Critical Edition
संजय उवाच सौभद्रस्तु वचः श्रुत्वा धर्मराजस्य धीमतः अचोदयत यन्तारं द्रोणानीकाय भारत
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said The son of Subhadra, having heard the words of the intelligent king Yudhishthira commanded his charioteer to drive his chariot against the army of Drona.
तेन संचोद्यमानस्तु याहि याहीति सारथिः प्रत्युवाच ततो राजन्नभिमन्युमिदं वचः
M. N. Dutt: Thus commanded by him with the words "Proceed, proceed", the charioteer, o king, then replied to Abhimanyu saying-
अतिभारोऽयमायुष्मन्नाहितस्त्वयि पाण्डवैः संप्रधार्य क्षमं बुद्ध्या ततस्त्वं योद्धुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: "Heavy is the burden, O long-lived one, that has today been placed on you by the Pandavas. Ascertaining by your judgment as to whether you have the strength to bear it or not, you should engage in the fight.
आचार्यो हि कृती द्रोणः परमास्त्रे कृतश्रमः अत्यन्तसुखसंवृद्धस्त्वं च युद्धविशारदः
M. N. Dutt: The preceptor Drona, by continued labours, has acquired the excellent weapons and he is an adept in the art of warfare. You, on the other hand, have been brought up in all luxury and are unaccustomed to the toils and severities of fight.”
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.4 For 4, S subst.: *263 द्रोणो हि कृतवान्यत्नं शस्त्रास्त्रकृतनिश्रमः त्वं तु बालः स बलवान्संग्रामाणामकोविदः
ततोऽभिमन्युः प्रहसन्सारथिं वाक्यमब्रवीत् सारथे को न्वयं द्रोणः समग्रं क्षत्रमेव वा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Abhimanyu, with a a smile, replied to his charioteer saying-"O charioteer, who is indeed this Drona? What avails all this vast host of the Kshatriyas?
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.5 After 5, Dn2 D6 S ins.: *264 व्यवसायो हि मे योद्धुं रणोत्सवसमुद्भवः
ऐरावतगतं शक्रं सहामरगणैरहम् योधयेयं रणमुखे न मे क्षत्रेऽद्य विस्मयः न ममैतद्द्विषत्सैन्यं कलामर्हति षोडशीम्
AI Translation: I would fight Indra, mounted on Airāvata, together with the hosts of gods, in the forefront of battle. I have no hesitation in the kshatriya way. This army of mine
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.6 After 6ab, Dn2 S ins.: *265 अथ वा रुद्रमीशानं सर्वभूतगणैर्वृतम् Dn2 S ins. after 6cd: D6 after 6ab: *266 यच्चैतत्पश्यसे सूत सयोधाश्वरथद्विपम्
अपि विश्वजितं विष्णुं मातुलं प्राप्य सूतज पितरं चार्जुनं संख्ये न भीर्मामुपयास्यति
M. N. Dutt: This host of the enemy is not competent to fight even with the sixteenth part of myself. Getting, O son of a driver, my uncle (maternal), the world-conquering Vishnu or my father, for my antagonist in battle, I will not this day be overcome with terror."
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.7 After the above S cont.: *267 एवमप्युच्यमानः स सारथिस्तं पुनः पुनः वीर ते तेन मा युद्धमिति सौभद्रमब्रवीत्
ततोऽभिमन्युस्तां वाचं कदर्थीकृत्य सारथेः याहीत्येवाब्रवीदेनं द्रोणानीकाय माचिरम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter Abhimanyu seeing at naught those words of his charioteer commanded him saying-"Quickly drive towards the division of Drona."
ततः संचोदयामास हयानस्य त्रिहायनान् नातिहृष्टमनाः सूतो हेमभाण्डपरिच्छदान्
M. N. Dutt: Then the charioteer with a heart scarcely cheerful, urged on his steeds, three years of age and decked with caparisons of gold.
ते प्रेषिताः सुमित्रेण द्रोणानीकाय वाजिनः द्रोणमभ्यद्रवन्राजन्महावेगपराक्रमाः
M. N. Dutt: Then urged on towards the army of Drona by Sumitra, those steeds, endued with great fleetness and, prowess, rushed, O king, against Drona himself.
