वैशम्पायन उवाच विसृष्टास्वथ नारीषु धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः। विललाप महाराज दुःखाद् दुःखान्तरं गतः॥
Vaishampayana said After the ladies had been sent away, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, sunk into grief greater than that which had afflicted him before, began, O monarch, to bewail.
सधूममिव निःश्वस्य करौ धुन्वन् पुनः पुनः। विचिन्त्य च महाराज वचनं चेदमब्रवीत्॥
Exhaling smoky breaths and repeatedly shaking his arms and reflecting a little, O monarch, he said these words.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच अहो बत महद् दुःखं यदहं पाण्डवान् रणे। क्षेमिणश्चाव्ययांश्चैव त्वत्त: सूत शृणोमि वै॥
Dhritarashtra said Alas, O Suta, painful is the news that I hear from you viz., that the Pandavas are all safe and have suffered no loss in battle!
वज्रसारमयं नूनं हृदयं सुदृढं मम। यच्छुत्वा निहतान् पुत्रान् दीर्यते न सहस्रधा॥
Forsooth, my hard heart is made of the essence of thunder since it breaks not upon hearing of the fall of my sons!
चिन्तयित्वा वयस्तेषां बालक्रीडां च संजय। हतान् पुत्रानशेषेण दीर्यते मे भृशं मनः॥
Thinking of their ages, O Sanjaya and of their sports in childhood and learning today that all of them have died, my heart seems to break into pieces!
अनेत्रत्वाद् यदेतेषां न मे रूपनिदर्शनम्। पुत्रस्नेहकृता प्रीतिर्नित्यमेतेषु धारिता॥
Although owing to my blindness I never saw their forms, still I cherished a great love for them on account of the affection one feels for his children.
बालभावमतिक्रम्य यौवनस्थांश्च तानहम्। मध्यप्राप्तांस्तथा श्रुत्वा हृष्ट आसं तदानघ॥
Hearing that they had passed out of childhood and entered the period of youth and then of early manhood, I became highly glad, Osinless one.
तानद्य निहतान् श्रुत्वा हतैश्वर्यान् हतौजसः। न लभेयं क्वचिच्छान्तिं पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतः॥
Hearing today that they have been killed and divested of prosperity and energy, I do not enjoy peace of mind, being overwhelmed with grief on account of the calamity that has befallen them.
एह्येहि पुत्र राजेन्द्र ममानाथस्य साम्प्रतम्। त्वया हीनो महाबाहो का नु यास्याम्यहं गतिम्॥
Come, come, O king of kings, to me that am without a lord now! Deprived of you, O mighty-armed one, what will be my condition?
कथं त्वं पृथिवीपालांस्त्यक्त्वा तात समागतान्। शेषे विनिहतो भूमौ प्राकृतः कुनृपो यथा।॥
Why, O sire, leaving all the assembled kings do you lie on the nacked ground, deprived of life, like an ordinary and wretched king?
गतिर्भूत्वा महाराज ज्ञातीनां सुहृदां तथा। अन्धं वृद्धं च मां वीर विहाय क्क नु यास्यसि॥
Having been, O monarch, the refuge of kinsmen and friends, where do you go now, O hero, leaving me that am blind and old?
सा कृपा सा च ते प्रीतिः क्क सा राजन् सुमानिता। कथं विनिहतः पार्थैः संयुगेष्वपराजितः॥
Where now, O king, is that pity of yours, that love and that respectfulness? Invincible you were in battle, how, alas, have you been killed by the Parthas?
को नु मामुत्थितं वीर तात तातेति वक्ष्यति। महाराजेति सततं लोकनाथेति तासकृत्॥ परिष्वज्य च मां कण्ठे स्नेहेन किन्नलोचनः। अनुशाधीति कौरव्य तत् साधु वद मे वचः॥
Who will now, after I will get up from bed at the proper hour, repeatedly address me in such loving and respectful words as-O father, O father-O great king-O Lord of the world!-and affectionately clasping my neck with tearful eyes, will ask for my orders, saying-Command me, you of Kuru's race!-address me, O son, in that sweet language once inore!
ननु नामाहमश्रौषं वचनं तव पुत्रका भूयसी मम पृथ्वीयं यथा पार्थस्य नो तथा॥
O dear child, I heard even these words from your lips, viz.-This wide Earth is cqually ours with Pritha's son!
