06.048
Pancharatra and Core: Witnessing the extraordinary prowess of Arjuna and Bhishma, all creatures were struck with wonder on the battlefield.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
evaṃ vyūḍheṣvanīkeṣu māmakeṣvitareṣu ca। kathaṃ praharatāṃ śreṣṭhāḥ sampradhāraṃ pracakrire ॥6-48-1॥
In the arranged armies, both mine and others, how did the best of the fighters commence the battle?
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
samaṁ vyūḍheṣvanīkeṣu saṁnaddhā ruciradhvajāḥ। apāramiva saṁdṛśya sāgarapratimaṁ balam ॥6-48-2॥
The army, arrayed equally in the formations, equipped with beautiful flags, appeared boundless like an ocean.
teṣāṃ madhye sthito rājā putro duryodhanastava। abravīttāvakānsarvānyudhyadhvamiti daṃśitāḥ ॥6-48-3॥
In the midst of them stood your son, King Duryodhana, who angrily said to all your people, "Fight."
te manaḥ krūram āsthāya samabhityaktajīvitāḥ। pāṇḍavān abhyavartanta sarva evochritadhvajāḥ ॥6-48-4॥
They, with a cruel resolve and having forsaken their lives, advanced towards the Pandavas, all with their flags raised high.
tato yuddhaṁ samabhavattumulaṁ lomaharṣaṇam। tāvakānāṁ pareṣāṁ ca vyatiṣaktarathadvipam ॥6-48-5॥
Then a fierce and terrifying battle ensued, with chariots and elephants of both your side and the enemies intermingled.
muktāstu rathibhirbāṇā rukmapuṅkhāḥ sutejanāḥ। saṃnipeturakuṇṭhāgrā nāgeṣu ca hayeṣu ca ॥6-48-6॥
The charioteers released arrows that were golden-feathered and well-sharpened, which fell with sharp points on both the elephants and the horses.
tathā pravṛtte saṅgrāme dhanurudyamya daṃśitaḥ। abhipatya mahābāhurbhīṣmo bhīmaparākramaḥ ॥6-48-7॥
As the battle began, the mighty-armed Bhishma, known for his terrible prowess, raised his bow and, with determination, attacked.
saubhadre bhīmasene ca śaineye ca mahārathe। kekaye ca virāṭe ca dhṛṣṭadyumne ca pārṣate ॥6-48-8॥
To Saubhadra, Bhīmasena, Śaineya, the great chariot-warrior, Kekaya, Virāṭa, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and the son of Pr̥ṣata.
eteṣu naravīreṣu cedimatsyeṣu cābhitaḥ। vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi vṛddhaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ ॥6-48-9॥
The old grandsire of the Kurus showered arrows upon the heroes among the Cedis and Matsyas.
prākampata mahāvyūhastasminvīrasamāgame। sarveṣāmeva sainyānāmāsīdvyatikaro mahān ॥6-48-10॥
In that heroic assembly, the great formation trembled, and there was a significant confusion among all the armies.
sāditadhvajanāgāśca hatapravaravājinaḥ। viprayātarathānīkāḥ samapadyanta pāṇḍavāḥ ॥6-48-11॥
The Pāṇḍavas found themselves in a situation where their flags and elephants were struck down, their finest horses were killed, and their chariots and troops were scattered.
arjunastu naravyāghro dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmaṃ mahāratham। vārṣṇeyamabravītkruddho yāhi yatra pitāmahaḥ ॥6-48-12॥
Arjuna, known as the tiger among men, upon seeing the great warrior Bhishma, angrily instructed Krishna to proceed towards the grandfather.
eṣa bhīṣmaḥ susaṅkruddho vārṣṇeya mama vāhinīm। nāśayiṣyati suvyaktaṃ duryodhanahite rataḥ ॥6-48-13॥
Bhishma, in his great anger, is determined to destroy my forces for the sake of Duryodhana, O descendant of Vrishni.
eṣa droṇaḥ kṛpaḥ śalyo vikarṇaśca janārdana। dhārtarāṣṭrāśca sahitā duryodhanapurogamāḥ ॥6-48-14॥
Here are Droṇa, Kṛpa, Śalya, Vikarṇa, and Janārdana. The sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra are assembled together, led by Duryodhana.