तमुदीक्ष्य तथायान्तं सर्वे द्रोणपुरोगमाः अभ्यवर्तन्त कौरव्याः पाण्डवाश्च तमन्वयुः
M. N. Dutt: Beholding Abhimanyu thus advance, all the warriors, headed by Drona, of the Kaurava host, advanced to meet him who was on the other hand followed by the Pandavas.
स कर्णिकारप्रवरोच्छ्रितध्वजः; सुवर्णवर्मार्जुनिरर्जुनाद्वरः युयुत्सया द्रोणमुखान्महारथा;न्समासदत्सिंहशिशुर्यथा गजान्
M. N. Dutt: Then like a young lion falling upon a herd of elephants, the son of Arjuna equal to Arjuna in prowess, owning an excellent standard bearing the device of a Karanikara tree, clad in fine coats of mail, fearlessly rushed against Drona, out of a desire for battle.
ते विंशतिपदे यत्ताः संप्रहारं प्रचक्रिरे आसीद्गाङ्ग इवावर्तो मुहूर्तमुदधेरिव
M. N. Dutt: Filled with delight, the warriors of Drona's division began to strike Abhimanyu as he strove to break through their ranks. Then for a moment only there reigned a confusion, that resembled the eddy that produced there where the Ganges stream flows into the waters of the ocean.
शूराणां युध्यमानानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम् संग्रामस्तुमुलो राजन्प्रावर्तत सुदारुणः
M. N. Dutt: Then as the heroes fought on and slew one another, O king, there commenced a pell-mell and awful fight.
प्रवर्तमाने संग्रामे तस्मिन्नतिभयंकरे द्रोणस्य मिषतो व्यूहं भित्त्वा प्राविशदार्जुनिः
M. N. Dutt: When that awful conflict raged fiercely, the son of Arjuna breaking through the enemies' array entered it even before the very eyes of Drona himself.
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.15 After 15, D6 S ins.: *268 तदभेद्यमनाधृष्यं द्रोणानीकं सुदुर्जयम् भित्त्वार्जुनिरसंभ्रान्तो विवेशाचिन्त्यविक्रमः
तं प्रविष्टं परान्घ्नन्तं शत्रुमध्ये महाबलम् हस्त्यश्वरथपत्त्यौघाः परिवव्रुरुदायुधाः
M. N. Dutt: Then large bodies of elephant-riders, horsemen, car-warriors and foot-soldiers, all delighted, surrounded that mighty hero who penetrating into the enemies ranks, had already began to smite them down.
नानावादित्रनिनदैः क्ष्वेडितोत्क्रुष्टगर्जितैः हुंकारैः सिंहनादैश्च तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति निस्वनैः
M. N. Dutt: With the sound of various musical instruments, with shouts and slappings of armpits and war-cries, with yells, leonine roars, with cries of 'Slay, slay.'
घोरैर्हलहलाशब्दैर्मा गास्तिष्ठैहि मामिति असावहममुत्रेति प्रवदन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः
M. N. Dutt: With a dreadful and confused din, with exclamation of Do not go, Stop, Come to me, with repeated voices saying, Here am I, come.
बृंहितैः शिञ्जितैर्हासैः खुरनेमिस्वनैरपि संनादयन्तो वसुधामभिदुद्रुवुरार्जुनिम्
M. N. Dutt: With roars of elephants, with the tinkling of ornaments, with roars of laughter, with the clatter of car-wheels and horse-hoofs, filling the earth with all these sounds, the Kauravas warriors assailed the son of Arjuna.
तेषामापततां वीरः पूर्वं शीघ्रमथो दृढम् क्षिप्रास्त्रो न्यवधीद्व्रातान्मर्मज्ञो मर्मभेदिभिः
M. N. Dutt: That hero endowed with great lightness in discharging weapons and possessed of the knowledge of the vital parts of the body, swiftly and firmly shooting arrows capable of penetrating the very vitals, began to slaughter those advancing warriors of the enemy.
