07.035
Pancharatra and Core: Abhimanyu, in-spite of caution from his charioteer, penetrates the Kaurava military formation without a strategy.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
सौभद्रस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा धर्मराजस्य धीमतः। अचोदयत यन्तारं द्रोणानीकाय भारत ॥७-३५-१॥
Upon hearing the wise words of Dharmaraja, the son of Subhadra urged his charioteer to advance towards Drona's army, O Bharata.
तेन सञ्चोद्यमानस्तु याहि याहीति सारथिः। प्रत्युवाच ततो राजन्नभिमन्युमिदं वचः ॥७-३५-२॥
Urged by him, the charioteer said to Abhimanyu, "Go, go," O king, these were the words spoken.
अतिभारोऽयमायुष्मन्नाहितस्त्वयि पाण्डवैः। सम्प्रधार्य क्षमं बुद्ध्या ततस्त्वं योद्धुमर्हसि ॥७-३५-३॥
O long-lived one, the Pandavas have placed a great responsibility on you. After careful consideration, you should prepare to fight.
आचार्यो हि कृती द्रोणः परमास्त्रे कृतश्रमः। अत्यन्तसुखसंवृद्धस्त्वं च युद्धविशारदः ॥७-३५-४॥
The teacher Droṇa, who is indeed skilled and supreme in the use of weapons, has made great efforts. You, too, have grown extremely comfortable and are an expert in war.
ततोऽभिमन्युः प्रहसन्सारथिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्। सारथे को न्वयं द्रोणः समग्रं क्षत्रमेव वा ॥७-३५-५॥
Then Abhimanyu, with a smile, addressed his charioteer, asking whether it was Drona or the entire warrior class they were facing.
ऐरावतगतं शक्रं सहामरगणैरहम्। योधयेयं रणमुखे न मे क्षत्रेऽद्य विस्मयः ॥ न ममैतद्द्विषत्सैन्यं कलामर्हति षोडशीम् ॥७-३५-६॥
Mounted on Airavata, Indra along with the host of gods, I am ready to fight in the battlefield; there is no surprise in my warrior duty today. This enemy army is not worthy of even a sixteenth part of my strength.
अपि विश्वजितं विष्णुं मातुलं प्राप्य सूतज। पितरं चार्जुनं सङ्ख्ये न भीर्मामुपयास्यति ॥७-३५-७॥
Even with Vishnu, the conqueror of the world, as his uncle, O son of a charioteer, neither his father nor Arjuna will fear me in battle.
ततोऽभिमन्युस्तां वाचं कदर्थीकृत्य सारथेः। याहीत्येवाब्रवीदेनं द्रोणानीकाय माचिरम् ॥७-३५-८॥
Then Abhimanyu, ignoring the charioteer's advice, instructed him to proceed towards Drona's army without any delay.
ततः सञ्चोदयामास हयानस्य त्रिहायनान्। नातिहृष्टमनाः सूतो हेमभाण्डपरिच्छदान् ॥७-३५-९॥
Then, the charioteer, though not very pleased, urged the three-year-old horses adorned with golden ornaments.
ते प्रेषिताः सुमित्रेण द्रोणानीकाय वाजिनः। द्रोणमभ्यद्रवन्राजन्महावेगपराक्रमाः ॥७-३५-१०॥
The horses dispatched by Sumitra to Drona's forces charged towards Drona with immense speed and bravery, O king.
तमुदीक्ष्य तथायान्तं सर्वे द्रोणपुरोगमाः। अभ्यवर्तन्त कौरव्याः पाण्डवाश्च तमन्वयुः ॥७-३५-११॥
Seeing him approach, all the warriors led by Droṇa advanced, and both the Kauravas and the Pāṇḍavas followed him.
स कर्णिकारप्रवरोच्छ्रितध्वजः; सुवर्णवर्मार्जुनिरर्जुनाद्वरः। युयुत्सया द्रोणमुखान्महारथा; न्समासदत्सिंहशिशुर्यथा गजान् ॥७-३५-१२॥
He, with a flag raised high like the excellent Karṇikāra tree, wearing golden armor, superior to Arjuna, approached the great warriors like Drona and others with the intent to fight, just as a lion cub approaches elephants.
ते विंशतिपदे यत्ताः सम्प्रहारं प्रचक्रिरे। आसीद्गाङ्ग इवावर्तो मुहूर्तमुदधेरिव ॥७-३५-१३॥
They engaged in battle formation in twenty positions, launching an attack. It was like a whirlpool in the Ganges, momentarily resembling the ocean.
शूराणां युध्यमानानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम्। सङ्ग्रामस्तुमुलो राजन्प्रावर्तत सुदारुणः ॥७-३५-१४॥
O king, the fierce and terrible battle among the heroes, who were fighting and killing each other, began.
