07.073
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
bāṇe tasminnikṛtte tu dhṛṣṭadyumne ca mokṣite। tena vṛṣṇipravīreṇa yuyudhānena sañjaya ॥7-73-1॥
O Sañjaya, when the arrow was severed and Dhṛṣṭadyumna was freed by the Vṛṣṇi hero Yuyudhāna.
amarṣito maheṣvāsaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ। naravyāghraḥ śineḥ pautre droṇaḥ kimakarodyudhi ॥7-73-2॥
In his anger, the great archer and the best among all weapon bearers, Droṇa, who is like a tiger among men, confronted the grandson of Śini in battle. What did he do?
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
sampradrutaḥ krodhaviṣo vyāditāsyaśarāsanaḥ। tīkṣṇadhāreṣudaśanaḥ śitanārācadaṃṣṭravān ॥7-73-3॥
He rushed forward, filled with the poison of anger, his mouth wide open with a bow, his arrows sharp-edged like teeth, and possessing keen iron arrow-like fangs.
saṁrambhāmarṣatāmrākṣo mahāhiriva niḥśvasan। naravīrapramuditaiḥ śoṇairaśvairmahājavaiḥ ॥7-73-4॥
With eyes reddened by anger and impatience, breathing heavily like a great serpent, accompanied by swift red horses, rejoiced by heroic men.
utpatadbhirivākāśaṃ kramadbhiriva sarvataḥ। rukmapuṅkhāñśarānasyanyuyudhānamupādravat ॥7-73-5॥
He attacked Yuyudhana with arrows that seemed to rise to the sky and advance everywhere, their feathers golden.
śarapātamahāvarṣaṃ rathaghoṣabalāhakam। kārmukākarṣavikṣiptaṃ nārācabahuvidyutam ॥7-73-6॥
A great shower of arrows fell like a rainstorm, accompanied by the thunderous sound of chariots, as bows were drawn and many iron arrows scattered like flashes of lightning.
śaktikhaḍgāśanidharaṃ krodhavegasamutthitam। droṇameghamanāvāryaṃ hayamārutacoditam ॥7-73-7॥
The unstoppable force of Drona, like a cloud driven by the wind of horses, arose with the power of a sword and thunderbolt, fueled by the speed of anger.
dṛṣṭvaivābhipatantaṃ taṃ śūraḥ parapurañjayaḥ। uvāca sūtaṃ śaineyaḥ prahasanyuddhadurmadaḥ ॥7-73-8॥
Upon seeing the approaching warrior, the heroic conqueror of enemy cities, smiling and intoxicated by the battle, addressed the charioteer, the son of Śini.
etaṁ vai brāhmaṇaṁ krūraṁ svakarmaṇyanavasthitam। āśrayaṁ dhārtarāṣṭrasya rājño duḥkhabhayāvaham ॥7-73-9॥
This Brahmin, who is cruel and unsteady in his duties, is indeed a refuge for Dhritarashtra's son, causing sorrow and fear to the king.
śīghraṃ prajavitairaśvaiḥ pratyudyāhi prahṛṣṭavat। ācāryaṃ rājaputrāṇāṃ satataṃ śūramāninam ॥7-73-10॥
Quickly, go joyfully to meet the teacher of the princes, who is always regarded as a hero, with swift horses.
tato rajatasaṅkāśā mādhasya hayottamāḥ। droṇasyābhimukhāḥ śīghramagacchanvātaraṃhasaḥ ॥7-73-11॥
Then the splendid horses of Mādhava, resembling silver, swiftly advanced towards Droṇa, facing him with the speed of the wind.
iṣujālāvṛtaṃ ghoramandhakāramanantaram। anādhṛṣyamivānyeṣāṃ śūrāṇāmabhavattadā ॥7-73-12॥
At that time, the heroes found themselves enveloped in a terrifying darkness, covered by a net of arrows, making it seem impenetrable to others.
