09.022
Core and Pancharatra: As Yudhishthira himself leads the charge, the Pandavas gain the upper hand as Duryodhana retreats. Shakuni, the only one left with a large army attacks from the back. Yudhishthira instructs Sahadeva to kill Shakuni, and Shakuni is forced to retreat.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे घोररूपे भयानके। अभज्यत बलं तत्र तव पुत्रस्य पाण्डवैः ॥९-२२-१॥
In the ongoing fierce and terrifying battle, the forces of your son were shattered there by the Pandavas.
तांस्तु यत्नेन महता संनिवार्य महारथान्। पुत्रस्ते योधयामास पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् ॥९-२२-२॥
Your son, with great effort, restrained the great charioteers and engaged in battle with the Pandavas' army.
निवृत्ताः सहसा योधास्तव पुत्रप्रियैषिणः। संनिवृत्तेषु तेष्वेवं युद्धमासीत्सुदारुणम् ॥९-२२-३॥
The warriors, who suddenly withdrew, were desiring the welfare of your son. When they returned, the battle among them was very fierce.
तावकानां परेषां च देवासुररणोपमम्। परेषां तव सैन्ये च नासीत्कश्चित्पराङ्मुखः ॥९-२२-४॥
In the battle resembling that of gods and demons, no one in either your army or the army of others turned away.
अनुमानेन युध्यन्ते सञ्ज्ञाभिश्च परस्परम्। तेषां क्षयो महानासीद्युध्यतामितरेतरम् ॥९-२२-५॥
By inference and signals, they engaged in battle with each other. Their mutual destruction was immense as they continued to fight one another.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा क्रोधेन महता युतः। जिगीषमाणः सङ्ग्रामे धार्तराष्ट्रान्सराजकान् ॥९-२२-६॥
Then King Yudhishthira, filled with immense anger, prepared for battle against the Dhartarashtras and their allied kings.
त्रिभिः शारद्वतं विद्ध्वा रुक्मपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः। चतुर्भिर्निजघानाश्वान्कल्याणान्कृतवर्मणः ॥९-२२-७॥
With three golden-shafted, stone-sharpened arrows, he pierced Śāradvata and with four arrows, he killed the auspicious horses of Kṛtavarman.
अश्वत्थामा तु हार्दिक्यमपोवाह यशस्विनम्। अथ शारद्वतोऽष्टाभिः प्रत्यविध्यद्युधिष्ठिरम् ॥९-२२-८॥
Ashwatthama carried away the renowned Hardikya, and then Sharadvata struck Yudhishthira with eight arrows.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा रथान्सप्तशतान्रणे। प्रेषयद्यत्र राजासौ धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥९-२२-९॥
Then King Duryodhana sent seven hundred chariots to the battlefield where King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, was present.
ते रथा रथिभिर्युक्ता मनोमारुतरंहसः। अभ्यद्रवन्त सङ्ग्रामे कौन्तेयस्य रथं प्रति ॥९-२२-१०॥
The chariots, driven by skilled charioteers, sped swiftly like the mind and wind towards Arjuna's chariot in the battlefield.
ते समन्तान्महाराज परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम्। अदृश्यं सायकैश्चक्रुर्मेघा इव दिवाकरम् ॥९-२२-११॥
The warriors surrounded Yudhishthira from all sides, making him invisible with their arrows, just as clouds cover the sun.
नामृष्यन्त सुसंरब्धाः शिखण्डिप्रमुखा रथाः। रथैरग्र्यजवैर्युक्तैः किङ्किणीजालसंवृतैः ॥ आजग्मुरभिरक्षन्तः कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥९-२२-१२॥
The chariots, led by Śikhaṇḍi and filled with warriors who were very enraged and intolerant, arrived swiftly with their horses, covered in a network of bells, to protect Kunti's son, Yudhishthira.
