Dhrishtadyumna Chosen as Commander; the Pandavas March to Kurukshetra

Verse 1 (5.151.1)

जनार्दनवचः श्रुत्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः । भ्रातॄनुवाच धर्मात्मा समक्षं केशवस्य ह ॥

janārdanavacaḥ śrutvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ | bhrātṝnuvāca dharmātmā samakṣaṃ keśavasya ha

Having heard Janardana's words, Yudhishthira, the righteous king of dharma, spoke to his brothers in Keshava's presence.

Verse 2 (5.151.2)

श्रुतं भवद्भिर्यद्वृत्तं सभायां कुरुसंसदि । केशवस्यापि यद्वाक्यं तत्सर्वमवधारितम् ॥

śrutaṃ bhavadbhiryadvṛttaṃ sabhāyāṃ kurusaṃsadi | keśavasyāpi yadvākyaṃ tatsarvamavadhāritam

"You have heard what happened in the hall, in the assembly of the Kurus, and you have taken in everything that Keshava said as well.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Yudhishthira: his address to his brothers, announced in verse 1, fills verses 2–8 with no printed heading in Wikisource (the input carried वैशंपायन over).

Verse 3 (5.151.3)

तस्मात्सेनाविभागं मे कुरुध्वं नरसत्तमाः । अक्षौहिण्यश्च सप्तैताः समेता विजयाय वै ॥

tasmātsenāvibhāgaṃ me kurudhvaṃ narasattamāḥ | akṣauhiṇyaśca saptaitāḥ sametā vijayāya vai

"So divide my army for me, best of men. These seven akshauhinis have gathered here for victory.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 4 (5.151.4)

तासां ये पतयः सप्त विख्यातास्तान्निबोधत । द्रुपदश्च विराटश्च धृष्टद्युम्नशिखण्डिनौ ॥

tāsāṃ ye patayaḥ sapta vikhyātāstānnibodhata | drupadaśca virāṭaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśikhaṇḍinau

"Hear who are the seven renowned leaders of these: Drupada, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 5 (5.151.5)

सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च भीमसेनश्च वीर्यवान् । एते सेनाप्रणेतारो वीराः सर्वे तनुत्यजः ॥

sātyakiścekitānaśca bhīmasenaśca vīryavān | ete senāpraṇetāro vīrāḥ sarve tanutyajaḥ

"Satyaki, Chekitana, and mighty Bhimasena. These are the leaders of the army, all of them heroes ready to lay down their lives.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 6 (5.151.6)

सर्वे वेदविदः शूराः सर्वे सुचरितव्रताः । ह्रीमन्तो नीतिमन्तश्च सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥

sarve vedavidaḥ śūrāḥ sarve sucaritavratāḥ | hrīmanto nītimantaśca sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ

"All of them know the Vedas and are brave, all have kept their vows well; they are modest and wise in policy, all of them skilled in war,

Note on the text: Corrected सुचिरितव्रताः → सुचरितव्रताः (misprint in Wikisource; stray i-mark, critical edition sucaritavratāḥ). Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 7 (5.151.7)

इष्वस्त्रकुशलाः सर्वे तथा सर्वास्त्रयोधिनः । सप्तानामपि यो नेता सेनानां प्रविभागवित् ॥

iṣvastrakuśalāḥ sarve tathā sarvāstrayodhinaḥ | saptānāmapi yo netā senānāṃ pravibhāgavit

"all of them expert with bow and arrow and able to fight with every weapon. Now, the man who can lead all seven armies and knows how to marshal forces,

Note on the text: Wikisource divides these lines differently from the critical edition: line 1 is 5.149.6ef, line 2 is 5.149.7ab. Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 8 (5.151.8)

यः सहेत रणे भीष्मं शरार्चिःपावकोपमम् । तं तावत्सहदेवात्र प्रब्रूहि कुरुनन्दन । स्वगतं पुरुषव्याघ्र को नः सेनापतिः क्षमः ॥

yaḥ saheta raṇe bhīṣmaṃ śarārciḥpāvakopamam | taṃ tāvatsahadevātra prabrūhi kurunandana | svagataṃ puruṣavyāghra ko naḥ senāpatiḥ kṣamaḥ

"and who could withstand in battle Bhishma, who is like a fire whose flames are arrows — name that man first, Sahadeva, joy of the Kurus. In your own judgement, tiger among men, who is fit to be our commander?"

Note on the text: Corrected भीष्णं → भीष्मं (misprint in Wikisource; the printed form is not a word, critical edition bhīṣmaṃ). Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.7cd; lines 2–3 are 5.149.8 (reading त्वं for तं and svamataṃ for स्वगतं). Speaker set to Yudhishthira (see verse 2).

