Droṇaparva Chapter -2 (Eleventh day of war

द्रोणपर्व - Droṇaparva (एकादश दिवसीय युद्धम् - भाग-१)

अध्यायः – 2 ::Chapter-2 (Eleventh day of war – Part.1)

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ सेनापतित्वं सम्प्राप्य भारद्वाजो महारथः । मध्ये सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य पुत्रं ते वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 1॥ यत्कौरवाणामृषभादापगेयादनन्तरम् । सेनापत्येन मां राजन्नद्य सत्कृतवानसि ॥ 2॥ सदृशं कर्मणस्तस्य फलं प्राप्नुहि पार्थिव । करोमि कामं कं तेऽद्य प्रवृणीष्व यमिच्छसि ॥ 3॥ ततो दुर्योधनश्चिन्त्य कर्णदुःशासनादिभिः । तमथोवाच दुर्धर्षमाचार्यं जयतां वरम् ॥ 4॥ ददासि चेद्वरं मह्यं जीवग्राहं युधिष्ठिरम् । गृहीत्वा रथिनां श्रेष्ठं मत्समीपमिहानय ॥ 5॥ ततः कुरूणामाचार्यः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य ते वचः । सेनां प्रहर्षयन्सर्वामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 6॥ धन्यः कुन्तीसुतो राजा यस्य ग्रहणमिच्छसि । न वधार्थं सुदुर्धर्ष वरमद्य प्रयाचसि ॥ 7॥ किमर्थं च नरव्याघ्र न वधं तस्य काङ्क्षसि । नाशंससि क्रियामेतां मत्तो दुर्योधन ध्रुवम् ॥ 8॥ आहो स्विद्धर्मपुत्रस्य द्वेष्टा तस्य न विद्यते । यदिच्छसि त्वं जीवन्तं कुलं रक्षसि चात्मनि ॥ 9॥ अथ वा भरतश्रेष्ठ निर्जित्य युधि पाण्डवान् । राज्यांशं प्रतिदत्त्वा च सौभ्रात्रं कर्तुमिच्छसि ॥ 10॥ धन्यः कुन्तीसुतो राजा सुजाता चास्य धीमतः । अजातशत्रुता सत्या तस्य यत्स्निह्यते भवान् ॥ 11॥ द्रोणेन त्वेवमुक्तस्य तव पुत्रस्य भारत । सहसा निःसृतो भावो योऽस्य नित्यं प्रवर्तते ॥ 12॥ नाकारो गूहितुं शक्यो बृहस्पतिसमैरपि । तस्मात्तव सुतो राजन्प्रहृष्टो वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥ 13॥ वधे कुन्तीसुतस्याजौ नाचार्य विजयो मम । हते युधिष्ठिरे पार्थो हन्यात्सर्वान्हि नो ध्रुवम् ॥ 14॥ न च शक्यो रणे सर्वैर्निहन्तुममरैरपि । य एव चैषां शेषः स्यात्स एवास्मान्न शेषयेत् ॥ 15॥ सत्यप्रतिज्ञे त्वानीते पुनर्द्यूतेन निर्जिते । पुनर्यास्यन्त्यरण्याय कौन्तेयास्तमनुव्रताः ॥ 16॥ सोऽयं मम जयो व्यक्तं दीर्घकालं भविष्यति । अतो न वधमिच्छामि धर्मराजस्य कर्हिचित् ॥ 17॥ तस्य जिह्ममभिप्रायं ज्ञात्वा द्रोणोऽर्थतत्त्ववित् । तं वरं सान्तरं तस्मै ददौ सञ्चिन्त्य बुद्धिमान् ॥ 18॥ द्रोण उवाच॥ न चेद्युधिष्ठिरं वीर पालयेदर्जुनो युधि । मन्यस्व पाण्डवं ज्येष्ठमानीतं वशमात्मनः ॥ 19॥ न हि पार्थो रणे शक्यः सेन्द्रैर्देवासुरैरपि । प्रत्युद्यातुमतस्तात नैतदामर्षयाम्यहम् ॥ 20॥ असंशयं स शिष्यो मे मत्पूर्वश्चास्त्रकर्मणि । तरुणः कीर्तियुक्तश्च एकायनगतश्च सः ॥ 21॥ अस्त्राणीन्द्राच्च रुद्राच्च भूयांसि समवाप्तवान् । अमर्षितश्च ते राजंस्तेन नामर्षयाम्यहम् ॥ 22॥ स चापक्रम्यतां युद्धाद्येनोपायेन शक्यते । अपनीते ततः पार्थे धर्मराजो जितस्त्वया ॥ 23॥ ग्रहणं चेज्जयं तस्य मन्यसे पुरुषर्षभ । एतेन चाभ्युपायेन ध्रुवं ग्रहणमेष्यति ॥ 24॥ अहं गृहीत्वा राजानं सत्यधर्मपरायणम् । आनयिष्यामि ते राजन्वशमद्य न संशयः ॥ 25॥ यदि स्थास्यति सङ्ग्रामे मुहूर्तमपि मेऽग्रतः । अपनीते नरव्याघ्रे कुन्तीपुत्रे धनञ्जये ॥ 26॥ फल्गुनस्य समक्षं तु न हि पार्थो युधिष्ठिरः । ग्रहीतुं समरे शक्यः सेन्द्रैरपि सुरासुरैः ॥ 27॥ सञ्जय उवाच॥ सान्तरं तु प्रतिज्ञाते राज्ञो द्रोणेन निग्रहे । गृहीतं तममन्यन्त तव पुत्राः सुबालिशाः ॥ 28॥ पाण्डवेषु हि सापेक्षं द्रोणं जानाति ते सुतः । ततः प्रतिज्ञास्थैर्यार्थं स मन्त्रो बहुलीकृतः ॥ 29॥ ततो दुर्योधनेनापि ग्रहणं पाण्डवस्य तत् । सैन्यस्थानेषु सर्वेषु व्याघोषितमरिंदम ॥ 30॥	30 (83)
