Critical Edition
संजय उवाच परिवर्तमाने त्वादित्ये तत्र सूर्यस्य रश्मिभिः रजसा कीर्यमाणाश्च मन्दीभूताश्च सैनिकाः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said When the sun had turned in its downward course towards the summit of the Western hills, when the earth was scattered over the dust and when the effulgence of the solar disc had become lessencd.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.1 After the ref., S ins.: *532 वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे द्रोणस्य सह पाण्डुभिः
तिष्ठतां युध्यमानानां पुनरावर्ततामपि भज्यतां जयतां चैव जगाम तदहः शनैः
M. N. Dutt: And when some of the soldiers were standing aloof, some fighting on, returning to the charge and some winning victory, the day gradually began to wane.
तथा तेषु विषक्तेषु सैन्येषु जयगृद्धिषु अर्जुनो वासुदेवश्च सैन्धवायैव जग्मतुः
M. N. Dutt: Thus when the troops inflamed with the hopes of victory were fighting together, Arjuna and Vasudeva proceeded towards the spot where the ruler of the Sindhus were.
रथमार्गप्रमाणं तु कौन्तेयो निशितैः शरैः चकार तत्र पन्थानं ययौ येन जनार्दनः
M. N. Dutt: Vibhatsu the son of Kunti, with his sharp shafts went on creating breaches wide enough for his chariot io pass through; and through these breaches, the son of Vasudeva guided the chariot.
यत्र यत्र रथो याति पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः तत्र तत्रैव दीर्यन्ते सेनास्तव विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: Wherever the car of the illustrious son of Pandu proceeded, thither O ruler of men your troops began to give way.
रथशिक्षां तु दाशार्हो दर्शयामास वीर्यवान् उत्तमाधममध्यानि मण्डलानि विदर्शयन्
M. N. Dutt: Then he of the Dasharha race endued with great might, displayed his superior skill in driving the car, in as much he performed, with the car, numerous kinds of circular motions.
ते तु नामाङ्किताः पीताः कालज्वलनसंनिभाः स्नायुनद्धाः सुपर्वाणः पृथवो दीर्घगामिनः
AI Translation: They are marked with names, yellow, resembling the burning of time, Bound with sinews, with good joints, broad, long-going,
वैणवायस्मयशराः स्वायता विविधाननाः रुधिरं पतगैः सार्धं प्राणिनां पपुराहवे
AI Translation: The arrows were made of bamboo, long and of various shapes. Together with the birds, they drank the blood of the creatures in the battle.
रथस्थितः क्रोशमात्रे यानस्यत्यर्जुनः शरान् रथे क्रोशमतिक्रान्ते तस्य ते घ्नन्ति शात्रवान्
M. N. Dutt: The arrows which Arjuna discharged standing on his car, fell two miles ahead and pierced and mangled the foe, just when that car came up to the spot.
तार्क्ष्यमारुतरंहोभिर्वाजिभिः साधुवाहिभिः तथागच्छद्धृषीकेशः कृत्स्नं विस्मापयञ्जगत्
M. N. Dutt: Borne by those yoke-bearing steeds endued with the fleetness of Garuda or the wind, Hrishikeshas, advanced with such quickness that caused the whole universe to be filled with amazement.
न तथा गच्छति रथस्तपनस्य विशां पते नेन्द्रस्य न च रुद्रस्य नापि वैश्रवणस्य च
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of men, even the chariot of the sun himself or of Indra or of Rudra or of Vaishravana, can never proceed so quickly.
नान्यस्य समरे राजन्गतपूर्वस्तथा रथः यथा ययावर्जुनस्य मनोभिप्रायशीघ्रगः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, no one else's chariot had before moved with such quickness in battle as Arjuna's chariot then moving with the fleetness of a glance of the mind.
प्रविश्य तु रणे राजन्केशवः परवीरहा सेनामध्ये हयांस्तूर्णं चोदयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Then having taken the chariot to the thick of the fight, that slayer of hostile heroes, Keshava, O Bharata, quickly drove the steeds of it into the ranks of the soldiers.
