08.064
Pancharatra and Core: Duryodhana rejects the last-minute advice by Ashwatthama to broker peace, remembering with hate Duḥśāsana's demise and believing Karna will kill Arjuna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तद्देवनागासुरसिद्धसङ्घै; र्गन्धर्वयक्षाप्सरसां च सङ्घैः। ब्रह्मर्षिराजर्षिसुपर्णजुष्टं; बभौ वियद्विस्मयनीयरूपम् ॥८-६४-१॥
The sky, filled with the assemblies of gods, serpents, demons, sages, celestial musicians, demigods, and nymphs, and attended by sages, royal sages, and Garuda, appeared in a marvelous form.
नानद्यमानं निनदैर्मनोज्ञै; र्वादित्रगीतस्तुतिभिश्च नृत्तैः। सर्वेऽन्तरिक्षे ददृशुर्मनुष्याः; खस्थांश्च तान्विस्मयनीयरूपान् ॥८-६४-२॥
All humans saw those in the sky, resounding with pleasing sounds of musical instruments, songs, praises, and dances, and were amazed by their wonderful forms.
ततः प्रहृष्टाः कुरुपाण्डुयोधा; वादित्रपत्रायुधसिंहनादैः। निनादयन्तो वसुधां दिशश्च; स्वनेन सर्वे द्विषतो निजघ्नुः ॥८-६४-३॥
Then, the elated warriors of the Kuru and Pandava clans, accompanied by the sounds of musical instruments, banners, weapons, and lion-like roars, filled the earth and the directions with their resounding noise, defeating all their enemies.
नानाश्वमातङ्गरथायुताकुलं; वरासिशक्त्यृष्टिनिपातदुःसहम्। अभीरुजुष्टं हतदेहसङ्कुलं; रणाजिरं लोहितरक्तमाबभौ ॥८-६४-४॥
The battlefield was a chaotic scene with countless horses, elephants, and chariots. It was a terrifying place with swords, spears, and javelins falling relentlessly. Cowards found pleasure in it, as it was filled with the bodies of the slain and appeared drenched in blood.
तथा प्रवृत्तेऽस्त्रभृतां पराभवे; धनञ्जयश्चाधिरथिश्च सायकैः। दिशश्च सैन्यं च शितैरजिह्मगैः; परस्परं प्रोर्णुवतुः स्म दंशितौ ॥८-६४-५॥
In the battle, as the weapon-bearers were engaged in defeat, Arjuna and Karna, with their arrows, fiercely covered all directions and the army, striking each other with sharp, straight-flying arrows.
ततस्त्वदीयाश्च परे च सायकैः; कृतेऽन्धकारे विविदुर्न किञ्चन। भयात्तु तावेव रथौ समाश्रयं; स्तमोनुदौ खे प्रसृता इवांशवः ॥८-६४-६॥
Then, neither your side nor the enemy could discern anything as the arrows created darkness. Out of fear, they sought refuge in their chariots, like rays spreading in the sky dispelling the darkness.
ततोऽस्त्रमस्त्रेण परस्परस्य तौ; विधूय वाताविव पूर्वपश्चिमौ। घनान्धकारे वितते तमोनुदौ; यथोदितौ तद्वदतीव रेजतुः ॥८-६४-७॥
Then, like opposing winds from the east and west dispelling dense darkness, they both shone brightly with their weapons against each other.
न चाभिमन्तव्यमिति प्रचोदिताः; परे त्वदीयाश्च तदावतस्थिरे। महारथौ तौ परिवार्य सर्वतः; सुरासुरा वासवशम्बराविव ॥८-६४-८॥
They were instructed not to boast, and your people stood firm. Those two great charioteers were surrounded on all sides, like Indra and Shambara among gods and demons.
मृदङ्गभेरीपणवानकस्वनै; र्निनादिते भारत शङ्खनिस्वनैः। ससिंहनादौ बभतुर्नरोत्तमौ; शशाङ्कसूर्याविव मेघसम्प्लवे ॥८-६४-९॥
In the midst of the tumultuous sounds of drums, kettle-drums, small drums, and large drums, and the roaring of conches, the best among men stood like the moon and sun amidst a deluge of clouds, O Bharata.
महाधनुर्मण्डलमध्यगावुभौ; सुवर्चसौ बाणसहस्ररश्मिनौ। दिधक्षमाणौ सचराचरं जग; द्युगास्तसूर्याविव दुःसहौ रणे ॥८-६४-१०॥
Both warriors, positioned at the center of the great bow's circle, shone brightly with thousands of arrow rays, ready to scorch the entire world, moving and non-moving, like the fierce sun in battle.
उभावजेयावहितान्तकावुभौ; जिघांसतुस्तौ कृतिनौ परस्परम्। महाहवे वीरवरौ समीयतु; र्यथेन्द्रजम्भाविव कर्णपाण्डवौ ॥८-६४-११॥
Both invincible warriors, eager to destroy their enemies, met in the great battle like the legendary encounters of Indra and Jambha, or Karna and Pandava.
