06.114
Pancharatra and Core: Shikhandi, protected by Arjuna, attacked Bhishma; Bhishma fell, and decides to sustain his life until the northern solstice arrived.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
evaṃ te paṇḍavāḥ sarve puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam। vivyadhuḥ samare bhīṣmaṃ parivārya samantataḥ ॥6-114-1॥
Thus, all the Pāṇḍavas, placing Śikhaṇḍin at the forefront, surrounded Bhīṣma on all sides in the battle and pierced him.
śataghnībhiḥ sughorābhiḥ paṭṭiśaiḥ saparaśvadhaiḥ। mudgarairmusalaiḥ prāsaiḥ kṣepaṇībhiśca sarvaśaḥ ॥6-114-2॥
Everywhere, there were deadly weapons, fierce spears, axes, hammers, clubs, javelins, and missiles.
śaraiḥ kanakapuṅkhaiśca śaktitomarakampanaiḥ। nārācairvatsadantaiśca bhuśuṇḍībhiśca bhārata ॥ atāḍayanraṇe bhīṣmaṃ sahitāḥ sarvasṛñjayāḥ ॥6-114-3॥
O Bharata, all the Srinjayas together struck Bhishma in battle with arrows, golden-feathered ones, spears, javelins, iron arrows, calf-teeth arrows, and clubs.
sa viśīrṇatanutrāṇaḥ pīḍito bahubhistadā। vivyathe naiva gāṅgeyo bhidyamāneṣu marmasu ॥6-114-4॥
Despite his armor being torn and being afflicted by many, Bhishma was not agitated even when his vital parts were being pierced.
sa dīptaśaracāpārcirastraprasṛtamārutaḥ। neminirhrādasaṃnādo mahāstrodaya pāvakaḥ ॥6-114-5॥
He, with blazing arrows and a bow, whose weapons were like flames, spread like the wind. The rim roared and resounded with the emergence of the great weapon fire.
citracāpamahājvālo vīrakṣayamahendhanaḥ। yugāntāgnisamo bhīṣmaḥ pareṣāṃ samapadyata ॥6-114-6॥
Bhishma, with his bright bow and great flame, became the great destroyer of heroes, like the fire at the end of an age, for his enemies.
nipatya rathasaṅghānāmantareṇa viniḥsṛtaḥ। dṛśyate sma narendrāṇāṃ punarmadhyagataścaran ॥6-114-7॥
Having descended between the groups of chariots, he emerged and was seen again moving among the kings.
tataḥ pāñcālarājaṃ ca dhṛṣṭaketumatītya ca। pāṇḍavānīkinīmadhyamāsasāda sa vegitaḥ ॥6-114-8॥
Then, he swiftly moved past the king of the Pāñcālas and Dhṛṣṭaketu to reach the center of the Pāṇḍava army.
tataḥ sātyakibhīmau ca pāṇḍavaṃ ca dhanañjayam। drupadaṃ ca virāṭaṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca pārṣatam ॥6-114-9॥
Then Satyaki, Bhima, Arjuna, Drupada, Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, were all present.
bhīmaghoṣairmahāvegairvairivāraṇabhedibhiḥ। ṣaḍetānṣaḍbhirānarchadbhāskarapratimaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-114-10॥
He attacked these six with six arrows that had terrifying sounds, great speed, and could pierce the enemy's elephants, resembling the sun.
tasya te niśitānbāṇānsaṃnivārya mahārathāḥ। daśabhirdaśabhirbhīṣmamardayāmāsurojasā ॥6-114-11॥
The great charioteers, having repelled his sharp arrows, vigorously attacked Bhishma with volleys of ten arrows each.
śikhaṇḍī tu raṇe bāṇānyānmumoca mahāvrate। te bhīṣmaṃ viviśustūrṇaṃ svarṇapuṅkhāḥ śilāśitāḥ ॥6-114-12॥
Shikhandi, in the battle, released arrows which swiftly pierced Bhishma. These arrows were golden-feathered and sharpened on stone.
tataḥ kirīṭī saṁrabdho bhīṣmamevābhyavartata। śikhaṇḍinaṁ puraskṛtya dhanuścāsya samācchinat ॥6-114-13॥
Then, Arjuna, wearing his crown and filled with excitement, advanced towards Bhishma, placing Shikhandin in front, and cut off Bhishma's bow.
