विद्राव्य शतशो गुल्मान्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकान् । पर्यक्रामत्समन्ताच्च पार्थेन सह केशवः
Driving away hundreds of detachments of Dhritarashtra’s soldiers, Keshava and Partha moved all around.
शिबिरं मापयामास धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। सात्यकिश्च रथोदारो युयुधानश्च वीर्यवान्
Drupada’s son Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki the great charioteer, and the valiant Yuyudhana constructed the camp.
आसाद्य सरितं पुण्यां कुरुक्षेत्रे हिरण्वतीम् । सूपतीर्थां शुचिजलां शर्करापङ्कवर्जिताम्
Reaching the sacred river Hiranvati in Kurukshetra, with good fords, pure water, and free from gravel and mud—
खानयामास परिखां केशवस्त्रत्र भारत । गुप्त्यर्थमपि चादिश्य बलं तत्र न्यवेशयत्
There, O Bharata, Keshava dug a moat, and, for the sake of protection, stationed the army as well.
विधिर्यः शिबिरस्यासीत्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् । तद्विधानि नरेन्द्राणां कारयामास केशवः
The arrangements that were made for the Pandavas’ camp, Keshava made the same for the camps of the other kings.
प्रभूततरकाष्ठानि दुराधर्षतराणि च। भक्ष्यभोज्यान्नपानानि शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
There were abundant stores of wood, most difficult to obtain, and hundreds and thousands of provisions, food, and drink.
शिबिराणि महार्हाणि राज्ञां तत्र पृथक्पृथक् । विमानानीव राजेन्द्र निविष्टानि महीतले
The splendid encampments of the kings, each separate, were set upon the earth, O king, like celestial palaces.
तत्रासञ्शिल्पिनः प्राज्ञाः शतशो दत्तवेतनाः। सर्वापकरणैर्युक्ता वैद्याः शास्त्रविशारदाः
There, hundreds of skilled craftsmen, well-paid, were present, equipped with all tools, along with physicians learned in the sciences.
ज्याधनुर्वर्मशस्त्राणां तथैव मधुसर्पिषोः । ससर्जरकसपांसूनां राशयः पर्वतोपमाः
Heaps of bows, arrows, armor, weapons, as well as honey, clarified butter, and jars of curd and sand, rose up like mountains.
बहूदकं सुयवसं तुषाङ्गारसमन्वितम् । शिबिरे शिबिरे राजा सञ्चकार युधिष्ठिरः
In every camp, Yudhishthira arranged abundant water, fine grass, and supplies of husks and charcoal.
महायन्त्राणि नाराचास्तोमराणि परश्वधाः। धनूंषि कवचादीनि ऋष्टयस्तूणसंयुताः
Great machines, iron arrows, spears, axes, bows, armor, and lances fitted with quivers were assembled.
गजाः कण्टकसन्नाहा लोहवर्मोत्तरच्छदाः। दृश्यन्ते तत्र गिर्याभाः सहस्रशतयोधिनः
Elephants clad in thorny mail and iron armor, resembling mountains, were seen there, each bearing hundreds and thousands of warriors.
निविष्टान्पाण्डवांस्तत्र ज्ञात्वा मित्राणि भारत । अभिसस्रुर्यथादेशं सबलाः सहवाहनाः
Knowing that the Pandavas had settled there, their allies, O Bharata, approached as instructed, with their troops and vehicles.
चरितब्रह्मचर्यास्ते सोमपा भूरिदक्षिणाः। जयाय पाण्डुपुत्राणां समाजग्मुर्महीक्षितः
Those who had observed celibacy, drank soma, and given abundant gifts, the kings, came for the victory of the sons of Pandu.
युधिष्ठिरं सहानीकमुपायान्तं युयुत्सया। सन्निविष्टं कुरुक्षेत्रे वासुदेवेन पालितम्
Yudhishthira, with his army, entered Kurukshetra, eager for battle, and was protected by Vasudeva.
