Omens of Ruin and the Signs of Victory

Verse 1 (6.3.1)

खरा गोषु प्रजायन्ते रमन्ते मातृभिः सुताः । अनार्तवं पुष्पफलं दर्शयन्ति वनद्रुमाः ॥

kharā goṣu prajāyante ramante mātṛbhiḥ sutāḥ | anārtavaṃ puṣpaphalaṃ darśayanti vanadrumāḥ

Donkeys are being born of cows; sons take their pleasure with their mothers; the trees of the forest put forth flowers and fruit out of season.

Verse 2 (6.3.2)

गर्भिण्योऽजातपुत्राश्च जनयन्ति विभीषणान् । क्रव्यादाः पक्षिभिश्चापि सहाश्नन्ति परस्परम् ॥

garbhiṇyo'jātaputrāśca janayanti vibhīṣaṇān | kravyādāḥ pakṣibhiścāpi sahāśnanti parasparam

Pregnant women who have not yet borne a son give birth to fearsome creatures; flesh-eating beasts feed together with birds, and they devour one another.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.2ab (अजातपुत्राः for rājaputryaḥ); line 2 differs from 6.3.2cd (vulgate reading). Corrected सहा श्नन्ति → सहाश्नन्ति (misprint in Wikisource; a stray space splits the word).

Verse 3 (6.3.3)

त्रिविषाणाश्चतुर्नेत्राः पञ्चपादा द्विमेहनाः । द्विशीर्षाश्च द्विपुच्छाश्च दंष्ट्रिणः पशवोऽशिवाः ॥

triviṣāṇāścaturnetrāḥ pañcapādā dvimehanāḥ | dviśīrṣāśca dvipucchāśca daṃṣṭriṇaḥ paśavo'śivāḥ

Ill-omened beasts are born with three horns, four eyes, five feet, two sexual organs, two heads and two tails, and with fangs.

Verse 4 (6.3.4)

जायन्ते विवृतास्याश्च व्याहरन्तोऽशिवा गिरः । त्रिपदाः शिखिनस्तार्क्ष्याश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रा विषाणिनः ॥

jāyante vivṛtāsyāśca vyāharanto'śivā giraḥ | tripadāḥ śikhinastārkṣyāścaturdaṃṣṭrā viṣāṇinaḥ

They are born with gaping mouths, uttering ill-omened cries; and three-footed peacocks and Tarkshya birds are born, with four fangs and with horns.

Verse 5 (6.3.5)

तथैवान्याश्च दृश्यन्ते स्त्रियो वै ब्रह्मवादिनाम् । वैनतेयान्मयूरांश्च जनयन्ति पुरे तव ॥

tathaivānyāśca dṛśyante striyo vai brahmavādinām | vainateyānmayūrāṃśca janayanti pure tava

Other women too are seen, the wives of those who expound the Veda, giving birth in your city to Garuda-birds and peacocks.

Verse 6 (6.3.6)

गोवत्सं वडवा सूते श्वा सृगालं महीपते । कुक्कुरान्करभाश्चैव शुकाश्चाशुभवादिनः ॥

govatsaṃ vaḍavā sūte śvā sṛgālaṃ mahīpate | kukkurānkarabhāścaiva śukāścāśubhavādinaḥ

A mare gives birth to a calf, and a bitch to a jackal, O lord of the earth; dogs, karabha beasts, and parrots that cry ill omens are born as well.

Note on the text: Corrected शुकाश्चाशुवादिनः → शुकाश्चाशुभवादिनः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped भ, which leaves the quarter a syllable short; critical edition cāśubhavādinaḥ).

Verse 7 (6.3.7)

स्त्रियः काश्चित्प्रजायन्ते चतस्रः पञ्च कन्यकाः । जातमात्राश्च नृत्यन्ति गायन्ति च हसन्ति च ॥

striyaḥ kāścitprajāyante catasraḥ pañca kanyakāḥ | jātamātrāśca nṛtyanti gāyanti ca hasanti ca

Some women give birth to four or five daughters at once, and as soon as they are born the girls dance, sing and laugh.

Note on the text: Corrected गायन्त → गायन्ति (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign, critical edition gāyanti).

Verse 8 (6.3.8)

पृथग्जनस्य सर्वस्य क्षुद्रकाः प्रहसन्ति च । नृत्यन्ति परिगायन्ति वेदयन्तो महद्भयम् ॥

pṛthagjanasya sarvasya kṣudrakāḥ prahasanti ca | nṛtyanti parigāyanti vedayanto mahadbhayam

Among all the common folk, misshapen children laugh, dance and sing, foretelling great danger.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.3.8: line 1 differs (pṛthagjanasya kuḍakāḥ stanapāḥ stenaveśmani); line 2 agrees.

Verse 9 (6.3.9)

प्रतिमाश्चालिखन्त्येताः सशस्त्राः कालचोदिताः । अन्योन्यमभिधावन्ति शिशवो दण्डपाणयः ॥

pratimāścālikhantyetāḥ saśastrāḥ kālacoditāḥ | anyonyamabhidhāvanti śiśavo daṇḍapāṇayaḥ

Driven by Time, these children draw pictures of armed men; children with sticks in their hands rush at one another.

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 6.3.9ab–cd (एताः for anye); its third line, 6.3.9ef, corresponds to the first line of the next verse.

Verse 10 (6.3.10)

अन्योन्यमभिमृद्गन्ति नगराणि युयुत्सवः । पद्मोत्पलानि वृक्षेषु जायन्ते कुमुदानि च ॥

anyonyamabhimṛdganti nagarāṇi yuyutsavaḥ | padmotpalāni vṛkṣeṣu jāyante kumudāni ca

Eager for battle, they trample one another's make-believe cities. Lotuses, blue water-lilies and white lilies grow on trees.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.9ef (uparundhanti kṛtvā ca nagarāṇi yuyutsavaḥ); line 2 is 6.3.10ab.

Verse 11 (6.3.11)

विष्वग्वाताश्च वान्त्युग्रा रजो नाप्युपशाम्यति । अभीक्ष्णं कम्पते भूमिरर्कं राहुरुपैति च ॥

viṣvagvātāśca vāntyugrā rajo nāpyupaśāmyati | abhīkṣṇaṃ kampate bhūmirarkaṃ rāhurupaiti ca

Fierce winds blow from every side, and the dust does not settle. The earth trembles again and again, and Rahu draws near the sun.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.10cd; line 2 is 6.3.11ab (राहुरुपैति च for rāhus tathāgrasat). Corrected विष्व्वाताश्च → विष्वग्वाताश्च (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct, critical edition viṣvagvātāś).

