ādiparva - Chapter-28

 

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 28  ::Chapter- 28 

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु कौन्तेयाः शल्यविद्धा इवाभवन् । सर्वे चास्वस्थमनसो बभूवुस्ते महारथाः ॥ 1॥ ततः कुन्ती सुतान्दृष्ट्वा विभ्रान्तान्गतचेतसः । युधिष्ठिरमुवाचेदं वचनं सत्यवादिनी ॥ 2॥ चिररात्रोषिताः स्मेह ब्राह्मणस्य निवेशने । रममाणाः पुरे रम्ये लब्धभैक्षा युधिष्ठिर ॥ 3॥ यानीह रमणीयानि वनान्युपवनानि च । सर्वाणि तानि दृष्टानि पुनः पुनररिंदम ॥ 4॥ पुनर्दृष्टानि तान्येव प्रीणयन्ति न नस्तथा । भैक्षं च न तथा वीर लभ्यते कुरुनन्दन ॥ 5॥ ते वयं साधु पाञ्चालान्गच्छाम यदि मन्यसे । अपूर्वदर्शनं तात रमणीयं भविष्यति ॥ 6॥ सुभिक्षाश्चैव पाञ्चालाः श्रूयन्ते शत्रुकर्शन । यज्ञसेनश्च राजासौ ब्रह्मण्य इति शुश्रुमः ॥ 7॥ एकत्र चिरवासो हि क्षमो न च मतो मम । ते तत्र साधु गच्छामो यदि त्वं पुत्र मन्यसे ॥ 8॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ भवत्या यन्मतं कार्यं तदस्माकं परं हितम् । अनुजांस्तु न जानामि गच्छेयुर्नेति वा पुनः ॥ 9॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततः कुन्ती भीमसेनमर्जुनं यमजौ तथा । उवाच गमनं ते च तथेत्येवाब्रुवंस्तदा ॥ 10॥ तत आमन्त्र्य तं विप्रं कुन्ती राजन्सुतैः सह । प्रतस्थे नगरीं रम्यां द्रुपदस्य महात्मनः ॥ 11॥	11 (1848)
Vaisampayana said, 'Upon hearing the Brahmana’s words, Kunti’s sons felt as if they had been struck by arrows. Truly, these great warriors lost their calm.  Then, the honest Kunti, seeing her sons distracted and unresponsive, spoke to Yudhishthira and said, 'We have spent many nights in this Brahmana's home. Our time here has been enjoyable, relying on the generous gifts from distinguished people. O great warrior, since we’ve now explored every nice forest and garden in this region, revisiting them would no longer bring us joy. O brave descendant of the Kuru lineage, it’s also harder to find alms here now than before. If you think it wise, we should go to Panchala; we haven’t seen that land, and it will surely bring us happiness. It has been said that alms are plentiful in Panchala, and that its king, Yajnasena, respects Brahmanas. I believe it is unwise to linger too long in one place. So, if you agree, it is best for us to head there.'  Hearing this, Yudhishthira replied, 'We should follow your guidance, as it surely is for our benefit. However, I’m unsure if my younger brothers are willing to go.'
