08.045
Pancharatra and Core: Arjuna overpowers Ashwatthama; the Kaurava army retreats in panic; requested by Duryodhana, Karna releases the Bhargava weapon, uprooting Pandava army; Arjuna and Krishna go to see the injured Yudhisthira, leaving the Samsaptakas in the hands of Bhima.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
drauṇistu rathavaṃśena mahatā parivāritaḥ। āpatatsahasā rājanyatra rājā vyavasthitaḥ ॥8-45-1॥
Drona's son was surrounded by a great number of chariots. Suddenly, O King, he was attacked where the king was positioned.
tamāpatantaṃ sahasā śūraḥ śaurisahāyavān। dadhāra sahasā pārtho veleva makarālayam ॥8-45-2॥
Arjuna, the hero with Krishna's aid, suddenly held back the approaching enemy like the shore holds back the ocean.
tataḥ kruddho mahārāja droṇaputraḥ pratāpavān। arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca chādayāmāsa patribhiḥ ॥8-45-3॥
Then, the powerful son of Drona, in his anger, covered Arjuna and Vasudeva with arrows.
avacchannau tataḥ kṛṣṇau dṛṣṭvā tatra mahārathāḥ। vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā praikṣanta kuravastadā ॥8-45-4॥
Then, when Krishna was covered, the great warriors there were utterly amazed and looked at the Kurus.
arjunastu tato divyam astraṁ cakre hasann iva। tad astraṁ brāhmaṇo yuddhe vārayām āsa bhārata ॥8-45-5॥
Arjuna, however, then crafted a divine weapon, smiling as if amused. That weapon was restrained in battle by the Brahmin, O Bharata.
yadyaddhi vyākṣipadyuddhe pāṇḍavo'straṃ jighāṃsayā। tattadastraṃ maheṣvāso droṇaputro vyaśātayat ॥8-45-6॥
In the battle, whatever weapon Pāṇḍava used with the intent to kill, Droṇa's son, the great archer, neutralized it.
astrayuddhe tato rājanvartamāne bhayāvahe। apaśyāma raṇe drauṇiṃ vyāttānanamivāntakam ॥8-45-7॥
In the terrifying weapon-battle that was ongoing, O king, we saw Drona's son, his mouth wide open, resembling death itself.
sa diśo vidiśaścaiva chādayitvā vijihmagaiḥ। vāsudevaṃ tribhirbāṇairavidhyaddakṣiṇe bhuje ॥8-45-8॥
He covered all directions and intermediate directions with his crooked-moving arrows and then pierced Vasudeva's right arm with three arrows.
tato'rjuno hayānhatvā sarvāṃstasya mahātmanaḥ। cakāra samare bhūmiṃ śoṇitaughataraṅgiṇīm ॥8-45-9॥
Then Arjuna, after slaying all the horses of the great warrior, turned the battlefield into a river of blood.
nihatā rathinaḥ petuḥ pārthacāpyutaiḥ śaraiḥ। hayāśca paryadhāvanta mukta-yoktrās-tatas-tataḥ ॥8-45-10॥
The charioteers, struck down by Arjuna's arrows, fell from their chariots. The horses, with their harnesses loosened, ran wildly in all directions.
taddṛṣṭvā karma pārthasya drauṇirāhavaśobhinaḥ। avākiradraṇe kṛṣṇaṃ samantānniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥8-45-11॥
Upon witnessing Arjuna's actions, the son of Droṇa, renowned for his prowess in battle, unleashed a barrage of sharp arrows upon Kṛṣṇa from every direction.
tato'rjunaṁ mahārāja drauṇirāyamya patriṇā। vakṣodeśe samāsādya tāḍayāmāsa saṁyuge ॥8-45-12॥
Then, O great king, Drona's son aimed and struck Arjuna in the chest with an arrow during the battle.
so'tividdho raṇe tena droṇaputreṇa bhārata। ādatta parighaṃ ghoraṃ drauṇeścainamavākṣipat ॥8-45-13॥
Pierced severely in battle by Droṇa's son, he took a terrible club and hurled it back at him, O Bhārata.
