srimahabharat - (Book 7) Drona Parva chapters 157 to 169

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

Drona Parva

 

The Mahabharata

Drona Parva

 

 

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

                                      Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa
                                                        translated by
                                  Sreemaan Brahmasri  Kisari Mohan Ganguli

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 157

 

 

 

 

1 [dhṛ]
      ekavīra vadhe moghā śaktiḥ sūtātmaje yadā
      kasmāt sarvān samutsṛjya sa tāṃ pārthe na muktavān
  2 tasmin hate hatā hi syuḥ sarve pāṇḍava sṛñjayāḥ
      ekavīra vadhe kasmān na yuddhe jayam ādadhat
  3 āhūto na nivarteyam iti tasya mahāvratam
      svayam āhvayitavyaḥ sasūtaputreṇa phalgunaḥ
  4 tato dvairatham ānīya phalgunaṃ śakradattayā
      na jaghāna vṛṣā kasmāt tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  5 nūnaṃ buddhivihīnaś cāpy asahāyaś ca me sutaḥ
      śatrubhir vyasitopāyaḥ kathaṃ nu sa jayed arīn
  6 yā hy asya paramā śaktir jayasya ca parāyaṇam
      sā śaktir vāsudevena vyaṃsitāsya ghaṭotkace
  7 kuṇer yathā hastagataṃ hriyed bilvaṃ balīyasā
      tathā śaktir amoghā sā moghī bhūtā ghaṭotkace
  8 yathā varāhasya śunaś ca yudhyatos; tayor abhāve śvapacasya lābhaḥ
      manye vidvan vāsudevasya tadvad; yuddhe lābhaḥ karṇa haiḍimbayor vai
  9 ghaṭotkaco yadi hanyād dhi karṇaṃ; paro lābhaḥ sa bhavet pāṇḍavānām
      vaikartano vā yadi taṃ nihanyāt; tathāpi kṛtyaṃ śaktināśāt kṛtaṃ syāt
  10 iti prājñaḥ prajñayaitad vicārya; ghaṭotkacaṃ sūtaputreṇa yuddhe
     ayodhayad vāsudevo nṛsiṃhaḥ; priyaṃ kurvan pāṇḍavānāṃ hitaṃ ca
 11 etac cikīrṣitaṃ jñātvā karṇe madhunihā nṛpa
     niyojayām āsa tadā dvairathe rākṣaseśvaram
 12 ghaṭotkacaṃ mahāvīryaṃ mahābuddhir janārdanaḥ
     amoghāyā vighātārthaṃ rājan durmantrite tava
 13 tadaiva kṛtakāryā hi vayaṃ syāma kurūdvaha
     na rakṣed yadi kṛṣṇas taṃ pārthaṃ karṇān mahārathāt
 14 sāśvadhvajarathaḥ saṃkhye dhṛtarāṣṭra pated bhuvi
     vinā janārdanaṃ pārtho yogānām īśvaraṃ prabhum
 15 tais tair upāyair bahubhī rakṣyamāṇaḥ sa pārthiva
     jayaty abhimukhaḥ śatrūn pārthaḥ kṛṣṇena pālitaḥ
 16 sa viśeṣaṃ tv amoghāyāḥ kṛṣṇo 'rakṣata pāṇḍavam
     hanyāt kṣiptā hi kaunteyaṃ śaktir vṛkṣam ivāśaniḥ
 17 [dhṛ]
     virodhī ca kumantrī ca prājñamānī mamātmajaḥ
     yasyaiṣa samatikrānto vadhopāyo jayaṃ prati
 18 tavāpi samatikrāntam etad gāvalgaṇe katham
     etam arthaṃ mahābuddhe yat tvayā nāvabodhitaḥ
 19 [s]
     duryodhanasya śakuner mama duḥśāsanasya ca
     rātrau rātrau bhavaty eṣā nityam eva samarthanā
 20 śvaḥ sarvasainyān utsṛjya jahi karṇa dhanaṃjayam
     preṣyavat pāṇḍupāñcālān upabhokṣyāmahe tataḥ
 21 atha vā nihate pārthe pāṇḍuṣv anyatamaṃ tataḥ
     sthāpayed yudhi vārṣṇeyas tasmāt kṛṣṇo nipātyatām
 22 kṛṣṇo hi mūlaṃ pāṇḍūnāṃ pārthaḥ skandha ivodgataḥ
     śākhā ivetare pārthāḥ pāñcālāḥ patrasaṃjñitāḥ
 23 kṛṣṇāśrayāḥ kṛṣṇa balāḥ kṛṣṇa nāthāś ca pāṇḍavāḥ
     kṛṣṇaḥ parāyaṇaṃ caiṣāṃ jyotiṣām iva candramāḥ
 24 tasmāt parṇāni śākhāś ca skandhaṃ cotsṛjya sūtaja
     kṛṣṇaṃ nikṛndhi pāṇḍūnāṃ mūlaṃ sarvatra sarvadā
 25 hanyād yadi hi dāśārhaṃ karṇo yādavanandanam
     kṛtsnā vasumatī rājan vaśe te syān na saṃśayaḥ
 26 yadi hi sa nihataḥ śayīta bhūmau; yadukulapāṇḍavanandano mahātmā
     nanu tava vasudhā narendra sarvā; sa girisamudra vanā vaśaṃ vrajeta
 27 sā tu buddhiḥ kṛtāpy evaṃ jāgrati tridaśeśvare
     aprameye hṛṣīkeśe yuddhakāle vyamuhyata
 28 arjunaṃ cāpi kaunteyaṃ sadā rakṣati keśavaḥ
     na hy enam aicchat pramukhe sauteḥ sthāpayituṃ raṇe
 29 anyāṃś cāsmai rathodārān upasthāpayad acyutaḥ
     amoghāṃ tāṃ kathaṃ śaktiṃ moghāṃ kuryām iti prabho
 30 tataḥ kṛṣṇaṃ mahābāhuḥ sātyakiḥ satyavikramaḥ
     papraccha rathaśārdūla karṇaṃ prati mahāratham
 31 ayaṃ ca pratyayaḥ karṇe śaktyā cāmitavikrama
     kimarthaṃ sūtaputreṇa na muktā phalgune tu sā
 32 [vāsu]
     duḥṣāsanaś ca karṇaś ca śakuniś ca sa saindhavaḥ
     satataṃ mantrayanti sma duryodhana purogamāḥ
 33 karṇa karṇa maheṣvāsa raṇe 'mitaparākrama
     nānyasya śaktir eṣā te moktavyā jayatāṃ vara
 34 ṛte mahārathāt pārthāt kuntīputrād dhanaṃjayāt
     sa hi teṣām atiyaśā devānām iva vāsavaḥ
 35 tasmin vinihate sarve pāṇḍavāḥ sṛñjayaiḥ saha
     bhaviṣyanti gatātmānaḥ surā iva niragnayaḥ
 36 tatheti ca pratijñātaṃ karṇena śinipuṃgava
     hṛdi nityaṃ tu karṇasya vadho gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
 37 aham eva tu rādheyaṃ mohayāmi yudhāṃ vara
     yato nāvasṛjac chaktiṃ pāṇḍave śvetavāhane
 38 phalgunasya hi tāṃ mṛtyum avagamya yuyutsataḥ
     na nidrā na ca me harṣo manaso 'sti yudhāṃ vara
 39 ghaṭotkace vyaṃsitāṃ tu dṛṣṭvā tāṃ śinipuṃgava
     mṛtyor āsyāntarān muktaṃ paśyāmy adya dhanaṃjayam
 40 na pitā na ca me mātā na yūyaṃ bhrātaras tathā
     na ca prāṇās tathā rakṣyā yathā bībhatsur āhave
 41 trailokyarājyād yat kiṃ cid bhaved anyat sudurlabham
     neccheyaṃ sātvatāhaṃ tad vinā pārthaṃ dhanaṃjayam
 42 ataḥ praharṣaḥ sumahān yuyudhānādya me 'bhavat
     mṛtaṃ pratyāgatam iva dṛṣṭvā pārthaṃ dhanaṃjayam
 43 ataś ca prahito yuddhe mayā karṇāya rākṣasaḥ
     na hy anyaḥ samare rātrau śaktaḥ karṇaṃ prabādhitum
 44 [s]
     iti sātyakaye prāha tadā devakinandanaḥ
     dhanaṃjaya hite yuktas tatpriye satataṃ rataḥ

 

SECTION CLVII

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that vast host of the Pandavas swelling with rage and regarding it to be incapable of being resisted, thy son Duryodhana. addressing Karna, said these words, 'O thou that art devoted to friends, that hour hath now come in respect of thy friends (when thy help is most needed). O Karna, save in battle all my warriors. Our combatants are now encompassed on all sides by the Panchalas, the Kaikeyas, the Matsyas, and the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, all filled, with rage and resembling hissing snakes. Yonder the Pandavas, solicitous of victory, are roaring in joy. The vast car-force of the Panchalas is possessed of the prowess of Sakra himself.'
"Karna replied, 'If Purandara himself were to come hither for saving Partha, quickly vanquishing even him, I would slay that son or Pandu. I tell thee truly. Be cheered, O Bharata! I will slay the son of Pandu and all the assembled Panchalas, I will give thee victory, like Pavaka's son giving victory unto Vasava. I shall do what is agreeable to thee in this battle that has begun. Amongst all the Parthas, Phalguna is the strongest. At him I will hurl the fatal dart of Sakra's workmanship. Upon the death of that great bowman, his brothers, O giver of honour, will either surrender themselves unto thee or once more retire into the forest. When I am alive, O Kauravya, never indulge in any grief. I will vanquish in battle all the Pandavas united together and all the Panchalas, the Kaikeyas, and the Vrishnis assembled together. Making porcupines of them by means of my arrowy showers, I will give thee the earth.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'While Karna was uttering those words, Kripa, the mighty armed son of Saradwat, smiling the while, addressed the Suta's son in these words, 'Thy speech is fair, O Karna! If words alone could lead to success, then with thee, O son of Radha, as his protector, this bull among the Kurus would be considered to have the amplest measure of protection. Thou boastest much, O Karna, in the presence of the Kuru chief, but thy prowess is seldom witnessed, nor, indeed, any result (of thy boastful speeches). Many a time have we seen thee encounter the sons of Pandu in battle. On every one of those occasions, O Suta's son, thou hast been vanquished by the Pandavas. While Dhritarashtra's son was being taken away (as a captive) by the Gandharvas, all the troops fought on that occasion except thy single self, who was the first to fly away. In Virata's city also, all the Kauravas, united together, including thyself and thy younger brother were vanquished by Partha in battle. Thou art not a match for even one of the sons of Pandu, viz., Phalguna, on the field of battle. How then canst thou venture to vanquish all the sons of Pandu with Krishna at their head? Thou indulgest in too much brag, O Suta's son! Engage thyself in battle without saying anything. To Put forth prowess without indulging in brag is the duty of good men. Ever roaring aloud, O Suta's son like the dry clouds of autumn, thou showest
p. 360
thyself, O Karna to be without substance. The king, however, does not understand it. Thou roarest, O son of Radha, as long as thou seest not the son of Pritha. These thy roars disappear when thou seest Partha near. Indeed, thou roarest as long as thou art out of the range of Phalguna's shafts. Those roars of thine disappear when thou art pierced with Partha's shafts. Kshatriyas evince their eminence by means of their arms; Brahmanas, by means of speech; Arjuna evinces his by means of the bow; but Karna, by the castles he builds in the air. Who is there that will resist that Partha who gratified Rudra himself (in battle)?' Thus railed at by Saradwat's son, Karna, that foremost of smiters, answered Kripa in the following strain, 'Heroes always roar like clouds in the season of rains, and like steeds put in the soil, quickly yield fruits. I do not see any fault in heroes that take great burdens on their shoulders, indulging in boastful speeches on the field of battle. When a person mentally resolves to bear a burden, Destiny itself aids him in the execution. Wishing in my heart bear a great burden, I always summon sufficient resolution. If, slaying the sons of Pandu with Krishna and Satwatas in battle, I indulge in such roars, what is it to thee, O Brahmana? They that are heroes never roar fruitlessly like autumnal clouds. Conscious of their own might, the wise indulge in roars! In my heart I am determined to vanquish in battle today Krishna and Partha united together and fighting with resolution! It is for this that I roar, O son of Gotama! Behold the fruit of these my roars, O Brahmana! Slaying the son of Pandu in battle, with all their followers, Krishna and Satwatas, I will bestow on Duryodhana the whole earth without a thorn in it.'
"Kripa said, 'Little do I reckon, O Suta's son, these delirious saying of thine discovering thy thoughts, not deeds. Thou always speakest in depreciation of the two Krishnas and king Yudhishthira the just. He, O Karna, is certain, to have the victory who hath on his side those two heroes skilled in battle. Indeed, Krishna and Arjuna are incapable of being defeated by the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, human beings, the Nagas, and the birds, all clad in mail. Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma is devoted to the Brahmanas. He is truthful in speech and self-restrained. He reverences the Pitris and the deities. He is devoted to the practice of truth and righteousness. He is, again, skilled in weapons. Possessed of great intelligence, he is also grateful. His brothers are all endued with great might and well-practised in all weapons. They are devoted to the service of their seniors. Possessed of wisdom and fame, they are also righteous in their practices. Their kinsmen and relatives are all endued with the prowess of Indra. Effectual smiters, they are all exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas. Dhrishtadyumna, and Sikhandin and Janamejaya, the son of Durmuksha and Chandrasen, and Madrasen, and Kritavarman, Dhruva, and Dhara and Vasuchandra, and Sutejana, the sons of Drupada, and Drupada himself, conversant with high and mighty weapons, and the king of the Matsyas also, with his younger brothers, all resolutely struggling for their sake, and Gajanika, and Virabhadra, and Sudarsana, and Srutadhwaja, and Valanika,
p. 361
and Jayanika, and Jayaprya, and Vijaya and Labhalaksha, and Jayaswa, and Kamaratha, and the handsome brothers of Virata, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, are all fighting for the Pandavas. The sons of Pandu, therefore, will not meet with destruction. These and many other hosts (of heroes) are for the sons of Pandu. Without doubt, the entire universe, with the celestials, Asuras, and human beings, with all the tribes of Yaksha and Rakshas and with all the elephants and snakes and other creatures, can be annihilated by Bhima and Phalguna by the prowess of their weapons. As regards Yudhishthira also, he can, with angry eyes only, consume the whole world. How, O Karna, canst thou venture to vanquish those foes in battle for whom Sauri of immeasurable might hath clad himself in mail? This, O Suta's son, is a great folly on thy part, since thou always venturest to contend with Sauri himself in battle.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed (by Kripa), Karna the son of Radha, O bull of Bharata's race, smiling the while, said these words unto the preceptor Kripa, the son of Saradwat, 'The words thou hast spoken about the Pandavas, O Brahmana, are all true. These and many other virtues are to be seen in the sons of Pandu. It is true also that the Parthas are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods with Vasava at their head, and the Daityas, the Yakshas, and the Rakshasas. For all that I will vanquish the Parthas with the help of the dart given me by Vasava. Thou knowest, O Brahmana, that the dart given by Sakra is incapable of being baffled. With that I will slay Savyasachin in battle. Upon Arjuna's fall, Krishna and the uterine brothers of Arjuna will never be able to enjoy the (sovereignty of the) earth without Arjuna (to aid them). All of them, therefore, will perish. This earth then, with her seas, will remain subject to the chief of the Kurus, O Gautama, without costing him any efforts. In this world everything, without doubt, becomes attainable by policy. Knowing this, I indulge in these roars, O Gautama! As regards thyself, thou art old, a Brahmana by birth, and unskilled in battle. Thou bearest much love for the Pandavas. It is for this thou insultest me thus. If, O Brahmana, thou tellest me again such words as these, I shall, then, drawing out my scimitar, cut off thy tongue, O wretch! Thou desirest, O Brahmana, to applaud the Pandavas, for frightening all the troops and the Kauravas, O thou of wretched understanding! As regards this also, O Gautama, listen to what I say. Duryodhana, and Drona, and Sakuni, and Durmukha, and Jaya, and Duhsasana, and Vrishasena, and the ruler of the Madras, and thyself too and Somadatta and Drona's son, and Vivinsati,--all these heroes skilled in battle,--are here, clad in mail. What foe is there, endued with even the prowess of Sakra, that would vanquish these in battle? All those I have named a-e heroes, skilled in weapons, endued with great might, solicitous of admission into heaven, conversant with morality, and skilled in battle. They would stay the very gods in fight. These will take their places on the field for slaying the Pandavas, clad in mail on behalf of Duryodhana desirous of victory. I regard victory
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to be dependent on destiny, even in the case of the foremost of mighty men. When the mighty-armed Bhishma himself lieth pierced with a hundred arrows, as also Vikarna, and Jayadratha, and Bhurisravas, and Jaya, and Jalasandha, and Sudakshina, and Sala; that foremost of car-warriors, and Bhagadatta of great energy, I say, when these and many others, incapable of being easily vanquished by the very gods, heroes all and mightier (than the Pandavas), lie on the field of battle, slain by the Pandavas, what dost thou think, O wretch among men, but that all this is the result of destiny? As regards them also, viz., the foes of Duryodhana, whom thou adorest, O Brahmana, brave warriors of theirs, in hundreds and thousands, have been slain. The armies of both the Kurus and the Pandavas are diminishing in numbers; I do not, in this, behold the prowess of the Pandavas! With them, O lowest of men, whom thou always regardest to be so mighty, I shall strive, to the utmost extent of my might, to contend in battle, for Duryodhana's good. As regards victory, that depends on destiny.'"

 

Book 7
Chapter 158

 

 

 

1 [dhṛ]
      karṇaduryodhanādīnāṃ śakuneḥ saubalasya ca
      apanītaṃ mahat tāta tava caiva viśeṣataḥ
  2 yad ājānīta tāṃ śaktim ekaghnīṃ satataṃ raṇe
      anivāryām asahyāṃ ca devair api sa vāsavaiḥ
  3 sā kimarthaṃ na karṇena pravṛtte samare purā
      na devakī sute muktā phalgune vāpi saṃjaya
  4 [s]
      saṃgrāmād vinivṛttānāṃ sarveṣāṃ yo viśāṃ pate
      rātrau kuru kulaśreṣṭha mantro 'yaṃ samajāyata
  5 prabhātamātre śvobhūte keśavāyārjunāya vā
      śaktir eṣa vimoktavyā karṇa karṇeti nityaśaḥ
  6 tataḥ prabhātasamaye rājan karṇasya daivataiḥ
      anyeṣāṃ caiva yodhānāṃ sā buddhir naśyate punaḥ
  7 daivam eva paraṃ manye yat karṇo hastasaṃsthayā
      na jaghāna raṇe pārthaṃ kṛṣaṇṃ vā devakī sutam
  8 tasya hastisthitā śaktiḥ kālarātrir ivodyatā
      daivopahatabuddhitvān na tāṃ karṇo vimuktavān
  9 kṛṣṇe vā devakīputre mohito deva māyayā
      pārthe vā śakra kalpe vai vadhārthaṃ vāsavī prabho
  10 [dhṛ]
     daivenaiva hatā yūyaṃ svabuddhyā keśavasya ca
     gatā hi vāsavī hatvā tṛṇabhūtaṃ ghaṭotkacam
 11 karṇaś ca mama putrāś ca sarve cānye ca pārthivāḥ
     anena duṣpraṇītena gatā vaivasvatakṣayam
 12 bhūya eva tu me śaṃsa yathā yuddham avartata
     kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca haiḍimbe nihate tadā
 13 ye ca te 'bhyadravan droṇaṃ vyāḍhānīkāḥ prahāriṇaḥ
     sṛñjayāḥ saha pāñcālais te 'py akurvan kathaṃ raṇam
 14 saumadatter vadhād droṇam āyastaṃ saidhavasya ca
     amarṣāj jīvitaṃ tyaktvā gāhamānaṃ varūthinīm
 15 jṛmbhamāṇam iva vyāghraṃ vyāttānanam ivāntakam
     kathaṃ pratyudyayur droṇam asyantaṃ pāṇḍusṛñjayāḥ
 16 ācāryaṃ ye ca te 'rakṣan duryodhana purogamāḥ
     drauṇikarṇakṛpās tāta te 'py akurvan kim āhave
 17 bhāradvājaṃ jighāṃsantau savyasāci vṛkodarau
     samārchan māmakā yuddhe kathaṃ saṃjaya śaṃsa me
 18 sindhurājavadheneme ghaṭotkaca vadhena te
     amarṣitāḥ susaṃkruddhā raṇaṃ cakruḥ kathaṃ niśi
 19 [s]
     hate ghaṭotkace rājan karṇena niśi rākṣase
     praṇadatsu ca hṛṣṭeṣu tāvakeṣu yuyutsuṣu
 20 āpatatsu ca vegena vadhyamāne bale 'pi ca
     vigāḍhāyāṃ rajanyāṃ ca rājā dainyaṃ paraṃ gataḥ
 21 abravīc ca mahābāhur bhīmasenaṃ paraṃtapaḥ
     āvāraya mahābāho dhārtarāṣṭrasya vāhinīm
     haiḍimbasyābhighātena moho mām āviśan mahān
 22 evaṃ bhīmaṃ samādiśya svarathe samupāviśat
     aśrupūrṇamukho rājā niḥśvasaṃś ca punaḥ punaḥ
     kaśmalaṃ prāviśad ghoraṃ dṛṣṭvā karṇasya vikramam
 23 taṃ tathā vyathitaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇo vacanam abravīt
     mā vyathāṃ kuru kaunteya naitat tvayy upapadyate
     vaiklavyaṃ bharataśreṣṭha yathā prākṛtapūruṣe
 24 uttiṣṭha rājan yudhyasva vaha gurvīṃ dhuraṃ vibho
     tvayi vaiklavyam āpanno saṃśayo vijaye bhavet
 25 śrutvā kṛṣṇasya vacanaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     vimṛjya netre pāṇibhyāṃ kṛṣṇaṃ vacanam abravīt
 26 viditā te mahābāho dharmāṇāṃ paramā gatiḥ
     brahmahatyā phalaṃ tasya yaḥ kṛtaṃ nāvabudhyate
 27 asmākaṃ hi vanasthānāṃ haiḍimbena mahātmanā
     balenāpi satā tena kṛtaṃ sāhyaṃ janārdana
 28 astrahetor gataṃ jñātvā pāṇḍavaṃ śvetavāhanam
     asau kṛṣṇa maheṣvāsaḥ kāmyake mām upasthitaḥ
     uṣitaś ca sahāsmābhir yāvan nāsīd dhanaṃjayaḥ
 29 gandhamādana yātrāyāṃ durgebhyaś ca sma tāritāḥ
     pāñcālī ca pariśrāntā pṛṣṭhenoḍhā mahātmanā
 30 ārambhāc caiva yuddhānāṃ yad eṣa kṛtavān prabho
     madarthaṃ duṣkaraṃ karmakṛtaṃ tena mahātmanā
 31 svabhāvād yā ca me prītiḥ sahadeve janārdana
     saiva me dviguṇā prītī rākṣasendre ghaṭotkace
 32 bhaktaś ca me mahābāhuḥ priyo 'syāhaṃ priyaś ca me
     yena vindāmi vārṣṇeya kaśmalaṃ śokatāpitaḥ
 33 paśya sainyāni vārṣṇeya drāvyamāṇāni kauravaiḥ
     droṇakarṇau ca saṃyattau paśya yuddhe mahārathau
 34 niśīthe pāṇḍavaṃ sainyam ābhyāṃ paśya pramarditam
     gajābhyām iva mattābhyāṃ yathā naḍavanaṃ mahat
 35 anādṛtya balaṃ bāhvor bhīmasenasya mādhava
     citrāstratāṃ ca pārthasya vikramante sma kauravāḥ
 36 eṣa droṇaś ca karṇaś ca rājā caiva suyodhanaḥ
     nihatya rākṣasaṃ yuddhe hṛṣṭā nardanti saṃyuge
 37 katham asmāsu jīvatsu tvayi caiva janārdana
     haiḍimbaḥ prāptavān mṛtyuṃ sūtaputreṇa saṃgataḥ
 38 kadarthī kṛtyanaḥ sarvān paśyataḥ savyasācinaḥ
     nihato rākṣasaḥ kṛṣṇa bhaimasenir mahābalaḥ
 39 yadābhimanyur nihato dhārtarāṣṭrair durātmabhiḥ
     nāsīt tatra raṇe kṛṣṇa savyasācī mahārathaḥ
 40 niruddhāś ca vayaṃ sarve saindhavena durātmanā
     nimittam abhavad droṇaḥ saputras tatra karmaṇi
 41 upadiṣṭo vadhopāyaḥ karṇasya guruṇā svayam
     vyāyacchataś ca khaḍgena dvidhā khaḍgaṃ cakāra ha
 42 vyasane vartamānasya kṛtavarmā nṛśaṃsavat
     aśvāñ jaghāna sahasā tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī
     tathetare maheṣvāsāḥ saubhadraṃ yudhy apātayan
 43 alpe ca kāraṇe kṛṣṇe hato gāṇḍīvadhanvanā
     saindhavo yādava śreṣṭha tac ca nātipriyaṃ mama
 44 yadi śatruvadhe nyāyyo bhavet kartuṃ ca pāṇḍavaiḥ
     droṇakarṇau raṇe pūrvaṃ hantavyāv iti me matiḥ
 45 etau mūlaṃ hi duḥkhānām asmākaṃ puruṣarṣabha
     etau raṇe samāsādya parāśvastaḥ suyodhanaḥ
 46 yatra vadhyo bhaved droṇaḥ sūtaputraś ca sānugaḥ
     tatrāvadhīn mahābāhuḥ saindhavaṃ dūravāsinam
 47 avaśyaṃ tu mayā kāryaḥ sūtaputrasya nigrahaḥ
     tato yāsyāmy ahaṃ vīra svayaṃ karṇa jighāṃsayā
     bhīmaseno mahābāhur droṇānīkena saṃgataḥ
 48 evam uktvā yayau tūrṇaṃ tvaramāṇo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     sa visphārya mahac cāpaṃ śaṅkhaṃ pradhmāpya bhairavam
 49 tato rathasahasreṇa gajānāṃ ca śatais tribhiḥ
     vājibhiḥ pañca sāhasrais trisāhasraiḥ prabhadrakaiḥ
     vṛtaḥ śikhaṇḍī tvarito rājānaṃ pṛṣṭhato 'nvayāt
 50 tato bherīḥ samājaghnuḥ śaṅkhān dadhmuś ca daṃśitāḥ
     pāñcālāḥ pāṇḍavāś caiva yudhiṣṭhirapurogamāḥ
 51 tato 'bravīn mahābāhur vāsudevo dhanaṃjayam
     eṣa prayāti tvarito krodhāviṣṭo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     jighāṃsuḥ sūtaputrasya tasyopekṣā na yujyate
 52 evam uktvā hṛṣīkeśaḥ śīghram aśvān acodayat
     dūraṃ ca yātma rājānam anvagacchaj janārdanaḥ
 53 taṃ dṛṣṭvā sahasā yāntaṃ sūtaputra jighāṃsayā
     śokopahatasaṃkalpaṃ dahyamānam ivāgninā
     abhigamyābravīd vyāso dharmaputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
 54 karṇam āsādya saṃgrāme diṣṭyā jīvati phalgunaḥ
     savyasāci vadhākāṅkṣī śaktiṃ rakṣitavān hi saḥ
 55 na cāgād vairathaṃ jiṣṇur diṣṭyā taṃ bharatarṣabha
     sṛjetāṃ spardhināv etau divyāny astrāṇi sarvaśaḥ
 56 vadhyamāneṣu cāstreṣu pīḍitaḥ sūtanandanaḥ
     vāsavīṃ samare śaktiṃ dhruvaṃ muñced yudhiṣṭhira
 57 tato bhavet te vyasanaṃ ghoraṃ bharatasattama
     diṣṭyā rakṣo hataṃ yuddhe sūtaputreṇa mānada
 58 vāsavīṃ kāraṇaṃ kṛtvā kālenāpahato hy asau
     tavaiva kāraṇād rakṣo nihataṃ tāta saṃyuge
 59 mā krudho bharataśreṣṭha mā ca śoke manaḥ kṛthāḥ
     prāṇinām iha sarveṣām eṣā niṣṭhā yudhiṣṭhira
 60 bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ pārthivaiś ca mahātmabhiḥ
     kauravān samare rājann abhiyudhyasva bhārata
     pañcame divase caiva pṛthivī te bhaviṣyati
 61 nityaṃ ca puruṣavyāghra dharmam eva vicintaya
     ānṛśaṃsyaṃ tapo dānaṃ kṣamāṃ satyaṃ ca pāṇḍava
 62 sevethāḥ paramaprīto yato dharmas tato jayaḥ
     ity uktvā pāṇḍavaṃ vyāsat tatraivāntaradhīyata