pāñcālānnihaniṣyanti rakṣitā dṛḍhadhanvanā। so'haṃ bhīṣmaṃ gamiṣyāmi sainyahetorjanārdana ॥6-48-15॥
The Panchalas, protected by the strong bowman, will be destroyed. Therefore, O Janardana, I will go to Bhishma for the sake of the army.
tam abravīd vāsudevo yatto bhava dhanañjaya। eṣa tvā prāpaye vīra pitāmaha-rathaṃ prati ॥6-48-16॥
Vasudeva instructed Arjuna to be ready, as the hero would guide him to the chariot of Bhishma, the grandfather.
evamuktvā tataḥ śaurī rathaṃ taṃ lokaviśrutam। prāpayāmāsa bhīṣmāya rathaṃ prati janeśvara ॥6-48-17॥
Having said this, Krishna then drove the famous chariot towards Bhishma, O King.
cañcadbahupatākena balākāvarṇavājinā। samucchritamahābhīmanadadvānaraketunā ॥ mahatā meghanādena rathenādityavarcasā ॥6-48-18॥
The chariot, adorned with fluttering flags and drawn by crane-colored horses, bore a monkey banner raised high, emitting a fearful sound. It moved with the great sound of clouds and shone with the splendor of the sun.
vinighnankauravānīkaṃ śūrasenāṃśca pāṇḍavaḥ। āyāccharānnudañśīghraṃ suhṛcchoṣavināśanaḥ ॥6-48-19॥
The Pandava heroically destroyed the Kaurava army and the Shurasenas, swiftly coming forward and dispelling the arrows, acting as the savior of his distressed friends.
tam āpatantaṃ vegena prabhinnam iva vāraṇam। trāsayānaṃ raṇe śūrān pātayantaṃ ca sāyakaiḥ ॥6-48-20॥
He approached with the speed of a broken elephant, instilling fear in the warriors on the battlefield and causing them to fall with his arrows.
saindhavapramukhairguptaḥ prācyasauvīrakekayaiḥ। sahasā pratyudīyāya bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo'rjunam ॥6-48-21॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, suddenly advanced towards Arjuna, protected by the leaders of the Sindhu, and the eastern Sauvīras and Kekayas.
ko hi gāṇḍīvadhanvānamanyaḥ kurupitāmahāt। droṇavaikartanābhyāṃ vā rathaḥ saṃyātumarhati ॥6-48-22॥
Who else but the wielder of the Gandiva bow can face the grandsire of the Kurus, Drona, and Karna in battle?
tato bhīṣmo mahārāja kauravāṇāṃ pitāmahaḥ। arjunaṃ saptasaptyā nārācānāṃ samāvṛṇot ॥6-48-23॥
Then, O great king, Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kauravas, showered Arjuna with seventy-seven arrows.
droṇaśca pañcaviṃśatyā kṛpaḥ pañcāśatā śaraiḥ। duryodhanaścatuḥṣaṣṭyā śalyaśca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-48-24॥
Drona, Kripa, Duryodhana, and Shalya attacked with their respective number of arrows: twenty-five, fifty, sixty-four, and nine.
saindhavo navabhiś cāpi śakuniś cāpi pañcabhiḥ। vikarṇo daśabhir bhallai rājan vivyādha pāṇḍavam ॥6-48-25॥
Saindhava, along with nine arrows, and Shakuni with five, and Vikarna with ten arrows, attacked the Pandava, O king.
sa tairviddho maheṣvāsaḥ samantānniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। na vivyathe mahābāhurbhidyamāna ivācalaḥ ॥6-48-26॥
The mighty-armed great archer, though pierced by sharp arrows from all directions, stood unshaken like a mountain.
sa bhīṣmaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṛpaṃ ca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ। droṇaṃ ṣaṣṭyā naravyāghro vikarṇaṃ ca tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-48-27॥
He attacked Bhishma with twenty-five arrows, Kripa with nine, Drona with sixty, and Vikarna with three arrows.
