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Pancharatra and Core: The combined strength of Bhima and Arjuna foils the attack of the Kaurava army strategized by Karna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तं तु यान्तं महावेगैरश्वैः कपिवरध्वजम्। युद्धायाभ्यद्रवन्वीराः कुरूणां नवती रथाः ॥ परिवव्रुर्नरव्याघ्रा नरव्याघ्रं रणेऽर्जुनम् ॥८-५९-१॥
As Arjuna, bearing the monkey-banner, advanced with great speed on his horses, ninety chariots of the Kuru heroes rushed towards him for battle. The warriors, fierce as tigers, encircled Arjuna, the tiger among men, on the battlefield.
कृष्णः श्वेतान्महावेगानश्वान्कनकभूषणान्। मुक्ताजालप्रतिच्छन्नान्प्रैषीत्कर्णरथं प्रति ॥८-५९-२॥
Krishna dispatched the swift white horses, adorned with gold and covered with a net of pearls, towards Karna's chariot.
ततः कर्णरथं यान्तमरीन्घ्नन्तं धनञ्जयम्। बाणवर्षैरभिघ्नन्तः संशप्तकरथा ययुः ॥८-५९-३॥
Then, as Karna's chariot advanced, slaying enemies, Dhananjaya was struck by showers of arrows from the chariots of the Samsaptakas.
त्वरमाणांस्तु तान्सर्वान्ससूतेष्वसनध्वजान्। जघान नवतिं वीरानर्जुनो निशितैः शरैः ॥८-५९-४॥
Arjuna swiftly killed all those ninety warriors, who were advancing with chariots and had their flags lowered, using his sharp arrows.
तेऽपतन्त हता बाणैर्नानारूपैः किरीटिना। सविमाना यथा सिद्धाः स्वर्गात्पुण्यक्षये तथा ॥८-५९-५॥
They fell from the sky, slain by Arjuna's diverse arrows, along with their celestial vehicles, just as celestial beings fall from heaven when their accumulated merit is exhausted.
ततः सरथनागाश्वाः कुरवः कुरुसत्तम। निर्भया भरतश्रेष्ठमभ्यवर्तन्त फल्गुनम् ॥८-५९-६॥
Then, O esteemed Kuru, the fearless Kurus, accompanied by chariots, elephants, and horses, advanced towards Arjuna, the best among the Bharatas.
तदायस्तममुक्तास्त्रमुदीर्णवरवारणम्। पुत्राणां ते महत्सैन्यं समरौत्सीद्धनञ्जयः ॥८-५९-७॥
Dhananjaya faced the great army of your sons, with his weapon still unreleased, rising like a magnificent elephant in the battle.
शक्त्यृष्टितोमरप्रासैर्गदानिस्त्रिंशसायकैः। प्राच्छादयन्महेष्वासाः कुरवः कुरुनन्दनम् ॥८-५९-८॥
The great archers of the Kuru dynasty showered the son of Kuru with a barrage of spears, clubs, javelins, maces, swords, and arrows.
तां कुरूणां प्रविततां शस्त्रवृष्टिं समुद्यताम्। व्यधमत्पाण्डवो बाणैस्तमः सूर्य इवांशुभिः ॥८-५९-९॥
The Pāṇḍava, with his arrows, dispelled the weapon-rain of the Kurus, much like the sun dispels darkness with its rays.
ततो म्लेच्छाः स्थितैर्मत्तैस्त्रयोदशशतैर्गजैः। पार्श्वतोऽभ्यहनन्पार्थं तव पुत्रस्य शासनात् ॥८-५९-१०॥
Then, by the command of your son, the barbarians, positioned with thirteen hundred intoxicated elephants, launched an attack on Arjuna from the flank.
कर्णिनालीकनाराचैस्तोमरैः प्रासशक्तिभिः। कम्पनैर्भिण्डिपालैश्च रथस्थं पार्थमार्दयन् ॥८-५९-११॥
Arjuna, standing on his chariot, was tormented by a barrage of arrows, darts, iron arrows, spears, javelins, missiles, maces, and clubs.
तामस्त्रवृष्टिं प्रहितां द्विपस्थैर्यवनैः स्मयन्। चिच्छेद निशितैर्भल्लैरर्धचन्द्रैश्च फल्गुनः ॥८-५९-१२॥
Arjuna, with a smile, deftly intercepted and cut down the barrage of weapons launched by the Yavanas mounted on elephants, using his sharp crescent-shaped arrows.
अथ तान्द्विरदान्सर्वान्नानालिङ्गैर्महाशरैः। सपताकान्सहारोहान्गिरीन्वज्रैरिवाभिनत् ॥८-५९-१३॥
Then he attacked all those elephants, adorned with various marks and flags, along with their riders, as if striking mountains with thunderbolts.
ते हेमपुङ्खैरिषुभिराचिता हेममालिनः। हताः पेतुर्महानागाः साग्निज्वाला इवाद्रयः ॥८-५९-१४॥
The great serpents, adorned with golden-feathered arrows and golden garlands, were slain and fell like mountains with flames of fire.