Verse 12 (6.3.12)

श्वेतो ग्रहस्तथा चित्रां समतिक्रम्य तिष्ठति । अभावं हि विशेषेण कुरूणां तत्र पश्यति ॥

śveto grahastathā citrāṃ samatikramya tiṣṭhati | abhāvaṃ hi viśeṣeṇa kurūṇāṃ tatra paśyati

The white planet has passed beyond Chitra and stands there; in this, above all, is seen the ruin of the Kurus.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.11cd; line 2 is 6.3.12ab (तत्र पश्यति for pratipaśyati).

Verse 13 (6.3.13)

धूमकेतुर्महाघोरः पुष्यं चाक्रम्य तिष्ठति । सेनयोरशिवं घोरं करिष्यति महाग्रहः ॥

dhūmaketurmahāghoraḥ puṣyaṃ cākramya tiṣṭhati | senayoraśivaṃ ghoraṃ kariṣyati mahāgrahaḥ

The dreadful comet stands, having seized upon Pushya; this great planet will work terrible harm on both armies.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.12cd; line 2 is 6.3.13ab.

Verse 14 (6.3.14)

मघास्वङ्गारको वक्रः श्रवणे च बृहस्पतिः । भगं नक्षत्रमाक्रम्य सूर्यपुत्रेण पीड्यते ॥

maghāsvaṅgārako vakraḥ śravaṇe ca bṛhaspatiḥ | bhagaṃ nakṣatramākramya sūryaputreṇa pīḍyate

Mars, moving in retrograde, is in Magha, and Jupiter in Shravana; the constellation Bhaga is seized and afflicted by the son of the Sun, Saturn.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.13cd; line 2 is 6.3.14ab (भगं for bhāgyaṃ).

Verse 15 (6.3.15)

शुक्रः प्रोष्ठपदे पूर्वे समारुह्य विरोचते । उत्तरे तु परिक्रम्य सहितः समुदीक्षते ॥

śukraḥ proṣṭhapade pūrve samāruhya virocate | uttare tu parikramya sahitaḥ samudīkṣate

Venus shines, having mounted into Purva Proshthapada; and circling round toward the Uttara, it gazes upon it in conjunction with another planet.

Note on the text: Corresponds to the critical edition's 6.3.14cd–ef, with variants (विरोचते for viśāṃ pate, समुदीक्षते for pratyudīkṣate).

Verse 16 (6.3.16)

श्यामो ग्रहः प्रज्वलितः सधूम इव पावकः । ऐन्द्रं तेजस्वि नक्षत्रं ज्येष्ठामाक्रम्य तिष्ठति ॥

śyāmo grahaḥ prajvalitaḥ sadhūma iva pāvakaḥ | aindraṃ tejasvi nakṣatraṃ jyeṣṭhāmākramya tiṣṭhati

A dark planet, blazing like a smoking fire, stands having seized the bright constellation Jyeshtha, which belongs to Indra.

Verse 17 (6.3.17)

ध्रुवं प्रज्वलितो घोरमपसव्यं प्रवर्तते । रोहिणीं पीडयत्येवमुभौ च शशिभास्करौ । चित्रास्वात्यन्तरे चैव विष्ठितः परुषग्रहः ॥

dhruvaṃ prajvalito ghoramapasavyaṃ pravartate | rohiṇīṃ pīḍayatyevamubhau ca śaśibhāskarau | citrāsvātyantare caiva viṣṭhitaḥ paruṣagrahaḥ

Blazing terribly, it moves ever in a reverse course; and so the harsh planet stationed between Chitra and Svati afflicts Rohini, and both the moon and the sun.

Note on the text: Lines 1 and 3 are the critical edition's 6.3.16ab and cd (with variants ध्रुवं, विष्ठितः परुषग्रहः); line 2 is its star passage 6.3.16b*0010, not in the constituted text. Corrected शशिभास्करो → शशिभास्करौ (misprint in Wikisource; the dual ending is needed, the apparatus reads śaśibhāskarau).

Verse 18 (6.3.18)

वक्रानुवक्रं कृत्वा च श्रवणं पावकप्रभः । ब्रह्मराशिं समावृत्य लोहिताङ्गो व्यवस्थितः ॥

vakrānuvakraṃ kṛtvā ca śravaṇaṃ pāvakaprabhaḥ | brahmarāśiṃ samāvṛtya lohitāṅgo vyavasthitaḥ

Mars, red-bodied and bright as fire, turning back again and again in retrograde, has encompassed Shravana, the house held by Brihaspati, and stands there.

Verse 19 (6.3.19)

सर्वसस्यपरिच्छन्ना पृथिवी सस्यमालिनी । पञ्चशीर्षा यवाश्चापि शतशीर्षाश्च शालयः ॥

sarvasasyaparicchannā pṛthivī sasyamālinī | pañcaśīrṣā yavāścāpi śataśīrṣāśca śālayaḥ

The earth is covered with every kind of crop and garlanded with harvests; the barley bears five ears to a stalk and the rice a hundred.

Verse 20 (6.3.20)

प्रधानाः सर्वलोकस्य यास्वायत्तमिदं जगत् । ता गावः प्रस्नुता वत्सैः शोणितं प्रक्षरन्त्युत ॥

pradhānāḥ sarvalokasya yāsvāyattamidaṃ jagat | tā gāvaḥ prasnutā vatsaiḥ śoṇitaṃ prakṣarantyuta

The cows, foremost in all the world, on whom this whole world depends, stream blood when their calves suckle them.

Verse 21 (6.3.21)

निश्चेरुरर्चिषश्चापात्खड्गाश्च ज्वलिता भृशम् । व्यक्तं पश्यन्ति शस्त्राणि संग्रामं समुपस्थितम् ॥

niścerurarciṣaścāpātkhaḍgāśca jvalitā bhṛśam | vyaktaṃ paśyanti śastrāṇi saṃgrāmaṃ samupasthitam

Flames burst from the bows, and the swords blazed fiercely; plainly the weapons see that battle is at hand.

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्गाश्च → खड्गाश्च (misprint in Wikisource; critical edition khaḍgāḥ). Line 1 otherwise differs from 6.3.20a (अर्चिषश्चापात् for apidhānebhyaḥ).

