धृतराष्ट्र उवाच शृणु दिव्यानि कर्माणि वासुदेवस्य संजया कृतवान् यानि गोविन्दो तथा नान्यः पुमान् क्वचित्॥१
Dhritarashtra said Hear, O Sanjaya, of the celestial feats of the son of Vasudeva,-feats which Govinda achieved and which no other person.
संवर्धता गोपकुले बालेनैव महात्मना। विख्यापितं बलं बाहोस्त्रिषु लोकेषु संजय॥
While he was being reared in the family of the cowherds, the illustrious one, even in his early years, made the might of his arms, O Sanjaya, known to the three worlds.
उच्चैः श्रवस्तुल्यबलं वायुवेगसमं जवे। जघान हयराजं तं यमुनावनवासिनम्॥
(Even then) he slew the Asura Hayaraja (prince of steeds) who was equal to the Uchchaishravas in might and the wind itself in fleetness and who infested the woods on the shores of the Yamuna.
दानवं घोरकर्माणं गवां मृत्युमिवोत्थितम्। वृषरूपधरं बाल्ये भुजाभ्यां निजधान ह॥
In his early years, he killed with his two arms only, the Danava in the form of a bull, of terrible deeds and born as Death himself to the COWS.
प्रलम्बं नरकं जम्भं पीठं चापि महासुरम्। मुरं चान्तकसंकाशमवधीत् पुष्करेक्षणः॥
He of eyes resembling lotus petals, also slew the great Asuras, named, Pralamba, Naraka, Jamva, Peeta, as also, Mura of godlike nature.
तथा कंसो महातेजा जरासंधेन पालितः। विक्रमेणैव कृष्णेन सगणः पातितो रणे॥
Also Kansa of great vigour who was protected by Jarasandha himself, was slain with his followers, in battle, by Krishna with his prowess alone.
सुनामा रणविक्रान्तः समग्राक्षोहिणीपतिः। भोजराजस्य मध्यस्थो भ्राता कंसस्य वीर्यवान्॥ बलदेवद्वितीयेन कृष्णेनामित्रघातिना। तरस्वी समरे दग्धः ससैन्यः शूरसेनराट्॥
The mighty sovereign of the Shurasenas, by name Sunamana, of great prowess in battle, the master of a complete Akshauhini, endued with activity and the second brother of Kansa the ruler of the Bhojas, with all his soldiers, was consumed in battle by that slayer of enemies, viz., Krishna with Baladeva as his second.
दुर्वासा नाम विप्रर्षिस्तथा परमकोपनः। आराधितः सदारेण स चास्मै प्रददौ वरान्॥
That highly passionate Brahmanical sage, by name Durvasa, was adored by him (Krishna) along with his wives. The sage (pleased with him) accorded boons to him.
तथा गान्धारराजस्य सुतां वीरः स्वयंवरे। निर्जित्य पृथिवीपालानावहत् पुष्करेक्षणः॥ अमृष्यमाणा राजानो यस्य जात्या हया इव। रथे वैवाहिके युक्ताः प्रतोदेन कृतव्रणाः॥
That one eyes resembling lotus petals, that most puissant hero, (Krishna), carried away the daughter of the king of the Gandharas, after having defeated, at a Svayamvara (Self-choice) all the rulers of the earth. Like horses, those exasperated kings were harnessed to his bridal chariot and lacerated with the cut of his whip.
जरासंधं महाबाहुमुपायेन जनार्दनः। परेण घातयामास समग्राक्षौहिणीपतिम्॥
That Janardana, through the instrumentality of another, slew Jarasandha of mighty arms, the lord of a complete Akshauhini.
चेदिराजं च विक्रान्तं राजसेनापति बली। अर्पा विवदमानं च जघान पशुवत् तदा॥
That puissant one, slaughtered, like a beast, the king of the Chedis, that powerful leader of kingly hosts, when the latter disputed with him about the (sacrificial) Arghya.
