srimahabharat - (Book 8) Karna Parva - chapters 47 to 60

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

Book 8
Chapter 47

1 [s]
      tad dharmaśīlasya vaco niśamya; rājñaḥ kruddhasyādhirathau mahātmā
      uvāca durdharṣam adīnasattvaṃ; yudhiṣṭhiraṃ jiṣṇur anantavīryaḥ
  2 saṃśaptakair yudhyamānasya me 'dya; senāgrayāyī kurusainyasya rājan
      āśīviṣābhān khagamān pramuñcan; drauṇiḥ purastāt sahasā vyatiṣṭhat
  3 dṛṣṭvā rathaṃ meghanibhaṃ mamemam; ambaṣṭha senā maraṇe vyatiṣṭhat
      teṣām ahaṃ pañca śatāni hatvā; tato drauṇim agamaṃ pārthivāgrya
  4 tato 'parān bāṇasaṃghān anekān; ākarṇapūrṇāyata vipramuktān
      sasarja śikṣāstra balaprayatnair; tathā yathā prāvṛṣi kāmameghaḥ
  5 naivādadānaṃ na ca saṃdadhānaṃ; jānīmahe katareṇāsyati iti
      vāmena vā yadi vā dakṣiṇena; sa droṇaputraḥ samare paryavartat
  6 avidhyan māṃ pañcabhir droṇaputraḥ; śitaiḥ śaraiḥ pañcabhir vāsudevam
      ahaṃ tu taṃ triṃśatā vajrakalpaiḥ; samārdayaṃ nimiṣasyāntareṇa
  7 sa vikṣaran rudhiraṃ sarvagātrai; rathānīkaṃ sūta sūnor viveśa
      mayābhibhūtaḥ sainikānāṃ prabarhān; asāv apaśyan rudhireṇa pradigdhān
  8 tato 'bhibhūtaṃ yudhi vīkṣya sainyaṃ; vidhvastayodhaṃ drutavājināgam
      pañcāśatā rathamukhaiḥ sametaḥ; karṇas tvaran mām upāyāt pramāthī
  9 tān sūdayitvāham apāsya karṇaṃ; draṣṭuṃ bhavantaṃ tvarayābhiyātaḥ
      sarve pāñcālā hy udvijante sma karṇād; gandhād gāvaḥ kesariṇo yathaiva
  10 mahājhaṣasyeva mukhaṃ prapannāḥ; prabhadrakāḥ karṇam abhi dravanti
     mṛtyor āsyaṃ vyāttam ivānvapadyan; prabhadrakāḥ karṇam āsādya rājan
 11 āyāhi paśyādya yuyutsamānaṃ; māṃ sūtaputraṃ ca vṛtau jayāya
     ṣaṭ sāhasrā bhārata rājaputrāḥ; svargāya lokāya rathā nimagnāḥ
 12 sametyāhaṃ sūtaputreṇa saṃkhye; vṛtreṇa vajrīva narendramukhya
     yotsye bhṛśaṃ bhārata sūtaputram; asmin saṃgrāme yadi vai dṛśyate 'dya
 13 karṇaṃ na ced adya nihanmi rājan; sabāndhavaṃ yudhyamānaṃ prasahya
     pratiśrutyākurvatāṃ vai gatir yā; kaṣṭāṃ gaccheyaṃ tām ahaṃ rājasiṃha
 14 āmantraye tvāṃ brūhi jayaṃ raṇe me; purā bhīmaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrā grasante
     sautiṃ haniṣyāmi narendra siṃha; sainyaṃ tathā śatrugaṇāṃś ca sarvān

47

"Dhritarashtra said, 'When the two armies, duly arrayed, thus mingled with each other for battle, O Sanjaya, how did Partha assail the samsaptakas, and how Karna assail the Pandavas? Tell me the incidents of the battle in detail, for thou art skilled in narration. Listening to the accounts of the prowess of heroes in battle, I am never satiated.'
"Sanjaya said, 'Observing the vast hostile force stationed in that manner, Arjuna arrayed his troops in proper form, in consequence of the evil policy of thy son. The vast Pandava force then, teeming with horsemen and elephants and foot-soldiers and cars, and headed by Dhrishtadyumna, looked exceedingly magnificent. With his steeds white as pigeons, the son of Prishata, equal in splendour to the Sun or the Moon, armed with bow, looked resplendent like Death himself in embodied form. The sons of Draupadi, desirous of battle, stood by the side of the son of Prishata. They were clad in excellent coats of mail, and armed with excellent weapons, and all of them were endued with the prowess of tigers. Possessed of effulgent bodies, they followed their maternal uncle like the stars appearing with the Moon. Beholding the samsaptakas standing in array, Arjuna, with wrath excited, rushed against them, drawing his bow Gandiva. The samsaptakas then, desirous of slaying Arjuna, rushed against Partha, firmly resolved on victory, and making death their goal. That brave host of heroes, teeming with men, steeds, infuriate elephants, and cars, began very quickly to afflict Arjuna. Their encounter with Kiritin (Arjuna) became exceedingly furious. That encounter resembled the one that took place between Arjuna and the Nivatakavachas, as we have heard. Partha cut off cars and steeds and standards and elephants and foot-soldiers engaged in fight, with shafts and bows and swords and discs and battle axes, and uplifted arms with weapons in grasp, and the heads also of foes, by thousands upon thousands. The samsaptakas, regarding the car of Partha sunk in that deep vortex of warriors, uttered loud roars. Partha, however, slaying all his foes in front, slew those that stood further off, and then those that were on his right and his back, like Rudra himself in rage slaughtering all created things endued with life. The encounter that took place when the Pancalas, the Cedis, and the Srinjayas faced thy troops was exceedingly fierce. Kripa and Kritavarma, and Shakuni the son of Subala, those heroes difficult of defeat in battle, accompanied by troops that were all cheerful, themselves filled with rage, and capable of smiting down thick ranks of cars, fought with the Koshalas, the Kasis, the Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Surasenas, all of whom were possessed of great courage. That battle fraught with great slaughter and destructive of body, life and sins, became conducive to fame, heaven, and virtue, in respect of the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra heroes that were engaged in it. Meanwhile the Kuru king Duryodhana with his brothers, O bull of Bharata's race, and supported by many Kuru heroes and many mighty Madraka car-warriors, protected Karna while the latter was engaged in battle with the Pandavas, the Pancalas, the Cedis, and Satyaki. Destroying that vast division with his sharp arrows, and crushing many foremost of car-warriors Karna succeeded in afflicting Yudhishthira. Cutting off the armour, the weapons, and the bodies of thousands of foes and slaying his foes by thousands and sending them to heaven and making them earn great fame, Karna caused his friends great joy. Thus, O sire, that battle destructive of men, steeds, and cars, between the Kurus and the Srinjayas, resembled the battle between the gods and the Asuras of old.'"

Book 8
Chapter 48

  1 [s]
      śrutvā karṇaṃ kalyam udāravīryaṃ; kruddhaḥ pārthaḥ phalgunasyāmitaujāḥ
      dhanaṃjayaṃ vākyam uvāca cedaṃ; yudhiṣṭhiraḥ karṇa śarābhitaptaḥ
  2 idaṃ yadi dvaitavane hy avakṣyaḥ; karṇaṃ yoddhuṃ na prasahe nṛpeti
      vayaṃ tadā prāptakālāni sarve; vṛttāny upaiṣyāma tadaiva pārtha
  3 mayi pratiśrutya vadhaṃ hi tasya; balasya cāptasya tathaiva vīra
      ānīya naḥ śatrumadhyaṃ sa kasmāt; samutkṣipya sthaṇḍile pratyapiṃṣṭhāh
  4 anvāśiṣma vayam arjuna tvayi; yiyāsavo bahukalyāṇam iṣṭam
      tan naḥ sarvaṃ viphalaṃ rājaputra; phalārthināṃ niculevātipuṣpaḥ
  5 pracchāditaṃ baḍiśam ivāmiṣeṇa; pracchādito gavaya ivāpavācā
      anarthakaṃ me darśitavān asi tvaṃ; rājyārthino rājyarūpaṃ vināśam
  6 yat tat pṛthāṃ vāg uvācāntarikṣe; saptāha jāte tvayi mandabuddhau
      jātaḥ putro vāsava vikramo 'yaṃ; sarvāñ śūrāñ śātravāñ jeṣyatīti
  7 ayaṃ jetā khāṇḍave devasaṃghān; sarvāṇi bhūtāny api cottamaujāḥ
      ayaṃ jetā madrakaliṅgakekayān; ayaṃ kurūn hanti ca rājamadhye
  8 asmāt paro na bhavitā dhanurdharo; na vai bhūtaḥ kaś cana jātu jetā
      icchann āryaḥ sarvabhūtāni kuryād; vaśe vaśīsarvasamāpta vidyaḥ
  9 kāntyā śaśāṅkasya javena vāyoḥ; sthairyeṇa meroḥ kṣamayā pṛthivyāḥ
      sūryasya bhāsā dhanadasya lakṣmyā; śauryeṇa śakrasya bbalena viṣṇoḥ
  10 tulyo mahātmā tava kunti putro; jāto 'diter viṣṇur ivāri hantā
     sveṣāṃ jayāya dviṣatāṃ vadhāya; khyāto 'mitaujāḥ kulatantu kartā
 11 ity antarikṣe śataśṛṅgamūrdhni; tapasvināṃ śṛṇvatāṃ vāg uvāca
     evaṃvidhaṃ tvāṃ tac ca nābhūt tavādya; devā hi nūnam anṛtaṃ vadanti
 12 tathāpareṣām ṛṣisattamānāṃ; śrutvā giraṃ pūjayatāṃ sadaiva
     na saṃnatiṃ praiti suyodhanasya; na tvā jānāmy ādhirather bhayārtam
 13 tvaṣṭā kṛtaṃ vāham akūjanākṣaṃ; śubhaṃ samāsthāya kapidhvajaṃ tvam
     khaḍgaṃ gṛhītvā hemacitraṃ samiddhaṃ; dhanuś cedaṃ gāṇḍivaṃ tālamātram
     sa keśavenohyamānaḥ kathaṃ nu; karṇād bhīto vyapayāto 'si pārtha
 14 dhanuś caitat keśavāya pradāya; yantā bhaviṣyas tvaṃ raṇe ced durātman
     tato 'haniṣyat keśavaḥ karṇam ugraṃ; marutpatir vṛtram ivātta vajraḥ
 15 māse 'patiṣyaḥ pañcame tvaṃ prakṛcchre; na vā garbho 'py abhaviṣyaḥ pṛthāyāḥ
     tat te śramo rājaputrābhaviṣyan; na saṃgrāmād apayātuṃ durātman

48

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya, how Karna, having caused a great slaughter penetrated into the midst of the Pandava troops, and struck and afflicted king Yudhishthira. Who were those foremost of heroes among the Parthas that resisted Karna? Who were they whom Karna crushed before he could succeed in afflicting Yudhishthira?'
"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the Parthas headed by Dhrishtadyumna stationed for battle, that crusher of foes, viz., Karna, rushed impetuously against the Pancalas. Like swans rushing towards the sea, the Pancalas, longing for victory, rushed as quickly against that high-souled warrior advancing to the encounter. Then the blare of thousands of conchs, as if piercing the heart by its shrillness, arose from both hosts, and the fierce peal also of thousands of drums. The sound also of diverse musical instruments and the noise made by elephants and steeds and cars, and the leonine shouts of heroes, that arose there, became exceedingly awful. It seemed that the whole Earth with her mountains and trees and oceans, the entire welkin covered with wind-tossed clouds, and the whole firmament with the Sun, the Moon, and the stars, trembled with that sound. All creatures regarded that noise to be even such and became agitated. Those amongst them that were endued with little strength fell dead. Then Karna, excited with great wrath, quickly invoking his weapons, began to smite the Pandava army like Maghavat smiting the army of the Asuras. Penetrating then into the Pandava host and shooting his arrows, Karna slew seven and seventy foremost of warriors among the Prabhadrakas. Then that foremost of car-warriors, with five and twenty sharp shafts equipped with goodly wings, slew five and twenty Pancalas. With many cloth-yard shafts equipped with wings of gold and capable of piercing the bodies of all foes, that hero slew the Cedis by hundreds and thousands. While he was employed in achieving those superhuman feats in battle, large throngs of Pancala cars, O king, quickly surrounded him on all sides. Aiming then, O Bharata, five irresistible shafts, Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, slew five Pancala warriors. The five Pancalas, O Bharata, that he slew in that battle were Bhanudeva and Citrasena and Senavindu and Tapana and Surasena. While the Pancala heroes were thus being slaughtered with arrows in that great battle, loud cries of "Oh" and "Alas" arose from among the Pancala host. Then ten car-warriors among the Pancalas, O monarch, surrounded Karna. Them, too, Karna speedily slew with his shafts. The two protectors of Karna's car wheels, viz., his two invincible sons, O sire, that were named Sushena and Satyasena, began to fight, reckless of their very lives. The eldest son of Karna, viz., the mighty car-warrior Vrishasena, himself protected his father's rear. Then Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Vrikodara, Janamejaya, and Shikhandi, and many foremost warriors among the Prabhadrakas, and many amongst the Cedis, the Kaikayas, and the Pancalas, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the Matsyas, all clad in mail, rushed fiercely upon Radha's son, skilled in smiting, from desire of slaying him. Pouring upon him diverse kinds of weapons and thick showers of arrows, they began to afflict him like the clouds afflicting the mountain breast in the season of rains. Desirous of rescuing their father, the sons of Karna, all of whom were effectual smiters, and many other heroes, O king, of thy army, resisted those (Pandava) heroes. Sushena, cutting off with a broad-headed arrow the bow of Bhimasena, pierced Bhima himself with seven cloth-yard shafts in the chest, and uttered a loud roar. Then Vrikodara of terrible prowess, taking up another tough bow and stringing it quickly, cut off Sushena's bow. Excited with rage and as if dancing (on his car), he quickly pierced Sushena himself with ten arrows, and then pierced Karna, within the twinkling of an eye, with seventy sharp shafts. With ten other shafts, Bhima then felled Bhanusena, another son of Karna, with his steeds, driver, weapons, and standard, in the very sight of the latter's friends. The sightly head of that youth, graced with a face as beautiful as the Moon, cut off with a razor-headed arrow, looked like a lotus plucked from its stalk. Having slain Karna's son, Bhima began to afflict thy troops once more. Cutting off the bows then of Kripa and Hridika's son, he began to afflict those two also. Piercing Duhshasana with three arrows made wholly of iron, and Shakuni with six, he deprived both Uluka and his brother Patatri of their cars. Addressing Sushena next in these words, viz., "Thou art slain." Bhima took up an arrow. Karna, however, cut off that arrow and struck Bhima himself with three shafts. Then Bhima took up another straight arrow of great impetuosity and sped it at Sushena. But Vrisha cut that arrow also. Then Karna, desirous of rescuing his son, and wishing to make an end of the cruel Bhimasena, struck the latter with three and seventy fierce arrows. Then Sushena taking up an excellent bow capable of bearing a great strain, pierced Nakula with five arrows in the arms and the chest. Nakula, then piercing his antagonist with twenty strong shafts capable of bearing a great strain, uttered a loud roar and inspired Karna with fright. The mighty car-warrior Sushena, however, O king, piercing Nakula with ten shafts, quickly cut off the latter's bow with a razor-headed arrow. Then Nakula, insensate with rage, took up another bow, and resisted Sushena in that battle with nine shafts. That slayer of hostile heroes, O king, shrouding all the quarters with showers of arrows, slew Sushena's driver, and piercing Sushena himself again with three shafts, and then with three other broad-headed arrows, cut off his bow of great strength into three fragments. Sushena also, deprived of his senses in rage, took up another bow and pierced Nakula with sixty arrows and Sahadeva with seven. The battle raged fiercely, like that of the gods and the Asuras between those heroes striking one another. Satyaki, slaying the driver of Vrishasena with three arrows, cut off the latter's bow with a broad-headed shaft and struck his steeds with seven arrows. Crushing his standard then with another arrow, he struck Vrishasena himself with three arrows in the chest. Thus struck, Vrishasena became senseless on his car, but within the twinkling of an eye, stood up again. Deprived of his driver and steeds and car standard by Yuyudhana (Satyaki), Vrishasena then, armed with sword and shield, rushed against Yuyudhana from desire of slaying him. Satyaki, however, as his antagonist rushed towards him, struck at his sword and shield with ten arrows equipped with heads like a boar's ear. Then Duhshasana, beholding Vrishasena made carless and weaponless, quickly caused him to ascend his own car, and bearing him away from the spot, caused him to ride another vehicle. The mighty car-warrior Vrishasena then, riding on another vehicle, pierced the five sons of Draupadi with seventy and Yuyudhana with five, and Bhimasena with four and sixty, and Sahadeva with five, and Nakula with thirty, and Satanika with seven arrows, and Shikhandi with ten, and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These and many other foremost of heroes, O king, all inspired with desire of victory that great bowman, viz., the son of Karna, O monarch, continued to afflict with his shafts. Then, in that battle, the invincible Vrishasena continued to protect the rear of Karna. The grandson of Sini, having made Duhshasana driverless and steedless and carless by means of nine times nine arrows made wholly of iron, struck Duhshasana with ten shafts in the forehead. The Kuru prince then, riding on another car that was duly equipped (with all necessary implements), once more began to fight with the Pandavas, from within the division of Karna. Then Dhristadyumna pierced Karna with ten arrows, and the sons of Draupadi pierced him with three and seventy, and Yuyudhana with seven. And Bhimasena pierced him with four and sixty arrows, and Sahadeva with seven. And Nakula pierced him with thirty arrows, and Satanika with seven. And the heroic Shikhandi pierced him with ten and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These and other foremost of men, O monarch, all inspired with desire of victory, began to grind that great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, in that dreadful battle. That chastiser of foes, viz., the Suta's son of great heroism, performing quick evolutions with his car, pierced every one of those warriors with ten arrows. We then, O king, witnessed the lightness of hand displayed by the high-souled Karna and the power of his weapons. Indeed, what we saw appeared to be highly wonderful. People could not notice when he took up his arrows, when he aimed them, and when he let them off. They only beheld his enemies dying fast in consequence of his wrath. The sky, the firmament, the Earth, and all the quarters seemed to be entirely shrouded with sharp arrows. The firmament looked resplendent as if covered with red clouds. The valiant son of Radha, armed with the bow, and as if dancing (on his car), pierced each of his assailants with thrice as many arrows as each of them had pierced him with. And once more piercing each of them, and his steeds, driver, car, and standard with ten arrows, he uttered a loud roar. His assailants then gave him a way (through which he passed out). Having crushed those mighty bowmen with showers of arrows, the son of Radha, that crusher of foes, then penetrated, unresisted, into the midst of the division commanded by the Pandava king. Having destroyed thirty cars of the unreturning Cedis, the son of Radha struck Yudhishthira with many sharp arrows. Then many Pandava warriors, O king, with Shikhandi and Satyaki, desirous of rescuing the king from the son of Radha, surrounded the former. Similarly all the brave and mighty bowmen of thy army resolutely protected the irresistible Karna in that battle. The noise of diverse musical instrument arose then, O king, and the leonine shouts of brave warriors rent the sky. And the Kurus and the Pandavas once more fearlessly encountered each other, the former headed by the Suta's son and the latter by Yudhishthira.'"

