Adhyaya 101

Verse 1

[दाक्षिणात्य अधिक पाठके २ ३ श*लोक मिलाकर कुल ४५ ६ “लोक हैं।] 30:22 धन हि कमी अष्टनवतितमोब् ध्याय: भीष्मका दुर्योधनको अर्जुनका पराक्रम बताना और भयंकर युद्धके लिये प्रतिज्ञा करना तथा प्रात:काल दुर्योधनके द्वारा भीष्मकी रक्षाकी व्यवस्था संजय उवाच वाक्‌ शल्यैस्तव पुत्रेण सो5तिविद्धों महामना: । दुःखेन महता<5<विष्टो नोवाचाप्रियमण्वपि

Sañjaya said: O great king, though the high-souled Bhīṣma was pierced again and again by the sharp barbs of speech from your son, and was overwhelmed by intense sorrow, he did not utter even the slightest word that was unpleasant.

Verse 2

स ध्यात्वा सुचिरं काल॑ दुः:खरोषसमन्वित: । श्वसमानो यथा नाग: प्रणुन्नो वाकुशलाकया

Sañjaya said: After pondering for a long time, overcome with grief and anger, he breathed heavily; like an elephant goaded by a speech-like hook, he felt the sting of inner torment.

Verse 3

उद्वृत्य चक्षुषी कोपान्निर्दहन्निव भारत । सदेवासुरगन्धर्व लोक॑ लोकविदां वर:

Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, he raised his eyes in anger, as though burning (all before him). The foremost among those who know the worlds seemed capable of scorching the entire realm—of gods, demons, and Gandharvas.”

Verse 4

भारत! फिर क्रोधसे दोनों आँखें चढ़ाकर लोकवेत्ताओंमें श्रेष्ठ भीष्म इस प्रकार देखने लगे, मानो देवताओं, असुरों और गन्धर्वोंसहित सम्पूर्ण लोकोंको दग्ध कर डालेंगे ।।

O Bhārata, then Bhīṣma—foremost among those who know the ways of the world—raised his eyes in anger and looked as though he would burn up all the worlds, together with gods, asuras, and Gandharvas. Yet, soothing your son with conciliatory words, he said: “Duryodhana, why do you pierce me like this with barbed speech? I strive, to the best of my power, to overcome the enemy, and I am engaged in the means you desire. Indeed, to please you, I am even ready to offer my very life into the fire of battle.”

Verse 5

घटमानं यथाशक्ति कुर्वाणं च तव प्रियम्‌ । जुद्दानं समरे प्राणांस्तव वै प्रियकाम्यया

Sanjaya said: “I am striving to the best of my ability, and I am acting for what is dear to you. Indeed, out of the desire to please you, I am ready even to stake—yes, to offer up—my very life in the battle.”

Verse 6

यदा तु पाण्डव: शूर: खाण्डवेडग्निमतर्पयत्‌ । पराजित्य रणे शक्रं पर्याप्त॑ तन्निदर्शनम्‌

“But you will remember: when the heroic Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, defeated Śakra (Indra) in battle and satisfied Agni in the Khāṇḍava forest—that alone is proof enough of their invincibility.”

Verse 7

यदा च त्वां महाबाहो गन्धर्वैर््वतमोजसा । अमोचयत्‌ पाण्डुसुतः पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम्‌

“O mighty-armed one, when the Gandharvas seized you by force, it was Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu, who set you free. That alone is sufficient illustration to grasp his boundless prowess.”

Verse 8

द्रवमाणेषु शूरेषु सोदरेषु तव प्रभो । सूतपुत्रे च राधेये पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sanjaya said: “O lord, when your own heroic brothers were fleeing in disarray—and when Radheya, the charioteer’s son (Karna), also turned away from the field—that itself is sufficient proof of Arjuna’s extraordinary might.”

Verse 9

यच्च नः सहितान्‌ सर्वान्‌ विराटनगरे तदा । एक एव समुद्यात: पर्याप्त॑ तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “When all of us, united, stood firm for battle in the city of Virāṭa, he alone rose up and attacked us. That itself is proof enough—an illustration sufficient—of Arjuna’s immeasurable might.”

