08.031
Pancharatra and Core: The Kaurava army military formation. Shalya praises the strength of the Pandavas as they approach Arjuna and Krishna.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tataḥ parānīkabhidaṃ vyūhamapratimaṃ paraiḥ। samīkṣya karṇaḥ pārthānāṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnābhirakṣitam ॥8-31-1॥
Then Karna, observing the unparalleled formation that breaks the enemy lines, protected by Dhrishtadyumna, stood among the sons of Pritha.
prayayau rathaghoṣeṇa siṃhanādaraveṇa ca। vāditrāṇāṃ ca ninadaiḥ kampayanniva medinīm ॥8-31-2॥
He departed with the sound of chariots and the roar of lions, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments, as if shaking the earth.
vepamāna iva krodhādyuddhaśauṇḍaḥ parantapaḥ। pativyūhya mahātejā yathāvadbharatarṣabha ॥8-31-3॥
The mighty warrior, trembling as if in anger, expertly arranged his troops. O best of the Bharatas, he was full of great energy and ready for battle.
vyadhamatpāṇḍavīṃ senāmāsurīṃ maghavāniva। yudhiṣṭhiraṃ cābhibhavannasapavyaṃ cakāra ha ॥8-31-4॥
He scattered the demonic army of the Pāṇḍavas like Indra would. Overpowering Yudhiṣṭhira, he indeed made the situation inauspicious.
dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca॥
Dhritarashtra said:
kathaṁ sañjaya rādheyaḥ pratyavyūhata pāṇḍavān। dhṛṣṭadyumnamukhān vīrān bhīmasenābhirakṣitān ॥8-31-5॥
Sanjaya, how did Radheya arrange his forces against the Pandavas, who were led by Dhrishtadyumna and protected by Bhimasena?
ke ca prapakṣau pakṣau vā mama sainyasya sañjaya। pravibhajya yathānyāyaṃ kathaṃ vā samavasthitāḥ ॥8-31-6॥
Sanjaya, who are the opposing sides and the sides of my army? How are they positioned after being divided according to the rules?
kathaṁ pāṇḍusutāś cāpi pratyavyūhanta māmakān। kathaṁ caitan mahāyuddhaṁ prāvartata sudāruṇam ॥8-31-7॥
How did the sons of Pandu arrange their forces against mine? And how did this great and terrible war begin?
kva ca bībhatsurabhavadyatkarṇo'yādyudhiṣṭhiram। ko hyarjunasya sāṃnidhye śakto'bhyetuṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥8-31-8॥
"Where was Arjuna when Karna approached Yudhishthira? Who can dare to approach Yudhishthira when Arjuna is present?"
sarvabhūtāni yo hyekaḥ khāṇḍave jitavānpurā। kastamanyatra rādheyātpratiyudhyejjijīviṣuḥ ॥8-31-9॥
The one who once conquered all beings in Khāṇḍava is indeed formidable. Who else but Rādheya would dare to fight him, wishing to survive?
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
śṛṇu vyūhasya racanāmarjunaśca yathā gataḥ। paridāya nṛpaṃ tebhyaḥ saṅgrāmaścābhavadyathā ॥8-31-10॥
Listen to the arrangement of the formation and how Arjuna proceeded, having entrusted the king to them, and how the battle unfolded.
kṛpaḥ śāradvato rājanmāgadhaśca tarasvinaḥ। sātvataḥ kṛtavarmā ca dakṣiṇaṃ pakṣamāśritāḥ ॥8-31-11॥
Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, along with the Magadha prince and the energetic Sātvata, Kṛtavarmā, have aligned themselves with the southern faction, O King.
teṣāṃ prapakṣe śakunirulūkaśca mahārathaḥ। sādibhirvimalaprāsaistavānīkamarakṣatām ॥8-31-12॥
On their side, the great warriors Shakuni and Uluka, along with their riders and shining spears, stood guard over your army.
gāndhāribhirasambhrāntaiḥ pārvatīyaiśca durjayaiḥ। śalabhānāmiva vrātaiḥ piśācairiva durdṛśaiḥ ॥8-31-13॥
The Gandharas and the invincible Parvatiyas, unperturbed, surrounded like swarms of locusts and demons that are difficult to see.
catustriṁśatsahasrāṇi rathānāmanivartinām। saṁśaptakā yuddhaśauṇḍā vāmaṁ pārśvamapālayan ॥8-31-14॥
Thirty-four thousand chariots of the sworn warriors, who were experts in warfare and never retreated, protected the left flank.
