Read Mahabharata: Vol. 5 Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
Mahabharata: Vol. 5 (81 page)
333
Garuda.
334
The word used is tata.
335
Fighting with the enemy and protecting Ghatotkacha.
336
Of the fighters.
337
Mountains are believed to possess wings, until Indra lopped them off. Mount Mainaka was the only one which escaped.
338
Obviously, on the Kourava side.
339
This actually means Ashvatthama, the word son being used in a loose sense.
340
Viprachitti was a famous demon and was the son of Kashyapa and Danu. Kashyapa and Danu had 100 sons and Viprachitti is described as the most powerful of the lot.
341
Nila’s.
342
Some non-critical versions mention the charioteer too. In that event, we have a tally for the seven arrows—four for the horses, one for the charioteer, one for the standard and one for Nila.
343
All of this was the outcome of an illusion and wasn’t real. But the Kourava soldiers didn’t see it that way.
344
Sanjaya saying this is unusual. However, the text allows for no other translation.
345
However, there was no reason for Bhishma not to have known that. This is really a prelude to what follows.
346
The word used is tata.
347
However, Indra was actually vanquished by Taraka.
348
Supratika was the name of Bhagadatta’s elephant.
349
Bhagadatta’s.
350
This fire is called
samvartaka
and appears at the time of the dissolution of the universe.
351
Both Vyudoraska and Kundalina are Duryodhana’s brothers.
352
Unidentified weapon that could kill one hundred people at one go.
353
The word used is tata, used not just for father, but anyone who is senior. In this context, ‘father’ is singularly inappropriate. But we have stuck to it for the sake of consistency.
354
The implicit sense seems to be that if Bhishma defeats the Pandavas, the encounter will be over. Hence, Bhishma is unnecessarily prolonging it.
355
Rubia manjith
, the Indian madder.
356
That the Pandavas are invincible.
357
The story of Amba becoming Shikhandi has been recounted in Section 60.
358
Bhishma.
359
Referring to Bhishma’s vow of celibacy, so that Shantanu could marry Satyavati.
360
The word used is tata.
361
On the Kourava side.
362
Bhishma.
363
Literally, something that is fortunate in every direction. Probably in the form of a square.
364
Arjuna.
365
Shatahrada.
366
Maya was a famous danava. He was also the architect of the demons.
367
Arjuna is also named Krishna.
368
There are various demons named Shambara. This is the one whom Indra defeated to obtain soma.
369
Abhimanyu.
370
Bhaskara
means the sun, or something that brings light.
371
Arjuna and Krishna respectively.
372
Abhimanyu.
373
Rahu.
374
Satyaki.
375
Descended from the Vrishni lineage. In this context, Satyaki.
376
Mercury and Venus respectively.
377
Drona.
378
Drona.
379
Drona and Susharma.
380
As an adjective, shaila means something that is made out of stone.
381
Three arrows for Dhrishtadyumna, Drupada and Virata. He did not touch Shikhandi.
382
Kubera.
383
Of slain combatants.
384
Bahlika is the name of a kingdom, rather than of a specific king. Pratipa had three sons, Devapi, Bahlika and Shantanu. Shantanu became a king because his elder brothers, Devapi and Bahlika could not, or did not. This passage suggests that the Bahlika who took part in the war was Shantanu’s elder brother and was thus Bhima’s great-grandfather. Given the age, this seems unlikely. Somadatta, Bhurishrava and Shala were descended from this Bahlika and they are more likely candidates as the Bahlika who took part in the war.
385
Mercury and Saturn respectively.
386
Bhishma.
387
Satyaki.
388
The Pandava warriors.
389
Noon had passed and the sun was in the western horizon.
390
Satyaki.
391
The chariots.
392
The Pandavas.
393
Krishna’s.
394
The sun.
395
Krishnaa, Droupadi.
396
Of the life.
397
Referring to the matrimonial alliance through Subhadra.
398
The word used is tata.
399
Ganga goes to the ocean.
400
Though not explicitly stated, this is Yudhishthira speaking now.
401
It is not immediately obvious what this means. It probably means that everyone knows that Bhishma will not fight with Shikhandi.
402
Shikhandi.
403
Indra is a title and there have been earlier Indras. The present one is Purandara. But having said this, it is difficult to make sense of the text. No earlier Indra is associated with any of the Bhishma stories. It is possible that this is an oblique reference to Arjuna being Indra’s son. In all probability, this is a typo, since non-critical versions don’t have this expression.
404
It is not clear which of the five are meant, unless it means the five Pandava brothers.
405
A vatsadanta is an arrow that has a head like the tooth of a calf.
406
A fire.
407
Unwilling to fight.
408
That is, the lady.
409
Bhishma’s.
410
The word used is tata.
411
Duhshasana.
412
Satyaki.
413
Duryodhana.
414
Kripa.
415
In this context, Varshneya means Hardikya Kritavarma, descended from the Vrishni lineage, while Parshata means Dhrishtadyumna.
416
In fighting against the demon Taraka, Skanda (Kartikeya) hurled a javelin at Mount Krouncha, within which, Taraka was hiding.
