Drona Parva - First 100 chapters - Study Notes (while reading)

 Finished about 75 Chapters in Drona Parva (Saturday night and Sunday Night - I accompanied Sri Sanjaya to the battle field :) 

1. The narratives are layered, as expected. Entry points of Sri Sanjaya are all very exciting. 

07001007a śibirāt saṁjayaṁ prāptaṁ niśi nāgāhvayaṁ puram

07001007c āmbikeyo mahārāja dhr̥tarāṣṭro ’nvapr̥cchata

Translation: Then, O monarch, Dhritarashtra, the son of Ambhika, addressed Sanjaya, who had that night come back from the camp to the city called after the elephant. 

Here nAgAhvayam implies city of elephants. naga (i.e. not nAga) implies elephant. We see this in Sri ThyagarAja Kriti - Nagumomu Galaveni, wherein Kavi Sri Thyagaraja, refers to Gajendra (Elephant King as nagaraja)

First the story is pushed forward with a small recap - in the recap its announced Sri Drona has died. then a more elaborate flash back is staged by Sri Sanjaya. Very interesting narrative - 1st exec summary and then detailed blow-by-blow account. 

Even in blow-blow acocunt another narrative is nested that of Abhimanyu Vadham - same format - exec summary and then detailed account.... Amazing !

2. Referring to Sri Krishna as Vishwaksena multiple times, is also interesting side-point. 

07006016a vyūhapramukhatas teṣāṁ tasthatuḥ puruṣarṣabhau

07006016c vānaradhvajam ucchritya viṣvaksenadhanaṁjayau

07009024a viṣvakseno yasya yantā yoddhā caiva dhanaṁjayaḥ

07009024c aśakyaḥ sa ratho jetuṁ manye devāsurair api

This nAma also comes in Vishnu SahasranAmam, wherein Sri BhasyakAra refers to this nama as signifying, He who is always with his devotees, who are to be protected, from all sides (vishwak). 

3. In description of Satyaki (Section x) - its said he is married and also that he has Brahmacharya (satyaṁ dhr̥tiś ca śauryaṁ ca brahmacaryaṁ ca kevalam). Again for those interested in contemplating on what  qualifies as "Brahmacharya", this could be a segue.

4. The Chemistry between Nara Naarayana in thier incarnation as Arjuna/Krishna

07010038a arjunaḥ keśavasyātmā kr̥ṣṇo ’py ātmā kirīṭinaḥ

07010038c arjune vijayo nityaṁ kr̥ṣṇe kīrtiś ca śāśvatī

Arjuna is Kesava's life and Krishna is always victory; in Krishna is always fame. 

5. The Naarayani Sena which Sri Krishna promised Duryodhana is fighting on the side of Samshaptakas. 

(Section 25: While Arjuna was proceeding towards Bhagadatta, the mighty Samsaptaka car-warriors, numbering fourteen thousand, made up of ten thousand Gopalas or Narayanas who used to follow Vasudeva)

6. Beautiful episode of Sri Krishna recieving the Vasihnava Astra fired by Bhagadatta and how it turns into Vaijayanti Maala around BhagavAn's neck. In KMG there is a section missing, which is documented in M.N. Dutt (& Kumbhakhonam edition) which I'm pasting below : - 

This incident is laced with ecstatic poetry... its amazing that in and through all that violence, the Kavih (the Rishi, the jnAni, effuses Bhakti laced poetry). 

vaijayantyabhavanmAlA tadastraM keshavorasi .

padmakoshavichitrA sA sarvartukusumotkarA .. 7\-29\-19 (46017)

jvalanArkenduvarNAbhA pAvakojjvalapallavA .

tayA padmapalAshinyA vAtakampitapatrayA .. 7\-29\-20 (46018)

shushubhe.abhyadhikaM shauriratasIpuShpasannibhaH .

