ślōkaḥ
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvācha
dharmakṣētrē kurukṣētrē samavētā yuyutsavaḥ ।
māmakāḥ pāṇḍavāśchaiva kimakurvata sañjaya ॥ 1 ॥
Meaning
dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ uvācha — King Dhritarāṣṭra said; dharma-kṣētrē — in the place of pilgrimage; kuru-kṣētrē — in the place named Kurukṣetra; samavētāḥ — assembled; yuyutsavaḥ — desiring to fight; māmakāḥ — my party (sons); pāṇḍavāḥ — the sons of Pāṇḍu; cha — and; ēva — certainly; kim — what; akurvata — did they do; sañjaya — O Sañjaya.
Translation
Dhritarāṣṭra said: O Sañjaya, after my sons and the sons of Pāṇḍu assembled in the place of pilgrimage at Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight, what did they do?
ślōkaḥ
sañjaya uvācha
dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavānīkaṃ vyūḍhaṃ duryōdhanastadā ।
āchāryamupasaṅgamya rājā vachanamabravīt ॥ 2 ॥
Meaning
sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sañjaya said; dṛṣṭvā — after seeing; tu — but; pāṇḍava-anīkam — the soldiers of the Pāṇḍavas; vyūḍham — arranged in a military phalanx; duryōdhanaḥ — King Duryodhana; tadā — at that time; āchāryam — the teacher; upasaṅgamya — approaching; rājā — the king; vachanam — words; abravīt — spoke.
Translation
Sañjaya said: O King, after looking over the army arranged in military formation by the sons of Pāṇḍu, King Duryodhana went to his teacher and spoke the following words.
ślōkaḥ
paśyaitāṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāmāchārya mahatīṃ chamūm ।
vyūḍhāṃ drupadaputrēṇa tava śiṣyēṇa dhīmatā ॥ 3 ॥
Meaning
paśya — behold; ētām — this; pāṇḍu-putrānām — of the sons of Pāṇḍu; āchārya — O teacher; mahatīm — great; chamūm — military force; vyūḍhām — arranged; drupada-putrēṇa — by the son of Drupada; tava — your; śiṣyēṇa — disciple; dhī-matā — very intelligent.
Translation
O my teacher, behold the great army of the sons of Pāṇḍu, so expertly arranged by your intelligent disciple the son of Drupada.
ślōkaḥ
atra śūrā mahēṣvāsā bhīmārjunasamā yudhi ।
yuyudhānō virāṭaścha drupadaścha mahārathaḥ ॥ 4 ॥
Meaning
atra — here; śūrāḥ — heroes; mahā-iṣu-āsāḥ — mighty bowmen; bhīma-arjuna — to Bhīma and Arjuna; samāḥ — equal; yudhi — in the fight; yuyudhānaḥ — Yuyudhāna; virāṭaḥ — Virāṭa; cha — also; drupadaḥ — Drupada; cha — also; mahā-rathaḥ — great fighter.
Translation
Here in this army are many heroic bowmen equal in fighting to Bhīma and Arjuna: great fighters like Yuyudhāna, Virāṭa and Drupada.
ślōkaḥ
dhṛṣṭakētuśchēkitānaḥ kāśirājaścha vīryavān ।
purujitkuntibhōjaścha śaibyaścha narapuṅgavaḥ ॥ 5 ॥
Meaning
dhṛṣṭakētuḥ — Dhriṣṭaketu; chēkitānaḥ — Cekitāna; kāśirājaḥ — Kāśirāja; cha — also; vīrya-vān — very powerful; purujit — Purujit; kuntibhōjaḥ — Kuntibhoja; cha — and; śaibyaḥ — Śaibya; cha — and; nara-puṅgavaḥ — hero in human society.
Translation
There are also great heroic, powerful fighters like Dhriṣṭaketu, Cekitāna, Kāśirāja, Purujit, Kuntibhoja and Śaibya.
ślōkaḥ
yudhāmanyuścha vikrānta uttamaujāścha vīryavān ।
saubhadrō draupadēyāścha sarva ēva mahārathāḥ ॥ 6 ॥
Meaning
yudhāmanyuḥ — Yudhāmanyu; cha — and; vikrāntaḥ — mighty; uttamaujāḥ — Uttamaujā; cha — and; vīrya-vān — very powerful; saubhadraḥ — the son of Subhadrā; draupadēyāḥ — the sons of Draupadī; cha — and; sarvē — all; ēva — certainly; mahā-rathāḥ — great chariot fighters.
