Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच कथं कुरूणामृषभो हतो भीष्मः शिखण्डिना कथं रथात्स न्यपतत्पिता मे वासवोपमः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said How has that foremost of all the Kurus Bhishma been killed by Shikhandi? How did my sire (Bhishma) who was like a second Indra fall down from his car?
कथमासंश्च मे पुत्रा हीना भीष्मेण संजय बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, what happened to my sons when they were deprived of the powerful Bhishma who was like a god and who led a life of celibacy for his father?
तस्मिन्हते महासत्त्वे महेष्वासे महाबले महारथे नरव्याघ्रे किमु आसीन्मनस्तदा
M. N. Dutt: On the fall of that foremost of men Bhishma who possessed great wisdom, great ability for action, great powers and great energy what did our warriors thinks in their ininds?
आर्तिः परा माविशति यतः शंससि मे हतम् कुरूणामृषभं वीरमकम्प्यं पुरुषर्षभम्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing that the foremost of men, the best of the Kurus, the unwavering hero (Bhishma) is killed, my heart is possessed by great grief. sun
के तं यान्तमनुप्रेयुः के चास्यासन्पुरोगमाः केऽतिष्ठन्के न्यवर्तन्त केऽभ्यवर्तन्त संजय
M. N. Dutt: When he advanced who followed him and who went in front? Who stood by his side and who advanced with him?
के शूरा रथशार्दूलमच्युतं क्षत्रियर्षभम् रथानीकं गाहमानं सहसा पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः
M. N. Dutt: Who arc those brave warriors that followed that foremost of all car-warriors, that great bowman, that best of the Kshatriya (Bhishma) when he penetrated into the ranks of the enemy?
यस्तमोऽर्क इवापोहन्परसैन्यममित्रहा सहस्ररश्मिप्रतिमः परेषां भयमादधत् अकरोद्दुष्करं कर्म रणे कौरवशासनात्
M. N. Dutt: When he attacked the enemy's rank who were the warriors that opposed the chastiser of foes who resembled the and who, spreading terror among the foes destroyed their ranks as the sun destroys darkness, and who achieved exceedingly difficult feats amongst the ranks of the Pandavas?
ग्रसमानमनीकानि य एनं पर्यवारयन् कृतिनं तं दुराधर्षं सम्यग्यास्यन्तमन्तिके कथं शांतनवं युद्धे पाण्डवाः प्रत्यवारयन्
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, how did the Pandavas oppose in battle that invincible son of Shantanu that accomplished warrior when he attacked them?
निकृन्तन्तमनीकानि शरदंष्ट्रं तरस्विनम् चापव्यात्ताननं घोरमसिजिह्वं दुरासदम्
AI Translation: The one who cuts through armies, the swift one with the fangs of autumn, The one with the gaping mouth of a bow, the terrible one with the tongue of a sword, the one who is difficult to approach,
अत्यन्यान्पुरुषव्याघ्रान्ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम् पातयामास कौन्तेयः कथं तमजितं युधि
AI Translation: How did the son of Kunti defeat the invincible one, the lion among men, the modest one, the unconquered one, the best of the Kurus, the best of the Kurus, the best of the Kurus, the best of the Kurus, the best of the Kurus
उग्रधन्वानमुग्रेषुं वर्तमानं रथोत्तमे परेषामुत्तमाङ्गानि प्रचिन्वन्तं शितेषुभिः
AI Translation: The one with the fierce bow, the fierce arrows, moving on the best chariot, Severing the heads of the enemies with sharp arrows,
पाण्डवानां महत्सैन्यं यं दृष्ट्वोद्यन्तमाहवे कालाग्निमिव दुर्धर्षं समवेष्टत नित्यशः
AI Translation: The great army of the Pandavas, which was seen rising in battle, was always surrounded by him, like the irresistible fire of the god of death.