That weapon turned into Vaijayanti garland when it had about to touch the chest of Keshava. That garland was made of all seasonal flowers and excellently graced with the stamen of lotus flower. It was illuminating like fire, sun and moon. Each petal of flowers intertwined in it was blazing fire. Bhagavan Keshava, the killer of Keshi, son of Surasena, holder of Saranga bow, supressor of enemy having thier dark complexion like the tisi flowers of that garland looked as it a mountain covered by clouds in one evening of rainy season. That garland looked fantastic with lotus petals moving with the breeze. 

• Sri Bhagavatpaada while commenting on VanamAla from Vishnu SahasranAma, refers to this as Vaijayanti Garland, which is Bhutatanmatras.

7. There is a mention of four-forms - which is unique but not quite Pancharatra ChaturVyuha ? 

Section: 27 (KMG). 

One form of mine, staying on the earth, is engaged in the practice of ascetic austerities. Another beholdeth the good and the evil deeds in the world. My third form, coming into the world of men, is engaged in action. My fourth form lieth down in sleep for a thousand years. The form of mine which awaketh from sleep at the end of a thousand years.

8. Compare Section 27 on KMG with NarakAsura UpAkhyanam in Bhagavatham 10.59

9. Qualities of Abhimanyu, in Section 32 - highlights his specialty. The whole setup - his intro, the charioteers words of advice, the battle, his death and the pathos that comes next - very immersive narration 

10. Is the son of Dushashana Drumasena, who kills Abhimanyu?

11. Sri Vyasa's consolation and 16 stories - this whole section is missing in Critical Edition main section. But is there in KMG and MN Dutt and Kumbhakonam edition. 

(Few notes from those 16 stories)

- Why mention the daughter of Srunjaya? 

- sa chenmamAra sR^i~njaya chaturbhadratarastvayA - Kumbhakonam edition

- Four Cardinal virtues - four cardinal virtues (viz., ascetic penances (Tapas), truth (Satyam), compassion (Daya), and liberality)

- Four types of creatures - Pindaja (Womb), Andaja (Egg), Svedaja (Sweat), Udbeeja (Seed)

- Key Take away is our sense of grief is shaped by our notion of self (ego) and egotism. So by listening to other accounts of greater suffering and/or entitlement, we become humbled. This in itself is a proof that if we knew who we were, all our suffering would vanish. Hence as Sri Sankara says - AjnAna Nivrtti is Atyanta Dukkha Nivrtti. 

- Yayati story 

nAlamekasya tatsarvamiti matvA shamaM vrajet .. 7\-63\-11 (47124)

evaM kAmAnparityajya yayAtirdhR^itimetya cha .

- 'Whatever of paddy and wheat and gold and animals and women there are on earth, even the whole of these is not sufficient for one man. Thinking of this, one should cultivate contentment.' 

Compare this with Yayatis famous statement in Adi Parva and also appearing in Bhagavatham 9th Skandham. 

- SB 9.19.14

na jatu kamah kamanam

 upabhogena samyati

havisa krsna-vartmeva

 bhuya evabhivardhate

न जातु कामः कामानामुपभोगेन शम्यति ।

हविषा कृष्णवर्त्मेव भूय एवाभिवर्धते ॥ Same verse in  1\-69\-53 in Adi Parva (M.N. dutt)

- One question in the Bharata story, we see that he performed vAjapeya and Visvajit sacrifice, which are normally performed by Brahmanas (interesting, but I'm no expert)

- Bhagavan Sri Parashurama is a Chiranjeevi but here its said he will (word used is "marshayanti" - future tense), also die which means that he will, merge into Karya Brahmam (or Hiranyagarbha) at end of Kalpa.... ?  This is how we are to understand. 

12. A name of Arjuna emerges from reading M.N. Dutt translation - pAkashasanee... implying son of Indra. Indra is called pAka SAsanA - punisher of Asura PAka. This term for Indra is seen videly used in Muthuswamy Deeksitar's compositions. 