bhīṣmasya dhanuṣaś-chedam nāmṛṣyanta mahārathāḥ। droṇaś-ca kṛtavarmā ca saindhavaś-ca jayadrathaḥ ॥6-114-14॥
The great warriors, including Drona, Kritavarma, the Sindhu prince, and Jayadratha, could not tolerate the cutting of Bhishma's bow.
bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ śalyo bhagadattastathaiva ca। saptaite paramakruddhāḥ kirīṭinamabhidrutāḥ ॥6-114-15॥
Bhūriśravāḥ, Śalaḥ, Śalyaḥ, Bhagadattaḥ, and these seven warriors, in extreme anger, charged towards Arjuna.
uttamāstrāṇi divyāni darśayanto mahārathāḥ। abhipeturbhṛśaṃ kruddhāśchādayanta sma pāṇḍavān ॥6-114-16॥
The great warriors, displaying their excellent divine weapons, launched a fierce and angry attack, covering the Pandavas completely.
teṣām āpatatāṃ śabdaḥ śuśruve phalgunaṃ prati। udvṛttānāṃ yathā śabdaḥ samudrāṇāṃ yugakṣaye ॥6-114-17॥
The approaching sound of the warriors was heard towards Arjuna (Phalguna), resembling the tumultuous sound of oceans at the end of an era.
hatānayata gṛhṇīta yudhyatāpi ca kṛntata। ityāsīttumulaḥ śabdaḥ phalgunasya rathaṃ prati ॥6-114-18॥
There was a tumultuous sound towards Arjuna's chariot, with cries of 'Slay, bring, seize, fight, also cut!'
taṁ śabdaṁ tumulaṁ śrutvā pāṇḍavānāṁ mahārathāḥ। abhyadhāvanparīpsantaḥ phalgunaṁ bharatarṣabha ॥6-114-19॥
Upon hearing the loud noise made by the Pandavas, the great warriors hurried to protect Arjuna, O best of the Bharatas.
sātyakirbhīmasenaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ। virāṭadrupadau cobhau rākṣasaśca ghaṭotkacaḥ ॥6-114-20॥
Satyaki, Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, Virata, Drupada, and the demon Ghatotkacha were all present.
abhimanyuśca saṅkruddhaḥ saptaite krodhamūrchitāḥ। samabhyadhāvaṃstvaritāścitrakārmukadhāriṇaḥ ॥6-114-21॥
Abhimanyu and these seven warriors, filled with rage, quickly advanced bearing their bright bows.
teṣāṃ samabhavadyuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam। saṅgrāme bharataśreṣṭha devānāṃ dānavairiva ॥6-114-22॥
A fierce and terrifying battle arose among them, O best of the Bharatas, resembling the battle between the gods and the demons.
śikhaṇḍī tu rathaśreṣṭho rakṣyamāṇaḥ kirīṭinā। avidhyaddaśabhirbhīṣmaṃ chinnadhanvānamāhave ॥ sārathiṃ daśabhicāsya dhvajaṃ caikena cicchide ॥6-114-23॥
Shikhandi, protected by Arjuna, attacked Bhishma, breaking his bow with ten arrows in the battle. He also struck down the charioteer with ten arrows and cut off the flag with one.
so'nyatkārmukamādāya gāṅgeyo vegavattaram। tadapyasya śitairbhallaistribhiściccheda phalgunaḥ ॥6-114-24॥
The son of Ganga took another more powerful bow, but Arjuna cut it too with three sharp arrows.
evaṃ sa pāṇḍavaḥ kruddha āttamāttaṃ punaḥ punaḥ। dhanurbhīṣmasya ciccheda savyasācī parantapaḥ ॥6-114-25॥
In this way, the Pāṇḍava, filled with rage, repeatedly drew his bow and severed the bow of Bhīṣma, demonstrating his prowess as Savyasāci, the mighty archer and vanquisher of enemies.
sa chinnadhanvā saṅkruddhaḥ sṛkkiṇī parisaṁlihan। śaktiṁ jagrāha saṅkruddho girīṇāmapi dāraṇīm ॥6-114-26॥
He, with his bow broken and in anger, licked his quiver and took up a spear capable of piercing even mountains.
tāṃ ca cikṣepa saṅkruddhaḥ phalgunasya rathaṃ prati ॥6-114-26॥
In his anger, he hurled her towards Arjuna's chariot.
