Critical Edition
नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयमुदीरयेत्
AI Translation: Having bowed to Narayana, and to Nara, the best of men, and to the goddess Sarasvati, one should then proclaim victory.
वैशंपायन उवाच ततो द्रोणे हते राजन्दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो द्रोणपुत्रमुपागमन्
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said O king, after Drona had been killed, the monarchs headed by Duryodhana, with greatly anxious hearts, all went to the son of Drona.
Supplementary Passages:
8.1.1 The introductory mantra: *1 नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम् देवीं सरस्वतीं चैव ततो जयमुदीरयेत् T3 G1.3 cont. after 1*: *2 शुक्लाम्बरधरं विष्णुं शशिवर्णं चतुर्भुजम् प्रसन्नवदनं ध्यायेत्सर्वविघ्नोपशान्तये
ते द्रोणमुपशोचन्तः कश्मलाभिहतौजसः पर्युपासन्त शोकार्तास्ततः शारद्वतीसुतम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon mourning for the death of Drona, they (the kings) being highly oppressed with grief and deprived of energy on account of their gloominess of mind sat around the son of Sharadvata.
मुहूर्तं ते समाश्वास्य हेतुभिः शास्त्रसंमितैः रात्र्यागमे महीपालाः स्वानि वेश्मानि भेजिरे
M. N. Dutt: Then having comforted him for a short while by citing reasons arrived at in the Shastras, the rulers of the earth departed to their respective abodes on the advent of the night.
विशेषतः सूतपुत्रो राजा चैव सुयोधनः दुःशासनोऽथ शकुनिर्न निद्रामुपलेभिरे
M. N. Dutt: Especially the son of Suta, king Suyodhana, Dushasana and Shakuni could not at all sleep.
ते वेश्मस्वपि कौरव्य पृथ्वीशा नाप्नुवन्सुखम् चिन्तयन्तः क्षयं तीव्रं निद्रां नैवोपलेभिरे
AI Translation: O Kouravya, the kings did not find happiness even in their homes, thinking of the intense destruction, they did not find sleep.
सहितास्ते निशायां तु दुर्योधननिवेशने अतिप्रचण्डाद्विद्वेषात्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्
AI Translation: Together, they were in the camp of Duryodhana at night, out of great hatred for the great-souled Pandavas,
यत्तद्द्यूतपरिक्लिष्टां कृष्णामानिन्यिरे सभाम् तत्स्मरन्तोऽन्वतप्यन्त भृशमुद्विग्नचेतसः
M. N. Dutt: Recollecting these, viz. that they (the Pandavas) were greatly oppressed during the game at dice and also that Krishna (Draupadi) was (forcibly) brought to the assembly (of kings), they greatly regretted, with hearts filled with anxiety.
चिन्तयन्तश्च पार्थानां तान्क्लेशान्द्यूतकारितान् कृच्छ्रेण क्षणदां राजन्निन्युरब्दशतोपमाम्
AI Translation: And thinking of the hardships of the Parthas caused by gambling, they spent a hundred years in a moment, O king.
ततः प्रभाते विमले स्थिता दिष्टस्य शासने चक्रुरावश्यकं सर्वे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon at the break of day they, being obedient to the injunctions of ordinance, all performed the necessary ceremonies, prescribed by the established usage.
ते कृत्वावश्यकार्याणि समाश्वस्य च भारत योगमाज्ञापयामासुर्युद्धाय च विनिर्ययुः
M. N. Dutt: Having finished all the necessary ceremonies and consoled themselves, they, O Bharata, ordered for the array of soldiers and then started for battle.
कर्णं सेनापतिं कृत्वा कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाः वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्दधिपात्रघृताक्षतैः
AI Translation: Having made Karna the commander-in-chief, and having performed the auspicious rites, Having made the best of Brahmins recite (the sacred texts), with curds, pots, ghee, and unbroken rice,
निष्कैर्गोभिर्हिरण्येन वासोभिश्च महाधनैः वर्ध्यमाना जयाशीर्भिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः
AI Translation: Being nourished by gold, cows, gold, and great wealth, and being praised by bards, minstrels, and singers.
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्कृतसर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः शिबिरान्निर्ययू राजन्युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, the Pandavas on the other hand, having similarly performed the morning ceremonies, came out of their tents; and O king, they were resolved upon the battle.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम् कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च परस्परवधैषिणाम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the formidable battle began, which caused the hair of the body stand erect, between the Kurus and the Pandavas, each party being desirous of vanquishing the other.
तयोर्द्वे दिवसे युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः कर्णे सेनापतौ राजन्नभूदद्भुतदर्शनम्
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, the most formidable battle, betwcen the troops of the Kurus and those of the Pandavas, lasted only for two days during the leadership of Karna.
ततः शत्रुक्षयं कृत्वा सुमहान्तं रणे वृषः पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां फल्गुनेन निपातितः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Vrisha (Karna), having brought about an immense slaughter of the opponents in battle, was himself slain by Falguna (Arjuna), whilst the sons of Dhartarashtra were observing it.
