09.056
Core and Pancharatra: War commences and both Bhima and Yudhisthira appear equally posed.
sañjaya uvāca॥
Sanjaya said.
tato duryodhano dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaṃ tathāgatam। pratyudyayāvadīnĀtmā vegena mahatā nadan ॥9-56-1॥
Then Duryodhana, upon seeing Bhimasena arrive in such a manner, advanced with great speed, undaunted and roaring.
samāpetatur ānadya śṛṅgiṇau vṛṣabhāv iva। mahānirghāta ghoṣaś ca sampradhāras tayor abhūt ॥9-56-2॥
The two horned ones approached each other with a roar, like mighty bulls. Their clash was accompanied by a sound like great thunder.
abhavacca tayoryuddhaṁ tumulaṁ romaharṣaṇam। jigīṣatoryudhānyonyamindraprahrādayoriva ॥9-56-3॥
A fierce and hair-raising battle ensued between the two warriors, each desiring victory, reminiscent of the legendary battles between Indra and Prahlada.
rudhirokṣitasarvāṅgau gadāhastau manasvinau। dadṛśāte mahātmānau puṣpitāviva kiṃśukau ॥9-56-4॥
The two spirited warriors, with their bodies smeared in blood and maces in hand, appeared like blooming Butea monosperma trees, symbolizing their readiness and valor.
tathā tasminmahāyuddhe vartamāne sudāruṇe। khadyotasaṅghairiva khaṃ darśanīyaṃ vyarocata ॥9-56-5॥
In that ongoing fierce battle, the sky appeared spectacularly illuminated as if by swarms of fireflies.
tathā tasminvartamāne saṅkule tumule bhṛśam। ubhāvapi pariśrāntau yudhyamānāvariṃdamau ॥9-56-6॥
In the midst of the ongoing chaos and confusion, both the exhausted warriors, known for subduing their enemies, continued to fight intensely.
tau muhūrtaṃ samāśvasya punareva parantapau। abhyahārayatāṃ tatra sampragṛhya gade śubhe ॥9-56-7॥
After resting for a moment, the two mighty warriors, known as the scorchers of foes, once again took up their auspicious maces and brought them there.
tau tu dṛṣṭvā mahāvīryau samāśvastau nararṣabhau। balinau vāraṇau yadvadvāśitārthe madotkaṭau ॥9-56-8॥
Upon seeing the great heroes, they were reassured, like strong elephants in musth, intoxicated with power.
apāravīryau samprekṣya pragṛhītagadāvubhau। vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmurdevagandharvadānavāḥ ॥9-56-9॥
Upon witnessing the two of immeasurable strength wielding maces, the gods, gandharvas, and demons were greatly amazed.
pragṛhītagadau dṛṣṭvā duryodhanavṛkodarau। saṃśayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ vijaye samapadyata ॥9-56-10॥
When Duryodhana and Vrikodara were seen holding their maces, everyone began to doubt the outcome of the battle.
samāgamya tato bhūyo bhrātarau balināṃ varau। anyonyasyāntaraprepsū pracakrāte'ntaraṃ prati ॥9-56-11॥
Having met again, the two brothers, the best among the strong, engaged in trying to penetrate each other's defenses.
yamadaṇḍopamāṃ gurvīmindrāśanimivodyatām। dadṛśuḥ prekṣakā rājanraudrīṃ viśasanīṃ gadām ॥9-56-12॥
O king, the spectators beheld the terrifying and destructive mace, heavy and poised as if it were the thunderbolt of Indra, raised like the staff of Yama.
āvidhyato gadāṃ tasya bhīmasenasya saṃyuge। śabdaḥ sutumulo ghorо muhūrtaṃ samapadyata ॥9-56-13॥
As Bhimasena wielded his mace in battle, a very loud and terrible sound arose for a moment.
