ādiparva - Chapter-31

 

आदिपर्व - ādiparva

अध्यायः – 31 ::Chapter- 31 

Shlokas

No. of Shlokas

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

तैस्ते परिवृता वीराः शोभमाना महारथाः ।

नगरं हास्तिनपुरं शनैः प्रविविशुस्तदा ॥ 1 ॥

ततस्ते धृतराष्ट्रस्य भीष्मस्य च महात्मनः ।

अन्येषां च तदर्हाणां चक्रुः पादाभिवन्दनम् ॥ 2॥

कृत्वा तु कुशलप्रश्नं सर्वेण नगरेण ते ।

समाविशन्त वेश्मानि धृतराष्ट्रस्य शासनात् ॥3

विश्रान्तास्ते महात्मानः कञ्चित्कालं महाबलाः ।

आहूता धृतराष्ट्रेण राज्ञा शान्तनवेन च ॥ 4॥

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥

भ्रातृभिः सह कौन्तेय निबोधेदं वचो मम ।

पुनर्वो विग्रहो मा भूत्खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविश ॥ 5॥

न च वो वसतस्तत्र कश्चिच्छक्तः प्रबाधितुम् ।

संरक्ष्यमाणान्पार्थेन त्रिदशानिव वज्रिणा ॥ 6॥

अर्धं राज्यस्य सम्प्राप्य खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविश ॥

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

प्रतिगृह्य तु तद्वाक्यं नृपं सर्वे प्रणम्य च ।7

प्रतस्थिरे ततो घोरं वनं तन्मनुजर्षभाः ॥ ॥

अर्धं राज्यस्य सम्प्राप्य खाण्डवप्रस्थमाविशन् ॥ 8॥

ततस्ते पाण्डवास्तत्र गत्वा कृष्णपुरोगमाः ।

मण्डयां चक्रिरे तद्वै पुरं स्वर्गवदच्युताः ॥ 9॥

9 (2054)

Finally, the Pandavas reached their destination and honoured the feet of Dhritarashtra and the esteemed Bhishma, along with any others deserving of such respect. They also inquired about the well-being of the people. Following Dhritarashtra's command, they entered the quarters designated for them. 

After resting for a while, King Dhritarashtra and Bhishma, son of Santanu, called for them to come to the court. When they arrived, King Dhritarashtra spoke to Yudhishthira, saying, ‘Listen, son of Kunti, along with your brothers, to my advice. Go to Khandavaprastha, so you won’t have any further conflicts with your cousins. If you settle there, no one will harm you. Protected by Arjuna, as the gods are by thunder, you may reside in Khandavaprastha and take half the kingdom.'

Vaisampayana added, ‘Agreeing with Dhritarashtra’s words, these strong men worshipped the king and departed from Hastinapura. Satisfied with half the kingdom, they moved to Khandavaprastha, a land yet to be cultivated.

