Vanaparva - Chapter-11

 

वनपर्व - Vanaparva

अध्यायः – 11  ::Chapter-11

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ धृतराष्ट्रं ततः सर्वे ददृशुर्जनमेजय । पृष्ट्वा सुखमथो राज्ञः पृष्ट्वा राज्ञा च भारत ॥ 1॥ ततस्तैर्विहितः पूर्वं समङ्गो नाम बल्लवः । समीपस्थास्तदा गावो धृतराष्ट्रे न्यवेदयत् ॥ 2॥ अनन्तरं च राधेयः शकुनिश्च विशां पते । आहतुः पार्थिवश्रेष्ठं धृतराष्ट्रं जनाधिपम् ॥ 3॥ रमणीयेषु देशेषु घोषाः सम्प्रति कौरव । स्मारणासमयः प्राप्तो वत्सानामपि चाङ्कनम् ॥ 4॥ मृगया चोचिता राजन्नस्मिन्काले सुतस्य ते । दुर्योधनस्य गमनं त्वमनुज्ञातुमर्हसि ॥ 5॥ धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥ मृगया शोभना तात गवां च समवेक्षणम् । विश्रम्भस्तु न गन्तव्यो बल्लवानामिति स्मरे ॥ 6॥ ते तु तत्र नरव्याघ्राः समीप इति नः श्रुतम् । अतो नाभ्यनुजानामि गमनं तत्र वः स्वयम् ॥ 7॥ छद्मना निर्जितास्ते हि कर्शिताश्च महावने । तपोनित्याश्च राधेय समर्थाश्च महारथाः ॥ 8॥ धर्मराजो न सङ्क्रुध्येद्भीमसेनस्त्वमर्षणः । यज्ञसेनस्य दुहिता तेज एव तु केवलम् ॥ 9॥ यूयं चाप्यपराध्येयुर्दर्पमोहसमन्विताः । ततो विनिर्दहेयुस्ते तपसा हि समन्विताः ॥ 10॥ अथ वा सायुधा वीरा मन्युनाभिपरिप्लुताः । सहिता बद्धनिस्त्रिंशा दहेयुः शस्त्रतेजसा ॥ 11॥ अथ यूयं बहुत्वात्तानारभध्वं कथञ्चन । अनार्यं परमं तत्स्यादशक्यं तच्च मे मतम् ॥ 12॥ अथ वा मद्वचः श्रुत्वा तत्र यत्ता भविष्यथ । उद्विग्नवासो विश्रम्भाद्दुःखं तत्र भविष्यति ॥ 13॥ अथ वा सैनिकाः केचिदपकुर्युर्युधिष्ठिरे । तदबुद्धिकृतं कर्म दोषमुत्पादयेच्च वः ॥ 14॥ तस्माद्गच्छन्तु पुरुषाः स्मारणायाप्तकारिणः । न स्वयं तत्र गमनं रोचये तव भारत ॥ 15॥ शकुनिरुवाच॥ धर्मज्ञः पाण्डवो ज्येष्ठः प्रतिज्ञातं च संसदि । तेन द्वादश वर्षाणि वस्तव्यानीति भारत ॥ 16॥ अनुवृत्ताश्च ते सर्वे पाण्डवा धर्मचारिणः । युधिष्ठिरश्च कौन्तेयो न नः कोपं करिष्यति ॥ 17॥ मृगयां चैव नो गन्तुमिच्छा संवर्धते भृशम् । स्मारणं च चिकीर्षामो न तु पाण्डवदर्शनम् ॥ 18॥ न चानार्यसमाचारः कश्चित्तत्र भविष्यति । न च तत्र गमिष्यामो यत्र तेषां प्रतिश्रयः ॥ 19॥ वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ एवमुक्तः शकुनिना धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः । दुर्योधनं सहामात्यमनुजज्ञे न कामतः ॥ 20॥ अनुज्ञातस्तु गान्धारिः कर्णेन सहितस्तदा । निर्ययौ भरतश्रेष्ठो बलेन महता वृतः ॥ 21॥ दुःशासनेन च तथा सौबलेन च देविना । संवृतो भ्रातृभिश्चान्यैः स्त्रीभिश्चापि सहस्रशः ॥ 22॥ तं निर्यान्तं महाबाहुं द्रष्टुं द्वैतवनं सरः । पौराश्चानुययुः सर्वे सहदारा वनं च तत् ॥ 23॥ अष्टौ रथसहस्राणि त्रीणि नागायुतानि च । पत्तयो बहुसाहस्रा हयाश्च नवतिः शताः ॥ 24॥ शकटापणवेश्याश्च वणिजो बन्दिनस्तथा । नराश्च मृगयाशीलाः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ 25॥ ततः प्रयाणे नृपतेः सुमहानभवत्स्वनः । प्रावृषीव महावायोरुद्धतस्य विशां पते ॥ 26॥	26 (667)
