09.027
Core and Pancharatra: Bhima and Sahadeva fight Shakuni and his army. Sahadeva first kills Shakuni's son Uluka. Then, he severed the head of Shakuni, after cutting off his hands.
सञ्जय उवाच॥
Sanjaya said:
तस्मिन्प्रवृत्ते सङ्ग्रामे नरवाजिगजक्षये। शकुनिः सौबलो राजन्सहदेवं समभ्ययात् ॥९-२७-१॥
As the battle commenced, amidst the destruction of men, horses, and elephants, Shakuni, the son of Subala, approached Sahadeva, O king.
ततोऽस्यापततस्तूर्णं सहदेवः प्रतापवान्। शरौघान्प्रेषयामास पतङ्गानिव शीघ्रगान् ॥ उलूकश्च रणे भीमं विव्याध दशभिः शरैः ॥९-२७-२॥
Then the mighty Sahadeva quickly approached and sent a volley of arrows like swiftly flying birds. Meanwhile, Uluka struck Bhima with ten arrows in the battle.
शकुनिस्तु महाराज भीमं विद्ध्वा त्रिभिः शरैः। सायकानां नवत्या वै सहदेवमवाकिरत् ॥९-२७-३॥
Shakuni, however, O great king, struck Bhima with three arrows and then showered ninety arrows upon Sahadeva.
ते शूराः समरे राजन्समासाद्य परस्परम्। विव्यधुर्निशितैर्बाणैः कङ्कबर्हिणवाजितैः ॥ स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाधौतैरा कर्णात्प्रहितैः शरैः ॥९-२७-४॥
The heroes, O king, met each other in battle and shot sharp arrows adorned with peacock feathers, with golden shafts, polished with stones, and dispatched from the ear.
तेषां चापभुजोत्सृष्टा शरवृष्टिर्विशां पते। आच्छादयद्दिशः सर्वा धाराभिरिव तोयदः ॥९-२७-५॥
The archers released a shower of arrows that covered all directions like a cloud's streams, O lord of men.
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे भीमः सहदेवश्च भारत। चेरतुः कदनं सङ्ख्ये कुर्वन्तौ सुमहाबलौ ॥९-२७-६॥
Then, in the battle, the furious Bhima and Sahadeva, O Bharata, engaged in a fierce slaughter, demonstrating their immense strength.
ताभ्यां शरशतैश्छन्नं तद्बलं तव भारत। अन्धकारमिवाकाशमभवत्तत्र तत्र ह ॥९-२७-७॥
Your army, O Bharata, was enveloped by those two with hundreds of arrows, making it appear as if the sky was filled with darkness, indeed in various places.
अश्वैर्विपरिधावद्भिः शरच्छन्नैर्विशां पते। तत्र तत्र कृतो मार्गो विकर्षद्भिर्हतान्बहून् ॥९-२७-८॥
O lord of men, a path was made by horses running around, covered with arrows, dragging many slain bodies here and there.
निहतानां हयानां च सहैव हययोधिभिः। वर्मभिर्विनिकृत्तैश्च प्रासैश्छिन्नैश्च मारिष ॥ सञ्छन्ना पृथिवी जज्ञे कुसुमैः शबला इव ॥९-२७-९॥
The battlefield was strewn with the bodies of slain horses and horsemen, their armors cut and spears broken, making the earth appear like a field of spotted flowers, O lord.
योधास्तत्र महाराज समासाद्य परस्परम्। व्यचरन्त रणे क्रुद्धा विनिघ्नन्तः परस्परम् ॥९-२७-१०॥
O great king, the warriors there approached each other and moved about in the battle with anger, striking each other down.
उद्वृत्तनयनै रोषात्संदष्टौष्ठपुटैर्मुखैः। सकुण्डलैर्मही छन्ना पद्मकिञ्जल्कसंनिभैः ॥९-२७-११॥
The earth was covered with faces having bulging eyes from anger, lips bitten, and adorned with earrings, resembling the filaments of a lotus.
भुजैश्छिन्नैर्महाराज नागराजकरोपमैः। साङ्गदैः सतनुत्रैश्च सासिप्रासपरश्वधैः ॥९-२७-१२॥
O great king, the arms were severed like those of the serpent king, adorned with armlets, shields, swords, lances, and axes.
