08.008
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ते सेनेऽन्योन्यमासाद्य प्रहृष्टाश्वनरद्विपे। बृहत्यौ सम्प्रजह्राते देवासुरचमूपमे ॥८-८-१॥
The two great armies, filled with joy and mounted on horses, men, and elephants, approached each other and engaged in a battle that was comparable to the legendary battles between the gods and demons.
ततो गजा रथाश्चाश्वाः पत्तयश्च महाहवे। सम्प्रहारं परं चक्रुर्देहपाप्मप्रणाशनम् ॥८-८-२॥
In the great battle, the elephants, chariots, horses, and foot soldiers launched a supreme attack, annihilating the sins associated with the body.
पूर्णचन्द्रार्कपद्मानां कान्तित्विड्गन्धतः समैः। उत्तमाङ्गैर्नृसिंहानां नृसिंहास्तस्तरुर्महीम् ॥८-८-३॥
The lions, possessing the beauty, splendor, and fragrance akin to that of the full moon, sun, and lotuses, majestically roamed the earth with their noble presence.
अर्धचन्द्रैस्तथा भल्लैः क्षुरप्रैरसिपट्टिशैः। परश्वधैश्चाप्यकृन्तन्नुत्तमाङ्गानि युध्यताम् ॥८-८-४॥
They used various weapons like crescent-shaped, broad-headed, and razor-headed arrows, along with swords, spears, and battle-axes, to decapitate the warriors engaged in battle.
व्यायतायतबाहूनां व्यायतायतबाहुभिः। व्यायता बाहवः पेतुश्छिन्नमुष्ट्यायुधाङ्गदाः ॥८-८-५॥
The extended and stretched arms, with their weapons and bracelets, fell severed, as if the mighty warriors were defeated in battle.
तैः स्फुरद्भिर्मही भाति रक्ताङ्गुलितलैस्तदा। गरुडप्रहतैरुग्रैः पञ्चास्यैरिव पन्नगैः ॥८-८-६॥
The earth then appears to shine with red palms, resembling fierce serpents with five mouths that have been struck by Garuda.
हयस्यन्दननागेभ्यः पेतुर्वीरा द्विषद्धताः। विमानेभ्यो यथा क्षीणे पुण्ये स्वर्गसदस्तथा ॥८-८-७॥
The valiant warriors, defeated by their foes, descended from their horses, chariots, and elephants, akin to how one descends from the heavenly realms when their accumulated merit is depleted.
गदाभिरन्यैर्गुर्वीभिः परिघैर्मुसलैरपि। पोथिताः शतशः पेतुर्वीरा वीरतरै रणे ॥८-८-८॥
In the battle, hundreds of heroes were struck down by others wielding heavy maces, clubs, and pestles, falling to those who were even braver.
रथा रथैर्विनिहता मत्ता मत्तैर्द्विपैर्द्विपाः। सादिनः सादिभिश्चैव तस्मिन्परमसङ्कुले ॥८-८-९॥
In that extremely chaotic situation, chariots were struck down by other chariots, intoxicated elephants by other intoxicated elephants, and horsemen by other horsemen.
रथा वररथैर्नागैरश्वारोहाश्च पत्तिभिः। अश्वारोहैः पदाताश्च निहता युधि शेरते ॥८-८-१०॥
Chariots, excellent chariots, elephants, horse riders, and infantry lie slain in battle, with horse riders and foot soldiers lying down.
रथाश्वपत्तयो नागै रथैर्नागाश्च पत्तयः। रथपत्तिद्विपाश्चाश्वैर्नृभिश्चाश्वरथद्विपाः ॥८-८-११॥
Chariots, horses, and foot soldiers are accompanied by elephants and chariots, while elephants and foot soldiers are accompanied by horses, men, and chariots.
रथाश्वेभनराणां च नराश्वेभरथैः कृतम्। पाणिपादैश्च शस्त्रैश्च रथैश्च कदनं महत् ॥८-८-१२॥
A great slaughter was carried out by the chariots, horses, elephants, and men, using their hands, feet, weapons, and chariots.
तथा तस्मिन्बले शूरैर्वध्यमाने हतेऽपि च। अस्मानभ्यागमन्पार्था वृकोदरपुरोगमाः ॥८-८-१३॥
In that situation, as the brave warriors were being slain and the army was being destroyed, the sons of Pṛthā, led by Bhīma, approached us.
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः। सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च द्रविडैः सैनिकैः सह ॥८-८-१४॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍī, the sons of Draupadī, the Prabhadrakas, Sātyaki, and Cekitāna were together with the Dravidian soldiers.
