06.044
Core: In the intense battle, friends and relatives, kinsmen and allies, all fought together there, the Kurus with the Pandavas.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
राजञ्शतसहस्राणि तत्र तत्र तदा तदा। निर्मर्यादं प्रयुद्धानि तत्ते वक्ष्यामि भारत ॥६-४४-१॥
O King, I will narrate to you, O descendant of Bharata, how hundreds of thousands fought without restraint at various times and places.
न पुत्रः पितरं जज्ञे न पिता पुत्रमौरसम्। न भ्राता भ्रातरं तत्र स्वस्रीयं न च मातुलः ॥६-४४-२॥
In that context, the son was not born from the father, nor was the father the true father of the son. Similarly, the brother was not truly a brother, nor was the cousin considered an uncle.
मातुलं न च स्वस्रीयो न सखायं सखा तथा। आविष्टा इव युध्यन्ते पाण्डवाः कुरुभिः सह ॥६-४४-३॥
The Pāṇḍavas, in their intense battle with the Kauravas, seem to be so consumed by the fight that they fail to recognize their own relatives and friends, fighting as if possessed.
रथानीकं नरव्याघ्राः केचिदभ्यपतन्रथैः। अभज्यन्त युगैरेव युगानि भरतर्षभ ॥६-४४-४॥
Some warriors, like tigers among men, attacked the chariot army with their chariots. The yokes were indeed broken, O best of the Bharatas.
रथेषाश्च रथेषाभिः कूबरा रथकूबरैः। संहताः संहतैः केचित्परस्परजिघांसवः ॥६-४४-५॥
The charioteers and drivers, along with their chariots and chariot drivers, were assembled together, with some among them eager to defeat one another.
न शेकुश्चलितुं केचित्संनिपत्य रथा रथैः। प्रभिन्नास्तु महाकायाः संनिपत्य गजा गजैः ॥६-४४-६॥
Some of the warriors were unable to move as their chariots collided with other chariots. However, the massive elephants, after colliding with other elephants, were shattered.
बहुधादारयन्क्रुद्धा विषाणैरितरेतरम्। सतोमरपताकैश्च वारणाः परवारणैः ॥६-४४-७॥
The angry elephants, equipped with spears and banners, were tearing each other apart with their tusks, amidst other elephants.
अभिसृत्य महाराज वेगवद्भिर्महागजैः। दन्तैरभिहतास्तत्र चुक्रुशुः परमातुराः ॥६-४४-८॥
O great king, having approached swiftly, the great elephants struck with their tusks, causing them to cry out in extreme distress there.
अभिनीताश्च शिक्षाभिस्तोत्त्राङ्कुशसमाहताः। सुप्रभिन्नाः प्रभिन्नानां संमुखाभिमुखा ययुः ॥६-४४-९॥
Trained and disciplined by teachings, goad, and hook, they confidently approached the broken ones face to face.
प्रभिन्नैरपि संसक्ताः केचित्तत्र महागजाः। क्रौञ्चवन्निनदं मुक्त्वा प्राद्रवन्त ततस्ततः ॥६-४४-१०॥
Despite being injured, some of the great elephants there, after making a sound like a krauñca bird, fled in various directions.
सम्यक्प्रणीता नागाश्च प्रभिन्नकरटामुखाः। ऋष्टितोमरनाराचैर्निर्विद्धा वरवारणाः ॥६-४४-११॥
The elephants, properly guided, with their trunks and faces broken, were pierced by spears, javelins, and arrows, making them excellent in battle.
विनेदुर्भिन्नमर्माणो निपेतुश्च गतासवः। प्राद्रवन्त दिशः केचिन्नदन्तो भैरवान्रवान् ॥६-४४-१२॥
With their vital parts shattered, they cried out and fell lifeless. Some fled in all directions, roaring with terrifying sounds.
गजानां पादरक्षास्तु व्यूढोरस्काः प्रहारिणः। ऋष्टिभिश्च धनुर्भिश्च विमलैश्च परश्वधैः ॥६-४४-१३॥
The foot soldiers of the elephants are strong and broad-chested, equipped with spears, bows, and shining axes, ready to strike.
गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चैव भिण्डिपालैः सतोमरैः। आयसैः परिघैश्चैव निस्त्रिंशैर्विमलैः शितैः ॥६-४४-१४॥
Armed with maces, pestles, clubs, spears, iron bars, and sharp, spotless swords.
प्रगृहीतैः सुसंरब्धा धावमानास्ततस्ततः। व्यदृश्यन्त महाराज परस्परजिघांसवः ॥६-४४-१५॥
The warriors, armed and furious, were seen running hither and thither, O great king, each intent on killing the other.
राजमानाश्च निस्त्रिंशाः संसिक्ता नरशोणितैः। प्रत्यदृश्यन्त शूराणामन्योन्यमभिधावताम् ॥६-४४-१६॥
The gleaming swords, stained with human blood, were visible as the warriors charged at each other.
