Mahabharata (English)

by Kisari Mohan Ganguli | 2,566,952 words | ISBN-10: 8121505933

The English translation of the Mahabharata is a large text describing ancient India. It is authored by Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa and contains the records of ancient humans. Also, it documents the fate of the Kauravas and the Pandavas family. Another part of the large contents, deal with many philosophical dialogues such as the goals of life. Book...

Section XCVIII

Sanjaya said,

"Then king Duryodhana, and Sakuni the son of Suvala, and your son Dussasana, and the invincible Suta’s son (Karna) meeting together, consulted in the following way. How could the sons of Pandu, with their followers, be vanquished in battle? Even this was the subject of their consultation.

Then king Duryodhana, addressing the Suta’s son and the mighty Sakuni, said unto all those counsellors of his,

'Drona, Bhishma, and Kripa, and Salya and Somadatta’s son do not resist the Parthas. I do not know what the cause is of such conduct (of theirs). Unslain by any of these, the Pandavas are destroying my forces. Therefore, O Karna, I am becoming weaker in strength and my weapons also are being exhausted. I am deceived by the heroic Pandavas—they that are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods. Doubt fills my mind as to how, indeed, I shall succeed is smiting them in battle.'

Unto the king who said so, O great monarch, the Suta’s son answered

'Do not grieve, O chief of the Bharata. Even I will do what is agreeable to you. Let Santanu’s son Bhishma soon withdraw from the great battle. After Ganga’s son will have withdrawn from the fight and laid aside his weapons, I will slay the Partha along with all the Somakas, in the very sight of Bhishma. I pledge my truth, O king. Indeed, Bhishma every day showes mercy towards the Pandavas. He is, besides incapable of vanquishing those mighty car-warriors. Bhishma is proud of showing his prowess in battle. He is again, very fond of fight.

Why, O sire, will he, therefore, vanquish the assembled Pandavas (for then the battle will be over)? Therefore, repairing without delay to the tent of Bhishma, solicit that old and reverend signior to lay aside his weapons. After he will have laid aside his weapons, O Bharata, think the Pandavas as already slain, with all their friends and kinsmen, O king, by myself alone.'

Thus addressed by Karna, your son Duryodhana then said unto his brother Dussasana these words,

'see, O Dussasana, that without delay that all who walk in my train be dressed.'

Having said these words, O monarch, the king addressed Karna, saying,

'Having caused Bhishma, that foremost of men, to consent to this, I will, without delay, come to you, O chastiser of foes. After Bhishma will have retired from the fight, you will smite (the foe) in battle'.

Then your son, O monarch, set out without delay, accompanied by his brothers like He of a hundred sacrifices (accompanied) by the gods. Then his brother Dussasana caused that tiger among king, endued, besides, with the prowess of a tiger, to mount on his horse. Graced with bracelets, with diadem on head, and adorned with other ornaments on his arms. O king, your son shone brightly as he proceeded along the streets. Smeared with fragrant sandal-paste of the hue of the Bhandi flower and bright as burnished gold, and clad in clean vestments, and proceeding with the sportive gait of the lion, Duryodhana looked beautiful like the Sun of brilliant radiance in the firmament. And as that tiger among men proceeded towards the tent of Bhishma, many mighty bowmen, celebrated over the world, followed him behind. And his brothers also walked in his train, like the celestials walking behind Vasava. And others, foremost of men, mounted upon steeds, and others again on elephants, O Bharata, and others on cars, surrounded him on all sides. And many amongst those that wished him well, taking up arms for the protection on his royal self, appeared there in large bodies, like the celestials surrounding Sakra in heaven.

The mighty chief of the Kurus, adored by all the Kauravas, thus proceeded, O king, towards the quarters of the renowned son of Ganga. Ever followed and surrounded, by his uterine brothers, he proceeded, often raising his right arm, massive and resembling the trunk of an elephant and capable of resisting all foes. And with that arm of his, he accepted the regards that were paid to him from all sides by by-standers who stood raising towards him their joined hands. And he heard, as he journeyed, the sweet voices of the natives of diverse realms. Of great fame, he was eulogised by bards and eulogists.

And in return that great king paid his regards unto them all. And many high-souled persons stood around him with lighted lamps of gold fed with fragrant oil. And surrounded with golden lamps, the king looked radiant like the Moon attended by the blazing planets around him. And (attendants) with head-gears decked with gold, having canes and Jhariharas in hand, softly caused the crowd all around to make way. The king then, having reached the excellent quarters of Bhishma, alighted from his horse. And arrived at Bhishma’s presence, that ruler of men saluted Bhishma and then sat himself down on an excellent seat that was made of gold, beautiful throughout and overlaid with a rich coverlet.

With hands joined, eyes bathed in tears, and voice chocked in grief, he then addressed Bhishma, saying,

'Taking your protection, this battle, O slayer of foes, we ventured to vanquish the very gods and the Asuras with Indra at their head. What shall I say, therefore, of the sons of Pandu, heroic though they be, with their kinsmen and friends? Therefore, O son of Ganga, it behoves you, O lord, to show me mercy. Slay the brave sons of Pandu like Mahendra slaying the Danavas.—I will slay, O king, all the Somakas and the Pancalas and the Karushas along with the Kekayas, O Bharata-these were your words to me. Let these words become true. Slay the assembled Parthas, and those mighty bowmen, viz., the Somakas. Make your words true, O Bharata. If from kindness (for the Pandavas), O king, or from your hatred of my unfortunate self, you sparest the Pandavas, then permit Karna, that ornament of battle, to fight. He will vanquish in battle the Parthas with all their friends and kinsmen.'

The king, your son Duryodhana having said this, shut his lips without saying anything more to Bhishma of terrible prowess."

Conclusion:

This concludes Section XCVIII of Book 6 (Bhishma Parva) of the Mahabharata, of which an English translation is presented on this page. This book is famous as one of the Itihasa, similair in content to the eighteen Puranas. Book 6 is one of the eighteen books comprising roughly 100,000 Sanskrit metrical verses.

FAQ (frequently asked questions):

Which keywords occur in Section XCVIII of Book 6 of the Mahabharata?

The most relevant definitions are: Bhishma, Pandavas, Bharata, Karna, Duryodhana, Dussasana; since these occur the most in Book 6, Section XCVIII. There are a total of 32 unique keywords found in this section mentioned 80 times.

What is the name of the Parva containing Section XCVIII of Book 6?

Section XCVIII is part of the Bhagavat-Gita Parva which itself is a sub-section of Book 6 (Bhishma Parva). The Bhagavat-Gita Parva contains a total of 112 sections while Book 6 contains a total of 3 such Parvas.

Can I buy a print edition of Section XCVIII as contained in Book 6?

Yes! The print edition of the Mahabharata contains the English translation of Section XCVIII of Book 6 and can be bought on the main page. The author is Kisari Mohan Ganguli and the latest edition (including Section XCVIII) is from 2012.

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