06.022
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वां सेनां समचोदयत्। प्रतिव्यूहन्ननीकानि भीष्मस्य भरतर्षभ ॥६-२२-१॥
Then King Yudhishthira, the best of the Bharatas, commanded his army to arrange themselves against Bhishma's forces.
यथोद्दिष्टान्यनीकानि प्रत्यव्यूहन्त पाण्डवाः। स्वर्गं परमभीप्सन्तः सुयुद्धेन कुरूद्वहाः ॥६-२२-२॥
The Pandavas, desiring the highest heaven, arrayed their divisions as instructed, ready for a righteous battle, O best of the Kurus.
मध्ये शिखण्डिनोऽनीकं रक्षितं सव्यसाचिना। धृष्टद्युम्नस्य च स्वयं भीमेन परिपालितम् ॥६-२२-३॥
In the midst of the battlefield, Shikhandi's army was strategically protected by Arjuna, while Bhima and Dhrishtadyumna personally ensured its defense.
अनीकं दक्षिणं राजन्युयुधानेन पालितम्। श्रीमता सात्वताग्र्येण शक्रेणेव धनुष्मता ॥६-२२-४॥
The southern division of the army was guarded by the noble Yuyudhāna, akin to how Indra is protected by the mighty archer, the illustrious leader of the Sātvatas.
महेन्द्रयानप्रतिमं रथं तु; सोपस्करं हाटकरत्नचित्रम्। युधिष्ठिरः काञ्चनभाण्डयोक्त्रं; समास्थितो नागकुलस्य मध्ये ॥६-२२-५॥
Yudhishthira stood in the midst of the serpent race on a chariot that was like the chariot of Indra, equipped and adorned with gold and jewels, with a golden harness.
समुच्छ्रितं दान्तशलाकमस्य; सुपाण्डुरं छत्रमतीव भाति। प्रदक्षिणं चैनमुपाचरन्ति; महर्षयः संस्तुतिभिर्नरेन्द्रम् ॥६-२२-६॥
The king, with his white umbrella raised high, shines brightly. The great sages, singing praises, approach him with reverence, walking around him in respect.
पुरोहिताः शत्रुवधं वदन्तो; महर्षिवृद्धाः श्रुतवन्त एव। जप्यैश्च मन्त्रैश्च तथौषधीभिः; समन्ततः स्वस्त्ययनं प्रचक्रुः ॥६-२२-७॥
The priests, discussing the defeat of the enemy, along with the great sages and elders who had heard about it, performed rituals for welfare all around using chants, mutterings, and herbs.
ततः स वस्त्राणि तथैव गाश्च; फलानि पुष्पाणि तथैव निष्कान्। कुरूत्तमो ब्राह्मणसान्महात्मा; कुर्वन्ययौ शक्र इवामरेभ्यः ॥६-२२-८॥
Then, the noble Kuru prince, in a manner akin to Indra among the gods, distributed garments, cattle, fruits, flowers, and gold coins to the Brahmins and took his leave.
सहस्रसूर्यः शतकिङ्किणीकः; परार्ध्यजाम्बूनदहेमचित्रः। रथोऽर्जुनस्याग्निरिवार्चिमाली; विभ्राजते श्वेतहयः सुचक्रः ॥६-२२-९॥
Arjuna's chariot, adorned with exquisite gold and hundreds of bells, shines brilliantly like a radiant fire, drawn by white horses and equipped with beautiful wheels, resembling a thousand suns.
तमास्थितः केशवसङ्गृहीतं; कपिध्वजं गाण्डिवबाणहस्तः। धनुर्धरो यस्य समः पृथिव्यां; न विद्यते नो भविता वा कदाचित् ॥६-२२-१०॥
Standing there, held by Keshava, with a monkey banner, holding Gandiva and arrows, he is an archer whose equal on earth neither exists nor will ever be.
