Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच एवं संतर्ज्यमानस्तु मम पुत्रो महीपतिः प्रकृत्या मन्युमान्वीरः कथमासीत्परंतपः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said "Thus remonstrated with by his enemy, how, indeed, did that scorcher of enemies, my heroic and royal son, who was angry by nature, then act.
न हि संतर्जना तेन श्रुतपूर्वा कदाचन राजभावेन मान्यश्च सर्वलोकस्य सोऽभवत्
M. N. Dutt: He had never before brooked such a chastisement. He had before been treated by all respectfully like a king.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.2 After 2, K3 B (except B4) D (except D11; D3 marg.) ins.: *190 यस्यातपत्रच्छायापि स्वका भानोस्तथा प्रभा खेदायैवाभिमानित्वात्सहेत्सैवं कथं गिरः
इयं च पृथिवी सर्वा सम्लेच्छाटविका भृशम् प्रसादाद्ध्रियते यस्य प्रत्यक्षं तव संजय
M. N. Dutt: You have with your own eyes, O Sanjaya, seen the whole earth, with even her Mlecchas and nomad tribes, depend upon his grace.
स तथा तर्ज्यमानस्तु पाण्डुपुत्रैर्विशेषतः विहीनश्च स्वकैर्भृत्यैर्निर्जने चावृतो भृशम्
M. N. Dutt: Chastised there by the sons of Pandu, while lying concealed in such a solitary place after having been deprived of his followers and attendants, alas, how did he answer the Pandavas upon hearing such bitter and departed rebukes from his victorious enemies. Tell me everything, O Sanjaya, about it.'
श्रुत्वा स कटुका वाचो जययुक्ताः पुनः पुनः किमब्रवीत्पाण्डवेयांस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय
AI Translation: Having heard those harsh words again and again, connected with victory, What did he say to the Pandavas? Tell me that, Sanjaya.
संजय उवाच तर्ज्यमानस्तदा राजन्नुदकस्थस्तवात्मजः युधिष्ठिरेण राजेन्द्र भ्रातृभिः सहितेन ह
AI Translation: Sanjaya said: O king, your son, standing in the water, was threatened by Yudhishthira, O lord of kings, along with his brothers.
श्रुत्वा स कटुका वाचो विषमस्थो जनाधिपः दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वस्य सलिलस्थः पुनः पुनः
AI Translation: Hearing those harsh words, the lord of men was in a difficult situation. Breathed deeply and hot again and again while in the water.
सलिलान्तर्गतो राजा धुन्वन्हस्तौ पुनः पुनः मनश्चकार युद्धाय राजानं चाभ्यभाषत
AI Translation: The king, immersed in the water, repeatedly washing his hands, made up his mind for battle and addressed the king,
यूयं ससुहृदः पार्थाः सर्वे सरथवाहनाः अहमेकः परिद्यूनो विरथो हतवाहनः
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said O Parthas, all of you have friends cars and animals. I, however, am alone, today without a car and without an animal.
आत्तशस्त्रै रथगतैर्बहुभिः परिवारितः कथमेकः पदातिः सन्नशस्त्रो योद्धुमुत्सहे
M. N. Dutt: Alone as I am and shorn of weapons, how can I dare fight on foot, against numberless foes all well-armed and possessed of cars.
एकैकेन तु मां यूयं योधयध्वं युधिष्ठिर न ह्येको बहुभिर्वीरैर्न्याय्यं योधयितुं युधि
AI Translation: But each of you should fight with me, O Yudhishthira. For it is not right that one hero should fight with many in battle.
विशेषतो विकवचः श्रान्तश्चापः समाश्रितः भृशं विक्षतगात्रश्च श्रान्तवाहनसैनिकः
AI Translation: Especially, he was without armor, tired, and had resorted to a bow. His body was severely wounded, and his army and mounts were exhausted.
न मे त्वत्तो भयं राजन्न च पार्थाद्वृकोदरात् फल्गुनाद्वासुदेवाद्वा पाञ्चालेभ्योऽथ वा पुनः
AI Translation: I have no fear of you, O king, nor of the Pāndava Vrikódara, nor of Phalguna, nor of Vasudéva, nor of the Pāñcālas.