ततस्तस्य रथौघस्य मध्यं प्राप्य हयोत्तमाः कृच्छ्रेण रथमूहुस्तं क्षुत्पिपासाश्रमान्विताः
M. N. Dutt: Having penetrated into the rear of the cardivision, these excellent steeds drew the car of Arjuna with great difficulty, suffering as they did from hunger, thirst and fatigue.
क्षताश्च बहुभिः शस्त्रैर्युद्धशौण्डैरनेकशः मण्डलानि विचित्राणि विचेरुस्ते मुहुर्मुहुः
M. N. Dutt: They were also mangled with numerous weapons by many foremost of combatants. Then they began to move in various wonderful circular motions.
हतानां वाजिनागानां रथानां च नरैः सह उपरिष्टादतिक्रान्ताः शैलाभानां सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: Passing over many slain steeds elephants and many men and also over broken cars, like a group of locusts.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.16 After 16, S ins.: *533 श्रमेण महता युक्तास्ते हया वातरंहसः मन्दवेगगता राजन्संवृत्तास्तत्र संयुगे
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे वीरावावन्त्यौ भ्रातरौ नृप सहसेनौ समार्छेतां पाण्डवं क्लान्तवाहनम्
M. N. Dutt: During this opportunity, O king, the two heroic brothers, the princes of Avanti supported by their troops, rushed upon of Pandu whose steeds were fatigued and tired.
तावर्जुनं चतुःषष्ट्या सप्तत्या च जनार्दनम् शराणां च शतेनाश्वानविध्येतां मुदान्वितौ
M. N. Dutt: Filled with delight they pierced Arjuna with sixty-four, Janardana with seventy and the horses with a hundred shafts.
तावर्जुनो महाराज नवभिर्नतपर्वभिः आजघान रणे क्रुद्धो मर्मज्ञो मर्मभेदिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Then the enraged Arjuna knowing the vital parts of the body, pierced them both, O king, with nine arrows of depressed knots, all capable of penetrating to the very vitals.
ततस्तौ तु शरौघेण बीभत्सुं सहकेशवम् आच्छादयेतां संरब्धौ सिंहनादं च नेदतुः
M. N. Dutt: Thereat inflamed with rage, those two warriors covered Vibhatsu and Keshava with the son their arrowy downpour and uttered loud warcries.
तयोस्तु धनुषी चित्रे भल्लाभ्यां श्वेतवाहनः चिच्छेद समरे तूर्णं ध्वजौ च कनकोज्ज्वलौ
M. N. Dutt: Then that hero of white steeds with a pair of broad-headed shafts, quickly cut-off in that battle the two wonderful bows of those princes, as also their standards of golden effulgence.
अथान्ये धनुषी राजन्प्रगृह्य समरे तदा पाण्डवं भृशसंक्रुद्धावर्दयामासतुः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Oking, taking another two bows and excited to the highest pitch of fury, they began to afflict sorely the son of Pandu, with their arrows.
तयोस्तु भृशसंक्रुद्धः शराभ्यां पाण्डुनन्दनः चिच्छेद धनुषी तूर्णं भूय एव धनंजयः
M. N. Dutt: Then again, that son of Pandu Dhananjaya, inflamed with rage, quickly cut-off their bows with another pair of arrows.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.23 G4 om. 23abc (cf. v.l. 21). Dn2 om. 23ab. For 23ab, S (G4 om.) subst.: *534 तौ तु शस्त्रभृतां श्रेष्ठः शरैः संतोष्य भारत
तथान्यैर्विशिखैस्तूर्णं हेमपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः जघानाश्वान्सपदातांस्तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी
M. N. Dutt: Then with other shafts, furnished with golden wings and whetted on stone, he quickly slew their steeds, charioteers, Parshni-drivers and followers.
