Sanjaya

Sanjaya said: Thus have I heard this wondrous dialogue between Vasudeva and the great-souled Partha — one that makes the hair on the body stand on end.

By the grace of Vyasa I heard this supreme secret, this yoga, directly from Krishna, the Lord of yoga, speaking it Himself.

O King, as I recall again and again this sacred and wondrous dialogue between Keshava and Arjuna, I am filled with joy again and again.

And as I recall again and again that most wondrous form of Hari, O King, I am struck with great awe, and I rejoice again and again.

Wherever the Lord of yoga, Krishna, and wherever Partha, the archer, are together — there, I am certain, dwell prosperity, victory, abundance, and sound counsel.

If a thousand suns were to rise simultaneously in the sky, that radiance might perhaps resemble the brilliance of that great Soul.

Sanjaya said: Seeing the Pandava army arrayed in battle formation, King Duryodhana then approached his teacher and spoke these words.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus on the battlefield, Arjuna sank down upon the seat of the chariot, setting aside his bow and arrows, his mind overwhelmed with sorrow.

Sanjaya said: To him who was thus overwhelmed with compassion, whose eyes were filled with tears and clouded with distress, Madhusudana spoke these words.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken thus to Hrishikesha, the mighty Gudakesha said to Govinda, 'I shall not fight,' and fell silent.

Sanjaya said: Thus addressed by Gudakesha, O Bharata, Hrishikesha steered that finest of chariots and halted it between the two armies.

There Partha saw standing before him fathers, grandfathers, teachers, uncles, brothers, sons, grandsons, and friends as well.

O Bharata, Hrishikesha, as if smiling, spoke these words to him who sat despondent between the two armies.

Sañjaya said: Having spoken thus, O King, the great Lord of Yoga, Hari, then revealed to the son of Pṛthā His supreme sovereign form.

There and then the Pāṇḍava beheld the entire universe, divided in many ways, yet standing as one in the body of the God of gods.

Then Dhanañjaya, overwhelmed with amazement, his hair standing on end, bowed his head before the God and spoke with joined palms.

Sanjaya said: Having heard these words of Keshava, the crown-bearing Arjuna, trembling and with palms joined, bowed down again and spoke to Krishna in a voice choked with emotion, overwhelmed with fear.

Sanjaya said: Having spoken these words to Arjuna, Vasudeva again revealed his own form, and the great-souled one, resuming his gentle appearance, consoled that frightened Arjuna.

To lift his spirits, the glorious grandsire of the Kurus — the elder patriarch — let out a mighty lion's roar and blew his conch with great power.

Then all at once conches, kettledrums, tabors, trumpets and horns were sounded together, and the uproar was tumultuous.