Critical Edition
संजय उवाच ततो दुःशासनः क्रुद्धः सहदेवमुपाद्रवत् रथवेगेन तीव्रेण कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Filled with rage, Dushasana then assailed Sahadeva causing the earth to quake with the fierce clash of his chariot.
तस्यापतत एवाशु भल्लेनामित्रकर्शनः माद्रीसुतः शिरो यन्तुः सशिरस्त्राणमच्छिनत्
M. N. Dutt: While Dushasana was thus rushing at the son of Madri, that subduer of foes, quickly cutoff with a broad-headed shafts, the head, protected with helmet helmet of of the former's charioteer.
नैनं दुःशासनः सूतं नापि कश्चन सैनिकः हृतोत्तमाङ्गमाशुत्वात्सहदेवेन बुद्धवान्
M. N. Dutt: Owing to the quickness with which the charioteer's head was cut-off, neither any one among the troops nor Dushasana himself perceived him to have been decapitated by Sahadeva.
यदा त्वसंगृहीतत्वात्प्रयान्त्यश्वा यथासुखम् ततो दुःशासनः सूतं बुद्धवान्गतचेतसम्
M. N. Dutt: The reins being no longer held by any body, the horses ran at their free will. It was only then that Dushasana came to know that his driver had been slain.
स हयान्संनिगृह्याजौ स्वयं हयविशारदः युयुधे रथिनां श्रेष्ठश्चित्रं लघु च सुष्ठु च
M. N. Dutt: Himself an expert in managing steeds he restrained his horses; and that foremost of carwarriors then fought on lightly, beautifully and skillfully.
तदस्यापूजयन्कर्म स्वे परे चैव संयुगे हतसूतरथेनाजौ व्यचरद्यदभीतवत्
M. N. Dutt: Then as he covered dauntlessly on the field that driverless car of his, his friends and foes alike applauded his feat. soon
सहदेवस्तु तानश्वांस्तीक्ष्णैर्बाणैरवाकिरत् पीड्यमानाः शरैश्चाशु प्राद्रवंस्ते ततस्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Sahadeva, however, covered Dushasana steeds with sharp arrows and these, afflicted with those arrows, began to run away wildly.
स रश्मिषु विषक्तत्वादुत्ससर्ज शरासनम् धनुषा कर्म कुर्वंस्तु रश्मीन्स पुनरुत्सृजत्
M. N. Dutt: For holding the reins Dushasana once laid his bow aside, again, for using the bow the took up the reins. (Thus did he then fight).
छिद्रेषु तेषु तं बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रोऽभ्यवाकिरत् परीप्संस्त्वत्सुतं कर्णस्तदन्तरमवापतत्
M. N. Dutt: During these opportunities, the son of Madri pierced him with numerous arrows. Then desirous of rescuing your son Karna rushed between those two combatants.
वृकोदरस्ततः कर्णं त्रिभिर्भल्लैः समाहितैः आकर्णपूर्णैरभ्यघ्नन्बाह्वोरुरसि चानदत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Vrikodara, with due caution, pierced Kara on the breast and the arms, with three broad-headed shafts shot from a fulldawn bow.
संन्यवर्तत तं कर्णः संघट्टित इवोरगः तदभूत्तुमुलं युद्धं भीमराधेययोस्तदा
AI Translation: Karna withdrew from him, like a snake from a fight. Then there was a tumultuous battle between Bhima and Radha's son.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.11 After 11ab, B Dc1 Dn ins.: *1281 भीममावारयामास विकिरन्निशिताञ्शरान् while D7.8 ins.: *1282 कर्णस्तु निशितैर्बाणैर्विव्यधे मर्मभेदिभिः After 11, D7.8 ins.: *1283 पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे वृत्रवासवयोरिव
तौ वृषाविव संक्रुद्धौ विवृत्तनयनावुभौ वेगेन महतान्योन्यं संरब्धावभिपेततुः
AI Translation: Both of them, like angry bulls, with their eyes rolling, with great force, rushed at each other in anger.
अभिसंश्लिष्टयोस्तत्र तयोराहवशौण्डयोः अभिन्नशरपातत्वाद्गदायुद्धमवर्तत
AI Translation: Then, as those two warriors were locked in combat, because of the uninterrupted fall of arrows, a mace fight ensued.
गदया भीमसेनस्तु कर्णस्य रथकूबरम् बिभेदाशु तदा राजंस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
M. N. Dutt: To use bows and arrows, began to fight with their maces. Then Bhimasena succeeded in crushing Karna's car terraced with his mace; O king, that indeed looked wonderful. Then the puissant son of Radha grasping a mace.
