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नारायणास्त्रमोक्षपर्वन् (nArAyaNAstramokSaparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Nārāyaṇāstramokshaparvan(ºva)] (“the section including the hurling of the Nārāyaṇa weapon”), the 78th of the minor parvans of the Mhbhr. § 603. THE LAST PART OF THE 15TH DAY. After the fall of Droṇa, the Kurus, even Duryodhana, etc. (), fled away, Kṛtavarman with the remnant of his Bhoja troops, etc. (), Suśarman with the remnant of the Saṃśaptakas. Only Aśvatthāman did not flee: Aśvatthāman & Śikhaṇḍin, etc. (). Aśvatthāman asked Duryodhana why the troops were fleeing away, even Karṇa's troops
Duryodhana caused Kṛpa to inform Aśvatthāman of the truth (), at which Aśvatthāman was filled with rage (VII, 193). Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya what Aśvatthāman said (), he who knew the weapons of men and Vāruṇa, etc. () (VII, 194). Sañjaya related: Aśvatthāman complained before Duryodhana that his father has been killed (), and vowed to destroy the Pāñcālas and the Pāṇḍavas
neither D., nor G., As., U., Rā., etc., were able to vanquish him
there were none equal to him and Arjuna in knowledge of weapons
he had a weapon (the Nārāyaṇa weapon) that neither Arjuna, etc. () knew, given by Nārāyaṇa to his father as a boon, with the promise that no man should ever be his equal in battle
only, this weapon must never be used in haste, etc., and never be hurled upon persons that abandon their chariots or weapons in battle, etc.
with this he would rout and slay the Pāṇḍavas, etc. (). The Kuru army rallied
many blew their conches, etc.
the Pāṇḍavas took counsel of one another
Aśvatthāman touched water and invoked the Nārāyaṇa weapon (VII, 195). Fierce omens in nature appeared. D., Dā., and G. became inspired with fear. Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya what counsel was adopted by the Pāṇḍavas in order to protect Dhṛshṭadyumna on seeing the retreating Kauravas once more advance to battle, rallied by Aśvatthāman. Sañjaya related: Yudhishṭhira spoke about the matter to Arjuna (), fearing that it was Indra himself who was approaching for the sake of the Kauravas. Arjuna in reply described the prowess of Aśvatthāman and the unrighteousness of the Pāṇḍavas in slaying Droṇa ()
“all of us have passed the greater part of our lives
the days that remain to us are few
this exceedingly unrighteous act has stained that remnant”
“I did not interfere, as he was about to be slain
for this fault I have already sunk into hell, overcome with shame” (VII, 196). Bhīmasena, reproaching Arjuna, vindicated the deed ()
“I can, with my arrows, rout the united D. with Indra at their head, and As., U., and men.” Then Dhṛshṭadyumna spoke in justification of his conduct () (VII, 197). Asked by Dhṛtarāshṭra (), Sañjaya related: All the other persons present remained silent
Arjuna, glancing obliquely towards Dhṛshṭadyumna, seemed to reproach him with tears and sighs
Yudhishṭhira, etc. () stood ashamed
Sātyaki wrathfully rebuked Dhṛshṭadyumna (). Dhṛshṭadyumna in reply taunted Sātyaki with the slaughter of Bhūriśrasas (). Sātyaki rushed towards Dhṛshṭadyumna in order to slay him
Bhīma, urged by Kṛshṇa, held him back
Sahadeva endeavoured to bring about a reconciliation ()
Dhṛshṭadyumna asked Bhīma to let him slay Sātyaki ()
then he or Arjuna would slay the enemies. Kṛshṇa and Yudhishṭhira restored peace with great difficulty, and all the warriors proceeded to battle (VII, 198). Aśvatthāman caused a great carnage among the Pāṇḍava troops (description)
before Duryodhana he repeated his vow (). Duryodhana rallied his troops. Aśvatthāman invoked the Nārāyaṇa weapon (description). The Pāṇḍavas, etc. (), became exceedingly agitated. Yudhishṭhira, relying on Kṛshṇa, advised Dhṛshṭadyumna to flee away with his Pāñcālas, and Sātyaki with the Vṛshṇis and Andhakas
he and his brothers would ascend a funeral pile (). Kṛshṇa prevailed upon the troops to lay down their weapons and alight from their chariots. Bhīmasena alone refused to do so, and dissuaded the others (). Arjuna said that his vow was that the Gāṇḍīva should not be used against the Nārāyaṇa weapon, kine, and brahmans. Bhīma attacked Aśvatthāman, but was overwhelmed by the energy of the Nārāyaṇa weapon (VII, 199). Arjuna covered Bhīmasena with the Vāruṇa weapon, Arjuna and Kṛshṇa, alighting from their chariot, proceeded on foot towards Bhīma and forcibly brought him down from his chariot, making him abandon his weapons. Then the Nārāyaṇa weapon became neutralized
