Critical Edition
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच यथा संशप्तकैः सार्धमर्जुनस्याभवद्रणः अन्येषां च मदीयानां पाण्डवैस्तद्ब्रवीहि मे
M. N. Dutt: Dhritarashtra said Do you relate to me how the battle of Arjuna waged with the Samsaptakas and that of other lords of the earth with the Pandavas.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.1 After 1ab, S ins.: *91 सूतपुत्रस्य पाञ्चालैः कथं युद्धं प्रवर्तितम् S cont.: V1 B3-5 Da1 Dn1 D1.3-5.7 ins. after 1: B1 after 1ab: *92 अश्वत्थाम्नस्तु यद्युद्धमर्जुनस्य च संजय
संजय उवाच शृणु राजन्यथावृत्तं संग्रामं ब्रुवतो मम वीराणां शत्रुभिः सार्धं देहपाप्मप्रणाशनम्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O monarch, do you hear me, who am describing to you how that battle, which was destructive of the bodies, sins and lives of persons, waged between the heroes (on our side) and the enemies.
पार्थः संशप्तकगणं प्रविश्यार्णवसंनिभम् व्यक्षोभयदमित्रघ्नो महावात इवार्णवम्
M. N. Dutt: The son of Pritha, that slayer of enemies, having entered into the army of the Samsaptakas, that was like the great ocean, afflicted it most highly; even as the dreadful tempest agitates the vast ocean.
शिरांस्युन्मथ्य वीराणां शितैर्भल्लैर्धनंजयः पूर्णचन्द्राभवक्त्राणि स्वक्षिभ्रूदशनानि च संतस्तार क्षितिं क्षिप्रं विनालैर्नलिनैरिव
M. N. Dutt: Dhananjaya, after having severed the heads of the heroic warriors by broad-headed and sharp-edged arrows, that (viz. the heads) had faces, as resplendent as the full moon and also very handsome eyes, eye-brows and teeth, immediately scattered the earth over with these heads, as if with lotuses severed from their stalks.
सुवृत्तानायतान्पुष्टांश्चन्दनागुरुभूषितान् सायुधान्सतनुत्राणान्पञ्चास्योरगसंनिभान् बाहून्क्षुरैरमित्राणां विचकर्तार्जुनो रणे
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna cut-off the arms of his antagonists with keen arrows, that were like the razors, which, viz. the arms were excellently round, long and muscular and also were rubbed over with soft sandal and other perfumes and again, were furnished with weapons and fingers protected with leathern cases and resembled the five-headed snakes, in that dreadful battle.
धुर्यान्धुर्यतरान्सूतान्ध्वजांश्चापानि सायकान् पाणीनरत्नीनसकृद्भल्लैश्चिच्छेद पाण्डवः
M. N. Dutt: The son of Pandu, again and again, cut-off with his broad-faced arrows the horses and horsemen, the drivers of cars and standards, bows and arrows, as well as arms, that were ornamented with valuable jewels.
द्विपान्हयान्रथांश्चैव सारोहानर्जुनो रणे शरैरनेकसाहस्रै राजन्निन्ये यमक्षयम्
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, in that battle Arjuna, sent away innumerable car-warriors, elephants, horses and cavalry to the abode of Death, by striking them with several thousands of arrows.
तं प्रवीरं प्रतीयाता नर्दमाना इवर्षभाः वाशितार्थमभिक्रुद्धा हुंकृत्वा चाभिदुद्रुवुः निघ्नन्तमभिजघ्नुस्ते शरैः शृङ्गैरिवर्षभाः
M. N. Dutt: The foremost of heroes, who became very wrathful and who roared most loudly and who, again, like bulls, were highly excited as if for a cow in season, proceeded most rapidly against him (Arjuna) with great uproars. Then those warriors began to strike him (Arjuna) with their shafts who at that time continued to slay his (Arjuna's) antagonist, even as the bulls strike another of their kind with the horns.
