09.009
Core and Pancharatra: While King Madra faces the Pandavas alone, the rest of the Kaurava forces retreat. Nakula kills Chitrasena, Satyasena, and Suṣeṇa, sons of Karna.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तत्प्रभग्नं बलं दृष्ट्वा मद्रराजः प्रतापवान्। उवाच सारथिं तूर्णं चोदयाश्वान्महाजवान् ॥९-९-१॥
Upon witnessing the disarray of his forces, the valiant king of Madra commanded his charioteer, "Drive the swift horses with haste."
एष तिष्ठति वै राजा पाण्डुपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। छत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन पाण्डुरेण विराजता ॥९-९-२॥
Here stands King Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, shining with a white umbrella held over him.
अत्र मां प्रापय क्षिप्रं पश्य मे सारथे बलम्। न समर्था हि मे पार्थाः स्थातुमद्य पुरो युधि ॥९-९-३॥
"Lead me quickly here, O charioteer, and see my strength. My sons of Pritha are not capable of standing before the enemy in battle today."
एवमुक्तस्ततः प्रायान्मद्रराजस्य सारथिः। यत्र राजा सत्यसन्धो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः ॥९-९-४॥
Having been thus addressed, the charioteer of the king of Madra then proceeded to the place where the truthful king, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, was present.
आपतन्तं च सहसा पाण्डवानां महद्बलम्। दधारैको रणे शल्यो वेलेवोद्धृतमर्णवम् ॥९-९-५॥
Suddenly, as the great force of the Pandavas approached in battle, Shalya alone stood firm, like a shore holding back the ocean.
पाण्डवानां बलौघस्तु शल्यमासाद्य मारिष। व्यतिष्ठत तदा युद्धे सिन्धोर्वेग इवाचलम् ॥९-९-६॥
The Pandavas' army, upon facing Shalya, stood firm in the battle, resembling the ocean's force against a mountain.
मद्रराजं तु समरे दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय विष्ठितम्। कुरवः संन्यवर्तन्त मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥९-९-७॥
Upon seeing the Madra king ready for battle, the Kurus retreated, accepting death as their fate.
तेषु राजन्निवृत्तेषु व्यूढानीकेषु भागशः। प्रावर्तत महारौद्रः सङ्ग्रामः शोणितोदकः ॥ समार्छच्चित्रसेनेन नकुलो युद्धदुर्मदः ॥९-९-८॥
O king, when the armies were arranged in their respective formations, a fierce and bloody battle began. Nakula, filled with the fury of battle, was challenged by Citrasena.
तौ परस्परमासाद्य चित्रकार्मुकधारिणौ। मेघाविव यथोद्वृत्तौ दक्षिणोत्तरवर्षिणौ ॥९-९-९॥
They both approached each other, bearing wonderful bows, like clouds rising and raining from the south and north.
शरतोयैः सिषिचतुस्तौ परस्परमाहवे। नान्तरं तत्र पश्यामि पाण्डवस्येतरस्य वा ॥९-९-१०॥
In the battle, both sides showered each other with arrows, making it impossible to distinguish between the Pandavas and their opponents.
उभौ कृतास्त्रौ बलिनौ रथचर्याविशारदौ। परस्परवधे यत्तौ छिद्रान्वेषणतत्परौ ॥९-९-११॥
Both were skilled in weapons and strong, experts in chariotry, intent on killing each other, and eager to find weaknesses in their opponent.
चित्रसेनस्तु भल्लेन पीतेन निशितेन च। नकुलस्य महाराज मुष्टिदेशेऽच्छिनद्धनुः ॥९-९-१२॥
Citrasena skillfully severed Nakula's bow at the grip with a sharp, yellow arrow, demonstrating his prowess in battle, O great king.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं रुक्मपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः। त्रिभिः शरैरसम्भ्रान्तो ललाटे वै समर्पयत् ॥९-९-१३॥
Then, unperturbed, he placed three golden-feathered, stone-sharpened arrows on his forehead, even though his bow was broken.