प्रवर्तमाने सङ्ग्रामे तस्मिन्नतिभयङ्करे। द्रोणस्य मिषतो व्यूहं भित्त्वा प्राविशदार्जुनिः ॥७-३५-१५॥
In the midst of the fierce battle, Arjuna broke through the formation under Drona's watchful eyes and entered.
तं प्रविष्टं परान्घ्नन्तं शत्रुमध्ये महाबलम्। हस्त्यश्वरथपत्त्यौघाः परिवव्रुरुदायुधाः ॥७-३५-१६॥
As he entered the midst of the enemies, the mighty warrior was surrounded by multitudes of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, all with raised weapons.
नानावादित्रनिनदैः क्ष्वेडितोत्क्रुष्टगर्जितैः। हुङ्कारैः सिंहनादैश्च तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति निस्वनैः ॥७-३५-१७॥
The air was filled with the sounds of various musical instruments, shouts, loud roars, cries, lion's roars, and the repeated call of 'stay, stay'.
घोरैर्हलहलाशब्दैर्मा गास्तिष्ठैहि मामिति। असावहममुत्रेति प्रवदन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥७-३५-१८॥
With terrible loud sounds, they repeatedly said, "Do not go, stay, come to me," and "This is I there."
बृंहितैः शिञ्जितैर्हासैः खुरनेमिस्वनैरपि। संनादयन्तो वसुधामभिदुद्रुवुरार्जुनिम् ॥७-३५-१९॥
With loud sounds, jingling, and laughter, accompanied by the sounds of hooves and wheels, they charged towards Arjuna, making the earth resound.
तेषामापततां वीरः पूर्वं शीघ्रमथो दृढम्। क्षिप्रास्त्रो न्यवधीद्व्रातान्मर्मज्ञो मर्मभेदिभिः ॥७-३५-२०॥
The hero swiftly and decisively attacked and killed the groups, knowing the vital points and using weapons that pierce those points effectively.
ते हन्यमानाश्च तथा नानालिङ्गैः शितैः शरैः। अभिपेतुस्तमेवाजौ शलभा इव पावकम् ॥७-३५-२१॥
They, being struck by sharp arrows with various signs, attacked him in battle like moths drawn to a flame.
ततस्तेषां शरीरैश्च शरीरावयवैश्च सः। सन्तस्तार क्षितिं क्षिप्रं कुशैर्वेदिमिवाध्वरे ॥७-३५-२२॥
Then, he quickly spread their bodies and limbs across the earth, like kusa grass spread on an altar during a sacrifice.
बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणान्सशरावरकार्मुकान्। सासिचर्माङ्कुशाभीशून्सतोमरपरश्वधान् ॥७-३५-२३॥
They were equipped with armored gloves and protectors, carrying bows with arrows, swords, shields, goads, and were fearless, armed with spears and axes.
सगुडायोमुखप्रासान्सर्ष्टितोमरपट्टिशान्। सभिण्डिपालपरिघान्सशक्तिवरकम्पनान् ॥७-३५-२४॥
Armed with clubs, iron-faced spears, axes, javelins, swords, and maces, they were trembling with excellent power.
सप्रतोदमहाशङ्खान्सकुन्तान्सकचग्रहान्। समुद्गरक्षेपणीयान्सपाशपरिघोपलान् ॥७-३५-२५॥
Equipped with goads, large conch-shells, spears, hooks, hammers meant for throwing, nooses, barriers, and stones.
सकेयूराङ्गदान्बाहून्हृद्यगन्धानुलेपनान्। सञ्चिच्छेदार्जुनिर्वृत्तांस्त्वदीयानां सहस्रशः ॥७-३५-२६॥
Arjuna, adorned with armlets and bracelets, cut off thousands of your pleasingly fragrant arms.
तैः स्फुरद्भिर्महाराज शुशुभे लोहितोक्षितैः। पञ्चास्यैः पन्नगैश्छिन्नैर्गरुडेनेव मारिष ॥७-३५-२७॥
O great king, it was as if adorned by Garuda with the severed, blood-stained, five-faced serpents, O lord.
सुनासाननकेशान्तैरव्रणैश्चारुकुण्डलैः। संदष्टौष्ठपुटैः क्रोधात्क्षरद्भिः शोणितं बहु ॥७-३५-२८॥
With their beautiful noses, faces, and hair unblemished, adorned with lovely earrings, their lips bitten in anger, they were bleeding profusely.
चारुस्रङ्मुकुटोष्णीषैर्मणिरत्नविराजितैः। विनालनलिनाकारैर्दिवाकरशशिप्रभैः ॥७-३५-२९॥
Adorned with beautiful garlands, crowns, and turbans, shining with gems and jewels, they appeared like stemless lotuses, radiating the brilliance of the sun and moon.
हितप्रियंवदैः काले बहुभिः पुण्यगन्धिभिः। द्विषच्छिरोभिः पृथिवीमवतस्तार फाल्गुणिः ॥७-३५-३०॥
Arjuna, with his virtuous and pleasant demeanor, covered the earth with the heads of his enemies, achieving this through the help of many virtuous allies in due time.
