Question 1

Answer

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

Dhrtarastra said: O Sanjaya, what happened when my sons and the sons of Pandu assembled for battle at the holy place of Kuruksetra?

Question 2

Answer

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

Sanjaya said: Seeing the Pandavas’ soldiers and armies arrayed for battle, King Duryodhan approached Drona- charya and said:

Question 3

Answer

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

O my teacher, please observe the great armies of the Pandavas, arranged in military formation by your brilliant disciple, Dhrstadyumna.

Question 4

1.4-6

Answer

अत्र शूरा महेष्वासा भीमार्जुनसमा युधि ।

युयुधानो विराटश्च द्रुपदश्च महारथः ॥४॥

धृष्टकेतुश्चेकितानः काशिराजश्च वीर्यवान् ।

पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च शैब्यश्च नरपुङ्गवः ॥५॥

युधामन्युश्च विक्रान्त उत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान् ।

सौभद्रो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्व एव महारथाः ॥६॥

Among these soldiers are the expert archers Bhima, Arjuna, and others equally skilled in battle, like Satyaki, King Virata, the great fighter Drupada, Dhrstaketu, Chekitana, the mighty hero Kasiraj, Purujit, Kuntibhoja, the noble King Saibya, the valiant Yudhamanyu, the herioc Uttamauja, Abhimanyu, and the sons of Draupadi. They are all great warriors, indeed.

Question 5

Answer

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

O best of the twice-born, please consider, too, the foremost amongst us, the commanders of my armies. I submit their names before you:

Question 6

1.8-9

Answer

भवान् भीष्मश्च कर्णश्च कृपश्च समितिंजयः ।

अश्वत्थामा विकर्णश्च सौमदत्तिर्जयद्रथः ॥ ८ ॥

अन्ये च बहवः शूरा मदर्थे त्यक्तजीविताः ।

नानाशस्त्रप्रहरणाः सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः ॥९॥

Firstly there is your respected self, then Bhisma, Karna, the ever victorious Krpacharya, Asvatthama, Vikarna, Bhurisrava, Jayadratha, and many other heroes skilled in the art of warfare, all armed with various weapons and prepared to lay down their very lives for me.

Question 7

Answer

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

The strength of our army, headed by Bhisma, seems inestimable, yet the strength of the Pandavas’ army, protected by Bhima, is estimable.

Question 8

Answer

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

Now take up your posts at the strategic points of the formation in support of Bhisma.

Question 9

Answer

तस्य सञ्जनयन् हर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः ।
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान् ॥१२॥

Then, with a war-cry like the roar of a lion, the venerable elder, Bhisma, loudly blew his conchshell to encourage Duryodhan.

Question 10

Answer

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः ।
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त स शब्दस्तुमुलोऽभवत् ॥१३॥

At once there arose a tumultuous vibration of conchshells, kettledrums, hand-drums, bugles, and the resounding of many instruments.

Question 11

Answer

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

Then Lord Sri Krishna and Arjuna, in a magnificent chariot drawn by white horses, blew their divine conchshells.

Question 12

Answer

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

Hrsikes blew His conchshell Panchajanya; Dhananjaya sounded his, the Devadatta; and Bhimasen, the performer of mighty tasks, blew the conchshell Paundra.

Question 13

Answer

अनन्तविजयं राजा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ।
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सुघोषमणिपुष्पकौ ॥१६॥

King Yudhisthir, the son of Kunti, blew the Anantavijay, while Nakul and Sahadev blew the conchshells Sughosa and Manipuspaka.

Question 14

1.17-18

Answer

काश्यश्च परमेष्वासः शिखण्डी च महारथः ।

धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्चापराजितः ॥१७॥

द्रुपदो द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः पृथिवीपते ।

सौभद्रश्च महाबाहुः शङ्खान् दध्मुः पृथक् पृथक् ॥१८॥

O lord of the earth, the skilled archer Kasiraj, the great warrior Sikhandi, Dhrstadyumna, King Virata, the unconquerable Satyaki, King Drupada, the sons of Draupadi, and the mighty son of Subhadra, Abhimanyu — all blew their conchshells.

Question 15

Answer

स घोषो धार्तराष्ट्राणां हृदयानि व्यदारयत् ।
नभश्च पृथिवीं चैव तुमुलोऽभ्यनुनादयन् ॥१९॥

Resounding throughout the land and heavens, the tremendous vibration of those conchshells pierced the hearts of the sons of Dhrtarastra.