Vaisampayana said, "They all saw King Dhritarashtra, O Janamejaya, and after greeting him, they asked how he was doing, and he returned the favour. Then a cowherd named Samanga, who had been instructed earlier by them, approached the king and spoke about the cattle. The son of Radha and Shakuni, O king, addressed Dhritarashtra, the foremost of monarchs, saying, 'O Kaurava, our cattle stations are now in a pleasant area. It's time to count the cattle and mark the calves. Also, O king, this is a great season for your son to go hunting! Therefore, you should allow Duryodhana to go there.'  Dhritarashtra replied, 'Hunting deer and checking the cattle is indeed appropriate, O child! However, I believe the herdsmen are not to be trusted. We have heard that the fearsome Pandavas are living near those cattle stations. Hence, you should not go there yourself! Having been defeated through deception, they are now suffering in the deep forest. O Radheya (Karna), they are powerful warriors and are committed to austerities. King Yudhishthira will keep his anger in check, but Bhimasena is naturally fierce. Draupadi is a force in herself. You, full of pride and folly, are likely to provoke them. She has great ascetic power and could very well harm you, or perhaps those heroes with their weapons! Even if you think you can overpower them through sheer numbers, that would be a grave mistake, and I doubt you would succeed."  If you follow my advice and go there cautiously, you will struggle to find happiness due to the constant worry you’ll have from lack of trust. Additionally, one of your soldiers might accidentally harm Yudhishthira, and you’ll be blamed for it. So, send some loyal men to handle the matter. I don’t believe it’s wise for you, Bharata, to go there yourself. Shakuni remarked, 'The eldest son of Pandu understands what is right. He promised in front of everyone that he would live in the forest for twelve years. The other Pandu sons are all virtuous and respect Yudhishthira. Yudhishthira, son of Kunti, will never be upset with us. We are eager to go hunting and will use that chance to watch over our cattle. We have no interest in seeing the sons of Pandu and will stay away from their residence to avoid any wrongdoing.'  Vaisampayana continued, "After being addressed by Shakuni, Dhritarashtra, the king, reluctantly gave permission for Duryodhana and his advisors to proceed to the place. With the king's consent, the Bharata prince, born of Gandhari, set off along with Karna and a large entourage. He was also joined by Dussasana, Shakuni, many of his brothers, and thousands of women. As the strong prince ventured toward the lake known as Dwaitavana, the citizens, alongside their wives, began to follow him into the forest. His procession included eight thousand chariots, thirty thousand elephants, nine thousand horses, countless infantry, and many traders, bards, and hunters. As the king led this vast gathering, the noise created was like the roaring winds in the rainy season."
