06.115
Pancharatra and Core: Both sides withdrew from the battle that evening; Arjuna provides a pillow made of arrows to Bhishma; everyone departs after making arrangement to protect Bhishma, while he lies on the bed of arrows.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
कथमासंस्तदा योधा हीना भीष्मेण सञ्जय। बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा ॥६-११५-१॥
O Sanjaya, how were the warriors at that time, deprived of Bhishma, who was strong and god-like, and who remained celibate for the sake of his teacher?
तदैव निहतान्मन्ये कुरूनन्यांश्च पार्थिवान्। न प्राहरद्यदा भीष्मो घृणित्वाद्द्रुपदात्मजे ॥६-११५-२॥
I believe that the Kurus and other kings were doomed when Bhishma refrained from attacking out of compassion for Drupada's daughter.
ततो दुःखतरं मन्ये किमन्यत्प्रभविष्यति। यदद्य पितरं श्रुत्वा निहतं मम दुर्मतेः ॥६-११५-३॥
"Then I think, what could be more painful than this? Today, upon hearing that my father has been killed because of my evil-mindedness."
अश्मसारमयं नूनं हृदयं मम सञ्जय। श्रुत्वा विनिहतं भीष्मं शतधा यन्न दीर्यते ॥६-११५-४॥
O Sanjaya, surely my heart is made of stone, for it does not shatter into a hundred pieces upon hearing of Bhishma's death.
पुनः पुनर्न मृष्यामि हतं देवव्रतं रणे। न हतो जामदग्न्येन दिव्यैरस्त्रैः स्म यः पुरा ॥६-११५-५॥
Again and again, I cannot accept that Devavrata was killed in battle. He was not slain by Jamadagni's son with divine weapons, indeed, who once was.
यदद्य निहतेनाजौ भीष्मेण जयमिच्छता। चेष्टितं नरसिंहेन तन्मे कथय सञ्जय ॥६-११५-६॥
Sanjaya, tell me about the efforts made today by the lion among men, Bhishma, who was slain in battle, in his desire for victory.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
सायाह्ने न्यपतद्भूमौ धार्तराष्ट्रान्विषादयन्। पाञ्चालानां ददद्धर्षं कुरुवृद्धः पितामहः ॥६-११५-७॥
In the evening, Bhishma, the elder of the Kuru dynasty and the grandfather, fell on the ground, causing sorrow to the sons of Dhritarashtra and giving joy to the Panchalas.
स शेते शरतल्पस्थो मेदिनीमस्पृशंस्तदा। भीष्मो रथात्प्रपतितः प्रच्युतो धरणीतले ॥६-११५-८॥
Bhishma lay on the bed of arrows, not touching the earth, having fallen from the chariot and dislodged onto the ground.
हा हेति तुमुलः शब्दो भूतानां समपद्यत। सीमावृक्षे निपतिते कुरूणां समितिक्षये ॥६-११५-९॥
"Alas! A tumultuous sound arose from the beings like an arrow when the boundary tree fell, marking the end of the Kurus' battle."
उभयोः सेनयो राजन्क्षत्रियान्भयमाविशत्। भीष्मं शन्तनवं दृष्ट्वा विशीर्णकवचध्वजम् ॥ कुरवः पर्यवर्तन्त पाण्डवाश्च विशां पते ॥६-११५-१०॥
O king, upon seeing Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, with his armor and banner torn, fear gripped the warriors of both armies. Consequently, the Kurus retreated, and the Pandavas, O lord of the people, also withdrew.
खं तमोवृतमासीच्च नासीद्भानुमतः प्रभा। ररास पृथिवी चैव भीष्मे शान्तनवे हते ॥६-११५-११॥
The sky was enveloped in darkness, devoid of sunlight. The earth shook as Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, was killed.
अयं ब्रह्मविदां श्रेष्ठो अयं ब्रह्मविदां गतिः। इत्यभाषन्त भूतानि शयानं भरतर्षभम् ॥६-११५-१२॥
The beings declared, 'This is the greatest among the knowers of Brahman, and the ultimate refuge for them,' as they observed the noble Bharata lying down.
अयं पितरमाज्ञाय कामार्तं शन्तनुं पुरा। ऊर्ध्वरेतसमात्मानं चकार पुरुषर्षभः ॥६-११५-१३॥
This noble man, realizing his father Śantanu's plight due to desire, once chose to become celibate.