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ तत उत्कोचकं तीर्थं गत्वा धौम्याश्रमं तु ते । तं वव्रुः पाण्डवा धौम्यं पौरोहित्याय भारत ॥ 1 कृतस्वस्त्ययनास्तेन ततस्ते मनुजाधिपाः । मेनिरे सहिता गन्तुं पाञ्चाल्यास्तं स्वयंवरम् ॥2 पश्यन्तो रमणीयानि वनानि च सरांसि च । तत्र तत्र वसन्तश्च शनैर्जग्मुर्महारथाः ॥ 3॥ स्वाध्यायवन्तः शुचयो मधुराः प्रियवादिनः । आनुपूर्व्येण सम्प्राप्ताः पाञ्चालान्कुरुनन्दनाः ॥ 4॥ ते तु दृष्ट्वा पुरं तच्च स्कन्धावारं च पाण्डवाः । कुम्भकारस्य शालायां निवेशं चक्रिरे तदा ॥ 5॥ तत्र भैक्षं समाजह्रुर्ब्राह्मीं वृत्तिं समाश्रिताः । तांश्च प्राप्तांस्तदा वीराञ्जज्ञिरे न नराः क्वचित् ॥ 6॥ यज्ञसेनस्य कामस्तु पाण्डवाय किरीटिने । कृष्णां दद्यामिति सदा न चैतद्विवृणोति सः ॥ 7॥ सोऽन्वेषमाणः कौन्तेयान्पाञ्चाल्यो जनमेजय । दृढं धनुरनायम्यं कारयामास भारत ॥ 8॥ यन्त्रं वैहायसं चापि कारयामास कृत्रिमम् । तेन यन्त्रेण सहितं राजा लक्ष्यं च काञ्चनम् ॥ 9॥ द्रुपद उवाच॥ इदं सज्यं धनुः कृत्वा सज्येनानेन सायकैः । अतीत्य लक्ष्यं यो वेद्धा स लब्धा मत्सुतामिति ॥ 10॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ इति स द्रुपदो राजा सर्वतः समघोषयत् । तच्छ्रुत्वा पार्थिवाः सर्वे समीयुस्तत्र भारत ॥ 11॥ ऋषयश्च महात्मानः स्वयंवरदिदृक्षया । दुर्योधनपुरोगाश्च सकर्णाः कुरवो नृप ॥ 12॥ ब्राह्मणाश्च महाभागा देशेभ्यः समुपागमन् । तेऽभ्यर्चिता राजगणा द्रुपदेन महात्मना ॥ 13॥ ततः पौरजनाः सर्वे सागरोद्धूतनिःस्वनाः । शिशुमारपुरं प्राप्य न्यविशंस्ते च पार्थिवाः ॥ 14॥ प्रागुत्तरेण नगराद्भूमिभागे समे शुभे । समाजवाटः शुशुभे भवनैः सर्वतो वृतः ॥ 15॥ प्राकारपरिखोपेतो द्वारतोरणमण्डितः । वितानेन विचित्रेण सर्वतः समवस्तृतः ॥ 16॥ तूर्यौघशतसङ्कीर्णः परार्ध्यागुरुधूपितः । चन्दनोदकसिक्तश्च माल्यदामैश्च शोभितः ॥ 17॥ कैलासशिखरप्रख्यैर्नभस्तलविलेखिभिः । सर्वतः संवृतैर्नद्धः प्रासादैः सुकृतोच्छ्रितैः ॥ 18॥ सुवर्णजालसंवीतैर्मणिकुट्टिमभूषितैः । सुखारोहणसोपानैर्महासनपरिच्छदैः ॥ 19॥ अग्राम्यसमवच्छन्नैरगुरूत्तमवासितैः । हंसाच्छवर्णैर्बहुभिरायोजनसुगन्धिभिः ॥ 20॥ असम्बाधशतद्वारैः शयनासनशोभितैः । बहुधातुपिनद्धाङ्गैर्हिमवच्छिखरैरिव ॥ 21॥ तत्र नानाप्रकारेषु विमानेषु स्वलङ्कृताः । स्पर्धमानास्तदान्योन्यं निषेदुः सर्वपार्थिवाः ॥ 22॥ तत्रोपविष्टान्ददृशुर्महासत्त्वपराक्रमान् । राजसिंहान्महाभागान्कृष्णागुरुविभूषितान् ॥ 23॥ महाप्रसादान्ब्रह्मण्यान्स्वराष्ट्रपरिरक्षिणः । प्रियान्सर्वस्य लोकस्य सुकृतैः कर्मभिः शुभैः ॥ 24॥ मञ्चेषु च परार्ध्येषु पौरजानपदा जनाः । कृष्णादर्शनतुष्ट्यर्थं सर्वतः समुपाविशन् ॥ 25॥ ब्राह्मणैस्ते च सहिताः पाण्डवाः समुपाविशन् । ऋद्धिं पाञ्चालराजस्य पश्यन्तस्तामनुत्तमाम् ॥ 26॥ ततः समाजो ववृधे स राजन्दिवसान्बहून् । रत्नप्रदानबहुलः शोभितो नटनर्तकैः ॥ 27॥ वर्तमाने समाजे तु रमणीयेऽह्नि षोडशे । आप्लुताङ्गी सुवसना सर्वाभरणभूषिता ॥ 28॥ वीरकांस्यमुपादाय काञ्चनं समलङ्कृतम् । अवतीर्णा ततो रङ्गं द्रौपदी भरतर्षभ ॥ 29॥ पुरोहितः सोमकानां मन्त्रविद्ब्राह्मणः शुचिः । परिस्तीर्य जुहावाग्निमाज्येन विधिना तदा ॥ 30॥ स तर्पयित्वा ज्वलनं ब्राह्मणान्स्वस्ति वाच्य च । वारयामास सर्वाणि वादित्राणि समन्ततः ॥ 31॥ निःशब्दे तु कृते तस्मिन्धृष्टद्युम्नो विशां पते । रङ्गमध्यगतस्तत्र मेघगम्भीरया गिरा ॥ ॥ वाक्यमुच्चैर्जगादेदं श्लक्ष्णमर्थवदुत्तमम् ॥ 32 इदं धनुर्लक्ष्यमिमे च बाणाः; शृण्वन्तु मे पार्थिवाः सर्व एव । यन्त्रच्छिद्रेणाभ्यतिक्रम्य लक्ष्यं; समर्पयध्वं खगमैर्दशार्धैः ॥ 33॥ एतत्कर्ता कर्म सुदुष्करं यः; कुलेन रूपेण बलेन युक्तः । तस्याद्य भार्या भगिनी ममेयं; कृष्णा भवित्री न मृषा ब्रवीमि ॥ 35॥ तानेवमुक्त्वा द्रुपदस्य पुत्रः; पश्चादिदं द्रौपदीमभ्युवाच । नाम्ना च गोत्रेण च कर्मणा च; सङ्कीर्तयंस्तान्नृपतीन्समेतान् ॥ 36॥	36 (1884)