यमाभ्यां युयुधानाद्वा ये चान्ये तव सैनिकाः एकः सर्वानहं क्रुद्धो न तान्योद्धुमिहोत्सहे
AI Translation: I am not able to fight with all of them, even if I am angry.
धर्ममूला सतां कीर्तिर्मनुष्याणां जनाधिप धर्मं चैवेह कीर्तिं च पालयन्प्रब्रवीम्यहम्
AI Translation: O Lord of men, the fame of the good is rooted in virtue. I am telling you, protecting both virtue and fame.
अहमुत्थाय वः सर्वान्प्रतियोत्स्यामि संयुगे अन्वंशाभ्यागतान्सर्वानृतून्संवत्सरो यथा
M. N. Dutt: The fame, O king, of all righteous men depends on righteousness. I say all this to you who are both righteous and illustrious.
अद्य वः सरथान्साश्वानशस्त्रो विरथोऽपि सन् नक्षत्राणीव सर्वाणि सविता रात्रिसंक्षये तेजसा नाशयिष्यामि स्थिरीभवत पाण्डवाः
M. N. Dutt: Rising I shall fight all of you in battle Like the year that one by one meets with all the seasons, I shall meet with all of you in fight.
अद्यानृण्यं गमिष्यामि क्षत्रियाणां यशस्विनाम् बाह्लीकद्रोणभीष्माणां कर्णस्य च महात्मनः
AI Translation: Today I shall be free from debt to the glorious Kshatriyas, to Bahlika, Drona, Bhishma, and the great-souled Karna.
जयद्रथस्य शूरस्य भगदत्तस्य चोभयोः मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य भूरिश्रवस एव च
AI Translation: of Jayadratha, of the heroic Bhārgava, of Bhūriśravā, of Shalya, king of the Madras,
पुत्राणां भरतश्रेष्ठ शकुनेः सौबलस्य च मित्राणां सुहृदां चैव बान्धवानां तथैव च
AI Translation: For the sons of Shakuni Soubala, O best of the Bharatas, For the friends, well-wishers, and relatives.
आनृण्यमद्य गच्छामि हत्वा त्वां भ्रातृभिः सह एतावदुक्त्वा वचनं विरराम जनाधिपः
M. N. Dutt: Today I shall release myself from that debt by killing you with your brothers. Having said these words, he stopped.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.21 After 21, S ins.: *191 सलिलान्तर्गतः श्रीमान्पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
युधिष्ठिर उवाच दिष्ट्या त्वमपि जानीषे क्षत्रधर्मं सुयोधन दिष्ट्या ते वर्तते बुद्धिर्युद्धायैव महाभुज
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said By good luck, O Suyodhana, you are conversant with the duties of a Kshatriya. By good luck, O mighty-armed heroe, your heart is bent on a battle.
दिष्ट्या शूरोऽसि कौरव्य दिष्ट्या जानासि संगरम् यस्त्वमेको हि नः सर्वान्संयुगे योद्धुमिच्छसि
M. N. Dutt: By good luck, you are a hero, O you of Kuru's race and by good luck, you are conversant with battle, since, alone, you wish to give all of us a battle.
एक एकेन संगम्य यत्ते संमतमायुधम् तत्त्वमादाय युध्यस्व प्रेक्षकास्ते वयं स्थिताः
AI Translation: Having united with each one, whatever weapon you consider to be your own, Take that and fight. We are standing here as spectators.
अयमिष्टं च ते कामं वीर भूयो ददाम्यहम् हत्वैकं भवतो राज्यं हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्नुहि
M. N. Dutt: I grant you also, O hero, this other wish of yours viz., that if you kill any one of us, you shall then become king. Otherwise, killed by us, go to heaven.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.25 After 25, D11 ins.: *192 तत्रोच्चैश्चुक्रुशुः सिद्धास्तस्य वाक्यान्तरे नृप
दुर्योधन उवाच एकश्चेद्योद्धुमाक्रन्दे वरोऽद्य मम दीयते आयुधानामियं चापि वृता त्वत्संमते गदा
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said Brave as you are, if you allow me the option of fighting only one of you, this mace, that I have in my hand, is the weapon that I select.
