srimahabharat - (Book 6) Bhishma Parva - chapters 98 to 110

The Mahabharat

Book 6
Chapter 98

1 [dhṛ]
      kathaṃ droṇo maheṣvāsaḥ pāṇḍavaś ca dhanaṃjayaḥ
      samīyatū raṇe śūrau tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  2 priyo hi pāṇḍavo nityaṃ bhāradvājasya dhīmataḥ
      ācāryaḥś ca raṇe nityaṃ priyaḥ pārthasya saṃjaya
  3 tāv ubhau rathinau saṃkhye dṛptau siṃhāv ivotkaṭau
      kathaṃ samīyatur yuddhe bhāradvāja dhanaṃjayau
  4 [s]
      na droṇaḥ samare pārthaṃ jānīte priyam ātmanaḥ
      kṣatradharmaṃ puraskṛtya pārtho vā gurum āhave
  5 na kṣatriyā raṇe rājan varjayanti parasparam
      nirmaryādaṃ hi yudhyante pitṛbhir bhrātṛbhiḥ saha
  6 raṇe bhārata pārthena droṇo viddhas tribhiḥ śaraiḥ
      nācintayata tān bāṇān pārtha cāpacyutān yudhi
  7 śaravṛṣṭya punaḥ pārthaś chādayām āsa taṃ raṇe
      prajajvāla ca roṣeṇa gahane 'gnir ivotthitaḥ
  8 tato 'rjunaṃ raṇe droṇaḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
      vārayām āsa rājendra nacirād iva bhārata
  9 tato duryodhano rājā suśarmāṇam acodayat
      droṇasya samare rājan pārṣṇigrahaṇa kāraṇāt
  10 trigartarāḍ api kruddho bhṛśam āyamya kārmukam
     chādayām āsa samare pārthaṃ bāṇair ayomukhaiḥ
 11 tābhyāṃ muktāḥ śarā rājann antarikṣe virejire
     haṃsā iva mahārāja śaratkāle nabhastale
 12 te śarāḥ prāpya kaunteyaṃ samastā viviśuḥ prabho
     phalabhāra nataṃ yadvat svādu vṛkṣaṃ vihaṃgamāḥ
 13 arjunas tu raṇe nādaṃ vinadya rathināṃ varaḥ
     trigartarājaṃ samare saputraṃ vivyadhe śaraiḥ
 14 te vadhyamānāḥ pārthena kāleneva yugakṣaye
     pārtham evābhyavartanta maraṇe kṛtaniścayāḥ
     mumucuḥ śaravṛṣṭiṃ ca pāṇḍavasya rathaṃ prati
 15 śaravṛṣṭiṃ tatas tāṃ tu śaravarṣeṇa pāṇḍavaḥ
     pratijagrāha rājendra toyavṛṣṭim ivācalaḥ
 16 tatrādbhutam apaśyāma bībhatsor hastalāghavam
     vimuktāṃ bahubhiḥ śūraiḥ śastravṛṣṭiṃ durāsadam
 17 yad eko vārayām āsa māruto 'bhragaṇān iva
     karmaṇā tena pārthasya tutuṣur devadānavāḥ
 18 atha kruddho raṇe pārthas trigartān prati bhārata
     mumocāstraṃ mahārāja vāyavyaṃ pṛtanā mukhe
 19 prādurāsīt tato vāyuḥ kṣobhayāṇo nabhastalam
     pātayan vai tarugaṇān vinighnaṃś caiva sainikān
 20 tato droṇo 'bhivīkṣyaiva vāyavyāstraṃ sudāruṇam
     śailam anyan mahārāja ghoram astraṃ mumoca ha
 21 droṇena yudhi nirmukte tasminn astre mahāmṛdhe
     praśaśāma tato vāyuḥ prasannāś cābhavan diśaḥ
 22 tataḥ pāṇḍusuto vīras trigartasya rathavrajān
     nirutsāhān raṇe cakre vimukhān viparākramān
 23 tato duryodhano rājā kṛpaś ca rathināṃ varaḥ
     aśvatthāmā tataḥ śalyaḥ kāmbojaś ca sudakṣiṇaḥ
 24 vindānuvindāv āvantyau bāhlikaś ca sa bāhlikaḥ
     mahatā rathavaṃśena pārthasyāvārayan diśaḥ
 25 tathaiva bhagadattaś ca śrutāyuś ca mahābalaḥ
     gajānīkena bhīmasya tāv avārayatāṃ diśaḥ
 26 bhūriśravāḥ śalaś caiva saubalaś ca viśāṃ pate
     śaraughair vividhais tūrṇaṃ mādrīputrāv avārayan
 27 bhīṣmas tu sahitaḥ sarvair dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikaiḥ
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ samāsādya sarvataḥ paryavārayat
 28 āpatantaṃ gajānīkaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārtho vṛkodaraḥ
     lelihan sṛkkiṇī vīro mṛgarāḍ iva kānane
 29 tatas tu rathināṃ śreṣṭho gadāṃ gṛhya mahāhave
     avaplutya rathāt tūrṇaṃ tava sainyam abhīṣayat
 30 tam udīkṣya gadāhastaṃ tatas te gajasādinaḥ
     parivavrū raṇe yattā bhīmasenaṃ samantataḥ
 31 gamamadhyam anuprāptaḥ pāṇḍavaś ca vyarājata
     meghajālasya mahato yathā madhyagato raviḥ
 32 vyadhamat sa gajānīkaṃ gadayā pāṇḍavarṣabhaḥ
     mahābhrajālam atulaṃ mātariśveva saṃtatam
 33 te vadhyamānā balinā bhīmasenena dantinaḥ
     ārtanādaṃ raṇe cakrur garjanto jaladā iva
 34 bahudhā dāritaś caiva viṣāṇais tatra dantibhiḥ
     phullāśoka nibhaḥ pārthaḥ śuśubhe raṇamūrdhani
 35 viṣāṇe dantinaṃ gṛhya nirviṣāṇam athākarot
     viṣāṇena ca tenaiva kumbhe 'bhyāhatya dantinam
     pātayām āsa samare daṇḍahasta ivāntakaḥ
 36 śoṇitāktāṃ gadāṃ bibhran medo majjā kṛtacchaviḥ
     kṛtāṅgadaḥ śoṇitena rudravat pratyadṛśyata
 37 evaṃ te vadhyamānās tu hataśeṣā mahāgajāḥ
     prādravanta diśo rājan vimṛdnantaḥ svakaṃ balam
 38 dravadbhis tair mahānāgaiḥ samantād bharatarṣabha
     duryodhana balaṃ sarvaṃ punar āsīt parān ukham

SECTION XCVIII

Sanjaya said, "Then king Duryodhana, and Sakuni the son of Suvala, and thy son Dussasana, and the invincible Suta's son (Karna) meeting together, consulted in the following way. How could the sons of Pandu, with their followers, be vanquished in battle? Even this was the subject of their consultation. Then king Duryodhana, addressing the Suta's son and the mighty Sakuni, said unto all those counsellors of his, 'Drona, Bhishma, and Kripa, and Salya and Somadatta's son do not resist the Parthas. I do not know what the cause is of such conduct (of theirs). Unslain by any of these, the Pandavas are destroying my forces. Therefore, O Karna, I am becoming weaker in strength and my weapons also are being exhausted'. I am deceived by the heroic Pandavas--they that are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods. Doubt filleth my mind as to
p. 245
how, indeed, I shall succeed is smiting them in battle.' Unto the king who said so, O great monarch, the Suta's son answered, 'Do not grieve, O chief of the Bharata. Even I will do what is agreeable to thee. Let Santanu's son Bhishma soon withdraw from the great battle. After Ganga's son will have withdrawn from the fight and laid aside his weapons, I will slay the Partha along with all the Somakas, in the very sight of Bhishma. I pledge my truth, O king. Indeed, Bhishma every day showeth mercy towards the Pandavas. He is, besides incapable of vanquishing those mighty car-warriors. Bhishma is proud of showing his prowess in battle. He is again, very fond of fight. Why, O sire, will he, therefore, vanquish the assembled Pandavas (for then the battle will be over)? Therefore, repairing without delay to the tent of Bhishma, solicit that old and reverend signior to lay aside his weapons. After he will have laid aside his weapons, O Bharata, think the Pandavas as already slain, with all their friends and kinsmen, O king, by myself alone.' Thus addressed by Karna, thy son Duryodhana then said unto his brother Dussasana these words, 'See, O Dussasana, that without delay that all who walk in my train be dressed.' Having said these words, O monarch, the king addressed Karna, saying, 'Having caused Bhishma, that foremost of men, to consent to this, I will, without delay, come to thee, O chastiser of foes. After Bhishma will have retired from the fight, thou wilt smite (the foe) in battle'. Then thy son, O monarch, set out without delay, accompanied by his brothers like He of a hundred sacrifices (accompanied) by the gods. Then his brother Dussasana caused that tiger among king, endued, besides, with the prowess of a tiger, to mount on his horse. Graced with bracelets, with diadem on head, and adorned with other ornaments on his arms. O king, thy son shone brightly as he proceeded along the streets. Smeared with fragrant sandal-paste of the hue of the Bhandi flower and bright as burnished gold, and clad in clean vestments, and proceeding with the sportive gait of the lion, Duryodhana looked beautiful like the Sun of brilliant radiance in the firmament. And as that tiger among men proceeded towards the tent of Bhishma, many mighty bowmen, celebrated over the world, followed him behind. And his brothers also walked in his train, like the celestials walking behind Vasava. And others, foremost of men, mounted upon steeds, and others again on elephants, O Bharata, and others on cars, surrounded him on all sides. And many amongst those that wished him well, taking up arms for the protection on his royal self, appeared there in large bodies, like the celestials surrounding Sakra in heaven. The mighty chief of the Kurus, adored by all the Kauravas, thus proceeded, O king, towards the quarters of the renowned son of Ganga. Ever followed and surrounded, by his uterine brothers, he proceeded, often raising his right arm, massive and resembling the trunk of an elephant and capable of resisting all foes. And with that arm of his, he accepted the regards that were paid to him from all sides by by-standers who stood raising towards him their joined hands. And he heard, as he journeyed, the sweet voices of the natives of diverse
p. 246
realms. Of great fame, he was eulogised by bards and eulogists. And in return that great king paid his regards unto them all. And many high-souled persons stood around him with lighted lamps of gold fed with fragrant oil. And surrounded with golden lamps, the king looked radiant like the Moon attended by the blazing planets around him. And (attendants) with head-gears decked with gold, having canes and Jhariharas in hand, softly caused the crowd all around to make way. The king then, having reached the excellent quarters of Bhishma, alighted from his horse. And arrived at Bhishma's presence, that ruler of men saluted Bhishma and then sat himself down on an excellent seat that was made of gold, beautiful throughout and overlaid with a rich coverlet. With hands joined, eyes bathed in tears, and voice chocked in grief, he then addressed Bhishma, saying, 'Taking thy protection, this battle, O slayer of foes, we ventured to vanquish the very gods and the Asuras with Indra at their head. What shall I say, therefore, of the sons of Pandu, heroic though they be, with their kinsmen and friends? Therefore, O son of Ganga, it behoveth thee, O lord, to show me mercy. Slay the brave sons of Pandu like Mahendra slaying the Danavas.--I will slay, O king, all the Somakas and the Panchalas and the Karushas along with the Kekayas, O Bharata-these were thy words to me. Let these words become true. Slay the assembled Parthas, and those mighty bowmen, viz., the Somakas. Make thy words true, O Bharata. If from kindness (for the Pandavas), O king, or from thy hatred of my unfortunate self, thou sparest the Pandavas, then permit Karna, that ornament of battle, to fight. He will vanquish in battle the Parthas with all their friends and kinsmen. The king, thy son Duryodhana having said this, shut his lips without saying anything more to Bhishma of terrible prowess."

Book 6
Chapter 99

1 [s]
      madhyāhne tu mahārāja saṃgrāmaḥ samapadyata
      lokakṣayakaro raudro bhīṣmasya saha somakaiḥ
  2 gāṅgeyo rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm
      vyadhaman niśitair bāṇaiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
  3 saṃmamarda ca tat sainyaṃ pitā devavratas tava
      dhānyānām iva lūnānāṃ prakaraṃ gogaṇā iva
  4 dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca virāṭo drupadas tathā
      bhīṣmam āsādya samare śarair jaghnur mahāratham
  5 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ tato viddhvā virāṭaṃ ca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ
      drupadasya ca nārācaṃ preṣayām āsa bhārata
  6 tena viddhā maheṣvāsā bhīṣmeṇāmitrakarśinā
      cukrudhuḥ samare rājan pādaspṛṣṭā ivoragāḥ
  7 śikhaṇḍī taṃ ca vivyādha bharatānāṃ pitāmaham
      strīmayaṃ manasā dhyātvā nāsmai prāharad acyutaḥ
  8 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu samare krodhād agnir iva jvalan
      pitāmahaṃ tribhir bāṇair bāhvor urasi cārpayat
  9 drupadaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā virāṭo daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
      śikhaṇḍī pañcaviṃśatyā bhīṣmaṃ vivyādha sāyakaiḥ
  10 so 'tividdho mahārāja bhīṣmaḥ saṃkhye mahātmabhiḥ
     vasante puṣpaśabalo raktāśoka ivābabhau
 11 tān pratyavidhyad gāṅgeyas tribhis tribhir ajihmagaiḥ
     drupadasya ca bhallena dhanuś ciccheda māriṣa
 12 so 'nyat kārmukam ādāya bhīṣmaṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
     sārathiṃ ca tribhir bāṇaiḥ suśitai raṇamūrdhani
 13 tato bhīmo mahārāja draupadyāḥ pañca cātmajāḥ
     kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca sātyakiś caiva sātvataḥ
 14 abhyadravanta gāṅgeyaṃ yudhiṣṭhira hitepsayā
     rirakṣiṣantaḥ pāñcālyaṃ dhṛṭa dyumna mukhan raṇe
 15 tathaiva tāvakāḥ sarve bhīṣmarakṣārtham udyatāḥ
     pratyudyayuḥ pāṇḍusenāṃ saha sainyā narādhipa
 16 tatrāsīt sumahad yuddhaṃ tava teṣāṃ ca saṃkulam
     narāśvarathanāgānāṃ yama rāṣṭravivardhanam
 17 rathī rathinam āsādya prāhiṇod yamasādanam
     tathetarān samāsādya naranāgāśvasādinaḥ
 18 anayan paralokāya śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     astraiś ca vividhair ghorais tatra tatra viśāṃ pate
 19 rathāś ca rathibhir hīnā hatasārathayas tathā
     vipradrutāśvāḥ samare diśo jagmuḥ samantataḥ
 20 mardamānā narān rājan hayāṃś ca subahūn raṇe
     vātāyamānā dṛśyante gandharvanagaropamāḥ
 21 rathinaś ca rathair hīnā varmiṇas tejasā yutāḥ
     kuṇḍaloṣṇīṣiṇaḥ sarve niṣkāṅgadavibhūṣitāḥ
 22 devaputrasamā rūpo śaurye śakrasamā yudhi
     ṛddhyā vaiśravaṇaṃ cāti nayena ca bṛhaspatim
 23 sarvalokeśvarāḥ śūrās tatra tatra viśāṃ pate
     vipradrutā vyadṛśyanta prākṛtā iva mānavāḥ
 24 dantinaś ca naraśreṣṭha vihīnā varasādibhiḥ
     mṛdnantaḥ svāny anīkāni saṃpetuḥ sarvaśabdagāḥ
 25 varmabhiś cāmaraiś chatraiḥ patākābhiś ca māriṣa
     kakṣyābhir atha tottraiś ca ghaṇṭābhis tomarais tathā
 26 viśīrṇair vipradhāvanto dṛśyante sma diśo daśa
     nagameghapratīkāśair jaladodaya nisvanaiḥ
 27 tathaiva dantibhir hīnān gajārohān viśāṃ pate
     pradhāvanto 'nvapaśyāma tava teṣāṃ ca saṃkule
 28 nānādeśasamutthāṃś ca turagān hemabhūṣitān
     vātāyamānān adrākṣaṃ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 29 aśvārohān hatair aśvair gṛhītāsīn samantataḥ
     dravamāṇān apaśyāma drāvyamāṇāṃś ca saṃyuge
 30 gajo gajaṃ samāsādya dravamāṇaṃ mahāraṇe
     yayau vimṛdnaṃs tarasā padātīn vājinas tathā
 31 tathaiva ca rathān rājan saṃmamarda raṇe gajaḥ
     rathaś caiva samāsādya padātiṃ turagaṃ tathā
 32 vyamṛdnāt samare rājaṃs turagāṃś ca narān raṇe
     evaṃ te bahudhā rājan pramṛdnantaḥ parasparam
 33 tasmin raudre tathā yuddhe vartamāne mahābhaye
     prāvartata nadī ghorā śoṇitāntra taraṅgiṇī
 34 asthi saṃcayasaṃghāṭā keśaśaivalaśādvalā
     rathahradā śarāvartā hayamīnā durāsadā
 35 śīrṣopala samākīrṇā hastigrāhasamākulā
     kavacoṣṇīṣa phenāḍhyā dhanur dvīpāsi kacchapā
 36 patākādhvajavṛkṣāḍhyā martyakūlāpahāriṇī
     kravyādasaṃghasaṃkīrṇā yama rāṣṭravivardhinī
 37 tāṃ nadīṃ kṣatriyāḥ śūrā hayanāgarathaplavaiḥ
     praterur bahavo rājan bhayaṃ tyaktvā mahāhave
 38 apovāha raṇe bhīrūn kaśmalenābhisaṃvṛtān
     yathā vaitaraṇī pretān pretarājapuraṃ prati
 39 prākrośan kṣatriyās tatra dṛṣṭvā tad vaiśasaṃ mahat
     duryodhanāparādhena kṣayaṃ gacchanti kauravāḥ
 40 guṇavatsu kathaṃ dveṣaṃ dhārtarāṣṭro janeśvaraḥ
     kṛtavān pāṇḍuputreṣu pāpātmā lobhamohitaḥ
 41 evaṃ bahuvidhā vācaḥ śrūyante smātra bhārata
     pāṇḍava svata saṃyuktāḥ putrāṇāṃ te sudāruṇāḥ
 42 tā niśamya tadā vācaḥ sarvayodhair udāhṛtāḥ
     āgaskṛt sarvalokasya putro duryodhanas tava
 43 bhīṣmaṃ droṇaṃ kṛpaṃ caiva śalyaṃ covāca bhārata
     yudhyadhvam anahaṃkārāḥ kiṃ ciraṃ kurutheti ca
 44 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
     akṣadyūtakṛtaṃ rājan sughoraṃ vaiśasaṃ tadā
 45 yat purā na nigṛhṇīṣe vāryamāṇo mahātmabhiḥ
     vaicitravīrya tasyedaṃ phalaṃ paśya tathāvidham
 46 na hi pāṇḍusutā rājan sa sainyāḥ sapadānugāḥ
     rakṣanti samare prāṇān kauravā vā viśāṃ pate
 47 etasmāt kāraṇād ghoro vartate sma janakṣayaḥ
     daivād vā puruṣavyāghra tava cāpanayān nṛpa

SECTION XCIX

Sanjaya said, "The high-souled Bhishma, deeply pierced with wordy daggers by thy son, became filled with great grief. But he said not a single disagreeable word in reply. Indeed, mangled by those wordy daggers and filled with grief and rage, he sighed like a snake and reflected (in silence) for a long while. Raising his eyes then, and as if consuming, from wrath, the world with the celestials, the Asuras, and the Gandharvas, that foremost of persons conversant with the world, then addressed thy son and said unto him these tranquil words, 'Why, O Duryodhana, dost thou pierce me thus with thy wordy daggers? I always endeavour to the utmost of my might to achieve, and do achieve, what is for thy good. Indeed, from desire of doing what is agreeable to thee, I am prepared to cast away my life in battle. The Pandavas are
p. 247
really invincible. When the brave son of Pandu gratified Agni in the forest of Khandava, having vanquished Sakra himself in battle, even that is a sufficient indication. 1 When, O mighty-armed one, the same son of Pandu rescued thee while thou wert being led away a captive by the Gandharvas, even that is a sufficient indication. On that occasion, O lord, thy brave uterine brothers had all fled, as also Radha's son of the Suta caste. That (rescue, therefore, by Arjuna) is a sufficient indication. In Virata's city, alone he fell upon all of us united together. That is a sufficient indication. Vanquishing in battle both Drona and myself excited with rage, he took away our robes. That is a sufficient indication. On that occasion, of old, of the seizure of kine, he vanquished that mighty bowman the son of Drona, and Saradwat also. That is a sufficient indication. Having vanquished Karna also who is very boastful of his manliness, he gave the latter's robes unto Uttara. That is a sufficient indication. The son of Pritha defeated in battle the Nivatakavachas who were incapable of defeat by Vasava himself. That is a sufficient indication. Who, indeed, is capable of vanquishing in battle the son of Pandu by force, him, viz., that hath for his protector the Protector of the Universe armed with conch, discus, and mace? Vasudeva is possessed of infinite power, and is the Destroyer of the Universe. He is the highest Lord of all, the God of gods, the Supreme Soul and eternal. He hath been variously described, O king, by Narada and other great Rishis. In consequence of thy folly, however, O Suyodhana, thou knowest not what should be said and what should not. The man on the point of death beholdeth all trees to be made of gold. So thou also, O son of Gandhari, seest everything inverted. Having provoked fierce hostilities with the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, fight now (thyself) with them in battle. Let us see thee act like a man. As regards myself, I will, O tiger among men, slay all the Somakas and the Panchalas assembled together, avoiding Sikhandin alone. Slain by them in battle, I will go to Yama's abode, or slaying them in battle, I will give thee joy. Sikhandin was born in Drupada's palace as female at first. She became a male in consequence of the grant of a boon. After all, however, she is Sikhandini. Him I will not slay even if I have to lose my life, O Bharata. She is the same Sikhandini that the Creator had first made her. Pass the night in happy sleep, O son of Gandhari. Tomorrow I will fight a fierce battle about which men will speak as long as the world lasts.' Thus addressed by him, thy son, O monarch, came away. And saluting his signior with a bow of the head, he came back to his own tent. Coming back, the king dismissed his attendants. And soon then that destroyer of foes entered his abode. And having entered (his tent) the monarch passed the night (in. sleep). And when the night dawned, rising up, the king, ordered all the royal warriors, saying, Draw up the forces. Today Bhishma, excited with wrath, will slay all the Somakas.'
Hearing those copious lamentations of Duryodhana in the night,
p. 248
[paragraph continues] Bhishma regarded them, O king, as commands to himself. Filled with great grief and deprecating the status of servitude, Santanu's son reflected for a long time, thinking of an encounter with Arjuna in battle. Understanding from signs that Ganga's son had been thinking of that, Duryodhana, O king, commanding Dussasana, saying, 'O Dussasana, let cars be quickly appointed for protecting Bhishma. Let all the two and twenty divisions (of our army) be urged on. That hath now come about which we had been thinking for a series of years, viz., the slaughter of the Pandavas with all their troops and the acquisition (by ourselves) of the kingdom. In this matter, I think, the protection of Bhishma is our foremost duty. Protected by us, he will protect us and slay the Parthas in battle. Of cleansed soul, he said unto me,--I will not slay Sikhandini. He was a female before, O king, and, therefore, should be avoided by me in battle. The world knoweth, O thou of mighty arms, that from desire of doing good to my father, I formerly gave up a swelling kingdom. I will not, therefore, slay in battle, O foremost of men, any female or anybody that was a female before. This that I tell thee is true. This Sikhandin, O king, was first born a female. Thou hast heard that story. She was born as Sikhandini after the manner I told thee before the battle began. Taking her birth as a daughter she hath become a man. Indeed, she will fight with me, but I will never shoot my arrows at her. As regards all other Kshatriyas desirous of victory to the Pandavas, O sire, whom I may get within my reach on the field of battle, I will slay them.--These were the words that Ganga's son acquainted with the scriptures, that chief of Bharata's race, said unto me. Therefore, with my whole soul I think that protecting the son of Ganga is our foremost duty. The very wolf may slay the lion left unprotected in the great forest. Let not Ganga's son be slain by Sikhandin like the lion slain by the wolf. Let our maternal uncle Sakuni, and Salya, and Kripa, and Drona, and Vivingsati, carefully protect the son of Ganga. If he is protected, (our) victory is certain.'
"Hearing these words of Duryodhana, all surrounded Ganga's son with a large division of cars. And thy sons also, taking up their position around Bhishma, proceeded to battle. And they all went, shaking the earth and the welkin, and causing fear in the hearts of the Pandavas. The mighty car-warriors (of the Kaurava army), supported by those cars and elephants, and clad in mail, stood in battle, surrounding Bhishma. And all of them took up their positions for protecting that mighty car-warrior like the celestials in the battle between themselves and the Asuras for protecting the wielder of the thunder-bolt. Then king Duryodhana once more addressing his brother, said, 'Yudhamanyu protects the left wheel of Arjuna's car, and Uttamaujas his right wheel. And (thus protected) Arjuna protects Sikhandin. O Dussasana, adopt such steps that, protected by Partha, Sikhandin may not be able to slay Bhishma left unprotected by us.' Hearing these words of his brother, thy son Dussasana, accompanied by the troops, advanced for battle, placing Bhishma in the van. Beholding Bhishma (thus surrounded by a large number of cars), Arjuna, that foremost of car-warriors,
p. 249
addressed Dhrishtadyumna and said, 'O prince, place that tiger among men, Sikhandin, today in front of Bhishma, I myself will be his protector, O prince of Panchala."

