09.016
Core and Pancharatra: Enabled by Bhima, Yudhishthira kills Shalya, his brother, and also defeats Kritaverma, Kripa and Ashwatthama.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय बलवद्वेगवत्तरम्। युधिष्ठिरं मद्रपतिर्विद्ध्वा सिंह इवानदत् ॥९-१६-१॥
Then, the king of Madra, after taking another strong and swift bow, pierced Yudhishthira and roared like a lion.
ततः स शरवर्षेण पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्। अभ्यवर्षदमेयात्मा क्षत्रियान्क्षत्रियर्षभः ॥९-१६-२॥
Then he, with an immeasurable soul, showered the warriors with a rain of arrows, like a cloud, being the bull among warriors.
सात्यकिं दशभिर्विद्ध्वा भीमसेनं त्रिभिः शरैः। सहदेवं त्रिभिर्विद्ध्वा युधिष्ठिरमपीडयत् ॥९-१६-३॥
He attacked Satyaki with ten arrows, Bhimasena with three, and Sahadeva with three, causing distress to Yudhishthira.
तांस्तानन्यान्महेष्वासान्साश्वान्सरथकुञ्जरान्। कुञ्जरान्कुञ्जरारोहानश्वानश्वप्रयायिनः ॥ रथांश्च रथिभिः सार्धं जघान रथिनां वरः ॥९-१६-४॥
The best of charioteers killed those other great archers along with horses, chariots, elephants, elephant riders, horse riders, and charioteers.
बाहूंश्चिच्छेद च तथा सायुधान्केतनानि च। चकार च महीं योधैस्तीर्णां वेदीं कुशैरिव ॥९-१६-५॥
He severed the arms and banners of the armed ones, and the earth was strewn with warriors as an altar is with kusa grass.
तथा तमरिसैन्यानि घ्नन्तं मृत्युमिवान्तकम्। परिवव्रुर्भृशं क्रुद्धाः पाण्डुपाञ्चालसोमकाः ॥९-१६-६॥
In this way, the Pandavas, Panchalas, and Somakas, filled with intense anger, surrounded him as he was destroying the enemy forces, resembling death itself at the end of time.
तं भीमसेनश्च शिनेश्च नप्ता; माद्र्याश्च पुत्रौ पुरुषप्रवीरौ। समागतं भीमबलेन राज्ञा; पर्यापुरन्योन्यमथाह्वयन्तः ॥९-१६-७॥
Bhimasena and the grandson of Sini, along with the sons of Madri, who were heroes among men, gathered with the king's strength, filling each other with challenges.
ततस्तु शूराः समरे नरेन्द्रं; मद्रेश्वरं प्राप्य युधां वरिष्ठम्। आवार्य चैनं समरे नृवीरा; जघ्नुः शरैः पत्रिभिरुग्रवेगैः ॥९-१६-८॥
Then the valiant warriors, having reached the king, the lord of Madra, who was the best among warriors, surrounded him in battle and killed him with arrows that were feathered and flew with fierce speed.
संरक्षितो भीमसेनेन राजा; माद्रीसुताभ्यामथ माधवेन। मद्राधिपं पत्रिभिरुग्रवेगैः; स्तनान्तरे धर्मसुतो निजघ्ने ॥९-१६-९॥
The king, protected by Bhimasena, along with the sons of Madri and Madhava, struck down the king of Madra with swift arrows in the chest.
ततो रणे तावकानां रथौघाः; समीक्ष्य मद्राधिपतिं शरार्तम्। पर्यावव्रुः प्रवराः सर्वशश्च; दुर्योधनस्यानुमते समन्तात् ॥९-१६-१०॥
Then, in the battle, observing the king of Madras suffering from arrow wounds, the finest of your chariots encircled him from all directions with Duryodhana's approval.
ततो द्रुतं मद्रजनाधिपो रणे; युधिष्ठिरं सप्तभिरभ्यविध्यत्। तं चापि पार्थो नवभिः पृषत्कै; र्विव्याध राजंस्तुमुले महात्मा ॥९-१६-११॥
Then, in the tumultuous battle, the king of Madras quickly pierced Yudhishthira with seven arrows; and Arjuna, the great soul, also pierced him with nine arrows, O King.