परिकृष्य स सेनां मे दशरात्रमनीकहा जगामास्तमिवादित्यः कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्
M. N. Dutt: Destroying the enemy's troops for ten days that slayer of heroes, having achieved most difficult feats, has now set like the sun.
यः स शक्र इवाक्षय्यं वर्षं शरमयं सृजन् जघान युधि योधानामर्बुदं दशभिर्दिनैः
AI Translation: He who, like Indra, released an inexhaustible rain of arrows, Slew in battle ten million warriors in ten days.
स शेते निष्टनन्भूमौ वातरुग्ण इव द्रुमः मम दुर्मन्त्रितेनासौ यथा नार्हः स भारतः
AI Translation: He lies on the ground, groaning like a tree struck by the wind. It is because of my bad advice that the noble Bhārata is not king.
कथं शांतनवं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानामनीकिनी प्रहर्तुमशकत्तत्र भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम्
M. N. Dutt: Seeing the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, of fearful prowess, how could the army of the Panchalas strike him down?
कथं भीष्मेण संग्राममकुर्वन्पाण्डुनन्दनाः कथं च नाजयद्भीष्मो द्रोणे जीवति संजय
M. N. Dutt: How did the Pandavas fight with Bhishma? O Sanjaya, how is it that Bhishma could not conquer when Drona is still alive.
कृपे संनिहिते तत्र भरद्वाजात्मजे तथा भीष्मः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कथं स निधनं गतः
M. N. Dutt: When Kripa was near him, when Drona was there, how could Bhishma that foremost of warriors be killed?
कथं चातिरथस्तेन पाञ्चाल्येन शिखण्डिना भीष्मो विनिहतो युद्धे देवैरपि दुरुत्सहः
M. N. Dutt: How could Bhishma, who was an Atiratha and who could not be resisted even by the celestial be killed in battle by the Panchala Prince Shikhandin?
यः स्पर्धते रणे नित्यं जामदग्न्यं महाबलम् अजितं जामदग्न्येन शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमम्
AI Translation: He who always competes in battle with the immensely powerful son of Jamadagni, Who is not conquered by the son of Jamadagni, who is equal in prowess to Indra,
तं हतं समरे भीष्मं महारथबलोचितम् संजयाचक्ष्व मे वीरं येन शर्म न विद्महे
AI Translation: Tell me, O Sanjaya, about the hero who has killed Bhishma, who was worthy of the strength of a great chariot warrior, in battle, by whom we do not know peace.
मामकाः के महेष्वासा नाजहुः संजयाच्युतम् दुर्योधनसमादिष्टाः के वीराः पर्यवारयन्
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, (tell me) what great bow men of my army, did not abandon that hero of unfading energy and what brave warriors at the command Duryodhana stood around that hero in order to protect him?
यच्छिखण्डिमुखाः सर्वे पाण्डवा भीष्ममभ्ययुः कच्चिन्न कुरवो भीतास्तत्यजुः संजयाच्युतम्
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, when all the Pandavas with Shikhandin at their head advanced against Bhishma, I hope the Kurus stood by the side of the great hero of immeasurable prowess.
मौर्वीघोषस्तनयित्नुः पृषत्कपृषतो महान् धनुर्ह्रादमहाशब्दो महामेघ इवोन्नतः
AI Translation: The sound of the bowstring, the roar of the arrows, the great sound of the bow, like a great cloud rising.
यदभ्यवर्षत्कौन्तेयान्सपाञ्चालान्ससृञ्जयान् निघ्नन्पररथान्वीरो दानवानिव वज्रभृत्
AI Translation: He showered down on the sons of Kunti, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, Slaying the enemy chariots like the wielder of the thunderbolt against the demons.