भृता वित्तेन महता पाण्ड्याश्चौड्राः सकेरलाः। व्यूढोरस्का दीर्घभुजाः प्रांशवः प्रियदर्शनाः ॥८-८-१५॥
The Pandyas, Cholas, and Keralas, supported by great wealth, are described as broad-chested, long-armed, tall, and handsome.
आपीडिनो रक्तदन्ता मत्तमातङ्गविक्रमाः। नानाविरागवसना गन्धचूर्णावचूर्णिताः ॥८-८-१६॥
They are oppressors with red teeth, possessing the strength of intoxicated elephants, adorned in garments of various colors, and smeared with fragrant powders.
बद्धासयः पाशहस्ता वारणप्रतिवारणाः। समानमृत्यवो राजन्ननीकस्थाः परस्परम् ॥८-८-१७॥
O king, those with restrained minds, holding nooses in their hands, stood in the army, preventing obstacles and facing each other equally in death.
कलापिनश्चापहस्ता दीर्घकेशाः प्रियाहवाः। पत्तयः सात्यकेरन्ध्रा घोररूपपराक्रमाः ॥८-८-१८॥
The archers with bows in hand, long-haired and fond of battle, were the infantry of Satyaki, including the Andhras, who were terrible in form and valor.
अथापरे पुनः शूराश्चेदिपाञ्चालकेकयाः। करूषाः कोसलाः काश्या मागधाश्चापि दुद्रुवुः ॥८-८-१९॥
Then, once again, the brave warriors from the Cedis, Panchalas, Kekayas, Karushas, Kosalas, Kashis, and Magadhas charged forward.
तेषां रथाश्च नागाश्च प्रवराश्चापि पत्तयः। नानाविधरवैर्हृष्टा नृत्यन्ति च हसन्ति च ॥८-८-२०॥
Their chariots, elephants, and excellent foot soldiers, filled with joy and making various sounds, are dancing and laughing.
तस्य सैन्यस्य महतो महामात्रवरैर्वृतः। मध्यं वृकोदरोऽभ्यागात्त्वदीयं नागधूर्गतः ॥८-८-२१॥
Vrikodara (Bhima), surrounded by chief ministers, reached the center of your great army's elephant fortress.
स नागप्रवरोऽत्युग्रो विधिवत्कल्पितो बभौ। उदयाद्र्यग्र्यभवनं यथाभ्युदितभास्करम् ॥८-८-२२॥
He, the best and very fierce elephant, appeared properly arranged, like the foremost abode of the eastern mountain with the risen sun.
तस्यायसं वर्मवरं वररत्नविभूषितम्। तारोद्भासस्य नभसः शारदस्य समत्विषम् ॥८-८-२३॥
His iron armor, adorned with the finest jewels, shone as brightly as the starry autumn sky.
स तोमरप्रासकरश्चारुमौलिः स्वलङ्कृतः। चरन्मध्यंदिनार्काभस्तेजसा व्यदहद्रिपून् ॥८-८-२४॥
He, adorned with a beautiful crown and armed with a spear and javelin, moved with the brilliance of the midday sun, scorching his enemies.
तं दृष्ट्वा द्विरदं दूरात्क्षेमधूर्तिर्द्विपस्थितः। आह्वयानोऽभिदुद्राव प्रमनाः प्रमनस्तरम् ॥८-८-२५॥
Upon seeing the elephant from afar, Kṣemadhūrti, who was standing near it, called out and ran towards it with increasing joy.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं द्विपयोरुग्ररूपयोः। यदृच्छया द्रुमवतोर्महापर्वतयोरिव ॥८-८-२६॥
A fierce battle arose between the two, resembling a chance encounter between two mighty elephants, akin to the great trees of the mountains.
संसक्तनागौ तौ वीरौ तोमरैरितरेतरम्। बलवत्सूर्यरश्म्याभैर्भित्त्वा भित्त्वा विनेदतुः ॥८-८-२७॥
The two heroic elephants, entangled with each other, roared mightily as they pierced each other with their spears, like the sun's rays piercing through.
व्यपसृत्य तु नागाभ्यां मण्डलानि विचेरतुः। प्रगृह्य चैव धनुषी जघ्नतुर्वै परस्परम् ॥८-८-२८॥
The two serpents, having withdrawn, moved around in circles and then seized their bows to strike each other.
क्ष्वेडितास्फोटितरवैर्बाणशब्दैश्च सर्वशः। तौ जनान्हर्षयित्वा च सिंहनादान्प्रचक्रतुः ॥८-८-२९॥
With whistling and bursting sounds, and the noise of arrows all around, they thrilled the people and roared like lions.
समुद्यतकराभ्यां तौ द्विपाभ्यां कृतिनावुभौ। वातोद्धूतपताकाभ्यां युयुधाते महाबलौ ॥८-८-३०॥
With their hands raised, those two skilled warriors, each on an elephant with flags fluttering in the wind, engaged in a mighty battle.