tamāpatantaṃ parighaṃ kārtsvaravibhūṣitam। drauṇiściccheda sahasā tata uccukruśurjanāḥ ॥8-45-14॥
As the golden-adorned club approached, Drona's son swiftly cut it down, causing the people to cry out in surprise.
so'nekadhāpatadbhūmau bhāradvājasya sāyakaiḥ। viśīrṇaḥ parvato rājanyathā syānmātariśvanā ॥8-45-15॥
He fell to the ground in many ways, shattered by the arrows of Bhāradvāja, like a mountain would be by the wind, O king.
tato'rjuno raṇe drauṇiṃ vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ। sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍādapāharat ॥8-45-16॥
Then Arjuna, in the battle, struck Drona's son with ten arrows and removed his charioteer from the chariot seat with a sharp arrow.
sa saṅgṛhya svayaṃ vāhān kṛṣṇau prācchādayac charaiḥ। tatrādbhutam apaśyāma drauṇer āśu parākramam ॥8-45-17॥
He gathered himself and covered Krishna's chariots with arrows. There, we witnessed the remarkable and swift prowess of Drona's son.
ayacchatturagānyacca phalgunaṃ cāpyayodhayat। tadasya samare rājansarve yodhā apūjayan ॥8-45-18॥
He provided horses and engaged in battle with Arjuna. In that battle, O king, all the warriors honored him.
yadā tv agrasyata raṇe droṇaputreṇa phalgunaḥ। tato raśmīn rathāśvānāṃ kṣurapraiś cicchide jayaḥ ॥8-45-19॥
When Arjuna was attacked in battle by Drona's son, he skillfully cut off the reins of the chariot horses with sharp arrows, securing victory.
prādravaṃsturagāste tu śaravegaprabhāditāḥ। tato'bhūnninado bhūyastava sainyasya bhārata ॥8-45-20॥
The horses, overwhelmed by the swift arrows, fled. Then, once more, the sound of your army arose, O Bharata.
pāṇḍavāstu jayaṃ labdhvā tava sainyamupādravan। samantānniśitānbāṇānvimuñcanto jayaiṣiṇaḥ ॥8-45-21॥
The Pandavas, after achieving victory, launched an attack on your army from every direction, shooting sharp arrows in their quest for triumph.
pāṇḍavaistu mahārāja dhārtarāṣṭrī mahācamūḥ। punaḥ punaratho vīrairabhajyata jayoddhataiḥ ॥8-45-22॥
O great king, the great army of Dhritarashtra's sons was repeatedly shattered by the victorious Pandavas and their heroic warriors.
paśyatāṃ te mahārāja putrāṇāṃ citrayodhinām। śakuneḥ saubaleyasya karṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ ॥8-45-23॥
O great king, behold your sons, the distinguished warriors, along with Śakuni, the son of Subala, and the noble Karṇa.
vāryamāṇā mahāsenā putraistava janeśvara। nāvatiṣṭhata saṅgrāme tāḍyamānā samantataḥ ॥8-45-24॥
The great army, though restrained by your sons, O lord of people, could not hold its ground in battle as it was being attacked from all directions.
tato yodhairmahārāja palāyadbhistatastataḥ। abhavadyākulaṃ bhītaiḥ putrāṇāṃ te mahadbalam ॥8-45-25॥
Then, O great king, your sons' mighty army, in fear and fleeing in all directions, became disordered.
tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti satataṃ sūtaputrasya jalpataḥ। nāvatiṣṭhata sā senā vadhyamānā mahātmabhiḥ ॥8-45-26॥
The son of a charioteer continuously shouted "Stay, stay," but the army, being slaughtered by the great warriors, did not hold its ground.
