Read Mahabharata: Volume 4 Online
Authors: Bibek Debroy
1
Droupadi, Yajnasena’s (Drupada’s) daughter. Panchali is also Droupadi’s name.
2
The name of Virata’s general. As will become clear later, Kichaka was also Sudeshna’s brother.
3
Droupadi.
4
A lioness is the queen of deer.
5
A suta is a charioteer. Though he was Virata’s general, Kichaka was the son of a charioteer.
6
Sudeshna was the daughter of the king of Kekaya.
7
The sun god.
8
Because they did not wish to be discovered.
9
While dasyus can be translated as bandits or miscreants, they were also evil demons and a class of uncivilized tribes, the enemies of gods and men.
10
A reference to Yudhishthira.
11
Large tree.
12
The king of animals is a lion and the wife is a lioness.
13
A veena is a musical instrument. Gandhara is the third of the seven primary notes, often written as
ga
.
14
Saindhava is Jayadratha, the king of Sindhu.
15
The word used is
dhurta
, which has several meanings—one who is cunning, a rogue, a cheat or a swindler. But it also means gamester, which is more appropriate, since the reference is to Yudhishthira.
16
Nishka is a general term for gold, as well as a specific golden coin. As a golden coin, a nishka had different values and was not standardized.
17
The text uses both the words
rukma
and
hiranya
. Both mean gold. We have loosely translated the first as ornaments and the second as coins, but it is possible that some other kind of difference is intended.
18
The sun.
19
The daughter of Kekaya, Sudeshna, Virata’s wife.
20
Implying that Arjuna wears bracelets made of conch shells.
21
Lady, a reference to Kunti.
22
Literally, one who has no enemies, one of Yudhishthira’s names.
23
Lady, meaning Kunti.
24
Nakula.
25
Granthika is the name Nakula has assumed.
Granthi
means knot and Granthika is a reference to tying a horse’s reins and saddle.
Dama
means to tame or subjugate. Hence, Damagranthi is the same as Granthika and brings in the nuance of taming and subjugating horses.
26
This is probably a reference to waterbodies drying up during the summer and being filled later.
27
Both Arjuna and Bhima can be addressed as Partha, because they are both sons of Pritha (Kunti).
28
Phalguna or Phalguni is Arjuna’s name.
29
The story has been recounted in Section 33 (Volume 3).
30
Nadayani is also written as Narayani. The husband is Mudgala. The story has not been told completely, though there is a reference in Section 33 (Volume 3).
31
This is a reference to the Ramayana. Janaka was the king of Videha.
32
The story has been recounted in Section 33 (Volume 3).
33
Aryas.
34
Yudhishthira.
35
Virata, Kaikeyi being Sudeshna.
36
Brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas and shudras.
37
The Jatasura story has been recounted in Section 34 (Volume 3) and the Jayadratha story in Section 42 (Volume 3).
38
The text says—with thighs like Rambha. A plantain tree is called
rambha
, but Rambha is also the name of a beautiful celestial apsara. So thighs like the apsara’s is also an acceptable translation.
39
The Hidimba story has been told in Section 9 (Volume 1).
40
Vritra was a demon killed by Indra, the king of the gods.
41
Bilva is both a tree and its fruit, the wood-apple.
42
The wielder of the Pinaka is Shiva, Pinaka being the name of Shiva’s bows. It is not obvious which of the Shiva stories this refers to.
43
By extrapolation, Kichaka’s relatives (brothers) are also being referred to as Kichakas.
Upa
means minor. Upakichaka means a minor or inferior Kichaka.
44
The secret names the Pandavas had adopted.
45
In his hurry, he did not look for a door, but broke down a wall and came out.
46
Vyama
is a measure of distance, the distance between the tips of the fingers from one hand to another, when both hands are extended outwards.
47
Because Bhima had stretched and extended his body, he could no longer be recognized.
48
Indra is the wielder of the vajra.
49
So that others might not understand.
50
An oblique reference that the Pandavas will pay attention to Droupadi’s needs.
51
The numbers don’t add up. Earlier, Bhima mentioned one and a half months. Droupadi now mentions thirteen days. There might have been a corruption in the Bhima part of the text, where half a month (rather than one-and-a-half months) was intended. With this correction, the numbers add up.
1
Naga
means elephant and Nagapura is another name for Hastinapura. They were anxious because they hadn’t been able to find the Pandavas.
2
The Trigarta kingdom allied itself with the Kouravas and against the Pandavas. There were actually two Trigarta kingdoms, one towards the north and the other towards the west.
3
Yudhishthira.
4
Yudhishthira’s name.
5
Meaning Yudhishthira.
6
Those who have obtained success. Loosely, holy men.
7
The word used is tata.
8
The supreme soul, brahman or
paramatman.
9
Bhishma.
10
The word used is tata.