ततः प्रववृते रौद्रः सङ्ग्रामः शोणितोदकः। पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनः ॥९-२२-१३॥
Then a fierce and bloody battle began between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, increasing the realm of Yama.
रथान्सप्तशतान्हत्वा कुरूणामाततायिनाम्। पाण्डवाः सह पाञ्चालैः पुनरेवाभ्यवारयन् ॥९-२२-१४॥
The Pandavas, together with the Panchalas, launched another attack after having slain seven hundred chariots of the aggressive Kurus.
तत्र युद्धं महच्चासीत्तव पुत्रस्य पाण्डवैः। न च नस्तादृशं दृष्टं नैव चापि परिश्रुतम् ॥९-२२-१५॥
There was a great battle between your son and the Pandavas. We have neither seen nor heard of such a thing.
वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे निर्मर्यादे समन्ततः। वध्यमानेषु योधेषु तावकेष्वितरेषु च ॥९-२२-१६॥
In the ongoing battle, without any rules, warriors on both sides, yours and others, are being killed all around.
निनदत्सु च योधेषु शङ्खवर्यैश्च पूरितैः। उत्कृष्टैः सिंहनादैश्च गर्जितेन च धन्विनाम् ॥९-२२-१७॥
The warriors were sounding with excellent conches, filled with the roars of lions and the roaring of the archers.
अतिप्रवृद्धे युद्धे च छिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु। धावमानेषु योधेषु जयगृद्धिषु मारिष ॥९-२२-१८॥
O great one, in the intense battle, as the vital points were being cut and the warriors were running, eager for victory.
संहारे सर्वतो जाते पृथिव्यां शोकसम्भवे। बह्वीनामुत्तमस्त्रीणां सीमन्तोद्धरणे तथा ॥९-२२-१९॥
During the destruction, when sorrow arose everywhere on earth, many noble women also parted their hair.
निर्मर्यादे तथा युद्धे वर्तमाने सुदारुणे। प्रादुरासन्विनाशाय तदोत्पाताः सुदारुणाः ॥ चचाल शब्दं कुर्वाणा सपर्वतवना मही ॥९-२२-२०॥
In the limitless and ongoing fierce battle, dreadful omens appeared to signal destruction. The earth, along with its mountains and forests, trembled and echoed with sound.
सदण्डाः सोल्मुका राजञ्शीर्यमाणाः समन्ततः। उल्काः पेतुर्दिवो भूमावाहत्य रविमण्डलम् ॥९-२२-२१॥
O king, meteors with staffs and flames fell from the sky, striking the sun's orbit and scattering all around on the earth.
विष्वग्वाताः प्रादुरासन्नीचैः शर्करवर्षिणः। अश्रूणि मुमुचुर्नागा वेपथुश्चास्पृशद्भृशम् ॥९-२२-२२॥
Winds blew chaotically, descending with gravel rain. Serpents shed tears, trembling intensely.
एतान्घोराननादृत्य समुत्पातान्सुदारुणान्। पुनर्युद्धाय संमन्त्र्य क्षत्रियास्तस्थुरव्यथाः ॥ रमणीये कुरुक्षेत्रे पुण्ये स्वर्गं यियासवः ॥९-२२-२३॥
Ignoring the dreadful omens, the fearless warriors stood ready for battle once more in the sacred land of Kurukshetra, eager to attain heaven.
ततो गान्धारराजस्य पुत्रः शकुनिरब्रवीत्। युध्यध्वमग्रतो यावत्पृष्ठतो हन्मि पाण्डवान् ॥९-२२-२४॥
Shakuni, the son of the Gandhara king, instructed to engage in battle from the front while he would attack the Pandavas from the rear.
ततो नः सम्प्रयातानां मद्रयोधास्तरस्विनः। हृष्टाः किलकिलाशब्दमकुर्वन्तापरे तथा ॥९-२२-२५॥
Then our swift Madra warriors, who had departed, joyfully made a clamor, and others did the same.