अवक्षिप्तावधूतानामसीनां वीरबाहुभिः। सञ्जज्ञे तुमुलः शब्दः पततां परमर्मसु ॥६-४४-१७॥
A loud and chaotic noise erupted as the swords, discarded and shaken by the mighty arms of heroes, struck the vital parts of the enemies.
गदामुसलरुग्णानां भिन्नानां च वरासिभिः। दन्तिदन्तावभिन्नानां मृदितानां च दन्तिभिः ॥६-४४-१८॥
The warriors, wounded by maces and clubs, were broken by excellent swords, while the elephants crushed and separated the tusks of other elephants.
तत्र तत्र नरौघाणां क्रोशतामितरेतरम्। शुश्रुवुर्दारुणा वाचः प्रेतानामिव भारत ॥६-४४-१९॥
In various places, the multitude of men were heard shouting at each other with terrible voices, resembling those of spirits, O Bhārata.
हयैरपि हयारोहाश्चामरापीडधारिभिः। हंसैरिव महावेगैरन्योन्यमभिदुद्रुवुः ॥६-४४-२०॥
The horse riders, adorned with peacock feather crests, charged at each other with great speed, resembling swans in their grace and swiftness.
तैर्विमुक्ता महाप्रासा जाम्बूनदविभूषणाः। आशुगा विमलास्तीक्ष्णाः सम्पेतुर्भुजगोपमाः ॥६-४४-२१॥
The great spears, adorned with gold and released by them, swiftly flew through the air, bright and sharp, resembling serpents.
अश्वैरग्र्यजवैः केचिदाप्लुत्य महतो रथान्। शिरांस्याददिरे वीरा रथिनामश्वसादिनः ॥६-४४-२२॥
Some warriors, mounted on great chariots with horses of supreme speed, cut off the heads of the charioteers and horse riders.
बहूनपि हयारोहान्भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः। रथी जघान सम्प्राप्य बाणगोचरमागतान् ॥६-४४-२३॥
The charioteer, upon reaching the range of arrows, killed many horsemen with his curved arrows.
नगमेघप्रतीकाशाश्चाक्षिप्य तुरगान्गजाः। पादैरेवावमृद्नन्त मत्ताः कनकभूषणाः ॥६-४४-२४॥
The elephants, adorned with golden ornaments and intoxicated, resembling mountains and clouds, trampled the horses underfoot.
पाट्यमानेषु कुम्भेषु पार्श्वेष्वपि च वारणाः। प्रासैर्विनिहताः केचिद्विनेदुः परमातुराः ॥६-४४-२५॥
As the pots were being burst and even at the sides, some elephants, struck down by spears, cried out in great distress.
साश्वारोहान्हयान्केचिदुन्मथ्य वरवारणाः। सहसा चिक्षिपुस्तत्र सङ्कुले भैरवे सति ॥६-४४-२६॥
In the terrifying chaos, the excellent elephants suddenly uprooted and threw some horses along with their riders.
साश्वारोहान्विषाणाग्रैरुत्क्षिप्य तुरगान्द्विपाः। रथौघानवमृद्नन्तः सध्वजान्परिचक्रमुः ॥६-४४-२७॥
The elephants, using the tips of their tusks, lifted the horses along with their riders and moved around, crushing the chariots adorned with banners.
पुंस्त्वादभिमदत्वाच्च केचिदत्र महागजाः। साश्वारोहान्हयाञ्जघ्नुः करैः सचरणैस्तथा ॥६-४४-२८॥
Due to their masculinity and arrogance, some of the great elephants here attacked and killed the horse riders and horses with their trunks and feet.
केचिदाक्षिप्य करिणः साश्वानपि रथान्करैः। विकर्षन्तो दिशः सर्वाः समीयुः सर्वशब्दगाः ॥६-४४-२९॥
Some warriors, having pulled elephants, horses, and chariots with their hands, dragged them in all directions and came together, making a cacophony of sounds.
आशुगा विमलास्तीक्ष्णाः सम्पेतुर्भुजगोपमाः। नराश्वकायान्निर्भिद्य लौहानि कवचानि च ॥६-४४-३०॥
The swift, bright, and sharp arrows fell like serpents, piercing through the bodies of men and horses, as well as their iron armors.
निपेतुर्विमलाः शक्त्यो वीरबाहुभिरर्पिताः। महोल्काप्रतिमा घोरास्तत्र तत्र विशां पते ॥६-४४-३१॥
O lord of men, pure spears hurled by heroic arms fell like terrible great meteors here and there.
द्वीपिचर्मावनद्धैश्च व्याघ्रचर्मशयैरपि। विकोशैर्विमलैः खड्गैरभिजघ्नुः परान्रणे ॥६-४४-३२॥
The warriors, adorned with panther and tiger skins and wielding unsheathed, shining swords, struck their enemies in the battle.
अभिप्लुतमभिक्रुद्धमेकपार्श्वावदारितम्। विदर्शयन्तः सम्पेतुः खड्गचर्मपरश्वधैः ॥६-४४-३३॥
Overwhelmed and enraged, with one side torn, they rushed forward displaying their swords, shields, and axes.
