srimahabharat - udyoga parva (book 5) chapters 175 to 185

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

Book 5
Chapter 175

  1 hotravāhana uvāca
      rāmaṃ drakṣyasi vatse tvaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ mahāvane
      ugre tapasi vartantaṃ satyasaṃdhaṃ mahābalam
  2 mahendre vai giriśreṣṭhe rāmaṃ nityam upāsate
      ṛṣayo vedaviduṣo gandharvāpsarasas tathā
  3 tatra gacchasva bhadraṃ te brūyāś cainaṃ vaco mama
      abhivādya pūrvaṃ śirasā tapovṛddhaṃ dṛḍhavratam
  4 brūyāś cainaṃ punar bhadre yat te kāryaṃ manīṣitam
      mayi saṃkīrtite rāmaḥ sarvaṃ tat te kariṣyati
  5 mama rāmaḥ sakhā vatse prītiyuktaḥ suhṛc ca me
      jamadagnisuto vīraḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ
  6 evaṃ bruvati kanyāṃ tu pārthive hotravāhane
      akṛtavraṇaḥ prādurāsīd rāmasyānucaraḥ priyaḥ
  7 tatas te munayaḥ sarve samuttasthuḥ sahasraśaḥ
      sa ca rājā vayovṛddhaḥ sṛñjayo hotravāhanaḥ
  8 tataḥ pṛṣṭvā yathānyāyam anyonyaṃ te vanaukasaḥ
      sahitā bharataśreṣṭha niṣeduḥ parivārya tam
  9 tatas te kathayām āsuḥ kathās tās tā manoramāḥ
      kāntā divyāś ca rājendra prītiharṣamudā yutāḥ
  10 tataḥ kathānte rājarṣir mahātmā hotravāhanaḥ
     rāmaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ maharṣīṇām apṛcchad akṛtavraṇam
 11 kva saṃprati mahābāho jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān
     akṛtavraṇa śakyo vai draṣṭuṃ vedavidāṃ varaḥ
 12 akṛtavraṇa uvāca
     bhavantam eva satataṃ rāmaḥ kīrtayati prabho
     sṛñjayo me priyasakho rājarṣir iti pārthiva
 13 iha rāmaḥ prabhāte śvo bhaviteti matir mama
     draṣṭāsy enam ihāyāntaṃ tava darśanakāṅkṣayā
 14 iyaṃ ca kanyā rājarṣe kimarthaṃ vanam āgatā
     kasya ceyaṃ tava ca kā bhavatīcchāmi veditum
 15 hotravāhana uvāca
     dauhitrīyaṃ mama vibho kāśirājasutā śubhā
     jyeṣṭhā svayaṃvare tasthau bhaginībhyāṃ sahānagha
 16 iyam ambeti vikhyātā jyeṣṭhā kāśipateḥ sutā
     ambikāmbālike tv anye yavīyasyau tapodhana
 17 sametaṃ pārthivaṃ kṣatraṃ kāśipuryāṃ tato 'bhavat
     kanyānimittaṃ brahmarṣe tatrāsīd utsavo mahān
 18 tataḥ kila mahāvīryo bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo nṛpān
     avākṣipya mahātejās tisraḥ kanyā jahāra tāḥ
 19 nirjitya pṛthivīpālān atha bhīṣmo gajāhvayam
     ājagāma viśuddhātmā kanyābhiḥ saha bhārata
 20 satyavatyai nivedyātha vivāhārtham anantaram
     bhrātur vicitravīryasya samājñāpayata prabhuḥ
 21 tato vaivāhikaṃ dṛṣṭvā kanyeyaṃ samupārjitam
     abravīt tatra gāṅgeyaṃ mantrimadhye dvijarṣabha
 22 mayā śālvapatir vīra manasābhivṛtaḥ patiḥ
     na mām arhasi dharmajña paracittāṃ pradāpitum
 23 tac chrutvā vacanaṃ bhīṣmaḥ saṃmantrya saha mantribhiḥ
     niścitya visasarjemāṃ satyavatyā mate sthitaḥ
 24 anujñātā tu bhīṣmeṇa śālvaṃ saubhapatiṃ tataḥ
     kanyeyaṃ muditā vipra kāle vacanam abravīt
 25 visarjitāsmi bhīṣmeṇa dharmaṃ māṃ pratipādaya
     manasābhivṛtaḥ pūrvaṃ mayā tvaṃ pārthivarṣabha
 26 pratyācakhyau ca śālvo 'pi cāritrasyābhiśaṅkitaḥ
     seyaṃ tapovanaṃ prāptā tāpasye 'bhiratā bhṛśam
 27 mayā ca pratyabhijñātā vaṃśasya parikīrtanāt
     asya duḥkhasya cotpattiṃ bhīṣmam eveha manyate
 28 ambovāca
     bhagavann evam evaitad yathāha pṛthivīpatiḥ
     śarīrakartā mātur me sṛñjayo hotravāhanaḥ
 29 na hy utsahe svanagaraṃ pratiyātuṃ tapodhana
     avamānabhayāc caiva vrīḍayā ca mahāmune
 30 yat tu māṃ bhagavān rāmo vakṣyati dvijasattama
     tan me kāryatamaṃ kāryam iti me bhagavan matiḥ

SECTION CLXXV

"Bhishma said, 'Then, O chief of the Bharatas, approaching my mother, that daughter of the Dasa clan, and saluting that parent of heroes, I said these words,--Having vanquished all the kings, these daughters of the ruler of Kasi, having beauty alone for their dowry, have been abducted by me for the sake of Vichitravirya!--Then, O king, Satyavati with eyes bathed in tears, smelt my head, and joyously said, 'By good luck it is, O child, that thou hast triumphed!' When next, with Satyavati's acquiescence, the nuptials approached, the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi said these words in great bashfulness,--O Bhishma, thou art conversant with morality, and art well-versed in all our scriptures! Hearing my words,
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it behoveth thee to do towards me that which is consistent with morality. The ruler of the Salwas was before this mentally chosen by me as my lord. By him also, without my father's knowledge, I was privately solicited. How wouldst thou, O Bhishma, born especially as thou art in Kuru's race, transgress the laws of morality and cause one that longeth for another to live in thy abode? Knowing this, O bull of Bharata's race, and deliberating in thy mind, it behoveth thee, O mighty-armed one, to accomplish what is proper. O monarch, it is clear that the ruler of the Salwas waiteth (for me). It behoveth thee, therefore, O best of the Kurus' to permit me to depart. O mighty-armed one, be merciful to me, O foremost of righteous persons! Thou, O hero, art devoted to truth, it is well-known all over the earth!'"

Book 5
Chapter 176

 1 akṛtavraṇa uvāca
      duḥkhadvayam idaṃ bhadre katarasya cikīrṣasi
      pratikartavyam abale tat tvaṃ vatse bravīhi me
  2 yadi saubhapatir bhadre niyoktavyo mate tava
      niyokṣyati mahātmā taṃ rāmas tvaddhitakāmyayā
  3 athāpageyaṃ bhīṣmaṃ taṃ rāmeṇecchasi dhīmatā
      raṇe vinirjitaṃ draṣṭuṃ kuryāt tad api bhārgavaḥ
  4 sṛñjayasya vacaḥ śrutvā tava caiva śucismite
      yad atrānantaraṃ kāryaṃ tad adyaiva vicintyatām
  5 ambovāca
      apanītāsmi bhīṣmeṇa bhagavann avijānatā
      na hi jānāti me bhīṣmo brahmañ śālvagataṃ manaḥ
  6 etad vicārya manasā bhavān eva viniścayam
      vicinotu yathānyāyaṃ vidhānaṃ kriyatāṃ tathā
  7 bhīṣme vā kuruśārdūle śālvarāje 'tha vā punaḥ
      ubhayor eva vā brahman yad yuktaṃ tat samācara
  8 niveditaṃ mayā hy etad duḥkhamūlaṃ yathātatham
      vidhānaṃ tatra bhagavan kartum arhasi yuktitaḥ
  9 akṛtavraṇa uvāca
      upapannam idaṃ bhadre yad evaṃ varavarṇini
      dharmaṃ prati vaco brūyāḥ śṛṇu cedaṃ vaco mama
  10 yadi tvām āpageyo vai na nayed gajasāhvayam
     śālvas tvāṃ śirasā bhīru gṛhṇīyād rāmacoditaḥ
 11 tena tvaṃ nirjitā bhadre yasmān nītāsi bhāmini
     saṃśayaḥ śālvarājasya tena tvayi sumadhyame
 12 bhīṣmaḥ puruṣamānī ca jitakāśī tathaiva ca
     tasmāt pratikriyā yuktā bhīṣme kārayituṃ tvayā
 13 ambovāca
     mamāpy eṣa mahān brahman hṛdi kāmo 'bhivartate
     ghātayeyaṃ yadi raṇe bhīṣmam ity eva nityadā
 14 bhīṣmaṃ vā śālvarājaṃ vā yaṃ vā doṣeṇa gacchasi
     praśādhi taṃ mahābāho yatkṛte 'haṃ suduḥkhitā
 15 bhīṣma uvāca
     evaṃ kathayatām eva teṣāṃ sa divaso gataḥ
     rātriś ca bharataśreṣṭha sukhaśītoṣṇamārutā
 16 tato rāmaḥ prādurāsīt prajvalann iva tejasā
     śiṣyaiḥ parivṛto rājañ jaṭācīradharo muniḥ
 17 dhanuṣpāṇir adīnātmā khaḍgaṃ bibhrat paraśvadhī
     virajā rājaśārdūla so 'bhyayāt sṛñjayaṃ nṛpam
 18 tatas taṃ tāpasā dṛṣṭvā sa ca rājā mahātapāḥ
     tasthuḥ prāñjalayaḥ sarve sā ca kanyā tapasvinī
 19 pūjayām āsur avyagrā madhuparkeṇa bhārgavam
     arcitaś ca yathāyogaṃ niṣasāda sahaiva taiḥ
 20 tataḥ pūrvavyatītāni kathayete sma tāv ubhau
     sṛñjayaś ca sa rājarṣir jāmadagnyaś ca bhārata
 21 tataḥ kathānte rājarṣir bhṛguśreṣṭhaṃ mahābalam
     uvāca madhuraṃ kāle rāmaṃ vacanam arthavat
 22 rāmeyaṃ mama dauhitrī kāśirājasutā prabho
     asyāḥ śṛṇu yathātattvaṃ kāryaṃ kāryaviśārada
 23 paramaṃ kathyatāṃ ceti tāṃ rāmaḥ pratyabhāṣata
     tataḥ sābhyagamad rāmaṃ jvalantam iva pāvakam
 24 sā cābhivādya caraṇau rāmasya śirasā śubhā
     spṛṣṭvā padmadalābhābhyāṃ pāṇibhyām agrataḥ sthitā
 25 ruroda sā śokavatī bāṣpavyākulalocanā
     prapede śaraṇaṃ caiva śaraṇyaṃ bhṛgunandanam
 26 rāma uvāca
     yathāsi sṛñjayasyāsya tathā mama nṛpātmaje
     brūhi yat te manoduḥkhaṃ kariṣye vacanaṃ tava
 27 ambovāca
     bhagavañ śaraṇaṃ tvādya prapannāsmi mahāvrata
     śokapaṅkārṇavād ghorād uddharasva ca māṃ vibho
 28 bhīṣma uvāca
     tasyāś ca dṛṣṭvā rūpaṃ ca vayaś cābhinavaṃ punaḥ
     saukumāryaṃ paraṃ caiva rāmaś cintāparo 'bhavat
 29 kim iyaṃ vakṣyatīty evaṃ vimṛśan bhṛgusattamaḥ
     iti dadhyau ciraṃ rāmaḥ kṛpayābhipariplutaḥ
 30 kathyatām iti sā bhūyo rāmeṇoktā śucismitā
     sarvam eva yathātattvaṃ kathayām āsa bhārgave
 31 tac chrutvā jāmadagnyas tu rājaputryā vacas tadā
     uvāca tāṃ varārohāṃ niścityārthaviniścayam
 32 preṣayiṣyāmi bhīṣmāya kuruśreṣṭhāya bhāmini
     kariṣyati vaco dharmyaṃ śrutvā me sa narādhipaḥ
 33 na cet kariṣyati vaco mayoktaṃ jāhnavīsutaḥ
     dhakṣyāmy enaṃ raṇe bhadre sāmātyaṃ śastratejasā
 34 atha vā te matis tatra rājaputri nivartate
     tāvac chālvapatiṃ vīraṃ yojayāmy atra karmaṇi
 35 ambovāca
     visarjitāsmi bhīṣmeṇa śrutvaiva bhṛgunandana
     śālvarājagataṃ ceto mama pūrvaṃ manīṣitam
 36 saubharājam upetyāham abruvaṃ durvacaṃ vacaḥ
     na ca māṃ pratyagṛhṇāt sa cāritrapariśaṅkitaḥ
 37 etat sarvaṃ viniścitya svabuddhyā bhṛgunandana
     yad atraupayikaṃ kāryaṃ tac cintayitum arhasi
 38 mamātra vyasanasyāsya bhīṣmo mūlaṃ mahāvrataḥ
     yenāhaṃ vaśam ānītā samutkṣipya balāt tadā
 39 bhīṣmaṃ jahi mahābāho yatkṛte duḥkham īdṛśam
     prāptāhaṃ bhṛguśārdūla carāmy apriyam uttamam
 40 sa hi lubdhaś ca mānī ca jitakāśī ca bhārgava
     tasmāt pratikriyā kartuṃ yuktā tasmai tvayānagha
 41 eṣa me hriyamāṇāyā bhāratena tadā vibho
     abhavad dhṛdi saṃkalpo ghātayeyaṃ mahāvratam
 42 tasmāt kāmaṃ mamādyemaṃ rāma saṃvartayānagha
     jahi bhīṣmaṃ mahābāho yathā vṛtraṃ puraṃdaraḥ

