Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच अधर्मेण हतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन संजय ब्राह्मणं पितरं वृद्धमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Hearing of the slaughter of his aged and Brahma-knowing sire by Dhristadyumna in an unfair battle, 0 Sanjaya, what did Ashvatthaman say.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.1 After 1, G1 M1.2.4.5 ins.: *1357 शूरश्च कृतविद्यश्च तेजसा ज्वलनोपमः यदब्रवीत्तदा सूत तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय यो वेद दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
मानुषं वारुणाग्नेयं ब्राह्ममस्त्रं च वीर्यवान् ऐन्द्रं नारायणं चैव यस्मिन्नित्यं प्रतिष्ठितम्
M. N. Dutt: He who is puissant and in whom human and Varuna and Agneya and Brahma and Aindra and Narayana weapons are always present?
तमधर्मेण धर्मिष्ठं धृष्टद्युम्नेन संजय श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing that the pious preceptor has been slain in battle by unfair means by Dhristadyumna what did that Ashvatthama say?
येन रामादवाप्येह धनुर्वेदं महात्मना प्रोक्तान्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि पुत्राय गुरुकाङ्क्षिणे
M. N. Dutt: The illustrious Drona having mastered the science of bowmanship had imparted its knowledge to that son of his desirous of seeing the latter accomplished in every way.
एकमेव हि लोकेऽस्मिन्नात्मनो गुणवत्तरम् इच्छन्ति पुत्रं पुरुषा लोके नान्यं कथंचन
M. N. Dutt: There is only one person in the world whom people can desire to be superior to themselves in accomplishments and that person is one's own son.
आचार्याणां भवन्त्येव रहस्यानि महात्मनाम् तानि पुत्राय वा दद्युः शिष्यायानुगताय वा
M. N. Dutt: This is the mystery about all illustrious preceptors, that they impart the knowledge of their respective sciences of their sons or to their beloved pupils.
स शिल्पं प्राप्य तत्सर्वं सविशेषं च संजय शूरः शारद्वतीपुत्रः संख्ये द्रोणादनन्तरः
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, the heroic son of Saradvata's daughter, being the disciple of his own sire has obtained all that knowledge in every detail and has become a second Drona.
रामस्यानुमतः शास्त्रे पुरंदरसमो युधि कार्तवीर्यसमो वीर्ये बृहस्पतिसमो मतौ
M. N. Dutt: In knowledge of weapons, Ashvatthaman is like Rama himself; in battle he is like Purandar, in prowess he equals Kartavirya and in wisdom hc matches Brihaspati.
महीधरसमो धृत्या तेजसाग्निसमो युवा समुद्र इव गाम्भीर्ये क्रोधे सर्पविषोपमः
M. N. Dutt: Youthful in years, he resembles a mountain in endurance and fire in cnergy. In gravity he is equal to the ocean and in anger to a snake of virulent poison.
स रथी प्रथमो लोके दृढधन्वा जितक्लमः शीघ्रोऽनिल इवाक्रन्दे चरन्क्रुद्ध इवान्तकः
M. N. Dutt: He is the first car-warrior in the world and indefatigable and resolute bowman. He equals the wind in speed; and in the thick of fight he careers like the Destroyer in person. or the
अस्यता येन संग्रामे धरण्यभिनिपीडिता यो न व्यथति संग्रामे वीरः सत्यपराक्रमः
M. N. Dutt: Shooting his arrows in battle he had afflicted the earth herself. Brave and of great prowess, he is never exhausted in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.11 After 11ab, S (G5 missing) ins.: *1358 मेघस्तनितनिर्घोषा कम्पते भयविक्लवा
वेदस्नातो व्रतस्नातो धनुर्वेदे च पारगः महोदधिरिवाक्षोभ्यो रामो दाशरथिर्यथा
M. N. Dutt: Purified by the recital of the Vedas and by the observance of the vows, he has thoroughly mastered the science of bow-manship. He is incapable of being ruffled and resembled in this direction the mighty ocean Dasaratha's son Raina himself.
तमधर्मेण धर्मिष्ठं धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing that the righteous preceptor has been slain in battle by unfair means by Dhristadyumna what indeed did Ashvatthaman sky?
