06.096
Pancharatra and Core: The encounter begins with Abhimanyu attacking the Kaurava army and Duryodhana sending Arshyashringa to keep Abhimanyu engaged, so that Bhishma could attack the rest of the Pandavas. Alambusha's encounter with the five Pandava sons.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अभिमन्यू रथोदारः पिशङ्गैस्तुरगोत्तमैः। अभिदुद्राव तेजस्वी दुर्योधनबलं महत् ॥ विकिरञ्शरवर्षाणि वारिधारा इवाम्बुदः ॥६-९६-१॥
Abhimanyu, known for his prowess, drove his chariot drawn by excellent tawny horses into Duryodhana's vast army, releasing a torrent of arrows akin to rain from a cloud.
न शेकुः समरे क्रुद्धं सौभद्रमरिसूदनम्। शस्त्रौघिणं गाहमानं सेनासागरमक्षयम् ॥ निवारयितुमप्याजौ त्वदीयाः कुरुपुङ्गवाः ॥६-९६-२॥
Your Kuru warriors were unable to restrain the angry Saubhadra, the destroyer of enemies, as he plunged with a torrent of weapons into the inexhaustible ocean of armies in battle.
तेन मुक्ता रणे राजञ्शराः शत्रुनिबर्हणाः। क्षत्रियाननयञ्शूरान्प्रेतराजनिवेशनम् ॥६-९६-३॥
The arrows released by him in the battle, O king, were so powerful that they destroyed the enemies and led the brave Kshatriyas to the abode of Yama, the god of death.
यमदण्डोपमान्घोराञ्ज्वलनाशीविषोपमान्। सौभद्रः समरे क्रुद्धः प्रेषयामास सायकान् ॥६-९६-४॥
In the heat of battle, the enraged Saubhadra unleashed arrows that were as dreadful as the rod of Yama, blazing like fire, and akin to venomous serpents.
रथिनं च रथात्तूर्णं हयपृष्ठाच्च सादिनम्। गजारोहांश्च सगजान्पातयामास फाल्गुनिः ॥६-९६-५॥
Arjuna swiftly brought down the charioteer from the chariot, the rider from the horse's back, and the elephant riders along with their elephants.
तस्य तत्कुर्वतः कर्म महत्सङ्ख्येऽद्भुतं नृपाः। पूजयां चक्रिरे हृष्टाः प्रशशंसुश्च फाल्गुनिम् ॥६-९६-६॥
The kings, witnessing the remarkable deeds of Arjuna in the great battle, were filled with joy and admiration. They honored and praised him wholeheartedly.
तान्यनीकानि सौभद्रो द्रावयन्बह्वशोभत। तूलराशिमिवाधूय मारुतः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥६-९६-७॥
Saubhadra, the son of Subhadra, drove away the armies, shining brilliantly like the wind dispersing a heap of cotton in all directions.
तेन विद्राव्यमाणानि तव सैन्यानि भारत। त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त पङ्के मग्ना इव द्विपाः ॥६-९६-८॥
O Bharata, your armies, being scattered by him, could not find a protector, just like elephants stuck in the mud.
विद्राव्य सर्वसैन्यानि तावकानि नरोत्तमः। अभिमन्युः स्थितो राजन्विधूमोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन् ॥६-९६-९॥
Abhimanyu, the best among men, stood like a smokeless blazing fire, having scattered all your armies, O king.
न चैनं तावकाः सर्वे विषेहुररिघातिनम्। प्रदीप्तं पावकं यद्वत्पतङ्गाः कालचोदिताः ॥६-९६-१०॥
None of your warriors could withstand the enemy-slayer, just as moths are inevitably drawn to a blazing fire by the force of time.
प्रहरन्सर्वशत्रुभ्यः पाण्डवानां महारथः। अदृश्यत महेष्वासः सवज्र इव वज्रभृत् ॥६-९६-११॥
The great chariot warrior of the Pandavas, striking all enemies, appeared as a formidable archer, wielding a thunderbolt like Indra.
