06.112
Pancharatra and Core: Recap of the war till now, by a different author, with Arjuna at the centre.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
abhimanyurmahārāja tava putramayodhayat। mahatyā senayā yukto bhīṣmahetoḥ parākramī ॥6-112-1॥
O great king, your son Abhimanyu fought valiantly with a great army for the sake of Bhishma.
duryodhano raṇe kārṣṇiṃ navabhirnataparvabhiḥ। ājaghāna raṇe kruddhaḥ punaścainaṃ tribhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-112-2॥
In the battle, an angry Duryodhana struck Kṛṣṇa's follower with nine bent-jointed arrows and then again with three arrows.
tasya śaktiṃ raṇe kārṣṇirmṛtyorghorāmiva svasām। preṣayāmāsa saṅkruddho duryodhanarathaṃ prati ॥6-112-3॥
Kārṣṇi, in his anger, sent his formidable power in battle towards Duryodhana's chariot, akin to the dreadful sister of death.
tām āpatantīṃ sahasā ghorarūpāṃ viśāṃ pate। dvidhā ciccheda te putraḥ kṣurapreṇa mahārathaḥ ॥6-112-4॥
As she approached suddenly in a terrifying form, your son, the great chariot warrior, swiftly cut her in two with his sharp weapon, O lord of the people.
tāṃ śaktiṃ patitāṃ dṛṣṭvā kārṣṇiḥ paramakopanaḥ। duryodhanaṃ tribhirbāṇairbāhvorurasi cārpayat ॥6-112-5॥
Upon seeing the fallen weapon, Arjuna, filled with intense anger, shot three arrows at Duryodhana, targeting his arms and chest.
punaś cainaṃ śarair ghorair ājaghāna stanāntare। daśabhir bharataśreṣṭha duryodhanam amarṣaṇam ॥6-112-6॥
Once more, the fierce Duryodhana, intolerant and unyielding, was struck in the chest with ten arrows by the best of the Bharatas.
tadyuddhamabhavadghoraṃ citrarūpaṃ ca bhārata। īkṣitṛprītijananaṃ sarvapārthivapūjitam ॥6-112-7॥
The battle was fierce and diverse in its forms, O Bharata, delighting the spectators and honored by all the kings.
bhīṣmasya nidhanārthāya pārthasya vijayāya ca। yuyudhāte raṇe vīrau saubhadra-kurupuṅgavau ॥6-112-8॥
In the battle, for the purpose of Bhishma's demise and Partha's victory, the two valiant warriors, Saubhadra and the foremost of the Kurus, engaged in combat.
sātyakiṃ rabhasaṃ yuddhe drauṇirbrāhmaṇapuṅgavaḥ। ājaghānorasi kruddho nārācena parantapaḥ ॥6-112-9॥
In the battle, the eminent Brahmin, Drona's son, angrily struck the fierce Satyaki on the chest with an iron arrow.
śaineyo'pi guroḥ putraṃ sarvamarmaṣu bhārata। atāḍayadameyātmā navabhiḥ kaṅkapatribhiḥ ॥6-112-10॥
The son of Śinī, possessing an immeasurable soul, struck the teacher's son in all his vital parts with nine arrows, O descendant of Bharata.
aśvatthāmā tu samare sātyakiṃ navabhiḥ śaraiḥ। triṃśatā ca punastūrṇaṃ bāhvorurasi cārpayat ॥6-112-11॥
In the battle, Ashwatthama attacked Satyaki with nine arrows and then swiftly placed thirty more on his arms and chest.
so'tividdho maheṣvāso droṇaputreṇa sātvataḥ। droṇaputraṃ tribhirbāṇairājaghāna mahāyaśāḥ ॥6-112-12॥
The greatly renowned great archer Sātvata, though deeply pierced by Droṇa's son, retaliated by striking Droṇa's son with three arrows.
pauravo dhṛṣṭaketuṃ ca śarairāsādya saṃyuge। bahudhā dārayāṃ cakre maheṣvāsaṃ mahāratham ॥6-112-13॥
Paurava approached Dhṛṣṭaketu in battle with arrows and pierced him in many ways, making him a great archer and chariot-warrior.
tathaiva pauravaṃ yuddhe dhṛṣṭaketurmahārathaḥ। triṃśatā niśitairbāṇairvivyādha sumahābalaḥ ॥6-112-14॥
In the battle, Dhṛṣṭaketu, a great chariot-warrior, attacked the descendant of Puru with thirty sharp arrows, demonstrating his immense strength.
pauravastu dhanuśchittvā dhṛṣṭaketormahārathaḥ। nanāda balavannādaṃ vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-112-15॥
Paurava, after cutting the bow of the great chariot-warrior Dhṛṣṭaketu, roared mightily and struck with ten arrows.
so'nyatkārmukamādāya pauravaṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। ājaghāna mahārāja trisaptyā śilīmukhaiḥ ॥6-112-16॥
He took another bow belonging to Paurava and struck with seventy-three sharp iron arrows, O great king.
tau tu tatra maheṣvāsau mahāmātrau mahārathau। mahatā śaravarṣeṇa parasparamavarṣatām ॥6-112-17॥
The two great archers, ministers, and charioteers, standing there, showered each other with a great rain of arrows.
anyonyasya dhanuśchittvā hayānhatvā ca bhārata। virathāvasiyauddhāya saṅgatau tau mahārathau ॥6-112-18॥
O Bharata, after cutting each other's bows and killing the horses, those two great warriors came together to fight without their chariots.