आकर्णपूर्णायतसम्प्रयुक्तैः; शरैस्तदा संयति तैलधौतैः। अन्योन्यमाच्छादयतां महारथौ; मद्राधिपश्चापि युधिष्ठिरश्च ॥९-१६-१२॥
In the battle, the great charioteers, the king of Madra and Yudhishthira, engaged in a fierce duel, covering each other with arrows that were fully drawn, aimed, and smeared with oil.
ततस्तु तूर्णं समरे महारथौ; परस्परस्यान्तरमीक्षमाणौ। शरैर्भृशं विव्यधतुर्नृपोत्तमौ; महाबलौ शत्रुभिरप्रधृष्यौ ॥९-१६-१३॥
Then, the two great charioteers, observing each other's gap, quickly pierced each other intensely with arrows in battle. They were the best of kings, mighty and invincible by their enemies.
तयोर्धनुर्ज्यातलनिस्वनो महा; न्महेन्द्रवज्राशनितुल्यनिस्वनः। परस्परं बाणगणैर्महात्मनोः; प्रवर्षतोर्मद्रपपाण्डुवीरयोः ॥९-१६-१४॥
The great sound of the bowstrings of those two warriors, like the thunderbolt of Indra, echoed as they showered arrows at each other, the noble Madra king and the Pandu heroes.
तौ चेरतुर्व्याघ्रशिशुप्रकाशौ; महावनेष्वामिषगृद्धिनाविव। विषाणिनौ नागवराविवोभौ; ततक्षतुः संयुगजातदर्पौ ॥९-१६-१५॥
They both roamed the vast forests like shining tiger cubs, eager for prey; like the finest elephants with horns, they engaged in battle, filled with pride born from combat.
ततस्तु मद्राधिपतिर्महात्मा; युधिष्ठिरं भीमबलं प्रसह्य। विव्याध वीरं हृदयेऽतिवेगं; शरेण सूर्याग्निसमप्रभेण ॥९-१६-१६॥
Then, the noble king of Madra, with great force, struck Yudhishthira, the valiant hero with the strength of Bhima, in the heart with an arrow that shone like the sun and fire.
ततोऽतिविद्धोऽथ युधिष्ठिरोऽपि; सुसम्प्रयुक्तेन शरेण राजन्। जघान मद्राधिपतिं महात्मा; मुदं च लेभे ऋषभः कुरूणाम् ॥९-१६-१७॥
Then, even though deeply pierced, Yudhishthira, with a well-aimed arrow, killed the king of Madra, and the great soul, the bull of the Kurus, found joy, O king.
ततो मुहूर्तादिव पार्थिवेन्द्रो; लब्ध्वा सञ्ज्ञां क्रोधसंरक्तनेत्रः। शतेन पार्थं त्वरितो जघान; सहस्रनेत्रप्रतिमप्रभावः ॥९-१६-१८॥
Then, as if after a moment, the king regained his senses, his eyes reddened with anger, and swiftly struck Arjuna with a hundred arrows, possessing a glory akin to that of the thousand-eyed Indra.
त्वरंस्ततो धर्मसुतो महात्मा; शल्यस्य क्रुद्धो नवभिः पृषत्कैः। भित्त्वा ह्युरस्तपनीयं च वर्म; जघान षड्भिस्त्वपरैः पृषत्कैः ॥९-१६-१९॥
The noble son of Dharma, filled with anger, quickly attacked Shalya with nine arrows, piercing his golden chest armor, and then struck him with six more arrows.
ततस्तु मद्राधिपतिः प्रहृष्टो; धनुर्विकृष्य व्यसृजत्पृषत्कान्। द्वाभ्यां क्षुराभ्यां च तथैव राज्ञ; श्चिच्छेद चापं कुरुपुङ्गवस्य ॥९-१६-२०॥
Then the delighted king of Madra drew his bow and released arrows. With two razors, he similarly cut off the bow of the foremost of the Kurus.
नवं ततोऽन्यत्समरे प्रगृह्य; राजा धनुर्घोरतरं महात्मा। शल्यं तु विद्ध्वा निशितैः समन्ता; द्यथा महेन्द्रो नमुचिं शिताग्रैः ॥९-१६-२१॥
Then the great king, a noble soul, took up another new and more dreadful bow in the battle and pierced Śalya from all sides with sharp arrows, just as Mahendra pierced Namuci with sharp points.
