08.021
Core and Pancharatra: The Kauravas rallied behind Karna and attacked Satyaki. Arjuna encounters Duryodhana, Kripa, Duḥśāsana and Ashwatthama before coming face to face with Karna. The combined forces of the Pandavas attacked Karna, and in the intense battle that was fought equally, the Pandavas had gained the upper hand when the battle ended with the setting sun.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
ततः कर्णं पुरस्कृत्य त्वदीया युद्धदुर्मदाः। पुनरावृत्य सङ्ग्रामं चक्रुर्देवासुरोपमम् ॥८-२१-१॥
Then, your warriors, intoxicated by battle, placed Karna at the forefront and returned to engage in a battle reminiscent of the conflicts between gods and demons.
द्विरदरथनराश्वशङ्खशब्दैः; परिहृषिता विविधैश्च शस्त्रपातैः। द्विरदरथपदातिसार्थवाहाः; परिपतिताभिमुखाः प्रजह्रिरे ते ॥८-२१-२॥
The sounds of elephants, chariots, men, horses, and conches filled the air, as they were excited by various weapon strikes. The elephants, chariots, foot soldiers, and caravan leaders, though fallen and facing the enemy, engaged in battle.
शरपरशुवरासिपट्टिशै; रिषुभिरनेकविधैश्च सादिताः। द्विरदरथहया महाहवे; वरपुरुषैः पुरुषाश्च वाहनैः ॥८-२१-३॥
In the great battle, the elephants, chariots, and horses were struck down by excellent men and warriors using arrows, axes, great swords, spears, and various kinds of missiles, along with their vehicles.
कमलदिनकरेन्दुसंनिभैः; सितदशनैः सुमुखाक्षिनासिकैः। रुचिरमुकुटकुण्डलैर्मही; पुरुषशिरोभिरवस्तृता बभौ ॥८-२१-४॥
The earth appeared resplendent, adorned with the heads of men that resembled lotuses, the sun, and the moon; featuring white teeth, beautiful faces, eyes, and noses; and adorned with beautiful crowns and earrings.
परिघमुसलशक्तितोमरै; र्नखरभुशुण्डिगदाशतैर्द्रुताः। द्विरदनरहयाः सहस्रशो; रुधिरनदीप्रवहास्तदाभवन् ॥८-२१-५॥
Iron clubs, pestles, spears, javelins, nails, Bhushundi weapons, and maces rushed in hundreds. Thousands of elephants, men, and horses were swept away by streams of blood that became rivers.
प्रहतनररथाश्वकुञ्जरं; प्रतिभयदर्शनमुल्बणं तदा। तदहितनिहतं बभौ बलं; पितृपतिराष्ट्रमिव प्रजाक्षये ॥८-२१-६॥
The battlefield was a scene of devastation, with shattered men, chariots, horses, and elephants. The army, having defeated its enemies, stood out like a kingdom of the lord of ancestors during the destruction of its subjects.
अथ तव नरदेव सैनिका; स्तव च सुताः सुरसूनुसंनिभाः। अमितबलपुरःसरा रणे; कुरुवृषभाः शिनिपुत्रमभ्ययुः ॥८-२१-७॥
Then, O king, your soldiers and sons, resembling the sons of gods and led by the immensely powerful, charged in battle like bulls among the Kurus and attacked the son of Śini.
तदतिरुचिरभीममाबभौ; पुरुषवराश्वरथद्विपाकुलम्। लवणजलसमुद्धतस्वनं; बलममरासुरसैन्यसंनिभम् ॥८-२१-८॥
The scene was both beautiful and terrifying, filled with the best warriors, horses, chariots, and elephants. The roar of the agitated sea was like the clash of divine and demonic armies.
सुरपतिसमविक्रमस्तत; स्त्रिदशवरावरजोपमं युधि। दिनकरकिरणप्रभैः पृषत्कै; रवितनयोऽभ्यहनच्छिनिप्रवीरम् ॥८-२१-९॥
The warrior, whose prowess was equal to that of the lord of gods and who was like the best among the thirty in battle, shone with the brilliance of the sun's rays. The son of Ravi struck down the hero of the Śini clan with his arrows.
