04.053
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said.
यत्रैषा काञ्चनी वेदी प्रदीप्ताग्निशिखोपमा। उच्छ्रिता काञ्चने दण्डे पताकाभिरलङ्कृता ॥ तत्र मां वह भद्रं ते द्रोणानीकाय मारिष ॥०४-५३-१॥
Where this golden altar, like a blazing flame, stands raised on a golden staff and adorned with flags, there, O charioteer, carry me to Droṇa’s army. Good fortune to you. (04-53-1)
अश्वाः शोणाः प्रकाशन्ते बृहन्तश्चारुवाहिनः। स्निग्धविद्रुमसङ्काशास्ताम्रास्याः प्रियदर्शनाः ॥ युक्ता रथवरे यस्य सर्वशिक्षाविशारदाः ॥०४-५३-२॥
His horses, which are red and shining, large, of beautiful speed, having the luster of polished coral, copper-mouthed, and pleasant to behold, yoked to an excellent chariot and skilled in every art, (are seen). (04-53-2)
दीर्घबाहुर्महातेजा बलरूपसमन्वितः। सर्वलोकेषु विख्यातो भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान् ॥०४-५३-३॥
Bhāradvāja, long-armed, possessing great brilliance and strength, known throughout all worlds, was glorious. (04-53-3)
बुद्ध्या तुल्यो ह्युशनसा बृहस्पतिसमो नये। वेदास्तथैव चत्वारो ब्रह्मचर्यं तथैव च ॥०४-५३-४॥
He is equal in wisdom to Uśanas, equal to Bṛhaspati in policy; he possesses the four Vedas and lives in celibacy likewise. (04-53-4)
ससंहाराणि दिव्यानि सर्वाण्यस्त्राणि मारिष। धनुर्वेदश्च कार्त्स्न्येन यस्मिन्नित्यं प्रतिष्ठितः ॥०४-५३-५॥
O noble one, all divine weapons with their powers of withdrawal, and the entire science of archery, are always established in him. (04-53-5)
क्षमा दमश्च सत्यं च आनृशंस्यमथार्जवम्। एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणा यस्मिन्द्विजोत्तमे ॥०४-५३-६॥
Forbearance, self-control, truthfulness, non-cruelty, straightforwardness—these and many other qualities are found in that best among the twice-born. (04-53-6)
तेनाहं योद्धुमिच्छामि महाभागेन संयुगे। तस्मात्त्वं प्रापयाचार्यं क्षिप्रमुत्तर वाहय ॥०४-५३-७॥
I want to fight with him, the greatly fortunate one, in battle. Therefore, bring the teacher and quickly have the chariot driven. (04-53-7)
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
अर्जुनेनैवमुक्तस्तु वैराटिर्हेमभूषितान्। चोदयामास तानश्वान्भारद्वाजरथं प्रति ॥०४-५३-८॥
But, when Arjuna thus spoke, the king of Virāṭa urged those gold-adorned horses towards the chariot of Bhāradvāja. (04-53-8)
तमापतन्तं वेगेन पाण्डवं रथिनां वरम्। द्रोणः प्रत्युद्ययौ पार्थं मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम् ॥०४-५३-९॥
Droṇa, enraged, advanced to confront Pārtha, as an enraged elephant faces another enraged elephant, when he saw the Pāṇḍava, the best of chariot-warriors, rushing towards him. (04-53-9)
ततः प्राध्मापयच्छङ्खं भेरीशतनिनादितम्। प्रचुक्षुभे बलं सर्वमुद्धूत इव सागरः ॥०४-५३-१०॥
Then he blew the conch, which was echoing like a hundred drums; the entire army became agitated, like the ocean when stirred up. (04-53-10)
अथ शोणान्सदश्वांस्तान्हंसवर्णैर्मनोजवैः। मिश्रितान्समरे दृष्ट्वा व्यस्मयन्त रणे जनाः ॥०४-५३-११॥
Then, seeing those excellent red horses mixed with swan-colored mind-swift horses in the battle, people were amazed in the battle. (04-53-11)