ततस्तु शल्यो नवभिः पृषत्कै; र्भीमस्य राज्ञश्च युधिष्ठिरस्य। निकृत्य रौक्मे पटुवर्मणी तयो; र्विदारयामास भुजौ महात्मा ॥९-१६-२२॥
Then, Śalya, with nine arrows, cut through the golden armor of Bhīma and King Yudhiṣṭhira, piercing their arms, demonstrating his great prowess.
ततोऽपरेण ज्वलितार्कतेजसा; क्षुरेण राज्ञो धनुरुन्ममाथ। कृपश्च तस्यैव जघान सूतं; षड्भिः शरैः सोऽभिमुखं पपात ॥९-१६-२३॥
Then, with another blazing like the sun, the king's bow was severed by a razor. Kṛpa also killed his charioteer with six arrows, and he fell facing him.
मद्राधिपश्चापि युधिष्ठिरस्य; शरैश्चतुर्भिर्निजघान वाहान्। वाहांश्च हत्वा व्यकरोन्महात्मा; योधक्षयं धर्मसुतस्य राज्ञः ॥९-१६-२४॥
The king of Madra, with four arrows, killed the horses of Yudhishthira. After killing the horses, the noble soul caused the destruction of Yudhishthira's warriors.
तथा कृते राजनि भीमसेनो; मद्राधिपस्याशु ततो महात्मा। छित्त्वा धनुर्वेगवता शरेण; द्वाभ्यामविध्यत्सुभृशं नरेन्द्रम् ॥९-१६-२५॥
Thus, when the king was dealt with, Bhimasena, the great soul, quickly cut the bow of the king of Madra with the speed of an arrow and severely pierced the king with two arrows.
अथापरेणास्य जहार यन्तुः; कायाच्छिरः संनहनीयमध्यात्। जघान चाश्वांश्चतुरः स शीघ्रं; तथा भृशं कुपितो भीमसेनः ॥९-१६-२६॥
Then, in his fury, Bhimasena swiftly decapitated the charioteer and took his head along with the armor from the body, and also killed the four horses.
तमग्रणीः सर्वधनुर्धराणा; मेकं चरन्तं समरेऽतिवेगम्। भीमः शतेन व्यकिरच्छराणां; माद्रीपुत्रः सहदेवस्तथैव ॥९-१६-२७॥
Bhima, the foremost among all archers, moved swiftly in the battle, scattering arrows by the hundreds, and Sahadeva, the son of Madri, did the same.
तैः सायकैर्मोहितं वीक्ष्य शल्यं; भीमः शरैरस्य चकर्त वर्म। स भीमसेनेन निकृत्तवर्मा; मद्राधिपश्चर्म सहस्रतारम् ॥९-१६-२८॥
Seeing Śalya bewildered by the arrows, Bhima attacked and cut his armor. The king of Madra, with his armor cut by Bhimasena, appeared as if adorned with a thousand stars.
प्रगृह्य खड्गं च रथान्महात्मा; प्रस्कन्द्य कुन्तीसुतमभ्यधावत्। छित्त्वा रथेषां नकुलस्य सोऽथ; युधिष्ठिरं भीमबलोऽभ्यधावत् ॥९-१६-२९॥
The great warrior, having seized his sword, leaped over the chariots and charged at the son of Kunti. After cutting down Nakula's chariots, he then advanced towards Yudhishthira with the might of Bhima.
तं चापि राजानमथोत्पतन्तं; क्रुद्धं यथैवान्तकमापतन्तम्। धृष्टद्युम्नो द्रौपदेयाः शिखण्डी; शिनेश्च नप्ता सहसा परीयुः ॥९-१६-३०॥
Then, seeing the king rising in anger like death itself, Dhrishtadyumna, the sons of Draupadi, Shikhandi, and the grandson of Shini suddenly rushed towards him.
अथास्य चर्माप्रतिमं न्यकृन्त; द्भीमो महात्मा दशभिः पृषत्कः। खड्गं च भल्लैर्निचकर्त मुष्टौ; नदन्प्रहृष्टस्तव सैन्यमध्ये ॥९-१६-३१॥
Then Bhima, the great warrior, joyfully cut through his unmatched shield with ten arrows and severed the sword in his hand with arrows, roaring amidst your army.
