06.104
Pancharatra and Core: On the tenth day, while Arjuna held back all the charioteers, Shikandin advanced against Bhishma, who refused to fight.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
कथं शिखण्डी गाङ्गेयमभ्यवर्तत संयुगे। पाण्डवाश्च तथा भीष्मं तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-१०४-१॥
Sañjaya, tell me how Śikhaṇḍī confronted Gāṅgeya in the battle, and how the Pāṇḍavas faced Bhīṣma.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततः प्रभाते विमले सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। वाद्यमानासु भेरीषु मृदङ्गेष्वानकेषु च ॥६-१०४-२॥
Then, in the clear morning, as the sun was about to rise, the sound of drums, mridangas, and anakas filled the air.
ध्मायत्सु दधिवर्णेषु जलजेषु समन्ततः। शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य निर्याताः पाण्डवा युधि ॥६-१०४-३॥
The Pandavas, having placed Shikhandi at the forefront, departed to battle, with the sound of conch shells echoing in the white waters all around.
कृत्वा व्यूहं महाराज सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्। शिखण्डी सर्वसैन्यानामग्र आसीद्विशां पते ॥६-१०४-४॥
Having formed the battle array, O great king, Shikhandi, the destroyer of all enemies, stood at the forefront of all the armies, O lord of men.
चक्ररक्षौ ततस्तस्य भीमसेनधनञ्जयौ। पृष्ठतो द्रौपदेयाश्च सौभद्रश्चैव वीर्यवान् ॥६-१०४-५॥
Then, Bhimasena and Dhananjaya, the protectors of the wheel, stood behind him, accompanied by the sons of Draupadi and the valiant son of Subhadra.
सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च तेषां गोप्ता महारथः। धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततः पश्चात्पाञ्चालैरभिरक्षितः ॥६-१०४-६॥
Satyaki and Chekitana, the great chariot-warrior, were their protectors. Then Dhrishtadyumna was protected by the Panchalas.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा यमाभ्यां सहितः प्रभुः। प्रययौ सिंहनादेन नादयन्भरतर्षभ ॥६-१०४-७॥
Then King Yudhishthira, along with his brothers, departed with a mighty roar, echoing like a lion, O great leader of the Bharatas.
विराटस्तु ततः पश्चात्स्वेन सैन्येन संवृतः। द्रुपदश्च महाराज ततः पश्चादुपाद्रवत् ॥६-१०४-८॥
Virata, after being surrounded by his own army, then Drupada, O great king, attacked afterwards.
केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च धृष्टकेतुश्च वीर्यवान्। जघनं पालयामास पाण्डुसैन्यस्य भारत ॥६-१०४-९॥
The five Kekaya brothers, along with the valiant Dhṛṣṭaketu, safeguarded the rear of the Pandava forces, O Bharata.
एवं व्यूह्य महत्सैन्यं पाण्डवास्तव वाहिनीम्। अभ्यद्रवन्त सङ्ग्रामे त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः ॥६-१०४-१०॥
The Pandavas, having strategically arranged their formidable army, launched an attack on your forces in the battle, ready to sacrifice their lives.
तथैव कुरवो राजन्भीष्मं कृत्वा महाबलम्। अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां प्रययुः पाण्डवान्प्रति ॥६-१०४-११॥
Similarly, O king, the Kauravas, placing the mighty Bhishma at the forefront, advanced towards the Pandavas with all their forces.
पुत्रैस्तव दुराधर्षै रक्षितः सुमहाबलैः। ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः पुत्रश्चास्य महारथः ॥६-१०४-१२॥
Your invincible sons, protected by mighty warriors, were then accompanied by Droṇa, the great archer, and his son, a formidable chariot-warrior.
भगदत्तस्ततः पश्चाद्गजानीकेन संवृतः। कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च भगदत्तमनुव्रतौ ॥६-१०४-१३॥
Then Bhagadatta, surrounded by his elephant division, was followed by Kṛpa and Kṛtavarmā, both devoted to him.
काम्बोजराजो बलवांस्ततः पश्चात्सुदक्षिणः। मागधश्च जयत्सेनः सौबलश्च बृहद्बलः ॥६-१०४-१४॥
The strong King of Kamboja, followed by Sudakshina, Jayatsena of Magadha, and Brihadbala of Saubala.