तौ रथौ वीर्यसम्पन्नौ दृष्ट्वा सङ्ग्राममूर्धनि। आचार्यशिष्यावजितौ कृतविद्यौ मनस्विनौ ॥०४-५३-१२॥
Having seen those two chariot-warriors—the teacher and the disciple—who were endowed with strength, invincible, accomplished in knowledge, and high-minded, standing at the forefront of the battlefield. (04-53-12)
समाश्लिष्टौ तदान्योन्यं द्रोणपार्थौ महाबलौ। दृष्ट्वा प्राकम्पत मुहुर्भरतानां महद्बलम् ॥०४-५३-१३॥
Then Droṇa and Arjuna, both of great strength, embraced each other, and seeing the mighty army of the Bharatas, trembled repeatedly. (04-53-13)
हर्षयुक्तस्तथा पार्थः प्रहसन्निव वीर्यवान्। रथं रथेन द्रोणस्य समासाद्य महारथः ॥०४-५३-१४॥
Thus, filled with joy, Pārtha (Arjuna), mighty and as if smiling, with his chariot approached the chariot of Droṇa, he—the great chariot-warrior. (04-53-14)
अभिवाद्य महाबाहुः सान्त्वपूर्वमिदं वचः। उवाच श्लक्ष्णया वाचा कौन्तेयः परवीरहा ॥०४-५३-१५॥
Having saluted, the mighty-armed son of Kunti, Arjuna, destroyer of enemy heroes, spoke this conciliatory and gentle speech.
उषिताः स्म वने वासं प्रतिकर्म चिकीर्षवः। कोपं नार्हसि नः कर्तुं सदा समरदुर्जय ॥०४-५३-१६॥
We have indeed lived in the forest, intending to act in response. You, who are always hard to conquer in battle, ought not to be angry with us. (04-53-16)
अहं तु प्रहृते पूर्वं प्रहरिष्यामि तेऽनघ। इति मे वर्तते बुद्धिस्तद्भवान्कर्तुमर्हति ॥०४-५३-१७॥
But I think, O sinless one, that I ought to strike first when (it is) struck; that is my thought, and you ought to do that. (04-53-17)
ततोऽस्मै प्राहिणोद्द्रोणः शरानधिकविंशतिम्। अप्राप्तांश्चैव तान्पार्थश्चिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत् ॥०४-५३-१८॥
Then Droṇa sent more than twenty arrows at him; and Pārtha (Arjuna), like an expert marksman, cut those arrows before they arrived. (04-53-18)
ततः शरसहस्रेण रथं पार्थस्य वीर्यवान्। अवाकिरत्ततो द्रोणः शीघ्रमस्त्रं विदर्शयन् ॥०४-५३-१९॥
Then the powerful Droṇa, with a thousand arrows, covered the chariot of Pārtha, and then quickly displayed a weapon. (04-53-19)
एवं प्रववृते युद्धं भारद्वाजकिरीटिनोः। समं विमुञ्चतोः सङ्ख्ये विशिखान्दीप्ततेजसः ॥०४-५३-२०॥
Thus, the battle began between Bhāradvāja (Droṇa) and Kiritin (Arjuna), as both, full of blazing energy, equally released arrows at each other on the battlefield. (04-53-20)
तावुभौ ख्यातकर्माणावुभौ वायुसमौ जवे। उभौ दिव्यास्त्रविदुषावुभावुत्तमतेजसौ ॥ क्षिपन्तौ शरजालानि मोहयामासतुर्नृपान् ॥०४-५३-२१॥
Those two warriors, famous for their deeds and equal to the Wind in speed, both skilled in divine weapons and possessing supreme brilliance, cast volleys of arrows and bewildered the kings. (04-53-21)
व्यस्मयन्त ततो योधाः सर्वे तत्र समागताः। शरान्विसृजतोस्तूर्णं साधु साध्विति पूजयन् ॥०४-५३-२२॥
Then all the warriors assembled there were amazed, and as the two swiftly discharged arrows, they honored them saying, "Well done! Well done!" (04-53-22)
