Mahabharata Vol. 6 (Penguin Translated Texts) (66 page)
Read Mahabharata Vol. 6 (Penguin Translated Texts) Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
1
This is a reference to Arjuna. Arjuna was Indra’s son, but was born to Kunti, who was Pandu’s wife (field).
2
An akshouhini is a large army and consists of 21,870 chariots, 21,870 elephants, 65,610 horses and 109,350 soldiers on foot.
3
The word used is tata.
4
That is, even if you were to die.
5
That is, you did not consult me before taking the oath.
6
To fight.
7
Jayadratha is described as the king of Sindhu, Souvira and Shibi. Souvira and Shibi were kingdoms adjacent to Sindhu and had probably been conquered by Jayadratha.
8
This incident has been recounted in Section 31 (Volume 2).
9
Shakata.
10
Birds like Garuda, eagles.
11
Arjuna is swearing by touching his weapons.
12
The battle is being compared to a gambling match in which Jayadratha is the stake.
13
Divine weapon, also referred to as
brahmastra
.
14
This is ally in the sense of one with whom there is a matrimonial alliance.
15
Nara and Narayana are ancient sages. Nara is identified with Arjuna and Narayana with Krishna.
16
Paka was a demon destroyed by Indra and Indra is known as the chastiser of Paka.
17
Abhimanyu’s wife, Uttara.
18
Indra’s capital.
19
Samantapanchaka is another name for Kurukshetra, usually explained because of the five (
pancha
) lakes created by Parashurama. Alternatively, it is said that the land was five
yojana
s in every direction.
20
The word used in the text is
nandini.
If Krishna is still addressing Subhadra, as seems to be the case, this is the only way in which it can be translated. However, nandini also means daughter. And it is possible that Krishna is also addressing Uttara, though later in the section, there is the suggestion that Uttara arrived later.
21
Indivara.
22
The four stages (ashrama) of life followed in due sequence—brahmacharya (celibate stage when one is a student),
garhasthya
(householder stage),
vanaprastha
(dwelling in the forest) and
sannyasa
(renunciation).
23
Without taking the entire share alone, such as dividing it among gods, ancestors, guests and dependents.
24
Droupadi and Uttara respectively.
25
Arjuna.
26
The lotus-eyed, Krishna’s name.
27
The word used is
bali
. While this can mean any object of tribute or offering, it can also mean an animal sacrifice.
28
Shiva.
29
The text is a bit vague. Logically, Arjuna must have made the nightly offerings to Shiva. However, this verse suggests that Arjuna made the offerings to Krishna and this is substantiated later.
30
Krishna’s charioteer.
31
Referring to Duryodhana.
32
Jayadratha’s.
33
That is, Arjuna.
34
Indra.
35
It shall not be that Arjuna dies.
36
The name of Vishnu’s club.
37
Vinata’s son is Garuda, who is Vishnu’s mount.
38
The names of Krishna’s horses.
39
Panchajanya is the name of Krishna’s conch shell. In this context, bhairava is a note (built on the natural seven tones) rather than a raga.
40
Kunti was the sister of Krishna’s father.
41
Vijaya is Arjuna’s name.
42
The text doesn’t directly explain what these mantras were for. One can deduce that they were for making Krishna appear before him. Krishna appeared in Arjuna’s sleep.
43
Since it is the winter season, the days are shorter.
44
Krishna (Vishnu) has Garuda on his banner.
45
Shiva has a bull on his banner.
46
Shiva’s name.
47
There are several
muhurta
s (moments) in a day. Some are auspicious, others less so. Brahma muhurta is an auspicious one and occurs one-and-a-half hours before sunrise.
48
The first Mandara is Mount Mandara, a sacred mountain and the region being described is around Mount Mandara. Mount Mandara is believed to be between Bhagalpur and Dumka, though that does not fit the geography given here. The second Mandara is a reference to the mandara tree, the Indian coral tree, of the
erythrina
variety.
49
Brahmatunga seems to have been a mountain. There is also a reference to it in Section 33 (Volume 3). Sushringa and Shatashringa are clearly mountains.
