04.059
वैशम्पायन उवाच॥
Vaiśampāyana said.
ततः शान्तनवो भीष्मो दुराधर्षः प्रतापवान्। वध्यमानेषु योधेषु धनञ्जयमुपाद्रवत् ॥०४-५९-१॥
Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, who was difficult to assail and possessed of great splendour, attacked Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) as the warriors were being slain. (04-59-1)
प्रगृह्य कार्मुकश्रेष्ठं जातरूपपरिष्कृतम्। शरानादाय तीक्ष्णाग्रान्मर्मभेदप्रमाथिनः ॥०४-५९-२॥
Having taken up the finest bow adorned with refined gold, and having also taken arrows with sharp points, piercers of vital spots. (04-59-2)
पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि। शुशुभे स नरव्याघ्रो गिरिः सूर्योदये यथा ॥०४-५९-३॥
He, the tiger among men, with a white parasol held over his head, shone like a mountain at sunrise. (04-59-3)
प्रध्माय शङ्खं गाङ्गेयो धार्तराष्ट्रान्प्रहर्षयन्। प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य बीभत्सुं समवारयत् ॥०४-५९-४॥
After blowing the conch, Bhīṣma (the son of Gaṅgā), gladdening the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, turned to the right and blocked Arjuna (Bībhatsu). (04-59-4)
तमुद्वीक्ष्य तथायान्तं कौन्तेयः परवीरहा। प्रत्यगृह्णात्प्रहृष्टात्मा धाराधरमिवाचलः ॥०४-५९-५॥
Seeing him thus approaching, Kunti's son, the destroyer of enemy heroes, with a rejoicing heart, received him, steadfast as a mountain. (04-59-5)
ततो भीष्मः शरानष्टौ ध्वजे पार्थस्य वीर्यवान्। समपर्यन्महावेगाञ्श्वसमानानिवोरगान् ॥०४-५९-६॥
Then Bhishma, mighty in valor, shot eight arrows at Arjuna’s banner, swift as hissing serpents. (04-59-6)
ते ध्वजं पाण्डुपुत्रस्य समासाद्य पतत्रिणः। ज्वलन्तः कपिमाजघ्नुर्ध्वजाग्रनिलयांश्च तान् ॥०४-५९-७॥
The blazing birds, approaching the banner of the son of Pāṇḍu, struck the monkey and those residing at the top of the banner. (04-59-7)
ततो भल्लेन महता पृथुधारेण पाण्डवः। छत्रं चिच्छेद भीष्मस्य तूर्णं तदपतद्भुवि ॥०४-५९-८॥
Then Pāṇḍava, with a great broad-headed arrow, quickly cut off Bhīṣma's umbrella, and it fell to the ground. (04-59-8)
ध्वजं चैवास्य कौन्तेयः शरैरभ्यहनद्दृढम्। शीघ्रकृद्रथवाहांश्च तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी ॥०४-५९-९॥
Kaunteya (the son of Kunti) struck firmly with arrows his banner and, likewise, the quick-acting chariot-drivers, both the heel-charioteers. (04-59-9)
तयोस्तदभवद्युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। भीष्मस्य सह पार्थेन बलिवासवयोरिव ॥०४-५९-१०॥
There arose between those two a battle, terrible and hair-raising, between Bhīṣma and Pārtha, like that between Bali and Indra. (04-59-10)
भल्लैर्भल्लाः समागम्य भीष्मपाण्डवयोर्युधि। अन्तरिक्षे व्यराजन्त खद्योताः प्रावृषीव हि ॥०४-५९-११॥
Arrows, having come together in the battle between Bhīṣma and the Pāṇḍavas, shone in the sky like fireflies in the rainy season. (04-59-11)
