Critical Edition
वैशंपायन उवाच कुरुक्षेत्रं ततो दृष्ट्वा दत्त्वा दायांश्च सात्वतः आश्रमं सुमहद्दिव्यमगमज्जनमेजय
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Having visited Kurukshetra and distributed wealth there the Satwata hero then proceeded, O Janamejaya, to a large and exceedingly beautiful hermitage.
मधूकाम्रवनोपेतं प्लक्षन्यग्रोधसंकुलम् चिरिबिल्वयुतं पुण्यं पनसार्जुनसंकुलम्
M. N. Dutt: That hermitage was overgrown with Madhuka and mango trees, and abounded with Plakshas and Nyagrodhas. And it contained many Vilvas and many excellent jack and Arjuna trees.
तं दृष्ट्वा यादवश्रेष्ठः प्रवरं पुण्यलक्षणम् पप्रच्छ तानृषीन्सर्वान्कस्याश्रमवरस्त्वयम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing that beautiful hermitage Baladeva asked the Rishis as to whom it belonged.
ते तु सर्वे महात्मानमूचू राजन्हलायुधम् शृणु विस्तरतो राम यस्यायं पूर्वमाश्रमः
M. N. Dutt: Those great ones, O king, said Baladeva 'Listen in full, O Rama, as to whose asylum this was formerly.
अत्र विष्णुः पुरा देवस्तप्तवांस्तप उत्तमम् अत्रास्य विधिवद्यज्ञाः सर्वे वृत्ताः सनातनाः
M. N. Dutt: Here the god Vishnu formerly practised austere penances. Here he celebrated duly all the eternal sacrifices.
अत्रैव ब्राह्मणी सिद्धा कौमारब्रह्मचारिणी योगयुक्ता दिवं याता तपःसिद्धा तपस्विनी
M. N. Dutt: Here leading from youth the vow of Brahmacharya, a Brahmani inaiden, was crowned with ascetic success. Ultimately possessed of Yoga powers that ascetic lady went to heaven.
बभूव श्रीमती राजञ्शाण्डिल्यस्य महात्मनः सुता धृतव्रता साध्वी नियता ब्रह्मचारिणी
M. N. Dutt: The great Shandilya, O king, had a beautiful daughter who was chaste, observant of severe vows self-restrained, and led a life of cclibacy.
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.7 After 7, B D (except D11) ins.: *304 सा तु तप्त्वा तपो घोरं दुश्चरं स्त्रीजनेन ह
सा तु प्राप्य परं योगं गता स्वर्गमनुत्तमम् भुक्त्वाश्रमेऽश्वमेधस्य फलं फलवतां शुभा गता स्वर्गं महाभागा पूजिता नियतात्मभिः
AI Translation: Having attained the supreme yoga, she went to the supreme heaven, Having enjoyed the fruits of a horse sacrifice in the hermitage, the auspicious one, full of fruits, The greatly fortunate one
अभिगम्याश्रमं पुण्यं दृष्ट्वा च यदुपुंगवः ऋषींस्तानभिवाद्याथ पार्श्वे हिमवतोऽच्युतः स्कन्धावाराणि सर्वाणि निवर्त्यारुरुहेऽचलम्
M. N. Dutt: Bidding a farewell to the Rishis, Baladeva performed all the rites and ceremonies of the evening on the side of Himavat and then began to ascend mountain.
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.9 For 9ab, B Dn D1.4-10 subst.: *305 श्रुत्वा ऋषीणां वचनमाश्रमं तं जगाम ह while D2.3 subst.: *306 ऋषीणां वचनं श्रुत्वा जगामाश्रममुत्तमम् D2 cont.: *307 तस्याश्रमेऽश्वमेधस्य फळमाप्नोति मानवः
नातिदूरं ततो गत्वा नगं तालध्वजो बली पुण्यं तीर्थवरं दृष्ट्वा विस्मयं परमं गतः
M. N. Dutt: The powerful Valarama having the emblem of the palmyra of his banner had not ascended far when he saw a sacred and goodly Tirtha and was stricken with wonder at the sight.
प्रभवं च सरस्वत्याः प्लक्षप्रस्रवणं बलः संप्राप्तः कारपचनं तीर्थप्रवरमुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: Sceing the glory of the Sarasvati as also the Tirtha called Plakshaprasaravana, Vala next reached another excellent and foremost of Tirthas called Karavapana.
