Udyōgaparva Chapter - 15

 

उद्योगपर्व - Udyōgaparva

अध्यायः – 15  ::Chapter-15

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ व्युषितायां रजन्यां तु राजा दुर्योधनस्ततः । व्यभजत्तान्यनीकानि दश चैकं च भारत ॥ 1॥ नरहस्तिरथाश्वानां सारं मध्यं च फल्गु च । सर्वेष्वेतेष्वनीकेषु संदिदेश महीपतिः ॥ 2 सानुकर्षाः सतूणीराः सवरूथाः सतोमराः । सोपासङ्गाः सशक्तीकाः सनिषङ्गाः सपोथिकाः ॥ 3॥ सध्वजाः सपताकाश्च सशरासनतोमराः । रज्जुभिश्च विचित्राभिः सपाशाः सपरिस्तराः ॥ 4॥ सकचग्रहविक्षेपाः सतैलगुडवालुकाः । साशीविषघटाः सर्वे ससर्जरसपांसवः ॥ 5॥ सघण्टाफलकाः सर्वे वासीवृक्षादनान्विताः । व्याघ्रचर्मपरीवारा वृताश्च द्वीपिचर्मभिः ॥ 6॥ सवस्तयः सशृङ्गाश्च सप्रासविविधायुधाः । सकुठाराः सकुद्दालाः सतैलक्षौमसर्पिषः ॥ 7॥ चित्रानीकाः सुवपुषो ज्वलिता इव पावकाः । तथा कवचिनः शूराः शस्त्रेषु कृतनिश्रमाः ॥ 8॥ कुलीना हययोनिज्ञाः सारथ्ये विनिवेशिताः । बद्धारिष्टा बद्धकक्ष्या बद्धध्वजपताकिनः ॥ 9॥ चतुर्युजो रथाः सर्वे सर्वे शस्त्रसमायुताः । संहृष्टवाहनाः सर्वे सर्वे शतशरासनाः ॥ 10॥ धुर्ययोर्हययोरेकस्तथान्यौ पार्ष्णिसारथी । तौ चापि रथिनां श्रेष्ठौ रथी च हयवित्तथा ॥ 11॥ नगराणीव गुप्तानि दुरादेयानि शत्रुभिः । आसन्रथसहस्राणि हेममालीनि सर्वशः ॥ 12॥ यथा रथास्तथा नागा बद्धकक्ष्याः स्वलङ्कृताः । बभूवुः सप्त पुरुषा रत्नवन्त इवाद्रयः ॥ 13॥ द्वावङ्कुशधरौ तेषु द्वावुत्तमधनुर्धरौ । द्वौ वरासिधरौ राजन्नेकः शक्तिपताकधृक् ॥ 14॥ गजैर्मत्तैः समाकीर्णं सवर्मायुधकोशकैः । तद्बभूव बलं राजन्कौरव्यस्य सहस्रशः ॥ 15॥ विचित्रकवचामुक्तैः सपताकैः स्वलङ्कृतैः । सादिभिश्चोपसम्पन्ना आसन्नयुतशो हयाः ॥ 16॥ सुसङ्ग्राहाः सुसन्तोषा हेमभाण्डपरिच्छदाः । अनेकशतसाहस्रास्ते च सादिवशे स्थिताः ॥ 17॥ नानारूपविकाराश्च नानाकवचशस्त्रिणः । पदातिनो नरास्तत्र बभूवुर्हेममालिनः ॥ 18॥ रथस्यासन्दश गजा गजस्य दश वाजिनः । नरा दश हयस्यासन्पादरक्षाः समन्ततः ॥ 19॥ रथस्य नागाः पञ्चाशन्नागस्यासञ्शतं हयाः । हयस्य पुरुषाः सप्त भिन्नसन्धानकारिणः ॥ 20॥ सेना पञ्चशतं नागा रथास्तावन्त एव च । दशसेना च पृतना पृतना दशवाहिनी ॥ 21॥ वाहिनी पृतना सेना ध्वजिनी सादिनी चमूः । अक्षौहिणीति पर्यायैर्निरुक्ताथ वरूथिनी ॥ एवं व्यूढान्यनीकानि कौरवेयेण धीमता ॥ 22 अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च सङ्ख्याताः सप्त चैव ह । अक्षौहिण्यस्तु सप्तैव पाण्डवानामभूद्बलम् ॥ अक्षौहिण्यो दशैका च कौरवाणामभूद्बलम् ॥ 23॥ नराणां पञ्चपञ्चाशदेषा पत्तिर्विधीयते । सेनामुखं च तिस्रस्ता गुल्म इत्यभिसञ्ज्ञितः ॥ 24॥ दश गुल्मा गणस्त्वासीद्गणास्त्वयुतशोऽभवन् । दुर्योधनस्य सेनासु योत्स्यमानाः प्रहारिणः ॥ 25॥ तत्र दुर्योधनो राजा शूरान्बुद्धिमतो नरान् । प्रसमीक्ष्य महाबाहुश्चक्रे सेनापतींस्तदा ॥ 26॥ पृथगक्षौहिणीनां च प्रणेतॄन्नरसत्तमान् । विधिपूर्वं समानीय पार्थिवानभ्यषेचयत् ॥ 27॥ कृपं द्रोणं च शल्यं च सैन्धवं च महारथम् । सुदक्षिणं च काम्बोजं कृतवर्माणमेव च ॥ 28॥ द्रोणपुत्रं च कर्णं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च । शकुनिं सौबलं चैव बाह्लीकं च महारथम् ॥ 29॥ दिवसे दिवसे तेषां प्रतिवेलं च भारत । चक्रे स विविधाः सञ्ज्ञाः प्रत्यक्षं च पुनः पुनः ॥ 30॥ तथा विनियताः सर्वे ये च तेषां पदानुगाः । बभूवुः सैनिका राजन्राज्ञः प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥ 31॥	31 (951)