13. Beautiful verse in Chapter 76 MN Dutt 

dhruvaM vai brAhmaNe satyaM dhruvA sAdhuShu sannatiH .

shrIrdhruvA.api cha dakSheShu dhruvo nArAyaNe jayaH .. 7\-76\-27 (47583)

Truth is ever constant in the Brahmana; humility is ever constant in the pious; prosperity ever attends sacrifice and victory ever attends Narayana. 

14. Pratijna Parvan: Abhimanyu's gati: Section LXXVII

tapasA brahmacharyeNa shrutena praj~nayApi cha .
santo yAM gatimichChanti tAM prAptastava putrakaH .. 7\-77\-16 (47602)

07054016a tapasā brahmacaryeṇa śrutena prajñayāpi ca
07054016c santo yāṁ gatim icchanti prāptas tāṁ tava putrakaḥ

Thy son hath attained that end which the righteous attain by penance, by Brahmacharya, by knowledge of the scriptures, and by wisdom

15. Mother's lamentation - Subhadra's heart wrenching outpouring and list of different meritorious deeds..... - Section 78 in KMG. 

ehyehi tRiShito vatsa stanau pUrNau pibAshu me .
a~NkamAruhya mandAyA hyatRiptAyAshcha darshane .. 7\-78\-16 (47630) - MN Dutt (77) only not on KMG. 

Dear Son! Come to me. You would be thirsty. Such milk from my breast immediatately by taking a seat on lap as I am an unfortunate mother who had to live thirsty to see your face

hA vIra dR^iShTo naShTashcha dhanaM svapna ivAsi me .
aho hyanityaM mAnuShyaM jalabudbudacha~nchalam .. 7\-78\-17 (47631

Alas, O hero, you were like a hoard of treasure to me, seen and lost in a dream. Alas! everything human is as transitory as even as bubble of water. 

Different Meritorious deeds listed by Mother Subhadra

O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that perform sacrifices and theirs that are Brahmanas of purified soul, and theirs that have practised Brahmacharya, and theirs that have bathed in sacred waters, and theirs that are grateful and charitable and devoted to the service of their preceptors, and theirs that have made sacrificial presents in profusion. 

That end which is theirs that are brave and un-retreating while engaged in battle, or theirs that have fallen in battle, having slain their foes, let that end be thine. 

That auspicious end which is theirs that have given away a thousand kine, or theirs that have given away in sacrifices, or theirs that give away houses and mansions agreeable to the recipients, that end which is theirs that give away gems and jewels to deserving Brahmanas, or theirs that are punishers of crime, O, let that end be thine. 

That end which is attained by Munis of rigid vows by Brahmacharya, or that which is attained by those women that adhere to but one husband, O son, let that end be thine. 

That eternal end which is attained by kings by means of good behavior, or by those persons that have cleansed themselves by leading, one after another, all the four modes of life, and through due observance of their duties, that end which is theirs that are compassionate to the poor and the distressed, or theirs that equitably divide sweets amongst themselves and their  dependents, or theirs that are never addicted to deceit and wickedness, O son, let that end be thine! 

That end which is theirs that are observant of vows, or theirs that are virtuous, or theirs that are devoted to the service of preceptors, or theirs that have never sent away a guest unentertained, O son, let that end be thine. 

That end which is theirs that succeed in distress and the most difficult straits in preserving the equanimity of their souls, however much scorched they might be by the fire of grief, O son, let that end be thine. 

O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that are always devoted to the service of their fathers and mothers, or theirs that are devoted to their own wives only. 

O son, let that end be thine which is attained by those wise men who, restraining themselves from the wives of others, seek the companionship of only their own wives in season. 

O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that look upon all creatures with an eye of peace, or theirs that never give pain to others, or theirs that always forgive. 

O son, let that end be thine which is theirs that abstain from honey, meat, wine, pride and untruth, or theirs that have refrained from giving pain to others. 

Let that goal be thine which they attain that are modest, acquainted with all the scriptures, content with knowledge, and have their passions under control.

