Read Mahabharata Vol. 2 (Penguin Translated Texts) Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
52
This sounds like a contradiction, because Dhritarashtra was tormented, but was happily seated. However, typos in Sanskrit are also possible and
sukha
(happiness) can be confused with
duhkha
(unhappiness). Alternatively, happily might be an adjective referring to the comfortable seat, rather than Dhritarashtra’s state of mind.
53
Since Bhargava means descendant of Bhrigu, it is not clear who is meant. It could be either Shukracharya or Parashurama.
54
The Pandavas.
55
Referring to the Pandavas.
56
Dharma, artha and kama.
57
The Pandavas.
61
All three are famous rivers.
62
If the Gandiva is lost in such a match.
63
Ajamidha is a name that is usually used for Yudhishthira or Dhritarashtra. It is now being used for Vidura.
64
The word used is pathya, which also means the diet and regimen in times of illness.
65
Pathya again.
66
Yudhishthira.
67
The word used is nandana. So this can also be translated as beloved of the Kuru lineage.
68
Dhritarashtra.
77
The name of a famous cow that yielded everything one desired. Also, the divine cow that was the mother of all cows.
80
Dhritarashtra had one hundred sons through Gandhari. In addition, he had Yuyutsu as a son, through a vaishya woman.
81
Dhritarashtra.
82
The forest region around Kurukshetra.
83
The word used can be translated more literally as the central pillar to which bulls are tethered when threshing work is undertaken.
84
The word used is nandana, so it can also be translated as beloved of the Kuru lineage.
85
Dasyus are a class of evil beings that are enemies of both man and god and were slain by Indra. The word also means outcast and bandit, or a villain in general.
86
The Pandavas.
87
Kirmira.
88
Prishata’s son. Prishata is Drupada and Drupada’s son is Dhrishtadyumna, Droupadi’s brother.
89
The sense is that only gods would contemplate such a confrontation.
90
The text says
vayu
, which means wind or air. There is probably a typo here. Touching the water is a preparatory ritual before a curse is pronounced. Therefore, instead of air, it should probably have been
var
, or water.
1
The Pandavas.
2
Cranes flying in the cloud.
3
A bear is
riksha
. But riksha also means a star or constellation. More specifically, riksha originally meant Krittika or the Pleiades. Subsequently, it came to mean the constellation saptarshi or Great Dipper, part of Ursa Majoris or Great Bear. Because the text uses the singular, clearly either of the two specific constellations is meant.
4
Droupadi.
5
The story has been recounted in Section 10, Volume 1. Baka was killed in Ekachakra, but the capital of the kingdom was named Vetrakriyagriha.
6
Hidimba’s.
7
This great asura is Vatapi and the story of Agastya and Vatapi will be told in Section 33.
8
A vyama is a measure of length. It is the distance between the tips of the fingers of the two hands, when the arms are extended out.
9
Bhima.
10
Indra.
11
Kirmira. Bhima hit Kirmira on the head with the tree.
12
Yama’s name, meaning the one with a staff (
danda
) in his hand (
pani
).
13
This is a story from the Ramayana.
14
Rahu’s name. Rahu swallows up the sun, causing an eclipse.
15
A reference to Pandu.
16
This suggests that the Dvaita forest was the same as the Kamyaka forest.
17
Yudhishthira.
18
Dhritarashtra.
1
Though the plural is used, this essentially means Dhrishtadyumna.
2
Krishna’s.
3
Arjuna.
4
Meaning, earlier lives.
5
This is not a literal translation. The text uses the word
yatrasayamgriha
. This means a hermit who finds a home (
griha)
wherever (
yatra)
evening (
sayam
) finds him. So that hermit has no home.
6
This is the hermitage (ashrama) of Badari, known also as Badarika and Badarikashrama. This is one of the several sources of the Ganga and the hermitages of Nara and Narayana are located there.
7
Naraka or Narakasura was a demon who was born from the earth (
bhumi
) and known as Bhoumya. He ruled in Pragjyotisha. He stole Aditi’s earrings. Krishna killed Naraka and recovered these earrings. Krishna also freed the 16,000 ladies Naraka had imprisoned.
8
Indra. Shachi is Indra’s wife.
9
Both Narayana and Hari are Vishnu’s names.
10
The moon.
11
The creator. This is also a name used for Brahma and Vishnu.
12
The fire.
13
The wind.
14
Vaishravana is the son of Vishrava. Here, Kubera is meant.