हयांश्चास्य शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः प्रेषयामास मृत्यवे। तथा ध्वजं सारथिं च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरपातयत् ॥९-९-१४॥
He shot sharp arrows at the horses, sending them to their death. Similarly, he knocked down the flag and the charioteer with three arrows each.
स शत्रुभुजनिर्मुक्तैर्ललाटस्थैस्त्रिभिः शरैः। नकुलः शुशुभे राजंस्त्रिशृङ्ग इव पर्वतः ॥९-९-१५॥
Nakul, adorned with three arrows on his forehead, appeared majestic like a three-peaked mountain, O king.
स छिन्नधन्वा विरथः खड्गमादाय चर्म च। रथादवातरद्वीरः शैलाग्रादिव केसरी ॥९-९-१६॥
The hero, having his bow broken and chariot lost, took up his sword and shield and descended from the chariot like a lion from a mountain peak.
पद्भ्यामापततस्तस्य शरवृष्टिमवासृजत्। नकुलोऽप्यग्रसत्तां वै चर्मणा लघुविक्रमः ॥९-९-१७॥
As he approached with his feet, he unleashed a shower of arrows. Nakula, swift in action, also took the lead with his shield.
चित्रसेनरथं प्राप्य चित्रयोधी जितश्रमः। आरुरोह महाबाहुः सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः ॥९-९-१८॥
The mighty-armed warrior, having gained Citraseṇa's chariot and overcome fatigue, ascended it as the entire army watched.
सकुण्डलं समुकुटं सुनसं स्वायतेक्षणम्। चित्रसेनशिरः कायादपाहरत पाण्डवः ॥ स पपात रथोपस्थाद्दिवाकरसमप्रभः ॥९-९-१९॥
The Pāṇḍava beheaded Citraseṇa, whose head was adorned with earrings, a crown, a beautiful nose, and large eyes. Citraseṇa fell from the chariot, shining like the sun.
चित्रसेनं विशस्तं तु दृष्ट्वा तत्र महारथाः। साधुवादस्वनांश्चक्रुः सिंहनादांश्च पुष्कलान् ॥९-९-२०॥
Upon witnessing the fall of Citrasena, the great warriors there erupted in praises and resounding lion-roars.
विशस्तं भ्रातरं दृष्ट्वा कर्णपुत्रौ महारथौ। सुषेणः सत्यसेनश्च मुञ्चन्तौ निशिताञ्शरान् ॥९-९-२१॥
Upon witnessing their brother slain, Karna's sons, the mighty warriors Suṣena and Satyasena, began to unleash sharp arrows.
ततोऽभ्यधावतां तूर्णं पाण्डवं रथिनां वरम्। जिघांसन्तौ यथा नागं व्याघ्रौ राजन्महावने ॥९-९-२२॥
Then, O king, like two tigers in a great forest desiring to kill an elephant, they quickly ran towards the best of the charioteers, the Pāṇḍava.
तावभ्यधावतां तीक्ष्णौ द्वावप्येनं महारथम्। शरौघान्सम्यगस्यन्तौ जीमूतौ सलिलं यथा ॥९-९-२३॥
The two sharp warriors rushed towards the great chariot, releasing a shower of arrows just as clouds release rain.
स शरैः सर्वतो विद्धः प्रहृष्ट इव पाण्डवः। अन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय रथमारुह्य वीर्यवान् ॥ अतिष्ठत रणे वीरः क्रुद्धरूप इवान्तकः ॥९-९-२४॥
Pierced from all sides by arrows, he appeared delighted like a Pāṇḍava. Taking another bow and ascending the chariot, the valiant hero stood in the battlefield, resembling Death in his wrathful form.
तस्य तौ भ्रातरौ राजञ्शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। रथं विशकलीकर्तुं समारब्धौ विशां पते ॥९-९-२५॥
His two brothers, O king, began to shatter the chariot with arrows having bent joints, O lord of men.
