09.011
Pancharatra and Core: Duryodhana kills Chekitana; the fight between Shalya and Yudhisthira commences; Yudhisthira gains the upper hand by cutting down the flagpole of Shalya.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said.
पतितं प्रेक्ष्य यन्तारं शल्यः सर्वायसीं गदाम्। आदाय तरसा राजंस्तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः ॥९-११-१॥
Upon witnessing the fall of the charioteer, Śalya quickly grabbed the iron mace and stood firm like a mountain, O king.
तं दीप्तमिव कालाग्निं पाशहस्तमिवान्तकम्। सशृङ्गमिव कैलासं सवज्रमिव वासवम् ॥९-११-२॥
He appeared blazing like the fire of destruction, holding a noose like death; with peaks like Mount Kailasa and wielding a thunderbolt like Indra.
सशूलमिव हर्यक्षं वने मत्तमिव द्विपम्। जवेनाभ्यपतद्भीमः प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम् ॥९-११-३॥
Bhima, wielding his mighty mace, charged forward with the speed of a lion armed with a spear in the forest, resembling an intoxicated elephant.
ततः शङ्खप्रणादश्च तूर्याणां च सहस्रशः। सिंहनादश्च सञ्जज्ञे शूराणां हर्षवर्धनः ॥९-११-४॥
Then, the sound of conches and thousands of musical instruments, along with the lion's roar, arose, enhancing the joy of the heroes.
प्रेक्षन्तः सर्वतस्तौ हि योधा योधमहाद्विपौ। तावकाश्च परे चैव साधु साध्वित्यथाब्रुवन् ॥९-११-५॥
The warriors, both yours and others, looked everywhere at those two warrior-elephants and exclaimed, 'Well done, well done!'
न हि मद्राधिपादन्यो रामाद्वा यदुनन्दनात्। सोढुमुत्सहते वेगं भीमसेनस्य संयुगे ॥९-११-६॥
Indeed, no one other than the king of Madra, Rāma, or the delight of the Yadus can withstand Bhīmasena's force in battle.
तथा मद्राधिपस्यापि गदावेगं महात्मनः। सोढुमुत्सहते नान्यो योधो युधि वृकोदरात् ॥९-११-७॥
Thus, no other warrior in the battle can withstand the force of the mace from the great soul, the king of Madra, except Vrikodara.
तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ मण्डलानि विचेरतुः। आवल्गितौ गदाहस्तौ मद्रराजवृकोदरौ ॥९-११-८॥
The Madra king and Vrikodara, with maces in hand, moved around energetically like bellowing bulls, making circles.
मण्डलावर्तमार्गेषु गदाविहरणेषु च। निर्विशेषमभूद्युद्धं तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः ॥९-११-९॥
In the circular paths and during the mace wielding, an indistinguishable battle occurred between those two lion-like warriors.
तप्तहेममयैः शुभ्रैर्बभूव भयवर्धनी। अग्निज्वालैरिवाविद्धा पट्टैः शल्यस्य सा गदा ॥९-११-१०॥
The mace of Śalya, adorned with bright golden strips, seemed to increase fear as if it was pierced with flames of fire.
तथैव चरतो मार्गान्मण्डलेषु महात्मनः। विद्युदभ्रप्रतीकाशा भीमस्य शुशुभे गदा ॥९-११-११॥
In the same manner, as the great soul moved through the paths and circles, Bhima's mace shone brilliantly, resembling the lightning in the clouds.
ताडिता मद्रराजेन भीमस्य गदया गदा। दीप्यमानेव वै राजन्ससृजे पावकार्चिषः ॥९-११-१२॥
The mace, struck by the king of Madra with Bhima's mace, blazed like fire and emitted flames, O king.
तथा भीमेन शल्यस्य ताडिता गदया गदा। अङ्गारवर्षं मुमुचे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ॥९-११-१३॥
Thus, when Bhima struck Shalya's mace with his own, it released a shower of embers, appearing as if something wonderful had happened.
दन्तैरिव महानागौ शृङ्गैरिव महर्षभौ। तोत्त्रैरिव तदान्योन्यं गदाग्राभ्यां निजघ्नतुः ॥९-११-१४॥
The two warriors, like great elephants with their tusks and great bulls with their horns, attacked each other fiercely with the tips of their maces, as if driven by goads.
तौ गदानिहतैर्गात्रैः क्षणेन रुधिरोक्षितौ। प्रेक्षणीयतरावास्तां पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥९-११-१५॥
The two, struck by maces, were instantly covered in blood, appearing even more beautiful, like blossomed Butea monosperma trees.
