09.018
Pancharatra and Core: Midday retreat of the Kaurava army after Shalya is slain by Yudhishthira. Duryodhana blocks his army from the back in an attempt to rally them. Bhima slaughters twenty-one thousand infantrymen who come after him. Duryodhana once again makes his last-ditch attempt to rally his army.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
पातिते युधि दुर्धर्षे मद्रराजे महारथे। तावकास्तव पुत्राश्च प्रायशो विमुखाभवन् ॥९-१८-१॥
When the invincible Madra king, a great charioteer, fell in battle, your sons and men mostly lost their courage.
वणिजो नावि भिन्नायां यथागाधेऽप्लवेऽर्णवे। अपारे पारमिच्छन्तो हते शूरे महात्मनि ॥९-१८-२॥
The merchants, like those in a broken ship in the vast, unfathomable ocean without a boat, seek the other shore, now that the great hero has been slain.
मद्रराजे महाराज वित्रस्ताः शरविक्षताः। अनाथा नाथमिच्छन्तो मृगाः सिंहार्दिता इव ॥९-१८-३॥
O great king, the people, like deer distressed by lions, are frightened and wounded by arrows, helpless and seeking a protector in the king of Madra.
वृषा यथा भग्नशृङ्गाः शीर्णदन्ता गजा इव। मध्याह्ने प्रत्यपायाम निर्जिता धर्मसूनुना ॥९-१८-४॥
At midday, like bulls with broken horns and elephants with broken tusks, we retreated, having been defeated by the son of Dharma.
न सन्धातुमनीकानि न च राजन्पराक्रमे। आसीद्बुद्धिर्हते शल्ये तव योधस्य कस्यचित् ॥९-१८-५॥
O king, when Śalya was slain, none of your warriors had the intelligence to unite the armies or to fight in battle.
भीष्मे द्रोणे च निहते सूतपुत्रे च भारत। यद्दुःखं तव योधानां भयं चासीद्विशां पते ॥ तद्भयं स च नः शोको भूय एवाभ्यवर्तत ॥९-१८-६॥
O Bharata, when Bhishma, Drona, and Karna were slain, the grief and fear that your warriors experienced, O lord of men, that fear and our grief indeed returned again.
निराशाश्च जये तस्मिन्हते शल्ये महारथे। हतप्रवीरा विध्वस्ता विकृत्ताश्च शितैः शरैः ॥ मद्रराजे हते राजन्योधास्ते प्राद्रवन्भयात् ॥९-१८-७॥
Despairing of victory, when Śalya, the great chariot-warrior, was killed, the heroes were defeated, scattered, and cut down by sharp arrows. With the Madra king slain, O king, the warriors fled in fear.
अश्वानन्ये गजानन्ये रथानन्ये महारथाः। आरुह्य जवसम्पन्नाः पादाताः प्राद्रवन्भयात् ॥९-१८-८॥
The great charioteers, along with others on horses, elephants, and chariots, mounted swiftly and the infantry fled in fear.
द्विसाहस्राश्च मातङ्गा गिरिरूपाः प्रहारिणः। सम्प्राद्रवन्हते शल्ये अङ्कुशाङ्गुष्ठचोदिताः ॥९-१८-९॥
When Śalya was slain, two thousand mighty elephants, resembling mountains and skilled in striking, fled, driven by the goad and thumb of their riders.
ते रणाद्भरतश्रेष्ठ तावकाः प्राद्रवन्दिशः। धावन्तश्चाप्यदृश्यन्त श्वसमानाः शरातुराः ॥९-१८-१०॥
O best of the Bharatas, your men fled from the battlefield in all directions. They were running and panting, and eventually became invisible, being afflicted by arrows.
तान्प्रभग्नान्द्रुतान्दृष्ट्वा हतोत्साहान्पराजितान्। अभ्यद्रवन्त पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवाश्च जयैषिणः ॥९-१८-११॥
Seeing their enemies scattered and fleeing, dispirited and defeated, the Panchalas and Pandavas, eager for victory, charged forward.
बाणशब्दरवश्चापि सिंहनादश्च पुष्कलः। शङ्खशब्दश्च शूराणां दारुणः समपद्यत ॥९-१८-१२॥
The battlefield was filled with the sounds of arrows, the mighty roar of lions, and the dreadful blare of conches blown by the heroes.