ततः प्रहस्य नकुलश्चतुर्भिश्चतुरो रणे। जघान निशितैस्तीक्ष्णैः सत्यसेनस्य वाजिनः ॥९-९-२६॥
Then, with a smile, Nakula slew the four horses of Satyasena in the battle using four sharp and keen weapons.
ततः सन्धाय नाराचं रुक्मपुङ्खं शिलाशितम्। धनुश्चिच्छेद राजेन्द्र सत्यसेनस्य पाण्डवः ॥९-९-२७॥
Then the Pandava, having fixed a golden-feathered, stone-sharpened arrow, cut the bow of Satyasena, O king.
अथान्यं रथमास्थाय धनुरादाय चापरम्। सत्यसेनः सुषेणश्च पाण्डवं पर्यधावताम् ॥९-९-२८॥
Then Satyasena and Suṣeṇa, having mounted another chariot and armed with another bow, rushed towards the Pāṇḍava.
अविध्यत्तावसम्भ्रान्तौ माद्रीपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यां महाराज शराभ्यां रणमूर्धनि ॥९-९-२९॥
The valiant son of Madri, unperturbed, struck those two with two arrows each at the forefront of the battle, O great king.
सुषेणस्तु ततः क्रुद्धः पाण्डवस्य महद्धनुः। चिच्छेद प्रहसन्युद्धे क्षुरप्रेण महारथः ॥९-९-३०॥
Suṣena, in a fit of anger, skillfully severed the great bow of the Pāṇḍava with a razor-sharp arrow during the battle, laughing as he did so.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय नकुलः क्रोधमूर्छितः। सुषेणं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा ध्वजमेकेन चिच्छिदे ॥९-९-३१॥
Then Nakul, in a fit of rage, took another bow and shot five arrows at Sushena, cutting off his flag with one.
सत्यसेनस्य च धनुर्हस्तावापं च मारिष। चिच्छेद तरसा युद्धे तत उच्चुक्रुशुर्जनाः ॥९-९-३२॥
In the battle, O great one, he forcefully cut off Satyasena's bow and quiver. Then, the people shouted in amazement.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय वेगघ्नं भारसाधनम्। शरैः सञ्छादयामास समन्तात्पाण्डुनन्दनम् ॥९-९-३३॥
Then, he took another swift and powerful bow and covered the son of Pandu with arrows from all sides.
संनिवार्य तु तान्बाणान्नकुलः परवीरहा। सत्यसेनं सुषेणं च द्वाभ्यां द्वाभ्यामविध्यत ॥९-९-३४॥
Nakula, known for his prowess in battle, skillfully deflected the incoming arrows and struck down Satyasena and Suṣeṇa with two arrows each, showcasing his combat expertise.
तावेनं प्रत्यविध्येतां पृथक्पृथगजिह्मगैः। सारथिं चास्य राजेन्द्र शरैर्विव्यधतुः शितैः ॥९-९-३५॥
The two warriors attacked him with precision, each arrow flying straight and true. O king, they also targeted and struck his charioteer with their sharp arrows.
सत्यसेनो रथेषां तु नकुलस्य धनुस्तथा। पृथक्षराभ्यां चिच्छेद कृतहस्तः प्रतापवान् ॥९-९-३६॥
Satyasena, the valiant and skillful warrior, cut the bow of Nakula's chariot with two arrows.
स रथेऽतिरथस्तिष्ठन्रथशक्तिं परामृशत्। स्वर्णदण्डामकुण्ठाग्रां तैलधौतां सुनिर्मलाम् ॥९-९-३७॥
The great warrior stood on the chariot and touched the chariot weapon, which had a golden handle, was sharp-pointed, oil-polished, and very clean.
लेलिहानामिव विभो नागकन्यां महाविषाम्। समुद्यम्य च चिक्षेप सत्यसेनस्य संयुगे ॥९-९-३८॥
The lord, like a serpent maiden with great poison, raised and threw in the battle of Satyasena.
