MAHĀBHĀRATA
BHISMA PARVA
CHAPTER 3
(JAMBUKHANDA VINIRMANA PARVA)-Continued
Various indications of the Jambukhanda
SYNOPSIS
In this vivid and ominous prophecy delivered by the sage Vyasa, a series of unnatural and terrifying signs foreshadows the catastrophic destruction that will engulf the world, particularly the great Kuru dynasty. The narrative begins with a surreal description of cosmic and terrestrial anomalies, hinting at the impending devastation of the Kurukshetra War.
Across the land, cows give birth to asses, pregnant and non-pregnant women give birth to monstrous creatures, and beasts of prey mingle peacefully with birds, signaling a breakdown of the natural order. Deformed animals—creatures with multiple heads, limbs, or eyes—are born, while horses with three legs and horns roam the earth. Even Brahmin women bear strange offspring like Garudas and peacocks, and wild cries from animals and birds resonate as harbingers of doom.
Celestial phenomena mirror the chaos on Earth. Fearsome comets, eclipses, and erratic planetary alignments signal dire consequences. Rahu, Ketu, Mars, and other planets transgress their usual paths, causing disarray in the skies. The moon and sun experience untimely eclipses, while meteors fall with thunderous roars. The heavens and earth are united in their portents of inevitable calamity.
The natural world turns hostile: rivers flow backward, trees bloom out of season, and crops grow unnaturally large while yielding only blood when harvested. Winds carry dust and stones, earthquakes shake the land, and the oceans threaten to breach their boundaries. Fires burn with unholy colors and emit foul odors, while the very elements rebel against order.
The human world is no less disordered. Men of lower castes mock sacred traditions, while children play destructive war games, painting images of death and wielding weapons in mimicry of impending slaughter. Fear and despair grip all, and death looms as an unavoidable force.
Amid this chaos, Dhritarashtra seeks guidance from Vyasa. The sage advises the king to turn away from sin and seek peace, warning that his son Duryodhana is the incarnation of Death itself, leading the world to ruin. Vyasa explains that Time, the inexorable force, destroys all and that war will bring suffering and destruction to the Kuru race. Despite these warnings, Dhritarashtra remains bound by his human frailty and his inability to restrain his son.
Vyasa outlines the signs of victory and defeat in battle: auspicious omens favor the victorious, while inauspicious portents accompany those doomed to fail. Yet he stresses that war is fraught with evils—slaughter, suffering, and irreparable loss—and that true success lies in negotiation, unity, and avoiding the horrors of conflict.
Ultimately, the myth conveys a timeless message about the destructive nature of war, the inevitability of fate, and the fragile balance between dharma (righteousness) and adharma (unrighteousness). It serves as a poignant reminder of the cost of ambition, the importance of virtue, and the cyclical nature of creation and destruction in the universe.
CHAPTER 3
खरा गोषु प्रजायन्ते रमन्ते मातृभिः सुताः ।
अनार्तवं पुष्पफलं दर्शयन्ति वनद्रुमाः || १ ||
vyāsa uvāca
kharā goṣu prajāyante ramante mātṛbhiḥ sutāḥ |
anārtavaṃ puṣpaphalaṃ darśayanti vanadrumāḥ || 1 |
Vyasa saidAsses are being born of cows. Sons have sexual intercourse with their mothers. The forest trees produce unseasonable flowers and fruits.
गर्भिण्योऽजातपुत्राश्च जनयन्ति विभीषणान् ।
क्रव्यादाः पक्षिभिश्चापि सहाश्नन्ति परस्परम् ॥ २ ॥
garbhiṇyo’jātaputrāśca janayanti vibhīṣaṇān |
kravyādāḥ pakṣibhiścāpi sahāśnanti parasparam || 2 ||
Women who are pregnant and those that are not, are giving birth to monsters. Carnivorous beasts mingle with birds and are feeding together.
त्रिविषाणाश्चतुर्नेत्राः पञ्चपादा द्विमेहनाः ।
द्विशीर्षाश्च द्विपुच्छाश्च दंष्ट्रिणः पशवोऽशिवाः ॥३॥
triviṣāṇāścaturnetrāḥ pañcapādā dvimehanāḥ |
dviśīrṣāśca dvipucchāśca daṃṣṭriṇaḥ paśavo’śivāḥ ||3||
Inauspicious beasts, some having three horns, some having four eyes, some five legs, some two sexual organs, some two heads, some two tails, and some fearful teeth.
जायन्ते विवृतास्याश्च व्याहरन्तोऽशिवा गिरः ।
त्रिपदाः शिखिनस्तार्क्ष्याश्चतुर्दंष्ट्रा विषाणिनः ||४||
jāyante vivṛtāsyāśca vyāharanto’śivā giraḥ |
tripadāḥ śikhinastārkṣyāścaturdaṃṣṭrā viṣāṇinaḥ ||4||
They are born with mounts wide open: they are emitting fearful cries. Horses with three legs, crests, four teeth, and horns are also born.
तथैवान्याश्च दृश्यन्ते स्त्रियो वै ब्रह्मवादिनाम् ।
वैनतेयान् मयूरांश्च जनयन्ति पुरे तव ॥ ५ ॥
tathaivānyāśca dṛśyante striyo vai brahmavādinām |
vainateyān mayūrāṃśca janayanti pure tava || 5 ||
O king, the wives of many Brahmavadins in your city are seen to give birth to Garuda's and pea-cocks.
गोवत्सं वडवा सूते श्वा शृगालं महीपते ।
कुक्कुरान् करभाश्चैव शुकाश्चाशुभवादिनः ।। ६ ।।
govatsaṃ vaḍavā sūte śvā śṛgālaṃ mahīpate |
kukkurān karabhāścaiva śukāścāśubhavādinaḥ || 6 ||
O king, the mare gives birth to calves the bitch to jackals. Cooks, antelopes, and parrots are all sending forth inauspicious notes.
