07.135
Core and Pancharatra: Ashwatthama rebukes Duryodhana for suspecting him and his father. Then he takes on the fears Dhrustadyumna and gains an upper hand.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
दुर्योधनेनैवमुक्तो द्रौणिराहवदुर्मदः। प्रत्युवाच महाबाहो यथा वदसि कौरव ॥७-१३५-१॥
Drona's son, arrogant and addressed by Duryodhana, replied, "O mighty-armed one, as you say, Kaurava."
प्रिया हि पाण्डवा नित्यं मम चापि पितुश्च मे। तथैवावां प्रियौ तेषां न तु युद्धे कुरूद्वह ॥ शक्तितस्तात युध्यामस्त्यक्त्वा प्राणानभीतवत् ॥७-१३५-२॥
The Pandavas are always dear to me and my father. Similarly, we are dear to them, but not in battle, O Kuru leader. We fight to the best of our ability, dear, having abandoned our lives without fear.
अहं कर्णश्च शल्यश्च कृपो हार्दिक्य एव च। निमेषात्पाण्डवीं सेनां क्षपयेम नृपोत्तम ॥७-१३५-३॥
I, along with Karṇa, Śalya, Kṛpa, and Hārdikya, can annihilate the Pāṇḍava army in an instant, O greatest of kings.
ते चापि कौरवीं सेनां निमेषार्धात्कुरूद्वह। क्षपयेयुर्महाबाहो न स्याम यदि संयुगे ॥७-१३५-४॥
They too, O descendant of Kuru, could annihilate the Kaurava army in an instant, O mighty-armed one, if we were not engaged in battle.
युध्यतां पाण्डवाञ्शक्त्या तेषां चास्मान्युयुत्सताम्। तेजस्तु तेज आसाद्य प्रशमं याति भारत ॥७-१३५-५॥
The brilliance of those fighting with the strength of the Pandavas and those desiring to fight us ultimately leads to peace, O Bharata.
अशक्या तरसा जेतुं पाण्डवानामनीकिनी। जीवत्सु पाण्डुपुत्रेषु तद्धि सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते ॥७-१३५-६॥
"It is indeed impossible to conquer the army of the Pandavas by force as long as the sons of Pandu are alive. This is the truth I tell you."
आत्मार्थं युध्यमानास्ते समर्थाः पाण्डुनन्दनाः। किमर्थं तव सैन्यानि न हनिष्यन्ति भारत ॥७-१३५-७॥
The capable sons of Pandu are fighting for their own purpose. Why would your armies not kill, O Bharata?
त्वं हि लुब्धतमो राजन्निकृतिज्ञश्च कौरव। सर्वातिशङ्की मानी च ततोऽस्मानतिशङ्कसे ॥७-१३५-८॥
"O King Kaurava, you are indeed the greediest and most deceitful, suspicious of everyone and proud, and therefore you suspect us."
अहं तु यत्नमास्थाय त्वदर्थे त्यक्तजीवितः। एष गच्छामि सङ्ग्रामं त्वत्कृते कुरुनन्दन ॥७-१३५-९॥
I am making every effort for your sake, having given up my life. I am going to the battle for you, O joy of the Kurus.
योत्स्येऽहं शत्रुभिः सार्धं जेष्यामि च वरान्वरान्। पाञ्चालैः सह योत्स्यामि सोमकैः केकयैस्तथा ॥ पाण्डवेयैश्च सङ्ग्रामे त्वत्प्रियार्थमरिंदम ॥७-१३५-१०॥
I will engage in battle with the enemies and conquer the best of them. Alongside the Pāñcālas, I will fight with the Somakas and the Kekayas, and also with the sons of Pandu, all for your sake, O subduer of enemies.
अद्य मद्बाणनिर्दग्धाः पाञ्चालाः सोमकास्तथा। सिंहेनेवार्दिता गावो विद्रविष्यन्ति सर्वतः ॥७-१३५-११॥
Today, the Panchalas and Somakas, scorched by my arrows, will scatter everywhere like cows chased by a lion.
अद्य धर्मसुतो राजा दृष्ट्वा मम पराक्रमम्। अश्वत्थाममयं लोकं मंस्यते सह सोमकैः ॥७-१३५-१२॥
Today, King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, upon witnessing my valor, will regard Ashwatthama as the world itself, along with the Somakas.
आगमिष्यति निर्वेदं धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। दृष्ट्वा विनिहतान्सङ्ख्ये पाञ्चालान्सोमकैः सह ॥७-१३५-१३॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, will become dispassionate after witnessing the slaughter of the Panchalas and Somakas in the battle.