गन्धर्वनगराकारान्विधिवत्कल्पितान्रथान्। वीषामुखान्वित्रिवेणून्व्यस्तदण्डकबन्धुरान् ॥७-३५-३१॥
The chariots were constructed properly, resembling the city of celestial beings, with front parts adorned with three bamboos, dispersed and decorated with staffs.
विजङ्घकूबराक्षांश्च विनेमीननरानपि। विचक्रोपस्करोपस्थान्भग्नोपकरणानपि ॥७-३५-३२॥
There were men without thighs, hunchbacked, and eyeless; also, there were places without these men, and equipment and tools that were broken and without wheels.
प्रशातितोपकरणान्हतयोधान्सहस्रशः। शरैर्विशकलीकुर्वन्दिक्षु सर्वास्वदृश्यत ॥७-३५-३३॥
In all directions, there were thousands of slain warriors with shattered equipment, being torn apart by arrows.
पुनर्द्विपान्द्विपारोहान्वैजयन्त्यङ्कुशध्वजान्। तूणान्वर्माण्यथो कक्ष्या ग्रैवेयानथ कम्बलान् ॥७-३५-३४॥
Once again, there were elephants, their riders, victorious goads, flags, quivers, armors, girdles, necklaces, and blankets.
घण्टाः शुण्डान्विषाणाग्रान्क्षुरपालान्पदानुगान्। शरैर्निशितधाराग्रैः शात्रवाणामशातयत् ॥७-३५-३५॥
He destroyed the bells, trunks, horn-tips, razor-guards, and followers of the enemies with sharp-pointed arrows.
वनायुजान्पार्वतीयान्काम्बोजारट्टबाह्लिकान्। स्थिरवालधिकर्णाक्षाञ्जवनान्साधुवाहिनः ॥७-३५-३६॥
The forest-dwellers, mountain-dwellers, Kambojas, Rattas and Bahlikas, Stiravalas, Dhikarṇākṣas, swift ones, and righteous carriers are described.
स्वारूढाञ्शिक्षितैर्योधैः शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासयोधिभिः। विध्वस्तचामरकुथान्विप्रकीर्णप्रकीर्णकान् ॥७-३५-३७॥
The trained warriors, mounted and armed with spears, lances, and javelins, caused the yak-tail fans and umbrellas to be scattered and dispersed.
निरस्तजिह्वानयनान्निष्कीर्णान्त्रयकृद्घनान्। हतारोहान्भिन्नभाण्डान्क्रव्यादगणमोदनान् ॥७-३५-३८॥
The scene was gruesome, with bodies deprived of tongues and eyes, intestines scattered, and dense livers exposed. The riders were killed, vessels broken, and the group of carnivorous beings delighted in the chaos.
निकृत्तवर्मकवचाञ्शकृन्मूत्रासृगाप्लुतान्। निपातयन्नश्ववरांस्तावकान्सोऽभ्यरोचत ॥७-३५-३९॥
He stood out by knocking down your finest horses, which were drenched in severed armor, shields, excrement, urine, and blood.
एको विष्णुरिवाचिन्त्यः कृत्वा प्राक्कर्म दुष्करम्। तथा विमथितं तेन त्र्यङ्गं तव बलं महत् ॥ व्यहनत्स पदात्योघांस्त्वदीयानेव भारत ॥७-३५-४०॥
An inconceivable being, like Viṣṇu, having performed a difficult task beforehand, thus churned your great strength into three parts. He destroyed your troops of infantry, O Bhārata.
एवमेकेन तां सेनां सौभद्रेण शितैः शरैः। भृशं विप्रहतां दृष्ट्वा स्कन्देनेवासुरीं चमूम् ॥७-३५-४१॥
Thus, Saubhadra, with his sharp arrows, greatly struck that army, reminiscent of how Skanda vanquished the demon army.
त्वदीयास्तव पुत्राश्च वीक्षमाणा दिशो दश। संशुष्कास्याश्चलन्नेत्राः प्रस्विन्ना लोमहर्षणाः ॥७-३५-४२॥
Your sons, observing all ten directions, have dry mouths, moving eyes, are sweating, and experiencing horripilation.
पलायनकृतोत्साहा निरुत्साहा द्विषज्जये। गोत्रनामभिरन्योन्यं क्रन्दन्तो जीवितैषिणः ॥७-३५-४३॥
They were eager to flee, disheartened in defeating their enemies, calling out each other's clan names, and yearning for life.
हतान्पुत्रांस्तथा पितॄन्सुहृत्सम्बन्धिबान्धवान्। प्रातिष्ठन्त समुत्सृज्य त्वरयन्तो हयद्विपान् ॥७-३५-४४॥
After slaying their sons, fathers, friends, relatives, and kinsmen, they departed quickly, leaving behind the horses and elephants.
