06.099
Core and Pancharatra: At noon, battle took place between Bhishma and the Somakas, i.e. Virata and Drupada armies; mass carnage of both the armies followed.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
मध्याह्ने तु महाराज सङ्ग्रामः समपद्यत। लोकक्षयकरो रौद्रो भीष्मस्य सह सोमकैः ॥६-९९-१॥
At noon, a fierce and devastating battle took place between Bhishma and the Somakas, O great king.
गाङ्गेयो रथिनां श्रेष्ठः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्। व्यधमन्निशितैर्बाणैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥६-९९-२॥
The son of Ganga, Bhishma, the greatest among charioteers, attacked the Pandava army with his sharp arrows, sending them in hundreds and thousands.
संममर्द च तत्सैन्यं पिता देवव्रतस्तव। धान्यानामिव लूनानां प्रकरं गोगणा इव ॥६-९९-३॥
Your father Devavrata crushed that army as effortlessly as one would trample a heap of cut grains or a herd of cows.
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च विराटो द्रुपदस्तथा। भीष्ममासाद्य समरे शरैर्जघ्नुर्महारथम् ॥६-९९-४॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, Virāṭa, and Drupada attacked Bhīṣma in the battle and killed the great warrior with their arrows.
धृष्टद्युम्नं ततो विद्ध्वा विराटं च त्रिभिः शरैः। द्रुपदस्य च नाराचं प्रेषयामास भारत ॥६-९९-५॥
Then, O Bhārata, he shot three arrows at Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Virāṭa, and sent an iron arrow towards Drupada.
तेन विद्धा महेष्वासा भीष्मेणामित्रकर्शिना। चुक्रुधुः समरे राजन्पादस्पृष्टा इवोरगाः ॥६-९९-६॥
O king, the great archers, pierced and tormented by Bhishma, became furious in the battle, like serpents that have been trampled upon.
शिखण्डी तं च विव्याध भरतानां पितामहम्। स्त्रीमयं मनसा ध्यात्वा नास्मै प्राहरदच्युतः ॥६-९९-७॥
Shikhandi attacked Bhishma, the grandfather of the Bharatas. However, considering him to be womanly in mind, Krishna (Acyuta) refrained from striking him.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु समरे क्रोधादग्निरिव ज्वलन्। पितामहं त्रिभिर्बाणैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत् ॥६-९९-८॥
In the battle, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, burning with anger like fire, shot three arrows into the arms and chest of the grandsire.
द्रुपदः पञ्चविंशत्या विराटो दशभिः शरैः। शिखण्डी पञ्चविंशत्या भीष्मं विव्याध सायकैः ॥६-९९-९॥
Drupada, Virata, and Shikhandi attacked Bhishma with a barrage of arrows, each contributing their share to the assault.
सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज भीष्मः सङ्ख्ये महात्मभिः। वसन्ते पुष्पशबलो रक्ताशोक इवाबभौ ॥६-९९-१०॥
The great king Bhishma, struck by noble warriors in battle, stood out like a red Ashoka tree in full bloom during spring.
तान्प्रत्यविध्यद्गाङ्गेयस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः। द्रुपदस्य च भल्लेन धनुश्चिच्छेद मारिष ॥६-९९-११॥
The son of Ganga shot three straight-flying arrows at them and cut the bow of Drupada with an arrow, O lord.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय भीष्मं विव्याध पञ्चभिः। सारथिं च त्रिभिर्बाणैः सुशितै रणमूर्धनि ॥६-९९-१२॥
He picked up another bow and shot Bhishma with five arrows and the charioteer with three sharp arrows at the forefront of the battle.
ततो भीमो महाराज द्रौपद्याः पञ्च चात्मजाः। केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च सात्यकिश्चैव सात्वतः ॥६-९९-१३॥
Then, O great king, Bhima, the five sons of Draupadi, the five Kekaya brothers, and Satyaki, the Satvata, were present.
अभ्यद्रवन्त गाङ्गेयं युधिष्ठिरहितेप्सया। रिरक्षिषन्तः पाञ्चाल्यं धृष्टद्युम्नमुखन्रणे ॥६-९९-१४॥
In the battle, they charged at Bhishma, the son of Ganga, with the intent to harm Yudhishthira, while aiming to protect the Panchala prince, led by Dhrishtadyumna.
तथैव तावकाः सर्वे भीष्मरक्षार्थमुद्यताः। प्रत्युद्ययुः पाण्डुसेनां सहसैन्या नराधिप ॥६-९९-१५॥
Similarly, all your warriors, ready to protect Bhishma, moved forward against the Pandava forces with their troops, O king.
तत्रासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं तव तेषां च सङ्कुलम्। नराश्वरथनागानां यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम् ॥६-९९-१६॥
There was a great and chaotic battle between your forces and theirs, involving men, horses, chariots, and elephants, which increased the realm of Yama.
