Krishna Cautions Arjuna

Verse 1 (7.75.1)

प्रतिज्ञाते तु पार्थेन सिन्धुराजवधे तदा । वासुदेवो महाबाहुर्धनञ्जयमभाषत ॥

pratijñāte tu pārthena sindhurājavadhe tadā | vāsudevo mahābāhurdhanañjayamabhāṣata

When Partha had made his vow about the killing of the king of Sindhu, mighty-armed Vasudeva spoke to Dhananjaya.

Verse 2 (7.75.2)

भ्रातॄणां मतमज्ञाय त्वया वाचा प्रतिश्रुतम् । सैन्धवं चास्मि हन्तेति तत्साहसमिदं कृतम् ॥

bhrātṝṇāṃ matamajñāya tvayā vācā pratiśrutam | saindhavaṃ cāsmi hanteti tatsāhasamidaṃ kṛtam

"Without having learned your brothers' minds, you gave your word, saying 'I shall kill Saindhava' — this was a rash thing to do.

Note on the text: Given to Vasudeva: verses 2–12 are Krishna's speech (the input carried over Sanjaya; the page prints no new heading until verse 25). Line 1 reads मतमज्ञाय ("without having learned"; the page's commentary explains the a as a negation) where the critical edition has "matam ājñāya"; line 2 is worded differently there ("saindhavaṃ śvo 'smi hanteti tat sāhasatamaṃ kṛtam"). Wikisource's reading is kept.

Verse 3 (7.75.3)

असम्मन्त्र्य मया सार्धमतिभारोऽयमुद्यतः । कथं तु सर्वलोकस्य नावहास्या भवेमहि ॥

asammantrya mayā sārdhamatibhāro'yamudyataḥ | kathaṃ tu sarvalokasya nāvahāsyā bhavemahi

You have taken up this heavy burden without consulting me. How shall we not become a laughing-stock to all the world?

Verse 4 (7.75.4)

धार्तराष्ट्रस्य शिबिरे ये तु प्रणिहिताश्चराः । त इमे शीघ्रमागम्य प्रवृत्तिं वेदयन्ति नः ॥

dhārtarāṣṭrasya śibire ye tu praṇihitāścarāḥ | ta ime śīghramāgamya pravṛttiṃ vedayanti naḥ

The spies who were placed in the camp of Dhritarashtra's son have come back quickly and are telling us what has happened.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads ये तु प्रणिहिताश्चराः ("the spies who were placed") where the critical edition has "mayā praṇihitāś carāḥ" (variant).

Verse 5 (7.75.5)

त्वया वै सम्प्रतिज्ञाते सिन्धुराजवधे प्रभो । सिंहनादः सवादित्रः सुमहानिह तैः श्रुतः ॥

tvayā vai sampratijñāte sindhurājavadhe prabho | siṃhanādaḥ savāditraḥ sumahāniha taiḥ śrutaḥ

When you made your vow about the killing of the king of Sindhu, O lord, they heard a very great lion-roar there, with the sound of instruments.

Verse 6 (7.75.6)

तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ता धार्तराष्ट्राः ससैन्धवाः । नाकस्मात्सिंहनादोऽयमिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः ॥

tena śabdena vitrastā dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ sasaindhavāḥ | nākasmātsiṃhanādo'yamiti matvā vyavasthitāḥ

Alarmed by that sound, the Dhartarashtras and the Saindhavas stood fast, thinking: "This lion-roar is no chance thing."

Verse 7 (7.75.7)

सुमहाञ्शब्दसम्पातः कौरवाणां महाभुज । आसीन्नागाश्वपत्तीनां रथघोषश्च भैरवः ॥

sumahāñśabdasampātaḥ kauravāṇāṃ mahābhuja | āsīnnāgāśvapattīnāṃ rathaghoṣaśca bhairavaḥ

A huge din broke out among the Kauravas, O mighty-armed one, from elephants, horses and foot-soldiers, and the dreadful rattle of chariots.

Verse 8 (7.75.8)

अभिमन्योर्वधं श्रुत्वा ध्रुवमार्तो धनञ्जयः । रात्रौ निर्यास्यति क्रोधादिति मत्वा व्यवस्थिताः ॥

abhimanyorvadhaṃ śrutvā dhruvamārto dhanañjayaḥ | rātrau niryāsyati krodhāditi matvā vyavasthitāḥ

"Surely Dhananjaya, grieved at hearing of Abhimanyu's death, will march out at night in his rage" — thinking so, they stood ready.

Note on the text: Corrected क्रोधातिति → क्रोधादिति (misprint in Wikisource; त for द, the critical edition reads "krodhād iti"). Corrected मत्त्वा → मत्वा (misprint in Wikisource; a doubled त, the critical edition reads matvā).

