संजय उवाच ततः प्रविष्टि कौन्तेये सिंधुराजजिधांसया।।। द्रोणनीकं विनिर्भिद्य भोजानीकं च दुस्तरम्॥
Sanjaya said When the son of Kunti, out of a desire for slaying the king of the Sindhus, had penetrated into the Bharata army, after having pierced through the invincible division of Drona and the Bhoja king.
काम्बोजस्य च दायादे हते राजन् सुदक्षिणे। श्रुतायुधे च विक्रान्ते निहते सव्यसाचिना॥
When also, O king, the heir of the king of Kambojas, namely prince Sudakshina, also the powerful Shrutayudha, had been slain by Savyasachin.
विप्रद्रुतेष्वनीकेषु विध्वस्तेषु समन्ततः। प्रभग्नं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रस्ते द्रोणमभ्ययात्॥
When the divisions of your army had been broken and routed in all directions, your son seeing his troops shattered speedily proceeded towards Drona.
त्वरन्नेकरथेनैव समेत्य द्रोणमब्रवीत्। गतः स पुरुषव्याघ्रः प्रमथ्यैतां महाचमूम्॥
Hastily riding on a single car, he repaired to Drona ‘and addressing him said "That foremost of men Arjuna has already passed through this mighty army, having crushed it completely.
अथबुद्ध्या समीक्षस्व किन्नु कार्यमनन्तरम्। अर्जुनस्य विघाताय दारुणेऽस्मिञ्जनक्षये॥
Now decide with the help of your understanding, what should be done next, for bringing about the slaughter of Arjuna, taking into consideration this fearful carnage.
यथा स पुरुषव्याघ्रो न हन्येत जयद्रथः। तथा विधत्स्व भद्रं ते त्वं हि न: परमा गतिः॥
Do you so arrange that, that foremost of inen may not slay Jayadratha. May good betide you. You are our sole protector.
असौ धनंजयाग्निर्हि कोपमारुतचोदितः। सेनाकक्षं दहति मे वह्निः कक्षमिवोत्थितः॥
Like a raging fire consuming a heap of dry grass and fuel, this Dhananjaya-fire urged on by the wind of his anger, is consuming the grass and fuel formed by my troops.
अतिक्रान्ते हि कौन्तेये भित्त्वा सैन्यं परंतप। जयद्रथस्य गोप्तारः संशयं परमं गताः॥
O afflicter of your foes, being informed that the son of Kunti had passed through the division having pierced through it, the warriors entrusted with the protection of Jayadratha, are being preyed upon by anxiety.
स्थिरा बुद्धिनरेन्द्राणामासीद् ब्रह्मविदां वर। नातिक्रमिष्यति द्रोणं जातु जीवं धनंजयः॥
O you foremost of those conversant with the kings that Dhananjaya would never be able to escape Drona alive.
योऽसौ पाथे व्यतिक्रान्तो मिषतस्ते महायुते। सर्वे ह्यद्यातुरं मन्ये नेदमस्ति बलं मम॥
O you of burning splendour, when Pritha's son has succeeded in penetrating through you division before your very eyes. I consider all my troops to be involved in a great catastrophy Indeed, I think I have no troops.
जानामि त्वा महाभाग पाण्डवानां हिते रतम्। तथा मुह्यामि च ब्रह्मन् कार्यवत्तां विचिन्तयन्॥
I know you, O illustrious one, to be attached to the interests of the Pandavas, therefore, O Brahmana. I am losing my sense in the thought what should be done by me next.
यथाशक्ति च ते ब्रह्मन् वर्तये वृत्तिमुत्तमाम्। प्रीणामि च यथाशक्ति तच्च त्वं नावबुध्यसे॥
To the best of my prowess, O Brahmana, I try to behave well with you. I also, exert to the best of my capabilities for satisfying you; still you do not seem to attach any value to all these.
अस्मान्न त्वं सदा भक्तानिच्छस्यमितविक्रम। पाण्डवान् सततं प्रीडास्यस्माकं विप्रिये रतान्॥
you of prowess infinite, although we are ever devoted to you, you do not wish us well; but you are ever satisfied with the Pandavas who are intent on injuring ourselves.