तस्य तेषां च तद्युद्धमभवल्लोमहर्षणम् त्रैलोक्यविजये यादृग्दैत्यानां सह वज्रिणा
M. N. Dutt: Thus the battle, which caused the hairs to stand on points, waged between him (Arjuna) and them (other warriors); even as there had taken place a battle of the Daityas with the wielder of the thunder-bolt (Indra) at the conquest of the three worlds.
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्विषतां सर्वतोऽर्जुनः इषुभिर्बहुभिस्तूर्णं विद्ध्वा प्राणान्ररास सः
M. N. Dutt: That Arjuna, after having restrained the weapons of his antagonists, coming from all sides, by the weapons of his own and also having pierced the foes with a large number of shafts most rapidly, had taken away their lives.
छिन्नत्रिवेणुचक्राक्षान्हतयोधाश्वसारथीन् विध्वस्तायुधतूणीरान्समुन्मथितकेतनान्
AI Translation: With their chariots, wheels, and axles broken, their warriors, horses, and charioteers killed, Their weapons and quivers destroyed, their banners scattered,
संछिन्नयोक्त्ररश्मीकान्वित्रिवेणून्विकूबरान् विध्वस्तबन्धुरयुगान्विशस्तायुधमण्डलान् रथान्विशकलीकुर्वन्महाभ्राणीव मारुतः
AI Translation: Cutting the yokes and reins, the three poles, the yoking-straps, The shafts and axles, the wheels, the chariots he shattered, Like the wind scattering great clouds.
विस्मापयन्प्रेक्षणीयं द्विषातां भयवर्धनम् महारथसहस्रस्य समं कर्मार्जुनोऽकरोत्
AI Translation: Dazzling, worthy of being seen, increasing the fear of the enemies, Arjuna performed the same deed as a thousand great warriors.
सिद्धदेवर्षिसंघाश्च चारणाश्चैव तुष्टुवुः देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवर्षाणि चापतन् केशवार्जुनयोर्मूर्ध्नि प्राह वाक्चाशरीरिणी
M. N. Dutt: The assemblage of the Siddhas and the divine Rishis, as well as the Charanas, began to praise them highly. The celestial kettle-drums also begun to be sounded; and showers of flowers continued to fall upon the heads of both Keshava and Arjuna. Meanwhile a voice,
चन्द्रार्कानिलवह्नीनां कान्तिदीप्तिबलद्युतीः यौ सदा बिभ्रतुर्वीरौ ताविमौ केशवार्जुनौ
AI Translation: The two who always possess the radiance, brilliance, strength, and splendor of the moon, sun, wind, and fire, Those two heroes, Keshava and Arjuna,
ब्रह्मेशानाविवाजय्यौ वीरावेकरथे स्थितौ सर्वभूतवरौ वीरौ नरनारायणावुभौ
AI Translation: The two heroes, Brahma and Ishana, seated on a single chariot, The two heroes, the best of all beings, Narayana and Narayana,
इत्येतन्महदाश्चर्यं दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा च भारत अश्वत्थामा सुसंयत्तः कृष्णावभ्यद्रवद्रणे
M. N. Dutt: Thus hearing and beholding this wonderful event, O descendant of the Bharata race, Ashvatthaman, firmly resolved upon, rushed towards the two Krishnas, viz. Arjuna and Keshava, in that battle.
अथ पाण्डवमस्यन्तं यमकालान्तकाञ्शरान् सेषुणा पाणिनाहूय हसन्द्रौणिरथाब्रवीत्
M. N. Dutt: Having invited to battle the son of Pandu, who was pouring forth showers of arrows, that had the power of slaying the antagonists, with his arm holding an arrow within its reach, the
यदि मां मन्यसे वीर प्राप्तमर्हमिवातिथिम् ततः सर्वात्मनाद्य त्वं युद्धातिथ्यं प्रयच्छ मे
M. N. Dutt: 'O hero, if you consider me to be your worthy guest, who am arrived here, then allow me, with your entire soul, the hospitality of battle today.'
