06.045
Core and Pancharatra: Death of Uttara, the son of Virata at the hands of Shalya; At midday, the warriors could not gaze upon Bhishma, the son of Pandu; The first day of war ends.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
गतपूर्वाह्णभूयिष्ठे तस्मिन्नहनि दारुणे। वर्तमाने महारौद्रे महावीरवरक्षये ॥६-४५-१॥
On that dreadful day, mostly past morning, amidst the ongoing fierce destruction of the great heroes.
दुर्मुखः कृतवर्मा च कृपः शल्यो विविंशतिः। भीष्मं जुगुपुरासाद्य तव पुत्रेण चोदिताः ॥६-४५-२॥
Durmukha, Kritavarma, Kripa, Shalya, and Vivimshati, upon approaching Bhishma, protected him as they were urged by your son.
एतैरतिरथैर्गुप्तः पञ्चभिर्भरतर्षभ। पाण्डवानामनीकानि विजगाहे महारथः ॥६-४५-३॥
O best of the Bharatas, the great warrior, protected by these five great charioteers, entered the Pandavas' armies.
चेदिकाशिकरूषेषु पाञ्चालेषु च भारत। भीष्मस्य बहुधा तालश्चरन्केतुरदृश्यत ॥६-४५-४॥
O Bharata, in the regions of Cedi, Kashi, Karusha, and Panchala, the banner of Bhishma was prominently visible, moving like a palm tree in various ways.
शिरांसि च तदा भीष्मो बाहूंश्चापि सहायुधान्। निचकर्त महावेगैर्भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥६-४५-५॥
Then Bhishma swiftly severed the heads and arms that were armed, using arrows with curved blades.
नृत्यतो रथमार्गेषु भीष्मस्य भरतर्षभ। केचिदार्तस्वरं चक्रुर्नागा मर्मणि ताडिताः ॥६-४५-६॥
As Bhishma danced on the chariot paths, O best of the Bharatas, some elephants cried out in pain when they were struck in their vital parts.
अभिमन्युः सुसङ्क्रुद्धः पिशङ्गैस्तुरगोत्तमैः। संयुक्तं रथमास्थाय प्रायाद्भीष्मरथं प्रति ॥६-४५-७॥
Abhimanyu, filled with intense anger, mounted his chariot drawn by excellent tawny horses and advanced towards Bhishma's chariot.
जाम्बूनदविचित्रेण कर्णिकारेण केतुना। अभ्यवर्षत भीष्मं च तांश्चैव रथसत्तमान् ॥६-४५-८॥
He, with a golden banner and a garland of karṇikāra flowers, showered Bhishma and the best of charioteers with arrows.
स तालकेतोस्तीक्ष्णेन केतुमाहत्य पत्रिणा। भीष्मेण युयुधे वीरस्तस्य चानुचरैः सह ॥६-४५-९॥
Tālaketu, with his sharp arrow, struck the banner and engaged in battle with the heroic Bhīṣma, accompanied by his followers.
कृतवर्माणमेकेन शल्यं पञ्चभिरायसैः। विद्ध्वा नवभिरानर्छच्छिताग्रैः प्रपितामहम् ॥६-४५-१०॥
Kritavarma, using one arrow, pierced Shalya with five iron arrows; then, having pierced him with nine more, he honored the great-grandfather with sharp-pointed arrows.
पूर्णायतविसृष्टेन सम्यक्प्रणिहितेन च। ध्वजमेकेन विव्याध जाम्बूनदविभूषितम् ॥६-४५-११॥
He skillfully shot an arrow from his fully drawn bow, hitting the flag adorned with gold.
दुर्मुखस्य तु भल्लेन सर्वावरणभेदिना। जहार सारथेः कायाच्छिरः संनतपर्वणा ॥६-४५-१२॥
Durmukha, using an arrow that could pierce any armor, skillfully beheaded the charioteer.
