Bhīṣmaparva Chapter -1

 

श्री जयसंहित – Śrī Jayasamhita

भीष्मपर्व - Bhīṣmaparva

अध्यायः – 1  ::Chapter-1

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ यथा युयुधिरे वीराः कुरुपाण्डवसोमकाः । कुरुक्षेत्रे तपःक्षेत्रे शृणु तत्पृथिवीपते ॥ 1॥ अवतीर्य कुरुक्षेत्रं पाण्डवाः सहसोमकाः । कौरवानभ्यवर्तन्त जिगीषन्तो महाबलाः ॥ 2॥ वेदाध्ययनसम्पन्नाः सर्वे युद्धाभिनन्दिनः । आशंसन्तो जयं युद्धे वधं वाभिमुखा रणे ॥ 3॥ अभियाय च दुर्धर्षां धार्तराष्ट्रस्य वाहिनीम् । प्राङ्मुखाः पश्चिमे भागे न्यविशन्त ससैनिकाः ॥ 4॥ समन्तपञ्चकाद्बाह्यं शिबिराणि सहस्रशः । कारयामास विधिवत्कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 5॥ शून्येव पृथिवी सर्वा बालवृद्धावशेषिता । निरश्वपुरुषा चासीद्रथकुञ्जरवर्जिता ॥ 6॥ यावत्तपति सूर्यो हि जम्बूद्वीपस्य मण्डलम् । तावदेव समावृत्तं बलं पार्थिवसत्तम ॥ 7॥ एकस्थाः सर्ववर्णास्ते मण्डलं बहुयोजनम् । पर्याक्रामन्त देशांश्च नदीः शैलान्वनानि च ॥ 8॥ तेषां युधिष्ठिरो राजा सर्वेषां पुरुषर्षभ । आदिदेश सवाहानां भक्ष्यभोज्यमनुत्तमम् ॥ 9॥ सञ्ज्ञाश्च विविधास्तास्तास्तेषां चक्रे युधिष्ठिरः । एवंवादी वेदितव्यः पाण्डवेयोऽयमित्युत ॥ 10॥ अभिज्ञानानि सर्वेषां सञ्ज्ञाश्चाभरणानि च । योजयामास कौरव्यो युद्धकाल उपस्थिते ॥ 11॥ दृष्ट्वा ध्वजाग्रं पार्थानां धार्तराष्ट्रो महामनाः । सह सर्वैर्महीपालैः प्रत्यव्यूहत पाण्डवान् ॥ 12॥ पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि । मध्ये नागसहस्रस्य भ्रातृभिः परिवारितम् ॥ 13॥ दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनं हृष्टाः सर्वे पाण्डवसैनिकाः । दध्मुः सर्वे महाशङ्खान्भेरीर्जघ्नुः सहस्रशः ॥ 14॥ ततः प्रहृष्टां स्वां सेनामभिवीक्ष्याथ पाण्डवाः । बभूवुर्हृष्टमनसो वासुदेवश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ 15॥ ततो योधान्हर्षयन्तौ वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ । दध्मतुः पुरुषव्याघ्रौ दिव्यौ शङ्खौ रथे स्थितौ ॥ 16॥ पाञ्चजन्यस्य निर्घोषं देवदत्तस्य चोभयोः । श्रुत्वा सवाहना योधाः शकृन्मूत्रं प्रसुस्रुवुः ॥ 17॥ यथा सिंहस्य नदतः स्वनं श्रुत्वेतरे मृगाः । त्रसेयुस्तद्वदेवासीद्धार्तराष्ट्रबलं तदा ॥ 18॥ उभे सेने तदा राजन्युद्धाय मुदिते भृशम् । कुरुक्षेत्रे स्थिते यत्ते सागरक्षुभितोपमे ॥ 19॥ तयोस्तु सेनयोरासीदद्भुतः स समागमः । युगान्ते समनुप्राप्ते द्वयोः सागरयोरिव ॥ 20॥ शून्यासीत्पृथिवी सर्वा बालवृद्धावशेषिता । तेन सेनासमूहेन समानीतेन कौरवैः ॥ 21॥ ततस्ते समयं चक्रुः कुरुपाण्डवसोमकाः । धर्मांश्च स्थापयामासुर्युद्धानां भरतर्षभ ॥ 22॥ निवृत्ते चैव नो युद्धे प्रीतिश्च स्यात्परस्परम् । यथापुरं यथायोगं न च स्याच्छलनं पुनः ॥ 23॥ वाचा युद्धे प्रवृत्ते नो वाचैव प्रतियोधनम् । निष्क्रान्तः पृतनामध्यान्न हन्तव्यः कथञ्चन ॥ 24॥ रथी च रथिना योध्यो गजेन गजधूर्गतः । अश्वेनाश्वी पदातिश्च पदातेनैव भारत ॥ 25॥ यथायोगं यथावीर्यं यथोत्साहं यथावयः । समाभाष्य प्रहर्तव्यं न विश्वस्ते न विह्वले ॥ 26॥ परेण सह संयुक्तः प्रमत्तो विमुखस्तथा । क्षीणशस्त्रो विवर्मा च न हन्तव्यः कथञ्चन ॥ 27॥ न सूतेषु न धुर्येषु न च शस्त्रोपनायिषु । न भेरीशङ्खवादेषु प्रहर्तव्यं कथञ्चन ॥ 28॥ एवं ते समयं कृत्वा कुरुपाण्डवसोमकाः । विस्मयं परमं जग्मुः प्रेक्षमाणाः परस्परम् ॥ 29॥ निविश्य च महात्मानस्ततस्ते पुरुषर्षभाः । हृष्टरूपाः सुमनसो बभूवुः सहसैनिकाः ॥ 30॥	30
