janamejaya uvāca
devānāṁ dānavānāṁ ca gandharvoragarakṣasām
siṁhavyāghramṛgāṇāṁ ca pannagānāṁ patattriṇām
sarveṣāṁ caiva bhūtānāṁ saṁbhavaṁ bhagavannaham
śrotumicchāmi tattvena mānuṣeṣu mahātmanām
janma karma ca bhūtānāmeteṣāmanupūrvaśaḥ
Janamejaya said: O worshipful sir! I desire to hear from you in detail accounts of births, deeds, achievements among men, of Dānavas, Rākṣasas, Gandharvas, lions, tigers, snakes, birds, other animals and in short of all creatures that became incarnate in human forms.
vaiśampāyana uvāca
mānuṣeṣu manuṣyendra saṁbhūtā ye divaukasaḥ
prathamaṁ dānavāṁścaiva tāste vakṣyāmi sarvaśaḥ
Vaiśampāyana said: O king! I shall first tell you all about those Devas and Dānavas who were born amongst men.
vipracittiritikhyāto ya āsīddānavarṣabhaḥ
jarāsandha iti khyātaḥ sa āsīnmanujarṣabhaḥ
The best of Dānavas, who was known as Vipracitti, became that best of men, known as Jarāsandha.
diteḥ putrastu yo rājanhiraṇyakaśipuḥ smṛtaḥ
sa jajñe mānuṣe loke śiśupālo nararṣabhaḥ
O king! That son of Diti, known as Hiraṇyakaśipu, became king known as Śiśupāla.
saṁhlāda iti vikhyātaḥ prahlādasyānujastu yaḥ
sa śalya iti vikhyāto jajñe bāhlikapuṅgavaḥ
Younger brother of Prahlāda, who was known as Saṁhlāda, became the best of Bāhlīkas, Śalya.
anuhlādastu tejasvī yo ̍bhūtkhyāto jaghanyajaḥ
dhṛṣṭaketuriti khyātaḥ sa babhūva nareśvaraḥ
Youngest brother of Prahlāda, known as Anuhrāda, became famous as Dhṛṣṭaketu.
yastu rājañcchibirnāma daiteyaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
druma ityabhivikhyātaḥ sa āsīdbhuvi pārthivaḥ
O king! That son of Diti, who was known as Śibi, became famous king Druma.
bāṣkalo nāma yasteṣāmāsīdasurasattamaḥ
bhagadatta iti khyātaḥ sa jajñe puruṣarṣabhaḥ
O king! That best of Asuras, who was known as Bāṣkala, became great Bhagadatta on Earth.
ayaḥśirā aśvaśirā ayaḥśaṅkuśca vīryavān
tathā gaganamūrdhā ca vegavāṁścātra pañcamaḥ
5 powerful and swift Asuras, namely Ayaḥśira, Aśvaśira, Ayaḥśaṅku, Gaganamūrdhā and Vegavāṅ.
pañcaite jajñire rājanvīryavanto mahāsurāḥ
kekayeṣu mahātmānaḥ pārthivarṣabhasattamāḥ
O king! These powerful Asuras were all born in the illustrious dynasty of Kekaya and became great kings.
ketumāniti vikhyāto yastato ̍nyaḥ pratāpavān
amitaujā iti khyātaḥ sograkarmā narādhipaḥ
Mighty Asura, who was known as Ketumānm became king Amitaujā of terrible deeds.
svarbhānuriti vikhyātaḥ śrīmānyastu mahāsuraḥ
ugrasena iti khyāta ugrakarmā narādhipaḥ
Great fortunate Asura, who was known as Svarbhānu, became king Ugrasena of feraful deeds.
yastvaśva iti vikhyātaḥ śrīmānāsīnmahāsuraḥ
aśoko nāma rājābhūnmahāvīryo ̍parājitaḥ
Great and fortunate Asura, who was known as Aśva, became invincible king Aśoka of great prowess.
tasmādavarajo yastu rājannaśvapatiḥ smṛtaḥ
daityaḥ so ̍bhavadrājā hārdikyo manujarṣabhaḥ
O king! That son of Diti, Younger brother of Aśva, who was known as Aśvapati, became mighty king Hārdikya.
vṛṣaparveti vikhyātaḥ śrīmānyastu mahāsuraḥ
dīrghaprajña iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṁ so ̍bhavannṛpaḥ
great and fortunate Asura, who was known as Vṛṣaparva, became king Dīrghaprajña on Earth.
ajakastvavaro rājanya āsīdvṛṣaparvaṇaḥ
sa śālva iti vikhyātaḥ pṛthivyāmabhavannṛpaḥ
O king! Younger brother of Vṛṣaparva, who was known as Ajaka, became Śalva. on Earth.
aśvagrīva iti khyātaḥ sattvavānyo mahāsuraḥ
rocamāna iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṁ so ̍bhavannṛpaḥ
Great Asura, who was known as Aśvagrīva, became king Rocamāna on Earth.
sūkṣmastu matimānrājankīrtimānyaḥ prakīrtitaḥ
bṛhadratha iti khyātaḥ kṣitāvāsītsa pārthivaḥ
O king! Intelligent and illustrious Asura, who was known as Sūkṣa, became illustrious king Bṛhadratha on Earth.
tuhuṇḍa iti vikhyāto ya āsīdasurottamaḥ
senābinduriti khyātaḥ sa babhūva narādhipaḥ
That best of Asuras, who was known as Tuhuṇḍa, became king Senābindu on Earth.
iṣupānnāma yasteṣāmasurāṇāṁ balādhikaḥ
nagnajinnāma rājāsīdbhuvi vikhyātavikramaḥ
That great Asura, who was known as Iṣupāda, became king Nagnajit of prowess famous around the world.
