Critical Edition
संजय उवाच ततो व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु समुत्क्रुष्टेषु मारिष ताड्यमानासु भेरीषु मृदङ्गेषु नदत्सु च
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thus when the troops had been excellently disposed of in that array, Osire and when Bheris were sounded and Mridangas struck up.
अनीकानां च संह्रादे वादित्राणां च निस्वने प्रध्मापितेषु शङ्खेषु संनादे लोमहर्षणे
M. N. Dutt: When the soldiers uttered loud war-cries and musical instruments emitted tremendous din, when conchs were blown and horripilating roars were heard.
अभिहारयत्सु शनकैर्भरतेषु युयुत्सुषु रौद्रे मुहूर्ते संप्राप्ते सव्यसाची व्यदृश्यत
M. N. Dutt: When the field slowly became over-spread with Bharata heroes desirous of battle and when the hour known as Roudra arrived, Savyasachin (Arjuna) made his appearance on the field of battle.
वडानां वायसानां च पुरस्तात्सव्यसाचिनः बहुलानि सहस्राणि प्राक्रीडंस्तत्र भारत
M. N. Dutt: Then, O Bharata, many thousands of ravens and crows flew sportively in front of Arjuna's car.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.4 For 4cd, S subst.: *459 पिशितासृग्भुजां संघाः प्रलीयन्ते सहस्रशः
मृगाश्च घोरसंनादाः शिवाश्चाशिवदर्शनाः दक्षिणेन प्रयातानामस्माकं प्राणदंस्तथा
M. N. Dutt: Various animals of fearful yells and jackals of dreadful appearance, began to how in our right as we proceeded to battle.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.5 After 5, S ins.: *460 लोकक्षये महाराज यादृशास्तादृशा हि ते अशिवा धार्तराष्ट्राणां शिवाः पार्थस्य संयुगे
सनिर्घाता ज्वलन्त्यश्च पेतुरुल्काः समन्ततः चचाल च मही कृत्स्ना भये घोरे समुत्थिते
M. N. Dutt: Thousands of meteors, with harsh sounds and blazing tails, began to drop down; on the dreadful occasion, the whole Earth began to quake and tremble.
विष्वग्वाताः सनिर्घाता रूक्षाः शर्करवर्षिणः ववुरायाति कौन्तेये संग्रामे समुपस्थिते
M. N. Dutt: Dry winds accompanied by deep sounds and driving pebbles and gravel, began to blow when Kunti's son made his appearance before the commencement of the battle.
नाकुलिस्तु शतानीको धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः पाण्डवानामनीकानि प्राज्ञौ तौ व्यूहतुस्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Then Shatanika the son of Nakula and Dhristadyumna the son of Prishata, these two warriors endued with great wisdom began to array in order the numerous divisions of the Pandavas.
ततो रथसहस्रेण द्विरदानां शतेन च त्रिभिरश्वसहस्रैश्च पदातीनां शतैः शतैः
AI Translation: Then with a thousand chariots, with a hundred elephants, with three thousand horses, and with hundreds of foot soldiers,
अध्यर्धमात्रे धनुषां सहस्रे तनयस्तव अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां स्थित्वा दुर्मर्षणोऽब्रवीत्
AI Translation: In the midst of a thousand bows' length, your son Standing in front of all the armies, Durmārṣa said,
अद्य गाण्डीवधन्वानं तपन्तं युद्धदुर्मदम् अहमावारयिष्यामि वेलेव मकरालयम्
M. N. Dutt: Like the banks resisting the waves of the swelling main, even I myself will this day hold in check the wielder of the Gandiva bow, that slayer of foes, that hero who is irrepressible in battle.
