Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच तेष्वेवं संनिवृत्तेषु प्रत्युद्यातेषु भागशः कथं युयुधिरे पार्था मामकाश्च तरस्विनः
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said When the Pandavas returned and when division clashed against divisions, how did the warriors of my army and those belonging to the sons of Pritha, endued with activity, fight?
किमर्जुनश्चाप्यकरोत्संशप्तकबलं प्रति संशप्तका वा पार्थस्य किमकुर्वत संजय
M. N. Dutt: What also did Arjuna do to the car-warriors of the Samshaptaka host and what, O Sanjaya, did the Samshaptakas do to Arjuna in return?
संजय उवाच तथा तेषु निवृत्तेषु प्रत्युद्यातेषु भागशः स्वयमभ्यद्रवद्भीमं नागानीकेन ते सुतः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When the Pandavas did return to the charge and when divisions clashed against divisions, your son (Duryodhana) himself at the head of the elephant division, rushed at Bhimasena. son
स नाग इव नागेन गोवृषेणेव गोवृषः समाहूतः स्वयं राज्ञा नागानीकमुपाद्रवत्
M. N. Dutt: Like an elephant challenged by another or like a bovine bull summoned by a rival, Bhimasena, challenged by the king himself, rushed against that elephant division.
स युद्धकुशलः पार्थो बाहुवीर्येण चान्वितः अभिनत्कुञ्जरानीकमचिरेणैव मारिष
M. N. Dutt: And, O sire, that of Pritha, accomplished in battle and endued with strength of arms, soon shattered that host of elephants.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.5 After 5, D5 ins.: *187 तत्र युद्धान्यदृश्यन्त प्रदृप्तानि बहूनि च
ते गजा गिरिसंकाशाः क्षरन्तः सर्वतो मदम् भीमसेनस्य नाराचैर्विमुखा विमदीकृताः
M. N. Dutt: Those elephants, prodigious like mountains and with ichor exuding from all parts of their bodies, were crushed and compelled to turn back by the Narachas of Bhimasena.
विधमेदभ्रजालानि यथा वायुः समन्ततः व्यधमत्तान्यनीकानि तथैव पवनात्मजः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed as a raging tempest tears away a network of clouds, so did the son of the Wind (Bhima) shatter that host (of elephants).
स तेषु विसृजन्बाणान्भीमो नागेष्वशोभत भुवनेष्विव सर्वेषु गभस्तीनुदितो रविः
M. N. Dutt: Scattering arrows on that herd of elephants, Bhima appeared beautiful, like the sun scattering his shining rays on all objects of the world.
ते भीमबाणैः शतशः संस्यूता विबभुर्गजाः गभस्तिभिरिवार्कस्य व्योम्नि नानाबलाहकाः
M. N. Dutt: Afflicted with the shafts of Bhima and bespattered with biood, those elephants looked beautiful like various masses of clouds in the heavens streaked with the rays of the sun.
तथा गजानां कदनं कुर्वाणमनिलात्मजम् क्रुद्धो दुर्योधनोऽभ्येत्य प्रत्यविध्यच्छितैः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Duryodhana excited with wrath, approached and pierced with whetted shafts the son of the Wind who was afflicting his (Duryodhana's) own division of elephants.
ततः क्षणेन क्षितिपं क्षतजप्रतिमेक्षणः क्षयं निनीषुर्निशितैर्भीमो विव्याध पत्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Thereat, with blood-red eyes, Bhima within a while, desirous of dragging the king to destruction, began to pierce the latter with winged shafts.
स शरार्पितसर्वाङ्गः क्रुद्धो विव्याध पाण्डवम् नाराचैरर्करश्म्याभैर्भीमसेनं स्मयन्निव
M. N. Dutt: Then Duryodhana, covered with arrows on all parts of his body and wrought up with rage, began to pierce the son of Pandu, viz., Bhimasena, with Narachas of the effulgence of the rays of the sun, laughing all the while.
तस्य नागं मणिमयं रत्नचित्रं ध्वजे स्थितम् भल्लाभ्यां कार्मुकं चैव क्षिप्रं चिच्छेद पाण्डवः
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana had an (artificial) elephant embossed with gems and jewels as the device gracing his banner; this elephant together with the former's blow, the son of Pandu severed with two Bhallas in all haste.
दुर्योधनं पीड्यमानं दृष्ट्वा भीमेन मारिष चुक्षोभयिषुरभ्यागादङ्गो मातङ्गमास्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Beholding Duryodhana afflicted by Bhima, O sire, the sovereign of the Angas, riding on an elephant, came with a view to afflict Bhima,
तमापतन्तं मातङ्गमम्बुदप्रतिमस्वनम् कुम्भान्तरे भीमसेनो नाराचेनार्दयद्भृशम्
M. N. Dutt: Secing that best of elephants make towards himself with a roar resembling the rumble of the clouds, Bhima struck it sore with a Naracha between its two frontal globes.