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ अथ दुर्योधनो राजा तत्र तत्र वने वसन् । जगाम घोषानभितस्तत्र चक्रे निवेशनम् ॥ 1॥ रमणीये समाज्ञाते सोदके समहीरुहे । देशे सर्वगुणोपेते चक्रुरावसथं नराः ॥ 2॥ तथैव तत्समीपस्थान्पृथगावसथान्बहून् । कर्णस्य शकुनेश्चैव भ्रातॄणां चैव सर्वशः ॥ 3॥ ददर्श स तदा गावः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । अङ्कैर्लक्षैश्च ताः सर्वा लक्षयामास पार्थिवः ॥ 4॥ अङ्कयामास वत्सांश्च जज्ञे चोपसृतास्त्वपि । बालवत्साश्च या गावः कालयामास ता अपि ॥ 5 अथ स स्मारणं कृत्वा लक्षयित्वा त्रिहायनान् । वृतो गोपालकैः प्रीतो व्यहरत्कुरुनन्दनः ॥ 6॥ स च पौरजनः सर्वः सैनिकाश्च सहस्रशः । यथोपजोषं चिक्रीडुर्वने तस्मिन्यथामराः ॥ 7॥ ततो गोपाः प्रगातारः कुशला नृत्तवादिते । धार्तराष्ट्रमुपातिष्ठन्कन्याश्चैव स्वलङ्कृताः ॥ 8॥ स स्त्रीगणवृतो राजा प्रहृष्टः प्रददौ वसु । तेभ्यो यथार्हमन्नानि पानानि विविधानि च ॥ 9॥ ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे तरक्षून्महिषान्मृगान् । गवयर्क्षवराहांश्च समन्तात्पर्यकालयन् ॥ 10॥ स ताञ्शरैर्विनिर्भिन्दन्गजान्बध्नन्महावने । रमणीयेषु देशेषु ग्राहयामास वै मृगान् ॥ 11॥ गोरसानुपयुञ्जान उपभोगांश्च भारत । पश्यन्सुरमणीयानि पुष्पितानि वनानि च ॥ 12॥ मत्तभ्रमरजुष्टानि बर्हिणाभिरुतानि च । अगच्छदानुपूर्व्येण पुण्यं द्वैतवनं सरः ॥ 13॥ ऋद्ध्या परमया युक्तो महेन्द्र इव वज्रभृत् यदृच्छया च तदहो धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 14॥ ईजे राजर्षियज्ञेन सद्यस्केन विशां पते ॥ दिव्येन विधिना राजा वन्येन कुरुसत्तमः ॥ 15॥ कृत्वा निवेशमभितः सरसस्तस्य कौरवः । द्रौपद्या सहितो धीमान्धर्मपत्न्या नराधिपः ॥ 16॥ ततो दुर्योधनः प्रेष्यानादिदेश सहानुजः । आक्रीडावसथाः क्षिप्रं क्रियन्तामिति भारत ॥ 17॥ ते तथेत्येव कौरव्यमुक्त्वा वचनकारिणः । चिकीर्षन्तस्तदाक्रीडाञ्जग्मुर्द्वैतवनं सरः ॥ 18॥ सेनाग्रं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य प्राप्तं द्वैतवनं सरः । प्रविशन्तं वनद्वारि गन्धर्वाः समवारयन् ॥ 19॥ तत्र गन्धर्वराजो वै पूर्वमेव विशां पते । कुबेरभवनाद्राजन्नाजगाम गणावृतः ॥ 20॥ गणैरप्सरसां चैव त्रिदशानां तथात्मजैः । विहारशीलः क्रीडार्थं तेन तत्संवृतं सरः ॥ 21॥ तेन तत्संवृतं दृष्ट्वा ते राजपरिचारकाः । प्रतिजग्मुस्ततो राजन्यत्र दुर्योधनो नृपः ॥ 22॥ स तु तेषां वचः श्रुत्वा सैनिकान्युद्धदुर्मदान् । प्रेषयामास कौरव्य उत्सारयत तानिति ॥ 23॥ तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा राज्ञः सेनाग्रयायिनः । सरो द्वैतवनं गत्वा गन्धर्वानिदमब्रुवन् ॥ 24॥ राजा दुर्योधनो नाम धृतराष्ट्रसुतो बली । विजिहीर्षुरिहायाति तदर्थमपसर्पत ॥ 25॥ एवमुक्तास्तु गन्धर्वाः प्रहसन्तो विशां पते । प्रत्यब्रुवंस्तान्पुरुषानिदं सुपरुषं वचः ॥ 26॥ न चेतयति वो राजा मन्दबुद्धिः सुयोधनः । योऽस्मानाज्ञापयत्येवं वश्यानिव दिवौकसः ॥ 27॥ यूयं मुमूर्षवश्चापि मन्दप्रज्ञा न संशयः । ये तस्य वचनादेवमस्मान्ब्रूत विचेतसः ॥ 28॥ गच्छत त्वरिताः सर्वे यत्र राजा स कौरवः । द्वेष्यं माद्यैव गच्छध्वं धर्मराजनिवेशनम् ॥ 29॥ एवमुक्तास्तु गन्धर्वै राज्ञः सेनाग्रयायिनः । सम्प्राद्रवन्यतो राजा धृतराष्ट्रसुतोऽभवत् ॥ 30॥	30 (697)