एवमाचार्यपुत्रेण समाहूतो युयुत्सया बहु मेनेऽर्जुनोऽऽत्मानमिदं चाह जनार्दनम्
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus invited by the son of the Preceptor out of desire for battle, Arjuna considered himself to be highly respected and
संशप्तकाश्च मे वध्या द्रौणिराह्वयते च माम् यदत्रानन्तरं प्राप्तं प्रशाधि त्वं महाभुज
M. N. Dutt: The army of the Samasaptakas should be slaughtered by me; but, again, the son of Drona is inviting me to battle. O Madhava, do you order me really what should be performed first. If you consider it proper, that the work of hospitality should be given Ashvatthama first after rising.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.21 After 21, V1 B (except B3) Da1 Dn1 D1.3-5.7 ins.: *93 आतिथ्यकर्माभ्युत्थाय दीयतां यदि मन्यसे
एवमुक्तोऽवहत्पार्थं कृष्णो द्रोणात्मजान्तिकम् जैत्रेण विधिनाहूतं वायुरिन्द्रमिवाध्वरे
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus addressed (by Arjuna), Krishna carried, to the near presence of the son of Drona, the son of Pritha, who was invited to battle according to the prescribed maxims of triumphant challenge; even as the God of wind carries Indra to the sacrificial place.
तमामन्त्र्यैकमनसा केशवो द्रौणिमब्रवीत् अश्वत्थामन्स्थिरो भूत्वा प्रहराशु सहस्व च
M. N. Dutt: Keshava, after having invited (to battle) him, who had his whole heart directed upon one thing, addressed the son of Drona, saying-'O Ashvatthaman, having been still (in the field), do you begin to strike without hesitation, as also do you bear (patiently).'
निर्वेष्टुं भर्तृपिण्डं हि कालोऽयमुपजीविनाम् सूक्ष्मो विवादो विप्राणां स्थूलौ क्षात्रौ जयाजयौ
M. N. Dutt: This, indeed, is the fit occasion for those, who support their lives with the food of their masters, to repay obligation to their supporters. The struggle between the Brahmanas is most insignificant; but the war between two Kshatriyas is a grand and decisive one, resulting either in victory or defeat.
यां न संक्षमसे मोहाद्दिव्यां पार्थस्य सत्क्रियाम् तामाप्तुमिच्छन्युध्यस्व स्थिरो भूत्वाद्य पाण्डवम्
M. N. Dutt: You, who are most willing to receive, out of foolishness, those celestial rites of hospitality at the hands of the son of Pritha, after having becalmed yourself this day, continue to fight with the son of Pandu.
इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन तथेत्युक्त्वा द्विजोत्तमः विव्याध केशवं षष्ट्या नाराचैरर्जुनं त्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Having been thus addressed by Vasudeva, the best of the twice-born persons said-"So be it." He also pierced Keshava with sixty arrows and penetrated Arjuna with three other shafts.
तस्यार्जुनः सुसंक्रुद्धस्त्रिभिर्भल्लैः शरासनम् चिच्छेदाथान्यदादत्त द्रौणिर्घोरतरं धनुः
M. N. Dutt: Having been highly wrathful, Arjuna broke asunder his (antagonist's) bow with three powerful arrows. The son of Drona, on the other hand, took up another bow, more dreadful than the first.
सज्यं कृत्वा निमेषात्तद्विव्याधार्जुनकेशवौ त्रिभिः शरैर्वासुदेवं सहस्रेण च पाण्डवम्
M. N. Dutt: Having stretched his bow within so short a time as the twinkling of the eye, he (the son of . Drona) pierced both Arjuna and Keshava-Vashudeva with three hundred shafts and the son of Pandu with one thousand arrows.