अद्य पश्यन्तु संग्रामे धनंजयममर्षणम् विषक्तं मयि दुर्धर्षमश्मकूटमिवाश्मनि
M. N. Dutt: Today let people see the irate and indomitable Dhananjaya collide with me, even like a mass of stone against another story mass.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.12 After 12, B Dc1 Dn1 D2.3.5.6 ins.: *461 तिष्ठध्वं रथिनो यूयं संग्राममभिकाङ्क्षिणः युध्यामि संहतानेतान्यशो मानं च वर्धयन्
एवं ब्रुवन्महाराज महात्मा स महामतिः महेष्वासैर्वृतो राजन्महेष्वासो व्यवस्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Having thus (spoken, O mighty monarch, that illustrious site of generous intellect, that fierce bowmen, stood, king, being surrounded by many excellent car-warriors.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.13 After 13, G1 M ins.: *462 ततोऽर्जुनो महाराज प्रत्यदृश्यत भारत
ततोऽन्तक इव क्रुद्धः सवज्र इव वासवः दण्डपाणिरिवासह्यो मृत्युः कालेन चोदितः
M. N. Dutt: Then, ikt, the enraged Destroyer or like Vasata arnted with the thunderbolt or like the unbearate'r god of Death wielding his bludgeon and lét loose by time.
शूलपाणिरिवाक्षोभ्यो वरुणः पाशवानिव युगान्ताग्निरिवार्चिष्मान्प्रधक्ष्यन्वै पुनः प्रजाः
M. N. Dutt: Or like Siva with trident and unruffled or like Varuna armed with the noose or like the blazing fire appearing at the end of a Yuga for consuming the creation.
क्रोधामर्षबलोद्धूतो निवातकवचान्तकः जयो जेता स्थितः सत्ये पारयिष्यन्महाव्रतम्
M. N. Dutt: That slayer of the Nivatakavachas, inflamed with rage and swelling with his energies, the ever victorious Jaya attached to truth and intent on accomplishing his great vow.
आमुक्तकवचः खड्गी जाम्बूनदकिरीटभृत् शुभ्रवर्माम्बरधरः स्वङ्गदी चारुकुण्डली
M. N. Dutt: Cased in mail and armed with a sword, graced with a golden diadem, decorated with garlands of white flowers and attired in white garments, his arms decked with charming Angadas and ears with resplendent ear-rings.
रथप्रवरमास्थाय नरो नारायणानुगः विधुन्वन्गाण्डिवं संख्ये बभौ सूर्य इवोदितः
M. N. Dutt: Riding on his own best of chariots, the embodied Nara accompanied by Narayana, shaking his Gandiva bow in battle appeared shining and dazzling like the risen sun.
सोऽग्रानीकस्य महत इषुपाते धनंजयः व्यवस्थाप्य रथं सज्जं शङ्खं दध्मौ प्रतापवान्
M. N. Dutt: Then Dhananjaya endued with great might, O king, stopping his chariot before the van of his troops where the thickest downpour of arrows was expected blew his conch.
अथ कृष्णोऽप्यसंभ्रान्तः पार्थेन सह मारिष प्राध्मापयत्पाञ्चजन्यं शङ्खप्रवरमोजसा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the undaunted Krishna also, O sire, with Pritha's son, blew with force that most excellent conch of his, known as the Panchajanya.
तयोः शङ्खप्रणादेन तव सैन्ये विशां पते आसन्संहृष्टरोमाणः कम्पिता गतचेतसः
M. N. Dutt: Then at that blare of the conchs, O ruler of men, the soldiers of your army had the hair of their body erect and they trembled and were confounded.
यथा त्रसन्ति भूतानि सर्वाण्यशनिनिस्वनात् तथा शङ्खप्रणादेन वित्रेसुस्तव सैनिकाः
M. N. Dutt: At the blare of their conchs, your troops took right even as creatures become frightened at the rumbling of the thunder.
प्रसुस्रुवुः शकृन्मूत्रं वाहनानि च सर्वशः एवं सवाहनं सर्वमाविग्नमभवद्बलम्
M. N. Dutt: All the beasts discharged urine and excreta. Your whole army with its animals seized with anxiety.
व्यषीदन्त नरा राजञ्शङ्खशब्देन मारिष विसंज्ञाश्चाभवन्केचित्केचिद्राजन्वितत्रसुः
M. N. Dutt: O sire, O monarch, in consequence of the blare of those two conchs, all men were deprived of their strength. And some of our array the were filled with fear and some lost their consciousness.
