09.015
Pancharatra and Core: The Kaurava army retreats; Duryodhana faces defeat at the hands of Bhima; unable to withstand Yudhisthira, Shalya is taken away by Ashwatthama.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said.
tataḥ sainyās tava vibho madra-rāja-puraskṛtāḥ। punar abhyadravan pārthān vegena mahatā raṇe ॥9-15-1॥
Then, O lord, your forces, led by the king of Madra, once more charged at the Pandavas with great speed in the battle.
pīḍitāstāvakāḥ sarve pradhāvanto raṇotkaṭāḥ। kṣaṇenaiva ca pārthāṃste bahutvātsamaḷoḍayan ॥9-15-2॥
All your men, though fierce in battle, were afflicted and started running away. However, in a moment, they overwhelmed the sons of Pritha due to their large numbers.
te vadhyamānāḥ kurubhiḥ pāṇḍavā na-avatastire। nivāryamāṇā bhīmena paśyatoḥ kṛṣṇapārthayoḥ ॥9-15-3॥
The Pandavas, under attack by the Kauravas, could not hold their ground as Bhima restrained them, all while Krishna and Arjuna watched.
tato dhanañjayaḥ kruddhaḥ kṛpaṃ saha padānugaiḥ। avākiraccharaugheṇa kṛtavarmāṇameva ca ॥9-15-4॥
Then, in his anger, Dhananjaya showered a torrent of arrows upon Kripa and his followers, as well as Kritavarma.
śakuniṃ sahadevastu sahasainyamavārayat। nakulaḥ pārśvataḥ sthitvā madrarājamavaikṣata ॥9-15-5॥
Sahadeva, with his army, halted Shakuni. Meanwhile, Nakula stood aside and observed the Madra king.
drau̇padeyā narendrāṁśca bhūyiṣṭhaṁ samavārayan। droṇaputraṁ ca pāñcālyaḥ śikhaṇḍī samavārayat ॥9-15-6॥
The sons of Draupadī primarily held back the kings, while the Pāñcāla prince Śikhaṇḍī held back Droṇa's son.
bhīmasenastu rājānaṃ gadāpāṇiravārayat। śalyaṃ tu saha sainyena kuntīputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥9-15-7॥
Bhimasena, wielding his mace, halted the king, while Yudhishthira, Kunti's son, with his army, confronted Shalya.
tataḥ samabhavadyuddhaṃ saṃsaktaṃ tatra tatra ha। tāvakānāṃ pareṣāṃ ca saṅgrāmeṣvanivartinām ॥9-15-8॥
Then a fierce battle arose, engaged at various places, between your forces and the enemies, all of whom were determined not to retreat.
tatra paśyāmahe karma śalyasyātimahadraṇe। yadekaḥ sarvasainyāni pāṇḍavānāmayudhyata ॥9-15-9॥
There we witness the mighty deeds of Śalya in battle, where he single-handedly fought against all the armies of the Pāṇḍavas.
vyadṛśyata tadā śalyo yudhiṣṭhirasamīpataḥ। raṇe candramaso'bhyāśe śanaiścara iva grahaḥ ॥9-15-10॥
Śalya appeared near Yudhishthira on the battlefield, resembling Saturn close to the moon.
pīḍayitvā tu rājānaṃ śarairāśīviṣopamaiḥ। abhyadhāvatpunarbhīmaṃ śaravarṣairavākirat ॥9-15-11॥
After tormenting the king with serpent-like arrows, he once again charged at Bhima, enveloping him in a rain of arrows.
tasya tallāghavaṃ dṛṣṭvā tathaiva ca kṛtāstratām। apūjayannanīkāni pareṣāṃ tāvakāni ca ॥9-15-12॥
Seeing his agility and skill in weaponry, both the enemy's and your armies honored him equally.
pīḍyamānāstu śalyena pāṇḍavā bhṛśavikṣatāḥ। prādravanta raṇaṃ hitvā krośamāne yudhiṣṭhire ॥9-15-13॥
The Pāṇḍavas, severely wounded and afflicted by Śalya, fled the battlefield, leaving Yudhiṣṭhira behind, who was crying out.
