वैशम्पायन उवाच एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भीष्मकस्य महात्मनः। हिरण्यरोम्णो नृपतेः साक्षादीन्द्रसखस्य वै॥ आकृतीनामधिपतिर्भोजस्यातियशस्विनः। दाक्षिणात्यपतेः पुत्रो दिक्षु रुक्मीति विश्रुतः॥

Vaishampayana said 1-At this time did there come to the encampment of the Pandavas, the son of the great souled Bhishmaka, otherwise called the king Hiranya Roman, who was the friend of Indra himself, who was the very renowned ruler of the Bhojas, and who was the lord of the entire southern countries. His son was known in all countries by the name of Rukmi, ever devoted to truth,

Udyoga Parva 158.1

यः किंपुरुषसिंहस्य गन्धमादनवासिनः। कृत्स्नं शिष्यो धनुर्वेदं चतुष्पादमवाप्तवान्॥

Who was a pupil of that lion of the Kimpurushas living on the Gandhamadana mountain and who learnt from him the entire science of handling bows in all its four branches;

Udyoga Parva 158.2

यो माहेन्द्रं धनुलेंभे तुल्यं गाण्डीवतेजसा। शाङ्गेण च महाबाहुः सम्मितं दिव्यलक्षणम्॥

Who, having long arms, obtained the Vijaya bow of the great Indra himself which was equal in energy to the Gandiva and to the Sharanga which had celestial attributes in it.

Udyoga Parva 158.3

त्रीण्येवैतानि दिव्यानि धनूंषि दिविचारिणाम्। वारुणं गाण्डिवं तत्र माहेन्द्रं विजयं धनुः। शाएं तु वैष्णवं प्राहुर्दिव्यं तेजोमयं धनुः॥

These were the three celestial bows of the denizens of heaven namely, Gandiva belonging to Varuna, Vijaya belonging to the great Indra and Sharanga the bow of Vishnu, having celestial energy.

Udyoga Parva 158.4

धारयामास तत् कृष्णः परसेनाभयावहम्। गाण्डीवं पावकाल्लेभे खाण्डवे पाकशासनिः॥

Krishna obtained that bow which struck terror to the soldiers of the enemies. The son of Indra (Arjuna) obtained the Gandiva from the fire on the occasion of burning the Khandava.

Udyoga Parva 158.5

द्रुमाद् रुक्मी महातेजा विजयं प्रत्यपद्यत। संछिद्य मौरवान् पाशान् निहत्य मुरमोजसा॥

Rukmi of great energy, obtained the Vijaya from Druma after breaking open the knots and nooses of Mura and slaying Asura by his own energy.

Udyoga Parva 158.6

निर्जित्य नरकं भौममाहृत्य मणिकुण्डले। षोडश स्त्रीसहस्राणि रत्नानि विविधानि च॥

And subjugating Naraka the son of Bhumi (earth) while recovering the jeweled ear-rings and sixteen thousand damsels and diverse sorts of gems,

Udyoga Parva 158.7

प्रतिपेदे हृषीकेशः शार्ङ्ग च धनुरुत्तमम्। रुक्मी तु विजयं लब्ध्वा धनुर्मेघनिभस्वनम्॥

Hrishikesha obtained that excellent bow the Sharanga. Rukmi, obtaining that bow called Vijaya whose twang was like the roaring of the clouds.

Udyoga Parva 158.8

विभीषयन्निव जगत् पाण्डवानभ्यवर्तत। नामृष्यत पुरा योऽसौ स्वबाहुबलगर्वितः॥

Came to the Pandavas as if terrifying the earth. The hero, proud of the strength of his own arms, could not pass, in silence before,

Udyoga Parva 158.9

रुक्मिण्या हरणं वीरो वासुदेवेन धीमता। कृत्वा प्रतिज्ञा नाहत्वा निवर्तिष्ये जनार्दनम्॥

The ravishment of Rukmini (his sister) by the wise Vasudeva; and having resolved "I shall not return without slaying Janardana,"

Udyoga Parva 158.10

ततोऽन्वधावद् वार्ष्णेयं सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः। सेनया चतुरङ्गिण्या महत्या दूरपातया॥ सैन्येन महता

The foremost among wielders of weapons came in pursuit of the scion of Vrishni race, with army having all the four divisions, which occupied a large tract of land as it proceeded,

Udyoga Parva 158.11

विचित्रायुधवर्मिण्या गङ्गयेव प्रवृद्धया। स समासाद्य वार्ष्णेयं योगानामीश्वरं प्रभुम्॥

And furnished with diverse sorts of amours and weapons resembled the Ganga when full. He, then coming to that scion of the Vrishni race who is the lord, the object of all devotion,

Udyoga Parva 158.12

व्यंसितोव्रीडितो राजन् नाजगाम स कुण्डिनम्। यत्रैव कृष्णेन रणे निर्जितः परवीरहा॥

Was defeated by him and was thus put to shame. And he returned not, O king, to Kundina, his capital, since that slayer of hostile heroes, Krishna, was not defeated by him in battle.