कबन्धैरुत्थितैश्छिन्नैर्नृत्यद्भिश्चापरैर्युधि। क्रव्यादगणसङ्कीर्णा घोराभूत्पृथिवी विभो ॥९-२७-१३॥
O lord, the earth became a terrifying sight, filled with headless trunks that had risen and were severed, along with others dancing in battle, surrounded by groups of carnivores.
अल्पावशिष्टे सैन्ये तु कौरवेयान्महाहवे। प्रहृष्टाः पाण्डवा भूत्वा निन्यिरे यमसादनम् ॥९-२७-१४॥
In the great battle, when only a few of the Kaurava army remained, the Pandavas, filled with joy, sent them to the abode of Yama.
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे शूरः सौबलेयः प्रतापवान्। प्रासेन सहदेवस्य शिरसि प्राहरद्भृशम् ॥ स विह्वलो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत् ॥९-२७-१५॥
During this time, the valiant son of Subala fiercely struck Sahadeva on the head with a spear. Overwhelmed, the great king sat down on his chariot seat.
सहदेवं तथा दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनः प्रतापवान्। सर्वसैन्यानि सङ्क्रुद्धो वारयामास भारत ॥९-२७-१६॥
Upon seeing Sahadeva in that condition, the valiant Bhimasena, filled with rage, held back all the forces, O Bharata.
निर्बिभेद च नाराचैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः। विनिर्भिद्याकरोच्चैव सिंहनादमरिंदम ॥९-२७-१७॥
He pierced the enemies with hundreds and thousands of arrows, and having pierced through them, he roared like a lion, O subduer of enemies.
तेन शब्देन वित्रस्ताः सर्वे सहयवारणाः। प्राद्रवन्सहसा भीताः शकुनेश्च पदानुगाः ॥९-२७-१८॥
Upon hearing that sound, all the horses and elephants were terrified and fled suddenly, along with Śakuni's followers, in fear.
प्रभग्नानथ तान्दृष्ट्वा राजा दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्। निवर्तध्वमधर्मज्ञा युध्यध्वं किं सृतेन वः ॥९-२७-१९॥
Upon seeing them broken, King Duryodhana addressed them, "Return, you who are ignorant of righteousness, and fight! Why do you flee?"
इह कीर्तिं समाधाय प्रेत्य लोकान्समश्नुते। प्राणाञ्जहाति यो वीरो युधि पृष्ठमदर्शयन् ॥९-२७-२०॥
Here, a hero who establishes his fame and leaves his life in battle without turning his back attains the worlds after death.
एवमुक्तास्तु ते राज्ञा सौबलस्य पदानुगाः। पाण्डवानभ्यवर्तन्त मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥९-२७-२१॥
Thus addressed by the king, the followers of Saubala advanced towards the Pandavas, accepting death as their retreat.
द्रवद्भिस्तत्र राजेन्द्र कृतः शब्दोऽतिदारुणः। क्षुब्धसागरसङ्काशः क्षुभितः सर्वतोऽभवत् ॥९-२७-२२॥
O King, there arose a very terrible sound by the flowing waters, resembling an agitated ocean, and it became disturbed everywhere.
तांस्तदापततो दृष्ट्वा सौबलस्य पदानुगान्। प्रत्युद्ययुर्महाराज पाण्डवा विजये वृताः ॥९-२७-२३॥
Upon seeing the followers of Saubala approaching, the Pandavas, prepared for victory, advanced, O great king.
प्रत्याश्वस्य च दुर्धर्षः सहदेवो विशां पते। शकुनिं दशभिर्विद्ध्वा हयांश्चास्य त्रिभिः शरैः ॥ धनुश्चिच्छेद च शरैः सौबलस्य हसन्निव ॥९-२७-२४॥
Sahadeva, the invincible, directed his attack towards the horses. O lord of men, he pierced Shakuni with ten arrows and his horses with three. He then cut off Saubala's bow with arrows, as if he was smiling.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय शकुनिर्युद्धदुर्मदः। विव्याध नकुलं षष्ट्या भीमसेनं च सप्तभिः ॥९-२७-२५॥
Then, the arrogant Shakuni, taking another bow, pierced Nakul with sixty arrows and Bhimasena with seven.
उलूकोऽपि महाराज भीमं विव्याध सप्तभिः। सहदेवं च सप्तत्या परीप्सन्पितरं रणे ॥९-२७-२६॥
Uluka, in an attempt to protect his father during the battle, shot seven arrows at Bhima and seventy arrows at Sahadeva, O great king.