ततः शरसहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च ससृजे द्रौणिरायस्तः संस्तभ्य च रणेऽर्जुनम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, the son of Drona, after having rendered Arjuna wholly stupid with the greatest care in the field of battle, shot thousands and tens of thousands and millions of shafts.
इषुधेर्धनुषो ज्याया अङ्गुलीभ्यश्च मारिष बाह्वोः कराभ्यामुरसो वदनघ्राणनेत्रतः
AI Translation: O you who are dear to the bowstring, the bow, the fingers, and the arrows, from the arms, the hands, the chest, the face, the nose, and the eyes,
कर्णाभ्यां शिरसोऽङ्गेभ्यो लोमवर्त्मभ्य एव च रथध्वजेभ्यश्च शरा निष्पेतुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः
AI Translation: From the ears, from the head, from the limbs, from the paths of the hair, And from the chariot flags, the arrows emerged, O expounders of the Vedas.
शरजालेन महता विद्ध्वा केशवपाण्डवौ ननाद मुदितो द्रौणिर्महामेघौघनिस्वनः
M. N. Dutt: The son of Drona, after having pierced Madhava and the son of Pandu with a heavy shower of shafts, became highly gratified and sent forth a great up-roar like the loud roar of a vast congregated mass of clouds.
तस्य नानदतः श्रुत्वा पाण्डवोऽच्युतमब्रवीत् पश्य माधव दौरात्म्यं द्रोणपुत्रस्य मां प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Having heard this great uproar of him (the son of Drona), the son of Pandu, addressed that Eternal One, saying-O Madhava, observe this great oppression of the son of the preceptor towards me.
वधप्राप्तौ मन्यते नौ प्रवेश्य शरवेश्मनि एषोऽस्य हन्मि संकल्पं शिक्षया च बलेन च
M. N. Dutt: This warrior considers us to be slaughtered, who have entered into the house of thick arrows (i.e. the arrowy shower). But we will surely frustrate his aim by means of our learning and energy.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.34 After 34, S (G1 om.) ins.: *94 एवमुक्त्वास्य चिच्छेद भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः धनुश्चित्रं पताकां च रथं शक्तिं गदां शुभाम्
अश्वत्थाम्नः शरानस्तांश्छित्त्वैकैकं त्रिधा त्रिधा व्यधमद्भरतश्रेष्ठो नीहारमिव मारुतः
M. N. Dutt: The most excellent of the Bharata race, after having severed every one of the shafts of Ashvatthaman into three pieces, destroyed the power of those arrows even as the sun does away with the mist.
ततः संशप्तकान्भूयः साश्वसूतरथद्विपान् ध्वजपत्तिगणानुग्रैर्बाणैर्विव्याध पाण्डवः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the son of Pandu pierced with dreadful arrows the army of the Samsaptakas, with their horses, drivers, cars and elephants and with their standards, infantry and carwarriors repeatedly.
ये ये ददृशिरे तत्र यद्यद्रूपं यथा यथा ते ते तत्तच्छरैर्व्याप्तं मेनिरेऽऽत्मानमेव च
M. N. Dutt: Then these persons, who having posted there in any way they liked, witnessed the battle, considered themselves to be wholly covered over with the showers of arrows, as if closing themselves by themselves.
ते गाण्डीवप्रणुदिता नानारूपाः पतत्रिणः क्रोशे साग्रे स्थितान्घ्नन्ति द्विपांश्च पुरुषान्रणे
M. N. Dutt: Those arrows of innumerable forms furnished with the wings, having been shot from the Gandiva bow, had slaughtered the elephants, horses and men, either stationed there or at the distance of two miles, in that (dreadful) battle.
भल्लैश्छिन्नाः कराः पेतुः करिणां मदकर्षिणाम् छिन्ना यथा परशुभिः प्रवृद्धाः शरदि द्रुमाः
M. N. Dutt: The trunks of the elephants, that had been pouring forth their juice (as the mark of their excitement) having been thus cut-off by the broad-headed arrows, began to fall down; even as the pretty-well gigantic trees, having been hewn down by axes in the forest, fall down upon the earth.
