द्रोणाभिषेक पर्व — धृतराष्ट्रको विलाप

Dhritarashtra said Hear, O Sanjaya, of the celestial feats of the son of Vasudeva,-feats which Govinda achieved and which no other person.

While he was being reared in the family of the cowherds, the illustrious one, even in his early years, made the might of his arms, O Sanjaya, known to the three worlds.

(Even then) he slew the Asura Hayaraja (prince of steeds) who was equal to the Uchchaishravas in might and the wind itself in fleetness and who infested the woods on the shores of the Yamuna.

In his early years, he killed with his two arms only, the Danava in the form of a bull, of terrible deeds and born as Death himself to the COWS.

He of eyes resembling lotus petals, also slew the great Asuras, named, Pralamba, Naraka, Jamva, Peeta, as also, Mura of godlike nature.

Also Kansa of great vigour who was protected by Jarasandha himself, was slain with his followers, in battle, by Krishna with his prowess alone.

The mighty sovereign of the Shurasenas, by name Sunamana, of great prowess in battle, the master of a complete Akshauhini, endued with activity and the second brother of Kansa the ruler of the Bhojas, with all his soldiers, was consumed in battle by that slayer of enemies, viz., Krishna with Baladeva as his second.

That highly passionate Brahmanical sage, by name Durvasa, was adored by him (Krishna) along with his wives. The sage (pleased with him) accorded boons to him.

That one eyes resembling lotus petals, that most puissant hero, (Krishna), carried away the daughter of the king of the Gandharas, after having defeated, at a Svayamvara (Self-choice) all the rulers of the earth. Like horses, those exasperated kings were harnessed to his bridal chariot and lacerated with the cut of his whip.

That Janardana, through the instrumentality of another, slew Jarasandha of mighty arms, the lord of a complete Akshauhini.

That puissant one, slaughtered, like a beast, the king of the Chedis, that powerful leader of kingly hosts, when the latter disputed with him about the (sacrificial) Arghya.

Madhava, by his prowess, hurled into the bosomn of the sea, the fortress of the Danavas known as Soubha, situated in heaven, protected by Shalva and considered to be invulnerable.

He obtained victory in battle over the Angas, the Bangas, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, the Kasis, the Koshalas, the Vatsyas, the Gargas, the Karushas and the Poundras,

Avantyas, the Southerners, the Mountaineers, the Daserakas, the Kashmirakas, the Auroshikas, the Pishachas, the Samudgalas, the Kambojas, the Vatadhanas, the Cholas, the Pandavas and, O Sanjaya, the Trigarttas, the Malavas, the Daradas incapable of being defeated. The Khasas and the Shakas, comform various directions and the Yavanas with their followers, that one of eyes resembling the petals of a blue lotus, conquered all these tribes in battle.

In days gone by, entering into the abode of the sea-monster Makara, he defeated in battle Varuna, surrounded by all kinds of sea-animals and hidden underneath watery depths.

Hrishikesha obtained the celestial conch called Panchajanya, after having slain in battle Panchajana, who lived in the nether regions.

That puissant hero, obtained his indomitable weapon of fire, the discus (Sudarshana), by propitiating Hutashana (Fire) by helping it to burn down the Khandava forest, in which act he was assisted by the son of Pritha (Arjuna).

Riding on the son of Vinata and creating quite a panic in the city of the Immortals, that hero carried away the Parijata tree from the abode of the great Indra.

That act Shakra submissively brooked, for he was perfectly acquainted with the prowess of Krishna. We have never heard of a king who has not been worsted by Krishna (in battle).

That most marvelous act, which he achieved in my assembly hall, O Sanjaya, who else, save that one of eyes resembling lotus petal, is capable of doing?

Since inspired by reverence I have been able to recognise Krishna as the Lord, everything in the Vedas is well-known to me and is before my eyes.

Verily, O Sanjaya, none can reach the end (of the account) of of achievements Hrishikesha who is endued with prowess and intelligence. or

Then also Gada, Shamva, Pradyumna, Viduratha, Agaboha Anirudina, Charudeshna along with Sarana, Ulmuka, Nisata, the powerful Jhilhivobhru, Prithu, Viprithu, Somika and Arimejaya. These and other most puissant Vrishni heroes, skilled in the art of smiting, will, standing on the field, betake to the ranks of the Pandava host. Being called to do so by that foremost of Vrishni warriors, viz., Keshava of high soul; then me-seems, everything (on my side) will be in great dangers.

The heroic Rama, decked with garlands of wild flowers, equal in strength to two thousand elephants, resembling the peck of the Kailasa mountain and armed with the plough, will be there where Janardana is.

That son of Vasudeva, whom all the regenerate ones call the Father of all, O Sanjaya, will battle for the interests of the sons of Pandu?

When that one, O son, O Sanjaya, clothes himself in mail for the interests of the Pandavas, none will come forth as his antagonist.

If, per chance, the Kurus obtain victory over the Pandavas then that one of the Vrishni race, for the interests of these latter will take up his excellent weapon (the discus).

Then that foremost of men, that mightyarmed hero, having slain in battle the Kauravas and the (assembled) monarchs will offer the whole earth of Kunti.

What other car can encounter in battle, that car of which the driver is Hrishikesha and the warrior is Dhananjaya?

In any way, I do not see victory for the Kurus, Recount to me then, all as to how the battle raged.

Arjuna is the soul of Keshava and Krishna is the soul of the diadem-decked (Arjuna). In Arjuna victory ever resides and eternal glory is in Krishna.

In all the regions, Vibhatsu is unconquerable. All virtues are in Keshava in an extraordinary degree.

Duryodhana, through foolishness cannot recognise Krishna or Keshava; he is befooled by Destiny and the noose of Death hangs over him.

Duryodhana knows not Krishna of the Dasharha race and Arjuna the son of Pandu; they both are supreme divinities, of high soul, know on earth as Nara and Narayana.

On earth they appear to men as two different persons, though ir reality they are of one and the same soul. That highly-renowned invincible pair, can with the fiat of their will slay this host, if only they wish it. But for humanity's sake, they do not wish it. O son, the slaughter of Bhishma and Drona, of high souls, appears to be like the over-turning of the Yuga and the stupefaction of the senses. In this world neither by Brahmacharya, nor by the study of the Vedas.

Nor by the performance of rites or by the dint of weapons, can any one be saved from Death. Those two heroes, held in high honour by the worlds, accomplished in the use of Weapons and invincible in battle.

Namely, Bhishma and Drona, hearing of their death, why do I, O Sanjaya, still live? That prosperity, seeing which attend Yudhishthira before, we were so jealous.

Today, deprived of that prosperity, we shall have to live, in consequence of the death of Bhishma and Drona. This complete annihilation of the Kurus has come consequent upon my actions.

For the destruction of those, O you of the Suta caste, who are ripe for it, even the straw behave like a thunder-bolt. In this world Yudhishthira is going to obtain prosperity which is infinite.

Yudhishthira, through whose wrath Bhisma and Drona have met their ends. Righteousness had naturally attached itself to Yudhishthira, while it is hostile of the cause of my sons.

Time so cruel, that has come for destroying every one, cannot be overcome! O son, things calculated in one way even by intelligent persons.

Result in an altogether different way, through the agency of Destiny; this is my belief. Therefore relate to me truly all that occurred, on the advent of that dreadful but inevitable calamity (the death Drona, generating most grieving thoughts and incapable of being crossed over by us).