Critical Edition
संजय उवाच दृष्ट्वा भीष्मेण संसक्तान्भ्रातॄनन्यांश्च पार्थिवान् तमभ्यधावद्गाङ्गेयमुद्यतास्त्रो धनंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Seeing his brother (Bhima) and other kings (of the Pandava host) engaged with Bhishma with weapons uplifted, Dhananjaya rushed against the son of Ganga.
पाञ्चजन्यस्य निर्घोषं धनुषो गाण्डिवस्य च ध्वजं च दृष्ट्वा पार्थस्य सर्वान्नो भयमाविशत्
M. N. Dutt: Hearing the blare of the conch Panchajanya, and the twang of the bow Gandiva, and seeing the standard of the son of Pritha (Arjuna), every one of us was seized with terror.
Supplementary Passages:
6.67.2 After 2, N ins.: *279 सिंहलाङ्गूलमाकाशे ज्वलन्तमिव पर्वतम्
असज्जमानं वृक्षेषु धूमकेतुमिवोत्थितम् बहुवर्णं च चित्रं च दिव्यं वानरलक्षणम् अपश्याम महाराज ध्वजं गाण्डिवधन्वनः
M. N. Dutt: O mighty monarch, we then beheld the standard of that wielder of the Gandiva bow, standard that resembled a lion's tail in shape and looked like a blazing mountain in the air; that could not be obstructed by the trees; that appeared like the risen comet; and that was of diverse hue and variegated and of celestial make and bore the device of the monkey.
विद्युतं मेघमध्यस्थां भ्राजमानामिवाम्बरे ददृशुर्गाण्डिवं योधा रुक्मपृष्ठं महारथे
M. N. Dutt: In that terrible encounter, the warriors saw Arjuna's gold mounted Gandiva appear beautiful like flashes of lightning illumining a mass of clouds in the welkin.
अशुश्रुम भृशं चास्य शक्रस्येवाभिगर्जतः सुघोरं तलयोः शब्दं निघ्नतस्तव वाहिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: While he was slaying the warriors of your army, we heard shouts that resembled those of Indra himself, uttered by Arjuna, as also the dreadful sounds he produced by striking his palms against his arms.
चण्डवातो यथा मेघः सविद्युत्स्तनयित्नुमान् दिशः संप्लावयन्सर्वाः शरवर्षैः समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna poured in for rents his arrow showers in all the directions of the compass like a rain cloud surcharged with lightning and thunder and assisted by violent tempest pouring rain.
अभ्यधावत गाङ्गेयं भैरवास्त्रो धनंजयः दिशं प्राचीं प्रतीचीं च न जानीमोऽस्त्रमोहिताः
M. N. Dutt: Then Dhananjaya, possessed of dreadful weapons rushed against the son of Ganga. Confounded with his weapons we then were unable to distinguish between the east and the west.
कांदिग्भूताः श्रान्तपत्रा हतास्त्रा हतचेतसः अन्योन्यमभिसंश्लिष्य योधास्ते भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Then O foremost of the Bharata, your warriors, not knowing which point of the compass they were in, with their animals exhausted, steeds slain and hearts confounded, and huddling close to one another.
भीष्ममेवाभिलीयन्त सह सर्वैस्तवात्मजैः तेषामार्तायनमभूद्भीष्मः शंतनवो रणे
M. N. Dutt: Threw themselves upon the protection of Bhishma, along of with your sons. In that battle Bhishma the son of Shantanu became their refuge.
समुत्पतन्त वित्रस्ता रथेभ्यो रथिनस्तदा सादिनश्चाश्वपृष्ठेभ्यो भूमौ चापि पदातयः
M. N. Dutt: Seized with panic, car warriors jumped down from their cars and cavalry soldiers from the back of their steeds and foot soldiers fell down even on the grounds where they stood.
Supplementary Passages:
6.67.10 After 11, K3 ins.: *280 गजेभ्यो गजयोधाश्च वित्रस्ता भयमोहिताः विह्वलाः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त न जानन्ति दिशो नृप
श्रुत्वा गाण्डीवनिर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः सर्वसैन्यानि भीतानि व्यवलीयन्त भारत
M. N. Dutt: Hearing the twang of the bow Gandiva, that resembled the rumble of thunder, O Bharata, all your warriors were struck with terror and began to fall off their ranks.