पश्चात्तु शैलवत्पेतुस्ते गजाः सह सादिभिः वज्रिवज्रप्रमथिता यथैवाद्रिचयास्तथा
M. N. Dutt: After a short while, the elephants that resembled hill, along with those riding upon them, tumbled down upon the ground even as the large mountains broken down by the thunder-bolt fall upon the ground.
गन्धर्वनगराकारान्विधिवत्कल्पितान्रथान् विनीतजवनान्युक्तानास्थितान्युद्धदुर्मदान्
AI Translation: chariots that were like the cities of the Gandharvas, properly fitted out, with well-trained horses, ordered to stand, proud of their prowess in battle,
शरैर्विशकलीकुर्वन्नमित्रानभ्यवीवृषत् अलंकृतानश्वसादीन्पत्तींश्चाहन्धनंजयः
AI Translation: He struck his enemies with arrows and charged at them. Dhananjaya adorned his horses and foot soldiers.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.42 After 42ab, M2-4 ins.: *95 ते शराः सूर्यसंकाशाः पतन्तः सर्वतोदिशम्
धनंजययुगान्तार्कः संशप्तकमहार्णवम् व्यशोषयत दुःशोषं तीव्रैः शरगभस्तिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Dhananjaya, like the sun appearing at the end of the Yuga, had soaked away the vast deep of the Samsaptaka army, that was most difficult to be dried up, by means of his sharpheaded arrows, that constituted his rays.
पुनर्द्रौणिमहाशैलं नाराचैः सूर्यसंनिभैः निर्बिभेद महावेगैस्त्वरन्वज्रीव पर्वतम्
M. N. Dutt: Then again he (Dhananjaya) without hesitation perfectly penetrated the son of Drona, who was like a huge mountain with straight arrows, that had great force and also that were as resplendent as the sun; even as the wielder of the thunder-bolt pierces a mountain (by thunder).
तमाचार्यसुतः क्रुद्धः साश्वयन्तारमाशुगैः युयुत्सुर्नाशकद्योद्धुं पार्थस्तानन्तराच्छिनत्
M. N. Dutt: The most wrathful son of the Preceptor, desiring to fight, proceeded against him (Arjuna) with a view to pierce hiin along with his horses and drivers with swift arrows. The son of Pritha, on the other hand, sundered those arrows shot at him.
ततः परमसंक्रुद्धः काण्डकोशानवासृजत् अश्वत्थामाभिरूपाय गृहानतिथये यथा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon he (the son of Pandu), having been highly wrathful, continued to shower forth quivers of the arrows upon the person of Ashvatihaman; even as one serves a guest with things upon things in his house.
अथ संशप्तकांस्त्यक्त्वा पाण्डवो द्रौणिमभ्ययात् अपाङ्क्तेयमिव त्यक्त्वा दाता पाङ्क्तेयमर्थिनम्
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Pandu, after having forsaken the army of the Samsaptakas ran towards the son of Drona; even as the doner, after having abandoned the unworthy quests, rushes towards the worthy one with his gifts.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.47 After 47, T G2.3 ins.: *96 स्थिताः संशप्तका राजन्दृष्ट्वा युद्धं महात्मनोः
ततः समभवद्युद्धं शुक्राङ्गिरसवर्चसोः नक्षत्रमभितो व्योम्नि शुक्राङ्गिरसयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Thereupon the battle waged between them (Arjuna and Ashvatthaman) who were like the planets Sakra and Angirasa in splendour; even as there had taken place a battle between Sakra and Angirasa in the firmament for entering the constellation.
संतापयन्तावन्योन्यं दीप्तैः शरगभस्तिभिः लोकत्रासकरावास्तां विमार्गस्थौ ग्रहाविव
M. N. Dutt: Those two warriors, who inspired the people of the world with fears, afflicted cach other with resplendent arrows, that were like their rays and resembled two planets, that had gone away from their proper paths.