तत्कर्म भीमस्य समीक्ष्य हृष्टा; स्ते पाण्डवानां प्रवरा रथौघाः। नादं च चक्रुर्भृशमुत्स्मयन्तः; शङ्खांश्च दध्मुः शशिसंनिकाशान् ॥९-१६-३२॥
Upon witnessing Bhima's deed, the foremost charioteers of the Pandavas, filled with joy, made a loud noise and, smiling, blew their conches that shone like the moon.
तेनाथ शब्देन विभीषणेन; तवाभितप्तं बलमप्रहृष्टम्। स्वेदाभिभूतं रुधिरोक्षिताङ्गं; विसञ्ज्ञकल्पं च तथा विषण्णम् ॥९-१६-३३॥
Then, by the sound of Vibhishana, your tormented army appeared unhappy, overcome by sweat, with bodies smeared with blood, as if unconscious and thus dejected.
स मद्रराजः सहसावकीर्णो; भीमाग्रगैः पाण्डवयोधमुख्यैः। युधिष्ठिरस्याभिमुखं जवेन; सिंहो यथा मृगहेतोः प्रयातः ॥९-१६-३४॥
The king of Madra, suddenly encircled by Bhima and the chief Pandava warriors, rushed towards Yudhishthira with the swiftness of a lion pursuing its prey.
स धर्मराजो निहताश्वसूतं; क्रोधेन दीप्तज्वलनप्रकाशम्। दृष्ट्वा तु मद्राधिपतिं स तूर्णं; समभ्यधावत्तमरिं बलेन ॥९-१६-३५॥
Dharmaraja, filled with intense anger, saw the king of Madra whose horses and charioteer were slain. Like a blazing fire, he swiftly charged at his enemy with great force.
गोविन्दवाक्यं त्वरितं विचिन्त्य; दध्रे मतिं शल्यविनाशनाय। स धर्मराजो निहताश्वसूते; रथे तिष्ठञ्शक्तिमेवाभिकाङ्क्षन् ॥९-१६-३६॥
Upon quickly contemplating Govinda's words, Dharmaraja resolved to destroy Shalya. Standing on the chariot with his horses and charioteer slain, he earnestly sought power.
तच्चापि शल्यस्य निशम्य कर्म; महात्मनो भागमथावशिष्टम्। स्मृत्वा मनः शल्यवधे यतात्मा; यथोक्तमिन्द्रावरजस्य चक्रे ॥९-१६-३७॥
Having heard of Śalya's deeds, the great soul remembered the remaining part of his duty in the killing of Śalya, and with a self-controlled mind, acted as instructed by the younger brother of Indra.
स धर्मराजो मणिहेमदण्डां; जग्राह शक्तिं कनकप्रकाशाम्। नेत्रे च दीप्ते सहसा विवृत्य; मद्राधिपं क्रुद्धमना निरैक्षत् ॥९-१६-३८॥
Dharmaraja, with a sudden fierce gaze, seized the gem-studded golden staff and the shining golden spear, and with eyes blazing, he turned his wrathful attention to the king of Madra.
निरीक्षितो वै नरदेव राज्ञा; पूतात्मना निर्हृतकल्मषेण। अभून्न यद्भस्मसान्मद्रराज; स्तदद्भुतं मे प्रतिभाति राजन् ॥९-१६-३९॥
O King, it is indeed observed by the pure-souled and sinless king that it did not turn to ashes, O King of Madra; that seems wonderful to me, O King.
ततस्तु शक्तिं रुचिरोग्रदण्डां; मणिप्रवालोज्ज्वलितां प्रदीप्ताम्। चिक्षेप वेगात्सुभृशं महात्मा; मद्राधिपाय प्रवरः कुरूणाम् ॥९-१६-४०॥
Then, the great soul forcefully hurled the beautiful and fierce spear, adorned with shining gems and coral, towards the king of Madra, the chief among the Kurus, with great speed.
