संजय उवाच तत् प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा कुन्तीपुत्रो धनजयः। न्यवारयदमेयात्मा द्रोणपुत्रजयेप्सया॥
Sanjaya said Beholding the troops broken and routed Kunti's son Dhananjaya of illustrious soul, rallied them from a desire of slaying the son of Drona.
ततस्ते सैनिका राजन् नैव तत्रावतस्थिरे। संस्थाप्यमाना यत्नेन गोविन्देनार्जुनेन च॥
Rallied with effort by Arjuna and Govinda. O king, the troops stayed on the field of battle.
एक एव च बीभत्सुः सोमकावयवैः सह। मत्स्यैरन्यैश्च संधाय कौरवान् संन्यवर्तत॥
Then Vibhatsu, supported by the Somakas, Matsyas, Andhas and Kouravas returned to the charge.
ततो द्रुतमतिक्रम्य सिंहलाङ्कलकेतनम्। सव्यसाची महेष्वासमश्वत्थामानमब्रवीत्॥
Then the fierce bowman Savyasachin, rushing quickly upon Ashvatthaman having the lions tail as the device on his banner, spoke these words to the latter.
या शक्तिर्यच विज्ञानं यद् वीर्य यच पौरुषम्। धार्तराष्ट्रेषु या प्रीतिर्द्धषोऽस्मासु च यश्च ते॥
All your might, your energy, your knowledge, your manliness, you partiality for the sons of Dhritarashtra, you hostility against us.
यच भूयोऽस्ति तेजस्ते तत् सर्वं मयि दर्शय। स एव द्रोणहन्ता ते दर्प छेत्स्यति पार्षतः॥
And all your fiercest prowess do you now display to me. Even that son of Prisata who has slain Drona, your sire, will also humiliate your pride.
कालानलसमप्रख्यं द्विषतामन्तकोपमम्। समासादय पाञ्चाल्यं मां चापि सहकेशवम्। दर्प नाशयितास्म्यद्य तवोत्तस्य संयुगे॥
Encounter now the prince of the Panchalas, who is like the fire at the universal destruction or like the Destroyer of his foes, as also me accompanied by Kesava. Today in battle I shall humiliate the pride of your haughty self.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच आचार्यपुत्रो मानार्हो बलवांश्चापि संजय। प्रीतिधनंजये चास्य प्रियश्चापि महात्मनः॥
Dhritarashtra said The son of the preceptor is, O Sanjaya, worthy of honour and possessed of prowess; he loved Dhananjaya and enjoys the love of that high-souled warrior.
न भूतपूर्वं बीभत्सोर्वाक्यं परुषमीदृशम्। अथ कस्मात् स कौन्तेयः सखायं रूक्षमुक्तवान्॥
Ere this Vibhatsu had never addressed such words to him; why then did the son of Kunti address his friend in that harsh language.
संजय उवाच युवराजे हते चैव वृद्धक्षत्रे च पौरवे। इष्वस्रविधिसम्पन्ने मालवे च सुदर्शने॥
Sanjaya said Upon the slaughtering of the youthful Chedi prince, of Vrihatkshatra of Puru's race and O king, of Sudarshana the chief of the Malavas, who was accomplished in the use of all weapons and conversant with the rules of military science.
धृष्टद्युम्ने सात्यकौ च भीमे चापि पराजिते। युधिष्ठिरस्य तैर्वाक्यैर्मर्मण्यपि च घट्टिते॥
Upon the defeat of Dhristadyumna, Satyaki and Bhima and cut to the quick by those words of king Yudhishthira.
अन्तर्भेदे च संजाते दुःखं संस्मृत्य च प्रभो। अभूतपूर्वो बीभत्सोर्दुःखान्मन्युरजायत॥
And agitated at heart and remembering all his former woes, O lord, Vibhatsu was possessed by an anger engendered of brief, the like of which had never possessed him before.
तस्मादनहमश्लीलमप्रियं द्रौणिमुक्तवान्। मान्यमाचार्यतनयं रूक्षं कापुरुषं यथा॥
For this reason it was that like a mean fellow, he then addressed Ashvatthaman, the son of his preceptor and worthy of his respect in such a vale, cruel, disagreeable and undeserving language.
