Critical Edition
संजय उवाच हते सुदक्षिणे राजन्वीरे चैव श्रुतायुधे जवेनाभ्यद्रवन्पार्थं कुपिताः सैनिकास्तव
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When king Sudakshina and the heroic Shrutayudha had been slain, your warriors inflamed with wrath, furiously rushed against the son of Pritha.
अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः अभ्यवर्षंस्ततो राजञ्शरवर्षैर्धनंजयम्
M. N. Dutt: The Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Shibis and the Vasatis, o king, then began to pour upon Dhananjaya a veritable shower of arrows.
तेषां षष्टिशतानार्यान्प्रामथ्नात्पाण्डवः शरैः ते स्म भीताः पलायन्त व्याघ्रात्क्षुद्रमृगा इव
M. N. Dutt: The of Pandu consumed sixty thousands of the these and other warriors, with his arrows; and then the rest greatly frightened, began to fly away like smaller animals flying away from the tiger.
ते निवृत्य पुनः पार्थं सर्वतः पर्यवारयन् रणे सपत्नान्निघ्नन्तं जिगीषन्तṃ परान्युधि
M. N. Dutt: But soon turning back, they surrounded Partha on all sides, who was slaying his foes in battle and trying to obtain victory over them.
तेषामापततां तूर्णं गाण्डीवप्रेषितैः शरैः शिरांसि पातयामास बाहूंश्चैव धनंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Then as they made quickly towards himself, Dhananjaya, with arrows shot from his Gandiva bow, began to cut down their heads and arms.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.5 For 5cd, S subst.: *492 उच्चकर्त शिरांस्युग्रो नाळेभ्य इव पङ्कजान्
शिरोभिः पतितैस्तत्र भूमिरासीन्निरन्तरा अभ्रच्छायेव चैवासीद्ध्वाङ्क्षगृध्रवडैर्युधि
M. N. Dutt: The field of battle was thickly strewn over with felled heads; and fights of vultures and crows and ravens formed its cloudy canopy.
तेषु तूत्साद्यमानेषु क्रोधामर्षसमन्वितौ श्रुतायुश्चाच्युतायुश्च धनंजयमयुध्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: Beholding their troops thus extirpated by Arjuna, Shrutayusha and Achyutayush, excited with rage and fury, began to fight vigorously with the former.
बलिनौ स्पर्धिनौ वीरौ कुलजौ बाहुशालिनौ तावेनं शरवर्षाणि सव्यदक्षिणमस्यताम्
M. N. Dutt: Those two heroes endued with prowess, pride and strength of arms and both born in noble families, began to scatter their arrows right and left.
त्वरायुक्तौ महाराज प्रार्थयानौ महद्यशः अर्जुनस्य वधप्रेप्सू पुत्रार्थे तव धन्विनौ
M. N. Dutt: With great agility, O mighty monarch, desirous of winning great fame and slaying Arjuna and doing good to your son,
तावर्जुनं सहस्रेण पत्रिणां नतपर्वणाम् पूरयामासतुः क्रुद्धौ तडागं जलदौ यथा
M. N. Dutt: Inflamed with rage, they covered Arjuna with a thousand winged shafts of depressed knots, like clouds filling a lake with torrents of rain.
श्रुतायुश्च ततः क्रुद्धस्तोमरेण धनंजयम् आजघान रथश्रेष्ठः पीतेन निशितेन च
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter that foremost of car-warriors Shrutayusha excited with wrath, struck Dhananjaya with a well-tempered and wellsharpened lance.
सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता शत्रुणा शत्रुकर्शनः आजगाम परं मोहं मोहयन्केशवं रणे
M. N. Dutt: Thus sorely wounded by his powerful adversary, that subduer of the foes viz., Arjuna was overwhelmed with a swoon, confounding thereby Keshava himself.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सोऽच्युतायुर्महारथः शूलेन भृशतीक्ष्णेन ताडयामास पाण्डवम्
M. N. Dutt: At this crisis that mighty car-warrior Achyutayusha struck the son of Pandu with a trident of exceeding sharpness.
