महाभारतम् — ३.१७६

वैशंपायन उवाच ।

स भीमसेनस्तेजस्वी तथा सर्पवशं गतः ।
चिन्तयामास सर्पस्य वीर्यमत्यद्भुतं महत् ॥

M N Dutt Vaishampayana said : . The energetic Bhimasena being thus overpowered by the serpent began to ponder on the mighty and wonderful strength of the snake.

३.१७६.२

उवाच च महासर्पं कामया ब्रूहि पन्नग ।
कस्त्वं भो भुजगश्रेष्ठ किं मया च करिष्यसि ॥

M N Dutt And he said to that mighty snake “O best of serpents, O snake, kindly tell me who you are and what you will do with me.

३.१७६.३

पाण्डवो भीमसेनोऽहं धर्मराजादनन्तरः ।
नागायुतसमप्राणस्त्वया नीतः कथं वशम् ॥

M N Dutt I am the Pandava, Bhimasena and the younger brother to Dharmaraja. How is it that I, who am possessed of the strength of ten thousand elephants, have been brought under your power?

३.१७६.४

सिंहाः केसरिणो व्याघ्रा महिषा वारणास्तथा ।
समागताश्च बहुशो निहताश्च मया मृधे ॥

M N Dutt I have in battle slain countless lions, lions having manes, tigers, buffaloes and elephants all assembled together,

३.१७६.५

दानवाश्च पिशाचाश्च राक्षसाश्च महाबलाः ।
भुजवेगमशक्ता मे सोढुं पन्नगसत्तम ॥

M N Dutt O excellent of serpents, the exceedingly powerful Rakshasas, Pishachas and Pannagas cannot endure the force of my even arms.

३.१७६.६

किं नु विद्याबलं किं वा वरदानमथो तव ।
उद्योगमपि कुर्वाणो वशगोऽस्मि कृतस्त्वया ॥

M N Dutt Is it my virtue of any science or by that of any boon conferred on you that you have been able to overpower me inspite of my exertions?

३.१७६.७

असत्यो विक्रमो नॄणामिति मे निश्चिता मतिः ।
यथेदं मे त्वया नाग बलं प्रतिहतं महत् ॥

M N Dutt Now it appears to my mind that the strength of men is fruitless, since, O serpent, you have overmastered my great strength."

३.१७६.८

इत्येवंवादिनं वीरं भीममक्लिष्टकारिणम् ।
भोगेन महता सर्पः समन्तात्पर्यवेष्टयत् ॥

M N Dutt When the heroic Bhima of great achievements was saying all this, the serpent seized him and coiled him all round with its gigantic body.

३.१७६.९

निगृह्य तं महाबाहुं ततः स भुजगस्तदा ।
विमुच्यास्य भुजौ पीनाविदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥

M N Dutt Having thus overpowered that one of mighty arms and then liberated his plump hands the serpent said these words.

३.१७६.१०

दिष्ट्या त्वं क्षुधितस्याद्य देवैर्भक्षो महाभुज ।
दिष्ट्या कालस्य महतः प्रियाः प्राणा हि देहिनाम् ॥

M N Dutt O mighty armed being, I have been hungry for a long time. It is to my good fortune, therefore, that you have been today, destined by the god for my food; for life is dear to all corporeal beings.

३.१७६.११

यथा त्विदं मया प्राप्तं भुजंगत्वमरिंदम ।
तदवश्यं मया ख्याप्यं तवाद्य शृणु सत्तम ॥

M N Dutt O tormentor of foes, it should be surely narrated by me today how have I worn this snake-shape. Listen, O virtuous being.

३.१७६.१२

इमामवस्थां संप्राप्तो ह्यहं कोपान्मनीषिणाम् ।
शापस्यान्तं परिप्रेप्सुः सर्पस्य कथयामि तत् ॥

M N Dutt I have been brought down to this state on account of the anger of the Maharshis, now desirous of expiating the curse I shall relate to you all about it.

