05.164
Pancharatra-core: Bhishma continues his description of the Kaurava army.
भीष्म उवाच॥
Bhishma said:
शकुनिर्मातुलस्तेऽसौ रथ एको नराधिप। प्रसज्य पाण्डवैर्वैरं योत्स्यते नात्र संशयः ॥५-१६४-१॥
Shakuni, your uncle, will undoubtedly engage in battle with the Pandavas, as he is the sole king on the chariot.
एतस्य सैन्या दुर्धर्षाः समरेऽप्रतियायिनः। विकृतायुधभूयिष्ठा वायुवेगसमा जवे ॥५-१६४-२॥
The armies of this are invincible and face no opposition in battle. They are mostly equipped with various weapons and are as swift as the wind.
द्रोणपुत्रो महेष्वासः सर्वेषामति धन्विनाम्। समरे चित्रयोधी च दृढास्त्रश्च महारथः ॥५-१६४-३॥
The son of Droṇa, Ashwatthama, was a great archer, known for his exceptional skills among all archers. In battle, he was a remarkable warrior, steadfast in his use of weapons, and considered a great chariot-warrior.
एतस्य हि महाराज यथा गाण्डीवधन्वनः। शरासनाद्विनिर्मुक्ताः संसक्ता यान्ति सायकाः ॥५-१६४-४॥
O great king, just as the arrows released from the Gandiva bow go swiftly to their target, so too...
नैष शक्यो मया वीरः सङ्ख्यातुं रथसत्तमः। निर्दहेदपि लोकांस्त्रीनिच्छन्नेष महायशाः ॥५-१६४-५॥
This hero, the best among charioteers, is beyond my ability to count. If he wishes, this greatly renowned one could even burn the three worlds.
क्रोधस्तेजश्च तपसा सम्भृतोऽऽश्रमवासिना। द्रोणेनानुगृहीतश्च दिव्यैरस्त्रैरुदारधीः ॥५-१६४-६॥
The noble-minded one, whose anger and energy were accumulated through penance by the hermit, was favored by Droṇa with divine weapons.
दोषस्त्वस्य महानेको येनैष भरतर्षभ। न मे रथो नातिरथो मतः पार्थिवसत्तम ॥५-१६४-७॥
O best of the Bharatas, his one great fault is that my chariot is not considered that of a great charioteer, O best of kings.
जीवितं प्रियमत्यर्थमायुष्कामः सदा द्विजः। न ह्यस्य सदृशः कश्चिदुभयोः सेनयोरपि ॥५-१६४-८॥
Life is extremely dear to a Brahmin who always desires longevity. Indeed, there is no one like him in both armies.
हन्यादेकरथेनैव देवानामपि वाहिनीम्। वपुष्मांस्तलघोषेण स्फोटयेदपि पर्वतान् ॥५-१६४-९॥
Even with a single chariot, he might destroy the army of the gods; a powerful person might even shatter mountains with just a clap of his hand.
असङ्ख्येयगुणो वीरः प्रहर्ता दारुणद्युतिः। दण्डपाणिरिवासह्यः कालवत्प्रचरिष्यति ॥५-१६४-१०॥
He, possessing innumerable qualities, a hero and a fierce striker, will move like the unstoppable force of time, wielding a staff and being unbearable in his might.
युगान्ताग्निसमः क्रोधे सिंहग्रीवो महामतिः। एष भारत युद्धस्य पृष्ठं संशमयिष्यति ॥५-१६४-११॥
In his wrath, like the fire at the end of an age, with the neck of a lion and great wisdom, he will bring peace to the aftermath of the Bharata war.
पिता त्वस्य महातेजा वृद्धोऽपि युवभिर्वरः। रणे कर्म महत्कर्ता तत्र मे नास्ति संशयः ॥५-१६४-१२॥
Your father, though aged, is exceptionally powerful and stands out among the young. In battle, he performs great deeds, and I have no doubt about it.
