06.095
Core and Pancharatra: On the ninth day, the Kauravas form a formidable military formation with Bhishma at the forefront, making protection of Bhishma their primary aim, and also to ensure Shikandin and Arjuna don't come in front of him. Pandvas form a counter formation, with the placing Shikandin in front of Bhishma as their primary objective.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां प्रातरुत्थाय वै नृपः। राज्ञः समाज्ञापयत सेनां योजयतेति ह ॥ अद्य भीष्मो रणे क्रुद्धो निहनिष्यति सोमकान् ॥६-९५-१॥
In the early morning, the king, having risen, ordered the army to be arranged. Today, Bhishma, in his anger, will slay the Somakas in battle.
दुर्योधनस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा रात्रौ विलपितं बहु। मन्यमानः स तं राजन्प्रत्यादेशमिवात्मनः ॥६-९५-२॥
Upon hearing Duryodhana's extensive lamentation at night, he perceived it as if it were a reproach directed at himself, O king.
निर्वेदं परमं गत्वा विनिन्द्य परवाच्यताम्। दीर्घं दध्यौ शान्तनवो योद्धुकामोऽर्जुनं रणे ॥६-९५-३॥
The son of Śāntanu, having reached a state of supreme dispassion and disregarding the criticisms of others, contemplated for a long time, eager to engage Arjuna in battle.
इङ्गितेन तु तज्ज्ञात्वा गाङ्गेयेन विचिन्तितम्। दुर्योधनो महाराज दुःशासनमचोदयत् ॥६-९५-४॥
Understanding the gesture, Bhishma, the son of Ganga, realized the situation. King Duryodhana then instructed Duhshasana.
दुःशासन रथास्तूर्णं युज्यन्तां भीष्मरक्षिणः। द्वात्रिंशत्त्वमनीकानि सर्वाण्येवाभिचोदय ॥६-९५-५॥
Duhshasana, quickly yoke the chariots that protect Bhishma and urge all the thirty-two divisions.
इदं हि समनुप्राप्तं वर्षपूगाभिचिन्तितम्। पाण्डवानां ससैन्यानां वधो राज्यस्य चागमः ॥६-९५-६॥
This event, long contemplated over the years, marks the destruction of the Pandavas and their armies, and the arrival of the kingdom.
तत्र कार्यमहं मन्ये भीष्मस्यैवाभिरक्षणम्। स नो गुप्तः सुखाय स्याद्धन्यात्पार्थांश्च संयुगे ॥६-९५-७॥
I believe that our primary duty here is to ensure the protection of Bhishma. If he is safeguarded, he might bring us victory and happiness by defeating the sons of Pritha in the battle.
अब्रवीच्च विशुद्धात्मा नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम्। स्त्रीपूर्वको ह्यसौ जातस्तस्माद्वर्ज्यो रणे मया ॥६-९५-८॥
The pure-hearted one declared, "I shall not slay Shikhandi, for he was born a woman and thus should be avoided by me in battle."
लोकस्तद्वेद यदहं पितुः प्रियचिकीर्षया। राज्यं स्फीतं महाबाहो स्त्रियश्च त्यक्तवान्पुरा ॥६-९५-९॥
The people are aware that in order to please my father, I had once given up the prosperous kingdom and the company of women, O mighty-armed one.
नैव चाहं स्त्रियं जातु न स्त्रीपूर्वं कथञ्चन। हन्यां युधि नरश्रेष्ठ सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥६-९५-१०॥
"I have never been a woman, nor was I ever before a woman in any way. I would kill in battle, O best of men, this is the truth I speak to you."
अयं स्त्रीपूर्वको राजञ्शिखण्डी यदि ते श्रुतः। उद्योगे कथितं यत्तत्तथा जाता शिखण्डिनी ॥६-९५-११॥
O King, this Shikhandi was once a woman. If you have heard what was narrated during the effort, then you know how Shikhandini came to be.
कन्या भूत्वा पुमाञ्जातः स च योत्स्यति भारत। तस्याहं प्रमुखे बाणान्न मुञ्चेयं कथञ्चन ॥६-९५-१२॥
A man, once transformed from a girl, will engage in battle, O Bhārata. I shall not release my arrows in front of him under any circumstances.
युद्धे तु क्षत्रियांस्तात पाण्डवानां जयैषिणः। सर्वानन्यान्हनिष्यामि सम्प्राप्तान्बाणगोचरान् ॥६-९५-१३॥
In the battle, O father, I will defeat all the other warriors of the Pandavas who come within the range of my arrows, as they seek victory.