 

SECTION CLVIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Seeding his uncle thus addressed in harsh and insulting words by the Suta's son, Aswatthaman, uplifting his scimitar, furiously rushed towards the latter. Filled with fury, Drona's son rushed towards Karna, in the very sight of the Kuru king, like a lion at an infuriated elephant.
"And Aswatthaman said, 'O lowest of men, Kripa was speaking of the virtues truly possessed by Arjuna. Of wicked understanding as thou art, thou rebukest, however, my brave uncle from malice. Possessed with pride and insolence, thou braggest today of thy prowess, not regarding any of the world's bowmen in battle! 1 Where was thy prowess and where were thy weapons when vanquishing thee in battle the wielder of Gandiva slew Jayadratha in thy very sight? Vainly, O wretch of a Suta, dost thou indulge in thy mind the hope of vanquishing him who formerly contended in battle with Mahadeva himself. The very gods with the Asuras united together and with Indra at their head had failed to vanquish Arjuna, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, having Krishna only for his ally. How then, O Suta, hopest thou, aided by these kings, to vanquish that foremost of heroes in the world, viz., the unvanquished Arjuna, in battle? Behold, O Karna of wicked soul, (what I do to thee) today! O lowest of men, O thou of wretched understanding, I shall presently sever thy head from thy trunk.'
p. 363
"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus saying, Aswatthaman made a furious rush at Karna. The king himself, of great energy, and Kripa, that foremost of men, held him fast. Then Karna said, 'Of wicked understanding, this wretch of a Brahmana thinks himself brave and boasts of his prowess in battle. Set him at liberty, O chief of the Kurus. Let him come in contact with my might.'
"Aswatthaman said, 'O son of a Suta, O thou of wicked understanding, this (thy fault) is pardoned by us. Phalguna, however, will quell this risen pride of thine.'
"Duryodhana said, 'O Aswatthaman, quell thy wrath. It behoveth thee, O giver of honours, to forgive. Thou shouldst not, O sinless one, be angry with the Suta's son. Upon thee and Karna and Kripa and Drona and the ruler of the Madras and Suvala's son resteth a great burthen. Drive away thy wrath, O best of Brahmanas! Yonder, all the Pandava troops are approaching from desire of fight with Radha's son. Indeed, O Brahmana, yonder they come, challenging us all.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus pacified by the king, the high-souled son of Drona, O monarch, whose ire had been excited, suppressed his wrath and forgave (Karna). Then the preceptor Kripa, of noble heart, who is of a quite disposition, O monarch, and mild temper, therefore, returned soon unto him, said these words.'
"Kripa, said, 'O Suta's son of wicked heart, this (thy fault) is pardoned by us. Phalguna, however, will quell this thy risen pride.'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Then the Pandavas, O king, and the Panchalas, celebrated for their prowess, uniting together approached in thousands, uttering loud shouts; Karna also, that foremost of car-warriors, endued with great energy, surrounded by many foremost ones among the Kuru warriors and resembling Sakra in the midst of the celestials, waited, drawing his bow and relying on the might of his own arms. Then commenced a battle between Karna and the Pandavas. O king, that was exceedingly dreadful and characterised by loud leonine roars. Then Pandavas, O monarch, and the Panchalas, celebrated for their prowess, beholding the mighty-armed Karna, loudly shouted, saying, 'There is Karna,' 'Where is Karna in this fierce battle.'--'O thou of wicked understanding, O lowest of men, fight with us!'--Others, beholding the son of Radha said, with eyes expanded In wrath, 'Let this arrogant wretch of little understanding, this son of a Suta, be slain by the allied kings. He hath no need to live. This sinful man is always very hostile to the Parthas. Obedient to the counsels of Duryodhana, this one is the root of these evils. Slay him.' Uttering such words, great Kshatriya car-warriors, urged by Pandu's son, rushed towards him, covering him with a dense shower of arrows, for slaying him. Beholding all those mighty Pandavas thus (advancing), the Suta's son, trembled not, nor experienced any fear. Indeed, seeing that wonderful sea of troops, resembling Death himself, that benefactor of thy sons, viz., the mighty and fight-handed Karna, never vanquished in battle, O bull of Bharata's race, began, with clouds of shafts, to resist that force on all sides. The Pandavas
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also fought with the foe, shooting showers of shafts. Shaking their hundreds and thousands of bows they fought with Radha's son, like the Daityas of old fighting with Sakra. The mighty Karna, however, with a dense arrowy shower of his own dispelled that downpour of arrows caused by those lords of earth on all sides. The battle that took place between them, and in which each party counteracted the feats of the other,' resembled the encounter between Sakra and the Danavas in the great battle fought of yore between the gods and the Asuras. The lightness of arm that we then behold of the Suta's son was wonderful in the extreme, inasmuch as, all his foes, fighting resolutely, could not strike him in that battle. Checking the clouds of arrows shot by the (hostile) king, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Radha's son, sped terrible arrows marked with his own name at the yokes, the shafts, the umbrellas, the cars, and the steeds (of his foes). Then those kings, afflicted by Karna and losing their coolness, began to wander on the field like a herd of kine afflicted with cold. Struck by Karna, large numbers of steeds and elephants and car-warriors were seen there to drop down deprived of life. The whole field, O king, became strewn with the fallen heads and arms of unreturning heroes. With the dead, the dying, and the wailing warriors, the field of battle, O monarch, assumed the aspect of Yama's domain. Then Duryodhana, O king, witnessing the prowess of Karna, repaired to Aswatthaman and addressing him, said, 'Behold, Karna, clad in mail, is engaged with all the (hostile) kings. Behold, the hostile army, afflicted with the arrows of Karna, is being routed like the Asura army overwhelmed with the energy of Kartikeya. Seeing his army vanquished in battle by that intelligent Karna, yonder cometh Vibhatsu from desire of slaying the Suta's son. Let such steps, therefore, be taken as may prevent the son of Pandu from slaying that mighty car-warrior viz., Suta's son, in the very sight of us all.' (Thus addressed), Drona's son, and Kripa, and Salya, and that great car-warrior, viz., the son of Hridika, beholding the son of Kunti coming (towards them) like Sakra himself towards the Daitya host, all advanced against Partha for rescuing the Suta's son. Meanwhile, Vibhatsu, O monarch, surrounded by the Panchala I advanced against Karna, like Purandara proceeding against the Asura Vritra.' 1
"Dhritarashtra said, 'Beholding Phalguna excited with fury and looking like the Destroyer himself, as he appears at the end of the Yuga what, O Suta, did Vikartana's son Karna do next? Indeed, the mighty car-warrior Karna, the son of Vikartana, had always challenged Partha. Indeed, he had always said that he was competent to vanquish the terrible Vibhatsu. What then, O Suta, did that warrior do when he thus suddenly met his ever deadly foe?' 2
"Sanjaya continued, 'Beholding the son of Pandu rushing towards him like an elephant towards a rival elephant, Karna fearlessly proceeded
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against Dhananjaya. Partha, however, soon covered Karna who was thus advancing with great impetuosity, with showers of straight shafts, equipped with wings of gold. Karna also covered Vijaya with his shafts. The son of Pandu then once more shrouded Karna with clouds of arrows. Then Karna, filled with rage, pierced Arjuna with three shafts. The mighty car-warrior, Arjuna, beholding Karna's lightness of hand, could not brook it. That scorcher of foes shot at the Suta's son thirty straight shafts, whetted on stone and equipped with blazing points. Endued with great might and energy, he also pierced him, in rage, with another long arrow on the wrist of his left arm, smiling the while. Karna's bow then dropped from that arm of his, which had thus been pierced with great force. Then the mighty Karna, taking up that bow within the twinkling of an eye, once more covered Phalguna with clouds of shafts, displaying great lightness of hard. Dhananjaya then, O Bharata, smiling the while, baffled with his own shafts, that arrowy shower shot by the Suta's son. Approaching each other, those two great bowmen, desirous of counteracting each other's feats, continued to cover each other with showers of shafts. The battle that took place between them, viz., Karna and the son of Pandu, became exceedingly wonderful, like that between the two wild elephants for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. Then the mighty bowman Partha, beholding Karna's prowess, quickly cut of the latter's bow at the handle. And he also despatched the four steeds of the Suta's son to Yama's abode with a number of broad-headed shafts. And that scorcher of foes also cut off from the trunk the head of Karna's driver. Then, the son of Pandu and Pritha pierced the bowless, the steedless, and the driverless Karna with four shafts. Then that bull among men Karna, afflicted with those shafts, specially jumping down from that steedless car, mounted upon that of Kripa. Beholding the son of Radha vanquished, thy, warriors, O bull of Bharata's race, fled away in all directions. Seeing them fly away, king Duryodhana himself checked them and said these words, 'Ye heroes, do not fly away. Ye bulls among Kshatriyas, stay in battle. I myself will now advance for slaying Partha in battle. I myself will slay Partha with the assembled Panchalas. While I shall fight with the wielder of Gandiva today, Partha will behold my prowess to resemble that of the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. Today the Parthas shall behold my shafts shot in thousands to resemble flights of locusts. The combatants shall behold me today shooting, bow in hand, dense showers of shafts, like torrents of rain poured by the clouds at the end of the summer season. I shall today vanquish Partha with my straight shafts. Stay, ye heroes, in battle, and remove your fear or Phalguna. Encountering my prowess, Phalguna shall never be able to bear it, like the ocean, the abode of makaras, unable to overcome the continents.' Thus saying, the king proceeded in rage, his eyes red in wrath, surrounded by a large host, towards Phalguna. Beholding the mighty-armed Duryodhana thus proceeding, Saradwat's son, approaching Aswatthaman, said these words, 'Yonder, the mighty-armed Duryodhana, deprived of his
p. 366
senses by wrath, desireth to fight with Phalguna, like an insect desiring to rush into a blazing fire. Before this foremost of kings layeth down his life, in our very sight, in this battle with Partha, prevent him (from rushing into the encounter). The brave Kuru king can remain alive in battle as long only as he doth not place himself within the range of Partha's shafts. Let the king be stopped before he is consumed into ashes by the terrible shafts of Partha, that resemble snakes just freed from their sloughs. When we are here, O giver of honours, it seems to be highly improper that the king should himself go to battle to fight, as if he had none to fight for him. The life of this descendant of Kuru will be in great danger if he engages in battle with the diademdecked (Arjuna), like that of an elephant contending with a tiger.' Thus addressed by his maternal uncle, Drona's son, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, quickly repaired unto Duryodhana and addressing him, said these words, 'When I am alive, O son of Gandhari, it behoveth thee not to engage thyself in battle, disregarding me, O descendant of Kuru, that am ever desirous of thy good. Thou needst not be at all anxious about vanquishing Partha. I will check Partha! Stand here, O Suyodhana.'
"Duryodhana said, 'The preceptor (Drona) always protecteth the sons of Pandu, as if they are his own sons. Thou also always never interferest with those my foes. Or, it may be due to my misfortune, that thy prowess never becometh fierce in battle. This may be due also to thy affection for Yudhishthira or Draupadi. I myself am ignorant of the true reason. Fie on my covetous self, for whose sake all friends, desirous of making me happy, are themselves vanquished and plunged into grief. Except thee, O son of Gotama's daughter, what foremost of all wielders of weapons of there, what warrior, indeed, equal to Mahadeva himself in battle, that would not, though competent, destroy the foe? O Aswatthaman; be pleased with me and destroy my enemies. Neither the gods nor the Danavas are capable of staying within the range of thy weapons, O son of Drona, slay the Panchalas and the Somakas with all their followers. As regards the rest, we will slay them, Protected by thee. Yonder, O Brahmana, the Somakas and the Panchalas, possessed of great fame, are careering amid my troops like a forest-conflagration. O mighty-armed one, check them as also the Kailkeyas, O best of men, else, protected by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), they will annihilate us all. O Aswatthaman, O chastiser of foes, go thither with speed. Whether thou accomplishest it now or afterwards, that feat, O sire, should be accomplished by thee. Thou hast been born, O mighty-armed one, for the destruction of the Panchalas. Putting forth thy prowess, thou shalt make the world destitute of Panchalas. Even thus the reverend ones crowned with (ascetic) success, have said. It will be as they have said. Therefore, O tiger among men, slay the Panchalas with all their followers. The very gods with Vasava at their head are incapable of staying within the range of thy weapons, what need be said then of the Parthas and the Panchalas? These words of mine are true. I tell thee truly, O hero, that the Pandavas
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united with the Somakas are no match for thee in battle! Go, O mighty-armed one! Let there be no delay. Behold, our army, afflicted with Partha's shafts, is breaking and flying away. Thou art competent, O mighty-armed one, aided by thy own celestial energy, to afflict, O giver of honours, the Pandavas and the Panchalas.'"

 

Book 7
Chapter 159

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      ghaṭotkace tu nihate sūtaputreṇa tāṃ niśām
      duḥkhāmarṣa vaśaṃ prāpto dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  2 dṛṣṭva bhīmena mahatīṃ vāryamāṇāṃ camūṃ tava
      dhṛṣṭadyumnam uvācedaṃ kumbhayoniṃ nivāraya
  3 tvaṃ hi droṇa vināśāya samutpanno hutāśanāt
      sa śaraḥ kavacī khaḍgī dhanvī ca paratāpanaḥ
      abhidrava raṇe hṛṣṭo na ca te bhīḥ kathaṃ cana
  4 janamejayaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca daurmukhiś ca yaśo dhanaḥ
      abhidravantu saṃhṛṣṭāḥ kumbhayoniṃ samantatāḥ
  5 nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca draupadeyāḥ prabhadrakāḥ
      drupadaś ca virāṭaś ca putrabhrātṛsamanvitau
  6 sātyakiḥ kekayāś caiva pāṇḍavaś ca dhanaṃjayaḥ
      abhidravantu vegena bhāradvāja vadhepsayā
  7 tathaiva rathinaḥ sarve hastyaśvaṃ yac ca kiṃ cana
      pādātāś ca raṇe droṇaṃ prāpayantu mahāratham
  8 tathājñaptās tu te sarve pāṇḍavena mahātmanā
      abhyadravanta vegena kumbhayoniṃ yuyutsayā
  9 āgacchatas tān sahasā sarvodyogena pāṇḍavān
      pratijagrāha samare droṇaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
  10 tato duryodhano rājā sarvodyogena pāṇḍavān
     abhyadravat susaṃkruddha icchan droṇasya jīvitam
 11 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ śrāntavāhana sainikam
     pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca garjatām itaretaram
 12 nidrāndhās te mahārāja pariśrāntāś ca saṃyuge
     nābhyapadyanta samare kāṃ cic ceṣṭāṃ mahārathāḥ
 13 triyāmā rajanī caiṣā ghorarūpā bhayānakā
     sahasrayāma pratimā babhūva prāṇahāriṇī
     vadhyatāṃ ca tathā teṣāṃ kṣatānāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ
 14 ahorātriḥ samājajñe nidrāndhānāṃ viśeṣataḥ
     sarve hy āsan nirutsāhāḥ kṣatriyā dīnacetasaḥ
     tava caiva pareṣāṃ ca gatāstrā vigateṣavaḥ
 15 te tathā parayantaś ca hrīmantaś ca viśeṣataḥ
     svadharmam anupaśyanto na jahur svām anīkinīm
 16 śastrāṇy anye samutsṛjya nidrāndhāḥ śerate janāḥ
     gajeṣv anye ratheṣv anye hayeṣv anye ca bhārata
 17 nidhrāndhā no bubudhire kāṃ cic ceṣṭāṃ narādhipāḥ
     te 'nyonyaṃ samare yodhāḥ preṣayanta yamakṣayam
 18 svapnāyamānās tv apare parān iti vicetasaḥ
     ātmānaṃ samare jaghnu svān eva ca parān api
 19 nānā vāco vimuñcanto nidrāndhās te mahāraṇe
     yoddhavyam iti tiṣṭhanto nidrā saṃsaktalocanāḥ
 20 saṃmardyānye raṇe ke cin nidrāndhāś ca parasparam
     jaghnuḥ śūrā raṇe rājaṃs tasmiṃs tamasi dāruṇe
 21 hanyamānaṃ tathātmānaṃ parebhyo bahavo janāḥ
     nābhyajānanta samare nidrayā mohitā bhṛśam
 22 teṣām etādṛśīṃ ceṣṭāṃ vijñāya puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     uvāca vākyaṃ bībhatsur uccaiḥ saṃnādayan diśaḥ
 23 śrāntā bhavanto nidrāndhāḥ sarva eva sa vāsavāḥ
     tamasā cāvṛte sainye rajasā bahulena ca
 24 te yūyaṃ yadi manyadhvam upāramata sainikāḥ
     nimīlayata cātraiva raṇabhūmau muhūrtakam
 25 tato vinidra viśrāntāś candramasy udite punaḥ
     saṃsādhayiṣyathānyonyaṃ svargāya kurupāṇḍavāḥ
 26 tad vacaḥ sarvadharmajñā dhārmikasya niśamya te
     arocayanta sainyāni tathā cānyonyam abruvan
 27 cukruśuḥ karṇa karṇeti rājan duryodhaneti ca
     upāramata pāṇḍūnāṃ viratā hi varūthinī
 28 tathā vikrośamānasya phalgunasya tatas tataḥ
     upāramata pāṇḍūnāṃ senā tava ca bhārata
 29 tām asya vācaṃ devāś ca ṛṣayaś ca mahātmanaḥ
     sarvasainyāni cākṣudrāḥ prahṛṣṭāḥ patyapūjayan
 30 tat saṃpūjya vaco 'krūraṃ sarvasainyāni bhārata
     muhūtam asvapan rājañ śrāntāni bharatarṣabha
 31 sā tu saṃprāpya viśrāmaṃ dhvajinī tava bhārata
     sukham āptavatī vīram arjunaṃ pratyapūjayat
 32 tvayi vedās tathāstrāṇi tvayi buddhiparākramau
     dharmas tvayi mahābāho dayā bhūteṣu cānagha
 33 yac cāśvastās tavecchāmaḥ śarma pārtha tad astu te
     manasaś ca priyān arthān vīra kṣipram avāpnuhi
 34 iti te taṃ naravyāghraṃ praśaṃsanto mahārathāḥ
     nidrayā samavākṣiptās tūṣṇīm āsan viśāṃ pate
 35 aśvapṛṣṭheṣu cāpy anye rathanīḍeṣu cāpare
     gajaskandhagatāś cānye śerate cāpare kṣitau
 36 sāyudhāḥ sagadāś caiva sa khaḍgāḥ sa paraśvadhāḥ
     sa prāsakavacāś cānye narāḥ suptāḥ pṛthak pṛthak
 37 gajās te pannagābhogair hastair bhūreṇu rūṣitaiḥ
     nidrāndhā vasudhāṃ cakrur ghrāṇaniḥśvāsaśītalām
 38 gajāḥ śuśubhire tatra niḥśvasanto mahītale
     viśīrṇā girayo yadvan niḥśvasadbhir mahoragaiḥ
 39 samāṃ ca viṣamāṃ cakruḥ khurāgrair vikṣatāṃ mahīm
     hayāḥ kāñcanayoktrāś ca kesarālambibhir yugaiḥ
     suṣupus tatra rājendra yuktā vāheṣu sarvaśaḥ
 40 tat tathā nidrayā bhagnam avācam asvapad balam
     kuśalair iva vinyastaṃ paṭe citram ivādbhutam
 41 te kṣatriyāḥ kuṇḍalino yuvānaḥ; parasparaṃ sāyakavikṣatāṅgāḥ
     kumbheṣu līnāḥ suṣupur gajānāṃ; kuceṣu lagnā iva kāminīnām
 42 tataḥ kumudanāthena kāminī gaṇḍapāṇḍunā
     netrānandena candreṇa māhendrī dig alaṃkṛtā
 43 tato muhūrtād bhagavān purastāc chaśalakṣaṇaḥ
     aruṇaṃ darśayām āsa grasañ jyotiḥ prabhaṃ prabhuḥ
 44 aruṇasya tu tasyānu jātarūpasamaprabham
     raśmijālaṃ mahac candro mandaṃ mandam avāsṛjat
 45 utsārayantaḥ prabhayā tamas te candraraśmayaḥ
     paryagacchañ śanaiḥ sarvā diśaḥ khaṃ ca kṣitiṃ tathā
 46 tato muhūrtād bhuvanaṃ jyotir bhūtam ivābhavat
     aprakhyam aprakāśaṃ ca jagāmāśu tamas tathā
 47 pratiprakāśite loke divā bhūte niśākare
     vicerur na viceruś ca rājan naktaṃcarās tataḥ
 48 bodhyamānaṃ tu tat sainyaṃ rājaṃś candrasya raśmibhiḥ
     bubudhe śatapatrāṇāṃ vanaṃ mahad ivāmbhasi
 49 yathā candrodayodbhūtaḥ kṣubhitaḥ sāgaro bhavet
     tathā candrodayodbhūtaḥ sa babhūva balārṇavaḥ
 50 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ punar eva viśāṃ pate
     loke lokavināśāya paraṃ lokam abhīpsatām

 

SECTION CLIX

"Sanjaya said, 'Thus addressed by Duryodhana, Drona's son, that warrior difficult of defeat in battle, set his heart upon destroying the foe, like Indra bent upon destroying the Daityas. The mighty-armed Aswatthaman answered thy son, saying, 'It is even so as thou sayest, O descendant of Kuru! The Pandavas are always dear to both myself and my father. So also, are we both dear unto them. Not so, however, in battle. We will, according to the measure of our might, fearlessly contend in battle, reckless of our lives. Myself, Karna, Salya, Kripa, and Hridika's son, could, O best of kings, destroy the Pandava host within the twinkling of an eye. The Pandavas also, O best of the Kurus, could within the twinkling of an eye, destroy the Kaurava host, if, O mighty-armed one, we were not present in battle. We are fighting with the Pandavas to the best of our might, and they also are fighting with us to the best of their might. Energy, encountering energy, is being neutralised, O Bharata! The Pandava army is incapable of being vanquished as long as the sons of Pandu are alive. This that I tell thee is true. The sons of Pandu are endued with great might. They are, again, fighting for their own sake. Why should not they, O Bharata, be able to slay thy troops. Thou, however, O king, art exceedingly covetous. Thou, O Kaurava, art deceitful. Thou art vainglorious and suspicious of everything. For this, thou suspectest even us. I think, O king, thou art wicked, of sinful soul, and an embodiment of sin. Mean and of sinful thoughts, thou doubtest us and others. As regards myself, fighting with resolution for thy sake, I am prepared to lay down my life. I will presently go to battle for thy sake, O chief of the Kurus. I will fight with the foe and slay a large number of the enemy. I will fight with the Panchalas, the Somakas, the Kaikeyas, and the Pandayas also, in battle, for doing what is agreeable to thee, O chastiser of foes. Scorched with my arrows today, the Chedis, the Panchalas, and the Somakas, will fly away on all sides like a herd of kine afflicted by a lion. Today, the royal son of Dharma with all the Somakas, beholding my prowess, will regard the whole world to be filled with Aswatthamans. Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, will become exceedingly cheerless, beholding the Panchalas and Somakas slain (by me) in battle. I will, O Bharata, slay all those that will approach me in battle. Afflicted with the might
p. 368
of my arms, none of them, O hero, will escape me today with life.' Having said so unto thy son, Duryodhana, the mighty-armed (Aswatthaman) proceeded to battle, and afflicted all bowmen. That foremost of all living beings thus sought to achieve what was agreeable to thy sons. The son of Gotama's daughter, then addressing the Panchalas and the Kaikeyas, said unto them, 'Ye mighty car-warriors, strike ye all at my body. Displaying your lightness in the use of arms, fight ye with me coolly.' Thus addressed by him, all those combatants, O king, poured showers of weapons upon Drona's son like clouds pouring torrents of rain. Baffling that shower, Drona's son in that battle, slew ten brave warriors amongst them, in the very sight, O lord, of Dhrishtadyumna and the sons of Pandu. The Panchalas and the Somakas then, thus worked in battle, abandoned the son of Drona and fled away in all directions. Beholding those brave warriors, viz., the Panchalas and the Somakas, flying away, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, rushed against Drona's son in that battle. Surrounded then by a hundred brave and unreturning car-warriors mounted upon cars, decked with gold, and the rattle of whose wheels resembled the roar or rain-charged clouds, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the Panchala king, beholding his warriors slain, addressed Drona's son and said these words, 'O foolish son of the preceptor, what is the use of slaying vulgar combatants. If thou art a hero, fight then with me in battle. I will slay thee. Wait for a moment without flying away.' Saying thus, Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess struck the preceptor's son with many keen and terrible arrows capable of piercing the very vitals. Those swiftly-coursing shafts, equipped with golden wings and keen points, and capable of piercing the body of every foe proceeding in a continuous line, penetrated into Aswatthaman's body, like freely-roaming bees in search of honey entering a flowering tree. Deeply pierced and swelling with rage, like a trodden snake, the proud and fearless son of Drona, arrow in hand, addressed his foe, saying, 'O Dhrishtadyumna, wait for moment, without leaving my presence.' Soon shall I despatch thee to Yama's abode with my keen shafts.' Having said these words, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Drona, displaying great lightness of hands, covered the son of Prishata from every side with clouds of arrows. Thus covered in that encounter (with arrows) by Drona's son, the Panchala prince, difficult to defeat in battle, said 'Thou knowest not of my origin, O Brahmana, or of my vow. O thou of wicked understanding, having first slain Drona himself, I will not, therefore, slay thee today when Drona himself is still alive. O thou of wicked understanding, after this night passeth away and bringeth in the fair dawn, I shall first slay thy sire in battle and then despatch thee also to the region of Spirits. Even this is the wish entertained by me. Standing before me, display, therefore, till then, the hatred thou bearest towards the Parthas, and the devotion thou cherishest for the Kurus. Thou shalt not escape from me with life. That, Brahmana who, abandoning the practices of a Brahmana, devoteth himself to the practices of a Kshatriya, becomes slayable by all Kshatriyas even as thou,
p. 369
[paragraph continues] O lowest of men.' Thus addressed by Prishata's son in language so harsh and insulting that best of Brahmanas Aswatthaman mustered all his rage and answered, saying, 'Wait, Wait!' And he gazed at Prishata's son apparently burning him with his eyes. Sighing (in rage) like a snake, the preceptor's son, then, covered Dhrishtadyumna in that battle (with a shower of arrows). The mighty-armed son of Prishata, however, that best of car-warriors, surrounded by all the Panchala troops, though thus struck with arrows in that encounter by Drona's son, did not tremble, relying as he did on his own energy. In return, he sped many arrows at Aswatthaman. Both engaged in a gambling match in which the stake was life itself, those heroes, unable to brook each other, resisted each other and checked each other's arrowy showers. And those great bowmen shot dense showers of shafts all around. Beholding that fierce battle, inspiring terror, between Drona's and Prishata's son, the Siddhas and Charanas and other sky-ranging beings applauded them highly. Filling the welkin and all the points of the compass with clouds of shafts, and creating a thick gloom therewith, those two warriors continued to fight with each other, unseen (by any of us). As if dancing in that battle, with their bows drawn to circles, resolutely aspiring to slay each other, those mighty-armed warriors, inspiring fear in every heart, fought wonderfully and with remarkable activity and skill. Applauded by thousands of foremost warriors in that battle, and thus resolutely engaged in fight like two wild elephants in the forest, both the armies, beholding them, became filled with delight. And leonine shouts were heard there, and all the combatants blew their conchs. And hundreds and thousands of musical instruments began to be sounded. That fierce fight, enhancing the terror of the timid, seemed only for a short time to be waged equally. Then Drona's son, O king, making a rush, cut off the bow, and standard, and umbrella, and the two Parshni drivers, and the principal driver, and the four steeds, of the high-souled son of Prishata. And that warrior of immeasurable soul then caused the Panchalas in hundreds and thousands, by means of his straight shafts, to fly away. Beholding those feats of Drona's son, resembling those of Vasava himself in battle, the Pandava host, O bull of Bharata race, began to tremble in fear. Slaying a hundred Panchalas with a hundred arrows, and three foremost of men with three keen arrows, in the very sight of Drupada's son and of Phalguna, that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, slew a very large number of Panchalas that stayed before him. The Panchalas then, as also the Srinjayas, thus disconcerted in battle, fled away leaving Drona's son, with their banners torn. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, having vanquished his foes in battle, uttered a loud roar like that of a mass of clouds at the end of summer. Having slain a large number of foes, Aswatthaman looked resplendent like the blazing fire at the end of the Yuga, after having consumed all creatures. Applauded by all the Kauravas after having defeated thousands of foes in battle, the valiant son of Drona beamed forth in beauty, like the chief of the celestials himself after vanquishing his foes'."