तस्य कायं विनिर्भिद्य ममज्ज धरणीतले ततः पपात द्विरदो वज्राहत इवाचलः
M. N. Dutt: That Naracha, penetrating through the body of the elephant at last struck on the ground. Then that elcphant fell like a mountain struck with the thunder-bolt.
तस्यावर्जितनागस्य म्लेच्छस्यावपतिष्यतः शिरश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन क्षिप्रकारी वृकोदरः
M. N. Dutt: The Mlechha king who could not extricate himself from the dropping elephant was also falling with it; with an admirable lightness of hand, Vrikodara cut-off the head of that monarch.
तस्मिन्निपतिते वीरे संप्राद्रवत सा चमूः संभ्रान्ताश्वद्विपरथा पदातीनवमृद्नती
M. N. Dutt: At the fall of the heroic ruler of the Angas, his division fled in all directions. Horses, elephants and car-warrior, seized with panic, began to crush the foot-soldiers in their fight.
तेष्वनीकेषु सर्वेषु विद्रवत्सु समन्ततः प्राग्ज्योतिषस्ततो भीमं कुञ्जरेण समाद्रवत्
M. N. Dutt: When that host had been thus broken and rouled in all directions, the sovereign of the Pragjyotisas rushed at Bhima, riding on his elephant.
येन नागेन मघवानजयद्दैत्यदानवान् स नागप्रवरो भीमं सहसा समुपाद्रवत्
M. N. Dutt: Bhagadatta attacked on Bhimasena by riding on the elephant of Airavata breed using which as vehicle, Indra had defeated the demons and monsters.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.20 After 20ab, Ś K2-4 B Dc1 Dn D1-3.5-8 ins.: *188 तदन्वयेन नागेन भीमसेनमुपाद्रवत्
श्रवणाभ्यामथो पद्भ्यां संहतेन करेण च व्यावृत्तनयनः क्रुद्धः प्रदहन्निव पाण्डवम्
AI Translation: With his ears, feet, and joined hands, and with his eyes turned away, he was angry, as if burning the Pandava.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.21 K2 (marg.).4.5 Dn D1-3.5-8 ins. after 21: D4 after 20ab: *189 वृकोदररथं साश्वमविशेषमचूर्णयत् पद्भ्यां भीमोऽप्यथो धावंस्तस्य गात्रेष्वलीयत जानन्नञ्जलिकावेधं नापाक्रामत पाण्डवः गात्राभ्यन्तरगो भूत्वा करेणाताडयन्मुहुः लालयामास तं नागं वधाकाङ्क्षिणमव्ययम् कुलालचक्रवन्नागस्तदा तूर्णमथाभ्रमत् नागायुतबलः श्रीमान्कालयानो वृकोदरम् भीमोऽपि निष्क्रम्य ततः सुप्रतीकाग्रतोऽभवत् भीमं करेणावनम्य जानुभ्यामभ्यपातयत् ग्रीवायां वेष्टयित्वैनं स गजो हन्तुमैहत करवेष्टं भीमसेनो भ्रमं दत्त्वा व्यमोचयत् पुनर्गात्राणि नागस्य प्रविवेश वृकोदरः यावत्प्रतिगजायातं स्वबलस्थमवैक्षत भीमोऽपि नागगात्रेभ्यो विनिःसृत्यापयाज्जवात्
ततः सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य नादः समभवन्महान् हा हा विनिहतो भीमः कुञ्जरेणेति मारिष
AI Translation: Then there was a great cry from the whole army: "Oh, oh! Bhima has been killed by an elephant, my lord!"
तेन नादेन वित्रस्ता पाण्डवानामनीकिनी सहसाभ्यद्रवद्राजन्यत्र तस्थौ वृकोदरः
M. N. Dutt: 'Alas, Bhima is slain by the elephant' was set up by all the troops, O sire. Frightened by that elephant, the Pandava army suddenly fled, O king, there where Vrikodara was standing.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा हतं मत्वा वृकोदरम् भगदत्तं सपाञ्चालः सर्वतः समवारयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, considering Vrikodara to be slain, king Yudhishthira assisted by the Panchalas, environed Bhagadatta on all sides. a loud
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.24 After 24, G1 M ins.: *190 भीमोऽपि दोर्भ्यां नागेन्द्रं निपीड्यामोचयद्बली
तं रथै रथिनां श्रेष्ठाः परिवार्य समन्ततः अवाकिरञ्शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: That foremost of car-warriors Yudhishthira, having surrounded Bhagadatta with cars on all sides, covered the latter with keen-pointed shafts by hundreds and thousands.