स्त्रियः काश्चित्प्रजायन्ते चतस्रः पञ्च कन्यकाः ।
जातमात्राश्च नृत्यन्ति गायन्ति च हसन्ति च ॥७॥
striyaḥ kāścitprajāyante catasraḥ pañca kanyakāḥ |
jātamātrāśca nṛtyanti gāyanti ca hasanti ca ||7||
Women give birth to four or five daughters all at a time, and these, as soon as they are born, dance, sing, and laugh.
पृथग्जनस्य सर्वस्य क्षुद्रकाः प्रहसन्ति च।
नृत्यन्ति परिगायन्ति वेदयन्तो महद् भयम् ॥८॥
pṛthagjanasya sarvasya kṣudrakāḥ prahasanti ca|
nṛtyanti parigāyanti vedayanto mahad bhayam ||8||
The men of the lowest castes laugh, dance, and sign and thus indicate fearful evils.
प्रतिमाश्चालिखन्त्येताः सशस्त्राः कालचोदिताः ।
अन्योन्यमभिधावन्ति शिशवो दण्डपाणयः ॥ ९ ॥
pratimāścālikhantyetāḥ saśastrāḥ kālacoditāḥ |
anyonyamabhidhāvanti śiśavo daṇḍapāṇayaḥ || 9 ||
Infants as if drawn by death are painting armed images. They are running against one another with maces in their hands.
अन्योन्यमभिमृद्नन्ति नगराणि युयुत्सवः ।
पद्मोत्पलानि वृक्षेषु जायन्ते कुमुदानि च ॥ १० ॥
anyonyamabhimṛdnanti nagarāṇi yuyutsavaḥ |
padmotpalāni vṛkṣeṣu jāyante kumudāni ca || 10 ||
Being desirous of battle, they are breaking down the towns (they have made in sports). Lotuses and lilies are growing on trees.
विष्वग्वाताश्च वान्त्युग्रा रजो नाप्युपशाम्यति ।
अभीक्ष्णं कम्पते भूमिरर्क राहुरुपैति च ॥ ११ ॥
viṣvagvātāśca vāntyugrā rajo nāpyupaśāmyati |
abhīkṣṇaṃ kampate bhūmirarka rāhurupaiti ca || 11 ||
abhīkṣṇaṃ kampate bhūmirarka rāhurupaiti ca || 11 ||
Strong winds are fearfully blowing and the dust is unceasingly flying. The earth is often quaking and Rahu advances towards the sun.
श्वेतो ग्रहस्तथा चित्रां समतिक्रम्य तिष्ठति ।
अभावं हि विशेषेण कुरूणां तत्र पश्यति || १२ |
śveto grahastathā citrāṃ samatikramya tiṣṭhati |
abhāvaṃ hi viśeṣeṇa kurūṇāṃ tatra paśyati || 12 |
Ketu (the white planet) stops passing beyond the constellation Chitra. All this forebodes the total destruction of the Kurus.
धूमकेतुर्महाघोरः पुष्यं चाक्रम्य तिष्ठति ।
सेनयोरशिवं घोरं करिष्यति महाग्रहः ॥ १३ ॥
dhūmaketurmahāghoraḥ puṣyaṃ cākramya tiṣṭhati |
senayoraśivaṃ ghoraṃ kariṣyati mahāgrahaḥ || 13 ||
A fearful comet is rising and is distressing the constellation Pushya. This great planet will cause terrible harm to both armies.
मघास्वङ्गारको वक्रः श्रवणे च बृहस्पतिः ।
भगं नक्षत्रमाक्रम्य सूर्यपुत्रेण पीड्यते || १४ ||
maghāsvaṅgārako vakraḥ śravaṇe ca bṛhaspatiḥ |
bhagaṃ nakṣatramākramya sūryaputreṇa pīḍyate || 14 ||
Mars advances towards Magha and Brihaspati towards Shravana. the sun's offspring (Shani) advances towards Phalguni and afflicts it.
शुक्र : प्रोष्ठपदे पूर्वे समारुह्य विरोचते ।
उत्तरे तु परिक्रम्य सहितः समुदीक्षते ॥ १५ ॥
śukra : proṣṭhapade pūrve samāruhya virocate |
uttare tu parikramya sahitaḥ samudīkṣate || 15 ||
The planet Shukra rises towards Purva Bhadra. Shining brilliantly and shooting towards the Uttara Bhadra, it looks towards it.
श्वेतो ग्रहः प्रज्वलितः सधूम इव पावकः ।
ऐन्द्रं तेजस्वि नक्षत्रं ज्येष्ठामाक्रम्य तिष्ठति । । १६ ।।
śveto grahaḥ prajvalitaḥ sadhūma iva pāvakaḥ |
aindraṃ tejasvi nakṣatraṃ jyeṣṭhāmākramya tiṣṭhati | | 16 ||
Ketu, blazing up like smoky fire, stops and afflicts the effulgent constellation of Indra.
ध्रुवं प्रज्वलितो घोरमपसव्यं प्रवर्तते ।
रोहिणी पीडयत्येवमुभौ च शशिभास्करौ ।
चित्रास्वात्यन्तरे चैव विष्ठितः परुषग्रहः ।। १७॥
dhruvaṃ prajvalito ghoramapasavyaṃ pravartate |
rohiṇī pīḍayatyevamubhau ca śaśibhāskarau |
citrāsvātyantare caiva viṣṭhitaḥ paruṣagrahaḥ || 17||
The constellation Dhruva, fearfully blazing, advances towards the right. Both the sun and the moon distress Rohini. The terrible planet Rahu has taken up its position between Chitra and Svati (constellations).
वक्रानुवक्रं कृत्वा च श्रवणं पावकप्रभः ।
ब्रह्मराशिं समावृत्य लोहिताङ्गो व्यवस्थितः ॥ १८ ॥
vakrānuvakraṃ kṛtvā ca śravaṇaṃ pāvakaprabhaḥ |
brahmarāśiṃ samāvṛtya lohitāṅgo vyavasthitaḥ || 18 ||
Three-bodied planet, effulgent like fire passing in a round and round way stops encircling Shravana overridden by Brihaspati.