tām āpatantīṃ samprekṣya jvalantīm aśanīm iva। samādatta śitān bhallān pañca pāṇḍavanandanaḥ ॥6-114-27॥
Upon seeing her coming like a blazing thunderbolt, the son of Pandu picked up five sharp arrows.
tasya ciccheda tāṃ śaktiṃ pañcadhā pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ। saṅkruddho bharataśreṣṭha bhīṣmabāhubaleritām ॥6-114-28॥
In his anger, Bhishma, with the strength of his arms, cut that weapon into five pieces using five arrows, O best of the Bharatas.
sā papāta paricchinnā saṅkruddhena kirīṭinā। meghavṛndaparibhraṣṭā vicchinneva śatahradā ॥6-114-29॥
She fell, cut off by the enraged crowned one, like a hundred streams separated from a cluster of clouds.
Chinnāṃ tāṃ śaktimālokya bhīṣmaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ। Acintayadraṇe vīro buddhyā parapurañjayaḥ ॥6-114-30॥
Upon witnessing his power being cut, Bhishma, filled with rage, contemplated wisely in the battlefield as the conqueror of enemy cities.
śakto'haṃ dhanuṣaikena nihantuṃ sarvapāṇḍavān। yadyeṣāṃ na bhavedgoptā viṣvakseno mahābalaḥ ॥6-114-31॥
I am capable of killing all the Pāṇḍavas with a single bow if the mighty Viṣvaksena is not their protector.
kāraṇadvayamāsthāya nāhaṃ yotsyāmi pāṇḍavaiḥ। avadhyatvācca pāṇḍūnāṃ strībhāvācca śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-32॥
I have decided not to engage in battle with the Pandavas for two reasons: their invincibility and Shikhandi's femininity.
pitrā tuṣṭena me pūrvaṃ yadā kālīmudāvahat। svacchandamaraṇaṃ dattamavadhyatvaṃ raṇe tathā ॥ tasmān mṛtyum ahaṃ manye prāptakālam ivātmanah ॥6-114-33॥
My father, pleased with me, granted me the boon of choosing the time of my death and invincibility in battle when he married Kali. Therefore, I believe it is the right time for my death.
evaṃ jñātvā vyavasitaṃ bhīṣmasyāmitatejasaḥ। ṛṣayo vasavaścaiva viyatsā bhīṣmamabruvan ॥6-114-34॥
Understanding the firm resolve of the illustrious Bhishma, the sages and the Vasus, who were present in the sky, addressed him.
yatte vyavasitaṃ vīra asmākaṃ sumahatpriyam। tatkuruṣva maheṣvāsa yuddhādbuddhiṃ nivartaya ॥6-114-35॥
Your determination, O hero, is greatly cherished by us. Please, O great archer, act on it and withdraw your mind from the battle.
tasya vākyasya nidhane prādurāsīcchivo'nilaḥ। anulomaḥ sugandhī ca pṛṣataiśca samanvitaḥ ॥6-114-36॥
At the conclusion of his speech, a gentle and fragrant breeze appeared, carrying with it auspiciousness and a light drizzle.
devadundubhayaścaiva sampraṇedurmahāsvanāḥ। papāta puṣpavṛṣṭiśca bhīṣmasyopari pārthiva ॥6-114-37॥
The divine drums resounded with a mighty sound, and a shower of flowers fell upon Bhishma, the king.
na ca tacchuśruve kaścit teṣāṃ saṃvadatāṃ nṛpa। ṛte bhīṣmaṃ mahābāhuṃ māṃ cāpi munitejasā ॥6-114-38॥
O king, none among them heard the conversation except for the mighty-armed Bhishma and myself, thanks to the sage's brilliance.
sambhramaśca mahānāsītridaśānāṃ viśāṃ pate। patiṣyati rathādbhīṣme sarvalokapriye tadā ॥6-114-39॥
O lord of the people, there was great confusion among the gods when Bhishma, who was dear to all worlds, was about to fall from his chariot.
iti devagaṇānāṃ ca śrutvā vākyaṃ mahāmanāḥ। tataḥ śāntanavo bhīṣmo bībhatsuṃ nābhyavartata ॥ bhidyamānaḥ śitairbāṇaiḥ sarvāvaraṇabhedibhiḥ ॥6-114-40॥
Upon hearing the words of the gods, the wise Bhishma, son of Śantanu, refrained from advancing towards Arjuna as he was being struck by sharp arrows that could pierce any armor.
