Spiga

Chapter 1: The Yoga of Dejection

On the confrontation with the necessity to fight

(1) In B.C 3102, the blind uncle of Pandavas called Dhritarashthra said: "At Kurukshetra, a place of pilgrimage, my party and the pandavas, the sons of Pandu, assembled desiring to fight. O Sanjaya What did they do?"

(2) Sanjaya said: "After seeing the line up of the soldiers of the Pandavas, king Duryodhana, the eldest of the kauravas, at that time approached his teacher, Dronacarya, and said:

(3) Just see the sons of Pandu, brother of Dhritarashthra and the father of the Pandavas, O teacher, arranged as a great military force by the son of Drupada, who is the father in law of Arjuna, Dhristadyumna,your intelligent disciple.

(4) There are heroes and mighty bowmen equal in the fight to Bhima and Arjuna, like Yuyudhana and Virata as also Drupada himself, who is also a great warrior.

(5) Dhrishthaketu, Cekitana, Kasiraja, and also the very powerful Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Saibya are there, who are all great heroes in human society.

(6) Yudhamanyu, the mighty Uttamauja, the very powerful son of Subhadra, who is the ister of Krishna, one of the wifes of Arjuna, and the sons of Draupadi all certainly are great chariot fighters.

(7) But to your information, O best of the twice-born, let me tell you also about the specially powerful captains of our soldiers.

(8) Of your good self there are grandfather Bhishma and also Karna, Kripa, and As'vatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta called Bhurisrava, who are certainly also always victorious in battle.

(9) There are as well a great number of other heroes equipped with many weapons having combat experience, that are willing to risk their lives for my sake.

(10) Our strength is immeasurable being perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhishma, but limited is all of this strength with the Pandavas carefully protected by Bhima.

(11) Those everywhere strategically arranged to support Bhishma certainly all respectively will give you their support.

(12) To his greater joy, did the valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather, blew his conchshell very loudly vibrating like a roaring lion.

(13) Other conchshells as also large and small drums and horns all of a sudden were sounded together thereafter, which culminated into a tumultuous uproar.

(14) Thereupon Madhava the form of Krishna as the husband of the goddess of fortune, with Arjuna standing in a great chariot drawn by white horses, both confidently sounded their divine conchshells.

(15) Hrishikesa the form of Krishna as the Lord of the Senses, blew the Pancajanya, Arjuna the Devadatta and the herculean Bhima, the voracious eater, blew the Paundra.

(16-17-18) The king, the son of Kunti named Yudhishthhira, the eldest Pandava, blew Ananta-vijaya while Nakula and Sahadeva, the twin brothers of Pandavas, blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka. So also the king of Kasi also called Varanasi, the great archerer Sikhani and the great warrior Dhristadyumna, Viratha, who gave the Pandavas shelter, Satyaki, who was never defeated and, O King, Drupada together with all the sons of the Pandavas, and the mighty armed Abhimanyu, son of Subhadra, each blew their respective conchshells.

(19) That vibration tore the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashthra as it resounded tumultuous in the sky and the earth.

(20) Then the son of Pandu, whose flag was marked with Hanuman and who was looking from his chariot upon the sons of Dhritarashthra in preparing to take up his bow and shoot his arrows, O King, at that time spoke the following words to Hrishikesa.

(21-22) Arjuna said: 'Please drive my chariot between both the armies, O Infallible One, for the time that I may look upon those desiring to fight arrayed on the battlefield with whom together I have to contend in this trial of arms.

(23) Let me see those who will be fighting and are assembled here wishing to please the evil minded son of Dhritarashthra.

(24) Sanjaya said: "O son of Bharata, thus being addressed by Arjuna, did Hrishikesa place the mighty fine chariot in the midst of the two armies.

(25) In front of Bhishma, Drona and all the military leaders of the world the Lord said: 'O son of Pritha, just see how all the members of the Kuru-dynasty are assembled here'.

(26) There he indeed could see standing both parties of the armies: his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends and also his fathers-in-law and well-wishers.

(27) Seeing all kinds of relatives he, Arjuna, the son of Kunti got overwhelmed by a high degree of compassion and lamenting he thus spoke.

(28) Arjuna said: 'The look of all these kinsmen, O Krishna, all present in a fighting spirit, makes the limbs of my body quiver and my mouth dry up.

(29) My body trembles and my hair stands on end, my Gandiva, the gifted bow is slipping from my hand and my skin certainly is burning.

(30) Nor am I able to keep standing, my mind goes and I see just the opposite, O Kesava. Krishna also called as Kesava as the killer of the the mad horse Kesi.

(31) Nor do I forsee any good in killing my own kinsmen in the fight, and I do not desire the victory either, O Krishna, nor do I expect a happy kingdom thereof.

(32-35) What use is the kingdom to us, Govinda? What joy or life is there either if the kingdom is desired by us for the sake of those who want that material pleasure and happiness also, while they have all taken positions on the battlefield and are willing to give up their lives: our teachers, fathers, sons as well as certainly also our grandfathers. All these maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers and other relatives I never wish to kill nor get killed, O Madhusudana. Krishna called as Madhusudana as defeated Madhu. Not even in exchange for the three worlds I want the kingdom not to speak about having it for the sake of the earth - what pleasure will there be in killing the sons of Dhritarashthra, O, Janardana. Krishna also knows as Janardhana as maintainer of the three worlds?