Verse 9 (7.75.9)

तैश्चारेभ्य इयं कृत्स्ना श्रुता सत्यवतस्तव । प्रतिज्ञा सिन्धुराजस्य वधे राजीवलोचन ॥

taiścārebhya iyaṃ kṛtsnā śrutā satyavatastava | pratijñā sindhurājasya vadhe rājīvalocana

From their spies they learned all of this vow of yours, O lotus-eyed one whose word is true, to kill the king of Sindhu.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads तैश्चारेभ्य इयं कृत्स्ना श्रुता where the critical edition has "tair yatadbhir iyaṃ satyā śrutā" (variant).

Verse 10 (7.75.10)

ततो विमनसः सर्वे त्रस्ताः क्षुद्रमृगा इव । आसन्सुयोधनामात्याः स च राजा जयद्रथः ॥

tato vimanasaḥ sarve trastāḥ kṣudramṛgā iva | āsansuyodhanāmātyāḥ sa ca rājā jayadrathaḥ

Then all of Suyodhana's ministers, and King Jayadratha himself, became despondent, frightened like small deer.

Verse 11 (7.75.11)

अथोत्थाय सहामात्यैर्दीनः स्वशिविरात्किल । अयात्सौवीरसिन्धूनामीश्वरो राजसंसदम् ॥

athotthāya sahāmātyairdīnaḥ svaśivirātkila | ayātsauvīrasindhūnāmīśvaro rājasaṃsadam

Then, it is said, the dejected lord of the Sauviras and Sindhus rose from his own tent with his ministers and went to the royal council.

Note on the text: Both lines are worded differently from CE 7.53.11 ("athotthāya sahāmātyair dīnaḥ śibiram ātmanaḥ / āyāt sauvīrasindhūnām īśvaro bhṛśaduḥkhitaḥ"); Wikisource's reading is kept.

Verse 12 (7.75.12)

स मन्त्रकाले संमन्त्र्य सर्वां नैश्रेयसीं क्रियाम् । सुयोधनमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीद्राजसंसदि ॥

sa mantrakāle saṃmantrya sarvāṃ naiśreyasīṃ kriyām | suyodhanamidaṃ vākyamabravīdrājasaṃsadi

At the time of counsel, having considered every course that would bring him good, he spoke these words to Suyodhana in the royal assembly:

Note on the text: Line 1 reads सर्वां नैश्रेयसीं क्रियाम् where the critical edition has "sarvā naiḥśreyasīḥ kriyāḥ" (variant).

Verse 13 (7.75.13)

मामसौ पुत्रहन्तेति श्वोऽभियाता धनञ्जयः । प्रतिज्ञातो हि सेनाया मध्ये तेन वधो मम ॥

māmasau putrahanteti śvo'bhiyātā dhanañjayaḥ | pratijñāto hi senāyā madhye tena vadho mama

"Dhananjaya will come against me tomorrow, thinking 'He is the slayer of my son.' In the midst of the army he has vowed my death.

Note on the text: Given to Jayadratha: verses 13–16 and 19–24 are his own words within Krishna's report (the input carried over Sanjaya).

Verse 14 (7.75.14)

तां न देवा न गन्धर्वा नासुरोरगराक्षसाः । उत्सहन्तेऽन्यथा कर्तुं प्रतिज्ञां सव्यसाचिनः ॥

tāṃ na devā na gandharvā nāsuroragarākṣasāḥ | utsahante'nyathā kartuṃ pratijñāṃ savyasācinaḥ

Neither gods nor gandharvas, nor asuras, serpents or rakshasas can make that vow of Savyasachin otherwise.

Verse 15 (7.75.15)

ते मां रक्षत सङ्ग्रामे मा वो मूर्ध्नि धनञ्जयः । पदं कृत्वाऽऽप्नुयाल्लक्ष्यं युक्तं प्रतिविधीयताम् ॥

te māṃ rakṣata saṅgrāme mā vo mūrdhni dhanañjayaḥ | padaṃ kṛtvā''pnuyāllakṣyaṃ yuktaṃ pratividhīyatām

So guard me in battle, lest Dhananjaya set his foot upon your heads and reach his mark. Let a fitting arrangement be made.

Note on the text: Line 2 is worded differently from the critical edition ("padaṃ kṛtvāpnuyāl lakṣyaṃ tasmād atra vidhīyatām"); Wikisource's reading is kept.