Verse 22 (6.3.22)

अग्निवर्णा यथा भासः शस्त्राणामुदकस्य च । कवचानां ध्वजानां च भविष्यति महाक्षयः ॥

agnivarṇā yathā bhāsaḥ śastrāṇāmudakasya ca | kavacānāṃ dhvajānāṃ ca bhaviṣyati mahākṣayaḥ

Weapons and water, armour and banners all shine the colour of fire: there will be a great destruction.

Verse 23 (6.3.23)

पृथिवी शोणितावर्ता ध्वजोडुपसमाकुला । कुरूणां वैशसे राजन्पाण्डवैः सह भारत ॥

pṛthivī śoṇitāvartā dhvajoḍupasamākulā | kurūṇāṃ vaiśase rājanpāṇḍavaiḥ saha bhārata

In the slaughter of the Kurus together with the Pandavas, O king, O Bharata, the earth will become a river eddying with blood, crowded with banners for rafts.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 6.3.21d*0011.

Verse 24 (6.3.24)

दिक्षु प्रज्वलितास्याश्च व्याहरन्ति मृगद्विजाः । अत्याहितं दर्शयन्तः क्षत्रियाणां महद्भयम् ॥

dikṣu prajvalitāsyāśca vyāharanti mṛgadvijāḥ | atyāhitaṃ darśayantaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ mahadbhayam

In every quarter beasts and birds with blazing mouths cry out, showing calamity and great danger for the kshatriyas.

Verse 25 (6.3.25)

एकपक्षाक्षिचरणाः शकुन्ताः खेचरा निशि । रौद्रं वदन्ति संरब्धाः शोणितं छर्दयन्ति च ॥

ekapakṣākṣicaraṇāḥ śakuntāḥ khecarā niśi | raudraṃ vadanti saṃrabdhāḥ śoṇitaṃ chardayanti ca

Birds with one wing, one eye and one foot roam the sky at night; in their fury they shriek fearfully and vomit blood.

Verse 26 (6.3.26)

ग्रहौ ताम्रारुणनिभौ प्रज्वलन्ताविव स्थितौ । सप्तर्षीणामुदाराणां समवच्छाद्य वै प्रभाम् ॥

grahau tāmrāruṇanibhau prajvalantāviva sthitau | saptarṣīṇāmudārāṇāṃ samavacchādya vai prabhām

Two planets, copper-red, stand as if ablaze, hiding the light of the noble Seven Sages.

Verse 27 (6.3.27)

संवत्सरस्थायिनौ च ग्रहौ प्रज्वलितावुभौ । विशाखयोः समीपस्थौ बृहस्पतिशनैश्चरौ ॥

saṃvatsarasthāyinau ca grahau prajvalitāvubhau | viśākhayoḥ samīpasthau bṛhaspatiśanaiścarau

Both planets, Jupiter and Saturn, blazing and fixed for a year, stand near the twin stars of Vishakha.

Verse 28 (6.3.28)

चन्द्रादित्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकाह्ना हि त्रयोदशीम् । अपर्वणि ग्रहं यातौ प्रजासंक्षयमिच्छतः ॥

candrādityāvubhau grastāvekāhnā hi trayodaśīm | aparvaṇi grahaṃ yātau prajāsaṃkṣayamicchataḥ

The moon and the sun have both been eclipsed within a single day, on the thirteenth; seized by the eclipser at no proper juncture, they seek the destruction of creatures.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.3.29, placed here before its 6.3.26–28; the eclipse line returns as the last line of verse 32, and verse 33 opens with 6.3.29cd. The page's commentary says this verse is found in only one manuscript (झ). Corrected अपर्वमि → अपर्वणि (misprint in Wikisource; म for ण, critical edition aparvaṇi).

Verse 29 (6.3.29)

अशोभिता दिशः सर्वाः पांसुवर्षैः समन्ततः । उत्पातमेघा रौद्राश्च रात्रौ वर्षन्ति शोणितम् ॥

aśobhitā diśaḥ sarvāḥ pāṃsuvarṣaiḥ samantataḥ | utpātameghā raudrāśca rātrau varṣanti śoṇitam

All the quarters are darkened by showers of dust on every side; portentous clouds, dreadful to see, rain blood at night.

Verse 30 (6.3.30)

कृत्तिकां पीडयंस्तीक्ष्णैर्नक्षत्रं पृथिवीपते । अभीक्ष्णवाता वायन्ते धूमकेतुमवस्थिताः ॥

kṛttikāṃ pīḍayaṃstīkṣṇairnakṣatraṃ pṛthivīpate | abhīkṣṇavātā vāyante dhūmaketumavasthitāḥ

O lord of the earth, with its fierce influences the harsh planet afflicts the constellation Krittika, and gales blow without pause, gathered about the comet.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition in this form (found in the vulgate recension); its theme, a fierce planet afflicting Krittika together with a comet, parallels the critical edition's 6.3.26.

Verse 31 (6.3.31)

विषमं जनयन्त्येत आक्रन्दजननं महत् । त्रिषु पूर्वेषु सर्वेषु नक्षत्रेषु विशांपते । बुधः संपततेऽभीक्ष्णं जनयन्प्राणिनां भयम् ॥

viṣamaṃ janayantyeta ākrandajananaṃ mahat | triṣu pūrveṣu sarveṣu nakṣatreṣu viśāṃpate | budhaḥ saṃpatate'bhīkṣṇaṃ janayanprāṇināṃ bhayam

These bring about calamity and great lamentation. In all three of the "former" constellations, O lord of men, Mercury moves again and again, bringing fear to living beings.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 6.3.26d*0012 (जनयन्ति for vedayanti), not in the constituted text; lines 2–3 are 6.3.27 (प्राणिनां भयम् for sumahad bhayam).

Verse 32 (6.3.32)

चतुर्दशीं पञ्चदशीं भूतपूर्वां च षोडशीम् । इमां तु नाभिजानामि अमावास्यां त्रयोदशीम् । चन्द्रसूर्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकाह्ना हि त्रयोदशीम् ॥

caturdaśīṃ pañcadaśīṃ bhūtapūrvāṃ ca ṣoḍaśīm | imāṃ tu nābhijānāmi amāvāsyāṃ trayodaśīm | candrasūryāvubhau grastāvekāhnā hi trayodaśīm

I have known the new moon to fall on the fourteenth day, on the fifteenth, and in times past on the sixteenth; but a new moon on the thirteenth, such as this one, I have never known. The moon and the sun have both been eclipsed within a single day, on the thirteenth.

Note on the text: Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 6.3.28; line 3 is 6.3.29ab (एकाह्ना for ekamāse), repeating the first line of verse 28.