अस्मानेवोपजीवंस्त्वमस्माकं विप्रिये रतः। न ह्ययं त्वां विजानामि मधुदिग्धमिव क्षुरं॥
Though you live upon our bread, yet you are instrumental in injuring us. I knew not before that, you are but a razor soaked in honey.
नादास्यच्चेद् वरं मह्यं भवान् पाण्डवनिग्रहे। नाचारयिष्यं गच्छन्तमहं सिन्धुपतिं गृहान्॥
If you had not given me assurances of vanquishing the Pandavas, I would never have prevented the ruler of the Sindhus from returning to his own dominions.
मया त्वाशंसमानेन त्वत्तस्त्राणमबुद्धिना। आश्वासितः सिन्धुपतिर्मोहाद् दत्तश्च मृत्यवे॥
Fool that I am, hoping to obtain protection from you, I gave assurances of safety to the kirig of the Sindhus; now I see that I have virtually offered him as a victim to Death.
यमदंष्ट्रान्तरं प्राप्तो मुच्येतापि हि मानवः। नार्जुनस्य वशं प्राप्तो मुच्येताजौ जयद्रथः॥
It possible for a man to escape even when he goes inside the jaws of Death, but there is not the slightest chance of escape for Jayadratha, when he once comes within the reach of Partha in battle.
स तथा कुरुशोणाश्व यथा मुच्येत सैन्धवः। मम चार्तप्रलापानां मा कुधः पाहि सैन्धवम्॥
O you owning crimson steeds, do you so manage that the ruler of the Sindhus may yet be saved. Be not angry with me for all these raving of mine afflicted as I am with grief. Oh! save, save the ruler of the Sindhus!
द्रोण उवाच नाभ्यसूयामि ते वाक्यमश्वत्थाम्नासि मे समः। सत्यं तु ते प्रवक्ष्यामि तज्जुषस्व विषाम्पते॥
Drona said I do not take your words in ill-part; you are to me like Ashvatthaman himself, I tell you this for sooth. O ruler of men, do you now act up to my advices.
सारथिः प्रवरः कृष्णः शीघ्राश्चास्य हयोत्तमाः। अल्पं च विवरं कृत्वा तूर्णं याति धनंजयः॥
Krishna is the best of all drivers of chariots and his horses are the fleetest and the best of the species. Creating a small breath only, Dhananjaya can pass very quickly through it.
किं न पश्यसि बाणौधान् क्रोशमाने किरीटिनः। पश्चाद् रथस्य पतितान् क्षिप्ताशीघ्रं हि गच्छत॥
Can you not see the innumerable arrows shot by the diadem-decked Arjuna with his Gandiva bow, are falling full two miles behind his car as he is advancing?
न चाहं शीघ्रयानेऽद्य समर्थो वयसान्वितः। सेनामुर न च पार्थानामेतद् बलमुपस्थितम्॥
Grown up in years, I cannot indeed proceed so has ily. Moreover, there! do you see the whole army of the Parthas assailing our van.
युधिष्ठिरश्च मे ग्राह्यो मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्। एवं मया प्रतिज्ञातं क्षत्रमध्ये महाभुज॥
Yudhishthira also should be captured by myself, before they eyes of all bowmen. Even this, O mighty armed one, has been the vow undertaken by me amidst all Kshatriya warriors.
धनंजयेन चोत्सृष्टो वर्तते प्रमुखे नृप। तस्माद् व्यूहमुखं हित्वा नाहं योत्स्यामि फाल्गुनम्।।
Abandoned by Dhananjaya, O king, he now stands at the head of his divisions. For these reasons I shall not fight with Phalguna, leaving the van of our array uncared for.
तुल्याभिजनकर्माणं शत्रुनेकं सहायवान्। गत्वा योधय मा भैस्त्वं त्वं ह्यस्य जगतः पतिः॥
Duly supported, do you go yourself and fight with your unsupported foe who is equal to you in nobility of birth and in the achievement of feasts. Be not afraid! You are the lord of this world.