ārṣabhe carmaṇī citre śatacandrapariṣkṛte। tārakāśatacitrau ca nistriṁśau sumahāprabhau ॥6-112-19॥
In the variegated hide of the bull, adorned with a hundred moons, and swords adorned with a hundred stars, they were very splendid.
pragṛhya vimalau rājaṃstāvanyonyamabhidrutau। vāśitāsaṅgame yattau siṃhāviva mahāvane ॥6-112-20॥
O king, having seized their weapons, those two pure warriors rushed towards each other in the battlefield, like lions in the great forest.
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi gatapratyāgatāni ca। ceraturdarśayantau ca prārthayantau parasparam ॥6-112-21॥
They moved in various circles, coming and going, showing and requesting each other.
pauravo dhṛṣṭaketuṃ tu śaṅkhadeśe mahāsinā। tāḍayāmāsa saṅkruddhastiṣṭha tiṣṭheti cābravīt ॥6-112-22॥
Paurava, in a fit of anger, struck Dhṛṣṭaketu with a great sword in the region of Shankha, commanding him to "Stop, stop."
cedirājo'pi samare pauravaṃ puruṣarṣabham। ājaghāna śitāgreṇa jatrudeśe mahāsinā ॥6-112-23॥
The king of the Cedis, in the battle, struck the noble descendant of Puru, the best among men, with a sharp sword at the collarbone.
tāvanyonyaṃ mahārāja samāsādya mahāhave। anyonyavegābhihatau nipetaturariṃdamau ॥6-112-24॥
O great king, those two warriors, having confronted each other in the fierce battle, were struck by each other's force and fell down, O subduer of enemies.
tataḥ svaratham āropya pauravaṃ tanayas tava। jayatseno rathe rājann apovāha raṇājirāt ॥6-112-25॥
Then, your son Jayatsena, having mounted his own chariot, carried Paurava away from the battlefield, O king.
dhṛṣṭaketuṃ ca samare mādrīputraḥ parantapaḥ। apovāha raṇe rājansahadevaḥ pratāpavān ॥6-112-26॥
O king, the valiant Sahadeva carried away Dhṛṣṭaketu and the son of Mādrī, the scorcher of foes, in the battle.
citrasenaḥ suśarmāṇaṃ viddhvā navabhirāśugaiḥ। punarvivyādha taṃ ṣaṣṭyā punaśca navabhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-112-27॥
Citrasena struck Suśarman with nine swift arrows, then pierced him again with sixty arrows, and once more with nine arrows.
suśarmā tu raṇe kruddhastava putraṃ viśāṃ pate। daśabhirdaśabhicaiva vivyādha niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-112-28॥
Suśarmā, in his anger during the battle, struck your son, O lord of the people, with twenty sharp arrows.
citrasenaśca taṃ rājaṃstriṃśatā nataparvaṇām। ājaghāna raṇe kruddhaḥ sa ca taṃ pratyavidhyata bhīṣmasya samare rājanyaśo mānaṃ ca vardhayan ॥6-112-29॥
Citrasena, in his anger, struck the king with thirty bent joints in battle, and the king retaliated, enhancing Bhishma's fame and honor in the battle, O king.
saubhadro rājaputraṃ tu bṛhadbalamayodhayat। ārjuniṃ kosalendrastu viddhvā pañcabhirāyasaiḥ ॥ punarvivyādha viṃśatyā śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ॥6-112-30॥
Abhimanyu, the son of Arjuna, engaged in battle with Brihadbala. The king of Kosala struck Arjuna's son with five iron arrows and then pierced him again with twenty more arrows with bent joints.
bṛhadbalaṃ ca saubhadro viddhvā navabhirāyasaiḥ। nākampayata saṅgrāme vivyādha ca punaḥ punaḥ ॥6-112-31॥
Brihadbala and Saubhadra, struck with nine iron arrows, stood firm in battle and continued to pierce repeatedly.
kausalyasya punaś cāpi dhanuś ciccheda phālguṇiḥ। ājaghāna śaraiś caiva triṁśatā kaṅkapatribhiḥ ॥6-112-32॥
Arjuna once again cut the bow of Kausalya and struck him with thirty winged arrows.
so'nyatkārmukamādāya rāgaputro bṛhadbalaḥ। phālguṇiṃ samare kruddho vivyādha bahubhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-112-33॥
Prince Brihadbala, seizing another bow, angrily attacked Arjuna in the battle with numerous arrows.
tayoryuddhaṁ samabhavadbhīṣmahetoḥ parantapa। saṁrabdhayormahārāja samare citrayodhinoḥ ॥ yathā devāsure yuddhe mayavāsavayorabhūt ॥6-112-34॥
O great king, a fierce battle took place for the sake of Bhishma between the enraged and skilled warriors, reminiscent of the legendary battle between the gods and demons, Maya and Indra.
bhīmaseno gajānīkaṃ yodhayanbahvaśobhata। yathā śakro vajrapāṇirdārayanparvatottamān ॥6-112-35॥
Bhimasena shone brilliantly as he fought against the elephant army, just like Indra wielding his thunderbolt to tear apart the great mountains.