सर्वसस्यपरिच्छन्ना पृथिवी सस्यमालिनी ।
पञ्चशीर्षा यवाश्चापि शतशीर्षाश्च शालयः ।। १९॥
sarvasasyaparicchannā pṛthivī sasyamālinī |
pañcaśīrṣā yavāścāpi śataśīrṣāśca śālayaḥ || 19||
O great king, the earth that always produces particular crops at particular seasons is simultaneously being overgrown with crops of every season. Every stalk of barely has five years and every stalk of paddy has a hundred.
प्रधानाः सर्वलोकस्य यास्वायत्तमिदं जगत् ।
ता गावः प्रस्नुता वत्सैः शोणितं प्रक्षरन्त्युत ।। २० ।।
pradhānāḥ sarvalokasya yāsvāyattamidaṃ jagat |
tā gāvaḥ prasnutā vatsaiḥ śoṇitaṃ prakṣarantyuta || 20 ||
Those animals that are the best of all creatures in the world and upon whom depends the preservation of the whole universe, namely kine, when milked after the calves have sucked give only blood.
निश्चेरुरर्चिषश्चापात् खङ्गाश्च ज्वलिता भृशम्।
व्यक्तं पश्यन्ति शस्त्राणि संग्रामं समुपस्थितम् || २१||
niścerurarciṣaścāpāt khaṅgāśca jvalitā bhṛśam|
vyaktaṃ paśyanti śastrāṇi saṃgrāmaṃ samupasthitam || 21||
Rays of light are coming out from bows and swords produce great luster. It is evident these weapons see before them the battle as if it has already begun.
अग्निवर्णा यथा भासः शस्त्राणामुदकस्य च।
कवचानां ध्वजानां च भविष्यति महाक्षयः ॥ २२ ॥
agnivarṇā yathā bhāsaḥ śastrāṇāmudakasya ca|
kavacānāṃ dhvajānāṃ ca bhaviṣyati mahākṣayaḥ || 22 ||
The shine of weapons, of the water, of the armor, and of the standards look like fire. A great slaughter of men and beasts is sure to take place.
पृथिवी शोणितावर्ता ध्वजोडुपसमाकुला ।
कुरूणां वैशसे राजन् पाण्डवैः सह भारत।। २३ ।।
pṛthivī śoṇitāvartā dhvajoḍupasamākulā |
kurūṇāṃ vaiśase rājan pāṇḍavaiḥ saha bhārata|| 23 ||
O descendant of Bharata, O king, in this battle of the Kurus and the Pandavas the earth will appear like a river of blood with the standards as so many rafts.
दिक्षु प्रज्वलितास्याश्च व्याहरन्ति मृगद्विजाः ।
अत्याहितं दर्शयन्तो वेदयन्ति महद् भयम् ॥ २४ ॥
dikṣu prajvalitāsyāśca vyāharanti mṛgadvijāḥ |
atyāhitaṃ darśayanto vedayanti mahad bhayam || 24 ||
Animals and birds, on all sides, utter harsh cries with their mouths burning like fire. This forebode fearful evils.
एकपक्षाक्षिचरणः शकुनिः खचरो निशि ।
रौद्रं वदति संरब्धः शोणितं छर्दयन्निव ।। २५ ।।
ekapakṣākṣicaraṇaḥ śakuniḥ khacaro niśi |
raudraṃ vadati saṃrabdhaḥ śoṇitaṃ chardayanniva || 25 ||
A bird, with only one wing, one eye, and one leg ranges in the sky in the night. It fearfully screamed in anger, as if it wanted everybody to vomit blood.
शस्त्राणि चैव राजेन्द्र प्रज्वलन्तीव सम्प्रति ।
सप्तर्षीणामुदाराणां समवच्छाद्यते प्रभा ।। २६ ।।
śastrāṇi caiva rājendra prajvalantīva samprati |
saptarṣīṇāmudārāṇāṃ samavacchādyate prabhā || 26 ||
O king of kings, it appears that all weapons are now blazing in great brilliance. But the effulgence of the constellation of the seven Rishis has become dim.
संवत्सरस्थायिनौ च ग्रहौ प्रज्वलितावुभौ ।
विशाखायाः समीपस्थौ बृहस्पतिशनैश्चरौ ॥ २७॥
saṃvatsarasthāyinau ca grahau prajvalitāvubhau |
viśākhāyāḥ samīpasthau bṛhaspatiśanaiścarau || 27||
Those two burning planets namely Brihaspati and Shani have become fixed for a year.
चन्द्रादित्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकाह्ना हि त्रयोदशीम् ।
अपर्वणि ग्रहं यातौ प्रजासंक्षयमिच्छतः ॥ २८ ॥
candrādityāvubhau grastāvekāhnā hi trayodaśīm |
aparvaṇi grahaṃ yātau prajāsaṃkṣayamicchataḥ || 28 ||
Three lunations, meeting twice or thrice in one and the same fortnight and on the thirteenth day, therefore, from the first luxation, according as it is the day of the full- moon or the new moon, the moon and the sun are devoured by Rahu. This forebodes a great slaughter (of creatures).
अशोभिता दिशः सर्वाः पांसुवर्षै: समन्ततः ।
उत्पातमेघा रौद्राश्च रात्रौ वर्षन्ति शोणितम् ॥ २९ ॥
aśobhitā diśaḥ sarvāḥ pāṃsuvarṣai: samantataḥ |
utpātameghā raudrāśca rātrau varṣanti śoṇitam || 29 ||
All directions of the earth, covered by showers of dust appear greatly inauspicious. Fearful clouds, foreboding evil, pour showers of blood in the night.
कृत्तिकां पीड़यंस्तीक्ष्णैर्नक्षत्रं पृथिवीपते ।
अभीक्ष्णवाता वायन्ते धूमकेतुमवस्थिताः ॥ ३० ॥
kṛttikāṃ pīḍa़yaṃstīkṣṇairnakṣatraṃ pṛthivīpate |
abhīkṣṇavātā vāyante dhūmaketumavasthitāḥ || 30 ||
O king, Rahu of terrible deeds also afflicts Krittika. Rough winds, foreboding terrible danger, are continually blowing.
