Critical Edition
संजय उवाच राजञ्शतसहस्राणि तत्र तत्र तदा तदा निर्मर्यादं प्रयुद्धानि तत्ते वक्ष्यामि भारत
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O king, O descendant of Bharata, I shall now describe to you the fight of hundreds and thousands of foot-soldiers, who were in utter forgetfulness of all considerations for others.
न पुत्रः पितरं जज्ञे न पिता पुत्रमौरसम् न भ्राता भ्रातरं तत्र स्वस्रीयं न च मातुलः
M. N. Dutt: The son did not recognise the father and the father the son. The brother did not recognise his own brother and the sister's son did not recognise his maternal uncle.
मातुलं न च स्वस्रीयो न सखायं सखा तथा आविष्टा इव युध्यन्ते पाण्डवाः कुरुभिः सह
M. N. Dutt: The maternal uncle did not recognise his sister's son, and the friend did not recognise the friend. the Pandava and the Kuru forces fought as if they had been possessed by demons.
रथानीकं नरव्याघ्राः केचिदभ्यपतन्रथैः अभज्यन्त युगैरेव युगानि भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of men, some warriors attacked with their cars the cars of the enemies, and crushed the yokes of those cars to pieces.
रथेषाश्च रथेषाभिः कूबरा रथकूबरैः संहताः संहतैः केचित्परस्परजिघांसवः
M. N. Dutt: The shafts of cars broke dashing against shafts of other cars, the spikes of car-yokes broke against spikes of car-yokes. Some untidily attacked others that were united but all were eager to take one another's life.
न शेकुश्चलितुं केचित्संनिपत्य रथा रथैः प्रभिन्नास्तु महाकायाः संनिपत्य गजा गजैः
AI Translation: Some could not move, even though they had come together in chariots with chariots. But the great-bodied elephants, having come together, were broken by elephants.
बहुधादारयन्क्रुद्धा विषाणैरितरेतरम् सतोमरपताकैश्च वारणाः परवारणैः
AI Translation: Angrily, they struck each other with their tusks, and with spears and flags, the elephants with other elephants,
अभिसृत्य महाराज वेगवद्भिर्महागजैः दन्तैरभिहतास्तत्र चुक्रुशुः परमातुराः
AI Translation: Approaching the great king on swift and mighty elephants, They were struck with their tusks and cried out in extreme pain.
अभिनीताश्च शिक्षाभिस्तोत्त्राङ्कुशसमाहताः सुप्रभिन्नाः प्रभिन्नानां संमुखाभिमुखा ययुः
M. N. Dutt: Disciplined by training and urged on by pikes and hooks, elephants not in rut attacked those that were in rut.
प्रभिन्नैरपि संसक्ताः केचित्तत्र महागजाः क्रौञ्चवन्निनदं मुक्त्वा प्राद्रवन्त ततस्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Huge elephants, attacked by those that were in rut, ran away in all directions, uttering cries like those of cranes.
सम्यक्प्रणीता नागाश्च प्रभिन्नकरटामुखाः ऋष्टितोमरनाराचैर्निर्विद्धा वरवारणाः
AI Translation: The well-trained elephants, their faces broken by the goads, pierced by spears, javelins, and arrows, the excellent elephants,
विनेदुर्भिन्नमर्माणो निपेतुश्च गतासवः प्राद्रवन्त दिशः केचिन्नदन्तो भैरवान्रवान्
AI Translation: Those whose vital parts were pierced cried out and fell down, lifeless. Some fled in the directions, crying out terrible cries.
गजानां पादरक्षास्तु व्यूढोरस्काः प्रहारिणः ऋष्टिभिश्च धनुर्भिश्च विमलैश्च परश्वधैः
AI Translation: The foot-soldiers of the elephants were broad-chested and striking, with spears, bows, and sharp axes.
गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चैव भिण्डिपालैः सतोमरैः आयसैः परिघैश्चैव निस्त्रिंशैर्विमलैः शितैः
AI Translation: With clubs, maces, bludgeons, javelins, With iron bludgeons, swords, and sharp, pure weapons,
प्रगृहीतैः सुसंरब्धा धावमानास्ततस्ततः व्यदृश्यन्त महाराज परस्परजिघांसवः
AI Translation: With weapons drawn, they were very angry, running here and there. They were seen, great king, wanting to kill each other.
राजमानाश्च निस्त्रिंशाः संसिक्ता नरशोणितैः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त शूराणामन्योन्यमभिधावताम्
M. N. Dutt: The swords of brave combatants who rushed against one another having been steeped in blood shone with great brilliancy.
अवक्षिप्तावधूतानामसीनां वीरबाहुभिः संजज्ञे तुमुलः शब्दः पततां परमर्मसु
M. N. Dutt: The whiling noise of the swords made by their whirling and falling by heroic arms became very loud.
गदामुसलरुग्णानां भिन्नानां च वरासिभिः दन्तिदन्तावभिन्नानां मृदितानां च दन्तिभिः
AI Translation: of those struck by clubs and pestles, and cut by swords, of those crushed by the tusks of elephants, and trampled by elephants,
तत्र तत्र नरौघाणां क्रोशतामितरेतरम् शुश्रुवुर्दारुणा वाचः प्रेतानामिव भारत
AI Translation: There, here and there, the groups of men cried out to each other, and heard terrible voices, O descendant of Bharata, like those of ghosts.