ततो गाण्डीवनिर्घोषो महानासीद्विशां पते। स्तनतां कूजतां चैव मनुष्यगजवाजिनाम् ॥८-५९-१५॥
Then, O lord of the people, the great sound of Gandiva arose, mingling with the roars and cries of men, elephants, and horses.
कुञ्जराश्च हता राजन्प्राद्रवंस्ते समन्ततः। अश्वाश्च पर्यधावन्त हतारोहा दिशो दश ॥८-५९-१६॥
The elephants were killed, O king, and they fled in all directions. The horses, whose riders were killed, ran around in all ten directions.
रथा हीना महाराज रथिभिर्वाजिभिस्तथा। गन्धर्वनगराकारा दृश्यन्ते स्म सहस्रशः ॥८-५९-१७॥
O great king, thousands of chariots without charioteers and horses appeared like the city of Gandharvas.
अश्वारोहा महाराज धावमानास्ततस्ततः। तत्र तत्रैव दृश्यन्ते पतिताः पार्थसायकैः ॥८-५९-१८॥
O great king, the horsemen are seen running here and there, struck down by Arjuna's arrows.
तस्मिन्क्षणे पाण्डवस्य बाह्वोर्बलमदृश्यत। यत्सादिनो वारणांश्च रथांश्चैकोऽजयद्युधि ॥८-५९-१९॥
In that moment, the strength of the Pandava's arms was revealed, as he single-handedly conquered horsemen, elephants, and chariots in battle.
ततस्त्र्यङ्गेण महता बलेन भरतर्षभ। दृष्ट्वा परिवृतं राजन्भीमसेनः किरीटिनम् ॥८-५९-२०॥
Then, O best of the Bharatas, Bhimasena saw the crowned one surrounded by a great force with three divisions, O king.
हतावशेषानुत्सृज्य त्वदीयान्कतिचिद्रथान्। जवेनाभ्यद्रवद्राजन्धनञ्जयरथं प्रति ॥८-५९-२१॥
Leaving behind the remnants and abandoning some of your chariots, O king, he rushed swiftly towards Arjuna's chariot.
ततस्तत्प्राद्रवत्सैन्यं हतभूयिष्ठमातुरम्। दृष्ट्वा यदर्जुनं भीमो जगाम भ्रातरं प्रति ॥८-५९-२२॥
Then that army, mostly defeated and distressed, fled. Upon seeing Arjuna, Bhima went towards his brother.
हतावशिष्टांस्तुरगानर्जुनेन महाजवान्। भीमो व्यधमदभ्रान्तो गदापाणिर्महाहवे ॥८-५९-२३॥
In the great battle, Arjuna killed the remaining swift horses, while Bhima, with his mace in hand, unperturbedly scattered them.
कालरात्रिमिवात्युग्रां नरनागाश्वभोजनाम्। प्राकाराट्टपुरद्वारदारणीमतिदारुणाम् ॥८-५९-२४॥
It was like the night of destruction, extremely fierce, devouring men, elephants, and horses, and tearing apart the city's ramparts, towers, and gates, presenting an extremely terrible sight.
ततो गदां नृनागाश्वेष्वाशु भीमो व्यवासृजत्। सा जघान बहूनश्वानश्वारोहांश्च मारिष ॥८-५९-२५॥
Then Bhima, with great speed, hurled his mace upon the men, elephants, and horses, causing great destruction by killing many horses and horsemen, O lord.
कांस्यायसतनुत्रांस्तान्नरानश्वांश्च पाण्डवः। पोथयामास गदया सशब्दं तेऽपतन्हताः ॥८-५९-२६॥
The Pāṇḍava, with his mace, struck down the armored men and horses made of bronze and iron, causing a loud noise as they fell, lifeless.
हत्वा तु तद्गजानीकं भीमसेनो महाबलः। पुनः स्वरथमास्थाय पृष्ठतोऽर्जुनमन्वगात् ॥८-५९-२७॥
After slaying the elephant army, the mighty Bhimasena mounted his chariot once more and followed Arjuna from behind.
हतं पराङ्मुखप्रायं निरुत्साहं परं बलम्। व्यालम्बत महाराज प्रायशः शस्त्रवेष्टितम् ॥८-५९-२८॥
The great army, mostly turned away and dispirited, was hanging around, O great king, mostly surrounded by weapons.
विलम्बमानं तत्सैन्यमप्रगल्भमवस्थितम्। दृष्ट्वा प्राच्छादयद्बाणैरर्जुनः प्राणतापनैः ॥८-५९-२९॥
Arjuna, observing the unsteady and delayed army, showered them with arrows that tormented their lives.
ततः कुरूणामभवदार्तनादो महामृधे। रथाश्वनागासुहरैर्वध्यतामर्जुनेषुभिः ॥८-५९-३०॥
Then, in the great battle, a loud wailing arose from the Kurus as Arjuna's arrows took the lives of their chariots, horses, and elephants.