Verse 10

द्रोणं य युधि संरब्धं मां च निर्जित्य संयुगे । वासांसि स समादत्त पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “In battle, he overcame the enraged Droṇa and defeated me as well in the fight, and then took away their garments. This, indeed, is sufficient evidence of his irresistible prowess.”

Verse 11

तथा द्रौणिं महेष्वासं शारद्वतमथापि च । गोग्रहे जितवान्‌ पूर्व पर्याप्तं॑ तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “Likewise, in the earlier cattle-raid, the son of Pāṇḍu had already defeated the great archer Aśvatthāmā and also Śāradvata (Kṛpa). That precedent alone is sufficient evidence for understanding this matter.”

Verse 12

विजित्य च यदा कर्ण सदा पुरुषमानिनम्‌ । उत्तरायै ददौ वस्त्र पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “And when Arjuna had defeated Karṇa—who was ever proud of his manly prowess—he took away Karṇa’s garment and presented it to Uttarā. This example, indeed, is sufficient as evidence.”

Verse 13

निवातकवचान्‌ युद्धे वासवेनापि दुर्जयान्‌ । जितवान्‌ समरे पार्थ: पर्याप्त॑ तन्निदर्शनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “In battle, Arjuna—the son of Pṛthā—defeated the Nivātakavacas, foes whom even Indra (Vāsava) would have found hard to conquer. This example alone is sufficient to indicate the extraordinary might that Arjuna possesses.”

Verse 14

को हि शक्तो रणे जेतुं पाण्डवं रभसं तदा । यस्य गोप्ता जगद्गोप्ता शड्खचक्रगदाधर:

Sañjaya said: Who, indeed, could then defeat the impetuous Pāṇḍava in battle—him whose protector is the Protector of the whole world, the bearer of conch, discus, and mace? The verse declares that Arjuna’s might cannot be severed from Vāsudeva’s moral and cosmic guardianship; where divine protection stands with a righteous cause, mere human prowess cannot prevail.

Verse 15

वासुदेवो5नन्तशक्ति: सृष्टिसंहारकारक: । सर्वेश्व॒रो देवदेव: परमात्मा सनातन:

Sañjaya said: Vāsudeva, of limitless power—the sole agent of creation and dissolution, the Lord of all, God of gods, the eternal Supreme Self—when such a protector stands with Arjuna, the swift and valiant son of Pāṇḍu, who on the battlefield can truly conquer him? The verse casts victory not merely as martial skill, but as the moral and spiritual force that arises when one is aligned with the Supreme and fights for a righteous cause.

Verse 16

उक्तोडसि बहुशो राजन्‌ नारदाद्यर्महर्षिभि: । त्वं तु मोहान्न जानीषे वाच्यावाच्यं सुयोधन

Sañjaya said: “O King, the great seers—Nārada and others—have told you this many times. Yet, blinded by delusion, you, O Suyodhana, do not discern what ought to be spoken and what ought not to be spoken.”

Verse 17

मुमूर्षुर्हि नर: सर्वान्‌ वृक्षान्‌ पश्यति काउचनान्‌ । तथा त्वमपि गान्धारे विपरीतानि पश्यसि

Sañjaya said: “For a man on the verge of death sees all trees as if they were made of gold. In the same way, O son of Gāndhārī, you too are perceiving everything in a distorted, inverted manner.”

Verse 18

स्वयं वैरं महत्‌ कृत्वा पाण्डवै: सह सूंजयै: । युद्धास्व तानद्य रणे पश्याम: पुरुषो भव

Sañjaya said: “Having yourself created a great enmity with the Pāṇḍavas together with the Sṛñjayas, now fight them today on the battlefield. We shall watch—show your manhood. The Pāṇḍavas cannot be conquered even by the gods, even with Indra at their head.”

Verse 19

अहं तु सोमकान्‌ सर्वान्‌ पज्चालांश्व॒ समागतान्‌ | निहनिष्ये नरव्यात्र वर्जयित्वा शिखण्डिनम्‌,'किंतु पुरुषसिंह! मैं केवल शिखण्डीको छोड़कर युद्धमें आये हुए समस्त सोमकों और पांचालोंको भी मार डालूँगा

Sañjaya said: “But I, O tiger among men, will slay all the Somakas and the assembled Pāñcālas who have come to this battle—except for Śikhaṇḍin.”