athotkruṣṭaṃ mahārāja pāṇḍavairjitakāśibhiḥ। dhārtarāṣṭrabhalaṃ dṛṣṭvā dravamāṇaṃ samantataḥ ॥8-45-27॥
Then, O great king, upon seeing the Kaurava army, which had been defeated by the Pandavas and the forces of Kashi, fleeing in all directions.
tato duryodhanaḥ karṇamabravītpraṇayādiva। paśya karṇa yathā senā pāṇḍavairarditā bhṛśam ॥8-45-28॥
Then Duryodhana, with a tone of affection, said to Karna, "Look, Karna, how the army is severely troubled by the Pandavas."
tvayi tiṣṭhati santrāsāt palāyati samantataḥ। etaj jñātvā mahābāho kuru prāptam ariṃdama ॥8-45-29॥
"In you, everything stands firm out of fear and flees in all directions. Knowing this, O mighty-armed one, act accordingly, O conqueror of foes."
sahasrāṇi ca yodhānāṃ tvāmeva puruṣarṣabha। krośanti samare vīra drāvyamāṇāni pāṇḍavaiḥ ॥8-45-30॥
Thousands of warriors are calling out to you, O best of men, as they are being driven away by the Pandavas in battle, O hero.
etacchrutvā tu rādheyo duryodhanavaco mahat। madrarājamidaṃ vākyamabravītsūtanandanaḥ ॥8-45-31॥
Upon hearing these words of Duryodhana, Radheya, the son of a charioteer, addressed the Madra king with great speech.
paśya me bhujayorvīryamastrāṇāṃ ca janeśvara। adya hanmi raṇe sarvānpāñcālānpāṇḍubhiḥ saha ॥ vāhayāśvānnaravyāghra bhadreṇaiva janeśvara ॥8-45-32॥
"Behold the might of my arms and the power of my weapons, O lord of the people. Today, I shall vanquish all the Panchalas in battle along with the Pandavas. Drive the chariot, O tiger among men, with auspiciousness, O lord of the people."
evamuktvā mahārāja sūtaputraḥ pratāpavān। pragṛhya vijayaṃ vīro dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ purātanam ॥ sajyaṃ kṛtvā mahārāja saṃmṛjya ca punaḥ punaḥ ॥8-45-33॥
Thus, having spoken, the powerful son of a charioteer, took up the ancient and best bow named Vijaya, strung it, and cleaned it repeatedly, O great king.
saṁnivārya ca yodhānsvānsatyena śapathena ca। prāyojayadameyātmā bhārgavāstraṁ mahābalaḥ ॥8-45-34॥
The one with an immeasurable soul, having restrained his own warriors with truth and an oath, employed the powerful Bhargava weapon.
tato rājansahasrāṇi prayutānyarbudāni ca। koṭiśaśca śarāstīkṣṇā niragacchanmahāmṛdhe ॥8-45-35॥
Then, O king, countless sharp arrows emerged in the great battle.
jvalitaistairmahāghoraiḥ kaṅkabarhiṇavājitaiḥ। sañchannā pāṇḍavī senā na prājñāyata kiñcana ॥8-45-36॥
The Pandava army was completely obscured by the blazing and terrifying presence of vultures and the cries of peacocks, making it entirely invisible.
hāhākāro mahān āsīt pāñcālānāṃ viśāṃ pate। pīḍitānāṃ balavatā bhārgavāstreṇa saṃyuge ॥8-45-37॥
A great uproar arose among the Pāñcālas, O lord of the people, as they were afflicted by the powerful Bhārgava's weapon in the battle.
nipatadbhirgajai rājanaraścāpi sahasraśaḥ। rathaiścāpi naravyāghra hayaścāpi samantataḥ ॥8-45-38॥
O king, elephants and men were falling by the thousands, along with chariots and horses all around, O tiger among men.
prākampata mahī rājannihataistaistatastataḥ। vyākulaṃ sarvamabhavatpāṇḍavānāṃ mahadbalam ॥8-45-39॥
O king, the earth trembled due to the slain warriors, and thereafter, the entire great army of the Pandavas became distressed.
