Arjuna Vishada Yoga - The Yoga of Arjuna's Despondency

धर्मक्षेत्रे कुरुक्षेत्रे समवेता युयुत्सवः। मामकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव किमकुर्वत सञ्जय॥१॥

Dhritarashtra said: O Sanjaya, assembled on the holy field of Kurukshetra, eager to fight, what did my sons and the sons of Pandu do?

दृष्ट्वा तु पाण्डवानीकं व्यूढं दुर्योधनस्तदा। आचार्यमुपसङ्गम्य राजा वचनमब्रवीत्॥२॥

Sanjaya said: Having seen the army of the Pandavas drawn up in battle formation, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher Drona and spoke these words.

पश्यैतां पाण्डुपुत्राणामाचार्य महतीं चमूम्। व्यूढां द्रुपदपुत्रेण तव शिष्येण धीमता॥३॥

Duryodhana said: O teacher, behold this mighty army of the sons of Pandu, arrayed in battle formation by your intelligent disciple, the son of Drupada.

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि। युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः॥४॥

Here in this army are many heroic bowmen equal in battle to Bhima and Arjuna — Yuyudhana (Satyaki), Virata, and the great warrior Drupada.

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान्। पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः॥५॥

Dhrishtaketu, Chekitana, the valiant King of Kashi, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, and Shaibya — the best among men — are also present.

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्। सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः॥६॥

The mighty Yudhamanyu, the valiant Uttamaujas, the son of Subhadra (Abhimanyu), and the sons of Draupadi — all of them are great chariot warriors.

अस्माकं तु विशिष्टा ये तान्निबोध द्विजोत्तम। नायका मम सैन्यस्य संज्ञार्थं तान्ब्रवीमि ते॥७॥

But know also, O best of Brahmanas, the distinguished warriors on our side. For your information, I name the leaders of my army.

भवान्भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिञ्जयः। अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिस्तथैव च॥८॥

Yourself (Drona), Bhishma, Karna, the ever-victorious Kripa, Ashvatthama, Vikarna, and Bhurishrava, the son of Somadatta — all are on our side.

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः। नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः॥९॥

And many other heroes are ready to lay down their lives for my sake. They are all armed with various weapons and are skilled in the art of warfare.

अपर्याप्तं तदस्माकं बलं भीष्माभिरक्षितम्। पर्याप्तं त्विदमेतेषां बलं भीमाभिरक्षितम्॥१०॥

Our army, protected by Bhishma, is unlimited in strength, while their army, protected by Bhima, is limited.

अयनेषु च सर्वेषु यथाभागमवस्थिताः। भीष्ममेवाभिरक्षन्तु भवन्तः सर्व एव हि॥११॥

Therefore, all of you, stationed at your respective positions in the formation, must protect Bhishma from all sides.

तस्य सञ्जनयन्हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः। सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्॥१२॥

Then the valiant grandfather Bhishma, the oldest of the Kuru dynasty, roared loudly like a lion and blew his conch, filling Duryodhana's heart with joy.

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः। सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत्॥१३॥

Then conches, kettledrums, tabors, drums, and cow-horns all sounded together at once. The combined noise was tumultuous.

ततः श्वेतैर्हयैर्युक्ते महति स्यन्दने स्थितौ। माधवः पाण्डवश्चैव दिव्यौ शङ्खौ प्रदध्मतुः॥१४॥

Then, seated in a great chariot yoked with white horses, Madhava (Krishna) and Pandava (Arjuna) blew their divine conch shells.

पाञ्चजन्यं हृषीकेशो देवदत्तं धनञ्जयः। पौण्ड्रं दध्मौ महाशङ्खं भीमकर्मा वृकोदरः॥१५॥

Hrishikesha (Krishna) blew the Panchajanya conch, Dhananjaya (Arjuna) blew the Devadatta, and Bhima of terrible deeds blew the great conch Paundra.

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ॥१६॥

King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijaya conch; Nakula and Sahadeva blew the Sughosha and Manipushpaka conches.

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः॥१७॥

The King of Kashi — a supreme archer, the great warrior Shikhandi, Dhrishtadyumna, Virata, and the unconquered Satyaki also blew their conches.

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते। सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान्दध्मुः पृथक्पृथक्॥१८॥

O Lord of the earth, Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty-armed Abhimanyu, son of Subhadra, all blew their respective conches separately.

स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत्। नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलो व्यनुनादयन्॥१९॥

That tumultuous sound, reverberating through the sky and the earth, pierced the hearts of Dhritarashtra's sons.

अथ व्यवस्थितान्दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान्कपिध्वजः। प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः॥२०॥

Then, seeing the sons of Dhritarashtra arrayed for battle, as the clash of weapons was about to begin, Arjuna — whose flag bore the emblem of Hanuman — raised his bow.

हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत॥२१॥

Arjuna said: O infallible one (Achyuta), place my chariot between the two armies.

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान्। कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन्रणसमुद्यमे॥२२॥

So that I may observe those who stand here eager to fight, and know with whom I must contend in this great battle.

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः॥२३॥

Let me see those who have come here to fight, wishing to please the evil-minded son of Dhritarashtra in battle.

एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत। सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम्॥२४॥

Sanjaya said: O Bharata (Dhritarashtra), thus addressed by Gudakesha (Arjuna), Hrishikesha (Krishna) placed the finest chariot between the two armies.

भीष्मद्रोणप्रमुखतः सर्वेषां च महीक्षिताम्। उवाच पार्थ पश्यैतान्समवेतान्कुरूनिति॥२५॥

In the presence of Bhishma, Drona, and all the rulers of the world, Krishna said: O Partha, behold these assembled Kurus.

तत्रापश्यत्स्थितान्पार्थः पितॄनथ पितामहान्। आचार्यान्मातुलान्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्पौत्रान्सखींस्तथा॥२६॥

There Arjuna saw, standing in both armies, fathers, grandfathers, teachers, maternal uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends.

श्वशुरान्सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि। तान्समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान्बन्धूनवस्थितान्॥२७॥

He also saw fathers-in-law and well-wishers in both armies. Seeing all these relatives present there, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) was deeply moved.

कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत्। दृष्ट्वेमं स्वजनं कृष्ण युयुत्सुं समुपस्थितम्॥२८॥

Arjuna said: O Krishna, seeing my own kinsmen gathered here eager to fight, I am overcome with deep compassion and feel distressed.

सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति। वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते॥२९॥

My limbs are giving way, my mouth is drying up, my body is trembling, and my hair is standing on end.

गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते। न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः॥३०॥

The Gandiva bow is slipping from my hand, my skin is burning, I am unable to stand, and my mind seems to be whirling.

निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव। न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे॥३१॥

O Keshava, I see adverse omens, and I cannot foresee any good from killing my own kinsmen in battle.

न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च। किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा॥३२॥

O Krishna, I do not desire victory, nor a kingdom, nor pleasures. O Govinda, of what use is a kingdom to us? What is the use of enjoyments or even life itself?

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च। त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च॥३३॥

Those for whose sake we desire kingdom, enjoyments, and pleasures — they are standing here in battle, ready to give up their lives and wealth.

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः। मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा॥३४॥

Teachers, fathers, sons, grandfathers, maternal uncles, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in-law, and other relatives — they are all here.

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन। अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते॥३५॥

O Madhusudana, I do not wish to kill them even if they kill me — not even for the sovereignty of all three worlds, let alone for this earth.

निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन। पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान्हत्वैतानाततायिनः॥३६॥

O Janardana, what pleasure would we derive from killing the sons of Dhritarashtra? Sin alone would accrue to us by slaying these aggressors.

तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान्स्वबान्धवान्। स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव॥३७॥

Therefore, it is not right for us to kill the sons of Dhritarashtra, our own relatives. O Madhava, how can we be happy by killing our own kinsmen?

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम्॥३८॥

Even though these people, whose minds are overcome by greed, see no wrong in destroying the family or sin in betraying friends,

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम्। कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन॥३९॥

O Janardana, why should we, who can clearly see the evil in destroying the family, not have the wisdom to turn away from this sin?

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः। धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत॥४०॥

When the family is destroyed, the ancient family traditions perish. When dharma is lost, adharma (irreligion) overwhelms the entire family.

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः। स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः॥४१॥

O Krishna, with the prevalence of adharma, the women of the family become corrupted. O Varshneya, when women are corrupted, social disorder (varna-sankara) arises.

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च। पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः॥४२॥

Such social disorder leads to hell for both the destroyers of the family and the family itself. The ancestors fall, deprived of the offerings of food and water.

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः। उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः॥४३॥

By the misdeeds of those who destroy the family and create social disorder, the eternal community traditions and family dharma are ruined.

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन। नरकेऽनियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम॥४४॥

O Janardana, we have heard from the learned that those whose family traditions are destroyed are destined to dwell in hell for an indefinite period.

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम्। यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः॥४५॥

Alas! How strange it is that we are resolved to commit a great sin, driven by the greed for kingdom and pleasure, prepared to kill our own kinsmen.

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः। धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत्॥४६॥

If the sons of Dhritarashtra, weapons in hand, were to kill me in battle — unarmed and unresisting — that would be better for me.

एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः सङ्ख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः॥४७॥

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sank into the seat of his chariot, his mind overwhelmed with grief.