तं भीमसेनः समरे विव्याध निशितैः शरैः। शकुनिं च चतुःषष्ट्या पार्श्वस्थांश्च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः ॥९-२७-२७॥
In the battle, Bhimasena pierced him with sharp arrows, and also struck Shakuni with sixty-four arrows, and those standing by with three arrows each.
ते हन्यमाना भीमेन नाराचैस्तैलपायितैः। सहदेवं रणे क्रुद्धाश्छादयञ्शरवृष्टिभिः ॥ पर्वतं वारिधाराभिः सविद्युत इवाम्बुदाः ॥९-२७-२८॥
As they were being struck by Bhima's oil-smeared arrows, they angrily showered arrows upon Sahadeva in battle, resembling clouds with lightning covering a mountain with streams of rain.
ततोऽस्यापततः शूरः सहदेवः प्रतापवान्। उलूकस्य महाराज भल्लेनापाहरच्छिरः ॥९-२७-२९॥
Then the brave Sahadeva, with his valor, swiftly cut off Uluka's head with an arrow, O great king.
स जगाम रथाद्भूमिं सहदेवेन पातितः। रुधिराप्लुतसर्वाङ्गो नन्दयन्पाण्डवान्युधि ॥९-२७-३०॥
He fell from the chariot to the ground, struck down by Sahadeva, his body soaked in blood, bringing joy to the Pandavas in the battle.
पुत्रं तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा शकुनिस्तत्र भारत। साश्रुकण्ठो विनिःश्वस्य क्षत्तुर्वाक्यमनुस्मरन् ॥९-२७-३१॥
Upon witnessing his son's death, Shakuni stood there, O Bharata, with tears choking his throat, sighing deeply as he recalled the charioteer's words.
चिन्तयित्वा मुहूर्तं स बाष्पपूर्णेक्षणः श्वसन्। सहदेवं समासाद्य त्रिभिर्विव्याध सायकैः ॥९-२७-३२॥
After contemplating for a moment, with tears in his eyes and a sigh, he approached Sahadeva and shot three arrows at him.
तानपास्य शरान्मुक्ताञ्शरसङ्घैः प्रतापवान्। सहदेवो महाराज धनुश्चिच्छेद संयुगे ॥९-२७-३३॥
Sahadeva, the valiant warrior, released volleys of arrows and cut the bow in the battle, O great king.
छिन्ने धनुषि राजेन्द्र शकुनिः सौबलस्तदा। प्रगृह्य विपुलं खड्गं सहदेवाय प्राहिणोत् ॥९-२७-३४॥
When the bow was broken, King, Shakuni, son of Subala, took a large sword and aimed it at Sahadeva.
तमापतन्तं सहसा घोररूपं विशां पते। द्विधा चिच्छेद समरे सौबलस्य हसन्निव ॥९-२७-३५॥
The lord of men, with a sudden strike, cut the terrifying approaching figure of Saubala into two during the battle, as if he was smiling.
असिं दृष्ट्वा द्विधा छिन्नं प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम्। प्राहिणोत्सहदेवाय सा मोघा न्यपतद्भुवि ॥९-२७-३६॥
Upon seeing the sword cut in two, he took up the great mace and hurled it towards Sahadeva, but it fell to the ground without effect.
ततः शक्तिं महाघोरां कालरात्रिमिवोद्यताम्। प्रेषयामास सङ्क्रुद्धः पाण्डवं प्रति सौबलः ॥९-२७-३७॥
Then, in a fit of anger, Saubala sent a dreadful weapon, akin to the fearsome Kalaratri, towards the Pandava.
तामापतन्तीं सहसा शरैः काञ्चनभूषणैः। त्रिधा चिच्छेद समरे सहदेवो हसन्निव ॥९-२७-३८॥
Sahadeva, with a smile, swiftly cut her into three parts with his arrows adorned with golden ornaments as she approached in the battle.
सा पपात त्रिधा छिन्ना भूमौ कनकभूषणा। शीर्यमाणा यथा दीप्ता गगनाद्वै शतह्रदा ॥९-२७-३९॥
She fell to the ground, shattered into three pieces, adorned with gold, disintegrating like a blazing river with a hundred streams descending from the sky.