हयैरपि हयारोहाश्चामरापीडधारिभिः हंसैरिव महावेगैरन्योन्यमभिदुद्रुवुः
M. N. Dutt: Horsemen on fleet horses with tails like the plumes of swans, rushed upon me another.
तैर्विमुक्ता महाप्रासा जाम्बूनदविभूषणाः आशुगा विमलास्तीक्ष्णाः संपेतुर्भुजगोपमाः
M. N. Dutt: Hurled by them, long fleet and polished and sharp-pointed darts, decked with gold, fell (on all sides) like so many snakes.
अश्वैरग्र्यजवैः केचिदाप्लुत्य महतो रथान् शिरांस्याददिरे वीरा रथिनामश्वसादिनः
M. N. Dutt: Some heroic horsemen on fleet steeds leaped up and cut off the heads of car-warriors who were seated on their cars.
बहूनपि हयारोहान्भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः रथी जघान संप्राप्य बाणगोचरमागतान्
M. N. Dutt: A car-warrior, getting a body cavalry within shooting distance, killed many with straight arrows furnished with broad heads.
नगमेघप्रतीकाशाश्चाक्षिप्य तुरगान्गजाः पादैरेवावमृद्नन्त मत्ताः कनकभूषणाः
M. N. Dutt: Many infuriated elephants adorned with gold trappings and loO king like newly-risen clouds threw down the horses and crushed them with their legs.
पाट्यमानेषु कुम्भेषु पार्श्वेष्वपि च वारणाः प्रासैर्विनिहताः केचिद्विनेदुः परमातुराः
M. N. Dutt: Being struck on their frontal globes and flanks, and mangled by lances, many elephants roared aloud in great agony.
साश्वारोहान्हयान्केचिदुन्मथ्य वरवारणाः सहसा चिक्षिपुस्तत्र संकुले भैरवे सति
M. N. Dutt: In the bewildering confusion of the melee, many elephants threw steeds with their riders and crushed them down.
साश्वारोहान्विषाणाग्रैरुत्क्षिप्य तुरगान्द्विपाः रथौघानवमृद्नन्तः सध्वजान्परिचक्रमुः
M. N. Dutt: Overthrowing with their tusks steeds and their riders, some elephants roved about and crushed cars with their standards.
पुंस्त्वादभिमदत्वाच्च केचिदत्र महागजाः साश्वारोहान्हयाञ्जघ्नुः करैः सचरणैस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Some huge male elephants, from excess of energy and with the temporal juice gushing down from their temples in large quantities, killed horses with their riders by their trunks and legs.
Supplementary Passages:
6.44.28 After 28, Ś1 K0-3.5 Da2 D2.4-6 ins.: *141 अश्वारोहैश्च समरे हस्तिसादिभिरेव च
केचिदाक्षिप्य करिणः साश्वानपि रथान्करैः विकर्षन्तो दिशः सर्वाः समीयुः सर्वशब्दगाः
M. N. Dutt: Dragging down and overthrowing cars with their horses by their trunks, some elephants roved about in all directions, guided by the cries of those behind them.
Supplementary Passages:
6.44.29 K4 B2.4 Da2 Dn D3-5.7.8 ins. (cf. 25ab) after 29: B1, after 28: D1, after 29ab: *142 प्रतिमानेषु गात्रेषु पार्श्वेष्वभि च वारणान् On the other hand, S ins. after 29: *143 मुक्तास्तु रथिभिर्बाणा रुक्मपुङ्खाः सुतेजनाः ते निपेतुरकुण्ठाग्रा नागेषु च हयेषु च
आशुगा विमलास्तीक्ष्णाः संपेतुर्भुजगोपमाः नराश्वकायान्निर्भिद्य लौहानि कवचानि च
AI Translation: Swift, pure, sharp, they fell like snakes, Piercing the bodies of men and horses, and the iron armor,
निपेतुर्विमलाः शक्त्यो वीरबाहुभिरर्पिताः महोल्काप्रतिमा घोरास्तत्र तत्र विशां पते
AI Translation: The pure powers, offered by the arms of the heroes, fell down. The terrible ones, resembling great meteors, were seen here and there, O lord of the earth.
द्वीपिचर्मावनद्धैश्च व्याघ्रचर्मशयैरपि विकोशैर्विमलैः खड्गैरभिजघ्नुः परान्रणे
AI Translation: With their bodies covered with the skins of bears and tigers, and with their swords unsheathed and bright, they struck their enemies in battle.