राजा शूरः कृती दक्षो वैरमुत्पाद्य पाण्डवैः। वीर स्वयं प्रयाह्यत्र यत्र पार्थो धनंजयः॥
You are a sovereign, a hero, possessed of fame and skilful in defeating (your opponents). O valorous subjugator of hostile fortresses, hie yourself, therefore to that part of the field where Dhananjaya is.
दुर्योधन उवाच कथं त्वामप्यतिक्रान्तः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरम्। धनंजयो मया शक्य आचार्य प्रतिबाधितुम्॥
Duryodhana said O preceptor, how is it possible for me to hold in check that Dhananjaya who has passed even yourself, the foremost of all wielders of weapons?
अपि शक्यो रणे जेतुं वज्रहस्तः पुरंदरः। नार्जुनः समरे शक्यो जेतुं परपुरंजयः॥
It may be possible for me to conquer in battle Purandara armed with his thunder-bolt, but it is not possible for me to conquer Arjuna that subjugator of hostile towns,
येन भोजश्य हार्दिक्यो भवांश्च त्रिदशोपमः। अस्त्रप्रतापेन जितौ श्रुतायुश्च निबर्हितः॥
He by whom the son of Hridika, the ruler of the Bhojas and yourself equal to a god, have all been vanquished with the showers of his weapons, he by whom Shrutayusha has been slain.
सुदक्षिणश्च निहतः स च राजा श्रुतायुधः। श्रुतायुश्चाच्युतायुश्चम्लेच्छाश्चायुतशो हताः॥
as He by whom Sudakshina and king Shrutayusha have been slain, also Shrutayusha and Achytayusha and myriads of Mlechchas also have been slain.
तं कथं पाण्डवं युद्धे दहन्तमिव पावकम्। प्रतियोत्स्यामि दुर्धर्षे तमहं शस्त्रकोविदम्॥
How can I encounter that invincible son of Pandu, accomplished in the use of all kinds of weapons and resembling the all-destroying fire itself.
क्षमं च मन्यसे युद्धं मम तेनाद्य संयुगे। परवानस्मि भवति प्रेष्यवद् रक्ष मद्यशः॥
How it is that you today think me competent to fight with him? I am entirely dependent on you and am your slave; Oh! save my honour!
द्रोण उवाच सत्यं वदसि कौरव्य दुराधर्षो धनंजयः। अहं तु तत् करिष्यामि यथैनं प्रसहिष्यसि॥
Drona said o foremost descendant of the Kuru race, you speak all that is true. Really Dhananjaya is incapable of suffering defeat. But I myself will so act by which you will be able to bear him.
अद्भुतं चाद्य पश्यन्तु लोके सर्वधनुर्धराः। विषक्तं त्वयि कौन्तेयं वासुदेवस्य पश्यतः॥
Let all wielders of bow inhabiting this world, behold today the marvellous fact, of the son of Kunti being held in check by you, even before Vasudeva himself.
एष ते कवचं राजंस्तथा बजामि काञ्चनम्। यथा न बाणा नास्त्राणि प्रहरिष्यन्ति ते रणे॥
This golden coat of mail of yours, O king, I shall so tie on you that all weapons discharged by human hands will not be able to pierce you in battle.
यदि त्वां सासुरसुरा: सयक्षोरगराक्षसाः। योधयन्ति त्रयो लोकाः सनरा नास्ति ते भयम्॥
Even if the three worlds, with the Asuras, the celestials, the Yakshas, the Reptiles and the Rakshasas, together with all human beings, fight with today, still you need entertain no fear.
न कृष्णो न च कौन्तेयो न चान्यः शस्त्रभृद् रणे। शरानर्पयितुं कश्चित् कवचे तव शक्ष्यति॥
Neither Krishna, nor the son of Kunti, nor any other wielder of weapons, will be able to pierce your armour in baitle with his arrows.
स त्वं कवचमास्थाय क्रुद्धपद्य रणेऽर्जुनम्। त्वरमाणः स्वयं यानि न त्वासौ विसहिष्यति॥
So, cased in this golden armour, do you hastily advance upon the wrathful Arjuna, yourself; he shall not be able to beat you in battle today.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा त्वरन् द्रोणः स्पृष्ट्वाम्भो वर्म भास्वरम्। आबबन्धाद्भुततमं जपन् मन्त्रं यथाविधि॥
Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, Drona quickly rinced his mouth with water and then bound that lustrous armour on Duryodhana, having duly reiterated most marvellous incantations.
