Critical Edition
संजय उवाच ततो दुर्योधनो दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनं तथागतम् प्रत्युद्ययावदीनात्मा वेगेन महता नदन्
M. N. Dutt: Sanjaya said Seeing Bhimasena in that state, Duryodhana rushed furiously against him uttering a loud roar.
समापेततुरानद्य शृङ्गिणौ वृषभाविव महानिर्घातघोषश्च संप्रहारस्तयोरभूत्
M. N. Dutt: They met each other like two bulls encountering each other with their horns. The strokes of their maces produced loud sounds like those of thunder-bolts.
अभवच्च तयोर्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम् जिगीषतोर्युधान्योन्यमिन्द्रप्रह्रादयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: Each seeking victory, the battle that took place between them was terrible, making the hair stand erect, like that between Indra and Pralada.
रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गौ गदाहस्तौ मनस्विनौ ददृशाते महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ
M. N. Dutt: All their limbs covered with blood, the two great and energetic warriors both armed with maces, looked like two Kinshukas decked with flowers.
तथा तस्मिन्महायुद्धे वर्तमाने सुदारुणे खद्योतसंघैरिव खं दर्शनीयं व्यरोचत
M. N. Dutt: During the onset of that great and awful encounter, the sky looked beautiful as if it swarmed with fire-flies.
तथा तस्मिन्वर्तमाने संकुले तुमुले भृशम् उभावपि परिश्रान्तौ युध्यमानावरिंदमौ
M. N. Dutt: After that fierce and terrible battle had lasted for some time, both of them were exhausted.
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.6 After 6b, T2 ins.: *326 संग्रामे दारुणे तात सुभृशं क्रोधसंयुतौ
तौ मुहूर्तं समाश्वस्य पुनरेव परंतपौ अभ्यहारयतां तत्र संप्रगृह्य गदे शुभे
M. N. Dutt: Having rested for sometime those two destroyers of foes, taking up their handsome maces, once again began to prevent each other's attacks.
तौ तु दृष्ट्वा महावीर्यौ समाश्वस्तौ नरर्षभौ बलिनौ वारणौ यद्वद्वाशितार्थे मदोत्कटौ
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, when those two highly energetic warriors, those two foremost of men, both possessed of great strength, once more met each other after having rested a little, they looked like two infuriate elephants attacking each other for obtaining an elephants in season.
अपारवीर्यौ संप्रेक्ष्य प्रगृहीतगदावुभौ विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवगन्धर्वदानवाः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing those two heroes, both arined with maces and equaling each other in energy, the gods and Gandharvas and men were filled with wonder.
प्रगृहीतगदौ दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनवृकोदरौ संशयः सर्वभूतानां विजये समपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: Beholding Duryodhana and Vrikodara both armed with mace, all creatures became doubtful as to who amongst them would come off victorious.
समागम्य ततो भूयो भ्रातरौ बलिनां वरौ अन्योन्यस्यान्तरप्रेप्सू प्रचक्रातेऽन्तरं प्रति
M. N. Dutt: Rushing each other and desiring to take advantage of each other's weakness, those two great cousins waited each watching the other.
यमदण्डोपमां गुर्वीमिन्द्राशनिमिवोद्यताम् ददृशुः प्रेक्षका राजन्रौद्रीं विशसनीं गदाम्
M. N. Dutt: People, O king, saw each armed with his uplifted mace, that was heavy dreadful and killing, and that resembled the bludgeon of Yama, or the thunder-bolt of Indra.
आविध्यतो गदां तस्य भीमसेनस्य संयुगे शब्दः सुतुमुलो घोरो मुहूर्तं समपद्यत
M. N. Dutt: While Bhimasena whirled his weapon, it produced a loud and dreadful sound.
आविध्यन्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य धार्तराष्ट्रोऽथ पाण्डवम् गदामलघुवेगां तां विस्मितः संबभूव ह
M. N. Dutt: Seeing his foe, the son of Pandu, thus whirling his mace, the impetuous Duryodhana was amazed.
चरंश्च विविधान्मार्गान्मण्डलानि च भारत अशोभत तदा वीरो भूय एव वृकोदरः
M. N. Dutt: Indeed, the heroic Vrikodara, O Bharata, as he moved about in various courses, shone highly beautiful.
तौ परस्परमासाद्य यत्तावन्योन्यरक्षणे मार्जाराविव भक्षार्थे ततक्षाते मुहुर्मुहुः
M. N. Dutt: Both bent upon carefully protecting themselves, they approached, they repeatedly wounded each other like two cats, fighting for a piece of meat.
