Critical Edition
संजय उवाच मध्याह्ने तु महाराज संग्रामः समपद्यत लोकक्षयकरो रौद्रो भीष्मस्य सह सोमकैः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said At mid day, 0 mighty monarch, commenced a combat between the Somakas and Bhishma, that become dreadful and destructive of many creatures.
गाङ्गेयो रथिनां श्रेष्ठः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् व्यधमन्निशितैर्बाणैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: That foremost of car-warriors viz., the son of Ganga began to consume the ranks of the Pandava host, with his sharp shafts discharged by hundreds and thousands.
संममर्द च तत्सैन्यं पिता देवव्रतस्तव धान्यानामिव लूनानां प्रकरं गोगणा इव
M. N. Dutt: Then your father Devavrata crushed that army like a herd of heifer grinding (under their tread) a heap of paddy sheaves.
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च विराटो द्रुपदस्तथा भीष्ममासाद्य समरे शरैर्जघ्नुर्महारथम्
M. N. Dutt: Then Dhrishtadyumna, Shikhandin, Virata and Draupada, encountering Bhishma in battle began to pierce that mighty car-warriors with numerous shafts.
धृष्टद्युम्नं ततो विद्ध्वा विराटं च त्रिभिः शरैः द्रुपदस्य च नाराचं प्रेषयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereat, 0 Bharata, piercing Dhrishtadyumna and Virata with three shafts, Bhishma discharged a Naracha at Draupada.
तेन विद्धा महेष्वासा भीष्मेणामित्रकर्शिना चुक्रुधुः समरे राजन्पादस्पृष्टा इवोरगाः
M. N. Dutt: Then those pierced by Bhishma that girder of foes, waxed worth, O king, in battle like a snake trampled under the feet.
शिखण्डी तं च विव्याध भरतानां पितामहम् स्त्रीमयं मनसा ध्यात्वा नास्मै प्राहरदच्युतः
M. N. Dutt: Then Shikhandin pierced the grand father of the Bharatas, but the latter of undeteriorating renown struck him not, remembering his femininity.
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु समरे क्रोधादग्निरिव ज्वलन् पितामहं त्रिभिर्बाणैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Dhrishtadyumna blazing up with rage like fire, pierced the grandsire, with three shafts on the breast and the arms.
द्रुपदः पञ्चविंशत्या विराटो दशभिः शरैः शिखण्डी पञ्चविंशत्या भीष्मं विव्याध सायकैः
M. N. Dutt: Drupada with twenty five, Virata with ten, Shikhandin with twenty five arrows pierced Bhishma.
सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज भीष्मः संख्ये महात्मभिः वसन्ते पुष्पशबलो रक्ताशोक इवाबभौ
M. N. Dutt: That hero (Bhishma) thus deeply pierced, O mighty monarch, and bathed in copiously flowering blood, appeared beautiful like flowering red Ashoka tree in the spring.
तान्प्रत्यविध्यद्गाङ्गेयस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः द्रुपदस्य च भल्लेन धनुश्चिच्छेद मारिष
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Ganga pierced them in return each with three straight going shafts; and O sire, he bust open the bow of Drupada with a broad headed arrow.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय भीष्मं विव्याध पञ्चभिः सारथिं च त्रिभिर्बाणैः सुशितै रणमूर्धनि
M. N. Dutt: The latter then taking up another bow pierced Bhishma with five arrows and his charioteer with three whetted shafts on the field of battle.
ततो भीमो महाराज द्रौपद्याः पञ्च चात्मजाः केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च सात्यकिश्चैव सात्वतः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O monarch, Bhima, the five sons of Draupadi, the five Kaikeya brothers, and Satyaki of the Satvata race,
अभ्यद्रवन्त गाङ्गेयं युधिष्ठिरहितेप्सया रिरक्षिषन्तः पाञ्चाल्यं धृष्टद्युम्नमुखान्रणे
M. N. Dutt: Headed by king Yudhishthira himself rushed at the son of Ganga, desirous of rescuing the Panchalas headed by Dhrishtadyumna.
तथैव तावकाः सर्वे भीष्मरक्षार्थमुद्यताः प्रत्युद्ययुः पाण्डुसेनां सहसैन्या नराधिप
M. N. Dutt: So also, O ruler of men, your warriors anxious for protecting Bhishma, rushed against the Pandava host, supported by their respective divisions.
तत्रासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं तव तेषां च संकुलम् नराश्वरथनागानां यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon ensued a fierce and sanguinary engagement between your army and theirs both teeming with men, steeds chariots and elephants-engagement that considerably swelled the population of Death's domain.
रथी रथिनमासाद्य प्राहिणोद्यमसादनम् तथेतरान्समासाद्य नरनागाश्वसादिनः
M. N. Dutt: Car-warriors meeting car-warriors dispatched them to the abode of Death; so also others, men, horse-soldiers, elephant riders encountering one another,
अनयन्परलोकाय शरैः संनतपर्वभिः अस्त्रैश्च विविधैर्घोरैस्तत्र तत्र विशां पते
AI Translation: With arrows having straight joints, he led them to the other world. And with various terrible weapons, O lord of the people, here and there.
