अर्जुनविषादयोग

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच। धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः । मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥

Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do, when they had gathered, eager to fight, upon the sacred field of Kurukshetra?

सञ्जय उवाच। दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा । आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

Sanjaya said: Having seen the Pandava army arrayed for battle, King Duryodhana approached his teacher Drona and spoke these words.

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् । व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥

Behold, O teacher, this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed by your own wise disciple, the son of Drupada.

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि । युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥

Here in this army are heroic archers equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna: Yuyudhana, Virata, and the great chariot-warrior Drupada.

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् । पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥

Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya, the best among men.

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् । सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥

The mighty Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra, and the sons of Draupadi — all of them are great chariot-warriors.

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम । नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥

But, O best of the twice-born, know also the distinguished leaders of my own army; I name them for your information.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः । अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥

Yourself, Bhishma, Karna, and Kripa, ever victorious in battle; Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and also the son of Somadatta.

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः । नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥

And many other heroes, skilled in warfare, armed with various weapons, are ready to give up their lives for my sake.

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् । पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥

This army of ours, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited, whereas that army of theirs, protected by Bhima, is limited.

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः । भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥

Therefore, all of you, stationed in your respective positions at every point of entry into the ranks, should protect Bhishma alone.

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः । सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥

Then Bhishma, the great and valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the eldest of the Kauravas, roared like a lion and blew his conch shell very loudly, gladdening the heart of Duryodhana.

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः । सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥

Then conches, kettledrums, tabors, drums, and horns were suddenly sounded together, and the noise became tumultuous.

ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ । माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥

Then, seated in their magnificent chariot yoked with white horses, Madhava (Krishna) and Pandava (Arjuna) blew their divine conch shells.

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः । पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥

Hrishikesha (Krishna) blew his conch called Panchajanya, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) blew the Devadatta, and Bhima, the doer of terrible deeds, blew his great conch called Paundra.

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥

King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew his conch called Anantavijaya, while Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka conches.

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः । धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥

The King of Kashi, a great archer, the great warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquerable Satyaki, all blew their own conches.

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते । सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ॥

O King, Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed son of Subhadra all blew their respective conches from every side.

स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् । नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन् ॥

That tumultuous uproar, echoing through heaven and earth, tore apart the hearts of the sons of Dhritarashtra.

अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः । प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ॥

Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed for battle, Arjuna, whose banner bore the emblem of Hanuman, raised his bow as the clash of weapons was about to begin.

हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते । अर्जुन उवाच । सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥

O King, Arjuna then spoke these words to Hrishikesha (Krishna): Arjuna said, O Achyuta, please position my chariot between the two armies.

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् । कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥

So that I may behold those assembled here, eager for battle, with whom I must contend in this great combat.

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥

Let me see those who have gathered here to fight, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in this war.

सञ्जय उवाच । एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत । सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥

Sanjaya said: O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), having been thus addressed by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna) drove that magnificent chariot and stationed it between the two armies.

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् । उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥

In front of Bhishma, Drona, and all the other rulers of the earth, Krishna said, O Partha, behold these Kurus gathered here.

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् । आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा ॥

There Arjuna saw stationed in both armies fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि । तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥

He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers present in both armies. Seeing all these kinsmen thus arrayed, Arjuna, the son of Kunti,

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् । अर्जुन उवाच । दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम् ॥

Was overwhelmed with deep compassion and, sorrowing, spoke thus: Arjuna said, O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen arrayed here, eager to fight,

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति । वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ॥

My limbs give way and my mouth is drying up. My body trembles and my hair stands on end.

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते । न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ॥

The Gandiva bow is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning all over. I am unable to stand, and my mind seems to be reeling.

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव । न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ॥

O Keshava, I see only adverse omens all around, and I foresee no good in killing my own kinsmen in this battle.

न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च । किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ॥

O Krishna, I desire neither victory, nor kingdom, nor pleasures. Of what use to us is a kingdom, O Govinda, or enjoyment, or even life itself?

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च । त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥

Those very people for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyment, and pleasures are now standing here in battle, having renounced their lives and wealth.

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः । मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ॥

Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives are present here.

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन । अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ॥

O Madhusudana, even if they were to kill me, I do not wish to kill them, not even for the sovereignty of the three worlds, let alone for this earth.

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन । पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः ॥

O Janardana, what joy would we gain by killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would come upon us by slaying these aggressors.

तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान् । स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥

Therefore, O Madhava, we ought not to kill our own kinsmen, the sons of Dhritarashtra. How could we be happy after killing our own relatives?

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥

Even though these men, their minds overpowered by greed, see no wrong in destroying one's own family or in treachery toward friends,

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥

Why, O Janardana, should we, who clearly see the wrong in destroying a family, not turn away from this sin?

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः । धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥

When a family is destroyed, its eternal traditions perish; and when righteousness is lost, unrighteousness overwhelms the entire family.

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः । स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥

When unrighteousness prevails, O Krishna, the women of the family become corrupted; and when women are corrupted, O Varshneya, unwanted progeny results.

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च । पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥

Such unwanted progeny brings ruin to the family and to those who destroy it. The ancestors of such families fall, deprived of the offerings of rice and water.

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः । उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥

By these wrongs of the family-destroyers, which give rise to unwanted progeny, the timeless traditions of caste and family are destroyed.

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन । नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥

O Janardana, we have heard that those whose family traditions are destroyed are destined to dwell in hell for an indefinite time.

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् । यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥

Alas, how strange it is that we have resolved to commit a great sin, being ready to kill our own kinsmen out of greed for the pleasures of a kingdom.

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः । धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥

It would be better for me if the armed sons of Dhritarashtra were to kill me in battle, unarmed and unresisting.

सञ्जय उवाच । एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् । विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna, his mind overwhelmed with grief, cast aside his bow and arrows and sank down onto the seat of his chariot.