Book 8
Chapter 49

  1 [s]
      yudhiṣṭhireṇaivam uktaḥ kaunteyaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ
      asiṃ jagrāha saṃkruddho jighāṃsur bharatarṣabham
  2 tasya kopaṃ samudvīkṣya cittajñaḥ keśavas tadā
      uvāca kim idaṃ pārtha gṛhītaḥ khaḍga ity uta
  3 neha paśyāmi yoddhavyaṃ tava kiṃ cid dhanaṃjaya
      te dhvastā dhārtarāṣṭrā hi sarve bhīmena dhīmatā
  4 apayāto 'si kaunteya rājā draṣṭavya ity api
      sa rājā bhavatā dṛṣṭaḥ kuśalī ca yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
  5 taṃ dṛṣṭvā nṛpaśārdūla śārdūla samavikramam
      harṣakāle tu saṃprāpte kasmāt tvā manyur āviśat
  6 na taṃ paśyāmi kaunteya yas te vadhyo bhaved iha
      kasmād bhavān mahākhaḍgaṃ parigṛhṇāti satvaram
  7 tat tvā pṛcchāmi kaunteya kim idaṃ te cikīrṣitam
      parāmṛśasi yat kruddhaḥ khaḍgam adbhutavikrama
  8 evam uktas tu kṛṣṇena prekṣamāṇo yudhiṣṭhiram
      arjunaḥ prāha govindaṃ kruddhaḥ sarpa iva śvasan
  9 dada gāṇḍīvam anyasmā iti māṃ yo 'bhicodayet
      chindyām ahaṃ śiras tasya ity upāṃśu vrataṃ mama
  10 tad ukto 'ham adīnātman rājñāmita parākrama
     samakṣaṃ tava govinda na tat kṣantum ihotsahe
 11 tasmād enaṃ vadhiṣyāmi rājānaṃ dharmabhīrukam
     pratijñāṃ pālayiṣyāmi hatvemaṃ narasattamam
     etadarthaṃ mayā khaḍggo gṛhīto yadunandana
 12 so 'haṃ yudhiṣṭhiraṃ hatvā satye 'py ānṛṇyatāṃ gataḥ
     viśoko vijvaraś cāpi bhaviṣyāmi janārdana
 13 kiṃ vā tvaṃ manyase prāptam asmin kāle samutthite
     tvam asya jagatas tāta vettha sarvaṃ gatāgatam
     tat tathā prakariṣyāmi yathā māṃ vakṣyate bhavān
 14 [k]
     idānīṃ pātha jānāmi na vṛddhāḥ sevitās tvayā
     akāle puruṣavyāghra saṃrambhakriyayānayā
     na hi dharmavibhāgajñaḥ kuryād evaṃ dhanaṃjaya
 15 akāryāṇāṃ ca kāryāṇāṃ saṃyogaṃ yaḥ karoti vai
     kāryāṇām akriyāṇāṃ ca sa pārtha puruṣādhamaḥ
 16 anusṛtya tu ye dharmaṃ kavayaḥ samupasthitāḥ
     samāsa vistaravidāṃ na teṣāṃ vettha niścayam
 17 aniścayajño hi naraḥ kāryākāryaviniścaye
     avaśo muhyate pārtha yathā tvaṃ mūḍha eva tu
 18 na hi kāryam akāryaṃ vā sukhaṃ jñātuṃ kathaṃ cana
     śrutena jñāyate sarvaṃ tac ca tvaṃ nāvabudhyase
 19 avijñānād bhavān yac ca dharmaṃ rakṣati dharmavit
     prāṇināṃ hi vadhaṃ pārtha dhārmiko nāvabudhyate
 20 prāṇinām avadhas tāta sarvajyāyān mato mama
     anṛtaṃ tu bhaved vācyaṃ na ca hiṃsyāt kathaṃ cana
 21 sa kathaṃ bhrātaraṃ jyeṣṭhaṃ rājānaṃ dharmakovidam
     hanyād bhavān naraśreṣṭha prākṛto 'nyaḥ pumān iva
 22 ayudhyamānasya vadhas tathāśastrasya bhārata
     parāṅmukhasya dravataḥ śaraṇaṃ vābhigacchataḥ
     kṛtāñjaleḥ prapannasya na vadhaḥ pujyate budhaiḥ
 23 tvayā caiva vrataṃ pārtha bālenaiva kṛtaṃ purā
     tasmād adharmasaṃyuktaṃ mauḍhyāt karma vyavasyasi
 24 sa guruṃ pārtha kasmāt tvaṃ hanyā dharmam anusmaran
     asaṃpradhārya dharmāṇāṃ gatiṃ sūkṣmāṃ duranvayām
 25 idaṃ dharmarahasyaṃ ca vakṣyāmi bharatarṣabha
     yad brūyāt tava bhīṣmo vā dharmajño vā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 26 viduro vā tathā kṣattā kuntī vāpi yaśasvinī
     tat te vakṣyāmi tattvena tan nibodha dhanaṃjaya
 27 satyasya vacanaṃ sādhu na satyād vidyate param
     tattvenaitat sudurjñeyaṃ yasya satyam anuṣṭhitam
 28 bhavet satyam avaktavyaṃ vaktavyam anṛtaṃ bhavet
     sarvasvasyāpahāre tu vaktavyam anṛtaṃ bhavet
 29 prāṇātyaye vivāhe ca vaktavyam anṛtaṃ bhavet
     yatrānṛtaṃ bhavet satyaṃ satyaṃ cāpy anṛtaṃ bhavet
 30 tādṛśaṃ paśyate bālo yasya satyam anuṣṭhitam
     satyānṛte viniścityal tato bhavati dharmavit
 31 kim āścaryaṃ kṛtaprajñaḥ puruṣo 'pi sudāruṇaḥ
     sumahat prāpnuyāt puṇyaṃ balāko 'ndhavadhād iva
 32 kim āścaryaṃ punar mūḍho dharmakāmo 'py apaṇḍitaḥ
     sumahat prāpnuyāt pāpam āpagām iva kauśikaḥ
 33 [arj]
     ācakṣva bhagavann etad yathā vidyām ahaṃ tathā
     balākāndhābhisaṃbaddhaṃ nadīnāṃ kauśikasya ca
 34 [k]
     mṛgavyādho 'bhavat kaś cid balāko nāma bhārata
     yātrārthaṃ putradārasya mṛgān hanti na kāmataḥ
 35 so 'ndhau ca mātā pitarau bibharty anyāṃś ca saṃśritān
     svadharmanirato nityaṃ satyavāg anasūyakaḥ
 36 sa kadā cin mṛgāṁl lipsur nānvavindat prayatnavān
     athāpaśyat sa pītodaṃ śvāpadaṃ ghrāṇacakṣuṣam
 37 adṛṣṭapūrvam api tat sattvaṃ tena hataṃ tadā
     anv eva ca tato vyomnaḥ puṣpavarṣam avāpatat
 38 apsarogītavāditrair nāditaṃ ca manoramam
     vimānam āgamat svargān mṛgavyādha ninīṣayā
 39 tad bhūtaṃ sara bhūtānām abhāvāya kilārjuna
     tapas taptvā varaṃ prāptaṃ kṛtam andhaṃ svayaṃ bhuvā
 40 tad dhatvā sarvabhūtānām abhāva kṛtaniścayam
     tato balākaḥ svaragād evaṃ dharmaḥ sudurvidaḥ
 41 kauśiko 'py abhavad vipras tapasvī na bahuśrutaḥ
     nadīnāṃ saṃgame grāmād adūre sa kilāvasat
 42 satyaṃ mayā sadā vācyam iti tasyābhavad vratam
     satyavādīti vikhyātaḥ sa tadāsīd dhanaṃjaya
 43 atha dasyu bhayāt kecittadā tad vanam āviśan
     dasyavo 'pi gatāḥ krūrā vyamārganta prayatnataḥ
 44 atha kauśikam abhyetya prāhus taṃ satyavādinam
     katamena pathā yātā bhagavan bahavo janāḥ
     satyena pṛṣṭhaprabrūhi yadi tān vettha śaṃsa naḥ
 45 sa pṛṣṭhaḥ kauśikaḥ satyaṃ vacanaṃ tān uvāca ha
     bahuvṛkṣa latāgulmam etad vanam upāśritāḥ
     tatas te tān samāsādya krūrā jaghnur iti śrutiḥ
 46 tenādharmeṇa mahatā vāg duruktena kauśikaḥ
     gataḥ sukaṣṭaṃ narakaṃ sūkṣmadharmeṣv akovidaḥ
     aprabhūta śruto mūḍho dharmāṇām avibhāgavit
 47 vṛddhān apṛṣṭvā saṃdehaṃ mahac chvabhram ito 'rhati
     tatra te lakṣaṇoddeśaḥ kaś cid eva bhaviṣyati
 48 duṣkaraṃ paramajñānaṃ karteṇātra vyavasyati
     śrutir dharma iti hy eke vadanti bahavo janāḥ
 49 na tv etat pratisūyāmi na hi sarvaṃ vidhīyate
     prabhavārthāya bhūtānāṃ dharmapravacanaṃ kṛtam
 50 dhāraṇād dharmam ity āhur dharmo dhārayati prajāḥ
     yaḥ syād dhāraṇa saṃyuktaḥ sa dharma iti niścayaḥ
 51 ye 'nyāyena jihīrṣanto janā icchanti karhi cit
     akūjanena cen mokṣo nātra kūjet kathaṃ cana
 52 avaśyaṃ kūjitavyaṃ vā śaṅkeran vāpy akūjataḥ
     śreyas tatrānṛtaṃ vaktuṃ satyād iti vicāritam
 53 prāṇātyaye vivāhe vā sarvajñāti dhanakṣaye
     narmaṇy abhipravṛtte vā pravaktavyaṃ mṛṣā bhavet
     adharmaṃ nātra paśyanti dharmatattvārtha darśinaḥ
 54 yaḥ stenaiḥ saha saṃbandhān mucyate śapathair api
     śreyas tatrānṛtaṃ vaktuṃ tat satyam avicāritam
 55 na ca tebhyo dhanaṃ deyaṃ śakye sati kathaṃ cana
     pāpebhyo hi dhanaṃ deyaṃ śakye sati kathaṃ cana
     tasmād dharmārtham anṛtam uktvā nānṛta vāg bhavet
 56 eṣa te lakṣaṇoddeśaḥ samuddiṣṭo yathāvidhi
     etac chrutvā brūhi pārtha yadi vadhyo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
 57 [arj]
     yathā brūyān mahāprājño yathā brūyān mahāmatiḥ
     hitaṃ caiva yathāsmākaṃ tathaitad vacanaṃ tava
 58 bhavān mātṛsamo 'smākaṃ tathā pitṛsamo 'pi ca
     gatiś ca paramā kṛṣṇa tena te vākyam adbhutam
 59 na hi te triṣu lokeṣu vidyate 'viditaṃ kva cit
     tasmād bhavān paraṃ dharmaṃ veda sarvaṃ yathātatham
 60 avadhyaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ manye dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram
     yasmin samayasaṃyoge brūhi kiṃ cid anugraham
     idaṃ cāparam atraiva śṛṇu hṛtsthaṃ vivakṣitam
 61 jānāmi dāśārha mama vrataṃ tvaṃ; yo māṃ brūyāt kaś cana mānuṣeṣu
     anyasmai tvaṃ gāṇḍivaṃ dehi pārtha; yas tvatto 'strair bhavitā vā viśiṣṭaḥ
 62 hanyām ahaṃ keśava taṃ prasahya; bhīmo hanyāt tūbaraketi coktaḥ
     tan me rājā proktavāṃs te samakṣaṃ; dhanur dehīty asakṛd vṛṣṇisiṃha
 63 taṃ hatvā cet keśava jīvaloke; sthātā kālaṃ nāham apy alpamātram
     sā ca pratijñā mama lokaprabuddhā; bhavet satyā dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭha
     yathā jīvet pāṇḍavo 'haṃ ca kṛṣṇa; tathā buddhiṃ dātum adyārhasi tvam
 64 [vā]
     rājā śrānto jagato vikṣataś ca; karṇena saṃkhye niśitair bāṇasaṃghaiḥ
     tasmāt pārtha tvāṃ paruṣāṇy avocat; karṇe dyūtaṃhy adya raṇe nibaddham
 65 tasmin hate kuravo nirjitāḥ syur; evaṃ buddhiḥ pārthivo dharmaputraḥ
     yadāvamānaṃ labhate mahāntaṃ; tadā jīvan mṛta ity ucyate saḥ
 66 tan mānitaḥ pārthivo 'yaṃ sadaiva; tvayā sabhīmena tathā yamābhyām
     vṛddhaiś ca loke puruṣapravīrais; tasyāvamānaṃ kalayā tvaṃ prayuṅkṣva
 67 tvam ity atra bhavantaṃ tvaṃ brūhi pārtha yudhiṣṭhiram
     tvam ity ukto hi nihato gurur bhavati bhārata
 68 evam ācara kaunteya dharmarāje yudhiṣṭhire
     adharmayuktaṃ saṃyogaṃ kuruṣvaivaṃ kurūdvaha
 69 atharvāṅgirasī hy eṣā śrutīnām uttamā śrutiḥ
     avicāryaiva kāryaiṣā śreyaḥ kāmair naraiḥ sadā
 70 vadho hy ayaṃ pāṇḍava dharmarājñas; tvatto yukto vetsyate caivam eṣaḥ
     tato 'sya pādāv abhivādya paścāc; chamaṃ brūyāḥ sāntvapūrvaṃ ca pārtham
 71 bhrātā prājñas tava kopaṃ na jātu; kuryād rājā kaṃ cana pāṇḍaveyaḥ
     mukto 'nṛtād bhrātṛvadhāc ca pārtha; hṛṣṭaḥ karṇaṃ tvaṃ jahi sūtaputram
 72 [s]
     ity evam uktas tu janārdanena; pārthaḥ praśasyātha suhṛd vadhaṃ tam
     tato 'bravīd arjuno dharmarājam; anuktapūrvaṃ paruṣaṃ prasahya
 73 mā tvaṃ rājan vyāhara vyāharatsu; na tiṣṭhase krośamātre raṇārdhe
     bhīmas tu mām arhati garhaṇāya; yo dyudhyate sarvayodhapravīraḥ
 74 kāle hi śatrūn pratipīḍya saṃkhye; hatvā ca śūrān pṛthivīpatīṃs tān
     yaḥ kuñjarāṇām adhikaṃ sahasraṃ; hatvānadat tumulaṃ siṃhanādam
 75 suduṣkaraṃ karma karoti vīraḥ; kartuṃ yathā nārhasi tvaṃ kadā cit
     rathād avaplutya gadāṃ parāmṛśaṃs; tayā nihanty aśvanaradvipān raṇe
 76 varāsinā vājirathāśvakuñjarāṃs; tathā rathāṅgair dhanuṣā ca hanty arīn
     pramṛdya padbhyām ahitān nihanti yaḥ; punaś ca dorbhyāṃ śatamanyuvikramaḥ
 77 mahābalo vaiśravaṇāntakopamaḥ; prasahya hantā dviṣatāṃ yathārham
     sa bhīmaseno 'rhati garhaṇāṃ me; na tvaṃ nityaṃ rakṣyase yaḥ suhṛdbhiḥ
 78 mahārathān nāgavarān hayāṃś ca; padātimikhyān api ca pramathya
     eko bhīmo dhārtarāṣṭreṣu magnaḥ; sa mām upālabdhum ariṃdamo 'rhati
 79 kaliṅga vaṅg anaṅga niṣādamāgadhān; sadā madān nīlabalāhakopamān
     nihanti yaḥ śatrugaṇān anekaśaḥ; sa mābhivaktuṃ prabhavaty anāgasam
 80 suyuktam āsthāya rathaṃ hi kāle; dhanur vikarṣañ śarapūrṇamuṣṭiḥ
     sṛjaty asau śaravarṣāṇi vīro; mahāhave megha ivāmbudhārāḥ
 81 balaṃ tu vāci dvijasattamānāṃ; kṣātraṃ budhā bāhubalaṃ vadanti
     tvaṃ vāgbalo bhārata niṣṭhuraś ca; tvam eva māṃ vetsi yathāvidho 'ham
 82 yatāmi nityaṃ tava kartum iṣṭaṃ; dāraiḥ sutair jīvitenātmanā ca
     evaṃ ca māṃ vāg viśikhair nihaṃsi; tvattaḥ sukhaṃ na vayaṃ vidma kiṃ cit
 83 avāmaṃsthā māṃ draupadī talpa saṃstho; mahārathān pratihanmi tvadarthe
     tenātiśaṅkī bhārata niṣṭhuro 'si; tvattaḥ sukhaṃ nābhijānāmi kiṃ cit
 84 proktaḥ svayaṃ satyasaṃdhena mṛtyus; tava priyārthaṃ nadadeva yuddhe
     vīraḥ śikhaṇḍī draupado 'sau mahātmā; mayābhiguptena hataś ca tena
 85 na cābhinandāmi tavādhirājyaṃ; yatas tam akṣeṣv ahitāya saktaḥ
     svayaṃ kṛtvā pāpam anāryajuṣṭam; ebhir yuddhe tartum icchasy arīṃs tu
 86 akṣeṣu doṣā bahavo vidharmāḥ; śrutās tvayā sahadevo 'bravīd yān
     tān naiṣi sāṃtartum asādhu juṣṭān; yena sma sarve nirayaṃ prapannāḥ
 87 tvaṃ devitā tvatkṛte rājyanāśas; tvat saṃbhavaṃ vyasanaṃ no narendra
     māsmān krūrair vāk pratodais tuda tvaṃ; bhūyo rājan kopayann alpabhāgyān
 88 etā vācaḥ paruṣāḥ sāvya sācī; sthiraprajñaṃ śrāvayitvā tatakṣa
     tadānutepe surarājaputro; viniḥśvasaṃś cāpy asim udbabarha
 89 tam āha kṛṣṇāḥ kim idaṃ punar bhavān; vikośam ākāśanibhaṃ karoty asim
     prabrūhi satyaṃ purar uttaraṃ vidher; vacaḥ pravakṣyāmy aham arthasiddhaye
 90 ity eva pṛṣṭhaḥ puruṣottamena; suduḥkhitaḥ keśavam āha vākyam
     ahaṃ haniṣye svaśarīram eva; prasahya yenāhitam ācaraṃ vai
 91 niśamya tat pārtha vaco 'bravīd idaṃ; dhanaṃjayaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaḥ
     prabrūhi pārtha svaguṇān ihātmanas; tathā svahārdaṃ bhavatīha sadyaḥ
 92 tathāstu kṛṣṇety abhinandya vākyaṃ; dhanaṃjayaḥ prāha dhanur vināmya
     yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaṃ; śṛṇuṣva rājann iti śakrasūnuḥ
 93 na mādṛśo 'nyo naradeva vidyate; dhanurdharo devam ṛte pinākinam
     ahaṃ hi tenānumato mahātmanā; kṣaṇena hanyāṃ sacarācaraṃ jagat
 94 mayā hi rājan sadig īśvarā diśo; vijitya sarvā bhavataḥ kṛtā vaśe
     sa rājasūyaś ca samāptadakṣiṇaḥ; sabhā ca divyā bhavato mamaujasā
 95 pāpau pṛṣatkā likhitā mameme; dhanuś ca saṃkhye vitataṃ sabāṇam
     pādau ca me saśarau sahadhvajau; na mādṛśaṃ yuddhagataṃ jayanti
 96 hatā udīcyā nihatāḥ pratīcyāḥ; prācyā nirastā dākṣiṇātyā viśastāḥ
     saṃśaptakānāṃ kiṃ cid evāvaśiṣṭaṃ; sarvasya sainyasya hataṃ mayārdham
 97 śete mayā nihatā bhāratī ca; camū rājan deva camū prakāśā
     ye nāstrajñās tān ahaṃ hanmi śastrais; tasmāl lokaṃ neha karomi bhasmasāt
 98 ity evam uktvā punar āha pārtho; yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ variṣṭham
     apy aputrā tena rādhā bhavitrī; kuntī mayā vā tad ṛtaṃ viddhi rājan
     prasīda rājan kṣama yan mayoktaṃ; kāle bhavān vetsyati tan namas te
 99 prasādya rājānam amitrasāhaṃ; sthito 'bravīc cainam abhiprapannaḥ
     yāmy eṣa bhīmaṃ samarāt pramoktuṃ; sarvātmanā sūtaputraṃ ca hantum
 100 tava priyārthaṃ mama jīvitaṃ hi; bravīmi satyaṃ tad avehi rājan
    iti prāyād upasaṃgṛhya pādau; samutthito dīptatejāḥ kirīṭī
    nedaṃ cirāt kṣipram idaṃ bhaviṣyaty; āvartate 'sāv abhiyāmi cainam
101 etac chrutvā pāṇḍavo dharmarājo; bhrātur vākyaṃ paruṣaṃ phalgunasya
    utthāya tasmāc chayanād uvāca; pārthaṃ tato duḥkhaparīta cetāḥ
102 kṛtaṃ mayā pārtha yathā na sādhu; yena prāptaṃ vyasanaṃ vaḥ sughoram
    tasmāc chiraś chinddhi mamedam adya; kulāntakasyādhama puruṣasya
103 pāpasya pāpavyasanānvitasya; vimūḍhabuddher alasasya bhīroḥ
    vṛddhāvamantuḥ paruṣasya caiva; kiṃ te ciraṃ mām anuvṛtya rūkṣam
104 gacchāmy ahaṃ vanam evādya pāpaḥ; sukhaṃ bhavān vartatāṃ madvihīnaḥ
    yogyo rājā bhīmaseno mahātmā; klībasya vā mama kiṃ rājyakṛtyam
105 na cāsmi śaktaḥ paruṣāṇi soḍhuṃ; punas tavemāni ruṣānvitasya
    bhīmo 'stu rājā mama jīvitena; kiṃ kāryam adyāvamatasya vīra
106 ity evam uktvā sahasotpapāta; rājā tatas tac chayanaṃ vihāya
    iyeṣa nirgantum atho vanāya; taṃ vāsudevaḥ praṇato 'bhyuvāca
107 rājan viditam etat te yathā gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
    pratijñā satyasaṃdhasya gāṇḍīvaṃ prati viśrutā
108 brūyād ya evaṃ gāṇḍīvaṃ dehy anyasmai tvam ity uta
    sa vadhyo 'sya pumāṁl loke tvayā cokto 'yam īdṛśam
109 ataḥ satyāṃ pratijñāṃ tāṃ pārthena parirakṣatā
    macchandād avamāno 'yaṃ kṛtas tava mahīpate
    gurūṇām avamāno hi vadha ity abhidhīyate
110 tasmāt tvaṃ vai mahābāho mama pārthasya cobhayoḥ
    vyatikramam imaṃ rājan saṃkṣamasvārjunaṃ prati
111 śaraṇaṃ tvāṃ mahārāja prapannau sva ubhāv api
    kṣantum arhasi me rājan praṇatasyābhiyācataḥ
112 rādheyasyādya pāpasya bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam
    satyaṃ te pratijānāmi hataṃ viddhy adya sūtajam
    yasyecchasi vadhaṃ tasya gatam evādya jīvitam
113 iti kṛṣṇa vacaḥ śrutvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
    sasaṃbhramaṃ hṛṣīkeśam utthāpya praṇataṃ tadā
    kṛtāñjalim idaṃ vākyam uvācānantaraṃ vacaḥ
114 evam etad yathāttha tvam asty eṣo 'tikramo mama
    anunīto 'smi govinda tāritaś cādya mādhava
    mokṣitā vyasanād ghorād vayam adya tvayācyuta
115 bhavantaṃ nātham āsādya āvāṃ vyasanasāgarāt
    ghorād adya samuttīrṇāv ubhāv ajñānamohitau
116 tvad buddhipravam āsādya duḥkhaśokārṇavād vayam
    samuttīrṇāḥ sahāmātyāḥ sanāthāḥ sma tvayācyuta

49

"Sanjaya said, 'Piercing through the Pandava host, Karna, surrounded by thousands of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, rushed towards king Yudhishthira the just. Cutting off with hundreds of fierce shafts the thousands of weapons sped at him by his foes, Vrisha fearlessly pierced through that host. Indeed, the Suta's son cut off the heads, the arms and the thighs of his enemies, who, deprived of life, fell down on the Earth. Others, finding their divisions broken, fled away. The Dravida, the Andhaka, and the Nishada foot-soldiers, urged on by Satyaki, once more rushed towards Karna in that battle, from desire of slaying him. Deprived of arms and head-gears, and slain by Karna with his shafts, they fell down simultaneously on the Earth, like a forest of Sala tree cut down (with the axe). Thus hundreds, thousands and ten thousands of combatants, deprived of life and filling the whole welkin with their fame, fell down with their bodies on the Earth. The Pandus and the Pancalas obstructed Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, who careered wrathfully in battle like the Destroyer himself, even as people seek to obstruct a disease with incantations and drugs. Crushing all those assailants Karna once more rushed towards Yudhishthira, like an irresistible disease unchecked by incantations and drugs and (propitiatory) rites. At last checked by the Pandus, the Pancalas, and the Kekayas, all of whom were desirous of rescuing the king, Karna could not succeed in passing them over, like Death that is unable to vanquish persons conversant with Brahma. Then Yudhishthira, with eyes red in wrath, addressed Karna, that slayer of hostile heroes, who was held in check at a little distance from him, and said these words "O Karna, O Karna, O thou of vain sight, O son of a Suta, listen to my words. Thou always challengest the active Phalguna in battle. Obedient to the counsels of Dhritarashtra's son, thou always seekest to oppose us. Mustering thy great prowess, show thou today all thy might, all thy energy, and all the hatred thou bearest towards the sons of Pandu. Today in dreadful encounter, I will purge thee of thy desire for battle." Having said these words, the son of Pandu, O king, pierced Karna with ten shafts made entirely of iron and equipped with wings of gold. That chastiser of foes, and great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, O Bharata, pierced Yudhishthira, with the greatest care, in return, with ten arrows equipped with heads like the calf's tooth. Thus pierced by the Suta's son in contempt, O sire, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira, blazed up with wrath like a fire upon receiving butter. Bending his formidable bow decked with gold, the son of Pandu placed on his bow-string a whetted arrow capable of piercing the very hills. Drawing the bow to its fullest stretch, the king quickly sped that arrow, fatal as the rod of the Destroyer, from desire of slaying the Suta's son. Sped by the king endued with great might, that arrow whose whizz resembled the noise of the thunder, suddenly pierced Karna, that mighty car-warrior, on his left side. Deeply afflicted by the violence of that stroke, the mighty-armed Karna with weakened limbs, fell into a swoon on his car, his bow dropping from his hand. Beholding Karna in that plight, the vast Dhartarashtra host uttered cries of "Oh" and "Alas," and the faces of all the combatants became colourless. Beholding the prowess of their king, on the other hand, O monarch, amongst the Pandavas, leonine roars and shouts and confused cries of joy arose. The son of Radha, however, of cruel prowess, recovering his senses soon enough, set his heart on the destruction of Yudhishthira. Drawing his formidable bow called Vijaya that was decked with gold, the Suta's son of immeasurable soul began to resist the son of Pandu with his sharp shafts. With a couple of razor-headed arrows he slew in that encounter Candradeva and Dandadhara, the two Pancala princes, that protected the two car wheels of the high-souled Yudhishthira. Each of those heroes, standing by the side of Yudhishthira's car, looked resplendent like the constellation Punarvasu by the side of the moon. Yudhishthira, however, once more pierced Karna with thirty arrows. And he struck Sushena and Satyasena, each with three arrows. And he pierced everyone of the protectors of Karna with three straight arrows. The son of Adhiratha then, laughing and shaking his bow inflicted a cutting wound on the king's body with a broad-headed arrow, and again pierced him with sixty arrows and then uttered a loud shout. Then many foremost heroes amongst the Pandavas, desirous of rescuing the king, rushed in wrath towards Karna and began to grind him with their arrows. Satyaki and Chekitana and Yuyutsu and Shikhandi and the sons of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Bhimasena and Shishupala and the Karushas, Matsyas, the Suras, the Kaikayas, the Kasis and the Kosalas, all these brave heroes, endued with great activity, assailed Vasusena. The Pancala prince Janamejaya then pierced Karna with many arrows. The Pandava heroes, armed with diverse kinds of arrows and diverse weapons and accompanied by cars and elephants and steeds, rushing towards Karna, encompassed him on all sides, from desire of slaying him. Thus assailed on all sides by the foremost of Pandava warriors, Karna invoked into existence the brahmastra and filled all the points of the compass with arrows. The heroic Karna then, like unto a blazing fire having shafts for its scorching flame, careered in battle, burning that forest of Pandavas troops. The high-souled Karna, that great bowman, aiming some mighty weapons, and laughing the while, cut off the bow of that foremost of men, Yudhishthira. Then aiming ninety straight arrows within the twinkling of an eye, Karna cut off, with those sharp shafts, the armour of his antagonist. That armour, decked with gold and set with gems, looked beautiful, as it fell down, like a wind-tossed cloud penetrated by the rays of the Sun. Indeed, that armour, adorned with costly brilliants, fallen off from the body of that foremost of men, looked beautiful like the firmament in the night, bespangled with stars. His armour cut off with those arrows, the son of Pritha, covered with blood, wrathfully hurled at the son of Adhiratha a dart made wholly of iron. Karna, however, cut (into pieces) that blazing dart, as it coursed through the welkin, with seven shafts. That dart, thus cut off with those shafts of great bowman, fell down on the Earth. Then Yudhishthira, striking Karna with four lances in his two arms and forehead and chest, repeatedly uttered loud shouts. Thereupon blood spouted forth from the wounds of Karna, and the latter, filled with rage and breathing like a snake, cut off his antagonist's standard and pierced the Pandava himself with three broad-headed arrows. And he also cut off the couple of quivers (that his foe had) and the car (he rode) into minute fragments. Thereupon the king, riding on another car unto which were yoked those steeds, white as ivory and having black hair on their tails, that used to bear him (to battle), turned his face and began to fly. Thus did Yudhishthira began to retreat. His Parshni driver had been slain. He became exceedingly cheerless and unable to stay before Karna. The son of Radha then, pursuing Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, cleansed himself by touching him in the shoulder with his own fair hand (the palm of which was) graced with the auspicious signs of the thunderbolt, the umbrella, the hook, the fish, the tortoise, and the conchshell, and desired to seize him by force. He then remembered the words of Kunti. Then Shalya addressed him, and said, "Do not, O Karna, seize this best of kings. As soon as thou seizest him, he will reduce both thee and me to ashes." Then Karna, O king, laughing in mockery, addressed the son of Pandu and thus spoke unto him disparagingly. "How, indeed, born though thou art in a noble race, and observant though thou art of Kshatriya duties, wouldst thou leave the battle in fear, desiring to save thy life? I think that thou art not well-acquainted with the duties of Kshatriyas. Endued with Brahma-force, thou art indeed devoted to the study of the Vedas and the performance of sacrificial rites. Do not, O son of Kunti, fight again, and do not again approach brave warriors. Do not use harsh language towards heroes and do not come to great battles. Thou mayst use such words, O sire, towards others, but thou shouldst never address persons like us in that way. By using such words towards persons like us, thou wouldst in battle meet with this and other kinds of behaviour. Go back to thy quarters, O son of Kunti, or thither where those two, viz., Keshava and Arjuna, are. Indeed, O king, Karna will never slay one like thee." Having said these words unto the son of Pritha, the mighty Karna, setting Yudhishthira free, began to slaughter the Pandava host like the wielder of the thunderbolt slaughtering the Asura host. That ruler of men, (viz., Yudhishthira,) then, O king, quickly fled away. Beholding the king flying away, the Cedis, the Pandavas, the Pancalas, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, all followed that monarch of unfading glory. And the sons of Draupadi, and the Suras, and the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, also followed the king. Beholding the division of Yudhishthira retreating, the heroic Karna became highly glad with all the Kurus and began to pursue the retreating force. The din of battle-drums and conchs and cymbals and bows, and leonine shouts, arose from among the Dhartarashtra troops. Meanwhile Yudhishthira, O thou of Kuru's race, quickly riding on the car of Srutakirti, began to behold the prowess of Karna. Then king Yudhishthira, the just, seeing his troops fast slaughtered, became filled with rage, and addressing his warriors, commanded them, saying, "Slay these enemies. Why are ye inactive?" Then the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, headed by Bhimasena, thus commanded by the king, all rushed against thy sons. The shouts then, O Bharata, of the warriors (of both hosts), and the noise made by cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, and the clash of weapons, became tremendous. "Exert," "Strike," "Face the foe," were the words that the combatants addressed to one another as they began to slay one another in that dreadful battle. And in consequence of the showers of shafts shot by them a shadow as that of the clouds seemed to spread over the field. And in consequence of those rulers of men, covered with arrows, striking one another, they became divested of banners and standards and umbrellas and steeds and drivers and weapons in that battle. Indeed, those lords of Earth, deprived of life and limbs, fell down on the Earth. Looking like the mountain-summits in consequence of their uneven backs, huge elephants with their riders, deprived of life, fell down like mountains riven by thunder. Thousands of steeds, with their armour, equipments, and adornments all torn and broken and displaced, fell down, along with their heroic riders, deprived of life. Car-warriors with weapons loosened from their grasp, and deprived by (hostile) car-warriors of cars and life, and large bands of foot-soldiers, slain by hostile heroes in that dreadful clash, fell down in thousands. The Earth became covered with the heads of heroic combatants intoxicated with battle, heads that were adorned with large and expansive eyes of coppery hue and faces as beautiful as the lotus or the moon. And people heard noises as loud in the sky as on the surface of the Earth, in consequence of the sound of music and song proceeding from large bands of Apsaras on their celestial cars, with which those bands of heavenly choristers continually greeted the newly-arrived heroes slain in hundreds and thousands by brave enemies on Earth, and with which, placing them on celestial cars, they repaired on those vehicles (towards the region of Indra). Witnessing with their own eyes those wonderful sights, and actuated by the desire of going to heaven, heroes with cheerful hearts speedily slew one another. Car-warriors fought beautifully with car-warriors in that battle, and foot-soldiers with foot-soldiers, and elephants with elephants, and steeds with steeds. Indeed, when that battle, destructive of elephants and steeds and men, raged in this way, the field became covered with the dust raised by the troops. Then enemies slew enemies and friends slew friends. The combatants dragged one another by their locks, bit one another with their teeth, tore one another with their nails, and struck one another with clenched fists, and fought one another with bare arms in that fierce battle destructive of both life and sins. Indeed, as that battle, fraught with carnage of elephants and steeds and men, raged on so fiercely, a river of blood ran from the bodies of (slain) human beings and steeds and elephants. And that current carried away a large number of dead bodies of elephants and steeds and men. Indeed, in that vast host teeming with men, steeds, and elephants, that river formed by the blood of men and steeds and elephants and horsemen and elephant-men, became miry with flesh and exceedingly terrible. And on that current, inspiring the timid with terror, floated the bodies of men and steeds and elephants. Impelled by the desire of victory, some combatants forded it and some remained on the other side. And some plunged into its depths, and some sank in it and some rose above its surface as they swam through it. Smeared all over with blood, their armour and weapons and robes--all became bloody. Some bathed in it and some drank the liquid and some became strengthless, O bull of Bharata's race. Cars and steeds, and men and elephants and weapons and ornaments, and robes and armour, and combatants that were slain or about to be slain, and the Earth, the welkin, the firmament, and all the points of the compass, became red. With the odour, the touch, the taste, and the exceedingly red sight of that blood and its rushing sound, almost all the combatants, O Bharata, became very cheerless. The Pandava heroes then, headed by Bhimasena and Satyaki, once more rushed impetuously against that army already beaten. Beholding the impetuosity of that rush of the Pandava heroes to be irresistible, the vast force of thy sons, O king, turned its back on the field. Indeed, that host of thine, teeming with cars and steeds and elephants and men no longer in compact array, with armour and coats of mail displaced and weapons and bows loosened from their grasp, fled away in all directions, whilst being agitated by the enemy, even like a herd of elephants in the forest afflicted by lions.'"

Book 8
Chapter 50

1 [s]
      iti sma kṛṣṇa vacanāt pratyuccārya yudhiṣṭhiram
      babhūva vimanāḥ pārthaḥ kiṃ cit kṛtveva pātakam
  2 tato 'bravīd vāsudevaḥ prahasann iva pāṇḍavam
      kathaṃ nāma bhaved etad yadi tvaṃ pārtha dharmajam
      asinā tīkṣṇadhāreṇa hanyā dharme vyavasthitam
  3 tvam ity uktvaiva rājānam evaṃ kaśmalam āviśaḥ
      hatvā tu nṛpatiṃ pārtha akariṣyaḥ kim uttaram
      evaṃ sudurvido dharmo mandaprajñair viśeṣataḥ
  4 sa bhavān dharmabhīrutvād dhruvam aiṣyān mahat tapaḥ
      narakaṃ ghorarūpaṃ ca bhrātur jyeṣṭhasya vai vadhāt
  5 sa tvaṃ dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭhaṃ rājānaṃ dharmasaṃhitam
      prasādaya kuruśreṣṭham etad atra mataṃ mama
  6 prasādya bhaktyā rājānaṃ prītaṃ caiva yudhiṣṭhiram
      prayāmas tvaritā yoddhuṃ sūtaputra rathaṃ prathi
  7 hatvā sudurjayaṃ karṇaṃ tvam adya niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
      vipulāṃ prītim ādhatsva dharmaputrasya mānada
  8 etad atra mahābāho prāptakālaṃ mataṃ mama
      evaṃ kṛte kṛtaṃ caiva tava kāryabhaviṣyati
  9 tato 'rjuno mahārāja lajjayā vai samanvitaḥ
      dharmarājasya caraṇau prapede śirasānagha
  10 uvāca bharataśreṣṭha prasīdeti punaḥ punaḥ
     kṣamasva rājan yat proktaṃ dharmakāmena bhīruṇā
 11 pādayoḥ patitaṃ dṛṣṭvā dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     dhanaṃjayam amitraghnaṃ rudantaṃ bharatarṣabha
 12 utthāpya bhrātaraṃ rājā dharmarājo dhanaṃjayam
     samāśliṣya ca sasnehaṃ praruroda mahīpatiḥ
 13 ruditvā tu ciraṃ kālaṃ bhrātarau sumahādyutī
     kṛtaśaucau naravyāghrau prītimantau babhūvatuḥ
 14 tata āśliṣya sa premṇā mūrdhni cāgrāya pāṇḍavam
     prītyā paramayā yuktaḥ prasmayaṃś cābravīj jayam
 15 karṇena me mahābāho sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ
     kavacaṃ ca dhvajaś caiva dhanuḥ śaktir hayā gadā
     śaraiḥ kṛttā maheṣvāsa yatamānasya saṃyuge
 16 so 'haṃ jñātvā raṇe tasya karma dṛṣṭvā ca phalguna
     vyavasīdāmi duḥkhena na ca me jīvitaṃ priyam
 17 tam adya yadi vai vīra na haniṣyasi sūtajam
     prāṇān eva parityakṣye jīvitārtho hi ko mama
 18 evam uktaḥ pratyuvāca vijayo bharatarṣabha
     satyena te śape rājan prasādena tavaiva ca
     bhīmena ca naraśreṣṭha yamābhyāṃ ca mahīpate
 19 yathādya samare karṇaṃ haniṣyāmi hato 'tha vā
     mahītale patiṣyāmi satyenāyudham ālabhe
 20 evam ābhāṣya rājānam abravīn mādhavaṃ vacaḥ
     adya karṇaṃ raṇe kṛṣṇa sūdayiṣye na saṃśayaḥ
     tad anudhyāhi bhadraṃ te vadhaṃ tasya durātmanaḥ
 21 evam ukto 'bravīt pārthaṃ keśavo rājasattama
     śakto 'smi bharataśreṣṭha yatnaṃ kartuṃ yathābalam
 22 evaṃ cāpi hi me kāmo nityam eva mahāratha
     kathaṃ bhavān raṇe karṇaṃ nihanyād iti me matiḥ
 23 bhūyaś covāca matimān mādhavo dharmanandanam
     yudhiṣṭhiremaṃ bībhatsuṃ tvaṃ sāntvayitum arhasi
     anujñātuṃ ca karṇasya vadhāyādya durātmanaḥ
 24 śrutvā hy ayam ahaṃ caiva tvāṃ karṇa śarapīḍitam
     pravṛttiṃ jñātum āyātāv iha pāṇḍavanandana
 25 diṣṭyāsi rājan nirujo diṣṭyā na grahaṇaṃ gataḥ
     parisāntvaya bībhatsuṃ jayam āśādhi cānagha
 26 [y]
     ehy ehi pārtha bībhatso māṃ pariṣvaja pāṇḍava
     vaktavyam ukto 'smy ahitaṃ tvayā kṣāntaṃ ca tan mayā
 27 ahaṃ tvām anujānāmi jahi karṇaṃ dhanaṃjaya
     manyuṃ ca mā kṛthāḥ pārtha yan mayokto 'si dāruṇam
 28 [s]
     tato dhanaṃjayo rājañ śirasā praṇatas tadā
     pādau jagrāha pāṇibhyāṃ bhrātur jyeṣṭhasya māriṣa
 29 samutthāpya tato rājā pariṣvajya ca pīḍitam
     mūrdhny upāghrāya caivainam idaṃ punar uvāca ha
 30 dhanaṃjaya mahābāho mānito 'smi dṛḍhaṃ tvayā
     māhātmyaṃ vijayaṃ caiva bhūyaḥ prāpnuhi śāśvatam
 31 [arj]
     adya taṃ pāpakarmāṇaṃ sānubandhaṃ raṇe śaraiḥ
     nayāmy antaṃ samāsādya rādheyaṃ balagarvitam
 32 yena tvaṃ pīḍito bāṇair dṛḍham āyamya kārmukam
     tasyādya karmaṇaḥ karṇaḥ phalaṃ prāpsyati dāruṇam
 33 adya tvām aham eṣyāmi karṇaṃ hatvā mahīpate
     sabhājayitum ākrandād iti satyaṃ bravīmi te
 34 nāhatvā vinivarte 'haṃ karṇam adya raṇājirāt
     iti satyena te pādau spṛśāmi jagatīpate
 35 [s]
     prasādya dharmarājānaṃ prahṛṣṭenāntarātmanā
     pārthaḥ provāca govindaṃ sūtaputra vadhodyataḥ
 36 kalpyatāṃ ca ratho bhūyo yujyantāṃ ca hayottamāḥ
     āyudhāni ca sarvāṇi sajjyantāṃ vai mahārathe
 37 upāvṛttāś ca turagāḥ śikṣitāś cāśvasādinaḥ
     rathopakaraṇaiḥ sarvair upāyāntu tvarānvitāḥ
 38 evam ukte mahārāja phalgunena mahātmanā
     uvāca dārukaṃ kṛṣṇaḥ kuru sarvaṃ yathābravīt
     arjuno bharataśreṣṭhaḥ śreṣṭhaḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām
 39 ājñaptas tv atha kṛṣṇena dāruko rājasattama
     yojayām āsa sa rathaṃ vaiyāghraṃ śatrutāpanam
 40 yuktaṃ tu ratham āsthāya dārukeṇa mahātmanā
     āpṛcchya dharmarājānaṃ brāhmaṇān svasti vācya ca
     samaṅgala svastyayanam āruroha rathottamam
 41 tasya rājā mahāprājño dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ
     āśiṣo 'yuṅkta paramā yuktāḥ karṇavadhaṃ prati
 42 taṃ prayāntaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhūtāni bhārata
     nihataṃ menire karṇaṃ pāṇḍavena mahātmanā
 43 babhūvur vimalāḥ sarvā diśo rājan samantataḥ
     cāṣāś ca śatapatrāś ca krauñcāś caiva janeśvara
     pradakṣiṇam akurvanta tadā vai pāṇḍunandanam
 44 bahavaḥ pakṣiṇo rājan puṃnāmānaḥ śubhāḥ śivāḥ
     tvarayanto 'rjunaṃ yuddhe hṛṣṭarūpā vavāśire
 45 kaṅkā gṛdhrā vaḍāś caiva vāyasāś ca viśāṃ pate
     agratas tasya gacchanti bhakṣyahetor bhayānakāḥ
 46 nimittāni ca dhanyāni pārthasya praśaśaṃsire
     vināśam arisainyānāṃ karṇasya ca vadhaṃ tathā
 47 prayātasyātha pārthasya mahān svedo vyajāyata
     cintā ca vipulā jajñe kathaṃ nv etad bhaviṣyati
 48 tato gāṇḍīvadhanvānam abravīn madhusūdanaḥ
     dṛṣṭvā pārthaṃ tadāyastaṃ cintāparigataṃ tadā
 49 gāṇḍīvadhanvan saṃgrāme ye tvayā dhanuṣā jitāḥ
     na teṣāṃ mānuṣo jetā tvadanya iha vidyate
 50 dṛṣṭā hi bahavaḥ śūrāḥ śakratulyaparākramāḥ
     tvāṃ prāpya samare vīraṃ ye gatāḥ paramāṃ gatim
 51 ko hi droṇaṃ ca bhīṣmaṃ ca bhagadattaṃ ca māriṣa
     vindānuvindāv āvantyau kāmbojaṃ ca sudakṣiṇam
 52 śrutāyuṣaṃ mahāvīryam acyutāyuṣam eva ca
     pratyudgamya bhavet kṣemī yo na syāt tvam iva kṣamī
 53 tava hy astrāṇi divyāni lāghavaṃ balam eva ca
     vedhaḥ pātaś ca lakṣaś ca yogaś caiva tavārjuna
     asaṃmohaś ca yuddheṣu vijñānasya ca saṃnatiḥ
 54 bhavān devāsurān sarvān hanyāt sahacarācarān
     pṛthivyāṃ hi raṇe pārtha na yoddhā tvatsamaḥ pumān
 55 dhanur grahā hi ye ke cit kṣatriyā yuddhadurmadāḥ
     ā devāt tvatsamaṃ teṣāṃ na paśyāmi śṛṇomi vā
 56 brāhmaṇā ca prajāḥ sṛṣṭā gāṇḍīvaṃ ca mahādbhutam
     yena tvaṃ yudhyase pārtha tasmān nāsti tvayā samaḥ
 57 avaśyaṃ tu mayā vācyaṃ yat pathyaṃ tava pāṇḍava
     māvamaṃsthā mahābāho karṇam āhavaśobhinam
 58 karṇo hi balavān dhṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāstraś ca mahārathaḥ
     kṛtī ca citrayodhī ca deśe kāle ca kovidaḥ
 59 tejasā vahni sadṛśo vāyuvegasamo jave
     antakapratimaḥ krodhe siṃhasaṃhanano balī
 60 ayo ratnir mahābāhur vyūḍhoraskaḥ sudurjayaḥ
     atimānī ca śūraś ca pravīraḥ priyadarśanaḥ
 61 sarvair yodhaguṇair yukto mitrāṇām abhayaṃkaraḥ
     satataṃ pāṇḍava dveṣī dhārtarāṣṭra hite rataḥ
 62 sarvair avadhyo rādheyo devair api savāsavaiḥ
     ṛte tvām iti me buddhis tvam adya jahi sūtajam
 63 devair api hi saṃyattair bibhradbhir māṃsaśoṇitam
     aśakyaḥ samare jetuṃ sarvair api yuyutsubhiḥ
 64 durātmānaṃ pāpamatiṃ nṛśaṃsaṃ; duṣṭaprajñaṃ pāṇḍaveyeṣu nityam
     hīnasvārthaṃ pāṇḍaveyair virodhe; hatvā karṇaṃ dhiṣṭhitārtho bhavādya
 65 vīraṃ manyata ātmānaṃ yena pāpaḥ suyodhanaḥ
     tam adya mūlaṃ pāpānāṃ jaya sautiṃ dhanaṃjaya