सौभं दैत्यपुरं खस्थं शाल्वगुप्तं दुरासदम्। समुद्रकुक्षौ विक्रम्य पातयामास माधवः॥
Madhava, by his prowess, hurled into the bosomn of the sea, the fortress of the Danavas known as Soubha, situated in heaven, protected by Shalva and considered to be invulnerable.
अङ्गान् वङ्गान् कलिङ्गांश्च मागधान् काशिकोसलान्। वात्स्यगार्यकरूषांश्च पौण्ड्रांश्चाप्यजयद् रणे॥
He obtained victory in battle over the Angas, the Bangas, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, the Kasis, the Koshalas, the Vatsyas, the Gargas, the Karushas and the Poundras,
आवन्त्यान् दाक्षिणात्यांश्च पर्वतीयान् दशेरकान्। काश्मीरकानौरसिकान् पिशाचांश्च समुद्गलान्॥ काम्बोजान् वाटधानांश्च चोलान् पाण्ड्यांश्च संजय। त्रिगर्तान् मालवांश्चैव दरदांश्च सुदुर्जयान्॥ नानादिग्भ्यश्च सम्प्राप्तान् खशांश्चैव शकांस्तथा। जितवान् पुण्डरीकाक्षो यवनं च सहानुगम्॥
Avantyas, the Southerners, the Mountaineers, the Daserakas, the Kashmirakas, the Auroshikas, the Pishachas, the Samudgalas, the Kambojas, the Vatadhanas, the Cholas, the Pandavas and, O Sanjaya, the Trigarttas, the Malavas, the Daradas incapable of being defeated. The Khasas and the Shakas, comform various directions and the Yavanas with their followers, that one of eyes resembling the petals of a blue lotus, conquered all these tribes in battle.
प्रविश्य मकारावासं यादोगणनिषेवितम्। जिगाय वरुणं संख्ये सलिलान्तर्गतं पुरा॥
In days gone by, entering into the abode of the sea-monster Makara, he defeated in battle Varuna, surrounded by all kinds of sea-animals and hidden underneath watery depths.
युधि पञ्चजनं हत्वा दैत्यं पातालवासिनम् पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो दिव्यं शङ्खमवाप्तवान्॥
Hrishikesha obtained the celestial conch called Panchajanya, after having slain in battle Panchajana, who lived in the nether regions.
खाण्डवे पार्थसहितस्तोषयित्वा हुताशनम्। आग्नेयमस्त्रं दुर्धर्षं चक्रं लेभे महाबलः॥
That puissant hero, obtained his indomitable weapon of fire, the discus (Sudarshana), by propitiating Hutashana (Fire) by helping it to burn down the Khandava forest, in which act he was assisted by the son of Pritha (Arjuna).
वैनतेयं समारुह्य त्रासयित्वाऽमरावतीम्। महेन्द्रभवनाद् वीरः पारिजातमुपानयत्॥
Riding on the son of Vinata and creating quite a panic in the city of the Immortals, that hero carried away the Parijata tree from the abode of the great Indra.
अच्च मर्षितवाशक्रो जानंस्तस्य पराक्रमम्। राज्ञां चाप्यजितं कञ्चित् कृष्णेनेह न शुश्रुम॥
That act Shakra submissively brooked, for he was perfectly acquainted with the prowess of Krishna. We have never heard of a king who has not been worsted by Krishna (in battle).
यच्च तन्महदाश्चर्ये सभायां मम संजय। कृतवान् पुण्डरीकाक्षः कस्तदन्य इहार्हति॥
That most marvelous act, which he achieved in my assembly hall, O Sanjaya, who else, save that one of eyes resembling lotus petal, is capable of doing?
यच्च भक्त्या प्रसन्नोऽहमद्राक्षं कृष्णमीश्वरम्। तन्मे सुविदितं सर्वे प्रत्यक्षमिव चागमम्॥
Since inspired by reverence I have been able to recognise Krishna as the Lord, everything in the Vedas is well-known to me and is before my eyes.
