Mahabharata — Volume III (Dutt edition) — Chapter 261

MBh 3 261.1

भीष्य उवाच ततः शिखण्डिनो माता यथातत्त्वं नराधिप। आचचक्षे महाबाहो भर्ने कन्यां शिखण्डिनीम्॥

bhīṣya uvāca tataḥ śikhaṇḍino mātā yathātattvaṃ narādhipa| ācacakṣe mahābāho bharne kanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinīm||

Bhishma said The mother of Shikhandin, O mightyarmed ruler of men, related to her husband all about her daughter Shikhandin in accordance with the real facts.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.2

अपुत्रया मया राजन् सपत्नीनां भयादिदम्। कन्या शिखण्डिनी जाता पुरुषो वै निवेदिता॥

aputrayā mayā rājan sapatnīnāṃ bhayādidam| kanyā śikhaṇḍinī jātā puruṣo vai niveditā||

Childless as I was, O great king, and from fear of my companion, wives, my daughter Shikhandin, when born, was represented to you as a son,

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.3

त्वया चैव नरश्रेष्ठ तन्मे प्रीत्यानुमोदितम्। पुत्रकर्म कृतं चैव कन्यायाः पार्थिवर्षभ॥

tvayā caiva naraśreṣṭha tanme prītyānumoditam| putrakarma kṛtaṃ caiva kanyāyāḥ pārthivarṣabha||

O best of men, you had, also, from love of me, corroborated it and O best among kings, the rites belonging to a son were performed for this daughter.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.4

भार्या चोढा त्वया राजन् दशार्णाधिपतेः सुता। मया च प्रत्यभिहितं देववाक्यार्थदर्शनात्। कन्या भूत्वा पुमान् भावीत्येवं चैतदुपेक्षितम्॥

bhāryā coḍhā tvayā rājan daśārṇādhipateḥ sutā| mayā ca pratyabhihitaṃ devavākyārthadarśanāt| kanyā bhūtvā pumān bhāvītyevaṃ caitadupekṣitam||

And a wife was given to her, O king viz., the daughter of the king of the Dasharna territories and it was approved of by me; seeing as I did the meaning of the words of that dirty, "Born as a maiden, she will become a male" we ignored this fact of her being a daughter.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.5

एतच्छ्रुत्वा दुपदो यज्ञसेनः सर्वं तत्त्वं मन्त्रविद्भयो निवेद्या मन्त्रं राजा मन्त्रयामास राजन् यथायुक्तं रक्षणे वै प्रजानाम्॥

etacchrutvā dupado yajñasenaḥ sarvaṃ tattvaṃ mantravidbhayo nivedyā mantraṃ rājā mantrayāmāsa rājan yathāyuktaṃ rakṣaṇe vai prajānām||

Hearing this, king Drupada known as Yagasena, having conformed all his councillors of all these facts, held a consultation, O king, as to the best means of protecting his subjects.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.6

सम्बन्धकं चैव समर्थ्य तस्मिन् दाशार्णके वै नृपतौ नरेन्द्र। काग्रो निश्चयं वै जगाम॥

sambandhakaṃ caiva samarthya tasmin dāśārṇake vai nṛpatau narendra| kāgro niścayaṃ vai jagāma||

Although he had himself deceived the king of the Dasharna country, yet sanctioning the alliance as quite proper, he began to settle his plans with concentrated attention.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.7

स्वभावगुप्तं नगरमापत्काले तु भारत। गोपयामास राजेन्द्र सर्वत: समलंकृतम्॥

svabhāvaguptaṃ nagaramāpatkāle tu bhārata| gopayāmāsa rājendra sarvata: samalaṃkṛtam||

Naturally well-defended, O Bharata, (he) began to fortify his city, at the time of danger, in all possible ways, and adorned it (with works of defense).

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.8

आर्ति च परमां जगाम सह भार्यया। दशार्णपतिना सार्धं विरोधे भरतर्षभ। टा

ārti ca paramāṃ jagāma saha bhāryayā| daśārṇapatinā sārdhaṃ virodhe bharatarṣabha| ṭā

But the king was nevertheless afflicted with great grief, together with his queen, O best among Bharata's race, at this enmity with the king of Dasharna territories.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.9

कथं सम्बन्धिना सार्धं न मे स्याद् विग्रहो महान्। इति संचिन्त्य मनसा देवतामर्चयत् तदा॥

kathaṃ sambandhinā sārdhaṃ na me syād vigraho mahān| iti saṃcintya manasā devatāmarcayat tadā||

Considering in his mind as to how there might not be this great enmity with his son's father-in-law, he began to worship the gods.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.10