अस्मांस्तु पुनरासाद्य लब्धलक्षा दुरासदाः। शरासनानि धुन्वन्तः शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥९-२२-२६॥
The formidable warriors, having regained their target, approached us again and wielded their bows, showering us with arrows.
ततो हतं परैस्तत्र मद्रराजबलं तदा। दुर्योधनबलं दृष्ट्वा पुनरासीत्पराङ्मुखम् ॥९-२२-२७॥
At that time, the Madra king's forces were defeated by others there. Seeing this, Duryodhana's army turned away once more.
गान्धारराजस्तु पुनर्वाक्यमाह ततो बली। निवर्तध्वमधर्मज्ञा युध्यध्वं किं सृतेन वः ॥९-२२-२८॥
The King of Gandhara, strong and resolute, addressed them again, urging them to turn back and fight instead of fleeing, questioning their understanding of righteousness.
अनीकं दशसाहस्रमश्वानां भरतर्षभ। आसीद्गान्धारराजस्य विमलप्रासयोधिनाम् ॥९-२२-२९॥
O best of the Bharatas, the king of Gandhara had an army of ten thousand horses, manned by warriors wielding clear spears.
बलेन तेन विक्रम्य वर्तमाने जनक्षये। पृष्ठतः पाण्डवानीकमभ्यघ्नन्निशितैः शरैः ॥९-२२-३०॥
By their strength, they attacked the Pandava army from behind with sharp arrows during the ongoing destruction of people.
तदभ्रमिव वातेन क्षिप्यमाणं समन्ततः। अभज्यत महाराज पाण्डूनां सुमहद्बलम् ॥९-२२-३१॥
O great king, the mighty army of the Pandavas was shattered like a cloud driven by the wind in all directions.
ततो युधिष्ठिरः प्रेक्ष्य भग्नं स्वबलमन्तिकात्। अभ्यचोदयदव्यग्रः सहदेवं महाबलम् ॥९-२२-३२॥
Then Yudhishthira, observing his army broken nearby, calmly encouraged the mighty Sahadeva.
असौ सुबलपुत्रो नो जघनं पीड्य दंशितः। सेनां निसूदयन्त्येष पश्य पाण्डव दुर्मतिम् ॥९-२२-३३॥
This son of Subala has attacked our rear and is causing destruction. Look, O Pandava, at this evil-minded one who is devastating the army.
गच्छ त्वं द्रौपदेयाश्च शकुनिं सौबलं जहि। रथानीकमहं रक्ष्ये पाञ्चालसहितोऽनघ ॥९-२२-३४॥
"Go, you and the sons of Draupadi, and slay Shakuni, the son of Subala. I will protect the chariot division along with the Panchalas, O sinless one."
गच्छन्तु कुञ्जराः सर्वे वाजिनश्च सह त्वया। पादाताश्च त्रिसाहस्राः शकुनिं सौबलं जहि ॥९-२२-३५॥
"Let all the elephants, horses, and three thousand foot soldiers accompany you. Defeat Shakuni, the son of Subala."
ततो गजाः सप्तशताश्चापपाणिभिरास्थिताः। पञ्च चाश्वसहस्राणि सहदेवश्च वीर्यवान् ॥९-२२-३६॥
Then, seven hundred elephants with bow-wielding hands were stationed, along with five thousand horses, and the valiant Sahadeva.
पादाताश्च त्रिसाहस्रा द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः। रणे ह्यभ्यद्रवंस्ते तु शकुनिं युद्धदुर्मदम् ॥९-२२-३७॥
Three thousand foot-soldiers and all the sons of Draupadi attacked Shakuni, who was arrogant in battle.
ततस्तु सौबलो राजन्नभ्यतिक्रम्य पाण्डवान्। जघान पृष्ठतः सेनां जयगृध्रः प्रतापवान् ॥९-२२-३८॥
Then, O king, the son of Subala, eager for victory and powerful, surpassed the Pandavas and struck the army from behind.
