Critical Edition
संजय उवाच हस्तिभिस्तु महामात्रास्तव पुत्रेण चोदिताः धृष्टद्युम्नं जिघांसन्तः क्रुद्धाः पार्षतमभ्ययुः
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Having been persuaded by your son, many elephant-warriors, riding upon their elephants and desiring to bring about his destruction, became highly enraged and marched against Dhristadyumna.
प्राच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च प्रवीरा गजयोधिनः अङ्गा वङ्गाश्च पुण्ड्राश्च मागधास्ताम्रलिप्तकाः
M. N. Dutt: Many foremost of clephant-warriors belonging to the tribes called the Easterners, the Southerners, the Angas, the Bangas, the Pundras, the Magadhas and the Tamaliptakas.
मेकलाः कोशला मद्रा दशार्णा निषधास्तथा गजयुद्धेषु कुशलाः कलिङ्गैः सह भारत
M. N. Dutt: And O descendant of the Bharata race, also belonging to the Mekalas, the Koshalas, the Madras, the Dasharnas and the Nishadhas, who were all very skillful in fighting on the back of elephants and who again, were accompanied by the Kalingas.
शरतोमरनाराचैर्वृष्टिमन्त इवाम्बुदाः सिषिचुस्ते ततः सर्वे पाञ्चालाचलमाहवे
M. N. Dutt: Began to pour forth showers of arrows, lances and broad-headed shafts, like the masses of clouds and also they all drenched the whole force of the Panchalas (with them) in that battle,
तान्संमिमर्दिषुर्नागान्पार्ष्ण्यङ्गुष्ठाङ्कुशैर्भृशम् पोथितान्पार्षतो बाणैर्नाराचैश्चाभ्यवीवृषत्
M. N. Dutt: He (Dhristadyumna) then dropped down showers of arrows and broad-headed shafts upon those elephants, that crushed down the enemies and also that were urged forward by their being deeply struck in the sides with heels, toes and hooks.
एकैकं दशभिः षड्भिरष्टाभिरपि भारत द्विरदानभिविव्याध क्षिप्तैर्गिरिनिभाञ्शरैः प्रच्छाद्यमानो द्विरदैर्मेघैरिव दिवाकरः
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, he (the Panchala chief) pierced every one of these elephants, that resembled mountains with ten, six or eight keen arrows.
पर्यासुः पाण्डुपाञ्चाला नदन्तो निशितायुधाः तान्नागानभिवर्षन्तो ज्यातन्त्रीशरनादितैः
AI Translation: The Panchālas and Pāndavas, roaring, their sharp weapons raised, showered down upon the elephants, their bowstrings and arrows making a noise.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.7 After 7, K3.4 V1 B2.4.5 Da1 Dn1 D1.5 ins.: *125 वीरनृत्यं प्रनृत्यन्तः शूरतालप्रचोदितैः
नकुलः सहदेवश्च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः सात्यकिश्च शिखण्डी च चेकितानश्च वीर्यवान्
AI Translation: Nakula, Sahadeva, the sons of Draupadi, Prabhadraka, Satyaki, Shikhandi, and the valorous Chekitana,
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.8 After 8, N T2 ins.: *126 समन्तात्सिषिचुर्वीरा मेघास्तोयैरिवाचलान्
ते म्लेच्छैः प्रेषिता नागा नरानश्वान्रथानपि हस्तैराक्षिप्य ममृदुः पद्भिश्चाप्यतिमन्यवः
M. N. Dutt: Being driven by the Mlechchas, these elephants, highly enraged, had cast down the men, the horses and cars, with their trunks and crushed them with their feet.
बिभिदुश्च विषाणाग्रैः समाक्षिप्य च चिक्षिपुः विषाणलग्नैश्चाप्यन्ये परिपेतुर्विभीषणाः
M. N. Dutt: Then they (the elephants) pierced them with the points of their tusks and having thrown them down shattered them. Others, again, being lifted up with their tusks, fell down upon the ground exciting great horror (in the spectators).
प्रमुखे वर्तमानं तु द्विपं वङ्गस्य सात्यकिः नाराचेनोग्रवेगेन भित्त्वा मर्मण्यपातयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Satyaki, after having pierced the elephant of the Vanga prince, that was standing before him, in the very vitals with a long arrows possessed of great impetuosity, hurled him down upon the ground).
तस्यावर्जितनागस्य द्विरदादुत्पतिष्यतः नाराचेनाभिनद्वक्षः सोऽपतद्भुवि सात्यकेः
M. N. Dutt: Again, Satyaki had struck the chest of him (the rider of that elephant), whose body was not yet touched and who also fell down from his elephant, with a long shaft. Thus struck, he (the rider) fell upon the ground.
पुण्ड्रस्यापततो नागं चलन्तमिव पर्वतम् सहदेवः प्रयत्नात्तैर्नाराचैर्व्यहनत्त्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Shahadeva, on the other hand, had struck the elephant of falling Pundra, that was moving like a mountain, with three long arrows, which were most excellently directed.
विपताकं वियन्तारं विवर्मध्वजजीवितम् तं कृत्वा द्विरदं भूयः सहदेवोऽङ्गमभ्यगात्
M. N. Dutt: Then Shahadeva, after having deprived that elephant of his banners, driver, armour, standard and life, again advanced against the ruler of the Angas.