द्रोणं हि समरे कोऽन्यो योद्धुमर्हति फल्गुनात्। रौद्रः क्षत्रियधर्मोऽयं गुरुणा यदयुध्यत ॥ इत्यब्रुवञ्जनास्तत्र सङ्ग्रामशिरसि स्थिताः ॥०४-५३-२३॥
"Indeed, who other than Phalguna is worthy to fight Droṇa in battle? This fierce Kṣatriya duty is that the teacher fought." Thus spoke the people standing there at the forefront of the battle. (04-53-23)
वीरौ तावपि संरब्धौ संनिकृष्टौ महारथौ। छादयेतां शरव्रातैरन्योन्यमपराजितौ ॥०४-५३-२४॥
Those two invincible heroes, great chariot-warriors, enraged and having come close, covered each other with showers of arrows. (04-53-24)
विस्फार्य सुमहच्चापं हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम्। संरब्धोऽथ भरद्वाजः फल्गुनं प्रत्ययुध्यत ॥०४-५३-२५॥
Then, fiercely, Bharadvāja, having drawn his great golden-backed, formidable bow, fought against Phalguna (Arjuna). (04-53-25)
स सायकमयैर्जालैरर्जुनस्य रथं प्रति। भानुमद्भिः शिलाधौतैर्भानोः प्रच्छादयत्प्रभाम् ॥०४-५३-२६॥
He covered the radiance of the Sun with radiant, stone-polished nets of arrows directed toward Arjuna's chariot. (04-53-26)
पार्थं च स महाबाहुर्महावेगैर्महारथः। विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैर्मेघो वृष्ट्येव पर्वतम् ॥०४-५३-२७॥
And that great chariot-warrior, mighty-armed, attacked Pārtha with great speed, piercing him with sharp arrows, like a cloud rains upon a mountain. (04-53-27)
तथैव दिव्यं गाण्डीवं धनुरादाय पाण्डवः। शत्रुघ्नं वेगवद्धृष्टो भारसाधनमुत्तमम् ॥ विससर्ज शरांश्चित्रान्सुवर्णविकृतान्बहून् ॥०४-५३-२८॥
In the same manner, the son of Pāṇḍu (Arjuna), bold and swift, took up his divine Gāṇḍīva bow—the supreme weapon for overcoming enemies—and released many variegated arrows adorned with gold. (04-53-28)
नाशयञ्शरवर्षाणि भारद्वाजस्य वीर्यवान्। तूर्णं चापविनिर्मुक्तैस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥०४-५३-२९॥
The powerful one destroyed the showers of arrows of Bhāradvāja quickly with arrows released from his bow; it seemed truly marvelous. (04-53-29)
स रथेन चरन्पार्थः प्रेक्षणीयो धनञ्जयः। युगपद्दिक्षु सर्वासु सर्वशस्त्राण्यदर्शयत् ॥०४-५३-३०॥
Arjuna, known as Pārtha and Dhanañjaya, moving on his chariot and splendid to behold, simultaneously displayed all weapons in every direction. (04-53-30)
एकच्छायमिवाकाशं बाणैश्चक्रे समन्ततः। नादृश्यत तदा द्रोणो नीहारेणेव संवृतः ॥०४-५३-३१॥
He made the entire sky on all sides of uniform shade with arrows, so that then Droṇa was not visible, as if he were enveloped by mist. (04-53-31)
तस्याभवत्तदा रूपं संवृतस्य शरोत्तमैः। जाज्वल्यमानस्य यथा पर्वतस्येव सर्वतः ॥०४-५३-३२॥
At that moment, his appearance, covered on all sides by the finest arrows and blazing, became just like that of a mountain shining everywhere. (04-53-32)
दृष्ट्वा तु पार्थस्य रणे शरैः स्वरथमावृतम्। स विस्फार्य धनुश्चित्रं मेघस्तनितनिस्वनम् ॥०४-५३-३३॥
But seeing Partha's chariot in the battle covered by arrows, he drew his marvellous bow, which echoed like the thunder of clouds. (04-53-33)
अग्निचक्रोपमं घोरं विकर्षन्परमायुधम्। व्यशातयच्छरांस्तांस्तु द्रोणः समितिशोभनः ॥ महानभूत्ततः शब्दो वंशानामिव दह्यताम् ॥०४-५३-३४॥
