Parva 2 Chapter 42: gomantadāhaḥ - Gomanta Set on Fire by Jarasandha's Army

(Note 1) vaiśampāyana said: Then jarāsaṁdha, of great splendour, king of all kings on earth, arrived, accompanied by the armies of the kings. vyāyatodagraturagairvispaṣṭārthasamāhitaiḥ | rathaiḥ sāṅgrāmikairyuktairasaṅgagatibhiḥ kvachit||2-42-2 (Note 2) There were large powerful horses which were mounted by experts in arms. At some places, there were chariots ready for battle, able to advance without stop. hemakakṣairmahāghaṇṭairvāraṇairvāridopamaiḥ | mahāmātrottamārūḍhaiḥ kalpitai raṇavalgitaiḥ ||2-42-3 (Note 3) There were elephants, comparable to rain clouds, decorated with bells and golden seats. Mahouts skilled in battle, mounted upon the elephants. sārūḍhaiḥ sādibhiryuktaiḥ preṅkhamāṇaiḥ pravalgitaiḥ | vājibhirvāyusaṅkāśaiḥ plavadhbiriva patribhiḥ ||2-42-4 (Note 4) There were many soldiers mounted on horses which were swift and could jump high. The horses were fast like wind, leaping up like birds. khaḍgacharmabalodagraiḥ patribhirvalgitāmbaraiḥ | sahasrasaṅkhyairnirmuktairutpatadbhirivoragaiḥ ||2-42-5 (Note 5) The powerful, infantry, holding swords and shields was with clothes moving in the wind. There were thousands of soldiers (causing fear) like falling snakes. evaṁ caturvidhaiḥ sainyaiḥ prachaladbhirivāṁbudaiḥ | nṛpo'bhiyāto balavāṣjarāsaṁdho dhṛtavrataḥ ||2-42-6 (Note 6) In this manner the four divisions of the army, vibrating like rain clouds, approached. The powerful king jarāsaṁdha, determined (to defeat the enemy) arrived. sa rathairnemighoṣaiścha gajaishcha madasiṣjitaiḥ | heṣadbhiścāpi turagaiḥ kṣveḍitograiścha pattibhiḥ ||2-42-7 ( Note 7 ) There were chariots roaring like clouds and elephants in rut. There were sounds of neighing of the horses and the shouting of the infantry. sannādayandiśaḥ sarvāḥ sarvāṁścāpi guhāśayān | sa rājā sāgarākāraḥ sasainyaḥ pratyadṛśyata ||2-42-8 (Note 8) The sounds filled all the directions and all the caves. The king along with his army, appeared like a vast ocean. tadbalaṁ pṛthivīśānāṁ hṛṣṭayodhajanākulam | kṣveḍitāsphoṭitaravaṁ meghasainyamivābabhau ||2-42-9 (Note 9) The army of the kings was with soldiers, experts in battle. Due to roaring and clapping (of the soldiers) that army, shone like an army of clouds. rathaiḥ pavanasaṁpātairgajaiścha jaladopamaiḥ | turagaishcha sitābhrābhaiḥ pattibhīścāpi daṁśitaiḥ ||2-42-10 (Note 10) With chariots moving fast like winds, elephants like rain clouds, horses riding fast, infantry, fully armed, vyāmiśraṁ tadbalaṁ bhāti pattidviparathākulam | gharmānte sāgaragataṁ yathābhrapaṭalaṁ tathā ||2-42-11 (Note 11) with a mixture of all these, the army with infantry, elephants and chariots sparkled, like the clouds reaching the ocean during the rainy season. sabalāste mahīpālā jarāsaṁdhapurogamāḥ | parivārya giriṁ sarve niveśāyopacakramuḥ ||2-42-12 ( Note 12 ) The kings lead by jarāsaṁdha, along with their army, surrounded the mountain and prepared to camp there. b abhau tasya niviṣṭasya balaśrīḥ shibirasya vai | shukle parvaṇi pūrṇasya yathārūpaṁ mahodadheḥ ||2-42-13 ( Note 13 ) The rows of tents (made by the army) shone like a vast ocean shining on a full moon day. vītarātre tataḥ kāle nṛpāste kṛtakautukāḥ | ārohaṇarthaṁ shailasya sametā yuddhalālasāḥ ||2-42-14 ( Note 14 ) When the night passed, the kings got up early in the morning. They were keen to climb the mountain and begin the battle. samavāyīkṛtāḥ sarve giriprastheṣu te nṛpāḥ | niviṣṭā mantrayāmāsuryuddhakālakutūhalāḥ ||2-42-15 ( Note 15 ) All the kings assembled at the base of the mountain. Sitting there, the kings, counseled among themselves, eager to fight. eṣāṁ tu tumulaḥ śabdaḥ śuśruve pṛthivīkṣitām | yugānte bhidyamānānāṁ sāgarāṇāṁ yathā svanaḥ ||2-42-16 ( Note 16 ) The loud roaring of the kings (and their army) could be heard on the earth, like the sound of oceans split during the end of the era (yuga). teṣām sakaṣchukoṣṇīṣāḥ sthavirā vetrapāṇayaḥ | cherurmā śabda ityevaṁ bruvanto rājaśāsanāt ||2-42-17 (Note 17) The macebearers, wearing jacket and turban, moved everywhere asking the soldiers to keep silence as per the royal order. tasya rūpaṁ balasyāsīnniḥśabdastimitasya vai | līnamīnabhujaṅgasya niḥśabdasya payodadheḥ ||2-42-18 (Note 18) The entire army standing silent sparkled brightly, like a silent ocean, not