07.024
Core and Pancharatra: Description of how the Kauravas defended against the rallying Pandava army.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
महद्भैरवमासीन्नः संनिवृत्तेषु पाण्डुषु। दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं छाद्यमानं तैर्भास्करमिवाम्बुदैः ॥७-२४-१॥
It was a terrifying sight for us when the Pāṇḍavas withdrew, seeing Droṇa being covered by them like the sun is covered by clouds.
तैश्चोद्धूतं रजस्तीव्रमवचक्रे चमूं तव। ततो हतममन्याम द्रोणं दृष्टिपथे हते ॥७-२४-२॥
The intense dust raised by them covered your army, and then we thought that Droṇa was slain in sight.
तांस्तु शूरान्महेष्वासान्क्रूरं कर्म चिकीर्षतः। दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनस्तूर्णं स्वसैन्यं समचूचुदत् ॥७-२४-३॥
Duryodhana, upon seeing those valiant warriors and great archers eager to commit a cruel deed, swiftly rallied his troops.
यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं यथासत्त्वं नराधिपाः। वारयध्वं यथायोगं पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् ॥७-२४-४॥
O kings, restrain the Pandavas' army with all your ability, enthusiasm, and strength, as deemed appropriate.
ततो दुर्मर्षणो भीममभ्यगच्छत्सुतस्तव। आराद्दृष्ट्वा किरन्बाणैरिच्छन्द्रोणस्य जीवितम् ॥७-२४-५॥
Then, your son Durmarshana approached Bhima from afar, showering arrows with the intent to take Drona's life.
तं बाणैरवतस्तार क्रुद्धो मृत्युमिवाहवे। तं च भीमोऽतुदद्बाणैस्तदासीत्तुमुलं महत् ॥७-२४-६॥
In the battle, the angry warrior pierced his opponent with arrows, resembling death itself. Bhima also struck him with arrows, leading to a great tumultuous scene.
त ईश्वरसमादिष्टाः प्राज्ञाः शूराः प्रहारिणः। बाह्यं मृत्युभयं कृत्वा प्रत्यतिष्ठन्परान्युधि ॥७-२४-७॥
Commanded by the lord, the wise and brave strikers overcame their fear of death and stood firm against their enemies in battle.
कृतवर्मा शिनेः पुत्रं द्रोणप्रेप्सुं विशां पते। पर्यवारयदायान्तं शूरं समितिशोभनम् ॥७-२४-८॥
Kritavarma, the son of Shini, eager to support Drona, surrounded the lord of the people, who was approaching as a hero, shining in the battle.
तं शैनेयः शरव्रातैः क्रुद्धः क्रुद्धमवारयत्। कृतवर्मा च शैनेयं मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम् ॥७-२४-९॥
The son of Śinī, in his anger, stopped the furious one with volleys of arrows. Kṛtavarmā, like an enraged elephant, and the son of Śinī.
सैन्धवः क्षत्रधर्माणमापतन्तं शरौघिणम्। उग्रधन्वा महेष्वासं यत्तो द्रोणादवारयत् ॥७-२४-१०॥
The Sindhu prince, a fierce bowman and great archer, attentively warded off the approaching shower of arrows from Drona.
क्षत्रधर्मा सिन्धुपतेश्छित्त्वा केतनकार्मुके। नाराचैर्बहुभिः क्रुद्धः सर्वमर्मस्वताडयत् ॥७-२४-११॥
The warrior, in his anger, severed the bow of the ocean lord's banner with numerous arrows, striking at all the vital points.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सैन्धवः कृतहस्तवत्। विव्याध क्षत्रधर्माणं रणे सर्वायसैः शरैः ॥७-२४-१२॥
Then the Sindhu prince, having taken another bow and being ready-handed, pierced the warrior in the battle with iron arrows.