(36) For sure sin will come upon us by killing all these aggressors and therefore we should never kill the sons of Dhritarashthra along with the friends and kinsmen. How can we become happy by killing others, O Madhava?

(37-38) Even if they do not see with their hearts overpowered by greed the fault to kill one's family, the quarreling with friends and having to suffer the reactions - why should we, who see the crime of destroying a dynasty, not turn us away from such sins, o Janardana?

(39) Destroying the family, its eternal traditions of religion will vanish as a consequence of which the whole family will lose its sense of duty, it is said.

(40) With the prominence of this lack of responsibility, O, Krishna, the women of the family will become spoiled and from that corruption of womanhood there will be a confusion of identity in society.

(41) Such a confusion will certainly turn the life of the family members of those who killed their family to hell, as with the fall of their forefathers they also will have stopped with the offerings of food and water.

(42) Such faults of all those who destroyed the family and became confused in their identity, will devastate the continuation of the righteousness of status orientations and family traditions in society.

(43) Of those men who spoiled the family traditions, o Janardana, one will always turn out to reside in hell, thus I heard from the learned.

(44) Alas, oddly we have decided to perform great sins in trying to kill kinsmen in our being driven by greed for royal happiness.

(45) It would rather be better for me to give up my resistance and arms and have me killed by the weapons in the hands of the sons of Dhritarashthra on the battlefield.

(46) Sanjaya said: "Thus having spoken on the battlefield, Arjuna sat down on the seat of his chariot putting aside his bow and arrows, in distress with a mind full of lamentation."

Source Texts

Text 1

In B.C 3102, the blind uncle of Pandavas called Dhritarashthra said: "At Kurukshetra, a place of pilgrimage, my party and the pandavas, the sons of Pandu, assembled desiring to fight. O SanjayaWhat did they do?"

SANSKRIT Verse 1

dhrtarastra uvacha

dharma-ksetre kuru-ksetre
samavetah yuyutsavah
mamakah pandavas caiva
kim akurvata sanjaya

Word for Word

dhrtarastrah uvaca = King Dhrtarastra said; dharma-ksetre = in the place of pilgrimage; kuru-ksetre = in the place named Kurukshetra; samavetah = assembled; yuyutsavah = desiring to fight; mamakah = my party (sons); pandavah = the sons of Pandu; ca = and; eva = certainly; kim = what; akurvata = did they do; sanjaya = O Sanjaya.

Transilation

"Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukshetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?

Text 2

Sanjaya said: "After seeing the line up of the soldiers of the Pandavas, king Duryodhana, the eldest of the kauravas, at that time approached his teacher, Dronacarya, and said:

SANSKRIT Verse 2

sanjaya uvacha

drstva tu pandavanakam
vyadham duryodhanas tada
acaryam upasangamya
raja vacanam abravit

Word for Word

sanjayah uvaca = Sanjaya said; drstva = after seeing; tu = but; pandava-anikam = the soldiers of the Pandavas; vyudham = arranged in a military phalanx; duryodhanah = King Duryodhana; tada = at that time; acaryam = the teacher; upasangamya = approaching; raja = the king; vacanam = words; abravit = spoke.

Translation

"Sanjaya said: O King, after looking over the army arranged in military formation by the sons of Pandu, King Duryodhana went to his teacher and spoke the following words."

Text 3

Just see the sons of Pandu, brother of Dhritarashthra and the father of the Pandavas, O teacher, arranged as a great military force by the son of Drupada, who is the father in law of Arjuna, Dhristadyumna, your intelligent disciple.

SANSKRIT Verse 3

pasyaitam pandu-putranam
acarya mahatam camum
vyadham drupada-putrena
tava sisyena dhimata

Word for Word

pasya = behold; etam = this; pandu-putranam = of the sons of Pandu; acarya = O teacher; mahatim = great; camum = military force; vyudham = arranged; drupada-putrena = by the son of Drupada; tava = your; sisyena = disciple; dhi-mata = very intelligent.

Translation

"O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pandu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple the son of Drupada."

Text 4

There are heroes and mighty bowmen equal in the fight to Bhima and Arjuna, like Yuyudhana and Virata as also Drupada himself, who is also a great warrior.

SANSKRIT Verse 4

atra sura mahesvasa
bhimarjuna-sama yudhi
yuyudhano viratas ca
drupadas ca maha-rathah

Word for Word

atra = here; surah = heroes; maha-isu-asah = mighty bowmen; bhima-arjuna = to Bhima and Arjuna; samah = equal; yudhi = in the fight; yuyudhanah = Yuyudhana; viratah = Virata; ca = also; drupadah = Drupada; ca = also; maha-rathah = great fighter.

Translation

"Here in this army are many heroic bowmen equal in fighting to Bhima and Arjuna: great fighters like Yuyudhana, Virata and Drupada."

Text 5

Dhrishthaketu, Cekitana, Kasiraja, and also the very powerful Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Saibya are there, who are all great heroes in human society.