417
This seems to be a reference to Duhshasana.
418
On the Pandava side.
419
In astrology, parigha is an inauspicious yoga or conjunction of the stars, signifying obstructions.
420
Shikhandi. Yajnasena is Drupada’s name.
421
Ganga.
422
Yudhishthira.
423
Yudhishthira.
424
Indra’s younger brother, Vishnu. This is a description of Abhimanyu.
425
This is probably a reference to Dhrishtadyumna. Shikhandi is also possible, but unlikely.
426
Bhima’s charioteer.
427
Duryodhana.
428
The Pandavas are being included as part of the Kouravas.
429
As to which side would be victorious.
430
The word used is tata.
431
Jayadratha was Vriddhakshatra’s son.
432
Dhrishtadyumna.
433
Dhrishtaketu.
434
The only Susharma we know of is the king of the Trigartas. He fought on the Kourava side and Chitrasena is Duryodhana’s brother. Clearly, this must be some other Susharma, fighting on the Pandava side. However, no such other Susharma has ever been mentioned. Therefore, these shlokas have probably just been thrown in. In any event, they are irrelevant.
435
Dhrishtadyumna.
436
Shikhandi. However, there was no reason for Shikhandi not to understand, since Bhishma had already mentioned the reason.
437
Duryodhana.
438
On Bhishma’s standard.
439
Dhrishtadyumna.
440
The word used is tata.
441
Parashurama.
442
The Susharma on the Pandava side mentioned earlier.
443
Bhishma’s followers.
444
The army.
445
Bhishma.
446
Shatahrada.
447
Krishna’s name.
448
Because they are protected by Krishna.
449
This Kali is Satyavati. When Shantanu married Satyavati, Bhishma took a vow that he would remain celibate and would not marry. That is the reason Shantanu granted him a boon.
450
Vyasadeva had conferred those powers on Sanjaya.
451
There is an anomaly here. The Critical edition excises some intervening shlokas, where Bhishma had counter-attacked. Since he had decided to die, the counter-attack is incongruous. However, without the counter-attack, there shouldn’t have been a bow in Bhishma’s hand. It had already been severed. The subsequent shlokas, with Bhishma taking up more bows, should also be excised.
452
Magha spans January and February and is thus a wintry month.
453
Arjuna.
454
Arjuna.
455
The east, the west and the north are not being counted.
456
For his death.
457
Dakshinayana is when the sun follows its southern course, from mid-July to mid-January. Uttarayana is when the sun follows its northern course, from mid-January to mid-July.
458
Sacred lake near Mount Kailasa (Kailasha), in Tibet.
459
Middle because Bhishma represented a bridge between the earlier generation of the Kurus and the current generation.
460
To ensure Bhishma’s protection.
461
From continuing with the fight.
462
The word used is tata.
463
In this context, Vaishravana is Yama and Yama’s direction is that of the south.
464
Of being tended to by phyisicans and surgeons.
465
The sun.
466
The Kurus and the Pandavas temporarily cast aside their enmity.
467
Brahma.
468
The word used is tata, in the singular. The water was presumably brought by Duryodhana.
469
Parashurama.
470
All of these are named after different gods.
471
The word used is tata.
472
Kartikeya was born in a clump of reeds.
473
Karna’s name.
474
Vedavyasa.
475
The word used is tata.
476
The word used is tata.
1
We will use the words killed or slain, though Bhishma had not yet died.
2
Duryodhana.
3
Dhritarashtra.
4
Sanjaya.
5
The word used is tata.
6
Specifically, a woman with beautiful hips.
7
This incident has been recounted in Section 59 (Volume 4).
8
Twice a ratha.
9
Parashurama.
10
Sanjaya.
11
Vrisha is Karna’s name.
12
There is a pun that can’t be captured in the English. Vasu means riches or prosperity and the earth is Vasundhara, the store of riches.
13
Heading towards death.
14
Meaning the Pandavas.
15
Without specifically naming anyone, Karna is clearly casting aspersions on some on the Kourava side.
16
Bhishma.
17
Arjuna.
18
The one with three eyes, Mahadeva. This encounter has been described in Section 31 (Volume 2).
19
Indra has a thousand eyes.
20
Rajapura was the capital of the Kamboja kingdom. On Duryodhana’s behalf, Karna led an expedition there.
21
Girivraja (Rajagriha or Rajgir) was the capital of Magadha and is now in Bihar.
22
The word used is tata.
23
This may be an allusion to Karna being Kunti’s son.
24
Respectively, Shukra (the preceptor of the demons) and Brihaspati (the preceptor of the gods, referred to as Angiras).
25
In the singular, Rudra is used as a name for Shiva. In the plural, the Rudras are eleven in number. When the eleven Rudras are mentioned by name, Kapali is one of the names. However, Kapali is also one of Shiva’s names. There are eight Vasus and Agni is mentioned as the first one. Pavaka is a name for Agni. Kubera is the lord of the yakshas and the Maruts are wind gods who follow Indra (Vasava). In the context of the ancestors, Dharma means Yama. While the Adityas are gods in general, their number is sometimes said to be seven or twelve and Varuna (king of the waters) figures prominently. The sons of Diti are daityas or demons and their preceptor is Shukra (Ushanas).
