Critical Edition
संजय उवाच शिखण्डी सह मत्स्येन विराटेन विशां पते भीष्ममाशु महेष्वासमाससाद सुदुर्जयम्
AI Translation: Sanjaya said: O lord of the earth, Shikhándi, together with Viráta, the king of Matsya, quickly attacked the invincible and great archer Bhishma.
द्रोणं कृपं विकर्णं च महेष्वासान्महाबलान् राज्ञश्चान्यान्रणे शूरान्बहूनार्छद्धनंजयः
AI Translation: Drona, Kripa, Vikarna, the great archers and the mighty ones, and many other kings and heroes in the battle, Dhananjaya struck.
सैन्धवं च महेष्वासं सामात्यं सह बन्धुभिः प्राच्यांश्च दाक्षिणात्यांश्च भूमिपान्भूमिपर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: As also, against that great warrior the ruler of the Sindhus supported by his friends and ministers, and, O foremost of the Bharatas, against many other kings from the West and the South. Bhimasena, in that fight, rushed against your vindictive son Duryodhana that mighty bow-men, as also against his brother Dushasana.
पुत्रं च ते महेष्वासं दुर्योधनममर्षणम् दुःसहं चैव समरे भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत
AI Translation: and your son, the great archer, the intolerant Duryódhana, and Duhshāsana, were attacked by Bhima.
सहदेवस्तु शकुनिमुलूकं च महारथम् पितापुत्रौ महेष्वासावभ्यवर्तत दुर्जयौ
M. N. Dutt: Sahadeva rushed against the two mighty car-warriors, both skillful bowmen and invincible in battle, namely, Shakuni and Uluka who were father and son.
युधिष्ठिरो महाराज गजानीकं महारथः समवर्तत संग्रामे पुत्रेण निकृतस्तव
M. N. Dutt: That mighty car-warriors, O great monarch, namely Yudhishthira, who had been shamefully deceived by yours son, proceeded in that battle against the elephants division of the Kurus. son
माद्रीपुत्रस्तु नकुलः शूरः संक्रन्दनो युधि त्रिगर्तानां रथोदारैः समसज्जत पाण्डवः
M. N. Dutt: That brave son of Pandu by Madri namely Nakula, who was capable of wringing tears from the foe, encountered in battle that excellent division of car warriors consisting of the Trigartas.
अभ्यवर्तन्त दुर्धर्षाः समरे शाल्वकेकयान् सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च सौभद्रश्च महारथः
M. N. Dutt: Satyaki, Chekitana, and the of Subhadra endued with great prowess, all invincible in battle, rushed against the Shalyas and the Kaikeyas.
Supplementary Passages:
6.68.8 After 8ab, S ins.: *284 नाकुलिश्च शतानीकः समरे रथपुंगवः
धृष्टकेतुश्च समरे राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः पुत्राणां ते रथानीकं प्रत्युद्याताः सुदुर्जयाः
M. N. Dutt: The Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and Dhrishtaketu, both incapable of being conquered, charged in that battle the car division of your sons.
सेनापतिरमेयात्मा धृष्टद्युम्नो महाबलः द्रोणेन समरे राजन्समियायेन्द्रकर्मणा
M. N. Dutt: Then, O king the mighty car-warriors, that generalissimo Dhrishtadyumna of immeasurable soul, engaged with Drona of fierce achievements.
एवमेते महेष्वासास्तावकाः पाण्डवैः सह समेत्य समरे शूराः संप्रहारं प्रचक्रिरे
M. N. Dutt: Thus the warriors of your army, all heroic and mighty bow-men, encountering the Pandavas in the battle, began to smite one another down.
मध्यंदिनगते सूर्ये नभस्याकुलतां गते कुरवः पाण्डवेयाश्च निजघ्नुरितरेतरम्
AI Translation: When the sun had reached the middle of the sky, and the sky was agitated, the Kurus and the sons of Pandu killed each other.
ध्वजिनो हेमचित्राङ्गा विचरन्तो रणाजिरे सपताका रथा रेजुर्वैयाघ्रपरिवारणाः
AI Translation: With flags and golden ornaments, they roamed the battlefield. Chariots with flags and surrounded by tigers shone.
समेतानां च समरे जिगीषूणां परस्परम् बभूव तुमुलः शब्दः सिंहानामिव नर्दताम्
M. N. Dutt: A dreadful din was created by those warriors as they engaged in the fight out of a desire for conquering one another, and as they roared like roaring lions themselves.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम संप्रहारं सुदारुणम् यमकुर्वन्रणे वीराः सृञ्जयाः कुरुभिः सह
M. N. Dutt: The strokes that the heroic Srinjayas and the Kurus dealt to one another in that conflict and that were terrible and wonderful, were also seen by us.
नैव खं न दिशो राजन्न सूर्यं शत्रुतापन विदिशो वाप्यपश्याम शरैर्मुक्तैः समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Neither, O monarch, O afflicter of your enemies, were we able to see the firmament, the sun or the cardinal and subsidiary quarters, in consequence of their being shrouded on all sides by a thick discharge of arrows.
शक्तीनां विमलाग्राणां तोमराणां तथास्यताम् निस्त्रिंशानां च पीतानां नीलोत्पलनिभाः प्रभाः
AI Translation: The rays of the pure and sharp weapons, the spears, and the swords are blue like blue lotuses.