50

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the Pandava heroes rushing impetuously towards thy host, Duryodhana, O monarch, endeavoured to check the warriors of his army on all sides, O bull of Bharata race. Although, however, thy son cried at the top of his voice, his flying troops, O king, still refused to stop. Then one of the wings of the army and its further wing, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, and the Kauravas well-armed turned against Bhimasena in that battle. Karna also, beholding the Dhartarashtra force with all its kings flying away, addressed the ruler of the Madras, saying, "Proceed towards the car of Bhima." Thus addressed by Karna, the ruler of the Madras began to urge those foremost of steeds, of the hue of swans, towards the spot where Vrikodara was. Thus urged by Shalya, that ornament of battle, those steeds approaching the car of Bhimasena, mingled in battle. Meanwhile, Bhima, beholding Karna approach, became filled with rage, and set his heart on the destruction of Karna, O bull of Bharata's race. Addressing the heroic Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, he said, "Go you to protect king Yudhishthira of virtuous soul. With difficulty he escaped from a situation of great peril before my very eyes. In my sight have the armour and robes of the king been cut off and torn, for Duryodhana's gratification, by Radha's son of wicked soul. I shall today reach the end of that woe, O son of Prishata. Today, either I shall slay Karna in battle, or he will slay me in dreadful battle. I tell thee truly. Today I make over the king to you as sacred pledge. With cheerful hearts exert ye today for protecting the king." Having said these words, the mighty-armed Bhima proceeded towards Adhiratha's son, making all the points of the compass resound with a loud leonine shout. Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, advancing quickly, the puissant king of the Madras addressed the Suta's son in the following words:
"'Shalya said, "Behold, O Karna, the mighty-armed son of Pandu, who is filled with rage. Without doubt, he is desirous of vomiting upon thee that wrath which he has cherished for many years. Never before did I see him assume such a form, not even when Abhimanyu was slain and the Rakshasa Ghatotkaca. Filled with wrath, the form he hath now assumed, endued with the splendour of the all-destroying fire at the end of the Yuga, is such that it seems he is capable of resisting the three worlds united together.'"
"Sanjaya continued, 'While the ruler of the Madras was saying these words unto the son of Radha, Vrikodara, excited with rage, came upon Karna. Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, approaching him in that way, the son of Radha laughingly said unto Shalya these words, "The words that thou, O ruler of the Madras, hast today spoken to me regarding Bhima, O lord, are without doubt all true. This Vrikodara is brave and is a hero full of wrath. He is reckless in protecting his body, and in strength of limbs he is superior to all. While leading a life of concealment in the city of Virata, relying then on the might of his bare arms, for doing what was agreeable to Draupadi, he secretly slew Kichaka with all his relatives. Even he stands today at the head of battle clad in mail and insensate with wrath. He is ready to engage in battle with the Destroyer armed with uplifted mace. This desire, however, hath been cherished through all my days, viz., that either I shall slay Arjuna or Arjuna will slay me. That desire of mine may be fulfilled today in consequence of my encounter with Bhima. If I slay Bhima or make him carless, Partha may come against me. That will be well for me. Settle that without delay which thou thinkest to be suitable to the hour." Hearing these words of Radha's son of immeasurable energy Shalya replied, saying, "O thou of mighty arms, proceed against Bhimasena of great might. Having checked Bhimasena, thou mayst then obtain Phalguna. That which is thy purpose, that desire which for many long years thou hast cherished in thy heart, will be accomplished, O Karna. I tell the truth." Thus addressed, Karna once more said unto Shalya, "Either I shall slay Arjuna in battle, or he will slay me. Setting thy heart on battle proceed to the spot where Vrikodara is.'"
"Sanjaya continued, 'Then, O king, Shalya speedily proceeded on that car to the spot where that great bowman, viz., Bhima, was engaged in routing thy army. There rose then the blare of trumpets and the peal of drums, O monarch, when Bhima and Karna met. The mighty Bhimasena, filled with rage, began to scatter thy troops difficult of defeat, with his sharp and polished shafts, to all sides. That collision in battle, O monarch, between Karna and the son of Pandu became, O king, fierce and awful, and the noise that arose was tremendous. Beholding Bhima coming towards him, Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, filled with rage, struck him with shafts in the centre of the chest. And once more, Karna of immeasurable soul, covered him with a shower of arrows. Thus pierced by the Suta's son, Bhima covered the former with winged arrows. And he once more pierced Karna with nine straight and keen shafts. Then Karna, with a number of arrows, cut in twain Bhima's bow at the handle. And after cutting off his bow, he pierced him once again in the centre of the chest with a shaft of great keenness and capable of penetrating every kind of armour. Then Vrikodara, taking up another bow, O king, and knowing full well what the vital parts of the body are, pierced the Suta's son with many keen arrows. Then Karna pierced him with five and twenty arrows, like a hunter striking a proud and infuriate elephant in the forest with a number of blazing brands. His limbs mangled with those shafts, his eyes red with rage and the desire of revenge, the son of Pandu, insensate with wrath, and impelled by the desire of slaying the Suta's son, fixed on his bow an excellent shaft of great impetuosity, capable of bearing a great strain, and competent to pierce the very mountains. Forcibly drawing the bow-string to his very ear, the son of the Wind-god, that great bowman, filled with wrath and desirous of making an end of Karna, sped that shaft. Thus sped by the mighty Bhima, that shaft, making a noise loud as that of the thunder, pierced through thunderbolt Karna in that battle, like the thunderbolt itself piercing through a mountain. Struck by Bhimasena, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, the Suta's son, that commander (of thy forces), sat down senseless on the terrace of his car. The ruler of the Madras then, beholding the Suta's son deprived of his senses, bore that ornament of battle away on his car, from that fight. Then after Karna's defeat, Bhimasena began to rout the vast Dhartarashtra host like Indra routing the danavas.'"

)

The Sacred  Scripture of

 great Epic Sree Mahabharatam:

The Mahabharata

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

 

Karna Parva

Book 8

Book 8
Chapter 51

 

1 [s]
      tataḥ punar ameyātmā keśavo 'rjunam abravīt
      kṛtasaṃkalpam āyastaṃ vadhe karṇasya sarvaśaḥ
  2 adya sapta daśāhāni vartamānasya bhārata
      vināśasyātighorasya naravāraṇavājinām
  3 bhūtvā hi vipulā senā tāvakānāṃ paraiḥ saha
      anyonyaṃ samare prāpya kiṃ cic cheṣā viśāṃ pate
  4 bhūtvā hi kauravyāḥ pārtha prabhūtagajavājinaḥ
      tvāṃ vai śatruṃ samāsādya vinaṣṭā raṇamūrdhani
  5 ete ca sarve pāñcālāḥ sṛñjayāś ca sahānvayāḥ
      tvāṃ samāsādya durdharṣaṃ pāṇḍavāś ca vyavasthitāḥ
  6 pāñcālaiḥ pāṇḍavair matsyaiḥ kārūṣaiś cedikekayaiḥ
      tvayā guptair amitraghna kṛtaḥ śatrugaṇakṣayaḥ
  7 ko hi śakto raṇe jetuṃ kauravāṃs tāta saṃgatān
      anyatra pāṇḍavān yuddhe tvayā guptān mahārathān
  8 tvaṃ hi śakto raṇe jetuṃ sa surāsuramānuṣān
      trīṁl lokān samam udyuktān kiṃ punaḥ kauravaṃ balam
  9 bhagadattaṃ hi rājānaṃ ko 'nyaḥ śaktas tvayā vinā
      jetuṃ puruṣaśārdūla yo 'pi syād vāsavopamaḥ
  10 tathemāṃ vipulāṃ senāṃ guptāṃ pārtha tvayānagha
     na śekuḥ pārthivāḥ sarve cakṣurbhir abhivīkṣitum
 11 tathaiva satataṃ pārtha rakṣitābhyāṃ tvayā raṇe
     dhṛṣṭadyumna śikhaṇḍibhyāṃ bhīṣmadroṇau nipātitau
 12 ko hi śakto raṇe pārtha pāñcālānāṃ mahārathau
     bhīṣmadroṇau yudhā jetuṃ śakratulyaparākramau
 13 ko hi śāṃtanavaṃ saṃkhye droṇaṃ vaikartanaṃ kṛpam
     drauṇiṃ ca saumadattiṃ ca kṛtavarmāṇam eva ca
     saundhavaṃ madrarājaṃ ca rājānaṃ ca suyodhanam
 14 vīrān kṛtāstrān samare sarvān evānuvartinaḥ
     akṣauhiṇīpatīn ugrān saṃrabdhān yuddhadurmadān
 15 śreṇyaś ca bahulāḥ kṣīṇāḥ pradīrṇāśvarathadvipāḥ
     nānājanapadāś cogrāḥ kṣatriyāṇām amarṣiṇām
 16 govāsa dāsam īyānāṃ vasātīnāṃ ca bhārata
     vrātyānāṃ vāṭadhānānāṃ bhojānāṃ cāpi māninām
 17 udīrṇāś ca mahāsenā brahmakṣatrasya bhārata
     tvāṃ samāsādya nidhanaṃ gatāḥ sāśvarathadvipāḥ
 18 ugrāś ca krūrakarmāṇas tukhārā yavanāḥ khaśāḥ
     dārvābhisārā daradāḥ śakā ramaṭha taṅgaṇāḥ
 19 andhrakāś ca pulindāś ca kirātāś cogravikramāḥ
     mlecchāś ca pārvatīyāś ca sāgarānūpavāsinaḥ
     saṃrambhiṇo yuddhaśauṇḍā balino dṛbdha pāṇayaḥ
 20 ete suyodhanasyārthe saṃrabdhāḥ kurubhiḥ saha
     na śakyā yudhi nirjetuṃ tvadanyena paraṃtapa
 21 dhārtarāṣṭram udagraṃ hi vyūḍhaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahābalam
     yasya tvaṃ na bhaves trātā pratīyāt ko nu mānavaḥ
 22 tat sāgaram ivoddhūtaṃ rajasā saṃvṛtaṃ balam
     vidārya pāṇḍavaiḥ kruddhais tvayā guptair hataṃ vibho
 23 māgadhānām adhipatir jayatseno mahābalaḥ
     adya saptaiva cāhāni hataḥ saṃkhye 'bhimanyunā
 24 tado daśasahasrāṇi gajānāṃ bhīmakarmaṇām
     jaghāna gadayā bhīmas tasya rājñaḥ paricchadam
     tato 'nye 'pi hatā nāgā rathāś ca śataśo balāt
 25 tad evaṃ samare tāta vartamāne mahābhaye
     bhīmasenaṃ samāsādya tvāṃ ca pāṇḍava kauravāḥ
     savājirathanāgāś ca mṛtyulokam ito gatāḥ
 26 tathā senāmukhe tatra nihate pārtha pāḍavaiḥ
     bhīṣmaḥ prāsṛjad ugrāṇi śaravarṣāṇi māriṣa
 27 sa cedikāśipāñcālān karūṣān matsyakekayān
     śaraiḥ pracchādya nidhanam anayat paruṣāstravit
 28 tasya cāpacyutair bāṇaiḥ paradehavidāraṇaiḥ
     pūrṇam ākāśam abhavad rukmapuṅkharajihmagaiḥ
 29 gatyā daśamyā te gatvā jaghnur vājirathadvipān
     hitvā nava gatīr duṣṭāḥ sa bāṇān vyāyato 'mucat
 30 dināni daśa bhīṣmeṇa nighnatā tāvakaṃ balam
     śūnyāḥ kṛtā rathopasthā hatāś ca gajavājinaḥ
 31 darśayitvātmano rūpaṃ rudropendra samaṃ yudhi
     pāṇḍavānām anīkāni pravigāhya vyaśātayat
 32 vinighnan pṛthivīpālāṃś cedipāñcālakekayān
     vyadahat pāṇḍavīṃ mandam ujjihīrṣuḥ suyodhanam
 33 tathā carantaṃ samare tapantam iva bhāskaram
     na śekuḥ sṛñjayā draṣṭuṃ tathaivānye mahīkṣitaḥ
 34 vicarantaṃ tathā taṃ tu saṃgrāme jitakāśinam
     savād yogena sahasā pāṇḍavā samupādravan
 35 sa tu vidrāvya samare pāṇḍavān sṛñjayān api
     eka eva raṇe bhīṣma eka vīratvam āgataḥ
 36 taṃ śikhaṇḍī samāsādya tvayā gupto mahāratham
     jaghāna puruṣavyāghraṃ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
 37 sa eṣa patitaḥ śete śaratalpe pitāmahaḥ
     tvāṃ prāpya puruṣavyāghra gṛdhraḥ prāpyeva vāyasam
 38 droṇaḥ pañca dināny ugro vidhamya ripuvāhinīḥ
     kṛtvā vyūhaṃ mahāyuddhe pātayitvā mahārathān
 39 jayadrathasya samare kṛtvā rakṣāṃ mahārathaḥ
     antakapratimaś cogrāṃ rātriṃ yuddhvādahat prajāḥ
 40 adyeti dve dine vīro bhāradvājaḥ pratāpavān
     dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ samāsādya sa gataḥ paramāṃ gatim
 41 yadi caiva parāny yuddhe sūtaputra mukhān rathān
     nāvārayiṣyaḥ saṃgrāme na sma droṇo vyanaṅkṣyata
 42 bhavatā tu balaṃ sarvaṃ dhārtarāṣṭrasya vāritam
     tato droṇo hato yuddhe pārṣatena dhanaṃjaya
 43 ka ivānyo raṇe kuryāt tvadanyaḥ kṣatriyo yudhi
     yādṛśaṃ te kṛtaṃ pārtha jayadrathavadhaṃ prati
 44 nivārya senāṃ mahatīṃ hatvā śūrāṃś ca pārthivān
     nihataḥ saindhavo rājā tvayāstra balatejasā
 45 āścaryaṃ sindhurājasya vadhaṃ jānanti pārthivāḥ
     anāścaryaṃ hi tat tvattas tvaṃ hi pārtha mahārathaḥ
 46 tvāṃ hi prāpya raṇe kṣatram ekāhād iti bhārata
     tapyamānam asaṃyuktaṃ na bhaved iti me matiḥ
 47 seyaṃ pārtha camūr ghorā dhārtarāṣṭrasya saṃyuge
     hatā sasarva vīrā hi bhīṣmadroṇau yadā hatau
 48 śīrṇapravara yodhā adya hatavāji naradvipā
     hīnā sūryendu nakṣatrair dyaur ivābhāti bhāratī
 49 vidhvastā hi raṇe pārtha seneyaṃ bhīmavikramāt
     āsurīva purā senā śakrasyeva parākramaiḥ
 50 teṣāṃ hatāvaśiṣṭās tu pañca santi mahārathāḥ
     aśvatthāmā kṛtavarmā karṇo madrādhipaḥ kṛpaḥ
 51 tāṃs tvam adya naravyāghra hatvā pañca mahārathān
     hatāmitraḥ prayacchorvīṃ rājñaḥ sadvīpa pattanām
 52 sākāśa jalapātālāṃ saparvatamahāvanām
     prāpnotv amitavīryaśrīr adya pārtho vasuṃdharām
 53 etāṃ purā viṣṇur iva hatvā daiteya dānavān
     prayaccha medinīṃ rājñe śakrāyeva yathā hariḥ
 54 adya modantu pāñcālā nihateṣv ariṣu tvayā
     viṣṇunā nihateṣv eva dānaveyeṣu devatāḥ
 55 yadi vā dvipadāṃ śreṣṭha droṇaṃ mānayato gurum
     aśvatthāmni kṛpā te 'sti kṛpe cācārya gauravāt
 56 atyantopacitān vā tvaṃ mānayan bhrātṛbāndhavān
     kṛtavarmāṇam āsādya na neṣyāmi yamakṣayam
 57 bhrātaraṃ mātur āsādya śalyaṃ madrajanādhipam
     yadi tvam aravindākṣa dayāvān na jighāṃsasi
 58 imaṃ pāpamatiṃ kṣudram atyantaṃ pāṇḍavān prati
     karṇam adya naraśreṣṭha jahy āśu niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 59 etat te sukṛtaṃ karma nātra kiṃ cin na yujyate
     vayam apy atra jānīmo nātra doṣo 'sti kaś cana
 60 dahane yat saputrāyā niśi mātus tavānagha
     dyūtārthe yac ca yuṣmāsu prāvartata suyodhanaḥ
     tatra sarvatra duṣṭātmā karṇo mūlam ihārjuna
 61 karṇād dhi manyate trāṇaṃ nityam eva suyodhanaḥ
     tato mām api saṃrabdho nigrahītuṃ pracakrame
 62 sthirā buddhir narendrasya dhārtarāṣṭrasya mānada
     karṇaḥ pārthān raṇe sarvān vijeṣyati na saṃśayaḥ
 63 karṇam āśritya kaunteya dhārtarāṣṭreṇa vigrahaḥ
     rocito bhavatā sārdhaṃ jānatāpi balaṃ tava
 64 karṇo hi bhāṣate nityam ahaṃ pārthān samāgatān
     vāsudevaṃ sarājānaṃ vijeṣyāmi mahāraṇe
 65 protsāhayan durātmānaṃ dhārtarāṣṭraṃ sudurmatiḥ
     samatau garjate karṇas tam adya jahi bhārata
 66 yac ca yuṣmāsu pāpaṃ vai dhārtarāṣṭraḥ prayuktavān
     tatra sarvatra duṣṭātmā karṇaḥ pāpamatir mukham
 67 yac ca tad dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ krūraiḥ ṣaḍbhir mahārathaiḥ
     apaśyaṃ nihataṃ vīraṃ saubhadram ṛṣabhekṣaṇam
 68 droṇa drauṇikṛpān vīrān kampayanto mahārathān
     nirmanuṣyāṃś ca mātaṅgānvirathāṃś ca mahārathān
 69 vyaśvārohāṃś ca turagān pattīn vyāyudha jīvitān
     kurvantam ṛṣabhaskandhaṃ kuru vṛṣṇiyaśaḥ karam
 70 vidhamantam anīkāni vyathayantaṃ mahārathān
     manuṣyavāji mātaṅgān prahiṇvantaṃ yamakṣayam
 71 śaraiḥ saubhadram āyastaṃ dahantam iva vāhinīm
     tan me dahati gātrāṇi sakhe satyena te śape
 72 yat tatrāpi ca duṣṭātmā karṇo 'bhyadruhyata prabho
     aśaknuvaṃś cābhimanyoḥ karṇaḥ sthātuṃ raṇe 'grataḥ
 73 saubhadra śaranirbhinno visaṃjñaḥ śoṇitokṣitaḥ
     niḥśvasan krodhasaṃdīpto vimukhaḥ sāyakārditaḥ
 74 apayāna kṛtotsāho nirāśaś cāpi jīvite
     tasthau suvihvalaḥ saṃkhye prahāra janitaśramaḥ
 75 atha droṇasya samare tat kālasadṛśaṃ tadā
     śrutvā karṇo vacaḥ krūraṃ tataś ciccheda kārmukam
 76 tataś chinnāyudhaṃ tena raṇe pañca mahārathāḥ
     sa caiva nikṛtiprajñaḥ prāvadhīc charavṛṣṭibhiḥ
 77 yac ca karṇo 'bravīt kṛṣṇāṃ sabhāyāṃ paruṣaṃ vacaḥ
     pramukhe pāṇḍaveyānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca nṛśaṃsavat
 78 vinaṣṭāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ kṛṣṇe śāśvataṃ narakaṃ gatāḥ
     patim anyaṃ pṛthuśroṇivṛṇīṣva mita bhāṣiṇi
 79 lekhābhru dhṛtarāṣṭrasya dāsī bhūtvā niveśanam
     praviśārāla pakṣmākṣi na santi patayas tava
 80 ity uktavān adharmajñas tadā paramadurmatiḥ
     pāpaḥ pāpaṃ vacaḥ karṇaḥ śṛṇvatas tava bhārata
 81 tasya pāpasya tad vākyaṃ suvarṇavikṛtāḥ śarāḥ
     śamayantu śilā dhautās tvayāstā jīvitac chidaḥ
 82 yāni cānyāni duṣṭātmā pāpāni kṛtavāṃs tvayi
     tāny adya jīvitaṃ cāsya śamayantu śarās tava
 83 gāṇḍīvaprahitān ghorān adya gātraiḥ spṛśañ śarān
     karṇaḥ smaratu duṣṭātmā vacanaṃ droṇa bhīṣmayoḥ
 84 suvarṇapuṅkhā nārācāḥ śatrughnā vaidyuta prabhāḥ
     tvayāstās tasya marmāṇi bhittvā pāsyanti śoṇitam
 85 ugrās tvad bhujanirmuktā marma bhittvā śitāḥ śarāḥ
     adya karṇaṃ mahāvegāḥ preṣayantu yamakṣayam
 86 adya hāhākṛtā dīnā viṣaṇṇās tvac charārditāḥ
     prapatantaṃ rathā karṇaṃ paśyantu vasudhādhipāḥ
 87 adya svaśoṇite magnaṃ śayānaṃ patitaṃ bhuvi
     apaviddhāyudhaṃ karṇaṃ paśyantu suhṛdo nijāḥ
 88 hastikakṣyo mahān asya bhallenonmathitas tvayā
     prakampamānaḥ patatu bhūmāv ādhirather dhvajaḥ
 89 tvayā śaraśataiś chinnaṃ rathaṃ hemavibhūṣitam
     hatayodhaṃ samutsṛjya bhītaḥ śalyaḥ palāyatām
 90 tataḥ suyodhano dṛṣṭvā hatam ādhirathiṃ tvayā
     nirāśo jīvite tv adya rājye caiva dhanaṃjaya
 91 ete dravanti pāñcālā vadhyamānāḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     karṇena bharataśreṣṭha pāṇḍavān ujjihīrṣavaḥ
 92 pāñcālān draupadeyāṃś ca dhṛṣṭadyumna śikhaṇḍinau
     dhṛṣṭadyumna tanūjāṃś ca śatānīkaṃ ca nākulim
 93 nakulaṃ sahadevaṃ ca durmukhaṃ janamejayam
     suvarmāṇaṃ sātyakiṃ ca viddhi karṇa vaśaṃgatān
 94 abhyāhatānāṃ karṇena pāñcālānāṃ mahāraṇe
     śrūyate ninado ghoras tad bandhūnāṃ paraṃtapa
 95 na tv eva bhītāḥ pāñcālāḥ kathaṃ cit syuḥ parāṅmukhāḥ
     na hi mṛtyuṃ maheṣvāsā gaṇayanti mahārathāḥ
 96 ya ekaḥ pāṇḍavīṃ senāṃ śaraughaiḥ samaveṣṭayat
     taṃ samāsādya pāñcālā bhīṣmaṃ nāsān parāṅmukhāḥ
 97 tathā jvalantam astrāgniṃ guruṃ sarvadhanuṣmatām
     nirdahantaṃ samārohan durdharṣaṃ droṇam ojasā
 98 te nityam uditā jetuṃ yuddhe śatrūn ariṃdamāḥ
     na jātv ādhirather bhītāḥ pāñcālāḥ syuḥ parāṅmukhāḥ
 99 teṣām āpatatāṃ śūraḥ pāñcālānāṃ tarasvinām
     ādatte 'sūñ śaraiḥ karṇaḥ pataṃgānām ivānalaḥ
 100 tāṃs tathābhimukhān vīrān mitrārthe tyaktajīvitān
    kṣayaṃ nayati rādheyaḥ pāñcālāñ śataśo raṇe
101 astraṃ hi rāmāt karṇena bhārgavād ṛṣisattamāt
    yad upāttaṃ purā ghoraṃ tasya rūpam udīryate
102 tāpanaṃ sarvasainyānāṃ ghorarūpaṃ sudāruṇam
    samāvṛtya mahāsenāṃ jvalati svena tejasā
103 ete caranti saṃgrāme karṇa cāpacyutāḥ śarāḥ
    bhramarāṇām iva vrātās tāpayantaḥ sma tāvakān
104 ete caranti pāñcālā dikṣu sarvāsu bhārata
    karṇāstraṃ samare prāpya durnivāram anātmabhiḥ
105 eṣa bhīmo dṛḍhakrodho vṛtaḥ pārtha samantataḥ
    sṛñjayair yodhayan karṇaṃ pīḍyate sma śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
106 pāṇḍavān sṛñjayāṃś caiva pāñcālāṃś caiva bhārata
    hanyād upekṣitaḥ karṇo rogo deham ivātataḥ
107 nānyaṃ tvatto 'bhipaśyāmi yodhaṃ yaudhiṣṭhire bale
    yaḥ samāsādya rādheyaṃ svastimān āvrajed gṛham
108 tam adya niśitair bāṇair nihatya bharatarṣabha
    yathāpratijñaṃ pārtha tvaṃ kṛtvā kīrtim avāpnuhi
109 tvaṃ hi śakto raṇe jetuṃ sakarṇān api kauravān
    nānyo yudhi yudhāṃ śreṣṭha satyam etad bravīmi te
110 eta kṛtvā mahat karmahatvā karṇaṃ mahāratham
    kṛtārthaḥ saphalaḥ pārtha sukhī bhava narottama