ekacakra iti khyāta āsīdyastu mahāsuraḥ
prativindhya iti khyāto babhūva prathitaḥ kṣitau
Great Asura, who was known as Ekacakra, became known on Earth as Prativindya.
virūpākṣastu daiteyaścitrayodhī mahāsuraḥ
citradharmeti vikhyātaḥ kṣitāvāsītsa pārthivaḥ
Great Asura, capable of displaying various modes of fight and known as Virūpākṣa, became known as king Citradharma on Earth.
harastvariharo vīra āsīdyo dānavottamaḥ
subāhuriti vikhyātaḥ śrīmānāsītsa pārthivaḥ
That best of Dānavas, known as heroic Hara, became famous and fortunate king Subāhu on Earth.
aharastu mahātejāḥ śatrupakṣakṣayaṁkaraḥ
bāhlīko nāma rājā sa babhūva prathitaḥ kṣitau
That Asura of great prowess, chastiser of his foes, known as Ahara, became king Bāhlīka on Earth.
nicandraścandravakrastu ya āsīdasurottamaḥ
muñjakeśa iti khyātaḥ śrīmānāsītsa pārthivaḥ
That best of Asuras, who was known as Nicandra and whose face was as beautiful as moon, became fortunate king Muñjakeśa on Earth.
nikumbhastvajitāḥ saṅkhye mahāmatirajāyata
bhūmau bhūmipatiḥ śreṣṭho devādhipa iti smṛtaḥ
Great, intelligent and invincible Asura, who was known as Nikumbha, became best of kings Devādhipa on Earth.
śarabho nāma yasteṣāṁ daiteyānāṁ mahāsuraḥ
pauravo nāma rājarṣiḥ sa babhūva narottamaḥ
That Asura, who was known as Śarabha amongst Dānavas, became king Paurava on Earth.
kupaṭastu mahāvīryaḥ śrīmānrājanmahāsuraḥ
supārśca iti vikhyātaḥ kṣitau jajñe mahīpatiḥ
O king! That greatly powerful and fortunate Asura, who was known as Kupaṭa, became famous king Supārśva on Earth.
krathastu rājanrājārṣiḥ kṣitau jajñe mahāsuraḥ
pārvateya iti khyātaḥ kāñcanācalasannibhaḥ
O king! Great Asura, who was known as Kratha, became king Pārvateya, as effulgent as a golden mountain.
dvitīyaḥ śalabhasteṣāmasurāṇāṁ babhūva ha
prahlādo nāma bāhlīkaḥ sa babhūva narādhipaḥ
That Asura, who was known as Śalabha the second, became king Prahlāda in the land of Bāhlīkas on Earth.
candrastu ditijaśreṣṭho loke tārādhipopamaḥ
candravarmeti vikhyātaḥ kāmbojānāṁ narādhipaḥ
That best of Daityas, who was known as Candra and who was as handsome as lord of stars - moon, became Candravarmā, king of Kāmbojās on Earth.
arka ityabhivikhyāto yastu dānavapuṅgavaḥ
ṛṣiko nāma rājarṣirbabhūva nṛpasattamaḥ
O king! That best of Dānavas, who was known as Arka, became king Ṛṣika on Earth.
mṛtapā iti vikhyāto sa āsīdasurottamaḥ
paścimānūpakaṁ vidvi taṁ nṛpaṁ nṛpasattama
O best of kings! That best of Asuras, who was known as Mṛtapā, became king Paścimānūpaka on Earth.
gaviṣṭhastu mahātejā yaḥ prakhyāto mahāsuraḥ
drumasena iti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṁ so ̍bhavannṛpaḥ
That greatly powerful Asura, known as Gaviṣṭha, became king Drumasens on Earth.
mayūra iti vikhyātaḥ śrīmānyastu mahāsuraḥ
sa viśva iti vikhyāto babhūva pṛthivīpatiḥ
That great and fortunate Asura, who was known as Mayūra, became king Viśva on Earth.
suparṇa iti vikhyātastasmādavarajastu yaḥ
kālakīrtiriti khyātaḥ pṛthivyāṁ so ̍bhavannṛpaḥ
That Asura who was youngest brother of Mayūra, who was known as Suparṇa, became king of Kālakīrti on Earth.
candrahanteti yasteṣāṁ kīrtitaḥ pravaro ̍suraḥ
śunako nāma rājarṣiḥ sa babhūva narādhipaḥ
Greatly powerful Asura, who was known as Candrahanta, became king Śunaka on Earth.
vināśanastu candrasya ya ākhyāto mahāsuraḥ
jānakirnāma vikhyātaḥ so ̍bhavanmanujādhipaḥ
Great Asura, who was known as Candravināśana, became king Jānaka on Earth.
dīrghajihvastukauravya ya ukto dānavarṣabhaḥ
kāśirājaḥ sa vikhyātaḥ pṛthivyāṁ pṛthivīpate
O king! That best of Dānavas, who was known as Dīrghajihva, became king Kāśirāja on Earth.
grahaṁ tu suṣuve yaṁ tu siṁhikārkendumardanam
sa krātha iti vikhyāto babhūva manujādhipaḥ
That Asura Rāhu, who was born of Siṁhikā and who persecuted sun and moon, became king Kratha on Earth.
danāyuṣastu putrāṇāṁ caturṇāṁ pravaro ̍suraḥ
vikṣaro nāma tejasvī vasumitro nṛpaḥ smṛtaḥ
Eldest of 4 sons of Danāyu, who was known as Vikṣara, became powerful king Vasumitra on Earth.
dvitīyo vikṣarādyastu narādhipa mahāsuraḥ
pāṇḍyarāṣṭradhipa iti vikhyātaḥ so ̍bhavannṛpaḥ
Second brother of Vikṣara, great Asura, became king of the country called Pāṇḍya.
