Critical Edition
संजय उवाच प्रतिज्ञाते तु पार्थेन सिन्धुराजवधे तदा वासुदेवो महाबाहुर्धनंजयमभाषत
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said After the son of Pritha (Arjuna) had promised to slay the ruler of the Sindhus, the mighty-armed son of Vasudeva addressed him sayingभ्रातॄणां मतमज्ञाय त्वया वाचा प्रतिश्रुतम्।
भ्रातॄणां मतमाज्ञाय त्वया वाचा प्रतिश्रुतम् सैन्धवं श्वोऽस्मि हन्तेति तत्साहसतमं कृतम्
AI Translation: Having understood the opinion of the brothers, you promised with words, "You will kill Saindhava tomorrow." That was a great deed.
असंमन्त्र्य मया सार्धमतिभारोऽयमुद्यतः कथं नु सर्वलोकस्य नावहास्या भवेमहि
M. N. Dutt: Without taking my advice previously, you have drawn down a heavy burden on your shoulders. Alas! how now shall we escape from being the butt of redicule of all men.
धार्तराष्ट्रस्य शिबिरे मया प्रणिहिताश्चराः त इमे शीघ्रमागम्य प्रवृत्तिं वेदयन्ति नः
M. N. Dutt: I had deputed spies in the encampment of the sons of Dhristarastra. Those spies, returning soon furnished with this information.
त्वया वै संप्रतिज्ञाते सिन्धुराजवधे तदा सिंहनादः सवादित्रः सुमहानिह तैः श्रुतः
M. N. Dutt: 'O Lord, when you had vowed the slaughter of the king of the Sindhus, they (the Kauravas) heard the war-cries mingled with din of musical instruments that then arose from our camp.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.5 For 5ab, S (G5 damaged) subst.: *382 संश्रुते सिन्धुराजस्य वधे गाण्डीवधन्वना
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता धार्तराष्ट्राः ससैन्धवाः नाकस्मात्सिंहनादोऽयमिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः
M. N. Dutt: Terrified at that up-roar, the sons of Dhritarashtra together with all their relatives me and kinsmen, thought-these shouts are not without due causes' and they then waited (for what would ensue next).
सुमहाञ्शब्दसंपातः कौरवाणां महाभुज आसीन्नागाश्वपत्तीनां रथघोषश्च भैरवः
M. N. Dutt: Then, O mighty-armed one, a great confused noise was created by the Kauravas and their elephants, steeds, infantry and the rattle of their car-wheels.
अभिमन्युवधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवमार्तो धनंजयः रात्रौ निर्यास्यति क्रोधादिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः
M. N. Dutt: 'Having been appraised of the slaughter of Abhimanyu, Dhananjaya sorely distressed will surely, in wrath, come out in the night desirous of battle.' Thinking even in the above manner, they stood prepared for battle.
तैर्यतद्भिरियं सत्या श्रुता सत्यवतस्तव प्रतिज्ञा सिन्धुराजस्य वधे राजीवलोचन
M. N. Dutt: Thus when those vow-observing heroes were preparing for the battle, O you of eyes like lotus petals, they heard of the true vow you had taken for the slaughter of the Sindhu king.
ततो विमनसः सर्वे त्रस्ताः क्षुद्रमृगा इव आसन्सुयोधनामात्याः स च राजा जयद्रथः
M. N. Dutt: Thereat the counsellors of Suyodhana all became depressed at heart and they then resembled weak animals struck with panic. Then king Jayadratha,
अथोत्थाय सहामात्यैर्दीनः शिबिरमात्मनः आयात्सौवीरसिन्धूनामीश्वरो भृशदुःखितः
M. N. Dutt: The ruler of the Sindhus and the Sauviras, sorely afflicted with grief and melancholy, rose up and with his ministers retired to his tent.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.11 For 11ab, Ś K1.3.4 D1 subst.: K2 ins. after 10: *383 भृशं विमनसो भूत्वा शिबिराणि स्वकानि ते
स मन्त्रकाले संमन्त्र्य सर्वा नैःश्रेयसीः क्रियाः सुयोधनमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीद्राजसंसदि
M. N. Dutt: Then in that time suitable for consultations, he consulted with them about the best remedial measure (against Arjuna's vow). And then repairing to the assembly of kings he said these words to Suyodhana.