इष्वस्त्रसागरं घोरं बाणग्राहं दुरासदम् कार्मुकोर्मिणमक्षय्यमद्वीपं समरेऽप्लवम् गदासिमकरावर्तं हयग्राहं गजाकुलम्
AI Translation: The ocean of weapons, terrible, with arrows as its waves, difficult to approach, The ocean of weapons, terrible, with arrows as its waves, difficult to approach, The ocean of weapons, terrible, with arrows as its waves, difficult to approach, The ocean of weapons, terrible
Supplementary Passages:
6.15.26 After 26, B2-4 D (except D2.6) S ins.: *60 पदातिमत्स्यकलिलं शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिस्वनम्
हयान्गजान्पदातांश्च रथांश्च तरसा बहून् निमज्जयन्तं समरे परवीरापहारिणम्
AI Translation: who quickly sank many horses, elephants, infantry, and chariots, who in battle sank the heroes of the enemy,
विदह्यमानं कोपेन तेजसा च परंतपम् वेलेव मकरावासं के वीराः पर्यवारयन्
AI Translation: Who were the heroes who surrounded the scorcher of enemies, who was being tormented by anger and energy, like the ocean surrounding the abode of the crocodile?
भीष्मो यदकरोत्कर्म समरे संजयारिहा दुर्योधनहितार्थाय के तदास्य पुरोऽभवन्
M. N. Dutt: Who were in his front when that chastiser of foes Bhishma achieved great feats in battle for the good of Duryodhana?
केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः पृष्ठतः के परान्वीरा उपासेधन्यतव्रताः
M. N. Dutt: Who were they that protected the right of that immeasurably powerful warrior? Who were they that resisted the enemy's warriors from his rear with patience and energy?
के पुरस्तादवर्तन्त रक्षन्तो भीष्ममन्तिके केऽरक्षन्नुत्तरं चक्रं वीरा वीरस्य युध्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Who placed themselves just in front of him to protect him? Who were the heroes that protected the front of that brave warrior when he fought?
वामे चक्रे वर्तमानाः केऽघ्नन्संजय सृञ्जयान् समेताग्रमनीकेषु केऽभ्यरक्षन्दुरासदम्
M. N. Dutt: Who were they that placed themselves on his left and attacked the Srinjayas? Who were they that protected the irresistible ranks of his advanced guard?
पार्श्वतः केऽभ्यवर्तन्त गच्छन्तो दुर्गमां गतिम् समूहे के परान्वीरान्प्रत्ययुध्यन्त संजय
M. N. Dutt: Who protected the wings of that warrior who has gone away to his last journey? O Sanjaya, who were they that fought with the enemy's warriors in general engagement?
रक्ष्यमाणः कथं वीरैर्गोप्यमानाश्च तेन ते दुर्जयानामनीकानि नाजयंस्तरसा युधि
M. N. Dutt: If he was protected by our warriors and if they protected by him, how is it that he could not defeat in battle the Pandava army, invincible though it was?
सर्वलोकेश्वरस्येव परमेष्ठिप्रजापतेः कथं प्रहर्तुमपि ते शेकुः संजय पाण्डवाः
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, how could the Pandavas succeed in striking Bhishma who was like Parameshti himself, that lord and creator of all creatures.
यस्मिन्द्वीपे समाश्रित्य युध्यन्ति कुरवः परैः तं निमग्नं नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मं शंससि संजय
M. N. Dutt: O Sanjaya, you tell me of the disappearance of Bhishma, that foremost of men who was our main stay and relying on whom, the Kurus were fighting with their enemies.
यस्य वीर्ये समाश्वस्य मम पुत्रो बृहद्बलः न पाण्डवानगणयत्कथं स निहतः परैः
M. N. Dutt: Alas, how has that greatly powerful warrior, relying on whose prowess my son never cared for the Pandavas, been (today) killed by the enemy?
यः पुरा विबुधैः सेन्द्रैः साहाय्ये युद्धदुर्मदः काङ्क्षितो दानवान्घ्नद्भिः पिता मम महाव्रतः
M. N. Dutt: In the day of yore when the celestials were fighting with the Danavas, they sought the help of that invincible hero, my great vowobserving father.