śikhaṇḍī tu mahārāja bharatānāṃ pitāmaham। ājaghānorasi kruddho navabhirniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥6-114-41॥
Shikhandi, in his anger, struck the grandsire Bhishma, the elder of the Bharatas, on the chest with nine sharp arrows, O great king.
sa tenābhihataḥ saṅkhye bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ। nākampata mahārāja kṣitikampe yathācalaḥ ॥6-114-42॥
Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, was struck in battle but did not waver, O great king, just as a mountain remains unmoved during an earthquake.
tataḥ prahasya bībhatsurvyākṣipangāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ। gāṅgeyaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṃ samarpayat ॥6-114-43॥
Then, with a smile, Arjuna, known as Bibhatsu, stretched his Gandiva bow and shot twenty-five small arrows at Bhishma, the son of Ganga.
punaḥ śaraśatenainaṃ tvaramāṇo dhanañjayaḥ। sarvagātreṣu saṅkruddhaḥ sarvamarmsvatāḍayat ॥6-114-44॥
Arjuna, in his haste and anger, struck his opponent with a hundred arrows, targeting all limbs and vital parts.
evam anyair api bhṛśaṃ vadhyamāno mahāraṇe। na cakrus te rujaṃ tasya rukmapuṅkhāḥ śilāśitāḥ ॥6-114-45॥
Despite being fiercely attacked by others in the great battle, the golden-feathered, stone-sharpened arrows did not cause him any pain.
tataḥ kirīṭī saṁrabdho bhīṣmamevābhyavartata। śikhaṇḍinaṁ puraskṛtya dhanuścāsya samācchinat ॥6-114-46॥
Then, Arjuna, wearing a crown and filled with excitement, advanced towards Bhishma, keeping Shikhandi in front, and cut off Bhishma's bow.
athainaṁ daśabhirviddhvā dhvajamekena cicchide। sārathiṁ viśikhaiścāsya daśabhiḥ samakampayat ॥6-114-47॥
Then, he pierced him with ten arrows and cut off his flag with one. He also shook his charioteer with ten arrows.
so'nyatkārmukamādatta gāṅgeyo balavattaram। tadapyasya śitairbhallaistridhā tribhirupānudat ॥ nimeṣāntaramātreṇa āttamāttaṃ mahāraṇe ॥6-114-48॥
The son of Ganga took another, stronger bow, but even that was shattered into three pieces by his sharp arrows in an instant during the great battle.
evamasya dhanūṃṣyājau ciccheda subahūnyapi। tataḥ śāntanavo bhīṣmo bībhatsuṃ nābhyavartata ॥6-114-49॥
In this way, he severed many of his bows in battle. Then, Bhishma, the son of Śantanu, refrained from advancing towards Arjuna.
athainaṁ pañcaviṁśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṁ samardayat। so'tividdho maheṣvāso duḥśāsanamabhāṣata ॥6-114-50॥
Then, having been pierced by twenty-five small arrows, the great archer spoke to Duḥśāsana.
eṣa pārtho raṇe kruddhaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ। śarairanekasāhasrairmāmevābhyasate raṇe ॥6-114-51॥
The son of Pritha, a great warrior of the Pandavas, is angrily attacking me in the battle with countless arrows.
na caiṣa śakyaḥ samare jetuṃ vajrabhṛtā api। na cāpi sahitā vīrā devadānavarākṣasāḥ ॥ māṃ caiva śaktā nirjetuṃ kimu martyāḥ sudurbalāḥ ॥6-114-52॥
Even the wielder of the thunderbolt cannot conquer this in battle, nor can the combined heroes, gods, demons, and ogres defeat me. How then can the very weak mortals?
evaṃ tayoḥ saṃvadatoḥ phalguno niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya bhīṣmaṃ vivyādha saṃyuge ॥6-114-53॥
As the conversation between the two continued, Arjuna, using sharp arrows and having Shikhandi lead, struck Bhishma during the battle.
tato duḥśāsanaṃ bhūyaḥ smayamāno'bhyabhāṣata। atividdhaḥ śitairbāṇairbhṛśaṃ gāṇḍīvadhanvanā ॥6-114-54॥
Then, with a smile, he spoke to Duḥśāsana, who had been severely wounded by the sharp arrows of Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow.
vajrāśanisamasparśāḥ śitāgrāḥ sampraveśitāḥ। vimuktā avyavacchinnā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-55॥
The arrows of Shikhandi, with a touch like a thunderbolt, sharp and pointed, have been released and inserted without interruption; these are not ordinary.