विषमं जनयन्त्येत आक्रन्दजननं महत् ।
त्रिषु सर्वेषु नक्षत्रनक्षत्रेषु विशाम्पते ।
गृध्रः सम्पतते शीर्षं जनयन् भयमुत्तमम् ॥ ३१॥
viṣamaṃ janayantyeta ākrandajananaṃ mahat |
triṣu sarveṣu nakṣatranakṣatreṣu viśāmpate |
gṛdhraḥ sampatate śīrṣaṃ janayan bhayamuttamam || 31||
All these bring in a war, which is characterized by many weeping. The constellations are divided into three classes. Upon one or the other of each class evil planet has shed its influence. All this forebodes terrible consequences.
चतुर्दशीं पञ्चदशीं भूतपूर्वं च षोडशीम् ।
इमां तु नाभिजानेऽहममावास्यां त्रयोदशीम् ।
चन्द्रसूर्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकमासीं त्रयोदशीम्॥३२॥
caturdaśīṃ pañcadaśīṃ bhūtapūrvaṃ ca ṣoḍaśīm |
imāṃ tu nābhijāne’hamamāvāsyāṃ trayodaśīm |
candrasūryāvubhau grastāvekamāsīṃ trayodaśīm||32||
A lunar fortnight has hitherto consisted of fourteen days, fifteen days, or sixteen days. But on the thirteenth day and in the course of the same month two eclipses have taken place.
अपर्वणि ग्रहेणैतौ प्रजाः संक्षपयिष्यतः ।
मांसवर्षं पुनस्तीव्रमासीत् कृष्णचतुर्दशीम् ।
शोणितैर्वक्त्रसम्पूर्णा अतृप्तास्तत्र राक्षसाः ।।३३।।
aparvaṇi graheṇaitau prajāḥ saṃkṣapayiṣyataḥ |
māṃsavarṣaṃ punastīvramāsīt kṛṣṇacaturdaśīm |
śoṇitairvaktrasampūrṇā atṛptāstatra rākṣasāḥ ||33||
The sun and the moon therefore undergo eclipses on unusual days willing in a great slaughter of all creatures on earth. Even the Rakshasas drinking mouthfuls of blood are not satiated.
प्रतिस्रोतो महानद्यः सरित: शोणितोदका: ।
फेनायमानाः कूपाश्च कूर्दन्ति वृषभा इव ||३४||
pratisroto mahānadyaḥ sarita: śoṇitodakā: |
phenāyamānāḥ kūpāśca kūrdanti vṛṣabhā iva ||34||
The great rivers flow in opposite directions. The waters of rivers have turned into blood.
पतन्त्युका सनिर्घाताः शक्राशनिसमप्रभाः ।
अद्य चैव निशां व्युष्टामनयं समवाप्स्यथ ।। ३५ ।।
patantyukā sanirghātāḥ śakrāśanisamaprabhāḥ |
adya caiva niśāṃ vyuṣṭāmanayaṃ samavāpsyatha || 35 ||
Meteors, as effulgent as Indra's thunder, fall on earth with a loud sound. When this night passes away, a great danger will fall on you.
विनिःसृत्य महोल्काभिस्तिमिरं सर्वतोदिशम्।
अन्योन्यमुपतिष्ठद्भिस्तत्र चोक्तं महर्षिभिः ।। ३६ ।
viniḥsṛtya maholkābhistimiraṃ sarvatodiśam|
anyonyamupatiṣṭhadbhistatra coktaṃ maharṣibhiḥ || 36 |
Men with lighted torches in their hands will have great difficulty meeting each other, for a thick gloom will cover all space.
भूमिपाल सहस्राणां भूमि: पास्यति शोणितम् ।
कैलासमन्दराभ्यां तु तथा हिमवता विभो ।। ३७ ।।
bhūmipāla sahasrāṇāṃ bhūmi: pāsyati śoṇitam |
kailāsamandarābhyāṃ tu tathā himavatā vibho || 37 ||
Great Rishis have said that in such circumstances, the earth drinks the blood of thousands of kings. From the mountains of Kailasa, Mandara and Himalayas,
सहस्रशो महाशब्दः शिखराणि पतन्ति च ।
महाभूता भूमिकम्पे चत्वारः सागराः पृथक् ।
sahasraśo mahāśabdaḥ śikharāṇi patanti ca |
mahābhūtā bhūmikampe catvāraḥ sāgarāḥ pṛthak |
Thousands of sounds are heard thousands of mountain summits are falling down. Earth trembles, and in consequence the four oceans.
वेलामुद्वर्तयन्तीव क्षोभयन्तो वसुंधराम् ॥ ३८ ॥
वृक्षानुन्मथ्य वान्त्युग्रा वाताः शर्करकर्षिणः ।
velāmudvartayantīva kṣobhayanto vasuṃdharām || 38 ||
vṛkṣānunmathya vāntyugrā vātāḥ śarkarakarṣiṇaḥ |
Having exceedingly swelled, seem ready to overflow their banks in order to afflict the earth. Fearful winds with stones are blowing crushing all the trees.
आभग्नाः सुमहावातैरशनीभिः समाहताः ।। ३९ ।।
वृक्षाः पतन्ति चैत्याश्च ग्रामेषु नगरेषु च ।
ābhagnāḥ sumahāvātairaśanībhiḥ samāhatāḥ || 39 ||
vṛkṣāḥ patanti caityāśca grāmeṣu nagareṣu ca |
Being crushed by the high wind and stuck by lightning, sacred and common trees in villages and towns are falling down.
नीललोहितपीतश्च भवत्यग्निर्हतो द्विजैः ॥ ४० ॥
वामाचिर्दुष्टगन्धश्च मुञ्चन् वै दारुणं स्वनम् ।
nīlalohitapītaśca bhavatyagnirhato dvijaiḥ || 40 ||
vāmācirduṣṭagandhaśca muñcan vai dāruṇaṃ svanam |
When the Brahmanas pour sacrificial libations on fire, it now becomes blue red, or yellow. Its flame turns towards the left and produces a bad odor accompanied by loud sounds.