३.१७६.१३

नहुषो नाम राजर्षिर्व्यक्तं ते श्रोत्रमागतः ।
तवैव पूर्वः पूर्वेषामायोर्वंशकरः सुतः ॥

M N Dutt It is known (to everybody) that there was a royal sage, named Nahusha and you too, no doubt have heard of him. He was the ancestor of your forefathers, the son of Ayu and the perpetuator of his race.

३.१७६.१४

सोऽहं शापादगस्त्यस्य ब्राह्मणानवमन्य च ।
इमामवस्थामापन्नः पश्य दैवमिदं मम ॥

M N Dutt I am he. Owing to my disregard for the Brahmanas I have fallen into this plight by the curse of Agastya. Now behold my fated wretchedness.

३.१७६.१५

त्वां चेदवध्यमायान्तमतीव प्रियदर्शनम् ।
अहमद्योपयोक्ष्यामि विधानं पश्य यादृशम् ॥

M N Dutt Though you are my descendant, exceedingly handsome and therefore should not be killed by me, yet I will eat you up today.

३.१७६.१६

न हि मे मुच्यते कश्चित्कथंचिद्ग्रहणं गतः ।
गजो वा महिषो वापि षष्ठे काले नरोत्तम ॥

M N Dutt O the best of mortals, whether it be a cow or a buffalo, whatever comes within my reach during the sixth part of the day, cannot escape (from me).

३.१७६.१७

नासि केवलसर्पेण तिर्यग्योनिषु वर्तता ।
गृहीतः कौरवश्रेष्ठ वरदानमिदं मम ॥

M N Dutt O the best of the Kurus, you have been overpowered not by the strength of an animal of a lower order, but by virtue of the boon that it received.

३.१७६.१८

पतता हि विमानाग्रान्मया शक्रासनाद्द्रुतम् ।
कुरु शापान्तमित्युक्तो भगवान्मुनिसत्तमः ॥

M N Dutt When I was rapidly falling (down on earth) from the throne of Shakra, placed in front of the palace, I besought the divine and excellent sage (Agastya) to free me from the curse.

३.१७६.१९

स मामुवाच तेजस्वी कृपयाभिपरिप्लुतः ।
मोक्षस्ते भविता राजन्कस्माच्चित्कालपर्ययात् ॥

M N Dutt (At which) that energetic sage, filled with pity, replied to me "you will get rid of it after the expiration some time."

३.१७६.२०

ततोऽस्मि पतितो भूमौ न च मामजहात्स्मृतिः ।
स्मार्तमस्ति पुराणं मे यथैवाधिगतं तथा ॥

M N Dutt I then fell down to the earth, but my memory did not fail me. Therefore do I still remember the past, however ancient it might be.

३.१७६.२१

यस्तु ते व्याहृतान्प्रश्नान्प्रतिब्रूयाद्विशेषवित् ।
स त्वां मोक्षयिता शापादिति मामब्रवीदृषिः ॥

M N Dutt That sage (Agastya) told me also however conversant with the relation subsisting between the soul and the Supreme being shall be able to answer your questions shall free you, from the curse.

३.१७६.२२

गृहीतस्य त्वया राजन्प्राणिनोऽपि बलीयसः ।
सत्त्वभ्रंशोऽधिकस्यापि सर्वस्याशु भविष्यति ॥

M N Dutt And, O king, beings stronger than yourself if seized by you, shall instantly lose their strength.”

३.१७६.२३

इति चाप्यहमश्रौषं वचस्तेषां दयावताम् ।
मयि संजातहार्दानामथ तेऽन्तर्हिता द्विजाः ॥

M N Dutt I heard all these words of those kind-hearted sages who conceived an attachment towards ones me. (And) those twice-born then vanished.

३.१७६.२४

सोऽहं परमदुष्कर्मा वसामि निरयेऽशुचौ ।
सर्पयोनिमिमां प्राप्य कालाकाङ्क्षी महाद्युते ॥

M N Dutt (Thenceforth) I, who had committed numerous reprehensible acts, having become a serpent, O highly resplendent being, have been dwelling in filthy hell (anxiously) awaiting (the time of the expiration of my curse).