हलायुधस्तत्र चापि दत्त्वा दानं महाबलः आप्लुतः सलिले शीते तस्माच्चापि जगाम ह आश्रमं परमप्रीतो मित्रस्य वरुणस्य च
AI Translation: Having given gifts there, the very powerful Hala-yudha bathed in the cold water and then went on. He went to the hermitage of his friend Varuna, very
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.12 For 12cdef, B Dn D1.2.4-10 subst.: *308 आप्लुतः सलिले पुण्ये सुशीते विमले शुचौ संतर्पयामास पितॄन्देवांश्च रणदुर्मदः तत्रोष्यैकां तु रजनीं यतिभिर्ब्राह्मणैः सह मित्रावरुणयोः पुण्यं जगामाश्रममच्युतः
इन्द्रोऽग्निरर्यमा चैव यत्र प्राक्प्रीतिमाप्नुवन् तं देशं कारपचनाद्यमुनायां जगाम ह
M. N. Dutt: From Karavapana he proceeded to that spot on the Yamuna where formerly Indra and Agni and Aryaman had obtained great felicity.
स्नात्वा तत्रापि धर्मात्मा परां तुष्टिमवाप्य च ऋषिभिश्चैव सिद्धैश्च सहितो वै महाबलः उपविष्टः कथाः शुभ्राः शुश्राव यदुपुंगवः
M. N. Dutt: Bathing there, that Yadu's chief of pious soul, obtained great happiness. The hero then sat himself down with the Rishis and the Siddhas there for listening to their excellent discourses.
तथा तु तिष्ठतां तेषां नारदो भगवानृषिः आजगामाथ तं देशं यत्र रामो व्यवस्थितः
M. N. Dutt: There where Rama sat in the midst of that assemblage the adorable Rishi Narada came while trembling.
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.15 For 15, B2 subst.: *309 तत्र संतिष्ठतश्चाथ रामस्याप्रतिमद्युतेः आजगाम महातेजा नारदो भगवानृषिः
जटामण्डलसंवीतः स्वर्णचीरी महातपाः हेमदण्डधरो राजन्कमण्डलुधरस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Wearing matted locks and shining like gold, he carried in his hands, O king, a golden stalf and a waterpot.
कच्छपीं सुखशब्दां तां गृह्य वीणां मनोरमाम् नृत्ये गीते च कुशलो देवब्राह्मणपूजितः
M. N. Dutt: Accomplishment in song and dance and worshipped of gods and Brahmanas, he had with him a beautiful Vina of sweet notes, made of the tortoise-shell.
प्रकर्ता कलहानां च नित्यं च कलहप्रियः तं देशमगमद्यत्र श्रीमान्रामो व्यवस्थितः
M. N. Dutt: A creator of quarrels and ever fond of quarrel, the celestial Rishi came where the handsome Rama was resting.
प्रत्युत्थाय तु ते सर्वे पूजयित्वा यतव्रतम् देवर्षिं पर्यपृच्छन्त यथावृत्तं कुरून्प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Standing up and greatly honoring the celestial Rishis if restricted vows, Rama asked him about all that had befallen the Kurus.
ततोऽस्याकथयद्राजन्नारदः सर्वधर्मवित् सर्वमेव यथावृत्तमतीतं कुरुसंक्षयम्
M. N. Dutt: Conversant with duty and practices, Narada, then, O king, told him everything, as it had occurred, about the dreadful destruction of the Kurus.
ततोऽब्रवीद्रौहिणेयो नारदं दीनया गिरा किमवस्थं तु तत्क्षत्रं ये च तत्राभवन्नृपाः
M. N. Dutt: The Rohini's son then, in sorrowful words, enquired of the Rishi, saying-'What is the state of the field? How are those kings now that had assembled there?
श्रुतमेतन्मया पूर्वं सर्वमेव तपोधन विस्तरश्रवणे जातं कौतूहलमतीव मे
M. N. Dutt: I have heard everything before, O Rishi, but iny curiosity is great for hearing it in detail!'
नारद उवाच पूर्वमेव हतो भीष्मो द्रोणः सिन्धुपतिस्तथा हतो वैकर्तनः कर्णः पुत्राश्चास्य महारथाः
M. N. Dutt: Narada said Already Bhishma and Drona and the lord of the Sindhus have died! Vikartana's son Karna also has been killed, with his sons.
भूरिश्रवा रौहिणेय मद्रराजश्च वीर्यवान् एते चान्ये च बहवस्तत्र तत्र महाबलाः
AI Translation: Bhuriśravas, Rohini's son, and the valorous king of Madra, and many others like them, were there, powerful in various places.