16. Important nightly ritual adoring Lord Siva - Section 79. 

Night Ritual

07056003c darśayāṁ naityakaṁ cakrur naiśaṁ traiyambakaṁ balim

07056004a tataḥ prītamanāḥ pārtho gandhair mālyaiś ca mādhavam

07056004c alaṁkr̥tyopahāraṁ taṁ naiśam asmai nyavedayat

07056005a smayamānas tu govindaḥ phalgunaṁ pratyabhāṣata

After Partha (also) had touched water, meek and submissive attendants brought the usual nightly sacrifice to the Three-eyed (Mahadeva). Then Partha, with a cheerful soul, having smeared Madhava with perfumes and adorned with floral garlands, presented unto Mahadeva the nightly offering.

17. Friendship with Arjuna

yogamAsthAya yuktAtmA sarveShAmIshvareshvaraH .
shreyaskAmaH pR^ithuyashA viShNurjiShNupriya~NkaraH .. 7\-79\-9 (47671)

Of soul wrapt in yoga, that Supreme Lord of all, viz., Vishnu of wide-spread fame, who always did what was agreeable to Jishnu, desirous of benefiting (Arjuna), lapsed into yoga, and meditation. 

na hi dArA na mitrANi j~nAtayo na cha bAndhavAH .
kashchidanyaH priyataraH kuntIputrAnmamArjunAt .. 7\-79\-29 (47691)

anarjunamimaM lokaM muhUrtamapi dAruka - 30.5

My wives, my kinsmen, my relatives, non amongst these is dearer to me than Arjuna. O Daruka, I shall not be able to cast my eyes, even for a single moment, on the earth bereft of Arjuna.

j~nAsyanti lokAH sarve mAM suhR^idaM savyasAchinaH .. 7\-79\-35 (47697)
yastaM dveShTi sa mAM dveShTi yastaM chAnu sa mAmanu .
iti sa~NkalpyatAM buddhyA sharIrArdhaM mamArjunaH .. 7\-79\-36 (47698)

Savyasachin. He that hateth him, hateth me. He that followeth him, followeth me. Thou hast intelligence. Know that Arjuna is half of myself.

18. Parameshwara Darshanam to Arjuna and Sri Krishna ( & Siva Stuthi)

samAsAdya tu taM shailaM shailAgre samavasthitam .
taponityaM mahAtmAnamapashyadvR^IShabhadhvajam.  7\-80\-38 (47748)
sahasramiva sUryANAM dIpyamAnaM svatejasA .
shUlinaM jaTilaM gauraM valkalAjinavAsasam .. 7\-80\-39 (47749)
nayanAnAM sahasraishcha vichitrA~NgaM mahaujasam .
pArvatyA sahitaM devaM bhUtasa~Nghaishcha bhAsvaraiH .. 7\-80\-40 (47750)
gItavAditrasannAdairhAsyalAsyasamanvitam .
vaglitAsphoTitotkruShTaiH puNyairgandhaishcha sevitam .. 7\-80\-41 (47751)
stUyamAnaM stavairdivyairR^iShibhirbrahmavAdibhiH .
goptAraM sarvabhUtAnAmIshAnaM varadaM shivam .. 7\-80\-42 (47752)
vAsudevastu taM dR^iShTvA jagAma shirasA kShitim .
pArthena saha dharmAtmA gR^iNanbrahma sanAtanam .. 7\-80\-43 (47753)
lokAdiM vishvakarmANamajamIshAnamavyayam .
manasaH paramaM yoniM khaM vAyuM jyotiShAM nidhim .. 7\-80\-44 (47754)
sraShTAraM vAridhArANAM bhuvashcha prakR^itiM parAm .
devadAnavayakShANAM mAnavAnAM cha shAsakam .. 7\-80\-45 (47755)
yogAnAM cha paraM dhAma dR^iShTaM brahmavidAM nidhim .
chAracharasya sraShTAraM pratihartArameva cha .. 7\-80\-46 (47756)
kAlakopaM mahAtmAnaM shakrasUryaguNodayam

vavandatustadA kR^iShNau vA~NmanobuddhikarmabhiH .. 7\-80\-47 (47757)

(They - i.e. Arjuna and Krishna) arrived at that mountain, he beheld on its top, the high-souled god having the bull for his mark, and ever engaged in ascetic penances, like a thousand suns collected together, and blazing with his own effulgence.