ततोऽविध्यद्भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नाराचेनार्जुनो भृशम् स तेन विबभौ द्रौणिरूर्ध्वरश्मिर्यथा रविः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Arjuna deeply penetrated him (Ashvatthaman) in the midst of his eye-brows with a sharp arrow. Therewith the son of Drona blazed forth like the sun with his upward rays.
अथ कृष्णौ शरशतैरश्वत्थाम्नार्दितौ भृशम् सरश्मिजालनिकरौ युगान्तार्काविवासतुः
M. N. Dutt: Thus the two Krishnas (Arjuna and Keshava) having been greatly afflicted by Ashvatthaman with hundreds of keen arrows, stood (in the field), blazing forth, covered ever as they were by their own rays, like the two suns appearing at the end of the Yuga.
ततोऽर्जुनः सर्वतोधारमस्त्र;मवासृजद्वासुदेवाभिगुप्तः द्रौणायनिं चाभ्यहनत्पृषत्कै;र्वज्राग्निवैवस्वतदण्डकल्पैः
AI Translation: Then Arjuna, protected by Vasudeva, discharged the weapon that strikes in all directions, And struck the son of Drona with arrows that were like the thunderbolt, fire, and the staff of
स केशवं चार्जुनं चातितेजा; विव्याध मर्मस्वतिरौद्रकर्मा बाणैः सुमुक्तैरतितीव्रवेगै;र्यैराहतो मृत्युरपि व्यथेत
M. N. Dutt: That one of immense strength, always performing the most difficult deeds, pierced both Keshava and Arjuna in the most vital part of their bodies with arrows, that were endued with fierce impetuosity. Even death, being struck by them, feels great pain.
द्रौणेरिषूनर्जुनः संनिवार्य; व्यायच्छतस्तद्द्विगुणैः सुपुङ्खैः तं साश्वसूतध्वजमेकवीर;मावृत्य संशप्तकसैन्यमार्छत्
M. N. Dutt: After having restrained the arrows shot by the son of Drona, Arjuna shrouded him over with twice as many shafts, furnished with the wings. He then, having closed over that best hero, the unique of his class, along with his horses, the driver of his car and his standards, began to smite down the army of the Samsaptakas.
धनूंषि बाणानिषुधीर्धनुर्ज्याः; पाणीन्भुजान्पाणिगतं च शस्त्रम् छत्राणि केतूंस्तुरगानथैषां; वस्त्राणि माल्यान्यथ भूषणानि
AI Translation: bows, arrows, quivers, bowstrings, hands, arms, weapons held in the hands, umbrellas, banners, their horses, their garments, garlands, and ornaments,
चर्माणि वर्माणि मनोरथांश्च; प्रियाणि सर्वाणि शिरांसि चैव चिच्छेद पार्थो द्विषतां प्रमुक्तै;र्बाणैः स्थितानामपराङ्मुखानाम्
AI Translation: He cut through the hides, the armor, the wishes, the beloved things, and the heads of the enemies who were released by the arrows of Partha, who were standing and turning away.
सुकल्पिताः स्यन्दनवाजिनागाः; समास्थिताः कृतयत्नैर्नृवीरैः पार्थेरितैर्बाणगणैर्निरस्ता;स्तैरेव सार्धं नृवरैर्निपेतुः
M. N. Dutt: The excellently ornamented cars, horses and elephants, that were ridden over by heroes among men, who were capable of fighting with the greatest care, were smitten down with hundreds of arrows shot by the son of Pritha. Along with these the foremost of heroes among men fell down.
पद्मार्कपूर्णेन्दुसमाननानि; किरीटमालामुकुटोत्कटानि भल्लार्धचन्द्रक्षुरहिंसितानि; प्रपेतुरुर्व्यां नृशिरांस्यजस्रम्
M. N. Dutt: The heads of persons, furnished with faces resembling the lotus, the sun and the full moon in beauty and adorned with diadems, crowns of highest splendour and again, slain by the broad-headed, the crescent-shaped and razorlike arrows, fell down upon the earth without cessation.