तमपि सरथवाजिसारथिं; शिनिवृषभो विविधैः शरैस्त्वरन्। भुजगविषसमप्रभै रणे; पुरुषवरं समवास्तृणोत्तदा ॥८-२१-१०॥
Śini's bull, in his haste, then covered the best among men, along with his chariot and charioteer, with various arrows that shone like serpent's poison in the battle.
शिनिवृषभशरप्रपीडितं; तव सुहृदो वसुषेणमभ्ययुः। त्वरितमतिरथा रथर्षभं; द्विरदरथाश्वपदातिभिः सह ॥८-२१-११॥
Oppressed by the arrows of the mighty bull in battle, your friends approached Vasushena. Then, with quick thinking, the best of chariots, along with elephants, chariots, horses, and foot soldiers, moved forward.
तमुदधिनिभमाद्रवद्बली; त्वरिततरैः समभिद्रुतं परैः। द्रुपदसुतसखस्तदाकरो; त्पुरुषरथाश्वगजक्षयं महत् ॥८-२१-१२॥
The mighty warrior, resembling the ocean, charged swiftly, being attacked by others. At that time, the friend of Drupada's son caused a great destruction of men, chariots, horses, and elephants.
अथ पुरुषवरौ कृताह्निकौ; भवमभिपूज्य यथाविधि प्रभुम्। अरिवधकृतनिश्चयौ द्रुतं; तव बलमर्जुनकेशवौ सृतौ ॥८-२१-१३॥
Then the best among men, Arjuna and Krishna, having completed their daily rituals and worshipped Lord Shiva as per the rules, quickly set out with determination to defeat the enemy, leading your army.
जलदनिनदनिस्वनं रथं; पवनविधूतपताककेतनम्। सितहयमुपयान्तमन्तिकं; हृतमनसो ददृशुस्तदारयः ॥८-२१-१४॥
The enemies, whose minds were captivated, saw the chariot approaching with the sound of roaring clouds, its flags and banners waving in the wind, and drawn by white horses.
अथ विस्फार्य गाण्डीवं रणे नृत्यन्निवार्जुनः। शरसम्बाधमकरोत्खं दिशः प्रदिशस्तथा ॥८-२१-१५॥
Then Arjuna, stretching his Gandiva bow in the battle, danced as he filled the sky and all directions with a multitude of arrows.
रथान्विमानप्रतिमान्सज्जयन्त्रायुधध्वजान्। ससारथींस्तदा बाणैरभ्राणीवानिलोऽवधीत् ॥८-२१-१६॥
The wind, like an archer, destroyed the chariots that resembled aircraft, equipped with machines, weapons, and flags, along with their charioteers, as if they were clouds.
गजान्गजप्रयन्तॄंश्च वैजयन्त्यायुधध्वजान्। सादिनोऽश्वांश्च पत्तींश्च शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम् ॥८-२१-१७॥
He sent elephants, their riders, and banners adorned with Vaijayanti weapons, along with horsemen, horses, and foot soldiers, to the abode of Yama using arrows.
तमन्तकमिव क्रुद्धमनिवार्यं महारथम्। दुर्योधनोऽभ्ययादेको निघ्नन्बाणैः पृथग्विधैः ॥८-२१-१८॥
Duryodhana, like an unstoppable and angry force of death, approached alone as a great chariot-warrior, striking with various kinds of arrows.
तस्यार्जुनो धनुः सूतं केतुमश्वांश्च सायकैः। हत्वा सप्तभिरेकैकं छत्रं चिच्छेद पत्रिणा ॥८-२१-१९॥
Arjuna, using his arrows, killed the charioteer, the flag, and the horses of his enemy. After killing each with seven arrows, he cut down the umbrella with a feathered arrow.