स्पर्शा गन्धा रसाचैव विपरीता महीपते । ४१॥
धूमं ध्वजा: प्रमुञ्चन्ति कम्पमाना मुहुर्मुहुः ।
मुञ्चन्त्यङ्गारवर्षं च भेर्यश्च पटहास्तथा ॥ ४२ ॥
sparśā gandhā rasācaiva viparītā mahīpate | 41||
dhūmaṃ dhvajā: pramuñcanti kampamānā muhurmuhuḥ |
muñcantyaṅgāravarṣaṃ ca bheryaśca paṭahāstathā || 42 ||
O kings, touch, smell, and taste have become quite the contrary. The standards of the warriors often tremble and they send forth smoke. Drums and cymbals cast off showers of coat dust.
शिखराणां समृद्धानामुपरिष्टात् समन्ततः ।
वायसाश्च रुवन्त्युग्रं वामं मण्डलमाश्रिताः ॥ ४३ ॥
पक्वापक्वेति सुभृशं वावाश्यन्ते वयांसि च ।
śikharāṇāṃ samṛddhānāmupariṣṭāt samantataḥ |
vāyasāśca ruvantyugraṃ vāmaṃ maṇḍalamāśritāḥ || 43 ||
pakvāpakveti subhṛśaṃ vāvāśyante vayāṃsi ca |
From the top of tall trees crows fly away in circles from the left. They are uttering terrible cries. All of them are sending forth fearful cries of pakka, pakka.
निलीयन्ते ध्वजाग्रेषु क्षयाय पृथिवीक्षिताम् ॥ ४४ ॥
ध्यायन्त: प्रकिरन्तश्च व्याला वेपथुसंयुताः ।
दीनास्तुरङ्गमाः सर्वे वारणाः सलिलाश्रयाः ।। ४५ ।।
nilīyante dhvajāgreṣu kṣayāya pṛthivīkṣitām || 44 ||
dhyāyanta: prakirantaśca vyālā vepathusaṃyutāḥ |
dīnāsturaṅgamāḥ sarve vāraṇāḥ salilāśrayāḥ || 45 ||
They are sitting on the tops of standards foreboding the destruction of the kings. Poor elephants run hither and thither throwing off urine and excreta. The horses are all melancholy, while the elephants are going into the water.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा भवानत्र प्राप्तकालं व्यवस्यताम् ।
यथा लोकः समुच्छेदं नायं गच्छेत भारत।।४६॥
etacchrutvā bhavānatra prāptakālaṃ vyavasyatām |
yathā lokaḥ samucchedaṃ nāyaṃ gaccheta bhārata||46||
Having heard all this, O descendant of Bharata, do what is proper, so that the world may not meet with extermination.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
पितुर्वचो निशम्यैतद् धृतराष्ट्रोऽब्रवीदिदम् ।
दिष्टमेतत् पुरा मन्ये भविष्यति नरक्षयः ॥४७॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca
piturvaco niśamyaitad dhṛtarāṣṭro’bravīdidam |
diṣṭametat purā manye bhaviṣyati narakṣayaḥ ||47||
Vaishampayana said
Having heard the words of Father Dhritarashtra said: It is my belief that all this has been previously ordained.
राजानः क्षत्रधर्मेण यदि वध्यन्ति संयुगे ।
वीरलोकं समासाद्य सुखं प्राप्स्यन्ति केवलम् ॥ ४८ ॥
rājānaḥ kṣatradharmeṇa yadi vadhyanti saṃyuge |
vīralokaṃ samāsādya sukhaṃ prāpsyanti kevalam || 48 ||
If the kings according to the duties of Kshatriyas die in battle, they will then go to the regions reserved for heroes and thus obtain eternal happiness only.
इह कीर्ति परे लोके दीर्घकालं महत् सुखम् ।
प्राप्स्यन्ति पुरुषव्याघ्राः प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा महाहवे ॥ ४९ ॥
ha kīrti pare loke dīrghakālaṃ mahat sukham |
prāpsyanti puruṣavyāghrāḥ prāṇāṃstyaktvā mahāhave || 49 ||
If these foremost men abandon their lives in a great battle, they will acquire fame in this world and great and eternal happiness in the world next.
वैशम्पायन उवाच
एवमुक्तो मुनिस्तत्त्वं कवीन्द्रो राजसत्तम ।
धृतराष्ट्रेण पुत्रेण ध्यानमन्वगमत् परम् ॥ ५० ॥
vaiśampāyana uvāca
evamukto munistattvaṃ kavīndro rājasattama |
dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa putreṇa dhyānamanvagamat param || 50 ||
evamukto munistattvaṃ kavīndro rājasattama |
dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa putreṇa dhyānamanvagamat param || 50 ||
Vaishampayana said
O foremost of kings, having been thus addressed by his son Dhritarashtra, that best of poets, that Rishi Vyasa, concentrated his mind in a great meditation.
स मुहूर्तं तथा ध्यात्वा पुनरेवाब्रवीद् वचः ।
असंशयं पार्थिवेन्द्र कालः संक्षियते जगत् ॥ ५१ ॥
असंशयं पार्थिवेन्द्र कालः संक्षियते जगत् ॥ ५१ ॥
sa muhūrtaṃ tathā dhyātvā punarevābravīd vacaḥ |
asaṃśayaṃ pārthivendra kālaḥ saṃkṣiyate jagat || 51 ||
Having meditated for a moment, Vyasa thus again spoke, O king of kings, “There is no doubt that Time destroys the Universe.