शक्तिभिर्दारिताः केचित्सञ्छिन्नाश्च परश्वधैः। हस्तिभिर्मृदिताः केचित्क्षुण्णाश्चान्ये तुरङ्गमैः ॥६-४४-३४॥
Some were torn apart by powers, some were cut to pieces by axes. Some were crushed by elephants, while others were trampled by horses.
रथनेमिनिकृत्ताश्च निकृत्ता निशितैः शरैः। विक्रोशन्ति नरा राजंस्तत्र तत्र स्म बान्धवान् ॥६-४४-३५॥
The wheels of the chariots were severed by sharp arrows, causing the men to cry out, O king, here and there for their kinsmen.
पुत्रानन्ये पितॄनन्ये भ्रातॄंश्च सह बान्धवैः। मातुलान्भागिनेयांश्च परानपि च संयुगे ॥६-४४-३६॥
In the battle, others fought alongside their sons, fathers, brothers, relatives, maternal uncles, nephews, and even other allies.
विकीर्णान्त्राः सुबहवो भग्नसक्थाश्च भारत। बाहुभिः सुभुजाच्छिन्नैः पार्श्वेषु च विदारिताः ॥ क्रन्दन्तः समदृश्यन्त तृषिता जीवितेप्सवः ॥६-४४-३७॥
O Bharata, many were seen with scattered entrails and broken thighs, their arms well-cut and sides torn apart, crying out in thirst, desiring to live.
तृष्णापरिगताः केचिदल्पसत्त्वा विशां पते। भूमौ निपतिताः सङ्ख्ये जलमेव ययाचिरे ॥६-४४-३८॥
Some warriors, overcome by thirst and of little strength, O lord of men, fell on the battlefield and begged for water.
रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नाः क्लिश्यमानाश्च भारत। व्यनिन्दन्भृशमात्मानं तव पुत्रांश्च सङ्गतान् ॥६-४४-३९॥
O Bharata, drenched in blood and tormented, they harshly criticized themselves and your assembled sons.
अपरे क्षत्रियाः शूराः कृतवैराः परस्परम्। नैव शस्त्रं विमुञ्चन्ति नैव क्रन्दन्ति मारिष ॥ तर्जयन्ति च संहृष्टास्तत्र तत्र परस्परम् ॥६-४४-४०॥
Other warrior heroes, having mutual enmity, neither release their weapons nor cry, O gentle one. They threaten each other joyfully, here and there.
निर्दश्य दशनैश्चापि क्रोधात्स्वदशनच्छदान्। भ्रुकुटीकुटिलैर्वक्त्रैः प्रेक्षन्ते च परस्परम् ॥६-४४-४१॥
In anger, they bit their own lips with their teeth, and with crooked eyebrows and faces, they glared at each other.
अपरे क्लिश्यमानास्तु व्रणार्ताः शरपीडिताः। निष्कूजाः समपद्यन्त दृढसत्त्वा महाबलाः ॥६-४४-४२॥
Despite being tormented and wounded by arrows, others remained silent, showing firm resolve and great strength.
अन्ये तु विरथाः शूरा रथमन्यस्य संयुगे। प्रार्थयाना निपतिताः सङ्क्षुण्णा वरवारणैः ॥ अशोभन्त महाराज पुष्पिता इव किंशुकाः ॥६-४४-४३॥
O great king, other heroes, though without chariots, sought the chariots of others in battle and fell, crushed by excellent elephants. They appeared like blossomed Butea monosperma trees.
सम्बभूवुरनीकेषु बहवो भैरवस्वनाः। वर्तमाने महाभीमे तस्मिन्वीरवरक्षये ॥६-४४-४४॥
In the midst of the armies, many terrifying sounds arose as the great and terrible destruction of the best heroes was taking place.
अहनत्तु पिता पुत्रं पुत्रश्च पितरं रणे। स्वस्रीयो मातुलं चापि स्वस्रीयं चापि मातुलः ॥६-४४-४५॥
In the battle, fathers killed their sons, and sons killed their fathers. Similarly, maternal uncles and their nephews killed each other.
सखायं च सखा राजन्सम्बन्धी बान्धवं तथा। एवं युयुधिरे तत्र कुरवः पाण्डवैः सह ॥६-४४-४६॥
O King, friends and relatives, kinsmen and allies, all fought together there, the Kurus with the Pandavas.
वर्तमाने भये तस्मिन्निर्मर्यादे महाहवे। भीष्ममासाद्य पार्थानां वाहिनी समकम्पत ॥६-४४-४७॥
In the midst of the ongoing fear and the boundless great battle, as Bhishma approached, the army of the Pandavas trembled.
केतुना पञ्चतारेण तालेन भरतर्षभ। राजतेन महाबाहुरुच्छ्रितेन महारथे ॥ बभौ भीष्मस्तदा राजंश्चन्द्रमा इव मेरुणा ॥६-४४-४८॥
O best of the Bharatas, the mighty-armed Bhishma, with a banner featuring five stars and a palm tree emblem, shone brilliantly on his great chariot, appearing like the moon alongside the mountain Meru, O king.
