06.049
Core and Pancharatra: Drona and Drishtadyumna, two warriors stained with blood, shone brightly. When Dristadyumna loses his chariot, Bhima takes him away.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
कथं द्रोणो महेष्वासः पाञ्चाल्यश्चापि पार्षतः। रणे समीयतुर्यत्तौ तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-४९-१॥
Sanjaya, tell me how Droṇa, the great archer, and the son of Panchala, who is also the son of Prishata, encountered each other in the battle.
दिष्टमेव परं मन्ये पौरुषादपि सञ्जय। यत्र शान्तनवो भीष्मो नातरद्युधि पाण्डवम् ॥६-४९-२॥
Sanjaya, I believe that fate is ultimately more powerful than human effort. This is evident where Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, could not defeat the Pandava in battle.
भीष्मो हि समरे क्रुद्धो हन्याल्लोकांश्चराचरान्। स कथं पाण्डवं युद्धे नातरत्सञ्जयौजसा ॥६-४९-३॥
Bhishma, when enraged in battle, could destroy all worlds, both animate and inanimate. How could he not defeat the Pandava in battle with the might of Sanjaya?
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
शृणु राजन्स्थिरो भूत्वा युद्धमेतत्सुदारुणम्। न शक्यः पाण्डवो जेतुं देवैरपि सवासवैः ॥६-४९-४॥
Listen, O king, stand firm and witness this dreadful battle. The Pāṇḍava cannot be defeated, not even by the gods along with Indra.
द्रोणस्तु निशितैर्बाणैर्धृष्टद्युम्नमयोधयत्। सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत् ॥६-४९-५॥
Drona, with his sharp arrows, engaged in battle with Dhrishtadyumna and struck down his charioteer from the chariot with a well-aimed arrow.
तस्याथ चतुरो वाहांश्चतुर्भिः सायकोत्तमैः। पीडयामास सङ्क्रुद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नस्य मारिष ॥६-४९-६॥
Enraged, he then struck the four horses of Dhrishtadyumna with four excellent arrows, O lord.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो द्रोणं नवत्या निशितैः शरैः। विव्याध प्रहसन्वीरस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥६-४९-७॥
Then Dhṛṣṭadyumna, with a smile, pierced Droṇa with ninety sharp arrows and said, "Stay, stay."
ततः पुनरमेयात्मा भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान्। शरैः प्रच्छादयामास धृष्टद्युम्नममर्षणम् ॥६-४९-८॥
Then, the glorious Bharadvaja, with an immeasurable soul, once again covered the unforgiving Dhrishtadyumna with arrows.
आददे च शरं घोरं पार्षतस्य वधं प्रति। शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शं मृत्युदण्डमिवापरम् ॥६-४९-९॥
He took a dreadful arrow aimed at killing Pārṣata, which was as potent as Indra's thunderbolt, resembling another rod of death.
हाहाकारो महानासीत्सर्वसैन्यस्य भारत। तमिषुं सन्धितं दृष्ट्वा भारद्वाजेन संयुगे ॥६-४९-१०॥
O Bharata, there was a great uproar among all the soldiers when they saw the arrow fixed by Bharadvaja in the battle.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम धृष्टद्युम्नस्य पौरुषम्। यदेकः समरे वीरस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः ॥६-४९-११॥
There, we witnessed the extraordinary bravery of Dhṛṣṭadyumna, who stood alone in the battle like a steadfast mountain.
तं च दीप्तं शरं घोरमायान्तं मृत्युमात्मनः। चिच्छेद शरवृष्टिं च भारद्वाजे मुमोच ह ॥६-४९-१२॥
He cut off that shining arrow, which was approaching terribly like his own death, and indeed released a shower of arrows on Bharadvaja.
तत उच्चुक्रुशुः सर्वे पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवैः सह। धृष्टद्युम्नेन तत्कर्म कृतं दृष्ट्वा सुदुष्करम् ॥६-४९-१३॥
Upon witnessing the challenging feat accomplished by Dhrishtadyumna, all the Panchalas, along with the Pandavas, cried out in unison.