शक्तिं विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा सौबलं च भयार्दितम्। दुद्रुवुस्तावकाः सर्वे भये जाते ससौबलाः ॥९-२७-४०॥
Upon witnessing the destruction of power and Saubala being stricken with fear, all your men, along with Saubala, fled in terror.
अथोत्क्रुष्टं महद्ध्यासीत्पाण्डवैर्जितकाशिभिः। धार्तराष्ट्रास्ततः सर्वे प्रायशो विमुखाभवन् ॥९-२७-४१॥
Then, a great uproar arose from the Pāṇḍavas and the victorious Kāśis. Consequently, the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra mostly became disheartened.
तान्वै विमनसो दृष्ट्वा माद्रीपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। शरैरनेकसाहस्रैर्वारयामास संयुगे ॥९-२७-४२॥
Seeing the disheartened warriors, the valiant son of Mādrī, Nakula, courageously stopped them with a barrage of thousands of arrows in the battle.
ततो गान्धारकैर्गुप्तं पृष्ठैरश्वैर्जये धृतम्। आससाद रणे यान्तं सहदेवोऽथ सौबलम् ॥९-२७-४३॥
Then Sahadeva, protected by the Gandharans and supported by horses, approached Saubala as he was going into battle.
स्वमंशमवशिष्टं स संस्मृत्य शकुनिं नृप। रथेन काञ्चनाङ्गेन सहदेवः समभ्ययात् ॥ अधिज्यं बलवत्कृत्वा व्याक्षिपन्सुमहद्धनुः ॥९-२७-४४॥
The king, recalling his own remaining part, approached Shakuni with a chariot adorned with gold. Sahadeva, having strung the bow, powerfully stretched the mighty bow.
स सौबलमभिद्रुत्य गृध्रपत्रैः शिलाशितैः। भृशमभ्यहनत्क्रुद्धस्तोत्त्रैरिव महाद्विपम् ॥९-२७-४५॥
He attacked Saubala with arrows that had vulture feathers and were sharpened on stones, striking him violently like an angry man would strike a great elephant with goads.
उवाच चैनं मेधावी निगृह्य स्मारयन्निव। क्षत्रधर्मे स्थितो भूत्वा युध्यस्व पुरुषो भव ॥९-२७-४६॥
The wise one, restraining him and reminding him as if, said: "Be a man situated in the duty of a warrior and fight."
यत्तदा हृष्यसे मूढ ग्लहन्नक्षैः सभातले। फलमद्य प्रपद्यस्व कर्मणस्तस्य दुर्मते ॥९-२७-४७॥
"O foolish one, when you rejoice in gambling with dice in the assembly hall, today you must accept the consequences of those actions, O wicked-minded one."
निहतास्ते दुरात्मानो येऽस्मानवहसन्पुरा। दुर्योधनः कुलाङ्गारः शिष्टस्त्वं तस्य मातुलः ॥९-२७-४८॥
The wicked ones who oppressed us in the past have been slain. Duryodhana, the bane of our family, is still alive. You are his uncle.
अद्य ते विहनिष्यामि क्षुरेणोन्मथितं शिरः। वृक्षात्फलमिवोद्धृत्य लगुडेन प्रमाथिना ॥९-२७-४९॥
"Today, I will sever your head with a razor, just like a fruit is plucked from a tree with a club by a crusher."
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज सहदेवो महाबलः। सङ्क्रुद्धो नरशार्दूलो वेगेनाभिजगाम ह ॥९-२७-५०॥
Having spoken thus, O great king, the mighty and enraged Sahadeva, a tiger among men, swiftly approached.
अभिगम्य तु दुर्धर्षः सहदेवो युधां पतिः। विकृष्य बलवच्चापं क्रोधेन प्रहसन्निव ॥९-२७-५१॥
Sahadeva, the invincible lord of battles, approached and drew his strong bow with anger, appearing as if he was smiling.
शकुनिं दशभिर्विद्ध्वा चतुर्भिश्चास्य वाजिनः। छत्रं ध्वजं धनुश्चास्य छित्त्वा सिंह इवानदत् ॥९-२७-५२॥
After piercing Shakuni with ten arrows and his horses with four, and cutting down his umbrella, flag, and bow, he roared like a lion.