स विघातं पृषत्कानामङ्कुशेन समाचरन् गजेन पाण्डुपाञ्चालान्व्यधमत्पर्वतेश्वरः
M. N. Dutt: Baffling those myriad shafts with his iron hook, the Mountain-king, (Bhagadatta) agitated with his elephant the host of the Pandavas and the Panchalas.
तदद्भुतमपश्याम भगदत्तस्य संयुगे तथा वृद्धस्य चरितं कुञ्जरेण विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: Then, O ruler of men, we did indeed behold a wonderful feat achieved in that battle by the old Bhagadatta, through the instrumentality of his elephant.
ततो राजा दशार्णानां प्राग्ज्योतिषमुपाद्रवत् तिर्यग्यातेन नागेन समदेनाशुगामिना
M. N. Dutt: Then the sovereign of the Dasarnas advanced against the ruler of the Pragjyotisas, mounted on a swift-coursing elephant exuding the temporal juice and moving in a tortuous inotion.
तयोर्युद्धं समभवन्नागयोर्भीमरूपयोः सपक्षयोः पर्वतयोर्यथा सद्रुमयोः पुरा
M. N. Dutt: Then the encounter that ensued between those two elephants of prodigious appearance, resembled the fight, in the days of yore, between winged mountains covered with trees.
प्राग्ज्योतिषपतेर्नागः संनिपत्यापवृत्य च पार्श्वे दशार्णाधिपतेर्भित्त्वा नागमपातयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter the elephant of the ruler of the Pragjyotisas, turning and wheeling round, slew the elephant of the king of the Dasarnas, by ripping open its flanks.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.30 After 30ab, G5 ins.: *191 प्राग्ज्योतिषानाधिपतेर्गत्वा ना[ग]मबोधयत्
तोमरैः सूर्यरश्म्याभैर्भगदत्तोऽथ सप्तभिः जघान द्विरदस्थं तं शत्रुं प्रचलितासनम्
M. N. Dutt: King Bhagadatta also, with seven Tomaras of the effulgence of the sur's rays, slew his adversary riding on an elephant just when the latter was about to slip down from his seat.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.31 After 31, G1 M ins.: *192 ततो युधिष्ठिरो दृष्ट्वा दशार्णाधिपतिं हतम् महता रथवंशेन प्राग्ज्योतिषमभिद्रवत्
उपसृत्य तु राजानं भगदत्तं युधिष्ठिरः रथानीकेन महता सर्वतः पर्यवारयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Yudhishthira lacerating king Bhagadatta (with many shafts), surrounding him on all sides with a numerous host of carwarriors.
स कुञ्जरस्थो रथिभिः शुशुभे सर्वतो वृतः पर्वते वनमध्यस्थो ज्वलन्निव हुताशनः
M. N. Dutt: Mounted on his elephant and surrounded on all sides by the car-warriors, he (Bhagadatta) appeared beautiful like fire illumining a mountain surrounded by forests.
मण्डलं सर्वतः श्लिष्टं रथिनामुग्रधन्विनाम् किरतां शरवर्षाणि स नागः पर्यवर्तत
M. N. Dutt: Then mounted on his elephant, he remained inside that compact circle of fierce bow-men riding on chariots and pouring showers of arrows. a
ततः प्राग्ज्योतिषो राजा परिगृह्य द्विपर्षभम् प्रेषयामास सहसा युयुधानरथं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter the king of the Pragjyotisas, poking his prodigious elephant, urged it towards the chariot of Yuyudhana.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.35 After 35, S ins.: *193 आपतन्तं तु संप्रेक्ष्य नागं सात्वतपुंगवः अविध्यत्पञ्चभिर्बाणैः शितैराशीविषोपमैः M3-5 cont.: *194 सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता सत्यकेन विशां पते व्यवर्तत परित्रासान्मण्डलानि शरार्दितः
शिनेः पौत्रस्य तु रथं परिगृह्य महाद्विपः अभिचिक्षेप वेगेन युयुधानस्त्वपाक्रमत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereat the mighty elephant twining with its trunks the car of Sini's grandson, threw it violently to distance; but Yuyudhana escaped.
बृहतः सैन्धवानश्वान्समुत्थाप्य तु सारथिः तस्थौ सात्यकिमासाद्य संप्लुतस्तं रथं पुनः
M. N. Dutt: His charioteer jumping upon the car, urged the mighty steeds of the Shindhu breed yoked thereto and stopped reaching the spot where Satyaki was sianding.