Drawing back his supreme weapon, Droṇa, brilliant in battle, released those terrible arrows, like a fiery wheel. Then a great sound arose, like the bamboos when they are burning. (04-53-34)
जाम्बूनदमयैः पुङ्खैश्चित्रचापवरातिगैः। प्राच्छादयदमेयात्मा दिशः सूर्यस्य च प्रभाम् ॥०४-५३-३५॥
The one of immeasurable nature, with feathers of Jāmbūnada gold and surpassing the speed of the splendid rainbow, covered all the quarters and even the brilliance of the sun. (04-53-35)
ततः कनकपुङ्खानां शराणां नतपर्वणाम्। वियच्चराणां वियति दृश्यन्ते बहुशः प्रजाः ॥०४-५३-३६॥
Then, in the sky, many beings, like golden-feathered arrows with bent joints, moving aloft, are often seen. (04-53-36)
द्रोणस्य पुङ्खसक्ताश्च प्रभवन्तः शरासनात्। एको दीर्घ इवादृश्यदाकाशे संहतः शरः ॥०४-५३-३७॥
The arrows of Droṇa, attached at the feathers and released from his bow, appeared in the sky like a single long arrow, joined together. (04-53-37)
एवं तौ स्वर्णविकृतान्विमुञ्चन्तौ महाशरान्। आकाशं संवृतं वीरावुल्काभिरिव चक्रतुः ॥०४-५३-३८॥
Thus, those two heroes, releasing great arrows made of gold, made the sky appear covered as if with meteors. (04-53-38)
शरास्तयोश्च विबभुः कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः। पङ्क्त्यः शरदि खस्थानां हंसानां चरतामिव ॥०४-५३-३९॥
The arrows of both, adorned with crane and peacock feathers, looked like lines of swans flying in the sky during autumn. (04-53-39)
युद्धं समभवत्तत्र सुसंरब्धं महात्मनोः। द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्घोरं वृत्रवासवयोरिव ॥०४-५३-४०॥
A fierce battle was fought there between the great-souled Droṇa and the Pāṇḍava, terrible like the one between Vṛtra and Indra. (04-53-40)
तौ गजाविव चासाद्य विषाणाग्रैः परस्परम्। शरैः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैरन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः ॥०४-५३-४१॥
The two, like elephants, having approached each other with the tips of their tusks, struck each other with arrows shot from fully drawn bows. (04-53-41)
तौ व्यवाहरतां शूरौ संरब्धौ रणशोभिनौ। उदीरयन्तौ समरे दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि भागशः ॥०४-५३-४२॥
Those two enraged heroes, adorned in battle, engaged in combat, invoked divine weapons alternately in the fight. (04-53-42)
अथ त्वाचार्यमुख्येन शरान्सृष्टाञ्शिलाशितान्। न्यवारयच्छितैर्बाणैरर्जुनो जयतां वरः ॥०४-५३-४३॥
Then Arjuna, the foremost among the victorious, repelled the stone-tipped arrows discharged by the chief teacher with his own keen arrows. (04-53-43)
दर्शयन्नैन्द्रिरात्मानमुग्रमुग्रपराक्रमः। इषुभिस्तूर्णमाकाशं बहुभिश्च समावृणोत् ॥०४-५३-४४॥
Displaying Indra’s weapons, himself fierce and of mighty valor, he covered the sky with many arrows from his quiver. (04-53-44)
जिघांसन्तं नरव्याघ्रमर्जुनं तिग्मतेजसम्। आचार्यमुख्यः समरे द्रोणः शस्त्रभृतां वरः ॥ अर्जुनेन सहाक्रीडच्छरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥०४-५३-४५॥