Translation
There are the mighty Yudhāmanyu, the very powerful Uttamaujā, the son of Subhadrā and the sons of Draupadī. All these warriors are great chariot fighters.
ślōkaḥ
asmākaṃ tu viśiṣṭā yē tānnibōdha dvijōttama ।
nāyakā mama sainyasya sañjñārtha tānbravīmi tē ॥ 7 ॥
Meaning
asmākam — our; tu — but; viśiṣṭāḥ — especially powerful; yē — who; tān — them; nibōdha — just take note of, be informed; dvija-uttama — O best of the brāhmaṇas; nāyakāḥ — captains; mama — my; sainyasya — of the soldiers; sañjñā-artham — for information; tān — them; bravīmi — I am speaking; tē — to you.
Translation
But for your information, O best of the brāhmaṇas, let me tell you about the captains who are especially qualified to lead my military force.
ślōkaḥ
bhavānbhīṣmaścha karṇaścha kṛpaścha samitiñjayaḥ ।
aśvatthāmā vikarṇaścha saumadattistathaiva cha ॥ 8 ॥
Meaning
bhavān — your good self; bhīṣmaḥ — Grandfather Bhīṣma; cha — also; karṇaḥ — Karṇa; cha — and; kṛpaḥ — Kripa; cha — and; samitim-jayaḥ — always victorious in battle; aśvatthāmā — Aśvatthāmā; vikarṇaḥ — Vikarṇa; cha — as well as; saumadattiḥ — the son of Somadatta; tathā — as well as; ēva — certainly; cha — also.
Translation
There are personalities like you, Bhīṣma, Karṇa, Kripa, Aśvatthāmā, Vikarṇa and the son of Somadatta called Bhūriśravā, who are always victorious in battle.
ślōkaḥ
anyē cha bahavaḥ śūrā madarthē tyaktajīvitāḥ ।
nānāśastrapraharaṇāḥ sarvē yuddhaviśāradāḥ ॥ 9 ॥
Meaning
anyē — others; cha — also; bahavaḥ — in great numbers; śūrāḥ — heroes; mat-arthē — for my sake; tyakta-jīvitāḥ — prepared to risk life; nānā — many; śastra — weapons; praharaṇāḥ — equipped with; sarvē — all of them; yuddha-viśāradāḥ — experienced in military science.
Translation
There are many other heroes who are prepared to lay down their lives for my sake. All of them are well equipped with different kinds of weapons, and all are experienced in military science.
ślōkaḥ
aparyāptaṃ tadasmākaṃ balaṃ bhīṣmābhirakṣitam ।
paryāptaṃ tvidamētēṣāṃ balaṃ bhīmābhirakṣitam ॥ 10 ॥
Meaning
aparyāptam — immeasurable; tat — that; asmākam — of ours; balam — strength; bhīṣma — by Grandfather Bhīṣma; abhirakṣitam — perfectly protected; paryāptam — limited; tu — but; idam — all this; ētēṣām — of the Pāṇḍavas; balam — strength; bhīma — by Bhīma; abhirakṣitam — carefully protected.
Translation
Our strength is immeasurable, and we are perfectly protected by Grandfather Bhīṣma, whereas the strength of the Pāṇḍavas, carefully protected by Bhīma, is limited.
ślōkaḥ
ayanēṣu cha sarvēṣu yathābhāgavamasthitāḥ ।
bhīṣmamēvābhirakṣantu bhavantaḥ sarva ēva hi ॥ 11 ॥
Meaning
ayanēṣu — in the strategic points; cha — also; sarvēṣu — everywhere; yathā-bhāgam — as differently arranged; avasthitāḥ — situated; bhīṣmam — unto Grandfather Bhīṣma; ēva — certainly; abhirakṣantu — should give support; bhavantaḥ — you; sarvē — all respectively; ēva hi — certainly.
Translation
All of you must now give full support to Grandfather Bhīṣma, as you stand at your respective strategic points of entrance into the phalanx of the army.
ślōkaḥ
tasya sañjanayanharṣaṃ kuruvṛddhaḥ pitāmahaḥ ।
siṃhanādaṃ vinadyōchchaaiḥ śaṅkhaṃ dadhmau pratāpavān ॥ 12 ॥
Meaning
tasya — his; sañjanayan — increasing; harṣam — cheerfulness; kuru-vṛddhaḥ — the grandsire of the Kuru dynasty (Bhīṣma); pitāmahaḥ — the grandfather; siṃha-nādam — roaring sound, like that of a lion; vinadya — vibrating; uchchaiḥ — very loudly; śaṅkham — conchshell; dadhmau — blew; pratāpa-vān — the valiant.
