ते सेने स्तिमिते सञ्जे वीक्षमाणे परस्परम् । गङ्गायमुनयोर्वेगो यथैवैत्य परस्परम्
Those armies stood motionless, gazing at each other, like the currents of the Ganga and Yamuna meeting one another.
एवं प्रवत्ते ते सेने निःशब्दे जनसंसदि । चित्रे पट इवालेख्ये दर्शनीयतरे शुभे
Thus, those armies stood silent amidst the gathering of people, splendid and striking to behold, like a painting on a beautiful canvas.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय समवस्थिते। ते सेने सागरप्रख्ये मुहुः प्रज्वलिते नृप
Then, Yudhishthira, seeing the armies assembled for battle, those armies vast as the ocean, repeatedly blazing forth, O king—
विमुच्य कवचं वीरो निक्षिप्य च वरायुधम् । अवरुह्य रथात्क्षिप्रं पद्म्यामेव कृताञ्जलिः
The heroic one removed his armor, set aside his mighty weapon, quickly descended from his chariot, and with folded hands, stood in the midst.
पितामहमभिप्रेक्ष्य धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः । वाग्यतः प्रययौ धीरः प्राङ्भुखो रिपुवाहिनीम्
Beholding the grandsire, King Yudhishthira, steadfast in speech, approached the enemy host, facing east, with composure.
तं प्रयान्तमभिप्रेभ्य कुन्तीपुत्रो धनञ्जयः । अवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं भ्रातृभिः सहितोऽन्वयात्
Seeing him advance, Kunti's son Dhananjaya swiftly descended from his chariot and followed, accompanied by his brothers.
वासुदेवश्च भगवान्पृष्ठतोऽनुजगाम तम् । तथा मुख्याश्च राजानस्तच्चित्ता जग्मुरुत्सुकाः
And the blessed Vasudeva followed behind him; likewise, the chief kings, their minds intent, eagerly went forth.
किं ते व्यवसितं राजन्यदस्मानपहाय वै। प्रद्म्यामेव प्रयातोऽसि प्राङ्मुखो रिपुवाहिनीम्
What have you resolved, O king, that you leave us and proceed alone, facing the enemy host in the midst?
क्व गमिष्यसि राजेन्द्र निक्षिप्तकवचायुधः। दंशितेष्वरिसैन्येषु भ्रातॄनुत्सृज्य पार्थिव
Where will you go, O king, having laid aside your armor and weapons, leaving your brothers among the hostile armies?
एवं गते त्वयि ज्येष्ठे मम भ्रातरि भारत। भीमे दुनोति हृदयं ब्रूहि गन्ता भवान्क्व नु
As you, my elder brother, depart thus, O Bharata, Bhima's heart is troubled; tell us, where indeed will you go?
अस्मिन्रणसमूहे वै वर्तमाने महाभये। उत्सृज्य क्व नु गन्तासि शत्रूनभिमुखो नृप
In this assembly of battle, amidst great danger, where will you go, abandoning us and facing the enemy, O king?
एवमाभाष्यमाणोऽपि भ्रातृभिः कुरुनन्दनः। नोवाच वाग्यतः किंचिद्गच्छत्येव युधिष्ठिरः
Though addressed thus by his brothers, the descendant of the Kurus, Yudhishthira, remained silent and continued onward.
तानुवाच महाप्राज्ञो वासुदेवो महामनाः । अभिप्रायोऽस्य विज्ञातो मयेति प्रहसन्निव
Then the wise and great-minded Vasudeva spoke to them: 'His intention is known to me,' he said, smiling.
एष भीष्मं तथा द्रोणं गौतमं शल्यमेव च। अनुमान्य गुरून्सर्वान्योत्स्यते पार्थिवोऽरिभिः
He will approach Bhishma, Drona, Gautama, and Shalya, and, having sought permission from all his elders, will engage the enemy.
श्रूयते हि पुराकल्पे गुरूनननुमान्य यः। युध्यते स भवेद्व्यक्तमपध्यातो महत्तरैः
For it is heard that in ancient times, one who fights without seeking permission from his elders is surely censured by the great.