Verse 16 (7.75.16)

अथ रक्षा न मे सम्यक्क्रियते कुरुनन्दन । अनुजानीहि मां राजन्गमिष्यामि गृहान्प्रति ॥

atha rakṣā na me samyakkriyate kurunandana | anujānīhi māṃ rājangamiṣyāmi gṛhānprati

But if I am not properly guarded, O delight of the Kurus, then give me leave, O king; I shall go home."

Verse 17 (7.75.17)

एवमुक्तस्त्ववाक्शीर्षो विमनाः स सुयोधनः । श्रुत्वा तं समयं तस्य ध्यानमेवान्वपद्यत ॥

evamuktastvavākśīrṣo vimanāḥ sa suyodhanaḥ | śrutvā taṃ samayaṃ tasya dhyānamevānvapadyata

Addressed thus, Suyodhana, downcast and with head bowed, heard that condition of his and fell into thought.

Note on the text: Corrected ससुयोधनः → स सुयोधनः (misprint in Wikisource; the space between स and सुयोधनः was lost, "with Suyodhana" makes no sense of a sentence about Suyodhana himself, and the critical edition reads "sa suyodhanaḥ"). Line 2 is worded differently from the critical edition ("śrutvābhiśaptavantaṃ tvāṃ dhyānam evānvapadyata"); Wikisource's reading is kept.

Verse 18 (7.75.18)

तमार्तमभिसम्प्रेक्ष्य राजा किल स सैन्धवः । मृदु चात्महितं चैव सापेक्षमिदमुक्तवान् ॥

tamārtamabhisamprekṣya rājā kila sa saindhavaḥ | mṛdu cātmahitaṃ caiva sāpekṣamidamuktavān

Seeing him distressed, the king of the Saindhavas, it is said, spoke these words, mild, mindful of his own good and full of expectation:

Verse 19 (7.75.19)

नेह पश्यामि भवतां तथावीर्यं धनुर्धरम् । योऽर्जुनस्यास्त्रमस्त्रेण प्रतिहन्यान्महाहवे ॥

neha paśyāmi bhavatāṃ tathāvīryaṃ dhanurdharam | yo'rjunasyāstramastreṇa pratihanyānmahāhave

"I do not see among you any archer of such prowess as could meet Arjuna's weapon with a weapon in the great battle.

Verse 20 (7.75.20)

वासुदेवसहायस्य गाण्डीवं धुन्वतो धनुः । कोऽर्जुनस्याग्रतस्तिष्ठेत्साक्षादपि शतक्रतुः ॥

vāsudevasahāyasya gāṇḍīvaṃ dhunvato dhanuḥ | ko'rjunasyāgratastiṣṭhetsākṣādapi śatakratuḥ

Who could stand before Arjuna, with Vasudeva for his helper, as he shakes the Gandiva — even Shatakratu himself?

Verse 21 (7.75.21)

महेश्वरोऽपि पार्थेन श्रूयते योधितः पुरा । पदातिना महावीर्यो गिरौ हिमवति प्रभुः ॥

maheśvaro'pi pārthena śrūyate yodhitaḥ purā | padātinā mahāvīryo girau himavati prabhuḥ

It is heard that long ago, on the mountain Himavat, even Maheshvara, the mighty lord, was fought by Partha, who was on foot.

Note on the text: Corrected योधिनः → योधितः (misprint in Wikisource; न for त, योधिनः does not fit the sense, the critical edition reads yodhitaḥ).

Verse 22 (7.75.22)

दानवानां सहस्राणि हिरण्यपुरवासिनाम् । जघानैकरथेनैव देवराजप्रचोदितः ॥

dānavānāṃ sahasrāṇi hiraṇyapuravāsinām | jaghānaikarathenaiva devarājapracoditaḥ

He killed thousands of Danavas, dwellers of Hiranyapura, with a single chariot, urged on by the king of the gods.

Verse 23 (7.75.23)

समायुक्तो हि कौन्तेयो वासुदेवेन धीमता । सामरानपि लोकांस्त्रीन्हन्यादिति मतिर्मम ॥

samāyukto hi kaunteyo vāsudevena dhīmatā | sāmarānapi lokāṃstrīnhanyāditi matirmama

Joined with the wise Vasudeva, the son of Kunti could, I think, destroy even the three worlds with their immortals.

Note on the text: Corrected बासुदेवेन → वासुदेवेन (misprint in Wikisource; ब for व, the poem version and the critical edition read vāsudevena).

Verse 24 (7.75.24)

सोऽहमिच्छाम्यनुज्ञातुं रक्षितुं वा महात्मना । द्रोणेन सहपुत्रेण वीरेण यदि मन्यसे ॥

so'hamicchāmyanujñātuṃ rakṣituṃ vā mahātmanā | droṇena sahaputreṇa vīreṇa yadi manyase

So I wish either to be given leave to go, or, if you think fit, to be protected by great-souled Drona, the hero, together with his son."