सहदेवं तु नकुलो वारयित्वाङ्गमार्दयत् नाराचैर्यमदण्डाभैस्त्रिभिर्नागं शतेन च
M. N. Dutt: But Nakula, having forbidden Shahadeva (from advancement), himself crushed the chief of the Angas with three long shafts resembling the very rods of Death in appearance, as well as his elephant with hundred others.
दिवाकरकरप्रख्यानङ्गश्चिक्षेप तोमरान् नकुलाय शतान्यष्टौ त्रिधैकैकं तु सोऽच्छिनत्
M. N. Dutt: The ruler of the Angas, on the other hand, had directed eight hundred lances, that were as resplendent as the rays of the sun, towards Nakula, who, again, shattered each of them into three pieces.
तथार्धचन्द्रेण शिरस्तस्य चिच्छेद पाण्डवः स पपात हतो म्लेच्छस्तेनैव सह दन्तिना
M. N. Dutt: So again, the son of Pandu severed the head (of his antagonist) with a crescent shaped arrow. That Mlechchha, being thus cut-off, fell down with his elephant.
आचार्यपुत्रे निहते हस्तिशिक्षाविशारदे अङ्गाः क्रुद्धा महामात्रा नागैर्नकुलमभ्ययुः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, when the princes powerful monarch, Satyaki on the other hand, having smiled and shrouded all the points of the horizon with a shower of arrows, closed with the two brothers, O descendant of the Bharata race. of the Angas, who was well versed in the knowledge of managing elephants, was thus slain, the highly enraged elephant-warriors of the Anga race, rushed against Nakula, riding upon their elephants.
चलत्पताकैः प्रमुखैर्हेमकक्ष्यातनुच्छदैः मिमर्दिषन्तस्त्वरिताः प्रदीप्तैरिव पर्वतैः
M. N. Dutt: That were adorned with waving banners and also that were furnished with excellent mouths and that were decked with the housings made of gold and that were as resplendent as the blazing mountains; for, the warriors were most desirous of crushing him and all possessed of immense activity.
मेकलोत्कलकालिङ्गा निषादास्ताम्रलिप्तकाः शरतोमरवर्षाणि विमुञ्चन्तो जिघांसवः
M. N. Dutt: The Mekalas, Utkalas, the Kalingas, the Nishadhas, the Tamraliptakas, who were all very willing to slaughter him, continued to pour forth showers of arrows and lance (upon Nakula).
तैश्छाद्यमानं नकुलं दिवाकरमिवाम्बुदैः परि पेतुः सुसंरब्धाः पाण्डुपाञ्चालसोमकाः
M. N. Dutt: Then the highly enraged Pandus, Panchalas and Somakas proceeded most rapidly to rescue Nakula, who was closed with by those warriors, even as the sun is covered over with the masses of clouds.
ततस्तदभवद्युद्धं रथिनां हस्तिभिः सह सृजतां शरवर्षाणि तोमरांश्च सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, the battle raged between the car-warriors, who were shooting showers of shafts and hurling down thousands of lances, (at the antagonists) and the heroes fighting from the back of elephant.
नागानां प्रस्फुटुः कुम्भा मर्माणि विविधानि च दन्ताश्चैवातिविद्धानां नाराचैर्भूषणानि च
M. N. Dutt: The frontal globes and several other vitals, the tusks and the equipments of the elephants, that were deeply pierced with long shafts, were all shattered.
तेषामष्टौ महानागांश्चतुःषष्ट्या सुतेजनैः सहदेवो जघानाशु ते पेतुः सह सादिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Shahadeva had most rapidly slaughtered eight of the gigantic elephants with sixty-four arrows, possessed of great impetuosity. On that, they all fell down along with their riders.
अञ्जोगतिभिरायम्य प्रयत्नाद्धनुरुत्तमम् नाराचैरहनन्नागान्नकुलः कुरुनन्दन
M. N. Dutt: Nakula also, who was the darling of his family, after having lifted up the foremost of his bow with great care, had slaughtered innumerable elephants with straight shafts.
ततः शैनेयपाञ्चाल्यौ द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः शिखण्डी च महानागान्सिषिचुः शरवृष्टिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon the chief of the Panchalas, the grandson of Shini, the son of Draupadi, the Provodrakas and Shikhandin, poured forth showers of arrows upon those huge elephants.
ते पाण्डुयोधाम्बुधरैः शत्रुद्विरदपर्वताः बाणवर्षैर्हताः पेतुर्वज्रवर्षैरिवाचलाः
M. N. Dutt: Having been killed with the torrents of shafts by such clouds as the Pandu warriors, those hills of elephants belonging to the foes, fell down; even as the mountains are struck down by the falling of thunders.
एवं हत्वा तव गजांस्ते पाण्डुनरकुञ्जराः द्रुतं सेनामवैक्षन्त भिन्नकूलामिवापगाम्
M. N. Dutt: Having thus slaughtered your elephants, those foremost of car-warriors, belonging to the side of the Pandavas, looked at the army (on your side), that was running away from the field like a river, flowing down a shore other than where it took its rise.