balī vīra iti khyāto yastvāsīdasurottamaḥ
pauṇḍramātsyaka ityevaṁ babhūva sa narādhipaḥ
That best of Asuras, who was known as Vīra, became king Pauṇḍramātsyaka on Earth.
vṛtra ityabhivikhyāto yastu rājanmahāsuraḥ
maṇimānnāma rājarṣiḥ sa babhūva narādhipaḥ
O king! That great Asura, who was known as Vṛtra, became royal sage Maṇimāna on Earth.
krodhahanteti yastasya babhūvāvarajo ̍suraḥ
daṇḍa ityabhivikhyātaḥ sa āsīnnṛpatiḥ kṣitau
That Asura, who was the younges brother of Vṛtra, Krodhahanta, became king Daṇḍa on Earth.
krodhavardhana ityevaṁ yastvanyaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
daṇḍadhāra iti khyātaḥ sobha ̍vanmanujarṣabhaḥ
That Asura, who was known as Krodhavardhana, became king Daṇḍadhara.
kāleyānāṁ tu ye putrāsteṣāmaṣṭau narādhipāḥ
jajñire rājaśārdūla śārdūlasamavikramāḥ
O best of kings! 8 sons of Asura Kāleya were all born on Earth and became as powerful kings as tigers.
magadheṣu jayatsenasteṣāmāsītsa pārthivaḥ
aṣṭānāṁ pravarasteṣāṁ kāleyānāṁ mahāsuraḥ
Of 8 great Kāleya Asuras, eldest Jayatsena, became king of Magadha.
dvitīyastu tatasteṣāṁ śrīmānharihayopamaḥ
aparājita ityevaṁ sa babhūva narādhipaḥ
Second, as powerful as Indra, became king Aparājita on Earth.
tṛtīyastu mahātejā mahāmāyo mahāsuraḥ
niṣādādhipatirjajñe bhuvi bhīmaparākramaḥ
3rd great Asura, endued with great prowess and power of deception - magic powers, became greatly powerful king of Niṣādas.
teṣāmanyatamo yastu caturthaḥ parikīrtitaḥ
śreṇimāniti vikhyātaḥ kṣitau rājarṣisattamaḥ
4th of brothers became best of kings, Śreṇimāna.
pañcamastvabhavatteṣāṁ pravaro yo mahāsuraḥ
mahaujā iti vikhyāto babhūveha paraṁtapaḥ
That great Asura, 5th brother, became king Mahauja, oppressor of his foes on Earth.
ṣaṣṭhastu matimānyo vai teṣāmāsīnmahāsuraḥ
abhīruriti vikhyātaḥ kṣitau rājarṣisattamaḥ
That greatly intelligent and powerful Asura was 6th brother became the best of kings, Abhīru on Earth.
samudrasennastu nṛpasteṣāmevābhavadgaṇāt
viśrutaḥ sāgarāntāyāṁ kṣitau dharmārthatattvavit
7th of brothers became king Samudrasena, famous all other over the Earth from its centre to the sea and he was learned in Śāstras.
bṛhannāmāṣṭamasteṣāṁ kāleyānāṁ narādhipa
babhūva rājā dharmātmā sarvabhūtahite rataḥ
O king! 8th of Kālakeyas, who was known as Bṛhana, became virtuous king, ever engaged in doing good to all creatures.
kukṣistu rājanvikhyāto dānavānāṁ mahābalaḥ
pārvatīya iti khyātaḥ kāñcanācalasaṁnibhaḥ
That mighty Dānava, who was known as Kukṣi, became king Pārvatīya, as effulgent as golden mountain.
krathanaśca mahāvīryaḥ śrīmānrājā mahāsuraḥ
sūryākṣa iti vikhyātaḥ kṣitau jajñe mahīpatiḥ
That mighty and powerful Asura, who was known as Kratha, became king Sūryākṣa on Earth.
asurāṇāṁ tu yaḥ sūryaḥ śrīmāṁścaiva mahāsuraḥ
darado nāma bālhīko varaḥ sarvamahīkṣitām
That handsome Asura, who was known as Sūrya, became on Earth that best of all kings Darada, king of Bāhlīkas.
gaṇaḥ krodhavaśo nāma yaste rājanprakīrtitaḥ
tataḥ saṁjajñire vīrāḥ kṣitāviha narādhipāḥ
O king! Many heroic kings were born on earth from the race of Asuras called Krodhavaśa, of whom I have already spoken to you.
madrakaḥ karṇaveṣṭaśca siddhārthaḥ kīrṭakastathā
suvīraśca subāhuśca mahāvīro ̍tha bāhlikaḥ
kratho vicitraḥ surathaḥ śrīmānnīlaśca bhūmipaḥ
cīravāsāśca kauravya bhūmipāścaiva nāmataḥ
dantavaktraśca nāmāsīddurjayaścaiva dānavaḥ
rukmī ca nṛpaśārdūlo rājā ca janamejayaḥ
āṣāḍho vāyuvegaśca bhūritejāstathaiva ca
ekalavya sumitraśca vāṭadhāno ̍tha gomukhaḥ
kārūṣakāśca rājānaḥ kṣemadhūrtistathaiva ca
śrutāyurudvahaścaiva bṛhatsenastathaiva ca
kṣemogratīrthaḥ kuharaḥ kaliṅgeṣu narādhipaḥ
matimāṁśca manuṣyendra īśvaraśceti viśrutaḥ
They were Madraka, Karṇaveṣṭa, Siddhārtha, Kīṭaka, Suvīra, Subāhu, Mahāvīra, Bāhlīka, Kratha, Vicitra, Suratha, handsome Nīla, Cīravāsā, Bhūmipālā, Dantavaktra, Durjaya, Rukmī, Janamejaya, Āṣāḍha, Vāyuvega, Bhūritejā, Ekalavya, Sumitra, Vāṭadhāna, Gomukha, Kārūṣakā, Kṣemadhūti, Śrutāyu, Udvaha, Bṛhatsena, Kṣema, Ugratīrtha, king of Kaliṅga and Matimā, king who was known as Īśvara.
