THE MAHABHARATA
CONDENSED IN
THE POET’S OWN WORDS
THE POET’S OWN WORDS
By PANDIT
A. M. SRINIVASACHARIAR
A. M. SRINIVASACHARIAR
Translated By Dr V, Raghavan M.A.,
Ph.D. & Published By G.A. Natesan & Co., Madras
Ph.D. & Published By G.A. Natesan & Co., Madras
॥ आदिपर्व ॥
Pandavas escape the Lakshagriha f ire, Arjuna wins the hand of Draupadi
सत्कृताश्चैव पौरैस्ते
पौरान्सत्कृत्य च
[अनघ]
पौरान्सत्कृत्य च
[अनघ]
अलङ्कृतं जनाकीर्णं विविशुर्वारणावतम्
॥
॥
Welcomed by the citizens with honour and honouring the citizens (in turn), the
Pandavas entered the decorated Varanavata, crowded with people.
तेभ्यो भक्ष्याणि पानानि
शयनानि शुभानि च।
शयनानि शुभानि च।
आसनानि च मुख्यानि प्रददौ
स पुरोचनः।
स पुरोचनः।
निवेदयामास गृहं शिवाख्यमशिवं
तदा॥
तदा॥
That
Purochana gave them food, drinks, beautiful beds and excellent seats, and offered
(them) an inauspicious house named (however) Siva (the auspicious one)
Purochana gave them food, drinks, beautiful beds and excellent seats, and offered
(them) an inauspicious house named (however) Siva (the auspicious one)
विदुरस्य सुहृत्कश्चित्
खनकः कुशलः क्वचित्।
चक्रे च वेश्मनस्तस्य मध्ये नातिमहद्बिलम्॥
A friend of
Vidura, an expert digger, dug somewhere in the middle of that house a fairly
big subway.
Vidura, an expert digger, dug somewhere in the middle of that house a fairly
big subway.
तत्र ते सायुधास्सर्वे
वसन्ति स्म क्षपां [नृप]
वसन्ति स्म क्षपां [नृप]
विश्वस्तवदविश्वस्ता वञ्चयन्तः
पुरोचनम् ॥
पुरोचनम् ॥
Apparently
unsuspecting but (really) suspecting, and deceiving Purochana, all the
Pandavas, equipped with arms, lived in that house for the night.
unsuspecting but (really) suspecting, and deceiving Purochana, all the
Pandavas, equipped with arms, lived in that house for the night.
अथ प्रवाते तुमुले निशि
सुप्ते जने तदा।
सुप्ते जने तदा।
तदुपादीपयद्भीमः शेते यत्र
पुरोचनः ॥
पुरोचनः ॥
Then, in
the night, when a great gale arose and people were asleep, Bhima set fire to
the house in the place where Purochana was lying.
the night, when a great gale arose and people were asleep, Bhima set fire to
the house in the place where Purochana was lying.
ज्ञात्वा तु तद्गृहं सर्वमादीप्तं
पाण्डुनन्दनाः।
पाण्डुनन्दनाः।
बिलेन तेन निर्गत्य जग्मुर्मात्रा
परन्तपाः ॥
परन्तपाः ॥
Making sure
that the whole house had caught fire on all sides, the Pandavas, the destroyers
of their enemies, escaped by the subway and, with their mother, went away.
that the whole house had caught fire on all sides, the Pandavas, the destroyers
of their enemies, escaped by the subway and, with their mother, went away.
ततः प्रवासितो विद्वान्
विदुरेण नरस्तदा।
विदुरेण नरस्तदा।
पार्थानां दर्शयामास
नावं विस्रम्भिभिः कृताम्।
नावं विस्रम्भिभिः कृताम्।
तारयित्वा ततो गङ्गां
यथागतमगाद्धि सः ॥
यथागतमगाद्धि सः ॥
At
that time then, a man of knowledge, who had been sent out by Vidura to live
aboard, showed to the Pandavas a boat constructed by trustworthy men and having
made them cross the Ganges, he went away as he came.
that time then, a man of knowledge, who had been sent out by Vidura to live
aboard, showed to the Pandavas a boat constructed by trustworthy men and having
made them cross the Ganges, he went away as he came.
