8-1-001
वैशंपायन उवाच
ततो द्रोणे हते राजन्दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः
भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो द्रोणपुत्रमुपागमन्
Vaiśampāyana said, 'O king! After Droṇa had been killed, the kings, with Duryodhana at the forefront, were extremely anxious in their minds.
8-1-002
ते द्रोणमुपशोचन्तः कश्मलाभिहतौजसः
पर्युपासन्त शोकार्तास्ततः शारद्वतीसुतम्
They went to Droṇa's son. They sorrowed and were dispirited because the infinitely energetic Droṇa had been killed. In their grief, they surrounded the son of Śāradvatī.
8-1-003
मुहूर्तं ते समाश्वास्य हेतुभिः शास्त्रसंमितैः
रात्र्यागमे महीपालाः स्वानि वेश्मानि भेजिरे
For some time, they comforted him by recounting the reasons given in the sacred texts. However, once night arrived, those lords of the earth went to their own camps.
8-1-004
विशेषतः सूतपुत्रो राजा चैव सुयोधनः
दुःशासनोऽथ शकुनिर्न निद्रामुपलेभिरे
But, in particular, the son of the sūta, King Suyodhana, Duḥśāsana and Śākuni could not sleep.
8-1-005
ते वेश्मस्वपि कौरव्य पृथ्वीशा नाप्नुवन्सुखम्
चिन्तयन्तः क्षयं तीव्रं निद्रां नैवोपलेभिरे
In their camps, the Kauravya-s and the lords of the earth found no cheer. They thought of that terrible destruction and could not sleep.
8-1-006
सहितास्ते निशायां तु दुर्योधननिवेशने
अतिप्रचण्डाद्विद्वेषात्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्
Together, they spent the night in Duryodhana's camp and thought about the extremely fierce enmity that they had unleashed on the great-souled Pāṇḍava-s.
8-1-007
यत्तद्द्यूतपरिक्लिष्टां कृष्णामानिन्यिरे सभाम्
तत्स्मरन्तोऽन्वतप्यन्त भृशमुद्विग्नचेतसः
They had oppressed Kṛṣṇā at the time of gambling with the dice and had brought her to the assembly hall. They thought of that and repented. They became extremely anxious.
8-1-008
चिन्तयन्तश्च पार्थानां तान्क्लेशान्द्यूतकारितान्
कृच्छ्रेण क्षणदां राजन्निन्युरब्दशतोपमाम्
They thought of the hardships the Pārtha-s had confronted on account of the gambling match. O king! As they thought about these difficulties, the moment seemed to last for a hundred years.
8-1-009
ततः प्रभाते विमले स्थिता दिष्टस्य शासने
चक्रुरावश्यकं सर्वे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
Then, the clear morning dawned and they, being situated in accordance with the command of fate, went through the prescribed rites.
8-1-010
ते कृत्वावश्यकार्याणि समाश्वस्य च भारत
योगमाज्ञापयामासुर्युद्धाय च विनिर्ययुः
O descendant of the Bhārata lineage! Having performed these necessary tasks, they were somewhat reassured. When the sun arose, they instructed that the soldiers should be yoked and departed.
8-1-011
कर्णं सेनापतिं कृत्वा कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाः
वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्दधिपात्रघृताक्षतैः
Karṇa was made the overall commander and the auspicious ceremonies were performed. The foremost among brāhmana-s were praised and given vessels full of curds, clarified butter and parched rice.
8-1-012
निष्कैर्गोभिर्हिरण्येन वासोभिश्च महाधनैः
वर्ध्यमाना जयाशीर्भिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः
Golden coins, cattle, gold and extremely expensive garments were also donated. Bards, raconteurs and minstrels prayed that their victory and prosperity might increase.
8-1-013
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्कृतसर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः
शिबिरान्निर्ययू राजन्युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः
O king! In similar fashion, the Pāṇḍava-s also performed all the morning rites. O king! Making up their minds to fight, they emerged from their camps.
8-1-014
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च परस्परवधैषिणाम्
As the Kuru-s and the Pāṇḍava-s wished to kill each other, a tumultuous battle commenced and it made the body hair stand up.
8-1-015
तयोर्द्वे दिवसे युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः
कर्णे सेनापतौ राजन्नभूदद्भुतदर्शनम्
O king! When Karṇa was the overall commander, the battle between the Kuru and Pāṇḍava soldiers lasted for two days. It was wonderful to see.
8-1-016
ततः शत्रुक्षयं कृत्वा सुमहान्तं रणे वृषः
पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां फल्गुनेन निपातितः
After having caused a great slaughter of the enemy in the battle, Vṛṣa was brought down by Phālguna, while all the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra looked on.
8-1-017
ततस्तत्संजयः सर्वं गत्वा नागाह्वयं पुरम्
आचख्यौ धृतराष्ट्राय यद्वृत्तं कुरुजाङ्गले
Sañjaya then went to the city of Nagasahvya and told Dhṛtarāṣṭra everything that had transpired in Kurujāṅgala.