vadhyamāneṣvanīkeṣu madrarājena pāṇḍavaḥ। amarṣavaśamāpanno dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ ॥ tataḥ pauruṣamāsthāya madrarājamapīḍayat ॥9-15-14॥
As the armies were being slain by the king of Madra, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu and the king of righteousness, overcome by anger, then assumed manliness and tormented the king of Madra.
jayo vāstu vadho veti kṛtabuddhirmahārathaḥ। samāhūyābravītsarvānbhrātṝnkṛṣṇaṃ ca mādhavam ॥9-15-15॥
The great warrior, resolved on either victory or defeat, summoned all his brothers along with Krishna and Madhava, and spoke to them.
bhīṣmo droṇaśca karṇaśca ye cānye pṛthivīkṣitaḥ। kauravārthe parākrāntāḥ saṅgrāme nidhanaṃ gatāḥ ॥9-15-16॥
Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and other kings fought valiantly and met their end in battle for the cause of the Kauravas.
yathābhāgaṃ yathotsāhaṃ bhavantaḥ kṛtapauruṣāḥ। bhāgo'vaśiṣṭa eko'yaṃ mama śalyo mahārathaḥ ॥9-15-17॥
According to the division and enthusiasm, you all have made efforts. The only part remaining is my great charioteer, Śalya.
so'hamadya yudhā jetumāśaṁse madrakeśvaram। tatra yanmānasaṁ mahyaṁ tatsarvaṁ nigadāmi vaḥ ॥9-15-18॥
Today, I hope to defeat the king of Madra in battle. I declare to you everything that is on my mind there.
cakrarakṣāvimau śūrau mama mādravatīsutau। ajeyau vāsavenāpi samare vīrasaṃmatau ॥9-15-19॥
These two valiant sons of Madravati, who are the protectors of the wheel, are considered invincible even by Indra in battle and are highly regarded by heroes.
sādhvimau mātulaṃ yuddhe kṣatradharmapuras kṛtau। madarthaṃ pratiyudhyetāṃ mānārhau satyasaṅgarau ॥9-15-20॥
These two honorable warriors should confront their maternal uncle in battle, upholding the warrior's duty for my sake, and remain true to their word.
māṁ vā śalyo raṇe hantā taṁ vāhaṁ bhadramastu vaḥ। iti satyāmimāṁ vāṇīṁ lokavīrā nibodhata ॥9-15-21॥
Śalya may kill me in battle or I may kill him. May good be with you. Thus, understand this true speech, O heroes of the world.
yotsye'ham mātulenādya kṣatradharmeṇa pārthivāḥ। svayaṃ samabhisandhāya vijayāyetarāya vā ॥9-15-22॥
Today, I will engage in battle with my uncle, adhering to the duty of a warrior, O kings, having resolved myself for either victory or defeat.
tasya me'bhyadhikaṁ śastraṁ sarvopakaraṇāni ca। saṁyuñjantu raṇe kṣipraṁ śāstravadrathayojakāḥ ॥9-15-23॥
The charioteers should quickly equip his excessive weapon and all equipment in battle according to the scriptures.
śaineyo dakṣiṇaṃ cakraṃ dhṛṣṭadyumnastathottaram। pṛṣṭhagopo bhavatvadya mama pārtho dhanañjayaḥ ॥9-15-24॥
Śaineya will take the right wheel, Dhṛṣṭadyumna the left, and today my Pārtha, Dhanañjaya, will guard the rear.
puraḥsaro mamādyāstu bhīmaḥ śastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ। evamabhyadhikaḥ śalyādbhaviṣyāmi mahāmṛdhe ॥9-15-25॥
"Let Bhima, the foremost among the wielders of weapons, lead me today. In this way, I shall surpass Shalya in the great battle."
evamuktāstathā cakruḥ sarve rājñaḥ priyeṣiṇaḥ। tataḥ praharṣaḥ sainyānāṃ punarāsīttadā nṛpa ॥9-15-26॥
Upon hearing these words, all the kings, who were well-wishers, acted accordingly. Then, O king, the soldiers were filled with joy once more.