Question 16

Answer

अथ व्यवस्थितान् दृष्ट्वा धार्तराष्ट्रान् कपिध्वजः ।
प्रवृत्ते शस्त्रसम्पाते धनुरुद्यम्य पाण्डवः ।
हृषीकेशं तदा वाक्यमिदमाह महीपते ॥२०॥

O King, as the battle was about to commence, Arjuna, whose chariot was adorned with the flag of Hanuman, seeing Duryodhan and his army poised for battle, took up his bow and said to Sri Krishna:

Question 17

1.21-23

Answer

अर्जुन उवाच ।

सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये रथं स्थापय मेऽच्युत ॥२१॥

यावदेतान्निरीक्षेऽहं योद्धुकामानवस्थितान् ।

कैर्मया सह योद्धव्यमस्मिन् रणसमुद्यमे ॥ २२ ॥

योत्स्यमानानवेक्षेऽहं य एतेऽत्र समागताः ।

धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्बुद्धेर्युद्धे प्रियचिकीर्षवः ॥२३॥

O Krishna, please place my chariot between the two armies so I may observe the warriors with whom I must contend on this battlefield, and who have come to fight for the satisfaction of the wicked Duryodhan.

Question 18

1.24-25

Answer

सञ्जय उवाच ।
एवमुक्तो हृषीकेशो गुडाकेशेन भारत ।
सेनयोरुभयोर्मध्ये स्थापयित्वा रथोत्तमम् ॥२४॥

Sanjaya said: O descendant of Bharat, after the vigilant Arjuna spoke these words, Sri Krishna, the Lord of the perceptions of all living beings, drew the grand chariot between both armies, before Bhisma, Drona, and all the chieftains of the earth. The Lord then said: O Partha, behold the Kauravas assembled here for battle!

Question 19

Answer

तत्रापश्यत् स्थितान् पितॄनथ पितामहान् ।
आचार्यान् मातुलान् भ्रातॄन् पुत्रान् पौत्रान् सखींस्तथा ।
श्वशुरान् सुहृदश्चैव सेनयोरुभयोरपि ॥ २६ ॥

There, within both armies, Arjuna saw paternal and maternal elders, grandfathers, teachers, brothers, sons, grandsons, fathers-in-law, friends, and other well-wishers.

Question 20

Answer

तान् समीक्ष्य स कौन्तेयः सर्वान् बन्धूनवस्थितान् ।
कृपया परयाविष्टो विषीदन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥ २७ ॥

Seeing his kinsmen present on the battlefield, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, was grief-stricken and overcome with pity. He said:

Question 21

Answer

अर्जुन उवाच ।
दृष्ट्वेमान् स्वजनान् कृष्ण युयुत्सून् समवस्थितान् ।
सीदन्ति मम गात्राणि मुखं च परिशुष्यति ॥ २८ ॥

O Krishna, seeing all these relatives and friends assembled and eager for battle, the strength is draining from my limbs and my mouth feels parched.

Question 22

Answer

वेपथुश्च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षश्च जायते ।
गाण्डीवं स्रंसते हस्तात्त्वक्चैव परिदह्यते ॥२९॥

I am trembling and the hairs on my body are standing on end, my skin is burning, and I am losing grip of my Gandiva bow.

Question 23

Answer

न च शक्नोम्यवस्थातुं भ्रमतीव च मे मनः ।
निमित्तानि च पश्यामि विपरीतानि केशव ॥३०॥

O Kesava, I cannot maintain my composure any longer. My mind is disturbed, and I see bad omens.

Question 24

Answer

न च श्रेयोऽनुपश्यामि हत्वा स्वजनमाहवे ।
न काङ्क्षे विजयं कृष्ण न च राज्यं सुखानि च ॥३१॥

I do not see any good in killing my kinsmen in this battle. O Krishna, I have no wish for victory or to enjoy a kingdom.

Question 25

1.32-34

Answer

किं नो राज्येन गोविन्द किं भोगैर्जीवितेन वा ।

येषामर्थे काङ्क्षितं नो राज्यं भोगाः सुखानि च ॥३२॥

त इमेऽवस्थिता युद्धे प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च ।

आचार्याः पितरः पुत्रास्तथैव च पितामहाः ॥३३॥

मातुलाः श्वशुराः पौत्राः श्यालाः सम्बन्धिनस्तथा ।

एतान्न हन्तुमिच्छामि घ्नतोऽपि मधुसूदन ॥३४॥

O Govinda, if those for whom we desire all this — teachers, paternal and maternal elders, sons, grandfathers, fathers-in-law, grandsons, brothers-in- law, and other relatives — are about to risk their wealth and lives in battle, of what value is our kingdom and its royal pleasures, or even life itself? O Madhusudan, I do not wish to kill them even though I, myself, may be killed.