Vaisampayana said, "King Duryodhana traveled from forest to forest until he finally reached the cattle pastures, where he set up camp for his troops. His attendants found a lovely spot filled with water and trees, perfect for building his quarters. They also built separate homes nearby for Kama, Shakuni, and the king's brothers. The king admired his cattle, numbering in the hundreds and thousands, carefully inspecting their features and counting them. He marked the calves and took note of those needing training, as well as counted the cows whose calves were still nursing.  Once he finished the counting and marking of all the three-year-old calves, the Kuru prince, surrounded by cowherds, began to enjoy himself and roam happily. Citizens and soldiers, also in great numbers, reveled in the woods as if they were heavenly beings. Skilled herdsmen sang, danced, and played music while young women, adorned with jewels, entertained Dhritarashtra's son. The king, amidst the royal ladies, joyfully shared wealth, food, and drinks of all sorts with those who sought to please him, catering to their wishes."  "The king, accompanied by all his followers, began to hunt hyenas, buffaloes, deer, gayals, bears, and boars in the surrounding area. With his arrows, he struck down thousands of animals deep in the forest, successfully capturing deer in the most delightful parts of the woods. As he drank milk and savored various delicious foods while witnessing beautiful forests filled with honey-drunk bees and the sounds of peacocks, the king finally arrived at the sacred lake of Dwaitavana.  This spot buzzed with bees intoxicated by flowers and echoed with the sweet songs of the blue-throated jay, cloaked in the shade of Saptacchadas, punnagas, and Vakulas. Glorious and prosperous, the king advanced like a thunderous celestial ruler. King Yudhishthira, known for his fairness and wisdom, was residing near the lake with his wife, the daughter of Drupada, performing the daily Rajarshi sacrifice according to celestial traditions meant for those living in the wilderness. Upon reaching this place, Duryodhana commanded his thousands of men, saying, 'Let’s build pleasure houses quickly.'  Following the king's orders, his loyal subjects responded to the Kruru leader with 'So be it' and made their way to the lake to build pleasure houses. However, as the elite warriors of Dhritarashtra's son reached the lakeside and were about to enter the woods, a group of Gandharvas appeared and stopped them. O king, the king of the Gandharvas, along with his followers, had already arrived from Kubera's realm. He was also accompanied by various Apsaras and celestial sons, all gathered for fun and had claimed the area, sealing it off from others. Finding the lake barred by the Gandharvas, the attendants returned to where the royal Duryodhana awaited.  Upon hearing their account, Duryodhana sent a number of his fierce warriors with orders to drive away the Gandharvas. The vanguard of the Kuru army returned to Dwaitavana and, addressing the Gandharvas, declared, 'Mighty King Duryodhana, the son of Dhritarashtra, comes for enjoyment. Step aside!' The Gandharvas, laughing at this, replied with harsh words: 'Your foolish king Duryodhana must lack sense. How dare he command us, dwellers of heaven, as if we were his servants? You are fools, and surely courting death for bringing this message! Return to King Duryodhana now, or today you'll meet Yama, the god of death.' With that, the vanguard hurried back to where Duryodhana was.."
