14. Book 07 · Droṇa Parva — The Book of Droṇa (part 3 of 3)

7.113.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
महानपनयः सूत ममैवात्र विशेषतः
स इदानीमनुप्राप्तो मन्ये संजय शोचतः

7.113.2

यद्गतं तद्गतमिति ममासीन्मनसि स्थितम्
इदानीमत्र किं कार्यं प्रकरिष्यामि संजय

7.113.3

यथा त्वेष क्षयो वृत्तो ममापनयसंभवः
वीराणां तन्ममाचक्ष्व स्थिरीभूतोऽस्मि संजय

7.113.4

संजय उवाच
कर्णभीमौ महाराज पराक्रान्तौ महाहवे
बाणवर्षाण्यवर्षेतां वृष्टिमन्ताविवाम्बुदौ

7.113.5

भीमनामाङ्किता बाणाः स्वर्णपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः
विविशुः कर्णमासाद्य भिन्दन्त इव जीवितम्

7.113.6

तथैव कर्णनिर्मुक्तैः सविषैरिव पन्नगैः
आकीर्यत रणे भीमः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.113.7

तयोः शरैर्महाराज संपतद्भिः समन्ततः
बभूव तव सैन्यानां संक्षोभः सागरोपमः

7.113.8

भीमचापच्युतैर्बाणैस्तव सैन्यमरिंदम
अवध्यत चमूमध्ये घोरैराशीविषोपमैः

7.113.9

वारणैः पतितै राजन्वाजिभिश्च नरैः सह
अदृश्यत मही कीर्णा वातनुन्नैर्द्रुमैरिव

7.113.10

ते वध्यमानाः समरे भीमचापच्युतैः शरैः
प्राद्रवंस्तावका योधाः किमेतदिति चाब्रुवन्

7.113.11

ततो व्युदस्तं तत्सैन्यं सिन्धुसौवीरकौरवम्
प्रोत्सारितं महावेगैः कर्णपाण्डवयोः शरैः

7.113.12

ते शरातुरभूयिष्ठा हताश्वनरवाहनाः
उत्सृज्य कर्णं भीमं च प्राद्रवन्सर्वतोदिशम्

7.113.13

नूनं पार्थार्थमेवास्मान्मोहयन्ति दिवौकसः
यत्कर्णभीमप्रभवैर्वध्यते नो बलं शरैः

7.113.14

एवं ब्रुवन्तो योधास्ते तावका भयपीडिताः
शरपातं समुत्सृज्य स्थिता युद्धदिदृक्षवः

7.113.15

ततः प्रावर्तत नदी घोररूपा महाहवे
बभूव च विशेषेण भीरूणां भयवर्धिनी

7.113.16

वारणाश्वमनुष्याणां रुधिरौघसमुद्भवा
संवृता गतसत्त्वैश्च मनुष्यगजवाजिभिः

7.113.17

सानुकर्षपताकैश्च द्विपाश्वरथभूषणैः
स्यन्दनैरपविद्धैश्च भग्नचक्राक्षकूबरैः

7.113.18

जातरूपपरिष्कारैर्धनुर्भिः सुमहाधनैः
सुवर्णपुङ्खैरिषुभिर्नाराचैश्च सहस्रशः

7.113.19

कर्णपाण्डवनिर्मुक्तैर्निर्मुक्तैरिव पन्नगैः
प्रासतोमरसंघातैः खड्गैश्च सपरश्वधैः

7.113.20

सुवर्णविकृतैश्चापि गदामुसलपट्टिशैः
वज्रैश्च विविधाकारैः शक्तिभिः परिघैरपि
शतघ्नीभिश्च चित्राभिर्बभौ भारत मेदिनी

7.113.21

कनकाङ्गदकेयूरैः कुण्डलैर्मणिभिः शुभैः
तनुत्रैः सतलत्रैश्च हारैर्निष्कैश्च भारत

7.113.22

वस्त्रैश्छत्रैश्च विध्वस्तैश्चामरव्यजनैरपि
गजाश्वमनुजैर्भिन्नैः शस्त्रैः स्यन्दनभूषणैः

7.113.23

तैस्तैश्च विविधैर्भावैस्तत्र तत्र वसुंधरा
पतितैरपविद्धैश्च संबभौ द्यौरिव ग्रहैः

7.113.24

अचिन्त्यमद्भुतं चैव तयोः कर्मातिमानुषम्
दृष्ट्वा चारणसिद्धानां विस्मयः समपद्यत

7.113.25

अग्नेर्वायुसहायस्य गतिः कक्ष इवाहवे
आसीद्भीमसहायस्य रौद्रमाधिरथेर्गतम्
निपातितध्वजरथं हतवाजिनरद्विपम्

7.113.26

गजाभ्यां संप्रयुक्ताभ्यामासीन्नडवनं यथा
तथाभूतं महत्सैन्यमासीद्भारत संयुगे
विमर्दः कर्णभीमाभ्यामासीच्च परमो रणे

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'O Suta, O Sanjaya, this grievous result that has now overtaken us is, I think, certainly due to my evil policy. I had hitherto thought that what is past. But, O Sanjaya, what measures should I now adopt? I am now once more calm, O Sanjaya, therefore, tell me how this slaughter of heroes is going on, having my evil policy for its cause.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Indeed, O king, Karna and Bhima, both endued with great prowess, continued in that battle to pour their arrowy showers like two rain-charged clouds. The arrows, winged with gold and whetted on stone and marked with Bhima's name, approaching Karna, penetrated into his body, as if piercing into his very life. Similarly, Bhima also, in that battle was shrouded with the shafts of Karna in hundreds and thousands, resembling snakes of virulent poison. With their arrows, O king, failing on all sides, an agitation was produced among the troops resembling that of the very ocean. Many were the combatants, O chastiser of foes, in thy host that were deprived of life by arrows, resembling snakes of virulent poison shot from Bhima's bow. Strewn with fallen elephants and steeds mixed with the bodies of men, the field of battle looked like one covered with trees broken by a tempest. Slaughtered in battle with the arrows from Bhima's bow, thy warriors fled away, 'saying, What is this?' Indeed, that host of the Sindhus, the Sauviras, and the Kauravas, afflicted with the impetuous shafts of both Karna and Bhima, was removed to a great distance. The remnant of those brave soldiers, with their steeds and elephants killed, leaving the vicinity of both Karna and Bhima, fled away in all directions. (And they cried out), 'Verily, for the sake of the Parthas, the gods are stupefying us, since those arrows shot by both Bhima and Karna are slaying our forces. Saying those words, these troops of thine afflicted with fear avoiding the range of (Karna's and Bhima's) arrows, stood at a distance for witnessing that combat. Then, on the field of battle there began to flow a terrible river enhancing the joy of the heroes and the fears of the timid. And it was caused by the blood of elephants and steeds and men. And covered with the lifeless forms of men and elephants and steeds, with flagstaffs and the bottoms of cars, with the adornments of cars and elephants and steeds with broken cars and wheels and Akshas and Kuveras, with loud-twanged bows decked with gold, and gold-winged arrows and shafts in thousands, shot by Karna and Bhima, resembling snakes just freed from their sloughs, with countless lances and spears and scimitars and battleaxes, with maces and clubs and axes, all adorned with gold, with standards of diverse shapes, and darts and spiked clubs, and with beautiful Sataghnis, the earth, O Bharata, looked resplendent. And strewn all over with earrings and necklaces of gold and bracelets loosened (from wrists), and rings, and precious gems worn on diadems and crowns, and head-gears, and golden ornaments of diverse kinds, O sire, and coats of mail, and leathern fences, and elephants' ropes, and umbrellas displaced (from their places)

and Yak-tails, and fans with the pierced bodies of elephants and steeds and men, with blood-dyed arrows, and with diverse other objects, lying about and loosened from their places, the field of battle looked resplendent like the firmament bespangled with stars. Beholding the wonderful, inconceivable, and superhuman feats of those two warriors, the Charanas and the Siddhas were exceedingly amazed. As a blazing conflagration, having the wind for its ally, courses through an (extended) heap of dry grass, even so, Adhiratha's son, engaged with Bhima, coursed fiercely in that battle. 1 Both of them felled countless standards and cars and slew steeds and men and elephants, like a pair of elephants crushing a forest of reeds while engaged in battle with other. Thy host looked like a mass of clouds, O king, of men, and great was the carnage caused in that battle by Karna and Bhima.'" 2

295:1 The sense seems to be that Karna and Bhima were like fire and wind.

295:2 Verse 28 is a triplet. The second line is obscure. It seems that a line has been omitted.

7.114.1

संजय उवाच
ततः कर्णो महाराज भीमं विद्ध्वा त्रिभिः शरैः
मुमोच शरवर्षाणि चित्राणि च बहूनि च

7.114.2

वध्यमानो महाराज सूतपुत्रेण पाण्डवः
न विव्यथे भीमसेनो भिद्यमान इवाचलः

7.114.3

स कर्णं कर्णिना कर्णे पीतेन निशितेन च
विव्याध युधि राजेन्द्र भीमसेनः पतत्रिणा

7.114.4

स कुण्डलं महत्कर्णात्कर्णस्यापातयद्भुवि
तपनीयं महाराज दीप्तं ज्योतिरिवाम्बरात्

7.114.5

अथापरेण भल्लेन सूतपुत्रं स्तनान्तरे
आजघान भृशं भीमः स्मयन्निव महाबलः

7.114.6

पुनरस्य त्वरन्भीमो नाराचान्दश भारत
रणे प्रैषीन्महावेगान्यमदण्डोपमांस्तथा

7.114.7

ते ललाटं समासाद्य सूतपुत्रस्य मारिष
विविशुश्चोदितास्तेन वल्मीकमिव पन्नगाः

7.114.8

ललाटस्थैस्तु तैर्बाणैः सूतपुत्रो व्यरोचत
नीलोत्पलमयीं मालां धारयन्स पुरा यथा

7.114.9

ततः क्रुद्धो रणे कर्णः पीडितो दृढधन्वना
वेगं चक्रे महावेगो भीमसेनवधं प्रति

7.114.10

तस्मै कर्णः शतं राजन्निषूणां गार्ध्रवाससाम्
अमर्षी बलवान्क्रुद्धः प्रेषयामास भारत

7.114.11

ततः प्रासृजदुग्राणि शरवर्षाणि पाण्डवः
समरे तमनादृत्य नास्य वीर्यमचिन्तयत्

7.114.12

ततः कर्णो महाराज पाण्डवं निशितैः शरैः
आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धः क्रुद्धरूपं परंतपः

7.114.13

जीमूताविव चान्योन्यं तौ ववर्षतुराहवे
तलशब्दरवैश्चैव त्रासयन्तौ परस्परम्

7.114.14

शरजालैश्च विविधैश्छादयामासतुर्मृधे
अन्योन्यं समरे क्रुद्धौ कृतप्रतिकृतैषिणौ

7.114.15

ततो भीमो महाबाहू राधेयस्य महात्मनः
क्षुरप्रेण धनुश्छित्त्वा कर्णं विव्याध पत्रिणा

7.114.16

तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नं सूतपुत्रो महामनाः
अन्यत्कार्मुकमादत्त वेगघ्नं भारसाधनम्

7.114.17

दृष्ट्वा च कुरुसौवीरसैन्धवानां बलक्षयम्
सवर्मध्वजशस्त्रैश्च पतितैः संवृतां महीम्

7.114.18

हस्त्यश्वनरदेहांश्च गतासून्प्रेक्ष्य सर्वतः
सूतपुत्रस्य संरम्भाद्दीप्तं वपुरजायत

7.114.19

स विस्फार्य महच्चापं कार्तस्वरविभूषितम्
भीमं प्रैक्षत राधेयो राजन्घोरेण चक्षुषा

7.114.20

ततः क्रुद्धः शरानस्यन्सूतपुत्रो व्यरोचत
मध्यंदिनगतोऽर्चिष्माञ्शरदीव दिवाकरः

7.114.21

मरीचिविकचस्येव राजन्भानुमतो वपुः
आसीदाधिरथेर्घोरं वपुः शरशतार्चिषः

7.114.22

कराभ्यामाददानस्य संदधानस्य चाशुगान्
विकर्षतो मुञ्चतो वा नान्तरं ददृशू रणे

7.114.23

अग्निचक्रोपमं घोरं मण्डलीकृतमायुधम्
कर्णस्यासीन्महाराज सव्यदक्षिणमस्यतः

7.114.24

स्वर्णपुङ्खाः सुनिशिताः कर्णचापच्युताः शराः
प्राच्छादयन्महाराज दिशः सूर्यस्य च प्रभाम्

7.114.25

ततः कनकपुङ्खानां शराणां नतपर्वणाम्
धनुश्च्युतानां वियति ददृशे बहुधा व्रजः

7.114.26

शरासनादाधिरथेः प्रभवन्तः स्म सायकाः
श्रेणीकृता व्यराजन्त राजन्क्रौञ्चा इवाम्बरे

7.114.27

गार्ध्रपत्राञ्शिलाधौतान्कार्तस्वरविभूषितान्
महावेगान्प्रदीप्ताग्रान्मुमोचाधिरथिः शरान्

7.114.28

ते तु चापबलोद्धूताः शातकुम्भविभूषिताः
अजस्रमन्वकीर्यन्त शराः पार्थरथं प्रति

7.114.29

ते व्योम्नि रत्नविकृता व्यकाशन्त सहस्रशः
शलभानामिव व्राताः शराः कर्णसमीरिताः

7.114.30

चापादाधिरथेर्मुक्ताः प्रपतन्तः स्म सायकाः
एको दीर्घ इव प्रांशुः प्रभवन्दृश्यते शरः

7.114.31

पर्वतं वारिधाराभिश्छादयन्निव तोयदः
कर्णः प्राच्छादयत्क्रुद्धो भीमं सायकवृष्टिभिः

7.114.32

तत्र भारत भीमस्य बलवीर्यपराक्रमम्
व्यवसायं च पुत्रास्ते प्रैक्षन्त कुरुभिः सह

7.114.33

तां समुद्रमिवोद्धूतां शरवृष्टिं समुत्थिताम्
अचिन्तयित्वा भीमस्तु क्रुद्धः कर्णमुपाद्रवत्

7.114.34

रुक्मपृष्ठं महच्चापं भीमस्यासीद्विशां पते
आकर्षान्मण्डलीभूतं शक्रचापमिवापरम्
तस्माच्छराः प्रादुरासन्पूरयन्त इवाम्बरम्

7.114.35

सुवर्णपुङ्खैर्भीमेन सायकैर्नतपर्वभिः
गगने रचिता माला काञ्चनीव व्यराजत

7.114.36

ततो व्योम्नि विषक्तानि शरजालानि भागशः
आहतानि व्यशीर्यन्त भीमसेनस्य पत्रिभिः

7.114.37

कर्णस्य शरजालौघैर्भीमसेनस्य चोभयोः
अग्निस्फुलिङ्गसंस्पर्शैरञ्जोगतिभिराहवे
तैस्तैः कनकपुङ्खानां द्यौरासीत्संवृता व्रजैः

7.114.38

स भीमं छादयन्बाणैः सूतपुत्रः पृथग्विधैः
उपारोहदनादृत्य तस्य वीर्यं महात्मनः

7.114.39

तयोर्विसृजतोस्तत्र शरजालानि मारिष
वायुभूतान्यदृश्यन्त संसक्तानीतरेतरम्

7.114.40

तस्मै कर्णः शितान्बाणान्कर्मारपरिमार्जितान्
सुवर्णविकृतान्क्रुद्धः प्राहिणोद्वधकाङ्क्षया

7.114.41

तानन्तरिक्षे विशिखैस्त्रिधैकैकमशातयत्
विशेषयन्सूतपुत्रं भीमस्तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.114.42

पुनश्चासृजदुग्राणि शरवर्षाणि पाण्डवः
अमर्षी बलवान्क्रुद्धो दिधक्षन्निव पावकः

7.114.43

तस्य तान्याददे कर्णः सर्वाण्यस्त्राण्यभीतवत्
युध्यतः पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सूतपुत्रोऽस्त्रमायया

7.114.44

तस्येषुधी धनुर्ज्यां च बाणैः संनतपर्वभिः
रश्मीन्योक्त्राणि चाश्वानां कर्णो वैकर्तनोऽच्छिनत्