युयुत्सुं पाण्डवार्थाय यतमानं महारथम्। सुबाहुर्भ्रातरं शूरं यत्तो द्रोणादवारयत् ॥७-२४-१३॥
Subāhu, the heroic brother, striving for the sake of the Pāṇḍavas, courageously warded off Droṇa.
सुबाहोः सधनुर्बाणावस्यतः परिघोपमौ। युयुत्सुः शितपीताभ्यां क्षुराभ्यामच्छिनद्भुजौ ॥७-२४-१४॥
Subahu, armed with a bow and arrows that resembled iron clubs, eager for battle, severed the arms with sharp, yellow razors.
राजानं पाण्डवश्रेष्ठं धर्मात्मानं युधिष्ठिरम्। वेलेव सागरं क्षुब्धं मद्रराट्समवारयत् ॥७-२४-१५॥
The king of Madra restrained Yudhishthira, the virtuous soul and best of the Pandavas, like the shore restrains the agitated ocean.
तं धर्मराजो बहुभिर्मर्मभिद्भिरवाकिरत्। मद्रेशस्तं चतुःषष्ट्या शरैर्विद्ध्वानदद्भृशम् ॥७-२४-१६॥
Dharmaraja attacked fiercely with numerous piercing arrows. The king of Madra, after striking with sixty-four arrows, let out a loud roar.
तस्य नानदतः केतुमुच्चकर्त सकार्मुकम्। क्षुराभ्यां पाण्डवश्रेष्ठस्तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥७-२४-१७॥
The best of the Pandavas cut off the roaring banner along with the bow using razors, and then the people shouted in response.
तथैव राजा बाह्लीको राजानं द्रुपदं शरैः। आद्रवन्तं सहानीकं सहानीको न्यवारयत् ॥७-२४-१८॥
Similarly, King Bahlika halted King Drupada, who was advancing with his army, using arrows.
तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरं वृद्धयोः सहसेनयोः। यथा महायूथपयोर्द्विपयोः सम्प्रभिन्नयोः ॥७-२४-१९॥
The battle became fierce between the elder leaders of the armies, resembling the clash of two mighty elephant chiefs.
विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ विराटं मत्स्यमार्च्छताम्। सहसैन्यौ सहानीकं यथेन्द्राग्नी पुरा बलिम् ॥७-२४-२०॥
Vinda and Anuvinda, the princes of Avanti, launched an attack on Virata and Matsya with their combined forces, reminiscent of how Indra and Agni once confronted Bali in the past.
तदुत्पिञ्जलकं युद्धमासीद्देवासुरोपमम्। मत्स्यानां केकयैः सार्धमभीताश्वरथद्विपम् ॥७-२४-२१॥
The fierce battle resembled the legendary wars between gods and demons, fought by the Matsyas alongside the Kekayas, with fearless horses, chariots, and elephants.
नाकुलिं तु शतानीकं भूतकर्मा सभापतिः। अस्यन्तमिषुजालानि यान्तं द्रोणादवारयत् ॥७-२४-२२॥
Nakula, however, Śatānīka, the master of ceremonies known for his magical feats, intercepted the barrage of arrows coming from Droṇa.
ततो नकुलदायादस्त्रिभिर्भल्लैः सुसंशितैः। चक्रे विबाहुशिरसं भूतकर्माणमाहवे ॥७-२४-२३॥
Then Nakula's descendant skillfully shot three well-sharpened arrows, severing Vibahu's head and defeating Bhutakarman in the battle.
सुतसोमं तु विक्रान्तमापतन्तं शरौघिणम्। द्रोणायाभिमुखं वीरं विविंशतिरवारयत् ॥७-२४-२४॥
Viviṃśati intercepted the brave Sutasoma, who was advancing with a shower of arrows towards Drona.
सुतसोमस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धः स्वपितृव्यमजिह्मगैः। विविंशतिं शरैर्विद्ध्वा नाभ्यवर्तत दंशितः ॥७-२४-२५॥
Sutasoma, in his anger, shot twenty straight arrows at his uncle and did not retreat, as if stung.