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥ ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे दुर्योधनमुपागमन् । अब्रुवंश्च महाराज यदूचुः कौरवं प्रति ॥ 1॥ गन्धर्वैर्वारिते सैन्ये धार्तराष्ट्रः प्रतापवान् । अमर्षपूर्णः सैन्यानि प्रत्यभाषत भारत ॥ 2॥ शासतैनानधर्मज्ञान्मम विप्रियकारिणः । यदि प्रक्रीडितो देवैः सर्वैः सह शतक्रतुः ॥ 3॥ दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा धार्तराष्ट्रा महाबलाः । सर्व एवाभिसंनद्धा योधाश्चापि सहस्रशः ॥ 4॥ ततः प्रमथ्य गन्धर्वांस्तद्वनं विविशुर्बलात् । सिंहनादेन महता पूरयन्तो दिशो दश ॥ 5॥ ततोऽपरैरवार्यन्त गन्धर्वैः कुरुसैनिकाः । ते वार्यमाणा गन्धर्वैः साम्नैव वसुधाधिप ॥ 6 ताननादृत्य गन्धर्वांस्तद्वनं विविशुर्महत् ॥ ॥ यदा वाचा न तिष्ठन्ति धार्तराष्ट्राः सराजकाः ।7 ततस्ते खेचराः सर्वे चित्रसेने न्यवेदयन् ॥ ॥ गन्धर्वराजस्तान्सर्वानब्रवीत्कौरवान्प्रति ।8 अनार्याञ्शासतेत्येवं चित्रसेनोऽत्यमर्षणः ॥ ॥ अनुज्ञातास्तु गन्धर्वाश्चित्रसेनेन भारत ।9 प्रगृहीतायुधाः सर्वे धार्तराष्ट्रानभिद्रवन् ॥ ॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा पततः शीघ्रान्गन्धर्वानुद्यतायुधान् ।10 सर्वे ते प्राद्रवन्सङ्ख्ये धार्तराष्ट्रस्य पश्यतः ॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा द्रवतः सर्वान्धार्तराष्ट्रान्पराङ्मुखान् ।11 वैकर्तनस्तदा वीरो नासीत्तत्र पराङ्मुखः ॥ आपतन्तीं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य गन्धर्वाणां महाचमूम् ।12 महता शरवर्षेण राधेयः प्रत्यवारयत् ॥ क्षुरप्रैर्विशिखैर्भल्लैर्वत्सदन्तैस्तथायसैः ।13 गन्धर्वाञ्शतशोऽभ्यघ्नँल्लघुत्वात्सूतनन्दनः ॥ अथ दुर्योधनो राजा शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । 14 दुःशासनो विकर्णश्च ये चान्ये धृतराष्ट्रजाः ॥ न्यहनंस्तत्तदा सैन्यं रथैर्गरुडनिस्वनैः ॥ 15॥ भूयश्च योधयामासुः कृत्वा कर्णमथाग्रतः । महता रथघोषेण हयचारेण चाप्युत ॥ वैकर्तनं परीप्सन्तो गन्धर्वान्समवारयन् ॥ 16॥ गन्धर्वांस्त्रासितान्दृष्ट्वा चित्रसेनोऽत्यमर्षणः । उत्पपातासनात्क्रुद्धो वधे तेषां समाहितः ॥ 17॥ ततो मायास्त्रमास्थाय युयुधे चित्रमार्गवित् । तयामुह्यन्त कौरव्याश्चित्रसेनस्य मायया ॥ 18॥ ततः सम्पीड्यमानास्ते बलेन महता तदा । प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीता यत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरः ॥ 19॥ भज्यमानेष्वनीकेषु धार्तराष्ट्रेषु सर्वशः । कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजंस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः ॥ 20॥ दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । गन्धर्वान्योधयां चक्रुः समरे भृशविक्षताः ॥ 21॥ सर्व एव तु गन्धर्वाः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः । जिघांसमानाः सहिताः कर्णमभ्यद्रवन्रणे ॥ 22॥ असिभिः पट्टिशैः शूलैर्गदाभिश्च महाबलाः । सूतपुत्रं जिघांसन्तः समन्तात्पर्यवारयन् ॥ 23॥ ततो रथादवप्लुत्य सूतपुत्रोऽसिचर्मभृत् । विकर्णरथमास्थाय मोक्षायाश्वानचोदयत् ॥ 24॥	24 (721)