samuccitāstava sutaiḥ kṛṣṇārjunajighāṁsavaḥ। teṣāṁ prapakṣaḥ kāmbojāḥ śakāśca yavanaiḥ saha ॥8-31-15॥
Your sons, who are intent on harming Krishna and Arjuna, have gathered allies including the Kambojas, Shakas, and Yavanas.
nideśātsūtaputrasya sarathāḥ sāśvapattayaḥ। āhvayanto'rjunaṃ tasthuḥ keśavaṃ ca mahābalam ॥8-31-16॥
Following the command of Karna, the son of the charioteer, the forces with chariots, horses, and infantry stood ready, challenging Arjuna and the mighty Keshava.
madhyesenāmukhaṃ karṇo vyavātiṣṭhata daṃśitaḥ। citravarmāṅgadaḥ sragvī pālayanadhvajinīmukham ॥8-31-17॥
In the midst of the army's front, Karṇa, adorned with colorful armor and bracelets and wearing a garland, stood firm, protecting the forefront of the army.
rakṣyamāṇaḥ susaṁrabdhaiḥ putraiḥ śastrabhṛtāṁ varaḥ। vāhinīpramukhaṁ vīraḥ samprakarṣannaśobhata ॥8-31-18॥
The hero, being protected by his very eager sons, who were the best among weapon-bearers, shone brightly as he led at the forefront of the army.
ayoratnirmahābāhuḥ sūryavaiśvānaradyutiḥ। mahādvipaskandhagataḥ piṅgalaḥ priyadarśanaḥ ॥ duḥśāsano vṛtaḥ sainyaiḥ sthito vyūhasya pṛṣṭhataḥ ॥8-31-19॥
Duḥśāsana, with his iron-like arms and the brilliance of the sun and fire, mounted on a great elephant, tawny and pleasing to the eye, stood surrounded by his armies at the rear of the formation.
tam anvayān mahārāja svayaṃ duryodhano nṛpaḥ। citrāśvaiś citrasaṃnāhaiḥ sodaryair abhirakṣitaḥ ॥8-31-20॥
O great king, King Duryodhana himself followed him, accompanied by his brothers and equipped with splendid horses and armor.
rakṣyamāṇo mahāvīryaiḥ sahitairmadrakekayaiḥ। aśobhata mahārāja devairiva śatakratuḥ ॥8-31-21॥
The great king, protected by the mighty heroes of the Madras and Kekayas, shone like Indra among the gods.
aśvatthāmā kurūṇāṃ ca ye pravīrā mahārathāḥ। nityamattāśca mātaṅgāḥ śūrairmlecchairadhiṣṭhitāḥ ॥ anvayustadrathānīkaṃ kṣaranta iva toyadāḥ ॥8-31-22॥
Ashwatthama, along with the heroes and great charioteers of the Kuru dynasty, who were always intoxicated, and the elephants occupied by heroes and barbarians, followed that chariot army, pouring forth like clouds.
te dhvajairvaijayantībhirjvaladbhiḥ paramāyudhaiḥ। sādibhiścāsthitā rejurdrumavanta ivācalāḥ ॥8-31-23॥
They stood with Vaijayanti flags and supreme weapons, shining brightly, appearing like trees and mountains.
teṣāṃ padātināgānāṃ pādarakṣāḥ sahasraśaḥ। paṭṭiśāsidharāḥ śūrā babhūvuranivartinaḥ ॥8-31-24॥
The foot-soldiers and elephants among them, equipped with thousands of foot-guards and armed with swords and spears, stood as valiant warriors who never retreated.
sādibhiḥ syandanairnāgairadhikaṃ samalaṅkṛtaiḥ। sa vyūharājo vibabhau devāsuracamūpamaḥ ॥8-31-25॥
The king of formations, adorned with horses, chariots, and elephants in great splendor, appeared like the army of gods and demons.
bārhaspatyaḥ suvihito nāyakena vipaścitā। nṛtyatīva mahāvyūhaḥ pareṣāmādadhadbhayam ॥8-31-26॥
The wise leader, like Brihaspati, skillfully arranged the great formation, which appeared to dance and instilled fear in the enemies.
tasya pakṣaprapakṣebhyo niṣpatanti yuyutsavaḥ। pattyaśvarathamātaṅgāḥ prāvṛṣīva balāhakāḥ ॥8-31-27॥
From his wings and counter-wings, warriors, infantry, horses, chariots, and elephants emerge, resembling clouds in the rainy season.