ततो भीमस्य राधेयो गदामादाय वीर्यवान् अवासृजद्रथे तां तु बिभेद गदया गदाम्
AI Translation: Then the powerful son of Radha, taking a mace, discharged it from his chariot, and broke the mace with the mace.
ततो भीमः पुनर्गुर्वीं चिक्षेपाधिरथेर्गदाम् तां शरैर्दशभिः कर्णः सुपुङ्खैः सुसमाहितैः प्रत्यविध्यत्पुनश्चान्यैः सा भीमं पुनराव्रजत्
AI Translation: Then Bhima again threw a heavy mace at Adhiratha's son. Karna pierced it with ten well-feathered and well-aimed arrows. And again with others, it returned to Bhima.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.16 After 16, K4 B Dc1 Dn D5 S (G5 missing) ins.: *1284 व्यालीव मन्त्राभिहता कर्णबाणैरभिद्रुता
तस्याः प्रतिनिपातेन भीमस्य विपुलो ध्वजः पपात सारथिश्चास्य मुमोह गदया हतः
AI Translation: By the impact of that, Bhima's huge flag fell down and his charioteer was also struck unconscious by the mace.
स कर्णे सायकानष्टौ व्यसृजत्क्रोधमूर्छितः ध्वजे शरासने चैव शरावापे च भारत
AI Translation: He, maddened with anger, shot eight arrows at Karna, at his banner, bow and quiver, O descendant of Bharata.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.18 Ś K1.3.4 B3.4 D1.3.6 ins. after 18: K2 Dn2 D2.4.5. 7.8 after 18ab: *1285 तैस्तस्य निशितैः पीतैर्भीमसेनो महाबलः चिच्छेद परवीरघ्नः प्रहसन्निव भारत Ś K1.3.4 B4 D1 cont.: K2 Dn2 D2.4.5.7.8 ins. after 18: D3.6 after the second occurrence of 18cd: *1286 कर्णोऽप्यन्यद्धनुर्गृह्य हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम्
ततः पुनस्तु राधेयो हयानस्य रथेषुभिः ऋष्यवर्णाञ्जघानाशु तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी
AI Translation: Then again, Radha's son struck the horses of his chariot with arrows, and quickly killed Rishya-varna and both his charioteer and charioteer's charioteer.
स विपन्नरथो भीमो नकुलस्याप्लुतो रथम् हरिर्यथा गिरेः शृङ्गं समाक्रामदरिंदमः
M. N. Dutt: When his chariot was thus rendered useless, hat subduer of foes, viz., Bhima, quickly jumped into the chariot of Nakula like a lion leaping upon a mountain chest.
तथा द्रोणार्जुनौ चित्रमयुध्येतां महारथौ आचार्यशिष्यौ राजेन्द्र कृतप्रहरणौ युधि
M. N. Dutt: Meanwhile Drona and Arjuna those two most of car-warriors preceptor and pupil, both accomplished in the use of weapons, O monarch, fought on with each other in battle.
लघुसंधानयोगाभ्यां रथयोश्च रणेन च मोहयन्तौ मनुष्याणां चक्षूंषि च मनांसि च
M. N. Dutt: Confounding the eyes and minds of men with the celerity with which they used their weapons and the sureness of their aims and the motions of their chariot.
उपारमन्त ते सर्वे योधास्माकं परे तथा अदृष्टपूर्वं पश्यन्तस्तद्युद्धं गुरुशिष्ययोः
M. N. Dutt: Beholding that battle between the preceptor and pupil, of which no equal was seen before, the other warriors desisted from fighting and began to tremble.
विचित्रान्पृतनामध्ये रथमार्गानुदीर्यतः अन्योन्यमपसव्यं च कर्तुं वीरौ तदैषतुः पराक्रमं तयोर्योधा ददृशुस्तं सुविस्मिताः
M. N. Dutt: Then those two heroes, displaying various motions of cars on the field of battle, tried to leave each other to their right.
तयोः समभवद्युद्धं द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्महत् आमिषार्थं महाराज गगने श्येनयोरिव
AI Translation: There was a great battle between Drona and the Pandavas, like two eagles in the sky for the sake of meat, great king.