ते हन्यमानाश्च तथा नानालिङ्गैः शितैः शरैः अभिपेतुस्तमेवाजौ शलभा इव पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: Though thus slaughtered by diverse shafts of exceeding sharpness and rendered quit helpless, yet they, in that battle, fell upon Abhimanyu like fights of insects failing upon fire.
ततस्तेषां शरीरैश्च शरीरावयवैश्च सः संतस्तार क्षितिं क्षिप्रं कुशैर्वेदिमिवाध्वरे
M. N. Dutt: Then with their bodies and their severed parts, Abhimanyu covered the earth like a priest covering the alter with Kusha-grass during a sacrifice.
बद्धगोधाङ्गुलित्राणान्सशरावरकार्मुकान् सासिचर्माङ्कुशाभीशून्सतोमरपरश्वधान्
AI Translation: Wearing finger-guards and arm-guards, with bows and quivers, With swords, shields, goads, spears, battle-axes, and lances,
सगुडायोमुखप्रासान्सर्ष्टितोमरपट्टिशान् सभिण्डिपालपरिघान्सशक्तिवरकम्पनान्
AI Translation: With clubs, javelins, spears, lances, and battle-axes, With bludgeons, maces, and sharp-pointed weapons, with thunderbolts and great weapons,
सप्रतोदमहाशङ्खान्सकुन्तान्सकचग्रहान् समुद्गरक्षेपणीयान्सपाशपरिघोपलान्
AI Translation: With great conch shells and goads, with clubs and with ropes, With hammers and missiles, with nooses, clubs, and stones,
सकेयूराङ्गदान्बाहून्हृद्यगन्धानुलेपनान् संचिच्छेदार्जुनिर्वृत्तांस्त्वदीयानां सहस्रशः
AI Translation: He cut off the arms of your men, with their bracelets and armlets, anointed with fragrant unguents, in their hundreds. Arjuna cut off the arms of your men, which were well-formed,
तैः स्फुरद्भिर्महाराज शुशुभे लोहितोक्षितैः पञ्चास्यैः पन्नगैश्छिन्नैर्गरुडेनेव मारिष
M. N. Dutt: Then covered with those effulgent arms a!! bathed in the crimson laid, the field, sire, 0 mighty monarch, appeared as if strewn over with five-headed serpents torn io pieces by Garuda.
सुनासाननकेशान्तैरव्रणैश्चारुकुण्डलैः संदष्टौष्ठपुटैः क्रोधात्क्षरद्भिः शोणितं बहु
AI Translation: With noses, faces, and hair intact, without wounds, with beautiful earrings, With lips clenched in anger, oozing much blood,
चारुस्रङ्मुकुटोष्णीषैर्मणिरत्नविराजितैः विनालनलिनाकारैर्दिवाकरशशिप्रभैः
AI Translation: Adorned with beautiful hair, crowns, and turbans, shining with precious jewels, With lotus-like faces, radiant like the sun and moon,
हितप्रियंवदैः काले बहुभिः पुण्यगन्धिभिः द्विषच्छिरोभिः पृथिवीमवतस्तार फाल्गुणिः
AI Translation: With many well-wishers and friends, fragrant with merit, Phalguna descended upon the earth with the heads of his enemies.
गन्धर्वनगराकारान्विधिवत्कल्पितान्रथान् वीषामुखान्वित्रिवेणून्व्यस्तदण्डकबन्धुरान्
AI Translation: chariots shaped like the cities of the Gandharvas, properly fitted out, with three-pronged yokes, with the reins fastened.
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.31 After 31ab, D7.8 S ins.: *269 समास्थितान्योधवरैर्दान्ताश्वान्साधुसारथीन् विपताकाध्वजच्छत्त्रान्वितूणीरायुधानपि विसूताश्वरथाभीशून्विशम्यायोक्त्रदण्डकान्
विजङ्घकूबराक्षांश्च विनेमीननरानपि विचक्रोपस्करोपस्थान्भग्नोपकरणानपि
AI Translation: Those who have lost their legs, arms, eyes, or noses, and those who are without fish or men, Those who are without wheels, without utensils, or without means, and those whose utensils are broken,
प्रशातितोपकरणान्हतयोधान्सहस्रशः शरैर्विशकलीकुर्वन्दिक्षु सर्वास्वदृश्यत
AI Translation: With weapons and armor shattered, with warriors slain by the thousands, he was seen in all directions, cutting them to pieces with arrows.