अश्वारोहास्तु संरब्धाः पाण्डवानां तरस्विनाम्। प्राविशन्सौबलानीकमभ्यतिक्रम्य तान्रथान् ॥९-२२-३९॥
The energetic horsemen of the Pandavas, in their excitement, entered the army of Saubala, surpassing the chariots.
ते तत्र सादिनः शूराः सौबलस्य महद्बलम्। गजमध्येऽवतिष्ठन्तः शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥९-२२-४०॥
The heroic horsemen of Saubala's great army stood amidst the elephants and rained down showers of arrows on their enemies.
तदुद्यतगदाप्रासमकापुरुषसेवितम्। प्रावर्तत महद्युद्धं राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥९-२२-४१॥
The great war, attended by warriors wielding maces and spears, commenced, O king, as a result of your poor counsel.
उपारमन्त ज्याशब्दाः प्रेक्षका रथिनोऽभवन्। न हि स्वेषां परेषां वा विशेषः प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥९-२२-४२॥
The sounds of the bows stopped, and the spectators turned into charioteers. Indeed, no difference was visible between their own people and others.
शूरबाहुविसृष्टानां शक्तीनां भरतर्षभ। ज्योतिषामिव सम्पातमपश्यन्कुरुपाण्डवाः ॥९-२२-४३॥
O best of the Bharatas, the Kurus and Pandavas witnessed the fall of the mighty weapons released by the heroic warriors, resembling the fall of celestial bodies.
ऋष्टिभिर्विमलाभिश्च तत्र तत्र विशां पते। सम्पतन्तीभिराकाशमावृतं बह्वशोभत ॥९-२२-४४॥
O lord of men, the sky, covered with flying spears and pure ones here and there, was shining brightly.
प्रासानां पततां राजन्रूपमासीत्समन्ततः। शलभानामिवाकाशे तदा भरतसत्तम ॥९-२२-४५॥
O best of the Bharatas, at that time, the scene of the falling spears all around was like moths in the sky, O king.
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गा विप्रविद्धैर्नियन्तृभिः। हयाः परिपतन्ति स्म शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-२२-४६॥
The horses, covered in blood and abandoned by their charioteers, were running wildly in hundreds and thousands.
अन्योन्यपरिपिष्टाश्च समासाद्य परस्परम्। अविक्षताः स्म दृश्यन्ते वमन्तो रुधिरं मुखैः ॥९-२२-४७॥
The warriors, having approached each other and crushed one another, appear unwounded, yet are seen vomiting blood from their mouths.
ततोऽभवत्तमो घोरं सैन्येन रजसा वृते। तानपाक्रमतोऽद्राक्षं तस्माद्देशादरिंदमान् ॥ अश्वान्राजन्मनुष्यांश्च रजसा संवृते सति ॥९-२२-४८॥
Then a terrible darkness arose, enveloped by the dust from the army. I saw the enemies retreating from that place. O king, both the horses and men were shrouded in dust.
भूमौ निपतिताश्चान्ये वमन्तो रुधिरं बहु। केशाकेशिसमालग्ना न शेकुश्चेष्टितुं जनाः ॥९-२२-४९॥
On the ground lay others who had fallen, vomiting much blood, their hair entangled with each other's, unable to move.
अन्योन्यमश्वपृष्ठेभ्यो विकर्षन्तो महाबलाः। मल्ला इव समासाद्य निजघ्नुरितरेतरम् ॥ अश्वैश्च व्यपकृष्यन्त बहवोऽत्र गतासवः ॥९-२२-५०॥
The mighty warriors, like wrestlers, pulled each other from the backs of horses and struck one another. Many were dragged away by horses and lay lifeless on the battlefield.
