नारायणं नमस्कृत्य नरं चैव नरोत्तमम्। देवी सरस्वती व्यासं ततो जयमुदीरयेत्॥

Having saluted Narayana, and Nara the foremost of all male beings, as also the goddess of learning Sarasvati, let us cry success.

Sauptika Parva 1.1

संजय उवाच ततस्ते सहिता वीराः प्रयाता दक्षिणामुखाः। उपास्तमनवेलायां शिविराभ्याशमागताः॥

Sanjaya said “Those heroes then in a body went towards the south. At sunset they reached a spot near the (Kuru) encampment.

Sauptika Parva 1.2

विमुच्य वाहांस्त्वरिता भीता समभवंस्तदा। गहनं देशमासाद्य प्रच्छन्ना न्यविशन्त ते॥

Letting loose their animals, they became very much frightened. Reaching then a forest, they secretly entered it.

Sauptika Parva 1.3

सेनानिवेशमभितो नातिदूरमवस्थिताः। निकृत्ता निशितैः शस्त्रैः समन्तात् क्षतविक्षताः॥ दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वस्य पाण्डवानेव चिन्तयतन्।

They took up their quarters there near the encampment. Wounded with many keen weapons, they breathed and sighted heavily, thinking of the Pandavas.

Sauptika Parva 1.4

श्रुत्वा च निनदं घोरं पाण्डवानां जयैषिणाम्॥ अनुसारभयाद् भीताः प्राङ्मुखाः प्राद्रवन् पुनः।

Hearing the loud noise set up by the victorious Pandavas, they feared a pursuit and therefore fled towards the east. were

Sauptika Parva 1.5

ते मुहूर्तात् ततो गत्वा श्रान्तवाहाः पिपासिताः॥ नामृष्यन्त महेष्वासाः क्रोधामर्षवशं गताः। राज्ञो वधेन संतप्ता मुहूर्तं समवस्थिताः॥

Having gone for sometime, their animals became tired and they themselves stricken with thirst. Beside themselves with anger and vindictiveness, those great bowmen could not bear what had taken place, burning as they did with grief at the slaughter of the king. They, however, rested for a while.”

Sauptika Parva 1.6

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच अश्रद्धेयमिदं कर्म कृतं भीमेन संजय। यत् स नागायुतप्राणः पुत्रो मम निपातितः॥

Dhritarashtra said "The feat, O Sanjaya, that Bhima performed seems to be incredible, since my son who was struck down as endued with the strength of ten thousand elephants.

Sauptika Parva 1.7

अवध्यः सर्वभूतानां वज्रसंहननो युवा। पाण्डवैः समरे पुत्रो निहतो मम संजय॥ न दिष्टमभ्यतिक्रान्तुं शक्यं गावल्गणे नरैः। यत् समेत्य रणे पाथैः पुत्रो मम निपातितः॥ अद्रिसारमयं नूनं हृदयं मम संजय। हतं पुत्रशतं श्रुत्वा यन्न दीर्णं सहस्रधा॥ कथं हि वृद्धमिथुनं हतपुत्रं भविष्यति। न ह्यहं पाण्डवेयस्य विषये वस्तुमुत्सहे॥

In the prime of life and having an adamantine body, he was not capable of being slain by any creatures. Alas, even such a son of mine was struck down by the Pandavas in battle. Forsooth, O Sanjaya, my heart is made of adamant, because it does not break into a thousand pieces even after hearing of the death of my hundred sons. Alas, what will be the condition of myself and my wife, an old couple, deprive of all children. I dare, not dwell in the kingdom of Pandu's son.

Sauptika Parva 1.8

कथं राज्ञः पिता भूत्वा स्वयं राजा च संजय। प्रेष्यभूतः प्रवर्तेयं पाण्डवेयस्य शासनात्॥

Having been the father of a king and a king myself, O Sanjaya, how shall I pass my days as a slave obeying he commands of Pandu's son.

Sauptika Parva 1.9

आज्ञाप्य पृथिवीं सर्वां स्थित्वा मूर्ध्नि च संजय। कथमद्य भविष्यामि प्रेष्यभूतो दुरन्तकृत्॥

Having commanded once the entire Earth and having trampled over the heads of all, O Sanjaya, how shall I live now as a wretched slave.

Sauptika Parva 1.10

कथं भीमस्य वाक्यानि श्रोतुं शक्ष्यामि संजय। येन पुत्रशतं पूर्णमेकेन निहतं मम॥

How shall I be able, O Sanjaya, to endure the words of Bhima who has alone killed a full hundred sons of mine?