gaṇātkrodhavaśādeṣa rājapūgo ̍bhavatkṣitau
jātaḥ purā mahābhāgo mahākīrtirmahābalaḥ
Thes greatly fortunate, powerful and illustrious and the best of kings were all born on Earth of the race of Asuras, called Krodhavaśā.
kālanemiriti khyāto dānavānāṁ mahābalaḥ
sa kaṁsa iti vikhyāta ugrasenasuto balī
Great Dānava who was known as Kālanemi, became son of Ugrasena, king Kaṁsa on Earth.
yastvāsīddevako nāma devarājasamadyutiḥ
sa gandharvapatirmukhyaḥ kṣitau jajñe narādhipaḥ
Best of kings of Gandharvas, was born on Earth as Devaka who was as effulgent as Indra himself.
bṛhaspaterbṛhatkīrterdevarṣerviddhi bhārata
aṁśāddroṇaṁ samutpannaṁ bhāradvājamayonijam
O descendant of Bharat arace, Droṇa, son of Bharadvāja, who was not born of any woman, sprang from celestial Ṛṣi Bṛhaspati.
dhnviināṁ nṛpaśārdūla yaḥ sarvāstravittamaḥ
mahākīrtirmahātejāḥ sa jajñe manujeśvara
O best of kings! He was a hero of great achievements and the best of all those who were learned in the ways of using arms. He was most illustrious and most powerful.
dhanurvede ca vede ca yaṁ taṁ vedavido viduḥ
variṣṭhaṁ citrakarmāṇaṁ droṇaṁ svakulavardhanam
He was called learned in Vedas, as well as in science of arms by all men well versed in Vedas. He was a doer of wonderful deeds and pride of his race.
mahādevāntakābhyāṁ ca kāmātkrodhācca bhārata
ekatvamupapannānāṁ jajñe śūraḥ paraṁtapaḥ
aśvatthāmā mahāvīryaḥ śatrūpakṣabhayāvahaḥ
vīraḥ kamalapatrākṣaḥ kṣitāvāsīnnarādhipa
O descendant of Bharata race! O king! His son, heroic, surpassingly energetic and lotus eyed Aśvatthāmā, the terror of all his foes and great oppressor of all enemies, was born on earth from united portions of Mahādeva, Yama, Kāma, Krotha.
jajñire vasavastvaṣṭau gaṅgāyāṁ śāntano sutāḥ
vasiṣṭhasya ca śāpena niyogādvāsavasya ca
Begot by her husband Śāntanu, 8 Vasus were given birth to by Gaṅgā, on account of curse of Ṛṣi Vasiṣṭha and also from the command of Indra.
teṣāmavarajo bhīṣmaḥ kurūṇāmabhayaṁkaraḥ
matimānvedavidvāgmī śatrupakṣakṣayaṁkaraḥ
Youngest of them was Bhīṣma, who was dispeller of the fears of Kurus, who was greatly intelligent, who was great scholar in the Vedas and best of speakers and destroyer of enemy ̍s ranks.
jāmadagnyena rāmeṇa sarvāstraviduṣāṁ varaḥ
yo ̍yudhyata mahātejā bhṇa mahātmanā
That best of men, being learned in the science of arms and endued with great energy, fought with illustrious Paraśurāma, son of Jamadagni.
yastu rājankṛpo nāma brahmarṣirabhavatkṣitau
rudrāṇāṁ tu gaṇādviddhi saṁbhūtamatipauruṣam
O king! That Brāhmaṇa Ṛṣi, who was known as Kṛpa, was embodiment of all manliness, was born of Rudragaṇas.
śakunirnāma yastvāsīdrājā loke mahārathaḥ
dvāparaṁ viddhi taṁ rājansaṁbhūtamarimardanam
O king! That king and great car warrior, that chastiser of foes, who was known as Śakuni, know him to be Dvāpara himself.
sātyakiḥ satyasandhaśca yo ̍sau vṛṣṇikulodvahaḥ
pakṣātsa jajñe mahatāṁ devānāmarimardanaḥ
He who was known as Sātyaki, upholder of pride of Vṛṣṇis and chastiser of foes, was born of the portion of celestial Maruts.
drupadaścaiva rājarṣistata evābhavadgaṇāt
mānuṣe nṛpaloke ̍sminsarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ
That king Drupada, best of all wielders of arms, was also born of portions of the same Maruts.
tataśca kṛtavarmāṇāṁ viddhi rājañjanādhipam
tamapratimakarmāṇaṁ kṣatriyarṣabhasattamam
O king! Know that Kṛtavarmā, that king, of matchless deeds, that best of Kṣatriyas.
marutāṁ tu gaṇādviddhi saṁjātamarimardanam
virāṭaṁ nāma pararāṣṭraparatāpanam
That chastiser of foes, was also born of the same celestials. King Viāṭa, conqueror of other kingdoms, was also born of the same celestials.
ariṣṭāyāstu yaḥ putro haṁsa ityabhiviśrutaḥ
sa gandharvapatirjajñe kuruvaṁśavivardhanaḥ
That son of Ariṣṭa, known as Haṁsa, king of Gandharvas, was born to increase Kuru race.
dhṛtarāṣṭra iti khyātaḥ kṛṣṇadvaipāyanātmajaḥ
dīrghabāhurmahātejāḥ prajñācakṣurnarādhipaḥ
He was known on Earth as Dhṛtarāṣṭra, son of Kṛṣṇa Dvaipāyana. He had long arms, he was greatly powerful and he was king with prophetic eyes.
