06.015
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
कथं कुरूणामृषभो हतो भीष्मः शिखण्डिना। कथं रथात्स न्यपतत्पिता मे वासवोपमः ॥६-१५-१॥
How did Bhishma, the revered leader of the Kurus, meet his end at the hands of Shikhandi? How did my father, who was comparable to Indra, fall from his chariot?
कथमासंश्च मे पुत्रा हीना भीष्मेण सञ्जय। बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा ॥६-१५-२॥
Sanjaya, how did my sons, deprived by the powerful and god-like Bhishma, who was celibate for the sake of his teacher, fare?
तस्मिन्हते महासत्त्वे महेष्वासे महाबले। महारथे नरव्याघ्रे किमु आसीन्मनस्तदा ॥६-१५-३॥
When that great being, the mighty archer and warrior, who was like a tiger among men, was slain, what was the state of mind at that time?
आर्तिः परा माविशति यतः शंससि मे हतम्। कुरूणामृषभं वीरमकम्प्यं पुरुषर्षभम् ॥६-१५-४॥
Supreme distress does not overcome me because you declare that my unshakable hero, the bull among the Kurus and the best among men, has been slain.
के तं यान्तमनुप्रेयुः के चास्यासन्पुरोगमाः। केऽतिष्ठन्के न्यवर्तन्त केऽभ्यवर्तन्त सञ्जय ॥६-१५-५॥
O Sanjaya, who followed him as he proceeded? Who were his leaders? Who stood firm, who retreated, and who advanced?
के शूरा रथशार्दूलमच्युतं क्षत्रियर्षभम्। रथानीकं गाहमानं सहसा पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः ॥६-१५-६॥
The heroes who suddenly followed Acyuta, known as the tiger among charioteers and the bull among Kshatriyas, entered the chariot army from behind.
यस्तमोऽर्क इवापोहन्परसैन्यममित्रहा। सहस्ररश्मिप्रतिमः परेषां भयमादधत् ॥ अकरोद्दुष्करं कर्म रणे कौरवशासनात् ॥६-१५-७॥
He, who dispelled the darkness like the sun and destroyed the enemy forces, instilling fear like a thousand rays, accomplished a formidable task in the battle under the Kaurava's command.
ग्रसमानमनीकानि य एनं पर्यवारयन्। कृतिनं तं दुराधर्षं सम्यग्यास्यन्तमन्तिके ॥ कथं शान्तनवं युद्धे पाण्डवाः प्रत्यवारयन् ॥६-१५-८॥
The skilled and invincible warrior, who was devouring the troops surrounding him, approached properly near. How did the Pāṇḍavas counter the son of Śāṃtanu in battle?
निकृन्तन्तमनीकानि शरदंष्ट्रं तरस्विनम्। चापव्यात्ताननं घोरमसिजिह्वं दुरासदम् ॥६-१५-९॥
The mighty one, with sharp teeth and a drawn bow, was cutting through the armies, terrible and unapproachable with a sword-like tongue.
अत्यन्यान्पुरुषव्याघ्रान्ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम्। पातयामास कौन्तेयः कथं तमजितं युधि ॥६-१५-१०॥
The son of Kunti, Arjuna, brought down other great warriors who were modest and undefeated. How did he manage to defeat them in battle?
उग्रधन्वानमुग्रेषुं वर्तमानं रथोत्तमे। परेषामुत्तमाङ्गानि प्रचिन्वन्तं शितेषुभिः ॥६-१५-११॥
The warrior, known for his fierce bow, stood in the finest chariot, targeting and piercing the heads of his enemies with his sharp arrows.
पाण्डवानां महत्सैन्यं यं दृष्ट्वोद्यन्तमाहवे। कालाग्निमिव दुर्धर्षं समवेष्टत नित्यशः ॥६-१५-१२॥
Observing the formidable army of the Pandavas advancing in battle, akin to the unstoppable fire of doom, he perpetually encircled it.