रथाश्च रथिभिर्हीना हतसारथयस्तथा विप्रद्रुताश्वाः समरे दिशो जग्मुः समन्ततः
AI Translation: Chariots without charioteers, with their charioteers killed, and with their horses scattered, fled in all directions in the battle.
मर्दमाना नरान्राजन्हयांश्च सुबहून्रणे वातायमाना दृश्यन्ते गन्धर्वनगरोपमाः
M. N. Dutt: Crushing, O king, innumerable men and steeds in that battle, those cars of the velocity of wind appeared beautiful like aerial castles.
रथिनश्च रथैर्हीना वर्मिणस्तेजसा युताः कुण्डलोष्णीषिणः सर्वे निष्काङ्गदविभूषिताः
M. N. Dutt: Many car-warriors deprived of their cars, clad in armour and possessed of strength all decked with ear-rings and turbans and with bracelets and garlands,
देवपुत्रसमा रूपे शौर्ये शक्रसमा युधि ऋद्ध्या वैश्रवणं चाति नयेन च बृहस्पतिम्
M. N. Dutt: All resembling sons of the gods and equal to Shakra in prowess in battle, prosperous as Vaishravana himself and wise in polity as Brihaspati himself.
सर्वलोकेश्वराः शूरास्तत्र तत्र विशां पते विप्रद्रुता व्यदृश्यन्त प्राकृता इव मानवाः
M. N. Dutt: Ruling over vast dominions, and all heroic warriors, O ruler of men, flying hither and thither, were slain like ordinary men.
दन्तिनश्च नरश्रेष्ठ विहीना वरसादिभिः मृद्नन्तः स्वान्यनीकानि संपेतुः सर्वशब्दगाः
M. N. Dutt: Huge tusked elephants also, O foremost of men, deprived of their excellent riders, fell down crushing their own ranks and uttering distressful cries,
वर्मभिश्चामरैश्छत्रैः पताकाभिश्च मारिष कक्ष्याभिरथ तोत्त्रैश्च घण्टाभिस्तोमरैस्तथा
AI Translation: With armor, whisks, umbrellas, and banners, my friend, With girdles and tassels, bells, and spears,
विशीर्णैर्विप्रधावन्तो दृश्यन्ते स्म दिशो दश नगमेघप्रतीकाशैर्जलदोदयनिस्वनैः
M. N. Dutt: The huge elephants ran in all the ten points of the compass, resembling newly-risen clouds.। and roaring also like them.
तथैव दन्तिभिर्हीनान्गजारोहान्विशां पते प्रधावन्तोऽन्वपश्याम तव तेषां च संकुले
M. N. Dutt: So also, O ruler of men, elephant riders, deprived of their elephants, were seen to run in all directions in that general engagement between your army and theirs.
नानादेशसमुत्थांश्च तुरगान्हेमभूषितान् वातायमानानद्राक्षं शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: We also beheld steeds born in various regions, decked with golden caparisons, and fleet as the wind itself, by hundreds and by thousands.
अश्वारोहान्हतैरश्वैर्गृहीतासीन्समन्ततः द्रवमाणानपश्याम द्राव्यमाणांश्च संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: We also beheld horse soldiers, deprived of their charges chase and chased by, one another in that battle, with swords in their grasp.
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.29 After 29, D6 ins.: *393 ततोऽन्तरे महाराज भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् चकार सुमहद्युद्धं महाघोरं भयानकम्
गजो गजं समासाद्य द्रवमाणं महारणे ययौ विमृद्नंस्तरसा पदातीन्वाजिनस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: An elephant meeting a flying compeer in that great battle, rushed with velocity crushing foot soldiers and steeds.
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.30 After 30, D6 ins.: *394 अश्वानश्वैश्च संमर्द्य रथैश्च रथिनस्तथा
तथैव च रथान्राजन्संममर्द रणे गजः रथश्चैव समासाद्य पदातिं तुरगं तथा
M. N. Dutt: Also, o king, in that battle one elephant crushed many cars, and car also, passing over fallen steeds, crushed them in battle.
व्यमृद्नात्समरे राजंस्तुरगांश्च नरान्रणे एवं ते बहुधा राजन्प्रमृद्नन्तः परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: And also, O king, horses again crushed the foot-soldiers in that battle. Thus, o king, they crushed one another in various modes.
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.32 After 32, T G M1 ins.: *395 दृश्यन्ते स्म महाबाहो तत्र तत्र महाबलाः
तस्मिन्रौद्रे तथा युद्धे वर्तमाने महाभये प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा शोणितान्त्रतरङ्गिणी
M. N. Dutt: When that awful and fierce battle was thus raging, there started up into existence on the field of battle a hideous river, having blood for its stream,
अस्थिसंचयसंघाटा केशशैवलशाद्वला रथह्रदा शरावर्ता हयमीना दुरासदा
M. N. Dutt: Choked with piles of bones, and having the hair (of slain warriors) for its moss and weeds. It had cars for its lakes arrows for its eddies and horses for its fishers; and it was inaccessible.