ते तां सेनामवालोक्य पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैनिकाः विक्षोभयित्वा च पुनः कर्णमेवाभिदुद्रुवुः
M. N. Dutt: Those warriors, belonging to the side of the son of Pandu, after having first agitated that army and again having afflicted, proceeded most rapidly against Karna.
सहदेवं ततः क्रुद्धं दहन्तं तव वाहिनीम् दुःशासनो महाराज भ्राता भ्रातरमभ्ययात्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O great monarch, Dushasana rushed against Shahadeva, that is, brother against brother, who was highly enraged and blasted your army.
तौ समेतौ महायुद्धे दृष्ट्वा तत्र नराधिपाः सिंहनादरवांश्चक्रुर्वासांस्यादुधुवुश्च ह
M. N. Dutt: In the field of battle, the mighty carwarriors, seeing those two thus engaged in a encounter, began to uiter shouts resembling the roars of lions and to wave their cloths.
ततो भारत क्रुद्धेन तव पुत्रेण धन्विना पाण्डुपुत्रस्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्वक्षस्यभिहतो बली
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of the Bharata race, the most powerful son of Pandu was decply struck in the chest with three shafts by the bowman, your son, who was highly enraged.
सहदेवस्ततो राजन्नाराचेन तवात्मजम् विद्ध्वा विव्याध सप्तत्या सारथिं च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Then, O monarch, Shahadeva, after having first pierced your son, again struck him with seventy shafts, as well as his charioteer with threc others.
दुःशासनस्तदा राजंश्छित्त्वा चापं महाहवे सहदेवं त्रिसप्तत्या बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O king, Dushasana, after having severed his bow in that dreadful battle, struck Shahadeva with seventy-three arrows both in the arms and the chest.
सहदेवस्ततः क्रुद्धः खड्गं गृह्य महाहवे व्याविध्यत युधां श्रेष्ठः श्रीमांस्तव सुतं प्रति
AI Translation: Then Sahadeva, angry, took up a sword in that great battle, and brandishing it, that best of warriors, the glorious one, against your son.
समार्गणगणं चापं छित्त्वा तस्य महानसिः निपपात ततो भूमौ च्युतः सर्प इवाम्बरात्
M. N. Dutt: Thus having severed his (Dusasana's) bow along with its string and arrow, then that fearful sword fell down upon the earth, even as a snake falls down from heaven upon the ground.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सहदेवः प्रतापवान् दुःशासनाय चिक्षेप बाणमन्तकरं ततः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Shahadeva, possessed of immerise prowess, having taken up another bow, hurled at Dushasana a shaft, capable of bringing about death.
तमापतन्तं विशिखं यमदण्डोपमत्विषम् खड्गेन शितधारेण द्विधा चिच्छेद कौरवः
M. N. Dutt: Then the son of Kuru had severed into two fragments, with his keen-edged sword, that shaft, which was as resplendent as the very rod of Death himself, directed towards him.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.38 After 38, K3 V1 B D S ins.: *127 ततस्तं निशितं खड्गमाविध्य युधि सत्वरः धनुश्चान्यत्समादाय शरं जग्राह वीर्यवान्
तमापतन्तं सहसा निस्त्रिंशं निशितैः शरैः पातयामास समरे सहदेवो हसन्निव
M. N. Dutt: On the other hand, Shahadeva, as if laughing, had suddenly thrown down that sword with keen arrows, that was directed towards him.
ततो बाणांश्चतुःषष्टिं तव पुत्रो महारणे सहदेवरथे तूर्णं पातयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of the Bharata race, your son most rapidly directed sixty-four arrows against the car of Shahadeva, in that dreadful battle.
ताञ्शरान्समरे राजन्वेगेनापततो बहून् एकैकं पञ्चभिर्बाणैः सहदेवो न्यकृन्तत
M. N. Dutt: Then Shahadeva, O monarch, cut-off every one of these innumerable arrows, that were falling with speed (upon him) with five shafts of his own in that battle.
स निवार्य महाबाणांस्तव पुत्रेण प्रेषितान् अथास्मै सुबहून्बाणान्माद्रीपुत्रः समाचिनोत्
M. N. Dutt: Having thus restrained those powerful arrows, shot by your son, he (Shahadeva) sent away innumerable shafts against him (his antagonist) in that dreadful battle.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.42 After 42c, K3 V1 B D S ins.: *128 प्रेषयामास संयुगे तान्बाणांस्तव पुत्रोऽपि छित्त्वैकैकं त्रिभिः शरैः ननाद सुमहानादं दारयाणो वसुंधराम् ततो दुःशासनो राजन्विद्ध्वा पाण्डुसुतं रणे सारथिं नवभिर्बाणैर्
ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज सहदेवः प्रतापवान् समाधत्त शरं घोरं मृत्युकालान्तकोपमम् विकृष्य बलवच्चापं तव पुत्राय सोऽसृजत्
M. N. Dutt: O mighty monarch, the most powerful Shahadeva, being highly enraged at this, fixed an arrow on his bow, that was as deadly as Death himself.