Verse 20

तैर्वाहं निहतः संख्ये गमिष्ये यमसादनम्‌ । तान्‌ वा निहत्य समरे प्रीति दास्याम्पहं तव

Sañjaya said: “Either I shall be struck down by them in the thick of battle and go to Yama’s abode, or, having slain them on the battlefield, I shall bring you joy.”

Verse 21

पूर्व हि स्त्री समुत्पन्ना शिखण्डी राजवेश्मनि । वरदानात्‌ पुमाञ्जात: सैषा वै स्त्री शिखण्डिनी

Sañjaya said: “Formerly, Śikhaṇḍī was born in the royal palace as a woman. Later, by the power of a boon, he became a man. Therefore, in my judgment, this is still Śikhaṇḍinī—female in origin.”

Verse 22

तमहं न हनिष्यामि प्राणत्यागेडपि भारत । यासौ प्राड्निर्मिता धात्रा सैषा वै स्त्री शिखण्डिनी

Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, even if it should cost me my very life, I will not strike him. For the one whom the Creator fashioned earlier as a woman—Śikhaṇḍinī—remains, in my judgment, a woman still.”

Verse 23

सुखं स्वपिहि गान्धारे श्वो5पि कर्ता महारणम्‌ । यं जना: कथयिष्यन्ति यावत्‌ स्थास्यति मेदिनी

Sañjaya said: “Sleep in peace, O Gāndhārī. For tomorrow he will bring about a mighty battle—one that people will speak of for as long as the earth endures.”

Verse 24

'गान्धारीनन्दन! अब तुम सुखसे जाकर सो रहो। कल मैं बड़ा भीषण युद्ध करूँगा, जिसकी चर्चा लोग तबतक करते रहेंगे, जबतक कि यह पृथ्वी बनी रहेगी” ।।

Sanjaya said: “O son of Gandhari, go now in comfort and sleep. Tomorrow I shall wage a most dreadful battle—one whose tale people will recount for as long as the earth endures.” Thus addressed, O lord of men, your son departed. Having bowed his head in reverence to his elder and teacher, he returned to his own quarters.

Verse 25

आगम्य तु ततो राजा विसृज्य च महाजनम्‌ । प्रविवेश ततस्तूर्ण क्षयं शत्रुक्षयड्कर:

Sanjaya said: Having arrived there, the king—Duryodhana, a bringer of destruction to his enemies—promptly dismissed the great gathering of people and then entered his own camp.

Verse 26

प्रविष्ट: स निशां तां च गमयामास पार्थिव: । प्रभातायां च शर्वर्या प्रातरुत्थाय तान्‌ नृप:

Sanjaya said: Having entered his quarters, the king passed that night. When the night had ended and dawn arrived, the ruler rose early and issued orders to those kings: “O lion-like kings, make the army ready for battle. Today grandsire Bhishma, angered on the field, will bring about the destruction of the Somakas.”

Verse 27

राज्ञ: समाज्ञापयत सेनां योजयतेति ह । अद्य भीष्मो रणे क्रुद्धों निहनिष्यति सोमकान्‌

Sanjaya said: “The king issued the command, ‘Let the army be arrayed.’ For today, O lord of the earth, Bhishma—angered on the battlefield—will strike down the Somakas.”

Verse 28

दुर्योधनस्य तच्छुत्वा रात्रौ विलपितं बहु | मन्यमान: स तं राजन प्रत्यादेशमिवात्मन:,राजन! रातमें दुर्योधनके अनेक प्रकारके विलापको सुनकर भीष्मने यह समझ लिया कि अब दुर्योधन मुझे युद्धसे हटाना चाहता है

Sanjaya said: Hearing Duryodhana’s many lamentations in the night, Bhishma understood, O King, that this was as though a rejection directed at himself—Duryodhana was, in effect, seeking to have him withdraw from the battle.