क्षते क्षारं स हि ददौ पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः पार्थोऽपि भृशसंविद्धो ध्वजयष्टिं समाश्रितः
M. N. Dutt: Thus he seemed to pour acid upon the wounds of the illustrious son of Pandu; thus deeply pierced, Pritha's son caught hold of his flag-staff for supporting himself.
ततः सर्वस्य सैन्यस्य तावकस्य विशां पते सिंहनादो महानासीद्धतं मत्वा धनंजयम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O ruler of men, a loud and deafening roar was uttered by all your troops, for they considered Dhananjaya to be slain.
कृष्णश्च भृशसंतप्तो दृष्ट्वा पार्थं विचेतसम् आश्वासयत्सुहृद्याभिर्वाग्भिस्तत्र धनंजयम्
M. N. Dutt: Then seeing Partha losing consciousness, Krishna was very much distressed; and then he began to comfort Dhananjaya with words soothing and agreeable.
ततस्तौ रथिनां श्रेष्ठौ लब्धलक्षौ धनंजयम् वासुदेवं च वार्ष्णेयं शरवर्षैः समन्ततः
AI Translation: Then those two best of charioteers, having obtained their aim, with showers of arrows from all sides, Dhananjaya and Vasudeva, the Vrishni.
सचक्रकूबररथं साश्वध्वजपताकिनम् अदृश्यं चक्रतुर्युद्धे तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
AI Translation: With its wheels, axle, chariot, horses, flag and banner, They made it invisible in the battle, which was indeed wonderful.
प्रत्याश्वस्तस्तु बीभत्सुः शनकैरिव भारत प्रेतराजपुरं प्राप्य पुनः प्रत्यागतो यथा
M. N. Dutt: Then, O Bharata, recovering slowly, like one coming back from a visit to the regions of Death, Vibhatsu.
संछन्नं शरजालेन रथं दृष्ट्वा सकेशवम् शत्रू चाभिमुखौ दृष्ट्वा दीप्यमानाविवानलौ
M. N. Dutt: Saw his chariot and Keshava shrouded with a net-work of arrows; then beholding his two opponents standing before him like two blazing fires.
प्रादुश्चक्रे ततः पार्थः शाक्रमस्त्रं महारथः तस्मादासन्सहस्राणि शराणां नतपर्वणाम्
M. N. Dutt: The mighty car-warrior Partha invoked into existence the terrible Shakra weapon. From that weapon issued out thousands of arrows.
ते जघ्नुस्तौ महेष्वासौ ताभ्यां सृष्टांश्च सायकान् विचेरुराकाशगताः पार्थबाणविदारिताः
M. N. Dutt: Those arrows then struck those two fierce bowmen Shrutayusha and Achyutayush; and the arrows shot by these latter, being cut-off by those of Partha, began to drop down through the sky.
प्रतिहत्य शरांस्तूर्णं शरवेगेन पाण्डवः प्रतस्थे तत्र तत्रैव योधयन्वै महारथान्
M. N. Dutt: Then Pandu's son checking the force of all arrows directed towards him with that of his own shafts, began to run hither and thither over the field encountering mighty car-warriors.
तौ च फल्गुनबाणौघैर्विबाहुशिरसौ कृतौ वसुधामन्वपद्येतां वातनुन्नाविव द्रुमौ
M. N. Dutt: Then those two heroes deprived of their arms and heads, by the arrows of Arjuna, fell down on the carth like mighty trees broken down by the wind.
श्रुतायुषश्च निधनं वधश्चैवाच्युतायुषः लोकविस्मापनमभूत्समुद्रस्येव शोषणम्
M. N. Dutt: The slaughter of Shrutayusha and Achyutayush caused a surprise like to what men would fell if the ocean be dried up.