SECTION CLXXVI

"Bhishma said, 'I then placed the matter before (my mother) Kali, otherwise called Gandhavati, as also all our counsellors, and also before our special and ordinary priests and then permitted, O king, the eldest of those maidens, Amva, to depart. Permitted by me, that maiden then went to the city of the ruler of the Salwas. And she had for her escort a number of old Brahmanas and was also accompanied by her own nurse. And having travelled the whole distance (between Hastinapura and Salwa's city), she approached king Salwa and said these words, 'I come, O thou of mighty arms, expectant of thee, O high-souled one! Unto her, however, O king, the lord of the Salwas said with a laughter, 'O thou of the fairest complexion, I no longer desire to make a wife of thee who wast to be wedded to another. Therefore, O blessed one, go back thither unto Bhishma's presence. I no longer desire thee that was forcibly ravished by Bhishma. Indeed, when Bhishma, having vanquished the kings, took thee away, thou didst go with him cheerfully. When having humiliated and vanquished all the kings of the earth, Bhishma took thee away, I no longer desire thee, O thou of the fairest complexion, for a wife,--thee that was to have been wedded to another! How can a king like myself, who is acquainted with all branches of knowledge and who lays down laws for the guidance of others, admit (into his abode) a woman who was to have been wedded to another? O blessed lady, go whithersoever thou wishest, without spending thy time in vain!' Hearing these words of his, Amva then, O king, afflicted with the arrows of the god of love, addressed Salwa, saying, 'Say not so, O lord of the earth, for it is not so! O grinder of foes, cheerful I was not when taken away by Bhishma! He took me away by force, having routed all the kings, and I was weeping all the while. An innocent girl that I am and attached
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to thee, accept me, O lord of the Salwas! The abandonment (by one) of those that are attached (to him) is never applauded in the scriptures. Having solicited Ganga's son who never retreats from battle, and having at last obtained his permission, I come to thee! Indeed, the mighty-armed Bhishma, O king, desireth me not! It hath been heard by me that his action (in this matter) hath been for the sake of his brother. My two sisters Amvika and Amvalika, who were abducted with me at the same time, have, O king, been bestowed by Ganga's son on his younger brother Vichitravirya! O lord of the Salwas, I swear, O tiger among men, by touching my own head that I have never thought of any other husband than thee! I do not, O great king, come to thee as one who was to have been wedded to another! I tell thee the truth, O Salwa, truly swearing by my soul! Take me, O thou of large eyes, me--a maiden come to thee of her own accord--one unbetrothed to another, one desirous of thy grace!' Although she spoke in this strain, Salwa, however, O chief of the Bharatas, rejected that daughter of the ruler of Kasi, like a snake casting off his slough. Indeed, although that king was earnestly solicited with diverse expressions such as these, the lord of the Salwas still did not, O bull of the Bharata race, manifest any inclination for accepting the girl. Then the eldest daughter of the ruler of Kasi, filled with anger, and her eyes bathed in tears, said these words with a voice choked with tears and grief, 'Cast off, O king, by thee, whithersoever I may go, the righteous will be my protectors, for truth is indestructible!'
"It thus, O thou of Kuru's race, that the lord of the Salwas rejected that maiden who addressed him in language such as this and who was sobbing in grief so tenderly. Go, go,--were the words that Salwa said unto her repeatedly. I am in terror of Bhishma, O thou of fair hips, thou art Bhishma's capture! Thus addressed by Salwa destitute of foresight, that maiden issued out of his city sorrowfully and wailing like a she-osprey.'"

Book 5
Chapter 177

 1 bhīṣma uvāca
      evam uktas tadā rāmo jahi bhīṣmam iti prabho
      uvāca rudatīṃ kanyāṃ codayantīṃ punaḥ punaḥ
  2 kāśye kāmaṃ na gṛhṇāmi śastraṃ vai varavarṇini
      ṛte brahmavidāṃ hetoḥ kim anyat karavāṇi te
  3 vācā bhīṣmaś ca śālvaś ca mama rājñi vaśānugau
      bhaviṣyato 'navadyāṅgi tat kariṣyāmi mā śucaḥ
  4 na tu śastraṃ grahīṣyāmi kathaṃ cid api bhāmini
      ṛte niyogād viprāṇām eṣa me samayaḥ kṛtaḥ
  5 ambovāca
      mama duḥkhaṃ bhagavatā vyapaneyaṃ yatas tataḥ
      tat tu bhīṣmaprasūtaṃ me taṃ jahīśvara māciram
  6 rāma uvāca
      kāśikanye punar brūhi bhīṣmas te caraṇāv ubhau
      śirasā vandanārho 'pi grahīṣyati girā mama
  7 ambovāca
      jahi bhīṣmaṃ raṇe rāma mama ced icchasi priyam
      pratiśrutaṃ ca yadi tat satyaṃ kartum ihārhasi
  8 bhīṣma uvāca
      tayoḥ saṃvadator evaṃ rājan rāmāmbayos tadā
      akṛtavraṇo jāmadagnyam idaṃ vacanam abravīt
  9 śaraṇāgatāṃ mahābāho kanyāṃ na tyaktum arhasi
      jahi bhīṣmaṃ raṇe rāma garjantam asuraṃ yathā
  10 yadi bhīṣmas tvayāhūto raṇe rāma mahāmune
     nirjito 'smīti vā brūyāt kuryād vā vacanaṃ tava
 11 kṛtam asyā bhavet kāryaṃ kanyāyā bhṛgunandana
     vākyaṃ satyaṃ ca te vīra bhaviṣyati kṛtaṃ vibho
 12 iyaṃ cāpi pratijñā te tadā rāma mahāmune
     jitvā vai kṣatriyān sarvān brāhmaṇeṣu pratiśrutam
 13 brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyo vaiśyaḥ śūdraś caiva raṇe yadi
     brahmadviḍ bhavitā taṃ vai haniṣyāmīti bhārgava
 14 śaraṇaṃ hi prapannānāṃ bhītānāṃ jīvitārthinām
     na śakṣyāmi parityāgaṃ kartuṃ jīvan kathaṃ cana
 15 yaś ca kṣatraṃ raṇe kṛtsnaṃ vijeṣyati samāgatam
     dṛptātmānam ahaṃ taṃ ca haniṣyāmīti bhārgava
 16 sa evaṃ vijayī rāma bhīṣmaḥ kurukulodvahaḥ
     tena yudhyasva saṃgrāme sametya bhṛgunandana
 17 rāma uvāca
     smarāmy ahaṃ pūrvakṛtāṃ pratijñām ṛṣisattama
     tathaiva ca kariṣyāmi yathā sāmnaiva lapsyate
 18 kāryam etan mahad brahman kāśikanyāmanogatam
     gamiṣyāmi svayaṃ tatra kanyām ādāya yatra saḥ
 19 yadi bhīṣmo raṇaślāghī na kariṣyati me vacaḥ
     haniṣyāmy enam udriktam iti me niścitā matiḥ
 20 na hi bāṇā mayotsṛṣṭāḥ sajjantīha śarīriṇām
     kāyeṣu viditaṃ tubhyaṃ purā kṣatriya saṃgare
 21 bhīṣma uvāca
     evam uktvā tato rāmaḥ saha tair brahmavādibhiḥ
     prayāṇāya matiṃ kṛtvā samuttasthau mahāmanāḥ
 22 tatas te tām uṣitvā tu rajanīṃ tatra tāpasāḥ
     hutāgnayo japtajapyāḥ pratasthur majjighāṃsayā
 23 abhyagacchat tato rāmaḥ saha tair brāhmaṇarṣabhaiḥ
     kurukṣetraṃ mahārāja kanyayā saha bhārata
 24 nyaviśanta tataḥ sarve parigṛhya sarasvatīm
     tāpasās te mahātmāno bhṛguśreṣṭhapuraskṛtāḥ

SECTION CLXXVII

"Bhishma said, 'Issuing out of the city, Amva reflected sorrowfully in this strain. 'There is not in the whole world a young woman in such a miserable plight as I! Alas, destitute of friends, I am rejected by Salwa also! I cannot go back to the city named after an elephant, for I was permitted by Bhishma to leave that city, expectant of Salwa! Whom then shall I blame? Myself? Or, the invincible Bhishma? Or, that foolish father of mine who made arrangements for my self-choice? Perhaps, it is my own fault! Why did I not leap down before from Bhishma's car, when that fierce battle took place, for coming to Salwa? That I am so
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afflicted now, as if deprived of my senses, is the fruit of that omission of mine! Cursed be Bhishma! Cursed be my own wretched father of foolish understanding, who had arranged prowess to be my dower, sending me out as if I were a woman (disposed) for a consideration! Cursed be myself! Cursed be king Salwa himself and cursed be my creator too! Cursed be they through whose fault such great misery hath been mine! Human beings always suffer what is destined for them. The cause, however, of my present affliction is Bhishma, the son of Santanu; I, therefore, see that at present my vengeance should fall upon him, either through ascetic austerities or by battle, for he is the cause of my woe! But what king is there that would venture to vanquish Bhishma in battle? Having settled this, she issued out of the city for repairing to an asylum of the high-souled ascetics of virtuous deeds. The night she stayed there, surrounded by those ascetics. And that lady of sweet smiles told those ascetics, O Bharata, all that had happened to herself with the minutest details, O mighty-armed one, about her abduction, and her rejection by Salwa.'
"There lived in that asylum an eminent Brahmana of rigid vows, and his name was Saikhavatya. Endued with ascetic merit of a high order, he was a preceptor of the scriptures and the Aranyakas. And the sage Saikhavatya, of great ascetic merit, addressed that afflicted maiden, that chaste girl sighing heavily in grief, and said, 'If it hath been so, O blessed lady, what can high-souled ascetics residing in their (woody) retreats and engaged in penances do?' That maiden, however, O king, answered him, saying, 'Let mercy be shown to me; I desire a life in the woods, having renounced the world. I will practise the severest of ascetic austerities. All that I now suffer is certainly the fruit of those sins that I had committed from ignorance in my former life. I do not venture to go back to my relatives, ye ascetics, rejected and cheerless that I am knowing that I have been humiliated by Salwa! Ye that have washed away your sins, godlike as ye are, I desire that ye should instruct me in ascetic penance! Oh, let mercy be shown to me!' Thus addressed, that sage then comforted the maiden by examples and reasons borrowed from the scriptures. And having consoled her thus, he promised, with the other Brahmanas, to do what she desired.'"