Vaisampayana began, 'Listen, O ruler of the land, how the brave warriors—the Kauravas, the Pandavas, and the Somakas—fought on the holy battlefield of Kurukshetra. Entering Kurukshetra, the mighty Pandavas, along with the Somakas, marched forward, eager for victory against the Kauravas. Well-versed in the Vedas, they relished the challenge of battle. With confidence in their success, their armies faced the approaching conflict. As they drew near to Dhritarashtra's forces, these fearless warriors positioned themselves on the western side of the plain, facing eastward. Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, had thousands of tents set up according to custom beyond the region known as Samantapanchaka.  The entire earth felt deserted, void of horses and men, lacking chariots and elephants, with only the elderly and children left behind. From all corners of Jambudwipa, where the sun shines, this vast army gathered, O greatest of kings. Warriors from all backgrounds came together, filling an expanse spanning numerous Yojanas across valleys, rivers, hills, and forests. The mighty Yudhishthira arranged for splendid food and other comforts for everyone, along with their animals. He established various watch-words to mark them as the Pandavas, and he also designated names and symbols for recognition during the battle.'  "As the bright standard of Pritha's son was raised high by the noble son of Dhritarashtra, who held a white umbrella over his head, he stood amidst a thousand elephants, surrounded by his hundred brothers, preparing to battle against the son of Pandu, alongside all the kings on his side. Upon seeing Duryodhana, the Panchalas, who loved to fight, erupted in joy, blowing their loud conches and sweet cymbals. Witnessing the excitement of their troops, Pandu's son and the mighty Vasudeva felt their hearts lift with joy, and these warriors, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, on their chariot, sounded their divine conches with great happiness.  When the resonant notes of their conches echoed, the assembled fighters felt overwhelmed, like prey sensing the roar of a lion. Likewise, the armies, filled with anticipation, stood ready for battle on Kurukshetra, resembling two restless oceans. This clash of armies was indeed striking, like two oceans colliding at the end of an age. Meanwhile, the earth lay empty, left only to children and the elderly at home, due to the immense army gathered by the Kauravas.  The Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas made agreements and settled the rules about different types of combat, O noble one from Bharata's line.  Fighters of similar skill should face each other, engaging in fair combat. If they fight honestly and then withdraw without fear of attack, it would still please us. Those who exchanged words should be countered with words. Those who leave their ranks should not be harmed. A charioteer should challenge another charioteer; someone riding an elephant should face another elephant rider; a horseman should confront another horseman, and a foot soldier should meet another foot soldier, O Bharata. Decisions on striking should be based on readiness, willingness, bravery, and strength, with prior notice given. No one should attack another who is unprepared or scared. Anyone engaged in combat, seeking mercy, retreating, lacking a weapon, or unarmoured should not be struck. Charioteers, animals pulling chariots, those transporting weapons, drum players, and conch blowers should never be attacked.  After establishing these rules, the Kurus, the Pandavas, and the Somakas looked at one another in wonder. Once their forces were arranged, those brave and noble men felt joy, which showed on their faces.
