तद्वाक्यसमकालं तु बीभत्सुर्निशितैः शरैः। अवार्यैः पञ्चभिर्ग्राहं मग्नमम्भस्यताडयत्
At that very moment, Bhīmasena struck the submerged crocodile in the water with five sharp, unstoppable arrows.
इतरे त्वथ संमूढास्तत्रपत्र प्रपेदिरे। तं तु दृष्ट्वा क्रियोपेतं द्रोणोऽमन्यत पाण्डवम्
But the others, confused, shot their arrows at random there; seeing Arjuna's precise action, Drona considered him foremost.
विशिष्टं सर्वशिष्येभ्यः प्रीतिमांश्चाभवत्तदा। स पार्थबाणैर्बहुधा खण्डशः परिकल्पितः
He regarded him as superior to all the disciples and became pleased; for by Arjuna's arrows, the crocodile was cut into many pieces.
ग्राहः पञ्चत्वमापेदे जङ्घां त्यक्त्वा महात्मनः। `सर्वक्रियाभ्यनुज्ञानात्तथा शिष्यान्समानयत्
The crocodile met its end, releasing the great-souled one’s leg; with the approval of all, the disciples were thus united.
दुर्योधनं चित्रसेनं दुःशासनविविंशती। अर्जुनं च समानीय ह्यश्वत्थामानमेव च
He summoned Duryodhana, Citrasena, Duḥśāsana, Viviṃśati, Arjuna, and also Aśvatthāman.
शिशुकं मृण्मयं कृत्वा द्रोणो गङ्गाजले ततः। शिष्याणां पश्यतां चैव क्षिपति स्म महाभुजः
Then Droṇa, of mighty arms, made a clay child and, in the sight of his pupils, cast it into the waters of the Gaṅgā.
चक्षुषी वाससा चैव बद्ध्वा प्रादाच्छरासनम्। शिशुकं विद्ध्यतेमं वै जलस्थं बद्धचक्षुषः
Binding its eyes and clothing with cloth, he set up a target and said, 'Strike this child, blindfolded, as it floats in the water.'
तत्क्षणेनैव बीभत्सुरावापैर्दशभिर्वशी। पञ्चकैरनुविव्याध मग्नं शिशुकमम्भसि
At that very moment, Bībhatsu, the masterful one, pierced the submerged child in the water with ten arrows, then with five more.
ताः स दृष्ट्वा क्रियाः सर्वा द्रोणोऽमन्यत पाण्डवम्। विशिष्टं सर्वशिष्येभ्यः प्रीतिमांश्चाभवत्तदा।' तथाब्रवीन्महात्मानं भारद्वाजो महारथम्
Seeing all these feats, Droṇa considered the Pāṇḍava superior to all his pupils, and was pleased; then Bhāradvāja spoke to the great-souled chariot-warrior.
गृहाणेदं महाबाहो विशिष्टमतिदुर्धरम्। अस्त्रं ब्रह्मशिरो नाम सप्रयोगनिवर्तनम्
Take this, mighty-armed one, the supreme and exceedingly difficult weapon called Brahmaśiras, with its use and withdrawal.
न च ते मानुषेष्वेतत्प्रयोक्तव्यं कथंचन। जगद्विनिर्दहेदेतदल्पतेजसि पातितम्
But you must never use this among men; if cast upon one of little energy, it would consume the world.
असामान्यमिदं तात लोकेष्वस्त्रं निगद्यते। तद्धारयेथाः प्रयतः शृणु चेदं वचो मम
This weapon, my son, is said to be extraordinary among men; bear it with care, and listen to my words.
बाधेतामानुषः शत्रुर्यदि त्वां वीर कश्चन। तद्वधाय प्रयुञ्जीथास्तदस्त्रमिदमाहवे
If ever a human enemy, O hero, oppresses you, then use this weapon in battle for his destruction.
तथेति संप्रतिश्रुत्य बीभत्सुः स कृताञ्जलिः। जग्राह परमास्त्रं तदाह चैनं पुनर्गुरुः। भविता त्वत्समो नान्यः पुमाँल्लोके धनुर्धरः
Having promised thus, Bībhatsu, with joined palms, accepted the supreme weapon; and again his teacher said to him, 'There will be no archer in the world equal to you.'