50
Shiva’s name.
51
Krishna. Bhava is Shiva’s name.
52
Shiva’s name.
53
Shiva’s name, meaning the one with matted hair.
54
The word Bhaga has several meanings. This is a reference to Shiva creating Virabhadra and Virabhadra blinding the god Bhaga in Daksha’s sacrifice.
55
Andhaka was a demon slain by Shiva.
56
Kartikeya.
57
Ambika is Parvati’s name.
58
Literally, one whose mouth is the brahman.
59
Meaning both Krishna and Arjuna.
60
Shiva.
61
Arjuna.
62
The brahmachari.
63
This has been described in Section 31 (Volume 2).
64
All this was part of a dream.
65
Arjuna.
66
Yudhishthira.
67
Panisvanikas are those who clap their hands together and make a noise, Magadhas are balladeers. Madhuparkikas are those who make offerings of honey. Vaitalikas are bards or panegyrists. Sutas are raconteurs.
68
Mridanga is a drum, jharjhara is also a kind of drum, bheri is a kettledrum, panava is a small drum or cymbal, anaka is a double drum, gomukha is a musical instrument, adambara is a kind of drum, shankha is a conch shell and dundubhi is a large kettledrum.
69
Bhadrasana
, which can also be translated as throne.
70
Because medicinal herbs had been mixed in the water.
71
The room in which the household fire was maintained.
72
A golden coin.
73
Like the svastika, the nandyavarta is an auspicious diagram.
74
Objects that bring good fortune.
75
A gift for a guest.
76
Kartavirya Arjuna, famous king of the Haihayas. He was killed by Parashurama.
77
Yudhishthira.
78
Yudhishthira.
79
Krishna.
80
The chariot.
81
Onto the same chariot.
82
Sharyati was a famous king and was the father of Sukanya. The story of Sharyati’s sacrifice has been recounted in Section 33 (Volume 3).
83
Vasava is Indra and Matali is the name of Indra’s charioteer.
84
Mercury and Venus respectively.
85
Famous battle fought between the gods and the demons.
86
Varuna.
87
The task of protecting Yudhishthira.
1
The Pandavas.
2
Arjuna.
3
From the Kourava camp.
4
The word used is tata.
5
Is this at the time of the war? At the time of the war, there was no reason for Dhritarashtra to be seated in any of the abodes, either of Satyadhriti or of Somadatta. Satyadhriti was from the Matsyas and fought on the Pandava side. At the time of the war, there was no reason for Dhritarashtra to be in Satyadhriti’s abode. In that case, Satyadhriti should not be taken as a proper noun, but as an adjective for Somadatta, meaning someone who upholds the truth. However, at the time of the war, why should Dhritarashtra be in Somadatta’s abode either? We have therefore taken this to mean an earlier occasion, and accepted Satyadhriti as a proper noun.
6
Bhurishrava.
7
Saptatantu is a special kind of sacrifice in seven (
sapta
) parts.
8
This is a reference to Krishna’s mission for peace, described in Section 54 (Volume 4).
9
From the text, it is not obvious where Dhritarashtra’s quote to Duryodhana begins again. But this is as good a place as any.
10
That is, among the Pandavas.
11
Krishna’s name.
12
Duryodhana.
13
Yudhishthira.
14
In addition to the ancestral kingdom, the Pandavas conquered many countries and extended the kingdom.
15
Arjuna.
16
Raised clubs.
17
Govyuti is a measure of distance. Literally, it is the distance from which a cow’s bellow can be heard. A govyuti is thus roughly equal to four miles.
18
Shakata, meaning that it was in the form of a wedge. A chakra is circular.
19
Duryodhana.
20
A muhurta is a unit for measurement of time and is equal to forty-eight minutes. Some muhurtas are good, others are bad. The rudra or roudra muhurta is generally bad or inauspicious. While the precise timing of a muhurta depends on when the sun rises, the roudra muhurta starts at around six in the morning.
21
Shiva.
22
Arjuna.