तथेतरे महेष्वासाः सुशर्मप्रमुखा नृपाः। जघनं पालयामासुस्तव सैन्यस्य भारत ॥६-१०४-१५॥
In this way, other great archers, led by Susharma, took charge of protecting the rear of your army, O Bharata.
दिवसे दिवसे प्राप्ते भीष्मः शान्तनवो युधि। आसुरानकरोद्व्यूहान्पैशाचानथ राक्षसान् ॥६-१०४-१६॥
As each day arrived, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, arranged the battle formations with demonic, fiendish, and monstrous strategies.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तव तेषां च भारत। अन्योन्यं निघ्नतां राजन्यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम् ॥६-१०४-१७॥
Then the battle began between your forces and theirs, O Bharata, each striking the other, enhancing the royal kingdom.
अर्जुनप्रमुखाः पार्थाः पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम्। भीष्मं युद्धेऽभ्यवर्तन्त किरन्तो विविधाञ्शरान् ॥६-१०४-१८॥
The sons of Pritha, led by Arjuna, placed Shikhandi at the forefront and advanced towards Bhishma in the battle, showering a multitude of arrows.
तत्र भारत भीमेन पीडितास्तावकाः शरैः। रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नाः परलोकं ययुस्तदा ॥६-१०४-१९॥
At that time, O Bharata, your men, struck by Bhima's arrows and soaked in blood, departed to the afterlife.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः। तव सैन्यं समासाद्य पीडयामासुरोजसा ॥६-१०४-२०॥
Nakula, Sahadeva, and Satyaki, the great warriors, attacked your army with great force and caused significant distress.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे तावका भरतर्षभ। नाशक्नुवन्वारयितुं पाण्डवानां महद्बलम् ॥६-१०४-२१॥
O best of the Bharatas, your men, being slaughtered in the battle, could not withstand the mighty force of the Pandavas.
ततस्तु तावकं सैन्यं वध्यमानं समन्ततः। सम्प्राद्रवद्दिशो राजन्काल्यमानं महारथैः ॥६-१०४-२२॥
Then, O king, your army, surrounded and being slain from all sides, fled in all directions, harassed by the great charioteers.
त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त तावका भरतर्षभ। वध्यमानाः शितैर्बाणैः पाण्डवैः सहसृञ्जयैः ॥६-१०४-२३॥
O best of the Bharatas, your men could not find a protector as they were being slain by the sharp arrows of the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
पीड्यमानं बलं पार्थैर्दृष्ट्वा भीष्मः पराक्रमी। यदकार्षीद्रणे क्रुद्धस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-१०४-२४॥
Sanjaya, tell me what the valiant Bhishma did in the battle when he saw the army being oppressed by the sons of Pritha, in his anger.
कथं वा पाण्डवान्युद्धे प्रत्युद्यातः परन्तपः। विनिघ्नन्सोमकान्वीरांस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥६-१०४-२५॥
O Sanjaya, tell me how the scorcher of foes, having advanced in battle, is slaying the heroic Somakas or the Pandavas.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
आचक्षे ते महाराज यदकार्षीत्पितामहः। पीडिते तव पुत्रस्य सैन्ये पाण्डवसृञ्जयैः ॥६-१०४-२६॥
I will recount to you, O great king, the actions of the grandsire when your son's forces were besieged by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.
प्रहृष्टमनसः शूराः पाण्डवाः पाण्डुपूर्वज। अभ्यवर्तन्त निघ्नन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् ॥६-१०४-२७॥
The Pandavas, filled with joy and courage, moved forward, O elder of the Pandus, and began to destroy the army of your son.
तं विनाशं मनुष्येन्द्र नरवारणवाजिनाम्। नामृष्यत तदा भीष्मः सैन्यघातं रणे परैः ॥६-१०४-२८॥
Bhishma, witnessing the destruction of men, elephants, and horses, could not tolerate the slaughter of his army in battle by the enemies, O king of men.
स पाण्डवान्महेष्वासः पाञ्चालांश्च ससृञ्जयान्। अभ्यद्रवत दुर्धर्षस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः ॥६-१०४-२९॥
The formidable warrior, disregarding his own life, charged against the Pāṇḍavas, the Pāñcālas, and the Sṛñjayas.
स पाण्डवानां प्रवरान्पञ्च राजन्महारथान्। आत्तशस्त्रान्रणे यत्तान्वारयामास सायकैः ॥ नाराचैर्वत्सदन्तैश्च शितैरञ्जलिकैस्तथा ॥६-१०४-३०॥
O King, he restrained the five foremost great charioteers of the Pandavas, who were armed and ready for battle, using various kinds of arrows including iron, calf-tooth, sharp, and Anjalika arrows.