Translation
Then Bhīṣma, the great valiant grandsire of the Kuru dynasty, the grandfather of the fighters, blew his conchshell very loudly, making a sound like the roar of a lion, giving Duryodhana joy.
ślōkaḥ
tataḥ śaṅkhāścha bhēryaścha paṇavānakagōmukhāḥ ।
sahasaivābhyahanyanta sa śabdastumulō'bhavat ॥ 13 ॥
Meaning
tataḥ — thereafter; śaṅkhāḥ — conchshells; cha — also; bhēryaḥ — large drums; cha — and; paṇava-ānaka — small drums and kettledrums; gō-mukhāḥ — horns; sahasā — all of a sudden; ēva — certainly; abhyahanyanta — were simultaneously sounded; saḥ — that; śabdaḥ — combined sound; tumulaḥ — tumultuous; abhavat — became.
Translation
After that, the conchshells, drums, bugles, trumpets and horns were all suddenly sounded, and the combined sound was tumultuous.
ślōkaḥ
tataḥ śvētairhayairyuktē mahati syandanē sthitau ।
mādhavaḥ pāṇḍavaśchaiva divyau śaṅkhau pradadhmatuḥ ॥ 14 ॥
Meaning
tataḥ — thereafter; śvētaiḥ — with white; hayaiḥ — horses; yuktē — being yoked; mahati — in a great; syandanē — chariot; sthitau — situated; mādhavaḥ — Kriṣṇa (the husband of the goddess of fortune); pāṇḍavaḥ — Arjuna (the son of Pāṇḍu); cha — also; ēva — certainly; divyau — transcendental; śaṅkhau — conchshells; pradadhmatuḥ — sounded.
Translation
On the other side, both Lord Kriṣṇa and Arjuna, stationed on a great chariot drawn by white horses, sounded their transcendental conchshells.
ślōkaḥ
pāñchajanyaṃ hṛṣīkēśō dēvadattaṃ dhanañjayaḥ ।
pauṇḍraṃ dadhmau mahāśaṅkhaṃ bhīmakarmā vṛkōdaraḥ ॥ 15 ॥
Meaning
pāñchajanyam — the conchshell named Pāñcajanya; hṛṣīka-īśaḥ — Hriṣīkeśa (Kriṣṇa, the Lord who directs the senses of the devotees); dēvadattam — the conchshell named Devadatta; dhanam-jayaḥ — Dhanañjaya (Arjuna, the winner of wealth); pauṇḍram — the conch named Pauṇḍra; dadhmau — blew; mahā-śaṅkham — the terrific conchshell; bhīma-karmā — one who performs herculean tasks; vṛka-udaraḥ — the voracious eater (Bhīma).
Translation
Lord Kriṣṇa blew His conchshell, called Pāñcajanya; Arjuna blew his, the Devadatta; and Bhīma, the voracious eater and performer of herculean tasks, blew his terrific conchshell, called Pauṇḍra.
ślōkaḥ
anantavijayaṃ rājā kuntīputrō yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ।
nakulaḥ sahadēvaścha sughōṣamaṇipuṣpakau ॥ 16 ॥
kāśyaścha paramēṣvāsaḥ śikhaṇḍī cha mahārathaḥ ।
dhṛṣṭadyumnō virāṭaścha sātyakiśchāparājitaḥ ॥ 17 ॥
drupadō draupadēyāścha sarvaśaḥ pṛthivīpatē ।
saubhadraścha mahābāhuḥ śaṅkhāndadhmuḥ pṛthakpṛthak ॥ 18 ॥
Meaning
ananta-vijayam — the conch named Ananta-vijaya; rājā — the king; kuntī-putraḥ — the son of Kuntī; yudhiṣṭhiraḥ — Yudhiṣṭhira; nakulaḥ — Nakula; sahadēvaḥ — Sahadeva; cha — and; sughōṣa-maṇipuṣpakau — the conches named Sughoṣa and Maṇipuṣpaka; kāśyaḥ — the King of Kāśī (Vārāṇasī); cha — and; parama-iṣu-āsaḥ — the great archer; śikhaṇḍī — Śikhaṇḍī; cha — also; mahā-rathaḥ — one who can fight alone against thousands; dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ — Dhriṣṭadyumna (the son of King Drupada); virāṭaḥ — Virāṭa (the prince who gave shelter to the Pāṇḍavas while they were in disguise); cha — also; sātyakiḥ — Sātyaki (the same as Yuyudhāna, the charioteer of Lord Kriṣṇa); cha — and; aparājitaḥ — who had never been vanquished; drupadaḥ — Drupada, the King of Pāñcāla; draupadēyāḥ — the sons of Draupadī; cha — also; sarvaśaḥ — all; pṛthivī-patē — O King; saubhadraḥ — Abhimanyu, the son of Subhadrā; cha — also; mahā-bāhuḥ — mighty-armed; śaṅkhān — conchshells; dadhmuḥ — blew; pṛthak pṛthak — each separately.
