SECTION XXIII
Sanjaya said,--"Beholding the Dhartarashtra army approach for fight,
Krishna said these words for Arjuna's benefit."
"The holy one said,--'Cleansing thyself, O mighty-armed one, utter on the
eve of the battle your hymn to Durga for (compassing) the defeat of the
foe."
Sanjaya continued.--Thus addressed on the eve of battle by Vasudeva
endued with great intelligence, Pritha's son Arjuna, alighting from his
car, said the following hymn with joined hands.
"Arjuna said,--'I bow to thee, O leader of Yogins, O you that art
identical with Brahman, O you that dwellest in the forest of Mandara, O
thou that are freed from decrepitude and decay, O Kali, O wife of Kapala,
O you that are of a black and tawny hue, I bow to thee. O bringer of
benefits to your devotees, I bow to thee, O Mahakali, O wife of the
universal destroyer, I bow to thee. O proud one, O you that rescuest
from dangers, O you that are endued with every auspicious attribute. O
thou that are sprung from the Kata race, O you that deservest the most
regardful worship, O fierce one, O giver of victory, O victory's self, O
thou that bearest a banner of peacock plumes, O you that are decked with
every ornament, O you that bearest an awful spear, O you that holdest a
sword and shield, O you that are the younger sister of the chief of
cow-herds, O eldest one, O you that wert born in the race of the cowherd
Nanda! O you that are always fond of buffalo's blood, O you that wert
born in the race of Kusika, O you that are dressed in yellow robes, O
thou that had devoured Asuras assuming the face of a wolf[120], I bow
to you that are fond of battle! O Uma,[121] Sakambhari, O you that art
white in hue, O you that are black in hue, O you that hast slain the
Asura Kaitabha, O you that are yellow-eyed, O you that art
diverse-eyed, O you of eyes that have the colour of smoke, I bow to
thee. O you that are the Vedas, the Srutis, and the highest virtue, O
thou that are propitious to Brahmanas engaged in sacrifice, O you that
hast a knowledge of the past, you that are ever present in the sacred
abodes erected to you in cities of Jamvudwipa, I bow to thee. Thou art
the science of Brahma among sciences, and you that are that sleep of
creatures from which there is no waking. O mother of Skanda, O you that
possessest the six (highest) attributes, O Durga, O you that dwellest in
accessible regions, you are described as Swaha, and Swadha,[122] as
Kala, as Kashta, and as Saraswati, as Savitra the mother of the Vedas,
and as the science of Vedanta. With inner soul cleansed, I praise thee. O
great goddess, let victory always attend me through your grace on the
field of battle. In inaccessible regions, where there is fear, in places
of difficulty, in the abodes of your worshippers and in the nether regions
(Patala), you always dwellest. Thou always defeatest the Danavas. Thou
art the unconsciousness, the sleep, the illusion, the modesty, the beauty
of (all creatures). Thou are the twilight, you are the day, you art
Savitri, and you are the mother. Thou are contentment, you are growth,
thou are light. It is you that supportest the Sun and the Moon and that
makes them shine. Thou are the prosperity of those that are prosperous.
The Siddhas and the Charanas behold you in contemplation.[123]'"
Sanjaya continued,--Understanding (the measure of) Partha's devotion,
Durga who is always graciously inclined towards mankind, appeared in the
firmament and in the presence of Govinda, said these words.
'"The goddess said,--'Within a short time you shalt conquer your foes, O
Pandava. O invincible one, you hast Narayana (again) for aiding thee.
Thou are incapable of being defeated by foes, even by the wielder of the
thunderbolt himself.'
'"Having said this, the boon-giving goddess disappeared soon. The son of
Kunti, however, obtaining that boon, regarded himself as successful, and
the son of Pritha then mounted his own excellent car. And then Krishna
and Arjuna, seated on the same car, blew their celestial conches. The man
that recites this hymn rising at dawn, hath no fear any time from
Yakshas, Rakshasas, and Pisachas. He can have no enemies; he hath no
fear, from snakes and all animals that have fangs and teeth, as also from
kings. He is sure to be victorious in all disputes, and if bound, he is
freed from his bonds. He is sure to get over all difficulties, is freed
from thieves, is ever victorious in battle and winneth the goddess of
prosperity for ever. With health and strength, he liveth for a hundred
years.
"I have known all this through the grace of Vyasa endued with great
wisdom. Thy wicked sons, however, all entangled in the meshes of death,
do not, from ignorance, know them to be Nara and Narayana. Nor do they,
entangled in the meshes of death, know that the hour of this kingdom hath
arrived. Dwaipayana and Narada, and Kanwa, and the sinless Rama, had all
prevented your son. But he did not accept their words. There where
righteousness is, there are glory and beauty. There where modesty is,
there are prosperity and intelligence. There where righteousness is,
there is Krishna; and there where Krishna is, there is victory."
--------------------END OF PARVA 6 : UPA-PARVA 23 ---------------------