एवमुक्तः श्वसन क्रोधान्महेष्वासतमो नृप। पार्थेन परुषं वाक्यं सर्वमर्मभिदा गिरा॥
Thus wrathfully addressed, o king, by Partha in that indecent and harsh language, that foremost of all best bowmen.
द्रौणिश्चुकोप पार्थाय कृष्णाय च विशेषतः। स तु यत्तो रथे स्थित्वा वार्युपस्पृश्य वीर्यवान्॥
Namely the son of Drona, became extremely angry with Dhananjaya and specially with Krishna. Then that highly puissant hero, staying carefully on his car ruiced his mouth with water.
देवैरपि सुदुर्धर्षमस्रमाग्नेयमाददे। दृश्यादृश्यानरिंगणानुद्दिश्याचार्यनन्दनः॥
And then invoked into existence this Agneya weapon incapable of being resisted even by the gods. Aiming that weapon at this visible and hidden foes the preceptor's son.
सोऽभिमन्व्य शरं दीप्तं विधूममिव पावकम्। सर्वतः क्रोधमाविश्य चिक्षेप परवीरहा॥
That slayer of hostile heroes, filled with extreme raged, let go with due Mantras that shaft that looked resplendent like fire without a curl of smoke.
ततस्तुमुलमाकाशे शरवर्षमजायत। पावकार्चिः परीतं तत् पार्थमेवाभिपुप्लुवे॥
Then from the welkin a thick shower of arrows began to fall and wrapt up in fiery flames those arrows then surrounded Pritha's son on all sides.
उल्काश्च गगनात् पेतुर्दिशश्च न चकाशिरे। तमश्च सहसा रौद्रं चमूमवततार ताम्॥
Meteors dropped down from the concave dome and the points of the compass did not any longer shine; and suddenly a dreadful gloom enveloped the army in its sober folds.
रक्षांसि च पिशाचाश्च विनेदुरतिसङ्गताः। ववुश्चाशिशिरा वाताः सूर्यो नैव तताप च॥
The Rakshasa and the Pisachas, joining together to utter fierced yells; inauspicious winds began to blow and the Sun ceased to shine and give heat.
वायसाश्चापि चाक्रन्दन् दिक्षु सर्वासु भैरवम्। रुधिरं चापि वर्षन्तो विनेदुस्तोयदा दिवि॥
Ravens fiercely croaked on all sides; on the sky clouds emitted roars of thunder and showered torrents of blood.
पाणिः पशवो गावो विनेदुश्चापि सुव्रताः। परमं प्रयतात्मानो न शान्तिमुपलेभिरे॥
Birds, breasts, kine, sages of illustrious vows and tranquil soul, could not then find any peace.
भ्रान्तसर्वमहाभूतमावर्तितदिवाकरम्। त्रैलोक्यमभिसंतप्तं ज्वराविष्टमिवाभवत्॥
The very elements became perturbed and the Sun appeared to evolve in an opposite course. The triune world seemed as if afflicted in consequence of being under the influence of a corroding fever.
अस्रतेजोऽभिसंतप्ता नागा भूमिशयास्तथा। निःश्वसन्तः समुत्पेतुस्तेजो घोरं मुमुक्षवः॥
Afflicted with the energy of that weapon elephants and other creatures of the land fled with precipitation, breathing heavily and desirous of saving themselves from that fierce energy.
जलजानि च सत्त्वानि दह्यमानानि भारत। न शान्तिमुपजग्मुर्हि तप्यमानैर्जलाशयैः॥
The watery expouses being heated, the acquatic creatures, scorched with the heat, O Bharata, could not find any ease.
दिग्भ्यः प्रदिग्भ्यः खाद् भूमेः सर्वतः शरवृष्ट्यः। उच्चावचा निपेतुर्वै गरुडानिलरंहसः॥
Showers of shafts, swift-flying as Garuda or the wind itself, fell from all points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary from the welkin and out of earth.
तैः शरैर्दोणपुत्रस्य वज्रवेगैः समाहताः। प्रदग्धा रिपव: पेतुरग्निदग्धा इव द्रुमाः॥
Wounded with those arrows of Drona's son, arrows endued with the energy of the thunder, his foes, scorched and consumed began to fall down like trees consumed by fire.