SANSKRIT Verse 5

dhrstaketus cekitanah
kasirajas ca viryavan
purujit kuntibhojas ca
saibyas ca nara-pungavah

Word for Word

dhrstaketuh = Dhrishthaketu; cekitanah = Cekitana; kasirajah = Kasiraja; ca = also; virya-van = very powerful; purujit = Purujit; kuntibhojah = Kuntibhoja; ca = and; saibyah = Saibya; ca = and; nara-pungavah = hero in human society.

Translation

There are also great, heroic, powerful fighters like Dhrishthaketu, Cekitana, Kasiraja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Saibya.

Text 6

Yudhamanyu, the mighty Uttamauja, the very powerful son of Subhadra, who is the sister of Krishna, one of the wifes of Arjuna, and the sons of Draupadi all certainly are great chariot fighters.

SANSKRIT Verse 6

yudhamanyus ca vikranta
uttamaujas ca viryavan
saubhadro draupadeyas ca
sarva eva maha-rathah

Word for Word

yudhamanyuh = Yudhamanyu; ca = and; vikrantah = mighty; uttamaujah = Uttamauja; ca = and; virya-van = very powerful; saubhadrah = the son of Subhadra; draupadeyah = the sons of Draupadi; ca = and; sarve = all; eva = certainly; maha-rathah = great chariot fighters.

Translation

There are the mighty Yudhamanyu, the very powerful Uttamauja, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi. All these warriors are great chariot fighters.

Text 7

But to your information, O best of the twice-born, let me tell you also about the specially powerful captains of our soldiers.

SANSKRIT Verse 7

asmakam tu visista ye
tan nibodha dvijottama
nayaka mama sainyasya
samjnartham tan bravimi te

Word for Word

asmakam = our; tu = but; visistah = especially powerful; ye = who; tan = them; nibodha = just take note of, be informed; dvija-uttama = O best of the brahmanas; nayakah = captains; mama = my; sainyasya = of the soldiers; samjna-artham = for information; tan = them; bravimi = I am speaking; te = to you.

Translation

But for your information, O best of the brahmanas, let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.

Text 8

Of your good self there are grandfather Bhishma and also Karna, Kripa, and As'vatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta called Bhurisrava, who are certainly also always victorious in battle

SANSKRIT Verse 8

bhavan bhismas ca karnas ca
krpas ca samitim-jayah
asvatthama vikarnas ca
saumadattis tathaiva ca

Word for Word

bhavan = your good self; Bhishmah = Grandfather Bhishma; ca = also; karnah = Karna; ca = and; krpah = Krpa; ca = and; samitim-jayah = always victorious in battle; asvatthama = as'vatthama; vikarnah = Vikarna; ca = as well as; saumadattih = the son of Somadatta; tatha = as well as; eva = certainly; ca = also.

Translation

There are personalities like you, Bhishma, Karna, Krpa, asvatthama, Vikarna and the son of Somadatta called Bhurisrava, who are always victorious in battle.

Text 9

There are as well a great number of other heroes equipped with many weapons having combat experience, that are willing to risk their lives for my sake.

SANSKRIT Verse 9

anye ca bahavah sura
mad-arthe tyakta-jivitah
nana-sastra-praharanah
sarve yuddha-visaradah

Word for Word

anye = others; ca = also; bahavah = in great numbers; surah = heroes; mat-arthe = for my sake; tyakta-jivitah = prepared to risk life; nana = many; sastra = weapons; praharanah = equipped with; sarve = all of them; yuddha-visaradah = experienced in military science.

Translation

There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.

Text 10

Our strength is immeasurable being perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhishma, but limited is all of this strength with the Pandavas carefully protected by Bhima.

SANSKRIT Verse 10

aparyaptam tad asmakam
balam bhismabhiraksitam
paryaptam tv idam etesam
balam bhimabhiraksitam

Word for Word

aparyaptam = immeasurable; tat = that; asmakam = of ours; balam = strength; Bhishma = by Grandfather Bhishma; abhiraksitam = perfectly protected; paryaptam = limited; tu = but; idam = all this; etesam = of the Pandavas; balam = strength; bhima = by Bhima; abhiraksitam = carefully protected.

Translation

Our strength is immeasurable, and we are perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhihma, whereas the strength of the Pandavas, carefully protected by Bhima, is limited.

Text 11

Those everywhere strategically arranged to support Bhishma should certainly all respectively give you their support."

SANSKRIT Verse 11

ayanesu ca sarvesu
yatha-bhagam avasthitah
bhismam evabhiraksantu
bhavantah sarva eva hi

Word for Word

ayanesu = in the strategic points; ca = also; sarvesu = everywhere; yatha-bhagam = as differently arranged; avasthitah = situated; Bhishmam = unto Grandfather Bhishma; eva = certainly; abhiraksantu = should give support; bhavantah = you; sarve = all respectively; eva hi = certainly.

Translation

All of you must now give full support to Grandfather Bhishma, as you stand at your respective strategic points of entrance into the phalanx of the army.

Text 12

To his greater joy, did the valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather, blew his conchshell very loudly vibrating like a roaring lion.