ārtāyaniṁ tribhirbāṇai rājānaṁ cāpi pañcabhiḥ। pratyavidhyadameyātmā kirīṭī bharatarṣabha ॥6-48-28॥
The one with a crown, possessing an immeasurable soul, pierced Ārtāyanin with three arrows and the king with five, O bull among the Bharatas.
taṃ sātyakirvirāṭaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ। draupadeyābhimanyuśca parivavrurdhanañjayam ॥6-48-29॥
Satyaki, Virata, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, the sons of Draupadi, and Abhimanyu surrounded Arjuna (Dhananjaya).
tato droṇaṃ maheṣvāsaṃ gāṅgeyasya priye ratam। abhyavarṣata pāñcālyaḥ saṃyuktaḥ saha somakaiḥ ॥6-48-30॥
Then the Pāñcāla prince, along with the Somakas, attacked Droṇa, the great archer, who was beloved by the son of Gaṅgā.
bhīṣmastu rathināṃ śreṣṭhastūrṇaṃ vivyādha pāṇḍavam। aśītyā niśitairbāṇaistato'krośanta tāvakāḥ ॥6-48-31॥
Bhishma, the greatest among charioteers, swiftly struck the Pandava with eighty sharp arrows, causing your people to cry out in alarm.
teṣāṃ tu ninadaṃ śrutvā prahṛṣṭānāṃ prahṛṣṭavat। praviveśa tato madhyaṃ rathasiṃhaḥ pratāpavān ॥6-48-32॥
Upon hearing the sound of their delight, the glorious lion among charioteers entered the center, exuding joy like the delighted ones.
teṣāṃ tu rathasiṃhānāṃ madhyaṃ prāpya dhanañjayaḥ। cikrīḍa dhanuṣā rājaṁllakṣyaṃ kṛtvā mahārathān ॥6-48-33॥
Arjuna, having reached the midst of the lion-like warriors, skillfully played with his bow, making the great charioteers his target, O king.
tato duryodhano rājā bhīṣmamāha janeśvaraḥ। pīḍyamānaṃ svakaṃ sainyaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārthena saṃyuge ॥6-48-34॥
Then King Duryodhana, observing his army being overwhelmed by Arjuna in the battle, spoke to Bhishma, the lord of the people.
eṣa pāṇḍusutastāta kṛṣṇena sahito balī। yatatāṃ sarvasainyānāṃ mūlaṃ naḥ parikṛntati ॥ tvayi jīvati gāṅgeye droṇe ca rathināṃ vare ॥6-48-35॥
This strong son of Pandu, dear, accompanied by Krishna, is cutting off the root of all our armies' efforts. As long as you live, O son of Ganga, and Drona, the best among charioteers, our efforts are in vain.
tvatkṛte hyeṣa karṇo'pi nyastaśastro mahārathaḥ। na yudhyati raṇe pārthaṃ hitakāmaḥ sadā mama ॥6-48-36॥
For your sake, this great warrior Karṇa, who has laid down his weapons, refrains from fighting Arjuna in battle, as he always desires my welfare.
sa tathā kuru gāṅgeya yathā hanyeta phalgunaḥ। evamuktastato rājanpitā devavratas tava ॥ dhikkṣatradharmamityuktvā yayau pārtharathaṃ prati ॥6-48-37॥
He, therefore, O son of Ganga, act in such a way that Arjuna may be slain. Thus addressed, then, O king, your father Devavrata, having exclaimed "Shame on the warrior's duty", proceeded towards Arjuna's chariot.
ubhau śvetahayau rājan saṁsaktau dṛśya pārthivāḥ। siṁhanādānbhṛśaṁ cakruḥ śaṅkhaśabdāṁśca bhārata ॥6-48-38॥
O King, both the princes with white horses, engaged in making themselves visible, produced loud lion-like roars and intensely blew their conches, O Bharata.
drauṇirduryodhanaścaiva vikarṇaśca tavātmajaḥ। parivārya raṇe bhīṣmaṃ sthitā yuddhāya māriṣa ॥6-48-39॥
Drona's son, Duryodhana, Vikarna, and your son surrounded Bhishma on the battlefield, ready to fight, O great one.
tathaiva pāṇḍavāḥ sarve parivārya dhanañjayam। sthitā yuddhāya mahate tato yuddhamavartata ॥6-48-40॥
Similarly, all the Pandavas, having surrounded Arjuna, stood ready for the great battle, and then the battle began.
gāṅgeyastu raṇe pārthamānarṣannavabhiḥ śaraiḥ। tamarjunaḥ pratyavidhyaddaśabhirmarmavedhibhiḥ ॥6-48-41॥
In the battle, Bhishma, the son of Ganga, attacked Arjuna with nine arrows. In return, Arjuna struck Bhishma with ten arrows, aiming at his vital points.
tataḥ śarasahasreṇa suprayuktena pāṇḍavaḥ। arjunaḥ samaraślāghī bhīṣmasyāvārayaddiśaḥ ॥6-48-42॥
Then Arjuna, the son of Pandu, renowned for his battle prowess, skillfully blocked all directions of Bhishma with thousands of arrows.