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 160

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      tato duryodhano droṇam abhigamyedam abravīt
      amarṣavaśam āpanno janayan harṣatejasī
  2 na marṣaṇīyāḥ saṃgrāme viśramantaḥ śramānvitāḥ
      sapatnā glāna manaso labdhalakṣyā viśeṣataḥ
  3 tat tu marṣitam asmābhir bhavataḥ priyakāmyayā
      ta ete pariviśrāntāḥ pāṇḍavā balavattarāḥ
  4 sarvathā parihīnāḥ sma tejasā ca balena ca
      bhavatā pālyamānās te vivardhante punaḥ punaḥ
  5 divyāny astrāṇi sarvāṇi brahmāstrādīni yāny api
      tāni sarvāṇi tiṣṭhanti bhavaty eva viśeṣataḥ
  6 na pāṇḍaveyā na vayaṃ nānye loke dhanurdharāḥ
      yudhyamānasya te tulyāḥ satyam etad bravīmi te
  7 sa surāsuragandharvān imāṁl lokān dvijottama
      sarvāstravid bhavān hanyād divyair astrair na saṃśayaḥ
  8 sa bhavān marṣayaty enāṃs tvatto bhītān viśeṣataḥ
      śiṣyatvaṃ vā puraskṛtya mama vā mandabhāgyatām
  9 evam uddharṣito droṇaḥ kopitaś cātmajena te
      sa manyur abravīd rājan duryodhanam idaṃ vacaḥ
  10 sthaviraḥ san paraṃ śaktyā ghaṭe duryodhanāhave
     ataḥ paraṃ mayā kāryaṃ kṣudraṃ vijayagṛddhinā
     anastravid ayaṃ sarvo hantavyo 'stravidā janaḥ
 11 yad bhavān manyate cāpi śubhaṃ vā yadi vāśubham
     tad vai kartāsmi kauravya vacanāt tava nānyathā
 12 nihatya sarvapāñcālān yuddhe kṛtvā parākramam
     vimokṣye kavacaṃ rājan satyenāyudham ālabhe
 13 manyase yac ca kaunteyam arjunaṃ śrāntam āhave
     tasya vīryaṃ mahābāho śṛṇu satyena kaurava
 14 taṃ na devā na gandharvā na yakṣā na ca rākṣasāḥ
     utsahante raṇe soḍhuṃ kupitaṃ savyasācinam
 15 khāṇḍave yena bhagavān pratyudyātaḥ sureśvaraḥ
     sāyakair vāritaś cāpi varṣamāṇo mahātmanā
 16 yakṣā nāgās tathā daityā ye cānye balagarvitāḥ
     nihatāḥ puruṣendreṇa tac cāpi viditaṃ tava
 17 gandharvā ghoṣayātrāyāṃ citrasenādayo jitāḥ
     yūyaṃ tair hriyamāṇāś ca mokṣitā dṛḍhadhanvinā
 18 nivātakavacāś cāpi devānāṃ śatravas tathā
     surair avadhyāḥ saṃgrāme tena vīreṇa nirjitāḥ
 19 dānavānāṃ sahasrāṇi hiraṇyapuravāsinām
     vijigye puruṣavyāghraḥ sa śakyo mānuṣaiḥ katham
 20 pratyakṣaṃ caiva te sarvaṃ yathābalam idaṃ tava
     kṣapitaṃ pāṇḍuputreṇa ceṣṭatāṃ no viśāṃ pate
 21 taṃ tathābhipraśaṃsantam arjunaṃ kupitas tadā
     droṇaṃ tava suto rājan punar evedam abravīt
 22 ahaṃ duḥśāsanaḥ karṇaḥ śakunir mātulaś ca me
     haniṣyāmo 'rjunaṃ saṃkhye dvaidhī kṛtyādya bhāratīm
 23 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā bhāradvājo hasann iva
     anvavartata rājānaṃ svasti te 'stv iti cābravīt
 24 ko hi gāṇḍīvadhanvānaṃ jvalantam iva tejasā
     akṣayaṃ kṣapayet kaś cit kṣatriyaḥ kṣatriyarṣabham
 25 taṃ na vittapatir nendro na yamo na jaleśvaraḥ
     nāsuroraga rakṣāṃsi kṣapayeyuḥ sahāyudham
 26 mūḍhās tv etāni bhāṣante yānīmāny āttha bhārata
     yuddhe hy arjunam āsādya svastimān ko vrajed gṛhān
 27 tvaṃ tu sarvātiśaṅkitvān niṣṭhuraḥ pāpaniścayaḥ
     śreyasas tvaddhite yuktāṃs tat tad vaktum ihecchasi
 28 gaccha tvam api kaunteyam ātmārthebhyo hi māciram
     tvam apy āśaṃsase yoddhuṃ kulajaḥ kṣatriyo hy asi
 29 imān kiṃ pārthivān sarvān ghātayiṣyasy anāgasaḥ
     tvam asya mūlaṃ vairasya tasmād āsādayārjunam
 30 eṣa te mātulaḥ prājñaḥ kṣatradharmam anuvrataḥ
     dūrdyūta devī gāndhāriḥ prayātv arjunam āhave
 31 eṣo 'kṣakuśalo jihmo dyūtakṛt kitavaḥ śaṭhaḥ
     devitā nikṛtiprajño yudhi jeṣyati pāṇḍavān
 32 tvayā kathitam atyantaṃ karṇena saha hṛṣṭavat
     asakṛc chūnyavan mohād ghṛtarāṣṭrasya śṛṇvataḥ
 33 ahaṃ ca tāta karṇaś ca bhrātā duḥśāsanaś ca me
     pāṇḍuputrān haniṣyāmaḥ sahitāḥ samare trayaḥ
 34 iti te katthamānasya śrutaṃ saṃsadi saṃsadi
     anutiṣṭha pratijñāṃ tāṃ satyavāg bhava taiḥ saha
 35 eṣa te pāṇḍavaḥ śatrur aviṣahyo 'grataḥ sthitaḥ
     kṣatradharmam avekṣasva ślāghyas tava vadho jayāt
 36 dattaṃ bhuktam adhītaṃ ca prāptam aiśvaryam īpsitam
     kṛtakṛtyo 'nṛṇaś cāsi mā bhair yudhyasva pāṇḍavam
 37 ity uktvā samare droṇo nyavartata yataḥ pare
     dvaidhī kṛtyatataḥ senāṃ yuddhaṃ samabhavat tadā

 

 

SECTION CLX

"Sanjaya said, 'Then king Yudhishthira, and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, O monarch, encompassed Drona's son on all sides. Seeing this, king Duryodhana, aided by Bharadwaja's son, rushed against the Pandavas in that encounter. Then commenced a battle that was fierce and terrific, enhancing the fears of the timid. Yudhishthira, in wrath began to despatch vast numbers of Amvashthas, Malavas, Vangas, Sivis, and Trigartas, to the domain of the dead. Bhima also, mangling the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, and other Kshatriyas difficult to defeat in battle, made the earth miry with blood. The diademdecked (Arjuna) of white steeds despatched, O king, the Yaudheyas, the Mountaineers, the Madrakas, and the Malavas also, to the regions of the dead. Forcibly struck with swiftly-coursing shafts, elephants began to fall down on the earth like double-crested hills. Strewn with the lopped-off trunks elephants that still moved in convulsions, the earth seemed as if covered with moving snakes. Covered with the fallen umbrellas of kings that were adorned with gold, the field of battle looked resplendent like the firmament at the end of the Yuga bespangled with suns, moons and stars. About this time a fierce uproar arose near Drona's car, in the midst of which could be heard the words, 'Slay', 'Strike fearlessly', 'Pierce', 'cut in pieces'. Drona, however, filled with rage, began to destroy by means of the Vayavya weapon the foes about him, like a mighty tempest destroying gathering masses of clouds. Thus treated by Drona, the Panchalas fled away, from fear, in the very sight to Bhimasena and the high-souled Partha. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and Bhimasena soon checked the flight of their troops and accompanied by a large car-force attacked the vast force of Drona. Vibhatsu attacking the right and Vrikodara the left, they both poured on Bharadwaja's son two dense showers of arrows. The mighty car-warriors among the Srinjayas and the Panchalas, with the Matsyas and the Somakas, O king, followed the two brothers thus engaged (in that encounter with Drona). Similarly, many foremost of car-warriors, skilled in smiting, belonging to thy son, accompanied by a large force, proceeded towards Drona's car (for supporting the latter). Then the Bharata host, slaughtered by the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and overcome with and afflicted by the darkness, began to break. Thy son himself, and Drona, both endevoured to rally them. Thy troops, however, O king, could not be checked in their flight. Indeed, that vast host, slaughtered by the shafts of Pandu's son, began to fly away in all directions in that hour when the world was enveloped with gloom. Many kings, abandoning the animals and vehicles they rode, fled away on all sides, O monarch, overwhelmed with fear'."

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 161

 

 

 

 

1 [s]
      tribhāgamātraśeṣāyāṃ rātryāṃ yuddham avartata
      kurūṇāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca saṃhṛṣṭānāṃ viśāṃ pate
  2 atha candraprabhāṃ muṣṇann ādiyasya puraḥsaraḥ
      aruṇo 'bhyudayāṃ cakre tāmrī kurvann ivāmbaram
  3 tato dvaidhī kṛte sainye droṇaḥ somaka pāṇḍavān
      abhyadravat sapāñcālān duryodhana purogamaḥ
  4 dvaidhī bhūtān kurūn dṛṣṭvā mādhavo 'rjunam abravīt
      sapatnān savyataḥ kurmi savyasācinn imān kurūn
  5 sa mādhavam anujñāya kuruṣveti dhanaṃjayaḥ
      droṇakarṇau maheṣvāsau savyataḥ paryavartata
  6 abhiprāyaṃ tu kṛṣṇasya jñātvā parapuraṃjayaḥ
      ājiśīrṣa gataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaṃ samāsadat
  7 [bhm]
      arjunārjuna bībhatso śṛṇu me tattvato vacaḥ
      yadarthaṃ kṣatriyā sūte tasya kālo 'yam āgataḥ
  8 asmiṃś ced āgato kāle śreyo na pratipatsyase
      asaṃbhāvita rūpaḥ sann ānṛśaṃsyaṃ kariṣyasi
  9 satyaśrī dharmayaśasāṃ vīryeṇānṛṇyam āpnuhi
      bhindhy anīkaṃ yudhāṃ śreṣṭha savyasācinn imān kuru
  10 [s]
     sa savyasācī bhīmena coditaḥ keśavena ca
     karṇa droṇāv atikramya samantāt paryavārayat
 11 tam ājiśīrṣam āyāntaṃ dahantaṃ kṣatriyarṣabhān
     parākrāntaṃ parākramya yatantaḥ kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ
     nāśaknuvan vārayituṃ vardhamānam ivānalam
 12 atha duryodhanaḥ karṇaḥ śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
     abhyavarṣañ śaravrātaiḥ kuntīputraṃ dhanaṃjayam
 13 teṣām astrāṇi sarveṣām uttamāstravidāṃ varaḥ
     kadarthī kṛtyarājendra śaravarṣair avākirat
 14 astrair astrāṇi saṃvārya laghuhasto dhanaṃjayaḥ
     sarvān avidhyan niśitair daśabhir daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 15 uddhūtā rajaso vṛṣṭiṃ śaravṛṣṭis tathaiva ca
     tamaś ca ghoraṃ śabdaś ca tadā samabhavan mahān
 16 na dyaur na bhūmir na diśaḥ prājñāyanta tathāgate
     sainyena rajasā mūḍhaṃ sarvam andham ivābhavat
 17 naiva te na vayaṃ rājan prajñāsiṣma parasparam
     uddeśena hi tena sma samayudhyanta pārthivāḥ
 18 virathā rathino rājan samāsādya parasparam
     keṣeśu samasajjanta kavaceṣu bhujeṣu ca
 19 hatāśvā hatasūtāś ca niśceṣṭā rathinas tadā
     jīvanta iva tatra sma vyadṛśyanta bhayārditāḥ
 20 hatān gajān samāśliṣya parvatān iva vājinaḥ
     gatasattvā vyadṛśyanta tathaiva saha sādibhiḥ
 21 tatas tv abhyavasṛtyaiva saṃgrāmād uttarāṃ diśam
     atiṣṭhad āhave droṇo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ
 22 tam ājiśīrṣād ekāntam apakrāntaṃ niśāmya tu
     samakampanta sainyāni pāṇḍavānāṃ viśāṃ pate
 23 bhrājamānaṃ śriyā yuktaṃ jvalantam iva tejasā
     droṇaṃ dṛṣṭvārayas tresuś celur mamluś ca māriṣa
 24 āhvayantaṃ parānīkaṃ prabhinnam iva vāraṇam
     nainaṃ śaśaṃsire jetuṃ dānavā vāsavaṃ yathā
 25 ke cid āsan nirutsāhāḥ ke cit kruddhā manasvinaḥ
     vistmitāś cābhavan ke cit ke cid āsann amarṣitāḥ
 26 hastair hastāgram apare pratyapiṃṣan narādhipāḥ
     apare daśanair oṣṭhān adaśan krodhamūrchitāḥ
 27 vyākṣipann āyudhān anye mamṛduś cāpare bhujān
     anye cānvapatan droṇaṃ tyaktātmāno mahaujasaḥ
 28 pāñcālās tu viśeṣeṇa droṇa sāyakapīḍitāḥ
     samasajjanta rājendra samare bhṛśavedanāḥ
 29 tato virāṭadrupadau droṇaṃ pratiyayū raṇe
     tathā carantaṃ saṃgrāme bhṛśaṃ samaradurjayam
 30 drupadasya tataḥ pautrās traya eva viśāṃ pate
     cedayaś ca maheṣvāsā droṇam evābhyayur yudhi
 31 teṣāṃ drupada pautrāṇāṃ trayāṇāṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     tribhir droṇo 'harat prāṇāṃs te hatā nyapatan bhuvi
 32 tato droṇo 'jayad yuddhe cedikekayasṛñjayān
     matsyāṃś caivājayat sarvān bhāradvājo mahārathaḥ
 33 tatas tu drupadaḥ krodhāc charavarṣam avākirat
     droṇaṃ prati mahārāja virāṭaś caiva saṃyuge
 34 tato droṇaḥ supītābhyāṃ bhallābhyām arimardanaḥ
     drupadaṃ ca virāṭaṃ ca praiṣīd vaivastavakṣayam
 35 hate virāṭe drupade kekayeṣu tathaiva ca
     tathaiva cedimatsyeṣu pāñcāleṣu tathaiva ca
 36 hateṣu triṣu vīreṣu drupadasya ca naptṛṣu
     droṇasya karma tad dṛṣṭvā kopaduḥkhasamanvitaḥ
 37 śaśāpa rathināṃ madhye dhṛṣṭadyumno mahāmanāḥ
     iṣṭāpūrtāt tathā kṣātrād brāhmaṇyāc ca sa naśyatu
     droṇo yasyādya mucyeta yo vā droṇāt parāṅmukhaḥ
 38 iti teṣāṃ pratiśrutya madhye sarvadhanuṣmatām
     āyād droṇaṃ sahānīkaḥ pāñcālyaḥ paravīrahā
     pāñcālās tv ekato droṇam abhyaghnan pāṇḍavān yataḥ
 39 duryodhanaś ca karṇaś ca śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
     sodaryāś ca yathāmukhyās te 'rakṣan droṇam āhave
 40 rakṣyamāṇaṃ tathā droṇaṃ samare tair mahātmabhiḥ
     yatamānāpi pāñcālā na śekuḥ prativīkṣitum
 41 tatrākrudhyad bhīmaseno dhṛṣṭadyumnasya māriṣa
     sa enaṃ vāgbhir ugrābhis tatakṣa puruṣarṣabha
 42 drupadasya kule jātaḥ sarvāstreṣv astravittamaḥ
     kaḥ kṣatriyo manyamānaḥ prekṣetārim avasthitam
 43 pitṛputra vadhaṃ prāpya pumān kaḥ parihāpayet
     viśeṣatas tu śapathaṃ śapitvā rājasaṃsadi
 44 eṣa vaiśvānara iva samiddhaḥ svena tejasā
     śaracāpendhano droṇaḥ kṣatraṃ dahati tejasā
 45 purā karoti niḥśeṣāṃ pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm
     sthitāḥ paśyata me karma droṇam eva vrajāmy aham
 46 ity uktvā prāviśat kruddho droṇānīkaṃ vṛkodaraḥ
     dṛḍhaiḥ pūrṇāyatotsṛṣṭair drāvayaṃs tava vāhinīm
 47 dhṛṣṭadyumno 'pi pāñcālyaḥ praviśya mahatīṃ camūm
     āsasāda raṇe droṇaṃ tadāsīt tumulaṃ mahat
 48 naiva nas tādṛśaṃ yuddhaṃ dṛṣṭapūrvaṃ na ca śrutam
     yathā sūryodaye rājan samutpiñjo 'bhavan mahān
 49 saṃsaktāni vyadṛśyanta rathavṛndāni māriṣa
     hatāni ca vikīrṇāni śarīrāṇi śarīriṇām
 50 ke cid anyatra gacchantaḥ pathi cānyair upadrutāḥ
     vimukhāḥ pṛṣṭhataś cānye tāḍyante pārthivo 'pare
 51 tathā saṃsaktayuddhaṃ tad abhavad bhṛśadāruṇam
     ataḥ saṃdhyāgataḥ sūryaḥ kṣaṇena samapadyata

 

SECTION CLXI

"Sanjaya said 'Beholding Somadatta shaking his large bow, Satyaki, addressing his driver, said, 'Bear me towards Somadatta. I tell thee truely, O Suta, that I shall not return from battle today without having slain that foe, viz., that worst of the Kurus, the son of Valhika'. Thus addressed, the charioteer then urged to battle those fleet steeds of the Sindhu breed, white as conch and capable of bearing every weapon. Those steeds endued with the speed of the wind or the mind, bore Yuyudhana to battle like the steeds of Indra, O king, bearing the latter in days of yore when he proceeded to quell the Danavas. Beholding the Satwata hero thus advancing quickly in battle Somadatta, O king, fearlessly turned towards him. Scattering showers of shafts like the clouds pouring torrents of rain, he covered the grandson of Sini like the clouds covering the sun. Satyaki also, O bull of Bharata's race, in that encounter fearlessly covered that bull amongst the Kurus with showers of shafts. Then Somadatta pierced that hero of Madhu's race with sixty shafts in the chest. Satyaki, in turn, O king, pierced Somadatta with many whetted arrows. Mangled by each other with each-other's shafts, those two warriors looked resplendent like a couple of flowering Kinsukas in the season of spring. Dyed all over with blood, those illustrious warriors of the Kuru and the Vrishni races looked at each other with their glances. Riding on their cars that coursed in circles, those grinders of foes, of terrible countenances, resembled two clouds pouring torrents of rain. Their bodies mangled and pierced all over with arrows, they looked, O king, like two porcupines. Pierced with countless shafts, equipped with wings of gold, the two warriors looked resplendent, O monarch, like a couple of tall trees covered with fire-flies. Their bodies looking bright with the blazing arrows sticking to them, those two mighty car-warriors looked in that battle like two angry elephants decked with burning torches. Then, O monarch, the mighty car-warrior, Somadatta, in that battle, cut off with a crescent-shaped arrow the large bow of Madhava. With great speed also, at a time when speed was of the utmost consequence, the Kuru hero then pierced Satyaki with five and twenty shafts, and once again with ten. Then Satyaki, taking up a tougher bow, quickly pierced Somadatta with five shafts. With another broad-headed arrow, Satyaki also, O king, smiling the while, cut off the golden standard of Valhika's son. Somadatta, however, beholding his standard cut down, fearlessly pierced the grandson of Sini with five and twenty arrows. Satwata also, excited with rage, cut off with a razor-faced arrow the bow of Somadatta, in that encounter. And he also pierced Somadatta who then resembled a snake without fangs, with a hundred straight arrows, equipped with wings of gold. The mighty car-warrior Somadatta, then, who was endued with great strength taking up another bow, began to cover Satyaki (with showers of shafts). Satyaki too, inflamed with rage, pierced Somadatta
p. 372
with many shafts. Somadatta, in return, afflicted Satyaki with his arrowy showers. Then Bhima coming to the encounter, and fighting on behalf of Satyaki, struck Valhika's son with ten shafts. Somadatta, however, fearlessly struck Bhimasena with many whetted arrows. Then Satyaki, inflamed with rage, aiming at Somadatta's chest, shot a new and terrible Parigha equipped with a golden staff and hard as the thunder. The Kuru warrior, however, smiling the while, cut off that terrible Parigha advancing with speed against him in two parts. That formidable Parigha of iron, then, thus cut off into two fragments, fell down like so many crests of a mountain riven by thunder. Then Satyaki, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, cut off in that encounter Somadatta's bow, and then with five arrows, the leathern fence that cased his fingers. Then, O Bharata, with four other shafts he speedily despatched the four excellent steeds of the Kuru warrior to Yama's presence. And then that tiger among car-warriors with another straight shaft, smiling the while, cut off from his trunk the head of Somadatta's driver. Then he sought at Somadatta himself a terrible shaft of fiery effulgence, whetted on stone, steeped in oil, and equipped with wings of gold. That excellent and fierce shaft, shot by the mighty grandson of Sini, quickly fell like a hawk, O Lord, upon the chest of Somadatta. Deeply pierced by the mighty Satwata, the great car-warrior Somadatta, O monarch, fell down (from his car) and expired. Beholding the great car-warrior Somadatta slain there, thy warriors with a large throng of cars rushed against Yuyudhana. Meanwhile, the Pandava also, O king, with all the Prabhadrakas and accompanied by a large force, rushed against Drona's army. Then Yudhishthira, excited with wrath, began, with his shafts, to strike and rout the troops of Bharadwaja's son at the very sight of the latter. Beholding Yudhishthira thus agitating his troops, Drona, with eyes red in wrath, furiously rushed against him. The preceptor, then pierced the son of Pritha with seven keen arrows. Yudhishthira, in return, excited with wrath, pierced the preceptor with five arrows. Deeply pierced by the son of Pandu, the mighty bowman (Drona), licking the corners of his mouth for a moment, cut off both the standard and the bow of Yudhishthira. With great speed, at a time when speed was of the utmost consequence, that best of kings, whose bow had been cut off, took up another bow that was sufficiently tough and hard. The son of Pandu then pierced Drona with his steeds, driver, standard, and car, with a thousand arrows. All this seemed exceedingly wonderful. Afflicted with the strokes of those arrows and feeling great pain, Drona, that bull among Brahmanas, sat down for a while on the terrace of his car. Recovering his senses, sighing like a snake, and filled with great rage, the preceptor invoked into existence the Vayavya weapon. The valiant son of Pritha, bow in hand, fearlessly baffled that weapon with a similar weapon of his in that encounter. And the son of Pandu also cut in two fragments the large bow of the Brahmana. Then Drona, that grinder of Kshatriyas, took up another bow. That bull of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira, cut off that bow also, with many keen shafts. Then
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[paragraph continues] Vasudeva, addressing Yudhishthira. the son of Kunti, said, 'Listen, O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, to what I say. Cease, O best of the Bharatas, to fight with Drona. Drona always striveth to seize thee in battle. I do not think it fit that thou shouldst fight with him. He who hath been created for Drona's destruction will, without doubt, slay him. Leaving the preceptor, go where king Suyodhana is. Kings should fight with kings, they should not desire to fight with such as are not kings. Surrounded, therefore, by elephants and steeds and cars, repair thou thither, O son of Kunti, where Dhananjaya with myself, aided by a small force, and Bhima also, that tiger among men, are fighting with the Kurus'. Hearing these words of Vasudeva, king Yudhishthira the just, reflecting for a moment, proceeded to that part of the field where that slayer of foes, viz., Bhima, engaged in fierce battle, was slaughtering thy troops like the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth. Making the earth resound with the loud rattle of his car, which resembled the roar of the clouds at the end of summer, king Yudhishthira the just, the (eldest) son of Pandu, took up the flank of Bhima, engaged in the slaughter of the foe. Drona also on that night, began to consume his foes, the Panchalas'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 162

 

 

 

 