Book 6
Chapter 100

1 [s]
      arjunas tu naravyāghra suśarmapramukhān nṛpān
      anayat pretarājasya bhavanaṃ sāyakaiḥ śitaiḥ
  2 suśarmāpi tato bāṇaiḥ pārthaṃ vivyādha saṃyuge
      vāsudevaṃ ca saptatyā pārthaṃ ca navabhiḥ punaḥ
  3 tān nivārya śaraugheṇa śakrasūnur mahārathaḥ
      suśarmaṇo raṇe yodhān prāhiṇod yamasādanam
  4 te vadhyamānāḥ pārthena kāleneva yugakṣaye
      vyadravanta raṇe rājan bhaye jāte mahārathāḥ
  5 utsṛjya turagān ke cid rathān ke cic ca māriṣa
      gajān anye samutsṛjya prādravanta diśo daśa
  6 apare tudyamānās tu vājināra rathā raṇāt
      tvarayā parayā yuktāḥ prādravanta viśāṃ pate
  7 pādātāś cāpi śastrāṇi samutsṛjya mahāraṇe
      nirapekṣā vyadhāvanta tena tena sma bhārata
  8 vāryamāṇāḥ sma bahuśas traigartena suśarmaṇā
      tathānyaiḥ pārthivaśreṣṭhair na vyatiṣṭhanta saṃyuge
  9 tad balaṃ pradrutaṃ dṛṣṭvā putro duryodhanas tava
      puraskṛtya raṇe bhīṣmaṃ sarvasainyapuraskṛtam
  10 sarvodyogena mahatā dhanaṃjayam upādravat
     trigartādhipater arthe jīvitasya viśāṃ pate
 11 sa ekaḥ samare tasthau kiran bahuvidhāñ śarān
     bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ śeṣā vipradrutā narāḥ
 12 tathaiva paṇḍavā rājan sarvodyogena daṃśitāḥ
     prayayuḥ phalgunārthāya yatra bhīṣmo vyavasthitaḥ
 13 jānanto 'pi raṇe śauryaṃ ghoraṃ gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
     hāhākārakṛtotsāhā bhīṣmaṃ jagmuḥ samantataḥ
 14 tatas tāladhvajaḥ śūraḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm
     chādayām āsa samare śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 15 ekībhūtās tataḥ sarve kuravaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
     ayudhyanta mahārāja madhyaṃ prāpte divākare
 16 sātyakiḥ kṛtavarmāṇaṃ viddhvā pañcabhir āyasaiḥ
     atiṣṭhad āhave śūraḥ kiran bāṇān sahasraśaḥ
 17 tathaiva drupado rājā droṇaṃ viddhvā śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     punar vivyādha saptatyā sārathiṃ cāsya saptabhiḥ
 18 bhīmasenas tu rājānaṃ bāhlikaṃ prapitāmaham
     viddhvānadan mahānādaṃ śārdūla iva kānane
 19 ārjuniś citrasenena viddho bahubhir āśugaiḥ
     citrasenaṃ tribhir bāṇair vivyādha hṛdaye bhṛśam
 20 samāgatau tau tu raṇe mahāmātrau vyarocatām
     yathā divi mahāghorau rājan budha śanaiścarau
 21 tasyāśvāṃś caturo hatvā sūtaṃ ca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     nanāda balavan nādaṃ saubhadraḥ paravīrahā
 22 hatāśvāt tu rathāt tūrṇam avaplutya mahārathaḥ
     āruroha rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ durmukhasya viśāṃ pate
 23 droṇaś ca drupadaṃ viddhvā śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     sārathiṃ cāsya vivyādha tvaramāṇaḥ parākramī
 24 pīḍyamānas tato rājā drupado vāhinīmukhe
     apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ pūrvavairam anusmaran
 25 bhīmasenas tu rājānaṃ muhūrād iva bāhlikam
     vyaśva sūta rathaṃ cakre sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ
 26 sa saṃbhramo mahārāja saṃśayaṃ paramaṃ gataḥ
     avaplutya tato vāhād bāhlikaḥ puruṣottamaḥ
     āruroha rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ lakṣmaṇasya mahārathaḥ
 27 sātyakiḥ kṛtavarmāṇaṃ vārayitvā mahārathaḥ
     śārair bahuvidhai rājann āsasāda pitāmaham
 28 sa viddhvā bhārataṃ ṣaṣṭyā niśitair lomavāhibhiḥ
     nanarteva rathopasthe vidhunvāno mahad dhanuḥ
 29 tasyāyasīṃ mahāśaktiṃ cikṣepātha pitāmahaḥ
     hemacitrāṃ mahāvegāṃ nāgakanyopamāṃ śubhām
 30 tām āpatantīṃ sahasā mṛtyukalpāṃ sutejanām
     dhvaṃsayām āsa vārṣṇeyo lāghavena mahāyaśāḥ
 31 anāsādya tu vārṣṇeyaṃ śaktiḥ paramadāruṇā
     nyapatad dharaṇī pṛṣṭhe maholkeva gataprabhā
 32 vārṣṇeyas tu tato rājan svāṃ śaktiṃ ghoradarśanām
     vegavad gṛhya cikṣepa pitāmaha rathaṃ prati
 33 vārṣṇeya bhujavegena praṇunnā sā mahāhave
     abhidudrāva vegena kālarātrir yathā naram
 34 tām āpatantīṃ sahasā dvidhā ciccheda bhārata
     kṣuraprābhyāṃ sutīkṣṇābhyāṃ sānvakīryata bhūtale
 35 chittvā tu śaktiṃ gāṅgeyaḥ sātyakiṃ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     ājaghānorasi kruddhaḥ prahasañ śatrukarśanaḥ
 36 tataḥ sarathanāgāśvāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja
     parivavrū raṇe bhīṣmaṃ mādhavatrāṇakāraṇāt
 37 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam
     pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca samare vijayaiṣiṇām

SECTION C

Sanjaya said, "Then Bhishma, the son of Santanu, went out with the troops. And he disposed his own troops in mighty array called Sarvatobhadra. 1 Kripa, and Kritavarman, and that mighty car-warrior Saivya, and Sakuni, and the ruler of the Sindhus, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, these all, together with Bhishma and thy sons, O Bharata, took up their stations in the van of the whole army and in the very front of the (Kaurava) array. Drona and Bhurisravas and Salya and Bhagadatta, O sire, clad in mail, took up their position in the right wing of that array. And Aswatthaman, and Somadatta, and those great car-warriors, viz., the two princes of Avanti, accompanied by a large force, protected the left wing. Duryodhana, O monarch, surrounded on all sides by the Trigartas, took up, for encountering the Pandavas, a position in the midst of that array. That foremost of car-warriors, viz., Alamvusha, and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Srutayush, clad in mail, took up their position in the rear of that array, and therefore, of the whole army. Having, O Bharata, on that occasion formed their array thus, thy warriors, clad in mail, looked like scorching fires.
"Then king Yudhishthira, and that son of Pandu, viz., Bhimasena, and the twin sons of Madri, viz., Nakula and Sahadeva, clad in mail, took up their position in the van of that array and therefore, at the very head of all their troops. And Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata, and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Satyaki,--these destroyers of hostile ranks,--stood, supported by a large force. And Sikhandin, and Vijaya (Arjuna), and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and Chekitana of mighty arms, and the valiant Kuntibhoja, stood for battle, surrounded by a large force. And that great bowman Abhimanyu, and the mighty Drupada, and the (five) Kaikeya brothers, stood for battle, clad in mail. Having formed their mighty and invincible array thus, the Pandavas, endued with great courage in battle, stood for the fight, clad in mail.
"Then the kings of thy array, O monarch, exerting themselves at their best, accompanied by their forces, and placing Bhishma at their van, rushed against the Parthas in battle. Similarly the Pandavas also, O king,
p. 250
headed by Bhimasena, and desirous of victory in battle proceeded, for battling with Bhishma. With leonine roars and confused cries, blowing their conches Krakachas, and cow-horns, beating their drums and cymbals and Pandavas in thousands. 1 And uttering terrible shouts, the Pandavas advanced to battle. With the din of our drums and cymbals and conches and smaller drums, with loud leonine roars, and other kinds of shouts, ourselves also, replying to the cries of the foe, rushed against him with great impetuosity, inflamed with rage. Those sounds mingling with one another, produced a tremendous uproar. The warriors then, of the two armies, rushing at one another, began to strike. And in consequence of the din produced by that encounter, the earth seemed to tremble. And birds, uttering fierce cries, hovered in the air. The Sun, radiant as he was when he had risen, became dimmed. And fierce winds blew, indicating great terrors. Frightful jackals wandered, yelling terribly, O king, and foreboding an awful carnage at hand. The quarters seemed, O king, to be ablaze, and showers of dust fell from the blue. And a shower fell there, of pieces of bones mixed with blood. And tears fell from the eyes of the animals which were all weeping. And filled with anxiety, O king, these began to urinate and eject the contents of their stomachs. And the loud shouts of battle, O bull of Bharata's race, were rendered inaudible by the louder cries of Rakshasas and cannibals. And jackals and vultures and crows and dogs, uttering diverse kinds of cries, began, O sire, to fall and swoop down on the field. And blazing meteors, striking against the Sun's disc, fell with great celerity on the earth, foreboding great terrors. Then those two vast hosts belonging to the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras, in course of that awful encounter, shook in consequence of that tremendous uproar of conches and drums like forests shaken by the tempest. And the noise made by the two armies, both of which abounded with kings, elephants, and steeds, and which encountered each other in an evil hour, resembled the noise made by oceans tossed by the tempest."

Book 6
Chapter 101

1 [s]
      dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaṃ raṇe kruddhaṃ pāṇḍavair abhisaṃvṛtam
      yathā meghair mahārāja tapānte divi bhāskaram
  2 duryodhano mahārāja duḥśāsanam abhāṣata
      eṣa śūro maheṣvāso bhīṣmaḥ śatruniṣūdanaḥ
  3 chāditaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ śūraiḥ samantād bharatarṣabha
      tasya kāryaṃ tvayā vīra rakṣaṇaṃ sumahātmanaḥ
  4 rakṣyamāṇo hi samare bhīṣmo 'smākaṃ pitāmahaḥ
      nihanyāt samare yattān pāñcālān pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
  5 tatra kāryam ahaṃ manye bhīṣmasyaivābhirakṣaṇam
      goptā hy eṣa maheṣvāso bhīṣmo 'smākaṃ pitāmahaḥ
  6 sa bhavān sarvasainyena parivārya pitāmaham
      samare duṣkaraṃ karma kurvāṇaṃ parirakṣatu
  7 evam uktas tu samare putro duḥśāsanas tava
      parivārya sthito bhīṣmaṃ sainyena mahatā vṛtaḥ
  8 tataḥ śatasahasreṇa hayānāṃ subalātmajaḥ
      vimalaprāsahastānām ṛṣṭitomaradhāriṇām
  9 darpitānāṃ suvegānāṃ balasthānāṃ patākinām
      śikṣitair yuddhakuśalair upetānāṃ narottamaiḥ
  10 nakulaṃ sahadevaṃ ca dharmarājaṃ ca pāṇḍavam
     nyavārayan naraśreṣṭhaṃ parivārya samantataḥ
 11 tato duryodhano rājā śūrāṇāṃ hayasādinām
     ayutaṃ preṣayām āsa pāṇḍavānāṃ nivāraṇe
 12 taiḥ praviṣṭair mahāvegair garutmadbhir ivāhave
     khurāhatā dharā rājaṃś cakampe ca nanāda ca
 13 khuraśabdaś ca sumahān vājināṃ śuśruve tadā
     mahāvaṃśavanasyeva dahyamānasya parvate
 14 utpatadbhiś ca tais tatra samuddhūtaṃ mahad rajaḥ
     divākarapathaṃ prāpya chādayām āsa bhāskaram
 15 vegavadbhir hayais tais tu kṣobhitaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ balam
     nipatadbhir mahāvegair haṃsair iva mahat saraḥ
     heṣatāṃ caiva śabdena na prājñāyata kiṃ cana
 16 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau
     pratyaghnaṃs tarasā vegaṃ samare hayasādinām
 17 udvṛttasya mahārāja prāvṛṭkālena pūryataḥ
     paurṇamāsyām ambuvegaṃ yathā velā mahodadheḥ
 18 tatas te rathino rājañ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     nyakṛntann uttamāṅgāni kāyebhyo hayasādinām
 19 te nipetur mahārāja nihatā dṛḍhadhanvibhiḥ
     nāgair iva mahānāgā yathā syur girigahvare
 20 te 'pi prāsaiḥ suniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     nyakṛntann uttamāṅgāni vicaranto diśo daśa
 21 atyāsannā hayārohā ṛṣṭibhir bharatarṣabha
     acchinann uttamāṅgāni phalānīva mahādrumāt
 22 sa sādino hayā rājaṃs tatra tatra niṣūditāḥ
     patitāḥ pātyamānāś ca śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 23 vadhyamānā hayās te tu prādravanta bhayārditāḥ
     yathā siṃhān samāsādya mṛgāḥ prāṇaparāyaṇāḥ
 24 pāṇḍavās tu mahārāja jitvā śatrūn mahāhave
     dadhmuḥ śaṅkhāṃś ca bherīś ca tāḍayām āsur āhave
 25 tato duryodhano dṛṣṭvā dīnaṃ sainyam avasthitam
     abravīd bharataśreṣṭha madrarājam idaṃ vacaḥ
 26 eṣa pāṇḍusuto jyeṣṭho jitvā mātulamāmakān
     paśyatāṃ no mahābāho senāṃ drāvayate balī
 27 taṃ vāraya mahābāho veleva makarālayam
     tvaṃ hi saṃśrūyase 'tyartham asahya balavikramaḥ
 28 putrasya tava tad vākyaṃ śrutvā śalyaḥ pratāpavān
     prayayau rathavaṃśena yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 29 tad āpatad vai sahasā śalyasya sumahad balam
     mahaughavegaṃ samare vārayām āsa pāṇḍavaḥ
 30 madrarājaṃ ca samare dharmarājo mahārathaḥ
     daśabhiḥ sāyakais tūrṇam ājaghāna stanāntare
     nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca tribhis tribhir ajihmagaiḥ
 31 madrarājo 'pi tān sarvān ājaghāna tribhis tribhiḥ
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ punaḥ ṣaṣṭyā vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     mādrīputrau ca saṃrabdhau dvābhyāṃ dvābhyām atāḍayat
 32 tato bhīmo mahābāhur dṛṣṭvā rājānam āhave
     madrarājavaśaṃ prāptaṃ mṛtyor āsya gataṃ yathā
     abhyadravata saṃgrāme yudhiṣṭhiram amitrajit
 33 tato yuddhaṃ mahāghoraṃ prāvartata sudāruṇam
     aparāṃ diśam āsthāya dyotamāne divākare

SECTION CI

Sanjaya said, "Then the noble Abhimanyu of great energy, borne by his steeds of a tawny hue, rushed at the mighty host of Duryodhana, scattering his arrowy showers like the clouds pouring torrents of rain. O son of Kuru's race, thy warriors, in that battle, were unable to resist that slayer of foes, viz., Subhadra's son, who, excited with wrath and
p. 251
possessed of wealth of arms, was then immersed in that inexhaustible ocean of (Kaurava) forces. Death-dealing shafts, O king, shot by him in that battle, despatched many heroic Kshatriyas to the regions of the king of the departed spirits. Indeed, excited with wrath Subhadra's son in that battle shot fierce and blazing arrows in profusion that resembled snakes of virulent poison or rods of death himself. And Phalguni's son speedily split into fragments car-warriors with their cars, steeds with their riders, and elephant-warriors along with the huge animals they rode. And the rulers of the earth, filled with joy, applauded those mighty feats in battle and praised him also that achieved them. And the son of Subhadra, O Bharata, tossed those divisions (of the Kaurava army) like the tempest tossing a heap of cotton on all sides in the welkin. Routed by him, O Bharata, the troops failed to find a protector, like elephants sunk in a slough. Then, O best of men, having routed all troops, Abhimanyu stood, O king, like a blazing fire without a curl of smoke. Indeed, O king, thy warriors were incapable of bearing that slayer of foes, like insects impelled by fate unable to bear a blazing fire. That mighty car-warrior and great bowman, having struck all the foes of the Pandavas, looked at that moment like Vasava himself armed with the thunder. And his bow, the back of whose staff was decked with gold, as it moved on every side, seemed, O king, like the lightning's flash as it spotted amid the clouds. And well-tempered and sharp shafts came from his bow-string in that battle like flights of bees, O king, from blossoming trees in the forest. And as the high-souled son of Subhadra careered on the field on his car whose limbs were decked with gold, people were incapable of finding an opportunity (for striking him). Confounding Kripa and Drona and mighty son of Drona, as also the ruler of the Sindhus, the great bowman moved on the field of battle with great activity and skill. As he consumed thy troops, O Bharata, I beheld his bow incessantly drawn to a circle and resembling on that account the circular halo of light that is sometimes seen around the Sun. Brave Kshatriyas, beholding him endued with such activity and scorching the foe thus, thought, in consequence of those feats, that the world contained two Phalgunis. Indeed, O king, the vast host of the Bharatas, afflicted by him, reeled hither and thither like a woman drunk with wine. Routing that large army and causing many mighty car-warriors to tremble, he gladdened his friends (like Vasava gladdening the celestials) after vanquishing Maya. And while being routed by him in that battle, thy troops uttered loud exclamations of woe that resembled the roar of the clouds. Hearing that awful wail thy troops, O Bharata, that resembled the roar of the very sea at full tide when agitated by the winds, Duryodhana then, O king, addressed the son of Rishyasringa and said, 'This Abhimanyu singly, O thou of mighty arms, like a second Phalguni, routeth from rage (my) army like Vritra routing the celestial host. I do not see any other efficacious medicine for him in battle than thyself, O best of Rakshasas, that art well-skilled in every science. Therefore, go speedily and slay the heroic son of Subhadra in battle. As regards ourselves, headed by Bhishma and Drona,
p. 252
we will slay Partha himself.' Thus addressed, the mighty and valiant Rakshasa speedily went to battle at the command of thy son, uttering loud roars like the clouds themselves in the season of rains. And in consequence of that loud noise, O king, the vast host of the Pandavas trembled throughout like the ocean when agitated by the wind. And many combatants, O king, terrified by those roars, giving up dear life, fell prostrate on the earth. Filled with joy and taking up his bow with arrow fixed on the string, and apparently dancing on the terrace of his car, that Rakshasa proceeded against Abhimanyu himself. Then the angry Rakshasa, having in that battle got Arjuna's son within reach, began to rout his ranks,--even those that stood not far from him. Indeed, the Rakshasa rushed in battle against that mighty Pandava host which he began to slaughter, like Vala rushing against the celestial host. Attacked in battle by that Rakshasa of terrible mien, the slaughter was very great, O sire, that took place amongst those troops. Exhibiting his prowess, the Rakshasa began to rout that vast force of the Pandavas, with thousands of arrows. Thus slaughtered by that Rakshasa of terrible visage, the Pandava army fled away from excess of fear. Grinding that army like an elephant grinding lotus-stalks, the mighty Rakshasa then rushed in battle against the sons of Draupadi. Then those great bowmen, accomplished in fighting, viz., the sons of Draupadi, rushed towards the Rakshasa in battle like five planets rushing against the Sun. That best of Rakshasa then was afflicted by those brothers endued with great energy, like the Moon afflicted by the five planets of the awful occasion of the dissolution of the world. Then the mighty Prativindhya quickly pierced the Rakshasa with whetted shafts, sharp as battle-axes and furnished with points capable of penetrating every armour. Thereupon that foremost of Rakshasas, with his armour pierced through, looked like a mass of clouds penetrated by the rays of the Sun. Pierced with these shafts furnished with golden wings, Rishyasringa's son, O king, looked resplendent like a mountain with blazing crests. Then those five brothers in that great battle, pierced that foremost of Rakshasas with many whetted shafts of golden wings. Pierced with those terrible shafts resembling angry snakes, Alamvusha, O king, became inflamed with rage like the king of the serpents himself. Deeply pierced, O king, within only a few moments, O sire, by those great car-warriors, the Rakshasa, much afflicted, remained senseless for a long while. Regaining his consciousness then, and swelling through rage to twice his dimensions, he cut off their arrows and standards and bows. And as if smiling the while he struck each of them with five arrows. Then that mighty Rakshasa and great car-warrior, Alamvusha, excited with wrath, and as if dancing on the terrace of his car, quickly slew the steeds, and then the charioteers, of those five illustrious adversaries of his. And burning with rage he once more pierced them with sharp arrows of diverse shades by hundreds and thousands. Then that wanderer of the night, viz., the Rakshasa Alamvusha, having deprived those great bowmen of their cars, rushed impetuously at them, wishing to despatch them to Yama's abode. Beholding them (thus) afflicted in battle by that wicked-souled
p. 253
[paragraph continues] Rakshasa, the son of Arjuna rushed at him. Then the battle that took place between him and the cannibal resembled that between Vritra and Vasava. And the mighty car-warriors of thy army, as also of the Pandavas, all became spectators of that engagement. Encountering each other in fierce battle, blazing with wrath, endued with great might, and with eyes red in rage, each beheld the other in that battle to resemble the Yuga fire. And that engagement between them became fierce and awful like that between Sakra and Samvara in days of old in the battle between the gods and Asuras."

