07.163
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततो दुःशासनः क्रुद्धः सहदेवमुपाद्रवत्। रथवेगेन तीव्रेण कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम् ॥७-१६३-१॥
Then, in a fit of anger, Duḥśāsana charged at Sahadeva with such intense speed of his chariot that it seemed as if the earth itself was shaking.
तस्यापतत एवाशु भल्लेनामित्रकर्शनः। माद्रीसुतः शिरो यन्तुः सशिरस्त्राणमच्छिनत् ॥७-१६३-२॥
The son of Mādrī, known as the tormentor of foes, swiftly shot an arrow that cut off the head of the charioteer along with his helmet.
नैनं दुःशासनः सूतं नापि कश्चन सैनिकः। हृतोत्तमाङ्गमाशुत्वात्सहदेवेन बुद्धवान् ॥७-१६३-३॥
Duḥśāsana, the charioteer, and the soldiers did not realize quickly that Sahadeva had taken the head.
यदा त्वसङ्गृहीतत्वात्प्रयान्त्यश्वा यथासुखम्। ततो दुःशासनः सूतं बुद्धवान्गतचेतसम् ॥७-१६३-४॥
When the horses were not restrained and moved as they wished, Duhshasana realized that the charioteer had lost consciousness.
स हयान्संनिगृह्याजौ स्वयं हयविशारदः। युयुधे रथिनां श्रेष्ठश्चित्रं लघु च सुष्ठु च ॥७-१६३-५॥
He, being an expert in handling horses, restrained them himself in battle and fought skillfully and swiftly, proving to be the best among charioteers.
तदस्यापूजयन्कर्म स्वे परे चैव संयुगे। हतसूतरथेनाजौ व्यचरद्यदभीतवत् ॥७-१६३-६॥
His actions were revered by both his allies and enemies in battle. Even with his charioteer slain, he roamed the battlefield fearlessly.
सहदेवस्तु तानश्वांस्तीक्ष्णैर्बाणैरवाकिरत्। पीड्यमानाः शरैश्चाशु प्राद्रवंस्ते ततस्ततः ॥७-१६३-७॥
Sahadeva, however, showered sharp arrows on those horses. Tormented by the arrows, they quickly fled in all directions.
स रश्मिषु विषक्तत्वादुत्ससर्ज शरासनम्। धनुषा कर्म कुर्वंस्तु रश्मीन्स पुनरुत्सृजत् ॥७-१६३-८॥
He, entangled in the reins, let go of his bow. However, while still engaged with the bow, he once more released the reins.
छिद्रेषु तेषु तं बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रोऽभ्यवाकिरत्। परीप्संस्त्वत्सुतं कर्णस्तदन्तरमवापतत् ॥७-१६३-९॥
Mādri's son attacked him with arrows through the gaps. Meanwhile, Karṇa, wishing to protect your son, arrived on the scene.
वृकोदरस्ततः कर्णं त्रिभिर्भल्लैः समाहितैः। आकर्णपूर्णैरभ्यघ्नन्बाह्वोरुरसि चानदत् ॥७-१६३-१०॥
Vrikodara then skillfully shot three arrows at Karna, hitting him on the arms and chest, and let out a roar.
संन्यवर्तत तं कर्णः सङ्घट्टित इवोरगः। तदभूत्तुमुलं युद्धं भीमराधेययोस्तदा ॥७-१६३-११॥
Karna turned back like a serpent that had collided. Then, a tumultuous battle ensued between Bhima and Radheya.
तौ वृषाविव सङ्क्रुद्धौ विवृत्तनयनावुभौ। वेगेन महतान्योन्यं संरब्धावभिपेततुः ॥७-१६३-१२॥
They both, like enraged bulls with eyes turned, charged at each other with great speed.
अभिसंश्लिष्टयोस्तत्र तयोराहवशौण्डयोः। अभिन्नशरपातत्वाद्गदायुद्धमवर्तत ॥७-१६३-१३॥
There, between the two warriors who were closely engaged and skilled in battle, a fierce mace fight ensued due to the continuous fall of arrows.
