06.054
Core and Pancharatra: Bhima smashes Duryodhana, causing him to collapse in the chariot. Along with his charioteer, the Kaurava army retreats. Gaining consciousness, Duryodhana rebukes Bhishma for his weak leadership.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततस्ते पार्थिवाः क्रुद्धाः फल्गुनं वीक्ष्य संयुगे। रथैरनेकसाहस्रैः समन्तात्पर्यवारयन् ॥६-५४-१॥
Then, the enraged kings, upon seeing Arjuna in the battle, surrounded him from all sides with their numerous thousands of chariots.
अथैनं रथवृन्देन कोष्टकीकृत्य भारत। शरैः सुबहुसाहस्रैः समन्तादभ्यवारयन् ॥६-५४-२॥
Then, O Bharata, they surrounded him with a group of chariots and attacked from all sides with countless arrows.
शक्तीश्च विमलास्तीक्ष्णा गदाश्च परिघैः सह। प्रासान्परश्वधांश्चैव मुद्गरान्मुसलानपि ॥ चिक्षिपुः समरे क्रुद्धाः फल्गुनस्य रथं प्रति ॥६-५४-३॥
In the battle, the warriors, in their anger, hurled spears, bright and sharp maces, along with clubs, javelins, battle-axes, hammers, and clubs towards Arjuna's chariot.
शस्त्राणामथ तां वृष्टिं शलभानामिवायतिम्। रुरोध सर्वतः पार्थः शरैः कनकभूषणैः ॥६-५४-४॥
Arjuna, with his golden-ornamented arrows, blocked the entire shower of weapons that was coming from all directions, resembling a swarm of locusts.
तत्र तल्लाघवं दृष्ट्वा बीभत्सोरतिमानुषम्। देवदानवगन्धर्वाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः ॥ साधु साध्विति राजेन्द्र फल्गुनं प्रत्यपूजयन् ॥६-५४-५॥
Upon witnessing the extraordinary agility of Arjuna, which was beyond human capability, the gods, demons, celestial musicians, goblins, serpents, and ogres praised Arjuna, exclaiming "Well done, well done," O king.
सात्यकिं चाभिमन्युं च महत्या सेनया सह। गान्धाराः समरे शूरा रुरुधुः सहसौबलाः ॥६-५४-६॥
Satyaki and Abhimanyu, along with a great army, were heroically blocked in battle by the Gandharas with Saubala.
तत्र सौबलकाः क्रुद्धा वार्ष्णेयस्य रथोत्तमम्। तिलशश्चिच्छिदुः क्रोधाच्छस्त्रैर्नानाविधैर्युधि ॥६-५४-७॥
In that battle, the enraged sons of Subala attacked and shattered the finest chariot of the Vṛṣṇi prince into pieces using a variety of weapons.
सात्यकिस्तु रथं त्यक्त्वा वर्तमाने महाभये। अभिमन्यो रथं तूर्णमारुरोह परन्तपः ॥६-५४-८॥
In the midst of the great danger, Satyaki left his chariot and quickly climbed onto Abhimanyu's chariot, O scorcher of foes.
तावेकरथसंयुक्तौ सौबलेयस्य वाहिनीम्। व्यधमेतां शितैस्तूर्णं शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥६-५४-९॥
The two warriors, united in a single chariot, swiftly attacked the army of Saubala's son with their sharp, well-crafted arrows.
द्रोणभीष्मौ रणे यत्तौ धर्मराजस्य वाहिनीम्। नाशयेतां शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छदैः ॥६-५४-१०॥
In the battle, Drona and Bhishma fiercely attacked and decimated the army of Dharmaraja using sharp arrows adorned with vulture feathers.
ततो धर्मसुतो राजा माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ। मिषतां सर्वसैन्यानां द्रोणानीकमुपाद्रवन् ॥६-५४-११॥
Then, King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, along with the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, launched an attack on Drona's military formation while all the armies watched.
तत्रासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। यथा देवासुरं युद्धं पूर्वमासीत्सुदारुणम् ॥६-५४-१२॥
There was a fierce and terrifying battle, reminiscent of the ancient and dreadful battles between the gods and demons.
कुर्वाणौ तु महत्कर्म भीमसेनघटोत्कचौ। दुर्योधनस्ततोऽभ्येत्य तावुभावभ्यवारयत् ॥६-५४-१३॥
While Bhimasena and Ghatotkacha were engaged in great deeds, Duryodhana approached and halted them both.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम हैडिम्बस्य पराक्रमम्। अतीत्य पितरं युद्धे यदयुध्यत भारत ॥६-५४-१४॥
There, O Bharata, we witnessed the extraordinary valor of Hidimba, who surpassed his father in battle.
