वैशम्पायन उवाच समवेतेषु सर्वेषु तेषु राजसु भारत। दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्यं भीष्मः शान्तनवोऽब्रवीत्॥
Vaishampayana said In the midst of all those kings, O Bharata, Bhima, the son of Shantanu, spoke these words of Duryodhana:
बृहस्पतिश्चोशना च ब्रह्माणं पर्युपस्थितौ। मरुतश्च सहेन्द्रेण वसवश्चाग्निना सह॥
(Once on a time) Brihaspati along with Shakra went to Brahma, as also did thc Maruta with Indra and the Vasus with Agni.
आदित्याश्चैव साध्याश्च ये च सप्तर्षयो दिवि। विश्वावसुश्च गन्धर्वः शुभाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः॥
The Adityas, the Sadhyas, the seven heavenly Rishis, the Vishvavasu, the Gandharvas and beautiful cluster of the Apsaras.
नमस्कृत्योपजग्मुस्ते लोकवृद्धं पितामहम्। परिवार्य च विश्वेशं पर्यासत दिवौकसः॥
Having saluted to that old grandsire of the universe, approached him and the dwellers of heaven sat round that lord of the universe.
तेषां मनश्च तेजश्चाप्याददानाविवौजसा। पूर्वदेवौ व्यतिक्रान्तौ नरनारायणावृषी॥
As if attracting unto themselves by their own energy the intellects and energies of them all, the two ancient Rishis, Nara and Narayana, departed.
बृहस्पतिस्तु पप्रच्छ ब्रह्माणं काविमाविति। भवन्तं नोपतिष्ठेते तौ नः शंस पितामहः॥
Brihaspati too asked Brahma "who are these two, who, 0 O grandsire, without worshipping you, go away. Tell us that.”
ब्रह्मोवाच यावेतौ पृथिवीं द्यां च भासयन्तौ तपस्विनौ। ज्वलन्तौ रोचमानौ च व्याप्यातीतौ महाबलौ॥
Brahma said These two ascetics blazing, as it were with beauty and illuminating the earth and heaven and possessed of great energy went away.
नरनारायणावेतौ लोकाल्लोकं समास्थितौ। ऊर्जितौ स्वेन तपसा महासत्त्वपराक्रमौ॥
They are Nara and Narayana who have just come from the earth and are at present staying in these regions. With the fruits of their own asceticism they are resplendent and are possessed of great energy and prowess.
एतौ हि कर्मणा लोकं नन्दयामासतुवि॒वम्। द्विधाभूतौ महाप्राज्ञौ विद्धि ब्रह्मन् परंतपौ। असुराणां विनाशाय देवगन्धर्वपूजितौ॥
These two by their acts ever bring rejoicing to the words; they worshipped by the gods and the Gandharvas live for the destruction of the Asuras.
वैशम्पायन उवाच जगाम शक्रस्तच्छुत्वा यत्र तौ तेपतुस्तपः। सार्धं देवगणः सर्वैर्वृहस्पतिपुरोगमैः॥
Shakra having heard this went to the place where these two were practicing their devotions, in company with all that host of gods with Brihaspati going in front of them.
तदा देवासुरे युद्धे भये जाते दिवौकसाम्। अयाचत महात्मानौ नरनारायणौ वरम्॥
At the time, among the dwellers of the heaven there was a great panic owing to a battle between the gods and the Asuras and they (the gods) asked a boon of the noblesouled Nara and Narayana.
तावब्रूतां वृणीष्वेति तदा भरतसत्तम। अथैतावब्रवीच्छक्रः साह्यं नः क्रियतामिति॥
Those two then said “Choose (the boon)," O best of the race of Bharata. Shakra then said to those two-"make us invincible".
ततस्तौ शक्रमब्रूतां करिष्यावो यदिच्छसि। ताभ्यां च सहितः शक्रो विजिग्ये दैत्यदानवान्॥
Then did the two tell Shakra, "we shall do what you wish.” Then aided by them Shakra triumphed over the Daityas and the Danavas.
नर इन्द्रस्य संग्रामे हत्वा शत्रून् परन्तपः। पौलोमान् कालखमांश्च सहस्राणि शतानि च॥
That excellent among the ascetics, Nara, having killed the enemies in the battle for Indra, (killed) hundred and thousands of Paulomas and Kalakhanjas.
एषं भ्रान्ते रथे तिष्ठन् भल्लेनापाहरच्छिरः। जम्भस्य ग्रसमानस्य तदा ह्यर्जुन आहवे॥
Seated on a revolving car, this Arjuna, by mcans of a broad-headed arrow, cut down the head of Jambha, who had opened his mouth to swallow him.
एष पारे समुद्रस्य हिरण्यपुरमारुजत्। जित्वा षष्टिं सहस्राणि निवातकवचान् रणे॥
He penetrated into Hiranyapura, on the other side of the sea, after vanquiching in battle sixty thousands of Nivatakvachas.
