06.051
Pancharatra and Core: Late afternoon, a fight between Abhimanyu and Lakshmana; Kauravas retreat for the day, as Pandavas gain the upper hand.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
गतापराह्णभूयिष्ठे तस्मिन्नहनि भारत। रथनागाश्वपत्तीनां सादिनां च महाक्षये ॥६-५१-१॥
In the late afternoon of that day, O Bharata, there was a great destruction involving chariots, elephants, horses, foot soldiers, and riders.
द्रोणपुत्रेण शल्येन कृपेण च महात्मना। समसज्जत पाञ्चाल्यस्त्रिभिरेतैर्महारथैः ॥६-५१-२॥
The Panchala prince was aligned in battle formation by Drona's son, Shalya, and Kripa, the great soul, along with these three great charioteers.
स लोकविदितानश्वान्निजघान महाबलः। द्रौणेः पाञ्चालदायादः शितैर्दशभिराशुगैः ॥६-५१-३॥
The mighty heir of the Panchalas, son of Drona, killed the renowned horses with ten sharp and swift arrows.
ततः शल्यरथं तूर्णमास्थाय हतवाहनः। द्रौणिः पाञ्चालदायादमभ्यवर्षदथेषुभिः ॥६-५१-४॥
Then, Drona's son, whose vehicle was destroyed, quickly mounted Shalya's chariot and showered arrows upon the heir of the Panchalas.
धृष्टद्युम्नं तु संसक्तं द्रौणिना दृश्य भारत। सौभद्रोऽभ्यपतत्तूर्णं विकिरन्निशिताञ्शरान् ॥६-५१-५॥
Observing Dhṛṣṭadyumna engaged in battle with Droṇa's son, Abhimanyu swiftly advanced, showering sharp arrows.
स शल्यं पञ्चविंशत्या कृपं च नवभिः शरैः। अश्वत्थामानमष्टाभिर्विव्याध पुरुषर्षभ ॥६-५१-६॥
The best among men pierced Śalya with twenty-five arrows, Kṛpa with nine arrows, and Aśvatthāmā with eight arrows.
आर्जुनिं तु ततस्तूर्णं द्रौणिर्विव्याध पत्रिणा। शल्यो द्वादशभिश्चैव कृपश्च निशितैस्त्रिभिः ॥६-५१-७॥
Drona's son quickly attacked Arjuna with arrows, while Shalya struck with twelve and Kripa with three sharp arrows.
लक्ष्मणस्तव पौत्रस्तु तव पौत्रमवस्थितम्। अभ्यवर्तत संहृष्टस्ततो युद्धमवर्तत ॥६-५१-८॥
Lakshmana, your grandson, stood there, but your grandson approached joyfully; then the battle commenced.
दौर्योधनिस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धः सौभद्रं नवभिः शरैः। विव्याध समरे राजंस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥६-५१-९॥
Duryodhana, in his anger, struck Abhimanyu with nine arrows during the battle, O king, and it seemed quite astonishing.
अभिमन्युस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धो भ्रातरं भरतर्षभ। शरैः पञ्चाशता राजन्क्षिप्रहस्तोऽभ्यविध्यत ॥६-५१-१०॥
Abhimanyu, in his fury, swiftly shot fifty arrows at his brother, demonstrating his quick-handed skill, O best of the Bharatas.
लक्ष्मणोऽपि ततस्तस्य धनुश्चिच्छेद पत्रिणा। मुष्टिदेशे महाराज तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥६-५१-११॥
Lakshmana, with his arrow, cut off his bow at the grip, O great king, and then the people cried out in astonishment.
तद्विहाय धनुश्छिन्नं सौभद्रः परवीरहा। अन्यदादत्तवांश्चित्रं कार्मुकं वेगवत्तरम् ॥६-५१-१२॥
The son of Subhadra, having left behind his broken bow, took up another bow that was more wonderful and powerful.
तौ तत्र समरे हृष्टौ कृतप्रतिकृतैषिणौ। अन्योन्यं विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैर्जघ्नतुः पुरुषर्षभौ ॥६-५१-१३॥
The two warriors, joyful and eager to counteract each other, fought fiercely in the battle with sharp arrows, like bulls among men.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा दृष्ट्वा पुत्रं महारथम्। पीडितं तव पौत्रेण प्रायात्तत्र जनेश्वरः ॥६-५१-१४॥
Then King Duryodhana, upon seeing his son, the great warrior, afflicted by your grandson, departed to that place, O lord of the people.
