Critical Edition
संजय उवाच अभिमन्युर्महाराज तव पुत्रमयोधयत् महत्या सेनया युक्तो भीष्महेतोः पराक्रमी
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then for the sake of Bhishma's slaughter, the highly powerful Abhimanyu, o mighty monarch, engaged with your son supported by his large division.
दुर्योधनो रणे कार्ष्णिं नवभिर्नतपर्वभिः आजघान रणे क्रुद्धः पुनश्चैनं त्रिभिः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon king Duryodhana waxing worth, pierced Krishna's nephew, on the beast first with nine arrows of straight knots, and then again with three shafts.
तस्य शक्तिं रणे कार्ष्णिर्मृत्योर्घोरामिव स्वसाम् प्रेषयामास संक्रुद्धो दुर्योधनरथं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Then in that battle, Krishna's nephew, inflamed with wrath, let go at the car of Duryodhana his lance that looked like the sister of Death himself.
तामापतन्तीं सहसा घोररूपां विशां पते द्विधा चिच्छेद ते पुत्रः क्षुरप्रेण महारथः
AI Translation: O lord of the people, when she suddenly descended in a terrible form, your son, the great chariot-warrior, cut her in two with a razor-sharp arrow.
तां शक्तिं पतितां दृष्ट्वा कार्ष्णिः परमकोपनः दुर्योधनं त्रिभिर्बाणैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्
AI Translation: Seeing that weapon fall, Karna, extremely angry, struck Duryodhana in the arms and chest with three arrows.
पुनश्चैनं शरैर्घोरैराजघान स्तनान्तरे दशभिर्भरतश्रेष्ठ दुर्योधनममर्षणम्
M. N. Dutt: Then the battle that raged between the two horses became awful and admirable to look at; and, O Bharata, it was gratifying to the senses and applauded by the rulers of earth.
तद्युद्धमभवद्घोरं चित्ररूपं च भारत ईक्षितृप्रीतिजननं सर्वपार्थिवपूजितम्
M. N. Dutt: The two heroes, viz., the son of Subhadra and the chief of the Kurus, fought fiercely with one another, the former for bringing about the slaughter of Bhishma and the latter for gaining victory over Arjuna.
भीष्मस्य निधनार्थाय पार्थस्य विजयाय च युयुधाते रणे वीरौ सौभद्रकुरुपुंगवौ
AI Translation: For Bhishma's death and Partha's victory, The heroic Subhadra and the Kurus fought in battle.
सात्यकिं रभसं युद्धे द्रौणिर्ब्राह्मणपुंगवः आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धो नाराचेन परंतपः
M. N. Dutt: Then that afflicter of foes, viz., Drona's son that foremost of Brahmanas encountering Satyaki in battle and waxing worth, pierced the latter on the breast with a long shaft.
शैनेयोऽपि गुरोः पुत्रं सर्वमर्मसु भारत अताडयदमेयात्मा नवभिः कङ्कपत्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Then that grandson of Shini also possessed of generous heart, with nine shafts winged with Kanka feathers, pierced the preceptor's son, O Bharata, in all his vital parts.
अश्वत्थामा तु समरे सात्यकिं नवभिः शरैः त्रिंशता च पुनस्तूर्णं बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Ashvathama pierced Satyaki in that battle, first with nine shafts, and next with thirty more on the breast and the arms.
सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासो द्रोणपुत्रेण सात्वतः द्रोणपुत्रं त्रिभिर्बाणैराजघान महायशाः
M. N. Dutt: Then that illustrious descendant of the Satvata race that great bowman thus deeply pierced by the son of Drona struck the latter with three shafts in return.
पौरवो धृष्टकेतुं च शरैरासाद्य संयुगे बहुधा दारयां चक्रे महेष्वासं महारथम्
M. N. Dutt: The mighty car-warrior, the descendant of the Kuru having covered that fierce, bowman, viz., Dhrishtaketu with his shafts, wounded the latter on many parts of his body.
तथैव पौरवं युद्धे धृष्टकेतुर्महारथः त्रिंशता निशितैर्बाणैर्विव्याध सुमहाबलः
M. N. Dutt: Similarly the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtketu endued with great might, pierced in that battle that descendant of Kuru with three hundred shafts of great sharpness.
पौरवस्तु धनुश्छित्त्वा धृष्टकेतोर्महारथः ननाद बलवन्नादं विव्याध दशभिः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the descendant of Puru, that mighty car-warrior, having cut off the bow of Dhrishtaketu uttered a loud roar and pierced the latter with many sharp arrows.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय पौरवं निशितैः शरैः आजघान महाराज त्रिसप्तत्या शिलीमुखैः
M. N. Dutt: The latter then taking up another bow, wounded, o king, that descendant of Kuru, with seventy three sharp shafts whetted on stone.
तौ तु तत्र महेष्वासौ महामात्रौ महारथौ महता शरवर्षेण परस्परमवर्षताम्
M. N. Dutt: Then those two fierce bowmen, both mighty car-warriors, and of gigantic proportions pierced each other with their thick arrows showers.