अभिप्लुतमभिक्रुद्धमेकपार्श्वावदारितम् विदर्शयन्तः संपेतुः खड्गचर्मपरश्वधैः
AI Translation: They rushed forward, their eyes red with anger, their hair standing on end, their bodies covered with blood, their faces distorted with rage, their eyes rolling, their bodies trembling, their limbs covered with
शक्तिभिर्दारिताः केचित्संछिन्नाश्च परश्वधैः हस्तिभिर्मृदिताः केचित्क्षुण्णाश्चान्ये तुरंगमैः
AI Translation: Some were cut by spears, some were chopped by axes, Some were crushed by elephants, others were pierced by horses,
रथनेमिनिकृत्ताश्च निकृत्ता निशितैः शरैः विक्रोशन्ति नरा राजंस्तत्र तत्र स्म बान्धवान्
AI Translation: Cut by the wheels of chariots and cut by sharp arrows, The men were crying out to their relatives here and there, O king.
पुत्रानन्ये पितॄनन्ये भ्रातॄंश्च सह बान्धवैः मातुलान्भागिनेयांश्च परानपि च संयुगे
AI Translation: Some for sons, others for fathers, brothers with their kinsmen, uncles, nephews, and others in battle.
विकीर्णान्त्राः सुबहवो भग्नसक्थाश्च भारत बाहुभिः सुभुजाच्छिन्नैः पार्श्वेषु च विदारिताः क्रन्दन्तः समदृश्यन्त तृषिता जीवितेप्सवः
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, a large number of combatants lost their weapons, many had their thighs broken. Some were seen to cry piteously for their desire for life, with arms torn off or sides pierced or cut open.
तृष्णापरिगताः केचिदल्पसत्त्वा विशां पते भूमौ निपतिताः संख्ये जलमेव ययाचिरे
AI Translation: Some, O Lord of the earth, were overcome by thirst and had little strength. They fell on the ground in the battle and begged for water.
रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नाः क्लिश्यमानाश्च भारत व्यनिन्दन्भृशमात्मानं तव पुत्रांश्च संगतान्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of Bharata, some, sweltering in blood and becoming greatly weakened, ensured themselves and your son assembled (in that battle).
अपरे क्षत्रियाः शूराः कृतवैराः परस्परम् नैव शस्त्रं विमुञ्चन्ति नैव क्रन्दन्ति मारिष तर्जयन्ति च संहृष्टास्तत्र तत्र परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: O exalted one, but there were others, the brave Kshatriyas, who having wounded one another, did not abandon their weapons nor did they set up any wails,
निर्दश्य दशनैश्चापि क्रोधात्स्वदशनच्छदान् भ्रुकुटीकुटिलैर्वक्त्रैः प्रेक्षन्ते च परस्परम्
AI Translation: Indicating with their teeth, and with their own teeth, out of anger, With faces contorted by frowns, they look at each other,
Supplementary Passages:
6.44.41 After 41, S ins.: *144 तर्जयित्वा सुसंहृष्टा यावत्प्राणस्य धारणम्
अपरे क्लिश्यमानास्तु व्रणार्ताः शरपीडिताः निष्कूजाः समपद्यन्त दृढसत्त्वा महाबलाः
AI Translation: Others, afflicted and wounded by arrows, became silent, of firm resolve and great strength.
अन्ये तु विरथाः शूरा रथमन्यस्य संयुगे प्रार्थयाना निपतिताः संक्षुण्णा वरवारणैः अशोभन्त महाराज पुष्पिता इव किंशुकाः
AI Translation: Others, heroes without chariots, fell in battle, desiring to take another's chariot, pierced by excellent elephants. They shone, great king, like flowering kimśhuka trees.
संबभूवुरनीकेषु बहवो भैरवस्वनाः वर्तमाने महाभीमे तस्मिन्वीरवरक्षये
AI Translation: In the battle formations, many terrible sounds arose. While that great and terrible destruction of the best of heroes was taking place,
अहनत्तु पिता पुत्रं पुत्रश्च पितरं रणे स्वस्रीयो मातुलं चापि स्वस्रीयं चापि मातुलः
AI Translation: Father killed son, son killed father in battle, Nephew killed maternal uncle, maternal uncle killed nephew,
सखायं च सखा राजन्संबन्धी बान्धवं तथा एवं युयुधिरे तत्र कुरवः पाण्डवैः सह
M. N. Dutt: Thus took place the great slaughter in that great battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas.
वर्तमाने भये तस्मिन्निर्मर्यादे महाहवे भीष्ममासाद्य पार्थानां वाहिनी समकम्पत
M. N. Dutt: In that fearful and terrible battle in which no consideration was shown, the Pandavas (at last) began to waver before Bhishma.
केतुना पञ्चतारेण तालेन भरतर्षभ राजतेन महाबाहुरुच्छ्रितेन महारथे बभौ भीष्मस्तदा राजंश्चन्द्रमा इव मेरुणा
M. N. Dutt: 0 best of the Bharata race, O king, the mighty-armed Bhishma, with his great standard made of silver and adorned with the device of a palmyra with five stars sitting upon his excellent car, shone like the moon on the Meru mountain.