karṇastveko yudhāṃ śreṣṭho vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ। dahañśatrūnnaravyāghra śuśubhe sa parantapaḥ ॥8-45-40॥
Karna, standing alone as the best among warriors, shone brilliantly like a smokeless fire, burning his enemies, truly a tiger among men and a scorcher of foes.
te vadhyamānāḥ karṇena pāñcālāścedibhiḥ saha। tatra tatra vyamuhyanta vanadāhe yathā dvipāḥ ॥ cukruśuste naravyāghra yathāprāgvā narottamāḥ ॥8-45-41॥
The Panchalas and the Cedis, being slaughtered by Karna, were bewildered and scattered like elephants caught in a forest fire. They cried out in distress, O tiger among men, just as they had before, O best of men.
teṣāṃ tu krośatāṃ śrutvā bhītānāṃ raṇamūrdhani। dhāvatāṃ ca diśo rājanvitrasatānāṃ samantataḥ ॥ ārtanādo mahāṃstatra pretānāmiva samplave ॥8-45-42॥
Upon hearing the cries of the frightened in the midst of battle, and seeing them running in all directions, O king, there arose a great wail, as if from ghosts in a deluge.
vadhyamānāṃstu tāndṛṣṭvā sūtaputreṇa māriṣa। vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni tiryagyonigatānyapi ॥8-45-43॥
O Māriṣa, upon witnessing the slaughter by the son of Sūta, all creatures, including those of lower species, were struck with terror.
te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ। arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca vyākrośanta muhurmuhuḥ ॥ pretarājapure yadvatpretarājaṃ vicetasaḥ ॥8-45-44॥
The Sṛñjayas, being slaughtered in battle by Karna, the son of a charioteer, repeatedly called out to Arjuna and Krishna, much like the unconscious souls in the city of the dead call out to Yama, the lord of death.
athābravīd vāsudevaṃ kuntīputro dhanañjayaḥ। bhārgavāstraṃ mahāghoraṃ dṛṣṭvā tatra sabhīritam ॥8-45-45॥
Then Dhanañjaya, the son of Kuntī, addressed Vāsudeva, expressing his fear upon seeing the dreadful Bhārgava weapon there.
paśya kṛṣṇa mahābāho bhārgavāstrasya vikramam। naitad astraṃ hi samare śakyaṃ hantuṃ kathañcana ॥8-45-46॥
Behold, O mighty-armed Krishna, the power of Bhargava's weapon. This weapon is invincible in battle.
sūtaputraṃ ca saṃrabdhaṃ paśya kṛṣṇa mahāraṇe। antakapratimaṃ vīraṃ kurvāṇaṃ karma dāruṇam ॥8-45-47॥
O Krishna, behold the son of a charioteer, who is enraged and stands like Yama in the great battle, performing heroic and terrible deeds.
sutīkṣṇaṃ codayannaśvānprekṣate māṃ muhurmuhuḥ। na ca paśyāmi samare karṇasya prapalāyitam ॥8-45-48॥
He urges the horses sharply and keeps looking at me repeatedly. Yet, I do not see Karna fleeing from the battlefield.
jīvanprāpnoti puruṣaḥ saṅkhye jayaparājayau। jitasya tu hṛṣīkeśa vadha eva kuto jayaḥ ॥8-45-49॥
A living man experiences both victory and defeat in battle. However, O Hṛṣīkeśa, for the one who is conquered, there is only death; how can there be victory?
tato janārdanaḥ prāyāddraṣṭumicchanyudhiṣṭhiram। śrameṇa grāhayiṣyaṃśca karṇaṃ yuddhena māriṣa ॥8-45-50॥
Then Janardana, wishing to meet Yudhishthira and make Karna understand through the effort of battle, proceeded on his way, O great one.
arjunaṁ cābravīt kṛṣṇo bhṛśaṁ rājā parikṣataḥ। tam āśvāsya kuruśreṣṭha tataḥ karṇaṁ haniṣyasi ॥8-45-51॥
Krishna, deeply troubled, spoke to Arjuna, "After consoling him, O best of the Kurus, you will then slay Karna."
