Mahabharata Vol. 6 (Penguin Translated Texts) (4 page)

While the research interest in the
Mahabharata remained, I got sidetracked into translating. Through the 1990s, there
were abridged translations of the Maha Puranas, the Vedas and the eleven major
Upanishads. I found that I enjoyed translating from the Sanskrit to English and
since these volumes were well received, perhaps I did do a good job. With Penguin as
publisher, I did a translation of the Bhagavad Gita, something I had always wanted
to do.
Sarama and Her Children
, a book on attitudes towards dogs in India,
also with Penguin, followed. I kept thinking about doing an unabridged translation
of the Mahabharata and waited to muster up the courage. That courage now exists,
though the task is daunting. With something like two million words and ten volumes
expected, the exercise seems open-ended. But why translate the Mahabharata? In 1924,
George Mallory, with his fellow climber Andrew Irvine, may or may not have climbed
Mount Everest. They were last seen a few hundred metres from the summit, before they
died. Mallory was once asked why he wanted to climb Everest and he answered,
‘Because it’s there.’ Taken out of context, there is
no better reason for wanting to translate the Mahabharata. There is a steep mountain
to climb. And I would not have dared had I not been able to stand on the shoulders
of the three intellectual giants who have preceded me—Kisori Mohan
Ganguli, Manmatha Nath Dutt and J.A.B. van Buitenen.

Bibek Debroy

After Bhishma’s death, Drona is instated as the commander of the Kourava army and some of the most ferocious fighting takes place in Drona Parva, when Drona is the commander for five days, days eleven to fifteen. The highlights of this parva are the deaths of the sworn warriors, Abhimanyu, Jayadratha and Ghatotkacha. In the 18-parva classification, Drona Parva is the seventh. In the 100-parva classification, Drona Parva covers Sections 65 through 72 and has 173 chapters. In the numbering of the chapters in Drona Parva, the first number is a consecutive one, starting with the beginning of the Mahabharata. And the second number, within brackets, is the numbering of the chapter within the parva.

This parva has 643 shlokas and twenty chapters
.

Chapter 1009(32): 26 shlokas
Chapter 1010(33): 20 shlokas
Chapter 1011(34): 29 shlokas
Chapter 1012(35): 44 shlokas
Chapter 1013(36): 36 shlokas
Chapter 1014(37): 23 shlokas
Chapter 1015(38): 30 shlokas
Chapter 1016(39): 31 shlokas
Chapter 1017(40): 24 shlokas
Chapter 1018(41): 20 shlokas
Chapter 1019(42): 19 shlokas
Chapter 1020(43): 21 shlokas
Chapter 1021(44): 30 shlokas
Chapter 1022(45): 26 shlokas
Chapter 1023(46): 24 shlokas
Chapter 1024(47): 40 shlokas
Chapter 1025(48): 53 shlokas
Chapter 1026(49): 21 shlokas
Chapter 1027(50): 83 shlokas
Chapter 1028(51): 43 shlokas

This section is about the killing of Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna and Subhadra. These are incidents that occur on the thirteenth day of the battle. Drona constructs the chakra
vyuha
¹
and Abhimanyu alone knows how to penetrate it, Arjuna having been summoned away by the samshaptakas.
²
When Abhimanyu penetrates the vyuha, the others on the Pandava side are supposed to
follow and protect him. However, they are restrained by Jayadratha, who has obtained a boon from Shiva. Abhimanyu kills the younger brothers of Shalya and Karna, Vasatiya, Shalya’s son (Rukmaratha), one hundred princes, Duryodhana’s son (Lakshmana), Kratha’s son, Vrindaraka, Brihadbala (the king of Kosala), six of Karna’s advisers, Ashvaketu (from Magadha), Martikavata (from Bhoja), Shatrunjaya, Chandraketu, Mahavega, Suvarcha, Suryabhasa, Kalakeya (Shakuni’s brother) and rathas
³
from the Brahma-Vasatiyas and Kekayas. Abhimanyu is then killed by Duhshasana’s son. On return, Arjuna takes an oath to kill Jayadratha on the next day.