Book 5
Chapter 178

bhīṣma uvāca
      tatas tṛtīye divase same deśe vyavasthitaḥ
      preṣayām āsa me rājan prāpto 'smīti mahāvrataḥ
  2 tam āgatam ahaṃ śrutvā viṣayāntaṃ mahābalam
      abhyagacchaṃ javenāśu prītyā tejonidhiṃ prabhum
  3 gāṃ puraskṛtya rājendra brāhmaṇaiḥ parivāritaḥ
      ṛtvigbhir devakalpaiś ca tathaiva ca purohitaiḥ
  4 sa mām abhigataṃ dṛṣṭvā jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān
      pratijagrāha tāṃ pūjāṃ vacanaṃ cedam abravīt
  5 bhīṣma kāṃ buddhim āsthāya kāśirājasutā tvayā
      akāmeyam ihānītā punaś caiva visarjitā
  6 vibhraṃśitā tvayā hīyaṃ dharmāvāpteḥ parāvarāt
      parāmṛṣṭāṃ tvayā hīmāṃ ko hi gantum ihārhati
  7 pratyākhyātā hi śālvena tvayā nīteti bhārata
      tasmād imāṃ manniyogāt pratigṛhṇīṣva bhārata
  8 svadharmaṃ puruṣavyāghra rājaputrī labhatv iyam
      na yuktam avamāno 'yaṃ kartuṃ rājñā tvayānagha
  9 tatas taṃ nātimanasaṃ samudīkṣyāham abruvam
      nāham enāṃ punar dadyāṃ bhrātre brahman kathaṃ cana
  10 śālvasyāham iti prāha purā mām iha bhārgava
     mayā caivābhyanujñātā gatā saubhapuraṃ prati
 11 na bhayān nāpy anukrośān na lobhān nārthakāmyayā
     kṣatradharmam ahaṃ jahyām iti me vratam āhitam
 12 atha mām abravīd rāmaḥ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ
     na kariṣyasi ced etad vākyaṃ me kurupuṃgava
 13 haniṣyāmi sahāmātyaṃ tvām adyeti punaḥ punaḥ
     saṃrambhād abravīd rāmaḥ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ
 14 tam ahaṃ gīrbhir iṣṭābhiḥ punaḥ punar ariṃdamam
     ayācaṃ bhṛguśārdūlaṃ na caiva praśaśāma saḥ
 15 tam ahaṃ praṇamya śirasā bhūyo brāhmaṇasattamam
     abruvaṃ kāraṇaṃ kiṃ tad yat tvaṃ yoddhum ihecchasi
 16 iṣvastraṃ mama bālasya bhavataiva caturvidham
     upadiṣṭaṃ mahābāho śiṣyo 'smi tava bhārgava
 17 tato mām abravīd rāmaḥ krodhasaṃraktalocanaḥ
     jānīṣe māṃ guruṃ bhīṣma na cemāṃ pratigṛhṇase
     sutāṃ kāśyasya kauravya matpriyārthaṃ mahīpate
 18 na hi te vidyate śāntir anyathā kurunandana
     gṛhāṇemāṃ mahābāho rakṣasva kulam ātmanaḥ
     tvayā vibhraṃśitā hīyaṃ bhartāraṃ nābhigacchati
 19 tathā bruvantaṃ tam ahaṃ rāmaṃ parapuraṃjayam
     naitad evaṃ punar bhāvi brahmarṣe kiṃ śrameṇa te
 20 gurutvaṃ tvayi saṃprekṣya jāmadagnya purātanam
     prasādaye tvāṃ bhagavaṃs tyaktaiṣā hi purā mayā
 21 ko jātu parabhāvāṃ hi nārīṃ vyālīm iva sthitām
     vāsayeta gṛhe jānan strīṇāṃ doṣān mahātyayān
 22 na bhayād vāsavasyāpi dharmaṃ jahyāṃ mahādyute
     prasīda mā vā yad vā te kāryaṃ tat kuru māciram
 23 ayaṃ cāpi viśuddhātman purāṇe śrūyate vibho
     maruttena mahābuddhe gītaḥ śloko mahātmanā
 24 guror apy avaliptasya kāryākāryam ajānataḥ
     utpathapratipannasya kāryaṃ bhavati śāsanam
 25 sa tvaṃ gurur iti premṇā mayā saṃmānito bhṛśam
     guruvṛttaṃ na jānīṣe tasmād yotsyāmy ahaṃ tvayā
 26 guruṃ na hanyāṃ samare brāhmaṇaṃ ca viśeṣataḥ
     viśeṣatas tapovṛddham evaṃ kṣāntaṃ mayā tava
 27 yudyateṣum atho dṛṣṭvā brāhmaṇaṃ kṣatrabandhuvat
     yo hanyāt samare kruddho yudhyantam apalāyinam
     brahmahatyā na tasya syād iti dharmeṣu niścayaḥ
 28 kṣatriyāṇāṃ sthito dharme kṣatriyo 'smi tapodhana
     yo yathā vartate yasmiṃs tathā tasmin pravartayan
     nādharmaṃ samavāpnoti naraḥ śreyaś ca vindati
 29 arthe vā yadi vā dharme samartho deśakālavit
     anarthasaṃśayāpannaḥ śreyān niḥsaṃśayena ca
 30 yasmāt saṃśayite 'rthe 'smin yathānyāyaṃ pravartase
     tasmād yotsyāmi sahitas tvayā rāma mahāhave
     paśya me bāhuvīryaṃ ca vikramaṃ cātimānuṣam
 31 evaṃgate 'pi tu mayā yac chakyaṃ bhṛgunandana
     tat kariṣye kurukṣetre yotsye vipra tvayā saha
     dvaṃdve rāma yatheṣṭaṃ te sajjo bhava mahāmune
 32 tatra tvaṃ nihato rāma mayā śaraśatācitaḥ
     lapsyase nirjitāṁl lokāñ śastrapūto mahāraṇe
 33 sa gaccha vinivartasva kurukṣetraṃ raṇapriya
     tatraiṣyāmi mahābāho yuddhāya tvāṃ tapodhana
 34 api yatra tvayā rāma kṛtaṃ śaucaṃ purā pituḥ
     tatrāham api hatvā tvāṃ śaucaṃ kartāsmi bhārgava
 35 tatra gacchasva rāma tvaṃ tvaritaṃ yuddhadurmada
     vyapaneṣyāmi te darpaṃ paurāṇaṃ brāhmaṇabruva
 36 yac cāpi katthase rāma bahuśaḥ pariṣatsu vai
     nirjitāḥ kṣatriyā loke mayaikeneti tac chṛṇu
 37 na tadā jāyate bhīṣmo madvidhaḥ kṣatriyo 'pi vā
     yas te yuddhamayaṃ darpaṃ kāmaṃ ca vyapanāśayet
 38 so 'haṃ jāto mahābāho bhīṣmaḥ parapuraṃjayaḥ
     vyapaneṣyāmi te darpaṃ yuddhe rāma na saṃśayaḥ

SECTION CLXXVIII

"Bhishma said, 'Those virtuous ascetics then set themselves about their usual avocations, thinking all the while as to what they should do for that maiden. And some amongst them said, 'Let her be taken to her father's abode.' And some amongst them set their hearts upon reproaching
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ourselves. And some thought that repairing to the ruler of the Salwas, he should be solicited to accept the maiden. And some said, 'No, that should not be done, for she hath been rejected by him.' And after some time had passed thus, those ascetics of rigid vows once more said unto her, 'What, O blessed lady, can ascetics with senses under control do? Do not devote thyself to a life in the woods, renouncing the world! O blessed lady, listen to these words that are beneficial to thee! Depart hence, blessed be thou, to thy father's mansion! The king, thy father, will do what should next be done. O auspicious one, surrounded by every comfort, thou mayest live there in happiness. Thou art a woman! At present, therefore, O blessed one, thou hast no other protector save thy father. O thou of the fairest complexion, as regards a woman, she hath her father for her protector or her husband. Her husband is her protector when she is in comfortable circumstances, but when plunged in misery, she hath her father for her protector. A life in the woods is exceedingly painful, especially to one that is delicate. Thou art a princess by birth; over this, thou art, again, very delicate, O beautiful dame! O blessed lady, there are numerous discomforts and difficulties attaching to a life in a (woody) retreat, none of which, O thou of the fairest complexion, shalt thou have to bear in thy father's abode!' Other ascetics, beholding that helpless girl said to her, 'Seeing thee alone in deep and solitary woods, kings may court thee! Therefore, set not thy heart upon such a course!'
"Hearing these words, Amva said, 'I am incapable of going back to my father's abode in the city of Kasi, for without doubt I shalt then be disregarded by all my relatives. Ye ascetics, I lived there, in my father's abode, during my childhood. I cannot, however, now go to thither where my father is. Protected by the ascetics, I desire to practise ascetic austerities, so that in even future life of mine such sore afflictions may not be mine! Ye best of ascetics, I desire, therefore, to practise ascetic austerities!'
"Bhishma continued, 'When those Brahmanas were thinking thus about her, there came into that forest that best of ascetics, the royal sage Hotravahana. Then those ascetics reverenced the king with worship, enquiries of welcome and courtesy, a seat, and water. And after he was seated and had rested for a while, those denizens of the forest once more began to address that maiden in the hearing of that royal sage. Hearing the story of Amva and the king of Kasi, that royal sage of great energy became very anxious at heart. Hearing her speak in that strain, and beholding her (distressed), that royal sage of rigid austerities, viz., the high-souled Hotravahana, was filled with pity. Then, O lord, that maternal grandsire of her rose up with trembling frame and causing that maiden to sit on his lap, began to comfort her. He then acquired of her in details about that distress of hers from its beginning. And she, thereupon, represented to him minutely all that had happened. Hearing all she said, the royal sage was filled with pity and grief. And
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that great sage settled in mind what she would do. Trembling from agitation he addressed the afflicted maiden sunk in woe, saying, 'Do not go back to thy father's abode, O blessed lady! I am the father of thy mother. I will dispel thy grief. Rely on me, O daughter! Great, indeed, must thy affliction he when thou art so emaciated! At my advice, go unto the ascetic Rama, the son of Jamadagni. Rama will dispel this great affliction and grief of thine. He will slay Bhishma in battle if the latter obeyeth not his behest. Go, therefore, unto that foremost one of Bhrigu's race who resembleth the Yuga-fire itself in energy! That great ascetic will place thee once more on the right track!' Hearing this, that maiden, shedding tears all the while, saluted her maternal grandsire, Hotravahana, with a bend of her head and addressed him, saying, 'Go I will at thy command! But shall I succeed in obtaining a sight of that reverend sire celebrated over the world? How will he dispel this poignant grief of mine? And how shall I go to that descendant of Bhrigu? I desire to know all this.'
"Hotravahana said, 'O blessed maiden, thou wilt behold Jamadagni's son, Rama, who is devoted to truth and endued with great might and engaged in austere penances in the great forest. Rama always dwelleth in that foremost of the mountains called Mahendra. Many Rishis, learned in the Vedas, and many Gandharvas and Apsaras also dwell there. Go, blessed be thou, and tell him these words of mine, having saluted with thy bent head that sage of rigid vows and great ascetic merit. Tell him also, O blessed girl, all that thou seekest. If thou namest me, Rama will do everything for thee, for Rama, the heroic son of Jamadagni, that foremost of all bearers of arms, is a friend of mine highly pleased with me, and always wisheth me well!' And while king Hotravahana, was saying all this unto that maiden, thither appeared Akritavrana, a dear companion of Rama. And on his advent those Munis by hundreds, and the Srinjaya king Hotravahana, old in years, all stood up. And those denizens of the forest, uniting with one another, did him all the rites of hospitality. And they all took their seats surrounding him. And filled, O monarch, with gratification and joy, they then started various delightful, laudable, and charming subjects of discourse. And after their discourse was over, that royal sage, the high-souled Hotravahana enquired of Akritavrana about Rama that foremost of great sages, saying, 'O thou of mighty arms, where, O Akritavrana, may that foremost of persons acquainted with the Vedas, viz., Jamadagni's son of great prowess be seen?' Akritavrana answered him saying, 'O lord, Rama always speaketh of thee, O king, saying,--That royal sage of the Srinjayas is my dear friend,--I believe, Rama will be here tomorrow morning. Thou wilt see him even here when he cometh to behold thee. As regards this maiden, for what, O royal sage, hath she come to the wood? Whose is she, and what is she to thee? I desire to know all this.' Hotravahana. said, 'The favourite daughter of the ruler of Kasi, she is, O lord, my daughter's child! The eldest daughter of the
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king of Kasi, she is known by the name of Amva. Along with her two younger sisters, O sinless one, she was in the midst of her Swayamvara ceremonies. The names of her two younger sisters are Amvika and Amvalika, O thou endued with wealth of asceticism! All the Kshatriya kings of the earth were assembled together at the city of Kasi. And, O regenerate Rishi, great festivities were going on there on account of (the self-choice of) these maidens. In the midst of these, Santanu's son, Bhishma, of mighty valour, disregarding all the kings, abducted the girls. Vanquishing all the monarchs, the pure-souled prince Bhishma of Bharata's race then reached Hastinapura, and representing everything unto Satyavati, ordered his brother Vichitravirya's marriage to take place with the girls he had brought. Beholding the arrangements for those nuptials complete, this maiden, O bull among Brahmanas, then addressed Ganga's son in the presence of his ministers and said,--I have, O hero, within my heart chosen the lord of the Salwas to be my husband. Conversant as thou art with morality, it behoveth thee not to bestow me on thy brother, whose heart is given away to another!--Hearing these words of hers, Bhishma took counsel with his ministers. Deliberating on the matter, he, at last, with Satyavati's consent, dismissed this maiden, Permitted thus by Bhishma, this girl gladly repaired to Salwa, the lord of Saubha, and approaching him said,--Dismissed I have been by Bhishma. See that I do not fall off from righteousness! In my heart, I have chosen thee for my lord, O bull among kings. Salwa, however, rejected her, suspecting the purity of her conduct. Even she hath come to these woods, sacred for asceticism, being ardently inclined to devote herself to ascetic penances! She was recognised by me from the account that she gave of her parentage. As regards her sorrow, Bhishma is considered by her to be its root!' After Hotravahana had ceased, Amva herself said, 'O holy one, it is even so as this lord of earth, this author of my mother's body, Hotravahana of the Srinjaya race hath said. I cannot venture to go back to my own city, O thou that art endued with wealth of asceticism, for shame and fear of disgrace, O great Muni! At present, O holy one, even this is what hath been my determination, viz., that that would be my highest duty which the holy Rama, O best of Brahmanas, might point out to me!'"