pāñcālānāṃ somakānāṃ matsyānāṃ ca viśeṣataḥ। pratijñāṃ tāṃ ca saṅgrāme dharmarājasya pūrayan ॥9-15-27॥
He fulfilled the vow made by the Pāñcālas, Somakas, and Matsyas, especially in the battle led by Dharmaraja.
tataḥ śaṅkhāṁśca bherīśca śataśaścaiva puṣkarān। avādayanta pāñcālāḥ siṁhanādāṁśca nedire ॥9-15-28॥
Then the Panchalas blew their conch shells, beat their drums and kettledrums by the hundreds, and the sound of lion roars echoed all around.
te'bhyadhāvanta saṁrabdhā madrarājaṁ tarasvinaḥ। mahatā harṣajenātha nādena kurupuṅgavāḥ ॥9-15-29॥
The Kuru warriors, filled with excitement and swiftness, charged towards the Madra king with a great sound of joy.
hrādena gajaghaṇṭānāṃ śaṅkhānāṃ ninadena ca। tūryaśabdena mahatā nādayantaśca medinīm ॥9-15-30॥
The earth was resonating with the loud sounds of elephant bells, conches, and musical instruments, creating a thunderous roar.
tānpratyagṛhṇātputraste madrarājaśca vīryavān। mahāmeghāniva bahūñśailāvastodayāvubhau ॥9-15-31॥
Your son, the valiant king of Madra, welcomed them as if they were many great clouds rising over the mountains.
śalyastu samaraślāghī dharmarājamariṃdamam। vavarṣa śaravarṣeṇa varṣeṇa maghavāniva ॥9-15-32॥
Śalya, proud of his prowess in battle, attacked Dharmaraja, the subduer of enemies, with a torrent of arrows, just as Indra would shower rain.
tathaiva kururājo'pi pragṛhya ruciraṃ dhanuḥ। droṇopadeśān vividhān darśayāno mahāmanāḥ ॥9-15-33॥
In the same way, the king of the Kurus, with great intent, took up the beautiful bow and demonstrated the various teachings of Drona.
vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi citraṃ laghu ca suṣṭhu ca। na cāsya vivaraṃ kaścid-dadarśa carato raṇe ॥9-15-34॥
He skillfully rained a wonderful and light shower of arrows, and no one could see any opening as he moved in the battle.
tāvubhau vividhairbāṇaistatakṣāte parasparam। śārdūlāvāmiṣaprepsū parākrāntāvivāhave ॥9-15-35॥
Those two warriors, like fierce tigers eager for flesh, valiantly pierced each other with various arrows in battle.
bhīmastu tava putreṇa raṇaśauṇḍena saṅgataḥ। pāñcālyaḥ sātyakiścaiva mādrīputrau ca pāṇḍavau ॥ śakunipramukhānvīrānpratyagṛhṇansamantataḥ ॥9-15-36॥
Bhima, along with your son, the warrior, joined forces. Panchali, Satyaki, and the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, confronted the heroes led by Shakuni from all directions.
tad āsīt tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ punar eva jaya-iṣiṇām। tāvakānāṃ pareṣāṃ ca rājan durmantrite tava ॥9-15-37॥
The fierce battle resumed once more between your forces and the enemies, O king, due to your poor counsel.
duryodhanastu bhīmasya śareṇānataparvaṇā। cicchedādiśya saṅgrāme dhvajaṃ hemavibhūṣitam ॥9-15-38॥
Duryodhana, however, aimed and cut down the flag adorned with gold in the battle using an arrow with a bent tip.
sakiṅkiṇīkajālena mahatā cārudarśanaḥ। papāta uciraḥ siṃho bhīmasenasya nānadan ॥9-15-39॥
The splendid lion adorned with a great net of small bells, beautiful to behold, fell with a roar, belonging to Bhimasena.
punaścāsya dhanuś citraṃ gajarājakaropamam। kṣureṇa śitadhāreṇa pracakarta narādhipaḥ ॥9-15-40॥
Once more, his bow, as magnificent as the trunk of the king of elephants, was severed by the king using a razor-sharp blade.
