Adhyaya 85

Verse 1

इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत प्रतिज्ञापर्वमें युधिष्ठिरके सुसज्जित होनेसे सम्बन्ध रखनेवाला बयासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ ॥/ ८२ ॥ अपना छा | अत-४-#क+ तग्रय्शीतितमो<ध्याय: अर्जुनकी प्रतिज्ञाको सफल बनानेके लिये युधिष्ठिरकी श्रीकृष्णसे प्रार्थना और श्रीकृष्णका उन्हें आश्वासन देना संजय उवाच ततो युधिष्छिरो राजा प्रतिनन्द्य जनार्दनम्‌ । उवाच परमप्रीत: कौन्तेयो देवकीसुतम्‌,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्‌! तदनन्तर कुन्तीकुमार राजा युधिष्ठिरने अत्यन्त प्रसन्न हो देवकीनन्दन जनार्दनका अभिनन्दन करके पूछा--

Sanjaya said: Then King Yudhishthira, Kunti’s son, delighted at heart, respectfully greeted Janardana—Devaki’s son—and spoke to him. The scene frames Yudhishthira’s reliance on Krishna’s counsel as he seeks the right course amid the moral strain of war and the urgency of fulfilling Arjuna’s vow.

Verse 2

सुखेन रजनी व्युष्टा कच्चित्‌ ते मधुसूदन । कच्चिज्ज्ञानानि सर्वाणि प्रसन्नानि तवाच्युत,“मधुसूदन! क्या आपकी रात सुखपूर्वक बीती है? अच्युत! क्या आपकी सम्पूर्ण ज्ञानेन्द्रियाँ प्रसन्न हैं?”

Sañjaya said: “O Madhusūdana, did your night pass in comfort? O Acyuta, are all your faculties of perception clear and serene?” In the tense atmosphere of war, the question underscores the ethical importance of inner steadiness and alertness—self-mastery as a prerequisite for right action.

Verse 3

वासुदेवो5पि तद्युक्त पर्यपृच्छद्‌ युधिष्ठिरम्‌ । ततश्न प्रकृती: क्षत्ता न्यवेदयदुपस्थिता:,तब भगवान्‌ श्रीकृष्णने भी उनसे समयोचित प्रश्न किये। तत्पश्चात्‌ सेवकने आकर सूचना दी कि मन्त्री, सेनापति आदि उपस्थित हैं

Sañjaya said: Vāsudeva (Śrī Kṛṣṇa) too, acting in a manner suited to the moment, questioned Yudhiṣṭhira. Then the chamberlain came and reported that the king’s principal officers—ministers, the commander, and other functionaries—were present and awaiting audience.

Verse 4

अनुज्ञातश्व राज्ञा स प्रावेशयत तं जनम्‌ । विराटं भीमसेनं च धृष्टद्युम्नं च सात्यकिम्‌,उस समय महाराजकी अनुमति पाकर विराट, भीमसेन, धृष्टद्युम्न, सात्यकि, चेदिराज धृष्टकेतु, महारथी ट्रपद, शिखण्डी, नकुल, सहदेव, चेकितान, केकयराजकुमार, कुरुवंशी युयुत्सु, पांचालवीर उत्तमौजा, युधामन्यु, सुबाहु तथा द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र--इन सब लोगोंको द्वारपाल भीतर ले आया

Sanjaya said: Having received the kings permission, the gatekeeper ushered those people insideVirata, Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna, and Satyaki (and, as the narrative continues, the other allied leaders and Draupadis sons). The scene underscores disciplined protocol even amid war: authority is acknowledged, and the Pandava side approaches in an orderly, sanctioned manner rather than by force or haste.