अथ काम्बोजमुख्यैस्तु बृहद्भिः शीघ्रगामिभिः गोपानां बहुसाहस्रैर्बलैर्गोवासनो वृतः
M. N. Dutt: Then with fleet and mettled chargers of the Kamboja breed, and surrounded by many thousand Gopas and an army of the Gopayanas,
Supplementary Passages:
6.67.12 For 12, S subst.: *281 ततः काम्बोजमुख्याश्च ते हंसपथकर्णिकाः गोपासनबलौघाश्च गोपासनपतिस्तथा
मद्रसौवीरगान्धारैस्त्रिगर्तैश्च विशां पते सर्वकालिङ्गमुख्यैश्च कलिङ्गाधिपतिर्वृतः
AI Translation: O lord of the people, he was surrounded by the Madra, Sauvira, Gandhara, Trigarta and all the chief Kalinga kings, and by the king of Kalinga.
नागा नरगणौघाश्च दुःशासनपुरःसराः जयद्रथश्च नृपतिः सहितः सर्वराजभिः
AI Translation: The serpent-like army of men, led by Duhshāsana, and King Jayadratha, together with all the other kings,
हयारोहवराश्चैव तव पुत्रेण चोदिताः चतुर्दश सहस्राणि सौबलं पर्यवारयन्
M. N. Dutt: And supported by fourteen thousand picked cavalry soldiers urged by your son, encompassed on all sides the king of the Subala's.
ततस्ते सहिताः सर्वे विभक्तरथवाहनाः पाण्डवान्समरे जग्मुस्तावका भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: Then in that battle, united together and riding on their respective vehicles, those foremost of Bharata's race, namely the sons of Pandu, began to slaughter the warriors of your army.
Supplementary Passages:
6.67.16 After 16, D4 S (M2 om.) ins.: *282 चेदिकाशिपदातैश्च रथैः पाञ्चालसृञ्जयैः पाण्डवाः सहिताः सर्वे धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः तावकान्समरे जग्मुर्धर्मपुत्रेण चोदिताः
रथिभिर्वारणैरश्वैः पदातैश्च समीरितम् घोरमायोधनं जज्ञे महाभ्रसदृशं रजः
M. N. Dutt: A thick clouds of dust, raised by carwarriors, elephants, steeds and foot soldiers, made the battle that raged all the more terrible.
तोमरप्रासनाराचगजाश्वरथयोधिनाम् बलेन महता भीष्मः समसज्जत्किरीटिना
M. N. Dutt: Bhishma then, supported by a mighty force consisting of elephants-warriors, car-warriors and cavalry-soldiers, all armed with Tomaras, Narachas and Prasas fell to fight with the diadem decked Arjuna.
आवन्त्यः काशिराजेन भीमसेनेन सैन्धवः अजातशत्रुर्मद्राणामृषभेण यशस्विना सहपुत्रः सहामात्यः शल्येन समसज्जत
M. N. Dutt: The ruler of Avanti encountered the king of the Kashis. Bhimasena engaged the ruler of the Sindhus; and Ajatashatru (Yudhishthira) with his sons and his counsellors, engaged with the renowned Shalya the foremost of the Madras. Vikarna became engaged with Sahadeva, and Chitrasena with Shikhandin.
विकर्णः सहदेवेन चित्रसेनः शिखण्डिना मत्स्या दुर्योधनं जग्मुः शकुनिं च विशां पते
AI Translation: Vikarna by Sahadeva, Chitrasena by Shikhándin, the Matsyas attacked Duryódhana and Shakuni, lord of the earth.
द्रुपदश्चेकितानश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः द्रोणेन समसज्जन्त सपुत्रेण महात्मना कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च धृष्टकेतुमभिद्रुतौ
M. N. Dutt: The Matsyas, O ruler of men encountered Duryodhana along with Shakuni. Drupada, Chekitana and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki. Engaged with the illustrious Drona, supported by his son. Kripa and Kritavarma both charged Dhrishtadyumna.
एवं प्रजविताश्वानि भ्रान्तनागरथानि च सैन्यानि समसज्जन्त प्रयुद्धानि समन्ततः
AI Translation: Thus the armies, with their horses galloping and chariots whirling, came together in all directions, ready to fight.
निरभ्रे विद्युतस्तीव्रा दिशश्च रजसावृताः प्रादुरासन्महोल्काश्च सनिर्घाता विशां पते
AI Translation: In the sky, lightning flashes without clouds, and the directions are covered with dust. Great meteors appear, O Lord of the Earth, with thunderbolts.
प्रववौ च महावातः पांसुवर्षं पपात च नभस्यन्तर्दधे सूर्यः सैन्येन रजसावृतः
M. N. Dutt: A mighty tempest, raged and a shower of dust began to fall. The sun disappeared in the firmament being shrouded by the dust-clouds raised by the troops.
प्रमोहः सर्वसत्त्वानामतीव समपद्यत रजसा चाभिभूतानामस्त्रजालैश्च तुद्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: All the warriors, overwhelmed with that dust and fighting with their various weapons, were greatly confounded.