यद्यच्चकार द्रोणस्तु कुन्तीपुत्रजिगीषया तत्तत्प्रतिजघानाशु प्रहसंस्तस्य पाण्डवः
AI Translation: Whatever Drona did to conquer Kunti's son, the Pandava countered it all with a smile.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.26 After 26, G1 M ins.: *1287 तावन्योन्यं प्रति महान्संरम्भः समजायत मृदुपूर्वमभूद्युद्धं दिव्यास्त्रविदुषोर्द्वयोः
यदा द्रोणो न शक्नोति पाण्डवस्य विशेषणे ततः प्रादुश्चकारास्त्रमस्त्रमार्गविशारदः
AI Translation: When Drona was unable to distinguish the Pāṇḍava, then he displayed his weapon, skilled in the path of weapons.
ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं त्वाष्ट्रं वायव्यमथ वारुणम् मुक्तं मुक्तं द्रोणचापात्तज्जघान धनंजयः
AI Translation: The arrows of Indra, Pashupati, Tvashtra, Vayu and Varuna, released from Drona's bow, were struck down by Dhananjaya.
अस्त्राण्यस्त्रैर्यदा तस्य विधिवद्धन्ति पाण्डवः ततोऽस्त्रैः परमैर्दिव्यैर्द्रोणः पार्थमवाकिरत्
AI Translation: When the Pandava destroys his weapons with his own weapons, then Drona covers Partha with his own supreme and divine weapons.
यद्यदस्त्रं स पार्थाय प्रयुङ्क्ते विजिगीषया तस्यास्त्रस्य विघातार्थं तत्तत्स कुरुतेऽर्जुनः
AI Translation: Whatever weapon he uses against Partha in his desire to conquer, Arjuna counters it with a weapon of his own.
स वध्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु दिव्येष्वपि यथाविधि अर्जुनेनार्जुनं द्रोणो मनसैवाभ्यपूजयत्
AI Translation: When the divine weapons were being destroyed by Arjuna in accordance with the rules, Drona mentally worshipped Arjuna.
मेने चात्मानमधिकं पृथिव्यामपि भारत तेन शिष्येण सर्वेभ्यः शस्त्रविद्भ्यः समन्ततः
AI Translation: And he considered himself superior to the earth, O descendant of Bharata. By that disciple, to all the experts in weapons, everywhere,
वार्यमाणस्तु पार्थेन तथा मध्ये महात्मनाम् यतमानोऽर्जुनं प्रीत्या प्रत्यवारयदुत्स्मयन्
AI Translation: Though restrained by Partha, the great-souled one, he, smiling, tried to restrain Arjuna out of affection.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे देवाश्च गन्धर्वाश्च सहस्रशः ऋषयः सिद्धसंघाश्च व्यतिष्ठन्त दिदृक्षया
AI Translation: Then in the sky, thousands of gods, gandharvas, and groups of sages and Siddhas stood to see.
तदप्सरोभिराकीर्णं यक्षराक्षससंकुलम् श्रीमदाकाशमभवद्भूयो मेघाकुलं यथा
AI Translation: It was filled with apsarases and crowded with yakshas and rakshasas. The glorious sky became cloudy again, like a mass of clouds.
तत्र स्मान्तर्हिता वाचो व्यचरन्त पुनः पुनः द्रोणस्य स्तवसंयुक्ताः पार्थस्य च महात्मनः विसृज्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु ज्वालयत्सु दिशो दश
AI Translation: There, our words, hidden, wandered again and again, joined with the praise of Drona and the great-souled Partha. As the weapons were being released, illuminating the ten directions,
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.36 After 36, B Dc1 Dn ins.: *1288 अब्रुवंस्तत्र सिद्धाश्च ऋषयश्च समागताः
नैवेदं मानुषं युद्धं नासुरं न च राक्षसम् न दैवं न च गान्धर्वं ब्राह्मं ध्रुवमिदं परम् विचित्रमिदमाश्चर्यं न नो दृष्टं न च श्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: The Siddhas and the sages present then said "This is neither a human, nor an Asura, nor a Rakshasa, nor a celestial, nor a Gandharva battle; certainly this is a high Brahma battle; this encounter is exceedingly charming and greatly wonderful. We have never seen nor heard of its like before.
अति पाण्डवमाचार्यो द्रोणं चाप्यति पाण्डवः नानयोरन्तरं द्रष्टुं शक्यमस्त्रेण केनचित्
M. N. Dutt: At times the preceptor obtained advantages over the son of Pandu and at times the latter again prevailed over the former. None then was able to mark any difference between them.