कृतास्त्रान्धार्तराष्ट्रांश्च पाण्डुपुत्रांश्च भारत। दृष्ट्वा द्रोणोऽब्रवीद्राजन्धृतराष्ट्रं जनेश्वरम्
Having seen the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and the sons of Pāṇḍu accomplished in weapons, Droṇa spoke to King Dhṛtarāṣṭra, lord of men.
कृपस्य सोमदत्तस्य वाह्लीकस्य च धीमतः। गाङ्गेयस्य च सान्निध्ये व्यासस्य विदुरस्य च
In the presence of Kṛpa, Somadatta, the wise Vāhlīka, Gāṅgeya, Vyāsa, and Vidura,
राजन्संप्राप्तविद्यास्ते कुमाराः कुरुसत्तम। ते दर्शयेयुः स्वां शिक्षां राजन्ननुमते तव
O best of the Kurus, the princes have now mastered their learning; with your permission, O king, let them display their skill.
ततोऽब्रवीन्महाराजः प्रहृष्टेनान्तरात्मना
Then the great king, with joy in his heart, spoke.
यदानुमन्यसे कालं यस्मिन्देशे यथायथा। तथातथा विधानाय स्वयमाज्ञापयस्व माम्
Whenever, wherever, and however you deem fit, command me yourself to make the arrangements.
स्पृहयाम्यद्य निर्वेदान्पुरुषाणां सचक्षुषाम्। अस्त्रहेतोः पराक्रान्तान्ये मे द्रक्ष्यन्ति पुत्रकान्
Today I long to see my sons, with eyes, striving for mastery in weapons, surpassing others in valor.
क्षत्तर्यद्गुरुराचार्यो ब्रवीति कुरु तत्तथा। न हीदृशं प्रियं मन्ये भविता धर्मवत्सल
O Kṣattā, whatever the teacher commands, do that; for I think nothing could be dearer, O lover of virtue.
ततो राजानमामन्त्र्य विदुरानुमतोपि हि। भारद्वाजो महाप्राज्ञो मापयामास मेदिनीम्
Then, having taken leave of the king and with Vidura's approval, Bhāradvāja, the wise one, measured out the ground.
समामवृक्षां निर्गुलमामुदक्प्रवणसंस्थिताम्। तस्यां भूमौ बलिं चक्रे तिथौ नक्षत्रपूजिते
On level ground, free of trees and slopes, and situated near a watercourse, he performed the offering on a day sanctified by lunar phases and stars.
अवघुष्टं पुरं चापि तदर्थं भरतर्षभ। रङ्गभूमौ सुविपुलं शास्त्रदृष्टं यथाविधि
For that purpose, O best of Bharatas, the city was proclaimed, and a vast arena was prepared according to the scriptures and proper rites.
प्रेक्षागारं सुविहितं चक्रस्ते तस्य शिल्पिनः। रक्षां सर्वायुधोपेतां स्त्रीणां चैव नरर्षभ
The craftsmen constructed a well-designed viewing gallery for him, and a full armed guard was arranged, as well as protection for the women, O foremost of men.
मञ्चांश्च कारयामासुर्यत्र जानपदा जनाः। विपुलानुच्छ्रयोपेताञ्शिबिकाश्च महाधनाः
They made platforms where the people of the land could sit, and luxurious palanquins with great wealth and lofty height.
तस्मिंस्ततोऽहनि प्राप्ते राजा ससचिवस्तदा। `सान्तःपुरः सहामात्यो व्यासस्यानुमते तदा।' भीष्मं प्रमुखतः कृत्वा कृपं चाचार्यसत्तमम्
When that day arrived, the king, together with his ministers, his household, and his counselors, with Vyasa's approval, placed Bhishma at the forefront and also the eminent teacher Kripa.
बाह्लीकं सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च। कुरूनन्यांश्च सचिवानादाय नगराद्बहिः
He brought Bahlika, Somadatta, Bhurishravas, and other Kurus and counselors from the city.
रङ्गभूमिं समासाद्य ब्राह्मणैः सहितो नृपः
The king, accompanied by Brahmins, reached the arena.
मुक्ताजालपरिक्षिप्तं वैदूर्यममिशोभितम्। शातकुम्भमयं दिव्यं प्रेक्षागारमुपागमत्
He entered the divine viewing gallery, adorned with pearl nets and shining with lapis lazuli, made of golden materials.