07.048
Pancharatra and Core: When the wheel was shattered, Abhimanyu took up the mighty mace. Dushasana kills Abhimanyu by hitting his head, when he had fallen unconscious.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
विष्णोः स्वसानन्दिकरः स विष्ण्वायुधभूषितः। रराजातिरथः सङ्ख्ये जनार्दन इवापरः ॥७-४८-१॥
He, adorned with Vishnu's weapons and bringing joy, shone as a great chariot-warrior in battle, like another Janardana, the aspect of Vishnu.
मारुतोद्धूतकेशान्तमुद्यतारिवरायुधम्। वपुः समीक्ष्य पृथ्वीशा दुःसमीक्ष्यं सुरैरपि ॥७-४८-२॥
The gods found it difficult to behold even the lords of the earth, seeing the form with hair ends blown by the wind and the best weapon raised against the enemy.
तच्चक्रं भृशमुद्विग्नाः सञ्चिच्छिदुरनेकधा। महारथस्ततः कार्ष्णिः सञ्जग्राह महागदाम् ॥७-४८-३॥
The wheel was shattered into many pieces by the greatly disturbed warriors. Then, the great chariot-warrior Kārṣṇi, a descendant of Krishna, took up a mighty mace.
विधनुःस्यन्दनासिस्तैर्विचक्रश्चारिभिः कृतः। अभिमन्युर्गदापाणिरश्वत्थामानमाद्रवत् ॥७-४८-४॥
Abhimanyu, wielding a mace, attacked Ashwatthama, as the chariot, deprived of its charioteer and wheels, was rendered ineffective by the warriors.
स गदामुद्यतां दृष्ट्वा ज्वलन्तीमशनीमिव। अपाक्रामद्रथोपस्थाद्विक्रमांस्त्रीन्नरर्षभः ॥७-४८-५॥
The bull among men, upon seeing the raised mace blazing like a thunderbolt, retreated three steps from the chariot seat.
तस्याश्वान्गदया हत्वा तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी। शराचिताङ्गः सौभद्रः श्वाविद्वत्प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥७-४८-६॥
The son of Subhadra, with his body covered in arrows, having slain the horses and both the charioteer with a mace, appeared like a dog.
ततः सुबलदायादं कालकेयमपोथयत्। जघान चास्यानुचरान्गान्धारान्सप्तसप्ततिम् ॥७-४८-७॥
Then he defeated Subala's descendant, Kālakeya, and slew his seventy-seven followers from Gandhara.
पुनर्ब्रह्मवसातीयाञ्जघान रथिनो दश। केकयानां रथान्सप्त हत्वा च दश कुञ्जरान् ॥ दौःशासनिरथं साश्वं गदया समपोथयत् ॥७-४८-८॥
Once more, he slew ten charioteers belonging to the Brahmavasatiya. After destroying seven chariots of the Kekayas and ten elephants, Duhshasana's son crushed the chariot along with its horses using a mace.
ततो दौःशासनिः क्रुद्धो गदामुद्यम्य मारिष। अभिदुद्राव सौभद्रं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥७-४८-९॥
Then, in anger, Duhshasana raised his mace and rushed towards Abhimanyu, shouting "Stop, stop."
तावुद्यतगदौ वीरावन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणौ। भ्रातृव्यौ सम्प्रजह्राते पुरेव त्र्यम्बकान्तकौ ॥७-४८-१०॥
The two valiant warriors, with maces held high, sought each other's death, clashing like the ancient foes Tryambaka (Shiva) and Antaka (Yama).
तावन्योन्यं गदाग्राभ्यां संहत्य पतितौ क्षितौ। इन्द्रध्वजाविवोत्सृष्टौ रणमध्ये परन्तपौ ॥७-४८-११॥
The two warriors, having struck each other with the tips of their maces, fell to the ground like Indra's banners cast down in the midst of battle, both being great warriors who scorched their foes.
दौःशासनिरथोत्थाय कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः। प्रोत्तिष्ठमानं सौभद्रं गदया मूर्ध्न्यताडयत् ॥७-४८-१२॥
Duhshasana, rising to the occasion as the enhancer of the Kuru dynasty's fame, struck the valiant Abhimanyu on the head with his mace as Abhimanyu was getting up.
गदावेगेन महता व्यायामेन च मोहितः। विचेता न्यपतद्भूमौ सौभद्रः परवीरहा ॥ एवं विनिहतो राजन्नेको बहुभिराहवे ॥७-४८-१३॥
The son of Subhadra, a great warrior known for defeating enemy heroes, was overwhelmed by the force of the mace and his exertion, causing him to fall unconscious to the ground. In this way, O king, he was slain alone by many in the battle.