मामसौ पुत्रहन्तेति श्वोऽभियाता धनंजयः प्रतिज्ञातो हि सेनाया मध्ये तेन वधो मम
M. N. Dutt: "He is the slayer of my son, thinking thus, tomorrow will Dhananjaya assault me. In the very midst of his troops, he has vowed to slay me.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.13 After 13, Dn1 ins.: *384 मम पुत्र[त्रो] हतोऽनेन हनिष्येऽहं जयद्रथम् इति वाचो बहुविधा[ः] पार्थेन प्रतिज्ञा कृता
तां न देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरोरगराक्षसाः उत्सहन्तेऽन्यथा कर्तुं प्रतिज्ञां सव्यसाचिनः
M. N. Dutt: Neither the Gods, nor the Gandharvas, nor the Asuras, nor the reptiles nor the Rakshasas would venture to baffle that Vow of Savyasachin (Arjuna).
ते मां रक्षत संग्रामे मा वो मूर्ध्नि धनंजयः पदं कृत्वाप्नुयाल्लक्ष्यं तस्मादत्र विधीयताम्
M. N. Dutt: Do you all therefore protect me in battle. Let not Dhananjaya, placing his feet on your heads, succeeded in hitting his target. Let suitable arrangements be made.
अथ रक्षा न मे संख्ये क्रियते कुरुनन्दन अनुजानीहि मां राजन्गमिष्यामि गृहान्प्रति
M. N. Dutt: On the other hand, O delighter of the Kurus, if you do not undertake to protect me in battle, permit me, O king, to go back to my home.”
एवमुक्तस्त्ववाक्शीर्षो विमनाः स सुयोधनः श्रुत्वाभिशप्तवन्तं त्वां ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to, Suyodhana hang down his head and became depressed at heart. And ascertaining Jayadratha to be greatly terrified, he began to meditate (silently).
तमार्तमभिसंप्रेक्ष्य राजा किल स सैन्धवः मृदु चात्महितं चैव सापेक्षमिदमुक्तवान्
M. N. Dutt: Then the ruler of the Shindhus seeing Duryodhana sorely afflicted, softly spoke these words, intended to conduce to his own welfare and good.
नाहं पश्यामि भवतां तथावीर्यं धनुर्धरम् योऽर्जुनस्यास्त्रमस्त्रेण प्रतिहन्यान्महाहवे
M. N. Dutt: "I do not find any bowman among you who is equal to Arjuna in prowess and who is capable of baffling the weapons of Arjuna in battle, with those of his own.
वासुदेवसहायस्य गाण्डीवं धुन्वतो धनुः कोऽर्जुनस्याग्रतस्तिष्ठेत्साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः
M. N. Dutt: What person would dare stand before Arjuna who is supported by the son of Vasudeva and who wields the Gandiva bow? Even Indra of hundred sacrifices will not venture to do so!
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.20 For 20cd, S subst.: *385 अर्जुनस्याग्रतो योद्धुं बिभियादपि देवराट्
महेश्वरोऽपि पार्थेन श्रूयते योधितः पुरा पदातिना महातेजा गिरौ हिमवति प्रभुः
M. N. Dutt: It is said that the son of Pritha (Arjuna), on foot, fought with Almighty Mahesvara himself in days gone by, on the Himavat mountains.
दानवानां सहस्राणि हिरण्यपुरवासिनाम् जघानैकरथेनैव देवराजप्रचोदितः
M. N. Dutt: Being commissioned by the lord of the celestials, he slew on a single chariot thousands of Danavas inhabiting the golden city.
समायुक्तो हि कौन्तेयो वासुदेवेन धीमता सामरानपि लोकांस्त्रीन्निहन्यादिति मे मतिः
M. N. Dutt: That son of Kunti is now united with the intelligent son of Vasudeva. And I think that he is now competent to destroy the triune, world, with even the immortals therein!
