द्रोणपुत्रं च कर्णं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च। शकुनिं सौबलं चैव बाह्लीकं च महाबलम्
Drona's son, Karna, Bhurishravas, Shakuni son of Subala, and the mighty Bahlika—
दिवसे दिवसे तेषां प्रतिवेलं च भारत। चक्रे स विविधाः पूजाः प्रत्यक्षं च पुनः पुनः
Day after day, and at every proper time, O Bharata, he performed various honors for them, repeatedly and openly.
तथा विनियताः सर्वे ये च तेषां पदानुगाः। बभूवुः सैनिका राज्ञां प्रियं राज्ञश्चिकीर्षवः
In this way, all those who were appointed, along with their followers, became soldiers devoted to the kings, eager to do what pleased the king.
ततः शान्तनवं भीष्मं प्राञ्जलिर्धृतराष्ट्रजः। सह सर्वैर्महीपालैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
Then Bhishma, son of Shantanu, was addressed by Dhritarashtra's son, with joined palms, together with all the kings, with these words:
ऋते सेनाप्रणेतारं पृतना सुमहत्यपि । दीर्यते युद्धमासाद्य पिपीलिकपुटं यथा
Without a leader, even a great army breaks apart when battle is joined, just like an anthill is scattered.
नहि जातु द्वयोर्बुद्धिः समा भवति कर्हिचित् । शौर्यं च वलनेतॄणां स्पर्धते च परस्परम्
For never do two people have exactly the same understanding, and the courage of leaders always competes with one another.
श्रूयते च महाप्राज्ञ हैहयानमितौजसः । अभ्ययुर्ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे समुच्छ्रितकुशध्वजाः
It is told, O wise one, that all the Brahmanas, bearing tall kusa banners, once approached the mighty Haihayas.
तानभ्ययुस्तदा वैश्याः शूद्राश्चैव पितामह । एकतस्तु त्रयो वर्णा एकतः क्षत्रियर्षभाः
Then the Vaishyas and Shudras also approached them, O Grandsire, with three castes on one side and the Kshatriya bulls on the other.
ते स्म युद्धे प्रभज्यन्ते त्रयो वर्णाः पुनः पुनः । क्षत्रियाश्च जयन्त्येव बहुलं चैकतो बलम्
In battle, those three castes were repeatedly broken, while the Kshatriyas always prevailed, their strength united on one side.
ततस्ते क्षत्रियानेव पप्रच्छुर्द्विचसत्तमाः । तेभ्यः शशंसुर्धर्मज्ञा याथातथ्यं पितामह
Then those best of the twice-born questioned the Kshatriyas, and the righteous Kshatriyas told them the truth, O Grandsire.
वयमेकस्य श्रृणुमो महाबुद्धिमतो रणे । भवन्तस्तु पृथक्सर्वे स्वबुद्धिवशवर्तिनः
"We obey the command of one man of great wisdom in battle, while you all act separately, each following your own judgment."
ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाश्चक्रुरेकं सेनापतिं द्विजम्। नये सुकुशलं शूरमजयन्क्षत्रियांस्ततः
Then those Brahmanas made one twice-born man, skilled in leadership and brave, their commander, and thereafter defeated the Kshatriyas.
एवं ये कुशलं शूरं हितेप्सितमकल्पषम्। सेनापतिं प्रकुर्वन्ति ते जयन्ति रणे रिपून्
Thus, those who appoint as commander one who is skilled, brave, devoted to their welfare, and blameless, they conquer their enemies in battle.
भवानुशनसा तुल्यो हितैषी च सदा मम। असंहार्थः स्थितो धर्मे स नः सेनापतिर्भव
You are like Usanas in wisdom and always seek my good; steadfast in righteousness, you are invincible—be our commander.