ये मां युद्धेऽभियोत्स्यन्ति तान्हनिष्यामि भारत। न हि ते वीर मुच्येरन्मद्बाह्वन्तरमागताः ॥७-१३५-१४॥
"O Bharata, those who dare to challenge me in battle, I shall slay them. Indeed, once they come within the reach of my arms, those heroes will not escape."
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः पुत्रं दुर्योधनं तव। अभ्यवर्तत युद्धाय द्रावयन्सर्वधन्विनः ॥ चिकीर्षुस्तव पुत्राणां प्रियं प्राणभृतां वरः ॥७-१३५-१५॥
Thus, having spoken, the mighty-armed warrior advanced your son Duryodhana to the battlefield, driving away all the archers, with the intent to fulfill the wishes of your sons, the best among living beings.
ततोऽब्रवीत्सकैकेयान्पाञ्चालान्गौतमीसुतः। प्रहरध्वमितः सर्वे मम गात्रे महारथाः ॥ स्थिरीभूताश्च युध्यध्वं दर्शयन्तोऽस्त्रलाघवम् ॥७-१३५-१६॥
Then the son of Gautami addressed the Kaikeyas and the Panchalas, urging them to attack from that position, all the great warriors, upon his body. He encouraged them to remain steadfast and demonstrate their skill in weaponry.
एवमुक्तास्तु ते सर्वे शस्त्रवृष्टिमपातयन्। द्रौणिं प्रति महाराज जलं जलधरा इव ॥७-१३५-१७॥
Having been addressed in this manner, all the warriors unleashed a torrent of weapons upon Aśvatthāmā, resembling clouds pouring down rain, O great king.
तान्निहत्य शरान्द्रौणिर्दश वीरानपोथयत्। प्रमुखे पाण्डुपुत्राणां धृष्टद्युम्नस्य चाभिभो ॥७-१३५-१८॥
Drona's son, having slain them with arrows, crushed ten heroes before the Pandavas and Dhrishtadyumna, O lord.
ते हन्यमानाः समरे पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयास्तथा। परित्यज्य रणे द्रौणिं व्यद्रवन्त दिशो दश ॥७-१३५-१९॥
The Panchalas and the Srinjayas, being slaughtered in the battle, abandoned Drona's son and fled in all directions.
तान्दृष्ट्वा द्रवतः शूरान्पाञ्चालान्सहसोमकान्। धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज द्रौणिमभ्यद्रवद्युधि ॥७-१३५-२०॥
Upon seeing the heroic Panchalas and Somakas fleeing, Dhrishtadyumna, O great king, charged at Drona's son in the battle.
ततः काञ्चनचित्राणां सजलाम्बुदनादिनाम्। वृतः शतेन शूराणां रथानामनिवर्तिनाम् ॥७-१३५-२१॥
Then, he was surrounded by a hundred chariots of brave warriors, all golden and echoing like thunderous rain clouds, unwavering in their advance.
पुत्रः पाञ्चालराजस्य धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः। द्रौणिमित्यब्रवीद्वाक्यं दृष्ट्वा योधान्निपातितान् ॥७-१३५-२२॥
Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the king of Panchala and a great chariot-warrior, addressed Drona's son with these words upon seeing the fallen warriors.
आचार्यपुत्र दुर्बुद्धे किमन्यैर्निहतैस्तव। समागच्छ मया सार्धं यदि शूरोऽसि संयुगे ॥ अहं त्वां निहनिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं ममाग्रतः ॥७-१३५-२३॥
"Son of the teacher, evil-minded one, why do you let others kill for you? Come and face me if you are truly heroic in battle. I will kill you; stand now before me."
ततस्तमाचार्यसुतं धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्। मर्मभिद्भिः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्जघान भरतर्षभ ॥७-१३५-२४॥
Then the powerful Dhṛṣṭadyumna killed the teacher's son with sharp arrows, O best of the Bharatas.
ते तु पङ्क्तीकृता द्रौणिं शरा विविशुराशुगाः। रुक्मपुङ्खाः प्रसन्नाग्राः सर्वकायावदारणाः ॥ मध्वर्थिन इवोद्दामा भ्रमराः पुष्पितं द्रुमम् ॥७-१३५-२५॥
The swift arrows, arranged in a line, pierced through Drona's son entirely, much like unrestrained bees seeking honey enter a blossoming tree.
सोऽतिविद्धो भृशं क्रुद्धः पदाक्रान्त इवोरगः। मानी द्रौणिरसम्भ्रान्तो बाणपाणिरभाषत ॥७-१३५-२६॥
Deeply wounded and furious, like a serpent trampled underfoot, the proud Ashwatthama, son of Drona, remained calm and spoke with an arrow in his hand.
धृष्टद्युम्न स्थिरो भूत्वा मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालय। यावत्त्वां निशितैर्बाणैः प्रेषयामि यमक्षयम् ॥७-१३५-२७॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, stand firm and wait for a moment until I send you to the realm of Yama with my sharp arrows.