Supplementary Passages:
6.67.25 After 25ab, D1 ins. (cf. 27ab): *283 प्रकाशं चक्रुराकाश उद्यतासिभिरुत्तमैः
वीरबाहुविसृष्टानां सर्वावरणभेदिनाम् संघातः शरजालानां तुमुलः समपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: The whizzing noise produced by the arrows capable of piercing through every armour and discharged by the arms of heroes, was discharged by the arms of heroes, was indeed deafening.
प्रकाशं चक्रुराकाशमुद्यतानि भुजोत्तमैः नक्षत्रविमलाभानि शस्त्राणि भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of the Bharatas, weapons endued with the pure effulgence of the stars, illumined the firmament when they were shot by excellent arms.
आर्षभाणि विचित्राणि रुक्मजालावृतानि च संपेतुर्दिक्षु सर्वासु चर्माणि भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: In all directions were scattered, 0 foremost of the Bharatas, bucklers made of bull's hide, of variegated appearance, and covered with a net work of gold.
सूर्यवर्णैश्च निस्त्रिंशैः पात्यमानानि सर्वशः दिक्षु सर्वास्वदृश्यन्त शरीराणि शिरांसि च
M. N. Dutt: In all directions were seen heads and limbs falling, being cut off with swords of the effulgence of the sun.
भग्नचक्राक्षनीडाश्च निपातितमहाध्वजाः हताश्वाः पृथिवीं जग्मुस्तत्र तत्र महारथाः
AI Translation: Their wheels and axles were broken, their banners were brought down, and their horses were killed. The great warriors went to the ground here and there.
परिपेतुर्हयाश्चात्र केचिच्छस्त्रकृतव्रणाः रथान्विपरिकर्षन्तो हतेषु रथयोधिषु
AI Translation: Some horses, wounded by weapons, ran around here and there. When the chariot-warriors were killed, the chariots were dragged away.
शराहता भिन्नदेहा बद्धयोक्त्रा हयोत्तमाः युगानि पर्यकर्षन्त तत्र तत्र स्म भारत
AI Translation: The best of horses, struck by arrows and with their bodies pierced, were yoked to the chariots. O descendant of Bharata, the yokes dragged them here and there.
अदृश्यन्त ससूताश्च साश्वाः सरथयोधिनः एकेन बलिना राजन्वारणेन हता रथाः
AI Translation: The charioteers, horses and chariots were seen to be killed by the elephant. O king, the chariots were killed by a single powerful elephant.
गन्धहस्तिमदस्रावमाघ्राय बहवो रणे संनिपाते बलौघानां वीतमाददिरे गजाः
AI Translation: Smelling the flow of the ichor of the elephants, many in the battle The elephants became fearless in the encounter of the masses of troops.
सतोमरमहामात्रैर्निपतद्भिर्गतासुभिः बभूवायोधनं छन्नं नाराचाभिहतैर्गजैः
AI Translation: With elephants falling down, struck by arrows, the battlefield was covered with elephants that had fallen down.
संनिपाते बलौघानां प्रेषितैर्वरवारणैः निपेतुर्युधि संभग्नाः सयोधाः सध्वजा रथाः
AI Translation: In the battle, when the armies clashed, the chariots with their warriors and flags fell down, broken, by the excellent elephants sent forth.
नागराजोपमैर्हस्तैर्नागैराक्षिप्य संयुगे व्यदृश्यन्त महाराज संभग्ना रथकूबराः
AI Translation: In the battle, they were dragged by the elephants, which were like the kings of elephants. O great king, the chariot poles were seen to be broken.
विशीर्णरथजालाश्च केशेष्वाक्षिप्य दन्तिभिः द्रुमशाखा इवाविध्य निष्पिष्टा रथिनो रणे
AI Translation: Elephants, seizing the chariot-warriors by their hair, tore them to pieces, as if they were branches of trees, in the battle.
रथेषु च रथान्युद्धे संसक्तान्वरवारणाः विकर्षन्तो दिशः सर्वाः संपेतुः सर्वशब्दगाः
AI Translation: And the horses, in the battle, dragging chariots entangled with chariots, went in all directions, making all kinds of sounds.
तेषां तथा कर्षतां च गजानां रूपमाबभौ सरःसु नलिनीजालं विषक्तमिव कर्षताम्
AI Translation: As they pulled the elephants, their forms appeared Like lotus clusters entangled in the lakes.
एवं संछादितं तत्र बभूवायोधनं महत् सादिभिश्च पदातैश्च सध्वजैश्च महारथैः
M. N. Dutt: Thus then the extensive field of battle was strewn over with cavalry-soldiers, and mighty car-warriors and their tall standards.