Verse 9 (5.151.9)

संयुक्त एकदुःखश्च वीर्यवांश्च महीपतिः । यं समाश्रित्य धर्मज्ञं स्वमंशमनुयुञ्ज्महे ॥

saṃyukta ekaduḥkhaśca vīryavāṃśca mahīpatiḥ | yaṃ samāśritya dharmajñaṃ svamaṃśamanuyuñjmahe

"Bound to us by kinship, sharing our sorrow as his own, a mighty king who knows dharma, on whose support we rely to claim our own share —

Verse 10 (5.151.10)

मत्स्यो विराटो बलवान्कृतास्त्रो युद्धदुर्मदः । प्रसहिष्यति सङ्‌ग्रामे भीष्मं तांश्च महारथान् ॥

matsyo virāṭo balavānkṛtāstro yuddhadurmadaḥ | prasahiṣyati saṅgrāme bhīṣmaṃ tāṃśca mahārathān

"Virata of the Matsyas, strong, master of weapons, fierce in battle — he will withstand Bhishma and those great chariot-warriors in the fight."

Verse 11 (5.151.11)

तथोक्ते सहदेवेन वाक्ये वाक्यविशारदः । नकुलोऽनन्तरं तस्मादिदं वचनमाददे ॥

tathokte sahadevena vākye vākyaviśāradaḥ | nakulo'nantaraṃ tasmādidaṃ vacanamādade

When Sahadeva had said this, Nakula, skilled in speech, spoke next and said:

Verse 12 (5.151.12)

वयसा शास्त्रतो धैर्यात्कुलेनाभिजनेन च । ह्रीमान्बलान्वितः श्रीमान्सर्वशास्त्रविशारदः ॥

vayasā śāstrato dhairyātkulenābhijanena ca | hrīmānbalānvitaḥ śrīmānsarvaśāstraviśāradaḥ

"Eminent in age, learning, steadiness, family and descent, modest, strong and illustrious, versed in every science,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Nakula: his speech, announced in verse 11, fills verses 12–17 with no printed heading in Wikisource (nor in the critical edition).

Verse 13 (5.151.13)

वेद चास्त्रं भारद्वाजाद्दुर्धर्षः सत्यसङ्गरः । यो नित्यं स्पर्धते द्रोणं भीष्मं चैव महाबलम् ॥

veda cāstraṃ bhāradvājāddurdharṣaḥ satyasaṅgaraḥ | yo nityaṃ spardhate droṇaṃ bhīṣmaṃ caiva mahābalam

"who learned the science of arms from Bharadvaja, hard to overcome and true to his word, who has always been the rival of Drona and of mighty Bhishma,

Note on the text: Corrected भारद्वाजाहुर्धर्षः → भारद्वाजाद्दुर्धर्षः (misprint in Wikisource; ह for द्द, critical edition bharadvājād durdharṣaḥ). Speaker set to Nakula (see verse 12).

Verse 14 (5.151.14)

श्लाघ्यः पार्थिववंशस्य प्रमुखे वाहिनीपतिः । पुत्रपौत्रैः परिवृतः शतशाख इव द्रुमः ॥

ślāghyaḥ pārthivavaṃśasya pramukhe vāhinīpatiḥ | putrapautraiḥ parivṛtaḥ śataśākha iva drumaḥ

"honoured in the line of kings, a leader of armies at the forefront, surrounded by sons and grandsons like a tree with a hundred branches,

Note on the text: Corrected पुत्रपौत्रेः → पुत्रपौत्रैः (misprint in Wikisource; e-mark for ai-mark, critical edition putrapautraiḥ). Speaker set to Nakula (see verse 12).

Verse 15 (5.151.15)

यस्तताप तपो घोरं सदारः पृथिवीपतिः । रोषाद्द्रोणविनाशाय वीरः समितिशोभनः ॥

yastatāpa tapo ghoraṃ sadāraḥ pṛthivīpatiḥ | roṣāddroṇavināśāya vīraḥ samitiśobhanaḥ

"the lord of the earth who, with his wife, practised fierce austerities in his anger to bring about Drona's destruction, a hero who shines in battle,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Nakula (see verse 12).

Verse 16 (5.151.16)

पितेवास्मान्समाधत्ते यः सदा पार्थिवर्षभः । श्वशुरो द्रुपदोऽस्माकं सेनाग्रं स प्रकर्षतु ॥

pitevāsmānsamādhatte yaḥ sadā pārthivarṣabhaḥ | śvaśuro drupado'smākaṃ senāgraṃ sa prakarṣatu

"that bull among kings who has always looked after us like a father — let Drupada, our father-in-law, lead the army at its head.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Nakula (see verse 12).

Verse 17 (5.151.17)

स द्रोणभीष्मावायातौ सहेदिति मतिर्मम । स हि दिव्यास्त्रविद्राजा सखा चाङ्गिरसो नृपः ॥

sa droṇabhīṣmāvāyātau sahediti matirmama | sa hi divyāstravidrājā sakhā cāṅgiraso nṛpaḥ

"I believe he can withstand Drona and Bhishma when they come on, for that king knows the divine weapons and was the friend of Drona of Angiras's line."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Nakula (see verse 12).