Sanjaya said, 'Indeed, as I witnessed everything firsthand, I will recount how Drona fell, killed by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas. After being appointed commander of the forces, the mighty warrior, Bharadwaja's son, addressed your son amidst all the troops, saying, 'O king, since you have honoured me with this command after the great Kaurava, the son of Ganga, you shall reap the rewards of your decision. What task shall I undertake for you now? Ask for the favour you wish.' Then, king Duryodhana, after consulting Karna, Duhsasana, and others, said to the teacher, that unstoppable warrior and greatest victor, 'If you would grant me a boon, then capture Yudhishthira, that foremost car-warrior, and bring him to me alive.' Hearing this request from your son, the Kurus' teacher replied, bringing delight to all the troops, 'Praise be to Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, whom you only wish to capture. O undefeated one, why do you not ask for his death instead? Surely, you are not unaware of strategy. Why, O tiger among men, do you avoid mentioning Yudhishthira's demise? It is indeed remarkable that king Yudhishthira, known for his justice, has no foes wishing for his end. Since you desire him to remain alive, you either wish to save your lineage from downfall, or, having conquered the Pandavas, you seek to reconcile with them and restore their kingdom. The birth of that wise prince was indeed fortunate. Truly, he deserves the name Ajatasatru (the one without foes), for even you hold affection for him.'' Addressed by Drona, O Bharata, your son's hidden feelings suddenly surfaced. Even wise sages like Brihaspati cannot hide their true emotions. Filled with joy, your son then spoke, saying, 'If Kunti's son is killed in battle, O teacher, I cannot achieve victory. If Yudhishthira were to fall, Partha would surely seek revenge on all of us. No one, even the gods, can defeat them entirely. Those who survive would surely destroy us. Yudhishthira is honest in his promises. If he is brought here alive and loses again at dice, the Pandavas will retreat to the forest, for they follow Yudhishthira's lead. Such a victory would be lasting. This is why I do not wish for King Yudhishthira the Just to be harmed.' Understanding Duryodhana's deceptive intentions, Drona, wise in the art of strategy, thought for a moment before granting him a conditional boon. Drona said, 'If Arjuna does not protect Yudhishthira in combat, you might think the eldest Pandava is under your control. However, even the gods and demons, led by Indra, cannot defeat Partha in battle. Therefore, I cannot fulfill your request. Arjuna is my student, and I was his first teacher in warfare. He is young, extremely fortunate, and highly determined. He has received many divine weapons from me. He has also been provoked by you. Thus, I cannot do what you ask.’ Remove Arjuna from the battlefield by any means necessary. Once Partha is gone, you can consider King Yudhishthira defeated. Victory comes from capturing him, not from killing him, O strongest of men! Even through clever tactics, we can take him. If I capture that king who is committed to truth and justice, O ruler, I will bring him under your control today, provided he stands before me in battle even for a moment, and that Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, is removed from the scene. However, in Phalguni's presence, O king, Yudhishthira cannot be defeated in battle, even by the gods or the Asuras led by Indra. Sanjaya continued, 'After Drona promised to capture the king despite these challenges, your foolish sons believed Yudhishthira was already taken. Duryodhana, aware of Drona's bias towards the Pandavas, shared these plans to ensure Drona kept his word. Thus, O conqueror of enemies, Duryodhana announced to his troops Drona's commitment to capture the eldest Pandava.'
