Adhiyaye 1 (Part 4/8)
Gobind Gita Translation continued...
If you are new to this series, please read the preface & the previous sections here.
After describing the Pandav side, Sanjay is continuing to explain to Raja Dhritarashtra about how the Kaurav forces look like.
Characters introduced in this section:
Bheesham/Bheekham (Commander of Kauravs; son of King Shantanu), Kripa/Kripacharya (Military Trainer to both Kaurav & Pandav; fought on Kaurav side), Karan (son of the Surya [the Sun]; fought on Kaurav side); Asuthhaamaa/Ashwatthama (son of Dronacharya; fought on Kaurav side); Somdutt & family (fought on Kaurav side).
ਅਵਰ ਰਾਜਾ ਕਹਾ ਲਗ ਕਹੋਂ ॥
About the other princes (Avar Raajaa; referring to Pandav), how can I speak about them anymore? (Kahaa Lag Kahon)
ਮਹਾਂਰਥੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਸਭ ਲਹੋਂ ॥
Simply accept (Laho[n]) that the entire (Sabh) army (Sainaa) is composed of Maharathhi's (one Maharathhhi = someone who can fight against 10,000 archers)
ਅਬ ਜੋ ਸੈਨਾ ਹਮਰੀ ਮੀਤਾ ॥
Now (Ab) about the army (Sainaa) who (Jo) are our allies/Kaurav's (Hamaree Meetaa)
ਤਾਹਿ ਬਖਾਨੋ ਨਿਰਮਲ ਰੀਤਾ ॥੨੭॥
I will tell you about (Taah[i] Bakhaano) their pure ways (Nirmal Reetaa) .
ਪ੍ਰਿਥਮੇ ਤੁਮ ਹੋ ਗੁਰ ਗੋਪਾਲ ॥
Firstly (Prithhmae) You came to be (Tum Ho)! Oh Guru, the Preserver/Raiser of Cows (Gur-Gopaal; Cows don't just mean literal cows... the ones who are defenseless; for example, Gau-Gareeb di Rakhiya Karnwala, the one who takes care of the Innocent & Defenseless; The Entire Universe is under the Protection & Command of Akaal Purakh)
ਦ੍ਰੋਣਾਚਾਰਜ ਮਹਾਂ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਲ ॥
Dronacharya (Dronchaaraaj) is greatly merciful/blessing-bestower (Mahaa[n]-Kripaal; Dronacharya trained both of the Kaurav's & Pandav's, through his training such great warriors were produced)
ਅਉਰ ਭੀਖਮ ਅਰੁ ਕ੍ਰਿਪਾਚਾਰਜ ॥
and (Aour) there is also Bheesham (Bheekham) and Kripacharya (Ar[u] Kripaachaaraj).
ਕਰਨ ਅਸੁਥਾਮਾ ਹੈਂ ਸੁਭ ਕਾਰਜ ॥੨੮॥
Karan, Ashwathhamaa are (Karn Asuthhaamaa Hai[n]) great students (Subh Kaaraj; great works/doings/tasks, meaning Dronacharya taught them well)
ਅਰ ਸੋਮਦਤ ਤੇ ਆਦਿ ਜੋ ਦੇਖੋ ॥
... and there is Somdutt among other great warriors (Ar Somdat Tae Aad[i]) that are seen (Jo Daekho)
ਮੋ ਨਿਮਿਤ ਪ੍ਰਾਨ ਤਿਆਗੇ ਪੇਖੋ ॥
Let us see what causes me (Sanjay referring to himself) to let go of my life-force/breaths (Mo Nimit Praan Tiaagae Paekho; don't assess me as a warrior, who knows how I am going to die)
ਜੋ ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਵਿਦਿਆ ਮਾਹਿ ਪ੍ਰਬੀਨ ॥
Of those who are well-versed in shastar vidya (Jo Sastr Vidhiaa Maah[i] Prabeen)
ਯਾਰਹ ਖੂਹਨੀ ਹਮ ਸੰਗ ਚੀਨ ॥੨੯॥
...we have 11 Khoohani (Yaarah KhoohaNee; KhoohaNi refers to a specific military unit; 1 Khoohani = 21,870 Elephants, 21,870 Chariots, 65,610 Horses & 108,350 foot soldiers [total of 218,700 strong], 11 KhoohaNi = 2,405,700) that share our Nishaan (Ham Sung Cheen; fighting on our side).