अथ द्विपैर्देवपतिद्विपाभै;र्देवारिदर्पोल्बणमन्युदर्पैः कलिङ्गवङ्गाङ्गनिषादवीरा; जिघांसवः पाण्डवमभ्यधावन्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the heroes, belonging to the races, called the Kalingas, the Bangas, the Angas and the Nishadhas, most desirous of slaying him, riding upon elephants as splendid as the elephant of the great enemy of the Daityas, proceeded most rapidly against the son of Pandu, who had checked the pride of the foes of the celestials.
तेषां द्विपानां विचकर्त पार्थो; वर्माणि मर्माणि करान्नियन्तॄन् ध्वजाः पताकाश्च ततः प्रपेतु;र्वज्राहतानीव गिरेः शिरांसि
M. N. Dutt: The son of Pritha severed into fragments, the armour, the vital parts, the trunks, the riders, the standards and flags of those elephants, which then fell down upon the earth, even as the summits of mountains drop down on the ground, when smitten by the thunder.
तेषु प्ररुग्णेषु गुरोस्तनूजं; बाणैः किरीटी नवसूर्यवर्णैः प्रच्छादयामास महाभ्रजालै;र्वायुः समुद्युक्तमिवांशुमन्तम्
M. N. Dutt: When that elephant force was entirely destroyed, the diadem-decked one (Arjuna) closed the son of his preceptor with arrows, having the color of the newly-risen sun; even as the wind wholly covers the risen sun with the net-work of vast masses of clouds.
ततोऽर्जुनेषूनिषुभिर्निरस्य; द्रौणिः शरैरर्जुनवासुदेवौ प्रच्छादयित्व दिवि चन्द्रसूर्यौ; ननाद सोऽम्भोद इवातपान्ते
M. N. Dutt: Then having restrained the shafts of Arjuna with the arrows of his own, the son of Drona after closing both Arjuna and Vasudeva with innumerable shafts, roared most loudly; even as the vast mass of clouds, appearing in the firmament at the end of the summer season, after covering both the sun and the moon, makes a loud uproar.
तमर्जुनस्तांश्च पुनस्त्वदीया;नभ्यर्दितस्तैरविकृत्तशस्त्रैः बाणान्धकारं सहसैव कृत्वा; विव्याध सर्वानिषुभिः सुपुङ्खैः
M. N. Dutt: Arjuna having been highly oppressed with those weapons and having dispelled the darkness (caused with the arrowy showers of Ashvaithaman), suddenly darkened all with the torrents of arrows and again and again pierced him (Ashvatthaman) and all those, belonging to your army, with arrows furnished with the excellent wings.
नाप्याददत्संदधन्नैव मुञ्च;न्बाणान्रणेऽदृश्यत सव्यसाची हतांश्च नागांस्तुरगान्पदाती;न्संस्यूतदेहान्ददृशू रथांश्च
M. N. Dutt: Savyasachin could not be seen while taking up the arrows, or aiming them, or shooting them. But only this could be seen that the elephants, the horses, the foot-soldiers and the cars (i.e. the car-warriors), with their bodies cut-off, were slain (with the arrows of Arjuna).
संधाय नाराचवरान्दशाशु; द्रौणिस्त्वरन्नेकमिवोत्ससर्ज तेषां च पञ्चार्जुनमभ्यविध्य;न्पञ्चाच्युतं निर्बिभिदुः सुमुक्ताः
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Drona, after having immediately aimed ten foremost of arrows, shot them, as if one with great activity. Of these ten shafts, excellently shot, five pierced Arjuna and the remaining five deeply penetrated that Eternal One (Keshava).
