07.015
Core and Pancharatra: Drona tries to restrain the retreating Kaurava army by attacking Yudhisthira. But Yudhisthira gives a befitting reply to Drona. Drona kills Siṃhasena and is almost near Yudhisthira, to capture him. Then Arjuna comes from nowhere and disperses the Kaurava army, making them retreat. The eleventh day comes to an end.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तद्बलं सुमहद्दीर्णं त्वदीयं प्रेक्ष्य वीर्यवान्। दधारैको रणे पाण्डून्वृषसेनोऽस्त्रमायया ॥७-१५-१॥
Observing the great and torn strength of your forces, the valiant Vṛṣasena single-handedly held back the Pāṇḍavas in battle using his skill in weaponry.
शरा दश दिशो मुक्ता वृषसेनेन मारिष। विचेरुस्ते विनिर्भिद्य नरवाजिरथद्विपान् ॥७-१५-२॥
O sir, the ten arrows released by Vṛṣasena spread in all directions, striking down men, horses, chariots, and elephants.
तस्य दीप्ता महाबाणा विनिश्चेरुः सहस्रशः। भानोरिव महाबाहो ग्रीष्मकाले मरीचयः ॥७-१५-३॥
His brilliant arrows shot forth in thousands, resembling the sun's rays during the summer, O mighty-armed one.
तेनार्दिता महाराज रथिनः सादिनस्तथा। निपेतुरुर्व्यां सहसा वातनुन्ना इव द्रुमाः ॥७-१५-४॥
O great king, afflicted by him, the charioteers and horsemen fell suddenly to the ground like trees struck by the wind.
हयौघांश्च रथौघांश्च गजौघांश्च समन्ततः। अपातयद्रणे राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥७-१५-५॥
In the battle, O king, he caused the troops of horses, chariots, and elephants to fall all around by the hundreds and thousands.
दृष्ट्वा तमेवं समरे विचरन्तमभीतवत्। सहिताः सर्वराजानः परिवव्रुः समन्ततः ॥७-१५-६॥
Seeing him wandering fearlessly in the battle, all the kings together surrounded him from every direction.
नाकुलिस्तु शतानीको वृषसेनं समभ्ययात्। विव्याध चैनं दशभिर्नाराचैर्मर्मभेदिभिः ॥७-१५-७॥
Nakula and Śatānīka approached Vṛṣasena, and Nakula pierced him with ten arrows that struck his vital parts.
तस्य कर्णात्मजश्चापं छित्त्वा केतुमपातयत्। तं भ्रातरं परीप्सन्तो द्रौपदेयाः समभ्ययुः ॥७-१५-८॥
Karna's son cut the bow and knocked down the flag. The sons of Draupadi approached, desiring to protect their brother.
कर्णात्मजं शरव्रातैश्चक्रुश्चादृश्यमञ्जसा। तान्नदन्तोऽभ्यधावन्त द्रोणपुत्रमुखा रथाः ॥७-१५-९॥
Karna's son was made invisible by the showers of arrows. The chariots, led by Drona's son, rushed towards them with a roar.
छादयन्तो महाराज द्रौपदेयान्महारथान्। शरैर्नानाविधैस्तूर्णं पर्वताञ्जलदा इव ॥७-१५-१०॥
O great king, the sons of Draupadī, who are great charioteers, were quickly covered with various kinds of arrows, just as clouds cover mountains.
तान्पाण्डवाः प्रत्यगृह्णंस्त्वरिताः पुत्रगृद्धिनः। पाञ्चालाः केकया मत्स्याः सृञ्जयाश्चोद्यतायुधाः ॥७-१५-११॥
The Pāṇḍavas, eager for their sons, quickly accepted them. The Pāñcālas, Kekayas, Matsyas, and Sṛñjayas were ready with their weapons.
तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। त्वदीयैः पाण्डुपुत्राणां देवानामिव दानवैः ॥७-१५-१२॥
The battle was fierce and tumultuous, causing one's hair to stand on end, as if it were a battle between the gods and the demons, fought by your sons of Pandu.
एवमुत्तमसंरम्भा युयुधुः कुरुपाण्डवाः। परस्परमुदीक्षन्तः परस्परकृतागसः ॥७-१५-१३॥
Thus, with great enthusiasm, the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas engaged in battle, glaring at each other, having wronged one another.
