09.021
Pancharatra and Core: The Pandavas, known for their great archery skills, approached the unconquered king in battle and advanced as aggressors.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
पुत्रस्तु ते महाराज रथस्थो रथिनां वरः। दुरुत्सहो बभौ युद्धे यथा रुद्रः प्रतापवान् ॥९-२१-१॥
Your son, O great king, stood on the chariot as the best among charioteers, shining in battle with a might that was difficult to withstand, like the god Rudra.
तस्य बाणसहस्रैस्तु प्रच्छन्ना ह्यभवन्मही। परांश्च सिषिचे बाणैर्धाराभिरिव पर्वतान् ॥९-२१-२॥
The earth was covered with thousands of his arrows, and he showered the enemies with arrows as if they were streams pouring down on mountains.
न च सोऽस्ति पुमान्कश्चित्पाण्डवानां महाहवे। हयो गजो रथो वापि योऽस्य बाणैरविक्षतः ॥९-२१-३॥
In the great battle, there is no man among the Pāṇḍavas, whether on horse, elephant, or chariot, who remains unwounded by his arrows.
यं यं हि समरे योधं प्रपश्यामि विशां पते। स स बाणैश्चितोऽभूद्वै पुत्रेण तव भारत ॥९-२१-४॥
O Bharata, every warrior I see in battle, O lord of men, was indeed struck down by your son with arrows.
यथा सैन्येन रजसा समुद्धूतेन वाहिनी। प्रत्यदृश्यत सञ्छन्ना तथा बाणैर्महात्मनः ॥९-२१-५॥
The army was obscured by the dust raised by its own movement, just as it was also covered by the arrows of the great warrior.
बाणभूतामपश्याम पृथिवीं पृथिवीपते। दुर्योधनेन प्रकृतां क्षिप्रहस्तेन धन्विना ॥९-२१-६॥
We witnessed the earth transformed into a battlefield of arrows, O king, by the swift-handed Duryodhana, the archer.
तेषु योधसहस्रेषु तावकेषु परेषु च। एको दुर्योधनो ह्यासीत्पुमानिति मतिर्मम ॥९-२१-७॥
In the midst of thousands of warriors on both sides, I believed that Duryodhana was the only true warrior.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम तव पुत्रस्य विक्रमम्। यदेकं सहिताः पार्था नात्यवर्तन्त भारत ॥९-२१-८॥
There, O Bharata, we witnessed the extraordinary prowess of your son, which even the united sons of Pritha could not overcome.
युधिष्ठिरं शतेनाजौ विव्याध भरतर्षभ। भीमसेनं च सप्तत्या सहदेवं च सप्तभिः ॥९-२१-९॥
The great warrior, known as the bull among the Bharatas, struck Yudhishthira with a hundred arrows in the battle, Bhimasena with seventy, and Sahadeva with seven.
नकुलं च चतुःषष्ट्या धृष्टद्युम्नं च पञ्चभिः। सप्तभिर्द्रौपदेयांश्च त्रिभिर्विव्याध सात्यकिम् ॥ धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन सहदेवस्य मारिष ॥९-२१-१०॥
Nakula shot sixty-four arrows at Sātyaki, while Dhṛṣṭadyumna attacked with five arrows. He also targeted the sons of Draupadī with seven arrows and cut down Sahadeva's bow with three arrows, O great one.
तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नं माद्रीपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। अभ्यधावत राजानं प्रगृह्यान्यन्महद्धनुः ॥ ततो दुर्योधनं सङ्ख्ये विव्याध दशभिः शरैः ॥९-२१-११॥
The valiant son of Mādrī, having discarded his broken bow, seized another mighty bow and charged at the king. In the ensuing battle, he struck Duryodhana with ten arrows.
नकुलश्च ततो वीरो राजानं नवभिः शरैः। घोररूपैर्महेष्वासो विव्याध च ननाद च ॥९-२१-१२॥
Nakula, the great archer, heroically attacked the king with nine dreadful arrows and let out a fierce roar.
सात्यकिश्चापि राजानं शरेणानतपर्वणा। द्रौपदेयास्त्रिसप्तत्या धर्मराजश्च सप्तभिः ॥ अशीत्या भीमसेनश्च शरै राजानमार्दयत् ॥९-२१-१३॥
Satyaki, along with the sons of Draupadi, Yudhishthira, and Bhimasena, attacked the king with their respective arrows, each contributing to the assault with precision and strength.
समन्तात्कीर्यमाणस्तु बाणसङ्घैर्महात्मभिः। न चचाल महाराज सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः ॥९-२१-१४॥
Despite being surrounded and attacked by groups of arrows from great warriors, O great king, the entire army stood still, watching.