51

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Exceedingly difficult of accomplishment was that feat, O Sanjaya, which was achieved by Bhima who caused the mighty-armed Karna himself to measure his length on the terrace of his car. There is only one person, Karna, who will slay the Pandavas along with the Srinjayas--even this is what Duryodhana, O Suta, used very often to say unto me. Beholding, however, that son of Radha now defeated by Bhima in battle, what did my son Duryodhana next do?'
"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Radha's son of the Suta caste turned back from the fight in that great battle, thy son, O monarch, addressed his uterine brothers, saying, "Go ye quickly, blessed be ye, and protect the son of Radha who is plunged into that fathomless ocean of calamity represented by the fear of Bhimasena." Thus commanded by the king, those princes, excited with wrath and desirous of slaying Bhimasena, rushed towards him like insects towards a blazing fire. They were Srutarvan and Durddhara and Kratha and Vivitsu and Vikata and Soma, and Nishangin and Kavashin and Pasin and Nanda and Upanandaka, and Duspradharsha and Suvahu and Vatavega and Suvarchasas, and Dhanurgraha and Durmada and Jalasandha and Sala and Saha. Surrounded by a large car-force, those princes, endued with great energy and might, approached Bhimasena and encompassed him on all sides. They sped at him from every side showers of arrows of diverse kinds. Thus afflicted by them, Bhima of great strength, O king, quickly slew fifty foremost car-warriors with five hundred others, amongst those sons of thine that advanced against him. Filled with rage, Bhimasena then, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, struck off the head of Vivitsu adorned with earrings and head-gear, and graced with a face resembling the full moon. Thus cut off, that prince fell down on the Earth. Beholding that heroic brother of theirs slain, the (other) brothers there, O lord, rushed in that battle, from every side, upon Bhima of terrible prowess. With two other broad-headed arrows then, Bhima of terrible prowess took the lives of two other sons of thine in that dreadful battle. Those two, Vikata and Saha, looking like a couple of celestial youths, O king, thereupon fell down on the Earth like a couple of trees uprooted by the tempest. Then Bhima, without losing a moment, despatched Kratha to the abode of Yama, with a long arrow of keen point. Deprived of life, that prince fell down on the Earth. Loud cries of woe then, O ruler of men, arose there when those heroic sons of thine, all great bowmen, were being thus slaughtered. When those troops were once more agitated, the mighty Bhima, O monarch, then despatched Nanda and Upananda in that battle to Yama's abode. Thereupon thy sons, exceedingly agitated and inspired with fear, fled away, seeing that Bhimasena in that battle behaved like the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. Beholding those sons of thine slain, the Suta's son with a cheerless heart once more urged his steeds of the hue of swans to that place where the son of Pandu was. Those steeds, O king, urged on by the ruler of Madras, approached with great speed the car of Bhimasena and mingled in battle. The collision, O monarch, that once more took place between Karna and the son of Pandu in battle, became, O king, exceedingly fierce and awful and fraught with a loud din. Beholding, O king, those two mighty car-warriors close with each other, I became very curious to observe the course of the battle. Then Bhima, boasting of his prowess in battle, covered Karna in that encounter, O king, with showers of winged shafts in the very sight of thy sons. Then Karna, that warrior acquainted with the highest of weapons, filled with wrath, pierced Bhima with nine broad-headed and straight arrows made entirely of iron. Thereupon the mighty-armed Bhima of terrible prowess, thus struck by Karna, pierced his assailant in return with seven shafts sped from his bow-string drawn to his ear. Then Karna, O monarch, sighing like a snake of virulent poison, shrouded the son of Pandu with a thick shower of arrows. The mighty Bhima also, shrouding that mighty car-warrior with dense arrowy downpours in the very sight of the Kauravas, uttered a loud shout. Then Karna, filled with rage, grasped his strong bow and pierced Bhima with ten arrows whetted on stone and equipped with kanka feathers. With another broad-headed arrow of great sharpness, he also cut off Bhima's bow. Then the mighty-armed Bhima of great strength, taking up a terrible parigha, twined round with hempen cords and decked with gold and resembling a second bludgeon of Death himself, and desiring to slay Karna outright, hurled it at him with a loud roar. Karna, however, with a number of arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, cut off into many fragments that spiked mace as it coursed towards him with the tremendous peal of thunder. Then Bhima, that grinder of hostile troops, grasping his bow with greater strength, covered Karna with keen shafts. The battle that took place between Karna and the son of Pandu in that meeting became awful for a moment, like that of a couple of huge lions desirous of slaying each other. Then Karna, O king, drawing the bow with great force and stretching the string to his very ear, pierced Bhimasena with three arrows. Deeply pierced by Karna, that great bowman and foremost of all persons endued with might then took up a terrible shaft capable of piercing through the body of his antagonist. That shaft, cutting through Karna's armour and piercing through his body, passed out and entered the Earth like a snake into ant-hill. In consequence of the violence of that stroke, Karna felt great pain and became exceedingly agitated. Indeed, he trembled on his car like a mountain during an earthquake. Then Karna, O king, filled with rage and the desire to retaliate, struck Bhima with five and twenty shafts, and then with many more. With one arrow he then cut off Bhimasena's standard, and with another broad-headed arrow he despatched Bhima's driver to the presence of Yama. Next quickly cutting off the bow of Pandu's son with another winged arrow, Karna deprived Bhima of terrible feats of his car. Deprived of his car, O chief of Bharata's race, the mighty-armed Bhima, who resembled the Wind-god (in prowess) took up a mace and jumped down from his excellent vehicle. Indeed, jumping down from his car with great fury, Bhima began to slay thy troops, O king, like the wind destroying the clouds of autumn. Suddenly the son of Pandu, that scorcher of foes, filled with wrath, routed seven hundred elephants, O king, endued with tusks as large as plough-shafts, and all skilled in smiting hostile troops. Possessed of great strength and a knowledge of what the vital parts of an elephant are, he struck them on their temples and frontal globes and eyes and the parts above their gums. Thereupon those animals, inspired with fear, ran away. But urged again by their drivers they surrounded Bhimasena once more, like the clouds covering the Sun. Like Indra felling mountains with thunder, Bhima with his mace prostrated those seven hundred elephants with their riders and weapons and standards. That chastiser of foes, the son of Kunti, next pressed down two and fifty elephants of great strength belonging to the son of Subala. Scorching thy army, the son of Pandu then destroyed a century of foremost cars and several hundreds of foot-soldiers in that battle. Scorched by the Sun as also by the high-souled Bhima, thy army began to shrink like a piece of leather spread over a fire. Those troops of thine, O bull of Bharata's race, filled with anxiety through fear of Bhimasena, avoided Bhima in that battle and fled away in all directions. Then five hundred car-warriors, cased in excellent mail, rushed towards Bhima with loud shouts, shooting thick showers of arrows on all sides. Like Vishnu destroying the Asuras, Bhima destroyed with his mace all those brave warriors with their drivers and cars and banners and standards and weapons. Then 3,000 horsemen, despatched by Shakuni, respected by all brave men and armed with darts and swords and lances, rushed towards Bhima. That slayer of foes, advancing impetuously towards them, and coursing in diverse tracks, slew them with his mace. Loud sounds arose from among them while they were being assailed by Bhima, like those that arise from among herd of elephants struck with large pieces of rocks. Having slain those 3,000 excellent horses of Subala's son in that way, he rode upon another car, and filled with rage proceeded against the son of Radha. Meanwhile, Karna also, O king, covered Dharma's son (Yudhishthira) that chastiser of foes, with thick showers of arrows, and felled his driver. Then that mighty car-warrior beholding Yudhishthira fly away in that battle, pursued him, shooting many straight-coursing shafts equipped with Kanka feathers. The son of the Wind-god, filled with wrath, and covering the entire welkin with his shafts, shrouded Karna with thick showers of arrows as the latter pursued the king from behind. The son of Radha then, that crusher of foes, turning back from the pursuit, quickly covered Bhima himself with sharp arrows from every side. Then Satyaki, of immeasurable soul, O Bharata, placing himself on the side of Bhima's car, began to afflict Karna who was in front of Bhima. Though exceedingly afflicted by Satyaki, Karna still approached Bhima. Approaching each other those two bulls among all wielders of bows, those two heroes endued with great energy, looked exceedingly resplendent as they sped their beautiful arrows at each other. Spread by them, O monarch, in the welkin, those flights of arrows, blazing as the backs of cranes, looked exceedingly fierce and terrible. In consequence of those thousands of arrows, O king, neither the rays of the Sun nor the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, could any longer be noticed either by ourselves or by the enemy. Indeed, the blazing effulgence of the Sun shining at mid-day was dispelled by those dense showers of arrows shot by Karna and the son of Pandu. Beholding the son of Subala, and Kritavarma, and Drona's son, and Adhiratha's son, and Kripa, engaged with the Pandavas, the Kauravas rallied and came back to the fight. Tremendous became the din, O monarch, that was made by that host as it rushed impetuously against their foes, resembling that terrible noise that is made by many oceans swollen with rains. Furiously engaged in battle, the two hosts became filled with great joy as the warriors beheld and seized one another in that dreadful melee. The battle that commenced at that hour when the Sun had reached the meridian was such that its like had never been heard or seen by us. One vast host rushed against another, like a vast reservoir of water rushing towards the ocean. The din that arose from the two hosts as they roared at each other, was loud and deep as that which may be heard when several oceans mingle with one another. Indeed, the two furious hosts, approaching each other, mingled into one mass like two furious rivers that run into each other.
"'The battle then commenced, awful and terrible, between the Kurus and the Pandavas, both of whom were inspired with the desire of winning great fame. A perfect Babel of voices of the shouting warriors was incessantly heard there, O royal Bharata, as they addressed one another by name. He who had anything, by his father's or mother's side or in respect of his acts or conduct, that could furnish matter for ridicule, was in that battle made to hear it by his antagonist. Beholding those brave warriors loudly rebuking one another in that battle, I thought, O king, that their periods of life had been run out. Beholding the bodies of those angry heroes of immeasurable energy a great fear entered my heart, respecting the dire consequences that would ensue. Then the Pandavas, O king, and the Kauravas also, mighty car-warriors all, striking one another, began to mangle one another with their keen shafts.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 52

 

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      sa keśavasyā bībhatsuḥ śrutvā bhārata bhāṣitam
      viśokaḥ saṃprahṛṣṭaś ca kṣaṇena samapadyata
  2 tato jyām anumṛjyāśu vyākṣipad gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ
      dadhre karṇa vināśāya keśavaṃ cābhyabhāṣata
  3 tvayā nāthena govinda dhruva eṣa jayo mama
      prasanno yasya me 'dya tvaṃ bhūtabhavya bhavat prabhuḥ
  4 tvatsahāyo hy ahaṃ kṛṣṇa trīṁl lokān vai samāgatān
      prāpayeyaṃ paraṃ lokaṃ kim u karṇaṃ mahāraṇe
  5 paśyāmi dravatīṃ senāṃ pāñcālānāṃ janārdana
      paśyāmi karṇaṃ samare vicarantam abhītavat
  6 bhārgavāstraṃ ca paśyāmi vicarantaṃ samantataḥ
      sṛṣṭaṃ karṇena vārṣṇeya śakreṇeva mahāśanim
  7 ayaṃ khalu sa saṃgrāmo yatra kṛṣṇa mayā kṛtam
      kathayiṣyanti bhūtāni yāvad bhūmir dhariṣyati
  8 adya kṛṣṇa vikarṇā me karṇaṃ neṣyanti mṛtyave
      gāṇḍīvamuktāḥ kṣiṇvanto mama hastapracoditāḥ
  9 adya rājā dhṛtarāṣṭraḥ svāṃ buddhim avamaṃsyate
      duryodhanam arājyārhaṃ yayā rājye 'bhiṣecayat
  10 adya rājyāt sukhāc caiva śriyo rāṣṭrāt tathā purāt
     putrebhyaś ca mahābāho dhṛtarāṣṭro viyokṣyate
 11 adya duryodhano rājā jīvitāc ca nirāśakaḥ
     bhaviṣyati hate karṇe kṛṣṇa satyaṃ bravīmi te
 12 adya dṛṣṭvā mayā karṇaṃ śarair viśakalīkṛtam
     smaratāṃ tava vākyāni śamaṃ prati janeśvaraḥ
 13 adyāsau saubalaḥ kṛṣṇa glahaṃ jānātu vai śarān
     durodaraṃ ca gāṇḍīvaṃ maṇḍalaṃ ca rathaṃ mama
 14 yo 'sau raṇe naraṃ nānyaṃ pṛthivyām abhimanyate
     tasyādya sūtaputrasya bhūmiḥ pāsyati śoṇitam
     gāṇḍīvasṛṣṭā dāsyanti karṇasya paramāṃ gatim
 15 adya tapsyati rādheyaḥ pāñcālīṃ yat tadābravīt
     sabhāmadhye vacaḥ krūraṃ kutsayan pāṇḍavān prati
 16 ye vai ṣaṇḍhatilās tatra bhavitāro 'dya te tilāḥ
     hate vaikartane karṇe sūtaputre durātmani
 17 ahaṃ vaḥ pāṇḍuputrebhyas trāsyāmīti yad abravīt
     anṛtaṃ tat kariṣyanti māmakā niśitāḥ śarāḥ
 18 hantāhaṃ pāṇḍavān sarvān saputrān iti yo 'bravīt
     tam adya karṇaṃ hantāsmi miṣatāṃ sarvadhanvinām
 19 yasya vīrye samāśvasya dhārtarāṣṭro bṛhan manāḥ
     avāmanyata durbuddhir nityam asmān durātmavān
     tam adya karṇaṃ rādheyaṃ hantāsmi madhusūdana
 20 adya karṇe hate kṛṣṇa dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ sarājakāḥ
     vidravantu diśo bhītāḥ siṃhatrastā mṛgā iva
 21 adya duryodhano rājā pṛthivīm anvavekṣatām
     hate karṇe mayā saṃkhye saputre sasuhṛjjane
 22 adya karṇaṃ hataṃ dṛṣṭvā dhārtarāṣṭro 'tyamarṣaṇaḥ
     jānātu māṃ raṇe kṛṣṇa pravaraṃ sarvadhanvinām
 23 adyāham anṛṇaḥ kṛṣṇa bhaviṣyāmidhanur bhṛtām
     krodhasya ca kurūṇāṃ ca śarāṇāṃ gāṇḍivasya ca
 24 adya duḥkham ahaṃ mokṣye trayodaśa samārjitam
     hatvā karṇaṃ raṇe kṛṣṇa śambaraṃ maghavān iva
 25 adya karṇe hate yuddhe somakānāṃ mahārathāḥ
     kṛtaṃ kāryaṃ ca manyantāṃ mitrakāryepsavo yudhi
 26 na jāne ca kathaṃ prītiḥ śaineyasyādya mādhava
     bhaviṣyānti hate karṇe mayi cāpi jayādhike
 27 ahaṃ hatvā raṇe karṇaṃ putraṃ cāsya mahāratham
     prītiṃ dāsyāmi bhīmasya yamayoḥ sātyaker api
 28 dhṛṣṭadyumna śikhaṇḍibhyāṃ pāñcālānāṃ ca mādhava
     adhyānṛṇyaṃ gamiṣyāmi hatvā karṇaṃ mahāraṇe
 29 adya paśyantu saṃgrāme dhanaṃjayam amarṣaṇam
     yudhyantaṃ kauravān saṃkhye pātayantaṃ ca sūtajam
     bhavat sakāśe vakṣye ca punar evātma saṃstavam
 30 dhanurvede matsamo nāsti loke; parākrame vā mama ko 'sti tulyaḥ
     ko vāpy anyo matsamo 'sti kṣamāyāṃ; tathā krodhe sadṛśo 'nyo na me 'sti
 31 ahaṃ dhanuṣmān asurān surāṃś ca; sarvāṇi bhūtāni ca saṃgatāni
     svabāhuvīryād gamaye parābhavaṃ; matpauruṣaṃ viddhi paraḥ parebhyaḥ
 32 śarārciṣā gāṇḍivenāham ekaḥ; sarvān kurūn bāhlikāṃś cābhipatya
     himātyaye kakṣagato yathāgnis; tahā daheyaṃ sagaṇān prasahya
 33 pāṇau pṛṣatkā likhitā mamaite; dhanuś ca savye nihitaṃ sabāṇam
     pādau ca me sarathau sadhvajau ca; na mādṛśaṃ yuddhagataṃ jayanti

 

52

"Sanjaya said, 'Those Kshatriyas, O monarch, harbouring feelings of animosity against one another and longing to take one another's life, began to slay one another in that battle. Throngs of cars, and large bodies of horses, and teeming divisions of infantry and elephants in large numbers mingled with one another, O king, for battle. We beheld the falling of maces and spiked bludgeons and Kunapas and lances and short arrows and rockets hurled at one another in that dreadful engagement. Arrowy showers terrible to look at coursed like flights of locusts. Elephants approaching elephants routed one another. Horsemen encountering horsemen in that battle, and car-warriors encountering car-warriors, and foot-soldiers encountering foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers meeting with horsemen, and foot-soldiers meeting with cars and elephants, and cars meeting with elephants and horsemen, and elephants of great speed meeting with the three other kinds of forces, began, O king, to crush and grind one another. In consequence of those brave combatants striking one another and shouting at the top of their voices, the field of battle became awful, resembling the slaughter-ground of creatures (of Rudra himself). The Earth, O Bharata, covered with blood, looked beautiful like a vast plain in the season of rains covered with the red coccinella. Indeed, the Earth assumed the aspect of a youthful maiden of great beauty, attired in white robes dyed with deep red. Variegated with flesh and blood, the field of battle looked as if decked all over with gold. Large numbers of heads severed from trunks and arms and thighs and earrings and other ornaments displaced from the bodies of warriors, O Bharata, and collars and cuirasses and bodies of brave bowmen, and coats of mail, and banners, lay scattered on the ground. Elephants coming against elephants tore one another with their tusks, O king. Struck with the tusks of hostile compeers, elephants looked exceedingly beautiful. Bathed in blood, those huge creatures looked resplendent like moving hills decked with metals, down whose breasts ran streams of liquid chalk. Lances hurled by horsemen, or those held horizontally by hostile combatants, were seized by many of those beasts, while many amongst them twisted and broke those weapons. Many huge elephants, whose armour had been cut off with shafts, looked, O king, like mountains divested of clouds at the advent of winter. Many foremost of elephants pierced with arrows winged with gold, looked beautiful like mountains, O sire, whose summits are lighted with blazing brands. Some of those creatures, huge as hills, struck by hostile compeers, fell down in that battle, like winged mountains (when clipped of their wings). Others, afflicted with arrows and much pained by their wounds, fell down touching the Earth, in that dreadful battle, at their frontal globes or the parts between their tusks. Others roared aloud like lions. And many, uttering terrible sounds, ran hither and thither, and many, O king, uttered cries of pain. Steeds also, in golden trappings, struck with arrows, fell down, or became weak, or ran in all directions. Others, struck with arrows and lances or dragged down, fell on the Earth and writhed in agony, making diverse kinds of motion. Men also, struck down, fell on the Earth, uttering diverse cries of pain, O sire; others, beholding their relatives and sires and grandsires, and others seeing retreating foes, shouted to one another their well-known names and the names of their races. The arms of many combatants, decked with ornaments of gold, cut off, O king, by foes, writhed on the ground, making diverse kinds of motions. Thousands of such arms fell down and sprang up, and many seemed to dart forward like five-headed snakes. Those arms, looking like the tapering bodies of snakes, and smeared with sandal paste, O king, looked beautiful, when drenched with blood, like little standards of gold. When the battle, becoming general, raged so furiously on all sides, the warriors fought with and slew one another without distinct perceptions of those they fought with or struck. A dusty cloud overspread the field of battle, and the weapons used fell in thick showers. The scene being thus darkened, the combatants could no longer distinguish friends from foes. Indeed, that fierce and awful battle proceeded thus. And soon there began to flow many mighty rivers of the bloody currents. And they abounded with the heads of combatants that formed their rocks. And the hair of the warriors constituted their floating weeds and moss. Bones formed the fishes with which they teemed, and bows and arrows and maces formed the rafts by which to cross them. Flesh and blood forming their mire, those terrible and awful rivers, with currents swelled by blood, were thus formed there, enhancing the fears of the timid and the joy of the brave. Those awful rivers led to the abode of Yama. Many plunged into those streams inspiring Kshatriyas with fear, and perished. And in consequence of various carnivorous creatures, O tiger among men, roaring and yelling on all sides, the field of battle became terrible like the domains of the king of the dead. And innumerable headless trunks rose up on all sides. And terrible creatures, gorging on flesh and drinking fat, and blood, O Bharata, began to dance around. And crows and vultures and cranes, gratified with fat and marrow and other animals relishing flesh, were seen to move about in glee. They, however, O king, that were heroes, casting off all fear which is so difficult of being cast off, and observing the vow of warriors, fearlessly did their duty. Indeed, on that field where countless arrows and darts coursed through the air, and which was crowded with carnivorous creatures of diverse kinds, brave warriors careered fearlessly, displaying their prowess. Addressing one another, O Bharata, they declared their names and families. And many amongst them, declaring the names of their sires and families, O lord, began to crush one another, O king, with darts and lances and battle-axes. During the progress of that fierce and awful battle, the Kaurava army became strengthless and unable to bear up any longer like a foundered vessel on the bosom of the ocean.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 53

 

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      teṣām anīkāni bṛhad dhvajāni; raṇe samṛddhāni samāgatāni
      garjanti bherī ninadonmukhāni; meghair yathā meghagaṇās tapānte
  2 mahāgajābhrākulam astratoyaṃ; vāditranemī talaśabdavac ca
      hiraṇyacitrāyudha vaidyutaṃ ca; mahārathair āvṛtaśabdavac ca
  3 tad bhīmavegaṃ rudhiraughavāhi; khaḍgākulaṃ kṣatriya jīva vāhi
      anārtavaṃ krūram aniṣṭa varṣaṃ; babhūva tat saṃharaṇaṃ prajānām
  4 rathān sasūtān sahayān gajāṃś ca; sarvān arīn mṛtyuvaśaṃ śaraughaiḥ
      ninye hayāṃś caiva tathā sasādīn; padātisaṃghāṃś ca tathaiva pārthaḥ
  5 kṛpaḥ śikhaṇḍī ca raṇe sametau; duryodhanaṃ sātyakir abhyagacchata
      śrutaśravā droṇasutena sārdhaṃ; yudhāmanyuś citrasenena cāpi
  6 karṇasya putras tu rathī suṣeṇaṃ; samāgataḥ sṛñjayāṃś cottamaujāḥ
      gāndhārarājaṃ sahadevaḥ kṣudhārto; maharṣabhaṃ siṃha ivābhyadhāvat
  7 śatānīko nākuliḥ karṇa putraṃ; yuvā yuvānaṃ vṛṣasenaṃ śaraughaiḥ
      samārdayat karṇasutaś ca vīraḥ; pāñcāleyaṃ śaravarṣair anekaiḥ
  8 ratharṣabhaḥ kṛtavarmāṇam ārcchan; mādrīputro nakulaś citrayodhī
      pāñcālānām adhipo yājñaseniḥ; senāpatiṃ karṇam ārcchat sasainyam
  9 duḥśāsano bhārata bhāratī ca; saṃśaptakānāṃ pṛtanā samṛddhā
      bhīmaṃ raṇe śastrabhṛtāṃ variṣṭhaṃ; tadā samārcchat tam asahya vegam
  10 karṇātmajaṃ tatra jaghāna śūras; tathāchinnac cottamaujāḥ prasahya
     tasyottamāṅgaṃ nipapāta bhūmau; jñinādayad gāṃ ninadena khaṃ ca
 11 suṣeṇa śīrṣaṃ patitaṃ pṛthivyāṃ; vilokya karṇo 'tha tadārtarūpaḥ
     krodhād dhayāṃs tasya rathaṃ dhvajaṃ ca; bāṇaiḥ sudhārair niśitair nyakṛntat
 12 sa tūttamaujā niśitaiḥ pṛṣatkair; vivyādha khaḍgena ca bhāsvareṇa
     pārṣṇiṃ hayāṃś caiva kṛpasya hatvā; śikhaṇḍivāhaṃ sa tato 'bhyarohat
 13 kṛpaṃ tu dṛṣṭvā virathaṃ rathastho; naicchac charais tāḍayituṃ śikhaṇḍī
     taṃ drauṇir āvārya rathaṃ kṛpaṃ sma; samujjahre paṅkagatāṃ yathā gām
 14 hiraṇyavarmā niśitaiḥ pṛṣatkais; tavātmajānām anilātmajo vai
     atāpayat sainyam atīva bhīmaḥ; kāle śucau madhyagato yathārkaḥ

 

53

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that battle in which so many Kshatriyas sank down, the loud twang of Gandiva, O sire, was heard above the din on that spot, O king, where the son of Pandu was engaged in slaughtering the samsaptakas, the Kosalas, and the Narayana forces. Filled with rage and longing for victory, the samsaptakas, in that battle, began to pour showers of arrows on Arjuna's head. The puissant Partha, however, quickly checking those arrowy showers, O king, plunged into that battle, and began to slay many foremost of car-warriors. Plunging into the midst of that division of cars with the aid of his whetted shafts equipped with Kanka feathers, Partha came upon Susharma of excellent weapons. That foremost of car-warriors poured on Arjuna thick showers of arrows. Meanwhile the samsaptakas also covered Partha with their shafts. Then Susharma, piercing Partha with ten shafts, struck Janardana with three in the right arm. With a broad-headed arrow then, O sire, he pierced the standard of Arjuna. Thereupon that foremost of apes, of huge dimensions, the handiwork of the celestial artificer himself, began to utter loud sounds and roared very fiercely, affrighting thy troops. Hearing the roars of the ape, thy army became inspired with fear. Indeed, under the influence of a great fear, that army became perfectly inactive. That army then, as it stood inactive, O king, looked beautiful like the Citraratha forest with its flowery burthen of diverse kinds. Then those warriors, recovering their senses, O chief of the Kurus, began to drench Arjuna with their arrowy downpours like the clouds drenching the mountains. Then all of them encompassed the great car of the Pandava. Assailing him, they uttered loud roars although all the while they were being struck and slaughtered with sharp shafts. Assailing his steeds, his car-wheels, his car-shaft, and every other limb of his vehicle, with great force, O sire, they uttered many leonine roars. Some among them seized the massive arms of Keshava, and some among them, O king, seized Partha himself with great joy as he stood on his car. Then Keshava, shaking his arms on the field of battle, threw down all those that had seized them, like a wicked elephant shaking down all the riders from his back. Then Partha, encompassed by those great car-warriors, and beholding his car assailed and Keshava attacked in that manner became filled with rage, and overthrew a large number of car-warriors and foot-soldiers. And he covered all the combatants that were close to him with many arrows, that were fit for close encounters. Addressing Keshava then, he said, "Behold, O Krishna, O thou of mighty arms, these countless samsaptakas engaged in accomplishing a fearful task although slaughtered in thousands. O bull amongst the Yadus, there is none on Earth, save myself, that would be able to bear such a close attack on his car." Having said these words, Vibhatsu blew his conch. Then Krishna also blew his conch filling the welkin with its blare. Hearing that blare the army of the samsaptakas began to waver, O king, and became inspired with great fright. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Pandu, paralysed the legs of the samsaptakas by repeatedly invoking, O monarch, the weapon called Naga. Thus tied with those foot-tying bands by the high-souled son of Pandu, all of them stood motionless, O king, as if they had been petrified. The son of Pandu then began to slay those motionless warriors like Indra in days of yore slaying the Daityas in the battle with Taraka. Thus slaughtered in that battle, they set the car free, and commenced to throw down all their weapons. Their legs being paralysed, they could not, O king, move a step. Then Partha slew them with his straight arrows. Indeed, all these warriors in that battle, aiming at whom Partha had invoked that foot-tying weapon, had their lower limbs encircled with snakes. Then the mighty car-warrior Susharma, O monarch, beholding his army thus paralysed, quickly invoked the weapon called Sauparna. Thereupon numerous birds began to come down and devour those snakes. The latter again, at the sight of rangers of the sky, began, O king, to fly away. Freed from that foot-tying weapon, the Samsaptaka force, O monarch, looked like the Sun himself giving light unto all creatures, when freed from clouds. Thus liberated, those warriors once more shot their arrows, O sire, and hurled their weapons at Arjuna's car. And all of them pierced Partha with numerous weapons. Cutting off with his own arrowy downpour that shower of mighty weapons Vasava's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, began to slaughter those warriors. Then Susharma, O king, with a straight arrow, pierced Arjuna in the chest, and then he pierced him with three other shafts. Deeply pierced therewith, and feeling great pain, Arjuna sat down on the terrace of his car. Then all the troops loudly cried out, saying, "Partha is slain." At this the blare of conchs, and the peal of drums, and the sound of diverse musical instruments, and loud leonine shouts, arose there. Recovering his senses, Partha of immeasurable soul, owning white steeds and having Krishna for his driver, speedily invoked the Aindra weapon. Then thousands of arrows, O sire, issuing from that weapon, were seen on all sides to slay kings and elephants. And steeds and warriors, in hundreds and thousands, were also seen to be slaughtered in that battle, with these weapons. Then while the troops were thus being slaughtered, a great fear entered the hearts of all the samsaptakas and Gopalas, O Bharata. There was no man amongst them that could fight with Arjuna. There in the very sight of all the heroes, Arjuna began to destroy thy troops. Beholding that slaughter, all of them remained perfectly inactive, without putting forth their prowess. Then the son of Pandu having slain full 10,000 combatants in that battle, looked resplendent, O monarch, like a blazing fire without smoke. And then he slew full 14,000 warriors, and 3,000 warriors, and 3,000 elephants. Then the samsaptakas once more encompassed Dhananjaya, making death or victory their goal. The battle then that took place there between thy warriors and that mighty hero, viz., the diadem-decked son of Pandu became awful.'"