ਹਮਰਾ ਬਖਸੀ ਭੀਖਮ ਜਾਨੋ ॥
Understand that Bheesham is our military strategist (Hamraa Bakhshee Bheekham Jaano; Bakshee does khoj/reconnaissance and divides work in army)
ਤਿਸਕੀ ਪ੍ਰੀਤ ਪਾਂਡ ਸੰਗ ਮਾਨੋ ॥
Accept that his love is with the Paandav's (Tiskee Preet Paand Sa[n]g Maano; Bheesham did not want to kill any of the Paandav's because he was their grand uncle)
ਯਿਹ ਬਿਧ ਯਾਰਹ ਖੂਹਨੀ ਥੋਰੀ ॥
In this way (Yih Bidhh), 11 Khoohani is not enough (Yaarah Khoohanee Thhoree)
ਸਾਤ ਖੂਹਨੀ ਪਾਂਡਵ ਬਹੁ ਜੋਰੀ ॥੩੦॥
The 7 Khoohani (Saat Khoohanee) of the Paandav are really powerful! (Paandav Bah[u] Joree)
ਤਿਨਕਾ ਬਖਸੀ ਭੀਮ ਬਲੀ ਹੈ ॥
Their Military Strategist Bheem (Tinkaa Bakhsee Bheem) is very strong (Balee Hai).
ਤਿਨ ਸੌ ਸਗਲੀ ਧਰਤਿ ਹਿਲੀ ਹੈ ॥
From him (Tin Sau), the entire earth/land has shaken (Saglee Dhharat[i] Hilee Hai; pretty much causes earth quakes)
ਤਬ ਦੁਰਜੋਧਨ ਮੁਖੋ ਬਖਾਨਿਓ ॥
Then Durjodhan said from his mouth (Tab Durjodhhan Mukho Bakhaanio):
ਹਮਰੀ ਸੈਨਾ ਸਭ ਪਹਿਚਾਨੋ ॥ ੩੧॥
Know the following about all of my forces (Hamree Sainaa Sabh Pahichaano)...
ਅਪਨੇ ਅਪਨੇ ਮੋਰਚਿਓ ਮਾਹੀ ॥
... At each & everyone's (Apnae Apnae ... Maahee) strategic military posts (Morchio)
ਸਸਤ੍ਰ ਮਾਰਗ ਸਭ ਬੰਦ ਕਰਾਹੀ ॥
Everyone is shastardhari (Sastar Maarag; In the way of weapons ... Sabh Band Karaahee: everyone has become fortified)
ਸਭ ਭੀਖਮ ਕੀ ਰਖਿਆ ਕਰੋ ॥
Every one of these warriors will protect/take care of Bheesham (Sabh Bheekham Kee Rakhiaa Karo; military leaders command and if their armies don't listen then they will fail... by taking care of Bheesham, it means to be dutiful warriors)
ਭੀਖਮ ਬਚਨ ਚਿਤ ਪਰ ਧਰੋ ॥੩੨॥
They just have to pay attention carefully to Bheesham's instructions (Bheekham Bachan Chit Par Dhharo; Remember Bheesham’s bachans in your mind).
–
It may seem like a slow start but you need to know the setting & the context of the spiritual discussions and military strategy which occurs in Gobind Gita. In the next section, the discussion between Sri Krishna Ji and Arjun is about to begin!
I am a beggar of forgiveness, please correct any mistakes. These sets of translations are a humble offering in Your Feet Guru Khalsa Panth Sahib Ji. Bless this poor daas with your aseesa.
~Aaeenaa