agitated by the aquatic animals. tasmiṁstimitaniśśabde yogādiva mahārṇave | jarāsaṁdho bṛhadvākyaṁ bṛhaspatirivādade ||2-42-19 (Note 19) As the army in full harness, remained silent like a vast ocean, jarāsaṁdha spoke these elaborate words like bṛhaspati: śīghraṁ samabhivartantāṁ balānīha mahīkṣitām | sarvataḥ parvataścāyaṁ balaughaiḥ parivāryatām ||2-42-20 (Note 20) (jarāsamdha said) The army of the kings shall quickly get ready to surround the base of the mountain. aśmayantrāṇi yujyantāṁ kṣepaṇīyāścha mudgarāḥ | ūrdhvaṁ cāpi pravāhyantāṁ prāsā vai tomaraṇi ca ||2-42-21 (Note 21) You can use stone pelting machines, oars and iron clubs. Keep your knives and spears raised up (ready for the battle). ūrdhvaṁ prakṣepaṇārthāya dṛḍhāni ca laghūni ca | śastrapātavighātāni kriyantāmāśu śilpibhiḥ ||2-42-22 You can project the heavy and light weapons up. Let this be done by the experts (artisans). śūrāṇāṁ yuddhyamānānāṁ pramattānāṁ parasparam | yathā narapatiḥ prāha tathā śīghraṁ vidhīyatām ||2-42-23 For the valiants who fought against each other, let things be quickly settled as told by the king. dāryatāmeva ṭaṅkaughaiḥ khanitraishcha nagottamaḥ | nṛpāścha yuddhadurgajṣā vinyasyantāmadūrataḥ ||2-42-24 (Note 22) Using weapons such as spade, shovel etc., the best of the mountain shall be quickly smashed. Kings who are experts in fighting, shall be deployed not too far. adya prabhṛti sainyairme girirodhaḥ pravartyatām | yāvadetau pātayāmo vasudevasutāvubhau ||2-42-25 (Note 23) From today, my army shall begin to blockade the mountain. Let us kill these two sons of vasudeva. acalo'yaṁ śilāyoniḥ kriyatāṁ niśchalāṁḍajaḥ | ākāśamapi bāṇaughairniḥsaṁpātaṁ vidhīyatām ||2-42-26 (Note 24) We shall make this mountain full of rocks, devoid of birds. We shall fill the sky with groups of arrows. mayānusṛṣṭāstiṣāntu giribhūmiṣu bhūmipāḥ | teṣu teṣvavakāśeṣu śīghramāruhyatāṁ giriḥ ||2-42-27 (Note 25) As ordered by me, let the kings, position themselves on the parts of the mountain. Let them climb up the mountain at those places. madraḥ kaliṅgādhipatiśchekitānaścha bāhlikaḥ | kāśmīrarājo gonardaḥ karūṣādhipatistathā ||2-42-28 (Note 26) king of madra, king of kaliṅga, chekitāna, bāhlika, gonarda, king of kāśmīra and the king of karūṣa, drumaḥ kiṁpuruṣaścaiva pārvatīyāścha mālavāḥ | parvatasyāparaṁ pārśvaṁ kṣipramārohayantvamī ||2-42-29 (Note 27) druma, kiṁpuruṣa, anāmaya who is from the mountains shall quickly climb up the west side of the mountain. pauravo vaiṇūdāriścha vaidarbhaḥ somakastathā | rukmī ca bhojādhipatiḥ sūryākṣaścaiva mālavaḥ ||2-42-30 (Note 28) (The kings) veṇudāri of puru dynasty, somaka of vidharbha, rukmi, the king of bhoja, sūryākṣa, the king of mālava, pāṣcālādhipatiścaiva drupadashcha narādhipaḥ | vindānuvindāvāvantyau daṁtavaktraścha vīryavān ||2-42-31 (Note 29) The king drupada who is the ruler of paṣcāla, vinda and anuvinda of avanti, the valiant dantavaktra, cāgaliḥ puramitrashcha daradashcha mahīpatiḥ | kauśāmbyo mālavaścaiva śatadhanvā vidūrathaḥ ||2-42-32 (Note 30) cāgali, puramitra and the king darada, kauśāmbya, mālava, śatadhanvā, vidūratha, bhūriśravāstrigartaścha bāṇaḥ paṣchanadastathā | uttaraṁ parvatoddeshamete durgasahā nṛpāḥ | Arohantu vimardanto vajrapratimagauravāḥ ||2-42-33 (Note 31) bhūriśrva, trigarta, bāṇa and paṣchanada, who are as tough as vajra (diamond) shall attack and climb the fortified north side of the mountain. ulūkaḥ kaitaveyashcha vīraścāṁśumataḥ sutaḥ | ekalavyo dṛḍhāśvaścha kṣatradharmā jayadrathaḥ ||2-42-34 (Note 32) ulūka, kaitava, the valiant son of aṁśumat, ekalavya, dṛḍhāśva, kṣatradharma, jayadratha, uttamaujāstathā śālvaḥ kairaleyashcha kaiśikaḥ | vaidisho vāmadevaścha suketuścāpi vīryavān || 2-42-35 (Note 33) uttamauja, śālva, kairaleya, kaishika, vaidisha, vāmadeva, and the valiant suketu, pūrvaparvatanirvyūhameteṣvāyatamastu naḥ | vidārayanto dhāvanto vātā iva balāhakān ||2-42-36 (Note 34) shall conquer the east side of the mountain. Let them attack the mountain, splitting it like wind splits the rain clouds. ahaṁ ca daradashcaiva cedirājaścha vīryavān | dakṣiṇaṁ śailanichayaṁ dārayiṣyāma daṁśitāḥ ||2-42-37 (Note 35) I, darada, and the valiant king of chedi, fully armed, shall attack the south side of the mountain. evameṣa giriḥ kṣipraṁ samantādveṣṭito balaiḥ | vajraprapātapratimaṁ prāpnotu