Book 6
Chapter 102

1 saṃjaya uvāca
      tataḥ pitā tava kruddho niśitaiḥ sāyakottamaiḥ
      ājaghāna raṇe pārthān sahasenān samantataḥ
  2 bhīmaṃ dvādaśabhir viddhvā sātyakiṃ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
      nakulaṃ ca tribhir bāṇaiḥ sahadevaṃ ca saptabhiḥ
  3 yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dvādaśabhir bāhvor urasi cārpayat
      dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ tato viddhvā vinanāda mahābalaḥ
  4 taṃ dvādaśārdhair nakulo mādhavaś ca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ
      dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca saptatyā bhīmasenaś ca pañcabhiḥ
      yudhiṣṭhiro dvādaśabhiḥ pratyavidhyat pitāmaham
  5 droṇas tu sātyakiṃ viddhvā bhīmasenam avidhyata
      ekaikaṃ pañcabhir bāṇair yamadaṇḍopamaiḥ śitaiḥ
  6 tau ca taṃ pratyavidhyetāṃ tribhis tribhir ajihmagaiḥ
      tottrair iva mahānāgaṃ droṇaṃ brāhmaṇapuṃgavam
  7 sauvīrāḥ kitavāḥ prācyāḥ pratīcyodīcyamālavāḥ
      abhīṣāhāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayo 'tha vasātayaḥ
      saṃgrāme nājahur bhīṣmaṃ vadhyamānāḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
  8 tathaivānye vadhyamānāḥ pāṇḍaveyair mahātmabhiḥ
      pāṇḍavān abhyavartanta vividhāyudhapāṇayaḥ
      tathaiva pāṇḍavā rājan parivavruḥ pitāmaham
  9 sa samantāt parivṛto rathaughair aparājitaḥ
      gahane 'gnir ivotsṛṣṭaḥ prajajvāla dahan parān
  10 rathāgnyagāraś cāpārcir asiśaktigadendhanaḥ
     śarasphuliṅgo bhīṣmāgnir dadāha kṣatriyarṣabhān
 11 suvarṇapuṅkhair iṣubhir gārdhrapakṣaiḥ sutejanaiḥ
     karṇinālīkanārācaiś chādayām āsa tad balam
 12 apātayad dhvajāṃś caiva rathinaś ca śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     muṇḍatālavanānīva cakāra sa rathavrajān
 13 nirmanuṣyān rathān rājan gajān aśvāṃś ca saṃyuge
     akarot sa mahābāhuḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
 14 tasya jyātalanirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitam ivāśaneḥ
     niśamya sarvabhūtāni samakampanta bhārata
 15 amoghā hy apatan bāṇāḥ pitus te bharatarṣabha
     nāsajjanta tanutreṣu bhīṣmacāpacyutāḥ śarāḥ
 16 hatavīrān rathān rājan saṃyuktāñ javanair hayaiḥ
     apaśyāma mahārāja hriyamāṇān raṇājire
 17 cedikāśikarūṣāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi caturdaśa
     mahārathāḥ samākhyātāḥ kulaputrās tanutyajaḥ
     aparāvartinaḥ sarve suvarṇavikṛtadhvajāḥ
 18 saṃgrāme bhīṣmam āsādya vyāditāsyam ivāntakam
     nimagnāḥ paralokāya sa vājirathakuñjarāḥ
 19 bhagnākṣopaskarān kāṃś cid bhagnacakrāṃś ca sarvaśaḥ
     apaśyāma rathān rājañ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 20 savarūthai rathair bhagnai rathibhiś ca nipātitaiḥ
     śaraiḥ sukavacaiś chinnaiḥ paṭṭiśaiś ca viśāṃ pate
 21 gadābhir musalaiś caiva nistriṃśaiś ca śilīmukhaiḥ
     anukarṣair upāsaṅgaiś cakrair bhagnaiś ca māriṣa
 22 bāhubhiḥ kārmukaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ śirobhiś ca sakuṇḍalaiḥ
     talatrair aṅgulitraiś ca dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ
     cāpaiś ca bahudhā chinnaiḥ samāstīryata medinī
 23 hatārohā gajā rājan hayāś ca hatasādinaḥ
     paripetur drutaṃ tatra śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 24 yatamānāś ca te vīrā dravamāṇān mahārathān
     nāśaknuvan vārayituṃ bhīṣmabāṇaprapīḍitān
 25 mahendrasamavīryeṇa vadhyamānā mahācamūḥ
     abhajyata mahārāja na ca dvau saha dhāvataḥ
 26 āviddharathanāgāśvaṃ patitadhvajakūbaram
     anīkaṃ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ hāhābhūtam acetanam
 27 jaghānātra pitā putraṃ putraś ca pitaraṃ tathā
     priyaṃ sakhāyaṃ cākrande sakhā daivabalātkṛtaḥ
 28 vimucya kavacān anye pāṇḍuputrasya sainikāḥ
     prakīrya keśān dhāvantaḥ pratyadṛśyanta bhārata
 29 tad gokulam ivodbhrāntam udbhrāntarathakuñjaram
     dadṛśe pāṇḍuputrasya sainyam ārtasvaraṃ tadā
 30 prabhajyamānaṃ sainyaṃ tu dṛṣṭvā yādavanandanaḥ
     uvāca pārthaṃ bībhatsuṃ nigṛhya ratham uttamam
 31 ayaṃ sa kālaḥ saṃprāptaḥ pārtha yaḥ kāṅkṣitas tava
     praharāsmai naravyāghra na cen mohāt pramuhyase
 32 yat purā kathitaṃ vīra tvayā rājñāṃ samāgame
     virāṭanagare pārtha saṃjayasya samīpataḥ
 33 bhīṣmadroṇamukhān sarvān dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainikān
     sānubandhān haniṣyāmi ye māṃ yotsyanti saṃyuge
 34 iti tat kuru kaunteya satyaṃ vākyam ariṃdama
     kṣatradharmam anusmṛtya yudhyasva bharatarṣabha
 35 ity ukto vāsudevena tiryagdṛṣṭir adhomukhaḥ
     akāma iva bībhatsur idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 36 avadhyānāṃ vadhaṃ kṛtvā rājyaṃ vā narakottaram
     duḥkhāni vanavāse vā kiṃ nu me sukṛtaṃ bhavet
 37 codayāśvān yato bhīṣmaḥ kariṣye vacanaṃ tava
     pātayiṣyāmi durdharṣaṃ vṛddhaṃ kurupitāmaham
 38 tato 'śvān rajataprakhyāṃś codayām āsa mādhavaḥ
     yato bhīṣmas tato rājan duṣprekṣyo raśmivān iva
 39 tatas tat punar āvṛttaṃ yudhiṣṭhirabalaṃ mahat
     dṛṣṭvā pārthaṃ mahābāhuṃ bhīṣmāyodyantam āhave
 40 tato bhīṣmaḥ kuruśreṣṭhaḥ siṃhavad vinadan muhuḥ
     dhanaṃjayarathaṃ śīghraṃ śaravarṣair avākirat
 41 kṣaṇena sa rathas tasya sahayaḥ sahasārathiḥ
     śaravarṣeṇa mahatā na prajñāyata kiṃ cana
 42 vāsudevas tv asaṃbhrānto dhairyam āsthāya sātvataḥ
     codayām āsa tān aśvān vitunnān bhīṣmasāyakaiḥ
 43 tataḥ pārtho dhanur gṛhya divyaṃ jaladanisvanam
     pātayām āsa bhīṣmasya dhanuś chittvā śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 44 sa cchinnadhanvā kauravyaḥ punar anyan mahad dhanuḥ
     nimeṣāntaramātreṇa sajyaṃ cakre pitā tava
 45 vicakarṣa tato dorbhyāṃ dhanur jaladanisvanam
     athāsya tad api kruddhaś ciccheda dhanur arjunaḥ
 46 tasya tat pūjayām āsa lāghavaṃ śaṃtanoḥ sutaḥ
     sādhu pārtha mahābāho sādhu kuntīsuteti ca
 47 samābhāṣyainam aparaṃ pragṛhya ruciraṃ dhanuḥ
     mumoca samare bhīṣmaḥ śarān pārtharathaṃ prati
 48 adarśayad vāsudevo hayayāne paraṃ balam
     moghān kurvañ śarāṃs tasya maṇḍalāni vidarśayan
 49 śuśubhāte naravyāghrau bhīṣmapārthau śarakṣatau
     govṛṣāv iva saṃrabdhau viṣāṇollikhitāṅkitau
 50 vāsudevas tu saṃprekṣya pārthasya mṛduyuddhatām
     bhīṣmaṃ ca śaravarṣāṇi sṛjantam aniśaṃ yudhi
 51 pratapantam ivādityaṃ madhyam āsādya senayoḥ
     varān varān vinighnantaṃ pāṇḍuputrasya sainikān
 52 yugāntam iva kurvāṇaṃ bhīṣmaṃ yaudhiṣṭhire bale
     nāmṛṣyata mahābāhur mādhavaḥ paravīrahā
 53 utsṛjya rajataprakhyān hayān pārthasya māriṣa
     kruddho nāma mahāyogī pracaskanda mahārathāt
     abhidudrāva bhīṣmaṃ sa bhujapraharaṇo balī
 54 pratodapāṇis tejasvī siṃhavad vinadan muhuḥ
     dārayann iva padbhyāṃ sa jagatīṃ jagatīśvaraḥ
 55 krodhatāmrekṣaṇaḥ kṛṣṇo jighāṃsur amitadyutiḥ
     grasann iva ca cetāṃsi tāvakānāṃ mahāhave
 56 dṛṣṭvā mādhavam ākrande bhīṣmāyodyantam āhave
     hato bhīṣmo hato bhīṣma iti tatra sma sainikāḥ
     krośantaḥ prādravan sarve vāsudevabhayān narāḥ
 57 pītakauśeyasaṃvīto maṇiśyāmo janārdanaḥ
     śuśubhe vidravan bhīṣmaṃ vidyunmālī yathāmbudaḥ
 58 sa siṃha iva mātaṅgaṃ yūtharṣabha ivarṣabham
     abhidudrāva tejasvī vinadan yādavarṣabhaḥ
 59 tam āpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya puṇḍarīkākṣam āhave
     asaṃbhramaṃ raṇe bhīṣmo vicakarṣa mahad dhanuḥ
     uvāca cainaṃ govindam asaṃbhrāntena cetasā
 60 ehy ehi puṇḍarīkākṣa devadeva namo 'stu te
     mām adya sātvataśreṣṭha pātayasva mahāhave
 61 tvayā hi deva saṃgrāme hatasyāpi mamānagha
     śreya eva paraṃ kṛṣṇa loke 'muṣminn ihaiva ca
     saṃbhāvito 'smi govinda trailokyenādya saṃyuge
 62 anvag eva tataḥ pārthas tam anudrutya keśavam
     nijagrāha mahābāhur bāhubhyām parigṛhya vai
 63 nigṛhyamāṇaḥ pārthena kṛṣṇo rājīvalocanaḥ
     jagāma cainam ādāya vegena puruṣottamaḥ
 64 pārthas tu viṣṭabhya balāc caraṇau paravīrahā
     nijaghrāha hṛṣīkeśaṃ kathaṃ cid daśame pade
 65 tata enam uvācārtaḥ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇam
     niḥśvasantaṃ yathā nāgam arjunaḥ paravīrahā
 66 nivartasva mahābāho nānṛtaṃ kartum arhasi
     yat tvayā kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ na yotsyāmīti keśava
 67 mithyāvādīti lokas tvāṃ kathayiṣyati mādhava
     mamaiṣa bhāraḥ sarvo hi haniṣyāmi yatavratam
 68 śape mādhava sakhyena satyena sukṛtena ca
     antaṃ yathā gamiṣyāmi śatrūṇāṃ śatrukarśana
 69 adyaiva paśya durdharṣaṃ pātyamānaṃ mahāvratam
     tārāpatim ivāpūrṇam antakāle yadṛcchayā
 70 mādhavas tu vacaḥ śrutvā phalgunasya mahātmanaḥ
     na kiṃ cid uktvā sakrodha āruroha rathaṃ punaḥ
 71 tau rathasthau naravyāghrau bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavaḥ punaḥ
     vavarṣa śaravarṣeṇa megho vṛṣṭyā yathācalau
 72 prāṇāṃś cādatta yodhānāṃ pitā devavratas tava
     gabhastibhir ivādityas tejāṃsi śiśirātyaye
 73 yathā kurūṇāṃ sainyāni babhañja yudhi pāṇḍavaḥ
     tathā pāṇḍavasainyāni babhañja yudhi te pitā
 74 hatavidrutasainyās tu nirutsāhā vicetasaḥ
     nirīkṣituṃ na śekus te bhīṣmam apratimaṃ raṇe
     madhyaṃ gatam ivādityaṃ pratapantaṃ svatejasā
 75 te vadhyamānā bhīṣmeṇa kāleneva yugakṣaye
     vīkṣāṃ cakrur mahārāja pāṇḍavā bhayapīḍitāḥ
 76 trātāraṃ nādhyagacchanta gāvaḥ paṅkagatā iva
     pipīlikā iva kṣuṇṇā durbalā balinā raṇe
 77 mahārathaṃ bhārata duṣpradharṣaṃ; śaraughiṇaṃ pratapantaṃ narendrān
     bhīṣmaṃ na śekuḥ prativīkṣituṃ te; śarārciṣaṃ sūryam ivātapantam
 78 vimṛdnatas tasya tu pāṇḍusenām; astaṃ jagāmātha sahasraraśmiḥ
     tato balānāṃ śramakarśitānāṃ; mano 'vahāraṃ prati saṃbabhūva

SECTION CII

Dhritarashtra said, "How, O Sanjaya, did Alamvusha resist in combat the heroic son of Arjuna smiting many of our mighty car-warriors in battle? And how also did that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Subhadra, fight with Rishyasringa's son? Tell me all this in detail, exactly as it happened in that fight. What also did Bhima, that foremost of car-warriors, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and Nakula, and Sahadeva and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, and Dhananjaya, do with my troops in battle? Tell me all this truly, O Sanjaya, for thou art skilled (in narration)."
Sanjaya said, "I will presently describe to thee, O sire, the awful battle that took place between that foremost of the Rakshasas and the son of Subhadra. I will also describe to thee the prowess that Arjuna put forth in battle, and Bhimasena the son of Pandu and Nakula, and Sahadeva, as also the warriors of thy army headed by Bhishma and Drona, all of whom fearlessly achieved wonderful feats of diverse kinds, Alamvusha, uttering loud shouts and repeatedly roaring at Abhimanyu, rushed impetuously against that mighty car-warrior in battle, saying, 'Wait, Wait'--Abhimanyu also, repeatedly roaring like a lion, rushed with at great force at that mighty bowman, viz., the son of Rishyasringa, who was an implacable foe of the former's sire. Soon then those two foremost of car-warriors, man and Rakshasa, on their cars, encountered each other, like a god and Danava. That best of Rakshasa were endued with powers of illusion, while Phalguni's son was acquainted with celestial weapons. Then Abhimanyu, O king, pierced Rishyasringa's son in that battle with three sharp shafts and once more with five. Alamvusha, also, excited with wrath, speedily pierced Abhimanyu in the chest with nine shafts like a guide piercing an elephant with hooks. Then, O Bharata, that wanderer of the night, endued with great activity, afflicted Arjuna's son in that combat with a thousand arrows. Then Abhimanyu excited with rage, pierced that prince of the Rakshasas in his wide chest
p. 254
with nine straight shafts of great sharpness. Piercing through his body these penetrated into his very vitals. And that best of Rakshasas, his limbs mangled by them, looked beautiful like a mountain overgrown with flowering Kinsukas. Bearing those shafts of golden wings on his body, that mighty prince of Rakshasas looked radiant like a mountain on fire. Then the vindictive son of Rishyasringa, inflamed with wrath, covered Abhimanyu, who was equal unto Mahendra himself, with clouds of winged arrows. Those sharp shafts resembling the rods of Yama himself, shot by him, pierced Abhimanyu through and entered the earth. And similarly the gold-decked arrows shot by Arjuna's son, piercing Alamvusha through, entered the earth. The son of Subhadra then, in that battle, with his straight shafts, obliged the Rakshasa to turn his back upon the field, like Sakra repulsing Maya in days of old. That scorcher of foes, the Rakshasa, then, thus repulsed and struck repeatedly by his adversary, exhibited his great powers of illusion by causing a thick darkness to set in. Then all the combatants there, O king, were covered by that darkness. Neither could Abhimanyu be seen, nor could friends be distinguished from foes in that battle. Abhimanyu, however, beholding that thick and awful gloom, invoked into existence. O son of Kuru's race, the blazing solar weapon. Thereupon, O king, the universe once more became visible. And thus he neutralised the illusion of that wicked Rakshasa. Then that prince of men, excited with wrath and endued with great energy, covered that foremost of Rakshasa in that battle with many straight shafts. Diverse other kinds of illusion were conjured up there by that Rakshasa. Conversant with all weapons, the son of Phalguni however, neutralised them all. The Rakshasa then, his illusions all destroyed, and himself struck with shafts, abandoned his car even there, and fled away in great fear. After that Rakshasa addicted to unfair fight had been thus vanquished, the son of Arjuna began to grind thy troops in battle, like a juice-blind prince of wild elephants agitating a lake overgrown with lotus. 1 Then Bhishma the son of Santanu, beholding his troops routed, covered Subhadra's son with a thick shower of arrows. Then many mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army, standing in a ring round that single hero, began to strike him forcibly with their shafts. That hero then, who resembled his sire in prowess and who was equal to Vasudeva in valour and might,--that foremost of all wielders of weapons,--achieved diverse feats in that battle that were worthy of both his sire and maternal uncle. Then the heroic Dhananjaya, excited with wrath and desirous of rescuing his son, arrived at the spot where the latter was slaughtering thy troops as he came along. And similarly, O king, thy sire Devavrata in that battle approached Partha like Rahu approaching the sun. 2 Then thy sons, O monarch, supported by cars,
p. 255
elephants, and steeds, surrounded Bhishma in that battle and protected him from every side. And so also the Pandavas, O king, clad in mail and surrounding Dhananjaya, engaged in fierce battle, O bull of Bharata's race. Then Saradwat's son (Kripa), O king, pierced Arjuna who was staying in front of Bhishma, with five and twenty shafts. Thereupon, like a tiger attacking an elephant, Satyaki, approaching Kripa, pierced him with many whetted shafts from desire of doing what was agreeable to the Pandavas. Gautama in return, excited with wrath, quickly pierced him of Madhu's race in the chest with nine arrows winged with the feathers of the Kanka bird. Sini's grandson also, excited with wrath, and forcibly drawing his bow, quickly sped at him an arrow capable of taking his life. The fiery son of Drona, however, excited with wrath, cut in twain that arrow as it coursed impetuously towards Kripa, resembling Indra's bolt in effulgence. Thereupon that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Sini's grandson, abandoning Gautama, rushed in battle towards Drona's son like Rahu in the firmament against the Moon. Drona's son, however, O Bharata, cut Satyaki's bow in twain. After his bow had thus been cut off, the former began to strike the latter with his shafts. Satyaki then, taking up another bow capable of bearing a great strain and slaughtering the foe, struck Drona's son, O king, in the chest and arms with six shafts. Pierced therewith and feeling great pain, for a moment he was deprived of his senses, and he sat down on the terrace of his car, catching hold of his flag-staff. Regaining his consciousness then, the valiant son of Drona, excited with rage afflicted him of Vrishni's race in that battle, with one long shaft. That shaft, piercing Sini's grandson through, entered the earth like a vigorous young snake entering its hole in the season of spring. And with another broad-headed arrow, Drona's son in that battle cut off the excellent standard of Satyaki. And having achieved this feat he uttered a leonine roar. And once more, O Bharata, he covered his adversary with a shower of fierce shafts like the clouds, O king covering the Sun after summer is past, Satyaki also, O monarch, baffling that arrowy shower, soon covered the son of Drona with diverse showers of arrows That slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the grandson of Sini, freed from that arrowy shower like the Sun from the clouds, began to scorch the son of Drona (with his energy). Swelling with rage the mighty Satyaki once more covered his foe with a thousand arrows and uttered a loud shout. Beholding his son then thus afflicted like the Moon by Rahu, the valiant son of Bharadwaja rushed towards the grandson of Sini. Desirous, O king, of rescuing, his son who was afflicted by the Vrishni hero, Drona, in that great battle, pierced the latter with a shaft of exceeding sharpness. Satyaki then, abandoning the mighty car-warrior Aswatthaman, pierced Drona himself in that battle with twenty arrows of exceeding sharpness. Soon after, that scorcher of foes and mighty car-warrior, viz., Kunti's son of immeasurable soul, excited with wrath, rushed in that battle against Drona. Then Drona and Partha encountered each other in fierce combat like the planets Budha and Sukra,
p. 256
[paragraph continues] O king, in the firmament. 1