‘Sanjaya said, “We were first shattered by the infinitely energetic Arjuna. And because Yudhishthira was protected, Drona’s pledge was not fulfilled. All the warriors on your side had their armour splintered and were regarded as having been vanquished. They were covered with dust. They were terribly anxious and glanced in the ten directions. Having obtained the permission of Bharadvaja’s son,
⁴
they retreated. They were distressed on account of the enemy, which was successful in its objective. They were severely humiliated in that battle. As they proceeded, they heard all the beings praise Phalguna’s
⁵
qualities and Keshava’s
⁶
affection towards the illustrious Arjuna. They spent the night like those who had been cursed, reflecting on what had happened and resorting to silence.

‘“When it was morning, Duryodhana spoke to Drona. The words had affection and petulance in them, since the evil-minded one was overcome by the prosperity of the enemy. In everyone’s hearing, the one who was eloquent spoke these angry words. ‘O supreme among brahmanas! There is no doubt that you have singled us out as those who should be killed. Therefore, despite having approached Yudhishthira, you did not seize him. If you so wish, an enemy that you glance towards in battle is incapable of escaping, even if the Pandavas, together with the immortals, desire to protect him. You were pleased and granted me a boon. But later, you did not act in accordance with that. Those who are noble
⁷
never act so as to destroy the hopes of those who are devoted to them.’ Having been addressed in this unpleasant way, Bharadvaja’s son spoke to the king. ‘Knowing that I always seek to do what brings you pleasure, you should not regard me in this way. The worlds, with the gods, the
asura
s, the
gandharva
s,
⁸
the
yaksha
s,
⁹
the serpents and the
rakshasa
s, cannot defeat an army that is protected by Kiriti.
¹⁰
O lord! Where Govinda, the creator of the universe, and the commander Arjuna are stationed, other than Tryambaka,
¹¹
where is the force that can overcome it? Today, I will bring down a supreme and brave
maharatha
.
¹²
Today, I am telling you truthfully that it cannot but be otherwise. Today, I will construct a vyuha that cannot be penetrated even by the residents of heaven. O king! But devise some means to take Arjuna away. There is nothing that is unknown to him. There is nothing that he cannot achieve in battle. He has obtained strength and knowledge about
fighting from different places.’ After Drona had spoken in this way, the masses of samshaptakas again challenged Arjuna to a battle in the southern direction. The battle that took place between Arjuna and the enemy was one the like of which had not been seen before, nor heard of ever. O king! And Drona created a resplendent vyuha that was incapable of being looked at. It was like the sun when it reaches midday in its course and scorches down on everything. O descendant of the Bharata lineage! On the instruction of his father’s eldest brother, Abhimanyu penetrated the impenetrable chakra vyuha in many different ways. He performed an extremely difficult deed and killed many thousands of brave ones. Then, six heroes attacked him together and he was finally slain by Duhshasana’s son. All of us were supremely delighted and the Pandavas were oppressed by grief. O king! After Subhadra’s son had been killed, our troops retreated.”

‘Dhritarashtra said, “O Sanjaya! He was the son of a lion among men. He had just become a youth. On hearing that he has been slain in battle, my mind is severely shattered. The dharma of kshatriyas, as laid down by those who have set the principles of dharma, is terrible. Desiring a kingdom, brave ones shower down their weapons on a child. He was a child and was reared in happiness. But he roamed around fearlessly. O Gavalgana’s son!
¹³
Tell me how many, skilled in the use of weapons, slew him. O Sanjaya! Subhadra’s son was infinitely energetic and sported around amidst that mass of chariots, wishing to penetrate. Tell me everything.”

‘Sanjaya replied, “O Indra among kings! You have asked me about the downfall of Subhadra’s son and I will tell you everything in detail. O king! Listen attentively. The young one penetrated and sported around amidst that array. He was like a forest fire amidst the enemy, burning down large numbers of creepers, grass and trees. Those on your side were frightened of him, like the residents of a forest.”’