tumulaṁ bhayam ||2-42-38 (Note 36) Being surrounded by the army from all sides in this way, the mountain will suffer a shock as though struck by thunderbolt. gadino vai gadābhiścha parighaiḥ parighāyudhāḥ | apare vividhaiḥ śastrairdārayantu nagottamam ||2-42-39 (Note 37) Let mace fighters with maces and club fighters with clubs and others with varieties of weapons attack the best of the mountains. eṣa bhūmivaro'dyaiva viṣamocchaśilānvitaḥ | kāryo bhūmisamaḥ sarvo bhavadbirvasudhādhipaḥ ||2-42-40 (Note 38) Today itself, you, the kings of lands, shall reduce this mountain with high rocks difficult (to climb) to a plain land. jarāsaṁdhavacaḥ śrutvā pārthivā rājaśāsanāt | gomantaṁ veṣṭayāmāsuḥ sāgarāḥ pṛthivīmiva ||2-42-41 (vaiśampāyana said) Hearing the words of jarāsaṁdha, the kings as per the royal order, surrounded gomanta (mountain) like the ocean surrounds the land. uvāca rājā chedīnāṁ devānāṁ maghavāniva | kiṁ te yuddhena durge'smingomante ca nagottame ||2-42-42 The king of chedi spoke like maghavān (indra) of the deva-s: Why do you want to have a battle on the best of mountains, gomanta which is difficult (to approach)? durārohaścha shikhare prāṁśupādapakaṇṭake | kāṣṭhaistṛṇaiścha bahubhiḥ parivārya samantataḥ ||2 42-43 The peak, full of tall trees is difficult to climb. Surrounding the mountain all around with lot of firewood and grass, adyaiva dīpyatāṁ kṣipramalamanyena karmaṇā | let us set fire now itself quickly. Nothing else need to be done. kṣatriyāḥ sukumārā hi raṇe sāyakayodhinaḥ ||2-42-44 niyuktāḥ parvate durge niyoktuṁ pādayodhinaḥ | The kṣatriya kings, who shoot arrows in the battle, have delicate bodies. They are not fit for climbing this difficult mountain by foot. nanāma pratibandhena na cāvaskandakarmaṇā ||2-42-45 shakya eṣa giristāta devairapyavamarditum | Neither by blockading nor by climbing up, this mountain can be conquered even by the devas. durgayuddhe kramaḥ śreyānrodhayuddhe na pārthivāḥ ||2-42-46 bhaktodakendhanaiḥ kṣīṇāḥ pātyante girisaṁśritāḥ | In the battle of forts, battle by blockading is the best option for us, the kings. When the food, water and firewood are exhausted, those on the mountain will fall (surrender). vayaṁ bahava ityevam nāpyeṣa nipuṇo nayaḥ ||2-42-47 We are many, but then not experts in techniques of battle. yādavau nāvamantavyau dvāvapyetau raṇe sthitau | avijṣātabalāvetau śrūyete devasaṁmitau ||2-42-48 Both yādavas are divine, intent for battle. Both are with unknown power. We hear that they are like devas. karmabhistvamarau vidmo bālāvatibalānvitau | duṣkarāṇīha karmāṇi kṛtavantau yadūttamau ||2-42-49 With their actions, they are indeed like devas. They are young but with high power. These, best among yādava-s have performed difficult tasks. śuṣkakāṣṭhaistṛṇairveṣṭya sarvataḥ parvatottamam | agninā dīpayiṣyāmo dahyetāṁ gatachetanau ||2-42-50 Let us put dry wood and grass everywhere around the best of mountains and set fire to it. Let us burn them, making them lose their life. yadi chenniṣkramiṣyete dahyamānāvito'ntike | sametya pātayiṣyāmastyakṣyato jīvitaṁ tataḥ ||2-42-51 If they feel the heat and come out near us, we can fell them together. Then they will lose their lives. vākyametattu ruruche sabalānāṁ mahīkṣitām | yaduktam cedirājena nṛpāṇāṁ hitaśaṁsinā ||2-42-52 (vaiśampāyana said) These words were acceptable to the kings with armies. The speech of the king of chedi was agreeable to the kings. tataḥ kāṣṭhaistṛṇairvaṁśaiḥ śuṣkaśākhaiścha pādapaiḥ | upādīpsata śailendraḥ sūryapādairivāmbudaḥ ||2-42-53 Then the best among mountains was burned, with wood, grass and trees with dry branches blazing up, like a rain cloud with the sun rays. daduste sarvatastūrṇaṁ pāvakaṁ tatra pārthivāḥ | yathoddeśaṁ yathāvātaṁ shailasya laghuvikramāḥ ||2-42-54 Then the valiant kings, depending on the wind, set fire to the portions of the mountain all around as they wanted. sa vāyudīpito vahnirutpapāta samantataḥ | sadhūmajvālamālābhirbhābhiḥ khamiva shobhayan ||2-42-55 The red fire, augmented by the wind, blazed high all around, emitting smoke and with flames with brightness, lighting the sky. so'nalaḥ pavanāyastaḥ kāṣṭhasaṣchayamūlavān | dadāha śailaṁ śrīmantaṁ gomantaṁ kāntapādapam ||2-42-56 The fire caught on the wood and augmented by the wind, burned the splendorous gomanta mountain full of