अग्निचक्रमिवाविद्धं सव्यदक्षिणमस्यतः। गाण्डीवमभवद्राजन्पार्थस्य सृजतः शरान् ॥०४-५९-१२॥
O king, as Partha released arrows, his Gandiva bow, whirling left and right, looked like a wheel of fire. (04-59-12)
स तैः सञ्छादयामास भीष्मं शरशतैः शितैः। पर्वतं वारिधाराभिश्छादयन्निव तोयदः ॥०४-५९-१३॥
He then covered Bhīṣma with hundreds of sharp arrows, just as a cloud covers a mountain with streams of water. (04-59-13)
तां स वेलामिवोद्धूतां शरवृष्टिं समुत्थिताम्। व्यधमत्सायकैर्भीष्मो अर्जुनं संनिवारयत् ॥०४-५९-१४॥
Bhīṣma was restraining Arjuna by repelling that shower of arrows, risen like a surging flood, with his own arrows. (04-59-14)
ततस्तानि निकृत्तानि शरजालानि भागशः। समरेऽभिव्यशीर्यन्त फल्गुनस्य रथं प्रति ॥०४-५९-१५॥
Then, those severed clusters of arrows were scattered in portions in the battle, towards Arjuna's chariot. (04-59-15)
ततः कनकपुङ्खानां शरवृष्टिं समुत्थिताम्। पाण्डवस्य रथात्तूर्णं शलभानामिवायतिम् ॥ व्यधमत्तां पुनस्तस्य भीष्मः शरशतैः शितैः ॥०४-५९-१६॥
Then Bhīṣma, with sharp hundreds of arrows, again dispersed that shower of golden-feathered arrows quickly arisen from the chariot of the Pāṇḍava, like the continuous flight of moths. (04-59-16)
ततस्ते कुरवः सर्वे साधु साध्विति चाब्रुवन्। दुष्करं कृतवान्भीष्मो यदर्जुनमयोधयत् ॥०४-५९-१७॥
Then all the Kurus said, "Well done, well done," for Bhīṣma has accomplished something difficult, namely, that he fought with Arjuna. (04-59-17)
बलवांस्तरुणो दक्षः क्षिप्रकारी च पाण्डवः। कोऽन्यः समर्थः पार्थस्य वेगं धारयितुं रणे ॥०४-५९-१८॥
Arjuna is strong, youthful, skilful and quick to act; who else is capable of withstanding the speed of Pārtha in battle? (04-59-18)
ऋते शान्तनवाद्भीष्मात्कृष्णाद्वा देवकीसुतात्। आचार्यप्रवराद्वापि भारद्वाजान्महाबलात् ॥०४-५९-१९॥
Except from Bhīṣma, son of Śāntanu, or from Kṛṣṇa, son of Devakī, or even from the foremost teacher, the greatly powerful descendant of Bharadvāja. (04-59-19)
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य क्रीडतः पुरुषर्षभौ। चक्षूंषि सर्वभूतानां मोहयन्तौ महाबलौ ॥०४-५९-२०॥
The two mighty ones, best among men, sporting and warding off weapons with missiles, bewildered the eyes of all beings. (04-59-20)
प्राजापत्यं तथैवैन्द्रमाग्नेयं च सुदारुणम्। कौबेरं वारुणं चैव याम्यं वायव्यमेव च ॥ प्रयुञ्जानौ महात्मानौ समरे तौ विचेरतुः ॥०४-५९-२१॥
The two great-souled ones, employing the weapons of Prajāpati, as well as those of Indra, Agni, the very fierce one, Kubera, Varuṇa, Yama, and Vāyu, moved about in battle. (04-59-21)
विस्मितान्यथ भूतानि तौ दृष्ट्वा संयुगे तदा। साधु पार्थ महाबाहो साधु भीष्मेति चाब्रुवन् ॥०४-५९-२२॥
Then, when those two were seen in battle, the beings, astonished, exclaimed at that time, ‘Well done, O Pārtha, O mighty-armed, well done, O Bhīṣma,’ and so they spoke. (04-59-22)
नेदं युक्तं मनुष्येषु योऽयं संदृश्यते महान्। महास्त्राणां सम्प्रयोगः समरे भीष्मपार्थयोः ॥०४-५९-२३॥