Verse 29

निर्वेद परमं गत्वा विनिन्द्य परवश्यताम्‌ | दीर्घ दध्यौ शान्तनवो योद्धुकामोअ<र्जुनं रणे

Sanjaya said: Having fallen into the deepest remorse, and after strongly condemning the state of being under another’s control, the son of Śāntanu (Bhīṣma) reflected for a long time, resolved to fight Arjuna on the battlefield.

Verse 30

इज्धितेन तु तउज्ञात्वा गाड़ेयेन विचिन्तितम्‌ । दुर्योधनो महाराज दुःशासनमचोदयत्‌,महाराज! गंगानन्दन भीष्मने क्या सोचा है? इस बातको संकेतसे समझकर दुर्योधनने दुःशासनसे कहा--

Sanjaya said: Understanding, by a subtle sign, what the son of the Gaṅgā (Bhīṣma) had firmly resolved in his mind, King Duryodhana urged Duḥśāsana to act.

Verse 31

“दुःशासन! तुम शीघ्र ही भीष्मकी रक्षा करनेवाले रथोंको जोतकर तैयार कराओ। अपने पास कुल बाईस सेनाएँ हैं। उन सबको भीष्मकी रक्षामें ही नियुक्त कर दो

Sanjaya said: “Duhshasana, quickly have the chariots that will protect Bhishma yoked and made ready. You have a total of twenty-two divisions at hand—assign every one of them solely to Bhishma’s protection.”

Verse 32

इदं हि समनुप्राप्तं वर्षपूगाभिचिन्तितम्‌ । पाण्डवानां ससैन्यानां वधो राज्यस्य चागम:

Sanjaya said: “Indeed, the long-awaited moment—pondered over through many years—has now arrived: the destruction of the Pāṇḍavas together with their armies, and the gaining of the kingdom.”

Verse 33

तत्र कार्यतमं मन्ये भीष्मस्यैवाभिरक्षणम्‌ | स नो गुप्त: सहाय: स्याद्धन्यात्‌ पार्थाश्व संयुगे

Sanjaya said: “In this matter, I consider the foremost duty to be the protection of Bhīṣma alone. If he is kept secure, he will stand as our support and, on the battlefield, will be able to strike down the sons of Pṛthā.”

Verse 34

अब्रवीद्धि विशुद्धात्मा नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम्‌ । स्त्रीपूर्वको हासौ राजंस्तस्माद्‌ वर्ज्यों मया रणे

Sañjaya said: The pure-souled Bhīṣma told me, “O King, I will not strike down Śikhaṇḍin. He was formerly born as a woman; therefore, in battle I must refrain from engaging him.”

Verse 35

लोकस्तद्‌ू वेद यदहं पितु: प्रियचिकीर्षया । राज्यं स्फीतं महाबाहो स्त्रियश्न त्यक्तवान्‌ पुरा

Sañjaya said: “O mighty-armed one, the whole world knows this—that long ago, wishing to do what was dear to my father, I renounced a flourishing kingdom, and even women as well.”

Verse 36

नैवं चाहं स्त्रियं जातु न स्त्रीपूर्व कथंचन । हन्यां युधि नरश्रेष्ठ सत्यमेतद्‌ ब्रवीमि ते

Sañjaya said: “Never would I strike down a woman—nor, in any circumstance, one who was formerly a woman—even in the midst of battle. O best of men, I tell you this as the truth.”

Verse 37

अयं स्त्रीपूर्वको राजज्छिखण्डी यदि ते श्रुतः । उद्योगे कथितं यत्तत्‌ तथा जाता शिखण्डिनी

Sanjaya said: “O King, you have surely heard that this Shikhandi was formerly a woman. What I told you earlier, at the time of war preparations, has indeed come to pass: Shikhandini, born as a maiden, has now become Shikhandi in the form of a man.”

Verse 38

कन्या भूत्वा पुमाउ्जात: स च मां योधयिष्यति । तस्याहं प्रमुखे बाणान्‌ न मुज्चेयं कथंचन

Sañjaya said: “Having been born as a maiden, he has now become a man, and he will come to fight me. But even if he stands directly before me, I will not release arrows at him in any way.”