रणे तस्मिन् सुमहति विजयस्य सुतस्य ते। विसिस्मापयिषुर्लोकान् विद्यया ब्रह्मवित्तमः॥
In that dreadful battle, that foremost of persons conversant with the knowledge of the Vedas, was desirous of bestowing victory on your son and of exciting the wonder of the worlds with his excellent learning.
द्रोण उवाच करोतु स्वस्ति ते ब्रह्म ब्रह्मा चापि द्विजातयः। सरीसृपाश्च ये श्रेष्ठास्तेभ्यस्ते स्वस्ति भारत॥
Drona said May all the Vedas, the Brahmanas and Brahman himself and the Reptiles and other beings of superior order bless you, O Bharata!
ययाति हुषश्चैव धुन्धुमारो भगीरथः। तुभ्यं राजर्षयः सर्वे स्वस्ति सकुर्वन्तु ते सदा॥
May Yayati, Nahusha, Dhundhumara and Bhagiratha and other royal sage bless you in all acts!
स्वस्ति तेऽस्त्वेकपादेभ्यो बहुपादेभ्य एव च। स्वस्तयस्त्वपादकेभ्यश्च नित्यं तव महारणे॥
May you obtain blessing from creatures having one leg only and creatures having many also! May you also get blessings from those who have no legs at all!
स्वाहा स्वधा शची चैव स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते सदा। लक्ष्मीररुन्धती चैव कुरुतां स्वस्ति तेऽनघ॥
May Svaha and Svadha and Sachi all oless you always! O sinless one, may Lakshmi and Arundhati also pronounce benedictions on you!
असितो देवलश्चैव विश्वामित्रस्तथाङ्गिराः। वसिष्ठः कश्यपश्चैव स्वस्ति कुर्वन्तु ते नृप॥
May Asita, Devala, Vishvamitra, Angiras, Vasistha and Kashyapa, O monarch, bless you!
धाता विधाता लोकेशो दिशश्च सदिगीश्वराः। स्वस्ति तेऽद्य प्रयच्छन्तु कार्तिकेयश्च षण्मुखः॥
May Dhatri and Vidhatri, the quarters of heaven and their regents and the six-headed Kartikeya do all that is beneficial you!
विवस्वान् भगवान् स्वस्ति करोतु तव सर्वशः। दिग्गजाश्चैव चत्वारः क्षितिश्च गगनं ग्रहाः॥
May the illustrious Vivasvat bless you today! May the four elephants guarding the cardinal points, the earth, the firmament, the planets.
अधस्ताद् धरणीं योऽसौ सदा धारयते नृप। शेषश्च पनगश्रेष्ठः स्वस्ति तुभ्यं प्रयच्छतु॥
And he who is underneath this earth and o king who ever upholds her, viz., Shesha, that foremost of snakes-may all these do what is beneficial to you!
गान्धारे युधि विक्रम्य निर्जिताः सुरसत्तमाः। पुरा वृत्रेण दैत्येन भिन्नदेहाः सहस्रशः॥
O Son of Gandhari, in days gone by, the Asura named Vritra, exerting his might in battle, had defeated the foremost of celestials in battle.
हातेजोबलाः सर्वे तदा सेन्द्रा दिवौकसः। ब्रह्माणं शरणं जग्मुर्वत्राद् भीता महासुरात्॥
All those dwellers of heaven then with Indra at their head, destitute of their head, destitute of their energy and prowess, sought refuge with Brahman being highly afraid of the mighty Asura Vritra.
देवा ऊचुः प्रमर्दितानां वृत्रेण देवानां देवसत्तम। गतिर्भव सुरश्रेष्ठ त्राहि नो महतो भयात्॥
The celestials said O foremost of the celestials, O best of the gods, be you the protector of the gods now, crushed as they are by the Asura Vritra. Save us from this our great fear.