सञ्जय उवाच॥ ततस्ते सैनिकाः श्रुत्वा तं युधिष्ठिरनिग्रहम् । सिंहनादरवांश्चक्रुर्बाणशङ्खरवैः सह ॥ 1॥ तत्तु सर्वं यथावृत्तं धर्मराजेन भारत । आप्तैराशु परिज्ञातं भारद्वाजचिकीर्षितम् ॥ 2॥ ततः सर्वान्समानाय्य भ्रातॄन्सैन्यांश्च सर्वशः । अब्रवीद्धर्मराजस्तु धनञ्जयमिदं वचः ॥ 3॥ श्रुतं ते पुरुषव्याघ्र द्रोणस्याद्य चिकीर्षितम् । यथा तन्न भवेत्सत्यं तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम् ॥ 4॥ सान्तरं हि प्रतिज्ञातं द्रोणेनामित्रकर्शन । तच्चान्तरममोघेषौ त्वयि तेन समाहितम् ॥ 5॥ स त्वमद्य महाबाहो युध्यस्व मदनन्तरम् । यथा दुर्योधनः कामं नेमं द्रोणादवाप्नुयात् ॥ 6॥ अर्जुन उवाच॥ यथा मे न वधः कार्य आचार्यस्य कथञ्चन । तथा तव परित्यागो न मे राजंश्चिकीर्षितः ॥ 7॥ अप्येवं पाण्डव प्राणानुत्सृजेयमहं युधि । प्रतीयां नाहमाचार्यं त्वां न जह्यां कथञ्चन ॥ 8॥ त्वां निगृह्याहवे राजन्धार्तराष्ट्रो यमिच्छति । न स तं जीवलोकेऽस्मिन्कामं प्राप्तः कथञ्चन ॥ 9 प्रपतेद्द्यौः सनक्षत्रा पृथिवी शकलीभवेत् । न त्वां द्रोणो निगृह्णीयाज्जीवमाने मयि ध्रुवम् ॥ 10॥ यदि तस्य रणे साह्यं कुरुते वज्रभृत्स्वयम् । देवैर्वा सहितो दैत्यैर्न त्वां प्राप्स्यत्यसौ मृधे ॥ 11॥ मयि जीवति राजेन्द्र न भयं कर्तुमर्हसि । द्रोणादस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठात्सर्वशस्त्रभृतामपि ॥ 12॥ न स्मराम्यनृतां वाचं न स्मरामि पराजयम् । न स्मरामि प्रतिश्रुत्य किञ्चिदप्यनपाकृतम् ॥ 13॥ सञ्जय उवाच॥ ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च मृदङ्गाश्चानकैः सह । प्रावाद्यन्त महाराज पाण्डवानां निवेशने ॥ 14॥ सिंहनादश्च सञ्जज्ञे पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम् । धनुर्ज्यातलशब्दश्च गगनस्पृक्सुभैरवः ॥ 15॥ तं श्रुत्वा शङ्खनिर्घोषं पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः । त्वदीयेष्वप्यनीकेषु वादित्राण्यभिजघ्निरे ॥ 16॥ ततो व्यूढान्यनीकानि तव तेषां च भारत । शनैरुपेयुरन्योन्यं योत्स्यमानानि संयुगे ॥ 17॥ ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् । पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च द्रोणपाञ्चाल्ययोरपि ॥ 18॥ यतमानाः प्रयत्नेन द्रोणानीकविशातने । न शेकुः सृञ्जया राजंस्तद्धि द्रोणेन पालितम् ॥ 19॥ तथैव तव पुत्रस्य रथोदाराः प्रहारिणः । न शेकुः पाण्डवीं सेनां पाल्यमानां किरीटिना ॥ 20॥ आस्तां ते स्तिमिते सेने रक्ष्यमाणे परस्परम् । सम्प्रसुप्ते यथा नक्तं वनराज्यौ सुपुष्पिते ॥ 21॥ ततो रुक्मरथो राजन्नर्केणेव विराजता । वरूथिना विनिष्पत्य व्यचरत्पृतनान्तरे ॥ 22॥ तमुद्यतं रथेनैकमाशुकारिणमाहवे । अनेकमिव सन्त्रासान्मेनिरे पाण्डुसृञ्जयाः ॥ 23॥ तेन मुक्ताः शरा घोरा विचेरुः सर्वतोदिशम् । त्रासयन्तो महाराज पाण्डवेयस्य वाहिनीम् ॥ 24॥ मध्यं दिनमनुप्राप्तो गभस्तिशतसंवृतः । यथादृश्यत घर्मांशुस्तथा द्रोणोऽप्यदृश्यत ॥ 25॥ न चैनं पाण्डवेयानां कश्चिच्छक्नोति मारिष । वीक्षितुं समरे क्रुद्धं महेन्द्रमिव दानवाः ॥ 26॥ मोहयित्वा ततः सैन्यं भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान् । धृष्टद्युम्नबलं तूर्णं व्यधमन्निशितैः शरैः ॥ 27॥ स दिशः सर्वतो रुद्ध्वा संवृत्य खमजिह्मगैः । पार्षतो यत्र तत्रैव ममृदे पाण्डुवाहिनीम् ॥ 28॥	28 (111)