26
Pavaka is Agni and by Agni’s son, one means Kartikeya.
27
The six vedangas are shiksha (articulation and pronunciation), chhanda (prosody), vyakarana (grammar), nirukta (etymology), jyotisha (astronomy) and kalpa (rituals).
28
Shakata
, meaning carriage or cart. The array was probably in the form of a wedge.
29
Krouncha, curlew or osprey.
30
Krishna.
31
Kakuda
, which means hump. The suggestion is that this standard was the centre of the army.
32
Krishna, Arjuna, Gandiva and Sudarshana.
33
Meaning the Kourava soldiers.
34
The left side is inauspicious.
35
Drona.
36
Drona.
37
Yajnasena is Drupada and by Drupada’s son, one means Dhrishtadyumna here. Prishata is also one of Drupada’s names and Dhrishtadyumna is Parshata.
38
More accurately, a circle made out of firebrands.
39
Drona was born from a pot.
40
The word used is tata.
41
Usually, five types of weapons are mentioned—mukta (those that are released from the hand, like a chakra), amukta (those that are never released, like a sword), muktamukta (those that can be released or not released, like a spear), yantramukta (those that are released from an implement, like an arrow) and mantramukta (magical weapons unleashed with incantations). These are categories of weapons. Alternatively, especially for magical and celestial weapons, there are the five techniques of employing, restraining, returning, pacifying and counteracting. However, Dhanurveda (the art of war) is usually described as having four parts. In the category-wise classification, this means that mantramukta weapons are not included.
42
Bearing the chariot.
43
Itihasa–Purana
, the epics and the Purana literature, are referred to as the fifth Veda.
44
Though not explicitly stated, this is Dhritarashtra speaking.
45
That is, a female elephant. The imagery is of elephants fighting over a she-elephant.
46
Duryodhana’s.
47
Satyaki.
48
Parashurama’s.
49
Satyaki.
50
The gate to the mountains may be a reference to Girivraja.
51
Actually meaning the state of Duryodhana’s mind.
52
The mother in question is Kunti. Kunti’s sister was Shrutakirti and she was married to the Kekaya king, Dhrishtaketu.
53
This is a reference to Dhrishtadyumna.
54
Ushinara’s son is Shibi. But son is being used in an extended sense here, meaning grandson. The person in question is Shaibya, Shibi’s son and Ushinara’s grandson.
55
Ghatotkacha grew up in a single day.
56
This is the demon Keshi, sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna. Keshi adopted the form of a horse. Having killed Keshi, Krishna came to be known as Keshava.
57
Arishtasura, also sent by Kamsa to kill Krishna.
58
That is, without using any weapons.
59
The wife in question is Rukmini. There is a story about Durvasa visiting Krishna and Rukmini and their worshipping him with rice and milk. Durvasa asked Krishna to smear the remnants all over his body. Krishna did this, leaving out the feet. Durvasa granted Krishna the boon that he would not be killed through any part of the body that had been smeared with the remaining rice and milk.
60
Satyabhama was the princess of Gandhara.
61
Jarasandha was killed by Bhima, but Bhima was instigated by Krishna. The incident has been described in Section 22 (Volume 2).
62
The king of Chedi is Shishupala. The incident has been described in Section 25 (Volume 2).
63
This has been described in Section 31 (Volume 2).
64
Nanda (Krishna’s foster-father) was abducted by Varuna’s servants and rescued by Krishna and Balarama.
65
The sage Sandipani was Krishna’s teacher and Sandipani’s son was abducted by the demon Panchajana. Krishna killed Panchajana the conch shell Panchajanya was made out of Panchajana’s bones.
66
Sudarshana chakra.
67
Vinata’s son is Garuda and Amaravati is Indra’s capital.
68
This is a reference to Krishna manifesting his own self. The incident has been described in Section 54 (Volume 4).
69
Balarama. However, Balarama decided to remain neutral and went away on a pilgrimage.
70
The word used is tata.
71
Having been born as men, they resort to human means alone.
72
Ajatashatru is Yudhishthira’s name and means someone who has no enemies.
73
Yudhishthira.
74
The word used is tata.
75
Drona.
76
Sahadeva’s.
77
Bhima.
78
Kripa.
79
Kritavarma.
80
Susharma.
81
Shikhandi.
82
Hiranyaksha was slain by Vishnu in his varaha (boar) incarnation and the battle between the two lasted for one thousand years.
83
Kritavarma.
84
Garuda.
85
Krishna means Arjuna in this context.
86
Jayadratha.
87
The text mentions three specific techniques of fighting with the sword—
sampata, abhipata
and
nipata
. Loosely, these can be translated as whirling, striking and descending.
88
Shalya.
89
Yama.
90
Obviously, he had picked up another club.
91
On the Pandava side.
92
Garuda.
93
Yudhishthira’s.
94
Drona.
95
After having captured Yudhishthira.
96
The two acts.