दीप्तामथैनां महता बलेन; सविस्फुलिङ्गां सहसा पतन्तीम्। प्रैक्षन्त सर्वे कुरवः समेता; यथा युगान्ते महतीमिवोल्काम् ॥९-१६-४१॥
Then all the assembled Kurus saw this shining object, with great force and sparks, suddenly falling, like a great meteor at the end of an age.
तां कालरात्रीमिव पाशहस्तां; यमस्य धात्रीमिव चोग्ररूपाम्। सब्रह्मदण्डप्रतिमाममोघां; ससर्ज यत्तो युधि धर्मराजः ॥९-१६-४२॥
Dharmaraja, with full attention in battle, created her to be like Kalaratri, holding a noose, resembling the fierce nurse of Yama, and akin to the infallible staff of Brahma.
गन्धस्रगग्र्यासनपानभोजनै; रभ्यर्चितां पाण्डुसुतैः प्रयत्नात्। संवर्तकाग्निप्रतिमां ज्वलन्तीं; कृत्यामथर्वाङ्गिरसीमिवोग्राम् ॥९-१६-४३॥
The sons of Pandu, with great effort, worshipped her with fragrances, garlands, excellent seats, drinks, and foods. She blazed like the destructive fire, resembling the terrible witchcraft of Atharva Angirasa.
ईशानहेतोः प्रतिनिर्मितां तां; त्वष्ट्रा रिपूणामसुदेहभक्षाम्। भूम्यन्तरिक्षादिजलाशयानि; प्रसह्य भूतानि निहन्तुमीशाम् ॥९-१६-४४॥
For the purpose of the lord, Tvaṣṭṛ recreated that which devours the lifeless bodies of enemies, to forcibly destroy the beings of earth, sky, and water bodies.
घण्टापताकामणिवज्रभाजं; वैडूर्यचित्रां तपनीयदण्डाम्। त्वष्ट्रा प्रयत्नान्नियमेन कॢप्तां; ब्रह्मद्विषामन्तकरीममोघाम् ॥९-१६-४५॥
The weapon, adorned with bells, flags, jewels, and thunderbolts, variegated with cat's eye gems and a golden staff, was meticulously crafted by Tvashta. It is an infallible destroyer of the enemies of Brahma.
बलप्रयत्नादधिरूढवेगां; मन्त्रैश्च घोरैरभिमन्त्रयित्वा। ससर्ज मार्गेण च तां परेण; वधाय मद्राधिपतेस्तदानीम् ॥९-१६-४६॥
With great effort and strength, he mounted the swift vehicle, enchanted it with fierce mantras, and then released it by another path to kill the king of Madra.
हतोऽस्यसावित्यभिगर्जमानो; रुद्रोऽन्तकायान्तकरं यथेषुम्। प्रसार्य बाहुं सुदृढं सुपाणिं; क्रोधेन नृत्यन्निव धर्मराजः ॥९-१६-४७॥
Rudra, roaring 'he is killed', extended his very strong arm with good hands like a destroyer to the end-maker, as if Dharmaraja was dancing with anger.
तां सर्वशक्त्या प्रहितां स शक्तिं; युधिष्ठिरेणाप्रतिवार्यवीर्याम्। प्रतिग्रहायाभिननर्द शल्यः; सम्यग्घुतामग्निरिवाज्यधाराम् ॥९-१६-४८॥
Shalya, with a mighty roar, accepted the power sent by Yudhishthira, which was unstoppable in strength, just as fire eagerly receives a stream of ghee properly offered.
सा तस्य मर्माणि विदार्य शुभ्र; मुरो विशालं च तथैव वर्म। विवेश गां तोयमिवाप्रसक्ता; यशो विशालं नृपतेर्दहन्ती ॥९-१६-४९॥
She, having torn apart the vital parts of the white demon Mura and his vast armor, entered the earth like water, unattached, burning the vast fame of the king.
नासाक्षिकर्णास्यविनिःसृतेन; प्रस्यन्दता च व्रणसम्भवेन। संसिक्तगात्रो रुधिरेण सोऽभूत्क्रौञ्चो यथा स्कन्दहतो महाद्रिः ॥९-१६-५०॥
He was drenched in blood flowing from his nose, eyes, ears, and mouth, as well as from his wounds, resembling a Krauncha bird struck down by Skanda, the great mountain.