āvidhyantam abhiprekṣya dhārtarāṣṭro'tha pāṇḍavam। gadām alaghuvegāṃ tāṃ vismitaḥ sambabhūva ha ॥9-56-14॥
Upon witnessing the swinging Pandava, Dhritarashtra's son was indeed astonished by the mace, which was not of light speed.
caraṁśca vividhānmārgānmaṇḍalāni ca bhārata। aśobhata tadā vīro bhūya eva vṛkodaraḥ ॥9-56-15॥
Vrikodara, the hero, moved through various paths and circles, shining brightly once more, O Bharata.
tau parasparam āsādya yattāv anyonyarakṣaṇe। mārjārāv iva bhakṣārthe tatakṣāte muhurmuhuḥ ॥9-56-16॥
They both approached each other and engaged in mutual protection, like cats fighting repeatedly for food.
acaradbhīmasenastu mārgānbahuvidhāṃstathā। maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi sthānāni vividhāni ca ॥9-56-17॥
Bhimasena wandered through various paths, circles, and different places.
gomūtrikāṇi citrāṇi gatapratyāgatāni ca। parimokṣaṃ prahārāṇāṃ varjanaṃ paridhāvanam ॥9-56-18॥
The varied things, resembling cow urine, have gone and returned, and there is a release from attacks, avoidance, and running around.
abhidravaṇamākṣepamavasthānaṃ savigraham। parāvartanasaṃvartamavaplutamathāplutam ॥ upanyastamapanyastaṃ gadāyuddhaviśāradau ॥9-56-19॥
The two experts in mace fighting engaged in various maneuvers: charging, throwing, standing firm with conflict, turning back, whirling, leaping down and then up, placing and removing their weapons.
evaṃ tau vicarantau tu nyaghnatāṃ vai parasparam। vañcayantau punaścaiva ceratuḥ kurusattamau ॥9-56-20॥
Thus, the two best of the Kurus wandered around, striking and deceiving each other repeatedly.
vikrīḍantau subalinau maṇḍalāni praceratuḥ। gadāhastau tatastau tu maṇḍalāvasthitau balī ॥9-56-21॥
The strong warriors, while playing, moved around in circles. Then, with maces in hand, they stood firmly in the circle, showcasing their strength.
dakṣiṇaṃ maṇḍalaṃ rājandhārtarāṣṭro'bhyavartata। savyaṃ tu maṇḍalaṃ tatra bhīmaseno'bhyavartata ॥9-56-22॥
O king, Dhritarashtra's son advanced to the southern region, while Bhimasena advanced to the left region there.
tathā tu caratastasya bhīmasya raṇamūrdhani। duryodhano mahārāja pārśvadeśe'bhyatāḍayat ॥9-56-23॥
As Bhima was maneuvering in the battlefield, King Duryodhana attacked him from the side.
āhatastu tadā bhīmastava putreṇa bhārata। āvidhyata gadāṃ gurvīṃ prahāraṃ tamacintayan ॥9-56-24॥
Then Bhima, struck by your son, O Bharata, swung his heavy mace, contemplating the blow.
indrāśanisamāṃ ghorāṃ yamadaṇḍamivodyatām। dadṛśuste mahārāja bhīmasenasya tāṃ gadām ॥9-56-25॥
O great king, they beheld Bhimasena's mace, which was as dreadful as Indra's thunderbolt and poised like the staff of Yama.
āvidhyantaṃ gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaṃ tavātmajaḥ। samudyamya gadāṃ ghorāṃ pratyavidhyadariṃdamaḥ ॥9-56-26॥
Seeing Bhimasena wielding the mace, your son raised his terrible mace and struck the subduer of foes.
gadāmārutavegena tava putrasya bhārata। śabda āsītsutumulas tejaśca samajāyata ॥9-56-27॥
O Bharata, with the speed of the wind, the sound of your son's mace was very loud, and splendor arose.
sa caranvividhānmārgānmaṇḍalāni ca bhāgaśaḥ। samaśobhata tejasvī bhūyo bhīmātsuyodhanaḥ ॥9-56-28॥
Suyodhana, moving through various paths and circles in parts, shone more brilliantly than Bhima.