रश्मीवतामिवादित्यो वीरुधामिव चन्द्रमाः । कुबेर इव यक्षाणां देवानामिव वासवः
Just as the sun among those with rays, the moon among plants, Kubera among the Yakshas, and Vasava among the gods—
पर्वतानां यथा मेरुः सुपर्णः पक्षिणां यथा। कुमार इव देवानां वसूनामिव हव्यवाट्
As Meru among mountains, Suparna among birds, Kumara among the gods, and Havyavat among the Vasus—
भवता हि वयं गुप्ताः शत्रेणेव दिवौकसः । अनाधृष्या भविष्यामस्त्रिदशानामपि ध्रुवम्
By you, indeed, we are protected, as the dwellers of heaven are by their enemy; we shall surely become invincible even among the gods.
प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकिः । वयं त्वामनुयास्यामः सौरभेया इवर्षभम्
Let you go ahead for us, as Pavaka among the gods; we will follow you, as the Saurabheyas follow the bull.
एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत। यथैव हि भवन्तो मे तथैव मम पाण्डवाः
So it is, O mighty-armed one, as you say, O Bharata; just as you are to me, so too are the Pandavas.
अपि चैव मया श्रोयो वाच्यं तेषां नराधिप । संयोद्धव्यं तवार्थाय यथा मे समयः कृतः
Moreover, I must speak what is best to those kings; battle must be joined for your sake, as I have pledged.
न तु पश्यामि योद्धारमात्मनः सदृशं भुवि । ऋते तस्मान्नरव्याघ्रात्कुन्तीपुत्राद्धनञ्जयात्
But I do not see any warrior on earth equal to myself, except for that tiger among men, Arjuna, son of Kunti.
स हि वेद महाबुद्धिर्दिव्यान्यस्त्राण्यनेकशः । न तु मां विवृतो युद्धे जातु युध्येत पाण्डवः
He, possessing great wisdom, knows many divine weapons; yet, openly in battle, the Pandava would never fight against me.
अहं स च क्षणेनैव निर्मनुष्यमिदं जगत्। कुर्यावास्त्रबलेनैव ससुरासुरराक्षसम्
He and I, in but a moment, could make this world devoid of men, by the power of weapons, along with gods, asuras, and rakshasas.
न त्वेवोत्सादनीया मे पाण्डोः पुत्रा जनाधिप । तस्माद्योधान्हनिष्यामि प्रयोगेणायुतं सदा
Yet, O king, the sons of Pandu are not to be exterminated by me; therefore, I will slay the warriors always by proper means.
एवमेषां फरिष्यामि निधनं कुरुनन्दन । न चेत्ते मां हनिष्यन्ति पूर्वमेव समागमे
Thus will I bring about their destruction, O joy of the Kurus, unless they kill me first in the encounter.
सेनापतिस्त्वहं राजन्समयेनापरेण ते। भविष्यामि यथाकामं तन्मे श्रोतुमिहार्हसि
I will be the commander of the army, O king, according to your other agreement; you should hear this from me here.
कर्णो वा युध्यतां पूर्वमहं वा पृथिवीपते । स्पर्धते हि सदात्यर्थं सूतपुत्रो मया रणे
Either Karna will fight first, or I will, O lord of the earth; for the son of the charioteer always competes with me in battle.
नाहं जीवति गाङ्गेये राजन्योत्स्ये कथंचन। हते भीष्मे तु योत्स्यामि सह गाण्डीवधन्वना
I will never fight while Ganga's son lives, O king; but when Bhishma is slain, I will fight alongside the wielder of Gandiva.
ततः सेनापतिं चक्रे विधिवद्भूरिदक्षिणम्। धृतराष्ट्रात्मजो भीष्मं सोऽभिषिक्तो व्यरोचत
Then, according to custom, the son of Dhritarashtra appointed Bhishma, most generous, as commander; thus consecrated, he shone.
ततो भेरीश्च शङ्खांश्च शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। वादयामासुव्यग्रा वादका राजशासनात्
Then, at the king's command, the musicians, eager, played drums and conches by the hundreds and thousands.