Verse 33 (6.3.33)

अपर्वणि ग्रहेणैतौ प्रजाः संक्षपयिष्यतः । मांसवर्षं पुनस्तीव्रमासीत्कृष्णचतुर्दशीम् । शोणितैर्वक्त्रसंपूर्णा अतृप्तास्तत्र राक्षसाः ॥

aparvaṇi graheṇaitau prajāḥ saṃkṣapayiṣyataḥ | māṃsavarṣaṃ punastīvramāsītkṛṣṇacaturdaśīm | śoṇitairvaktrasaṃpūrṇā atṛptāstatra rākṣasāḥ

Seized by the eclipser at no proper juncture, these two will bring creatures to ruin. Again, on the fourteenth of the dark fortnight there fell a fierce rain of flesh; and there the rakshasas, their mouths filled with blood, were still not sated.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.29cd; lines 2–3 are 6.3.31, with a different second line (critical edition ardharātre mahāghoram atṛpyaṃs tatra rākṣasāḥ). Corrected वक्रसंपूर्णा → वक्त्रसंपूर्णा (misprint in Wikisource; dropped त, the sense is "mouths filled with blood").

Verse 34 (6.3.34)

प्रतिस्रोतोवहा नद्यः सरितः शोणितोदकाः । फेनायमानाः कूपाश्च कूर्दन्ति वृषभा इव ॥

pratisrotovahā nadyaḥ saritaḥ śoṇitodakāḥ | phenāyamānāḥ kūpāśca kūrdanti vṛṣabhā iva

Rivers and streams flow against their current, their waters turned to blood; wells foam and leap like bulls.

Note on the text: The critical edition's 6.3.32ab–cd (कूर्दन्ति for nardanti); its 6.3.32ef is the first line of the next verse.

Verse 35 (6.3.35)

पतन्त्युल्काः सनिर्घाताः शक्राशनिसमप्रभाः । अद्य चैव निशां व्युष्टामनयं समवाप्स्यथ ॥

patantyulkāḥ sanirghātāḥ śakrāśanisamaprabhāḥ | adya caiva niśāṃ vyuṣṭāmanayaṃ samavāpsyatha

Meteors fall with thunderclaps, bright as Indra's thunderbolt. This very day, now that the night has passed, you will all meet with disaster.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.32ef (शक्राशनिसमप्रभाः for śuṣkāśanivimiśritāḥ); line 2 is a variant of 6.3.33ab.

Verse 36 (6.3.36)

विनिःसृत्य महोल्काभिस्तिमिरं सर्वतो दिशम् । अन्योन्यमुपतिष्ठद्भिस्तत्र चोक्तं महर्षिभिः । भूमिपालसहस्राणां भूमिः पास्यति शोणितम् ॥

viniḥsṛtya maholkābhistimiraṃ sarvato diśam | anyonyamupatiṣṭhadbhistatra coktaṃ maharṣibhiḥ | bhūmipālasahasrāṇāṃ bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam

Great meteors have burst forth and spread darkness in every direction, crowding upon one another; and of this the great sages have declared: "The earth will drink the blood of thousands of kings."

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.33cd; lines 2–3 are 6.3.34 (अन्योन्यमुपतिष्ठद्भिः for ādityam upatiṣṭhadbhiḥ).

Verse 37 (6.3.37)

कैलासमन्दराभ्यां तु तथा हिमवतो विभो । सहस्रशो महाशब्दं शिखराणि पतन्ति च ॥

kailāsamandarābhyāṃ tu tathā himavato vibho | sahasraśo mahāśabdaṃ śikharāṇi patanti ca

From Kailasa and Mandara, and from Himavat, O lord, peaks are falling by thousands with a mighty roar.

Verse 38 (6.3.38)

महाभूता भूमिकम्पे चत्वारः सागराः पृथक् । वेलामुद्वर्तयन्तीव क्षोभयन्तो वसुन्धराम् ॥

mahābhūtā bhūmikampe catvāraḥ sāgarāḥ pṛthak | velāmudvartayantīva kṣobhayanto vasundharām

In the earthquakes the four oceans, swollen huge, each seem to overrun their shores, shaking the earth.

Verse 39 (6.3.39)

वृक्षानुन्मथ्य वान्त्युग्रा वाताः शर्करकर्षिणः । आभग्नाः सुमहावातैरशनीभिः समाहताः ॥

vṛkṣānunmathya vāntyugrā vātāḥ śarkarakarṣiṇaḥ | ābhagnāḥ sumahāvātairaśanībhiḥ samāhatāḥ

Fierce winds blow, uprooting trees and driving gravel before them; trees are broken by mighty gales and struck by thunderbolts.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.3.37ab; line 2 is its star passage 6.3.37b*0013, not in the constituted text. Corrected आभग्राः → आभग्नाः (misprint in Wikisource; र for न, the apparatus reads ābhagnāḥ).

Verse 40 (6.3.40)

वृक्षाः पतन्ति चैत्याश्च ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च । नीललोहितपीतश्च भवत्यग्निर्हुतो द्विजैः ॥

vṛkṣāḥ patanti caityāśca grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca | nīlalohitapītaśca bhavatyagnirhuto dvijaiḥ

Trees and the sacred trees of shrines are falling in villages and towns. The fire into which brahmins pour oblations burns blue, red and yellow;

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.37cd; line 2 is a variant of 6.3.38ab.

Verse 41 (6.3.41)

वामार्चिर्दुष्टगन्धश्च मुञ्चन्वै दारुणं स्वनम् । स्पर्शा गन्धा रसाश्चैव विपरीता महीपते ॥

vāmārcirduṣṭagandhaśca muñcanvai dāruṇaṃ svanam | sparśā gandhā rasāścaiva viparītā mahīpate

its flames bend to the left, it gives off a foul smell and roars dreadfully. Touch, smell and taste have all turned contrary, O lord of the earth.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.3.38cd; line 2 is 6.3.38ef.

Verse 42 (6.3.42)

धूमं ध्वजाः प्रमुञ्चन्ति कम्पमाना मुहुर्मुहुः । मुञ्चन्त्यङ्गारवर्षं च भेर्यश्च पटहास्तथा ॥

dhūmaṃ dhvajāḥ pramuñcanti kampamānā muhurmuhuḥ | muñcantyaṅgāravarṣaṃ ca bheryaśca paṭahāstathā

Banners, trembling again and again, give off smoke; and kettledrums and drums shed showers of embers.