nikṛntamānā marmāṇi dṛḍhāvaraṇabhedinaḥ। musalānīva me ghnanti neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-56॥
The arrows of Shikhandi, like clubs, strike me, cutting through vital parts and piercing strong covers, but they are not effective.
brahmadaṇḍasamasparśā vajravegā durāsadāḥ। mama prāṇānārujanti neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-57॥
The arrows of Shikhandi, possessing the touch equal to Brahma's staff and the speed of a thunderbolt, remain unapproachable and do not harm my life.
bhujagā iva saṅkruddhā lelihānā viṣolbaṇāḥ। mamāviśanti marmāṇi neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-58॥
The poisonous serpents, like angry ones licking, enter my vitals; these are not the arrows of Śikhaṇḍin.
nāśayantīva me prāṇānyamadūtā ivāhitāḥ। gadāparighasaṃsparśā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-59॥
The arrows of Shikhandi, as if they were messengers of Yama, seem to be destroying my life forces, yet they do not touch the mace and iron club.
kṛntanti mama gātrāṇi māghamāse gavāmiva। arjunasya ime bāṇā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ ॥6-114-60॥
In the month of Magha, my limbs are being cut like those of cows. These arrows belong to Arjuna, not to Shikhandi.
sarve hyapi na me duḥkhaṃ kuryuranye narādhipāḥ। vīraṃ gaṇḍīvadhanvānamṛte jiṣṇuṃ kapidhvajam ॥6-114-61॥
None of the other kings would cause me sorrow, except for the heroic Arjuna, the wielder of the Gandiva bow, with the monkey banner.
iti bruvañśāntanavo didhakṣuriva pāṇḍavam। saviṣphuliṅgāṃ dīptāgrāṃ śaktiṃ cikṣepa bhārata ॥6-114-62॥
As he spoke, the son of Śantanu, in his desire to destroy the Pāṇḍava, threw a spear that blazed with sparks, O Bhārata.
tāmasya viśikhaiśchittvā tridhā tribhirapātayat। paśyatāṃ kuruvīrāṇāṃ sarveṣāṃ tatra bhārata ॥6-114-63॥
He skillfully divided it into three parts with his arrows and brought it down in front of all the Kuru warriors, O Bhārata.
carmāthādatta gāṅgeyo jātarūpapariṣkṛtam। khaḍgaṃ cānyataraṃ prepsurmṛtyoragre jayāya vā ॥6-114-64॥
The son of Ganga then took a golden-adorned shield and another sword, seeking either death or victory in the face of battle.
tasya tacchatadhā carma vyadhamaddaṃśitātmanaḥ। rathādanavarūḍhasya tadadbhutamivābhavat ॥6-114-65॥
His armor was shattered into a hundred pieces by his own furious spirit. It seemed like a miracle to him, as he remained standing on the chariot.
vinadyoccaiḥ siṃha iva svānyanīkānyacodayat। abhidravata gāṅgeyaṃ māṃ vo'stu bhayamaṇvapi ॥6-114-66॥
Roaring loudly like a lion, he urged his troops to attack Bhishma, the son of Ganga, saying, "Let there be no fear in you, not even a little."
atha te tomaraiḥ prāsairbāṇaughaiśca samantataḥ। paṭṭiśaiśca sanistriṁśairnānāpraharaṇaistathā ॥6-114-67॥
Then they surrounded with spears, lances, showers of arrows, swords, scimitars, and various weapons from all sides.
vatsadantaiśca bhallaiśca tamekamabhidudruvuḥ। siṃhanādastato ghoraḥ pāṇḍavānāmajāyata ॥6-114-68॥
The warriors, armed with calf-teeth and arrows, charged at him alone. Then, a dreadful lion's roar emerged from the Pandavas.
tathaiva tava putrāśca rājanbhīṣmajayaiṣiṇaḥ। tamekamabhyavartanta siṃhanādāṃśca nedire ॥6-114-69॥
Similarly, your sons, O king, eager for Bhishma's victory, advanced towards him alone, roaring like lions.
tatrāsīt tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ tāvakānāṃ paraiḥ saha। daśame'ahani rājendra bhīṣmārjunasamāgame ॥6-114-70॥
On the tenth day, O King, a fierce battle took place between your forces and the enemies during the encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna.