पुनर्द्विपान्द्विपारोहान्वैजयन्त्यङ्कुशध्वजान् तूणान्वर्माण्यथो कक्ष्या ग्रैवेयानथ कम्बलान्
AI Translation: Again, elephants, elephant riders, the Vaijayanta, the goad, the banner, Quivers, armor, girdles, necklaces, and blankets,
घण्टाः शुण्डान्विषाणाग्रान्क्षुरपालान्पदानुगान् शरैर्निशितधाराग्रैः शात्रवाणामशातयत्
AI Translation: He struck the elephants with his arrows, which had sharp points, and which followed his feet, and which were like the tusks of elephants. He struck the enemies with arrows that had sharp points.
वनायुजान्पार्वतीयान्काम्बोजारट्टबाह्लिकान् स्थिरवालधिकर्णाक्षाञ्जवनान्साधुवाहिनः
AI Translation: The forest-born, the Parvatīya, the Kāmboja, the Aratta, the Bahlika, The firm-horned, the thick-eared, the large-eyed, the swift, the well-riding,
स्वारूढाञ्शिक्षितैर्योधैः शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासयोधिभिः विध्वस्तचामरकुथान्विप्रकीर्णप्रकीर्णकान्
AI Translation: Mounted on them were trained warriors armed with spears, javelins, and missiles. Their chowries and umbrellas were shattered, and their garments were scattered.
निरस्तजिह्वानयनान्निष्कीर्णान्त्रयकृद्घनान् हतारोहान्भिन्नभाण्डान्क्रव्यादगणमोदनान्
AI Translation: With tongues and eyes removed, with intestines and livers scattered, With broken wheels, with broken vessels, delighting the hosts of vultures,
निकृत्तवर्मकवचाञ्शकृन्मूत्रासृगाप्लुतान् निपातयन्नश्ववरांस्तावकान्सोऽभ्यरोचत
AI Translation: Covered with armor and garments, smeared with feces, urine, and blood, He was shining as he was bringing down your best horses.
एको विष्णुरिवाचिन्त्यः कृत्वा प्राक्कर्म दुष्करम् तथा विमथितं तेन त्र्यङ्गं तव बलं महत् व्यहनत्स पदात्योघांस्त्वदीयानेव भारत
M. N. Dutt: Achieving, single-handed, these mosi difficult of feats, like the incomprehensible Vishnu in the days of old, Abhimanyu crushed your army consisting of three kinds of forces.
Supplementary Passages:
7.35.40 After 40cd, N (Ś2 missing) ins.: *270 यथासुरबलं घोरं त्र्यम्बकेनामितौजसा कृत्वा कर्म रणेऽसह्यं परैरार्जुनिराहवे
एवमेकेन तां सेनां सौभद्रेण शितैः शरैः भृशं विप्रहतां दृष्ट्वा स्कन्देनेवासुरीं चमूम्
AI Translation: Seeing that army of his so severely struck down by Subhādra's sharp arrows, like the army of the demons by Skanda,
त्वदीयास्तव पुत्राश्च वीक्षमाणा दिशो दश संशुष्कास्याश्चलन्नेत्राः प्रस्विन्ना लोमहर्षणाः
AI Translation: Your sons, looking in the ten directions, with parched faces, trembling eyes, and trembling hairs,
पलायनकृतोत्साहा निरुत्साहा द्विषज्जये गोत्रनामभिरन्योन्यं क्रन्दन्तो जीवितैषिणः
AI Translation: Eager to flee, they were not eager for victory over the enemy. Crying out to each other by their clan names, they sought to live.
हतान्पुत्रांस्तथा पितॄन्सुहृत्संबन्धिबान्धवान् प्रातिष्ठन्त समुत्सृज्य त्वरयन्तो हयद्विपान्
AI Translation: Having lost their sons, fathers, friends, relatives, and kinsmen, they mounted their horses and elephants, abandoning them, and hurried away.