 

Book 8
Chapter 54

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      atha tv idānīṃ tumule vimarde; dviṣadbhir eko bahubhiḥ samāvṛtaḥ
      mahābhaye sārathim ity uvāca; bhīmaś camūṃ vārayan dhārtarāṣṭrīm
      tvaṃ sārathe yāhi javena vāhair; nayāmy etān dhārtarāṣṭrān yamāya
  2 saṃcodito bhīmasenena caivaṃ; sa sārathiḥ putrabalaṃ tvadīyam
      prāyāt tataḥ sārathir ugravego; yato bhīmas tad balaṃ gantum aicchat
  3 tato 'pare nāgarathāśvapattibhiḥ; pratyudyayuḥ kuravas taṃ samantāt
      bhīmasya vāhāgryam udāravegaṃ; samantato bāṇagaṇair nijaghnuḥ
  4 tataḥ śarān āpatato mahātmā; ciccheda bāṇair tapanīyapuṅkhaiḥ
      te vai nipetus tapanīyapuṅkhā; dvidhā tridhā bhīma śarair nikṛttāḥ
  5 tato rājan nāra rathāśvayūnāṃ; bhīmāhatānāṃ tava rājamadhye
      ghoro ninādaḥ prababhau narendra; vajrāhatānām iva parvatānām
  6 te vadhyamānāś ca narendramukhyā; nirbhinnā vai bhīmasenapravekaiḥ
      bhīmaṃ samantāt samare 'dhyarohan; vṛkṣaṃ śakuntā iva puṣpahetoḥ
  7 tato 'bhipātaṃ tava sainyamadhye; prāduścakre vegam ivātta vegaḥ
      yathānta kāle kṣapayan didhakṣur; bhūtānta kṛt kāla ivātta daṇḍaḥ
  8 tasyātivegasya raṇe 'tivegaṃ; nāśaknuvan dhārayituṃ tvadīyāḥ
      vyāttānanasyāpatato yathaiva; kālasya kāle harataḥ prajā vai
  9 tato balaṃ bhārata bhāratānāṃ; pradahyamānaṃ samare mahātman
      bhītaṃ diśo 'kīryata bhīma nunnaṃ; mahānilenābhra gaṇo yathaiva
  10 tato dhīmān sārathim abravīd balī; sa bhīmasenaḥ punar eva hṛṣṭaḥ
     sūtābhijānīhi parān svakān vā; rathān dhvajāṃś cāpatataḥ sametān
     yudhyann ahaṃ nābhijānāmi kiṃ cin; mā sainyaṃ svaṃ chādayiṣye pṛṣatkaiḥ
 11 arīn viśokābhinirīkṣya sarvato; manas tu cintā pradunoti me bhṛśam
     rājāturo nāgam adyat kirīṭī; bahūn duḥkhāny abhijāto 'smi sūta
 12 etad duḥkhaṃ sārathe dharmarājo; yan māṃ hitvā yātavāñ śatrumadhye
     nainaṃ jīvan nāpi jānāmy ajīvan; bībhatsuṃ vā tan mamādyātiduḥkham
 13 so 'haṃ dviṣat sainyam udagrakalpaṃ; vināśayiṣye paramapratītaḥ
     etān nihatyājimadhye sametān; prīto bhaviṣyāmi saha tvayādya
 14 sarvāṃs tūṇīrān mārgaṇān vānvavekṣya; kiṃ śiṣṭaṃ syāt sāyakānāṃ rathe me
     kā vājātiḥ kiṃpramāṇaṃ ca teṣāṃ; jñātvā vyaktaṃ tan mamācakṣva sūta
 15 [viṣoka]
     ṣaṇ mārgaṇānām ayutāni vīra; kṣurāś ca bhallāś ca tathāyutākhyāḥ
     nārācānāṃ dve sahasre tu vīra; trīṇy eva ca pradarāṇāṃ ca pārtha
 16 asty āyudhaṃ pāṇḍaveyāvaśiṣṭaṃ; na yad vahec chakaṭaṃ ṣaḍ gavīyam
     etad vidvan muñca sahasraśo 'pi; gadāsibāhudraviṇaṃ ca te 'sti
 17 [bhs]
     sūtādyemaṃ paśya bhīma pramuktaiḥ; saṃbhindadbhiḥ pārthivān āśu vegaiḥ
     ugrair bāṇair āhavaṃ ghorarūpaṃ; naṣṭādityaṃ mṛtyulokena tulyam
 18 adyaiva tad viditaṃ pārthivānāṃ; bhaviṣyatiy ākumāraṃ ca sūta
     nimagno vā samare bhīmasena; ekaḥ kurūn vā samare vijetā
 19 sarve saṃkhye kuravo niṣpatantu; māṃ vā lokāḥ kīrtayantv ākumāram
     savān ekas tān ahaṃ pātayiṣye; te vā sarve bhīmasenaṃ tudantu
 20 āśāstāraḥ karma cāpy uttamaṃ vā; tan me devāḥ kevalaṃ sādhayantu
     āyātv ihādyārjunaḥ śatrughātī; śakras tūrṇaṃ yajña ivopahūtaḥ
 21 īkṣvasvaitāṃ bhāratīṃ dīryamāṇām; ete kasmād vidravante narendrāḥ
     vyaktaṃ dhīmān savyasācī narāgryaḥ; sainyaṃ hy etac chādayaty āśu bāṇaiḥ
 22 paśya dhvajāṃś ca dravato viśoka; nāgān hayān pattisaṃghāṃś ca saṃkhye
     rāthān viśīrṇāñ śaraśaktitāḍitān; paśyasvaitān rathinaś caiva sūta
 23 āpūryate kauravī cāpy abhīkṣṇaṃ; senā hy asau subhṛśaṃ hanyamānā
     dhanaṃjayasyāśani tulyavegair; grastā śarair barhi suvarṇavājaiḥ
 24 ete dravanti sma rathāśvanāgāḥ; padātisaṃghān avamardayantaḥ
     saṃmuhyamānāḥ kauravāḥ sarva eva; dravanti nāgā iva dāvabhītāḥ
     hāhākṛtāś caiva raṇe viśoka; muñcanti nādān vipulān gajendrāḥ
 25 [viṣoka]
     sarve kāmāḥ pāṇḍava te samṛddhāḥ; kapidhvajo dṛśyate hastisainye
     nīlād dhanād vidyutam uccarantīṃ; tathāpaśyaṃ visphurad vai dhanus tat
 26 kapir hy asau vīkṣyate sarvato vai; dhvajāgram āruhya dhanaṃjayasya
     divākarābbho maṇir eṣa divyo; vibhrājate caiva kirīṭasaṃsthaḥ
 27 pārśve bhīmaṃ pāṇḍurābhraprakāśaṃ; paśyemaṃ tvaṃ devadattaṃ sughoṣam
     abhīśu hastasya janārdanasya; vigāhamānasya camūṃ pareṣām
 28 raviprabhaṃ vajranābhaṃ kṣurāntaṃ; pārśve sthitaṃ paśya janārdanasya
     cakraṃ yaśo vardhayat keśavasya; sadārcitaṃ yadubhiḥ paśya vīra
 29 [bhm]
     dadāmi te grāmavarāṃś caturdaśa; priyākhyāne sārathe suprasannaḥ
     dasī śataṃ cāpi rathāṃś ca viṃśatiṃ; yad arjunaṃ vedayase viśoka

 

54

"Sanjaya said, 'Then Kritavarma, and Kripa, and the son of Drona and the Suta's son, O sire, and Uluka, and Subala's son (Shakuni), and the king himself, with his uterine brothers, beholding the (Kuru) army afflicted with the fear of Pandu's son, unable to stand together, like a vessel wrecked on the ocean, endeavoured to rescue it with great speed. For a short space of time, O Bharata, the battle that once more took place became exceedingly fierce, enhancing as it did the fears of timid and the joy of the brave. The dense showers of arrows shot in battle by Kripa, thick, as flights of locusts, covered the Srinjayas. Then Shikhandi, filled with rage, speedily proceeded against the grandson of Gautama (Kripa) and poured upon that bull amongst Brahmanas his arrowy downpours from all sides. Acquainted with the highest weapons Kripa then checked that arrowy downpour, and wrathfully pierced Shikhandi with ten arrows in that battle. Then Shikhandi filled with rage, deeply pierced Kripa, in that encounter, with seven straight arrows equipped with Kanka feathers. The twice-born Kripa then, that great car-warrior, deeply pierced with those keen arrows, deprived Shikhandi of his steeds, driver and car. Jumping down from his steedless vehicle, the mighty car-warrior (Shikhandi) rushed impetuously at the Brahmana, having taken up a sword and a shield. As the Pancala prince advanced, Kripa quickly covered him with many straight arrows in that encounter, which seemed exceedingly wonderful. Indeed, exceedingly wonderful was the sight that we then beheld, even like the flying of rocks, for Shikhandi, O king, (thus assailed) remained perfectly inactive in that battle. Beholding Shikhandi covered (with arrows) by Kripa, O best of the kings, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna speedily proceeded against Kripa. The great car-warrior Kritavarma, however, rushing impetuously received Dhrishtadyumna as the latter proceeded against the son of Sharadvata (Kripa). Then Drona's son checked Yudhishthira as the latter, with his son and troops, was rushing towards the car of Sharadvata's son. Thy son Duryodhana, shooting a shower of arrows, received and checked Nakula and Sahadeva, those two great car-warriors endued with celerity. Karna too, otherwise called Vaikartana, O Bharata, in that battle, resisted Bhimasena, and the Karushas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas. Meanwhile Sharadvata's son, in that battle, O sire, with great activity, sped many arrows at Shikhandi, as if for the purpose of burning him outright. The Pancala prince, however, whirling his sword repeatedly, cut off all those arrows, decked with gold, that had been sped at him by Kripa from all sides. The grandson of Gautama (Kripa) then quickly cut off with his arrows the shield of Prishata's son, that was decked with hundred moons. At this feat of his, the troops made a loud uproar. Deprived of his shield, O monarch, and placed under Kripa's power Shikhandi still rushed, sword in hand, (towards Kripa), like a sick man towards the jaws of Death. Then Suketu, the son of Citraketu, O king, quickly proceeded towards the mighty Shikhandi plunged into such distress and assailed in that manner by Kripa with his arrows. Indeed, the young prince of immeasurable soul rushed towards the car of Sharadvata's son and poured upon that Brahmana, in that battle, innumerable shafts of great keenness. Beholding that Brahmana observant of vows thus engaged in battle (with another), Shikhandi, O best of kings, retreated hastily from that spot. Meanwhile Suketu, O king, piercing the son of Gautama with nine arrows, once more pierced him with seventy and again with three. Then the prince, O sire, cut off Kripa's bow with arrow fixed thereon, and with another shaft struck hard the latter's driver in a vital limb. The grandson of Gautama then, filled with rage, took up a new and very strong bow and struck Suketu with thirty arrows in all his vital limbs. All his limbs exceedingly weakened, the prince trembled on his excellent car like a tree trembling exceedingly during an earthquake. With a razor-headed arrow then, Kripa struck off from the prince's trunk, while the latter was still trembling, his head decked with a pair of blazing earrings and head-protector. That head thereupon fell down on the Earth like a piece of meat from the claws of a hawk, and then his trunk also fell down, O thou of great glory. Upon the fall of Suketu, O monarch, his troops became frightened, and avoiding Kripa, fled away on all sides.
"'Encompassing the mighty Dhrishtadyumna, Kritavarma cheerfully addressed him saying, "Wait, Wait!" The encounter then that took place between the Vrishni and the Pancala warriors in that battle became exceedingly fierce, like that between two hawks, O king, for a piece of meat. Filled with rage, Dhrishtadyumna, in that battle, struck the son of Hridika (Kritavarma, the ruler of Bhoja) with nine arrows in the chest, and succeeded in afflicting him greatly. Then Kritavarma, thus deeply struck by Prishata's son in that encounter, covered his assailant, his steeds, and his car with his shafts. Thus shrouded, O king, along with his car, Dhrishtadyumna became invisible, like the Sun shrouded by rain-charged clouds. Baffling all those shafts decked with gold, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, looked resplendent in that battle in his wounds. The commander of the Pandava forces, viz., the son of Prishata, then, filled with rage, approached Kritavarma and poured upon him a fierce shower of arrows. The son of Hridika, however, in that battle, with many thousands of his own arrows, destroyed that fierce arrowy shower coursing towards him with great impetuosity. Beholding his irresistible shower of arrows checked in that battle by Kritavarma, the son of Prishata, approaching his antagonist, began to resist him. And soon he despatched Kritavarma's driver to Yama's abode with a broad-headed arrow of great sharpness. Deprived of life, the driver fell down from the car. The mighty Dhrishtadyumna, having vanquished his mighty antagonist, began then to resist the Kauravas with shafts, without losing a moment. Then thy warriors, O king, rushed towards Dhrishtadyumna, uttering loud leonine roars. At this a battle once more took place between them.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 55

 

 

 

 1 [s]
      śrutvā ca rathi nirghoṣaṃ siṃhanādaṃ ca saṃyuge
      arjunaḥ prāha govindaṃ śīghraṃ codaya vājinaḥ
  2 arjunasya vacaḥ śrutvā govindo 'rjunam abravīt
      eṣa gacchāmi sukṣipraṃ yatra bhīmo vyavasthitaḥ
  3 āyāntam aśvair himaśaṅkhavarṇaiḥ; suvarṇamuktā maṇijālanaddhaiḥ
      jambhaṃ jighāṃsuṃ pragṛhītavajraṃ; jayāya devendram ivogramanyum
  4 rathāśvamātaṅgapadātisaṃghā; bāṇasvanair nemikhura svanaiś ca
      saṃnādayanto vasudhāṃ diśaś ca; kruddhā nṛsiṃhā jayam abhyudīyuḥ
  5 teṣāṃ ca pārthasya mahat tadāsīd; dehāsu pāpma kṣapaṇaṃ suyuddham
      trailokyahetor asurair yathāsīd; devasya viṣṇor jayatāṃ varasya
  6 tair astam uccāvacam āyudhaugham; ekaḥ praticchede kirīṭamālī
      kṣurārdhacandrair niśitaiś ca bāṇaiḥ; śirāṃsi teṣāṃ bahudhā ca bāhūn
  7 chatrāṇi vālavyajanāni ketūn; aśvān rathān pattigaṇān dvipāṃś ca
      te petur urvyāṃ bahudhā virūpā; vātaprabhagnāni yathā vanāni
  8 suvarṇajālāvatatā mahāgajāḥ; savaijayantī dhvajayodhakalpitāḥ
      suvarṇapuṅkhair iṣubhiḥ samācitāś; cakāśire prajvalitā yathācalāḥ
  9 vidārya nāgāṃś ca rathāṃś ca vājinaḥ; śarottamair vāsava vajrasaṃnibhaiḥ
      drutaṃ yayau karṇa jighāṃsayā tathā; yathā marutvān balabhedane purā
  10 tataḥ sa puruṣavyāghraḥ sūta sainyam ariṃdama
     praviveśa mahābāhur makaraḥ sāgaraṃ yathā
 11 taṃ dṛṣṭvā tāvakā rājan rathapattisamanvitāḥ
     gajāśvasādi bahulāḥ pāṇḍavaṃ samupādravan
 12 tatrābhidravatāṃ pārtham ārāvaḥ sumahān abhūt
     sāgarasyeva mattasya yathā syāt salilasvanaḥ
 13 te tu taṃ puruṣavyāghraṃ vyāghrā iva mahārathāḥ
     abhyadravanta saṃgrāme tyaktvā prāṇakṛtaṃ bhayam
 14 teṣām āpatatāṃ tatra śaravarṣāṇi muñcatām
     arjuno vyadhamat sainyaṃ mahāvāto ghanān iva
 15 te 'rjunaṃ sahitā bhūtvā rathavaṃśaiḥ prahāriṇaḥ
     abhiyāya maheṣvāsā vivyadhur niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 16 tato 'rjunaḥ sahasrāṇi rathavāraṇavājinām
     preṣayām āsa viśikhair yamasya sadanaṃ prati
 17 te vadhyamānāḥ samare pārtha cāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ
     tatra tatra sma līyante bhaye jāte mahārathāḥ
 18 teṣāṃ catuḥśatān vīrān yatamānān mahārathān
     arjuno niśitair bāṇair anayad yamasādanam
 19 te vadhyamānāḥ samare nānā liṅgaiḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     arjunaṃ samabhityajya dudruvur vai diśo bhayāt
 20 teṣāṃ śabdo mahān āsīd dravatāṃ vāhinīmukhe
     mahaughasyeva bhadraṃ te girim āsādya dīryataḥ
 21 tāṃ tu senāṃ bhṛśaṃ viddhvā drāvayitvārjunaḥ śaraiḥ
     prāyād abhimukhaḥ pārthaḥ sūtānīkāni māriṣa
 22 tasya śabdo mahān āsīt parān abhimukhasya vai
     garuḍasyeva patataḥ pannagārthe yathā purā
 23 taṃ tu śabdam abhiśrutya bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
     babhūva paramaprītaḥ pārtha darśanalālasaḥ
 24 śrutvaiva pārtham āyāntaṃ bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     tyaktvā prāṇān mahārāja senāṃ tava mamarda ha
 25 sa vāyuvegapratimo vāyuvegasamo jave
     vāyuvad vyacarad bhīmo vāyuputraḥ pratāpavān
 26 tenārdyamānā rājendra senā tava viśāṃ pate
     vyabhrāmyata mahārāja bhinnā naur iva sāgare
 27 tāṃ tu senāṃ tadā bhīmo darśayan pāṇilāghavam
     śarair avacakartograiḥ preṣayiṣyan yamakṣayam
 28 tatra bhārata bhīmasya balaṃ dṛṣṭvātimānuṣam
     vyatrasyanta raṇe yodhāḥ kālasyeva yugakṣaye
 29 tathārditān bhīmabalān bhīmasenena bhārata
     dṛṣṭvā duryodhano rājā idaṃ vacanam abravīt
 30 sainikān sa maheṣvāso yodhāś ca bharatarṣabha
     samādiśad raṇe sarvān hatabhīmam iti sma ha
     tasmin hate hataṃ manye sarvasainyam aśeṣataḥ
 31 pratigṛhya ca tām ājñāṃ tava putrasya pārthivāḥ
     bhīmaṃ pracchādayām āsuḥ śaravarṣaiḥ samantataḥ
 32 gajāś ca bahulā rājan narāś ca jaya gṛddhinaḥ
     rathā hayāś ca rājendra parivavrur vṛkodaram
 33 sa taiḥ parivṛtaḥ śūraiḥ śūro rājan samantataḥ
     śuśubhe bharataśreṣṭha nakṣatrair iva candramāḥ
 34 sa rarāja tathā saṃkhye darśanīyo narottamaḥ
     nirviśeṣaṃ mahārāja yathā hi vijayas tathā
 35 tatra te pārthivāḥ sarve śaravṛṣṭī samāsṛjan
     krodharaktekṣaṇāḥ krūrā hantukāmā vṛkodaram
 36 sa vidārya mahāsenāṃ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     niścakrāma raṇād bhīmo matsyo jālād ivāmbhasi
 37 hatvā daśasahasrāṇi gajānām anivartinām
     nṛṣāṃ śatasahasre dve dve śate caiva bhārata
 38 pañca cāśvasahasrāṇi rathānāṃ śatam eva ca
     hatvā prāsyandayad bhīmo nadīṃ śoṇitakardamā
 39 śoṇitodāṃ rathāvartāṃ hastigrāhasamākulām
     naramīnām aśvanakrāṃ keśaśaivalaśādvalām
 40 saṃchinnabhuja nāgendrāṃ bahuratnāpahāriṇīm
     ūrugrāhāṃ majja paṅkāṃ śīrṣopala samākulām
 41 dhanuṣkāśāṃ śarāvāpāṃ gadāparighaketanām
     yodhavrātavatīṃ saṃkhye vahantīṃ yamasādanam
 42 kṣaṇena puruṣavyāghraḥ prāvartayata nimnagām
     yathā vaitaraṇīm ugrāṃ dustarām akṛtātmabhiḥ
 43 yato yataḥ pāṇḍaveyaḥ pravṛtto rathasattamaḥ
     tatas tato 'pātayata yodhāñ śatasahasraśaḥ
 44 evaṃ dṛṣṭvā kṛtaṃ karma bhīmasenena saṃyuge
     duryodhano mahārāja śakuniṃ vākyam abravīt
 45 jaya mātulasaṃgrāme bhīmasenaṃ mahābalam
     asmiñ jite jitaṃ manye pāṇḍaveyaṃ mahābalam
 46 tataḥ prāyān mahārāja saubaleyaḥ pratāpavān
     raṇāya mahate yukto bhrātṛbhiḥ parivāritaḥ
     raṇāya mahate yukto bhrātṛbhiḥ pārivāritaḥ
 47 sa samāsādya saṃgrāme bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramam
     vārayām āsa taṃ vīro veleva makarālayam
     sa nyavartata taṃ bhīmo vāryamāṇaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 48 śakunis tasya rājendra vāme pārśve stanāntare
     preṣayām āsa nārācān rukmapuṅkhāñ śilāśitān
 49 varma bhittvā tu sauvarṇaṃ bāṇās tasya mahātmanaḥ
     nyamajjanta mahārāja kaṅkabarhiṇa vāsasaḥ
 50 so 'tividdho raṇe bhīmaḥ śaraṃ hemavibhūṣitam
     preṣayām āsa sahasā saubalaṃ prati bhārata
 51 tam āyāntaṃ śaraṃ ghoraṃ śakuniḥ śatrutāpanaḥ
     ciccheda śatadhā rājan kṛtahasto mahābalaḥ
 52 tasmin nipatite bhūmau bhīmaḥ kruddho viśāṃ pate
     dhanuś ciccheda bhallena saubalasya hasann iva
 53 tad apāsya dhanuś chinnaṃ saubaleyaḥ pratāpavān
     anyad ādatta vegena dhanur bhallāṃś ca ṣoḍaśa
 54 tais tasya tu mahārāja bhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     caturbhiḥ sārathiṃ hy ārcchad bhīmaṃ pañcabhir eva ca
 55 dhvajam ekena ciccheda chatraṃ dvābhyāṃ viśāṃ pate
     caturbhiś caturo vāhān vivyādha subalātmajaḥ
 56 tataḥ kruddho mahārāja bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     śaktiṃ cikṣepa samare rukmadaṇḍām ayo mayīm
 57 sā bhīma bhujanirmuktā nāgajihveva cañcalā
     nipapāta rathe tūrṇaṃ saubalasya mahātmanaḥ
 58 tatas tām eva saṃgṛhya śaktiṃ kanakabhūṣaṇām
     bhīmasenāya cikṣepa kruddha rūpo viśāṃ pate
 59 sā nirbhidya bhujaṃ savyaṃ pāṇḍavasya mahātmanaḥ
     papāta ca tato bhūmau yathā vidyun nabhaś cyutā
 60 athotkruṣṭaṃ mahārāja dhārtarāṣṭraiḥ samantataḥ
     na tu taṃ mamṛṣe bhīmaḥ siṃhanādaṃ tarasvinām
 61 sa saṃgṛhya dhanuḥ sajyaṃ tvaramāṇo mahārathaḥ
     muhūrtād iva rājendra chādayām āsa sāyakaiḥ
     saubalasya balaṃ saṃkhye tyaktvātmānaṃ mahābalaḥ
 62 tasyāśvāṃś caturo hatvā sūtaṃ caiva viśāṃ pate
     dhvajaṃ ciccheda mallena tvaramāṇaḥ parākramī
 63 hatāśvaṃ ratham utsṛjya tvaramāṇo narottamaḥ
     tasthau visphārayaṃś cāpaṃ krodharaktekṣaṇaḥ śvasan
     śaraiś ca bahudhā rājan bhīmam ārcchat samantataḥ
 64 pratihatya tu vegena bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān
     dhanuś ciccheda saṃkruddho vivyādha ca śitaiḥ śaraiḥ
 65 so 'tividdho balavatā śatruṇā śatrukarśanaḥ
     nipapāta tato bhūmau kiṃ cit prāṇo narādhipa
 66 tatas taṃ vihvalaṃ jñātvā putras tava viśāṃ pate
     apovāha rathenājau bhīmasenasya paśyataḥ
 67 rathasthe tu naravyāghre dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ parāṅmukhāḥ
     pradudruvur diśo bhītā bhīmāñ jāte mahābhaye
 68 saubale nirjite rājan bhīmasenena dhanvinā
     bhayena mahatā bhagnaḥ putro duryodhanas tava
     apāyāj javanair aśvaiḥ sāpekṣo mātulaṃ prati
 69 parāṅmukhaṃ tu rājānaṃ dṛṣṭvā sainyāni bhārata
     viprajagmuḥ samutsṛjya dvairathāni samantataḥ
 70 tān dṛṣṭvātirathān sarvān dhārtarāṣṭrān parāṅmukhān
     javenābhyapatad bhīmaḥ kirañ śaraśatān bahūn
 71 te vadhyamānā bhīmena dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ parāṅmukhāḥ
     karṇam āsādya samare sthitā rājan samantataḥ
     sa hi teṣāṃ mahāvīryo dvīpo 'bhūt sumahābalaḥ
 72 bhinnanaukā yathā rājan dvīpam āsādya nirvṛtāḥ
     bhavanti puruṣavyāghra nāvikāḥ kālaparyaye
 73 tathā karṇaṃ samāsādya tāvakā bharatarṣabha
     samāśvastāḥ sthitā rājan saṃprahṛṣṭāḥ parasparam
     samājagmuś ca yuddhāya mṛtyuṃ kṛtvā nivartanam

 

55

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile the son of Drona (Ashvatthama), beholding Yudhishthira protected by the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and by the heroic sons of Draupadi, cheerfully advanced against the king, scattering many fierce arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone, and displaying diverse manoeuvres of his car and the great skill he had acquired and his exceeding lightness of hands. He filled the entire welkin with shafts inspired with the force of celestial weapons. Conversant with all weapons, Drona's son encompassed Yudhishthira in that battle. The welkin being covered with the shafts of Drona's son, nothing could be seen. The vast space in front of Ashvatthama became one expanse of arrows. The welkin then, thus covered with that dense shower of arrows decked with gold, looked beautiful, O chief of the Bharatas, as if a canopy embroidered with gold had been spread there. Indeed, the firmament, O king, having been covered with that bright shower of arrows, a shadow, as that of the clouds, appeared there on the occasion. Wonderful was the sight that we then beheld when the sky had thus become one expanse of arrows, for not one creature ranging the sky could course through his element. Then Satyaki, though struggling resolutely, and Pandu's son king Yudhishthira the just, as also all the other warriors, could not display their prowess. Beholding the great lightness of hands displayed by the son of Drona, the mighty car-warriors (of the Pandava army) were filled with wonder. All the kings became incapable of even looking at Ashvatthama, O monarch, who then resembled the scorching Sun himself in the sky. While the Pandava troops were thus being slaughtered, those mighty car-warriors, viz., the sons of Draupadi, and Satyaki, and king Yudhishthira the just, and the Pancala warriors, all uniting together, cast off their fears of death and rushed against the son of Drona. Then Satyaki, piercing the son of Drona with seventy arrows, once more pierced him with seven long shafts decked with gold. And Yudhishthira pierced him with three and seventy arrows, and Prativindya with seven, and Srutakarman pierced him with three arrows and Srutakirti with five. And Sutasoma pierced him with nine arrows, and Satanika with seven. And many other heroes pierced him with many arrows from every side. Filled then with rage and breathing, O king, like a snake of virulent poison, Drona's son pierced Satyaki in return with five and twenty arrows whetted on stone. And he pierced Srutakirti with nine arrows and Sutasoma with five, and with eight arrows he pierced Srutakarman, and Prativindya with three. And he pierced Satanika with nine arrows, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira) with five. And each of the other warriors he pierced with a couple of shafts. With some keen arrows he then cut off the bow of Srutakirti. The latter then, that great car-warrior, taking up another bow, pierced Drona's son, first with three arrows and then with many others equipped with sharp points. Then, O monarch, the son of Drona covered the Pandava troops, O sire, with thick showers of arrows, O bull of Bharata's race. Of immeasurable soul, the son of Drona, next smiling the while, cut off the bow of king Yudhishthira the just, and then pierced him with three arrows. The son of Dharma then, O king, taking up another formidable bow, pierced Drona's son with seventy arrows in the arms and the chest. Then Satyaki, filled with rage in that battle, cut off the bow of Drona's son, that great smiter, with a sharp crescent-shaped arrow and uttered a loud roar. His bow cut off, that foremost of mighty men viz., the son of Drona, quickly felled Satyaki's driver from his car with a dart. The valiant son of Drona then, taking up another bow, covered the grandson of Sini, O Bharata, with a shower of arrows. His driver having been slain, Satyaki's steeds were seen to run hither and thither, O Bharata, in that battle. Then the Pandava warriors headed by Yudhishthira, shooting sharp shafts, all rushed with impetuosity towards Drona's son, that foremost of all wielders of weapons. That scorcher of foes, however, viz., the son of Drona, beholding those warriors wrathfully advancing against him received them all in that dreadful battle. Then like a fire in the forest consuming heaps of dry grass and straw, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Drona's son, having showers of arrows for his flames, consumed the Pandava troops in that battle, who resembled a heap of dry grass and straw. That army of Pandu's son, thus scorched by the son of Drona, became exceedingly agitated, O chief of the Bharatas, like the mouth of a river by a whale. People then, O monarch, beholding the prowess of Drona's son, regarded all the Pandavas as already slain by him. Then Yudhishthira, that great car-warrior and disciple of Drona, filled with rage and the desire to retaliate, addressed Drona's son, saying "O tiger among men, thou hast no affection, thou hast no gratitude, since thou desirest to slay me today. The duties of a Brahmana are asceticism and gift and study. The bow should be bent by the Kshatriya only. It seems, therefore, that thou art a Brahmana in name only. In thy very sight, however. O thou of mighty arms, I will vanquish the Kauravas in battle. Do what thou canst in battle. I tell thee that thou art a wretch amongst Brahmanas." Thus addressed, the son of Drona. smiling, and reflecting upon what was proper and true, gave no reply. Without saying anything, he covered the son of Pandu in that battle with a shower of arrows like the destroyer himself in wrath while engaged in annihilating creatures. Thus covered by Drona's son. O sire, the son of Pritha quickly went away from that spot, leaving that large division of his. After Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, had gone away, the high-souled son of Drona also, O king, left that spot. Then Yudhishthira, O king, avoiding the son of Drona in that great battle proceeded against thy army, resolved to achieve the cruel task of slaughter.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 56

 

 