गदया भीमसेनस्तु कर्णस्य रथकूबरम्। बिभेदाशु तदा राजंस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥७-१६३-१४॥
Bhimasena, with his mace, swiftly shattered the pole of Karna's chariot, and it seemed like a marvel, O king.
ततो भीमस्य राधेयो गदामादाय वीर्यवान्। अवासृजद्रथे तां तु बिभेद गदया गदाम् ॥७-१६३-१५॥
Then the valiant Radheya, taking Bhima's mace, hurled it at the chariot, but it was shattered by another mace.
ततो भीमः पुनर्गुर्वीं चिक्षेपाधिरथेर्गदाम्। तां शरैर्दशभिः कर्णः सुपुङ्खैः सुसमाहितैः ॥ प्रत्यविध्यत्पुनश्चान्यैः सा भीमं पुनराव्रजत् ॥७-१६३-१६॥
Then Bhima hurled his heavy mace at the charioteer once more. Karna skillfully pierced it with ten well-feathered arrows and then with more, causing it to return to Bhima.
तस्याः प्रतिनिपातेन भीमस्य विपुलो ध्वजः। पपात सारथिश्चास्य मुमोह गदया हतः ॥७-१६३-१७॥
Due to her fall, Bhima's large flag toppled, and his charioteer was struck unconscious by the mace.
स कर्णे सायकानष्टौ व्यसृजत्क्रोधमूर्छितः। ध्वजे शरासने चैव शरावापे च भारत ॥७-१६३-१८॥
In a fit of rage, he shot eight arrows at Karna, targeting his flag, bow, and quiver, O Bharata.
ततः पुनस्तु राधेयो हयानस्य रथेषुभिः। ऋष्यवर्णाञ्जघानाशु तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी ॥७-१६३-१९॥
Then, once more, Karna swiftly struck down the deer-colored horses with his chariot arrows, along with both the charioteer and the rear guard.
स विपन्नरथो भीमो नकुलस्याप्लुतो रथम्। हरिर्यथा गिरेः शृङ्गं समाक्रामदरिंदमः ॥७-१६३-२०॥
Bhima, whose chariot was destroyed, climbed onto Nakula's chariot, just as Krishna, the subduer of enemies, would ascend a mountain peak.
तथा द्रोणार्जुनौ चित्रमयुध्येतां महारथौ। आचार्यशिष्यौ राजेन्द्र कृतप्रहरणौ युधि ॥७-१६३-२१॥
Thus, O King, the great warriors Droṇa and Arjuna, teacher and disciple, fought with great skill, having prepared their weapons for battle.
लघुसन्धानयोगाभ्यां रथयोश्च रणेन च। मोहयन्तौ मनुष्याणां चक्षूंषि च मनांसि च ॥७-१६३-२२॥
By the swift joining of the chariots and the battle, they bewildered the eyes and minds of men.
उपारमन्त ते सर्वे योधास्माकं परे तथा। अदृष्टपूर्वं पश्यन्तस्तद्युद्धं गुरुशिष्ययोः ॥७-१६३-२३॥
All the warriors, both ours and the others, stopped as they witnessed the unprecedented battle between the teacher and the disciple.
विचित्रान्पृतनामध्ये रथमार्गानुदीर्यतः। अन्योन्यमपसव्यं च कर्तुं वीरौ तदैषतुः ॥ पराक्रमं तयोर्योधा ददृशुस्तं सुविस्मिताः ॥७-१६३-२४॥
In the midst of the armies, the two heroes maneuvered their chariots in various paths, attempting to outdo each other with anticlockwise movements. The warriors were astonished by their valor.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्महत्। आमिषार्थं महाराज गगने श्येनयोरिव ॥७-१६३-२५॥
A great battle took place between Drona and the Pandavas, O great king, for the sake of flesh, resembling hawks fighting in the sky.