tataḥ śīghrāstraviduṣordroṇasātvatayostadā। nāntaraṃ śaravṛṣṭīnāṃ dṛśyate narasiṃhayoḥ ॥7-73-13॥
At that time, between Drona and Satyaki, both swift experts in weaponry, there was no gap visible in the showers of arrows, as if they were two lions among men.
iṣūṇāṃ saṃnipātena śabdo dhārābhighātajaḥ। śuśruve śakramuktānāmaśanīnāmiva svanaḥ ॥7-73-14॥
The sound of the arrows colliding was heard like the thunderous noise of Indra's thunderbolts.
nārācairatividdhānāṃ śarāṇāṃ rūpamābabhau। āśīviṣavidaṣṭānāṃ sarpāṇāmiva bhārata ॥7-73-15॥
O Bhārata, the arrows pierced by iron arrows appeared like serpents bitten by poisonous snakes.
tayorjyātalanirghoṣo vyaśrūyata sudāruṇaḥ। ajasraṃ śailaśṛṅgāṇāṃ vajreṇāhanyatāmiva ॥7-73-16॥
The dreadful sound of the bowstrings of those two echoed continuously, as if the peaks of mountains were being shattered by a thunderbolt.
ubhayostau rathau rājanste cāśvāstau ca sārathī। rukmapuṅkhaiḥ śaraiśchannāścitrarūpā babhustadā ॥7-73-17॥
O king, at that time, both of those chariots, along with your horses and charioteers, became variegated as they were covered with golden-feathered arrows.
nirmalānāmajihmānāṃ nārācānāṃ viśāṃ pate। nirmuktāśīviṣābhānāṃ sampāto'bhūtsudāruṇaḥ ॥7-73-18॥
O lord of the people, the descent of the pure and straight arrows, released like venomous snakes, was extremely dreadful.
ubhayoh patite chatre tathaiva patitau dhvajau। ubhau rudhirasiktāṅgāvubhau ca vijayaiṣiṇau ॥7-73-19॥
Both the umbrellas and flags have fallen, and both warriors, with blood-smeared bodies, desire victory.
sravadbhiḥ śoṇitaṃ gātraiḥ prasrutāviva vāraṇau। anyonyamabhividhyetāṃ jīvitāntakaraiḥ śaraiḥ ॥7-73-20॥
The elephants, with blood flowing from their bodies, attacked each other with arrows that could end life.
garjitotkruṣṭasaṃnādāḥ śaṅkhadundubhinisvanāḥ। upāramaṇmahārāja vyājahāra na kaścana ॥7-73-21॥
The loud roaring sounds of conches and drums ceased, O great king, and no one spoke.
tūṣṇīṃbhūtānyanīkāni yodhā yuddhādupārman। dadṛśe dvairathaṃ tābhyāṃ jātakautūhalo janaḥ ॥7-73-22॥
The armies fell silent as the warriors stopped fighting. The duel between the two was observed, sparking curiosity among the people.
rathino hastiyantāro hayārohāḥ padātayaḥ। avaikṣantācalairnetraiḥ parivārya ratharṣabhau ॥7-73-23॥
The charioteers, elephant drivers, horse riders, and foot soldiers surrounded the best of chariots, gazing intently with steady eyes.
hastyanīkānyatiṣṭhanta tathānīkāni vājinām। tathaiva rathavāhinyaḥ prativyūhya vyavasthitāḥ ॥7-73-24॥
The divisions of elephants, horses, and chariots were all strategically positioned in their respective formations.
muktāvidrumacitraiśca maṇikāñcanabhūṣitaiḥ। dhvajairābharaṇaścitraiḥ kavacaiśca hiraṇmayaiḥ ॥7-73-25॥
The scene was adorned with pearls, coral, and variegated gems set in gold, along with flags, ornaments, and golden armors, creating a splendid display.
vaijayantīpatākābhiḥ paristomāṅgakambalaiḥ। vimalairniśitaiḥ śastrairhayānāṃ ca prakīrṇakaiḥ ॥7-73-26॥
The scene was adorned with banners and flags, covering the limbs with blankets, equipped with pure and sharp weapons, and scattered among the horses.