प्रसार्य बाहू स रथाद्गतो गां; सञ्छिन्नवर्मा कुरुनन्दनेन। महेन्द्रवाहप्रतिमो महात्मा; वज्राहतं शृङ्गमिवाचलस्य ॥९-१६-५१॥
He stretched out his arms and descended from the chariot to the ground, his armor shattered by the joy of the Kurus. Like the great soul resembling the carrier of Mahendra, he was struck down like a mountain peak hit by a thunderbolt.
बाहू प्रसार्याभिमुखो धर्मराजस्य मद्रराट्। ततो निपतितो भूमाविन्द्रध्वज इवोच्छ्रितः ॥९-१६-५२॥
The king of Madra, with his arms stretched out, faced Dharmaraja and then fell to the ground like a raised banner of Indra.
स तथा भिन्नसर्वाङ्गो रुधिरेण समुक्षितः। प्रत्युद्गत इव प्रेम्णा भूम्या स नरपुङ्गवः ॥९-१६-५३॥
He, the best among men, lay there with all his limbs broken and smeared with blood, as if embraced lovingly by the earth.
प्रियया कान्तया कान्तः पतमान इवोरसि। चिरं भुक्त्वा वसुमतीं प्रियां कान्तामिव प्रभुः ॥ सर्वैरङ्गैः समाश्लिष्य प्रसुप्त इव सोऽभवत् ॥९-१६-५४॥
The beloved, as if falling on the chest of the dear one, having enjoyed the earth for a long time, the lord embraced with all his limbs and seemed to fall asleep, like a beloved dear one.
धर्म्ये धर्मात्मना युद्धे निहतो धर्मसूनुना। सम्यग्घुत इव स्विष्टः प्रशान्तोऽग्निरिवाध्वरे ॥९-१६-५५॥
In the righteous battle, the son of Dharma, a righteous soul, killed the enemy, and like a properly offered sacrifice, the fire was extinguished in the ritual.
शक्त्या विभिन्नहृदयं विप्रविद्धायुधध्वजम्। संशान्तमपि मद्रेशं लक्ष्मीर्नैव व्यमुञ्चत ॥९-१६-५६॥
Fortune never abandoned the king of Madra, even though his heart was pierced by power, and his weapons and banner were scattered, and he was pacified.
ततो युधिष्ठिरश्चापमादायेन्द्रधनुष्प्रभम्। व्यधमद्द्विषतः सङ्ख्ये खगराडिव पन्नगान् ॥ देहासून्निशितैर्भल्लै रिपूणां नाशयन्क्षणात् ॥९-१६-५७॥
Then Yudhishthira, wielding a bow that shone like Indra's, attacked his enemies in battle with the swiftness and precision of Garuda attacking serpents, annihilating them with his sharp arrows in no time.
ततः पार्थस्य बाणौघैरावृताः सैनिकास्तव। निमीलिताक्षाः क्षिण्वन्तो भृशमन्योन्यमर्दिताः ॥ संन्यस्तकवचा देहैर्विपत्रायुधजीविताः ॥९-१६-५८॥
Then, your soldiers, overwhelmed by Arjuna's arrows, stood with closed eyes, destroying each other in great confusion, having discarded their armor, and lay lifeless, deprived of weapons.
ततः शल्ये निपतिते मद्रराजानुजो युवा। भ्रातुः सर्वैर्गुणैस्तुल्यो रथी पाण्डवमभ्ययात् ॥९-१६-५९॥
Then, after Śalya had fallen, the young brother of the Madra king, who was equal to his brother in all virtues, approached the Pāṇḍava as a charioteer.
विव्याध च नरश्रेष्ठो नाराचैर्बहुभिस्त्वरन्। हतस्यापचितिं भ्रातुश्चिकीर्षुर्युद्धदुर्मदः ॥९-१६-६०॥
The best of men, in his battle arrogance, quickly pierced with many arrows, wishing to honor his slain brother.
तं विव्याधाशुगैः षड्भिर्धर्मराजस्त्वरन्निव। कार्मुकं चास्य चिच्छेद क्षुराभ्यां ध्वजमेव च ॥९-१६-६१॥
Dharmaraja, in a swift action, pierced him with six arrows and cut off his bow and standard with razor-sharp arrows, as if in a hurry.
