अथ दुर्योधनः कृष्मं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। सन्ध्यां तिष्ठन्तमभ्येत्य दाशार्हमपराजितम्
Then Duryodhana and the son of Subala, Shakuni, approached the unconquered Dasharha as he stood at dawn.
आचक्षेतां तु कृष्णस्य धृतराष्ट्रं सभागतम्। कुरूश्च भीष्मप्रमुखान्राज्ञः सर्वांश्च पार्थिवान्
They informed Krishna of Dhritarashtra, who was accompanied by his assembly, and of the Kurus headed by Bhishma, as well as all the kings.
त्वामर्थयन्ते गोविन्द दिवि शक्रमिवामराः । तावभ्यनन्दद्गोविन्दः साम्ना परमवल्गुना
O Govinda, the gods in heaven seek you as they seek Indra; Govinda graciously accepted them with utmost gentleness.
ततो विमल आदित्ये ब्राह्मणेभ्यो जनार्दनः। ददौ हिरण्यं वासांसि गाश्चाश्चांश्च परन्तपः
Then, when the spotless sun had risen, Janardana, scorcher of foes, gave gold, garments, cows, and food to the Brahmins.
विसृष्टवन्तं रत्नानि दाशार्हमपराजितम्। तिष्ठन्तमुपसङ्गम्य ववन्दे सारथिस्तदा
When the unconquered Dasharha had distributed jewels and was standing, the charioteer approached and bowed to him.
तस्मै रथवरो युक्तः शुशुभे लोकविश्रुतः । वाजिभिः शैब्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः
For him, a splendid chariot was made ready, renowned throughout the worlds, yoked with horses named Shaibya, Sugriva, Meghapushpa, and Balāhaka.
शैब्यस्तु शुकपत्राभः सुग्रीवः किंशुकप्रभः । मेघपुष्पो मेघवर्णः पाण्डरस्तु बलाहकः
Shaibya was like a parrot's feather in hue, Sugriva shone with the brilliance of a kimshuka flower, Meghapushpa was cloud-colored, and Balahaka was pale as a white cloud.
दक्षिणं चावहच्छैब्यः सुग्रीवः सव्यतोऽवहत्। पृष्ठवाहौ रथस्यास्तां मेघपुष्पबलाहकौ
Shaibya drew the chariot on the right, Sugriva on the left; Meghapushpa and Balahaka were yoked at the rear of the chariot.
विश्वकर्मकृताऽऽपीडा रत्नजालविभूषिता । आश्रिता वै रथे तस्मिन्ध्वजयष्टिरशोभत
The yoke, crafted by Vishvakarman and adorned with a network of jewels, was set upon that chariot, and the banner-staff shone resplendently.
वैनतेयः स्थितस्तस्यां प्रभाकरमिव स्पृशन्। तस्य सत्ववतः केतौ भुजगारिरशोभत
Upon that banner stood Garuda, as if touching the sun, and on the banner of that mighty one, the enemy of serpents shone brilliantly.
तस्य कीर्तिमतस्तेन भास्वरेण विराजता । शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठः पतगेन्द्रेण केतुना
By that illustrious and radiant banner, the foremost of chariots was adorned, shining with the king of birds as its standard.
रश्मिजालैः पताकाभिः सौवर्णेन च केतुना । बभूव स रथश्रेष्ठः कालसूर्य इवोदितः
With its rays, pennants, and golden banner, that best of chariots appeared like the sun at the end of time rising up.
पक्षिध्वजवितानैश्च रुक्मजालकृताङ्गणैः । दण्डमार्गविभागैश्च सुकृतैर्विश्वकर्मणा
With bird-emblazoned canopies, floors inlaid with golden latticework, and skillfully crafted divisions of the pole and yoke by Vishvakarman,
प्रवालमणिशोभैश्च मुक्तावैडूर्यशोभनैः । किङ्किणीशतसङ्घैश्च वालजालकृतान्तरैः
With coral and gem adornments, pearls and cat's-eye stones, hundreds of tinkling bells, and inner panels woven with hair,
कार्तस्वरमयीभिश्च पद्मिनीभिरलङ्कृतः। शुशुभे स्यन्दनश्रेष्ठस्तापनीयैश्च पादपैः
Adorned with golden lotuses and trees of refined gold, that foremost of chariots shone brilliantly.