गङ्गामुत्तीर्य वेगेन भीमसेनो महाबलः।
आदाय कुन्तीं भ्रातॄंश्च
जगामाशु स पावनिः॥
जगामाशु स पावनिः॥
Having
crossed the Ganges quickly, the mighty Bhimasena, son of Vayu, walked fast,
carrying Kunti and his brothers.
crossed the Ganges quickly, the mighty Bhimasena, son of Vayu, walked fast,
carrying Kunti and his brothers.
अथाम्बिकेयस्सामात्यः
सकर्णस्सहसौबलः।
सकर्णस्सहसौबलः।
सात्मजः पार्थनाशस्य
स्मरंस्तथ्यं जहर्ष च ॥
स्मरंस्तथ्यं जहर्ष च ॥
Thinking
that the death of the Pandavas had really taken place, Dhritarashtra, along
with his ministers, Karna, Sakuni and his own sons, rejoiced.
that the death of the Pandavas had really taken place, Dhritarashtra, along
with his ministers, Karna, Sakuni and his own sons, rejoiced.
भीष्मश्च [राजन्] दुर्धर्षो विदुरश्च महामतिः।
जहर्षाते स्मरन्तौ तौ
जातुषाग्नेर्विमोचनम् ॥
जातुषाग्नेर्विमोचनम् ॥
The
unassailable Bhishma and the wise Vidura rejoiced, knowing of the escape for
the Pandavas from the conflagration of the lac house.
unassailable Bhishma and the wise Vidura rejoiced, knowing of the escape for
the Pandavas from the conflagration of the lac house.
द्रोणादयश्च धर्मैस्तु
तेषां तान्मोचितान्विदुः।
तेषां तान्मोचितान्विदुः।
अन्ये जना वदन्ति स्म
दग्धा जिवन्ति वा न वा॥
दग्धा जिवन्ति वा न वा॥
And Drona and
others new that the Pandavas must have been rescued by their Dharma. Others, the common folk, said in doubt: ‘They
might have been burnt (to death) or they
may be alive.
others new that the Pandavas must have been rescued by their Dharma. Others, the common folk, said in doubt: ‘They
might have been burnt (to death) or they
may be alive.
ततो भीमो वनं घोरं प्रविश्य
विजनं महत्।
विजनं महत्।
तत्र निक्षिप्य तान् सर्वान्
जजागार स्वयं तदा॥
जजागार स्वयं तदा॥
Entering
then a big, desolate and dreadful forest, Bhima placed down all of them (his
brothers and mother) (to sleep) there and himself kept awake.
then a big, desolate and dreadful forest, Bhima placed down all of them (his
brothers and mother) (to sleep) there and himself kept awake.
तत्र तेषु शयानेषु हिडिम्बो
नाम राक्षसः।
नाम राक्षसः।
अभ्यद्रवत संक्रुद्धो भीमसेनमरिन्दमम्।
निगृह्य तं बलाद्भीमः पशुमारममारयत् ॥
When
they were lying there, a demon named Hidimba ran at Bhima, the subduer of
enemies, in great anger; seizing him by force, Bhima killed him as he would an
animal.
they were lying there, a demon named Hidimba ran at Bhima, the subduer of
enemies, in great anger; seizing him by force, Bhima killed him as he would an
animal.
हिडिम्बा भगिनी तस्य भीमसेनमभाषत।
अहं शुश्रूषुरिच्छेयं तव गात्रं निषेवितुम् ॥
The
demon’s sister Hidimba spoke to Bhima : ‘Desirous of attending upon you, I wish
to serve your body.”
demon’s sister Hidimba spoke to Bhima : ‘Desirous of attending upon you, I wish
to serve your body.”
प्रजज्ञे राक्षसी पुत्रं
भीमसेनान्महाबलात्।
भीमसेनान्महाबलात्।
सद्यो हि गर्भं राक्षस्यो
लभन्ते प्रसवन्ति च॥
लभन्ते प्रसवन्ति च॥
The
demoness gave birth to a son through the mighty Bhima.
demoness gave birth to a son through the mighty Bhima.