23
Indra killed a demon named Paka.
24
Arjuna was alone.
25
Indra.
26
The text uses the word
kashtha
, which is a small measure of time, and says that the sun was beyond kashtha. This means that the sun no longer followed the usual times of rising and setting.
27
Arjuna’s conch shell.
28
Duhshasana.
29
The word used is tata. This means father, but is affectionately used towards anyone who is senior or superior.
30
Arjuna’s.
31
Arjuna.
32
Sudakshina.
33
Arjuna and Drona respectively.
34
Arjuna.
35
Divine weapon named after Brahma.
36
Krishna and Arjuna.
37
Arjuna.
38
Kritavarma.
39
Kritavarma.
40
As a Yadava, Kritavarma was related to the Pandavas through matrimonial alliances.
41
Hridika’s son, Kritavarma.
42
Indra’s son, that is, Arjuna.
43
Parnasha is identified with the river Banas, in Rajasthan.
44
The slayer of enemies is a description of the club. Shrutayudha used the club to strike the non-combatant Krishna.
45
The word used is
kshara
. This can be translated as acid or alkali, anything caustic. Hence, corrosive is better.
46
Shrutayu and Achyutayu.
47
Weapon named after Indra.
48
Gairika
, alternatively red chalk.
49
Barbarians, those who did not speak Sanskrit.
50
This was like a reserve force.
51
The text uses the word
samghacharina
, that is, those who live in
samgha
s. In a general sense, this means people who live in congregations or communities. But more specifically, it means a community of monks.
52
The imagery is of a river, where these bodies were like the banks.
53
The word used is
uttara
. Generally, this means north. However, left is acceptable and the left is inauspicious.
54
When Indra rains down heavily, high ground cannot be distinguished from the low.
55
Not to be confused with earlier Shrutayu.
56
In his search for Jayadratha.
57
Measure of distance equal to two miles.
58
Kritavarma.
59
There were two Shrutayus who were killed.
60
A royal sage, that is a king who has attained the characteristics of a rishi.
61
Ekapada
.
62
Svaha is pronounced in offerings to the gods, Svadha in offerings to the ancestors. Shachi is Indra’s consort.
63
There are actually eight elephants for the eight directions. But the four principal cardinal points have been singled out.
64
Brahma.
65
There are different versions of the Vritra story. In one version, Indra killed Trishira or Vishvarupa, the son of Tvashtri (or Tvashtra). Tvashtri created Vritra through his own energy, so as to exact vengeance on Indra.
66
Shiva destroyed Daksha’s sacrifice.
67
The name of Shiva’s trident or bow.
68
At Daksha’s sacrifice, Shiva gouged out the god Bhaga’s eyes.
69
Indra.
70
A reference to the mantras.
71
Brahma’s name.
72
Bali was the demon Virochana’s son.
73
Indra.
74
There is some inconsistency about who this Jalasandha was. Duryodhana had a brother named Jalasandha. But this must be a different Jalasandha, because he was later killed by Satyaki, and not by Bhima. In all probability, this Jalasandha was from Magadha, and was Jarasandha’s son. Jarasandha’s eldest son, Sahadeva, sided with the Pandavas. But the younger brother, Jalasandha, sided with the Kouravas.
75
Implying cattle.
76
Vivimshati, Chitrasena and Vikarna.
77
Yudhishthira.
78
This is strange, because it suggests that Sanjaya himself took part in the battle and it doesn’t sound right.
79
Meaning Sahadeva.
80
The Kouravas.
81
Shikhandi.
82
Droupadi’s sons.
83
Jambha was a famous asura. He is sometimes described as having been killed by Indra, and sometimes described as having been killed by Vishnu.
84
This seems to be a reference to the injuries caused by Shakuni.
85
On the part of the Pandavas.
86
Nakula and Sahadeva.
87
Suggesting that though Ghatotkacha was capable of more, he did not need it against Alayudha.
88
There were several asuras named Shambara. One of these was killed by Indra.
89
Drona.
90
The lotuses are being compared to the heads of men.
91
The dead bodies.