Sauptika Parva 1.11

कृतं सत्यं वचस्तस्य विदुरस्य महात्मनः। अकुर्वता वचस्तेन मम पुत्रेण संजय॥

The words of the great Vidura are now realised. Alas, my son, O Sanjaya, did not listen to those words.

Sauptika Parva 1.12

अधर्मेण हते तात पुत्रे दुर्योधने मम। कृतवर्मा कृपो द्रौणिः किमकुर्वत संजय॥

What, however, did Kritavarman and Kripa and Drona's son do after my son Duryodhana had been unfairly killed.”

Sauptika Parva 1.13

संजय उवाच गत्वा तु तावका राजन् नातिदूरमवस्थिताः। अपश्यन्त वनं घोरं नानाद्रुमलतावृतम्॥

Sanjaya said "They had not proceeded far, O king, when they stopped, On seeing a dense forest covered with trees and creepers.

Sauptika Parva 1.14

ते मुहूर्तं तु विश्रम्य लब्धतोयैहयोत्तमैः। सूर्यास्तमनवेलायां समासेदुर्महद् वनम्॥

Having rested for a little while, they entered that great forest, proceeding on their cars drawn by their excellent horses whose thirst had been satisfied.

Sauptika Parva 1.15

नानामृगगणैर्जुष्टं नानापक्षिगणावृतम्। नानाद्रुमलताच्छन्नं नानाव्यालनिषेवितम्॥

That forest abounded with various kings of species of birds. And it was covered with many trees and creepers and was filled with numerous carnivorous creatures.

Sauptika Parva 1.16

नानातोयैः समाकीर्णं नानापुष्पोपशोभितम्। पद्मिनीशतसंछन्नं नीलोत्पलसमायुतम्॥

It was covered with many pools of water, adorned with various kinds of flowers, and lakes overgrown with blue lotuses.

Sauptika Parva 1.17

प्रविश्य तद् वनं घोरं वीक्षमाणाः समन्ततः। शाखासहस्रसंछन्नं न्यग्रोधं ददृशुस्ततः॥

Having entered that dense forest they looked about saw a gigantic banian tree with thousands of branches.

Sauptika Parva 1.18

उपेत्य तु तदा राजन् न्यग्रोधं ते महारथाः। ददृशुर्द्विपदां श्रेष्ठाः श्रेष्ठं तं वै वनस्पतिम्॥

Repairing to the shade of that banian, those great car-warriors, O king, those foremost of men, founded that to be the biggest tree in those forest.

Sauptika Parva 1.19

तेऽवतीर्य रथेभ्यश्च विप्रमुच्य च वाजिनः। उपस्पृश्य यथान्यायं संध्यामन्वासत प्रभो॥

Getting down from their cars, and letting loose their animals, they washed themselves and said their evening prayers.

Sauptika Parva 1.20

ततोऽस्तं पर्वतश्रेष्ठमनुप्राप्ते दिवाकरे। सर्वस्य जगतो धात्री शर्वरी समपद्यत॥ ग्रहनक्षत्रताराभिः सम्पूर्णाभिरलंकृतम्। नभोंऽशुकमिवाभाति प्रेक्षणीयं समन्ततः॥

The Sun then reached the setting hill, and Night, the mother of the universe, came. The sky, be spangled with planets and stars, shone alike an ornamented piece of brocade and presented a beautiful sight.

Sauptika Parva 1.21

इच्छया ते प्रवल्गन्ति ये सत्त्वा रात्रिचारिणः दिवाचराश्च ये सत्त्वास्ते निद्रावशमागताः॥

Creators, ranging in the night, began to howl and utter their cries at will, while they that range in the day began to sleep.

Sauptika Parva 1.22

रात्रिंचराणां सत्त्वानां निर्घोषोऽभूत् सुदारुणः। क्रव्यादाश्च प्रमुदिता घोरा प्राप्ता च शर्वरी॥

The night-ranging animals set up a dreadful noise. The carnivorous creatures were full of joy, and the night, as it advanced, became awful.

Sauptika Parva 1.23

तस्मिन् रात्रिमुखे घोरे दुःखशोकसमन्विताः। कृतवर्मा कृपो द्रौणिरुपोपविविशुः समम्॥

At that time filled with grief and sorrow, Kritavarman and Kripa and Drona's son all sat down together.