te vadhyamānā bhīmena mātaṅgā girisaṁnibhāḥ। nipetururvyāṁ sahitā nādayanto vasundharām ॥6-112-36॥
The mountain-like elephants, struck by Bhima, fell to the ground together, causing a resounding noise on the earth.
girimātrā hi te nāgā bhinnāñjanacayopamāḥ। virejurvasudhāṃ prāpya vikīrṇā iva parvatāḥ ॥6-112-37॥
Those elephants, as large as mountains and resembling broken masses of collyrium, shone as they reached the earth, scattered like mountains.
yudhiṣṭhiro maheṣvāso madrarājānamāhave। mahatyā senayā guptaṃ pīḍayāmāsa saṅgataḥ ॥6-112-38॥
Yudhishthira, the great archer, attacked the Madra king in battle, who was protected by a large army, and joined forces.
madreśvaraśca samare dharmaputraṃ mahāratham। pīḍayāmāsa saṃrabdho bhīṣmahetoḥ parākramī ॥6-112-39॥
The valiant Madra king, driven by his allegiance to Bhishma, fiercely attacked the great warrior Dharmaputra on the battlefield.
virāṭaṃ saindhavo rājā viddhvā saṃnataparvabhiḥ। navabhiḥ sāyakais tīkṣṇais triṃśatā punar ardayat ॥6-112-40॥
The Sindhu king, after initially piercing Virata with bent-joint arrows, struck him again with thirty sharp arrows.
virāṭaśca mahārāja saindhavaṃ vāhinīmukhe। triṃśatā niśitairbāṇairājaghāna stanāntare ॥6-112-41॥
Virata, the great king, attacked the Sindhu prince at the forefront of the army with thirty sharp arrows, hitting him in the chest.
citrakārmukanistriṁśau citravarmāyudhadhvajau। rejatuścitrarūpau tau saṅgrāme matsyasindhavau ॥6-112-42॥
In the battle, the bright bows, swords, armors, weapons, and flags of Matsya and Sindhu shone brilliantly.
droṇaḥ pāñcālaputreṇa samāgamya mahāraṇe। mahāsamudayaṃ cakre śaraiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ ॥6-112-43॥
Drona, upon encountering the son of Panchala in the great battle, created a significant disturbance using arrows with bent joints.
tato droṇo mahārāja pārṣatasya mahaddhanuḥ। chittvā pañcāśateṣūṇāṃ pārṣataṃ samavidhyat ॥6-112-44॥
Then Droṇa, O great king, severed the great bow of the son of Pṛṣata and struck him with fifty arrows.
so'nyatkārmukamādāya pārṣataḥ paravīrahā। droṇasya miṣato yuddhe preṣayāmāsa sāyakān ॥6-112-45॥
The son of Prishata, a formidable warrior, took up another bow and, in the presence of Drona, launched his arrows during the battle.
tāñ śarāñ śarasaṅghais tu saṃnivārya mahārathaḥ। droṇo drupadaputrāya prāhiṇot pañca sāyakān ॥6-112-46॥
Drona, the great chariot-warrior, skillfully repelled those arrows with volleys of his own and then sent five arrows towards the son of Drupada.
tasya kruddho mahārāja pārṣataḥ paravīrahā। droṇāya cikṣepa gadāṃ yamadaṇḍopamāṃ raṇe ॥6-112-47॥
The enraged great king, son of Prishata, who was a slayer of enemy heroes, hurled a mace resembling the staff of Yama at Drona during the battle.
tām āpatantīṃ sahasā hemapaṭṭavibhūṣitām। śaraiḥ pañcāśatā droṇo vārayāmāsa saṃyuge ॥6-112-48॥
Drona, with fifty arrows, stopped her as she suddenly approached, adorned with a golden cloth, in the battle.
sā chinnā bahudhā rājandroṇacāpyutaiḥ śaraiḥ। cūrṇīkṛtā viśīryantī papāta vasudhātale ॥6-112-49॥
She was cut into many pieces by the arrows released from Drona's bow, shattered and disintegrating, she fell to the ground, O king.
gadāṃ vinihatāṃ dṛṣṭvā pārṣataḥ śatrusūdanaḥ। droṇāya śaktiṃ cikṣepa sarvapāraśavīṃ śubhām ॥6-112-50॥
Upon witnessing the destruction of the mace, the valiant son of Prishata, known as the destroyer of enemies, cast the all-encompassing and auspicious spear towards Drona.
tāṃ droṇo navabhirbāṇaiściccheda yudhi bhārata। pārṣataṃ ca maheṣvāsaṃ pīḍayāmāsa saṃyuge ॥6-112-51॥
Droṇa, with nine arrows, cut her down in the battle, O Bharata, and afflicted the great archer Pārṣata in the combat.
evametad mahad yuddhaṁ droṇa-pārṣatayoḥ abhūt। bhīṣmaṁ prati mahārāja ghorarūpaṁ bhayānakam ॥6-112-52॥
Thus, O great king, the great battle that occurred between Drona and Drupada's son was directed towards Bhishma, and it was of a terrible and frightening nature.