एष देवान् सहेन्द्रेण जित्वा परपुरञ्जयः। अतर्पयन्महाबाहुरर्जुनो जातवेदसम्॥
This Arjuna, the conqueror of hostile cities, of long arms gratified the god of fire by conquering the gods with Indra.
नारायणस्तथैवात्र भूयसोऽन्याञ्जघान ह। एवमेतौ महावीर्यौ तौ पश्यत समागतौ॥
In the same way Narayana has in this world killed innumerable other (Asuras); such are these two of great prowess that are seen to be united together.
वासुदेवार्जुनौ वीरौ समवेतौ महारथौ। नरनारायणौ देवौ पूर्वदेवाविति श्रुतिः॥
The son of Vamdeva and Arjuna, the two great heroic car-warriors that have now allied together are the two ancient gods, Nara and Narayana. Such is the general belief.
अजेयौ मानुषे लोके सेन्ट्रैरपि सुरासुरैः। एष नारायणः कृष्णः फाल्गुनश्च नरः स्मृतः। नारायणो नरश्चैव सत्त्वमेकं द्विधा कृतम्॥
In capable of being vanquished by men in this world and by the gods and Asuras with Indra, this Krishna is Narayana and this son of Phalguni, Nara, which the holy books declare. Narayana and Nara are of the same essence split up into two.
एतौ हि कर्मणा लोकानश्नुवातेऽक्षयान् ध्रुवान्। तत्र तत्रैव जायते युद्धकाले पुनः पुनः॥
These two by their acts attain to several eternal and inexhaustible regions and are born in those places again and again in times of war.
तस्मात् कर्मैव कर्तव्यमिति होवाच नारदः। एतद्धि सर्वमाचष्ट वृष्णिचक्रस्य वेदवित्॥
Therefore is war their duty. This what Narada conversant with the Vedas has said to the race of the Vrishnis.
शङ्खचक्रगदाहस्तं यदा द्रक्ष्यसि केशवम्। पर्याददानं चास्त्राणि भीमधन्वानमर्जुनम्॥
When you will see Keshava with the conch, the disc and the mace in his hand and Arjuna with that terrific-looking bow taking up weapons.
सनातनौ महात्मानौ कृष्णावेकरथे स्थितौ। दुर्योधन तदा तात स्मर्ताऽसि वचनं मम॥
The two eternal and noble-souled Krishna's seated on the same chariot, O Duryodhana, O dear, then will you remember my words.
नोचेदयमभाव: स्यात् कुरूणां प्रत्युपस्थितः। अर्थाच्च तात धर्माच्च तव बुद्धिरुपप्लुता॥
Otherwise why should the sons of Kuru have come to this state. Your intellect. O dear, has fallen off from both virtue and worldly profit.
न चेद् ग्रहीष्यसे वाक्यं श्रोतासि सुबहून् हतान्। तवैव हि मतं सर्वे कुरवः पर्युपासते॥
If you do not accept my advice; then you will hear of the slaying of numerous men of your army; my advice is listen to by all the sons of Kuru.
त्रयाणामेव च मतं तत् त्वमेकोऽनुमन्यसे। रामेण चैव शप्तस्य कर्णस्य भरतर्षभ॥
The advice of the three persons you alone listen to, O bull among the race of Bharata, viz. Karna, who was cursed by Rama,
दुर्जातेः सूतपुत्रस्य शकुनेः सौबलस्य च। तथा क्षुद्रस्य पापस्य भ्रातुर्दुःशासनस्य च॥
The son of Suta, a low born fellow, Shakuni, the son of Subala and your little minded vicious brother Dushasana.
कर्ण उवाच नैवमायुष्मता वाच्यं यन्मामात्थ पितामह। क्षत्रधर्मे स्थितो ह्यस्मि स्वधर्मादनपेयिवान्॥
Karna said It is not proper for you, O grandfather, to say to me the words you have spoken. I observe the rules of the Kshatriya caste and am not fallen from my own virtue.
किं चान्यन्मयि दुर्वृत्तं येन मां परिगर्हसे। न हि मे वृजिनं किंचिद् धार्तराष्ट्रा विदुः क्वचित्।।३०
What vice is there in one for which you revile me so; the son of Dhritarashtra knows that there is no sin in me.
नाचरं वृजिनं किंचिद् धार्तराष्ट्रस्य नित्यशः। अहं हि पाण्डवान् सर्वान् हनिष्यामि रणेस्थितान्॥
I have never been without the slightest injury towards the son of Dhritarashtra and I shall kill all the sons of Pandu, engaged in battle.
प्राग्विरुद्धैः शमं सद्धिः कथं वा क्रियते पुनः। राज्ञो हि धृतराष्ट्रस्य सर्वं कार्यं प्रियं मया। तथा दुर्योधनस्यापि स हि राज्ये समाहितः॥
How can these that are honest be reconciled with those that were formerly their enemies. The interest of king Dhritarashtra is ever looked after by me and the same of Duryodhana; he is now established in the kingdom.