दह्यमाना महानागाः पेतुरुआं समन्ततः। नदन्तो भैरवान् नादाञ्जलदोपमनि:स्वनान्॥
Dreadfully scorched mighty elephants fell on the ground uttering terrible roars resembling the rumble of clouds.
अपरे प्रद्रुता नागा भयत्रस्ता विशाम्पते। भ्रेमुर्दिशो यथा पूर्वं वने दावाग्निसंवृताः॥
Other huge elephants scorched with the burning heat fled and careered in fear in battlefield as if in a forest set on fire.
दुमाणां शिखराणीव दावदग्धानि मारिष। अश्ववृन्दान्यदृश्यन्त रथवृन्दानि भारत॥
O Sire, divisions of steeds and hosts of cars were seen there burnt like the tops of trees during a forest conflagration.
अपतन्त रथौघाश्च तत्र तत्र सहस्रशः। तत् सैन्यं भयसंविग्नं ददाह युधि भारत॥
Thousands and thousands of car divisions then fell on that field; and ( Bharata, the illustrious God of fire then consumed that army of the Pandavas.
युगान्ते सर्वभूतानि संवर्तक इवानलः। दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवीं सेनां दह्यमानां महाहवे॥
Like the Samvartaka fire consuming all creatures at the end of a Yuga. Beholding the Pandava troops consumed in that terrible battle.
प्रहृष्टास्तावका राजन् सिंहनादान् विनेदिरे। ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणि नानालिङ्गानि भारत॥
Your warriors became filled with joy and they uttered loud and defiant war-cries. Then ) Bharata, thousands of drums of various sorts.
तूर्णमाजजिरे हृष्टास्तावका जितकाशिनः। कृत्स्ना ह्यक्षौहिणी राजन् सव्यसाची च पाण्डवः।। ३४
Were quickly struck up by your troops when victory then appeared sure. The complete host of the Panavas and Sabyasachin himself O king.
तमसा संवृते लोके नादृश्यन्त महाहवे। नैव नस्तादृशं राजन् दृष्टपूर्वं न च श्रुतम्॥ यादृशं द्रोणपुत्रेण सृष्टमस्रममर्षिणा। अर्जुनस्तु महाराज ब्राह्ममस्रमुदैरयत्॥
Could not be seen in that dreadful battle in consequence of the darkness that then enveloped the world; O king, we neither heard of, nor beheld the like of the that weapon that a a the revengeful son of Drona then invoked into existence. Thereupon, O mighty monarch, Arjuna invoked into existence the Brahma weapon.
सर्वासप्रतिघातार्थं विहितं पद्मयोनिना। ततो मुहूर्तादिव तत् तमो व्युपशशाम ह॥
That had been created by lotus-born Brahma for baffling all weapons. Then in a moment only that darkness was dispelled.
प्रववौ चानिलः शीतो दिशश्च विमला बभुः। तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम कृत्स्नामक्षौहिणी हताम्॥
Cold breeze began to blow and the points of the compass became clear and bright. We then beheld wonderful sight, namely, Askshouhini of the Pandavas laid bow.
अनभिज्ञेयरूपां च प्रदग्धामस्रतेजसा। ततो वीरौ महेष्वासौ विमुक्तौ केशवार्जुनौ॥
Their forms could not be distinguished, so horribly were they scorched by the energy of Ashvatthaman's weapon. Then the two heroic bowmen, Kesava and Arjuna, freed from that darkness.
सहितौ प्रत्यदृश्येतां नभसीव तमोनुदौ। ततो गाण्डीवधन्वा च केशवश्चाक्षतावुभौ॥
Appeared like the two dispellers of darkness, the Sun and the Moon, rising in conjunction. The wielder of the Gandiva and Kesava were not at all wounded or injured.
सपताकध्वजहयः सानुकर्षवरायुधः। प्रबभौ स रथो मुक्तस्तावकानां भयंकरः॥
Freed from that fie with their car, their banners and flags and steeds and excellent weapons, they the shone resplendent inspiring terrors at the heart of your troops.