स तं निर्भिद्य वेगेन भित्त्वा च कवचं महत् प्राविशद्धरणीं राजन्वल्मीकमिव पन्नगः ततः स मुमुहे राजंस्तव पुत्रो महारथः
M. N. Dutt: Then having stretched his bow with great force, he shot that arrow at your son. O monarch, that shaft, after having successively pierced with great force through his body and his strong armour, itself entered into the earth, even as the snakes enter into the ant-hill. Thereupon, O king, your son, that mighty carwarrior, became senseless.
मूढं चैनं समालक्ष्य सारथिस्त्वरितो रथम् अपोवाह भृशं त्रस्तो वध्यमानं शितैः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Having seen him thus senseless and himself being deeply struck with sharp arrows, his charioteer with great rapidity carried away the car.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.45 After 45, D8 ins.: *129 नादस्तु सुमहानासीन्नादयन्वै वसुंधराम्
पराजित्य रणे तं तु पाण्डवः पाण्डुपूर्वज दुर्योधनबलं हृष्टः प्रामथद्वै समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: Having defeated that Kuru warrior in battle, the son of Pandu looked at the army of Duryodhana and crushed it on all sides.
पिपीलिकापुटं राजन्यथामृद्नान्नरो रुषा तथा सा कौरवी सेना मृदिता तेन भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, O monarch, that force belonging to the Kurus was crushed by the son of Pandu, even as a swarm of ants is crushed to death by a man with great rage.
नकुलं रभसं युद्धे दारयन्तं वरूथिनीम् कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन्वारयामास वै तदा
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said O monarch, Karna the son of Vikartana, indeed, restrained with great rage Nakula, who was destroying and dispersing the army (belonging to the Kurus) in that battle.
नकुलश्च तदा कर्णं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् चिरस्य बत दृष्टोऽहं दैवतैः सौम्यचक्षुषा
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, Nakula smilingly uttered these words of Karna-'I am, after a long while and through the kindness of the celestials, seen by you.
यस्य मे त्वं रणे पाप चक्षुर्विषयमागतः त्वं हि मूलमनर्थानां वैरस्य कलहस्य च
M. N. Dutt: O wretched one, such as I am, you have become the object of my sight in this battle. Indeed, you are the root of all these evils, as well as of this hostility and warfare.
त्वद्दोषात्कुरवः क्षीणाः समासाद्य परस्परम् त्वामद्य समरे हत्वा कृतकृत्योऽस्मि विज्वरः
M. N. Dutt: Through you faults the Kuru warriors, after having fought against one another had become thinned. Having slaughtered you today in the battle. I will consider myself as having performed my duties; and also I will be free from the fever (of my heart).
एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच नकुलं सूतनन्दनः सदृशं राजपुत्रस्य धन्विनश्च विशेषतः
M. N. Dutt: Being thus addressed, the son of Suta replied to Nakula in expressions worthy of the son of a king and of a bowman specialiy.
प्रहरस्व रणे बाल पश्यामस्तव पौरुषम् कर्म कृत्वा रणे शूर ततः कत्थितुमर्हसि
M. N. Dutt: 'O brave warrior, strike me; we will behold your manliness. O hero, first having achieved some deed in the battle, then it behoves you to speak.
अनुक्त्वा समरे तात शूरा युध्यन्ति शक्तितः स युध्यस्व मया शक्त्या विनेष्ये दर्पमद्य ते
M. N. Dutt: O sire, without speaking anything (highly of themselves) in the battle, the warriors fight to the best of their might. hence, do you fight with me to the best of your power. I will surely destroy your vanity.
इत्युक्त्वा प्राहरत्तूर्णं पाण्डुपुत्राय सूतजः विव्याध चैनं समरे त्रिसप्तत्या शिलीमुखैः
M. N. Dutt: Having addressed him thus, the son of Suta struck the son of Pandu most rapidly and pierced him in the battle with seventy-three arrows.
नकुलस्तु ततो विद्धः सूतपुत्रेण भारत अशीत्याशीविषप्रख्यैः सूतपुत्रमविध्यत
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of the Bharata race, Nakula, indeed, having been thus pierced by the son of Suta, pierced the Suta's son in return with eight shafts, that were as deadly as the snakes possessing virulent poison.
तस्य कर्णो धनुश्छित्त्वा स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः त्रिंशता परमेष्वासः शरैः पाण्डवमार्दयत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Karna, that most powerful bowman, after having severed his (enemy's) bow with numerous shafts, winged with gold and sharpened on stone, crushed the son of Pandu with thirty other arrows.
ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे आशीविषा यथा नागा भित्त्वा गां सलिलं पपुः
M. N. Dutt: Those arrows, after having pierced through his armour, drank his blood in the battle; even as the snakes of virulent poison, after having penetrated the earth, drink the water.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम् कर्णं विव्याध विंशत्या सारथिं च त्रिभिः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: Then he (Nakula), taking up another bow, that was most formidable and adorned with gold on the back, penetrated Karna with twenty shafts and pierced his charioteer with three others.
ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज नकुलः परवीरहा क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन कर्णस्य धनुरच्छिनत्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O mighty king, the highly enraged Nakula, that slayer of heroic foes, severed the bow of Karna with sharp razor-like arrows.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं सायकानां शतैस्त्रिभिः आजघ्ने प्रहसन्वीरः सर्वलोकमहारथम्
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon that brave warrior (the son of Pandu) smilingly struck this one (Karna), the mightiest of all car-warriors, (Karma) whose bow severed with three hundred shafts.