एवं मां भरतश्रेष्ठो गाङ्गेयः प्राह शास्त्रवित्। तत्र सर्वात्मना मन्ये भीष्मस्यैवाभिपालनम् ॥६-९५-१४॥
Thus, the son of Ganga, Bhishma, who is well-versed in scriptures, addressed me, the best of the Bharatas, saying that he wholeheartedly believes in Bhishma's protection.
अरक्ष्यमाणं हि वृको हन्यात्सिंहं महावने। मा वृकेणेव शार्दूलं घातयेम शिखण्डिना ॥६-९५-१५॥
In the great forest, an unprotected lion would indeed be killed by a wolf. Let us ensure that the tiger is not killed by the archer, just as the wolf would do.
मातुलः शकुनिः शल्यः कृपो द्रोणो विविंशतिः। यत्ता रक्षन्तु गाङ्गेयं तस्मिन्गुप्ते ध्रुवो जयः ॥६-९५-१६॥
Shakuni, Shalya, Kripa, Drona, and Vivimshati, the maternal uncles, are vigilant in protecting Bhishma, the son of Ganga. With him safeguarded, victory is assured.
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु राजानो दुर्योधनवचस्तदा। सर्वतो रथवंशेन गाङ्गेयं पर्यवारयन् ॥६-९५-१७॥
Upon hearing Duryodhana's words, the kings surrounded Bhishma with their chariots from every direction.
पुत्राश्च तव गाङ्गेयं परिवार्य ययुर्मुदा। कम्पयन्तो भुवं द्यां च क्षोभयन्तश्च पाण्डवान् ॥६-९५-१८॥
Your sons, with great joy, surrounded Bhishma, the son of Ganga, and proceeded, causing the earth and sky to tremble and disturbing the Pandavas.
तै रथैश्च सुसंयुक्तैर्दन्तिभिश्च महारथाः। परिवार्य रणे भीष्मं दंशिताः समवस्थिताः ॥६-९५-१९॥
The great warriors, with their well-yoked chariots and elephants, surrounded Bhishma in battle, standing firm and resolute.
यथा देवासुरे युद्धे त्रिदशा वज्रधारिणम्। सर्वे ते स्म व्यतिष्ठन्त रक्षन्तस्तं महारथम् ॥६-९५-२०॥
In the battle between the gods and demons, all the deities stood firm, protecting the wielder of the thunderbolt, that great chariot.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा पुनर्भ्रातरमब्रवीत्। सव्यं चक्रं युधामन्युरुत्तमौजाश्च दक्षिणम् ॥ गोप्तारावर्जुनस्यैतावर्जुनोऽपि शिखण्डिनः ॥६-९५-२१॥
Then King Duryodhana spoke to his brother once more, instructing that Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas should guard the left and right sides of Arjuna's chariot, while Arjuna himself would also protect Shikhandi.
स रक्ष्यमाणः पार्थेन तथास्माभिर्विवर्जितः। यथा भीष्मं न नो हन्याद्दुःशासन तथा कुरु ॥६-९५-२२॥
He is being protected by Arjuna and abandoned by us, so that Bhishma may not kill us. Therefore, act accordingly, O Duhshasana.
भ्रातुस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पुत्रो दुःशासनस्तव। भीष्मं प्रमुखतः कृत्वा प्रययौ सेनया सह ॥६-९५-२३॥
Upon hearing those words from your brother, your son Duḥśāsana placed Bhīṣma at the forefront and marched along with the army.
भीष्मं तु रथवंशेन दृष्ट्वा तमभिसंवृतम्। अर्जुनो रथिनां श्रेष्ठो धृष्टद्युम्नमुवाच ह ॥६-९५-२४॥
Arjuna, the best among charioteers, upon seeing Bhishma surrounded by the line of chariots, spoke to Dhrishtadyumna.
शिखण्डिनं नरव्याघ्र भीष्मस्य प्रमुखेऽनघ। स्थापयस्वाद्य पाञ्चाल्य तस्य गोप्ताहमप्युत ॥६-९५-२५॥
O sinless one, place Shikhandin in front of Bhishma today. O son of Panchala, I am also indeed his protector.
ततः शान्तनवो भीष्मो निर्ययौ सेनया सह। व्यूहं चाव्यूहत महत्सर्वतोभद्रमाहवे ॥६-९५-२६॥
Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, departed with his army. He arranged a great and auspicious formation for the battle.
कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च शैब्यश्चैव महारथः। शकुनिः सैन्धवश्चैव काम्बोजश्च सुदक्षिणः ॥६-९५-२७॥
Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, Śaibya, Śakuni, Saindhava, Kāmboja, and Sudakṣiṇa are all great chariot-warriors.
भीष्मेण सहिताः सर्वे पुत्रैश्च तव भारत। अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां व्यूहस्य प्रमुखे स्थिताः ॥६-९५-२८॥
O Bharata, along with Bhishma, all your sons stood at the forefront of the formation, leading all the armies.
द्रोणो भूरिश्रवाः शल्यो भगदत्तश्च मारिष। दक्षिणं पक्षमाश्रित्य स्थिता व्यूहस्य दंशिताः ॥६-९५-२९॥
Drona, Bhurishravas, Shalya, and Bhagadatta, O great one, were strategically positioned on the southern flank of the formation, ready for battle.
अश्वत्थामा सोमदत्त आवन्त्यौ च महारथौ। महत्या सेनया युक्ता वामं पक्षमपालयन् ॥६-९५-३०॥
Ashwatthama, Somadatta, and the Avanti warriors, who were great charioteers, were strategically positioned with a large army to guard the left flank.
दुर्योधनो महाराज त्रिगर्तैः सर्वतो वृतः। व्यूहमध्ये स्थितो राजन्पाण्डवान्प्रति भारत ॥६-९५-३१॥
Duryodhana, the great king, was strategically positioned in the center of the military formation, surrounded by the Trigartas on all sides, ready to confront the Pandavas, O king, O descendant of Bharata.
अलम्बुसो रथश्रेष्ठः श्रुतायुश्च महारथः। पृष्ठतः सर्वसैन्यानां स्थितौ व्यूहस्य दंशितौ ॥६-९५-३२॥
Alambusa, the foremost among charioteers, and Śrutāyu, the great warrior, were positioned at the rear of all the troops, safeguarding the formation.
एवमेते तदा व्यूहं कृत्वा भारत तावकाः। संनद्धाः समदृश्यन्त प्रतपन्त इवाग्नयः ॥६-९५-३३॥
Thus, O Bharata, your men, having formed the battle array, appeared resplendent like blazing fires.
तथा युधिष्ठिरो राजा भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च माद्रीपुत्रावुभावपि ॥ अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां स्थिता व्यूहस्य दंशिताः ॥६-९५-३४॥
Thus, King Yudhishthira, Bhimasena, Nakula, and Sahadeva, the sons of Madri, stood at the forefront of the entire army, ready in their formation.
धृष्टद्युम्नो विराटश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः। स्थिताः सैन्येन महता परानीकविनाशनाः ॥६-९५-३५॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Virāṭa, and Sātyaki, the great chariot-warriors, stood with a large army, ready to destroy the enemy forces.
शिखण्डी विजयश्चैव राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः। चेकितानो महाबाहुः कुन्तिभोजश्च वीर्यवान् ॥ स्थिता रणे महाराज महत्या सेनया वृताः ॥६-९५-३६॥
Shikhandi, Vijaya, Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, Cekitana, the mighty-armed Kuntibhoja, and the powerful warriors stood ready in battle, O great king, surrounded by a formidable army.
अभिमन्युर्महेष्वासो द्रुपदश्च महारथः। केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च स्थिता युद्धाय दंशिताः ॥६-९५-३७॥
Abhimanyu, the great archer, along with Drupada, the great chariot-warrior, and the five brothers of the Kekayas, stood ready and prepared for battle.
एवं तेऽपि महाव्यूहं प्रतिव्यूह्य सुदुर्जयम्। पाण्डवाः समरे शूराः स्थिता युद्धाय मारिष ॥६-९५-३८॥
Thus, O great one, the heroic Pandavas stood ready for battle, having countered the formidable and nearly unconquerable great formation.
तावकास्तु रणे यत्ताः सहसेना नराधिपाः। अभ्युद्ययू रणे पार्थान्भीष्मं कृत्वाग्रतो नृप ॥६-९५-३९॥
Your kings, ready for battle, advanced with their forces towards the Pandavas, with Bhishma leading them, O king.
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्भीमसेनपुरोगमाः। भीष्मं युद्धपरिप्रेप्सुं सङ्ग्रामे विजिगीषवः ॥६-९५-४०॥
In the same manner, O king, the Pandavas, with Bhimasena at the forefront, were eager to engage in battle, aiming to defeat Bhishma on the battlefield.