Book 5
Chapter 179

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tato mām abravīd rāmaḥ prahasann iva bhārata
      diṣṭyā bhīṣma mayā sārdhaṃ yoddhum icchasi saṃgare
  2 ayaṃ gacchāmi kauravya kurukṣetraṃ tvayā saha
      bhāṣitaṃ tat kariṣyāmi tatrāgaccheḥ paraṃtapa
  3 tatra tvāṃ nihataṃ mātā mayā śaraśatācitam
      jāhnavī paśyatāṃ bhīṣma gṛdhrakaṅkabaḍāśanam
  4 kṛpaṇaṃ tvām abhiprekṣya siddhacāraṇasevitā
      mayā vinihataṃ devī rodatām adya pārthiva
  5 atadarhā mahābhāgā bhagīrathasutā nadī
      yā tvām ajījanan mandaṃ yuddhakāmukam āturam
  6 ehi gaccha mayā bhīṣma yuddham adyaiva vartatām
      gṛhāṇa sarvaṃ kauravya rathādi bharatarṣabha
  7 iti bruvāṇaṃ tam ahaṃ rāmaṃ parapuraṃjayam
      praṇamya śirasā rājann evam astv ity athābruvam
  8 evam uktvā yayau rāmaḥ kurukṣetraṃ yuyutsayā
      praviśya nagaraṃ cāhaṃ satyavatyai nyavedayam
  9 tataḥ kṛtasvastyayano mātrā pratyabhinanditaḥ
      dvijātīn vācya puṇyāhaṃ svasti caiva mahādyute
  10 ratham āsthāya ruciraṃ rājataṃ pāṇḍurair hayaiḥ
     sūpaskaraṃ svadhiṣṭhānaṃ vaiyāghraparivāraṇam
 11 upapannaṃ mahāśastraiḥ sarvopakaraṇānvitam
     tat kulīnena vīreṇa hayaśāstravidā nṛpa
 12 yuktaṃ sūtena śiṣṭena bahuśo dṛṣṭakarmaṇā
     daṃśitaḥ pāṇḍureṇāhaṃ kavacena vapuṣmatā
 13 pāṇḍuraṃ kārmukaṃ gṛhya prāyāṃ bharatasattama
     pāṇḍureṇātapatreṇa dhriyamāṇena mūrdhani
 14 pāṇḍuraiś cāmaraiś cāpi vījyamāno narādhipa
     śuklavāsāḥ sitoṣṇīṣaḥ sarvaśuklavibhūṣaṇaḥ
 15 stūyamāno jayāśīrbhir niṣkramya gajasāhvayāt
     kurukṣetraṃ raṇakṣetram upāyāṃ bharatarṣabha
 16 te hayāś coditās tena sūtena paramāhave
     avahan māṃ bhṛśaṃ rājan manomārutaraṃhasaḥ
 17 gatvāhaṃ tat kurukṣetraṃ sa ca rāmaḥ pratāpavān
     yuddhāya sahasā rājan parākrāntau parasparam
 18 tataḥ saṃdarśane 'tiṣṭhaṃ rāmasyātitapasvinaḥ
     pragṛhya śaṅkhapravaraṃ tataḥ prādhamam uttamam
 19 tatas tatra dvijā rājaṃs tāpasāś ca vanaukasaḥ
     apaśyanta raṇaṃ divyaṃ devāḥ sarṣigaṇās tadā
 20 tato divyāni mālyāni prādurāsan muhur muhuḥ
     vāditrāṇi ca divyāni meghavṛndāni caiva ha
 21 tatas te tāpasāḥ sarve bhārgavasyānuyāyinaḥ
     prekṣakāḥ samapadyanta parivārya raṇājiram
 22 tato mām abravīd devī sarvabhūtahitaiṣiṇī
     mātā svarūpiṇī rājan kim idaṃ te cikīrṣitam
 23 gatvāhaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ taṃ prayāciṣye kurūdvaha
     bhīṣmeṇa saha mā yotsīḥ śiṣyeṇeti punaḥ punaḥ
 24 mā maivaṃ putra nirbandhaṃ kuru vipreṇa pārthiva
     jāmadagnyena samare yoddhum ity avabhartsayat
 25 kiṃ na vai kṣatriyaharo haratulyaparākramaḥ
     viditaḥ putra rāmas te yatas tvaṃ yoddhum icchasi
 26 tato 'ham abruvaṃ devīm abhivādya kṛtāñjaliḥ
     sarvaṃ tad bharataśreṣṭha yathāvṛttaṃ svayaṃvare
 27 yathā ca rāmo rājendra mayā pūrvaṃ prasāditaḥ
     kāśirājasutāyāś ca yathā kāmaḥ purātanaḥ
 28 tataḥ sā rāmam abhyetya jananī me mahānadī
     madarthaṃ tam ṛṣiṃ devī kṣamayām āsa bhārgavam
     bhīṣmeṇa saha mā yotsīḥ śiṣyeṇeti vaco 'bravīt
 29 sa ca tām āha yācantīṃ bhīṣmam eva nivartaya
     na hi me kurute kāmam ity ahaṃ tam upāgamam
 30 saṃjaya uvāca
     tato gaṅgā sutasnehād bhīṣmaṃ punar upāgamat
     na cāsyāḥ so 'karod vākyaṃ krodhaparyākulekṣaṇaḥ
 31 athādṛśyata dharmātmā bhṛguśreṣṭho mahātapāḥ
     āhvayām āsa ca punar yuddhāya dvijasattamaḥ

SECTION CLXXIX

"Akritavrana said, 'Of these two afflictions of thine, for which, O blessed lady, dost thou seek a remedy? Tell me this. Is it thy wish that the lord of Saubha should be urged to wed thee, the high-souled Rama will certainly urge him from desire of doing thee good? Or, if thou wishest
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to behold Ganga's son, Bhishma, defeated in battle by intelligent Rama Bhargava will gratify even that wish of thine. Hearing what Srinjaya has to say, and what thou also, O thou of sweet smiles, may have to say, let that be settled this very day what should be done for thee.' Hearing these words, Amva said, 'O holy one, abducted I was by Bhishma acting from ignorance, for, O regenerate one, Bhishma knew not that my heart had been given away to Salwa. Thinking of this in thy mind, let that be resolved upon by thee which is consistent with justice, and let steps be taken for accomplishing that resolution. Do that, O Brahmana, which is proper to be done towards either that tiger among the Kurus, viz., Bhishma, singly, or towards the ruler of the Salwas, or towards both of them! I have told thee truly about the root of my grief. It behoveth thee, O holy one, to do that which is consistent with reason.'
"Akritavrana said, 'This, O blessed lady, O thou of the fairest complexion, that thou sayest with eyes fixed upon virtue, is, indeed, worthy of thee. Listen, however, to what I say! If Ganga's son had never taken thee to the city called after the elephant, then, O timid girl, Salwa would have, at Rama's behest, taken thee on his head! It is because Bhishma bore thee away by force that king Salwa's suspicions have been awakened in respect of thee, O thou of slender-waist! Bhishma is proud of his manliness and is crowned with success. Therefore, thou shouldst cause thy vengeance to fall upon Bhishma (and no other)!' Hearing these words of the sage, Amva said, 'O regenerate one, this desire hath been cherished by me also in my heart, viz., that, if possible. Bhishma should be caused by me to be slain in battle! O thou of mighty arms, be it Bhishma or be it king Salwa, punish that man whom thou thinkest to be guilty and through whose act I have been so miserable!'
"Bhishma continued, 'In conversation such as this, that day passed and the night also, O best of Bharata's race, with its delicious breeze which was neither cold nor hot. Then Rama appeared there, beaming with energy. And that sage wearing matted-locks on his bead and attired in deer-skins was surrounded by his disciples. And endued with magnanimous soul, he had his bow in hand. And bearing also a sword and a battle-axe, that sinless one, O tiger among kings, approached the Srinjaya king (Hotravahana) in that forest. And the ascetics dwelling there and that king also who was endued with great ascetic merit, beholding him, all stood up and waited, O king, with joined hands. And that helpless maiden too did the same. And they all cheerfully worshipped Bhargava with the offer of honey and curds. Being worshipped duly by them, Rama sat with them seated round him. Then, O Bharata, Jamadagni's son and Hotravahana, seated thus together, began to discourse. And after their discourse was over, the sage Hotravahana opportunately said in a sweet voice these words of grave import unto that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, viz., Rama of mighty strength, 'O Rama, this is my daughter's daughter, O lord, being the daughter of the king of Kasi.
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She hath something to be done for her! Oh, listen to it duly, O thou that art skilled in all tasks!' Hearing these words of his friend, Rama addressed that maiden saying. 'Tell me what thou hast to say.' At these words, Amva approached Rama who resembled a blazing fire, and worshipping both his feet with her bent head, touched them with her two hands that resembled, in radiance, a couple of lotuses and stood silently before him. And filled with grief, she wept aloud, her eyes bathed in tears. And she then sought the protection of that descendant of Bhrigu, who was the refuge of all distressed persons. And Rama said, 'Tell me what grief is in thy heart. I will act according to thy words!' Thus encouraged, Amva said, 'O thou of great vows, O holy one, today I seek thy protection! O lord, raise me from this unfathomable ocean of sorrow.'
"Bhishma continued, 'Beholding her beauty and her youthful body and its great delicacy, Rama began to think,--What will she say? And that perpetuator of Bhrigu's line, thinking inwardly of this, sat long in silence, filled with pity. He then addressed that maiden of sweet smiles again, saying, 'Tell us what thou hast to say!' Thus encouraged, she represented everything truly unto Bhargava. And Jamadagni's son, hearing these words of the princess, and having first settled what he should do, addressed that damsel of the fairest complexion, saying, 'O beautiful lady, I will send word unto Bhishma, that foremost one of Kuru's race. Having beard what my behest is, that king will certainly obey it. If, however, the son of Jahnavi do not act according to my words, I will then consume him in battle, O blessed girl, with all his counsellors! Or, O princess, if thou desirest it, I may even address the heroic ruler of the Salwas to the matter in hand.' Hearing these words of Rama, Amva said, 'Dismissed I was by Bhishma, O son of Bhrigu's race, as soon as he heard that my heart had previously been freely given away to the ruler of the Salwas. Approaching then the lord of Saubha, I addressed him in language that was unbecoming. Doubtful of the purity of my conduct, he refused to accept me. Reflecting on all this, with the aid of thy own understanding, it behoveth thee, O son of Bhrigu's race, to do that which should be done in view of these circumstances. Bhishma, however, of great vows is the root of my calamity, for he brought me under his power taking me up (on his car) by violence! Slay that Bhishma, O thou of mighty arms, for whose sake, O tiger of Bhrigu's race, overwhelmed with such distress, I suffer such poignant misery! Bhishma, O thou of Bhrigu's race, is covetous, and mean, and proud of his victory. Therefore, O sinless one, thou shouldst give him his deserts. While, of lord, I was being abducted by him, even this was the desire that I cherished in my heart, viz., that I should cause that hero of great vows to be slain. Therefore, O sinless Rama, gratify this desire of mine! O thou of mighty arms, slay Bhishma, even as Purandara slew Vritra.'"

Book 5
Chapter 180

 1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tam ahaṃ smayann iva raṇe pratyabhāṣaṃ vyavasthitam
      bhūmiṣṭhaṃ notsahe yoddhuṃ bhavantaṃ ratham āsthitaḥ
  2 āroha syandanaṃ vīra kavacaṃ ca mahābhuja
      badhāna samare rāma yadi yoddhuṃ mayecchasi
  3 tato mām abravīd rāmaḥ smayamāno raṇājire
      ratho me medinī bhīṣma vāhā vedāḥ sadaśvavat
  4 sūto me mātariśvā vai kavacaṃ vedamātaraḥ
      susaṃvīto raṇe tābhir yotsye 'haṃ kurunandana
  5 evaṃ bruvāṇo gāndhāre rāmo māṃ satyavikramaḥ
      śaravrātena mahatā sarvataḥ paryavārayat
  6 tato 'paśyaṃ jāmadagnyaṃ rathe divye vyavasthitam
      sarvāyudhadhare śrīmaty adbhutopamadarśane
  7 manasā vihite puṇye vistīrṇe nagaropame
      divyāśvayuji saṃnaddhe kāñcanena vibhūṣite
  8 dhvajena ca mahābāho somālaṃkṛtalakṣmaṇā
      dhanurdharo baddhatūṇo baddhagodhāṅgulitravān
  9 sārathyaṃ kṛtavāṃs tatra yuyutsor akṛtavraṇaḥ
      sakhā vedavid atyantaṃ dayito bhārgavasya ha
  10 āhvayānaḥ sa māṃ yuddhe mano harṣayatīva me
     punaḥ punar abhikrośann abhiyāhīti bhārgavaḥ
 11 tam ādityam ivodyantam anādhṛṣyaṃ mahābalam
     kṣatriyāntakaraṃ rāmam ekam ekaḥ samāsadam
 12 tato 'haṃ bāṇapāteṣu triṣu vāhān nigṛhya vai
     avatīrya dhanur nyasya padātir ṛṣisattamam
 13 abhyagacchaṃ tadā rāmam arciṣyan dvijasattamam
     abhivādya cainaṃ vidhivad abruvaṃ vākyam uttamam
 14 yotsye tvayā raṇe rāma viśiṣṭenādhikena ca
     guruṇā dharmaśīlena jayam āśāssva me vibho
 15 rāma uvāca
     evam etat kuruśreṣṭha kartavyaṃ bhūtim icchatā
     dharmo hy eṣa mahābāho viśiṣṭaiḥ saha yudhyatām
 16 śapeyaṃ tvāṃ na ced evam āgacchethā viśāṃ pate
     yudhyasva tvaṃ raṇe yatto dhairyam ālambya kaurava
 17 na tu te jayam āśāse tvāṃ hi jetum ahaṃ sthitaḥ
     gaccha yudhyasva dharmeṇa prīto 'smi caritena te
 18 bhīṣma uvāca
     tato 'haṃ taṃ namaskṛtya ratham āruhya satvaraḥ
     prādhmāpayaṃ raṇe śaṅkhaṃ punar hemavibhūṣitam
 19 tato yuddhaṃ samabhavan mama tasya ca bhārata
     divasān subahūn rājan parasparajigīṣayā
 20 sa me tasmin raṇe pūrvaṃ prāharat kaṅkapatribhiḥ
     ṣaṣṭyā śataiś ca navabhiḥ śarāṇām agnivarcasām
 21 catvāras tena me vāhāḥ sūtaś caiva viśāṃ pate
     pratiruddhās tathaivāhaṃ samare daṃśitaḥ sthitaḥ
 22 namaskṛtya ca devebhyo brāhmaṇebhyaś ca bhārata
     tam ahaṃ smayann iva raṇe pratyabhāṣaṃ vyavasthitam
 23 ācāryatā mānitā me nirmaryāde hy api tvayi
     bhūyas tu śṛṇu me brahman saṃpadaṃ dharmasaṃgrahe
 24 ye te vedāḥ śarīrasthā brāhmaṇyaṃ yac ca te mahat
     tapaś ca sumahat taptaṃ na tebhyaḥ praharāmy aham
 25 prahare kṣatradharmasya yaṃ tvaṃ rāma samāsthitaḥ
     brāhmaṇaḥ kṣatriyatvaṃ hi yāti śastrasamudyamāt
 26 paśya me dhanuṣo vīryaṃ paśya bāhvor balaṃ ca me
     eṣa te kārmukaṃ vīra dvidhā kurmi sasāyakam
 27 tasyāhaṃ niśitaṃ bhallaṃ prāhiṇvaṃ bharatarṣabha
     tenāsya dhanuṣaḥ koṭiś chinnā bhūmim athāgamat
 28 nava cāpi pṛṣatkānāṃ śatāni nataparvaṇām
     prāhiṇvaṃ kaṅkapatrāṇāṃ jāmadagnyarathaṃ prati
 29 kāye viṣaktās tu tadā vāyunābhisamīritāḥ
     celuḥ kṣaranto rudhiraṃ nāgā iva ca te śarāḥ
 30 kṣatajokṣitasarvāṅgaḥ kṣaran sa rudhiraṃ vraṇaiḥ
     babhau rāmas tadā rājan merur dhātūn ivotsṛjan
 31 hemantānte 'śoka iva raktastabakamaṇḍitaḥ
     babhau rāmas tadā rājan kva cit kiṃśukasaṃnibhaḥ
 32 tato 'nyad dhanur ādāya rāmaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ
     hemapuṅkhān suniśitāñ śarāṃs tān hi vavarṣa saḥ
 33 te samāsādya māṃ raudrā bahudhā marmabhedinaḥ
     akampayan mahāvegāḥ sarpānalaviṣopamāḥ
 34 tato 'haṃ samavaṣṭabhya punar ātmānam āhave
     śatasaṃkhyaiḥ śaraiḥ kruddhas tadā rāmam avākiram
 35 sa tair agnyarkasaṃkāśaiḥ śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ
     śitair abhyardito rāmo mandacetā ivābhavat
 36 tato 'haṃ kṛpayāviṣṭo vinindyātmānam ātmanā
     dhig dhig ity abruvaṃ yuddhaṃ kṣatraṃ ca bharatarṣabha
 37 asakṛc cābruvaṃ rājañ śokavegapariplutaḥ
     aho bata kṛtaṃ pāpaṃ mayedaṃ kṣatrakarmaṇā
 38 gurur dvijātir dharmātmā yad evaṃ pīḍitaḥ śaraiḥ
     tato na prāharaṃ bhūyo jāmadagnyāya bhārata
 39 athāvatāpya pṛthivīṃ pūṣā divasasaṃkṣaye
     jagāmāstaṃ sahasrāṃśus tato yuddham upāramat

