09.010
Core and Pancharatra: While the morale of the Karuava army is low, King Shalya makes a brave attempt to attack Yudhisthira. But Sahadeva kills his son, and Bhima takes on Shalya and makes him chariot less, forcing him to retreat.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said:
tasmin vilulite sainye vadhyamāne parasparam। dravamāṇeṣu yodheṣu ninadatsu ca dantiṣu ॥9-10-1॥
In that chaotic army, as soldiers were being slain by one another, warriors began to flee and the elephants trumpeted.
kūjatāṃ stanatāṃ caiva padātīnāṃ mahāhave। vidruteṣu mahārāja hayeṣu bahudhā tadā ॥9-10-2॥
In the great battle, the foot soldiers were sounding and roaring. O great king, then the horses were fleeing in many directions.
prakṣaye dāruṇe jāte saṃhāre sarvadehinām। nānāśastrasamāvāpe vyatiṣaktarathadvipe ॥9-10-3॥
In the dreadful destruction that arose during the annihilation of all living beings, the battlefield was filled with various weapons and intermingled chariots and elephants.
harṣaṇe yuddhaśauṇḍānāṃ bhīrūṇāṃ bhayavardhane। gāhamāneṣu yodheṣu parasparavadhaiṣiṣu ॥9-10-4॥
In the midst of the battle, the war-experts were delighted, while the fearful ones were increasingly afraid, as the warriors were immersed in the desire for mutual killing.
prāṇādāne mahāghore vartamāne durodare। saṅgrāme ghorarūpe tu yamarāṣṭravivardhane ॥9-10-5॥
In the act of taking life, amidst the very terrible and ongoing dreadful situation, in the battle with its terrible form, Yama's kingdom is expanding.
pāṇḍavāstāvakam̐ sainyam̐ vyadhamanniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ। tathaiva tāvakā yodhā jaghnuḥ pāṇḍavasainikān ॥9-10-6॥
The Pandavas attacked your army with sharp arrows, causing chaos. In return, your warriors also killed the soldiers of the Pandavas.
tasmiṁstathā vartamāne yuddhe bhīrubhayāvahe। pūrvāhṇe caiva samprāpte bhāskarodayanaṁ prati ॥9-10-7॥
In that ongoing battle, which was both fearful and frightening, as the morning arrived, it was towards the rising of the sun.
labdhalakṣāḥ pare rājanrakṣitāśca mahātmanā। ayodhayaṃstava balaṃ mṛtyuṃ kṛtvā nivartanam ॥9-10-8॥
Having achieved their objective, others, O king, protected by the great soul, fought against your army, causing death to retreat.
balibhiḥ pāṇḍavairdṛptairlabdhalakṣaiḥ prahāribhiḥ। kauravyasīdatpṛtanā mṛgīvāgnisamākulā ॥9-10-9॥
The Kaurava army, overwhelmed by the strong and proud Pandavas who had achieved their goals, was sinking like a deer surrounded by fire.
tāṃ dṛṣṭvā sīdatīṃ senāṃ paṅke gāmiva durbalām। ujjihīrṣustadā śalyaḥ prāyātpāṇḍucamūṃ prati ॥9-10-10॥
Upon seeing the army sinking in the mud like a weak cow, Shalya, desiring to uplift it, proceeded towards the Pandava forces.
madrarājastu saṅkruddho gṛhītvā dhanuruttamam। abhyadravata saṅgrāme pāṇḍavānātatāyinaḥ ॥9-10-11॥
The King of Madra, in his anger, seized his best bow and charged at the Pandava warriors in the battle.
pāṇḍavāśca mahārāja samare jitakāśinaḥ। madrarājaṃ samāsādya vivyadhurniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ ॥9-10-12॥
The Pandavas, O great king, were victorious over Kashi and, having approached the king of Madra in battle, pierced him with sharp arrows.
tataḥ śaraśataistīkṣṇairmadrarājo mahābalaḥ। ardayāmāsa tāṃ senāṃ dharmarājasya paśyataḥ ॥9-10-13॥
Then the mighty king of Madra, with his sharp arrows, pierced the army of Yudhishthira as he watched on.
prādurāsaṃstato rājannānārūpāṇyanekaśaḥ। cacāla śabdaṃ kurvāṇā mahī cāpi saparvatā ॥9-10-14॥
Then, O king, numerous various forms appeared, and the earth, along with its mountains, shook, making a sound.