क्षोभयित्वा चमूं सर्वां नलिनीमिव कुञ्जरः। अशोभत हतो वीरो व्याधैर्वनगजो यथा ॥७-४८-१४॥
The hero, having stirred the entire army like an elephant in a lotus pond, lay slain, resembling a forest elephant felled by hunters.
तं तथा पतितं शूरं तावकाः पर्यवारयन्। दावं दग्ध्वा यथा शान्तं पावकं शिशिरात्यये ॥७-४८-१५॥
Your men surrounded the fallen hero just as a forest fire is extinguished at the end of winter.
विमृद्य तरुशृङ्गाणि संनिवृत्तमिवानिलम्। अस्तं गतमिवादित्यं तप्त्वा भारतवाहिनीम् ॥७-४८-१६॥
The wind, after crushing the tree tops, returned as if the sun had set, having scorched the Bharata army.
उपप्लुतं यथा सोमं संशुष्कमिव सागरम्। पूर्णचन्द्राभवदनं काकपक्षवृताक्षकम् ॥७-४८-१७॥
The face, like a full moon, appeared flooded like the moon and dried up like the ocean, with eyes resembling crow's wings.
तं भूमौ पतितं दृष्ट्वा तावकास्ते महारथाः। मुदा परमया युक्ताश्चुक्रुशुः सिंहवन्मुहुः ॥७-४८-१८॥
Upon seeing him fallen on the ground, your great warriors, filled with immense joy, roared repeatedly like lions.
आसीत्परमको हर्षस्तावकानां विशां पते। इतरेषां तु वीराणां नेत्रेभ्यः प्रापतज्जलम् ॥७-४८-१९॥
There was immense joy among your people, O lord, while tears fell from the eyes of the other heroes.
अभिक्रोशन्ति भूतानि अन्तरिक्षे विशां पते। दृष्ट्वा निपतितं वीरं च्युतं चन्द्रमिवाम्बरात् ॥७-४८-२०॥
The beings in the sky cry out, O lord of the people, upon seeing the hero fallen and displaced like the moon from the sky.
द्रोणकर्णमुखैः षड्भिर्धार्तराष्ट्रैर्महारथैः। एकोऽयं निहतः शेते नैष धर्मो मतो हि नः ॥७-४८-२१॥
Drona, Karna, and the six great warriors, sons of Dhritarashtra, have killed this one who now lies dead. This is not considered righteousness by us.
तस्मिंस्तु निहते वीरे बह्वशोभत मेदिनी। द्यौर्यथा पूर्णचन्द्रेण नक्षत्रगणमालिनी ॥७-४८-२२॥
But when the hero was slain, the earth shone greatly, just as the sky shines adorned with a multitude of stars by the full moon.
रुक्मपुङ्खैश्च सम्पूर्णा रुधिरौघपरिप्लुता। उत्तमाङ्गैश्च वीराणां भ्राजमानैः सकुण्डलैः ॥७-४८-२३॥
The scene was filled with arrows that had golden feathers and was drenched in streams of blood, with the shining heads of heroes adorned with earrings.
विचित्रैश्च परिस्तोमैः पताकाभिश्च संवृता। चामरैश्च कुथाभिश्च प्रविद्धैश्चाम्बरोत्तमैः ॥७-४८-२४॥
The scene was adorned with various praises, flags, and fans, covered with canopies, and scattered with excellent garments.
रथाश्वनरनागानामलङ्कारैश्च सुप्रभैः। खड्गैश्च निशितैः पीतैर्निर्मुक्तैर्भुजगैरिव ॥७-४८-२५॥
The chariots, horses, men, and elephants were adorned with brilliant ornaments; the sharp yellow swords were like snakes released.
चापैश्च विशिखैश्छिन्नैः शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासकम्पनैः। विविधैरायुधैश्चान्यैः संवृता भूरशोभत ॥७-४८-२६॥
The earth was resplendent, covered with bows, arrows, spears, javelins, lances, and various other weapons.
वाजिभिश्चापि निर्जीवैः स्वपद्भिः शोणितोक्षितैः। सारोहैर्विषमा भूमिः सौभद्रेण निपातितैः ॥७-४८-२७॥
The battlefield was strewn with lifeless horses and riders, their bodies smeared with blood, all felled by Saubhadra.
साङ्कुशैः समहामात्रैः सवर्मायुधकेतुभिः। पर्वतैरिव विध्वस्तैर्विशिखोन्मथितैर्गजैः ॥७-४८-२८॥
The elephants, equipped with goads, accompanied by great ministers and adorned with all kinds of weapons and banners, appeared like mountains that had been destroyed and pierced by arrows.
पृथिव्यामनुकीर्णैश्च व्यश्वसारथियोधिभिः। ह्रदैरिव प्रक्षुभितैर्हतनागै रथोत्तमैः ॥७-४८-२९॥
The earth was strewn with warriors who had lost their horses and charioteers, resembling pools disturbed by slain elephants and superior chariots.