This great employment of mighty weapons in battle between Bhishma and Partha is not proper among men. (04-59-23)
एवं सर्वास्त्रविदुषोरस्त्रयुद्धमवर्तत। अथ जिष्णुरुपावृत्य पृथुधारेण कार्मुकम् ॥ चकर्त भीष्मस्य तदा जातरूपपरिष्कृतम् ॥०४-५९-२४॥
Thus, between the two warriors skilled in all weapons, a battle of missiles took place. Then Jiṣṇu (Arjuna), drawing back his broad-stringed bow, cut off Bhīṣma’s bow, which was adorned with pure gold. (04-59-24)
निमेषान्तरमात्रेण भीष्मोऽन्यत्कार्मुकं रणे। समादाय महाबाहुः सज्यं चक्रे महाबलः ॥ शरांश्च सुबहून्क्रुद्धो मुमोचाशु धनञ्जये ॥०४-५९-२५॥
In the blink of an eye, Bhishma, exceedingly strong and mighty-armed, took up another bow in battle, strung it, and, in anger, quickly released a great many arrows at Dhananjaya (Arjuna). (04-59-25)
अर्जुनोऽपि शरांश्चित्रान्भीष्माय निशितान्बहून्। चिक्षेप सुमहातेजास्तथा भीष्मश्च पाण्डवे ॥०४-५९-२६॥
Arjuna, who was of great splendor, also discharged many sharp and varied arrows at Bhishma; likewise, Bhishma did the same towards Pandava (Arjuna). (04-59-26)
तयोर्दिव्यास्त्रविदुषोरस्यतोरनिशं शरान्। न विशेषस्तदा राजँल्लक्ष्यते स्म महात्मनोः ॥०४-५९-२७॥
O King, at that time, as those two great souls who knew divine weapons continuously shot arrows, no distinction could be perceived between them. (04-59-27)
अथावृणोद्दश दिशः शरैरतिरथस्तदा। किरीटमाली कौन्तेयः शूरः शान्तनवस्तथा ॥०४-५९-२८॥
Then, at that time, the great chariot-warrior, the crowned son of Kunti, Arjuna, covered the ten directions with arrows; and so also did the son of Śāntanu, Bhishma. (04-59-28)
अतीव पाण्डवो भीष्मं भीष्मश्चातीव पाण्डवम्। बभूव तस्मिन्सङ्ग्रामे राजँल्लोके तदद्भुतम् ॥०४-५९-२९॥
Arjuna attacked Bhīṣma with extraordinary vigor, and Bhīṣma likewise attacked Arjuna with great force; O king, that scene in that battle was truly wonderful in the world. (04-59-29)
पाण्डवेन हताः शूरा भीष्मस्य रथरक्षिणः। शेरते स्म तदा राजन्कौन्तेयस्याभितो रथम् ॥०४-५९-३०॥
O king, the heroes who protected Bhīṣma's chariot and were slain by Pāṇḍava then lay all around the chariot of the son of Kunti. (04-59-30)
ततो गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्ता निरमित्रं चिकीर्षवः। आगच्छन्पुङ्खसंश्लिष्टाः श्वेतवाहनपत्रिणः ॥०४-५९-३१॥
Then, the arrows released from the Gāṇḍīva bow, joined with their feathers, aiming at the one without enemies, and wishing to accomplish their purpose, came forth from the quiver of the white-horsed one. (04-59-31)
निष्पतन्तो रथात्तस्य धौता हैरण्यवाससः। आकाशे समदृश्यन्त हंसानामिव पङ्क्तयः ॥०४-५९-३२॥
The cleansed ones, adorned in golden garments, emerging from his chariot, appeared in the sky like rows of swans. (04-59-32)
तस्य तद्दिव्यमस्त्रं हि प्रगाढं चित्रमस्यतः। प्रेक्षन्ते स्मान्तरिक्षस्थाः सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः ॥०४-५९-३३॥
