| YouTube Channel

प्रतिज्ञापर्वन् (pratijJAparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
Pratijñāparvan(ºva) (“the section including the vow of Arjuna, ” the 74th of the minor parvans of Mhbhr.).-§ 10 (Parvas.): I, 2, 339.--§ 596: In the evening, when Arjuna
having slain large numbers of Saṃśaptakas, proceeded towards his tent, he said to Kṛshṇa that his heart was affrighted
he noticed indications of disaster
Abhimanyu did not come out with smiles to receive him, etc. He remembered that Droṇa had this day formed the circular army, which none save Abhimanyu could break, but he had not taught him how to come out of it, after having pierced it
he had heard the leonine shouts of the Dhārtarāshṭras, and Kṛshṇa had heard Yuyutsu censuring them for having slain a child instead of Arjuna, and then Yuyutsu had thrown away his weapons afflicted with rage and grief. Kṛshṇa consoled Arjuna, referring to the kshatriya duties and heaven. None save Kṛshṇa and Yudhishṭhira (who were always acceptable to him) could address Arjuna. Yudhishṭhira, addressing him, told (VII, 72) him the particulars of Abhimanyu's heroism and fall. Arjuna vowed to slay Jayadratha before the setting of the morrow's sun (his oath)
even as to As., D., men, birds, snakes, P., wanderers of the night, B.-ṛ., D.-ṛ., etc., he said that they would not succeed in protecting him, even if he entered Rasātala, or ascended the firmament, or repaired to the city of the gods (Devapuraṃ) or the city of Diti (Diteḥ puraṃ)
if the sun set before he had slain him, he would himself ascend the pyre. Arjuna bent the Gāṇḍīva, Kṛshṇa blew the Pāñcajanya, Arjuna the Devadatta (VII, 73). Having been informed by spies, Jayadratha was overwhelmed with sorrow and fear, thinking that not even Droṇa, etc. (), not even D., G., As., U., Rā., can protect him against Arjuna
he wished to return home. Duryodhana comforted him, saying that he, Karṇa, etc. (), would protect him. Jayadratha, accompanied by Duryodhana, repaired that very night to Droṇa and questioned him about the difference between himself and Arjuna. Droṇa said they had got the same instruction, but Arjuna was superior to Jayadratha in consequence of yoga and the hard life led by Arjuna
Droṇa would, however, protect him, forming an impenetrable array
and, moreover, death ought not to be an object of terror to him (VII, 74). Kṛshṇa remonstrated with Arjuna for his rash vow
the Kurus had expected an attack by Arjuna
now they will protect Jayadratha (who had mentioned Arjuna's encounter with Śiva, Hiraṇyapura, etc.)
Karṇa, etc. () would be in Jayadratha's van
Droṇa's army would be half a śakaṭa and half a lotus with a needle-mouthed array in the middle (VII, 75). Arjuna assured Kṛshṇa of his competence to accomplish his vow, notwithstanding Droṇa, Sā., R., V., A., M., with Indra, V.-D., D., P., G., Garuḍa, etc., by the means of Gāṇḍīva and the weapons he had obtained from Yama, etc. (), and the Brāhma weapon (VII, 76). The gods with Indra became very anxious. Sinister omens appeared in nature. Kṛshṇa went to Arjuna's abode and comforted Subhadrā (with the kshatriya duties, etc., and revenge) (VII, 77). Subhadrā lamented over Abhimanyu, and said “fie on Bhīmasena, etc.” (), because they had not protected him. Draupadī and Uttarā came to her, lamenting Kṛshṇa said that Abhimanyu had obtained the most laudable and enviable goal. Then he returned to Arjuna (VII, 78). Arjuna performed his usual nightly sacrifice to Śiva. Kṛshṇa with Dāruka repaired to his own tent. None in the Pāṇḍava camp slept that night, thinking of Arjuna. In the middle of the night Kṛshṇa said to Dāruka that he had resolved to fight to-morrow [if necessary]
he should equip his chariot, placing on it Kaumodakī, etc., making room for Garuḍa, and yoking thereto Balāhaka, etc. ()
when hearing Pañcajanya emitting the shrill Ṛshabha note, he should come to Kṛshṇa (VII, 79). Arjuna in a dream saw Kṛshṇa, who told him not to grieve, and mentioned the Pāśupata weapon (with which Śiva slew all the Daityas in battle)
if he remembered it now, he would be able to slay Jayadratha to-morrow
otherwise he should pray to Śiva. At the Brāhma hour, Arjuna saw himself sojourning through the sky (Himavat)
Maṇimat, frequented by Si. and Cā., etc. () with Kṛshṇa, to where Śiva was seated with Pārvatī (description) ()
Kṛshṇa and Arjuna hymned Mahādeva (VII, 80). Arjuna saw that the offerings he had made every night to Kṛshṇa had come to Śiva, and he mentally worshipped both Kṛshṇa and Śiva. Śiva then told Kṛshṇa and Arjuna where to fetch his bow and arrow from a lake of amṛta. In the lake they saw two terrible snakes
when they had uttered the Brahma Śatarudriya, the snakes assumed the forms of a bow and arrow. From Śiva's body there came out a brahmacārin of blue throat and red locks, and having showed Arjuna the use of the bow and arrow, and the mantras, he sped these weapons to that same lake. Having thus once more obtained the Pāśupata weapon, Arjuna with Kṛshṇa came back to their own camp (VII, 81).--§ 597: THE FOURTEENTH DAY. Yudhishṭhira underwent his morning rites (very copious description)
Kṛshṇa visited Yudhishṭhira (VII, 82). Then also Virāṭa, etc., came (). Yudhishṭhira asked Kṛshṇa to rescue the Pāṇḍavas, quoting Nārada. Kṛshṇa assured Yudhishṭhira of Arjuna's success (VII, 83). Arjuna came and acquainted Yudhishṭhira of his dream. Then he and Kṛshṇa and Yuyudhāna (these two in one chariot) set out to Arjuna's pavilion. Kṛshṇa equipped Arjuna's chariot (which had previously been sanctified by manīras), which Arjuna circumambulated, bow and arrows in hand. Arjuna, Yuyudhāna, and Kṛshṇa mounted the chariot. Many auspicious omens appeared. Arjuna charged Yuyudhāna to protect Yudhishṭhira in his absence (only he or Pradyumna is able to do it). Yuyudhāna proceeded to Yudhishṭhira (VII, 84).