Udyoga Parva 158.13

तत्र भोजकटं नाम कृतं नगरमुत्तमम्। तेनं प्रभूतगजवाजिना॥

There he built an excellent city called Bhojakata furnished with a large army and plenty of elephants and horses.

Udyoga Parva 158.14

पुरं तद् भुवि विख्यातं नाम्ना भोजकटं नृप। स भोजराजः सैन्येन महता परिवारितः॥

That city became famous by the name of Bhojakata, O ruler of men. That king of the Bhojas surrounded by a large army,

Udyoga Parva 158.15

अक्षौहिण्या महावीर्यः पाण्डवान् क्षिप्रमागमत्। ततः स कवची धन्वी तली खड़ी शरासनी॥

Numbering an Akshauhini and endued with great prowess soon came to the son of Pandu. Then did he, clad in a coat of mail and armed with bow, fencer, sword and quivers,

Udyoga Parva 158.16

ध्वजेनादित्यवर्णेन विदितः पाण्डवेयानां वासुदेवप्रियेप्सया॥

With a slandered of the hue of the sun, entered into the large army and become known to the sons of Pandu through his desire of doing what was acceptable to Vasudeva.

Udyoga Parva 158.17

युधिष्ठिरस्तु तं राजा प्रत्युद्गम्याभायपूजयत्। स पूजितः पाण्डुपुत्रैर्यथान्यायं सुसंस्तुतः॥

The king Yudhishthira, too, offered him worship after advancing a little; and he, being

Udyoga Parva 158.18

प्रविवेश महाचमूम्। न

worshipped and praised by the son of Pandu as became his station and rank,

Udyoga Parva 158.19

प्रतिगृह्य तु तान् सर्वान् विश्रान्तः सहसैनिकः। उवाच मध्य वीराणां कुन्तीपुत्रं धनंजयम्॥

Saluted those kings in return; and after resting himself with his army he said, in the midst of those heroes, to Dhananjaya the son of Kunti.

Udyoga Parva 158.20

सहायोऽस्मि स्थितोयुद्धे यदि भीतोऽसि पाण्डवा करिष्यामि रणे साह्यमसह्यं तव शत्रुभिः॥

If, O son of Pandu, you are afraid on the eve of the war I shall afford you assistance. The assistance, I will give, cannot possibly be borne by your enemies.

Udyoga Parva 158.21

हि मे विक्रमे तुल्यः पुमानस्तीह कश्चन। हनिष्यामि रणे भागं यन्मे दास्यसि पाण्डवा॥

There is no man in this world who is equal to me in prowess. I shall slay in battle that portion of your enemy you will allot to my share,

Udyoga Parva 158.22

अपि द्रोणकृपौ वीरौ भीष्मकर्णावथो पुनः। अथवा सर्व एवैते तिष्ठन्तु वसुधाधिपाः॥

Even including Drona and Kripa, or the heroes Bhishma or Kuru or all those rulers of the earth assembled together even, if they stand against you.

Udyoga Parva 158.23

निहत्य समरे शत्रूस्तव दास्यामि मेदिनीम्। इत्युक्तो धर्मराजस्य केशवस्य च संनिधौ।॥

(Even then) having slain in battle your enemies I shall make over the earth to you. Being thus spoken to in the presence of the virtuous king Keshava,

Udyoga Parva 158.24

शृण्वतां पार्थिवेन्द्राणामन्येषां चैव सर्वशः। वासुदेवमभिप्रेक्ष्य धर्मराजं च पाण्डवम्॥

And in the hearing of those chief among the rulers of the earth, and all others who were there and with his eyes on Vasudeva and on the virtuous king the son of Pandu,

Udyoga Parva 158.25

उवाच धीमान् कौन्तेयः प्रहस्य सखिपूर्वकम्। कौरवाणां कुले जातः पाण्डोः पुत्रो विशेषतः॥

The son of Kunti said laughingly in a friendly way. “Born in the race of Kurus, especially being the son Pandu,

Udyoga Parva 158.26

द्रोणं व्यपदिशशिष्यो वासुदेवसहायवान्। भीतोऽस्मीति कथं ब्रूयां दधानो गाण्डिवं धनुः॥

Calling myself the pupil of Drona and getting the help of Vasudeva, how can I say that I am afraid especially as I hold the Gandiva bow?

