06.111
Pancharatra and Core: Slightly different version of the agreement between Yudhishthira and Bhishma with a varied version of day ten recap till now.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra said:
कथं शान्तनवो भीष्मो दशमेऽहनि सञ्जय। अयुध्यत महावीर्यैः पाण्डवैः सहसृञ्जयैः ॥६-१११-१॥
O Sañjaya, how did Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, engage in battle on the tenth day with the mighty Pāṇḍavas and the Sṛñjayas?
कुरवश्च कथं युद्धे पाण्डवान्प्रत्यवारयन्। आचक्ष्व मे महायुद्धं भीष्मस्याहवशोभिनः ॥६-१११-२॥
Tell me how the Kurus resisted the Pandavas in the great battle, which was glorious due to Bhishma's combat.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
कुरवः पाण्डवैः सार्धं यथायुध्यन्त भारत। यथा च तदभूद्युद्धं तत्ते वक्ष्यामि शृण्वतः ॥६-१११-३॥
O Bharata, I will narrate to you how the Kurus and the Pandavas fought together in that battle, so listen carefully.
प्रेषिताः परलोकाय परमास्त्रैः किरीटिना। अहन्यहनि सम्प्राप्तास्तावकानां रथव्रजाः ॥६-१११-४॥
Day by day, your chariots, sent to the other world by the supreme weapons of the crowned one, have arrived.
यथाप्रतिज्ञं कौरव्यः स चापि समितिञ्जयः। पार्थानामकरोद्भीष्मः सततं समितिक्षयम् ॥६-१११-५॥
As he had vowed, Bhishma, the Kaurava, relentlessly brought ruin upon the Pandavas in battle.
कुरुभिः सहितं भीष्मं युध्यमानं महारथम्। अर्जुनं च सपाञ्चाल्यं दृष्ट्वा संशयिता जनाः ॥६-१११-६॥
The people were uncertain upon seeing Bhishma, the great chariot-warrior, fighting alongside the Kauravas, and Arjuna with the Panchalas.
दशमेऽहनि तस्मिंस्तु भीष्मार्जुनसमागमे। अवर्तत महारौद्रः सततं समितिक्षयः ॥६-१११-७॥
On the tenth day, during the battle between Bhishma and Arjuna, there was a continuous and intense destruction of the army.
तस्मिन्नयुतशो राजन्भूयश्च स परन्तपः। भीष्मः शान्तनवो योधाञ्जघान परमास्त्रवित् ॥६-१११-८॥
In that battle, O king, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu and the supreme knower of weapons, killed thousands of warriors repeatedly, scorching his foes.
येषामज्ञातकल्पानि नामगोत्राणि पार्थिव। ते हतास्तत्र भीष्मेण शूराः सर्वेऽनिवर्तिनः ॥६-१११-९॥
O king, all those warriors whose names and lineages were unknown were slain there by Bhishma, the valiant ones who did not return.
दशाहानि ततस्तप्त्वा भीष्मः पाण्डववाहिनीम्। निरविद्यत धर्मात्मा जीवितेन परन्तपः ॥६-१११-१०॥
After tormenting the Pandava army for ten days, the righteous Bhishma decided to lay down his life, O scorcher of foes.
स क्षिप्रं वधमन्विच्छन्नात्मनोऽभिमुखं रणे। न हन्यां मानवश्रेष्ठान्सङ्ग्रामेऽभिमुखानिति ॥६-१११-११॥
He quickly sought his own death by facing the best of men in battle, deciding not to kill those who faced him.
चिन्तयित्वा महाबाहुः पिता देवव्रतस्तव। अभ्याशस्थं महाराज पाण्डवं वाक्यमब्रवीत् ॥६-१११-१२॥
Having contemplated, your mighty-armed father Devavrata, who was nearby, spoke words to Pandava, O great king.
युधिष्ठिर महाप्राज्ञ सर्वशास्त्रविशारद। शृणु मे वचनं तात धर्म्यं स्वर्ग्यं च जल्पतः ॥६-१११-१३॥
O Yudhishthira, who is greatly wise and versed in all scriptures, listen to my words, dear one, as I speak of righteousness and heavenly matters.
निर्विण्णोऽस्मि भृशं तात देहेनानेन भारत। घ्नतश्च मे गतः कालः सुबहून्प्राणिनो रणे ॥६-१११-१४॥
I am deeply dissatisfied with this body, dear father, O Bharata. Much of my time has been spent in slaying numerous creatures in battle.