प्रियान्प्राणान्परित्यज्य प्रियार्थं कौरवस्य वै राजानो राजपुत्राश्च समरेष्वनिवर्तिनः
AI Translation: Giving up their beloved lives for the sake of their beloved, the kings and princes who never retreated in battle,
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.25 After 25, D3 ins.: *310 निहताः पाण्डवैः सर्वे गताः स्वर्गगतिं प्रति
अहतांस्तु महाबाहो शृणु मे तत्र माधव धार्तराष्ट्रबले शेषाः कृपो भोजश्च वीर्यवान् अश्वत्थामा च विक्रान्तो भग्नसैन्या दिशो गताः
AI Translation: O mighty one, listen to me about those who were not killed, O Madhava. The remaining ones in the army of the sons of Dhritarashtra were Kripa, the valiant Bhoja
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.26 For 26def, B Dn D1.4-10 subst.: *311 त्रयः समितिमर्दनाः कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च द्रोणपुत्रश्च वीर्यवान् तेऽपि वै विद्रुता राम दिशो दश भयात्तदा
दुर्योधनो हते सैन्ये प्रद्रुतेषु कृपादिषु ह्रदं द्वैपायनं नाम विवेश भृशदुःखितः
M. N. Dutt: After Shalya's fall and the fight of Kripa and the others, Duryodhana, in great sorrow had entered the Dvaipayana lake.
शयानं धार्तराष्ट्रं तु स्तम्भिते सलिले तदा पाण्डवाः सह कृष्णेन वाग्भिरुग्राभिरार्दयन्
M. N. Dutt: While resting at the bottom of the lake after solidifying its waters, Duryodhana approached by the Pandavas with Krishna and cut to the quick by their cruel words. are was
स तुद्यमानो बलवान्वाग्भी राम समन्ततः उत्थितः प्राग्घ्रदाद्वीरः प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम्
M. N. Dutt: Cut with wordy darts, O Rama, from every side, the powerful and heroic Duryodhana has risen from the lake, armed with his heavy inace.
स चाप्युपगतो युद्धं भीमेन सह सांप्रतम् भविष्यति च तत्सद्यस्तयो राम सुदारुणम्
M. N. Dutt: He has come forward for fighting Bhima for the present. The terrible encounter, O Rama, will take place today!
यदि कौतूहलं तेऽस्ति व्रज माधव मा चिरम् पश्य युद्धं महाघोरं शिष्ययोर्यदि मन्यसे
M. N. Dutt: If you feel any curiosity, then hasten O Madhava, without delay! Go, if you like and witness that terrible battle between your two disciples!'
Supplementary Passages:
9.53.31 After 31c, M1 ins.: *312 अद्य रामाहवे द्वयोः भीमकौरवयोर्वीर
वैशंपायन उवाच नारदस्य वचः श्रुत्वा तानभ्यर्च्य द्विजर्षभान् सर्वान्विसर्जयामास ये तेनाभ्यागताः सह गम्यतां द्वारकां चेति सोऽन्वशादनुयायिनः
M. N. Dutt: Vaishampayana said "Hearing Narada, Rama bade a respectful farewell to those great Brahmanas and sent away all those that had accompanied him (in। his pilgrimage).
सोऽवतीर्याचलश्रेष्ठात्प्लक्षप्रस्रवणाच्छुभात् ततः प्रीतमना रामः श्रुत्वा तीर्थफलं महत् विप्राणां संनिधौ श्लोकमगायदिदमच्युतः
M. N. Dutt: Having listened to the discourse of the sages about the great merits of Tirthas, Rama sang this verse in the midst of the Brahmanas.
सरस्वतीवाससमा कुतो रतिः; सरस्वतीवाससमाः कुतो गुणाः सरस्वतीं प्राप्य दिवं गता जनाः; सदा स्मरिष्यन्ति नदीं सरस्वतीम्
M. N. Dutt: Where is such happiness as is obtainable by living by the Sarasvati? Where else such merits as those obtainable by living by the Sarasvati? Men have departed for heaven, having approached the Sarasvati! All should ever remember the Sarasvati! Sarasvati is the most sacred of all rivers.
सरस्वती सर्वनदीषु पुण्या; सरस्वती लोकसुखावहा सदा सरस्वतीं प्राप्य जनाः सुदुष्कृताः; सदा न शोचन्ति परत्र चेह च
M. N. Dutt: Sarasvati always confers the greatest happiness on men! After approaching the Sarasvati, men will not have to give for their sins either here or hereafter!'
ततो मुहुर्मुहुः प्रीत्या प्रेक्षमाणः सरस्वतीम् हयैर्युक्तं रथं शुभ्रमातिष्ठत परंतपः
M. N. Dutt: Repeatedly looking with joy at the Sarasvati, that destroyer of foes then ascended an excellent car to which were yoked beautiful horses.
स शीघ्रगामिना तेन रथेन यदुपुंगवः दिदृक्षुरभिसंप्राप्तः शिष्ययुद्धमुपस्थितम्
M. N. Dutt: Journeying then on that highly fleet car Baladeva, that best of Yadu's race, desirous of seeing the approaching encounter of his two disciples, arrived on the field.”