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

आमन्त्र्य धर्मराजानमनुज्ञाप्य च भारत ।

जग्मतुः पार्थगोविन्दौ सुहृज्जनवृतौ ततः ॥ 1॥

आविवेशतुरापूर्णं रत्नैरुच्चावचैः शुभैः ।

यथोपजोषं सर्वश्च जनश्चिक्रीड भारत ॥2

तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने कुरुदाशार्हनन्दनौ ।

समीपे जग्मतुः कञ्चिदुद्देशं सुमनोहरम् ॥3

तत्रोपविष्टौ मुदितौ नाकपृष्ठेऽश्विनाविव ।

अभ्यगच्छत्तदा विप्रो वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ ॥ 4॥

उपसृष्टं तु तं कृष्णौ भ्राजमानं द्विजोत्तमम् ।

अर्जुनो वासुदेवश्च तूर्णमुत्पत्य तस्थतुः ॥5

सोऽब्रवीदर्जुनं चैव वासुदेवं च सात्वतम् ।

लोकप्रवीरौ तिष्ठन्तौ खाण्डवस्य समीपतः ॥ 6॥

ब्राह्मणो बहुभोक्तास्मि भुञ्जेऽपरिमितं सदा ।

भिक्षे वार्ष्णेयपार्थौ वामेकां तृप्तिं प्रयच्छताम् ॥ 7॥

एवमुक्तौ तमब्रूतां ततस्तौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ ।

केनान्नेन भवांस्तृप्येत्तस्यान्नस्य यतावहे ॥ 8॥

एवमुक्तः स भगवानब्रवीत्तावुभौ ततः ।

भाषमाणौ तदा वीरौ किमन्नं क्रियतामिति ॥ 9॥

ब्राह्मण उवाच॥

नाहमन्नं बुभुक्षे वै पावकं मां निबोधतम् ।

यदन्नमनुरूपं मे तद्युवां सम्प्रयच्छतम् ॥ 10॥

इदमिन्द्रः सदा दावं खाण्डवं परिरक्षति ।

तं न शक्नोम्यहं दग्धुं रक्ष्यमाणं महात्मना ॥ 11॥

वसत्यत्र सखा तस्य तक्षकः पन्नगः सदा ।

सगणस्तत्कृते दावं परिरक्षति वज्रभृत् ॥ 12॥

तत्र भूतान्यनेकानि रक्ष्यन्ते स्म प्रसङ्गतः ।

तं दिधक्षुर्न शक्नोमि दग्धुं शक्रस्य तेजसा ॥ 13॥

स मां प्रज्वलितं दृष्ट्वा मेघाम्भोभिः प्रवर्षति ।

ततो दग्धुं न शक्नोमि दिधक्षुर्दावमीप्सितम् ॥ 14॥

स युवाभ्यां सहायाभ्यामस्त्रविद्भ्यां समागतः ।

दहेयं खाण्डवं दावमेतदन्नं वृतं मया ॥ 15॥

युवां ह्युदकधारास्ता भूतानि च समन्ततः ।

उत्तमास्त्रविदो सम्यक्सर्वतो वारयिष्यथः ॥ 16॥

एवमुक्ते प्रत्युवाच बीभत्सुर्जातवेदसम् ।

दिधक्षुं खाण्डवं दावमकामस्य शतक्रतोः ॥ 17॥

अर्जुन उवाच॥

उत्तमास्त्राणि मे सन्ति दिव्यानि च बहूनि च ।

यैरहं शक्नुयां योद्धुमपि वज्रधरान्बहून् ॥ 18॥

धनुर्मे नास्ति भगवन्बाहुवीर्येण संमितम् ।

कुर्वतः समरे यत्नं वेगं यद्विषहेत मे ॥ 19॥

तथा कृष्णस्य वीर्येण नायुधं विद्यते समम् ।

येन नागान्पिशाचांश्च निहन्यान्माधवो रणे ॥ 20॥

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

एवमुक्तस्तु भगवान्धूमकेतुर्हुताशनः ।

चिन्तयामास वरुणं लोकपालं दिदृक्षया ॥ 21॥

आदित्यमुदके देवं निवसन्तं जलेश्वरम् ॥ ॥

स च तच्चिन्तितं ज्ञात्वा दर्शयामास पावकम् ।22

तमब्रवीद्धूमकेतुः प्रतिपूज्य जलेश्वरम् ॥ ॥

चतुर्थं लोकपालानां रक्षितारं महेश्वरम् ॥ 23॥

सोमेन राज्ञा यद्दत्तं धनुश्चैवेषुधी च ते ।

तत्प्रयच्छोभयं शीघ्रं रथं च कपिलक्षणम् ॥ 24॥

कार्यं हि सुमहत्पार्थो गाण्डीवेन करिष्यति ।

चक्रेण वासुदेवश्च तन्मदर्थे प्रदीयताम् ॥ 25॥

ददानीत्येव वरुणः पावकं प्रत्यभाषत ॥ ॥

ततोऽद्भुतं महावीर्यं यशःकीर्तिविवर्धनम् ।26

सर्वशस्त्रैरनाधृष्यं सर्वशस्त्रप्रमाथि च ॥ ॥

सर्वायुधमहामात्रं परसेनाप्रधर्षणम् ॥ 27॥

एकं शतसहस्रेण संमितं राष्ट्रवर्धनम् ।

चित्रमुच्चावचैर्वर्णैः शोभितं श्लक्ष्णमव्रणम् ॥ 28॥

देवदानवगन्धर्वैः पूजितं शाश्वतीः समाः ।

प्रादाद्वै धनुरत्नं तदक्षय्यौ च महेषुधी ॥ 29॥

रथं च दिव्याश्वयुजं कपिप्रवरकेतनम् ।

उपेतं राजतैरश्वैर्गान्धर्वैर्हेममालिभिः ॥ 30॥

स तं नानापताकाभिः शोभितं रथमुत्तमम् ।

प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य दैवतेभ्यः प्रणम्य च ॥ 31॥

संनद्धः कवची खड्गी बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्रवान् ।