यस्मिञ्जाते महावीर्ये शंतनुर्लोकशंकरे शोकं दुःखं च दैन्यं च प्राजहात्पुत्रलक्ष्मणि
AI Translation: In whom, when born, the great hero Shantanu, the benefactor of the world, Abandoned grief, sorrow, and despondency, in the characteristics of his son.
प्रज्ञा परायणं तज्ज्ञं सद्धर्मनिरतं शुचिम् वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञं कथं शंससि मे हतम्
AI Translation: One who is devoted to wisdom, who knows the truth, who is devoted to the true Dharma, who is pure, Who knows the truth of the Vedas and Vedāṅgas - how do you say he is killed?
सर्वास्त्रविनयोपेतं दान्तं शान्तं मनस्विनम् हतं शांतनवं श्रुत्वा मन्ये शेषं बलं हतम्
M. N. Dutt: Skilled in every weapon, possessing himself gentleness, and great energy with passions under complete control, hearing that such son of Shantanu (Bhishma) is killed, I consider that rest of my army as already slain.
धर्मादधर्मो बलवान्संप्राप्त इति मे मतिः यत्र वृद्धं गुरुं हत्वा राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः
M. N. Dutt: In my opinion, impiety has now become stronger than piety, for the Pandavas desire sovereignty even killed their venerable Guru.
जामदग्न्यः पुरा रामः सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः अम्बार्थमुद्यतः संख्ये भीष्मेण युधि निर्जितः
M. N. Dutt: In the days of yore. Rama, the son of Jamadagni, skilled in every weapon and whom none excelled, was vanquished by Bhishma in battle when fighting on behalf of Amba.
तमिन्द्रसमकर्माणं ककुदं सर्वधन्विनाम् हतं शंससि भीष्मं मे किं नु दुःखमतः परम्
M. N. Dutt: You tell me that Bhishma who is the foremost of all warriors and who is equal to Indra in the great deeds he has performed has been killed, what can be a greater grief to me than this?
असकृत्क्षत्रियव्राताः संख्ये येन विनिर्जिताः जामदग्न्यस्तथा रामः परवीरनिघातिना
M. N. Dutt: That great intelligent one, who was not killed even by that slayer of hostile heroes, that Rama, the son of Jamadagni who defeated in battle all Kshatriyas, has now been killed by Shikhandin,.
Supplementary Passages:
6.15.45 B Da Dn D4.5.7.8 S ins. after 45: K4, after 51: *61 न हतो यो महाबुद्धिः स हतोऽद्य शिखण्डिना
तस्मान्नूनं महावीर्याद्भार्गवाद्युद्धदुर्मदात् तेजोवीर्यबलैर्भूयाञ्शिखण्डी द्रुपदात्मजः
AI Translation: Therefore, from the extremely valorous Bhārata, who is difficult to subdue in battle, May Shikhándi, the son of Drúpada, be greater in splendor, valor, and strength.
यः शूरं कृतिनं युद्धे सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम् परमास्त्रविदं वीरं जघान भरतर्षभम्
AI Translation: He killed the brave, the wise, the expert in all the scriptures, the heroic knower of the supreme weapons, the bull of the Bharata race.
के वीरास्तममित्रघ्नमन्वयुः शत्रुसंसदि शंस मे तद्यथा वृत्तं युद्धं भीष्मस्य पाण्डवैः
AI Translation: Who were the heroes who followed him in battle against the enemy? Tell me how the battle between Bhishma and the Pandavas took place.
योषेव हतवीरा मे सेना पुत्रस्य संजय अगोपमिव चोद्भ्रान्तं गोकुलं तद्बलं मम
AI Translation: O Sanjaya, my army, bereft of its heroes, is like a woman. And my army is like a herd of cattle, scattered like a herd of cattle without a protector.