tataḥ senāmukhe karṇaṃ dṛṣṭvā rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। dhanañjayamamitraghnamekavīramuvāca ha ॥8-31-28॥
Then, seeing Karna at the forefront of the army, King Yudhishthira spoke to Dhananjaya, the unparalleled hero and destroyer of foes.
paśyārjuna mahāvyūhaṃ karṇena vihitaṃ raṇe। yuktaṃ pakṣaiḥ prapakṣaiśca senānīkaṃ prakāśate ॥8-31-29॥
Behold, Arjuna, the grand formation crafted by Karna in the battlefield, adorned with wings and sub-wings, the army stands resplendent.
tadetadvai samālokya pratyamitraṃ mahadbalam। yathā nābhibhavatyasmāṃstathā nītirvidhīyatām ॥8-31-30॥
Having observed the great strength of the opposing enemy, a strategy should be devised to ensure that we are not overcome.
evamukto'rjuno rājñā prāñjalirnṛpamabravīt। yathā bhavānāha tathā tatsarvaṃ na tadanyathā ॥8-31-31॥
Arjuna, addressed by the king, respectfully replied with folded hands, "It is exactly as you have stated; everything is just as you said, without exception."
yastvasya vihito ghātastaṃ kariṣyāmi bhārata। pradhānavadha evāsya vināśastaṃ karomyaham ॥8-31-32॥
"O Bharata, I will carry out the destruction that has been ordained for this. Indeed, I am the one who will bring about the chief destruction."
yudhiṣṭhira uvāca॥
Yudhishthira said:
tasmāttvameva rādheyaṃ bhīmasenaḥ suyodhanam। vṛṣasenaṃ ca nakulaḥ sahadevo'pi saubalam ॥8-31-33॥
Therefore, you, Radheya, should confront Bhimasena and Suyodhana; Nakula and Sahadeva should also confront Saubala.
duḥśāsanaṃ śatānīko hārdikyaṃ śinipuṅgavaḥ। dhṛṣṭadyumnastathā drauṇiṃ svayaṃ yāsyāmyahaṃ kṛpam ॥8-31-34॥
I will personally go to Kripa, along with Duhshasana, Shatanika, Hardikya, the best of the Shinis, Dhrishtadyumna, and Drona's son.
draupadeyā dhārtarāṣṭrāñśiṣṭānsaha śikhaṇḍinā। te te ca tāṃstānahitānasmākaṃ ghnantu māmakāḥ ॥8-31-35॥
The sons of Draupadi, together with Shikhandi, should kill the remaining sons of Dhritarashtra, who are our enemies, by my men.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
ityukto dharmarājena tathetyuktvā dhanañjayaḥ। vyādideśa svasainyāni svayaṃ cāgāccamūmukham ॥8-31-36॥
Upon being addressed by Dharmaraja, Dhananjaya, after agreeing, commanded his troops and personally advanced to the forefront of the army.
atha taṁ ratham āyāntaṁ dṛṣṭvātyadbhutadarśanam। uvācādhirathiṁ śalyaḥ punastaṁ yuddhadurmadam ॥8-31-37॥
Then Shalya, upon seeing the chariot approaching, which was a very wonderful sight, spoke again to Adhiratha, who was filled with battle arrogance.
ayaṁ sa ratha āyāti śvetāśvaḥ kṛṣṇasārathiḥ। nighnannamitrānkunteyo yaṁ yaṁ tvaṁ paripṛcchasi ॥8-31-38॥
This is the chariot that comes with white horses and Krishna as the charioteer, slaying the enemies, O son of Kunti, about whom you inquire.
śrūyate tumulaḥ śabdo rathanemisvano mahān। eṣa reṇuḥ samudbhūto divamāvṛtya tiṣṭhati ॥8-31-39॥
A loud sound of the chariot wheels is heard. This great dust has risen and is covering the sky.
cakranemipraṇunnā ca kampate karṇa medinī। pravātyeṣa mahāvāyurabhitastava vāhinīm ॥ kravyādā vyāharantyete mṛgāḥ kurvanti bhairavam ॥8-31-40॥
The earth trembles under the force of the wheel's rim, O Karna. A mighty wind surrounds your forces. The beasts are howling, creating an atmosphere of terror.