भ्रातॄणां भवतामेकः शक्यं मां योऽभिमन्यते पदातिर्गदया संख्ये स युध्यतु मया सह
M. N. Dutt: Let any of you, who thinks that he is a match for me, come forward and fight with me on foot, arined with mace.
वृत्तानि रथयुद्धानि विचित्राणि पदे पदे इदमेकं गदायुद्धं भवत्वद्याद्भुतं महत्
M. N. Dutt: Many wonderful single combats have taken place on cars. Let this one great and wonderful encounter with the mace take place today.
अन्नानामपि पर्यायं कर्तुमिच्छन्ति मानवाः युद्धानामपि पर्यायो भवत्वनुमते तव
M. N. Dutt: Men wish to change weapons in battle. Let the mode of fight be changed today, with your permission.
गदया त्वां महाबाहो विजेष्यामि सहानुजम् पाञ्चालान्सृञ्जयांश्चैव ये चान्ये तव सैनिकाः
M. N. Dutt: O you of great arms, I shall, with my mace, defeat you today with all your younger brothers, as also all the Panchalas and the Srinjayas and all the other troops you still possess. I do not entertain the least fear, O Yudhishthira, of even Shakra himself.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.30 After 30, B1.2.5 D1.2.3 (marg.).4.5.7-10 ins.: *193 न हि मे संभ्रमो जातु शक्रादपि युधिष्ठिर
युधिष्ठिर उवाच उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ गान्धारे मां योधय सुयोधन एक एकेन संगम्य संयुगे गदया बली
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said Rise, rise, O son of Gandhari and fight me, O Suyodhana. Alone as you are fight us, meeting one at a time, O you of great might, armed with your mace.
पुरुषो भव गान्धारे युध्यस्व सुसमाहितः अद्य ते जीवितं नास्ति यद्यपि त्वं मनोजवः
M. N. Dutt: Be a man, O son of Gandhari and fight carefully. Today you shall have to lose your life even if Indra becomes your ally. O you
संजय उवाच एतत्स नरशार्दूलो नामृष्यत तवात्मजः सलिलान्तर्गतः श्वभ्रे महानाग इव श्वसन्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya continued That foremost of men, your son, could not brook those words of Yudhishthira. He sighed heavily from within the water like a huge snake from with its hole.
तथासौ वाक्प्रतोदेन तुद्यमानः पुनः पुनः वाचं न ममृषे धीमानुत्तमाश्वः कशामिव
M. N. Dutt: Struck repeatedly with such wordy goads, he could not bear at all like a horse of high breed that cannot bear the strokes of a whip.
संक्षोभ्य सलिलं वेगाद्गदामादाय वीर्यवान् अद्रिसारमयीं गुर्वीं काञ्चनाङ्गदभूषणाम् अन्तर्जलात्समुत्तस्थौ नागेन्द्र इव निःश्वसन्
M. N. Dutt: Agitating the waters with great force that brave warrior rose like a prince of elephants from within the lake, sighing heavily in rage and armed with his heavy and strong mace of adamant decked with gold.
स भित्त्वा स्तम्भितं तोयं स्कन्धे कृत्वायसीं गदाम् उदतिष्ठत पुत्रस्ते प्रतपन्रश्मिमानिव
AI Translation: Having pierced the water that was held back, and taking up an iron mace, your son stood up, like the sun rising with its rays.
ततः शैक्यायसीं गुर्वीं जातरूपपरिष्कृताम् गदां परामृशद्धीमान्धार्तराष्ट्रो महाबलः
AI Translation: Then the wise son of Dhritarashtra, the mighty one, took up the heavy iron club, adorned with gold.
गदाहस्तं तु तं दृष्ट्वा सशृङ्गमिव पर्वतम् प्रजानामिव संक्रुद्धं शूलपाणिमवस्थितम् सगदो भारतो भाति प्रतपन्भास्करो यथा
AI Translation: Seeing him with a club in his hand, like a mountain with a peak, like a wrathful one among the subjects, standing with a trident in hand, Bhārata shines with a club, like the sun shining.