भीमसेनस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धो दुर्योधनममर्षणम्। हृद्यविध्यत्पृषत्केन प्रहसन्निव पाण्डवः ॥६-५४-१५॥
Bhimasena, in his fury, struck Duryodhana in the heart with an arrow, smiling as if mocking him.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा प्रहारवरमोहितः। निषसाद रथोपस्थे कश्मलं च जगाम ह ॥६-५४-१६॥
Then King Duryodhana, struck by a powerful blow, sat down on his chariot seat, overwhelmed by distress.
तं विसञ्ज्ञमथो ज्ञात्वा त्वरमाणोऽस्य सारथिः। अपोवाह रणाद्राजंस्ततः सैन्यमभिद्यत ॥६-५४-१७॥
Seeing him unconscious, his charioteer quickly took him away from the battlefield, O king, and then the army was shattered.
ततस्तां कौरवीं सेनां द्रवमाणां समन्ततः। निघ्नन्भीमः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरनुवव्राज पृष्ठतः ॥६-५४-१८॥
Then Bhima pursued the fleeing Kaurava army from all sides, striking them with his sharp arrows from behind.
पार्षतश्च रथश्रेष्ठो धर्मपुत्रश्च पाण्डवः। द्रोणस्य पश्यतः सैन्यं गाङ्गेयस्य च पश्यतः ॥ जघ्नतुर्विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैः परानीकविशातनैः ॥६-५४-१९॥
The son of Prishata, the best of charioteers, and the Pandava, son of Dharma, attacked the enemy forces with sharp arrows while being observed by Drona and Bhishma.
द्रवमाणं तु तत्सैन्यं तव पुत्रस्य संयुगे। नाशक्नुतां वारयितुं भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ ॥६-५४-२०॥
In the battle, Bhishma and Drona, despite being great warriors, could not hold back the fleeing army of your son.
वार्यमाणं हि भीष्मेण द्रोणेन च विशां पते। विद्रवत्येव तत्सैन्यं पश्यतोर्द्रोणभीष्मयोः ॥६-५४-२१॥
O lord of the people, despite Bhishma and Drona's efforts to restrain it, the army is fleeing right before their eyes.
ततो रथसहस्रेषु विद्रवत्सु ततस्ततः। तावास्थितावेकरथं सौभद्रशिनिपुङ्गवौ ॥ सौबलीं समरे सेनां शातयेतां समन्ततः ॥६-५४-२२॥
In the midst of the chaos, as thousands of chariots fled in all directions, the valiant duo, the son of Subhadra and the foremost of the Shinis, stood firm on a single chariot and annihilated the Saubala army entirely in the battle.
शुशुभाते तदा तौ तु शैनेयकुरुपुङ्गवौ। अमावास्यां गतौ यद्वत्सोमसूर्यौ नभस्तले ॥६-५४-२३॥
Then, the two illustrious warriors from the Śaineya and Kuru clans stood out brilliantly, akin to the moon and the sun gracing the sky during the new moon night.
अर्जुनस्तु ततः क्रुद्धस्तव सैन्यं विशां पते। ववर्ष शरवर्षेण धाराभिरिव तोयदः ॥६-५४-२४॥
Arjuna, in his anger, then showered your army, O lord of the people, with a torrent of arrows, much like a cloud pours down rain.
वध्यमानं ततस्तत्तु शरैः पार्थस्य संयुगे। दुद्राव कौरवं सैन्यं विषादभयकम्पितम् ॥६-५४-२५॥
The Kaurava army, struck by Arjuna's arrows in the battle, was overwhelmed with despair and fear and began to flee.
द्रवतस्तान्समालोक्य भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ। न्यवारयेतां संरब्धौ दुर्योधनहितैषिणौ ॥६-५४-२६॥
Upon seeing them fleeing, Bhishma and Drona, the mighty warriors, eagerly restrained them, as they were the well-wishers of Duryodhana.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा समाश्वस्य विशां पते। न्यवर्तयत तत्सैन्यं द्रवमाणं समन्ततः ॥६-५४-२७॥
Then King Duryodhana, having reassured his troops, O lord of the people, halted his army that was fleeing in all directions.
यत्र यत्र सुतं तुभ्यं यो यः पश्यति भारत। तत्र तत्र न्यवर्तन्त क्षत्रियाणां महारथाः ॥६-५४-२८॥
O Bharata, wherever your son was seen, the great warriors among the Kshatriyas retreated.
तान्निवृत्तान्समीक्ष्यैव ततोऽन्येऽपीतरे जनाः। अन्योन्यस्पर्धया राजँल्लज्जयान्येऽवतस्थिरे ॥६-५४-२९॥
Seeing them return, other people, driven by mutual competition and shame, also stood, O king.