SECTION CLXXX

"Bhishma said, 'O lord, repeatedly urged by that maiden to slay Bhishma, Rama replied unto that weeping girl, saying, 'O daughter of Kasi, O thou of the fairest complexion, I do not, on any account, take up arms now except for the sake of those that are conversant with the Vedas. Tell me, therefore, what else I can do for thee? Both Bhishma and Salwa are, O princess, exceedingly obedient to me. Do not grieve, I will accomplish thy object. I will not, however, O beautiful lady, take up arms, except at the command of Brahmanas. This hath been my rule of conduct.'
"Amva said, 'My misery, O holy one, should by any means be dispelled by thee. That misery of mine hath been caused by Bhishma. Slay him, therefore, O lord, without much delay.'
"Rama said, 'O daughter of Kasi, say but the word and Bhishma, however, deserving of reverence from thee, will, at my word, take up thy feet on his head!'
"Amva said, 'O Rama, slay in battle that Bhishma who roareth like an Asura. Indeed, summoned to the encounter (by him), slay him, O Rama, if thou wishest (to do) what is agreeable to me. It behoveth thee, besides, to make thy promise true.'
"Bhishma continued, 'While, O king, Rama and Amva were talking thus with each other, the Rishi (Akritavrana) of highly virtuous soul said these words, 'It behoveth thee not, O mighty-armed one, to desert this girl that seeketh thy protection! If summoned to battle, Bhishma cometh to the encounter and sayeth--I am vanquished, or, if he obeyeth thy words, then that which this maiden seeketh will be accomplished, O son of Bhrigu's race, and the words spoken by thee, O hero, will also, O lord, be true! This also was, O great Muni, the vow then made by thee, O Rama,--the vow made by thee before Brahmanas after thou hadst conquered all the Kshatriyas, viz., that thou wouldst slay in battle the person, be he a Brahmana, a Kshatriya, a Vaisya, or a Sudra, who would be a foe to the Brahmanas. Thou hadst further promised that as long as thou wouldst live thou wouldst not abandon those that would come to thee in fright and seek thy protection, and that thou wouldst, O Bhargava, slay that proud warrior who would vanquish in battle all the assembled Kshatriyas of the earth! O Ram, even Bhishma, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, hath achieved such success (over all the Kshatriyas)! Approaching him, O son of Bhrigu's race, encounter him now in battle!'
"Rama said, 'O best of Rishis, I recollect that vow of mine made before. I will, however (in the present instance) do that which conciliation may point out. That task which the daughter of Kasi hath in her mind is a grave one, O Brahmana! Taking this maiden with me, I will repair myself to the place where Bhishma is. If Bhishma, proud of his achievements in battle, do not obey my behest, I will then slay that arrogant
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wight. Even this is my fixed resolve. The arrows shot by me do not stick to the bodies of embodied creatures (but pass them through). This is known to you from what you saw in my encounters with the Kshatriyas!' Having said this, Rama then, along with all those seekers of Brahma, resolved to depart from that asylum! and the great ascetic then rose from his seat. Then all those ascetics passing that night there, performed (on the next morning) their homa-rites and recited their prayers. And then they all set out, desirous of taking my life. And Rama, accompanied by all those devotees of Brahma, then came to Kurukshetra, O monarch, with that maiden, O Bharata, in their company. And those high-souled ascetics, with that foremost one of Bhrigu's race at head, having arrived on the banks of the stream of Saraswati, quartered themselves there.'"

Udyoga Parva

Book 5

Book 5
Chapter 181

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      ātmanas tu tataḥ sūto hayānāṃ ca viśāṃ pate
      mama cāpanayām āsa śalyān kuśalasaṃmataḥ
  2 snātopavṛttais turagair labdhatoyair avihvalaiḥ
      prabhāta udite sūrye tato yuddham avartata
  3 dṛṣṭvā māṃ tūrṇam āyāntaṃ daṃśitaṃ syandane sthitam
      akarod ratham atyarthaṃ rāmaḥ sajjaṃ pratāpavān
  4 tato 'haṃ rāmam āyāntaṃ dṛṣṭvā samarakāṅkṣiṇam
      dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ samutsṛjya sahasāvataraṃ rathāt
  5 abhivādya tathaivāhaṃ ratham āruhya bhārata
      yuyutsur jāmadagnyasya pramukhe vītabhīḥ sthitaḥ
  6 tato māṃ śaravarṣeṇa mahatā samavākirat
      ahaṃ ca śaravarṣeṇa varṣantaṃ samavākiram
  7 saṃkruddho jāmadagnyas tu punar eva patatriṇaḥ
      preṣayām āsa me rājan dīptāsyān uragān iva
  8 tān ahaṃ niśitair bhallaiḥ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
      acchidaṃ sahasā rājann antarikṣe punaḥ punaḥ
  9 tatas tv astrāṇi divyāni jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān
      mayi pracodayām āsa tāny ahaṃ pratyaṣedhayam
  10 astrair eva mahābāho cikīrṣann adhikāṃ kriyām
     tato divi mahān nādaḥ prādurāsīt samantataḥ
 11 tato 'ham astraṃ vāyavyaṃ jāmadagnye prayuktavān
     patyājaghne ca tad rāmo guhyakāstreṇa bhārata
 12 tato 'stram aham āgneyam anumantrya prayuktavān
     vāruṇenaiva rāmas tad vārayām āsa me vibhuḥ
 13 evam astrāṇi divyāni rāmasyāham avārayam
     rāmaś ca mama tejasvī divyāstravid ariṃdamaḥ
 14 tato māṃ savyato rājan rāmaḥ kurvan dvijottamaḥ
     urasy avidhyat saṃkruddho jāmadagnyo mahābalaḥ
 15 tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha saṃnyaṣīdaṃ rathottame
     atha māṃ kaśmalāviṣṭaṃ sūtas tūrṇam apāvahat
     gorutaṃ bharataśreṣṭha rāmabāṇaprapīḍitam
 16 tato mām apayātaṃ vai bhṛśaṃ viddham acetasam
     rāmasyānucarā hṛṣṭāḥ sarve dṛṣṭvā pracukruśuḥ
     akṛtavraṇaprabhṛtayaḥ kāśikanyā ca bhārata
 17 tatas tu labdhasaṃjño 'haṃ jñātvā sūtam athābruvam
     yāhi sūta yato rāmaḥ sajjo 'haṃ gatavedanaḥ
 18 tato mām avahat sūto hayaiḥ paramaśobhitaiḥ
     nṛtyadbhir iva kauravya mārutapratimair gatau
 19 tato 'haṃ rāmam āsādya bāṇajālena kaurava
     avākiraṃ susaṃrabdhaḥ saṃrabdhaṃ vijigīṣayā
 20 tān āpatata evāsau rāmo bāṇān ajihmagān
     bāṇair evācchinat tūrṇam ekaikaṃ tribhir āhave
 21 tatas te mṛditāḥ sarve mama bāṇāḥ susaṃśitāḥ
     rāmabāṇair dvidhā chinnāḥ śataśo 'tha mahāhave
 22 tataḥ punaḥ śaraṃ dīptaṃ suprabhaṃ kālasaṃmitam
     asṛjaṃ jāmadagnyāya rāmāyāhaṃ jighāṃsayā
 23 tena tv abhihato gāḍhaṃ bāṇacchedavaśaṃ gataḥ
     mumoha sahasā rāmo bhūmau ca nipapāta ha
 24 tato hāhākṛtaṃ sarvaṃ rāme bhūtalam āśrite
     jagad bhārata saṃvignaṃ yathārkapatane 'bhavat
 25 tata enaṃ susaṃvignāḥ sarva evābhidudruvuḥ
     tapodhanās te sahasā kāśyā ca bhṛgunandanam
 26 ta enaṃ saṃpariṣvajya śanair āśvāsayaṃs tadā
     pāṇibhir jalaśītaiś ca jayāśīrbhiś ca kaurava
 27 tataḥ sa vihvalo vākyaṃ rāma utthāya mābravīt
     tiṣṭha bhīṣma hato 'sīti bāṇaṃ saṃdhāya kārmuke
 28 sa mukto nyapatat tūrṇaṃ pārśve savye mahāhave
     yenāhaṃ bhṛśasaṃvigno vyāghūrṇita iva drumaḥ
 29 hatvā hayāṃs tato rājañ śīghrāstreṇa mahāhave
     avākiran māṃ viśrabdho bāṇais tair lomavāhibhiḥ
 30 tato 'ham api śīghrāstraṃ samare 'prativāraṇam
     avāsṛjaṃ mahābāho te 'ntarādhiṣṭhitāḥ śarāḥ
     rāmasya mama caivāśu vyomāvṛtya samantataḥ
 31 na sma sūryaḥ pratapati śarajālasamāvṛtaḥ
     mātariśvāntare tasmin megharuddha ivānadat
 32 tato vāyoḥ prakampāc ca sūryasya ca marīcibhiḥ
     abhitāpāt svabhāvāc ca pāvakaḥ samajāyata
 33 te śarāḥ svasamutthena pradīptāś citrabhānunā
     bhūmau sarve tadā rājan bhasmabhūtāḥ prapedire
 34 tadā śatasahasrāṇi prayutāny arbudāni ca
     ayutāny atha kharvāṇi nikharvāṇi ca kaurava
     rāmaḥ śarāṇāṃ saṃkruddho mayi tūrṇam apātayat
 35 tato 'haṃ tān api raṇe śarair āśīviṣopamaiḥ
     saṃchidya bhūmau nṛpate 'pātayaṃ pannagān iva
 36 evaṃ tad abhavad yuddhaṃ tadā bharatasattama
     saṃdhyākāle vyatīte tu vyapāyāt sa ca me guruḥ’