तमुत्तीर्णं महाबाहुं गदाहस्तमरिंदमम् मेनिरे सर्वभूतानि दण्डहस्तमिवान्तकम्
AI Translation: Seeing the mighty-armed one, the destroyer of enemies, holding a mace in his hand, all beings thought he was like Death holding a staff in his hand.
वज्रहस्तं यथा शक्रं शूलहस्तं यथा हरम् ददृशुः सर्वपाञ्चालाः पुत्रं तव जनाधिप
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, all the Panchalas then saw your royal son, resemble thunder-wielding Indra or the trident-wielding Hara.
तमुत्तीर्णं तु संप्रेक्ष्य समहृष्यन्त सर्वशः पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवेयाश्च तेऽन्योन्यस्य तलान्ददुः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing him, however, rise from within the lake, all the Panchalas and the Pandavas began to rejoice and seize each others hands.
अवहासं तु तं मत्वा पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव उद्वृत्य नयने क्रुद्धो दिधक्षुरिव पाण्डवान्
AI Translation: Thinking that he was making fun of him, your son Duryodhana, with his eyes dilated, angrily glared at the Pandavas as if he wanted to burn them.
त्रिशिखां भ्रुकुटीं कृत्वा संदष्टदशनच्छदः प्रत्युवाच ततस्तान्वै पाण्डवान्सहकेशवान्
AI Translation: Making a frown with three lines, with teeth clenched, he then replied to those Pandavas with Keshava.
अवहासस्य वोऽस्याद्य प्रतिवक्तास्मि पाण्डवाः गमिष्यथ हताः सद्यः सपाञ्चाला यमक्षयम्
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana said "O you Pandavas, you shall have to bear the consequences of these insults! Killed by me today, you shall, with the Panchalas, have to go to the abode of Yama."
उत्थितस्तु जलात्तस्मात्पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव अतिष्ठत गदापाणी रुधिरेण समुक्षितः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya continued Rising from the water, your son Duryodhana stood there, with his mace and with limbs covered with blood.
तस्य शोणितदिग्धस्य सलिलेन समुक्षितम् शरीरं स्म तदा भाति स्रवन्निव महीधरः
M. N. Dutt: Covered with blood and wet with water, his body resembled a mountain discharging water from within it.
तमुद्यतगदं वीरं मेनिरे तत्र पाण्डवाः वैवस्वतमिव क्रुद्धं किंकरोद्यतपाणिनम्
M. N. Dutt: As he stood with his mace, the Pandavas took him for the angry son of Surya himself armed with his bludgeon called Kinkara.
स मेघनिनदो हर्षान्नदन्निव च गोवृषः आजुहाव ततः पार्थान्गदया युधि वीर्यवान्
M. N. Dutt: With voice deep as the mutterings of the clouds or of a bull roaring in joy, the highly powerful Duryodhana then, armed with his mace, asked the Parthas for battle.
दुर्योधन उवाच एकैकेन च मां यूयमासीदत युधिष्ठिर न ह्येको बहुभिर्न्याय्यो वीर योधयितुं युधि
AI Translation: Duryodhana said: Each of you should fight with me, Yudhishthira. For it is not right that one should fight with many, O hero.