इति स्म शरतल्पस्थं भरतानाममध्यमम्। ऋषयः पर्यधावन्त सहिताः सिद्धचारणैः ॥६-११५-१४॥
Thus, the sages, along with the siddhas and charanas, gathered around the middle of the Bharatas, who was lying on the bed of arrows.
हते शान्तनवे भीष्मे भरतानां पितामहे। न किञ्चित्प्रत्यपद्यन्त पुत्रास्तव च भारत ॥६-११५-१५॥
After the fall of Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu and the grandfather of the Bharatas, your sons, O Bhārata, gained nothing.
विवर्णवदनाश्चासन्गतश्रीकाश्च भारत। अतिष्ठन्व्रीडिताश्चैव ह्रिया युक्ता ह्यधोमुखाः ॥६-११५-१६॥
O Bhārata, they stood there with pale faces, having lost their splendor, feeling ashamed and modest, with their faces turned downwards.
पाण्डवाश्च जयं लब्ध्वा सङ्ग्रामशिरसि स्थिताः। सर्वे दध्मुर्महाशङ्खान्हेमजालपरिष्कृतान् ॥६-११५-१७॥
The Pandavas, having achieved victory, stood at the forefront of the battle and blew their great conches, which were beautifully adorned with golden nets.
भृशं तूर्यनिनादेषु वाद्यमानेषु चानघ। अपश्याम रणे राजन्भीमसेनं महाबलम् ॥ आक्रीडमानं कौन्तेयं हर्षेण महता युतम् ॥६-११५-१८॥
Amidst the intense sounds of musical instruments being played, O sinless one, we saw Bhimasena, the mighty son of Kunti, joyfully engaged in the battle, O king.
निहत्य समरे शत्रून्महाबलसमन्वितान्। संमोहश्चापि तुमुलः कुरूणामभवत्तदा ॥६-११५-१९॥
After slaying the enemies who were endowed with great strength in battle, there was a great confusion and uproar among the Kurus at that time.
कर्णदुर्योधनौ चापि निःश्वसेतां मुहुर्मुहुः। तथा निपतिते भीष्मे कौरवाणां धुरन्धरे ॥ हाहाकारमभूत्सर्वं निर्मर्यादमवर्तत ॥६-११५-२०॥
Karna and Duryodhana sighed repeatedly. When Bhishma, the leader of the Kauravas, fell, there was an uproar everywhere, occurring without restraint.
दृष्ट्वा च पतितं भीष्मं पुत्रो दुःशासनस्तव। उत्तमं जवमास्थाय द्रोणानीकं समाद्रवत् ॥६-११५-२१॥
Upon witnessing Bhishma's fall, your son Duhshasana swiftly advanced towards Drona's forces with great speed.
भ्रात्रा प्रस्थापितो वीरः स्वेनानीकेन दंशितः। प्रययौ पुरुषव्याघ्रः स्वसैन्यमभिचोदयन् ॥६-११५-२२॥
The hero, sent by his brother and urged by his own army, departed like a tiger among men, urging his own troops.
तमायान्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य कुरवः पर्यवारयन्। दुःशासनं महाराज किमयं वक्ष्यतीति वै ॥६-११५-२३॥
Seeing him approach, the Kauravas surrounded Duhshasana. O great king, they wondered what he would say.
ततो द्रोणाय निहतं भीष्ममाचष्ट कौरवः। द्रोणस्तदप्रियं श्रुत्वा सहसा न्यपतद्रथात् ॥६-११५-२४॥
Then Kaurava informed Drona of Bhishma's death. Upon hearing this distressing news, Drona suddenly collapsed from his chariot.
स सञ्ज्ञामुपलभ्याथ भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान्। निवारयामास तदा स्वान्यनीकानि मारिष ॥६-११५-२५॥
Having regained consciousness, the glorious Bharadvaja then restrained his own troops, O dear.
विनिवृत्तान्कुरून्दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवापि स्वसैनिकान्। दूतैः शीघ्राश्वसंयुक्तैरवहारमकारयन् ॥६-११५-२६॥
Upon seeing the Kurus retreat, the Pandavas also ordered their soldiers to withdraw using messengers with swift horses.