Sauptika Parva 1.24

तत्रोपविष्टाः शोचन्तो न्यग्रोधस्य समीपतः। तमेवार्थमतिक्रान्तं कुरुपाण्डवयोः क्षयम्॥

Seated under that banian, they began to express their sorrow regarding the destruction that had taken place of both the Kurus and the Pandavas.

Sauptika Parva 1.25

निद्रया च परीताङ्गा निषेदुर्धरणीतले। श्रमेण सुदृढं युक्ता विक्षता विविधैः शरैः॥

Feeling asleep they laid themselves down on the bare Earth. They had been greatly wounded with arrows.

Sauptika Parva 1.26

ततो निद्रावशं प्राप्तौ कृपभोजौ महारथौ। सुखोचितावदुःखार्ही निषण्णौ धरणीतले॥

The two great car-warriors, Kripa and Kritavarman, began to sleep. They ever deserving of happiness and undeserving of misery, slept on the bare ground.

Sauptika Parva 1.27

तौ तु सुप्तौ महाराज श्रमशोकसमन्वितौ। महार्हशयनोपेतौ भूमावेव ह्यनाथवत्॥

Indeed, O king, they, who had always slept on costly beds, not slept, like helpless persons, on the bare ground, worn out with fatigue and gricf.

Sauptika Parva 1.28

क्रोधामर्षवशं प्राप्तो द्रोणपुत्रस्तु भारत। न वै स्म स जगामाथ निद्रां सर्प इव श्वसन्॥

Subject to wrath and revenge, Drona's son, however, O Bharata, could not sleep, but continued to breathe like a snake.

Sauptika Parva 1.29

न लेभे स तु निद्रां वै दह्यमानो हि मन्युना। वीक्षाञ्चक्रे महाबाहुस्तद् वनं घोरदर्शनम्॥

Burning with rage he could not sleep. That mighty hero looked on all sides of that terrible forest.

Sauptika Parva 1.30

वीक्षमाणो वनोद्देशं नानसत्त्वैर्निषेवितम्। अपश्यत महाबाहुर्यग्रोधं वायसैर्युतम्॥

As he surveyed that forest filled with various kinds of creatures, the great warrior beheld large banian tree covered with crows.

Sauptika Parva 1.31

तत्र काकसहस्राणि तां निशां पर्यणामयन्। सुखं स्वपन्ति कौरव्य पृथक् पृथगुपाश्रयाः॥

On that banian thousands of crows roosted in the night. Each perching separately from its neighbour, those crows slept easily, O Kuru Chief.

Sauptika Parva 1.32

सुप्तेषु तेषु काकेषु विश्रव्येषु समन्ततः। सोऽपश्यत् सहसा यान्तमुलूकं घोरदर्शनम्॥

As, however, those birds were sleeping in security on every side, Ashvatthaman beheld a terrible owl suddenly appeared there.

Sauptika Parva 1.33

महास्वनं महाकायं हर्यक्षं बभ्रुपिङ्गलम्। सुदीर्घघोणानखरं सुपर्णमिव वेगितम्॥

Of frightful cries an huge body, with green eyes and tawny plumage, its nose and its talons were very large. And its speed was like that of Garuda.

Sauptika Parva 1.34

सोऽथ शब्दं मृदुं कृत्वा लीयमान इवाण्डजः। न्यग्रोधस्य ततः शाखां प्रार्थयामास भारत॥

Crying softly that winged creature O Bharata, secretly approached the branches of that banian tree.

Sauptika Parva 1.35

संनिपत्य तु शाखायां न्यग्रोधस्य विहङ्गमः। सुप्ताञ्जधान सुबहून् वायसान् वायसान्तकः॥

That sky-ranger, that slayer of crows, alighting on one of the branches of the banian, killed a large number of his sleeping enemies.

Sauptika Parva 1.36

केषांचिदच्छिनत् पक्षाशिरांसि च चकर्त ह। चरणांश्चैव केषांचिद् बभञ्ज चरणायुधः॥ क्षणेनाहन् स बलवान् येऽस्य दृष्टिपथे स्थिताः।

He tore the wings of some and cut off the heads of others with his sharp talons and broke the legs of many. Highly strong as he was, he killed many that fell down before his eyes. was

Sauptika Parva 1.37

तेषां शरीरावयवैः शरीरैश्च विशाम्पते॥ न्यग्रोधमण्डलं सर्वं संछन्नं सर्वतोऽभवत्।

With the limbs and bodies, O king, of the slain crows, the ground covered by the spreading branches of the banian, overspread on all sides.

