Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 5.178
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5.178.1
एवमुक्तस्तदा रामो जहि भीष्ममिति प्रभो ।
उवाच रुदतीं कन्यां चोदयन्तीं पुनः पुनः ॥ ५.१७८.१ ॥
Thus addressed, Rāma said to the weeping maiden, who kept urging him again and again: "Strike down Bhīṣma."
5.178.2
काश्ये न कामं गृह्णामि शस्त्रं वै वरवर्णिनि ।
ऋते ब्रह्मविदां हेतोः किमन्यत्करवाणि ते ॥ ५.१७८.२ ॥
Daughter of Kāśi, fair-complexioned one, I do not willingly take up a weapon, except for the sake of the knowers of Brahman. What else may I do for you?
5.178.3
वाचा भीष्मश्च साल्वश्च मम राज्ञि वशानुगौ ।
भविष्यतोऽनवद्याङ्गि तत्करिष्यामि मा शुचः ॥ ५.१७८.३ ॥
By my word Bhīṣma and Śālva will become my obedient followers. Queen of faultless limbs, I will do that; do not grieve.
5.178.4
न तु शस्त्रं ग्रहीष्यामि कथंचिदपि भामिनि ।
ऋते नियोगाद्विप्राणामेष मे समयः कृतः ॥ ५.१७८.४ ॥
But, lady, I will in no way take up a weapon, except by the command of the brahmins. This is the vow I have made.
5.178.5
मम दुःखं भगवता व्यपनेयं यतस्ततः ।
तच्च भीष्मप्रसूतं मे तं जहीश्वर मा चिरम् ॥ ५.१७८.५ ॥
Lord, my sorrow must be removed by you, from whatever source it comes. Strike that sorrow born of Bhīṣma, O lord; do not delay.
5.178.6
काशिकन्ये पुनर्ब्रूहि भीष्मस्ते चरणावुभौ ।
शिरसा वन्दनार्होऽपि ग्रहीष्यति गिरा मम ॥ ५.१७८.६ ॥
Daughter of Kāśi, tell him again: Bhīṣma, let him bow his head at both your feet; though he is worthy of reverence, he will accept this at my word.
5.178.7
जहि भीष्मं रणे राम मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ।
प्रतिश्रुतं च यदपि तत्सत्यं कर्तुमर्हसि ॥ ५.१७८.७ ॥
Rāma, if you wish what is dear to me, strike down Bhīṣma in battle. You ought also to make true the promise you made.
5.178.8
तयोः संवदतोरेवं राजन्रामाम्बयोस्तदा ।
अकृतव्रणो जामदग्न्यमिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ५.१७८.८ ॥
O king, while Rāma and Ambā were conversing thus, Akṛtavraṇa spoke these words to Jāmadagnya Rāma.
5.178.9
शरणागतां महाबाहो कन्यां न त्यक्तुमर्हसि ।
यदि भीष्मो रणे राम समाहूतस्त्वया मृधे ॥ ५.१७८.९ ॥
O mighty-armed one, you ought not abandon this maiden who has come seeking refuge. O Rāma, if you have challenged Bhīṣma to battle,
5.178.10
निर्जितोऽस्मीति वा ब्रूयात्कुर्याद्वा वचनं तव ।
कृतमस्या भवेत्कार्यं कन्याया भृगुनन्दन ॥ ५.१७८.१० ॥
If he says 'I am defeated', or else does what you say, then this maiden's purpose will be fulfilled, O son of Bhṛgu.
5.178.11
वाक्यं सत्यं च ते वीर भविष्यति कृतं विभो ।
इयं चापि प्रतिज्ञा ते तदा राम महामुने ॥ ५.१७८.११ ॥
O hero, O mighty lord, your word will come true and be fulfilled. And this vow of yours too, O Rāma, great sage, will then be fulfilled.