गदया मद्रराजेन सव्यदक्षिणमाहतः। भीमसेनो महाबाहुर्न चचालाचलो यथा ॥९-११-१६॥
Bhimasena, the mighty-armed, was struck left and right by the king of Madra with a mace, yet he stood firm, unmoving like a mountain.
तथा भीमगदावेगैस्ताड्यमानो मुहुर्मुहुः। शल्यो न विव्यथे राजन्दन्तिनेवाहतो गिरिः ॥९-११-१७॥
In this way, despite being repeatedly struck by the force of Bhima's mace, Shalya remained unshaken, O king, just like a mountain remains unmoved when struck by an elephant.
शुश्रुवे दिक्षु सर्वासु तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः। गदानिपातसंह्रादो वज्रयोरिव निस्वनः ॥९-११-१८॥
The thunderous clash of maces falling echoed in all directions, reminiscent of the mighty roar of thunderbolts, as if heralding the presence of those two lion-hearted warriors.
निवृत्य तु महावीर्यौ समुच्छ्रितगदावुभौ। पुनरन्तरमार्गस्थौ मण्डलानि विचेरतुः ॥९-११-१९॥
After withdrawing, the two great heroes, both wielding their maces high, once again stood in the inner path and moved around in circles.
अथाभ्येत्य पदान्यष्टौ संनिपातोऽभवत्तयोः। उद्यम्य लोहदण्डाभ्यामतिमानुषकर्मणोः ॥९-११-२०॥
Then, as they approached, the two engaged in a meeting of eight steps, raising their iron rods for a superhuman feat.
प्रार्थयानौ तदान्योऽन्यं मण्डलानि विचेरतुः। क्रियाविशेषं कृतिनौ दर्शयामासतुस्तदा ॥९-११-२१॥
The two accomplished ones, while praying, wandered around in circles, demonstrating their special actions.
अथोद्यम्य गदे घोरे सशृङ्गाविव पर्वतौ। तावाजघ्नतुरन्योन्यं यथा भूमिचलेऽचलौ ॥९-११-२२॥
Then, lifting their dreadful maces, they clashed with each other like two immovable mountains during an earthquake.
तौ परस्परवेगाच्च गदाभ्यां च भृशाहतौ। युगपत्पेततुर्वीरावुभाविन्द्रध्वजाविव ॥९-११-२३॥
The two heroes, struck hard by each other's force and maces, fell simultaneously like the banners of Indra.
उभयोः सेनयोर्वीरास्तदा हाहाकृतोऽभवन्। भृशं मर्मण्यभिहतावुभावास्तां सुविह्वलौ ॥९-११-२४॥
The heroes of both armies cried out in distress at that time. Both were severely struck in their vital parts and were deeply agitated.
ततः सगदमारोप्य मद्राणामृषभं रथे। अपोवाह कृपः शल्यं तूर्णमायोधनादपि ॥९-११-२५॥
Then Kṛpa, placing Śalya, the bull of the Madras, on the chariot, quickly carried him away from the battlefield.
क्षीबवद्विह्वलत्वात्तु निमेषात्पुनरुत्थितः। भीमसेनो गदापाणिः समाह्वयत मद्रपम् ॥९-११-२६॥
Bhimasena, appearing bewildered as if intoxicated, quickly regained his composure and challenged the king of Madra with his mace in hand.
ततस्तु तावकाः शूरा नानाशस्त्रसमायुताः। नानावादित्रशब्देन पाण्डुसेनामयोधयन् ॥९-११-२७॥
Then, your valiant warriors, armed with diverse weapons, launched an attack on the Pandava army, accompanied by the sounds of various musical instruments.
भुजावुच्छ्रित्य शस्त्रं च शब्देन महता ततः। अभ्यद्रवन्महाराज दुर्योधनपुरोगमाः ॥९-११-२८॥
Raising their arms and weapons, they charged with a great sound, led by Duryodhana, O great king.
तदनीकमभिप्रेक्ष्य ततस्ते पाण्डुनन्दनाः। प्रययुः सिंहनादेन दुर्योधनवधेप्सया ॥९-११-२९॥
Upon observing the army, the sons of Pandu, with the intent to kill Duryodhana, advanced with a roar like that of a lion.
तेषामापततां तूर्णं पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ। प्रासेन चेकितानं वै विव्याध हृदये भृशम् ॥९-११-३०॥
As they attacked swiftly, your son, O best of the Bharatas, struck Cekitana deeply in the heart with a spear.
स पपात रथोपस्थे तव पुत्रेण ताडितः। रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नः प्रविश्य विपुलं तमः ॥९-११-३१॥
He fell onto the seat of the chariot, struck by your son, drenched in blood, and entered into a deep darkness.