sa chinnadhanvā tejasvī rathaśaktyā sutaṃ tava। bibhedorasi vikramya sa rathopastha āviśat ॥9-15-41॥
He, with his bow broken and full of brilliance, pierced your son in the chest with the spear of the chariot, and then, having advanced, he entered the seat of the chariot.
tasmin moham anuprāpte punar eva vṛkodaraḥ। yantureva śiraḥ kāyāt kṣurapreṇāharat tadā ॥9-15-42॥
In his delusion, Vrikodara (Bhima) once again swiftly took Yantu's head from his body with a razor.
hatasūtā hayāstasya rathamādāya bhārata। vyadravanta diśo rājanhāhākārastadābhavat ॥9-15-43॥
With the charioteer slain, the horses took the chariot and fled in all directions, O Bharata, causing a great uproar at that time, O king.
tam abhyadhāvat trāṇārthaṃ droṇaputro mahārathaḥ। kṛpaś ca kṛtavarmā ca putraṃ te'bhiparīpsavaḥ ॥9-15-44॥
Drona's son, the great warrior, along with Kripa and Kritavarma, rushed to protect your son.
tasmin vilulite sainye trastās tasya padānugāḥ। gāṇḍīvadhanvā visphārya dhanus tān ahanac charaiḥ ॥9-15-45॥
In the disrupted army, Arjuna's frightened followers were struck by him as he stretched his bow and shot arrows.
yudhiṣṭhirastu madreśamabhyadhāvadamarṣitaḥ। svayaṃ sañcodayannaśvāndantavarṇānmanojavān ॥9-15-46॥
Yudhishthira, filled with anger, charged at the king of Madra, personally driving his horses that were as white as teeth and as swift as the mind.
tatrādbhutamapaśyāma kuntīputre yudhiṣṭhire। purā bhūtvā mṛdurdānto yattadā dāruṇo'bhavat ॥9-15-47॥
There we witnessed a remarkable transformation in Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti. Once gentle and self-controlled, he turned harsh.
vivṛtākṣaśca kaunteyo vepamānaśca manyunā। ciccheda yodhānniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ śatasahasraśaḥ ॥9-15-48॥
The son of Kunti, with eyes wide open and trembling in anger, cut down the warriors with his sharp arrows by the hundreds of thousands.
yāṃ yāṃ pratyudyayau senāṃ tāṃ tāṃ jyeṣṭhaḥ sa pāṇḍavaḥ। śarairapātayadrājangirīnvajrairivottamaiḥ ॥9-15-49॥
The eldest of the Pāṇḍavas, upon encountering any army, would bring it down with his arrows, just as excellent mountains are struck down by thunderbolts, O king.
sāśvasūtadhvajarathānrathinaḥ pātayanbahūn। ākrīḍadeko balavānpavanastoyadāniva ॥9-15-50॥
He, strong and alone, caused many charioteers with their horses, flags, and chariots to fall, playing like the wind does with clouds.
sāśvarohāṃśca turagānpattīṃścaiva sahasraśaḥ। vyapothayata saṅgrāme kruddho rudraḥ paśūniva ॥9-15-51॥
In the battle, the furious Rudra crushed thousands of horsemen, horses, and foot soldiers as if they were mere beasts.
śūnyamāyodhanaṃ kṛtvā śaravarṣaiḥ samantataḥ। abhyadravata madreśaṃ tiṣṭha śalyeti cābravīt ॥9-15-52॥
After clearing the battlefield with a barrage of arrows, he charged at the king of Madra, shouting, "Halt, Śalya!"
tasya taccaritaṁ dṛṣṭvā saṅgrāme bhīmakarmaṇaḥ। vitresustāvakāḥ sarve śalyastvenaṁ samabhyayāt ॥9-15-53॥
Upon witnessing his formidable actions in the battle, all your warriors were struck with fear, yet Śalya advanced towards him.
tatastau tu susaṁrabdhau pradhmāpya salilodbhavau। samāhūya tadānyonyaṁ bhartsayantau samīyatuḥ ॥9-15-54॥
Then those two, very agitated and born of water, blew their conches, called each other, and came together threateningly.