ततोऽस्य दीप्यमानेन सुदृढेन शितेन च। प्रमुखे वर्तमानस्य भल्लेनापाहरच्छिरः ॥९-१६-६२॥
Then, with a bright and sharp arrow, he severed the head of the one standing in front.
सकुण्डलं तद्ददृशे पतमानं शिरो रथात्। पुण्यक्षयमिव प्राप्य पतन्तं स्वर्गवासिनम् ॥९-१६-६३॥
He saw the head adorned with earrings falling from the chariot, resembling a celestial being descending after losing his merit.
तस्यापकृष्टशीर्षं तच्छरीरं पतितं रथात्। रुधिरेणावसिक्ताङ्गं दृष्ट्वा सैन्यमभज्यत ॥९-१६-६४॥
His head was severed, and his body fell from the chariot. Seeing the blood-smeared limbs, the army was shattered.
विचित्रकवचे तस्मिन्हते मद्रनृपानुजे। हाहाकारं विकुर्वाणाः कुरवो विप्रदुद्रुवुः ॥९-१६-६५॥
When the younger brother of the Madra king, clad in strange armor, was slain, the Kauravas cried out in distress and fled.
शल्यानुजं हतं दृष्ट्वा तावकास्त्यक्तजीविताः। वित्रेसुः पाण्डवभयाद्रजोध्वस्तास्तथा भृशम् ॥९-१६-६६॥
Upon witnessing the death of Śalya's younger brother, your soldiers, having given up hope of survival, were struck with terror by the Pandavas and were greatly covered in dust.
तांस्तथा भज्यतस्त्रस्तान्कौरवान्भरतर्षभ। शिनेर्नप्ता किरन्बाणैरभ्यवर्तत सात्यकिः ॥९-१६-६७॥
O best of the Bharatas, Satyaki, the grandson of Shini, advanced towards the terrified Kauravas, showering them with arrows as they were being broken.
तमायान्तं महेष्वासमप्रसह्यं दुरासदम्। हार्दिक्यस्त्वरितो राजन्प्रत्यगृह्णादभीतवत् ॥९-१६-६८॥
Hārdikya quickly and fearlessly received the approaching great archer, who was irresistible and difficult to approach, O king.
तौ समेतौ महात्मानौ वार्ष्णेयावपराजितौ। हार्दिक्यः सात्यकिश्चैव सिंहाविव मदोत्कटौ ॥९-१६-६९॥
Hārdikya and Sātyaki, the undefeated descendants of Vṛṣṇi, came together as if they were two mighty lions, full of pride and strength.
इषुभिर्विमलाभासैश्छादयन्तौ परस्परम्। अर्चिर्भिरिव सूर्यस्य दिवाकरसमप्रभौ ॥९-१६-७०॥
They covered each other with arrows that shone with pure brilliance, like the sun's rays, both equally radiant.
चापमार्गबलोद्धूतान्मार्गणान्वृष्णिसिंहयोः। आकाशे समपश्याम पतङ्गानिव शीघ्रगान् ॥९-१६-७१॥
We observed the arrows of the Vṛṣṇi heroes, propelled by the force of their bows, soaring through the sky like swift birds.
सात्यकिं दशभिर्विद्ध्वा हयांश्चास्य त्रिभिः शरैः। चापमेकेन चिच्छेद हार्दिक्यो नतपर्वणा ॥९-१६-७२॥
Kritavarma, with a bent-joint arrow, pierced Satyaki with ten arrows and his horses with three, then cut his bow with one.
तन्निकृत्तं धनुः श्रेष्ठमपास्य शिनिपुङ्गवः। अन्यदादत्त वेगेन वेगवत्तरमायुधम् ॥९-१६-७३॥
The best of the Shinis, having discarded the cut-off best bow, swiftly took another more powerful weapon.
तदादाय धनुः श्रेष्ठं वरिष्ठः सर्वधन्विनाम्। हार्दिक्यं दशभिर्बाणैः प्रत्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे ॥९-१६-७४॥
The most skilled archer, having taken the finest bow, shot ten arrows into Hārdikya's chest.