āviddhā sarvavegena bhīmena mahatī gadā। sadhūmaṃ sārciṣaṃ cāgniṃ mumocogrā mahāsvanā ॥9-56-29॥
The great mace, struck with full force by Bhima, emitted fierce fire with smoke and flames, producing a tremendous sound.
ādhūtāṃ bhīmasenena gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā suyodhanaḥ। adrisāramayīṃ gurvīmāvidhyanbahvaśobhata ॥9-56-30॥
Suyodhana, upon seeing the mace shaken by Bhimasena, wielded his own heavy mace made of mountain essence and appeared magnificent.
gadāmārutavegaṃ hi dṛṣṭvā tasya mahātmanaḥ। bhayaṃ viveśa pāṇḍūnvai sarvāneva sasomakān ॥9-56-31॥
Upon witnessing the swift force of the great soul's mace, fear gripped all the Pandavas and the Somakas.
tau darśayantau samare yuddhakrīḍāṃ samantataḥ। gadābhyāṃ sahasānyonyamājaghnaturariṃdamau ॥9-56-32॥
The two warriors, displaying their martial skills in the battle, suddenly struck each other with their maces, showcasing their prowess as subduers of enemies.
tau parasparam āsādya daṁṣṭrābhyāṁ dviradau yathā। aśobhetāṁ mahārāja śoṇitena pariplutau ॥9-56-33॥
The two of them, like elephants with tusks, approached each other and appeared, O great king, covered in blood.
evaṃ tadabhavadyuddhaṃ ghorarūpamaṃsaṃvṛtam। parivṛtte'hani krūraṃ vṛtravāsavayoriva ॥9-56-34॥
Thus, the battle became fierce and unrestrained, resembling the legendary conflict between Vritra and Indra as the day turned.
dṛṣṭvā vyavasthitaṃ bhīmaṃ tava putro mahābalaḥ। caraṃścitratarānmārgānkāunteyamabhidudruve ॥9-56-35॥
Upon seeing Bhima ready, your mighty son took various paths and rushed towards Kunti's son.
tasya bhīmo mahāvegāṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtām। abhikruddhasya kruddhastu tāḍayāmāsa tāṃ gadām ॥9-56-36॥
Bhima, in his fury, swiftly struck the gold-adorned mace of the enraged opponent.
savisphuliṅgo nirhrādastayostatrābhighātajaḥ। prādurāsīnmahārāja sṛṣṭayorvajrayoriva ॥9-56-37॥
O great king, there appeared a roar with sparks, born from the impact of those two, resembling the clash of thunderbolts.
vegavatyā tayā tatra bhīmasenapramuktayā। nipatantyā mahārāja pṛthivī samakampata ॥9-56-38॥
O great king, the earth trembled as the swift one, released by Bhimasena, fell there.
tāṁ nāmṛṣyata kauravyo gadāṁ pratihatāṁ raṇe। matto dvipa iva kruddhaḥ pratikunjaradarśanāt ॥9-56-39॥
The Kaurava could not bear the sight of his mace being deflected in battle, much like an enraged elephant when confronted by another.
sa savyaṃ maṇḍalaṃ rājannudbhrāmya kṛtaniścayaḥ। ājaghne mūrdhni kaunteyaṃ gadayā bhīmavegayā ॥9-56-40॥
He decisively whirled his left circle, O king, and struck the son of Kunti on the head with a mace of immense force.
tayā tvabhihato bhīmaḥ putreṇa tava pāṇḍavaḥ। nākampata mahārāja tadadbhutamivābhavat ॥9-56-41॥
Bhima, struck by your son, was not shaken, O great king; it seemed as if it was something wonderful.