Book 6
Chapter 103

1 saṃjaya uvāca
      yudhyatām eva teṣāṃ tu bhāskare 'stam upāgate
      saṃdhyā samabhavad ghorā nāpaśyāma tato raṇam
  2 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā saṃdhyāṃ saṃdṛśya bhārata
      vadhyamānaṃ balaṃ cāpi bhīṣmeṇāmitraghātinā
  3 muktaśastraṃ parāvṛttaṃ palāyanaparāyaṇam
      bhīṣmaṃ ca yudhi saṃrabdham anuyāntaṃ mahārathān
  4 somakāṃś ca jitān dṛṣṭvā nirutsāhān mahārathān
      cintayitvā ciraṃ dhyātvā avahāram arocayat
  5 tato 'vahāraṃ sainyānāṃ cakre rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      tathaiva tava sainyānām avahāro hy abhūt tadā
  6 tato 'vahāraṃ sainyānāṃ kṛtvā tatra mahārathāḥ
      nyaviśanta kuruśreṣṭha saṃgrāme kṣatavikṣatāḥ
  7 bhīṣmasya samare karma cintayānās tu pāṇḍavāḥ
      nālabhanta tadā śāntiṃ bhṛśaṃ bhīṣmeṇa pīḍitāḥ
  8 bhīṣmo 'pi samare jitvā pāṇḍavān saha sṛñjayaiḥ
      pūjyamānas tava sutair vandyamānaś ca bhārata
  9 nyaviśat kurubhiḥ sārdhaṃ hṛṣṭarūpaiḥ samantataḥ
      tato rātriḥ samabhavat sarvabhūtapramohinī
  10 tasmin rātrimukhe ghore pāṇḍavā vṛṣṇibhiḥ saha
     sṛñjayāś ca durādharṣā mantrāya samupāviśan
 11 ātmaniḥśreyasaṃ sarve prāptakālaṃ mahābalāḥ
     mantrayām āsur avyagrā mantraniścayakovidāḥ
 12 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā mantrayitvā ciraṃ nṛpa
     vāsudevaṃ samudvīkṣya vākyam etad uvāca ha
 13 paśya kṛṣṇa mahātmānaṃ bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
     gajaṃ nalavanānīva vimṛdnantaṃ balaṃ mama
 14 na caivainaṃ mahātmānam utsahāmo nirīkṣitum
     lelihyamānaṃ sainyeṣu pravṛddham iva pāvakam
 15 yathā ghoro mahānāgas takṣako vai viṣolbaṇaḥ
     tathā bhīṣmo raṇe kṛṣṇa tīṣkṇaśastraḥ pratāpavān
 16 gṛhītacāpaḥ samare vimuñcaṃś ca śitāñ śarān
     śakyo jetuṃ yamaḥ kruddho vajrapāṇiś ca devarāṭ
 17 varuṇaḥ pāśabhṛd vāpi sagado vā dhaneśvaraḥ
     na tu bhīṣmaḥ susaṃkruddhaḥ śakyo jetuṃ mahāhave
 18 so 'ham evaṃ gate kṛṣṇa nimagnaḥ śokasāgare
     ātmano buddhidaurbalyād bhīṣmam āsādya saṃyuge
 19 vanaṃ yāsyāmi durdharṣa śreyo me tatra vai gatam
     na yuddhaṃ rocaye kṛṣṇa hanti bhīṣmo hi naḥ sadā
 20 yathā prajvalitaṃ vahniṃ pataṃgaḥ samabhidravan
     ekato mṛtyum abhyeti tathāhaṃ bhīṣmam īyivān
 21 kṣayaṃ nīto 'smi vārṣṇeya rājyahetoḥ parākramī
     bhrātaraś caiva me śūrāḥ sāyakair bhṛśapīḍitāḥ
 22 matkṛte bhrātṛsauhārdād rājyāt prabhraṃśanaṃ gatāḥ
     parikliṣṭā yathā kṛṣṇā matkṛte madhusūdana
 23 jīvitaṃ bahu manye 'haṃ jīvitaṃ hy adya durlabham
     jīvitasyādya śeṣeṇa cariṣye dharmam uttamam
 24 yadi te 'ham anugrāhyo bhrātṛbhiḥ saha keśava
     svadharmasyāvirodhena tad udāhara keśava
 25 etac chrutvā vacas tasya kāruṇyād bahuvistaram
     pratyuvāca tataḥ kṛṣṇaḥ sāntvayāno yudhiṣṭhiram
 26 dharmaputra viṣādaṃ tvaṃ mā kṛthāḥ satyasaṃgara
     yasya te bhrātaraḥ śūrā durjayāḥ śatrusūdanāḥ
 27 arjuno bhīmasenaś ca vāyvagnisamatejasau
     mādrīputrau ca vikrāntau tridaśānām iveśvarau
 28 māṃ vā niyuṅkṣva sauhārdād yotsye bhīṣmeṇa pāṇḍava
     tvatprayukto hy ahaṃ rājan kiṃ na kuryāṃ mahāhave
 29 haniṣyāmi raṇe bhīṣmam āhūya puruṣarṣabham
     paśyatāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ yadi necchati phalgunaḥ
 30 yadi bhīṣme hate rājañ jayaṃ paśyasi pāṇḍava
     hantāsmy ekarathenādya kuruvṛddhaṃ pitāmaham
 31 paśya me vikramaṃ rājan mahendrasyeva saṃyuge
     vimuñcantaṃ mahāstrāṇi pātayiṣyāmi taṃ rathāt
 32 yaḥ śatruḥ pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ macchatruḥ sa na saṃśayaḥ
     madarthā bhavadarthā ye ye madīyās tavaiva te
 33 tava bhrātā mama sakhā saṃbandhī śiṣya eva ca
     māṃsāny utkṛtya vai dadyām arjunārthe mahīpate
 34 eṣa cāpi naravyāghro matkṛte jīvitaṃ tyajet
     eṣa naḥ samayas tāta tārayema parasparam
     sa māṃ niyuṅkṣva rājendra yāvad dvīpo bhavāmy aham
 35 pratijñātam upaplavye yat tat pārthena pūrvataḥ
     ghātayiṣyāmi gāṅgeyam ity ulūkasya saṃnidhau
 36 parirakṣyaṃ ca mama tad vacaḥ pārthasya dhīmataḥ
     anujñātaṃ tu pārthena mayā kāryaṃ na saṃśayaḥ
 37 atha vā phalgunasyaiṣa bhāraḥ parimito raṇe
     nihaniṣyati saṃgrāme bhīṣmaṃ parapuraṃjayam
 38 aśakyam api kuryād dhi raṇe pārthaḥ samudyataḥ
     tridaśān vā samudyuktān sahitān daityadānavaiḥ
     nihanyād arjunaḥ saṃkhye kim u bhīṣmaṃ narādhipa
 39 viparīto mahāvīryo gatasattvo 'lpajīvitaḥ
     bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo nūnaṃ kartavyaṃ nāvabudhyate
 40 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     evam etan mahābāho yathā vadasi mādhava
     sarve hy ete na paryāptās tava veganivāraṇe
 41 niyataṃ samavāpsyāmi sarvam eva yathepsitam
     yasya me puruṣavyāghra bhavān nātho mahābalaḥ
 42 sendrān api raṇe devāñ jayeyaṃ jayatāṃ vara
     tvayā nāthena govinda kim u bhīṣmaṃ mahāhave
 43 na tu tvām anṛtaṃ kartum utsahe svārthagauravāt
     ayudhyamānaḥ sāhāyyaṃ yathoktaṃ kuru mādhava
 44 samayas tu kṛtaḥ kaś cid bhīṣmeṇa mama mādhava
     mantrayiṣye tavārthāya na tu yotsye kathaṃ cana
     duryodhanārthe yotsyāmi satyam etad iti prabho
 45 sa hi rājyasya me dātā mantrasyaiva ca mādhava
     tasmād devavrataṃ bhūyo vadhopāyārtham ātmanaḥ
     bhavatā sahitāḥ sarve pṛcchāmo madhusūdana
 46 tad vayaṃ sahitā gatvā bhīṣmam āśu narottamam
     rucite tava vārṣṇeya mantraṃ pṛcchāma kauravam
 47 sa vakṣyati hitaṃ vākyaṃ tathyaṃ caiva janārdana
     yathā sa vakṣyate kṛṣṇa tathā kartāsmi saṃyuge
 48 sa no jayasya dātā ca mantrasya ca dhṛtavrataḥ
     bālāḥ pitrā vihīnāś ca tena saṃvardhitā vayam
 49 taṃ cet pitāmahaṃ vṛddhaṃ hantum icchāmi mādhava
     pituḥ pitaram iṣṭaṃ vai dhig astu kṣatrajīvikām
 50 saṃjaya uvāca
     tato 'bravīn mahārāja vārṣṇeyaḥ kurunandanam
     rocate me mahābāho satataṃ tava bhāṣitam
 51 devavrataḥ kṛtī bhīṣmaḥ prekṣitenāpi nirdahet
     gamyatāṃ sa vadhopāyaṃ praṣṭuṃ sāgaragāsutaḥ
     vaktum arhati satyaṃ sa tvayā pṛṣṭo viśeṣataḥ
 52 te vayaṃ tatra gacchāmaḥ praṣṭuṃ kurupitāmaham
     praṇamya śirasā cainaṃ mantraṃ pṛcchāma mādhava
     sa no dāsyati yaṃ mantraṃ tena yotsyāmahe parān
 53 evaṃ saṃmantrya vai vīrāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja
     jagmus te sahitāḥ sarve vāsudevaś ca vīryavān
     vimuktaśastrakavacā bhīṣmasya sadanaṃ prati
 54 praviśya ca tadā bhīṣmaṃ śirobhiḥ pratipedire
     pūjayanto mahārāja pāṇḍavā bharatarṣabha
     praṇamya śirasā cainaṃ bhīṣmaṃ śaraṇam anvayuḥ
 55 tān uvāca mahābāhur bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ
     svāgataṃ tava vārṣṇeya svāgataṃ te dhanaṃjaya
     svāgataṃ dharmaputrāya bhīmāya yamayos tathā
 56 kiṃ kāryaṃ vaḥ karomy adya yuṣmatprītivivardhanam
     sarvātmanā ca kartāsmi yady api syāt suduṣkaram
 57 tathā bruvāṇaṃ gāṅgeyaṃ prītiyuktaṃ punaḥ punaḥ
     uvāca vākyaṃ dīnātmā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 58 kathaṃ jayema dharmajña kathaṃ rājyaṃ labhemahi
     prajānāṃ saṃkṣayo na syāt kathaṃ tan me vadābhibho
 59 bhavān hi no vadhopāyaṃ bravītu svayam ātmanaḥ
     bhavantaṃ samare rājan viṣahema kathaṃ vayam
 60 na hi te sūkṣmam apy asti randhraṃ kurupitāmaha
     maṇḍalenaiva dhanuṣā sadā dṛśyo 'si saṃyuge
 61 nādadānam saṃdadhānaṃ vikarṣantaṃ dhanur na ca
     paśyāmas tvā mahābāho rathe sūryam iva sthitam
 62 narāśvarathanāgānāṃ hantāraṃ paravīrahan
     ka ivotsahate hantuṃ tvāṃ pumān bharatarṣabha
 63 varṣatā śaravarṣāṇi mahānti puruṣottama
     kṣayaṃ nītā hi pṛtanā bhavatā mahatī mama
 64 yathā yudhi jayeyaṃ tvāṃ yathā rājyaṃ bhaven mama
     bhavet sainyasya vā śāntis tan me brūhi pitāmaha
 65 tato 'bravīc chāṃtanavaḥ pāṇḍavān pāṇḍupūrvaja
     na kathaṃ cana kaunteya mayi jīvati saṃyuge
     yuṣmāsu dṛśyate vṛddhiḥ satyam etad bravīmi vaḥ
 66 nirjite mayi yuddhe tu dhruvaṃ jeṣyatha kauravān
     kṣipraṃ mayi praharata yadīcchatha raṇe jayam
     anujānāmi vaḥ pārthāḥ praharadhvaṃ yathāsukham
 67 evaṃ hi sukṛtaṃ manye bhavatāṃ vidito hy aham
     hate mayi hataṃ sarvaṃ tasmād evaṃ vidhīyatām
 68 yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
     brūhi tasmād upāyaṃ no yathā yuddhe jayemahi
     bhavantaṃ samare kruddhaṃ daṇḍapāṇim ivāntakam
 69 śakyo vajradharo jetuṃ varuṇo 'tha yamas tathā
     na bhavān samare śakyaḥ sendrair api surāsuraiḥ
 70 bhīṣma uvāca
     satyam etan mahābāho yathā vadasi pāṇḍava
     nāhaṃ śakyo raṇe jetuṃ sendrair api surāsuraiḥ
 71 āttaśastro raṇe yatto gṛhītavarakārmukaḥ
     nyastaśastraṃ tu māṃ rājan hanyur yudhi mahārathāḥ
 72 niṣkiptaśastre patite vimuktakavacadhvaje
     dravamāṇe ca bhīte ca tavāsmīti ca vādini
 73 striyāṃ strīnāmadheye ca vikale caikaputrake
     aprasūte ca duṣprekṣye na yuddhaṃ rocate mama
 74 imaṃ ca śṛṇu me pārtha saṃkalpaṃ pūrvacintitam
     amaṅgalyadhvajaṃ dṛṣṭvā na yudhyeyaṃ kathaṃ cana
 75 ya eṣa draupado rājaṃs tava sainye mahārathaḥ
     śikhaṇḍī samarākāṅkṣī śūraś ca samitiṃjayaḥ
 76 yathābhavac ca strī pūrvaṃ paścāt puṃstvam upāgataḥ
     jānanti ca bhavanto 'pi sarvam etad yathātatham
 77 arjunaḥ samare śūraḥ puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam
     mām eva viśikhais tūrṇam abhidravatu daṃśitaḥ
 78 amaṅgalyadhvaje tasmin strīpūrve ca viśeṣataḥ
     na prahartum abhīpsāmi gṛhīteṣuṃ kathaṃ cana
 79 tad antaraṃ samāsādya pāṇḍavo māṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ
     śarair ghātayatu kṣipraṃ samantād bharatarṣabha
 80 na taṃ paśyāmi lokeṣu yo māṃ hanyāt samudyatam
     ṛte kṛṣṇān mahābhāgāt pāṇḍavād vā dhanaṃjayāt
 81 eṣa tasmāt purodhāya kaṃ cid anyaṃ mamāgrataḥ
     māṃ pātayatu bībhatsur evaṃ te vijayo bhavet
 82 etat kuruṣva kaunteya yathoktaṃ vacanaṃ mama
     tato jeṣyasi saṃgrāme dhārtarāṣṭrān samāgatān
 83 saṃjaya uvāca
     te 'nujñātās tataḥ pārthā jagmuḥ svaśibiraṃ prati
     abhivādya mahātmānaṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham
 84 tathoktavati gāṅgeye paralokāya dīkṣite
     arjuno duḥkhasaṃtaptaḥ savrīḍam idam abravīt
 85 guruṇā kulavṛddhena kṛtaprajñena dhīmatā
     pitāmahena saṃgrāme kathaṃ yotsyāmi mādhava
 86 krīḍatā hi mayā bālye vāsudeva mahāmanāḥ
     pāṃsurūṣitagātreṇa mahātmā paruṣīkṛtaḥ
 87 yasyāham adhiruhyāṅkaṃ bālaḥ kila gadāgraja
     tātety avocaṃ pitaraṃ pituḥ pāṇḍor mahātmanaḥ
 88 nāhaṃ tātas tava pitus tāto 'smi tava bhārata
     iti mām abravīd bālye yaḥ sa vadhyaḥ kathaṃ mayā
 89 kāmaṃ vadhyatu me sainyaṃ nāhaṃ yotsye mahātmanā
     jayo vāstu vadho vā me kathaṃ vā kṛṣṇa manyase
 90 śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca
     pratijñāya vadhaṃ jiṣṇo purā bhīṣmasya saṃyuge
     kṣatradharme sthitaḥ pārtha kathaṃ nainaṃ haniṣyasi
 91 pātayainaṃ rathāt pārtha vajrāhatam iva drumam
     nāhatvā yudhi gāṅgeyaṃ vijayas te bhaviṣyati
 92 diṣṭam etat purā devair bhaviṣyaty avaśasya te
     hantā bhīṣmasya pūrvendra iti tan na tad anyathā
 93 na hi bhīṣmaṃ durādharṣaṃ vyāttānanam ivāntakam
     tvadanyaḥ śaknuyād dhantum api vajradharaḥ svayam
 94 jahi bhīṣmaṃ mahābāho śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama
     yathovāca purā śakraṃ mahābuddhir bṛhaspatiḥ
 95 jyāyāṃsam api cec chakra guṇair api samanvitam
     ātatāyinam āmantrya hanyād ghātakam āgatam
 96 śāśvato 'yaṃ sthito dharmaḥ kṣatriyāṇāṃ dhanaṃjaya
     yoddhavyaṃ rakṣitavyaṃ ca yaṣṭavyaṃ cānasūyubhiḥ
 97 arjuna uvāca
     śikhaṇḍī nidhanaṃ kṛṣṇa bhīṣmasya bhavitā dhruvam
     dṛṣṭvaiva hi sadā bhīṣmaḥ pāñcālyaṃ vinivartate
 98 te vayaṃ pramukhe tasya sthāpayitvā śikhaṇḍinam
     gāṅgeyaṃ pātayiṣyāma upāyeneti me matiḥ
 99 aham anyān maheṣvāsān vārayiṣyāmi sāyakaiḥ
     śikhaṇḍy api yudhāṃ śreṣṭho bhīṣmam evābhiyāsyatu
 100 śrutaṃ te kurumukhyasya nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam
    kanyā hy eṣā purā jātā puruṣaḥ samapadyata
101 saṃjaya uvāca
    ity evaṃ niścayaṃ kṛtvā pāṇḍavāḥ sahamādhavāḥ
    śayanāni yathāsvāni bhejire puruṣarṣabhāḥ

SECTION CIII

Dhritarashtra said, "How did those bulls among men, viz., that great bowman Drona, and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, encounter each other in battle? The son of Pandu is ever dear to the wise son of Bharadwaja. The preceptor also is ever dear to Pritha's son, O Sanjaya. Both of those car-warriors delight in battle, and both of them are fierce like lions. How therefore, did Bharadwaja's son and Dhananjaya, both fighting with care encounter each other in battle?"
Sanjaya said, "In battle Drona never recognises Partha as dear to himself. Partha also, keeping a Kshatriya's duty in view, recognises not in battle his preceptor. Kshatriyas, O king, never avoid one another in battle. Without showing any regard for one another, they fight with sires and brothers. In that battle, O Bharata, Partha pierced Drona with three shafts. Drona, however, regarded not those shafts shot in battle from Partha's bow. Indeed, Partha once more covered the preceptor in the fight with a shower of arrows. Thereupon the latter blazed up with wrath like a conflagration in a deep forest. Then, O king, Drona soon covered Arjuna in that combat with many straight shafts, O Bharata. Then king Duryodhana, O monarch, despatched Susarman for taking up the wing of Drona. Then the ruler of the Trigartas, excited with rage and forcibly drawing his bow, covered Partha, O king, with a profusion of arrows furnished with iron heads. Shot by those two warriors, O king, the shafts looked beautiful in the welkin like cranes in the autumnal sky. Those shafts, O lord, reaching the son of Kunti, entered his body like birds disappearing within a tree bending with a load of tasteful fruits. Arjuna then, that foremost of car-warriors, uttering a loud roar in that battle pierced the ruler of the Trigartas and his son with his shafts. Pierced by Partha like Death himself at the end of the Yuga, they were unwilling to avoid Partha, resolved as they were on laying down their lives. And they shot showers on the car of Arjuna. Arjuna, however, received those arrowy showers with showers of his own, like a mountain, O monarch, receiving a downpour from the clouds. And the lightness of hand that we then beheld of Vibhatsu was exceedingly wonderful. For alone he baffled that unbearable shower of arrows shot by many warriors like the wind alone scattering myriads of clouds rushing upon clouds. And at that feat of Partha, the gods and the Danavas (assembled there for witnessing the fight) were highly gratified. Then, O Bharata, engaged with the Trigartas
p. 257
in that battle, Partha shot, O king, the Vayavya weapon against their division. Then arose a wind that agitated the welkin, felled many trees, and smote down the (hostile) troops. Then Drona, beholding the fierce Vayavya weapon, himself shot an awful weapon called the Saila. And when that weapon, O ruler of men, was shot by Drona in that battle, the wind abated and the ten quarters became calm. The heroic son of Pandu, however, made the car-warriors of the Trigarta division destitute of prowess and hope, and caused them to turn their backs on the field. Then Duryodhana and that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Kripa, and Aswatthaman, and Salya, and Sudakshina, the ruler of the Kamvojas, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and Valhika supported by the Valhikas, with a large number of cars surrounded Partha on all sides. And similarly Bhagadatta also, and the mighty Srutayush, surrounded Bhima on all sides with an elephant division. And Bhurisravas, and Sala, and Suvala's son, O monarch, began to check the twin sons of Madri with showers of bright and sharp arrows. Bhishma, however, in that battle, supported by the sons of Dhritarashtra with their troops, approaching Yudhishthira, surrounded him on all sides. Beholding that elephant division coming towards him, Pirtha's son Vrikodara, possessed of great courage, began to lick the corners of his mouth like a lion in the forest. Then Bhima, that foremost of car-warriors, taking up his mace in that great battle, quickly jumped down from his car and struck terror into the hearts of thy warriors. Beholding him mace in hand, those elephant-warriors in that battle carefully surrounded Bhimasena on all sides. Stationed in the midst of those elephants, the son of Pandu looked resplendent like the Sun in the midst of a mighty mass of clouds. Then that bull among the sons of Pandu began with his mace to consume that elephant-division like the wind dispelling a huge mass of clouds covering the welkin. Those tuskers, while being slaughtered by the mighty Bhimasena, uttered loud cries of woe like roaring masses of clouds. With diverse scratches (on his person) inflicted by those huge animals with their tusks, the son of Pritha looked beautiful on the field of battle like a flowering Kinsuka. Seizing some of the elephants by their tusks, he deprived them of those weapons. Wrenching out the tusks of others, with those very tusks he struck them on their frontal globes and felled them in battle like the Destroyer himself armed with his rod. Wielding his mace bathed in gore, and himself bespattered with fat and marrow and smeared with blood, he looked like Rudra himself. Thus slaughtered by him, the few gigantic elephants that remained, ran away on all sides, O king, crushing even friendly ranks. And in consequence of those huge elephants fleeing away on all sides, Duryodhana's troops once more, O bull of Bharata's race, fled away from the field."

Book 6
Chapter 104

1 [dhṛ]
      kathaṃ śikhaṇḍī gāṅgeyam abhyavartata saṃyuge
      pāṇḍavāś ca tathā bhīṣmaṃ tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  2 [s]
      tataḥ prabhāte vimale sūryasyodayanaṃ prati
      vādyamānāsu bherīṣu mṛdaṅgeṣv ānakeṣu ca
  3 dhmāyatsu dadhi varṇeṣu jalajeṣu samantataḥ
      śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya niryātāḥ pāṇḍavā yudhi
  4 kṛtvā vyūhaṃ mahārāja sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam
      śikhaṇḍī sarvasainyānām agra āsīd viśāṃ pate
  5 cakrarakṣau tatas tasya bhimasena dhanaṃjayau
      pṛṣṭhato draupadeyāś ca saubhadraś caiva vīryavān
  6 sātyakiś cekitānaś ca teṣāṃ goptā mahārathaḥ
      dhṛṣṭadyumnas tataḥ paścāt pāñcālair abhirakṣitaḥ
  7 tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā yamābhyāṃ sahitaḥ prabhuḥ
      prayayau siṃhanādena nādayan bharatarṣabha
  8 virāṭas tu tataḥ paścāt svena sainyena saṃvṛtaḥ
      drupadaś ca mahārāja tataḥ paścād upādravat
  9 kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca dhṛṣṭaketuś ca vīryavān
      jaghanaṃ pālayām āsa pāṇḍusainyasya bhārata
  10 evaṃ vyūhya mahat sainyaṃ pāṇḍavās tava vāhinīm
     abhyadravanta saṃgrāme tyaktvā jīvitam ātmanaḥ
 11 tathaiva kuravo rājan bhīṣmaṃ kṛtvā mahābalam
     agrataḥ sarvasainyānāṃ prayayuḥ pāṇḍavān prati
 12 putrais tava durādharṣai rakṣitaḥ sumahābalaiḥ
     tato droṇo maheṣvāsaḥ putraś cāsya mahārathaḥ
 13 bhagadattas tataḥ paścād gajānīkena saṃvṛtaḥ
     kṛpaś ca kṛpa varmā ca bhagadattam anuvratau
 14 kāmbojarājo balavāṃs tataḥ paścāt sudakṣiṇaḥ
     māgadhaś ca jayatsenaḥ saubalaś ca bṛhadbalaḥ
 15 tathetere maheṣvāsāḥ suśarmapramukhā nṛpāḥ
     jaghanaṃ pālayām āsus tava sainyasya bhārata
 16 divase divase prāpte bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo yudhi
     āsurān akarod vyūhān paiśācān atha rākṣasān
 17 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tava teṣāṃ ca bhārata
     anyonyaṃ nighnatāṃ rājanyam arāṣṭra vivardhanam
 18 arjuna pramukhāḥ pārthāḥ puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam
     bhīṣmaṃ yuddhe 'bhyavartanta kiranto vividhāñ śarān
 19 tatra bhārata bhīmena pīḍitās tāvakāḥ śaraiḥ
     rudhiraughapariklinnāḥ paralokaṃ yayus tadā
 20 nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca sātyakiś ca mahārathaḥ
     tava sainyaṃ samāsādya pīḍayām āsur ojasā
 21 te vadhyamānāḥ samare tāvakā bharatarṣabha
     nāśaknuvan vārayituṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahad balam
 22 tatas tu tāvakaṃ sainyaṃ vadhyamānaṃ samantataḥ
     saṃprādravad diśo rājan kālyamānaṃ mahārathaiḥ
 23 trātāraṃ nādhyagacchanta tāvakā bharatarṣabha
     vadhyamānāḥ śitair āṇaiḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha sṛñjayaiḥ
 24 [dhṛ]
     pīḍyamānaṃ balaṃ pārthair dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaḥ parākramī
     yad akārṣīd raṇe kruddhas tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
 25 kathaṃ vā pāṇḍavān yuddhe pratyudyātaḥ paraṃtapaḥ
     vinighnan somakān vīrāṃs tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
 26 [s]
     ācakṣe te mahārāja yad akārṣīt pitāmahaḥ
     pīḍite tava putrasya sainye pāṇḍava sṛñjayaiḥ
 27 prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ śūrāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja
     abhyavartanta nighnantas tava putrasya vāhinīm
 28 taṃ vināśaṃ manuṣyendra naravāraṇavājinām
     nāmṛṣyata tadā bhīṣmaḥ sainyaghātaṃ raṇe paraiḥ
 29 sa pāṇḍavān maheṣvāsaḥ pāñcālāṃś ca sa sṛñjayān
     abhyadravata durdharṣas tyaktvā jīvitam ātmanaḥ
 30 sa pāṇḍavānāṃ pravarān pañca rājan mahārathān
     āttaśastrān raṇe yattān vārayām āsa sāyakaiḥ
     nārācair vatsadantaiś ca śitair añjalikais tathā
 31 nijaghne samare kruddho hastyaśvam amitaṃ bahu
     rathino 'pātayad rājan rathebhyaḥ puruṣarṣabhaḥ
 32 sādinaś cāśvapṛṣṭhebhyaḥ padātīṃś ca samāgatān
     gajārohān gajebhyaś ca pareṣāṃ vidadhad bhayam
 33 tam ekaṃ samare bhīṣmaṃ tvaramāṇaṃ mahāratham
     pāṇḍavāḥ samavartanta vajrapāṇim ivāsurāḥ
 34 śakrāśanisamasparśān vimuñcan niśikāñ śarān
     dikṣv adṛśyata sarvāsu ghoraṃ saṃdharayan vapuḥ
 35 maṇḍalīkṛtam evāsya nityaṃ dhanur adṛśyata
     saṃgrāme yudhyamānasya śakracāpanibhaṃ mahat
 36 tad dṛṣṭvā samare karma tava putrā viśāṃ pate
     vismayaṃ paramaṃ prāptāḥ pitāmaham apūjayan
 37 pārthā vimanaso bhūtvā praikṣanta pitaraṃ tava
     yudhyamānaṃ raṇe śūraṃ vipracītim ivāmarāḥ
     na cainaṃ vārayām āsur vyāttānanam ivāntakam
 38 daśame 'hani saṃprāpte rathānīkaṃ śikhaṇḍinaḥ
     adahan niśitair bāṇaiḥ kṛṣṇa vartmeva kānanam
 39 taṃ śikhaṇḍī tribhir bāṇair abhyavidhyat stanāntare
     āśīviṣam iva kruddhaṃ kālasṛṣṭam ivāntakam
 40 sa tenātibhṛśaṃ viddhaḥ prekṣya bhīṣmaḥ śikhaṇḍinam
     anicchann api saṃkruddhaḥ prahasann idam abravīt
 41 kāmam abhyāsavā mā vā na tvāṃ yotsye kathaṃ cana
     yaiva hi tvaṃ kṛtā dhātrā saiva hi tvaṃ śikhaṇḍinī
 42 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā śikhaṇḍī krodhamūrchitaḥ
     uvāca bhīṣmaṃ samare sṛkkiṇī parilehihan
 43 jānāmi tvāṃ mahābāho kṣatriyāṇāṃ kṣayaṃ karam
     mayā śrutaṃ ca te yuddhaṃ jāmadagnyena vai saha
 44 divyaś ca te prabhāvo 'yaṃ sa mayā bahuśaḥ śrutaḥ
     jānann api prabhāvaṃ te yotsye 'dyāhaṃ tvayā saha
 45 pāṇḍavānāṃ priyaṃ kurvann ātmanaś ca narottama
     adya tvā yodhayiṣyāmi raṇe puruṣasattama
 46 dhruvaṃ ca tvā haniṣyāmi śape satyena te 'grataḥ
     etac chrutvā vaco mahyaṃ yat kṣamaṃ tat samācara
 47 kāmam abhyāsavā mā vā na me jīvan vimokṣyase
     sudṛṣṭaḥ kriyatāṃ bhīṣma loko 'yaṃ samitiṃjaya
 48 evam uktvā tato bhīṣmaṃ pañcabhir nataparvabhiḥ
     avidhyata raṇe rājan praṇunnaṃ vākyasāyakaiḥ
 49 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā savyasācī paraṃtapaḥ
     kālo 'yam iti saṃcintya śikhaṇḍinam acodayat
 50 ahaṃ tvām anuyāsyāmi parān vidrāvayañ śaraiḥ
     abhidrava susaṃrabdho bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
 51 na hi te saṃyuge pīḍāṃ śaktaḥ kartuṃ mahābalaḥ
     tasmād adya mahābāho vīra bhīṣmam abhidrava
 52 ahatvā samare bhīṣmaṃ yadi yāsyasi māriṣa
     avahāsyo 'sya lokasya bhaviṣyasi mayā saha
 53 nāvahāsyā yathā vīra bhavema paramāhave
     tathā kuru raṇe yatnaṃ sādhayasva pitāmaham
 54 ahaṃ te rakṣaṇaṃ yuddhe kariṣyāmi paraṃtapa
     vārayan rathinaḥ sarvān sādhayasva pitāmaham
 55 droṇaṃ ca droṇaputraṃ ca kṛpaṃ cātha suyodhanam
     citrasenaṃ vikarṇaṃ ca saindhavaṃ ca jayadratham
 56 vindānuvindāv āvantyau kāmbojaṃ ca sudakṣiṇam
     bhagadattaṃ tathā śūraṃ māgadhaṃ ca mahāratham
 57 saumadattiṃ raṇe śūram ārśyaśṛṅgiṃ ca rākṣasam
     trigartarājaṃ ca raṇe saha sarvair mahārathaiḥ
     aham āvārayiṣyāmi veleva makarākayam
 58 kurūṃś ca sahitān sarvān ye caiṣāṃ sainikāḥ sthitāḥ
     nivārayiṣyāmi raṇe sādhayasva pitāmaham