7.114.45

अथास्याश्वान्पुनर्हत्वा त्रिभिर्विव्याध सारथिम्
सोऽवप्लुत्य द्रुतं सूतो युयुधानरथं ययौ

7.114.46

उत्स्मयन्निव भीमस्य क्रुद्धः कालानलप्रभः
ध्वजं चिच्छेद राधेयः पताकाश्च न्यपातयत्

7.114.47

स विधन्वा महाराज रथशक्तिं परामृशत्
तामवासृजदाविध्य क्रुद्धः कर्णरथं प्रति

7.114.48

तामाधिरथिरायस्तः शक्तिं हेमपरिष्कृताम्
आपतन्तीं महोल्काभां चिच्छेद दशभिः शरैः

7.114.49

सापतद्दशधा राजन्निकृत्ता कर्णसायकैः
अस्यतः सूतपुत्रस्य मित्रार्थे चित्रयोधिनः

7.114.50

स चर्मादत्त कौन्तेयो जातरूपपरिष्कृतम्
खड्गं चान्यतरप्रेप्सुर्मृत्योरग्रे जयस्य वा
तदस्य सहसा कर्णो व्यधमत्प्रहसन्निव

7.114.51

स विचर्मा महाराज विरथः क्रोधमूर्छितः
असिं प्रासृजदाविध्य त्वरन्कर्णरथं प्रति

7.114.52

स धनुः सूतपुत्रस्य छित्त्वा ज्यां च सुसंशितः
अपतद्भुवि निस्त्रिंशश्च्युतः सर्प इवाम्बरात्

7.114.53

ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिरन्यदादत्त कार्मुकम्
शत्रुघ्नं समरे क्रुद्धो दृढज्यं वेगवत्तरम्

7.114.54

स भीमसेनः कुपितो बलवान्सत्यविक्रमः
विहायसं प्राक्रमद्वै कर्णस्य व्यथयन्मनः

7.114.55

तस्य तच्चरितं दृष्ट्वा संग्रामे विजयैषिणः
लयमास्थाय राधेयो भीमसेनमवञ्चयत्

7.114.56

तमदृष्ट्वा रथोपस्थे निलीनं व्यथितेन्द्रियम्
ध्वजमस्य समासाद्य तस्थौ स धरणीतले

7.114.57

तदस्य कुरवः सर्वे चारणाश्चाभ्यपूजयन्
यदियेष रथात्कर्णं हन्तुं तार्क्ष्य इवोरगम्

7.114.58

स छिन्नधन्वा विरथः स्वधर्ममनुपालयन्
स्वरथं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा युद्धायैव व्यवस्थितः

7.114.59

तद्विहत्यास्य राधेयस्तत एनं समभ्ययात्
संरब्धः पाण्डवं संख्ये युद्धाय समुपस्थितम्

7.114.60

तौ समेतौ महारङ्गे स्पर्धमानौ महाबलौ
जीमूताविव घर्मान्ते गर्जमानौ नभस्तले

7.114.61

तयोरासीत्संप्रहारः क्रुद्धयोर्नरसिंहयोः
अमृष्यमाणयोः संख्ये देवदानवयोरिव

7.114.62

क्षीणशस्त्रस्तु कौन्तेयः कर्णेन समभिद्रुतः
दृष्ट्वार्जुनहतान्नागान्पतितान्पर्वतोपमान्
रथमार्गविघातार्थं व्यायुधः प्रविवेश ह

7.114.63

हस्तिनां व्रजमासाद्य रथदुर्गं प्रविश्य च
पाण्डवो जीविताकाङ्क्षी राधेयं नाभ्यहारयत्

7.114.64

व्यवस्थानमथाकाङ्क्षन्धनंजयशरैर्हतम्
उद्यम्य कुञ्जरं पार्थस्तस्थौ परपुरंजयः

7.114.65

तमस्य विशिखैः कर्णो व्यधमत्कुञ्जरं पुनः
हस्त्यङ्गान्यथ कर्णाय प्राहिणोत्पाण्डवो नदन्

7.114.66

चक्राण्यश्वांस्तथा वाहान्यद्यत्पश्यति भूतले
तत्तदादाय चिक्षेप क्रुद्धः कर्णाय पाण्डवः

7.114.67

तदस्य सर्वं चिच्छेद क्षिप्तं क्षिप्तं शितैः शरैः
व्यायुधं नावधीच्चैनं कर्णः कुन्त्या वचः स्मरन्

7.114.68

धनुषोऽग्रेण तं कर्णस्त्वभिद्रुत्य परामृशत्
उत्स्मयन्निव राधेयो भीमसेनमुवाच ह

7.114.69

पुनः पुनस्तूबरक मूढ औदरिकेति च
अकृतास्त्रक मा योत्सीर्बाल संग्रामकातर

7.114.70

यत्र भोज्यं बहुविधं भक्ष्यं पेयं च पाण्डव
तत्र त्वं दुर्मते योग्यो न युद्धेषु कथंचन

7.114.71

मुनिर्भूत्वाथ वा भीम फलान्यद्धि सुदुर्मते
वनाय व्रज कौन्तेय न त्वं युद्धविशारदः

7.114.72

फलमूलाशने युक्तस्त्वं तथातिथिभोजने
न त्वां शस्त्रसमुद्योगे योग्यं मन्ये वृकोदर

7.114.73

पुष्पमूलफलाहारो व्रतेषु नियमेषु च
उचितस्त्वं वने भीम न त्वं युद्धविशारदः

7.114.74

क्व युद्धं क्व मुनित्वं च वनं गच्छ वृकोदर
न त्वं युद्धोचितस्तात वनवासरतिर्भव

7.114.75

सूदान्भृत्यजनान्दासांस्त्वं गृहे त्वरयन्भृशम्
योग्यस्ताडयितुं क्रोधाद्भोजनार्थं वृकोदर

7.114.76

कौमारे यानि चाप्यासन्नप्रियाणि विशां पते
पूर्ववृत्तानि चाप्येनं रूक्षाण्यश्रावयद्भृशम्

7.114.77

अथैनं तत्र संलीनमस्पृशद्धनुषा पुनः
प्रहसंश्च पुनर्वाक्यं भीममाह वृषस्तदा

7.114.78

योद्धव्यमाविशान्यत्र न योद्धव्यं तु मादृशैः
मादृशैर्युध्यमानानामेतच्चान्यच्च विद्यते

7.114.79

गच्छ वा यत्र तौ कृष्णौ तौ त्वा रक्षिष्यतो रणे
गृहं वा गच्छ कौन्तेय किं ते युद्धेन बालक

7.114.80

एवं तं विरथं कृत्वा कर्णो राजन्व्यकत्थत
प्रमुखे वृष्णिसिंहस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः

7.114.81

ततो राजञ्शिलाधौताञ्शराञ्शाखामृगध्वजः
प्राहिणोत्सूतपुत्राय केशवेन प्रचोदितः

7.114.82

ततः पार्थभुजोत्सृष्टाः शराः काञ्चनभूषणाः
गाण्डीवप्रभवाः कर्णं हंसाः क्रौञ्चमिवाविशन्

7.114.83

स भुजंगैरिवायस्तैर्गाण्डीवप्रेषितैः शरैः
भीमसेनादपासेधत्सूतपुत्रं धनंजयः

7.114.84

स छिन्नधन्वा भीमेन धनंजयशराहतः
कर्णो भीमादपायासीद्रथेन महता द्रुतम्

7.114.85

भीमोऽपि सात्यकेर्वाहं समारुह्य नरर्षभः
अन्वयाद्भ्रातरं संख्ये पाण्डवं सव्यसाचिनम्

7.114.86

ततः कर्णं समुद्दिश्य त्वरमाणो धनंजयः
नाराचं क्रोधताम्राक्षः प्रैषीन्मृत्युमिवान्तकः

7.114.87

स गरुत्मानिवाकाशे प्रार्थयन्भुजगोत्तमम्
नाराचोऽभ्यपतत्कर्णं तूर्णं गाण्डीवचोदितः

7.114.88

तमन्तरिक्षे नाराचं द्रौणिश्चिच्छेद पत्रिणा
धनंजयभयात्कर्णमुज्जिहीर्षुर्महारथः

7.114.89

ततो द्रौणिं चतुःषष्ट्या विव्याध कुपितोऽर्जुनः
शिलीमुखैर्महाराज मा गास्तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.114.90

स तु मत्तगजाकीर्णमनीकं रथसंकुलम्
तूर्णमभ्याविशद्द्रौणिर्धनंजयशरार्दितः

7.114.91

ततः सुवर्णपृष्ठानां धनुषां कूजतां रणे
शब्दं गाण्डीवघोषेण कौन्तेयोऽभ्यभवद्बली

7.114.92

धनंजयस्तथा यान्तं पृष्ठतो द्रौणिमभ्ययात्
नातिदीर्घमिवाध्वानं शरैः संत्रासयन्बलम्

7.114.93

विदार्य देहान्नाराचैर्नरवारणवाजिनाम्
कङ्कबर्हिणवासोभिर्बलं व्यधमदर्जुनः

7.114.94

तद्बलं भरतश्रेष्ठ सवाजिद्विपमानवम्
पाकशासनिरायस्तः पार्थः संनिजघान ह

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then Karna, O king, piercing Bhima with three arrows, poured countless beautiful arrows upon him. The mighty-armed Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, though thus struck by the Suta's son, showed no signs of pain but stood immovable like a hill pierced (with arrows). In return, O sire, in that battle, he deeply pierced Karna in the ear with a barbed arrow, rubbed with oil, of great keenness, and of excellent temper. (With that arrow) he felled on the earth the large and beautiful ear-ring of Karna. And it felled down, O monarch, like a blazing luminary of great effulgence from the firmament. Excited with wrath, Vrikodara, then, smiling the while, deeply pierced the Suta's son in the centre of the chest with another broad-headed arrow. And once again, O Bharata, the mighty-armed Bhima quickly shot in that battle ten long shafts that looked like snakes of virulent poison just freed from their sloughs. Shot by Bhima, those shafts, O sire, striking Karna's forehead, entered it like snakes entering an ant-hill. With those shafts sticking to his forehead, the Suta's son looked beautiful, as he did before, while his brow had been encircled with a chaplet of blue lotuses. Deeply pierced by the active son of Pandu, Karna, supporting himself on the Kuxara of his car, closed his eyes. Soon, however, regaining consciousness, Karna, that scorcher of foes, with his body bathed in blood, became mad with rage. 3 Infuriated with rage in consequence of his being thus afflicted by

that firm bowman Karna, endued with great impetuosity, rushed fiercely towards Bhimasena's car. Then, O king, the mighty and wrathful Karna, maddened with rage, shot at Bhimasena, O Bharata, a hundred shafts winged with vulturine feathers. The son of Pandu, however, disregarding his foe and setting at nought his energy, began to shoot showers of fierce arrows at him. Then Karna, O king, excited with rage, O scorcher of foes, struck the son of Pandu, that embodiment of wrath with nine arrows in the chest. Then both those tigers among men (armed with arrows and, therefore), resembling a couple of tigers with fierce teeth, poured upon each other, in that battle, their arrowy showers, like two mighty masses of clouds. They sought to frighten each other in that battle, with sounds of their palms and with showers of arrows of diverse kinds. Excited with rage, each sought in that battle to counteract the other's feat. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the mighty-armed Bhima, O Bharata, cutting off, with a razor-faced arrow, the bow of the Suta's son, uttered a loud shout. Casting off that broken bow, the Suta's son, that mighty car-warrior, took up another bow that was stronger and tougher. Beholding that slaughter of the Kuru, the Sauvira, and the Sindhu heroes, and marking that the earth was covered with coats of mail and standards and weapons lying about, and also seeing the lifeless forms of elephants, foot-soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors on all sides, the body of the Suta's son, from wrath, blazed up with effulgence. Stretching his formidable bow, decked with gold, Radha's son, O king, eyed Bhima with wrathful glances. Infuriated with rage, the Suta's son, while shooting his arrows, looked resplendent, like the autumnal sun of dazzling rays at mid-day. While employed with his hands in taking up an arrow, fixing it on the bow-string, stretching the string and letting it off, none could notice any interval between those acts. And while Karna was thus engaged in shooting his arrows right and left, his bow incessantly drawn to a circle, like a terrible circle of fire. The keen pointed arrows, equipped with wings of gold, shot from Karna's bow, covered, O king, all the points of the compass, darkening the very light of the sun. Countless flights were seen, in the welkin, of those shafts equipped with wings of gold, shot from Karna's bow. Indeed, the shafts shot from the bow of Adhiratha's son, looked like rows of cranes in the sky. The arrows that Adhiratha's son shot were all equipped with vulturine feathers, whetted on stone, decked with gold, endued with great impetuosity, and furnished with blazing points. Impelled by the force of his bow, those arrows urged by Karna, while coursing in thousands through the welkin looked beautiful like successive flights of locusts. The arrows shot from the bow of Adhiratha's son, as they coursed through the welkin, looked like one long continuously drawn arrow in the sky. Like a cloud covering a mountain with torrents of rain, Karna in rage, covered Bhima with showers of arrows. Then thy sons, O Bharata, with their troops, beheld the might, energy, prowess and perseverance of Bhima, for the latter, disregarding that arrowy downpour, resembling the raging sea, rushed in wrath against Karna, Bhima, O monarch, was armed with a

formidable bow, the back of whose staff was decked with gold. He stretched it so quickly that it seemed, like a second bow of Indra, incessantly drawn to a circle. Shafts issued continuously from it seemed to fill the welkin. With those straight arrows, equipped with wings of gold, shot by Bhima, a continuous line was made in the sky that looked effulgent like a garland of gold. Then those showers of (Karna's) arrows spread in the welkin, struck by Bhimasena with his shafts, were scattered in portions and fell down on the earth. Then the sky was covered with those showers of gold-winged and swiftly-coursing arrows, of both Karna and Bhimasena, that produced sparks of fire as they clashed against each other. The very sun was then shrouded, and the very wind ceased to blow. Indeed, when the welkin was thus covered with those arrowy showers, nothing could be seen. Then the Suta's son, disregarding the energy of the high-souled Bhima, completely shrouded Bhima with other arrows and endeavoured to prevail over him. Then, O sire, those arrowy showers shot by both of them, seemed to clash against each other like two opposite currents of wind. And in consequence of that clash of the arrowy showers of those two lions among men, a conflagration, O chief of the Bharatas, seemed to be generated in the sky. Then Karna, desirous of slaying Bhima, shot at him in rage many whetted arrows equipped with wings of gold and polished by the hands of the smith. Bhima, however, cut off with his own shafts every one of those arrows into three fragments, and prevailing over the Suta's son, he cried out, 'Wait, Wait.' And the wrathful and mighty son of Pandu, like an all-consuming conflagration, once more shot in rage showers of fierce shafts. And then in consequence of their leathern fences striking against their bow-strings, loud sounds were generated. And loud also became the sound of their palms, and terrible their leonine shouts, and fierce the rattle of their car-wheels and the twang of their bow-strings. And all the combatants, O king, ceased to fight, desirous of beholding the prowess of Karna and of the son of Pandu, each of whom was desirous of slaying the other. And the celestial Rishis and Siddhas and Gandharvas, applauded them, saying, "Excellent, Excellent!' And the tribes of Vidyadharas rained flowery showers upon them. Then the wrathful and mighty-armed Bhima of fierce prowess, baffling with his own weapons the weapons of his foe, pierced the Suta's son with many shafts. Karna also, endued with great might, baffling the shafts of Bhimasena, sped at him nine long shafts in that battle. Bhima, however, with as many arrows, cut off those shafts of Suta's son in the welkin and addressed him, saying, 'Wait, Wait!' Then the mighty-armed and heroic Bhima, excited with rage, shot at Adhiratha's son an arrow resembling the rod of Yama or Death himself. Radha's son, however, smiling, cut off that arrow, O king, of Pandu's son, however, of great Prowess, with three arrows of his, as it coursed towards him through the welkin. The son of Pandu then once more shot showers of fierce shafts. Karna, however, fearlessly received all those arrows of Bhima. Then excited with rage, the Suta's son, Karna, by the power of his weapons, with his

