07.066
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
दुःशासनबलं हत्वा सव्यसाची धनञ्जयः। सिन्धुराजं परीप्सन्वै द्रोणानीकमुपाद्रवत् ॥७-६६-१॥
After defeating Duḥśāsana's forces, Arjuna, known as Savyasachi, aimed to capture the Sindhu king and launched an attack on Drona's army.
स तु द्रोणं समासाद्य व्यूहस्य प्रमुखे स्थितम्। कृताञ्जलिरिदं वाक्यं कृष्णस्यानुमतेऽब्रवीत् ॥७-६६-२॥
He approached Droṇa, who was standing at the forefront of the formation, and with folded hands, he spoke this sentence with Krishna's permission.
शिवेन ध्याहि मां ब्रह्मन्स्वस्ति चैव वदस्व मे। भवत्प्रसादादिच्छामि प्रवेष्टुं दुर्भिदां चमूम् ॥७-६६-३॥
O Brahman, meditate on me with Shiva's grace and speak of well-being to me. With your blessing, I wish to enter the formidable army.
भवान्पितृसमो मह्यं धर्मराजसमोऽपि च। तथा कृष्णसमश्चैव सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते ॥७-६६-४॥
You are as dear to me as a father, akin to Yudhishthira and Krishna. I speak this truth to you.
अश्वत्थामा यथा तात रक्षणीयस्तवानघ। तथाहमपि ते रक्ष्यः सदैव द्विजसत्तम ॥७-६६-५॥
Just as Ashwatthama is to be protected by you, my father, so too am I always to be protected by you, O noble Brahmin.
तव प्रसादादिच्छामि सिन्धुराजानमाहवे। निहन्तुं द्विपदां श्रेष्ठ प्रतिज्ञां रक्ष मे विभो ॥७-६६-६॥
With your blessing, I desire to defeat the king of Sindhu in battle. Please safeguard my vow, O supreme among bipeds, O Lord.
एवमुक्तस्तदाचार्यः प्रत्युवाच स्मयन्निव। मामजित्वा न बीभत्सो शक्यो जेतुं जयद्रथः ॥७-६६-७॥
The teacher, as if smiling, replied: "Jayadratha cannot be defeated without first conquering me."
एतावदुक्त्वा तं द्रोणः शरव्रातैरवाकिरत्। सरथाश्वध्वजं तीक्ष्णैः प्रहसन्वै ससारथिम् ॥७-६६-८॥
After speaking thus, Droṇa, smiling, showered sharp arrows upon him, covering his chariot, horses, and banner, along with his charioteer.
ततोऽर्जुनः शरव्रातान्द्रोणस्यावार्य सायकैः। द्रोणमभ्यर्दयद्बाणैर्घोररूपैर्महत्तरैः ॥७-६६-९॥
Then Arjuna, skillfully deflecting Drona's volleys of arrows, launched his own fierce and mighty arrows at Drona.
विव्याध च रणे द्रोणमनुमान्य विशां पते। क्षत्रधर्मं समास्थाय नवभिः सायकैः पुनः ॥७-६६-१०॥
Respecting Droṇa in battle, the lord of men pierced him again with nine arrows, adhering to the warrior's duty.
तस्येषूनिषुभिश्छित्त्वा द्रोणो विव्याध तावुभौ। विषाग्निज्वलनप्रख्यैरिषुभिः कृष्णपाण्डवौ ॥७-६६-११॥
Droṇa, having intercepted his arrows with his own, struck both Krishna and Pandava with arrows that seemed like poison and fire.
इयेष पाण्डवस्तस्य बाणैश्छेत्तुं शरासनम्। तस्य चिन्तयतस्त्वेवं फल्गुनस्य महात्मनः ॥ द्रोणः शरैरसम्भ्रान्तो ज्यां चिच्छेदाशु वीर्यवान् ॥७-६६-१२॥
The Pāṇḍava aimed to sever his opponent's bow with arrows. As Phalguna, the noble soul, contemplated, Droṇa, with unwavering composure, swiftly severed the bowstring with his arrows.
विव्याध च हयानस्य ध्वजं सारथिमेव च। अर्जुनं च शरैर्वीरं स्मयमानोऽभ्यवाकिरत् ॥७-६६-१३॥
He pierced the flag and the charioteer of the chariot, and with a smile, showered arrows on the heroic Arjuna.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे पार्थः सज्जं कृत्वा महद्धनुः। विशेषयिष्यन्नाचार्यं सर्वास्त्रविदुषां वरम् ॥ मुमोच षट्शतान्बाणान्गृहीत्वैकमिव द्रुतम् ॥७-६६-१४॥
During this interval, Arjuna prepared his great bow, aiming to surpass his teacher, the foremost among all experts in weaponry, and swiftly released six hundred arrows as if they were one.