āścaryaṃ cāpi tadrājansarvasainyānyapūjayan। yadgadābhihato bhīmo nākampata padātpadam ॥9-56-42॥
O king, all the armies were amazed and honored Bhima, who, even when struck by the mace, did not move an inch from his place.
tato gurutarāṃ dīptāṃ gadāṃ hemapariṣkṛtām। duryodhanāya vyasṛjadbhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ ॥9-56-43॥
Then Bhima, known for his terrible prowess, hurled a heavier, shining, gold-adorned mace at Duryodhana.
taṁ prahāramasambhrānto lāghavena mahābalaḥ। moghaṁ duryodhanaścakre tatrābhūdvismayo mahān ॥9-56-44॥
The mighty warrior, with great agility and calmness, rendered Duryodhana's attack futile, causing great astonishment there.
sā tu moghā gadā rājanpatantī bhīmacoditā। cālayāmāsa pṛthivīṃ mahānirghātanisvanā ॥9-56-45॥
The mace thrown by Bhima, though it fell in vain, caused the earth to tremble with its mighty thunderous noise, O king.
āsthāya kauśikānmārgānutpatansa punaḥ punaḥ। gadānipātaṃ prajñāya bhīmasenamavañcayat ॥9-56-46॥
He repeatedly leapt along Kausika's paths, and understanding the fall of the mace, he tricked Bhimasena.
vañcayitvā tathā bhīmaṃ gadayā kurusattamaḥ। tāḍayāmāsa saṅkruddho vakṣodeśe mahābalaḥ ॥9-56-47॥
The mighty warrior, in great anger, deceived Bhima and struck him on the chest with a mace, being the best among the Kurus.
gadayābhihato bhīmo muhyamāno mahāraṇe। nābhyamanyata kartavyaṃ putreṇābhyāhatastava ॥9-56-48॥
Bhima, struck by the mace in the great battle, was fainting and did not see it as his duty, having been struck by your son.
tasmiṁstathā vartamāne rājansomakapāṇḍavāḥ। bhṛśopahatasaṅkalpā nahṛṣṭamanaso'bhavan ॥9-56-49॥
In that situation, O king, the Somakas and the Pandavas were greatly disturbed in their resolve and did not feel cheerful.
sa tu tena prahāreṇa mātaṅga iva roṣitaḥ। hastivaddhastisaṅkāśamabhidudrāva te sutam ॥9-56-50॥
But he, enraged like an elephant by that blow, charged at your son who resembled an elephant.
tatastu rabhaso bhīmo gadayā tanayaṃ tava। abhidudrāva vegena siṃho vanagajaṃ yathā ॥9-56-51॥
Then, the fierce Bhima, wielding his mace, charged at your son with the speed and ferocity of a lion attacking an elephant.
upasṛtya tu rājānaṃ gadāmokṣaviśāradaḥ। āvidhyata gadāṃ rājansamuddiśya sutaṃ tava ॥9-56-52॥
The expert in mace fighting approached the king and swung his mace, aiming at your son, O king.
atāḍayadbhīmasenaḥ pārśve duryodhanaṃ tadā। sa vihvalaḥ prahāreṇa jānubhyāmagamanmahīm ॥9-56-53॥
Bhimasena struck Duryodhana on his side, and then Duryodhana, being stunned by the blow, fell to the ground on his knees.
tasmiṁstu bharataśreṣṭhe jānubhyāmavanīṁ gate। udatiṣṭhattato nādaḥ sṛñjayānāṁ jagatpate ॥9-56-54॥
When the best of the Bharatas fell to the ground on his knees, a sound arose from the Sṛñjayas, O lord of the world.
teṣāṃ tu ninadaṃ śrutvā sṛñjayānāṃ nararṣabhaḥ। amarṣādbharataśreṣṭha putraste samakupyata ॥9-56-55॥
Upon hearing the sound of the Sṛñjayas, your son, the bull among men, became very angry, O best of the Bharatas.
utthāya tu mahābāhuḥ kruddho nāga iva śvasan। didhakṣanniva netrābhyāṃ bhīmasenamavaikṣata ॥9-56-56॥
The mighty-armed warrior, having risen in anger and breathing like a serpent, gazed at Bhimasena with eyes that seemed to burn.
