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यानसन्धिपर्वन् (yAnasandhiparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Yānasandhiparvan(ºva)]
(“section relating to the Yānasandhi”, q.v.), the 60th of the minor parvans of Mhbhr. § 561. After the night had passed away, all the princes and chiefs, Bhīshma, etc. () entered the court-hall (description) to hear the message of Sañjaya (adorned with ear-rings), who had come back from the Pāṇḍavas by the aid of Saindhava steeds. Sañjaya related the salutations of the Pāṇḍavas (V, 47). Sañjaya related that Arjuna (! cf. § 556: Sañjayayānap., V, 23--28) had said, with Yudhishṭhira's sanction, that Sañjaya should say to Duryodhana and Karṇa, threatening them with Bhīmasena, etc. (), that if the Dhārtarāshṭras desired war, then all the aims of the Pāṇḍavas were accomplished, as Duryodhana should lie down on the bare earth, deprived of life, etc. Arjuna (b) trusted himself and Kṛshṇa (c)
he said that Duryodhana often thought of imprisoning Kṛshṇa, and sought to create a sudden disunion between Kṛshṇa and Arjuna. “There are with us many aged brahmans, versed in various sciences…who are prophesying the great destruction of the Kurus and the Sṛñjayas, and the ultimate victory of the Pāṇḍavas… thy bow Gāṇḍīva yawns without being handled, etc.
on the top of my flagstaff are heard terrific voices (‘when shall thy car be yoked, O Kirīṭin?’)
innumerable jackals howl at night, and Rākshasas frequently alight from the sky…I will use the Sthūṇākarṇa, Pāśupata, and Brāhma weapons, and all those that Śakra gave me.” [This speech of Arjuna is not found in § 556: Sañjayayānap.]
(V, 48). Bhīshma said to Duryodhana that Nara and Nārāyaṇa (Nara-Nārāyaṇau) (d) were Arjuna and Kṛshṇa: it was with their aid that Śakra vanquished the Daityas and Dānavas
Nara slew hundreds and thousands of Paulomas and Kālakañjas in battle
Arjuna, with an arrow, severed the head of the Asura Jambha while the latter was about to swallow him
he afflicted Hiraṇyapura on the other side of the ocean, having vanquished in battle 60, 000 of Nivātakavacas
and in the same way also Nārāyaṇa has, in this world, destroyed numberless other Daityas and Dānavas. Karṇa boasted that he would slay all the Pāṇḍavas in battle, but was rebuked by Bhīshma, saying that Karṇa had seen his own brother slain by Arjuna in the city of Virāṭa, and alluding to the contents of the Goharaṇa-, and the Ghoshayātrāparvan. Droṇa also counselled peace, but got no answer from Dhṛtarāshṭra (V, 49). At the request of Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya related that the Pañcālas, etc. () looked up to Yudhishṭhira. As he was questioned about Dhṛshṭadyumna and the Somakas, he first fell down in a swoon. Then, regarding Bhīmasena (e) he mentioned the lac-house, etc. ()
regarding Arjuna, the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest, etc. ()
then Nakula (f) and Sahadeva (g)
Śikhaṇḍin ()
the five Kekaya princes, etc. () (V, 50). Dhṛtarāshṭra was most afraid of Bhīma (who was taller than Arjuna by the span of the thumb), with his mace (full four cubits in length, with six sides), mentioning his killing Jarāsandha (V, 51). Dhṛtarāshṭra was also afraid of Arjuna, who he feared would conquer Karṇa (being compassionate and heedless), and Droṇa (being aged and having affection for his pupil Arjuna)
“thirtythree years have passed since the burning of the Khāṇḍava forest
we have never heard of his being defeated anywhere” [but cf. the reading of B. trayastṛṃśat samāhūya, i.e. challenging the thirty-three gods]
(V, 52). Dhṛtarāshṭra was afraid of the allies of Yudhishṭhira: the Pāñcālas, Kekayas, etc. () (V, 53). Sañjaya rebuked Dhṛtarāshṭra for his behaviour towards the Pāṇḍavas
“the Matsyas, etc. () all decline to pay thee homage now” (V, 54). Duryodhana said, that when the Pāṇḍavas had been exiled, there came to them Kṛshṇa, etc. (), all assembled in a place not far from Indraprastha, and suggested to Yudhishṭhira that he should take back the kingdom