यद्यच्चकार द्रोणस्तु कुन्तीपुत्रजिगीषया। तत्तत्प्रतिजघानाशु प्रहसंस्तस्य पाण्डवः ॥७-१६३-२६॥
The Pāṇḍava, smiling, quickly countered whatever actions Droṇa took in his desire to defeat Kunti's son.
यदा द्रोणो न शक्नोति पाण्डवस्य विशेषणे। ततः प्रादुश्चकारास्त्रमस्त्रमार्गविशारदः ॥७-१६३-२७॥
When Droṇa could not distinguish the Pāṇḍava, he manifested a weapon, showcasing his expertise in the path of weaponry.
ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं त्वाष्ट्रं वायव्यमथ वारुणम्। मुक्तं मुक्तं द्रोणचापात्तज्जघान धनञ्जयः ॥७-१६३-२८॥
Dhanañjaya struck down the weapons of Indra, Paśupati, Tvaṣṭṛ, Vāyu, and Varuṇa, which were released from Droṇa's bow.
अस्त्राण्यस्त्रैर्यदा तस्य विधिवद्धन्ति पाण्डवः। ततोऽस्त्रैः परमैर्दिव्यैर्द्रोणः पार्थमवाकिरत् ॥७-१६३-२९॥
When the Pāṇḍava properly destroyed his weapons with weapons, Droṇa then showered Arjuna with supreme divine weapons.
यद्यदस्त्रं स पार्थाय प्रयुङ्क्ते विजिगीषया। तस्यास्त्रस्य विघातार्थं तत्तत्स कुरुतेऽर्जुनः ॥७-१६३-३०॥
Whenever he employs any weapon against Arjuna with the intent to win, Arjuna counters each of those weapons.
स वध्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु दिव्येष्वपि यथाविधि। अर्जुनेनार्जुनं द्रोणो मनसैवाभ्यपूजयत् ॥७-१६३-३१॥
Drona, even when being struck by Arjuna's divine weapons properly, worshipped Arjuna in his mind.
मेने चात्मानमधिकं पृथिव्यामपि भारत। तेन शिष्येण सर्वेभ्यः शस्त्रविद्भ्यः समन्ततः ॥७-१६३-३२॥
O Bhārata, he considered himself superior on earth, believing that his disciple was better than all the weapon-knowers everywhere.
वार्यमाणस्तु पार्थेन तथा मध्ये महात्मनाम्। यतमानोऽर्जुनं प्रीत्या प्रत्यवारयदुत्स्मयन् ॥७-१६३-३३॥
Despite being restrained by Arjuna, in the midst of the great souls, he endeavored and smilingly prevented Arjuna with affection.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे देवाश्च गन्धर्वाश्च सहस्रशः। ऋषयः सिद्धसङ्घाश्च व्यतिष्ठन्त दिदृक्षया ॥७-१६३-३४॥
Then in the sky, thousands of gods, celestial musicians, sages, and groups of perfected beings stood, eager to witness the event.
तदप्सरोभिराकीर्णं यक्षराक्षससङ्कुलम्। श्रीमदाकाशमभवद्भूयो मेघाकुलं यथा ॥७-१६३-३५॥
The place, once filled with celestial beings like Apsaras and thronged with Yakshas and Rakshasas, transformed into a magnificent sky, once more enveloped by clouds.
तत्र स्मान्तर्हिता वाचो व्यचरन्त पुनः पुनः। द्रोणस्य स्तवसंयुक्ताः पार्थस्य च महात्मनः ॥ विसृज्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु ज्वालयत्सु दिशो दश ॥७-१६३-३६॥
In that place, hidden words repeatedly moved, praising Drona and the noble Partha, as the weapons were unleashed, lighting up all ten directions.
