गो बभूवास्य धनुर्वाशीर्यतास्यतः प्रमत्तो वाभवद्द्रोणस्ततो मृत्युमुपेयिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Did his chariot give way? Did his bow snap in two in the act of smiting? Did Drona go mad and for the reason met with his death?
कथं नु पार्षतस्तात शत्रुभिर्दुष्प्रधर्षणम् किरन्तमिषुसंघातान्रुक्मपुङ्खाननेकशः
AI Translation: How is it, dear son, that the son of Prishata, who is so difficult to assail by enemies, who is discharging many clusters of arrows with golden plumes,
क्षिप्रहस्तं द्विजश्रेष्ठं कृतिनं चित्रयोधिनम् दूरेषुपातिनं दान्तमस्त्रयुद्धे च पारगम्
AI Translation: One who is quick-handed, best among Brahmins, skillful, a skilled fighter, One who shoots arrows from a distance, disciplined, and skilled in the use of weapons.
पाञ्चालपुत्रो न्यवधीद्दिष्ट्या स वरमच्युतम् कुर्वाणं दारुणं कर्म रणे यत्तं महारथम्
AI Translation: The son of Panchala killed him, the one who was not to be killed, the one who was performing a terrible deed in the battle, that great chariot.
व्यक्तं दिष्टं हि बलवत्पौरुषादिति मे मतिः यद्द्रोणो निहतः शूरः पार्षतेन महात्मना
M. N. Dutt: Since that heroic Drona was slain by Parshata of illustrious soul, it is evident, I think, that Destiny is more powerful than exertion.
अस्त्रं चतुर्विधं वीरे यस्मिन्नासीत्प्रतिष्ठितम् तमिष्वस्त्रवराचार्यं द्रोणं शंससि मे हतम्
M. N. Dutt: In that mighty warrior, the knowledge of all the four kinds of wcapons was present. Do you say to me that Drona, that preceptor of all wielders of arrows and weapons is slain?
श्रुत्वा हतं रुक्मरथं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम् जातरूपपरिष्कारं नाद्य शोकमपानुदे
M. N. Dutt: Hearing the death that hero of golden car covered with tiger-skins, whose effulgence was like that of gold, I cannot today discard my grief.
न नूनं परदुःखेन कश्चिन्म्रियति संजय यत्र द्रोणमहं श्रुत्वा हतं जीवामि न म्रिये
M. N. Dutt: Surely, O Sanjaya, no man ever dies through sorrow caused by another's calamity; since, I, unfortunate as I am, am still alive having heard of Drona's death.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.9 After 9, B Dc1 ins.: *53 दैवमेव परं मन्ये न सुनीतं न पौरुषम् मदीयो नायको यत्र गुणश्रेष्ठो हतः परैः
अश्मसारमयं नूनं हृदयं सुदृढं मम यच्छ्रुत्वा निहतं द्रोणं शतधा न विदीर्यते
AI Translation: My heart must be made of stone, for it does not shatter into a hundred pieces when I hear that Drona has been killed.
ब्राह्मे वेदे तथेष्वस्त्रे यमुपासन्गुणार्थिनः ब्राह्मणा राजपुत्राश्च स कथं मृत्युना हतः
AI Translation: In the Vedas and in the Atharva Veda, those who sought qualities worshipped him. How was he killed by Death, the Brahmanas and the princes?
शोषणं सागरस्येव मेरोरिव विसर्पणम् पतनं भास्करस्येव न मृष्ये द्रोणपातनम्
AI Translation: Like the drying up of the ocean, like the spreading of Meru, Like the fall of the sun, I cannot bear the fall of Drona.
दृप्तानां प्रतिषेद्धासीद्धार्मिकानां च रक्षिता योऽत्याक्षीत्कृपणस्यार्थे प्राणानपि परंतपः
AI Translation: The suppressor of the proud, the protector of the righteous, He who gave up his life for the sake of the poor, the tormentor of enemies,
मन्दानां मम पुत्राणां जयाशा यस्य विक्रमे बृहस्पत्युशनस्तुल्यो बुद्ध्या स निहतः कथम्
AI Translation: How can he who is the hope of victory for my sons, who are weak, and who is equal to Brihaspati and Ushanas in wisdom, be killed?
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.14 After 14, T G2-5 ins.: *54 गुणानां सर्वयोधानां स्थितिरासीन्महाद्युतिः यं मृत्युर्वशगस्तिष्ठेत्स कथं मृत्युना हतः
ते च शोणा बृहन्तोऽश्वाः सैन्धवा हेममालिनः रथे वातजवा युक्ताः सर्वशब्दातिगा रणे
AI Translation: Those horses are red, large, Sindhu horses, with golden garlands, Yoked to the chariot with the speed of the wind, surpassing all sounds in battle.
बलिनो घोषिणो दान्ताः सैन्धवाः साधुवाहिनः दृढाः संग्राममध्येषु कच्चिदासन्न विह्वलाः
AI Translation: Are the horses strong, fleet, and well-trained, and do they carry well? Are they strong in the midst of battle, and are they not easily frightened?