“the people of the realm were all annoyed with us, and all our friends also were angry with us”
but Bhīshma, Kṛpa, and Aśvatthāman had despised the foes (“inflamed with anger at the death of his father this Bhīshma, in days of old, had conquered all the kings of the earth, in a single chariot”). “Now the Pāṇḍavas are without allies
and all these kings can, for my sake, enter the fire or the sea…Having given up all hopes of a town, Yudhishṭhira craves only five villages…There is none on earth equal to me in an encounter with the mace. In battle, I am Saṅkarshaṇa's equal
I will certainly slay Bhīma, Bhīshma, etc. (), every one of these is singly capable of slaying the Pāṇḍavas.” He alluded to the superhuman circumstances concerning Bhīshma, etc. (), to the resolution of the Saṃśaptakas to slay Arjuna or be slain by him
“our chief warriors are Bhīshma, etc. ()
they have seven akshauhiṇīs, we have eleven
Bṛhaspati has said, that an army which is less by one-third ought to be encountered” (V, 55). At the request of Duryodhana, Sañjaya described the chariots of Arjuna (h), Yudhishṭhira (i), Bhīmasena (j), Sahadeva (k), Nakula (l)
“and excellent steeds, presented by the celestials, carry the sons of Subhadrā and Draupadī” (V, 56). At the request of Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya mentioned the allies of the Pāṇḍavas, Kṛshṇa, etc. (), and who had been assigned to each of them as his share: Śikhaṇḍin & Bhīshma
Yudhishṭhira & the Madra king
Bhīmasena & Duryodhana's sons and 100 brothers, the rulers of the east and the south
Arjuna & Karṇa, Jayadratha, etc.
the five Kekayas & the Kekayas, Mālavas, Śālvakas, Trigartau Saṃśaptakau
Abhimanyu & Duryodhana's sons (?), Duḥśāsana's sons, king Bṛhadbala
Draupadeyāḥ + Dhṛshṭadyumna & Droṇa
Cekitāna & Somadatta
Sātyaki & Kṛtavarman
Sahadeva & Śakuni
Nakula & Ulūka, Sārasvatāḥ. All the other kings had been distributed in their respective shares. Thus the Pāṇḍava host had been distributed into divisions. Virāṭa with all his Matsya warriors would support Śikhaṇḍin. Dhṛtarāshṭra was exceedingly afraid of Yudhishṭhira, etc. (), Duryodhana said that Bhīshma, etc. () were invincible. Dhṛtarāshṭra maintained that Bhīshma did not wish a battle. Sañjaya said that Dhṛshṭadyumna was always urging the Pāṇḍavas to fight, and professed that he would alone encounter all the assembled kings: Bhīshma, etc. (), and his words were approved by Yudhishṭhira
Dhṛshṭadyumna had told Sañjaya to say to the Kurus, etc. (), that they ought not to suffer themselves to be slain by Arjuna, who was protected by the celestials
they should send a good man to Yudhishṭhira and entreat him to accept the kingdom. [This is not found in Sañjayayānap., § 556]
(V, 57). Dhṛtarāshṭra mentioned that Yudhishṭhira led the brahmacarya mode of life from his very youth, and saying that he himself, etc. () did not applaud war, he urged Duryodhana to desist from hostilities and give back to the Pāṇḍavas their kingdom, saying, that it was Karṇa, Duḥśāsana, and Śakuni who led Duryodhana astray. Duryodhana answered that, without depending upon Dhṛtarāshṭra, etc. (), he and Karṇa and Duḥśāsana would perform, in honour of Yama, a sacrifice in battle and slay the Pāṇḍavas
he said that he would sacrifice his life rather than surrender to the Pāṇḍavas even that much of land which may be covered by the sharp point of a needle. Dhṛtarāshṭra said that he abandoned Duryodhana for ever, and grieved for the kings who would be crushed by Yuyudhāna, etc. () (V, 58). At the request of Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya related how he had entered the inner apartments (description) in order to inform Arjuna and Kṛshṇa