Immediately
do demonesses conceive and bring forth the child.
do demonesses conceive and bring forth the child.
कृत्यकाल उपस्थास्ये पितॄनिति
घटोत्कचः।
आमन्त्र्य रक्षसां
श्रेष्ठः प्रतस्थे चोत्तरां दिशम् ॥
घटोत्कचः।
आमन्त्र्य रक्षसां
श्रेष्ठः प्रतस्थे चोत्तरां दिशम् ॥
“I
shall wait on you when there is something to be done”, thus taking leaving of
his father and uncles (Bhima and his brothers), Ghatotkacha (the son Bhima and
Hidimba), the foremost among the Rakshasas, set out towards the north.
shall wait on you when there is something to be done”, thus taking leaving of
his father and uncles (Bhima and his brothers), Ghatotkacha (the son Bhima and
Hidimba), the foremost among the Rakshasas, set out towards the north.
’यदा मां संस्मरेर्भूय
आगन्तास्म्याशु भारत।
आगन्तास्म्याशु भारत।
इति सा भावमासज्ज्य स्वां
गतिं प्रत्यपद्यत॥
गतिं प्रत्यपद्यत॥
’Scion of Bharata, (Bhima), I will come to you
forthwith when you think of me again.’
Fixing her love (on Bhima) thus, that Hidimba (also went her way).’
forthwith when you think of me again.’
Fixing her love (on Bhima) thus, that Hidimba (also went her way).’
ततस्ते पाण्डवास्सर्वे बिभ्रतस्तापसं वपुः।
एकचक्रां गता ऊषुर्ब्राह्मणस्यनिवेशने॥
Then, all the Pandavas, putting on an ascetic
appearance, went to Ekachakra and lived in a Brahmin’s house.
appearance, went to Ekachakra and lived in a Brahmin’s house.
भैक्षं चरन्तस्तु तदा जटिला ब्रह्मचारिणः।
बभूवुर्नागराणां च गुणैस्संप्रियदर्शनाः ॥
Going about collecting alms, with matted hair and
as Brahmacharins, they, by their qualities, became very dear to the
citizens.
as Brahmacharins, they, by their qualities, became very dear to the
citizens.
समीपे नगरस्यास्य बको वसति राक्षसः।
तेनोपसृष्टा नगरी त्रातारं नाधिगच्छति॥
In the vicinity of that city (Ekachakra), there
lived the demon Baka. Infested by him,
the city could not get a saviour.
lived the demon Baka. Infested by him,
the city could not get a saviour.
आसाद्य तु वनं तस्य बकं भीमो बभञ्ज ह ।
ततः प्रभृति रक्षांसि तत्र सौम्यनि [भारत]॥
Bhima went to the forest of Baka and killed
him.. From that time, demons were
well-behaved in Ekachakra.
him.. From that time, demons were
well-behaved in Ekachakra.
वसत्सु तेषु प्रच्छन्ने व्यासस्तान्मुनिरब्रवीत्।
When they were (thus) living incognito, sage
Vyasa told them:
Vyasa told them:
‘आसीत्तपोवने कच्चिदृषेः कन्या महात्मनः।
‘
नाध्यगच्छत्पतिं सा तु कन्या रूपवती सती ॥
नाध्यगच्छत्पतिं सा तु कन्या रूपवती सती ॥
’In a certain penance-grove, there was the
beautiful and virtuous daughter of a sage who was a great soul. That maiden did not get a husband.’
beautiful and virtuous daughter of a sage who was a great soul. That maiden did not get a husband.’