शीर्षोपलसमाकीर्णा हस्तिग्राहसमाकुला कवचोष्णीषफेनाढ्या धनुर्द्वीपासिकच्छपा
M. N. Dutt: It abounded in pebbles consisting of the heads of warrior; as also in sharks &c formed by the elephants. It had armours and headgears for its froth and bows for its current and swords for its tortoises;
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.35 After 35, S ins.: *396 शङ्खचक्रौघसंपूर्णा छत्रकूर्मा रथोडुपा
पताकाध्वजवृक्षाढ्या मर्त्यकूलापहारिणी क्रव्यादसंघसंकीर्णा यमराष्ट्रविवर्धिनी
M. N. Dutt: The trees on its banks were formed of the numerous standards; it had men for its banks which it ate away constantly. It was infested by swans consisting of cannibals, and it considerably increased the population of Death's domain.
तां नदीं क्षत्रियाः शूरा हयनागरथप्लवैः प्रतेरुर्बहवो राजन्भयं त्यक्त्वा महाहवे
M. N. Dutt: Many heroic Kshatriyas all mighty carwarriors crossed that river on their rafts consisting of cars, steeds and elephants, totally driving away fear their hearts.
अपोवाह रणे भीरून्कश्मलेनाभिसंवृतान् यथा वैतरणी प्रेतान्प्रेतराजपुरं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Just as the river Vaitarani conveys all departed spirits to the dominions of the ruler of spirits, so, in that afternoon, that river carried away (with its bloody currents) all cowards that became overwhelmed with a swoon.
प्राक्रोशन्क्षत्रियास्तत्र दृष्ट्वा तद्वैशसं महत् दुर्योधनापराधेन क्षयं गच्छन्ति कौरवाः
M. N. Dutt: Then in that battle the Kshatriyas beholding that awful carnage, exclaimed saying. Through the folly of Duryodhana, Kshatriyas are being thus destroyed.
गुणवत्सु कथं द्वेषं धार्तराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः कृतवान्पाण्डुपुत्रेषु पापात्मा लोभमोहितः
M. N. Dutt: Why did Dhritarashtra of wicked soul, that ruler of men, infatuated by covetousness, harbor feelings of envy against the sons of Pandu, all endued with many virtues."
एवं बहुविधा वाचः श्रूयन्ते स्मात्र भारत पाण्डवस्तवसंयुक्ताः पुत्राणां ते सुदारुणाः
M. N. Dutt: Various exclamations of this kind, purporting to be applause to the Pandavas and censures to your sons, were heard there addressed to one another.
ता निशम्य तदा वाचः सर्वयोधैरुदाहृताः आगस्कृत्सर्वलोकस्य पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
M. N. Dutt: Hearing these exclamations vociferated by all the warriors, your son Duryodhana, that offender of all men,
भीष्मं द्रोणं कृपं चैव शल्यं चोवाच भारत युध्यध्वमनहंकाराः किं चिरं कुरुथेति च
M. N. Dutt: Addressing Bhishma, Drona, Kripa and Shalya said, O Bharata “Do you go on fighting with self-confidence? Why do you tarry at all?”
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.43 After 43, S ins.: *397 इति दुर्योधनोत्सृष्टाः सर्वे युयुधिरे नृपाः
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह अक्षद्यूतकृतं राजन्सुघोरं वैशसं तदा
M. N. Dutt: Then ensued a battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas. O king, that owed its origin to that game at dice and that brought about awful carnage.
यत्पुरा न निगृह्णीषे वार्यमाणो महात्मभिः वैचित्रवीर्य तस्येदं फलं पश्य तथाविधम्
M. N. Dutt: Now do you see, O son of Vichitravirya, the dreadful fruit of your refusal to accept the salutary advice (of your friends), though warned against it by many high souled heroes.
न हि पाण्डुसुता राजन्ससैन्याः सपदानुगाः रक्षन्ति समरे प्राणान्कौरवा वा विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: Neither the sons of Pandu, O king, with their soldiers and followers, nor the Kauravas pay any the least head to their lives in that battle.
Supplementary Passages:
6.99.46 After 46ab, T2 ins.: *398 अयुध्यन्त महारङ्गे मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे सात्यकिः कृतवर्माणं विद्ध्वा पञ्चभिरायसैः नाकम्पयत शैनेयो सत्यवान्सत्यकोविदः
एतस्मात्कारणाद्घोरो वर्तते स्म जनक्षयः दैवाद्वा पुरुषव्याघ्र तव चापनयान्नृप
M. N. Dutt: For this reason, O foremost of men, a dreadful destruction of men is taking place, brought about by Destiny or by your wicked policy, O king.