SANSKRIT Verse 12

tasya sanjanayan harsam
kuru-vrddhah pitamahah
simha-nadam vinadyoccaih
sankham dadhmau pratapavan

Word for Word

tasya = his; sanjanayan = increasing; harsam = cheerfulness; kuru-vrddhah = the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty (Bhishma); pitamahah = the grandfather; simha-nadam = roaring sound, like that of a lion; vinadya = vibrating; uccaih = very loudly; sankham = conchshell; dadhmau = blew; pratapa-van = the valiant.

Translation

Then Bhishma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly, making a sound like the roar of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy.

Text 13

Other conchshells as also large and small drums and horns all of a sudden were sounded together thereafter , which combined into a tumultuous uproar.

SANSKRIT Verse 13

tatah sankhas ca bheryas ca
panavanaka-gomukhah
sahasaivabhyahanyanta
sa sabdas tumulo 'bhavat

Word for Word

tatah = thereafter; sankhah = conchshells; ca = also; bheryah = large drums; ca = and; panava-anaka = small drums and kettledrums; gomukhah = horns; sahasa = all of a sudden; eva = certainly; abhyahanyanta = were simultaneously sounded; sah = that; sabdah = combined sound; tumulah = tumultuous; abhavat = became.

Translation

After that, the conchshells, drums, bugles, trumpets and horns were all suddenly sounded, and the combined sound was tumultuous.

Text 14

Thereupon Madhava [Krishna as the husband of the goddess of fortune] with Arjuna standing in a great chariot drawn by white horses, both self-confident sounded their divine conchshells.

SANSKRIT Verse 14

tatah svetair hayair yukte
mahati syandane sthitau
madhavah pandavas caiva
divyau sankhau pradadhmatuh

Word for Word

tatah = thereafter; svetaih = with white; hayaih = horses; yukte = being yoked; mahati = in a great; syandane = chariot; sthitau = situated; madhavah = Krishna (the husband of the goddess of fortune); pandavah = Arjuna (the son of Pandu); ca = also; eva = certainly; divyau = transcendental; sankhau = conchshells; pradadhmatuh = sounded.

Translation

On the other side, both Lord Krishna and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.

Text 15

Hrishikes'a [Krishna as the Lord of the Senses] blew the Pañcajanya, Arjuna the Devadatta and the herculean Bhima, the voracious eater, blew the Paundra.

SANSKRIT Verse 15

pancajanyam hrsikeso
devadattam dhananjayah
paundram dadhmau maha-sankham
bhima-karma vrkodarah

Word for Word

pancajanyam = the conchshell named Pañcajanya; hrsika-isah = Hrisikes'a (Krishna, the Lord who directs the senses of the devotees); devadattam = the conchshell named Devadatta; dhanam-jayah = Dhanañjaya (Arjuna, the winner of wealth); paundram = the conch named Paundra; dadhmau = blew; maha-sankham = the terrific conchshell; bhima-karma = one who performs herculean tasks; vrka-udarah = the voracious eater (Bhima).

Translation

Lord Krishna blew His conchshell, called Pañcajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhima, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell, called Paundra.

Text 16-17-18

The king, the son of Kunti [Yudhishthhira, the eldest Pandava] blew Ananta-vijaya while Nakula and Sahadeva [the twin brother Pandava's] blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka. So also the king of Kas'i [Varanasi], the great archerer Sikhandi and the great warrior Dhristadyumna , Viratha [who gave the Pandavas shelter] , Satyaki [Yuyudhana, the charioteer of Krishna] who was never defeated and, o king, Drupada together with all the sons of the Pandavas, and the mighty armed Abhimanyu [son of Subhadra], each blew their respective conchshells.

SANSKRIT Verse 16-18

anantavijayam raja
kunti-putro yudhisthirah
nakulah sahadevas ca
sughosa-manipuspakau

kasyas ca paramesvasah
sikhandi ca maha-rathah
dhrstadyumno viratas ca
satyakis caparajitah

drupado draupadeyas ca
sarvasah prthivi-pate
saubhadras ca maha-bahuh
sankhan dadhmuh prthak prthak

Word for Word

ananta-vijayam = the conch named Ananta-vijaya; raja = the king; kunti-putrah = the son of Kunti; yudhisthirah = Yudhishthhira; nakulah = Nakula; sahadevah = Sahadeva; ca = and; sughosa-mani-puspakau = the conches named Sughosha and Manipushpaka;

kasyah = the King of Kasi (Varanasi); ca = and; parama-isu-asah = the great archer; sikhandi = Sikhandi; ca = also; maha-rathah = one who can fight alone against thousands; dhrstadyumnah = Dhrstadyumna (the son of King Drupada); viratah = Virata (the prince who gave shelter to the Pandavas while they were in disguise); ca = also; satyakih = Satyaki (the same as Yuyudhana, the charioteer of Lord Krishna); ca = and; aparajitah = who had never been vanquished;

drupadah = Drupada, the King of Pancala; draupadeyah = the sons of Draupadi; ca = also; sarvasah = all; prthivi-pate = O King; saubhadrah = Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadra; ca = also; maha-bahuh = mighty-armed; sankhan = conchshells; dadhmuh = blew; prthak prthak = each separately.

Translation

King Yudhishthhira, the son of Kunti, blew his conchshell, the Ananta-vijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka. That great archer the King of Kasi, the great fighter Sikhandi, Dhrstadyumna, Virata, the unconquerable Satyaki, Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the others, O King, such as the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, all blew their respective conchshells.

