अथोपेत्य महाबाहुरभिवाद्य पितामहम् । अतिष्ठत्प्राञ्जलिः प्रह्वः किं करोमीति चाब्रवीत्
Then the mighty-armed one approached, bowed to the grandsire, stood before him with joined palms, and said, 'What shall I do?"
तं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवं राजन्नभिवाद्याग्रतः स्थितम्। अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भीष्मः प्रीतो धनंजयम्
Seeing the Pāṇḍava standing before him, having bowed, the righteous Bhīṣma, pleased, addressed Dhanañjaya.
दह्यतीव शरीर मे संवृतस्य तवेषुभिः। मर्माणि परिदूयन्ते मुखं च परिशुष्यति
'My body burns, pierced by your arrows; my vital parts are racked with pain, and my mouth is parched.'
वेदनार्तशरीरस्य प्रयच्छापो ममार्जुन। त्वं हि शक्तो महेष्वास दातुमम्भो यथाविधि
'Grant me water, Arjuna, for my body is tormented by pain; you, mighty archer, are able to give me water as is proper.'
अर्जुनस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा रथमारुह्य वीर्यवान्। अधिज्यं बलवत्कृत्वा गाण्डीवं व्याक्षिपद्धनुः
Arjuna, the mighty one, having said 'so be it,' mounted his chariot, strung his Gandiva bow with great strength, and drew it back powerfully.
तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः । वित्रेसुः सर्वभूतानि सर्वे श्रुत्वा च पार्थिवाः
The twang of his bowstring resounded like a thunderclap; all beings were terrified, and all the kings who heard it were shaken.
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा रथेन रथिनां वरः। शयानं भरतश्रेष्ठं सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरम्
Then, the best of chariot-warriors circled with his chariot around the sleeping Bhishma, the foremost among the bearers of all weapons, O best of the Bharatas.
संधाय च शरं दीप्तमभिमन्त्र्य स पाण्डवः। पर्जन्यास्त्रेण संयोज्य सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः
The Pandava, having fitted a blazing arrow, recited the proper mantras, and, joining it with the Parjanya weapon, released it as all the worlds looked on.
अविध्यत्पृथिवीं पार्थः पार्श्वे भीष्मस्य दक्षिणे । उत्पपात ततो धारा वारिणो विमला शुभा
Partha struck the earth at Bhishma's right side; from there, a pure and auspicious stream of water sprang forth.
शीतस्यामृतकल्पस्य दिव्यगन्धरसस्य च । अतर्पयत्ततः पार्थः शीतया जलधारया
With that cool, nectar-like, divinely fragrant, and flavorful stream, Partha then satisfied Bhishma, cooling him with the flow of water.
भीष्मं कुरूणामृषभं दिव्यं दिव्यपराक्रमम् । कर्मणा तेन पार्थस्य शक्रस्येव विकुर्वतः
By that act of Partha—like Indra performing a wondrous deed—he honored Bhishma, the bull among the Kurus, of divine and extraordinary prowess.
विस्मयं परमं जग्मुस्ततस्ते वसुधाधिपाः । तत्कर्म प्रेक्ष्य बीभत्सोरतिमानुषविक्रमम्
Seeing that superhuman feat of Bhimasena's younger brother, the kings of the earth were filled with the utmost amazement.
संप्रावेपन्त कुरवो गावः शीतार्दिता इव। विस्मयाच्चोत्तरीयाणि व्याविध्यन्सर्वतो नृपाः
The Kauravas trembled like cows afflicted by cold; and out of astonishment, the kings all around cast off their upper garments.
शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषस्तुमुलः सर्वतोऽभवत्। तृप्तः शान्तनवश्चापि राजन्बीभत्सुमब्रवीत्
A tumultuous sound of conches and drums arose on all sides; and Santanu's son, now satisfied, spoke to Arjuna, O King.
सर्वपार्थिववीराणां सन्निधौ पूजयन्निव । नैतच्चित्रं महाबाहो त्वयि कौरवनन्दन
In the presence of all the heroic kings, as if honoring you, he said: 'O mighty-armed one, O joy of the Kauravas, this is not surprising in you.'
कथितो नारदेनासि पूर्वर्षिरमितद्युते । वासुदेवसहायस्त्वं महत्कर्म करिष्यसि
'You were foretold by Narada, the ancient sage of boundless splendor, that, aided by Vasudeva, you would accomplish a great deed.'