धृष्टद्युम्नस्य यो मृत्युः सृष्टस्तेन महात्मना यथा द्रोणस्य पाञ्चाल्यो यज्ञसेनसुतोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: Ashvatthaman was destined to become the slayer of Dhristadyumna the son of Yajnasena, even as this latter was ordained to be the slayer of Drona.
तं नृशंसेन पापेन क्रूरेणात्यल्पदर्शिना श्रुत्वा निहतमाचार्यमश्वत्थामा किमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: What, alas, did Ashvatthman say, hearing that the Preceptor has been slain by that sinful, cruel and mean Dhristadyumna of little foresight?
संजय उवाच छद्मना निहतं श्रुत्वा पितरं पापकर्मणा बाष्पेणापूर्यत द्रौणी रोषेण च नरर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Hearing that his father has been slain by underhand means by Dhristadyumna of sinful deeds, Drona's son became filled, O foremost of men, with tears as well as with (extreme) rage.
तस्य क्रुद्धस्य राजेन्द्र वपुर्दिव्यमदृश्यत अन्तकस्येव भूतानि जिहीर्षोः कालपर्यये
M. N. Dutt: Inflamed as he was with rage, his body, O monarch, appeared to burn like that of the Destroyer himself when at the expiration of a Yuga, he engages himself in slaughtering created beings.
अश्रुपूर्णे ततो नेत्रे अपमृज्य पुनः पुनः उवाच कोपान्निःश्वस्य दुर्योधनमिदं वचः
M. N. Dutt: Then repeatedly wiping off his eyes shedding copious tears and breathing in rage, he said these words unto king Duryodhana.
पिता मम यथा क्षुद्रैर्न्यस्तशस्त्रो निपातितः धर्मध्वजवता पापं कृतं तद्विदितं मम अनार्यं सुनृशंसस्य धर्मपुत्रस्य मे श्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: I have been apprised of the fact, how my father was slain after he laid his weapons aside; I have also known how a sinful act has been committed by those who boast of hoisting the standard of virtue.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.19 After 19, G1 M ins.: *1359 असत्यवाक्यं यत्तेन लोभादुक्तं दुरात्मना राज्यहेतोर्नृशंसेन तच्चापि विदितं मया
युद्धेष्वपि प्रवृत्तानां ध्रुवौ जयपराजयौ द्वयमेतद्भवेद्राजन्वधस्तत्र प्रशस्यते
AI Translation: Even those who are engaged in battle are certain to win or lose. These two things will happen, O king, but death is preferable.
न्यायवृत्तो वधो यस्तु संग्रामे युध्यतो भवेत् न स दुःखाय भवति तथा दृष्टो हि स द्विजः
AI Translation: The death that occurs in battle while fighting is considered to be a good death. That is not considered to be a cause of suffering, as was seen in the case of that brahmin.
गतः स वीरलोकाय पिता मम न संशयः न शोच्यः पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तथा स निधनं गतः
AI Translation: There is no doubt that my father has gone to the world of heroes. That tiger among men should not be mourned for having died in that way.
यत्तु धर्मप्रवृत्तः सन्केशग्रहणमाप्तवान् पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां तन्मे मर्माणि कृन्तति
AI Translation: But when I was engaged in the practice of virtue, I was seized by the hair. This is cutting at my vitals while all the armies are looking on.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.23 B Dc1 Dn D3.5 ins. (var.) Veṇī- saṁhāra, (Act 3, st. 37) after 23: D6 after 22: *1360 मयि जीवति यत्तातः केशग्रहमवाप्तवान् कथमन्ये करिष्यन्ति पुत्रेभ्यः पुत्रिणः स्पृहाम्
कामात्क्रोधादवज्ञानाद्दर्पाद्बाल्येन वा पुनः वैधर्मिकानि कुर्वन्ति तथा परिभवेन च
AI Translation: Out of desire, anger, contempt, pride, or childishness, They perform non-dharmic acts, and also out of disrespect,
तदिदं पार्षतेनेह महदाधर्मिकं कृतम् अवज्ञाय च मां नूनं नृशंसेन दुरात्मना
AI Translation: This is a great act of unrighteousness committed here by the son of Pārṣa. And, disregarding me, the cruel and evil-minded one,
तस्यानुबन्धं स द्रष्टा धृष्टद्युम्नः सुदारुणम् अनार्यं परमं कृत्वा मिथ्यावादी च पाण्डवः
AI Translation: Dhrishtadyumna saw the terrible consequences of that act, and the Pandava spoke falsely, having done the most unmanly thing.
