06.102
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततः पिता तव क्रुद्धो निशितैः सायकोत्तमैः। आजघान रणे पार्थान्सहसेनान्समन्ततः ॥६-१०२-१॥
Then your father, in his anger, struck the sons of Pritha and their armies from all sides with his sharp and excellent arrows during the battle.
भीमं द्वादशभिर्विद्ध्वा सात्यकिं नवभिः शरैः। नकुलं च त्रिभिर्बाणैः सहदेवं च सप्तभिः ॥६-१०२-२॥
The warrior pierced Bhima with twelve arrows, Satyaki with nine, Nakula with three, and Sahadeva with seven, demonstrating his prowess in battle.
युधिष्ठिरं द्वादशभिर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्। धृष्टद्युम्नं ततो विद्ध्वा विननाद महाबलः ॥६-१०२-३॥
The mighty warrior struck Yudhishthira with twelve arrows on his arms and chest. Then, after piercing Dhrishtadyumna, he let out a mighty roar.
तं द्वादशार्धैर्नकुलो माधवश्च त्रिभिः शरैः। धृष्टद्युम्नश्च सप्तत्या भीमसेनश्च पञ्चभिः ॥ युधिष्ठिरो द्वादशभिः प्रत्यविध्यत्पितामहम् ॥६-१०२-४॥
Nakula, Madhava, Dhrishtadyumna, Bhimasena, and Yudhishthira attacked the grandsire with their respective arrows, showing their prowess in battle.
द्रोणस्तु सात्यकिं विद्ध्वा भीमसेनमविध्यत। एकैकं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्यमदण्डोपमैः शितैः ॥६-१०२-५॥
Drona, after striking Satyaki, shot Bhimasena with five sharp arrows that resembled the rod of Yama.
तौ च तं प्रत्यविध्येतां त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः। तोत्त्रैरिव महानागं द्रोणं ब्राह्मणपुङ्गवम् ॥६-१०२-६॥
They both attacked Drona, the eminent Brahmin, with three straight-moving arrows, as if striking a great serpent with goads.
सौवीराः कितवाः प्राच्याः प्रतीच्योदीच्यमालवाः। अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः ॥ सङ्ग्रामे नाजहुर्भीष्मं वध्यमानाः शितैः शरैः ॥६-१०२-७॥
The warriors from Sauvīra, gamblers, and those from the east, west, north, Mālava, the fearless, Śūrasena, Śibi, and Vasāti stood by Bhīṣma in the battle, refusing to abandon him even as they were struck down by sharp arrows.
तथैवान्ये वध्यमानाः पाण्डवेयैर्महात्मभिः। पाण्डवानभ्यवर्तन्त विविधायुधपाणयः ॥ तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्परिवव्रुः पितामहम् ॥६-१०२-८॥
In the same manner, as others were being slain by the noble sons of Pandu, they advanced towards the Pandavas with an array of weapons in hand. Similarly, O King, the Pandavas encircled the grandsire.
स समन्तात्परिवृतो रथौघैरपराजितः। गहनेऽग्निरिवोत्सृष्टः प्रजज्वाल दहन्परान् ॥६-१०२-९॥
He, unconquered and surrounded by chariots on all sides, blazed like a fire released in a dense forest, burning his enemies.
रथाग्न्यगारश्चापार्चिरसिशक्तिगदेन्धनः। शरस्फुलिङ्गो भीष्माग्निर्ददाह क्षत्रियर्षभान् ॥६-१०२-१०॥
The chariot became a chamber of fire, with the sword, spear, and mace as its unfading flames. The arrows were like sparks, and Bhishma's fire consumed the warrior chiefs.
सुवर्णपुङ्खैरिषुभिर्गार्ध्रपक्षैः सुतेजनैः। कर्णिनालीकनाराचैश्छादयामास तद्बलम् ॥६-१०२-११॥
He showered the enemy's forces with a barrage of arrows, each adorned with golden and vulture feathers, sharp and deadly, covering them completely.
अपातयद्ध्वजांश्चैव रथिनश्च शितैः शरैः। मुण्डतालवनानीव चकार स रथव्रजान् ॥६-१०२-१२॥
He shot down the flags and charioteers with sharp arrows, making the groups of chariots resemble forests of palm trees.