ततो महास्त्राणि महाधनुर्धरौ; विमुञ्चमानाविषुभिर्भयानकैः। नराश्वनागानमितौ निजघ्नतुः; परस्परं जघ्नतुरुत्तमेषुभिः ॥८-६४-१२॥
Then the two great archers, wielding their mighty bows, unleashed terrifying arrows, slaughtering countless men, horses, and elephants; they also struck each other with their finest arrows.
ततो विसस्रुः पुनरर्दिताः शरै; र्नरोत्तमाभ्यां कुरुपाण्डवाश्रयाः। सनागपत्त्यश्वरथा दिशो गता; स्तथा यथा सिंहभयाद्वनौकसः ॥८-६४-१३॥
Then, once again afflicted by arrows, the followers of the Kuru and Pandava, along with their elephants, horses, and chariots, scattered in all directions as forest dwellers would from the fear of a lion.
ततस्तु दुर्योधनभोजसौबलाः; कृपश्च शारद्वतसूनुना सह। महारथाः पञ्च धनञ्जयाच्युतौ; शरैः शरीरान्तकरैरताडयन् ॥८-६४-१४॥
Then, Duryodhana, Bhoja, and the sons of Subala, along with Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat, joined forces as five great charioteers to attack Dhanañjaya and Acyuta with deadly arrows.
धनूंषि तेषामिषुधीन्हयान्ध्वजा; न्रथांश्च सूतांश्च धनञ्जयः शरैः। समं च चिच्छेद पराभिनच्च ता; ञ्शरोत्तमैर्द्वादशभिश्च सूतजम् ॥८-६४-१५॥
Arjuna, with his arrows, cut down the bows, quivers, horses, flags, chariots, and charioteers of his enemies. He then pierced them equally with twelve excellent arrows, including Karna.
अथाभ्यधावंस्त्वरिताः शतं रथाः; शतं च नागार्जुनमाततायिनः। शकास्तुखारा यवनाश्च सादिनः; सहैव काम्बोजवरैर्जिघांसवः ॥८-६४-१६॥
Then a hundred swift chariots and a hundred Nāgārjuna warriors rushed forward. The Śakas, Tukhāras, and Yavanas horsemen, along with the best of Kambojas, were intent on killing.
वरायुधान्पाणिगतान्करैः सह; क्षुरैर्न्यकृन्तंस्त्वरिताः शिरांसि च। हयांश्च नागांश्च रथांश्च युध्यतां; धनञ्जयः शत्रुगणं तमक्षिणोत् ॥८-६४-१७॥
Arjuna, wielding the best weapons in his hands, swiftly cut down the heads, horses, elephants, and chariots of the fighting enemies with razors, destroying the entire enemy host.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे सुरतूर्यनिस्वनाः; ससाधुवादा हृषितैः समीरिताः। निपेतुरप्युत्तमपुष्पवृष्टयः; सुरूपगन्धाः पवनेरिताः शिवाः ॥८-६४-१८॥
Then, in the sky, the sounds of divine instruments echoed with joyful praises. Showers of excellent flowers, carrying beautiful fragrances, were auspiciously carried by the wind and fell down.
तदद्भुतं देवमनुष्यसाक्षिकं; समीक्ष्य भूतानि विसिष्मियुर्नृप। तवात्मजः सूतसुतश्च न व्यथां; न विस्मयं जग्मतुरेकनिश्चयौ ॥८-६४-१९॥
The marvelous event, seen by both gods and humans, left the beings astonished, O king. However, your son and the son of Sūta remained undisturbed and unamazed, steadfast in their resolve.
अथाब्रवीद्द्रोणसुतस्तवात्मजं; करं करेण प्रतिपीड्य सान्त्वयन्। प्रसीद दुर्योधन शाम्य पाण्डवै; रलं विरोधेन धिगस्तु विग्रहम् ॥८-६४-२०॥
Then the son of Droṇa, consoling your son by pressing his hand, said: "Please, Duryodhana, make peace with the Pandavas; enough of this enmity, shame on this conflict."
हतो गुरुर्ब्रह्मसमो महास्त्रवि; त्तथैव भीष्मप्रमुखा नरर्षभाः। अहं त्ववध्यो मम चापि मातुलः; प्रशाधि राज्यं सह पाण्डवैश्चिरम् ॥८-६४-२१॥
The great teacher, akin to Brahma and a master of weapons, has been slain; likewise, the noble warriors led by Bhishma. However, I am invincible, and so is my uncle; govern the kingdom alongside the Pandavas for an extended period.