Trident in hand, matted locks on the head, of snow-white colour, he was robed in bark and skin. Endued with great energy, his body seemed to be flaming with a thousand eyes. And he was seated with Parvati and many creatures of brilliant forms (around him). And his attendants were engaged in singing and playing upon musical instruments, in laughing and dancing, in moving and stretching their hands, and In uttering loud shouts. And the place was perfumed with fragrant odours, and Rishis that worshipped Brahma adored with excellent hymns of unfading glory, that God who was the protector of all creatures, and wielded the (great) bow (called Pinaka). Beholding him, Vasudeva of righteous soul, with Partha, touched the earth with his head, uttering the eternal words of the Veda. And Krishna adored, with
speech, mind, understanding, and acts, that God who is the first source of the universe, himself uncreate, the supreme lord of unfading glory: who is the highest cause of the mind, who is space and the wind, who is the cause of all the luminous bodies (in the firmament), who is the creator of the rain, and the supreme, primordial substance of the earth, who is the object of adoration, with the gods, the Danavas, the Yakshas, and human beings; who is the supreme Brahma that is seen by Yogins and the refuge of those acquainted with Shastras, who is the creator of all mobile and immobile creatures, and their destroyer also; who is the Wrath that burns everything at the end of the Yuga; who is the supreme soul; who is the Sakra and Surya, and the origin of all attributes.

yaM prapadyanti vidvAMsaH sUkShmAdhyAtmapadaiShiNaH .
tamajaM kAramAtmAnaM jagmatuH sharaNaM bhavam .. 7\-80\-48 (47758)
arjunashchApi taM devaM bhUyo bhUyo.apyavandata .
j~nAtvA taM sarvabhUtAdiM bhUtabhavyabhavodbhavam .. 7\-80\-49 (47759)

And Krishna sought the protection of that Bhava, whom men of knowledge, desirous of attaining to that which is called the subtle and the spiritual, behold; that un-create one is the soul of all causes. And Arjuna repeatedly adored that Deity, knowing that he was the origin of all creatures and the cause of the past, the future, and the present.

bhaktyAstavena divyena mahAtmAnAvaninditau ..  7\-80\-54 (47764)