5.178.12
जित्वा वै क्षत्रियान्सर्वान्ब्रह्मणेषु प्रतिश्रुता ।
ब्राह्मणः क्षत्रियो वैश्यः शूद्रश्चैव रणे यदि ॥ ५.१७८.१२ ॥
Having conquered all the kṣatriyas, you made a promise to the brahmins: if in battle a brahmin, a kṣatriya, a vaiśya, or even a śūdra,
5.178.13
ब्रह्मद्विङ्भविता तं वै हनिष्यामीति भार्गव ।
शरणार्थे प्रपन्नानां भीतानां शरणार्थिनाम् ॥ ५.१७८.१३ ॥
Whoever becomes an enemy of the brahmins, him I will surely kill, O Bhārgava, for the sake of those who have taken refuge, the frightened, and those seeking shelter.
5.178.14
न शक्ष्यामि परित्यागं कर्तुं जीवन्कथंचन ।
यश्च कृत्स्नं रणे क्षत्रं विजेष्यति समागतम् ॥ ५.१७८.१४ ॥
While I live, I can in no way abandon them; and he who shall conquer the whole warrior class assembled in battle.
5.178.15
दीप्तात्मानमहं तं च हनिष्यामीति भार्गव ।
स एवं विजयी राम भीष्मः कुरुकुलोद्वहः ।
तेन युध्यस्व सङ्ग्रमे समेत्य भृगुनन्दन ॥ ५.१७८.१५ ॥
And him of blazing spirit I will surely kill, O Bhārgava. Thus victorious is Bhīṣma, the bearer of the Kuru lineage, O Rāma. Meet him in battle and fight with him, O son of Bhṛgu.
5.178.16
स्मराम्यहं पूर्वकृतां प्रतिज्ञामृषिसत्तम ।
तथैव त्त करिष्यामि यथा साम्नैव लप्स्यते ॥ ५.१७८.१६ ॥
O best of sages, I remember the vow I made before. I will act so that it is obtained by conciliation alone.
5.178.17
कार्यमेतन्महद्ब्रह्मन्काशिकान्यामनोगतम् ।
गमिष्यामि स्वयं कन्यामादाय यत्र सः ॥ ५.१७८.१७ ॥
O brahmin, this great task is in my mind concerning the maidens of Kāśi. Taking the maiden, I myself will go to where he is.
5.178.18
यदि भीष्मो रणश्लाघी न करिष्यति मे वचः ।
हनिष्याम्येनमुद्रिक्तमिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ॥ ५.१७८.१८ ॥
If Bhīṣma, who boasts in battle, does not do my bidding, then I will kill this arrogant one; this is my firm resolve.
5.178.19
न हि बाणा मयोत्सृष्टाः सज्जन्तीह शरीरिणाम् ।
कायेषु विदितं तुभ्यं पुरा क्षत्रियसंगरे ॥ ५.१७८.१९ ॥
The arrows I have shot do not stick in the bodies of embodied beings here; this you have known before, in the battle of warriors.
5.178.20
एवमुक्त्वा ततो रामः सह तैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ।
प्रयाणाय मतिं कृत्वा समुत्तस्थौ महातपाः ॥ ५.१७८.२० ॥
Having spoken thus, Rāma, the great ascetic, resolved to depart together with those speakers of sacred knowledge, and rose up.
5.178.21
ततस्ते तामुषित्वा तु रजनीं तत्र तापसाः ।
हुताग्नयो जप्तजप्याः प्रतस्थुर्मञ्जिघांसया ॥ ५.१७८.२१ ॥
Then those ascetics, having spent the night there, having offered into the fire and recited their mantras, set out, desiring to reach Mañjiṅgā.
5.178.22
अभ्यगच्छत्ततो रामः सह तैर्ब्रह्मवादिभिः ।
कुरुक्षेत्रं महाराज कन्यया सह भारत ॥ ५.१७८.२२ ॥
Then Rāma, together with those speakers of sacred knowledge and the maiden, came to Kurukṣetra, O great king, O Bhārata.
5.178.23
न्यविशन्त ततः सर्वे परिगृह्य सरस्वतीम् ।
तापसास्ते महात्मानो भृगुश्रेष्ठपुरस्कृताः ॥ ५.१७८.२३ ॥
Then all those great-souled ascetics, with the foremost of the Bhṛgus at their head, took up their abode on the banks of the Sarasvatī and settled there.
5.178.24
ततस्तृतीये दिवसे समे देशे व्यवस्थितः ।
प्रेषयामास मे राजन्प्राप्तोऽस्मीति महाव्रतः ॥ ५.१७८.२४ ॥
Then on the third day, stationed in a level place, that great-vowed one sent me word, O king: "I have arrived."