SECTION CLXXXI

"Bhishma said, 'After he had quartered there, on third day, O king, Jamadagni's son of high vows, sent a message to me, saying, 'I have come here, do what is agreeable to me.' Hearing that Rama, of great might, had come to the confines of our kingdom, I speedily went with a joyous heart to that master who was an ocean of energy. And I went to him, O king, with a cow placed in the van of my train, and accompanied by many Brahmanas, and (ordinary) priests (of our family), and by others, resembling the very gods in splendour, employed by us on special occasions. And beholding me arrived at his presence, Jamadagni's son, of great prowess, accepted the worship I offered unto him and said these words unto me.'
"Rama said, 'Thyself, divested of desire, with what mood of mind, O 'Bhishma, didst thou abduct, on the occasion of her self-choice, his daughter of the king of Kasi and again dismiss her subsequently? By thee hath this famous lady been dissociated from virtue! Contaminated by the touch of thy hands before, who can marry her now? Rejected she hath been by Salwa, because thou, O Bharata, hadst abducted her. Take her therefore, to thyself, O Bharata, at my command. Let this daughter of a king, O tiger among men, be charged with the duties of her sex! O king, O sinless one, it is not proper that this humiliation should be hers!
'Seeing him plunged into sorrow (on account of the maiden) I said unto him,--O Brahmana, I cannot, by any means, bestow this girl on my brother. O thou of Bhrigu's race, it was to myself that she said, I am Salwa's! And it was by me that she was permitted to go to Salwa's city. As regards myself, even this is my firm vow that I cannot abandon
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[paragraph continues] Kshatriya practices from fear or pity, or avarice of wealth, or lust!--Hearing these words of mine, Rama addressed me, with eyes rolling in anger, saying, 'If, O bull among, men, thou dost not act according to my words, I will slay thee this very day along with all thy counsellors!' Indeed, with eyes rolling in anger, Rama in great wrath told me these words repeatedly. I, however, O chastiser of foes, then beseeched him in sweet words. But though beseeched by me, he did not cool down. Bowing down with my head unto that best of Brahmanas I then enquired of him the reason for which he sought battle with me. I also said,--O thou of mighty arms, while I was a child it was thou who instructed me in the four kinds of arms. 1 I am, therefore, O thou of Bhrigu's race, thy disciple! Then Rama answered me with eyes red in anger, 'Thou knowest me, O Bhishma, to be thy preceptor, and yet, O Kauravya, thou acceptest not, for pleasing me, this daughter of the ruler of Kasi! O delighter of the Kurus, I cannot be gratified unless thou actest in this way! O mighty-armed one, take this maiden and preserve thy race! Having been abducted by thee, she obtaineth not a husband. Unto Rama that subjugator of hostile cities, I replied, saying.--This cannot be, O regenerate Rishi! All thy labour is vain, O son of Jamadagni, remembering thy old preceptorship, I am striving, O holy one, to gratify thee! As regards this maiden, she hath been refused by me before knowing what the faults, productive of great evils, of the female sex are, who is there that would admit into his abode a woman whose heart is another's and who (on that account) is even like a snake of virulent poison? O thou of high vows, I would not, even from fear of Vasava, forsake duty! Be gracious unto me, or do me without delay that which thou hast thought proper. This sloka also, O thou of pure soul, is heard in the Puranas, O lord, sung by the high-souled Marutta, O thou of great intelligence! The renunciation is sanctioned by the ordinance of a preceptor who is filled with vanity, who is destitute of the knowledge of right and wrong, and who is treading in a devious path.--Thou art my preceptor and it is for this that I have from love reverenced thee greatly. Thou, however, knowest not the duty of a preceptor, and it is for this that I will fight with thee. I would not slay any preceptor in battle, especially again a Brahmana, and more specially one endued with ascetic merit. It was for this that I forgive thee. It is well-known truth, gatherable from the scriptures, that he is not guilty of slaying a Brahmana who killeth in battle a person of that order that taketh up weapons like Kshatriya and fighteth wrathfully without seeking to fly. I am a Kshatriya stationed in the practice of Kshatriya duties. One doth not
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incur sin, nor doth one incur any harm by behaving towards a person exactly as that person deserveth. When a person acquainted with the proprieties of time and place and well-versed in matters affecting both profit and virtue, feels doubtful, as regards anything, he should without scruples of any kind, devote himself to the acquisition of virtue which would confer the highest benefit on him. And since thou, O Rama, in a matter connected with profit of doubtful propriety, actest unrighteously, I would certainly fight with thee in a great battle. Behold the strength of my arms and my prowess that is superhuman! In view of such circumstances, I shall certainly do, O son of Bhrigu, what I can. I shall fight with thee, O regenerate one, on the field of Kurukshetra! O Rama of great effulgence, equip thyself as thou listest for single combat! Come and station thyself on the field of Kurukshetra where, afflicted with my shafts in great battle, and sanctified by my weapons, thou mayest obtain those regions that have been won by thee (thought for thy austerities). O thou of mighty arms and wealth of asceticism, there I will approach thee for battle,--thee that art so fond of battle! There, O Rama, where in days of yore thou hadst propitiated thy (deceased) fathers (with oblations of Kshatriya blood), slaying thee there, O son of Bhrigu, I will propitiate the Kshatriya slain by thee! Come there, O Rama, without delay! There, O thou that art difficult of being vanquished, I will curb thy old pride about which the Brahmanas speak! For many long years, O Rama, thou hast boasted, saying,--I have, single-handed, vanquished all the Kshatriyas of the Earth!--Listen now to what enabled thee to indulge in that boast! In those days no Bhishma was born, or no Kshatriyas like unto Bhishma! Kshatriyas really endued with valour have taken their births later on! As regards thyself, thou hast consumed only heaps of straw! The person that would easily quell thy pride of battle hath since been born! He, O mighty-armed one, is no other than myself, even Bhishma, that subjugator of hostile cities! Without doubt, O Rama, I shall just quell thy pride of battle!'
"Bhishma continued, 'Hearing these words of mine. Rama addressed me, laughingly saying, 'By good luck it is, O Bhishma, that thou desirest to fight with me in battle! O thou of Kuru's race, even now I go with thee to Kurukshetra! I will do what thou hast said! Come thither, O chastiser of foes! Let thy mother, Jahnavi, O Bhishma, behold thee dead on that plain, pierced with my shafts, and become the food of vultures, crows, and other carnivorous birds! Let that goddess worshipped by Siddhas and Charanas, that blessed daughter of Bhagiratha, in the form of a river, who begat thy wicked self, weep today, O king, beholding thee slain by me and lying miserable on that plain, however undeserving she may be of seeing such a sight! Come, O Bhishma, and follow me, O proud wight, always longing for battle! O thou of Kuru's race, take with thee, O bull of Bharatas' line, thy cars and all other equipments of battle!' Hearing these words of Rama that subjugator of hostile
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towns, I worshipped him with a bend of my head and answered him, saying,--So be it! Having said all this, Rama then went to Kurukshetra from desire of combat, and I also, entering our city, represented everything unto Satyavati. Then causing propitiatory ceremonies to be performed (for my victory), and being blessed also by my mother, and making the Brahmanas utter benedictions on me, I mounted on a handsome car made of silver and unto which, O thou of great glory, were yoked steeds white in hue. And every part of that car was well-built, and it was exceedingly commodious and covered on all sides with tiger-skin. And it was equipped with many great weapons and furnished with all necessaries. And it was ridden by charioteer who was well-born and brave, who was versed in horse-lore, careful in battle, and well-trained in his art, and who had seen many encounters. And I was accoutred in a coat of mail, white in hue, and had my bow in hand. And the bow I took was also white in hue. And thus equipped, I set out, O best of Bharata's race! And an umbrella, white in hue, was held over my head. And, O king, I was fanned with fans that also were white in colour. And clad in white, with also a white head-gear, all my adornments were white. And eulogised (with laudatory hymns) by Brahmanas wishing me victory. I issued out of the city named after the elephant, and proceeded to Kurukshetra, which, O bull of Bharata's race, was to be the field of battle! And those steeds, fleet as the mind or the wind, urged by my charioteer, soon bore me, O king, to that great encounter. And arrived in the field of Kurukshetra, both myself and Rama, eager for battle, became desirous of showing each other our prowess. And arrived within view of the great ascetic Rama, I took up my excellent conch and blew a loud blast. And many Brahmanas, O king, and many ascetics having their abodes in the forest, as also the gods with Indra at their head, were stationed there for beholding the great encounter. And many celestial garlands and diverse kinds of celestial music and many cloudy canopies could be noticed there. And all those ascetics who had come with Rama, desiring to become spectators of the fight, stood all around the field. Just at this juncture, O king, my divine mother devoted to the good of all creatures, appeared before me in her own form and said, 'What is this that thou seekest to do? Repairing to Jamadagni's son, O son of Kuru's race, I will repeatedly solicit him saying,--Do not fight Bhishma who is thy disciple!--O son, being a Kshatriya do not obstinately set thy heart on an encounter in battle with Jamadagni's son who is a Brahmana!' Indeed, it was thus that she reproved me. And she also said, 'O son, Rama, equal in prowess unto Mahadeva himself, is the exterminator of the Kshatriya order! It is not known to thee, that thou desirest an encounter with him.' Thus addressed by her, I saluted the goddess reverentially and replied unto her with joined hands, giving her, O chief of the Bharatas, an account of all that had transpired in that self-choice (of the daughter of Kasi). I also told her every thing, O king of kings, about how I had urged
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[paragraph continues] Rama (to desist from the combat). I also gave her a history of all the past acts of the (eldest) daughter of Kasi. My mother then, the great River, wending to Rama, began, for my sake, to beseech the Rishi of Bhrigu's race. And she said unto him these words, viz.,--Do not fight Bhishma who is thy disciple!--Rama, however, said unto her while she was beseeching him thus, 'Go and make Bhishma desist! He doth not execute out my wish! It is for this that I have challenged him!'
"Vaisampayana continued, 'Thus addressed by Rama, Ganga, from affection for her son, came back to Bhishma. But Bhishma, with eyes rolling in anger, refused to do her bidding. Just at this time, the mighty ascetic Rama, that foremost one of Bhrigu's race, appeared in Bhishma's sight. An then that best of the twice-born ones challenged him to the encounter.'"

Book 5
Chapter 182

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      samāgatasya rāmeṇa punar evātidāruṇam
      anyedyus tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ tadā bharatasattama
  2 tato divyāstravic chūro divyāny astrāṇy anekaśaḥ
      ayojayata dharmātmā divase divase vibhuḥ
  3 tāny ahaṃ tatpratīghātair astrair astrāṇi bhārata
      vyadhamaṃ tumule yuddhe prāṇāṃs tyaktvā sudustyajān
  4 astrair astreṣu bahudhā hateṣv atha ca bhārgavaḥ
      akrudhyata mahātejās tyaktaprāṇaḥ sa saṃyuge
  5 tataḥ śaktiṃ prāhiṇod ghorarūpām; astrai ruddho jāmadagnyo mahātmā
      kālotsṛṣṭāṃ prajvalitām ivolkāṃ; saṃdīptāgrāṃ tejasāvṛtya lokān
  6 tato 'haṃ tām iṣubhir dīpyamānaiḥ; samāyāntīm antakālārkadīptām
      chittvā tridhā pātayām āsa bhūmau; tato vavau pavanaḥ puṇyagandhiḥ
  7 tasyāṃ chinnāyāṃ krodhadīpto 'tha rāmaḥ; śaktīr ghorāḥ prāhiṇod dvādaśānyāḥ
      tāsāṃ rūpaṃ bhārata nota śakyaṃ; tejasvitvāl lāghavāc caiva vaktum
  8 kiṃ tv evāhaṃ vihvalaḥ saṃpradṛśya; digbhyaḥ sarvās tā maholkā ivāgneḥ
      nānārūpās tejasogreṇa dīptā; yathādityā dvādaśa lokasaṃkṣaye
  9 tato jālaṃ bāṇamayaṃ vivṛtya; saṃdṛśya bhittvā śarajālena rājan
      dvādaśeṣūn prāhiṇavaṃ raṇe 'haṃ; tataḥ śaktīr vyadhamaṃ ghorarūpāḥ
  10 tato 'parā jāmadagnyo mahātmā; śaktīr ghorāḥ prākṣipad dhemadaṇḍāḥ
     vicitritāḥ kāñcanapaṭṭanaddhā; yathā mahoklā jvalitās tathā tāḥ
 11 tāś cāpy ugrāś carmaṇā vārayitvā; khaḍgenājau pātitā me narendra
     bāṇair divyair jāmadagnyasya saṃkhye; divyāṃś cāśvān abhyavarṣaṃ sasūtān
 12 nirmuktānāṃ pannagānāṃ sarūpā; dṛṣṭvā śaktīr hemacitrā nikṛttāḥ
     prāduścakre divyam astraṃ mahātmā; krodhāviṣṭo haihayeśapramāthī
 13 tataḥ śreṇyaḥ śalabhānām ivogrāḥ; samāpetur viśikhānāṃ pradīptāḥ
     samācinoc cāpi bhṛśaṃ śarīraṃ; hayān sūtaṃ sarathaṃ caiva mahyam
 14 rathaḥ śarair me nicitaḥ sarvato 'bhūt; tathā hayāḥ sārathiś caiva rājan
     yugaṃ ratheṣā ca tathaiva cakre; tathaivākṣaḥ śarakṛtto 'tha bhagnaḥ
 15 tatas tasmin bāṇavarṣe vyatīte; śaraugheṇa pratyavarṣaṃ guruṃ tam
     sa vikṣato mārgaṇair brahmarāśir; dehād ajasraṃ mumuce bhūri raktam
 16 yathā rāmo bāṇajālābhitaptas; tathaivāhaṃ subhṛśaṃ gāḍhaviddhaḥ
     tato yuddhaṃ vyaramac cāparāhṇe; bhānāv astaṃ prārthayāne mahīdhram