अन्योन्यस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा हयान्हत्वा च भारत विरथावसियुद्धाय संगतौ तौ महारथौ
M. N. Dutt: Then, O Bharata, those two heroes waxed up with rage, having cut off one another's bow and slain one another's steeds, and being thus deprived of the use of their cars, rushed against one another for fighting with the sword.
आर्षभे चर्मणी चित्रे शतचन्द्रपरिष्कृते तारकाशतचित्रौ च निस्त्रिंशौ सुमहाप्रभौ
AI Translation: On a variegated bull's hide, adorned with a hundred moons, Two swords, adorned with a hundred stars, of great splendor,
प्रगृह्य विमलौ राजंस्तावन्योन्यमभिद्रुतौ वाशितासंगमे यत्तौ सिंहाविव महावने
AI Translation: Having seized each other, O king, they rushed at each other, like two lions in a great forest, when they meet in a fight.
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि गतप्रत्यागतानि च चेरतुर्दर्शयन्तौ च प्रार्थयन्तौ परस्परम्
M. N. Dutt: Longing to get near each other, they wheeled and inoved, displaying various charming circles and various forward and backward movements.
पौरवो धृष्टकेतुं तु शङ्खदेशे महासिना ताडयामास संक्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Then the wrathful descendant of Puru, with his huge sword, struck Dhrishtaketu on the frontal bone, saying at the same time 'Stop, stop.'
चेदिराजोऽपि समरे पौरवं पुरुषर्षभम् आजघान शिताग्रेण जत्रुदेशे महासिना
M. N. Dutt: The ruler of the Chedis also, with the sharp end of his mighty sword, wounded that descendant of Puru, that foremost of men, on his shoulder joint.
तावन्योन्यं महाराज समासाद्य महाहवे अन्योन्यवेगाभिहतौ निपेततुररिंदमौ
AI Translation: Those two, O great king, having approached each other in the great battle, were struck by each other's force and fell down, O conqueror of enemies.
ततः स्वरथमारोप्य पौरवं तनयस्तव जयत्सेनो रथे राजन्नपोवाह रणाजिरात्
AI Translation: Then, O king, Jayatsena, your son, mounted his chariot and, together with Pourava, was taken away from the battlefield by chariot.
धृष्टकेतुं च समरे माद्रीपुत्रः परंतपः अपोवाह रणे राजन्सहदेवः प्रतापवान्
AI Translation: In the battle, the son of Madri, the scorcher of enemies, carried away Dhrishtaketu. In the battle, the powerful Sahadeva carried away the king.
चित्रसेनः सुशर्माणं विद्ध्वा नवभिराशुगैः पुनर्विव्याध तं षष्ट्या पुनश्च नवभिः शरैः
AI Translation: Having pierced Sushārman with nine swift arrows, Chitrasena again pierced him with sixty and again with nine arrows.
सुशर्मा तु रणे क्रुद्धस्तव पुत्रं विशां पते दशभिर्दशभिश्चैव विव्याध निशितैः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Susharma also waxing worth in battle, O ruler of men, pierced your son with sets of ten sharp arrows each time.
चित्रसेनश्च तं राजंस्त्रिंशता नतपर्वणाम् आजघान रणे क्रुद्धः स च तं प्रत्यविध्यत भीष्मस्य समरे राजन्यशो मानं च वर्धयन्
M. N. Dutt: He also pierced Chitrasena, O king, with nine shafts of depressed knot; then the latter inflamed with rage in battle pierced the former in return (with many shafts compassing the death).
सौभद्रो राजपुत्रं तु बृहद्बलमयोधयत् आर्जुनिं कोसलेन्द्रस्तु विद्ध्वा पञ्चभिरायसैः पुनर्विव्याध विंशत्या शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
AI Translation: Saubhadra fought with Brihadbala, the prince. The lord of Kosala pierced Arjuna's son with five iron arrows, and again pierced him with twenty arrows with straight joints.
Supplementary Passages:
6.112.30 After 30ab, K3-5 B D T G ins.: *465 पार्थहेतोः पराक्रान्तो भीष्मस्यायोधनं प्रति
बृहद्बलं च सौभद्रो विद्ध्वा नवभिरायसैः नाकम्पयत संग्रामे विव्याध च पुनः पुनः
AI Translation: Bṛhadbhānu pierced Sāubala with nine iron arrows, but did not shake him in battle, and again and again pierced him.
कौसल्यस्य पुनश्चापि धनुश्चिच्छेद फाल्गुणिः आजघान शरैश्चैव त्रिंशता कङ्कपत्रिभिः
AI Translation: Phalguna then cut through the bow of Kousalya's son, and struck him with thirty arrows with vulture feathers.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय राजपुत्रो बृहद्बलः फाल्गुनिं समरे क्रुद्धो विव्याध बहुभिः शरैः
AI Translation: The prince Brihadbala took up another bow and, angry in battle, pierced Phalguna with many arrows.
तयोर्युद्धं समभवद्भीष्महेतोः परंतप संरब्धयोर्महाराज समरे चित्रयोधिनोः यथा देवासुरे युद्धे मयवासवयोरभूत्
AI Translation: For the sake of Bhishma, a battle took place between them, O scorcher of enemies. O great king, it was between two angry warriors who fought in various ways in battle, Just as there was between Maya and Vasava in the battle between the gods and the asuras
भीमसेनो गजानीकं योधयन्बह्वशोभत यथा शक्रो वज्रपाणिर्दारयन्पर्वतोत्तमान्
M. N. Dutt: Bhimasena then fighting with the elephant division looked highly beautiful, like the wielder of the thunder bolt himself running upon the mountains.