नान्तो विक्रमयुक्तस्य बुद्ध्या युक्तस्य वा पुनः। कर्मणां शक्यते गन्तुं हृषीकेशस्य संजय॥
Verily, O Sanjaya, none can reach the end (of the account) of of achievements Hrishikesha who is endued with prowess and intelligence. or
तथा गदश्च साम्बश्च प्रद्युम्नोऽथ विदूरथः। अगावहोऽनिरुद्धश्च चारुदेष्णः ससारणः॥ उल्मुको निशठश्चैव झिल्ली बभ्रुश्च वीर्यवान्। पृथुश्च विपृथुश्चैद शमीकोऽथारिमेजय॥ एतेऽन्ये बलवन्तश्च वृष्णिवीराः प्रहारिणः। कथंचित् पाण्डवानीकं श्रयेयुः समरे स्थिताः॥ आहूता वृष्णिवीरेण केशवेन महात्मना। ततः संशयितं सर्वे भवेदिति मतिर्मम॥
Then also Gada, Shamva, Pradyumna, Viduratha, Agaboha Anirudina, Charudeshna along with Sarana, Ulmuka, Nisata, the powerful Jhilhivobhru, Prithu, Viprithu, Somika and Arimejaya. These and other most puissant Vrishni heroes, skilled in the art of smiting, will, standing on the field, betake to the ranks of the Pandava host. Being called to do so by that foremost of Vrishni warriors, viz., Keshava of high soul; then me-seems, everything (on my side) will be in great dangers.
नागायुतबलो वीरः कैलासशिखरोपमः। वनवाली हली रामस्तत्र यत्र जनार्दनः॥
The heroic Rama, decked with garlands of wild flowers, equal in strength to two thousand elephants, resembling the peck of the Kailasa mountain and armed with the plough, will be there where Janardana is.
यमाहुः सर्वपितरं वासुदेवं द्विजातयः। अपि वा ह्येष पाण्डूनां योत्स्यतेऽर्थाय संजय॥
That son of Vasudeva, whom all the regenerate ones call the Father of all, O Sanjaya, will battle for the interests of the sons of Pandu?
स यदा तात संनोत् पाण्डवार्थाय संजय। न तदा प्रतिसंयोद्धा भविता तत्र कश्चन॥
When that one, O son, O Sanjaya, clothes himself in mail for the interests of the Pandavas, none will come forth as his antagonist.
यदि स्म कुरवः सर्वे जयेयुर्नाम पाण्डवान्। वार्ष्णेयोऽर्थाय तेषां वै गृह्णीयाच्छस्त्रमुत्तमम्॥
If, per chance, the Kurus obtain victory over the Pandavas then that one of the Vrishni race, for the interests of these latter will take up his excellent weapon (the discus).
ततः सर्वान् नरव्याघ्रो हत्वा नरपतीन् रणे। कौरवांश्च महाबाहुः कुन्त्यैदद्यात् स मेदिनीम्॥
Then that foremost of men, that mightyarmed hero, having slain in battle the Kauravas and the (assembled) monarchs will offer the whole earth of Kunti.
यस्य यन्ता हृषीकेशो योद्धा यस्य धनंजयः। रथस्य तस्य का संख्ये प्रत्यनीको भवेद् रथः॥
What other car can encounter in battle, that car of which the driver is Hrishikesha and the warrior is Dhananjaya?
न केनचिदुपायेन कुरूणां दृश्यते जयः। तस्मान्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व यथा युद्धमवर्तत॥
In any way, I do not see victory for the Kurus, Recount to me then, all as to how the battle raged.
अर्जुनः केशवस्यात्माकृष्णोऽप्यात्मा किरीटिनः। अर्जुने विजयो नित्यं कृष्णे कीर्तिश्च शाश्वती॥
Arjuna is the soul of Keshava and Krishna is the soul of the diadem-decked (Arjuna). In Arjuna victory ever resides and eternal glory is in Krishna.
सर्वेष्वपि च लोकेषु बीभत्सुरपराजितः। प्राधान्येनैव भूयिष्ठममेयाः केशवे गुणा:॥
In all the regions, Vibhatsu is unconquerable. All virtues are in Keshava in an extraordinary degree.