पुनः सप्त शतानन्यान्सहस्रं चानिवर्तिनाम्। चिक्षेपायुतशश्चान्यांस्तेऽघ्नन्द्रोणस्य तां चमूम् ॥७-६६-१५॥
Once more, seven hundred others and a thousand warriors who would not return were sent forth, and in tens of thousands, they destroyed Drona's army.
तैः सम्यगस्तैर्बलिना कृतिना चित्रयोधिना। मनुष्यवाजिमातङ्गा विद्धाः पेतुर्गतासवः ॥७-६६-१६॥
Pierced by the arrows of the strong and skillful warrior, the men, horses, and elephants fell lifeless.
विद्रुताश्च रणे पेतुः सञ्छिन्नायुधजीविताः। रथिनो रथमुख्येभ्यः सहयाः शरपीडिताः ॥७-६६-१७॥
The charioteers and horses, afflicted by arrows, fled and fell in battle, their lives and weapons cut off, from the chief chariots.
चूर्णिताक्षिप्तदग्धानां वज्रानिलहुताशनैः। तुल्यरूपा गजाः पेतुर्गिर्यग्राम्बुदवेश्मनाम् ॥७-६६-१८॥
Elephants, resembling each other, were crushed, thrown, and burnt by thunderbolts, wind, and fire, and they fell from the mountains, clouds, and houses.
पेतुरश्वसहस्राणि प्रहतान्यर्जुनेषुभिः। हंसा हिमवतः पृष्ठे वारिविप्रहता इव ॥७-६६-१९॥
Thousands of horses fell, hit by Arjuna's arrows, resembling swans hit by water on the slopes of the Himalayas.
रथाश्वद्विपपत्त्योघाः सलिलौघा इवाद्भुताः। युगान्तादित्यरश्म्याभैः पाण्डवास्तशरैर्हताः ॥७-६६-२०॥
The battlefield was filled with chariots, horses, elephants, and foot-soldiers, resembling floods of water, creating a wondrous sight. The Pāṇḍavas were slain by arrows that shone like the sun's rays at the end of an era.
तं पाण्डवादित्यशरांशुजालं; कुरुप्रवीरान्युधि निष्टपन्तम्। स द्रोणमेघः शरवर्षवेगैः; प्राच्छादयन्मेघ इवार्करश्मीन् ॥७-६६-२१॥
Droṇa, like a cloud, covered the Kuru heroes in battle with a net of sun-like arrows from the Pāṇḍavas, as clouds cover the sun's rays.
अथात्यर्थविसृष्टेन द्विषतामसुभोजिना। आजघ्ने वक्षसि द्रोणो नाराचेन धनञ्जयम् ॥७-६६-२२॥
Then, Droṇa, with an iron arrow released exceedingly by the life-consuming enemies, struck Dhananjaya on the chest.
स विह्वलितसर्वाङ्गः क्षितिकम्पे यथाचलः। धैर्यमालम्ब्य बीभत्सुर्द्रोणं विव्याध पत्रिभिः ॥७-६६-२३॥
In the midst of the earthquake, like a mountain, Arjuna, though agitated, gathered his courage and struck Drona with arrows.
द्रोणस्तु पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्वासुदेवमताडयत्। अर्जुनं च त्रिसप्तत्या ध्वजं चास्य त्रिभिः शरैः ॥७-६६-२४॥
Drona, however, attacked Vasudeva with five arrows, Arjuna with seventy-three arrows, and also hit his flag with three arrows.
विशेषयिष्यञ्शिष्यं च द्रोणो राजन्पराक्रमी। अदृश्यमर्जुनं चक्रे निमेषाच्छरवृष्टिभिः ॥७-६६-२५॥
Droṇa, the valiant teacher, intending to showcase his disciple's prowess, made Arjuna disappear in an instant under a barrage of arrows, O king.
प्रसक्तान्पततोऽद्राक्ष्म भारद्वाजस्य सायकान्। मण्डलीकृतमेवास्य धनुश्चादृश्यताद्भुतम् ॥७-६६-२६॥
We observed the arrows of Bharadvaja falling in a circular formation, and his bow appeared truly marvelous.
तेऽभ्ययुः समरे राजन्वासुदेवधनञ्जयौ। द्रोणसृष्टाः सुबहवः कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छदाः ॥७-६६-२७॥
O king, many warriors created by Drona, adorned with peacock feathers, approached Vasudeva and Dhananjaya in the battle.
तद्दृष्ट्वा तादृशं युद्धं द्रोणपाण्डवयोस्तदा। वासुदेवो महाबुद्धिः कार्यवत्तामचिन्तयत् ॥७-६६-२८॥
Upon witnessing the intense battle between Drona and the Pandavas, Vasudeva, known for his great wisdom, contemplated his responsibilities.
