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द्रोणाभिषेकपर्वन् (droNAbhiSekaparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Droṇābhishekaparvan]
(“the section relating to the inauguration of Droṇa, ” the 71st of the minor parvans of Mhbhr.
cf. Droṇābhishecana). § 589: Janamejaya enquired of the state of Dhṛtarāshṭra on the receipt of intelligence of Bhīshma's death. Vaiśampāyana's answer: Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya about what the Kauravas did after the fall of Bhīshma. Sañjaya mentioned the arrow-pillow, etc. (cf. § 587 foll.), and that the warriors once more went to battle. The Kurus desired to make Karṇa their generalissimo (mentioning his enmity with Bhīshma) (VII,
1). Karṇa eulogised Bhīshma, and promised to be their leader, mentioning the prowess of Yudhishṭhira, etc. ()
he commanded his charioteer to make his chariot ready (VII, 2). Karṇa waited upon Bhīshma (mentioning the danger to the Kurus from Arjuna with the Gāṇḍīva, etc.
Arjuna's battle with Śiva
Kṛshṇa
Bhīshma's battle with Rāma) (VII, 3). Bhīshma, mentioning Karṇa's prowess against the Kāmbojas, etc. (), urged him to fight for the victory of Duryodhana. Then Karṇa saluted Bhīshma, and, at his return, was worshipped by Duryodhana and the Kauravas (VII, 4). Duryodhana asked Karṇa's advice as to who should become the generalissimo of the Kuru army. Karṇa proposed Droṇa (VII, 5). Duryodhana requested Droṇa to take the command (VII, 6). Droṇa, mentioning his knowledge of the Veda and the Śaiva weapon, etc., and his inability to slay Dhṛshṭadyumna, accepted the request. Duryodhana and the kings performed the inauguration of Droṇa, at which the army rejoiced. Droṇa arrayed the troops: the Sindhu king, etc. (), in the right wing, supported by Śakuni, etc.
Kṛpa, etc. (), in the left wing, supported by the Kāmbojas, etc. ()
the Madras, etc. (), in the rear
Karṇa at the head of all the bowmen. The array was in the form of a śakaṭa(cart). Yudhishṭhira disposed his troops in the form of a krauñca (crane), with Kṛshṇa and Arjuna at the head. Omens appeared when Droṇa proceeded to battle. The Pāṇḍavas and Sṛñjayas were broken by Droṇa. Dhṛshṭadyumna & Droṇa (VII, 7). Yudhishṭhira urged Dhṛshṭadyumna and Arjuna to check Droṇa. The Kekaya princes, etc. (), “achieved diverse feats.” Droṇa put the Pāṇḍava troops to rout. Droṇa & the Kekaya princes, etc. (). At last Droṇa, having slain more than two akshauhiṇīs, “proceeded hence to heaven” (“attained to the highest state”) slain by Dhṛshṭadyumna. D., P., etc., beheld him (VII, 8). Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya the particulars of Droṇa's heroism and slaughter (mentioning his knowledge of the Vedas
his ability to remove Meru
his equality to Bṛhaspati or Uśanas
his horses of the Sindhu breed, etc. ()) (VII, 9). Dhṛtarāshṭra swooned away, and was restored to consciousness by the Bharata ladies. Then he enquired of Sañjaya about Yudhishṭhira, etc. (), especially Yuyudhāna Sātyaki (b), and Dhṛshṭaketu (c), and Ketumat (d)
and the children of Dhṛshṭadyumna, Kshatrañjaya, etc. (), who, giving up all sports for twelve years, and observing excellent vows, waited upon Bhīshma for the sake of weapons
and the five Kaikeya brothers (e)
and Yuyutsu (f), and Dhṛshṭadyumna (g) (VII, 10). Dhṛtarāshṭra recited the feats of Kṛshṇa: the killing of Hayarāja, etc. (), that he had vanquished in battle the Aṅgas, etc. (), and that if Kṛshṇa would summon them, Gada, etc. (), would take up their position in the Pāṇḍava host
and regretted that Duryodhana did not know Kṛshṇa and Arjuna
the destruction of the Kurus he attributed to himself or to Destiny (VII, 11).--§ 590: Sañjaya begins his narrative in detail. THE ELEVENTH DAY'S BATTLE: Duryodhana, having consulted with Karṇa and Duḥśāsana, etc., asked Droṇa to seize Yudhishṭhira alive. Droṇa became very glad because Duryodhana had not asked him to slay Yudhishṭhira. Duryodhana explained that if Yudhishṭhira were slain, the other Pāṇḍavas, who were invincible, would avenge him
but taken alive, he might be once more vanquished at dice, and so all the Pāṇḍavas be obliged once more to go to the woods. Droṇa said that he would seize Yudhishṭhira if not protected by Arjuna (with his weapons from Indra and Rudra, etc.)
Arjuna, therefore, must be withdrawn from Yudhishṭhira. Duryodhana proclaimed the promise of Droṇa to all his troops, in order to make him stick to his promise (VII, 12). Yudhishṭhira learned through his spies that Droṇa had promised to seize him, and addressed his brothers and allies
Arjuna consoled him. A fierce battle commenced. Protected by Droṇa and Arjuna, both hosts seemed to stand inactive. The Pāṇḍavas could not withstand Droṇa, who began to consume the division of Dhṛshṭadyumna (VII, 13). Droṇa caused a river of blood to flow there. Yudhishṭhira & Droṇa
Śakuni & Sahadeva
Droṇa & Dhṛshṭadyumna
Bhīmasena & Viviṃśati
Śalya & Nakula
Dhṛshṭaketu & Kṛpa
Sātyaki & Kṛtavarman
Senāpati & Suśarman
Virāṭa (with the Matsyas) & Karṇa
Drupada & Bhagadatta
Bhūriśravas & Śikhaṇḍin
Ghaṭotkaca & Alambusha
Śekitāna & Anuvinda
Lakshmaṇa & Kshatradeva
Paurava & Abhimanyu
Paurava was rescued by Kṛtavarman, and then by Jayadratha
Abhimanyu (letting Paurava alone) & Jayadratha, who was vanquished
Śalya & Abhimanyu
Virāṭa, etc. (), praised Abhimanyu
Dhṛtarāshṭra's sons + Śalya & Abhimanyu (VII, 14)
Bhīmasena + Abhimanyu & Śalya
Bhīmasena (causing Abhimanyu to stand aside) & Śalya
both fell down
Kṛtavarman took Śalya away on his chariot
the Pāṇḍavas vanquished the Dhārtarāshṭras (VII, 15). Karṇa's son Vṛshasena attacked the Pāṇḍava army
Nakula's son Śatānīka & Vṛshasena
the Draupadeyāḥ + the Pāṇḍavas & Vṛshasena + Aśvatthāman, etc.
especially Bhīma, etc. (). The Kuru army was broken. Droṇa & Yudhishṭhira
the Pāñcāla prince Kumāra (the protector of Yudhishṭhira's car-wheels) & Droṇa
Droṇa & Śikhaṇḍin, etc. ()
Droṇa caused Yugandhara to fall down from the seat of his chariot
Virāṭa, etc. (), & Droṇa
Vyāghradatta (the Pāñcāla prince) & Droṇa
Siṃhasena & Droṇa, who slew both Siṃhasena and Vyāghradatta
Arjuna, in order to rescue Yudhishṭhira, attacked Droṇa's division. Just then the sun set. Droṇa and Duryodhana, etc., withdrew their troops, and so did Arjuna. The Pāṇḍavas, etc. (), praised Arjuna (VII, 16).