अथ पार्श्वे स्थितं विष्णुं शक्रादींश्च सुरोत्तमान्। प्राह तथ्यमिदं वाक्यं विषण्णान् सुरसत्तमान्॥
Drona continued Thereupon Brahman addressing Vishnu standing by his side, as also the other foremost of celestials headed by Indra, spoke to them that were are depressed, these words, all perfectly true.
रक्ष्या मे सततं देवाः सहेन्द्राः सद्विजातयः। त्वष्टः सुदुर्धरं तेजो येन वृत्रो विनिर्मितः॥
The celestials with Indra at their head, as also the regenerate order are ever deserving of my protection. But the energy of Tvashtri from which Vritra has been created is indeed irrepressible.
त्वष्ट्रा पुरा तपस्तप्त्वा वर्षायुतशतं तदा। वृत्रो विनिर्मितो देवाः प्राप्यानुज्ञां महेश्वरात्॥
In days gone by, observing ascetic austerities for millions of years, Tvashtri created, O Gods, Vritra, having obtained permission thereto from Mahadeva.
स तस्यैव प्रसादाद् वो हन्यादेव रिपुर्बली। नागत्वा शंकरस्थानं भगवान् दृश्यते हरः॥
Hence that mighty energy of ours has succeeded in vanquishing you through the grace of that god. Without repairing to the place where Sankara stays, you cannot except to obtain a sight of him.
दृष्ट्वा जेष्यथ वृत्रं तं क्षिप्रं गच्छत मन्दरम्। यत्रास्ते तपसां योनिर्दक्षयज्ञविनाशनः॥
After you have seen that god, you will be able to conquer Vritra. Therefore, his yourselves to the Mandara mountain; there dwells that origin of ascetic austerities, that destroyer of Daksha's sacrifice.
पिनाकी सर्वभूतेशो भगनेत्रनिपातनः। ते गत्वा सहिता देवा ब्राह्मणा सह मन्दरम्॥
That wielder of the Pinaka, that lord of all creatures, that slayer of the Asura that Bhaganetra. Thereupon all those celestials accompanied by Brahma, proceeded to the Mandara mountain.
अपश्यंस्तेजसां राशिं सूर्यकोटिसमप्रभम्। सोऽब्रवीत् स्वागतं देवा ब्रूत किं करवाण्यहम्॥
And there, beheld that heap of energy, who resembled in radiance a million of suns. (Seeing the gods come) Mahadeva said, "All hail O god! speak what am I to do for you!
अमोघं दर्शनं मह्यं कामप्राप्तिरतोऽस्तु वः। एवमुक्तास्तु ते सर्वे प्रत्यूचुस्तं दिवौकसः॥
A sight of my self cannot be barren. So let the fruition of your desires proceed from this!” Thus spoken to, all those denizens of heaven
तेजो हृतं नो वृत्रेण गतिर्भव दिवौकसाम्। मूर्तीरीक्षस्व नो देव प्रहारैर्जर्जरीकृताः। शरणं त्वां प्रपन्ना स्म गतिर्भव महेश्वर॥
All our energy has been robbed by Vritra. Be you the protector of us the dwellers of heaven. O God, look upon our bodies mangled and mutilated with the wounds inflicted by the Asura. We seek protection from you; O God of gods, be you our refuge.
शर्व उवाच विदितं वो यथा देवाः कृत्येयं सुमहाबला। त्वष्टस्तेजोभवा घोरा दुर्निवार्याकृतात्मभिः॥
Sharva said O Gods, it is well-known to all of you, how this Asura, surcharged with strength, dreadful and incapable of being held in check by persons devoid of ascetic merit, came into being, created by the energy of Tvashtri.
अवश्यं तु मया कार्यं साह्यं सर्वदिवौकसाम्। ममेदं गात्रजं शक्र कवचं गृह्य भास्वरम्॥
Surely it is my duty to protect the denizens of heaven. O Shakra, take this radiant coat of mail off my body; and O lord of the gods, don it, reiterating these Mantras.