SECTION CIV

Sanjaya said, "At mid-day, O king, happened a fierce battle, fraught with great carnage, between Bhishma and the Somakas. That foremost of car-warriors, viz., Ganga's son began to consume the ranks of the Pandavas with keen shafts by hundreds and thousands. Thy sire Devavrata began to grind those troops like a herd of bulls grinding (with their tread) a heap of paddy sheaves. Then Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin and Virata and Drupada, falling upon Bhishma in that battle, struck that mighty car-warrior with numerous arrows. Bhishma then, having pierced Dhrishtadyumna and Virata each with three arrows, sped a long shaft, O Bharata, at Drupada. Thus pierced in battle by Bhishma, that grinder of foes, those great bowmen became filled with wrath O king, like snakes trod upon (by human feet). Then Sikhandin pierced the grandsire of the Bharatas (with many shafts). Of unfading glory, Bhishma, however, regarding his foe as a female struck him not. Dhrishtadyumna then, in that battle, blazing up with wrath like fire, struck the grandsire with three shafts in his arms and chest. And Drupada pierced Bhishma with five and twenty shafts, and Virata pierced him with ten, and Sikhandin with five and twenty. Deeply pierced (with those shafts) he became covered with blood, and looked beautiful like a red Asoka variegated with flowers. Then the son of Ganga pierced, in return, each of them with three straight shafts. And then, O sire, he cut off Drupada's bow with a broad-headed arrow. The latter then, taking up another bow, pierced Bhishma with five shafts. And he pierced Bhishma's charioteer also with three sharp shafts on the field of battle. Then the five sons of Draupadi, and the five Kaikeya brothers and Satyaki also of the Satwata race, headed by Yudhishthira, all rushed towards Ganga's son, desirous of protecting the Panchalas headed by Dhrishtadyumna. And so all the warriors of thy army also, O king, prepared to protect Bhishma, rushed at the head of their troops against the Pandava host. And then happened there a fierce general engagement between thy army of men and steeds and theirs, that increased the population of Yama's kingdom. And car-warriors falling upon car-warriors despatched one another to Yama's abode. And so men and elephant-riders and horse-riders, falling upon others (of their class), despatched them to the other world with straight shafts And here and there on the field, O monarch, cars, deprived of riders and charioteers by means of diverse kinds of fierce shafts, were in that battle dragged on all sides over the field. And those cars, O king, crushing large numbers of men and steeds in battle, were seen to resemble the wind itself (in speed) and vapoury edifices in the firmament (for their picturesque forms). And many car-warriors cased in mail and endued with great energy, decked with ear-rings and head-gears and adorned with garlands and bracelets, resembling the children of the celestials, equal to Sakra himself for prowess in battle, surpassing Vaisravana in wealth and Vrishaspati in intelligence, ruling over extensive territories, and possessed
p. 259
of great heroism, O monarch, deprived of their cars, were seen to run hither and thither like ordinary men. Huge tuskers also, O chief of men, deprived of their skilled riders, ran, crushing friendly ranks, and fell down with loud shrieks. Prodigious elephants looking like newly-risen clouds and roaring also like the clouds, were seen to run in all directions, deprived of their coats of mail. And, O sire, their Chamaras and variegated standards, their umbrellas with golden staves, and the bright lances (of their riders), lay scattered about. 1 And elephant-riders, O king, deprived of their elephants, belonging both of thy army and theirs, were seen to run (on foot) amid that awful press. And steeds from diverse countries, decked with ornaments of gold, were seen, by hundreds and thousands, to run with the speed of the wind. And horse-riders, deprived of their horses, and armed with swords were in that battle seen to run, or made to run (by others assailing them). Elephant, meeting with a flying elephant in that dreadful battle, proceeded, quickly crushing foot-soldiers and steeds. And, similarly, O king those prodigious creatures crushed many cars in that battle, and cars also, coming upon fallen steeds crushed them (in their course). And steeds too, in the press of battle, crushed many foot-soldiers, O king (with their hoofs). And thus, O monarch, they crushed one another in diverse ways. 2 And in that fierce and awful battle there flowed a terrible river of bloody current. And heaps of bows obstructed its straight course, and the hair (of slain warriors) formed its moss. And (broken) cars formed its lakes, and arrows its eddies. And steeds formed its fishes. And heads (severed from trunks) formed its blocks of stone. And it abounded with elephants that formed its crocodiles. And coats of mail and head-gears formed its froth. And bows (in the hands of the warriors) constituted the speed of its current, and swords its tortoises. And banners and standards in profusion formed the trees on its banks. And mortals constituted its banks which that river continually ate away. And it abounded with cannibals that formed its swans. And that stream (instead of swelling the ocean with its discharge) swelled the population of Yama's kingdom. And brave Kshatriyas,--mighty car-warriors,--casting off all fear, O king, sought to cross that river with the aid of cars, elephants, and steeds that played the part of rafts and boats. And as the river Vaitarani beareth all departed spirits towards the domains of the King of the Dead, so that river of bloody current bore away all timid men deprived of their senses in a swoon. And the Kshatriyas, beholding that awful carnage, all exclaimed, saying, 'Alas, through Duryodhana's fault the Kshatriyas are being exterminated. Why, Oh, Dhritarashtra of sinful soul, deluded by avarice, harboured envy for the sons of Pandu, who are graced with numerous virtues.' Diverse exclamations of this kind were heard there, made by one another, fraught with the praises of the Pandavas and censure of thy sons. Hearing then these
p. 260
words uttered by all the combatants, thy son Duryodhana, that offender against all, addressed Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Salya, O Bharata, saying, 'Fight ye without boastfulness. Why tarry ye at all?' Then the battle was resumed between the Kurus and the Pandavas, that fierce battle, O king, caused by the match at dice and marked by an awful slaughter. Thou beholdest now, O son of Vichitravirya, the dreadful fruit of that rejection by thee (of the counsels of thy friends) though warned against it by many illustrious persons. Neither the sons of Pandu, O king, nor their troops, nor they that follow them, nor the Kauravas, show the least regard for their lives in battle. For this reason, O tiger among men, a dreadful destruction of kinsmen is taking place, caused either by Destiny or by thy evil policy, O king."

Book 6
Chapter 105

 1 [dhṛ]
      kathaṃ śikhaṇḍī gāṅgeyam abhyadhāvat pitāmaham
      pāñcālyaḥ samare kruddho dharmātmānaṃ yatavratam
  2 ke 'rakṣan pāṇḍavānīke śikhaṇḍinam udāyudham
      tvaramāṇās tvarā kāle jigīṣanto mahārathāḥ
  3 kathaṃ śāṃtanavo bhīṣmaḥ sa tasmin damaśe 'hani
      ayudhyata mahāvīryaḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha sṛñjayaiḥ
  4 na mṛṣyāmi raṇe bhīṣmaṃ pratyudyātaṃ śikhaṇḍinam
      kac cin na rathabhaṅgo 'sya dhanur vāśīryatāsyataḥ
  5 [s]
      nāśīryata dhanus tasya rathabhaṅgo nacāpy abhūt
      yudhyamānasya saṃgrāme bhīṣmasya bharatarṣabha
      nighnataḥ samare śatrūñ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
  6 anekaśatasāhasrās tāvakānāṃ mahārathāḥ
      rathadanti gaṇā rājan hayāś caiva susajjitāḥ
      abhyavartanta yuddhāya puraskṛtya pitāmaham
  7 yathāpratijñaṃ kauravya sa cāpi samitiṃjayaḥ
      pārthānām akarod bhīṣmaḥ satataṃ samitikṣayam
  8 yudhyamānaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ vinighnantaṃ parāñ śaraiḥ
      pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ sārdhaṃ sarva evābhyavārayan
  9 daśame 'hani saṃprāpte tatāpa ripuvāhinīm
      kīryamāṇāṃ śitair bāṇaiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
  10 na hi bhīṣmaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja
     aśaknuvan raṇe jetuṃ pāśahastam ivāntakam
 11 athopāyān mahārāja savyasācī paraṃtapaḥ
     trāsayan rathinaḥ sarvān bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
 12 sinhavad vinadann uccair dhanurjyāṃ vikṣipan muhuḥ
     śaraughān visṛjan pārtho vyacarat kālavad raṇe
 13 tasya śabdena vitrastās tāvakā bharatarṣabha
     siṃhasyeva mṛgā rājan vyadravanta mahābhayāt
 14 jayantaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ dṛṣṭvā tvat sainyaṃ cābhipīḍitam
     duryodhanas tato bhīṣmam abravīd bhṛśapīḍitaḥ
 15 eṣa pāṇḍur utas tāta śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ
     dahate māmakān sarvān kṛṣṇa vartmeva kānanam
 16 paśya sainyāni gāṅgeya dravamāṇāni sarvaśaḥ
     pāṇḍavena yudhāṃ śreṣṭha kālyamānāni saṃyuge
 17 yathā paśugaṇān ālaḥ saṃkālayati kānane
     tathedaṃ māmakaṃ sainyaṃ kālyate śatrutāpana
 18 dhanaṃjaya śarair bhagnaṃ dravamāṇam itas tataḥ
     bhīmo hy eṣa durādharṣo vidrāvayati me balam
 19 sātyakiś cekitānaś ca mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau
     abhimanyuś ca vikrānto vāhinīṃ dahate mama
 20 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tathā śūro rākṣasaś ca ghaṭotkacaḥ
     vyadrāvayetāṃ sahasā sainyaṃ mama mahābalau
 21 vadhyamānasya sainyasya sarvair etair mahābalaiḥ
     nānyāṃ gatiṃ prapaśyāmi sthāne yuddhe ca bhārata
 22 ṛte tvāṃ puruṣavyāghra devatulyaparākrama
     paryāptaś ca bhavān kṣipraṃ pīḍitānāṃ gatir bhava
 23 evam ukto mahārāja pitā devavratas tava
     cintayitvā muhūrtaṃ tu kṛtvā niścayam ātmanaḥ
     tava saṃdharayan putram abravīc chaṃtanoḥ sutaḥ
 24 duryodhana vijānīhi sthiro bhava viśāṃ pate
     pūrvakālaṃ tava mayā pratijñātaṃ mahābala
 25 hatvā daśasahasrāṇi kṣatriyāṇāṃ mahātmanām
     saṃgrāmād vyapayātavyam etat karma mamāhnikam
     iti tat kṛtavāṃś cāhaṃ yathoktaṃ bharatarṣabha
 26 adya cāpi mahat karma prakariṣye mahāhave
     ahaṃ vā nihataḥ śiṣye haniṣye vādya pāṇḍavān
 27 adya te puruṣavyāghra pratimokṣye ṛṇaṃ mahat
     bhartṛpiṇḍa kṛtaṃ rājan nihataḥ pṛtanā mukhe
 28 ity uktvā bharataśreṣṭhaḥ kṣatriyān pratapañ śaraiḥ
     āsasāda durādharṣaḥ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm
 29 anīkamadhye tiṣṭhantaṃ gāṅgeyaṃ bharatarṣabha
     āśīviṣam iva kruddhaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ paryavārayan
 30 daśame 'hani tasmiṃs tu darśayañ śaktim ātmanaḥ
     rājañ śatasahasrāṇi so 'vadhīt kurunandana
 31 pañcālānāṃ ca ye śreṣṭhā rājaputrā mahābalāḥ
     teṣām ādatta tejāṃsi jalaṃ sūrya ivāṃśubhiḥ
 32 hatvā daśasahasrāṇi kuñjarāṇāṃ tarasvinām
     sārohaṇāṃ mahārāja hayānāṃ cāyutaṃ punaḥ
 33 pūrṇe śatasahasre dve padātīnāṃ narottamaḥ
     prajajvāla raṇe bhīṣmo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ
 34 na cainaṃ pāṇḍaveyānāṃ ke cic chekur nirīkṣitum
     uttaraṃ mārgam āsthāya tapantam iva bhāskaram
 35 te pāṇḍaveyāḥ saṃrabdhā maheṣvāsena pīḍitāḥ
     vadhāyābhyadravan bhīṣmaṃ sṛñjayāś ca mahārathāḥ
 36 sa yudhyamāno bahubhir bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavas tadā
     avakīrṇo mahābāhuḥ śailo meghair ivāsitaiḥ
 37 putrās tu tava gāṅgeyaṃ samantāt paryavārayan
     mahatyā senayā sārdhaṃ tato yuddham avartata

SECTION CV

Sanjaya said, "O tiger among men, Arjuna sent those Kshatriyas that followed Susarman to the abode of the King of the Dead by means of his whetted shafts. Susarman however, in that battle, pierced Partha with his shafts. And he pierced Vasudeva with seventy, and Arjuna once more with nine shafts. Checking those shafts by means of his arrowy showers, that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Indra, despatched Susarman's troops unto Yama's abode. Those mighty car-warriors, while being slaughtered by Partha in that battle as if by Death himself at the end of the Yuga, all fled away from the field, O king struck with panic, Some abandoning their steeds, some abandoning, O sire, their cars, and others their elephants, fled away in all directions. Others taking with them their horses, elephants, and cars, fled away, O king, with great speed. Foot-soldiers in that dreadful battle, throwing aside their weapons, and without any regard for one another, fled away hither and thither. Though forbidden by Susarman the ruler of the Trigartas, and by other foremost of kings, they stayed not yet in battle. Beholding that host routed, thy son Duryodhana himself at the head of the whole army and with Bhishma ahead, attacked Dhananjaya with all his vigour, for the sake, O king, of (protecting) the life of the ruler of the Trigartas. And he stayed in battle, scattering diverse kinds of arrows, supported by all his brothers. The rest of the men all fled away. Similarly, the Pandavas, O king, clad in mail and with all their vigour, proceeded, for the sake of Phalguni, to the spot where Bhishma was. Although acquainted with the awful prowess, in battle of the wielder of Gandiva, these yet proceeded with loud cries and great bravery to the spot where Bhishma was and surrounded him on all sides. Then the palmyra-bannered hero covered the Pandava army, in that battle, with his straight shafts. The sun having reached the meridian, the Kauravas, O king, fought with the
p. 261
[paragraph continues] Pandavas in one confused mass. The heroic Satyaki, having pierced Kritavarman with five arrows, stayed in battle scattering his arrows by thousands. And so king Drupada also, having pierced Drona with many whetted shafts, once more pierced him with seventy shafts and his charioteer with nine. Bhimasena also, having pierced his great grandsire king Valhika uttered a loud roar like a tiger in the forest. Arjuna's son (Abhimanyu) pierced by Chitrasena with many shafts, deeply pierced Chitrasena in the chest with three arrows. Engaged with each other in battle, those two foremost of men looked resplendent on the field like the planets, Venus and Saturn, O king, in the firmament. Then that slayer of foes, viz., the son of Subhadra, having slain his antagonist's steeds and charioteer with nine arrows, uttered a loud shout. Thereupon that mighty car-warrior, (viz., Chitrasena), quickly jumping down from that car whose steed had been slain, mounted, O king, without delay, the car of Durmukha. The valiant Drona, pierced the latter's charioteer also, Then, O king, Drupada, thus afflicted at the head of his troops, retreated by the aid of his fleet steeds, recollecting the hostility that existed from days of old (between himself and Drona). Bhimasena, within a moment, deprived king Valhika of his steeds, car and charioteer, in the very sight of all the troops. Fallen into a situation of great danger and with fear in his heart, O king, Valhika, that best of men, jumping down from that vehicle, quickly mounted upon the car of Lakshmana in that battle. Satyaki, having checked Kritavarman in that dreadful battle, fell upon the grandsire and rained on him shafts of diverse kinds. 1 Piercing the grandsire with sixty whetted shafts winged with feathers, he seemed to dance on his car, shaking his large bow. The grandsire then hurled at him a mighty dart made of iron, decked with gold, endued with great velocity, and beautiful as a daughter of the Nagas. Beholding that irresistible dart, resembling Death himself, coursing towards him, that illustrious warrior of the Vrishni race baffled it by the celerity of movements. Thereupon that fierce dart, unable to reach him of the Vrishni race, fell down on the earth like a large meteor of blazing splendour. Then he of Vrishni's race, O king, taking up with a firm hand his own dart of golden effulgence, hurled it at the car of the grandsire. That dart, hurled in that dreadful battle with the strength of Satyaki's arms, coursed impetuously like the fatal night, coursing speedily towards a (doomed) man. As it coursed, however, towards him with great force, Bhishma cut it in twain, O Bharata, with a couple of horse-shoe-headed arrows of keen edge, and thereupon it fell down on the earth. Having cut that dart, that grinder of foes, viz., Ganga's son, excited with wrath and smiling the while struck Satyaki in the chest with nine arrows. Then the Pandava warriors, O elder brother of Pandu, with their cars, elephants,
p. 262
and steeds, 1 surrounded Bhishma in that battle, for the sake of rescuing him of Madhu's race. Then commenced again a fierce battle, making the hair to stand on end, between the Pandavas and the Kurus both of whom were desirous of victory."

Book 6
Chapter 106

1 [s]
      arjunas tu raṇe rājan dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmasya vikramam
      śikhaṇḍinam athovāca samabhyehi pitāmaham
  2 na cāpi bhīs tvayā kāryā bhīṣmād adya kathaṃ cana
      aham enaṃ śarais tīkṣṇaiḥ pātayiṣye rathottamāt
  3 evam uktas tu pārthena śikhaṇḍī bharatarṣabha
      abhyadravata gāṅgeyaṃ śrutvā pārthasya bhāṣitam
  4 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tathā rājan saubhadraś ca mahārathaḥ
      hṛṣṭāv ādravatāṃ bhīṣmaṃ śrutvā pārthasya bhāṣitam
  5 virāṭadrupadau vṛddhau kuntibhojaś ca daṃśitaḥ
      abhyadravata gāṅgeyaṃ putrasya tava paśyataḥ
  6 nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca dharmarājaś ca vīryavān
      tathetarāṇi sainyāni sarvāṇy eva viśāṃ pate
      samādravanta gāṅgeyaṃ śrutvā pārthasya bhāṣitam
  7 pratyudyayus tāvakāś ca sametās tān mahārathān
      yathāśakti yathotsāhaṃ tan me nigadataḥ śṛṇu
  8 citraseno mahārāja cekitānaṃ samabhyayāt
      bhīṣma prepsuṃ raṇe yāntaṃ vṛṣaṃ vyāghraśiśur yathā
  9 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ mahārāja bhīṣmāntikam upāgamam
      tvaramāṇo raṇe yattaṃ kṛtavarmā nyavārayat
  10 bhīmasenaṃ susaṃkruddhaṃ gāṅgeyasya vadhaiṣiṇam
     tvaramāṇo mahārāja saumadattir nyavārayat
 11 tathaiva nakulaṃ vīraṃ kirantaṃ sāyakān bahūn
     vikarṇo vārayām āsa icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam
 12 sahadevaṃ tathā yāntaṃ yattaṃ bhīṣmarathaṃ prati
     vārayām āsa saṃkruddhaḥ kṛpaḥ śāradvato yudhi
 13 rākṣasaṃ krūrakarmāṇaṃ bhaimaseniṃ mahābalam
     bhīṣmasya nidhanaṃ prepsuṃ durmukho 'bhyadravad balī
 14 sātyakiṃ samare kruddham ārśyaśṛṅgir avārayat
     abhimanyuṃ mahārāja yāntaṃ bhīṣmarathaṃ prati
     sudakṣiṇo mahārāja kāmbojaḥ pratyavārayat
 15 virāṭadrupadau vṛddhau sametāv arimardanau
     aśvatthāmā tataḥ kruddho vārayām āsa bhārata
 16 tathā pāṇḍusutaṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ bhīṣmasya vadhakāṅkṣiṇam
     bhāradvājo raṇe yatto dharmaputram avārayat
 17 arjunaṃ rabhasaṃ yuddhe puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam
     bhīṣma prepsuṃ mahārāja tāpayantaṃ diśo daśa
     duḥśāsano maheṣvāso vārayām āsa saṃyuge
 18 anye ca tāvakā yodhāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathān
     bhīṣmāyābhimukhaṃ yātān vārayām āsur āhave
 19 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu sainyāni prākrośata punaḥ punaḥ
     abhidravata saṃrabdhā bhīṣmam ekaṃ mahābalam
 20 eṣo 'rjuno raṇe bhīṣmaṃ prayāti kurunandanaḥ
     abhidravata mā bhaiṣṭa bhīṣmo na prāpsyate hi vaḥ
 21 arjunaṃ samare yoddhuṃ notsahetāpi vāsavaḥ
     kim u bhīṣmo raṇe vīrā gatasattvo 'lpajīvitaḥ
 22 iti senāpateḥ śrutvā pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ
     abhyadravanta saṃhṛṣṭā gāṅgeyasya rathaṃ prati
 23 āgacchatas tān samare vāryoghān prabalān iva
     nyavārayanta saṃhṛṣṭās tāvakāḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ
 24 duḥśāsano mahārāja bhayaṃ tyaktvā mahārathaḥ
     bhīṣmasya jīvitākāṅkṣī dhanaṃjayam upādravat
 25 tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ śūrā gāṅgeyasya rathaṃ prati
     abhyadravanta saṃgrāme tava putrān mahārathān
 26 tatrādbhutam apaśyāma citrarūpaṃ viśāṃ pate
     duḥśāsana rathaṃ prāpto yat pārtho nātyavartata
 27 yathā vārayate velā kṣubhitaṃ vai mahārṇavam
     tathaiva pāṇḍavaṃ kruddhaṃ tava putro nyavārayat
 28 ubhau hi rathināṃ śreṣṭhāv ubhau bhārata durjayau
     ubhau candrārkasadṛśau kāntyā dīptyā ca bhārata
 29 tau tathā jātasaṃrambhāv anyonyavadhakāṅkṣiṇau
     samīyatur mahāsaṃkhye maya śakrau yathā purā
 30 duḥśāsano mahārāja pāṇḍavaṃ viśikhais tribhiḥ
     vāsudevaṃ ca viṃśatyā tāḍayām āsa saṃyuge
 31 tato 'rjuno śatenājau nārācānāṃ samārpayat
     te tasya kavacaṃ bhittvā papuḥ śoṇitam āhave
 32 duḥśāsanas tataḥ kruddhaḥ pārthaṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
     lalāṭe bharataśreṣṭha śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 33 lalaṭasthais tu tair bāṇaiḥ śuśubhe pāṇḍavottamaḥ
     yathā merur mahārāja śṛṅgair atyartham ucchritaiḥ
 34 so 'tividdho maheṣvāsaḥ putreṇa tava dhanvinā
     vyarājata raṇe pārthaḥ kiṃśukaḥ puṣpavān iva
 35 duḥśāsanaṃ tataḥ kruddhaḥ pīḍayām āsa pāṇḍavaḥ
     parvaṇīva susaṃkruddho rāhur ugro niśākaram
 36 pīḍyamāno balavatā putras tava viśāṃ pate
     vivyādha samare pārthaṃ kaṅkapatraiḥ śilāśitaiḥ
 37 tasya pārtho dhanuś chittvā tvaramāṇaḥ parākramī
     ājaghāna tataḥ paścāt putraṃ te navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 38 so 'nyat kārmukam ādāya bhīṣmasya pramukhe sthitaḥ
     arjunaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā bāhvor urasi cārpayat
 39 tasya kruddho mahārāja pāṇḍavaḥ śatrukarśanaḥ
     apraiṣīd viśikhān ghorān yamadaṇḍopamān bahūn
 40 aprāptān eva tān bāṇāṃś ciccheda tanayas tava
     yatamānasya pārthasya tad adbhutam ivābhavat
     pārthaṃ ca niśitair bāṇair avidhyat tanayas tava
 41 tataḥ kruddho raṇe pārthaḥ śarān saṃdhāya kārmuke
     preṣayām āsa samare svarṇapuṅkhāñ śilāśitān
 42 nyamajjaṃs te mahārāja tasya kāye mahātmanaḥ
     yathā haṃsā mahārāja taḍāgaṃ prāpya bhārata
 43 pīḍitaś caiva putras te pāṇḍavena mahātmanā
     hitvā pārthaṃ raṇe tūrṇaṃ bhīṣmasya ratham āśrayat
     agādhe majjatas tasya dvīpo bhīṣmo 'bhavat tadā
 44 pratilabhya tataḥ saṃjñāṃ putras tava viśāṃ pate
     avārayat tataḥ śūro bhūya eva parākramī
 45 śaraiḥ suniśitaiḥ pārthaṃ yathā vṛtraḥ puraṃdaram
     nirbibheda mahāvīryo vivyathe naiva cārjunāt