ततः शक्तिं महावेगां स्वर्णवैडूर्यभूषिताम्। द्रोणस्य निधनाकाङ्क्षी चिक्षेप स पराक्रमी ॥६-४९-१४॥
Then, the valiant warrior, eager for Drona's demise, hurled his spear with great speed, which was adorned with gold and cat’s eye gem.
तामापतन्तीं सहसा शक्तिं कनकभूषणाम्। त्रिधा चिक्षेप समरे भारद्वाजो हसन्निव ॥६-४९-१५॥
Bharadvaja, with a smile, suddenly hurled the golden-adorned spear that was approaching, splitting it into three parts in the battle.
शक्तिं विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्। ववर्ष शरवर्षाणि द्रोणं प्रति जनेश्वर ॥६-४९-१६॥
Upon witnessing the fall of power, the valiant Dhṛṣṭadyumna unleashed a barrage of arrows towards Droṇa, O king.
शरवर्षं ततस्तं तु संनिवार्य महायशाः। द्रोणो द्रुपदपुत्रस्य मध्ये चिच्छेद कार्मुकम् ॥६-४९-१७॥
Drona, the greatly renowned, skillfully warded off the shower of arrows and cut off the bow of Drupada's son in the midst of the battle.
स च्छिन्नधन्वा समरे गदां गुर्वीं महायशाः। द्रोणाय प्रेषयामास गिरिसारमयीं बली ॥६-४९-१८॥
In the battle, the greatly renowned and strong warrior, with his bow broken, sent a heavy mace made of mountain essence to Drona.
सा गदा वेगवन्मुक्ता प्रायाद्द्रोणजिघांसया। तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम भारद्वाजस्य विक्रमम् ॥६-४९-१९॥
The swiftly released mace aimed to kill Drona, and there we witnessed the remarkable valor of Bharadvaja.
लाघवाद्व्यंसयामास गदां हेमविभूषिताम्। व्यंसयित्वा गदां तां च प्रेषयामास पार्षते ॥६-४९-२०॥
Because of its lightness, he swung the gold-adorned mace and then sent it towards Pārṣata.
भल्लान्सुनिशितान्पीतान्स्वर्णपुङ्खाञ्शिलाशितान्। ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे ॥६-४९-२१॥
The well-sharpened, yellow, golden-feathered arrows, sharpened on stone, pierced his armor and drank his blood in the battle.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय धृष्टद्युम्नो महामनाः। द्रोणं युधि पराक्रम्य शरैर्विव्याध पञ्चभिः ॥६-४९-२२॥
Then, the great-minded Dhṛṣṭadyumna, taking up another bow, attacked Droṇa in the battle and pierced him with five arrows.
रुधिराक्तौ ततस्तौ तु शुशुभाते नरर्षभौ। वसन्तसमये राजन्पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥६-४९-२३॥
Then those two warriors, stained with blood, shone brightly, O king, like the blossoming Kimshuka trees in spring.
अमर्षितस्ततो राजन्पराक्रम्य चमूमुखे। द्रोणो द्रुपदपुत्रस्य पुनश्चिच्छेद कार्मुकम् ॥६-४९-२४॥
Angered, Droṇa, at the forefront of the battle, attacked and once again cut down the bow of Drupada's son.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। अवाकिरदमेयात्मा वृष्ट्या मेघ इवाचलम् ॥६-४९-२५॥
Then, the immeasurable soul covered him, who had a broken bow, with arrows having bent joints, like a cloud covers a mountain with rain.
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत्। अथास्य चतुरो वाहांश्चतुर्भिर्निशितैः शरैः ॥६-४९-२६॥
He shot an arrow that knocked the charioteer off the chariot seat. Then, using four sharp arrows, he killed his four horses.
