06.015
Dhritarashtra spoke:
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?
Sanjaya, how did my sons, deprived by the powerful and god-like Bhishma, who was celibate for the sake of his teacher, fare?
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?
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.
O Sanjaya, who followed him as he proceeded? Who were his leaders? Who stood firm, who retreated, and who advanced?
The heroes who suddenly followed Acyuta, known as the tiger among charioteers and the bull among Kshatriyas, entered the chariot army from behind.
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.
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?
The mighty one, with sharp teeth and a drawn bow, was cutting through the armies, terrible and unapproachable with a sword-like tongue.
The son of Kunti, Arjuna, brought down other great warriors who were modest and undefeated. How did he manage to defeat them in battle?
The warrior, known for his fierce bow, stood in the finest chariot, targeting and piercing the heads of his enemies with his sharp arrows.
Observing the formidable army of the Pandavas advancing in battle, akin to the unstoppable fire of doom, he perpetually encircled it.
After drawing away my army for ten nights, he, the destroyer of forces, departed like the sun setting, having accomplished a very difficult task.
He, like Indra, unleashed an unending storm of arrows and slew a hundred million warriors in the battle within ten days.
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.
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.
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?
In the presence of Kripa and the son of Bharadvaja, how did the great warrior Bhishma meet his end?
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?
He who always challenges the mighty Jamadagni in battle, who remains unconquered by Jamadagni and is equal in valor to Indra.
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.
My warriors, the great archers, remained steadfast with Sanjaya and Achyuta. Who are the heroes commanded by Duryodhana that encircled them?
When all the Pāṇḍavas led by Śikhaṇḍi approached Bhīṣma, did the Kurus, out of fear, abandon Sañjaya and Acyuta?
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.
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.
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.
The destroyer of enemy heroes swiftly submerged many horses, elephants, foot soldiers, and chariots in the battle.
The heroes, like the shore surrounding the abode of crocodiles, surrounded the scorcher of foes who was burning with anger and energy.
O Sanjaya, who were those that stood in front of Bhishma, who performed heroic deeds in battle for the sake of Duryodhana?
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?
Who stood in front protecting Bhishma closely? Who left the rear formation of the hero unprotected during the battle?
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.
Who approached from the side, proceeding on a difficult path? In the group, who were the heroes fighting against the enemies, O Sanjaya?
Despite being protected by heroes and guarded by him, they could not conquer the invincible armies by force in battle.
O Sañjaya, how could the Pāṇḍavas even think of attacking someone as supreme as the lord of all worlds, the ultimate creator?
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.
Relying on his valor, my son Brihadbala did not regard the Pandavas; how then was he killed by others?
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.
When the mighty son Lakṣmaṇa was born, Śantanu, the benefactor of the world, abandoned all sorrow, grief, and misery.
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?
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.
In my opinion, unrighteousness has gained strength from righteousness, as the Pandavas seek the kingdom after killing the revered elder.
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.
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?
Jamadagni's son, Rama, who repeatedly conquered groups of warriors in battle, was the slayer of enemy heroes.
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.
He who killed the heroic and skillful warrior, expert in all scriptures and supreme weapons, the bull among the Bharatas, in battle.
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.
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.
In the great battle, when everything was drenched, how was the mind of the one whose supreme manliness was recognized by all the worlds?
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?
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.
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.
O best of the Bharatas, how could he, in whom weaponry, intelligence, and policy were immeasurable and invincible, be slain in battle?
No one is freed from death by weapons, valor, penance, intelligence, determination, or even by renunciation.
Indeed, time is powerful and insurmountable by all beings; it is where you, Sañjaya, report the fall of Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu.
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.
Sanjaya, when Duryodhana saw Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, fallen on the battlefield like the sun, what was his reaction?
Sanjaya, I do not see anything remaining of my own or others by intelligence in the opposite army of the kings.
The sages have shown this harsh duty of warriors, where the Pandavas seek the kingdom after slaying Santanu's son.
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.
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.
O father, how did the sons of Pandu manage to bring down the modest and undefeated son of Śantanu, who was vanquishing armies?
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?
Duryodhana, Karna, Shakuni, the son of Subala, and Duhshasana, the gambler, wondered what to say upon the fall of Bhishma.
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.
The slow-witted gamblers, formidable in battle, entered the assembly and played the gamble of life in fear; they were the bulls among men.
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.
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.
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.
The sons, having taken on a great and renowned burden known to all, now lament upon seeing Bhishma slain.
I am eager to hear about the sorrows caused by Duryodhana. Therefore, Sanjaya, please narrate to me everything that transpired there.
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.
Tell me completely what Bhishma did there in the battle, desiring victory, full of energy and with weapons.
The battle between the Kuru and Pandava armies happened in a sequence, detailing the time and manner in which it occurred.