Text 19

That vibration tore the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashthra as it resounded tumultuous in the sky and the earth.

SANSKRIT Verse 19

sa ghoso dhartarastranam
hrdayani vyadarayat
nabhas ca prthivim caiva
tumulo 'bhyanunadayan

Word for Word

sah = that; ghosah = vibration; dhartarastranam = of the sons of Dhrtarastra; hrdayani = hearts; vyadarayat = shattered; nabhah = the sky; ca = also; prthivim = the surface of the earth; ca = also; eva = certainly; tumulah = uproarious; abhyanunadayan = resounding.

Translation

The blowing of these different conchshells became uproarious. Vibrating both in the sky and on the earth, it shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhrtarastra.

Text 20

Then the son of Pandu, whose flag was marked with Hanuman and who was looking from his chariot upon the sons of Dhritarashthra in preparing to take up his bow and shoot his arrows, O King, at that time spoke the following words to Hrishikesa [Krishna as the Lord of the senses].

SANSKRIT Verse 20

atha vyavasthitan drstva
dhartarastran kapi-dhvajah
pravrtte sastra-sampate
dhanur udyamya pandavah
hrsikesam tada vakyam
idam aha mahi-pate

Word for Word

atha = thereupon; vyavasthitan = situated; drstva = looking upon; dhartarastran = the sons of Dhrtarastra; kapi-dhvajah = he whose flag was marked with Hanuman; pravrtte = while about to engage; sastra-sampate = in releasing his arrows; dhanuh = bow; udyamya = taking up; pandavah = the son of Pandu (Arjuna); hrsikesam = unto Lord Krishna; tada = at that time; vakyam = words; idam = these; aha = said; mahi-pate = O King.

Translation

At that time Arjuna, the son of Pandu, seated in the chariot bearing the flag marked with Hanuman, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows. O King, after looking at the sons of Dhrtarastra drawn in military array, Arjuna then spoke to Lord Krishna these words.

Text 21-22

Arjuna said: 'Please drive my chariot between both the armies, O infallible one, for the time that I may look upon those desiring to fight arrayed on the battlefield with whom together I have to contend in this trial of arms.

SANSKRIT Verse 21-22

arjuna uvacha senayor ubhayor madhye
ratham sthapaya me 'cyuta
yavad etan nirakse 'ham
yod dhu-kaman avasthitan
kair maya saha yoddhavyam
asmin rana-samudyame

Word for Word

arjunah uvaca = Arjuna said; senayoh = of the armies; ubhayoh = both; madhye = between; ratham = the chariot; sthapaya = please keep; me = my; acyuta = O infallible one; yavat = as long as; etan = all these; nirikse = may look upon; aham = I; yoddhu-kaman = desiring to fight; avasthitan = arrayed on the battlefield; kaih = with whom; maya = by me; saha = together; yoddhavyam = have to fight; asmin = in this; rana = strife; samudyame = in the attempt.

Translation

Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms.

Text 23

Let me see those who will be fighting and are assembled here wishing to please the evil minded son of Dhritarashthra.'

SANSKRIT Verse 23

yotsyamanan avekse 'ham
ya ete 'tra samagatah
dhartarastrasya durbuddher
yuddhe priya-cikarsavah

Word for Word

yotsyamanan = those who will be fighting; avekse = let me see; aham = I; ye = who; ete = those; atra = here; samagatah = assembled; dhartarastrasya = for the son of Dhrtarastra; durbuddheh = evil-minded; yuddhe = in the fight; priya = well; cikirsavah = wishing.

Translation

Let me see those who have come here to fight, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhrtarastra.

Text 24

Sanjaya said: " O son of Bharata, thus being addressed by Arjuna, did Hrishikes'a place the mighty fine chariot in the midst of the two armies.

SANSKRIT Verse 24

sanjaya uvacha evam ukto hrsikeso
gudakesena bharata
senayor ubhayor madhye
sthapayitva rathottamam

Word for Word

sanjayah uvaca = Sanjaya said; evam = thus; uktah = addressed; hrsikesah = Lord Krishna; gudakesena = by Arjuna; bharata = O descendant of Bharata; senayoh = of the armies; ubhayoh = both; madhye = in the midst; sthapayitva = placing; ratha-uttamam = the finest chariot.

Translation

Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharata, having thus been addressed by Arjuna, Lord Krishna drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.

Text 25

In front of Bhishma, Drona and all the military leaders of the world the Lord said: ' O son of Pritha, just see how all the members of the Kuru-dynasty are assembled here '.

SANSKRIT Verse 25

bhisma-drona-pramukhatah
sarvesam ca mahiksitam
uvacha partha pasyaitan
samavetan kurun iti

Word for Word

bhisma = Grandfather Bhishma; drona = the teacher Drona; pramukhatah = in front of; sarvesam = all; ca = also; mahi-ksitam = chiefs of the world; uvaca = said; partha = o son of Pritha; pasya = just behold; etan = all of them; samavetan = assembled; kurun = the members of the Kuru dynasty; iti = thus.

Translation

In the presence of Bhishma, Drona and all the other chieftains of the world, the Lord said, Just behold, Pritha, all the Kurus assembled here.