paśya karṇa mahāghoraṃ bhayadaṃ lomaharṣaṇam। kabandhaṃ meghasaṅkāśaṃ bhānumāvṛtya saṃsthitam ॥8-31-41॥
"Look, Karna, at the terrifying and fearsome headless trunk, resembling a cloud, standing there obscuring the sun."
paśya yūthairbahuvidhairmṛgāṇāṃ sarvatodiśam। balibhirdṛptaśārdūlairādityo'bhinirīkṣyate ॥8-31-42॥
"Look at the herds of various animals all around; the sun is being watched by the strong and proud tigers."
paśya kaṅkāṃśca gṛdhrāṃśca samavetānsahasraśaḥ। sthitānabhimukhānghorānanyonyamabhibhāṣataḥ ॥8-31-43॥
"Look at the thousands of vultures and eagles gathered together, standing face to face, fearsome and conversing with one another."
sitāś cāśvāḥ samāyuktās tava karṇa mahārathe। pradarāḥ prajvalanty ete dhvajaś caiva prakampate ॥8-31-44॥
The white horses are well-yoked to your chariot, O Karna, the great warrior. The banners are blazing, and the flag is trembling.
udīryato hayānpaśya mahākāyānmahājavān। plavamānāndarśanīyānākāśe garuḍāniva ॥8-31-45॥
Behold the majestic horses, large and swift, soaring gracefully in the sky like Garudas.
dhruvameṣu nimitteṣu bhūmimāvṛtya pārthivāḥ। svapsyanti nihatāḥ karṇa śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ ॥8-31-46॥
In these omens, it is certain that the kings, covering the earth, will lie slain, Karna among them, by the hundreds and thousands.
śaṅkhānāṃ tumulaḥ śabdaḥ śrūyate lomaharṣaṇaḥ। ānakānāṃ ca rādheya mṛdaṅgānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ ॥8-31-47॥
The tumultuous and hair-raising sound of conches, drums, and mridangas is heard everywhere, O son of Radha.
bāṇaśabdānbahuvidhānnarāśvarathanisvanān। jyātalatṛṣuśabdāṃśca śṛṇu karṇa mahātmanām ॥8-31-48॥
O Karna, listen to the diverse sounds of arrows, the clamor of men, horses, and chariots, and the resonances of bowstrings, palms, and clapping, belonging to the great souls.
hemarūpyapramṛṣṭānāṃ vāsasāṃ śilpinirmitāḥ। nānāvarṇā rathe bhānti śvasanena prakampitāḥ ॥8-31-49॥
The garments made of gold and silver, polished and crafted by artisans, in various colors, shine on the chariot as they flutter in the wind.
sahemacandratārārkāḥ patākāḥ kiṅkiṇīyutāḥ। paśya karṇārjunasyaitāḥ saudāminya ivāmbude ॥8-31-50॥
The flags of Karna and Arjuna, adorned with gold, moon, stars, and suns, and with bells, appear like lightning in the cloud.
dhvajāḥ kaṇakaṇāyante vātenābhisamīritāḥ। sapatākā rathāścāpi pāñcālānāṃ mahātmanām ॥8-31-51॥
The flags fluttered in the wind, and the chariots with banners belonged to the noble Pāñcālas.
nāgāśvarathapattyaughāṃstāvakānsamabhighnataḥ। dhvajāgraṃ dṛśyate tvasya jyāśabdaścāpi śrūyate ॥8-31-52॥
Your multitudes of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry are being struck. The top of the flag is visible, and the sound of the bowstring is also audible.
adya draṣṭāsi taṃ vīraṃ śvetāśvaṃ kṛṣṇasārathim। nighnantaṃ śātravāṃsaṅkhye yaṃ karṇa paripṛcchasi ॥8-31-53॥
Today, you will witness that hero with white horses, Krishna as the charioteer, defeating the enemies in battle, about whom you inquire, O Karna.
adya tau puruṣavyāghrau lohitākṣau parantapau। vāsudevārjunau karṇa draṣṭāsyekarathasthitau ॥8-31-54॥
Today, Karna will see Vasudeva and Arjuna, those two formidable warriors with red eyes, standing together on the same chariot.
sārathiryasya vārṣṇeyo gāṇḍīvaṃ yasya kārmukam। taṃ ceddhantāsi rādheya tvaṃ no rājā bhaviṣyasi ॥8-31-55॥
If you, O Radheya, manage to kill him whose charioteer is Krishna and whose bow is the Gandiva, then you shall become our king.