‘Sanjaya said, “They are performers of terrible deeds in battle. Their deeds show they have conquered exhaustion. Together with Krishna, the five Pandavas are difficult to resist, even by the gods. There has never been, nor will there be, a man who possesses Krishna’s qualities in righteousness, deeds, vigour, intelligence, nature, fame and prosperity. King Yudhishthira has always obtained heaven because of his truthfulness, devotion to dharma, generosity, worship of brahmanas and other qualities. O king! It has been said that three are equal in the field of battle—the Destroyer himself at the end of a
yuga
,
¹⁴
Jamadagni’s valiant son
¹⁵
and Bhimasena. Partha, the wielder of the Gandiva, is always skilled in performing all his pledges in battle and I do not see his parallel on earth. Devotion towards superiors, maintaining secrecy of counsel, humility, self-control, beauty and bravery—these six are always present in Nakula. In knowledge of the sacred texts, gravity, sweetness, spirit, prowess and valour, the brave Sahadeva is the equal of the gods who are the Ashvins. All the great qualities in Krishna and all the qualities in the Pandavas, all those assembled qualities were to be seen in Abhimanyu. He was Yudhishthira’s equal in patience, Krishna’s in conduct, Bhimasena’s in deeds and his equal in terrible feats, Dhananjaya’s in beauty, valour and learning, and Nakula and Sahadeva’s in humility.”

‘Dhritarashtra said, “O
suta
!
¹⁶
I wish to hear everything about how the invincible Abhimanyu, Subhadra’s son, was killed on the field of battle.”

‘Sanjaya replied, “O great king! The preceptor created the chakra vyuha. All the kings, who were Shakra’s equal, were assembled in it. There was an assembly of princes there. All of them had taken their
pledges and their standards were embellished with gold. All of them were attired in red garments and all of them had red ornaments. All of them had red pennants and all of them wore golden garlands. There were ten thousand such, firm in wielding the bow. Your handsome grandson Lakshmana
¹⁷
was at the forefront. They shared each other’s misery and were like each other in bravery. They sought to rival each other and were devoted to each other’s welfare. The king
¹⁸
was surrounded by maharatha Karna, Duhshasana and Kripa. With a white umbrella held aloft his head, he was like the king of the gods in his beauty. He was fanned with whisks and was as radiant as the rising sun. The leader, Drona, was stationed at the forefront of those soldiers. The king of Sindhu
¹⁹
was stationed there, handsome, and like Mount Meru. O great king! On the flank of the king of Sindhu were stationed thirty of your sons, resembling the gods, and with Ashvatthama at the forefront. The maharathas—the gambler who was the king of Gandhara,
²⁰
Shalya and Bhurishrava—were stationed on the flank of the king of Sindhu.”’
²¹

‘Sanjaya said, “That invincible army was protected by Bharadvaja’s son. With Bhimaseana at the forefront, the Parthas advanced against it. Satyaki, Chekitana, Parshata Dhrishtadyumna,
²²
the valiant Kuntibhoja, maharatha Drupada, Arjuna’s son,
²³
Kshatradharma, the brave Brihatkshatra, Dhrishtaketu the king of Chedi, the sons of
Madri,
²⁴
Ghatotkacha, the brave Yudhamanyu, the unvanquished Shikhandi, the unassailable Uttamouja, maharatha Virata, Droupadi’s enraged sons, Shishupala’s brave son,
²⁵
the immensely valorous Kekayas, thousands of Srinjayas and many others, skilled in use of weapons and irresistible in battle, suddenly advanced, together with their followers, wishing to fight against Bharadvaja’s son. However, Bharadvaja’s valiant son was not agitated. As they approached, he repulsed all of them with a mighty shower of arrows. Like a large mass of water confronting an impenetrable hill, or like the shoreline driving back the ocean, they were driven back by Drona. O Indra among kings! They were oppressed by the arrows released from Drona’s bow. The Pandavas were incapable of standing before Bharadvaja’s son. The strength of Drona’s arms was seen to be extraordinary, in that the Panchalas, together with the Srinjayas, could not advance before him. On seeing that Drona was advancing wrathfully, Yudhishthira thought about many ways whereby Drona could be countered. Having formed the view that Drona was incapable of being resisted by anyone else, Yudhishthira imposed that heavy and unbearable burden on Subhadra’s son. He was not inferior to Vasudeva. His energy was superior to that of Phalguna. And he
²⁶
spoke these words to Abhimanyu, the slayer of enemy heroes. ‘O son!
²⁷
Act so that Arjuna does not censure us on return.
²⁸
There is no one amongst us who knows how to penetrate the chakra vyuha. O mighty-armed one! With the exception of you, Arjuna, Krishna and Pradyumna,
²⁹
there is no fifth person who can penetrate the chakra vyuha. O Abhimanyu! O son! I am asking this
boon and you should grant it to me, for the sake of your fathers, your maternal uncles and all the soldiers. O son! Otherwise, on returning from the fight, Dhananjaya will censure us. Grasp your weapons and act so as to strike Drona’s army.’