Vaisampayana said, "The soldiers returned to Duryodhana and relayed everything the Gandharvas had said. O Bharata, seeing his men challenged by the Gandharvas, Dhritarashtra's son became furious. The king told his soldiers, 'Punish these fools who dare to defy my orders, even if they came here for fun along with the celestial beings from a hundred sacrifices.' Hearing Duryodhana's command, Dhritarashtra's sons and commanders, all strong warriors, began to prepare for battle.  With fierce roars echoing in all directions, they charged at the Gandharvas guarding the gates and entered the forest. As the Kuru soldiers pushed into the forest, more Gandharvas appeared and tried to stop them. Despite the gentle warnings from the Gandharvas, the Kuru soldiers paid no heed and pressed on into the vast forest. When the sky rangers realized that they couldn't dissuade Dhritarashtra's warriors with words, they went to their king Chitrasena and reported everything to him."  When Chitrasena, the king of the Gandharvas, learned of the situation, he was filled with rage against the Kuru and commanded his followers, saying, 'Punish these scoundrels!' Hearing this, the Gandharvas quickly armed themselves and charged towards the ranks of Dhritarashtra. Upon seeing the Gandharvas barrelling toward them with weapons drawn, the Kuru warriors scattered in all directions at the sight of Duryodhana. But the brave Radheya did not flee like the others. Instead, faced with the powerful Gandharva forces, he held them back with a relentless barrage of arrows. With his exceptional skill, the son of the Suta struck down hundreds of Gandharvas with sharp arrows, lethal weapons, and various tools made from bone and steel. Then, led by Karna, king Duryodhana, Shakuni, Dussasana, Vikarna, and other sons of Dhritarashtra, took to their chariots, whose wheels created a noise like the roar of Garuda, and charged back into battle, determined to defeat the enemy.  As the Gandharva army began to panic, the furious Chitrasena leaped from his seat, determined to annihilate the Kuru forces. Well-versed in various combat strategies, he engaged in battle, supported by his magical weapons. The Kaurava warriors were soon left bewildered by Chitrasena's illusions. It appeared, O Bharata, that every Kuru fighter was besieged by ten Gandharvas. Fiercely attacked, the Kuru troops were stricken with fear. O king, those who valued their lives fled the battlefield.  Yet, as the entire army of Dhritarashtra retreated, Karna, the son of the Sun, stood firm and unyielding like a mountain. Indeed, Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni continued to fight against the Gandharvas, even though each of them was wounded and battered. The Gandharvas, eager to kill Karna, advanced in droves toward him. These powerful warriors surrounded him with swords, axes, and spears. While his chariot was under attack, Karna jumped down with sword and shield in hand, climbed onto Vikarna's chariot, and urged the horses to escape.

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  वनपर्वणि एकादशोऽध्यायः॥

 

Vanaparva Chapter- 10

Vanaparva Chapter- 12