Verse 18 (5.151.18)

माद्रीसुताभ्यामुक्ते तु स्वमते कुरुनन्दनः । वासविर्वासवसमः सव्यसाच्यब्रवीद्वचः ॥

mādrīsutābhyāmukte tu svamate kurunandanaḥ | vāsavirvāsavasamaḥ savyasācyabravīdvacaḥ

When the two sons of Madri had given their views, the joy of the Kurus, the left-handed archer, Vasava's son and Vasava's equal, spoke these words:

Verse 19 (5.151.19)

योयं तपःप्रभावेन ऋषिसन्तोषणेन च । दिव्यः पुरुष उत्पन्नो ज्वालावर्णो महाभुजः ॥

yoyaṃ tapaḥprabhāvena ṛṣisantoṣaṇena ca | divyaḥ puruṣa utpanno jvālāvarṇo mahābhujaḥ

"This divine man, born through the power of austerity and the favour of sages, flame-coloured and mighty-armed,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Arjuna: his speech, announced in verse 18, fills verses 19–28 with no printed heading in Wikisource (nor in the critical edition).

Verse 20 (5.151.20)

धनुष्मान्कवची खड्गी रथमारुह्य दंशितः । दिव्यैर्हयवरैर्युक्तमग्निकुण्डात्समुत्थितः ॥

dhanuṣmānkavacī khaḍgī rathamāruhya daṃśitaḥ | divyairhayavarairyuktamagnikuṇḍātsamutthitaḥ

"who rose from the fire-pit with bow, armour and sword, already mailed and mounted on a chariot yoked with fine divine horses,

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्गी → खड्गी (misprint in Wikisource; ङ्ग for ड्ग, critical edition khaḍgī). Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 21 (5.151.21)

गर्जन्निव महामेघो रथघोषेण वीर्यवान् । सिंहसंहननो वीरः सिंहतुल्यपराक्रमः ॥

garjanniva mahāmegho rathaghoṣeṇa vīryavān | siṃhasaṃhanano vīraḥ siṃhatulyaparākramaḥ

"roaring like a great cloud with the thunder of his chariot, mighty, built like a lion, a hero with a lion's valour,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 22 (5.151.22)

सिंहोरस्कः सिंहभुजः सिंहवक्षा महाबलः । सिंहप्रगर्जनो वीरः सिंहस्कन्धो महाद्युतिः ॥

siṃhoraskaḥ siṃhabhujaḥ siṃhavakṣā mahābalaḥ | siṃhapragarjano vīraḥ siṃhaskandho mahādyutiḥ

"lion-chested, lion-armed, with a lion's breast, of great strength, roaring like a lion, a hero with a lion's shoulders and great splendour,

Note on the text: Corrected संहस्कन्धो → सिंहस्कन्धो (misprint in Wikisource; dropped i-mark, critical edition siṃhaskandho). Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 23 (5.151.23)

सुभ्रूः सुदंष्ट्रः सुहनुः सुबाहुः सुमुखोऽकृशः । सुजत्रुः सुविशालाक्षः सुपादः सुप्रतिष्ठितः ॥

subhrūḥ sudaṃṣṭraḥ suhanuḥ subāhuḥ sumukho'kṛśaḥ | sujatruḥ suviśālākṣaḥ supādaḥ supratiṣṭhitaḥ

"with fine brows, fine teeth, a fine jaw, fine arms and a fine face, well built, with fine collarbones, large fine eyes and fine feet, firmly planted,

Note on the text: Corrected शुभ्रूः → सुभ्रूः (misprint in Wikisource; श for स breaks the run of su- compounds, critical edition subhrūḥ). Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 24 (5.151.24)

अभेद्यः सर्वशस्त्राणां प्रभिन्न इव वारणः । जज्ञे द्रोणविनाशाय सत्यवादी जितेन्द्रियः ॥

abhedyaḥ sarvaśastrāṇāṃ prabhinna iva vāraṇaḥ | jajñe droṇavināśāya satyavādī jitendriyaḥ

"proof against every weapon, like an elephant in rut — he was born for Drona's destruction, truthful and master of his senses.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 25 (5.151.25)

धृष्टद्युम्नमहं मन्ये सहेद्भीष्मस्य सायकान् । वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शान्दीप्तास्यानुरगानिव ॥

dhṛṣṭadyumnamahaṃ manye sahedbhīṣmasya sāyakān | vajrāśanisamasparśāndīptāsyānuragāniva

"I think it is Dhrishtadyumna who can bear Bhishma's arrows, which strike like thunderbolts and lightning and are like serpents with blazing mouths,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 26 (5.151.26)

यमदूतसमान्वेगे निपाते पावकोपमान् । रामेणाजौ विषहितान्वज्रनिष्पेषदारुणान् ॥

yamadūtasamānvege nipāte pāvakopamān | rāmeṇājau viṣahitānvajraniṣpeṣadāruṇān

"like Yama's messengers in speed, like fire where they fall, as dreadful as the crushing blow of a thunderbolt — arrows that Rama once withstood in battle.

Note on the text: Corrected विषिहितान् → विषहितान् (misprint in Wikisource; stray i-mark, critical edition viṣahitān). Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 27 (5.151.27)

पुरुषं तं न पश्यामि यः सहेत महाव्रतम् । धृष्टद्युम्नमृते राजन्निति मे धीयते मतिः ॥

puruṣaṃ taṃ na paśyāmi yaḥ saheta mahāvratam | dhṛṣṭadyumnamṛte rājanniti me dhīyate matiḥ

"I see no man, O king, who could withstand that hero of the great vow except Dhrishtadyumna; that is my firm judgement.