māturdoṣādṛṣeḥ kopādandha eva vyajāyata
tathaivāvarajo bhrātā mahāsattvo mahābalaḥ
sa pāṇḍuriti vikhyātaḥ satyadharmarataḥ śuci
He became blind for the fault of his mother and anger of Ṛṣi. His younger brother was greatly powerful and strong. He was known as Pāṇḍu and was devoted to truth, virtue and purity.
atrestu sumahābhāgaṁ putraṁ putravataḥ varam
viduraṁ viddhi taṁ loke jātaṁ buddhimatāṁ varam
know, that he who was known as Vidura, he was the best of all virtuous men. He was god of justice himself who was excellent and greatly fortunate son of atri - Sūrya.
kaleraṁśastu saṁjajñe bhuvi duryodhano nṛpaḥ
durbuddhirdurmatiścaiva kurūṇāmayaśaskaraḥ
Evil and wicked minded king Duryodhana, destroyer of the fame of Kuru dynasty, was born of the portion of Kali.
jagato yastu sarvasya vidviṣṭa kalipūruṣaḥ
yaḥ sarvāṁ ghātayāmāsa pṛthivīṁ pṛthivīpate
O king! It was he who was the cause of the slaughter of all creatures of the world. He ruined Earth.
uddīpitaṁ yena vairaṁ bhūtāntakaraṇaṁ mahat
paulastyā bhrātaraścāsya jajñire manujeṣviha
It was he who fanned fire of hostility, great fire of destruction. Sons of Pulastya became on earth brothers of Duryodhana.
śataṁ duḥśāsanādīnāṁ sarveṣāṁ krūrakarmaṇām
durmukho duḥsahaścaiva ye cānyenānukīrtitāḥ
They were 100, Duḥśāsana, Durmukha, Duḥsaha and others, all wicked to extreme. I do not mention their names.
duryodhanasahāyāste paulastyā bharatarṣabha
vaiśyāputro yuyutsuśca dhārtarāṣṭraḥ śatādhikaḥ
All of them supported Duryodhana in his wicked acts. O best of Bharata race, they were all sons of Pulastya - Rākṣasas. Over and above these 100 sons, Dhṛtarāṣṭra had another son, Yuyutsu, begot on a Vaiśya woman.
janamejaya uvāca
jyeṣṭhānujyeṣṭhā tāmeṣāṁ nāmadheyāni vā vibho
dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāṇāmānupūrvyeṇa kīrtaya
Janamejaya said: O lord! Tell me the names of all the sons of Drṛtarāṣṭra beginning to the order of their births.
vaiśaṁpāyana uvāca
duryodhano yuyutsuśca rājanduśśāsanastathā
duḥsaho duḥśalaścaiva durmukhaśca tathāparaḥ
viviṁśatirvikarṇaśca jalasandhaḥ sulocanaḥ
vindānuvindau durgharṣaḥ subāhurduṣpradharṣaṇaḥ
durmarṣaṇo durmukhaśca duṣkarṇaḥ karṇa eva ca
citropacitrau citrākṣaścārucitrāṅgadaśca ha
durmado duṣpraharṣaśca vivitsurvikaṭaḥ samaḥ
ūrṇanābhaḥ padmanābhastathā nandopanandakau
senāpatiḥ suṣeṇaśca kuṇḍodaramahodarau
citrabāhuścitravarmā suvarmā durvirocanaḥ
ayobāhurmahābāhuścitracāpasukuṇḍalau
bhīmavego bhīmabalo balākī bhīmavikramaḥ
ugrāyudho bhīmaśaraḥ kanakāyurdṛḍhāyudhaḥ
dṛḍhavarmā dṛḍhakṣatraḥ somakīrtiranūdaraḥ
jarāsandho dṛḍhasandhaḥ satyasandhaḥ sahasravāk
ugraśravā ugrasenaḥ kṣemamūrtistathaiva ca
aparājitaḥ paṇḍitako viśālākṣo durādhanaḥ
dṛḍhastaḥ suhastaśca vātavegasuvarcasau
ādityaketurbahvāśī nāgadattānuyāyinau
kavacī niṣaṅgī daṇḍo daṇḍadhāro dhanurgrahaḥ
ugro bhīmaratho vīro vīrabāhuralolupaḥ
abhayo raudrakarmā ca tathā dṛḍharathaśca yaḥ
anādhṛṣyaḥ kuṇḍabhedī virāvī dīrghalocanaḥ
dīrghabāhurmahābāhurvyūḍhoruḥ kanakāṅgadaḥ
kuṇḍajaścitrakaścaiva duḥśalā ca śatādhikā
vaiśyāputro yuyutsuśca dhārtarāṣṭraḥ śatādhikaḥ
They are Duryodhana, Yuyutsu, Duḥśāsana, Duḥsaha, Duḥāla, Durmukha, Viviṁśati, Vikarṇa, Lalasaṅdha, Sulocana, Vinda, Anuvinda, Dugharṣa, Subāhu, Duṣpradharṣaṇa, Durmarṣaṇa, Durmukha, Duṣkarṇa, Karṇa, Citra, Upacitra, Citrākṣa, Cāru, Citraṅgada, Durmada, Duṣpraharṣa, Vivitsu, Vikaṭa, Sama, Ūrṇanābha, Padmanābha, Nanda, Upananda, Senāpati, Suṣeṇa, Kuṇḍodara, Mahodara, Citrabāhu, Citravarmā, Suvarmā, Durvirocana, Ayobāhu, Mahābāhu, Citracāpa, Sukhaṇḍala, Bhīmavega, Bhīmabala, Balākī, Bhīma, Vikrama, Ugrayudha, Bhīmaśara, Kanakāyu, Dṛḍhāyudha, Dṛḍhavarmā, Dṛḍhakṣatra, Somakīrti, Anūdara, Jarāsandha, Dṛḍhasandha, Satyasandha, Sahasravāka, Ugraśravā, Ugrasena, Kṣemamūrti, Aparājita, Paṇḍitaka, Viśālākṣa, Durādhana, Dṛḍhahasta, Suhasta, Vātavega, Suvarcasa, Ādityaketu, Bahvāśī, Nāgadattā, Anuyāyi, Niṣaṅgī, Kavacī, Daṇḍa, Daṇḍadhāra, Dhanurgraha, Ugra, Bhīmaratha, Vīra, Vīrabāhu, Alolupa, Abhaya, Raudrakarmā, Dṛḍharatha, Anādhṛṣya, Kuṇḍabhedī, Virāvī, Dīrghalocana, Dīrghabāhu, Mahābāhu, Vyūḍhoru, Kanakāṅgada, Kuṇḍaja, Citraka. Dhṛtarāṣṭra also had a daughter Duḥśalāabove these 100 sons. Dhṛtarāṣṭra also had another son born of a Vaiśya woman, Yuyutsu.