संनिवृत्ते तव सुते सर्व एव जनाधिपाः। आर्जुनिं रथवंशेन समन्तात्पर्यवारयन् ॥६-५१-१५॥
As your son returned, all the kings surrounded Arjuna with their chariots from all sides.
स तैः परिवृतः शूरैः शूरो युधि सुदुर्जयैः। न स्म विव्यथते राजन्कृष्णतुल्यपराक्रमः ॥६-५१-१६॥
Surrounded by mighty warriors, the hero, equal in valor to Krishna, remained unshaken in battle, O king.
सौभद्रमथ संसक्तं तत्र दृष्ट्वा धनञ्जयः। अभिदुद्राव सङ्क्रुद्धस्त्रातुकामः स्वमात्मजम् ॥६-५१-१७॥
Upon seeing his son Abhimanyu engaged in battle, Arjuna, filled with anger and a desire to protect him, rushed forward.
ततः सरथनागाश्वा भीष्मद्रोणपुरोगमाः। अभ्यवर्तन्त राजानः सहिताः सव्यसाचिनम् ॥६-५१-१८॥
Then the kings, led by Bhishma and Drona, advanced together with their chariots, elephants, and horses towards Arjuna.
उद्धूतं सहसा भौमं नागाश्वरथसादिभिः। दिवाकरपथं प्राप्य रजस्तीव्रमदृश्यत ॥६-५१-१९॥
The dust, suddenly raised by elephants, horses, chariots, and others, reached the sun's path and appeared intensely.
तानि नागसहस्राणि भूमिपालशतानि च। तस्य बाणपथं प्राप्य नाभ्यवर्तन्त सर्वशः ॥६-५१-२०॥
The thousands of elephants and hundreds of kings, once they reached his path of arrows, did not return at all.
प्रणेदुः सर्वभूतानि बभूवुस्तिमिरा दिशः। कुरूणामनयस्तीव्रः समदृश्यत दारुणः ॥६-५१-२१॥
All beings resounded with fear; the directions turned dark. The intense misfortune of the Kurus appeared dreadful.
नाप्यन्तरिक्षं न दिशो न भूमिर्न च भास्करः। प्रजज्ञे भरतश्रेष्ठ शरसङ्घैः किरीटिनः ॥६-५१-२२॥
O best of the Bharatas, neither the sky, nor the directions, nor the earth, nor even the sun was visible because of the multitude of arrows shot by the crowned warrior.
सादितध्वजनागास्तु हताश्वा रथिनो भृशम्। विप्रद्रुतरथाः केचिद्दृश्यन्ते रथयूथपाः ॥६-५१-२३॥
The elephants with their flags struck down and the charioteers with their horses killed are seen in great numbers. Some of the chariot leaders are seen fleeing.
विरथा रथिनश्चान्ये धावमानाः समन्ततः। तत्र तत्रैव दृश्यन्ते सायुधाः साङ्गदैर्भुजैः ॥६-५१-२४॥
Other charioteers, without their chariots, are seen running all around there, indeed, armed with weapons and clubs in their hands.
हयारोहा हयांस्त्यक्त्वा गजारोहाश्च दन्तिनः। अर्जुनस्य भयाद्राजन्समन्ताद्विप्रदुद्रुवुः ॥६-५१-२५॥
The horsemen left their horses, and the elephant riders left their elephants, fleeing in all directions out of fear of Arjuna, O king.
रथेभ्यश्च गजेभ्यश्च हयेभ्यश्च नराधिपाः। पतिताः पात्यमानाश्च दृश्यन्तेऽर्जुनताडिताः ॥६-५१-२६॥
The kings are seen falling from their chariots, elephants, and horses, struck down by Arjuna's attack.
सगदानुद्यतान्बाहून्सखड्गांश्च विशां पते। सप्रासांश्च सतूणीरान्सशरान्सशरासनान् ॥६-५१-२७॥
O lord of men, warriors stood with their arms raised, equipped with maces, swords, spears, quivers, arrows, and bows.
साङ्कुशान्सपताकांश्च तत्र तत्रार्जुनो नृणाम्। निचकर्त शरैरुग्रै रौद्रं बिभ्रद्वपुस्तदा ॥६-५१-२८॥
Arjuna, in his fierce form, moved through the battlefield, cutting down men equipped with hooks and banners with his deadly arrows.