द्रौणिरेवमथाभाष्य पार्षतं परवीरहा। छादयामास बाणौघैः समन्ताल्लघुहस्तवत् ॥७-१३५-२८॥
Drona's son, after addressing the son of Prishata, who was a formidable warrior, skillfully enveloped him with a barrage of arrows from every direction, as if he had nimble hands.
स छाद्यमानः समरे द्रौणिना युद्धदुर्मदः। द्रौणिं पाञ्चालतनयो वाग्भिरातर्जयत्तदा ॥७-१३५-२९॥
The son of Panchala, though being overwhelmed in battle by Drona's son, arrogantly threatened him with words at that time.
न जानीषे प्रतिज्ञां मे विप्रोत्पत्तिं तथैव च। द्रोणं हत्वा किल मया हन्तव्यस्त्वं सुदुर्मते ॥ ततस्त्वाहं न हन्म्यद्य द्रोणे जीवति संयुगे ॥७-१३५-३०॥
You are unaware of my vow and the origin of the Brahmin. Indeed, after killing Drona, you, with your wicked mind, are destined to be killed by me. Therefore, I will not kill you today as long as Drona is alive in the battle.
इमां तु रजनीं प्राप्तामप्रभातां सुदुर्मते। निहत्य पितरं तेऽद्य ततस्त्वामपि संयुगे ॥ नेष्यामि मृत्युलोकायेत्येवं मे मनसि स्थितम् ॥७-१३५-३१॥
This night has come without dawn, O wicked-minded one. Today, after killing your father, I will also send you to the world of the dead in battle. This is my firm resolve.
यस्ते पार्थेषु विद्वेषो या भक्तिः कौरवेषु च। तां दर्शय स्थिरो भूत्वा न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यसे ॥७-१३५-३२॥
Show your hatred towards the sons of Pṛthā and your devotion to the Kauravas, and remain steady, for you will not be released alive by me.
यो हि ब्राह्मण्यमुत्सृज्य क्षत्रधर्मरतो द्विजः। स वध्यः सर्वलोकस्य यथा त्वं पुरुषाधम ॥७-१३५-३३॥
A Brahmin who forsakes his Brahminhood and engages in the duties of a Kshatriya is deserving of death by all people, just as you are, the worst among men.
इत्युक्तः परुषं वाक्यं पार्षतेन द्विजोत्तमः। क्रोधमाहारयत्तीव्रं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत् ॥७-१३५-३४॥
Upon hearing these harsh words from Pārṣata, the revered sage became intensely angry and commanded, "Stay, stay."
निर्दहन्निव चक्षुर्भ्यां पार्षतं सोऽभ्यवैक्षत। छादयामास च शरैर्निःश्वसन्पन्नगो यथा ॥७-१३५-३५॥
He gazed at Pārṣata with eyes that seemed to burn, and enveloped him in arrows, breathing heavily like a serpent.
स छाद्यमानः समरे द्रौणिना राजसत्तम। सर्वपाञ्चालसेनाभिः संवृतो रथसत्तमः ॥७-१३५-३६॥
In the battle, he was covered by Drona's son and surrounded by all the Panchala forces, O best of kings and charioteers.
नाकम्पत महाबाहुः स्वधैर्यं समुपाश्रितः। सायकांश्चैव विविधानश्वत्थाम्नि मुमोच ह ॥७-१३५-३७॥
The mighty-armed warrior, relying on his own courage, did not waver. He released a variety of arrows at Ashvatthaman.
तौ पुनः संन्यवर्तेतां प्राणद्यूतपरे रणे। निवारयन्तौ बाणौघैः परस्परममर्षिणौ ॥ उत्सृजन्तौ महेष्वासौ शरवृष्टीः समन्ततः ॥७-१३५-३८॥
The two warriors, once more engaged in the deadly game of battle, turned back, restraining each other with torrents of arrows, intolerant of one another, as they released showers of arrows in every direction, being great archers.
द्रौणिपार्षतयोर्युद्धं घोररूपं भयानकम्। दृष्ट्वा सम्पूजयामासुः सिद्धचारणवातिकाः ॥७-१३५-३९॥
Upon witnessing the dreadful and fearsome battle between Ashwatthama, the son of Drona, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, the celestial beings, including siddhas, charanas, and vatikas, offered their praises.
शरौघैः पूरयन्तौ तावाकाशं प्रदिशस्तथा। अलक्ष्यौ समयुध्येतां महत्कृत्वा शरैस्तमः ॥७-१३५-४०॥
With showers of arrows, those two warriors filled the sky and all directions, rendering themselves invisible as they engaged in battle, creating an immense darkness with their arrows.