भगदत्तः कृपः शल्य आवन्त्योऽथ जयद्रथः। भूरिश्रवाः सोमदत्तो महाराजश्च बाह्निकः॥ अश्वत्थामा च भोजश्च मागधश्च महाबलः। बृहद्वलश्च क्राथश्च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः॥ म्लेच्छश्च शतसाहस्राः शकाश्च: यवनैःसह। सुदक्षिणश्च काम्बोजस्त्रिगलाधिपतिस्तथा॥ भीष्मः पितामहश्चैव भारद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः। श्रुतायुश्चायुतायुश्च शतायुश्चापि वीर्यवान्॥ जलसन्धोऽथार्थ्यशृङ्गी राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः। अलम्बुषो महाबाहुः सुबाहुश्च महारथः॥ एते चान्ये च बहवो राजानो राजसत्तम। मदर्थमुद्यताः सर्वे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च।२१।।
Bhagadatta and Kripa and Shalya and the two princes of Avanti and Jayadratha and Bhurishravas and Cala and Somadatta and Valhika and Ashvatthaman and the chief of the Bhojas and the mighty princes of Magadha and Vrihadvala and the ruler of the Kasis and Shakuni, the son son of Subala and many thousands of Mlechchhas and Shakas and Yavanas and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kambojas and the king of the Trigartas and the grandsire Bhishma and Bharadvaja's son and Gotama's son and Shrutayusha and Ayutayusha and Shatayusha of great power and Jalasandha and Rishyashringa's son and the Rakshasa Alayudha and the mighty-arined Alambusha and the great car-warrior Suvahu-these and many other kings, O best of monarchs, have taken up arms on my behalf and are ready to throw away their very lives in great battle!
तेषां मध्ये स्थितो युद्धे भ्रातृभिः परिवारितः। योधयिष्याम्यहं पार्थान् पञ्चालांश्चैव सर्वशः॥ चेदींश्च नृपशार्दूल द्रौपदेयांश्च संयुगे। सात्यकिं कुन्तिभोजं च राक्षसं च घटोत्कचम्॥
Stationed on the field amidst these and encircled by my brothers, I will fight against all the Parthas and the Panchalas and the Chedis, O foremost to kings and the son of Draupadi and Satyaki and Kuntibhoja and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha.
एकोऽप्येषां महाराज समर्थः संनिवारणे। समरे पाण्डवेयानां संक्रुद्धो ह्यभिधावताम्॥
Even one amongst these, O king, worked up with anger, is able to resist in battle the Pandavas rushing towards him!
किं पुनः सहिता वीराः कृतवैराश्च पाण्डवैः। अथवा सर्व एवैते पाण्डवस्यानुयायिभिः॥
What need I say then of all these heroes, every one of whom has wrongs to avenge on the Pandavas, when united together? All these, O monarch, will fight with the followers of the Pandavas and will kill them in battle.
योत्स्यन्ते सह राजेन्द्र हनिष्यन्ति च तान् मृघे। कर्ण एको मया सार्धं निहनिष्यति पाण्डवान्॥
Karna alone, with myself, will kill the Pandavas. All the heroic kings will then live under my control.
ततो नृपतयो वीराः स्थास्यन्ति मम शासने। यश्च तेषां पणेता वै वासुदेवो महाबलः ॥ न स संनह्यते राजनिति मामब्रवीद् वचः। तस्याथ वदतः सूत बहुशो मम संनिधौ।॥
Their leader, the mighty Vasudeva, will not, he has told me, take up arms for them, O king. In this way, O Suta, did Duryodhana often use to speak to me. Hearing what he said, I believed that the Pandavas would be killed in battle.
शक्तितो हुनुपस्यामि निहतान् पाण्डवान् रणे। तेषां मध्ये स्थिता यत्र हन्यन्ते मम पुत्रकाः॥
While, my sons, stationed in the midst of those heroes and fighting vigorously in battle, have all been slain, what can it be but Destiny?
व्यायच्छमानाः समरे किमन्यद् भागधेयतः। भीष्मश्च निहतो यत्र लोकनाथः प्रतापबान्॥
When that lord of the world, viz., the valiant Bhishma, having encountered Shikhandin, died like a lion, killed by a jackal, what can it be but Destiny?
शिखण्डिनं समासाद्य मृगेन्द्र इव जम्बुकम्। द्रोणश्च ब्राह्मणो यत्र सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगः॥
When the Brahmana Drona, the master of all offensive and defensive, weapons has been killed by the Pandavas in battle, what can it be but Destiny?
निहतः पाण्डवैः संख्ये किमन्यद् भागधेयतः। कर्णश्च निहतं संख्ये दिव्यास्त्रज्ञो महाबलः॥
When Bhurishravas has been slain in battle, as also Somadatta and king Valhika, what can it be else Destiny?
भूरिश्रवा हतो यत्र सोमदत्तश्च संयुगे। बाह्निकश्च महाराजः किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When Bhagadatta, an expert in fighting from the back of elephants, has been killed and when Jayadratha has been slain, what can it be but Fate?
भगदत्तो हतो यत्र गजयुद्धविशारदः। जयद्रथश्च निहतः किमन्यद् भादधेयतः॥ सुदक्षिणो हतो यत्र जलसन्धश्च पौरवः। श्रुतायुश्चायुतायुश्च किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When Sudakshina has been slain and Jalasandha of Puru's race, as also Shrutayusha and Ayutayusha, what can it be but Destiny?