he had seen two straight lines on Arjuna's foot-soles. Kṛshṇa had threatened the Kurus, mentioning that Kṛshṇā had invoked him with tears, and that D., As., men, Y., G., and N. were incapable of encountering Arjuna in battle, and alluding to his exploits in the city of Virāṭa (v. Goharaṇap.) (V, 59). Dhṛtarāshṭra represented to Duryodhana that Agni would help Arjuna, remembering what was done to him at Khāṇḍava, that Dharma, etc., would help the Pāṇḍavas from parental affection, that Arjuna took up 500 arrows at a time, that Bhīshma, etc. () regarded him as invincible, and said he desired peace (V, 60). Duryodhana, inflamed with wrath, said that according to Vyāsa, Nārada, and Paraśu-Rāma, the gods never engaged in work
if Agni, Vāyu, Dharma, Indra, or the Aśvins had ever engaged in work, the Pārthas could never have fallen into distress, and they and the Maruts would not venture to protect his foes
“charmed by me, Agni will be instantly extinguished…, my energy is greater than that of the gods
…it is I who set agoing all the affairs of both gods and Asuras…
neither D. nor G., nor As. nor Rā. are capable of saving him who has incurred my displeasure…
thou wilt hear of the defeat of the Pāṇḍavas, etc. ()
…whatever knowledge of weapons there is in Bhīshma, etc. (), exists in me as well” (V, 61). Karṇa said to Duryodhana, mentioning the curse of Paraśu-Rāma, when he, by a lie, obtained the Brāhma weapon from him, that he would slay the Pāñcālas, etc. (). Bhīshma mentioned the Khāṇḍava forest, and said that the dart which Karṇa had got from Indra, would be reduced to ashes by Kṛshṇa with his discus, and that his other shaft (having a head like a serpent), which he respectfully worshipped with flowery garlands, would be destroyed by Arjuna because he was protected by Kṛshṇa. Karṇa made the pledge not to fight before Bhīshma's fall, and went to his own abode. Bhīshma ridiculed Karṇa's boasting before the kings of Avanti, etc. () (V, 62). Duryodhana boasted
Vidura praised self-restraint (V, 63). Vidura related that once two birds had flown away with the net in which they were caught, but were again caught when they began to quarrel. “So it is also with kinsmen. Once we, with some hunters and brahmans conversant with magic and charms, repaired to the northern mountain Gandhamādana, with excellent medicinal herbs, and inhabited by Si. and G. There was, on a precipice, some honey, Kubera's favourite drink, guarded by poisonous snakes
the brahmans said that a mortal drinking of it would win immortality, a sightless man obtain sight, and an old man would become a youth. The hunters desired to obtain it, and all perished. So it is with Duryodhana. In a single chariot Arjuna conquered the whole earth
Bhīshma and Droṇa, etc. were routed by him at the city of Virāṭa. Remember also Drupada and the king of the Matsyas” (V, 64). Dhṛtarāshṭra warned Duryodhana against the Pāṇḍavas, etc. (), and recommended him to follow Bhīshma, etc. () as his guides, mentioning the combat at the city of Virāṭa (V, 65). At the request of Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya related that Arjuna had said that Bhīshma, etc. () were all on the eve of death, if they did not give up to Yudhishṭhira his own share of the kingdom (V, 66). As Duryodhana showed little regard for the words of Sañjaya, and the rest remained silent, the assembled kings rose and retired. Dhṛtarāshṭra, who always followed the counsels of his son, began to inquire in secret of Sañjaya about the resolves of his own party and of the foes. Sañjaya caused him to let Vidura introduce Vyāsa and Gāndhārī (V, 67). Sañjaya extolled Kṛshṇa (m), and mentioned some of those whom he had vanquished () (V, 68). Discourse between Dhṛtarāshṭra and Sañjaya on the attributes of Kṛshṇa. Dhṛtarāshṭra told Duryodhana to seek refuge with Kṛshṇa. Duryodhana refused. Dhṛtarāshṭra complained of him to Gāndhārī. Gāndhārī threatened Duryodhana with Bhīmasena. Vyāsa recommended to Dhṛtarāshṭra to seek salvation through Kṛshṇa. Requested by Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya explained the path of salvation through Kṛshṇa (V, 69). At the request of Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya enumerated some names of Kṛshṇa (V, 70). Dhṛtarāshṭra complained that he could not see Kṛshṇa, whom he extolled under several names () (V, 71).