पदातिसङ्घैश्च हतैर्विविधायुधभूषणैः। भीरूणां त्रासजननी घोररूपाभवन्मही ॥७-४८-३०॥
The earth, strewn with the bodies of slain foot soldiers and adorned with various weapons and ornaments, became a terrifying sight, instilling fear in the hearts of the timid.
तं दृष्ट्वा पतितं भूमौ चन्द्रार्कसदृशद्युतिम्। तावकानां परा प्रीतिः पाण्डूनां चाभवद्व्यथा ॥७-४८-३१॥
When they saw him fallen on the ground, shining like the moon and sun, your side was filled with great joy, while the Pandavas were filled with distress.
अभिमन्यौ हते राजञ्शिशुकेऽप्राप्तयौवने। सम्प्राद्रवच्चमूः सर्वा धर्मराजस्य पश्यतः ॥७-४८-३२॥
O King, when Abhimanyu, who was still a child and had not yet reached youth, was killed, the entire army of Dharmaraja fled while he watched.
दीर्यमाणं बलं दृष्ट्वा सौभद्रे विनिपातिते। अजातशत्रुः स्वान्वीरानिदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥७-४८-३३॥
Upon witnessing the disarrayed army and the fall of Abhimanyu, Yudhishthira addressed his warriors with these words.
स्वर्गमेष गतः शूरो यो हतो नपराङ्मुखः। संस्तम्भयत मा भैष्ट विजेष्यामो रणे रिपून् ॥७-४८-३४॥
This brave warrior, who faced the enemy without retreating and was slain, has ascended to heaven. Stand firm, do not fear, for we shall defeat the enemies in battle.
इत्येवं स महातेजा दुःखितेभ्यो महाद्युतिः। धर्मराजो युधां श्रेष्ठो ब्रुवन्दुःखमपानुदत् ॥७-४८-३५॥
In this way, the greatly powerful and splendid Dharmaraja, the best among warriors, consoled the distressed by removing their sorrow.
युद्धे ह्याशीविषाकारान्राजपुत्रान्रणे बहून्। पूर्वं निहत्य सङ्ग्रामे पश्चादार्जुनिरन्वगात् ॥७-४८-३६॥
In the battle, Arjuna's son first killed many serpent-like princes and then followed afterwards.
हत्वा दशसहस्राणि कौसल्यं च महारथम्। कृष्णार्जुनसमः कार्ष्णिः शक्रसद्म गतो ध्रुवम् ॥७-४८-३७॥
After slaying ten thousand warriors and the great charioteer Kausalya, Kārṣṇi, who was equal to Krishna and Arjuna, certainly ascended to Indra's abode.
रथाश्वनरमातङ्गान्विनिहत्य सहस्रशः। अवितृप्तः स सङ्ग्रामादशोच्यः पुण्यकर्मकृत् ॥७-४८-३८॥
Having slain thousands of chariots, horses, men, and elephants, he remained unsatisfied from the battle, yet he was not to be lamented as he was a performer of virtuous deeds.
वयं तु प्रवरं हत्वा तेषां तैः शरपीडिताः। निवेशायाभ्युपायाम सायाह्ने रुधिरोक्षिताः ॥७-४८-३९॥
We, having slain their best, were wounded by arrows and approached the resting place in the evening, covered in blood.
निरीक्षमाणास्तु वयं परे चायोधनं शनैः। अपयाता महाराज ग्लानिं प्राप्ता विचेतसः ॥७-४८-४०॥
Observing the battle, both we and others slowly retreated, O great king, having become weary and dispirited.
ततो निशाया दिवसस्य चाशिवः; शिवारुतः सन्धिरवर्तताद्भुतः। कुशेशयापीडनिभे दिवाकरे; विलम्बमानेऽस्तमुपेत्य पर्वतम् ॥७-४८-४१॥
Then, at the junction of night and day, an unusual and wonderful sound occurred. The sun, resembling a lotus seat, was delaying its setting as it approached the mountain.
वरासिशक्त्यृष्टिवरूथचर्मणां; विभूषणानां च समाक्षिपन्प्रभाम्। दिवं च भूमिं च समानयन्निव; प्रियां तनुं भानुरुपैति पावकम् ॥७-४८-४२॥
The sun, spreading the radiance of a multitude of arrows, spears, javelins, shields, armors, and ornaments, seems to bring together the sky and the earth as it approaches the beloved fire.
महाभ्रकूटाचलशृङ्गसंनिभै; र्गजैरनेकैरिव वज्रपातितैः। सवैजयन्त्यङ्कुशवर्मयन्तृभि; र्निपातितैर्निष्टनतीव गौश्चिता ॥७-४८-४३॥
The peaks of the great cloud mountains appeared as if struck by many elephants, resembling thunderbolts. With Vijayanti, Ankusa, and Varma as drivers, they were felled, groaning like a cow lying dead.