Verse 43 (6.3.43)

शिखराणां समृद्धानामुपरिष्टात्समन्ततः । वायसाश्च रुवन्त्युग्रं वामं मण्डलमाश्रिताः ॥

śikharāṇāṃ samṛddhānāmupariṣṭātsamantataḥ | vāyasāśca ruvantyugraṃ vāmaṃ maṇḍalamāśritāḥ

All around, from the tops of the tall trees, crows caw fiercely, wheeling in circles to the left.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.3.40 (crows for vultures; only the closing words vāmaṃ maṇḍalam āśritāḥ agree).

Verse 44 (6.3.44)

पक्वापक्वेति सुभृशं वावाश्यन्ते वयांसि च । निलीयन्ते ध्वजाग्रेषु क्षयाय पृथिवीक्षिताम् ॥

pakvāpakveti subhṛśaṃ vāvāśyante vayāṃsi ca | nilīyante dhvajāgreṣu kṣayāya pṛthivīkṣitām

Birds cry shrilly, "Pakva, pakva!", and perch on the tops of banners, foretelling the destruction of kings.

Note on the text: Corrected पक्वापक्वेऽतिसुभृशं → पक्वापक्वेति सुभृशं (misprint in Wikisource; the line gives the birds' cry "pakva, pakva" followed by iti, as the page's own commentary reads it and as the critical edition has pakvāpakveti subhṛśaṃ).

Verse 45 (6.3.45)

ध्यायन्तः प्रकिरन्तश्च व्याला वेपथुसंयुताः । दीनास्तुरंगमाः सर्वे वारणाः सलिलाश्रयाः ॥

dhyāyantaḥ prakirantaśca vyālā vepathusaṃyutāḥ | dīnāsturaṃgamāḥ sarve vāraṇāḥ salilāśrayāḥ

Vicious elephants stand brooding and trembling, scattering their dung; all the horses are downcast, and the elephants stream with sweat.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.3.42 (line 2 differs).

Verse 46 (6.3.46)

एवंविधं दुर्निमित्तं क्षयाय पृथिवीक्षिताम् । भौमं दिव्यं चान्तरिक्षं त्रिविधं जायतेऽनिशम् ॥

evaṃvidhaṃ durnimittaṃ kṣayāya pṛthivīkṣitām | bhaumaṃ divyaṃ cāntarikṣaṃ trividhaṃ jāyate'niśam

Such ill omens, of three kinds, of the earth, of the heavens and of the air between, are arising ceaselessly, foretelling the destruction of the rulers of the earth.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 6.3.42d*0015. Corrected पृथीवीक्षिताम् → पृथिवीक्षिताम् (misprint in Wikisource; long ई for i, as in verse 44). Removed a stray quote mark (') printed after जायतेऽनिशम्.

Verse 47 (6.3.47)

एतच्छ्रुत्वा भवानत्र प्राप्तकालं व्यवस्यताम् । यथा लोकः समुच्छेदं नायं गच्छेत भारत ॥

etacchrutvā bhavānatra prāptakālaṃ vyavasyatām | yathā lokaḥ samucchedaṃ nāyaṃ gaccheta bhārata

Now that you have heard this, decide here what the hour demands, so that this world may not come to utter ruin, O Bharata.

Verse 48 (6.3.48)

पितुर्वचो निशम्यैतद्धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् । दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये भविष्यति नरक्षयः ॥

piturvaco niśamyaitaddhṛtarāṣṭro'bravīdidam | diṣṭametatpurā manye bhaviṣyati narakṣayaḥ

Hearing these words of his father, Dhritarashtra said: "I think this was ordained long ago. The slaughter of men will come to pass.

Verse 49 (6.3.49)

राजानः क्षत्रधर्मेण यदि वध्यन्ति संयुगे । वीरलोकं समासाद्य सुखं प्राप्स्यन्ति केवलम् ॥

rājānaḥ kṣatradharmeṇa yadi vadhyanti saṃyuge | vīralokaṃ samāsādya sukhaṃ prāpsyanti kevalam

If kings are slain in battle following the law of the kshatriya, they will reach the world of heroes and win nothing but happiness.

Note on the text: Speaker: Dhritarashtra's reply, begun in the second line of verse 48 under the page's वैशंपायन उवाच heading; the page prints no heading for these verses.

Verse 50 (6.3.50)

इह कीर्तिं परे लोके दीर्घकालं महत्सुखम् । प्राप्स्यन्ति पुरुषव्याघ्राः प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा महाहवे ॥

iha kīrtiṃ pare loke dīrghakālaṃ mahatsukham | prāpsyanti puruṣavyāghrāḥ prāṇāṃstyaktvā mahāhave

Laying down their lives in the great battle, those tigers among men will win fame in this world and great happiness for long ages in the next."

Note on the text: Speaker: Dhritarashtra's reply, begun in the second line of verse 48 under the page's वैशंपायन उवाच heading; the page prints no heading for these verses.

Verse 51 (6.3.51)

एवं मुनिस्तथेत्युक्त्वा कवीन्द्रो राजसत्तम । धृतराष्ट्रेण पुत्रेण ध्यानमन्वगमत्परम् ॥

evaṃ munistathetyuktvā kavīndro rājasattama | dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa putreṇa dhyānamanvagamatparam

Saying "So be it," O best of kings, the sage, lord of poets, sank into deep thought on account of his son Dhritarashtra.

Note on the text: Corrected तथेत्सुक्त्वा → तथेत्युक्त्वा (misprint in Wikisource; स for य, as the page's own commentary reads it). The critical edition's 6.4.1 has a different first line (evam ukto munis tattvaṃ).

Verse 52 (6.3.52)

स मुहूर्तं तथा ध्यात्वा पुनरेवाब्रवीद्वचः । असंशयं पार्थिवेन्द्र कालः संक्षयते जगत् ॥

sa muhūrtaṃ tathā dhyātvā punarevābravīdvacaḥ | asaṃśayaṃ pārthivendra kālaḥ saṃkṣayate jagat

After pondering thus for a moment, he spoke again: "Without doubt, lord of kings, it is Time that destroys the world,

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.4.2 (line 1 differs: punar evābravīd vākyaṃ kālavādī mahātapāḥ).

Verse 53 (6.3.53)

सृजते च पुनर्लोकान्नेह विद्यति शाश्वतम् । ज्ञातीनां वै कुरूणां च संबन्धिसुहृदां तथा ॥

sṛjate ca punarlokānneha vidyati śāśvatam | jñātīnāṃ vai kurūṇāṃ ca saṃbandhisuhṛdāṃ tathā

and Time creates the worlds again; nothing here is everlasting. To your kinsmen, the Kurus, and to your relations and friends,

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51).