1 [dhṛ]
      tato bhagneṣu sainyeṣu bhīmasenena saṃyuge
      duryodhano 'bravīt kiṃ nu saubalo vāpi saṃjaya
  2 karṇo vā jayatāṃ śreṣṭho yodhā vā māmakā yudhi
      kṛpo vā kṛtavarmā ca drauṇir duḥśāsano 'pi vā
  3 atyadbhutam idaṃ manye pāṇḍaveyasya vikramam
      yathāpratijñaṃ yodhānāṃ rādheyaḥ kṛtavān api
  4 kurūṇām api sarveṣāṃ karṇaḥ śatruniṣūdanaḥ
      śarma varma pratiṣṭhā ca jīvitāśā ca saṃjaya
  5 tat prabhagnaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā kaunteyenāmitaujasā
      rādheyānām adhirathaḥ karṇaḥ kim akarod yudhi
  6 putrā vā mama durdharṣā rājāno vā mahārathāḥ
      etan me sarvam ācakṣva kuśalo hy asi saṃjaya
  7 [s]
      aparāhṇe mahārāja sūtaputraḥ pratāpavān
      jaghāna somakān sarvān bhīmasenasya paśyataḥ
      bhīmo 'py atibalaḥ sainyaṃ dhārtarāṣṭraṃ vyapothayat
  8 drāvyamāṇaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena dhīmatā
      yantāram abravīt karṇaḥ pāñcālān eva mā vaha
  9 madrarājas tataḥ śalyaḥ śvetān aśvān mahājavān
      prāhiṇoc cedipāñcālān karūṣāṃś ca mahābalaḥ
  10 praviśya ca sa tāṃ senāṃ śalyaḥ parabalārdanaḥ
     nyayacchat turagān hṛṣṭo yatra yatraicchad agraṇīḥ
 11 taṃ ratahṃ meghasaṃkāśaṃ vaiyāghraparivāraṇam
     saṃdṛśya pāṇḍupāñcālās trastā āsan viśāṃ pate
 12 tato rathasya ninadaḥ prādurāsīn mahāraṇe
     parjanyasamanirghoṣaḥ parvatasyeva dīryataḥ
 13 tataḥ śaraśatais tīkṣṇaiḥ karṇo 'py ākarṇaniḥsṛtaiḥ
     jaghāna pāṇḍava balaṃ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 14 taṃ tathā samare karma kurvāṇam atimānuṣam
     parivavrur maheṣvāsāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ
 15 taṃ śikhaṇḍī ca bhīmaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ
     nakulaḥ sahadevaś ca draupadeyāḥ sasātyakāḥ
     parivavrur jighāṃsanto rādheyaṃ śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ
 16 sātyakis tu tataḥ karṇaṃ viṃśatyā niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
     atāḍayad raṇe śūro jatru deśe narottamaḥ
 17 śikhaṇḍī pañcaviṃśatyā dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pañcabhiḥ
     draupadeyāś catuḥṣaṣṭyā sahadevaś ca saptabhiḥ
     nakulaś ca śatenājau karṇaṃ vivyādha sāyakaiḥ
 18 bhīmasenas tu rādheyaṃ navatyā nataparvaṇām
     vivyādha samare kruddho jatru deśe mahābalaḥ
 19 tataḥ prahasyādhirathir vikṣipan dhanur uttamam
     mumoca niśitān bāṇān pīḍayan sumahābalaḥ
     tān pratyavidhyad rādheyaḥ pañcabhiḥ pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ
 20 sātyakes tu dhanuś chittvā dhvajaṃ ca puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     athainaṃ navabhir bāṇair ājaghāna stanāntare
 21 bhīmasenas tu taṃ kruddho vivyādha triṃśatā śaraiḥ
     sārathiṃ ca tribhir bāṇair ājaghāna paraṃtapaḥ
 22 virathān draupadeyāṃś ca cakāra puruṣarṣabhaḥ
     akṣṇor nimeṣa mātreṇa tad adbhutam ivābhavat
 23 vimukhīkṛtya tān sarvāñ śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ
     pāñcālān ahanac chūraś cedīnāṃ ca mahārathān
 24 te vadhyamānāḥ samare cedimatsyā viśāṃ pate
     karṇam ekam abhidrutya śarasaṃghaiḥ samārdayan
     tāñ jaghāna śitair bāṇaiḥ sūtaputro mahārathaḥ
 25 etad atyadbhutaṃ karṇe dṛṣṭavān asmi bhārata
     yad ekaḥ samare śūrān sūtaputraḥ pratāpavān
 26 yātamānān paraṃ śaktyāyodhayat tāṃś ca dhanvinaḥ
     pāṇḍaveyān mahārāja śarair vāritavān raṇe
 27 tatra bhārata karṇasya llāghavena mahātmanaḥ
     tutuṣur devatāḥ sarvāḥ siddhāś ca paramarṣayaḥ
 28 apūjayan maheṣvāsā dhārtarāṣṭrā narottamam
     karṇaṃ rathavaraśreṣṭhaṃ śreṣṭhaṃ sarvadhanuṣmatām
 29 tataḥ karṇo mahārāja dadāha ripuvāhinīm
     kakṣam iddho yathā vahnir nidāghe jvalito mahān
 30 te vadhyamānāḥ karṇena pāṇḍaveyās tatas tataḥ
     prādravanta raṇe bhītāḥ karṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā mahābalam
 31 tatrākrando mahān āsīt pāñcālānāṃ mahāraṇe
     vadhyatāṃ sāyakais tīkṣṇaiḥ karṇa cāpavaracyutaiḥ
 32 tena śabdena vitrastā pāṇḍavānāṃ mahācamūḥ
     karṇam ekaṃ raṇe yodhaṃ menire tatra śātravāḥ
 33 tatrādbhutaṃ paraṃ cakre rādheyaḥ śatrukarśanaḥ
     yad ekaṃ pāṇḍavāḥ sarve na śekur abhivīkṣitum
 34 yathaughaḥ parvataśreṣṭham āsādyābhipradīryatel
     tathā tat pāṇḍavaṃ sainyaṃ karṇam āssādya dīryate
 35 karṇo 'pi samare rājan vidhūmo 'gnir iva jvalan
     dahaṃs tasthau mahābāhuḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahācamūm
 36 śirāṃsi ca mahārāja karṇāṃś cañcala kuṇḍalān
     bāhūṃś ca vīro vīrāṇāṃ ciccheda laghu ceṣubhiḥ
 37 hastidantān tsarūn khaḍgān dhvajāñ śaktīr hayān gajān
     rathāṃś ca vividhān rājan patākāvyajanāni ca
 38 akṣeṣā yugayoktrāṇi cakrāṇi vividhāni ca
     ciccheda śatadhā karṇo yodhavratam anuṣṭhitaḥ
 39 tatra bhārata karṇena nihatair gajavājibhiḥ
     agamyarūpā pṛthivī māṃsaśoṇitakardamā
 40 viṣamaṃ ca samaṃ caiva hatair aśvapadātibhiḥ
     rathaiś ca kuñjaraiś caiva na prajñāyata kiṃ cana
 41 nāpi sve na pare yodhāḥ prajñāyanta parasparam
     ghore śarāndhakāre tu karṇāstre ca vijṛmbhite
 42 rādheya cāpanirmuktaiḥ śaraiḥ kāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ
     saṃchāditā mahārāja yatamānā mahārathāḥ
 43 te pāṇḍaveyāḥ samare karṇena sma punaḥ punaḥ
     abhajyanta mahārāja yatamānā mahārathāḥ
 44 mṛgasaṃghān yathā kruddhaḥ siṃho drāvayate vane
     karṇas tu samare yodhāṃs tatra tatra mahāyaśāḥ
     kālayām āsa tat sainyaṃ yathā paśugaṇān vṛkaḥ
 45 dṛṣṭvā tu pāṇḍavīṃ senāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāḥ parāṅmukhīm
     abhijagmur maheṣvāsā ruvanto bhairavān ravān
 46 duryodhano hi rājendra mudā paramayā yutaḥ
     vādayām āsa saṃhṛṣṭo nānāvādyāni sarvaśaḥ
 47 pāñcālāpi maheṣvāsā bhagnabhagnā narottamāḥ
     nyavartanta yathā śūrā mṛtyuṃ kṛtvā nivartanam
 48 tān nivṛttān raṇe śūrān rādheyaḥ śatrutāpanaḥ
     anekaśo mahārāja babhañja puruṣarṣabhaḥ
 49 tatra bhārata karṇena pāñcālā viṃśatī rathāḥ
     nihatāḥ sādayaḥ krodhāc cedayaś ca paraḥśatāḥ
 50 kṛtvā śūnyān rathopasthān vājipṛṣṭhāṃś ca bhārata
     nirmanuṣyān gajaskandhān pādātāṃś caiva vidrutān
 51 āditya iva madhyāhne durnirīkṣyaḥ paraṃtaha
     kālāntakavapuḥ krūdaḥ sūtaputraś cacāla ha
 52 evam etān mahārāja naravāji rathā dvipān
     hatvā tasthau maheṣvāsaḥ karṇo 'rigaṇasūdanaḥ
 53 yathā bhūtagaṇān hatvā kālas tiṣṭhen mahābalaḥ
     tathā sa somakān hatvā tasthāv eko mahārathaḥ
 54 tatrādbhutam apaśyāma pāñcālānāṃ parākramam
     vadhyamānāpi karṇena nājahū raṇamūrdhani
 55 rājā duḥśāsanaś caiva kṛpaḥ śāradvatas tathā
     aśvatthāmā kṛtavarmā śakuniś cāpi saubalaḥ
     nyahanan pāṇḍavīṃ senāṃ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ
 56 karṇa putrau ca rājendra bhrātarau satyavikramau
     anāśayetāṃ balinaḥ pāñcālān vai tatas tataḥ
     tatra yuddhaṃ tadā hy āsīt krūraṃ viśasanaṃ mahat
 57 tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ śūrā dhṛṣṭadyumna śikhaṇḍinau
     draupadeyāś ca saṃkruddhā abhyaghnaṃs tāvakaṃ balam
 58 evam eṣa kṣayo vṛttaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ tatas tataḥ
     tāvakānām api raṇe bhīmaṃ prāpya mahābalam

 

56

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Vikartana himself, resisting Bhimasena supported by the Pancalas and the Cedis and the Kaikayas, covered him with many arrows. In the very sight of Bhimasena, Karna, slew in that battle many mighty car-warriors among the Cedis, the Karushas, and the Srinjayas. Then Bhimasena, avoiding Karna, that best of car-warriors, proceeded against the Kaurava troops like a blazing fire towards a heap of dry grass. The Suta's son also in that battle, began to slay the mighty bowmen amongst the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas, in thousands. Indeed, the three mighty car-warriors viz., Partha and Vrikodara and Karna, began to exterminate the samsaptakas, the Kauravas, and the Pancalas, respectively. In consequence of thy evil policy, O king, all these Kshatriyas, scorched with excellent shafts by those three great warriors, began to be exterminated in that battle. Then Duryodhana, O chief of the Bharatas, filled with rage, pierced Nakula and his four steeds with nine arrows. Of immeasurable soul, thy son next, O ruler of men, cut off the golden standard of Sahadeva with a razor-faced shaft. Filled with wrath, Nakula then, O king, struck thy son with three and seventy arrows in that battle, and Sahadeva struck him with five. Each of those foremost warriors of Bharata's race and foremost of all bowmen, was struck by Duryodhana in rage with five arrows. With a couple of broad-headed arrows, then, he cut off the bows of both those warriors; and then he suddenly pierced each of the twins with three and seventy arrows. Taking up then two other beautiful and foremost of bows each of which resembled the bow of Indra himself, those two heroes looked beautiful like a pair of celestial youths in that battle. Then those two brothers, both endued with great activity in battle, poured upon their cousin, O king, ceaseless showers of terrible shafts like two masses of clouds, pouring rain upon a mountain breast. Thereupon thy son, that great car-warrior, O king filled with rage, resisted those two great bowmen, viz., the twin sons of Pandu, with showers of winged arrows. The bow of Duryodhana in that battle, O Bharata, seemed to be continuously drawn into a circle, and shafts seemed to issue from it ceaselessly on all sides. Covered with Duryodhana's shafts the two sons of Pandu ceased to shine brightly, like the Sun and the Moon in the firmament, divested of splendour, when shrouded by masses of clouds. Indeed, those arrows, O king, equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone, covered all the points of the compass like the rays of the Sun, when the welkin was thus shrouded and all that was seen was one uniform expanse of the Destroyer himself, at the end of the Yuga. Beholding on the other hand, the prowess of thy son, the great car-warriors all regarded the twin sons of Madri to be in the presence of Death. The commander then, O king, of the Pandava army, viz., the mighty car-warrior Parshata (Son of Prishata) proceeded to that spot where Duryodhana was. Transgressing those two great car-warriors, viz., the two brave sons of Madri, Dhrishtadyumna began to resist thy son with his shafts. Of immeasurable soul, that bull among men, viz., thy son, filled with the desire to retaliate, and smiling the while, pierced the prince of Pancala with five and twenty arrows. Of immeasurable soul and filled with the desire to retaliate, thy son once more pierced the prince of Pancala with sixty shafts and once again with five, and uttered a loud roar. Then the king, with a sharp razor-faced arrow, cut off, in that battle, O sire, the bow with arrow fixed thereon and the leathern fence of his antagonist. Casting aside that broken bow, the prince of Pancala, that crusher of foes, quickly took up another bow that was new and capable of bearing a great strain. Blazing with impetuosity, and with eyes red as blood from rage, the great bowman Dhrishtadyumna, with many wounds on his person looked resplendent on his car. Desirous of slaying Duryodhana, O chief of the Bharatas, the Pancala hero sped five and ten cloth-yard shafts that resembled hissing snakes. Those shafts, whetted on stone and equipped with the feathers of Kankas and peacocks, cutting through the armour decked with gold of the king passed through his body and entered the Earth in consequence of the force with which they had been shot. Deeply pierced, O monarch, thy son looked exceedingly beautiful like a gigantic Kinsuka in the season of spring with its flowery weight. His armour pierced with those shafts, and all his limbs rendered exceedingly infirm with wounds, he became filled with rage and cut off Dhrishtadyumna's bow, with a broad-headed arrow. Having cut off his assailant's bow the king then, O monarch, with great speed, struck him with ten shafts on the forehead between the two eyebrows. Those shafts, polished by the hands of the smith, adorned Dhrishtadyumna's face like a number of bees, desirous of honey, adorning a full-blown lotus. Throwing aside that broken bow, the high-souled Dhrishtadyumna quickly took up another, and with it, sixteen broad-headed arrows. With five he slew the four steeds and the driver of Duryodhana, and he cut off with another his bow decked with gold. With the remaining ten shafts, the son of Prishata cut off the car with the upashkara, the umbrella, the dart, the sword, the mace, and the standard of thy son. Indeed, all the kings beheld the beautiful standard of the Kuru king, decked with golden Angadas and bearing the device of an elephant worked in jewels, cut off by the prince of the Pancalas. Then the uterine brothers of Duryodhana, O bull of Bharata's race, rescued the carless Duryodhana who had all his weapons, besides, cut off in that battle. In the very sight of Dhrishtadyumna, Durdhara, O monarch, causing that ruler of men to ride upon his car quickly bore him away from the battle.
"'Meanwhile the mighty Karna, having vanquished Satyaki and desirous of rescuing the (Kuru) king, proceeded straight against the face of Drona's slayer, that warrior of fierce shafts. The grandson of Sini, however, quickly pursued him from behind, striking him with his arrows, like an elephant pursuing a rival and striking him at the hinder limbs with his tusks. Then, O Bharata, fierce became the battle that raged between the high-souled warriors of the two armies, in the space that intervened between Karna and the son of Prishata. Not a single combatant of either the Pandavas nor ourselves turned his face from the battle. Then Karna proceeded against the Pancalas with great speed. At that hour when the Sun had ascended the meridian, great slaughter, O best of men, of elephants and steeds and men, took place on both sides. The Pancalas, O king, inspired with the desire of victory, all rushed with speed against Karna like birds towards a tree. The son of Adhiratha, of great energy, filled with rage, began from their front to strike those Pancalas, with the keen points of his shafts, singling out their leaders, viz., Vyaghraketu and Susharma and Citra and Ugrayudha and Jaya and Sukla and Rochamana and the invincible Singhasena. Those heroes, speedily advancing with their cars, encompassed that foremost of men, and poured their shafts upon that angry warrior, viz., Karna, that ornament of battle. That foremost of men endued with great valour, viz., the son of Radha, afflicted those eight heroes engaged in battle with eight keen shafts. The Suta's son possessed of great prowess, O king, then slew many thousands of other warriors skilled in fight. Filled with rage, the son of Radha then slew Jishnu, and Jishnukarman, and Devapi, O king, in that battle, and Citra, and Citrayudha, and Hari, and Singhaketu and Rochamana and the great car-warrior Salabha, and many car-warriors among the Cedis bathed the form of Adhiratha's son in blood, while he himself was engaged in taking the lives of those heroes. There, O Bharata, elephants, assailed with arrows by Karna, fled away on all sides in fear and caused a great agitation on the field of battle. Others assailed with the shafts of Karna, uttered diverse cries, and fell down like mountains riven with thunder. With the fallen bodies of elephants and steeds and men and with fallen cars, the Earth became strewn along the track of Karna's car. Indeed, neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor any other warrior of thy army had ever achieved such feats as were then achieved by Karna in that battle. Amongst elephants, amongst steeds, amongst cars and amongst men, the Suta's son caused a very great carnage, O tiger among men. As a lion is seen to career fearlessly among a herd of deer, even so Karna careered fearlessly among the Pancalas. As a lion routeth a herd of terrified deer to all points of the compass, even so Karna routed those throngs of Pancala cars to all sides. As a herd of deer that have approached the jaws of a lion can never escape with life, even so those great car-warriors that approached Karna could not escape with their lives. As people are certainly burnt if they come in contact with a blazing fire, even so the Srinjayas, O Bharata, were burnt by the Karna-fire when they came in contact with it. Many warriors among the Cedis and the Pancalas, O Bharata, that were regarded as heroes, were slain by the single-handed Karna in that battle who fought with them, proclaiming his name, in every instance. Beholding the prowess of Karna, O king, I thought that a single Pancala even would not, in that battle, escape from the son of Adhiratha. Indeed, the Suta's son in that battle repeatedly routed the Pancalas.
"'Beholding Karna thus slaughtering the Pancalas in that dreadful battle, King Yudhishthira the just rushed in wrath towards him; Dhrishtadyumna and the sons of Draupadi also, O sire, and hundreds of warriors, encompassed that slayer of foes viz., the son of Radha. And Shikhandi, and Sahadeva, and Nakula, and Nakula's son, and Janamejaya, and the grandson of Sini, and innumerable Prabhadrakas, all endued with immeasurable energy, advancing with Dhrishtadyumna in their van, looked magnificent as they struck Karna with shafts and diverse weapons. Like Garuda falling upon a large number of snakes, the son of Adhiratha, singlehanded, fell upon all those Cedis and Pancalas and Pandavas in that encounter. The battle that took place between them and Karna, O monarch, became exceedingly fierce like that which had occurred in days of old between the gods and the Danavas. Like the Sun dispelling the surrounding darkness, Karna fearlessly and alone encountered all those great bowmen united together and pouring upon him repeated showers of arrows. While the son of Radha was thus engaged with the Pandavas, Bhimasena, filled with rage, began to slaughter the Kurus with shafts, every one of which resembled the lord of Yama. That great bowman, fighting single-handed with the Bahlikas, and the Kaikayas, the Matsyas, the Vasatas, the Madras, and Saindhavas, looked exceedingly resplendent. There, elephants, assailed in their vital limbs by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts fell down, with their riders slain, making the Earth tremble with the violence of their fall. Steeds also, with their riders slain, and foot-soldiers deprived of life, lay down, pierced with arrows and vomiting blood in large quantities. Car-warriors in thousands fell down, their weapons loosened from their hands. Inspired with the fear of Bhima, they lay deprived of life, their bodies mangled with sounds. The Earth became strewn with car-warriors and horsemen and elephant-men and drivers and foot-soldiers and steeds and elephants all mangled with the shafts of Bhimasena. The army of Duryodhana, O king, cheerless and mangled and afflicted with the fear of Bhimasena, stood as if stupefied. Indeed that melancholy host stood motionless in that dreadful battle like the Ocean, O king, during a calm in autumn. Stupefied, that host stood even like the Ocean in calm. However endued with wrath and energy and might, the army of thy son then, divested of its pride, lost all its splendour. Indeed, the host, whilst thus being slaughtered became drenched with gore and seemed to bathe in blood. The combatants, O chief of the Bharatas, drenched with blood, were seen to approach and slaughter one another. The Suta's son, filled with rage, routed the Pandava division, while Bhimasena in rage routed the Kurus. And both of them, while thus employed, looked exceedingly resplendent. During the progress of that fierce battle filling the spectators with wonder, Arjuna, that foremost of various persons, having slain a large number of samsaptakas in the midst of their array, addressed Vasudeva, saying, "This struggling force of samsaptakas, O Janardana, is broken. Those great car-warriors amongst the samsaptakas are flying away with their followers, unable to bear my shafts, like deer unable to bear the roar of the lion. The vast force of the Srinjayas also seems to break in this great battle. There that banner of the intelligent Karna, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, O Krishna, is seen in the midst of Yudhishthira's division, where he is careering with activity. The other great car-warriors (of our army) are incapable of vanquishing Karna. Thou knowest that Karna is possessed of great energy as regards prowess in battle. Proceed thither where Karna is routing our force. Avoiding (other warriors) in battle, proceed against the Suta's son, that mighty car-warrior. This is what I wish, O Krishna. Do, however, that which thou likest." Hearing these words of his, Govinda smiled, and addressing Arjuna, said, "Slay the Kauravas, O son of Pandu, without delay." Then those steeds, white as swans, urged by Govinda, and bearing Krishna and the son of Pandu penetrated thy vast force. Indeed, thy host broke on all sides as those white steeds in trappings of gold, urged by Keshava, penetrated into its midst. That ape-bannered car, the clatter of whose wheels resembled the deep roar of the clouds and whose flags waved in the air, penetrated into the host like a celestial car passing through the welkin. Keshava and Arjuna, filled with rage, and with eyes red as blood, as they penetrated, piercing through thy vast host, looked exceedingly resplendent in their splendour. Both delighting in battle, as those two heroes, challenged by the Kurus, came to the field, they looked like the twin Ashvinis invoked with proper rites in a sacrifice by the officiating priests. Filled with rage, the impetuosity of those two tigers among men increased like that of two elephants in a large forest, enraged at the claps of hunters. Having penetrated into the midst of that car-force and those bodies of horse, Phalguna careered within those divisions like the Destroyer himself, armed with the fatal noose. Beholding him put forth such prowess within his army, thy son, O Bharata, once more urged the samsaptakas against him. Thereupon, with a 1,000 cars, and 300 elephants, and 14,000 horses, and 200,00 of foot-soldiers armed with the bow, endued with great courage, of sureness of aim and conversant with all the ways of battle, the leaders of the samsaptakas rushed (from every side) towards the son of Kunti (in the great battle) covering the Pandava, O monarch, with showers of arrows from all sides. Thus covered with shafts in that battle, Partha, that grinder of hostile forces, exhibited himself in a fierce form like the Destroyer himself, armed with the noose. While engaged in slaughtering the samsaptakas, Partha became a worthy object of sight to all. Then the welkin became filled with shafts decked with gold and possessed of the effulgence of lightning that were ceaselessly short by the diadem-decked Arjuna. Indeed, everything completely shrouded with mighty shafts sped from Arjuna's arms and falling ceaselessly all around, looked resplendent, O lord, as if covered with snakes. The son of Pandu, of immeasurable soul, shot on all sides his straight shafts equipped with wings of gold and furnished with keen points. In consequence of the sound of Partha's palms, people thought that the Earth, or the vault of the welkin, or all the points of the compass, or the several oceans, or the mountains seemed to split. Having slain 10,000 kshatriyas, Kunti's son, that mighty car-warrior, then quickly proceeded to the further wing of the samsaptakas. Repairing to that further wing which was protected by the Kambojas, Partha began to grind it forcibly with his arrows like Vasava grinding the Danavas. With broad-headed arrows he began to quickly cut off the arms, with weapons in grasp, and also the heads of foes longing to slay him. Deprived of diverse limbs, and of weapons, they began to fall down on the Earth, like trees of many boughs broken by a hurricane. While he was engaged in thus slaughtering elephants and steeds and car-warriors and foot-soldiers, the younger brother of Sudakshina (the chief of the Kambojas) began to pour showers of arrows on him. With a couple of crescent-shaped arrows, Arjuna cut off the two arms, looking like spiked maces, of his striking assailant, and then his head graced with a face as beautiful as the full moon, with a razor-headed arrow. Deprived of life, he fell down from his vehicle, his body bathed in blood, like the thunder-riven summit of a mountain of red arsenic. Indeed, people saw the tall and exceedingly handsome younger brother of Sudakshina, the chief of the Kambojas, of eyes resembling lotus petals, slain and fall down like a column of gold or like a summit of the golden Sumeru. Then commenced a battle there once more that was fierce and exceedingly wonderful. The condition of the struggling combatants varied repeatedly. Each slain with a single arrow, and combatants of the Kamboja, the Yavana, and the Saka races, fell down bathed in blood, upon which the whole field of battle became one expanse of red, O monarch. In consequence of car-warriors deprived of steeds and drivers, and steeds deprived of riders, and elephants deprived of riders, and riders deprived of elephants, battling with one another, O king, a great carnage took place. When the wing and the further wing of the samsaptakas had thus been exterminated by Savyasaci, the son of Drona quickly proceeded against Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors. Indeed, Drona's son rushed, shaking his formidable bow, and taking with him many terrible arrows like the Sun himself appearing with his own rays. With mouth wide open from rage and with the desire to retaliate, and with red eyes, the mighty Ashvatthama looked formidable like death himself, armed with his mace and filled with wrath as at the end of the Yuga. He then shot showers of fierce shafts. With those shafts sped by him, he began to rout the Pandava army. As soon as he beheld him of Dasharha's race (Keshava) on the car, O king, he once more sped at him, and repeated showers of fierce shafts. With those falling shafts, O monarch, sped by Drona's son, both Krishna and Dhananjaya were completely shrouded on the car. Then the valiant Ashvatthama, with hundreds of keen arrows, stupefied both Madhava and the son of Pandu in that battle. Beholding those two protectors of all mobile and immobile creatures thus covered with arrows, the universe of mobile and immobile beings uttered cries of "Oh!" and "Alas!" Crowds of Siddhas and Charanas began to repair to that spot from every side, mentally uttering this prayer, viz., "Let good be to all the worlds." Never before, O king, did I see prowess like that of Drona's son in that battle while he was engaged in shrouding the two Krishnas with shafts. The sound of Ashvatthama's bow, inspiring foes with terror, was repeatedly heard by us in that battle, O king, to resemble that of a roaring lion. While careering in that battle and striking right and left the string of his bow looked beautiful like flashes of lightning in the midst of a mass of clouds. Though endued with great firmness and lightness of hand the son of Pandu, for all that, beholding the son of Drona then, became greatly stupefied. Indeed, Arjuna then regarded his own prowess to be destroyed by his high-souled assailant. The form of Ashvatthama became such in that battle that men could with difficulty gaze at it. During the progress of that dreadful battle between Drona's son and the Pandava, during that time when the mighty son of Drona, O monarch, thus prevailed over his antagonist and the son of Kunti lost his energy, Krishna became filled with rage. Inspired with wrath he drew deep breaths, O king, and seemed to burn with his eyes both Ashvatthama and Phalguna as he looked at them repeatedly. Filled with rage, Krishna addressed Partha in an affectionate tone, saying, "This, O Partha, that I behold in battle regarding thee, is exceedingly strange, since Drona's son, O Partha, surpasseth thee today! Hast thou not now the energy and the might of thy arms thou hadst before? Hast thou not that Gandiva still in thy hands, and dost thou not stay on thy car now? Are not thy two arms sound? Hath thy fist suffered any hurt? Why is it then that I see the son of Drona prevail over thee in battle? Do not, O Partha, spare thy assailant, regarding him as the son of thy preceptor, O bull of Bharata's race. This is not the time for sparing him." Thus addressed by Krishna, Partha speedily took up four and ten broad-headed arrows at a time, when speed was of the highest moment, and with them he cut off Ashvatthama's bow and standard and umbrella and banners and car and dart and mace. With a few calf-toothed arrows he then deeply struck the son of Drona in the latter's shoulder. Thereupon overcome with a deep swoon, Ashvatthama sat down, supporting himself on his flagstaff. The latter's driver then, O monarch, desirous of protecting him from Dhananjaya, bore him away insensible and thus deeply afflicted by the foe. Meanwhile that scorcher of foes, viz., Vijaya, slaughtered thy troops by hundreds and thousands, in the very sight of that hero, viz., thy son, O sire. Thus, O king, in consequence of thy evil counsels, a cruel and awful destruction and carnage commenced as thy warriors were engaged with the enemy. Within a short time Vibhatsu routed the samsaptakas: Vrikodara, the Kurus, and Vasusena, the Pancalas. During the progress of the battle destructive of great heroes, there rose many headless trunks all around. Meanwhile Yudhishthira, O chief of the Bharatas, in great pain owing to his wounds, retreating about two miles from the battle, rested himself for some time.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 57

 

 

 