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन कार्तस्वरविभूषितम्। कृपस्य निशिताग्रेण तांश्च तीक्ष्णमुखैः शरैः ॥६-४५-१३॥
He cut the bow adorned with gold with an arrow, and Kṛpa's sharp-pointed arrows with sharp-faced ones.
जघान परमक्रुद्धो नृत्यन्निव महारथः। तस्य लाघवमुद्वीक्ष्य तुतुषुर्देवता अपि ॥६-४५-१४॥
The great warrior, in his extreme anger, struck down his enemies as if he were dancing. Witnessing his agility, even the gods were pleased.
लब्धलक्ष्यतया कर्ष्णेः सर्वे भीष्ममुखा रथाः। सत्त्ववन्तममन्यन्त साक्षादिव धनञ्जयम् ॥६-४५-१५॥
With their aim achieved, all the chariots led by Bhīṣma regarded Kṛṣṇa, who was endowed with strength, as if he were Arjuna himself.
तस्य लाघवमार्गस्थमलातसदृशप्रभम्। दिशः पर्यपतच्चापं गाण्डीवमिव घोषवत् ॥६-४५-१६॥
His bow, resembling the Gandiva, moved swiftly across the directions, shining like a firebrand and echoing with sound.
तमासाद्य महावेगैर्भीष्मो नवभिराशुगैः। विव्याध समरे तूर्णमार्जुनिं परवीरहा ॥६-४५-१७॥
Bhishma, with great speed, approached and quickly pierced Arjuna in battle with nine swift arrows, being the slayer of enemy heroes.
ध्वजं चास्य त्रिभिर्भल्लैश्चिच्छेद परमौजसः। सारथिं च त्रिभिर्बाणैराजघान यतव्रतः ॥६-४५-१८॥
The disciplined warrior, with great energy, cut off the flag with three arrows and struck the charioteer with three arrows.
तथैव कृतवर्मा च कृपः शल्यश्च मारिष। विद्ध्वा नाकम्पयत्कार्ष्णिं मैनाकमिव पर्वतम् ॥६-४५-१९॥
Similarly, Kritavarma, Kripa, and Shalya, O great one, attacked but could not shake Arjuna, just as the Mainaka mountain remains unshaken.
स तैः परिवृतः शूरो धार्तराष्ट्रैर्महारथैः। ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि कार्ष्णिः पञ्चरथान्प्रति ॥६-४५-२०॥
Surrounded by the sons of Dhritarashtra and the great charioteers, the heroic Arjuna (Kārṣhṇi) showered a rain of arrows towards the five chariots.
ततस्तेषां महास्त्राणि संवार्य शरवृष्टिभिः। ननाद बलवान्कार्ष्णिर्भीष्माय विसृजञ्शरान् ॥६-४५-२१॥
Then, Arjuna, the mighty son of Kunti, countered the great weapons of the enemy with a shower of arrows and roared mightily as he released his arrows towards Bhīṣma.
तत्रास्य सुमहद्राजन्बाह्वोर्बलमदृश्यत। यतमानस्य समरे भीष्ममर्दयतः शरैः ॥६-४५-२२॥
O King, there his immense strength of arms was evident as he relentlessly attacked Bhishma with arrows in the battle.
पराक्रान्तस्य तस्यैव भीष्मोऽपि प्राहिणोच्छरान्। स तांश्चिच्छेद समरे भीष्मचापच्युताञ्शरान् ॥६-४५-२३॥
Bhishma, the valiant, sent arrows, but they were cut off in battle, released from his own bow.
ततो ध्वजममोघेषुर्भीष्मस्य नवभिः शरैः। चिच्छेद समरे वीरस्तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥६-४५-२४॥
Then the unerring archer heroically cut off Bhishma's flag with nine arrows in the battle, and the people shouted in amazement.
स राजतो महास्कन्धस्तालो हेमविभूषितः। सौभद्रविशिखैश्छिन्नः पपात भुवि भारत ॥६-४५-२५॥
The great palm tree, shining and adorned with gold, was struck down by Saubhadra's arrows and fell to the earth, O Bharata.