धनञ्जयः स्थास्यति वारितो मया; जनार्दनो नैव विरोधमिच्छति। युधिष्ठिरो भूतहिते सदा रतो; वृकोदरस्तद्वशगस्तथा यमौ ॥८-६४-२२॥
Arjuna will be held back by me; Krishna does not wish for any conflict. Yudhishthira is always devoted to the welfare of all beings, and Bhima, along with the twins Nakula and Sahadeva, follows his lead.
त्वया च पार्थैश्च परस्परेण; प्रजाः शिवं प्राप्नुयुरिच्छति त्वयि। व्रजन्तु शेषाः स्वपुराणि पार्थिवा; निवृत्तवैराश्च भवन्तु सैनिकाः ॥८-६४-२३॥
You and the sons of Pṛthā mutually desire that the subjects may attain auspiciousness in you. Let the remaining kings return to their own cities, and let the soldiers be free from enmity.
न चेद्वचः श्रोष्यसि मे नराधिप; ध्रुवं प्रतप्तासि हतोऽरिभिर्युधि। इदं च दृष्टं जगता सह त्वया; कृतं यदेकेन किरीटमालिना ॥ यथा न कुर्याद्बलभिन्न चान्तको; न च प्रचेता भगवान्न यक्षराट् ॥८-६४-२४॥
If you do not heed my words, O king, you are surely tormented and slain by enemies in battle. This has been witnessed by the world along with you, accomplished by the one with a crown. Just as neither the one broken by strength nor death would act, nor the wise, nor the blessed, nor the king of Yakshas.
अतोऽपि भूयांश्च गुणैर्धनञ्जयः; स चाभिपत्स्यत्यखिलं वचो मम। तवानुयात्रां च तथा करिष्यति; प्रसीद राजञ्जगतः शमाय वै ॥८-६४-२५॥
Therefore, Arjuna, who possesses greater qualities, will follow all my instructions and will accompany you. Please be gracious, O King, for the peace of the world.
ममापि मानः परमः सदा त्वयि; ब्रवीम्यतस्त्वां परमाच्च सौहृदात्। निवारयिष्यामि हि कर्णमप्यहं; यदा भवान्सप्रणयो भविष्यति ॥८-६४-२६॥
"My respect for you is always supreme; therefore, I speak to you from the highest friendship. I will indeed restrain even my ear when you show affection."
वदन्ति मित्रं सहजं विचक्षणा; स्तथैव साम्ना च धनेन चार्जितम्। प्रतापतश्चोपनतं चतुर्विधं; तदस्ति सर्वं त्वयि पाण्डवेषु च ॥८-६४-२७॥
The wise declare that friendship is inherent and also acquired through conciliation, wealth, and power. All these qualities are present in you and the Pandavas.
निसर्गतस्ते तव वीर बान्धवाः; पुनश्च साम्ना च समाप्नुहि स्थिरम्। त्वयि प्रसन्ने यदि मित्रतामियु; र्ध्रुवं नरेन्द्रेन्द्र तथा त्वमाचर ॥८-६४-२८॥
Naturally, your heroic relatives should achieve steadiness again by conciliation. If they become pleased with you and attain friendship, O king of kings, then certainly act accordingly.
स एवमुक्तः सुहृदा वचो हितं; विचिन्त्य निःश्वस्य च दुर्मनाब्रवीत्। यथा भवानाह सखे तथैव त; न्ममापि च ज्ञापयतो वचः शृणु ॥८-६४-२९॥
He, having been addressed by his friend with beneficial words, thought deeply, sighed, and said with distress: "Friend, as you have spoken, so also hear my words."
निहत्य दुःशासनमुक्तवान्बहु; प्रसह्य शार्दूलवदेष दुर्मतिः। वृकोदरस्तद्धृदये मम स्थितं; न तत्परोक्षं भवतः कुतः शमः ॥८-६४-३०॥
After killing Duḥśāsana, Bhīma, with a wicked mind, spoke much forcefully like a tiger. Vṛkodara (Bhīma) is deeply rooted in my heart; this is not hidden from you, so where can there be peace?
न चापि कर्णं गुरुपुत्र संस्तवा; दुपारमेत्यर्हसि वक्तुमच्युत। श्रमेण युक्तो महताद्य फल्गुन; स्तमेष कर्णः प्रसभं हनिष्यति ॥८-६४-३१॥
Do not praise Karna, O son of the teacher; having approached this difficult task, you should speak, O infallible one. Today, with great effort, Arjuna is engaged, and this Karna will forcibly kill him.
तमेवमुक्त्वाभ्यनुनीय चासकृ; त्तवात्मजः स्वाननुशास्ति सैनिकान्। समाघ्नताभिद्रवताहितानिमा; न्सबाणशब्दान्किमु जोषमास्यते ॥८-६४-३२॥
Having thus spoken and repeatedly persuaded, your son commands his soldiers to strike and charge with the sounds of arrows, questioning why they sit silently.