1 [s]
      te tathaiva mahārāja daṃśitā raṇamūrdhani
      saṃdhyāgataṃ sahasrāṃśum ādityam upatasthire
  2 udite tu sahasrāṃśau taptakāñcanasaprabhe
      prakāśiteṣu lokeṣu punar yuddham avartata
  3 dvaṃdvāni yāni tatrāsan saṃsaktāni purodayāt
      tāny evābhyudite sūrye samasajjanta bhārata
  4 rathair hayā hayair nāgāḥ pādātāś cāpi kuñjaraiḥ
      hayā hayaiḥ samājagmuḥ pādātāś ca padātibhiḥ
      saṃsaktāś ca viyuktāś ca yodhāḥ saṃnyapatan raṇe
  5 te rātrau kṛtakarmāṇaḥ śrāntāḥ sūryasya tejasā
      kṣutpipāsāparītāṅgā visaṃjñā bahavo 'bhavan
  6 śaṅkhabheri mṛdaṅgānāṃ kuñjarāṇāṃ ca garjatām
      visphārita vikṛṣṭānāṃ kārmukāṇāṃ ca kūjatām
  7 śabdaḥ samabhavad rājan divispṛg bharatarṣabha
      dravatāṃ ca padātīnāṃ śastrāṇāṃ vinipātyatām
  8 hayānāṃ heṣatāṃ caiva rathānāṃ ca nivartatām
      krośatāṃ garjatāṃ caiva tadāsīt tumulaṃ mahat
  9 vivṛddhas tumulaḥ śabdo dyām agacchan mahāsvanaḥ
      nānāyudha nikṛttānāṃ ceṣṭatām āturaḥ svanaḥ
  10 bhūmāv aśrūyata mahāṃs tadāsīt kṛpaṇaṃ mahat
     patatāṃ patitānāṃ ca pattyaśvarathahastinām
 11 teṣu sarveṣv anīkeṣu vyatiṣakteṣv anekaśaḥ
     sve svāñ jaghnuḥ pare svāṃś ca sve parāṃś ca parān pare
 12 vīrabāhuvisṛṣṭāś ca yodheṣu ca gajeṣu ca
     asayaḥ pratyadṛśyanta vāsasāṃ nejaneṣv iva
 13 udyatapratipiṣṭānāṃ khaḍgānāṃ vīrabāhubhiḥ
     sa eva śabdas tad rūpo vāsasāṃ nijyatām iva
 14 ardhāsibhis tathā khaḍgais tomaraiḥ saparaśvadhaiḥ
     nikṛṣṭa yuddhaṃ saṃsaktaṃ mahad āsīt sudāruṇam
 15 gajāśa kāyaprabhavāṃ naradeva pravāhinīm
     śastramatsya susaṃpūrṇāṃ māṃsaśoṇitakardamām
 16 ārtanādasvanavatīṃ patākāvastraphenilām
     nadīṃ prāvartayan vīrāḥ paralokapravāhinīm
 17 śaraśaktyarditāḥ klāntā rātrimūḍhālpa cetasaḥ
     viṣṭabhya sarga gātrāṇi vyatiṣṭhan gajavājinaḥ
     saṃśukṣka vadanā vīrāḥ śirobhiś cārukuṇḍalaiḥ
 18 yuddhopakaraṇaiś cānyair atra tatra prakāśitaiḥ
     kravyādasaṃghair ākīrṇaṃ mṛtair ardhamṛtair api
     nāsīd rathapathas tatra sarvam āyodhanaṃ prati
 19 majjatsu cakreṣu rathān sattvam āsthāya vājinaḥ
     kathaṃ cid avahañ śrāntā vepamānāḥ śarārditāḥ
     kulasattvabalopetā vājino vāraṇopamāḥ
 20 vihvalaṃ tat samudbhrāntaṃ sa bhayaṃ bhāratāturam
     balam āsīt tadā sarvam ṛte droṇārjunāv ubhau
 21 tāv evāstāṃ nilayanaṃ tāv ārtāyanam eva ca
     tāv evānye samāsādya jagmur vaivastavakṣayam
 22 āvighnam abhavat sarvaṃ kauravāṇāṃ mahad balam
     pāñcālānāṃ ca saṃsaktaṃ na prājñāyata kiṃ cana
 23 antakākrīḍa sadṛśe bhīrūṇāṃ bhayavardhane
     pṛthivyāṃ rājavaṃśānām utthite mahati kṣaye
 24 na tatra karṇaṃ na droṇaṃ nārjunaṃ na yudhiṣṭhiram
     na bhīmasenaṃ na yamau na pāñcālyaṃ na sātyakim
 25 na ca duḥśāsanaṃ drauṇiṃ na duryodhana saubalau
     na kṛpaṃ madrarājaṃ vā kṛtavarmāṇam eva ca
 26 na cānyān naiva cātmānaṃ na kṣitiṃ na diśas tathā
     paśyāma rājan saṃsaktān sainyena rajasāvṛtān
 27 saṃbhrānte tumule ghore rajo medhe samutthite
     dvitīyām iva saṃprāptām amanyanta niśāṃ tadā
 28 na jñāyante kauraveyā na pāñcālā na pāṇḍavāḥ
     na diśo na divaṃ norvīṃ na samaṃ viṣamaṃ tathā
 29 hastasaṃsparśam āpannān parān vāpy atha vā svakān
     nyapātayaṃs tadā yuddhe narāḥ sma vijayaiṣiṇaḥ
 30 uddhūtatvāt tu rajasaḥ prasekāc choṇitasya ca
     praśaśāma rajo bhaumaṃ śīghratvād anilasya ca
 31 tatra nāgā hayā yodhā rathino 'tha padātayaḥ
     pārijāta vanānīva vyarocan rudhirokṣitāḥ
 32 tato duryodhanaḥ karṇo droṇo duḥśāsanas tathā
     pāṇḍavaiḥ samasajjanta caturbhiś caturo rathāḥ
 33 duryodhanaḥ saha bhrātrā yamābhyāṃ samasajjata
     vṛkodareṇa rādheyo bhāradvājena cārjunaḥ
 34 tad ghoraṃ mahad āścaryaṃ sarve praikṣan samantataḥ
     ratharṣabhāṇām ugrāṇāṃ saṃnipātam amānuṣam
 35 rathamārgair vicitraiś ca vicitrarathasaṃkulam
     apaśyan rathino yuddhaṃ vicitraṃ citrayodhinām
 36 yatamānāḥ parākrāntāḥ parasparajigīṣavaḥ
     jīmūtā iva gharmānte śaravarṣair avākiran
 37 te rathān sūryasaṃkāśān āsthitāḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ
     aśobhanta yathā meghāḥ śāradāḥ samupasthitāḥ
 38 spardhinas te maheṣvāsāḥ kṛtayatnā dhanurdharāḥ
     abhyagacchaṃs tathānyonyaṃ mattā gajavṛṣā iva
 39 na nūnaṃ dehabhedo 'sti kāle tasmin samāgate
     yatra sarve na yugapad vyaśīryanta mahārathāḥ
 40 bāhubhiś caraṇaiś chinnaiḥ śirobhiś cārukuṇḍalaiḥ
     kārmukair viśikhaiḥ prāsaiḥ khaḍgaiḥ paraśu paṭṭiśaiḥ
 41 nālīkakṣura nārācair nakharaiḥ śaktitomaraiḥ
     anyaiś ca vividhākārair dhautaiḥ praharaṇottamaiḥ
 42 citraiś ca vividhākāraiḥ śarīrāvaraṇair api
     vicitraiś ca rathair bhagnair hataiś ca gajavājibhiḥ
 43 śūnyaiś ca nagarākārair hatayodhadhvajai rathaiḥ
     amanuṣyair hayair trastaiḥ kṛṣyamāṇais tatas tataḥ
 44 vātāyamānair asakṛd dhatavīrair alaṃkṛtaiḥ
     vyajanaiḥ kaṅkaṭaiś caiva dhvajaiś ca vinipātitaiḥ
 45 chatrair ābharaṇair vastrair mālyaiś ca susugandhibhiḥ
     hāraiḥ kirīṭair mukuṭair uṣṇīṣaiḥ kiṅkiṇī gaṇaiḥ
 46 urasyair maṇibhir niṣkaiś cūḍāmaṇibhir eva ca
     āsīd āyodhanaṃ tatra nabhas tārāgaṇair iva
 47 tato duryodhanasyāsīn nakulena samāgamaḥ
     amarṣitena kruddhasya kruddhenāmarṣitasya ca
 48 apasavyaṃ cakārātha mādrīputras tavātmajam
     kirañ śaraśatair hṛṣṭas tatra nādo mahān abhūt
 49 apasavyaṃ kṛtaḥ saṃkhye bhrātṛvyenātyamarṣiṇā
     so 'marṣitas tam apy ājau praticakre 'pasavyataḥ
 50 tataḥ praticikīrṣantam apasavyaṃ tu te sutam
     nyavārayata tejasvī nakulaś citramārgavit
 51 sarvato vinivāryainaṃ śarajālena pīḍayan
     vimukhaṃ nakulaś cakre tat sainyāḥ samapūjayan
 52 tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti nakulo babhāṣe tanayaṃ tava
     saṃsmṛtya sarvaduḥkhāni tava durmantritena ca

 

SECTION CLXII

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that fierce and terrible battle, when the world was enveloped with darkness and dust, O king, the combatants, as they stood on the field, could not see one another. Those foremost of Kshatriyas fought with each other, guided by conjectures and the personal and other names (they uttered). And during the progress, O lord, of that terrible carnage of car-warriors and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers 1, those heroes, viz., Drona and Karna and Kripa, and Bhima and Prishata's son and Satwata, afflicted one another and the troops of either party, O bull of Bharata's race. The combatants of both armies, oppressed all around by those foremost of car-warriors, during the hour of darkness, fled away on all sides. Indeed, the warriors, broke and fled away in all directions with hearts perfectly cheerless. And as they fled away in all directions, they underwent a great carnage. Thousands of foremost car-warriors also, O king, slaughtered one another in that battle. Unable to see anything in the dark, the combatants became deprived of their senses. All this was the result of the evil counsels of thy son. Indeed, at that hour when the world was enveloped in darkness, all
p. 374
creatures, O Bharata, including even the foremost of warriors, overcome with panic, were deprived of their senses in that battle.' 1
"Dhritarashtra said, 'What became the state of your mind then when, afflicted by that darkness, ye all were deprived of your energy and furiously agitated by the Pandavas! How also, O Sanjaya, when everything was enveloped in darkness, did the Pandava troops as also mine once more became visible?'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Then the remnant of the army (of the Katirava), under the orders of their leaders, were once more disposed in (compact) array. Drona placed himself at the van, and Salya at the rear. And Drona's son and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, placed themselves on the right and the left flanks. And king Duryodhana himself, O monarch, on that night, busied himself in protecting all the troops. Cheering all the foot-soldiers, O king, Duryodhana said unto them, 'Laying aside your great weapons, take ye all blazing lamps in your hands.' Thus commanded by that best of kings, the foot-soldiers joyfully took up burning lamps. The gods and Rishis, Gandharvas and celestial Rishis, and the diverse tribes of Vidyadharas and Apsaras, and Nagas and Yakshas and Uragas and Kinnaras, stationed on the welkin also joyfully took up blazing lamps. Many lamps, filled with sweet-scented oil, were seen to fall from the Regents of the cardinal and the subsidiary points of the compass. For Duryodhana's sake, many such were seen to come from Narada and Parvata in especial, lighting up that darkness. The (Kaurava) army then, disposed in compact array, looked resplendent, on that night with the light of those lamps, the costly ornaments (on the persons of combatants), and the blazing celestial weapons as those were shot or hurled by it. On each car were placed five lamps, and on each infuriated elephant three. 2 And upon each horse was placed a large lamp. Thus was that host lighted up by the Kuru warriors. 3 Set in their places within a short time, those lamps speedily lighted up thy army. Indeed, all the troops, thus made radiant by the foot-soldiers with oil-fed lamps in their hands, looked beautiful like clouds in the nocturnal sky illumined by flashes of lightning. When the Kuru host had thus been illuminated, Drona, endued with the effulgence of fire, scorching everything around, looked radiant, O king, in his golden armour, like the midday sun of blazing ray. The light of those lamps began to be reflected from the golden ornaments, the bright cuirasses and bows, and the well-tempered weapons of the combatants. And maces twined with strings, and bright Parighas, and cars and shafts and darts, as they coursed along, repeatedly created, O Ajamidha, by their reflection myriads of lamps. And umbrellas and yak-tails and scimitars and blazing brands, O king, and necklaces of gold, as these were whirled or moved,
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reflecting that light, looked exceedingly beautiful. Illuminated by the light of those lamps and irradiated by the reflection from weapons and ornaments, that host, O king, blazed up with splendour. Well-tempered and beautiful weapons, red with blood, and whirled by heroes, created a blazing effulgence there, like flashes of lightning in the sky at the end of summer. The faces of warriors, impetuously pursuing foes for striking them down and themselves trembling in the ardour of the rush, looked beautiful like masses of clouds urged on by the wind. As the splendour of the sun becomes fierce on the occasion of the conflagration of a forest full of trees, even so on that terrible night became the splendour of that fierce and illuminated host. Beholding that host of ours illumined, the Parthas also, with great speed, stirring up the foot-soldiers throughout their army, acted like ourselves. On each elephant, they placed seven lamps; on each car, ten; and on the back of each steed they placed two lamps; and on the flanks and rear (of their cars) and on their standard also, they placed many lamps. And on the flanks of their host, and on the rear and the van, and all around and within, many other lamps were lighted. The Kurus having done the same, both the armies were thus lighted. Throughout the host, the foot-soldiers became mingled with elephants and cars and cavalry. And the army of Pandu's son was also illuminated by others (than foot-soldiers) standing with blazing torches in their hands. 1 With those lamps that host became fiercely effulgent, like a blazing fire made doubly resplendent by the dazzling rays of the maker of day. The splendour of both the armies, over-spreading the earth, the welkin, and all the points of the compass, seemed to increase. With that light, thy army as also theirs became distinctly visible. Awakened by that light which reached the skies, the gods, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Rishis and other crowned with (ascetic) success, and the Apsaras, all came there. Crowded then with gods and Gandharvas, and Yakshas, and Rishis crowned with (ascetic) success, and Apsaras, and the spirits of slain warriors about to enter the celestial regions, the field of battle looked like a second heaven. Teeming with cars and steeds and elephants, brilliantly illumined with lamps, with angry combatants and horses slain or wandering wildly, that vast force of arrayed warriors and steeds and elephants looked like the arrays of the celestials and the Asuras in days of old. The rush of darts formed the fierce winds; great cars, the cloud; the neigh and grunt of steeds and elephants, the roars; shafts, the showers; and the blood of warriors and animals, the flood, of that tempest like nocturnal encounter between those god-like men. In the midst of that battle, that foremost of Brahmanas, viz., the high-souled Aswatthaman, scorching the
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[paragraph continues] Pandavas, O ruler of men, resembled the midday sun at the end of the season of rains, scorching everything with his fierce ray.'" 1

 

Book 7
Chapter 163

 

 

 

1 [s]
      tato duḥśāsanaḥ kruddhaḥ sahadevam upādravat
      rathavegena tīvreṇa kampayann iva medinīm
  2 tasyāpatata evāśu bhallenāmitrakarśanaḥ
      mādrī sutaḥ śiro yantuḥ sa śiras trāṇam acchinat
  3 nainaṃ duḥśāsanaḥ sūtaṃ nāpi kaś cana sainikaḥ
      hṛtotamāgnam āśutvāt sahasevena buddhavān
  4 yadā tv asmagṛhītatvāt prayānty aśvā yathāsukham
      tato duḥśāsanaḥ sūtaṃ buddhavān gatacetasam
  5 sahayān saṃnigṛhyājau svayaṃ hayaviśāradaḥ
      yuyudhe rathināṃ śreṣṭhaś citraṃ laghu ca suṣṭhu ca
  6 tad asyāpūjayan karma sve pare caiva saṃyuge
      hatasūta rathenājau vyacarad yad abhītavat
  7 sahadevas tu tān aśvāṃs tīkṣṇair bāṇair avākirat
      pīḍyamānāḥ śaraiś cāśu prādravaṃs te tatas tataḥ
  8 sa raśmiśu viṣaktatvād utsasarja śarāsanam
      dhanuṣā karma kurvaṃs tu raśmīn sa punar utsṛjat
  9 chidreṣu teṣu taṃ bāṇair mādrīputro 'bhyavākirat
      parīpsaṃs tvatsutaṃ karṇas tadantaram avāpatat
  10 vṛkodaro 'taḥ karṇaṃ tribhir bhallaiḥ samāhitaiḥ
     ākarṇapūrṇair abhyaghnan bāhvor urasi cānadat
 11 saṃnyavartata taṃ karṇaḥ saṃghaṭṭita ivoragaḥ
     tad abhūt tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ bhīma rādheyayor tadā
 12 tau vṛṣāv iva saṃkruddhau vivṛttanayanāv ubhau
     vegena mahatānyonyaṃ saṃrabdhāv abhipetatuḥ
 13 abhisaṃśliṣṭayos tatra tayor āhavaśauṇḍayoḥ
     abhinna śarapātatvād gayā yuddham avartata
 14 gadayā bhīmasenas tu karṇasya rathakūbaram
     bibhedāśu tadā rājaṃs tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 15 tato bhīmasya rādheyo gadām ādāya vīryavān
     avāsṛjad rathe tāṃ tu bibheda gadayā gadām
 16 tato bhīmaḥ punar gurvīṃ cikṣepādhirather gadām
     tāṃ śarair daśabhiḥ karṇaḥ supuṅkhaiḥ susamāhitaiḥ
     pratyavidhyat punaś cānyaiḥ sā bhīmaṃ punar āvrajat
 17 tasyāḥ pratinipātena bhīmasya vipulo dhvajaḥ
     papāta sārathiś cāsya mumoha gadayā hataḥ
 18 sa karṇe sāyakān aṣṭau vyasṛjat krodhamūrchitaḥ
     dhvaje śarāsane caiva śarāvāpe ca bhārata
 19 tataḥ punas tu rādheyo hayān asya ratheṣubhiḥ
     ṛṣyavarṇāñ jaghānāśu tathobhau pārṣṇisārathī
 20 sa vipannaratho bhīmo nakulasyāpluto ratham
     harir yathā gireḥ śṛṅgaṃ samākrāmad ariṃdamaḥ
 21 tathā droṇārjunau citram ayudhyetāṃ mahārathau
     ācārya śiṣyau rājendra kṛtapraharaṇau yudhi
 22 laghu saṃdhānayogābhyāṃ rathayoś ca raṇena ca
     mohayantau manuṣyāṇāṃ cakṣūṃṣi ca manāṃsi ca
 23 upāramanta te sarve yoddhā asmākaṃ pare tathā
     adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ paśyantas tad yuddhaṃ guru śiṣyayoḥ
 24 vicitrān pṛtanā madhye rathamārgān udīryataḥ
     anyonyam apasavyaṃ ca kartuṃ vīrau tadaiṣitaḥ
     parākramaṃ tayor yodhā dadṛśus taṃ suvismitāḥ
 25 tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ droṇa pāṇḍavayor mahat
     āmiṣārthaṃ mahārāja gagane śyenayor iva
 26 yad yac cakāra droṇas tu kuntīputra jigīṣayā
     tat tat pratijaghānāśu prahasaṃs tasya pāṇḍavaḥ
 27 yadā droṇo na śaknoti pāṇḍavasya viśeṣaṇe
     tataḥ prāduścakārāstram astramārga viśāradaḥ
 28 aindraṃ pāśupataṃ tvāṣṭraṃ vāyavyam atha vāruṇam
     muktaṃ muktaṃ droṇa cāpāt taj jaghāna dhanaṃjayaḥ
 29 astrāṇy astrair yadā tasya vidhivad dhanti pāṇḍavaḥ
     tato 'straiḥ paramair divyair droṇaḥ pārtham avākirat
 30 yad yad astraṃ sa pārthāya prayuṅkte vijigīṣayā
     tasyāstrasya vighātārthaṃ tat tat sa kurute 'rjunaḥ
 31 sa vadhyamāneṣv astreṣu divyeṣv api yathāvidhi
     arjunenārjunaṃ droṇo manasaivābhyapūjayat
 32 mene cātmānam adhikaṃ pṛthivyām api bhārata
     tena śiṣyeṇa sarvebhyaḥ śastravidbhyaḥ samantataḥ
 33 vāryamāṇas tu pārthena tathā madhye mahātmanām
     yatamāno 'rjunaṃ prītyā pratyavārayad utsmayan
 34 tato 'ntarikṣe devāś ca gandharvāś ca sahasraśaḥ
     ṛṣayaḥ siddhasaṃghāś ca vyatiṣṭhanta didṛkṣayā
 35 tad apsarobhir ākīrṇaṃ yakṣarākṣasa saṃkulam
     śrīmad ākāśam abhavad bhūyo meghākulaṃ yathā
 36 tatra smāntarhitā vāco vyacaranta punaḥ punaḥ
     droṇasya stavasaṃyuktāḥ pārthasya ca mahātmanaḥ
     visṛjyamāneṣv astreṣu jvālayatsu diśo daśa
 37 naivedaṃ mānuṣaṃ yuddhaṃ nāsuraṃ na ca rākṣasam
     na daivaṃ na ca gāndharvaṃ brāhmaṃ dhruvam idaṃ param
     vicitram idam āścaryaṃ na no dṛṣṭaṃ na ca śrutam
 38 ati pāṇḍavam ācāryo droṇaṃ cāpy ati pāṇḍavaḥ
     nānayor antaraṃ draṣṭuṃ śakyam astreṇa kena cit
 39 yadi rudro dvidhākṛtyayudhyetātmānam ātmanā
     tatra śakyopamā kartum anyatra tu na vidyate
 40 jñānam ekastham ācārye jñānaṃ yogaś ca pāṇḍave
     śauryam ekastham ācārye balaṃ śauryaṃ ca pāṇḍave
 41 nemau śakyau maheṣvāsau raṇe kṣepayituṃ paraiḥ
     icchamānau punar imau hanyetāṃ sāmaraṃ jagat
 42 ity abruvan mahārāja dṛṣṭvā tau puruṣarṣabhau
     antarhitāni bhūtāni prakāśāni ca saṃghaśaḥ
 43 tato droṇo brāhmam astraṃ prāduścakre mahāmatiḥ
     saṃtāpayan raṇe pārthaṃ bhūtāny antarhitāni ca
 44 tataś cacāla pṛthivī sa parvata vanadrumā
     vavau ca viṣamo vāyuḥ sāgarāś cāpi cukṣubhuḥ
 45 tatas trāso mahān āsīt kurupāṇḍavasenayoḥ
     sarveṣāṃ caiva bhūtānām udyate 'stre mahātmanā
 46 tataḥ pārtho 'py asaṃbhrāntas tad astraṃ pratijaghnivān
     brahmāstreṇaiva rājendra tataḥ sarvam aśīśamat
 47 yadā na gamyate pāraṃ tayor anyatarasya vā
     tataḥ saṃkulayuddhena tad yuddhaṃ vyakulī kṛtam
 48 nājñāyata tataḥ kiṃ cit punar eva viśāṃ pate
     pravṛtte tumule yuddhe droṇa pāṇḍavayor mṛdhe
 49 śarajālaiḥ samākīrṇe meghajālair ivāmbare
     na sma saṃpatate kaś cid antarikṣacaras tadā

 

SECTION CLXIII

"Sanjaya said, 'When the field of battle which had before been enveloped in darkness and dust had thus become illuminated, heroic warriors encountered one another, desirous of taking one another's life. 2 Encountering one another in battle, O king, those combatants, armed with lances and swords and other weapons, gazed at one another under the influence of rage. With thousands of lamps blazing all around and with the more blazing lamps of the gods and the Gandharvas, set upon golden stands decked with jewels, and fed with fragrant oil, the field of battle, O Bharata, looked resplendent like the firmament bespangled with stars. With hundreds upon hundreds of blazing brands, the earth looked exceedingly beautiful. Indeed, the earth seemed to be in a conflagration, like what happens at the universal destruction. 3 All the points of the compass blazed up with those lamps all around and looked like trees covered by fire-flies at an evening in the season of rains. Heroic combatants, then, O king, engaged in battle with heroic rivals. Elephants engaged with elephants, and horsemen with horsemen, and car-warriors with car-warriors, filled with joy, on that fierce night at the command of thy son. The clash of the two armies both consisting of four kinds of forces, became terrible. Then Arjuna, O monarch, began, with great speed, to destroy the Kaurava ranks, weakening all the kings.'
"Dhritarashtra said, 'When the invincible Arjuna, excited with wrath and unable to brook (the feats of the Kurus), penetrated into the army of my son, what became the state of your minds? Indeed, when that scorcher of foes entered into their midst, what did the soldiers think? What steps also did Duryodhana think fit to be adopted then? Who were those chastisers of foes that proceeded in that battle against that hero? Indeed,
p. 377
when Arjuna, of white steeds, entered (our army), who were they that protected Drona? Who guarded the right wheel and who the left wheel of Drona's car? Who were those heroes that protected the rear of that battling hero? Indeed, when Bharadwaja's son proceeded, slaying the foe (along his route), who were they that proceeded in his van? That mighty and invincible bowman who penetrated into the midst of the Panchalas, that tiger among men endued with great valour, who proceeded, as if dancing, along the track of his car, and consumed large throngs of Panchala cars by means of his shafts like a raging conflagration; alas, how did that Drona meet with his death? Thou always speakest of my foes as cool and unvanquished and cheerful and swelling with might in battle. Thou dost not, however, speak of mine in such words. On the other hand, thou describest them to be slain, pale, and routed, and thou speakest of my car-warriors, as always deprived of their cars in all the battles they fight!'
"Sanjaya continued, 'Understanding the wishes of Drona who was bent on battle, Duryodhana, on that night, O king, addressing his obedient brothers, viz., Vikarna and Chitrasena and Suparsva and Durdharsha and Dirghavahu, and all those that followed them, said those words, 'Ye heroes of great valour, struggling with resolution, all of you protect Drona from the rear. The son of Hridika will protect his right and Sala his left.' Saying this, thy son then urged forward placing them at the van, the remnant of the brave and mighty Trigarta car-warriors, saying, 'The preceptor is merciful. The Pandavas are fighting with great resolution.. While engaged in slaughtering the foe in battle, protect him well, uniting together. Drona is mighty in battle; is endued with great lightness of hand and great valour. He can vanquish the very gods in battle,--what need then be said of the Pandavas and the Somakas? All of you, however, united together and struggling with great resolution in this terrible battle, protect the invincible Drona from that mighty car-warrior, viz., Dhrishtadyumna. Except Dhrishtadyumna, I do not see the man amongst all the warriors of the Pandavas that can vanquish Drona in battle. I, therefore, think that we should, with our whole soul, protect the son of Bharadwaja. Protected (by us), he is sure to slay the Somakas and the Srinjayas, one after another. Upon the slaughter of all the Srinjayas at the head of the (Pandava) army, Drona's son without doubt, will slay Dhrishtadyumna in battle. Similarly, the mighty car-warrior Karna will vanquish Arjuna in battle. As regards Bhimasena and others clad in mail, I will subjugate them all in fight. The rest of the Pandavas deprived of energy, will be easily defeated by the warriors. It is evident, my success then will last for ever. For these reasons, protect the mighty car-warrior Drona in battle.' Having said these words, O chief of the Bharatas, thy son Duryodhana, urged his troops on that night of terrible darkness. Then commenced a battle, O chief of the Bharatas, between the two hosts. O Monarch, both actuated by the desire of victory. Arjuna began to afflict the Kauravas, and the Kauravas began to afflict Arjuna, with diverse
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kinds of weapons. Drona's son covered the, ruler of the Panchalas, and Drona himself covered the Srinjaya, with showers of straight shafts in that battle. And as the Pandava and the Panchala troops (on the one side) and the Kaurava troops (on the other), O Bharata, were engaged in slaughtering each other, there arose a furious uproar on the field. The battle that took place on that night was so terrible and fierce that its like had never been previously witnessed by ourselves or those gone before us.'"