ततः कपिर्महानादं सह भूतैर्ध्वजालयैः अकरोद्व्यादितास्यश्च भीषयंस्तव सैनिकान्
M. N. Dutt: Then frightening your soldiers, the ape of Arjuna's banner with other creatures thereon, opening its mouth, uttered a terrible roar.
ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च मृदङ्गाश्चानकैः सह पुनरेवाभ्यहन्यन्त तव सैन्यप्रहर्षणाः
M. N. Dutt: Then conchs, horns, cymbals and Anakas, were sounded and blown for inspiring energy into your troops.
नानावादित्रसंह्रादैः क्ष्वेडितास्फोटिताकुलैः सिंहनादैः सवादित्रैः समाहूतैर्महारथैः
M. N. Dutt: Then din thus produced, became mixed up with the din produced by various musical instruments, by the shouts of warriors and by the slappings of their armpits, by the war-cries of the great car-warriors, as they challenged one another.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.27 After 27, G1 M1.2 ins.: *463 दुर्मर्षणबलं पूर्वमथ दुःशासनानुगम् ततः शकटसंस्थं च घोरनादसमाकुलम्
तस्मिन्सुतुमुले शब्दे भीरूणां भयवर्धने अतीव हृष्टो दाशार्हमब्रवीत्पाकशासनिः
M. N. Dutt: Thus when that tremendous din arose there din that enhanced the fear of the cowards the son of Pakashasani became filled with joy; and addressing the descendant of the Dasarha race, he then thus spoke.
चोदयाश्वान्हृषीकेश यत्र दुर्मर्षणः स्थितः एतद्भित्त्वा गजानीकं प्रवेक्ष्याम्यरिवाहिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said Drive, O Hrishikesha, the horses to the spot where Durmarsana stands. Penetrating through this division of elephants. I shall enter into the heart of the hostile army.
एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः केशवः सव्यसाचिना अचोदयद्धयांस्तत्र यत्र दुर्मर्षणः स्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thus spoken to by Savyasachin, the mighty-armed Keshava drove the steeds to the spot where Durmarsana was standing.
स संप्रहारस्तुमुलः संप्रवृत्तः सुदारुणः एकस्य च बहूनां च रथनागनरक्षयः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, there ensued a fearful and terrible encounter between the many and the one, encounter that was destructive of many cars, elephants and men.
ततः सायकवर्षेण पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान् परानवाकिरत्पार्थः पर्वतानिव नीरदः
M. N. Dutt: Then, like masses of clouds surcharged with rain drenching the mountain-breast with their contents. Pritha's son covered his enemies with his arrowy downpour.
ते चापि रथिनः सर्वे त्वरिताः कृतहस्तवत् अवाकिरन्बाणजालैस्ततः कृष्णधनंजयौ
M. N. Dutt: The warriors of your army then with great lightness of hands, hastily covered Arjuna and Krishna with a net-work of arrows.
ततः क्रुद्धो महाबाहुर्वार्यमाणः परैर्युधि शिरांसि रथिनां पार्थः कायेभ्योऽपाहरच्छरैः
M. N. Dutt: Then excited to the highest pitch of anger by his enemies, the mighty-armed Partha endued with great prowess, began to rob, with his arrows, the heads of car-warriors, from their trunks.
उद्भ्रान्तनयनैर्वक्त्रैः संदष्टोष्ठपुटैः शुभैः सकुण्डलशिरस्त्राणैर्वसुधा समकीर्यत
M. N. Dutt: The Earth became overspread with handsome heads graced with ear-rings and head-gears, the lower lips bit by the upper ones and the faces adorned with eyes inflamed with rage.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.35 For 35bcd S subst.: *464 अमर्षाद्भ्रुकुटीकृतैः तथैव क्रोधदष्टोष्ठैरवाकीर्यत मेदिनी
पुण्डरीकवनानीव विध्वस्तानि समन्ततः विनिकीर्णानि योधानां वदनानि चकाशिरे
M. N. Dutt: The countenance of the warriors scattered here and there, looked charming like an assemblage of plucked off lotuses lying crushed and strewn about the field.