अथ भीमरथः शाल्वमाशुगैरायसैः शितैः। षड्भिः साश्वनियन्तारमनयद्यमसादनम् ॥७-२४-२६॥
Then Bhīmaratha, with six swift and sharp iron arrows, took Śālva along with his horses and charioteer to the realm of Yama, the god of death.
श्रुतकर्माणमायान्तं मयूरसदृशैर्हयैः। चैत्रसेनिर्महाराज तव पौत्रो न्यवारयत् ॥७-२४-२७॥
O great king, your grandson Caitraseni stopped Śrutakarmāṇa, who was coming with horses that resembled peacocks.
तौ पौत्रौ तव दुर्धर्षौ परस्परवधैषिणौ। पितॄणामर्थसिद्ध्यर्थं चक्रतुर्युद्धमुत्तमम् ॥७-२४-२८॥
Your grandsons, who were invincible and eager to kill each other, engaged in a great battle to fulfill the purpose of their ancestors.
तिष्ठन्तमग्रतो दृष्ट्वा प्रतिविन्ध्यं तमाहवे। द्रौणिर्मानं पितुः कुर्वन्मार्गणैः समवारयत् ॥७-२४-२९॥
Drona's son, upon seeing Prativindhya standing ahead in the battle, honored his father by restraining Prativindhya with arrows.
तं क्रुद्धः प्रतिविव्याध प्रतिविन्ध्यः शितैः शरैः। सिंहलाङ्गूललक्ष्माणं पितुरर्थे व्यवस्थितम् ॥७-२४-३०॥
In his anger, Prativindhya shot sharp arrows at Simhalangula Lakshmana, who stood firm for his father's cause.
प्रवपन्निव बीजानि बीजकाले नरर्षभ। द्रौणायनिर्द्रौपदेयं शरवर्षैरवाकिरत् ॥७-२४-३१॥
Aśvatthāmā attacked the son of Draupadī with a barrage of arrows, resembling the act of sowing seeds during the sowing season, O best of men.
यस्तु शूरतमो राजन्सेनयोरुभयोर्मतः। तं पटच्चरहन्तारं लक्ष्मणः समवारयत् ॥७-२४-३२॥
Lakshmana, known as the most valiant among both armies, restrained the enemy's slayer, O king.
स लक्ष्मणस्येष्वसनं छित्त्वा लक्ष्म च भारत। लक्ष्मणे शरजालानि विसृजन्बह्वशोभत ॥७-२४-३३॥
He cut Lakshmana's bow and shone brightly as he released many arrows at Lakshmana, O Bharata.
विकर्णस्तु महाप्राज्ञो याज्ञसेनिं शिखण्डिनम्। पर्यवारयदायान्तं युवानं समरे युवा ॥७-२४-३४॥
Vikarna, known for his wisdom, confronted the young warrior Yajnaseni Shikhandi as he approached in the battlefield.
ततस्तमिषुजालेन याज्ञसेनिः समावृणोत्। विधूय तद्बाणजालं बभौ तव सुतो बली ॥७-२४-३५॥
Then Yajnaseni enveloped him with a net of arrows. However, shaking off that barrage, your strong son stood radiant.
अङ्गदोऽभिमुखः शूरमुत्तमौजसमाहवे। द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं वत्सदन्तैरवारयत् ॥७-२४-३६॥
Angada confronted the brave Uttamaujas in the battle and halted his advance towards Drona with the help of the Vatsadantas.
स सम्प्रहारस्तुमुलस्तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः। सैनिकानां च सर्वेषां तयोश्च प्रीतिवर्धनः ॥७-२४-३७॥
The fierce battle between the two lion-like warriors brought joy to all the soldiers and to the two warriors themselves.