सा तस्य हृदयं सङ्ख्ये बिभेद शतधा नृप। स पपात रथाद्भूमौ गतसत्त्वोऽल्पचेतनः ॥९-९-३९॥
She struck his heart in the battle, shattering it into a hundred pieces, O king. He fell from the chariot to the ground, devoid of life and consciousness.
भ्रातरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा सुषेणः क्रोधमूर्छितः। अभ्यवर्षच्छरैस्तूर्णं पदातिं पाण्डुनन्दनम् ॥९-९-४०॥
Upon witnessing his brother's death, Suṣeṇa, filled with rage, swiftly attacked the foot-soldier, the son of Pāṇḍu, with a barrage of arrows.
नकुलं विरथं दृष्ट्वा द्रौपदेयो महाबलः। सुतसोमोऽभिदुद्राव परीप्सन्पितरं रणे ॥९-९-४१॥
Upon seeing Nakul without his chariot, the powerful son of Draupadi, Sutasoma, hurried to safeguard his father on the battlefield.
ततोऽधिरुह्य नकुलः सुतसोमस्य तं रथम्। शुशुभे भरतश्रेष्ठो गिरिस्थ इव केसरी ॥
Then Nakula, having ascended the chariot of Sutasoma, shone like a lion dwelling on a mountain, being the best of the Bharatas.
तावुभौ शरवर्षाभ्यां समासाद्य परस्परम्। परस्परवधे यत्नं चक्रतुः सुमहारथौ ॥९-९-४३॥
The two great charioteers, having approached each other with showers of arrows, made efforts to kill each other.
सुषेणस्तु ततः क्रुद्धः पाण्डवं विशिखैस्त्रिभिः। सुतसोमं च विंशत्या बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत् ॥९-९-४४॥
Suṣeṇa, in his anger, then shot three arrows at Pāṇḍava and twenty at Sutasoma, striking them in the arms and chest.
ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज नकुलः परवीरहा। शरैस्तस्य दिशः सर्वाश्छादयामास वीर्यवान् ॥९-९-४५॥
Then, the valiant Nakula, filled with anger, covered all directions with his arrows, demonstrating his prowess as a great king and destroyer of enemy heroes.
ततो गृहीत्वा तीक्ष्णाग्रमर्धचन्द्रं सुतेजनम्। स वेगयुक्तं चिक्षेप कर्णपुत्रस्य संयुगे ॥९-९-४६॥
Then, he swiftly took the sharp-pointed, crescent-shaped, well-feathered arrow and hurled it at Karna's son during the battle.
तस्य तेन शिरः कायाज्जहार नृपसत्तम। पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥९-९-४७॥
By him, the head was severed from the body, O best of kings, while all the armies watched; it seemed like a marvel.
स हतः प्रापतद्राजन्नकुलेन महात्मना। नदीवेगादिवारुग्णस्तीरजः पादपो महान् ॥९-९-४८॥
He was killed and fell, O king, by the great soul Nakula, like a great tree uprooted from the riverbank by the force of the river.
कर्णपुत्रवधं दृष्ट्वा नकुलस्य च विक्रमम्। प्रदुद्राव भयात्सेना तावकी भरतर्षभ ॥९-९-४९॥
Upon witnessing the death of Karna's son and Nakula's bravery, your army retreated in fear, O esteemed Bharata.
तां तु सेनां महाराज मद्रराजः प्रतापवान्। अपालयद्रणे शूरः सेनापतिररिंदमः ॥९-९-५०॥
The powerful king of Madra, a heroic general and subduer of enemies, protected that army in battle, O great king.
विभीस्तस्थौ महाराज व्यवस्थाप्य च वाहिनीम्। सिंहनादं भृशं कृत्वा धनुःशब्दं च दारुणम् ॥९-९-५१॥
Vibhishana, having arranged the army, stood firm and made a terrible sound with his bow, accompanied by an intense lion's roar, O great king.