tato dhanañjayo draṣṭuṃ rājānaṃ bāṇapīḍitam। rathena prayayau kṣipraṃ saṅgrāme keśavājñayā ॥8-45-52॥
Then, by the order of Keshava (Krishna), Dhananjaya (Arjuna) quickly went by chariot to see the king who was afflicted by arrows in the battle.
gacchanneva tu kaunteyo dharmarājadidṛkṣayā। sainyamālokayāmāsa nāpaśyattatra cāgrajam ॥8-45-53॥
While going, the son of Kunti, eager to see Yudhishthira, observed the army but did not find his elder brother there.
yuddhaṁ kṛtvā tu kaunteyo droṇaputreṇa bhārata। duḥsahaṁ vajriṇā saṅkhye parājigye bhṛgoḥ sutam ॥8-45-54॥
After engaging in battle, O Bharata, the son of Kunti was ultimately defeated by the son of Drona, who was as unbearable as the wielder of the thunderbolt, in the battlefield, by the son of Bhrigu.
drauṇiṃ parājitya tatogradhanvā; kṛtvā mahadduṣkaramāryakarma. ālokayāmāsa tataḥ svasainyaṃ; dhanañjayaḥ śatrubhirapradhṛṣyaḥ ॥8-45-55॥
After defeating Drona's son, the great archer Arjuna, who had performed a noble and difficult deed, looked upon his own army, remaining invincible to his enemies.
sa yudhyamānaḥ pṛtanāmukhasthā; ñśūrāñśūro harṣayansavyasācī। pūrvāpadānaiḥ prathitaiḥ praśaṃsa; nsthirāṃścakārātmarathānanīke ॥8-45-56॥
Arjuna, standing at the forefront of the army and fighting, encouraged the heroes with his famous words, making his own chariots steadfast in the battle formation.
apaśyamānastu kirīṭamālī; yudhi jyeṣṭhaṃ bhrātaramājamīḍham। uvāca bhīmaṃ tarasābhyupetya; rājñaḥ pravṛttistviha keti rājan ॥8-45-57॥
Seeing the crowned one, the eldest brother Ajamīḍha quickly approached Bhima in battle and said, "O king, what is the news of the king here?"
bhīma uvāca॥
Bhima said:
apayāta ito rājā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। karṇabāṇavibhugnāṅgo yadi jīvetkathañcana ॥8-45-58॥
Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, has left this place. If somehow he survives the injuries inflicted by Karna's arrow.
arjuna uvāca॥
Arjuna said:
tasmādbhavāñśīghramitaḥ prayātu; rājñaḥ pravṛttyai kurusattamasya। nūnaṃ hi viddho'tibhṛśaṃ pṛṣatkaiḥ; karṇena rājā śibiraṃ gato'sau ॥8-45-59॥
Therefore, you should quickly leave from here to inform about the Kuru king. It is certain that the king, having been severely wounded by Karna's arrows, has gone to the camp.
yaḥ samprahāre niśi sampravṛtte; droṇena viddho'tibhṛśaṃ tarasvī। tasthau ca tatra'pi jayapratīkṣo; droṇena yāvanna hataḥ kilāsīt ॥8-45-60॥
The mighty warrior, who was severely pierced by Drona during the battle that commenced at night, stood there awaiting victory until he was indeed slain by Drona.
sa saṁśayaṁ gamitaḥ pāṇḍavāgryaḥ; saṅkhye'dya karṇena mahānubhāvaḥ। jñātuṁ prayāhyāśu tamadya bhīma; sthāsyāmyahaṁ śatrugaṇānnirudhya ॥8-45-61॥
The foremost of the Pandavas has been cast into doubt today by the great warrior Karna in battle. Bhima, go quickly today to find out about him; I will hold back the host of enemies.