क्ष्वेडाः किलिकिलाशब्दान्क्रकचान्गोविषाणिकाः। भेरीमृदङ्गपणवान्नादयन्तश्च पुष्करान् ॥ पाण्डवा अभ्यधावन्त नदन्तो भैरवान्रवान् ॥६-९५-४१॥
The Pandavas, making roaring and terrifying sounds, rushed forward accompanied by the screeching noises of saws and cow horns, and the sounds of drums, mridangas, panavas, and kettledrums.
भेरीमृदङ्गशङ्खानां दुन्दुभीनां च निस्वनैः। उत्क्रुष्टसिंहनादैश्च वल्गितैश्च पृथग्विधैः ॥६-९५-४२॥
The air was filled with the sounds of drums, mridangas, conches, and kettledrums, accompanied by loud lion-roars and various kinds of shouts.
वयं प्रतिनदन्तस्तानभ्यगच्छाम सत्वराः। सहसैवाभिसङ्क्रुद्धास्तदासीत्तुमुलं महत् ॥६-९५-४३॥
We quickly approached them, shouting back in anger. Suddenly, it turned into a great tumult.
ततोऽन्योन्यं प्रधावन्तः सम्प्रहारं प्रचक्रिरे। ततः शब्देन महता प्रचकम्पे वसुन्धरा ॥६-९५-४४॥
The warriors rushed towards each other and engaged in battle. The earth shook with the great noise that ensued.
पक्षिणश्च महाघोरं व्याहरन्तो विबभ्रमुः। सप्रभश्चोदितः सूर्यो निष्प्रभः समपद्यत ॥६-९५-४५॥
The birds flew around making terrible sounds, and the sun, which had risen brightly, lost its brightness.
ववुश्च तुमुला वाताः शंसन्तः सुमहद्भयम्। घोराश्च घोरनिर्ह्रादाः शिवास्तत्र ववाशिरे ॥ वेदयन्त्यो महाराज महद्वैशसमागतम् ॥६-९५-४६॥
The fierce winds blew violently, signaling a great danger. In that place, dreadful jackals howled with terrifying roars, foretelling, O great king, the arrival of a significant disaster.
दिशः प्रज्वलिता राजन्पांसुवर्षं पपात च। रुधिरेण समुन्मिश्रमस्थिवर्षं तथैव च ॥६-९५-४७॥
The directions were set ablaze, O king, as a rain of dust and bones mixed with blood fell from the sky.
रुदतां वाहनानां च नेत्रेभ्यः प्रापतज्जलम्। सुस्रुवुश्च शकृन्मूत्रं प्रध्यायन्तो विशां पते ॥६-९५-४८॥
Tears fell from the eyes of the weeping vehicles, and excrement and urine flowed as they pondered, O lord of the people.
अन्तर्हिता महानादाः श्रूयन्ते भरतर्षभ। रक्षसां पुरुषादानां नदतां भैरवान्रवान् ॥६-९५-४९॥
O best of Bharatas, hidden great sounds of roaring demons and man-eaters are heard, producing fearful noises.
सम्पतन्तः स्म दृश्यन्ते गोमायुबकवायसाः। श्वानश्च विविधैर्नादैर्भषन्तस्तत्र तस्थिरे ॥६-९५-५०॥
Jackals, cranes, and crows were seen flying. Dogs were also there, barking with various sounds.
ज्वलिताश्च महोल्का वै समाहत्य दिवाकरम्। निपेतुः सहसा भूमौ वेदयाना महद्भयम् ॥६-९५-५१॥
Blazing meteors struck the sun and suddenly fell to the ground, signaling a great fear.
महान्त्यनीकानि महासमुच्छ्रये; समागमे पाण्डवधार्तराष्ट्रयोः। प्रकाशिरे शङ्खमृदङ्गनिस्वनैः; प्रकम्पितानीव वनानि वायुना ॥६-९५-५२॥
In the grand assembly where the Pandavas and Dhartarashtras met, the great armies shone with the resounding echoes of conches and drums, as if the forests themselves were being shaken by a mighty wind.
नरेन्द्रनागाश्वसमाकुलाना; मभ्यायतीनामशिवे मुहूर्ते। बभूव घोषस्तुमुलश्चमूनां; वातोद्धुतानामिव सागराणाम् ॥६-९५-५३॥
At an inauspicious moment, as the kings, elephants, and horses approached, a tumultuous sound arose from the armies, resembling the roar of oceans stirred by the wind.