अनुमान्य यथाशास्त्रं यस्तु युध्येन्महत्तरैः । ध्रुवस्तस्य जयो युद्धे भवेदिति मतिर्मम
But one who, according to scripture, seeks permission from the elders before fighting, his victory in battle is certain—such is my conviction.
एवं ब्रुवति कृष्णेऽत्र धार्तराष्ट्रचमूं प्रति। हाहाकारो महानासीन्निःशब्दास्त्वपरेऽभवन्
As Krishna spoke thus to the Kaurava army, a great outcry arose among some, while others became silent.
दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरं दूराद्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकाः । मिथः संकथयांचक्रुरेषो हि कुलपांसनः
Seeing Yudhishthira from afar, the soldiers of Dhritarashtra began to speak among themselves, 'Indeed, this is the disgrace of his lineage.'
व्यक्तं भीत इवाभ्येति राजासौ भीष्ममन्तिकम् । युधिष्ठिरः ससोदर्यः शरणार्थं प्रयाचकः
Clearly, as if afraid, that king Yudhishthira approaches Bhishma, together with his brothers, seeking protection.
धनञ्जये कथं नाथे पाण्डवे च वृकोदरे । नकुले सहदेवे च भीतिरभ्येति पाण्डवम्
How is it that fear comes upon the Pandava, when Dhananjaya is his protector, and Bhima, Nakula, and Sahadeva are with him?
न नूनं क्षत्रियकुले जातः संप्रथिते भुवि। यथाऽस्य हृदयं भीतमल्पसत्वस्य संयुगे
Surely, he was not born in the Kshatriya line, renowned on earth, seeing how his heart is fearful in battle, being of little spirit.
ततस्ते सैनिकाः सर्वे प्रशंसन्ति स्म कौरवान् । हृष्टाः सुमनसो भूत्वा चेलानि दुधुवुश्च ह
Then all the soldiers, delighted and in good spirits, praised the Kauravas and waved their garments.
व्यनिन्दंश्च तथा सर्वे योधास्तव विशांपते। युधिष्ठिरं ससोदर्यं सहितं केशवनेन हि
And all your warriors, O king, mocked Yudhishthira and his brothers, who were accompanied by Krishna.
ततस्तत्कौरवं सैन्यं धिक्वृत्वा तु युधिष्ठिरम् । निःशब्दमभवत्तूर्णं पुनरेव विशांपते
Then, having reproached Yudhishthira, the Kaurava army quickly became silent again, O king.
किं नु वक्ष्याति राजाऽसौ किं भीष्मः प्रतिवक्ष्यति। किं भीमः समरश्लाघी किं नु कृष्णार्जुनाविति
What will that king say? What will Bhishma reply? What will Bhima, proud of battle, say? And what of Krishna and Arjuna?
विवक्षितं किमस्येति संशयः सुमहानभूत् । उभयो सेनयो राजन्युधिष्ठिरकृते तदा
A great doubt arose in both armies as to what Yudhishthira intended to say at that moment.
सोऽवगाह्य चमूं शत्रोः शरशक्तिसमाकुलाम् । भीष्ममेवाभ्यात्तूर्णं भ्रातृभिः परिवारितः
He then plunged into the enemy ranks, thick with arrows and spears, and swiftly approached Bhishma, surrounded by his brothers.
तमुवाच ततः पादौ कारभ्यां पीड्य पाण्डवः । भीष्मं शान्तनवं राजा युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्
Then, pressing Bhishma's feet with his hands, King Yudhishthira, ready for battle, spoke to the son of Shantanu.
आमन्त्रये त्वां दुर्धर्ष त्वया योत्स्यामहे सह। अनजानीहि मां तात आशिषश्च प्रयोजय
I salute you, unconquerable one; we are about to fight with you. Recognize me, O father, and bestow your blessings.
यद्येवं नाभिगच्छेथा युधि मां पृथिवीपते। शपेयं त्वां महाराज परीभावाय भारत
If you do not approach me in battle, O lord of the earth, I would curse you, O great king, for the sake of reproach, O Bharata.