arjunaḥ prāpya gāṅgeyaṃ pīḍayanniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। abhyadravata saṃyattaṃ vane mattamiva dvipam ॥6-112-53॥
Arjuna, upon reaching Bhishma, the son of Ganga, relentlessly attacked him with sharp arrows, charging like a mad elephant in the forest.
pratyudyayau ca taṃ pārthaṃ bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān। tridhā bhinnena nāgena madāndhena mahābalaḥ ॥6-112-54॥
Bhagadatta, renowned for his valor, advanced towards Arjuna, the son of Pritha, with his powerful and intoxicated elephant, attacking in three directions.
tamāpatantaṃ sahasā mahendragajasaṃnibham। paraṃ yatnaṃ samāsthāya bībhatsuḥ pratyapadyata ॥6-112-55॥
Bibhatsu (Arjuna) quickly engaged with great effort against the one approaching like the mighty elephant of Indra.
tato gajagato rājā bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān। arjunaṃ śaravarṣeṇa vārayāmāsa saṃyuge ॥6-112-56॥
Then, King Bhagadatta, known for his might, riding on an elephant, confronted Arjuna with a barrage of arrows during the battle.
arjunastu raṇe nāgamāyāntaṃ rajatopamam। vimalairāyasaiḥtīkṣṇairavidhyata mahāraṇe ॥6-112-57॥
Arjuna, however, in the great battle, pierced the approaching elephant that resembled silver with his pure and sharp iron arrows.
śikhaṇḍinaṃ ca kaunteyo yāhi yāhityacodayat। bhīṣmaṃ prati mahārāja jahyenamiti cābravīt ॥6-112-58॥
The son of Kunti urged Shikhandin to go towards Bhishma, saying, "O great king, conquer him."
prāgjyotiṣastato hitvā pāṇḍavaṃ pāṇḍupūrvajaḥ। prayayau tvarito rājandrupadasya rathaṃ prati ॥6-112-59॥
The elder brother of Pāṇḍu, after leaving the city of Prāgjyotiṣa, quickly went towards King Drupada's chariot.
tato'rjuno mahārāja bhīṣmamabhyadravaddrutam। śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya tato yuddhamavartata ॥6-112-60॥
Then, O great king, Arjuna swiftly advanced towards Bhishma with Shikhandi leading the way, and thus the battle began.
tataste tāvakāḥ śūrāḥ pāṇḍavaṃ rabhasaṃ raṇe। sarve'bhyadhāvan krośantas tadadbhutam ivābhavat ॥6-112-61॥
Then your brave warriors charged fiercely at the Pāṇḍava in battle, all shouting, and it seemed as if it was a marvel.
nānāvidhānyanīkāni putrāṇāṃ te janādhipa। arjuno vyadhamatkāle divīvābhrāṇi mārutaḥ ॥6-112-62॥
O ruler of people, Arjuna scattered the various armies of your sons in due time, just as the wind scatters clouds in the sky.
śikhaṇḍī tu samāsādya bharatānāṃ pitāmaham। iṣubhistūrṇamavyagro bahubhiḥ sa samācinot ॥6-112-63॥
Shikhandi approached the grandsire of the Bharatas and calmly showered him with many arrows in quick succession.
somakāṁśca raṇe bhīṣmo jaghne pārthapadānugān। nyavārayata sainyaṁ ca pāṇḍavānāṁ mahārathaḥ ॥6-112-64॥
In the battle, Bhishma killed the Somakas and the followers of Partha, and the great chariot-warrior held back the Pandavas' army.
rathāgnyagāraścāpārcirasiśaktigadendhanaḥ। śarasaṅghamahājvālaḥ kṣatriyānsamare'dahat ॥6-112-65॥
The chariot, with its fire-chamber and an unending blaze, along with swords, spears, maces, and arrows like a great flame, consumed the warriors in battle.
yathā hi sumahānagniḥ kakṣe carati sānilaḥ। tathā jajvāla bhīṣmo'pi divyānyastrāṇyudīrayan ॥6-112-66॥
Just as a great fire spreads through the forest with the wind, Bhishma too blazed forth, invoking divine weapons.
suvarṇapuṅkhairiṣubhiḥ śitaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ। nādayansa diśo bhīṣmaḥ pradiśaśca mahāyaśāḥ ॥6-112-67॥
Bhishma, the greatly renowned, filled all directions and regions with the sound of his golden-feathered, sharp, and bent-jointed arrows.
pātayanrathino rājaṅgajāṃśca saha sādibhiḥ। muṇḍatālavanānīva cakāra sa rathavrajān ॥6-112-68॥
O king, he caused the charioteers and elephants along with their riders to fall, making the groups of chariots resemble forests of palm trees.
nirmanuṣyān rathān rājan gajān aśvān ca saṃyuge। cakāra sa tadā bhīṣmaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ ॥6-112-69॥
O king, at that time, Bhishma, the greatest among all warriors, rendered the chariots, elephants, and horses without riders in the battle.
tasya jyātalanirghoṣaṃ visphūrjitamivāśaneḥ। niśamya sarvato rājansamakampanta sainikāḥ ॥6-112-70॥
O king, upon hearing the sound of the bowstring, which was like the thunder of a thunderbolt, the soldiers trembled from all sides.
amoghā hyapatanbāṇāḥ pituste manujeśvara। nāsajjanta śarīreṣu bhīṣmacāpathyutāḥ śarāḥ ॥6-112-71॥
O lord of men, the arrows released from Bhishma's bow, though unfailing, did not stick in the bodies.