तेषां ददृशिरे कोपाद्वपूंष्यमिततेजसाम्। युयुत्सूनामिवाकाशे पतत्रिवरभोगिनाम् ॥७-१५-१४॥
Their bodies, filled with immeasurable energy, were seen in anger, resembling those eager to fight in the sky, like the best of birds and serpents.
भीमकर्णकृपद्रोणद्रौणिपार्षतसात्यकैः। बभासे स रणोद्देशः कालसूर्यैरिवोदितैः ॥७-१५-१५॥
The battlefield was illuminated by the presence of warriors like Bhima, Karna, Kripa, Drona, Drauni, Parshata, and Satyaki, resembling the suns that rise at the time of destruction.
तदासीत्तुमुलं युद्धं निघ्नतामितरेतरम्। महाबलानां बलिभिर्दानवानां यथा सुरैः ॥७-१५-१६॥
It was a fierce battle between the mighty demons and the gods, each striking the other with great strength.
ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकमुद्धूतार्णवनिस्वनम्। त्वदीयमवधीत्सैन्यं सम्प्रद्रुतमहारथम् ॥७-१५-१७॥
Then, Yudhishthira's army, with the sound of an agitated ocean, destroyed your army, which was fleeing with great chariots.
तत्प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुभिर्भृशमर्दितम्। अलं द्रुतेन वः शूरा इति द्रोणोऽभ्यभाषत ॥७-१५-१८॥
Upon witnessing the army being severely crushed by the enemies, Drona addressed the warriors, saying, "Brave ones, there's no need to rush further."
ततः शोणहयः क्रुद्धश्चतुर्दन्त इव द्विपः। प्रविश्य पाण्डवानीकं युधिष्ठिरमुपाद्रवत् ॥७-१५-१९॥
Then the enraged red horse, resembling a four-tusked elephant, charged into the Pandava army and attacked Yudhishthira.
तमविध्यच्छितैर्बाणैः कङ्कपत्रैर्युधिष्ठिरः। तस्य द्रोणो धनुश्छित्त्वा तं द्रुतं समुपाद्रवत् ॥७-१५-२०॥
Yudhishthira shot sharp arrows with peacock-feathered shafts at him. Drona, after cutting his bow, swiftly advanced towards him.
चक्ररक्षः कुमारस्तु पाञ्चालानां यशस्करः। दधार द्रोणमायान्तं वेलेव सरितां पतिम् ॥७-१५-२१॥
The prince, known as the protector of the wheel and famous among the Pāñcālas, stood firm against Droṇa, just as the shore stands firm against the river's flow.
द्रोणं निवारितं दृष्ट्वा कुमारेण द्विजर्षभम्। सिंहनादरवो ह्यासीत्साधु साध्विति भाषताम् ॥७-१५-२२॥
Upon witnessing Drona being restrained by the prince, the best among the twice-born, there arose a lion-like roar of approval, with exclamations of 'Well done! Well done!' from the onlookers.
कुमारस्तु ततो द्रोणं सायकेन महाहवे। विव्याधोरसि सङ्क्रुद्धः सिंहवच्चानदन्मुहुः ॥७-१५-२३॥
The prince, filled with rage, struck Droṇa in the chest with an arrow during the great battle and roared repeatedly like a lion.
संवार्य तु रणे द्रोणः कुमारं वै महाबलः। शरैरनेकसाहस्रैः कृतहस्तो जितक्लमः ॥७-१५-२४॥
In the battle, the mighty Droṇa skillfully restrained the prince with many thousands of arrows, overcoming his fatigue.
तं शूरमार्यव्रतिनमस्त्रार्थकृतनिश्रमम्। चक्ररक्षमपामृद्नात्कुमारं द्विजसत्तमः ॥७-१५-२५॥
The best of the Brahmins defeated the valiant prince, who was dedicated to noble vows and exhausted from his weapon training, despite his protection by the divine discus.
स मध्यं प्राप्य सेनायाः सर्वाः परिचरन्दिशः। तव सैन्यस्य गोप्तासीद्भारद्वाजो रथर्षभः ॥७-१५-२६॥
He reached the center of the army and moved around in all directions. Bharadvaja, the supreme charioteer, was the protector of your forces.
