Arjuna's Vishada Yoga

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच । धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥...

Dhrtarashtra asked of Sanjaya: O SANJAYA, what did my warrior sons and those of Pandu do when they were gathered at KURUKSHETRA, the field of religious activities? Tell me of those happenings.

सञ्जय उवाच । दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ १.२ ...

Sanjaya explained: Now seeing that the army of the PANDAVAS was set up properly, the Price DURYODHANA called his teacher, DRONA, to his side and spoke these words:

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम् । व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता ॥ १.३ ॥

Behold O, Master, the mighty army of the sons of PANDU, led by the son of DRUPADA, your talented disciple.

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि । युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥ १.४ ॥

Present here are the mighty archers, peers or friends, in warfare, of ARJUNA and BHIMA. Their names are: YUYUDHANA, VIRATA and DRUPADA, the great chariot-warrior. Other great warriors were also present on the battlefield: DHRSHTAKEUT, CHEKITANA and the brave and noble King of Kasi, KUNTIBHIJA and SAIBYA; these are among the great warriors. Other courageous and great chariot-warriors were: YUDHAMANYU, the brave UTTAMAUJA, SAUBHADRA, and the sons of DRAUPADI.

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् । पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥ १.५ ॥

Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, and the valiant king of Kashi, Purujit and Kuntibhoja and Saibya, the best of men.

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् । सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥ १.६ ॥

The strong Yudhamanyu and the brave Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra and the sons of Draupadi, all of them, divisional commanders.

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम । नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते ॥ १.७ ॥

Duryodhana spoke unto his master Drona: O Best of the twice born, I name all of those who are our distinguished Chiefs, the leaders of my army, of your information only.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिंजयः । अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च ॥ १.८ ॥

Your wise self, BHISMA, KARNA, KRIPA, the victorious in fight; ASVATTHAMA, VIKARNA and SAUMADATTI as well.

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः । नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥ १.९ ॥

Duryodhana further said to Drona: Yet several other heroes and great men, well-trained in combat, armed with assorted powerful weapons and missiles, are ready to lay down their lives for me!

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम् । पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम् ॥ १.१० ॥

Duryodhana explained with pride to Drona: Our army, led by BHISMA, is numerous and skilled. The army led by BHIMA, however, is weak and lacking in strength and power.

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः । भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि ॥ १.११ ॥

Duryodhana instructed his army: Now all of you quickly assume your proper positions for battle, your main goal being to protect and fight alongside BHISMA, your leader, by all means.

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः । सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥ १.१२ ॥

To bring joy to DURYODHANA’s heart, the great grandsire BHISMA, the oldest and most famous of the KAURAVAS, roared loudly like a lion (a battle-cry), and blew his conch to signal the army to advance towards the enemy.

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः । सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥ १.१३ ॥

Tremendous noise followed. Conches, kettle-drums, tabors, and trumpets and cowhorns blared across the battlefield.

ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ । माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः ॥ १.१४ ॥

MADHAVA (Lord Krishna) and PANDAVA were seated in their magnificent chariote attached to white horses and they blew gracefully their divine conches.

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः । पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः ॥ १.१५ ॥

The PANCHAJANYA (the name of one of the conches) was blown by HRISHIKESA (Lord Krishna). The conch named DEVADATTA was blown by DHANANJAYA (Arjuna).

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः । नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥ १.१६ ॥

The King YUDISHTHIRA. the son of KUNTI blew the great conch called ANANTAVIYAYA: NAKUL and  SAHDEV blew SUGHOSHA and MANIPUSHPAKA (also names of conches).

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः । धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥ १.१७ ॥

Several conches were also blown by: The ruler of KASI. the great warrior SIKHANDI, DHRSTHTADYUMNA, VIRATA, and SATYAKI, the invincible. DRUPADA and the sons of DRAUPADI, and the mighty armed son of SUBHADRA also blew their several conches.

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते । सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक् ॥ १.१८ ॥

Drupada and the sons of Draupadi, O Lord of the Earth, and the son of Subhadra, the mighty armed, blew their respective conches.

स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् । नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलोऽभ्यनुनादयन् ॥ १.१९ ॥

The earth and sky was filled with the extremely loud and terrible noise of the PANDAVAS’ bugles and voices which struck fear in the hearts of the KAURAVAS (the sons of Dhrtarashtra).

अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः हृषीके...

Sanjaya said :Then, my king, seeing the KAURAVAS (the army of Dhrtarashtra), positioned and ready to begin fighting, ARJUNA, whose flag was that of HANUMAN, spoke the following words to SHRI KRISHNA, as he lifted his bow to fight the battle.

हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते |अर्जुन उवाच |सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥ १.२१ ॥

Arjuna said: In the midst of the two armies, place my chariot, O Achyuta, that I may behold those who stand here desirous of fighting and, on the eve of this battle, let me know with whom I must fight.

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् | कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥ १.२२ ॥

Place my chariot, O ACHYUTA (Lord Krishna) between the two armies so that I may see those who wish to fight for us and also to see who I have to fight against, in this war.

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः । धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥ १.२३ ...

I desire to see all of those great warrior kings who have gathered here to fight alongside the evil-minded DURYODHANA (son of Dhrtarashtra).

