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.
ते तथेति प्रतिज्ञाय श्वोभूते चक्रिरे तथा
They, having pledged thus, made preparations accordingly when the next day arrived.
हृष्टरूपा महात्मानो निवासाय महीक्षिताम् । ततस्ते पार्थिवाः सर्वे तच्छ्रुत्वा राजशासनम्
The great-souled kings, appearing joyful, made arrangements for their lodging; then all those rulers, upon hearing the royal command,
आसनेभ्यो महार्हेभ्य उदतिष्ठन्नमर्षिताः । बाहून्परिघसङ्काशान्संस्पृशन्तः शनैः शनैः
rose from their splendid seats, agitated, slowly touching their arms, which resembled iron bars.
काञ्चनाङ्गददीप्तांश्च चन्दनागरुभूषितान्। उष्णीषाणि नियच्छन्तः पुण्डरीकनिभै करैः। अन्तरीयोत्तरीयाणि भूषणानि च सर्वशः
Adjusting their shining golden armlets and ornaments of sandalwood and aloe, setting their turbans with lotus-like hands, arranging their inner and outer garments and all their jewelry,
ते रथान्रथिनः श्रेष्ठा हयांश्च हयकोविदाः। सज्जयन्ति स्म नागांश्च नागशिक्षास्वनुष्ठिताः
The foremost charioteers readied their chariots, the skilled horsemen prepared their horses, and those trained in elephant warfare equipped their elephants.
अथ वर्माणि चित्राणि काञ्चनानि बहूनि च । विविधानि च शस्त्राणि चक्रुः सर्वाणि सर्वशः
Then they made many splendid armors of gold and various weapons, all kinds, in abundance.
पदातयश्च पुरुषाः शस्त्राणि विविधानि च। उपाजह्रुः शरीरेषु हेमचित्राण्यनेकशः
The foot soldiers brought various weapons, many adorned with gold, to be worn upon their bodies.
तदुत्सव इवोदग्रं संप्रहृष्टनरावृतम् । नगरं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य भारतासीत्समाकुलम्
That city of Dhārtarāṣṭra became crowded, like a festival, filled with joyful sounds.
जनौघसलिलावर्तो रथनागाश्वमीनवान् । शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषः कोशसञ्चयरत्नवान्
A whirlpool of people, chariots, elephants, horses, and fish; the sound of conches and drums, and stores of treasures.
चित्राभरणवर्मोर्मिः शस्त्रनिर्मलफेनवान् । प्रासादमालाद्रिवृतो रथ्यापणमहाह्रदः
Waves of dazzling ornaments and armor, foam of gleaming weapons, surrounded by rows of mansions like mountains, and streets and markets like vast lakes.