परिकृष्य स सेनां मे दशरात्रमनीकहा। जगामास्तमिवादित्यः कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥६-१५-१३॥
After drawing away my army for ten nights, he, the destroyer of forces, departed like the sun setting, having accomplished a very difficult task.
यः स शक्र इवाक्षय्यं वर्षं शरमयं सृजन्। जघान युधि योधानामर्बुदं दशभिर्दिनैः ॥६-१५-१४॥
He, like Indra, unleashed an unending storm of arrows and slew a hundred million warriors in the battle within ten days.
स शेते निष्टनन्भूमौ वातरुग्ण इव द्रुमः। मम दुर्मन्त्रितेनासौ यथा नार्हः स भारतः ॥६-१५-१५॥
He lies on the ground groaning like a tree broken by the wind. Due to my poor counsel, Bharata is in a state he does not deserve.
कथं शान्तनवं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। प्रहर्तुमशकत्तत्र भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥६-१५-१६॥
Upon seeing the formidable army of the Pāṇḍavas, Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, known for his terrible prowess, found himself unable to launch an attack.
कथं भीष्मेण सङ्ग्राममकुर्वन्पाण्डुनन्दनाः। कथं च नाजयद्भीष्मो द्रोणे जीवति सञ्जय ॥६-१५-१७॥
Sanjaya, how did the sons of Pandu engage in battle with Bhishma, and how was it that Bhishma did not achieve victory while Drona was still alive?
कृपे संनिहिते तत्र भरद्वाजात्मजे तथा। भीष्मः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कथं स निधनं गतः ॥६-१५-१८॥
In the presence of Kripa and the son of Bharadvaja, how did the great warrior Bhishma meet his end?
कथं चातिरथस्तेन पाञ्चाल्येन शिखण्डिना। भीष्मो विनिहतो युद्धे देवैरपि दुरुत्सहः ॥६-१५-१९॥
How did the great warrior Bhishma, who was invincible even to the gods, fall in battle at the hands of Shikhandi, the prince of Panchala?
यः स्पर्धते रणे नित्यं जामदग्न्यं महाबलम्। अजितं जामदग्न्येन शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमम् ॥६-१५-२०॥
He who always challenges the mighty Jamadagni in battle, who remains unconquered by Jamadagni and is equal in valor to Indra.
तं हतं समरे भीष्मं महारथबलोचितम्। सञ्जयाचक्ष्व मे वीरं येन शर्म न विद्महे ॥६-१५-२१॥
Sanjaya, please tell me about the hero who killed Bhishma in battle, a warrior worthy of a great chariot, and because of whom we find no peace.
मामकाः के महेष्वासा नाजहुः सञ्जयाच्युतम्। दुर्योधनसमादिष्टाः के वीराः पर्यवारयन् ॥६-१५-२२॥
My warriors, the great archers, remained steadfast with Sanjaya and Achyuta. Who are the heroes commanded by Duryodhana that encircled them?
यच्छिखण्डिमुखाः सर्वे पाण्डवा भीष्ममभ्ययुः। कच्चिन्न कुरवो भीतास्तत्यजुः सञ्जयाच्युतम् ॥६-१५-२३॥
When all the Pāṇḍavas led by Śikhaṇḍi approached Bhīṣma, did the Kurus, out of fear, abandon Sañjaya and Acyuta?
मौर्वीघोषस्तनयित्नुः पृषत्कपृषतो महान्। धनुर्ह्वादमहाशब्दो महामेघ इवोन्नतः ॥६-१५-२४॥
The sound of the bowstring was like thunder, and the arrows fell like heavy rain. The bow roared with a mighty sound, towering like a great cloud.
यदभ्यवर्षत्कौन्तेयान्सपाञ्चालान्ससृञ्जयान्। निघ्नन्पररथान्वीरो दानवानिव वज्रभृत् ॥६-१५-२५॥
When the hero attacked the sons of Kunti, along with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, he destroyed the enemy chariots like Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt, destroys the demons.