हेमपृष्ठं धनुश्चास्य ददृशे चरतो दिशः। तोयदेषु यथा राजन्भ्राजमानाः शतह्वदाः ॥६-९६-१२॥
O king, his gold-backed bow was seen moving across the directions, shining like a hundred-rayed light among the clouds.
शराश्च निशिताः पीता निश्चरन्ति स्म संयुगे। वनात्फुल्लद्रुमाद्राजन्भ्रमराणामिव व्रजाः ॥६-९६-१३॥
O king, the sharp arrows, as if drunk, moved in the battle like swarms of bees emerging from a forest of blossoming trees.
तथैव चरतस्तस्य सौभद्रस्य महात्मनः। रथेन मेघघोषेण ददृशुर्नान्तरं जनाः ॥६-९६-१४॥
In the same way, as the great-souled Saubhadra moved with his chariot Meghaghosha, people could not see any gap.
मोहयित्वा कृपं द्रोणं द्रौणिं च स बृहद्बलम्। सैन्धवं च महेष्वासं व्यचरल्लघु सुष्ठु च ॥६-९६-१५॥
After bewildering Kṛpa, Droṇa, Aśvatthāmā, and Bṛhadbala, he skillfully and swiftly maneuvered with Jayadratha, the great archer.
मण्डलीकृतमेवास्य धनुः पश्याम मारिष। सूर्यमण्डलसङ्काशं तपतस्तव वाहिनीम् ॥६-९६-१६॥
O noble one, we see his bow circularly arranged, resembling the sun's orb, shining brilliantly, as your army advances.
तं दृष्ट्वा क्षत्रियाः शूराः प्रतपन्तं शरार्चिभिः। द्विफल्गुनमिमं लोकं मेनिरे तस्य कर्मभिः ॥६-९६-१७॥
Upon witnessing him, the valiant warriors, radiant with the flames of arrows, perceived this world as belonging to Arjuna due to his actions.
तेनार्दिता महाराज भारती सा महाचमूः। बभ्राम तत्र तत्रैव योषिन्मदवशादिव ॥६-९६-१८॥
O great king, afflicted by him, that great army wandered aimlessly, much like a woman under the influence of intoxication.
द्रावयित्वा च तत्सैन्यं कम्पयित्वा महारथान्। नन्दयामास सुहृदो मयं जित्वेव वासवः ॥६-९६-१९॥
After scattering the enemy forces and shaking the great warriors, he brought joy to his friends, just as Indra did after defeating Maya.
तेन विद्राव्यमाणानि तव सैन्यानि संयुगे। चक्रुरार्तस्वरं घोरं पर्जन्यनिनदोपमम् ॥६-९६-२०॥
In the battle, as your armies were scattered by him, they let out a terrible cry, resembling the roar of thunderous clouds.
तं श्रुत्वा निनदं घोरं तव सैन्यस्य मारिष। मारुतोद्धूतवेगस्य समुद्रस्येव पर्वणि ॥ दुर्योधनस्तदा राजा आर्श्यशृङ्गिमभाषत ॥६-९६-२१॥
Upon hearing the dreadful noise of your forces, O noble one, which resembled the ocean's turbulence during a full moon, King Duryodhana then addressed Arshyashringa.
एष कार्ष्णिर्महेष्वासो द्वितीय इव फल्गुनः। चमूं द्रावयते क्रोधाद्वृत्रो देवचमूमिव ॥६-९६-२२॥
This Kārṣhṇi, a great archer, is like a second Arjuna, driving away the army in anger, just as Vṛtra drove away the army of the gods.
तस्य नान्यं प्रपश्यामि संयुगे भेषजं महत्। ऋते त्वां राक्षसश्रेष्ठ सर्वविद्यासु पारगम् ॥६-९६-२३॥
I see no other great remedy in this battle except you, O best of demons, who are accomplished in all forms of knowledge.
स गत्वा त्वरितं वीरं जहि सौभद्रमाहवे। वयं पार्थान्हनिष्यामो भीष्मद्रोणपुरःसराः ॥६-९६-२४॥
"Go quickly and slay the hero Saubhadra in battle. We, led by Bhishma and Drona, will take care of the sons of Pritha."
