06.108
Pancharatra and Core: Drona speaks of the bad omen everywhere, indicating harm to Bhishma. To guard Ashvatthama, Drona asks him to avoid Arjuna; he goes to Yudhisthira, while sends his son to Dhrishtadyumna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अथ वीरो महेष्वासो मत्तवारणविक्रमः। समादाय महच्चापं मत्तवारणवारणम् ॥६-१०८-१॥
Then the hero, a great archer with the strength and courage of an intoxicated elephant, took up a mighty bow, ready to subdue even the wildest of elephants.
विधुन्वानो धनुः श्रेष्ठं द्रावयाणो महारथान्। पृतनां पाण्डवेयानां पातयानो महारथः ॥६-१०८-२॥
The great charioteer, shaking his excellent bow, drove away the great charioteers and caused the army of the Pandavas to fall.
निमित्तानि निमित्तज्ञः सर्वतो वीक्ष्य वीर्यवान्। प्रतपन्तमनीकानि द्रोणः पुत्रमभाषत ॥६-१०८-३॥
Drona, the powerful knower of omens, observed the omens everywhere and spoke to his son about the shining armies.
अयं स दिवसस्तात यत्र पार्थो महारथः। जिघांसुः समरे भीष्मं परं यत्नं करिष्यति ॥६-१०८-४॥
Today is the day, dear father, when Arjuna, the mighty warrior, will strive with all his might to defeat Bhishma in battle.
उत्पतन्ति हि मे बाणा धनुः प्रस्फुरतीव मे। योगमस्त्राणि गच्छन्ति क्रूरे मे वर्तते मतिः ॥६-१०८-५॥
"My arrows are indeed rising, my bow seems to quiver. The weapons of yoga are going, and my mind is set on cruelty."
दिक्षु शान्तासु घोराणि व्याहरन्ति मृगद्विजाः। नीचैर्गृध्रा निलीयन्ते भारतानां चमूं प्रति ॥६-१०८-६॥
In all directions, when peace prevails, terrible beasts and birds make sounds, and low-flying vultures hide as they approach the army of the Bharatas.
नष्टप्रभ इवादित्यः सर्वतो लोहिता दिशः। रसते व्यथते भूमिरनुष्टनति वाहनम् ॥६-१०८-७॥
The directions appear reddened all around, resembling a sun that has lost its radiance. The earth trembles, shakes, and the vehicle groans.
कङ्का गृध्रा बलाकाश्च व्याहरन्ति मुहुर्मुहुः। शिवाश्चाशिवनिर्घोषा वेदयन्त्यो महद्भयम् ॥६-१०८-८॥
Herons, vultures, and cranes are repeatedly crying. Jackals, with their inauspicious howling, are indicating a great fear.
पपात महती चोल्का मध्येनादित्यमण्डलात्। सकबन्धश्च परिघो भानुमावृत्य तिष्ठति ॥६-१०८-९॥
A great meteor fell from the middle of the sun's circle. It stands with a trunk and an obstacle, covering the sun.
परिवेषस्तथा घोरश्चन्द्रभास्करयोरभूत्। वेदयानो भयं घोरं राज्ञां देहावकर्तनम् ॥६-१०८-१०॥
The atmosphere was terrifying, with the moon and sun. It instilled a dreadful fear in the kings, leading to the cutting off of bodies.
देवतायतनस्थाश्च कौरवेन्द्रस्य देवताः। कम्पन्ते च हसन्ते च नृत्यन्ति च रुदन्ति च ॥६-१०८-११॥
In the temple of the deities, the deities belonging to the king of the Kauravas are seen trembling, laughing, dancing, and crying.
अपसव्यं ग्रहाश्चक्रुरलक्ष्माणं निशाकरम्। अवाक्षिराश्च भगवानुदतिष्ठत चन्द्रमाः ॥६-१०८-१२॥
The planets moved counterclockwise, making the moon inauspicious. The headless lord, the moon, rose.
वपूंषि च नरेन्द्राणां विगतानीव लक्षये। धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैन्येषु न च भ्राजन्ति दंशिताः ॥६-१०८-१३॥
I observe that the bodies of the kings seem to have vanished, and in the armies of Dhritarashtra, they do not appear resplendent or adorned.