दृष्ट्वा तु कौरवं सैन्यं भयत्रस्तं प्रविद्रुतम्। अन्योन्यं समभाषन्त पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवैः सह ॥९-१८-१३॥
Upon witnessing the Kaurava army in fear and retreating, the Panchalas conversed among themselves along with the Pandavas.
अद्य राजा सत्यधृतिर्जितामित्रो युधिष्ठिरः। अद्य दुर्योधनो हीनो दीप्तया नृपतिश्रिया ॥९-१८-१४॥
Today, King Yudhishthira, known as Satyadhriti and the conqueror of enemies, stands victorious. Meanwhile, Duryodhana finds himself deprived of his kingly glory by the radiant splendor.
अद्य श्रुत्वा हतं पुत्रं धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः। निःसञ्ज्ञः पतितो भूमौ किल्बिषं प्रतिपद्यताम् ॥९-१८-१५॥
Today, upon hearing of his son's death, King Dhritarashtra, the lord of the people, fell to the ground unconscious, overwhelmed by sin.
अद्य जानातु कौन्तेयं समर्थं सर्वधन्विनाम्। अद्यात्मानं च दुर्मेधा गर्हयिष्यति पापकृत् ॥ अद्य क्षत्तुर्वचः सत्यं स्मरतां ब्रुवतो हितम् ॥९-१८-१६॥
"Today, let Arjuna, the son of Kunti, realize the prowess of all archers. Today, the foolish sinner will reproach himself. Today, let the truth of the charioteer's words be remembered by those who speak for the good."
अद्यप्रभृति पार्थांश्च प्रेष्यभूत उपाचरन्। विजानातु नृपो दुःखं यत्प्राप्तं पाण्डुनन्दनैः ॥९-१८-१७॥
"From today onwards, treat the sons of Pritha as servants. Let the king understand the suffering endured by the sons of Pandu."
अद्य कृष्णस्य माहात्म्यं जानातु स महीपतिः। अद्यार्जुनधनुर्घोषं घोरं जानातु संयुगे ॥९-१८-१८॥
Today, the king should recognize Krishna's greatness. He should also be aware of the fearsome sound of Arjuna's bow in the battle.
अस्त्राणां च बलं सर्वं बाह्वोश्च बलमाहवे। अद्य ज्ञास्यति भीमस्य बलं घोरं महात्मनः ॥९-१८-१९॥
Today, the formidable strength of Bhima, the great soul, will be realized in the battle, encompassing the might of all weapons and arms.
हते दुर्योधने युद्धे शक्रेणेवासुरे मये। यत्कृतं भीमसेनेन दुःशासनवधे तदा ॥ नान्यः कर्तास्ति लोके तदृते भीमं महाबलम् ॥९-१८-२०॥
When Duryodhana was killed in battle, like the demon Maya by Indra, what Bhimasena did in killing Duhshasana, there is no one else in the world who could have done it except Bhima, the mighty.
जानीतामद्य ज्येष्ठस्य पाण्डवस्य पराक्रमम्। मद्रराजं हतं श्रुत्वा देवैरपि सुदुःसहम् ॥९-१८-२१॥
"Know today the valor of the eldest Pandava. The slaying of the Madra king is very unbearable, even for the gods."
अद्य ज्ञास्यति सङ्ग्रामे माद्रीपुत्रौ महाबलौ। निहते सौबले शूरे गान्धारेषु च सर्वशः ॥९-१८-२२॥
Today, the mighty sons of Madri will realize the full extent of the battle as the heroic Saubala is completely slain among the Gandharas.
कथं तेषां जयो न स्याद्येषां योद्धा धनञ्जयः। सात्यकिर्भीमसेनश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ॥९-१८-२३॥
How could they not achieve victory when they have warriors like Dhananjaya, Satyaki, Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata?
द्रौपद्यास्तनयाः पञ्च माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ। शिखण्डी च महेष्वासो राजा चैव युधिष्ठिरः ॥९-१८-२४॥
The five sons of Draupadi, along with the sons of Madri, the Pandavas, Shikhandi the great archer, and King Yudhishthira were present.