āsīdgāṅga ivāvarto muhūrtamudadheriva। sainyānāṃ yudhyamānānāṃ nighnatāmitaretaram ॥6-114-71॥
For a moment, the armies clashed like a whirlpool in the Ganges, resembling the ocean, as they fought and killed each other.
agamyarūpā pṛthivī śoṇitāktā tadābhavat। samaṃ ca viṣamaṃ caiva na prājñāyata kiñcana ॥6-114-72॥
The earth took on an incomprehensible form, stained with blood. Nothing, whether level or uneven, could be perceived at all.
yodhānāmayutaṃ hatvā tasminsa daśame'hani। atiṣṭhadāhave bhīṣmo bhidyamāneṣu marmasu ॥6-114-73॥
On the tenth day, after slaying ten thousand warriors, Bhishma stood firm in the battle, even as his vital points were being pierced.
tataḥ senāmukhe tasminsthitaḥ pārtho dhanañjayaḥ। madhyena kurusainyānāṃ drāvayāmāsa vāhinīm ॥6-114-74॥
Then, Arjuna, standing at the forefront of the army, dispersed the forces through the center of the Kuru armies.
vayaṁ śvetahayādbhītāḥ kuntīputrāddhanañjayāt। pīḍyamānāḥ śitaiḥ śastraiḥ pradravāma mahāraṇāt ॥6-114-75॥
We were terrified by Arjuna, the son of Kunti, who rides the white horse, and being oppressed by his sharp weapons, we fled from the great battle.
sauvīrāḥ kitavāḥ prācyāḥ pratīcyodīcyamālavāḥ। abhīṣāhāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayo'tha vasātayaḥ ॥6-114-76॥
The verse lists various groups of people, including the Sauvīras, gamblers, easterners, westerners, northerners, Mālavas, fearless ones, Śūrasenas, Śibis, and Vasātis.
śālvāśrayāstrigartāśca ambaṣṭhāḥ kekayaiḥ saha। dvādaśaite janapadāḥ śarārtā vraṇapīḍitāḥ ॥ saṅgrāme na jahurbhīṣmaṃ yudhyamānaṃ kirīṭinā ॥6-114-77॥
The twelve nations, including those dwelling in Śālva, Trigartas, and Ambashṭhas, along with the Kekayas, though afflicted by arrows and wounded, did not abandon Bhishma as he fought with Arjuna in the battle.
tatastamekaṃ bahavaḥ parivārya samantataḥ। parikālya kurūnsarvāñśaravarṣairavākiran ॥6-114-78॥
Then many warriors surrounded him from all sides and attacked all the Kurus with showers of arrows, covering them completely.
nipātayata gṛhṇīta vidhyatātha ca karṣata। ityāsīttumulaḥ śabdo rājanbhīṣmarathaṃ prati ॥6-114-79॥
There was a loud and chaotic noise as the warriors shouted to strike down, seize, pierce, and drag towards Bhishma's chariot, O king.
abhihatya śaraughais taṃ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ। na tasyāsīd anirbhinnam gātreṣv aṅgulamātrakam ॥6-114-80॥
After being struck by countless showers of arrows, there wasn't a single spot on his body, even as small as a finger's breadth, that remained unpierced.
evaṃ vibho tava pitā śarairviśakalīkṛtaḥ। śitāgraiḥ phalgunenājau prākṣirāḥ prāpatadrathāt ॥ kiñciccheṣe dinakare putrāṇāṃ tava paśyatām ॥6-114-81॥
Thus, O lord, your father was torn apart by the sharp-pointed arrows of Phalguna in battle and fell from the chariot. While your sons were watching, a little of the sun remained.
hā heti divi devānāṃ pārthivānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ। patamāne rathādbhīṣme babhūva sumahānasvanaḥ ॥6-114-82॥
As Bhishma fell from his chariot, there was a great sound everywhere, like the lamentations of gods and kings in heaven.
taṁ patantam abhiprekṣya mahātmānaṁ pitāmaham। saha bhīṣmeṇa sarveṣāṁ prāpatan hṛdayāni naḥ ॥6-114-83॥
Seeing the great soul, our grandfather, falling along with Bhishma, all our hearts sank.
sa papāta mahābāhurvasudhāmanunādayan। indradhvaja ivotsṛṣṭaḥ ketuḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām ॥ dharaṇīṃ nāspṛśaccāpi śarasaṅghaiḥ samācitaḥ ॥6-114-84॥
The mighty-armed warrior fell to the ground with a resounding crash, like the banner of Indra released, symbolizing the flag of all archers. However, he did not touch the earth, as he was covered with a multitude of arrows.