दुर्मुखस्तु महेष्वासो वीरं पुरुजितं बली। द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं कुन्तिभोजमवारयत् ॥७-२४-३८॥
Durmukha, a great archer, intercepted the brave and strong Purujit as he advanced towards Drona, confronting Kuntibhoja.
स दुर्मुखं भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नाराचेन व्यताडयत्। तस्य तद्विबभौ वक्त्रं सनालमिव पङ्कजम् ॥७-२४-३९॥
He struck Durmukha in the middle of the eyebrows with an arrow, and his face shone like a lotus with its stalk.
कर्णस्तु केकयान्भ्रातॄन्पञ्च लोहितकध्वजान्। द्रोणायाभिमुखं याताञ्शरवर्षैरवारयत् ॥७-२४-४०॥
Karna stopped the five red-bannered Kekaya brothers, who were advancing towards Drona, with a shower of arrows.
ते चैनं भृशसङ्क्रुद्धाः शरव्रातैरवाकिरन्। स च तांश्छादयामास शरजालैः पुनः पुनः ॥७-२४-४१॥
The warriors, in their intense anger, showered arrows upon him. In response, he repeatedly covered them with his own volleys of arrows.
नैव कर्णो न ते पञ्च ददृशुर्बाणसंवृताः। साश्वसूतध्वजरथाः परस्परशराचिताः ॥७-२४-४२॥
Neither Karna nor the five Pandavas could see each other as they were all covered with arrows, along with their horses, charioteers, flags, and chariots, all pierced by arrows.
पुत्रस्ते दुर्जयश्चैव जयश्च विजयश्च ह। नीलं काश्यं जयं शूरास्त्रयस्त्रीन्प्रत्यवारयन् ॥७-२४-४३॥
Your son Durjaya, along with Jaya and Vijaya, Nīla, Kāśya, and Jaya, the three heroes, blocked the three.
तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरमीक्षितृप्रीतिवर्धनम्। सिंहव्याघ्रतरक्षूणां यथेभमहिषर्षभैः ॥७-२४-४४॥
The battle was fierce and delighted the spectators, resembling a fight between lions, tigers, and bears against elephants, buffaloes, and bulls.
क्षेमधूर्तिबृहन्तौ तौ भ्रातरौ सात्वतं युधि। द्रोणायाभिमुखं यान्तं शरैस्तीक्ष्णैस्ततक्षतुः ॥७-२४-४५॥
Kṣemadhūrti and Bṛhantau, the two brothers, attacked Sātvata with sharp arrows as he advanced towards Droṇa in the battle.
तयोस्तस्य च तद्युद्धमत्यद्भुतमिवाभवत्। सिंहस्य द्विपमुख्याभ्यां प्रभिन्नाभ्यां यथा वने ॥७-२४-४६॥
The battle between those two and that one was astonishing, like a lion fighting with the chief elephants in the forest, both sides being equally matched.
राजानं तु तथाम्बष्ठमेकं युद्धाभिनन्दिनम्। चेदिराजः शरानस्यन्क्रुद्धो द्रोणादवारयत् ॥७-२४-४७॥
The Chedi king, in his anger, shot arrows and warded off Drona, while the king, Ambashtha, rejoiced in the battle.
तमम्बष्ठोऽस्थिभेदिन्या निरविध्यच्छलाकया। स त्यक्त्वा सशरं चापं रथाद्भूमिमथापतत् ॥७-२४-४८॥
Ambaṣṭha, struck by a bone-piercing arrow, abandoned his bow and arrow and fell from the chariot to the ground.
वार्धक्षेमिं तु वार्ष्णेयं कृपः शारद्वतः शरैः। अक्षुद्रः क्षुद्रकैर्द्रोणात्क्रुद्धरूपमवारयत् ॥७-२४-४९॥
Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, with his arrows, nobly restrained the descendant of Vṛṣṇi from Droṇa's wrathful form.