Note on the text: Corrected पुरुष तं → पुरुषं तं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped anusvara, critical edition puruṣaṃ taṃ). Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 28 (5.151.28)

क्षिप्रहस्तश्चित्रयोधी मतः सेनापतिर्मम । अभेद्यकवचः श्रीमान्मातङ्ग इव यूथपः ॥

kṣiprahastaścitrayodhī mataḥ senāpatirmama | abhedyakavacaḥ śrīmānmātaṅga iva yūthapaḥ

"Quick of hand, a master of many ways of fighting, with armour that cannot be pierced, glorious as the leader of an elephant herd — he is the commander I favour."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Arjuna (see verse 19).

Verse 29 (5.151.29)

अर्जुनेनैवमुक्ते तु भीमो वाक्यं समाददे ॥

arjunenaivamukte tu bhīmo vākyaṃ samādade

When Arjuna had spoken thus, Bhima took up the word.

Note on the text: First line of Wikisource verse 29, split off as narration: the page prints it between a backtick and a quote mark (removed) as an inserted line introducing Bhima's speech. 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 5.149.28d*0540, before the heading भीम उवाच.

Verse 30 (5.151.30)

वधार्थं यः समुत्पन्नः शिखण्डी द्रुपदात्मजः । वदन्ति सिद्धा राजेन्द्र ऋषयश्च समागताः ॥

vadhārthaṃ yaḥ samutpannaḥ śikhaṇḍī drupadātmajaḥ | vadanti siddhā rājendra ṛṣayaśca samāgatāḥ

"The perfected beings and the assembled sages say, king of kings, that Shikhandi, Drupada's son, was born to bring about Bhishma's death.

Note on the text: Second and third lines of Wikisource verse 29, split off after the narrative line above. Speaker set to Bhima (the critical edition heads this verse भीम उवाच; Wikisource prints no heading). His speech runs to Wikisource verse 32.

Verse 31 (5.151.31)

यस्य सङ्ग्राममध्ये तु दिव्यमस्त्रं प्रकुर्वतः । रूपं द्रक्ष्यन्ति पुरुषा रामस्येव महात्मनः ॥

yasya saṅgrāmamadhye tu divyamastraṃ prakurvataḥ | rūpaṃ drakṣyanti puruṣā rāmasyeva mahātmanaḥ

"When he looses divine weapons in the thick of battle, men will see in him a form like that of the great-souled Rama.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhima (see verse 30).

Verse 32 (5.151.32)

न तं युद्धे प्रपश्यामि यो भिन्द्यात्तु शिखण्डिनम् । शस्त्रेण समरे राजन्सन्नद्धं स्यन्दने स्थितम् ॥

na taṃ yuddhe prapaśyāmi yo bhindyāttu śikhaṇḍinam | śastreṇa samare rājansannaddhaṃ syandane sthitam

"I see no one in battle, O king, who could pierce Shikhandi with a weapon in the fight when he stands armoured on his chariot.

Note on the text: Corrected शिखण्डिनाम् → शिखण्डिनम् (misprint in Wikisource; genitive plural where the accusative singular is needed, critical edition śikhaṇḍinam). Corrected सन्नद्वं → सन्नद्धं (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct, critical edition saṃnaddhaṃ). Speaker set to Bhima (see verse 30).

Verse 33 (5.151.33)

द्वैरथे समरे नान्यो भीष्मं हन्यान्महाव्रतम् । शिखण्डिनमृते वीरं स मे सेनापतिर्मतः ॥

dvairathe samare nānyo bhīṣmaṃ hanyānmahāvratam | śikhaṇḍinamṛte vīraṃ sa me senāpatirmataḥ

"In single combat between chariots no one but the hero Shikhandi could slay Bhishma of the great vow. He is the commander I favour."

Note on the text: Speaker set to Bhima (see verse 30).

Verse 34 (5.151.34)

सर्वस्य जगतस्तात सारासारं बलाबलम् । सर्वं जानाति धर्मात्मा मतमेषां च केशवः ॥

sarvasya jagatastāta sārāsāraṃ balābalam | sarvaṃ jānāti dharmātmā matameṣāṃ ca keśavaḥ

"Dear brothers, the righteous Keshava knows the strength and weakness, the worth and worthlessness, of the whole world, and he knows the views of all these men.

Note on the text: Corrected बालाबलम् → बलाबलम् (misprint in Wikisource; long ā in बल, critical edition balābalam).

Verse 35 (5.151.35)

यमाह कृष्णो दाशार्हः सोऽस्तु सेनापतिर्मम । कृतास्त्रोप्यकृतास्त्रो वा वृद्धो वा यदि वा युवा ॥

yamāha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ so'stu senāpatirmama | kṛtāstropyakṛtāstro vā vṛddho vā yadi vā yuvā

"Let the man whom Krishna of the Dasharhas names be my commander, whether he is skilled in arms or not, old or young.

Verse 36 (5.151.36)

एष नो विजये मूलमेष तात विपर्यये । अत्र प्राणाश्च राज्यं च भावाभावौ सुखासुखे ॥

eṣa no vijaye mūlameṣa tāta viparyaye | atra prāṇāśca rājyaṃ ca bhāvābhāvau sukhāsukhe

"He is the root of our victory, dear brothers, and of our defeat; in him rest our lives and our kingdom, our being and not-being, our joy and sorrow.