nirmanuṣyān rathān rājan suyuktāñ javanair hayaiḥ। vātāyamānān paśyāma hriyamāṇān viśāṃ pate ॥6-112-72॥
O king, we observe chariots without drivers, well-harnessed to swift horses, flying and being carried away, O lord of the people.
cedikāśikarūṣāṇāṃ sahasrāṇi caturdaśa। mahārathāḥ samākhyātāḥ kulaputrāstanutyajaḥ ॥6-112-73॥
Fourteen thousand renowned great charioteers from the noble families of the Cedis, Kashis, and Karushas have sacrificed their lives.
aparāvartinaḥ śūrāḥ suvarṇavikṛtadhvajāḥ। saṅgrāme bhīṣmamāsādya savājirathakuñjarāḥ ॥ jagmuste paralokāya vyāditāsyamivāntakam ॥6-112-74॥
The fearless warriors, adorned with golden banners, confronted Bhishma in battle with their horses, chariots, and elephants, and met their end, as if swallowed by death itself.
na tatrāsīnmahārāja somakānāṃ mahārathaḥ। yaḥ samprāpya raṇe bhīṣmaṃ jīvite sma mano dadhe ॥6-112-75॥
O great king, there was no great warrior among the Somakas who, upon reaching Bhishma in battle, focused his mind on survival.
tāṁśca sarvānraṇe yodhānpretarājapuraṁ prati। nītānamanyanta janā dṛṣṭvā bhīṣmasya vikramam ॥6-112-76॥
Observing Bhishma's valor, people believed that all the warriors were being led to the abode of Yama, the god of death, in the battlefield.
na kaścid enaṃ samare pratyudyāti mahārathaḥ। ṛte pāṇḍusutaṃ vīraṃ śvetāśvaṃ kṛṣṇasārathim ॥ śikhaṇḍinaṃ ca samare pāñcālyam amitaujasam ॥6-112-77॥
No great warrior dares to confront him in battle, except for the heroic son of Pandu, who rides with white horses and has Krishna as his charioteer, along with Shikhandi, the valiant Panchala prince of immense energy.
śikhaṇḍī tu raṇe bhīṣmam āsādya bharatarṣabha। daśabhir daśabhir bāṇair ājaghāna mahāhave ॥6-112-78॥
Shikhandi, however, approached Bhishma in battle and struck him with twenty arrows, O best of the Bharatas, during the great battle.
śikhaṇḍinaṃ tu gāṅgeyaḥ krodhadīptena cakṣuṣā। avaikṣata kaṭākṣeṇa nirdahanniva bhārata ॥6-112-79॥
Bhishma, the son of Ganga, cast a sidelong glance at Shikhandin, his eyes blazing with anger, as if he were burning him, O Bharata.
strītvaṃ tatsaṃsmaranrājansarvalokasya paśyataḥ। na jaghāna raṇe bhīṣmaḥ sa ca taṃ nāvabuddhavān ॥6-112-80॥
O king, remembering that he was a woman while the whole world watched, Bhishma did not kill him in battle, nor did he recognize him.
arjunastu mahārāja śikhaṇḍinamabhāṣata। abhitvarasva tvarito jahi cainaṃ pitāmaham ॥6-112-81॥
Arjuna, addressing Shikhandi, urged him to swiftly defeat the Grandsire.
kiṁ te vivakṣayā vīra jahi bhīṣmaṁ mahāratham। na hyanyamanupaśyāmi kañcidyaudhiṣṭhire bale ॥6-112-82॥
"What is your intention, O hero, in slaying Bhishma, the great chariot-warrior? Indeed, I see no one else among the sons of Yudhishthira who matches his strength."
yaḥ śaktaḥ samare bhīṣmaṃ yodhayet pitāmaham। ṛte tvāṃ puruṣavyāghra satyametadbravīmi te ॥6-112-83॥
O tiger among men, truly, I tell you that no one except you is capable of challenging Bhishma in battle.
evamuktastu pārthena śikhaṇḍī bharatarṣabha। śarairnānāvidhaistūrṇaṃ pitāmahamupādravat ॥6-112-84॥
Upon being addressed in this manner by Arjuna, Śikhaṇḍī, the best among the Bharatas, swiftly attacked the grandsire Bhīṣma with a variety of arrows.
acintayitvā tānbāṇānpitā devavratas tava। arjunaṃ samare kruddhaṃ vārayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ ॥6-112-85॥
Without considering those arrows, your father Devavrata restrained the angry Arjuna in the battle with his arrows.
tathaiva ca camūṃ sarvāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ। apraiṣītsamare tīkṣṇaiḥ paralokāya māriṣa ॥6-112-86॥
In the same manner, the great warrior of the Pandavas sent the entire army to the other world with sharp weapons in battle, O venerable one.
tathaiva pāṇḍavā rājansainyena mahatā vṛtāḥ। bhīṣmaṃ pracchādayāmāsurmeghā iva divākaram ॥6-112-87॥
In the same manner, O king, the Pandavas, with their vast army, enveloped Bhishma just as clouds envelop the sun.