 

Book 7
Chapter 164

 

 

 

 

  1 [s]
      tasmiṃs tathā vartamāne narāśvagajasaṃkṣaye
      duḥśāsano mahārāja dhṛṣṭadyumnam ayodhayat
  2 sa tu rukmarathāsakto duḥśāsana śarārditaḥ
      amarṣāt tava putrasya śarair vāhān avākirat
  3 kṣaṇena sa rathas tasya sa dhvajaḥ saha sārathiḥ
      nādṛśyata mahārāja pārṣatasya śaraiś citaḥ
  4 duḥśāsanas tu rājendra pāñcālyasya mahātmanaḥ
      nāśakat pramukhe sthātuṃ śarajālaprapīḍitaḥ
  5 sa tu duḥśāsanaṃ bāṇair vimukhīkṛtya pārṣataḥ
      kirañ śarasahasrāṇi droṇam evābhyayād raṇe
  6 pratyapadyata hārdikyaḥ kṛtavarmā tadantaram
      sodaryāṇāṃ trayaś caiva ta enaṃ paryavārayan
  7 taṃ yamau pṛṣṭhato 'nvaitāṃ rakṣantau puruṣarṣabhau
      droṇāyābhimukhaṃ yāntaṃ dīpyamānam ivānalam
  8 saṃprahāram akurvaṃs te sarve sapta mahārathāḥ
      amarṣitāḥ sattvavantaḥ kṛtvā maraṇam agrataḥ
  9 śuddhātmānaḥ śuddhavṛttā rājan svargapuraskṛtāḥ
      āryaṃ yuddham akurvanta parasparajigīṣavaḥ
  10 śuklābhijana karmāṇo matimanto janādhipāḥ
     dharmayuddham ayudhyanta prekṣanto gatim uttamām
 11 na tatrāsīd adharmiṣṭham aśastraṃ yuddham eva ca
     nātra karṇī na nālīko na lipto na ca vastakaḥ
 12 na sūcī kapiśo nātra na gavāsthir gajāsthikaḥ
     iṣur āsīn na saṃśliṣṭo na pūtir na ca jihmagaḥ
 13 ṛjūny eva viśuddhāni sarve śastrāṇy adhārayan
     suyuddhena parāṁl lokān īpsantaḥ kīrtim eva ca
 14 tadāsīt tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ sarvadoṣavivarjitam
     caturṇāṃ tava yodhānāṃ tais tribhiḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha
 15 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tu tān hitvā tava rājan ratharṣabhān
     yamābhyāṃ vāritān dṛṣṭvā śīghrāstro droṇam abhyayāt
 16 nivāritās tu te vīrās tayoḥ puruṣasiṃhayoḥ
     samasajjanta catvāro vātāḥ parvatayor iva
 17 dvābhyāṃ dvābhyāṃ yamau sārdhaṃ rathābhyāṃ rathapuṃgavau
     samāsaktau tato droṇaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumno 'bhyavartata
 18 dṛṣṭvā droṇāya pāñcālyaṃ vrajantaṃ yuddhadurmadam
     yamābhyāṃ tāṃś ca saṃsaktāṃs tadantaram upādravat
 19 duryodhano mahārāja kirañ śoṇitabhojanān
     taṃ sātyakiḥ śīghrataraṃ punar evābhyavartata
 20 tau parasparam āsādya samippe kuru mādhavau
     hasamānau nṛśārdūlāv abhītau samagacchatām
 21 bālye vṛttāni sarvāṇi prīyamāṇau vicintya tau
     anyonyaṃ prekṣamāṇau ca hasamānau punaḥ punaḥ
 22 atha duryodhano rājā sātyakiṃ pratyabhāṣata
     priyaṃ sakhāyaṃ satataṃ garhayan vṛttam ātmanaḥ
 23 dhik krodhaṃ dhik sakhe lobhaṃ dhin mohaṃ dhig amarṣitam
     dhig astu kṣātram ācāraṃ dhig astu balam aurasam
 24 yat tvaṃ mām abhisaṃdhatse tvāṃ cāhaṃ śinipuṃgava
     tvaṃ hi prāṇaiḥ priyataro mamāhaṃ ca sadā tava
 25 smarāmi tāni sarvāṇi bālye vṛttāni yāni nau
     tāni sarvāṇi jīrṇāni sāṃprataṃ nau raṇājire
     kim anyat krodhalobhābhyāṃ yudhyāmi tvādya sātvata
 26 taṃ tathā vādinaṃ rājan sātyakiḥ pratyabhāṣata
     prahasan viśikhāṃs tīkṣṇān udyamya paramāstravit
 27 neyaṃ sabhā rājaputra na cācārya niveśanam
     yatra krīḍitam asmābhis tadā rājan samāgataiḥ
 28 [dur]
     kva sā krīḍā gatāsmākaṃ bālye vai śinipuṃgava
     kva ca yuddham idaṃ bhūyaḥ kālo hi duratikramaḥ
 29 kiṃ nu no vidyate kṛtyaṃ dhanena dhanalipsayā
     yatra yudhyāmahe sarve dhanalobhāt samāgatāḥ
 30 [samjaya]
     taṃ tathā vādinaṃ tatra rājānaṃ mādhavo 'bravīt
     evaṃvṛtthaṃ sadā kṣatraṃ yad dhantīha gurūn api
 31 yadi te 'haṃ priyo rājañ jahi māṃ māciraṃ kṛthāḥ
     tvatkṛte sukṛtāṁl lokān gaccheyaṃ bharatarṣabha
 32 yā te śaktir balaṃ caiva tat kṣipraṃ mayi darśaya
     necchāmy etad ahaṃ draṣṭuṃ mitrāṇāṃ vyasanaṃ mahat
 33 ity evaṃ vyaktam ābhāṣya pratibhāṣya ca sātyakiḥ
     abhyayāt tūrṇam avyagro nirapekṣo viśāṃ pate
 34 tam āyāntam abhiprekṣya pratyagṛhṇāt tavātmajaḥ
     śaraiś cāvākirad rājañ śaineyaṃ tanayas tava
 35 tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ kuru mādhava siṃhayoḥ
     anyonyaṃ kruddhayor ghoraṃ yathā dviradasiṃhayoḥ
 36 tataḥ pūrṇāyatotsṛṣṭaiḥ sātvataṃ yuddhadurmadam
     duryodhanaḥ pratyavidhyad daśabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 37 taṃ sātyakiḥ pratyaviddhat tathaiva daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ
     pañcāśatā punaś cājau triṃśatā daśabhiś ca ha
 38 tasya saṃdhadhataś ceṣūn saṃhiteṣuṃ ca kārmukam
     acchinat sātyakis tūrṇaṃ śaraiś caivābhyavīvṛṣat
 39 sa gāḍhaviddho vyathitaḥ pratyapāyād rathāntaram
     duryodhano mahārāja dāśārha śarapīḍitaḥ
 40 samāśvasya tu putras te sātyakiṃ punar abhyayāt
     visṛjann iṣujālāni yuyudhāna rathaṃ prathi
 41 tathaiva sātyakir bāṇān duryodhana rathaṃ prati
     pratataṃ vyasṛjad rājaṃs tat saṃkulam avartata
 42 tatreṣubhiḥ kṣipyamāṇaiḥ patadbhiś ca samantataḥ
     agner iva mahākakṣe śabdaḥ samabhavan mahān
 43 tatrābhyadhikam ālakṣya mādhavaṃ rathasattamam
     kṣipram abhyapatat karṇaḥ parīpsaṃs tanayaṃ tava
 44 na tu taṃ marṣayām āsa bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
     abhyayāt tvaritaḥ karṇaṃ visṛjan sāyakān bahūn
 45 tasya karṇaḥ śitān bāṇān pratihanya hasann iva
     dhanuḥ śarāṃś ca ciccheda sūtaṃ cābhyahanac charaiḥ
 46 bhīmasenas tu saṃkruddho gadām ādāya pāṇḍavaḥ
     dhvajaṃ dhanuś ca sūtaṃ ca saṃmamardāhave ripoḥ
 47 amṛṣyamāṇaḥ karṇas tu bhīmasenam ayudhyata
     vividhair iṣujālaiś ca nānāśastraiś ca saṃyuge
 48 saṃkule vartamāne tu rājā dharmasuto 'bravīt
     pāñcālānāṃ naravyāghrān matsyānāṃ ca nararṣabhān
 49 ye naḥ prāṇāḥ śiro ye no ye no yodhā mahābalāḥ
     ta ete dhārtarāṣṭreṣu viṣaktāḥ puruṣarṣabhāḥ
 50 kiṃ tiṣṭhata yathā mūḍhāḥ sarve vigatacetasaḥ
     tatra gacchata yatraite yudhyante māmakā rathāḥ
 51 kṣatradharmaṃ puraskṛtya sarva eva gatajvarāḥ
     jayanto vadhyamānā vā gatim iṣṭāṃ gamiṣyatha
 52 jitvā ca bahubhir yajñair yakṣyadhvaṃ bhūridakṣiṇaiḥ
     hatā vā devasād bhūtvā lokān prāpsyatha puṣkalān
 53 te rājñā coditā vīrā yotsyamānā mahārathāḥ
     caturdhā vahinīṃ kṛtvā tvaritā droṇam abhyayuḥ
 54 pāñcālās tv ekato droṇam abhyaghnan bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ
     bhīmasenapurogāś ca ekataḥ paryavārayan
 55 āsaṃs tu pāṇḍuputrāṇāṃ trayo 'jihmā mahārathāḥ
     yamau ca bhīmasenaś ca prākrośanta dhanaṃjayam
 56 abhidravārjuna kṣipraṃ kurūn droṇād anānuda
     tata enaṃ haniṣyanti pāñcālā hatarakṣiṇam
 57 kauraveyāṃs tataḥ pārthaḥ sahasā samupādravat
     pāñcālān eva tu droṇo dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamān
 58 pāñcālānāṃ tato droṇo 'py akarot kadanaṃ mahat
     yathā kruddho raṇe śakro dānavānāṃ kṣayaṃ purā
 59 droṇāstreṇa mahārāja vadhyamānāḥ pare yudhi
     nātrasanta raṇe droṇāt sattvavanto mahārathāḥ
 60 vadhyamānā mahārāja pāñcālāḥ sṛñjayās tathā
     droṇam evābhyayur yuddhe mohayanto mahāratham
 61 teṣāṃ tūtsādyamānānāṃ pāñcālānāṃ samantataḥ
     abhavad bhairavo nādo vadhyatāṃ śaraśaktibhiḥ
 62 vadhyamāneṣu saṃgrāme pāñcāleṣu mahātmanā
     udīryamāṇe droṇāstre pāṇḍavān bhayam āviśat
 63 dṛṣṭvāśvanarasaṃghānāṃ vipulaṃ ca kṣayaṃ yudhi
     pāṇḍaveyā mahārāja nāśaṃsur vijayaṃ tadā
 64 kac cid droṇo na naḥ sarvān kṣapayet paramāstravit
     samiddhaḥ śiśirāpāye dahan kakṣam ivānalaḥ
 65 na cainaṃ saṃyuge kaś cit samarthaḥ prativīkṣitum
     na cainam arjuno jātu pratiyudhyeta dharmavit
 66 trastān kuntīsutān dṛṣṭvā droṇa sāyakapīḍitān
     matimāñ śreyase yuktaḥ keśavo 'rjunam abravīt
 67 naiṣa yuddhena saṃgrāme jetuṃ śakyaḥ kathaṃ cana
     api vṛtrahaṇā yuddhe rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
 68 āsthīyatāṃ jaye yogo dharmam utsṛjya pāṇḍava
     yathā vaḥ saṃyuge sarvān na hanyād rukmavāhanaḥ
 69 aśvatthāmni hate naiṣa yudhyed iti matir mama
     taṃ hataṃ saṃyuge kaś cid asmai śaṃsatu mānavaḥ
 70 etan nārocayad rājan kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
     anye tv arocayan sarve kṛcchreṇa tu yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 71 tato bhīmo mahābāhur anīke sve mahāgajam
     jaghāna gadayā rājann aśvatthāmānam ity uta
 72 bhīmasenas tu savrīḍam upetya droṇam āhave
     aśvatthāmā hata iti śabdam uccaiś cakāra ha
 73 aśvattmāmeti hi gajaḥ khyāto nāmnā hato 'bhavat
     kṛtvā manasi taṃ bhīmo mithyā vyāhṛtavāṃs tadā
 74 bhīmasena vacaḥ śrutvā droṇas tatparamapriyam
     manasā sannagātro 'bhūd yathā saikatam ambhasi
 75 śaṅkamānaḥ sa tan mithyā vīryajñaḥ svasutasya vai
     hataḥ sa iti ca śrutvā naiva dhairyād akampata
 76 sa labdhvā cetanāṃ droṇaḥ kṣaṇenaiva samāśvasat
     anucintyātmanaḥ putram aviṣahyam arātibhiḥ
 77 sa pārṣatam abhidrutya jighāṃsur mṛtyum ātmanaḥ
     avākirat sahasreṇa tīkṣṇānāṃ kaṅkapatriṇām
 78 taṃ vai viṃśatisāhasrāḥ pāñcālānāṃ nararṣabhāḥ
     tathā carantaṃ saṃgrāme sarvato vyakirac charaiḥ
 79 tataḥ prāduṣkarod droṇo brāhmam astraṃ paraṃtapaḥ
     vadhāya teṣāṃ śūrāṇāṃ pāñcālānām amarṣitaḥ
 80 tato vyarocata droṇo vinighnan sarvasomakān
     śirāṃsy apātayac cāpi pāñcālānāṃ mahāmṛdhe
     tathaiva parighākārān bāhūn kanakabhūṣaṇān
 81 te vadhyamānāḥ samare bhāradvājena pārthivāḥ
     medinyām anvakīryanta vātanunnā iva drumāḥ
 82 kuñjarāṇāṃ ca patatāṃ hayaughānāṃ ca bhārata
     agamyarūpā pṛthivī māṃsaśoṇitakardamā
 83 hatvā viṃśatisāhasrān pāñcālānāṃ rathavrajān
     atiṣṭhad āhave droṇo vidhūmo 'gnir iva jvalan
 84 tathaiva ca punaḥ kruddho bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān
     vasu dānasya bhallena śiraḥ kāyād apāharat
 85 punaḥ pañcaśatān mastyān ṣaṭ sahasrāṃś ca sṛñjayān
     hastinām ayutaṃ hatvā jaghānāśvāyutaṃ punaḥ
 86 kṣatriyāṇām abhāvāya dṛṣṭvā droṇam avasthitam
     ṛṣayo 'bhyāgamaṃs tūrṇaṃ havyavāhapurogamāḥ
 87 viśvāmitro jamadagnir bhāradvājo 'tha gautamaḥ
     vasiṣṭhaḥ kaśyapo 'triś ca brahmalokaṃ ninīṣavaḥ
 88 sikatāḥ pṛśnayo gargā bālakhilyā marīcipāḥ
     bhṛgavo 'ṅgirasaś caiva sūkṣmāś cānye maharṣayaḥ
 89 ta enam abruvan sarve droṇam āhavaśobhinam
     adharmataḥ kṛtaṃ yuddhaṃ samayo nidhanasya te
 90 nyasyāyudhaṃ raṇe droṇa sametyāsmān avasthitān
     nātaḥ krūrataraṃ karma punaḥ kartuṃ tvam arhasi
 91 vedavedāṅgaviduṣaḥ satyadharmaparasya ca
     brāhmaṇasya viśeṣeṇa tavaitan nopapadyate
 92 nyasyāyudham amogheṣo tiṣṭha vartmani śāśvate
     paripūrṇaś ca kālas te vastuṃ loke 'dya mānuṣe
 93 iti teṣāṃ vacaḥ śrutvā bhīmasena vacaś ca tat
     dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca saṃprekṣya raṇe sa vimanābhavat
 94 sa dahyamāno vyathitaḥ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
     ahataṃ vā hataṃ veti papraccha sutam ātmanaḥ
 95 sthirā buddhir hi droṇasya na pārtho vakṣyate 'nṛtam
     trayāṇām api lokānām aiśvaryārthe kathaṃ cana
 96 tasmāt taṃ paripapraccha nānyaṃ kaṃ cid viśeṣataḥ
     tasmiṃs tasya hi satyāśā bālyāt prabhṛti pāṇḍave
 97 tato niṣpāṇḍavām urvīṃ kariṣyantaṃ yudhāṃ patim
     droṇaṃ jñātvā dharmarājaṃ govindo vyathito 'bravīt
 98 yady ardhadivasaṃ droṇo yudhyate manyum āsthitaḥ
     satyaṃ bravīmi te senā vināśaṃ samupaiṣyati
 99 sa bhavāṃs trātuno droṇāt satyāj jyāyo 'nṛtaṃ bhavet
     anṛtaṃ jīvitasyārthe vacan na spṛśyate 'nṛtaiḥ
 100 tayoḥ saṃvadator evaṃ bhīmaseno 'bravīd idam
    śrutvaiva taṃ mahārāja vadhopāyaṃ mahātmanaḥ
101 gāhamānasya te senāṃ mālavasyendra varmaṇaḥ
    aśvatthāmeti vikhyāto gajaḥ śakra gajopamaḥ
102 nihato yudhi vikramya tato 'haṃ droṇam abruvam
    aśvatthāmā hato brahman nivartasvāhavād iti
103 nūnaṃ nāśraddadhad vākyam eṣa me puruṣarṣabhaḥ
    sa tvaṃ govinda vākyāni mānayasva jayaiṣiṇaḥ
104 droṇāya nihataṃ śaṃsa rājañ śāradvatī sutam
    tvayokto naiṣa yudhyeta jātu rājan dvijarṣabhaḥ
    satyavān hi nṛloke 'smin bhavān khyāto janādhipa
105 tasya tad vacanaṃ śrutvā kṛṣṇa vākyapracoditaḥ
    bhāvitvāc ca mahārāja vaktuṃ samupacakrame
106 tam atathya bhaye magno jaye sakto yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
    avyaktam abravīd rājan hataḥ kuñjara ity uta
107 tasya pūrvaṃ rathaḥ pṛthvyāś caturaṅgula uttaraḥ
    babhūvaivaṃ tu tenokte tasya vāhāspṛśan mahīm
108 yudhiṣṭhirāt tu tad vākyaṃ śrutvā droṇo mahārathaḥ
    putravyasanasaṃtapto nirāśo jīvite 'bhavat
109 āgaḥ kṛtam ivātmānaṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām
    ṛṣivākyaṃ ca manvānaḥ śrutvā ca nihataṃ sutam
110 vicetāḥ paramodvigno dhṛṣṭadyumnam avekṣya ca
    yoddhuṃ nāśaknuvad rājan yathāpūrvam ariṃdama
111 taṃ dṛṣṭvā paramodvignaṃ śokopahatacetasam
    pāñcālarājasya suto dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ samādravat
112 ya iṣṭvā manujendreṇa drupadena mahāmakhe
    labdhvā droṇa vināśāya samiddhād dhavyavāhanāt
113 sadhanur jaitram ādāya ghoraṃ jaladanisvanam
    dṛḍhajyam ajaraṃ divyaṃ śarāṃś cāśīviṣopamān
114 saṃdadhe kārmuke tasmiñ śaram āśīviṣopamam
    droṇaṃ jighāṃsuḥ pāñcālyo mahājvālam ivānalam
115 tasya rūpaṃ śarasyāsīd dhanurjyā maṇḍalāntare
    dyotato bhāskarasyeva ghanānte pariveśinaḥ
116 pārṣatena parāmṛṣṭaṃ jvalantam iva tad dhanuḥ
    antakālam iva prāptaṃ menire vīkṣya sainikāḥ
117 tam iṣuṃ saṃhitaṃ tena bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān
    dṛṣṭvāmanyata dehasya kālaparyāyam āgatam
118 tataḥ sa yatnam ātiṣṭhad ācāryas tasya vāraṇe
    na cāsyāstrāṇi rājendra prādurāsan mahātmanaḥ
119 tasya tv ahāni catvāri kṣapā caikāsyato gatā
    tasya cāhnas tribhāgena kṣayaṃ jagmuḥ patatriṇaḥ
120 sa śarakṣayam āsādya putraśokena cārditaḥ
    vividhānāṃ ca divyānām astrāṇām aprasannatām
121 utsraṣṭukāmaḥ śastrāṇi vipravākyābhicoditaḥ
    tejasā preryamāṇaś ca yuyudhe so 'timānuṣam
122 athānyat sa samādāya divyam āṅgirasaṃ dhanuḥ
    śarāṃś ca śaravarṣeṇa mahatā samavākirat
123 tatas taṃ śaravarṣeṇa mahatā samavākirat
    vyaśātayac ca saṃkruddho dhṛṣṭadyumnam amarṣaṇaḥ
124 taṃ śaraṃ śatadhā cāsya droṇaś ciccheda sāyakaiḥ
    dhvajaṃ dhanuś ca niśitaiḥ sārathiṃ cāpy apātayat
125 dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ prahasyānyat punar ādāya kārmukam
    śitena cainaṃ bāṇena pratyavidhyat stanāntare
126 so 'tividdho maheṣvāsaḥ saṃbhrānta iva saṃyuge
    bhallena śitadhāreṇa cicchedāsya mahad dhanuḥ
127 yac cāsya bāṇaṃ vikṛtaṃ dhanūṃṣi ca viśāṃ pate
    sarvaṃ saṃchidya durdharṣo gadāṃ khaḍgam athāpi ca
128 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ tato 'vidhyan navabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
    jīvitāntakaraiḥ kruddhaiḥ kruddha rūpaṃ paraṃtapaḥ
129 dhṛṣṭadyumna rathasyāśvān svarathāśvair mahārathaḥ
    amiśrayad ameyātmā brāhmam astram udīrayan
130 te miśrā bahv aśobhanta javanā vātaraṃhasaḥ
    pārāvata savarṇāś ca śoṇāś ca bharatarṣabha
131 yathā sa vidyuto meghā nadanto jalalāgame
    tathā rejur mahārāja miśritā raṇamūrdhani
132 īṣā bandhaṃ cakrabandhaṃ rathabandhaṃ tathaiva ca
    praṇāśayad ameyātmā dhṛṣṭadyumnasya sa dvijaḥ
133 sa chinnadhanvā viratho hatāśvo hatasārathiḥ
    uttamām āpadaṃ prāpya gadāṃ vīraḥ parāmṛśat
134 tām asya viśikhais tīkṣṇaiḥ kṣipyamāṇāṃ mahārathaḥ
    nijaghāna śarair droṇaḥ kruddhaḥ satyaparākramaḥ
135 tāṃ dṛṣṭvā tu naravyāghro droṇena nihatāṃ śaraiḥ
    vimalaṃ khaḍgam ādatta śatacandraṃ ca bhānumat
136 asaṃśayaṃ tathā bhūte pāñcālyaḥ sādhv amanyata
    vadham ācārya mukhyasya prāptakālaṃ mahātmanaḥ
137 tataḥ svarathanīḍasthaḥ svarathasya ratheṣayā
    agacchad asim udyamya śatacandraṃ ca bhānumat
138 cikīrṣur duṣkaraṃ karma dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārathaḥ
    iyeṣa vakṣo bhettuṃ ca bhāradvājasya saṃyuge
139 so 'tiṣṭhad yugamadhye vai yugasaṃnahaneṣu ca
    śoṇānāṃ jaghanārdheṣu tat sainyāḥ samapūjayan
140 tiṣṭhato yugapālīṣu śoṇān apy adhitiṣṭhataḥ
    nāpaśyad antaraṃ doṇas tad adbhutam ivābhavat
141 kṣipraṃ śyenasya carato yathaivāmiṣa gṛddhinaḥ
    tadvad āsīd abhīsāro droṇaṃ prārthayato raṇe
142 tasyāśvān rathaśaktyāsau tadā kruddhaḥ parākramī
    sarvān ekaikaśo droṇaḥ kapotābhān ajīghanat
143 te hatā nyapatan bhūmau dhṛṣṭadyumnasya vājinaḥ
    śoṇāś ca paryamucyanta rathabandhād viśāṃ pate
144 tān hayān nihatān dṛṣṭvā dvijāgryeṇa sa pārṣataḥ
    nāmṛṣyata yudhāṃ śreṣṭho yājñasenir mahārathaḥ
145 virathaḥ sa gṛhītvā tu khaḍgaṃ khaḍgabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
    droṇam abhyapatad rājan vainateya ivoragam
146 tasya rūpaṃ babhau rājan bhāradvājaṃ jighāṃsataḥ
    yathā rūpaṃ paraṃ viṣṇor hiraṇyakaśipor vadhe
147 so 'cirad vividhān mārgān prakārān ekaviṃśatim
    bhrāntam udbhrāntam āviddham āplutaṃ prasṛtaṃ sṛtam
148 parivṛttaṃ nivṛttaṃca khaḍgaṃ carma ca dhārayan
    saṃpātaṃ samudīrṇaṃ ca darśayām āsa pārṣataḥ
149 tataḥ śarasahasreṇa śatacandram apātayat
    khaḍgaṃ carma ca saṃbādhe dhṛṣṭadyumnasya sa dvijaḥ
150 te tu vaitastikā nāma śarā hy āsanna ghātinaḥ
    nikṛṣṭa yuddhe droṇasya nānyeṣāṃ santi te śarāḥ
151 śāradvatasya pārthasya drauṇer vaikartanasya ca
    pradyumna yuyudhānābhyām abhimanyoś ca te śarāḥ
152 athāsyeṣuṃ samādhatta dṛḍhaṃ paramasaṃśitam
    antevāsinam ācāryo jighāṃsuḥ putra saṃmitam
153 taṃ śarair daśabhis tīkṣṇaiś ciccheda śinipuṃgavaḥ
    paśyatas tava putrasya karṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ
    grastam ācārya mukhyena dhṛṭṣadyumnam amocayat
154 carantaṃ rathamārgeṣu sātyakiṃ satyavikramam
    droṇakarṇāntara gataṃ kṛpasyāpi ca bhārata
    apaśyetāṃ mahātmānau viṣvaksena dhanaṃjayau
155 apūjayetāṃ vārṣṇeyaṃ bruvāṇau sādhu sādhv iti
    divyāny astrāṇi sarveṣāṃ yudhi nighnantam acyutam
    abhipatya tataḥ senāṃ viṣvaksena dhanaṃjayau
156 dhanaṃjayas tataḥ kṛṣṇam abravīt paśya keśava
    ācārya varamukhyānāṃ madhye krīḍan madhūdvahaḥ
157 ānandayati māṃ bhūyaḥ sātyakiḥ satyavikramaḥ
    mādrīputrau ca bhīmaṃ ca rājānaṃ ca yudhiṣṭhiram
158 yac chikṣayānuddhataḥ san raṇe carati sātyakiḥ
    mahārathān upakrīḍan vṛṣṇīnāṃ kīrtivardhanaḥ
159 tam ete pratinandanti siddhāḥ sainyāś ca vismitāḥ
    ajayyaṃ samare dṛṣṭvā sāhu sādhv iti sātvatam
    yodhāś cobhayataḥ sarve karmabhiḥ samapūjayan

 

SECTION CLXIV

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that terrible nocturnal engagement, O king, which was fraught with an indiscriminate carnage, Dharma's son Yudhishthira, addressed the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Somakas. Indeed, O king, for the destruction of men, cars, and elephants, king Yudhisthira commanded his own troops, saying, 'Proceed ye against Drona only, for slaying him!' 1 At the command of the king, O monarch, the Panchalas and the Somakas rushed against Drona alone, uttering terrible shouts. Ourselves excited with rage, and loudly roaring in return, rushed against them, to the best of our prowess, courage, and might, in battle. Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, rushed against Yudhishthira, as the latter was advancing against Drona, like an infuriated elephant against an infuriated compeer. Against Sini's grandson who advanced scattering arrowy showers all around, rushed, O king, the Kuru warrior Bhuri, that grinder (of foes) in battle. Karna, the son of Vikartana, O king, resisted that mighty car-warrior, viz., Pandu's son, Sahadeva, as the letter advanced for getting at Drona. King Duryodhana, in that battle, himself rushed against that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhimasena, advancing on his car like the Destroyer. Sakuni, the son of Suvala, O king, proceeding quickly, resisted that foremost of warriors, viz., Nakula, who was conversant with every kind of battle. Kripa, the son of Saradwat, O king, resisted Sikhandin in that battle, that foremost of car-warrior, as the latter advanced on his car. Duhsasana, O king, contending vigorously, resisted Prativindhya as the letter advanced with resolution (on his car), drawn by steeds looking like peacocks. Aswatthaman, O monarch, resisted Bhimasena's son, viz., Rakshasa (Ghatotkacha) acquainted with a hundred kinds of illusion, as the latter advanced. Vrishasena. in that battle resisted the mighty Drupada with his troops and followers as the latter advanced for getting at Drona. The ruler of the Madras, O king, excited with wrath resisted Virata, O Bharata, as the latter quickly advanced for the slaughter of Drona; Chitrasena, in that battle, resisted, with great force and shooting
p. 379
many shafts, Nakula's son, Satanika, as the latter advanced for slaying Drona. The prince of the Rakshasas, viz., Alambhusha, O king, resisted Arjuna, that foremost of car-warriors, as the latter advanced. Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of the Panchalas, cheerfully resisted the great bowman Drona as the latter was engaged in slaughtering the foe. As regards the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, that advanced (against Drona), other car-warriors of thy army, O king, resisted them with great force. Elephant riders speedily encountering elephant riders in that dreadful battle, began to fight, with each other and grind each other by thousands. At dead of night, O monarch, as the steeds rushed against each other with impetuosity, they looked like winged hills. Horsemen, O monarch, encountered horsemen, armed with lances and darts and swords, and uttering loud shouts. Large numbers of men slaughtered one another in heaps, with maces and short clubs and diverse other weapons. Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, excited with wrath, resisted Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, like continents resisting the swelling sea. Yudhishthira, however, piercing Hridika's son with five arrows, once more pierced him with twenty, and addressing him, said, Wait, Wait.' Then Kritavarman, O sire, excited with wrath, cut off with a broad-headed shaft, the bow of king Yudhishthira the just and pierced the latter with seven arrows. Taking up another bow, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Dharma's son, pierced the son of Hridika in the arms and chest with ten arrows. Then that warrior of Madhu's race, thus pierced, O sire, by Dharma's son in that battle, trembled with rage and afflicted Yudhishthira with seven shafts. Then Pritha's son cutting off his enemy's bow as also the leathern fence that cased his hands, sped at him five keen shafts whetted on stone. Those fierce shafts, piercing through the latter's costly armour, decked with gold, entered the earth like snakes into an ant-hill. With the twinkling of an eye, Kritavarman, taking up another bow, pierced the son of Pandu with sixty arrows and once more with ten. Of immeasurable soul, the son of Pandu, then placing his large bow on his car, sped at Kritavarman a dart resembling a snake. That dart decked with gold, shot by the son of Pandu, piercing through Kritavarman's right arm, entered the earth. Meanwhile, Pritha's son, taking up his formidable bow, shrouded the son of Hridika with showers of straight shafts. Then brave Kritavarman, that great car-warrior among the Vrishnis, within less than the twinkling of an eye, made Yudhishthira steedless and driverless and carless. Thereupon, the eldest son of Pandu took up a sword and a shield. Then he, of Madhu's race, cut off both those weapons in that battle. Yudhishthira then, taking up a fierce lance, equipped with a gold-decked staff, quickly sped it, in that battle, at the illustrious son of Hridika. Hridika's son, however, smiling the while, and displaying great lightness of hand, cut off into two fragments that lance hurled from the arms of Yudhishthira, as it coursed impetuously towards him. He then covered the son of Dharma with a hundred arrows in that encounter. Excited with wrath, he then cut off the latter's coat of mail with showers of shafts. Yudhishthira's armour,
p. 380
decked with gold, cut off by Hridika's son with his shafts, dropped down from his body, O king, like a cluster of stars dropping down from the firmament. His armour cut off, himself deprived of car and afflicted with the shafts of Kritavarman, Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, quickly retreated from battle. The mighty car-warrior Kritavarman, then, having vanquished Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, once more began to protect the wheel of Drona's car.'"