भूमौ निपतिताश्चान्ये बहवो विजयैषिणः। तत्र तत्र व्यदृश्यन्त पुरुषाः शूरमानिनः ॥९-२२-५१॥
On the battlefield, many other warriors who desired victory were seen fallen on the ground, boasting of their heroism here and there.
रक्तोक्षितैश्छिन्नभुजैरपकृष्टशिरोरुहैः। व्यदृश्यत मही कीर्णा शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-२२-५२॥
The earth appeared covered with countless severed arms and hair, drenched in blood, scattered in hundreds and thousands.
दूरं न शक्यं तत्रासीद्गन्तुमश्वेन केनचित्। साश्वारोहैर्हतैरश्वैरावृते वसुधातले ॥९-२२-५३॥
It was impossible for anyone to reach there by horse, as the ground was strewn with the bodies of slain horses and their riders.
रुधिरोक्षितसंनाहैरात्तशस्त्रैरुदायुधैः। नानाप्रहरणैर्घोरैः परस्परवधैषिभिः ॥ सुसंनिकृष्टैः सङ्ग्रामे हतभूयिष्ठसैनिकैः ॥९-२२-५४॥
In the battle, soldiers with armor smeared with blood, wielding various terrible weapons, were engaged in mutual slaughter, with most of them killed.
स मुहूर्तं ततो युद्ध्वा सौबलोऽथ विशां पते। षट्सहस्रैर्हयैः शिष्टैरपायाच्छकुनिस्ततः ॥९-२२-५५॥
After fighting for a moment, Saubala, with six thousand remaining horses, departed, O lord of men.
तथैव पाण्डवानीकं रुधिरेण समुक्षितम्। षट्सहस्रैर्हयैः शिष्टैरपायाच्छ्रान्तवाहनम् ॥९-२२-५६॥
Similarly, the Pandava army, covered in blood, retreated with six thousand remaining horses and exhausted vehicles.
अश्वारोहास्तु पाण्डूनामब्रुवन्रुधिरोक्षिताः। सुसंनिकृष्टाः सङ्ग्रामे भूयिष्ठं त्यक्तजीविताः ॥९-२२-५७॥
The horsemen of the Pandavas, covered in blood, remarked that in the battle, most had lost their lives.
नेह शक्यं रथैर्योद्धुं कुत एव महागजैः। रथानेव रथा यान्तु कुञ्जराः कुञ्जरानपि ॥९-२२-५८॥
In this context, it is not feasible to engage in battle using chariots, let alone with mighty elephants. Let the chariots confront other chariots, and elephants face other elephants as well.
प्रतियातो हि शकुनिः स्वमनीकमवस्थितः। न पुनः सौबलो राजा युद्धमभ्यागमिष्यति ॥९-२२-५९॥
Shakuni has returned to his own army and is stationed there. King Saubala will not come to the battle again.
ततस्तु द्रौपदेयाश्च ते च मत्ता महाद्विपाः। प्रययुर्यत्र पाञ्चाल्यो धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः ॥९-२२-६०॥
Then, the sons of Draupadi and the intoxicated great elephants proceeded to where Dhrishtadyumna, the great chariot-warrior and son of Panchala, was.
सहदेवोऽपि कौरव्य रजोमेघे समुत्थिते। एकाकी प्रययौ तत्र यत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरः ॥९-२२-६१॥
Sahadeva, too, O Kauravya, went alone to the place where King Yudhishthira was, as the dust cloud arose.
ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु शकुनिः सौबलः पुनः। पार्श्वतोऽभ्यहनत्क्रुद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नस्य वाहिनीम् ॥९-२२-६२॥
After they had left, Shakuni, Subala's son, once more launched an angry assault on Dhrishtadyumna's forces from the flank.
तत्पुनस्तुमुलं युद्धं प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वाभ्यवर्तत। तावकानां परेषां च परस्परवधैषिणाम् ॥९-२२-६३॥
Then again, the fierce battle resumed as both your people and the enemies, having abandoned their lives, sought mutual destruction.