5.178.25
तमागतमहं श्रुत्वा विषयान्तं महाबलम् ।
अभ्यगच्छं जवेनाशु प्रीत्या तेजोनिधिं प्रभुम् ॥ ५.१७८.२५ ॥
Hearing that the mighty one had arrived at the border of the realm, I hastened in joy to meet that lord, treasure-house of splendor.
5.178.26
गां पुरस्कृत्य राजेन्द्र ब्राह्मणैः परिवारितः ।
ऋत्विग्भिर्देवकल्पैश्च तथैव च पुरोहितैः ॥ ५.१७८.२६ ॥
O lord of kings, with a cow placed before me, surrounded by brahmins, by priests like gods, and likewise by household priests, I went.
5.178.27
स मामभिगतं दृष्ट्वा जामदग्न्यः प्रतापवान् ।
प्रतिजग्राह तां पूजां वचनं चेदमब्रवीत् ॥ ५.१७८.२७ ॥
Seeing me approach, that mighty Jāmadagnya accepted that worship and spoke these words.
5.178.28
भीष्म कां बुद्धिमास्थाय काशिराजसुता तदा ।
अकामेन त्वया नीता पुनश्चैव विसर्जिता ॥ ५.१७८.२८ ॥
Bhīṣma, adopting what intention did you then take the daughter of the king of Kāśi against her will, and then release her again?
5.178.29
विभ्रंशिता त्वया हीयं धर्मादास्ते यशस्विनी ।
परामृष्टां त्वया हीमां को हि गन्तुमिहार्हति ॥ ५.१७८.२९ ॥
You have brought this glorious woman to ruin from dharma; she still remains (unmarried). You have forcibly touched her; who now is worthy to go to her?
5.178.30
प्रत्याख्याता हि साल्वेन त्वया नीतेति भारत ।
तस्मादिमां मन्नियोगात्प्रतिगृह्णीष्व भारत ॥ ५.१७८.३० ॥
Sālva has rejected her, and you have taken her away, O Bhārata. Therefore, at my bidding, accept her, O Bhārata.
5.178.31
स्वधर्मं पुरुषव्याघ्र राजपुत्री लभत्वियम् ।
न युक्तस्त्ववमानोऽयं राज्ञां कर्तुं त्वयाऽनघ ॥ ५.१७८.३१ ॥
O tiger among men, let this princess obtain her own dharma. O sinless one, it is not fitting for you to inflict such dishonor upon kings.
5.178.32
ततस्तं वै विमनसमुदीक्ष्याहमथाब्रुवम् ।
नाहमेनां पुनर्दद्यां ब्रह्मन्भ्रात्रे कथञ्चन ॥ ५.१७८.३२ ॥
Then, seeing him dejected, I said: 'O brahmin, I will not give her back to my brother again by any means.'
5.178.33
साल्वस्याहमिति प्राह पुरा मामेव भार्गव ।
मया चैवाभ्यनुज्ञाता गतेयं नगरं प्रति ॥ ५.१७८.३३ ॥
'I belong to Śālva,' she told me earlier, O Bhārgava, and with my permission she went toward the city.
5.178.34
न भयान्नाप्यनुक्रोशान्नार्थलोभान्न काम्यया ।
क्षात्रं धर्ममहं जह्यमिति मे व्रतमाहितम् ॥ ५.१७८.३४ ॥
Not from fear, nor from pity, nor from greed for wealth, nor from desire: 'I shall not abandon the duty of a kṣatriya' — this is the vow I have taken.
5.178.35
अथ मामब्रवीद्रामः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः ।
न करिष्यसि चेदेतद्वाक्यं मे नरपुङ्गव ॥ ५.१७८.३५ ॥
Then Rāma, his eyes agitated with anger, said to me: 'O best of men, if you do not do this word of mine—'
5.178.36
हनिष्यामि सहामात्यं त्वामद्येति पुनः पुनः ।
संरम्भादब्रवीद्रामः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः ॥ ५.१७८.३६ ॥
'Today I shall kill you together with your ministers,' Rāma said again and again in his fury, his eyes agitated with anger.