Question 26

Answer

अपि त्रैलोक्यराज्यस्य हेतोः किं नु महीकृते ।
निहत्य धार्तराष्ट्रान्नः का प्रीतिः स्याज्जनार्दन ॥३५॥

O Janardan, even if we gain sovereignty over the three worlds, not to speak of ruling the earth, how can we be happy if we kill the sons of Dhrtarastra?

Question 27

Answer

पापमेवाश्रयेदस्मान् हत्वैतानाततायिनः ।
तस्मान्नार्हा वयं हन्तुं धार्तराष्ट्रान् स्वबान्धवान् ।
स्वजनं हि कथं हत्वा सुखिनः स्याम माधव ॥ ३६ ॥

Only sin will befall us if we slay our teachers and guardians, though they be our adversaries. We cannot take the lives of our own relatives, the sons of Dhrtarastra. O Madhava, how can we be happy by killing our kinsmen?

Question 28

1.37, 38

Answer

यद्यप्येते न पश्यन्ति लोभोपहतचेतसः ।

कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं मित्रद्रोहे च पातकम् ॥३७॥

कथं न ज्ञेयमस्माभिः पापादस्मान्निवर्तितुम् ।

कुलक्षयकृतं दोषं प्रपश्यद्भिर्जनार्दन ॥३८॥

Although they, overwhelmed with greed, cannot see the sin of betraying one’s friends and destroying the dynasty, O Janardan, how can we not refrain from this heinous act, being in full knowledge of the consequences?

Question 29

Answer

कुलक्षये प्रणश्यन्ति कुलधर्माः सनातनाः ।
धर्मे नष्टे कुलं कृत्स्नमधर्मोऽभिभवत्युत ॥३९॥

With the decline of the dynasty, its religious traditions are lost. When religious practices are lost, irreligion overcomes the entire dynasty.

Question 30

Answer

अधर्माभिभवात्कृष्ण प्रदुष्यन्ति कुलस्त्रियः ।
स्त्रीषु दुष्टासु वार्ष्णेय जायते वर्णसङ्करः ॥४०॥

O Krishna, descendant of the Vrsni dynasty, when the dynasty is thus overcome by irreligion, the women of the family become corrupt and adulterated progeny is the result.

Question 31

Answer

सङ्करो नरकायैव कुलघ्नानां कुलस्य च ।
पतन्ति पितरो ह्येषां लुप्तपिण्डोदकक्रियाः ॥४१॥

Adulterated progeny forces both the family and its aggressors into a hellish existence. The same fate befalls their ancestors, because regular offerings of food and water to them cease.

Question 32

Answer

दोषैरेतैः कुलघ्नानां वर्णसङ्करकारकैः ।
उत्साद्यन्ते जातिधर्माः कुलधर्माश्च शाश्वताः ॥४२॥

Such heinous acts by the destroyers of the dynasty are the cause of adulterated progeny, ruining the culture of a civilized society and noble lineage.

Question 33

Answer

उत्सन्नकुलधर्माणां मनुष्याणां जनार्दन ।
नरके नियतं वासो भवतीत्यनुशुश्रुम ॥४३॥

O Janardan, we have heard that persons whose familial, social and religious traditions are disrupted dwell always in hell.

Question 34

Answer

अहो बत महत्पापं कर्तुं व्यवसिता वयम् ।
यद्राज्यसुखलोभेन हन्तुं स्वजनमुद्यताः ॥४४॥

Alas, what a grave sin we have resolved to commit! Driven by greed for trifling royal happiness, we are about to slay our own kinsmen.

Question 35

Answer

यदि मामप्रतीकारमशस्त्रं शस्त्रपाणयः ।
धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे हन्युस्तन्मे क्षेमतरं भवेत् ॥४५॥

If, unarmed and unresisting, I am killed on this battlefield by the armed sons of Dhrtarastra, that will be more auspicious for me.

Question 36

Answer

सञ्जय उवाच ।
एवमुक्त्वार्जुनः संख्ये रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् ।
विसृज्य सशरं चापं शोकसंविग्नमानसः ॥४६॥

Sanjaya said: There, on the battlefield, speaking these words, Arjuna cast aside his bow and arrows and sat down on the chariot, his heart filled with sadness.