अचरद्भीमसेनस्तु मार्गान्बहुविधांस्तथा मण्डलानि विचित्राणि स्थानानि विविधानि च
M. N. Dutt: Bhimasena performed various kinds of evolutions. He moved about in beautiful circles, advanced, and receded.
गोमूत्रिकाणि चित्राणि गतप्रत्यागतानि च परिमोक्षं प्रहाराणां वर्जनं परिधावनम्
M. N. Dutt: He dealt blows and warded off those of his opponent, with wonderful dexterity. He took up various kinds of offensive and defensive position. He made attacks and warded off those as of his opponent. He ran at his enemy now turning to the right and now to the left.
अभिद्रवणमाक्षेपमवस्थानं सविग्रहम् परावर्तनसंवर्तमवप्लुतमथाप्लुतम् उपन्यस्तमपन्यस्तं गदायुद्धविशारदौ
M. N. Dutt: He advanced straight against the foe. He made various tricks for drawing his foe. He stood immovable, bent upon attacking his cnemy as soon as the latter would expose himself to attack. He went round his foe, and prevented his foe from circumnambulating him. He avoided the attacks of his enemy by moving away in bent postures or jumping up.
एवं तौ विचरन्तौ तु न्यघ्नतां वै परस्परम् वञ्चयन्तौ पुनश्चैव चेरतुः कुरुसत्तमौ
AI Translation: Thus, those two roamed and killed each other. Again, those two best of the Kurus roamed, deceiving each other.
विक्रीडन्तौ सुबलिनौ मण्डलानि प्रचेरतुः गदाहस्तौ ततस्तौ तु मण्डलावस्थितौ बली
AI Translation: The two powerful ones, playing, moved in circles. Then those two, standing in circles, holding clubs in their hands,
दक्षिणं मण्डलं राजन्धार्तराष्ट्रोऽभ्यवर्तत सव्यं तु मण्डलं तत्र भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत
M. N. Dutt: Duryodhana, O king, adopted the right Mandala, while Bhimasena adopted the left Mandala.
तथा तु चरतस्तस्य भीमस्य रणमूर्धनि दुर्योधनो महाराज पार्श्वदेशेऽभ्यताडयत्
M. N. Dutt: While Bhima was thus moving about in circles on the field of battle, Duryodhana, O king, suddenly struck him a fierce blow on one of his flanks.
आहतस्तु तदा भीमस्तव पुत्रेण भारत आविध्यत गदां गुर्वीं प्रहारं तमचिन्तयन्
M. N. Dutt: Struck by your son, Bhima began to whir) his heavy mace for returning the same.
इन्द्राशनिसमां घोरां यमदण्डमिवोद्यताम् ददृशुस्ते महाराज भीमसेनस्य तां गदाम्
M. N. Dutt: People, O king, saw the mace of Bhimasena look as terrible as Indra's thunder-bolt or Yama's rod.
आविध्यन्तं गदां दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनं तवात्मजः समुद्यम्य गदां घोरां प्रत्यविध्यदरिंदमः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing Bhima whirl his mace, your son, took up his own terrible weapon, and struck him again.
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.26 For 26cd, K4 subst.: *327 यमदण्डनिभां राजन्घोरां प्रति अरिंदमः
गदामारुतवेगेन तव पुत्रस्य भारत शब्द आसीत्सुतुमुलस्तेजश्च समजायत
M. N. Dutt: A loud sound, O Bharata, was caused by the fall of your son's mace. So quick was that fall that it caused a flame of fire in sky.
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.27 For 27cd, M1.2.4 subst.: *328 शब्द आसीन्महांस्तत्र तुमुलो लोमहर्षणः
स चरन्विविधान्मार्गान्मण्डलानि च भागशः समशोभत तेजस्वी भूयो भीमात्सुयोधनः
M. N. Dutt: Coursing in circles, adopting each motion at the proper time, the energetic Suyodhana, once more seemed to prevail over Bhima.