महाबलस्तथा पाण्डयः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः। निहतः पाण्डवैः संख्ये किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥ बृहद्वलो हतो यत्र मागधश्च महाबलः। उग्रायुधश्च विक्रान्तः प्रतिमानं धनुष्मताम्॥ आवन्त्यो निहतो यत्र त्रैगर्तश्च जनाधिपः। संशप्तकाश्च निहताः किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When Brihadvala has been slain and the powerful king of the Magadhas and the brave Ugrayudha, that model of all bowmen when the two princes of Avanti viz., Vinda and Avinda have been slain, and the king also of thc Trigartas, as also the numerous Samshaptakas, what can it be but Destiny?
अलम्बुषो महाशूरो राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः। आर्थ्यशृङ्गिश्च निहत: किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When king Alambusha and the Rakshasa Alayudha and Rishyashringa's on have been slain, what can it be but Destiny.
नारायणा हता यत्र गोपाला युद्धदुर्मदाः। म्लेच्छाश्च बहुसाहस्रा: किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When the Narayanas have been slain as also the Gopalas, ever invincible in battle and many thousands of Mlecchas, who can it be but Destiny.
शकुनिः सौबलो यत्र कैतव्यश्च महाबलः। निहत: सबलो वीरः किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
When Shakuni the son of Subala and the powerful Uluka, called the gamester's son, at the head of his forces, have been slain, what can it be but Destiny?
एते चान्ये च बहवः कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः। राजानो राजपुत्राश्च शूराः परिघबाहवः॥ निहता बहवो यत्र किमन्यद् भागधेयतः। यत्र शूरा महेष्वासाः कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः॥ बहवो निहता: सूत महेन्द्रसमविक्रमाः। नानादेशसमावृत्ताः क्षत्रिया यत्र संजय॥
When numerous great heroes, well-read in all sorts of offensive and defensive weapons and gifted with prowess equal to that of Indra himself, have been slain, ( Suta, when Kshatriyas coming from different kingdoms, O Sanjaya, have all been slain in battle, what can it be but Destiny?
निहताः समरे सर्वे किमन्यद् भागधेयतः। पुत्राश्च मे विनिहताः पौत्राश्चैव महाबलाः॥ वयस्या भ्रातरश्चैव किमन्यद् भागधेयतः। भागधेयसमायुक्तो ध्रुवमुत्पद्यते नरः॥
My mighty, sons and grandsons have been slain, as also my friends and brothers, what can it be but Destiny? Truly man takes his birth, subject to Destiny.
यस्तु भाग्यसमायुक्तः स शुभं प्राप्नुयान्नरः। अहं वियुक्तस्तैर्भाग्यैः पुत्रैश्चैवेह संजय॥ कथमद्य भविष्यामि वृद्धः शत्रुवशं गतः। नान्यदत्र परं मन्ये वनवासादृते प्रभो॥ सोऽहं वनं गमिष्यामि निर्बधुओतिसंक्षये।
A fortunate man always meets with good. I am bereft of good fortune and therefore, am deprived of my children, O Sanjaya. Old as I am, how shall I now submit to the sway of enemies? I do not think anything else but exile into the woods is good for me, O lord. Shorn of relatives and kinsmen as I am, I will go into the woods.
न हि मेऽन्यद् भवेच्छेयो वनाभ्युपगमादृते॥ इमामवस्थां प्राप्तस्य लूनपक्षस्य संजय।
Nothing else save an exile into the woods can be better for me who am fallen into this plight and who am shorn of my sons, O Sanjaya.
दुर्योधनो हतो यत्र शल्यश्च निहतो युधि॥ दुःशासनो विविंशश्च विकर्णश्च महाबलः। कथं हि भीमसेनस्य श्रोष्येऽहं शब्दमुत्तमम्॥ एकेन समरे येन हतं पुत्रशतं मम।
When Duryodhana has been slain, Shalya also has been slain in battle, when Dusshasana and Vivingsha and the mighty Vikarna have been slain, how shall I be able to bear the shouts of that Bhimasena who has alone killed a hundred sons of inine in battle?
असकृद्वदतस्तस्य दुर्योधनवधेन च॥ दुःखशोकाभिसंतप्तो न श्रोष्ये परुषा गिरः।
He will frequently speak of the slaughter of Duryodhana in my ears. Burning with grief and sorrow, I shall not be able to withstand his cruel words!"
वैशम्पायन उवाच एवं वृद्धश्च संतप्तः पार्थिवो हतबान्धवः॥ मुहुर्मुहुर्मुह्यमानः पुत्रादिभिरभिप्लुतः।
Vaishampayana said Even thus that king burning with grief and deprived of relatives and kinsmen, repeatedly swooned, overwhelmed with grief consequent on the death of his sons.