ज्येष्ठस्य च शिरः कायात्क्षुरप्रेण न्यकृन्तत स पपात हतः पृथ्व्यां वातरुग्ण इव द्रुमः
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter with a razor-headed arrow, he cut the head of the elder of the two brothers, off his trunk; thus slain, the latter fell down on the Earth like a tree broken down by the wind.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.25 After 25, D2 ins.: *535 निहतो रुधिराक्ताङ्गः कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्
विन्दं तु निहतं दृष्ट्वा अनुविन्दः प्रतापवान् हताश्वं रथमुत्सृज्य गदां गृह्य महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: The highly puissant Anuvinda, beholding Vinda thus slain, left the car of which the steeds were slain; and that mighty hero, taking up a mace.
अभ्यद्रवत संग्रामे भ्रातुर्वधमनुस्मरन् गदया गदिनां श्रेष्ठो नृत्यन्निव महारथः
M. N. Dutt: Rushed towards Arjuna's car for avenging the death of his brother. Then that mighty car-warrior, that foremost of all car-warriors armed with his mace, appeared to dance on the field.
अनुविन्दस्तु गदया ललाटे मधुसूदनम् स्पृष्ट्वा नाकम्पयत्क्रुद्धो मैनाकमिव पर्वतम्
M. N. Dutt: Inflamed with rage then Anuvinda struck with that mace of his, the slayer of Madhu on the forehead. But he could not make him tremble who remained immovable like the Mainaka mountain.
तस्यार्जुनः शरैः षड्भिर्ग्रीवां पादौ भुजौ शिरः निचकर्त स संछिन्नः पपाताद्रिचयो यथा
M. N. Dutt: Of him, with six shafts, Arjuna cut-off the neck, the two legs, his arms and his head; and thus cut to pieces, he fell down like fragments of rocks.
ततस्तौ निहतौ दृष्ट्वा तयो राजन्पदानुगाः अभ्यद्रवन्त संक्रुद्धाः किरन्तः शतशः शरान्
M. N. Dutt: Then, O king, beholding those two heroes slain, their followers inflamed with rage, rushed against Arjuna, discharging arrows by thousands.
तानर्जुनः शरैस्तूर्णं निहत्य भरतर्षभ व्यरोचत यथा वह्निर्दावं दग्ध्वा हिमात्यये
M. N. Dutt: Quickly dispatching them with his arrows, O foremost of the Bharata, Arjuna, then appeared beautiful like the fire consuming the forest at the expiration of winter.
तयोः सेनामतिक्रम्य कृच्छ्रान्निर्याद्धनंजयः विबभौ जलदान्भित्त्वा दिवाकर इवोदितः
M. N. Dutt: Then Dhananjaya, having passed with difficulty, through their (Vinda and Anuvinda's) divisions, appeared beautiful like the lustrous orb of the day emerging out of a cluster of clouds.
तं दृष्ट्वा कुरवस्त्रस्ताः प्रहृष्टाश्चाभवन्पुनः अभ्यवर्षंस्तदा पार्थं समन्ताद्भरतर्षभ
M. N. Dutt: At first beholding him the Kurus were struck with panic! But in the next moment they were filled with delight; and then, O foremost of the Bharatas, they rushed upon Pritha's son from all sides.
श्रान्तं चैनं समालक्ष्य ज्ञात्वा दूरे च सैन्धवम् सिंहनादेन महता सर्वतः पर्यवारयन्
M. N. Dutt: Beholding them fatigued and knowing the ruler of the Sindhus to be stationed afar, they surrounded Arjuna with a loud roar.
तांस्तु दृष्ट्वा सुसंरब्धानुत्स्मयन्पुरुषर्षभः शनकैरिव दाशार्हमर्जुनो वाक्यमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Beholding them highly excited, that foremost of men Arjuna smilingly addressed these words to that descendant of the Dasharha
शरार्दिताश्च ग्लानाश्च हया दूरे च सैन्धवः किमिहानन्तरं कार्यं ज्यायिष्ठं तव रोचते
M. N. Dutt: "Our steeds are afflicted with arrowwounds; they are exhausted; the ruler of the Sindhus is still far off. What in your opinion is the best course to be adopted now?