śalyastu śaravarṣeṇa yudhiṣṭhiramavākirat। madrarājaṃ ca kaunteyaḥ śaravarṣairavākirat ॥9-15-55॥
Shalya attacked Yudhishthira with a barrage of arrows, while the son of Kunti, Arjuna, retaliated by showering arrows upon the king of Madra.
vyadṛśyetāṃ tadā rājan kaṅkapatribhir āhave। udbhinnarudhirau śūrau madrarāja-yudhiṣṭhirau ॥9-15-56॥
Then, O king, the brave Madra king and Yudhishthira were seen bleeding from the arrows in the battle.
puṣpitāv iva rejāte vane śalmali-kiṃśukā। dīpyamānau mahātmānau prāṇayor yuddha-durmadau ॥9-15-57॥
The two great souls, glowing with arrogance in battle, stood like blooming silk-cotton and flame of the forest trees in the forest.
dṛṣṭvā sarvāṇi sainyāni nādhyavasaṃstayorjayam। hatvā madrādhipaṃ pārtho bhokṣyate'dya vasundharām ॥9-15-58॥
Upon seeing all the armies, he could not determine the victory between the two sides. Today, after slaying the king of Madra, Arjuna will enjoy the earth.
śalyo vā pāṇḍavaṃ hatvā dadyādduryodhanāya gām। itīva niścayo nābhūdyodhānāṃ tatra bhārata ॥9-15-59॥
There was no consensus among the warriors, O Bhārata, whether Śalya would kill the Pāṇḍava and give a cow to Duryodhana.
pradakṣiṇam abhūt sarvaṃ dharmarājasya yudhyataḥ। tataḥ śaraśataṃ śalyo mumocāśu yudhiṣṭhire। dhanuś cāsya śitāgreṇa bāṇena nirakṛntata ॥9-15-61॥
As Dharmaraja was engaged in battle, everything seemed to revolve around him. Then Shalya quickly shot a hundred arrows at Yudhishthira, cutting off his bow with a sharp-pointed arrow.
so'nyatkārmukamādāya śalyaṃ śaraśataistribhiḥ। avidhyatkārmukaṃ cāsya kṣureṇa nirakṛntata ॥9-15-62॥
He took another bow and pierced the arrow with three hundred arrows, then cut off his bow with a razor.
athāsya nijaghānāśvāṃścaturo nataparvabhiḥ। dvābhyāmatha śitāgrābhyāmubhau ca pārṣṇisārathī ॥9-15-63॥
Then he killed his four horses with bent joints, and then with two sharp points, he also killed both the charioteer at the back.
tato'sya dīpyamānena pītena niśitena ca। pramukhe vartamānasya bhallenāpāharaddhvajam ॥ tataḥ prabhagnaṃ tatsainyaṃ dauryodhanamariṃdama ॥9-15-64॥
Then, with a bright, yellow, and sharp arrow, he struck down the flag at the forefront. Consequently, O subduer of enemies, Duryodhana's army was shattered.
tato madrādhipaṃ drauṇirabhyadhāvattathākṛtam। āropya cainaṃ svarathaṃ tvaramāṇaḥ pradudruve ॥9-15-65॥
Then, Drona's son approached the king of Madras, arranged things accordingly, and hurriedly drove away after mounting him on his chariot.
muhūrtamiva tau gatvā nardamāne yudhiṣṭhire। sthitvā tato madrapatiranyaṃ syandanamāsthitaḥ ॥9-15-66॥
For a moment, they went to the roaring Yudhishthira, and after standing there, the king of Madra ascended another chariot.
vidhivatkalpitaṃ śubhraṃ mahāmbudaninādinam। sajjayantro'pākaraṇaṃ dviṣatāṃ romaharṣaṇam ॥9-15-67॥
The structure was meticulously constructed, gleaming white, and resonated like a mighty cloud. It was equipped with machinery and instruments, instilling fear in the enemies.