इष्वस्त्रसागरं घोरं बाणग्राहं दुरासदम्। कार्मुकोर्मिणमक्षय्यमद्वीपं समरेऽप्लवम् ॥ गदासिमकरावर्तं हयग्राहं गजाकुलम् ॥
The battlefield was like a terrifying ocean, filled with arrows and weapons, where arrows were like crocodiles and bows like waves. It was inexhaustible, without islands or boats, and in the midst of battle, clubs and swords formed whirlpools, horses were like crocodiles, and it was teeming with elephants.
हयान्गजान्पदातांश्च रथांश्च तरसा बहून्। निमज्जयन्तं समरे परवीरापहारिणम् ॥६-१५-२७॥
The destroyer of enemy heroes swiftly submerged many horses, elephants, foot soldiers, and chariots in the battle.
विदह्यमानं कोपेन तेजसा च परन्तपम्। वेलेव मकरावासं के वीराः पर्यवारयन् ॥६-१५-२८॥
The heroes, like the shore surrounding the abode of crocodiles, surrounded the scorcher of foes who was burning with anger and energy.
भीष्मो यदकरोत्कर्म समरे सञ्जयारिहा। दुर्योधनहितार्थाय के तदास्य पुरोऽभवन् ॥६-१५-२९॥
O Sanjaya, who were those that stood in front of Bhishma, who performed heroic deeds in battle for the sake of Duryodhana?
केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः। पृष्ठतः के परान्वीरा उपासेधन्यतव्रताः ॥६-१५-३०॥
Who guarded the right wheel of Bhishma, the one with immeasurable energy? And who were the valiant warriors that approached the enemies from behind, steadfast in their vows?
के पुरस्तादवर्तन्त रक्षन्तो भीष्ममन्तिके। केऽरक्षन्नुत्तरं चक्रं वीरा वीरस्य युध्यतः ॥६-१५-३१॥
Who stood in front protecting Bhishma closely? Who left the rear formation of the hero unprotected during the battle?
वामे चक्रे वर्तमानाः केऽघ्नन्सञ्जय सृञ्जयान्। समेताग्रमनीकेषु केऽभ्यरक्षन्दुरासदम् ॥६-१५-३२॥
On the left side of the circle, who were present and striking, O Sanjaya, were the Srinjayas; in the assembled front ranks, who were protecting the invincible.
पार्श्वतः केऽभ्यवर्तन्त गच्छन्तो दुर्गमां गतिम्। समूहे के परान्वीरान्प्रत्ययुध्यन्त सञ्जय ॥६-१५-३३॥
Who approached from the side, proceeding on a difficult path? In the group, who were the heroes fighting against the enemies, O Sanjaya?
रक्ष्यमाणः कथं वीरैर्गोप्यमानाश्च तेन ते। दुर्जयानामनीकानि नाजयंस्तरसा युधि ॥६-१५-३४॥
Despite being protected by heroes and guarded by him, they could not conquer the invincible armies by force in battle.
सर्वलोकेश्वरस्येव परमेष्ठिप्रजापतेः। कथं प्रहर्तुमपि ते शेकुः सञ्जय पाण्डवाः ॥६-१५-३५॥
O Sañjaya, how could the Pāṇḍavas even think of attacking someone as supreme as the lord of all worlds, the ultimate creator?
यस्मिन्द्वीपे समाश्रित्य युध्यन्ति कुरवः परैः। तं निमग्नं नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मं शंससि सञ्जय ॥६-१५-३६॥
In the island where the Kurus have taken refuge and are fighting against their enemies, you, O Sanjaya, speak of the fallen Bhishma, the tiger among men.
यस्य वीर्ये समाश्वस्य मम पुत्रो बृहद्बलः। न पाण्डवानगणयत्कथं स निहतः परैः ॥६-१५-३७॥
Relying on his valor, my son Brihadbala did not regard the Pandavas; how then was he killed by others?