निर्मनुष्यान्रथान्राजन्गजानश्वांश्च संयुगे। अकरोत्स महाबाहुः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः ॥६-१०२-१३॥
O king, the mighty-armed hero, the best among all weapon-bearers, made the chariots, elephants, and horses devoid of men in the battle.
तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः। निशम्य सर्वभूतानि समकम्पन्त भारत ॥६-१०२-१४॥
Hearing the sound of the bowstring, which was like the crack of thunder, all creatures trembled, O Bharata.
अमोघा ह्यपतन्बाणाः पितुस्ते भरतर्षभ। नासज्जन्त तनुत्रेषु भीष्मचापच्युताः शराः ॥६-१०२-१५॥
O best of the Bharatas, the arrows released from Bhishma's bow, though unfailing, did not stick in the bodies as they fell.
हतवीरान्रथान्राजन्संयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः। अपश्याम महाराज ह्रियमाणान्रणाजिरे ॥६-१०२-१६॥
O great king, we witnessed the slain heroes and the chariots, which were yoked with swift horses, being carried away on the battlefield.
चेदिकाशिकरूषाणां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश। महारथाः समाख्याताः कुलपुत्रास्तनुत्यजः ॥ अपरावर्तिनः सर्वे सुवर्णविकृतध्वजाः ॥६-१०२-१७॥
Fourteen thousand great charioteers from the Cedis, Kashis, and Karushas, known for their valor, hailed from noble families, and were willing to sacrifice their lives. They never retreated and carried banners adorned with gold.
सङ्ग्रामे भीष्ममासाद्य व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्। निमग्नाः परलोकाय सवाजिरथकुञ्जराः ॥६-१०२-१८॥
In the battle, as they approached Bhishma, who appeared like death with an open mouth, they were engulfed and sent to the other world along with their horses, chariots, and elephants.
भग्नाक्षोपस्करान्कांश्चिद्भग्नचक्रांश्च सर्वशः। अपश्याम रथान्राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥६-१०२-१९॥
O king, we observed chariots with broken axles and wheels scattered everywhere, numbering in the hundreds and thousands.
सवरूथै रथैर्भग्नै रथिभिश्च निपातितैः। शरैः सुकवचैश्छिन्नैः पट्टिशैश्च विशां पते ॥६-१०२-२०॥
O lord, the battlefield was filled with broken chariots and charioteers who were felled. Arrows and swords cut through the good armor of men.
गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चैव निस्त्रिंशैश्च शिलीमुखैः। अनुकर्षैरुपासङ्गैश्चक्रैर्भग्नैश्च मारिष ॥६-१०२-२१॥
O lord, the battlefield was filled with maces, pestles, swords, arrows, pulling devices, grappling hooks, and broken wheels.
बाहुभिः कार्मुकैः खड्गैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः। तलत्रैरङ्गुलित्रैश्च ध्वजैश्च विनिपातितैः ॥ चापैश्च बहुधा छिन्नैः समास्तीर्यत मेदिनी ॥६-१०२-२२॥
The battlefield was strewn with severed arms, bows, swords, heads adorned with earrings, shields, finger-guards, and fallen banners, along with bows cut in various ways, covering the earth entirely.
हतारोहा गजा राजन्हयाश्च हतसादिनः। परिपेतुर्द्रुतं तत्र शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥६-१०२-२३॥
Elephants and royal horses, whose riders were slain, ran swiftly around there in hundreds and thousands.
यतमानाश्च ते वीरा द्रवमाणान्महारथान्। नाशक्नुवन्वारयितुं भीष्मबाणप्रपीडितान् ॥६-१०२-२४॥
The heroes, despite their efforts, could not stop the great charioteers who were fleeing, being afflicted by Bhishma's arrows.
महेन्द्रसमवीर्येण वध्यमाना महाचमूः। अभज्यत महाराज न च द्वौ सह धावतः ॥६-१०२-२५॥
The great army was shattered by a force as mighty as Indra's, O great king, and not even two soldiers were seen fleeing together.
आविद्धरथनागाश्वं पतितध्वजकूबरम्। अनीकं पाण्डुपुत्राणां हाहाभूतमचेतनम् ॥६-१०२-२६॥
The army of the Pandavas, with their chariots, elephants, and horses struck down, and their flags and banners fallen, was in a state of panic and unconsciousness.