विनिवृत्तेषु सैन्येषु पारम्पर्येण सर्वशः। विमुक्तकवचाः सर्वे भीष्ममीयुर्नराधिपाः ॥६-११५-२७॥
After the armies had completely withdrawn in succession, all the kings, having removed their armor, approached Bhishma.
व्युपारम्य ततो युद्धाद्योधाः शतसहस्रशः। उपतस्थुर्महात्मानं प्रजापतिमिवामराः ॥६-११५-२८॥
After ceasing from the battle, the warriors in their hundreds of thousands approached the great soul, akin to how the immortals approach the lord of all creatures.
ते तु भीष्मं समासाद्य शयानं भरतर्षभम्। अभिवाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त पाण्डवाः कुरुभिः सह ॥६-११५-२९॥
The Pandavas, along with the Kauravas, approached Bhishma, who was lying down, and after saluting him, they stood there.
अथ पाण्डून्कुरूंश्चैव प्रणिपत्याग्रतः स्थितान्। अभ्यभाषत धर्मात्मा भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तदा ॥६-११५-३०॥
Then, Bhishma, the virtuous son of Shantanu, respectfully addressed the Pandavas and Kauravas who were standing before him.
स्वागतं वो महाभागाः स्वागतं वो महारथाः। तुष्यामि दर्शनाच्चाहं युष्माकममरोपमाः ॥६-११५-३१॥
"Welcome, illustrious ones, welcome, great charioteers. I am delighted to see you, who are comparable to the gods."
अभिनन्द्य स तानेवं शिरसा लम्बताब्रवीत्। शिरो मे लम्बतेऽत्यर्थमुपधानं प्रदीयताम् ॥६-११५-३२॥
After respectfully greeting them with his head bowed, he said: "My head is hanging too much; please provide a pillow."
ततो नृपाः समाजह्रुस्तनूनि च मृदूनि च। उपधानानि मुख्यानि नैच्छत्तानि पितामहः ॥६-११५-३३॥
Then the kings gathered the bodies and soft cushions, the chief ones that the grandfather desired.
अब्रवीच्च नरव्याघ्रः प्रहसन्निव तान्नृपान्। नैतानि वीरशय्यासु युक्तरूपाणि पार्थिवाः ॥६-११५-३४॥
The tiger among men, smiling as if, said to those kings: "These beds are not suitable for heroes, O kings."
ततो वीक्ष्य नरश्रेष्ठमभ्यभाषत पाण्डवम्। धनञ्जयं दीर्घबाहुं सर्वलोकमहारथम् ॥६-११५-३५॥
Then, seeing the best among men, he spoke to Arjuna, the long-armed hero, the great chariot-warrior revered by all worlds.
धनञ्जय महाबाहो शिरसो मेऽस्य लम्बतः। दीयतामुपधानं वै यद्युक्तमिह मन्यसे ॥६-११५-३६॥
O mighty-armed Dhananjaya, if you think it appropriate, please provide a pillow for my hanging head.
स संन्यस्य महच्चापमभिवाद्य पितामहम्। नेत्राभ्यामश्रुपूर्णाभ्यामिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥६-११५-३७॥
He laid down his great bow, saluted his grandfather, and with tears in his eyes, he spoke:
आज्ञापय कुरुश्रेष्ठ सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वर। प्रेष्योऽहं तव दुर्धर्ष क्रियतां किं पितामह ॥६-११५-३८॥
O best of the Kurus and foremost among all weapon-bearers, command me. I am your invincible servant. What should be done, O grandfather?
तमब्रवीच्छान्तनवः शिरो मे तात लम्बते। उपधानं कुरुश्रेष्ठ फल्गुनोपनयस्व मे ॥ शयनस्यानुरूपं हि शीघ्रं वीर प्रयच्छ मे ॥६-११५-३९॥
Śāntanu's son addressed him, saying, "Father, my head is hanging down. Please, O best of the Kurus, bring me a pillow, Arjuna. Quickly provide me with one that is suitable for the bed, O hero."
त्वं हि पार्थ महाबाहो श्रेष्ठः सर्वधनुष्मताम्। क्षत्रधर्मस्य वेत्ता च बुद्धिसत्त्वगुणान्वितः ॥६-११५-४०॥
O son of Pritha, you are indeed the best among all bowmen, mighty-armed and knowledgeable in the duties of a warrior, endowed with intelligence and strength.