ते ह्यन्योन्यमवेक्षन्त तस्मिन्वीरसमागमे। योधाः पर्यपतन्राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-२२-६४॥
In that heroic assembly, they looked at each other. O king, warriors fell by the hundreds and then by the thousands.
असिभिश्छिद्यमानानां शिरसां लोकसङ्क्षये। प्रादुरासीन्महाशब्दस्तालानां पततामिव ॥९-२२-६५॥
As swords cut off heads during the destruction of the world, a great sound arose, resembling the sound of falling trees.
विमुक्तानां शरीराणां भिन्नानां पततां भुवि। सायुधानां च बाहूनामुरूणां च विशां पते ॥ आसीत्कटकटाशब्दः सुमहान्रोमहर्षणः ॥९-२२-६६॥
As the liberated bodies, broken and falling on the ground with weapons, arms, and thighs, there arose a very great and hair-raising rattling sound, O lord of men.
निघ्नन्तो निशितैः शस्त्रैर्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्सखीनपि। योधाः परिपतन्ति स्म यथामिषकृते खगाः ॥९-२२-६७॥
The warriors, killing their brothers, sons, and friends with sharp weapons, fell like birds do for the sake of meat.
अन्योन्यं प्रतिसंरब्धाः समासाद्य परस्परम्। अहं पूर्वमहं पूर्वमिति न्यघ्नन्सहस्रशः ॥९-२२-६८॥
They attacked each other fiercely, and as they approached one another, they shouted, "I first, I first," and thus they killed by the thousands.
सङ्घातैरासनभ्रष्टैरश्वारोहैर्गतासुभिः। हयाः परिपतन्ति स्म शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥९-२२-६९॥
Due to the collisions, the horse riders were dislodged from their seats and lay lifeless, while the horses ran around in hundreds and thousands.
स्फुरतां प्रतिपिष्टानामश्वानां शीघ्रसारिणाम्। स्तनतां च मनुष्याणां संनद्धानां विशां पते ॥९-२२-७०॥
O lord of the people, there are quivering, trampled horses that move swiftly, and roaring, armored men.
शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासशब्दश्च तुमुलः समजायत। भिन्दतां परमर्माणि राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥९-२२-७१॥
O king, the tumultuous noise of spears, javelins, and lances arose, striking the vital parts, as a result of your poor counsel.
श्रमाभिभूताः संरब्धाः श्रान्तवाहाः पिपासिताः। विक्षताश्च शितैः शस्त्रैरभ्यवर्तन्त तावकाः ॥९-२२-७२॥
Your men, though overcome by fatigue and thirst, with tired mounts and wounded by sharp weapons, advanced with excitement.
मत्ता रुधिरगन्धेन बहवोऽत्र विचेतसः। जघ्नुः परान्स्वकांश्चैव प्राप्तान्प्राप्ताननन्तरान् ॥९-२२-७३॥
Intoxicated by the smell of blood, many here lost their senses and killed both others and their own, those who came immediately after.
बहवश्च गतप्राणाः क्षत्रिया जयगृद्धिनः। भूमावभ्यपतन्राजञ्शरवृष्टिभिरावृताः ॥९-२२-७४॥
Many warriors, eager for victory, fell lifeless to the ground, O king, covered by a rain of arrows.
वृकगृध्रशृगालानां तुमुले मोदनेऽहनि। आसीद्बलक्षयो घोरस्तव पुत्रस्य पश्यतः ॥९-२२-७५॥
On that tumultuous day of celebration for wolves, vultures, and jackals, a terrible destruction of strength occurred as your son watched.
नराश्वकायसञ्छन्ना भूमिरासीद्विशां पते। रुधिरोदकचित्रा च भीरूणां भयवर्धिनी ॥९-२२-७६॥
The battlefield was strewn with the bodies of men and horses, creating a terrifying scene for the onlookers. The ground, stained with blood and water, heightened the fear among the timid.