ततस्तत्संजयः सर्वं गत्वा नागाह्वयं पुरम् आचख्यौ धृतराष्ट्राय यद्वृत्तं कुरुजाङ्गले
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Sanjaya departed towards the city of Hastinapur and told all to Dhritarashtra, that had taken place at Kurujangala.
जनमेजय उवाच आपगेयं हतं श्रुत्वा द्रोणं च समरे परैः यो जगाम परामार्तिं वृद्धो राजाम्बिकासुतः
M. N. Dutt: Janamejaya said Having heard that both Bhishma and the car-warrior Drona of indomitable courage were slain (in the battle), the old king (Dhritarashtra) the son of Ambika, was highly oppressed with sorrow.
स श्रुत्वा निहतं कर्णं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम् कथं द्विजवर प्राणानधारयत दुःखितः
M. N. Dutt: Having heard of the death of Karna the benefactor of Duryodhana, how could he, O best of the regenerate persons, hold his life, much aggrieved as he was?
यस्मिञ्जयाशां पुत्राणाममन्यत स पार्थिवः तस्मिन्हते स कौरव्यः कथं प्राणानधारयत्
M. N. Dutt: How could that royal descendant of Kuru hold his life, after having heard of the fall of that hero, on whom he supposed the hope of his sons' victory to rest?
दुर्मरं बत मन्येऽहं नृणां कृच्छ्रेऽपि वर्तताम् यत्र कर्णं हतं श्रुत्वा नात्यजज्जीवितं नृपः
M. N. Dutt: I suppose that men, falling in the most distressful circumstances, find greatest difficulty in yielding up their lives; for, the king, even after hearing of the death of Karna, could not (possibly) forsake his life.
तथा शांतनवं वृद्धं ब्रह्मन्बाह्लिकमेव च द्रोणं च सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च
AI Translation: and the aged Shāntanu, and Bahlika, and Drona, and Somadatta, and Bhuri shravas,
तथैव चान्यान्सुहृदः पुत्रपौत्रांश्च पातितान् श्रुत्वा यन्नाजहात्प्राणांस्तन्मन्ये दुष्करं द्विज
AI Translation: And when he heard of the death of his friends, sons, and grandsons, that he did not give up his life, I think that was difficult, O Brāhman.
एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तरेण तपोधन न हि तृप्यामि पूर्वेषां शृण्वानश्चरितं महत्
M. N. Dutt: Relate to me all these in their entirety, as they had really taken place. I am not (at all) satisfied with (simply) hearing the mighty achievements of my forefathers.
वैशंपायन उवाच हते कर्णे महाराज निशि गावल्गणिस्तदा दीनो ययौ नागपुरमश्वैर्वातसमैर्जवे
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said O great king, when Karna was slain, the son of Gavalgana, greatly mortified in heart, repaired that very night to the city of Nagpur, in the back of horses resembling the wind in swiftness.
स हास्तिनपुरं गत्वा भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः जगाम धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्षयं प्रक्षीणबान्धवम्
M. N. Dutt: He then arrived at the city of Hastinapur; and with a greatly anxious heart, repaired to the house of Dhritarashtra which had now been vacated by all its friends.
स समुद्वीक्ष्य राजानं कश्मलाभिहतौजसम् ववन्दे प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा मूर्ध्ना पादौ नृपस्य ह
M. N. Dutt: He then beholding the king deprived of energy in consequence of his gloominess of mind, folded his hands; and indeed, worshipped the monarch's feet by bowing down his head.
संपूज्य च यथान्यायं धृतराष्ट्रं महीपतिम् हा कष्टमिति चोक्त्वा स ततो वचनमाददे
M. N. Dutt: Having worshipped the ruler of the earth, Dhritarashtra, according to the just rites and having uttered-Alas! and woe!-he then
संजयोऽहं क्षितिपते कच्चिदास्ते सुखं भवान् स्वदोषेणापदं प्राप्य कच्चिन्नाद्य विमुह्यसि
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, I am Sanjaya! Are you not at ease? After having obtained distress by your own faults, are you not now deprived of all your senses?
हितान्युक्तानि विदुरद्रोणगाङ्गेयकेशवैः अगृहीतान्यनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
M. N. Dutt: The good advises, uttered (given) by Vidura, Drona, son of Ganga and Keshava, were not received by you. Do you not feel pain to remember them now?
रामनारदकण्वैश्च हितमुक्तं सभातले नगृहीतमनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
AI Translation: Rama, Narada, and Kanva have spoken for your benefit in the assembly hall. Do you not remember that? Do you not feel any pain?
सुहृदस्त्वद्धिते युक्तान्भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्परैः निहतान्युधि संस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
AI Translation: Do you not feel any sorrow on remembering that your friends, Bhishma, Drona and others, who were devoted to your welfare, were killed in battle by the enemy?
तमेवंवादिनं राजा सूतपुत्रं कृताञ्जलिम् सुदीर्घमभिनिःश्वस्य दुःखार्त इदमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Sighing heavy and hot, the king, oppressed with grief, addressed in these words the son of Suta, who with folded hands, was telling him the above.