all the quarters became clear, etc. The Pāṇḍava host stood arrayed once more. Duryodhana urged Aśvatthāman to use the same weapon once more
Aśvatthāman said that it could not be used twice
if brought back it would without doubt slay himself. Duryodhana then urged him to slay the enemies with other weapons. Dhṛtarāshṭra asked, what then came to pass ()
Sañjaya related: Dhṛshṭadyumna & Aśvatthāman, who deprived Dhṛshṭadyumna of his steeds, driver, and chariot
the Pāñcālas fled away. Sātyaki & Aśvatthāman, who was worsted by him. Duryodhana, etc. (), & Sātyaki, who made them flee away deprived of their chariots. Aśvatthāman (upon another chariot) & Sātyaki, who once more deprived him of his chariot and caused him to retreat
the Pāṇḍavas blew their conches, and Sātyaki slew 300 of Vṛshasena's division, etc. (). Aśvatthāman (upon another chariot) & Sātyaki
Aśvatthāman repeated his vow ()
Sātyaki was carried away by his driver. Aśvatthāman & Dhṛshṭadyumna, who was much afflicted
Arjuna, etc. (), & Aśvatthāman, who slew Sudarśana (the Mālava king), Paurava (Bṛhatkshattra), and the young Cedi prince. Bhīma & Aśvatthāman
Bhīma was carried away by his steeds
the Pāñcālas fled away (VII, 200). Arjuna (+ Kṛshṇa) (rallying his troops) & Aśvatthāman (+ the Kauravas)
Arjuna addressed Aśvatthāman in harsh words (). Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya about the cause of this, as Arjuna and Aśvatthāman loved each other. Sañjaya said that it was in consequence of his grief (). Aśvatthāman became angry with Arjuna and especially with Kṛshṇa, touched water, and made use of the Āgneya weapon, from which dire omens in nature appeared, and a great slaughter in the Pāṇḍava army resulted
Rā. and Pś. uttered fierce cries, etc. (description). Arjuna invoked the Brāhma weapon: the darkness was dispelled, etc.
a full akshauhiṇī of the Pāṇḍava troops had been killed
Kṛshṇa and Arjuna were unwounded
the Pāṇḍavas rejoiced, the Kauravas wondered, Aśvatthāman was disconsolate, and ran away from the fight
he met Vyāsa, and asked him the reason
“neither As., nor G., Pś., Rā., U., Y., and birds, nor men can baffle this weapon.” Vyāsa told him the story of Nārāyaṇa ()
Nara and Nārāyaṇa are Arjuna and Kṛshṇa
even Aśvatthā-man has been born as a portion of Rudra, and was [in a former birth]
endued with great wisdom, regarding the universe to consist only of Mahādeva, etc., and Śiva had granted him numerous boons, and he had, in every Yuga, adored the great god in his Phallic form. Kṛshṇa had sprung from Rudra himself, and always worshipped him, regarding his Phallic emblem as the origin of the universe, and he viewed the identity of Bráhman with the universe
D., Si., and M.-ṛ. adore Kṛshṇa in order to attain to Mahādeva
Kṛshṇa is the Creator of everything
the eternal Kṛshṇa should be adored with sacrifices, etc. Aśvatthāman bowed unto Rudra, regarded Kṛshṇa as worthy of the highest regards, and became filled with delight, the marks whereof appeared on his body. Bowing to Vyāsa, he caused the army to be withdrawn, and so did also the Pāṇḍavas. Having fought for five days…, Droṇa repaired to Brahmaloka (VII, 201). Arjuna met with Vyāsa and inquired of him about the invisible person who aided him in the battle
Vyāsa said that it was Mahādeva himself, and recited a long enumeration of his attributes ()
if Mahādeva becomes angry, neither D., nor As., G., Rā., even if they hide themselves in deep caves, can have peace. In days of yore Mahādeva destroyed the sacrifice of Daksha
the Sacrifice fled away, and D. and As. fell down and submitted to Mahādeva, the Nāgas and Ṛ. became agitated, etc.
Pūshan was eating the puroḍāśa: Śiva tore out his teeth
the gods assigned to Rudra a substantial share in sacrifices
he then re-established the sacrifice. Then Vyāsa related the destruction of Tripura (d). He [Śiva]
is Rudra, etc. (). Explanation of some of the names of Mahādeva (). Blessings upon the reader, especially the readers of the Śatarudriya () (VII, 202).