ततः किलकिलाशब्दः शङ्खभेरीस्वनैः सह। पाण्डवानां प्रहृष्टानां क्षणेन समजायत॥
Then from among the Pandava troops filled with delight, various confused sounds of life mingled with the sounds of drums and the blast of conchs.
हताविति तयोरासीत् सेनयोरुभयोर्मतिः। तरसाभ्यागतौ दृष्ट्वा सहितौ केशवार्जुनौ॥
Both the armies had thought Kesava and Arjuna to be destroyed. Beholding Kesava and Arjuna (freed from that fire of the weapon and that darkness) and seeing them quickly reappear.
तावक्षतौ प्रमुदितौ दध्मतुर्वारिजोत्तमौ। दृष्टवा प्रमुदितान् पार्थांस्त्वदीया व्यथिता भृशम्॥
Both uninjured and cheerful and blowing their excellent conches, the Pandava troops were filled with delight whilst those of yours were greatly pained.
विमुक्तौ च महात्मानौ दृष्ट्वा द्रौणिः सुदुःखितः। मुहूर्तं चिन्तयामास किं त्वेतदिति मारिष॥
Then Drona's son also beholding those illustrious warriors free and un-injured, became cheerless and O sire, for a moment only be thought. 'What is this?'
चिन्तयित्वा तु राजेन्द्र ध्यानशोकपरायणः। निःश्वसन् दीर्घमुष्णं च विमनाश्चाभवत् ततः॥
Thus reflecting, O king and over-whelmed with grief and anxious contemplation and sighing hot and heavily, he became cheerless in mind.
ततो द्रौणिर्धनुस्त्यक्त्वा रथात् प्रस्कन्ध वेगितः। धिग् धिक् सर्वमिदं मिथ्येत्युक्त्वा सम्प्राद्रवद् रणात्।।
Then Drona's son throwing aside his bow and leaping down with agility from his car, fled from the field of battle-saying-"O Fie, 0 fie, everything is un-true.
ततः स्निग्धाम्बुदाभासं वेदावासमकल्मषम्। वेदव्यासं सरस्वत्यावासं व्यासं ददर्श ह॥
Then as he was flying, he came across the sinless Vyasa, that compiler of the Vedas, that receptacle of Sarasvati, that habitation of the Vadas, who possess the hue of rain clouds.
तं द्रौणिरग्रतो दृष्ट्वा स्थितं कुरुकुलोद्वह। सन्नकण्ठोऽब्रवीद् वाक्यमभिवाद्य सुदीनवत्॥
O perpetuator of the Kuru race, then Drona's son beholding him stand before him, saluted and then in a voice choked in grief nor
भो भो माया यदृच्छा वा न विद्यः किमिदं भवेत्। असं त्विदं कथं मिथ्या मम कश्च व्यतिक्रमः॥
O sire, O sire, is this an illusion or a caprice (on the part of the weapon)? I do not know what this may be? Why has this weapon been repulsed? What has been my fault in the method of its invocation?
अधरोत्तरमेतद् वा लोकानां वा पराभवः। यदिमौ जीवतः कृष्णौ कालो हि दुरतिक्रमः॥
Or is it something beyond the natural order of things or is it the defeat of the three worlds, inasmuch as the two Krishnas are still alive. Time indeed, is irresistible.
नासुरा न च गन्धर्वा न पिशाचा न राक्षसाः। न सर्पा यक्षपतगा न मनुष्याः कथंचन॥
Neither Asuras, nor Gandharvas, Pisachas, nor Rakshasa, nor Snakes, nor Jakshas, nor insects, nor men.
उत्सहन्तेऽन्यथा कर्तुमेतदस्रं मयेरितम्। तदिदं केवलं हत्वा शान्तमक्षौहिणी ज्वलत्॥
Dare baffle this weapon invoked by me. This weapon however has become pacified having slain only one Akshauhini of troops.
सर्वघाति मया मुक्तमत्रं परमदारुणम्। केनेमौ मर्त्यधर्माणौ नावधीत् केशवार्जुनौ॥
I discharged this fierce weapon capable of slaying all things but why and how then did it not siay Kesava and Arjuna both possessed of attributes of the human kind.