11
The four elements of policy—conciliation, dissension, bribery and chastisement, respectively.
12
Vaikartana is one of Karna’s names.
13
Dharmapaksha is another term for
krishnapaksha
, the dark lunar fortnight.
14
Fragrant flowers.
15
Sahadeva, as Tantipala.
16
Yudhishthira.
17
Vishalaksha hasn’t been mentioned before and is probably another one of Virata’s brothers.
18
Madirashva must be another one of Virata’s brothers.
19
Of the enemy.
20
The tips were yellow because they were made of copper.
21
Susharma.
22
The word used is tata.
23
Susharma’s.
24
Susharma’s.
25
Since Kuru was a common ancestor, the Pandavas are also sometimes referred to as the Kouravas.
26
Yudhishthira is disguised as a brahmana. He has assumed the name of Kanka, but also has the name of Vaiyaghrapadya.
27
Ashvatthama.
28
Indra is the wielder of the vajra.
29
Bhuminjaya. Bhuminjaya is more commonly known by the name of Uttara. Virata had a son named Uttara and a daughter named Uttaraa, the latter being the one whom Arjuna taught. Both Uttara and Uttaraa are being written as Uttara, but the context makes clear whether it is the son or the daughter.
30
Bhishma.
31
Ashvatthama.
32
That is what the Kurus will say.
33
The one who terrifies, one of Arjuna’s names.
34
The story has been recounted in Section 19 (Volume 2).
35
Arjuna.
36
The daughter Uttaraa.
37
Earlier, Uttara’s name has been given as Bhuminjaya. Here, the text refers to him as Prithivinjaya. Both
bhumi
and
prithivi
mean the earth and Bhuminjaya or Prithivinjaya mean the conqueror of the earth.
38
Bhishma.
39
Ashvatthama.
40
The word used is
atatayin
. This has several meanings, murderer or assassin being one. But it can also be used for thieves, ravishers and arsonists.
41
Indra is the lord of the gods.
42
Nishka is a general term for gold, as well as a specific golden coin. As a golden coin, a nishka had different values and was not standardized.
43
Lapis lazuli.
44
Drona.
45
Maruts are gods of the wind and Indra’s companions.
46
Indra.
47
Shiva. The story of this encounter has been told in Section 31 (Volume 2).
48
Kala means a small part or fraction. In addition, kala is a digit of the moon and sixteen kalas make up the entirety. Therefore, Arjuna is a small part of Karna and Duryodhana and specifically, one-sixteenth of either of them.
49
Radha’s son, Karna’s name.
50
Trinaraja
, the king (
raja
) of grass (
trina
). Coconut, bamboo, sugarcane and palmyra are all variously referred to as the king of grass.
51
The text translates as an animal with five nails. Specifically, it could be a tiger, a lion, an elephant, a turtle, or any other such animal.
52
Prajapati means the lord of all beings. Since Brahma has been separately mentioned, it is not clear who is meant here. The known transition of the Gandiva is from Soma (the moon god) to Varuna, from Varuna to Agni and from Agni to Arjuna.
53
Partha means Pritha’s (Kunti’s) son and Bhimasena is also Partha.
54
Yudhishthira.
55
The text translates as an animal with five nails. Specifically, it could be a tiger, a lion, an elephant, a turtle, or any other such animal.
56
Arjuna.
57
Dhana
means riches and
jaya
means to win.
58
Vijaya
means victory.
59
Shveta
means white and
vahana
means mount.
60
In the list of twenty-seven nakshatras, Purva Phalguni is eleventh and Uttara Phalguni is twelfth. Both are in the constellation of Leo, Uttara Phalguni being Denebola.
61
Kirita
means a diadem or crown and one who wears it is Kiriti.
62
Bibhatsu means someone who terrifies. There is a bit of a contradiction, since Arjuna does perform terrible deeds in battle.
63
Savyasachi actually means the left-handed one. Most people draw the string of the bow with the right hand. Arjuna could do this with the left hand too. Thus, he was Savyasachi. But he could do this with the right hand also and both of his hands were like right hands. Thus, he was ambidextrous.
64
Arjuna
means white or clear.
65
Arjuna is Indra’s son and Indra killed a demon named Paka.
66
Jishnu
means one who is victorious or triumphant and it is also one of Indra’s names.
67
Krishna
means dark or black.
68
Shiva is the wielder of the trident.
69
Shatakratu is Indra’s name and literally means the performer of one hundred sacrifices.
70
Yudhishthira.
71
Meaning Yudhishthira.
72
Because the one year of disguise is over.
73
Daruka is Vasudeva’s (Krishna’s) charioteer and Matali is Shakra’s (Indra’s).
74
Sugriva, Sainya, Meghapushpa and Balahaka are the names of Krishna’s horses.
75
Arjuna.
76
Because that was Uttara’s.