अस्त्रवेगानिलोद्धूतः सेनाकक्षेन्धनोत्थितः। पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैन्यानि प्रधक्ष्यति जये धृतः ॥५-१६४-१३॥
The weapon, driven by the wind's speed and arising like fuel in the midst of the army, is set to burn the armies of the Pandava, ensuring victory.
रथयूथपयूथानां यूथपः स नरर्षभः। भारद्वाजात्मजः कर्ता कर्म तीव्रं हिताय वः ॥५-१६४-१४॥
The son of Bharadvaja, a distinguished leader among the charioteers, is committed to performing intense actions for your benefit.
सर्वमूर्धाभिषिक्तानामाचार्यः स्थविरो गुरुः। गच्छेदन्तं सृञ्जयानां प्रियस्त्वस्य धनञ्जयः ॥५-१६४-१५॥
The revered teacher and elder of all the crowned heads should proceed to the end of the Sṛñjayas, but Dhanañjaya remains dear to him.
नैष जातु महेष्वासः पार्थमक्लिष्टकारिणम्। हन्यादाचार्यकं दीप्तं संस्मृत्य गुणनिर्जितम् ॥५-१६४-१६॥
This great archer would never kill Arjuna, the son of Pritha, who acts effortlessly, remembering the brilliant teacher who is conquered by virtues.
श्लाघत्येष सदा वीरः पार्थस्य गुणविस्तरैः। पुत्रादभ्यधिकं चैव भारद्वाजोऽनुपश्यति ॥५-१६४-१७॥
This hero always praises the qualities of Partha; Bharadvaja sees him as more than a son.
हन्यादेकरथेनैव देवगन्धर्वदानवान्। एकीभूतानपि रणे दिव्यैरस्त्रैः प्रतापवान् ॥५-१६४-१८॥
The glorious one, with a single chariot, might indeed slay gods, gandharvas, and demons, even if they are united in battle with divine weapons.
पौरवो राजशार्दूलस्तव राजन्महारथः। मतो मम रथो वीर परवीररथारुजः ॥५-१६४-१९॥
O king, the descendant of Puru, a tiger among kings, is regarded by me as a great chariot-warrior, a hero who destroys enemy heroes.
स्वेन सैन्येन सहितः प्रतपञ्शत्रुवाहिनीम्। प्रधक्ष्यति स पाञ्चालान्कक्षं कृष्णगतिर्यथा ॥५-१६४-२०॥
With his own army, he will destroy the enemy forces of the Panchalas, just as Krishna would burn a forest.
सत्यव्रतो रथवरो राजपुत्रो महारथः। तव राजन्रिपुबले कालवत्प्रचरिष्यति ॥५-१६४-२१॥
Satyavrata, the best of charioteers and a great warrior prince, will move through your enemy's army like time itself, O king.
एतस्य योधा राजेन्द्र विचित्रकवचायुधाः। विचरिष्यन्ति सङ्ग्रामे निघ्नन्तः शात्रवांस्तव ॥५-१६४-२२॥
O King, the warriors with diverse armor and weapons will engage in battle, defeating your enemies.
वृषसेनो रथाग्र्यस्ते कर्णपुत्रो महारथः। प्रधक्ष्यति रिपूणां ते बलानि बलिनां वरः ॥५-१६४-२३॥
Vṛṣasena, the son of Karṇa and a great warrior, who is the foremost among charioteers, will destroy the forces of your enemies, being the best among the strong.
जलसन्धो महातेजा राजन्रथवरस्तव। त्यक्ष्यते समरे प्राणान्मागधः परवीरहा ॥५-१६४-२४॥
Jalasandha, the greatly powerful king and the best of your charioteers, will sacrifice his life in battle, O Magadha, slayer of enemy heroes.
एष योत्स्यति सङ्ग्रामे गजस्कन्धविशारदः। रथेन वा महाबाहुः क्षपयञ्शत्रुवाहिनीम् ॥५-१६४-२५॥
This mighty-armed warrior, skilled in riding elephants, will fight in the battle, either with a chariot or by destroying the enemy forces.