Text 26

There he indeed could see standing both parties of the armies: his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends and also his fathers-in-law and well-wishers.

SANSKRIT Verse 26

tatrapasyat sthitan parthah
pitrn atha pitamahan
acaryan matulan bhratrn
putran pautran sakhims tatha
svasuran suhrdas caiva
nayor ubhayor api

Word for Word

tatra = there; apasyat = he could see; sthitan = standing; Prithah = Arjuna; pitrn = fathers; atha = also; pitamahan = grandfathers; acaryan = teachers; matulan = maternal uncles; bhratrn = brothers; putran = sons; pautran = grandsons; sakhin = friends; tatha = too; svasuran = fathers-in-law; suhrdah = well-wishers; ca = also; eva = certainly; senayoh = of the armies; ubhayoh = of both parties; api = including.

Translation

There Arjuna could see, within the midst of the armies of both parties, his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, and also his fathers-in-law and well-wishers.

Text 27

Seeing all kinds of relatives he, the son of Kunti got overwhelmed by a high degree of compassion and lamenting he thus spoke.

SANSKRIT Verse 27

tan samiksya sa kaunteyah
sarvan bandhun avasthitan
krpaya parayavisto
visidann idam abravit

Word for Word

tan = all of them; samiksya = after seeing; sah = he; kaunteyah = the son of Kunti; sarvan = all kinds of; bandhun = relatives; avasthitan = situated; krpaya = by compassion; paraya = of a high grade; avistah = overwhelmed; visidan = while lamenting; idam = thus; abravit = spoke.

Translation

When the son of Kunti, Arjuna, saw all these different grades of friends and relatives, he became overwhelmed with compassion and spoke thus.

Text 28

Arjuna said: 'The look of all these kinsmen, O Krishna, all present in a fighting spirit, makes the limbs of my body quiver and my mouth dry up.

SANSKRIT Verse 28

arjuna uvacha

drstvemam sva-janam krsna
yuyutsum samupasthitam
sidanti mama gatrani
mukham ca parisusyati

Word for Word

arjunah uvaca = Arjuna said; drstva = after seeing; imam = all these; sva janam = kinsmen; krsna = O Krishna; yuyutsum = all in a fighting spirit; samupasthitam = present; sidanti = are quivering; mama = my; gatrani = limbs of the body; mukham = mouth; ca = also; parisusyati = is drying up.

Translation

Arjuna said: My dear Krishna, seeing my friends and relatives present before me in such a fighting spirit, I feel the limbs of my body quivering and my mouth drying up.

Text 29

My body trembles and my hair stands on end, my Gandiva [his bow] is slipping from my hand and my skin certainly is burning.

SANSKRIT Verse 29

vepathus ca sarire me
roma-harsas ca jayate
gandivam sramsate hastat
tvak caiva paridahyate

Word for Word

vepathuh = trembling of the body; ca = also; sarire = on the body; me = my; roma-harsah = standing of hair on end; ca = also; jayate = is taking place; gandivam = the bow of Arjuna; sramsate = is slipping; hastat = from the hand; tvak = skin; ca = also; eva = certainly; paridahyate = is burning.

Translation

My whole body is trembling, my hair is standing on end, my bow Gandiva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning.

Text 30

Nor am I able to keep standing, my mind goes and I see just the opposite, O Kes'ava [Krishna as the killer of the the mad horse Kes'i].

SANSKRIT Verse 30

na ca saknomy avasthatum
bhramativa ca me manah
nimittani ca pasyami
viparitani kesava

Word for Word

na = nor; ca = also; saknomi = am I able; avasthatum = to stay; bhramati = forgetting; iva = as; ca = and; me = my; manah = mind; nimittani = causes; ca = also; pasyami = I see; viparitani = just the opposite; kesava = O killer of the demon Kes'i (Krishna).

Translation

I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Krishna, killer of the Kes'i demon.

Text 31

Nor do I forsee any good in killing my own kinsmen in the fight, and I do not desire the victory either, O Krishna, nor do I expect a happy kingdom thereof.

SANSKRIT Verse 31

na ca sreyo 'nupasyami
hatva sva-janam ahave
na kankse vijayam krsna
na ca rajyam sukhani ca

Word for Word

na = nor; ca = also; sreyah = good; anupasyami = do I foresee; hatva = by killing; sva-janam = own kinsmen; ahave = in the fight; na = nor; kankse = do I desire; vijayam = victory; krsna = O Krishna; na = nor; ca = also; rajyam = kingdom; sukhani = happiness thereof; ca = also.

Translation

I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Krishna, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom, or happiness.

Text 32-35

What use is the kingdom to us, Govinda? What joy or life is there either if the kingdom is desired by us for the sake of those who want that material pleasure and happiness also, while they have all taken positions on the battlefield and are willing to give up their lives: our teachers, fathers, sons as well as certainly also our grandfathers. All these maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers and other relatives I never wish to kill nor get killed, o Madhusudana [Krishna who defeated Madhu]. Not even in exchange for the three worlds I want the kingdom not to speak about having it for the sake of the earth - what pleasure will there be in killing the sons of Dhritarashthra, O Janardana [Krishna as maintainer of the three worlds]?