SECTION CLXXXII

"Bhishma said, 'I then smilingly addressed Rama stationed for battle, saying,--Myself on my car, I do not wish to fight with thee that art on the earth! Mount on a car, O hero, and case thy body in mail, O mighty-armed one, if indeed, O Rama, thou wishest to fight me in battle!--Then Rama smilingly replied unto me on that field of battle, saying, 'The Earth, O Bhishma, is my car, and Vedas, like good steeds, are the animals that carry me! The wind is my car-driver, and my coat of mail is constituted by those mothers in the Vedas (viz., Gayatri, Savitri and Saraswati). Well-covered by these in battle, O son of Kuru's race, I will fight!' Having said this, O Gandhari's son. Rama of prowess incapable of being baffled, covered me on all sides with a thick shower of arrows. I then beheld Jamadagni's son stationed on a car equipped with every kind of excellent weapons! And the car he rode was exceedingly handsome and was of wonderful appearance. And it had been created by a fiat of his will, and it was beautiful like a town. And celestial steeds were yoked unto it, and it was well-protected by the necessary defences. And it was decked all over with ornaments of gold. And it was well-covered with tough skins all around, and bore the device of the sun and the moon. Rama was armed with bow and equipped with a quiver, and with fingers cased in leathern fences! Akritavrana, the dear friend of Bhargava, well-versed in the Vedas, did the duties of a car-driver for that warrior. And he, of Bhrigu's race, repeatedly summoning me to battle, saying,--Come, come,--gladden my heart. And I then, myself, singly obtained for my adversary that invincible and mighty exterminator of the Kshatriya race, viz., Rama risen like the sun himself in splendour, desirous (on his part) of fighting singly! And after he
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had poured three showers of arrows on me curbing my steeds, I came down from my car and placing my bow aside I proceeded on foot to that best of Rishis. And arriving before him, I worshipped the best of Brahmanas with reverence. And having saluted him duly, I told him these excellent words,--O Rama, whether thou art equal or superior to me, I will fight with thee, my virtuous preceptor, in battle! O lord, bless me, wishing me victory!'
"Rama, thus addressed, said, 'O foremost one of Kuru's race, he that desires prosperity should act even thus! O thou of mighty arms, they that fight with warriors more eminent than themselves, have this duty to perform. O king, I would have cursed thee if thou hadst not approached me thus! Go, fight carefully and summoning all thy patience, O thou of Kuru's race! I cannot, however, wish thee victory, for I myself stand here to vanquish thee! Go, fight fairly! I am pleased with thy behaviour!--Bowing unto him, I then speedily came back, and mounting on my car, I once more blew my conch decked with gold, And then, O Bharata, the combat commenced between him and me. And it lasted for many days. each of us, O king, having been desirous of vanquishing the other. And in that battle, it was Rama who struck me first with nine hundred and sixty straight arrows furnished with vulturine wings. And with that arrowy shower, O king, my four steeds and charioteer were completely covered! Notwithstanding all this, however, I remained quiet in that encounter, accoutred in my coat of mail! Bowing unto the gods, and especially unto the Brahmanas, I then smilingly addressed Rama stationed for battle, saying,--Although thou hast shown little regard for me, yet I have fully honoured thy preceptorship! Listen again, O Brahmana, to some other auspicious duty that should be discharged if virtue is to be earned! The Vedas that are in thy body, and the high status of Brahmana that is also in thee, and the ascetic merit thou hast earned by the severest of austerities, I do not strike at these! I strike, however, at that Kshatriyahood which thou, O Rama, hast adopted! When a Brahmana taketh up weapons, he becometh a Kshatriya. Behold now the power of my bow and the energy of my arms! Speedily shall I cut off that bow of thine with a sharp shaft!--Saying this I shot at him, O bull of Bharata's race, a sharp broad-headed arrow, And cutting off one of the horns of his bow with it. I caused it to drop on the ground. I then shot at Jamadagni's car a hundred straight arrows winged with vulturine feathers. Piercing through Rama's body and borne along by the wind, those arrows coursing through space seemed to vomit blood (from their mouths) and resembled veritable snakes. Covered all over with blood and with blood issuing out of his body. Rama, O king, shone in battle, like the Sumeru mountain with streams of liquid metal rolling down its breast, or like the Asoka tree at the advent of spring, when covered with red bunches of flowers, or, O king, like the Kinsuka tree when clad in its flowery attire! Taking up then another bow, Rama, filled with wrath, showered upon
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me numerous arrows of excessive sharpness, furnished with golden wings. And those fierce arrows of tremendous impetus, resembling snakes, or fire, or poison, coming at me from all sides, pierced my very vitals and caused me to tremble. Summoning all my coolness then addressed myself for the encounter, and filled with rage I pierced Rama with a hundred arrows. And afflicted with those hundred blazing shafts resembling either fire, or the sun or looking like snakes of virulent poison, Rama seemed to lose his senses! Filled, O Bharata, with pity (at the sight), I stopped of my own accord and said,--Oh, fie on battle! Fie on Kshatriya practices! And overwhelmed, O king, with grief, I repeatedly said,--Alas, great is the sin committed by me through observance of Kshatriya practices, since I have afflicted with arrows my preceptor who is a Brahmana endued with a virtuous soul!--After that, O Bharata, I ceased striking Jamadagni's son any more. At this time, the thousand-rayed luminary, having heated the earth with his rays, proceeded at the close of day to his chambers in the west and the battle also between us ceased.'"

Book 5
Chapter 183

 1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tataḥ prabhāte rājendra sūrye vimala udgate
      bhārgavasya mayā sārdhaṃ punar yuddham avartata
  2 tato bhrānte rathe tiṣṭhan rāmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ
      vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi mayi śakra ivācale
  3 tena sūto mama suhṛc charavarṣeṇa tāḍitaḥ
      nipapāta rathopasthe mano mama viṣādayan
  4 tataḥ sūtaḥ sa me 'tyarthaṃ kaśmalaṃ prāviśan mahat
      pṛthivyāṃ ca śarāghātān nipapāta mumoha ca
  5 tataḥ sūto 'jahāt prāṇān rāmabāṇaprapīḍitaḥ
      muhūrtād iva rājendra māṃ ca bhīr āviśat tadā
  6 tataḥ sūte hate rājan kṣipatas tasya me śarān
      pramattamanaso rāmaḥ prāhiṇon mṛtyusaṃmitān
  7 tataḥ sūtavyasaninaṃ viplutaṃ māṃ sa bhārgavaḥ
      śareṇābhyahanad gāḍhaṃ vikṛṣya balavad dhanuḥ
  8 sa me jatrvantare rājan nipatya rudhirāśanaḥ
      mayaiva saha rājendra jagāma vasudhātalam
  9 matvā tu nihataṃ rāmas tato māṃ bharatarṣabha
      meghavad vyanadac coccair jahṛṣe ca punaḥ punaḥ
  10 tathā tu patite rājan mayi rāmo mudā yutaḥ
     udakrośan mahānādaṃ saha tair anuyāyibhiḥ
 11 mama tatrābhavan ye tu kauravāḥ pārśvataḥ sthitāḥ
     āgatā ye ca yuddhaṃ taj janās tatra didṛkṣavaḥ
     ārtiṃ paramikāṃ jagmus te tadā mayi pātite
 12 tato 'paśyaṃ pātito rājasiṃha; dvijān aṣṭau sūryahutāśanābhān
     te māṃ samantāt parivārya tasthuḥ; svabāhubhiḥ parigṛhyājimadhye
 13 rakṣyamāṇaś ca tair viprair nāhaṃ bhūmim upāspṛśam
     antarikṣe sthito hy asmi tair viprair bāndhavair iva
     svapann ivāntarikṣe ca jalabindubhir ukṣitaḥ
 14 tatas te brāhmaṇā rājann abruvan parigṛhya mām
     mā bhair iti samaṃ sarve svasti te 'stv iti cāsakṛt
 15 tatas teṣām ahaṃ vāgbhis tarpitaḥ sahasotthitaḥ
     mātaraṃ saritāṃ śreṣṭhām apaśyaṃ ratham āsthitām
 16 hayāś ca me saṃgṛhītās tayā vai; mahānadyā saṃyati kauravendra
     pādau jananyāḥ pratipūjya cāhaṃ; tathārṣṭiṣeṇaṃ ratham abhyaroham
 17 rarakṣa sā mama rathaṃ hayāṃś copaskarāṇi ca
     tām ahaṃ prāñjalir bhūtvā punar eva vyasarjayam
 18 tato 'haṃ svayam udyamya hayāṃs tān vātaraṃhasaḥ
     ayudhyaṃ jāmadagnyena nivṛtte 'hani bhārata
 19 tato 'haṃ bharataśreṣṭha vegavantaṃ mahābalam
     amuñcaṃ samare bāṇaṃ rāmāya hṛdayacchidam
 20 tato jagāma vasudhāṃ bāṇavegaprapīḍitaḥ
     jānubhyāṃ dhanur utsṛjya rāmo mohavaśaṃ gataḥ
 21 tatas tasmin nipatite rāme bhūrisahasrade
     āvavrur jaladā vyoma kṣaranto rudhiraṃ bahu
 22 ulkāś ca śataśaḥ petuḥ sanirghātāḥ sakampanāḥ
     arkaṃ ca sahasā dīptaṃ svarbhānur abhisaṃvṛṇot
 23 vavuś ca vātāḥ paruṣāś calitā ca vasuṃdharā
     gṛdhrā baḍāś ca kaṅkāś ca paripetur mudā yutāḥ
 24 dīptāyāṃ diśi gomāyur dāruṇaṃ muhur unnadat
     anāhatā dundubhayo vinedur bhṛśanisvanāḥ
 25 etad autpātikaṃ ghoram āsīd bharatasattama
     visaṃjñakalpe dharaṇīṃ gate rāme mahātmani
 26 tato ravir mandamarīcimaṇḍalo; jagāmāstaṃ pāṃsupuñjāvagāḍhaḥ
     niśā vyagāhat sukhaśītamārutā; tato yuddhaṃ pratyavahārayāvaḥ
 27 evaṃ rājan avahāro babhūva; tataḥ punar vimale 'bhūt sughoram
     kālyaṃ kālyaṃ viṃśatiṃ vai dināni; tathaiva cānyāni dināni trīṇi

SECTION CLXXXIII

"Bhishma said, 'After the battle had ceased, my charioteer, well-skilled in such operations, drew out from his own body, from the bodies of my steeds, and from my body as well, the arrows that struck there. Next morning, when the sun rose, the battle commenced again, my horses having (a little while before) been bathed and allowed to roll on the ground and having had their thirst slaked and thereby re-invigorated. And beholding me coming quickly to the encounter attired in a coat of mail and stationed on my car, the mighty Rama equipped his car with great care. And I myself also, beholding Rama coming towards me from desire of battle, placed aside my bow and quickly descended from my car. Saluting Rama I re-ascended it, O Bharata, and desirous of giving battle, stood fearlessly before that son of Jamadagni. I then overwhelmed him with a thick shower of arrows, and he too covered me with an arrowy shower in return. And filled with wrath. Jamadagni's son once more shot at me a number of fierce shafts of great force and blazing mouths looking like veritable snakes! And I too, O king, shooting sharp shafts by hundreds and thousands, repeatedly cut: off Rama's arrows in mid-air before they could come at me. Then the mighty son of Jamadagni began to hurl celestial weapons at me, all of which I repelled, desirous of achieving mightier feats, O thou of strong arms, with-my weapons. And loud was the din that then arose in the welkin all around. At that time, I hurled at Rama the weapon named Vayavya
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which Rama neutralised, O Bharata, by the weapon called Guhyaka. Then I applied, with proper mantras, the weapon called Agneya but the lord Rama neutralised that weapon of mine by one (of his) called Varuna. And it was in this way that I neutralised the celestial weapons of Rama, and that chastiser of foes, Rama also, endued with great energy and acquainted with celestial weapons, neutralised the weapons shot by me. Then, O monarch, that best of Brahmanas, the mighty son of Jamadagni, filled with wrath, suddenly wheeling to my right, pierced me in the breast. At this, O best of the Bharatas, I swooned on my best of cars. And beholding me, reft of consciousness, my charioteer quickly bore me away from the field. And seeing me afflicted and pierced with Rama's weapons and borne away drooping and in a swoon, all the followers of Rama, including Akritavrana and others and the princess of Kasi, filled with joy, O Bharata, began to shout aloud! Regaining consciousness then, I addressed my charioteer, saying,--Go where Rama stayeth! My pains have left me, and I am ready for battle!--Thus instructed, my charioteer soon took me where Rama was, with the aid of those exceedingly handsome steeds of mine that seemed to dance as they coursed (through the plain) and that were endued with the speed of the wind. And approaching Rama then, O thou of Kuru's race, and filled with wrath, from desire of vanquishing his angry self, I overwhelmed him with an arrowy shower! But Rama, shooting three for every single of mine, cut into fragments every one of my straight-going arrows in mid air before any of them could reach him! And beholding those well-furnished arrows of mine by hundreds and thousands, each cut off in twain by Rama's arrows, all the followers of Rama were filled with joy. Impelled then by the desire of slaying him, I shot at Rama, the son of Jamadagni, a good-looking arrow of blazing effulgence with Death's self sitting at its head. Struck very forcibly therewith and succumbing to its impetus, Rama fell into a swoon and dropped down on the ground. And when Rama thus dropped on the ground, exclamations of Oh and Alas arose on all sides, and the whole universe, O Bharata, was filled with confusion and alarm, such as may be witnessed if the sun himself were ever to fall down from the firmament! Then all those ascetics together with the princess of Kasi, quietly proceeded, O son of Kuru's race, with great anxiety towards Rama. And embracing him, O Kaurava, they began to comfort him softly with the touch of their hands, rendered cold by contact with water, and with assurances of victory. Thus comforted, Rama rose up and fixing an arrow to his bow he addressed me in an agitated voice, saying, 'Stay, O Bhishma! Thou art already slain! And let off by him, that arrow quickly pierced my left side in that fierce encounter. And struck therewith, I began to tremble like a tree shaken by the tempest. Slaying my horses then in terrific combat, Rama, fighting with great coolness, covered me with swarms of winged arrows, shot with remarkable lightness of hand. At this, O mighty-armed one, I also began to shoot arrows with great
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lightness of hand for obstructing Rama's arrowy shower. Then those arrows shot by myself and Rama covering the welkin all around, stayed even there (without failing down). And, thereupon, enveloped by clouds of arrows the very sun could not shed its rays through them. And the very wind, obstructed by those clouds, seemed to be unable to pass through them. Then, in consequence of the obstructed motion of the wind, the rays of the sun, and the clash of the arrows against one another, a conflagration was caused in the welkin. And then those arrows blazed forth in consequence of the fire generated by themselves, and fell on the earth, consumed into ashes! Then Rama, O Kaurava, filled with rage, covered me with hundreds and thousands and hundreds of thousands and hundreds of millions arrows! And I also, O king, with my arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, cut into fragments all those arrows of Rama and caused them to fall down on the earth like snakes cut into pieces. And it was thus, O best of the Bharatas, that combat took place. When, however, the shades of evening approached, my preceptor withdrew from the fight.'"