5.178.37
तमहं गीर्भिरिष्टाभि पुनः पुनररिन्दम ।
अयाचं भृगुशार्दूलं न चैव प्रशशाम सः ॥ ५.१७८.३७ ॥
Subduer of foes, again and again I entreated that tiger among the Bhṛgus with pleasing words, yet he did not calm down.
5.178.38
प्रणम्य तमहं मूर्ध्ना भूयो ब्राह्मणसत्तमम् ।
अब्रुवं कारणं किं तद्यत्त्वं युद्धं मयेच्छसि ॥ ५.१७८.३८ ॥
Bowing my head to that best of brahmins, I asked again, "What is the reason that you desire battle with me?"
5.178.39
इष्वस्त्रं मम बालस्य भवतैव चतुर्विधम् ।
उपदिष्टं महाबाहो शिष्योऽस्मि तव भार्गव ॥ ५.१७८.३९ ॥
O mighty-armed Bhārgava, it was you who taught me, a boy, the fourfold art of arrows and weapons; I am your disciple.
5.178.40
ततो मामब्रवीद्रामः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः ।
जानीषे मां गुरुं भीष्म गृह्णासीमां न चैव ह ॥ ५.१७८.४० ॥
Then Rāma, his eyes reddened with anger, said to me, "Bhīṣma, you know me as your teacher, yet you take this woman — that shall never be."
5.178.41
सुतां काश्यस्य कौरव्य मत्प्रियार्थं महामते ।
न हि मे विद्यते शान्तिरन्यथा कुरुनन्दन ॥ ५.१७८.४१ ॥
For my sake, O Kaurava, O wise one, take this daughter of the king of Kāśi; otherwise there is no peace for me, O joy of the Kurus.
5.178.42
गृहाणेमां महाबाहो रक्षस्व कुलमात्मनः ।
त्वया विभ्रंशिता हीयं भर्तारं नाधिगच्छति ॥ ५.१७८.४२ ॥
Take her, O mighty-armed one, and protect your family line; cast aside by you, she finds no other husband.
5.178.43
तथा ब्रुवन्तं तमहं रामं परपुरंयम् ।
नैतदेवं पुनर्भावि ब्रह्मर्षे किं श्रमेण ते ॥ ५.१७८.४३ ॥
Speaking thus, I said to that Rāma, conqueror of enemy cities: O brahmin sage, this will not happen again; why this trouble for you?
5.178.44
गुरुत्वं त्वयि संप्रेक्ष्य जामदग्न्य पुरातनम् ।
प्रसादये त्वां भगवंस्त्यक्तैषा तु पुरा मया ॥ ५.१७८.४४ ॥
Considering your ancient venerable status, O son of Jamadagni, O blessed one, I beseech you; this woman I had abandoned long ago.
5.178.45
को जातु परभावां हि नारीं व्यालीमिव स्थिताम् ।
वासयेत गृहे जानन्स्त्रीणां दोषो महात्ययः ॥ ५.१७८.४५ ॥
Who, knowing that a woman's fault is a great calamity, would ever keep in the house a woman devoted to another man, standing like a serpent?
5.178.46
न भयाद्वासवस्यापि धर्मं जह्यां महाव्रत ।
प्रसीद मा वा यद्वा ते कार्यं तत्कुरु मा चिरम् ॥ ५.१७८.४६ ॥
Not even out of fear of Indra would I abandon my duty, O great vow-keeper; be pleased with me, or do whatever is your purpose, but do not delay.
5.178.47
अयं चापि विशुद्धात्मन्पुराणे श्रूयते विभो ।
मरुत्तेन महाबुद्धे गीतः श्लोको महात्मना ॥ ५.१७८.४७ ॥
O pure-souled one, O mighty one, this too is heard in the ancient lore: O wise one, this verse was sung by the great-souled Marutta.
5.178.48
गुरोरप्यवलिप्तस्य कार्याकार्यमजानतः ।
उत्पथं प्रतिपन्नस्य परित्यागो विधीयते ॥ ५.१७८.४८ ॥
Even a teacher, if he is arrogant, does not know what should and should not be done, and has gone astray, is prescribed to be abandoned.