सञ्जय उवाच । एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥ १.२४ ॥

Sanjaya continued: After being requested by GUDAKESA (Arjun), HRISHIKESA (Lord Krishna), placed ARJUN’s magnificent chariot between the armies. The chariot was now facing BHISMA, the Guru DRONA, and all the rulers of the earth; then Lord KRISHNA spoke to ARJUNA: “O, PARTHA (Arjuna), see yourself all of the KAURAVAS assembled here on the battlefield today.”

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम् । उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति ॥ १.२५ ॥

In front of Bhishma and Drona, and all the rulers of the earth, he said, O Partha, behold these Kurus gathered together.

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान् आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा श्वश...॥ 26 ॥

ARJUNA, gazed upon the army and then saw in both armies, paternal uncles, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, cousins, sons, grandsons, friends, fathers-in-law, and well-wishers. The son of KUNTI (Arjuna), after viewing all of those relatives and friends posted in their positions on the battlefield, became melancholy and filled with compassion (love) for his relatives, and spoke in a sad voice:

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि | तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेय: सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान् ॥ १.२७ ॥

(He saw) Fathers-in-law and friends also in both the armies. Then the son of Kunti, seeing all these kinsmen thus standing arrayed, spoke thus sorrowfully, filled with deep pity.

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् | अर्जुन उवाच | दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्

Arjuna said: O KRISHNA, seeing my kinsmen (relatives) standing before me to fight against me in this war, I find myself unable to move my body, and my mouth has become parched. He continued: I have no longer any control over my body; my hair stands on end. I cannot control my bow GANDIVA, and my skin burns all over.

वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते । गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते ॥ १.२९ ॥

My limbs fail and my mouth is parched, my body quivers and my hair stands on end.

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चै व परिदह्यते |न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मन: ॥ १.३० ॥

I can no longer stand; my knees are weak; my mind is clouded and spinning in many directions, and, dear KRISHNA, I am seeing bad signs.

न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे । न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च ॥ १.३१ ॥

I cannot see any good in slaughtering and killing my friends and relatives in battle. O KRISHNA, I have no use nor desire for victory, empire or even materialistic pleasures.

किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा । येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च ॥ १.३२ ...

O GOVINDA, (Krishna), what in the use of a kindgom, enjoyment or even life?

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगा: सुखानि च | त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ॥ १.३३ ॥

Those whom we seek these pleasures from (the enjoyment of kingdom), are standing before us staking their lives and property, possessions which I have no desire for.

आचार्या: पितर: पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहा: | मातुला: श्वशुरा: पौत्रा: श्याला: सम्बन्धिनस्तथा॥ १.३४ ॥

O Lord KRISHNA, I do not want to kill my teachers, uncles, friends, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives and well-wishers.

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन | अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतो: किं नु महीकृते ॥ १....

Arjuna spoke to the Lord Madhusudhana (Lord Krishna): I could not slay (kill) my relatives even if I had to give my own life away. I could not slay them even for domination of the three worlds; how could I slay them for domination of this earth.

पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्सबान्धवान् स्वजनं हि क...

O KRISHNA, why should we kill our own loved ones and kinsmen when no happiness or good can come out of so doing?

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥ १.३७ ॥

Greed has clouded the minds and overpowered the intelligence of the sons of DHRTARASHTRA and so they feel no guilt, and fail to see the sins they are commiting by betraying friends and destroying their families. Arjuna continued: Why should we not realize, O KRISHNA, the wrong-doings and sins that the sons of DHRTARASATRA cannot see and realize, and save ourselves from committing these sins?

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् । कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥ १.३८ ॥

Why should not we, who clearly see evil in the destruction of the family-units, learn to turn away from this sin, O Janardana?

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः । धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥ १.३९ ॥

Arjuna explained: When one begins to destroy his own family, then his ancient, respected traditions, customs, moral values, principles, are destroyed as well. By the destruction of these, the whole family becomes evil and huge sins are committed.

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः । स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥ १.४० ॥

O KRISHNA, with the growth of evil in a family, the family women, become impure and evil, and sinning with those of other castes would follow.

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च । पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥ १.४१ ॥

By the mixture of castes, families will breed more family destroyers; being deprived of food and water, their ancestors will also fall from heaven.

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः । उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥ १.४२ ॥

The everlasting traditions, customs and principles of a caste are destroyed when different castes join together and create mixed-blood generations. This leads to confusion of a caste’s customs.

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन । नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥ १.४३ ॥

It has been heard, O JANARDHANA (Krishna) that hell is the permanent home for those men whose families’ religious practices have been broken and destroyed.

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् । यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥ १.४४ ॥

Moreover, it is a great shame, that knowing and understanding everything, we are still ready to commit such a great sin of killing our kinsmen, just because of greed for kingdom and pleasures.

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः । धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥ १.४५ ॥

I think it would be better for me if the sons of DHRTARASHTRA slay me, with their weapons while I remain unarmed and unwilling to fight back

सञ्जय उवाच । एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥ १.४६ ॥

Sanjaya said: Having said this, ARJUNA, still extremely sad and confused sat on the seat of this chariot throwing away his bow and arrows.

उवाच अर्जुनः । नैषोऽस्ति न युध्येयम् इत्युक्त्वा सञ्जयः उवाच ।

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus, Arjuna, overwhelmed with sorrow, cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the seat of the chariot, his mind distressed with grief.