śaratalpe maheṣvāsaṃ śayānaṃ puruṣarṣabham। rathātprapatitaṃ cainaṃ divyo bhāvaḥ samāviśat ॥6-114-85॥
As he lay on the bed of arrows, the great archer, a bull among men, having fallen from his chariot, was enveloped by a divine state.
abhyavarṣata parjanyaḥ prākampata ca medinī। patansa dadṛśe cāpi kharvitaṃ ca divākaram ॥6-114-86॥
The cloud poured rain, causing the earth to tremble. As it fell, the sun appeared to be obscured.
sañjñāṃ caivālabhadvīraḥ kālaṃ sañcintya bhārata। antarikṣe ca śuśrāva divyāṃ vācaṃ samantataḥ ॥6-114-87॥
The hero, having contemplated the time, regained consciousness, O Bharata, and heard a divine voice from all directions in the sky.
kathaṁ mahātmā gāṅgeyaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ। kālaṁ kartā naravyāghraḥ samprāpte dakṣiṇāyane ॥6-114-88॥
How did the noble Bhishma, son of Ganga and the greatest of warriors, choose to act as the southern solstice approached?
sthito'smīti ca gāṅgeyastacchrutvā vākyamabravīt। dhārayāmāsa ca prāṇānpatito'pi hi bhūtale ॥ uttarāyaṇamanvicchanbhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ ॥6-114-89॥
Bhishma, the son of Ganga, after hearing those words, said, "I am standing." Even though he had fallen on the ground, he held his breaths, seeking the northern solstice. Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, awaited the Uttarayana.
tasya tanmatamājñāya gaṅgā himavataḥ sutā। maharṣīnaṃhasarūpeṇa preṣayāmāsa tatra vai ॥6-114-90॥
Understanding his intention, Ganga, the daughter of Himavat, sent the great sages there in the form of a swan.
tataḥ sampātino haṃsāstvaritā mānasaukasaḥ। ājagmuḥ sahitā draṣṭuṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham ॥ yatra śete naraśreṣṭhaḥ śaratalpe pitāmahaḥ ॥6-114-91॥
Then the swans from Lake Manasa, flying swiftly together, came to see Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, who lay on the bed of arrows, the revered elder.
te tu bhīṣmaṃ samāsādya munayo haṃsarūpiṇaḥ। apaśyañśaratalpasthaṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham ॥6-114-92॥
The sages, taking the form of swans, approached Bhishma and saw him lying on his bed of arrows, the revered grandsire of the Kuru dynasty.
te taṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmānaṃ kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam। gāṅgeyaṃ bharataśreṣṭhaṃ dakṣiṇena ca bhāskaram ॥6-114-93॥
They saw the great soul, performed circumambulation, and honored the son of Ganga, the best of the Bharatas, by facing south and the sun.
itaretaramāmantrya prāhustatra manīṣiṇaḥ। bhīṣma eva mahātmā sansaṃsthātā dakṣiṇāyane ॥6-114-94॥
The wise ones, addressing each other, said there that Bhishma, being a great soul, would depart during the southern solstice.
ityuktvā prasthitānhaṁsāndakṣiṇāmabhito diśam। samprekṣya vai mahābuddhiścintayitvā ca bhārata ॥6-114-95॥
Having spoken thus, the swans set out towards the south. Observing with great wisdom, he contemplated, O Bhārata.
tān abravīt śāntanavo nāhaṃ gantā kathaṃcana। dakṣiṇāvṛtta āditye etan me manasi sthitam ॥6-114-96॥
The son of Śantanu declared to them that he would not depart under any circumstances when the sun turns south; this decision was firmly set in his mind.
gamiṣyāmi svakaṃ sthānam āsīd yan me purātanam। udagāvṛtta āditye haṃsāḥ satyaṃ bravīmi vaḥ ॥6-114-97॥
I will return to my ancient abode when the sun turns north. I speak the truth to you, O swans.
dhārayiṣyāmyahaṃ prāṇānuttarāyaṇakāṅkṣayā। aiśvaryabhūtaḥ prāṇānāmutsarge niyato hyaham ॥ tasmātprāṇāndhārayiṣye mumūrṣurudagayane ॥6-114-98॥
I will sustain my life forces with the hope of the northern course. Being endowed with power, I am indeed resolute in the release of life forces. Hence, I will maintain my life forces, wishing to pass away during the northern course.