फल्गुनस्तु तथेत्युक्त्वा व्यवसायपुरोजवः। प्रगृह्यामन्त्र्य गाण्डीवं शरांश्च नतपर्वणः ॥६-११५-४१॥
Arjuna, with determination, spoke thus and swiftly took up the Gandiva bow and arrows, addressing them with respect.
अनुमान्य महात्मानं भरतानाममध्यमम्। त्रिभिस्तीक्ष्णैर्महावेगैरुदगृह्णाच्छिरः शरैः ॥६-११५-४२॥
After paying respects to the noble one of the Bharatas, he swiftly captured the head with three sharp arrows.
अभिप्राये तु विदिते धर्मात्मा सव्यसाचिना। अतुष्यद्भरतश्रेष्ठो भीष्मो धर्मार्थतत्त्ववित् ॥६-११५-४३॥
When Arjuna, the righteous soul, understood the intention, Bhishma, the best among the Bharatas and knower of the truth of dharma and artha, felt pleased.
उपधानेन दत्तेन प्रत्यनन्दद्धनञ्जयम्। कुन्तीपुत्रं युधां श्रेष्ठं सुहृदां प्रीतिवर्धनम् ॥६-११५-४४॥
With the seat offered, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, was greeted as the best among warriors and a joy to his friends.
अनुरूपं शयानस्य पाण्डवोपहितं त्वया। यद्यन्यथा प्रवर्तेथाः शपेयं त्वामहं रुषा ॥६-११५-४५॥
The arrangement made by you for the sleeping Pandava is appropriate. If you act otherwise, I will curse you in anger.
एवमेतन्महाबाहो धर्मेषु परिनिष्ठितम्। स्वप्तव्यं क्षत्रियेणाजौ शरतल्पगतेन वै ॥६-११५-४६॥
Thus, O mighty-armed one, it is established in the duties that a warrior should sleep on the battlefield, indeed, lying on the bed of arrows.
एवमुक्त्वा तु बीभत्सुं सर्वांस्तानब्रवीद्वचः। राज्ञश्च राजपुत्रांश्च पाण्डवेनाभि संस्थितान् ॥६-११५-४७॥
Thus, having spoken, Bibhatsu addressed all those standing by the king and the princes, through Pandava.
शयेयमस्यां शय्यायां यावदावर्तनं रवेः। ये तदा पारयिष्यन्ति ते मां द्रक्ष्यन्ति वै नृपाः ॥६-११५-४८॥
I will lie on this bed until the sun returns. Those who succeed at that time will indeed see me, the kings.
दिशं वैश्रवणाक्रान्तां यदा गन्ता दिवाकरः। अर्चिष्मान्प्रतपँल्लोकान्रथेनोत्तमतेजसा ॥ विमोक्ष्येऽहं तदा प्राणान्सुहृदः सुप्रियानपि ॥६-११५-४९॥
When the sun, with its radiant brilliance, moves towards the direction ruled by Kubera, I will then relinquish my life and that of my beloved friends.
परिखा खन्यतामत्र ममावसदने नृपाः। उपासिष्ये विवस्वन्तमेवं शरशताचितः ॥ उपारमध्वं सङ्ग्रामाद्वैराण्युत्सृज्य पार्थिवाः ॥६-११५-५०॥
O kings, let a trench be dug here at my residence. I shall worship the Sun in this manner, covered with hundreds of arrows. Cease the battle and abandon enmities, O princes.
उपातिष्ठन्नथो वैद्याः शल्योद्धरणकोविदाः। सर्वोपकरणैर्युक्ताः कुशलास्ते सुशिक्षिताः ॥६-११५-५१॥
Then the well-trained and skilled physicians, who were experts in surgical extraction, approached with all their instruments.
तान्दृष्ट्वा जाह्नवीपुत्रः प्रोवाच वचनं तदा। दत्तदेया विसृज्यन्तां पूजयित्वा चिकित्सकाः ॥६-११५-५२॥
Upon seeing them, the son of Jahnavi spoke: "Release those who have been given after honoring them, O physicians."