In battle, Droṇa, the foremost among weapon-bearers and chief of teachers, sought to slay Arjuna, the tiger among men who shone with sharp brilliance, and engaged with him together using arrows with well-bent shafts. (04-53-45)
दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि मुञ्चन्तं भारद्वाजं महारणे। अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य फल्गुनः समयोधयत् ॥०४-५३-४६॥
Phalguna (Arjuna), having warded off the weapons with his own weapons, attacked Bharadvāja's son who was releasing divine weapons in the great battle. (04-53-46)
तयोरासीत्सम्प्रहारः क्रुद्धयोर्नरसिंहयोः। अमर्षिणोस्तदान्योन्यं देवदानवयोरिव ॥०४-५३-४७॥
There was an intense fight between those two enraged, lion-like men, both intolerant, just as between gods and demons. (04-53-47)
ऐन्द्रं वायव्यमाग्नेयमस्त्रमस्त्रेण पाण्डवः। द्रोणेन मुक्तं मुक्तं तु ग्रसते स्म पुनः पुनः ॥०४-५३-४८॥
The son of Pāṇḍu countered the Indra, Vāyu, and Agni weapons with his own weapon; whatever was released by Droṇa, again and again he would indeed consume. (04-53-48)
एवं शूरौ महेष्वासौ विसृजन्तौ शिताञ्शरान्। एकच्छायं चक्रतुस्तावाकाशं शरवृष्टिभिः ॥०४-५३-४९॥
Thus, the two mighty archers, both brave, released sharp arrows and made the sky appear as if it had a single shade with their showers of arrows. (04-53-49)
ततोऽर्जुनेन मुक्तानां पततां च शरीरिषु। पर्वतेष्विव वज्राणां शराणां श्रूयते स्वनः ॥०४-५३-५०॥
Then, from the arrows released by Arjuna striking the bodies, a sound was heard like thunderbolts falling on mountains. (04-53-50)
ततो नागा रथाश्चैव सादिनश्च विशां पते। शोणिताक्ता व्यदृश्यन्त पुष्पिता इव किंशुकाः ॥०४-५३-५१॥
Then, O lord of men, elephants, chariots, and horsemen, all smeared with blood, appeared just like blossoming kiṃśuka trees. (04-53-51)
बाहुभिश्च सकेयूरैर्विचित्रैश्च महारथैः। सुवर्णचित्रैः कवचैर्ध्वजैश्च विनिपातितैः ॥०४-५३-५२॥
It was strewn with arms adorned with armlets, with splendid and varied great chariot-warriors, with armors adorned with gold, and with banners, all fallen (on the ground). (04-53-52)
योधैश्च निहतैस्तत्र पार्थबाणप्रपीडितैः। बलमासीत्समुद्भ्रान्तं द्रोणार्जुनसमागमे ॥०४-५३-५३॥
There, with the warriors slain and afflicted by Arjuna's arrows, the army was utterly agitated at the encounter of Droṇa and Arjuna. (04-53-53)
विधुन्वानौ तु तौ वीरौ धनुषी भारसाधने। आच्छादयेतामन्योन्यं तितक्षन्तौ रणेषुभिः ॥०४-५३-५४॥
But those two heroes, shaking their bows which bore the burden, covered each other with arrows in battle, each desiring to conquer. (04-53-54)
अथान्तरिक्षे नादोऽभूद्द्रोणं तत्र प्रशंसताम्। दुष्करं कृतवान्द्रोणो यदर्जुनमयोधयत् ॥०४-५३-५५॥
Then, in the sky, a sound arose from those praising Droṇa, for Droṇa had accomplished the difficult feat of engaging Arjuna in battle. (04-53-55)
प्रमाथिनं महावीर्यं दृढमुष्टिं दुरासदम्। जेतारं देवदैत्यानां सर्पाणां च महारथम् ॥०४-५३-५६॥
The destroyer of enemies, endowed with great strength and a firm grip, unapproachable, conqueror of gods, daityas, and serpents, and a mighty chariot-warrior. (04-53-56)
अविश्रमं च शिक्षां च लाघवं दूरपातिताम्। पार्थस्य समरे दृष्ट्वा द्रोणस्याभूच्च विस्मयः ॥०४-५३-५७॥