पौरुषं सर्वलोकस्य परं यस्य महाहवे परासिक्ते च वस्तस्मिन्कथमासीन्मनस्तदा
AI Translation: What was your mind then, when the body was covered with blood, in the great battle, which is the highest of all the worlds,
जीवितेऽप्यद्य सामर्थ्यं किमिवास्मासु संजय घातयित्वा महावीर्यं पितरं लोकधार्मिकम्
AI Translation: O Sanjaya, what strength do we have even in our lives today? Having killed our father, who was of great valor and righteous in the world,
अगाधे सलिले मग्नां नावं दृष्ट्वेव पारगाः भीष्मे हते भृशं दुःखान्मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः
AI Translation: Seeing a boat sunk in the deep water, they are like those who have reached the other shore. When Bhishma is killed, the sons think that they are greatly suffering and grieve.
अद्रिसारमयं नूनं सुदृढं हृदयं मम यच्छ्रुत्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रं हतं भीष्मं न दीर्यते
AI Translation: My heart must be made of rock, for it does not break when I hear that Bhishma, tiger among men, has been killed.
यस्मिन्नस्त्रं च मेधा च नीतिश्च भरतर्षभे अप्रमेयाणि दुर्धर्षे कथं स निहतो युधि
AI Translation: In whom there was the weapon, the intellect, and the policy, O bull among the Bharatas, In whom there were the immeasurable and invincible ones, how was he killed in battle?
न चास्त्रेण न शौर्येण तपसा मेधया न च न धृत्या न पुनस्त्यागान्मृत्योः कश्चिद्विमुच्यते
AI Translation: And by no weapon, by no courage, by no austerity, by no wisdom, By no steadfastness, by no renunciation, does anyone escape from death.
कालो नूनं महावीर्यः सर्वलोकदुरत्ययः यत्र शांतनवं भीष्मं हतं शंससि संजय
AI Translation: Time, indeed, is of great power, and cannot be overcome by the whole world, where you speak of the death of Shantanu's son, Bhishma.
पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तो महद्दुःखमचिन्तयन् आशंसेऽहं पुरा त्राणं भीष्माच्छंतनुनन्दनात्
AI Translation: Afflicted by grief for his son, he thought of great suffering. I had hoped for protection from Bhishma, the son of Shantanu,
यदादित्यमिवापश्यत्पतितं भुवि संजय दुर्योधनः शांतनवं किं तदा प्रत्यपद्यत
AI Translation: O Sanjaya, what did Duryodhana do when he saw Shantanu's son fallen on the ground like the sun?
नाहं स्वेषां परेषां वा बुद्ध्या संजय चिन्तयन् शेषं किंचित्प्रपश्यामि प्रत्यनीके महीक्षिताम्
AI Translation: I do not think of my own or others' troops, O Sanjaya. I see only a few of the kings left in the opposing army.
दारुणः क्षत्रधर्मोऽयमृषिभिः संप्रदर्शितः यत्र शांतनवं हत्वा राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः
AI Translation: This terrible duty of the Kshatriyas has been shown by the sages. Where the Pandavas want to kill Shantanu's son and take the kingdom.
वयं वा राज्यमिच्छामो घातयित्वा पितामहम् क्षत्रधर्मे स्थिताः पार्था नापराध्यन्ति पुत्रकाः
AI Translation: We want the kingdom, having killed the grandfather. The sons, the Parthas, are established in the duty of the Kshatriyas, and do not commit any crime.
एतदार्येण कर्तव्यं कृच्छ्रास्वापत्सु संजय पराक्रमः परं शक्त्या तच्च तस्मिन्प्रतिष्ठितम्
AI Translation: This is what should be done by the noble one in times of adversity, O Sanjaya. The supreme effort is to the best of one's ability, and that is established in him.
अनीकानि विनिघ्नन्तं ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम् कथं शांतनवं तात पाण्डुपुत्रा न्यपातयन्
AI Translation: Who was the one who destroyed the armies, the modest one who was unconquered? O son, how did the sons of Pandu bring down Shantanu's son?
