Adhiyaye 1 (5/8)
Gobind Gita Translation continued...
If you are new to this series, please read the preface & the previous sections here.
Maharaj transitions from describing the strength of each side into hinting that the war is about to begin! The conches are resounding and the warriors are roaring! At this moment, Arjan (one of the Pandav brothers & Bhagat of Sri Krishna Ji) and Sri Krishna Ji are about to begin Their Famous Dialogue! For those who may be unfamiliar: Sri Krishna Ji is understood to be an incarnation of Vishnu Bhagawan (Vishnu is known for embodying Sustenance... whenever the world has gone to chaos, Vishnu Ji takes on an incarnation to puts the world into balance. Sri Krishna Ji is said to be the incarnation during Dwapur Yug; the Yug before the present Kalyug)
In the last few chhands, Maharaj was describing the Commander of the Kauravs ~ Bheesham:
ਸਾਰੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਕਾ ਸਿਰਦਾਰ ॥
Chief (Sirdaar; refers to the highest position/leader) of the entire Army (Saaree Sainaa Ka)
ਭੀਖਮ ਜੋਧਾ ਅਪਰ ਅਪਾਰ ॥
The Warrior Bheesham (Bheekham Jodhhaa)... there is no one like him (Apar) and no one beyond him (Apaar: this is reflecting how great of a warrior Bheekham is... Maharaj is using hyperbole here)
ਭੀਖਮ ਜਬ ਰਾਜਾ ਸਿਉ ਸੁਨਿਓ ॥
When Bheesham (Bheekham Jab) heard from the Prince: Durjodhan (Raja Sio Sunio; in the previous chhand Durjodhan is praising Bheesham and he gets filled with bir ras/warrior rage as a result)
ਕੇਹਰ ਰੀਤਿ ਗਾਜ ਕੇ ਭਨਿਓ ॥੩੩॥
Just like a tiger/lion(Kaehar Reet[i]); [Bheesham] let our a roar (Gaaj Kae Bhanio)
ਰਾਜਾ ਕੇ ਆਨੰਦ ਉਪਜਾਵਨ ॥
This brought out (Oupjaavan) the happiness of the Durjodhan (Raajaa Kae Aanand)
ਲਾਗਾ ਅਪਨਾ ਸੰਖ ਬਜਾਵਨ ॥
It felt like (Laagaa) he was playing his conch (Apnaa Sankh Bajaavan)
ਜਬ ਸੈਨਾ ਸੰਖ ਯਿਹ ਸੁਨਿਓ ॥
When the army (Jab Sainaa) heard this conch-like sound (Sankh Yih Sunio)
ਸਭਨੇ ਅਪਨੇ ਸੰਖ ਮੁਖ ਭਨਿਓ ॥੩੪॥
Then everyone played their own conches (Sabhnae Apnae Sankh) from their mouths (Mukh Bhanio)
ਭੇਰੀ ਪਵਨਾ ਅਵਰ ਦਮਾਮੈ ॥
The Bheri-drum resounds (Bhaeree) and the other Damama-drums are heard (Avar Damaamai) through the air (Pavnaa)
ਸਗਲੇ ਹੀ ਬਾਜੰਤ੍ਰ ਬਜਾਨੇ ॥
All of the (Sagalae Hee) Instruments were struck/played (Baajantr Bajaanae)
ਬਹੁਤ ਸਬਦ ਭਾਰੀ ਹੋ ਰਹਿਆ ॥
A lot of sound was being heard (Bahut Sabad Bhaaree Ho Rahiaa; It was loud!)
ਆਕਾਸ ਧਰਨ ਏਕੁ ਹੋਇ ਗਇਆ ॥
The sky and the ground (Aakaash Dharan) became one (Aek Hoe[i] Gaeiaa)
ਕੈਰਵ ਕਾ ਜਬ ਮਾਰੂ ਬਾਜਾ ॥
When the Kaurav's (Kairav Ka Jab) war drums were struck (Maaroo Baajaa)
ਅਬ ਸੁਨ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਕੇ ਹੈਂ ਰਾਜਾ ॥੩੫॥
Now listen (Ab Sun) about the Pandav Princes (Paandav Kae Hai[n] Raajaa)
ਪਾਂਡਵ ਸੈਨਾ ਵਰਨਨੰ॥ ਚੌਪਈ ॥
A description of the Paandav Army. Chaupaee:
ਪਾਂਡਵ ਕੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਕੇ ਮਾਹਿ ॥
In the Army (Sainaa Kee Maah[i]) of the Pandavs (Paandav Ki)
ਅਤਿ ਸੁੰਦਰ ਰਥਿ ਉਤਮ ਆਹਿ ॥
The Most Beautiful & Prestigious (At[i] Su[n]dar... Outham) Charioteer has arrived (Rath[i] ... Aah[i])...