यः पुरा विबुधैः सेन्द्रैः साहाय्ये युद्धदुर्मदः। काङ्क्षितो दानवान्घ्नद्भिः पिता मम महाव्रतः ॥६-१५-३८॥
My father, who was once sought by the wise and Indra for help in battle and was arrogant in battle, is a man of great vows and a slayer of demons.
यस्मिञ्जाते महावीर्ये शन्तनुर्लोकशङ्करे। शोकं दुःखं च दैन्यं च प्राजहात्पुत्रलक्ष्मणि ॥६-१५-३९॥
When the mighty son Lakṣmaṇa was born, Śantanu, the benefactor of the world, abandoned all sorrow, grief, and misery.
प्रज्ञा परायणं तज्ज्ञं सद्धर्मनिरतं शुचिम्। वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञं कथं शंससि मे हतम् ॥६-१५-४०॥
How can you say that my wise and pure expert, who is dedicated to true dharma and knowledgeable in the Vedas and Vedangas, has been killed?
सर्वास्त्रविनयोपेतं दान्तं शान्तं मनस्विनम्। हतं शान्तनवं श्रुत्वा मन्ये शेषं बलं हतम् ॥६-१५-४१॥
Having heard of the fall of Bhishma, who was endowed with humility towards all weapons, restrained, peaceful, and wise, I believe the remaining strength is also gone.
धर्मादधर्मो बलवान्सम्प्राप्त इति मे मतिः। यत्र वृद्धं गुरुं हत्वा राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥६-१५-४२॥
In my opinion, unrighteousness has gained strength from righteousness, as the Pandavas seek the kingdom after killing the revered elder.
जामदग्न्यः पुरा रामः सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः। अम्बार्थमुद्यतः सङ्ख्ये भीष्मेण युधि निर्जितः ॥६-१५-४३॥
Once upon a time, the son of Jamadagni, Rama, who was the unsurpassed master of all weapons, was ready to fight for Amba but was defeated by Bhishma in battle.
तमिन्द्रसमकर्माणं ककुदं सर्वधन्विनाम्। हतं शंससि भीष्मं मे किं नु दुःखमतः परम् ॥६-१५-४४॥
You tell me that Bhishma, the greatest of all archers and equal to Indra in his deeds, has been slain. What could be a greater sorrow for me than this?
असकृत्क्षत्रियव्राताः सङ्ख्ये येन विनिर्जिताः। जामदग्न्यस्तथा रामः परवीरनिघातिना ॥६-१५-४५॥
Jamadagni's son, Rama, who repeatedly conquered groups of warriors in battle, was the slayer of enemy heroes.
तस्मान्नूनं महावीर्याद्भार्गवाद्युद्धदुर्मदात्। तेजोवीर्यबलैर्भूयाञ्शिखण्डी द्रुपदात्मजः ॥६-१५-४६॥
Therefore, it is certain that Śikhaṇḍī, the son of Drupada, surpasses in brilliance, heroism, and strength due to the great heroism of Bhārgava and his arrogance in battle.
यः शूरं कृतिनं युद्धे सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम्। परमास्त्रविदं वीरं जघान भरतर्षभम् ॥६-१५-४७॥
He who killed the heroic and skillful warrior, expert in all scriptures and supreme weapons, the bull among the Bharatas, in battle.
के वीरास्तममित्रघ्नमन्वयुः शत्रुसंसदि। शंस मे तद्यथा वृत्तं युद्धं भीष्मस्य पाण्डवैः ॥६-१५-४८॥
Who were the heroes that accompanied the mighty Bhishma in the assembly of enemies? Please narrate to me how the battle between Bhishma and the Pandavas unfolded.
योषेव हतवीरा मे सेना पुत्रस्य सञ्जय। अगोपमिव चोद्भ्रान्तं गोकुलं तद्बलं मम ॥६-१५-४९॥
O Sanjaya, my army is in disarray, like a woman who has lost her protectors, and like a cowherd without a guardian, it is bewildered and scattered.