हतेश्वरैश्चूर्णितपत्त्युपस्करै; र्हताश्वसूतैर्विपताककेतुभिः। महारथैर्भूः शुशुभे विचूर्णितैः; पुरैरिवामित्रहतैर्नराधिप ॥७-४८-४४॥
O king, the earth appeared resplendent with the remains of great chariots, fallen lords, shattered infantry gear, slain horses and charioteers, devoid of banners and standards, resembling cities destroyed by vanquished enemies.
रथाश्ववृन्दैः सहसादिभिर्हतैः; प्रविद्धभाण्डाभरणैः पृथग्विधैः। निरस्तजिह्वादशनान्त्रलोचनै; र्धरा बभौ घोरविरूपदर्शना ॥७-४८-४५॥
The earth looked horrifying and grotesque, littered with chariots, horses, and slain warriors; scattered with various weapons and ornaments; and with tongues, teeth, entrails, and eyes removed.
प्रविद्धवर्माभरणा वरायुधा; विपन्नहस्त्यश्वरथानुगा नराः। महार्हशय्यास्तरणोचिताः सदा; क्षितावनाथा इव शेरते हताः ॥७-४८-४६॥
The warriors, who once bore excellent weapons and adorned themselves with armor and ornaments, now lie slain on the battlefield, accompanied by fallen elephants, horses, and chariots. They, who were always accustomed to luxurious beds and coverings, now lie on the ground like the helpless.
अतीव हृष्टाः श्वसृगालवायसा; बडाः सुपर्णाश्च वृकास्तरक्षवः। वयांस्यसृक्पान्यथ रक्षसां गणाः; पिशाचसङ्घाश्च सुदारुणा रणे ॥७-४८-४७॥
The dogs, jackals, and crows were extremely delighted, as were the vultures, eagles, wolves, and hyenas. The blood-drinking birds and troops of demons, along with the groups of goblins, were very terrible in the battle.
त्वचो विनिर्भिद्य पिबन्वसामसृ; क्तथैव मज्जां पिशितानि चाश्नुवन्। वपां विलुम्पन्ति हसन्ति गान्ति च; प्रकर्षमाणाः कुणपान्यनेकशः ॥७-४८-४८॥
They pierce the skin, drink the fat and blood, eat the marrow and flesh. They tear apart the membranes, laugh, sing, and drag the corpses in various ways.
शरीरसङ्घाटवहा असृग्जला; रथोडुपा कुञ्जरशैलसङ्कटा। मनुष्यशीर्षोपलमांसकर्दमा; प्रविद्धनानाविधशस्त्रमालिनी ॥७-४८-४९॥
The battlefield was a gruesome sight, filled with heaps of bodies and rivers of blood. Chariots and moons, elephants and narrow mountains were scattered around. Human heads, stones, and flesh formed a muddy ground, adorned with a variety of weapons.
महाभया वैतरणीव दुस्तरा; प्रवर्तिता योधवरैस्तदा नदी। उवाह मध्येन रणाजिरं भृशं; भयावहा जीवमृतप्रवाहिनी ॥७-४८-५०॥
The river, terrifying like the mythical Vaitarani and hard to cross, was set in motion by the best warriors of the time. It flowed intensely through the heart of the battlefield, instilling fear and carrying the essence of life and death.
पिबन्ति चाश्नन्ति च यत्र दुर्दृशाः; पिशाचसङ्घा विविधाः सुभैरवाः। सुनन्दिताः प्राणभृतां भयङ्कराः; समानभक्षाः श्वसृगालपक्षिणः ॥७-४८-५१॥
In that place, the unseen and various terrifying groups of demons drink and eat, delighting in frightening living beings, sharing their meals with dogs, jackals, and birds.
तथा तदायोधनमुग्रदर्शनं; निशामुखे पितृपतिराष्ट्रसंनिभम्। निरीक्षमाणाः शनकैर्जहुर्नराः; समुत्थितारुण्डकुलोपसङ्कुलम् ॥७-४८-५२॥
Thus, at nightfall, the fierce battle appeared like the kingdom of the lord of ancestors; the men, observing slowly, departed, as the Arundha clan arose and crowded the scene.
अपेतविध्वस्तमहार्हभूषणं; निपातितं शक्रसमं महारथम्। रणेऽभिमन्युं ददृशुस्तदा जना; व्यपोढहव्यं सदसीव पावकम् ॥७-४८-५३॥
The people then saw Abhimanyu, the great chariot-warrior, fallen in battle, deprived of his disheveled, valuable ornaments, like a fire that has consumed the offerings in the assembly.