ब्रूहि कृष्ण यथातत्त्वं त्वं हि प्राज्ञतमः सदा भवन्नेत्रा रणे शत्रून्विजेष्यन्तीह पाण्डवाः
M. N. Dutt: Speak, O Krishna, truly on this point? You are ever the foremost of the wise. The sons of Pandu, having yourself only for their eyes, can hope to vanquish their enemies in battle.
मम त्वनन्तरं कृत्यं यद्वै तत्संनिबोध मे हयान्विमुच्य हि सुखं विशल्यान्कुरु माधव
M. N. Dutt: Hear what seems to me to be our duty next. Unyoking the steeds, leave them to their ease and O Madhava, draw out the arrows from their body."
एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन केशवः प्रत्युवाच तम् ममाप्येतन्मतं पार्थ यदिदं ते प्रभाषितम्
M. N. Dutt: Thus spoken to by Pritha's son, Keshava replied to him saying-"O Partha, I am also of the same opinion that you have expressed."
अर्जुन उवाच अहमावारयिष्यामि सर्वसैन्यानि केशव त्वमप्यत्र यथान्यायं कुरु कार्यमनन्तरम्
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna said O Keshava, I shall hold the whole army in check. Do you duly perform whatever should be done now.
संजय उवाच सोऽवतीर्य रथोपस्थादसंभ्रान्तो धनंजयः गाण्डीवं धनुरादाय तस्थौ गिरिरिवाचलः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereupon descending from the terrace of his car, Dhananjaya, with the Gandiva bow in his grasp, stood on the field of battle like an immovable hill.
तमभ्यधावन्क्रोशन्तः क्षत्रिया जयकाङ्क्षिणः इदं छिद्रमिति ज्ञात्वा धरणीस्थं धनंजयम्
M. N. Dutt: Beholding Dhananjaya on the ground and taking this to be a meet opportunity, the Kshatriyas, desirous of obtaining victory and uttering load roars, rushed upon the former.
तमेकं रथवंशेन महता पर्यवारयन् विकर्षन्तश्च चापानि विसृजन्तश्च सायकान्
M. N. Dutt: Then with a mighty host of cars, they surrounded that single-handed hero, stretching their bows and discharging their arrows right and left.
अस्त्राणि च विचित्राणि क्रुद्धास्तत्र व्यदर्शयन् छादयन्तः शरैः पार्थं मेघा इव दिवाकरम्
M. N. Dutt: Inflamed with rage, they then displayed numerous wonderful weapons; and like the clouds covering the solar disc, they covered Pritha's son with their arrows.
अभ्यद्रवन्त वेगेन क्षत्रियाः क्षत्रियर्षभम् रथसिंहं रथोदाराः सिंहं मत्ता इव द्विपाः
M. N. Dutt: Then those Kshatriyas, illustrious carwarriors all, rushed with impetuously upon that foremost of Kshatriyas and that best of men, Arjuna, like infuriate elephant rushing upon a lion.
तत्र पार्थस्य भुजयोर्महद्बलमदृश्यत यत्क्रुद्धो बहुलाः सेनाः सर्वतः समवारयत्
M. N. Dutt: Then we beheld the wonderful might of Partha's arms inasmuch as inflamed with wrath, he held in check, the numerous army of the Kauravas.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.46 After 46ab, D7 ins.: *536 ततः पार्थस्त्वजेतव्यो महाबाहुबलाश्रयः
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्विषतां सर्वतो विभुः इषुभिर्बहुभिस्तूर्णं सर्वानेव समावृणोत्
M. N. Dutt: Resisting with his own weapons those hurled by the foe, that highly puissant hero quickly covered all his adversaries with his myriad shafts.
तत्रान्तरिक्षे बाणानां प्रगाढानां विशां पते संघर्षेण महार्चिष्मान्पावकः समजायत
M. N. Dutt: The, O ruler of men, generated by the clash of those thick showers of arrows, a mighty fire of blazing flames, burnt on that part of the welkin.