beautiful trees. sa dahyamānaḥ shailendro mumocha vipulāḥ śilāḥ | śataśaḥ śatadhā bhūtvā maholkākāradarśanāḥ ||2-42-57 That mountain burning and blazing with huge rocks broken (by the heat) looked like being hit by hundreds of comets many times. sacitrabhānuḥ shailendro bhābhirbhānurivāmbudam | ālimpatīva vidhivatsamantādarchiruddhataḥ ||2-42-58 The king of mountains (gomanta) engulfed by fire with high flames all around, looked like a rain cloud afflicted by sun. dhātubhiḥ pacyamānaiścha jvaladbhishcaiva pādapaiḥ | udbhrāntaśvāpado rauti tudyamāna ivādrirāṭ ||2-42-59 With minerals being cooked and trees burning and animals running, that mountain appeared as though crying with pain. pratapto dahyamānastu sa śailaḥ kṛṣṇavartmanā | rītīrnirvartayāmāsa kāṣchanāṣjanarājatīḥ ||2-42-60 From that mountain, becoming hot and black by severe burning, minerals such as gold, aṣjana and silver started flowing. vahninā cāpi dīptāṅgo girirnātivirājate | dhūmāndhakārordhvatanurmajjamāna ivāmbudaḥ ||2-42-61 The mountain even though lighted by fire started losing its lusture. Engulfed by smoke, it looked like rain cloud immersed in darkness. viśliṣṭopalasaṅghātaḥ karkaśāṅgāravarṣaṇaḥ | girirbhātyanalodgārairulkāvṛṣṭirivāmbudaḥ ||2-42-62 The mountain with blazing fire, rocks breaking and emitting burning pieces all around appeared like a rain cloud showering comets. prapātaprasravotkṣipto dhūmasaṁvarddhitodaraḥ | sa girirbhasmatāṁ yāto yugāntāgnihatopamaḥ ||2-42-63 With streams boiling and the inner areas filled with smoke, that mountain became ashes as though it was destroyed by the fire at the end of an era (yuga). vihvalāstasya pārśvebhyaḥ sarpā dagdhārdhadehinaḥ | śvasantaḥ pṛthumūrdhāno niścheruraśivekṣaṇāḥ ||2-42-64 From the inside (of the mountain), distressed serpents, with their half burnt bodies, came out hissing and spreading their hoods with terrified eyes. utpatyotpatya gaganātpunaḥ punaravāṅmukhāḥ | resuśchodvejitāḥ siṁhāḥ śārdūlāścānalāvilāḥ ||2-42-65 Leaping again and again in the sky and falling down, the lions and tigers, agitated by the fire roared with pain. mumuchuḥ pādapāścaiva dāhaniryāsajaṁ jalam ||2-42-66 The trees, burned by fire, released their sap water. vahatyūrdhvagatirvāto bhasmāṅgārābhipiṅgalaḥ | dhūmachcāyā ca gagane darpitāmbhodadarśanā ||2-42-67 The wind blew up carrying the yellow ashes. The sky was covered with smoke looking like an enlarged rain cloud. tyajyamāno mahāsānurvihagaiḥ śvāpadairapi | girirvaikalyamāyāti prāgalbhyātkṛṣṇavartmanaḥ ||2-42-68 The birds and the beasts left the great peak. The mountain was deformed due to the power of fire. sa mumocha śilāḥ śailaśchalodagraśilocchayaḥ | vajreṇa puruhūtasya yathā syāddāritastathā ||2-42-69 That mountain full of high rising rocks released broken rocks all around, as though it was split by the strike of vajra of puruhūta (indra). ādīpya taṁ tu śailendraṁ kṣatriyā vyūhadaṁśitāḥ | ardhakrośamapakrāntāḥ pāvakenābhitāpitāḥ ||2-42-70 The kings had made formations of troops. Affected by the heat of the fire, they stood away at a distance of half krosha, from the mountain which was blazing. dahyamāne nagaśreṣṭhe sīdamānairmahādrumaiḥ | dhūmabhārairanālakṣye mūle śithilatāṁ gate ||2-42-71 The best among mountains, full of huge trees, was burned badly. With the roots burned, and engulfed by smoke, the mountain became invisible. sarośaṁ hi tadā rāmo vacanaṁ keśisūdanam | babhāṣe padmpatrākṣaṁ sa sākṣānmadhusūdanam ||2-42-72 Then rāma (balarāma) spoke these words, angrily, to the killer of keshi (kṛṣṇa), one with lotus eyes, the slayer of madhu himself. dahyate'yaṁ giristāta sasānuśikharadrumaḥ | āvayoḥ kṛṣṇa vaireṇa balibhirvasudhadhipaiḥ ||2-42-73 (balarāma said) kṛṣṇa! Because of enmity to us, the powerful lords of the earth (kings), O Son, are burning this mountain along with its peaks and trees. pashya kṛṣṇānaloṣṇānāṁ sadhūmānāṁ samantataḥ | vanānāṁ virasantīva nagābhyāśe dvipottamāḥ ||2-42-74 kṛṣṇa! See the birds crying all around in the forests on the sides of the mountain distressed by the heat of the fire. ayaṁ yadyāvayorarthe gomantastāta dahyate | ayaśasyamidaṁ loke kaulīnaṁ ca bhaviṣyati ||2-42-75 Son! If this gomanta mountain burns because of us, it will bring ill fame to us in the world and there will be a scandal. tadasyānṛṇyahetorhi nagasya nagasannibha | kṣatriyānnihaniṣyāmo dorbhyāmeva yudhāṁ vara ||2-42-76 Then, O One who is like a mountain! To pay the debt of this mountain, O the best among fighters, we should kill all the kṣatrya-s (kings) with our own hands. ete te kṣatriyāḥ sarve girimādīpya daṁśitāḥ | rathinastāta dṛśyante yathādeśaṁ yuyutsavaḥ ||2-42-77 Son! All these armed kṣatriya-s (kings), having burned the mountain, mounting the chariots, are seen anxious to fight. evamuktvā gireḥ śṛṅgānmeruśṛṅgādivoḍūrāṭ | nipapāta balaḥ śrīmānvanamālādharo yuvā ||2-42-78 (vaiśampāyana said) Speaking thus, splendorous bala (balarāma), the youth wearing a garland of wild flowers, jumped down from the peak, as if the moon (arising) from the peak of (the mountain) meru. kādambarīmadakṣībo nīlavāsāḥ sitānanaḥ | sa śāradendusaṅkāśo vanamālāṣchitodaraḥ ||2-42-79 With his eyes intoxicated by kādambari, wearing a blue dress, with a white face, having the complexion of the moon in the winter, with a garland of wild flowers adorning his belly, kāntaikakuṇḍaladharaścārumauliravāṅmukhaḥ | nipapāta narendrāṇāṁ madhye keśavapūrvajaḥ ||2-42-80 wearing a beautiful single ear ring, and a beautiful crown, keeping his head down, the elder brother of kṛ+ṣṇa (balarāma) jumped down among the kings. avaplute tato rāme kṛṣṇaḥ kṛṣṇāmbudopamaḥ | gomantaśikharācchrīmānāpluto'mitavikramaḥ ||2-42-81 After rāma (balarāma) jumped down, kṛṣṇa, similar to a black rain cloud, highly valiant, jumped down from the peak of gomanta. tatastaṁ pīḍayāmāsa padbhyāṁ girivaraṁ hariḥ | sa pīḍito giristena nirmamajja samantataḥ ||2-42-82 Then hari (kṛṣṇa) pressed down the best among mountains with his foot. The mountain, pressed thus, was compressed all around. jalākulopalastatra prasruto dvirado yathā | sa tena vāriṇā vahnistatkṣaṇātpraśamaṁ yayau |2-42-83 Water seeped from the rocks like water given out by an elephant in rut. With that water all fire was extinguished immediately. kalpānte vāridhārābhirmeghajālairivāṁśumān | simhārasitanirghoṣaḥ pītavāsā ghanākṛtiḥ ||2-42-84 Like the sun whose brightness is diminished by the torrential rain and the clouds at the end of an era, the one having lion's roar, wearing yellow dress, who is dark like a cloud, kirīṭamūrddhā saumyāsyaḥ puṇḍarīkanibhekṣaṇaḥ | śrīvatsavakṣāḥ sumukhaḥ sahasrākṣasamadyutiḥ ||2-42-85 wearing a crown on his head, with a gentle face, whose eyes are beautiful as lotus, one whose chest has the auspicious mark of śrīvatsa, whose face is beautiful, whose splendour is equal to that of indra, rāmādanantaraṁ kṛṣṇaḥ pluto vai vīryavāmstataḥ | after rāma, the valiant kṛṣṇa jumped (from the mountain). tābhyāmeva plutābhyāṁ ca charaṇaiḥ pīḍito giriḥ ||2-42-86 The mountain pressed down by their feet while jumping mumocha salilotpīḍāṁstīvrapāvakaśāntaye | salilotpīḍanaṁ dṛṣṭvā pārthivā bhayamāviśan ||2-42-87 released water all around to extinguish the fire. The kings were terrified to see the fall of water. iti śrīmahābhārate khileṣu harivaṁśe viṣnuparvaṇi gomantadāhe dvicatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ Thus this is the fourty second chapter of viṣṇuparva of harivaṁśa, khila of śrimahābhārata, gomanta set on fire by jarasaṁdha's army. Translator's Note: (Note 1) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with kruddhaḥ prabhuḥ for prāpto nṛpaḥ and sahasraughair for balayutair. jarāsaṁdhastataḥ kruddhaḥ prabhuḥ sarvamahīkṣitām ||2-35-14 narādhipasahasraughairanuyāto mahādyutiḥ | jarāsaṁdha, lord of all the kings on earth, was angry. jarāsaṁdha of great splendour was accompanied by a group of thousands of kings. (Note 2) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with suyānaiḥ for vispaṣṭārtha vyāyatodagraturagaiḥ suyānaiḥ susamāhitaiḥ ||2-35-15 rathaiḥ sāṁgrāmikairyuktairasaṅgagatibhiḥ kvachit | There were long and tall horses able to run as fast as the wind. At some place, there were chariots ready for battle, able to advance without stop. (Note 3) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with kovidaiḥ for valgitaiḥ hemakakṣairmahāghaṇṭairvāraṇāirvāridopamaiḥ ||2-35-16 mahāmātrottamārūḍhaiḥ kalpitai raṇakovidaiḥ | There were elephants, comparable to rain clouds, decorated with bells and golden chains. Mahouts skilled in battle, were mounted upon the elephants. (Note 4) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with