06.106
Core and Pancharatra: All the Pandavas' army attacked Bhishma, with the understanding that Arjuna would fight Bhishma keeping Shikandin at the front. Each of the Pandava warriors was restrained by counter-warriors from the Kaurava side. Arjuna was unable to surpass Duḥśāsana's chariot for a while;
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अर्जुनस्तु रणे राजन्दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य विक्रमम्। शिखण्डिनमथोवाच समभ्येहि पितामहम् ॥६-१०६-१॥
Arjuna, witnessing the might of Bhishma on the battlefield, instructed Shikhandi, 'Go towards the grandsire,' O King.
न चापि भीस्त्वया कार्या भीष्मादद्य कथञ्चन। अहमेनं शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः पातयिष्ये रथोत्तमात् ॥६-१०६-२॥
Do not be afraid of Bhishma today in any way. I will bring him down with sharp arrows from the best chariot.
एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन शिखण्डी भरतर्षभ। अभ्यद्रवत गाङ्गेयं श्रुत्वा पार्थस्य भाषितम् ॥६-१०६-३॥
Upon hearing Pārtha's words, Śikhaṇḍī, the valiant warrior, charged at Gāṅgeya, O esteemed descendant of Bharata.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तथा राजन्सौभद्रश्च महारथः। हृष्टावाद्रवतां भीष्मं श्रुत्वा पार्थस्य भाषितम् ॥६-१०६-४॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna and the son of Subhadra, both great warriors, joyfully rushed towards Bhishma after hearing the words of Partha, O king.
विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ कुन्तिभोजश्च दंशितः। अभ्यद्रवत गाङ्गेयं पुत्रस्य तव पश्यतः ॥६-१०६-५॥
Virata, Drupada, and the aged Kuntibhoja, having been pierced, attacked Bhishma, the son of Ganga, while your son was watching.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च धर्मराजश्च वीर्यवान्। तथेतराणि सैन्यानि सर्वाण्येव विशां पते ॥ समाद्रवन्त गाङ्गेयं श्रुत्वा पार्थस्य भाषितम् ॥६-१०६-६॥
Nakula, Sahadeva, and the valiant Dharmaraja, along with all the other armies, rushed towards Bhishma upon hearing Partha's words, O lord of men.
प्रत्युद्ययुस्तावकाश्च समेतास्तान्महारथान्। यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥६-१०६-७॥
Your men advanced towards the great charioteers, assembling with all their ability and enthusiasm. Listen as I speak of this.
चित्रसेनो महाराज चेकितानं समभ्ययात्। भीष्मप्रेप्सुं रणे यान्तं वृषं व्याघ्रशिशुर्यथा ॥६-१०६-८॥
King Citrasena approached Cekitana, who was eager to confront Bhishma in battle, just as a tiger cub approaches a bull.
धृष्टद्युम्नं महाराज भीष्मान्तिकमुपागतम्। त्वरमाणो रणे यत्तं कृतवर्मा न्यवारयत् ॥६-१०६-९॥
O great king, Dhṛṣṭadyumna approached near Bhīṣma. In the battle, the swift and attentive Kṛtavarmā restrained him.
भीमसेनं सुसङ्क्रुद्धं गाङ्गेयस्य वधैषिणम्। त्वरमाणो महाराज सौमदत्तिर्न्यवारयत् ॥६-१०६-१०॥
Bhimasena, in his intense anger and desire to kill Bhishma, was quickly restrained by Saumadatti, O great king.
तथैव नकुलं वीरं किरन्तं सायकान्बहून्। विकर्णो वारयामास इच्छन्भीष्मस्य जीवितम् ॥६-१०६-११॥
Similarly, Vikarna stopped the brave Nakula, who was discharging numerous arrows, in an attempt to save Bhishma's life.
सहदेवं तथा यान्तं यत्तं भीष्मरथं प्रति। वारयामास सङ्क्रुद्धः कृपः शारद्वतो युधि ॥६-१०६-१२॥
Sahadeva, moving with determination towards Bhishma's chariot, was stopped by the enraged Kripa, the son of Sharadvata, during the battle.
राक्षसं क्रूरकर्माणं भैमसेनिं महाबलम्। भीष्मस्य निधनं प्रेप्सुं दुर्मुखोऽभ्यद्रवद्बली ॥६-१०६-१३॥
Durmukha, the strong demon known for his cruel deeds and great strength, attacked, desiring the death of Bhishma, the son of Bhimasena.
सात्यकिं समरे क्रुद्धमार्श्यशृङ्गिरवारयत्। अभिमन्युं महाराज यान्तं भीष्मरथं प्रति ॥ सुदक्षिणो महाराज काम्बोजः प्रत्यवारयत् ॥६-१०६-१४॥
In the battle, the enraged Arshyashringa stopped Satyaki. O great king, Sudakshina of the Kamboja clan countered Abhimanyu as he was heading towards Bhishma's chariot.
विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ समेतावरिमर्दनौ। अश्वत्थामा ततः क्रुद्धो वारयामास भारत ॥६-१०६-१५॥
Virata and Drupada, both old and united as enemy crushers, were then restrained by the angry Ashwatthama, O Bharata.
तथा पाण्डुसुतं ज्येष्ठं भीष्मस्य वधकाङ्क्षिणम्। भारद्वाजो रणे यत्तो धर्मपुत्रमवारयत् ॥६-१०६-१६॥
Bharadvaja, with full intent in the battle, stopped the eldest son of Pandu, who was eager to kill Bhishma.
अर्जुनं रभसं युद्धे पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम्। भीष्मप्रेप्सुं महाराज तापयन्तं दिशो दश ॥ दुःशासनो महेष्वासो वारयामास संयुगे ॥६-१०६-१७॥
O great king, Duhshasana, the great archer, restrained fierce Arjuna and Shikhandi, who were desiring Bhishma and tormenting the ten directions in battle.
अन्ये च तावका योधाः पाण्डवानां महारथान्। भीष्मायाभिमुखं यातान्वारयामासुराहवे ॥६-१०६-१८॥
In the battle, your other warriors stopped the great charioteers of the Pāṇḍavas who were advancing towards Bhīṣma.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु सैन्यानि प्राक्रोशत पुनः पुनः। अभिद्रवत संरब्धा भीष्ममेकं महाबलम् ॥६-१०६-१९॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna repeatedly urged his troops to attack the mighty Bhīṣma with great enthusiasm.
एषोऽर्जुनो रणे भीष्मं प्रयाति कुरुनन्दनः। अभिद्रवत मा भैष्ट भीष्मो न प्राप्स्यते हि वः ॥६-१०६-२०॥
Arjuna, the descendant of Kuru, is approaching Bhishma in battle. Charge forward without fear, for Bhishma will not reach you.
अर्जुनं समरे योद्धुं नोत्सहेतापि वासवः। किमु भीष्मो रणे वीरा गतसत्त्वोऽल्पजीवितः ॥६-१०६-२१॥
Even Indra cannot fight Arjuna in battle; how can Bhishma, who is weak and nearing the end of his life, do so?
इति सेनापतेः श्रुत्वा पाण्डवानां महारथाः। अभ्यद्रवन्त संहृष्टा गाङ्गेयस्य रथं प्रति ॥६-१०६-२२॥
Upon hearing the general, the Pandavas' great warriors joyfully charged towards Bhishma's chariot.
आगच्छतस्तान्समरे वार्योघान्प्रबलानिव। न्यवारयन्त संहृष्टास्तावकाः पुरुषर्षभाः ॥६-१०६-२३॥
Your men, joyful and strong like bulls among men, blocked the approaching strong streams in battle.
दुःशासनो महाराज भयं त्यक्त्वा महारथः। भीष्मस्य जीविताकाङ्क्षी धनञ्जयमुपाद्रवत् ॥६-१०६-२४॥
Duhshasana, the great chariot-warrior, cast aside his fear and, eager to protect Bhishma's life, advanced towards Arjuna, O great king.
तथैव पाण्डवाः शूरा गाङ्गेयस्य रथं प्रति। अभ्यद्रवन्त सङ्ग्रामे तव पुत्रान्महारथान् ॥६-१०६-२५॥
In the same manner, the valiant Pandavas charged towards the chariot of Bhishma, the son of Ganga, in the battlefield, confronting your sons, the mighty warriors.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम चित्ररूपं विशां पते। दुःशासनरथं प्राप्तो यत्पार्थो नात्यवर्तत ॥६-१०६-२६॥
There, O lord of men, we witnessed a marvelous and strange sight. Arjuna could not surpass Duḥśāsana's chariot.
यथा वारयते वेला क्षुभितं वै महार्णवम्। तथैव पाण्डवं क्रुद्धं तव पुत्रो न्यवारयत् ॥६-१०६-२७॥
Just as the shore holds back the turbulent ocean, your son held back the furious Pāṇḍava.
उभौ हि रथिनां श्रेष्ठावुभौ भारत दुर्जयौ। उभौ चन्द्रार्कसदृशौ कान्त्या दीप्त्या च भारत ॥६-१०६-२८॥
Both of them are the best among charioteers and are invincible, O Bharata. They both shine like the moon and the sun in their beauty and splendor, O Bharata.
तौ तथा जातसंरम्भावन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणौ। समीयतुर्महासङ्ख्ये मयशक्रौ यथा पुरा ॥६-१०६-२९॥
They, filled with rage and eager to destroy each other, came together in the great battle, just as Maya and Shakra did in the past.
दुःशासनो महाराज पाण्डवं विशिखैस्त्रिभिः। वासुदेवं च विंशत्या ताडयामास संयुगे ॥६-१०६-३०॥
Duḥśāsana, O great king, attacked Pāṇḍava with three arrows and Vāsudeva with twenty during the battle.