येषां च जगतां नाथो नाथः कृष्णो जनार्दनः। कथं तेषां जयो न स्याद्येषां धर्मो व्यपाश्रयः ॥९-१८-२५॥
For those whose lord and protector is Krishna, Janardana, the master of the worlds, how can victory not be theirs, when righteousness is their support?
भीष्मं द्रोणं च कर्णं च मद्रराजानमेव च। तथान्यान्नृपतीन्वीराञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-१८-२६॥
Bhishma, Drona, Karna, and the king of Madra, along with many other kings and heroes, were present in hundreds and thousands.
कोऽन्यः शक्तो रणे जेतुमृते पार्थं युधिष्ठिरम्। यस्य नाथो हृषीकेशः सदा धर्मयशोनिधिः ॥९-१८-२७॥
Who else can conquer in battle except Arjuna and Yudhishthira, whose lord is Krishna, the eternal repository of virtue and fame?
इत्येवं वदमानास्ते हर्षेण महता युताः। प्रभग्नांस्तावकान्राजन्सृञ्जयाः पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः ॥९-१८-२८॥
Thus, speaking joyfully, the Sṛñjayas followed your scattered men from behind, O king.
धनञ्जयो रथानीकमभ्यवर्तत वीर्यवान्। माद्रीपुत्रौ च शकुनिं सात्यकिश्च महारथः ॥९-१८-२९॥
Arjuna, known for his valor, advanced towards the army. Alongside him were the sons of Madri, Shakuni, and the great warrior Satyaki.
तान्प्रेक्ष्य द्रवतः सर्वान्भीमसेनभयार्दितान्। दुर्योधनस्तदा सूतमब्रवीदुत्स्मयन्निव ॥९-१८-३०॥
Duryodhana, observing everyone fleeing in fear of Bhimasena, spoke to his charioteer with a smile, as if mocking.
न मातिक्रमते पार्थो धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम्। जघने सर्वसैन्यानां ममाश्वान्प्रतिपादय ॥९-१८-३१॥
Arjuna, standing with his bow in hand, does not transgress. Bring my horses to the rear of all the armies.
जघने युध्यमानं हि कौन्तेयो मां धनञ्जयः। नोत्सहेताभ्यतिक्रान्तुं वेलामिव महोदधिः ॥९-१८-३२॥
Arjuna, the son of Kunti, struck me in battle, and like the great ocean cannot surpass its shore, he cannot surpass me.
पश्य सैन्यं महत्सूत पाण्डवैः समभिद्रुतम्। सैन्यरेणुं समुद्धूतं पश्यस्वैनं समन्ततः ॥९-१८-३३॥
"Behold, O charioteer, the great army attacked by the Pandavas, and see the dust of the army rising all around."
सिंहनादांश्च बहुशः शृणु घोरान्भयानकान्। तस्माद्याहि शनैः सूत जघनं परिपालय ॥९-१८-३४॥
"Hear the terrifying and frightening lion roars many times. Therefore, charioteer, proceed slowly and protect the rear."
मयि स्थिते च समरे निरुद्धेषु च पाण्डुषु। पुनरावर्तते तूर्णं मामकं बलमोजसा ॥९-१८-३५॥
As I stand firm in the battle and the Pandavas are obstructed, my army swiftly regroups with vigor.
तच्छ्रुत्वा तव पुत्रस्य शूराग्र्यसदृशं वचः। सारथिर्हेमसञ्छन्नाञ्शनैरश्वानचोदयत् ॥९-१८-३६॥
Upon hearing the words of your son, which were befitting a great hero, the charioteer gently urged the horses adorned with gold.
गजाश्वरथिभिर्हीनास्त्यक्तात्मानः पदातयः। एकविंशतिसाहस्राः संयुगायावतस्थिरे ॥९-१८-३७॥
The foot soldiers, numbering twenty-one thousand, stood ready for battle, having been deprived of elephants, horses, and charioteers, and having abandoned their own selves.
नानादेशसमुद्भूता नानारञ्जितवाससः। अवस्थितास्तदा योधाः प्रार्थयन्तो महद्यशः ॥९-१८-३८॥
Various warriors from different regions, adorned in colorful garments, stood there seeking great fame.