sadaṇḍaśūlā dīptāgrāḥ śīryamāṇāḥ samantataḥ। ulkā bhūmiṃ divaḥ peturāhatya ravimaṇḍalam ॥9-10-15॥
Meteors with rods and spears and blazing tips fell from the sky, striking the sun's orb and scattering all around the earth.
mṛgāśca māhiṣāścāpi pakṣiṇaśca viśāṃ pate। apasavyaṃ tadā cakruḥ senāṃ te bahuśo nṛpa ॥9-10-16॥
O lord of the people, deer, buffaloes, and birds moved the army in an anticlockwise direction many times, O king.
tatas tadyuddham atyugram abhavat saṅghacāriṇām। tathā sarvāṇi anīkāni saṃnipatya janādhipa ॥ abhyayuḥ kauravā rājan pāṇḍavānām anīkinīm ॥9-10-17॥
Then that very fierce battle among the groups ensued. Thus, having assembled all the armies, O king, the Kauravas approached the army of the Pandavas.
śalyastu śaravarṣeṇa varṣanniva sahasradṛk। abhyavarṣadadīnātmā kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram ॥9-10-18॥
Shalya, with the prowess of Indra, relentlessly attacked Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, with a barrage of arrows, showing no signs of retreat.
bhīmasenaṁ śaraiś cāpi rukmapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaḥ। draupadeyāṁs tathā sarvān mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau ॥9-10-19॥
Bhimasena, along with the sons of Draupadi and Madri, was struck by arrows with golden feathers and sharpened on stone.
dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca śaineyaṃ śikhaṇḍinamathāpi ca। ekaikaṃ daśabhirbāṇairvivyādha ca mahābalaḥ ॥ tato'sṛjadbāṇavarṣaṃ gharmānte maghavāniva ॥9-10-20॥
The mighty warrior pierced Dhṛṣṭadyumna, Śaineya, and Śikhaṇḍin each with ten arrows. Then, like Indra releasing rain at the end of summer, he unleashed a shower of arrows.
tataḥ prabhadrakā rājansomakāśca sahasraśaḥ। patitāḥ pātyamānāśca dṛśyante śalyasāyakaiḥ ॥9-10-21॥
Then, O King, thousands of Prabhadrakas and Somakas were seen falling and being struck by arrows.
bhramarāṇām iva vrātāḥ śalabhānām iva vrajāḥ। hrādiny iva meghebhyaḥ śalyasya nyapatañ śarāḥ ॥9-10-22॥
The arrows of Shalya fell like swarms of bees, like groups of moths, and like thunder from the clouds.
dviradāsturagāścārtāḥ pattayo rathinastathā। śalyasya bāṇairnyapatanbabhramurvyanadaṃstathā ॥9-10-23॥
Elephants, horses, foot soldiers, and charioteers were distressed and fell down, wandered, and roared due to Śalya's arrows.
āviṣṭa iva madreśo manyunā pauruṣeṇa ca। prācchādayadarīnsankhye kālasṛṣṭa ivāntakaḥ ॥ vinardamāno madreśo meghahrādo mahābalaḥ ॥9-10-24॥
The king of Madra, as if possessed by anger and valor, covered his enemies in battle like a force of time, resembling death itself. Roaring mightily, he sounded like thunderous clouds.
sā vadhyamānā śalyena pāṇḍavānāmanīkinī। ajātaśatruṃ kaunteyamabhyadhāvadyudhiṣṭhiram ॥9-10-25॥
The army of the Pāṇḍavas, under attack by Śalya, moved swiftly towards Yudhiṣṭhira, known as Ajātaśatru, the son of Kunti.
tāṃ samarpya tataḥ saṅkhye laghuhastaḥ śitaiḥ śaraiḥ। śaravarṣeṇa mahatā yudhiṣṭhiramapīḍayat ॥9-10-26॥
After offering her, the quick-handed warrior attacked Yudhishthira fiercely in the battle with sharp arrows and a great volley of arrows.
tamāpatantaṃ pattyaśvaiḥ kruddho rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ। avārayaccharaiḥ tīkṣṇairmattaṃ dvipamivāṅkuśaiḥ ॥9-10-27॥
The angry King Yudhishthira blocked the advancing forces of infantry and horses with his sharp arrows, just as one would control a mad elephant with goads.
tasya śalyaḥ śaraṃ ghoraṃ mumocāśīviṣopamam। so'bhyavidhyanmahātmānaṃ vegenābhyapatacca gām ॥9-10-28॥
Śalya released a terrible arrow resembling a snake. It struck the noble one and swiftly fell to the ground.