megha for vayu and patti for patri svārūḍhaiḥ sādibhiryuktaiḥ preṁkhamāṇaiḥ pravalgitaiḥ ||2-35-17 vājibhirmeghasaṅkāśaiḥ plavadbhiriva pattibhiḥ | There were many soldiers mounted on horses which were swift and could jump high. The horses were fast like wind. The powerful, best, infantry was ready to leap (Note 5) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with dharo for balo, patti for patri, balināṁ for valgitāṁ and saṁyukta for nirmukta khaḍgacharmadharodagraiḥ pattibhirbalināṁ varaiḥ ||2-35-18 sahasrasaṅkhyāsaṁyuktairutpatadbhirivoragaiḥ | holding swords and shields. There were thousands of soldiers (causing fear) like falling snakes. (Note 6) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with kaṁpamāna for prachaldbhi and prayāto for abhiyāto evaṁ caturvidhaiḥ sainyaiḥ kaṁpamānairivāmbudaiḥ ||2-35-19 nṛpaḥ prayāto balavāṣjarāsaṁdho dhṛtavrataḥ | In this manner the four divisions of the army, vibrating like rain clouds, approached. The powerful king jarāsaṁdha, determined (to defeat the enemy ) arrived (Note 7) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with meghanirghoṣa for nemighoṣaiścha, heṣamāṇaiścha for haṣadbhiścāpi and kṣveḍamānaiścha for kṣveḍitograiścha sa rathairmeghanirghoṣairgajaiścha madasaṁyutaiḥ ||2-35-20 heṣamāṇaiścha turagaiḥ kṣveḍamānaiścha pattibhiḥ | along with chariots roaring like clouds and excited elephants. The sounds of neighing of the horses and the shouting of the infantry, (Note 8) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with nādayāno for sannādayan and tasyāḥ puryā vanāni ca for sarvaścāpi guhāśayān nādayāno diśaḥ sarvās tasyāḥ puryā vanāni ca ||2-35-21 sa rājā sāgarākāraḥ sasainyaḥ pratyadṛśyata | filled all the directions, the city and the forests. The king along with his army, appeared like a vast ocean. (Note 9) This śloka is the same as the following śloka tadbalaṁ pṛthivīśānāṁ hṛṣṭayodhajanākulam ||2-35-22 kṣveḍitāsphoṭitaravaṁ meghasainyamivābabhau | The army of the kings was with soldiers, experts in battle. Due to roaring and clapping (of the soldiers) that army, shone like an army of clouds. (Note 10) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with javopetaiḥ for sitābhramaiḥ and khagamopamaiḥ for ścāpidaṁśitaiḥ rathaiḥ pavanasaṁpātairgajaiścha jaladopamaiḥ | turagaishcha javopetaiḥ pattibhiḥ khagamopamaiḥ ||2-35-23 with chariots moving fast like winds, elephants like rain clouds, horses riding fast, infantry like birds. (Note 11) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with sarvato for tadbalaṁ and mattadvipasamākulam for pattidviparathākulam vimiśraṁ sarvato bhāti mattadvipasamākulam | gharmānte sāgaragataṁ yathābhrapaṭalaṁ tathā ||2-35-24 with a mixture of all these, the army with excited elephants sparkled, like the clouds reaching the ocean during the rainy season. (Note 12) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with purīṁ for girīṁ and krire for kramuḥ sabalāste mahīpālā jarāsaṁdhapurogamāḥ | parivārya purīṁ sarve niveśāyopacakrire ||2-35-25 The kings lead by jarāsaṁdha, along with their army, surrounded the city and prepared to camp there. (Note 13) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with paryanta for parvaṇi babhau tasya niviṣṭasya phalaśrīḥ shibirasya vai | śuklaparyantapūrṇāsya yathā rūpaṁ mahodadheḥ ||2-35-26 The rows of tents (made by the army) shone like a vast ocean complete with a white border. (Note 14) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with samuttasthurmahīkṣitaḥ for nṛpāste kṛtakautukāḥ and puryāste samīyur for shailasya sametā vītarātre tataḥ kāle samuttasthurmahīkṣitaḥ | ārohaṇārthaṁ puryāste samīyuryuddhalālasāḥ ||2-35-27 When the night passed, the kings got up early in the morning. They were keen to fight the battle to conquer the city. (Note 15) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with yamunāmanu for giriprastheṣu samavāyīkṛtāḥ sarve yamunāmanu te nṛpāḥ | niviṣṭā mantrayāmāsuryuddhakālakutūhalāḥ ||2-35-28 All the kings assembled near yamuna. Sitting there, the kings, made plans waiting for an opportunity to fight. (Note 16) This śloka is almost the same as the following śloka teśām sutumulaḥ śabdaḥ śuśruve pṛthivīkṣitām | yugānte bhidyamānānāṁ sāgarāṇāmiva svanaḥ ||2-35-29 The loud roaring of the kings (and their army) could be heard, like