Translation
King Yudhiṣṭhira, the son of Kuntī, blew his conchshell, the Ananta-vijaya, and Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughoṣa and Maṇipuṣpaka. That great archer the King of Kāśī, the great fighter Śikhaṇḍī, Dhriṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, the unconquerable Sātyaki, Drupada, the sons of Draupadī, and others, O King, such as the mighty-armed son of Subhadrā, all blew their respective conchshells.
ślōkaḥ
sa ghōṣō dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ hṛdayāni vyadārayat ।
nabhaścha pṛthivīṃ chaiva tumulō'bhyanunādayan ॥ 19 ॥
Meaning
saḥ — that; ghōṣaḥ — vibration; dhārtarāṣṭrāṇām — of the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra; hṛdayāni — hearts; vyadārayat — shattered; nabhaḥ — the sky; cha — also; pṛthivīm — the surface of the earth; cha — also; ēva — certainly; tumulaḥ — uproarious; abhyanunādayan — resounding.
Translation
The blowing of these different conchshells became uproarious. Vibrating both in the sky and on the earth, it shattered the hearts of the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra.
ślōkaḥ
atha vyavasthitāndṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrānkapidhvajaḥ ।
pravṛttē śastrasampātē dhanurudyamya pāṇḍavaḥ ।
hṛṣīkēśaṃ tadā vākyamidamāha mahīpatē ॥ 20 ॥
Meaning
atha — thereupon; vyavasthitān — situated; dṛṣṭvā — looking upon; dhārtarāṣṭrān — the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra; kapi-dhvajaḥ — he whose flag was marked with Hanumān; pravṛttē — while about to engage; śastra-sampātē — in releasing his arrows; dhanuḥ — bow; udyamya — taking up; pāṇḍavaḥ — the son of Pāṇḍu (Arjuna); hṛṣīkēśam — unto Lord Kriṣṇa; tadā — at that time; vākyam — words; idam — these; āha — said; mahī-patē — O King.
Translation
At that time Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, seated in the chariot bearing the flag marked with Hanumān, took up his bow and prepared to shoot his arrows. O King, after looking at the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra drawn in military array, Arjuna then spoke to Lord Kriṣṇa these words.
ślōkaḥ
arjuna uvācha
sēnayōrubhayōrmadhyē rathaṃ sthāpaya mē'chyuta ।
yāvadētānnirīkṣē'haṃ yōddhukāmānavasthitān ॥ 21 ॥
kairmayā saha yōddhavyamasminraṇasamudyamē ॥ 22 ॥
Meaning
arjunaḥ uvācha — Arjuna said; sēnayōḥ — of the armies; ubhayōḥ — both; madhyē — between; ratham — the chariot; sthāpaya — please keep; mē — my; achyuta — O infallible one; yāvat — as long as; ētān — all these; nirīkṣē — may look upon; aham — I; yōddhu-kāmān — desiring to fight; avasthitān — arrayed on the battlefield; kaiḥ — with whom; mayā — by me; saha — together; yōddhavyam — have to fight; asmin — in this; raṇa — strife; samudyamē — in the attempt.
Translation
Arjuna said: O infallible one, please draw my chariot between the two armies so that I may see those present here, who desire to fight, and with whom I must contend in this great trial of arms.
ślōkaḥ
yōtsyamānānavēkṣē'haṃ ya ētē'tra samāgatāḥ ।
dhārtarāṣṭrasya durbuddhēryuddhē priyachikīrṣavaḥ ॥ 23 ॥
Meaning
yōtsyamānān — those who will be fighting; avēkṣē — let me see; aham — I; yē — who; ētē — those; atra — here; samāgatāḥ — assembled; dhārtarāṣṭrasya — for the son of Dhritarāṣṭra; durbuddhēḥ — evil-minded; yuddhē — in the fight; priya — well; chikīrṣavaḥ — wishing.