तैराहतौ सर्वमनुष्यमुख्या;वसृक्क्षरन्तौ धनदेन्द्रकल्पौ समाप्तविद्येन यथाभिभूतौ; हतौ स्विदेतौ किमु मेनिरेऽन्ये
M. N. Dutt: All the people considered these two foremost of persons, resembling Kubera and Indra, who being struck with those arrows, were drenched in blood (i.e. blood having flowed down their limbs) and who were highly afflicted by that one, who had completed his education (in the science of arms), slain in the field of battle.
अथार्जुनं प्राह दशार्हनाथः; प्रमाद्यसे किं जहि योधमेतम् कुर्याद्धि दोषं समुपेक्षितोऽसौ; कष्टो भवेद्व्याधिरिवाक्रियावान्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the king of the Dasharha race, said to Arjuna these words-Why do you make this mistake? Do you slay this heroic chief. This will, indeed, be committing a great fault, if this person be neglected, who will hereafter be the cause of great uneasiness, even as the disease, if neglected, becomes the cause of great woe.
तथेति चोक्त्वाच्युतमप्रमादी; द्रौणिं प्रयत्नादिषुभिस्ततक्ष छित्त्वाश्वरश्मींस्तुरगानविध्य;त्ते तं रणादूहुरतीव दूरम्
AI Translation: Having said "So be it", the unerring one, having said this to Drona's son, struck him with arrows. Having cut the reins of the horses, he pierced the horses
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.68 After 68ab, K4 V1 B D (D6 om.) S ins.: *97 भुजौ वरौ चन्दनसारदिग्धौ वक्षः शिरोऽथाप्रतिमौ तथोरू गाण्डीवमुक्तैः कुपितो विकर्णैर् द्रौणिं शरैः संयति निर्बिभेद After 68, Dn1 D4.7.8 S ins.: *98 स तैर्हृतो वातजवैस्तुरंगैर् द्रौणिर्दृढं पार्थशराभिभूतः
आवृत्य नेयेष पुनस्तु युद्धं; पार्थेन सार्धं मतिमान्विमृश्य जानञ्जयं नियतं वृष्णिवीरे; धनंजये चाङ्गिरसां वरिष्ठः
M. N. Dutt: The son of Drona, who was thus carried away from the field, on those horses, as swift as the wind, became deeply afflicted with the arrows of the son of Pritha. Then that intelligent one (Ashvatthaman) having meditated for a while, liked not to return back with a view to fight with the son of Pritha. The most exalted one of the Angirasa's race, who was possessed of immense activity and who became destitute of all aspirations and who had all his arrows and weapons exhausted, after knowing that victory was ever with the chief of the Vrishni race and Dhananjaya, entered into the army of Karna.
Supplementary Passages:
8.12.69 After 69, Dn1 D8 T2.3 G3 M ins.: *99 विवेश कर्णस्य बलं तरस्वी भग्नोत्साहः क्षीणबाणास्त्रयोगः Dn1 T2 G3 cont.: Ś K V1 B Da1 D1-5.7 T1 G1.2 ins. after 69: *100 नियम्य तु हयान्द्रौणिः समाश्वस्य च मारिष रथाश्वनरसंबाधं कर्णस्य प्राविशद्बलम्
प्रतीपकाये तु रणादश्वत्थाम्नि हृते हयैः मन्त्रौषधिक्रियादानैर्व्याधौ देहादिवाहृते
M. N. Dutt: When Ashvatthaman, who was their bitterest enemy, had been carried away by the horses from the field of battle, even as the disease is driven away from the body by incantations, medicines and efficacious means.
संशप्तकानभिमुखौ प्रयातौ केशवार्जुनौ वातोद्धूतपताकेन स्यन्दनेनौघनादिना
M. N. Dutt: Both Keshava and Arjuna, riding upon cars, with flags waved by the wind and whose rattle was like the loud roar of the clouds, advanced towards the front of the army of the Samsaptakas. disease is driven away from the body by incantations, medicines and efficacious means.