विलप्य सुचिरं कालं धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः॥ दीर्घमुष्णं स निःश्वस्य चिन्तयित्वा पराभवम्।
Having wept for a long time, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambika, sighted heavily thinking of his defeat.
दुःखेन महता राजन् संतप्तो भरतर्षभः॥ पुनर्गावल्गणिं सूतं पर्यपृच्छद् यथातथम्।
Overwhelined with sorrow and burning with grief, that best of Bharata's race once more enquired of his charioteer Sanjaya, the son of Gavalgana, the details of the battle.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच भीष्मद्रौणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा सूतपुत्रं च घातितम्॥ सेनापति प्रणेतारं किमकुर्वत मामकाः।
Dhritarashtra said After Bhishma and Drona had been slain and the Suta's son also overthrown, whom did my warriors make their general?
यं यं सेनाप्रणेतारं युधि कुर्वन्ति मामकाः॥ अचिरेणैव कालेन तं तं निघ्नन्ति पाण्डवाः।
The Pandavas are slaying quickly every one whom my warriors make their general in battle.
रणमूर्ध्नि हतो भीष्मः पश्यतां वः किरीटिना॥ एवमेव हतो द्रोणः सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम्।
Bhishma was slain at the van of battle by the diadem-decked Arjuna in your presence. Even thus was Drona slain before you all.
एवमेव हतः कर्णः सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्॥ स राजकानां सर्वेषां पश्यतां वः किरीटिना।
Even thus was the Suta's son, the valiant Karna, slain by Arjuna in the presence of all the kings.
पूर्वमेवाहमुक्तो वै विदुरेण महात्मना॥ दुर्योधनापराधेन प्रजेयं विनशिष्यति।
Long before, the high-souled Vidura had told me that through the fault of Duryodhana, the people of the Earth would be rooted out.
केचिन्न सम्यक् पश्यन्ति मूढाः सम्यगवेक्ष्य च। तदिदं मम मूढस्य तथाभूतं वचः स्म तत्॥
There are some fools that do not see things even though they cașt their eyes on them. Those words of Vidura have proved true in my case.
यदब्रवीत् स धर्मात्मा विदुरो दीर्घदर्शिवान्। तत्तथा समनुप्राप्तं वचनं सत्यवादिनः॥
What the pious Vidura, conversant with the attributes of everything, then said, had proved true, for the words he uttered were nothing but the truth.
दैवोपहतचित्तेन यन्मया न कृतं पुरा। अनयस्य फलं तस्य ब्रूहि गावल्गणे पुनः॥
Afflicted by fate, I did not then act according to those words. The fruits of that evil course have now appeared. Describe them to me, O son of Gavalgana, once more.
को वा मुखमनीकानामासीत् कर्णे निपातिते। अर्जुनं वासुदेवं च को वा प्रत्युद्ययौ रथी॥
Who became the head of our army after Karna's fall? Who was that car-warrior who proceeded against Arjuna and Vasudeva?
केऽरक्षन् दक्षिणं चक्रं मद्रराजस्य संयुगे। वामं च योद्धुकामस्य के वा वीरस्य पृष्ठतः॥
Who were they that protected the right wheel of the ruler of the Madras in battle? Who protected the left wheel of that hero when he went to battle? Who also protected his rear?
कथं च वः समेतानां मद्रराजो महारथः। निहतः पाण्डवैः संख्ये पुत्रो वा मम संजय॥
How, when all of you were together, could the mighty king of the Madras, as also my son, be slain, O Sanjaya, by the Pandavas?
ब्रूहि सर्वं यथातत्त्वं भरतानां महाक्षयम्। यथा च निहतः संख्ये पुत्रो दुर्योधनो मम॥
Describe particularly the great destruction of the Bharatas. Tell me how my son Duryodhana fell in battle!
पञ्चालानां यथा सर्वे निहताः सपदानुगाः। धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपद्याः पञ्च चात्मजाः॥
Tell me how all the Panchalas with their followers and Dhrishtadyumna and Shiklandhin and the five sons of Draupadi, were killed.
पाण्डवाश्च यथा मुक्तास्तथोभौ माधवौ युधि। कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च भारद्वाजस्य चात्मजः॥
Tell me how the (five) Pandavas and the two Satvatas (viz., Krishna and Satyaki) and Kripa and Kritavarman and Drona's son, have escaped with life.
यद् यथा यादृशं चैव युद्धं वृत्तं च साम्प्रतम्। अखिलं श्रोतुमिच्छामि कुशलो ह्यसि संजय॥
I desire to hear everything about the battle and its nature. You are a skillful narrator. O Sanjaya, tell the everything!'