तयोः पदानुगान्हत्वा पुनः पञ्चशतान्रथान् अभ्यगाद्भारतीं सेनां निघ्नन्पार्थो वरान्वरान्
M. N. Dutt: Then, having slain fifty car-warriors, the followers of those two princes, Pritha's son plunged into the army of the Bharatas, crushing down numerous elephants and warriors (at each step).
श्रुतायुषं च निहतं प्रेक्ष्य चैवाच्युतायुषम् अयुतायुश्च संक्रुद्धो दीर्घायुश्चैव भारत
AI Translation: Seeing that Śrutyayuṣa was killed and that Acyutayuṣa was killed, and that Ayutayu was angry, and that Dīrghāyu, O descendant of Bharata,
पुत्रौ तयोर्नरश्रेष्ठौ कौन्तेयं प्रतिजग्मतुः किरन्तौ विविधान्बाणान्पितृव्यसनकर्शितौ
AI Translation: Those two best of men, afflicted by the distress of their father, shot various arrows at Kounteya.
तावर्जुनो मुहूर्तेन शरैः संनतपर्वभिः प्रेषयत्परमक्रुद्धो यमस्य सदनं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: But Arjuna now excited to the highest pitch of fury, with his arrows of depressed knots, sent them instantly to the abode of Death.
लोडयन्तमनीकानि द्विपं पद्मसरो यथा नाशक्नुवन्वारयितुं पार्थं क्षत्रियपुंगवाः
M. N. Dutt: Then the foremost Kshatriyas of your army were not able to oppose Pritha's son who had been agitating the troops like an elephant agitating a lake over-grown with lotuses.
अङ्गास्तु गजवारेण पाण्डवं पर्यवारयन् क्रुद्धाः सहस्रशो राजञ्शिक्षिता हस्तिसादिनः
M. N. Dutt: Then thousands of well-trained elephant riders belonging to the divisions of the Angas, excited with rage, O king, surrounded the son of Pandu, with their elephant forces.
दुर्योधनसमादिष्टाः कुञ्जरैः पर्वतोपमैः प्राच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च कलिङ्गप्रमुखा नृपाः
M. N. Dutt: Commanded by Duryodhana, the easterners, the southerners and other kings hearded by the ruler of the Kalingas surrounded Arjuna with their elephants huge as hills.
तेषामापततां शीघ्रं गाण्डीवप्रेषितैः शरैः निचकर्त शिरांस्युग्रौ बाहूनपि सुभूषणान्
M. N. Dutt: But with the arrows shot from his Gandiva bow, Aruna quickly cut-off their heads and arms decked with ornaments, as they were rushing against him.
तैः शिरोभिर्मही कीर्णा बाहुभिश्च सहाङ्गदैः बभौ कनकपाषाणा भुजगैरिव संवृता
M. N. Dutt: Strewn over with their heads and arms decked with Angadas, the Earth appeared as if covered with golden stones and numerous snakes.
बाहवो विशिखैश्छिन्नाः शिरांस्युन्मथितानि च च्यवमानान्यदृश्यन्त द्रुमेभ्य इव पक्षिणः
M. N. Dutt: Arms severed by means of arrows and heads lying crushed, appeared like birds shot down from the top trees.
शरैः सहस्रशो विद्धा द्विपाः प्रस्रुतशोणिताः व्यदृश्यन्ताद्रयः काले गैरिकाम्बुस्रवा इव
M. N. Dutt: Pierced with thousands of shafts and covered with profuse blood, elephants looked like mountains during the rainy season, with red-chalk solution streaming down their sides.
निहताः शेरते स्मान्ये बीभत्सोर्निशितैः शरैः गजपृष्ठगता म्लेच्छा नानाविकृतदर्शनाः
M. N. Dutt: Others slain by the whetted arrows of Vibhatsu, lay prostrate on the field of battle. Numerous Mlechhas, riding on the backs of elephants, of ugly appearances.
नानावेषधरा राजन्नानाशस्त्रौघसंवृताः रुधिरेणानुलिप्ताङ्गा भान्ति चित्रैः शरैर्हताः
M. N. Dutt: Attired in various kinds of garments and, O king, armed with numerous weapons and weltering in blood, appeared beautiful, as they lay on the ground deprived of life by means of various kinds of shafts.