Verse 25 (7.75.25)

स राज्ञा स्वयमाचार्यो भृशमत्रार्थितोऽर्जुन । संविधानं च विहितं रथाश्च किल सज्जिताः ॥

sa rājñā svayamācāryo bhṛśamatrārthito'rjuna | saṃvidhānaṃ ca vihitaṃ rathāśca kila sajjitāḥ

The Teacher himself, Arjuna, has been earnestly entreated by the king; arrangements have been made, and the chariots, it is said, are made ready.

Note on the text: Line 1 reads भृशमत्रार्थितः ("earnestly entreated in this matter") where the critical edition has "bhṛśam ākrandito" (variant).

Verse 26 (7.75.26)

कर्णो भूरिश्रवा द्रौणिर्वृषसेनश्च दुर्जयः । कृपश्च मद्रराजश्च षडेतेऽस्य पुरोगमाः ॥

karṇo bhūriśravā drauṇirvṛṣasenaśca durjayaḥ | kṛpaśca madrarājaśca ṣaḍete'sya purogamāḥ

Karna, Bhurishravas, Drona's son, the invincible Vrishasena, Kripa, and the king of Madra — these six will be at his front.

Verse 27 (7.75.27)

शकटः पद्मपश्चार्धो व्यूहो द्रोणेन निर्मितः । पद्मकर्णिकमध्यस्थः सूची पार्श्वे जयद्रथः ॥

śakaṭaḥ padmapaścārdho vyūho droṇena nirmitaḥ | padmakarṇikamadhyasthaḥ sūcī pārśve jayadrathaḥ

The array Drona has made is a wagon whose rear half is a lotus. In the middle of the lotus's seed-cup, with the needle-formation at his side, Jayadratha will stand,

Note on the text: Corrected पद्मकश्चार्धो → पद्मपश्चार्धो (misprint in Wikisource; क for प, the page's own commentary glosses "padmapaścārdha" and the critical edition reads "padmapaś cārdho"). Lines 1–2 are CE 7.53.27a and 27c; line 1 reads निर्मितः and line 2 पार्श्वे where the critical edition has "kalpitaḥ" and "pāśe" (variants).

Verse 28 (7.75.28)

स्थास्यते रक्षिते वीरैः सिन्धुराट् स सुदुर्मदः । धनुष्यस्त्रे च वीर्ये च प्राणे चैव तथौरसे ॥

sthāsyate rakṣite vīraiḥ sindhurāṭ sa sudurmadaḥ | dhanuṣyastre ca vīrye ca prāṇe caiva tathaurase

that exceedingly arrogant king of Sindhu, guarded by heroes — in bow-craft, in weapons, in valour, in vital strength, and in power of chest —

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 7.53.27e (reading रक्षिते वीरैः सिन्धुराट् स सुदुर्मदः where the critical edition has "rakṣito vīraiḥ sindhurāḍ yuddhadurmadaiḥ"); line 2 is 7.53.28a.

Verse 29 (7.75.29)

अविषह्यतमा ह्येते निश्चिताः पार्थ षड्रथाः । एतानजित्वा सगणान्नैव प्राप्यो जयद्रथः ॥

aviṣahyatamā hyete niścitāḥ pārtha ṣaḍrathāḥ | etānajitvā sagaṇānnaiva prāpyo jayadrathaḥ

these six chariot-warriors, Partha, are the hardest to withstand, and are resolved. Without conquering them and their followers, Jayadratha cannot be reached.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 7.53.28c; line 2 is 28e.

Verse 30 (7.75.30)

तेषामेकैकशो वीर्यं षण्णां त्वमनुचिन्तय । सहिता हि नरव्याघ्र न शक्या जेतुमञ्जसा ॥

teṣāmekaikaśo vīryaṃ ṣaṇṇāṃ tvamanucintaya | sahitā hi naravyāghra na śakyā jetumañjasā

Weigh the prowess of those six, one by one. United, O tiger among men, they cannot easily be conquered.

Verse 31 (7.75.31)

भूयस्तु मन्त्रयिष्यामि नीतिमात्महिताय वै । मन्त्रज्ञैः सचिवैः सार्धं सुहृद्भिः कार्यसिद्धये ॥

bhūyastu mantrayiṣyāmi nītimātmahitāya vai | mantrajñaiḥ sacivaiḥ sārdhaṃ suhṛdbhiḥ kāryasiddhaye

And I shall deliberate further on a course for our own good, with counsellors versed in counsel and with friends, so that the task may succeed."