Then, O Bharata, the Pandavas traveled to Utkochaka, the holy refuge, where they appointed Dhaumya as their priest. After receiving blessings from the Brahmana, these noble princes decided to go with him to the Swayamvara of the Princess of Panchala."  The great chariot warriors moved slowly, taking breaks in the lovely woods and beside the beautiful lakes they saw on their journey. Committed to learning, virtuous in behaviour, friendly, and eloquent, the Pandavas finally arrived in the land of the Panchalas. Upon seeing the capital and the fort, they settled in the home of a potter. Embracing a Brahmin lifestyle, they began to live a life of giving. During their time in Drupada's capital, no one recognized these heroes. Yajnasena secretly wished to give his daughter to Kiriti (Arjuna), the son of Pandu, but he never mentioned this to anyone. The king of Panchala, thinking of Arjuna, commissioned the creation of a mighty bow that only Arjuna could bend. A mechanism was set up in the sky with a target attached. Drupada declared, 'Whoever can string this bow and shoot the target shall win my daughter.' Vaisampayana continued, 'With this announcement, King Drupada called for the Swayamvara. Hearing of this, other kings travelled to his capital. Numerous esteemed Rishis also came, eager to witness the event. Duryodhana and the Kurus, with Kama, as well as many esteemed Brahmins from various lands, also arrived. All the visiting monarchs were honoured by the distinguished Drupada. Eager to see the Swayamvara, the citizens, roaring like the sea, took their places on the platforms set up around the amphitheatre. The king entered the grand arena through the north-eastern gate.'  The amphitheatre, built on a favourable and flat expanse to the northeast of Drupada's city, was bordered by stunning mansions. High walls and a moat, punctuated with arched doorways, enclosed it fully. The vast space was shaded by a colourful canopy and echoed with the sounds of thousands of trumpets, suffused with the scent of black aloes and misted with water mixed with sandalwood paste, adorned with floral garlands. Surrounding it were tall, pristine white mansions that resembled the peaks of clouds. Their windows were intricately designed with gold, and the walls were encrusted with diamonds, lavish carpets, and textiles. These immaculate mansions, wreathed in flowers and filled with delightful fragrances, stood as pure and elegant as swan necks.  