कथं युक्तान्यनीकानि कथं युद्धं महात्मभिः कथं वा निहतो भीष्मः पिता संजय मे परैः
AI Translation: How were the armies arranged? How did the battle take place between the great souls? And how was my father Bhishma killed by the enemy? Tell me, Sanjaya.
दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः दुःशासनश्च कितवो हते भीष्मे किमब्रुवन्
AI Translation: And Duryodhana, Karna, and Shakuni Soubala, and Duhshasana and the gambler, when Bhishma was slain, what did they say?
यच्छरीरैरुपस्तीर्णां नरवारणवाजिनाम् शरशक्तिगदाखड्गतोमराक्षां भयावहाम्
AI Translation: Covered with bodies of men, elephants, and horses, Frightening with arrows, spears, clubs, swords, and lances,
प्राविशन्कितवा मन्दाः सभां युधि दुरासदाम् प्राणद्यूते प्रतिभये केऽदीव्यन्त नरर्षभाः
AI Translation: The gamblers, the wicked ones, entered the assembly hall, difficult to approach in battle. In the fearful game of life, which bulls among men gambled?
केऽजयन्के जितास्तत्र हृतलक्षा निपातिताः अन्ये भीष्माच्छांतनवात्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय
AI Translation: Who were the victors and who were the vanquished there? Who were the ones whose lives were taken, who were the ones who were struck down? And who were the ones who were defeated by Bhishma, the son of Shantanu? Tell me that, Sanjaya.
न हि मे शान्तिरस्तीह युधि देवव्रतं हतम् पितरं भीमकर्माणं श्रुत्वा मे दुःखमाविशत्
AI Translation: I have no peace here, having killed Devavrata in battle. Hearing of my father, of terrible deeds, I am overcome with sorrow.
आर्तिं मे हृदये रूढां महतीं पुत्रकारिताम् त्वं सिञ्चन्सर्पिषेवाग्निमुद्दीपयसि संजय
AI Translation: You are pouring oil on the great grief that has arisen in my heart on account of my son. O Sanjaya, you are kindling it like fire with ghee.
महान्तं भारमुद्यम्य विश्रुतं सार्वलौकिकम् दृष्ट्वा विनिहतं भीष्मं मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः
AI Translation: Having lifted up a great burden, renowned throughout the world, Seeing Bhishma slain, I think his sons are grieving.
Supplementary Passages:
6.15.71 After 71ab, K5 ins. (= 36cd): *62 तं विमग्नं नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मं शंससि संजय
श्रोष्यामि तानि दुःखानि दुर्योधनकृतान्यहम् तस्मान्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व यद्वृत्तं तत्र संजय
AI Translation: I will hear about those sufferings caused by Duryodhana. Therefore, tell me everything that happened there, Sanjaya.
संग्रामे पृथिवीशानां मन्दस्याबुद्धिसंभवम् अपनीतं सुनीतं वा तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय
AI Translation: In the battle of the kings of the earth, whether it was due to weakness or lack of intelligence, whether it was well-advised or ill-advised, tell me that, Sanjaya.
यत्कृतं तत्र भीष्मेण संग्रामे जयमिच्छता तेजोयुक्तं कृतास्त्रेण शंस तच्चाप्यशेषतः
AI Translation: What was done there by Bhishma, who desired victory in the battle, and what was done by the one endowed with energy and skill in weapons, please narrate that in its entirety.
यथा तदभवद्युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः क्रमेण येन यस्मिंश्च काले यच्च यथा च तत्
AI Translation: How that battle took place between the armies of the Kurus and the Pandavas In due course, at what time, and in what manner it took place.
Supplementary Passages:
6.15.75 After 75, K3.5 D2 ins. (cf. 75cd): *63 यच्च यस्मिंश्च काले च वृत्तं यच्च यथा च तत्