5.178.49
स त्वं गुरुरिति प्रेम्णा मया संमानितो भृशम् ।
गुरुवृत्तिं न जानीषे तस्माद्योत्स्यामि वै त्वया ॥ ५.१७८.४९ ॥
You are my teacher, and out of affection I have honored you greatly; but you do not know the conduct of a teacher. Therefore I shall certainly fight with you.
5.178.50
गुरुं न हन्यां समरे ब्राह्मणं च विशेषतः ।
विशेषतस्तपोवृद्धमेवं क्षान्तं मया तव ॥ ५.१७८.५० ॥
In battle I should not kill a teacher, least of all a brahmin, and especially one aged in asceticism. Thus I have forgiven you.
5.178.51
उद्यतेषुमथो दृष्ट्वा ब्राह्मणं क्षत्रबन्धुवत् ।
यो हन्यात्समरे क्रुद्धं युध्यन्तमपलायिनम् ॥ ५.१७८.५१ ॥
Seeing a brahmin raise his arrow like a degenerate kshatriya, whoever would kill him in battle, fighting angrily and not fleeing—
5.178.52
ब्रह्महत्या न तस्य स्यादिति धर्मेषु निश्चयः ।
क्षत्रियाणां स्थितो धर्म क्षत्रियोऽस्मि तपोधन ॥ ५.१७८.५२ ॥
'For him there will be no sin of killing a brahmin'—this is the settled conclusion on dharma. The duty of kṣatriyas stands established thus, and, O wealth of asceticism, I am a kṣatriya.
5.178.53
यो यथा वर्तते यस्मिंस्तस्मिन्नेव प्रवर्तयन् ।
नाधर्मं समवाप्नोति न चाश्रेयश्च विन्दति ॥ ५.१७८.५३ ॥
He who conducts himself as he is, and in that very conduct engages, obtains no unrighteousness, nor does he find what is not good.
5.178.54
अर्थे वा यदि वा धर्मे समर्थो देशकालवित् ।
अर्थसंशयमापन्नः श्रोयान्निःसंशयो नरः ॥ ५.१७८.५४ ॥
A man capable in matters of wealth or dharma, who knows place and time, though he fall into doubt about gain, is better than a man free of doubt.
5.178.55
यस्मात्संशयितेऽप्यर्थेऽयथान्यायं प्रवर्तसे ।
तस्माद्योत्स्यामि सहितस्त्वया राम महाहवे ॥ ५.१७८.५५ ॥
Because you act unjustly even in a matter that is doubtful, therefore, O Rāma, I will fight with you in the great battle.
5.178.56
पश्य मे बाहुवीर्यं च विक्रमं चातिमानुषम् ।
एवं गतेऽपि तु मया यच्छक्यं भृगुनन्दन ॥ ५.१७८.५६ ॥
Behold the strength of my arms and my superhuman prowess. Even in such a state, O son of Bhṛgu, I will do what is possible for me.
5.178.57
तत्करिष्ये कुरुक्षेत्रे योत्स्ये विप्र त्वया सह ।
द्वन्द्वे राम यथेष्टं मे सञ्जीभव महाद्युते ॥ ५.१७८.५७ ॥
Therefore I will do this: I will fight with you at Kurukṣetra, O brahmin. O Rāma, O greatly radiant one, be ready for single combat as I wish.
5.178.58
तत्र त्वं निहतो राम मया शरशतार्दितः ।
प्राप्स्यसे निर्जिताँल्लोकाञ्शस्त्रपूतो महारणे ॥ ५.१७८.५८ ॥
There, O Rāma, tormented by my hundreds of arrows, you will be slain, and purified by weapons in the great battle you will obtain the worlds conquered.
5.178.59
स गच्छ विनिवर्तस्व कुरुक्षोत्रं रणप्रिय ।
तत्रैष्यामि महाबाहो युद्धाय त्वांतपोधन ॥ ५.१७८.५९ ॥
So go, turn back toward Kurukṣetra, O lover of battle. There I will come to you for battle, O mighty-armed one, O you whose wealth is asceticism.