1 [s]
      arjunas tu mahārāja kṛtvā sainyaṃ pṛthagvidhām
      sūtaputraṃ susaṃrabdhaṃ dṛṣṭvā caiva mahāraṇe
  2 śoṇitodāṃ mahīṃ kṛtvā māṃsamajjāsthi vāhinīm
      vāsudevam idaṃ vākyam abravīt puruṣarṣabha
  3 eṣa ketū raṇe kṛṣṇa sūtaputrasya dṛśyate
      bhīmasenādayaś caite yodhayanti mahārathān
      ete dravanti pāñcālāḥ karṇās trastā janārdana
  4 eṣa duryodhano rājā śvetac chatreṇa bhāsvatā
      karṇena bhagnān pāñcālān drāvayan bahu śobhate
  5 kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca drauṇiś caiva mahābalaḥ
      ete rakṣanti rājānaṃ sūtaputreṇa rakṣitāḥ
      avadhyamānās te 'smābhir ghātayiṣyanti somakān
  6 eṣa śalyo rathopasthe raśmisaṃcāra kovidaḥ
      sūtaputra rathaṃ kṛṣṇa vāhayan bahu śobhate
  7 tatra me buddhir utpannā vāhayātra mahāratham
      nāhatvā samare karṇaṃ nivartiṣye kathaṃ cana
  8 rādheyo 'py anyathā parthān sṛñjayāṃś ca mahārathān
      niḥśeṣān samare kuryāt paśyātor nau janārdana
  9 tataḥ prāyād rathenāśu keśavas tava vāhinīm
      karṇaṃ prati maheṣvāsaṃ dvairathe savyasācinā
  10 prayātaś ca mahābāhuḥ pāṇḍavānujñayā hariḥ
     āśvāsayan rathenaiva pāṇḍusainyāni sarvaśaḥ
 11 rathaghoṣaḥ sa saṃgrāme pāṇḍaveyasya saṃbabhau
     vāsavāśani tulyasya mahaughasyeva māriṣa
 12 mahatā rathaghoṣeṇa pāṇḍavaḥ satyavikramaḥ
     abhyayād aprameyātmā vijayas tava vāhinīm
 13 tam āyāntaṃ samīkṣyaiva śvetāśvaṃ kṛṣṇasārathim
     madrarājo 'bravīt kṛṣṇaṃ ketuṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmanaḥ
 14 ayaṃ sa ratha āyāti śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ
     nighnann amitrān samare yaṃ karṇa paripṛcchasi
 15 eṣa tiṣṭhati kaunteyaḥ saṃspṛśan gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ
     taṃ haniṣyasi ced adya tan naḥ śreyo bhaviṣyati
 16 eṣā vidīryate senā dhārtarāṣṭrī samantataḥ
     arjunasya bhayāt tūrṇaṃ nighnataḥ śātravān bahūn
 17 varjayan sarvasainyāni tvarate hi dhanaṃjayaḥ
     tvadartham iti manye 'haṃ yathāsyodīryate vapuḥ
 18 na hy avasthāpyate pārtho yuyutsuḥ kena cit saha
     tvām ṛte krodhadīpto hi pīḍyamāne vṛkodare
 19 virathaṃ dharmarājaṃ ca dṛṣṭvā sudṛḍha vikṣatam
     śikhaṇḍinaṃ sātyakiṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca pārṣatam
 20 draupadeyān yudhāmanyum uttamaujasam eva ca
     nakulaṃ sahadevaṃ ca bhrātarau dvau samīkṣya ca
 21 sahasaika rathaḥ pārthas tvām abhyeti paraṃtapa
     krodharaktekṣaṇaḥ kruddho jighāṃsuḥ sarvadhanvinām
 22 tvarito 'bhipataty asmāṃs tyaktvā sainyāny asaṃśayam
     tvaṃ karṇa pratiyāhy enaṃ nāsty anyo hi dhanurdharaḥ
 23 na taṃ paśyāmi loke 'smiṃs tvatto 'py anyaṃ dhanurdharam
     arjunaṃ samare kruddhāṃ yo velām iva dhārayet
 24 na cāsya rakṣāṃ paśyāmi pṛṣṭhato na ca pārśvataḥ
     eka evābhiyāti tvāṃ paśya sāphalyam ātmanaḥ
 25 tvaṃ hi kṛṣṇau raṇe śaktaḥ saṃsādhayitum āhave
     tavaiṣa bhāro rādheya pratyudyāhi dhanaṃjayam
 26 tvaṃ kṛto hy eva bhīṣmeṇa droṇa drauṇikṛpair api
     savyasāci pratirathas taṃ nivartata pāṇḍavam
 27 lelihānaṃ yathā sarpaṃ garjantam ṛṣabhaṃ yathā
     layasthitaṃ yathā vyāghraṃ jahi karṇa dhanaṃjayam
 28 ete dravanti samare dhārtarāṣṭrā mahārathāḥ
     arjunasyā bhayāt tūrṇaṃ nirapekṣā janādhipāḥ
 29 dravatām atha teṣāṃ tu yudhi nānyo 'sti mānavaḥ
     bhayahā yo bhaved vīra tvām ṛte sūtanandana
 30 ete tvāṃ kuravaḥ sarve dīpam āsādya saṃyuge
     viṣṭhitāḥ puruṣavyāghra tvāttaḥ śaraṇa kāṅkṣiṇaḥ
 31 vaidehāmbaṣṭha kāmbojās tathā nagna jitas tvayā
     gāndhārāś ca yayā dhṛtyā jitāḥ saṃkhye sudurjayāḥ
 32 tāṃ dhṛtiṃ kuru rādheya tataḥ pratyehi pāṇḍavam
     vāsudevaṃ ca vārṣṇeyaṃ prīyamāṇaṃ kirīṭinā
 33 [karṇa]
     prakṛtistho hi me śalya idānīṃ saṃmatas tathā
     pratibhāsi mahābāho vibhīś caiva dhanaṃjayāt
 34 paśya bāhvor balaṃ me 'dya śikṣitasya ca paśya me
     eko 'dya nihaniṣyāmi pāṇḍavānāṃ mahācamūm
 35 kṛṣṇau ca puruṣavyāghrau tac ca satyaṃ bravīmi te
     nāhatvā yudhi tau vīrāv apayāsye kathaṃ cana
 36 svapsye vā nihyatas tābhyām asatyo hi raṇe jayaḥ
     kṛtārtho vā bhaviṣyāmi hatvā tāv atha vā hataḥ
 37 naitādṛśo jātu babhūva loke; rathottamo yāvad anuśrutaṃ naḥ
     tam īdṛśaṃ pratiyotsyāmi pārthaṃ; mahāhave paśya ca pauruṣaṃ me
 38 rathe caraty eṣa rathapravīraḥ; śīghrair hayaiḥ kaurava rājaputraḥ
     sa vādya māṃ neṣyati kṛcchram etat; karṇasyāntād etad antāḥ stha sarve
 39 asvedinau rājaputrasya hastāv; avepinau jātakiṇau bṛhantau
     dṛḍhāyudhaḥ kṛtimān kṣiprahasto; na pāṇḍaveyena samo 'sti yodhaḥ
 40 gṛhṇāty anekān api kaṅkapatrān; ekaṃ yathā tān kṣitipān pramathya
     te krośamātraṃ nipatanty amoghāḥ; kas tena yodho 'sti samaḥ pṛthivyām
 41 atoṣayat pāṇḍaveyo hutāśaṃ; kṛṣṇa dvitīyo 'tirathas tarasvī
     lebhe cakraṃ yatra kṛṣṇo mahātmā; dhanur gāṇḍīvaṃ pāṇḍavaḥ svya sācī
 42 śvetāśvayuktaṃ ca sughoṣam agryaṃ; rathaṃ mahābāhur adīnasattvaḥ
     maheṣudhī cākṣayau divyarūpau; śastrāṇi divyāni ca havyavāhāt
 43 tathendra loke nijaghāna daityān; asaṃkhyeyān kālakeyāṃś ca sarvān
     lebhe śaṅkhaṃ devadattaṃ sma tatra; ko nāma tenābhyadhikaḥ pṛthivyām
 44 mahādevaṃ toṣayām āsa caiva; sākṣāt suyuddhena mahānubhāvaḥ
     lebhe tataḥ pāśupataṃ sughoraṃ; trailokyasaṃhāra karaṃ mahāstram
 45 pṛthakpṛthag lokapālāḥ sametā; dadur hy astrāṇy aprameyāṇi yasya
     yais tāñ jaghānāśu raṇe nṛsiṃhān; sa kālakhañjān asurān sametān
 46 tathā virāṭasya pure sametān; sarvān asmān ekarathena jitvā
     jahāra tad godhanam ājimadhye; vastrāṇi cādatta mahārathebhyaḥ
 47 tam īdṛśma vīryaguṇopapannaṃ; kṛṣṇa dvitīyaṃ varaye raṇāya
     anantavīryeṇa ca keśavena; nārāyaṇenāpratimena guptam
 48 varṣāyutair yasya guṇā na śakyā; vaktuṃ sametair api sarvalokaiḥ
     mahātmanaḥ śaṅkhacakrāsi pāṇer; viṣṇor jiṣṇor vasudevātmajasya
     bhayaṃ me vai jāyate sādhvasaṃ ca; dṛṣṭvā kṛṣṇāv ekarathe sametau
 49 ubhau hi śūrau kṛtinau dṛḍhāstrau; mahārathau saṃhananopapannau
     etādṛśau phalguna vāsudevau; ko 'nyaḥ pratīyān mad ṛte nu śalya
 50 etāv ahaṃ yudhi vā pātayiṣye; māṃ vā kṛṣṇau nihaniṣyato 'dya
     iti bruvañ śakyam amitrahantā; karṇo raṇe megha ivonnanāda
 51 abhyetya putreṇa tavābhinanditaḥ; sametya covāca kurupravīrān
     kṛpaṃ ca bhojaṃ ca mahābhujāv ubhau; tathaiva gāndhāra nṛpaṃ sahānujam
     guroḥ sutaṃ cāvarajaṃ tathātmanaḥ; padātino 'tha dvipasādino 'nyān
 52 nirundhatābhidravatācyutārjunau; śrameṇa saṃyojayatāśu sarvataḥ
     yathā bhavadbhir bhṛśavikṣatāv ubhau; sukhena hanyām aham adya bhūmipāḥ
 53 tatheti coktvā tvaritāḥ sma te 'rjunaṃ; jighāṃsavo vīratamāḥ samabhyayuḥ
     nadīnadān bhūri jalo mahārṇavo; yathātathā tān samare 'rjuno 'grasat
 54 na saṃdadhāno na tathā śarottamān; pramuñcamāno ripubhiḥ pradṛśyate
     dhanaṃjayas tasya śaraiś ca dāritā; hatāś ca petur naravāji kuñjarāḥ
 55 śarārciṣaṃ gāṇḍivacāru maṇḍalaṃ; yugāntasūryapratimāna tejasam
     na kauravāḥ śekur udīkṣituṃ jayaṃ; yathā raviṃ vyādhita cakṣuṣo janāḥ
 56 tam abhyadhāvad visṛjañ śarān kṛpas; tathaiva bhojas tava cātmajaḥ svayam
     jighāṃsubhis tān kuśalaiḥ śarottamān; mahāhave saṃjavitān prayatnataḥ
     śaraiḥ praciccheda ca pāṇḍavas tvaran; parābhinad vakṣasi ca tribhis tribhiḥ
 57 sa gāṇḍivābhyāyata pūrṇamaṇḍalas; tapan ripūn arjuna bhāskaro babhau
     śarogra raśmiḥ śuci śukramadhyago; yathaiva sūryaḥ pariveṣagas tathā
 58 athāgrya bāṇair daśabhir dhanaṃjayaṃ; parābhinad droṇasuto 'cyutaṃ tribhiḥ
     caturbhir aśvāṃś caturaḥ kapiṃ tathā; śaraiḥ sa nārācavarair avākirat
 59 tathā tu tat tat sphurad āttakārmukaṃ; tribhiḥ śarair yantṛśiraḥ kṣureṇa
     hayāṃś caturbhiś caturas tribhir dhvajaṃ; dhanaṃjayo drauṇirathān nyapātayat
 60 sa roṣapūrṇo 'śanivajrahāṭakair; alaṃkṛtaṃ takṣaka bhogavarcasam
     subandhanaṃ kārmukam anyad ādade; yathā mahāhipravaraṃ gires tathā
 61 svam āyudhaṃ copavikīrya bhūtale; dhanuś ca kṛtvā saguṇaṃ guṇādhikaḥ
     samānayānāv ajitau narottamau; śarottamair drauṇir avidhyad antikāt
 62 kṛpaś ca bhojaś ca tathātmajaś ca te; tamonudaṃ vāridharā ivāpatan
     kṛpasya pārthaḥ saśaraṃ śarāsanaṃ; hayān dhvajaṃ sārathim eva patribhiḥ
 63 śaraiḥ praciccheda tavātmajasya; dhvajaṃ dhanuś ca pracakarta nardataḥ
     jaghāna cāśvān kṛtavarmaṇaḥ śubhān; dhvajaṃ ca ciccheda tataḥ pratāpavān
 64 savājisūteṣv asanān saketanāñ; jaghāna nāgāśvarathāṃs tvaraṃś ca saḥ
     tataḥ prakīrṇaṃ sumahad balaṃ tava; pradāritaṃ setur ivāmbhasā yathā
     tato 'rjunasyāśu rathena keśavaś; cakāra śatrūn apasavya māturān
 65 tatha prayāntaṃ tvaritaṃ dhanaṃjayaṃ; śatakratuṃ vṛtra nijaghnuṣaṃ yathā
     samanvadhāvan punar ucchritair dhvajai; rathaiḥ suyuktair apare yuyutsavaḥ
 66 athābhisṛtya prativārya tān arīn; dhanaṃjayasyābhi rathaṃ mahārathāḥ
     śikhaṇḍiśaineya yamāḥ śitaiḥ śarair; vidārayanto vyanadan subhauravam
 67 tato 'bhijaghnuḥ kupitāḥ parasparaṃ; śarais tadāñjo gatibhiḥ sutejanaiḥ
     kurupravīrāḥ saha sṛñjayair yathā; asurāḥ purā devavarair ayodhayan
 68 jayepsavaḥ svargamanāya cotsukāḥ; patanti nāgāśvarathāḥ paraṃtapa
     jagarjur uccair balavac ca vivyadhuḥ; śaraiḥ sumuktair itaretaraṃ pṛthak
 69 śarāndhakāre tu mahātmabhiḥ kṛte; mahāmṛdhe yodhavaraiḥ parasparam
     babhur daśāśā na divaṃ ca pārthiva; prabhā ca sūryasya tamovṛtābhavat

 

57

"Sanjaya said, 'Then Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, repairing to Karna, said unto him as also unto the ruler of the Madras and the other lords of Earth present there, these words, "Without seeking hath this occasion arrived, when the gates of heaven have become wide open. Happy are those Kshatriyas, O Karna, that obtain such a battle. Brave heroes fighting in battle with brave Kshatriyas equal to them in might and prowess, obtain great good, O son of Radha. The occasion that hath come is even such. Either let these brave Kshatriyas, slaying the Pandavas in battle, obtain the broad Earth, or let them, slain in battle by the foe, win the blessed region reserved for heroes." Hearing these words of Duryodhana, those bulls among Kshatriyas cheerfully uttered loud shouts and beat and blew their musical instruments. When Duryodhana's force became thus filled with joy, the son of Drona, gladdening all thy warriors further said, "In the very sight of all the troops, and before the eyes of you all, my father after he had laid aside his weapons, was slain by Dhrishtadyumna. By that wrath which such an act might kindle, and for the sake also of my friend, ye kings, I swear truly before you all. Listen then to that oath of mine. Without slaying Dhrishtadyumna I shall not doff my armour. If this vow of mine be not fulfilled, let me not go to heaven. Be it Arjuna, be it Bhimasena, or be it anybody else, whoever will come against me I will crush him or all of them. There is no doubt in this." After Ashvatthama had uttered these words, the entire Bharata army, united together, rushed against the Pandavas, and the latter also rushed against the former. The collision of brave leaders of car-divisions, O Bharata, became exceedingly awful. A destruction of life then set in at the van of the Kurus and the Srinjayas, that resembled what takes place at the last great universal dissolution. Upon the commencement of that passage-at-arms, various (superior) beings, with the gods, came there accompanied by the Apsaras, for beholding those foremost of men. Filled with joy, the Apsaras began to cover those foremost of men devoted to the duties of their order, with celestial garlands, with diverse kinds of celestial perfumes, and with diverse species of gems. Soft winds bore those excellent odours to the nostrils of all the foremost of warriors. Having smelt those perfumes in consequence of the action of the wind, the warriors once more engaged in battle, and striking one another began to fall down on the Earth. Strewn with celestial flowers, with beautiful shafts equipped with wings of gold, and with many foremost of warriors, the Earth looked beautiful like the firmament bespangled with myriads of stars. Then in consequence of cheers coming from the welkin and the noise of musical instruments, the furious passage-at-arms distinguished by twang of bows and clatter of car-wheels and shouts of warriors became exceedingly fierce.'"

 

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 58

 

 

 

1 [s]
      rājan kurūṇāṃ pravarair balair bhīmam abhidrutam
      majjantam iva kaunteyam ujjihīrṣur dhanaṃjayaḥ
  2 vimṛdya sūtaputrasya senāṃ bhārata sāyakaiḥ
      prāhiṇon mṛtyulokāya paravīrān dhanaṃjayaḥ
  3 tato 'syāmbaram āvṛtya śarajālāni bhāgaśaḥ
      adṛśyanta tathānye ca nighnantas tava vāhinīm
  4 sa pakṣisaṃghācaritam ākāśaṃ pūrayañ śaraiḥ
      dhanaṃjayo mahārāja kurūṇām antako 'bhavat
  5 tato bhallaiḥ kṣurapraiś ca nārācair nirmalair api
      gātrāṇi prākṣiṇot pārthaḥ śairāṃsi ca cakarta ha
  6 chinnagātrair vikavacair viśiraskaiḥ samantataḥ
      patitaiś capatadbhiś ca yodhair āsīt samāvṛtam
  7 dhanaṃjaya śarābhyastaiḥ syandanāśvanaradvipaiḥ
      raṇabhūmir abhūd rājan mahāvaitaraṇī yathā
  8 iṣā cakrākṣabhaṅgaiś ca vyaśvaiḥ sāśvaiś ca yudhyatām
      sasūtair hatasūtaiś ca rathaiḥ stīrṇābhavan mahī
  9 suvarṇavarma saṃnāhair yodhaiḥ kanakabhūṣaṇaiḥ
      āsthitāḥ kṛtavarmāṇo bhadrā nityamadā dvipāḥ
      kruddhāḥ kruddhair mahāmātraiḥ preṣitārjunam abhyayuḥ
  10 catuḥśatāḥ śaravarṣair hatāḥ petuḥ kirīṭinā
     paryastānīva śṛṅgāṇi sasattvāni mahāgireḥ
 11 dhanaṃjaya śarābhyastaiḥ stīrṇā bhūr varavāraṇaiḥ
     abhipede 'rjuna ratho ghanān bhindannivāṃśumān
 12 hatair gajamanuṣyāśvair bhagnaiś ca bahudhā rathaiḥ
     viśastra patrakavacair yuddhaśauṇḍair gatāsubhiḥ
     apaviddhāyudhair mārgaḥ stīrṇo 'bhūt phalgunena vai
 13 vyasphūrjayac ca gāṇḍīvaṃ sumahad bhairavasvanam
     ghoro vajraviniṣpeṣaḥ stanayitnor ivāmbare
 14 tataḥ pradīryata camūr dhanaṃjaya śarāhatā
     mahāvātasamāviddhā mahānaur iva sāgare
 15 nānārūpāḥ praharaṇāḥ śarā gāṇḍīvacoditāḥ
     alātolkāśani prakhyās tava sainyaṃ vinirdahan
 16 mahāgirau veṇuvanaṃ niśi prajvalitaṃ yathā
     tathā tava mahat sainyaṃ prāsphurac charapīḍitam
 17 saṃpiṣṭa dagdhavidhvastaṃ tava sainyaṃ kirīṭinā
     hatampravihataṃ bāṇaiḥ sarvataḥ pradrutaṃ diśaḥ
 18 mahāvane mṛgagaṇā dāvāgnigrasitā yathā
     kuravaḥ paryavartanta nirdagdhāḥ savyasācinā
 19 utsṛjya hi mahābāhuṃ bhīmasenaṃ tadā raṇe
     balaṃ kurūṇām udvignaṃ sarvam āsīt parāṅmukham
 20 tataḥ kuruṣu bhagneṣu bībhatsur aparājitaḥ
     bhīmasenaṃ samāsādya muhūrtaṃ so 'bhyavartata
 21 samāgamya sa bhīmena mantrayitvā ca phalgunaḥ
     viśalyam arujaṃ cāsmai kathayitvā yudhiṣṭhiram
 22 bhīmasenābhyanujñātas tataḥ prāyād dhanaṃjayaḥ
     nādayan rathaghoṣeṇa pṛthivīṃ dyāṃ ca bhārata
 23 tataḥ parivṛto bhīmair daśabhiḥ śatrupuṅgavaiḥ
     duḥśāsanād avarajais tava putrair dhanaṃjayaḥ
 24 te tam abhyardayan bāṇair ulkābhir iva kuñjaram
     ātateṣv asanāḥ krūrā nṛtyanta iva bhārata
 25 apasavyāṃs tu tāṃś cakre rathena madhusūdanaḥ
     tatas te prādravañ śūrāḥ parāṅmukha rathe 'rjune
 26 teṣām āpatatāṃ ketūn rathāṃś cāpāni sāyakān
     nārācair ardhacandraiś ca kṣipraṃ pārtho nyapātayat
 27 athānyair daśabhir bhallaiḥ śirāṃsy eṣāṃ nyapātayat
     roṣasaṃrakta netrāṇi saṃdaṣṭauṣṭhāni bhūtale
     tāni vaktrāṇi vibabhur vyomni tārāgaṇā iva
 28 tāṃs tu bhallair mahāvegair daśabhir daśa kauravān
     rukmāṅgadān rukmapuṅkhair viddhvā prāyād amitrahā

 

 

58

"Sanjaya said, 'Thus raged that great battle between those lords of Earth when Arjuna and Karna and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu became angry. Having vanquished the son of Drona, and other great car-warriors, Arjuna, O king, addressing Vasudeva, said, "Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the Pandava army is flying away. Behold, Karna is slaying our great car-warriors in this battle. I do not, O thou of Dasaratha's race, see king Yudhishthira the just. Nor is the standard of Dharma's son, foremost of warriors, visible. The third part of the day still remaineth, Janardana. No one amongst the Dhartarashtras cometh against me for fight. For doing, therefore, what is agreeable to me, proceed to the spot where Yudhishthira is. Beholding Dharma's son safe and sound with his younger brothers in battle, I will again fight with the foe, O thou of Vrishni's race." At these words of Vibhatsu, Hari (Krishna) quickly proceeded on that car to that spot where king Yudhishthira, along with the mighty Srinjaya car-warriors of great strength, were fighting with the foe, making death their goal. During the progress of that great carnage, Govinda, beholding the field of battle, addressed Savyasaci, saying, "Behold, O Partha, how great and awful is this carnage, O Bharata, of Kshatriyas on Earth for the sake of Duryodhana. Behold, O Bharata, the gold-backed bows of slain warriors, as also their costly quivers displaced from their shoulders. Behold those straight shafts equipped with wings of gold, and those clothyard arrows washed with oil and looking like snakes freed from their sloughs. Behold, O Bharata, those scimitars, decked with gold, and having ivory handles, and those displaced shields embossed with gold. Behold those lances decked with gold, those darts having golden ornaments, and those huge maces twined round with gold. Behold those swords adorned with gold, those axes with golden ornaments, and the heads of those battle-axes fallen off from their golden handles. Behold those iron Kuntas, those short clubs exceedingly heavy, those beautiful rockets, those huge bludgeons with spiked heads, those discs displaced from the arms of their wielders, and those spears (that have been used) in this dreadful battle. Endued (while living) with great activity, warriors that came to battle, having taken up diverse weapons, are lying, though deprived of life, as if still alive. Behold, thousands of warriors lying on the field, with limbs crushed by means of maces, or heads broken by means of heavy clubs, or torn and mangled by elephants and steeds and cars. The field of battle is covered with shafts and darts and swords and axes and scimitars and spiked maces and lances and iron Kuntas and battle-axes, and the bodies of men and steeds and elephants, hacked with many wounds and covered with streams of blood and deprived of life, O slayer of foes. The Earth looks beautiful, O Bharata, with arms smeared with sandal, decked with Angadas of gold and with Keyuras, and having their ends cased in leathern fences. With hands cased in leathern fences, with displaced ornaments, with severed thighs looking like elephants' trunks of many active warriors, with fallen heads, decked with costly gems and earrings, of heroes having large expansive eyes, the Earth looks exceedingly beautiful. With headless trunks smeared all over with blood with severed limbs and heads and hips, the Earth looks, O best of the Bharatas, like an altar strewn with extinguished fires. Behold those beautiful cars with rows of golden bells, broken in diverse ways, and those slain steeds lying scattered on the field, with arrows yet sticking to their bodies. Behold those bottoms of cars, those quivers, those banners, those diverse kinds of standards, those gigantic conchs of car-warriors, white in hue and scattered all over the field. Behold those elephants, huge as hills, lying on the Earth, with tongues lolling out, and those other elephants and steeds, deprived of life and decked with triumphal banners. Behold those housings of elephants, and those skins and blankets, and those other beautiful and variegated and torn blankets. Behold those rows of bells torn and broken in diverse ways in consequence of falling elephants of gigantic size, and those beautiful goads set with stones of lapis lazuli, and those hooks falling upon the ground. Behold those whips, adorned with gold, and variegated with gems, still in the grasp of (slain) horsemen, and those blankets and skins of the Ranku deer falling on the ground but which had served for seats on horse back. Behold those gems for adorning the diadems of kings, and those beautiful necklaces of gold, and those displaced umbrellas and yak-tails for fanning. Behold the Earth, miry with blood, strewn with the faces of heroes, decked with beautiful earrings and well-cut beards and possessed of the splendour of the moon and stars. Behold those wounded warriors in whom life is not yet extinct and who, lying all around, are uttering wails of woe. Their relatives, O prince, casting aside their weapons are tending them, weeping incessantly. Having covered many warriors with arrows and deprived them of life, behold those combatants, endued with activity longing for victory, and swelling with rage, are once more proceeding for battle against their antagonists. Others are running hither and thither on the field. Being begged for water by fallen heroes, others related to them have gone in quest of drink. Many, O Arjuna, are breathing their last meanwhile. Returning their brave relatives, seeing them become senseless are throwing down the water they brought and are running wildly, shouting at one another. Behold, many have died after having slaked their thirst, and many, O Bharata, are dying while drinking. Others, though affectionate towards relatives, are still seen to rush towards foes in great battle deserting their dear relatives. Others, again, O best of men, biting their nether lips, and with faces rendered terrible in consequence of the contraction of their brows, are surveying the field all around." While saying these words unto Arjuna, Vasudeva proceeded towards Yudhishthira. Arjuna also, beholding the king in that great battle, repeatedly urged Govinda, saying, "Proceed, Proceed." Having shown the field of battle to Partha, Madhava, while proceeding quickly, slowly said unto Partha once more, "Behold those kings rushing towards king Yudhishthira. Behold Karna, who resembles a blazing fire, on the arena of the battle. Yonder the mighty-bowman Bhima is proceeding to battle. They that are the foremost among the Pancalas, the Srinjayas, and the Pandavas--they, that is, that have Dhrishtadyumna for their head, are following Bhima. The vast army of the enemy is again broken by the rushing Parthas. Behold, O Arjuna, Karna is trying to rally the flying Kauravas. Resembling the Destroyer himself in impetuosity and Indra himself in prowess, yonder proceedeth Drona's son, O thou of Kuru's race, that hero who is the foremost of all wielders of weapons. The mighty carwarrior Dhrishtadyumna is rushing against that hero. The Srinjayas are following the lead of Dhristadyumna. Behold, the Srinjayas are falling." Thus did the invincible Vasudeva describe everything unto the diadem-decked Arjuna. Then, O king, commenced a terrible and awful battle. Loud leonine shouts arose as the two hosts encountered each other, O monarch, making death their goal. Even thus, O king, in consequence of thy evil counsels, did that destruction set in on Earth, O lord of Earth, of both thy warriors and those of the enemy.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 59

 

 

 

1 [s]
      taṃ tu yāntaṃ mahāvegair aśvaiḥ kapivaradhvajam
      yuddhāyābhyadravan vīrāḥ kurūṇāṃ navatī rathāḥ
      parivavrur naravyāghrā naravyāghraṃ raṇe 'rjunam
  2 kṛṣṇaḥ śvetān mahāvegān aśvān kanakabhūṣaṇān
      muktājālapraticchannān praiṣīt karṇa rathaṃ prati
  3 tataḥ karṇa rathaṃ yāntam arīn ghnantaṃ dhanaṃjayam
      bāṇavarṣair abhighnantaḥ saṃśaptaka rathā yayuḥ
  4 tvaramāṇāṃs tu tān sarvān sasūteṣv asana dhvajān
      jaghāna navatiṃ vīrān arjuno niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ
  5 te 'patanta hatā bāṇair nānārūpaiḥ kirīṭinā
      savimānā yathā siddhāḥ svargāt puṇyakṣaye tathā
  6 tataḥ saratha nāgāśvāḥ kuravaḥ kurusattama
      nirbhayā bharataśreṣṭham abhyavartanta phalgunam
  7 tad āyastam amuktāstram udīrṇavaravāraṇam
      putrāṇāṃ te mahat sainyaṃ samarautsīd dhanaṃjayaḥ
  8 śaktyṛṣṭi tomaraprāsair gadā nistriṃśasāyakaiḥ
      prācchādayan maheṣvāsāḥ kuravaḥ kurunandanam
  9 tāṃ kurūṇāṃ pravitatāṃ śastravṛṣṭiṃ samudyatām
      vyadhamat pāṇḍavo bāṇais tamaḥ sūrya ivāṃśubhiḥ
  10 tato mlecchāḥ sthitair mattais trayodaśa śatair gajaiḥ
     pārśvato 'bhyahanan pārthaṃ tava putrasya śāsanāt
 11 karṇinālīkanārācais tomaraiḥ prāsaśaktibhiḥ
     kampanair bhiṇḍipālaiś ca rathasthaṃ pārtham ārdayan
 12 tām astravṛṣṭiṃ prahitāṃ dvipasthair yavanaiḥ smayan
     ciccheda niśitair bhallair ardhacandraiś ca phalgunaḥ
 13 atha tān dviradān sarvān nānā liṅgair mahāśaraiḥ
     sapatākān sahārohān girīn vajrair ivābhinat
 14 te hemapuṅkhair iṣubhir ācitā hemamālinaḥ
     hatāḥ petur mahānāgāḥ sāgnijvālā ivādrayaḥ
 15 tato gāṇḍīvanirghoṣo mahān āsīd viśāṃ pate
     stanatāṃ kūjatāṃ caiva manuṣyagajavājinām
 16 kuñjarāś ca hatā rājan prādravaṃs te samantataḥ
     aśvāṃś ca paryadhāvanta hatārohā diśo daśa
 17 rathā hīnā mahārāja rathibhir vājibhis tathā
     gandharvanagarākārā dṛśyante sma sahasraśaḥ
 18 aśvārohā mahārāja dhāvamānās tatas tataḥ
     tatra tatraiva dṛśyante patitāḥ pārtha sāyakaiḥ
 19 tasmin kṣaṇe pāṇḍavasya bāhvor balam adṛśyata
     yat sādino vāraṇāṃś ca rathāṃś caiko 'jayad yudhi
 20 tatas tryaṅgeṇa mahatā balena bharatarṣabha
     dṛṣṭvā parivṛtaṃ rājan bhīmasenaḥ kirīṭinam
 21 hatāvaśeṣān utsṛjya tvadīyān kati cid rathān
     javenābhyadravad rājan dhanaṃjayarathaṃ prati
 22 tatas tat prādravat sainyaṃ hatabhūyiṣṭham āturam
     dṛṣṭvā yad arjunaṃ bhīmo jagāma bhrātaraṃ prati
 23 hatāvaśiṣṭāṃs turagān arjunena mahājavān
     bhīmo vyadhamad abhrānto gadāpāṇir mahāhave
 24 kālarātrim ivātyugrāṃ naranāgāśvabhojanām
     prākārāṭṭa puradvāra dāraṇīm atidāruṇām
 25 tato gadāṃ nṛnāgāśveṣv āśu bhīmo vyavāsṛjat
     sā jaghāna bahūn aśvān aśvārohāṃś ca māriṣa
 26 kāṃsyāyasa tanutrāṃs tān narān aśvāṃś ca pāṇḍavaḥ
     pothayām āsa gadayā saśabdahṃ te 'patan hatāḥ
 27 hatvā tu tad gajānīkaṃ bhīmaseno mahābalaḥ
     punaḥ svaratham āsthāya pṛṣṭhato 'rjunam anvagāt
 28 hataṃ parāṅmukha prāyaṃ nirutsāhaṃ paraṃ balam
     vyālambata mahārāja prāyaśaḥ śastraveṣṭitam
 29 vilambamānaṃ tat sainyam apragalbham avasthitam
     dṛṣṭvā prācchādayad bāṇair arjunaḥ prāṇatāpanaiḥ
 30 tataḥ kurūṇām abhavad ārtanādo mahāmṛdhe
     rathāśvanāgāsu harair vadhyatām arjuneṣubhiḥ
 31 hāhākṛtaṃ bhṛśaṃ tasthau līyamānaṃ parasparam
     alātacakravat sainyaṃ tadābbhramata tāvakam
 32 ādīptaṃ tava tat sainyaṃ śaraiś chinnatanuc chadam
     āsīt svaśoṇita klinnaṃ phullāśoka vanaṃ yathā
 33 tad dṛṣṭvā kuravas tatra vikrāntaṃ savyasācinaḥ
     nirāśāḥ samapadyanta sarve karṇasya jīvite
 34 aviṣahyaṃ tu pārthasya śarasaṃpātam āhave
     matvā nyavartan kuravo jitā gāṇḍīvadhanvanā
 35 te hitvā samare pārthaṃ vadhyamānāś ca sāyakaiḥ
     pradudruvur diśo bhītāś cukruśuś cāpi sūtajam
 36 abhyadravata tān pārthaḥ kirañ śaraśatān bahūn
     harṣayan pāṇḍavān yodhān bhīmasenapurogamān
 37 putrās tu te mahārāja jagmuḥ karṇa rathaṃ prathi
     agādhe majjatāṃ teṣāṃ dvīpaḥ karṇo 'bhavat tadā
 38 kuravo hi mahārāja nirviṣāḥ pannagā iva
     karṇam evopalīyanta bhayād gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ
 39 yathā sarvāṇi bhūtāni mṛtyor bhītāni bhārata
     dharmam evopalīyante karmavanti hi yāni ca
 40 tathā karṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ putrās tava narādhipa
     upālīyanta saṃtrāsāt pāṇḍavasyamahātmanaḥ
 41 tāñ śoṇitapariklinnān viṣamasthāñ śarāturān
     mā bhaiṣṭety abravīt karṇo hy abhito mām iteti ca
 42 saṃbhagnaṃ hi balaṃ dṛṣṭvā balāt pārthena tāvakam
     dhanur visphārayan karṇas tasthau śatrujighāṃsayā
     pāñcālān punar ādhāvat paśyataḥ savyasācinaḥ
 43 tataḥ kṣaṇena kṣitipāḥ kṣatajapratimekṣaṇāḥ
     karṇaṃ vavarṣur bāṇaughair yathā meghā mahīdharam
 44 tataḥ śarasahasrāṇi karṇa muktāni māriṣa
     vyayojayanta pāñcālān prāṇaiḥ prāṇabhṛtāṃ vara
 45 tato raṇo mahān āsīt pāñcālānāṃ viśāṃ pate
     vadhyatāṃ sūtaputreṇa mitrārthe 'mitraghātinām