एतत् प्रब्रूहि भगवन् मया पृष्टो यथातथम्। श्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वेन सर्वमेतन्महामुने॥
O you possessor of the six qualities the Bhagas, explain to me all this truly as I have questioned you on the matter. O great sage, I want to hear the truth about the subject.
व्यास उवाच महान्तमेवमथ मां यं त्वं पृच्छसि विस्मयात्। तं प्रवक्ष्यामि ते सर्वं समाधाय मनः शृणु॥
Vyasa said What you have asked me from curiosity is a matter of great significance. I shall speak to you everything. Hear me attentively.
योऽसौ नारायणो नाम पूर्वेषामपि पूर्वजः। अजायत च कार्यार्थं पुत्रो धर्मस्य विश्वकृत्॥
He that is called Narayana is the most ancient of the ancient; that creator of the worlds took his birth as the son of Dharma for accomplishing a certain mission.
स तपस्तीव्रमातस्थे शिशिरं गिरिमास्थितः। ऊर्वबाहुर्महातेजा ज्वलनादित्यसंनिभः॥
On the Himalaya hills, he performed severe austerities; possessed of great energy and resembling the Sun or the fire, he stood there with his arms upraised.
षष्टिं वर्षसहस्राणि तावन्त्येव शतानि च। अशोषयत् तदाऽऽत्मानं वायुभक्षोऽम्बुजेक्षणः॥
Endowed with eyes like lotus petals he reduced his bodily strength, by the observance of austerities for six and sixty thousand years living all the while upon air only.
अथापरं तपस्तप्त्वा द्विस्ततोऽन्यत् पुनर्महत्। द्यावापृथिव्योर्विवरं तेजसा समपूरयत्॥
Again undergoing severe austerities of another kind for twice that period, he filled the space intervening between heaven and earth with his energy.
स तेन तपसा तात ब्रह्मभूतो यदाभवत्। ततो विश्वेश्वरं योनि विश्वस्य जगतः पतिम्॥ ददर्श भृशदुर्धर्षं सर्वदेवैरभिष्टुतम्। अणीयांसमणुभ्यश्च बृहद्भ्यश्च बृहत्तमम्॥
When in virtue of those austerities, O son, he became equal to Brahma: he then obtained a sight of that master, origin and Protector, of the universe, the Lord of all the gods, the paramount Deity, who is highly difficult of being looked at; who is smaller then the smallest and larger than the largest;
रुद्रमीशानवृषभं हरं शम्भुं कपर्दिनम्। चेकितानं परां योनि तिष्ठतो गच्छतश्च ह॥
Who is denominated the Rudra, who is the Lord of all the superior ones, who is called Hara and Shambhu; who wears matted looks on his head; who imparts vital energy to the all beings, who is the primordial cause of all the mobile and immobile things.
दुर्वारणं दुर्दशं तिग्ममन्यु महात्मानं सर्वहरं प्रचेतसम्। दिव्यं चापमिषुधी चाददानं हिरण्यवर्माणमनन्तवीर्यम्॥
Who is incapable of being resisted and of dreadful aspect, who possesses fierce anger and magnanimous soul, who is the all-destroyer and of generous heart, who bears the celestial bow and a pair of quivers, who is covered in a golden coat of mail and whose energy.
पिनाकिनं वज्रिणं दीप्तशूलं परश्वधि गदिनं चायतासिम्। शुभंजटिलं मुसलिनं चन्द्रमौलिं व्याघ्राजिनं परिघिणं दण्डपाणिम्॥
Who wields the Pinaka, who is armed with the thunderbolt, the blazing trident, the battle axe, mace and a large sword. Whose eye-brows are fair, whose locks are matted, who wields the heavy bludgeon, who bears the moon on his forehead, who is clad in tiger-skin and who is armed with the heavy short club.
शुभाङ्गदं नागयज्ञोपवीतं विश्वैगणैः शोभितं भूतसंधैः। एकीभूतं तपसा संनिधानं वयोऽतिगैः सुष्टुतमिष्टवाग्भिः॥
Who is furnished with beautiful Angadas, who has got snakes round his neck in the shape of the sacred thread, who is surrounded by various creatures and numerous ghosts of the universe, who is the One, who is the receptacle of ascetic rites and who is greatly admired by persons of venerable age.