स तु लब्ध्वान्तरं नागस्त्वरितो रथमण्डलात् निश्चक्राम ततः सर्वान्परिचिक्षेप पार्थिवान्
M. N. Dutt: Then that elephani, availing itself of that breach in the circle of cars, came speedily out of it and began to overthrow all the rulers of the carth.
ते त्वाशुगतिना तेन त्रास्यमाना नरर्षभाः तमेकं द्विरदं संख्ये मेनिरे शतशो नृपाः
M. N. Dutt: Those foremost of men being frightened by that swift-coursing elephant, regarded that single one to be multiplied into hundred elephants, in that battle.
ते गजस्थेन काल्यन्ते भगदत्तेन पाण्डवाः ऐरावतस्थेन यथा देवराजेन दानवाः
M. N. Dutt: The Pandavas crushed by Bhagadatta mounted on his elephant, appeared like the Danavas crushed by Indra mounted on his clephant, appeared like the Danavas crushed by Indra mounted on the Airavata.
तेषां प्रद्रवतां भीमः पाञ्चालानामितस्ततः गजवाजिकृतः शब्दः सुमहान्समजायत
M. N. Dutt: When the Panchalas were flying on all sides, a defending and dreadful din was created by their elephants and steeds.
भगदत्तेन समरे काल्यमानेषु पाण्डुषु प्राग्ज्योतिषमभिक्रुद्धः पुनर्भीमः समभ्ययात्
M. N. Dutt: Thus when the Pandavas were being afflicted by Bhagadatta in that battle, Bhima wrought up with wrath once more rushed against the ruler of the Pragjyotisas.
तस्याभिद्रवतो वाहान्हस्तमुक्तेन वारिणा सिक्त्वा व्यत्रासयन्नागस्ते पार्थमहरंस्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Then that elephant drenching with the water spouting from its trunk the horses of the advancing Bhima, frightened them and they carried away Bhima from the field.
ततस्तमभ्ययात्तूर्णं रुचिपर्वाकृतीसुतः समुक्षञ्शरवर्षेण रथस्थोऽन्तकसंनिभः
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Ruchiparvan the son of Akriti spcedily rushed at him, mounted on his chariot and pouring showers of arrows like Death himself.
ततो रुचिरपर्वाणं शरेण नतपर्वणा सुपर्वा पर्वतपतिर्निन्ये वैवस्वतक्षयम्
M. N. Dutt: Then that ruler of the mountain tracts possessed of shapely limbs, dispatched, with a straight shaft, Ruchiparvan to the regions of the son of Vivasvan (Death).
तस्मिन्निपतिते वीरे सौभद्रो द्रौपदीसुताः चेकितानो धृष्टकेतुर्युयुत्सुश्चार्दयन्द्विपम्
AI Translation: When that hero fell, Saubhādra, the sons of Drāupadi, Chekitāna, Dhristaketu, and Yuyutsu struck the elephant.
त एनं शरधाराभिर्धाराभिरिव तोयदाः सिषिचुर्भैरवान्नादान्विनदन्तो जिघांसवः
AI Translation: With showers of arrows, like clouds with showers of water, they sprinkled him, roaring and crying out, desiring to kill him.
ततः पार्ष्ण्यङ्कुशाङ्गुष्ठैः कृतिना चोदितो द्विपः प्रसारितकरः प्रायात्स्तब्धकर्णेक्षणो द्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: Then that elephant urged with heels toes and the hook, by its skillful rider, rushed (at them) with speed, with its trunk stretched and eyes and ear fixed trampling upon the steeds of Yuyutsu, the animal crushed his charioteer.