The scent wafted through the air for miles. Each mansion boasted a hundred wide doors to allow crowds to enter; they were furnished with luxurious beds, carpets, and decorated with various metals, mirroring the heights of the Himalayas. In these seven-story residences lived the kings invited by Drupada, each adorned with fine jewellery and eager to outshine one another. The people of the city and surrounding areas, gathered to witness Krishna and seated on beautifully crafted platforms, watched these noble kings, known for their strength and great spirits, residing within the mansions, all adorned with aromatic black aloe paste. Generous in nature, they were devoted to Brahma and valiantly defended their realms. Their virtuous deeds earned them the love of the entire world.  " The Pandavas entered the arena and joined the Brahmanas, marvelling at the immense wealth of the king of the Panchalas. This gathering of princes, Brahmanas, and others grew increasingly lively as days went by, with the festivities lasting for several days. It reached its peak on the sixteenth day when Drupada's daughter, praised among the Bharata lineage, entered the arena. She had cleansed herself, adorned in rich attire and jewellery, and held a golden dish with the usual offerings and a garland of flowers. The priest from the lunar dynasty, a holy Brahmana skilled in mantras, lit the sacred fire and performed the rites by pouring clarified butter onto it. Satisfying Agni with these offerings, he halted the music that filled the air. As the vast amphitheatre fell silent, Dhrishtadyumna, with a voice as deep as thunder, grasped his sister's arm and addressed the gathered kings, proclaiming, 'Hear me, noble kings! Here is the bow, there is the target, and these are the arrows. Shoot the target through the device with these five sharp arrows. I declare that whoever, noble in lineage, handsome, and strong, succeeds in this great challenge will win my sister, Krishna, as his wife.' After speaking to the gathered monarchs, Drupada's son then informed his sister about the names, lineages, and exploits of the assembled lords.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ तेऽलङ्कृताः कुण्डलिनो युवानः; परस्परं स्पर्धमानाः समेताः । अस्त्रं बलं चात्मनि मन्यमानाः; सर्वे समुत्पेतुरहङ्कृतेन ॥ 1॥ रूपेण वीर्येण कुलेन चैव; धर्मेण चैवापि च यौवनेन । समृद्धदर्पा मदवेगभिन्ना; मत्ता यथा हैमवता गजेन्द्राः ॥ 2॥ हलायुधस्तत्र च केशवश्च; वृष्ण्यन्धकाश्चैव यथा प्रधानाः । प्रेक्षां स्म चक्रुर्यदुपुङ्गवास्ते; स्थिताश्च कृष्णस्य मते बभूवुः ॥ 3॥ दृष्ट्वा हि तान्मत्तगजेन्द्ररूपा;न्पञ्चाभिपद्मानिव वारणेन्द्रान् । भस्मावृताङ्गानिव हव्यवाहा;न्पार्थान्प्रदध्यौ स यदुप्रवीरः ॥ 4॥ शशंस रामाय युधिष्ठिरं च; भीमं च जिष्णुं च यमौ च वीरौ । शनैः शनैस्तांश्च निरीक्ष्य रामो; जनार्दनं प्रीतमना ददर्श ॥ 5॥ तथैव पार्थाः पृथुबाहवस्ते; वीरौ यमौ चैव महानुभावौ । तां द्रौपदीं प्रेक्ष्य तदा स्म सर्वे; कन्दर्पबाणाभिहता बभूवुः ॥ 6॥ ततस्तु ते राजगणाः क्रमेण; कृष्णानिमित्तं नृप विक्रमन्तः । सकर्णदुर्योधनशाल्वशल्य द्रौणायनिक्राथसुनीथवक्राः॥ कलिङ्गवङ्गाधिपपाण्ड्यपौण्ड्रा विदेहराजो यवनाधिपश्च।7 अन्ये च नानानृपपुत्रपौत्रा राष्ट्राधिपाः पङ्कजपत्रनेत्राः॥ तत्कार्मुकं संहननोपपन्नं; सज्यं न शेकुस्तरसापि कर्तुम् ॥ 8॥ ते विक्रमन्तः स्फुरता दृढेन; निष्कृष्यमाणा धनुषा नरेन्द्राः । विचेष्टमाना धरणीतलस्था; दीना अदृश्यन्त विभग्नचित्ताः ॥ 9॥ हाहाकृतं तद्धनुषा दृढेन; निष्पिष्टभग्नाङ्गदकुण्डलं च । कृष्णानिमित्तं विनिवृत्तभावं; राज्ञां तदा मण्डलमार्तमासीत् ॥ 10॥ तस्मिंस्तु सम्भ्रान्तजने समाजे; निक्षिप्तवादेषु नराधिपेषु । कुन्तीसुतो जिष्णुरियेष कर्तुं; सज्यं धनुस्तत्सशरं स वीरः ॥ 11॥	11 (1895)