Translation
Let me see those who have come here to fight, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarāṣṭra.
ślōkaḥ
sañjaya uvācha
ēvamuktō hṛṣīkēśō guḍākēśēna bhārata ।
sēnayōrubhayōrmadhyē sthāpayitvā rathōttamam ॥ 24 ॥
Meaning
sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sañjaya said; ēvam — thus; uktaḥ — addressed; hṛṣīkēśaḥ — Lord Kriṣṇa; guḍākēśēna — by Arjuna; bhārata — O descendant of Bharata; sēnayōḥ — of the armies; ubhayōḥ — both; madhyē — in the midst; sthāpayitvā — placing; ratha-uttamam — the finest chariot.
Translation
Sañjaya said: O descendant of Bharata, having thus been addressed by Arjuna, Lord Kriṣṇa drew up the fine chariot in the midst of the armies of both parties.
ślōkaḥ
bhīṣmadrōṇapramukhataḥ sarvēṣāṃ cha mahīkṣitām ।
uvācha pārtha paśyaitānsamavētānkuruniti ॥ 25 ॥
Meaning
bhīṣma — Grandfather Bhīṣma; drōṇa — the teacher Droṇa; pramukhataḥ — in front of; sarvēṣām — all; cha — also; mahī-kṣitām — chiefs of the world; uvācha — said; pārtha — O son of Prithā; paśya — just behold; ētān — all of them; samavētān — assembled; kurūn — the members of the Kuru dynasty; iti — thus.
Translation
In the presence of Bhīṣma, Droṇa and all the other chieftains of the world, the Lord said, “Just behold, Pārtha, all the Kurus assembled here.”
ślōkaḥ
tatrāpaśyatsthitānpārthaḥ pitṝnatha pitāmahān।
āchāryānmātulānbhrātṝnputrānpautrānsakhīṃstathā।
śvaśaurānsuhṛdaśchaiva sēnayōrubhayōrapi ॥ 26 ॥
Meaning
tatra — there; apaśyat — he could see; sthitān — standing; pārthaḥ — Arjuna; pitṝn — fathers; atha — also; pitāmahān — grandfathers; āchāryān — teachers; mātulān — maternal uncles; bhrātṝn — brothers; putrān — sons; pautrān — grandsons; sakhīn — friends; tathā — too; śvaśurān — fathers-in-law; suhṛdaḥ — well-wishers; cha — also; ēva — certainly; sēnayōḥ — of the armies; ubhayōḥ — of both parties; api — including.
Translation
There Arjuna could see, within the midst of the armies of both parties, his fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, friends, and also his fathers-in-law and well-wishers.
ślōkaḥ
tānsamīkṣya sa kauntēyaḥ sarvānbandhūnavasthitān ।
kṛpayā parayāviṣṭō viṣīdannidamabravīt ॥ 27 ॥
Meaning
tān — all of them; samīkṣya — after seeing; saḥ — he; kauntēyaḥ — the son of Kuntī; sarvān — all kinds of; bandhūn — relatives; avasthitān — situated; kṛpayā — by compassion; parayā — of a high grade; āviṣṭaḥ — overwhelmed; viṣīdan — while lamenting; idam — thus; abravīt — spoke.
Translation
When the son of Kuntī, Arjuna, saw all these different grades of friends and relatives, he became overwhelmed with compassion and spoke thus.
ślōkaḥ
arjuna uvācha
dṛṣṭvēmaṃ svajanaṃ kṛṣṇa yuyutsuṃ samupasthitam ।
sīdanti mama gātrāṇi mukhaṃ cha pariśauṣyati ॥ 28 ॥
Meaning
arjunaḥ uvācha — Arjuna said; dṛṣṭvā — after seeing; imam — all these; sva-janam — kinsmen; kṛṣṇa — O Kriṣṇa; yuyutsum — all in a fighting spirit; samupasthitam — present; sīdanti — are quivering; mama — my; gātrāṇi — limbs of the body; mukham — mouth; cha — also; pariśuṣyati — is drying up.
Translation
Arjuna said: My dear Kriṣṇa, seeing my friends and relatives present before me in such a fighting spirit, I feel the limbs of my body quivering and my mouth drying up.