तावन्योन्यस्य धनुषी छित्त्वान्योन्यं विनेदतुः। शक्तितोमरवर्षेण प्रावृण्मेघाविवाम्बुभिः ॥८-८-३१॥
They both cut each other's bows and then roared at each other, unleashing a shower of spears and javelins, resembling monsoon clouds pouring rain.
क्षेमधूर्तिस्तदा भीमं तोमरेण स्तनान्तरे। निर्बिभेद तु वेगेन षड्भिश्चाप्यपरैर्नदन् ॥८-८-३२॥
Then Kṣemadhūrti, with a spear, swiftly pierced Bhīma in the chest, roaring alongside six others.
स भीमसेनः शुशुभे तोमरैरङ्गमाश्रितैः। क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्मेघैः सप्तसप्तिरिवांशुमान् ॥८-८-३३॥
Bhimasena appeared resplendent, his body adorned with spears, his form blazing with anger like the sun with its seven horses and clouds.
ततो भास्करवर्णाभमञ्जोगतिमयस्मयम्। ससर्ज तोमरं भीमः प्रत्यमित्राय यत्नवान् ॥८-८-३४॥
Then Bhima, with a sun-like brilliance and steady determination, hurled the spear with great effort towards the enemy.
ततः कुलूताधिपतिश्चापमायम्य सायकैः। दशभिस्तोमरं छित्त्वा शक्त्या विव्याध पाण्डवम् ॥८-८-३५॥
Then the lord of Kulūta, having stretched his bow, shot ten arrows to cut the spear and powerfully pierced the Pāṇḍava.
अथ कार्मुकमादाय महाजलदनिस्वनम्। रिपोरभ्यर्दयन्नागमुन्मदः पाण्डवः शरैः ॥८-८-३६॥
Then, the Pandava, in a frenzy, took up his bow and, with a sound like thunder, tormented the enemy's elephant with his arrows.
स शरौघार्दितो नागो भीमसेनेन संयुगे। निगृह्यमाणो नातिष्ठद्वातध्वस्त इवाम्बुदः ॥८-८-३७॥
The elephant, overwhelmed by Bhimasena's arrows in battle, could not stand as it was restrained, much like a cloud scattered by the wind.
तामभ्यधावद्द्विरदं भीमसेनस्य नागराट्। महावातेरितं मेघं वातोद्धूत इवाम्बुदः ॥८-८-३८॥
The king of serpents charged towards her like Bhimasena's elephant, resembling a cloud driven by a strong wind.
संनिवर्त्यात्मनो नागं क्षेमधूर्तिः प्रयत्नतः। विव्याधाभिद्रुतं बाणैर्भीमसेनं सकुञ्जरम् ॥८-८-३९॥
Kṣemadhūrti, turning back his elephant, carefully shot arrows at the charging Bhīmasena and his elephant.
ततः साधुविसृष्टेन क्षुरेण पुरुषर्षभः। छित्त्वा शरासनं शत्रोर्नागमामित्रमार्दयत् ॥८-८-४०॥
Then, the noble warrior skillfully used a razor to cut the enemy's bow and tormented the serpent-like foe.
ततः खजाकया भीमं क्षेमधूर्तिः पराभिनत्। जघान चास्य द्विरदं नाराचैः सर्वमर्मसु ॥८-८-४१॥
Then Kṣemadhūrti attacked Bhima with a sharp weapon and killed his elephant by shooting arrows into all its vital parts.
पुरा नागस्य पतनादवप्लुत्य स्थितो महीम्। भीमसेनो रिपोर्नागं गदया समपोथयत् ॥८-८-४२॥
Once, after the serpent fell, Bhimasena jumped down and stood on the ground, smashing the enemy's serpent with his mace.
तस्मात्प्रमथितान्नागात्क्षेमधूर्तिमवद्रुतम्। उद्यतासिमुपायान्तं गदयाहन्वृकोदरः ॥८-८-४३॥
Therefore, Kṣemadhūrti fled from the crushed elephant. As he approached with a raised sword, Vṛkodara struck him with a mace.
स पपात हतः सासिर्व्यसुः स्वमभितो द्विपम्। वज्रप्ररुग्णमचलं सिंहो वज्रहतो यथा ॥८-८-४४॥
He fell, slain with his sword, lifeless near his own elephant, like a lion struck by a thunderbolt, resembling a mountain shattered by a thunderbolt.
निहतं नृपतिं दृष्ट्वा कुलूतानां यशस्करम्। प्राद्रवद्व्यथिता सेना त्वदीया भरतर्षभ ॥८-८-४५॥
Upon witnessing the death of the renowned king of the Kulutas, your army, filled with distress, fled, O esteemed Bharata.