जलं दिशं खं क्षितिं चन्द्रसूर्यो तथा वाय्वग्नी प्रमिमाणं जगच। नालं द्रष्टुं यं जना भिन्नवृत्ता ब्रह्मद्विषघ्नममृतस्य योनिम्॥
Who is water, heaven, sky, earth, sun, moon, wind and fire and who is the measure of the duration of the universe. Beings of evil mode of life can never obtain a sight of that unborn one, that slayer of ali contemners of Brahmanas, that origin of immorality.
यं पश्यन्ति ब्राह्मणाः साधुवृत्ताः क्षीणे पापे मनसा वीतशोकाः। तं निष्पतन्तं तपसा धर्ममीड्यं तद्भक्त्या वै विश्वरूपं ददर्श। दृष्ट्वा चैनं वामनोबुद्धिदेहै: संहष्टात्मा मुमुदे वासुदेवः॥ अक्षमालापरिक्षिप्तं ज्योतिषां परमं निधिम्। ततो नारायणो दृष्ट्वा ववन्दे विश्वसम्भवम्॥
Only Brahmanas of pious mode of life, when purged of their sins and liberated from the influence of grief's obtain a sight of him, in their mind. Through the merits of his severe ascetic austerities Narayana beheld that undeteriorating, that most venerable one, that Being having the universe for his form. Beholding that best receptacle of all kinds of splendour, that divinity with a garland of Akshasas round his neck, Vasudeva with gratified soul became filled with delight, which he tried to express by his words, heart and understanding and body. Then Narayana worshipped that divine Lord, that primordial cause of the universe.
वरदं पृथुचावड्या पार्वत्या सहितं प्रभुम्। क्रीडमानं महात्मानं भूतसङ्घगणैर्वृतम्॥
That giver of boons, that lord of illustrious soul engaged in sporting with the beautifullimbed Parvati and surrounded by hosts of ghost.
अजमीशानमव्यक्तं कारणात्मानमच्युतम्। अभिवाद्याथ रुद्राय सद्योऽन्धकनिपातिने। पद्माक्षस्तं विरूपाक्षमभितुष्टाव भक्तिमान्॥
That unborn one and paramount. lord, that unmanifest one, that essence of all causes and that undeteriorating one ; then Narayana of eyes like lotus petals, having saluted Rudra, that 'slayer of Andhaka, reverentially began to praise that god of three-eyes. from you.
श्रीनारायण उवाच त्वत्सम्भूता भूतकृतो वरेण्य गोप्तारोऽस्य भुवनस्यादिदेव। आविश्येमां धरणीं येऽभ्यरक्षन्। पुरा पुराणी तव देवसृष्टिम्॥
Narayana said O most adorable one, O first of all the gods, the creators (the Prajapatis) who are protectors of the world and who having entered the earth, your first creation-had, O lord, protected it before, having all sprung
सुरासुरान् नागरक्षः पिशाचान् नरान् सुपर्णानथ गन्धर्वयक्षान्। पृथग्विधान् भूतसंघांश्च विश्वां स्त्वत्सम्भूतान् विद्म सर्वांस्तथैव। ऐन्द्रं याम्यं वारुणं वैत्तपाल्यं पैत्रं त्वाष्ट्रं कर्म सौम्यं च तुभ्यम्॥
The celestials, the Asuras, the Nagas, the Rakshasas, the Pisachas, human beings, birds, the Gandharvas, Yakshas and all other creatures, with the whole of this universe, we know have all originated from you.
रूपं ज्योतिः शब्द आकाशवायुः स्पर्शः स्वाद्यं सलिलं गन्ध उर्वी। कालो ब्रह्मा ब्रह्म च ब्राह्मणाश्च त्वत्सम्भूतं स्थास्नु चरिष्णु चेदम्॥
All acts done for gratifying Indra, Yama, Varuna, Kubera, the Pitris and Tashtri and the Moon, all are done to propitiate you. Form and light, sound and the etherial space, wind and touch, taste and water, scent and earth.