शोणितं निर्वमन्ति स्म द्विपाः पार्थशराहताः सहस्रशश्छिन्नगात्राः सारोहाः सपदानुगाः
M. N. Dutt: Thousands of elephants with their bodies mangled and their riders and those who followed them, having been struck with the arrows of Pritha's son, vomitted blood.
चुक्रुशुश्च निपेतुश्च बभ्रमुश्चापरे दिशः भृशं त्रस्ताश्च बहुधा स्वानेन ममृदुर्गजाः सान्तरायुधिका मत्ता द्विपास्तीक्ष्णविषोपमाः
M. N. Dutt: Or uttered yells of agony, or fell down or careered wildly in all directions. Numerous other elephants greatly frightened, crushed their own ranks.
विदन्त्यसुरमायां ये सुघोरा घोरचक्षुषः यवनाः पारदाश्चैव शकाश्च सुनिकैः सह
AI Translation: Those who know the terrible magic of the demons, with their terrible eyes, The Yavanas, the Paradas, the Shakas, and the Sunikas,
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.41 After 41, D7.8 ins.: *493 काकवर्णा दुराचाराः स्त्रीलोलाः कलहप्रियाः द्राविडास्तत्र युध्यन्ते मत्तवारणवारणाः
गोयोनिप्रभवा म्लेच्छाः कालकल्पाः प्रहारिणः दार्वाभिसारा दरदाः पुण्ड्राश्च सह बाह्लिकैः
AI Translation: The Mlecchas born from the womb of a cow, the Kalakalphas, the Praharins, The Darvas, the Abhisaras, the Daradas, the Pundras, and the Bahlikas,
न ते स्म शक्याः संख्यातुं व्राताः शतसहस्रशः वृष्टिस्तथाविधा ह्यासीच्छलभानामिवायतिः
AI Translation: Those who were born in the family of the Buddha, those who were born in the family of the Buddha, those who were born in the family of the Buddha, those who were born in the family
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.43 After 43ab, N (except K5 B2 Dn1 D4; D2, after 42a; Ś2 missing) ins.: *494 अभ्यवर्षन्त ते सर्वे पाण्डवं निशितैः शरैः अवाकिरंश्च ते म्लेच्छा नानायुद्धविशारदाः तेषामपि ससर्जाशु शरवृष्टिं धनंजयः
अभ्रच्छायामिव शरैः सैन्ये कृत्वा धनंजयः मुण्डार्धमुण्डजटिलानशुचीञ्जटिलाननान् म्लेच्छानशातयत्सर्वान्समेतानस्त्रमायया
M. N. Dutt: Having with his arrows created shade of over the troops like to that of the clouds, Dhananjaya slew, by the dint of his weapons, all the Mlechchas, having heads completely shaved or partially shaved of cover with matted hair, filthy in their mode of living and of malicious countenances.
शरैश्च शतशो विद्धास्ते संघाः संघचारिणः प्राद्रवन्त रणे भीता गिरिगह्वरवासिनः
M. N. Dutt: Pierced with hundreds of shafts, those rangers of the mountains. Those dwellers of caves, began to fly away from the field of battle out of sheer fear.
गजाश्वसादिम्लेच्छानां पतितानां शतैः शरैः वडाः कङ्का वृका भूमावपिबन्रुधिरं मुदा
M. N. Dutt: Ravens, Kankas, birds and wolves, with great delight, then began to drink the blood of the elephants, horses and their Mlechchas riders, as they lay postrate on the field being cut down by the sharp arrows of Pritha's son.
पत्त्यश्वरथनागैश्च प्रच्छन्नकृतसंक्रमाम् शरवर्षप्लवां घोरां केशशैवलशाड्वलाम् प्रावर्तयन्नदीमुग्रां शोणितौघतरङ्गिणीम्
AI Translation: With infantry, cavalry, chariots, and elephants, with hidden fords, Terrible with a flood of arrows, with hair and moss as reeds, He caused to flow a fierce river, with waves of blood.