5.178.60
अपि यत्र त्वया राम कृतं शौचं पुरा पितुः ।
तत्राहमपि हत्वा त्वां शौचं कर्तास्मि भार्गव ॥ ५.१७८.६० ॥
Just there where formerly you performed the purificatory rite for your father, there too, after slaying you, O descendant of Bhṛgu, I will perform the rite of purification.
5.178.61
तत्र राम समागच्छ त्वरितं युद्धदुर्मद ।
व्यपनेष्यामि ते दर्पं पौराणं ब्राह्मणब्रुव ॥ ५.१७८.६१ ॥
O Rāma, intoxicated with the pride of battle, come there quickly. I will remove the ancient pride of you who call yourself a brahmin.
5.178.62
यच्चापि कत्थसे राम बहुशः परिवत्सरे ।
निर्जिताः क्षत्रिया लोके मयैकेनेति तच्छ्रुणु ॥ ५.१७८.६२ ॥
O Rāma, you boast again and again, year after year, that in the world you alone conquered the kṣatriyas. Hear that.
5.178.63
न तदा जातवान्भीष्मः क्षत्रियो वापि मद्विधः ।
पञ्चाञ्चातानि तेजांसि तृणेषु ज्वलितं त्वया ॥ ५.१७८.६३ ॥
At that time Bhīṣma was not yet born, nor was any kṣatriya like me. You kindled the five fires of glory in the grass.
5.178.64
यस्ते युद्धमयं दर्पं कामं च व्यपनाशयेत् ।
सोऽहं जातो महाबाहो भीष्मः परपुरंजयः।
व्यपनेष्यामि ते दर्पं युद्धे राम न संशयः ॥ ५.१७८.६४ ॥
I have been born as Bhīṣma, the mighty-armed conqueror of enemy cities, who will destroy your pride and desire born of war. O Rāma, I will surely remove your pride in battle; there is no doubt.
5.178.65
ततो मामब्रवीद्रामः प्रहसन्निव भारत ।
दिष्ट्या भीष्म मया सार्धं योद्धुमिच्छसि संगरे ॥ ५.१७८.६५ ॥
Then Rāma, as if laughing, said to me: O Bhārata, O Bhīṣma, fortunately you wish to fight with me in battle.
5.178.66
अयं गच्छामि कौरव्य कुरुक्षेत्रं त्वया सह ।
भाषितं ते करिष्यामि तत्रागच्छ परंतप ॥ ५.१७८.६६ ॥
O descendant of the Kurus, I go with you to Kurukṣetra. I will do as you have said. O scorcher of foes, come there.
5.178.67
तत्र त्वां निहतं माता मया शरशताचितम् ।
जाह्नवी पश्यतां भीष्म गृध्रकङ्कबलाशनम् ॥ ५.१७८.६७ ॥
There, slain by me and covered with hundreds of arrows, your mother Jāhnavī will see you, O Bhīṣma, become food for vultures and herons.
5.178.68
कृपणं त्वामभिप्रेक्ष्य सिद्धचारणसेविता ।
मया विनिहतं देवी रोदतामद्य पार्थिव ॥ ५.१७८.६८ ॥
O king, seeing you in your pitiable state, that goddess attended by Siddhas and Cāraṇas will today weep, beholding you slain by me.
5.178.69
अतदर्हा महाभागा भगीरथसुताऽनघा ।
या त्वामजीजनन्मन्दं युद्धकामुकमातुरम् ॥ ५.१७८.६९ ॥
That greatly fortunate, sinless daughter of Bhagīratha, who bore you, a foolish one afflicted with desire for battle, does not deserve this.
5.178.70
एहि गच्छ मया भीष्म युद्धकामुक दुर्मद ।
गृहाण सर्वं कौरव्य रथादि भरतर्षभ ॥ ५.१७८.७० ॥
Come, go with me, O Bhīṣma, proud and desirous of battle! O Kaurava, O bull of the Bharatas, take everything, the chariot and the rest.
5.178.71
इति ब्रुवाणं तमहं रामं परपुरंजयमक् ।
प्रणम्यक शिरसा राममेवमस्त्वित्यथाब्रवम् ॥ ५.१७८.७१ ॥
To Rāma, conqueror of enemy cities, who spoke thus, I bowed my head in reverence and said, 'So be it.'
