BHISHMA
PARV MAHABHARAT BOOK 6 CHAPTER 93
Mahabharat
Book 6 Chapter 93 : English
SECTION XCVIII
Sanjay said, "Then king Duryodhan, and Sakuni the son of Suvala,
and thy son Dushashan, and the invincible Suta's son (Karna) meeting
together, consulted in the following way. How could the sons of
Pandu, with their followers, be vanquished in battle? Even this
was the subject of their consultation. Then king Duryodhan, addressing
the Suta's son and the mighty Sakuni, said unto all those counsellors
of his, Dron, Bhishma, and Kripacharya, and Salya and Somdatt's
son do not resist the Parths. I do not know what the cause is
of such conduct (of theirs). Unslain by any of these, the Pandavs
are destroying my forces. Therefore, O Karna, I am becoming weaker
in strength and my weapons also are being exhausted'. I am deceived
by the heroic Pandavs--they that are incapable of being vanquished
by the very gods. Doubt filleth my mind as to how, indeed, I shall
succeed is smiting them in battle.' Unto the king who said so, O
great monarch, the Suta's son answered, 'Do not grieve, O chief
of the Bharat. Even I will do what is agreeable to thee. Let Santanu's
son Bhishma soon withdraw from the great battle. After Ganga's son
will have withdrawn from the fight and laid aside his weapons, I
will slay the Partha along with all the Somakas, in the very sight
of Bhishma.
I
pledge my truth, O king. Indeed, Bhishma every day showeth mercy
towards the Pandavs. He is, besides incapable of vanquishing those
mighty car-warriors. Bhishma is proud of showing his prowess in
battle. He is again, very fond of fight. Why, O sire, will he, therefore,
vanquish the assembled Pandavs (for then the battle will be over)?
Therefore, repairing without delay to the tent of Bhishma, solicit
that old and reverend signior to lay aside his weapons. After he
will have laid aside his weapons, O Bharat, think the Pandavs as
already slain, with all their friends and kinsmen, O king, by myself
alone.' Thus addressed by Karna, thy son Duryodhan then said unto
his brother Dushashan these words, 'See, O Dushashan, that without
delay that all who walk in my train be dressed.' Having said these
words, O monarch, the king addressed Karna, saying, 'Having caused
Bhishma, that foremost of men, to consent to this, I will, without
delay, come to thee, O chastiser of foes.
After
Bhishma will have retired from the fight, thou wilt smite (the foe)
in battle'. Then thy son, O monarch, set out without delay, accompanied
by his brothers like He of a hundred sacrifices (accompanied) by
the gods. Then his brother Dushashan caused that tiger among king,
endued, besides, with the prowess of a tiger, to mount on his horse.
Graced with bracelets, with diadem on head, and adorned with other
ornaments on his arms.
O
king, thy son shone brightly as he proceeded along the streets.
Smeared with fragrant sandal-paste of the hue of the Bhandi flower
and bright as burnished gold, and clad in clean vestments, and proceeding
with the sportive gait of the lion, Duryodhan looked beautiful like
the Sun of brilliant radiance in the firmament. And as that tiger
among men proceeded towards the tent of Bhishma, many mighty bowmen,
celebrated over the world, followed him behind. And his brothers
also walked in his train, like the celestials walking behind Vasava.
And others, foremost of men, mounted upon steeds, and others again
on elephants, O Bharat, and others on cars, surrounded him on all
sides. And many amongst those that wished him well, taking up arms
for the protection on his royal self, appeared there in large bodies,
like the celestials surrounding Sakra in heaven. The mighty chief
of the Kurus, adored by all the Kauravs, thus proceeded, O king,
towards the quarters of the renowned son of Ganga. Ever followed
and surrounded, by his uterine brothers, he proceeded, often raising
his right arm, massive and resembling the trunk of an elephant and
capable of resisting all foes. And with that arm of his, he accepted
the regards that were paid to him from all sides by by-standers
who stood raising towards him their joined hands.
And
he heard, as he journeyed, the sweet voices of the natives of diverse
p. 246 realms. Of great fame, he was eulogised by bards and eulogists.
And in return that great king paid his regards unto them all. And
many high-souled persons stood around him with lighted lamps of
gold fed with fragrant oil. And surrounded with golden lamps, the
king looked radiant like the Moon attended by the blazing planets
around him. And (attendants) with head-gears decked with gold, having
canes and Jhariharas in hand, softly caused the crowd all around
to make way. The king then, having reached the excellent quarters
of Bhishma, alighted from his horse. And arrived at Bhishma's presence,
that ruler of men saluted Bhishma and then sat himself down on an
excellent seat that was made of gold, beautiful throughout and overlaid
with a rich coverlet. With hands joined, eyes bathed in tears, and
voice chocked in grief, he then addressed Bhishma, saying, 'Taking
thy protection, this battle, O slayer of foes, we ventured to vanquish
the very gods and the Asuras with Indra at their head.
What
shall I say, therefore, of the sons of Pandu, heroic though they
be, with their kinsmen and friends? Therefore, O son of Ganga, it
behoveth thee, O lord, to show me mercy. Slay the brave sons of
Pandu like Mahendra slaying the Danavas.--I will slay, O king, all
the Somakas and the Panchalas and the Karushas along with the Kekayas,
O Bharat-these were thy words to me. Let these words become true.
Slay the assembled Parthas, and those mighty bowmen, viz., the Somaks.
Make thy words true, O Bharat. If from kindness (for the Pandavs),
O king, or from thy hatred of my unfortunate self, thou sparest
the Pandavs, then permit Karna, that ornament of battle, to fight.
He will vanquish in battle the Parthas with all their friends and
kinsmen. The king, thy son Duryodhan having said this, shut his
lips without saying anything more to Bhishma of terrible prowess."
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