शिरस्त्राणक्षुद्रमत्स्यां युगान्ते कालसंभृताम् अकरोद्गजसंबाधां नदीमुत्तरशोणिताम् देहेभ्यो राजपुत्राणां नागाश्वरथसादिनाम्
AI Translation: The river of northern blood, filled with the corpses of elephants, horses, chariots, and infantry, was made by the king's sons, who were like small fish in the helmet-armor. The river of northern blood, filled with the corpses of elephants, horses, chariots, and
यथा स्थलं च निम्नं च न स्याद्वर्षति वासवे तथासीत्पृथिवी सर्वा शोणितेन परिप्लुता
M. N. Dutt: Its uplands and low-lands could not be distinguished, as if Vasava had poured a torrent of rain over it.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.49 For 49cd, S subst.: *495 तथासीदाप्लुता धात्री रुधिरेण विशां पते
षट्सहस्रान्वरान्वीरान्पुनर्दशशतान्वरान् प्राहिणोन्मृत्युलोकाय क्षत्रियान्क्षत्रियर्षभः
M. N. Dutt: Six thousand brave warriors and many other Kshatriyas were dispatched by that foremost of Kshatriya Arjuna as to the abode of Death.
शरैः सहस्रशो विद्धा विधिवत्कल्पिता द्विपाः शेरते भूमिमासाद्य शैला वज्रहता इव
AI Translation: Elephants, pierced by thousands of arrows, were properly arranged, and fell to the ground, like mountains struck by thunderbolts.
स वाजिरथमातङ्गान्निघ्नन्व्यचरदर्जुनः प्रभिन्न इव मातङ्गो मृद्नन्नडवनं यथा
AI Translation: Arjuna, killing horses, chariots, and elephants, moved about, like an elephant in rut, crushing a forest of reeds.
भूरिद्रुमलतागुल्मं शुष्केन्धनतृणोलपम् निर्दहेदनलोऽरण्यं यथा वायुसमीरितः
AI Translation: Like a fire in a forest, fanned by the wind, burns up the trees, creepers, and bushes, the dry fuel and grass, so does the fire of knowledge burn up the fuel of the afflictions.
सैन्यारण्यं तव तथा कृष्णानिलसमीरितः शरार्चिरदहत्क्रुद्धः पाण्डवाग्निर्धनंजयः
AI Translation: The army was a forest, and the wind of Krishna and the wind blew it. The fire of arrows burned, and the angry Pandava fire of Dhananjaya.
शून्यान्कुर्वन्रथोपस्थान्मानवैः संस्तरन्महीम् प्रानृत्यदिव संबाधे चापहस्तो धनंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Emptying the terraces of the cars, Arjuna over-spread the earth with the corpses of men. In that confused encounter Dhananjaya seemed to dance wielding his bow in his hand.
वज्रकल्पैः शरैर्भूमिं कुर्वन्नुत्तरशोणिताम् प्राविशद्भारतीं सेनां संक्रुद्धो वै धनंजयः तं श्रुतायुस्तथाम्बष्ठो व्रजमानं न्यवारयत्
M. N. Dutt: Deluging the ground with blood drawn by means of shafts resembling the thunderbolt itself. Dhananjaya, inflamed with wrath, plunged deep into the ranks of the Bharata troops. When he thus advancing, Shrutayudha the ruler of the Ambashtha's then opposed him.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.56 After 56ab, S ins.: *496 ततः प्रावर्तत नदी शोणितस्य तरङ्गिणी नराश्वद्विपकायेभ्यः पर्वतेभ्य इवापगा अस्थिशर्करसंबाधा ध्वजवृक्षा रथह्रदा संछिन्नशीर्षपाषाणा हस्तिहस्तमहाग्रहा मांसमज्जास्थिपङ्काढ्या हताश्वमकराकुला योधगोमायुसंकीर्णा कबन्धशतसंकुला उष्णीषफेनसंछन्ना शरघोरझषाकुला रुद्रस्याक्रीडसदृशीं भूमिं कुर्वन्विभीषणाम्
तस्यार्जुनः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छदैः न्यपातयद्धयाञ्शीघ्रं यतमानस्य मारिष धनुश्चास्यापरैश्छित्त्वा शरैः पार्थो विचक्रमे
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O sire, when he was thus exerting himself against Arjuna, the latter with sharp arrows furnished with wings made of Kanka feathers, speedily cut down his horses.