śarajālaṃ tatastattu śarajālena kaurava। vārayāmāsa pārthasya bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavastathā ॥6-48-43॥
Then Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, restrained the Kaurava with a net of arrows, thus protecting Partha.
ubhau paramasaṁhṛṣṭāvubhau yuddhābhinandinau। nirviśeṣamayudhyetāṁ kṛtapratikṛtaiṣiṇau ॥6-48-44॥
Both warriors, filled with immense joy and enthusiasm for battle, engaged in combat without discrimination, each eager to counter the other's moves.
bhīṣmacāpavimuktāni śarajālāni saṅghaśaḥ। śīryamāṇānyadṛśyanta bhinnānyarjunasāyakaiḥ ॥6-48-45॥
The swarms of arrows released from Bhishma's bow were seen being shattered and broken by Arjuna's arrows in groups.
tathaivārjunamuktāni śarajālāni bhāgaśaḥ। gāṅgeyaśaranunnāni nyapatanta mahītale ॥6-48-46॥
The volleys of arrows released by Arjuna, in parts, were pierced by Bhishma's arrows and fell to the ground.
arjunaḥ pañcaviṃśatyā bhīṣmamārccchachitaiḥ śaraiḥ। bhīṣmo'pi samare pārthaṃ vivyādha triṃśatā śaraiḥ ॥6-48-47॥
Arjuna attacked Bhishma with twenty-five arrows, and in return, Bhishma struck Arjuna with thirty arrows during the battle.
anyonyasya hayānviddhvā dhvajau ca sumahābalau। ratheṣāṃ rathacakre ca cikrīḍaturarindamau ॥6-48-48॥
The two mighty warriors, subduers of enemies, engaged in a fierce battle, skillfully maneuvering their chariots and striking at each other's horses and flags.
tataḥ kruddho mahārāja bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṃ varaḥ। vāsudevaṃ tribhirbāṇairājaghāna stanāntare ॥6-48-49॥
Then, the enraged great king Bhishma, the best among warriors, struck Vasudeva in the chest with three arrows.
bhīṣmacāpyutairbāṇairnirviddho madhusūdanaḥ। virarāja raṇe rājansapuṣpa iva kiṃśukaḥ ॥6-48-50॥
O king, Madhusudana, pierced by the arrows released by Bhishma, shone in the battlefield like a Kimshuka tree in full bloom.
tato'rjuno bhṛśaṃ kruddho nirviddhaṃ prekṣya mādhavam। gāṅgeyasārathiṃ saṅkhye nirbibheda tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-48-51॥
Then Arjuna, seeing Madhava pierced and becoming intensely angry, pierced Bhishma's charioteer in the battle with three arrows.
yatamānau tu tau vīrāvanyonyasya vadhaṃ prati। nāśaknutāṃ tadānyonyamabhisandhātumāhave ॥6-48-52॥
The two heroes, though striving for each other's death, were unable to attack one another in the battle at that time.
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi gatapratyāgatāni ca। adarśayetāṃ bahudhā sūtasāmarthyalāghavāt ॥6-48-53॥
The charioteer skillfully demonstrated various circles, showing them in many ways as they went and returned, showcasing his agility and expertise.
antaraṁ ca prahāreṣu tarkayantau mahārathau। rājannantaramārgasthau sthitāvāstāṁ muhurmuhuḥ ॥6-48-54॥
The great charioteers, repeatedly assessing the gaps in the attacks, stood firm in those gaps, O king, time and again.
ubhau siṁharavonmiśraṁ śaṅkhaśabdaṁ pracakratuḥ। tathaiva cāpanirghoṣaṁ cakratustau mahārathau ॥6-48-55॥
Both the warriors, like great charioteers, created a sound that was a mix of lion's roar and conch, and similarly, they made the sound of the bow's twang.