92
This is clearly a reference to the elephants.
93
Dhrishtadyumna’s horses were white, while Drona’s were red.
94
The parshnis.
95
Satyaki.
96
Drona.
97
Indra killed a demon named Bala.
98
Those of a brahmana.
99
Meaning Satyaki’s.
100
Flags that signify victory (
vijaya
).
101
The text uses
airavata
and
shatahrada
. Both mean lightning. So we have translated this as lightning and flashes.
102
Semi-divine species.
103
Satyaki.
104
Parashurama.
105
Uttama
, madhyama and
adhama
, probably referring to movement on high ground, level ground and low ground respectively.
106
Arjuna’s arrows were marked with his name.
107
Snayu
. The arrows were tied with the ligaments or sinews of animals.
108
Predatory birds.
109
Garuda.
110
The horses.
111
Vinda and Anuvinda from Avanti.
112
Vinda.
113
The image is of a river.
114
The enemy is being compared to an ocean.
115
Tvashtra is Vishvakarma, the architect of the gods. In addition to the lake, Arjuna created a pavilion for the horses to rest.
116
The Kouravas said this.
117
And not in a field of battle.
118
Duryodhana.
119
Krishna and Arjuna.
120
The text uses the word
prabhakara
, but in the dual. Prabhakara can mean either the sun or the moon. Since the dual is used, both are meant.
121
Arjuna.
122
The faces of Krishna and Arjuna.
123
The six rivers are probably Sindhu, Vitasta, Chandrabhaga, Iravati, Vipasha and Shatadru.
124
Crossed the armies of Drona and Kritavarma.
125
Having overtaken them, Duryodhana placed himself between them and Jayadratha.
126
Krishnaa, Droupadi.
127
The Kourava soldiers.
128
Avabhritha is the most important final component of a sacrifice, characterized by the taking of a bath. As the last bath of life, avabhritha also signifies death. The battle is thus being compared to a sacrifice.
129
Meaning Duryodhana.
130
As the next sentence makes clear, this refers to Krishna and Arjuna alone.
131
Arjuna.
132
The text uses the word
samgraha
, which in this context, we have translated as understanding. The sense is that the mantras associated with the weapon were also given.
133
Referring to Ashvatthama.
134
Duryodhana’s.
135
Parshnis.
136
Arjuna’s chariot.
137
In every direction, the enemy could not approach closer than one krosha.
138
The word used is
rodasi
, meaning heaven and earth taken together.
139
However, the list of the eight mentioned earlier includes Jayadratha. There are eight only if Duryodhana is also included.
140
Ashvatthama was descended from Angiras.
141
That is, Indra’s bow, the rainbow.
142
The sense is not very clear. Presumably, the fierce ape had the face and tail of a lion.
143
Karna.
144
Before Drona, Kripa was the preceptor of the Kouravas and the Pandavas.
145
Shiva destroyed a city of the demons named Tripura and Shiva has the bull on his standard.
146
Bloodless probably means white.
147
Pusha means the sun god.
148
This is a reference to Indra’s elephant, Airavata.
149
The king means Duryodhana.
150
They probably didn’t require greater speed, because they were already close.
151
The rakshasa Alambusa.
152
Drona wished to capture Yudhishthira alive.
153
There is an inconsistency, because Kshemadhurti was later killed by Bhima.
154
Sahadeva.
155
This is a reference to the Ramayana. Rama killed Khara, Ravana’s younger brother.
156
The other four brothers—Prativindhya through Yudhishthira, Sutasoma or Shrutasoma through Bhima, Shrutakarma or Shrutakirti through Arjuna and Shrutasena through Sahadeva.
157
So far, the adjective used has been Somadatta’s son. This is usually a description used for Bhurishrava. However, Bhurishrava was killed later by Satyaki. So Shatanika killed Bhurishrava’s brother Shala, who was also Somadatta’s son.
158
Ravana’s son means Indrajit.
159
The Critical edition excises some shlokas. In these, after the words, Alambusa showered down weapons. Because of the excision, the continuity is broken.