तपनीयविचित्राणि सिक्तानि रुधिरेण च अदृश्यन्त यथा राजन्मेघसंघाः सविद्युतः
M. N. Dutt: Armours of gold bespattered with blood and lying thick over the field, appeared like masses of clouds fringed with flashes of lightning.
शिरसां पततां राजञ्शब्दोऽभूत्पृथिवीतले कालेन परिपक्वानां तालानां पततामिव
M. N. Dutt: The sound then created by the falling of heads on the earth, resembled that produced by the falling of ripe palm fruit.
ततः कबन्धः कश्चित्तु धनुरालम्ब्य तिष्ठति कश्चित्खड्गं विनिष्कृष्य भुजेनोद्यम्य तिष्ठति
M. N. Dutt: Some headless tiunk were seen standing there, with their bows in grasp. Some again stood, with their drawn swords raised on air (for striking).
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.39 After 39, S ins.: *465 गृहीत्वान्यस्य केशेषु शिरो नृत्यति चापरः
नाजानन्त शिरांस्युर्व्यां पतितानि नरर्षभाः अमृष्यमाणाः कौन्तेयं संग्रामे जयगृद्धिनः
AI Translation: The bulls among men did not know that their heads had fallen on the ground. Unable to bear it, they were eager to win in the battle.
हयानामुत्तमाङ्गैश्च हस्तिहस्तैश्च मेदिनी बाहुभिश्च शिरोभिश्च वीराणां समकीर्यत
M. N. Dutt: The Earth became strewn over with the heads of horses, the trunks of elephants and the heads and arms of heroic warriors.
अयं पार्थः कुतः पार्थ एष पार्थ इति प्रभो तव सैन्येषु योधानां पार्थभूतमिवाभवत्
M. N. Dutt: 'This is Arjuna' 'Where is Partha' 'Here is Pritha's son'-0 master, even thus were the troops of your army then filled with the thought of Partha.
Supplementary Passages:
7.64.42 After 42ab, S ins.: *466 तिष्ठ पार्थैर्हि मां पार्थ क्व यासीति च जल्पताम्
अन्योन्यमपि चाजघ्नुरात्मानमपि चापरे पार्थभूतममन्यन्त जगत्कालेन मोहिताः
M. N. Dutt: They then began to strike one another and some of them again struck their ownselves. Confounded by Time, they then beheld the world to be full of battle only.
निष्टनन्तः सरुधिरा विसंज्ञा गाढवेदनाः शयाना बहवो वीराः कीर्तयन्तः सुहृज्जनम्
M. N. Dutt: Uttering cries of agony, steeped in blood, deprived of consciousness, suffering excruciating plain, many heroes prostrate on the field of battle, began to summon their friends and relatives, for succour.
सभिण्डिपालाः सप्रासाः सशक्त्यृष्टिपरश्वधाः सनिर्यूहाः सनिस्त्रिंशाः सशरासनतोमराः
M. N. Dutt: Holding Bhindipalas or lances or darts or swords or battle-axes or piked stakes or scimitars or bows or Tomaras.
सबाणवर्माभरणाः सगदाः साङ्गदा रणे महाभुजगसंकाशा बाहवः परिघोपमाः
AI Translation: Their arms, like great serpents, were like iron bars,
उद्वेष्टन्ति विचेष्टन्ति संवेष्टन्ति च सर्वशः वेगं कुर्वन्ति संरब्धा निकृत्ताः परमेषुभिः
M. N. Dutt: Or shaft or maces and covered with mail and adorned with Angadas and other ornaments and looking like huge snakes and resembling large bludgeons, hands cut-off with mighty weapons from the trunks, were seen to leap, jump and jerk about with great force, as if in rage.
यो यः स्म समरे पार्थं प्रतिसंरभते नरः तस्य तस्यान्तको बाणः शरीरमुपसर्पति
M. N. Dutt: Whoever then ventured to advance in rage against Partha, had a fatal shafts discharged by that hero, stuck deep on his body.