8-1-018
जनमेजय उवाच
आपगेयं हतं श्रुत्वा द्रोणं च समरे परैः
यो जगाम परामार्तिं वृद्धो राजाम्बिकासुतः
Janamejaya said: Having heard that Droṇa had been killed by the enemy in the battle, the aged king, Ambikā's son, had been overcome by supreme grief.
8-1-019
स श्रुत्वा निहतं कर्णं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम्
कथं द्विजवर प्राणानधारयत दुःखितः
O supreme among brāhmana-s! On hearing that Karṇa, Duryodhana's well-wisher, had been slain, he must have been miserable. How could he sustain his life?
8-1-020
यस्मिञ्जयाशां पुत्राणाममन्यत स पार्थिवः
तस्मिन्हते स कौरव्यः कथं प्राणानधारयत्
The king's hopes for the victory of his sons had been based on him. On hearing that he had been killed, how could Kauravya sustain his life?
8-1-021
दुर्मरं बत मन्येऽहं नृणां कृच्छ्रेऽपि वर्तताम्
यत्र कर्णं हतं श्रुत्वा नात्यजज्जीवितं नृपः
Even when there is a hardship, I think that it is very difficult for men to die, since, despite hearing that Karṇa had been slain, the king did not give up his life.
8-1-022
तथा शांतनवं वृद्धं ब्रह्मन्बाह्लिकमेव च
द्रोणं च सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च
O brāhmaṇa! That was also true of Śāntanu's aged son, Bahlika, Droṇa, Somadatta and Bhurishrava.
8-1-023
तथैव चान्यान्सुहृदः पुत्रपौत्रांश्च पातितान्
श्रुत्वा यन्नाजहात्प्राणांस्तन्मन्ये दुष्करं द्विज
Many other well-wishers, sons and grandsons were also brought down. O brāhmaṇa! On hearing this, I think that it must have been very difficult for the king to remain alive.
8-1-024
एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तरेण तपोधन
न हि तृप्यामि पूर्वेषां शृण्वानश्चरितं महत्
O one rich in austerities! Tell me everything about this in detail. I am not satisfied with hearing about the great conduct of my ancestors.
8-1-025
वैशंपायन उवाच
हते कर्णे महाराज निशि गावल्गणिस्तदा
दीनो ययौ नागपुरमश्वैर्वातसमैर्जवे
Vaiśampāyana said: O great king! When Karṇa was slain, with a distressed mind, Gavalgana's son set out in the night for Nāgapura, on horses that were as fleet as the wind.
8-1-026
स हास्तिनपुरं गत्वा भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः
जगाम धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्षयं प्रक्षीणबान्धवम्
He reached Hāstinapura with great anxiety in his mind. He went to Dhṛtarāṣṭra's place, where, the number of well-wishers had declined.
8-1-027
स समुद्वीक्ष्य राजानं कश्मलाभिहतौजसम्
ववन्दे प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा मूर्ध्ना पादौ नृपस्य ह
He saw the king, who was overcome by lassitude and was devoid of energy. Joining his hands in salutation, he bowed his head at the king's feet.
8-1-028
संपूज्य च यथान्यायं धृतराष्ट्रं महीपतिम्
हा कष्टमिति चोक्त्वा स ततो वचनमाददे
He worshipped Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of the earth, in accordance with the prescribed rites. He then spoke these words.
8-1-029
संजयोऽहं क्षितिपते कच्चिदास्ते सुखं भवान्
स्वदोषेणापदं प्राप्य कच्चिन्नाद्य विमुह्यसि
"Āla-s! I am Sañjaya. O lord of the earth! Are you happy? You have confronted this state because of your own sins. I hope you are not confounded now.
8-1-030
हितान्युक्तानि विदुरद्रोणगाङ्गेयकेशवैः
अगृहीतान्यनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
You did not follow the beneficial advice of Vidūra, Droṇa, Gāṅgeya and Keśava. Are you distressed when you remember that?
8-1-031
रामनारदकण्वैश्च हितमुक्तं सभातले
नगृहीतमनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
In the assembly hall, Rāma, Nārada and Kaṇva spoke beneficial words to you, but you did not accept them. Are you distressed when you remember that?
8-1-032
सुहृदस्त्वद्धिते युक्तान्भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्परैः
निहतान्युधि संस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्
Remembering that the well-wishers who were engaged in your welfare, with Bhīṣma and Droṇa as the foremost, have been killed by the enemy in the battle, are you distressed?"
8-1-033
तमेवंवादिनं राजा सूतपुत्रं कृताञ्जलिम्
सुदीर्घमभिनिःश्वस्य दुःखार्त इदमब्रवीत्
Having been thus addressed, the king joined his hands in salutation before the son of the sūta. He sighed deeply. Oppressed by sorrow he spoke these words.
