08.044
Core and Pancharatra: The description of the battle involving various prominent warriors on both sides.
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच॥
Dhritarashtra spoke:
निवृत्ते भीमसेने च पाण्डवे च युधिष्ठिरे। वध्यमाने बले चापि मामके पाण्डुसृञ्जयैः ॥८-४४-१॥
Bhimasena, Pandava, and Yudhishthira had withdrawn. My forces were being slain by the Pandavas and Srinjayas.
द्रवमाणे बलौघे च निराक्रन्दे मुहुर्मुहुः। किमकुर्वन्त कुरवस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥८-४४-२॥
In the midst of the flowing forces and amidst the relentless cries, what actions did the Kauravas take? Please narrate that to me, Sanjaya.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
दृष्ट्वा भीमं महाबाहुं सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। क्रोधरक्तेक्षणो राजन्भीमसेनमुपाद्रवत् ॥८-४४-३॥
Seeing the mighty-armed Bhima, the valiant son of a charioteer, with eyes inflamed with anger, attacked Bhimasena, O king.
तावकं च बलं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनात्पराङ्मुखम्। यत्नेन महता राजन्पर्यवस्थापयद्बली ॥८-४४-४॥
O king, having witnessed your forces being repelled by Bhimasena, the mighty one reorganized them with great effort.
व्यवस्थाप्य महाबाहुस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम्। प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा कर्णः पाण्डवान्युद्धदुर्मदान् ॥८-४४-५॥
The mighty-armed Karna, having arranged your son's army, advanced against the Pandavas, who were known for their arrogance in battle.
प्रत्युद्ययुस्तु राधेयं पाण्डवानां महारथाः। धुन्वानाः कार्मुकाण्याजौ विक्षिपन्तश्च सायकान् ॥८-४४-६॥
The great warriors of the Pandavas, equipped with bows, moved forward to confront Karna in the battle, launching arrows.
भीमसेनः शिनेर्नप्ता शिखण्डी जनमेजयः। धृष्टद्युम्नश्च बलवान्सर्वे चापि प्रभद्रकाः ॥८-४४-७॥
Bhimasena, the grandson of Shini, along with Shikhandi, Janamejaya, Dhrishtadyumna, and the strong Prabhadrakas, were all present.
पाञ्चालाश्च नरव्याघ्राः समन्तात्तव वाहिनीम्। अभ्यद्रवन्त सङ्क्रुद्धाः समरे जितकाशिनः ॥८-४४-८॥
The Panchalas, fierce as tigers, launched an angry assault on your army from all directions in the battle, being the victorious ones.
तथैव तावका राजन्पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्। अभ्यद्रवन्त त्वरिता जिघांसन्तो महारथाः ॥८-४४-९॥
In the same way, O king, your great warriors attacked the Pandavas' army with haste, eager to kill.
रथनागाश्वकलिलं पत्तिध्वजसमाकुलम्। बभूव पुरुषव्याघ्र सैन्यमद्भुतदर्शनम् ॥८-४४-१०॥
The army, crowded with chariots, elephants, horses, infantry, and flags, appeared as a wonderful spectacle to the heroic warriors.
शिखण्डी च ययौ कर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नः सुतं तव। दुःशासनं महाराज महत्या सेनया वृतम् ॥८-४४-११॥
Shikhandi approached Karna, while Dhrishtadyumna went towards your son. Meanwhile, Duhshasana, O great king, was encircled by a vast army.
नकुलो वृषसेनं च चित्रसेनं युधिष्ठिरः। उलूकं समरे राजन्सहदेवः समभ्ययात् ॥८-४४-१२॥
Nakul, Vṛṣasena, and Citrasena were approached by Yudhishthira. In the battle, O king, Sahadeva approached Uluka.
सात्यकिः शकुनिं चापि भीमसेनश्च कौरवान्। अर्जुनं च रणे यत्तं द्रोणपुत्रो महारथः ॥८-४४-१३॥
Satyaki, Shakuni, Bhimasena, and the Kauravas were engaged in battle, along with Arjuna and Drona's son, the great warrior.
युधामन्युं महेष्वासं गौतमोऽभ्यपतद्रणे। कृतवर्मा च बलवानुत्तमौजसमाद्रवत् ॥८-४४-१४॥
In the battle, Gautama attacked the great archer Yudhāmanyu, while the strong Kṛtavarmā charged towards Uttamaujas.