jātarūpamayībhiśca rājatībhiśca mūrdhasu। gajānāṃ kumbhamālābhirdantaveṣṭaiśca bhārata ॥7-73-27॥
O Bharata, the elephants had garlands of pitchers made of gold and silver on their heads, along with coverings for their tusks.
sabalākāḥ sakhadyotāḥ sairāvataśatahradāḥ। adṛśyantoṣṇaparyāye meghānāmiva vāgurāḥ ॥7-73-28॥
In the hot season, the scene appeared like traps of clouds, filled with cranes, fireflies, and numerous lakes of Airavata.
apaśyann asmadīyāś ca te ca yaudhiṣṭhirāḥ sthitāḥ। tad yuddhaṃ yuyudhānasya droṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ ॥7-73-29॥
Seeing both our and their followers of Yudhishthira standing, the battle between Yuyudhana and the noble Drona commenced.
vimānāgragatā devā brahmaśakrapurogamāḥ। siddhacāraṇasaṅghāśca vidyādharamahoragāḥ ॥7-73-30॥
The gods, led by Brahma and Indra, were at the forefront in their aircraft, accompanied by assemblies of perfected beings, celestial singers, knowledge bearers, and great serpents.
gatapratyāgatākṣepaiścitraiḥ śastravighātibhiḥ। vividhairvismayaṃ jagmustayoḥ puruṣasiṃhayoḥ ॥7-73-31॥
The two lion-like warriors were amazed by the various gestures of going and returning and the wonderful obstructions of weapons.
hastalāghavamastreṣu darśayantau mahābalau। anyonyaṃ samavidhyetāṃ śaraistau droṇasātyakī ॥7-73-32॥
Droṇa and Sātyaki, both great warriors, demonstrated their skill in handling weapons by shooting arrows at each other.
tato droṇasya dāśārhaḥ śarāṁś ciccheda saṁyuge। patribhiḥ sudṛḍhair āśu dhanuś caiva mahādyute ॥7-73-33॥
Then the descendant of the Daśārhas, with his swift and strong feathered arrows, cut down Drona's arrows and his splendid bow in the battle.
nimeṣāntaramātreṇa bhāradvājo'paraṃ dhanuḥ। sajyaṃ cakāra taccāśu cicchedāsya sa sātyakiḥ ॥7-73-34॥
In just a moment, Bhāradvāja prepared another bow, and Sātyaki swiftly cut it down.
tatastvaranpunardroṇo dhanurhasto vyatiṣṭhata। sajyaṃ sajyaṃ punaścāsya ciccheda niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥7-73-35॥
Then, in his haste, Droṇa stood with his bow in hand. Repeatedly, he severed his bowstring with sharp arrows.
tato'sya saṃyuge droṇo dṛṣṭvā karmātimānuṣam। yuyudhānasya rājendra manasedamacintayat ॥7-73-36॥
Upon witnessing the extraordinary feats of Yuyudhāna in battle, Droṇa, deeply contemplative, pondered over the situation, O king.
etadastrabalaṃ rāme kārtavīrye dhanañjaye। bhīṣme ca puruṣavyāghre yadidaṃ sātvatāṃ vare ॥7-73-37॥
This weapon power is present in Rāma, Kārtavīrya, Dhanañjaya, Bhīṣma, and the best among the Sātvatas, the tiger among men.
taṃ cāsya manasā droṇaḥ pūjayāmāsa vikramam। lāghavaṃ vāsavasyeva samprekṣya dvijasattamaḥ ॥7-73-38॥
Drona, observing his agility akin to that of Indra, praised his valor with all his heart, O revered sage.
tutoṣāstravidāṃ śreṣṭhastathā devāḥ savāsavāḥ। na tāmālakṣayāmāsurlaghutāṃ śīghrakāriṇaḥ ॥7-73-39॥
The best among the weapon-knowers, along with the gods and Indra, were pleased. They did not notice her lightness due to their quick actions.