ते वध्यमाना भीमेन मातङ्गा गिरिसंनिभाः निपेतुरुर्व्यां सहिता नादयन्तो वसुंधराम्
M. N. Dutt: Those elephants, huge bodied like the hills, being thus slaughtered in battle fell down on the earth in large numbers, filling the earth with their roars.
गिरिमात्रा हि ते नागा भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमाः विरेजुर्वसुधां प्राप्य विकीर्णा इव पर्वताः
M. N. Dutt: Those elephants prodigious like hills and resembling broken heaps of antimony appeared beautiful, as they lay prostrate, like so many mountains covering the earth's surface.
युधिष्ठिरो महेष्वासो मद्रराजानमाहवे महत्या सेनया गुप्तं पीडयामास संगतः
M. N. Dutt: Then king Yudhishthira that great bowman, protected by a mighty division encountering the Madra king in battle began to afflict him sorely.
मद्रेश्वरश्च समरे धर्मपुत्रं महारथम् पीडयामास संरब्धो भीष्महेतोः पराक्रमी
M. N. Dutt: The highly powerful ruler of the Madras also, for the sake of rescuing Bhishma began to afflict that mighty car-warrior the son of Dharma in battle.
विराटं सैन्धवो राजा विद्ध्वा संनतपर्वभिः नवभिः सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैस्त्रिंशता पुनरर्दयत्
M. N. Dutt: The king of the Sindhus having pierced Virata with nine shafts of straight knots once more pierced him with thirty shafts of keen edges.
विराटश्च महाराज सैन्धवं वाहिनीमुखे त्रिंशता निशितैर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे
AI Translation: King Virāta and Saindhava in the vanguard of the army pierced him in the region of the breasts with thirty sharp arrows.
चित्रकार्मुकनिस्त्रिंशौ चित्रवर्मायुधध्वजौ रेजतुश्चित्ररूपौ तौ संग्रामे मत्स्यसैन्धवौ
AI Translation: The two had bows and swords of various colors, armor, weapons, and flags of various colors. In the battle, the two Matsya and Saindhava shone with various forms.
द्रोणः पाञ्चालपुत्रेण समागम्य महारणे महासमुदयं चक्रे शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
AI Translation: Drona, having met with the son of Panchala in the great battle, created a great commotion with arrows having straight joints.
ततो द्रोणो महाराज पार्षतस्य महद्धनुः छित्त्वा पञ्चाशतेषूणां पार्षतं समविध्यत
AI Translation: Then, O great king, Drona cut through the great bow of Parshata and pierced Parshata with fifty arrows.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय पार्षतः परवीरहा द्रोणस्य मिषतो युद्धे प्रेषयामास सायकान्
AI Translation: Taking up another bow, the son of Drāupadi, the slayer of enemy heroes, in the battle, in the presence of Drona, shot arrows.
ताञ्शराञ्शरसंघैस्तु संनिवार्य महारथः द्रोणो द्रुपदपुत्राय प्राहिणोत्पञ्च सायकान्
AI Translation: Having warded off those arrows with a mass of arrows, the great chariot-warrior Drona sent five arrows to Drupada's son.
तस्य क्रुद्धो महाराज पार्षतः परवीरहा द्रोणाय चिक्षेप गदां यमदण्डोपमां रणे
AI Translation: O great king, the angry Partha, the slayer of enemy heroes, threw a mace resembling Yama's staff at Drona in the battle.
तामापतन्तीं सहसा हेमपट्टविभूषिताम् शरैः पञ्चाशता द्रोणो वारयामास संयुगे
AI Translation: As she swiftly descended, adorned with a golden sash, Drona countered her in the battle with fifty arrows.
सा छिन्ना बहुधा राजन्द्रोणचापच्युतैः शरैः चूर्णीकृता विशीर्यन्ती पपात वसुधातले
AI Translation: That was cut into many pieces by arrows shot from Drona's bow, and, shattered, fell to the ground.
गदां विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा पार्षतः शत्रुसूदनः द्रोणाय शक्तिं चिक्षेप सर्वपारशवीं शुभाम्
AI Translation: Seeing the mace shattered, Parshata, the slayer of enemies, threw a spear at Drona, which was very powerful and had the power of all weapons.
तां द्रोणो नवभिर्बाणैश्चिच्छेद युधि भारत पार्षतं च महेष्वासं पीडयामास संयुगे
AI Translation: Droṇa cut her down with nine arrows in battle, O descendant of Bharata, and harassed the great archer Pārṣata in the battle.
एवमेतन्महद्युद्धं द्रोणपार्षतयोरभूत् भीष्मं प्रति महाराज घोररूपं भयानकम्
AI Translation: Thus was the great battle between Drona and Parshata, O great king, against Bhishma, terrible and frightful.