Then Sri Krishna and Arjuna euologised Sharva with beautiful hymn

Siva Stuthi

kR^iShNArjunAvUchatuH. 7\-80\-55x (4474)
namo bhavAya sharvAya rudrAya varadAya cha .
pashUnAM pataye nityamugrAya cha kapardine .. 7\-80\-55 (47765)
Krishna and Arjuna said, 'We bow to Bhava, to Sarva, to Rudra, to the boon-giving deity. We bow to the lord of all creatures endued with life, to the god who is always fierce, to him who is called Kapardin!
mahAdevAya bhImAya tryambakAya cha shAntaye .
IshAnAya makhaghnAya namo.astvandhakaghAtine .. 7\-80\-56 (47766)
We bow to Mahadeva, to Bhima, to the Three-eyed, to him who is peace and contentment. We bow to Isana, to him who is the destroyer of (Daksha's) sacrifice. Let salutations be to the slayer of Andhaka.
kumAragurave tubhyaM nIlagrIvAya vedhase .
pinAkine haviShyAya satyAya vibhave sadA .. 7\-80\-57 (47767)
Let salutations be to the  to the father of Kumara, to him who is of blue throat, to him who is the creator.
Let salutation be to the wielder of Pinaka, to one worthy of havisha (the offer of libations of ghee) to him who is truth and prosperity. 
vilohitAya dhrUmrAya vyAdhAyAnaparAjite .
nityaM nIlashikhaNDAya shUline divyachakShuShe .. 7\-80\-58 (47768)
To him who is red, who is tawny, who is hunter in disguise and who is unvanquished; unto his who possesses blue locks, who weilds the trident, who is omniscient. 
hotre potre trinetrAya vyAdhAya vasuretase .
achintyAyAmbikAbhartre sarvadevastutAya cha .. 7\-80\-59 (47769)
To him who is Hotri, to him who protects all, to, him who is of three eyes, to him who is disease, to him whose vital seed fell on fire! To him who is inconceivable, to him who is the lord of Ambika, to him who is adored by all the gods!
vR^iShadhvajAya muNDAya jaTine brahmachAriNe .
tapyamAnAya salile brahmaNyAyAjitAya cha .. 7\-80\-60 (47770)
To him who hath the bull for his mark, to him who is bold, to him who is of matted lock, to him who is a Brahmacharin!
To him who standeth as an ascetic in the water, to him who is devoted to Brahma, to him who hath never been conquered! 
vishvAtmane vishvasR^ije vishvamAvR^itya tiShThate .
namonamaste sevyAya bhUtAnAM prabhave sadA .. 7\-80\-61 (47771)
To him who is the soul of the universe, to him who is the creator of the universe, to him
who liveth pervading the whole universe! 
We bow to thee that art, the object of the reverence of all, to thee that art the original cause of all creatures! 
brahmavaktrAya sarvAya shaMkarAya shivAya cha .
namostu vAchaspataye prajAnAM pataye namaH .. 7\-80\-62 (47772)
To thee that art called Brahmachakra, to thee that art called Sarva, Sankara, and Siva! 
Salutations unto him, who is the Lord of speech and the master of the created beings, salutations unto the lord of the universe and of the great people. 
`abhigamyAya kAmyAya stutyAyAryAya sarvadA .
namo.astu devadevAya mahAbhUtadharAya cha .
namo vishvasya pataye pattInAM pataye namaH'..  7\-80\-63 (47773)
namaH sahasrashirase sahasrabhujamR^ityave ..
sahasranetrapAdAya namo.asa~NkhyeyakarmaNe.  7\-80\-64 (47774)
Salutations to God of all devas and substratum of all Mahabhutas (earth, fire etc). 
We bow to thee that art the lord of all great beings! We bow to thee that hast a thousand heads, to thee that hast a thousand arms, to thee that art called Death! To thee that hast a thousand eyes, a thousand legs? 
namo hiraNyavarNAya hiraNyakavachAya cha .
bhaktAnukampine nityaM sidhyatAM no varaH prabho .. 7\-80\-65 (47775)
To thee whose acts are innumerable! We bow to thee whose complexion is that of gold, to thee that art cased in golden mail, to thee that art ever compassionate to thy devotees! O lord, let our wish be accomplished.'
sa~njaya uvAcha. 7\-80\-66x (4475)
evaM stutvA mahAdevaM vAsudevaH sahArjunaH .
prasAdayAmAsa bhavaM tadA hyastropalabdhaye .. .. 7\-80\-66 (47776)
"Sanjaya continued, 'Having adored Mahadeva in these terms, Vasudeva with Arjuna then began to gratify him for obtaining (the great) weapon (called Pasupata)."

19. Hari - Hara Abhedham (Chapter 81 - Obtaining Pasupata Weapon)

taM chopahAraM sukR^itaM naishaM naityakamAtmanA .
dadarsha tryambakAbhyAshe vAsudevaniveditam .. 7\-81\-2 (47779)

And he beheld the offerings he made every night to Vasudeva lying by the side of the Three-eyed deity.

20. Shatarudriyam Reference (Chapter 81)

gR^iNantau vedavidvAMsau tadbrahma shatarudriyam .
aprameyapramANaM tau gatvA sarvAtmanA bhavam .. 7\-81\-13 (47790)

And as they approached the snakes, conversant as they were with the Vedas, they uttered the hundred stanzas of the Veda, to the praise of Rudra, bowing the while with their sincere souls unto Bhava of immeasurable power.

20. Yudhisthira's daily routine (Chapter 82)

Inspiring Kshatriya routine.