नृत्यमानाविव रणे मण्डलीकृतकार्मुकौ। परस्परवधे यत्तौ परस्परजयैषिणौ ॥७-१३५-४१॥
The two warriors, as if dancing in the battlefield with their bows drawn in a circle, were eager to kill each other, each desiring victory over the other.
अयुध्येतां महाबाहू चित्रं लघु च सुष्ठु च। सम्पूज्यमानौ समरे योधमुख्यैः सहस्रशः ॥७-१३५-४२॥
The mighty-armed warriors fought with great skill and agility, being honored by thousands of chief warriors in battle.
तौ प्रयुद्धौ रणे दृष्ट्वा वने वन्यौ गजाविव। उभयोः सेनयोर्हर्षस्तुमुलः समपद्यत ॥७-१३५-४३॥
Upon seeing those two fight in the forest like wild elephants, both armies were filled with tumultuous joy.
सिंहनादरवाश्चासन्दध्मुः शङ्खांश्च मारिष। वादित्राण्यभ्यवाद्यन्त शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥७-१३५-४४॥
The sounds of lion roars echoed, and conches were blown, O gentle one. Musical instruments played in hundreds and then in thousands, creating a grand symphony.
तस्मिंस्तु तुमुले युद्धे भीरूणां भयवर्धने। मुहूर्तमिव तद्युद्धं समरूपं तदाभवत् ॥७-१३५-४५॥
In that tumultuous battle, which heightened the fear of the timid, for a brief moment, the battle appeared evenly matched.
ततो द्रौणिर्महाराज पार्षतस्य महात्मनः। ध्वजं धनुस्तथा छत्रमुभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी ॥ सूतमश्वांश्च चतुरो निहत्याभ्यद्रवद्रणे ॥७-१३५-४६॥
Then Aśvatthāmā, O great king, destroyed the flag, bow, umbrella, and both the charioteer and horses of the noble son of Pṛṣata, and charged into the battle.
पाञ्चालांश्चैव तान्सर्वान्बाणैः संनतपर्वभिः। व्यद्रावयदमेयात्मा शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥७-१३५-४७॥
The immeasurable soul scattered all the Panchalas with his arrows, which had curved joints, in hundreds and thousands.
ततः प्रविव्यथे सेना पाण्डवी भरतर्षभ। दृष्ट्वा द्रौणेर्महत्कर्म वासवस्येव संयुगे ॥७-१३५-४८॥
Then, O best of the Bharatas, the Pandava army was thrown into confusion upon witnessing the mighty feat of Drona's son, akin to that of Indra in battle.
शतेन च शतं हत्वा पाञ्चालानां महारथः। त्रिभिश्च निशितैर्बाणैर्हत्वा त्रीन्वै महारथान् ॥७-१३५-४९॥
The great chariot-warrior killed a hundred of the Pāñcālas with a hundred (arrows), and with three sharp arrows, he indeed killed three great chariot-warriors.
द्रौणिर्द्रुपदपुत्रस्य फल्गुनस्य च पश्यतः। नाशयामास पाञ्चालान्भूयिष्ठं ये व्यवस्थिताः ॥७-१३५-५०॥
Aśvatthāmā, in the presence of Drupada's son and Arjuna, destroyed most of the Pāñcālas who were positioned there.
ते वध्यमानाः पाञ्चालाः समरे सह सृञ्जयैः। अगच्छन्द्रौणिमुत्सृज्य विप्रकीर्णरथध्वजाः ॥७-१३५-५१॥
The Panchalas, along with the Srinjayas, were being defeated in battle and retreated towards Drona's son, abandoning their scattered chariot banners.
स जित्वा समरे शत्रून्द्रोणपुत्रो महारथः। ननाद सुमहानादं तपान्ते जलदो यथा ॥७-१३५-५२॥
The son of Droṇa, a great charioteer, having conquered his enemies in battle, roared loudly like a cloud at the end of summer.
स निहत्य बहूञ्शूरानश्वत्थामा व्यरोचत। युगान्ते सर्वभूतानि भस्म कृत्वेव पावकः ॥७-१३५-५३॥
Ashwatthama, having killed many warriors, shone brilliantly like a fire that has turned all beings to ashes at the end of an era.
सम्पूज्यमानो युधि कौरवेयै; र्विजित्य सङ्ख्येऽरिगणान्सहस्रशः। व्यरोचत द्रोणसुतः प्रतापवा; न्यथा सुरेन्द्रोऽरिगणान्निहत्य ॥७-१३५-५४॥
The valiant son of Drona, honored by the Kauravas in battle, shone brilliantly after conquering thousands of enemy hosts in the battlefield, just as Indra, the king of gods, shines after defeating his foes.