ततोऽब्रवीद्वासुदेवो धनञ्जयमिदं वचः। पार्थ पार्थ महाबाहो न नः कालात्ययो भवेत् ॥७-६६-२९॥
Then Vasudeva spoke to Arjuna, saying: "O son of Pritha, O mighty-armed one, there will be no delay for us."
द्रोणमुत्सृज्य गच्छामः कृत्यमेतन्महत्तरम्। पार्थश्चाप्यब्रवीत्कृष्णं यथेष्टमिति केशव ॥७-६६-३०॥
Leaving Drona behind, we must attend to this greater duty. Arjuna also told Krishna, "Do as you wish, O Keshava."
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा द्रोणं प्रायान्महाभुजः। परिवृत्तश्च बीभत्सुरगच्छद्विसृजञ्शरान् ॥७-६६-३१॥
Then, the mighty-armed warrior, having circumambulated Droṇa, turned back and Bībhatsu proceeded, releasing arrows.
ततोऽब्रवीत्स्मयन्द्रोणः क्वेदं पाण्डव गम्यते। ननु नाम रणे शत्रुमजित्वा न निवर्तसे ॥७-६६-३२॥
Then, with a smile, Droṇa asked, "Where are you heading, Pāṇḍava? Surely, you do not intend to return without defeating your enemy in the battle?"
अर्जुन उवाच॥
Arjuna said:
गुरुर्भवान्न मे शत्रुः शिष्यः पुत्रसमोऽस्मि ते। न चास्ति स पुमाँल्लोके यस्त्वां युधि पराजयेत् ॥७-६६-३३॥
You are my teacher, not my enemy. I am your disciple, like a son. There is no man in the world who can defeat you in battle.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
एवं ब्रुवाणो बीभत्सुर्जयद्रथवधोत्सुकः। त्वरायुक्तो महाबाहुस्तत्सैन्यं समुपाद्रवत् ॥७-६६-३४॥
Arjuna, speaking thus and eager to kill Jayadratha, swiftly attacked the army with his mighty arms.
तं चक्ररक्षौ पाञ्चाल्यौ युधामन्यूत्तमौजसौ। अन्वयातां महात्मानौ विशन्तं तावकं बलम् ॥७-६६-३५॥
Yudhāmanyu and Uttamaujas, the valiant sons of Panchala, followed and entered your army as protectors of the chariots.
ततो जयो महाराज कृतवर्मा च सात्त्वतः। काम्बोजश्च श्रुतायुश्च धनञ्जयमवारयन् ॥७-६६-३६॥
Then, O great king, Kritavarma, Sattvata, Kamboja, and Shrutayu blocked Dhananjaya.
तेषां दशसहस्राणि रथानामनुयायिनाम्। अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः ॥७-६६-३७॥
Among them were ten thousand chariots of followers, including the Abhishahas, Shurasenas, Shibis, and Vasatis.
माचेल्लका ललित्थाश्च केकया मद्रकास्तथा। नारायणाश्च गोपालाः काम्बोजानां च ये गणाः ॥७-६६-३८॥
The Mācellakas, Lalitthas, Kekayas, Madrakas, Nārāyaṇas, and Gopalas, along with the tribes of the Kambojas, are mentioned here.
कर्णेन विजिताः पूर्वं सङ्ग्रामे शूरसंमताः। भारद्वाजं पुरस्कृत्य त्यक्तात्मानोऽर्जुनं प्रति ॥७-६६-३९॥
Previously conquered by Karna and approved by heroes in battle, they placed Bharadvaja in front and, having renounced their lives, moved towards Arjuna.
पुत्रशोकाभिसन्तप्तं क्रुद्धं मृत्युमिवान्तकम्। त्यजन्तं तुमुले प्राणान्संनद्धं चित्रयोधिनम् ॥७-६६-४०॥
Tormented by the grief of his son and filled with anger like death itself, he was abandoning his life amidst the tumult, prepared as a skilled warrior.
गाहमानमनीकानि मातङ्गमिव यूथपम्। महेष्वासं पराक्रान्तं नरव्याघ्रमवारयन् ॥७-६६-४१॥
The great archer, valiant like a leader elephant entering the troops, was stopped as a tiger among men.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। अन्योन्यं वै प्रार्थयतां योधानामर्जुनस्य च ॥७-६६-४२॥
Then a fierce and hair-raising battle commenced between the warriors and Arjuna, each desiring the other.
जयद्रथवधप्रेप्सुमायान्तं पुरुषर्षभम्। न्यवारयन्त सहिताः क्रिया व्याधिमिवोत्थितम् ॥७-६६-४३॥
The warriors, desiring to kill Jayadratha, approached like a bull among men. Together, they halted the actions as one would stop an arising disease.