व्याघ्रसिंहवराहैश्च गोभिश्च मृगपक्षिभिः । ताराभिर्भास्करैश्चापि वारणैश्च हिरण्मयैः
With tigers, lions, boars, cows, deer, birds, stars, suns, and golden elephants depicted,
वज्राङ्कुशविमानैश्च कूबरावृत्तसन्धिषु । समुच्छ्रितमहानाभिः स्तनयित्नुमहास्वनः
With vimanas bearing thunderbolt-hooks at the joints of the axle, with a great and lofty nave, and a thunderous, resounding roar,
ततो रथेन शुभ्रेण महता किङ्किणीकिना । हयोत्तमयुजा शीघ्रमुपातिष्ठत दारुकः
Then Daruka approached swiftly with that splendid, great chariot, decked with bells and yoked to excellent horses.
तमुपस्थितमाज्ञाय रथं दिव्यं महामनाः । महाभ्रघननिर्घोषं सर्वरत्नविभूषितम्
Recognizing that divine chariot, resounding like a mass of great clouds and adorned with every jewel, the high-minded one prepared himself.
अग्निं प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा ब्राह्मणांश्च जनार्दनः। कौस्तुभं मणिमाबध्य श्रिया परमया ज्वलन्
Having circumambulated the fire and the Brahmanas, Janardana, blazing with supreme glory, fastened the Kaustubha gem upon himself.
कुरुभिः संवृतः कृष्णो वृष्णिभिश्चाभिरक्षितः । आतिष्ठत रथं शौरिः सर्वयादवनन्दनः
Surrounded by the Kurus and guarded by the Vrishnis, Krishna, the descendant of Shura and joy of all the Yadavas, mounted the chariot.
अन्वारुरोह दाशार्हं विदुरः सर्वधर्मवित्। सर्वप्राणभृतां श्रेष्ठं सर्वबुद्धिमतां वरम्
Vidura, knower of all dharma, ascended after the Dasharha, the best among all living beings and foremost among the wise.
ततो दुर्योधनः कृष्णं शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । द्वितीयेन रथेनैनमन्वयातां परन्तपम्
Then Duryodhana and Shakuni, son of Subala, followed the scorcher of foes in a second chariot.
सात्यकिः कृतवर्मा च वृष्णीनां चापरे रथाः । पृष्ठतोऽनुययुः कृष्णं गजैरश्वै रथैरपि
Satyaki, Kritavarma, and other Vrishni charioteers followed Krishna from behind, with elephants, horses, and chariots as well.
तेषां हेमपरिष्कारैर्युक्ताः परमवाजिभिः । गच्छतां घोषिणश्चित्ररथा राजन्विरेजिरे
Their splendid chariots, adorned with gold and drawn by excellent horses, shone forth, O King, as they proceeded, resounding with music.
संमृष्टसंसिक्तरजः प्रतिपेदे महापथम् । राजर्षिचरितं काले कृष्णो धीमाञ्श्रिया ज्वलन्
The great road, cleansed and sprinkled to remove dust, welcomed Krishna, wise and radiant, as he traveled along the path once trodden by royal sages.
ततः प्रयाते दाशार्हे प्रावाद्यन्तैकपुष्कराः। शङ्खाश्च दध्मिरे तत्र वाद्यान्यन्यानि यानि च
As the descendant of Dasharha departed, single-lotus conch shells were sounded, and other musical instruments, whatever there were, played as well.
प्रवीराः सर्वलोकस्य युवानः सिंहविक्रमाः। परिवार्य रथं शौरेरगच्छन्त परन्तपाः
The valiant young men of all people, possessing lion-like prowess, surrounded the chariot of Shauri, those scorcher of foes, and accompanied him.
ततोऽन्ये बहुसाहस्रा विचित्राद्भुतवाससः । असिप्रासायुधधराः कृष्णस्यासन्पुरःसराः
Then many thousands more, clad in wondrous and marvelous garments, bearing swords, spears, and weapons, marched at the forefront for Krishna.
गजाः पञ्चशतास्तत्र रथाश्चासन्सहस्रशः। प्रयान्तमन्वयुर्वीरं दाशार्हमपराजितम्
There were five hundred elephants and thousands of chariots, following the invincible hero of the Dasharhas as he advanced.