straight arrows, cut off in that encounter the couple of quivers and the bow-string of fighting Bhima, as also the traces of his steeds. And then slaying his steeds also, Karna pierced Bhima's charioteer with five shafts. The charioteer, quickly running away, proceeded to Yudhamanyu's car. Excited with rage, the son of Radha then, whose splendour resembled that of the Yuga-fire, smiling the while, cut off the flag-staff of Bhima and felled his banner. Deprived of his bow, the mighty-armed Bhima then seized a dart, such as car-warriors may use. Excited with wrath, he whirled it in his hand and then hurled it with great force at Karna's car. The son of Adhiratha then, with ten shafts, cut off, as it coursed towards him with the effulgence of a large meteor, the gold-decked dart thus hurled (by Bhima). 1 Thereupon, that dart fell down, cut off into ten fragments by those sharp shafts of the Suta's son, Karna, that warrior conversant with every mode of warfare, then battling for the sake of his friends. Then, the son of Kunti took up a shield decked with gold and a sword, desirous of obtaining either death or victory, Karna, however, O Bharata, smiling the while, cut off that bright shield of Bhima with many fierce shafts. Then, car-less, Bhima, O king, deprived of his shield, became mad with rage. Quickly, then, he hurled his formidable sword at Karna's car. That large sword, cutting off the stringed bow of the Suta's son, fell down on the earth, O king, like an angry snake from the sky. Then Adhiratha's son, excited with rage in that battle, smilingly took up another bow destructive of foes, having a stronger string, and tougher than the one he had lost. Desirous of slaying the son of Kunti, Karna then began to shoot thousands of arrows, O king, equipped with wings of gold and endued with great energy. Struck by those shafts shot from Karna's bow, the mighty Bhima leaped into the sky, filling Karna's heart with anguish. Beholding the conduct of Bhima, in battle desirous of victory, the son of Radha beguiled him by concealing himself in his car. Seeing Karna concealing himself with an agitated heart on the terrace of his car, Bhima catching hold of Karna's flagstaff, waited on the earth. All the Kurus and the Charanas highly applauded that attempt of Bhima of snatching Karna away from his car, like Garuda snatching away a snake. His bow cut off, himself deprived of his car, Bhima, observant of the duties of his order, stood still for battle, keeping his (broken) car behind him. The son of Radha, then, from rage, in that encounter, proceeded against the son of Pandu who was waiting for battle. Then those two mighty warriors, O king, challenging as they approached each other, those two bulls among men, roared at each other, like clouds at the close of summer. And the passage-at-arms that then took place between those two engaged lions among men that could not brook each other in battle resembled that of old between the gods and the Danavas. The son of Kunti, however, whose stock of weapons was exhausted, was (obliged to turn back) pursued by Karna. Beholding the elephants, huge as hills that had been slain by

[paragraph continues] Arjuna, lying (near), unarmed Bhimasena entered into their midst, for impeding the progress of Karna's car. Approaching that multitude of elephants and getting into the midst of that fastness which was inaccessible to a car, the son of Pandu, desirous of saving his life, refrained from striking the son of Radha. Desirous of shelter, that subjugator of hostile cities viz., the son of Pritha, uplifting an elephant that had been slain by Dhananjaya with his shafts, waited there, like Hanumat uplifting the peak of Gandhamadana. 1 Karna, however, with his shafts, cut off that elephant held by Bhima. The son of Pandu, thereupon, hurled at Karna the fragments of that elephant's body as also car-wheels and steeds. In fact, all objects that he saw lying there on the field, the son of Pandu, excited with rage, took up and hurled at Karna. Karna, however, with his sharp arrows, cut off every one of those objects thus thrown at him. Bhima also, raising his fierce fists that were endued with the force of the thunder, desired to slay the Suta's son. Soon, however, he recollected Arjuna's vow. The son of Pandu, therefore, though competent, spared the life of Karna, from desire of not falsifying the vow that Savyasachin had made. The Suta's son, however, with his sharp shafts, repeatedly caused the distressed Bhima, to lose the sense. But Karna, recollecting the words of Kunti, took not the life of the unarmed Bhima. Approaching quickly Karna touched him with the horn of his bow. As soon, however, as Bhimasena was touched with the bow, excited with rage and sighing like a snake, he snatched the bow from Karna and struck him with it on the head. Struck by Bhimasena, the son of Radha, with eyes red in wrath, smiling the while, said unto him repeatedly these words, viz., 'Beardless eunuch, ignorant fool and glutton.' And Karna said, 'Without skin in weapons, do not fight with me. Thou art but a child, a laggard in battle! There, son of Pandu, where occurs a profusion of eatables and drink, there, O wretch, shouldst thou be but never in battle. Subsisting on roots, flowers, and observant of vows and austerities, thou, O Bhima, shouldst pass thy days in the woods for thou art unskilled in battle. Great is the difference between battle and the austere mode of a Muni's life. Therefore, O Vrikodara, retire into the woods. O child, thou art not fit for being engaged in battle. Thou hast an aptitude for a life in the woods. Urging cooks and servants and slaves in the house to speed, thou art fit only for reproving them in wrath for the sake of thy dinner, O Vrikodara! O Bhima, O thou of a foolish understanding, betaking thyself to a Muni's mode of life, gather thou fruits (for thy food). Go to the woods, O son of Kunti, for thou art not skilled in battle. Employed in cutting fruits and roots or in waiting upon guests, thou art unfit, I think, to take a part, O Vrikodara, in any passage-at-arms.' And, O monarch, all the wrongs done to him in his younger years, were also reminded by Karna in harsh words. And as he stood there in weakness, Karna once more touched him with

the bow. And laughing loudly, Vrisha once more told Bhima those words, 'Thou shouldst fight with others, O sire, but never with one like me. They that fight with persons like us have to undergo this and else! Go thither where the two Krishnas are! They will protect thee in battle. Or, O son of Kunti, go home, for, a child as thou art, what business hast thou with battle?' Hearing those harsh words of Karna, Bhimasena laughed aloud and addressing Karna said unto him these words in the hearing of all, 'O wicked wight, repeatedly hast thou been vanquished by me. How canst thou indulge, then, in such idle boast? In this world the ancients witnessed the victory and defeat of the great Indra himself. O thou of ignoble parentage, engage thyself with me in an athletic encounter with bare arms. Even as I slew the mighty Kichaka of gigantic frame, I would then slay thee in the very sight of all kings.' Understanding the motives of Bhima, Karna, that foremost of intelligent men, abstained from that combat in the very sight of all the bowmen. Indeed, having made Bhima carless, Karna, O king, reproved him in such boastful language in the sight of that lion among the Vrishnis (viz., Krishna) and of the high-souled Partha. Then the ape-bannered (Arjuna), urged by Kesava, shot at the Suta's son, O king, many shafts whetted on stone. Those arrows adorned with gold, shot by Partha's arms and issuing out of Gandiva, entered Karna's body, like cranes into the Krauncha mountains. With those arrows shot from Gandiva which entered Karna's body like so many snakes, Dhananjaya drove the Suta's son from Bhimasena's vicinity. His bow cut off by Bhima, and himself afflicted with the arrows of Dhananjaya, Karna quickly fled away from Bhima on his great car. Bhimasena also, O bull among men, mounting upon Satyaki's car, proceeded in that battle in the wake of his brother Savyasachin, the son of Pandu. Then Dhananjaya, with eyes red in wrath, aiming at Karna, quickly sped a shaft like the Destroyer urging forward Death's self. That shaft shot from Gandiva, like Garuda in the welkin in quest of a mighty snake, quickly coursed towards Karna. The son of Drona, however, that mighty car-warrior, with a winged arrow of his, cut it off in mid-air, desirous of rescuing Karna from fear of Dhananjaya. Then Arjuna, excited with wrath, pierced the son of Drona with four and sixty arrows, O king, and addressing him, said, 'Do not fly away, O Aswathaman, but wait a moment.' Drona's son, however, afflicted with the shafts of Dhananjaya, quickly entered a division of the Kaurava army that abounded with infuriated elephants and teemed with cars. The mighty son of Kunti, then, with the twang of Gandiva, drowned the noise made in that battle by all other twangings of bows, of shafts decked with gold. Then, the mighty Dhananjaya followed from behind the son of Drona who had not retreated to a great distance, frightening him all the way with his shafts. Piercing with his shafts, winged with the feathers of Kankas and peacocks, the bodies of men and elephants and steeds, Arjuna began to grind that force. Indeed, O chief of the Bharatas, Partha, the son of Indra, began to exterminate that host teeming with steeds and elephants and men.'"

295:3 Literally, mustered all his rage.

298:1 In the first line of the 62 the Bengal reading Ayastam is better than the Bombay reading Ayastas.

299:1 Literally, 'a mountain overgrown with medicinal herbs of great efficacy.' Of course, the allusion is to Hanumat's removal of Gandhamadana for the cure of Lakshmana.

7.115.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अहन्यहनि मे दीप्तं यशः पतति संजय
हता मे बहवो योधा मन्ये कालस्य पर्ययम्

7.115.2

धनंजयस्तु संक्रुद्धः प्रविष्टो मामकं बलम्
रक्षितं द्रोणकर्णाभ्यामप्रवेश्यं सुरैरपि

7.115.3

ताभ्यामूर्जितवीर्याभ्यामाप्यायितपराक्रमः
सहितः कृष्णभीमाभ्यां शिनीनामृषभेण च

7.115.4

तदा प्रभृति मा शोको दहत्यग्निरिवाशयम्
ग्रस्तान्हि प्रतिपश्यामि भूमिपालान्ससैन्धवान्

7.115.5

अप्रियं सुमहत्कृत्वा सिन्धुराजः किरीटिनः
चक्षुर्विषयमापन्नः कथं मुच्येत जीवितः

7.115.6

अनुमानाच्च पश्यामि नास्ति संजय सैन्धवः
युद्धं तु तद्यथा वृत्तं तन्ममाचक्ष्व पृच्छतः

7.115.7

यच्च विक्षोभ्य महतीं सेनां संलोड्य चासकृत्
एकः प्रविष्टः संक्रुद्धो नलिनीमिव कुञ्जरः

7.115.8

तस्य वृष्णिप्रवीरस्य ब्रूहि युद्धं यथातथम्
धनंजयार्थे यत्तस्य कुशलो ह्यसि संजय

7.115.9

संजय उवाच
तथा तु वैकर्तनपीडितं तं; भीमं प्रयान्तं पुरुषप्रवीरम्
समीक्ष्य राजन्नरवीरमध्ये; शिनिप्रवीरोऽनुययौ रथेन

7.115.10

नदन्यथा वज्रधरस्तपान्ते; ज्वलन्यथा जलदान्ते च सूर्यः
निघ्नन्नमित्रान्धनुषा दृढेन; संकम्पयंस्तव पुत्रस्य सेनाम्

7.115.11

तं यान्तमश्वै रजतप्रकाशै;रायोधने नरवीरं चरन्तम्
नाशक्नुवन्वारयितुं त्वदीयाः; सर्वे रथा भारत माधवाग्र्यम्

7.115.12

अमर्षपूर्णस्त्वनिवृत्तयोधी; शरासनी काञ्चनवर्मधारी
अलम्बुसः सात्यकिं माधवाग्र्य;मवारयद्राजवरोऽभिपत्य

7.115.13

तयोरभूद्भारत संप्रहार;स्तथागतो नैव बभूव कश्चित्
प्रैक्षन्त एवाहवशोभिनौ तौ; योधास्त्वदीयाश्च परे च सर्वे

7.115.14

अविध्यदेनं दशभिः पृषत्कै;रलम्बुसो राजवरः प्रसह्य
अनागतानेव तु तान्पृषत्कां;श्चिच्छेद बाणैः शिनिपुंगवोऽपि

7.115.15

पुनः स बाणैस्त्रिभिरग्निकल्पै;राकर्णपूर्णैर्निशितैः सुपुङ्खैः
विव्याध देहावरणं विदार्य; ते सात्यकेराविविशुः शरीरम्

7.115.16

तैः कायमस्याग्न्यनिलप्रभावै;र्विदार्य बाणैरपरैर्ज्वलद्भिः
आजघ्निवांस्तान्रजतप्रकाशा;नश्वांश्चतुर्भिश्चतुरः प्रसह्य

7.115.17

तथा तु तेनाभिहतस्तरस्वी; नप्ता शिनेश्चक्रधरप्रभावः
अलम्बुसस्योत्तमवेगवद्भि;र्हयांश्चतुर्भिर्निजघान बाणैः

7.115.18

अथास्य सूतस्य शिरो निकृत्य; भल्लेन कालानलसंनिभेन
सकुण्डलं पूर्णशशिप्रकाशं; भ्राजिष्णु वक्त्रं निचकर्त देहात्

7.115.19

निहत्य तं पार्थिवपुत्रपौत्रं; संख्ये मधूनामृषभः प्रमाथी
ततोऽन्वयादर्जुनमेव वीरः; सैन्यानि राजंस्तव संनिवार्य

7.115.20

अन्वागतं वृष्णिवरं समीक्ष्य; तथारिमध्ये परिवर्तमानम्
घ्नन्तं कुरूणामिषुभिर्बलानि; पुनः पुनर्वायुरिवाभ्रपूगान्

7.115.21

ततोऽवहन्सैन्धवाः साधु दान्ता; गोक्षीरकुन्देन्दुहिमप्रकाशाः
सुवर्णजालावतताः सदश्वा; यतो यतः कामयते नृसिंहः

7.115.22

अथात्मजास्ते सहिताभिपेतु;रन्ये च योधास्त्वरितास्त्वदीयाः
कृत्वा मुखं भारत योधमुख्यं; दुःशासनं त्वत्सुतमाजमीढ

7.115.23

ते सर्वतः संपरिवार्य संख्ये; शैनेयमाजघ्नुरनीकसाहाः
स चापि तान्प्रवरः सात्वतानां; न्यवारयद्बाणजालेन वीरः

7.115.24

निवार्य तांस्तूर्णममित्रघाती; नप्ता शिनेः पत्रिभिरग्निकल्पैः
दुःशासनस्यापि जघान वाहा;नुद्यम्य बाणासनमाजमीढ

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Day by day, O Sanjaya, my blazing fame is being darkened. A great many warriors of mine have fallen. I think, all this is due to the reverse brought about by time. Dhananjaya, excited with rage, hath penetrated into my host which is protected by Drona's son, and Karna and which, therefore, is incapable of being penetrated by the very gods. United with those two of blazing energy viz., Krishna and Bhima, as also with that bull among the Sinis, his prowess hath been increased. Since I have heard of Dhananjaya's entry, grief is consuming my heart, like fire consuming a heap of dry grass, I see that all the kings of the earth with the ruler of the Sindhus amongst them, are affected by evil destiny. Having done a great wrong to the diadem-decked (Arjuna), how can the ruler of the Sindhus, if he falls within Arjuna's sight, save his life? From circumstantial inference, I see, O Sanjaya, how can the ruler of the Sindhus, if he falls within Arjuna's sight, save his life? From circumstantial inference, I see, O Sanjaya, that the ruler of the Sindhus is already dead. Tell me, however, truly how the battle raged. Thou art skilled in narration, O Sanjaya, tell me truly how the Vrishni hero Satyaki fought, who striving resolutely for Dhananjaya's sake, alone entered in rage the vast force, disturbing and agitating it repeatedly, like an elephant plunging into a lake overgrown with lotuses.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that foremost of men, viz., Bhima, to proceed, afflicted with Karna's shafts in the midst, O king, or many heroes, that foremost warrior amongst the Sinis followed him on his car. Roaring like the clouds at the close of summer, and blazing like the autumnal sun, he began to slaughter with his formidable bow the host of thy son, causing it to tremble repeatedly. And as the foremost one of Madhu's race, O Bharata, thus proceeded along the field on his car, drawn by steeds of the hue of silver and himself roaring terribly, none amongst thy warriors could check his progress. Then that foremost of kings, viz., Alamvusha, full of rage, never retreating from battle, armed with bow, and clad in a golden coat of mail rushing quickly, impeded the progress of Satyaki, that foremost warrior of Madhu's race. The encounter, then, O Bharata, that took place between them was such that its like had never been. All thy warriors and the enemy, abstaining from the fight, became spectators of that engagement between those two ornaments of battle. Then that foremost of kings, viz., Alamvusha forcibly pierced Satyaki with ten arrows. That bull of Sini's race, however, with shafts, cut all those arrows before they could reach him. And once more, Alamvusha struck Satyaki with three sharp arrows equipped with beautiful wings, blazing as fire, and shot from his bow drawn to the ear. Those piercing through Satyaki's coat of mail, penetrated into his body. Having pierced Satyaki's body with those sharp and blazing arrows, endued with the force of fire or the wind, Alamvusha forcibly struck the four steeds of

[paragraph continues] Satyaki, white as silver, with four other arrows. The grandson of Sini, endued with great activity and prowess like that of (Kesava himself), the bearer of the discus, thus struck by him, slew with four shafts of great impetuosity the four steeds of Alamvusha. Having then cut off the head, beautiful as the full moon and decked with excellent car-rings with a broad-headed arrow, fierce as the Yuga-fire. Having slain that descendant of many kings in battle, that bull among the Yadus, that hero capable of grinding hostile hosts, proceeded towards Arjuna, O king, resisting, as he went, the enemy's troops. Indeed, O king, thus careering in the midst of the foe, the Vrishni hero, while proceeding in the wake (of Arjuna), was seen repeatedly to destroy with his shafts the Kuru host, like the hurricane dispersing gathering masses of clouds. Whithersoever that lion among men desired to go, thither he was borne by those excellent steeds of his, of the Sindhu breed, well-broken, docile, white as milk of the Kunda flower or the moon or snow, and adorned with trappings of warriors, viz., Duhsasana,--their commander. Those leaders of divisions, encompassing the grandson of Sini on all sides in that battle, began to strike him. That foremost one among the Satwatas, that hero, viz., Satyaki also, resisted them all with showers of arrows. Quickly checking all of them by means of his fiery shafts, that slayer of foes, viz., the grandson of Sini, forcibly uplifting his bow, O Ajamida, slew the steeds of Duhsasana. Then, Arjuna and Krishna, beholding that foremost of men, (viz., Satyaki) in that battle, became filled with joy."'