अर्जुनः प्राप्य गाङ्गेयं पीडयन्निशितैः शरैः अभ्यद्रवत संयत्तं वने मत्तमिव द्विपम्
AI Translation: Arjuna, having reached Bhishma, struck him with sharp arrows, and attacked him, like an elephant in rut attacking a tree in the forest.
प्रत्युद्ययौ च तं पार्थं भगदत्तः प्रतापवान् त्रिधा भिन्नेन नागेन मदान्धेन महाबलः
AI Translation: The powerful Bhagadatta, with his elephant, attacked Partha. The elephant was three-pronged and was maddened with intoxication.
तमापतन्तं सहसा महेन्द्रगजसंनिभम् परं यत्नं समास्थाय बीभत्सुः प्रत्यपद्यत
AI Translation: Seeing him suddenly descend, resembling the great Indra's elephant, Bhimasena, with great effort, countered him.
ततो गजगतो राजा भगदत्तः प्रतापवान् अर्जुनं शरवर्षेण वारयामास संयुगे
AI Translation: Then the powerful King Bhagadatta, riding an elephant, warded off Arjuna with a shower of arrows in the battle.
अर्जुनस्तु रणे नागमायान्तं रजतोपमम् विमलैरायसैस्तीक्ष्णैरविध्यत महारणे
AI Translation: But Arjuna, in the battle, struck the elephant, which was like a cloud, with sharp, pure iron arrows in the great battle.
शिखण्डिनं च कौन्तेयो याहि याहीत्यचोदयत् भीष्मं प्रति महाराज जह्येनमिति चाब्रवीत्
AI Translation: And to Shikhándin, the son of Kuntí said, "Go, go!" and he urged him on. "Kill him!" he said to him, "kill Bhishma!"
प्राग्ज्योतिषस्ततो हित्वा पाण्डवं पाण्डुपूर्वज प्रययौ त्वरितो राजन्द्रुपदस्य रथं प्रति
AI Translation: Having abandoned Prāgjyotiṣa, O son of Pandu, the son of Pandu, the king, quickly went to Drupada's chariot.
ततोऽर्जुनो महाराज भीष्ममभ्यद्रवद्द्रुतम् शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य ततो युद्धमवर्तत
AI Translation: Then, O great king, Arjuna quickly attacked Bhishma, placing Shikhandi in front, and then the battle began.
ततस्ते तावकाः शूराः पाण्डवं रभसं रणे सर्वेऽभ्यधावन्क्रोशन्तस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
AI Translation: Then those heroes of your army, in the battle, quickly attacked Pandava. All of them rushed towards him, crying out. It was as if it were a wonder.
नानाविधान्यनीकानि पुत्राणां ते जनाधिप अर्जुनो व्यधमत्काले दिवीवाभ्राणि मारुतः
AI Translation: O lord of men, your sons had many kinds of armies, but Arjuna destroyed them at the right time, like the wind destroys clouds in the sky.
शिखण्डी तु समासाद्य भरतानां पितामहम् इषुभिस्तूर्णमव्यग्रो बहुभिः स समाचिनोत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Shikhandin confronting the grandsire of the Bharatas, pierced patiently the latter with myriad's of shafts.
सोमकांश्च रणे भीष्मो जघ्ने पार्थपदानुगान् न्यवारयत सैन्यं च पाण्डवानां महारथः
AI Translation: Bhishma killed the Somaka soldiers who followed the Pāndava in battle. The great warrior blocked the army of the Pāndavas.
रथाग्न्यगारश्चापार्चिरसिशक्तिगदेन्धनः शरसंघमहाज्वालः क्षत्रियान्समरेऽदहत्
AI Translation: The chariot was the sacrificial altar, the bow the fire, the arrows the fuel, the sword the weapon, the spear the fire, the arrows the great flames, and he burned the Kshatriyas in battle.
यथा हि सुमहानग्निः कक्षे चरति सानिलः तथा जज्वाल भीष्मोऽपि दिव्यान्यस्त्राण्युदीरयन्
AI Translation: Just as a great fire burns in a forest with the wind, so Bhishma blazed, releasing divine weapons.
सुवर्णपुङ्खैरिषुभिः शितैः संनतपर्वभिः नादयन्स दिशो भीष्मः प्रदिशश्च महायशाः
AI Translation: With sharp arrows with golden feathers and straight joints, Bhishma, of great fame, resounded the directions and sub-directions.
पातयन्रथिनो राजन्गजांश्च सह सादिभिः मुण्डतालवनानीव चकार स रथव्रजान्
AI Translation: O king, he brought down charioteers, elephants, and cavalrymen, and made the groups of chariots like groves of palm trees with their tops cut off.
निर्मनुष्यान्रथान्राजन्गजानश्वांश्च संयुगे चकार स तदा भीष्मः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
AI Translation: In that battle, Bhishma, the best of all wielders of weapons, made the chariots, elephants and horses devoid of men.
तस्य ज्यातलनिर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः निशम्य सर्वतो राजन्समकम्पन्त सैनिकाः
AI Translation: Hearing the sound of his bowstring, like the rumbling of a cloud, all the soldiers trembled in every direction, O king.
अमोघा ह्यपतन्बाणाः पितुस्ते मनुजेश्वर नासज्जन्त शरीरेषु भीष्मचापच्युताः शराः
AI Translation: The arrows of your father, O lord of men, fell without fail. The arrows released from Bhishma's bow did not touch the bodies.