करिणां बृंहतां युद्धे शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिस्वनम् ज्याक्षेपशरवर्षाणां शस्त्राणां च सहिष्णवः
AI Translation: Those who can withstand the loud sounds of conch shells and drums in the battle of elephants, The falling of arrows and the weapons.
आशंसन्तः पराञ्जेतुं जितश्वासा जितव्यथाः हयाः प्रजविताः शीघ्रा भारद्वाजरथोद्वहाः
AI Translation: The horses, who were eager to conquer the enemy, who had conquered their breath and pain, were swift, very swift, and were yoked to the chariot of Bharadvaja.
ते स्म रुक्मरथे युक्ता नरवीरसमाहिताः कथं नाभ्यतरंस्तात पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्
AI Translation: yoked to the golden chariot, with the best of men, how did they not overcome the army of the Pandavas, O son?
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.19 T G1-4 M ins. after 19: G5 after 20ab: *55 तं तु रुक्मरथं दृष्ट्वा विद्रवन्ति स्म शत्रवः दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणं संगताः सर्वतः परे
जातरूपपरिष्कारमास्थाय रथमुत्तमम् भारद्वाजः किमकरोच्छूरः संक्रन्दनो युधि
AI Translation: Having mounted the excellent chariot adorned with gold, What did the hero Bharadvaja do in battle, O you who are to be praised?
विद्यां यस्योपजीवन्ति सर्वलोकधनुर्भृतः स सत्यसंधो बलवान्द्रोणः किमकरोद्युधि
AI Translation: Who is the one whose knowledge is relied upon by all the archers in the world, That truthful and powerful Drona, what did he do in battle?
दिवि शक्रमिव श्रेष्ठं महामात्रं धनुर्भृताम् के नु तं रौद्रकर्माणं युद्धे प्रत्युद्ययू रथाः
AI Translation: Who among the chariot-warriors did not revere him, the best of the bowmen, like Indra in heaven, the great minister? Who among the chariot-warriors did not confront him in battle, the one of fierce deeds?
ननु रुक्मरथं दृष्ट्वा प्रद्रवन्ति स्म पाण्डवाः दिव्यमस्त्रं विकुर्वाणं सेनां क्षिण्वन्तमव्ययम्
AI Translation: But when they saw Rukmaratha, the Pandavas fled, when he was displaying his divine weapon, destroying the army, and invincible.
उताहो सर्वसैन्येन धर्मराजः सहानुजः पाञ्चाल्यप्रग्रहो द्रोणं सर्वतः समवारयत्
AI Translation: Or did the Dharma King, together with his younger brother, surround Drona from all sides with the entire army, holding the reins of the Panchala?
नूनमावारयत्पार्थो रथिनोऽन्यानजिह्मगैः ततो द्रोणं समारोहत्पार्षतः पापकर्मकृत्
AI Translation: Partha certainly restrained other charioteers with his straight-flying arrows. Then the evil-doer Parshata mounted Drona.
न ह्यन्यं परिपश्यामि वधे कंचन शुष्मिणः धृष्टद्युम्नादृते रौद्रात्पाल्यमानात्किरीटिना
AI Translation: I see no one else who could kill him, except the fierce Dhrishtadyumna, who is protected by the diademed one.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.26 After 26, S repeats 24ab; while S (except G2; G5 om.) ins.: *56 उत्सृज्य सर्वसैन्यानि द्रोणमेवाभिदुद्रुवे
तैर्वृतः सर्वतः शूरैः पाञ्चाल्यापसदस्ततः केकयैश्चेदिकारूषैर्मत्स्यैरन्यैश्च भूमिपैः
AI Translation: Surrounded on all sides by those heroes, the son-in-law of Panchala, with the Kekayas, Chedis, Karushas, Matsyas and other kings,
व्याकुलीकृतमाचार्यं पिपीलैरुरगं यथा कर्मण्यसुकरे सक्तं जघानेति मतिर्मम
AI Translation: The teacher was agitated, like a snake by ants. My opinion is that he was killed while engaged in a difficult task.
योऽधीत्य चतुरो वेदान्सर्वानाख्यानपञ्चमान् ब्राह्मणानां प्रतिष्ठासीत्स्रोतसामिव सागरः स कथं ब्राह्मणो वृद्धः शस्त्रेण वधमाप्तवान्
AI Translation: One who had studied the four Vedas and all the five ancillary texts, was the support of the Brahmins, like the ocean of the rivers. How did that old Brahmin meet his death by a weapon?
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.29 After 29cd, N (Ś2 missing) ins.: *57 क्षत्रं च ब्रह्म चैवेह योऽन्वतिष्ठत्परंतपः On the other hand, S ins. after 29cd: *58 दृप्तानां प्रतिषेद्धा च चक्षुरासीदचक्षुषाम् अमर्षी चावलिप्तेषु धार्मिकेषु च धार्मिकः
अमर्षणो मर्षितवान्क्लिश्यमानः सदा मया अनर्हमाणः कौन्तेयः कर्मणस्तस्य तत्फलम्
AI Translation: The one who is not to be angered, has been angered by me, who am always afflicted. The one who is not to be blamed, has been blamed by me, for that deed and its result.