परिघाणां प्रवृद्धानां मुद्गराणां च मारिष। प्रासानां भिण्डिपालानां निस्त्रिंशानां च संयुगे ॥६-५१-२९॥
O prince, in battle, there are iron clubs that have grown, hammers, spears, clubs, and swords.
परश्वधानां तीक्ष्णानां तोमराणां च भारत। वर्मणां चापविद्धानां कवचानां च भूतले ॥६-५१-३०॥
O Bharata, sharp axes, spears, and armors pierced by arrows, along with coats of mail, lay scattered on the ground.
ध्वजानां चर्मणां चैव व्यजनानां च सर्वशः। छत्राणां हेमदण्डानां चामराणां च भारत ॥६-५१-३१॥
O Bharata, there were flags, skins, and fans everywhere; umbrellas with golden handles and chowries were also present.
प्रतोदानां कशानां च योक्त्राणां चैव मारिष। राशयश्चात्र दृश्यन्ते विनिकीर्णा रणक्षितौ ॥६-५१-३२॥
O venerable one, you can see heaps of goads, whips, and reins scattered all over the battlefield.
नासीत्तत्र पुमान्कश्चित्तव सैन्यस्य भारत। योऽर्जुनं समरे शूरं प्रत्युद्यायात्कथञ्चन ॥६-५१-३३॥
O Bhārata, there was no one in your army who could stand against the heroic Arjuna in battle.
यो यो हि समरे पार्थं पत्युद्याति विशां पते। स स वै विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैः परलोकाय नीयते ॥६-५१-३४॥
Whoever dares to confront Arjuna in battle, O lord of men, is inevitably taken to the afterlife by sharp arrows.
तेषु विद्रवमाणेषु तव योधेषु सर्वशः। अर्जुनो वासुदेवश्च दध्मतुर्वारिजोत्तमौ ॥६-५१-३५॥
As all your warriors were fleeing, Arjuna and Vasudeva blew their conches, the best among them.
तत्प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा पिता देवव्रतस्तव। अब्रवीत्समरे शूरं भारद्वाजं स्मयन्निव ॥६-५१-३६॥
Seeing your army shattered, your father Devavrata, with a smile, addressed the valiant Bharadvaja in the battlefield.
एष पाण्डुसुतो वीरः कृष्णेन सहितो बली। तथा करोति सैन्यानि यथा कुर्याद्धनञ्जयः ॥६-५१-३७॥
This valiant son of Pandu, along with Krishna, organizes the forces just as Arjuna would.
न ह्येष समरे शक्यो जेतुमद्य कथञ्चन। यथास्य दृश्यते रूपं कालान्तकयमोपमम् ॥६-५१-३८॥
It is impossible to defeat him in battle today, as he appears like Yama, the god of death at the end of time.
न निवर्तयितुं चापि शक्येयं महती चमूः। अन्योन्यप्रेक्षया पश्य द्रवतीयं वरूथिनी ॥६-५१-३९॥
This great army cannot be turned back; see how this troop is fleeing in confusion by looking at each other.
एष चास्तं गिरिश्रेष्ठं भानुमान्प्रतिपद्यते। वपूंषि सर्वलोकस्य संहरन्निव सर्वथा ॥६-५१-४०॥
The sun sets behind the best of mountains, appearing to withdraw all forms of the worlds completely.
तत्रावहारं सम्प्राप्तं मन्येऽहं पुरुषर्षभ। श्रान्ता भीताश्च नो योधा न योत्स्यन्ति कथञ्चन ॥६-५१-४१॥
I believe, O best of men, that the withdrawal has occurred there. Our warriors, being tired and frightened, will not engage in battle in any way.
एवमुक्त्वा ततो भीष्मो द्रोणमाचार्यसत्तमम्। अवहारमथो चक्रे तावकानां महारथः ॥६-५१-४२॥
After speaking thus, Bhishma, the great chariot-warrior, instructed Drona, the best of teachers, to retreat on your side.
ततोऽवहारः सैन्यानां तव तेषां च भारत। अस्तं गच्छति सूर्येऽभूत्सन्ध्याकाले च वर्तति ॥६-५१-४३॥
Then, O Bharata, as the sun set and twilight descended, the withdrawal of both your and their armies took place.