बधानानेन मन्त्रेण मानसेन सुरेश्वर। वधायासुरमुख्यस्य वृत्रस्य सुरघातिनः॥
O sovereign gods! Tie this to your body by reciting hymn through mental japa as told by men. Then you will able enough to kill Vritra, the monster king and enemy to the gods.
द्रोण उवाच इत्युक्त्वा वरदः प्रादाद् वर्म तन्मन्त्रमेव च । स तेन वर्मणा गुप्तः प्रायाद् वृत्रचमूं प्रति॥
Drona continued Having thus spoken, that giver of boons, gave that armour and the necessary Mantras to Indra. Clad in that coat of mail Indra then assaulted the army of Vritra.
नानाविधैश्च शस्त्रौघैः पात्यमानैर्महारणे। न संधिः शक्यते भेत्तुं वर्मबन्धस्य तस्य तु॥
Although then in that dreadful battle myriads of weapons of diverse description were hurled at him, yet they could not slacken or pierce through the joints, of that armour.
ततो जघान समरे वृत्रं देवपतिः स्वयम्। तं च मन्त्रमयं बन्धं वर्म चाङ्गिरसे ददौ॥
Then the lord of the celestials slew Vritra in battle and gave afterwards that armour of which the joints were composed of Mantras, unto Angiras.
अङ्गिराः प्राह पुत्रस्य मन्त्रज्ञस्य बृहस्पतेः। बृहस्पतिरथोवाच अग्निवेश्याय धीमते॥
Angiras again gave those Mantras to Brihaspati his son conversant with all Mantras. Brihaspati next imparted them to the intelligent Agniveshya.
आग्निवेश्यो मम प्रादात् तेन बघ्नामि वर्म ते। तवाद्य देहरक्षार्थ मन्त्रेण नृपसत्तम॥
Agniveshya gave them to me; and now with the help of those mantras I have bound up this armour on you, O foremost of the kings, in order to guard your body from all weaponwounds.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो द्रोणस्तव पुत्रं महाद्युतिम्। पुनरेव वचः प्राह शनैराचार्यपुङ्गवः॥
Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, Drona that foremost of all preceptors, once more addressed your son
ब्रह्मसूत्रेण बध्नामि कवचं तव भारत। हिरण्यगर्भेण यथा बद्धं विष्णोः पुरा रणे॥
“O ruler of men, I don this armour on your body joining its parts by means of Brahmathreads. Even thus did Brahman springing from the golden lotus, put it on Vishnu.
यथा च ब्रह्मणा बद्धं संग्रामे तारकामये। शक्रस्य कवचं दिव्यं तथा बधाम्यहं तव।।७शा
I do it on you, even in the same manner in which Brahman himself had put this armour of celestial make on Indra, during the battle caused by the abduction of Taraka."
बद्ध्वा तु कवचं तस्य मन्त्रेण विधिपूर्वकम्। प्रेषयामास राजानं युद्धाय महते द्विजः॥
Thus having tied that Duryodhana with due mantras, the regenerate Drona dispatched the king to the mighty encounter.
स संनद्धो महाबाहुराचार्येण महात्मना। रथानां च सहस्रेण त्रिगर्तानां प्रहारिणाम्॥
Then the mighty-armed king, accoutered by the illustrious preceptor, supported by a thousand car-warriors of the Trigartta country, all accomplished in smiting down.
तथा दन्तिसहस्रेण मत्तानां वीर्यशालिनाम्। अश्वानां नियुतेनैव तथान्यैश्च महारथैः॥
As also by a thousand infuriate elephants endued with great mighty and a hundred thousand horses and numerous other mightycar-warriors. armour on
वृतः प्रायान्महाबाहुरर्जुनस्य रथं प्रति। नानावादित्रघोषेण यथा वैराचनिस्तथा॥
Advanced against the chariot of Arjuna. He then proceeded accompanied by the sounds of various kinds of musical instruments, even like the son of Virochana (in the days of yore).
ततः शब्दो महानासीत् सैन्यानां तव भारत। अगाधं प्रस्थितं दृष्ट्वा समुद्रमिव कौरवम्॥
Thereupon O Bharata, a loud uproar was created by your troops as they beheld the illustrious Kuru king advance like the fathomless deep itself.