मोहाद् दुर्योधनः कृष्णं यो न वेत्तीह केशवम्। मोहितो दैवयोगेन मृत्युपाशपुरस्कृतः॥
Duryodhana, through foolishness cannot recognise Krishna or Keshava; he is befooled by Destiny and the noose of Death hangs over him.
न वेद कृष्णं दाशार्हमर्जुनं चैव पाण्डवम्। पूर्वदेवी महात्मानौ नरनारायणावुभौ॥
Duryodhana knows not Krishna of the Dasharha race and Arjuna the son of Pandu; they both are supreme divinities, of high soul, know on earth as Nara and Narayana.
नेच्छतः। एकात्मानौ द्विधाभूतौ दृश्येते मानवैर्भुवि। मनसाऽपि हि दुर्धर्षी सेनामेतां यशस्विनौ॥ नाशयेतामिहेच्छन्तौ मानुषत्वाच्च युगस्येव विपर्यासो लोकानामिव मोहनम्॥ भीष्मस्य च वधस्तात द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः। न होव ब्रह्मचर्येण न वेदाध्ययनेन च॥
On earth they appear to men as two different persons, though ir reality they are of one and the same soul. That highly-renowned invincible pair, can with the fiat of their will slay this host, if only they wish it. But for humanity's sake, they do not wish it. O son, the slaughter of Bhishma and Drona, of high souls, appears to be like the over-turning of the Yuga and the stupefaction of the senses. In this world neither by Brahmacharya, nor by the study of the Vedas.
न क्रियाभिर्न चास्त्रेण मृत्योः कश्चिनिवार्यते। लोकसम्भावितौ वीरौ कृतास्त्रौ युद्धदुर्मदौ॥
Nor by the performance of rites or by the dint of weapons, can any one be saved from Death. Those two heroes, held in high honour by the worlds, accomplished in the use of Weapons and invincible in battle.
भीष्मद्रोणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा किं नु जीवामि संजय। यां तां श्रियमसूयामः पुरा दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरे॥
Namely, Bhishma and Drona, hearing of their death, why do I, O Sanjaya, still live? That prosperity, seeing which attend Yudhishthira before, we were so jealous.
अद्य तामनुजानीमो भीष्मद्रोणवधेन ह। मत्कृते चाप्यनुप्राप्तः कुरूणामेष संक्षयः॥
Today, deprived of that prosperity, we shall have to live, in consequence of the death of Bhishma and Drona. This complete annihilation of the Kurus has come consequent upon my actions.
पक्वानां हि वधे सूत वज्रायन्ते तृणान्युत। अनन्तमिदमैश्वर्यं लोके प्राप्तो युधिष्ठिरः॥
For the destruction of those, O you of the Suta caste, who are ripe for it, even the straw behave like a thunder-bolt. In this world Yudhishthira is going to obtain prosperity which is infinite.
यस्य कोपान्महात्मानौ भीष्मद्रोणौ निपातितौ। प्राप्तः प्रकृतितो धर्मो न धर्मो मामकान् प्रति॥
Yudhishthira, through whose wrath Bhisma and Drona have met their ends. Righteousness had naturally attached itself to Yudhishthira, while it is hostile of the cause of my sons.
क्रूरः सर्वविनाशाय कालोऽसौ नातिवर्तते। अन्यथा चिन्तिता ह्या नरैस्तात मनस्विभिः॥
Time so cruel, that has come for destroying every one, cannot be overcome! O son, things calculated in one way even by intelligent persons.
अन्यथैव प्रपद्यन्ते दैवादिति मतिर्मम। तस्मादपरिहार्येऽर्थे सम्प्राप्ते कृच्छ्र उत्तमे। अपारणीये दुश्चिन्त्ये यथाभूतं प्रचक्ष्व मे॥
Result in an altogether different way, through the agency of Destiny; this is my belief. Therefore relate to me truly all that occurred, on the advent of that dreadful but inevitable calamity (the death Drona, generating most grieving thoughts and incapable of being crossed over by us).