‘तोषयामास तपसा सा किलोग्रेण शङ्करम्।
तामथ प्रत्युवाचेदमीशानो वदतां वरः ।
“पञ्च ते पतयो भद्रे भविष्यन्तीति भारताः”॥
“She pleased God Siva with severe penance and
then the most eloquent Siva told her this: ‘Auspicious lady! Five scions of the
Bharata line will become your husbands’
then the most eloquent Siva told her this: ‘Auspicious lady! Five scions of the
Bharata line will become your husbands’
‘द्रुपदस्य कुले जज्ञे सा कन्या देवरूपिणी।
निर्दिष्टा भवतां पत्नी कृष्णा पार्षत्यनिन्दिता।
सुखिनस्तामनुप्राप्य भविष्यथ न संशयः ॥’
“That maiden has been born with divine beauty in
the family of Drupada. That flawless
daughter of Parshata (Drupada), Krishnaa(Draupadi), has been ordained as your
wife. Obtaining her, you shall doubtless
become happy.”
the family of Drupada. That flawless
daughter of Parshata (Drupada), Krishnaa(Draupadi), has been ordained as your
wife. Obtaining her, you shall doubtless
become happy.”
प्रययुर्द्रौपदीं द्रष्टुं पाञ्चालान्पाण्डुनन्दनाः।
कुम्भकारस्य शालायां निवासं चक्रिरे तदा॥
The sons of Pandu went to the Panchala country to
see Draupadi (Krishnaa) and lived in the yard of a potter.
see Draupadi (Krishnaa) and lived in the yard of a potter.
तान्संप्राप्तांस्तथा वीरान् जज्ञिरे न नराः क्वचित्
The people nowhere knew those warriors, come
(there) in that manner.
(there) in that manner.
यज्ञसेनस्य कामस्तु पाण्डवाय किरीटिने।
दास्यामि कृष्णामिति वै न चैनं विवृणोति सः ॥
And Yajnasena’s (Drupada’s) desire was that he
should give Draupadi to Arjuna, the son of Pandu; but he did not disclose this
desire.
should give Draupadi to Arjuna, the son of Pandu; but he did not disclose this
desire.
दृढं धनुरथानम्य कारयामास [भारत]।
यन्त्रं वैहायसं चापि [राजन्] लक्ष्यं
च काञ्चनम्॥
च काञ्चनम्॥
He then caused to be made a firm unbendable bow,
a machine moving in the air and a target in gold.
a machine moving in the air and a target in gold.
‘इदं सज्यं धनुः कृत्वा सज्जैरेभिश्च सायकैः।
अतीत्य लक्ष्यं यो वेद्धा स लब्धा मत्सुतामिति॥’
इति स द्रुपदो राजा स्वयंवरमघोषयत् ॥
“Whosoever strings this bow and with these arrows
set (thereon) pierces, through the machine, the target, he shall obtain my
daughter” – thus did king Drupada announce the Swayamvara.
set (thereon) pierces, through the machine, the target, he shall obtain my
daughter” – thus did king Drupada announce the Swayamvara.
तच्छ्रुत्व पार्थिवास्सर्वे समीयुस्तत्र [भारत]।
दुर्योधनपुरोगाश्च सकर्णाः कुरवो [नृप]।
ब्राह्मणाश्च महाभागा देशेभ्यस्समुपागमन्॥
Hearing that, all the kings assembled there,
including the Kurus headed by Duryodhana and accompanied by Karna. And illustrious Brahmins also came from many
countries.
including the Kurus headed by Duryodhana and accompanied by Karna. And illustrious Brahmins also came from many
countries.
ब्राह्मणैरेवसहिताः पाण्डवास्समुपाविशन्॥
The Pandavas
sat along with the Brahmins themselves.
sat along with the Brahmins themselves.
मञ्चेषु च परार्ध्येषु पौरजानपदा जनाः।
कृष्णादर्शनसिद्ध्यर्थं सर्वतस्समुपाविशन्॥
And the citizens and the country folk sat all
around in the excellent galleries for securing a glimpse of Draupadi.
around in the excellent galleries for securing a glimpse of Draupadi.
मालां च समुपादाय काञ्चनीं समलंकृताम्।
अवतीर्णा ततो रङ्गं द्रौपदी [भरतर्षभ]॥
Holding a golden ornamented garland Draupadi then
came into the amphitheatre.
came into the amphitheatre.