तत्र तत्र महेष्वासैः श्वसद्भिः शोणितोक्षितैः हयैर्नागैश्च संभिन्नैर्नदद्भिश्चारिकर्शनैः
AI Translation: There, here and there, by the great archers, breathing, covered with blood, By horses and elephants that were pierced, roaring, and by the charioteers,
संरब्धैश्चारिभिर्वीरैः प्रार्थयद्भिर्जयं मृधे एकस्थैर्बहुभिः क्रुद्धैरूष्मेव समजायत
AI Translation: With the angry, moving, heroic ones, who were seeking victory in battle, With the many who were angry and united, it became like a fire.
शरोर्मिणं ध्वजावर्तं नागनक्रं दुरत्ययम् पदातिमत्स्यकलिलं शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिस्वनम्
AI Translation: The ocean of arrows, the whirlpool of flags, the crocodile of elephants, the difficult to cross, The foot soldier, the fish-filled, the sound of conch and drum,
असंख्येयमपारं च रजोऽऽभीलमतीव च उष्णीषकमठच्छन्नं पताकाफेनमालिनम्
AI Translation: Innumerable, boundless, and very much covered with dust, Covered with the hood of the ushnisha, adorned with garlands of flags and foam,
रथसागरमक्षोभ्यं मातङ्गाङ्गशिलाचितम् वेलाभूतस्तदा पार्थः पत्रिभिः समवारयत्
AI Translation: The ocean of chariots, unshakable, covered with the bodies of elephants and stones, Partha then became a barrier with his arrows.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.53 D7.8 ins. after 53: Dn1 D3.6 (lines 5-6 only) after 7.75.8: D2.4.5 after 7.76.1: *537 धृतराष्ट्र उवाच अर्जुने धरणीं प्राप्ते हयहस्ते च केशवे एतदन्तरमासाद्य कथं पार्थो न निर्जितः संजय उवाच सद्यः पार्थिव पार्थेन निरुद्धाः सर्वपार्थिवाः रथस्था धरणीस्थेन वाक्यमच्छान्दसं यथा भूमिस्थोऽपि रथस्थांस्तान्पार्थः सर्वधनुर्धरान् एको निवारयामास लोभः सर्वगुणानिव
ततो जनार्दनः संख्ये प्रियं पुरुषसत्तमम् असंभ्रान्तो महाबाहुरर्जुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Then as the battle progressed, the mighty armed and dauntless Janardana addressing his dear friend, that foremost of men (Arjuna), thus spokeउदपानमिहाश्वानां नालमस्ति रणेऽर्जुन।
उदपानमिहाश्वानां नालमस्ति रणेऽर्जुन परीप्सन्ते जलं चेमे पेयं न त्ववगाहनम्
AI Translation: O Arjuna, there is no trough here for the horses in the battle. These are seeking water to drink, not to bathe in.
इदमस्तीत्यसंभ्रान्तो ब्रुवन्नस्त्रेण मेदिनीम् अभिहत्यार्जुनश्चक्रे वाजिपानं सरः शुभम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon saying “Here is it" Arjuna fearlessly struck the Earth with a weapon and thus created a beautiful lake there from which the teeds could quench their thirsts.
Supplementary Passages:
7.74.56 After 56, B Dc1 Dn D5-8 ins.: *538 हंसकारण्डवाकीर्णं चक्रवाकोपशोभितम् सविस्तीर्णं प्रसन्नाम्भः प्रफुल्लवरपङ्कजम् कूर्ममत्स्यगणाकीर्णमगाधमृषिसेवितम् भगवन्नारदमुनेर्दर्शनार्थं कृतं क्षणात् D7 cont.: *539 एवं पार्थस्ततश्चक्रे वाजिनां च सरः शुभम्
शरवंशं शरस्थूणं शराच्छादनमद्भुतम् शरवेश्माकरोत्पार्थस्त्वष्टेवाद्भुतकर्मकृत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Partha that performer of wonderful works like Krishna himself, created there an arrowy hall having arrows for its beams and rafts, arrows for its pillars and arrows for its roof.
ततः प्रहस्य गोविन्दः साधु साध्वित्यथाब्रवीत् शरवेश्मनि पार्थेन कृते तस्मिन्महारणे
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Govinda, seeing the illustrious son of Pritha construct that hall there, laughing applauded him saying "Well-done, welldone."