यस्य कर्मानुजीवन्ति लोके सर्वधनुर्भृतः स सत्यसंधः सुकृती श्रीकामैर्निहतः कथम्
AI Translation: How can the one who is true to his word, the one who is virtuous, the one who is the support of all archers in the world, be killed by those who desire prosperity?
दिवि शक्र इव श्रेष्ठो महासत्त्वो महाबलः स कथं निहतः पार्थैः क्षुद्रमत्स्यैर्यथा तिमिः
AI Translation: Like Indra in heaven, the best, the great being, the greatly powerful, How was he killed by the Parthas, like a shark by small fish?
क्षिप्रहस्तश्च बलवान्दृढधन्वारिमर्दनः न यस्य जीविताकाङ्क्षी विषयं प्राप्य जीवति
AI Translation: One who is quick-handed, strong, and able to crush enemies with a firm bow, No one who desires to live can approach his territory and live.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.33 After 33ab, D4.7 ins.: *59 वा कथं निहतः पापै रणे ब्राह्मणपुंगवः
यं द्वौ न जहतः शब्दौ जीवमानं कदाचन ब्राह्मश्च वेदकामानां ज्याघोषश्च धनुर्भृताम्
AI Translation: The two sounds that never leave one who is alive: The sound of the Veda for those who desire knowledge, and the twang of the bow for those who wield it.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.34 After 34, N (Ś missing) ins.: *60 अदीनं पुरुषव्याघ्रं ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम्
नाहं मृष्ये हतं द्रोणं सिंहद्विरदविक्रमम् कथं संजय दुर्धर्षमनाधृष्ययशोबलम्
AI Translation: I cannot bear that Drona, who was as majestic as a lion or an elephant, has been killed. O Sanjaya, how can I bear that Drona, whose fame and strength were invincible, has been killed?
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.35 N (Ś2 missing) ins. after 35: T2 after 37ab: *61 पश्यतां पुरुषेन्द्राणां समरे पार्षतोऽवधीत् के पुरस्तादयुध्यन्त रक्षन्तो द्रोणमन्तिकात् के नु पश्चादवर्तन्त गच्छतो दुर्गमां गतिम् On the other hand, S (T2 continuing) ins. after 35: *62 ब्रह्मकल्पोऽभवद्ब्राह्मे क्षात्रे नारायणोपमः ब्रह्मक्षत्रे च यस्यास्तां वशे स्थाणोरिवाखिले सर्वान्हि मामकान्युद्धे सहाश्वरथकुञ्जरान् युधिष्ठिरस्य तपसा हतान्मन्यामहे कुरून्
केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं सव्यं के च महात्मनः पुरस्तात्के च वीरस्य युध्यमानस्य संयुगे
AI Translation: Who protected the right wheel, and who the left of the great-souled one? Who were in front of the hero when he fought in the battle?
के च तत्र तनुं त्यक्त्वा प्रतीपं मृत्युमाव्रजन् द्रोणस्य समरे वीराः केऽकुर्वन्त परां धृतिम्
AI Translation: Who there, having given up their bodies, went to Pratipa, to death? Who among Drona's heroes in battle attained the highest fortitude?
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.37 After 37, N (Ś2 missing) ins.: *63 कच्चिन्नैनं भयान्मन्दाः क्षत्रिया व्यजहन्रणे रक्षितारस्ततः शून्ये कच्चिन्नैको हतः परैः न स पृष्ठमरेस्त्रासाद्रणे शौर्यात्प्रदर्शयेत् परामप्यापदं प्राप्य स कथं निहतः परैः After line 2, D4.7.8 ins.: *64 यः स देवान्सगन्धर्वान्सयक्षोरगराक्षसान् जेतुमुत्सहते द्रोणः स कथं निहतः परैः
एतदार्येण कर्तव्यं कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संजय पराक्रमेद्यथाशक्त्या तच्च तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्
AI Translation: This is what should be done by the noble one in times of adversity, O Sanjaya. One should exert oneself to the best of one's ability, and that is established in him.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.38 T G1-4 M ins. after 38; G5 after 37: *65 कच्चिन्नैनं भयात्क्षुद्राः पार्थेभ्यः प्रददू रणे गोप्तृभिस्तैः समुत्सृष्टः कच्चिन्नैष परैर्हतः धृष्टद्युम्नं हि पश्यामि निघ्नन्तमिव ब्राह्मणम् वार्यमाणं रणे तात द्रौणिनामिततेजसा
मुह्यते मे मनस्तात कथा तावन्निवर्त्यताम् भूयस्तु लब्धसंज्ञस्त्वा परिप्रक्ष्यामि संजय
AI Translation: My mind is confused, father. Let the story be stopped for now. But when I regain consciousness, I will ask you again, Sanjaya.
Supplementary Passages:
7.8.39 After 39ab, D4.7.8 ins.: *66 क्षणमेकमहं सूत न शक्ष्यामीति जल्पितुम्