कर्णमभ्यर्दितं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुपुत्रेण मारिष विस्मयं परमं जग्मू रथिनः सह दैवतैः
M. N. Dutt: O sire, seeing, Karna thus crushed by the son of Pandu, all the car-warriors, along with the celestials, obtained the highest condition of astonishment.
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय कर्णो वैकर्तनस्तदा नकुलं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जत्रुदेशे समार्दयत्
M. N. Dutt: Then Karna, the son of Vikartana, grasping another bow, had shot upon Nakula five shafts in the shoulder-joint.
उरःस्थैरथ तैर्बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रो व्यरोचत स्वरश्मिभिरिवादित्यो भुवने विसृजन्प्रभाम्
M. N. Dutt: Thus the son of Madri blazed with those arrows sticking to that place (in his body); even as the sun, shedding lustre on the earth, looks resplendent with his own rays.
नकुलस्तु ततः कर्णं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिरायसैः अथास्य धनुषः कोटिं पुनश्चिच्छेद मारिष
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Nakula, indeed, after having penetrated Karna with seven impetuous arrows, once more severed one of the horns of his bow, O sire.
सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय समरे वेगवत्तरम् नकुलस्य ततो बाणैः सर्वतोऽवारयद्दिशः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon in the field of battle he (Karna), taking up another bow, that was possessed of greater strength, closed the different points of the compass, on every side of Nakula, with his arrows.
संछाद्यमानः सहसा कर्णचापच्युतैः शरैः चिच्छेद स शरांस्तूर्णं शरैरेव महारथः
M. N. Dutt: That mighty car-warrior (Nakula), being thus suddenly closed with the arrows, shot from Karna's bow, rapidly struck down these shafts with the arrows of his own.
ततो बाणमयं जालं विततं व्योम्न्यदृश्यत खद्योतानां गणैरेव संपतद्भिर्यथा नभः
M. N. Dutt: Then that net-work of arrows, spread over the sky, looked like the firmament, covered over with innumerable fire-flies, that roved about it.
तैर्विमुक्तैः शरशतैश्छादितं गगनं तदा शलभानां यथा व्रातैस्तद्वदासीत्समाकुलम्
M. N. Dutt: Then, O ruler of earth, the welkin, covered over as it was with the hundreds of arrows shot by both of them, looked even as it was covered over with the swarms of locusts,
ते शरा हेमविकृताः संपतन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः श्रेणीकृता अभासन्त हंसाः श्रेणीगता इव
M. N. Dutt: Those arrows, that were adorned with gold, having issued forth in continuous lines, looked most handsome like the cranes flying in continuous lines (through the sky).
बाणजालावृते व्योम्नि छादिते च दिवाकरे समसर्पत्ततो भूतं किंचिदेव विशां पते
M. N. Dutt: When the firmament was thus closed with the net-work of arrows and the sun was covered over with them, none of the rovers of the sky descended upon the earth.
निरुद्धे तत्र मार्गे तु शरसंघैः समन्ततः व्यरोचतां महाभागौ बालसूर्याविवोदितौ
M. N. Dutt: While all the directions were thus closed with the shots of innumerable arrows from all sides, those two lofty-minded heroes blazed forth like two risen suns appearing at the time of universals dissolution,
कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैर्वध्यमानास्तु सोमकाः अवालीयन्त राजेन्द्र वेदनार्ताः शरार्दिताः
M. N. Dutt: O foremost of monarchs, having been highly oppressed with the pain and greatly crushed and slaughtered by these arrows shot from the bow of Karna, all the Somakas dicd.
नकुलस्य तथा बाणैर्वध्यमाना चमूस्तव व्यशीर्यत दिशो राजन्वातनुन्ना इवाम्बुदाः
M. N. Dutt: In the same way, O king, the army on your side, thus slain by the arrows of Nakuſa, dispersed on all sides; even as the masses of clouds are dispersed by the wind.
ते सेने वध्यमाने तु ताभ्यां दिव्यैर्महाशरैः शरपातमपक्रम्य ततः प्रेक्षकवत्स्थिते
M. N. Dutt: The two armies, being thus slaughtered by both the (above) warriors with divine arrows, possessed of great impetuosity, fled beyond the WW reach of falling shafts and stood even as they were spectators (of the battle).
प्रोत्सारिते जने तस्मिन्कर्णपाण्डवयोः शरैः विव्याधाते महात्मानावन्योन्यं शरवृष्टिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Thus when both the armies were dispersed by the arrows of Karna and the son of Pandu, these two high-minded warriors pierced each other with showers of shafts.
निदर्शयन्तौ त्वस्त्राणि दिव्यानि रणमूर्धनि छादयन्तौ च सहसा परस्परवधैषिणौ
M. N. Dutt: Most willing to kill each other, both the warriors showed their celestial weapons in the battle-field and closed each other all on a sudden (with showers of arrows).