नृत्यतो रथमार्गेषु धनुर्व्यायच्छतस्तथा न कश्चित्तत्र पार्थस्य ददर्शान्तरमण्वपि
M. N. Dutt: Not the slightest flew was then detected in Pritha's son, as he danced in the terrace of his chariot and stretched his mighty bow.
यत्तस्य घटमानस्य क्षिप्रं विक्षिपतः शरान् लाघवात्पाण्डुपुत्रस्य व्यस्मयन्त परे जनाः
M. N. Dutt: The troops belonging to the party hostile to him, were then amazed by beholding the lightness of hands with which he took out his shafts, placed them on the bow-string and discharged them.
हस्तिनं हस्तियन्तारमश्वमाश्विकमेव च अभिनत्फल्गुनो बाणै रथिनं च ससारथिम्
M. N. Dutt: Then Phalguna with his arrows penetrated elephants and their drivers, horses and their riders and car-warriors with their car-drivers.
आवर्तमानमावृत्तं युध्यमानं च पाण्डवः प्रमुखे तिष्ठमानं च न कंचिन्न निहन्ति सः
M. N. Dutt: There was none among the hostile troop, whether standing in front of him or exerting in battle or moving about or urged on, whom the arrows discharged by Arjuna did not pierce through.
यथोदयन्वै गगने सूर्यो हन्ति महत्तमः तथार्जुनो गजानीकमवधीत्कङ्कपत्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Just as the sun rising in the heavens destroys deep darkness (of night), so did Arjuna destroy elephant with his arrows furnished with wings of Kanka-feathers.
हस्तिभिः पतितैर्भिन्नैस्तव सैन्यमदृश्यत अन्तकाले यथा भूमिर्विनिकीर्णैर्महीधरैः
M. N. Dutt: That part of the field occupied by your troops looked like the Earth at the hour of dessolution, covered with hillocks, in consequence of its being strewn over with fallen and mangled elephants.
यथा मध्यंदिने सूर्यो दुष्प्रेक्ष्यः प्राणिभिः सदा तथा धनंजयः क्रुद्धो दुष्प्रेक्ष्यो युधि शत्रुभिः
M. N. Dutt: Just as the sun shining in the meredian is incapable of being looked at by beings, so then in that battle, Dhananjaya inflamed with rage, was incapable of being looked at by his enemies.
तत्तथा तव पुत्रस्य सैन्यं युधि परंतप प्रभग्नं द्रुतमाविग्नमतीव शरपीडितम्
M. N. Dutt: Then O scorcher of foes, the troops of your son afflicted with the arrows of Arjuna, deserted their ranks and fled from the field.
मारुतेनेव महता मेघानीकं विधूयता प्रकाल्यमानं तत्सैन्यं नाशकत्प्रतिवीक्षितुम्
M. N. Dutt: Like the tempest scattering and tearing a mass of cloud, Arjuna then routed your army; when he was thus afflicting the army, none could turn his eyes towards him.
प्रतोदैश्चापकोटीभिर्हुंकारैः साधुवाहितैः कशापार्ष्ण्यभिघातैश्च वाग्भिरुग्राभिरेव च
AI Translation: With whips, goads, and the sound of "hum," with words of encouragement, With blows of the whip and heels, and with fierce words,
चोदयन्तो हयांस्तूर्णं पलायन्ते स्म तावकाः सादिनो रथिनश्चैव पत्तयश्चार्जुनार्दिताः
AI Translation: Urging their horses, the Tāvakas quickly fled. The cavalry, charioteers, and infantry, afflicted by Arjuna,
पार्ष्ण्यङ्गुष्ठाङ्कुशैर्नागांश्चोदयन्तस्तथापरे शरैः संमोहिताश्चान्ये तमेवाभिमुखा ययौ तव योधा हतोत्साहा विभ्रान्तमनसस्तदा
M. N. Dutt: Others (riding on elephants) fled urging their huge by pressing their sides with toes or with the stroke of the hooks; others again confounded by Parthas arrows, even fled to the direction of Partha himself. Thus then all your warriors were deprived of sense and their minds also became distracted.