ध्वजं सौभद्रविशिखैः पतितं भरतर्षभ। दृष्ट्वा भीमोऽनदद्धृष्टः सौभद्रमभिहर्षयन् ॥६-४५-२६॥
Upon witnessing the flag struck down by Saubhadra's arrows, the mighty Bhima let out a bold roar, bringing joy to Saubhadra.
अथ भीष्मो महास्त्राणि दिव्यानि च बहूनि च। प्रादुश्चक्रे महारौद्रः क्षणे तस्मिन्महाबलः ॥६-४५-२७॥
At that moment, the mighty Bhishma unleashed many great and divine weapons, which were extremely fierce.
ततः शतसहस्रेण सौभद्रं प्रपितामहः। अवाकिरदमेयात्मा शराणां नतपर्वणाम् ॥६-४५-२८॥
Then the great-grandfather, possessing an immeasurable soul, showered a hundred thousand bent-jointed arrows upon Saubhadra.
ततो दश महेष्वासाः पाण्डवानां महारथाः। रक्षार्थमभ्यधावन्त सौभद्रं त्वरिता रथैः ॥६-४५-२९॥
Then ten great archers, the mighty charioteers of the Pandavas, swiftly rushed with their chariots to protect Abhimanyu.
विराटः सह पुत्रेण धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। भीमश्च केकयाश्चैव सात्यकिश्च विशां पते ॥६-४५-३०॥
Virata, along with his son, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, Bhima, the Kekayas, and Satyaki, were present, O lord of men.
जवेनापततां तेषां भीष्मः शान्तनवो रणे। पाञ्चाल्यं त्रिभिरानर्छत्सात्यकिं निशितैः शरैः ॥६-४५-३१॥
With great speed, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, attacked in the battle, piercing Panchalya and Satyaki with three sharp arrows.
पूर्णायतविसृष्टेन क्षुरेण निशितेन च। ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छेद भीमसेनस्य पत्रिणा ॥६-४५-३२॥
He skillfully cut off Bhimasena's flag with a sharp arrow released from a fully drawn bow.
जाम्बूनदमयः केतुः केसरी नरसत्तम। पपात भीमसेनस्य भीष्मेण मथितो रथात् ॥६-४५-३३॥
The golden flag, shaped like a lion, fell from Bhimasena's chariot, having been struck by Bhishma, O best of men.
भीमसेनस्त्रिभिर्विद्ध्वा भीष्मं शान्तनवं रणे। कृपमेकेन विव्याध कृतवर्माणमष्टभिः ॥६-४५-३४॥
In the battle, Bhimasena shot three arrows at Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and then pierced Kripa with one arrow and Kritavarma with eight arrows.
प्रगृहीताग्रहस्तेन वैराटिरपि दन्तिना। अभ्यद्रवत राजानं मद्राधिपतिमुत्तरः ॥६-४५-३५॥
Uttara, the son of Virata, holding the forehand, charged at the king of Madra with his elephant.
तस्य वारणराजस्य जवेनापततो रथी। शल्यो निवारयामास वेगमप्रतिमं रणे ॥६-४५-३६॥
Shalya, the charioteer of the king of elephants, swiftly approached and restrained the unmatched speed in the battle.
तस्य क्रुद्धः स नागेन्द्रो बृहतः साधुवाहिनः। पदा युगमधिष्ठाय जघान चतुरो हयान् ॥६-४५-३७॥
The angry king of serpents, with great strength, mounted the yoke and struck down the four horses of the noble chariot.
स हताश्वे रथे तिष्ठन्मद्राधिपतिरायसीम्। उत्तरान्तकरीं शक्तिं चिक्षेप भुजगोपमाम् ॥६-४५-३८॥
The king of Madras, standing in his chariot with its horses slain, hurled an iron spear that was like a serpent, bringing an end.
तया भिन्नतनुत्राणः प्रविश्य विपुलं तमः। स पपात गजस्कन्धात्प्रमुक्ताङ्कुशतोमरः ॥६-४५-३९॥
He, whose armor was shattered by her, entered the vast darkness and fell from the elephant's back, dropping his goad and spear.