SECTION CVI

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Bhishma excited with wrath in battle, surrounded on all sides by the Pandavas like the Sun in the firmament. O king, by the clouds at the end of summer, Duryodhana, O monarch, addressed Dussasana, saying, 'This heroic and great bowman Bhishma, this slayer of heroes, hath, O bull of Bharata's race, been surrounded on all sides by the brave Pandavas. It is thy duty, O hero, to protect that illustrious one. Protected by us in battle, our grandsire Bhishma will slay all the Panchalas along with the Pandavas. The protection of Bhishma. therefore, I think, is our highest duty, for this great bowman of his vows, viz., Bhishma, is our protector in return. Therefore, surrounding the grandsire with all our troops, do thou protect him, who always achieveth the most difficult feats in battle. Thus addressed by Duryodhana, thy son Dussasana, surrounding Bhishma with a large force on all sides took up his position. Then Suvala's son Sakuni, with hundreds and thousands of horsemen having bright spears and swords and lances in hand, and who formed a proud, well-dressed, and strong body bearing standards, and who were mingled with excellent foot-soldiers that were all well-trained and skilled in battle began to cheek Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Yudhishthira the son of Pandu, surrounding those foremost of men on all sides. Then king Duryodhana despatched ten thousand (other) brave horsemen for resisting the Pandavas. When these rushed like so many Garudas towards the enemy with great impetuosity, the earth, O king, struck with their horse-hoofs, trembled and uttered a loud noise. And the loud clatter of their hoofs was heard resembling the noise made by a large forest of bamboos, in conflagration on a mountain. And as these dashed over the field, there rose a cloud of dust, which rising to the welkin shrouded the very Sun. And in consequence of those impetuous steeds, the Pandava army was agitated like a large lake with a flight of swans suddenly alighting on its bosom. And in consequence of their neighing, nothing else could be heard there. Then king Yudhishthira, and the two sons of Pandu by Madri, quickly checked the charge of those horsemen in battle, like the continent,
p. 263
[paragraph continues] O king, bearing the force, at full tide, of the surging sea swollen with the waters of the rainy season. Then those (three) car-warriors, O monarch, with their straight shafts, cut off the heads of those horse-riders. Slain by those strong bowmen, they fell down, O king, (on the earth), like mighty elephants tumbling into mountain caves, slain by huge compeers. Indeed, coursing all over the field, those warriors (of the Pandavas army) cut off the heads of those cavalry soldiers with sharp-bearded darts and straight shafts. Struck with swords, those horsemen, O bull of Bharata's race, suffered their heads to drop like tall trees, dropping their fruits. All over the field, O king, steeds along with their riders were seen fallen or falling, deprived of life. And while being (thus) slaughtered, the steeds, affected with panic, fled away like smaller animals desirous of saving their lives at sight of the lion. And the Pandavas, O king, having vanquished their foes in that great battle, blew their conches and beat their drums. Then Duryodhana, filled with grief on seeing his troops vanquished, addressed the ruler of the Madras, O chief of the Bharatas, and said, 'There, the eldest son of Pandu, accompanied by the twins in battle, in thy very sight, O thou of mighty arms, routeth our troops, O lord. O mighty-armed one, resist him like the continent resisting the ocean. Thou art exceedingly well-known as possessed of might and prowess that are irresistible.' Hearing these words of thy son, the valiant Salya proceeded with a large body of cars to the spot where Yudhishthira was. Thereupon, the son of Pandu began to resist in battle that large host of Salya rushing impetuously towards him with the force of a mighty wave. And that mighty car-warrior, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, in that battle quickly pierced the ruler of the Madras in the centre of the chest with ten shafts. And Nakula and Sahadeva struck him with seven straight shafts. The ruler of the Madras then struck each of them with three arrows. And once more he pierced Yudhishthira with sixty sharp-pointed arrows. And excited with wrath he struck each of the sons of Madri also with two shafts. Then that vanquisher of foes, the mighty-armed Bhima, beholding the king, in that great battle, staying within reach of Salya's car as if within the very jaws of Death, quickly proceeded to Yudhishthira's side. Then when the Sun, having passed the meridian, was sinking, there commenced a fierce and terrible battle (on that part of the field).

Book 6
Chapter 107

 1 [s]
      sātyakiṃ daṃśitaṃ yuddhe bhīṣmāyābhyudyataṃ tadā
      ārśyaśṛṅgir maheṣvāso vārayām āsa saṃyuge
  2 mādhavas tu susaṃkruddho rākṣasaṃ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
      ājaghāna raṇe rājan prahasann iva bhārata
  3 tathaiva rākṣaso rājan mādhavaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
      ardayām āsa rājendra saṃkruddhaḥ śinipuṃgavam
  4 śaineyaḥ śarasaṃghaṃ tu preṣayām āsa saṃyuge
      rākṣasāya susaṃkruddho mādhavaḥ pari vīrahā
  5 tato rakṣo mahābāhuṃ sātyaktiṃ satyavikramam
      vivyādha viśikhair tīkṣṇaiḥ siṃhanādaṃ nanāda ca
  6 mādhavas tu bhṛśaṃ viddho rākṣasena raṇe tadā
      dhairyam ālambya tejasvī jahāsa ca nanāda ca
  7 bhagadattas tataḥ kruddho mādhavaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
      tāḍayām āsa samare tottrair iva mahāgajam
  8 vihāya rākṣasaṃ yuddhe śaineyo rathināṃ varaḥ
      prāgjyotiṣāya cikṣepa śarān saṃnataparvaṇaḥ
  9 tasya prāgjyotiṣo rājā mādhavasya mahad dhanuḥ
      ciccheda śitadhāreṇa bhallena hṛtahastavat
  10 athānyad dhanur ādāya vegavat paravīrahā
     bhagadattaṃ raṇe kruddho vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 11 so 'tividdho maheṣvāsaḥ sṛkkiṇī saṃlihan muhuḥ
     śaktiṃ kanakavaiḍūrya bhūṣitām āyasī dṛḍhām
     yamadaṇḍopamāṃ ghorāṃ prāhiṇot sātyakāya vai
 12 tām āpatantāṃ sahasā tasya bāhor baleritām
     sātyakiḥ samare rājaṃs tridhā ciccheda sāyakaiḥ
     sā papāta tadā bhūmau maholkeva hataprabhā
 13 śaktiṃ vinihatāṃ dṛṣṭvā putras tava viśāṃ pate
     mahatā rathavaṃśena vārayām āsa mādhavam
 14 tathā parivṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā vārṣṇeyānāṃ mahāratham
     duryodhano bhṛśaṃ hṛṣṭo bhrātṝn sarvān uvāca ha
 15 tathā kuruta kauravyā yathā vaḥ sātyako yudhi
     na jīvan pratiniryāti mahato 'smād rathavrajāt
     asmin hate hataṃ manye pāṇḍavānāṃ mahad balam
 16 tat tatheti vacas tasya parigṛhya mahārathāḥ
     śaineyaṃ yodhayām āsur bhīṣmasya pramukhe tadā
 17 abhimanyuṃ tadāyāntaṃ bhīṣmāyābhyudyataṃ mṛdhe
     kāmbojarājo balavān vārayām āsa saṃyuge
 18 ārjunir nṛpatiṃ viddhvā śairaḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     punar eva catuḥṣaṣṭyā rājan vivyādha taṃ nṛpam
 19 sudakṣiṇas tu samare kārṣṇiṃ vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
     sārathiṃ cāsya navabhir icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam
 20 tad yuddham āsīt sumahat tayos tatra parākrame
     yad abhyadhāvad gāṅgeyaṃ śikhaṇḍī śatrutāpanaḥ
 21 virāṭadrupadau vṛddhau vārayantau mahācamūm
     bhīṣmaṃ ca yudhi saṃrabdhāv ādravantau mahārathau
 22 aśvatthāmā tataḥ kruddhaḥ samāyād rathasattamaḥ
     tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tava teṣāṃ ca bhārata
 23 virāṭo daśabhir bhallair ājaghāna paraṃtapa
     yatamānaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ drauṇim āhavaśobhinam
 24 drupadaś ca tribhir bāṇair vivyādha niśitais tathā
     guruputraṃ samāsādya bhīṣmasya purataḥ sthitam
 25 aśvatthāmā tatas tau tu vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     virāṭadrupadau vṛddhau bhīṣmaṃ prati samudyatau
 26 tatrādbhutam apaśyāma vṛddhayoś caritaṃ mahat
     yad drauṇeḥ sāyakān ghorān pratyavārayatāṃ yudhi
 27 sahadevaṃ tathā yāntaṃ kṛpaḥ śāradvato 'bhyayāt
     yathā nāgo vane nāgaṃ matto mattam upādravat
 28 kṛpaś ca samare rājan mādrīputraṃ mahāratham
     ājaghāna śarais tūrṇaṃ saptatyā rukmabhūṣaṇaiḥ
 29 tasya mādrī sutaś cāpaṃ dvidhā ciccheda sāyakaiḥ
     athainaṃ cinna dhanvānaṃ vivyādha navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 30 so 'nyat kārmukam ādāya samare bhārasādhanam
     mādrīputraṃ susaṃhṛṣṭo daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     ājaghānorasi kruddha icchan bhīṣmasya jīvitam
 31 tathaiva pāṇḍavo rājañ śāradvatam amarṣaṇam
     ājaghānorasi kruddho bhīṣmasya vadhakāṅkṣayā
     tayor yuddhaṃ samabhavad ghorarūpaṃ bhayāvaham
 32 nakulaṃ tu raṇe kruddhaṃ vikarṇaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ
     vivyādha sāyakaiḥ ṣaṣṭyā rakṣan bhīṣmasya jīvitam
 33 nakulo 'pi bhṛśaṃ viddhas tava putreṇa dhanvinā
     vikarṇaṃ sapta saptatyā nirbibheda śilīmukhaiḥ
 34 tatra tau naraśārdūlau goṣṭhe govṛṣabhāv iva
     anyonyaṃ jaghnatur vīrau goṣṭhe govṛṣabhāv iva
 35 ghaṭotkacaṃ raṇe yattaṃ nighnantaṃ tava vāhinīm
     durmukhaḥ samare prāyād bhīṣmahetoḥ parākramī
 36 haiḍimbas tu tato rājan durmukhaṃ śatrutāpanam
     ājaghānorasi kruddho navatyā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 37 bhīmasena sutaṃ cāpi durmukhaḥ sumukhaiḥ śaraiḥ
     ṣaṣṭyā vīro nadan hṛṣṭo vivyādha raṇamūrdhani
 38 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ raṇe yāntaṃ bhīṣmasya vadhakāṅkṣiṇam
     hārdikyo vārayām āsa rakṣan bhīṣmasya jīvitam
 39 vārṣṇeyaḥ pārṣataṃ śūraṃ viddhvā pañcabhir āyasaiḥ
     punaḥ pañcāśatā tūrṇam ājaghāna stanāntare
 40 tathaiva pārṣato rājan hārdikyaṃ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     vivyādha niśitais tīkṣṇaiḥ kaṅkapatra paricchadaiḥ
 41 tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ bhīṣmahetor mahāraṇe
     anyonyātiśayair yuktaṃ yathā vṛtra mahendrayoḥ
 42 bhīmasenam athāyāntaṃ bhīṣmaṃ prati mahābalam
     bhūriśravābhyayāt tūrṇaṃ tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt
 43 saumadattir atho bhīmam ājaghāna stanāntare
     nārācena sutīkṣṇena rukmapuṅkhena saṃyuge
 44 uraḥsthena babhau tena bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     skanda śaktyā yathā krauñcaḥ purā nṛpatisattama
 45 tau śarān sūryasaṃkāśān karmāra parimārjitān
     anyonyasya raṇe kruddhau cikṣipāte muhur muhuḥ
 46 bhīmo bhīṣma vadhākānṣkī saumadattiṃ mahāratham
     tathā bhīṣma jaye gṛdhnuḥ saumadattiś ca pāṇḍavam
     kṛtapratikṛte yattau yodhayām āsatū raṇe
 47 yudhiṣṭhiraṃ mahārāja mahatyā senayā vṛtam
     bhīṣmāyābhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ bhāradvājo nyavārayat
 48 droṇasya rathanirghoṣaṃ parjanyaninadopamam
     śrutvā prabhadrakā rājan samakampanta māriṣa
 49 sā senā mahatī rājan pāṇḍuputrasya saṃyuge
     droṇena vāritā yattā na cacāla padāt padam
 50 cekitānaṃ raṇe kruddhaṃ bhīṣmaṃ prati janeśvara
     citrasenas tava sutaḥ kruddha rūpam avārayat
 51 bhīṣmahetoḥ parākrāntaś citraseno mahārathaḥ
     cekitānaṃ paraṃ śaktyā yodhayām āsa bhārata
 52 tathaiva cekitāno 'pi citrasenam ayodhayat
     tad yuddham āsīt sumahat tayos tatra parākrame
 53 arjuno vāryamāṇas tu bahuśas tanayena te
     vimukhīkṛtya putraṃ te tava senāṃ mamarda ha
 54 duḥśāsano 'pi parayā śaktyā pārtham avārayat
     kathaṃ bhīṣmaṃ paro hanyād iti niścitya bhārata
 55 sā vadhyamānā samare putrasya tava vāhinī
     loḍyate rathibhiḥ śreṣṭhais tatra tatraiva bhārata

SECTION CVII

Sanjaya said, "Then thy sire, excited with wrath, began to strike the Parthas and their troops all round, with excellent shafts of great sharpness. And he pierced Bhima with twelve shafts, and Satyaki with nine. And having pierced Nakula with three shafts, he pierced Sahadeva with seven.
p. 264
[paragraph continues] And he pierced Yudhishthira in the arms and the chest with twelve shafts. And piercing Dhrishtadyumna also, that mighty warrior uttered a loud roar. Him Nakula pierced (in return) with twelve shafts, and Satyaki with three. And Dhrishtadyumna pierced him with seventy shafts, and Bhimasena with seven. And Yudhishthira pierced the grandsire in return with twelve shafts. Drona (on the other hand), having pierced Satyaki, pierced Bhimasena next. And he pierced each of them with five sharp shafts, each of which resembled the rod of Death. Each of those two, however, pierced Drona, that bull among Brahmanas, in return, with three straight shafts. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis, did not avoid Bhishma in battle although they were incessantly slaughtered by him with sharp shafts. And similarly kings coming from diverse countries and armed with diverse weapons, approached the Pandavas (without seeking to avoid them in battle). And the Pandavas, O king, surrounded the grandsire on all sides. Surrounded on all sides, yet unvanquished by that large body of cars, Bhishma blazed up like a fire in the midst of a forest, and consumed his foes. His car was his fire-chamber; his bow constituted the (flames of that fire); swords, darts, and maces, constituted the fuel; his shafts were the sparks (of that fire); and Bhishma was himself the fire that consumed the foremost of Kshatriyas. Indeed, with shafts furnished with golden wings and vulturine feathers and endued with great energy, with barbed arrows, and nalikas, and long shafts, he covered the hostile host. And he felled elephants and car-warriors also with his sharp shafts. And he made that large body of cars resemble a forest of palmyras shorn of their leafy heads. And that mighty armed warrior, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, O king, deprived cars and elephants and steeds of their riders in that conflict. And hearing the twang of his bow-string and the noise of his palms, loud as the roar of the thunder, all the troops trembled, O Bharata. The shafts of thy sire, O bull of Bharata's race, told on the foe. Indeed, shot from Bhishma's bow they did not strike the coats of mail only (but pierced them through). And we beheld, O king, many cars destitute of their brave riders dragged over the field of battle, O monarch, by the fleet steeds yoked unto them. Fourteen thousand car-warriors, belonging to the Chedis, the Kasis, and the Karushas, of great celebrity and noble parentage, prepared to lay down their lives, unretreating from the field, and owning excellent standards decked with gold, having met with Bhishma in battle who resembled the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth, all went to the other world along with their cars, steeds, and elephants. And we beheld there, O king, cars by hundreds and thousands, some with their axles and bottoms broken, and some, O Bharata, with broken wheels. And the earth was strewn with cars broken along with their wooden fences, with the prostrate forms of car-warriors, with shafts, with beautiful but broken coats of mail, with axes. O monarch; with maces and short arrows and sharp shafts, with bottoms of cars, with quivers and broken wheels, O sire, with innumerable bows
p. 265
and scimitars and heads decked with ear-rings; with leathern fences and gloves and overthrown standards, and with bows broken in various parts. And elephants, O king, destitute of riders, and slain horsemen (of the Pandava army), lay dead. The valiant Pandavas notwithstanding all their efforts, could not rally those car-warriors, who, afflicted by the shafts of Bhishma, were flying away from the field. Indeed, O king, that mighty host while being slaughtered by Bhishma endued with energy equal to that of Indra himself, broke so completely that no two persons fled together. With its cars, elephants, and steeds overthrown, and with its standards laid low in profusion, the army of the sons of Pandu, deprived of senses, uttered loud exclamations of woe. And at that time, sire slew son, and son slew sire, and friend smote dear friend, impelled by fate. And many combatants of the Pandavas army, throwing aside their armour, were seen flying in all directions with dishevelled hair. Indeed, the Pandava troops looked like bulls running wild in fear, and no longer restrained by the yoke. Indeed, loud were the exclamations, we heard of woe that they uttered.
"Then that delighter of the Yadavas, beholding the Pandava army breaking, reined the excellent car (that he guided), and addressing Vibhatsu the son of Pritha, said,--That hour is come, O Partha, which thou hadst hoped for. Strike now, O tiger among men, or thou wilt be deprived of thy senses. Formerly, O hero, thou saidst, O Partha, in that conclave of kings in Virata's city, in the presence also of Sanjaya, these words:--'I will slay all the warriors of Dhritarashtra's son, all of them with their followers, including, Bhishma and Drona, that would fight with me in battle--O son of Kunti, O chastiser of foes, make those words of thine true. Remembering the duty of a Kshatriya, fight, without any anxiety.' Thus addressed by Vasudeva, Arjuna hung down his head and looked askance at him. And Vibhatsu replied very unwillingly, saying, 'To acquire sovereignty with hell in the end, having slain those who should not be slain, or the woes of an exile in the woods,--(these are the alternatives). Which of these should I achieve? Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesa, I will do thy bidding. I will overthrow the Kuru grandsire Bhishma, that invincible warrior.'--Thus asked, Madhava urged those steeds of a silvery hue, to the spot where Bhishma, incapable of being looked at like the Sun himself, was staying. Then that large host of Yudhishthira rallied and came again to the fight, beholding the mighty-armed Partha proceeding for an encounter with Bhishma. Then Bhishma that foremost one among the Kurus, repeatedly roared like a lion. And he soon covered Dhananjaya's car with a shower of arrows. Within a trice that car of his with its steeds and charioteer, became entirely invisible in consequence of that thick shower of arrows. Vasudeva, however, without fear, mustering patience, and endued with great activity, urged those steeds mangled with Bhishma's shafts. Then Partha, taking up his celestial bow of twang loud as the roar of the clouds, caused Bhishma's bow to drop from his hands, cutting it (into fragments) by means of his sharp shafts. Then thy sire, the Kuru hero, whose bow had thus been cut off, stringed another large bow within the twinkling of the
p. 266
eye. Arjuna, however, excited with wrath, cut that bow also of his. The son of Santanu applauded that lightness of hand displayed by Arjuna, saying, 'Well done, Well done, O mighty-armed one. Well done, O son of Kunti.'--Having addressed him thus, Bhishma took up another beautiful bow in that battle, and shot many arrows at Partha's car. And Vasudeva showed great skill in the management of steeds, for, displaying the circling motion he baffled all those arrows (of Bhishma). Mangled with the arrows of Bhishma, those two tigers among men looked beautiful like two angry bulls marked with scratches of horns. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the mighty-armed Vasudeva of Madhu's race beholding that Partha was fighting mildly and that Bhishma was incessantly scattering his arrowy showers in battle, and that stationed between the two hosts, he latter was scorching everything like the Sun himself, smiting down the foremost of Yudhishthira's combatants, and, in fact, achieving feat on Yudhishthira's army like unto what happeneth at the end of the Yuga, could not any longer bear it. Abandoning then, O sire, Partha's steeds that looked like silver, and filled with wrath, that great lord of Yoga powers jumped down from that great car. Repeatedly roaring like a lion, the mighty Krishna of great energy and immeasurable splendour, the Lord of Universe, with eyes red as copper from rage, and having his bare arms alone for his weapons, rushed towards Bhishma, whip in hand, desirous of slaying him and seeming to split the universe itself with his tread. Beholding Madhava in the vicinity of Bhishma and about to fall upon him in that furious battle, the hearts of all the combatants seemed to be in a stupor. 'Bhishma is slain, Bhishma is slain.'--These loud exclamations were heard there, O king, caused by the fear inspired by Vasudeva. Robed in yellow silk, and himself dark as the lapis lazuli, Janarddana, when he pursued Bhishma, looked beautiful as a mass of clouds charged with lightning. Like a lion towards an elephant, or the leader of a bovine herd upon another of his species, that bull of Madhu's race, with a loud roar, impetuously rushed towards Bhishma. Beholding him of eyes like lotus petals (thus) rushing towards him in that battle, Bhishma began to fearlessly draw his large bow. And with a fearless heart he addressed Govinda, saying, 'Come, come, O thou of eyes like lotus petals. O God of the gods, I bow to thee. O best of the Satwatas, throw me down today in this great battle. O god, slain by thee in battle, O sinless one, great will be the good done to me, O Krishna, in every respect in the world. Amongst all, in the three worlds, great is the honour done to me today in battle, O Govinda. Strike me as thou pleasest, for I am thy slave, O sinless one.' Meanwhile, the mighty-armed Partha. quickly following Kesava behind, seized him by encircling him with his two arms. That best of male beings, viz., Krishna, of eyes like lotus petals, seized by Partha, still proceeded with great speed, bearing the latter away with him. The mighty Partha, that slayer of hostile heroes, however, forcibly catching hold of his legs, stopped Hrishikesa with great difficulty at the tenth step. Then Arjuna his dear friend, filled with sorrow, affectionately addressed Kesava, who was then sighing like a snake and whose eyes were
p. 267
troubled in wrath, saying, 'O thou of mighty arms, stop, O Kesava, it behoveth thee not to make those words false which thou hadst spoken before, viz., I will not fight. O Madhava, people will say that thou art a liar. All this burden resteth upon me. I will slay the grandsire. I swear, O Kesava, by my weapons, by truth, and my good deeds, that, O slayer of foes, I will do all by which the destruction of my foes may be achieved. Behold this very day that invincible and mighty car-warrior in the act of being thrown down by me, with the greatest ease, like the crescent moon at the end of the Yuga (when the destruction of the universe comes). Madhava, however, hearing these words of the high-souled Phalguni, spoke not a word, but in anger once more mounted upon the car. And then upon those two tigers among men, when stationed on their car, Bhishma the son of Santanu, once more poured his arrowy showers like the clouds pouring rain upon the mountain-breast. Thy sire Devavrata took the lives of the (hostile) warriors like the Sun sucking with his rays the energies of all things during summer. As the Pandavas had been breaking the ranks of the Kurus in battle, so thy sire broke the Pandava ranks in battle. And the routed soldiers, helpless and heartless, slaughtered in hundreds and thousands by Bhishma, were unable to even look at him in that battle,--him who resembled the mid-day Sun blazing in his own splendour. Indeed, the Pandavas afflicted with fear, timidly gazed at Bhishma who was then achieving super-human feats in that battle. And the Pandava troops, thus fleeing away, O Bharata, failed to find a protector, like a herd of kine sunk in a shoal of ants while being trod down by a strong person. Indeed, the Pandavas could not, O Bharata, look at that mighty car-warrior incapable of being shaken, who, furnished with a profusion of shafts, was scorching the kings (in the Pandava army), and who in consequence of those shafts looked like the blazing Sun shedding his fiery rays. And while he was thus grinding the Pandava army, the thousand-rayed maker of day repaired to the setting hills, and the troops, worn with fatigue, set their hearts on withdrawal (from the field)."