tayoḥ śaṅkhapraṇādena rathanemisvanena ca। dāritā sahasā bhūmiścakampa ca nanāda ca ॥6-48-56॥
The earth shook and echoed with the sudden sound of their conches and chariot wheels.
na tayorantaraṃ kaściddadṛśe bharatarṣabha। balinau samare śūrāvanyonyasadṛśāvubhau ॥6-48-57॥
O best of the Bharatas, no one could discern any difference between the two mighty heroes in battle, as they were both equally matched.
cihnamātreṇa bhīṣmaṃ tu prajajñustatra kauravāḥ। tathā pāṇḍusutāḥ pārthaṃ cihnamātreṇa jajñire ॥6-48-58॥
The Kauravas recognized Bhishma by mere signs, and similarly, the sons of Pandu recognized Arjuna.
tayor nṛvarayo rājan dṛśya tādṛk parākramam। vismayaṃ sarvabhūtāni jagmur bhārata saṃyuge ॥6-48-59॥
O King, witnessing the extraordinary prowess of those two great warriors, all creatures were struck with wonder in the battlefield, O descendant of Bharata.
na tayor vivaraṃ kaścid raṇe paśyati bhārata। dharme sthitasya hi yathā na kaścid vṛjinaṃ kvacit ॥6-48-60॥
O Bharata, in battle, no one perceives any weakness in them, just as no one finds any fault in a person who is steadfast in righteousness.
ubhau hi śarajālena tāvadṛśyau babhūvatuḥ। prakāśau ca punastūrṇaṃ babhūvaturubhau raṇe ॥6-48-61॥
Both warriors were momentarily hidden by the shower of arrows, but soon they reappeared clearly on the battlefield.
tatra devāḥ sagandharvāś cāraṇāś ca saharṣibhiḥ। anyonyaṃ pratyabhāṣanta tayor dṛṣṭvā parākramam ॥6-48-62॥
There, the gods, Gandharvas, Charanas, and sages spoke among themselves, witnessing the valor of the two.
na śakyau yudhi saṁrabdhau jetumetau mahārathau। sadevāsuragandharvairlokairapi kathaṁcana ॥6-48-63॥
In battle, these two great warriors, who are excited, cannot be conquered by anyone, not even by gods, demons, Gandharvas, or any beings in the worlds.
āścaryabhūtaṃ lokeṣu yuddhametanmahādbhutam। naitādṛśāni yuddhāni bhaviṣyanti kathaṃcana ॥6-48-64॥
This battle is a marvel in the worlds, and such a battle will never happen again.
nāpi śakyo raṇe jetuṃ bhīṣmaḥ pārthena dhīmatā। sadhanuśca rathasthaśca pravapansāyakānraṇe ॥6-48-65॥
Even the wise Partha cannot conquer Bhishma in battle, as he stands on his chariot with his bow, showering arrows.
tathaiva pāṇḍavaṃ yuddhe devairapi durāsadam। na vijetuṃ raṇe bhīṣma utsaheta dhanurdharam ॥6-48-66॥
Similarly, even the gods find it hard to defeat Pāṇḍava in battle. Bhīṣma, the great archer, would not be able to overcome him in combat.
iti sma vācaḥ śrūyante proccarantyastatastataḥ। gāṅgeyārjunayoḥ saṅkhye stavayuktā viśāṃ pate ॥6-48-67॥
Thus, indeed, words filled with praise for Ganga's son and Arjuna are heard loudly from all directions in the battlefield, O lord of men.
tvadīyāstu tato yodhāḥ pāṇḍaveyāśca bhārata। anyonyaṃ samare jaghnustayostatra parākrame ॥6-48-68॥
In the battle, your warriors and the Pandavas fought valiantly against each other, O Bharata.
śitadhāraistathā khaḍgairvimalaiśca paraśvadhaiḥ। śarairanyaśca bahubhiḥ śastrairnānāvidhairyudhi ॥ ubhayoḥ senayorvīrā nyakṛntanta parasparam ॥6-48-69॥
The warriors from both sides, armed with sharp-edged swords, pure axes, arrows, and various other weapons, engaged in battle, cutting each other down.
vartamāne tathā ghore tasminyuddhe sudāruṇe। droṇapāñcālyayo rājanmahānāsītsamāgamaḥ ॥6-48-70॥
In the ongoing fierce and terrible battle, O king, there was a significant encounter between Drona and the Panchala.