etadekaśataṁ rājankanyā caikā prakīrtitā
nāmadheyānupūrvyā ca jyeṣṭhānujyeṣṭhatāṁ viduḥ
O king! Thus I have told you the names of 100 sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra and slso the name of his daughter. Their names are given in accordance of their birth order.
sarve tvatirathāḥ śūrāḥ sarve yuddhaviśāradāḥ
sarve vedavidaścaiva rājañcchāstre ca pāragā
They were all heroes, great car warriors and learned in use of arms. They were also well versed in Vedas and experts in statemanship.
sarve saṁgrāmavidyāsu vidyābhijanaśobhinaḥ
sarveṣāmanurūpāśca kṛtā dārā mahīpate
O king! All of them were mighty in attack and defence and all of them were learned. They married wives suitable to them in beauty and accomplishments.
duḥśalāṁ samaye rājansindhurājāya kauravaḥ
jayadrathāya pradadau saubalānumate tadā
At the marriageable age, king of Kurus at the advice of Śakuni, bestowed his daughter Duḥśalā on Jayadratha, king of Sindhus.
dharmasyāṁśaṁ tu rājānaṁ viddhi rājanyudhiṣṭhiram
bhīmasenaṁ tu vātasya devarājasya cārjunam
Know, O king! Yudhiṣṭhira was a portion of Dharma. Bhīma was that of Maruta. Arjuna was that of king of celestials Indra.
aśvinostu tathaivāṁśau rūpeṇāpratimau bhuvi
nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sarvabhūtamanoharau
Most handsome men amongst matchless beauties on Earth, Nakula and Sahadeva were portions of Aśvinīs.
yastu varcā iti khyātaḥ somaputraḥ pratāpavān
so ̍bhimanyurbṛhatkītirarjunasya suto ̍bhavat
He who was known as Varcā, son of Soma, became Abhimanyu of wonderful deeds, son of Arjuna.
yasyāvataraṇe rājansurānsomo ̍bravīdidam
nāhaṁ dadyāṁ priyaṁ putraṁ mama prāṇairgarīyasam
O king! Before incarnation of Varcā, Soma spoke to celestials thus: I cannot part with my son! He is dearer to me than life.
samayaḥ kriyatāmeṣa na śakyamativartitam
surakāryaṁ hi naḥ kāryamasurāṇāṁ kṣitau vadhaḥ
Let this agreement be made and let not that agreement be violated! Destruction of Asuras is the work of celestials, therefore it is our work also.
tatra yāsyatyayaṁ varcā na ca stāsyati vai ciram
aindrirastu bhavitā yasya nārāyaṇaḥ sakhā
Let Varcā go, but let him not stay long on Earth. Nara will be born as Indra ̍s son and he will have Nārāyaṇa as his friend.
so ̍rjunotyabhivikhyātaḥ pāṇḍoḥ putraḥ pratāpavān
tasyāyaṁ bhavitā putro bālo bhuvi mahātathaḥ
He will be known on Earth as powerful Arjuna, son of Pāṇḍu. My boy will be his son and even his boyhood will be great car warrior.
tataḥ ṣoḍaśavarṣāṇi sthāsyatyamarattamāḥ
asya ṣoḍaśavarṣasya sa saṁgrāmo bhaviṣyati
O best of immortals! Let him remain on Earth only for 16 years. On his 16th year great fight will take place.
yatrāṁśā vaḥ kariṣyanti karmavīraniṣūdanam
naranārāyaṇābhyāṁ tu sa saṁgrāmo vinā kṛtaḥ
In which your incarnations will kill innumerable heroes and in the fight in which Nara and Nārāyaṇa - Arjuna and Kṛṣṇa will not be present.
cakravyūhaṁ samāsthāya yodhayiṣyanti vaḥ surāḥ
vimukhañcchātravānsarvānkārayiṣyati me sutaḥ
In which, O celestials, Kuru heroes will fight with constructing Cakravyūha. In that fight my son will defeat all foes and compel them to retreat.
bālaḥ praviśya ca vyūhamabhedyaṁ vicariṣyati
mahārathānāṁ vīrāṇāṁ kadanaṁ ca kariṣyati
Boy will enter into that impenetrable Vyūha and will walk about the place. He will defeat and kill many heroes and great car warriors.
sarveṣāmeva śatrūṇāṁ caturthāṁśaṁ nayiṣyati
dinārdhena mahābāhuḥ pretarājapuraṁ prati
Mighty hero, within the course of half a day, will send one fourth part of the foes to the land of the dead.
tato mahātathairvīraiḥ sametya bahuśo raṇe
dinakṣaye mahābāhurmayā bhūyaḥ sameṣyati
Then towards the close of the day, many heroes and great car warriors will return to the charge and attack my son. Thereupon my mighty armed son will comw back to me.
ekaṁ vaṁśakaraṁ putraṁ vīraṁ vai janayiṣyati
pranaṣṭaṁ bhārataṁ vaṁśaṁ sa bhūyo dhārayiṣyati
He will beget one heroic son, who will keep alive almost extinct Bhārata dynasty.
etatsomavacaḥ śrutvā tathāsviti divaukasaḥ
pratyūcuḥ sahitāḥ sarve tārādhipamapūjayan
Having heard these words of Soma, celestials said: Be it so!
