Read Mahabharata Vol. 6 (Penguin Translated Texts) Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
Mahabharata Vol. 6 (Penguin Translated Texts) (68 page)
342
Durmukha’s.
343
Only part of the arrows penetrated into the ground.
344
Garuda.
345
This king means Dhritarashtra and should be outside Duryodhana’s quote.
346
Duryodhana.
347
The god of the wind.
348
Bhima’s strength.
349
Duryodhana.
350
A reference to Krishna’s mission of peace, described in Section 54 (Volume 4).
351
The subterranean fire, so named because it is in the form of a mare (vadava).
352
Kalakuta is terrible poison.
353
Duryodhana’s brothers.
354
Because Duryodhana’s brothers had been slain in his presence.
355
Bhima severed Karna’s bow.
356
Arjuna.
357
Yudhamanyu and Uttamouja, the two who were guarding Arjuna’s flanks.
358
The standard, seat, yoke and floor of the chariot.
359
Karna.
360
That is, held the string in his right hand.
361
Hence, no divine weapons or extraordinary skills were necessary.
362
Garuda.
363
Yudhishthira.
364
Vidura.
365
Krishnaa, Droupadi.
366
These were the words spoken by Karna to Droupadi.
367
Duryodhana.
368
Karna.
369
That garland had probably been around his forehead, rather than around his neck.
370
That is, Aadhiratha, or Adhiratha’s son.
371
Meaning Karna’s arrows.
372
The text uses the word rathashakti rather than shakti. Shakti is a spear. However, rathashakti is the pole on a chariot, used for holding up the standard. The subsequent shloka makes it clear that Bhima hurled a spear and not a pole.
373
Bhima grasped Karna’s flagpole.
374
Garuda.
375
Karna’s chariot.
376
In Section 55 (Volume 4), Karna promised Kunti that he would not kill any of the Pandavas, with the exception of Arjuna.
377
Arjuna.
378
This Alambusa is not to be confused with a rakshasa named Alambusa, killed earlier by Ghatotkacha.
379
Alambusa.
380
Meaning Krishna.
381
Alambusa’s head.
382
Ajamidha is one of Dhritarashtra’s names.
383
Satyaki.
384
The text uses the word goshpada. This literally means the mark of a cow’s foot in the soil and the small puddle of water that fills up such a mark, that is, a trifle.
385
Indrajit.
386
The sense is that such a person will continue to be victorious for a long time.
387
The word used is tata, in the sense of senior. Bhurishrava’s father, Somadatta, and Satyaki’s grandfather, Shini, were contemporaries and rivals. Therefore, Bhurishrava was considerably older than Satyaki.
388
Rathashakti.
389
That is, desiring Brahma’s world after death.
390
The text uses the word niyuddha, which means boxing, wrestling or hand-to-hand combat.
391
Arjuna was also descended from the Bharata lineage.
392
We have used Bhuridakshina as a proper name and as another name for Bhurishrava. Given the shloka, this seems natural. However,
bhuridakshina
can also be an adjective, in which case, Bhurishrava is being described as someone who has given away a lot of donations.
393
Referring to Bhurishrava.
394
Bhurishrava.
395
Bhurishrava.
396
Meaning Satyaki.
397
Vratya
, also meaning outcaste.
398
The translation doesn’t capture the nuance. The practice in question is
prayopavesa
. While this does mean voluntary fasting to death, it is adopted by someone who has no worldly desires left.
399
The word used is tata.
400
Bhurishrava.
401
Somadatta had three sons—Bhuri, Bhurishrava and Shala.
402
Shibi’s story of generosity has been recounted in Section 31 (Volume 2).
403
Yudhamanyu and Uttamouja.
404
Of protecting those on his own side.
405
Bhurishrava.
406
Rodasi.
407
Anyone descended from Shura is Shouri, not necessarily the son alone. Shura’s son was Shini and Shini’s son was Vasudeva.
408
Kartavirya Arjuna.
409
The daughter was named Devaki.
410
It has to be inferred that this is Shini. As mentioned earlier, there is a distinction between svayamvara and
viryashulka
, though that distinction is not always maintained. This is more of viryashulka.
411
Shini.
412
To wealth.
413
Mountain over which the sun sets.
414
Arjuna.
415
The arms.
416
The arrows.
417
Ashvatthama.
418
Sharadvata’s daughter was Kripi and Ashvatthama was her son.
419
Arjuna’s chariot.
420
Arjuna’s quiver was never exhausted of arrows, as a result of the boon he received from Agni.
421
Kripa.
422
Arjuna.
423
Karna.
424
Arjuna.
425
Ajagava is the name of Shiva’s bow and it has a tawny bowstring.
426
Jayadratha.
427
Referring to the solar (
surya
) and lunar (
chandra
) dynasties.
428
Samantapanchaka is another name for Kurukshetra, usually explained because of the five (pancha) lakes created by Parashurama. Alternatively, it is said that the land was five yojanas in every direction.