bhīma uvāca॥
Bhima said:
tvam eva jānīhi mahānubhāva; rājñaḥ pravṛttiṃ bharatarṣabhasya। ahaṃ hi yady arjuna yāmi tatra; vakṣyanti māṃ bhīta iti pravīrāḥ ॥8-45-62॥
"You alone, O great one, understand the actions of the king, the best of the Bharatas. If I, Arjuna, were to go there, the heroes would claim that I am fearful."
tato'bravīd arjuno bhīmasenaṃ; saṃśaptakāḥ pratyanīkaṃ sthitā me। etān ahatvā na mayā tu śakya; mito'payātuṃ ripusaṅghagoṣṭhāt ॥8-45-63॥
Arjuna then addressed Bhimasena, stating that the Samsaptakas were positioned against him as his opposing force. He expressed that without defeating them, he could not withdraw from the assembly of enemies.
athābravīdarjunaṃ bhīmasenaḥ; svavīryamāśritya kurupravīra। saṃśaptakānpratiyotsyāmi saṅkhye; sarvānahaṃ yāhi dhanañjayeti ॥8-45-64॥
Then Bhimasena addressed Arjuna, saying, "O hero of the Kurus, with confidence in my own strength, I will take on all the Samsaptakas in battle; you proceed, O Dhananjaya."
tadbhīmasenasya vaco niśamya; sudurvacaṃ bhrāturamitra madhye। draṣṭuṃ kuruśreṣṭham abhiprayātuṃ; provāca vṛṣṇipravaraṃ tadānīm ॥8-45-65॥
Upon hearing the harsh words of Bhimasena, spoken among enemies, he then addressed the best of the Vrishnis, intending to approach the foremost of the Kurus.
codayāśvānhṛṣīkeśa vigāhyaitaṃ rathārṇavam। ajātaśatruṃ rājānaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi keśava ॥8-45-66॥
"O Hrishikesha, drive the horses into this ocean of chariots. I desire to see King Ajatashatru, O Keshava."
tato hayānsarvadāśārhamukhyaḥ; prācodayadbhīmamuvāca cedam। naitaccitraṃ tava karmādya vīra; yāsyāmahe jahi bhīmārisaṅghān ॥8-45-67॥
Then, the chief, always worthy of respect, urged the horses and said to Bhima: "This is not surprising, your deed today, hero; we shall go and conquer the enemy groups, Bhima."
tato yayau hṛṣīkeśo yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। śīghrācchīghrataraṃ rājanvājibhirgaruḍopamaiḥ ॥8-45-68॥
Then Hṛṣīkeśa swiftly went to King Yudhiṣṭhira, riding horses that were as fast as Garuḍa.
pratyanīke vyavasthāpya bhīmasenamariṃdamam। saṃdiśya caiva rājendra yuddhaṃ prati vṛkodaram ॥8-45-69॥
O King, having placed Bhimasena, the subduer of enemies, in the opposite army and instructed Vrikodara towards the battle.
tatastu gatvā puruṣapravīrau; rājānamāsādya śayānamekam। rathādubhau pratyavaruhya tasmā; dvavandaturdharmarājasya pādau ॥8-45-70॥
Then the two mighty warriors went to the king, who was lying alone, descended from their chariot, and bowed to the feet of the righteous king.
tau dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrau kṣemiṇau puruṣarṣabha। mudābhyupagatau kṛṣṇāvaśvināviva vāsavam ॥8-45-71॥
Seeing those two great warriors safe, they joyfully approached Krishna, just as the Ashvins approach Indra.
tāv abhyanandad rājā hi vivasvān aśvināv iva। hate mahāsure jambhe śakra-viṣṇū yathā guruḥ ॥8-45-72॥
The king, like Vivasvan welcoming the Ashvins, welcomed those two as the teacher welcomed Indra and Vishnu after the great demon Jambha was slain.
manyamāno hataṃ karṇaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। harṣagadgadayā vācā prītaḥ prāha parantapau ॥8-45-73॥
Believing that Karṇa was slain, King Yudhishthira, filled with joy and emotion, spoke with a pleased voice to the scorcher of foes.