अद्भ्यः स्तोका यान्ति यथा पृथक्त्वं ताभिश्चैक्यं संक्षये यान्ति भूयः। एवं विद्वान् प्रभवं चाप्ययं च मत्वा भूतानां तव सायुज्यमेति॥
Time, Brahma and the Vedas and the Brahmanas and all the mobile and immobile creatures have all sprung from you. Vapours rising up from expanses of water are turned into rain drops and which falling upon the earth, are separated from one another. When the hour of the universal dissolution comes, those separated individual drops once more : unite together and make the earth one vast sheet of water.
दिव्यामृतौ मानसौ द्वौ सुपर्णी वाचा शाखाः पिप्पलाः सप्त गोपाः। दशाप्यन्ये ये पुरं धारयन्ति त्वया सृष्टास्त्वं हि तेभ्यः परोहि॥
He who is conversant with the nature of things, thus observing the origin and destruction of all things from you, comprehends your unity and oneness. Two birds (Isvara and Jiva), four Ashvathas with their branches (the Vedas and the auxiliaries), the seven guardians (the five elements and the heart and the understanding).
भूतं भव्यं भविता चाप्यधृष्यं त्वत्सम्भूता भुवनानीह विश्वा। भक्तं च मां भजमानं भजस्व मा रीरिषो मामहिताहितेन॥
And the then others (the ten senses) that constitute the city, the body) have all been created by you; but you are separate from and independent of them all; the past, the present and the future, beyond the sway of any body, have all originated from you, as also the seven worlds and this universe.
आत्मानं त्वामात्मनोऽनन्यबोधं विद्वानेवं गच्छति ब्रह्म शुक्रम्। अस्तौषं त्वां तव सम्मानमिच्छन् विचिन्वन् वै सदृशं देववर्य। नभिष्टुतः प्रविकार्षीश्च मायाम्॥
Out of a desire for paying homage O you, I am euiogising you, with a view to ascertain your real nature, O you that are beyond the comprehension of all gods. Worshipped by me, accord me the boons I desire to have, although they may be difficult of being acquired. Do not allow your illusion to shade you from me.
व्यास उवाच तस्मै वरानचिन्त्यात्मा नीलकण्ठः पिनाकधृत्। अर्हते देवमुख्याय प्रायच्छदृषिसंस्तुतः॥
Vyasa said Then that god of inconceivable soul, possessed of blue throat and the wielder of the Pinaka bow, that divinity always eulogised by the sages, accorded boons to Vasudeya, who deserved then all.
श्रीभगवानुवाच मत्प्रसादान्मनुष्येषु देवगन्धर्वयोनिषु। अप्रमेयबलात्मा त्वं नारायण भविष्यसि॥
The auspicious Lord said O Narayana, through my grace, among human beings, among the celestials and the Gandharavas, you shall be one whose soul and strength will be immeasurable.
न च त्वां प्रसहिष्यन्ति देवासुरमहोरगाः। न पिशाचा न गन्धर्वा न यक्षा न च राक्षसाः॥
The celestials, the Asuras and the mighty serpents the Pisachas, the Gandharvas, men and Rakshasas, none among these will be able to withstand you (in battle).
न सुपर्णास्तथा नागा न च विश्वे वियोनिजाः। न कश्चित् त्वां च देवोऽपि समरेषु विजेष्यति॥
Neither Suparna, nor any Naga, nor any other creature born in the universe, nor even any of the gods shall be able to vanquish you in battle.
न शस्त्रेण न वज्रेण नाग्निना न च वायुना। न चाट्टैण न शुष्केण ब्रसेन स्थावरेण च॥ कश्चित् तव रुजां कर्ता मत्प्रसादात् कथंचना अवि वै समरं गत्वा भविष्यसि ममाधिकः॥
By weapons or thunder-bolt or fire or wind or with any object that is wet or dry or with any mobile and or immobile things.
एवमेते वरा लब्धाः पुरस्ताद् विद्धि शौरिणा। स एष देवश्चरति मायया मोहयञ्जगत्॥
None will be able to cause you pain, in consequence of my grace. You will be superior in battle even to me, if perchance you ever fight with me.