चेकितानं हतं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानां महारथाः। प्रसक्तमभ्यवर्षन्त शरवर्षाणि भागशः ॥९-११-३२॥
Upon witnessing the fall of Chekitana, the great charioteers of the Pandavas launched a concentrated barrage of arrows in various directions.
तावकानामनीकेषु पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः। व्यचरन्त महाराज प्रेक्षणीयाः समन्ततः ॥९-११-३३॥
In your armies, O great king, the Pandavas, having conquered the Kashi, moved admirably in all directions.
कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च सौबलश्च महाबलः। अयोधयन्धर्मराजं मद्रराजपुरस्कृताः ॥९-११-३४॥
Kṛpa, Kṛtavarmā, and the mighty Saubala, led by the Madra king, engaged in battle with Dharmarāja.
भारद्वाजस्य हन्तारं भूरिवीर्यपराक्रमम्। दुर्योधनो महाराज धृष्टद्युम्नमयोधयत् ॥९-११-३५॥
Duryodhana, the great king, engaged in battle with Dhṛṣṭadyumna, known for his great strength and valor, and the slayer of Bhāradvāja.
त्रिसाहस्रा रथा राजंस्तव पुत्रेण चोदिताः। अयोधयन्त विजयं द्रोणपुत्रपुरस्कृताः ॥९-११-३६॥
Three thousand chariots, O king, driven by your son, engaged in battle for victory, led by Drona's son.
विजये धृतसङ्कल्पाः समभित्यक्तजीविताः। प्राविशंस्तावका राजन्हंसा इव महत्सरः ॥९-११-३७॥
In their quest for victory, your men, O king, were so firmly resolved that they entered the battlefield as if they were swans gracefully entering a vast lake, having completely abandoned any regard for their lives.
ततो युद्धमभूद्घोरं परस्परवधैषिणाम्। अन्योन्यवधसंयुक्तमन्योन्यप्रीतिवर्धनम् ॥९-११-३८॥
Then a fierce battle took place among those desiring mutual destruction, which paradoxically increased their affection for one another.
तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे राजन्वीरवरक्षये। अनिलेनेरितं घोरमुत्तस्थौ पार्थिवं रजः ॥९-११-३९॥
In that battle that had commenced, O king, the destruction of the best heroes took place, and a terrible dust arose, stirred by the wind.
श्रवणान्नामधेयानां पाण्डवानां च कीर्तनात्। परस्परं विजानीमो ये चायुध्यन्नभीतवत् ॥९-११-४०॥
By hearing and glorifying the names of the Pāṇḍavas, we recognize each other as those who fought without fear.
तद्रजः पुरुषव्याघ्र शोणितेन प्रशामितम्। दिशश्च विमला जज्ञुस्तस्मिन्रजसि शामिते ॥९-११-४१॥
The dust was settled by the blood, O tiger among men. The directions became clear when the dust was settled.
तथा प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे घोररूपे भयानके। तावकानां परेषां च नासीत्कश्चित्पराङ्मुखः ॥९-११-४२॥
In the terrifying and dreadful battle that ensued, no one turned away, whether from your side or the enemies.
ब्रह्मलोकपरा भूत्वा प्रार्थयन्तो जयं युधि। सुयुद्धेन पराक्रान्ता नराः स्वर्गमभीप्सवः ॥९-११-४३॥
The men, aspiring for Brahmaloka, became valiant and prayed for victory in battle, desiring heaven through fair fight.
भर्तृपिण्डविमोक्षार्थं भर्तृकार्यविनिश्चिताः। स्वर्गसंसक्तमनसो योधा युयुधिरे तदा ॥९-११-४४॥
The warriors, determined to fulfill their duty towards their husbands by ensuring the liberation of their funeral offerings, fought with minds set on reaching heaven.
नानारूपाणि शस्त्राणि विसृजन्तो महारथाः। अन्योन्यमभिगर्जन्तः प्रहरन्तः परस्परम् ॥९-११-४५॥
The great charioteers released various forms of weapons, roaring and attacking each other in the battle.
हत विध्यत गृह्णीत प्रहरध्वं निकृन्तत। इति स्म वाचः श्रूयन्ते तव तेषां च वै बले ॥९-११-४६॥
The words 'Strike, pierce, seize, attack, cut' are indeed heard in your and their army.
ततः शल्यो महाराज धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम्। विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैर्हन्तुकामो महारथम् ॥९-११-४७॥
Then Śalya, the great king, attacked Dharmaraja Yudhishthira with sharp arrows, intending to kill the great chariot-warrior.