sa samantātparivṛto bhārato bharatarṣabha। nirdadāha raṇe śūrānvanaṃ vahniriva jvalan ॥6-112-88॥
O best of the Bharatas, he was surrounded on all sides and burned the heroes in battle like a forest fire.
tatrādbhutamapaśyāma tava putrasya pauruṣam। ayodhayata yatpārthaṃ jugopa ca yatavratam ॥6-112-89॥
There, we witnessed the extraordinary valor of your son. He engaged in battle with Arjuna and upheld his vow.
karmaṇā tena samare tava putrasya dhanvinaḥ। duḥśāsanasya tutuṣuḥ sarve lokā mahātmanaḥ ॥6-112-90॥
By the actions in battle of your son, the archer Duḥśāsana, all the worlds were pleased with the great soul.
yadekaḥ samare pārthānsānugānsamayodhayat। na cainaṃ pāṇḍavā yuddhe vāyrāmāsurulbaṇam ॥6-112-91॥
When a single warrior fought against the sons of Pritha and their followers in battle, the Pandavas could not overpower him in that fierce encounter.
duḥśāsanena samare rathino virathīkṛtāḥ। sādinaśca mahārāja dantinaśca mahābalāḥ ॥6-112-92॥
In the battle, Duḥśāsana rendered the charioteers chariotless. O great king, the horsemen and the mighty elephant riders were also defeated.
vinirbhinnāḥ śaraistīkṣṇairnipeturdharaṇītale। śarāturāstathaivānye dantinō vidrutā diśaḥ ॥6-112-93॥
Pierced by sharp arrows, they fell to the ground. Other elephants, afflicted by the arrows, fled in all directions.
yathāgnirindhanaṃ prāpya jvaleddīptārcirulbaṇaḥ। tathā jajvāla putraste pāṇḍavānvai vinirdahan ॥6-112-94॥
Just as fire consumes fuel with its intense blazing flames, your son fiercely attacked and overwhelmed the Pāṇḍavas.
taṃ bhāratamahāmātraṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ। jetuṃ notsahate kaścinnāpyudyātuṃ kathaṃcana ॥ ṛte mahendratanayaṃ śvetāśvaṃ kṛṣṇasārathim ॥6-112-95॥
No one can conquer or challenge the great minister of the Bharatas, the great chariot warrior of the Pandavas, except for the son of Mahendra, who has white horses and Krishna as his charioteer.
sa hi taṃ samare rājan vijitya vijayo'rjunaḥ। bhīṣmamevābhidudrāva sarvasainyasya paśyataḥ ॥6-112-96॥
O King, having defeated his opponent in battle, Arjuna, known as Vijaya, charged directly at Bhishma, as the entire army watched.
vijitastava putro'pi bhīṣmabāhuvyapāśrayaḥ। punaḥ punaḥ samāśvasya prāyudhyata raṇotkaṭaḥ ॥ arjunaṃ ca raṇe rājanyodhayan sa vyarājata ॥6-112-97॥
Your son, relying on Bhishma's strength, repeatedly regained his composure and fought fiercely. O king, he shone while battling Arjuna.
śikhaṇḍī tu raṇe rājanvivyādhaiva pitāmaham। śarairaśanisaṃsparśaistathā sarpaviṣopamaiḥ ॥6-112-98॥
In the battle, Shikhandi fiercely attacked the grandfather with arrows that struck like thunderbolts and were as deadly as serpent's poison, O king.
na ca te'sya rujaṃ cakruḥ pitustava janeśvara। smayamānaśca gāṅgeyastānbāṇāñjagṛhe tadā ॥6-112-99॥
The arrows did not harm your father, O king. Smiling, Bhishma accepted them at that time.
uṣṇārto hi naro yadvajjaladhārāḥ pratīcchati। tathā jagrāha gāṅgeyaḥ śaradhārāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-112-100॥
The son of Ganga, Bhishma, received a barrage of arrows from Shikhandi, just as a man suffering from heat welcomes streams of water.
taṃ kṣatriyā mahārāja dadṛśurghoramāhave। bhīṣmaṃ dahantaṃ sainyāni pāṇḍavānāṃ mahātmanām ॥6-112-101॥
O great king, the warriors saw Bhishma, terrible in battle, as he burned the armies of the noble Pandavas.
tato'bravīttava sutaḥ sarvasainyāni māriṣa। abhidravata saṅgrāme phalgunaṃ sarvato rathaiḥ ॥6-112-102॥
Then your son instructed all the armies, "O venerable one, attack Arjuna in the battle from all directions with chariots."
bhīṣmo vaḥ samare sarvān palayiṣyati dharmavit। te bhayaṃ sumahattvaktvā pāṇḍavān pratiyudhyata ॥6-112-103॥
Bhishma, who understands dharma, will protect you all in the battle. They, having cast aside their great fear, are fighting against the Pandavas.
eṣa tālena dīptena bhīṣmastiṣṭhati pālayan। sarveṣāṃ dhārtarāṣṭrāṇāṃ raṇe śarma ca varma ca ॥6-112-104॥
Bhishma, with his resounding presence and brilliance, stands firm, safeguarding all the sons of Dhritarashtra in the battle, providing them both shelter and armor.