Book 6
Chapter 108

1 [s]
      atha vīro maheṣvāso mattavāraṇavikramaḥ
      samādāya mahac cāpaṃ mattavāraṇavāraṇam
  2 vidhunvāno dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ drāvayāṇo mahārathān
      pṛtanāṃ pāṇḍaveyānāṃ pātayāno mahārathaḥ
  3 nimittāni nimittajñaḥ sarvato vīkṣya vīryavān
      pratapantam anīkāni droṇaḥ putram abhāṣata
  4 ayaṃ sa divasas tāta yatra pārtho mahārathaḥ
      jighāṃsuḥ samare bhīṣmaṃ paraṃ yatnaṃ kariṣyati
  5 utpatanti hi me bāṇā dhanuḥ prasphuratīva me
      yogam astāṇi gacchanti krūre me vartate matiḥ
  6 dikṣu śāntāsu ghorāṇi vyāharanti mṛgadvijāḥ
      nīcair gṛdhrā nilīyante bhāratānāṃ camūṃ prati
  7 naṣṭaprabha ivādityaḥ sarvato lohitā diśaḥ
      rasate vyathate bhūmir anuṣṭanati vāhanam
  8 kaṅkā gṛdhrā balākāś ca vyāharanti muhur muhuḥ
      śivāś cāśiva nirghoṣā vedayantyo mahad bhayam
  9 papāta mahatī coklā madhyenāditya maṇḍalāt
      sa kabandhaś ca parigho bhānum āvṛtya tiṣṭhati
  10 pariveṣas tathā ghoraś candrabhāskarayor abhūt
     vedayāno bhayaṃ ghoraṃ rājñāṃ dehāvakartanam
 11 devatāyatanasthāś ca kauravendrasya devatāḥ
     kampante ca hasante ca nṛtyanti ca rudanti ca
 12 apasavyaṃ grahāś cakrur alakṣmāṇaṃ niśākaram
     avākśirāś ca bhagavān udatiṣṭhata candramāḥ
 13 vapūṃṣi ca narendrāṇāṃ vigatānīva lakṣaye
     dhārtarāṣṭrasya sainyeṣu na ca bhrājanti daṃśitaḥ
 14 senayor ubhayoś caiva samantāc chrūyate mahān
     pāñcajanyasya nirghoṣo gāṇḍīvasya ca nisvanaḥ
 15 dhruvam āsthāya bībhatsur uttamāstrāṇi saṃyuge
     apāsyānyān raṇe yodhān abhyasyati pitāmaham
 16 hṛṣyanti romakūpāni sīdatīva ca me manaḥ
     cintayitvā mahābāho bhīṣmārjunasamāgamam
 17 taṃ caiva nikṛtiprajñaṃ pāñcālyaṃ pāpacetasam
     puraskṛtya raṇe pārtho bhīṣmasyāyodhanaṃ gataḥ
 18 abravīc ca purā bhīṣmo nāhaṃ hanyāṃ śikhaṇḍinam
     strī hy eṣā vihitā dhātrā daivāc ca sa punaḥ pumān
 19 amaṅgalyadhvajaś caiva yājñasenir mahārathaḥ
     na cāmaṅgala ketoḥ sa prahared āpagā sutaḥ
 20 etad vicintayānasya prajñā sīdati me bhṛśam
     adyaiva tu raṇe pārthaḥ kuruvṛddham upādravat
 21 yudhiṣṭhirasya ca krodho bhīṣmārjunasamāgamaḥ
     mama cāstrābhisaṃrambhaḥ prajānām aśubhaṃ dhruvam
 22 manasvī balavāñ śūraḥ kṛtāstro dṛḍhavikramaḥ
     dūrapātī dṛḍheṣuś ca nimittajñaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 23 ajeyaḥ samare caiva devair api sa vāsavaiḥ
     balavān buddhimāṃś caiva jitakleśo yudhāṃ varaḥ
 24 vijayī ca raṇe nityaṃ bhairavāstraś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     tasya mārgaṃ pariharan drutaṃ gaccha yatavratam
 25 paśya caitan mahābāho vaiśasaṃ samupasthitam
     hemacitrāṇi śūrāṇāṃ mahānti ca śubhāni ca
 26 kavacāny avadīryante śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     chidyante ca dhvajāgrāṇi tomarāṇi dhanūṃṣi ca
 27 prāsāś ca vimalās tīkṣṇāḥ śaktyaś ca kanakojjvalāḥ
     vaijayantyaś ca nāgānāṃ saṃkruddhena kirīṭinā
 28 nāyaṃ saṃrakṣituṃ kālaḥ prāṇān putropajīvibhiḥ
     yāhi svargaṃ puraskṛtya yaśase vijayāya ca
 29 hayanāgarathāvartāṃ mahāghorāṃ sudustarām
     rathena saṃgrāmanadīṃ taraty eṣa kapidhvajaḥ
 30 brahmaṇyatā damo dānaṃ tapaś ca caritaṃ mahat
     ihaiva dṛśyate rājño bhrātā yasya dhanaṃjayaḥ
 31 bhīmasenaś ca balavān mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau
     vāsudevaś ca vārṣṇeyo yasya nātho vyavasthitaḥ
 32 tasyaiṣa manyuprabhavo dhārtarāṣṭrasya durmateḥ
     tapo dagdhaśarīrasya kopo dahati bhāratān
 33 eṣa saṃdṛśyate pārtho vāsudeva vyapāśrayaḥ
     dārayan sarvasainyāni dhārtarāṣṭrāṇi sarvaśaḥ
 34 etad ālokyate sainyaṃ kṣobhyamāṇaṃ kirīṭinā
     mahorminaddhaṃ sumahat timineva nadī mukham
 35 hāhā kila kilā śabdāḥ śrūyante ca camūmukhe
     yāhi pāñcāla dāyādam ahaṃ yāsye yudhiṣṭhiram
 36 durlabhaṃ hy antaraṃ rājño vyūhasyāmita tejasaḥ
     samudrakukṣipatimaṃ sarvato 'tirathaiḥ sthitaiḥ
 37 sātyakiś cābhimanyuś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnavṛkodarau
     parirakṣanti rājānaṃ yamau ca manujeśvaram
 38 upendra sadṛśaḥ śyāmo mahāśāla ivodgataḥ
     eṣa gacchaty anīkāni dvitīya iva phalgunaḥ
 39 uttamāstrāṇi cādatsva gṛhītvānyan mahad dhanuḥ
     pārśvato yāhi rājānaṃ yudhyasva ca vṛkodaram
 40 ko hi necchet priyaṃ putraṃ jīvantaṃ śāśvatīḥ samāḥ
     kṣatradharmaṃ puraskṛtya tatas tvā viniyujmahe
 41 eṣa cāpi raṇe bhīṣmo dahate vai mahācamūm
     yuddhe susadṛśas tāta yamasya varuṇasya ca

SECTION CVIII

Sanjaya said, "While they were battling, the Sun set, O Bharata, aid there came the dreadful hour of twilight and the battle could no longer be seen. Then king Yudhishthira, seeing that twilight had come and that his own troops, slaughtered by Bhishma, had thrown aside their weapons, and that stricken with fear, and turned off the field, they were seeking to flee away, and beholding Bhishma also, that mighty car-warrior, excited with wrath and afflicting everybody in fight, and noticing that the mighty car-warriors of the Somakas, having been vanquished, had all become cheerless,
p. 268
reflected a little, and then ordered the troops to be withdrawn. Then king Yudhishthira withdrew his forces. And similarly, the withdrawal of thy forces also took place at the same time. Then those mighty car-warriors, O chief of the Kurus, having withdrawn their forces, entered their tents, themselves mangled in battle. Afflicted by the shafts of Bhishma and reflecting upon that hero's feats in battle, the Pandavas obtained no peace of mind. Bhishma also, having vanquished the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle, was worshipped by thy sons and glorified by them, O Bharata. Accompanied by the rejoicing Kurus, he then entered his tent. Night then set in, that deprives all creatures of their senses. Then in that fierce hour of night, the Pandavas, the Vrishnis and the invincible Srinjayas sat down for a consultation. All those mighty persons, skilled in arriving at conclusions in council, coolly deliberated about that which was beneficial for them in view of their immediate circumstances. Then king Yudhishthira, having reflected for a long while, said these words, casting his eyes on Vasudeva, 'Behold, O Krishna, the high-souled Bhishma of fierce prowess. He crusheth my troops like an elephant crushing a forest of reeds. We dare not even look at that high-souled warrior. Like a raging conflagration he licketh up my troops. The valiant Bhishma of keen weapons, when excited with wrath in battle and bow in hand shooting his shafts, becometh as fierce as the mighty Naga Takshaka of virulent poison. Indeed, the angry Yama is capable of being vanquished, or even the chief of the celestials armed with the thunder, or Varuna himself, noose in hand, or the Lord of the Yakshas armed with mace. But Bhishma, excited with wrath, is incapable of being vanquished in battle. When this is the case, O Krishna, I am, through the weakness of my understanding, plunged in an ocean of grief having got Bhishma (as a foe) in battle. I will retire into the woods, O invincible one. My exile there would be for my benefit. Battle, O Krishna, I no longer desire. Bhishma slayeth us always. As an insect, by rushing into a blazing fire meeteth only with death, even so do I rush upon Bhishma. In putting forth prowess, O thou of Vrishni's race, for the sake of my kingdom, I am, alas, led to destruction. My brave brothers have all been exceedingly afflicted with arrows. In consequence of the affection they bear to myself their (eldest) brother they had to go into the woods, deprived of kingdom. For myself alone, O slayer of Madhu, hath Krishna been sunk into such distress. I regard life to be of high value. Indeed, even life now seemeth to be difficult of being saved. (If I can save that life), its latter remnant will I pass in the practice of excellent virtue. If, with my brothers, O Kesava, I am worthy of thy favour, tell me, O Krishna, what is for my benefit, without contravening the duties of my order. Hearing these words of his, and (describing the situation) in detail, Krishna, from compassion, said these words in reply for comforting Yudhishthira, 'O son of Dharma, O thou that art firm in truth, do thou not indulge in sorrow, thou that hast these invincible heroes, these slayers of foes, for thy brothers. Arjuna and Bhimasena are each endued with the energy of the Wind and the Fire. The twin sons of Madri also are each as valiant as the Chief of the celestials
p. 269
himself. From the good understanding that exists between us, do thou set me also to this task. Even I, O son of Pandu, will fight with Bhishma. Directed by thee, O great king, what is there that I may not do in great battle. Challenging that bull among men, viz., Bhishma, I will slay him in battle, in the very sight of the Dhartarashtras, if Phalguni doth not wish to slay him. If, O son of Pandu, thou seest victory to be certain on the slaughter of the heroic Bhishma, even, I, on a single car, will slay that aged grandsire of the Kurus. Behold, O king, my prowess, equal to that of the great Indra in battle. I will overthrow from his car that warrior who always shooteth mighty weapons. He that is an enemy of the sons of Pandu, without doubt, is my enemy also. They, that are yours, are mine, and so they, that are mine, are yours. Thy brother (Arjuna) is my friend, relative, and disciple. I will, O king, cut off my own flesh and give it away for the sake of Arjuna. And this tiger among men also can lay down his life for my sake. O sire, even this is our understanding, viz., that we will protect each other. Therefore, command me, O king, in what way I am to fight. Formerly, at Upaplavya, Partha had, in the presence of many persons, vowed, saying, 'I will slay the son of Ganga.' These words of the intelligent Partha should be observed (in practice). Indeed, if Partha requests me without doubt I will fulfill that vow. Or, let it be the task of Phalguni himself in battle. It is not heavy for him. He will slay Bhishma, that subjugator of hostile cities. If excited in battle, Partha can achieve feats that are incapable of being achieved by others. Arjuna can slay in battle the very gods exerting themselves actively, along with the Daityas and the Danavas. What need be said of Bhishma, therefore, O king? Endued with great energy, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, is now of perverted judgment, of intelligence decayed, and of little sense, without doubt, he knoweth not what he should do.'
"Hearing these words of Krishna, Yudhishthira said, 'It is even so, O thou of mighty arms, even as thou sayest, O thou of Madhu's race. All these together are not competent to bear thy force. I am sure of always having whatever I desire, when, O tiger among men, I have thyself staying on my side. O foremost of victorious persons, I would conquer the very gods with Indra at their head, when, O Govinda, I have thee for my protector. What need I say, therefore, of Bhishma, though he is a mighty car-warrior? But, O Krishna, I dare not, for my own glorification, falsify thy words. Therefore, O Madhava, as promised before by thee, render me aid without fighting for me. In this battle an agreement was made by me with Bhishma. He said,--I will give thee counsel, but fight I shall never for thee, since I shall have to fight for Duryodhana's sake. Know this for truth. Therefore, O Lord, Bhishma may give me sovereignty by giving me good counsel, O Madhava. Therefore, O slayer of Madhu, all of us accompanied by thee, will once more repair unto Devavrata, for asking him about the means of his own death. All of us then, O best of persons, together going to Bhishma without delay, will speedily ask him of Kuru's race his advice. O Janardana, he will truly give us beneficial counsel; and O Krishna, I will do in battle what he will say. Of austere vows, he will give us counsel,
p. 270
as also victory. We were children and orphans. By him were we reared. O Madhava, him, our aged grandsire, I wish to day,--him, the sire of our sire. Oh, fie upon the profession of a Kshatriyas.'
Sanjaya continued, "Hearing these words, O king, he of Vrishni's race said unto Yudhishthira, 'O thou of great wisdom, these words of thine, O king, are to my taste. Bhishma, otherwise called Devavrata, is skilled in weapons. With only his glances he can consume the foe. Repair unto that son of the Ocean-going (Ganga), for asking him about the means of his death. Asked by thee, in particular, he will certainly say the truth. We will, therefore, proceed for questioning the Kuru grandsire. Repairing unto the reverend son of Santanu, we will, O Bharata, ask him his advice and according to the advice that he will give us we will fight with the foe.' Having thus deliberated, O elder brother of Pandu, the heroic sons of Pandu, and the valiant Vasudeva, all proceeded together towards the abode of Bhishma, casting aside their coats of mail and weapons and entering then his tent, they all bowed to him, bending their heads. And the sons of Pandu, O king, worshipping that bull of Bharata's race, and bowing unto him with their heads, sought his protection. The Kuru grandsire, the mighty-armed Bhishma, then addressed them, saying, 'Welcome art thou, O thou of Vrishni's race. Welcome art thou, O Dhananjaya. Welcome to thee, O king Yudhishthira the just, Ad to thee, O Bhima. Welcome to you also, ye twins. What am I to do now for enhancing your joy? Even if it be exceedingly difficult of achievement, I will yet do it with all my soul. Unto the son of Ganga who thus repeatedly spoke unto them with such affection, king Yudhishthira, with a cheerful heart, lovingly said, these words, 'O thou that art conversant with everything, how shall we obtain victory, and how shall we acquire sovereignty? How also may this destruction of creatures be stopped? Say all these unto me, O lord. Tell us the means of thy own death. How, O hero, shall we be able to bear thee in battle? O grandsire of the Kurus, thou givest not thy foes even a minute hole to pick in thee. Thou art seen in battle with thy bow ever drawn to a circle. When thou takest thy shafts, when aimest them, and when drawest the bow (for letting them off), no one is able to mark. O slayer of hostile heroes, constantly smiting (as thou dost) cars and steeds and men and elephants, we behold thee on thy car, O mighty-armed one, to resemble a second Sun. What man is there, O bull of Bharata's race, who can venture to vanquish thee, scattering showers of arrows in battle, and causing a great destruction. Tell me, O grandsire, the means by which we may vanquish thee in battle, by which sovereignty may be ours, and lastly, by which my army may not have to undergo such destruction. Hearing these words, Santanu's son, O elder brother of Pandu, said unto the son of Pandu, 'As long as I am alive, O son of Kunti, victory cannot be yours in battle, O thou of great wisdom. Truly do I say this unto thee. After, however, I am vanquished in fight, ye may have victory in battle, ye sons of Pandu. If, therefore, ye desire victory in the battle, smite me down without delay. I give you permission, ye sons of Pritha, strike me as ye please. I am thus known to
p. 271
you in what I regard to be a fortunate circumstance. 1 After I am slain, all the rest will be slain. Therefore, do as I bid'.
"Yudhishthira said, 'Tell us the means by which we may vanquish thee in battle, thee that art, when excited with wrath in the fight, like unto the Destroyer himself armed with mace. The wielder of the thunder-bolt may be vanquished or Varuna, or Yama. Thou, however, art incapable of being defeated in battle by even the gods and Asuras united together, with Indra at their head.'
"Bhishma said, 'That, O son of Pandu, is true, which thou sayest. O thou, of mighty arms. When with weapons and my large bow in hand I contend carefully in battle, I am incapable of being defeated by the very gods and the Asuras with Indra at their head. If, however, I lay aside my weapons, even these car-warriors can slay me. One that hath thrown away his weapons, one that hath fallen down, one whose armour hath slipped off, one whose standard is down, one who is flying away, one who is frightened, one who says--I am thine--one who is a female, one who beareth the name of a female, one no longer capable of taking care of one's self, one who hath only a single son, or one who is a vulgar fellows,--with these I do not like to battle. Hear also, O king, about my resolve formed before. Beholding any inauspicious omen I would never fight. That mighty car-warrior, the son of Drupada, O king, whom thou hast in thy army, who is known by the name of Sikhandin, who is wrathful in battle, brave, and ever victorious, was a female before but subsequently obtained manhood. How all this took place, ye all know it truly. Brave in battle and clad in mail, let Arjuna, keeping Sikhandin before him, attack me with his sharp shafts. When that inauspicious omen will be there, especially in the form of one that was a female before, I will never seek, though armed with bow and arrow, to strike him. Obtaining that opportunity, let Dhananjaya the son of Pandu quickly pierce me on every side with his shafts, O bull of Bharata's race. Except the highly blessed Krishna, and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, I do not behold the person in the three worlds who is able to slay me while exerting myself in battle. Let Vibhatsu, therefore, armed with weapons, struggling carefully in battle, with his excellent bow in hand, placing (Sikhandin or) something else before, throw, me down (from my car). Then the victory will be certain. Do this, O great king, even this that I have said unto thee, O thou of excellent vows. Thou wilt then be able to slay all Dhartarashtras assembled together in battle.'
Sanjaya continued, "The Parthas then, having ascertained all this went back to their tents, saluting the Kuru grandsire, viz., the high-souled Bhishma. After Ganga's son, prepared to go to the other world, had said this, Arjuna. burning with grief and his face suffused in shame, said these
p. 272
words, 'How, O Madhava, shall I fight in battle with the grandsire who is my senior in years, who is possessed of wisdom and intelligence, and who is the oldest member of our race? While sporting in days of childhood, O Vasudeva, I used to smear the body of this high-souled and illustrious one with dust by climbing on his lap with my own filthy body. O elder brother of Gada, he is the sire of my sire Pandu. While a child, climbing on the lap of this high-souled one I once called him father, I am not thy father but thy father's father, O Bharata!--even this is what he said to me (in reply) in my childhood. He who said so, Oh, how can he be slain by me. O, let my army perish. Whether, it is victory or death that I obtain I will never fight that high-souled person. (Even this is what I think). What dost thou think, O Krishna!'
"Vasudeva said, 'Having vowed the slaughter of Bhishma before, O Jishnu, how canst thou abstain from slaying him, agreeably to the duties of a Kshatriya? Throw down from his car, O Partha, that Kshatriya who is invincible in battle. Victory can never be yours without slaying Ganga's son. Even thus shall he go to the abode of Yama. This hath been settled before by the gods. That which hath been destined before, O Partha, must happen. It cannot be otherwise. None save thee, O invincible one, not even the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself, would be capable of fighting with Bhishma, who is like the Destroyer with wide-open mouth. Slay Bhishma, without any anxiety. Listen also to these words of mine that are what Vrihaspati of great intelligence had said unto Sakra in days of old. One should slay even an aged person endued with every merit and worthy of reverence if he cometh as a foe, or, indeed any other who approacheth for destroying one's self--O Dhananjaya, this is the eternal duty sanctioned for the Kshatriya, viz., that they should fight, protect subjects, and perform sacrifices, all without malice.'
"Arjuna said, 'Sikhandin, O Krishna, will certainly be the cause of Bhishma's death, for Bhishma, as soon as he beholds the prince of the Panchalas, abstains from striking. Therefore, keeping Sikhandin before him and at our head, we will, by that means, overthrow the son of Ganga. Even this is what I think. I will hold in check other great bowmen with my shafts. As regards Sikhandin, he will fight with Bhishma alone, that foremost of all warriors. I have heard from that chief of the Kurus that he would not strike Sikhandin, for having been born before as a woman he subsequently became a male person.'
Sanjaya continued, "Having settled this with Bhishma's permission, the Pandavas, along with Madhava, went away with rejoicing hearts. And then those bulls among men retired to their respective beds."