7.116.1

संजय उवाच
तमुद्यतं महाबाहुं दुःशासनरथं प्रति
त्वरितं त्वरणीयेषु धनंजयहितैषिणम्

7.116.2

त्रिगर्तानां महेष्वासाः सुवर्णविकृतध्वजाः
सेनासमुद्रमाविष्टमानर्तं पर्यवारयन्

7.116.3

अथैनं रथवंशेन सर्वतः संनिवार्य ते
अवाकिरञ्शरव्रातैः क्रुद्धाः परमधन्विनः

7.116.4

अजयद्राजपुत्रांस्तान्यतमानान्महारणे
एकः पञ्चाशतं शत्रून्सात्यकिः सत्यविक्रमः

7.116.5

संप्राप्य भारतीमध्यं तलघोषसमाकुलम्
असिशक्तिगदापूर्णमप्लवं सलिलं यथा

7.116.6

तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम शैनेयचरितं रणे
प्रतीच्यां दिशि तं दृष्ट्वा प्राच्यां पश्याम लाघवात्

7.116.7

उदीचीं दक्षिणां प्राचीं प्रतीचीं प्रसृतस्तथा
नृत्यन्निवाचरच्छूरो यथा रथशतं तथा

7.116.8

तद्दृष्ट्वा चरितं तस्य सिंहविक्रान्तगामिनः
त्रिगर्ताः संन्यवर्तन्त संतप्ताः स्वजनं प्रति

7.116.9

तमन्ये शूरसेनानां शूराः संख्ये न्यवारयन्
नियच्छन्तः शरव्रातैर्मत्तं द्विपमिवाङ्कुशैः

7.116.10

तान्न्यवारयदायस्तान्मुहूर्तमिव सात्यकिः
ततः कलिङ्गैर्युयुधे सोऽचिन्त्यबलविक्रमः

7.116.11

तां च सेनामतिक्रम्य कलिङ्गानां दुरत्ययाम्
अथ पार्थं महाबाहुर्धनंजयमुपासदत्

7.116.12

तरन्निव जले श्रान्तो यथा स्थलमुपेयिवान्
तं दृष्ट्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रं युयुधानः समाश्वसत्

7.116.13

तमायान्तमभिप्रेक्ष्य केशवोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत्
असावायाति शैनेयस्तव पार्थ पदानुगः

7.116.14

एष शिष्यः सखा चैव तव सत्यपराक्रमः
सर्वान्योधांस्तृणीकृत्य विजिग्ये पुरुषर्षभः

7.116.15

एष कौरवयोधानां कृत्वा घोरमुपद्रवम्
तव प्राणैः प्रियतरः किरीटिन्नेति सात्यकिः

7.116.16

एष द्रोणं तथा भोजं कृतवर्माणमेव च
कदर्थीकृत्य विशिखैः फल्गुनाभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.17

धर्मराजप्रियान्वेषी हत्वा योधान्वरान्वरान्
शूरश्चैव कृतास्त्रश्च फल्गुनाभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.18

कृत्वा सुदुष्करं कर्म सैन्यमध्ये महाबलः
तव दर्शनमन्विच्छन्पाण्डवाभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.19

बहूनेकरथेनाजौ योधयित्वा महारथान्
आचार्यप्रमुखान्पार्थ आयात्येष हि सात्यकिः

7.116.20

स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य विदार्य च वरूथिनीम्
प्रेषितो धर्मपुत्रेण पार्थैषोऽभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.21

यस्य नास्ति समो योधः कौरवेषु कथंचन
सोऽयमायाति कौन्तेय सात्यकिः सत्यविक्रमः

7.116.22

कुरुसैन्याद्विमुक्तो वै सिंहो मध्याद्गवामिव
निहत्य बहुलाः सेनाः पार्थैषोऽभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.23

एष राजसहस्राणां वक्त्रैः पङ्कजसंनिभैः
आस्तीर्य वसुधां पार्थ क्षिप्रमायाति सात्यकिः

7.116.24

एष दुर्योधनं जित्वा भ्रातृभिः सहितं रणे
निहत्य जलसंधं च क्षिप्रमायाति सात्यकिः

7.116.25

रुधिरौघवतीं कृत्वा नदीं शोणितकर्दमाम्
तृणवन्न्यस्य कौरव्यानेष आयाति सात्यकिः

7.116.26

ततोऽप्रहृष्टः कौन्तेयः केशवं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
न मे प्रियं महाबाहो यन्मामभ्येति सात्यकिः

7.116.27

न हि जानामि वृत्तान्तं धर्मराजस्य केशव
सात्वतेन विहीनः स यदि जीवति वा न वा

7.116.28

एतेन हि महाबाहो रक्षितव्यः स पार्थिवः
तमेष कथमुत्सृज्य मम कृष्ण पदानुगः

7.116.29

राजा द्रोणाय चोत्सृष्टः सैन्धवश्चानिपातितः
प्रत्युद्यातश्च शैनेयमेष भूरिश्रवा रणे

7.116.30

सोऽयं गुरुतरो भारः सैन्धवान्मे समाहितः
ज्ञातव्यश्च हि मे राजा रक्षितव्यश्च सात्यकिः

7.116.31

जयद्रथश्च हन्तव्यो लम्बते च दिवाकरः
श्रान्तश्चैष महाबाहुरल्पप्राणश्च सांप्रतम्

7.116.32

परिश्रान्ता हयाश्चास्य हययन्ता च माधव
न च भूरिश्रवाः श्रान्तः ससहायश्च केशव

7.116.33

अपीदानीं भवेदस्य क्षेममस्मिन्समागमे
कच्चिन्न सागरं तीर्त्वा सात्यकिः सत्यविक्रमः
गोष्पदं प्राप्य सीदेत महौजाः शिनिपुंगवः

7.116.34

अपि कौरवमुख्येन कृतास्त्रेण महात्मना
समेत्य भूरिश्रवसा स्वस्तिमान्सात्यकिर्भवेत्

7.116.35

व्यतिक्रममिमं मन्ये धर्मराजस्य केशव
आचार्याद्भयमुत्सृज्य यः प्रेषयति सात्यकिम्

7.116.36

ग्रहणं धर्मराजस्य खगः श्येन इवामिषम्
नित्यमाशंसते द्रोणः कच्चित्स्यात्कुशली नृपः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then the great bowmen of the Trigarta country owning standards, adorned with gold, encompassed on all sides the mighty-armed Satyaki, that warrior who accomplished with great activity everything that demanded accomplishment and who, having penetrated into that host, unlimited as the sea, was rushing against Duhsasana's car from desire of Dhananjaya's success. Checking his course with a large throng of cars on all sides, those great bowmen, excited with rage, covered him with showers of arrows. Having penetrated into the midst of the Bharata army which resembled a shoreless sea, and which, filled with the sound of palms abounded with swords and darts and maces, Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being baffled, alone vanquished his foes, those fifty (Trigarta) princes shining brilliantly in that battle. On that occasion we saw that the conduct of Sini's grandson in battle was extremely wonderful. So great was the lightness (of his movements) that having seen him on the west, we immediately saw him in the east. North, south, east, west, and in the other subsidiary directions, that hero seemed to career dancingly, as if he constituted

a hundred warriors in his single self. Beholding that conduct of Satyaki, endued with the sportive tread of the lion, the Trigarta warriors, unable to bear his prowess fled away towards (the division of) their own (countrymen). Then the brave warriors of the Surasenas endeavoured to check Satyaki, striking him with showers of shafts, like a driver striking an infuriated elephant with the hook. The high-souled Satyaki struggled with them for a short space of time and then that hero of inconceivable prowess began to fight with the Kalingas. Transgressing that division of the Kalingas which was incapable of being crossed, the mighty-armed Satyaki approached the presence of Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha. Like a tired swimmer in water when he reaches the land, Yuyudhana became comforted on obtaining the sight of Dhananjaya, that tiger among men. Beholding him approach, Kesava, addressing Partha, said, 'Yonder cometh the grandson of Sini, O Partha, following in thy wake. O thou of prowess incapable of being baffled, he is thy disciple and friend. That bull among men, regarding all the warriors as straw, hath vanquished them. Inflicting terrible injuries upon the Kaurava warriors, Satyaki, who is dear to thee as life, cometh towards thee, O Kiritin! Having with his shafts crushed Drona himself and Kritavarman of the Bhoja race, this Satyaki cometh to thee, O Phalguna! Intent on Yudhishthira's good, having slain many foremost of warriors, the brave Satyaki, skilled in weapons, is coming to thee, O Phalguna! Having achieved the most difficult feat in the midst of the (Kaurava) troops, the mighty Satyaki, desirous of obtaining thy sight cometh to thee, O son of Pandu! Having on a single car fought in battle many mighty car-warriors with the preceptor (Drona) on their head, Satyaki cometh to thee, O Partha! Despatched by Dharma's son, this Satyaki cometh to thee, O Partha, having pierced through the Kaurava army, relying on the might of his own arms. Invincible in battle, that Satyaki, who hath no warrior amongst the Kauravas equal to him, is coming to thee, O son of Kunti! Having slain, countless warriors, this Satyaki cometh to thee, O Partha, freed from amid the Kaurva troops, like a lion from amid a herd of kine. Having strewn the earth with the faces, beautiful as the lotus, of thousands of kings, this Satyaki is coming to thee, O Partha! Having vanquished in battle Duryodhana himself with his brothers, and having slain Jalasandha, Satyaki is coming quickly. Having caused a river of blood for its mire, and regarding the Kauravas as straw, Satyaki cometh towards thee.' The son of Kunti, without being cheerful, said these words unto Kesava, 'The arrival of Satyaki, O mighty-armed one, is scarcely agreeable to me. I do not, O Kesava, know how king Yudhishthira the Just is. Now that he is separated from Satwata, I doubt whether he is alive; O mighty-armed one, this Satyaki should have protected the king. Why then, O Krishna, hath this one, leaving Yudhishthira followed in my wake? The king, therefore, hath been abandoned to Drona. The ruler of the Sindhus hath not yet been slain. There, Bhurisravas is proceeding against Satyaki in battle. A heavier burthen hath been cast upon me

on account of Jayadratha. I should know how the ling is and I should also protect Satyaki. I should also slay Jayadratha. The sun hangeth low. As regards the mighty-armed Satyaki, he is tired; his weapons also have been exhausted. His steeds as also their driver, are tired, O Madhava! Bhurisravas, on the other hand, is not tired, he hath supporters behind him, O Kesava! Will success be Satyaki's in this encounter? Having crossed the very ocean, will Satyaki of unbaffled prowess, will that bull amongst the Sinis, of great energy, succumb, obtaining (before him) the vestige of a cow's foot? 1 Encountering that foremost one amongst the Kurus, viz., the high-souled Bhurisravas, skilled in weapons, will Satyaki have good fortune? I regard this, O Kesava, to have been an error of judgment on the part of king Yudhishthira the Just. Casting of all fear of the preceptor, he hath despatched Satyaki (from away his side). Like a sky-ranging hawk after a peace of meat, Drona always endeavoureth after the seizure of king Yudhishthira the Just. Will the king be free from all danger?'

304:1 i.e., the little indent caused by a cow's hoof.

7.117.1

संजय उवाच
तमापतन्तं संप्रेक्ष्य सात्वतं युद्धदुर्मदम्
क्रोधाद्भूरिश्रवा राजन्सहसा समुपाद्रवत्

7.117.2

तमब्रवीन्महाबाहुः कौरव्यः शिनिपुंगवम्
अद्य प्राप्तोऽसि दिष्ट्या मे चक्षुर्विषयमित्युत

7.117.3

चिराभिलषितं काममद्य प्राप्स्यामि संयुगे
न हि मे मोक्ष्यसे जीवन्यदि नोत्सृजसे रणम्

7.117.4

अद्य त्वां समरे हत्वा नित्यं शूराभिमानिनम्
नन्दयिष्यामि दाशार्ह कुरुराजं सुयोधनम्

7.117.5

अद्य मद्बाणनिर्दग्धं पतितं धरणीतले
द्रक्ष्यतस्त्वां रणे वीरौ सहितौ केशवार्जुनौ

7.117.6

अद्य धर्मसुतो राजा श्रुत्वा त्वां निहतं मया
सव्रीडो भविता सद्यो येनासीह प्रवेशितः

7.117.7

अद्य मे विक्रमं पार्थो विज्ञास्यति धनंजयः
त्वयि भूमौ विनिहते शयाने रुधिरोक्षिते

7.117.8

चिराभिलषितो ह्यद्य त्वया सह समागमः
पुरा देवासुरे युद्धे शक्रस्य बलिना यथा

7.117.9

अद्य युद्धं महाघोरं तव दास्यामि सात्वत
ततो ज्ञास्यसि तत्त्वेन मद्वीर्यबलपौरुषम्

7.117.10

अद्य संयमनीं याता मया त्वं निहतो रणे
यथा रामानुजेनाजौ रावणिर्लक्ष्मणेन वै

7.117.11

अद्य कृष्णश्च पार्थश्च धर्मराजश्च माधव
हते त्वयि निरुत्साहा रणं त्यक्ष्यन्त्यसंशयम्

7.117.12

अद्य तेऽपचितिं कृत्वा शितैर्माधव सायकैः
तत्स्त्रियो नन्दयिष्यामि ये त्वया निहता रणे

7.117.13

चक्षुर्विषयसंप्राप्तो न त्वं माधव मोक्ष्यसे
सिंहस्य विषयं प्राप्तो यथा क्षुद्रमृगस्तथा

7.117.14

युयुधानस्तु तं राजन्प्रत्युवाच हसन्निव
कौरवेय न संत्रासो विद्यते मम संयुगे

7.117.15

स मां निहन्यात्संग्रामे यो मां कुर्यान्निरायुधम्
समास्तु शाश्वतीर्हन्याद्यो मां हन्याद्धि संयुगे

7.117.16

किं मृषोक्तेन बहुना कर्मणा तु समाचर
शारदस्येव मेघस्य गर्जितं निष्फलं हि ते

7.117.17

श्रुत्वैतद्गर्जितं वीर हास्यं हि मम जायते
चिरकालेप्सितं लोके युद्धमद्यास्तु कौरव

7.117.18

त्वरते मे मतिस्तात त्वयि युद्धाभिकाङ्क्षिणि
नाहत्वा संनिवर्तिष्ये त्वामद्य पुरुषाधम