पुनरावर्ततां तेषां वेग आसीद्विशां पते। पूर्यतः सागरस्येव चन्द्रस्योदयनं प्रति ॥६-५४-३०॥
Their speed was returning, O lord of the people, like the moon rising from the ocean's fullness.
संनिवृत्तांस्ततस्तांस्तु दृष्ट्वा राजा सुयोधनः। अब्रवीत्त्वरितो गत्वा भीष्मं शान्तनवं वचः ॥६-५४-३१॥
Upon seeing them return, King Suyodhana promptly approached Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, and spoke to him.
पितामह निबोधेदं यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि भारत। नानुरूपमहं मन्ये त्वयि जीवति कौरव ॥६-५४-३२॥
O grandfather, please listen to what I am about to tell you, O Bharata. I believe it is not appropriate for you, O Kaurava, while you are alive.
द्रोणे चास्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठे सपुत्रे ससुहृज्जने। कृपे चैव महेष्वासे द्रवतीयं वरूथिनी ॥६-५४-३३॥
The army, led by Drona, the best among the skilled in weapons, along with his son and friends, and Kripa, the great archer, is in retreat.
न पाण्डवाः प्रतिबलास्तव राजन्कथञ्चन। तथा द्रोणस्य सङ्ग्रामे द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च ॥६-५४-३४॥
The Pandavas are not your equals in strength, O king, in any way. Similarly, in the battle, neither Drona, his son, nor Kripa can match you.
अनुग्राह्याः पाण्डुसुता नूनं तव पितामह। यथेमां क्षमसे वीर वध्यमानां वरूथिनीम् ॥६-५४-३५॥
O grandfather, the sons of Pandu are truly deserving of your favor, as you, O hero, endure the destruction of this army.
सोऽस्मि वाच्यस्त्वया राजन्पूर्वमेव समागमे। न योत्स्ये पाण्डवान्सङ्ख्ये नापि पार्षतसात्यकी ॥६-५४-३६॥
O king, you should inform him beforehand at the meeting that I will not engage in battle with the Pandavas, nor with the son of Prishata, nor with Satyaki.
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तुभ्यमाचार्यस्य कृपस्य च। कर्णेन सहितः कृत्यं चिन्तयानस्तदैव हि ॥६-५४-३७॥
Upon hearing the words addressed to you by the teacher and Kṛpa, accompanied by Karṇa, he was contemplating his duty at that very moment.
यदि नाहं परित्याज्यो युवाभ्यामिह संयुगे। विक्रमेणानुरूपेण युध्येतां पुरुषर्षभौ ॥६-५४-३८॥
If I am not to be abandoned by you both here in battle, then you, O best among men, should fight with appropriate prowess.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो भीष्मः प्रहसन्वै मुहुर्मुहुः। अब्रवीत्तनयं तुभ्यं क्रोधादुद्वृत्य चक्षुषी ॥६-५४-३९॥
Upon hearing these words, Bhishma, with a repeated smile, addressed you, his son, with eyes rolling in anger.
बहुशो हि मया राजंस्तथ्यमुक्तं हितं वचः। अजेयाः पाण्डवा युद्धे देवैरपि सवासवैः ॥६-५४-४०॥
O king, I have repeatedly told you the truth that the Pandavas are unbeatable in battle, even by the gods along with Indra.
यत्तु शक्यं मया कर्तुं वृद्धेनाद्य नृपोत्तम। करिष्यामि यथाशक्ति प्रेक्षेदानीं सबान्धवः ॥६-५४-४१॥
O best of kings, I will do what is possible for me today, as per my ability, under the guidance of the elder. Let him now witness this along with his relatives.
अद्य पाण्डुसुतान्सर्वान्ससैन्यान्सह बन्धुभिः। मिषतो वारयिष्यामि सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः ॥६-५४-४२॥
Today, I will halt all the sons of Pandu along with their armies and relatives, as the entire world looks on.
एवमुक्ते तु भीष्मेण पुत्रास्तव जनेश्वर। दध्मुः शङ्खान्मुदा युक्ता भेरीश्च जघ्निरे भृशम् ॥६-५४-४३॥
Upon Bhishma's words, your sons, O king, joyfully blew their conches and beat the drums loudly.
पाण्डवापि ततो राजञ्श्रुत्वा तं निनदं महत्। दध्मुः शङ्खांश्च भेरीश्च मुरजांश्च व्यनादयन् ॥६-५४-४४॥
Then, O king, the Pandavas, upon hearing that great sound, blew their conches, and the sound of drums and kettledrums filled the air.