429
Vriddhakshatra.
430
Arjuna.
431
So that the head did not drop down on the ground.
432
Jayadratha was married to Dhritarashtra’s daughter, Duhshala.
433
Yudhishthira.
434
Rodasi.
1
Kripa was the preceptor before Drona became the preceptor.
2
Like a preceptor who does not strike a student.
3
Vidura.
4
Without striking back.
5
That is, he has died.
6
Krishna.
7
In exchange for the natural armour and earrings, Indra gave Karna an invincible spear. This has been described in Section 43 (Volume 3).
8
Yudhmanyu and Uttamouja.
9
Bhurishrava.
10
This instruction had been given the previous night.
11
Brahma.
12
In the seven pure notes,
sa, re, ga, ma
, etc., rishabha (re) is the second.
13
Garuda. Garuda is always on the top of Krishna’s (Vishnu’s) standard.
14
The names of Krishna’s horses.
15
Vimana.
16
While every living being is descended from Kashyapa, this description of Daruka as being descended from Kashyapa is a little odd.
17
In Section 69, Satyaki killed Jalasandha.
18
Arjuna.
19
Durmukha was killed by Bhima in Section 69.
20
That is, both vows are equally important.
21
Abhimanyu’s.
22
Karna’s son.
23
Mount Asta, over which, the sun sets.
24
There is probably a typo in the Critical edition. It says
purananam param
, which leads to the duplication of ancient and supreme. It should probably read
parananam param
, in which case, the translation would be—you are the supreme deliverer.
25
The singular is being used. It is probably Krishna, and not Arjuna, who is saying this.
26
Yudhishthira.
27
As a preparatory rite for the war.
28
Yama’s.
29
Through which, Duryodhana can sink.
30
In Section 69, Arjuna killed Sudakshina, the king of Kamboja.
31
The well-wishers who have died.
32
These shlokas are somewhat confusing, but the sense is clear. Duryodhana has made a mistake by depending on Drona. Instead, he should have depended on Karna.
33
Drona.
34
The word used is tata.
35
Krishnaa, Droupadi.
36
Vidura.
37
Jayadratha.
38
To the land of the dead.
39
This is Drona’s message to Ashvatthama, to be conveyed by Duryodhana.
40
Of the Pandavas.
41
Arjuna.
42
There was an attempt to poison Bhima, described in Section 7 (Volume 1).
43
This has been described in Section 8 (Volume 1).
44
So confused was the melee.
45
Duryodhana.
46
Yudhishthira.
47
Duryodhana.
48
The text uses the word dhumaketu. Dhumaketu has different meanings. Given the context, fire is most appropriate.
49
Arjuna and Yudhishthira respectively.
50
This is almost certainly a typo. Shatanika is Droupadi’s son through Nakula and there is no particular reason for singling him out. It should probably read
sahanika
instead of Shatanika, meaning that Dhrishtadyumna had attacked with his soldiers. In any event, Droupadi’s sons are mentioned later.
51
Drona.
52
Arjuna.
53
The king of Kashi.
54
Drona’s.
55
Shibi’s.
56
In Section 64 (Volume 5), Bhima killed King Shrutayu of Kalinga.
57
Bhima’s charioteer.
58
The brothers of the prince of Kalinga.
59
Dhruva was another prince from Kalinga.
60
Another prince from Kalinga.
61
With his hand.
62
Specifically, Durmada and Dushkarna.
63
Varuna.
64
Andhaka was a demon killed by Shiva (Hara).
65
Bhurishrava.
66
Dasyus.
67
Bhurishrava and Shala.
68
In Section 69, Shatanika killed Shala.
69
Somadatta.
70
Somadatta.
71
Ghatotkacha.
72
Ashvatthama’s mother was Kripi (Sharadvati), who was Sharadvata’s daughter.
73
Rahu.
74
Ashvatthama.
75
Vishnu.
76
Literally, trivenu means something with three poles. A trivenu was a triangular piece made out of bamboo, used to provide strength to a chariot. The base was towards the chariot. The other two poles were extended in the direction of the horses and were fastened to the central yoke.
77
Anjanaparva.
78
Ashvatthama.
79
Ghatotkacha.
80
Agni’s son means Kartikeya, who shattered the Krouncha mountain.
81
In the sense that Ashvatthama was like a brother to the Pandavas.
82
Dashagriva is Ravana’s name.
83
Ghatotkacha.
84
Indra’s bow, the rainbow.
85
Poulastya rakshasas were descended from the sage Pulasta. Yatudhanas are evil spirits.
86
Kartikeya.
87
Ghatotkacha was in the sky.
88
Another term for rakshasas.
89
Tripura was a city of the demons and actually consisted of three (
tri
) cities (
pura
). They revolved separately in the sky and converged once in a thousand years. Because of Brahma’s boon, they could only be destroyed when they converged into a single city. Shiva destroyed Tripura with an arrow.
90
Agni.