7.117.19

अन्योन्यं तौ तदा वाग्भिस्तक्षन्तौ नरपुंगवौ
जिघांसू परमक्रुद्धावभिजघ्नतुराहवे

7.117.20

समेतौ तौ नरव्याघ्रौ शुष्मिणौ स्पर्धिनौ रणे
द्विरदाविव संक्रुद्धौ वाशितार्थे मदोत्कटौ

7.117.21

भूरिश्रवाः सात्यकिश्च ववर्षतुररिंदमौ
शरवर्षाणि भीमानि मेघाविव परस्परम्

7.117.22

सौमदत्तिस्तु शैनेयं प्रच्छाद्येषुभिराशुगैः
जिघांसुर्भरतश्रेष्ठ विव्याध निशितैः शरैः

7.117.23

दशभिः सात्यकिं विद्ध्वा सौमदत्तिरथापरान्
मुमोच निशितान्बाणाञ्जिघांसुः शिनिपुंगवम्

7.117.24

तानस्य विशिखांस्तीक्ष्णानन्तरिक्षे विशां पते
अप्राप्तानस्त्रमायाभिरग्रसत्सात्यकिः प्रभो

7.117.25

तौ पृथक्शरवर्षाभ्यामवर्षेतां परस्परम्
उत्तमाभिजनौ वीरौ कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ

7.117.26

तौ नखैरिव शार्दूलौ दन्तैरिव महाद्विपौ
रथशक्तिभिरन्योन्यं विशिखैश्चाप्यकृन्तताम्

7.117.27

निर्भिदन्तौ हि गात्राणि विक्षरन्तौ च शोणितम्
व्यष्टम्भयेतामन्योन्यं प्राणद्यूताभिदेविनौ

7.117.28

एवमुत्तमकर्माणौ कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ
परस्परमयुध्येतां वारणाविव यूथपौ

7.117.29

तावदीर्घेण कालेन ब्रह्मलोकपुरस्कृतौ
जिगीषन्तौ परं स्थानमन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः

7.117.30

सात्यकिः सौमदत्तिश्च शरवृष्ट्या परस्परम्
हृष्टवद्धार्तराष्ट्राणां पश्यतामभ्यवर्षताम्

7.117.31

संप्रैक्षन्त जनास्तत्र युध्यमानौ युधां पती
यूथपौ वाशिताहेतोः प्रयुद्धाविव कुञ्जरौ

7.117.32

अन्योन्यस्य हयान्हत्वा धनुषी विनिकृत्य च
विरथावसियुद्धाय समेयातां महारणे

7.117.33

आर्षभे चर्मणी चित्रे प्रगृह्य विपुले शुभे
विकोशौ चाप्यसी कृत्वा समरे तौ विचेरतुः

7.117.34

चरन्तौ विविधान्मार्गान्मण्डलानि च भागशः
मुहुराजघ्नतुः क्रुद्धावन्योन्यमरिमर्दनौ

7.117.35

सखड्गौ चित्रवर्माणौ सनिष्काङ्गदभूषणौ
रणे रणोत्कटौ राजन्नन्योन्यं पर्यकर्षताम्

7.117.36

मुहूर्तमिव राजेन्द्र परिकृष्य परस्परम्
पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां वीरावाश्वसतां पुनः

7.117.37

असिभ्यां चर्मणी शुभ्रे विपुले च शरावरे
निकृत्य पुरुषव्याघ्रौ बाहुयुद्धं प्रचक्रतुः

7.117.38

व्यूढोरस्कौ दीर्घभुजौ नियुद्धकुशलावुभौ
बाहुभिः समसज्जेतामायसैः परिघैरिव

7.117.39

तयोरासन्भुजाघाता निग्रहप्रग्रहौ तथा
शिक्षाबलसमुद्भूताः सर्वयोधप्रहर्षणाः

7.117.40

तयोर्नृवरयो राजन्समरे युध्यमानयोः
भीमोऽभवन्महाशब्दो वज्रपर्वतयोरिव

7.117.41

द्विपाविव विषाणाग्रैः शृङ्गैरिव महर्षभौ
युयुधाते महात्मानौ कुरुसात्वतपुंगवौ

7.117.42

क्षीणायुधे सात्वते युध्यमाने; ततोऽब्रवीदर्जुनं वासुदेवः
पश्यस्वैनं विरथं युध्यमानं; रणे केतुं सर्वधनुर्धराणाम्

7.117.43

प्रविष्टो भारतीं सेनां तव पाण्डव पृष्ठतः
योधितश्च महावीर्यैः सर्वैर्भारत भारतैः

7.117.44

परिश्रान्तो युधां श्रेष्ठः संप्राप्तो भूरिदक्षिणम्
युद्धकाङ्क्षिणमायान्तं नैतत्सममिवार्जुन

7.117.45

ततो भूरिश्रवाः क्रुद्धः सात्यकिं युद्धदुर्मदम्
उद्यम्य न्यहनद्राजन्मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम्

7.117.46

रथस्थयोर्द्वयोर्युद्धे क्रुद्धयोर्योधमुख्ययोः
केशवार्जुनयो राजन्समरे प्रेक्षमाणयोः

7.117.47

अथ कृष्णो महाबाहुरर्जुनं प्रत्यभाषत
पश्य वृष्ण्यन्धकव्याघ्रं सौमदत्तिवशं गतम्

7.117.48

परिश्रान्तं गतं भूमौ कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम्
तवान्तेवासिनं शूरं पालयार्जुन सात्यकिम्

7.117.49

न वशं यज्ञशीलस्य गच्छेदेष वरारिहन्
त्वत्कृते पुरुषव्याघ्र तदाशु क्रियतां विभो

7.117.50

अथाब्रवीद्धृष्टमना वासुदेवं धनंजयः
पश्य वृष्णिप्रवीरेण क्रीडन्तं कुरुपुंगवम्
महाद्विपेनेव वने मत्तेन हरियूथपम्

7.117.51

हाहाकारो महानासीत्सैन्यानां भरतर्षभ
यदुद्यम्य महाबाहुः सात्यकिं न्यहनद्भुवि

7.117.52

स सिंह इव मातङ्गं विकर्षन्भूरिदक्षिणः
व्यरोचत कुरुश्रेष्ठः सात्वतप्रवरं युधि

7.117.53

अथ कोशाद्विनिष्कृष्य खड्गं भूरिश्रवा रणे
मूर्धजेषु निजग्राह पदा चोरस्यताडयत्

7.117.54

तथा तु परिकृष्यन्तं दृष्ट्वा सात्वतमाहवे
वासुदेवस्ततो राजन्भूयोऽर्जुनमभाषत

7.117.55

पश्य वृष्ण्यन्धकव्याघ्रं सौमदत्तिवशं गतम्
तव शिष्यं महाबाहो धनुष्यनवरं त्वया

7.117.56

असत्यो विक्रमः पार्थ यत्र भूरिश्रवा रणे
विशेषयति वार्ष्णेयं सात्यकिं सत्यविक्रमम्

7.117.57

एवमुक्तो महाबाहुर्वासुदेवेन पाण्डवः
मनसा पूजयामास भूरिश्रवसमाहवे

7.117.58

विकर्षन्सात्वतश्रेष्ठं क्रीडमान इवाहवे
संहर्षयति मां भूयः कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः

7.117.59

प्रवरं वृष्णिवीराणां यन्न हन्याद्धि सात्यकिम्
महाद्विपमिवारण्ये मृगेन्द्र इव कर्षति

7.117.60

एवं तु मनसा राजन्पार्थः संपूज्य कौरवम्
वासुदेवं महाबाहुरर्जुनः प्रत्यभाषत

7.117.61

सैन्धवासक्तदृष्टित्वान्नैनं पश्यामि माधव
एष त्वसुकरं कर्म यादवार्थे करोम्यहम्

7.117.62

इत्युक्त्वा वचनं कुर्वन्वासुदेवस्य पाण्डवः
सखड्गं यज्ञशीलस्य पत्रिणा बाहुमच्छिनत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Satwata, invincible in battle coming (towards Arjuna), Bhurisravas, in rage, O king, suddenly advanced towards him. He of Kuru's race, then, O king, addressing that bull of Sini's race, said, 'By luck it, is thou that hast today come within the range of my vision. Today in this; battle, I obtain the wish I had always cherished. If thou dost not flee away from battle, thou wilt not escape me with life. Slaying thee today in fight, thou that art ever proud of thy heroism, I will, O thou of Dasarha's race, gladden the Kuru king Suyodhana. Those heroes, viz., Kesava and Arjuna, will today together behold thee lying on the field of battle, scorched with my arrows. Hearing that thou hast been slain by me, the royal son of Dharma, who caused thee to penetrate into this host, will today be covered with shame. Pritha's son, Dhananjaya, will today behold my prowess when he sees thee slain and lying on the earth, covered with gore. This encounter with thee hath always been desired by me, like the encounter of Sakra with Vali in the battle between the gods and the Asuras in days of old. Today I will give thee dreadful battle, O Satwata! Thou shalt thence truly understand (the measure of) my energy, might, and manliness. Slain by me in battle, thou shalt today proceed to the abode of Yama, like Ravana's son (Indrajit) slain by Lakshmana, the younger brother of Rama. Today, Krishna and Partha and king Yudhishthira the Just, O thou of Madhu's race, witnessing thy slaughter will, without doubt, be overcome

with despondency and will give up battle. Causing thy death today, O Madhava, with keen shafts, I will gladden the wives of all those that have been slain by thee in battle. Having come within the scope of my vision, thou shalt not escape, like a small deer from within the range of a lion's vision.' Hearing these words of his, Yuyudhana, O king, answered him with a laugh, saying, 'O thou of Kuru's race, I am never inspired with fear in battle. Thou shalt not succeed in terrifying me with thy words only. He will slay me in battle who will succeed in disarming me. He that will slay me in battle will slay (foes) for all time to come. 1 What is the use of such idle and long-winded boast in words? Accomplish in deed what thou sayest. Thy words seem to be as fruitless as the roar of autumnal clouds. Hearing, O hero, these roars of thine, I cannot restrain my laughter. Let that encounter, O thou of Kuru's race, which has been desired by thee so long, take place today. My heart, O sire, inspired as it is with the desire of an encounter with thee, cannot brook any delay. Before slaying thee, I shall not abstain from the fight, O wretch.' Rebuking each other in such words, those two bulls among men, both excited with great wrath, struck each other in battle, each being desirous of taking the other's life. Those great bowmen both endued with great might, encountered each other in battle, each challenging the other, like two wrathful elephants in rut for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. And those two chastisers of foes, viz., Bhurisravas and Satyaki, poured upon each other dense showers of arrows like two masses of clouds. Then Somadatta's son, having shrouded the grandson of Sini with swift coursing shafts, once more pierced the latter, O chief of the Bharatas, with many keen shafts, from desire of slaying him. Having pierced Satyaki with ten shafts, Somadatta's son sped many other keen shafts at that bull amongst the Sinis, from a desire of compassing his destruction. Satyaki, however, O lord, cut off, with the power of his weapons, all those keen shafts of Bhurisravas, O king, in the welkin, before, in fact, any of them could reach him. Those two heroes, those two warriors that enhanced the fame of the Kurus and the Vrishnis respectively, both of noble lineage, thus poured upon each other their arrowy showers. Like two tigers fighting with their claws or two huge elephants with their tusks they mangled each other with shafts and darts, such as car-warriors may use. Mangling each other's limbs, and with blood issuing out of their wounds, those two warriors engaged in a gambling match in which their lives were at the stake, checked and confounded each other. Those heroes of excellent feats, those enhancers of the fame of the Kurus and the Vrishnis, thus fought with each other, like two leaders of elephantine herds. Indeed, those warriors, both coveting the highest region, both cherishing the desire of very soon attaining the region of Brahman, thus roared at each other. Indeed, Satyaki and Somadatta's son continued to cover each other with their arrowy showers in the sight of the Dhartarashtras filled with joy. And the people there witnessed that encounter between those two

foremost of warriors who were fighting like two leaders of elephantine herds for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. Then each slaying the other's steeds and cutting off the other's bow, those car-less combatants encountered each other with swords in a dreadful fight. Taking up two beautiful and large and bright shields made of bull's hide, and two naked swords, they careered on the field. Stalking in circles and in diverse other kinds of courses duly, those grinders of foes excited with rage, frequently struck each other. Armed with swords, clad in bright armour, decked with cuirass and Angadas, those two famous warriors showed diverse kinds of motion. They wheeled about on high and made side-thrusts, and ran about, and rushed forward and rushed upwards. And those chastisers of foes began to strike each other with their swords. And each of them looked eagerly for the dereliction of the other. And both of those heroes leapt beautifully and both showed their skill in that battle, began also to make skilful passes at each other, and having struck each other, O king, those heroes took rest for a moment in the sight of all the troops. Having with their swords cut in pieces each other's beautiful shield, O king, decked with a hundred moons, those tigers among men, engaged themselves in a wrestling encounter. Both having broad chests, both having long arms, both well-skilled in wrestling, they encountered each other with their arms of iron that resembled spiked maces. And they struck each other with their arms, and seized each other's arms, and each seized with his arms the other's neck. And the skill they had acquired by exercise, contributed to the joy of all the warriors that stood as spectators of the encounter. And as those heroes fought with each other, O king, in that battle, loud and terrible were the sounds produced by them, resembling the fall of the thunder upon the mountain breast. Like two elephants encountering each other with the end of their tusks, or like two bulls with their horns, those two illustrious and foremost warriors of the Kuru and the Satwata races, fought with each other, sometimes binding each other with their arms, sometimes striking each other with their heads, sometimes intertwining each other's legs, sometimes slapping their armpits, sometimes pinching each other with their nails, sometimes clasping each other tightly, sometimes twining their legs round each other's loins, sometimes rolling on the ground, sometimes advancing, sometimes receding, sometimes rising up, and sometimes leaping up. Indeed, those two and thirty kinds of separate manoeuvres that characterise encounters of that kind.

"When Satwata's weapons were exhausted during his engagement with Bhurisravas, Vâsudeva said unto Arjuna, 'Behold that foremost of all bowmen, viz., Satyaki, engaged in battle, deprived of car. He hath entered the Bharata host, having pierced through it, following in thy wake, O son of Pandu! He hath fought with all the Bharata warriors of great energy. The giver of large sacrificial presents, viz., Bhurisravas, hath encountered that foremost of warriors while tired with fatigue. Desirous of battle, Bhurisravas is about to encounter. Then that warrior invincible in battle, viz., Bhurisravas, excited with wrath, vigorously struck Satyaki, O king, like an

infuriated elephant striking an infuriated compeer. Those two foremost of warriors, both upon their cars, and both excited with wrath, fought on, king, Kesava, and Arjuna witnessing their encounter. Then the mighty-armed Krishna, addressing Arjuna, said, 'Behold, that tiger among the Vrishnis and the Andhakas has succumbed to Somadatta's son. Having achieved the most difficult feats, exhausted with exertion, he hath been deprived of his car. O Arjuna, protect Satyaki, thy heroic disciple. See that foremost of men may not, for thy sake, O tiger among men, succumb to Bhurisravas, devoted to sacrifices. O puissant one, speedily do what is needed.' Dhananjaya, with a cheerful heart addressing Vâsudeva, said, 'Behold, that bull amongst the Rurus and that foremost one among the Vrishnis are sporting with each other, like a huge elephant mad with rage sporting with a mighty lion in the forest. While Dhananjaya the son of Pandu was thus speaking, loud cries of oh and alas arose among the troops, O bull of Bharata's race, since the mighty-armed Bhurisravas, exerting vigorously struck Satyaki and brought him down upon the ground. And like a lion dragging an elephant, that foremost one of Kuru's race, viz., Bhurisravas, that giver of profuse presents at sacrifices, dragging that foremost one amongst the Satwatas, looked resplendent in that battle. Then Bhurisravas in that encounter, drawing his sword from the scabbard, seized Satyaki by the hair of his head and struck him at the chest with his feet. Bhurisravas then was about to cut off from Satyaki's trunk his head decked with ear-rings. For sometime, the Satwata hero rapidly whirled his head with the arm of Bhurisravas that held it by the hair, like a potter's wheel whirled round with the staff. Beholding Satwata thus dragged in battle by Bhurisravas. Vâsudeva once more, O king, addressed Arjuna and said, 'Behold, that tiger among the Vrishnis and the Andhakas, that disciple of thine, O mighty-armed one, not inferior to thee in bowmanship, hath succumbed to Somadatta's son. O Partha, since Bhurisravas is thus prevailing over the Vrishni hero, Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being baffled, the very name of the latter is about to be falsified. 1 Thus addressed by Vâsudeva the mighty-armed son of Pandu, mentally worshipped Bhurisravas in that battle, saying, 'I am glad that, Bhurisravas, that enhancer of the fame of the Kurus, is dragging Satyaki in battle, as if in sport. Without slaying Satyaki that foremost one among the heroes of the Vrishni race, the Kuru warrior is only dragging him like a mighty lion in the forest dragging a huge elephant.' Mentally applauding the Kuru warrior thus, O king, the mighty-armed Arjuna, the son of Pritha, replied unto Vasudeva, saying, 'My eyes having rested upon of the Sindhus, I could not, O Madhava, see Satyaki. I shall, however, for the sake of that Yadava warrior, achieve a most difficult feat.' Having said these words, in obedience to Vâsudeva, the son of Pandu, fixed on Gandiva a sharp razor-headed

arrow. That arrow, shot by Partha's hand and resembling a meteor flashing down from the firmament, cut off the Kuru warrior's arm with the sword in the grasp and decked with Angada.'"