नैवेदं मानुषं युद्धं नासुरं न च राक्षसम्। न दैवं न च गान्धर्वं ब्राह्मं ध्रुवमिदं परम् ॥ विचित्रमिदमाश्चर्यं न नो दृष्टं न च श्रुतम् ॥७-१६३-३७॥
This battle is not of human, demonic, rakshasa, divine, gandharva, or brahman origin; it is certainly supreme. This strange wonder is something we have neither seen nor heard before.
अति पाण्डवमाचार्यो द्रोणं चाप्यति पाण्डवः। नानयोरन्तरं द्रष्टुं शक्यमस्त्रेण केनचित् ॥७-१६३-३८॥
The teacher Droṇa and the Pāṇḍava were exceedingly fond of each other, and no weapon could distinguish between them.
यदि रुद्रो द्विधाकृत्य युध्येतात्मानमात्मना। तत्र शक्योपमा कर्तुमन्यत्र तु न विद्यते ॥७-१६३-३९॥
If Rudra were to split himself into two and fight himself, then a comparison could be made there, but nowhere else does such a comparison exist.
ज्ञानमेकस्थमाचार्ये ज्ञानं योगश्च पाण्डवे। शौर्यमेकस्थमाचार्ये बलं शौर्यं च पाण्डवे ॥७-१६३-४०॥
The teacher embodies concentrated knowledge, while the Pandava possesses both knowledge and yoga. Similarly, the teacher holds concentrated valor, whereas the Pandava is endowed with both strength and valor.
नेमौ शक्यौ महेष्वासौ रणे क्षेपयितुं परैः। इच्छमानौ पुनरिमौ हन्येतां सामरं जगत् ॥७-१६३-४१॥
These two great archers, though capable, may be defeated in battle by others; if they desire again, they may be killed along with the gods in the world.
इत्यब्रुवन्महाराज दृष्ट्वा तौ पुरुषर्षभौ। अन्तर्हितानि भूतानि प्रकाशानि च सङ्घशः ॥७-१६३-४२॥
The great king, upon seeing those two distinguished men, remarked on the beings that were both hidden and visible, appearing in groups.
ततो द्रोणो ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रादुश्चक्रे महामतिः। सन्तापयन्रणे पार्थं भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च ॥७-१६३-४३॥
Then, the wise Drona unleashed the Brahma weapon, causing distress to Arjuna and the concealed beings on the battlefield.
ततश्चचाल पृथिवी सपर्वतवनद्रुमा। ववौ च विषमो वायुः सागराश्चापि चुक्षुभुः ॥७-१६३-४४॥
Then the earth shook along with its mountains, forests, and trees. The fierce wind blew, and the oceans were also agitated.
ततस्त्रासो महानासीत्कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः। सर्वेषां चैव भूतानामुद्यतेऽस्त्रे महात्मना ॥७-१६३-४५॥
At that moment, a great fear arose among the armies of the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas, and indeed among all beings, as the weapon was raised by the noble one.
ततः पार्थोऽप्यसम्भ्रान्तस्तदस्त्रं प्रतिजघ्निवान्। ब्रह्मास्त्रेणैव राजेन्द्र ततः सर्वमशीशमत् ॥७-१६३-४६॥
Then Arjuna, remaining calm, countered the weapon with the Brahma weapon, and everything was consumed, O king.
यदा न गम्यते पारं तयोरन्यतरस्य वा। ततः सङ्कुलयुद्धेन तद्युद्धं व्यकुलीकृतम् ॥७-१६३-४७॥
When neither side can reach a conclusion, the battle becomes chaotic and disturbed.
नाज्ञायत ततः किञ्चित्पुनरेव विशां पते। प्रवृत्ते तुमुले युद्धे द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्मृधे ॥७-१६३-४८॥
O lord of men, nothing was discernible once more when the intense battle between Drona and the Pandavas began.
शरजालैः समाकीर्णे मेघजालैरिवाम्बरे। न स्म सम्पतते कश्चिदन्तरिक्षचरस्तदा ॥७-१६३-४९॥
The sky was filled with nets of arrows like clouds, and no one could fly through it at that time.