SANSKRIT Verse 32-35

kim no rajyena govinda
kim bhogair jivitena va
yesam arthe kanksitam no
rajyam bhogah sukhani ca

ta ime 'vasthita yuddhe
pranams tyaktva dhanani ca
acaryah pitarah putras
tathaiva ca pitamahah
matulah svasurah pautrah
syalah sambandhinas tatha
etan na hantum icchami
ghnato 'pi madhusudana

api trailokya-rajyasya
hetoh kim nu mahi-krte
nihatya dhartarastran nah
ka pritih syaj janardana

Word for Word

kim = what use; nah = to us; rajyena = is the kingdom; govinda = O Krishna; kim = what; bhogaih = enjoyment; jivitena = living; va = either; yesam = of whom; arthe = for the sake; kanksitam = is desired; nah = by us; rajyam = kingdom; bhogah = material enjoyment; sukhani = all happiness; ca = also;

te = all of them; ime = these; avasthitah = situated; yuddhe = on this battlefield; pranan = lives; tyaktva = giving up; dhanani = riches; ca = also; acaryah = teachers; pitarah = fathers; putrah = sons; tatha = as well as; eva = certainly; ca = also; pitamahah = grandfathers;

matulah = maternal uncles; svasurah = fathers-in-law; pautrah = grandsons; syalah = brothers-in-law; sambandhinah = relatives; tatha = as well as; etan = all these; na = never; hantum = to kill; icchami = do I wish; ghnatah = being killed; api = even; madhusudana = O killer of the demon Madhu (Krishna);

api = even if; trai-lokya = of the three worlds; rajyasya = for the kingdom; hetoh = in exchange; kim nu = what to speak of; mahi-krte = for the sake of the earth; nihatya = by killing; dhartarastran = the sons of Dhrtarastra; nah = our; ka = what; pritih = pleasure; syat = will there be; Janardana = O maintainer of all living entities.

Translation

O Govinda, of what avail to us are a kingdom, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield? O Madhusudana, when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives are ready to give up their lives and properties and are standing before me, why should I wish to kill them, even though they might otherwise kill me? O maintainer of all living entities, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth. What pleasure will we derive from killing the sons of Dhrtarastra?

Text 36

For sure sin will come upon us by killing all these aggressors and therefore we should never kill the sons of Dhritarashthra along with the friends and kinsmen as the question is certainly: how will we become happy by killing, o Madhava?

SANSKRIT Verse 36

papam evasrayed asman
hatvaitan atatayinah
tasman narha vayam hantum
dhartarastran svabandhavan
sva-janam hi katham hatva
khinah syama madhava

Word for Word

papam = vices; eva = certainly; asrayet = must come upon; asman = us; hatva = by killing; etan = all these; atatayinah = aggressors; tasmat = therefore; na = never; arhah = deserving; vayam = we; hantum = to kill; dhartarastran = the sons of Dhrtarastra; sa-bandhavan = along with friends; sva-janam = kinsmen; hi = certainly; katham = how; hatva = by killing; sukhinah = happy; syama = will we become; madhava = O Krishna, husband of the goddess of fortune.

Translation

Sin will overcome us if we slay such aggressors. Therefore it is not proper for us to kill the sons of Dhrtarastra and our friends. What should we gain, O Krishna, husband of the goddess of fortune, and how could we be happy by killing our own kinsmen?

Text 37-38

Even if they do not see with their hearts overpowered by greed the fault to kill one's family quarreling with friends and suffer the reactions, why should we, who see the crime of destroying a dynasty, not turn us away from such sins, o Janardana?

SANSKRIT Verse 37-38

yady apy ete na pasyanti
lobhopahata-cetasah
kula-ksaya-krtam dosam
mitra-drohe ca patakam

katham na jneyam asmabhih
papad asman nivartitum
kula-ksaya-krtam dosam
prapasyadbhir janardana

Word for Word

yadi = if; api = even; ete = they; na = do not; pasyanti = see; lobha = by greed; upahata = overpowered; cetasah = their hearts; kula-ksaya = in killing the family; krtam = done; dosam = fault; mitra-drohe = in quarreling with friends; ca = also; patakam = sinful reactions;

katham = why; na = should not; jneyam = be known; asmabhih = by us; papat = from sins; asmat = these; nivartitum = to cease; kula-ksaya = in the destruction of a dynasty; krtam = done; dosam = crime; prapasyadbhih = by those who can see; Janardana = O Krishna.

Translation

O Janardana, although these men, their hearts overtaken by greed, see no fault in killing one's family or quarreling with friends, why should we, who can see the crime in destroying a family, engage in these acts of sin?

Text 39

Destroying the family, its eternal traditions of religion will vanish as a consequence of which the whole family will lose its sense of duty, it is said.

SANSKRIT Verse 39

kula-ksaye pranasyanti
kula-dharmah sanatanah
dharme naste kulam krtsnam
adharmo 'bhibhavaty uta

Word for Word

kula-ksaye = in destroying the family; pranasyanti = become vanquished; kula-dharmah = the family traditions; sanatanah = eternal; dharme = religion; naste = being destroyed; kulam = family; krtsnam = whole; adharmah = irreligion; abhibhavati = transforms; uta = it is said.

Translation

With the destruction of dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion.