Udyoga Parva 158.27

युध्यमानस्य मे वीर गन्धर्वैः सुमहाबलैः। सहायो घोषयात्रायां कस्तदाऽऽसीत् सखा मम॥

O hero, when fighting with the great army of Gandharvas in the battle, who was then my friend?

Udyoga Parva 158.28

तथा प्रतिभये तस्मिन् देवदानवसंकुले। खाण्डवे युध्यमानस्य कः सहायस्तदाऽवत्॥

Then again in that terrific battle between the gods and the Danavas fighting together at Khandava who was then my friend?

Udyoga Parva 158.29

निवातकवचैर्युद्धे कालकेयैश्च दानवैः। तत्र मे युध्यमानस्य कः सहायस्तदाऽवत्॥

In my fight with the Nivatakavachas or with the Danavas called Kalakeyais-who was iny friend?

Udyoga Parva 158.30

तथा विराटनगरे कुरुभिः सह संगरे। युध्यतो बहुभिस्तत्र कः सहायोऽभवन्मम॥

Then again in the battle with Kurus in the city of Virat-who was my friend?

Udyoga Parva 158.31

उपजीव्य रणे रुद्रं शक्रं वैश्रवणं यमम्। वरुणं पावकं चैव कृपं द्रोणं च माधवम्॥

Having paid homage to Rudra, Shakra, Vaishravana, Yama, Varuna, Agni, Kripa, Drona and Madhava,

Udyoga Parva 158.32

धारयन् गाण्डिवं दिव्यं धनुस्तेजोमयं दृढम्। अक्षय्यशरसंयुक्तो दिव्यास्त्रपरिबृहितः॥

And holding firmly the celestial bow the Gandiva and furnished with an inexhaustible mass of arrows and protected by celestial weapons,

Udyoga Parva 158.33

कथमस्मद्विधो ब्रूयाद् भीतोऽस्मीति यशोहरम्। वचनं नरशार्दूल वज्रायुधमपि स्वयम्॥

How can one like myself say 'I am afraid” calculated to cast infamy on my name, to even Indra himself who has the thunderbolt for his weapon, O best among men.

Udyoga Parva 158.34

नास्मि भीतो महाबाहो सहायार्थश्च नास्ति मे। यथाकामं यथायोगं गच्छ वाऽन्यत्र तिष्ठ वा॥

I am not afraid, O you of long arms and I have no necessity for your assistance. Go elsewhere if you please, or remain here if you like.

Udyoga Parva 158.35

विनिवर्त्य ततो रुक्मी सेनां सागरसंनिभाम्। दुर्योधनमुपागच्छत् तथैव भरतर्षभ॥

Then Rukmi, returning with that army resembling these came to Duryodhana and spoke in the same strain, O Bharata.

Udyoga Parva 158.36

तथैव चाभिगम्यैनमुवाच वसुधाधिपः प्रत्याख्यातश्च तेनापि स तदा शूरमानिना॥

Coming to that ruler of the earth did he say the same thing and his help was refused by Duryodhana too who thought himself a hero.

Udyoga Parva 158.37

द्वावेव तु महाराज तस्माद् युद्धादपेयतुः। रौहिणेयश्च वार्ष्णेयो रुक्मी च वसुधाधिपः॥

Thus two parties, O great king did not take part in that battle, namely the son of Rohini, the scion of the Vrishni race and the ruler of the earth Rukmi.

Udyoga Parva 158.38

गते रामे तीर्थयात्रां भीष्मकस्य सुते तथा। उपाविशन् पाण्डवेया मन्त्राय पुनरेव च॥

Rama having gone to visit the sacred places and the son of Bhishmaka having returned in the manner just described the sons of Pandu again sat down for consolation.

Udyoga Parva 158.39

समितिधर्मराजस्य सा पार्थिवसमाकुला। शुशुभे तारकैश्चित्रा द्यौश्चन्द्रेणेव भारत॥

The assembly, of the virtuous king with all the rulers of the earth, shone as the moon in the sky surrounded by diverse stars, O Bharata.

Udyoga Parva 158.40