रथ एष महाराज मतो मम नरर्षभः। त्वदर्थे त्यक्ष्यति प्राणान्सह सैन्यो महारणे ॥५-१६४-२६॥
This chariot, O great king, which I consider as my champion among men, will lay down lives along with the army for your cause in the great battle.
एष विक्रान्तयोधी च चित्रयोधी च सङ्गरे। वीतभीश्चापि ते राजञ्शात्रवैः सह योत्स्यते ॥५-१६४-२७॥
This valiant and skilled warrior will fight fearlessly in battle alongside your enemies, O king.
बाह्लीकोऽतिरथश्चैव समरे चानिवर्तिता। मम राजन्मतो युद्धे शूरो वैवस्वतोपमः ॥५-१६४-२८॥
Bahlika, a great chariot-warrior, who never retreats in battle, is considered by me, O king, to be a hero in war, comparable to Yama.
न ह्येष समरं प्राप्य निवर्तेत कथञ्चन। यथा सततगो राजन्नाभिहत्य परान्रणे ॥५-१६४-२९॥
O king, once he enters the battle, he will not return without defeating his enemies, as he is always determined in battle.
सेनापतिर्महाराज सत्यवांस्ते महारथः। रणेष्वद्भुतकर्मा च रथः पररथारुजः ॥५-१६४-३०॥
The commander, O great king, your truthful and mighty chariot-warrior, performs extraordinary feats in battles and is known for destroying enemy chariots.
एतस्य समरं दृष्ट्वा न व्यथास्ति कथञ्चन। उत्स्मयन्नभ्युपैत्येष परान्रथपथे स्थितान् ॥५-१६४-३१॥
Upon witnessing this battle, he feels no distress whatsoever. With a smile, he advances towards the enemies positioned on the chariot path.
एष चारिषु विक्रान्तः कर्म सत्पुरुषोचितम्। कर्ता विमर्दे सुमहत्त्वदर्थे पुरुषोत्तमः ॥५-१६४-३२॥
This valiant warrior, best among men, acts nobly in battle for a great cause.
अलायुधो राक्षसेन्द्रः क्रूरकर्मा महाबलः। हनिष्यति परान्राजन्पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् ॥५-१६४-३३॥
Alayudha, the mighty and cruel king of demons, will destroy the enemies, O king, as he recalls the old enmity.
एष राक्षससैन्यानां सर्वेषां रथसत्तमः। मायावी दृढवैरश्च समरे विचरिष्यति ॥५-१६४-३४॥
This charioteer, the best among all in the demon armies, known for his deception and firm enmity, will maneuver through the battlefield.
प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपो वीरो भगदत्तः प्रतापवान्। गजाङ्कुशधरश्रेष्ठो रथे चैव विशारदः ॥५-१६४-३५॥
Bhagadatta, the mighty lord of Prāgjyotiṣa, was a hero and the best among those who wield the elephant goad, and he was also skilled in chariot warfare.
एतेन युद्धमभवत्पुरा गाण्डीवधन्वनः। दिवसान्सुबहून्राजन्नुभयोर्जयगृद्धिनोः ॥५-१६४-३६॥
By this, a battle took place long ago involving the wielder of the Gandiva bow, lasting many days, O king, between both parties eager for victory.
ततः सखायं गान्धारे मानयन्पाकशासनम्। अकरोत्संविदं तेन पाण्डवेन महात्मना ॥५-१६४-३७॥
Then, in Gandhara, the friend honored Pākaśāsana (Indra) and made an agreement with him, the noble Pandava.
एष योत्स्यति सङ्ग्रामे गजस्कन्धविशारदः। ऐरावतगतो राजा देवानामिव वासवः ॥५-१६४-३८॥
This warrior, skilled in riding elephants and mounted on Airavata, will fight in the battle like Indra, the king of the gods.