Verse 39

युद्धे हि क्षत्रियांस्तात पाण्डवानां जयैषिण: । सर्वानन्यान्‌ हनिष्यामि सम्प्राप्तान्‌ रणमूर्थनि

Sañjaya said: “In battle, dear one, I shall slay all those other kṣatriyas who, seeking the Pāṇḍavas’ victory, come before me at the very forefront of the fight.”

Verse 40

एवं मां भरतश्रेष्ठ गाड़ेय: प्राह शास्त्रवित्‌ । तत्र सर्वात्मना मन्ये गाड्नेयस्यैव पालनम्‌

Sañjaya said: “O best of the Bharatas, thus did Gāṅgeya—learned in the śāstras—speak to me. Therefore, on the battlefield, I deem it my foremost duty to protect Gāṅgeya (Bhīṣma) with all my strength.”

Verse 41

अरक्ष्यमाणं हि वृको हन्यात्‌ सिंहं महाहवे । मा वृकेणेव गाड़ेयं घातयेम शिखण्डिना

Sañjaya said: “In a great battle, if a lion is left unprotected, even a wolf could strike it down. But we shall not allow Bhīṣma—lion-like in valor—to be slain through Śikhaṇḍin, who is like a wolf.”

Verse 42

मातुलः शकुनि: शल्य: कृपो द्रोणो विविंशति: । यत्ता रक्षन्तु गाड़ेयं तस्मिन्‌ गुप्ते ध्रुवोी जय:

Sañjaya said: “Let my maternal uncle Shakuni, Shalya, Kripa, Drona, and Vivimshati remain vigilant and firmly protect Bhishma, the son of the Ganga. If he is kept secure, our victory is assured.”

Verse 43

एतच्छुत्वा तु ते सर्वे दुर्योधनवचस्तदा । सर्वतो रथवंशेन गाज़ेयं पर्यवारयन्‌,उस समय दुर्योधनकी यह बात सुनकर उन सब वीरोंने रथकी विशाल सेनाद्वारा गंगानन्दन भीष्मको सब ओरसे घेर लिया

Sañjaya said: “Hearing Duryodhana’s words at that moment, all those warriors, from every side, surrounded Bhīṣma—the son of the Gaṅgā—by means of their massed chariots.”

Verse 44

पुत्राश्न तव गाड़ेयं परिवार्य ययुर्मुदा । कम्पयन्तो भुवं द्यां च क्षोभयन्तश्न॒ पाण्डवान्‌

Sañjaya said: Your sons, having tightly surrounded Bhīṣma on all sides, advanced with exultation. As they moved, they seemed to make both earth and heaven tremble, and by that display of force they stirred agitation in the hearts of the Pāṇḍavas.

Verse 45

ते रथै: सुसम्प्रयुक्तिर्दन्तिभिश्न महारथा: । परिवार्य रणे भीष्म॑ दंशिता: समवस्थिता:,वे समस्त कौरव महारथी सुशिक्षित रथों और हाथियोंसे भीष्मको घेरकर कवच आदिसे सुसज्जित हो युद्धके लिये खड़े हो गये

Sañjaya said: Then those great warriors, with chariots well-yoked and with war-elephants, surrounded Bhīṣma on the battlefield. Armoured and fully equipped, they took up their positions, ready for combat.

Verse 46

यथा देवासुरे युद्धे त्रिदशा वजधारिणम्‌ | सर्वे ते सम व्यतिष्ठन्त रक्षन्तस्तं महारथम्‌

Sañjaya said: Just as, in the war between the gods and the asuras, the Thirty stood together to protect Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, so too all those Kaurava warriors stood in close formation, guarding that great chariot-warrior Bhīṣma.

Verse 47

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा पुनर्भ्रातरमब्रवीत्‌ । सव्यं चक्र युधामन्युरुत्तमौजाश्न दक्षिणम्‌

Then King Duryodhana again addressed his brother. He arranged Yudhāmanyu on the left wing and Uttamaujā on the right, setting his forces in ordered formation.