तं तु दृष्ट्वा तदा राजन् देवी देवपरं तदा। अर्चा प्रयुञ्जानमथो भार्या वचनमब्रवीत्॥

taṃ tu dṛṣṭvā tadā rājan devī devaparaṃ tadā| arcā prayuñjānamatho bhāryā vacanamabravīt||

Thereupon, perceiving him to be devoted to the gods, O king, and paying his worship, his wife, that goddess like lady spoke these words.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.11

देवानां प्रतिपत्तिश्च सत्या साधुमता सताम्। किमु दुःखार्णवं प्राप्य तस्मादर्चयतां गुरून्॥

devānāṃ pratipattiśca satyā sādhumatā satām| kimu duḥkhārṇavaṃ prāpya tasmādarcayatāṃ gurūn||

Though in prosperity, the worship of gods is truly prescribed by all righteous men, what then (ought to bu said) about those who are in distress? Therefore, worship your superiors.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.12

दैवतानि च सर्वाणि पूज्यन्तां भूरिदक्षिणम्। अग्नयश्चापि हूयन्तां दाशार्णप्रतिषेधने॥

daivatāni ca sarvāṇi pūjyantāṃ bhūridakṣiṇam| agnayaścāpi hūyantāṃ dāśārṇapratiṣedhane||

Pay worship also to all the gods with large presents (to the Brahmanas) and let the sacred fires be ablaze, to pacify the Dasharna king.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.13

अयुद्धेन निवृत्तिं च मनसा चिन्तय प्रभो। देवतानां प्रसादेन सर्वमेतद् भविष्यति॥

ayuddhena nivṛttiṃ ca manasā cintaya prabho| devatānāṃ prasādena sarvametad bhaviṣyati||

O my lord, think in your mind (about a way) for pacification without involving a war. Through the grace of the gods, all this will happen.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.14

मन्त्रिभिर्मन्त्रितं सार्धं त्वया पृथुललोचना पुरस्यास्याविनाशाय यच्च राजंस्तथा कुरु॥

mantribhirmantritaṃ sārdhaṃ tvayā pṛthulalocanā purasyāsyāvināśāya yacca rājaṃstathā kuru||

Do as you had been counseled when you consulted with your ministers, O you with large eyes, for the preservation of this city, O king.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.15

दैवं हि मानुषोपेतं भृशं सिद्ध्यति पार्थिव। परस्परविरोधाद्धि सिद्धिरस्ति न चैतयोः॥

daivaṃ hi mānuṣopetaṃ bhṛśaṃ siddhyati pārthiva| parasparavirodhāddhi siddhirasti na caitayoḥ||

When earthy power is joined to godly power, it will surely succeed, O king. But there is no success when these are against each other,

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.16

तस्माद् विधाय नगरे विधानं सचिवैः सह। अर्चयस्व यथाकामं दैवतानि विशाम्पते॥

tasmād vidhāya nagare vidhānaṃ sacivaiḥ saha| arcayasva yathākāmaṃ daivatāni viśāmpate||

Therefore, having taken the necessary steps as regard this city with your ministers, pay adoration, O lord of earth, to the gods according to your desire.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.17

एवं संभाषमाणौ तु दृष्ट्वा शोकपरायणौ। शिखण्डिनी तदा कन्या वीडितेव तपस्विनी॥

evaṃ saṃbhāṣamāṇau tu dṛṣṭvā śokaparāyaṇau| śikhaṇḍinī tadā kanyā vīḍiteva tapasvinī||

Perceiving those two, overwhelmed with grief, talking to each other, that daughter Shikhandin, ascetic as she was, filled with shame.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.18

ततः सा चिन्तयामास मत्कृते दुःखितावुभौ। इमाविति ततश्चक्रे मतिं प्राणविनाशने।॥

tataḥ sā cintayāmāsa matkṛte duḥkhitāvubhau| imāviti tataścakre matiṃ prāṇavināśane|||

Thereupon she thought (within herself), "these two (my father and mother) are afflicted with grief on my account.” Then she made up her mind for destroying her own life.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.19

एवं सा निश्चयं कृत्वा भृशं शोकपरायणा। निर्जगाम गृहं त्यक्त्वा गहनं निर्जनं वनम्॥

evaṃ sā niścayaṃ kṛtvā bhṛśaṃ śokaparāyaṇā| nirjagāma gṛhaṃ tyaktvā gahanaṃ nirjanaṃ vanam||

Having firmly taken this resolution and been deeply afflicted with grief, she went out to a deep and lonely forest, abandoning her house.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.20

यक्षेणमिता राजन् स्थूणाकर्णेन पालितम्। तद्भयादेव च जनो विसर्जयति तद् वनम्॥

yakṣeṇamitā rājan sthūṇākarṇena pālitam| tadbhayādeva ca jano visarjayati tad vanam||

That forest, O king, was inhabited by a very rich and powerful Yaksha named Sthunakarna a and it was through his fear that men forsook that forest.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.21