गाङ्गेये निहते शूरे दिव्यास्त्रवति संजय द्रोणे च परमेष्वासे भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said O Sanjaya, owing to the deaths of that heroic wielder of celestial weapons, the son of Ganga and the mighty bowman, Drona, my heart greatly aches.
यो रथानां सहस्राणि दंशितानां दशैव हि अहन्यहनि तेजस्वी निजघ्ने वसुसंभवः
M. N. Dutt: That the mighty hero, who was the incarnation of the (eighth) Vasu, killed every day ten thousand car-warriors protected by armour.
स हतो यज्ञसेनस्य पुत्रेणेह शिखण्डिना पाण्डवेयाभिगुप्तेन भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
M. N. Dutt: He (that mighty hero) was killed in the battle by the son of Yajnasena (namely) Shikhandin, who who was protected by the Pandavas. At this (occurrence) my heart greatly aches.
भार्गवः प्रददौ यस्मै परमास्त्रं महात्मने साक्षाद्रामेण यो बाल्ये धनुर्वेद उपाकृतः
M. N. Dutt: The son of Bhrigu gave to that lofty-minded one (that hero, Bhishma) the knowledge of the best weapons. To him also, during the childhood, the science of the bow was taught by Rama himself.
यस्य प्रसादात्कौन्तेया राजपुत्रा महाबलाः महारथत्वं संप्राप्तास्तथान्ये वसुधाधिपाः
M. N. Dutt: Through whose (Drona's) kindness, the sons of Kunti-the royal sons-the mighty carwarriors-as well as several other rulers of earth, attained the abilities of a Maharathi (one simultaneously fighting with ten thousand
तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे सत्यसंधं महेष्वासं भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
M. N. Dutt: Hearing of that mighty bowman, Drona, who true his aim, slain by Dhrishtadyumna in battle, my heart greatly aches.
Supplementary Passages:
8.1.39 After 39, K3.4 V1 B D (except D2; D1 om.) ins.: *3 ययोर्लोके पुमानस्त्रे न समोऽस्ति चतुर्विधे तौ द्रोणभीष्मौ श्रुत्वा तु हतौ मे व्यथितं मनः
त्रैलोक्ये यस्य शास्त्रेषु न पुमान्विद्यते समः तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा किमकुर्वत मामकाः
M. N. Dutt: In the three worlds there is no person, who is equal to him in the use of weapons. Hearing the death of this hero, Drona, what did my followers do?
संशप्तकानां च बले पाण्डवेन महात्मना धनंजयेन विक्रम्य गमिते यमसादनम्
M. N. Dutt: The army of the Samsaptakas was sent away to the region of Yama by Dhananjaya, the lofty-minded son of Pandu, through the exertion of his terrible prowess.
नारायणास्त्रे निहते द्रोणपुत्रस्य धीमतः हतशेषेष्वनीकेषु किमकुर्वत मामकाः
M. N. Dutt: (After the above occurrence and also) after, the Narayana weapon of the most intelligent son of Drona had been destroyed, as also after the divisions of my army had fled away (from the battle-field), what did the troops of my side do?
विप्रद्रुतानहं मन्ये निमग्नः शोकसागरे प्लवमानान्हते द्रोणे सन्ननौकानिवार्णवे
M. N. Dutt: I think that, on the death of Drona, my troops, plunged deep into the ocean of grief, ran away (from the field of battle), even as the slip-wrecked mariners float on the ocean.
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णस्य भोजस्य कृतवर्मणः मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च
AI Translation: of Duryodhana, Karna, Bhoja Kritavarman, of the king of Madra Shalya, of Ashvatthama and of Kripa,
मत्पुत्रशेषस्य तथा तथान्येषां च संजय विप्रकीर्णेष्वनीकेषु मुखवर्णोऽभवत्कथम्
AI Translation: And of my son Shêshâ and of others, O Sanjaya, What was the complexion of the faces in the scattered armies?
एतत्सर्वं यथा वृत्तं तत्त्वं गावल्गणे रणे आचक्ष्व पाण्डवेयानां मामकानां च सर्वशः
M. N. Dutt: O son of Gavalgana, relate to me all those in detail that had actually happened in battle as to the prowess shown by Pandavas as well as by the troops of my own side.
संजय उवाच पाण्डवेयैर्हि यद्वृत्तं कौरवेयेषु मारिष तच्छ्रुत्वा मा व्यथां कार्षीर्दिष्टे न व्यथते मनः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O Lord of kings, you should not be pained to hear of what had taken place in respect to the Kauravas through your misconduct. For, the learned sage never feels any anguish at what is brought about by Fate.
यस्मादभावी भावी वा भवेदर्थो नरं प्रति अप्राप्तौ तस्य वा प्राप्तौ न कश्चिद्व्यथते बुधः
M. N. Dutt: What is not likely to happen to man (being subject to Fate) may happen to him; or what is likely to take place may, again, happen to a person. Hence at the acquisition or nonacquisition of the purposes the learned sage should not at all grieve.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच न व्यथा शृण्वतः काचिद्विद्यते मम संजय दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये कथयस्व यथेच्छकम्
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said O Sanjaya, no great anguish does find place in me. For, I think that all this is (the unavoidable consequence of) superior destiny. So, do you describe according as you desire.