युध्यन्तौ कृपवार्ष्णेयौ येऽपश्यंश्चित्रयोधिनौ। ते युद्धसक्तमनसो नान्या बुबुधिरे क्रियाः ॥७-२४-५०॥
Kṛpa and Vārṣṇeya, engaged in battle, saw the brilliant warriors and were so absorbed in the fight that they did not comprehend any other actions.
सौमदत्तिस्तु राजानं मणिमन्तमतन्द्रितम्। पर्यवारयदायान्तं यशो द्रोणस्य वर्धयन् ॥७-२४-५१॥
Saumadatti, however, surrounded the tireless King Manimant as he approached, thereby enhancing Drona's fame.
स सौमदत्तेस्त्वरितश्छित्त्वेष्वसनकेतने। पुनः पताकां सूतं च छत्रं चापातयद्रथात् ॥७-२४-५२॥
He swiftly severed the bow and banner of Saumadatta, then proceeded to knock down the flag, charioteer, and umbrella from the chariot.
अथाप्लुत्य रथात्तूर्णं यूपकेतुरमित्रहा। साश्वसूतध्वजरथं तं चकर्त वरासिना ॥७-२४-५३॥
Then Yūpaketu, the destroyer of enemies, swiftly leaped from his chariot and with his excellent sword, cut down the enemy's chariot along with its horses, charioteer, and flag.
रथं च स्वं समास्थाय धनुरादाय चापरम्। स्वयं यच्छन्हयान्राजन्व्यधमत्पाण्डवीं चमूम् ॥७-२४-५४॥
He mounted his chariot, took another bow, and controlling the horses himself, O king, he scattered the Pandava army.
मुसलैर्मुद्गरैश्चक्रैर्भिण्डिपालैः परश्वधैः। पांसुवाताग्निसलिलैर्भस्मलोष्ठतृणद्रुमैः ॥७-२४-५५॥
Armed with pestles, hammers, discs, clubs, and axes, and using elements like sand, wind, fire, water, ashes, clods, grass, and trees as weapons.
आरुजन्प्ररुजन्भञ्जन्निघ्नन्विद्रावयन्क्षिपन्। सेनां विभीषयन्नायाद्द्रोणप्रेप्सुर्घटोत्कचः ॥७-२४-५६॥
Ghatotkacha, in his fierce form, came tearing apart, breaking, shattering, killing, scattering, and terrifying the army, with the intent to confront Drona.
तं तु नानाप्रहरणैर्नानायुद्धविशेषणैः। राक्षसं राक्षसः क्रुद्धः समाजघ्ने ह्यलम्बुसः ॥७-२४-५७॥
The angry demon Alambusa attacked the other demon using a variety of weapons and war techniques.
तयोस्तदभवद्युद्धं रक्षोग्रामणिमुख्ययोः। तादृग्यादृक्पुरा वृत्तं शम्बरामरराजयोः ॥७-२४-५८॥
A battle occurred between the two leaders, the chief of the demons, just as it had in the past between Shambara and the king of the gods.
एवं द्वंद्वशतान्यासन्रथवारणवाजिनाम्। पदातीनां च भद्रं ते तव तेषां च सङ्कुलम् ॥७-२४-५९॥
Thus, there were hundreds of pairs of chariots, elephants, and horses, along with foot soldiers, all auspiciously gathered for you and them, creating a crowded scene.
नैतादृशो दृष्टपूर्वः सङ्ग्रामो नैव च श्रुतः। द्रोणस्याभावभावेषु प्रसक्तानां यथाभवत् ॥७-२४-६०॥
This battle was unprecedented and unheard of, occurring as it did among those who were engaged in the absence of Drona.
इदं घोरमिदं चित्रमिदं रौद्रमिति प्रभो। तत्र युद्धान्यदृश्यन्त प्रततानि बहूनि च ॥७-२४-६१॥
"This is terrible, wonderful, and fierce, O lord." There, many battles were seen spread out.