सेनयोरुभयोश्चैव समन्ताच्छ्रूयते महान्। पाञ्चजन्यस्य निर्घोषो गाण्डीवस्य च निस्वनः ॥६-१०८-१४॥
The great sound of the conch Pāñcajanya and the roar of the bow Gāṇḍīva can be heard all around from both armies.
ध्रुवमास्थाय बीभत्सुरुत्तमास्त्राणि संयुगे। अपास्यान्यान्रणे योधानभ्यस्यति पितामहम् ॥६-१०८-१५॥
Bibhatsu (Arjuna), firmly positioned in battle, disregards other warriors and weapons, and approaches his grandfather.
हृष्यन्ति रोमकूपानि सीदतीव च मे मनः। चिन्तयित्वा महाबाहो भीष्मार्जुनसमागमम् ॥६-१०८-१६॥
O mighty-armed, my hair stands on end and my mind sinks as I think of the encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna.
तं चैव निकृतिप्रज्ञं पाञ्चाल्यं पापचेतसम्। पुरस्कृत्य रणे पार्थो भीष्मस्यायोधनं गतः ॥६-१०८-१७॥
Arjuna, placing the cunning and evil-minded son of Panchala in front, advanced towards Bhishma's combat in the battle.
अब्रवीच्च पुरा भीष्मो नाहं हन्यां शिखण्डिनम्। स्त्री ह्येषा विहिता धात्रा दैवाच्च स पुनः पुमान् ॥६-१०८-१८॥
Bhishma once declared that he would not kill Shikhandi, as Shikhandi was appointed a woman by the creator and by fate became a man again.
अमङ्गल्यध्वजश्चैव याज्ञसेनिर्महारथः। न चामङ्गलकेतोः स प्रहरेदापगासुतः ॥६-१०८-१९॥
The great chariot-warrior Yajnaseni, known for his inauspicious banner, along with the son of the river, would refrain from attacking the inauspicious-bannered one.
एतद्विचिन्तयानस्य प्रज्ञा सीदति मे भृशम्। अद्यैव तु रणे पार्थः कुरुवृद्धमुपाद्रवत् ॥६-१०८-२०॥
Reflecting on this, my wisdom is greatly troubled. However, today Arjuna has indeed attacked the elder of the Kurus in battle.
युधिष्ठिरस्य च क्रोधो भीष्मार्जुनसमागमः। मम चास्त्राभिसंरम्भः प्रजानामशुभं ध्रुवम् ॥६-१०८-२१॥
The anger of Yudhishthira, the meeting of Bhishma and Arjuna, and my fury with weapons certainly spell doom for the people.
मनस्वी बलवाञ्शूरः कृतास्त्रो दृढविक्रमः। दूरपाती दृढेषुश्च निमित्तज्ञश्च पाण्डवः ॥६-१०८-२२॥
The son of Pandu is intelligent, strong, heroic, skilled in weaponry, firm in his actions, capable of striking from a distance, steady in his aim, and knowledgeable about omens.
अजेयः समरे चैव देवैरपि सवासवैः। बलवान्बुद्धिमांश्चैव जितक्लेशो युधां वरः ॥६-१०८-२३॥
He is invincible in battle, even against the gods including Indra; strong, wise, and a conqueror of hardships, he is the best among warriors.
विजयी च रणे नित्यं भैरवास्त्रश्च पाण्डवः। तस्य मार्गं परिहरन्द्रुतं गच्छ यतव्रतम् ॥६-१०८-२४॥
The Pāṇḍava, always victorious in battle and armed with a terrible weapon. Avoid his path and proceed quickly with determination.
पश्य चैतन्महाबाहो वैशसं समुपस्थितम्। हेमचित्राणि शूराणां महान्ति च शुभानि च ॥६-१०८-२५॥
Behold, O mighty-armed one, the destruction that has come. The heroes' great and auspicious golden ornaments are present.
कवचान्यवदीर्यन्ते शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। छिद्यन्ते च ध्वजाग्राणि तोमराणि धनूंषि च ॥६-१०८-२६॥
Armors are pierced by arrows with bent joints, and flag tops, spears, and bows are cut.
प्रासाश्च विमलास्तीक्ष्णाः शक्त्यश्च कनकोज्ज्वलाः। वैजयन्त्यश्च नागानां सङ्क्रुद्धेन किरीटिना ॥६-१०८-२७॥
The enraged crowned one wielded pure, sharp spears and golden-shining javelins, victorious over the serpents.