5.178.72
एवमुक्त्वा ययौ रामः कुरुक्षेत्रं युयुत्सया ।
प्रविश्य नगरं चाहं सत्यवत्यै न्यवेदयम् ॥ ५.१७८.७२ ॥
Having spoken thus, Rāma went to Kurukṣetra, desiring to fight. Entering the city, I reported this to Satyavatī.
5.178.73
ततः कृतस्वस्त्ययनो मात्रा च प्रतिनन्दितः ।
द्विजातीन्वाच्य पुण्याहं स्वस्ति चैव महाद्युते ॥ ५.१७८.७३ ॥
Then, having had the auspicious rite performed and been blessed by my mother, and having had the brahmins recite the puṇyāha and svasti, O radiant one,
5.178.74
रथमास्थाय रुचिरं राजतं पाण्डुरैर्हयैः ।
सूपस्करं स्वधिष्ठानं वैयाघ्रपरिवारणम् ॥ ५.१७८.७४ ॥
Mounting a splendid silver chariot yoked with white horses, well-equipped, with its own seat, covered with tiger-skins,
5.178.75
उपपन्नं महाशस्त्रैः सर्वोपकरणान्वितम् ।
तत्कुलीनेन वीरेण हयशास्त्रविदा रणे ॥ ५.१७८.७५ ॥
Equipped with great weapons and furnished with all necessary gear, by a hero of that noble lineage, skilled in the science of horses, in battle,
5.178.76
यत्तं सूतेन शिष्टेन बहुशो दृष्टकर्मणा ।
दंशितः पाण्डुरेणाहं कवचेन वपुष्मता ॥ ५.१७८.७६ ॥
Readied by a well-trained charioteer proven in many deeds, I was armored in a white, radiant breastplate,
5.178.77
पाण्डुरं कार्मुकं गृह्य प्रायां भरतसत्तम ।
पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि ॥ ५.१७८.७७ ॥
Taking up a white bow I set out, best of the Bharatas, with a white parasol held over my head,
5.178.78
पाण्डुरैश्चापि व्यजनैर्वीज्यमानो नराधिप ।
शुक्लवासाः सितोष्णीषः सर्वशुक्लविभूषणः ॥ ५.१७८.७८ ॥
Fanned with white fans, O lord of men, clad in white garments, with a white turban, adorned entirely with white ornaments.
5.178.79
स्तूयमानो जयाशीर्भिर्निष्क्रम्य गजसाह्वयात् ।
कुरुक्षेत्रं रणक्षेत्रमुपायां भरतर्षभ ॥ ५.१७८.७९ ॥
Praised with blessings of victory, I set out from Gajasāhvaya (Hāstinapura) and went to Kurukṣetra, that field of battle, bull of the Bharatas.
5.178.80
ते हयाश्चोदितास्तेन सूतेन परमाहवे ।
अवहन्मां भृशं राजन्मनोमारुतरंहसः ॥ ५.१७८.८० ॥
Urged on by that charioteer, those horses carried me swiftly in that supreme battle, O king, swift as the mind and the wind.
5.178.81
गत्वाऽहं तत्कुरुक्षेत्रं स च रामः प्रतापवान् ।
युद्धाय सहसा राजन्पराक्रान्तौ परस्परम् ॥ ५.१७८.८१ ॥
I went to that Kurukṣetra, and that mighty Rāma too, O king, suddenly advanced against me for battle.
5.178.82
ततः सदर्शनेऽतिष्ठं रामस्यातितपस्विनः ।
प्रगृह्य शङ्खप्रवरंक ततः प्राधममुत्तमम् ॥ ५.१७८.८२ ॥
Then I stood within the sight of Rāma, the most ascetic; then, taking up an excellent conch, I blew it nobly.
5.178.83
ततस्तत्र द्विजा राजंस्तापसाश्च वनौकसः ।
अपश्यन्त रणं दिव्यं देवाः सेन्द्रगणास्तदा ॥ ५.१७८.८३ ॥
There, O king, brahmins, ascetics and forest-dwellers, and the gods together with the hosts of Indra, beheld that divine battle.