न्यस्तवर्मा विशेषेण श्रान्तश्चाप्सु परिप्लुतः भृशं विक्षतगात्रश्च हतवाहनसैनिकः
AI Translation: Having laid down his armor, he was exhausted and had to swim across the water. His body was severely wounded, and his vehicle and soldiers were killed.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.50 After 50, B2.5 ins.: *194 सर्वोपकरणैर्हीनं वर्मशस्त्रास्त्रवर्जितम् एकाकिनं युध्यमानं पश्यन्तु दिवि देवताः B2.5 cont.: B1.3.4 D (except D3.11) ins. after 50: *195 अवश्यमेव योद्धव्यं सर्वैरेव मया सह युक्तं त्वयुक्तमित्येतद्वेत्सि त्वं चैव सर्वदा
युधिष्ठिर उवाच नाभूदियं तव प्रज्ञा कथमेवं सुयोधन यदाभिमन्युं बहवो जघ्नुर्युधि महारथाः
M. N. Dutt: Yudhishthira said How is it, O Duryodhana, that you had not this knowledge when many great car-warriors, in a body, killed Abhimanyu in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.51 After 51, K3 B D (except D11; D3 marg.) Ca ins.: *196 क्षत्रधर्मं भृशं क्रूरं निरपेक्षं सुनिर्घृणम् अन्यथा तु कथं हन्युरभिमन्युं तथागतम् सर्वे भवन्तो धर्मज्ञाः सर्वे शूरास्तनुत्यजः न्यायेन युध्यतां प्रोक्ता शक्रलोकगतिः परा यद्येकस्तु न हन्तव्यो बहुभिर्धर्म एव तु तदाभिमन्युं बहवो निजघ्नुस्त्वन्मते कथम् सर्वो विमृशते जन्तुः कृच्छ्रस्थो धर्मदर्शनम् पदस्थो विहितं द्वारं परलोकस्य पश्यति
आमुञ्च कवचं वीर मूर्धजान्यमयस्व च यच्चान्यदपि ते नास्ति तदप्यादत्स्व भारत इममेकं च ते कामं वीर भूयो ददाम्यहम्
M. N. Dutt: Put on armour, O hero and blind your locks. Take everything else, O Bharata, which your require.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.52 After 52d, D2 ins.: *197 इषुं प्रासं गदां वापि वरं भूयो ददाम्यहम्
पञ्चानां पाण्डवेयानां येन योद्धुमिहेच्छसि तं हत्वा वै भवान्राजा हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्नुहि ऋते च जीविताद्वीर युद्धे किं कुर्म ते प्रियम्
M. N. Dutt: O hero, I however grant you an additional, favour, namely, if you can slay him amongst the five Pandavas with whom you wish to fight, you shall then be the king Otherwise, killed by him, you will proceed to heaven. Save your life, O hero, tell us what boon we may give you.
संजय उवाच ततस्तव सुतो राजन्वर्म जग्राह काञ्चनम् विचित्रं च शिरस्त्राणं जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya continued Then your son, O king, put on armour made of gold and a beautiful head-gear adorned with pure gold.
सोऽवबद्धशिरस्त्राणः शुभकाञ्चनवर्मभृत् रराज राजन्पुत्रस्ते काञ्चनः शैलराडिव
M. N. Dutt: Clad in bright armour of gold, he put on that head-gear. Indeed, O king, your son then looked resplendent like a golden summit.
संनद्धः स गदी राजन्सज्जः संग्राममूर्धनि अब्रवीत्पाण्डवान्सर्वान्पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
AI Translation: Armed with a mace, he was ready for battle, O king, and stood at the head of the army. Duryodhana, your son, spoke to all the Pandavas:
भ्रातॄणां भवतामेको युध्यतां गदया मया सहदेवेन वा योत्स्ये भीमेन नकुलेन वा
AI Translation: Let one of you brothers fight with me with the mace. I will fight with Sahadeva, or with Bhima or with Nakula.
अथ वा फल्गुनेनाद्य त्वया वा भरतर्षभ योत्स्येऽहं संगरं प्राप्य विजेष्ये च रणाजिरे
AI Translation: Or, O son of Pandu, or you, O bull among the Bharatas, I shall fight in battle and conquer in the field of battle.
अहमद्य गमिष्यामि वैरस्यान्तं सुदुर्गमम् गदया पुरुषव्याघ्र हेमपट्टविनद्धया
M. N. Dutt: Today I will terminate these hostilities, with the help, O foremost of men, of my mace wrapped in a cloth of gold.
गदायुद्धे न मे कश्चित्सदृशोऽस्तीति चिन्तय गदया वो हनिष्यामि सर्वानेव समागतान् गृह्णातु स गदां यो वै युध्यतेऽद्य मया सह
M. N. Dutt: I think there is none who can equal me in an encounter with the mace. With my mace I shall kill all of you one after another.
Supplementary Passages:
9.31.60 After 60d, K3 B D (except D3.11) ins.: *198 न मे समर्थाः सर्वे वै योद्धुं न्यायेन केचन न युक्तमात्मना वक्तुमेवं गर्वोद्धतं वचः अथ वा सफलं ह्येतत्करिष्ये भवतां पुरः अस्मिन्मुहूर्ते सत्यं वा मिथ्या वैतद्भविष्यति