तस्य पार्थो महाराज नाराचान्वै चतुर्दश। मर्माण्युद्दिश्य मर्मज्ञो निचखान हसन्निव ॥९-११-४८॥
Arjuna, the son of Pritha, skillfully shot fourteen iron arrows at the vital points, appearing to smile, O great king.
तं वार्य पाण्डवं बाणैर्हन्तुकामो महायशाः। विव्याध समरे क्रुद्धो बहुभिः कङ्कपत्रिभिः ॥९-११-४९॥
The greatly renowned warrior, in his anger, stopped Pāṇḍava and pierced him in battle with many feathered arrows, desiring to kill him.
अथ भूयो महाराज शरेण नतपर्वणा। युधिष्ठिरं समाजघ्ने सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः ॥९-११-५०॥
Then again, O great king, he struck Yudhishthira with an arrow with bent joints while the entire army watched.
धर्मराजोऽपि सङ्क्रुद्धो मद्रराजं महायशाः। विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैः कङ्कबर्हिणवाजितैः ॥९-११-५१॥
The illustrious King Yudhishthira, in his anger, shot sharp arrows adorned with peacock feathers at the King of Madra.
चन्द्रसेनं च सप्तत्या सूतं च नवभिः शरैः। द्रुमसेनं चतुःषष्ट्या निजघान महारथः ॥९-११-५२॥
The great chariot-warrior struck down Candrasena with seventy arrows, Sūta with nine, and Drumasena with sixty-four.
चक्ररक्षे हते शल्यः पाण्डवेन महात्मना। निजघान ततो राजंश्चेदीन्वै पञ्चविंशतिम् ॥९-११-५३॥
After the protector of the wheel was slain by the great-souled Pāṇḍava, Śalya then killed twenty-five of the Cedis, O king.
सात्यकिं पञ्चविंशत्या भीमसेनं च पञ्चभिः। माद्रीपुत्रौ शतेनाजौ विव्याध निशितैः शरैः ॥९-११-५४॥
Satyaki pierced with twenty-five arrows, Bhimasena with five, and the sons of Madri with a hundred sharp arrows in battle.
एवं विचरतस्तस्य सङ्ग्रामे राजसत्तम। सम्प्रेषयच्छितान्पार्थः शरानाशीविषोपमान् ॥९-११-५५॥
As Arjuna moved through the battlefield, he unleashed arrows as deadly as venomous serpents, O esteemed king.
ध्वजाग्रं चास्य समरे कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। प्रमुखे वर्तमानस्य भल्लेनापहरद्रथात् ॥९-११-५६॥
In the battle, Kunti's son Yudhishthira, standing in front, took away the flag-top of his opponent's chariot with an arrow.
पाण्डुपुत्रेण वै तस्य केतुं छिन्नं महात्मना। निपतन्तमपश्याम गिरिशृङ्गमिवाहतम् ॥९-११-५७॥
The son of Pandu, with his great soul, cut down his banner. We saw it fall like a mountain peak that had been struck.
ध्वजं निपतितं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवं च व्यवस्थितम्। सङ्क्रुद्धो मद्रराजोऽभूच्छरवर्षं मुमोच ह ॥९-११-५८॥
Upon seeing the fallen flag and the poised Pāṇḍava, the furious Madra king unleashed a shower of arrows.
शल्यः सायकवर्षेण पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्। अभ्यवर्षदमेयात्मा क्षत्रियं क्षत्रियर्षभः ॥९-११-५९॥
Shalya, with his immeasurable spirit, showered arrows like Parjanya, the rain god, pouring rain upon the warrior, the best among warriors.
सात्यकिं भीमसेनं च माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ। एकैकं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा युधिष्ठिरमपीडयत् ॥९-११-६०॥
Satyaki, Bhimasena, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, each shot five arrows and tormented Yudhishthira.
ततो बाणमयं जालं विततं पाण्डवोरसि। अपश्याम महाराज मेघजालमिवोद्गतम् ॥९-११-६१॥
Then, O great king, we saw a net made of arrows spread across the chest of Pandava, resembling a rising cloud net.
तस्य शल्यो रणे क्रुद्धो बाणैः संनतपर्वभिः। दिशः प्रच्छादयामास प्रदिशश्च महारथः ॥९-११-६२॥
In the battle, the great chariot warrior Śalya, in his anger, covered all directions and regions with his arrows that had bent joints.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा बाणजालेन पीडितः। बभूव हृतविक्रान्तो जम्भो वृत्रहणा यथा ॥९-११-६३॥
Then King Yudhishthira was overwhelmed by the barrage of arrows and lost his courage, just as Jambha was subdued by Indra, the slayer of Vritra.