आरुरोह रथं पार्थो विमानं सुकृती यथा ॥ 32

वज्रनाभं ततश्चक्रं ददौ कृष्णाय पावकः ।

अर्जुन उवाच॥

सर्वतः परिवार्यैनं दावेन महता प्रभो ।

कामं सम्प्रज्वलाद्यैव कल्यौ स्वः साह्यकर्मणि ॥ 33॥

वैशम्पायन उवाच॥

एवमुक्तः स भगवान्दाशार्हेणार्जुनेन च ।

तैजसं रूपमास्थाय दावं दग्धुं प्रचक्रमे ॥ 34॥

सर्वतः परिवार्याथ सप्तार्चिर्ज्वलनस्तदा ।

ददाह खाण्डवं क्रुद्धो युगान्तमिव दर्शयन् ॥ 35॥

परिगृह्य समाविष्टस्तद्वनं भरतर्षभ ।

मेघस्तनितनिर्घोषं सर्वभूतानि निर्दहन् ॥ 36॥

तौ रथाभ्यां नरव्याघ्रौ दावस्योभयतः स्थितौ ।

दिक्षु सर्वासु भूतानां चक्राते कदनं महत् ॥ 37॥

यत्र यत्र हि दृश्यन्ते प्राणिनः खाण्डवालयाः ।

पलायन्तस्तत्र तत्र तौ वीरौ पर्यधावताम् ॥ 38॥

छिद्रं हि न प्रपश्यन्ति रथयोराशुविक्रमात् ।

आविद्धाविव दृश्येते रथिनौ तौ रथोत्तमौ ॥ 39॥

खाण्डवे दह्यमाने तु भूतान्यथ सहस्रशः ।

उत्पेतुर्भैरवान्नादान्विनदन्तो दिशो दश ॥ 40॥

महता मेघजालेन नानारूपेण वज्रभृत् ।

आकाशं समवस्तीर्य प्रववर्ष सुरेश्वरः ॥ 41॥

ततोऽक्षमात्रा विसृजन्धाराः शतसहस्रशः ।

अभ्यवर्षत्सहस्राक्षः पावकं खाण्डवं प्रति ॥42

तस्याभिवर्षतो वारि पाण्डवः प्रत्यवारयत् ।

शरवर्षेण बीभत्सुरुत्तमास्त्राणि दर्शयन् ॥ 43॥

शरैः समन्ततः सर्वं खाण्डवं चापि पाण्डवः ।

छादयामास तद्वर्षमपकृष्य ततो वनात् ॥44

स मांसरुधिरौघैश्च मेदौघैश्च समीरितः ।

उपर्याकाशगो वह्निर्विधूमः समदृश्यत ॥ 45॥

दीप्ताक्षो दीप्तजिह्वश्च दीप्तव्यात्तमहाननः ।

दीप्तोर्ध्वकेशः पिङ्गाक्षः पिबन्प्राणभृतां वसाम् ॥ 46॥

तां स कृष्णार्जुनकृतां सुधां प्राप्य हुताशनः ।

बभूव मुदितस्तृप्तः परां निर्वृतिमागतः ॥ 47॥

अथासुरं मयं नाम तक्षकस्य निवेशनात् ।

विप्रद्रवन्तं सहसा ददर्श मधुसूदनः ॥

जिघांसुर्वासुदेवश्च चक्रमुद्यम्य विष्ठितः ॥ 48॥

स चक्रमुद्यतं दृष्ट्वा दिधक्षुं च हुताशनम् ।

अभिधावार्जुनेत्येवं मयश्चुक्रोश भारत ॥ 49॥

तस्य भीतस्वनं श्रुत्वा मा भैरिति धनञ्जयः ।

प्रत्युवाच मयं पार्थो जीवयन्निव भारत ॥ 50॥

तं पार्थेनाभये दत्ते नमुचेर्भ्रातरं मयम् ।

न हन्तुमैच्छद्दाशार्हः पावको न ददाह च ॥51

51 (2105)

Then, Partha and Govinda, with Yudhishthira's permission, made their way, accompanied by friends, to the banks of the Yamuna for leisure. People of all backgrounds joined in joyful activities filled with blessings and wealth. Arjuna and Vasudeva ventured to a lovely spot in the woods, not far from the others. While they were resting there, a radiant Brahmana approached them. Seeing this outstanding Brahmana shining with brilliance, both Arjuna and Vasudeva quickly stood up from their seats, ready to listen to him. 

Vaisampayana said, 'The Brahmana addressed Arjuna and Vasudeva of the Satwata lineage, saying, 'You, who are so close to Khandava, are the greatest heroes on earth. I am a greedy Brahmana, who loves to eat a lot. O you of the Vrishni clan, and you, Partha, I ask you to please provide me with a hearty meal.' Responding to the Brahmana, Krishna and Pandu's son said, 'Please tell us what kind of food you desire so that we can help you.' 

The renowned Brahmana replied to the heroes who were eager to serve him, 'I don’t desire simple food. Know that I am Agni! Provide me food that suits my needs. This Khandava forest is always sheltered by Indra, and because of his protection, I can’t consume it. In this forest lives a Naga named Takshaka, who is a friend of Indra. For his sake, many creatures here are safe under Indra's guard.' 