तस्मात्पार्थं पुरोधाय पाञ्चालान्सृञ्जयांस्तथा। मद्वधे क्रियतां यत्नो मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ॥६-१११-१५॥
Therefore, if you wish to please me, make an effort to kill me by placing Arjuna at the forefront along with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas.
तस्य तन्मतमाज्ञाय पाण्डवः सत्यदर्शनः। भीष्मं प्रतिययौ यत्तः सङ्ग्रामे सह सृञ्जयैः ॥६-१११-१६॥
Understanding his viewpoint, the truth-seeing Pāṇḍava approached Bhīṣma, ready for battle alongside the Sṛñjayas.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो राजन्पाण्डवश्च युधिष्ठिरः। श्रुत्वा भीष्मस्य तां वाचं चोदयामासतुर्बलम् ॥६-१११-१७॥
Upon hearing Bhīṣma's words, Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Yudhiṣṭhira, the Pāṇḍava, motivated their forces, O king.
अभिद्रवत युध्यध्वं भीष्मं जयत संयुगे। रक्षिताः सत्यसन्धेन जिष्णुना रिपुजिष्णुना ॥६-१११-१८॥
Charge forward and fight to conquer Bhishma in battle, protected by the truthful Arjuna, the conqueror of enemies.
अयं चापि महेष्वासः पार्षतो वाहिनीपतिः। भीमसेनश्च समरे पालयिष्यति वो ध्रुवम् ॥६-१११-१९॥
This great archer, the son of Prishata, who is the commander of the army, along with Bhimasena, will surely protect you in the battle.
न वै भीष्माद्भयं किञ्चित्कर्तव्यं युधि सृञ्जयाः। ध्रुवं भीष्मं विजेष्यामः पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् ॥६-१११-२०॥
There is no need to fear Bhishma in battle, O Sṛñjayas. We will surely defeat Bhishma by putting Shikhandi at the forefront.
तथा तु समयं कृत्वा दशमेऽहनि पाण्डवाः। ब्रह्मलोकपरा भूत्वा सञ्जग्मुः क्रोधमूर्छिताः ॥६-१११-२१॥
Thus, on the tenth day, the Pandavas, having made time and being intent on reaching Brahmaloka, went forth, overcome with anger.
शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य पाण्डवं च धनञ्जयम्। भीष्मस्य पातने यत्नं परमं ते समास्थिताः ॥६-१११-२२॥
Placing Shikhandin at the forefront, the Pandavas, including Dhananjaya, made supreme efforts to bring down Bhishma.
ततस्तव सुतादिष्टा नानाजनपदेश्वराः। द्रोणेन सहपुत्रेण सहसेना महाबलाः ॥६-१११-२३॥
Then, as commanded by your son, the mighty lords of various regions, along with Drona and his son, marched with their powerful army.
दुःशासनश्च बलवान्सह सर्वैः सहोदरैः। भीष्मं समरमध्यस्थं पालयां चक्रिरे तदा ॥६-१११-२४॥
Duhshasana, along with all his strong brothers, protected Bhishma, who was positioned in the middle of the battle, at that time.
ततस्तु तावकाः शूराः पुरस्कृत्य यतव्रतम्। शिखण्डिप्रमुखान्पार्थान्योधयन्ति स्म संयुगे ॥६-१११-२५॥
Then, your valiant warriors, having placed Shikhandi and others with firm vows at the forefront, engaged in battle with the sons of Pritha.
चेदिभिश्च सपाञ्चालैः सहितो वानरध्वजः। ययौ शान्तनवं भीष्मं पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् ॥६-१११-२६॥
Arjuna, bearing the monkey banner, accompanied by the Cedis and the Pāñcālas, advanced towards Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, with Śikhaṇḍin at the forefront.
द्रोणपुत्रं शिनेर्नप्ता धृष्टकेतुस्तु पौरवम्। युधामन्युः सहामात्यं दुर्योधनमयोधयत् ॥६-१११-२७॥
The son of Droṇa, the grandson of Śini, Dhṛṣṭaketu, and Paurava, along with Yudhāmanyu and his minister, engaged in battle with Duryodhana.
विराटस्तु सहानीकः सहसेनं जयद्रथम्। वृद्धक्षत्रस्य दायादमाससाद परन्तपः ॥६-१११-२८॥
Virata, along with his army, approached Jayadratha, the heir of Vṛddhakṣatra, known as the scorcher of foes.