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततः पूर्वापरे सन्ध्ये समीक्ष्य भगवानृषिः । सर्ववेदविदां श्रेष्ठो व्यासः सत्यवतीसुतः ॥ 1॥ भविष्यति रणे घोरे भरतानां पितामहः । प्रत्यक्षदर्शी भगवान्भूतभव्यभविष्यवित् ॥ 2॥ वैचित्रवीर्यं राजानं स रहस्यं ब्रवीदिदम् । शोचन्तमार्तं ध्यायन्तं पुत्राणामनयं तदा ॥ 3॥ व्यास उवाच॥ राजन्परीतकालास्ते पुत्राश्चान्ये च भूमिपाः । ते हनिष्यन्ति सङ्ग्रामे समासाद्येतरेतरम् ॥ 4॥ तेषु कालपरीतेषु विनश्यत्सु च भारत । कालपर्यायमाज्ञाय मा स्म शोके मनः कृथाः ॥ 5॥ इह युद्धे महाराज भविष्यति महान्क्षयः । यथेमानि निमित्तानि भयायाद्योपलक्षये ॥ 6॥ श्येना गृध्राश्च काकाश्च कङ्काश्च सहिता बलैः । सम्पतन्ति वनान्तेषु समवायांश्च कुर्वते ॥ 7॥ अत्युग्रं च प्रपश्यन्ति युद्धमानन्दिनो द्विजाः । क्रव्यादा भक्षयिष्यन्ति मांसानि गजवाजिनाम् ॥ 8॥ खटाखटेति वाशन्तो भैरवं भयवेदिनः । कह्वाः प्रयान्ति मध्येन दक्षिणामभितो दिशम् ॥ 9॥ उभे पूर्वापरे सन्ध्ये नित्यं पश्यामि भारत । उदयास्तमने सूर्यं कबन्धैः परिवारितम् ॥ 10॥ श्वेतलोहितपर्यन्ताः कृष्णग्रीवाः सविद्युतः । त्रिवर्णाः परिघाः सन्धौ भानुमावारयन्त्युत ॥ 11॥ ज्वलितार्केन्दुनक्षत्रं निर्विशेषदिनक्षपम् । अहोरात्रं मया दृष्टं तत्क्षयाय भविष्यति ॥ 12॥ अलक्ष्यः प्रभया हीनः पौर्णमासीं च कार्त्तिकीम् । चन्द्रोऽभूदग्निवर्णश्च समवर्णे नभस्तले ॥ 13॥ स्वप्स्यन्ति निहता वीरा भूमिमावृत्य पार्थिवाः । राजानो राजपुत्राश्च शूराः परिघबाहवः ॥ 14॥ अन्तरिक्षे वराहस्य वृषदंशस्य चोभयोः । प्रणादं युध्यतो रात्रौ रौद्रं नित्यं प्रलक्षये ॥ 15॥ कोकिलाः शतपत्राश्च चाषा भासाः शुकास्तथा । सारसाश्च मयूराश्च वाचो मुञ्चन्ति दारुणाः ॥ 16॥ गृहीतशस्त्राभरणा वर्मिणो वाजिपृष्ठगाः । अरुणोदयेषु दृश्यन्ते शतशः शलभव्रजाः ॥ 17॥ उभे सन्ध्ये प्रकाशेते दिशां दाहसमन्विते । आसीद्रुधिरवर्षं च अस्थिवर्षं च भारत ॥ 18॥ या चैषा विश्रुता राजंस्त्रैलोक्ये साधुसंमता । अरुन्धती तयाप्येष वसिष्ठः पृष्ठतः कृतः ॥ 19॥ रोहिणीं पीडयन्नेष स्थितो राजञ्शनैश्चरः । व्यावृत्तं लक्ष्म सोमस्य भविष्यति महद्भयम् ॥ 20॥ अनभ्रे च महाघोरं स्तनितं श्रूयतेऽनिशम् । वाहनानां च रुदतां प्रपतन्त्यश्रुबिन्दवः ॥ 21॥	21 (51)
Vaisampayana said, "As the two armies stood ready for the fierce battle ahead, the holy sage Vyasa, son of Satyavati and the wisest of Veda scholars, approached the troubled royal son of Vichitravirya, who was lamenting the wrongful deeds of his sons. Vyasa spoke privately to him: 'O king, the time has come for your sons and the other kings. Gathered for battle, they will fight each other. O Bharata, it is their fate to fall. Remember, time brings change; do not let grief overwhelm your heart. The slaughter in this battle will be great.  ‘I see many ominous signs here. Hawks, vultures, crows, and herons, along with cranes, have settled on tree tops, gathered in flocks, eagerly watching the battlefield. These birds, thrilled by the impending fight, gaze down at the field below. Predatory animals will feast on the flesh of elephants and horses. Terrifying herons, crying out with ruthless calls, soar across the battlefield towards the south.'.  