पातयामास समरे सिंहनादं ननाद च। ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन हस्ताच्चापमथाच्छिनत् ॥६-४९-२७॥
He let out a lion's roar in the battle and roared. Then, with another arrow, he severed the bow from the hand.
स च्छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः। गदापाणिरवारोहत्ख्यापयन्पौरुषं महत् ॥६-४९-२८॥
He, having his bow broken, chariot destroyed, horses and charioteer killed, descended with a mace in hand, showcasing his great valor.
तामस्य विशिखैस्तूर्णं पातयामास भारत। रथादनवरूढस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥६-४९-२९॥
O Bharata, he swiftly shot him down with arrows from the chariot, and it seemed as if it was a marvel, as he had not yet descended.
ततः स विपुलं चर्म शतचन्द्रं च भानुमत्। खड्गं च विपुलं दिव्यं प्रगृह्य सुभुजो बली ॥६-४९-३०॥
Then he, with his strong arms and great strength, took up a large shield adorned with a hundred moons and a shining, divine sword.
अभिदुद्राव वेगेन द्रोणस्य वधकाङ्क्षया। आमिषार्थी यथा सिंहो वने मत्तमिव द्विपम् ॥६-४९-३१॥
He charged at Drona with great speed, intent on killing him, just as a lion in the forest targets an intoxicated elephant for prey.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम भारद्वाजस्य पौरुषम्। लाघवं चास्त्रयोगं च बलं बाह्वोश्च भारत ॥६-४९-३२॥
There, O Bharata, we witnessed the extraordinary valor, agility, skill in weaponry, and strength of Bharadvaja's arms.
यदेनं शरवर्षेण वारयामास पार्षतम्। न शशाक ततो गन्तुं बलवानपि संयुगे ॥६-४९-३३॥
When he stopped the son of Prishata with a rain of arrows, even the mighty one could not advance in the battle.
तत्र स्थितमपश्याम धृष्टद्युम्नं महारथम्। वारयाणं शरौघांश्च चर्मणा कृतहस्तवत् ॥६-४९-३४॥
There we observed Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the great chariot-warrior, standing firm and skillfully warding off the arrows with his shield, fully prepared for battle.
ततो भीमो महाबाहुः सहसाभ्यपतद्बली। साहाय्यकारी समरे पार्षतस्य महात्मनः ॥६-४९-३५॥
Then the mighty-armed Bhima suddenly rushed to assist the great-souled Parshata in battle.
स द्रोणं निशितैर्बाणै राजन्विव्याध सप्तभिः। पार्षतं च तदा तूर्णमन्यमारोपयद्रथम् ॥६-४९-३६॥
He struck Droṇa with seven sharp arrows, O king, and then swiftly placed Pārṣata on another chariot.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा कलिङ्गं समचोदयत्। सैन्येन महता युक्तं भारद्वाजस्य रक्षणे ॥६-४९-३७॥
Then King Duryodhana commanded the Kalinga forces, well-equipped with a large army, to protect Bharadvaja.
ततः सा महती सेना कलिङ्गानां जनेश्वर। भीममभ्युद्ययौ तूर्णं तव पुत्रस्य शासनात् ॥६-४९-३८॥
Then, O lord of people, the great army of the Kalingas quickly advanced towards Bhima under your son's command.
पाञ्चाल्यमभिसन्त्यज्य द्रोणोऽपि रथिनां वरः। विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ योधयामास सङ्गतौ ॥ धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि समरे धर्मराजं समभ्ययात् ॥६-४९-३९॥
Drona, the best among charioteers, left the land of the Panchalas and engaged in battle with the elderly Virata and Drupada. Meanwhile, Dhrishtadyumna approached Dharmaraja on the battlefield.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। कलिङ्गानां च समरे भीमस्य च महात्मनः ॥ जगतः प्रक्षयकरं घोररूपं भयानकम् ॥६-४९-४०॥
Then a fierce and terrifying battle began between the Kalingas and the great Bhima, which was destructive to the world and instilled fear with its dreadful form.