एवङ्गते न हीदानीं वैद्यैः कार्यमिहास्ति मे। क्षत्रधर्मप्रशस्तां हि प्राप्तोऽस्मि परमां गतिम् ॥६-११५-५३॥
"Now that things have come to this, there is no need for physicians here for me. I have indeed attained the supreme state of the glorious kshatriya duty."
नैष धर्मो महीपालाः शरतल्पगतस्य मे। एतैरेव शरैश्चाहं दग्धव्योऽन्ते नराधिपाः ॥६-११५-५४॥
O kings, it is not my duty, while lying on this bed of arrows, to be burnt by anything other than these arrows at the end.
तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव। वैद्यान्विसर्जयामास पूजयित्वा यथार्हतः ॥६-११५-५५॥
Upon hearing those words, your son Duryodhana dismissed the physicians after duly honoring them.
ततस्ते विस्मयं जग्मुर्नानाजनपदेश्वराः। स्थितिं धर्मे परां दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः ॥६-११५-५६॥
Then the lords from various regions were amazed upon witnessing the supreme adherence to dharma by Bhishma, who possessed immeasurable splendor.
उपधानं ततो दत्त्वा पितुस्तव जनेश्वर। सहिताः पाण्डवाः सर्वे कुरवश्च महारथाः ॥६-११५-५७॥
Then, O lord of the people, after providing a pillow to your father, all the Pandavas and Kauravas, the great warriors, gathered together.
उपगम्य महात्मानं शयानं शयने शुभे। तेऽभिवाद्य ततो भीष्मं कृत्वा चाभिप्रदक्षिणम् ॥६-११५-५८॥
They approached the great soul Bhishma, who was lying on an auspicious bed, saluted him, and then performed circumambulation.
विधाय रक्षां भीष्मस्य सर्व एव समन्ततः। वीराः स्वशिबिराण्येव ध्यायन्तः परमातुराः ॥ निवेशायाभ्युपागच्छन्सायाह्ने रुधिरोक्षिताः ॥६-११५-५९॥
After ensuring Bhishma's protection on all sides, the warriors, deeply troubled, returned to their camps in the evening, bloodstained and seeking rest.
निविष्टान्पाण्डवांश्चापि प्रीयमाणान्महारथान्। भीष्मस्य पतनाद्धृष्टानुपगम्य महारथान् ॥ उवाच यादवः काले धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥६-११५-६०॥
The Pāṇḍavas, along with the pleased great warriors, were seated. After the fall of Bhīṣma, the bold Yādava approached the great warriors and spoke to Dharmaputra Yudhiṣṭhira at that time.
दिष्ट्या जयसि कौरव्य दिष्ट्या भीष्मो निपातितः। अवध्यो मानुषैरेष सत्यसन्धो महारथः ॥६-११५-६१॥
"O descendant of Kuru, by good fortune you have conquered; by good fortune, Bhishma, who was invincible to men and a truthful great chariot-warrior, has fallen."
अथ वा दैवतैः पार्थ सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगः। त्वां तु चक्षुर्हणं प्राप्य दग्धो घोरेण चक्षुषा ॥६-११५-६२॥
O son of Pritha, even if you have mastered all weapons and missiles, you are burnt by the terrible eye, having obtained the destroying eye, by the gods.
एवमुक्तो धर्मराजः प्रत्युवाच जनार्दनम्। तव प्रसादाद्विजयः क्रोधात्तव पराजयः ॥ त्वं हि नः शरणं कृष्ण भक्तानामभयङ्करः ॥६-११५-६३॥
Thus addressed, Dharmaraja replied to Janardana: "Victory comes from your grace, and defeat from your anger. You are truly our refuge, Krishna, the protector who grants fearlessness to your devotees."
अनाश्चर्यो जयस्तेषां येषां त्वमसि केशव। रष्किता समरे नित्यं नित्यं चापि हिते रतः ॥ सर्वथा त्वां समासाद्य नाश्चर्यमिति मे मतिः ॥६-११५-६४॥
It is not surprising that those who have you, O Keśava, as their protector in battle, always engaged in their welfare, achieve victory. In every way, having you, there is no wonder, this is my belief.
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच स्मयमानो जनार्दनः। त्वय्येवैतद्युक्तरूपं वचनं पार्थिवोत्तम ॥६-११५-६५॥
Janardana, with a smile, replied to the words spoken: "Indeed, O best of kings, this speech is fitting for you."