यो ह्यसौ छद्मनाचार्यं शस्त्रं संन्यासयत्तदा तस्याद्य धर्मराजस्य भूमिः पास्यति शोणितम्
AI Translation: The one who, in a deceitful manner, made the teacher give up his weapon, Today, the earth will drink the blood of that Dharma King.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.27 After 27, N (except D2; K5 missing) ins.: *1361 शपे सत्येन कौरव्य इष्टापूर्तेन चानघ अहत्वा सर्वपाञ्चालाञ्जीवेयं न कथंचन
सर्वोपायैर्यतिष्यामि पाञ्चालानामहं वधे धृष्टद्युम्नं च समरे हन्ताहं पापकारिणम्
AI Translation: I shall try by all means to kill the Panchālas. And in the battle I shall kill the sinful Dhristadyumna.
कर्मणा येन तेनेह मृदुना दारुणेन वा पाञ्चालानां वधं कृत्वा शान्तिं लब्धास्मि कौरव
AI Translation: By whatever means, whether gentle or harsh, Having killed the Panchalas, I have attained peace, O Kaurava.
यदर्थं पुरुषव्याघ्र पुत्रमिच्छन्ति मानवाः प्रेत्य चेह च संप्राप्तं त्राणाय महतो भयात्
AI Translation: For the sake of which, O tiger among men, men desire a son, It has been attained for protection from great fear, both in this world and the next.
पित्रा तु मम सावस्था प्राप्ता निर्बन्धुना यथा मयि शैलप्रतीकाशे पुत्रे शिष्ये च जीवति
AI Translation: But my father, who had no other son, was in a state like this: "When I, who was like a mountain, was alive, and my disciple was alive,
धिङ्ममास्त्राणि दिव्यानि धिग्बाहू धिक्पराक्रमम् यन्मां द्रोणः सुतं प्राप्य केशग्रहणमाप्तवान्
AI Translation: Fie on my divine weapons, fie on my arms, fie on my prowess, that Drona, having obtained my son, has come to seize his hair.
स तथाहं करिष्यामि यथा भरतसत्तम परलोकगतस्यापि गमिष्याम्यनृणः पितुः
AI Translation: I shall act so, O best of the Bharatas, that even after my death I shall be free from debt to my father.
आर्येण तु न वक्तव्या कदाचित्स्तुतिरात्मनः पितुर्वधममृष्यंस्तु वक्ष्याम्यद्येह पौरुषम्
AI Translation: But the noble one should never speak of his own praise. But I, unable to bear the death of my father, will now speak of my manliness here.
अद्य पश्यन्तु मे वीर्यं पाण्डवाः सजनार्दनाः मृद्नतः सर्वसैन्यानि युगान्तमिव कुर्वतः
AI Translation: Let the Pandavas and Janardana see my prowess today, As I crush all the armies, as if bringing about the end of an age.
न हि देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरा न च राक्षसाः अद्य शक्ता रणे जेतुं रथस्थं मां नरर्षभ
AI Translation: For today, neither gods, gandharvas, demons, nor demons are able to defeat me, the bull among men, standing on the chariot.
मदन्यो नास्ति लोकेऽस्मिन्नर्जुनाद्वास्त्रवित्तमः अहं हि ज्वलतां मध्ये मयूखानामिवांशुमान् प्रयोक्ता देवसृष्टानामस्त्राणां पृतनागतः
M. N. Dutt: Today at the heart of the hostile troops, like the sun in the midst of scorching rays, I shall discharge my celestial weapons.