 

59

"Sanjaya said, 'Then the Kurus and the Srinjayas once more fearlessly encountered each other in battle, the Parthas being headed by Yudhishthira, and ourselves headed by the Suta's son. Then commenced a terrible battle, making the hair to stand on end, between Karna and the Pandavas, that increased the population of Yama's kingdom. After that furious battle, producing rivers of blood, had commenced, and when a remnant only of the brave samsaptakas, O Bharata, were left unslaughtered, Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, with all the kings (on the Pandava side) and those mighty car-warriors--the Pandavas themselves, all rushed against Karna only. Like the mountain receiving a vast body of water, Karna, unaided by anyone, received in that battle all those advancing warriors filled with joy and longing for victory. Those mighty car-warriors encountering Karna, were beat off and broken like a mass of water, and beat back on all sides when it encounters a mountain. The battle, however, that took place between them and Karna made the hair stand on end. Then Dhrishtadyumna assailed the son of Radha with a straight shaft in that battle, and addressing him said, "Wait, Wait." The mighty car-warrior Karna, filled with rage, shook his foremost of bows called Vijaya, and cutting off the bow of Dhrishtadyumna, as also his arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison assailed Dhrishtadyumna himself with nine arrows. Those arrows, O sinless one, piercing through the gold-decked armour of the high-souled son of Prishata, became bathed in blood and looked beautiful like so many cochineal. The mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, casting aside that broken bow, took up another bow and a number of shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. With those straight shafts numbering seventy, he pierced Karna. Similarly, O king, Karna, in that battle, covered Prishata's son, that scorcher of foes, with many shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. The slayer of Drona, that great bowman, retaliated by piercing Karna with many keen shafts. Filled with rage, Karna then, O monarch, sped at his antagonist a gold-decked shaft that resembled a second rod of death. That terrible shaft, O monarch, as it coursed impetuously towards Prishata's son, the grandson of Sini, O king, cut off into seven fragments, displaying great lightness of hand. Beholding his shaft baffled by the arrows of Satyaki, O king, Karna resisted Satyaki with showers of arrows from every side. And he pierced Satyaki in that encounter with seven clothyard shafts. The grandson of Sini, however, pierced him in return with many arrows decked with gold. The battle then that took place, O king, between those two warriors was such as to fill both spectators and listeners with fear. Though awful, soon it became beautiful and deserving objects of sight. Beholding the feats, in that encounter, of Karna and the grandson of Sini, the hair of all the creatures there present seemed to stand on end. Meanwhile the mighty son of Drona rushed against Prishata's son, that chastiser of foes and queller of the prowess of all enemies. Filled with rage, Drona's son, that subjugator of hostile towns, addressing Dhrishtadyumna, said, "Wait, wait, O slayer of a Brahmana, thou shalt not escape me today with life." Having said these words, that mighty car-warrior of great lightness of hand striving resolutely, deeply pierced the brave son of Prishata, who also strove to the utmost of his prowess, with many keen and terrible shafts endued with great impetuosity. As Drona (while alive), beholding the son of Prishata, O sire, had become cheerless and regarded him as his death, even so the son of Prishata, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholding Drona's son in that battle, now regarded him as his death. Soon, however, remembering that he was unslayable in battle by means of weapons, he rushed with great speed against Drona's son, like the Destroyer running against the Destroyer at the time of the universal dissolution. Drona's heroic son, however, O monarch, beholding Dhrishtadyumna stationed before him, drew deep breaths, in wrath, and rushed towards him. Both of them were filled with great rage at the sight of each other. Endued with great activity, the valiant son of Drona then, O monarch, said these words unto Dhrishtadyumna staying not far from him, "O wretch amongst the Pancalas, I shall today despatch thee to Yama. The sin thou hast committed before by slaying Drona will fill thee today with regret, to thy great evil, if thou stayest in battle without being protected by Partha, or if thou dost not fly away, O fool, I tell thee truly." Thus addressed, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna replied, saying, "That same sword of mine which answered thy sire, resolutely engaged in battle, will today answer this speech of thine. If Drona could be slain by me, O thou that art a Brahmana in name only, why should I not then, putting forth my prowess, slay thee also in battle today?" Having said these words, the wrathful commander of the Pandava forces, viz., the son of Prishata, pierced Drona's son with a keen arrow. Then Drona's son filled with great rage, shrouded every side of Dhrishtadyumna, O king, in that battle, with straight arrows. Shrouded with thousands of arrows, neither the welkin, nor the points of the compass, nor the combatants all around, could, O monarch, be any longer seen. Similarly, the son of Prishata, O king, shrouded Drona's son, that ornament of battle, with arrows, in the very sight of Karna. The son of Radha, too, O monarch, singly resisted the Pancalas and the Pandavas and the (five) sons of Draupadi and Yudhamanyu and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, in consequence of which feat he became the cynosure of all eyes. Then Dhrishtadyumna in that battle cut off the very tough and formidable bow of Drona's son, as also all his arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison. Drona's son, however, with his arrows, destroyed within the twinkling of an eye the bow, the dart, the mace, the standard, the steeds, the driver, and the car of Prishata's son. Bowless and carless and steedless and driverless, the son of Prishata then took up a huge scimitar and a blazing shield decked with a hundred moons. Endued with great lightness of hand, and possessed of mighty weapons, that mighty car-warrior, viz., the heroic son of Drona, O king, quickly cut off, in that battle, with many broad-headed arrows, those weapons also of Dhrishtadyumna before the latter could come down from his car. All this seemed exceedingly wonderful. The mighty car-warrior Ashvatthama, however, though struggling vigorously, could not, O chief of the Bharatas, slay the carless and steedless and bowless Dhrishtadyumna, although pierced and exceedingly mangled with many arrows. When, therefore, O king, the son of Drona found that he could not slay his enemy with arrows, he laid aside his bow and quickly proceeded towards the son of Prishata. The impetuosity of that high-souled one, as he rushed towards his foe, resembled that of Garuda swooping down for seizing a large snake. Meanwhile Madhava, addressing Arjuna, said, "Behold, O Partha, how the son of Drona is rushing with great speed towards the car of Prishata's son. Without doubt, he will slay the prince. O mighty-armed one, O crusher of foes, rescue the son of Prishata, who is now within the jaws of Drona's son as if within the jaws of Death himself." Having said these words, the valiant Vasudeva urged the steeds towards that spot where Drona's son was. Those steeds, of the splendour of the moon, urged by Keshava, proceeded towards the car of Drona's son, devouring the very skies. Beholding those two of great energy, viz., Krishna and Dhananjaya, coming towards him, the mighty Ashvatthama made great efforts for slaying Dhrishtadyumna soon. Seeing Dhrishtadyumna dragged, O ruler of men by his enemy, the mighty Partha sped many arrows at the son of Drona. Those arrows, decked with gold and sped from Gandiva, approached the son of Drona and pierced him deeply like snakes penetrating into an ant-hill. Thus pierced with those terrible arrows, the valiant son of Drona, O king, abandoned the Pancala prince of immeasurable energy. Indeed, the hero, thus afflicted with Dhananjaya's shafts, mounted on his car, and taking up his own excellent bow, began to pierce Partha with many shafts. Meanwhile, the heroic Sahadeva, O ruler of men, bore away on his car the son of Prishata, that scorcher of foes. Arjuna then, O king, pierced Drona's son with many arrows. Filled with rage, Drona's son struck Arjuna in the arms and the chest. Thus provoked, Partha, in that battle, sped at Drona's son, a long shaft that resembled a second rod of Death, or rather, Death himself. That arrow of great splendour fell upon the shoulder of the Brahmana hero. Exceedingly agitated, O monarch, in that battle, by the violence of the stroke, he sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. Then Karna, O monarch, shook his bow Vijaya and, filled with rage, repeatedly eyed Arjuna in that battle, desiring a single combat with him. Meanwhile the driver of Drona's son, beholding the latter senseless, quickly bore him away on his car from the field of battle. Beholding Prishata's son rescued and Drona's son afflicted, the Pancalas, O king, expectant of victory, began to utter loud shouts. Thousands of sweet instruments began to be sounded. Seeing such wonderful feats in battle, the combatants uttered leonine roars. Having achieved that feat, Partha addressed Vasudeva, saying "Proceed, O Krishna, towards the samsaptakas, for this is greatly desired by me." Hearing those words of Pandu's son, he of Dasharha's race proceeded on that car graced with many banners and whose speed resembled that of the wind or the mind.'"

 

 

Book 8
Chapter 60

 

 

 

1 [s]
      tataḥ karṇaḥ kuruṣu pradruteṣu; varūthinā śvetahayena rājan
      pāñcāla putrān vyadhamat sūtaputro; maheṣubhir vāta ivābhrasaṃghān
  2 sūtaṃ rathād ajñalikena pātya; jaghāna cāśvāñ janamejayasya
      śatānīkaṃ suta somaṃ ca bhallair; avākirad dhanuṣī cāpy akṛntat
  3 dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ nirbibhedātha ṣaḍbhir; jaghāna cāśvaṃ dakṣiṇaṃ tasya saṃkhye
      hatvā cāśvān sātyakeḥ sūtaputraḥ; kaikeya putraṃ nyavadhīd viśokam
  4 tam abhyadhāvan nihate kumāre; kaikeya senāpatir ugradhanvā
      śarair vibhinnaṃ bhṛśam ugravegaiḥ; karṇātmajaṃ so 'bhyahanat suṣeṇam
  5 tasyārdha candrais tribhir uccakarta; prasahya bāhū ca śiraś ca karṇaḥ
      sa syandanād gām apatad gatāsuḥ; paraśvadhaiḥ śāla ivāvarugṇaḥ
  6 hatāśvam añjo gatibhiḥ suṣeṇaḥ; śinipravīraṃ niśitaiḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ
      pracchādya nṛtyann iva sauti putraḥ; śaineya bāṇābhihataḥ papāta
  7 putre hate krodhaparīta cetāḥ; karṇaḥ śinīnām ṛṣabhaṃ jighāṃsuḥ
      hato 'si śaineya iti bruvan sa; vyavāsṛjad bāṇam amitrasāham
  8 sa tasya ciccheda śaraṃ śikhaṇḍī; tribhis tribhiś ca pratutoda karṇam
      śikhaṇḍinaḥ karmukaṃ sa dhvajaṃ ca; chittvā śarābhyām ahanat sujātam
  9 śikhaṇḍinaṃ ṣaḍbhir avidhyad ugro; dānto dharṣṭadyumna śiraś cakarta
      athābhinat suta somaṃ śareṇa; sa saṃśitenādhirathir mahātmā
  10 athākrande tumule vartamāne; dhārṣṭadyumne nihate tatra kṛṣṇaḥ
     apāñcālyaṃ kriyate yāhi pārtha; karṇaṃ jahīty abravīd rājasiṃha
 11 tataḥ prahasyāśu narapravīro; rathaṃ rathenādhirather jagāma
     bhaye teṣāṃ trāṇam icchan subāhur; abhyāhatānāṃ ratharūthapena
 12 visphārya gāṇḍīvam athogra ghoṣaṃ; jyayā samāhatya tale bhṛśaṃ ca
     bāṇāndha kāraṃ sahasaiva kṛtvā; jaghāna nāgāśvarathān narāṃś ca
 13 taṃ bhīmaseno 'nu yayau rathena; pṛṣṭhe rakṣan pāṇḍavam ekavīram
     tau rājaputrau tvaritau rathābhyāṃ; karṇāya yātāv aribhir vimuktau
 14 atrāntare sumahat sūtaputraś; cakre yuddhaṃ somakān saṃpramṛdnan
     rathāśvamātaṅgagaṇāñ jaghāna; pracchādayām āsa diśaḥ śaraiś ca
 15 tam uttamaujā janamejayaś ca; kruddhau yudhāmanyuśikhaṇḍinau ca
     karṇaṃ vineduḥ sahitāḥ pṛṣatkaiḥ; saṃmardamānāḥ saha pārṣatena
 16 te pañca pāñcāla rathāḥ surūpair; vaikartanaṃ karṇam abhidravantaḥ
     tasmād rathāc cyāvayituṃ na śekur; dhairyāt kṛtātmānam ivendriyāṇi
 17 teṣāṃ dhanūṃṣi dhvajavāji sūtāṃs; tūṇaṃ patākāś ca nikṛtya bāṇaiḥ
     tān pañcabhiḥ sa tv ahanat pṛṣatkaiḥ; karṇas tataḥ siṃha ivonnanāda
 18 tasyāsyatas tān abhinighnataś ca; jyā bāṇahastasya dhanuḥ svanena
     sādri drumā syāt pṛthivī viśīrṇā; ity eva matvā janatā vyaṣīdat
 19 sa śakracāpapratimena dhanvanā; bhṛśātatenādhirathiḥ śarān sṛjan
     babhau raṇe dīptamarīci maṇḍalo; yathāṃśu mālī parivṛṣavāṃs tathā
 20 śikhaṇḍinaṃ dvādaśabhiḥ parābhinac; chitaiḥ śaraiḥ ṣaḍbhir athottamaujasam
     trihir yudhāmanyum avidhyad āśugais; tribhis tribhiḥ somaka pārṣatātmajau
 21 parājitāḥ pañca mahārathās tu te; mahāhave sūta sūtena māriṣa
     nirudyamās tasthur amitramardanā; yathendriyārthātmavatā parājitāḥ
 22 nimajjatas tān atha karṇa sāgare; vipannanāvo vaṇijo yathārṇave
     uddadhrire naubhir ivārṇavād rathaiḥ; sukalpitair draupadijāḥ svamātulān
 23 tataḥ śinīnām ṛṣabaḥ śitaiḥ śarair; nikṛtya karṇa prahitān iṣūn bahūn
     vidārya karṇaṃ niśitair ayo mayais; tavātmajaṃ jyeṣṭham avidhyad aṣṭabhiḥ
 24 kṛpo 'tha bhojaś ca tavātmajas tathā; svayaṃ ca karṇo niśitair atāḍayat
     sa taiś caturbhir yuyudhe yadūttamo; dig īśvarair daitya patir yathātathā
 25 samānateneṣv asanena kūjatā; bhṛśātatenāmita bāṇavarṣiṇā
     babhūva durdharṣataraḥ sa sātyakiḥ; śaran nabho madhyagato yathā raviḥ
 26 punaḥ samāsādya rathān sudaṃśitāḥ; śinipravīraṃ jugupuḥ paraṃtapaḥ
     sametya pāñcāla rathā mahāraṇe; marudgaṇāḥ śakram ivāri nigrahe
 27 tato 'bhavad yuddham atīva dāruṇaṃ; tavāhitānāṃ tava sainikaiḥ saha
     rathāśvamātaṅgavināśanaṃ tathā; yathā surāṇām asuraiḥ purābhavat
 28 rathadvipā vājipadātayo 'pi vā; bhramanti nānāvidha śastravṛṣṭitāḥ
     paraspareṇābhihatāś ca caskhalur; vinedur ārtā vyasavo 'patanta ca
 29 tathāgate bhīma bhīs tavātmajaḥ; sasāra rājāvarajaḥ kirañ śaraiḥ
     tam abhyadhāvat tvarito vṛkodaro; mahāruruṃ siṃha ivābhipetivān
 30 tatas tayor yuddham atītamānuṣaṃ; pradīvyatoḥ prāṇadurodare 'bhavat
     paraspareṇābhiniviṣṭa roṣayor; udagrayoḥ śambara śakrayor yathā
 31 śaraiḥ śarīrāntakaraiḥ sutejanair; nijaghnatus tāv itaretaraṃ bhṛśam
     sakṛt prabhinnāv iva vāśitāntare; mahāgajau manmatha saktacetasau
 32 tavātmajasyātha vṛkodaras tvaran; dhanuḥ kṣurābhyāṃ dhvajam eva cācchinat
     lalāṭam apy asya bibheda patriṇā; śiraś ca kāyāt prajahāra sāratheḥ
 33 sa rājaputro 'nyad avāpya kārmukaṃ; vṛkodaraṃ dvādaśabhiḥ parābhinat
     svayaṃ niyacchaṃs turagān ajihmagaiḥ; śaraiś ca bhīmaṃ punar abhyavīvṛṣat

 

 

60

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Krishna, pointing out king Yudhishthira the just, unto Kunti's son Partha, addressed him in these words: "Yonder, O son of Pandu, your brother (Yudhishthira) is being pursued by many mighty and great bowmen amongst the Dhartarashtras, all inspired with the desire of slaughtering him. The mighty Pancalas, difficult of defeat in battle, are proceeding after the high-souled Yudhishthira from desire of rescuing him. Yonder, Duryodhana, O Partha, the king of the whole world, clad in mail and accompanied by a large car force, is pursuing the Pandava king. Impelled by the desire of slaughtering his rival, the mighty Duryodhana, O tiger among men, is pursuing him, accompanied by his brothers, the touch of whose weapons is as fatal as that of poisonous snakes and who are all conversant with every mode of warfare. Those Dhartarashtra elephants and horses and car-warriors and foot-soldiers are advancing to seize Yudhishthira like poor men after a precious gem. Behold, checked by Satyaki and Bhima, they have again been stupefied, like the Daityas, that desired to take away the Amrita, made motionless by Sakra and Agni. The mighty car-warriors (of the Kuru army), however, in consequence of the vastness of their numbers, are again proceeding towards Yudhishthira like a vast quantity of water in the season of rains rushing towards the ocean. Those mighty bowmen are uttering leonine roars, blowing their conchs, and shaking their bows. I regard Kunti's son Yudhishthira, thus brought under the influence of Duryodhana, to be already within the jaws of Death or already poured as a libation on the sacrificial fire. The army of Dhritarashtra's son, O Pandava, is arrayed and equipped duly. Sakra himself, coming within the range of its arrows, can scarcely escape. Who will in battle bear the impetuosity of the heroic Duryodhana who shoots showers of arrows with the greatest celerity and who, when angry, resembles the Destroyer himself? The force of the heroic Duryodhana's shafts, or Drona's son's or Kripa's or Karna's would break down the very mountains. That scorcher of foes, viz., king Yudhishthira, was once compelled by Karna to turn his back upon the field. The son of Radha is endued with great might and great lightness of hand. Possessed of great skill, he is accomplished in battle. He is competent to afflict the eldest son of Pandu in fight, specially when he is united with the mighty and brave son of Dhritarashtra. Of rigid vows, when the son of Pritha (Yudhishthira) had been engaged in battle with all those warriors, other great car-warriors had struck him and contributed to his defeat. The king, O best of the Bharatas, is exceedingly emaciated in consequence of his fasts. He is endued with Brahma-force, but the puissant one is not endued with much of Kshatriya-might. Assailed, however, by Karna, the royal son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, that scorcher of foes, hath been placed in a situation of great peril. I think, O Partha, that king Yudhishthira has fallen. Indeed, since that chastiser of foes, the wrathful Bhimasena, coolly heareth the leonine roars of the frequently shouting Dhartarashtra's longing for victory and blowing their conchs, I think, O bull among men, that Pandu's son Yudhishthira is dead. Yonder Karna urges forward the mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtras towards the son of Pritha with the weapons called Sthunakarna, Indrasjaha and Pasupata, and with clubs and other weapons. The king, O Bharata, must be deeply afflicted and exceedingly weakened, because the Pancalas and the Pandavas, those foremost of all wielders of weapons, are seen to proceed with great speed towards him at a time when speed is of the highest moment like strong men rushing to the rescue of a person sinking in a bottomless sea. The king's standard is no longer visible. It has probably been struck down by Karna with his shafts. In the very sight of the twins, O Partha, and of Satyaki and Shikhandi, and Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima and Satanika, O lord, as also of all the Pancalas and the Cedis, O Bharata, yonder Karna is destroying the Pandava division with his arrows, like an elephant destroying an assemblage of lotuses. There, those car-warriors of thy army, O son of Pandu, are flying away. See, see, O Partha, how those great warriors are retreating. Those elephants, O Bharata, assailed by Karna in battle, are flying away in all directions, uttering cries of pain. There those crowds of car-warriors, routed in battle, O Partha, by Karna, that crusher of foes, are flying away in all directions. Behold, O Partha, that foremost of standards, of the Suta's son, on his car, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, is seen to move all over the field. There, the son of Radha is now rushing against Bhimasena, scattering hundreds of shafts as he proceeds and slaughtering thy army therewith. There, those mighty car-warriors of the Pancalas are being routed (by Karna) even as the Daityas had been routed by Sakra in dreadful battle. There, Karna, having vanquished the Pancalas, the Pandus, and the Srinjayas, is casting his eyes on all sides, I think, for seeking thee. Behold, O Partha, Karna, as he beautifully draws his foremost of bows, looketh exceedingly beautiful even as Sakra in the midst of the celestials, after vanquishing his foes. There the Kauravas, beholding the prowess of Karna, are roaring and inspiring the Pandus and the Srinjayas with fear on every side. There, Karna himself, terrifying the Pandus with his whole soul, in dreadful battle, is addressing all the troops, O giver of honours, saying, 'Blessed be ye, advance, ye Kauravas and rush with such speed that no Srinjaya may, in this battle escape with life. United together, do this all of you. As regards ourselves, we will follow behind you.' Saying these words, he is advancing behind (his troops), scattering his shafts. Behold Karna, adorned with his white umbrella in this battle and looking like the Udaya hills adorned by the moon. With his beautiful umbrella of a hundred ribs, resembling the moon in full, held over his head, O Bharata, in this battle, Karna, O prince, is casting his glances after thee. Without doubt, he will, in this battle, come hither, with great speed. Behold him, O mighty-armed one, as he shaketh his formidable bow and shooteth, in this dreadful battle, his shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. There, the son of Radha turneth towards this direction, beholding thy banner bearing the ape, and desiring, O Partha, an encounter with thee, O scorcher of foes. Indeed, he cometh for his own destruction, even like an insect into the mouth of a lamp. Wrathful and brave, he is ever engaged in the good of Dhritarashtra's son. Of wicked understanding, he is always unable to put up with thee. Beholding Karna alone and unsupported, Dhritarashtra's son, O Bharata, turneth towards him with great resolution, accompanied by his car-force, for protecting him. Let that wicked-souled one, along with all those allies of his, be slain by thee, putting forth thy vigour, from desire of winning fame, kingdom and happiness. Both of you are endued with great strength. Both of you are possessed of great celebrity. When encountering each other in battle, O Partha, like a celestial and a Danava in the great battle between the gods and the Asuras, let all the Kauravas behold thy prowess. Beholding thee filled with great rage and Karna also excited to fury, O bull of Bharata's race, Duryodhana in wrath will not be able to do anything. Remembering thyself to be of purified soul, O bull of Bharata's race, and remembering also that the son of Radha harboureth a great animosity for the virtuous Yudhishthira, achieve that, O son of Kunti, which should now be achieved. Righteously setting thy heart on battle, advance against that leader of car-warriors. There, five hundred foremost of car-warriors, O thou best of car-warriors, that are endued with great might and fierce energy, and 5,000 elephants, and twice as many horses, and innumerable foot-soldiers, all united together, O son of Kunti, and protecting one another, O hero, are advancing against thee. Show thyself, of thy own will, unto that great bowman, viz., the Suta's son. Advance, O bull of Bharata's race, towards him with great speed. There, Karna, filled with great wrath is rushing against the Pancalas. I see his standard approaching towards the car of Dhrishtadyumna. I think he will exterminate the Pancalas. I will tell thee, O bull of Bharata's race, some good news, O Partha. King Yudhishthira the just is living. There, the mighty-armed Bhima, having returned, is stationed at the head of the army, supported by the Srinjayas and by Satyaki, O Bharata. There, the Kauravas are being slaughtered with keen shafts by Bhimasena, O son of Kunti, and the high-souled Pancalas. The troops of Dhritarashtra's son, with their faces turned from the field, and with blood streaming down from their wounds, are speedily flying away from battle, struck by Bhima with his shafts. Bathed in blood, the Bharata army, O chief of Bharata's race, presents an exceedingly cheerless aspect like that of the Earth when divested of crops. Behold, O son of Kunti, Bhimasena, that foremost of combatants, filled with rage like a snake of virulent poison, and engaged in routing the (Kaurava) host. Yellow and red and black and white banners, adorned with stars and moons and suns as also many umbrellas, O Arjuna, lie scattered about. Made of gold or silver or brass and other metals, standards are lying about, and elephants and steeds also, scattered all over the field. There, those car-warriors are falling from their cars, deprived of life by the unreturning Pancalas with shafts of diverse kinds. There the Pancalas of great speed, O Dhananjaya, are rushing against the riderless Dhartarashtra elephants and steeds and cars. Reckless of their very lives, O chastiser of foes, those warriors, difficult of defeat in battle aided by the might of Bhimasena are crushing, O tiger among men, the hostile force. There, the Pancalas are uttering loud roars and blowing their conchs as they are rushing against their foes and crushing them with their shafts in battle. Behold their great energy and power. Through sheer valour, the Pancalas are slaughtering the Dhartarashtras like angry lions slaying elephants. Unarmed they are snatching the weapons of their armed foes and with those weapons thus snatched, they are slaying their foes that are effectual smiters, and uttering loud roars. The heads and arms of their foes are being struck off and felled on the field. The Pancala cars and elephants and horses are all worthy of the highest praise. Like swans of great speed leaving the Manasa lake and rushing into the Ganga, the Pancalas are rushing against the Kauravas, and every part of the vast Dhartarashtra force is assailed by them. Like bulls resisting bulls, the heroic Kripa and Karna and other leaders are putting forth all their valour for resisting the Pancalas. The Pancala heroes headed by Dhrishtadyumna are slaying thousands of their foes, viz., the great car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army already sinking in the ocean of Bhima's weapons. Beholding the Pancalas overwhelmed by their foes, the fearless son of the Wind-god, assailing the hostile force, is shooting his shafts and uttering loud roars. The greater portion of the vast Dhartarashtra army has become exceedingly frightened. Behold those elephants, pierced by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts, are falling down like mountain summits riven by the thunderbolt of Indra. There, those huge elephants, deeply pierced with the straight shafts of Bhimasena are flying away, crushing their own ranks. Dost thou not recognise the unbearable leonine shouts, O Arjuna, of the terribly-roaring Bhimasena inspired with desire of victory in battle? There, the prince of the Nishadas, filled with rage, is coming against the son of Pandu, on his foremost of elephants, from desire of slaying him with his lances, even like Destroyer himself armed with his bludgeon. Struck by Bhima with ten keen cloth-yard shafts endued with the splendour of the fire or the Sun, the two arms of the roaring prince, with lances in grasp, are lopped off. Staying the prince, Bhima proceedeth against other elephants looking like masses of blue clouds and ridden by riders guiding them with skill. Behold those riders striking Vrikodara with darts and lances in profusion. Slaying with his keen shafts those elephants, seven at a time, their triumphal standards also, O Partha, are cut down by thy elder brother. As regards those other elephants, each of them is being slain with ten shafts by him. The shouts of the Dhartarashtras are no longer heard, now that Bhima, O bull of Bharata's race, who is equal to Purandara himself, is engaged in battle. Full three akshauhinis of Duryodhana's soldiers had been assembled together (in front of Bhima). They have all been checked by that lion among men, Bhimasena, in wrath.'"
"Sanjaya continued, 'Behold that feat, difficult of accomplishment, achieved by Bhimasena. Arjuna, with his keen shafts, destroyed the remnant of his foes. The mighty samsaptakas, O lord, slaughtered in battle and routed (by Arjuna), fled away in all directions, overcome with fear. Many amongst them (that fell) became the guests of Shakra and attained to great happiness. As regards Partha, that tiger among men, he continued, with his straight shafts, to slaughter the Dhartarashtra host consisting of four kinds of forces.'"

 

 

 

 

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