यन्नोत्सहति देवेन्द्रः सह देवैरपि ध्रुवम् । विदुस्त्वां निधनं पार्थ सर्वक्षत्रस्य तद्विदः
'What even Indra with the gods cannot achieve, those who know the truth know you, Partha, as the destruction of all Kshatriyas.'
धनुर्धराणामेकस्त्वं पृथिव्यां प्रवरो नृषु
'Among all bowmen on earth, you alone are the foremost among men.'
मनुष्या जगति श्रेष्ठाः पक्षिणां पतगेश्वरः। सरितं सागरः श्रेष्ठो गौर्वरिष्ठा चतुष्पदाम्
'Among men, the best are humans; among birds, the king of birds; among rivers, the ocean is supreme; among quadrupeds, the bull is the best.'
आदित्यस्तेजसां श्रेष्ठो गिरीणां हिमवान्वरः । जातीनां ब्राह्मणः श्रेष्ठः श्रेष्ठस्त्वमसि धन्विनां
'Among radiant beings, the sun is supreme; among mountains, the Himalaya is the best; among castes, the Brahmin is foremost; and among archers, you are the best.'
न वै श्रुतं धार्तराष्ट्रेण वाक्यं मयोच्यमानं विदुरेण चैव। द्रोणेन रामेण जनार्दनेन मुहुर्मुहुः सञ्जयेनापि चोक्तम्
'The words spoken by me, by Vidura, by Drona, by Rama, by Janardana, and repeatedly by Sanjaya, have not been heeded by Duryodhana.'
परीतबुद्धिर्हि विसंज्ञकल्पो दुर्योधनो न च तच्छ्रद्दधाति। स शेष्यते वै निहतश्चिराय शास्त्रातिगो भीमबलाभिभूतः
'For Duryodhana, whose mind is confused and nearly senseless, does not believe it; he will remain, slain for a long time, overcome by Bhima's strength, having transgressed the scriptures.'
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तद्वचः कौरवेन्द्रो दुर्योधनो दीनमना बभूव। तमब्रविच्छान्तनवोऽभिवीक्ष्य निबोध राजन्भव वीतमन्युः
Hearing these words, King Duryodhana of the Kauravas became downcast in spirit. Seeing him thus, Shantanu's son spoke to him: 'Listen, O King, and let go of your anger.'
दृष्टं दुर्योधनैतत्ते यथा पार्थेन धीमता। जलस्य धारा जनिता शीतस्यामृतगन्धिनः
You have seen, Duryodhana, how Partha, the wise one, produced a stream of cool, nectar-scented water.
एतस्य कर्ता लोकेऽस्मिन्नान्यः कश्चन विद्यते। आग्नेयं वारुणं सौम्यं वायव्यमथ वैष्णवम्
In this world, there is no one else who can accomplish such a feat—whether it be of fire, water, moon, wind, or Vishnu.
ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं ब्रह्मं पारमेष्ठ्यं प्रजापतेः । धातुस्त्वष्टुश्च सवितुर्वैवस्वतमथापि वा
Of Indra, Pashupati, Brahma, Parameshthi, Prajapati, Dhata, Tvashta, Savita, or even Vaivasvata—
सर्वस्मिन्मानुषे लोके वेत्त्येको हि धनञ्जयः। कृष्णो वा देवकीपुत्रो नान्यो वेदेह कश्चन
Among all men in the world, only Dhananjaya or Krishna, son of Devaki, knows these things; no one else, O King.
अशक्यः पाण्डवस्तात युद्धे जेतुं कथंचन । अमानुषाणि कर्माणि यस्यैतानि महात्मनः
O dear one, it is impossible to defeat the Pandava in battle by any means, for his deeds are beyond human.
तेन सत्ववता सङ्ख्ये शूरेणाहवशोभिना । जिष्णुना समरे राजन्संधिर्भवतु मा चिरम्
Therefore, O King, let there be peace without delay with Jishnu, who is steadfast, heroic, and glorious in battle.
यावत्कृष्णो महाबाहुः स्वाधीनः कुरुसत्तम। तावत्पार्थेन शूरेण संधिस्ते तात युज्यताम्
As long as mighty-armed Krishna remains on their side, O best of Kurus, make peace with the valiant Partha.