All the gods together with Indra, who were dwelling in the sky, gazed at that deep and wonderful divine weapon as he released it. (04-59-33)
तद्दृष्ट्वा परमप्रीतो गन्धर्वश्चित्रमद्भुतम्। शशंस देवराजाय चित्रसेनः प्रतापवान् ॥०४-५९-३४॥
Seeing that marvel, the Gandharva Citrasena, greatly gladdened and valiant, praised the wonderful sight to the king of gods. (04-59-34)
पश्येमानरिनिर्दारान्संसक्तानिव गच्छतः। चित्ररूपमिदं जिष्णोर्दिव्यमस्त्रमुदीर्यतः ॥०४-५९-३५॥
O enemy, let us see these beings, torn asunder yet appearing to cling together as they move, as the wondrous form of the victorious one's divine weapon is being discharged. (04-59-35)
नेदं मनुष्याः श्रद्दध्युर्न हीदं तेषु विद्यते। पौराणानां महास्त्राणां विचित्रोऽयं समागमः ॥०४-५९-३६॥
Men would not believe this; indeed, this does not exist among them. This wondrous conjunction of the ancient great weapons (is unique). (04-59-36)
मध्यंदिनगतं सूर्यं प्रतपन्तमिवाम्बरे। न शक्नुवन्ति सैन्यानि पाण्डवं प्रतिवीक्षितुम् ॥०४-५९-३७॥
Just as the midday sun shines intensely in the sky, so the armies are not able to look upon Pandava. (04-59-37)
उभौ विश्रुतकर्माणावुभौ युद्धविशारदौ। उभौ सदृशकर्माणावुभौ युधि दुरासदौ ॥०४-५९-३८॥
Both have renowned deeds; both are skilled in battle; both perform similar deeds; both are hard to withstand in battle. (04-59-38)
इत्युक्तो देवराजस्तु पार्थभीष्मसमागमम्। पूजयामास दिव्येन पुष्पवर्षेण भारत ॥०४-५९-३९॥
Thus addressed, O Bhārata, the king of the gods honored the meeting of Pārtha and Bhīṣma with a divine shower of flowers. (04-59-39)
ततो भीष्मः शान्तनवो वामे पार्श्वे समर्पयत्। अस्यतः प्रतिसन्धाय विवृतं सव्यसाचिनः ॥०४-५९-४०॥
Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, placed it on the left side while Arjuna (Savyasācin) was shooting, having aimed at his exposed part. (04-59-40)
ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सुः पृथुधारेण कार्मुकम्। न्यकृन्तद्गार्ध्रपत्रेण भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः ॥०४-५९-४१॥
Then, smiling, Bībhatsu (Arjuna) cut down Bhīṣma’s broad bow with a vulture-feathered arrow. (04-59-41)
अथैनं दशभिर्बाणैः प्रत्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे। यतमानं पराक्रान्तं कुन्तीपुत्रो धनञ्जयः ॥०४-५९-४२॥
Then Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī, pierced that valiant and striving one in the region of the chest with ten arrows. (04-59-42)
स पीडितो महाबाहुर्गृहीत्वा रथकूबरम्। गाङ्गेयो युधि दुर्धर्षस्तस्थौ दीर्घमिवातुरः ॥०४-५९-४३॥
Though afflicted, the mighty-armed son of the Ganga seized the chariot-yoke, and, hard to conquer in battle, stood for a long time as if he were ill. (04-59-43)
तं विसञ्ज्ञमपोवाह संयन्ता रथवाजिनाम्। उपदेशमनुस्मृत्य रक्षमाणो महारथम् ॥०४-५९-४४॥
The charioteer of the chariot-horses, remembering the instruction, carried away the unconscious great chariot-warrior, protecting him. (04-59-44)