8-1-034
गाङ्गेये निहते शूरे दिव्यास्त्रवति संजय
द्रोणे च परमेष्वासे भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
"O Sañjaya! The brave Gāṅgeya, who was well versed in the use of divine weapons, has been brought down. So has the great archer, Droṇa, and my mind is severely distressed.
8-1-035
यो रथानां सहस्राणि दंशितानां दशैव हि
अहन्यहनि तेजस्वी निजघ्ने वसुसंभवः
The energetic one was born from the Vasu-s and slew ten thousand well-equipped chariots daily. My mind is severely distressed.
8-1-036
स हतो यज्ञसेनस्य पुत्रेणेह शिखण्डिना
पाण्डवेयाभिगुप्तेन भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
The armoured one slaughtered ten thousand rāṭha-s. He has been killed by Yajñasena's son, Śikhaṇḍī, who was protected by the Pāṇḍaveya-s.
8-1-037
भार्गवः प्रददौ यस्मै परमास्त्रं महात्मने
साक्षाद्रामेण यो बाल्ये धनुर्वेद उपाकृतः
Bhārgava gave supreme weapons to the great-souled one and when he was a child, Rāma himself taught him Dhanurveda.
8-1-038
यस्य प्रसादात्कौन्तेया राजपुत्रा महाबलाः
महारथत्वं संप्राप्तास्तथान्ये वसुधाधिपाः
It is through his favours that the immensely strong Kaunteya princes and many other lords of the earth became mahāratha-s.
8-1-039
तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे
सत्यसंधं महेष्वासं भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः
Droṇa was a great archer and unwavering in his aim. On hearing that he has been killed by Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the battle, my mind is severely distressed.
8-1-040
त्रैलोक्ये यस्य शास्त्रेषु न पुमान्विद्यते समः
तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा किमकुर्वत मामकाः
In the three worlds, there was no man who was his equal in the sacred texts. On hearing that Droṇa had been killed, what did those on my side do?
8-1-041
संशप्तकानां च बले पाण्डवेन महात्मना
धनंजयेन विक्रम्य गमिते यमसादनम्
Using his valour, the great-souled Pāṇḍava Dhanañjayā dispatched the army of the saṃśaptaka-s to Yāma's abode.
8-1-042
नारायणास्त्रे निहते द्रोणपुत्रस्य धीमतः
हतशेषेष्वनीकेषु किमकुर्वत मामकाः
The nārāyaṇa weapon used by Droṇa's intelligent son was repulsed. After this, and when the remainder of the army was slain and driven away, what did those on my side do?
8-1-043
विप्रद्रुतानहं मन्ये निमग्नः शोकसागरे
प्लवमानान्हते द्रोणे सन्ननौकानिवार्णवे
I think that they must have been immersed in an ocean of grief. When Droṇa was killed, they must have been like people on an ocean whose boat had been shattered.
8-1-044
दुर्योधनस्य कर्णस्य भोजस्य कृतवर्मणः
मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च
Duryodhana, Karṇa, Bhojā Kritavarma, Śalya, the king of Madra, Droṇa's son, Kṛpa -
8-1-045
मत्पुत्रशेषस्य तथा तथान्येषां च संजय
विप्रकीर्णेष्वनीकेषु मुखवर्णोऽभवत्कथम्
O Sañjaya! What were the facial complexions of my remaining sons and the others when the soldiers fled? Tell me that.
8-1-046
एतत्सर्वं यथा वृत्तं तत्त्वं गावल्गणे रणे
आचक्ष्व पाण्डवेयानां मामकानां च सर्वशः
O son of Gavalgana! Tell me everything, exactly as it happened in the battle. Tell me everything about the Pāṇḍaveya-s and those on my side."
8-1-047
संजय उवाच
पाण्डवेयैर्हि यद्वृत्तं कौरवेयेषु मारिष
तच्छ्रुत्वा मा व्यथां कार्षीर्दिष्टे न व्यथते मनः
Sañjaya replied: "O venerable one! On hearing what transpired between the Pāṇḍaveya-s and the Kauraveya-s, you should not be distressed. This is destiny and your mind should not be full of grief.
8-1-048
यस्मादभावी भावी वा भवेदर्थो नरं प्रति
अप्राप्तौ तस्य वा प्राप्तौ न कश्चिद्व्यथते बुधः
Sometimes, what should not happen, happens to a man. And sometimes, what should happen, does not. Therefore, learned ones do not grieve over that which has not been obtained, or what has been obtained."
8-1-049
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
न व्यथा शृण्वतः काचिद्विद्यते मम संजय
दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये कथयस्व यथेच्छकम्
Dhṛtarāṣṭra said: "O Sañjaya! On hearing this, my mind is not distressed. I think this is because of what destiny has ordained earlier. Tell me what you wish to."