eṣaṃ saṃśaptakāhūtastānevābhimukho gataḥ। karoti kadanaṃ caiṣāṃ saṅgrāme dviṣatāṃ balī ॥ iti bruvāṇaṃ madreśaṃ karṇaḥ prāhātimanyumān ॥8-31-56॥
Karṇa, with great anger, said to the king of Madra that this one, called by the Saṃśaptakas, has gone facing them and is slaughtering the strong enemies in battle.
paśya saṃśaptakaiḥ kruddhaiḥ sarvataḥ samabhidrutaḥ। eṣa sūrya ivāmbhodaiśchannaḥ pārtho na dṛśyate ॥ etadanto'rjunaḥ śalya nimagnaḥ śokasāgare ॥8-31-57॥
Behold, Arjuna is being attacked from all directions by the enraged Trigartas. Like the sun obscured by clouds, he is not visible. At this moment, Arjuna and Shalya are submerged in a sea of grief.
śalya uvāca॥
Śalya said:
varuṇaṁ ko'mbhasā hanyādindhanena ca pāvakam। ko vānilaṁ nigṛhṇīyātpibedvā ko mahārṇavam ॥8-31-58॥
Who can overcome Varuna with water, or extinguish fire with fuel? Who can control the wind or drink the vast ocean?
īdṛgrūpam ahaṃ manye pārthasya yudhi nigraham। na hi śakyo'rjuno jetuṃ sendraiḥ sarvaiḥ surāsuraiḥ ॥8-31-59॥
I believe that such a form represents Partha's control in battle. Arjuna cannot be defeated by all the gods and demons, even with Indra.
athaivaṃ paritoṣaste vāco'ktvā sumanā bhava। na sa śakyo yudhā jetumanyaṃ kuru manoratham ॥8-31-60॥
"Then, having expressed your words, be cheerful. It is not possible to conquer him by fighting; pursue another desire."
bāhubhyām uddhared bhūmiṃ dahet kruddha imāḥ prajāḥ। pātayet tridivād devān yo'rjunaṃ samare jayet ॥8-31-61॥
With his mighty arms, he could lift the earth, burn all creatures in his anger, bring down the gods from heaven, and conquer Arjuna in battle.
paśya kuntīsutaṃ vīraṃ bhīmakliṣṭakāriṇam। prabhāsantaṃ mahābāhuṃ sthitaṃ merumivācalam ॥8-31-62॥
Behold Bhima, the son of Kunti, a hero who acts effortlessly, shining with might, standing firm like the great mountain Meru.
amarṣī nityasaṁrabdhaś ciraṁ vairam anusmaran। eṣa bhīmo jayaprepsur yudhi tiṣṭhati vīryavān ॥8-31-63॥
Bhima, who is impatient and always enraged, stands powerfully in battle, desiring victory, while remembering long-standing enmity.
eṣa dharmabhṛtāṃ śreṣṭho dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। tiṣṭhatyasukaraḥ saṅkhye paraiḥ parapurañjayaḥ ॥8-31-64॥
Yudhishthira, the noble king and upholder of dharma, stands firm in battle, a formidable force against his enemies, known for conquering enemy cities.
etau ca puruṣavyāghrāvaśvināviva sodarau। nakulaḥ sahadevaśca tiṣṭhato yudhi durjayau ॥8-31-65॥
Nakula and Sahadeva, like the twin gods Aśvins, are brothers and stand invincible in battle.
dṛśyanta ete kārṣṇeyāḥ pañca pañcācalā iva। vyavasthitā yotsyamānāḥ sarve'rjunasamā yudhi ॥8-31-66॥
These five sons of Kṛṣṇa appear like five immovable mountains, all set and ready to engage in battle, each one comparable to Arjuna.
ete drupadaputrāśca dhṛṣṭadyumnapurogamāḥ। hīnāḥ satyajitā vīrāstiṣṭhanti paramaujasaḥ ॥8-31-67॥
These sons of Drupada, led by Dhrishtadyumna, stand with great energy, though deprived, along with Satyajit, the heroes.
iti saṁvadatoreva tayoḥ puruṣasiṁhayoḥ। te sene samasajjetāṁ gaṅgāyamunavadbhṛśam ॥8-31-68॥
As the two lion-like men conversed, their armies were intensely arrayed, resembling the confluence of the Ganges and Yamuna.