मद्रराजं महेष्वासं सहसैन्यं युधिष्ठिरः। भीमसेनाभिगुप्तश्च नागानीकमुपाद्रवत् ॥६-१११-२९॥
Yudhishthira, protected by Bhimasena, attacked the Madra king and his elephant army with great skill.
अप्रधृष्यमनावार्यं सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरम्। द्रोणं प्रति ययौ यत्तः पाञ्चाल्यः सह सोमकैः ॥६-१११-३०॥
The invincible and unstoppable best among all warriors, the Panchala prince, prepared himself and advanced towards Drona with the Somakas.
कर्णिकारध्वजं चापि सिंहकेतुररिंदमः। प्रत्युज्जगाम सौभद्रं राजपुत्रो बृहद्बलः ॥६-१११-३१॥
Brihadbala, the prince with the Karnikara tree banner and Simhaketu, the subduer of enemies, went forth to meet Saubhadra.
शिखण्डिनं च पुत्रास्ते पाण्डवं च धनञ्जयम्। राजभिः समरे सार्धमभिपेतुर्जिघांसवः ॥६-१११-३२॥
Shikhandin and the sons attacked Pandava and Dhananjaya along with the kings in battle, with the intent to kill.
तस्मिन्नतिमहाभीमे सेनयोर्वै पराक्रमे। सम्प्रधावत्स्वनीकेषु मेदिनी समकम्पत ॥६-१११-३३॥
In that exceedingly dreadful battle between the armies, as they rushed into their formations, the earth shook.
तान्यनीकान्यनीकेषु समसज्जन्त भारत। तावकानां परेषां च दृष्ट्वा शान्तनवं रणे ॥६-१११-३४॥
O Bharata, those armies were arrayed in their respective formations. Seeing Bhishma in the battle, both your forces and the enemies' were prepared.
ततस्तेषां प्रयततामन्योन्यमभिधावताम्। प्रादुरासीन्महाञ्शब्दो दिक्षु सर्वासु भारत ॥६-१११-३५॥
Then, as they endeavored and rushed towards one another, a tremendous noise arose everywhere, O Bharata.
शङ्खदुन्दुभिघोषैश्च वारणानां च बृंहितैः। सिंहनादैश्च सैन्यानां दारुणः समपद्यत ॥६-१११-३६॥
The battlefield resounded with the terrible sounds of conches, drums, trumpeting elephants, and the roars of lions from the armies.
सा च सर्वनरेन्द्राणां चन्द्रार्कसदृशी प्रभा। वीराङ्गदकिरीटेषु निष्प्रभा समपद्यत ॥६-१११-३७॥
She, whose splendor was like the moon and sun among all kings, became devoid of splendor among the heroic bracelets and crowns.
रजोमेघाश्च सञ्जज्ञुः शस्त्रविद्युद्भिरावृताः। धनुषां चैव निर्घोषो दारुणः समपद्यत ॥६-१११-३८॥
Dust clouds arose, shrouded with the flashes of weapons, and the terrible sound of bows echoed all around.
बाणशङ्खप्रणादाश्च भेरीणां च महास्वनाः। रथगोषश्च सञ्जग्मुः सेनयोरुभयोरपि ॥६-१११-३९॥
The sounds of arrows, conches, and great drums, along with the noises of chariots, echoed through both armies.
प्रासशक्त्यृष्टिसङ्घैश्च बाणौघैश्च समाकुलम्। निष्प्रकाशमिवाकाशं सेनयोः समपद्यत ॥६-१११-४०॥
The sky was filled with groups of spears, powers, and floods of arrows, making it appear as dark as the night.
अन्योन्यं रथिनः पेतुर्वाजिनश्च महाहवे। कुञ्जराः कुञ्जराञ्जघ्नुः पदातींश्च पदातयः ॥६-१११-४१॥
In the great battle, charioteers and horses fell upon each other. Elephants attacked elephants, and foot soldiers fought against foot soldiers.
तदासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह। भीष्महेतोर्नरव्याघ्र श्येनयोरामिषे यथा ॥६-१११-४२॥
Then there was a fierce battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas due to Bhishma, akin to hawks fighting over prey.
तयोः समागमो घोरो बभूव युधि भारत। अन्योन्यस्य वधार्थाय जिगीषूणां रणाजिरे ॥६-१११-४३॥
O Bharata, a fierce encounter took place between them in the battlefield, as each sought to kill the other.