Book 6
Chapter 109

1 [s]
      bhagadattaḥ kṛpaḥ śalyaḥ kṛtavarmā ca sātvataḥ
      vindānuvindāv āvantyau saindhavaś ca jayadrathaḥ
  2 citraseno vikarṇaś ca tathā durmarṣaṇo yuvā
      daśaite tāvakā yodhā bhīmasenam ayodhayan
  3 mahatyā senayā yuktā nānādeśasamutthayā
      bhīṣmasya samare rājan prārthayānā mahad yaśaḥ
  4 śalyas tu navabhir bāṇair bhīmasenam atāḍayat
      kṛtavarmā tribhir bāṇaiḥ kṛpaś ca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ
  5 citraseno vikarṇaś ca bhagadattaś ca māriṣa
      daśabhir daśabhir bhallair bhīmasenam atāḍayan
  6 saindhavaś ca tribhir bāṇair jatru deśe 'bhyatādayat
      vindānuvindāv āvantyau pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ
      durmarṣaṇaś ca viṃśatyā pāṇḍavaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
  7 sa tān sarvān mahārāja bhrājamānān pṛthak pṛthak
      pravīrān sarvalokasya dhārtarāṣṭrān mahārathān
      vivyādha bahubhir bāṇair bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
  8 śalyaṃ pañcāśatā viddhvā kṛtavarmāṇam aṣṭabhiḥ
      kṛpasya sa śaraṃ cāpaṃ madhye ciccheda bhārata
      athainaṃ chinnadhanvānaṃ punar vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
  9 vindānuvindau ca tathā tribhis tribhir atāṭayat
      durmarṣaṇaṃ ca viṃśatyā citrasenaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ
  10 vikarṇaṃ daśabhir bāṇaiḥ pañcabhiś ca jayadratham
     viddhvā bhīmo 'nadad dhṛṣṭaḥ saindhavaṃ ca punas tribhiḥ
 11 athānyad dhanur ādāya gautamo rathināṃ varaḥ
     bhīmaṃ vivyādha saṃrabdho daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 12 sa viddho bahubhir bāṇais tottrair iva mahādvipaḥ
     tataḥ kruddho mahābāhur bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     gautamaṃ tāḍayām āsa śarair bahubhir āhave
 13 saindhavasya tathāśvāṃś ca sārathiṃ ca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ
     prāhiṇon mṛtyulokāya kālāntakasamadyutiḥ
 14 hatāśvāt tu rathāt tūrṇam avaplutya mahārathaḥ
     śarāṃś cikṣepa niśitān bhīmasenasya saṃyuge
 15 tasya bhīmo dhanurmadhye dvābhyāṃ ciccheda bhārata
     bhallābhyāṃ bharataśreṣṭha saindhavasya mahātmanaḥ
 16 sa chinnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ
     citrasenarathaṃ rājann āruroha tvarānvitaḥ
 17 atyadbhutaṃ raṇe karmakṛtavāṃs tatra pāṇḍavaḥ
     mahārathāñ śarair viddhvā vārayitvā mahārathaḥ
     virathaṃ saindhavaṃ cakre sarvalokasya paśyataḥ
 18 nātīva mamṛṣe śalyo bhīmasenasya vikramam
     sa saṃdhāya śarāṃs tīkṣṇān karmāra parimārjitān
     bhīmaṃ vivyādha saptatyā tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt
 19 kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca bhagadattaś ca māriṣa
     vindānuvindāv āvantyau citrasenaś ca saṃyuge
 20 durmarṣaṇo vikarṇaś ca sindhurājaś ca vīryavān
     bhīmaṃ te vivyadhus tūrṇaṃ śalya hetor ariṃdamāḥ
 21 sa tu tān prativivyādha pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     śalyaṃ vivyādha saptatyā punaś ca daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 22 taṃ śalyo navabhir viddhvā punar vivyādha pañcabhiḥ
     sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena gāḍhaṃ vivyādha marmaṇi
 23 viśokaṃ vīkṣya nirbhinnaṃ bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     madrarājaṃ tribhir bāṇair bāhvor urasi cārpayat
 24 tathetarān maheṣvāsāṃs tribhir tribhir ajihmagaiḥ
     tāḍayām āsa samare siṃhavac ca nanāda ca
 25 te hi yattā maheṣvāsāḥ pāṇḍavaṃ yuddhadurmadam
     tribhis tribhir akuṇṭhāgrair bhṛśaṃ marmasv atāḍayan
 26 to 'tividdho maheṣvāso bhīmaseno na vivyathe
     parvato vāridhārābhir varṣamāṇair ivāmbudaiḥ
 27 śalyaṃ ca navabhir bāṇair bhṛśaṃ viddhvā mahāyaśāḥ
     prāgjyotiṣaṃ śatenājau rājan vivyādha vai dṛḍham
 28 tatas tu sa śaraṃ cāpaṃ sātvatasya mahātmanaḥ
     kṣurapreṇa sutīkṣṇena ciccheda hṛtahastavat
 29 athānyad dhanur ādāya kṛtavarmā vṛkodaram
     ājaghāna bhruvor madhye nārācena paraṃtapa
 30 bhīmas tu samare viddhvā śalyaṃ navabhir āyasaiḥ
     bhagadattaṃ tribhiś caiva kṛtavarmāṇam aṣṭabhiḥ
 31 dvābhyāṃ dvābhyāṃ ca vivyādha gautamaprabhṛtīn rathān
     te tu taṃ samare rājan vivyadhur niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 32 sa tathā pīḍyamāno 'pi sarvatas tair mahārathaiḥ
     matvā tṛṇena tāṃs tulyān vicacāra gatavyathaḥ
 33 te cāpi rathināṃ śreṣṭhā bhīmāya niśitāñ śarān
     preṣayām āsur avyagrāḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 34 tasya śaktiṃ mahāvegaṃ bhagadatto mahārathaḥ
     cikṣepa samare vīraḥ svarṇadaṇḍāṃ mahādhanām
 35 tomaraṃ saindhavo rājā paṭṭiṣaṃ ca mahābhuvaḥ
     śataghnīṃ ca kṛpo rājañ śaraṃ śalyaś ca saṃyuge
 36 athetare maheṣvāsāḥ pañca pañca śilīmukhān
     bhīmasenaṃ samuddiśya preṣayām āsur ojasā
 37 tomaraṃ sa dvidhā cakre kṣurapreṇānilātmajaḥ
     paṭṭiśaṃ ca tribhir bāṇaiś ciccheda tilakāṇḍavat
 38 sa bibheda śataghnīṃ ca navabhiḥ kaṅkapatribhiḥ
     madrarājaprayuktaṃ ca śaraṃ chittvā mahābalaḥ
 39 śaktiṃ ciccheda sahasā bhagadatteritāṃ raṇe
     tathetarāñ śarān ghorāñ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 40 bhīmaseno raṇaślāghī tridhaikaikaṃ samācchinat
     tāṃś ca sarvān maheṣvāsāṃs tribhis tribhir atāḍayat
 41 tato dhanaṃjayas tatra vartamāne mahāraṇe
     jagāma sa rathenājau bhīmaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahāratham
     nighnantaṃ samare śatrūn yodhayānaṃ ca sāyakaiḥ
 42 tau tu tatra mahātmānau sametau vīkṣya pāṇḍavau
     nāśaśaṃsur jayaṃ tatra tāvakāḥ puruṣarṣabha
 43 athārjuno raṇe bhīṣmaṃ yodhayan vai mahāratham
     bhīṣmasya nidhanākāṅkṣī puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam
 44 āsasāda raṇe yodhāṃs tāvakān daśa bhārata
     ye sma bhīmaṃ raṇe rājan yodhayanto vyavasthitāḥ
     bībhatsus tān athāvidhyad bhīmasya priyakāmyayā
 45 tato duryodhano rājā suśarmāṇam acodayat
     arjunasya vadhārthāya bhīmasenasya cobhayoḥ
 46 suśarman gaccha śīghraṃ tvaṃ balaughaiḥ parivāritaḥ
     jahi pāṇḍusutāv etau dhanaṃjaya vṛkodarau
 47 tac chrutvā śāsanaṃ tasya trigartaḥ prasthalādhipaḥ
     abhidrutya raṇe bhīmam arjunaṃ caiva dhanvinau
 48 rathair anekasāhasraiḥ parivavre samantataḥ
     tataḥ pravavṛte yuddham arjunasya paraiḥ saha

SECTION CIX

Dhritarashtra said, "How did Sikhandin advance against the son of Ganga in battle, and how did Bhishma also advance against the Pandavas? Say all this unto me, O Sanjaya!"
Sanjaya said, "Then all those Pandavas, towards the hour of sun-rise, with beat of drums and cymbals and smaller drums, and with the blare of conches of milky whiteness, all around, went out for battle, placing Sikhandin in their van. And they marched out, O king, having formed an array that was destructive of all foes. And Sikhandin, O monarch, was stationed in the very van of all the troops. And Bhimasena and Dhananjaya became the protectors of his car-wheels. And in his rear were the sons of Draupadi and the valiant Abhimanyu. And those mighty car-warriors, viz., Satyaki and Chekitana, became the protectors of the last. And behind them was Dhrishtadyumna protected by the Panchalas. Next to Dhrishtadyumna, behind, marched the royal lord Yudhishthira, accompanied by the twins, filling the air with leonine shouts, O bull of Bharata's race. Next behind him was Virata, surrounded by his own troops. Next to him marched Drupada, O mighty-armed one. And the five Kaikeya brothers and the valiant Dhrishtaketu, O Bharata, protected the rear of the Pandava army. Having disposed their vast army in such an array, the Pandavas rushed against thy host, prepared to cast away their lives. And similarly the Kauravas, O king, placing that mighty car-warrior Bhishma at the head of their whole host, proceeded against the Pandavas. And that invincible warrior was protected by thy mighty sons. Next behind them was the great bowman Drona, as also his mighty son (Aswatthaman). Next behind was Bhagadatta surrounded by his elephant division. And behind Bhagadatta were Kripa and Kritavarman. Behind them were Sudakshina the mighty ruler of the Kamvojas, and Jayatsena, the king of the Magadhas, and Suvala's son and Vrihadvala. And similarly, many other kings, that were all great bowmen, protected the rear of thy host, O Bharata. As each day came, Bhishma the son of Santanu, formed arrays in battle, sometimes after the manner of the Asuras, sometimes after that of the Pisachas, and sometimes after that of the Rakshasas. Then commenced the battle between thy troops, O Bharata, and theirs, both parties smiting one another and increasing the population of Yama's kingdom. And the Parthas with Arjuna at their head, placing Sikhandin in the van, proceeded against Bhishma in that battle, scattering diverse kinds of arrows. And then, O Bharata afflicted by Bhishma with his shafts, (many of) thy warriors, profusely bathed in blood, repaired to the other world. And Nakula and Sahadeva, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, approaching thy army, began to afflict it with great vigour. Thus slaughtered in battle, O bull of Bharata's race, thy warriors were unable to resist that vast host of the Pandavas. Then thy host, vigorously afflicted by great car-warriors and thus slaughtered by them everywhere, fled away on all sides. Slaughtered with sharp shafts by
p. 274
the Pandavas and the Srinjayas they found not a protector, O bull of Bharata's race."
Dhritarashtra said, "Tell me, O Sanjaya, what the valiant Bhishma, excited with rage, did in battle, upon beholding my host afflicted by the Parthas. O sinless one, tell me how that hero, that chastiser of foes, rushed against the Pandavas in battle, and slaughtered the Somakas."
Sanjaya said, "I will tell thee, O king, what thy sire did when thy sons' host was afflicted by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas. With cheerful hearts, the brave sons of Pandu, O elder brother of Pandu, encountered thy son's host, slaughtering (all whom they met). That carnage, O chief of men, of human beings, elephants and steeds, that destruction by the foe of thy army in battle, Bhishma could not brook. That invincible and great bowman, then, reckless of his very life poured upon the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Srinjayas, showers of long shafts and calf-toothed and crescent-shaped arrows. And with weapons, O monarch, he checked with his shafts and with showers of other weapons, both offensive and defensive, all sped with energy and wrath, the five foremost of mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, who had been struggling vigorously in battle. Excited with wrath, he slaughtered in that battle countless elephants and steeds. And that bull among men, O monarch, throwing down many car-warriors from their cars, 1 and horsemen from their horses, and crowds of foot soldiers, and elephant-warriors from the backs of the beasts they rode, struck terror into the foe. And the Pandava warriors all rushed together upon Bhishma singly, upon that mighty car-warrior struggling in battle with great activity, like the Asuras rushing together upon him with the thunderbolt in hand. Shooting on all sides his whetted arrows whose touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, he seemed to the enemy to have assembled a terrible visage. While fighting in that battle, his large bow, resembling that of Sakra himself, seemed to be always drawn to a circle. Beholding those feats in battle, thy sons, O monarch, filled with exceeding wonder, worshipped the grandsire. The Parthas cast their eyes, with cheerless hearts, upon thy heroic sire struggling in battle, like the celestials upon (the Asura) Viprachitti (in days of old). 2 They could not resist that warrior who then resembled the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth. In that battle on the tenth day, Bhishma, with his sharp shafts, consumed the division of Sikhandin like a conflagration consuming a forest. Him resembling an angry snake of virulent poison, or the Destroyer urged by Death himself, Sikhandin pierced with three shafts in the centre of the chest. Deeply pierced therewith, Bhishma saw that it was Sikhandin (who was piercing him). Excited with wrath, but unwilling (to fight with Sikhandin) Bhishma laughingly said, 'Whether thou choosest to strike me or not, I will never fight with thee.
p. 275
[paragraph continues] Thou art that Sikhandin still which the Creator had made thee first', 1 Hearing these words of his, Sikhandin, deprived of his senses by wrath, and licking the corners of his mouth addressed Bhishma in that battle, saying, 'I know thee, O mighty-armed one, to be the exterminator of the Kshatriya race. I have heard also of thy battle with Jamadagni's son. I have also heard much of thy super-human prowess. Knowing thy prowess I will still fight with thee today. For doing what is agreeable to the Pandavas and is agreeable to my own self, O chastiser of foes, I will today fight with thee in battle, O best of men. I will, of a certainty, slay thee. I swear this before thee by my troth! Hearing these words of mine, do that which thou shouldst. Whether thou choosest to strike me or not, thou shall not escape me with life. O thou that art ever victorious, O Bhishma, look thy last on this world.
Sanjaya continued, "Having said so, Sikhandin in that battle pierced Bhishma with five straight shafts, having already pierced him with his wordy shafts. Hearing those words of his, the mighty car-warrior Arjuna, regarding Sikhandin to be Bhishma's Destroyer, urged him on, saying, 'I will fight behind thee, routing the foe with my shafts. Excited with fury, rush thou against Bhishma of terrible prowess. The mighty Bhishma will not be able to afflict thee in battle. Therefore, O mighty-armed one, encounter Bhishma with vigor. If, O sire, thou returnest today without slaying Bhishma, thou wilt, with myself, be an object of ridicule to the world. Seek to do that in battle by which, O hero, we may not incur ridicule in this great battle. Stay the grandsire. O thou of great strength, I will protect thee in this battle, checking all the car-warriors (of the Kuru army). Do thou slay the grandsire. Drona, and Drona's son, and Kripa, and Suyodhana, and Chitrasena, and Vikarna, and Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, Vinda and Anuvinda. of Avanti, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamvojas, and the brave Bhagadatta, and the mighty king of the Magadhas, and Somadatta's son, and the brave Rakshasas who is Rishyasringa's son and the ruler of the Trigartas, alone with all the other great car-warriors (of the Kuru army). I will check like the continent resisting the surging sea. Indeed, I will hold in check all the mighty warriors of the Kuru army assembled together and battling with us. Do thou slay the grandsire.'

Book 6
Chapter 110

1 [s]
      arjunas tu raṇe śalyaṃ yatamānaṃ mahāratham
      chādayām āsa samare śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
  2 suśarmāṇaṃ kṛpaṃ caiva tribhis tribhir avidhyata
      prāgjyotiṣaṃ ca samare saindhavaṃ ca jayadratham
  3 citrasenaṃ vikarṇaṃ ca kṛtavarmāṇam eva ca
      durmarṣaṇaṃ ca rājendra āvantyau ca mahārathau
  4 ekaikaṃ tribhir ānarchat kaṅkabarhiṇa vājitaiḥ
      śarair atiratho yuddhe pīḍayan vāhinīṃ tava
  5 jayadratho raṇe pārthaṃ bhittvā bhārata sāyakaiḥ
      bhīmaṃ vivyādha tarasā citrasena rathe sthitaḥ
  6 śalyaś ca samare jiṣṇuṃ kṛpaś ca rathināṃ varaḥ
      vivyadhāte mahābāhuṃ bahudhā marmabhedibhiḥ
  7 citrasenādayaś caiva putrās tava viśāṃ pate
      pañcabhiḥ pañcabhis tūrṇaṃ saṃyuge niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
      ājaghnur arjunaṃ saṃkhye bhīmasenaṃ ca māriṣa
  8 tau tatra rathināṃ śreṣṭhau kaunteyau bharatarṣabhau
      apīḍayetāṃ samare trigartānāṃ mahad balam
  9 suśarmāpi raṇe pārthaṃ viddhvā bahubhir āyasaiḥ
      nanāda balavan nādaṃ nādayan vai nabhastalam
  10 anye ca rathinaḥ śūrā bhīmasenadhanaṃjayau
     vivyadhur niśitair bāṇai rukmapuṅkhair ajihmagaiḥ
 11 teṣāṃ tu rathināṃ madhye kaunteyau rathināṃ varau
     krīḍamānau rathodārau citrarūpau vyarocatām
     āmiṣepsū gavāṃ madhye siṃhāv iva balotkaṭau
 12 chittvā dhanūṃṣi vīrāṇāṃ śarāṃś ca bahudhā raṇe
     pātayām āsatur vīrau śirāṃsi śataśo nṛṇām
 13 rathāś ca bahavo bhagnā hayāś ca śataśo hatāḥ
     gajāś ca sa gajārohāḥ petur urvyāṃ mahāmṛdhe
 14 rathinaḥ sādinaś caiva tatra tatra nisūditāḥ
     dṛśyante bahudhā rājan veṣṭamānāḥ samantataḥ
 15 hatair gajapadāty oghair vājibhiś ca nisūditaiḥ
     rathaiś ca bahudhā bhagnaiḥ samāstīryata medinī
 16 chatraiś ca bahudhā chinnair dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ
     aṅkuśair apaviddhaiś ca paristomaiś ca bhārata
 17 keyūrair aṅgadair hārai rāṅkavair mṛditais tathā
     uṣṇīṣair apaviddhaiś ca cāmaravyajanair api
 18 tatra tatrāpaviddhaiś ca bāhubhiś candanokṣitaiḥ
     ūrubhiś ca narendrāṇāṃ samāstīryata medinī
 19 tatrādbhutam apaśyāma raṇe pārthasya vikramam
     śaraiḥ saṃvārya tān vīrān nijaghāna balaṃ tava
 20 putras tu tava taṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmārjunasamāgamam
     gāṅgeyasya rathābhyāśam upajagme mahābhaye
 21 kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca saindhavaś ca jayadrathaḥ
     vindānuvindāv āvantyāv ājagmuḥ saṃyugaṃ tadā
 22 tato bhīmo maheṣvāsaḥ phalgunaś ca mahārathaḥ
     kauravāṇāṃ camūṃ ghorāṃ bhṛśaṃ dudruvatū raṇe
 23 tato barhiṇavājānām ayutāny arbudāni ca
     dhanaṃjayarathe tūrṇaṃ pātayanti sma saṃyuge
 24 tatas tāñ śarajālena saṃnivārya mahārathān
     pārthaḥ samantāt samare preṣayām āsa mṛtyave
 25 śalyas tu samare jiṣṇuṃ krīḍann iva mahārathaḥ
     ājaghānorasi kruddho bhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 26 tasya pārtho dhanuś chittvā hastāvāpaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ
     athainaṃ sāyakais tīkṣṇair bhṛśaṃ vivyādha marmaṇi
 27 athānyad dhanur ādāya samare bhara sādhanam
     madreśvaro raṇe jiṣṇuṃ tāḍayām āsa roṣitaḥ
 28 tribhiḥ śarair mahārāja vāsudevaṃ ca pañcabhiḥ
     bhīmasenaṃ ca navabhir bāhvor urasi cārpayat
 29 tato droṇo mahārāja māgadhaś ca mahārathaḥ
     duryodhana samādiṣṭau taṃ deśam upajagmatuḥ
 30 yatra pārtho mahārāja bhīmasenaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     kauravyasya mahāsenāṃ jaghnatus tau mahārathau
 31 jayatsenas tu samare bhīmaṃ bhīmāyudhaṃ yuvā
     vivyādha niśitair bāṇair aṣṭabhir bharatarṣabha
 32 taṃ bhīmo daśabhir viddhvā punar vivyādha saptabhiḥ
     sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍād apāharat
 33 udbhrāntais turagaiḥ so 'ta dravamāṇaiḥ samantataḥ
     māgadho 'pahṛto rājā sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ
 34 droṇas tu vivaraṃ labdhvā bhīmasenaṃ śilīmukhaiḥ
     vivyādha bāṇaiḥ suśitaiḥ pañcaṣaṣṭyā tam āyasaiḥ
 35 taṃ bhīmaḥ samaraślāghī guruṃ pitṛsamaṃ raṇe
     vivyādha navabhir bhallais tathā ṣaṣṭyā ca bhārata
 36 arjunas tu suśarmāṇaṃ viddhvā bahubhir āyasaiḥ
     vyadhamat tasya tat sainyaṃ mahābhrāṇi yathānilaḥ
 37 tato bhīṣmaś ca rājā ca saubalaś ca bṛhadbalaḥ
     abhyadravanta saṃkruddhā bhīmasenadhanaṃjayau
 38 tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ śūrā dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     abhyadravan raṇe bhīṣmaṃ vyāditāsyam ivāntakam
 39 śikhaṇḍī tu samāsādya bhāratānāṃ pitāmaham
     abhyadravata saṃhṛṣṭo bhayaṃ tyaktvā yatavratam
 40 yudhiṣṭhira mukhāḥ pārthāḥ puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam
     ayodhayan raṇe bhīṣmaṃ saṃhatā saha sṛñjayaiḥ
 41 tathaiva tāvakāḥ sarve puraskṛtya yatavratam
     śikhaṇḍipramukhān pārthān yodhayanti sma saṃyuge
 42 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ kauravāṇāṃ bhayāvaham
     tatra pāṇḍusutaiḥ sārdhaṃ bhīṣmasya vijayaṃ prati
 43 tāvakānāṃ raṇe bhīṣmo glaha āsīd viśāṃ pate
     tatra hi dyūtam āyātaṃ vijayāyetarāya vā
 44 dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārāja sarvasainyāny acodayat
     abhidravata gāṅgeyaṃ mā bhaiṣṭa narasattamāḥ
 45 senāpativacaḥ śrutvā pāṇḍavānāṃ varūthinī
     bhīṣmam evābhyayāt tūrṇaṃ prāṇāṃs tyaktvā mahāhave
 46 bhīṣmo 'pi rathināṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pratijagrāha tāṃ camūm
     āpatantīṃ mahārāja velām iva mahodadhiḥ

SECTION CX

Dhritarashtra said, "How did Sikhandin the prince of the Panchalas, excited with wrath, rushed in battle against the grandsire, viz., Ganga's son of righteous soul and regulated vows. What mighty car-warriors of
p. 276
the Pandavas army, upraised weapons, desirous of victory, and exerting themselves with activity, protected Sikhandin on that occasion which required great activity? How also did Bhishma the son of Santanu, endued with great energy, fight on that tenth day of battle with the Pandavas and the Srinjayas? I cannot brook the idea of Sikhandin encountering Bhishma in battle. (Indeed, when Sikhandin attacked Bhishma), was Bhishma's car or his bow broken?"
Sanjaya said, "While fighting in that battle, O bull of Bharata's race, neither the bow nor the car of Bhishma had suffered any injury. He was then slaying the foe with straight shafts. Many thousands of mighty car-warriors belonging to thy army, as also elephants, O king, and steeds well harnessed, proceeded for battle, with the grandsire in the van. Agreeably to his vow, O thou of Kuru's race, the ever-victorious Bhishma was incessantly engaged in slaughtering the troops of the Parthas. The Panchalas and the Pandavas were unable to bear that great bowman battling (with them) and slaying his foes with his shafts. When the tenth day came, the hostile army was torn into pieces by Bhishma with his shafts by hundreds and thousands. O elder brother of Pandu, the sons of Pandu were incapable of defeating in battle the great bowman Bhishma who resembled the Destroyer himself armed with the lance.
"Then, O king, the unvanquished Vibhatsu or Dhananjaya, who was capable of drawing the bow with even the left hand, came to that spot, frightening all the car-warriors. Roaring loudly like a lion, and repeatedly drawing the bow-string, and scattering showers of arrows, Partha careered on the field of battle like Death himself. Frightened at those roars of his, thy warriors, O bull of Bharata's race, fled away in terror, like smaller animals, O king, at the sound of the lion. Beholding the son of Pandu crowned with victory and thus afflicting that host, Duryodhana, himself under the influence of terror addressed Bhishma and said, 'You son of Pandu, O sire, with white steeds (yoked unto his car), and having Krishna for his charioteer, consumeth all my troops like a conflagration consuming a forest. Behold, O son of Ganga, all troops, slaughtered by Pandu's son in battle, are, O foremost of warriors, fleeing away. Indeed, as the herdsman belaboureth his cattle in the forest, even so, O scorcher of foes is my army being belaboured. Broken and driven away on all sides by Dhananjaya with his shafts, the invincible Bhima is also routing that (already broken) host of mine. And Satyaki, and Chekitana, and the twin sons of Madri, and the valiant Abhimanyu,--these also are routing my troops. The brave Dhrishtadyumna, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha also, are vigorously breaking and driving away my army in this fierce conflict. Of these troops that are being slaughtered by all those mighty car-warriors, I do not see any other refuge in the matter of their staying and fighting on the field, O Bharata, save thee, O tiger among men, that art possessed of prowess equal to that of the celestials, Therefore, receive thou those great car-warriors without delay, and be thou the refuge of these afflicted troops. Thus addressed by him, O king, thy sire Devavrata, the
p. 277
son of Santanu, reflecting for a moment and settling what he should do, said these words unto thy son, comforting him (therewith), 'O Duryodhana, listen calmly to what I say, O king, O thou of great might, formerly I vowed before thee that slaying every day ten thousand high-souled Kshatriyas, I would come back from the battle. I have fulfilled that vow, O bull of Bharata's race! O thou of great might, today I will achieve even a great feat. Today I will either sleep myself being slain, or, I will slay the Pandavas. O tiger among men, I will today free myself from the debt I owe thee,--the debt, O king, arising out of the food, thou gavest me,--by casting away my life at the head of thy army.' Having said these words, O chief of the Bharatas, that invincible warrior, scattering his shafts among the Kshatriyas, attacked the Pandava host. And the Pandavas then, O bull of Bharata's race, began to resist the son of Ganga staying in the midst of his forces and excited with wrath like a snake of virulent poison. Indeed, O king, on that tenth day of the battle, Bhishma, displaying his might, slew, O son of Kuru's race, hundreds of thousands. And he drained the energies of those royal and mighty car-warriors that were the foremost among the Panchalas, like the Sun sucking up the moisture (of the earth) with his rays. Having slain ten thousand elephants of great activity and ten thousand steeds also, O king, along with their riders, and full two hundred thousands of foot-soldiers, that best of men, viz., Bhishma, shone resplendent in battle like a fire without a curl of smoke. And no one amongst the Pandavas was capable of even looking at him who then resembled the burning Sun staying in the northern solstice. The Pandavas, however, though afflicted in battle by that great bowman, still rushed, accompanied by the mighty car-warriors of the Srinjayas, for slaughtering him. Battling with myriads upon myriads around him, Santanu's son Bhishma then looked like the cliff of Meru covered on all sides with masses of clouds. Thy sons, however, stood, surrounding Bhishma on all sides with a large force (for protecting him). Then commenced a fierce battle (between the Kurus and the Pandavas)."

(My humble salutations to the lotus feet of Sreeman Brahmasri K M Ganguli ji for the collection)