ततोऽर्जुनो जातमन्युर्वार्ष्णेयं वीक्ष्य पीडितम्। दुःशासनं शतेनाजौ नाराचानां समार्पयत् ॥ ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे ॥६-१०६-३१॥
Seeing Vārṣṇeya afflicted, Arjuna, filled with rage, attacked Duḥśāsana with hundreds of arrows in the battle. The arrows pierced through his armor, and they drank his blood on the battlefield.
दुःशासनस्ततः क्रुद्धः पार्थं विव्याध पञ्चभिः। ललाटे भरतश्रेष्ठ शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥६-१०६-३२॥
In his anger, Duḥśāsana then shot five arrows at Arjuna's forehead, O best of the Bharatas, with arrows that had well-bent joints.
ललाटस्थैस्तु तैर्बाणैः शुशुभे पाण्डवोत्तमः। यथा मेरुर्महाराज शृङ्गैरत्यर्थमुच्छ्रितैः ॥६-१०६-३३॥
The best of the Pandavas shone with the arrows placed on his forehead, just like the great mountain Meru shines with its exceedingly high peaks, O great king.
सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासः पुत्रेण तव धन्विना। व्यराजत रणे पार्थः किंशुकः पुष्पवानिव ॥६-१०६-३४॥
Arjuna, the great archer, though deeply pierced by your son, shone in the battlefield like a blossoming Kimshuka tree.
दुःशासनं ततः क्रुद्धः पीडयामास पाण्डवः। पर्वणीव सुसङ्क्रुद्धो राहुरुग्रो निशाकरम् ॥६-१०६-३५॥
Then the enraged Pandava attacked Duhshasana with great fury, just as the fierce Rahu, in his wrath, seizes the moon during the full moon night.
पीड्यमानो बलवता पुत्रस्तव विशां पते। विव्याध समरे पार्थं कङ्कपत्रैः शिलाशितैः ॥६-१०६-३६॥
Your son, being oppressed by the strong, pierced Arjuna in battle with stone-sharpened arrows, O lord of men.
तस्य पार्थो धनुश्छित्त्वा त्वरमाणः पराक्रमी। आजघान ततः पश्चात्पुत्रं ते नवभिः शरैः ॥६-१०६-३७॥
Arjuna, the valiant son of Pandu, swiftly cut off the bow and struck your son from behind with nine arrows.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय भीष्मस्य प्रमुखे स्थितः। अर्जुनं पञ्चविंशत्या बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत् ॥६-१०६-३८॥
He took another bow and stood in front of Bhishma, placing twenty-five arrows on Arjuna's chest and arms.
तस्य क्रुद्धो महाराज पाण्डवः शत्रुकर्शनः। अप्रैषीद्विशिखान्घोरान्यमदण्डोपमान्बहून् ॥६-१०६-३९॥
In his anger, the great king Pāṇḍava, known for tormenting his enemies, sent forth numerous terrible arrows, akin to the rod of Yama.
अप्राप्तानेव तान्बाणांश्चिच्छेद तनयस्तव। यतमानस्य पार्थस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥ पार्थं च निशितैर्बाणैरविध्यत्तनयस्तव ॥६-१०६-४०॥
Your son intercepted the arrows before they could reach, which seemed miraculous to the striving Partha. Additionally, your son struck Partha with sharp arrows.
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे पार्थः शरान्सन्धाय कार्मुके। प्रेषयामास समरे स्वर्णपुङ्खाञ्शिलाशितान् ॥६-१०६-४१॥
Then, in his anger during the battle, Arjuna placed the arrows on his bow and sent forth the golden-feathered, stone-sharpened arrows into the fray.
न्यमज्जंस्ते महाराज तस्य काये महात्मनः। यथा हंसा महाराज तडागं प्राप्य भारत ॥६-१०६-४२॥
O great king, they sank into his body, just as swans enter a lake, O descendant of Bharata.
पीडितश्चैव पुत्रस्ते पाण्डवेन महात्मना। हित्वा पार्थं रणे तूर्णं भीष्मस्य रथमाश्रयत् ॥ अगाधे मज्जतस्तस्य द्वीपो भीष्मोऽभवत्तदा ॥६-१०६-४३॥
Your son, afflicted by the great Pandava, quickly left Partha in battle and took refuge in Bhishma's chariot. At that time, as he was sinking into the unfathomable, Bhishma became his island.
प्रतिलभ्य ततः सञ्ज्ञां पुत्रस्तव विशां पते। अवारयत्ततः शूरो भूय एव पराक्रमी ॥६-१०६-४४॥
Having regained consciousness, your son, O lord of the people, once again stood heroically and valiantly to obstruct.
शरैः सुनिशितैः पार्थं यथा वृत्रः पुरंदरम्। निर्बिभेद महावीर्यो विव्यथे नैव चार्जुनात् ॥६-१०६-४५॥
The mighty hero, with his well-sharpened arrows, pierced Arjuna just as Vṛtra once pierced Indra; however, Arjuna remained unshaken.