tato vṛkodaraḥ kruddhaḥ śalyaṃ vivyādha saptabhiḥ। pañcabhiḥ sahadevatu nakulo daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ ॥9-10-29॥
Then, in anger, Vrikodara pierced Shalya with seven arrows. Sahadeva, however, struck with five, and Nakula with ten arrows.
draupadeyāś ca śatrughnaṃ śūramārtāyaniṃ śaraiḥ। abhyavarṣan mahābhāgaṃ meghā iva mahīdharam ॥9-10-30॥
The sons of Draupadi, along with Shatrughna, the brave son of Martāya, attacked the fortunate one with arrows, resembling clouds pouring rain on a mountain.
tato dṛṣṭvā tudyamānaṃ śalyaṃ pārthaiḥ samantataḥ। kṛtavarmā kṛpaścaiva saṅkruddhāvabhyadhāvatām ॥9-10-31॥
Upon witnessing Śalya being besieged from all directions by the sons of Pṛthā, the enraged Kṛtavarmā and Kṛpa charged forward.
ulūkaśca patatrī ca śakuniścāpi saubalaḥ। smayamānaśca śanakairaśvatthāmā mahārathaḥ ॥ tava putrāśca kārtsnyena jugupuḥ śalyamāhave ॥9-10-32॥
Uluka, the bird, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, were smiling slowly. Ashwatthama, the great warrior, along with your sons, completely protected Shalya in the battle.
bhīmasenaṁ tribhirviddhvā kṛtavarmā śilīmukhaiḥ। bāṇavarṣeṇa mahatā kruddharūpamavārayat ॥9-10-33॥
Kritavarma pierced Bhimasena with three arrows and restrained his furious form with a great shower of arrows.
dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ kṛpaḥ kruddho bāṇavarṣairapīḍayat। draupadeyāṃśca śakuniryamau ca drauṇirabhyayāt ॥9-10-34॥
Kṛpa, in his anger, showered arrows upon Dhṛṣṭadyumna, causing him great distress. Meanwhile, Śakuni and Aśvatthāmā launched an attack on the sons of Draupadī and the twin brothers.
duryodhano yudhāṃ śreṣṭhāvāhave keśavārjunau। samabhyayādugratejāḥ śaraiścābhyahanadbalī ॥9-10-35॥
Duryodhana, with his fierce energy, approached the best warriors, Keshava and Arjuna, in battle and attacked them with his powerful arrows.
evaṁ dvandvaśatānyāsaṁstvadīyānāṁ paraiḥ saha। ghorarūpāṇi citrāṇi tatra tatra viśāṁ pate ॥9-10-36॥
Thus, O lord of men, there were numerous duels between your forces and others, displaying terrible and varied forms, in various places.
ṛśyavarṇāñjaghānāśvānbhojo bhīmasya saṃyuge। so'vatīrya rathopasthāddhatāśvaḥ pāṇḍunandanaḥ ॥ kālo daṇḍamivodyamya gadāpāṇirayudhyata ॥9-10-37॥
Bhoja killed the deer-colored horses of Bhima in battle. Then, having descended from the chariot with his horses slain, the son of Pandu, wielding a mace, fought fiercely, raising it as if it were the staff of time.
pramukhe sahadevasya jaghānāśvāṃśca madrarāṭ। tataḥ śalyasya tanayaṃ sahadevo'sināvadhīt ॥9-10-38॥
In the forefront, Sahadeva slew the horses and the king of Madra. Then, Sahadeva, with his sword, killed Shalya's son.
gautamaḥ punarācāryo dhṛṣṭadyumnamayodhayat। asambhrāntamasambhrānto yatnavānyatnavattaram ॥9-10-39॥
Gautama, the teacher, once again engaged in battle with Dhṛṣṭadyumna. Both were unperturbed and diligent, with Gautama being even more diligent.
drau̥padeyāṁstathā vīrānekaikaṁ daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ। avidhyadācāryasuto nātikrudhaḥ smayanniva ॥9-10-40॥
The son of the teacher, seemingly smiling and not overly angry, shot ten arrows at each of the sons of Draupadi and the other heroes.