निर्मनुष्यान्रथान्राजन्सुयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः वातायमानान्पश्याम ह्रियमाणान्विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: Then, O king, O ruler of men, we beheld cars deprived of their riders, dragged on all side, with the velocity of the wind by the fleet steeds that were yoked to them.
चेदिकाशिकरूषाणां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश महारथाः समाख्याताः कुलपुत्रास्तनुत्यजः
AI Translation: The fourteen thousand of the Chedis, Kāśis, and Karūṣas are declared to be great warriors, sons of noble families, who have renounced their bodies.
अपरावर्तिनः शूराः सुवर्णविकृतध्वजाः संग्रामे भीष्ममासाद्य सवाजिरथकुञ्जराः जग्मुस्ते परलोकाय व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्
AI Translation: The warriors who did not retreat, whose banners were adorned with gold, Having reached Bhishma in battle, together with their horses, chariots, and elephants, Went to the other world, as if to the gaping mouth of the god of death.
न तत्रासीन्महाराज सोमकानां महारथः यः संप्राप्य रणे भीष्मं जीविते स्म मनो दधे
AI Translation: There was no great warrior of the Somakas there, O great king, who, having reached Bhishma in battle, had set his mind on life.
तांश्च सर्वान्रणे योधान्प्रेतराजपुरं प्रति नीतानमन्यन्त जना दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य विक्रमम्
AI Translation: And all those warriors, he sent to the city of the king of the dead, Seeing Bhishma's valor, the people thought they had been taken.
न कश्चिदेनं समरे प्रत्युद्याति महारथः ऋते पाण्डुसुतं वीरं श्वेताश्वं कृष्णसारथिम् शिखण्डिनं च समरे पाञ्चाल्यममितौजसम्
M. N. Dutt: Save and except that heroic son of Pandu, owning cream-coloured steeds, and having Krishna for his charioteer, and that prince of the Panchalas, Shikhandin of immeasurable energy.
शिखण्डी तु रणे भीष्ममासाद्य भरतर्षभ दशभिर्दशभिर्बाणैराजघान महाहवे
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Then, O foremost of men, Shikhandin having encountered Bhishma in battle, pierced the latter on his breast with ten broad-headed shafts of great sharpness.
शिखण्डिनं तु गाङ्गेयः क्रोधदीप्तेन चक्षुषा अवैक्षत कटाक्षेण निर्दहन्निव भारत
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Ganga looked at Shikhandin with his eyes blazing in rage, and O Bharata, he seemed to burn the latter by his glance only.
स्त्रीत्वं तत्संस्मरन्राजन्सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः न जघान रणे भीष्मः स च तं नावबुद्धवान्
M. N. Dutt: But, O king, remembering his femininity, Bhishma did not wound him before the eyes of all in that battle. The latter however comprehended it not.
अर्जुनस्तु महाराज शिखण्डिनमभाषत अभित्वरस्व त्वरितो जहि चैनं पितामहम्
M. N. Dutt: Therefore, O monarch, Arjuna said to Shikhandin, “swiftly rush at the grandsire and slay him.
किं ते विवक्षया वीर जहि भीष्मं महारथम् न ह्यन्यमनुपश्यामि कंचिद्यौधिष्ठिरे बले
M. N. Dutt: What is that you want to speak, O hero? Slay the mighty car-warrior Bhishma, I do not see a man in the whole army of Yudhishthira,
यः शक्तः समरे भीष्मं योधयेत पितामहम् ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र सत्यमेतद्ब्रवीमि ते
M. N. Dutt: Who is able to fight with Bhishma in battle, except yourself, O best of men? This I say to you forsooth."
एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन शिखण्डी भरतर्षभ शरैर्नानाविधैस्तूर्णं पितामहमुपाद्रवत्
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to by Pritha's son, O foremost of the Bharatas, Shikhandin speedily covered the grandsire with arrows of various description;
अचिन्तयित्वा तान्बाणान्पिता देवव्रतस्तव अर्जुनं समरे क्रुद्धं वारयामास सायकैः
M. N. Dutt: But disregarding those arrows, your sire Devavrata, wrought up with wrath engaged to fight with Arjuna by means of his shafts.
तथैव च चमूं सर्वां पाण्डवानां महारथः अप्रैषीत्समरे तीक्ष्णैः परलोकाय मारिष
M. N. Dutt: That mighty car-warrior also dispatched the forces of the Pandavas to the other world, O sire, with his sharp-pointed shafts.
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्सैन्येन महता वृताः भीष्मं प्रच्छादयामासुर्मेघा इव दिवाकरम्
M. N. Dutt: On the other hand, O king, the sons of Pandu, supported by mighty divisions covered Bhishma over, like clouds covering the orb of the day.
स समन्तात्परिवृतो भारतो भरतर्षभ निर्ददाह रणे शूरान्वनं वह्निरिव ज्वलन्
M. N. Dutt: Then, O foremost of the Bharata, that chief of the Bharatas thus surrounded on all sides, began to consume those heroes in battle like a raging conflagration burning the woods.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम तव पुत्रस्य पौरुषम् अयोधयत यत्पार्थं जुगोप च यतव्रतम्
M. N. Dutt: Then we beheld the wonderful prowess of your son as much as he simultaneously fought with Arjuna and protected the grandsire.