हाहाकृतं भृशं तस्थौ लीयमानं परस्परम्। अलातचक्रवत्सैन्यं तदाभ्रमत तावकम् ॥८-५९-३१॥
The army, making a loud noise, stood intensely as they merged with each other. Then, like a firebrand wheel, your army whirled around.
आदीप्तं तव तत्सैन्यं शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदम्। आसीत्स्वशोणितक्लिन्नं फुल्लाशोकवनं यथा ॥८-५९-३२॥
Your army, blazing and with its cover cut by arrows, was soaked in its own blood, resembling a blooming ashoka forest.
तद्दृष्ट्वा कुरवस्तत्र विक्रान्तं सव्यसाचिनः। निराशाः समपद्यन्त सर्वे कर्णस्य जीविते ॥८-५९-३३॥
Upon witnessing the valiant Arjuna there, all the Kurus lost hope in Karna's survival.
अविषह्यं तु पार्थस्य शरसम्पातमाहवे। मत्वा न्यवर्तन्कुरवो जिता गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥८-५९-३४॥
The Kauravas, realizing the unstoppable barrage of arrows from Arjuna in the battle, retreated, defeated by him who wields the Gandiva bow.
ते हित्वा समरे पार्थं वध्यमानाश्च सायकैः। प्रदुद्रुवुर्दिशो भीताश्चुक्रुशुश्चापि सूतजम् ॥८-५९-३५॥
In the battle, they left Arjuna and, being struck by arrows, fled in all directions in fear, calling out to Karna.
अभ्यद्रवत तान्पार्थः किरञ्शरशतान्बहून्। हर्षयन्पाण्डवान्योधान्भीमसेनपुरोगमान् ॥८-५९-३६॥
Pārtha, the son of Pritha, charged at them, releasing numerous arrows, encouraging the Pandava warriors led by Bhimasena.
पुत्रास्तु ते महाराज जग्मुः कर्णरथं प्रति। अगाधे मज्जतां तेषां द्वीपः कर्णोऽभवत्तदा ॥८-५९-३७॥
Your sons, O great king, approached Karna's chariot. In their dire situation, Karna became their refuge.
कुरवो हि महाराज निर्विषाः पन्नगा इव। कर्णमेवोपलीयन्त भयाद्गाण्डीवधन्वनः ॥८-५९-३८॥
O great king, the Kurus, like serpents without venom, sought refuge in Karna alone, fearing the mighty archer who wielded the Gandiva bow.
यथा सर्वाणि भूतानि मृत्योर्भीतानि भारत। धर्ममेवोपलीयन्ते कर्मवन्ति हि यानि च ॥८-५९-३९॥
O Bharata, just as all beings are afraid of death and take refuge in righteousness, so do those who are engaged in actions.
तथा कर्णं महेष्वासं पुत्रास्तव नराधिप। उपालीयन्त सन्त्रासात्पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः ॥८-५९-४०॥
Thus, O king, your sons, fearing the great-souled Pandava, approached Karna, the great archer.
ताञ्शोणितपरिक्लिन्नान्विषमस्थाञ्शरातुरान्। मा भैष्टेत्यब्रवीत्कर्णो ह्यभितो मामितेति च ॥८-५९-४१॥
Karna, seeing those around him soaked in blood and afflicted by arrows in uneven places, reassured them by saying, "Do not fear," and also addressed me.
सम्भग्नं हि बलं दृष्ट्वा बलात्पार्थेन तावकम्। धनुर्विस्फारयन्कर्णस्तस्थौ शत्रुजिघांसया ॥ पाञ्चालान्पुनराधावत्पश्यतः सव्यसाचिनः ॥८-५९-४२॥
Seeing his forces broken by Arjuna, Karna stood firm, stretching his bow with the intent to kill. He then rushed again towards the Panchalas, under the watchful eyes of Arjuna.
ततः क्षणेन क्षितिपाः क्षतजप्रतिमेक्षणाः। कर्णं ववर्षुर्बाणौघैर्यथा मेघा महीधरम् ॥८-५९-४३॥
Then, in an instant, the kings, their eyes bloodshot, rained arrows upon Karna as clouds pour upon a mountain.
ततः शरसहस्राणि कर्णमुक्तानि मारिष। व्ययोजयन्त पाञ्चालान्प्राणैः प्राणभृतां वर ॥८-५९-४४॥
Then, O sir, thousands of arrows released by Karna took the lives of the Panchalas, O best among the living beings.
ततो रणो महानासीत्पाञ्चालानां विशां पते। वध्यतां सूतपुत्रेण मित्रार्थेऽमित्रघातिनाम् ॥८-५९-४५॥
Then a great battle ensued, O lord of the Pāñcālas, where the son of a charioteer killed the enemy slayers for the sake of his friends.