३.१७६.२५

तमुवाच महाबाहुर्भीमसेनो भुजंगमम् ।
न ते कुप्ये महासर्प न चात्मानं विगर्हये ॥

M N Dutt Then the mighty-armed Bhimasena said ic the snake "O highly-energetic creature, I am neither angry nor do I blame myself,

३.१७६.२६

यस्मादभावी भावी वा मनुष्यः सुखदुःखयोः ।
आगमे यदि वापाये न तत्र ग्लपयेन्मनः ॥

M N Dutt Because man has sometimes the power of and sometimes becomes powerless in bringing or destroying happiness or sorrow. None should on that account, distress his mind.

३.१७६.२७

दैवं पुरुषकारेण को निवर्तितुमर्हति ।
दैवमेव परं मन्ये पुरुषार्थो निरर्थकः ॥

M N Dutt Who can rise superior to Destiny by selfexertion? I think Destiny is supreme and selfexertion fruitless.

३.१७६.२८

पश्य दैवोपघाताद्धि भुजवीर्यव्यपाश्रयम् ।
इमामवस्थां संप्राप्तमनिमित्तमिहाद्य माम् ॥

M N Dutt For, behold, struck by (the perversity of) Destiny I have today lost the strength of my arms and been reduced to this condition for no evident cause.

३.१७६.२९

किं तु नाद्यानुशोचामि तथात्मानं विनाशितम् ।
यथा तु विपिने न्यस्तान्भ्रातॄन्राज्यपरिच्युतान् ॥

M N Dutt But this day I do not so much grieve for my death as for my brothers, who have been driven from their kingdom into exile in the forest.

३.१७६.३०

हिमवांश्च सुदुर्गोऽयं यक्षराक्षससंकुलः ।
मां च ते समुदीक्षन्तः प्रपतिष्यन्ति विह्वलाः ॥

M N Dutt This Himalayan (mountain) is inaccessible and full of the Yakshas and the Rakshasas. Here looking about for me they will be dejected and crest fallen.

३.१७६.३१

विनष्टमथ वा श्रुत्वा भविष्यन्ति निरुद्यमाः ।
धर्मशीला मया ते हि बाध्यन्ते राज्यगृद्धिना ॥

M N Dutt Hearing of my death they will give up all exertions (for the recovery of their kingdom). (For), it was I, who, eager for the recovery of our kingdom, incited those pious ones, by harsh words (to make exertions to regain it),

३.१७६.३२

अथ वा नार्जुनो धीमान्विषादमुपयास्यति ।
सर्वास्त्रविदनाधृष्यो देवगन्धर्वराक्षसैः ॥

M N Dutt Or, (it may be) that Arjuna (alone) will not grieve (for me); because he is intelligent, versed in the science of) all weapons and unconquerable by the gods, the Gandharvas and the Rakshasas,

३.१७६.३३

समर्थः स महाबाहुरेकाह्ना सुमहाबलः ।
देवराजमपि स्थानात्प्रच्यावयितुमोजसा ॥

३.१७६.३४

किं पुनर्धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्रं दुर्द्यूतदेविनम् ।
विद्विष्टं सर्वलोकस्य दम्भलोभपरायणम् ॥

M N Dutt Not to speak of the son of Dhritarashtra, that deceitful gambler, despised by all men and full of arrogance and ignorance, he (Arjuna) of mighty arms and endued with exceeding prowess is alone no doubt, capable of tearing the lord of the celestials from his throne.

३.१७६.३५

मातरं चैव शोचामि कृपणां पुत्रगृद्धिनीम् ।
यास्माकं नित्यमाशास्ते महत्त्वमधिकं परैः ॥

M N Dutt And I mourn for my poor mother fond of her children, who is always desirous of our greatness superior to that ever attained by our enemies.

३.१७६.३६

कथं नु तस्यानाथाया मद्विनाशाद्भुजंगम ।
अफलास्ते भविष्यन्ति मयि सर्वे मनोरथाः ॥

M N Dutt And, O serpent, will all the hopes and desires that helpless woman has in me prove fruitless on account of my death?