आविद्धा सर्ववेगेन भीमेन महती गदा सधूमं सार्चिषं चाग्निं मुमोचोग्रा महास्वना
M. N. Dutt: Meanwhile the massive of Bhimasena, whirled with his entire force, produced a tremendous sound with valleys of smoke, and sparks and flames of fire. mace
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.29 For 29cd, B2 subst.: *329 उद्वमच्चार्चिषो वह्निं सस्फुलिङ्गं समन्ततः
आधूतां भीमसेनेन गदां दृष्ट्वा सुयोधनः अद्रिसारमयीं गुर्वीमाविध्यन्बह्वशोभत
M. N. Dutt: Seeing Bhimasena whirling his mace, Suyodhana also whirled his heavy and adamantine mace, and appeared highly beautiful.
गदामारुतवेगं हि दृष्ट्वा तस्य महात्मनः भयं विवेश पाण्डून्वै सर्वानेव ससोमकान्
M. N. Dutt: Marking the vehemence of the wind, caused by the whirl of Duryodhana's mace, the Pandus and the Somakas were stricken with great fear.
तौ दर्शयन्तौ समरे युद्धक्रीडां समन्ततः गदाभ्यां सहसान्योन्यमाजघ्नतुररिंदमौ
AI Translation: Those two, displaying their play of battle everywhere in the battlefield, Struck each other with their clubs, those two destroyers of enemies.
तौ परस्परमासाद्य दंष्ट्राभ्यां द्विरदौ यथा अशोभेतां महाराज शोणितेन परिप्लुतौ
AI Translation: Having struck each other, they looked like elephants with tusks, O great king, they looked splendid, covered with blood.
एवं तदभवद्युद्धं घोररूपमसंवृतम् परिवृत्तेऽहनि क्रूरं वृत्रवासवयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: Thus that dreadful battle went on before the very eyes of thousands of spectators at the close of day, like the fierce battle that took place between Vritra and Vasava.
दृष्ट्वा व्यवस्थितं भीमं तव पुत्रो महाबलः चरंश्चित्रतरान्मार्गान्कौन्तेयमभिदुद्रुवे
M. N. Dutt: Seeing Bhima firmly stationed on the field, your powerful son, moving about, rushed towards that son of Kunti.
तस्य भीमो महावेगां जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृताम् अभिक्रुद्धस्य क्रुद्धस्तु ताडयामास तां गदाम्
M. N. Dutt: Worked up with wrath Bhima struck the mace, endued with great impetuosity and adorned with gold, of the angry Duryodhana.
सविस्फुलिङ्गो निर्ह्रादस्तयोस्तत्राभिघातजः प्रादुरासीन्महाराज सृष्टयोर्वज्रयोरिव
M. N. Dutt: That clash of the two maces produced a loud sound with sparks of fire, which resembled the clash of two thunder-bolts from opposite directions.
वेगवत्या तया तत्र भीमसेनप्रमुक्तया निपतन्त्या महाराज पृथिवी समकम्पत
M. N. Dutt: Discharged by Bhimasena, his impetuous mace, as it dropped down, shook the very Earth.
तां नामृष्यत कौरव्यो गदां प्रतिहतां रणे मत्तो द्विप इव क्रुद्धः प्रतिकुञ्जरदर्शनात्
M. N. Dutt: The Kuru prince could not see his own mace thus baffled in that attack. He was enraged like an infuriate elephant at the sight of a rival elephant.
स सव्यं मण्डलं राजन्नुद्भ्राम्य कृतनिश्चयः आजघ्ने मूर्ध्नि कौन्तेयं गदया भीमवेगया
M. N. Dutt: Adopting the left Mandala, O king, and whirling his mace, Suyodhana, then struck the son of Kunti on the head with his terrible weapon.
तया त्वभिहतो भीमः पुत्रेण तव पाण्डवः नाकम्पत महाराज तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
M. N. Dutt: Thus struck by your son, Bhima, the son of Pandu, did not even quake, O king, and the sight filled all present with wonder.
आश्चर्यं चापि तद्राजन्सर्वसैन्यान्यपूजयन् यद्गदाभिहतो भीमो नाकम्पत पदात्पदम्
AI Translation: And all the soldiers were amazed at that, O king, when they saw that Bhima, though struck by the mace, did not move a step.
ततो गुरुतरां दीप्तां गदां हेमपरिष्कृताम् दुर्योधनाय व्यसृजद्भीमो भीमपराक्रमः
AI Translation: Then Bhima, of terrible prowess, hurled a heavier, blazing club, adorned with gold, at Duryodhana.