Verse 37 (5.151.37)

एष धाता विधाता च सिद्धिरत्र प्रतिष्ठिता । यमाह कृष्णो दाशार्हः सोस्तु नो वाहिनीपतिः ॥

eṣa dhātā vidhātā ca siddhiratra pratiṣṭhitā | yamāha kṛṣṇo dāśārhaḥ sostu no vāhinīpatiḥ

"He is the creator and the ordainer; success rests in him. Let the man whom Krishna of the Dasharhas names be the leader of our host.

Verse 38 (5.151.38)

ब्रवीतु वदतां श्रेष्ठो निशा समभिवर्तते । ततः सेनापतिं कृत्वा कृष्णस्य वशवर्तिनः ॥

bravītu vadatāṃ śreṣṭho niśā samabhivartate | tataḥ senāpatiṃ kṛtvā kṛṣṇasya vaśavartinaḥ

"Let the best of speakers say it, for the night is wearing on. Then, having appointed a commander and keeping to Krishna's will,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.36ef; line 2 is 5.149.37ab.

Verse 39 (5.151.39)

रात्रेः शेषे व्यतिक्रान्ते प्रयास्यामो रणाजिरम् । अधिवासितशस्त्राश्च कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाः ॥

rātreḥ śeṣe vyatikrānte prayāsyāmo raṇājiram | adhivāsitaśastrāśca kṛtakautukamaṅgalāḥ

"we shall set out for the field of battle when the rest of the night has passed, with our weapons worshipped and the auspicious rites performed."

Note on the text: This verse is the critical edition's 5.149.37cdef.

Verse 40 (5.151.40)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा धर्मराजस्य धीमतः । अब्रवीत्पुण्डरीकाक्षो धनञ्जयमवेक्ष्य ह ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā dharmarājasya dhīmataḥ | abravītpuṇḍarīkākṣo dhanañjayamavekṣya ha

Hearing these words of the wise king of dharma, the lotus-eyed one looked at Dhananjaya and said:

Verse 41 (5.151.41)

ममाप्येते महाराज भवद्भिर्य उदाहृताः । नेतारस्तव सेनाया मता विक्रान्तयोधिनः ॥

mamāpyete mahārāja bhavadbhirya udāhṛtāḥ | netārastava senāyā matā vikrāntayodhinaḥ

"I too, great king, hold that these whom you have all named are fit to lead your army, warriors of proven valour.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Vasudeva: Krishna's reply, announced in verse 40, fills Wikisource verses 40–49a (verses 41–50 here) with no printed heading in Wikisource (nor in the critical edition); the input carried वैशंपायन over. Lines 1–2 are the critical edition's 5.149.39abcd.

Verse 42 (5.151.42)

सर्व एव समर्था हि तव शत्रुं प्रबाधितुम् । इन्द्रस्यापि भयं ह्येते जनयेयुर्महाहवे ॥

sarva eva samarthā hi tava śatruṃ prabādhitum | indrasyāpi bhayaṃ hyete janayeyurmahāhave

"Every one of them is able to crush your enemy; in a great battle they could strike fear into Indra himself —

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.39ef; line 2 is 5.149.40ab. Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 43 (5.151.43)

किं पुनर्धार्तराष्ट्राणां लुब्धानां पापचेतसाम् । मयापि हि महाबाहो त्वत्प्रियार्थं महाहवे ॥

kiṃ punardhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ lubdhānāṃ pāpacetasām | mayāpi hi mahābāho tvatpriyārthaṃ mahāhave

"how much more the greedy, evil-minded sons of Dhritarashtra! I too, mighty-armed one, for your sake, with this great war in view,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.40cd; line 2 is 5.149.41ab. Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 44 (5.151.44)

कृतो यत्नो महांस्तत्र शमः स्यादिति भारत । धर्मस्य गतमानृण्यं न स्म वाच्या विवक्षताम् ॥

kṛto yatno mahāṃstatra śamaḥ syāditi bhārata | dharmasya gatamānṛṇyaṃ na sma vācyā vivakṣatām

"made a great effort there, Bharata, so that there might be peace. Our debt to dharma is paid; those who would find fault can say nothing against us.

Note on the text: This verse is the critical edition's 5.149.41cdef. Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 45 (5.151.45)

कृतार्थं मन्यते बाल आत्मानमविचक्षणः । धार्तराष्ट्रो बलस्थं च पश्यत्यात्मानमातुरः ॥

kṛtārthaṃ manyate bāla ātmānamavicakṣaṇaḥ | dhārtarāṣṭro balasthaṃ ca paśyatyātmānamāturaḥ

"That foolish son of Dhritarashtra, lacking all discernment, thinks he has already gained his end; sick at heart, he sees himself as secure in his strength.