समादाय च शल्योऽसिमवप्लुत्य रथोत्तमात्। वारणेन्द्रस्य विक्रम्य चिच्छेदाथ महाकरम् ॥६-४५-४०॥
Śalya, taking his sword, leapt from his magnificent chariot, approached the mighty elephant lord, and severed its great trunk.
भिन्नमर्मा शरव्रातैश्छिन्नहस्तः स वारणः। भीममार्तस्वरं कृत्वा पपात च ममार च ॥६-४५-४१॥
The elephant, struck by numerous arrows and with its trunk severed, let out a terrifying cry of pain before collapsing and dying.
एतदीदृशकं कृत्वा मद्रराजो महारथः। आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं भास्वरं कृतवर्मणः ॥६-४५-४२॥
After accomplishing such a feat, the king of Madra, a renowned chariot-warrior, swiftly mounted the radiant chariot belonging to Kṛtavarma.
उत्तरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा वैराटिर्भ्रातरं शुभम्। कृतवर्मणा च सहितं दृष्ट्वा शल्यमवस्थितम् ॥ शङ्खः क्रोधात्प्रजज्वाल हविषा हव्यवाडिव ॥६-४५-४३॥
Upon witnessing the death of Uttara, the son of Virata, along with his noble brother and Kritavarma standing beside Shalya, Shankha was inflamed with rage, resembling a sacrificial fire fed with offerings.
स विस्फार्य महच्चापं कार्तस्वरविभूषितम्। अभ्यधावज्जिघांसन्वै शल्यं मद्राधिपं बली ॥६-४५-४४॥
He stretched his great bow, adorned with gold, and rushed towards Shalya, the king of Madras, with the intent to kill.
महता रथवंशेन समन्तात्परिवारितः। सृजन्बाणमयं वर्षं प्रायाच्छल्यरथं प्रति ॥६-४५-४५॥
He was surrounded by the great chariot army on all sides and proceeded towards Shalya's chariot, unleashing a shower of arrows.
तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य मत्तवारणविक्रमम्। तावकानां रथाः सप्त समन्तात्पर्यवारयन् ॥ मद्रराजं परीप्सन्तो मृत्योर्दंष्ट्रान्तरं गतम् ॥६-४५-४६॥
Seeing him coming with the power of a mad elephant, seven of your chariots surrounded the king of Madra from all directions, trying to save him from the jaws of death.
ततो भीष्मो महाबाहुर्विनद्य जलदो यथा। तालमात्रं धनुर्गृह्य शङ्खमभ्यद्रवद्रणे ॥६-४५-४७॥
Then, mighty-armed Bhishma, roaring like a thunderous cloud, took up his bow and conch and advanced onto the battlefield.
तमुद्यतमुदीक्ष्याथ महेष्वासं महाबलम्। सन्त्रस्ता पाण्डवी सेना वातवेगहतेव नौः ॥६-४५-४८॥
Upon seeing the mighty and great archer raised, the Pandava army was terrified, as if they were a boat struck by a strong wind.
तत्रार्जुनः सन्त्वरितः शङ्खस्यासीत्पुरःसरः। भीष्माद्रक्ष्योऽयमद्येति ततो युद्धमवर्तत ॥६-४५-४९॥
There, Arjuna, in his haste, was at the forefront with his conch. Today, this must be protected from Bhishma, thus the battle commenced.
हाहाकारो महानासीद्योधानां युधि युध्यताम्। तेजस्तेजसि सम्पृक्तमित्येवं विस्मयं ययुः ॥६-४५-५०॥
There was a great uproar among the warriors fighting in the battle. The brilliance of their energies intermingled, and thus they were filled with wonder.
अथ शल्यो गदापाणिरवतीर्य महारथात्। शङ्खस्य चतुरो वाहानहनद्भरतर्षभ ॥६-४५-५१॥
Then Śalya, wielding a mace, descended from his grand chariot and slew the four horses of Shankha, O esteemed Bharata.