वैशम्पायन उवाच कर्णस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा भीष्मः शान्तनवः पुनः। धृतराष्ट्रः महाराज सम्भाष्येदं वचोऽब्रवीत्॥
Vaishampayana said Bhima, the son of Shantanu, having heard the words of Karna, again addressing the great king Dhritarashtra, said these words-
यदयं कत्थते नित्यं हन्ताहं पाण्डवानिति। नायं कलापि सम्पूर्णा पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्॥
Though he ever says “I shall be the slayer of the son of Pandu", yet he is not even one sixteenth part of these large-hearted sons of Pandu.
अनयो योऽयमागन्ता पुत्राणां ते दुरात्मनाम्। तदस्य कर्म जानीहि सूतपुत्रस्य दुर्मतेः॥
The great calamity, that is about to come on your sons of wicked souls, know that it is the work of this son of Suta of wicked mind.
एतमाश्रित्य पुत्रस्ते मन्दबुद्धिः सुयोधनः। अवामन्यत तान् वीरान् देवपुत्रानरिंदमान्॥
Your son Suyodhana of weak intellect depending on him for support has insulted those heroic sons of godly men, the subduer of their foes.
किं चाप्येतेन तत्कर्म कृतपूर्वं सुदुष्करम्। तैर्यथा पाण्डवैः सर्वैरेकैकेन कृतं पुरा॥
What difficult task of there that has before been accomplished by him which is equal to what has been done by each of the sons of Pandu in days gone by.
दृष्ट्वा विराटनगरे भ्रातरं निहतं प्रियम्। धनंजयेन विक्रम्य किमनेन तदा कृतम्॥
Having seen in the city of Virata his dear brother killed by Dhananjaya who evinced a great deal of prowess, what did he do at that time.
सहितान् हि कुरून् सर्वानभियातो धनंजयः। प्रमथ्य चाच्छिनद् वासः किमयं प्रोषितस्तदा॥
When Dhananjaya rushing against all the Kurus and smashing them dispossessed them of their clothes, what did he then do.
गन्धर्वैर्घोषयात्रायां ह्रियते यत् सुतस्तव। क्व तदा सूतपुत्रोऽभूद् य इदानीं वृषायते॥
When your son was being taken as a captive towards the Ghoshayatra by the Gandharvas, where was then the son of Suta who is now roaring like a bull.
ननु तत्रापि भीमेन पार्थेन च महात्मना। यमाभ्यामेव संगम्य गन्धर्वास्ते पराजिताः॥
Even in that case it was Bhima and the large minded Partha, who aided by the twins vanquished those Gandharvas.
एतान्यस्य मृषोक्तानि बहूनि भरतर्षभ। विकत्थनस्य भद्रं ते सदा धर्मार्थलोपिनः॥
These are the many unfounded statements that he makes; for he is boastful and regards not either morality or worldly profit. May good betide you.
भीष्मस्य तु वचः श्रुत्वा भारद्वाजो महामनाः। धृतराष्ट्रमुवाचेदं राजमध्येऽभिपूजयन्॥
The son of Bharadvaja of large mind having heard the words of Bhishma spoke thus to Dhritarashtra, among the assembled kings after duly saluting him.
यदाह भरतश्रेष्ठो भीष्मस्तत् क्रियतां नृप। न काममर्थलिप्सूनां वचनं कर्तुमर्हसि॥
What the chief among the race of Bharata, Bhishma, has said-do that, O protector of men. It is not proper that you should do what they that covet desire and wealth tell you to do.
पुरा युद्धात् साधु मन्ये पाण्डवैः सह संगतम्। यद् वाक्यमर्जुनेनोक्तं संजयेन निवेदितम्॥
Before the battle, I think that peace with the Pandavas seems to be the best. What has been prophesied by Arjuna and submitted to us by Sanjaya.
सर्वं तदपि जानामि करिष्यति च पाण्डवः। न ह्यस्य त्रिषु लोकेषु सदृशोऽन्ति धनुर्धरः॥
Will all be done by the son of Pandu, I know. In the three worlds there is no wilder of the bow equal to him.
अनादृत्य तु तद् वाक्यमर्थवद् द्रोणभीष्मयोः। ततः स संजयं राजा पर्यपृच्छत पाण्डवान्॥
Minding not however the speeches of Drona and Bhishma, which were good advice, the king asked Sanjaya about the sons of Pandu.
तदैव कुरवः सर्वे निराशा जीवितेऽभवन्। भीष्मद्रोणौ यदा राजा न सम्यगनुभाषते॥
From that time did all the Kurus despair of their lives, when the king did not give a proper reply to the speeches of Bhishma and Drona.