devāśca yuyudhānasya gandharvāśca viśāṃ pate। siddhacāraṇasaṅghāśca vidurdroṇasya karma tat ॥7-73-40॥
The gods, Gandharvas, and assemblies of Siddhas and Charanas, O lord of men, were aware of Drona's actions.
tato'nyaddhanurādāya droṇaḥ kṣatriyamardanaḥ। astrairastravidāṃ śreṣṭho yodhayāmāsa bhārata ॥7-73-41॥
Then Droṇa, the great warrior and subduer of warriors, took up another bow and engaged in battle, demonstrating his unmatched skill in weaponry, O descendant of Bharata.
tasyāstrāṇyastramāyābhiḥ pratihanya sa sātyakiḥ। jaghāna niśitairbāṇaistadadbhutamivābhavat ॥7-73-42॥
Satyaki countered his weapons with weaponry tricks and killed with sharp arrows; it seemed wonderful.
tasyātimānuṣaṃ karma dṛṣṭvānyairasamaṃ raṇe। yuktaṃ yogena yogajñāstāvakāḥ samapūjayan ॥7-73-43॥
Upon witnessing his superhuman feats in battle, unmatched by others, your men, who are knowledgeable in yoga, revered him, fully engaged in their practice.
yadastramasyati droṇastadevāsyati sātyakiḥ। tamācāryo'pyasambhrānto'yodhayacchatrutāpanaḥ ॥7-73-44॥
Whatever weapon Drona used, Satyaki used the same. The teacher, calm and composed, also fought against him, the tormentor of enemies.
tataḥ kruddho mahārāja dhanurvedasya pāragaḥ। vadhāya yuyudhānasya divyam-astram-udairayat ॥7-73-45॥
Then the great king, in his anger and expertise in archery, raised a divine weapon to kill Yuyudhana.
tadāgneyaṃ mahāghoraṃ ripughnamupalakṣya saḥ। astraṃ divyaṃ maheṣvāso vāruṇaṃ samudairayat ॥7-73-46॥
Upon observing the fiery and dreadful weapon that destroys enemies, the great archer released the divine weapon of Varuna.
hāhākāro mahān āsīd dṛṣṭvā divyāstra-dhāriṇau। na vicerus tadākāśe bhūtāny ākāśa-gāny api ॥7-73-47॥
There was a great uproar when the bearers of divine weapons were seen. Even the celestial beings in the sky did not move at that time.
astre te vāruṇāgneye tābhyāṃ bāṇasamāhite। na tāvadabhiṣajyete vyāvartadatha bhāskaraḥ ॥7-73-48॥
Your arrows, concentrated with the power of Varuna and Agni, were not injured, and then the sun turned away.
tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā bhīmasenaśca pāṇḍavaḥ। nakulaḥ sahadevaśca paryarakṣanta sātyakim ॥7-73-49॥
Then King Yudhishthira, along with Bhimasena, Nakula, and Sahadeva, the Pandavas, protected Satyaki.
dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhaiḥ sārdhaṃ virāṭaśca sakekayaḥ। matsyāḥ śālveyasenāśca droṇamājagmurhañjasā ॥7-73-50॥
Dhrishtadyumna, along with Virata, the Kekayas, the Matsyas, and the army of Shalwa, swiftly approached Drona.
duḥśāsanaṃ puraskṛtya rājaputrāḥ sahasraśaḥ। droṇamabhyupapadyanta sapatnaiḥ parivāritam ॥7-73-51॥
The princes, numbering in thousands, placed Duhshasana at the forefront and approached Drona, who was surrounded by enemies.
tato yuddham abhūd rājan tava teṣāṃ ca dhanvinām। rajasā saṃvṛte loke śarajālasamāvṛte ॥7-73-52॥
Then, O King, a fierce battle ensued between your archers and theirs, shrouding the world in dust and a dense net of arrows.
sarvam āvignam abhavan na prājñāyata kiñcana। sainyena rajasā dhvaste nirmaryādam avartata ॥7-73-53॥
Everything was in chaos; nothing was discernible. The army, scattered by the dust, moved without any order.