निजघ्ने समरे क्रुद्धो हस्त्यश्वममितं बहु। रथिनोऽपातयद्राजन्रथेभ्यः पुरुषर्षभः ॥६-१०४-३१॥
In the battle, the enraged warrior, like a bull among men, slew countless elephants and horses. O king, he brought down many charioteers from their chariots.
सादिनश्चाश्वपृष्ठेभ्यः पदातींश्च समागतान्। गजारोहान्गजेभ्यश्च परेषां विदधद्भयम् ॥६-१०४-३२॥
The horsemen and foot soldiers gathered, while the elephant riders on their elephants instilled fear among the enemies.
तमेकं समरे भीष्मं त्वरमाणं महारथम्। पाण्डवाः समवर्तन्त वज्रपाणिमिवासुराः ॥६-१०४-३३॥
The Pandavas, seeing Bhishma rushing into battle as a great chariot-warrior, turned against him like demons would against the mighty Vajrapani.
शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शान्विमुञ्चन्निशिताञ्शरान्। दिक्ष्वदृश्यत सर्वासु घोरं सन्धारयन्वपुः ॥६-१०४-३४॥
He was seen releasing sharp arrows that had the touch of Indra's thunderbolt, and his terrible form was visible in all directions.
मण्डलीकृतमेवास्य नित्यं धनुरदृश्यत। सङ्ग्रामे युध्यमानस्य शक्रचापनिभं महत् ॥६-१०४-३५॥
In battle, his bow was always seen in a circular form, resembling the great bow of Indra.
तद्दृष्ट्वा समरे कर्म तव पुत्रा विशां पते। विस्मयं परमं प्राप्ताः पितामहमपूजयन् ॥६-१०४-३६॥
Upon witnessing that act in the battlefield, your sons, O lord of the people, were filled with great wonder and paid homage to the grandsire.
पार्था विमनसो भूत्वा प्रैक्षन्त पितरं तव। युध्यमानं रणे शूरं विप्रचित्तिमिवामराः ॥ न चैनं वारयामासुर्व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम् ॥६-१०४-३७॥
The sons of Pritha, disheartened, watched your father, a hero fighting in battle like Vipracitti among the gods. They did not stop him, as if he were death itself with an open mouth.
दशमेऽहनि सम्प्राप्ते रथानीकं शिखण्डिनः। अदहन्निशितैर्बाणैः कृष्णवर्त्मेव काननम् ॥६-१०४-३८॥
On the tenth day, Shikhandi's chariot army arrived and burned fiercely with sharp arrows, resembling a forest set ablaze along a dark path.
तं शिखण्डी त्रिभिर्बाणैरभ्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे। आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं कालसृष्टमिवान्तकम् ॥६-१०४-३९॥
Shikhandi attacked him fiercely with three arrows in the chest, resembling an enraged serpent, as if he were death incarnate, created by time.
स तेनातिभृशं विद्धः प्रेक्ष्य भीष्मः शिखण्डिनम्। अनिच्छन्नपि सङ्क्रुद्धः प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥६-१०४-४०॥
Even though unwilling, Bhishma, having been excessively pierced by Shikhandi, looked at him with anger and, smiling, said this.
काममभ्यस वा मा वा न त्वां योत्स्ये कथञ्चन। यैव हि त्वं कृता धात्रा सैव हि त्वं शिखण्डिनी ॥६-१०४-४१॥
"Do as you please, whether you practice or not, I shall not fight you in any way. You are indeed created by the creator as Shikhandini."
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शिखण्डी क्रोधमूर्छितः। उवाच भीष्मं समरे सृक्किणी परिलेलिहन् ॥६-१०४-४२॥
Upon hearing those words, Shikhandi, filled with rage, addressed Bhishma on the battlefield, while licking his bowstring.
जानामि त्वां महाबाहो क्षत्रियाणां क्षयङ्करम्। मया श्रुतं च ते युद्धं जामदग्न्येन वै सह ॥६-१०४-४३॥
I recognize you, O mighty-armed hero, as the annihilator of the Kshatriya race. I have also heard about your confrontation with Parashurama, the son of Jamadagni.