छिन्नध्वजधनुश्छत्रः सहदेवेन सौबलः। ततो विद्धश्च बहुभिः सर्वमर्मसु सायकैः ॥९-२७-५३॥
Saubala, having his flag, bow, and umbrella cut down by Sahadeva, was subsequently struck in all his vital parts by numerous arrows.
ततो भूयो महाराज सहदेवः प्रतापवान्। शकुनेः प्रेषयामास शरवृष्टिं दुरासदाम् ॥९-२७-५४॥
Then again, O great king, the powerful Sahadeva launched an unstoppable barrage of arrows towards Shakuni.
ततस्तु क्रुद्धः सुबलस्य पुत्रो; माद्रीसुतं सहदेवं विमर्दे। प्रासेन जाम्बूनदभूषणेन; जिघांसुरेकोऽभिपपात शीघ्रम् ॥९-२७-५५॥
Then, in his anger, the son of Subala swiftly attacked Sahadeva, the son of Mādrī, alone with a spear adorned with gold, intending to kill him.
माद्रीसुतस्तस्य समुद्यतं तं; प्रासं सुवृत्तौ च भुजौ रणाग्रे। भल्लैस्त्रिभिर्युगपत्सञ्चकर्त; ननाद चोच्चैस्तरसाजिमध्ये ॥९-२७-५६॥
The son of Mādrī, standing at the forefront of the battle, swiftly cut off his opponent's raised spear and well-formed arms with three arrows simultaneously, and let out a loud roar in the midst of the battle.
तस्याशुकारी सुसमाहितेन; सुवर्णपुङ्खेन दृढायसेन। भल्लेन सर्वावरणातिगेन; शिरः शरीरात्प्रममाथ भूयः ॥९-२७-५७॥
His swift and well-aimed arrow, adorned with golden feathers and made of strong iron, pierced through all armor and severed the head from the body once more.
शरेण कार्तस्वरभूषितेन; दिवाकराभेन सुसंशितेन। हृतोत्तमाङ्गो युधि पाण्डवेन; पपात भूमौ सुबलस्य पुत्रः ॥९-२७-५८॥
The son of Subala, with his head severed by the Pandava's arrow adorned with gold and shining like the sun, fell to the ground in battle.
स तच्छिरो वेगवता शरेण; सुवर्णपुङ्खेन शिलाशितेन। प्रावेरयत्कुपितः पाण्डुपुत्रो; यत्तत्कुरूणामनयस्य मूलम् ॥९-२७-५९॥
In his fury, the son of Pandu shot a swift arrow with golden feathers and a stone-sharpened tip, striking the head that was the source of the Kurus' downfall.
हृतोत्तमाङ्गं शकुनिं समीक्ष्य; भूमौ शयानं रुधिरार्द्रगात्रम्। योधास्त्वदीया भयनष्टसत्त्वा; दिशः प्रजग्मुः प्रगृहीतशस्त्राः ॥९-२७-६०॥
Upon seeing Shakuni decapitated and lying on the ground with his body soaked in blood, your warriors, overwhelmed by fear and having lost their courage, fled in all directions with their weapons in hand.
विप्रद्रुताः शुष्कमुखा विसञ्ज्ञा; गाण्डीवघोषेण समाहताश्च। भयार्दिता भग्नरथाश्वनागाः; पदातयश्चैव सधार्तराष्ट्राः ॥९-२७-६१॥
The warriors, having fled with dry mouths and senseless, were struck by the sound of Gandiva. Afflicted by fear, their chariots, horses, and elephants broken, the foot soldiers along with the sons of Dhritarashtra were in disarray.
ततो रथाच्छकुनिं पातयित्वा; मुदान्विता भारत पाण्डवेयाः। शङ्खान्प्रदध्मुः समरे प्रहृष्टाः; सकेशवाः सैनिकान्हर्षयन्तः ॥९-२७-६२॥
Then, after felling Shakuni from the chariot, the sons of Pandu, filled with joy, blew their conches in the battle, elated and accompanied by Keshava, cheering the soldiers, O Bharata.
तं चापि सर्वे प्रतिपूजयन्तो; हृष्टा ब्रुवाणाः सहदेवमाजौ। दिष्ट्या हतो नैकृतिको दुरात्मा; सहात्मजो वीर रणे त्वयेति ॥९-२७-६३॥
All the warriors, honoring him, joyfully said to Sahadeva in the battlefield: "It is fortunate that the wicked and evil-minded one, along with his son, has been slain by you, O hero, in battle."