अम्बष्ठस्तु गदां गृह्य क्रोधपर्याकुलेक्षणः आससाद रणे पार्थं केशवं च महारथम्
AI Translation: Ambaṣṭha, with eyes rolling with anger, took up a mace and attacked Partha and Keshava, the great chariot-warriors, in battle.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.58 After 58ab, M3-5 ins.: *497 गदापाणिर्द्रुतं यात्वा प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम्
ततः स प्रहसन्वीरो गदामुद्यम्य भारत रथमावार्य गदया केशवं समताडयत्
AI Translation: Then, laughing, the hero raised his mace, O descendant of Bharata, and, blocking Keshava's chariot with his mace, struck him.
गदया ताडितं दृष्ट्वा केशवं परवीरहा अर्जुनो भृशसंक्रुद्धः सोऽम्बष्ठं प्रति भारत
AI Translation: Seeing Keshava struck by the mace, Arjuna, the slayer of enemy heroes, was greatly enraged, O descendant of Bharata, and attacked Ambashtha.
ततः शरैर्हेमपुङ्खैः सगदं रथिनां वरम् छादयामास समरे मेघः सूर्यमिवोदितम्
AI Translation: Then with arrows having golden feathers, he covered the best of charioteers, together with his mace, in battle, like a cloud covering the rising sun.
ततोऽपरैः शरैश्चापि गदां तस्य महात्मनः अचूर्णयत्तदा पार्थस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
AI Translation: Then with other arrows, he shattered the mace of that great-souled one. Partha then reduced it to dust, which was indeed wonderful.
अथ तां पतितां दृष्ट्वा गृह्यान्यां महतीं गदाम् अर्जुनं वासुदेवं च पुनः पुनरताडयत्
AI Translation: Then, seeing her fallen, he took up another great mace and again and again struck Arjuna and Vasudeva.
तस्यार्जुनः क्षुरप्राभ्यां सगदावुद्यतौ भुजौ चिच्छेदेन्द्रध्वजाकारौ शिरश्चान्येन पत्रिणा
M. N. Dutt: The ruler of the Ambashthas began to strike Vasudeva's son and Arjuna, incessantly. Thereat Arjuna with a couple of razor-headed arrows cut-off his upraised arms weilding the pole of Indra; and then with another winged shaft be cut off his head. Then that king, O monarch, fell down on the earth creating a loud noise.
स पपात हतो राजन्वसुधामनुनादयन् इन्द्रध्वज इवोत्सृष्टो यन्त्रनिर्मुक्तबन्धनः
AI Translation: He fell, slain, O king, resounding on the earth, like a banner of Indra released, freed from its fastenings.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.65 After 65, S ins.: *498 अम्बष्ठे तु तदा भग्ने तव सैन्यमभज्यत
रथानीकावगाढश्च वारणाश्वशतैर्वृतः सोऽदृश्यत तदा पार्थो घनैः सूर्य इवावृतः
M. N. Dutt: Like a standard raised in honour of Indra falling down, when the ropes tying it to the engine (on which it is posted) are cut-off. Then plunging deep into the division of cars and surrounded by hundreds upon hundreds of elephants and steeds, the son of Pritha looked like the sun covered with thick masses of clouds.
Supplementary Passages:
7.68.66 After 66ab, S ins.: *499 आददानं शरैः प्राणान्गजाश्वरथसादिनाम्