Verse 54 (6.3.54)

धर्म्यं दर्शय पन्थानं समर्थो ह्यसि वारणे । क्षुद्रं जातिवधं प्राहुर्मा कुरुष्व ममाप्रियम् ॥

dharmyaṃ darśaya panthānaṃ samartho hyasi vāraṇe | kṣudraṃ jātivadhaṃ prāhurmā kuruṣva mamāpriyam

show the righteous path, for you have the power to restrain them. The killing of one's own kind is called base; do not do what is hateful to me.

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51).

Verse 55 (6.3.55)

कालोऽयं पुत्ररूपेण तव जातो विशांपते । न वधः पूज्यते वेदे हितं नैव कथंचन ॥

kālo'yaṃ putrarūpeṇa tava jāto viśāṃpate | na vadhaḥ pūjyate vede hitaṃ naiva kathaṃcana

This is Time, born to you in the form of a son, O lord of men. Killing is not praised in the Veda; it brings no good in any way.

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51).

Verse 56 (6.3.56)

हन्यात्स एनं यो हन्यात्कुलधर्मं स्वकां तनुम् । कालेनोत्पथगन्तासि शक्ये सति यथाऽऽपदि ॥

hanyātsa enaṃ yo hanyātkuladharmaṃ svakāṃ tanum | kālenotpathagantāsi śakye sati yathā''padi

The law of one's family is one's own body; whoever destroys it is destroyed by it. Driven by Time you are taking the wrong road, though you have the power to prevent it, as if you were in dire straits.

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51). Corrected स्विकां → स्वकां and उत्पथगन्तसि → उत्पथगन्तासि (misprints in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign and a dropped ā, critical edition svakāṃ, utpathagantāsi).

Verse 57 (6.3.57)

कुलस्यास्य विनाशाय तथैव च महीक्षिताम् । अनर्थो राज्यरूपेण तव जातो विशांपते ॥

kulasyāsya vināśāya tathaiva ca mahīkṣitām | anartho rājyarūpeṇa tava jāto viśāṃpate

For the ruin of this family and of the kings of the earth, a calamity has been born to you in the shape of a kingdom, O lord of men.

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51).

Verse 58 (6.3.58)

लुप्तधर्मा परेणासि धर्मं दर्शय वै सुतान् । किं ते राज्येन दुर्धर्ष येन प्राप्तोऽसि किल्विषम् ॥

luptadharmā pareṇāsi dharmaṃ darśaya vai sutān | kiṃ te rājyena durdharṣa yena prāpto'si kilviṣam

Your sense of right is utterly lost; show your sons what dharma is. What good to you, unassailable king, is a kingdom through which you have incurred sin?

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51). Corrected दुर्धर्षयेन → दुर्धर्ष येन (misprint in Wikisource; the vocative दुर्धर्ष and the relative येन run together into a non-word, critical edition durdharṣa yena).

Verse 59 (6.3.59)

यशो धर्मं च कीर्तिं च पालयन्स्वर्गमाप्स्यसि । लभन्तां पाण्डवा राज्यं शमं गच्छन्तु कौरवाः ॥

yaśo dharmaṃ ca kīrtiṃ ca pālayansvargamāpsyasi | labhantāṃ pāṇḍavā rājyaṃ śamaṃ gacchantu kauravāḥ

Guarding your good name, dharma and renown, you will attain heaven. Let the Pandavas have the kingdom, and let the Kauravas find peace."

Note on the text: Speaker: Vyasa's speech, begun in the second line of verse 52; the page prints no heading here (these verses fall under its वैशंपायन उवाच heading before verse 51).

Verse 60 (6.3.60)

एवं ब्रुवति विप्रेन्द्रे धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः । प्रशस्य वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यं चैवाब्रवीत्पुनः ॥

evaṃ bruvati viprendre dhṛtarāṣṭro'mbikāsutaḥ | praśasya vākyaṃ vākyajño vākyaṃ caivābravītpunaḥ

As the chief of brahmins spoke thus, Dhritarashtra, son of Ambika, a master of speech, praised his words and spoke in turn.

Verse 61 (6.3.61)

यथा भवान्वेत्ति तथैव वेत्ता । भावाभावौ विदितौ मे यथार्थौ । स्वार्थे हि संमुह्यति तात लोको । मां चापि लोकात्मकमेव विद्धि ॥

yathā bhavānvetti tathaiva vettā | bhāvābhāvau viditau me yathārthau | svārthe hi saṃmuhyati tāta loko | māṃ cāpi lokātmakameva viddhi

As you know, so do I know; the coming into being and the passing away of things are known to me as they truly are. But where its own interest is at stake the world is bewildered, dear father; know me too to be one with the world.

Verse 62 (6.3.62)

प्रसादये त्वामतुलप्रभावं । त्वं नो गतिर्दर्शयिता च धीरः । न चापि ते वशगा मे सुताश्च । न चाधर्मं कर्तुमर्हा हि मे मतिः ॥

prasādaye tvāmatulaprabhāvaṃ | tvaṃ no gatirdarśayitā ca dhīraḥ | na cāpi te vaśagā me sutāśca | na cādharmaṃ kartumarhā hi me matiḥ

I seek your favour, you whose power is beyond compare; you are our refuge and our steadfast guide. My sons do not obey me, and it is not in my mind to do wrong.

Verse 63 (6.3.63)

त्वं हि धर्मः पवित्रं च यशः कीर्तिर्धृतिः स्मृतिः । कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च मान्यश्चापि पितामहः ॥

tvaṃ hi dharmaḥ pavitraṃ ca yaśaḥ kīrtirdhṛtiḥ smṛtiḥ | kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca mānyaścāpi pitāmahaḥ

For you are dharma, purity, good name, renown, steadfastness and memory; you are the honoured grandsire of the Kurus and the Pandavas.

Verse 64 (6.3.64)

वैचित्रवीर्य नृपते यत्ते मनसि वर्तते । अभिधत्स्व यथाकामं छेत्ताऽस्मि तव संशयम् ॥

vaicitravīrya nṛpate yatte manasi vartate | abhidhatsva yathākāmaṃ chettā'smi tava saṃśayam

Son of Vichitravirya, O king, say freely whatever is in your mind; I will cut through your doubt.