सृजते च पुनर्लोकान् नेह विद्यति शाश्वतम् ।
ज्ञातीनां वै कुरूणां च सम्बन्धिसुहृदां तथा ।। ५२ ।।
धर्म्यं देशय पन्थानं समर्थो ह्यसि वारणे ।
क्षुद्रं जातिवधं प्राहुर्मा कुरुष्व ममाप्रियम् ।। ५३ ।।
sṛjate ca punarlokān neha vidyati śāśvatam |
jñātīnāṃ vai kurūṇāṃ ca sambandhisuhṛdāṃ tathā || 52 ||
dharmyaṃ deśaya panthānaṃ samartho hyasi vāraṇe |
kṣudraṃ jātivadhaṃ prāhurmā kuruṣva mamāpriyam || 53 ||
It is Time also which create the worlds. There is nothing here on earth which is everlasting. Therefore show the path of virtue to the Kurus, to your relations, your kinsmen, and friends. You are the proper person to restrain them. It is said that the slaughter of kinsmen is sinful. Do not act in a way that would be disagreeable to me.
कालोऽयं पुत्ररूपेण तव जातो विशाम्पते ।
न वधः पूज्यते वेदे हितं नैव कथंचन ॥ ५४ ॥
kālo’yaṃ putrarūpeṇa tava jāto viśāmpate |
na vadhaḥ pūjyate vede hitaṃ naiva kathaṃcana || 54 ||
O king, Death himself, has taken birth in the form of your son. Slaughter is never spoken highly of in the Vedas. It can never produce any good.
हन्यात् स एनं यो हन्यात् कुलधर्मं स्विकां तनुम् ।
कालेनोत्पथगन्ताऽसि शक्ये सति यथाऽऽपदि ॥ ५५ ॥
कुलस्यास्य विनाशाय तथैव च महीक्षिताम् ।
अनर्थो राज्यरूपेण तव जातो विशाम्पते । । ५६ ॥
hanyāt sa enaṃ yo hanyāt kuladharmaṃ svikāṃ tanum |
kālenotpathagantā’si śakye sati yathā’’padi || 55 ||
kulasyāsya vināśāya tathaiva ca mahīkṣitām |
anartho rājyarūpeṇa tava jāto viśāmpate | | 56 ||
The custom of a family brings about his own ruin who destroys it resembling his own body. For the destruction of this race as well as that of kings, it is (no doubt ). Time that leads you to this wrong path although you are capable to withstand it. O king, in the shape of a kingdom, a great calamity has befallen you.
लुप्तधर्मा परेणासि धर्मं दर्शय वै सुतान् ।
किं ते राज्येन दुर्धर्ष येन प्राप्तोऽसि किल्बिषम् ॥ ५७॥
luptadharmā pareṇāsi dharmaṃ darśaya vai sutān |
kiṃ te rājyena durdharṣa yena prāpto’si kilbiṣam || 57||
Your virtue suffers a great diminution. Show your son what is virtuous. O invincible hero, of what value is a kingdom that brings in sin?
यशोधर्मं च कीर्तिं च पालयन् स्वर्गमाप्स्यसि ।
लभन्तां पाण्डवा राज्यं शमं गच्छन्तु कौरवाः ॥५८॥
yaśodharmaṃ ca kīrtiṃ ca pālayan svargamāpsyasi |
labhantāṃ pāṇḍavā rājyaṃ śamaṃ gacchantu kauravāḥ ||58||
Protect your good name, your virtue, and your fame. You will then be able to obtain heaven. Let the Pandavas have their kingdom and let the entire Kuru race have the peace."
एवं ब्रुवति विप्रेन्द्र धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः ।
आक्षिप्य वाक्यं वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यं चैवाब्रवीत् पुनः ।। ५९ ।।
evaṃ bruvati viprendra dhṛtarāṣṭro’mbikāsutaḥ |
ākṣipya vākyaṃ vākyajño vākyaṃ caivābravīt punaḥ || 59 ||
When that foremost of Brahmanas (Vyasa) was thus speaking in a sorrowful tone, the son of Ambika, accomplished in speech, king Dhritarashtra, thus spoke to him.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यथा भवान् वेत्ति तथैव वेत्ता भावाभावो विदितौ मे यथार्थी ।
स्वार्थे हि सम्मुह्यति तात लोको मां चापि लोकात्मकमेव विद्धि ॥ ६० ॥
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
yathā bhavān vetti tathaiva vettā bhāvābhāvo viditau me yathārthī |
svārthe hi sammuhyati tāta loko māṃ cāpi lokātmakameva viddhi || 60 ||
Dhritarashtra saidMy knowledge of life and death is the same as yours. The truth of this is well known to me. But men lose (good) judgment in things that concern their interest. O sire, know me to be an ordinary man.
प्रसादये त्वामतुलप्रभावं त्वं नो गतिर्दर्शयिता च धीरः ।
न चापि ते मद्वशगा महर्षे न चाधर्मं कर्तुमर्हा हि मे मतिः ॥ ६१ ॥
त्वं हि धर्मप्रवृत्तिश्च यशः कीर्तिश्च भारती ।
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च मान्यश्चापि पितामहः ॥ ६२ ॥
prasādaye tvāmatulaprabhāvaṃ tvaṃ no gatirdarśayitā ca dhīraḥ |
na cāpi te madvaśagā maharṣe na cādharmaṃ kartumarhā hi me matiḥ || 61 ||
tvaṃ hi dharmapravṛttiśca yaśaḥ kīrtiśca bhāratī |
kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca mānyaścāpi pitāmahaḥ || 62 ||
O Rishi of immeasurable power. I pray to you to extend your power towards us. You have your soul under complete control, you are my preceptor and guide. O great Rishi, my sons do not obey me. My mind is not inclined to commit sin. You are the instrument of the fame, the achievements and virtue of the Bharata race. You are the respected grand- father of both the Kurus and the Pandavas.