"Sanjaya said, 'After Drona promised the kings under those conditions, your troops, upon hearing about Drona's plan to capture Yudhishthira, let out many fierce roars, mingling them with the sound of their arrows and the blasts of their conchs. However, King Yudhishthira the just soon learned through his spies all the details of Bharadwaja's son's intentions. Gathering all his brothers and other kings of his army, Yudhishthira addressed Dhananjaya, saying, 'You have heard, O greatest of men, what Drona intends. Let's take measures to stop that from happening. It’s true that Drona, the destroyer of enemies, has made his pledge under limitations, but O great archer, the responsibility lies with you. So fight today, O strong one, near me, so that Duryodhana does not get what he desires from Drona.'' "Arjuna said, 'I can never bring myself to harm my teacher, so, king, I will never agree to give you up. O son of Pandu, I would prefer to give my life in battle than fight against my mentor. This son of Dhritarashtra seeks power, having captured you in battle. He will never achieve that wish in this world. Even if the heavens with their stars were to collapse, or the Earth were to break apart, Drona will never capture you while I am alive. Not even if the thunderbolt wielder or Vishnu, the leader of the gods, were to help him in battle, will he succeed in seizing you. As long as I live, O great king, you shouldn’t fear Drona, even though he is the best with weapons. I also say to you, O monarch, that I always keep my promises. I don’t remember ever telling a lie, being defeated, or breaking a vow. "Sanjaya continued, 'Then, O king, the sound of conch shells, drums, cymbals, and smaller drums echoed through the Pandava camp. The noble Pandavas roared like lions. The powerful twang of their bow-strings and the sounds of their slapping hands reached the heavens. Hearing the loud blast of conchs from the mighty sons of Pandu, various instruments played among your ranks as well. Both your troops and the Pandavas organized themselves for battle. Steadily, they moved toward each other, driven by their desire to fight. Thus began a fierce battle, so intense that it raised the hairs on the skin, between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, along with Drona and the Panchalas. The Srinjayas fought valiantly but could not defeat Drona's forces, as he himself protected them. Likewise, the great chariot-warriors of your son, skilled in combat, could not overcome the Pandava forces, shielded as they were by the (Arjuna). Protected by Drona and Arjuna, both armies seemed to stand still like two blossoming forests in the quiet of the night. Then Drona, in his golden chariot, shone like the Sun, charging through the ranks of the Pandavas at will. The Pandavas and the Srinjayas, filled with fear, saw that single, swift warrior as if he were many. Drona's deadly arrows flew in every direction, terrorizing the army of Pandu's son. Indeed, Drona appeared like the noonday Sun, surrounded by a hundred beams of light. Just as the Danavas could not bear to face Indra, none of the Pandavas could meet the fierce glare of Bharadwaja's son in battle. Valiant Drona, bewildering the enemy troops, swiftly began to devastate Dhrishtadyumna's division with his sharp arrows. Covering all directions with his precise shots, he relentlessly attacked the Pandava forces, even where Dhrishtadyumna was.'"