In both twilight phases, before and after, I see daily, O Bharata, the sun as it rises and sets, shrouded by headless forms. The tri-coloured clouds with white and red edges and black bodies, charged with lightning and resembling maces, engulf the sun in both twilights. I have witnessed the sun, the moon, and the stars all blazing, with no difference in their appearance by evening. I have observed this day and night. All of this brings a sense of dread. Even on the fifteenth night of the bright fortnight in Kartika, the moon, stripped of lustre, became unseen or glowed like fire, under a sky the colour of lotus.  Many brave lords, kings and princes, equipped with mace-like weapons, will fall and rest upon the earth. I daily observe fierce cries in the night sky from battling wild boars and felines. O king! Drums sound out without being struck, and the great chariots of warriors move without being pulled by yoked animals. Kokilas (Asian Koel), woodpeckers, water hens, parrots, crows, and peacocks make terrifying noises. Everywhere, armoured cavalry soldiers armed with weapons shout loudly.  At dawn, swarms of insects fill the air. During both twilight hours, the cardinal directions seem to glow, and the clouds, oh Bharata, rain down dust and debris. She, oh king, who is honored in all realms and praised by the virtuous, that constellation Arundhati carries her husband Vasistha on her back. The planet Shani (Saturn), oh king, appears to threaten the constellation Rohini. The sign of the deer in the Moon has strayed from its usual place. A great dread is foretold. Even with a clear sky, a terrifying roar echoes. All the animals are mourning, their tears falling swiftly.'"
व्यास उवाच॥ श्वेतो ग्रहस्तथा चित्रां समतिक्रम्य तिष्ठति ॥ अभावं हि विशेषेण कुरूणां प्रतिपश्यति ॥ 1 धूमकेतुर्महाघोरः पुष्यमाक्रम्य तिष्ठति ॥ सेनयोरशिवं घोरं करिष्यति महाग्रहः ॥ 2 मघास्वङ्गारको वक्रः श्रवणे च बृहस्पतिः ॥ भाग्यं नक्षत्रमाक्रम्य सूर्यपुत्रेण पीड्यते ॥ 3 शुक्रः प्रोष्ठपदे पूर्वे समारुह्य विशां पते ॥ उत्तरे तु परिक्रम्य सहितः प्रत्युदीक्षते ॥ 4॥ श्यामो ग्रहः प्रज्वलितः सधूमः सहपावकः । ऐन्द्रं तेजस्वि नक्षत्रं ज्येष्ठामाक्रम्य तिष्ठति ॥ 5॥ ध्रुवः प्रज्वलितो घोरमपसव्यं प्रवर्तते । चित्रास्वात्यन्तरे चैव धिष्ठितः परुषो ग्रहः ॥ 6॥ वक्रानुवक्रं कृत्वा च श्रवणे पावकप्रभः । ब्रह्मराशिं समावृत्य लोहिताङ्गो व्यवस्थितः ॥ 7॥ सर्वसस्यप्रतिच्छन्ना पृथिवी फलमालिनी । पञ्चशीर्षा यवाश्चैव शतशीर्षाश्च शालयः ॥ 8॥ संवत्सरस्थायिनौ च ग्रहौ प्रज्वलितावुभौ । विशाखयोः समीपस्थौ बृहस्पतिशनैश्चरौ ॥ 9॥ कृत्तिकासु ग्रहस्तीव्रो नक्षत्रे प्रथमे ज्वलन् । वपूंष्यपहरन्भासा धूमकेतुरिव स्थितः ॥ 10॥ त्रिषु पूर्वेषु सर्वेषु नक्षत्रेषु विशां पते । बुधः सम्पततेऽभीक्ष्णं जनयन्सुमहद्भयम् ॥ 11॥ चतुर्दशीं पञ्चदशीं भूतपूर्वां च षोडशीम् । इमां तु नाभिजानामि अमावास्यां त्रयोदशीम् ॥ 12॥ चन्द्रसूर्यावुभौ ग्रस्तावेकमासे त्रयोदशीम् । अपर्वणि ग्रहावेतौ प्रजाः सङ्क्षपयिष्यतः ॥ 13॥ पीतलोहितनीलश्च ज्वलत्यग्निर्हुतो द्विजैः । वामार्चिः शावगन्धी च धूमप्रायः खरस्वनः ॥ स्पर्शा गन्धा रसाश्चैव विपरीता महीपते ॥ 14॥ प्रासादशिखराग्रेषु पुरद्वारेषु चैव हि । गृध्राः परिपतन्त्युग्रा वामं मण्डलमाश्रिताः ॥ 15॥ पक्वापक्वेति सुभृशं वावाश्यन्ते वयांसि च । निलीयन्ते ध्वजाग्रेषु क्षयाय पृथिवीक्षिताम् ॥ 16॥ ध्यायन्तः प्रकिरन्तश्च वालान्वेपथुसंयुताः । रुदन्ति दीनास्तुरगा मातङ्गाश्च सहस्रशः ॥ 17॥	17 (68)