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.23 After 23, D2 ins.: *386 यथा दाशरथिं रामं सहायं प्राप्य दुर्धरम् वालिनं घातयामास सुग्रीवोऽसौ तथात्र माम्
सोऽहमिच्छाम्यनुज्ञातुं रक्षितुं वा महात्मना द्रोणेन सहपुत्रेण वीरेण यदि मन्यसे
M. N. Dutt: So, may it please you, I desire to have either your permission to go home or to be protected by the high-souled Drona and his son, both endued with heroism."
स राज्ञा स्वयमाचार्यो भृशमाक्रन्दितोऽर्जुन संविधानं च विहितं रथाश्च किल सज्जिताः
M. N. Dutt: O Arjuna, thus addressed the king himself entreated the preceptor to undertake to protect Jayadratha. All remedial measures have been adopted; and chariots and steeds have been duly arranged.
कर्णो भूरिश्रवा द्रौणिर्वृषसेनश्च दुर्जयः कृपश्च मद्रराजश्च षडेतेऽस्य पुरोगमाः
M. N. Dutt: Karna, Bhurisravas, the son of Drona, the invincible Vrishasena, Kripa and the ruler of the Madras these six warriors will station themselves in the van of their array.
शकटः पद्मपश्चार्धो व्यूहो द्रोणेन कल्पितः पद्मकर्णिकमध्यस्थः सूचीपाशे जयद्रथः स्थास्यते रक्षितो वीरैः सिन्धुराड्युद्धदुर्मदैः
AI Translation: The army formation called "Śakata" was formed by Drona, with the rear half in the shape of a lotus. Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu, was stationed in the center of the lotus, protected by the warriors who were difficult to defeat in battle.
धनुष्यस्त्रे च वीर्ये च प्राणे चैव तथोरसि अविषह्यतमा ह्येते निश्चिताः पार्थ षड्रथाः एतानजित्वा सगणान्नैव प्राप्यो जयद्रथः
M. N. Dutt: These six warriors, O Partha, are surely exceedingly difficult of being borne down, Without first vanquishing these six carwarriors, you cannot hope to reach Jayadratha.
तेषामेकैकशो वीर्यं षण्णां त्वमनुचिन्तय सहिता हि नरव्याघ्रा न शक्या जेतुमञ्जसा
M. N. Dutt: Think of the respective prowess of these six warriors. O foremost of men, when united together, they cannot be easily defeated.
भूयश्च चिन्तयिष्यामि नीतिमात्महिताय वै मन्त्रज्ञैः सचिवैः सार्धं सुहृद्भिः कार्यसिद्धये
M. N. Dutt: Let us once again hold consultation with those versed in the use of weapons and with our own ministers and friends, to settle the course of action that should be adopted for our ! well-being and for the fruition of our aims.
अर्जुन उवाच षड्रथान्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य मन्यसे यान्बलाधिकान् तेषां वीर्यं ममार्धेन न तुल्यमिति लक्षये
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said Those six car-warriors of the Dhartarastra host whom you consider to be superior to me in strength, I think their prowess is not even equal to half that of mine.
अस्त्रमस्त्रेण सर्वेषामेतेषां मधुसूदन मया द्रक्ष्यसि निर्भिन्नं जयद्रथवधैषिणा
M. N. Dutt: You will see, O slayer of Madhu, the weapons of all these heroes cut-off by those of mine, when, desirous of slaying Jayadratha, I shall encounter them.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.32 For 32cd, S subst.: *387 पश्यतस्ते निहन्तास्मि यदि ते वज्रधारिणः
द्रोणस्य मिषतः सोऽहं सगणस्य विलप्यतः मूर्धानं सिन्धुराजस्य पातयिष्यामि भूतले
M. N. Dutt: Before the eyes of Drona and before his bewailing followers, I will fell down on earth the head of the ruler of the Sindhus.
यदि साध्याश्च रुद्राश्च वसवश्च सहाश्विनः मरुतश्च सहेन्द्रेण विश्वेदेवास्तथासुराः
M. N. Dutt: Even if the Saddhyas, the Rudras, the Vasus together with the twin Aswins, the Marutas with Indra, the Visvadevas and the mighty gods.