Book 5
Chapter 184

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tato 'haṃ niśi rājendra praṇamya śirasā tadā
      brahmaṇānāṃ pitṝṇāṃ ca devatānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ
  2 naktaṃcarāṇāṃ bhūtānāṃ rajanyāś ca viśāṃ pate
      śayanaṃ prāpya rahite manasā samacintayam
  3 jāmadagnyena me yuddham idaṃ paramadāruṇam
      ahāni subahūny adya vartate sumahātyayam
  4 na ca rāmaṃ mahāvīryaṃ śaknomi raṇamūrdhani
      vijetuṃ samare vipraṃ jāmadagnyaṃ mahābalam
  5 yadi śakyo mayā jetuṃ jāmadagnyaḥ pratāpavān
      daivatāni prasannāni darśayantu niśāṃ mama
  6 tato 'haṃ niśi rājendra prasuptaḥ śaravikṣataḥ
      dakṣiṇenaiva pārśvena prabhātasamaye iva
  7 tato 'haṃ vipramukhyais tair yair asmi patito rathāt
      utthāpito dhṛtaś caiva mā bhair iti ca sāntvitaḥ
  8 ta eva māṃ mahārāja svapnadarśanam etya vai
      parivāryābruvan vākyaṃ tan nibodha kurūdvaha
  9 uttiṣṭha mā bhair gāṅgeya bhayaṃ te nāsti kiṃ cana
      rakṣāmahe naravyāghra svaśarīraṃ hi no bhavān
  10 na tvāṃ rāmo raṇe jetā jāmadagnyaḥ kathaṃ cana
     tvam eva samare rāmaṃ vijetā bharatarṣabha
 11 idam atraṃ sudayitaṃ pratyabhijñāsyate bhavān
     viditaṃ hi tavāpy etat pūrvasmin dehadhāraṇe
 12 prājāpatyaṃ viśvakṛtaṃ prasvāpaṃ nāma bhārata
     na hīdaṃ veda rāmo 'pi pṛthivyāṃ vā pumān kva cit
 13 tat smarasva mahābāho bhṛśaṃ saṃyojayasva ca
     na ca rāmaḥ kṣayaṃ gantā tenāstreṇa narādhipa
 14 enasā ca na yogaṃ tvaṃ prāpsyase jātu mānada
     svapsyate jāmadagnyo 'sau tvadbāṇabalapīḍitaḥ
 15 tato jitvā tvam evainaṃ punar utthāpayiṣyasi
     astreṇa dayitenājau bhīṣma saṃbhodhanena vai
 16 evaṃ kuruṣva kauravya prabhāte ratham āsthitaḥ
     prasuptaṃ vā mṛtaṃ vāpi tulyaṃ manyāmahe vayam
 17 na ca rāmeṇa martavyaṃ kadā cid api pārthiva
     tataḥ samutpannam idaṃ prasvāpaṃ yujyatām iti
 18 ity uktvāntarhitā rājan sarva eva dvijottamāḥ
     aṣṭau sadṛśarūpās te sarve bhāsvaramūrtayaḥ

SECTION CLXXXIV

"Bhishma said, 'The next day, O bull of Bharata's race, frightful again was the combat that wok place between me and Rama when I encountered him once more. That hero of virtuous soul, conversant with celestial weapons,--the lord Rama, from day to day, began to use diverse kinds of celestial weapons. Regardless of life itself, which is so difficult of being sacrificed, in that fierce combat, O Bharata, I baffled all those weapons with such of mine as are capable of baffling them. And, O Bharata, when diverse weapons were in this way neutralised and baffled by means of counter-weapons, Rama, of mighty energy began to contend against me in that battle, reckless of his own life. Seeing all his weapons baffled, the high-souled son of Jamadagni then hurled at me a fierce lance, blazing like a meteor, with flaming mouth, filling the whole world, as it were, with its effulgence, and resembling the dart hurled by Death himself! I, however, with my arrows cut into three fragments that blazing dart rushing against me, and resembling in effulgence the sun that rises at end of the Yuga! At this, breezes charged with fragrant odours began to blow (around me). Beholding that dart of his cut off, Rama, burning with anger, hurled a dozen other fierce darts. Their forms, O Bharata, I am incapable of describing in consequence of their great effulgence and speed. How, indeed, shall I describe their forms? Beholding those diverse-looking darts approach me from all sides, like long tongues of fire and blazing forth with fierce energy
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like the dozen suns that arise at the time of the destruction of the universe, I was filled with fear. Seeing an arrowy net advancing against me, I baffled it with an arrowy downpour of mine, and then sent a dozen shafts by which I consumed those fierce-looking dozen darts of Rama. Then, O king, the high-souled son of Jamadagni showered on me numerous fierce-looking darts, furnished with variegated handles decked with gold, possessed of golden wings, and resembling flaming meteors! Baffling those fierce darts by means of my shield and sword, and causing them in that combat to fall down on the ground, I then, with clouds of excellent arrows, covered Rama's excellent steeds and his charioteer. Then that high-souled smiter of the lord of the Haihayas, 1 beholding those darts of mine equipped with gold-decked handles and resembling snakes emerged out of their holes, and filled with wrath at the sight, had recourse once more to celestial weapons! Then swarms of fierce arrows, looking like flights of locusts fell upon me and overwhelmed me, my steeds, my charioteer, and my car! Indeed, O king, my car, horses, and charioteer, were covered all over with those arrows! And the yoke, shaft, wheels, and the wheel-spokes of my car, overwhelmed with that arrowy shower, at once broke. After that arrowy shower, however, was over, I also covered my preceptor with a thick shower of arrows. Thereupon, that mass of Brahmic merit, mangled with that arrowy downpour, began to bleed copiously, and continuously. Indeed, like Rama afflicted with my clouds of arrows, I too was densely pierced with his arrows. When at last in the evening, the sun set behind the western hills, our combat came to an end.'"

Book 5
Chapter 185

1 bhīṣma uvāca
      tato rātryāṃ vyatītāyāṃ pratibuddho 'smi bhārata
      taṃ ca saṃcintya vai svapnam avāpaṃ harṣam uttamam
  2 tataḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ mama tasya ca bhārata
      tumulaṃ sarvabhūtānāṃ lomaharṣaṇam adbhutam
  3 tato bāṇamayaṃ varṣaṃ vavarṣa mayi bhārgavaḥ
      nyavārayam ahaṃ taṃ ca śarajālena bhārata
  4 tataḥ paramasaṃkruddhaḥ punar eva mahātapāḥ
      hyastanenaiva kopena śaktiṃ vai prāhiṇon mayi
  5 indrāśanisamasparśāṃ yamadaṇḍopamaprabhām
      jvalantīm agnivat saṃkhye lelihānāṃ samantataḥ
  6 tato bharataśārdūla dhiṣṇyam ākāśagaṃ yathā
      sā mām abhyahanat tūrṇam aṃsadeśe ca bhārata
  7 athāsṛṅ me 'sravad ghoraṃ girer gairikadhātuvat
      rāmeṇa sumahābāho kṣatasya kṣatajekṣaṇa
  8 tato 'haṃ jāmadagnyāya bhṛśaṃ krodhasamanvitaḥ
      preṣayaṃ mṛtyusaṃkāśaṃ bāṇaṃ sarpaviṣopamam
  9 sa tenābhihato vīro lalāṭe dvijasattamaḥ
      aśobhata mahārāja saśṛṅga iva parvataḥ
  10 sa saṃrabdhaḥ samāvṛtya bāṇaṃ kālānakopamam
     saṃdadhe balavat kṛṣya ghoraṃ śatrunibarhaṇam
 11 sa vakṣasi papātograḥ śaro vyāla iva śvasan
     mahīṃ rājaṃs tataś cāham agacchaṃ rudhirāvilaḥ
 12 avāpya tu punaḥ saṃjñāṃ jāmadagnyāya dhīmate
     prāhiṇvaṃ vimalāṃ śaktiṃ jvalantīm aśanīm iva
 13 sā tasya dvijamukhyasya nipapāta bhujāntare
     vihvalaś cābhavad rājan vepathuś cainam āviśat
 14 tata enaṃ pariṣvajya sakhā vipro mahātapāḥ
     akṛtavraṇaḥ śubhair vākyair āśvāsayad anekadhā
 15 samāśvastas tadā rāmaḥ krodhāmarṣasamanvitaḥ
     prāduścakre tadā brāhmaṃ paramāstraṃ mahāvrataḥ
 16 tatas tat pratighātārthaṃ brāham evāstram uttamam
     mayā prayuktaṃ jajvāla yugāntam iva darśayat
 17 tayor brahmāstrayor āsīd antarā vai samāgamaḥ
     asaṃprāpyaiva rāmaṃ ca māṃ ca bhāratasattama
 18 tato vyomni prādurabhūt teja eva hi kevalam
     bhūtāni caiva sarvāṇi jagmur ārtiṃ viśāṃ pate
 19 ṛṣayaś ca sagandharvā devatāś caiva bhārata
     saṃtāpaṃ paramaṃ jagmur astratejo'bhipīḍitāḥ
 20 tataś cacāla pṛthivī saparvatavanadrumā
     saṃtaptāni ca bhūtāni viṣādaṃ jagmur uttamam
 21 prajajvāla nabho rājan dhūmāyante diśo daśa
     na sthātum antarikṣe ca śekur ākāśagās tadā
 22 tato hāhākṛte loke sadevāsurarākṣase
     idam antaram ity eva yoktukāmo 'smi bhārata
 23 prasvāpam astraṃ dayitaṃ vacanād brahmavādinām
     cintitaṃ ca tad astraṃ me manasi pratyabhāt tadā

SECTION CLXXXV

"Bhishma said, 'Next morning, O king, when the sun rose brightly, the combat between myself and him of Bhrigu's race, again, commenced. Then Rama, that foremost of smiters, stationed on his quickly-moving car, rained on me a thick downpour of arrows like the clouds on the mountain-breast. My beloved charioteer then, afflicted by that arrowy shower, swerved from his place in the car, filling me with grief on his account. A total unconsciousness then came over him. And thus wounded by that arrowy downpour he fell down upon the earth in a swoon. And afflicted as he had been by Rama's shafts, he soon gave up his life. Then, O great king, fear entered my heart. And when, on the death of
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my charioteer, I was still lamenting for him with heart unhinged by sorrow, Rama began to shoot at me many death-dealing shafts. Indeed, even when endangered at the death of my charioteer I was lamenting for him, he of Bhrigu's race, drawing the bow with strength, pierced me deep with an arrow! O king, that blood-drinking shaft, falling upon my breast, pierced me through and fell simultaneously with my person upon the earth! Then, O bull of Bharata's race, thinking I was dead, Rama repeatedly roared aloud like the clouds and rejoiced exceedingly! indeed, O king, when thus I fell down on the earth, Rama, filled with joy, sent forth loud shouts along with his followers, while all the Kauravas who stood beside me and all those who came there to witness the combat were afflicted with great woe on seeing me fall. While lying prostrate, O lion among kings, I beheld eight Brahmanas endued with the effulgence of the sun or the fire. They stood surrounding me on that field of battle and supporting me on their arms. Indeed, borne up by those Brahmanas I had not to touch the ground. Like friends they supported me in mid-air while I was breathing heavily. And they were sprinkling me with drops of water. And bearing me up as they stood, they then, O king, repeatedly said unto me, 'Do not fear! Let prosperity be thine!' Comforted then by those words of theirs, I quickly rose up. I then beheld my mother Ganga--that foremost of the rivers, stationed on my car. Indeed, O king of the Kurus, it was that great river-goddess who had controlled my steeds in the combat (after my charioteer's fall)! Worshipping then the feet of my mother and of the spirits of my ancestors, I ascended my car. My mother then protected my car, steeds, and all the implements of battle. With joined bands I entreated her to go away. Having dismissed her, I myself restrained those steeds endued with the speed of the wind, and fought with Jamadagni's son, O Bharata, till the close of the day! Then, O chief of the Bharatas, in course of that combat, I shot at Rama a powerful and heart-piercing arrow endued with great speed. Afflicted with that shaft, Rama then, his bow loosened from his grasp, fell down upon the earth on his knees, reft of consciousness! And when Rama, that giver of many thousands (of golden coins) fell, masses of clouds covered the firmament, pouring a copious shower of blood! And meteors by hundreds fell, and thunder-rolls were heard, causing everything to tremble! And suddenly Rahu enveloped the blazing sun, and rough winds began to blow! And the earth itself began to tremble. And vultures and crows and cranes began to alight in joy! And the points of the horizon seemed to be ablaze and jackals began repeatedly to yell fiercely! And drums, unstruck (by human hands), began to produce harsh sound! Indeed, when the high-souled Rama embraced the earth, reft of consciousness, all these frightful and alarming omens of evil were seen! Then all on a sudden rising up, Rama approached me once more, O Kaurava, for battle, forgetting everything and deprived of his senses by anger. And that mighty-armed one took up his bow endued with great
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strength and also a deadly arrow. I, however, resisted him successfully. The great Rishis then (that stood there) were filled with pity at the sight, while he, however, of Bhrigu's race, was filled with great wrath. I then took up a shaft, resembling the blazing fire that appears at the end of the Yuga, but Rama of immeasurable soul baffled that weapon of mine. Then covered by clouds of dust, the splendour of the solar disc was dimmed, and the sun went to the western mount. And night came with its delicious and cool breezes, and then both of us desisted from the fight. In this way, O king, when evening came the fierce battle ceased, and (next day) with the re-appearance of the sun it commenced again. And it lasted for three and twenty days together.'"

 

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