पौरुषं सर्वलोकस्य परं यस्य महाहवे। परासिक्ते च वस्तस्मिन्कथमासीन्मनस्तदा ॥६-१५-५०॥
In the great battle, when everything was drenched, how was the mind of the one whose supreme manliness was recognized by all the worlds?
जीवितेऽप्यद्य सामर्थ्यं किमिवास्मासु सञ्जय। घातयित्वा महावीर्यं पितरं लोकधार्मिकम् ॥६-१५-५१॥
O Sañjaya, even today, what strength remains in us after having slain the great hero, our father, who was the upholder of the world's righteousness?
अगाधे सलिले मग्नां नावं दृष्ट्वेव पारगाः। भीष्मे हते भृशं दुःखान्मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः ॥६-१५-५२॥
Seeing the boat immersed in the unfathomable waters, those who have crossed over, like the sons lamenting greatly after Bhishma was slain, are filled with sorrow.
अद्रिसारमयं नूनं सुदृढं हृदयं मम। यच्छ्रुत्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रं हतं भीष्मं न दीर्यते ॥६-१५-५३॥
Indeed, my heart must be very strong, like it is made of mountain essence, as it does not break upon hearing that the great warrior Bhishma, the tiger among men, has been slain.
यस्मिन्नस्त्रं च मेधा च नीतिश्च भरतर्षभे। अप्रमेयाणि दुर्धर्षे कथं स निहतो युधि ॥६-१५-५४॥
O best of the Bharatas, how could he, in whom weaponry, intelligence, and policy were immeasurable and invincible, be slain in battle?
न चास्त्रेण न शौर्येण तपसा मेधया न च। न धृत्या न पुनस्त्यागान्मृत्योः कश्चिद्विमुच्यते ॥६-१५-५५॥
No one is freed from death by weapons, valor, penance, intelligence, determination, or even by renunciation.
कालो नूनं महावीर्यः सर्वलोकदुरत्ययः। यत्र शान्तनवं भीष्मं हतं शंससि सञ्जय ॥६-१५-५६॥
Indeed, time is powerful and insurmountable by all beings; it is where you, Sañjaya, report the fall of Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu.
पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तो महद्दुःखमचिन्तयन्। आशंसेऽहं पुरा त्राणं भीष्माच्छन्तनुनन्दनात् ॥६-१५-५७॥
Overwhelmed by the grief of losing my son, I was deeply pondering my great sorrow and had once hoped for protection from Bhishma, the descendant of Shantanu.
यदादित्यमिवापश्यत्पतितं भुवि सञ्जय। दुर्योधनः शान्तनवं किं तदा प्रत्यपद्यत ॥६-१५-५८॥
Sanjaya, when Duryodhana saw Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, fallen on the battlefield like the sun, what was his reaction?
नाहं स्वेषां परेषां वा बुद्ध्या सञ्जय चिन्तयन्। शेषं किञ्चित्प्रपश्यामि प्रत्यनीके महीक्षिताम् ॥६-१५-५९॥
Sanjaya, I do not see anything remaining of my own or others by intelligence in the opposite army of the kings.
दारुणः क्षत्रधर्मोऽयमृषिभिः सम्प्रदर्शितः। यत्र शान्तनवं हत्वा राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥६-१५-६०॥
The sages have shown this harsh duty of warriors, where the Pandavas seek the kingdom after slaying Santanu's son.
वयं वा राज्यमिच्छामो घातयित्वा पितामहम्। क्षत्रधर्मे स्थिताः पार्था नापराध्यन्ति पुत्रकाः ॥६-१५-६१॥
We desire the kingdom even if it means killing the grandfather. The sons of Pṛthā, situated in their warrior duty, do not commit a crime, O sons.
एतदार्येण कर्तव्यं कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु सञ्जय। पराक्रमः परं शक्त्या तच्च तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम् ॥६-१५-६२॥
O Sañjaya, it is the duty of the noble to act in times of difficulty and calamity. Valor, when combined with supreme power, is firmly established in such circumstances.