कृशाश्वतनया ह्यद्य मत्प्रयुक्ता महामृधे दर्शयन्तोऽऽत्मनो वीर्यं प्रमथिष्यन्ति पाण्डवान्
M. N. Dutt: In today's mighty battle, shafts shot furiously from by bow will crush and mangle the Pandavas, showing their great energy.
अद्य सर्वा दिशो राजन्धाराभिरिव संकुलाः आवृताः पत्रिभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्द्रष्टारो मामकैरिह
M. N. Dutt: My troops shall today bchold the quarters of the compass, shrouded with sharp-winged shafts, as if O king, by shower of rain.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.39 For 39cd, S (G5 missing) subst.: *1362 भविष्यन्ति महाराज मच्छरैर्विदिशस्तथा
किरन्हि शरजालानि सर्वतो भैरवस्वरम् शत्रून्निपातयिष्यामि महावात इव द्रुमान्
M. N. Dutt: Shooting on all sides shafts of dreadful whirl, I shall fell my foes like the mighty tempest uprooting the trees.
न च जानाति बीभत्सुस्तदस्त्रं न जनार्दनः न भीमसेनो न यमौ न च राजा युधिष्ठिरः
AI Translation: And neither does Bibhatsu know that weapon, nor Janardana, Nor Bhimasena, nor the twins, nor King Yudhishthira.
न पार्षतो दुरात्मासौ न शिखण्डी न सात्यकिः यदिदं मयि कौरव्य सकल्यं सनिवर्तनम्
AI Translation: Not Partha, not the wicked one, not Shikhándin, not Sātyaki, This, O son of Kuru, is the whole of my advice, with the advice to return.
नारायणाय मे पित्रा प्रणम्य विधिपूर्वकम् उपहारः पुरा दत्तो ब्रह्मरूप उपस्थिते
M. N. Dutt: Formerly on one occasion, disguised as a Brahmana, Narayana, came to my father; whereupon my father bowing down unto him presented him offerings in due course and from.
तं स्वयं प्रतिगृह्याथ भगवान्स वरं ददौ वव्रे पिता मे परममस्त्रं नारायणं ततः
M. N. Dutt: Accepting those offerings that possessor of the six illustrious qualities (the Bhagas) desired to accord a boon to my sire. Thereupon my father asked the boon of getting that most excellent weapon called Narayana.
अथैनमब्रवीद्राजन्भगवान्देवसत्तमः भविता त्वत्समो नान्यः कश्चिद्युधि नरः क्वचित्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon that foremost of all gods, that possessor of the six divine qualities said unto him, O king, “No man shall ever be a match for you in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.45 After 45, G1 M ins.: *1363 गृहाणास्त्रमिदं विप्र नारायणमनुत्तमम्
न त्विदं सहसा ब्रह्मन्प्रयोक्तव्यं कथंचन न ह्येतदस्त्रमन्यत्र वधाच्छत्रोर्निवर्तते
M. N. Dutt: But, O Brahmana, this weapon should not be used without sufficient deliberation, for it never returns without dispatching the foc at whom it is hurled.
न चैतच्छक्यते ज्ञातुं को न वध्येदिति प्रभो अवध्यमपि हन्याद्धि तस्मान्नैतत्प्रयोजयेत्
M. N. Dutt: O Lord, I know not whom it may not slay. It will even effect the death of him who is unslayable. Therefore it should not be used hastily.
वधः संख्ये द्रवश्चैव शस्त्राणां च विसर्जनम् प्रयाचनं च शत्रूणां गमनं शरणस्य च
M. N. Dutt: When one abandons his car on weapons in battle or implores for mercy or surrenders himself.
एते प्रशमने योगा महास्त्रस्य परंतप सर्वथा पीडितो हि स्यादवध्यान्पीडयन्रणे
M. N. Dutt: O afflicter of your foes, these are the occasions when this mighty weapon, should not be used. He that wants to afflict the unslayable by this weapon himself becomes afflicted by it.
तज्जग्राह पिता मह्यमब्रवीच्चैव स प्रभुः त्वं वर्षिष्यसि दिव्यानि शस्त्रवर्षाण्यनेकशः अनेनास्त्रेण संग्रामे तेजसा च ज्वलिष्यसि
M. N. Dutt: My puissant father then received that weapon. The lord then thus spoke to me also. "You shall destroy many showers of celestial weapons.