भीमसेनः कुरून्सर्वान्पुत्रांश्च तव मारिष। सहानीकान्महाबाहुरेक एवाभ्यवारयत् ॥८-४४-१५॥
Bhimasena, mighty-armed and alone, indeed stopped all the Kurus and your sons, O lord, with their armies.
शिखण्डी च ततः कर्णं विचरन्तमभीतवत्। भीष्महन्ता महाराज वारयामास पत्रिभिः ॥८-४४-१६॥
Shikhandi, the slayer of Bhishma, then restrained the fearless Karna with arrows, O great king.
प्रतिरब्धस्ततः कर्णो रोषात्प्रस्फुरिताधरः। शिखण्डिनं त्रिभिर्बाणैर्भ्रुवोर्मध्ये व्यताडयत् ॥८-४४-१७॥
Then Karṇa, his lip trembling with anger, struck Shikhandin with three arrows right between the eyebrows.
धारयंस्तु स तान्बाणाञ्शिखण्डी बह्वशोभत। राजतः पर्वतो यद्वत्त्रिभिः शृङ्गैः समन्वितः ॥८-४४-१८॥
Śikhaṇḍī, holding those arrows, shone brightly like a silver mountain with three peaks.
सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासः सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे। कर्णं विव्याध समरे नवत्या निशितैः शरैः ॥८-४४-१९॥
He, the great archer, though deeply pierced by the son of a charioteer in battle, retaliated by piercing Karna in the war with ninety sharp arrows.
तस्य कर्णो हयान्हत्वा सारथिं च त्रिभिः शरैः। उन्ममाथ ध्वजं चास्य क्षुरप्रेण महारथः ॥८-४४-२०॥
Karṇa, the great chariot warrior, killed his opponent's horses and charioteer with three arrows and then cut off his banner with a razor-edged arrow.
हताश्वात्तु ततो यानादवप्लुत्य महारथः। शक्तिं चिक्षेप कर्णाय सङ्क्रुद्धः शत्रुतापनः ॥८-४४-२१॥
The great warrior, with his horses slain, leapt down from his chariot and, in anger, hurled a spear at Karna, the tormentor of foes.
तां छित्त्वा समरे कर्णस्त्रिभिर्भारत सायकैः। शिखण्डिनमथाविध्यन्नवभिर्निशितैः शरैः ॥८-४४-२२॥
Karna, having severed her in the battle with three arrows, O Bharata, then struck Shikhandi with nine sharp arrows.
कर्णचापच्युतान्बाणान्वर्जयंस्तु नरोत्तमः। अपयातस्ततस्तूर्णं शिखण्डी जयतां वरः ॥८-४४-२३॥
Shikhandi, the best among the victorious, quickly retreated, avoiding the arrows released from Karna's bow. He was the best of men.
ततः कर्णो महाराज पाण्डुसैन्यान्यशातयत्। तूलराशिं समासाद्य यथा वायुर्महाजवः ॥८-४४-२४॥
Then Karna, O great king, attacked the Pandava armies with the swiftness of the wind approaching a heap of cotton.
धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज तव पुत्रेण पीडितः। दुःशासनं त्रिभिर्बाणैरभ्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे ॥८-४४-२५॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, O great king, was afflicted by your son and in retaliation, he pierced Duḥśāsana in the chest with three arrows.
तस्य दुःशासनो बाहुं सव्यं विव्याध मारिष। शितेन रुक्मपुङ्खेन भल्लेन नतपर्वणा ॥८-४४-२६॥
Duḥśāsana pierced his left arm with a sharp arrow that had golden feathers and a bent joint, O lord.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु निर्विद्धः शरं घोरममर्षणः। दुःशासनाय सङ्क्रुद्धः प्रेषयामास भारत ॥८-४४-२७॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, though pierced by a terrible arrow, in his anger, sent it towards Duḥśāsana, O Bhārata.
आपतन्तं महावेगं धृष्टद्युम्नसमीरितम्। शरैश्चिच्छेद पुत्रस्ते त्रिभिरेव विशां पते ॥८-४४-२८॥
Your son, O lord of men, swiftly intercepted the oncoming force driven by Dhrishtadyumna, using just three arrows.