व्यास उवाच
वैचित्रवीर्य नृपते यत्ते मनसि वर्तते ।
अभिधत्स्व यथाकामं छेत्ताऽस्मि तव संशयम् ॥ ६३ ॥
vyāsa uvāca
vaicitravīrya nṛpate yatte manasi vartate |
abhidhatsva yathākāmaṃ chettā’smi tava saṃśayam || 63 ||
Vyasa saidO son of Vichitravirya, tell me openly what is in your mind. I shall remove your doubts.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यानि लिङ्गानि संग्रामे भवन्ति विजयिष्यताम् ।
तानि सर्वाणि भगवच्छ्रोतुमिच्छामि तत्त्वत: ।। ६४ ।
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
yāni liṅgāni saṃgrāme bhavanti vijayiṣyatām |
tāni sarvāṇi bhagavacchrotumicchāmi tattvata: || 64 |
Dhritarashtra saidO reverend sir, I desire to hear from you all those signs that are happier before those that become victorious in battle.
व्यास उवाच
प्रसन्नभाः पावक ऊर्ध्वरश्मिः प्रदक्षिणावर्तशिखो विधूमः ।
पुण्या गन्धाश्चाहुतीनां प्रवान्ति जयस्यैतद् भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥ ६५ ॥
vyāsa uvāca
prasannabhāḥ pāvaka ūrdhvaraśmiḥ pradakṣiṇāvartaśikho vidhūmaḥ |
puṇyā gandhāścāhutīnāṃ pravānti jayasyaitad bhāvino rūpamāhuḥ || 65 ||
Vyasa saidThe sacred fire assumes a cheerful luster. Its light rises upwards. Its flames bend towards the right. It blazes forth without any smoke. The libations poured into it produce a sweet fragrance. These are said to be the indications of future success.
गम्भीरघोषाश्च महास्वनाश्च शङ्खा मृदङ्गाश्च नदन्ति यत्र ।
विशुद्धरश्मिस्तपनः शशी च जयस्यैतद् भाविनो रूपमाहुः ॥ ६६ ॥
gambhīraghoṣāśca mahāsvanāśca
śaṅkhā mṛdaṅgāśca nadanti yatra |
viśuddharaśmistapanaḥ śaśī ca
jayasyaitad bhāvino rūpamāhuḥ || 66 ||
The conchs and cymbals produce deep and loud sounds. the sun and the moon give forth pure rays. These are said to be the indications of future success.
इष्टा वाचः प्रसृता वायसानां सम्प्रस्थितानां च गमिष्यतां च।
ये पृष्ठतस्ते त्वरयन्ति राजन् ये चाग्रतस्ते प्रतिषेधयन्ति ॥ ६७ ॥
iṣṭā vācaḥ prasṛtā vāyasānāṃ samprasthitānāṃ ca gamiṣyatāṃ ca|
ye pṛṣṭhataste tvarayanti rājan ye cāgrataste pratiṣedhayanti || 67 ||
Flying or sitting crows utter agreeable cries. Those warriors that are behind urge those that are in front to advance.
कल्याणवाचः शकुना राजहंसा: शुकाः क्रौञ्चाः शतपत्राश्च यत्र ।
प्रदक्षिणाश्चैव भवन्ति संख्ये ध्रुवं जयस्तत्र वदन्ति विप्राः ॥ ६८ ॥
kalyāṇavācaḥ śakunā rājahaṃsā:
śukāḥ krauñcāḥ śatapatrāśca yatra |
pradakṣiṇāścaiva bhavanti saṃkhye
dhruvaṃ jayastatra vadanti viprāḥ || 68 ||
When vultures, swans, parrots, cranes, and woodpeckers utter delightful cries and go towards the right, the Brahmanas say that victory in such cases is certain.
अलङ्कारैः कवचैः केतुभिश्च सुखप्रणादैर्हेषितैर्वा हयानाम्।
भ्राजिष्मती दुष्प्रतिवीक्षणीया येषां चमूस्ते विजयन्ति शत्रून् ॥ ६९ ॥
alaṅkāraiḥ kavacaiḥ ketubhiśca sukhapraṇādairheṣitairvā hayānām|
bhrājiṣmatī duṣprativīkṣaṇīyā yeṣāṃ camūste vijayanti śatrūn || 69 ||
Those, whose ornaments, armor and standards, and bright shields become incapable of being stared at, always conquer their enemies.
हृष्टा वाचस्तथा सत्त्वं योधानां यत्र भारत ।
न म्लायन्ति स्रजश्चैव ते तरन्ति रणोदधिम् ॥७० ॥
hṛṣṭā vācastathā sattvaṃ yodhānāṃ yatra bhārata |
na mlāyanti srajaścaiva te taranti raṇodadhim ||70||
Those, that send forth cheerful shouts, O descendant of Bharata, those warriors, whose courage is not damped and whose garlands do not fade, always cross the ocean of battle.
इष्टा वाच : प्रविष्टस्य दक्षिणाः प्रविविक्षतः ।
पश्चात् संधारयन्त्यर्थमग्रे च प्रतिषेधिकाः ॥ ७१ ॥ ।
iṣṭā vāca : praviṣṭasya dakṣiṇāḥ pravivikṣataḥ |
paścāt saṃdhārayantyarthamagre ca pratiṣedhikāḥ || 71 || |
Those who wish to enter into the ranks of the foe, utter even kind words, and those who warn the foe before striking always obtain victory.
शब्दरूपरसस्पर्शगन्धाश्चाविकृताः शुभाः ।
सदा हर्षश्च योधानां जयतामिह लक्षणम् ॥ ७२ ॥
śabdarūparasasparśagandhāścāvikṛtāḥ śubhāḥ |
sadā harṣaśca yodhānāṃ jayatāmiha lakṣaṇam || 72 ||
When the objects of hearing, seeing, tasting, touching, and smelling do not undergo any change and become auspicious, and if there is joy amongst the warriors at all times, it indicates victory.
अनुगा वायवो वान्ति तथाऽभ्राणि वयांसि च।
अनुप्लवन्ति मेघाश्च तथैवेन्द्रधनूंषि च ॥ ७३ ॥
anugā vāyavo vānti tathā’bhrāṇi vayāṃsi ca|
anuplavanti meghāśca tathaivendradhanūṃṣi ca || 73 ||
O king, these are the indications of victory, namely the winds, the clouds, and the birds all become favorable, and the clouds and rain-bows that pour beneficial showers.