Vaisampayana said, 'When the night was over, King Duryodhana, O Bharata, organized his eleven divisions of troops. He classified his soldiers, elephants, chariots, and horses into three groups: elite, average, and weak, and assigned them to different parts of his army—placing them at the front, centre, and back of the ranks.'  Equipped with timber and boards for mending their vehicles damaged in battle, with large quivers on the carts, with tiger skins and stiff leather covering the sides of their chariots, with barbed javelins to throw by hand, with quivers carried by horses and elephants, and with long-handled iron spears, missiles, and quivers on the backs of foot soldiers holding heavy wooden clubs. They also had flagpoles with banners, long heavy arrows shot from bows, various snares and lassos, different types of armour, short clubs with pointed ends, and supplies of oil, syrup, and sand. They carried clay pots filled with venomous snakes, crushed lac and other flammable substances, short spears with jingling bells, assorted iron weapons, and machines for launching hot syrup, water, and stones.  Among them were hard wooden clubs that whistled, wax and heavy mallets, clubs with iron spikes, plow handles, poisoned darts, long syringes for dispensing warm syrup, and cane boards, along with battle axes and forked lances with spiked gauntlets, axes, and sharp iron spikes. Their carts were adorned with tiger and leopard skins, equipped with sharp circular wooden shields, horns, javelins, and various offensive weapons, kuthara axes, and spades. They had cloths soaked in oil and clarified butter, while Duryodhana's army shone brightly in gold-embroidered robes and adorned with many jewels, their warrior's beauty shining like fire.  Clad in armour and skilled in combat, noble warriors served as charioteers. Each chariot was equipped with various supplies, alongside horses adorned with bells and jewels, banners and poles, decorations on their structures, along with shields, swords, lances, javelins, and spiked maces. Each chariot was pulled by four top-quality horses, each carrying a hundred bows. There was one driver managing the pair of horses at the front, and two drivers controlling the team on the sides, all trained as fierce fighters. Thousands of these splendidly decorated chariots, well-guarded as if they were strongholds, stood ready all around.  The elephants, too, were adorned with bells and jewels, and each carried seven warriors on their backs. With such lavish adornments, they resembled mountains studded with gems. Among the warriors, two wielded hooks, two were skilled archers, two were exceptional swordsmen, and one, O king, was armed with a lance and a trident. The mighty army of the noble Kuru king was filled with countless fierce elephants, loaded with weapons and quivers of arrows. Additionally, there were thousands of horses ridden by courageous soldiers dressed in armour, adorned with ornaments, and flying flags. Countless horses stood ready, all free from the habit of scraping the ground with their front hooves.  