Verse 5

चेदिपं धृष्टकेतुं च द्रुपदं च महारथम्‌ | शिखण्डिनं यमौ चैव चेकितानं सकेकयम्‌,उस समय महाराजकी अनुमति पाकर विराट, भीमसेन, धृष्टद्युम्न, सात्यकि, चेदिराज धृष्टकेतु, महारथी ट्रपद, शिखण्डी, नकुल, सहदेव, चेकितान, केकयराजकुमार, कुरुवंशी युयुत्सु, पांचालवीर उत्तमौजा, युधामन्यु, सुबाहु तथा द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र--इन सब लोगोंको द्वारपाल भीतर ले आया

Sanjaya said: With the king’s permission obtained, the doorkeeper ushered inside the Cedi ruler Dhṛṣṭaketu, the great chariot-warrior Drupada, Śikhaṇḍin, the twin brothers (Nakula and Sahadeva), Cekitāna, and the Kekaya prince—along with the other allied heroes who had come to be received. The scene underscores disciplined protocol even amid war: warriors and kings still observe royal consent and orderly audience before counsel and action.

Verse 6

युयुत्सुं चैव कौरव्यं पाञ्चाल्यं चोत्तमौजसम्‌ । युधामन्युं सुबाहुं च द्रौपदेयांश्व॒ सर्वश:,उस समय महाराजकी अनुमति पाकर विराट, भीमसेन, धृष्टद्युम्न, सात्यकि, चेदिराज धृष्टकेतु, महारथी ट्रपद, शिखण्डी, नकुल, सहदेव, चेकितान, केकयराजकुमार, कुरुवंशी युयुत्सु, पांचालवीर उत्तमौजा, युधामन्यु, सुबाहु तथा द्रौपदीके पाँचों पुत्र--इन सब लोगोंको द्वारपाल भीतर ले आया

Sañjaya said: “And Yuyutsu of the Kuru line, and Uttamaujas, the Pāñcāla hero; and Yudhāmanyu and Subāhu; and all the sons of Draupadī as well—having obtained the king’s permission, the doorkeeper brought all these warriors inside.” In the midst of war, the verse underscores disciplined procedure and respect for authority: even armed heroes enter by leave and order, reflecting the continued operation of royal protocol amid crisis.

Verse 7

एते चान्ये च बहव: क्षत्रिया: क्षत्रियर्षभम्‌ । उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं विविशुश्चासने शुभे,ये तथा और भी बहुत-से क्षत्रियशिरोमणि महात्मा युधिष्ठिरकी सेवामें उपस्थित हुए और सुन्दर आसनपर बैठे

Sañjaya said: “These, and many other kṣatriyas as well, came forward to attend upon the great-souled bull among kṣatriyas (Yudhiṣṭhira), and they entered and took their seats upon the auspicious, well-appointed throne.”

Verse 8

एकस्मिन्नासने वीरावुपविष्टौ महाबलौ । कृष्णश्न युयुधानश्व महात्मानौ महाद्युती,महाबली और महातेजस्वी महात्मा श्रीकृष्ण और सात्यकि ये दोनों वीर एक ही आसनपर बैठे थे

Sanjaya said: On a single seat sat two mighty heroes—Krishna and Yuyudhana (Satyaki)—both great-souled and radiant with power. Their shared seat signals unity of purpose and steadfast resolve amid the moral strain of war, where righteous alliance and disciplined courage become essential supports of dharma.

Verse 9

ततो युधिष्ठिरस्तेषां शृण्वतां मधुसूदनम्‌ | अब्रवीत्‌ पुण्डरीकाक्षमाभाष्य मधुरं वच:,तब युधिष्ठिरने उन सब लोगोंके सुनते हुए कमलनयन भगवान्‌ मधुसूदनको सम्बोधित करके मधुर वाणीमें कहा--

Then Yudhiṣṭhira, while all those present were listening, addressed Madhusūdana—lotus-eyed Kṛṣṇa—and spoke to him in gentle, sweet words. The verse highlights Yudhiṣṭhira’s deliberate, respectful speech even amid the harshness of war, signaling a dharmic approach to counsel and decision-making.

Verse 10

एकं॑ त्वां वयमाश्रित्य सहस्राक्षमिवामरा: । प्रार्थयामो जयं युद्धे शाश्वतानि सुखानि च,'प्रभो! जैसे देवता इन्द्रका आश्रय लेते हैं, उसी प्रकार हमलोग एकमात्र आपका सहारा लेकर युद्धमें विजय और शाश्वत सुख पाना चाहते हैं

Sanjaya said: “Relying on you alone—just as the gods take refuge in Indra of the thousand eyes—we pray to attain victory in this war, and also enduring happiness.”