यदि रुद्रो द्विधाकृत्य युध्येतात्मानमात्मना तत्र शक्योपमा कर्तुमन्यत्र तु न विद्यते
M. N. Dutt: If Rudra, dividing himself in twain, fights with himself, then an example may be obtained that may match it.
ज्ञानमेकस्थमाचार्ये ज्ञानं योगश्च पाण्डवे शौर्यमेकस्थमाचार्ये बलं शौर्यं च पाण्डवे
M. N. Dutt: In the preceptor there is the knowledge of science. The knowledge of sciences and the means to be applied are in the son of Pandu. Heroism exists in Drona whereas both heroism and mighty exist in the son of Pandu.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.40 After 40ab, G1 M ins.: *1289 द्रोणे सौष्ठवमाचार्ये लाघवं सौष्ठवं तथा अर्जुने दृश्यते व्यक्तं नान्यस्मिंस्तद्धनुर्धरे लक्षमेकस्थमाचार्ये लक्षं वेधश्च पाण्डवे शैघ्र्यमेकस्थमाचार्ये शैघ्र्यं वेधश्च पाण्डवे After line 3, G1 ins.: *1290 गतमेकस्थमाचार्ये गतं वेधश्च पाण्डवे
नेमौ शक्यौ महेष्वासौ रणे क्षेपयितुं परैः इच्छमानौ पुनरिमौ हन्येतां सामरं जगत्
M. N. Dutt: None of these two combatants could be resisted by the foe in battle. At their will they can destroy the universe with the gods themselves.
इत्यब्रुवन्महाराज दृष्ट्वा तौ पुरुषर्षभौ अन्तर्हितानि भूतानि प्रकाशानि च संघशः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing those two foremost of men, O mighty monarch, the visible and invisible creatures said these words.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.42 After 42, S (G5 missing) ins.: *1291 यदा द्रोणं महाराज विशेषयति पाण्डवः
ततो द्रोणो ब्राह्ममस्त्रं प्रादुश्चक्रे महामतिः संतापयन्रणे पार्थं भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च
M. N. Dutt: Thereafter, Drona of great intelligence, invoked into existence the Brahma weapon thereby afflicting Partha and the invisible creatures.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.43 After 43ab, S (G5 missing) ins.: *1292 तदस्त्रं संधितं राजन्घोररूपं महाहवे
ततश्चचाल पृथिवी सपर्वतवनद्रुमा ववौ च विषमो वायुः सागराश्चापि चुक्षुभुः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the earth, with its mountains, forests and trees, began to tremble. Conflicting winds began to blow and the oceans were agitated.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.44 After 44ab, S (G5 missing) ins.: *1293 सरितश्च प्रतिस्रोतः समूहुर्वै क्षणान्तरम्
ततस्त्रासो महानासीत्कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः सर्वेषां चैव भूतानामुद्यतेऽस्त्रे महात्मना
M. N. Dutt: When that weapon was raised by highsouled Drona for use, the Kuru and the Pandava troops as also all the other creatures were stricken with panic.
ततः पार्थोऽप्यसंभ्रान्तस्तदस्त्रं प्रतिजघ्निवान् ब्रह्मास्त्रेणैव राजेन्द्र ततः सर्वमशीशमत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O foremost of kings, Pirthas' son, with the other Brahma weapons, destroyed that weapon of Drona and then all things were again pacified.
यदा न गम्यते पारं तयोरन्यतरस्य वा ततः संकुलयुद्धेन तद्युद्धं व्यकुलीकृतम्
M. N. Dutt: At last when none of them was able to vanquish his opponent in a single combat, a ge engagement commenced between the two hosts, creating a terrible confusion on the field.
नाज्ञायत ततः किंचित्पुनरेव विशां पते प्रवृत्ते तुमुले युद्धे द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्मृधे
M. N. Dutt: During the progress of that terrible encounter between Drona and Pandu's son, O king, once nothing could be distinguished.
Supplementary Passages:
7.163.48 After 48, S (G5 missing) ins.: *1294 द्रोणस्त्यज्य रणे पार्थं पाञ्चालानन्वधावत अर्जुनोऽपि रणे द्रोणं त्यक्त्वा प्राद्रावयत्कुरून् शरौघैरथ ताभ्यां तु छायाभूतं महामृधे तुमुलं प्रबभौ राजन्सर्वस्य जगतो भयम्
शरजालैः समाकीर्णे मेघजालैरिवाम्बरे न स्म संपतते कश्चिदन्तरिक्षचरस्तदा
M. N. Dutt: The firmament being covered with networks of arrows, as if with masses of clouds, no ranger of the air was then seen to course through it. more