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 165

 

 

 

1 [s]
      krūram āyodhanaṃ jajñe tasmin rājasamāgame
      rudrasyeva hi kruddhasya nighnatas tu paśūn yathā
  2 hastānām uttamāṅgānāṃ kārmukāṇāṃ ca bhārata
      chatrāṇāṃ cāpaviddhānāṃ cāmarāṇāṃ ca saṃyuge
  3 bhagnacakrai rathaiś cāpi pātitaiś ca mahādhvajaiḥ
      sādibhiś ca hataiḥ śūraiḥ saṃkīrṇā vasudhābhavat
  4 bāṇapāta nikṛttās tu yodhās te kurusattama
      ceṣṭanto vividhāś ceṣṭā vyadṛśyanta mahāhave
  5 vartamāne tathā yuddhe ghore devāsuropame
      abravīt kṣatriyāṃs tatra dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      abhidravata saṃyattāḥ kumbhayoniṃ mahārathāḥ
  6 eṣa vai pārṣato vīro bhāradvājena saṃgataḥ
      ghaṭate ca yathāśakti bhāradvājasya nāśane
  7 yādṛśāni hi rūpāṇi dṛśyante no mahāraṇe
      adya droṇaṃ raṇe kruddhaḥ pātayiṣyati pārṣataḥ
      te yūyaṃ sahitā bhūtvā kumbhayoniṃ parīpsata
  8 yudhiṣṭhira samājñaptāḥ sṛñjayānāṃ mahārathāḥ
      abhyadravanta saṃyattā bhāradvājaṃ jighāṃsavaḥ
  9 tān samāpatataḥ sarvān bhāradvājo mahārathaḥ
      abhyadravata vegena martavyam iti niścitaḥ
  10 prayāte satyasaṃdhe tu samakampata medinī
     vavur vātāḥ sa nirghātās trāsayanti varūthinīm
 11 papāta mahatī colkā ādityān nirgateva ha
     dīpayantīva tāpena śaṃsantīva mahad bhayam
 12 jajvaluś caiva śastrāṇi bhāradvājasya māriṣa
     rathāḥ svananti cātyarthaṃ hayāś cāśrūṇy avāsṛjan
 13 hataujā iva cāpy āsīd bhāradvājo mahārathaḥ
     ṛṣīṇāṃ brahmavādānāṃ svargasya gamanaṃ prati
     suyuddhena tataḥ prāṇān utsraṣṭum upacakrame
 14 tataś caturdiśaṃ sainyair drupadasyābhisaṃvṛtaḥ
     nirdahan kṣatriya vrātān droṇaḥ paryacarad raṇe
 15 hatvā viṃśatisāhasrān kṣatriyān arimardanaḥ
     daśāyutāni tīkṣṇāgrair avadhīd viśikhaiḥ śitaiḥ
 16 so 'tiṣṭhad āhave yatto vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ
     kṣatriyāṇām abhāvāya brāhmam ātmānam āsthitaḥ
 17 pāñcālyaṃ virathaṃ bhīmo hatasarvāyudhaṃ vaśī
     aviṣaṇṇaṃ mahātmānaṃ tvaramāṇaḥ samabhyayāt
 18 tataḥ svaratham āropya pāñcālyam arimardanaḥ
     abravīd abhisaṃprekṣya droṇam asyantam antikāt
 19 na tvadanya ihācāryaṃ yoddhum utsahate pumān
     tvarasva prāg vadhāyaiva tvayi bhāraḥ samāhitaḥ
 20 sa tathokto mahābāhuḥ sarvabhārasahaṃ navam
     abhipatyādade kṣipram āyudhapravaraṃ dṛḍham
 21 saṃrabdhaś caśarān asyan droṇaṃ durvāraṇaṃ raṇe
     vivārayiṣur ācāryaṃ śaravarṣair avākirat
 22 tau nyavārayatāṃ śreṣṭhau saṃrabdhau raṇaśobhinau
     udīrayetāṃ brāhmāṇi divyāny astrāṇy anekaśaḥ
 23 sa mahāstrair mahārāja droṇam ācchādayad raṇe
     nihatya sarvāṇy astrāṇi bhāradvājasya pārṣataḥ
 24 sa vasātīñ śibīṃś caiva bāhlīkān kauravān api
     rakṣiṣyamāṇān saṃgrāme droṇaṃ vyadhamad acyutaḥ
 25 dhṛṣṭadyumnas tadā rājan gabhastibhir ivāṃśumān
     babhau pracchādayan nāśāḥ śarajālaiḥ samantataḥ
 26 tasya droṇo dhanuś chittvā viddhvā cainaṃ śilīmukhaiḥ
     marmāṇy abhyahanad bhūyaḥ sa vyathāṃ paramām agāt
 27 tato bhīmo dṛḍhakrodho droṇasyālśiṣya taṃ ratham
     śanakair iva rājendra droṇaṃ vacanam abravīt
 28 yadi nāma na yudhyerañ śikṣitā brahma bandhavaḥ
     svakarmabhir asaṃtuṣṭā na sma kṣatraṃ kṣayaṃ vrajet
 29 ahiṃsā sarvabhūteṣu dharmaṃ jyāyastaraṃ viduḥ
     tasya ca brāhmaṇo mūlaṃ bhavāṃś ca brahmavittamaḥ
 30 śvapākavan mleccha gaṇān hatvā cānyān pṛthagvidhān
     ajñānān mūḍhavad brahman putradāradhanepsayā
 31 ekasyārthe bahūn hatvā putrasyādharmavid yathā
     svakarmasthān vikarmastho na vyapatrapase katham
 32 sa cādya patitaḥ śete pṛṣṭenāveditas tava
     dharmarājena tad vākyaṃ nātiśaṅkitum arhasi
 33 evam uktas tato droṇo bhīmenotsṛjya tad dhanuḥ
     sarvāṇy astrāṇi dharmātmā hātu kāmo 'bhyabhāṣata
     karṇa karṇa maheṣvāsa kṛpa duryodhaneti ca
 34 saṃgrāme kriyatāṃ yatno bravīmy eṣa punaḥ punaḥ
     pāṇḍavebhyaḥ śivaṃ vo 'stu śastram abhyutsṛjāmy aham
 35 iti tatra mahārāja prākrośad drauṇim eva ca
     utsṛjya ca raṇe śastraṃ rathopasthe niveśya ca
     abhayaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ pradadau yogayuktavān
 36 tasya tac chidram ājñāya dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ samutthitaḥ
     khaḍgī rathād avaplutya sahasā droṇam abhyayāt
 37 hāhākṛtāni bhūtāni mānuṣāṇītarāṇi ca
     droṇaṃ tathāgataṃ dṛṣṭvā dhṛṣṭadyumna vaśaṃgatam
 38 hāhākāraṃ bhṛśaṃ cakrur aho dhig iti cābruvan
     droṇo 'pi śastrāṇy utsṛjya paramaṃ sāmyam āsthitaḥ
 39 tathoktvā yogam āsthāya jyotir bhūto mahātapāḥ
     divam ākrāmad ācāryaḥ sadbhiḥ saha durākramam
 40 dvau sūryāv iti no buddhir āsīt tasmiṃs tathāgate
     ekāgram iva cāsīd dhi jyotirbhiḥ pūritaṃ nabhaḥ
     samapadyata cārkābhe bhāradvāja niśākare
 41 nimeṣa mātreṇa ca taj jyotir antaradhīyata
     āsīt kilakilā śabdaḥ prahṛṣṭānāṃ divaukasām
     brahmalokaṃ gate droṇe dhṛṣṭadyumne ca mohite
 42 vayam eva tadādrākṣma pañca mānuṣayonayaḥ
     yogayuktaṃ mahātmānaṃ gacchantaṃ paramāṃ gatim
 43 ahaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ pārthaḥ kṛpaḥ śāradvato dvijaḥ
     vāsudevaś ca vārṣṇeyo dharmarājaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 44 anye tu sarve nāpaśyan bhāradvājasya dhīmataḥ
     mahimānaṃ mahārāja yogamuktasya gacchataḥ
 45 gatiṃ paramikāṃ prāptam ajānanto nṛyonayaḥ
     nāpaśyan gacchamānaṃ hi taṃ sārdham ṛṣipuṃgavaiḥ
     ācāryaṃ yogam āsthāya brahmalokam ariṃdamam
 46 vitunnāṅgaṃ śaraśatair nyastāyudham asṛk kṣaram
     dhikkṛtaḥ pārtaṣas taṃ tu sarvabhūtaiḥ parāmṛśat
 47 tasya mūrdhānam ālambya gatasattvasya dehinaḥ
     kiṃ cid abruvataḥ kāyād vicakartāsinā śiraḥ
 48 harṣeṇa mahatā yukto bhāradvāje nipātite
     siṃhanāda ravaṃ cakre bhāmayan khaḍgam āhave
 49 ākarṇapalitaḥ śyāmo vayasāśīti pañcakaḥ
     tvatkṛte vyacarat saṃkhye sa tu ṣoḍada varṣavat
 50 uktavāṃś ca mahābāhuḥ kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
     jīvantam ānayācāryaṃ mā vadhīr drupadātmajaḥ
 51 na hantavyo na hantavya iti te sainikāś ca ha
     utkrośann arjunaś caiva sānukrośas tam ādravat
 52 krośamāne 'rjune caiva pārthiveṣu ca sarvaśaḥ
     dhṛṣṭadyumno 'vadhīd droṇaṃ rathatalpe nararṣabham
 53 śoṇitena pariklinno rathād bhūmim ariṃdamaḥ
     lohitāṅga ivādityo durdarśaḥ samapadyata
     evaṃ taṃ nihataṃ saṃkhye dadṛśe sainiko janaḥ
 54 dheṣṭadyumnas tu tad rājan bhāradvāja śiromahat
     tāvakānāṃ maheṣvāsaḥ pramukhe tat samākṣipat
 55 te tu dṛṣṭvā śiro rājan bhāradvājasya tāvakāḥ
     palāyanakṛtotsāhā dudruvuḥ sarvatodiśam
 56 droṇas tu divam āsthāya nakṣatrapatham āviśat
     aham eva tadādrākṣaṃ droṇasya nidhanaṃ nṛpa
 57 ṛṣeḥ prasādāt kṛṣṇasya satyavatyāḥ sutasya ca
     vidhūmām iva saṃyāntīm ulkāṃ prajvalitām iva
     apaśyāma divaṃ stabdhvā gacchantaṃ taṃ mahādyutim
 58 hate droṇe nirutsāhān kurūn pāṇḍava sṛñjayāḥ
     abhyadravan mahāvegās tataḥ sainyaṃ vyadīryata
 59 nihatā hayabhūyiṣṭhāḥ saṃgrāme niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     tāvakā nihate droṇe gatāsava ivābhavan
 60 parājayam athāvāpya paratra ca mahad bhayam
     ubhayenaiva te hīnā nāvindan dhṛtim ātmanaḥ
 61 anvicchantaḥ śarīraṃ tu bhāradvājasya pārthivāḥ
     nādhyagacchaṃs tadā rājan kabandhāyuta saṃkule
 62 pāṇḍavās tu jayaṃ labdhvā paratra ca mahad yaśaḥ
     bāṇaśabdaravāṃś cakruḥ siṃhanādāṃś ca puṣkalān
 63 bhīmasenas tato rājan dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     varūthinyām anṛtyetāṃ pariṣvajya parasparam
 64 abravīc ca tadā bhīmaḥ pārṣataṃ śatrutāpanam
     bhūyo 'haṃ tvāṃ vijayinaṃ pariṣvakṣyāmi pārṣata
     sūtaputre hate pāpe dhārtarāṣṭre ca saṃyuge
 65 etāvad uktvā bhīmas tu harṣeṇa mahatā yutaḥ
     bāhuśabdena pṛthivīṃ kampayām āsa pāṇḍavaḥ
 66 tasya śabdena vitrastāḥ prādravaṃs tāvakā yudhi
     kṣatradharmaṃ samutsṛjya palāyanaparāyaṇāḥ
 67 pāṇḍavās tu jayaṃ labdhvā hṛṣṭā hy āsan viśāṃ pate
     arikṣayaṃ ca saṃgrāme tena te sukham āpnuvan
 68 tato droṇe hate rājan kuravaḥ śastrapīḍitāḥ
     hatapravīrā vidhvastā bhṛśaṃ śokaparāyaṇāḥ
 69 vicetaso hatotsāhāḥ kaśmalābhihataujasaḥ
     ārtasvareṇa mahatā putraṃ te paryavārayan
 70 rajasvalā vepamānā vīkṣamāṇā diśo daśa
     aśrukaṇṭhā yathā daityā hiraṇyākṣe purā hate
 71 sa taiḥ parivṛto rājā trastaiḥ kṣudramṛgair iva
     aśaknuvann avasthātum apāyāt tanayas tava
 72 kṣutpipāsāpariśrāntās te yodhās tava bhārata
     ādityena ca saṃtaptā bhṛśaṃ vimanaso 'bhavan
 73 bhāskarasyeva patanaṃ samudrasyeva śoṣaṇam
     viparyāsaṃ yathā meror vāsavasyeva nirjayam
 74 amarṣaṇīyaṃ tad dṛṣṭvā bhāradvājasya pātanam
     trastarūpatarā rājan kauravāḥ prādravan bhayāt
 75 gāndhārarājaḥ śakunis trastas trastataraiḥ saha
     hataṃ rukmarathaṃ dṛṣṭvā prādravat sahito rathaiḥ
 76 varūthinīṃ vegavatīṃ vidrutāṃ sa patākinīm
     parigṛhya mahāsenāṃ sūtaputro 'payād bhayāt
 77 rathanāgāśvakalilāṃ puraskṛtya tu vāhinīm
     madrāṇām īśvaraḥ śalyo vīkṣamāṇo 'payād bhayāt
 78 hatapravīrair bhūyiṣṭhaṃ dvipair bahu padātibhiḥ
     vṛtaḥ śāradvato 'gacchat kaṣṭaṃ katham iti bruvan
 79 bhojānīkena śiṣṭena kaliṅgāraṭṭa bāhlikaiḥ
     kṛtavarmā vṛto rājan prāyān sujavanair hayaiḥ
 80 padātigaṇasaṃyuktas trasto rājan bhayārditaḥ
     ulūkaḥ prādravat tatra dṛṣṭvā droṇaṃ nipātitam
 81 darśanīyo yuvā caiva śaurye ca kṛtalakṣaṇaḥ
     duḥśāsano bhṛśodvignaḥ prādravad gajasaṃvṛtaḥ
 82 gajāśvarathasaṃyukto vṛtaś caiva padātibhiḥ
     duryodhano mahārāja prāyāt tatra mahārathaḥ
 83 gajān rathān samāruhya parasyāpi hayāñ janāḥ
     prakīrṇakeśā vidhvastā na dvāv ekatra dhāvataḥ
 84 nedam astīti puruṣā hatotsāhā hataujasaḥ
     utsṛjya kavacān anye prādravaṃs tāvakā vibho
 85 anyonyaṃ te samākrośan sainikā bharatarṣabha
     tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti na ca te svayaṃ tatrāvatasthire
 86 dhuryān pramucya tu rathād dhatasūtān svalaṃkṛtān
     adhiruhya hayān yodhāḥ kṣipraṃ padbhir acodayan
 87 dravamāṇe tathā sainye trastarūpe hataujasi
     pratisrota iva grāho droṇaputraḥ parān iyāt
 88 hatvā bahuvidhāṃ senāṃ pāṇḍūnāṃ yuddhadurmadaḥ
     kathaṃ cit saṃkaṭān mukto mattadviradavikramaḥ
 89 dravamāṇaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā palāyanakṛtakṣaṇam
     duryodhanaṃ samāsādya droṇaputro 'bravīd idam
 90 kim iyaṃ dravate senā trastarūpeva bhārata
     dravamāṇāṃ ca rājendra nāvasthāpayase raṇe
 91 tvaṃ cāpi na yathā pūrvaṃ prakṛtistho narādhipa
     karṇaprabhṛtayaś ceme nāvatiṣṭhanti pārthivāḥ
 92 anyeṣv api ca yuddheṣu naiva senādravat tadā
     kac cit kṣemaṃ mahābāho tava sainyasya bhārata
 93 kasminn idaṃ hate rājan rathasiṃhe balaṃ tava
     etām avasthāṃ saṃprāptaṃ tan mamācakṣva kaurava
 94 tat tu duryodhanaḥ śrutvā droṇaputrasya bhāṣitam
     ghoram apriyam ākhyātuṃ nāśakat pārthivarṣabhaḥ
 95 bhinnā naur iva te putro nimagnaḥ śokasāgare
     bāṣpeṇa pihito dṛṣṭvā droṇaputraṃ rathe sthitam
 96 tataḥ śāradvataṃ rājā savrīḍam idam abravīt
     śaṃseha sarvaṃ bhadraṃ te yathā sainyam idaṃ drutam
 97 ataḥ śāradvato rājann ārtiṃ gacchan punaḥ punaḥ
     śaśaṃsa droṇaputrāya yathā droṇo nipātitaḥ
 98 [kṛpa]
     vayaṃ droṇaṃ puraskṛtya pṛthivyāṃ pravaraṃ ratham
     prāvartayāma saṃgrāmaṃ pāñcālair eva kevalaiḥ
 99 tataḥ pravṛtte saṃgrāme vimiśrāḥ kuru somakāḥ
     anyonyam abhigarjantaḥ śastrair dehān apātayan
 100 tato droṇo brāhmam astraṃ vikurvāṇo nararṣabhaḥ
    ahanac chātravān bhallaiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
101 pāṇḍavāḥ kekayā matsyāḥ pāñcālāś ca viśeṣataḥ
    saṃkhye droṇa rathaṃ prāpya vyanaśan kālacoditāḥ
102 sahasraṃ rathasiṃhānāṃ dvisāhasraṃ ca dantinām
    droṇo brahmāstra nirdagdhaṃ preṣayām āsa mṛtyave
103 ākarṇapalitaḥ śyāmo vayasāśīti pañcakaḥ
    raṇe paryacarad droṇo vṛddhaḥ ṣoḍaśavarṣavat
104 kliśyamāneṣu sainyeṣu vadhyamāneṣu rājasu
    amarṣavaśam āpannāḥ pāñcālā vimukhābhavan
105 teṣu kiṃ cit prabhagneṣu vimukheṣu sapatnajit
    divyam astraṃ vikurvāṇo babhūvārka ivoditaḥ
106 sa madhyaṃ prāpya pāṇḍūnāṃ śararaśmiḥ pratāpavān
    madhyaṃ gata ivādityo duṣprekṣyas te pitābhavat
107 te dahyamānā droṇena sūryeṇeva virājatā
    dagdhavīryā nirutsāhā babhūvur gatacetasaḥ
108 tān dṛṣṭvā pīḍitān bāṇair droṇena madhusūdanaḥ
    jayaiṣī pāṇḍuputrāṇām idaṃ vacanam abravīt
109 naiṣa jātu paraiḥ śakyo jetuṃ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
    api vṛtrahaṇā saṃkhye rathayūthapa yūthapaḥ
110 te yūyaṃ dharmam utsṛjya jayaṃ rakṣata pāṇḍavāḥ
    yathā vaḥ saṃyuge sarvān na hanyād rukmavāhanaḥ
111 aśvatthāmni hate naiṣa yudhyed iti matir mama
    hataṃ taṃ saṃyuge kaś cid ākhyātv asmai mṛṣā naraḥ
112 etan nārocayad vākyaṃ kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ
    arocayaṃs tu sarve 'nye kṛcchreṇa tu yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
113 bhīmasenas tu savrīḍam abravīt pitaraṃ tava
    aśvatthāmā hata iti tac cābudhyata te pitā
114 sa śaṅkamānas tan mithyā dharmarājam apṛcchata
    hataṃ vāpy ahataṃ vājau tvāṃ pitā putravatsalaḥ
115 tad atathya bhaye magno jaye sakto yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
    aśvatthāmānam āhedaṃ hataḥ kuñjara ity uta
    bhīmena girivarṣmāṇaṃ mālavasyendra varmaṇaḥ
116 upasṛtya tadā droṇam uccair idam abhāṣata
    yasyārthe śastram ādhatse yam avekṣya ca jīvasi
    putras te dayito nityaṃ śo 'śvatthāmā nipātitaḥ
117 tac chruttā vimanās tatra ācāryo mahad apriyam
    niyamya divyāny astrāṇi nāyudhyata yathā purā
118 taṃ dṛṣṭvā paramodvignaṃ śokopahatacetasam
    pāñcālarājasya sutaḥ krūrakarmā samādravat
119 taṃ dṛṣṭvā vihitaṃ mṛtyuṃ lokatattvavicakṣaṇaḥ
    divyāny astrāṇy athotsṛjya raṇe prāya upāviśat
120 tato 'sya keśān savyena gṛhītvā pāṇinā tadā
    pārṣataḥ krośamānānāṃ vīrāṇām acchinac chiraḥ
121 na hantavyo na hantavya iti te sarvato 'bruvan
    tathaiva cārjuno vāhād avaruhyainam ādravat
122 udyamya bāhū tvarito bruvāṇaś ca punaḥ punaḥ
    jīvantam ānayācāryaṃ mā vadhīr iti dharmavit
123 tathāpi vāryamāṇena kauravair arjunena ca
    hata eva nṛśaṃsena pitā tava nararṣabha
124 sainikāś ca tataḥ sarve prādravanta bhayārditāḥ
    vayaṃ cāpi nirutsāhā hate pitari te 'nagha
125 [s]
    tac chrutvā droṇaputras tu nidhanaṃ pitur āhave
    krodham āhārayat tīvraṃ padāhata ivoragaḥ

 

 

SECTION CLXV

"Sanjaya said, 'Bhuri, O king, in that battle, resisted that foremost of car-warriors, viz., the grandson of Sini, who advanced like an elephant towards a lake full of water. The Satyaki, excited with wrath, pierced his foe in chest with five keen shafts. At this, the latter's blood began to flow. The Kuru warrior in that encounter similarly pierced with great speed the grandson of Sini, that hero difficult of defeat in battle, with ten shafts in the chest. Those warriors, drawing their bows to their fullest stretch, and with eyes red in wrath, began, O king, to mangle each other in that combat. The arrowy downpours of those two warriors, both, excited with rage and resembling Death himself or the sun scattering his rays, were exceedingly terrible. Shrouding each other with shafts, each stayed before the other in that battle. For a short while that battle proceeded equally. Then, O king, the grandson of Sini, excited with rage and smiling the while, cut off the bow of the illustrious Kuru warrior in that battle. Having cut off his bow, Satyaki quickly pierced him in the chest with nine keen arrows and addressing him, said, 'Wait! Wait!' That scorcher of foes deeply pierced his mighty foe, quickly took up another bow and pierced the Satwata warrior in return. Having pierced the Satwata hero with three shafts, O monarch, Bhuri, then, smiling the while, cut off his foe's bow with a sharp and broad-headed shaft. His bow being cut off, Satyaki, O king, maddened with rage, hurled an impetuous dart at the broad chest of Bhuri. Pierced with that dart, Bhuri fell down from his excellent car, covered with blood, like the sun dropping down from the firmament. Beholding him thus slain, the mighty car-warrior Aswatthaman, O Bharata, rushed impetuously against grandson of Sini. Having addressed Satyaki, O king, saying, 'Wait, Wait,' he shrouded him with showers of shafts, like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on the crest of Merit. Beholding him rushing towards the car of Sini's grandson, the mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha, O king, uttering a loud roar, addressed saying, Wait, Wait, O son of Drona! Thou shalt not escape from me with life. I will presently slay thee like the six-faced (Karttikeya) slaying (the Asura) Mahisha. I shall today, on the field, purge thy heart of all desire of
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battle.' Having said these words, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the Rakshasa (Ghatotkacha), with eyes red like copper in wrath, rushed furiously against the son of Drona, like a lion rushing against a prince of elephants. And Ghatotkacha sped at his foe shafts of the measure of the Aksha of a car, and covered that bull among car-warriors therewith, like clouds pouring torrents of rain. With his own shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison, Drona's son, however, in that battle, quickly dispelled that arrowy shower before it could reach him. He then pierced that chastiser of foes, viz., Ghatotkacha, that prince of the Rakshasas, with hundreds of keen and swift-coursing arrows, all capable of penetrating into the very vitals. Thus pierced with those shafts by Aswatthaman, that Rakshasas, on the field of battle, looked beautiful, O monarch, like a porcupine with quills erect on its body. Then the valiant son of Bhimasena, filled with rage, mangled the son of Drona with many fierce arrows, whizzing through the air with the roar of thunder. And he rained on Aswatthaman a perfect shower of arrows of diverse kinds; some, equipped with heads like razors; some, shaped as the crescent; some, only pointed; some, frog-faced; some, with heads resembling the boar's ear; some, barbed; and some of other species. 1 Like the wind dispersing mighty masses of clouds, Drona's son, O king, without his senses being agitated, destroyed with his own terrible arrows, inspired by mantras with the force of celestial weapons, that fierce, unbearable and unrivalled shower of weapons, whose sound resembled the roar of thunder, and which fell incessantly upon him. It seemed then that another encounter was taking place in the welkin between weapons (as the combatants), which was terrible, and which, O king, filled the warriors with awe. With the sparks all around, generated by the clash of the weapons, shot by those two warriors, the welkin looked beautiful as illumined by myriads of fire-flies in the evening. Drona's son then, filling all the points of the compass with his shafts, shrouded the Rakshasa himself, for doing what was agreeable to thy sons. Then commenced a battle once more between Drona's son and the Rakshasa on that night of thick darkness, which resembled the encounter between Sakra and Prahlada. Then Ghatotkacha, filled with rage, struck Drona's son, in that battle, on the chest with ten shafts, each resembling the Yuga-fire, Deeply pierced the Rakshasa, the mighty son of Drona began to tremble in that battle like a tall tree shaken by the wind. Supporting himself by holding the flagstaff, he swooned away. Then all thy troops, O king, uttered cries of Oh and Alas. Indeed, O monarch, all thy warriors then regarded Drona's son as slain. Beholding Aswatthaman in that plight, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas in that battle uttered leonine roars. Then that crusher of foes, viz., the mighty car-warrior Aswatthaman, recovering his senses, forcibly drawing the bow with his left hand, stretching the bowstring to his ear, quickly shot a
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terrible shaft resembling the rod of Yama himself, aiming at Ghatotkacha. That excellent shafts, fierce and equipped with golden wings, piercing through the chest of the Rakshasa, entered the earth, O king. Deeply pierced, O monarch, by Drona's son who was proud of his prowess in battle, that prince of Rakshasas, endued with great strength, sat down on the terrace of his car. Beholding Hidimva's son deprived of his senses, his charioteer, inspired with fear, speedily removed him from the field, bearing him away from the presence of Drona's son. Having pierced that prince of Rakshasas, viz., Ghatotkacha, in that encounter thus, Drona's son, that mighty car-warrior, uttered a loud roar. Worshipped by thy sons as also by all thy warriors, O Bharata, Aswatthaman's body blazed up like the midday sun.
"As regards Bhimasena who was battling in from of Drona's cal king Duryodhana himself pierced him with many whetted shafts. Bhimasena, however, O Bharata, pierced him in return with nine arrows. Duryodhana, then, pierced Bhimasena with twenty arrows. Covered with each other's arrows on the field of battle, those two warriors looked like the sun and the moon covered with clouds in the firmament. Then king Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, pierced Bhima with five winged arrows and said, 'Wait! Wait!' Bhima then, cutting off his bow as also his standard with keen shafts, pierced the Kuru king himself with ninety straight arrows. Then, Duryodhana filled with rage, taking up a more formidable bow, O chief of the Bharatas, afflicted Bhimasena, at the van of battle, with many whetted shafts, in the very sight of all the bowmen. Baffling those shafts shot from Duryodhana's bow, Bhima pierced the Kuru king with five and twenty short arrows. Duryodhana then, O sire, excited with wrath, cut off Bhimasena's bow with a razor-faced arrow and pierced Bhima himself with ten shafts in return. Then the mighty Bhimasena, taking up another bow, quickly pierced the king with seven keen shafts. Displaying great lightness of hand, Duryodhana cut off even that bow of Bhima. The second, the third, the fourth, and the fifth, bow that Bhima took up were similarly cut off. Indeed, O king, thy son, proud of his prowess and desirous of victory, cut off Bhima's bow as soon as the latter took up one. Seeing his bows repeatedly cut off, Bhima then hurled, in that battle, a dart made wholly of iron and hard as the thunder. That dart blazing as a flame of fire, resembled the sister of Death. The Kuru king, however, in the very sight of all the warriors and before the eyes of Bhima himself, cut in three fragments that dart, which coursed towards him through the welkin with the splendour of fire and dividing it, as it were by a straight line such as is visible on the head of a woman parting her tresses. Then Bhima, O king, whirling his heavy and blazing mace, hurled it with great force at the car of Duryodhana. That heavy mace speedily crushed the steeds, the driver, and the car also, of thy son in that encounter. Thy son, then, O monarch, afraid of Bhima and shrinking within the narrowest compass, ascended another car, viz., that of the illustrious Nandaka. Then Bhima, regarding Suyodhana to have been slain
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amid the darkness of that night, uttered a loud leonine roar challenging the Kauravas. Thy warriors regarded the king to be slain. All of them uttered loud cries of Oh and Alas. Hearing the wails of the affrighted warriors and the roars of the high souled Bhima, O king, king Yudhishthira also regarded Suyodhana to have been slain. And the eldest son of Pandu, thereupon, rushed quickly to the spot where Vrikodara, the son of Pritha, was. And the Panchalas, the Srinjayas, the Matsyas, the Kaikeyas, and the Chedis, speedily advanced, with all their might against Drona from desire of slaying him. There also occurred a dreadful battle between Drona and the enemy. And the combatants of both sides were enveloped in thick gloom and struck and slew one another'."