अथापरैः सप्तदशैर्भल्लैः कनकभूषणैः। धृष्टद्युम्नं समासाद्य बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत् ॥८-४४-२९॥
Then, seventeen golden-adorned arrows shot by others struck Dhṛṣṭadyumna in the arms and chest.
ततः स पार्षतः क्रुद्धो धनुश्चिच्छेद मारिष। क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥८-४४-३०॥
Then, in anger, Pārṣata cut the bow with a very sharp arrow, O Māriṣa, and the people cried out in response.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ। धृष्टद्युम्नं शरव्रातैः समन्तात्पर्यवारयत् ॥८-४४-३१॥
Then, your son, O best of the Bharatas, took another bow and surrounded Dhṛṣṭadyumna with volleys of arrows from all directions.
तव पुत्रस्य ते दृष्ट्वा विक्रमं तं महात्मनः। व्यहसन्त रणे योधाः सिद्धाश्चाप्सरसां गणाः ॥८-४४-३२॥
Upon witnessing the valor of your son, the great soul, the warriors in the battle laughed, as did the groups of perfected beings and celestial nymphs.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तावकानां परैः सह। घोरं प्राणभृतां काले घोररूपं परन्तप ॥८-४४-३३॥
Then the battle began between your forces and the enemies, a dreadful and terrifying event for all living beings, O subduer of enemies.
नकुलं वृषसेनस्तु विद्ध्वा पञ्चभिरायसैः। पितुः समीपे तिष्ठन्तं त्रिभिरन्यैरविध्यत ॥८-४४-३४॥
Vrishasena shot Nakul with five iron arrows and then struck him again with three more while Nakul was standing by his father.
नकुलस्तु ततः क्रुद्धो वृषसेनं स्मयन्निव। नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन विव्याध हृदये दृढम् ॥८-४४-३५॥
Nakul, though appearing to smile, was actually angry and pierced Vṛṣasena firmly in the heart with a sharp arrow.
सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता शत्रुणा शत्रुकर्शनः। शत्रुं विव्याध विंशत्या स च तं पञ्चभिः शरैः ॥८-४४-३६॥
The destroyer of enemies, though deeply pierced by the strong enemy, retaliated by piercing the enemy with twenty arrows, and then struck him with five more arrows.
ततः शरसहस्रेण तावुभौ पुरुषर्षभौ। अन्योन्यमाच्छादयतामथाभज्यत वाहिनी ॥८-४४-३७॥
Then, with thousands of arrows, those two warriors, like bulls among men, covered each other, and then the army was shattered.
दृष्ट्वा तु प्रद्रुतां सेनां धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सूतजः। निवारयामास बलादनुपत्य विशां पते ॥ निवृत्ते तु ततः कर्णे नकुलः कौरवान्ययौ ॥८-४४-३८॥
Upon seeing the fleeing army of Dhritarashtra's son, the son of a charioteer forcefully restrained them, following them, O lord of the people. After Karna returned, Nakul went towards the Kauravas.
कर्णपुत्रस्तु समरे हित्वा नकुलमेव तु। जुगोप चक्रं त्वरितं राधेयस्यैव मारिष ॥८-४४-३९॥
The son of Karna, in the battle, left Nakul aside and swiftly protected Karna's chariot wheel, O great one.
उलूकस्तु रणे क्रुद्धः सहदेवेन वारितः। तस्याश्वांश्चतुरो हत्वा सहदेवः प्रतापवान् ॥ सारथिं प्रेषयामास यमस्य सदनं प्रति ॥८-४४-४०॥
In the battle, Uluka, filled with rage, was stopped by Sahadeva. After slaying his four horses, the brave Sahadeva dispatched the charioteer to the abode of Yama.
उलूकस्तु ततो यानादवप्लुत्य विशां पते। त्रिगर्तानां बलं पूर्णं जगाम पितृनन्दनः ॥८-४४-४१॥
Uluka then descended from the vehicle and went to the full army of the Trigartas, O lord of men, O son of the father.
सात्यकिः शकुनिं विद्ध्वा विंशत्या निशितैः शरैः। ध्वजं चिच्छेद भल्लेन सौबलस्य हसन्निव ॥८-४४-४२॥
Satyaki, with a smile, pierced Shakuni with twenty sharp arrows and then cut off Saubala's flag with a precise shot.