ਸ੍ਵੈਤ ਰੰਗ ਚਾਰ ਜਿਸ ਘੋੜੇ ॥
...the one who has 4 white coloured horses (Swat Rung Chaar Jis Ghorhae)
ਸਾਜ ਬਾਜ ਸਿਉ ਬਹੁ ਬਿਧ ਜੋੜੇ ॥੩੬॥
...and has arranged them (Jorhhae) with many types (Bahu Bidhh) of decorations and instruments (Saaj Baaj Sio).
ਸਾਰਥੀ ਠਉਰ ਈਸ ਕਾ ਈਸਰ ॥
The Charioteer standing (Saarthhee Ttour) is the Master of Masters (Ees Kaa Eesar)
ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਮਹਾ ਗਿਆਨੀਸਰ ॥
Sri Krishna Ji (Shri Krishn) is the Great Master of Spiritual Wisdom (Mahaa Giaaneesar)
ਜੋਧਾ ਠਉਰ ਅਰਜਨ ਹਿਤਕਾਰੀ ॥
The Warrior standing (Jodhhaa Ttour) only looks at what is the best for Arjun (Arjan Hithkaaree)
ਭਗਤ ਗੋਬਿੰਦ ਕੀ ਜਿਨ ਰਿਦ ਧਾਰੀ ॥੩੭॥
[Arjan] is a Devotee of Sri Krishna Ji (Bhagat Gobi[n]d Kee) who accepts Sri Krishna in his Heart (Jin Ridh Dhaaree).
ਰਿਖੀਕੇਸ ਸ਼੍ਰੀ ਕ੍ਰਿਸ਼ਨ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥
Master of the Senses, (Rikheekaes) Sri Krishna, the Sustainer of the Universe (Sri Krishna Gopaal)
ਬਜਾਇਆ ਸੰਖ ਭਏ ਕਿਰਪਾਲ ॥
... played His Conch (Bajaaeiaaa Sankh) and bestowed mercy (Bhae Kirpaal)
ਪਾਛੈ ਅਰਜਨ ਸੰਖ ਬਜਾਇਆ॥
Following this, Arjan (Paachhai Arjan) played his conch (Sankh Bajaaeiaa)
ਸਭ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਨੇ ਐਹੀ ਗਾਇਆ॥੩੮॥
All of the Pandavs (Sabh Paandav Nae) sung the same sound (Aihee Gaaeiaa)
ਤਿਨ ਸੰਖੋਂ ਜੋ ਸਬਦ ਉਚਾਰੇ ॥
From these conches (Tin Sankho[n]) the sound that they produced (Jo Sabad Ouchaarae)
ਰਿਦੇ ਧਿਤਰਾਸ਼ਟ੍ਰ ਪੁਤ੍ਰਨ ਕੇ ਜਾਰੇ ॥
... burned (Jaarae) the hearts (Ridhae) of the sons of Dhitraashtr (Dhhitraashtr Putrn Kae; the Pandav brothers)
ਪ੍ਰਵਾਹ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਦਲ ਤੇ ਜਬ ਭਇਆ ॥
When the Strength of the weapons and army (Pravaah Sastr Dal) became evident (Tae Jab Bhaeiaa)
ਤਬ ਅਰਜਨ ਰਿਖੀਕੇਸ ਪਹਿ ਕਹਿਆ ॥੩੯॥
Then Arjan (Tab Arjan) said to Sri Krishna Ji (Rikhikaes Pah[i] Kahiaa):
ਅੜਿਲ ॥
Arrhil
ਤਬ ਅਰਜਨ ਧਨਖ ਉਠਾਇ ਸਿਰ ਊਪਰਿ ਫੇਰਕੈ ॥
Then Arjuna (Tab Arjan) lifted his bow (Dhanakh OuTaaei) and brought it above his head (Sir Oopar[i] Phaerkai)
ਰਿਖੀਕੇਸ ਕੋ ਕਹੈ ਪ੍ਰਭੁ ਤ੍ਰਿਣ ਮੇਰਕੈ ॥
Saying to Sri Krishna Ji (Rikhikaes Ko Kahai): "With your blessings Prabhu (Prabh[u] TriN Maerkai)
ਮੇਰੋ ਰਥ ਕਉ ਦੋਨੋ ਦਲੋਂ ਮਧ ਲੇ ਚਲੋ ॥
Take my Chariot (Maero Rathh Kou) and place it in between both of the armies (Dono Dalo[n] Madhh Lae Chalo)
ਸਭ ਕੋ ਦੇਖੋ ਮੈਂ ਜੋ ਜੋਧਾ ਹੈ ਭਲੋ ॥੪੦॥
Let us see among them (Sabh Ko Daekho Mai[n]), who is the best warrior! (Jo Jodhhaa Hai Bhalo)"
–
Arjun's moral crisis will begin in the next section. Maharaj describes Sri Krishna Ji's Chariot with such greatness. This war is no small one! Please forgive for mistakes, let us know of any corrections. Stay tuned for the next part of this wonderful play!
~Aaeenaa