जघानात्र पिता पुत्रं पुत्रश्च पितरं तथा। प्रियं सखायं चाक्रन्दे सखा दैवबलात्कृतः ॥६-१०२-२७॥
In this situation, the father killed his son, and the son also killed his father. A dear friend lamented to another friend, compelled by divine intervention.
विमुच्य कवचानन्ये पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैनिकाः। प्रकीर्य केशान्धावन्तः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त भारत ॥६-१०२-२८॥
The soldiers of the Pandavas, having thrown away their armors and with disheveled hair, were seen fleeing, O Bharata.
तद्गोकुलमिवोद्भ्रान्तमुद्भ्रान्तरथकुञ्जरम्। ददृशे पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैन्यमार्तस्वरं तदा ॥६-१०२-२९॥
At that time, the army of the Pandava appeared like a disturbed cowherd village, with chariots and elephants in disarray, and was seen making distressed sounds.
प्रभज्यमानं सैन्यं तु दृष्ट्वा यादवनन्दनः। उवाच पार्थं बीभत्सुं निगृह्य रथमुत्तमम् ॥६-१०२-३०॥
Upon witnessing the army in disarray, Krishna, the descendant of Yadu, addressed Arjuna, known for his fearlessness, while firmly holding the reins of the splendid chariot.
अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तः पार्थ यः काङ्क्षितस्तव। प्रहरास्मै नरव्याघ्र न चेन्मोहात्प्रमुह्यसे ॥६-१०२-३१॥
The awaited moment has come, O Arjuna, which you have longed for. Attack him, O great warrior, unless you are bewildered by delusion.
यत्पुरा कथितं वीर त्वया राज्ञां समागमे। विराटनगरे पार्थ सञ्जयस्य समीपतः ॥६-१०२-३२॥
O hero, what you had said earlier in the assembly of kings near Sanjaya in the city of Virata, O son of Pritha.
भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्सर्वान्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकान्। सानुबन्धान्हनिष्यामि ये मां योत्स्यन्ति संयुगे ॥६-१०२-३३॥
I will defeat Bhishma, Drona, and all the soldiers of Dhritarashtra, along with their followers, who dare to fight me in the battle.
इति तत्कुरु कौन्तेय सत्यं वाक्यमरिंदम। क्षत्रधर्ममनुस्मृत्य युध्यस्व भरतर्षभ ॥६-१०२-३४॥
"Thus, O son of Kunti, subduer of enemies, remember your duty as a warrior and fight, O best of the Bharatas."
इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन तिर्यग्दृष्टिरधोमुखः। अकाम इव बीभत्सुरिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥६-१०२-३५॥
Having been addressed by Vāsudeva, with his gaze averted and head lowered, as if unwilling and disgusted, he spoke these words.
अवध्यानां वधं कृत्वा राज्यं वा नरकोत्तरम्। दुःखानि वनवासे वा किं नु मे सुकृतं भवेत् ॥६-१०२-३६॥
What good deed could I have done if I have killed the innocent, gained a kingdom, or endured the sufferings of living in the forest?
चोदयाश्वान्यतो भीष्मः करिष्ये वचनं तव। पातयिष्यामि दुर्धर्षं वृद्धं कुरुपितामहम् ॥६-१०२-३७॥
Urge the horses towards Bhishma; I will fulfill your command. I will bring down the invincible, aged grandfather of the Kuru dynasty.
ततोऽश्वान्रजतप्रख्यांश्चोदयामास माधवः। यतो भीष्मस्ततो राजन्दुष्प्रेक्ष्यो रश्मिवानिव ॥६-१०२-३८॥
Then Madhava urged the silver-like horses forward. Where Bhishma was, it was hard to look, like the sun, O King.
ततस्तत्पुनरावृत्तं युधिष्ठिरबलं महत्। दृष्ट्वा पार्थं महाबाहुं भीष्मायोद्यन्तमाहवे ॥६-१०२-३९॥
Then, seeing the great army of Yudhishthira return, Arjuna, the mighty-armed, prepared to fight against Bhishma in the battle.