तं प्रहारमसंभ्रान्तो लाघवेन महाबलः मोघं दुर्योधनश्चक्रे तत्राभूद्विस्मयो महान्
M. N. Dutt: The powerful and fearless Duryodhana prevented that blow by his activity. Seeing this the spectators were filled with great wonder.
सा तु मोघा गदा राजन्पतन्ती भीमचोदिता चालयामास पृथिवीं महानिर्घातनिस्वना
M. N. Dutt: That mace, hurled by Bhima, O king, Produced a loud sound like that of the thunderbolt, and shook the very Earth.
आस्थाय कौशिकान्मार्गानुत्पतन्स पुनः पुनः गदानिपातं प्रज्ञाय भीमसेनमवञ्चयत्
M. N. Dutt: Adopting the manoeuvre called Kaushika, and jumping up again and again, Duryodhana, properly making the fall of Bhima's mace, made the latter useless.
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.46 After 46b, M1 ins.: *330 गदानिपातं क्रियया मोघं चक्रे सुतस्तव स गदावर्जितं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनमुपाद्रवत् सोऽगच्छच्चलितो राजन्कौन्तेयस्त्रिरथान्तरम्
वञ्चयित्वा तथा भीमं गदया कुरुसत्तमः ताडयामास संक्रुद्धो वक्षोदेशे महाबलः
M. N. Dutt: Baffling Bhimasena thus, the highly powerful Kuru king, at last in anger struck the former in the chest.
गदयाभिहतो भीमो मुह्यमानो महारणे नाभ्यमन्यत कर्तव्यं पुत्रेणाभ्याहतस्तव
M. N. Dutt: Struck very forcibly by your son in that dreadful battle, Bhimasena was stupefied, and for a time knew not what to do.
तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने राजन्सोमकपाण्डवाः भृशोपहतसंकल्पा नहृष्टमनसोऽभवन्
M. N. Dutt: At that time, O king, the Somakas and the Pandavas were greatly disappointed and dispirited.
स तु तेन प्रहारेण मातङ्ग इव रोषितः हस्तिवद्धस्तिसंकाशमभिदुद्राव ते सुतम्
M. N. Dutt: Worked up with anger at that blow, Bhima then rushed at your son like an elephant rushing against an elephant.
ततस्तु रभसो भीमो गदया तनयं तव अभिदुद्राव वेगेन सिंहो वनगजं यथा
M. N. Dutt: With uplifted mace, Bhima rushed furiously at Duryodhana like a lion rushing against a wild elephant.
उपसृत्य तु राजानं गदामोक्षविशारदः आविध्यत गदां राजन्समुद्दिश्य सुतं तव
M. N. Dutt: Approaching the Kuru king, the son of Pandu, O king, an expert in the use of the mace, began to whirl his weapon, aiming at your son.
अताडयद्भीमसेनः पार्श्वे दुर्योधनं तदा स विह्वलः प्रहारेण जानुभ्यामगमन्महीम्
M. N. Dutt: Bhimasena then struck Duryodhana on one of his sides. Stupefied at that blow, the latter dropped down on the Earth, supporting himself on his knees.
तस्मिंस्तु भरतश्रेष्ठे जानुभ्यामवनीं गते उदतिष्ठत्ततो नादः सृञ्जयानां जगत्पते
M. N. Dutt: When that Kuru's hero fell upon his knees, a loud cry arose from among the Srinjayas, O king!
तेषां तु निनदं श्रुत्वा सृञ्जयानां नरर्षभः अमर्षाद्भरतश्रेष्ठ पुत्रस्ते समकुप्यत
M. N. Dutt: Hearing that cry of the Srinjayas, O foremost of men, your son was worked up with rage.
उत्थाय तु महाबाहुः क्रुद्धो नाग इव श्वसन् दिधक्षन्निव नेत्राभ्यां भीमसेनमवैक्षत
M. N. Dutt: Rising up, the mighty-armed hero began to breathe like a powerful snake, and seemed to burn Bhimasena by looking upon him.
ततः स भरतश्रेष्ठो गदापाणिरभिद्रवत् प्रमथिष्यन्निव शिरो भीमसेनस्य संयुगे
M. N. Dutt: That best of the line of Bharata then rushed at Bhimasena, as if he would crush the head of his opponent in that battle,
स महात्मा महात्मानं भीमं भीमपराक्रमः अताडयच्छङ्खदेशे स चचालाचलोपमः
M. N. Dutt: The great and highly powerful Duryodhana, then struck the high-souled Bhimasena on the forehead. The latter, however, stirred not an inch but stood fixed like a mountain.