Book 7
Chapter 166

 

 

 

 

1 [dhṛ]
      adharmeṇa hataṃ śrutvā dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṃjaya
      brāhmaṇaṃ pitaraṃ vṛddham aśvatthāmā kim abravīt
  2 mānuṣaṃ vāruṇāgneyaṃ brāhmam astraṃ ca vīryavān
      aindraṃ nārāyaṇaṃ caiva yasmin nityaṃ pratiṣṭhitam
  3 tam adharmeṇa dharmiṣṭhaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṃjaya
      śrutvā nihatam ācāryam aśvatthāmā kim abravīt
  4 yena rāmād avāpyeha dhanurvedaṃ mahātmanā
      proktāny astrāṇi divyāni putrāya guru kāṅkṣiṇe
  5 ekam eva hi loke 'sminn ātmano guṇavattaram
      icchanti putraṃ puruṣā loke nānyaṃ kathaṃ cana
  6 ācāryāṇāṃ bhavanty eva rahasyāni mahātmanām
      tāni putrāya vā dadyuḥ śiṣyāyānugatāya vā
  7 sa śilpaṃ prāpya tat sarvaṃ sa viśeṣaṃ ca saṃjaya
      śūraḥ śāradvatī putraḥ saṃkhye droṇād anantaraḥ
  8 rāmasyānumataḥ śāstre puraṃdarasamo yudhi
      kārtavīrya samo vīrye bṛhaspatisamo matau
  9 mahīdhara samo dhṛtyā tejasāgnisamo yuvā
      samudra iva gāmbhīrye krodhe sarvaviṣopamaḥ
  10 sa rathī prathamo loke dṛḍhadhanvā jitaklamaḥ
     śīghro 'nila ivākrande caran kruddha ivāntakaḥ
 11 asyatā yena saṃgrāme dharaṇyabhinipīḍitā
     yo na vyathati saṃgrāme vīraḥ satyaparākramaḥ
 12 veda snāto vratasnāto dhanurvede ca pāragaḥ
     mahodadhir ivākṣobhyo rāmo dāśarathir yathā
 13 tam adharmeṇa dharmiṣṭhaṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṃyuge
     śrutvā nihatam ācāryam aśvatthāmā kim abravīt
 14 dhṛṣṭadyumnasya yo mṛtyuḥ sṛṣṭas tena mahātmanā
     yathā droṇasya pāñcālyo yajñasena suto 'bhavat
 15 taṃ nṛśaṃsena pāpena krūreṇātyalpa darśinā
     śrutvā nihatam ācāryam aśvatthāmā kim abravīt
 16 [s]
     chadmanā nihataṃ śrutvā pitaraṃ papa karmaṇā
     bāṣpeṇāpūryata drauṇī roṣeṇa ca nararṣabha
 17 tasya kruddhasya rājendra vapur divyam adṛśyata
     antakasyeva bhūtāni jihīrṣoḥ kālaparyaye
 18 aśrupūrṇe tato netre apamṛjya punaḥ punaḥ
     uvāca kopān niḥśvasya duryodhanam idaṃ vacaḥ
 19 pitā mama yathā kṣudraur nyastaśastro nipātitaḥ
     dharmadhvajavatā pāpaṃ kṛtaṃ tad viditaṃ mama
     anāryaṃ sunṛśaṃsasya dharmaputrasya me śrutam
 20 yuddheṣv api pravṛttānāṃ dhruvau jayaparājayau
     dvayam etad bhaved rājan vadhas tatra praśasyate
 21 nyāyavṛtto vadho yas tu saṃgrāme yudhyato bhavet
     na sa duḥkhāya bhavati tathā dṛṣṭo hi sa dvijaḥ
 22 gataḥ sa vīralokāya pitā mama na saṃśayaḥ
     na śocyaḥ puruṣavyāghras tathā sa nidhanaṃ gataḥ
 23 yat tu dharmapravṛttaḥ san keśagrahaṇam āptavān
     paśyatāṃ sarvasainyānāṃ tan me marmāṇi kṛntati
 24 kāmāt krodhād avajñānād darpād bālyena vā punaḥ
     vaidharmikāni kurvanti tathā paribhavena ca
 25 tad idaṃ pārṣateneha mahad ādharmikam kṛtam
     avajñāya ca māṃ nūnaṃ nṛśaṃsena durātmanā
 26 tasyānubandhaṃ sa draṣṭā dhṛṣṭadyumnaḥ sudāruṇam
     anāryaṃ paramaṃ kṛtvā mithyāvādī ca pāṇḍavaḥ
 27 yo hy asau chadmanācāryaṃ śastraṃ sanyāsayat tadā
     tasyādya dharmarājasya bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam
 28 sarvopāyair yatiṣyāmi pāñcālānām ahaṃ vadhe
     dhṛṣṭadyumne ca samare hantāhaṃ pāpakāriṇam
 29 karmaṇā yena teneha mṛdunā dāruṇena vā
     pāñcālānāṃ vadhaṃ kṛtvā śāntiṃ labdhāsmi kaurava
 30 yadarthaṃ puruṣavyāghra putram icchanti mānavāḥ
     pretya ceha ca saṃprāptaṃ trāṇāya mahato bhayāt
 31 pitrā tu mama sāvasthā prāptā nirbandhunā yathā
     mayi śailapratīkāśe putra śiṣye ca jīvati
 32 dhin mamāstrāṇi divyāni dhig bāhū dhik parākramam
     yan māṃ droṇaḥ sutaṃ prāpya keśagrahaṇam āptavān
 33 sa tathāhaṃ kariṣyāmi yathā bharatasattama
     paralokagatasyāpi gamiṣyāmy anṛṇaḥ pituḥ
 34 āryeṇa tu na vaktavyā kadā cit stutir ātmanaḥ
     pitur vadham amṛṣyaṃs tu vakṣyāmy adyeha pauruṣam
 35 adya paśyantu me vīryaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ sajanārdanāḥ
     mṛdnataḥ sarvasainyāni yugāntam iva kurvataḥ
 36 na hi devā na gandharvā nāsurā na ca rākṣasāḥ
     adya śaktā raṇe jetuṃ rathasthaṃ māṃ nararṣabha
 37 mad anyo nāsti loke 'sminn arjunād vāstravittamaḥ
     ahaṃ hi jvalatāṃ madhye mayūdhānām ivāṃśumān
     prayoktā deva sṛṣṭānām astrāṇāṃ pṛtanā gataḥ
 38 kṛśāśvatanayā hy adya mat prayuktā mahāmṛdhe
     darśayanto ''tmano vīryaṃ pramathiṣyanti pāṇḍavān
 39 adya sarvā diśo rājan dhārābhir iva saṃkulāḥ
     āvṛtāḥ patribhis tīkṣṇair draṣṭāro māmakair iha
 40 kiran hi śarajālāni sarvato bhairava svaram
     śatrūn nipātayiṣyāmi mahāvāta iva drumān
 41 na ca jānāti bībhatsus tad astraṃ na janārdanaḥ
     na bhīmaseno na yamau na ca rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 42 na pārṣato durtāmāsau na śikhaṇḍī na sātyakiḥ
     yad idaṃ mayi kauravya sa kalyaṃ sa nivartanam
 43 nārāyaṇāya me pitrā praṇamya vidhipūrvakam
     upahāraḥ purā datto brahmarūpa upasthite
 44 taṃ svayaṃ pratigṛhyātha bhagavān sa varaṃ dadau
     vavre pitā me paramam astraṃ nārāyaṇaṃ tataḥ
 45 athainam abravīd rājan bhagavān deva sattamaḥ
     bhavitā tvatsamo nānyaḥ kaś cid yudhi naraḥ kva cit
 46 na tv idaṃ sahasā brahman prayoktavyaṃ kathaṃ cana
     na hy etad astram anyatra vadhāc chatror nivartate
 47 na caitac chakyate jñātuṃ ko na vadhyed iti prabho
     avadhyam api hanyād dhi tasmān naitat prayojayet
 48 vadhaḥ saṃkhye dravaś caiva śastrāṇāṃ ca visarjanam
     prayācanaṃ ca śatrūṇāṃ gamanaṃ śaraṇasya ca
 49 ete praśamane yogā mahāstrasya paraṃtapa
     sarvathā pīḍito hi syād avadhyān pīḍayan raṇe
 50 taj jagrāha pitā mahyam abravīc caiva sa prabhuḥ
     tvaṃ varṣiṣyasi divyāni śastravarṣāṇy anekaśaḥ
     anenāstreṇa saṃgrāme tejasā ca jvaliṣyasi
 51 evam uktvā sa bhagavān divam ācakrame prabhuḥ
     etan nārāyaṇād astraṃ tat prāptaṃ mama bandhunā
 52 tenāhaṃ pāṇḍavāṃś caiva pāñcālān matsyakekayān
     vidrāvayiṣyāmi raṇe śacīpatir ivāsurān
 53 yathā yathāham iccheyaṃ tathā bhūtvā śarā mama
     nipateyuḥ sapatneṣu vikramatsv api bhārata
 54 yatheṣṭam aśvavarṣeṇa pravarṣiṣye raṇe sthitaḥ
     ayomukhaiś ca vihagair drāvayiṣye mahārathān
     paraśvadhāṃś ca vividhān prasakṣye 'ham asaṃśayam
 55 so'haṃ nārāyaṇāstreṇa mahatā śatrutāpana
     śatrūn vidhvaṃsayiṣyāmi kadarthī kṛtyapāṇḍavān
 56 mitra brahma guru dveṣī jālmakaḥ suvigarhitaḥ
     pāñcālāpasadaś cādya na me jīvan vimokṣyate
 57 tac chrutvā droṇaputrasya paryavartata vāhinī
     tataḥ sarve mahāśaṅkhān dadhmuḥ puruṣasattamāḥ
 58 bherīś cābhyahanan hṛṣṭā diṇḍimāṃś ca sahasraśaḥ
     tathā nanāda vasudhā khuranemiprapīḍitā
     sa śabdas tumulaḥ khaṃ dyāṃ pṛthivīṃ ca vyanādayat
 59 taṃ śabdaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ śrutvā parjanyaninadopamam
     sametya rathināṃ śreṣṭhāḥ sahitāḥ saṃnyamantrayan
 60 tathoktvā droṇaputro 'pi tathopaspṛśya bhārata
     prāduścakāra tad divyam astraṃ nārāyaṇaṃ tadā

 

SECTION CLXVI

'Sanjaya said, 'Karna, the son of Vikartana, 1 O king, resisted the mighty car-warrior Sahadeva in that battle, who advanced from desire of getting at Drona. Piercing the son of Radha with nine shafts, Sahadeva once more pierced that warrior with nine straight arrows. Karna then pierced Sahadeva in return with a hundred straight shafts, and displaying great lightness in hand, cut off the latter's stringed bow. Then the valiant son of Madri, taking up another bow, pierced Karna with twenty arrows. This feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Then Karna, slaying Sahadeva's steeds with many straight shafts, speedily despatched the latter's driver with a broad-headed shaft, to Yama's abode. This carless Sahadeva then took up a sword and a shield. Even those weapons were cut off by Karna smiling the while. Then the mighty Sahadeva, in that encounter, sped towards the car of Vikartana's son, a heavy and terrible mace decked with gold. Karna, then with his shafts, quickly cut off that mace which hurled by Sahadeva, coursed towards him impetuously, and caused it to fall down on the earth. Beholding his mace cut off, Sahadeva quickly hurled a dart at Karna. That dart also was cut off by Karna. The son of Madri, then, quickly jumping down from his excellent car, and blazing with wrath upon beholding Karna stationed before him, took up a car-wheel and hurled it at the son of Adhiratha. The Suta's son, however, with many thousands of arrows, cut off that wheel coursing towards him like the uplifted wheel of Death. When that wheel had been cut off, Sahadeva, O sire, aiming at Karna, hurled at him the shafts of his car, the traces of his steeds, the yokes of his cars, the limbs of elephants and
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steeds and dead human bodies. Karna cut off all these with his shafts. Seeing himself deprived of all weapons, Madri's son, Sahadeva, struck by Karna with many shafts, left the battle. Pursuing him for a while, the son of Radha, O bull of Bharata's race, smilingly addressed Sahadeva and said these cruel words, 'Do not, O hero, fight in battle with those that are superior to thee. Fight with thy equals, O son of Madri! Do not mistrust my words.' Then touching him with the horn of his bow, he once more said, 'Yonder, Arjuna is fighting resolutely with the Kurus in battle. Go there, O son of Madri, or return home if thou likest.' Having said those words, Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, smilingly proceeded on his car against the troops of the king of the Panchalas. The slayer of foes, that mighty car-warrior, devoted to truth, slew not the son of Madri although he had got the opportunity, recollecting the words of Kunti. Sahadeva, then, heartless and afflicted with arrows, and pierced with the wordy darts of Karna, no longer cherished any love for life. That mighty car-warrior then quickly ascended the car of Janamejaya, the illustrious prince of the Panchal

 

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 167

 

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      prādurbhūte tatas tasminn astre nārāyaṇe tadā
      prāvāt sapṛṣato vāyur anabhre stanayitnumān
  2 cacāla pṛthivī cāpi cukṣubhe ca mahodadhiḥ
      pratisrotaḥ pravṛttāś ca gantuṃ tatra samudragāḥ
  3 śikharāṇi vyadīryanta girīṇāṃ tatra bhārata
      apasavyaṃ mṛgāś caiva pāṇḍuputrān pracakrire
  4 tamasā cāvakīryanta sūryaś ca kaluṣo 'bhavat
      saṃpatanti ca bhūtāni kravyādāni prahṛṣṭavat
  5 devadānavagandharvās trastā āsan viśāṃ pate
      kathaṃ kathābhavat tīvrā dṛṣṭvā tad vyākulaṃ mahat
  6 vyathitāḥ sarvarājānas tadā hy āsan vicetasaḥ
      tad dṛṣṭvā ghorarūpaṃ tu drauṇer astraṃ bhayāvaham
  7 [dhṛ]
      nivartiteṣu sainyeṣu droṇaputreṇa saṃyuge
      bhṛśaṃ śokābhitaptena pitur vadham amṛṣyatā
  8 kurūn āpatato dṛṣṭvā dhṛṣṭadyumnasya rakṣaṇe
      ko mantraḥ pāṇḍaveṣv āsīt tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  9 [s]
      prāg eva vidrutān dṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭrān yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
      punaś ca tumulaṃ śabdaṃ śrutvārjunam abhāṣata
  10 ācārye nihate droṇe dhṛṣṭadyumnena saṃyuge
     nihate vajrahastena yathā vṛtre mahāsure
 11 nāśaṃsanta jayaṃ yuddhe dīnātmāno dhanaṃjaya
     ātmatrāṇe matiṃ kṛtvā prādravan kuravo yathā
 12 ke cid bhrāntai rathais tūrṇaṃ nihatapārṣṇi yantṛbhiḥ
     vipatāka dhvajac chattraiḥ pārthivāḥ śīrṇakūbaraiḥ
 13 bhagnanīḍair ākulāśvair āruhyan ye vicetasaḥ
     bhītāḥ pādair hayān kec cit tvarayantaḥ svayaṃ rathaiḥ
     yugacakrākṣa bhagnaiś ca drutāḥ ke cid bhayāturāḥ
 14 gajaskandheṣu saṃsyūtā nārācaiś calitāsanāḥ
     śarārtair vidrutair nāgair hṛtāḥ ke cid diśo daśa
 15 viśastra kavacāś cānye vāhanebhyaḥ kṣitiṃ gatāḥ
     saṃchannā nemiṣu gatā mṛditāś ca hayadvipaiḥ
 16 krośantas tāta putreti pālayanto 'pare bhayāt
     nābhijānanti cānyonyaṃ kaśmalābhihataujasaḥ
 17 putrān pitṝn sakhīn bhrātṝn samāropya dṛḍhakṣatān
     jalena kledayanty anye vimucya kavacāny api
 18 avasthāṃ tādṛśīṃ prāpya hate droṇe drutaṃ balam
     punarāvartitaṃ kena yadi jānāsi śaṃsa me
 19 hayānāṃ heṣatāṃ śabdaḥ kuñjarāṇāṃ ca bṛṃhatām
     rathanemi svanaś cātra vimiśraḥ śrūyate mahān
 20 ete śabdā bhṛśaṃ tīvrāḥ pravṛttāḥ kuru sāgare
     muhur muhur udīryantaḥ kampayanti hi māmakān
 21 ya eṣa tumulaḥ śabdaḥ śrūyate lomaharṣaṇaḥ
     sendrān apy eṣa lokāṃs trīn bhuñjyād iti matir mama
 22 manye vajradharasyaiṣa ninādo bhairavasvanaḥ
     droṇe hate kauravārthaṃ vyaktam abhyeti vāsavaḥ
 23 prahṛṣṭaloma kūpāḥ sma saṃvignarathakuñjarāḥ
     dhanaṃjaya guruṃ śrutvā tatra nādaṃ subhīṣaṇam
 24 ka eṣa kauravān dīrṇān avasthāpya mahārathaḥ
     nivartayati yuddhārthaṃ mṛdhe deveśvaro yathā
 25 [arjuna]
     udyamyātmānam ugrāya karmaṇe dhairyam āsthitāḥ
     dhamanti kauravāḥ śaṅkhāny asya vīryam upāśritāḥ
 26 yatra te saṃśayo rājan nyastaśastre gurau hate
     dhārtarāṣṭrān avasthāpya ka eṣa nadatīti ha
 27 hrīmantaṃ taṃ mahābāhuṃ mattadviradagāminam
     vyākhyāsyāmy ugrakarmāṇaṃ kurūṇām abhayaṃkaram
 28 yasmiñ jāte dadau droṇo gavāṃ daśaśataṃ dhanam
     brāhmaṇebhyo mahārhebhyaḥ so 'śvatthāmaiṣa garjati
 29 jātamātreṇa vīreṇa yanoccaiḥśravasā iva
     heṣatā kampitā bhūmir lokāś ca sakalās trayaḥ
 30 tac chrutvāntarhitaṃ bhūtaṃ nāma cāsyākarot tadā
     aśvatthāmeti so 'dyaiṣa śūro nadati pāṇḍava
 31 yo 'dyānātha ivākramya pārṣatena hatas tathā
     karmaṇā sunṛśaṃsena tasya nātho vyavasthitaḥ
 32 guruṃ me yatra pāñcālyaḥ keśapakṣe parāmṛśat
     tan na jātu kṣamed drauṇir jānan pauruṣam ātmanaḥ
 33 upacīrṇo gurur mithyā bhavatā rājyakāraṇāt
     dharmajñena satā nāma so 'dharmaḥ sumahān kṛtaḥ
 34 sarvadharmopapanno 'yaṃ mama śiśyaś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     nāyaṃ vakṣyati mithyeti pratyayaṃ kṛtavāṃs tvayi
 35 sa satyakañcukaṃ nāma praviṣṭena tato 'nṛtam
     ācārya ukto bhavatā hataḥ kuñjara ity uta
 36 tataḥ śastraṃ samutsṛjya nirmamo gatacetanaḥ
     āsīt sa vihvalo rājan yathādṛṣṭas tvayā vibhuḥ
 37 sa tu śokena cāviṣṭo vimukhaḥ putravatsalaḥ
     śāśvataṃ dharmam utsṛjya guruḥ śiṣyeṇa ghātitaḥ
 38 nyastaśastram adharmeṇa ghātayitvā guruṃ bhavān
     rakṣatv idānīṃ sāmātyo yadi śaknoṣi pārṣatam
 39 grastam ācārya putreṇa kruddhena hatabandhunā
     sarve vayaṃ paritrātuṃ na śakṣyāmo 'dya pārṣatam
 40 sauhārdaṃ sarvabhūteṣu yaḥ karoty atimātraśaḥ
     so 'dya keśagrahaṃ śrutvā pitur dhakṣyati no raṇe
 41 vikrośamāne hi mayi bhṛśam ācārya gṛddhini
     avakīrya svadharmaṃ hi śiṣyeṇa nihato guruḥ
 42 yadā gataṃ vayo bhūyaḥ śiṣṭam alpataraṃ ca naḥ
     tasyedānīṃ vikāro 'yam adharmo yatkṛto mahān
 43 piteva nityaṃ sauhārdāt piteva sa hi dharmataḥ
     so 'lpakālasya rājyasya kāraṇān nihato guruḥ
 44 dhṛtarāṣṭreṇa bhīṣmāya droṇāya ca viśāṃ pate
     visṛṣṭā pṛthivī sarvā saha putraiś ca tatparaiḥ
 45 sa prāpya tādṛśīṃ vṛttiṃ satkṛtaḥ satataṃ paraiḥ
     avṛṇīta sadā putrān mām evābhyadhikaṃ guruḥ
 46 akṣīyamāṇo nyastāstras tvadvākyenāhave hataḥ
     na tv enaṃ yudhyamānaṃ vai hanyād api śatakratuḥ
 47 tasyācāryasya vṛddhasya droho nityopakāriṇaḥ
     kṛto hy anāryair asmābhī rājyārthe laghu buddhibhiḥ
 48 putrān bhrātṝn pitṝn dārāñ jīvitaṃ caiva vāsaviḥ
     tyajet sarvaṃ mama premṇā jānāty etad dhi me guruḥ
 49 sa mayā rājyakāmena hanyamāno 'py upekṣitaḥ
     tasmād avākśirā rājan prāpto 'smi narakaṃ vibho
 50 brāhmaṇaṃ vṛddham ācāryaṃ nyastaśastraṃ yathā munim
     ghātayitvādya rājyārthe mṛtaṃ śreyo na jīvitam

 

 

SECTION CLXVII

"Sanjaya said, 'The ruler of the Madras shrouded on all sides, with clouds of shafts, Virata with his troops, who was proceeding quickly for getting at Drona. The battle that took place between those two great bowmen resembled, O king, that between Vala and Vasava in days of yore. The ruler of the Madras, O monarch, with great activity, struck Virata, that commander of a large division, with a hundred straight shafts. King Virata, in return, pierced the ruler of the Madras with nine keen arrows, and once more with three and seventy, and once again with a hundred. The ruler of the Madras, then, slaying the four steeds yoked unto Virata's car, cut down with a couple of shafts, the latter's umbrella and standard. Quickly jumping down from that steedless car, the king stood, drawing his bow and shooting keen shafts. Beholding his brother deprived of his steeds, Satanika quickly approached him on his car in the very sight of all the troops. The ruler of the Madras, however, piercing the advancing Satanika with many shafts, despatched him to the abode of Yama. Upon the fall of the heroic Satanika, Virata, that commander of a large division, ascended the fallen hero's car, decked with standard and garlands. 1 opening his eyes wide, and with prowess doubled by wrath, Virata quickly covered the car of the ruler of the Madras with winged arrows. The
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ruler of the Madras then, excited with rage, deeply pierced Virata, that commander of a large division, in the chest, with a hundred straight shafts. Deeply pierced by the mighty ruler of the Madras, that great car-warrior, viz., Virata, sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. His driver, then, beholding him mangled with shafts in that encounter, bore him away. Then that vast force, O Bharata, fled away on that night, oppressed by hundreds of arrows of Salya, that ornament of battle. Beholding the troops flying away, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya quickly advanced to that spot, O monarch, where Salya was stationed. Then that prince of the Rakshasas, viz., Alamvusha, O king, riding upon a foremost car, harnessed with eight steeds, having terrible-looking Pisachas of equine faces yoked unto it, furnished with blood-red banners, decked with floral garlands made of black iron, covered with bear-skins, and possessing a tall standard over which perched a terrible, fierce-looking, and incessantly shrieking vulture, of spotted wings and wide-open eyes, proceeded against those advancing heroes. That Rakshasa, O king, looked beautiful like a loose heap of antimony, and he withstood the advancing Arjuna, like Meru withstanding a tempest, scattering showers of arrows, O monarch, upon Arjuna's head. The battle then that commenced between the Rakshasa and that human warrior, was exceedingly fierce. And it filled all the spectators there, O Bharata, with wonder. And it conduced to the joy also of vultures and crows, of ravens and owls and Kanakas and jackals. Arjuna struck Alamvusha with six shafts and then cut off his standard with ten sharp arrows. With a few other arrows, he cut off his driver, and with some others his Trivenu, and with one more, his bow, and with four others his four steeds. Alamvusha strung another bow, but that also Arjuna cut off in two fragments. Then, O bull of Bharata's race, Partha pierced that prince of the Rakshasas with four keen arrows. Thus pierced, the Rakshasas fled away in fear. Having vanquished him, Arjuna quickly proceeded towards the spot where Drona was, shooting as he went, many shafts, O king, at men, elephants, and steeds. Slaughtered O monarch, by the illustrious son of Pandu, the combatants fell down on the ground, like trees laid low by a tempest. Thus treated by the illustrious son of Pandu, all of them fled like a frightened herd of deer.'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 168

 