शिखण्डिनं द्वादशभिर्विंशत्या चोत्तमौजसम्। नकुलं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा सहदेवं च सप्तभिः ॥७-१५-२७॥
Shikhandin was pierced with twelve arrows, Uttamaujas with twenty; Nakula was struck with five, and Sahadeva with seven.
युधिष्ठिरं द्वादशभिर्द्रौपदेयांस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः। सात्यकिं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा मत्स्यं च दशभिः शरैः ॥७-१५-२८॥
Yudhishthira was struck with twelve arrows, Draupadi's sons with three each, Satyaki was pierced with five arrows, and the Matsya king was hit with ten arrows.
व्यक्षोभयद्रणे योधान्यथामुख्यानभिद्रवन्। अभ्यवर्तत सम्प्रेप्सुः कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥७-१५-२९॥
The warriors were agitated in battle as the chiefs attacked, advancing with the desire to capture Kunti's son, Yudhishthira.
युगन्धरस्ततो राजन्भारद्वाजं महारथम्। वारयामास सङ्क्रुद्धं वातोद्धूतमिवार्णवम् ॥७-१५-३०॥
Yugandhara then calmed the furious Bharadvaja, the great chariot-warrior, as one would calm a stormy sea.
युधिष्ठिरं स विद्ध्वा तु शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। युगन्धरं च भल्लेन रथनीडादपाहरत् ॥७-१५-३१॥
He pierced Yudhishthira with arrows having bent joints and removed Yugandhara from the chariot seat with a broad-headed arrow.
ततो विराटद्रुपदौ केकयाः सात्यकिः शिबिः। व्याघ्रदत्तश्च पाञ्चाल्यः सिंहसेनश्च वीर्यवान् ॥७-१५-३२॥
Then Virata, Drupada, the Kekayas, Satyaki, Shibi, Vyaghradatta, Panchalya, and the mighty Simhasena were present.
एते चान्ये च बहवः परीप्सन्तो युधिष्ठिरम्। आवव्रुस्तस्य पन्थानं किरन्तः सायकान्बहून् ॥७-१५-३३॥
Many warriors, seeking to harm Yudhishthira, blocked his path by showering numerous arrows.
व्याघ्रदत्तश्च पाञ्चाल्यो द्रोणं विव्याध मार्गणैः। पञ्चाशद्भिः शितै राजंस्तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥७-१५-३४॥
Vyaghradatta and the Panchala prince attacked Drona with fifty sharp arrows, causing the people to shout in excitement, O king.
त्वरितं सिंहसेनस्तु द्रोणं विद्ध्वा महारथम्। प्राहसत्सहसा हृष्टस्त्रासयन्वै यतव्रतम् ॥७-१५-३५॥
Siṁhasena quickly pierced Droṇa, the great chariot-warrior, and laughed suddenly, delightedly frightening the disciplined one.
ततो विस्फार्य नयने धनुर्ज्यामवमृज्य च। तलशब्दं महत्कृत्वा द्रोणस्तं समुपाद्रवत् ॥७-१५-३६॥
Then Drona, having opened his eyes wide and drawn the bowstring, made a great sound with his palm and approached him.
ततस्तु सिंहसेनस्य शिरः कायात्सकुण्डलम्। व्याघ्रदत्तस्य चाक्रम्य भल्लाभ्यामहरद्बली ॥७-१५-३७॥
Then, the strong warrior severed the head of Siṃhasena, adorned with earrings, from his body, and attacked Vyāghradatta with arrows.
तान्प्रमृद्य शरव्रातैः पाण्डवानां महारथान्। युधिष्ठिरसमभ्याशे तस्थौ मृत्युरिवान्तकः ॥७-१५-३८॥
Crushing the great charioteers of the Pāṇḍavas with showers of arrows, he stood near Yudhiṣṭhira like Death itself, bringing the end.
ततोऽभवन्महाशब्दो राजन्यौधिष्ठिरे बले। हृतो राजेति योधानां समीपस्थे यतव्रते ॥७-१५-३९॥
Then a great uproar arose in the army of King Yudhishthira: "The king has been captured," was the cry among the warriors near the steadfast one.
अब्रुवन्सैनिकास्तत्र दृष्ट्वा द्रोणस्य विक्रमम्। अद्य राजा धार्तराष्ट्रः कृतार्थो वै भविष्यति ॥ आगमिष्यति नो नूनं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य संयुगे ॥७-१५-४०॥
The soldiers, witnessing Drona's prowess, remarked: "Today, the king, son of Dhritarashtra, will surely achieve success. Indeed, our prince will join the battle."