91
The vajra.
92
Ghatotkacha’s.
93
These were tuskers and the tusks are being compared to peaks.
94
That is, blood flowing from the wounds.
95
Though not clear, all these seem to be Drupada’s sons too, including the names that follow.
96
The text uses the word
kshanadachara
, which means a walker of the night.
97
The text uses the word
vayasa.
This means crow, as well as winged animal. Given the context, winged animal seems more appropriate.
98
Somadatta.
99
Somadatta was Bahlika’s son and Bahlika was Pratipa’s son.
100
In valour. Dasharatha’s son is Rama.
101
The Critical edition excises a shloka. Consequently, only three of Shakuni’s brothers are named, Gajaksha, Sharabha and Vibhu. With the missing shloka included, we have the other two names, Subhaga and Bhanudatta.
102
Drona.
103
Yudhishthira.
104
Divine weapons, respectively named after Varuna, the Ashvins (
yama
s), Agni, Tvashtra and Savita.
105
To Duryodhana, about seizing Yudhishthira.
106
Divine weapons named after Indra and Prajapati.
107
Yudhishthira.
108
To Drona’s.
109
Named after Mahendra, the great Indra.
110
Named after Brahma, also referred to as brahmastra.
111
Arjuna.
112
Duryodhana.
113
That is, the time for helping friends has arrived.
114
Meaning Arjuna.
115
Pavaka’s (Agni’s) son is Kartikeya and he is the general of the gods.
116
This incident has been described in Section 39 (Volume 3).
117
This incident has been described in Section 47 (Volume 4).
118
Krishna and Arjuna.
119
This is unlikely to be a reference to Durmukha, Duryodhana’s brother.
120
Bhurishrava’s brother.
121
Kripa’s sister, Kripi, was Ashvatthama’s mother.
122
Referring to Ashvatthama now.
123
The Pandavas.
124
Yama’s.
125
Karna.
126
Desire to have intercourse with the same she-elephant.
127
Which approach a fire.
128
Drona.
129
The word used is tata. Duryodhana was junior to Ashvatthama.
130
Arjuna.
131
Arjuna.
132
Drona.
133
Dhrishtadyumna.
134
The two tusks are being compared to the two peaks.
135
Drona.
136
Somadatta.
137
Dhrishtadyumna.
138
Yudhishthira.
139
On the Kourava side.
140
Duryodhana.
141
Drona or Ashvatthama. It is not clear who is being referred to.
142
With an image of the time of destruction.
143
This is a reference to Drona.
144
The word used in the text is dhumaketu. While this means comet, it can also be translated as something that has smoke as its banner, that is, a fire.
145
As mentioned earlier, there is inconsistency in naming Duryodhana’s brothers. For example, Vikarna and Chitrasena have already been killed by Bhima in Section 69.
146
Drupada.
147
Bhurishrava’s brother.
148
Droupadi’s son through Yudhishthira.
149
Ghatotkacha.
150
However, Alambusa has already been killed by Ghatotkacha in Section 69.
151
Madhu was an ancestor of the Yadavas and anyone from the Yadava lineage can be referred to as Madhava. Kritavarma belonged to the Yadava lineage.
152
Kritavarma.
153
Kritavarma.
154
Since the colour is red, this refers to the setting sun. Mars is also possible, though less likely.
155
Mahisha (or Mahishasura) was a demon (asura) in the form of a buffalo. More commonly, Mahishasura is believed to have been killed by Durga (Parvati). Clearly, there was a parallel myth connected with Skanda.
156
The Critical edition excises a shloka where Duryodhana picks up another bow.
157
Duryodhana.
158
Bhima.
159
One of Duryodhana’s brothers.
160
Duryodhana.
161
Sahadeva.
162
To the effect that he would not touch any of the Pandavas, with the exception of Arjuna.
163
Demon killed by Indra.
164
Virata.
165
Not to be confused with the Shatanika who is Droupadi’s son. This Shatanika is Virata’s brother.
166
Alambusa.
167
The son of Nakula and Droupadi.
168
Chitrasena’s.
169
Chitrasena’s.
170
Drupada.
171
Mythical celestial tree that yields everything that one desires.
172
The Kourava soldiers.
173
Budha is Mercury. Bhargava is another name for Shukra (Venus).
174
Prativindhya.
175
Duhshasana.
176
Prativindhya.
177
Droupadi’s other sons.
178
Sutasoma was Droupadi’s son through Bhima.
179
Shakuni’s.
180
Kripa was the preceptor before Drona and therefore, is also referred to as the preceptor.
181
Shikhandi.
182
There were several asuras named Shambara. One of these was killed by Indra.
183
The word used is
kalaratri
, meaning a night that brings death to all beings.
184
Kripa.
185
Alternatively, insects in general.
186
Dhrishtadyumna.
187
Karna, Ashvattahama, Shalya, Duhshasana, Duryodhana, Shakuni and Drona himself. It is seven when Drona is included.