पितरः सहगन्धर्वाः सुपर्णाः सागराद्रयः द्यौर्वियत्पृथिवी चेयं दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः
M. N. Dutt: The ancestral manes and the Gandharvas and Suparna and the oceans, the mountains, the firmament, heaven, earth the quarters and their regents.
ग्राम्यारण्यानि भूतानि स्थावराणि चराणि च त्रातारः सिन्धुराजस्य भवन्ति मधुसूदन
M. N. Dutt: The domestic and the wild animals and all the mobile and immobile beings united together-even if all these become the protector of the Sindhu king, O slayer of Madhu.
तथापि बाणैर्निहतं श्वो द्रष्टासि रणे मया सत्येन ते शपे कृष्ण तथैवायुधमालभे
M. N. Dutt: Still you shall behold him tomorrow slain by my arrows in battle. O Krishna, I swear by my truth and touching my weapons.
यश्च गोप्ता महेष्वासस्तस्य पापस्य दुर्मतेः तमेव प्रथमं द्रोणमभियास्यामि केशव
M. N. Dutt: That, О Keshava, at the very first instance, I shall proceed against that Drona, that fierce bowman who had undertaken to protect the sinful Jayadratha.
तस्मिन्द्यूतमिदं बद्धं मन्यते स्म सुयोधनः तस्मात्तस्यैव सेनाग्रं भित्त्वा यास्यामि सैन्धवम्
M. N. Dutt: King Suyodhana considers this battle as a game depending on the dice identified with Drona himself. Therefore, penetrating through the divisions of Drona himself, I shall reach the king of the Sindhus.
द्रष्टासि श्वो महेष्वासान्नाराचैस्तिग्मतेजनैः शृङ्गाणीव गिरेर्वज्रैर्दार्यमाणान्मया युधि
M. N. Dutt: Tomorrow you shall behold the mighty bowmen (of the enemy's host), rent open by me with Narachas of fierce energy, like the crests of the mountains cleft open by the bolt of Heaven.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.40 For 40cd, S (G2 damaged) subst.: *388 मया निपातितान्संख्ये वज्रैरिव गिरिव्रजान्
नरनागाश्वदेहेभ्यो विस्रविष्यति शोणितम् पतद्भ्यः पतितेभ्यश्च विभिन्नेभ्यः शितैः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Blood shall flow out copiously from the bodies of men, elephants and steeds, rent open and fallen on the ground, being struck with my whetted shafts.
गाण्डीवप्रेषिता बाणा मनोनिलसमा जवे नृनागाश्वान्विदेहासून्कर्तारश्च सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: Arrows shot from the bow Gandiva and resembling in speed the speed of mind or the wind itself, shall, by thousands, deprive men, horses and elephants of their lives and limbs.
यमात्कुबेराद्वरुणाद्रुद्रादिन्द्राच्च यन्मया उपात्तमस्त्रं घोरं वै तद्द्रष्टारो नरा युधि
M. N. Dutt: In tomorrow's battle, men will see those terrible weapons displayed by me which I have secured from Yama, Kubera, Varuna, Indra and Rudra.
ब्राह्मेणास्त्रेण चास्त्राणि हन्यमानानि संयुगे मया द्रष्टासि सर्वेषां सैन्धवस्याभिरक्षिणाम्
M. N. Dutt: In tomorrow's fight you will see the weapons of those that will come to protect the king of the Sindhus, repulsed by my one Brahma weapon.
शरवेगसमुत्कृत्तै राज्ञां केशव मूर्धभिः आस्तीर्यमाणां पृथिवीं द्रष्टासि श्वो मया युधि
M. N. Dutt: Tomorrow you shall see the earth covered by me with the head of princes cut-off their trunks by the force of my arrows, O Keshava.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.45 For 45cd, S subst.: *389 मया द्रष्टासि विस्तीर्णां कीर्यमाणां च मेदिनीम्
क्रव्यादांस्तर्पयिष्यामि द्रावयिष्यामि शात्रवान् सुहृदो नन्दयिष्यामि पातयिष्यामि सैन्धवम्
M. N. Dutt: Tomorrow will I afford gratification to the flesh-eaters and will scatter my enemies and delight my friends and completely destroy the ruler of the Sindhus.