तावकाः समरे राजन्रक्षिता दृढधन्वना। प्रत्युद्ययुररातींस्ते समन्ताद्विगतव्यथाः ॥९-९-५२॥
Your soldiers, O king, protected by the strong archer, fearlessly advanced against the enemies from all directions.
मद्रराजं महेष्वासं परिवार्य समन्ततः। स्थिता राजन्महासेना योद्धुकामाः समन्ततः ॥९-९-५३॥
The great army surrounded the Madra king, a great archer, from all directions, standing ready to fight, O king.
सात्यकिर्भीमसेनश्च माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ। युधिष्ठिरं पुरस्कृत्य ह्रीनिषेधमरिंदमम् ॥९-९-५४॥
Satyaki, Bhimasena, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, placed Yudhishthira, the subduer of enemies, at the forefront with modesty and restraint.
परिवार्य रणे वीराः सिंहनादं प्रचक्रिरे। बाणशब्दरवांश्चोग्रान्क्ष्वेडांश्च विविधान्दधुः ॥९-९-५५॥
Surrounding the battlefield, the heroes roared like lions and created fierce sounds of arrows and various whistling noises.
तथैव तावकाः सर्वे मद्राधिपतिमञ्जसा। परिवार्य सुसंरब्धाः पुनर्युद्धमरोचयन् ॥९-९-५६॥
In the same way, all your men, having easily surrounded the king of Madras, were very enraged and approved the battle once more.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं भीरूणां भयवर्धनम्। तावकानां परेषां च मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥९-९-५७॥
Then a battle began, which increased the fear among the fearful, leading to death and retreat for both your forces and the enemies.
यथा देवासुरं युद्धं पूर्वमासीद्विशां पते। अभीतानां तथा राजन्यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम् ॥९-९-५८॥
"Just as there was a battle between the gods and demons in the past, O lord of the people, so too is the prosperity of the fearless kings and the immortal kingdom."
ततः कपिध्वजो राजन्हत्वा संशप्तकान्रणे। अभ्यद्रवत तां सेनां कौरवीं पाण्डुनन्दनः ॥९-९-५९॥
Then, O king, Arjuna, the one with the monkey banner, after defeating the Trigartas in battle, charged towards the Kaurava army.
तथैव पाण्डवाः शेषा धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः। अभ्यधावन्त तां सेनां विसृजन्तः शिताञ्शरान् ॥९-९-६०॥
In the same manner, the remaining Pandavas, led by Dhrishtadyumna, charged at the army, shooting sharp arrows.
पाण्डवैरवकीर्णानां संमोहः समजायत। न च जज्ञुरनीकानि दिशो वा प्रदिशस्तथा ॥९-९-६१॥
A state of confusion emerged among those scattered by the Pandavas. They could not recognize the troops, the directions, or the quarters.
आपूर्यमाणा निशितैः शरैः पाण्डवचोदितैः। हतप्रवीरा विध्वस्ता कीर्यमाणा समन्ततः ॥ कौरव्यवध्यत चमूः पाण्डुपुत्रैर्महारथैः ॥९-९-६२॥
The Kaurava army, filled with sharp arrows urged by the Pandavas, was being decimated by the sons of Pandu, the great charioteers, as slain heroes lay scattered all around.
तथैव पाण्डवी सेना शरै राजन्समन्ततः। रणेऽहन्यत पुत्रैस्ते शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-९-६३॥
In the same manner, O king, the Pandava army was attacked by your sons with arrows from all sides in the battle, first by hundreds and then by thousands.
ते सेने भृशसन्तप्ते वध्यमाने परस्परम्। व्याकुले समपद्येतां वर्षासु सरिताविव ॥९-९-६४॥
The armies, greatly afflicted and killing each other, became confused like rivers during the rainy season.
आविवेश ततस्तीव्रं तावकानां महद्भयम्। पाण्डवानां च राजेन्द्र तथाभूते महाहवे ॥९-९-६५॥
Then, O King, a great and intense fear gripped both your side and the Pandavas in the midst of the great battle.