When Droṇa saw in battle the tirelessness, the skill, and the lightness with which Pārtha (Arjuna) cast his arrows afar, he was astonished. (04-53-57)
अथ गाण्डीवमुद्यम्य दिव्यं धनुरमर्षणः। विचकर्ष रणे पार्थो बाहुभ्यां भरतर्षभ ॥०४-५३-५८॥
Then Pārtha (Arjuna), raising the divine Gāṇḍīva bow, restless with indignation, drew its string with his arms in the battle, O bull among the Bharatas. (04-53-58)
तस्य बाणमयं वर्षं शलभानामिवायतम्। न च बाणान्तरे वायुरस्य शक्नोति सर्पितुम् ॥०४-५३-५९॥
His shower of arrows was spread out like a swarm of locusts, and even the wind was not able to pass between his arrows. (04-53-59)
अनिशं संदधानस्य शरानुत्सृजतस्तदा। ददृशे नान्तरं किञ्चित्पार्थस्याददतोऽपि च ॥०४-५३-६०॥
At that time, as Arjuna continually fitted arrows, released them, and took them up, not even the slightest gap was seen. (04-53-60)
तथा शीघ्रास्त्रयुद्धे तु वर्तमाने सुदारुणे। शीघ्राच्छीघ्रतरं पार्थः शरानन्यानुदीरयत् ॥०४-५३-६१॥
Thus, while the very fierce and fast missile-battle was ongoing, Pārtha (Arjuna) sent forth other arrows, even swifter than before. (04-53-61)
ततः शतसहस्राणि शराणां नतपर्वणाम्। युगपत्प्रापतंस्तत्र द्रोणस्य रथमन्तिकात् ॥०४-५३-६२॥
Then, hundreds of thousands of arrows with curved joints fell all at once near Droṇa's chariot. (04-53-62)
अवकीर्यमाणे द्रोणे तु शरैर्गाण्डीवधन्वना। हाहाकारो महानासीत्सैन्यानां भरतर्षभ ॥०४-५३-६३॥
O best of the Bharatas, when Droṇa was being showered with arrows by Arjuna, a great outcry arose among the armies. (04-53-63)
पाण्डवस्य तु शीघ्रास्त्रं मघवान्समपूजयत्। गन्धर्वाप्सरसश्चैव ये च तत्र समागताः ॥०४-५३-६४॥
But Indra completely honored the swift weapon of the son of Pandu; and the Gandharvas, the Apsarases, and all who were assembled there also did so. (04-53-64)
ततो वृन्देन महता रथानां रथयूथपः। आचार्यपुत्रः सहसा पाण्डवं प्रत्यवारयत् ॥०४-५३-६५॥
Then, accompanied by a great host of chariots, the chief of the chariot-warriors, the teacher's son, suddenly stopped the Pāṇḍava. (04-53-65)
अश्वत्थामा तु तत्कर्म हृदयेन महात्मनः। पूजयामास पार्थस्य कोपं चास्याकरोद्भृशम् ॥०४-५३-६६॥
But Aśvatthāma honored that act with the heart of the great-souled one and greatly angered Pārtha. (04-53-66)
स मन्युवशमापन्नः पार्थमभ्यद्रवद्रणे। किरञ्शरसहस्राणि पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान् ॥०४-५३-६७॥
He, overcome with anger, rushed at Pārtha in the battle, pouring forth thousands of arrows like the rain-filled cloud Parjanya. (04-53-67)
आवृत्य तु महाबाहुर्यतो द्रौणिस्ततो हयान्। अन्तरं प्रददौ पार्थो द्रोणस्य व्यपसर्पितुम् ॥०४-५३-६८॥
But the mighty-armed Arjuna, having surrounded, allowed the horses a gap from where Drauṇi was so that he could retreat from Droṇa. (04-53-68)
स तु लब्ध्वान्तरं तूर्णमपायाज्जवनैर्हयैः। छिन्नवर्मध्वजः शूरो निकृत्तः परमेषुभिः ॥०४-५३-६९॥
But he, having found an opening, quickly escaped with swift horses; his armor and banner severed, the hero was struck down by excellent arrows. (04-53-69)