the sound of oceans split during the end of the era (yuga). (Note 17) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with vadanto for bruvanto teṣāṁ sakaṣchukoṣṇīṣāḥ sthavirā vetrapāṇayaḥ | cherurmā śabda ityevaṁ vadanto rājaśāsanāt ||2-35-30 The macebearers, wearing jacket and turban, moved everywhere asking the soldiers to keep silence as per the royal order. (Note 18) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with grahasyeva for bhujaṅgasya and yathodadheḥ for payodadheḥ tasya rūpaṁ balasyāsīnniḥśabdastimitasya vai | līnamīnagrahasyeva niḥśabdasya yathodadheḥ ||2-35-31 The entire army standing silent sparkled brightly, like a silent ocean, not agitated by the aquatic animals. (Note 19) This śloka is the same as the following śloka niḥśabdastimite tasminyogādiva mahārṇave | jarāsaṁdho bṛhadvākyaṁ bṛhaspatirivādade ||2-35-32 As the army in full harness, remained silent like a vast ocean, jarāsaṁdha spoke these elaborate words like bṛhaspati: (Note 20) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with pṛthivī for mahī, sarvatonagarī cheyam for savataparvataścāyaṁ and janau for balau śīghraṁ samabhivartantāṁ balāni pṛthivīkṣitām | sarvato nagarī cheyaṁ janaughaiḥ parivāryatām ||2-35-33 The army of the kings shall quickly conquer the city. Groups of people shall surround the city everywhere. (Note 21) This śloka is the same as the following śloka except the line beginning with "kāryā bhūmiḥ" omitted. aśmayantrāṇi yujyantāṁ kṣepaṇīyāścha mudgarāḥ | kāryā bhūmiḥ samā sarvā jalaughaishcha pariplutā | ūrdhvaṁ cāpā nivāhyantāṁ prāsā vai tomarāstathā ||2-35-34 You can use stone pelting machines, oars and iron clubs. Level all the land and drain all water. Keep your bows, knives and spears ready (for the battle). (Note 22) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with puri drutam for nagottamaḥ and mārgajṣā for durgajṣā dāryatāṁ caiva ṭaṅkādyaiḥ khanitraishcha purī drutam | nṛpāścha yuddhamārgajṣā vinyasyantāmadūrataḥ ||2-35-35 Using weapons such as spade, shovel etc., this city shall be quickly smashed. Kings who are experts in fighting, shall be deployed not too far. (Note 23) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with purī for girī and raṇe gopau for pātayāmo adyaprabhṛti sainyairme purīrodhaḥ pravartyatām | yāvadetau raṇe gopau vasudevasutāvubhau || 2-35-36 From today, my army shall begin to blockade the city. In the battle, I will kill these gopa-s, the two sons of vasudeva, (Note 24) This line is the same as the following line ākāśamapi bāṇaughairniḥsaṁpātaṁ yathā bhavet ||2-35-37 in a way so that even the sky is filled with arrows, without any space. (Note 25) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with purī for girī mayānuśiṣṭāstiṣṭhantu purībhūmiṣu bhūmipāḥ | teṣu teṣvavakāśeṣu śīghramāruhyatāṁ purī ||2-35-38 Let the kings designated by me, entering the city, position themselves in the land of the city, at the allocated places immediately. (Note 26) This śloka is the same as the following śloka madraḥ kaliṅgādhipatiśchekitānaḥ sabāhlikaḥ | kāśmīrarājo gonardaḥ karūṣādhipatistathā ||2-35-39 king of madra, king of kaliṅga, chekitāna, bāhlika, gonarda, king of kāśmīra and the king of karūṣa, (Note 27) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with hyanāmayaḥ for mālavāḥ, nagaryāḥ paśchimaṁ dvāraṁ for parvataścāparaṁ pārśvaṁ and śīghramārodhaya for kṣipramāruhya drumaḥ kiṁpuruṣaścaiva pārvatīyo hyanāmayaḥ | nagaryāḥ paśchimaṁ dvāraṁ śīghramārodhayantviti ||2-35-40 druma, kiṁpuruṣa, anāmaya who is from the mountains shall block the western entrance of the city immediately. (Note 28) This śloka is the same as the following śloka pauravo vaiṇudāriścha vaidarbhaḥ somakastathā rukmī ca bhojādhipatiḥ sūryākṣaścha samālavaḥ ||2-35-41 (The kings) veṇudāri of puru dynasty, somaka of vidharbha, rukmi, the king of bhoja, sūryākṣa, the king of mālava, (Note 29) This line is the same as the following line vindānuvindāvāvantyau dantavaktrashcha vīryavān | vinda and anuvinda of avanti, the valiant dantavaktra, (Note 30) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with virāṭa for darada, kauravyo for kauśāmbyo cāgaliḥ puramitrashcha virāṭaścha mahīpatiḥ ||2-35-42 kauravyo mālavaścaiva śatadhanvā vidūrathaḥ | cāgali, puramitra and the king virāṭa, kauravya, mālava, śatadhanvā, vidūratha, (Note 31) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with nagaradvāram for parvatoddesham and āruhya cābhimardantāṁ for Arohantu vimarddantau bhūriśravāstrigartaścha bāṇaḥ paṣchanadastathā ||2-35-43 uttaraṁ nagaradvāramete durgasahā nṛpāḥ | āruh ya cābhimardantāṁ vajrapratimagauravāḥ || 2-35-44 bhūriśrva, trigarta, bāṇa and paṣchanada who are as tough as vajra (diamond) shall attack and pound the fortified northern entrance of the city. (Note 32) This śloka is the same as the following śloka ulūkaḥ kaitavashcaiva vīraścāṁśumataḥ sutaḥ | ekalavyo bṛhatkṣatraḥ kṣatradharmā jayadrathaḥ ||2-35-45 ulūka, kaitava, the valiant son of aṁśumat, ekalavya, bṛhatkṣatra, kṣatradharma, jayadratha, (Note 33) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with shalya for śālva, kauravāḥ kaikayāstathā for kairaleyashcha kaiśikā and sāṅkṛtiścha sinīpatiḥ for suketuścāpi vīryavān uttamaujāścha shalyashcha kauravāḥ kaikayāstathā | vaidisho vāmadevaścha sāṅkṛtiścha sinīpatiḥ ||2-35-46 uttamauja, shalya, kauravā, kaikayā, vaidisha, vāmadeva, the king of sini sāṅkṛta, (Note 34) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with nagara for parvata pūrvaṁ nagaranirvyūhameteṣvāyattamastu naḥ | dārayanto vidhāvantu vātā iva balāhakān ||2-35-47 shall conquer the eastern entrance of the city. Let them attack the city, splitting it like wind splits the rain clouds. (Note 35) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with nagaradvāraṁ pālayāmaḥ su for śailanichayaṁ dārayiṣyāma ahaṁ ca daradashcaiva cedirājaścha vīryavān | dakṣiṇaṁ nagaradvāraṁ pālayāmaḥ sudaṁśitāḥ ||2-35-48 I, darada, and the valiant king of chedi, fully armed, shall take care of (attack) the southern entrance of the city. (Note 36) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with purī for girī and vajrāvapātaviṣamaṁ for vajraprapātapratimaṁ evameṣā purī kṣipraṁ samantādveṣṭitā balaiḥ | vajrāvapātaviṣamaṁ prāpnotu tumulaṁ bhayam ||2-35-49 Being surrounded by the army from all sides in this way, the city will suffer a shock as though struck by thunderbolt. (Note 37) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with purīmimām for nagottamam gadino ye gadābhiste parighaiḥ parighāyudhāḥ | apare vividhaiḥ śastrairdārayantu purīmimām ||2-35-50 Let mace fighters with maces and club fighters with clubs and others with other weapons attack the city. (Note 38) This śloka is the same as the following śloka with nagarī hyeṣā for eṣā bhūmidharo and viṣamocchayasaṅkaṭā for viṣamocchaśilānvitaḥ adyaiva nagarī hyeṣā viṣamocchayasaṅkaṭā | kāryā bhūmisamā sarvā bhavadbhirvasudhādhipaiḥ ||2-35-51 Today itself, you, the kings of lands, shall reduce this city of complex buildings to a plain land. nīlakaṇṭha commentary atha dvicatvāriṁśe'smiṣjarāsaṁdhaprachoditaiḥ | rājabhirvihito dāho goamatasyeti varṇite || 1 || · 2-42-1 jarāsaṁdha iti | · 2-42-2 vispaṣṭārtho arthaśāsrtavidastaiḥ samāhita suśikhitāstaiḥ · 2-42-4 ārūḍhaṁ sarvatra prasiddhistadyuktaḥ sārūḍhaiḥ prakhyātaiḥ sādibhiḥ yuktāḥ niryuktāḥ vājinastaiḥ · 2-42-6 dhṛtavrata ityalaukikamapi sā sāmarthyaṁ sūchitam | · 2-42-14 kṛtakautukāḥ kṛtakautukamaṅgalāḥ · 2-42-23 narapatiḥ śiśupālo yuddhābhijṣatvāditi prāṣchaḥ | narapatirgranthaviśeṣo yatra vāhanadhvajādīnaṁ samskāra ucyate, rudrayāmalādiṣu dṛśyamanḥ | tatra caturaśīti bhūbalāni caturśīti cakrāṇi ca | tatra yasya yasya yā bhūrbalakārī śatroścāpakarṣakarī sa tāmāśrayatvityarthaḥ | "yathā patanti novāhāḥ" iti pāṭhe tu tathā giriprānte tu viṣamaḥ samakīrtavyaḥ | yathā asmākaṁ ca hayāstatra gacchantītyarthaḥ | · 2-42-24 yuddhadurgajṣāḥ yuddharahasyajṣāḥ | · 2-42-26 niḥsaṁpātaṁ niravakāśaṁ | ata eva saṁcārasthānābhāvānniśchalāṇḍajatvaṁ yujyate gireḥ | · 2-42-33 vimardanto vimardayantaḥ | · 2-42-45 pratibandhinā rodhamātreṇa avaskandena karmaṇā uparyutplavanena | · 2-42-47 bhaktādibhiḥ rahitā eva pātyante na tvanyathāḥ | · 2-42-56 pavanāyastha vāyunā udbhūtaḥ | · 2-42-60 rītiḥ dhāturasānaṁ dhārā nivartayāmāsa pravartitavān | · 2-42-63 prapātānāṁ prasravairutkṣipta ujijṣataḥ śuṣkatāṁ gata ityarthaḥ | · 2-42-65 resuḥ ārtanādaṁ cakruḥ | · 2-42-74 virasantīva krandantīva | · 2-42-75 kaulīnaṁ lokāpavādaḥ | · 2-42-83 prasrutaḥ prasvinnaḥ | · 2-42-84 siṁhasya ārasitaṁ mahādhvanistadvannirghoṣo yasya sa | iti śrīharivamśe viṣṇuparvaṇi ṭīkāyāṁ dvicatvāriṁśo'dhyāyaḥ |