नकुलेन शरा मुक्ताः कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः ते तु कर्णमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त यथा परे
M. N. Dutt: The arrows that were furnished with the Kanka, the peacock feathers and garments, shot by Nakula, after having closed the son of Suta, appeared to stay on the sky.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.78 After 78, K3 V1m B D S ins.: *130 तथैव सूतपुत्रेण प्रेषिताः परमाहवे पाण्डुपुत्रमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्ताम्बरे शराः
शरवेश्मप्रविष्टौ तौ ददृशाते न कैश्चन चन्द्रसूर्यौ यथा राजंश्छाद्यमानौ जलागमे
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, both the warriors, having entered the chambers composed of arrows, could not be seen by any persons; even as both the sun and the moon, covered over with the masses of clouds, cannot be seen by any persons.
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे कर्णः कृत्वा घोरतरं वपुः पाण्डवं छादयामास समन्ताच्छरवृष्टिभिः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon Karna, who was highly enraged, after having assumed a very terrible look in the field of battle, shrouded the son of Pandu with showers of shafts shot from all sides,
स च्छाद्यमानः समरे सूतपुत्रेण पाण्डवः न चकार व्यथां राजन्भास्करो जलदैर्यथा
M. N. Dutt: O powerful monarch, the son Pandu, who was wholly shrouded by the son of Suta (with arrowy showers), did not feel any uneasiness; even as the sun (the giver of light), covered by the clouds, feels no pain.
ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिः शरजालानि मारिष प्रेषयामास समरे शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O sire, the son of Adhiratha, after smiling from a time, shot forth hundreds and thousands of shafts in the field of battle.
एकच्छायमभूत्सर्वं तस्य बाणैर्महात्मनः अभ्रच्छायेव संजज्ञे संपतद्भिः शरोत्तमैः
M. N. Dutt: There (upon the field of battle) all appeared to be one continuous shade by the shafts of that lofty-minded one (Karna) even as there formed a shade of clouds by the foremost of falling arrows.
ततः कर्णो महाराज धनुश्छित्त्वा महात्मनः सारथिं पातयामास रथनीडाद्धसन्निव
M. N. Dutt: Then, O powerful monarch, Karna after having severed the bow of that high-souled one (Nakula), smilingly caused the fall of his charioteer from the car-nichi.
तथाश्वांश्चतुरश्चास्य चतुर्भिर्निशितैः शरैः यमस्य सदनं तूर्णं प्रेषयामास भारत
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O descendant of the Bharata race, he (Karna) sent away the four horses of him (Nakula) to the abode of Death most rapidly by means of four sharp-edged arrows.
अथास्य तं रथं तूर्णं तिलशो व्यधमच्छरैः पताकां चक्ररक्षौ च ध्वजं खड्गं च मारिष शतचन्द्रं ततश्चर्म सर्वोपकरणानि च
M. N. Dutt: Then also he with innumerable arrows, cutoff into minute fragments his (antagonist's) celestial car, his standard, the protector of his car-wheels, his mace and sword and his shield, that was furnished with hundreds of moons, as well as his all other equipment's of war, O sire.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.86 After 86, S ins.: *131 सुवर्णविकृतं तच्च धनुः सशरमाहवे
हताश्वो विरथश्चैव विवर्मा च विशां पते अवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं परिघं गृह्य विष्ठितः
M. N. Dutt: O ruler of earth, losing his horse and being deprived of his car and shield, he (Nakula) immediately alighted from his car and taking up his spiked club, stood (in the field of battle).
तमुद्यतं महाघोरं परिघं तस्य सूतजः व्यहनत्सायकै राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, the son of Suta had struck down that dreadful mace, uplifted by him, with the keenest arrows, capable of bearing the greatest strain.
व्यायुधं चैनमालक्ष्य शरैः संनतपर्वभिः आर्दयद्बहुशः कर्णो न चैनं समपीडयत्
M. N. Dutt: On seeing him (his antagonist) without any weapons, Karna afflicted him with numerous straight arrows; but he did not oppress him too severely.
स वध्यमानः समरे कृतास्त्रेण बलीयसा प्राद्रवत्सहसा राजन्नकुलो व्याकुलेन्द्रियः
M. N. Dutt: O monarch, Nakula of agitated senses, who was struck by that most powerful warrior, well versed in the science of arms in the battle, fled away all on a sudden.
तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयः प्रहसन्वै पुनः पुनः सज्यमस्य धनुः कण्ठे सोऽवासृजत भारत
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, the sons of Radha, indeed laughing, again and again and pursuing him (Nakula), placed the bow, that was furnished with string, around his neck.
ततः स शुशुभे राजन्कण्ठासक्तमहाधनुः परिवेषमनुप्राप्तो यथा स्याद्व्योम्नि चन्द्रमाः यथैव च सितो मेघः शक्रचापेन शोभितः
M. N. Dutt: Thereupon, O king, that strong bow placed round his neck, blazed forth, like the moon in the firmament, when he is surrounded by a halo of light or like the mass of black clouds adorned by the bow Indra.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.92 After 92, T1.2 G M1.3 ins.: *132 अशोभत महाराज पाण्डुपुत्रस्तथा रणे
तमब्रवीत्तदा कर्णो व्यर्थं व्याहृतवानसि वदेदानीं पुनर्हृष्टो वध्यं मां त्वं पुनः पुनः
AI Translation: Karna said to him, "You have spoken in vain. Now speak again joyfully, saying again and again that I am to be killed.