नवमं च समासाद्य व्यसृजत्प्रतिघातिनम्। दुर्योधनायेषुवरं तं द्रौणिः सप्तधाच्छिनत् ॥८-२१-२०॥
Having reached the ninth, he released an excellent arrow to counteract, aimed at Duryodhana; however, Drona's son cut it into seven pieces.
ततो द्रौणेर्धनुश्छित्त्वा हत्वा चाश्ववराञ्शरैः। कृपस्यापि तथात्युग्रं धनुश्चिच्छेद पाण्डवः ॥८-२१-२१॥
Then, the Pandava, after cutting the bow of Drona's son and killing the excellent horses with arrows, also cut the very fierce bow of Kripa.
हार्दिक्यस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा ध्वजं चाश्वं तथावधीत्। दुःशासनस्येषुवरं छित्त्वा राधेयमभ्ययात् ॥८-२१-२२॥
After severing Hārdikya's bow, he destroyed the flag and the horse. Then, after cutting down Duḥśāsana's best arrow, he advanced towards Rādheya.
अथ सात्यकिमुत्सृज्य त्वरन्कर्णोऽर्जुनं त्रिभिः। विद्ध्वा विव्याध विंशत्या कृष्णं पार्थं पुनस्त्रिभिः ॥८-२१-२३॥
Then, hastening and leaving Satyaki aside, Karna shot three arrows at Arjuna, and after piercing him, he shot twenty arrows at Krishna and again three arrows at Partha.
अथ सात्यकिरागत्य कर्णं विद्ध्वा शितैः शरैः। नवत्या नवभिश्चोग्रैः शतेन पुनरार्दयत् ॥८-२१-२४॥
Then Satyaki approached and struck Karna with sharp arrows, tormenting him with ninety, nine fierce ones, and again with a hundred.
ततः प्रवीराः पाण्डूनां सर्वे कर्णमपीडयन्। युधामन्युः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः ॥८-२१-२५॥
Then all the valiant warriors of the Pandavas, including Yudhāmanyu, Shikhandi, and the sons of Draupadi known as the Prabhadrakas, attacked Karna.
उत्तमौजा युयुत्सुश्च यमौ पार्षत एव च। चेदिकारूषमत्स्यानां केकयानां च यद्बलम् ॥ चेकितानश्च बलवान्धर्मराजश्च सुव्रतः ॥८-२१-२६॥
Uttamauja, Yuyutsu, the twins, the sons of Prishata, along with the Chedis, Karusha, the Matsyas, and the Kekayas, and the strength of Cekitana, the strong Dharmaraja of good vows.
एते रथाश्वद्विरदैः पत्तिभिश्चोग्रविक्रमैः। परिवार्य रणे कर्णं नानाशस्त्रैरवाकिरन् ॥ भाषन्तो वाग्भिरुग्राभिः सर्वे कर्णवधे वृताः ॥८-२१-२७॥
These fierce warriors, with chariots, horses, elephants, and foot soldiers, surrounded Karna in battle, showering him with various weapons. They spoke harsh words, all determined to bring about Karna's death.
तां शस्त्रवृष्टिं बहुधा छित्त्वा कर्णः शितैः शरैः। अपोवाह स्म तान्सर्वान्द्रुमान्भङ्क्त्वेव मारुतः ॥८-२१-२८॥
Karna skillfully cut through the rain of weapons with his sharp arrows and drove them all away, just as the wind breaks through trees.
रथिनः समहामात्रान्गजानश्वान्ससादिनः। शरव्रातांश्च सङ्क्रुद्धो निघ्नन्कर्णो व्यदृश्यत ॥८-२१-२९॥
The angry Karna was seen attacking and killing charioteers, great ministers, elephants, horses with riders, and groups of arrows.