Vyasa continued, 'The white planet (Ketu) stands still, having moved past the Chitra constellation. This foretells the downfall of the Kurus. A fierce comet rises, troubling the Pusya constellation. This significant planet will bring disastrous consequences to both armies. Mars moves toward Magha, while Jupiter heads for Sravana. The Sun's child (Saturn) approaches the Bhaga constellation, causing disturbances. Venus, climbing towards Purva Bhadra, shines brightly and turns towards Uttara Bhadra, having connected with a smaller planet.  The white planet (Ketu), blazing like fire mixed with smoke, hovers near the bright constellation Jyeshtha, which is sacred to Indra. The Dhruva constellation blazes fiercely, moving to the right. Both the Moon and Sun trouble Rohini. The fierce planet (Rahu) has positioned itself between Chitra and Swati. The red planet (Mars), shining like fire, moves in a circle, aligning with the Sravana constellation overshadowed by Jupiter. The Earth, which yields specific crops in their time, now bears a mix of all seasons' harvests. Every barley stalk has five ears, and each paddy stalk boasts a hundred.  The two bright planets, Jupiter and Saturn, have approached the constellation Visakha and have remained stationary there for an entire year. When three lunar phases align twice within the same lunar fortnight, the duration of that fortnight is reduced by two days. Thus, on the thirteenth day from the first phase, whether it be a full moon or a new moon, both the moon and sun are affected by Rahu. Such unusual eclipses, both lunar and solar, signify impending doom. All regions on earth, covered in dust, appear ominous. Dark clouds, filled with foreboding, bring down bloody rain at night. Rahu, known for his fierce nature, is also affecting the Kirtika constellation. Strong winds, signalling grave danger, are continually blowing. All these signs indicate a war filled with sorrow. The constellations are categorized into three groups, and a planet with negative influence has touched each group, signaling terrible perils. A lunar fortnight has typically lasted fourteen, fifteen, or sixteen days. However, I've never seen the new moon fall on the thirteenth day from the first phase, nor the full moon on the same thirteenth day. Yet, in this month, both the Moon and Sun have faced eclipses on these unusual thirteenth days. Consequently, such unusual eclipses will lead to significant loss of life on earth.  The sacrificial fire, when the Brahmanas pour offerings on it, turns blue, red, or yellow. Its flames lean to the left, giving off a foul smell and loud noises. Touch, smell, and taste, O king, have changed from what they once were. The warriors' standards are shaking and releasing smoke. Drums and cymbals are spewing clouds of ashes. From the tops of high trees nearby, crows are circling to the left, making harsh cries. They are all screeching fearsome calls, settling on the tops of poles to signal the doom of kings. Frightened elephants are running around, trembling and relieving themselves. The horses appear sad, while the elephants head to the water. Hearing all this, let the appropriate actions be taken, so that, O Bharata, the world does not face destruction."

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  भीष्मपर्वणि प्रथमोऽध्यायः

 

Bhīṣmaparva Introduction

Bhīṣmaparva Chapter- 2