कर्मणा तेन समरे तव पुत्रस्य धन्विनः दुःशासनस्य तुतुषुः सर्वे लोका महात्मनः
M. N. Dutt: Then all people were gratified with the feat achieved by your high-minded son Dushasana wielding his bow;
यदेकः समरे पार्थान्सानुगान्समयोधयत् न चैनं पाण्डवा युद्धे वारयामासुरुल्बणम्
M. N. Dutt: For then he, single-handed, fought with the Pandavas including Arjuna himself; he then fought so fiercely that the Pandavas were unable to resist him.
दुःशासनेन समरे रथिनो विरथीकृताः सादिनश्च महाराज दन्तिनश्च महाबलाः
M. N. Dutt: In that battle car-warriors were deprived of their cars by Dushasana; mighty horse-men and highly powerful elephant-riders,
विनिर्भिन्नाः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्निपेतुर्धरणीतले शरातुरास्तथैवान्ये दन्तिनो विद्रुता दिशः
M. N. Dutt: Mangled with his shafts, fell down on the surface of the earth. Huge-tusked elephants afflicted with arrow-wounds in all directions.
यथाग्निरिन्धनं प्राप्य ज्वलेद्दीप्तार्चिरुल्बणः तथा जज्वाल पुत्रस्ते पाण्डवान्वै विनिर्दहन्
M. N. Dutt: Just as fire fed with fuel fiercely blazes forth with terrible flames, so did your son consume the troops of the Pandavas.
तं भारतमहामात्रं पाण्डवानां महारथः जेतुं नोत्सहते कश्चिन्नाप्युद्यातुं कथंचन ऋते महेन्द्रतनयं श्वेताश्वं कृष्णसारथिम्
AI Translation: That great minister of the Bharatas, the great chariot of the Pandavas, no one is able to conquer or even approach in any way, except the son of the great Indra, the one with the white horses and Krishna as his charioteer.
स हि तं समरे राजन्विजित्य विजयोऽर्जुनः भीष्ममेवाभिदुद्राव सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः
AI Translation: Having defeated him in battle, O king, Vijaya Arjuna rushed towards Bhishma, while the entire army looked on.
विजितस्तव पुत्रोऽपि भीष्मबाहुव्यपाश्रयः पुनः पुनः समाश्वस्य प्रायुध्यत रणोत्कटः अर्जुनं च रणे राजन्योधयन्स व्यराजत
M. N. Dutt: Furiously fought with the Pandavas comforting his own troops at the same time. Arjuna also, O king, engaged in battle appeared very beautiful.
शिखण्डी तु रणे राजन्विव्याधैव पितामहम् शरैरशनिसंस्पर्शैस्तथा सर्पविषोपमैः
M. N. Dutt: Shikhandin also, O monarch, pierced the grandsire in battle with sharp arrows, of which the touch resembled that of the bolt of heaven and which were mortal like the virulent venom of snakes.
न च तेऽस्य रुजं चक्रुः पितुस्तव जनेश्वर स्मयमानश्च गाङ्गेयस्तान्बाणाञ्जगृहे तदा
M. N. Dutt: These shafts, O ruler of men, did not cause any the slightest pain to your father, and then the son of Ganga received those arrows with a smile.
Supplementary Passages:
6.112.99 After 99ab, D3 (marg. sec. m.) ins.: *466 जघान बाणान्गाङ्गेयस्तथा मुक्ताञ्शिखण्डिनः
उष्णार्तो हि नरो यद्वज्जलधाराः प्रतीच्छति तथा जग्राह गाङ्गेयः शरधाराः शिखण्डिनः
M. N. Dutt: Just as a man burning with thirst eagerly welcomes a shower of rain, so did also the son of Ganga receive the shower of arrows discharged by Shikhandin.
तं क्षत्रिया महाराज ददृशुर्घोरमाहवे भीष्मं दहन्तं सैन्यानि पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्
M. N. Dutt: Then, O mighty monarch, the Kshatriyas beheld Bhishma look terrible as he consumed the ranks of the high-souled Pandavas.
ततोऽब्रवीत्तव सुतः सर्वसैन्यानि मारिष अभिद्रवत संग्रामे फल्गुनं सर्वतो रथैः
M. N. Dutt: Then your son commanded, O sire, all your troops saying. “Assail from all sides the heroic Phalguna.
भीष्मो वः समरे सर्वान्पालयिष्यति धर्मवित् ते भयं सुमहत्त्यक्त्वा पाण्डवान्प्रतियुध्यत
M. N. Dutt: The valiant Bhishma conversant with all duties will protect us in battle.” Then those troops of yours dismissing all fears fought on with the Pandavas.
एष तालेन दीप्तेन भीष्मस्तिष्ठति पालयन् सर्वेषां धार्तराष्ट्राणां रणे शर्म च वर्म च
M. N. Dutt: (Again did Duryodhana say) “Yonder is Bhishma, with his tall standard marked with the device of a golden palmyra, striving for saving the honour and armours of all the Dhritarashtra warriors.