कवचानां विचित्राणां भूषणानां प्रभास्तथा खं दिशः प्रदिशश्चैव भासयामासुरोजसा विरराज तदा राजंस्तत्र तत्र रणाङ्गणम्
AI Translation: The radiance of the various armours and ornaments illuminated the sky, directions, and sub-directions with their energy. O king, the battlefield shone there and there.
Supplementary Passages:
6.68.18 After 18cd, N T2 ins.: *285 वपुर्भिश्च नरेन्द्राणां चन्द्रसूर्यसमप्रभैः
रथसिंहासनव्याघ्राः समायान्तश्च संयुगे विरेजुः समरे राजन्ग्रहा इव नभस्तले
M. N. Dutt: Excellent car-warriors, all foremost of men, encountering one another in battle appear beautiful, O king, like the planets in the heavens.
भीष्मस्तु रथिनां श्रेष्ठो भीमसेनं महाबलम् अवारयत संक्रुद्धः सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः
M. N. Dutt: Then that foremost of car warriors namely Bhishma, waxing worth opposed Bhimasena of great prowess even before the very eyes of the assembled troops.
ततो भीष्मविनिर्मुक्ता रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः अभ्यघ्नन्समरे भीमं तैलधौताः सुतेजनाः
M. N. Dutt: Then shafts furnished with golden wings whetted on stone smeared with oil and charged with impetus wounded Bhima in that battle, being shot by Bhishma himself.
तस्य शक्तिं महावेगां भीमसेनो महाबलः क्रुद्धाशीविषसंकाशां प्रेषयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereat the mighty Bhimasena hurled at Bhishma, O Bharata his lance charged with fierce momentum and resembling an enraged snake.
तामापतन्तीं सहसा रुक्मदण्डां दुरासदाम् चिच्छेद समरे भीष्मः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
M. N. Dutt: But in that combat Bhishma cut off with his straight arrows that lances furnished with a golden staff as it coursed swiftly towards himself.
ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन पीतेन निशितेन च कार्मुकं भीमसेनस्य द्विधा चिच्छेद भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter, O Bharata, with a whetted and well tempered Bhalla Bhishma cut in twin the bow of Bhimasena.
Supplementary Passages:
6.68.24 After 24, D4 (marg. sec. m.) S ins.: *286 अपास्य तु धनुश्छिन्नं भीमसेनो महाबलः शरैर्बहुभिरानर्छद्भीष्मं शांतनवं युधि
सात्यकिस्तु ततस्तूर्णं भीष्ममासाद्य संयुगे शरैर्बहुभिरानर्छत्पितरं ते जनेश्वर
AI Translation: But Sātyaki quickly approached Bhīṣma in the battle, and struck your father with many arrows, lord of men.
Supplementary Passages:
6.68.25 After 25ab, Ś1 K B3 D2 M5 ins.: *287 आकर्णप्रहितैस्तीक्ष्णैर्निशितैस्तिग्मतेजनैः
ततः संधाय वै तीक्ष्णं शरं परमदारुणम् वार्ष्णेयस्य रथाद्भीष्मः पातयामास सारथिम्
AI Translation: Then, having sharpened a very fierce arrow, Bhishma shot it from his chariot and brought down the charioteer of the Varshneya.
तस्याश्वाः प्रद्रुता राजन्निहते रथसारथौ तेन तेनैव धावन्ति मनोमारुतरंहसः
AI Translation: O king, when the charioteer of the chariot was killed, his horses ran away. They ran here and there, with the speed of the mind and the wind.
ततः सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य निस्वनस्तुमुलोऽभवत् हाहाकारश्च संजज्ञे पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्
AI Translation: Then there was a tumultuous sound of the entire army, And there was a cry of "Alas!" among the great-souled Pandavas.
अभिद्रवत गृह्णीत हयान्यच्छत धावत इत्यासीत्तुमुलः शब्दो युयुधानरथं प्रति
AI Translation: Attack, seize, take the horses, run away! Such was the tumultuous sound towards Yuyudhana's chariot.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भीष्मः शांतनवः पुनः व्यहनत्पाण्डवीं सेनामासुरीमिव वृत्रहा
AI Translation: At this time, Bhishma Shāntanu again destroyed the Pāndava army like Indra destroying the demons.
ते वध्यमाना भीष्मेण पाञ्चालाः सोमकैः सह आर्यां युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा भीष्ममेवाभिदुद्रुवुः
AI Translation: The Panchālas and the Somakas, being slain by Bhishma, having made up their minds to fight in the proper way, attacked Bhishma.
धृष्टद्युम्नमुखाश्चापि पार्थाः शांतनवं रणे अभ्यधावञ्जिगीषन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Setting their hearts fixed on battle, rushed against Bhishma, Other warriors of the host of the sons of Pritha headed by Dhrishtadyumna himself rushed in battle against the son of Shantanu, inflamed with desire for slaughtering the army of your son. a
तथैव तावका राजन्भीष्मद्रोणमुखाः परान् अभ्यधावन्त वेगेन ततो युद्धमवर्तत
M. N. Dutt: So also, O king, the warriors of your army headed by Bhishma and Drona, rushed with impetuosity against the enemy. Thereupon these raged a second battle.