Verse 65 (6.3.65)

यानि लिङ्गानि संग्रामे भवन्ति विजयिष्यताम् । तानि सर्वाणि भगवञ्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वतः ॥

yāni liṅgāni saṃgrāme bhavanti vijayiṣyatām | tāni sarvāṇi bhagavañchrotumicchāmi tattvataḥ

Lord, I wish to hear truly all the signs that appear in battle for those who are going to win.

Verse 66 (6.3.66)

प्रसन्नभाः पावक ऊर्ध्वरश्मिः । प्रदक्षिणावर्तशिखो विधूमः । पुण्या गन्धाश्चाहुतीनां प्रवान्ति । जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥

prasannabhāḥ pāvaka ūrdhvaraśmiḥ | pradakṣiṇāvartaśikho vidhūmaḥ | puṇyā gandhāścāhutīnāṃ pravānti | jayasyaitadbhāvino rūpamāhuḥ

When the sacrificial fire burns with a clear light, its rays rising upward, its flame turning to the right and without smoke, and the oblations give off a holy fragrance, this, they say, is the sign of victory to come.

Verse 67 (6.3.67)

गम्भीरघोषाश्च महास्वनाश्च । शङ्खा मृदङ्गाश्च नदन्ति यत्र । विशुद्धरश्मिस्तपनः शशी च । जयस्यैतद्भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥

gambhīraghoṣāśca mahāsvanāśca | śaṅkhā mṛdaṅgāśca nadanti yatra | viśuddharaśmistapanaḥ śaśī ca | jayasyaitadbhāvino rūpamāhuḥ

Where conches and drums sound with a deep, mighty roar, and the sun and the moon shine with clear rays, this, they say, is the sign of victory to come.

Note on the text: Corrected जयस्येतद् → जयस्यैतद् (misprint in Wikisource; ए for ऐ, as in the refrain of verse 66 and in the critical edition, jayasyaitad).

Verse 68 (6.3.68)

इष्टा वाचः प्रसृता वायसानां । संप्रस्थितानां च गमिष्यतां च । ये पृष्ठतस्ते त्वरयन्ति राज- । न्ये चाग्रतस्ते प्रतिषेधयन्ति ॥

iṣṭā vācaḥ prasṛtā vāyasānāṃ | saṃprasthitānāṃ ca gamiṣyatāṃ ca | ye pṛṣṭhataste tvarayanti rāja- | nye cāgrataste pratiṣedhayanti

The cries of crows are welcome to those who have set out and to those about to march: those that call from behind hasten them on, O king, and those that call from in front hold them back.

Verse 69 (6.3.69)

कल्याणवाचः शकुना राजहंसाः । शुकाः क्रौञ्चाः शतपत्राश्च यत्र । प्रदक्षिणाश्चैव भवन्ति सङ्ख्ये । ध्रुवं जयस्तत्र वदन्ति विप्राः ॥

kalyāṇavācaḥ śakunā rājahaṃsāḥ | śukāḥ krauñcāḥ śatapatrāśca yatra | pradakṣiṇāścaiva bhavanti saṅkhye | dhruvaṃ jayastatra vadanti viprāḥ

Where birds of auspicious voice, royal swans, parrots, krauncha cranes and shatapatra birds, circle to the right in battle, there, the brahmins say, victory is certain.

Verse 70 (6.3.70)

अलंकारैः कवचैः केतुभिश्च । सुखप्रणादैर्हेषितैर्वा हयानाम् । भ्राजिष्मती दुष्प्रतिवीक्षणीया । येषां चमूस्ते विजयन्ति शत्रून् ॥

alaṃkāraiḥ kavacaiḥ ketubhiśca | sukhapraṇādairheṣitairvā hayānām | bhrājiṣmatī duṣprativīkṣaṇīyā | yeṣāṃ camūste vijayanti śatrūn

Those whose army is radiant with ornaments, armour and standards, and with the glad sounds and neighing of horses, so bright that it is hard to look upon, conquer their enemies.

Verse 71 (6.3.71)

हृष्टा वाचस्तथा सत्त्वं योधानां यत्र भारत । न म्लायन्ति स्रजश्चैव ते तरन्ति रणोदधिम् ॥

hṛṣṭā vācastathā sattvaṃ yodhānāṃ yatra bhārata | na mlāyanti srajaścaiva te taranti raṇodadhim

Where the warriors' words are cheerful and their spirit high, O Bharata, and their garlands do not wither, they cross the ocean of battle.

Note on the text: Corrected सत्वं → सत्त्वं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped त, critical edition sattvaṃ).

Verse 72 (6.3.72)

प्रयाणे वायसो वामे दक्षिणे प्रविविक्षताम् । पश्चात्संसाधयत्यर्थं पुरस्तात्प्रतिषेधति ॥

prayāṇe vāyaso vāme dakṣiṇe pravivikṣatām | paścātsaṃsādhayatyarthaṃ purastātpratiṣedhati

For those setting out a crow on the left is good, and for those about to enter the enemy's land one on the right; from behind it brings the undertaking to success, from in front it forbids it.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.4.22 (line 1 differs: iṣṭo vātaḥ praviṣṭasya dakṣiṇā pravivikṣataḥ). Removed a stray quote mark and a doubled verse-end mark (।। ') printed after the verse.

Verse 73 (6.3.73)

शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शगन्धाश्चाविकृताः शुभाः । सदा हर्षश्च योधानां जयतामिह लक्षणम् ॥

śabdarūparasasparśagandhāścāvikṛtāḥ śubhāḥ | sadā harṣaśca yodhānāṃ jayatāmiha lakṣaṇam

Sounds, sights, tastes, touches and smells that are undistorted and pleasant, and constant cheer among the warriors: this is the mark of those who win.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.4.23 (चाविकृताः for cāviṣkṛtāḥ; line 2 differs).

Verse 74 (6.3.74)

अनुगा वायवो वान्ति तथाऽभ्राणि वयांसि च । अनुप्लवन्ति मेघाश्च तथैवेन्द्रधनूंषि च ॥

anugā vāyavo vānti tathā'bhrāṇi vayāṃsi ca | anuplavanti meghāśca tathaivendradhanūṃṣi ca

The winds blow behind them, and so do the clouds and the birds; rain-clouds and rainbows too follow in their train.

Verse 75 (6.3.75)

एतानि जयमानानां लक्षणानि विशांपते । भवन्ति विपरीतानि मुमूर्षूणां जनाधिप ॥

etāni jayamānānāṃ lakṣaṇāni viśāṃpate | bhavanti viparītāni mumūrṣūṇāṃ janādhipa

These, O lord of men, are the marks of those who are winning; for those who are about to die, ruler of the people, they are reversed.