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      arjunasya vacaḥ śrutvā nocus tatra mahārathāḥ
      apriyaṃ vā priyaṃ vāpi mahārāja dhanaṃjayam
  2 tataḥ kruddho mahābāhur bhīmaseno 'bhyabhāṣata
      utsmayann iva kaunteyam arjunaṃ bharatarṣabha
  3 munir yathāraṇya gato bhāṣase dharmasaṃhitam
      nyastadaṇḍo yathā pārtha brāhmaṇaḥ saṃśitavrataḥ
  4 kṣatās trātā kṣatāñ jīvan kṣāntas tviṣv api sādhuṣu
      kṣatriyaḥ kṣitim āpnoti kṣipraṃ dharmaṃ yaśaḥ śriyam
  5 sa bhavān kṣatriya guṇair yuktaḥ sarvaiḥ kulodvahaḥ
      avipaścid yathā vākyaṃ vyāharan nādya śobhase
  6 parākramas te kaunteya śakrasyeva śacīpateḥ
      na cātivartase dharmaṃ velām iva mahodadhiḥ
  7 na pūjayet tvā ko 'nvadya yat trayodaśa vārṣikam
      amarṣaṃ pṛṣṭataḥ kṛtvā dharmam evābhikāṅkṣase
  8 diṣṭyā tāta manas te 'dya svadharmam anuvartate
      ānṛśaṃsye ca te diṣṭyā buddhiḥ satatam acyuta
  9 yat tu dharmapravṛttasya hṛtaṃ rājyam adharmataḥ
      draupadī ca parāmṛṣṭā sabhām ānīya śatrubhiḥ
  10 vanaṃ pravrājitāś cāsma valkalājinavāsasaḥ
     anarhamāṇās taṃ bhāvaṃ trayodaśa samāḥ paraiḥ
 11 etāny amarṣasthānāni marṣitāni tvayānagha
     kṣatradharmaprasaktena sarvam etad anuṣṭhitam
 12 tam adharmam apākraṣṭum ārabdhaḥ sahitas tvayā
     sānubandhān haniṣyāmi kṣudrān rājyaharān aham
 13 tvayā tu kathitaṃ pūrvaṃ yuddhāyābhyāgatā vayam
     ghaṭāmaś ca yathāśakti tvaṃ tu no 'dya jugupsase
 14 svadharmaṃ necchase jñātuṃ mithyāvacanam eva te
     bhayārditānām asmākaṃ vācā marmāṇi kṛntasi
 15 vapan vraṇe kṣāram iva kṣatānāṃ śatrukarśana
     vidīryate me hṛdayaṃ tvayā vākśalya pīḍitam
 16 adharmam etad vipulaṃ dhārmikaḥ sannabudhyase
     yat tvam ātmānam asmāṃś ca praśaṃsyān na praśaṃsasi
     yaḥ kalāṃ ṣoḍaśīṃ tvatto nārhate taṃ praśaṃsasi
 17 svayam evātmano vaktuṃ na yuktaṃ guṇasaṃstavam
     dārayeyaṃ mahīṃ krodhād vikireyaṃ ca parvatān
 18 āvidhya ca gadāṃ gurvīṃ bhīmāṃ kāñcanamālinīm
     giriprakāśān kṣitijān bhuñjeyam anilo yathā
 19 sa tvam evaṃvidhaṃ jānan bhrātaraṃ māṃ nararṣabha
     droṇaputrād bhayaṃkartuṃ nārhasy amitavikrama
 20 atha vā tiṣṭha bībhatso saha sarvair nararṣabhaiḥ
     aham enaṃ gadāpāṇir jeṣyāmy eko mahāhave
 21 tataḥ pāñcālarājasya putraḥ pārtham athābravīt
     saṃkruddham iva nardantaṃ hiraṇyakaśipuṃ hariḥ
 22 bībhatso vipra karmāṇi viditāni manīṣiṇām
     yājanādhyāpane dānaṃ tathā yajñapratigrahau
 23 ṣaṣṭham adhyayanaṃ nāma teṣāṃ kasmin pratiṣṭhitaḥ
     hato droṇo mayā yat tat kiṃ māṃ pārtha vigarhase
 24 apakrāntaḥ svadharmāc ca kṣatradharmam upāśritaḥ
     amānuṣeṇa hanty asmān astreṇa kṣudrakarmakṛt
 25 tathā māyāṃ prayuñjānam asahyaṃ brāhmaṇa bruvam
     māyayaiva nihanyād yo na yuktaṃ pārtha tatra kim
 26 tasmiṃs tathā mayā śaste yadi drauṇāyanī ruṣā
     kurute bhairavaṃ nādaṃ tatra kiṃ mama hīyate
 27 na cādbhutam idaṃ manye yad drauṇiḥ śuddhagarjayā
     ghātayiṣyati kauravyān paritrātum aśaknuvan
 28 yac ca māṃ dhārmiko bhūtvā bravīṣi guru ghātinam
     tadartham aham utpannaḥ pāñcālyasya suto 'nalāt
 29 yasya kāryam akāryaṃ vā yudhyataḥ syāt samaṃ raṇe
     taṃ kathaṃ brāhmaṇaṃ brūyāḥ kṣatriyaṃ vā dhanaṃjaya
 30 yo hy anastravido hanyād brahmāstraiḥ krodhamūrchitaḥ
     sarvopāyair na sa kathaṃ vadhyaḥ puruṣasattama
 31 vidharmiṇaṃ dharmavidbhiḥ proktaṃ teṣāṃ viṣopamam
     jānan dharmārthatattvajñaḥ kim arjuna vigarhase
 32 nṛśaṃsaḥ sa mayākramya ratha eva nipātitaḥ
     tan mābhinandyaṃ bībhatso kimarthaṃ nābhinandase
 33 kṛte raṇe kathaṃ pārtha jvalanārkaviṣopamam
     bhīmaṃ droṇa śiraś chede praśasyaṃ na praśaṃsasi
 34 yo 'sau mamaiva nānyasya bāndhavān yudhi jaghnivān
     chittvāpi tasya mūrdhānaṃ naivāsmi vigatajvaraḥ
 35 tac ca me kṛntate marma yan na tasya śiromayā
     niṣādaviṣaye kṣiptaṃ jayadratha śiro yathā
 36 avadhaś cāpi śatrūṇām adharmaḥ śiṣyate 'rjuna
     kṣatriyasya hy ayaṃ dharmo hanyād dhanyeta vā punaḥ
 37 sa śatrur nihataḥ saṃkhye mayā dharmeṇa pāṇḍava
     yathā tvayā hataḥ śūro bhagadattaḥ pituḥ sakhā
 38 pitāmahaṃ raṇe hatvā manyase dharmam ātmanaḥ
     mayā śatrau hate kasmāt pāpe dharmaṃ na manyase
 39 nānṛtaḥ pāṇḍavo jyeṣṭho nāhaṃ vādhārmiko 'rjuna
     śiṣyadhruṅ nihataḥ pāpo yudhyasva vijayas tava

 

SECTION CLXVIII

"Sanjaya said, 'Thy son, Chitrasena, O Bharata, resisted (Nakula's son) Satanika who was engaged in scorching thy host with his keen shafts. Nakula's son pierced Chitrasena with five arrows. The letter then pierced the former in return with ten whetted shafts. And once more Chitrasena, O monarch, in that battle, pierced Satanika in the chest with nine keen
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shafts. Then the son of Nakula with many straight shafts cut Chitrasena's armour from off his body. This feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Divested of his armour, thy son, O king, looked exceedingly beautiful, like a snake, O monarch, having cast off his slough at the proper season. Then Nakula's son, with many keen shafts, cut off the struggling Chitrasena's standard, and then his bow, O monarch, in that encounter. His bow cut off in that combat, and deprived also of his armour, that mighty car-warrior, then, O king, took up another bow capable of piercing every foe. Then Chitrasena, that mighty car-warrior amongst the Bharata's, quickly pierced the son of Nakula with many straight arrows. Then mighty Satanika, excited with rage, O Bharata, slew the four steeds of Chitrasena and then his driver. The illustrious Chitrasena, endued with great strength, jumping down from that car, afflicted the son of Nakula with five and twenty arrows. Then Nakula's son with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut off in that combat the gold-decked bow of Chitrasena while the latter was engaged in thus striking him. Bowless and carless and steedless and driverless, Chitrasena then quickly ascended the car of the illustrious son Hridika.
"Vrishasena, O king, rushed with great speed, scattering shafts in hundreds, against the mighty car-warrior Drupada, advancing at the head of his troops against Drona. 1 Yajnasena, in that encounter pierced that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Karna in the arms and the chest, O lord, with sixty arrows. Vrishasena, then, excited with rage, quickly pierced Yajnasena, standing on his car, with many shafts in the centre of the chest. Those two warriors mangled by arrows, and with shafts sticking to their bodies, looked beautiful like a couple of porcupines with their quills erect. Bathed in blood in consequence of the wounds caused by those straight arrows of keen points and golden wings, they looked exceedingly beautiful in that dreadful encounter. Indeed, the spectacle they presented was that of a couple of beautiful and radiant Kalpa trees or of a couple of Kinsukas rich with their flowery burthens. Then Vrishasena, O king, having pierced Drupada with nine arrows, once more pierced him with seventy, and then again with three other arrows. Then shooting thousands of arrows, Karna's son, O monarch, looked beautiful in that battle, like a cloud pouring torrents of rain. Then Drupada, inflamed with wrath, cut off Vrishasena's bow into two fragments, with a broad-headed arrow, sharp and well-tempered. Taking, then, another gold-decked bow that was new and strong, and drawing out of his quiver a strong, whetted, well-tempered, sharp and broad-headed arrow, and fixing it on his string, and carefully aiming it-at Drupada, he let it off with great force, inspiring all the Somakas with fear. That arrow, piercing through the breast of Drupada, fell on the surface of the earth. The king (of the Panchalas), then, thus pierced through with Vrishasena's arrow, swooned away. His driver, then, recollecting his own duty, bore him away from
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the field. After the retreat, O monarch, of that mighty car-warrior of the Panchalas, the (Kaurava) army, on that terrible night, rushed furiously against Drupada's troops whose coats of mail had been cut off by means of the arrows of the foe. In consequence of the blazing lamps dropped by the combatants all around, the earth, O king, looked beautiful like the cloudless firmament bespangled with planets and stars. With the fallen Angadas of the combatants, the earth looked resplendent, O king, like a mass of clouds in the rainy season with flashes of lightning. Afflicted with the fear of Karna's son, the Panchalas fled away on all sides, like the Danavas from fear of Indra in the great battle of yore between the gods and the Asuras. Thus afflicted in battle by Vrishasena, the Panchalas and the Somakas, O monarch, illumined by lamps, looked exceedingly beautiful. 1 Having vanquished them in battle, Karna's son looked beautiful like the son, O Bharata, when he reaches the meridian. Amongst all those thousands of kings of thy side and their the valiant Vrishasena then seemed to be the only resplendent luminary. Having defeated in battle many heroes and all the mighty car-warriors among the Somakas, he quickly proceeded, O king, to the spot where king Yudhishthira was stationed.
"Thy son Duhsasana proceeded against that mighty car-warrior, viz., Prativindhya, who was advancing (against Drona), scorching his foes in battle. The encounter that took place between them, O king, looked beautiful, like that of Mercury and Venus in the cloudless firmament. Duhsasana pierced Prativindhya, who was accomplishing fierce feats in battle, with three arrows on the forehead. Deeply pierced by that mighty bowman, thy son, Prativindhya, O monarch, looked beautiful like a crested hill. The mighty car-warrior Prativindhya, then, piercing Duhsasana with three arrows, once more pierced him with seven, Thy son, then, O Bharata, achieved there an exceedingly difficult feat, for he felled Prativindhya's steeds with many arrows. With another broad-headed arrow he also felled the latter's driver, and then his standard. And then he cut off, O king, into a thousand fragments the car of Prativindhya, armed with the bow. Excited with rage, O lord, thy son also cut off, with his straight shafts, into numberless fragments the banner, the quivers, the strings, and the traces (of his antagonist's car). Deprived of his car, the virtuous Prativindhya stood, bow in hand, and contended with thy son scattering numberless arrows. Then Duhsasana, displaying great lightness of hand, cut off Prativindhya's bow. And then he afflicted his bowless antagonist with ten shafts. Beholding their brother, (Prativindhya) in that plight, his brothers, all mighty car-warriors, rushed impetuously to that spot with a large force. He then ascended the resplendent of Sutasoma. Taking up another bow, he continued, O king, to pierce thy son. Then many warriors on thy side, accompanied by a large force, rushed impetuously and surrounded thy son (for rescuing him). Then commenced a
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fierce battle between thy troops and theirs, O Bharata, at that dreadful hour of midnight, increasing the population of Yama's kingdom.'"

 

 

Book 7
Chapter 169

 

 

 

  1 [dhṛ]
      sāṅgā vedā yathānyāyaṃ yenādhītā mahātmanā
      yasmin sākṣād dhanurvedo hrīniṣedhe pratiṣṭhitaḥ
  2 tasminn ākruśyati droṇe maharṣitanaye tadā
      nīcātmanā nṛśaṃsena krudreṇa guru ghātinā
  3 yasya prasādāt karmāṇi kurvanti puruṣarṣabhāḥ
      amānuṣāṇi saṃgrāme devair asukarāṇi ca
  4 tasminn ākruśyati droṇe samakṣaṃ pāpakarmiṇaḥ
      nāmarṣaṃ tatra kurvanti dhik kṣatraṃ dhig amarṣitam
  5 pārthāḥ sarve ca rājānaḥ pṛthivyāṃ ye dhanurdharāḥ
      śrutvā kim āhuḥ pāñcālyaṃ tan mamācakṣva saṃjaya
  6 [s]
      śrutvā drupadaputrasya tā vācaḥ krūrakarmaṇaḥ
      tūṣṇīṃ babhūvū rājānaḥ sarva eva viśāṃ pate
  7 arjunas tu kaṭākṣeṇa jihmaṃ prekṣya ca pārṣatam
      sabāṣpam abhiniḥśvasya dhig dhig dhig iti cābravīt
  8 yudhiṣṭhiraś ca bhīmaś ca yamau kṛṣṇas tathāpare
      āsan suvrīḍitā rājan sātyakir idam abravīt
  9 nehāsti puruṣaḥ kaś cid ya imaṃ pāpapūruṣam
      bhāṣamāṇam akalyāṇaṃ śīghraṃ hanyān narādhamam
  10 kathaṃ ca śatadhā jihvā na te mūrdhā ca dīryate
     gurum ākrośataḥ kṣudrana cādharmeṇa pātyase
 11 yāpyas tvam asi pārthaiś ca sarvaiś cāndhakavṛṣṇibhiḥ
     yat karma kaluṣaṃ kṛtvā ślāghase janasaṃsadi
 12 akāryaṃ tādṛśaṃ kṛtvā punar eva guruṃ kṣipan
     vadhyas tvaṃ na tvayārtho 'sti muhūrtam api jīvatā
 13 kas tv etad vyavased āryas tvadanyaḥ puruṣādhamaḥ
     nigṛhya keśeṣu vadhaṃ guror dharmātmanaḥ sataḥ
 14 saptāvare tathā pūrve bāndhavās te nipātitāḥ
     yaśasā ca parityaktās tvāṃ prāpya kulapāṃsanam
 15 uktavāṃś cāpi yat pārthaṃ bhīṣmaṃ prati nararṣabham
     tathānto vihitas tena svayam eva mahātmanā
 16 tasyāpi tava sodaryo nihantā pāpakṛttamaḥ
     nānyaḥ pāñcāla putrebhyo vidyate bhuvi pāpakṛt
 17 sa cāpi sṛṣṭaḥ pitrā te bhīṣmasyānta karaḥ kila
     śikhaṇḍī rakṣitas tena sa ca mṛtyur mahātmanaḥ
 18 pāñcālāś calitā dharmāt kṣudrā mitra guru druhaḥ
     tvāṃ prāpya saha sodaryaṃ dhikkṛtaṃ sarvasādhubhiḥ
 19 punaś ced īdṛśīṃ vācaṃ matsamīpe vadiṣyasi
     śiras te pātayiṣyāmi gadayā vajrakalpayā
 20 sātvatenaivam ākṣiptaḥ pārṣataḥ paruṣākṣaram
     saṃrabdhaḥ sātyakiṃ prāha saṃkruddhaḥ prahasann iva
 21 śrūyate śrūyate ceti kṣamyate ceti mādhava
     na cānārya śubhaṃ sādhuṃ puruṣaṃ kṣeptum arhasi
 22 kṣamā praśasyate loke na tu pāpo 'rhati kṣamām
     kṣamāvantaṃ hi pāpātmā jito 'yam iti manyate
 23 sa tvaṃ kṣudrasamācāro nīcātmā pāpaniścayaḥ
     ā keśāgrān nakhāgrāc ca vaktavyo vaktum icchasi
 24 yaḥ sa bhūriśravāś chinne bhuje prāyagatas tvayā
     vāryamāṇena nihatas tataḥ pāpataraṃ nu kim
 25 vyūhamāno mayā droṇo divyenāstreṇa saṃyuge
     visṛṣṭaśastro nihataḥ kiṃ tatra krūra duṣkṛtam
 26 ayudhyamānaṃ yas tv ājau tathā prāyagataṃ munim
     chinnabāhuṃ parair hanyāt sātyake sa kathaṃ bhavet
 27 nihatya tvāṃ yadā bhūmau sa vikrāmati vīryavān
     kiṃ tadā na nihaṃsy enaṃ bhūtvā puruṣasattamaḥ
 28 tvayā punar anāryeṇa pūrvaṃ pārthena nirjitaḥ
     yadā tadā hataḥ śūraḥ saumadattiḥ pratāpavān
 29 yatra yatra tu pāṇḍūnāṃ droṇo drāvayate camūm
     kirañ śarasahasrāṇi tatra tatra prayāmy aham
 30 sa tvam evaṃvidhaṃ kṛtvā karma cāṇḍālavat svayam
     vaktum icchasi vaktavyaḥ kasmān māṃ paruṣāṇy atha
 31 kartā tvaṃ karmaṇograsya nāhaṃ vṛṣṇikulādhama
     pāpānāṃ ca tvam āvāsaḥ karmaṇāṃ mā punar vada
 32 joṣam āssva na māṃ bhūyo vaktum arhasy ataḥ param
     adharottaram etad dhi yan mā tvaṃ vaktum icchasi
 33 atha vakṣyasi māṃ maurkhyād bhūyaḥ paruṣam īdṛśam
     gamayiṣyāmi bāṇais tvāṃ yudhi vaivasvatakṣayam
 34 na caiva mūrkha dharmeṇa kevalenaiva śakyate
     teṣām api hy adharmeṇa ceṣṭitaṃ śṛṇu yādṛśam
 35 vañcitaḥ pāṇḍavaḥ parvam adharmeṇa yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     draupadī ca parikliṣṭā tathādharmeṇa sātyake
 36 pravrājitā vanaṃ sarve pāṇḍavāḥ saha kṛṣṇayā
     sarvasvam apakṛṣṭaṃ ca tathādharmeṇa bāliśa
 37 adharmeṇāpakṛṣṭaś ca madrarājaḥ parair itaḥ
     ito 'py adharmeṇa hato bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ
     bhūriśravā hy adharmeṇa tvayā dharmavidā hataḥ
 38 evaṃ parair ācaritaṃ pāṇḍaveyaiś ca saṃyuge
     rakṣamāṇair jayaṃ vīrair dharmajñair api sātvata
 39 durjñeyaḥ paramo dharmas tathādharmaḥ sudurvidaḥ
     yudhyasva kauravaiḥ sārdhaṃ mā gāḥ pitṛniveśanam
 40 evamādīni vākyāni krūrāṇi paruṣāṇi ca
     śrāvitaḥ sātyakiḥ śrīmān ākampita ivābhavat
 41 tac chrutvā krodhatāmrākṣaḥ sātyakis tv ādade gadām
     viniḥśvasya yathā sarpaḥ praṇidhāya rathe dhanuḥ
 42 tato 'bhipatya pāñcālyaṃ saṃrambheṇedam abravīt
     na tvāṃ vakṣyāmi paruṣaṃ haniṣye tvāṃ vadhakṣamam
 43 tam āpatantaṃ sahasā mahābalam amarṣaṇam
     pāñcālyāyābhisaṃkruddham antakāyāntakopamam
 44 codito vāsudevena bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
     avaplutya rathāt tūrṇaṃ bāhubhyāṃ samavārayat
 45 dravamāṇaṃ tathā kruddhaṃ sātyakiṃ pāṇḍavo balī
     praskandamānam ādāya jagāma balinaṃ balāt
 46 sthitvā viṣṭabhya caraṇau bhīmena śinipuṃgavaḥ
     nigṛhītaḥ pade ṣaṣṭhe balena balināṃ varaḥ
 47 avaruhya rathāt taṃ tu hriyamāṇaṃ balīyasā
     uvāca ślakṣṇayā vācā sahadevo viśāṃ pate
 48 asmākaṃ puruṣavyāghra mitram anyan na vidyate
     param andhakavṛṣṇibhyaḥ pāñcālebhyaś ca mādhava
 49 tathaivāndhakavṛṣṇīnāṃ tava caiva viśeṣataḥ
     kṛṣṇasya ca tathāsmatto mitram anyan na vidyate
 50 pāñcālānāṃ ca vārṣṇeya samudrāntāṃ vicinvatām
     nānyad asti paraṃ mitraṃ manyate ca yathā bhavān
 51 sa bhavān īdṛśaṃ mitraṃ manyate ca yathā bhavān
     bhavantaś ca yathāsmākaṃ bhavatāṃ ca tathā vayam
 52 sa evaṃ sarvadharmajño mitra dharmam anusmaran
     niyaccha manyuṃ pāñcālyāt praśāmya śinipuṃgava
 53 pārṣatasya kṣama tvaṃ vai kṣamatāṃ tava pārṣataḥ
     vayaṃ kṣamayitāraś ca kim anyatra śamād bhavet
 54 praśāmyamāne śaineye sahadevena māriṣa
     pāñcālarājasya sutaḥ prahasann idam abravīt
 55 muñca muñca śineḥ pautraṃ bhīma yuddhamadānvitam
     āsādayatu mām eṣa dharādharam ivānilaḥ
 56 yāvad asya śitair bāṇaiḥ saṃrambhaṃ vinayāmy aham
     yuddhaśraddhāṃ ca kaunteya jīvitasya ca saṃyuge
 57 kiṃ nu śakyaṃ mayā kartuṃ kāryaṃ yad idam udyatam
     sumahat pāṇḍuputrāṇām āyānty ete hi kauravāḥ
 58 atha vā phalgunaḥ sarvān vārayiṣyati saṃyuge
     aham apy asya mūrdhānaṃ pātayiṣyāmi sāyakaiḥ
 59 manyate chinnabāhuṃ māṃ bhūriśravasam āhave
     utsṛjainam ahaṃ vainam eṣa māṃ vā haniṣyati
 60 śṛṇvan pāñcāla vākyāni sātyakiḥ sarpavac chvasan
     bhīma bāhvantare sakto visphuraty aniśaṃ balī
 61 tvarayā vāsudevaś ca dharmarājaś ca māriṣa
     yatnena mahatā vīrau vārayām āsatus tataḥ
 62 nivārya parameṣvāsau krodhasaṃraktalocanau
     yuyutsavaḥ parān saṃkhye pratīyuḥ kṣatriyarṣabhāḥ

 

SECTION CLXIX

"Sanjaya said, 'Against Nakula who was engaged in smiting thy host, Suvala's son (Sakuni) in wrath, rushed with great impetuosity and addressing him, said, 'Wait! Wait!' Each enraged with the other and each desirous of slaying the other, those two heroes struck each other with shafts sped from their bows drawn to their fullest stretch. Suvala's son in that encounter displayed the same measure of skill that Nakula displayed, O king, in shooting showers of arrows. Both pierced with arrows, O king, in that battle, they looked beautiful like a couple of porcupines with quills erect on their bodies. The armour of each cut off by means of shafts with straight points and golden wings, and each bathed in blood, those two warriors looked resplendent in that dreadful battle like two beautiful and brilliant Kalpa trees, or like two flowering Kinsukas on the field of battle. Indeed, O king, those two heroes in that encounter, both pierced with arrows, looked beautiful like a couple of Salmali trees with prickly thorns on them. Casting oblique glances at each other, with eyes expanded in rage, whose corners had become red, they seemed to scorch each other by those glances. Then thy brother-in-law, excited with wrath, and smiling the while, pierced Madri's son in the chest with a barbed arrow of keen point. Deeply pierced by that great bowman, viz., thy brother-in-law, Nakula sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. Beholding his proud foe, that mortal enemy of his in that plight, Sakuni uttered a roar loud as that of the clouds at the end of summer. Recovering consciousness, Nakula, the son of Pandu, once more rushed against Suvala's son, like the Destroyer himself of wide-open mouth. Inflamed with rage, O bull of Bharata's race, he pierced Sakuni with sixty arrows, and more with a hundred long shafts at the centre of his chest. He then cut off Sakuni's bow with arrow fixed thereon, into two fragments, at the handle. And then cutting off in a trice Sakuni's standard, he caused it to fall down on the earth. Piercing next Sakuni's thigh with keen, sharp, and well-tempered shafts, Nakula, the son of Pandu, caused him to fall down on the terrace of his car, clasping his flag-staff, like an amorous man clasping his mistress. Beholding that brother-in-law of thine laid low and deprived of consciousness, O sinless one, his driver quickly bore him away from the van of battle. The Parthas, then, and all their followers, uttered a loud roar. Having vanquished his foes, Nakula, that scorcher of foes, addressing his driver, said, 'Beat me to the host commanded by Drona.' Hearing these words of Madri's son, his driver proceeded to
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the spot, O king, where Drona was stationed. 1 Against mighty Sikhandin proceeding towards Drona, Kripa resolutely advanced with great impetuosity. That chastiser of foes, viz., Sikhandin, then, smiling the while, pierced with nine arrows the son of Gotama thus advancing against him towards the vicinity of Drona. Then the preceptor, Kripa, that benefactor of thy sons, piercing Sikhandin first with five arrows, once more pierced him with twenty. The combat that took place, O monarch, between them, was exceedingly dreadful, like that between Samvara and the chief of the celestials in the battle between the gods and the Asuras. Those heroic and mighty car-warriors, both invincible in battle, covered the welkin with their arrows, like clouds covering the welkin on the expiry or summer. Terrible of itself, that night, O chief of the Bharatas, became more terrible still to the heroic combatants engaged in battle. Indeed, of terrible aspects and inspiring all sorts of fear, that night became, as it were, death-night (of all creatures). Then Sikhandin, O king, cut off, with a crescent-shaped arrow, the large bow of Gotama's son and shot at the latter many whetted shafts. Inflamed with wrath, O monarch, Kripa then sped at his antagonist a fierce dart, equipped with a golden shaft and keen point, and polished by the hands of the smith. Sikhandin, however, cut it off with ten shafts as it coursed towards him. That dart, then, decked with gold (thus cut off), fell down on the earth. Then Gautama, foremost of men, taking up another bow, O king, covered Sikhandin with a large number of whetted shafts. Thus covered in that battle by the illustrious son of Gotama, Sikhandin, that foremost of car-warriors sank on the terrace of his car. Beholding him thus weakened, Kripa in that encounter, struck him with many arrows, from desire of slaying him, O Bharata! (Sikhandin then was borne away by his driver). Beholding that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Yajnasena retreating from battle, the Panchalas and the Somakas surrounded him on all sides (for rescuing him). Similarly, thy sons also surrounded that foremost of Brahmans, Kripa, with a large force. Then commenced a battle once more, between car-warriors, O king, that struck one another. The uproar that rose became loud as the roaring of clouds, O Bharata, caused by rushing horsemen and elephants, O monarch, smiting one another down. Then, O king, the field of battle looked exceedingly fierce. With the tread of rushing infantry the earth began to tremble, O monarch, like a lady shaken with fear. Car-warriors, mounting on their cars, rushed impetuously, attacking compeers by their thousands, O king, like crows seizing winged insects (in the air). Similarly, mighty elephants with winy exudation down their bodies, pursuing similar elephants, encountered them, O Bharata, furiously. So also, horsemen, coming upon horsemen, and foot-soldiers angrily encountered one another in that battle. At dead of night, the sound of retreating and the rushing of troops and of those coming again to the encounter became deafening. The blazing lamps also, placed on cars and elephants and steeds, seemed,
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[paragraph continues] O king, large meteors falling from the firmament. That night, O chief of the Bharatas, lightened up by those lamps looked like day, O king, on the field of battle. As the sun, encountering the thick gloom, destroys it completely, even so the thick gloom of the battle was destroyed by those blazing lamps. Indeed, the welkin, the earth, the cardinal and the subsidiary points of the compass, enveloped by dust and darkness, became once more illuminated by that light. The splendour of weapons and coats of mail, and of the jewels of illustrious heroes, became overshadowed, by the light of those blazing lamps. During the progress of that fierce battle at night, none of the combatants, O Bharata, could know the warriors of his own side. Sire, O chief of the Bharatas, slew son, and son, from ignorance, slew sire, and friend slew friend. And relatives slew relatives, and maternal uncles slew sisters' sons, and warriors slew warriors of their own side, and foes slew their own men, in that battle, O Bharata. In that dreadful nocturnal encounter, O king, all fought furiously, ceasing to have any regard for one another.'"

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