सोऽधिष्ठाय पदा वाहान्युयुत्सोः सूतमारुजत् पुत्रस्तु तव संभ्रान्तः सौभद्रस्याप्लुतो रथम्
AI Translation: Having mounted the horses, he struck the charioteer of Yuyutsu with his foot. Your son, frightened, jumped onto the chariot of Saubhādra.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.49 After 49ab, D6 ins.: *195 रथं बभञ्ज संक्रुद्धश्चण्डवातो यथा द्रुमम् D6 cont.: K4 B (B3 marg.) Dc1 Dn2 D1.3.5 ins. after 49ab: *196 युयुत्सुस्तु रथाद्राजन्नपाक्रामत्त्वरान्वितः ततः पाण्डवयोधास्ते नागराजं शरैर्द्रुतम्
स कुञ्जरस्थो विसृजन्निषूनरिषु पार्थिवः बभौ रश्मीनिवादित्यो भुवनेषु समुत्सृजन्
M. N. Dutt: At this juncture, your son with speed rushed, against the car or Subhadra's son. King Bhagadatta riding on his elephant and discharging arrows at the foc appeared resplendent like the sun scattering his rays on the earth.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.50 After 50, M3-5 ins.: *197 स भीमेनाथ बहुधा दन्ताभ्यामवपीडयन् मोक्षितो युद्धशौण्डेन नागायुतबलो गजः
तमार्जुनिर्द्वादशभिर्युयुत्सुर्दशभिः शरैः त्रिभिस्त्रिभिर्द्रौपदेया धृष्टकेतुश्च विव्यधुः
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Arjuna pierced him with twelve shafts and Yuyutsu with ten. The sons of Draupadi and Dhrishtaketu also pierced him with ten shafts.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.51 After 51, D3.6 S ins.: *198 चेकितानश्चतुःषष्ट्या सोत्तरायुधिकं पुनः प्रत्यविध्यच्छरैः सर्वान्भगदत्तस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
सोऽरियत्नार्पितैर्बाणैराचितो द्विरदो बभौ संस्यूत इव सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिर्जलदो महान्
M. N. Dutt: With those arrows shot with great care stuck on its body, the elephant appeared beautiful. Like a mighty rain-cloud struck with the rays of the sun.
नियन्तुः शिल्पयत्नाभ्यां प्रेषितोऽरिशरार्दितः परिचिक्षेप तान्नागः स रिपून्सव्यदक्षिणम्
M. N. Dutt: Urged on by the skill and vigour of its rider and smitten with the shafts of the enemy. That clephant began to throw down right and left, the warriors of the hostile host.
गोपाल इव दण्डेन यथा पशुगणान्वने आवेष्टयत तां सेनां भगदत्तस्तथा मुहुः
M. N. Dutt: Like a cow-hcard belabouring with his cudgel the herd in the forest. Bhagadatta began to smite the hostile troops repeatedly.
क्षिप्रं श्येनाभिपन्नानां वायसानामिव स्वनः बभूव पाण्डवेयानां भृशं विद्रवतां स्वनः
M. N. Dutt: Like the cawing of the crows pounced upon by the hawks. A confused noise was heard among the Pandava hosts, as they fled with speed.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.55 D4.5.7 ins. after 55ab: D3.6 S after 55: *199 रजश्च सुमहद्राजन्नन्तरिक्षं समाचिनोत् D4.5.7 cont.: *200 स रेणुमार्गो वियति भाति दण्ड इवोत्थितः समुच्छ्रितो भृशार्ताया सेनाया सुभुजो यथा D4.5.7 cont.: D3.6 S ins. after 199*: *201 अभिधावेति कौन्तेयं संचोदयदिवार्जुनम्
स नागराजः प्रवराङ्कुशाहतः; पुरा सपक्षोऽद्रिवरो यथा नृप भयं तथा रिपुषु समादधद्भृशं; वणिग्गणानां क्षुभितो यथार्णवः
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, then that foremost of elephants being struck with the hook resembled with winged mountains of yore. It struck panic into the hearts of the enemy, like to what the merchants (on board) experience when the (tempest-tossed) sea rushes against them.
ततो ध्वनिर्द्विरदरथाश्वपार्थिवै;र्भयाद्द्रवद्भिर्जनितोऽतिभैरवः क्षितिं वियद्द्यां विदिशो दिशस्तथा; समावृणोत्पार्थिव संयुगे तदा
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, then in that battle, a loud din, was raised by the elephants, car-warriors steeds and kings, as they fled in fear; and that din filled the earth, the welkin, the cardinal and subsidiary directions of the compass.
Supplementary Passages:
7.25.57 After 57, Ś1 ins.: *202 समन्ततस्तत्र जनाधिपेश्वर
स तेन नागप्रवरेण पार्थिवो; भृशं जगाहे द्विषतामनीकिनीम् पुरा सुगुप्तां विबुधैरिवाहवे; विरोचनो देववरूथिनीमिव
M. N. Dutt: That monarch (Bhagadatta) with that foremost elephant of his, thoroughly agitated the host of the enemy, like Virochana agitating in battle the celestial host well-protected by the immortals in the days of yore.
भृशं ववौ ज्वलनसखो वियद्रजः; समावृणोन्मुहुरपि चैव सैनिकान् तमेकनागं गणशो यथा गजाः; समन्ततो द्रुतमिव मेनिरे जनाः
M. N. Dutt: The friend of fire (tempest) then began to blow violently. A cloud of dust in a moment covered the firmament and the forces. People began to regard that single elephant at multiplied into many and careering in all directions.