स भूयः शुशुभे पार्थस्ताडितो गदया रणे उद्भिन्नरुधिरो राजन्प्रभिन्न इव कुञ्जरः
M. N. Dutt: Thus struck in that battle, the son of Pritha, O king, looked beautiful, as he bled profusely, like an elephant with temporal juice trickling down its temples.
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.59 After 59, M1.2.4 ins.: *331 स संक्रुद्धो महाराज भीमो भीमपराक्रमः
ततो गदां वीरहणीमयस्मयीं; प्रगृह्य वज्राशनितुल्यनिस्वनाम् अताडयच्छत्रुममित्रकर्शनो; बलेन विक्रम्य धनंजयाग्रजः
M. N. Dutt: Then, taking up his hero-killing mace made of iron and producing a sound loud as that of the thunder-bolt, the elder brother of Dhananjaya struck his opponent with great force.
स भीमसेनाभिहतस्तवात्मजः; पपात संकम्पितदेहबन्धनः सुपुष्पितो मारुतवेगताडितो; महावने साल इवावघूर्णितः
M. N. Dutt: Struck by Bhimnasena, your son dropped down, his bodying trembling all over, like a gigantic Shala in the forest, decked with flowers, uprooted by a tempest.
ततः प्रणेदुर्जहृषुश्च पाण्डवाः; समीक्ष्य पुत्रं पतितं क्षितौ तव ततः सुतस्ते प्रतिलभ्य चेतनां; समुत्पपात द्विरदो यथा ह्रदात्
M. N. Dutt: See your son laid on the Earth, the Pandavas became highly glad and uttered loud cries. Regaining his consciousness your son then rose, like an elephant from a lake.
स पार्थिवो नित्यममर्षितस्तदा; महारथः शिक्षितवत्परिभ्रमन् अताडयत्पाण्डवमग्रतः स्थितं; स विह्वलाङ्गो जगतीमुपास्पृशत्
M. N. Dutt: That angry king and great car-warrior then, moving about with great skill, great skill, struck Bhimasena who was before him. Thereat, the son of Pandu, with weakened limbs, dropped down on the Earth.
स सिंहनादान्विननाद कौरवो; निपात्य भूमौ युधि भीममोजसा बिभेद चैवाशनितुल्यतेजसा; गदानिपातेन शरीररक्षणम्
M. N. Dutt: Having by his power struck down Bhimasena on the ground, the Kuru prince sent up a leonine roar. By the fall of his mace, whose vehemence was like that of the thunder, he had, broken Bhima's coat-of-mail.
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे निनदो महानभू;द्दिवौकसामप्सरसां च नेदुषाम् पपात चोच्चैरमरप्रवेरितं; विचित्रपुष्पोत्करवर्षमुत्तमम्
M. N. Dutt: A loud uproar was then heard in they sky made by the celestials and the Apsaras. A shower of flowers of sweet fragrance, rained by the celestials, poured in.
ततः परानाविशदुत्तमं भयं; समीक्ष्य भूमौ पतितं नरोत्तमम् अहीयमानं च बलेन कौरवं; निशम्य भेदं च दृढस्य वर्मणः
M. N. Dutt: Seeing Bhima prostrated on the Earth, and seeing his coat-of-mail out open, a great fear possessed the hearts of our foes.
ततो मुहूर्तादुपलभ्य चेतनां; प्रमृज्य वक्त्रं रुधिरार्द्रमात्मनः धृतिं समालम्ब्य विवृत्तलोचनो; बलेन संस्तभ्य वृकोदरः स्थितः
M. N. Dutt: Regaining his senses in a moment, and wiping his face which had been covered with blood, and gathering patience, Vrikodara stood up, with rolling eyes."
Supplementary Passages:
9.56.67 After 67, S (T3.4 missing) ins.: *332 ततो यमौ यमसदृशौ पराक्रमे सपार्षतः शिनितनयश्च वीर्यवान् समाह्वयन्नहमहमित्यभित्वरंस् तवात्मजं समभिययुर्वधैषिणः निगृह्य तान्पुनरपि पाण्डवो बली तवात्मजं स्वयमभिगम्य कालवत् चचार च व्यपगतखेदवेपथुः सुरेश्वरो नमुचिमिवोत्तमं रणे