एवं सञ्जल्पतां तेषां तावकानां महारथः। आयाज्जवेन कौन्तेयो रथघोषेण नादयन् ॥७-१५-४१॥
As they were conversing, your great warrior, the son of Kunti, approached swiftly, making a resounding noise with his chariot.
शोणितोदां रथावर्तां कृत्वा विशसने नदीम्। शूरास्थिचयसङ्कीर्णां प्रेतकूलापहारिणीम् ॥७-१५-४२॥
The river, filled with blood and having whirlpools of chariots, was made in the battlefield, scattered with heaps of bones of heroes, taking away the banks of the dead.
तां शरौघमहाफेनां प्रासमत्स्यसमाकुलाम्। नदीमुत्तीर्य वेगेन कुरून्विद्राव्य पाण्डवः ॥७-१५-४३॥
The Pāṇḍava swiftly crossed the river, which was turbulent with a great stream of arrows and teeming with spear-like fish, and scattered the Kurus.
ततः किरीटी सहसा द्रोणानीकमुपाद्रवत्। छादयन्निषुजालेन महता मोहयन्निव ॥७-१५-४४॥
Then Arjuna, the one with the crown, suddenly attacked Drona's formation, covering it with a great shower of arrows, as if to bewilder them.
शीघ्रमभ्यस्यतो बाणान्संदधानस्य चानिशम्। नान्तरं ददृशे कश्चित्कौन्तेयस्य यशस्विनः ॥७-१५-४५॥
The son of Kunti, renowned for his glory, was seen practicing and fixing arrows so swiftly and continuously that no gap was visible.
न दिशो नान्तरिक्षं च न द्यौर्नैव च मेदिनी। अदृश्यत महाराज बाणभूतमिवाभवत् ॥७-१५-४६॥
O great king, it seemed as if everything had vanished, leaving no directions, sky, heaven, or earth, as if it had all become like an arrow.
नादृश्यत तदा राजंस्तत्र किञ्चन संयुगे। बाणान्धकारे महति कृते गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥७-१५-४७॥
At that time, O king, nothing could be seen on the battlefield because the wielder of the Gandiva bow had created a great darkness with his arrows.
सूर्ये चास्तमनुप्राप्ते रजसा चाभिसंवृते। नाज्ञायत तदा शत्रुर्न सुहृन्न च किञ्चन ॥७-१५-४८॥
When the sun had set and the atmosphere was filled with dust, it was impossible to distinguish between friend and foe or anything else.
ततोऽवहारं चक्रुस्ते द्रोणदुर्योधनादयः। तान्विदित्वा भृशं त्रस्तानयुद्धमनसः परान् ॥७-१५-४९॥
Then Drona, Duryodhana, and others decided to retreat, realizing that their enemies were greatly terrified and unwilling to continue the battle.
स्वान्यनीकानि बीभत्सुः शनकैरवहारयत्। ततोऽभितुष्टुवुः पार्थं प्रहृष्टाः पाण्डुसृञ्जयाः ॥ पाञ्चालाश्च मनोज्ञाभिर्वाग्भिः सूर्यमिवर्षयः ॥७-१५-५०॥
Bibhatsu (Arjuna) slowly withdrew his own troops. Then, the joyful Pandavas and Srinjayas, along with the Panchalas, praised Partha (Arjuna) with pleasing words, just as sages praise the Sun.
एवं स्वशिबिरं प्रायाज्जित्वा शत्रून्धनञ्जयः। पृष्ठतः सर्वसैन्यानां मुदितो वै सकेशवः ॥७-१५-५१॥
Thus, after defeating the enemies, Arjuna, accompanied by Krishna, joyfully returned to his camp, followed by all the armies.
मसारगल्वर्कसुवर्णरूप्यै; र्वज्रप्रवालस्फटिकैश्च मुख्यैः। चित्रे रथे पाण्डुसुतो बभासे; नक्षत्रचित्रे वियतीव चन्द्रः ॥७-१५-५२॥
The son of Pandu shone in his beautifully adorned chariot, which was decorated with precious corals, gold, silver, diamonds, and crystals, resembling the moon in a starry sky.