तेषामापततां तत्र संहृष्टानां परस्परम्। संमर्दः सुमहाञ्जज्ञे घोररूपो भयानकः ॥९-१८-३९॥
As they attacked each other with excitement, a massive and terrifying collision occurred there.
भीमसेनं तदा राजन्धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम्। बलेन चतुरङ्गेण नानादेश्या न्यवारयन् ॥९-१८-४०॥
At that time, O king, Bhimasena and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, halted the forces with a diverse fourfold army.
भीममेवाभ्यवर्तन्त रणेऽन्ये तु पदातयः। प्रक्ष्वेड्यास्फोट्य संहृष्टा वीरलोकं यियासवः ॥९-१८-४१॥
In the battle, only Bhima was directly confronted, while the other infantrymen, shouting and clapping in high spirits, were eager to reach the heroic realm.
आसाद्य भीमसेनं तु संरब्धा युद्धदुर्मदाः। धार्तराष्ट्रा विनेदुर्हि नान्यां चाकथयन्कथाम् ॥ परिवार्य रणे भीमं निजघ्नुस्ते समन्ततः ॥९-१८-४२॥
The sons of Dhritarashtra, filled with excitement and arrogance in battle, approached Bhimasena. They shouted and spoke of nothing else. Encircling Bhima in the battle, they attacked him from all directions.
स वध्यमानः समरे पदातिगणसंवृतः। न चचाल रथोपस्थे मैनाक इव पर्वतः ॥९-१८-४३॥
He stood firm on the chariot seat, unmoved by the attack in battle, surrounded by foot soldiers, just like the mountain Mainaka.
ते तु क्रुद्धा महाराज पाण्डवस्य महारथम्। निग्रहीतुं प्रचक्रुर्हि योधांश्चान्यानवारयन् ॥९-१८-४४॥
The angry warriors, O great king, attempted to capture the great chariot of the Pandava and blocked other warriors.
अक्रुध्यत रणे भीमस्तैस्तदा पर्यवस्थितैः। सोऽवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं पदातिः समवस्थितः ॥९-१८-४५॥
In the battle, Bhima, surrounded by his enemies, became angry. He quickly descended from his chariot and stood firm on the ground.
जातरूपपरिच्छन्नां प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम्। अवधीत्तावकान्योधान्दण्डपाणिरिवान्तकः ॥९-१८-४६॥
Holding a great mace adorned with gold, he struck down your warriors as Yama, the god of death, would with his staff.
रथाश्वद्विपहीनांस्तु तान्भीमो गदया बली। एकविंशतिसाहस्रान्पदातीनवपोथयत् ॥९-१८-४७॥
In the battle, the mighty Bhima, wielding his mace, annihilated twenty-one thousand infantrymen who were left without chariots, horses, or elephants.
हत्वा तत्पुरुषानीकं भीमः सत्यपराक्रमः। धृष्टद्युम्नं पुरस्कृत्य नचिरात्प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥९-१८-४८॥
After slaying the army of those men, the valiant Bhima, with Dhrishtadyumna at the forefront, was soon visible.
पादाता निहता भूमौ शिश्यिरे रुधिरोक्षिताः। सम्भग्ना इव वातेन कर्णिकाराः सुपुष्पिताः ॥९-१८-४९॥
The slain foot soldiers lay on the ground, smeared with blood, like fully blossomed arnica trees broken by the wind.
नानापुष्पस्रजोपेता नानाकुण्डलधारिणः। नानाजात्या हतास्तत्र नानादेशसमागताः ॥९-१८-५०॥
They were adorned with various flower garlands and wore different earrings. They were killed there, belonging to various births and assembled from different regions.
पताकाध्वजसञ्छन्नं पदातीनां महद्बलम्। निकृत्तं विबभौ तत्र घोररूपं भयानकम् ॥९-१८-५१॥
The battlefield was covered with flags and banners, and the great army of foot soldiers lay cut down, presenting a terrible and frightening scene.
युधिष्ठिरपुरोगास्तु सर्वसैन्यमहारथाः। अभ्यधावन्महात्मानं पुत्रं दुर्योधनं तव ॥९-१८-५२॥
Yudhishthira was leading, but all the great warriors of the army rushed towards your son, the noble Duryodhana.