रथी रथिनमासाद्य प्राहिणोद्यमसादनम्। तथेतरान्समासाद्य नरनागाश्वसादिनः ॥६-९९-१७॥
The charioteer approached another charioteer and sent him to the realm of Yama. Similarly, he approached others, including riders of men, elephants, and horses.
अनयन्परलोकाय शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। अस्त्रैश्च विविधैर्घोरैस्तत्र तत्र विशां पते ॥६-९९-१८॥
O lord of men, they were leading others to the other world with arrows having bent joints and with various terrible weapons, here and there.
रथाश्च रथिभिर्हीना हतसारथयस्तथा। विप्रद्रुताश्वाः समरे दिशो जग्मुः समन्ततः ॥६-९९-१९॥
The chariots, having lost their warriors and charioteers, with horses running away, scattered in all directions on the battlefield.
मर्दमाना नरान्राजन्हयांश्च सुबहून्रणे। वातायमाना दृश्यन्ते गन्धर्वनगरोपमाः ॥६-९९-२०॥
O king, many men and horses are seen being crushed and flying in battle, resembling celestial cities.
रथिनश्च रथैर्हीना वर्मिणस्तेजसा युताः। कुण्डलोष्णीषिणः सर्वे निष्काङ्गदविभूषिताः ॥६-९९-२१॥
The warriors, though deprived of their chariots, were armored and endowed with brilliance. They were all adorned with earrings, turbans, necklaces, and armlets.
देवपुत्रसमा रूपे शौर्ये शक्रसमा युधि। ऋद्ध्या वैश्रवणं चाति नयेन च बृहस्पतिम् ॥६-९९-२२॥
He was as beautiful as the son of a god, as valiant as Indra in battle; in prosperity, he surpassed Kubera, and in policy, he excelled Brihaspati.
सर्वलोकेश्वराः शूरास्तत्र तत्र विशां पते। विप्रद्रुता व्यदृश्यन्त प्राकृता इव मानवाः ॥६-९९-२३॥
The lords of all worlds and heroes were seen fleeing in all directions, O lord of men, appearing like ordinary humans.
दन्तिनश्च नरश्रेष्ठ विहीना वरसादिभिः। मृद्नन्तः स्वान्यनीकानि सम्पेतुः सर्वशब्दगाः ॥६-९९-२४॥
The elephants, O best of men, without their excellent riders and others, trampled their own troops and rushed forward, making a cacophony of sounds.
वर्मभिश्चामरैश्छत्रैः पताकाभिश्च मारिष। कक्ष्याभिरथ तोत्त्रैश्च घण्टाभिस्तोमरैस्तथा ॥६-९९-२५॥
O dear, the chariot was adorned with armors, yak-tail fans, parasols, flags, girdles, goads, bells, and lances.
विशीर्णैर्विप्रधावन्तो दृश्यन्ते स्म दिशो दश। नगमेघप्रतीकाशैर्जलदोदयनिस्वनैः ॥६-९९-२६॥
The ten directions appeared chaotic, with scattered movements and sounds resembling rising clouds and mountains.
तथैव दन्तिभिर्हीनान्गजारोहान्विशां पते। प्रधावन्तोऽन्वपश्याम तव तेषां च सङ्कुले ॥६-९९-२७॥
O lord of men, similarly, we observed your elephant riders, who were without their elephants, running amidst the crowd.
नानादेशसमुत्थांश्च तुरगान्हेमभूषितान्। वातायमानानद्राक्षं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥६-९९-२८॥
I beheld numerous horses from various regions, richly adorned with gold, galloping in their hundreds and thousands.
अश्वारोहान्हतैरश्वैर्गृहीतासीन्समन्ततः। द्रवमाणानपश्याम द्राव्यमाणांश्च संयुगे ॥६-९९-२९॥
In the battle, we observed horsemen being captured all around, with horses killed, some fleeing and others being chased.
गजो गजं समासाद्य द्रवमाणं महारणे। ययौ विमृद्नंस्तरसा पदातीन्वाजिनस्तथा ॥६-९९-३०॥
In the great battle, the elephant charged at the fleeing elephant, swiftly trampling the foot soldiers and horses.
तथैव च रथान्राजन्संममर्द रणे गजः। रथश्चैव समासाद्य पदातिं तुरगं तथा ॥६-९९-३१॥
In the same manner, O king, the elephant crushed the chariots in battle. Similarly, the chariot, upon reaching, attacked the foot-soldier and the horse.
व्यमृद्नात्समरे राजंस्तुरगांश्च नरान्रणे। एवं ते बहुधा राजन्प्रमृद्नन्तः परस्परम् ॥६-९९-३२॥
In the battle, O king, both horses and men are crushed. Thus, in many ways, they crush each other, O king.