5.178.84
ततो दिव्यानि माल्यानि प्रादुरासंस्ततस्ततः ।
वादित्राणि च दिव्यानि मेघवृन्दानि चैव ह ॥ ५.१७८.८४ ॥
Then divine garlands appeared here and there, and divine instruments and masses of clouds also appeared.
5.178.85
ततस्ते तापसाः सर्वे भार्गवस्यानुयायिनः ।
प्रेक्षकाः समपद्यन्त परिवार्य रणाजिरम् ॥ ५.१७८.८५ ॥
Then all those ascetics who followed Bhārgava surrounded the battlefield and became spectators.
5.178.86
ततो मामब्रवीद्देवी सर्वभूतहितैषिणी ।
माता स्वरूपिणी राजन्किमिदं ते चिकीर्षितम् ॥ ५.१७८.८६ ॥
Then the goddess, desiring the welfare of all beings, appearing in the form of my mother, said to me: "O king, what is this that you intend to do?"
5.178.87
गत्वाऽहं जामदग्न्यं तु प्रयाचिष्ये कुरूद्वह ।
भूष्मेण सह मा योत्सीः शिष्येणेति पुनः पुनः ॥ ५.१७८.८७ ॥
O best of the Kurus, I will go to Jāmadagnya and beg him again and again: 'Do not fight with Bhīṣma, your disciple.'
5.178.88
मा मैवं पुत्र निर्बन्धं कुरु विप्रेण पार्थिव ।
जामदग्न्येन समरे योद्धुमित्येव भर्त्सयत् ॥ ५.१७८.८८ ॥
"Do not be obstinate in this way, my son. O king, to fight in battle with the Brahmin Jāmadagnya—" thus she rebuked me.
5.178.89
किं न वै क्षत्रियहणो हरतुल्यपराक्रमः ।
विदितः पुत्र रामस्ते यतस्तं योद्धुमिच्छसि ॥ ५.१७८.८९ ॥
Do you not know, my son, that Rāma, the slayer of kṣatriyas, whose valor equals that of Hara (Śiva), is the one with whom you wish to fight?
5.178.90
ततोऽहमब्रवं देवीमभिवाद्य कृताञ्जलिः ।
सर्वं तद्भरतश्रेष्ठ यथावृत्तं स्वयंवरे ॥ ५.१७८.९० ॥
Then I, with folded hands, having bowed to the goddess, told her, O best of the Bharatas, all that had happened at the svayaṃvara just as it had occurred.
5.178.91
यथा च रामो राजेन्द्र मया पूर्वं प्रचोदितः ।
काशिराजसुतायाश्च यथा कर्म पुरातनम् ॥ ५.१७८.९१ ॥
O lord of kings, as Rāma acted when I had urged him earlier, and as the ancient deed concerning the daughter of the king of Kāśi was done, hear it too.
5.178.92
ततः सा राममभ्येत्य जननी मे महानदी ।
मदर्थं तमृषिं वीक्ष्य क्षमयामास भार्गवम् ॥ ५.१७८.९२ ॥
Then my mother, that great river, approached Rāma and, seeing the sage on my account, begged the descendant of Bhṛgu for forgiveness.
5.178.93
भीष्मेण सह मा योत्सीः शिष्येणेति वचो।़ब्रवीत् ।
स च तामाह याचन्तीं भीष्ममेव निवर्तय।
न च मे कुरुते काममित्यहं तमुपागमम् ॥ ५.१७८.९३ ॥
"Do not fight with Bhīṣma, your pupil," he said. And to her, who was begging, he said: "Turn back Bhīṣma himself; he does not do my wish." So I approached him.
5.178.94
ततो गङ्गा सुतस्नोहान्मां सा पुनरुपागमत् ।
नास्या अकरवं वाक्यं क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः ॥ ५.१७८.९४ ॥
Then, out of love for her son, the Ganges came to me again; with eyes troubled by anger, I did not heed her word.
5.178.95
अथादृश्यत धर्मात्मा भृगुश्रेष्ठो महातपाः ।
आह्वयामास च तदा युद्धाय द्विजसत्तमः ॥ ५.१७८.९५ ॥
Then the righteous-souled, best of the Bhṛgus, of great austerity, appeared; and at once that best of the twice-born challenged me to battle.