305:1 The sense is that he that will slay me will always be victorious in battle, will always slay the warriors with whom he may be engaged in battle. Defeat will never be his.

307:1 do not render 55 literally. Satyaki is called 'Satyavikrama,' i.e., of true prowess' or 'of prowess incapable of being baffled.' If he sustains a defeat today at Bhurisrava's hand, that title of his will be falsified. This is all that Krishna means.

7.118.1

संजय उवाच
स बाहुरपतद्भूमौ सखड्गः सशुभाङ्गदः
आदधज्जीवलोकस्य दुःखमुत्तममुत्तमः

7.118.2

प्रहरिष्यन्हृतो बाहुरदृश्येन किरीटिना
वेगेनाभ्यपतद्भूमौ पञ्चास्य इव पन्नगः

7.118.3

स मोघं कृतमात्मानं दृष्ट्वा पार्थेन कौरवः
उत्सृज्य सात्यकिं क्रोधाद्गर्हयामास पाण्डवम्

7.118.4

नृशंसं बत कौन्तेय कर्मेदं कृतवानसि
अपश्यतो विषक्तस्य यन्मे बाहुमचिच्छिदः

7.118.5

किं नु वक्ष्यसि राजानं धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
किं कुर्वाणो मया संख्ये हतो भूरिश्रवा इति

7.118.6

इदमिन्द्रेण ते साक्षादुपदिष्टं महात्मना
अस्त्रं रुद्रेण वा पार्थ द्रोणेनाथ कृपेण वा

7.118.7

ननु नाम स्वधर्मज्ञस्त्वं लोकेऽभ्यधिकः परैः
अयुध्यमानस्य कथं रणे प्रहृतवानसि

7.118.8

न प्रमत्ताय भीताय विरथाय प्रयाचते
व्यसने वर्तमानाय प्रहरन्ति मनस्विनः

7.118.9

इदं तु नीचाचरितमसत्पुरुषसेवितम्
कथमाचरितं पार्थ त्वया कर्म सुदुष्करम्

7.118.10

आर्येण सुकरं ह्याहुरार्यकर्म धनंजय
अनार्यकर्म त्वार्येण सुदुष्करतरं भुवि

7.118.11

येषु येषु नरः पार्थ यत्र यत्र च वर्तते
आशु तच्छीलतामेति तदिदं त्वयि दृश्यते

7.118.12

कथं हि राजवंश्यस्त्वं कौरवेयो विशेषतः
क्षत्रधर्मादपक्रान्तः सुवृत्तश्चरितव्रतः

7.118.13

इदं तु यदतिक्षुद्रं वार्ष्णेयार्थे कृतं त्वया
वासुदेवमतं नूनं नैतत्त्वय्युपपद्यते

7.118.14

को हि नाम प्रमत्ताय परेण सह युध्यते
ईदृशं व्यसनं दद्याद्यो न कृष्णसखो भवेत्

7.118.15

व्रात्याः संश्लिष्टकर्माणः प्रकृत्यैव विगर्हिताः
वृष्ण्यन्धकाः कथं पार्थ प्रमाणं भवता कृताः

7.118.16

एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्यूपकेतुर्महायशाः
युयुधानं परित्यज्य रणे प्रायमुपाविशत्

7.118.17

शरानास्तीर्य सव्येन पाणिना पुण्यलक्षणः
यियासुर्ब्रह्मलोकाय प्राणान्प्राणेष्वथाजुहोत्

7.118.18

सूर्ये चक्षुः समाधाय प्रसन्नं सलिले मनः
ध्यायन्महोपनिषदं योगयुक्तोऽभवन्मुनिः

7.118.19

ततः स सर्वसेनायां जनः कृष्णधनंजयौ
गर्हयामास तं चापि शशंस पुरुषर्षभम्

7.118.20

निन्द्यमानौ तथा कृष्णौ नोचतुः किंचिदप्रियम्
प्रशस्यमानश्च तथा नाहृष्यद्यूपकेतनः

7.118.21

तांस्तथा वादिनो राजन्पुत्रांस्तव धनंजयः
अमृष्यमाणो मनसा तेषां तस्य च भाषितम्

7.118.22

असंक्रुद्धमना वाचा स्मारयन्निव भारत
उवाच पाण्डुतनयः साक्षेपमिव फल्गुनः

7.118.23

मम सर्वेऽपि राजानो जानन्त्येतन्महाव्रतम्
न शक्यो मामको हन्तुं यो मे स्याद्बाणगोचरे

7.118.24

यूपकेतो समीक्ष्य त्वं न मां गर्हितुमर्हसि
न हि धर्ममविज्ञाय युक्तं गर्हयितुं परम्

7.118.25

आत्तशस्त्रस्य हि रणे वृष्णिवीरं जिघांसतः
यदहं बाहुमच्छैत्सं न स धर्मो विगर्हितः

7.118.26

न्यस्तशस्त्रस्य बालस्य विरथस्य विवर्मणः
अभिमन्योर्वधं तात धार्मिकः को न पूजयेत्

7.118.27

एवमुक्तस्तु पार्थेन शिरसा भूमिमस्पृशत्
पाणिना चैव सव्येन प्राहिणोदस्य दक्षिणम्

7.118.28

एतत्पार्थस्य तु वचस्ततः श्रुत्वा महाद्युतिः
यूपकेतुर्महाराज तूष्णीमासीदवाङ्मुखः

7.118.29

अर्जुन उवाच
या प्रीतिर्धर्मराजे मे भीमे च वदतां वरे
नकुले सहदेवे च सा मे त्वयि शलाग्रज

7.118.30

मया तु समनुज्ञातः कृष्णेन च महात्मना
गच्छ पुण्यकृताँल्लोकाञ्शिबिरौशीनरो यथा

7.118.31

संजय उवाच
तत उत्थाय शैनेयो विमुक्तः सौमदत्तिना
खड्गमादाय चिच्छित्सुः शिरस्तस्य महात्मनः

7.118.32

निहतं पाण्डुपुत्रेण प्रमत्तं भूरिदक्षिणम्
इयेष सात्यकिर्हन्तुं शलाग्रजमकल्मषम्

7.118.33

निकृत्तभुजमासीनं छिन्नहस्तमिव द्विपम्
क्रोशतां सर्वसैन्यानां निन्द्यमानः सुदुर्मनाः

7.118.34

वार्यमाणः स कृष्णेन पार्थेन च महात्मना
भीमेन चक्ररक्षाभ्यामश्वत्थाम्ना कृपेण च

7.118.35

कर्णेन वृषसेनेन सैन्धवेन तथैव च
विक्रोशतां च सैन्यानामवधीत्तं यतव्रतम्

7.118.36

प्रायोपविष्टाय रणे पार्थेन छिन्नबाहवे
सात्यकिः कौरवेन्द्राय खड्गेनापाहरच्छिरः

7.118.37

नाभ्यनन्दन्त तत्सैन्याः सात्यकिं तेन कर्मणा
अर्जुनेन हतं पूर्वं यज्जघान कुरूद्वहम्

7.118.38

सहस्राक्षसमं तत्र सिद्धचारणमानवाः
भूरिश्रवसमालोक्य युद्धे प्रायगतं हतम्

7.118.39

अपूजयन्त तं देवा विस्मितास्तस्य कर्मभिः
पक्षवादांश्च बहुशः प्रावदंस्तस्य सैनिकाः

7.118.40

न वार्ष्णेयस्यापराधो भवितव्यं हि तत्तथा
तस्मान्मन्युर्न वः कार्यः क्रोधो दुःखकरो नृणाम्

7.118.41

हन्तव्यश्चैष वीरेण नात्र कार्या विचारणा
विहितो ह्यस्य धात्रैव मृत्युः सात्यकिराहवे

7.118.42

सात्यकिरुवाच
न हन्तव्यो न हन्तव्य इति यन्मां प्रभाषथ
धर्मवादैरधर्मिष्ठा धर्मकञ्चुकमास्थिताः

7.118.43

यदा बालः सुभद्रायाः सुतः शस्त्रविनाकृतः
युष्माभिर्निहतो युद्धे तदा धर्मः क्व वो गतः

7.118.44

मया त्वेतत्प्रतिज्ञातं क्षेपे कस्मिंश्चिदेव हि
यो मां निष्पिष्य संग्रामे जीवन्हन्यात्पदा रुषा
स मे वध्यो भवेच्छत्रुर्यद्यपि स्यान्मुनिव्रतः

7.118.45

चेष्टमानं प्रतीघाते सभुजं मां सचक्षुषः
मन्यध्वं मृतमित्येवमेतद्वो बुद्धिलाघवम्
युक्तो ह्यस्य प्रतीघातः कृतो मे कुरुपुंगवाः

7.118.46

यत्तु पार्थेन मत्स्नेहात्स्वां प्रतिज्ञां च रक्षता
सखड्गोऽस्य हृतो बाहुरेतेनैवास्मि वञ्चितः

7.118.47

भवितव्यं च यद्भावि दैवं चेष्टयतीव च
सोऽयं हतो विमर्देऽस्मिन्किमत्राधर्मचेष्टितम्

7.118.48

अपि चायं पुरा गीतः श्लोको वाल्मीकिना भुवि
पीडाकरममित्राणां यत्स्यात्कर्तव्यमेव तत्

7.118.49

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्ते महाराज सर्वे कौरवपाण्डवाः
न स्म किंचिदभाषन्त मनसा समपूजयन्

7.118.50

मन्त्रैर्हि पूतस्य महाध्वरेषु; यशस्विनो भूरिसहस्रदस्य
मुनेरिवारण्यगतस्य तस्य; न तत्र कश्चिद्वधमभ्यनन्दत्

7.118.51

सुनीलकेशं वरदस्य तस्य; शूरस्य पारावतलोहिताक्षम्
अश्वस्य मेध्यस्य शिरो निकृत्तं; न्यस्तं हविर्धानमिवोत्तरेण

7.118.52

स तेजसा शस्त्रहतेन पूतो; महाहवे देहवरं विसृज्य
आक्रामदूर्ध्वं वरदो वरार्हो; व्यावृत्य धर्मेण परेण रोदसी

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'That arm (of Bhurisravas) decked with Angada and the sword in its grasp (thus cut off), fell down on the earth to the great grief of all living creatures. Indeed, that arm, which was to have cut off Satyaki's head itself, cut off by the unseen Arjuna, quickly dropped down on the earth, like a snake of five heads. The Kuru warrior, beholding himself incapacitated by Partha abandoned his hold on Satyaki and wrathfully reproved the son of Pandu.'

"Bhurisravas said, 'Thou hast, O son of Kunti, done a cruel and heartless deed, since without being engaged with me, thou hast, unseen by me, cut off my arm. Shalt thou not have to say unto Yudhishthira, the royal son of Dharma, even this, viz., 'Bhurisravas, while otherwise engaged, was slain by me in battle?' Wert thou taught this use of weapons by the high-souled Indra or by Rudra, O Partha, or by Drona, or by Kripa? Thou art, in this world, better acquainted with the rules about the use of weapons than all others. Why then hast thou cut off in battle the arm of a warrior who was not engaged with thee? The righteous never strike him that is heedless, or him that is terrified, or him that is made carless, or him that beggeth for life or protection, of him that hath fallen into distress. Why, then, O Partha, hast thou perpetrated such an extremely unworthy deed that is sinful, that is worthy only of a low wretch, and that is practised by only a wicked bloke! A respectable person, O Dhananjaya, can easily accomplish a deed that is respectable. A deed, however, that is disrespectable becomes difficult of accomplishment by a person that is respectable. A man quickly catches the behaviour of those with whom and amongst whom he moves. This is seen in thee, O Partha! Being of royal lineage and born, especially, in Kuru's race, how hast thou fallen off from the duties of a Kshatriya, although thou wert of good behaviour and observant of excellent vows. This mean act that thou hast perpetrated for the sake of the Vrishni warrior, is without doubt, conformable to Vâsudeva's counsels. Such an act does not suit one like thee. Who else, unless he were a friend of Krishna's, would inflict such a wrong upon lone that is heedlessly engaged with another in battle? The Vrishnis and the Andhakas are bad Kshatriyas, ever engaged in sinful deeds, and are, by nature, addicted to disreputable behaviour. Why, O Partha, hast thou taken them as model? Thus addressed in battle, Partha replied unto Bhurisravas, saying, 'It is evident that with the decrepitude of the body one's intellect

also becomes decrepit, since, O lord, all those senseless words have been uttered by thee. Although thou knowest Hrishikesa and myself well, how is it that thou rebukest us thus? Knowing as I do the rules of battle and conversant as I am with the meaning of all the scriptures, I would never do an act that is sinful. Knowing this well, thou rebukest me yet. The Kshatriyas fight with their foes, surrounded by their own followers, their brothers, sires, sons, relatives, kinsmen, companions, and friends. These also fight, relying on the (strength of) arms of those they follow. Why, then, should I not protect Satyaki, my disciple and dear kinsman, who is fighting for our sake in this battle, regardless of life itself, that is so difficult of being laid down. 1 Invincible in fight, Satyaki, O king, is my right arm in battle. One should not protect one's own self only, when one goes to battle, he, O king, who is engaged in the business of another should be protected (by that other). Such men being protected, the king is protected in press of battle. If I had calmly beheld Satyaki on the point of being slain in great battle (and had not interfered for saying him), sin would, then, owing to Satyaki's death, have been mine, for such negligence! Why then dost thou become angry with me for my having protected Satyaki? Thou rebukest me, O king, saying, 'Though engaged with another, I have yet been maimed by thee.' In that matter, I answer, I judged wrongly. Sometimes shaking my armour; sometimes riding on my car, sometimes drawing the bow-string, I was fighting with my enemies in the midst of a host resembling the vast deep, teeming with cars and elephants and abounding with steeds and foot-soldiers and echoing with fierce leonine shouts. Amongst friends and foes engaged with one another, how could it be possible that the Satwata warrior was engaged with only one person in battle? Having fought with many and vanquished many mighty car-warriors, Satyaki had been tired. He himself, afflicted with weapons, had become cheerless. Having, under such circumstances, vanquished the mighty car-warrior, Satyaki, and brought him under thy control, thou soughtest to display thy superiority. Thou. hadst desired to cut off, with thy sword, the head of Satyaki in battle. I could not possibly behold with indifference Satyaki reduced to that strait. 2 Thou shouldst rather rebuke thy own self, since thou didst not take care of thyself (when seeking to injure another). Indeed, O hero, how wouldst thou have behaved towards one who is thy dependant?'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed (by Arjuna), the mighty-armed and illustrious Bhurisravas, bearing the device of the sacrificial stake on his banner, abandoning Yuyudhana, desired to die according to the vow of Praya. 3 Distinguished by many righteous deeds, he spread with his left

hand a bed of arrows, and desirous of proceeding to the region of Brahman, committed his senses to the care of the deities presiding over them. Fixing his gaze on the sun, and setting his cleansed heart on the moon, and thinking of (the mantras in) the great Upanishad, Bhurisravas, betaking himself to Yoga, ceased to speak. Then all the persons in the entire army began to speak ill of Krishna and Dhananjaya and applauded Bhurisravas, that bull among men. Though censured, the two Krishnas, however, spoke not a word disagreeable (to the dying hero). The stake-bannered Bhurisravas also, though thus applauded, felt no joy. Then Pandu's son Dhanajaya, called also Phalguna, incapable of bearing thy sons speaking in that strain, as also of putting up with their words and the words of Bhurisravas, O Bharata, in grief and without an angry heart, and as if for reminding them all, said these words, 'All the kings are acquainted with my great vow, viz., that no one shall succeed in slaying anybody that belongs to our side, as long as the latter is within the range of my shafts. Remembering this, O stake-bannered one, it behoveth thee not to censure me. Without knowing rules of morality, it is not proper for one to censure others. That I have cut off thy arm while thou, well-armed in battle, wert on the point of slaying (the unarmed) Satyaki, is not all contrary to morality. But what righteous man is there, O sire, that would applaud the slaughter of Abhimanyu, a mere child, without arms, deprived of car, and his armour fallen off?' Thus addressed by Partha, Bhurisravas touched the ground with his left arm the right one (that had been lopped off). The stake-bannered Bhurisravas, O king of dazzling effulgence, having heard those words of Partha, remained silent, with his head hanging down. Then Arjuna said, 'O eldest brother of Sala, equal to what I bear to king Yudhishthira the Just, or Bhima, that foremost of all mighty persons, or Nakula, or Sahadeva, is the love I bear to thee. Commanded by me as also by the illustrious Krishna, repair thou to the region of the righteous, even where Sivi, the son of Usinara, is.'