Verse 11

त्वं हि राज्यविनाशं च द्विषद्धिश्न निराक्रियाम्‌ क्लेशांश्व विविधान्‌ कृष्ण सर्वास्तानपि वेद न:,“श्रीकृष्ण! शत्रुओंने जो हमारे राज्यका नाश करके हमारा तिरस्कार किया और भाँति- भाँतिके क्लेश दिये, उन सबको आप अच्छी तरह जानते हैं

Sanjaya said: “O Krishna, you know well all that has befallen us—how our enemies brought about the ruin of our kingdom, subjected us to humiliation, and inflicted upon us many kinds of suffering.”

Verse 12

त्वयि सर्वेश सर्वेषामस्माकं भक्तवत्सल | सुखमायत्तमत्यर्थ यात्रा च मधुसूदन,“भक्तवत्सल सर्वेश्वर! मधुसूदन! हम सब लोगोंका सुख और जीवन-निर्वाह पूर्णरूपसे आपके ही अधीन है

Sañjaya said: “O Lord of all, tender to Your devotees! O Madhusūdana! The welfare of all of us—our happiness and even our very continuance in life—depends entirely upon You.”

Verse 13

स तथा कुरु वार्ष्णेय यथा त्वयि मनो मम । अर्जुनस्य यथा सत्या प्रतिज्ञा स्थाच्चिकीर्षिता,4वार्ष्णेय! हमारा मन आपमें ही लगा हुआ है। अतः आप ऐसा करें, जिससे अर्जुनकी अभीष्ट प्रतिज्ञा सत्य होकर रहे

Sañjaya said: “O Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa), act in such a way that my mind may remain fixed upon you, and that Arjuna’s intended vow may stand firm and become true.”

Verse 14

स भवांस्तारयत्वस्माद्‌ दुःखामर्षमहार्णवात्‌ । पार तितीर्षतामद्य प्लवो नो भव माधव,“माधव! आज इस दु:ख और अमर्षके महासागरसे पार होनेकी इच्छावाले हम सब लोगोंके लिये आप नौका बन जाइये। आप ही इस संकटसे हमारा उद्धार कीजिये

Sañjaya implores Mādhava: “May you ferry us across this vast ocean of grief and smouldering resentment. For all of us who long today to reach the farther shore, become our boat. You alone must deliver us from this peril.”

Verse 15

न हि तत्‌ कुरुते संख्ये रथी रिपुवधोद्यत: । यथा वै कुरुते कृष्ण सारथिर्यत्नमास्थित:,'श्रीकृष्ण! संग्राममें शत्रुवधके लिये उद्यत हुआ रथी भी वैसा कार्य नहीं कर पाता, जैसा कि प्रयत्नशील सारथि कर दिखाता है

Sañjaya said: In the press of battle, even a chariot-warrior intent on slaying the foe cannot accomplish what Kṛṣṇa, the charioteer, achieves when he applies himself with vigilant effort. The verse underscores that in war, success is not only a matter of a fighter’s valor but also of disciplined guidance, skillful strategy, and selfless service—qualities embodied by Kṛṣṇa in his role as sārathi.

Verse 16

यथैव सर्वास्वापत्सु पासि वृष्णीन्‌ जनार्दन । तथैवास्मान्‌ महाबाहो वृजिनात्‌ त्रातुमहसि,“महाबाहु जनार्दन! जैसे आप वृष्णिवंशियोंको सम्पूर्ण आपत्तियोंसे बचाते हैं, उसी प्रकार हमारी भी इस संकटसे रक्षा कीजिये

Sañjaya said: “O Janārdana, just as you protect the Vṛṣṇis in every calamity, so too, O mighty-armed one, you ought to rescue us from this peril.”

Verse 17

त्वमगाधे5प्लवे मग्नान्‌ पाण्डवान्‌ कुरुसागरे । समुद्धर प्लवो भूत्वा शड्खचक्रगदाधर,'शंख, चक्र और गदा धारण करनेवाले परमेश्वर! नौकारहित अगाध कौरव-सागरमें निमग्न पाण्डवोंका आप स्वयं ही नौका बनकर उद्धार कीजिये

Sañjaya said: “O Lord who bears the conch, discus, and mace! The Pāṇḍavas have sunk in the deep, shoreless ocean of the Kurus, where there is no boat. Become their very raft and lift them up—deliver them from this peril.”