विराटद्रुपदाभ्यां च सपुत्राभ्यां समन्वितम् । केकयैर्वृष्णिभिश्चैव पार्थिवैः शतशो वृतम्
He was accompanied by Virata and Drupada with their sons, surrounded by the Kekayas, Vrishnis, and hundreds of other kings.
महेन्द्रमिव चादित्यैरभिगुप्तं महारथैः। श्रुत्वा दुर्योधनो राजा किं कार्यं प्रत्यपद्यत
Like Mahendra guarded by the Adityas, he was protected by great chariot-warriors; hearing this, King Duryodhana considered what should be done.
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विस्तरेण महामते। संभ्रमे तुमुले तस्मिन्यदासीत्कुरुजाङ्गले
I wish to hear in detail, O wise one, what transpired in that tumultuous and fierce gathering in the Kurujangala.
व्यथयेयुरिमे देवान्सेन्द्रानपि समागमे । पाण्डवा वासुदेवश्च विराटद्रुपदौ तथा
These Pandavas, Vasudeva, Virata, and Drupada could shake even the gods, including Indra, in battle.
धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पाञ्चाल्यः शिखण्डी च महारथः । युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्तो देवैरपि दुरासदः
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the Panchala, and Shikhandi, the great chariot-warrior, and the valiant Yudhāmanyu, formidable even to the gods, were present.
एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं विस्तरेण तपोधन । कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च यद्यदासीद्विचेष्टितम्
I wish to hear in detail, O ascetic, whatever actions were undertaken by the Kurus and Pandavas.
प्रतियाते तु दाशार्हे राजा दुर्योधनस्तदा। कर्णं दुःशासनं चैव शकुनिं चाब्रवीदिदम्
When the Dāśārha had departed, King Duryodhana then spoke to Karna, Duhshasana, and Shakuni.
अकृतेनैव कार्येण गतः पार्थानधोक्षजः । स एनान्मन्युनाविष्टो ध्रुवं धक्ष्यत्यसंशयम्
Without accomplishing his purpose, the son of Adhoksha has gone to the Pandavas; filled with anger, he will surely burn them, without doubt.
इष्टो हि वासुदेवस्य पाण्डवैर्मम विग्रहः । भीमसेनार्जुनौ चैव दाशार्हस्य मते स्थितौ
For the conflict with the Pandavas is dear to Vasudeva; Bhimasena and Arjuna are aligned with the Dāśārha's counsel.
अजातशत्रुरत्यर्थं भीमसेनवशानुगः। निकृतश्च मया पूर्वं सह सर्वैः सहोदरैः
Ajātaśatru, exceedingly under the sway of Bhīmasena, and previously deceived by me together with all his brothers,
विराटद्रुपदौ चैव कृतवैरौ मया सह । तौ च सेनाप्रणेतारौ वासुदेववशानुगौ
Virāṭa and Drupada, too, have become my enemies; those two, commanders of armies, are now under the influence of Vāsudeva.
भविता विग्रहः सोयं तुमुलो लोमहर्षणः । तस्मात्साङ्ग्रामिकं सर्वं कारयध्वमतन्द्रिताः
A fierce and hair-raising conflict will arise; therefore, carry out all preparations for battle without negligence.
शिबिराणि कुरुक्षेत्रे क्रियन्तां वसुधाधिपाः । स्वपर्याप्तावकाशानि दुरादेयानि शत्रुभिः
Let camps be established on Kurukṣetra, O lords of the earth, spacious enough for yourselves and difficult for enemies to seize.
आसन्नजलकोष्ठानि शतशोथ सहस्रशः । अच्छेद्याहारमार्गाणि बन्धोच्छ्रयचितानि च
Let water reservoirs be placed nearby, in hundreds and thousands; let supply routes be secure and fortified with defensive works.
विविधायुधपूर्णानि पताकाध्वजवन्ति च। समाश्च तेषां पन्थानः क्रियन्तां नगराद्बहिः
Let them be filled with various weapons and adorned with banners and flags; and let all their roads from the city be made ready.