tridaśāpi samudyuktā nālaṃ bhīṣmaṃ samāsitum। kimu pārthā mahātmānaṃ martyabhūtāstathābalāḥ ॥ tasmāddravata he yodhāḥ phalgunaṃ prāpya saṃyuge ॥6-112-105॥
Even the thirty gods assembled cannot defeat Bhishma. How then can the sons of Pritha, who are mortal and strong, defeat the great soul? Therefore, O warriors, retreat when you encounter Arjuna in battle.
aham adya raṇe yatto yodhayiṣyāmi phalgunam। sahitaḥ sarvato yattair bhavadbhir vasudhādhipāḥ ॥6-112-106॥
Today, I am ready to fight Arjuna in battle, along with all of you, the kings of the earth, who are prepared from all sides.
tacchrutvā tu vaco rājanstava putrasya dhanvinaḥ। arjunaṃ prati saṃyattā balavanto mahārathāḥ ॥6-112-107॥
Upon hearing the words of your son, the archer, O king, the mighty warriors prepared themselves to face Arjuna.
te videhāḥ kaliṅgāśca dāśerakagaṇaiḥ saha। abhipeturniṣādāśca sauvīrāśca mahāraṇe ॥6-112-108॥
The Videhas, Kalingas, along with the tribes of Dasharaka, launched an attack, and the Nishadas and Sauviras joined in the great battle.
bāhlikā daradāścaiva prācyodīcyāśca mālavāḥ। abhīṣāhāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayo'tha vasātayaḥ ॥6-112-109॥
The Bahlika, Darada, eastern and northern Malava, Abhishaha, Shurasena, Shibi, and Vasati people are mentioned.
śālvāśrayāstrigartāśca ambaṣṭhāḥ kekayaiḥ saha। abhipetū raṇe pārthaṃ pataṅgā iva pāvakam ॥6-112-110॥
The followers of Śālva, the Trigartas, and the Ambasthas, along with the Kekayas, charged at Arjuna in the battle, resembling moths rushing towards a flame.
sa tānsarvānsahānīkānmahārāja mahārathān। divyānyastrāṇi sañcintya prasandhāya dhanañjayaḥ ॥6-112-111॥
Arjuna, O great king, considered the divine weapons and fixed them on all the great charioteers and troops.
sa tairastrairmahāvegairdadāhāśu mahābalaḥ। śarapratāpairbībhatsuḥ pataṅgāniva pāvakaḥ ॥6-112-112॥
The mighty warrior swiftly incinerated his enemies with his powerful and fast-moving weapons, terrifying them with his skill in archery, like a fire consuming moths.
tasya bāṇasahasrāṇi sṛjato dṛḍhadhanvinaḥ। dīpyamānamivākāśe gāṇḍīvaṃ samadṛśyata ॥6-112-113॥
The strong archer released thousands of arrows, and they appeared like the shining Gandiva bow in the sky.
te śarārtā mahārāja viprakīrṇarathadhvajāḥ। nābhyavartanta rājānaḥ sahitā vānaradhvajam ॥6-112-114॥
O great king, those kings, afflicted by arrows and with their chariots and banners scattered, did not return together with the army bearing the monkey banner.
sadhvajā rathinaḥ peturhayārohā hayaiḥ saha। gajāḥ saha gajārohaiḥ kirīṭiśaratāḍitāḥ ॥6-112-115॥
The charioteers with banners fell along with the horse riders and their horses, and the elephants along with their riders, all struck down by Arjuna's arrows.
tato'rjunabhujotsṛṣṭairāvṛtāsīdvasundharā। vidravadbhiśca bahudhā balai rājñāṃ samantataḥ ॥6-112-116॥
Then the earth was enveloped by the arms released by Arjuna and the fleeing forces of the kings from all directions.
atha pārtho mahābāhur drāvayitvā varūthinīm। duḥśāsanāya samare preṣayāmāsa sāyakān ॥6-112-117॥
Then the mighty-armed Arjuna, son of Pritha, after routing the enemy forces, sent arrows towards Duhshasana in the battlefield.
te tu bhittvā tava sutaṃ duḥśāsanamayomukhāḥ। dharaṇīṃ viviśuḥ sarve valmīkamiva pannagāḥ ॥ hayāṃścāsya tato jaghne sārathiṃ ca nyapātayat ॥6-112-118॥
They pierced your son Duhshasana with iron faces and entered the earth like serpents into an anthill. Then he killed his horses and charioteer.
viviṁśatiṁ ca viṁśatyā virathaṁ kṛtavānprabho। ājaghāna bhṛśaṁ caiva pañcabhirnataparvabhiḥ ॥6-112-119॥
O lord, you made twenty-two chariots without riders using twenty arrows, and struck severely with five bent-jointed arrows.
kṛpaṃ śalyaṃ vikarṇaṃ ca viddhvā bahubhirāyasaiḥ। cakāra virathāṃścaiva kaunteyaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ ॥6-112-120॥
The son of Kunti, Arjuna, who has white horses, pierced Kripa, Shalya, and Vikarna with many iron arrows, rendering them chariotless.
evaṃ te virathāḥ pañca kṛpaḥ śalyaśca māriṣa। duḥśāsano vikarṇaśca tathaiva ca viviṃśatiḥ ॥ samprādravanta samare nirjitāḥ savyasācinā ॥6-112-121॥
Thus, O sir, Kṛpa, Śalya, Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, and Viviṃśati, all five of them, having lost their chariots, fled from the battlefield, defeated by Arjuna.