Vaisampayana said, 'Then the young princes, adorned with earrings and boasting about their skills in combat and strength, stood ready with their weapons in hand. With their pride swelling from beauty, bravery, noble lineage, knowledge, wealth, and youth, they resembled massive elephants from the Himalayas during mating season, their heads held high with overwhelming vigor. Balarama, Krishna, and the leaders of the Vrishni, Andhaka, and Yadava tribes, who followed Krishna's lead, stood by, witnessing the spectacle.  As they admired the five brothers—the Pandavas—who were drawn to Draupadi like mighty elephants to a lotus-filled lake, or like hidden fire waiting to spark, Krishna, the foremost among the Yadu, began to contemplate. He pointed out to Balarama, 'That one is Yudhishthira; next to him is Bhima with Arjuna; and those are the twin champions.' Rama looked at them and cast a satisfied glance at Krishna. The princes—Karna, Duryodhana, Salwa, Salya, Aswatthaman, Kratha, Sunitha, Vakra, the rulers of Kalinga and Banga, Pandya, Paundra, the leader of Videha, the chief of the Yavanas, and many other royal descendants—all with eyes like lotus petals, one by one began to showcase their might to win the heart of that incomparable beauty.'  Some of the kings, with puffed chests and confident words, tried to string the bow using their strength, skills, and determination. However, they quickly fell to the ground, exhausted and unable to move. Their strength was drained, and their crowns and garlands slipped off as they struggled to catch their breath. The desire to win the beautiful maiden faded. Stumble by the powerful bow, their decorations in disarray, they cried out in despair. The gathering of kings, now without hope of winning Krishna, looked sorrowful.
वैशम्पायन उवाच। यदा निवृत्ता राजानो धनुषः सज्यकर्मणः। अथोदतिष्ठद्विप्राणां मध्याज्जिष्णुरुदारधीः॥ 1 उदक्रोशन्विप्रमुख्या विधुन्वन्तोऽजिनानि च। दृष्ट्वा संप्रस्थितं पार्थमिन्द्रकेतुसमप्रभम्॥ 2 केचिदासन्विमनसः केचिदासन्मुदान्विताः। आहुः परस्परं केचिन्निपुणा बुद्धिजीविनः॥ 3 यत्कर्णशल्यप्रमुखैः क्षत्रियैर्लोकविश्रुतैः। नानतं बलवद्भिर्हि धनुर्वेदपरायणैः॥ 4 तत्कथं त्वकृतास्त्रेण प्राणतो दुर्बलीयसा। वटुमात्रेण शक्यं हि सज्यं कर्तुं धनुर्द्विजाः॥ 5 केचिदाहुर्युवा श्रीमान्नागराजकरोपमः। पीनस्कन्धोरुबाहुश्च धैर्येण हिमवानिव॥ 6 सिंहखेलगतिः श्रीमान्मत्तनागेन्द्रविक्रमः। संभाव्यमस्मिन्कर्मेदमुत्साहाच्चानुमीयते॥7 एवं तेषां विलपतां विप्राणां विविधा गिरः॥ अर्जुनो धनुषोऽभ्याशे तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः। स तद्धनुः परिक्रम्य प्रदक्षिणमथाकरोत्॥ 8 तदर्जुनो वीर्यवतां सदर्प- स्तदैन्द्रिरिन्द्रावरजप्रभावः। सज्यं च चक्रे निमिषान्तरेण शरांश्च जग्राह दशार्दसङ्ख्यान्॥ 9 विव्याध लक्ष्यं निपपात तच्च छिद्रेण भूमौ सहसातिविद्धम्। ततोऽन्तरिक्षे च बभूव नादः समाजमध्ये च महान्निनादः॥ 10 चेलानि विव्यधुस्तत्र ब्राह्मणाश्च सहस्रशः। विलक्षितास्ततश्चक्रुर्हाहाकारांश्च सर्वशः। न्यपतंश्चात्र नभसः समन्तात्पुष्पवृष्टयः॥ 