तद्वध्यमानं पाण्डूनां बलं कर्णास्त्रतेजसा। विशस्त्रक्षतदेहं च प्राय आसीत्पराङ्मुखम् ॥८-२१-३०॥
The army of the Pāṇḍavas, struck by the brilliance of Karṇa's weapon, found themselves disarmed and wounded, and almost turned away from the battle.
अथ कर्णास्त्रमस्त्रेण प्रतिहत्यार्जुनः स्वयम्। दिशः खं चैव भूमिं च प्रावृणोच्छरवृष्टिभिः ॥८-२१-३१॥
Then Arjuna, by his own skill, countered Karna's weapon and enveloped the entire sky, directions, and earth with a barrage of arrows.
मुसलानीव निष्पेतुः परिघा इव चेषवः। शतघ्न्य इव चाप्यन्ये वज्राण्युग्राणि वापरे ॥८-२१-३२॥
Clubs emerged like iron bars, arrows like hundred-slaying weapons, and others like fierce thunderbolts, creating a scene of intense battle.
तैर्वध्यमानं तत्सैन्यं सपत्त्यश्वरथद्विपम्। निमीलिताक्षमत्यर्थमुदभ्राम्यत्समन्ततः ॥८-२१-३३॥
The army, attacked by them, consisting of infantry, horses, chariots, and elephants, was in great disarray, whirling around with closed eyes.
निष्कैवल्यं तदा युद्धं प्रापुरश्वनरद्विपाः। वध्यमानाः शरैरन्ये तदा भीताः प्रदुद्रुवुः ॥८-२१-३४॥
Then, without liberation, horses, men, and elephants entered the battle. Others, struck by arrows, fled in fear.
एवं तेषां तदा युद्धे संसक्तानां जयैषिणाम्। गिरिमस्तं समासाद्य प्रत्यपद्यत भानुमान् ॥८-२१-३५॥
Thus, when they were engaged in battle desiring victory, the sun reached the setting mountain and returned.
तमसा च महाराज रजसा च विशेषतः। न किञ्चित्प्रत्यपश्याम शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम् ॥८-२१-३६॥
O great king, due to the influence of darkness and passion, we are unable to perceive anything as either auspicious or inauspicious.
ते त्रसन्तो महेष्वासा रात्रियुद्धस्य भारत। अपयानं ततश्चक्रुः सहिताः सर्ववाजिभिः ॥८-२१-३७॥
The great archers, frightened by the night battle, O Bharata, then retreated together with all their horses.
कौरवेषु च यातेषु तदा राजन्दिनक्षये। जयं सुमनसः प्राप्य पार्थाः स्वशिबिरं ययुः ॥८-२१-३८॥
When the Kauravas had departed, O king, at the end of the day, the sons of Pritha, having achieved victory and being cheerful, returned to their camp.
वादित्रशब्दैर्विविधैः सिंहनादैश्च नर्तितैः। परानवहसन्तश्च स्तुवन्तश्चाच्युतार्जुनौ ॥८-२१-३९॥
With the sounds of various musical instruments and lion-like roars, they danced, mocked their enemies, and praised Krishna and Arjuna.
कृतेऽवहारे तैर्वीरैः सैनिकाः सर्व एव ते। आशिषः पाण्डवेयेषु प्रायुज्यन्त नरेश्वराः ॥८-२१-४०॥
After the transaction was completed by those heroes, all the soldiers and kings bestowed their blessings upon the Pandavas.
ततः कृतेऽवहारे च प्रहृष्टाः कुरुपाण्डवाः। निशायां शिबिरं गत्वा न्यविशन्त नरेश्वराः ॥८-२१-४१॥
After completing the transaction, the joyful Kurus and Pandavas went to their camp at night and settled there like kings.
यक्षरक्षःपिशाचाश्च श्वापदानि च सङ्घशः। जग्मुरायोधनं घोरं रुद्रस्यानर्तनोपमम् ॥८-२१-४२॥
The yakshas, rakshasas, pishachas, and wild animals gathered in groups and proceeded to the dreadful battlefield, resembling the dance of Rudra.