I wish to consume the forest, but I cannot succeed because of Indra's power. Whenever I try, he always douses me with rain from the clouds. So, I am unable to burn down the Khandava forest, despite my strong desire to do so. I have come to you, skilled in weapons! If you assist me, I will surely devour this forest, for it is the food I seek! Since you are adept with fine weapons, I ask you to stop the rain and prevent any creatures from escaping while I consume this forest! 

When Agni made this plea, Arjuna, eager to help him with Khandava, responded: 'I possess countless excellent celestial weapons that can challenge even great wielders of thunder. But, according to my strength, I lack a bow capable of withstanding my power in battle. Additionally, considering my swiftness, I need arrows that never run out. And there is no weapon suited to Krishna's power with which he can defeat the Nagas and Pisachas.' 

Vaisampayana then narrated, 'Upon hearing Arjuna, the smoke-enshrouded Hutasana longed to see Varuna and recalled the son of Aditi, the deity who guards the heavens and reigns over the waters. Varuna, aware he was being summoned by Pavaka, swiftly appeared before him. The smoke-covered deity greeted the water ruler with honour and said to the eternal god, 'Please grant me immediately that bow and quiver, along with the ape-bannered chariot from king Soma. Partha will accomplish great deeds with Gandiva, and Vasudeva will do so with his discus! Therefore, I ask you to give them to me today.' 

Hearing these words, Varuna responded to Pavaka, saying, 'Indeed, I shall grant them.' He then presented the remarkable bow, infused with immense power. This bow (Gandiva) was a source of glory and success, indestructible by any weapon. It was the supreme weapon, capable of defeating all others. It could take down opposing armies and was equivalent to a hundred thousand bows. It could expand kingdoms and was adorned with stunning colors. Beautiful to look at, it showed no signs of weakness or damage. It was revered by both the celestial beings and the Gandharvas. Varuna also provided two endless quivers and offered a chariot equipped with divine weapons, its banner displaying a large ape. 

The chariot was pulled by horses as white as silver clouds, bred in the Gandharva realm, bedecked with golden harnesses, and as swift as the wind or the mind. Equipped for battle, it could not be defeated by gods or demons. Its brilliance was vast, and the sound of its wheels was formidable, bringing joy to all who beheld it. Crafted by Viswakarman, the universe's architect and a creator god, through intense meditation, its brilliance shone like the sun, rendering it nearly impossible to look at. This was the very chariot from which the lord Soma had defeated the Danavas. Radiant and striking, it resembled an evening cloud lit by the setting sun. Its flagstaff was beautifully golden, and perched upon it was a fierce celestial ape, resembling a lion or tiger, ready to incinerate anything in its sight. 

Then Arjuna, clad in armor and armed with a sword, his hands protected by leather gloves, circled that magnificent chariot adorned with many flags and bowed to the gods before he mounted it like a noble warrior on a celestial vehicle destined for heaven. Surrounding Khandava on all sides, Agni began to consume the forest, showcasing his all-devouring form as he would at the end of a cosmic cycle. The best of the chariot warriors, Krishna and Arjuna, took their positions on either side of the forest and started a fierce slaughter of the creatures within Khandava.

Whenever an animal tried to escape, these mighty heroes moved swiftly to intercept it. The lord of the gods, Indra, soon filled the sky with clouds of every kind, beginning to pour rain upon the burning forest. These clouds, countless and thick like the flagpoles of battle chariots, unleashed a torrential downpour on Khandava. Then Vibhatsu, the son of Pandu, called upon his remarkable weapons to counter Indra's rain with a downpour of his own weaponry. 

Satisfied with abundant offerings of meat, blood, and fat, the flames leaped high without a trace of smoke. Hutasana, the fire god, with his fiery copper eyes, blazing tongue, and large mouth, his hair alight, drank the nectar-like stream of animal fat, filled with joy thanks to Krishna and Arjuna. Delighted, Agni experienced great pleasure. 

Suddenly, Krishna spotted an Asura named Maya fleeing from Takshaka’s domain. Agni, with Vayu as his charioteer, took on a fearsome form with wild hair and roared like thunder as he chased the Asura, eager to consume him. As he saw the Asura, Vasudeva stood ready with his weapon, prepared to strike, while Agni closed in behind to unleash his flames. 

Maya, terrified, cried out, 'Run to me, O Arjuna, and save me!' Hearing his frightened plea, Arjuna replied, 'Do not fear!' His reassuring voice seemed to restore Maya's spirit. As Arjuna, the kind son of Pritha, assured Maya that there was no need to be afraid, the warrior of the Dasarha line chose not to kill Maya, the brother of Namuchi, and Agni chose not to burn him either.


इति श्री जयसंहिते आदिपर्वणि एकत्रिंशोऽध्यायः॥

 

Ādiparva Chapter- 30

Ādiparva Chapter- 32

No comments:

Post a Comment