एतानि जयमानानां लक्षणानि विशाम्पते।
भवन्ति विपरीतानि मुमूषूणा जनाधिप ||७४ ||
etāni jayamānānāṃ lakṣaṇāni viśāmpate|
bhavanti viparītāni mumūṣūṇā janādhipa ||74 ||
O king, these are the indications that armies would secure success, while, O king, all these become quite the contrary in the case of those that are on the point of death.
अल्पायां वा महत्यां वा सेनायामिति निश्चयः ।
हर्षो योधगणस्यैको जयलक्षणमुच्यते ॥ ७५ ॥
alpāyāṃ vā mahatyāṃ vā senāyāmiti niścayaḥ |
harṣo yodhagaṇasyaiko jayalakṣaṇamucyate || 75 ||
Whether the army is small or large cheerfulness of its soldiers is said to be a certain sign of its winning victory.
एको दीर्णोदारयति सेनां सुमहतीमपि ।
तां दीर्णामनुदीर्यन्ते योधाः शूरतरा अपि ॥ ७६ ॥
eko dīrṇodārayati senāṃ sumahatīmapi |
tāṃ dīrṇāmanudīryante yodhāḥ śūratarā api || 76 ||
One soldier, struck with panic, can cause a large army to be alarmed and to take to flight, it causes even the bravest of warriors to be frightened.
दुर्निव तदा चैव प्रभग्ना महती चमूः ।
अपामिव महावेगास्त्रस्ता मृगगणा इव ।। ७७ ।।
durniva tadā caiva prabhagnā mahatī camūḥ |
apāmiva mahāvegāstrastā mṛgagaṇā iva || 77 ||
If a large army is once broken up and routed, it cannot be easily rallied like a herd of deer in fright or a mighty current of waters (in rain).
नैव शक्या समाधातुं संनिपाते महाचमूः ।
दीर्णामित्येव दीर्यते सुविद्वांसोऽपि भारत ॥ ७८ ॥
naiva śakyā samādhātuṃ saṃnipāte mahācamūḥ |
dīrṇāmityeva dīryate suvidvāṃso’pi bhārata || 78 ||
O descendant of Bharata, if a large army is once routed, it is incapable of being rallied; on the other hand, seeing it dispersed, even well-skilled warriors become confounded.
भीतान् भग्नांश्च सम्प्रेक्ष्य भयं भूयोऽभिवर्धते ।
प्रभग्ना सहसा राजन् दिशो विद्रवते चमूः ॥ ७९ ॥
bhītān bhagnāṃśca samprekṣya bhayaṃ bhūyo’bhivardhate |
prabhagnā sahasā rājan diśo vidravate camūḥ || 79 ||
Seeing soldiers struck with panic and flying, the panic spreads also in other directions. O king, in such cases the whole army is soon broken up and all fly in all directions.
नैव स्थापयितुं शक्या शूरैरपि महाचमूः ।
सत्कृत्य महतीं सेनां चतुरङ्गां महीपतिः ।
naiva sthāpayituṃ śakyā śūrairapi mahācamūḥ |
satkṛtya mahatīṃ senāṃ caturaṅgāṃ mahīpatiḥ |
O king, when an army is routed, even brave leaders at the head of large divisions of the army consisting of four kinds of troops can not rally them.
उपायपूर्वं मेधावी यतेत सततोत्थितः ॥ ८० ॥
उपायविजयं श्रेष्ठमाहुर्भेदेन मध्यमम् ।
जघन्य एष विजयो यो युद्धेन विशाम्पते ॥ ८१ ॥
upāyapūrvaṃ medhāvī yateta satatotthitaḥ || 80 ||
upāyavijayaṃ śreṣṭhamāhurbhedena madhyamam |
jaghanya eṣa vijayo yo yuddhena viśāmpate || 81 ||
It is said that the success that is obtained by negotiations and other means is the best. That which is secured by creating disunion (amongst the enemy) is but indifferent. O king, the success that is secured by battle is the worst.
महादोषः संनिपातस्तस्याद्यः क्षय उच्यते ।
परस्परज्ञाः संहृष्टा व्यवधूताः सुनिश्चिताः॥८२॥
पञ्चाशदपि ये शूरा मृद्नन्ति महतीं चमूम् ।
अपि वा पञ्च षट् सप्त विजयन्त्यनिवर्तिनः ॥ ८३ ॥
mahādoṣaḥ saṃnipātastasyādyaḥ kṣaya ucyate |
parasparajñāḥ saṃhṛṣṭā vyavadhūtāḥ suniścitāḥ||82||
pañcāśadapi ye śūrā mṛdnanti mahatīṃ camūm |
api vā pañca ṣaṭ sapta vijayantyanivartinaḥ || 83 ||
There are many evils in battle; the first and foremost is slaughter. Even fifty brave men who know one another, who are not dispirited, who are free from family ties, and who are firmly resolved can defeat a large army. Even fire, six or seven, who do not retreat can obtain victory.
न वैनतेयो गरुडः प्रशंसति महाजनम् ।
दृष्ट्वा सुपर्णोऽपचितिं महत्या अपि भारत ।। ८४ ॥
na vainateyo garuḍaḥ praśaṃsati mahājanam |
dṛṣṭvā suparṇo’pacitiṃ mahatyā api bhārata || 84 ||
O descendant of Bharata, Vinata's son Garuda never asks for the assistance of many followers when he sees even a large number of birds.
न बाहुल्येन सेनाया जो भवति नित्यशः ।
अध्रुवो हि जयो नाम दैवं चात्र परायणम् ।
जयवन्तो हि संग्रामे कृतकृत्या भवन्ति हि ॥ ८५ ॥
na bāhulyena senāyā jo bhavati nityaśaḥ |
adhruvo hi jayo nāma daivaṃ cātra parāyaṇam |
jayavanto hi saṃgrāme kṛtakṛtyā bhavanti hi || 85 ||
Therefore the strength of a number of an army is not always the cause of victory. Victory is always uncertain. It depends on chance. Even those who obtain victory have to suffer loss.
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