They were all well-trained, adorned with gold ornaments, and highly obedient to their riders. The foot-soldiers numbered in the hundreds of thousands, each diverse in appearance and clad in various types of armor, equipped with different weapons, and also adorned with gold. Each chariot had ten elephants, each elephant had ten horses, and each horse was accompanied by ten foot-soldiers for protection. Furthermore, a large reserve of troops was maintained to reinforce any broken ranks. This reserve included chariots, each paired with fifty elephants; each elephant had one hundred horses, and each horse had seven foot-soldiers. A group consisting of five hundred chariots, five hundred elephants, fifteen hundred horses, and twenty-five hundred foot-soldiers made a Sena. Ten Senas formed a Pritana, and ten Pritanas made a Vahini. However, in common language, terms like Sena, Vahini, Pritana, Dhwajini, Chamu, Akshauhini, and Varuthini are often used interchangeably.  This is how the clever Kaurava organized his army. Altogether, there were eighteen divisions of troops, known as Akshauhinis. The Pandavas had seven Akshauhinis, while the Kauravas had ten plus one extra. Each Patti consists of two hundred and fifty men, and three Pattis form a Senamukha or Gulma. Three Gulmas create a Gana. Duryodhana's army was filled with thousands of such Ganas, made up of fierce warriors eager for battle. The strong-armed King Duryodhana carefully chose brave and wise leaders from these warriors to command his forces. Each of these top generals—Kripa, Drona, Salya, Jayadratha, the Sindhu king, Sudakshina from the Kamvojas, Kritavarman, Drona's son Aswatthaman, Karna, Bhurisravas, Shakuni, Suvala's son, and the powerful Bahlika—was assigned a full Akshauhini to lead. Duryodhana would summon them to his presence often, speaking with them and honoring them right before his eyes. With this support, all the warriors and their followers were motivated to do what most pleased the king.'"
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततः शान्तनवं भीष्मं प्राञ्जलिर्धृतराष्ट्रजः । सह सर्वैर्महीपालैरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 1 ऋते सेनाप्रणेतारं पृतना सुमहत्यपि । दीर्यते युद्धमासाद्य पिपीलिकपुटं यथा ॥ 2॥ न हि जातु द्वयोर्बुद्धिः समा भवति कर्हिचित् । शौर्यं च नाम नेतॄणां स्पर्धते च परस्परम् ॥ 3॥ श्रूयते च महाप्राज्ञ हैहयानमितौजसः । अभ्ययुर्ब्राह्मणाः सर्वे समुच्छ्रितकुशध्वजाः ॥ 4॥ तानन्वयुस्तदा वैश्याः शूद्राश्चैव पितामह । एकतस्तु त्रयो वर्णा एकतः क्षत्रियर्षभाः ॥ 5॥ ते स्म युद्धेष्वभज्यन्त त्रयो वर्णाः पुनः पुनः । क्षत्रियास्तु जयन्त्येव बहुलं चैकतो बलम् ॥ 6 ततस्ते क्षत्रियानेव पप्रच्छुर्द्विजसत्तमाः । तेभ्यः शशंसुर्धर्मज्ञा याथातथ्यं पितामह ॥ 7॥ वयमेकस्य शृणुमो महाबुद्धिमतो रणे । भवन्तस्तु पृथक्सर्वे स्वबुद्धिवशवर्तिनः ॥ 8॥ ततस्ते ब्राह्मणाश्चक्रुरेकं सेनापतिं द्विजम् । नयेषु कुशलं शूरमजयन्क्षत्रियांस्ततः ॥ 9॥ एवं ये कुशलं शूरं हिते स्थितमकल्मषम् । सेनापतिं प्रकुर्वन्ति ते जयन्ति रणे रिपून् ॥ 10॥ भवानुशनसा तुल्यो हितैषी च सदा मम । असंहार्यः स्थितो धर्मे स नः सेनापतिर्भव ॥ 11॥ रश्मीवतामिवादित्यो वीरुधामिव चन्द्रमाः । कुबेर इव यक्षाणां मरुतामिव वासवः ॥ 12॥ पर्वतानां यथा मेरुः सुपर्णः पततामिव । कुमार इव भूतानां वसूनामिव हव्यवाट् ॥ 13॥ भवता हि वयं गुप्ताः शक्रेणेव दिवौकसः । अनाधृष्या भविष्यामस्त्रिदशानामपि ध्रुवम् ॥ 14॥ प्रयातु नो भवानग्रे देवानामिव पावकिः । वयं त्वामनुयास्यामः सौरभेया इवर्षभम् ॥ 15॥ भीष्म उवाच॥ एवमेतन्महाबाहो यथा वदसि भारत । यथैव हि भवन्तो मे तथैव मम पाण्डवाः ॥ 16॥ अपि चैव मय श्रेयो वाच्यं तेषां नराधिप । योद्धव्यं तु तवार्थाय यथा स समयः कृतः ॥ 17॥ न तु पश्यामि योद्धारमात्मनः सदृशं भुवि । ऋते तस्मान्नरव्याघ्रात्कुन्तीपुत्राद्धनञ्जयात् ॥ 18॥ स हि वेद महाबाहुर्दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि सर्वशः । न तु मां विवृतो युद्धे जातु युध्येत पाण्डवः ॥ 19॥ अहं स च क्षणेनैव निर्मनुष्यमिदं जगत् । कुर्यां शस्त्रबलेनैव ससुरासुरराक्षसम् ॥ 20॥ न त्वेवोत्सादनीया मे पाण्डोः पुत्रा नराधिप । तस्माद्योधान्हनिष्यामि प्रयोगेणायुतं सदा ॥ 21॥ एवमेषां करिष्यामि निधनं कुरुनन्दन । न चेत्ते मां हनिष्यन्ति पूर्वमेव समागमे ॥ 22॥ सेनापतिस्त्वहं राजन्समयेनापरेण ते । भविष्यामि यथाकामं तन्मे श्रोतुमिहार्हसि ॥ 23॥ कर्णो वा युध्यतां पूर्वमहं वा पृथिवीपते । स्पर्धते हि सदात्यर्थं सूतपुत्रो मया रणे ॥ 24॥ कर्ण उवाच॥ नाहं जीवति गाङ्गेये योत्स्ये राजन्कथञ्चन । हते भीष्मे तु योत्स्यामि सह गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥ 25॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततः सेनापतिं चक्रे विधिवद्भूरिदक्षिणम् । धृतराष्ट्रात्मजो भीष्मं सोऽभिषिक्तो व्यरोचत ॥ 26॥ ततो भेरीश्च शङ्खांश्च शतशश्चैव पुष्करान् । वादयामासुरव्यग्राः पुरुषा राजशासनात् ॥ 27॥ सिंहनादाश्च विविधा वाहनानां च निस्वनाः । प्रादुरासन्ननभ्रे च वर्षं रुधिरकर्दमम् ॥ 28॥ निर्घाताः पृथिवीकम्पा गजबृंहितनिस्वनाः । आसंश्च सर्वयोधानां पातयन्तो मनांस्युत ॥ 29॥ वाचश्चाप्यशरीरिण्यो दिवश्चोल्काः प्रपेदिरे । शिवाश्च भयवेदिन्यो नेदुर्दीप्तस्वरा भृशम् ॥ 30॥ सेनापत्ये यदा राजा गाङ्गेयमभिषिक्तवान् । तदैतान्युग्ररूपाणि अभवञ्शतशो नृप ॥ 31॥ ततः सेनापतिं कृत्वा भीष्मं परबलार्दनम् । वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्निष्कैर्गोभिश्च भूरिशः ॥ 32॥ वर्धमानो जयाशीर्भिर्निर्ययौ सैनिकैर्वृतः । आपगेयं पुरस्कृत्य भ्रातृभिः सहितस्तदा ॥ स्कन्धावारेण महता कुरुक्षेत्रं जगाम ह ॥ 33॥ परिक्रम्य कुरुक्षेत्रं कर्णेन सह कौरवः । शिबिरं मापयामास समे देशे नराधिपः ॥ 34॥ मधुरानूषरे देशे प्रभूतयवसेन्धने । यथैव हास्तिनपुरं तद्वच्छिबिरमाबभौ ॥ 35॥	35 (986)
Vaisampayana said, Dhritarashtra's son, along with all the kings, approached Bhishma, son of Santanu, and with his hands together spoke these words, 'Without a leader, even a powerful army can be defeated in battle like a swarm of ants. The opinions of two people can never align. Different leaders often envy each other's strengths. O wise one, we have heard that once, the Brahmanas, raising a banner of Kusa grass, faced off against the Kshatriyas of the Haihaya clan, who were extremely strong. O grandfather, the Vaisyas and Sudras rallied to support the Brahmanas, so all three groups stood together while those strong Kshatriyas stood alone.  However, in the battles that followed, the three groups repeatedly faltered, while the Kshatriyas, though outnumbered, triumphed over the opposing army. The finest of the Brahmanas asked the Kshatriyas for the reason behind this. O grandfather, those virtuous Kshatriyas honestly responded, saying, 'In battle, we follow the orders of one leader who is wise, while you are divided and follow your individual judgments.' Therefore, the Brahmanas chose one among them as their commander—someone brave and skilled in strategy. With this unity, they were able to defeat the Kshatriyas. Thus, those who appoint a talented, courageous, and righteous leader always conquer their enemies in battle, looking out for the well-being of their forces.'  