Then they all worshipped and praised lord of the stars - Soma.
evaṁ te kathitaṁ rājaṁstava janma pituḥ pituḥ
agnerbhārgaṁ tu viddhi tvaṁ dhṛṣṭadyumnaṁ mahāratham
O king! Thus I have told you accounts of births of your father and his father and son. Know, O king, the gret car warrior Dhṛṣṭadyumna was born of a portion of Agni.
śikhaṇḍinamathorājaṁstrīṁstrīpūrvaṁ viddhi rākṣasam
draupadeyāśca ye pañca babhūvuratarṣabha
Know that Śikhaṇḍin, who was previously a woman, was born of a portion of Rākṣasa. O best of Bharata race! Those who became 5 sons of Draupadī.
viśvāndevagaṇānviddhi saṁjātānbharatarṣabha
prativindhyaḥ sutamosaḥ śrutakīrtistathāparaḥ
Know, O best of Bharata race, were celestials called Viśvādevas. They were Prativindha, Sutasoma, Śrutakīrti.
nākulistu śatānīkaḥ śrutasenaśca vīryavān
śūro nāma yaduśreṣṭho vasudevapitābhavat
Śatānīka, son of Nakula and powerful Śrutasena. The best of Yadus, Śūra, became the father of Vasudeva.
tasya kanyā pṛthā nāma rūpeṇāsadṛśī bhuvi
pituḥ svastrīyaputrāya so ̍napatyāya vīryavān
agramagre pratijñāya svasyāpatyasya vai tadā
agrajāteti tāṁ kanyāṁ śūro ̍nugrahakāṁkṣayā
adadatkuntibhojāya sa tāṁ duhitaraṁ tadā
sā niyuktā piturgehe brāhmaṇātithipūjane
His daughter was named Pṛthā, who was matchless on Earth in beauty. Her father - Śūra, promised before fire that he would give his first born child to the son of his paternal aunt, king Kuntibhoja, who was childless. He gave his daughter - Pṛthā to that king, expecting to get his favour and king Kuntibhoja, adopted her as his daughter. She was engaged in her foster father ̍s house in attending upon Brāhmaṇas and guests.
ugraṁ paryacaradghoraṁ brāhmaṇaṁ saṁśitavratam
nigūḍhaniścayaṁ dharme yaṁ taṁ dūrvāsasaṁ viduḥ
tamugraṁ śaṁsitātmānaṁ sarvayatnairatoṣayat
tuṣṭo ̍bhicārasaṁyuktamācacakṣe yathāvidhi
One day she attended upon terrible and wrathful ascetic, vow observing Durvāsā, who was learned in the mysteries of religion and well acquainted with truth. She, with all possible care, gratified that self controlled ascetic.
uvāca caināṁ bhagavānprīto ̍smi subhage tava
yaṁ yaṁ devaṁ tvametena mantreṇāvāhayiṣyasi
Ilustrious man said: O fortunate girl! I am much pleased with you! To those of celestials whom you will call by this Mantra, that I teach you.
tasya tasya prasādāttvaṁ devi putrāñjaniṣyasi
evamuktā ca sā bālā tadā kautūhalānvitā
They will instantly come and by their grace you will give birth to an offspring!
Thus addressed that girl, being much curious to see the effect of Mantra.
kanyā satī devamarkamājuhāva yaśasvinī
prakāśakartā bhagavāṁstasyāṁ garbhaṁ dadhau tadā
Called Sūrya when she was a maid. Illustrious god of light - Sūrya, made her conceive.
ajījanatsutaṁ cāsyāṁ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varam
sakuṇḍalaṁ sakavacaṁ devagarbhaśriyānvitam
And she begot a son, who became the best of all wielders of arms. He was born with coat of arms and a pair of earrings and he looked as handsome as celestial child.
divākarasamaṁ dīptyā cārusarvāṅgabhūṣitam
nigūhamānā jātaṁ vai bandhupakṣabhayāttadā
And as effulgent as sun and every part of his body was well embellished. From the fear of her friends and relatives, privately.
utsasarja jale kuntī taṁ kumāraṁ yaśasvinam
tamutsṛṣṭaṁ jale garbhaṁ rādhābhartā mahāyaśāḥ
She throw that illustrious son into river, was taken up by illustrious husband of Rādhā.
rādhāyāṁ kalpayāmāsa putraṁ so ̍dhirathastadā
cakraturnāmadheyaṁ ca tasya bālasya tāvubhau
dampatīva suṣeṇeti dikṣu sarvāsu viśrutam
saṁvardhamāno balavānsarvāstreṣūttamo ̍bhavat
Adhiratha - husband of Rādhā made child his son and couple then gave him name of vasusena, by and by this name he was known all over the country. As he grew up, he became very strong and excellent in all the use of all weapons.
vedāṅgāni ca sarvāṇi jajāpa jayatāṁ varaḥ
yasminkāle japannāste dhīmānsatyaparākramaḥ
nādeyaṁ brāhmaṇeṣvāsīttasminkāle mahātmanaḥ
tamindro brāhmaṇo bhūtvā putrārthe bhūtabhāvanaḥ
He became the best victor and learned in all Vedāṅgas, When that wise and truthful man was doing his japa, then there was nothing to that high souled man which he could not give to Brāhmaṇas. To do good to his son - Arjuna, illustrious Indra one day assuming the form of Brāhmaṇa.
yayāce kuṇḍale vīraṁ vīraṁ kavacaṁ ca sahāṅgajam
utkṛtya karṇo hyadadatkavacaṁ kuṇḍale tathā
Begged from him his earrings and his natural coat of arms.Removing earrings and the coat of arms from his ear and breast, he gave them ho Indra.