तस्यैव तपसा जातं नरं नाम महामुनिम्। तुल्यमेतेन देवेन तं जानीह्यर्जुनं सदा॥
From the ascetic observances of the great Narayana, a mighty sage, called by the name of Nara was born. This latter is equal to the god Narayana himself. Know that Nara to be Arjuna.
तावेतौ पूर्वदेवानां परमोपचितावृषी। लोकयात्राविधानार्थं संजायेते युगे युगे॥
These two sages, said to be older than the older gods, take their births in every Yuga for carrying on the easy rule of the universe.
तथैव कर्मणा कृत्स्नं महतस्तपसोऽपि च। तेजो मन्युं च विभ्रत्त्वं जातो रौद्रो महामते॥
You endued in energy and wrath also, O you of generous heart, have sprung from a portion of Rudra, through the merits of all your pious deeds and as a consequence of high ascetic austerities.
स भवान् देववत् प्राज्ञो ज्ञात्वा भवमयं जगत्। अवाकर्षस्त्वमात्मानं नियमैस्तत्प्रियेप्सया॥
Being embodied, your intelligent self considered the world to be pervaded by Mahadeva; and then for propitiating that god you emaciated your body by the observance of hard vows.
शुभ्रमत्र भवान् कृत्वा महापुरुषविग्रहम्। ईजिवांस्त्वं जपैोमैरुपहारैश्च मानद॥
Creating a white image of that foremost of male beings, O Bestower of honor, you adored him with homage, offerings and reiterating prayers.
जन्मकर्ततपोयोगास्तयोस्तव च पुष्कलाः। ताभ्यां लिङ्गेऽर्चितो देवस्त्वयार्चायां युगे युगे॥ सर्वरूपं भवं ज्ञात्वा लिङ्गे योऽर्चयति प्रभुम्।
Thus adored by you, the god became gratified on you in your previous life; and he then accorded to you, O learned one, excellent boons that you cherished in your heart.
आत्मयोगाश्च तस्मिन् वै शास्त्रयोगाश्च शाश्वताः॥ एवं देवा यजन्तो हि सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः।
In him are eternally present Atma Yuga and the undeteriorating Sashtra Yoga. The celestials, the Sidhas and the foremost sages all adore him.
प्रार्थयन्ते परं लोके स्थाणुमेकं स सर्वकृत्॥ स एष रुद्रभक्तश्च केशवो रुद्रसम्भवः। कृष्ण एव हि यष्टव्यो यज्ञैश्चैव सनातनः॥
With a view to obtain that highest object in the world viz., Sthanu or Mahadeva; He is the creator of all. The eternal Krishna ought to be adored in all sacrifices.
सर्वभूतभवं ज्ञात्वा लिङ्गमर्चति यः प्रभोः। तस्मिन्नभ्यधिकां प्रीतिं करोति वृषभध्वजः॥
Knowing the Phallic from of Siva to be the origin of all forms, the lord Kesava adores him. The god having the bull for him emblem entertains great respect for Kesava.
संजय उवाच तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा द्रोणपुत्रो महारथः। नमश्चकार रुद्राय बहु मेने च केशवम्॥
Sanjaya said Hearing those words of his, that mighty carwarrior viz., the son of Drona, saluted Rudra and conceived a great regard for Kesava.
हृष्टरोमा च वश्यात्मा सोऽभिवाद्य महर्षये। वरूथिनीमभिप्रेक्ष्य ह्यवहारमकारयत्॥
That one of controlled soul bowed also to that mighty sage (Krishna) and had the downs of his body erect. Then looking at his own divisions he withdrew them from the field of battle.
ततः प्रत्यवहारोऽभूत् पाण्डवानां विशाम्पते। कौरवाणां च दीनानां द्रोणे युधि निपातिते॥
Thereupon, O ruler of men, the Pandava and the Kaurava troops were both withdrawn, the latter highly defeated in consequence of the overthrow of Drona.
युद्धं कृत्वा दिनान् पञ्च द्रोणो हत्वा वरूथिनीम्। ब्रह्मलोकं गतो राजन् ब्राह्मणो वेदपारगः॥
Fighting only for the days and spreading carnage among the Pandava troops, o king, that Brahmana Drona, conversant with the contents of all the Vedas, attained to the posthumous region of the Brahmanas.