tataḥ sa bharataśreṣṭho gadāpāṇirabhidravat। pramathiṣyanniva śiro bhīmasenasya saṃyuge ॥9-56-57॥
Then, the noble Bharata, wielding his mace, charged forward as if to crush Bhimasena's head in the battle.
sa mahātmā mahātmānaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramaḥ। atāḍayacchaṅkhadeśe sa cacālācalopamaḥ ॥9-56-58॥
The mighty warrior, known for his formidable strength, struck Bhima on the temple, causing him to shake like a mountain.
sa bhūyaḥ śuśubhe pārthastāḍito gadayā raṇe। udbhinnarudhiro rājaprabhinna iva kuñjaraḥ ॥9-56-59॥
Arjuna, though struck by a mace in battle and bleeding, shone again like a broken elephant, O king.
tato gadāṃ vīrahaṇīmayasmayīṃ; pragṛhya vajrāśanitulyanisvanām। atāḍayacchatrumamitrakarśano; balena vikramya dhanañjayāgrajaḥ ॥9-56-60॥
Then, the elder brother of Dhananjaya, known for tormenting foes, took up the hero-slaying iron mace, and with a sound like thunder, he advanced and struck the enemy with great strength.
sa bhīmasenābhihatastavātmajaḥ; papāta saṅkampitadehabandhanaḥ। supuṣpito mārutavegatāḍito; mahāvane sāla ivāvaghūrṇitaḥ ॥9-56-61॥
Your son, struck down by Bhimasena, fell with his body trembling, like a fully blossomed Sal tree whirled by the force of the wind in the great forest.
tataḥ praṇedurjahṛṣuśca pāṇḍavāḥ; samīkṣya putraṃ patitaṃ kṣitau tava। tataḥ sutaste pratilabhya cetanāṃ; samutpapāta dvirado yathā hradāt ॥9-56-62॥
Then the Pāṇḍavas sounded their conches and rejoiced, seeing your son fallen on the ground. Then your son, regaining consciousness, rose like an elephant emerging from a lake.
sa pārthivo nityamamarṣitastadā; mahārathaḥ śikṣitavatparibhraman। atāḍayatpāṇḍavamagrataḥ sthitaṃ; sa vihvalāṅgo jagatīmupāspṛśat ॥9-56-63॥
The king, always impatient, was then a great warrior, trained and roaming. He struck the Pāṇḍava who was standing in front, and with trembling limbs, he touched the ground.
sa siṃhanādānvinanāda kauravo; nipātya bhūmau yudhi bhīmamojasā. bibheda caivāśanitulyatejasā; gadānipātena śarīrarakṣaṇam ॥9-56-64॥
The Kaurava roared like a lion, having knocked Bhima to the ground in battle with great strength, and pierced his body protection with a mace strike that shone like a thunderbolt.
tato'ntarikṣe ninado mahānabhū; divaukasāmapasarasāṃ ca neduṣām। papāta coccairamarapraveritaṃ; vicitrapuṣpotkaravarṣamuttamam ॥9-56-65॥
Then a great sound arose in the sky from the celestials and apsaras who were singing. An excellent shower of variegated flowers, sent by the best of the gods, fell from above.
tataḥ parānāviśaduttamaṃ bhayaṃ; samīkṣya bhūmau patitaṃ narottamam। ahīyamānaṃ ca balena kauravaṃ; niśamya bhedaṃ ca dṛḍhasya varmaṇaḥ ॥9-56-66॥
Then, observing the best of men fallen on the ground and hearing the breaking of the strong armor, supreme fear entered the enemies, and the Kaurava was being overpowered by force.
tato muhūrtādupalabhya cetanāṃ; pramṛjya vaktraṃ rudhirārdramātmanaḥ। dhṛtiṃ samālambya vivṛttalocano; balena saṃstabhya vṛkodaraḥ sthitaḥ ॥9-56-67॥
Then, after a moment, Bhima regained consciousness, wiped his blood-stained face, gathered his courage, and with his eyes rolling, steadied himself with strength and stood firm.