śaktiṁ śakro dadau tasmai vismitaścedamabravīt
devāsura manuṣyāṇāṁ gandharvoragarakṣasām
indra, who was much surprised by his liberality, presented him with a dart and spoke to him thus: Devas, Asuras, gandharvas, Rākṣasas, Uragas or men.
yasminkṣepsyasi durdhaṁrṣaṁ sa eko na bhaviṣyati
purā nāma ca tasyāsīdvasuṣeṇa iti kṣitau
At whomever, O hero, you will hurt this weapon, he will certainly be killed. Pārtha was previously known by the name of Vasusena.
tato vaikartanaḥ karṇaḥ karmaṇā tena so ̍bhavat
āmuktakavaco vīro yastu jajñe mahāyaśāḥ
But his mighty deeds, he was subsequently called Karṇa, because greatly illustrious hero removed his natural coat of Arms from his breast.
sa karṇa iti vikhyātaḥ pṛthāyāḥ prathamaḥ sutaḥ
sa tu sūtakule vīro vavṛdhe rājasattama
He, the eldes Pārtha, was called Karṇa. O best of kings! He thus began to grow up in Sūta caste.
duryodhanasya sacivaṁ mitraṁ śatruvināśanam
divākarasya taṁ viddhi rājannaṁśamanuttamam
yastu nārāyaṇo nāma devadeva sanātanaḥ
tasyāṁśo mānuṣvesīd vāsudevaḥ vāsudevaḥ pratāpavān
Karṇa, the best of kings! Expert in the use of all arms, destroyer of his foes, became friend and counsellor of Duryodhana. Know, he was born of a portion of the sun. Of that god of gods, that everlasting Being, whose name is Nārāyaṇa, powerful Vāsudeva - Kṛṣṇa, was a portion in the world of men.
śeṣasyāṁśaśca nāgasya baladevo mahābalaḥ
sanatkumāraṁ pradyumnaṁ viddhi rājan mahaujasam
evamanye manuṣyendrā bahavoṁ ̍śā divaukasām
jajñire vasudevasya kule kulavivardhanāḥ
Baladeva was a portion of Nāga Śeṣa. O king! Know that greatly energetic Pradyumna was a portion of Sanatkumāra. Thus many dwellers of heaven became great men on Earth, in the race of Vasudeva, thus increasing its glory.
gaṇastvapsarasāṁ yo vai mayā rājan prakīrtitaḥ
tasya bhāgaḥ kṣitau niyogād vāsavasya ha
O king! Apsaras, of whom I have already spoken, were also born on Earth in portions as ordained by Indra.
tāni ṣoḍaśa devīnāṁ sahasrāṇi narādhipa
babhūvurmānuṣe loke vāsudevaparigrahaḥ
śriyastu bhāgaḥ saṁjajñe ratyarthaṁ pṛthivītale
O king! 16,000 portions of these celestial ladies became in the world of men wives of Vāsudeva. A portion of Śrī - Lakṣmī herself, became incarnate on Earth out of love for Nārāyaṇa.
Bhīṣmakasya kule sādhvī rukmiṇī nāma nāmataḥ
draupadī tvatha saṁjajñe śacībhāgādaninditā
drupadasya kule kanyā vedimadhyādaninditā
She was born in the race of Bhīṣmaka and illustrious lady was named Rukmiṇī. Draupadī was born from a portion of Śacī - wife of Indra in the race of Drupada and from the altar of sacrifice.
nātihrasvā na mahatī nīlotpalasugandhinī
padmāyatākṣī suśroṇī svasitāñcitamūrdhajā
She was neither tall nor short, she had the fragrance of blue lotus. Her eyes were like lotus leaves, her thighs were fair and round and her dense massess of hair were black and curly.
sarvalakṣaṇasampūrṇā vaidūryamaṇisannibhā
pañcānāṁ puruṣendrāṇāṁ cittapramathanī rahaḥ
She was endued with all auspicious marks and her complexion was like emerald. She was charmmer of the hearts of 5 kings of men - Pāṇḍavas.
siddhirdhṛtiśca ye devyau pāñcānāṁ mātarau tu te
kuntī mādrī ca jajñāte matistu subalāymajā
Goddesses Siddhi and Dhṛti became the mothers of 5 Pāṇḍavas. Goddess Mati became daughter of Subala Gāndhārī, wife of Dhṛtarāṣṭra.
iti devāsurāṇāṁ te gandharvāpsarasāṁ tathā
aṁśāvataraṇaṁ rājan rākṣasānāṁ ca kīrtitam
ye pṛthivyāṁ samudbhūtā rājāno yuddhadurmadāḥ
mahātmāno yadūnāṁ ca ye jātā vipule kule
brāhmaṇāḥ kṣatriyā vaiśyā mayā te parikīrtitāḥ
dhanyaṁ yaśasyaṁ putrīyamāyuṣyaṁ vijayāvaham
idamaṁśāvataraṇaṁ śrotavyamanasūyatā
Thus, O king, I have described to you the births of Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, Apsaras, Rākṣasas, Those who appeared on Earth as invincible kings. Those illustrious ones who were born in extensive race of Yadus, those who were born as Brāhmaṇas, Kṣatriyas, Vaiśyas, have all been described. This Aṁśāvatāraṇa - accounts of incarnations, which is capable of bestowing wealth, fame, long life, offspring and victory, should be heard with proper frame of mind.
aṁśāvataraṇaṁ śrutvā devagandharvarakṣasām
prabhavāpyayavit prājño na kṛcchreṣvavasīdati
Hearing incarnations of Devas, Asuras, Gandharvas, learned person, thus knowing the mystery of creation, preservation and destruction, does not feel depressed, even in the greatest sorrow.