बह्वागस्कृत्कुसंबन्धी पापदेशसमुद्भवः मया सैन्धवको राजा हतः स्वाञ्शोचयिष्यति
M. N. Dutt: A greatly sinful wretch, one who had acted not like a kinsman, born in a sinful country, the king of Sindhus slain by me, will, tomorrow, impart sorrow to his followers.
सर्वक्षीरान्नभोक्तारः पापाचारा रणाजिरे मया सराजका बाणैर्नुन्ना नंक्ष्यन्ति सैन्धवाः
M. N. Dutt: Tomorrow you shall see the mean ruler of the Sindus, that one brought up in all luxury and of sinful behaviour, pierced by me in battle with my shafts.
तथा प्रभाते कर्तास्मि यथा कृष्ण सुयोधनः नान्यं धनुर्धरं लोके मंस्यते मत्समं युधि
M. N. Dutt: OKrishna, at day-break, I will achieve such feats, that Suyodhana will never think that there is any other bowman equal to me.
गाण्डीवं च धनुर्दिव्यं योद्धा चाहं नरर्षभ त्वं च यन्ता हृषीकेश किं नु स्यादजितं मया
M. N. Dutt: This Gandiva bow is of celestial make; I, O foremost of men, am also a warrior; you also, O Hrishikesha, are my driver; what then cannot be conquered by me?
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.50 After 50, N ins.: *390 तव प्रसादाद्भगवन्किमिवास्ति रणे मम अविषह्यं हृषीकेश किं जानन्मां विगर्हसे
यथा हि लक्ष्म चन्द्रे वै समुद्रे च यथा जलम् एवमेतां प्रतिज्ञां मे सत्यां विद्धि जनार्दन
M. N. Dutt: As Lakshmi is ever constant in the moon, as water ever remains in the ocean, so, O Janardana, know my vow to be ever incapable of being frustrated.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.51 After 51, D2 ins.: *391 यथा रामेण चैकेन साधितो दशकंधरः विभुना साधयिष्यामि तथा तं सैन्धवं रिपुम्
मावमंस्था ममास्त्राणि मावमंस्था धनुर्दृढम् मावमंस्था बलं बाह्वोर्मावमंस्था धनंजयम्
M. N. Dutt: Do not hate my weapons, Do not hate my firm and tough bow. Do not despise the prowess of my arms and do not also, O Krishna, despise Dhananjaya.
यथा हि यात्वा संग्रामे न जीये विजयामि च तेन सत्येन संग्रामे हतं विद्धि जयद्रथम्
M. N. Dutt: I will proceed to battle in such a manner that I will surely win and not lose. When I have taken the oath, count Jayadratha already among those slain in battle.
ध्रुवं वै ब्राह्मणे सत्यं ध्रुवा साधुषु संनतिः श्रीर्ध्रुवा चापि दक्षेषु ध्रुवो नारायणे जयः
M. N. Dutt: Truth is ever constant in the Brahmana; humility is ever constant in the pious; prosperity ever attends sacrifice and victory ever attends Narayana.
Supplementary Passages:
7.53.54 After 54, S ins.: *392 त्वं च माधव सर्वं तत्तथा प्रतिविधास्यसि यथा रिपूणां मिषतां प्रमथिष्यामि सैन्धवम्
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा हृषीकेशं स्वयमात्मानमात्मना संदिदेशार्जुनो नर्दन्वासविः केशवं प्रभुम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Having spoken these words to Hrishikesha and having said so to his own self also, Vasava's son (Arjuna) once more addressed
यथा प्रभातां रजनीं कल्पितः स्याद्रथो मम तथा कार्यं त्वया कृष्ण कार्यं हि महदुद्यतम्
M. N. Dutt: O Krishna, you should so arrange that as soon as the night passes away, my chariot may be ready, well-furnished with the implements of war, inasmuch as the task at hand is very serious.