11 शताङ्गानि च तूर्याणि वादकाः समवादयन्। सूतमागधसङ्घाश्चाप्यस्तुवंस्तत्र सुस्वराः॥ 12 तस्मिंस्तु शब्दे महति प्रवृद्धे युधिष्ठिरो धर्मभृतां वरिष्ठः। आवासमेवोपजगाम शीघ्रं सार्धं यमाभ्यां पुरुषोत्तमाभ्याम्॥ 13 विद्धं तु लक्ष्यं प्रसमीक्ष्य कृष्णा पार्थं च शक्रप्रतिमं निरीक्ष्य। `स्वभ्यस्तरूपापि नवेव नित्यं विनापि हासं हसतीव कन्या॥ 14 मदादृतेऽपि स्खलतीव भावै- र्वाचा विना व्याहरतीव दृष्ट्या। आदाय शुक्लं वरमाल्यदाम जगाम कुन्तीसुतमुत्स्मयन्ती॥ 15 स तामुपादाय विजित्य रङ्गे; द्विजातिभिस्तैरभिपूज्यमानः । रङ्गान्निरक्रामदचिन्त्यकर्मा; पत्न्या तया चाप्यनुगम्यमानः ॥16	16 (1911)
" Vaisampayana went on, 'When all the kings had given up trying to string that bow, the noble Jishnu stood up from the crowd of Brahmanas gathered there. Noticing Partha, whose skin gleamed like Indra's banner as he approached the bow, the leading Brahmanas rustled their deer-skins and raised a loud commotion. Some were discontented, while others expressed their approval. Some wise individuals among them said to each other, 'How can this inexperienced young Brahmana, lacking strength, hope to string that bow which strong Kshatriyas like Salya and others could not manage?' Others responded, 'We don’t wish to be ridiculed, nor do we want to offend anyone, especially the kings.' Some noted, 'This handsome youth is like the trunk of a mighty elephant, his shoulders and limbs robustly built. He stands patiently like the Himavat Mountain, moves with the grace of a lion, and possesses the fierce strength of an elephant in rut. He seems determined enough that he might just succeed.’ And the Brahmanas continued to share these thoughts and more among themselves.  Then, Arjuna approached the bow and stood tall like a mountain. After walking around it, he lifted the bow. Many kings like Rukma, Sunitha, Vakra, Karna, Duryodhana, and Shalya had trained in the art of archery but could not string that bow, even with great effort. Yet, Arjuna, the son of Indra and filled with energy like Indra's younger brother (Vishnu), strung it in the blink of an eye. Picking up five arrows, he shot at the target, causing it to fall through the hole in the machine above it.  A loud cheer erupted in the sky, and the amphitheatre was filled with clamour. Thousands of Brahmanas waved their garments in celebration. Meanwhile, the kings who had failed expressed their sorrow. Flowers rained down from above everywhere in the amphitheatre, and musicians played joyfully. Bards and heralds began to sing sweet praises of the hero who accomplished the feat.  As the excitement peaked, Yudhishthira, the most virtuous man, quickly left the amphitheatre with Nakula and Sahadeva to return home. Seeing the target hit and Partha resembling Indra himself, Krishna was overjoyed. She approached Kunti's son with a white robe and a garland of flowers. Then, shortly after amidst the blessings of the Brahmanas,  Arjuna left the area followed closely by Krishna (Draupadi).

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते आदिपर्वणि अष्टाविंशोऽध्यायः॥

 

Ādiparva Chapter-27

Ādiparva Chapter-29