Sauptika Parva 1.38

तांस्तु हत्वा ततः काकान् कौशिको मुदितोऽभवत्।।४३ प्रतिकृत्य यथाकामं शत्रूणां शत्रुसूदनः।

Having killed those crows, the owl became overjoyed like a slayer of foes after having dealt with his foes according to his pleasure.

Sauptika Parva 1.39

तद् दृष्ट्वा सोपधं कर्म कौशिकेन कृतं निशि॥ तद्भावकृतसंकल्पो द्रोणिरेकोऽन्वचिन्तयत्।

Witnessing that deed perpetrated in the night by the owl, Drona's son began to reflect on it, desirous of guiding his own conduct after that example.

Sauptika Parva 1.40

उपदेशः कृतोऽनेन पक्षिणा मम संयुगे॥ शत्रूणां क्षपणे युक्तः प्राप्तः कालश्च मे मतः।

He said to him, "This owl teaches me a lesson in battle. Bent as I am upon the destruction of the enemy, the time for action is come.

Sauptika Parva 1.41

नाद्य शक्या मया हन्तुं पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः॥ बलवन्तः कृतोत्साहाः प्राप्तलक्ष्याः प्रहारिणः।

The victorious Pandavas are incapable of being killed by me! They are possessed of power and perseverance, sure of aim, and skilled in smiting.

Sauptika Parva 1.42

राज्ञः सकाशात् तेषां तु प्रतिज्ञातो वधो मया॥ पतङ्गाग्निसमां वृत्तिमास्थायात्मविनाशिनीम्।

In the presence, however, of the king I have promised to destroy them. I have thus promised to perform a deed that would bring on my own destruction like an insect trying to rush into a burning fire.

Sauptika Parva 1.43

न्यायतो युध्यमानस्य प्राणत्यागो न संशयः॥ छद्मना च भवेत् सिद्धिः शत्रूणां च क्षयो महान्। तत्र संशयितादाद् योऽर्थो निःसंशयो भवेत्॥

If I were to fight fairly with them. I shall, forsooth, have to lay down my life! By deceitful act, however, I may yet get success and a great destruction may overtake my enemies.

Sauptika Parva 1.44

तं जना बहुः मन्यन्ते ये च शास्त्रविशारदाः। यचाप्यत्र भवेद् वाच्यं गर्हितं लोकनिन्दितम्॥ कर्तव्यं तन्मनुष्येण क्षत्रधर्मेण वर्तता। निन्दितानि च सर्वाणि कुत्सितानि पदे पदे॥ सोपधानि कृतान्येव पाण्डवैरकृतात्मभिः।

People generally, as also those well-read in the scriptures, always prefer means which are certain to those which are uncertain. Censure and bad name, which soever this act may engender, ought to be incurred by a person who leads the life of a Kshatriya. The sinful Pandavas have, at every step, perpetrated very ugly, censurable and deceitful acts.

Sauptika Parva 1.45

अस्मिन्नर्थे पुरा गीता श्रूयन्ते धर्मचिन्तकैः॥ श्लोका न्यायमवेक्षद्भिस्तत्त्वार्थास्तत्त्वदर्शिभिः।

Regarding this matter, certain ancient verses, full of truth, are heard, sung by truthseeing and righteous persons.

Sauptika Parva 1.46

परिश्रान्ते विदीर्णे वा भुञ्जाने वापि शत्रुभिः॥ प्रस्थाने वा प्रवेशे वा प्रहर्तव्यं रिपोर्बलम्।

They are:-The enemy's force, even which fatigued, or wounded, or while eating, or when retiring, or when resting within their camp, should be beaten.

Sauptika Parva 1.47

निद्रार्तमर्धरात्रे च तथा नष्टप्रणायकम्॥ भिन्नयोधं बलं यच्च द्विधा युक्तं च यद् भवेत्। इत्येवं निश्चयं चक्रे सुप्तानां निशि मारणे॥ पाण्डूनां सह पञ्चालैोणपुत्रः प्रतापवान्।

They shouid be equally treated when sleeping at dead of night, or when reft of commanders, or when routed, or when labouring under an error.'-Having thought thus, the valiant son of Drona formed the resolution of killing during the night the sleeping Pandavas and the Panchalas,