Note on the text: Corrected आत्मनमविचक्षणः → आत्मानमविचक्षणः (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ā, critical edition ātmānam). Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 46 (5.151.46)

युज्यतां वाहिनी साधु वधसाध्या हि मे मताः । न धार्तराष्ट्राः शक्ष्यन्ति स्थातुं दृष्ट्वा धनञ्जयम् ॥

yujyatāṃ vāhinī sādhu vadhasādhyā hi me matāḥ | na dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ śakṣyanti sthātuṃ dṛṣṭvā dhanañjayam

"Let the army be well harnessed, for I hold that they are doomed to be slain. The sons of Dhritarashtra will not be able to stand once they see Dhananjaya,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 47 (5.151.47)

भीमसेनं च सङ्क्रुद्धं यमौ चापि यमोपमौ । युयुधानं द्वितीयं च धृष्टद्युम्नममर्षणम् ॥

bhīmasenaṃ ca saṅkruddhaṃ yamau cāpi yamopamau | yuyudhānaṃ dvitīyaṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnamamarṣaṇam

"and Bhimasena in his fury, and the twins who are like Yama, and unforgiving Dhrishtadyumna with Yuyudhana at his side,

Note on the text: Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 48 (5.151.48)

अभिमन्युं द्रौपदेयान्विराटद्रुपदावपि । अक्षौहिणीपतींश्चान्यान्नरेन्द्रान्भीमविक्रमान् ॥

abhimanyuṃ draupadeyānvirāṭadrupadāvapi | akṣauhiṇīpatīṃścānyānnarendrānbhīmavikramān

"Abhimanyu, the sons of Draupadi, Virata and Drupada, and the other lords of akshauhinis, kings of fearsome valour.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 49 (5.151.49)

सारवद्बलमस्माकं दुष्प्रधर्षं दुरासदम् । धार्तराष्ट्रबलं सङ्ख्ये हनिष्यति न संशयः ॥

sāravadbalamasmākaṃ duṣpradharṣaṃ durāsadam | dhārtarāṣṭrabalaṃ saṅkhye haniṣyati na saṃśayaḥ

"Our army is strong, hard to assail and hard to approach; without doubt it will destroy the army of Dhritarashtra's son in battle.

Note on the text: Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 50 (5.151.50)

धृष्टद्युम्नमहं मन्ये सेनापतिमरिन्दम ॥

dhṛṣṭadyumnamahaṃ manye senāpatimarindama

"It is Dhrishtadyumna I would have as commander, tamer of foes."

Note on the text: First line of Wikisource verse 49 (row 5-151-49a), split off because the page prints the heading वैशंपायन उवाच before the verse's second line. 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 5.149.46d*0541. Speaker set to Vasudeva (see verse 41).

Verse 51 (5.151.51)

एवमुक्ते तु कृष्णेन संप्राहृष्यन्नरोत्तमाः ॥

evamukte tu kṛṣṇena saṃprāhṛṣyannarottamāḥ

When Krishna had spoken thus, those best of men were filled with joy.

Note on the text: Second line of Wikisource verse 49 (row 5-151-49b), split off at the heading वैशंपायन उवाच printed before it. It is the critical edition's 5.149.47ab.

Verse 52 (5.151.52)

तेषां प्रहृष्टमनसां नादः समभवन्महान् । योग इत्यथ सैन्यानां त्वरतां संप्रधावताम् ॥

teṣāṃ prahṛṣṭamanasāṃ nādaḥ samabhavanmahān | yoga ityatha sainyānāṃ tvaratāṃ saṃpradhāvatām

A great shout went up from them in their joy, and then the cry "Make ready!" ran through the armies as men hurried and rushed about.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.47cd; line 2 is 5.149.48ab.

Verse 53 (5.151.53)

हयवारणशब्दाश्च नेमिघोषाश्च सर्वतः । शङ्खदुन्दुभिघोषाश्च तुमुलाः सर्वतोऽभवन् ॥

hayavāraṇaśabdāśca nemighoṣāśca sarvataḥ | śaṅkhadundubhighoṣāśca tumulāḥ sarvato'bhavan

The noise of horses and elephants and the rumble of wheels arose on every side, and the din of conches and drums grew tumultuous everywhere.

Note on the text: This verse is the critical edition's 5.149.48cdef.

Verse 54 (5.151.54)

तदुग्रं सागरनिभं क्षुब्धं बलसमागमम् । रथपत्तिगजोदग्रं महोर्मिभिरिवाकुलम् ॥

tadugraṃ sāgaranibhaṃ kṣubdhaṃ balasamāgamam | rathapattigajodagraṃ mahormibhirivākulam

That fierce mass of gathering forces was like the ocean in turmoil, towering with chariots, foot-soldiers and elephants, tossing as if with mighty waves.

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 5.149.48f*0542, lines 1–2. Corrected तद्रुग्रं → तदुग्रं (misprint in Wikisource; stray r-stroke, *0542 tad ugraṃ). Corrected गजोदयं → गजोदग्रं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ग्र, *0542 gajodagraṃ).

Verse 55 (5.151.55)

धावतामाह्वयानानां तनुत्राणि च बध्नताम् । प्रयास्यतां पाण्डवानां ससैन्यानां समन्ततः ॥

dhāvatāmāhvayānānāṃ tanutrāṇi ca badhnatām | prayāsyatāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ sasainyānāṃ samantataḥ

As the Pandavas and their troops ran about on every side, calling to one another, buckling on their armour and making ready to march,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's star passage 5.149.48f*0542, line 3; line 2 is 5.149.49ab. Corrected आहुयानानां → आह्वयानानां (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct, *0542 āhvayānānāṃ).