Text 40

With the prominence of this lack of responsibility, O Krishna, the women of the family will become spoiled and from that corruption of womanhood there will be a confusion of identity in society.

SANSKRIT Verse 40

adharmabhibhavat krsna
pradusyanti kula-striyah
strisu dustasu varsneya
jayate varna-sankarah

Word for Word

adharma = irreligion; abhibhavat = having become predominant; krsna = O Krishna; pradusyanti = become polluted; kula-striyah = family ladies; strisu = by the womanhood; dustasu = being so polluted; varsneya = O descendant of Vrsni; jayate = comes into being; varna-sankarah = unwanted progeny.

Translation

When irreligion is prominent in the family, O Krishna, the women of the family become polluted, and from the degradation of womanhood, O descendant of Vrsni, comes unwanted progeny.

Text 41

Such a confusion will certainly turn the life of the family members of those who killed their family to hell, as from the fall of their forefathers they also will have stopped with the offerings of food and water.

SANSKRIT Verse 41

sankaro narakayaiva
kula-ghnanam kulasya ca
patanti pitaro hy esam
lupta-pindodaka-kriyah

Word for Word

sankarah = such unwanted children; narakaya = make for hellish life; eva = certainly; kula-ghnanam = for those who are killers of the family; kulasya = for the family; ca = also; patanti = fall down; pitarah = forefathers; hi = certainly; esam = of them; lupta = stopped; pinda = of offerings of food; udaka = and water; kriyah = performances.

Translation

An increase of unwanted population certainly causes hellish life both for the family and for those who destroy the family tradition. The ancestors of such corrupt families fall down, because the performances for offering them food and water are entirely stopped.

Text 42

Such faults of all those who destroyed the family and became confused in their identity, will devastate the continuation of the righteousness of status orientations and family traditions in society.

SANSKRIT Verse 42

dosair etaih kula-ghnanam
varna-sankara-karakaih
utsadyante jati-dharmah
kula-dharmas ca sasvatah

Word for Word

dosaih = by such faults; etaih = all these; kula-ghnanam = of the destroyers of the family; varna-sankara = of unwanted children; karakaih = which are causes; utsadyante = are devastated; jati dharmah = community projects; kula-dharmah = family traditions; ca = also; sasvatah = eternal.

Translation

By the evil deeds of those who destroy the family tradition and thus give rise to unwanted children, all kinds of community projects and family welfare activities are devastated.

Text 43

Of those men who spoiled the family traditions, o Janardana, one will always turn out to reside in hell, thus I heard from the learned.

SANSKRIT Verse 43

utsanna-kula-dharmanam
manusyanam janardana
narake niyatam vaso
bhavatity anususruma

Word for Word

utsanna = spoiled; kula-dharmanam = of those who have the family traditions; manusyanam = of such men; Janardana = O Krishna; narake = in hell; niyatam = always; vasah = residence; bhavati = it so becomes; iti = thus; anususruma = I have heard by disciplic succession.

Translation

Krishna, maintainer of the people, I have heard by disciplic succession that those who destroy family traditions dwell always in hell.

Text 44

Alas, oddly we have decided to perform great sins in trying to kill kinsmen in our being driven by greed for royal happiness.

SANSKRIT Verse 44

aho bata mahat papam
kartum vyavasita vayam
yad rajya-sukha-lobhena
hantum sva-janam udyatah

Word for Word

aho = alas; bata = how strange it is; mahat = great; papam = sins; kartum = to perform; vyavasitah = have decided; vayam = we; yat = because; rajya-sukha-lobhena = driven by greed for royal happiness; hantum = to kill; sva-janam = kinsmen; udyatah = trying.

Translation

Alas, how strange it is that we are preparing to commit greatly sinful acts. Driven by the desire to enjoy royal happiness, we are intent on killing our own kinsmen.

Text 45
It would rather be better for me to give up my resistance and arms and have me killed by the weapons in the hands of the sons of Dhritarashthra on the battlefield.

SANSKRIT Verse 45

yadi mam apratikaram
asastram sastra-panayah
dhartarastra rane hanyus
tan me ksemataram bhavet

Word for Word

yadi = even if; mam = me; apratikaram = without being resistant; asastram = without being fully equipped; sastra-panayah = those with weapons in hand; dhartarastrah = the sons of Dhrtarastra; rane = on the battlefield; hanyuh = may kill; tat = that; me = for me; ksema-taram = better; bhavet = would be.

Translation

Better for me if the sons of Dhrtarastra, weapons in hand, were to kill me unarmed and unresisting on the battlefield.

Text 46

Sanjaya said: " Thus having spoken on the battlefield, Arjuna sat down on the seat of his chariot putting aside his bow and arrows, in distress with a mind full of lamentation. "

SANSKRIT Verse 46

sanjaya uvacha

evam uktvarjunah
sankhye rathopastha
upavisat visrjya sa-saram
capam soka-samvigna-manasah

Word for Word

sanjayah uvaca = Sanjaya said; evam = thus; uktva = saying; arjunah = Arjuna; sankhye = in the battlefield; ratha = of the chariot; upasthe = on the seat; upavisat = sat down again; visrjya = putting aside; sa-saram = along with arrows; capam = the bow; soka = by lamentation; samvigna = distressed; manasah = within the mind.

Translation

Sanjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.

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