śalyo'pi rājansaṅkruddho nighnansomakapāṇḍavān। punareva śitairbāṇairyudhiṣṭhiramapīḍayat ॥9-10-41॥
Even in his anger, Śalya continued to attack the Somakas and Pāṇḍavas, and once again, he targeted Yudhiṣṭhira with his sharp arrows.
tasya bhīmo raṇe kruddhaḥ saṃdaṣṭadaśanacchadaḥ। vināśāyābhisandhāya gadāmādatta vīryavān ॥9-10-42॥
Bhima, filled with rage in the battle, bit his lips in anger and, with the intent to destroy, took up his mace with great might.
yamadaṇḍapratīkāśāṃ kālarātrimivodyatām। gajavājimanuṣyāṇāṃ prāṇāntakaraṇīmapi ॥9-10-43॥
It was like the rod of Yama, raised as if it were the night of destruction, bringing death to elephants, horses, and men.
hemapaṭṭaparikṣiptām ulkāṃ prajvalitām iva। śaikyāṃ vyālīm ivātyugrāṃ vajrakalpām ayasmayīm ॥9-10-44॥
The object appeared as if it was surrounded by a golden band, blazing like a meteor; it was icy and resembled a very fierce serpent, akin to a thunderbolt made of iron.
candanāgurupaṅkāktāṃ pramadāmīpsitāmiva। vasāmedosṛgādigdhaṃ jihvāṃ vaivasvatīmiva ॥9-10-45॥
The tongue, smeared with sandalwood, aloeswood, and mud, resembles a desired woman; while smeared with fat, marrow, and blood, it resembles the tongue of Yama.
paṭughaṇṭāravaśatāṃ vāsavīmaśanīmiva। nirmuktāśīviṣākārāṃ pṛktāṃ gajamadairapi ॥9-10-46॥
Under the influence of loud bell sounds, it was like the thunderbolt of Indra, released in the form of a snake and also smeared with elephant ichor.
trāsanīṃ ripusainyānāṃ svasainyapariharṣiṇīm। manuṣyaloke vikhyātāṃ giriśṛṅgavidāriṇīm ॥9-10-47॥
She who causes fear in enemy armies and brings delight to her own, renowned in the world of men for splitting mountain peaks.
yayā kailāsabhavane maheśvarasakhaṃ balī। āhvayāmāsa kaunteyaḥ saṅkruddhamalakādhipam ॥9-10-48॥
In the abode of Kailasa, Bali, the friend of Lord Shiva, was invited by Arjuna, the son of Kunti, who was the angry lord of Alaka.
yayā māyāvino dṛptānsubahūndhanadālaye। jaghāna guhyakānkruddho mandārārthe mahābalaḥ ॥ nivāryamāṇo bahubhirdraupadyāḥ priyamāsthitaḥ ॥
The mighty one, angry for the sake of Mandara, killed many arrogant illusionists in the abode of Kubera, despite being restrained by many, and remained dear to Draupadi.
tāṁ vajramaṇiratnaughāmaṣṭāśriṁ vajragauravām। samudyamya mahābāhuḥ śalyamabhyadravadraṇe ॥9-10-50॥
The mighty-armed warrior, having lifted that eight-cornered, heavy mass of gems and jewels like a thunderbolt, attacked Śalya in the battle.
gadayā yuddhakuśalastayā dāruṇanādayā। pothayāmāsa śalyasya caturo'śvānmahājavān ॥9-10-51॥
With his mace, the battle-skilled warrior, accompanied by a terrible sound, smashed Śalya's four swift horses.
tataḥ śalyo raṇe kruddhaḥ pīne vakṣasi tomaram। nicakhāna nadanvīro varma bhittvā ca so'bhyagāt ॥9-10-52॥
Then, in the heat of battle, the enraged Śalya thrust his spear into the broad chest, piercing through the armor, and the roaring hero advanced.
vṛkodarastvasambhrātastamevoddhṛtya tomaram। yantāraṃ madrarājasya nirbibheda tato hṛdi ॥9-10-53॥
Bhima, remaining calm, lifted the spear and struck the charioteer of the Madra king in the heart.
sa bhinnavarmā rudhiraṃ vamanvitrastamānasaḥ। papātābhimukho dīno madrarājastvapākramat ॥9-10-54॥
He, with his armor shattered and vomiting blood, terrified and miserable, fell forward, while the king of Madra retreated.
kṛtapratikṛtaṃ dṛṣṭvā śalyo vismitamānasaḥ। gadāmāśritya dhīrātmā pratyamitramavaikṣata ॥9-10-55॥
Śalya, astonished by the counteraction, took up his mace and courageously faced the enemy.
tataḥ sumanasaḥ pārthā bhīmasenamapūjayan। taddṛṣṭvā karma saṅgrāme ghoramakliṣṭakarmaṇaḥ ॥9-10-56॥
Then the cheerful sons of Pritha honored Bhimasena. Witnessing his effortless and terrible act in battle.