अनीकानि विनिघ्नन्तं ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम्। कथं शान्तनवं तात पाण्डुपुत्रा न्यपातयन् ॥६-१५-६३॥
O father, how did the sons of Pandu manage to bring down the modest and undefeated son of Śantanu, who was vanquishing armies?
कथं युक्तान्यनीकानि कथं युद्धं महात्मभिः। कथं वा निहतो भीष्मः पिता सञ्जय मे परैः ॥६-१५-६४॥
Sanjaya, tell me how the armies were arranged and how the battle was fought by the great warriors. Also, how was my father Bhishma killed by others?
दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः। दुःशासनश्च कितवो हते भीष्मे किमब्रुवन् ॥६-१५-६५॥
Duryodhana, Karna, Shakuni, the son of Subala, and Duhshasana, the gambler, wondered what to say upon the fall of Bhishma.
यच्छरीरैरुपस्तीर्णां नरवारणवाजिनाम्। शरशक्तिगदाखड्गतोमराक्षां भयावहाम् ॥६-१५-६६॥
The battlefield was a terrifying sight, strewn with the bodies of men, elephants, and horses, and filled with the menace of arrows, spears, maces, swords, lances, and glaring eyes.
प्राविशन्कितवा मन्दाः सभां युधि दुरासदाम्। प्राणद्यूते प्रतिभये केऽदीव्यन्त नरर्षभाः ॥६-१५-६७॥
The slow-witted gamblers, formidable in battle, entered the assembly and played the gamble of life in fear; they were the bulls among men.
केऽजयन्के जितास्तत्र हृतलक्षा निपातिताः। अन्ये भीष्माच्छान्तनवात्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-१५-६८॥
Who were the victors and who were vanquished there? Who were robbed of their wealth and who were slain? Tell me all this, O Sanjaya, from Bhishma, from Shantanava.
न हि मे शान्तिरस्तीह युधि देवव्रतं हतम्। पितरं भीमकर्माणं श्रुत्वा मे दुःखमाविशत् ॥६-१५-६९॥
I have no peace here, as I have heard that Devavrata, my father known for his terrible deeds, has been slain in battle, and sorrow has overtaken me.
आर्तिं मे हृदये रूढां महतीं पुत्रकारिताम्। त्वं सिञ्चन्सर्पिषेवाग्निमुद्दीपयसि सञ्जय ॥६-१५-७०॥
Sanjaya, you intensify the great distress in my heart caused by my son, just as one would intensify a fire by pouring ghee on it.
महान्तं भारमुद्यम्य विश्रुतं सार्वलौकिकम्। दृष्ट्वा विनिहतं भीष्मं मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः ॥६-१५-७१॥
The sons, having taken on a great and renowned burden known to all, now lament upon seeing Bhishma slain.
श्रोष्यामि तानि दुःखानि दुर्योधनकृतान्यहम्। तस्मान्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व यद्वृत्तं तत्र सञ्जय ॥६-१५-७२॥
I am eager to hear about the sorrows caused by Duryodhana. Therefore, Sanjaya, please narrate to me everything that transpired there.
सङ्ग्रामे पृथिवीशानां मन्दस्याबुद्धिसम्भवम्। अपनीतं सुनीतं वा तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-१५-७३॥
In the battle, tell me, Sanjaya, whether the actions of the lords of the earth, born out of ignorance of the slow-witted, were removed or well-guided.
यत्कृतं तत्र भीष्मेण सङ्ग्रामे जयमिच्छता। तेजोयुक्तं कृतास्त्रेण शंस तच्चाप्यशेषतः ॥६-१५-७४॥
Tell me completely what Bhishma did there in the battle, desiring victory, full of energy and with weapons.
यथा तदभवद्युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः। क्रमेण येन यस्मिंश्च काले यच्च यथा च तत् ॥६-१५-७५॥
The battle between the Kuru and Pandava armies happened in a sequence, detailing the time and manner in which it occurred.