असिभिः पट्टिशैः शूलैस्तक्षमाणाः पुनः पुनः। तावकाः पाण्डवाश्चैव नाभ्यवर्तन्त भारत ॥९-२२-७७॥
O Bhārata, your men and the Pāṇḍavas, wielding swords, spears, and pikes, continued to fight relentlessly without retreating.
प्रहरन्तो यथाशक्ति यावत्प्राणस्य धारणम्। योधाः परिपतन्ति स्म वमन्तो रुधिरं व्रणैः ॥९-२२-७८॥
The warriors, striking with all their might as long as they could sustain life, eventually fell, vomiting blood from their wounds.
शिरो गृहीत्वा केशेषु कबन्धः समदृश्यत। उद्यम्य निशितं खड्गं रुधिरेण समुक्षितम् ॥९-२२-७९॥
The headless trunk appeared, holding the head by the hair. It raised a sharp sword that was smeared with blood.
अथोत्थितेषु बहुषु कबन्धेषु जनाधिप। तथा रुधिरगन्धेन योधाः कश्मलमाविशन् ॥९-२२-८०॥
Then, O king, as many headless trunks arose, the warriors were overcome by the smell of blood and fainted.
मन्दीभूते ततः शब्दे पाण्डवानां महद्बलम्। अल्पावशिष्टैस्तुरगैरभ्यवर्तत सौबलः ॥९-२२-८१॥
As the noise died down, the great army of the Pandavas, with only a few horses left, advanced towards Saubala.
ततोऽभ्यधावंस्त्वरिताः पाण्डवा जयगृद्धिनः। पदातयश्च नागाश्च सादिनश्चोद्यतायुधाः ॥९-२२-८२॥
Then the Pāṇḍavas, eager for victory, swiftly advanced with their infantry, elephants, and cavalry, all brandishing their weapons.
कोष्टकीकृत्य चाप्येनं परिक्षिप्य च सर्वशः। शस्त्रैर्नानाविधैर्जघ्नुर्युद्धपारं तितीर्षवः ॥९-२२-८३॥
They completely encircled and surrounded him, striking with various weapons, as they sought to overcome the end of the battle.
त्वदीयास्तांस्तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य सर्वतः समभिद्रुतान्। साश्वपत्तिद्विपरथाः पाण्डवानभिदुद्रुवुः ॥९-२२-८४॥
Upon seeing your forces being attacked from all directions, the troops, along with horses, infantry, elephants, and chariots, charged towards the Pandavas.
केचित्पदातयः पद्भिर्मुष्टिभिश्च परस्परम्। निजघ्नुः समरे शूराः क्षीणशस्त्रास्ततोऽपतन् ॥९-२२-८५॥
Some foot soldiers, having exhausted their weapons, resorted to fighting with their feet and fists in the battle, and then the heroes fell.
रथेभ्यो रथिनः पेतुर्द्विपेभ्यो हस्तिसादिनः। विमानेभ्य इव भ्रष्टाः सिद्धाः पुण्यक्षयाद्यथा ॥९-२२-८६॥
The charioteers fell from their chariots, and the elephant riders from their elephants, just as perfected beings fall from their aerial cars when their merits are depleted.
एवमन्योन्यमायस्ता योधा जघ्नुर्महामृधे। पितॄन्भ्रातॄन्वयस्यांश्च पुत्रानपि तथापरे ॥९-२२-८७॥
In this way, the warriors, engaged in mutual combat, killed fathers, brothers, friends, and sons in the great battle; others did the same.
एवमासीदमर्यादं युद्धं भरतसत्तम। प्रासासिबाणकलिले वर्तमाने सुदारुणे ॥९-२२-८८॥
Thus, O best of the Bharatas, the unrestrained and very terrible battle was taking place amidst spears, swords, and arrows.