नायं संरक्षितुं कालः प्राणान्पुत्रोपजीविभिः। याहि स्वर्गं पुरस्कृत्य यशसे विजयाय च ॥६-१०८-२८॥
This is not the time to safeguard the lives of those who depend on their sons. Proceed to heaven, prioritizing fame and victory.
हयनागरथावर्तां महाघोरां सुदुस्तराम्। रथेन सङ्ग्रामनदीं तरत्येष कपिध्वजः ॥६-१०८-२९॥
The one with the monkey banner crosses the fierce and challenging river of battle, swirling with horses, elephants, and chariots, using his chariot.
ब्रह्मण्यता दमो दानं तपश्च चरितं महत्। इहैव दृश्यते राज्ञो भ्राता यस्य धनञ्जयः ॥६-१०८-३०॥
The king, whose brother is Dhananjaya, is indeed seen here possessing devotion to Brahman, self-control, charity, austerity, and great conduct.
भीमसेनश्च बलवान्माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ। वासुदेवश्च वार्ष्णेयो यस्य नाथो व्यवस्थितः ॥६-१०८-३१॥
Bhimasena, the strong sons of Madri, the Pandavas, and Vasudeva, the descendant of Vrishni, are present under the protection of their leader.
तस्यैष मन्युप्रभवो धार्तराष्ट्रस्य दुर्मतेः। तपोदग्धशरीरस्य कोपो दहति भारतान् ॥६-१०८-३२॥
The anger of Dhritarashtra's evil-minded son, born out of rage, consumes the Bharatas, as his body is scorched by austerity.
एष संदृश्यते पार्थो वासुदेवव्यपाश्रयः। दारयन्सर्वसैन्यानि धार्तराष्ट्राणि सर्वशः ॥६-१०८-३३॥
Arjuna, relying on Krishna, is seen completely destroying all the armies of Dhritarashtra's sons.
एतदालोक्यते सैन्यं क्षोभ्यमाणं किरीटिना। महोर्मिनद्धं सुमहत्तिमिनेव नदीमुखम् ॥६-१०८-३४॥
The army, disturbed by the crowned warrior, appears like the mouth of a river overwhelmed by huge waves and a giant fish.
हाहाकिलकिलाशब्दाः श्रूयन्ते च चमूमुखे। याहि पाञ्चालदायादमहं यास्ये युधिष्ठिरम् ॥६-१०८-३५॥
Sounds of lamentation and clamor are heard at the front of the army. You go to the heir of the Panchalas, I will go to Yudhishthira.
दुर्लभं ह्यन्तरं राज्ञो व्यूहस्यामिततेजसः। समुद्रकुक्षिप्रतिमं सर्वतोऽतिरथैः स्थितैः ॥६-१०८-३६॥
The interior of the king's army formation, possessing immeasurable energy, is as difficult to penetrate as the ocean's depths, being surrounded on all sides by formidable chariot warriors.
सात्यकिश्चाभिमन्युश्च धृष्टद्युम्नवृकोदरौ। परिरक्षन्ति राजानं यमौ च मनुजेश्वरम् ॥६-१०८-३७॥
Satyaki, Abhimanyu, Dhrishtadyumna, and Vrikodara protect the king, along with the twins, the lord of men.
उपेन्द्रसदृशः श्यामो महाशाल इवोद्गतः। एष गच्छत्यनीकानि द्वितीय इव फल्गुनः ॥६-१०८-३८॥
He, resembling Upendra and dark in complexion, rises like a great tree and approaches the armies like a second Arjuna.
उत्तमास्त्राणि चादत्स्व गृहीत्वान्यन्महद्धनुः। पार्श्वतो याहि राजानं युध्यस्व च वृकोदरम् ॥६-१०८-३९॥
Take the best weapons and, after grabbing another great bow, go to the king's side and fight, O Vrikodara.
को हि नेच्छेत्प्रियं पुत्रं जीवन्तं शाश्वतीः समाः। क्षत्रधर्मं पुरस्कृत्य ततस्त्वा विनियुज्महे ॥६-१०८-४०॥
Who would not wish for a beloved son to live for eternal years? Therefore, having prioritized the warrior's duty, we appoint you.
एष चापि रणे भीष्मो दहते वै महाचमूम्। युद्धे सुसदृशस्तात यमस्य वरुणस्य च ॥६-१०८-४१॥
This Bhishma, in the battle, fiercely burns the great army. O father, he is comparable to Yama and Varuna in combat.