तस्मिन्रौद्रे तथा युद्धे वर्तमाने महाभये। प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा शोणितान्त्रतरङ्गिणी ॥६-९९-३३॥
In the midst of that fierce and terrifying battle, a dreadful river emerged, filled with waves of blood and entrails.
अस्थिसञ्चयसङ्घाटा केशशैवलशाद्वला। रथह्रदा शरावर्ता हयमीना दुरासदा ॥६-९९-३४॥
The battlefield was filled with heaps of bones and masses of hair, resembling water-weeds and grass. It was like pools filled with chariots and whirlpools of arrows, with horses and fish making it difficult to approach.
शीर्षोपलसमाकीर्णा हस्तिग्राहसमाकुला। कवचोष्णीषफेनाढ्या धनुर्द्वीपासिकच्छपा ॥६-९९-३५॥
The area was strewn with head-sized stones and teemed with elephants and crocodiles. It was filled with armor, turbans, and foam, and was dotted with bows, islands, swords, and turtles.
पताकाध्वजवृक्षाढ्या मर्त्यकूलापहारिणी। क्रव्यादसङ्घसङ्कीर्णा यमराष्ट्रविवर्धिनी ॥६-९९-३६॥
The land, adorned with flags, banners, and trees, is a destroyer of mortal families, teeming with groups of carnivorous beings, and enhances the kingdom of Yama.
तां नदीं क्षत्रियाः शूरा हयनागरथप्लवैः। प्रतेरुर्बहवो राजन्भयं त्यक्त्वा महाहवे ॥६-९९-३७॥
O king, many brave warriors crossed that river using horses, elephants, chariots, and rafts, leaving behind their fear in the great battle.
अपोवाह रणे भीरून्कश्मलेनाभिसंवृतान्। यथा वैतरणी प्रेतान्प्रेतराजपुरं प्रति ॥६-९९-३८॥
In the battle, he carried away those who were fearful and fainted, just as the river Vaitarani carries the souls of the dead towards the city of Yama, the king of the dead.
प्राक्रोशन्क्षत्रियास्तत्र दृष्ट्वा तद्वैशसं महत्। दुर्योधनापराधेन क्षयं गच्छन्ति कौरवाः ॥६-९९-३९॥
The warriors cried out in anguish upon witnessing the great slaughter. Due to Duryodhana's fault, the Kauravas are facing destruction.
गुणवत्सु कथं द्वेषं धार्तराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः। कृतवान्पाण्डुपुत्रेषु पापात्मा लोभमोहितः ॥६-९९-४०॥
How could the son of Dhritarashtra, the king, who was blinded by greed and wickedness, harbor hatred towards the virtuous sons of Pandu?
एवं बहुविधा वाचः श्रूयन्ते स्मात्र भारत। पाण्डवस्तवसंयुक्ताः पुत्राणां ते सुदारुणाः ॥६-९९-४१॥
Thus, O Bharata, various terrible words were indeed heard here, spoken by your sons allied with the Pandavas.
ता निशम्य तदा वाचः सर्वयोधैरुदाहृताः। आगस्कृत्सर्वलोकस्य पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव ॥६-९९-४२॥
Upon hearing the words spoken by all the warriors, your son Duryodhana, who has offended the entire world, reacted.
भीष्मं द्रोणं कृपं चैव शल्यं चोवाच भारत। युध्यध्वमनहङ्काराः किं चिरं कुरुथेति च ॥६-९९-४३॥
O Bharata, Bhishma, Drona, Kripa, and Shalya were addressed, saying: "Fight without pride; why do you delay so long?"
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह। अक्षद्यूतकृतं राजन्सुघोरं वैशसं तदा ॥६-९९-४४॥
Then, O king, a very terrible battle ensued between the Kauravas and the Pandavas, instigated by the dice game, leading to great destruction.
यत्पुरा न निगृह्णीषे वार्यमाणो महात्मभिः। वैचित्रवीर्य तस्येदं फलं पश्य तथाविधम् ॥६-९९-४५॥
O son of Vicitravīrya, behold the consequences of your past actions, which you did not heed despite the warnings of the wise.
न हि पाण्डुसुता राजन्ससैन्याः सपदानुगाः। रक्षन्ति समरे प्राणान्कौरवा वा विशां पते ॥६-९९-४६॥
O king, neither the sons of Pandu nor the Kauravas, along with their armies and followers, protect their lives in battle, O lord of the people.
एतस्मात्कारणाद्घोरो वर्तते स्म जनक्षयः। दैवाद्वा पुरुषव्याघ्र तव चापनयान्नृप ॥६-९९-४७॥
Due to this reason, a terrible destruction of people has indeed occurred. It might be due to fate or perhaps because of your actions, O noble king, O tiger among men.