Verse 48

गोप्तारावर्जुनस्यैतावर्जुनोडपि शिखण्डिन: । रक्ष्यमाण: स पार्थेन तथास्माभिविंवर्जित:

Sañjaya said: “These two were the protectors of Arjuna, and Arjuna in turn was the protector of Śikhaṇḍin. Thus guarded by Pārtha, Śikhaṇḍin advanced, while we found ourselves unable to check him.”

Verse 49

यथा भीष्मं न नो हन्याद्‌ दुःशासन तथा कुरु । तब राजा दुर्योधनने अपने भाईसे पुनः इस प्रकार कहा--“दुःशासन! अर्जुनके रथके बायें पहियेकी रक्षा युधामन्यु और दाहिने पहियेकी रक्षा उत्तमौजा करते हैं। इस प्रकार अर्जुनके ये दो रक्षक हैं और अर्जुन भी शिखण्डीकी रक्षा करते हैं। अर्जुनसे सुरक्षित और हमलोगोंसे उपेक्षित होकर शिखण्डी हमारे भीष्मको जिस प्रकार मार न सके

Sañjaya said: “Duḥśāsana, arrange matters so that Bhīṣma is not slain by us. Ensure that Śikhaṇḍin—protected by Arjuna and disregarded by our forces—does not succeed in striking down Bhīṣma.”

Verse 50

भीष्म॑ प्रमुखत: कृत्वा प्रययौ सह सेनया । बड़े भाईकी यह बात सुनकर आपका पुत्र दुःशासन भीष्मको आगे करके सेनाके साथ युद्धके मैदानमें गया || ४९ ई ।। भीष्म तु रथवंशेन दृष्टवा समभिसंवृतम्‌

Sañjaya said: Placing Bhīṣma at the forefront, he advanced together with the army. Bhīṣma, for his part, seeing the chariot-line drawn up and closely arrayed, assessed the formation as the battle was about to be joined—an image of war’s momentum driven by loyalty to command and the weight of elder authority.

Verse 51

अर्जुनो रथिनां श्रेष्ठो धृष्टद्युम्नमुवाच ह । भीष्मको रथोंके समूहसे घिरा हुआ देख रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ अर्जुनने धृष्टद्युम्नसे कहा - || ५० ह || शिखण्डिनं नरव्याप्र॑ भीष्मस्य प्रमुखे नूप । स्थापयस्वाद्य पाञज्चाल्य तस्य गोप्ताहमित्युत

Sañjaya said: Seeing Bhīṣma surrounded by a massed formation of chariots, Arjuna—the foremost among chariot-warriors—addressed Dhṛṣṭadyumna: “O tiger among men, O Pāñcāla prince, place Śikhaṇḍin today directly before Bhīṣma. I shall be his protector.” In this moment Arjuna deliberately chooses a tactical arrangement that exploits Bhīṣma’s vow and moral restraint, aiming to end a devastating slaughter while still acting within the accepted codes of the battlefield.

Verse 97

इस प्रकार श्रीमह्याभारत भीष्मपर्वके अन्तर्गत भीष्यवधपर्वमें भीष्मके प्रति दुर्योधनका वचनविषयक सत्तानबेवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Thus ends the ninety-seventh chapter of the Bhīṣma Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the section concerning the slaying (or fall) of Bhīṣma—specifically, the chapter dealing with Duryodhana’s words addressed to Bhīṣma. The narrative marks a formal closure, underscoring the moral tension of the war: a king’s demand and reproach directed toward an elder bound by duty, even as the battlefield presses toward Bhīṣma’s destined downfall.

Verse 98

इति श्रीमहाभारते भीष्मपर्वणि भीष्मवधपर्वणि भीष्मदुर्योधनसंवादे अष्टनवतितमो<ध्याय:

Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Bhīṣma Parva—specifically in the section concerning the fall of Bhīṣma—during the dialogue between Bhīṣma and Duryodhana, ends the eighty-ninth chapter.

Verse 331

दुःशासन रथास्तूर्ण युज्यन्तां भीष्मरक्षिण: । द्वाविंशतिमनीकानि सर्वाण्येवाभिचोदय

Sañjaya said: “Let Duḥśāsana’s chariots be yoked at once, under Bhīṣma’s protection. Rouse and set in motion all the twenty-two divisions of the army.”