Verse 56 (5.151.56)

गङ्गेव पूर्णा दुर्धर्षा समदृश्यत वाहिनी । अग्रानीके भीमसेनो माद्रीपुत्रौ च दंशितौ ॥

gaṅgeva pūrṇā durdharṣā samadṛśyata vāhinī | agrānīke bhīmaseno mādrīputrau ca daṃśitau

the host looked like the Ganga in full flood, impossible to withstand. In the van went Bhimasena and the two sons of Madri in their mail,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 5.149.49cd; line 2 is 5.149.50ab.

Verse 57 (5.151.57)

सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः । प्रभद्रकाश्च पञ्चाला भीमसेनमुखा ययुः ॥

saubhadro draupadeyāśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ | prabhadrakāśca pañcālā bhīmasenamukhā yayuḥ

Subhadra's son, the sons of Draupadi, Dhrishtadyumna son of Prishata, and the Prabhadrakas and Panchalas — they marched with Bhimasena at their head.

Note on the text: Corrected धृष्टद्युम्नस्य → धृष्टद्युम्नश्च (misprint in Wikisource; a genitive that cannot construe in this list of subjects, critical edition dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca). This verse is the critical edition's 5.149.50cdef.

Verse 58 (5.151.58)

ततः शब्दः समभवत्समुद्रस्येव पर्वणि । हृष्टानां संप्रयातानां घोषो दिवमिवास्पृशत् ॥

tataḥ śabdaḥ samabhavatsamudrasyeva parvaṇi | hṛṣṭānāṃ saṃprayātānāṃ ghoṣo divamivāspṛśat

Then a sound arose like that of the ocean at the turn of the moon; the roar of those joyful men setting out seemed to touch the sky.

Note on the text: Corrected सुमुद्रस्येव → समुद्रस्येव (misprint in Wikisource; u-mark for a, critical edition samudrasyeva). Second line restored from the critical edition (5.149.51cd): Wikisource prints only the first line and leaves row 5-151-56b blank.

Verse 59 (5.151.59)

प्रहृष्टा दंशिता योधाः परानीकविदारणाः । तेषां मध्ये ययौ राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥

prahṛṣṭā daṃśitā yodhāḥ parānīkavidāraṇāḥ | teṣāṃ madhye yayau rājā kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

The warriors marched joyful and armoured, breakers of enemy ranks, and in their midst went the king, Yudhishthira son of Kunti.

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (5.149.52): Wikisource numbers this verse (rows 5-151-57a/b) but leaves both lines blank; the critical edition's sequence 5.149.51–54 matches Wikisource 56–59 verse for verse.

Verse 60 (5.151.60)

शकटापणवेशाश्च यानयुग्यं च सर्वशः । कोशयन्त्रायुधं चैव ये च वैद्याश्चिकित्सकाः ॥

śakaṭāpaṇaveśāśca yānayugyaṃ ca sarvaśaḥ | kośayantrāyudhaṃ caiva ye ca vaidyāścikitsakāḥ

The carts, the market stalls and the lodgings, every kind of vehicle and draught animal, the treasury, the engines of war and the weapons, and the physicians and healers,

Note on the text: Restored from the critical edition (5.149.53): Wikisource numbers this verse (rows 5-151-58a/b) but leaves both lines blank. The page's own commentary note on verse 58 glosses शकटाः and आपणः, confirming that this is the verse lost.

Verse 61 (5.151.61)

फल्गु यच्च बलं किंचिद्यच्चापि कृशदुर्बलम् । तत्सङ्गृह्य ययौ राजा ये चापि परिचारकाः ॥

phalgu yacca balaṃ kiṃcidyaccāpi kṛśadurbalam | tatsaṅgṛhya yayau rājā ye cāpi paricārakāḥ

whatever part of the force was weak, whatever was thin and feeble, and the attendants too — the king gathered all of these and took them with him.

Note on the text: Corrected यच्चं → यच्च (misprint in Wikisource; stray anusvara, critical edition yac ca).

Verse 62 (5.151.62)

उपप्लाव्ये तु पाञ्चाली द्रौपदी सत्यवादिनी । सह स्त्रीभिर्निववृते दासीदाससमावृता ॥

upaplāvye tu pāñcālī draupadī satyavādinī | saha strībhirnivavṛte dāsīdāsasamāvṛtā

At Upaplavya, Draupadi, the truthful princess of the Panchalas, turned back with the women, attended by her maids and servants.

Note on the text: Corrected निनवृते → निववृते (misprint in Wikisource; न for व, critical edition nivavṛte).

Verse 63 (5.151.63)

कृत्वा मूलप्रतीकारं गुल्मैः स्थावरजङ्गमैः । स्कन्धावारेण महता प्रययुः पाण्डुनन्दनाः ॥

kṛtvā mūlapratīkāraṃ gulmaiḥ sthāvarajaṅgamaiḥ | skandhāvāreṇa mahatā prayayuḥ pāṇḍunandanāḥ

Having provided for the safety of those left behind, with fixed posts and moving patrols, the sons of Pandu set out with a great army.