स हताश्वाद्रथात्तूर्णं खड्गमादाय विद्रुतः। बीभत्सोः स्यन्दनं प्राप्य ततः शान्तिमविन्दत ॥६-४५-५२॥
He quickly took a sword from the chariot with the slain horses and fled. Upon reaching Arjuna's chariot, he found peace.
ततो भीष्मरथात्तूर्णमुत्पतन्ति पतत्रिणः। यैरन्तरिक्षं भूमिश्च सर्वतः समवस्तृतम् ॥६-४५-५३॥
Then, from Bhishma's chariot, birds swiftly take flight, covering the sky and earth all around.
पाञ्चालानथ मत्स्यांश्च केकयांश्च प्रभद्रकान्। भीष्मः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः पातयामास मार्गणैः ॥६-४५-५४॥
Bhishma, the greatest among warriors, struck down the Panchalas, Matsyas, Kekayas, and Prabhadrakas with his arrows.
उत्सृज्य समरे तूर्णं पाण्डवं सव्यसाचिनम्। अभ्यद्रवत पाञ्चाल्यं द्रुपदं सेनया वृतम् ॥ प्रियं सम्बन्धिनं राजञ्शरानवकिरन्बहून् ॥६-४५-५५॥
Leaving the Pāṇḍava, Arjuna, quickly in the battlefield, he charged towards Drupada, the king of Pāñcāla, who was surrounded by his army, and showered many arrows on his dear relative, O king.
अग्निनेव प्रदग्धानि वनानि शिशिरात्यये। शरदग्धान्यदृश्यन्त सैन्यानि द्रुपदस्य ह ॥ अतिष्ठत रणे भीष्मो विधूम इव पावकः ॥६-४५-५६॥
The armies of Drupada, scorched by the autumn like forests by fire at winter's end, were visible. Bhishma stood in the battle like a smokeless fire.
मध्यंदिने यथादित्यं तपन्तमिव तेजसा। न शेकुः पाण्डवेयस्य योधा भीष्मं निरीक्षितुम् ॥६-४५-५७॥
At midday, the warriors could not gaze upon Bhishma, the son of Pandu, as he shone with the brilliance of the sun.
वीक्षां चक्रुः समन्तात्ते पाण्डवा भयपीडिताः। त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त गावः शीतार्दिता इव ॥६-४५-५८॥
The Pandavas, gripped by fear, looked all around for a savior but found none, much like cows suffering from the cold.
हतविप्रद्रुते सैन्ये निरुत्साहे विमर्दिते। हाहाकारो महानासीत्पाण्डुसैन्येषु भारत ॥६-४५-५९॥
O Bharata, in the army that was killed, scattered, dispirited, and crushed, there was a great uproar among the Pandava forces.
ततो भीष्मः शान्तनवो नित्यं मण्डलकार्मुकः। मुमोच बाणान्दीप्ताग्रानहीनाशीविषानिव ॥६-४५-६०॥
Then Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, always wielding a circular bow, released arrows with blazing tips, resembling venomous snakes.
शरैरेकायनीकुर्वन्दिशः सर्वा यतव्रतः। जघान पाण्डवरथानादिश्यादिश्य भारत ॥६-४५-६१॥
With his arrows, the disciplined warrior made all directions one and destroyed the Pandava chariots, repeatedly pointing them out, O Bharata.
ततः सैन्येषु भग्नेषु मथितेषु च सर्वशः। प्राप्ते चास्तं दिनकरे न प्राज्ञायत किञ्चन ॥६-४५-६२॥
Then, when the armies were completely broken and crushed, and the sun had set, nothing was visible.
भीष्मं च समुदीर्यन्तं दृष्ट्वा पार्था महाहवे। अवहारमकुर्वन्त सैन्यानां भरतर्षभ ॥६-४५-६३॥
O best of the Bharatas, having seen Bhishma loudly uttering in the great battle, the sons of Pritha retreated their armies.