Verse 18

नमस्ते देवदेवेश सनातन विशातन । विष्णो जिष्णो हरे कृष्ण वैकुण्ठ पुरुषोत्तम,'शत्रुनाशक! सनातन देवदेवेश्वर! विष्णो! जिष्णो! हरे! कृष्ण! वैकुण्ठ! पुरुषोत्तम! आपको नमस्कार है

Sañjaya offers a reverent salutation to Kṛṣṇa, invoking him by a cascade of divine epithets—Lord of gods, eternal one, destroyer of evil, Viṣṇu, the ever-victorious, Hari, Kṛṣṇa, Vaikuṇṭha, and the Supreme Person. In the midst of war’s turmoil, the praise frames Kṛṣṇa as the moral and cosmic refuge whose power upholds dharma and removes hostile forces that threaten righteousness.

Verse 19

नारदस्त्वां समाचख्यौ पुराणमृषिसत्तमम्‌ | वरदं शार््रिणं श्रेष्ठ तत्‌ सत्यं कुरू माधव,“माधव! देवर्षि नारदने बताया है कि आप शार्कह््धनुष धारण करनेवाले, सर्वोत्तम वरदायक, पुरातन ऋषिश्रेष्ठ नारायण हैं, उनकी वह बात सत्य कर दिखाइये

Sañjaya said: “The divine seer Nārada has proclaimed you to be the primeval, best of sages—Nārāyaṇa himself—supreme, the gracious giver of boons, the bearer of the Śārṅga bow. O Mādhava, make his declaration come true.”

Verse 20

इत्युक्त: पुण्डरीकाक्षो धर्मराजेन संसदि । तोयमेघस्वनो वागम्मी प्रत्युवाच युधिछ्िरम्‌,उस राजसभामें धर्मराज युधिष्ठिरके ऐसा कहनेपर उत्तम वक्ता कमलनयन भगवान्‌ श्रीकृष्णने सजल मेघके समान गम्भीर वाणीमें उन्हें इस प्रकार उत्तर दिया

Sañjaya said: When Dharma-rāja Yudhiṣṭhira had spoken thus in the royal assembly, Puṇḍarīkākṣa (lotus-eyed) Kṛṣṇa—renowned for his excellence in speech—replied to Yudhiṣṭhira in a deep voice, resonant like a rain-laden cloud. The scene frames counsel given in a public, ethical setting, where the weight of dharma and responsibility is heightened by the presence of the court.

Verse 21

वायुदेव उवाच सामरेष्वपि लोकेषु सर्वेषु न तथाविध: । शरासनधर: कश्चिद्‌ यथा पार्थो धनञज्जय:,श्रीकृष्ण बोले--राजन्‌! देवताओंसहित सम्पूर्ण लोकोंमें कोई भी वैसा धनुर्धर नहीं है, जैसे आपके भाई कुन्तीकुमार धनंजय हैं

Vāyudeva said: “O King, even across all worlds—yes, even in the midst of battle—there is no archer of that kind to be found, none who bears the bow with such mastery, as Pārtha Dhanañjaya (Arjuna), the son of Kuntī.” The statement elevates Arjuna’s martial excellence as a rare, almost cosmic standard, implying that true prowess is not merely force but disciplined skill aligned with rightful purpose in war.

Verse 22

वीर्यवानस्त्रसम्पन्न: पराक्रान्तो महाबल: । युद्धशौण्ड: सदामर्षी तेजसा परमो नृणाम्‌,वे शक्तिशाली, अस्त्रज्ञानसम्पन्न, पराक्रमी, महाबली, युद्धकुशल, सदा अमर्षशील और मनुष्योंमें परम तेजस्वी हैं

Vāyu said: “He is endowed with heroic vigor and fully equipped with mastery of weapons; he is valiant and of great strength. Skilled and ardent in battle, ever intolerant of insult, he stands foremost among men in splendor.”