दिव्यश्च ते प्रभावोऽयं स मया बहुशः श्रुतः। जानन्नपि प्रभावं ते योत्स्येऽद्याहं त्वया सह ॥६-१०४-४४॥
I have often heard of your divine power. Even knowing your power, today I will fight with you.
पाण्डवानां प्रियं कुर्वन्नात्मनश्च नरोत्तम। अद्य त्वा योधयिष्यामि रणे पुरुषसत्तम ॥६-१०४-४५॥
O best of men, acting in the interest of the Pandavas and oneself, today I shall engage you in battle, O noblest among men.
ध्रुवं च त्वा हनिष्यामि शपे सत्येन तेऽग्रतः। एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो मह्यं यत्क्षमं तत्समाचर ॥६-१०४-४६॥
"I swear by truth, I will certainly kill you right in front of you. After hearing these words, do what you find appropriate."
काममभ्यस वा मा वा न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यसे। सुदृष्टः क्रियतां भीष्म लोकोऽयं समितिञ्जय ॥६-१०४-४७॥
"Do as you wish, practice or not, you will not attain liberation while alive. Let it be well-understood, Bhishma, this world, O victor of assemblies."
एवमुक्त्वा ततो भीष्मं पञ्चभिर्नतपर्वभिः। अविध्यत रणे राजन्प्रणुन्नं वाक्यसायकैः ॥६-१०४-४८॥
After speaking thus, Bhishma was then struck in battle by five bent-jointed arrows, O king, and was driven back by the force of words.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सव्यसाची परन्तपः। कालोऽयमिति सञ्चिन्त्य शिखण्डिनमचोदयत् ॥६-१०४-४९॥
Upon hearing those words, Arjuna, the mighty warrior, realized it was the opportune moment and encouraged Shikhandi to act.
अहं त्वामनुयास्यामि परान्विद्रावयञ्शरैः। अभिद्रव सुसंरब्धो भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥६-१०४-५०॥
I will follow you, scattering the enemies with my arrows. Charge at Bhishma with great fury and mighty prowess.
न हि ते संयुगे पीडां शक्तः कर्तुं महाबलः। तस्मादद्य महाबाहो वीर भीष्ममभिद्रव ॥६-१०४-५१॥
Your great strength cannot cause harm in battle. Therefore, mighty-armed hero, attack Bhishma today.
अहत्वा समरे भीष्मं यदि यास्यसि मारिष। अवहास्योऽस्य लोकस्य भविष्यसि मया सह ॥६-१०४-५२॥
If you do not kill Bhishma in battle and choose to leave, O honorable one, you and I will be ridiculed by the world.
नावहास्या यथा वीर भवेम परमाहवे। तथा कुरु रणे यत्नं साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥६-१०४-५३॥
Let us not be mocked as heroes in the great battle; therefore, strive in the battle to achieve victory over the grandfather.
अहं ते रक्षणं युद्धे करिष्यामि परन्तप। वारयन्रथिनः सर्वान्साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥६-१०४-५४॥
I will protect you in battle, O Parantapa. While I hold back all the charioteers, you must accomplish the task concerning the grandfather.
द्रोणं च द्रोणपुत्रं च कृपं चाथ सुयोधनम्। चित्रसेनं विकर्णं च सैन्धवं च जयद्रथम् ॥६-१०४-५५॥
Drona, Drona's son, Kripa, Suyodhana, Citrasena, Vikarna, Saindhava, and Jayadratha were all present.
विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ काम्बोजं च सुदक्षिणम्। भगदत्तं तथा शूरं मागधं च महारथम् ॥६-१०४-५६॥
Vindānuvinda of Avanti, Kāmboja, Sudakshina, Bhagadatta, and the heroic Magadha were all great chariot-warriors.
सौमदत्तिं रणे शूरमार्श्यशृङ्गिं च राक्षसम्। त्रिगर्तराजं च रणे सह सर्वैर्महारथैः ॥ अहमावारयिष्यामि वेलेव मकरालयम् ॥६-१०४-५७॥
I will stand against Saumadatti, the brave demon Arshyashringa, and the king of Trigarta in battle, along with all the great charioteers, just as a shore holds back the ocean.
कुरूंश्च सहितान्सर्वान्ये चैषां सैनिकाः स्थिताः। निवारयिष्यामि रणे साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥६-१०४-५८॥
I will stop all the Kurus and their soldiers standing here in battle; you must achieve your goal concerning the grandfather.