Verse 76 (6.3.76)

अल्पायां वा महत्यां वा सेनायामिति निश्चयः । हर्षो योधगणस्यैको जयलक्षणमुच्यते ॥

alpāyāṃ vā mahatyāṃ vā senāyāmiti niścayaḥ | harṣo yodhagaṇasyaiko jayalakṣaṇamucyate

Whether the army is small or large, this is certain: the cheer of the body of warriors is called the one sign of victory.

Verse 77 (6.3.77)

एको दीर्णो दारयति सेनां सुमहतीमपि । तां दीर्णामनुदीर्यन्ते योधाः शूरतरा अपि ॥

eko dīrṇo dārayati senāṃ sumahatīmapi | tāṃ dīrṇāmanudīryante yodhāḥ śūratarā api

A single man who breaks and runs can break even a very great army; and when it breaks, even the bravest warriors break and run after it.

Verse 78 (6.3.78)

दुर्निवर्त्या तदा चैव प्रभग्ना महती चमूः । अपामिव महावेगा त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव ॥

durnivartyā tadā caiva prabhagnā mahatī camūḥ | apāmiva mahāvegā trastā mṛgagaṇā iva

Then a great army, once broken, is hard to turn back, like a mighty rush of water, or like a frightened herd of deer.

Note on the text: Corrected वमूः → चमूः and मगगणा → मृगगणा (misprints in Wikisource; व for च and a dropped vowel sign, critical edition camūḥ, mṛgagaṇā).

Verse 79 (6.3.79)

नैव शक्या समाधातुं सन्निपाते महाचमूः । दीर्ण इत्येव दीर्यन्ते सुविद्वांसोऽपि भारत ॥

naiva śakyā samādhātuṃ sannipāte mahācamūḥ | dīrṇa ityeva dīryante suvidvāṃso'pi bhārata

Once a great host is locked in battle it cannot be rallied; at the mere cry "It is broken!" even the most skilled break and flee, O Bharata.

Note on the text: A variant of the critical edition's 6.4.29ab–cd; its 6.4.29ef is the first line of the next verse.

Verse 80 (6.3.80)

भीतान्भग्नांश्च संप्रेक्ष्य भयं भूयोऽभिवर्धते । प्रभग्ना सहसा राजन्दिशो विद्रवते चमूः । नैव स्थापयितुं शक्या शूरैरपि महाचमूः ॥

bhītānbhagnāṃśca saṃprekṣya bhayaṃ bhūyo'bhivardhate | prabhagnā sahasā rājandiśo vidravate camūḥ | naiva sthāpayituṃ śakyā śūrairapi mahācamūḥ

Seeing others frightened and broken, fear grows greater still; the broken army suddenly scatters to every quarter, O king, and so great a host cannot be held even by heroes.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.4.29ef (अभिवर्धते for vivardhate); lines 2–3 are 6.4.30 (विद्रवते चमूः for vibhrāmitā paraiḥ).

Verse 81 (6.3.81)

सत्कृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरङ्गां महीपतिः । उपायपूर्वं मेधावी यतेत सततोत्थितः ॥

satkṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturaṅgāṃ mahīpatiḥ | upāyapūrvaṃ medhāvī yateta satatotthitaḥ

Having honoured his great fourfold army, a wise king should strive, ever on the alert, by first using stratagems.

Verse 82 (6.3.82)

उपायविजयं श्रेष्ठमाहुर्भेदेन मध्यमम् । जघन्य एष विजयो यो युद्धेन विशांपते ॥

upāyavijayaṃ śreṣṭhamāhurbhedena madhyamam | jaghanya eṣa vijayo yo yuddhena viśāṃpate

Victory won by stratagem is called the best, victory by sowing dissension the middling; and the lowest victory, O lord of men, is the one won by battle.

Note on the text: The critical edition's 6.4.32ab–cd; its 6.4.32ef is the first line of the next verse.

Verse 83 (6.3.83)

महान्दोषः सन्निपातस्तस्याद्यः क्षय उच्यते । परस्परज्ञाः संहृष्टा व्यवधूताः सुनिश्चिताः ॥

mahāndoṣaḥ sannipātastasyādyaḥ kṣaya ucyate | parasparajñāḥ saṃhṛṣṭā vyavadhūtāḥ suniścitāḥ

Pitched battle is a great evil; its first fruit is said to be destruction. Men who know one another, who are cheerful, free of ties at home and firmly resolved,

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of the critical edition's 6.4.32ef (तस्याद्यः क्षय उच्यते for tato vyaṅgaḥ sa ucyate); line 2 is 6.4.33ab.

Verse 84 (6.3.84)

अपि पञ्चाशतं शूरा मृद्गन्ति महतीं चमूम् । अपि वा पञ्च षट् सप्त विजयन्त्यनिवर्तिनः ॥

api pañcāśataṃ śūrā mṛdganti mahatīṃ camūm | api vā pañca ṣaṭ sapta vijayantyanivartinaḥ

even fifty such heroes can crush a great army; or even five, six or seven who never turn back win the victory.

Note on the text: Corresponds to the critical edition's 6.4.33cd–ef, with variants (अपि पञ्चाशतं शूरा मृद्गन्ति for pañcāśad api ye śūrā mathnanti).

Verse 85 (6.3.85)

न वैनतेयो गरुडः प्रशंसति महाजनम् । दृष्ट्वा सुपर्णोऽपचितिं महत्या अपि भारत ॥

na vainateyo garuḍaḥ praśaṃsati mahājanam | dṛṣṭvā suparṇo'pacitiṃ mahatyā api bhārata

Garuda, son of Vinata, the fair-winged one, does not think highly of a great multitude, O Bharata, for he has seen that a vast host can be overthrown by one alone.

Verse 86 (6.3.86)

न बाहुल्येन सेनाया जयो भवति नित्यशः । अध्रुवो हि जयो नाम दैवं चात्र परायणम् । जयवन्तो हि संग्रामे कृतकृत्या भवन्ति हि ॥

na bāhulyena senāyā jayo bhavati nityaśaḥ | adhruvo hi jayo nāma daivaṃ cātra parāyaṇam | jayavanto hi saṃgrāme kṛtakṛtyā bhavanti hi

Victory does not always come from the size of an army. Victory is uncertain by nature, and in it fate is the final resort. Those who win in battle are the ones who achieve their purpose.