तत्र च स्थूणभवनं सुधामृत्तिकलेपनम्। ताजोल्लापिकधूमाढ्यमुच्चप्राकारतोरणम्॥

tatra ca sthūṇabhavanaṃ sudhāmṛttikalepanam| tājollāpikadhūmāḍhyamuccaprākāratoraṇam||

And there was the abode of Sthuna, washed with lime, from which issued smoke bearing the smell of fried paddy, and (surrounded) with high walls with a gate way.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.22

तत् प्रविश्य शिखण्डी सा दुपदस्यात्मजा नृप। अनश्नाना बहुतिथं शरीरमुदशोषयत्॥

tat praviśya śikhaṇḍī sā dupadasyātmajā nṛpa| anaśnānā bahutithaṃ śarīramudaśoṣayat||

Entering it, the daughter of king Drupada Shikhandin, O king, began to reduce her body by remaining without food for many a day.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.23

दर्शयामास तां यज्ञः स्थूणो मार्दवसंयुतः। किमर्थोऽयं तवारम्भः करिष्ये ब्रूहि मा चिरम्॥

darśayāmāsa tāṃ yajñaḥ sthūṇo mārdavasaṃyutaḥ| kimartho'yaṃ tavārambhaḥ kariṣye brūhi mā ciram||

That Yaksha Sthuna, who was endued with kindliness, showed himself to her (and said), "for what purpose have you began this proceeding? Tell me and do not make delay, for I will do it."

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.24

अशक्यमिति सा यक्षं पुनः पुनरुवाच ह। करिष्यामीति वै क्षिप्रं प्रत्युवाचाथ गुह्यकः॥

aśakyamiti sā yakṣaṃ punaḥ punaruvāca ha| kariṣyāmīti vai kṣipraṃ pratyuvācātha guhyakaḥ||

"It cannot be performed”, she replied to the Yaksha again and again. But that Guhyaka returned her answer immediately (by saying) “I shall surely do it."

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.25

धनेश्वरस्यानुचरों वरदोऽस्मि नृपात्मजे। अदेयमपि दास्यामि ब्रूहि यत् ते विवक्षितम्॥

dhaneśvarasyānucaroṃ varado'smi nṛpātmaje| adeyamapi dāsyāmi brūhi yat te vivakṣitam||

“O daughter of the king, I am an attendant of the god of wealth, and I can grant boons. I will bestow even what is unbestowable. So tell me what you desire."

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.26

ततः शिखण्डी तत् सर्वमखिलेन न्यवेदयत्। तस्मै यक्षप्रधानाय स्थूणाकर्णाय भारत॥

tataḥ śikhaṇḍī tat sarvamakhilena nyavedayat| tasmai yakṣapradhānāya sthūṇākarṇāya bhārata||

Thereupon Shikhandin related to that chief of the Yakshas, named Sthunakarma, 0 Bharata, everything in detail.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.27

शिखण्डिन्युवाच अपुत्रो मे पिता यक्ष न चिरान्नाशमेष्यति। अभियास्यति सक्रोधो दशार्णधिपतिर्हि तम्॥

śikhaṇḍinyuvāca aputro me pitā yakṣa na cirānnāśameṣyati| abhiyāsyati sakrodho daśārṇadhipatirhi tam||

Shikhandin said “O Yaksha, my father, bereft of a son, will very soon meet with destruction, for the lord of the Dasharna territories is marching against him with anger.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.28

महाबलो महोत्साहः सहेमकवचो नृपः। तस्माद् रक्षस्व मां यक्षं मातरं पितरं च मे॥

mahābalo mahotsāhaḥ sahemakavaco nṛpaḥ| tasmād rakṣasva māṃ yakṣaṃ mātaraṃ pitaraṃ ca me||

That golden-armoured king is very powerful, and of great energy. Therefore protect me, O Yaksha, and my father and mother.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.29

प्रतिज्ञातो हि भवता दुःखप्रतिशमो मम। भवेयं पुरुषो यक्ष त्वत्प्रसादादनिन्दितः॥

pratijñāto hi bhavatā duḥkhapratiśamo mama| bhaveyaṃ puruṣo yakṣa tvatprasādādaninditaḥ||

The pacification of my grief has been promised by you. Let me become a man, O Yaksha, through your grace, O faultless one.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)

MBh 3 261.30

यावदेव स राजा वै नोपयाति पुरं मम। तावदेव महायक्ष प्रसादं कुरु गुह्यकः॥

yāvadeva sa rājā vai nopayāti puraṃ mama| tāvadeva mahāyakṣa prasādaṃ kuru guhyakaḥ||

So long as that king does not depart from my city, bestowed your grace, O great Yaksha and Guhyaka.

— tr. M.N. Dutt (1891–96) (public domain)