ततो भीष्मः कुरुश्रेष्ठः सिंहवद्विनदन्मुहुः। धनञ्जयरथं शीघ्रं शरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ॥६-१०२-४०॥
Then Bhishma, the greatest of the Kurus, roared like a lion and swiftly showered Arjuna's chariot with arrows.
क्षणेन स रथस्तस्य सहयः सहसारथिः। शरवर्षेण महता न प्राज्ञायत किञ्चन ॥६-१०२-४१॥
In an instant, his chariot along with the horses and charioteer disappeared under a heavy barrage of arrows.
वासुदेवस्त्वसम्भ्रान्तो धैर्यमास्थाय सात्वतः। चोदयामास तानश्वान्वितुन्नान्भीष्मसायकैः ॥६-१०२-४२॥
Vasudeva, the descendant of Sātvata, remained unperturbed and, with courage, urged the horses that were pierced by Bhishma's arrows.
ततः पार्थो धनुर्गृह्य दिव्यं जलदनिस्वनम्। पातयामास भीष्मस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा शितैः शरैः ॥६-१०२-४३॥
Then Arjuna took up his divine bow, which roared like thunder, and with sharp arrows, he cut down Bhishma's bow.
स च्छिन्नधन्वा कौरव्यः पुनरन्यन्महद्धनुः। निमेषान्तरमात्रेण सज्यं चक्रे पिता तव ॥६-१०२-४४॥
Your father, the descendant of Kuru, whose bow was broken, quickly strung another great bow in an instant.
विचकर्ष ततो दोर्भ्यां धनुर्जलदनिस्वनम्। अथास्य तदपि क्रुद्धश्चिच्छेद धनुरर्जुनः ॥६-१०२-४५॥
Then he drew the bow with his arms, making a sound like thunder. Arjuna, in his anger, then cut off that bow as well.
तस्य तत्पूजयामास लाघवं शन्तनोः सुतः। साधु पार्थ महाबाहो साधु कुन्तीसुतेति च ॥६-१०२-४६॥
The son of Śantanu admired the lightness. 'Well done, Pārtha, mighty-armed one, well done, son of Kunti,' he said:
समाभाष्यैनमपरं प्रगृह्य रुचिरं धनुः। मुमोच समरे भीष्मः शरान्पार्थरथं प्रति ॥६-१०२-४७॥
Bhishma, after addressing him, took another beautiful bow and released arrows towards Arjuna's chariot in the battle.
अदर्शयद्वासुदेवो हययाने परं बलम्। मोघान्कुर्वञ्शरांस्तस्य मण्डलानि विदर्शयन् ॥६-१०२-४८॥
Vasudeva demonstrated his supreme strength on the chariot by rendering the enemy's arrows ineffective and showcasing strategic formations.
शुशुभाते नरव्याघ्रौ भीष्मपार्थौ शरक्षतौ। गोवृषाविव संरब्धौ विषाणोल्लिखिताङ्कितौ ॥६-१०२-४९॥
Bhishma and Arjuna, renowned warriors, stood out on the battlefield, their bodies marked by arrows, resembling two fierce bulls ready for battle.
वासुदेवस्तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य पार्थस्य मृदुयुद्धताम्। भीष्मं च शरवर्षाणि सृजन्तमनिशं युधि ॥६-१०२-५०॥
Vasudeva observed the gentle approach of Partha in battle and Bhishma's relentless shower of arrows.
प्रतपन्तमिवादित्यं मध्यमासाद्य सेनयोः। वरान्वरान्विनिघ्नन्तं पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैनिकान् ॥६-१०२-५१॥
The warriors of the son of Pandu, shining like the sun, reached the middle of the armies and began slaying the heroes.
युगान्तमिव कुर्वाणं भीष्मं यौधिष्ठिरे बले। नामृष्यत महाबाहुर्माधवः परवीरहा ॥६-१०२-५२॥
Krishna, with his mighty arms, could not tolerate Bhishma causing devastation akin to the end of an era in Yudhishthira's forces.
उत्सृज्य रजतप्रख्यान्हयान्पार्थस्य मारिष। क्रुद्धो नाम महायोगी प्रचस्कन्द महारथात् ॥ अभिदुद्राव भीष्मं स भुजप्रहरणो बली ॥६-१०२-५३॥
O great one, the mighty yogi, in his anger, abandoned Arjuna's silver-like horses, leapt from the chariot, and with his arms as weapons, charged towards Bhishma.