ślōkaḥ
vēpathuścha śarīrē mē rōmaharṣaścha jāyatē ।
gāṇḍīvaṃ sraṃsatē hastāttvakchaaiva paridahyatē ॥ 29 ॥
Meaning
vēpathuḥ — trembling of the body; cha — also; śarīrē — on the body; mē — my; rōma-harṣaḥ — standing of hair on end; cha — also; jāyatē — is taking place; gāṇḍīvam — the bow of Arjuna; sraṃsatē — is slipping; hastāt — from the hand; tvak — skin; cha — also; ēva — certainly; paridahyatē — is burning.
Translation
My whole body is trembling, my hair is standing on end, my bow Gāṇḍīva is slipping from my hand, and my skin is burning.
ślōkaḥ
na cha śaknōmyavasthātuṃ bhramatīva cha mē manaḥ ।
nimittāni cha paśyāmi viparītāni kēśava ॥ 30 ॥
Meaning
na — nor; cha — also; śaknōmi — am I able; avasthātum — to stay; bhramati — forgetting; iva — as; cha — and; mē — my; manaḥ — mind; nimittāni — causes; cha — also; paśyāmi — I see; viparītāni — just the opposite; kēśava — O killer of the demon Keśī (Kriṣṇa).
Translation
I am now unable to stand here any longer. I am forgetting myself, and my mind is reeling. I see only causes of misfortune, O Kriṣṇa, killer of the Keśī demon.
ślōkaḥ
na cha śrēyō'nupaśyāmi hatvā svajanamāhavē ।
na kāṅkṣē vijayaṃ kṛṣṇa na cha rājyaṃ sukhāni cha ॥ 31 ॥
Meaning
na — nor; cha — also; śrēyaḥ — good; anupaśyāmi — do I foresee; hatvā — by killing; sva-janam — own kinsmen; āhavē — in the fight; na — nor; kāṅkṣē — do I desire; vijayam — victory; kṛṣṇa — O Kriṣṇa; na — nor; cha — also; rājyam — kingdom; sukhāni — happiness thereof; cha — also.
Translation
I do not see how any good can come from killing my own kinsmen in this battle, nor can I, my dear Kriṣṇa, desire any subsequent victory, kingdom or happiness.
ślōkaḥ
kiṃ nō rājyēna gōvinda kiṃ bhōgairjīvitēna vā ।
yēṣāmarthē kāṅkṣitaṃ nō rājyaṃ bhōgāḥ sukhāni cha ॥ 32 ॥
ta imē'vasthitā yuddhē prāṇāṃstyaktvā dhanāni cha ।
āchāryāḥ pitaraḥ putrāstathaiva cha pitāmahāḥ ॥ 33 ॥
mātulāḥ śvaśaurāḥ pautrāḥ śyālāḥ sambandhinastathā ।
ētānna hantumichChāmi ghnatō'pi madhusūdana ॥ 34 ॥
api trailōkyarājyasya hētōḥ kiṃ nu mahīkṛtē ।
nihatya dhārtarāṣṭrānnaḥ kā prītiḥ syājjanārdana ॥ 35 ॥
Meaning
kim — what use; naḥ — to us; rājyēna — is the kingdom; gōvinda — O Kriṣṇa; kim — what; bhōgaiḥ — enjoyment; jīvitēna — living; vā — either; yēṣām — of whom; arthē — for the sake; kāṅkṣitam — is desired; naḥ — by us; rājyam — kingdom; bhōgāḥ — material enjoyment; sukhāni — all happiness; cha — also; tē — all of them; imē — these; avasthitāḥ — situated; yuddhē — on this battlefield; prāṇān — lives; tyaktvā — giving up; dhanāni — riches; cha — also; āchāryāḥ — teachers; pitaraḥ — fathers; putrāḥ — sons; tathā — as well as; ēva — certainly; cha — also; pitāmahāḥ — grandfathers; mātulāḥ — maternal uncles; śvaśurāḥ — fathers-in-law; pautrāḥ — grandsons; śyālāḥ — brothers-in-law; sambandhinaḥ — relatives; tathā — as well as; ētān — all these; na — never; hantum — to kill; ichchāmi — do I wish; ghnataḥ — being killed; api — even; madhusūdana — O killer of the demon Madhu (Kriṣṇa); api — even if; trai-lōkya — of the three worlds; rājyasya — for the kingdom; hētōḥ — in exchange; kiṃ nu — what to speak of; mahī-kṛtē — for the sake of the earth; nihatya — by killing; dhārtarāṣṭrān — the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra; naḥ — our; kā — what; prītiḥ — pleasure; syāt — will there be; janārdana — O maintainer of all living entities.