लाघवं सौष्ठवं चापि वीर्यं चैव महात्मनः। अति सर्वाणि भूतानि ददृशुः सर्वमानवाः ॥९-२१-१५॥
All humans saw the great soul's lightness, dexterity, and strength, surpassing all beings.
धार्तराष्ट्रास्तु राजेन्द्र यात्वा तु स्वल्पमन्तरम्। अपश्यमाना राजानं पर्यवर्तन्त दंशिताः ॥९-२१-१६॥
The sons of Dhritarashtra, O King, after proceeding a little distance, returned without seeing the king, feeling distressed.
तेषामापततां घोरस्तुमुलः समजायत। क्षुब्धस्य हि समुद्रस्य प्रावृट्काले यथा निशि ॥९-२१-१७॥
A terrible tumult arose among the attackers, just like the ocean is agitated during the rainy season at night.
समासाद्य रणे ते तु राजानमपराजितम्। प्रत्युद्ययुर्महेष्वासाः पाण्डवानाततायिनः ॥९-२१-१८॥
The Pandavas, known for their great archery skills, approached the unconquered king in battle and advanced as aggressors.
भीमसेनं रणे क्रुद्धं द्रोणपुत्रो न्यवारयत्। ततो बाणैर्महाराज प्रमुक्तैः सर्वतोदिशम् ॥ नाज्ञायन्त रणे वीरा न दिशः प्रदिशस्तथा ॥९-२१-१९॥
Drona's son halted the furious Bhimasena in the battle. Then, O great king, as arrows were released in every direction, the warriors in the battle could not discern the directions or the sub-directions.
तावुभौ क्रूरकर्माणावुभौ भारत दुःसहौ। घोररूपमयुध्येतां कृतप्रतिकृतैषिणौ ॥ त्रासयन्तौ जगत्सर्वं ज्याक्षेपविहतत्वचौ ॥९-२१-२०॥
Both of them, O Bharata, were unbearable and engaged in cruel deeds. They fought in a terrible form, each desiring revenge, terrifying the entire world with their skin pierced by bowstrings.
शकुनिस्तु रणे वीरो युधिष्ठिरमपीडयत्। तस्याश्वांश्चतुरो हत्वा सुबलस्य सुतो विभुः ॥ नादं चकार बलवान्सर्वसैन्यानि कम्पयन् ॥९-२१-२१॥
Shakuni, the valiant warrior, attacked Yudhishthira in battle. After slaying his four horses, the powerful son of Subala let out a roar, causing all the armies to tremble.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरं राजानमपराजितम्। अपोवाह रथेनाजौ सहदेवः प्रतापवान् ॥९-२१-२२॥
During this time, the valiant Sahadeva, with his chariot, took away the undefeated king, the hero, from the battlefield.
अथान्यं रथमास्थाय धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः। शकुनिं नवभिर्विद्ध्वा पुनर्विव्याध पञ्चभिः ॥ ननाद च महानादं प्रवरः सर्वधन्विनाम् ॥९-२१-२३॥
Then, Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, having mounted another chariot, pierced Shakuni with nine arrows and then again with five, and roared a great roar as the foremost of all archers.
तद्युद्धमभवच्चित्रं घोररूपं च मारिष। ईक्षितृप्रीतिजननं सिद्धचारणसेवितम् ॥९-२१-२४॥
The battle was both wonderful and terrifying, O gentle one, delighting the spectators and attended by celestial beings and sages.
उलूकस्तु महेष्वासं नकुलं युद्धदुर्मदम्। अभ्यद्रवदमेयात्मा शरवर्षैः समन्ततः ॥९-२१-२५॥
Uluka, with his immeasurable soul, attacked the great archer Nakul, who was proud in battle, with showers of arrows from all sides.
तथैव नकुलः शूरः सौबलस्य सुतं रणे। शरवर्षेण महता समन्तात्पर्यवारयत् ॥९-२१-२६॥
Similarly, Nakula, the valiant son of Saubala, encircled his opponent in the battle with a formidable barrage of arrows from every direction.
तौ तत्र समरे वीरौ कुलपुत्रौ महारथौ। योधयन्तावपश्येतां परस्परकृतागसौ ॥९-२१-२७॥
The two heroes, noble sons and great warriors, were observed in battle, fighting each other, having committed offenses.
तथैव कृतवर्मा तु शैनेयं शत्रुतापनम्। योधयञ्शुशुभे राजन्बलं शक्र इवाहवे ॥९-२१-२८॥
In the same way, Kritavarma shone while fighting Satyaki, the enemy tormentor, like Indra shines in battle, O king.
दुर्योधनो धनुश्छित्त्वा धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे। अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं विव्याध निशितैः शरैः ॥९-२१-२९॥
Duryodhana, after cutting the bow of Dhrishtadyumna in the battle, then pierced him with sharp arrows, leaving him disarmed.
धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि समरे प्रगृह्य परमायुधम्। राजानं योधयामास पश्यतां सर्वधन्विनाम् ॥९-२१-३०॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, having taken up his supreme weapon in battle, engaged in combat with the king, witnessed by all the archers.
तयोर्युद्धं महच्चासीत्सङ्ग्रामे भरतर्षभ। प्रभिन्नयोर्यथा सक्तं मत्तयोर्वरहस्तिनोः ॥९-२१-३१॥
A great battle ensued between the two in the battlefield, O best of the Bharatas, resembling a clash between two mighty, intoxicated elephants.
गौतमस्तु रणे क्रुद्धो द्रौपदेयान्महाबलान्। विव्याध बहुभिः शूरः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥९-२१-३२॥
Gautama, in his anger during the battle, struck the mighty sons of Draupadi with numerous heroic arrows that had curved joints.
तस्य तैरभवद्युद्धमिन्द्रियैरिव देहिनः। घोररूपमसंवार्यं निर्मर्यादमतीव च ॥९-२१-३३॥
His battle with them was as fierce and uncontrollable as the struggle of the senses with the soul, terrifying and boundless.
ते च तं पीडयामासुरिन्द्रियाणीव बालिशम्। स च तान्प्रतिसंरब्धः प्रत्ययोधयदाहवे ॥९-२१-३४॥
They tormented him as senses torment a fool, and he, in anger, fought them back in the battle.
एवं चित्रमभूद्युद्धं तस्य तैः सह भारत। उत्थायोत्थाय हि यथा देहिनामिन्द्रियैर्विभो ॥९-२१-३५॥
Thus, O Bharata, the battle was astonishing with them together; rising repeatedly, just as the senses do for the embodied, O lord.
नराश्चैव नरैः सार्धं दन्तिनो दन्तिभिस्तथा। हया हयैः समासक्ता रथिनो रथिभिस्तथा ॥ सङ्कुलं चाभवद्भूयो घोररूपं विशां पते ॥९-२१-३६॥
Men and elephants, horses and charioteers were all mixed together, creating a terrifying scene, O lord of men.
इदं चित्रमिदं घोरमिदं रौद्रमिति प्रभो। युद्धान्यासन्महाराज घोराणि च बहूनि च ॥९-२१-३७॥
O great king, the battles were numerous and terrifying, as described by the lord.
ते समासाद्य समरे परस्परमरिंदमाः। विव्यधुश्चैव जघ्नुश्च समासाद्य महाहवे ॥९-२१-३८॥
The subduers of enemies, having approached each other in battle, engaged fiercely, piercing and killing in the great battle.
तेषां शस्त्रसमुद्भूतं रजस्तीव्रमदृश्यत। प्रवातेनोद्धतं राजन्धावद्भिश्चाश्वसादिभिः ॥९-२१-३९॥
O king, the intense dust raised by their weapons was visible, stirred up by the wind and the galloping horses and others.
रथनेमिसमुद्भूतं निःश्वासैश्चापि दन्तिनाम्। रजः सन्ध्याभ्रकपिलं दिवाकरपथं ययौ ॥९-२१-४०॥
The dust raised by the chariot wheels and the breaths of the elephants, resembling the color of evening clouds, ascended to the sun's path.
रजसा तेन सम्पृक्ते भास्करे निष्प्रभीकृते। सञ्छादिताभवद्भूमिस्ते च शूरा महारथाः ॥९-२१-४१॥
The sun was obscured by the dust, losing its brightness, and the earth along with the valiant great charioteers became enveloped.
मुहूर्तादिव संवृत्तं नीरजस्कं समन्ततः। वीरशोणितसिक्तायां भूमौ भरतसत्तम ॥ उपाशाम्यत्ततस्तीव्रं तद्रजो घोरदर्शनम् ॥९-२१-४२॥
In a moment, it seemed as if everything became clear and dustless all around. On the battlefield soaked with the blood of heroes, O best of the Bharatas, the intense and terrible dust then subsided.
ततोऽपश्यं महाराज द्वंद्वयुद्धानि भारत। यथाप्राग्र्यं यथाज्येष्ठं मध्याह्ने वै सुदारुणे ॥ वर्मणां तत्र राजेन्द्र व्यदृश्यन्तोज्ज्वलाः प्रभाः ॥९-२१-४३॥
Then, O great king, I witnessed duel battles, O descendant of Bharata, which were as excellent as the eldest and very terrible at midday. There, O king of kings, the bright lights of armors were visible.
शब्दः सुतुमुलः सङ्ख्ये शराणां पततामभूत्। महावेणुवनस्येव दह्यमानस्य सर्वतः ॥९-२१-४४॥
The sound of the falling arrows in the battle was as loud as a great bamboo forest burning all around.