‘“Abhimanyu replied, ‘Desiring the victory of my fathers, I will soon enter and penetrate that firm and supreme array of warriors, created by Drona. My father instructed me about entering and penetrating an array like this. But if I confront a calamity there, I do not know how to emerge.’

‘“Yudhishthira said, ‘O foremost among warriors! O son! Penetrate the array and create an entry for us. All of us will follow the path you traverse. O son! You are the equal of Dhananjaya in battle. On seeing you enter, we will follow and protect you from all the directions.’

‘“Bhima said, ‘I will follow you and so will Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, the Panchalas, the Kekayas, the Matsyas and all the Prabhadrakas. Once you have shattered the vyuha, we will repeatedly enter it and slaughter the best of the warriors who are inside it.’

‘“Abhimanyu replied, ‘Like an angry insect entering a flaming fire, I will penetrate Drona’s unassailable array. Today, I will do what is good for both the lineages.
³⁰
I will bring pleasure to my maternal uncle and my father. In the battle, a single child will be like death to masses of enemy soldiers and all the beings will witness my deeds today.’

‘“Yudhishthira said, ‘O Subhadra’s son! As you speak, may your strength increase. You are seeking to penetrate Drona’s impenetrable array. These tigers among men, great archers who are skilled in striking, will protect you. They are like the Sadhyas, the Rudras and the Maruts. They are like the Vasus, Agni and Aditya in valour.’”

‘Sanjaya said, “On hearing these words, he
³¹
instructed his charioteer, Sumitra, and in that battle, asked him to swiftly drive towards Drona’s array.”’

‘Sanjaya said, “O descendant of the Bharata lineage! Having heard the words of the intelligent Dharmaraja, Subhadra’s son urged his charioteer towards Drona’s array. The charioteer was urged with the words, ‘Go! Go!’ O king! He replied to Abhimanyu in these words. ‘O one with a long life! An extremely heavy burden has been imposed on you by the Pandavas. You should advance to the fight only after you have thought over whether you have the capacity to bear this. Drona, the preceptor, is skilled in the use of supreme weapons and has conquered exhaustion. You have been reared in extreme happiness and are not skilled in fighting.’ On hearing these words, Abhimanyu laughed and spoke to his charioteer. ‘O charioteer! Who is Drona? Who are these assembled kshatriyas? Even if Shakra on Airavata
³²
advances in the forefront of the battle, with the masses of immortals, I will engage. Today, I am not bewildered at these kshatriyas. These enemy soldiers are not even a sixteenth part of me.
³³
O son of a suta! Even if I were to confront my maternal uncle Vishnu,
³⁴
the conqueror of the universe, or my father in battle, I would not be terrified.’ Abhimanyu disregarded the words of the charioteer and instructed him to swiftly drive towards Drona’s array. The charioteer was distressed in heart. But he urged the horses, which were three years old and decorated with golden harnesses. Thus goaded by Sumitra, the horses advanced towards Drona’s array. O king! Without any fear and with great force and valour, they advanced against Drona himself.