तेऽलंकृतः कुण्डलिनो युवानः
परस्परं स्पर्धया प्रेक्षमाणाः।
कृष्णा ममैवेत्यभिभाषमाणा
नृपास्समुत्पेतुरथासनेभ्यः॥
Those youthful kings with ear-rings and (other)
ornaments, looking at each other in rivalry, and saying “Draupadi is for me
only”, Jumped up from their seats.
ornaments, looking at each other in rivalry, and saying “Draupadi is for me
only”, Jumped up from their seats.
ततस्तु ते राजगणाः क्रमेण
कृष्णानिमित्तं कृतविक्रमाश्च।
तत्कार्मुकं संहननोपपन्नं
सज्यं न शेकुर्मनसाऽपि कर्तुम् ॥
Then those assembled kings showed their valour
one after another for obtaining Draupadi; that firm bow, they could not string
even with their minds.
one after another for obtaining Draupadi; that firm bow, they could not string
even with their minds.
यदा निवृत्ता राजानो धनुषस्सज्यकर्मणः।
कृष्णं च मनसा कृत्वा जगृहे चार्जुनो धनुः ॥
When the kings had turned back from the act of
stringing the bow, Arjuna, keeping Krishna in his mind, took the bow.
stringing the bow, Arjuna, keeping Krishna in his mind, took the bow.
सज्यं च चक्रे निमिषान्तरेण
विव्याध लक्ष्यं निपपात तच्च॥
He stringed it in a minute and pierced the
target; and it fell.
target; and it fell.
विनाऽपि हासं हसतीव कृष्णा
पार्थस्य वक्षस्यविशङ्कमाना।
क्षिप्त्वा स्रजं पार्थिववीरमध्ये
वराय वव्रे मदनं रतीव ॥
Draupadi, appearing to smile even without
smiling, unhesitatingly threw the garland on Arjuna’s chest and in the midst of
royal warriors, chose him as husband, as Rati (chose) Madana.
smiling, unhesitatingly threw the garland on Arjuna’s chest and in the midst of
royal warriors, chose him as husband, as Rati (chose) Madana.
द्वैपायनवचः कृत्स्नं सस्मार मनुजर्षभः।
अब्रवीत्सहितान्भ्रातॄन् मिथोभेदभयान्नृपः।
सर्वेषां द्रौपदी भार्या भविष्यति हि नश्शुभा॥
(YudhiShthira), the best among men, thought of
the whole of Vyasa’s words. The king
(YudhiShthira), afraid of mutual quarrel, told his brothers assembled together:
“Beautiful Draupadi shall become the wife of us all.””
the whole of Vyasa’s words. The king
(YudhiShthira), afraid of mutual quarrel, told his brothers assembled together:
“Beautiful Draupadi shall become the wife of us all.””
तत आहूय पाञ्चाल्यो राजपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्।
पर्यपृच्छददीनात्मा कुन्तीपुत्रं सुवर्चसं।
’कथं जानीम भवतः क्षत्रियान्ब्राह्मणानुत’॥
Then the king of the Pandavas called
prince Yudhishthira and undepressed in mind, asked that lustrous son of Kunti:
“For whom shall I know you, Kshatriyas or Brahmins?”
स तस्मै सर्वमाचख्यावानुपूर्व्येण पाण्डवः।
Yudhishthira told Drupada everything in sequence
ततस्तु ते कौरवराजपुत्राः
विभूषिताः कुण्डलिनो युवानः।
कृताभिषेकाः कृतमङ्गलक्रिया
वरस्त्रियास्ते जगृहु: करं तदा॥
Adorned, having ear-rings, with bath and auspicious ceremonies done,
those youthful sons of the Kuru King (Pandu) married then that excellent lady.
those youthful sons of the Kuru King (Pandu) married then that excellent lady.
ततस्सङ्कर्षणश्चैव केशवश्च महाबलः।
यादवैस्सह सर्वैश्च पाण्डवानभिजग्मतुः।
रेमिरे पाण्डवैस्सार्धं ते पाञ्चालपुरे तदा॥
Then Balarama and the mighty Krishna with all the
Yadavas came to the Pandavas and they made merry with the Pandavas in the
Panchala city at that time.
Yadavas came to the Pandavas and they made merry with the Pandavas in the
Panchala city at that time.