त्रिदशापि समुद्युक्ता नालं भीष्मं समासितुम् किमु पार्था महात्मानं मर्त्यभूतास्तथाबलाः तस्माद्द्रवत हे योधाः फल्गुनं प्राप्य संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: Even the celestial striving vigorously cannot overcome the mighty and high-souled Bhishma in battle, what to speak of the sons of Pritha who are mere mortals.
अहमद्य रणे यत्तो योधयिष्यामि फल्गुनम् सहितः सर्वतो यत्तैर्भवद्भिर्वसुधाधिपाः
AI Translation: I shall fight with Arjuna in the battle today, being well-prepared. O kings, you all, being well-prepared, should fight with me.
तच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचो राजंस्तव पुत्रस्य धन्विनः अर्जुनं प्रति संयत्ता बलवन्तो महारथाः
AI Translation: Hearing those words of your archer son, O king, the powerful maharathas were intent on Arjuna.
ते विदेहाः कलिङ्गाश्च दाशेरकगणैः सह अभिपेतुर्निषादाश्च सौवीराश्च महारणे
AI Translation: The Videhas, Kalingas, and the groups of Dasherakas, and the Nishādas and Sauviras attacked in the great battle.
बाह्लिका दरदाश्चैव प्राच्योदीच्याश्च मालवाः अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः
M. N. Dutt: Then the Souviras, the Kitavas, the Westerners, the Northermers and the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Shurasenas, the Shinis, the Vasatis,
शाल्वाश्रयास्त्रिगर्ताश्च अम्बष्ठाः केकयैः सह अभिपेतू रणे पार्थं पतंगा इव पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: The Shalvas, Shakas, the Trigartas, the Ambashta, the Kaikeyas, all these illustrious warriors, afflicted with shafts, and pained with thcir cuts,
Supplementary Passages:
6.112.110 After 110, K4 B D (except D2) M ins.: *467 शलभा इव राजेन्द्र पार्थमप्रतिमं रणे
स तान्सर्वान्सहानीकान्महाराज महारथान् दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि संचिन्त्य प्रसंधाय धनंजयः
AI Translation: He, Dhananjaya, having thought of and applied the divine weapons,
स तैरस्त्रैर्महावेगैर्ददाहाशु महाबलः शरप्रतापैर्बीभत्सुः पतंगानिव पावकः
AI Translation: The immensely powerful one quickly burned them with those missiles of great speed. Bībhatsu, with the heat of his arrows, burned them like a fire burns moths.
तस्य बाणसहस्राणि सृजतो दृढधन्विनः दीप्यमानमिवाकाशे गाण्डीवं समदृश्यत
AI Translation: When the bowman was shooting thousands of arrows, the Gandīva bow was seen blazing in the sky.
ते शरार्ता महाराज विप्रकीर्णरथध्वजाः नाभ्यवर्तन्त राजानः सहिता वानरध्वजम्
AI Translation: Those afflicted by arrows, great king, with their chariots and flags scattered, The kings, together with the monkey-bannered one, did not approach.
सध्वजा रथिनः पेतुर्हयारोहा हयैः सह गजाः सह गजारोहैः किरीटिशरताडिताः
AI Translation: With their flags, the charioteers fell down along with their chariots, the horse riders along with their horses, the elephants along with their riders, struck by the arrows of Kirīti
ततोऽर्जुनभुजोत्सृष्टैरावृतासीद्वसुंधरा विद्रवद्भिश्च बहुधा बलै राज्ञां समन्ततः
AI Translation: Then the earth was covered with arrows released from the arms of Arjuna, and with the armies of the kings fleeing in many directions.
अथ पार्थो महाबाहुर्द्रावयित्वा वरूथिनीम् दुःशासनाय समरे प्रेषयामास सायकान्
AI Translation: Then the mighty-armed Partha, having routed the army, sent arrows to Duhshāsana in battle.
ते तु भित्त्वा तव सुतं दुःशासनमयोमुखाः धरणीं विविशुः सर्वे वल्मीकमिव पन्नगाः हयांश्चास्य ततो जघ्ने सारथिं च न्यपातयत्
AI Translation: Having pierced your son Duhshāsana, they, with their faces turned away, all entered the earth, like snakes into an anthill. Then he struck his horses and brought down his
विविंशतिं च विंशत्या विरथं कृतवान्प्रभो आजघान भृशं चैव पञ्चभिर्नतपर्वभिः
AI Translation: And with twenty arrows he made Virāta's son, the charioteer, devoid of a chariot, O Lord, And struck him severely with five arrows with drooping joints.
कृपं शल्यं विकर्णं च विद्ध्वा बहुभिरायसैः चकार विरथांश्चैव कौन्तेयः श्वेतवाहनः
AI Translation: Having pierced Kripa, Shalya, and Vikarna with many iron arrows, Kounteya, the white-horse-chariot-warrior, made them leaderless.