77
This was Arjuna’s banner. Vishvakarma is the architect of the gods.
78
The fire god Agni.
79
Alternatively, birds in general.
80
Addressing Duryodhana.
81
The Trigartas.
82
Ashvatthama.
83
Indra wields the vajra.
84
The sense is that soldiers wouldn’t flee alive from the field of battle.
85
Drona.
86
The Pandavas.
87
Indra.
88
The text uses the word
ayushmat
, which means someone with a long life. But it is also used for someone who has been born in a noble lineage.
89
A makara is a mythical aquatic animal, which can loosely be translated as crocodile or shark. The abode of makaras is the ocean.
90
Adding up to thirteen. Arjuna has been thinking of the impending battle for thirteen years.
91
Duryodhana.
92
Karna was taught by Parashurama, Jamadagni’s son.
93
The word used is
bhalla
, which can mean some other kind of missile too.
94
The cattle.
95
Arjuna saved the Kurus from the gandharvas, a story told in Section 39 (Volume 3). Arjuna satisfied the fire god Agni in Khandava, a story told in Section 19 (Volume 3).
96
This is the story of Arjuna’s sojourn in heaven, recounted in Section 32 (Volume2).
97
Recounted in Section 17 (Volume 2).
98
As has been mentioned earlier, Krishna is one of Arjuna’s names. The other Krishna in the sentence is Krishnaa or Droupadi and the reference is to her abduction by Jayadratha, recounted in Section 42 (Volume 3).
99
Section 32 (Volume2).
100
Samyamini means the self-restrained one, or an ascetic. It is also the name of Yama’s city. However, there is no record of Arjuna having fought with Yama. Thus, it is difficult to pinpoint this.
101
Section 39 (Volume 3).
102
Described in Section 35 (Volume 3).
103
The Pandavas.
104
Goad for the elephant,
ankusha.
105
Indra.
106
Drona, Duryodhana, Bhishma, Karna, Ashvatthama and Kripa.
107
The supreme soul, brahman or paramatman.
108
Droupadi.
109
The sense seems to be that one was myopic and didn’t allow the sandalwood tree to grow.
110
This is a reference to Vidura’s censure, described in Section 27 (Volume 2).
111
Leaving none of us alive.
112
Indra.
113
Krishna’s.
114
Divine and human weapons respectively.
115
Though spoken to Karna, Ashvatthama is indirectly addressing Duryodhana.
116
Other than
yuga
s or eras, krita,
treta
, dvapara and
kali
are also the names of the number of spots when a die is thrown. Krita is when four spots show up on top, treta is three, dvapara is two and kali is one.
117
Antaka and Shamana are both names of Yama, the god of death.
118
The subterranean fire,
vadava.
119
Drona.
120
The five Pandavas.
121
Ashvatthama.
122
Ashvatthama.
123
Drona, Ashvatthama and Kripa are brahmanas. Brahmastras are divine weapons, immensely powerful.
124
The four Vedas stand for knowledge.
125
Indra killed a demon named Paka.
126
The cattle.
127
The son of Ganga, Bhishma.
128
A kala is a small unit of time. Its precise length varies according to the source and can be one minute, forty-eight seconds or eight seconds. A muhurta is forty-eight minutes.
129
There is a minor misstatement in the numbers. The twelve lunar months, with their respective days, add up to 354 days and eight hours. But the solar year has 365 days and six hours. Hence, there is an excess of eleven days in every year and fifty-five days in every five years, just short of two months.
130
There is an implicit astronomical calculation that is not obvious. If one takes the simple statement of two additional months in every five years, the text should have stated five months and fourteen or fifteen days (depending on what is being taken as the length of the lunar month). On the other hand, if one is being precise, there are an extra 143 days in thirteen years. Whatever be the length of the lunar month, this doesn’t add up to five months and twelve days. For example, if the average lunar month is taken to be twenty-eight days, there are 140 days in five months and one has an excess of three days, not twelve.
131
Duryodhana.
132
Duryodhana.
133
Indra has a thousand eyes.
134
Arjuna.
135
An unrivalled warrior, whose valour is unlimited, greater than a maharatha.
136
Arjuna.
137
Vikarna.
138
An arrow tipped with the nail of a tortoise.
139
Shatrumtapa.
140
The word used is naga, which means tree, as well as rock or mountain. So it could also have been translated as a rock being dislodged from the top of the mountain.
141
Arjuna.
142
Because Karna has been defeated earlier.
143
Celestial chariot.
144
Kripa’s.
145
Arjuna.
146
Kripa was descended from the Goutama lineage, since Sharadvat was Goutama’s grandson.
147
Yamaka means double, as well as restraint. So this was some kind of double turn and could have been a figure of eight.
148
Drona, written better as Bhaaradvaja. He is Bharadvaja’s son.