pūrvāhṇe tu tathā rājanparājitya mahārathān। prajajvāla raṇe pārtho vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ ॥6-112-122॥
In the forenoon, O king, Arjuna, having defeated the great chariot-warriors, blazed in battle like a smokeless fire.
tathaiva śaravarṣeṇa bhāskaro raśmivāniva। anyānapi mahārāja pātayāmāsa pārthivān ॥6-112-123॥
In the same manner, O great king, he struck down other kings with a shower of arrows, just as the sun shines with its rays.
parāṅmukhīkṛtya tadā śaravarṣairmahārathān। prāvartayata saṅgrāme śoṇitodāṃ mahānadīm ॥ madhyena kurusainyānāṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ ca bhārata ॥6-112-124॥
Then, having turned the great charioteers away with showers of arrows, a great river filled with blood was set in motion in the battle through the middle of the Kuru and Pandava armies, O Bharata.
gajāś ca rathasaṅghāś ca bahudhā rathibhir hatāḥ। rathāś ca nihatā nāgair nāgā hayapadātibhiḥ ॥6-112-125॥
Elephants and chariots were attacked in various ways by the charioteers. Chariots were destroyed by elephants, and elephants were taken down by horsemen and foot soldiers.
antarā chidhyamānāni śarīrāṇi śirāṃsi ca। nipeturdikṣu sarvāsu gajāśvarathayodhinām ॥6-112-126॥
The bodies and heads of elephants, horses, chariots, and warriors were cut and fell in all directions.
channamāyodhanaṃ reje kuṇḍalāṅgadadhāribhiḥ। patitaiḥ pātyamānaiśca rājaputrairmahārathaiḥ ॥6-112-127॥
The battlefield, covered with illusionary weapons, gleamed with warriors adorned with earrings and armlets, as princes and great charioteers fell and were struck down.
rathaneminikr̥ttāśca gajaiścaivāvapothitāḥ। pādātāścāpyadr̥śyanta sāśvāḥ sahayasādinaḥ ॥6-112-128॥
The wheels of the chariots were severed and crushed by the elephants. The foot soldiers, along with their horses and riders, were visible amidst the chaos.
gajāśvarathasaṅghāśca paripetuḥ samantataḥ। viśīrṇāśca rathā bhūmau bhagnacakrayugadhvajāḥ ॥6-112-129॥
Elephants, horses, and chariots moved chaotically in all directions. The chariots lay scattered on the ground, their wheels, axles, and banners broken.
tad-gajāśvarathaughānāṃ rudhireṇa samukṣitam। channamāyodhanaṃ reje raktābhramiva śāradam ॥6-112-130॥
The battlefield, covered in the blood of elephants, horses, and chariots, appeared as radiant as a red cloud in autumn.
śvānaḥ kākāśca gṛdhrāśca vṛkā gomāyubhiḥ saha। praṇedurbhakṣyamāsādya vikṛtāśca mṛgadvijāḥ ॥6-112-131॥
Dogs, crows, vultures, and wolves along with jackals howled together upon finding food, and the beasts and birds appeared distorted.
vavur bahuvidhāś caiva dikṣu sarvāsu mārutāḥ। dṛśyamāneṣu rakṣaḥsu bhūteṣu vinadatsu ca ॥6-112-132॥
The winds blew in various directions, creating a tumultuous atmosphere among the visible demons and beings, who were howling.
kāñcanāni ca dāmāni patākāśca mahādhanāḥ। dhūmāyamānā dṛśyante sahasā māruteritāḥ ॥6-112-133॥
Golden garlands, flags, and great treasures are suddenly seen smoking, carried away by the wind.
śvetacchatrasahasrāṇi sadhvajāśca mahārathāḥ। vinikīrṇāḥ sma dṛśyante śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ ॥ sapatākāśca mātaṅgā diśo jagmuḥ śarāturāḥ ॥6-112-134॥
Thousands of white umbrellas and great chariots with flags were seen scattered in hundreds and thousands. Elephants with banners moved in all directions, distressed by arrows.
kṣatriyāśca manuṣyendra gadāśaktidhanurdharāḥ। samantato vyadṛśyanta patitā dharaṇītale ॥6-112-135॥
O lord of men, warriors wielding maces, spears, and bows were seen fallen all around on the ground.
tato bhīṣmo mahārāja divyam-astram-udīrayan। abhyadhāvata kaunteyaṃ miṣatāṃ sarva-dhanvinām ॥6-112-136॥
Then Bhishma, the great king, invoked a divine weapon and charged towards Arjuna, the son of Kunti, in full view of all the archers.
taṁ śikhaṇḍī raṇe yattamabhyadhāvata daṁśitaḥ। sañjahāra tato bhīṣmastadastraṁ pāvakopamam ॥6-112-137॥
Śikhaṇḍī, filled with anger, charged at him with determination in the battle. Then Bhīṣma withdrew his weapon, which was like fire.
etasmínneva kāle tu kaunteyaḥ śvetavāhanaḥ। nijaghne tāvakaṃ sainyaṃ mohayitvā pitāmaham ॥6-112-138॥
At that very moment, Arjuna, the son of Kunti, confused Bhishma and destroyed your army.