३.१७६.३७

नकुलः सहदेवश्च यमजौ गुरुवर्तिनौ ।
मद्बाहुबलसंस्तब्धौ नित्यं पुरुषमानिनौ ॥

M N Dutt And the twins, Nakula and Sahadeva, ever proud of (my) manliness and always protected by the prowess of my arms and who ever follow (me) their lord,

३.१७६.३८

निरुत्साहौ भविष्येते भ्रष्टवीर्यपराक्रमौ ।
मद्विनाशात्परिद्यूनाविति मे वर्तते मतिः ॥

M N Dutt Will, at my death, be dispirited, deprived of strength and energy and smitten with sorrow. This is what I think of now."

३.१७६.३९

एवंविधं बहु तदा विललाप वृकोदरः ।
भुजंगभोगसंरुद्धो नाशकच्च विचेष्टितुम् ॥

M N Dutt In this strain Vrikodara gave vent to his grief profusely. But being coiled by the body of the snake. could not make any exertions (to extricate himself from its folds).

३.१७६.४०

युधिष्ठिरस्तु कौन्तेय बभूवास्वस्थचेतनः ।
अनिष्टदर्शनान्घोरानुत्पातान्परिचिन्तयन् ॥

M N Dutt On the other hand, Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, beholding and thinking of terrible ill omens became uneasy.

३.१७६.४१

दारुणं ह्यशिवं नादं शिवा दक्षिणतः स्थिता ।
दीप्तायां दिशि वित्रस्ता रौति तस्याश्रमस्य ह ॥

M N Dutt Alarmed at beholding the points all ablaze, Jackals, stationing themselves in the right of that hermitage, began to send forth dreadful and inauspicious howls.

३.१७६.४२

एकपक्षाक्षिचरणा वर्तिका घोरदर्शना ।
रुधिरं वमन्ती ददृशे प्रत्यादित्यमपस्वरा ॥

M N Dutt And facing the sun, the ugly and dreadfullooking Vartika, having only one leg, one eye and one wing, was seen to vomit blood.

३.१७६.४३

प्रववावनिलो रूक्षश्चण्डः शर्करकर्षणः ।
अपसव्यानि सर्वाणि मृगपक्षिरुतानि च ॥

M N Dutt And drawing in (volumes of) grifts the wind began to blow dryly and furiously. In the right all the birds and beasts began to bewail.

३.१७६.४४

पृष्ठतो वायसः कृष्णो याहि याहीति वाशति ।
मुहुर्मुहुः प्रस्फुरति दक्षिणोऽस्य भुजस्तथा ॥

M N Dutt And at the back the black-crows cried "go, go." And his (Yudhishthira's) right hand began to tremble constantly;

३.१७६.४५

हृदयं चरणश्चापि वामोऽस्य परिवर्तते ।
सव्यस्याक्ष्णो विकारश्चाप्यनिष्टः समपद्यत ॥

M N Dutt And his heart and left leg began to twitch and his left eye auguring evils, began to contract. to

३.१७६.४६

स धर्मराजो मेधावी शङ्कमानो महद्भयम् ।
द्रौपदीं परिपप्रच्छ क्व भीम इति भारत ॥

M N Dutt And, O Bharata, the intelligent Dharmaraja apprehending some imminent danger asked Draupadi "where is Bhima”?

३.१७६.४७

शशंस तस्मै पाञ्चाली चिरयातं वृकोदरम् ।
स प्रतस्थे महाबाहुर्धौम्येन सहितो नृपः ॥

M N Dutt The daughter of Panchala answered "Vrikodara has been long out.” Then he of mighty arms, accompanied by Dhaumya left (the place),

३.१७६.४८

द्रौपद्या रक्षणं कार्यमित्युवाच धनंजयम् ।
नकुलं सहदेवं च व्यादिदेश द्विजान्प्रति ॥

M N Dutt After having given instructions Dhananjaya for the protection of Draupadi and having directed Nakula and Sahadeva to take care of the Brahmanas.

३.१७६.४९

स तस्य पदमुन्नीय तस्मादेवाश्रमात्प्रभुः ।
ददर्श पृथिवीं चिह्नैर्भीमस्य परिचिह्निताम् ॥

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