स एवमुक्तो बलवान्राक्षसेन्द्रः प्रतापवान्। प्रययौ समरे तूर्णं तव पुत्रस्य शासनात् ॥ नर्दमानो महानादं प्रावृषीव बलाहकः ॥६-९६-२५॥
Thus addressed, the mighty and glorious king of demons swiftly proceeded to the battlefield at your son's command, roaring loudly like a cloud during the rainy season.
तस्य शब्देन महता पाण्डवानां महद्बलम्। प्राचलत्सर्वतो राजन्पूर्यमाण इवार्णवः ॥६-९६-२६॥
The great sound of his conch echoed everywhere, O king, as if the vast strength of the Pandavas was like an ocean swelling with power.
बहवश्च नरा राजंस्तस्य नादेन भीषिताः। प्रियान्प्राणान्परित्यज्य निपेतुर्धरणीतले ॥६-९६-२७॥
Many men, O king, were so frightened by his sound that they abandoned their dear lives and fell to the ground.
कार्ष्णिश्चापि मुदा युक्तः प्रगृहीतशरासनः। नृत्यन्निव रथोपस्थे तद्रक्षः समुपाद्रवत् ॥६-९६-२८॥
Krishna, filled with joy and holding his bow, appeared to be dancing on the chariot seat as the demon approached.
ततः स राक्षसः क्रुद्धः सम्प्राप्यैवार्जुनिं रणे। नातिदूरे स्थितस्तस्य द्रावयामास वै चमूम् ॥६-९६-२९॥
Then, the angry demon approached Arjuna in battle, and standing not far away, he caused Arjuna's army to flee.
सा वध्यमाना समरे पाण्डवानां महाचमूः। प्रत्युद्ययौ रणे रक्षो देवसेना यथा बलिम् ॥६-९६-३०॥
The great army of the Pandavas, though being attacked, advanced in the battlefield like the divine army of Rakshasas against Bali.
विमर्दः सुमहानासीत्तस्य सैन्यस्य मारिष। रक्षसा घोररूपेण वध्यमानस्य संयुगे ॥६-९६-३१॥
The army faced a severe crushing, O dear, as it was being slaughtered by the demon in its terrible form during the battle.
ततः शरसहस्रैस्तां पाण्डवानां महाचमूम्। व्यद्रावयद्रणे रक्षो दर्शयद्वै पराक्रमम् ॥६-९६-३२॥
Then, the demon, displaying his prowess, scattered the great army of the Pandavas with thousands of arrows in the battle.
सा वध्यमाना च तथा पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। रक्षसा घोररूपेण प्रदुद्राव रणे भयात् ॥६-९६-३३॥
The army of the Pandavas, being attacked by the demon of terrible form, fled the battlefield in fear.
तां प्रमृद्य ततः सेनां पद्मिनीं वारणो यथा। ततोऽभिदुद्राव रणे द्रौपदेयान्महाबलान् ॥६-९६-३४॥
The elephant crushed the army like a lotus and then charged at the mighty sons of Draupadi in battle.
ते तु क्रुद्धा महेष्वासा द्रौपदेयाः प्रहारिणः। राक्षसं दुद्रुवुः सर्वे ग्रहाः पञ्च यथा रविम् ॥६-९६-३५॥
The sons of Draupadi, who were great archers and strikers, angrily rushed towards the demon, just as the five planets move towards the sun.
वीर्यवद्भिस्ततस्तैस्तु पीडितो राक्षसोत्तमः। यथा युगक्षये घोरे चन्द्रमाः पञ्चभिर्ग्रहैः ॥६-९६-३६॥
The best of demons was oppressed by the powerful ones, just as the moon is eclipsed by five planets at the dreadful end of an era.
प्रतिविन्ध्यस्ततो रक्षो बिभेद निशितैः शरैः। सर्वपारशवैस्तूर्णमकुण्ठाग्रैर्महाबलः ॥६-९६-३७॥
Prativindhya, with his great strength, swiftly pierced the demon using sharp arrows of all kinds, each with unblunted tips.