मा योत्सीर्गुरुभिः सार्धं बलवद्भिश्च पाण्डव सदृशैस्तात युध्यस्व व्रीडां मा कुरु पाण्डव गृहं वा गच्छ माद्रेय यत्र वा कृष्णफल्गुनौ
AI Translation: O son of Pandu, do not fight with the elders and the strong. O son of Pandu, fight with those of equal strength. Do not be ashamed. O son of Madri, go home or wherever Krishna and Phalguna are.
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज व्यसर्जयत तं ततः वधप्राप्तं तु तं राजन्नावधीत्सूतनन्दनः स्मृत्वा कुन्त्या वचो राजंस्तत एनं व्यसर्जयत्
AI Translation: Having said this, O great king, he dismissed him then. O king, the son of Sūta did not kill him, though he had been brought to death. Remembering Kunti's words, O king, he then dismissed him.
विसृष्टः पाण्डवो राजन्सूतपुत्रेण धन्विना व्रीडन्निव जगामाथ युधिष्ठिररथं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: O king, the son of Pandu, being thus abandoned by that bowman, the son of Suta and feeling shame for it, went towards the car of Yudhishthira.
आरुरोह रथं चापि सूतपुत्रप्रतापितः निःश्वसन्दुःखसंतप्तः कुम्भे क्षिप्त इवोरगः
M. N. Dutt: He then, being afflicted by the son of Suta, ascended the car (of his brother) and being oppressed with grief, sighed heavily like shake confided within a vessel.
तं विसृज्य रणे कर्णः पाञ्चालांस्त्वरितो ययौ रथेनातिपताकेन चन्द्रवर्णहयेन च
M. N. Dutt: Then Karna, after having defeated him (Nakula), rushed most rapidly against the Panchalas, riding upon a car, that was furnished with innumerable standards and having the colour of the moon.
तत्राक्रन्दो महानासीत्पाण्डवानां विशां पते दृष्ट्वा सेनापतिं यान्तं पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्
M. N. Dutt: On seeing the commander of the (Kaurava) army rushing against the car-warriors of the Panchala force, there arose a dreadful uproar against the Pandavas, O ruler of earth.
तत्राकरोन्महाराज कदनं सूतनन्दनः मध्यं गते दिनकरे चक्रवत्प्रचरन्प्रभुः
M. N. Dutt: O most powerful monarch, that lord the son of Suta, circling round the field of battle, like a wheel, perpetuated an immense slaughter there at the time when the sun attained the meridian.
भग्नचक्रै रथैः केचिच्छिन्नध्वजपताकिभिः ससूतैर्हतसूतैश्च भग्नाक्षैश्चैव मारिष ह्रियमाणानपश्याम पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्
M. N. Dutt: O sire, we saw numerous car-warriors of the Panchala army, who were carried away (from the field of battle) upon cars, some of which had their, wheels broken down and some of which had their banners and standards torn into pieces and some also had their horses and drivers slaughtered (in the battle) and some, again, were without their wheels,
तत्र तत्र च संभ्रान्ता विचेरुर्मत्तकुञ्जराः दवाग्निना परीताङ्गा यथैव स्युर्महावने
M. N. Dutt: Innumerable elephants, also wandered and run about in the different directions of the field of battle, some of which had their bodies wholly burnt by the forest-fire.
भिन्नकुम्भा विरुधिराश्छिन्नहस्ताश्च वारणाः भिन्नगात्रवराश्चैव च्छिन्नवालाश्च मारिष छिन्नाभ्राणीव संपेतुर्वध्यमाना महात्मना
M. N. Dutt: Innumerable elephants had their frontal globes severed and the bodies besmeared with blood and the trunks cut-off into fragments. Moreover, O sire, some other elephants, being slaughtered by that high souled one (Karna) fell down with their armour cut-off, or their tails curtailed, like the masses of clouds dispersed by the wind.
अपरे त्रासिता नागा नाराचशततोमरैः तमेवाभिमुखा यान्ति शलभा इव पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: Again, other elephants, that were terrified by the shots of arrows and lances of sons of Radha, rushed with their faces towards him (the son of Radha); even as the insects rush towards the blazing fire.
अपरे निष्टनन्तः स्म व्यदृश्यन्त महाद्विपाः क्षरन्तः शोणितं गात्रैर्नगा इव जलप्लवम्
M. N. Dutt: Other mighty elephants were looked to strike against one another. They also shed blood from their limbs, even as the mountains let flow streams of water from their summits.
उरश्छदैर्विमुक्ताश्च वालबन्धैश्च वाजिनः राजतैश्च तथा कांस्यैः सौवर्णैश्चैव भूषणैः
AI Translation: Horses were freed from their breast-plates and girths, and from their silver, copper and golden ornaments.
हीना आस्तरणैश्चैव खलीनैश्च विवर्जिताः चामरैश्च कुथाभिश्च तूणीरैः पतितैरपि
AI Translation: They were devoid of inferior coverings and worn-out garments, and also of whisks, blankets, and fallen quivers.