Translation
O Govinda, of what avail to us are a kingdom, happiness or even life itself when all those for whom we may desire them are now arrayed on this battlefield? O Madhusūdana, when teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law and other relatives are ready to give up their lives and properties and are standing before me, why should I wish to kill them, even though they might otherwise kill me? O maintainer of all living entities, I am not prepared to fight with them even in exchange for the three worlds, let alone this earth. What pleasure will we derive from killing the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra?
ślōkaḥ
pāpamēvāśrayēdasmānhatvaitānātatāyinaḥ ।
tasmānnārhā vayaṃ hantuṃ dhārtarāṣṭrānsabāndhavān ।
svajanaṃ hi kathaṃ hatvā sukhinaḥ syāma mādhava ॥ 36 ॥
Meaning
pāpam — vices; ēva — certainly; āśrayēt — must come upon; asmān — us; hatvā — by killing; ētān — all these; ātatāyinaḥ — aggressors; tasmāt — therefore; na — never; arhāḥ — deserving; vayam — we; hantum — to kill; dhārtarāṣṭrān — the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra; sa-bāndhavān — along with friends; sva-janam — kinsmen; hi — certainly; katham — how; hatvā — by killing; sukhinaḥ — happy; syāma — will we become; mādhava — O Kriṣṇa, husband of the goddess of fortune.
Translation
Sin will overcome us if we slay such aggressors. Therefore it is not proper for us to kill the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra and our friends. What should we gain, O Kriṣṇa, husband of the goddess of fortune, and how could we be happy by killing our own kinsmen?
ślōkaḥ
yadyapyētē na paśyanti lōbhōpahatachētasaḥ ।
kulakṣayakṛtaṃ dōṣaṃ mitradrōhē cha pātakam ॥ 37 ॥
kathaṃ na jñēyamasmābhiḥ pāpādasmannivartitum ।
kulakṣayakṛtaṃ dōṣaṃ prapaśyadbhairjanārdana ॥ 38 ॥
Meaning
yadi — if; api — even; ētē — they; na — do not; paśyanti — see; lōbha — by greed; upahata — overpowered; chētasaḥ — their hearts; kula-kṣaya — in killing the family; kṛtam — done; dōṣam — fault; mitra-drōhē — in quarreling with friends; cha — also; pātakam — sinful reactions; katham — why; na — should not; jñēyam — be known; asmābhiḥ — by us; pāpāt — from sins; asmāt — these; nivartitum — to cease; kula-kṣaya — in the destruction of a dynasty; kṛtam — done; dōṣam — crime; prapaśyadbhiḥ — by those who can see; janārdana — O Kriṣṇa.
Translation
O Janārdana, although these men, their hearts overtaken by greed, see no fault in killing one’s family or quarreling with friends, why should we, who can see the crime in destroying a family, engage in these acts of sin?
ślōkaḥ
kulakṣayē praṇaśyanti kuladharmāḥ sanātanāḥ ।
dharmē naṣṭē kulaṃ kṛtsnamadharmō'bhibhavatyuta ॥ 39 ॥
Meaning
kula-kṣayē — in destroying the family; praṇaśyanti — become vanquished; kula-dharmāḥ — the family traditions; sanātanāḥ — eternal; dharmē — religion; naṣṭē — being destroyed; kulam — family; kṛtsnam — whole; adharmaḥ — irreligion; abhibhavati — transforms; uta — it is said.
Translation
With the destruction of the dynasty, the eternal family tradition is vanquished, and thus the rest of the family becomes involved in irreligion.
ślōkaḥ
adharmābhibhavātkṛṣṇa praduṣyanti kulastriyaḥ ।
strīṣu duṣṭāsu vārṣṇēya jāyatē varṇasaṅkaraḥ ॥ 40 ॥
Meaning
adharma — irreligion; abhibhavāt — having become predominant; kṛṣṇa — O Kriṣṇa; praduṣyanti — become polluted; kula-striyaḥ — family ladies; strīṣu — by the womanhood; duṣṭāsu — being so polluted; vārṣṇēya — O descendant of Vriṣṇi; jāyatē — comes into being; varṇa-saṅkaraḥ — unwanted progeny.
Translation
When irreligion is prominent in the family, O Kriṣṇa, the women of the family become polluted, and from the degradation of womanhood, O descendant of Vriṣṇi, comes unwanted progeny.