प्रतोदपाणिस्तेजस्वी सिंहवद्विनदन्मुहुः। दारयन्निव पद्भ्यां स जगतीं जगतीश्वरः ॥६-१०२-५४॥
The brilliant lord of the earth, with a goad in hand, roared repeatedly like a lion, as if he was tearing apart the earth with his feet.
क्रोधताम्रेक्षणः कृष्णो जिघांसुरमितद्युतिः। ग्रसन्निव च चेतांसि तावकानां महाहवे ॥६-१०२-५५॥
Krishna, his eyes red with anger and possessing immeasurable splendor, seemed intent on destroying, as if consuming the minds of your people in the great battle.
दृष्ट्वा माधवमाक्रन्दे भीष्मायोद्यन्तमाहवे। हतो भीष्मो हतो भीष्म इति तत्र स्म सैनिकाः ॥ क्रोशन्तः प्राद्रवन्सर्वे वासुदेवभयान्नराः ॥६-१०२-५६॥
Upon seeing Madhava lamenting for Bhishma rising in battle, the soldiers exclaimed, "Bhishma is killed, Bhishma is killed," and all the men fled in fear of Vasudeva.
पीतकौशेयसंवीतो मणिश्यामो जनार्दनः। शुशुभे विद्रवन्भीष्मं विद्युन्माली यथाम्बुदः ॥६-१०२-५७॥
Janardana, dressed in yellow silk and dark as a gem, shone brilliantly as he fled from Bhishma, resembling a cloud adorned with lightning.
स सिंह इव मातङ्गं यूथर्षभ इवर्षभम्। अभिदुद्राव तेजस्वी विनदन्यादवर्षभः ॥६-१०२-५८॥
The glorious Yadava hero charged forward like a lion attacking an elephant, roaring like the leader of a herd confronting a bull.
तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य पुण्डरीकाक्षमाहवे। असम्भ्रमं रणे भीष्मो विचकर्ष महद्धनुः ॥ उवाच चैनं गोविन्दमसम्भ्रान्तेन चेतसा ॥६-१०२-५९॥
Seeing him approach, the lotus-eyed Krishna in the battle, Bhishma, without any confusion, drew his great bow and spoke to Govinda with a calm mind.
एह्येहि पुण्डरीकाक्ष देवदेव नमोऽस्तु ते। मामद्य सात्वतश्रेष्ठ पातयस्व महाहवे ॥६-१०२-६०॥
"Come, come, O lotus-eyed god of gods, salutations to you. Today, O best of the Sātvatas, let me fall in the great battle."
त्वया हि देव सङ्ग्रामे हतस्यापि ममानघ। श्रेय एव परं कृष्ण लोकेऽमुष्मिन्निहैव च ॥ सम्भावितोऽस्मि गोविन्द त्रैलोक्येनाद्य संयुगे ॥६-१०२-६१॥
O Krishna, even if I am slain in battle by you, O sinless one, it is certainly better for me, both in this world and the next. Today, O Govinda, I am honored by the three worlds in this battle.
अन्वगेव ततः पार्थस्तमनुद्रुत्य केशवम्। निजग्राह महाबाहुर्बाहुभ्यां परिगृह्य वै ॥६-१०२-६२॥
Arjuna, with his mighty arms, chased and caught Krishna, embracing him firmly.
निगृह्यमाणः पार्थेन कृष्णो राजीवलोचनः। जगाम चैनमादाय वेगेन पुरुषोत्तमः ॥६-१०२-६३॥
Krishna, the lotus-eyed, was restrained by Arjuna, yet he swiftly went and took him, the supreme person.
पार्थस्तु विष्टभ्य बलाच्चरणौ परवीरहा। निजघ्राह हृषीकेशं कथञ्चिद्दशमे पदे ॥६-१०२-६४॥
Arjuna, the mighty warrior, somehow managed to steady himself and seize Krishna at the tenth step, despite the challenges.
तत एनमुवाचार्तः क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणम्। निःश्वसन्तं यथा नागमर्जुनः परवीरहा ॥६-१०२-६५॥
Arjuna, overwhelmed with anger and breathing heavily like a serpent, addressed him with distress.