एवं ते विरथाः पञ्च कृपः शल्यश्च मारिष दुःशासनो विकर्णश्च तथैव च विविंशतिः संप्राद्रवन्त समरे निर्जिताः सव्यसाचिना
AI Translation: Thus, O venerable one, the five, Kripa, Shalya, Duryodhana, Vikarna, and Vivimshati, fled in battle, defeated by Savyas
पूर्वाह्णे तु तथा राजन्पराजित्य महारथान् प्रजज्वाल रणे पार्थो विधूम इव पावकः
AI Translation: O king, in the forenoon, having defeated the great warriors, Partha blazed in the battle like a smokeless fire.
तथैव शरवर्षेण भास्करो रश्मिवानिव अन्यानपि महाराज पातयामास पार्थिवान्
AI Translation: Just as the sun with its rays, he showered down arrows. He also brought down other great kings, O king.
पराङ्मुखीकृत्य तदा शरवर्षैर्महारथान् प्रावर्तयत संग्रामे शोणितोदां महानदीम् मध्येन कुरुसैन्यानां पाण्डवानां च भारत
AI Translation: Having turned away the great warriors with showers of arrows, he set in motion a great river of blood in the battle. In the middle of the Kuru and Pandava armies, O descendant of
गजाश्च रथसंघाश्च बहुधा रथिभिर्हताः रथाश्च निहता नागैर्नागा हयपदातिभिः
AI Translation: Elephants and groups of chariots were killed in many ways by charioteers, Chariots were killed by elephants, elephants by horses and infantry,
अन्तरा छिध्यमानानि शरीराणि शिरांसि च निपेतुर्दिक्षु सर्वासु गजाश्वरथयोधिनाम्
AI Translation: The bodies and heads of the men, elephants, horses, chariots and foot-soldiers, being cut off in the interval, fell in all directions.
छन्नमायोधनं रेजे कुण्डलाङ्गदधारिभिः पतितैः पात्यमानैश्च राजपुत्रैर्महारथैः
AI Translation: The battlefield was covered, shining with those who wore earrings and armlets, with princes, great warriors, who had fallen and were being felled.
रथनेमिनिकृत्ताश्च गजैश्चैवावपोथिताः पादाताश्चाप्यदृश्यन्त साश्वाः सहयसादिनः
AI Translation: Some were cut down by the wheels of chariots, others were trampled by elephants, and foot soldiers were seen, with their horses and riders,
गजाश्वरथसंघाश्च परिपेतुः समन्ततः विशीर्णाश्च रथा भूमौ भग्नचक्रयुगध्वजाः
AI Translation: Elephants, horses, and chariots rushed in all directions. Broken chariots lay on the ground, with shattered wheels, yokes, and banners.
तद्गजाश्वरथौघानां रुधिरेण समुक्षितम् छन्नमायोधनं रेजे रक्ताभ्रमिव शारदम्
AI Translation: The battlefield was covered with the blood of elephants, horses, and chariots, and shone like a red autumn cloud.
श्वानः काकाश्च गृध्राश्च वृका गोमायुभिः सह प्रणेदुर्भक्ष्यमासाद्य विकृताश्च मृगद्विजाः
AI Translation: Dogs, crows, vultures, wolves, jackals, and other animals, having found their prey, howled. The deformed animals and birds also cried out.
ववुर्बहुविधाश्चैव दिक्षु सर्वासु मारुताः दृश्यमानेषु रक्षःसु भूतेषु विनदत्सु च
AI Translation: And many kinds of winds blew in all directions, while the demons and spirits were seen and heard roaring.
काञ्चनानि च दामानि पताकाश्च महाधनाः धूमायमाना दृश्यन्ते सहसा मारुतेरिताः
AI Translation: The golden reins and banners, the great wealth, are seen to be smoking, suddenly blown by the wind.
श्वेतच्छत्रसहस्राणि सध्वजाश्च महारथाः विनिकीर्णाः स्म दृश्यन्ते शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः सपताकाश्च मातङ्गा दिशो जग्मुः शरातुराः
AI Translation: Thousands of white umbrellas, with banners and great chariots, are seen scattered in hundreds and thousands. The elephants, with their banners, went in all directions, afflicted by arrows.
क्षत्रियाश्च मनुष्येन्द्र गदाशक्तिधनुर्धराः समन्ततो व्यदृश्यन्त पतिता धरणीतले
AI Translation: Kshatriyas, O lord of men, holding clubs, lances, and bows, were seen fallen on the ground all around.
Supplementary Passages:
6.112.135 For 135cd, M1.3.4 subst.: *468 समदृश्यन्त समरे धावमानाः समन्ततः
ततो भीष्मो महाराज दिव्यमस्त्रमुदीरयन् अभ्यधावत कौन्तेयं मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्
AI Translation: Then, O great king, Bhishma, displaying his divine weapons, attacked Kounteya, while all the archers looked on.
तं शिखण्डी रणे यत्तमभ्यधावत दंशितः संजहार ततो भीष्मस्तदस्त्रं पावकोपमम्
AI Translation: Then Śikhaṇḍin, armed with a bow, attacked him in battle. Then Bhīṣma destroyed that weapon, which was like fire.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु कौन्तेयः श्वेतवाहनः निजघ्ने तावकं सैन्यं मोहयित्वा पितामहम्
AI Translation: At this time, the son of Kunti, the white-horse-chariot-riding one, having confounded the grandfather, killed your army.