उद्वर्तयिष्यंस्तव पुत्रसेना; मतीव रौद्रं स बिभर्ति रूपम्। अनायुधो यः सुभुजो भुजाभ्यां; नराश्वनागान्युधि भस्म कुर्यात् ॥६-२२-११॥
He intends to overturn your son's army and bears a terrifying form. Even without weapons, his strong arms could turn men, horses, and elephants to ashes in battle.
स भीमसेनः सहितो यमाभ्यां; वृकोदरो वीररथस्य गोप्ता। तं प्रेक्ष्य मत्तर्षभसिंहखेलं; लोके महेन्द्रप्रतिमानकल्पम् ॥६-२२-१२॥
Bhimasena, accompanied by the two Yamas, Vrikodara, the protector of the heroic chariot, appeared like a playful bull and lion, resembling the great Indra in the world.
समीक्ष्य सेनाग्रगतं दुरासदं; प्रविव्यथुः पङ्कगता इवोष्ट्राः। वृकोदरं वारणराजदर्पं; योधास्त्वदीया भयविग्नसत्त्वाः ॥६-२२-१३॥
Upon seeing the formidable figure leading the army, your warriors were as distressed as camels trapped in mud, their minds shaken by fear, as they beheld Vrikodara, who embodied the pride of a mighty elephant king.
अनीकमध्ये तिष्ठन्तं राजपुत्रं दुरासदम्। अब्रवीद्भरतश्रेष्ठं गुडाकेशं जनार्दनः ॥६-२२-१४॥
In the midst of the army, Janardana addressed Gudakesha, the best of the Bharatas, as the formidable prince stood there.
वासुदेव उवाच॥
Vasudeva said:
य एष गोप्ता प्रतपन्बलस्थो; यो नः सेनां सिंह इवेक्षते च। स एष भीष्मः कुरुवंशकेतु; र्येनाहृतास्त्रिंशतो वाजिमेधाः ॥६-२२-१५॥
This is Bhishma, the powerful protector who observes our army like a lion. He is the emblem of the Kuru dynasty and has performed thirty horse sacrifices.
एतान्यनीकानि महानुभावं; गूहन्ति मेघा इव घर्मरश्मिम्। एतानि हत्वा पुरुषप्रवीर; काङ्क्षस्व युद्धं भरतर्षभेण ॥६-२२-१६॥
These armies, O great hero, hide the sun's rays like clouds. O best among men, after defeating these, seek battle with the bull of the Bharatas.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
केषां प्रहृष्टास्तत्राग्रे योधा युध्यन्ति सञ्जय। उदग्रमनसः केऽत्र के वा दीना विचेतसः ॥६-२२-१७॥
Sanjaya, whose warriors are elated and fighting at the front? Who here are with uplifted spirits, and who are dejected and dispirited?
के पूर्वं प्राहरंस्तत्र युद्धे हृदयकम्पने। मामकाः पाण्डवानां वा तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-२२-१८॥
Sanjaya, tell me who was the first to strike in that heart-trembling battle, my warriors or the Pandavas?
कस्य सेनासमुदये गन्धमाल्यसमुद्भवः। वाचः प्रदक्षिणाश्चैव योधानामभिगर्जताम् ॥६-२२-१९॥
In whose army assembly, the fragrance of garlands arises, and the warriors' voices roar as they circumambulate.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
उभयोः सेनयोस्तत्र योधा जहृषिरे मुदा। स्रग्धूपपानगन्धानामुभयत्र समुद्भवः ॥६-२२-२०॥
The warriors from both armies were filled with joy. On both sides, there was an abundance of garlands, incense, drinks, and fragrances.
संहतानामनीकानां व्यूढानां भरतर्षभ। संसर्पतामुदीर्णानां विमर्दः सुमहानभूत् ॥६-२२-२१॥
O best of the Bharatas, a massive clash took place among the tightly packed and well-arrayed troops as they advanced with great fervor.
वादित्रशब्दस्तुमुलः शङ्खभेरीविमिश्रितः। कुञ्जराणां च नदतां सैन्यानां च प्रहृष्यताम् ॥६-२२-२२॥
The loud clamor of musical instruments, conches, and drums blended together with the trumpeting of elephants and the joyous shouts of the armies.