ते सर्वे तावकान्दृष्ट्वा महेष्वासान्पराङ्मुखान्। नाभ्यवर्तन्त ते पुत्रं वेलेव मकरालयम् ॥९-१८-५३॥
They all, upon seeing your great archers turn away, did not approach your son, just as the shore does not approach the ocean.
तदद्भुतमपश्याम तव पुत्रस्य पौरुषम्। यदेकं सहिताः पार्था न शेकुरतिवर्तितुम् ॥९-१८-५४॥
We witnessed the extraordinary valor of your son, which even the combined efforts of the sons of Pritha could not overcome.
नातिदूरापयातं तु कृतबुद्धिं पलायने। दुर्योधनः स्वकं सैन्यमब्रवीद्भृशविक्षतम् ॥९-१८-५५॥
Duryodhana, having decided to flee and not retreating too far, addressed his own army, which was severely wounded.
न तं देशं प्रपश्यामि पृथिव्यां पर्वतेषु वा। यत्र यातान्न वो हन्युः पाण्डवाः किं सृतेन वः ॥९-१८-५६॥
I do not see any place on earth or in the mountains where you could go and not be killed by the Pāṇḍavas. What is the use of running away?
अल्पं च बलमेतेषां कृष्णौ च भृशविक्षतौ। यदि सर्वेऽत्र तिष्ठामो ध्रुवो नो विजयो भवेत् ॥९-१८-५७॥
The strength of these is little, and Krishna is severely wounded. If we all stand here, our victory is assured.
विप्रयातांस्तु वो भिन्नान्पाण्डवाः कृतकिल्बिषान्। अनुसृत्य हनिष्यन्ति श्रेयो नः समरे स्थितम् ॥९-१८-५८॥
The departed ones, but your broken Pāṇḍavas, having committed sins, will pursue and kill. It is better for us to be situated in battle.
शृणुध्वं क्षत्रियाः सर्वे यावन्तः स्थ समागताः। यदा शूरं च भीरुं च मारयत्यन्तकः सदा ॥ को नु मूढो न युध्येत पुरुषः क्षत्रियब्रुवः ॥९-१८-५९॥
"Listen, all you warriors who are gathered here. When death kills both the brave and the cowardly alike, who would be so foolish as not to fight, claiming to be a warrior?"
श्रेयो नो भीमसेनस्य क्रुद्धस्य प्रमुखे स्थितम्। सुखः साङ्ग्रामिको मृत्युः क्षत्रधर्मेण युध्यताम् ॥ जित्वेह सुखमाप्नोति हतः प्रेत्य महत्फलम् ॥९-१८-६०॥
It is better for us to have the angry Bhimasena standing in front. For those who fight by the duty of a warrior, happiness lies in death in battle. If victorious here, one gains happiness; if slain, one receives a great reward after death.
न युद्धधर्माच्छ्रेयान्वै पन्थाः स्वर्गस्य कौरवाः। अचिरेण जिताँल्लोकान्हतो युद्धे समश्नुते ॥९-१८-६१॥
O Kauravas, there is indeed no path to heaven better than the duty of war. One who is slain in battle soon attains the worlds he has conquered.
श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तस्य पूजयित्वा च पार्थिवाः। पुनरेवान्ववर्तन्त पाण्डवानाततायिनः ॥९-१८-६२॥
Upon hearing his words, the kings paid their respects and once again followed the Pandavas, who were the aggressors.
तानापतत एवाशु व्यूढानीकाः प्रहारिणः। प्रत्युद्ययुस्तदा पार्था जयगृध्राः प्रहारिणः ॥९-१८-६३॥
As they attacked swiftly, the arrayed troops of strikers advanced, and then the sons of Pritha, eager for victory, also moved forward.
धनञ्जयो रथेनाजावभ्यवर्तत वीर्यवान्। विश्रुतं त्रिषु लोकेषु गाण्डीवं विक्षिपन्धनुः ॥९-१८-६४॥
Arjuna, the mighty warrior, advanced into the battle on his chariot, renowned across the three worlds for wielding the Gandiva bow.
माद्रीपुत्रौ च शकुनिं सात्यकिश्च महाबलः। जवेनाभ्यपतन्हृष्टा यतो वै तावकं बलम् ॥९-१८-६५॥
The sons of Madri, along with Shakuni and the mighty Satyaki, joyfully rushed swiftly towards your army.