ślōkaḥ
saṅkarō narakāyaiva kulaghnaānāṃ kulasya cha ।
patanti pitarō hyēṣāṃ luptapiṇḍōdakakriyāḥ ॥ 41 ॥
Meaning
saṅkaraḥ — such unwanted children; narakāya — make for hellish life; ēva — certainly; kula-ghnānām — for those who are killers of the family; kulasya — for the family; cha — also; patanti — fall down; pitaraḥ — forefathers; hi — certainly; ēṣām — of them; lupta — stopped; piṇḍa — of offerings of food; udaka — and water; kriyāḥ — performances.
Translation
An increase of unwanted population certainly causes hellish life both for the family and for those who destroy the family tradition. The ancestors of such corrupt families fall down, because the performances for offering them food and water are entirely stopped.
ślōkaḥ
dōṣairētaiḥ kulaghnaānāṃ varṇasaṅkarakārakaiḥ ।
utsādyantē jātidharmāḥ kuladharmāścha śāśvatāḥ ॥ 42 ॥
Meaning
dōṣaiḥ — by such faults; ētaiḥ — all these; kula-ghnānām — of the destroyers of the family; varṇa-saṅkara — of unwanted children; kārakaiḥ — which are causes; utsādyantē — are devastated; jāti-dharmāḥ — community projects; kula-dharmāḥ — family traditions; cha — also; śāśvatāḥ — eternal.
Translation
By the evil deeds of those who destroy the family tradition and thus give rise to unwanted children, all kinds of community projects and family welfare activities are devastated.
ślōkaḥ
utsannakuladharmāṇāṃ manuṣyāṇāṃ janārdana ।
narakē niyataṃ vāsō bhavatītyanuśauśruma ॥ 43 ॥
Meaning
utsanna — spoiled; kula-dharmāṇām — of those who have the family traditions; manuṣyāṇām — of such men; janārdana — O Kriṣṇa; narakē — in hell; niyatam — always; vāsaḥ — residence; bhavati — it so becomes; iti — thus; anuśuśruma — I have heard by disciplic succession.
Translation
O Kriṣṇa, maintainer of the people, I have heard by disciplic succession that those whose family traditions are destroyed dwell always in hell.
ślōkaḥ
ahō bata mahatpāpaṃ kartuṃ vyavasitā vayam ।
yadrājyasukhalōbhēna hantuṃ svajanamudyatāḥ ॥ 44 ॥
Meaning
ahō — alas; bata — how strange it is; mahat — great; pāpam — sins; kartum — to perform; vyavasitāḥ — have decided; vayam — we; yat — because; rājya-sukha-lōbhēna — driven by greed for royal happiness; hantum — to kill; sva-janam — kinsmen; udyatāḥ — trying.
Translation
Alas, how strange it is that we are preparing to commit greatly sinful acts. Driven by the desire to enjoy royal happiness, we are intent on killing our own kinsmen.
ślōkaḥ
yadi māmapratīkāramaśastraṃ śastrapāṇayaḥ ।
dhārtarāṣṭrā raṇē hanyustanmē kṣēmataraṃ bhavēt ॥ 45 ॥
Meaning
yadi — even if; mām — me; apratīkāram — without being resistant; aśastram — without being fully equipped; śastra-pāṇayaḥ — those with weapons in hand; dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ — the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra; raṇē — on the battlefield; hanyuḥ — may kill; tat — that; mē — for me; kṣēma-taram — better; bhavēt — would be.
Translation
Better for me if the sons of Dhritarāṣṭra, weapons in hand, were to kill me unarmed and unresisting on the battlefield.
ślōkaḥ
sañjaya uvācha
ēvamuktvārjunaḥ saṅkhyē rathōpastha upāviśat ।
visṛjya saśaraṃ chāpaṃ śōkasaṃvignamānasaḥ ॥ 46 ॥
Meaning
sañjayaḥ uvācha — Sañjaya said; ēvam — thus; uktvā — saying; arjunaḥ — Arjuna; saṅkhyē — in the battlefield; ratha — of the chariot; upasthē — on the seat; upāviśat — sat down again; visṛjya — putting aside; sa-śaram — along with arrows; chāpam — the bow; śōka — by lamentation; saṃvigna — distressed; mānasaḥ — within the mind.
Translation
Sañjaya said: Arjuna, having thus spoken on the battlefield, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.
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