11.018
Pancharatra and Core: Gandhari continues her lamentation of Duḥśāsana.
Gandhari said.
O Mādhava, behold my sons, a hundred in number, who have overcome fatigue, mostly struck down in battle by Bhīmasena with his mace.
Today, what pains me even more is that my daughters-in-law, these young women with loosened hair, whose sons have been slain in battle, are running about.
They, moving on the palace floor with ornamented feet, have now come to touch this blood-soaked earth.
Afflicted by grief, they drive away vultures, jackals, and crows, wandering about as if mad.
But this other woman, faultless in her limbs and with hands reaching to her thighs, seeing that terrible slaughter, falls down overwhelmed with grief.
O mighty-armed one, having seen this princess, the mother of Lakṣmaṇa, my mind does not become calm.
Seeing their brothers, husbands, and sons slain on the earth, these women fall down all around, embracing them with their beautiful arms.
But, O undefeated one, listen to the cries of the middle-aged and elderly women whose relatives have been killed in this terrible massacre.
O mighty-armed one, see how those afflicted by fatigue and delusion are standing amidst the chariot-nests and the bodies of slain elephants and horses.
O Kṛṣṇa, see, another woman, her beautiful earring having been taken from her body, stands with her nose raised, holding the head of her own relative.
O sinless one, I believe that the sin committed in a previous birth is not insignificant; it seems that by these blameless ones and by me, who has little intelligence, this has occurred.
O Janārdana, this has been endured by Dharmarāja for us. O Vārṣṇeya, truly, there is no destruction of actions, whether good or evil.
See these young women, with beautiful breasts and abdomens, born in noble families, modest, with dark eyes and hair.
O Mādhava, see how the swan-like women, their voices trembling with emotion and bewildered by sorrow and grief, cry out like those fallen from the lake.
O lotus-eyed one, the faces of women, shining like blooming lotuses and faultless, glow with the pleasant rays of the sun.
Today, other people witness my envious sons, intoxicated with the pride of elephants, blockading Vasudeva.
There were shields adorned with a hundred moon-like marks, banners shining like the sun, golden armours, and also golden necklaces and coins.
O Govinda, see these helmets of my sons on the earth, shining like well-offered fires.
Here lies Duḥśāsana, struck down by the heroic Bhīmasena, the destroyer of enemies, his entire body stained with blood.
O Mādhava, see my son with the hero-slaying mace, remembering the sufferings of the dice-game and urged by Draupadī.
O Janardana, Panchali, who was addressed by this person in the assembly after being defeated in dice, wishing to do what was pleasing to her brother and to Karna.
O Pāñcālī, you are now a slave-wife; together with Sahadeva, Nakula, and Arjuna, quickly enter our houses.
Then I said to Kṛṣṇa, 'At that time, O Kṛṣṇa, I told King Duryodhana: "Son, avoid Śakuni, who is already ensnared by the noose of death."'
Understand that this maternal uncle is extremely wicked and quarrelsome. My son, quickly abandon him and make peace with the Pāṇḍavas.
O evil-minded one, you do not realize that Bhīmasena, in his impatience, pierces with sharp words and arrows like meteors strike an elephant.
He, impetuous and cruel, disregarding affection, released his poison upon them, just as a serpent would among cows and bulls.
Here lies Duḥśāsana, his mighty arms flung wide, slain by Bhīmasena, like a great bull by a lion.
Bhīmasena, in his extreme wrath, committed a dreadful deed; in his fury, he drank the blood of Duḥśāsana on the battlefield.