स तैर्भिन्नतनुत्राणः शुशुभे राक्षसोत्तमः। मरीचिभिरिवार्कस्य संस्यूतो जलदो महान् ॥६-९६-३८॥
He, the best among demons, appeared resplendent with his armor shattered, enveloped by the sun's rays, resembling a great cloud.
विषक्तैः स शरैश्चापि तपनीयपरिच्छदैः। आर्श्यशृङ्गिर्बभौ राजन्दीप्तशृङ्ग इवाचलः ॥६-९६-३९॥
Arshya Shringa, adorned with arrows and golden ornaments, appeared majestic, O king, like a mountain with shining peaks.
ततस्ते भ्रातरः पञ्च राक्षसेन्द्रं महाहवे। विव्यधुर्निशितैर्बाणैस्तपनीयविभूषितैः ॥६-९६-४०॥
Then the five brothers attacked the demon king in the great battle with their sharp, gold-adorned arrows.
स निर्भिन्नः शरैर्घोरैर्भुजगैः कोपितैरिव। अलम्बुसो भृशं राजन्नागेन्द्र इव चुक्रुधे ॥६-९६-४१॥
Alambusa, pierced by the fierce arrows, became extremely angry, O king, like a lord of serpents provoked by serpents.
सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज मुहूर्तमथ मारिष। प्रविवेश तमो दीर्घं पीडितस्तैर्महारथैः ॥६-९६-४२॥
O great king, he was deeply pierced and for a moment, O descendant of Marīci, he entered into deep darkness, afflicted by the great charioteers.
प्रतिलभ्य ततः सञ्ज्ञां क्रोधेन द्विगुणीकृतः। चिच्छेद सायकैस्तेषां ध्वजांश्चैव धनूंषि च ॥६-९६-४३॥
Regaining his senses, he became twice as angry and used his arrows to cut down their banners and bows.
एकैकं च त्रिभिर्बाणैराजघान स्मयन्निव। अलम्बुसो रथोपस्थे नृत्यन्निव महारथः ॥६-९६-४४॥
Alambusa, the great chariot-warrior, struck each one with three arrows, as if smiling. He appeared to be dancing on the chariot seat.
त्वरमाणश्च सङ्क्रुद्धो हयांस्तेषां महात्मनाम्। जघान राक्षसः क्रुद्धः सारथींश्च महाबलः ॥६-९६-४५॥
In his haste and anger, the demon, with great strength, killed the horses and charioteers of the great souls.
बिभेद च सुसंहृष्टः पुनश्चैनान्सुसंशितैः। शरैर्बहुविधाकारैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥६-९६-४६॥
Being very delighted, he pierced them again with well-sharpened arrows of many kinds, by hundreds and then by thousands.
विरथांश्च महेष्वासान्कृत्वा तत्र स राक्षसः। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन हन्तुकामो निशाचरः ॥६-९६-४७॥
The demon, after rendering the great archers without chariots, charged swiftly with the intent to kill, like a night-stalker.
तानर्दितान्रणे तेन राक्षसेन दुरात्मना। दृष्ट्वार्जुनसुतः सङ्ख्ये राक्षसं समुपाद्रवत् ॥६-९६-४८॥
Seeing his companions afflicted by the wicked demon in battle, Arjuna's son charged at the demon on the battlefield.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं वृत्रवासवयोरिव। ददृशुस्तावकाः सर्वे पाण्डवाश्च महारथाः ॥६-९६-४९॥
A battle ensued between the two, reminiscent of the legendary conflict between Vritra and Indra. All the warriors, both your men and the Pandavas, witnessed it.
तौ समेतौ महायुद्धे क्रोधदीप्तौ परस्परम्। महाबलौ महाराज क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनौ ॥ परस्परमवेक्षेतां कालानलसमौ युधि ॥६-९६-५०॥
Both mighty warriors, their eyes red with anger, met in the great battle and looked at each other fiercely, like the fire of time, O great king.
तयोः समागमो घोरो बभूव कटुकोदयः। यथा देवासुरे युद्धे शक्रशम्बरयोरिव ॥६-९६-५१॥
The encounter between them was fierce and intense, reminiscent of the legendary battles between the gods and demons, like that of Indra and Shambara.