"Vâsudeva also said, 'Thou hast constantly performed sacrifices and Agnihotras. Go thou then, without delay, into those pure, regions of mine that incessantly blaze forth with splendour and that are desired by the foremost of deities with Brahma as their head, and becoming equal to myself, be thou borne on the back to Garuda.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Set free by Somadatta's son, the grandson of Sini, rising up, drew his sword and desired to cut off the head of the high-souled Bhurisravas. Indeed, Satyaki desired to slay the sinless Bhurisravas, the eldest brother of Sala, that giver of plenty in sacrifices who was staying with his, senses withdrawn from battle, who had already been almost slain by the son of Pandu, who was sitting with his arm lopped off and who resembled on that account a trunkless elephant. All the warriors loudly censured him (for his intention). But deprived of reason, and forbidden by Krishna and the high-souled Partha, Bhima, and the two protectors of the two wheels (of Arjuna's car, viz., Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas), and Aswatthaman, and Kripa and Karna, and Vrishasena,

and the ruler of the Sindhus also, and while the soldiers were yet uttering shouts of disapproval, Satyaki stew Bhurisravas while in the observance of his vow. Indeed, Satyaki, with his sword, cut off the head of the Kuru warrior who had been deprived of his arm by Partha and who was then sitting in Praya for freeing his soul from the body. The warriors did not applaud Satyaki for that act of his in slaying that perpetuator of Kuru's race who had before been almost slain by Partha. The Siddhas, the Charanas, and the men there present, as also the gods, beholding the Sakra-like Bhurisravas slain in that battle, through sitting in the observance of that Praya vow, began to applaud him, amazed at the acts, accomplished by him. Thy soldiers also argued the matter, 'It is no fault of the Vrishni hero. That which was pre-ordained has happened. Therefore, we should not give way to wrath. Anger is the cause of men's sorrow. It was ordained that Bhurisravas would be slain by the Vrishni hero. There is no use of judging of its propriety or otherwise. The Creator had ordained Satyaki to be the cause of Bhurisrava's death in battle.'

"Satyaki said, 'Ye sinful Kauravas, wearing the outward garment of righteousness, ye tell me, in words of virtue, that Bhurisravas should not be slain. Where, however, did this righteousness of yours go when ye slew in battle that child, viz., the son of Subhadra, while destitute of arms? I had in a certain fit of haughtiness vowed that he who would, throwing me down alive in battle, strike me with his foot in rage, he would be slain by me even though that foe should adopt the vow of asceticism. Struggling in the encounter, with my arms and eyes hale and sound, ye had yet regarded me as dead. This was an act of folly on our part. Ye bulls among the Kurus, the slaughter of Bhurisravas, accomplished by me, hath been very proper! Partha, however, by cutting off this one's arm with sword in grasp for fulfilling, from his affection for me, his own vow (about protecting all on his side), hath simply robbed me of glory. That which is ordained must happen. It is destiny that works. Bhurisravas hath been slain in press of battle. What sin have I perpetrated? In days of yore, Valmiki sang this verse on earth, viz., 'Thou sayest, O ape, that women should not be slain. In all ages, however, men should always, with resolute care, accomplish that which gives pain to enemies.'

"Sanjaya continued, After Satyaki had said these words, none amongst the Pandavas and the Kauravas, O king, said anything. On the other hand, they mentally applauded Bhurisravas. No one there applauded the slaughter of Somadatta's illustrious son who resembled an ascetic living in the woods, or one sanctified with mantras in a great sacrifice, and who had given away thousands of gold coins. The head of that hero, graced with beautiful blue locks and eyes, red as those of pigeons, looked like the head of a horse cut off in a Horse-sacrifice and placed on the sacrificial altar. 1 Sanctified by his prowess and the death he obtained at the edge of the weapon, the boon-giving Bhurisravas, worthy of every boon,

casting off his body in great battle, repaired to regions on high, filling the welkin with his high virtues.'"

309:1 Verse 20 is incomplete. I supply the words,--'Why then should I not protect' in order to make the meaning intelligible. The first line of 21 is grammatically connected with 20. To avoid an ugly construction I render it separately.

309:2 Literally, 'who could witness with indifference Satyaki reduced to that plight?'

309:3 Generally, to die, abstaining from all food. It is a method of freeing the soul from the body by Yoga.

311:1 Literally, 'near the place assigned for the sacrificial butter.'

7.119.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अजितो द्रोणराधेयविकर्णकृतवर्मभिः
तीर्णः सैन्यार्णवं वीरः प्रतिश्रुत्य युधिष्ठिरे

7.119.2

स कथं कौरवेयेण समरेष्वनिवारितः
निगृह्य भूरिश्रवसा बलाद्भुवि निपातितः

7.119.3

संजय उवाच
शृणु राजन्निहोत्पत्तिं शैनेयस्य यथा पुरा
यथा च भूरिश्रवसो यत्र ते संशयो नृप

7.119.4

अत्रेः पुत्रोऽभवत्सोमः सोमस्य तु बुधः स्मृतः
बुधस्यासीन्महेन्द्राभः पुत्र एकः पुरूरवाः

7.119.5

पुरूरवस आयुस्तु आयुषो नहुषः स्मृतः
नहुषस्य ययातिस्तु राजर्षिर्देवसंमितः

7.119.6

ययातेर्देवयान्यां तु यदुर्ज्येष्ठोऽभवत्सुतः
यदोरभूदन्ववाये देवमीढ इति श्रुतः

7.119.7

यादवस्तस्य च सुतः शूरस्त्रैलोक्यसंमतः
शूरस्य शौरिर्नृवरो वसुदेवो महायशाः

7.119.8

धनुष्यनवरः शूरः कार्तवीर्यसमो युधि
तद्वीर्यश्चापि तत्रैव कुले शिनिरभून्नृपः

7.119.9

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु देवकस्य महात्मनः
दुहितुः स्वयंवरे राजन्सर्वक्षत्रसमागमे

7.119.10

तत्र वै देवकीं देवीं वसुदेवार्थमाप्तवान्
निर्जित्य पार्थिवान्सर्वान्रथमारोपयच्छिनिः

7.119.11

तां दृष्ट्वा देवकीं शौरे रथस्थां पुरुषर्षभः
नामृष्यत महातेजाः सोमदत्तः शिनेर्नृप

7.119.12

तयोर्युद्धमभूद्राजन्दिनार्धं चित्रमद्भुतम्
बाहुयुद्धं सुबलिनोः शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव

7.119.13

शिनिना सोमदत्तस्तु प्रसह्य भुवि पातितः
असिमुद्यम्य केशेषु प्रगृह्य च पदा हतः

7.119.14

मध्ये राजसहस्राणां प्रेक्षकाणां समन्ततः
कृपया च पुनस्तेन जीवेति स विसर्जितः

7.119.15

तदवस्थः कृतस्तेन सोमदत्तोऽथ मारिष
प्रसादयन्महादेवममर्षवशमास्थितः

7.119.16

तस्य तुष्टो महादेवो वराणां वरदः प्रभुः
वरेण छन्दयामास स तु वव्रे वरं नृपः

7.119.17

पुत्रमिच्छामि भगवन्यो निहन्याच्छिनेः सुतम्
मध्ये राजसहस्राणां पदा हन्याच्च संयुगे

7.119.18

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सोमदत्तस्य पार्थिव
एवमस्त्विति तत्रोक्त्वा स देवोऽन्तरधीयत

7.119.19

स तेन वरदानेन लब्धवान्भूरिदक्षिणम्
न्यपातयच्च समरे सौमदत्तिः शिनेः सुतम्

7.119.20

एतत्ते कथितं राजन्यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
न हि शक्या रणे जेतुं सात्वता मनुजर्षभ

7.119.21

लब्धलक्ष्याश्च संग्रामे बहवश्चित्रयोधिनः
देवदानवगन्धर्वान्विजेतारो ह्यविस्मिताः
स्ववीर्यविजये युक्ता नैते परपरिग्रहाः

7.119.22

न तुल्यं वृष्णिभिरिह दृश्यते किंचन प्रभो
भूतं भव्यं भविष्यच्च बलेन भरतर्षभ

7.119.23

न ज्ञातिमवमन्यन्ते वृद्धानां शासने रताः
न देवासुरगन्धर्वा न यक्षोरगराक्षसाः
जेतारो वृष्णिवीराणां न पुनर्मानुषा रणे

7.119.24

ब्रह्मद्रव्ये गुरुद्रव्ये ज्ञातिद्रव्येऽप्यहिंसकाः
एतेषां रक्षितारश्च ये स्युः कस्यांचिदापदि

7.119.25

अर्थवन्तो न चोत्सिक्ता ब्रह्मण्याः सत्यवादिनः
समर्थान्नावमन्यन्ते दीनानभ्युद्धरन्ति च

7.119.26

नित्यं देवपरा दान्ता दातारश्चाविकत्थनाः
तेन वृष्णिप्रवीराणां चक्रं न प्रतिहन्यते

7.119.27

अपि मेरुं वहेत्कश्चित्तरेद्वा मकरालयम्
न तु वृष्णिप्रवीराणां समेत्यान्तं व्रजेन्नृप

7.119.28

एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यत्र ते संशयो विभो
कुरुराज नरश्रेष्ठ तव ह्यपनयो महान्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Unvanquished by Drona, and Radha's son and Vikarna and Kritavarman, how could the heroic Satyaki, never before checked in battle, having after his promise to Yudhishthira crossed the ocean of the Kaurava troops, being humiliated by the Kuru warrior Bhurisravas and forcibly thrown on the ground?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Hear, O king, about the origin, in the past times, of Sini's grandson, and of how Bhurisravas also came to be descended. This will clear thy doubts. Atri had for son Soma. Soma's son was called Vudha. Vudha had one son, of the splendour of the great Indra, called Pururavas. Pururavas had a son called Ayus. Ayus had for his son Nahusha. Nahusha had for his son Yayati who was a royal sage equal to a celestial. Yayati had by Devayani Yadu for his eldest son. In Yadu's race was born a son of the name of Devamidha of Yadu's race had a son named Sura, applauded in the three worlds. Sura had for his son that foremost of men, viz., the celebrated Vasudeva. Foremost in bowmanship, Sura was equal to Kartavirya in battle. In Sura's race and equal unto Sura in energy was, born Sini, O king! About this time, O king, occurred the Swayamvara. of the high-souled Devaka's daughter, in which all the Kshatriyas were present. In that self-choice, Sini vanquishing all the kings, quickly took up on his car the princess Devaki for the sake of Vasudeva. Beholding the princess Devaki on Sini's car, that bull among men, viz., the brave Somadatta of mighty energy could not brook the sight. A battle, O king, ensued between the two which lasted for half a day and was beautiful and wonderful to behold. The battle that took place between those two mighty men was a wrestling encounter. That bull among men, viz., Somadatta, was forcibly thrown down on the earth by Sini. Uplifting his sword and seizing him by the hair, Sini struck his foe with his foot, in the midst of many thousands of kings who stood as spectators all around. At last, from compassion, he let him off, saying, 'Live!' Reduced to that plight by Sini, Somadatta, O sire, under the influence of wrath began to pay his adorations to Mahadeva for inducing the latter to bless him. That great lord of all boon-giving deities viz., Mahadeva, became gratified with him and asked him to solicit the boon he desired. The royal Somadatta then solicited the following boon, 'I desire a soon, O divine lord, who will strike Sini's son in the midst of thousands of kings and who will in battle strike him with his foot.' Hearing these words, O king, of Somadatta, the god

saying, 'So be it,' disappeared then and there. It was in consequence of the gift of that boon that Somadatta subsequently obtained the highly charitable Bhurisravas for son, and it was for this, Somadatta's son threw down Sini's descendant in battle and struck him, before the eyes of the whole army, with his foot. I have now told thee, O king, what thou hadst asked me. Indeed, the Satwata hero is incapable of being vanquished in battle by even the foremost of men. The Vrishni heroes are all of sure aim in battle, and are conversant with all modes of warfare. They are vanquishers of the very gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas. They are never confounded. They always fight, relying upon their own energy. They are never dependent on others. None, O lord, are seen in this world to be equal to the Vrishni's. None, O bull of Bharata's race, have been, are, or will be equal in might to the Vrishni's. They never show disrespect to their kinsmen. They are always obedient to the commands of those that are reverend in years. The very gods and Asuras and Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Uragas and the Rakshasas cannot vanquish the Vrishni heroes, what need be said of men, therefore, in battle? They never covet also the possessions of those that ever render them aid on any occasion of distress. Devoted to the Brahmanas and truthful in speech, they never display any pride although they are wealthy. The Vrishnis regard even the strong as weak and rescue them from distress. Always devoted to the gods, the Vrishnis are self-restrained, charitable, and free from pride. It is for this that the prowess, 1 of the Vrishnis is never baffled. A person may remove the mountains of Meru or swim across the ocean but cannot defeat the Vrishnis. I have told thee everything about which thou hadst thy doubts. All this, however, O king of the Kurus, that is happening is due to thy evil policy, O best of men!'"

313:1 Nilakantha explains chakram as Pratapam.