15
Destiny, or time.
16
A sacrifice designed to ensure non-attachment.
17
Since the word used is nandana, this can also be translated as descendant of the Yadavas.
18
The twelve Adityas are sons of Aditi and in this list, Vishnu is younger than Indra.
19
This is a reference to Vishnu’s vamana or dwarf incarnation, explaining why the word child is used. Bali was a generous demon and granted the dwarf incarnation a boon. Using the three steps, the dwarf covered the three worlds and Bali had no option but to go to the underworld.
20
It is now impossible to know who the Mauravas and the Pashas were.
21
Not the Pandava Bhimasena.
22
Rukmini was the daughter of King Bhishmaka of Vidarbha, Bhoja being another name for Vidarbha. Rukmini was to be married to Shishupala. But she loved Krishna and wrote him a letter. Krishna arrived with Balarama and defeated Rukmini’s brother Rukmi. Krishna then carried Rukmini away and married her.
23
The city of Dvaraka is on the ocean and the Yadavas moved from Mathura to Dvaraka.
24
The Dasharhas are the Yadavas.
25
The one without decay, Krishna’s name.
26
The rishis approach Krishna in their own hearts.
27
When there is destruction.
28
The word
vairaja
is used for anything belonging to the brahman.
29
Droupadi.
30
These words are being spoken by Droupadi.
31
Parashurama.
32
Because these rajarshis have overcome the desire to fight.
33
She was in her menses.
43
The rakshasa woman is Hidimbaa, though we have written it as Hidimba. Her brother is Hidimba. But despite the names being written in the same way, there should be no confusion, since the context makes it clear whether brother or sister is meant.
44
Vasava is Indra and Vritra is a demon killed by Indra.
45
The lady Hidimbaa.
46
Kunti.
47
Droupadi. Krishna is really Krishnaa, while Vasudeva is Krishna. But there is no danger of confusion, since the context will make it clear whether it is Vasudeva or Droupadi.
48
Balarama.
49
Indra is the slayer of Vritra.
50
Krishna is speaking to Yudhishthira.
51
Dhritarashtra.
52
Dhritarashtra.
53
Virasena’s son is Nala, the story is recounted in Section 32.
54
Whatever remains of riches.
55
Kouravya refers to Yudhisthira here.
56
The word used is nandana. So, beloved of the Kuru lineage is also possible.
57
The word used is pathya, which can also be translated as diet or regimen.
58
The region of Sourashtra or Surat.
59
Satyaki’s name.
60
The word used is nandana. So, beloved of the Vrishni lineage is also possible.
61
Soubha was a city that flew in the sky.
62
Krishna is actually Vaasudeva and the son of Vasudeva, though we have written both as Vasudeva. The context will make clear who is meant and there is no danger of confusion between father and son.
63
Those who live in the Anarta region.
64
Shishupala wasn’t Shalva’s brother. The use of the word brother therefore signifies no more than that Shishupala was close to Shalva.
65
The word used is nandana. So, it can also be translated as beloved of the Kuru lineage.
66
Krishna’s conch shell.
67
One of Shishupala’s names.
68
The word used is nandana.
69
Soubha was airborne.
70
The word used is
kachagrahani
, meaning catchers or graspers
(grahani
) of hair (
kacha
) and it is difficult to make sense of this, though it is possible to visualize war instruments that grasped enemy soldiers by the hair. The word might very well be
chakragrahani
, in which case one means instruments that grasp enemy soldiers. That would make better sense.
71
The word used is
ushtrika
, which means she-camel, as well as a vessel for storing wine or water and made in the shape of a she-camel. Given the context, water vessel seems more appropriate. Since elephants and horses are not being mentioned here, why should she-camels be specifically mentioned?
72
It is impossible to precisely determine what this weapon was, except that it could kill a hundred people at one time.
73
Measure of distance equal to one-fourth of a yojana.
74
To make it difficult for the invading army.
75
That is, permission.
76
Ugrasena’s name.
77
Chariots, elephants, cavalry and infantry.
78
Anthills have snakes in them. The word chaitya has several meanings—sacrificial shed, temple, altar, sanctuary and a tree that grows along the road.
79
The number nine can’t be explained, unless there were nine mountains around Dvaraka.
80
The word used is nandana.
81
Indra has one thousand eyes.
82
Samba was Jambavati’s son. Jambavati was one of Krishna’s wives.
83
Kshemavriddhi’s.