एवमुक्त्वा स भगवान्दिवमाचक्रमे प्रभुः एतन्नारायणादस्त्रं तत्प्राप्तं मम बन्धुना
AI Translation: Having said this, the Blessed Lord ascended to heaven. This weapon of Narayana was obtained by my relative.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.51 After 51, D7.8 ins.: *1364 तत्प्रसादान्मया प्राप्तं महास्त्रमिदमुत्तमम्
तेनाहं पाण्डवांश्चैव पाञ्चालान्मत्स्यकेकयान् विद्रावयिष्यामि रणे शचीपतिरिवासुरान्
AI Translation: Therefore, I shall drive away the Pandavas, the Panchalas, the Matsyas, and the Kekayas in battle, like Shachi's husband drives away the demons.
यथा यथाहमिच्छेयं तथा भूत्वा शरा मम निपतेयुः सपत्नेषु विक्रमत्स्वपि भारत
AI Translation: Just as I wish, may my arrows become and strike my enemies, even when they are advancing, O descendant of Bharata.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.53 After 53, G1 M1.2 ins.: *1365 इच्छेयं यदि दूरस्थान्निहनिष्यन्ति मे शराः
यथेष्टमश्मवर्षेण प्रवर्षिष्ये रणे स्थितः अयोमुखैश्च विहगैर्द्रावयिष्ये महारथान् परश्वधांश्च विविधान्प्रसक्ष्येऽहमसंशयम्
M. N. Dutt: I will rout the foremost of car-warriors with sky-ranging arrows furnished with iron tips. I will certainly hurl battle axes, bludgeons and various other kinds of weapons.
सोऽहं नारायणास्त्रेण महता शत्रुतापन शत्रून्विध्वंसयिष्यामि कदर्थीकृत्य पाण्डवान्
M. N. Dutt: An afflicter of foes as I am, with the aid of that Narayana weapon, I shall destroy the foes, completely crushing the Pandavas.
मित्रब्रह्मगुरुद्वेषी जाल्मकः सुविगर्हितः पाञ्चालापसदश्चाद्य न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यते
M. N. Dutt: That disgrace to the Panchala race, that contemner of his friends, the Brahmanas and his preceptor, that odious fellow of vilest conduct, shall not escape me alive today.
Supplementary Passages:
7.166.56 After 56, G1 M ins.: *1366 एवमुक्त्वा ततो द्रौणिः शङ्खं दध्मौ स मारिष पूरयन्पृथिवीं सर्वां सशैलवनकाननाम् तस्य शङ्खस्वनं श्रुत्वा तव सैन्यानि मारिष न्यवर्तन्त रणायैव भयं त्यक्त्वा महारथाः
तच्छ्रुत्वा द्रोणपुत्रस्य पर्यवर्तत वाहिनी ततः सर्वे महाशङ्खान्दध्मुः पुरुषसत्तमाः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing those words of Drona's son, the army rallied; all foremost of warriors therein blew their mighly conches.
भेरीश्चाभ्यहनन्हृष्टा डिण्डिमांश्च सहस्रशः तथा ननाद वसुधा खुरनेमिप्रपीडिता स शब्दस्तुमुलः खं द्यां पृथिवीं च व्यनादयत्
M. N. Dutt: Delightedly they began to strike up the Bheris and Dindimas by thousands; the earth then struck with the hoops of horses and whecls of car, rang out loudly.
तं शब्दं पाण्डवाः श्रुत्वा पर्जन्यनिनदोपमम् समेत्य रथिनां श्रेष्ठाः सहिताः संन्यमन्त्रयन्
AI Translation: Hearing that sound, which was like the roar of thunder, the Pandavas, the best of charioteers, assembled together and consulted with each other.
तथोक्त्वा द्रोणपुत्रोऽपि तदोपस्पृश्य भारत प्रादुश्चकार तद्दिव्यमस्त्रं नारायणं तदा
AI Translation: Having said this, O descendant of Bharata, Drona's son then touched water and then manifested that divine Narayana weapon.