निहतैः सादिभिश्चैव शूरैराहवशोभिभिः अपश्याम रणे तत्र भ्राम्यमाणान्हयोत्तमान्
AI Translation: And with the slain horsemen, the heroes who were the ornaments of battle, We saw the best horses wandering in the battle.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.108 After 108ab, T1.3 G2.3 ins.: G1 subst. for 108cd: *133 वातायमानान्सहसा प्रपश्याम हयोत्तमान्
प्रासैः खड्गैश्च संस्यूतानृष्टिभिश्च नराधिप हययोधानपश्याम कञ्चुकोष्णीषधारिणः
AI Translation: Covered with spears, swords, and arrows, O king, We saw horse-riders wearing armor and turbans.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.109 Ś K2-4 V1 B D T2.3 G1.2 M1 ins. after 109: G3 after 111ab: *134 निहतान्वध्यमानांश्च वेपमानांश्च भारत V1 B D T2 M1 cont.: K3 ins. after 109ab: T1 ins. after 114: T3 G ins. after 114ab: *135 नानाङ्गावयवैर्हीनांस्तत्र तत्रैव भारत On the other hand, T1 ins. after 109: *136 विहयान्सहयांश्चापि वेष्टमानांस्ततस्ततः
रथान्हेमपरिष्कारान्सुयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः भ्रममाणानपश्याम हतेषु रथिषु द्रुतम्
M. N. Dutt: We behold the cars, that were adorned with gold and to which were yoked the heroes of greatest speed, dragged in the different directions of the field with great rapidity; while their riders were all slaughtered.
भग्नाक्षकूबरान्कांश्चिच्छिन्नचक्रांश्च मारिष विपताकाध्वजांश्चान्याञ्छिन्नेषायुगबन्धुरान्
M. N. Dutt: O descendant of the Bharata race, some of these cars had their axes and poles shattered into fragments; and some others had their wheels broken; and others, again had their banners and standards torn into pieces; and several others were deprived of their arrows.
विहीनान्रथिनस्तत्र धावमानान्समन्ततः सूर्यपुत्रशरैस्त्रस्तानपश्याम विशां पते
AI Translation: We saw the charioteers running in all directions, deprived of their chariots, terrified by the arrows of the Sun's son, O lord of the earth.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.112 T1.3 G ins. after 112ab: M ins. after 114ab: *137 रथांस्तु तत्र विच्छिन्नांस्तिलशः कर्णविक्रमैः
विशस्त्रांश्च तथैवान्यान्सशस्त्रांश्च बहून्हतान् तावकाञ्जालसंछन्नानुरोघण्टाविभूषितान्
AI Translation: and others without weapons, and many with weapons, slain your own men, covered with nets, adorned with bells,
नानावर्णविचित्राभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतान् पदातीनन्वपश्याम धावमानान्समन्ततः
M. N. Dutt: We saw numerous elephants running in all directions of the field of battle, that were adorned with innumerable stars and that were furnished with the most handsome bells and also that were ornamented with banners variegated with various colours.
शिरांसि बाहूनूरूंश्च छिन्नानन्यांस्तथा युधि कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैरपश्याम विनाकृतान्
M. N. Dutt: Moreover, we behold on all side of the field of battle, numerous heads, arms, chests and other parts of the body, that were severed by the arrows shot from the bow of Karna.
Supplementary Passages:
8.17.115 V1 ins. after 115ab: D2.6 ins. after 114: *138 छिन्नाञ्शरैस्तथा बाहूनूरूश्चापाञ्जनाधिप On the other hand, B2 ins. after 115ab: *139 शिरोभिर्बाहुभिश्छिन्नैश्चित्रैरूरुभिरेव च
महान्व्यतिकरो रौद्रो योधानामन्वदृश्यत कर्णसायकनुन्नानां हतानां निशितैः शरैः
M. N. Dutt: The most dreadful and distressing calamity had fallen upon all the warriors while they were fighting with the keen arrows and cut-off with the shafts of Karna.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृञ्जयाः तमेवाभिमुखा यान्ति पतंगा इव पावकम्
M. N. Dutt: The Srinjayas were slaughtered by the son of Suta in the field of battle and they rushed towards the force of Karna, even as the insects rash towards the fire.
तं दहन्तमनीकानि तत्र तत्र महारथम् क्षत्रिया वर्जयामासुर्युगान्ताग्निमिवोल्बणम्
M. N. Dutt: All the Kshatriyas (the warriors) abandoned that mighty car-warrior who was slaughtering the forces (belonging to the Pandavas) on all sides of the battle, even as they abandon the blazing fire, that appears at the universal dissolution.
हतशेषास्तु ये वीराः पाञ्चालानां महारथाः तान्प्रभग्नान्द्रुतान्कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्शरैः अभ्यधावत तेजस्वी विशीर्णकवचध्वजान्
M. N. Dutt: That hero of immense prowess (Karna) pursued these powerful car-warriors belonging to the Panchala divisions, shooting dreadful arrows at them from behind, while they (these car-warriors), as they survived the slaughter, were broken and running away from the field and deprived of their armours and standards. The son of Suta, who was endowed with great strength, afflicted them with his arrows; even as the remover of darkness (the sun), having reached the meridian, afflicts all the creatures with his rays.
तापयामास तान्बाणैः सूतपुत्रो महारथः मध्यंदिनमनुप्राप्तो भूतानीव तमोनुदः
AI Translation: The son of the charioteer tormented them with his arrows, like the sun at midday dispelling the darkness.