yaśca datto varo mahyaṃ pitrā tena mahātmanā। chandato mṛtyurityevaṃ tasya cāstu varastathā ॥6-114-99॥
The boon granted to me by my father, the noble soul, is that I can choose the time of my death. Thus, let this boon be fulfilled as such.
dhārayiṣye tataḥ prāṇānutsarge niyate sati। ityuktvā tāṃstadā haṃsānaśeta śaratalpagaḥ ॥6-114-100॥
Bhishma, lying on the bed of arrows, declared that he would hold his life force until the right time, and then lay down the swans, symbolizing his readiness to depart from the world.
evaṁ kurūṇāṁ patite śṛṅge bhīṣme mahaujasi। pāṇḍavāḥ sṛñjayāścaiva siṁhanādaṁ pracakrire ॥6-114-101॥
When the mighty Bhishma, the pinnacle of the Kurus, fell, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas roared like lions in triumph.
tasmin hate mahāsattve bharatānām amadhyame। na kiñcit pratyapadyanta putrās te bharatarṣabha॥ saṃmohaś caiva tumulaḥ kurūṇām abhavat tadā॥6-114-102॥
When that great being, the middle of the Bharatas, was slain, the sons, O best of the Bharatas, did not obtain anything. Then, confusion and uproar indeed arose among the Kurus.
nṛpā duryodhanamukhā niḥśvasya rurudustataḥ। viṣādācca ciraṃ kālamatiṣṭhanvigatendriyāḥ ॥6-114-103॥
The kings, led by Duryodhana, sighed and wept. In their despair, they stood senseless for a long time.
dadhyuścaiva mahārāja na yuddhe dadhire manaḥ। ūrugrāhagṛhītāśca nābhyadhāvanta pāṇḍavān ॥6-114-104॥
The warriors, overwhelmed by fear, decided not to engage in battle and refrained from confronting the Pandavas, O great king.
avadhye śantanoḥ putre hate bhīṣme mahaujasi। abhāvaḥ sumahānrājankurūnāgādatandritaḥ ॥6-114-105॥
When the invincible Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu and of great energy, was slain, a profound absence descended upon the Kurus, O king, with relentless force.
hatapravīrāśca vayaṃ nikṛttāśca śitaiḥ śaraiḥ। kartavyaṃ nābhijānīmo nirjitāḥ savyasācinā ॥6-114-106॥
We, the slain heroes, struck down by sharp arrows, are at a loss for what to do, having been defeated by Arjuna.
pāṇḍavāstu jayaṃ labdhvā paratra ca parāṃ gatim। sarve dadhmurmahāśaṅkhāñśūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ ॥ somakāśca sapañcālāḥ prāhṛṣyanta janeśvara ॥6-114-107॥
The Pandavas, after achieving victory and reaching the supreme state in the afterlife, blew their mighty conches. The heroes with arms like iron clubs, along with the Somakas and Panchalas, rejoiced, O lord of men.
tatastūryasahasreṣu nadatsu sumahābalaḥ। āsphoṭayāmāsa bhṛśaṃ bhīmaseno nanarta ca ॥6-114-108॥
Then, amidst the sound of thousands of musical instruments, the mighty Bhimasena shouted loudly and danced with great intensity.
senayorubhayoscāpi gāṅgeye vinipātite। saṃnyasya vīrāḥ śastrāṇi prādhyāyanta samantataḥ ॥6-114-109॥
The heroes of both armies, having laid down their weapons, meditated all around the fallen Ganges.
prākrośanprāpataṃścānye jagmurmohaṃ tathāpare। kṣatraṃ cānye'bhyanindanta bhīṣmaṃ caike'bhyapūjayan ॥6-114-110॥
Some cried out and fell down, others went into confusion; some criticized the warriors, while others worshipped Bhishma.
ṛṣayaḥ pitaraścaiva praśaśaṃsurmahāvratam। bharatānāṃ ca ye pūrve te cainaṃ praśaśaṃsire ॥6-114-111॥
The sages and ancestors praised the great vow, and the former Bharatas also praised it.
mahōpaniṣadaṁ caiva yōgamāsthāya vīryavān। japañśāntanavō dhīmānkālākāṅkṣī sthitō'bhavat ॥6-114-112॥
The wise and powerful son of Shantanu, engaged in the great Upanishad and yoga, continued his recitations, awaiting the end.