निवर्तस्व महाबाहो नानृतं कर्तुमर्हसि। यत्त्वया कथितं पूर्वं न योत्स्यामीति केशव ॥६-१०२-६६॥
O mighty-armed one, turn back; you should not commit falsehood. You had previously declared, "I will not fight," O Keśava.
मिथ्यावादीति लोकस्त्वां कथयिष्यति माधव। ममैष भारः सर्वो हि हनिष्यामि यतव्रतम् ॥६-१०२-६७॥
O Mādhava, people will call you a liar. I will indeed destroy all this burden with determination.
शपे माधव सख्येन सत्येन सुकृतेन च। अन्तं यथा गमिष्यामि शत्रूणां शत्रुकर्शन ॥६-१०२-६८॥
I swear, O Mādhava, by our friendship, truth, and good deeds, that I will bring an end to the enemies, O destroyer of foes.
अद्यैव पश्य दुर्धर्षं पात्यमानं महाव्रतम्। तारापतिमिवापूर्णमन्तकाले यदृच्छया ॥६-१०२-६९॥
"Today itself, witness the invincible being brought down, like the lord of stars not full at the end of time, by mere chance."
माधवस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा फल्गुनस्य महात्मनः। नकिञ्चिदुक्त्वा सक्रोध आरुरोह रथं पुनः ॥६-१०२-७०॥
Madhava listened to the words of the noble Phalguna and, without uttering a word, climbed back onto the chariot in anger.
तौ रथस्थौ नरव्याघ्रौ भीष्मः शान्तनवः पुनः। ववर्ष शरवर्षेण मेघो वृष्ट्या यथाचलौ ॥६-१०२-७१॥
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, once again showered a rain of arrows from his chariot, like a cloud pouring rain, upon the two mighty warriors who stood firm like mountains.
प्राणांश्चादत्त योधानां पिता देवव्रतस्तव। गभस्तिभिरिवादित्यस्तेजांसि शिशिरात्यये ॥६-१०२-७२॥
Devavrata, your father, took the lives of the warriors, just as the sun diminishes the brilliance of the world with its rays at the end of winter.
यथा कुरूणां सैन्यानि बभञ्ज युधि पाण्डवः। तथा पाण्डवसैन्यानि बभञ्ज युधि ते पिता ॥६-१०२-७३॥
In the battle, just as the Pandava shattered the armies of the Kurus, your father similarly shattered the Pandava armies.
हतविद्रुतसैन्यास्तु निरुत्साहा विचेतसः। निरीक्षितुं न शेकुस्ते भीष्ममप्रतिमं रणे ॥ मध्यं गतमिवादित्यं प्रतपन्तं स्वतेजसा ॥६-१०२-७४॥
The armies, having been killed and scattered, were left dispirited and bewildered. They could not even look at Bhishma, who was incomparable in battle, shining with his own brilliance like the sun at its zenith.
ते वध्यमाना भीष्मेण कालेनेव युगक्षये। वीक्षां चक्रुर्महाराज पाण्डवा भयपीडिताः ॥६-१०२-७५॥
The Pandavas, afflicted by fear, were being killed by Bhishma as if it were the end of an era, O great king.
त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त गावः पङ्कगता इव। पिपीलिका इव क्षुण्णा दुर्बला बलिना रणे ॥६-१०२-७६॥
The cows, like ants crushed and weak, could not find a protector, as if stuck in mud, overwhelmed by the strong in battle.
महारथं भारत दुष्प्रधर्षं; शरौघिणं प्रतपन्तं नरेन्द्रान्। भीष्मं न शेकुः प्रतिवीक्षितुं ते; शरार्चिषं सूर्यमिवातपन्तम् ॥६-१०२-७७॥
O Bharata, the great chariot-warrior Bhishma, invincible and showering arrows, was burning the kings. They were unable to look at him, as he was blazing like the sun with his arrow flames.
विमृद्नतस्तस्य तु पाण्डुसेना; मस्तं जगामाथ सहस्ररश्मिः। ततो बलानां श्रमकर्शितानां; मनोऽवहारं प्रति सम्बभूव ॥६-१०२-७८॥
As the sun set, Pandu's army, though initially crushing his forces, became exhausted and sought relief from their fatigue.