As for you, you stand equal to Usanas himself and always strive for my well-being. Immortal and devoted to righteousness, let us make you our leader. Like the sun among stars, the moon among delights, Kubera among the Yakshas, Vasava among the gods, Meru among mountains, Suparna among birds, Kumara among deities, and Havyavaha among the Vasus, you are among us. With the protection of the gods, who are safeguarded by Sakra, we will surely become invincible. March at our forefront like Kumara leading the gods, and we shall follow you just as calves follow a powerful bull.  Bhishma replied, 'O mighty one, you speak true, O Bharata. However, the Pandavas are as treasured to me as you are. Thus, while I pledge my allegiance to you in battle, I will also seek to aid them. I see no warrior who matches me, except for the brave Dhananjaya, son of Kunti. He is wise and skilled with countless celestial weapons, yet he will not confront me openly. I possess such power that I could annihilate the cosmos filled with gods, Asuras, Rakshasas, and men. However, O king, the Pandavas are not ones I can easily defeat. Therefore, I will vanquish ten thousand warriors every day, unless they manage to kill me first.  There is another way I might consent to lead your forces; I need you to hear this. O ruler of the land, either Karna should fight first, or I will take the lead. The son of the charioteer constantly brags about his battle skills, claiming to measure up to mine.''  " Karna said, 'As long as Ganga's son is alive, O king, I will not fight. Once Bhishma is defeated, I will take on the wielder of Gandiva.'  Vaisampayana continued, 'After this, Dhritarashtra's son appointed Bhishma as the commander of his forces, giving out many generous gifts. Once installed in command, Bhishma radiated with strength. At the king’s request, musicians joyfully played drums and blew conch shells by the hundreds and thousands. Numerous mighty roars echoed and all the animals in the camp joined in their cries. Despite the clear sky, a bloody shower fell, muddying the ground. Fierce whirlwinds, earthquakes, and the trumpeting of elephants struck fear in the hearts of all warriors. Eerie voices and flashes of meteor-like light were seen and heard in the sky, while howling jackals predicted calamity.  O monarch, these and many other terrifying omens appeared when the king appointed Ganga's son as the commander of his troops. After making Bhishma—the destroyer of enemy forces—his general and offering generous gifts of cattle and gold to the Brahmanas for blessings, Bhishma was glorified and surrounded by his warriors. With Ganga's son at the forefront and accompanied by his brothers, Duryodhana marched to Kurukshetra with his great army. The Kuru king, along with Karna, set up camp on a level area of that plain, in a delightful and fertile spot filled with grass and firewood, shining like Hastinapura itself.'

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  उद्योगपर्वणि पञ्चदशोऽध्यायः॥

 

Udyōgaparva Chapter- 14

Udyōgaparva Chapter- 16