Sauptika Parva 1.48

स क्रूरां मतिमास्थाय विनिश्चित्य मुहुर्मुहुः॥ सुप्तौ प्राबोधयत् तौ तु मातुलं भोजमेव च।

Having formed this wicked resolution and promised to execute it, he awoke both his maternal uncle and the chief of the Bhojas. a

Sauptika Parva 1.49

तौ प्रबुद्धौ महात्मानौ कृपभोजौ महाबलौ॥ नोत्तरं प्रतिपद्येतां तत्र युक्तं ह्रिया वृतौ।

Awakened from sleep, those two illustrious and powerful persons, viz., Kripa and the Bhoja chief, heard Ashvatthaman's scheme, Filled with shame, both of them could not give a suitable reply.

Sauptika Parva 1.50

स मुहूर्तमिव ध्यात्वा बाष्यविह्वलमब्रवीत्॥ हतो दुर्योधनो राजा एकवीरो महाबलः। यस्यार्थे वैरमस्माभिरासक्तं पाण्डवैः सह॥ एकाकी बहुभिः क्षुदैराहवे शुद्धविक्रमः। पातितो भीमसेनेन एकादशचमूपतिः॥

Having reflected for short time Ashvatthaman said with tearful eyes,-King Duryodhana, they only hero of great might, for whose sake we were fighting with the Pandavas, has been killed. Deserted and alone through he was, the master of eleven Akshauhinis of soldiers that hero of unsullied prowess has been struck down by Bhimasena in battle.

Sauptika Parva 1.51

वृकोदरेण क्षुद्रेण सुनृशंसमिदं कृतम्। मूर्धाभिषिक्तस्य शिरः पादेन परिमृद्नता॥

Another wicked act has been perpetrated by the mean Vrikodara for the latter has touched with his foot the head of a crowned person.

Sauptika Parva 1.52

विनर्दन्ति च पञ्चाला: श्वेलन्ति च हसन्ति च। धमन्ति शङ्खाशतशो हृष्टा जन्ति च दुन्दुभीन्॥

The Panchalas are sending up loud roars and cries and loud bursts of laughter. Overjoyed, they are blowing their conchs and beating their drums.

Sauptika Parva 1.53

वादित्रघोषस्तुमुलो विमिश्रः शङ्खनिःस्वनैः। अनिलेनेरितो घोरो दिशः पूरयतीव ह॥

The loud sound of their instruments, mingled with the blare of conchs, is fearful to the ear, and carried by the winds, is filling all the points of the horizon.

Sauptika Parva 1.54

अश्वानां हेषमाणानां गजानां चैव बुंहताम्। सिंहनादश्च शूराणां श्रूयते सुमहानयम्॥

Loud also is the neighing of their steeds and the grunting of their elephants and the roaring of their warriors.

Sauptika Parva 1.55

दिशं प्राची समाश्रित्य हृष्टानां गच्छतां भृशम्। रथनेमिस्वनाश्चैव श्रूयन्ते लोमहर्षणाः॥

That defending noise made by the rejoicing warriors as they are going to their quarters, as also the clatter of their car-wheels, comes to us from the east.

Sauptika Parva 1.56

पाण्डवैर्धार्तराष्ट्राणां यदिदं कदनं कृतम्। वयमेव त्रयः शिष्टा अस्मिन् महति वैशसे॥

So great has been the havoc made by the Pandavas on the Dhartarashtras that we three are the only survivors.

Sauptika Parva 1.57

केचिन्नागशतप्राणाः केचित् सर्वास्त्रकोविदाः। निहताः पाण्डवेयैस्ते मन्ये कालस्य पर्ययम्॥

Some were gifted with the strength of a hundred elephants and some were masters of all weapons. Yet they have been killed by the son of Pandu. I consider this to be an instance of the reverses caused by Destiny.

Sauptika Parva 1.58

एवमेतेन भाव्यं हि नूनं कार्वेण तत्त्वतः। यथा ह्यस्येदृशी निष्ठा कृतकार्येऽपि दुष्करे॥

Truly, this is the end of which such acts leads. Although the Pandavas have achieved such difficult feats, yet this should be the result of those feats.

Sauptika Parva 1.59

भवेतास्तु यदि प्रज्ञा न मोहादपनीयते। व्यापन्नेऽस्मिन् महत्यर्थे यन्नः श्रेयस्तदुच्यताम्॥

If you have not lost your wisdom out of stupefaction, then say what is proper for us to do under these circumstances.

Sauptika Parva 1.60