Verse 23

स युवा वृषभस्कन्धो दीर्घबाहुर्महाबल: । सिंहर्षभगति: श्रीमान्‌ द्विषतस्ते हनिष्यति,अर्जुनके कंधे वृषभके समान सुषुष्ट हैं, भुजाएँ बड़ी-बड़ी हैं, उनकी चाल भी श्रेष्ठ सिंहके सदृश है, वे महान्‌ बलवान्‌ युवक और श्रीसम्पन्न हैं, अतः आपके शत्रुओंको अवश्य मार डालेंगे

Verse 24

अहं च तत्‌ करिष्यामि यथा कुन्तीसुतो<र्जुन: । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैन्यानि धक्ष्यत्यग्निरिवेन्धनम्‌,मैं भी वही करूँगा, जिससे कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुन दुर्योधनकी सारी सेनाओंको उसी प्रकार जला डालेंगे, जैसे आग ईंधनको जलाती है

Vāyu-deva said: “I too shall act in such a way that Arjuna, the son of Kuntī, will burn the armies of Dhṛtarāṣṭra’s line—just as fire consumes fuel.” In the ethical frame of the war, this declares divine support for a decisive outcome: power is pledged not for personal gain, but to bring the conflict to its fated resolution by overwhelming adharma-aligned forces.

Verse 25

अद्य तं॑ पापकर्माणि क्षुद्रें सौ भद्रघातिनम्‌ । अपुनर्दर्शनं मार्गमिषुशि: क्षेप्स्यतेडर्जुन:,आज सुभद्राकुमार अभिमन्युकी हत्या करनेवाले उस नीच पापी जयद्रथको अर्जुन अपने बाणोंद्वारा उस मार्गपर डाल देंगे, जहाँ जानेपर उस जीवका पुनः: इस लोकमें दर्शन नहीं होता

Verse 26

तस्याद्य गृध्रा: श्येनाश्न चण्डगोमायवस्तथा । भक्षयिष्यन्ति मांसानि ये चान्ये पुरुषादका:,आज गीध, बाज, क्रोधमें भरे हुए गीदड़ तथा अन्य नरभक्षी जीव-जन्तु जयद्रथका मांस खायेंगे

Vāyu said: “Today, vultures and hawks, and fierce jackals as well, along with other man-eating creatures, will devour his flesh.” The utterance frames the battlefield’s moral horror: violent wrongdoing culminates not in honor but in the degrading fate of becoming carrion, a stark ethical warning about the consequences of adharma in war.

Verse 27

यद्यस्य देवा गोप्तार: सेन्द्रा: सर्वे तथाप्यसौ । राजधानीं यमस्याद्य हत: प्राप्स्यति संकुले,यदि इन्द्रसहित सम्पूर्ण देवता भी उसकी रक्षाके लिये आ जायँ तथापि वह आज संग्राममें मारा जाकर यमराजकी राजधानीमें अवश्य जा पहुँचेगा

Even if all the gods—Indra included—were to come as his protectors, still he will be slain today in the press of battle and will surely reach Yama’s royal city. The statement underscores the inescapability of a destined death once the moral and karmic momentum of the war has ripened.

Verse 28

निहत्य सैन्धवं जिष्णुरद्य त्वामुपयास्यति । विशोको विज्वरो राजन्‌ भव भूतिपुरस्कृत:,राजन! आज विजयशील अर्जुन जयद्रथको मारकर ही आपके पास आयेंगे, आप ऐश्वर्यसे सम्पन्न रहकर शोक और चिन्ताको त्याग दीजिये

Vāyu said: “Having slain the Saindhava (Jayadratha), Jishnu (Arjuna) will come to you today. O King, be free from grief and feverish anxiety; remain steadfast, with prosperity set before you.”

Verse 83

इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि प्रतिज्ञापर्वणि श्रीकृष्णवाक्ये ऋ%यशीतितमो<ध्याय: ।। ८३ ।। इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत प्रतिज्ञापर्वमें श्रीकृष्णवाक्यविषयक तिरासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Droṇa Parva, in the section called the Pratijñā Parva, the eighty-fifth chapter—centered on the words of Śrī Kṛṣṇa—comes to an end. (This is the chapter-colophon marking the completion of the adhyāya.)