ततो रथं युगेषां च छित्त्वा भल्लैः सुसंयतैः। अश्वांस्तस्यावधीत्तूर्णमुभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी ॥९-१६-७५॥
Then, with precise arrows, he severed the yokes of the chariot and swiftly killed the horses and both the rear charioteer.
मद्रराजे हते राजन्विरथे कृतवर्मणि। दुर्योधनबलं सर्वं पुनरासीत्पराङ्मुखम् ॥९-१६-७६॥
O king, when the Madra king was slain and Kritavarma was left without a chariot, all of Duryodhana's forces retreated once more.
तत्परे नावबुध्यन्त सैन्येन रजसा वृते। बलं तु हतभूयिष्ठं तत्तदासीत्पराङ्मुखम् ॥९-१६-७७॥
Then, covered by the dust raised by the army, they could not perceive anything. The force, however, was mostly destroyed and turned away.
ततो मुहूर्तात्तेऽपश्यन्रजो भौमं समुत्थितम्। विविधैः शोणितस्रावैः प्रशान्तं पुरुषर्षभ ॥९-१६-७८॥
Then, after a moment, they observed the dust rising from the earth, which was calmed by various streams of blood, O best of men.
ततो दुर्योधनो दृष्ट्वा भग्नं स्वबलमन्तिकात्। जवेनापततः पार्थानेकः सर्वानवारयत् ॥९-१६-७९॥
Then Duryodhana, seeing his army broken nearby, swiftly approached the sons of Pritha alone and halted them all.
पाण्डवान्सरथान्दृष्ट्वा धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम्। आनर्तं च दुराधर्षं शितैर्बाणैरवाकिरत् ॥९-१६-८०॥
Upon seeing the Pandavas with their chariots, along with Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and the formidable Anarta, he launched a barrage of sharp arrows.
तं परे नाभ्यवर्तन्त मर्त्या मृत्युमिवागतम्। अथान्यं रथमास्थाय हार्दिक्योऽपि न्यवर्तत ॥९-१६-८१॥
The others did not dare to approach him, as if he were death itself. Then, Hārdikya, having mounted another chariot, also turned back.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा त्वरमाणो महारथः। चतुर्भिर्निजघानाश्वान्पत्रिभिः कृतवर्मणः ॥ विव्याध गौतमं चापि षड्भिर्भल्लैः सुतेजनैः ॥९-१६-८२॥
Then King Yudhishthira, eager and skilled in battle, swiftly killed Kritavarma's horses with four arrows and also struck Gautama with six sharp arrows.
अश्वत्थामा ततो राज्ञा हताश्वं विरथीकृतम्। समपोवाह हार्दिक्यं स्वरथेन युधिष्ठिरात् ॥९-१६-८३॥
Then Ashwatthama, having lost his horse and chariot by the king's actions, was taken away by Kritavarma in his own chariot from Yudhishthira.
ततः शारद्वतोऽष्टाभिः प्रत्यविध्यद्युधिष्ठिरम्। विव्याध चाश्वान्निशितैस्तस्याष्टाभिः शिलीमुखैः ॥९-१६-८४॥
Then Śāradvata shot eight arrows at Yudhishthira and also struck his horses with eight sharp arrows.
एवमेतन्महाराज युद्धशेषमवर्तत। तव दुर्मन्त्रिते राजन्सहपुत्रस्य भारत ॥९-१६-८५॥
Thus, O great king, the remainder of the battle continued due to your ill-advised actions, along with your son's, O descendant of Bharata.
तस्मिन्महेष्वासवरे विशस्ते; सङ्ग्राममध्ये कुरुपुङ्गवेन। पार्थाः समेताः परमप्रहृष्टाः; शङ्खान्प्रदध्मुर्हतमीक्ष्य शल्यम् ॥९-१६-८६॥
When the great archer was slain in the midst of battle by the best of the Kurus, the sons of Pritha gathered with great joy and blew their conches upon seeing Shalya defeated.
युधिष्ठिरं च प्रशशंसुराजौ; पुरा सुरा वृत्रवधे यथेन्द्रम्। चक्रुश्च नानाविधवाद्यशब्दा; न्निनादयन्तो वसुधां समन्तात् ॥९-१६-८७॥
Yudhishthira was praised by the king, just as the gods once praised Indra during the slaying of Vritra. Various kinds of musical instruments resounded all around the earth.