Verse 64 (5.151.64)

ददतो गां हिरण्यं च ब्राह्मणैरभिसंवृताः । स्तूयमाना ययू राजन्रथैर्मणिविभूषितैः ॥

dadato gāṃ hiraṇyaṃ ca brāhmaṇairabhisaṃvṛtāḥ | stūyamānā yayū rājanrathairmaṇivibhūṣitaiḥ

Giving away cows and gold, surrounded by brahmins and praised by them, they went on, O king, in chariots adorned with jewels.

Verse 65 (5.151.65)

केकया धृष्टकेतुश्च पुत्रः काश्यस्य चाभिभूः । श्रेणिमान्वसुदानश्च शिखण्डी चापराजितः ॥

kekayā dhṛṣṭaketuśca putraḥ kāśyasya cābhibhūḥ | śreṇimānvasudānaśca śikhaṇḍī cāparājitaḥ

The Kekayas, Dhrishtaketu, Abhibhu son of the king of Kashi, Shrenimat, Vasudana, and the unconquered Shikhandi —

Verse 66 (5.151.66)

हृष्टास्तुष्टाः कवचिनः सशस्त्राः समलङ्कृताः । राजानमन्वयुः सर्वे परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम् ॥

hṛṣṭāstuṣṭāḥ kavacinaḥ saśastrāḥ samalaṅkṛtāḥ | rājānamanvayuḥ sarve parivārya yudhiṣṭhiram

all of them joyful and content, armoured, armed and adorned, followed the king, surrounding Yudhishthira.

Verse 67 (5.151.67)

जघनार्धे विराटश्च याज्ञसेनिश्च सौमकिः । सुधर्मा कुन्तिभोजश्च धृष्टद्युम्नस्य चात्मजाः ॥

jaghanārdhe virāṭaśca yājñaseniśca saumakiḥ | sudharmā kuntibhojaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnasya cātmajāḥ

In the rear went Virata, the Somaka son of Yajnasena, Sudharman, Kuntibhoja and the sons of Dhrishtadyumna,

Verse 68 (5.151.68)

रथायुतानि चत्वारि हयाः पञ्चगुणास्तथा । पत्तिसैन्यं दशगुणं गजानामयुतानि षट् ॥

rathāyutāni catvāri hayāḥ pañcaguṇāstathā | pattisainyaṃ daśaguṇaṃ gajānāmayutāni ṣaṭ

with forty thousand chariots, five times as many horses, ten times as many foot-soldiers, and sixty thousand elephants.

Verse 69 (5.151.69)

अनाधृष्टिश्चेकितानो धृष्टकेतुश्च सात्यकिः । परिवार्य ययुः सर्वे वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ ॥

anādhṛṣṭiścekitāno dhṛṣṭaketuśca sātyakiḥ | parivārya yayuḥ sarve vāsudevadhanañjayau

Anadhrishti, Chekitana, Dhrishtaketu and Satyaki all went forward surrounding Vasudeva and Dhananjaya.

Verse 70 (5.151.70)

आसाद्य तु कुरुक्षेत्रं व्यूढानीकाः प्रहारिणः । पाण्डवाः समदृश्यन्त नर्दन्तो वृषभा इव ॥

āsādya tu kurukṣetraṃ vyūḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ | pāṇḍavāḥ samadṛśyanta nardanto vṛṣabhā iva

Reaching Kurukshetra with their ranks drawn up, the Pandavas, eager to strike, looked like bellowing bulls.

Verse 71 (5.151.71)

तेऽवगाह्य कुरुक्षेत्रं शङ्खान्दध्मुररिन्दमाः । तथैव दध्मतुः शङ्खं वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ ॥

te'vagāhya kurukṣetraṃ śaṅkhāndadhmurarindamāḥ | tathaiva dadhmatuḥ śaṅkhaṃ vāsudevadhanañjayau

Entering Kurukshetra, those tamers of foes blew their conches, and Vasudeva and Dhananjaya blew theirs as well.

Verse 72 (5.151.72)

पाञ्चजन्यस्य निर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः । निशम्य सर्वसैन्यानि समहृष्यन्त सर्वशः ॥

pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ | niśamya sarvasainyāni samahṛṣyanta sarvaśaḥ

Hearing the blast of the Panchajanya, like the crash of a thunderbolt, all the troops everywhere thrilled with joy.

Note on the text: Corrected समहष्यन्त → समहृष्यन्त (misprint in Wikisource; dropped ṛ-mark, critical edition samahṛṣyanta; the page's own commentary also reads समहृष्यन्त).

Verse 73 (5.151.73)

शङ्खदुन्दुभिसंहृष्टः सिंहनादस्तरस्विनाम् । पृथिवीं चान्तरिक्षं च सागरांश्चान्वनादयत् ॥

śaṅkhadundubhisaṃhṛṣṭaḥ siṃhanādastarasvinām | pṛthivīṃ cāntarikṣaṃ ca sāgarāṃścānvanādayat

The lion-roar of those mighty men, roused by conches and drums, made the earth, the sky and the oceans ring.