सौबलस्तस्य समरे क्रुद्धो राजन्प्रतापवान्। विदार्य कवचं भूयो ध्वजं चिच्छेद काञ्चनम् ॥८-४४-४३॥
Saubala, filled with rage in the battle, O king, displayed his might by piercing through the armor and once again severing the golden banner.
अथैनं निशितैर्बाणैः सात्यकिः प्रत्यविध्यत। सारथिं च महाराज त्रिभिरेव समार्दयत् ॥ अथास्य वाहांस्त्वरितः शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम् ॥८-४४-४४॥
Then Satyaki pierced him with sharp arrows and struck the charioteer with three arrows, O great king. Then he quickly sent his horses to the abode of Yama with arrows.
ततोऽवप्लुत्य सहसा शकुनिर्भरतर्षभ। आरुरोह रथं तूर्णमुलूकस्य महारथः ॥ अपोवाहाथ शीघ्रं स शैनेयाद्युद्धशालिनः ॥८-४४-४५॥
Shakuni, swiftly leaping up, mounted Uluka's chariot, the great warrior, and quickly drove away from the battlefield, leaving Satyaki behind.
सात्यकिस्तु रणे राजंस्तावकानामनीकिनीम्। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन ततोऽनीकमभिद्यत ॥८-४४-४६॥
Satyaki, in the battle, charged swiftly at the formation of your army, O king, and then broke through it.
शैनेयशरनुन्नं तु ततः सैन्यं विशां पते। भेजे दश दिशस्तूर्णं न्यपतच्च गतासुवत् ॥८-४४-४७॥
Pierced by Śaineya's arrow, the army then fled swiftly in all directions and fell as if lifeless, O lord of men.
भीमसेनं तव सुतो वारयामास संयुगे। तं तु भीमो मुहूर्तेन व्यश्वसूतरथध्वजम् ॥ चक्रे लोकेश्वरं तत्र तेनातुष्यन्त चारणाः ॥८-४४-४८॥
Your son confronted Bhimasena in battle, but Bhima quickly disarmed him, leaving him without horses, charioteer, chariot, and banner. The bards were pleased by Bhima, the lord of the world.
ततोऽपायान्नृपस्तत्र भीमसेनस्य गोचरात्। कुरुसैन्यं ततः सर्वं भीमसेनमुपाद्रवत् ॥ तत्र रावो महानासीद्भीममेकं जिघांसताम् ॥८-४४-४९॥
Then the king left the area near Bhimasena. Subsequently, the entire Kuru army attacked Bhimasena. There was a loud noise from those who wanted to kill Bhima.
युधामन्युः कृपं विद्ध्वा धनुरस्याशु चिच्छिदे। अथान्यद्धनुरादाय कृपः शस्त्रभृतां वरः ॥८-४४-५०॥
Yudhāmanyu pierced Kṛpa and swiftly cut off his bow. Then Kṛpa, being the best among warriors, took another bow.
युधामन्योर्ध्वजं सूतं छत्रं चापातयत्क्षितौ। ततोऽपायाद्रथेनैव युधामन्युर्महारथः ॥८-४४-५१॥
Yudhāmanyu's flag, charioteer, and umbrella were knocked down to the ground. Then, the great warrior Yudhāmanyu left the battlefield in his chariot.
उत्तमौजास्तु हार्दिक्यं शरैर्भीमपराक्रमम्। छादयामास सहसा मेघो वृष्ट्या यथाचलम् ॥८-४४-५२॥
Uttamaujas suddenly covered Hārdikya, who was of mighty valor, with arrows, just as a cloud covers a mountain with rain.
तद्युद्धं सुमहच्चासीद्घोररूपं परन्तप। यादृशं न मया युद्धं दृष्टपूर्वं विशां पते ॥८-४४-५३॥
O lord of men, that battle was immense and terrifying, unlike any I have seen before, O scorcher of foes.
कृतवर्मा ततो राजन्नुत्तमौजसमाहवे। हृदि विव्याध स तदा रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् ॥८-४४-५४॥
Then Kritavarma, O king, struck Uttamaujas in the heart during the battle, and he sat down on the chariot seat.
सारथिस्तमपोवाह रथेन रथिनां वरम्। ततस्तु सत्वरं राजन्पाण्डुसैन्यमुपाद्रवत् ॥८-४४-५५॥
The charioteer, the best among charioteers, carried him away by chariot. Then, O king, he swiftly attacked the Pandava army.