7.120.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तदवस्थे हते तस्मिन्भूरिश्रवसि कौरवे
यथा भूयोऽभवद्युद्धं तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.120.2

संजय उवाच
भूरिश्रवसि संक्रान्ते परलोकाय भारत
वासुदेवं महाबाहुरर्जुनः समचूचुदत्

7.120.3

चोदयाश्वान्भृशं कृष्ण यतो राजा जयद्रथः
अस्तमेति महाबाहो त्वरमाणो दिवाकरः

7.120.4

एतद्धि पुरुषव्याघ्र महदभ्युद्यतं मया
कार्यं संरक्ष्यते चैष कुरुसेनामहारथैः

7.120.5

नास्तमेति यथा सूर्यो यथा सत्यं भवेद्वचः
चोदयाश्वांस्तथा कृष्ण यथा हन्यां जयद्रथम्

7.120.6

ततः कृष्णो महाबाहू रजतप्रतिमान्हयान्
हयज्ञश्चोदयामास जयद्रथरथं प्रति

7.120.7

तं प्रयान्तममोघेषुमुत्पतद्भिरिवाशुगैः
त्वरमाणा महाराज सेनामुख्याः समाव्रजन्

7.120.8

दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च वृषसेनोऽथ मद्रराट्
अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव स्वयमेव च सैन्धवः

7.120.9

समासाद्य तु बीभत्सुः सैन्धवं प्रमुखे स्थितम्
नेत्राभ्यां क्रोधदीप्ताभ्यां संप्रैक्षन्निर्दहन्निव

7.120.10

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा राधेयं त्वरितोऽब्रवीत्
अर्जुनं वीक्ष्य संयान्तं जयद्रथरथं प्रति

7.120.11

अयं स वैकर्तन युद्धकालो; विदर्शयस्वात्मबलं महात्मन्
यथा न वध्येत रणेऽर्जुनेन; जयद्रथः कर्ण तथा कुरुष्व

7.120.12

अल्पावशिष्टं दिवसं नृवीर; विघातयस्वाद्य रिपुं शरौघैः
दिनक्षयं प्राप्य नरप्रवीर; ध्रुवं हि नः कर्ण जयो भविष्यति

7.120.13

सैन्धवे रक्ष्यमाणे तु सूर्यस्यास्तमयं प्रति
मिथ्याप्रतिज्ञः कौन्तेयः प्रवेक्ष्यति हुताशनम्

7.120.14

अनर्जुनायां च भुवि मुहूर्तमपि मानद
जीवितुं नोत्सहेरन्वै भ्रातरोऽस्य सहानुगाः

7.120.15

विनष्टैः पाण्डवेयैश्च सशैलवनकाननाम्
वसुंधरामिमां कर्ण भोक्ष्यामो हतकण्टकाम्

7.120.16

दैवेनोपहतः पार्थो विपरीतश्च मानद
कार्याकार्यमजानन्वै प्रतिज्ञां कृतवान्रणे

7.120.17

नूनमात्मविनाशाय पाण्डवेन किरीटिना
प्रतिज्ञेयं कृता कर्ण जयद्रथवधं प्रति

7.120.18

कथं जीवति दुर्धर्षे त्वयि राधेय फल्गुनः
अनस्तंगत आदित्ये हन्यात्सैन्धवकं नृपम्

7.120.19

रक्षितं मद्रराजेन कृपेण च महात्मना
जयद्रथं रणमुखे कथं हन्याद्धनंजयः

7.120.20

द्रौणिना रक्ष्यमाणं च मया दुःशासनेन च
कथं प्राप्स्यति बीभत्सुः सैन्धवं कालचोदितः

7.120.21

युध्यन्ते बहवः शूरा लम्बते च दिवाकरः
शङ्के जयद्रथं पार्थो नैव प्राप्स्यति मानद

7.120.22

स त्वं कर्ण मया सार्धं शूरैश्चान्यैर्महारथैः
युध्यस्व यत्नमास्थाय परं पार्थेन संयुगे

7.120.23

एवमुक्तस्तु राधेयस्तव पुत्रेण मारिष
दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्यं प्रत्युवाच कुरूत्तमम्

7.120.24

दृढलक्ष्येण शूरेण भीमसेनेन धन्विना
भृशमुद्वेजितः संख्ये शरजालैरनेकशः

7.120.25

स्थातव्यमिति तिष्ठामि रणे संप्रति मानद
नैवाङ्गमिङ्गति किंचिन्मे संतप्तस्य रणेषुभिः

7.120.26

योत्स्यामि तु तथा राजञ्शक्त्याहं परया रणे
यथा पाण्डवमुख्योऽसौ न हनिष्यति सैन्धवम्

7.120.27

न हि मे युध्यमानस्य सायकांश्चास्यतः शितान्
सैन्धवं प्राप्स्यते वीरः सव्यसाची धनंजयः

7.120.28

यत्तु शक्तिमता कार्यं सततं हितकारिणा
तत्करिष्यामि कौरव्य जयो दैवे प्रतिष्ठितः

7.120.29

अद्य योत्स्येऽर्जुनमहं पौरुषं स्वं व्यपाश्रितः
त्वदर्थं पुरुषव्याघ्र जयो दैवे प्रतिष्ठितः

7.120.30

अद्य युद्धं कुरुश्रेष्ठ मम पार्थस्य चोभयोः
पश्यन्तु सर्वभूतानि दारुणं लोमहर्षणम्

7.120.31

कर्णकौरवयोरेवं रणे संभाषमाणयोः
अर्जुनो निशितैर्बाणैर्जघान तव वाहिनीम्

7.120.32

चिच्छेद तीक्ष्णाग्रमुखैः शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम्
भुजान्परिघसंकाशान्हस्तिहस्तोपमान्रणे

7.120.33

शिरांसि च महाबाहुश्चिच्छेद निशितैः शरैः
हस्तिहस्तान्हयग्रीवा रथाक्षांश्च समन्ततः

7.120.34

शोणिताक्तान्हयारोहान्गृहीतप्रासतोमरान्
क्षुरैश्चिच्छेद बीभत्सुर्द्विधैकैकं त्रिधैव च

7.120.35

हयवारणमुख्याश्च प्रापतन्त सहस्रशः
ध्वजाश्छत्राणि चापानि चामराणि शिरांसि च

7.120.36

कक्षमग्निमिवोद्धूतः प्रदहंस्तव वाहिनीम्
अचिरेण महीं पार्थश्चकार रुधिरोत्तराम्

7.120.37

हतभूयिष्ठयोधं तत्कृत्वा तव बलं बली
आससाद दुराधर्षः सैन्धवं सत्यविक्रमः

7.120.38

बीभत्सुर्भीमसेनेन सात्वतेन च रक्षितः
स बभौ भरतश्रेष्ठ ज्वलन्निव हुताशनः

7.120.39

तं तथावस्थितं दृष्ट्वा त्वदीया वीर्यसंमताः
नामृष्यन्त महेष्वासाः फल्गुनं पुरुषर्षभाः

7.120.40

दुर्योधनश्च कर्णश्च वृषसेनोऽथ मद्रराट्
अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव स्वयमेव च सैन्धवः

7.120.41

संरब्धाः सैन्धवस्यार्थे समावृण्वन्किरीटिनम्
नृत्यन्तं रथमार्गेषु धनुर्ज्यातलनिस्वनैः

7.120.42

संग्रामकोविदं पार्थं सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः
अभीताः पर्यवर्तन्त व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्

7.120.43

सैन्धवं पृष्ठतः कृत्वा जिघांसन्तोऽर्जुनाच्युतौ
सूर्यास्तमयमिच्छन्तो लोहितायति भास्करे

7.120.44

ते भुजैर्भोगिभोगाभैर्धनूंष्यायम्य सायकान्
मुमुचुः सूर्यरश्म्याभाञ्शतशः फल्गुनं प्रति

7.120.45

तानस्तानस्यमानांश्च किरीटी युद्धदुर्मदः
द्विधा त्रिधाष्टधैकैकं छित्त्वा विव्याध तान्रणे

7.120.46

सिंहलाङ्गूलकेतुस्तु दर्शयञ्शक्तिमात्मनः
शारद्वतीसुतो राजन्नर्जुनं प्रत्यवारयत्

7.120.47

स विद्ध्वा दशभिः पार्थं वासुदेवं च सप्तभिः
अतिष्ठद्रथमार्गेषु सैन्धवं परिपालयन्

7.120.48

अथैनं कौरवश्रेष्ठाः सर्व एव महारथाः
महता रथवंशेन सर्वतः पर्यवारयन्

7.120.49

विस्फारयन्तश्चापानि विसृजन्तश्च सायकान्
सैन्धवं पर्यरक्षन्त शासनात्तनयस्य ते

7.120.50

तत्र पार्थस्य शूरस्य बाह्वोर्बलमदृश्यत
इषूणामक्षयत्वं च धनुषो गाण्डिवस्य च

7.120.51

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्रौणेः शारद्वतस्य च
एकैकं नवभिर्बाणैः सर्वानेव समर्पयत्

7.120.52

तं द्रौणिः पञ्चविंशत्या वृषसेनश्च सप्तभिः
दुर्योधनश्च विंशत्या कर्णशल्यौ त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः

7.120.53

त एनमभिगर्जन्तो विध्यन्तश्च पुनः पुनः
विधुन्वन्तश्च चापानि सर्वतः पर्यवारयन्

7.120.54

श्लिष्टं तु सर्वतश्चक्रू रथमण्डलमाशु ते
सूर्यास्तमयमिच्छन्तस्त्वरमाणा महारथाः

7.120.55

त एनमभिनर्दन्तो विधुन्वाना धनूंषि च
सिषिचुर्मार्गणैर्घोरैर्गिरिं मेघा इवाम्बुभिः

7.120.56

ते महास्त्राणि दिव्यानि तत्र राजन्व्यदर्शयन्
धनंजयस्य गात्रेषु शूराः परिघबाहवः

7.120.57

हतभूयिष्ठयोधं तत्कृत्वा तव बलं बली
आससाद दुराधर्षः सैन्धवं सत्यविक्रमः

7.120.58

तं कर्णः संयुगे राजन्प्रत्यवारयदाशुगैः
मिषतो भीमसेनस्य सात्वतस्य च भारत

7.120.59

तं पार्थो दशभिर्बाणैः प्रत्यविध्यद्रणाजिरे
सूतपुत्रं महाबाहुः सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः

7.120.60

सात्वतश्च त्रिभिर्बाणैः कर्णं विव्याध मारिष
भीमसेनस्त्रिभिश्चैव पुनः पार्थश्च सप्तभिः

7.120.61

तान्कर्णः प्रतिविव्याध षष्ट्या षष्ट्या महारथः
तद्युद्धमभवद्राजन्कर्णस्य बहुभिः सह

7.120.62

तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम सूतपुत्रस्य मारिष
यदेकः समरे क्रुद्धस्त्रीन्रथान्पर्यवारयत्

7.120.63

फल्गुनस्तु महाबाहुः कर्णं वैकर्तनं रणे
सायकानां शतेनैव सर्वमर्मस्वताडयत्

7.120.64

रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गः सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्
शरैः पञ्चाशता वीरः फल्गुनं प्रत्यविध्यत
तस्य तल्लाघवं दृष्ट्वा नामृष्यत रणेऽर्जुनः

7.120.65

ततः पार्थो धनुश्छित्त्वा विव्याधैनं स्तनान्तरे
सायकैर्नवभिर्वीरस्त्वरमाणो धनंजयः

7.120.66

वधार्थं चास्य समरे सायकं सूर्यवर्चसम्
चिक्षेप त्वरया युक्तस्त्वराकाले धनंजयः

7.120.67

तमापतन्तं वेगेन द्रौणिश्चिच्छेद सायकम्
अर्धचन्द्रेण तीक्ष्णेन स छिन्नः प्रापतद्भुवि

7.120.68

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान्
कर्णोऽपि द्विषतां हन्ता छादयामास फल्गुनम्
सायकैर्बहुसाहस्रैः कृतप्रतिकृतेप्सया

7.120.69

तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ नरसिंहौ महारथौ
सायकौघप्रतिच्छन्नं चक्रतुः खमजिह्मगैः
अदृश्यौ च शरौघैस्तौ निघ्नतामितरेतरम्

7.120.70

पार्थोऽहमस्मि तिष्ठ त्वं कर्णोऽहं तिष्ठ फल्गुन
इत्येवं तर्जयन्तौ तौ वाक्शल्यैस्तुदतां तथा

7.120.71

युध्येतां समरे वीरौ चित्रं लघु च सुष्ठु च
प्रेक्षणीयौ चाभवतां सर्वयोधसमागमे

7.120.72

प्रशस्यमानौ समरे सिद्धचारणवातिकैः
अयुध्येतां महाराज परस्परवधैषिणौ

7.120.73

ततो दुर्योधनो राजंस्तावकानभ्यभाषत
यत्ता रक्षत राधेयं नाहत्वा समरेऽर्जुनम्
निवर्तिष्यति राधेय इति मामुक्तवान्वृषः

7.120.74

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजन्दृष्ट्वा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्
आकर्णमुक्तैरिषुभिः कर्णस्य चतुरो हयान्
अनयन्मृत्युलोकाय चतुर्भिः सायकोत्तमैः

7.120.75

सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपाहरत्
छादयामास च शरैस्तव पुत्रस्य पश्यतः

7.120.76

स छाद्यमानः समरे हताश्वो हतसारथिः
मोहितः शरजालेन कर्तव्यं नाभ्यपद्यत

7.120.77

तं तथा विरथं दृष्ट्वा रथमारोप्य स्वं तदा
अश्वत्थामा महाराज भूयोऽर्जुनमयोधयत्

7.120.78

मद्रराजस्तु कौन्तेयमविध्यत्त्रिंशता शरैः
शारद्वतस्तु विंशत्या वासुदेवं समार्पयत्
धनंजयं द्वादशभिराजघान शिलीमुखैः

7.120.79

चतुर्भिः सिन्धुराजश्च वृषसेनश्च सप्तभिः
पृथक्पृथङ्महाराज कृष्णपार्थावविध्यताम्

7.120.80

तथैव तान्प्रत्यविध्यत्कुन्तीपुत्रो धनंजयः
द्रोणपुत्रं चतुःषष्ट्या मद्रराजं शतेन च

7.120.81

सैन्धवं दशभिर्भल्लैर्वृषसेनं त्रिभिः शरैः
शारद्वतं च विंशत्या विद्ध्वा पार्थः समुन्नदत्

7.120.82

ते प्रतिज्ञाप्रतीघातमिच्छन्तः सव्यसाचिनः
सहितास्तावकास्तूर्णमभिपेतुर्धनंजयम्

7.120.83

अथार्जुनः सर्वतोधारमस्त्रं; प्रादुश्चक्रे त्रासयन्धार्तराष्ट्रान्
तं प्रत्युदीयुः कुरवः पाण्डुसूनुं; रथैर्महार्हैः शरवर्षाण्यवर्षन्

7.120.84

ततस्तु तस्मिंस्तुमुले समुत्थिते; सुदारुणे भारत मोहनीये
नामुह्यत प्राप्य स राजपुत्रः; किरीटमाली विसृजन्पृषत्कान्

7.120.85

राज्यप्रेप्सुः सव्यसाची कुरूणां; स्मरन्क्लेशान्द्वादशवर्षवृत्तान्
गाण्डीवमुक्तैरिषुभिर्महात्मा; सर्वा दिशो व्यावृणोदप्रमेयैः

7.120.86

प्रदीप्तोल्कमभवच्चान्तरिक्षं; देहेषु भूरीण्यपतन्वयांसि
यत्पिङ्गलज्येन किरीटमाली; क्रुद्धो रिपूनाजगवेन हन्ति

7.120.87

किरीटमाली महता महायशाः; शरासनेनास्य शराननीकजित्
हयप्रवेकोत्तमनागधूर्गता;न्कुरुप्रवीरानिषुभिर्न्यपातयत्

7.120.88

गदाश्च गुर्वीः परिघानयस्मया;नसींश्च शक्तीश्च रणे नराधिपाः
महान्ति शस्त्राणि च भीमदर्शनाः; प्रगृह्य पार्थं सहसाभिदुद्रुवुः

7.120.89

स तानुदीर्णान्सरथाश्ववारणा;न्पदातिसंघांश्च महाधनुर्धरः
विपन्नसर्वायुधजीवितान्रणे; चकार वीरो यमराष्ट्रवर्धनान्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'After the Kuru warrior Bhurisravas had been slain under those circumstances, tell me, O Sanjaya, how proceeded the battle.'

"Sanjaya said, 'After Bhurisravas had proceeded to the other world, O Bharata, the mighty-armed Arjuna urged Vâsudeva, saying, "Urge the steeds, O Krishna, to greater speed for taking me to the spot where king Jayadratha is. O sinless one, the sun is quickly proceeding towards the Asta hills. O tiger among men, this great task should be achieved by me. The ruler of the Sindhus is, again, protected by many mighty car-warriors among the Kuru army. Urge thou the steeds, therefore, O Krishna, in

such a way that I may, by slaying Jayadratha before the sun sets, make my vow true.' Then the mighty-armed Krishna conversant with horse-lore, urged those steeds of silvery hue towards the car of Jayadratha. Then, O king, many leaders of the Kuru army, such as Duryodhana and Karna and Vrishasena and the ruler of the Sindhus himself, rushed with speed, O king, against Arjuna whose shafts were never baffled and who was proceeding, on his car drawn by steeds of great fleetness. Vibhatsu, however, getting at the ruler of the Sindhus who was staying before him, and casting his glances upon him, seemed to scorch him with his eyes blazing with wrath. Then, king Duryodhana, quickly addressed the son of Radha. Indeed, O monarch, thy son Suyodhana said unto Karna, 'O son of Vikartana, that time of battle hath come at last. O high-souled one, exhibit now thy might. O Karna, act in such a way that Jayadratha may not be slain by Arjuna! O foremost of men, the day is about to expire, strike now the foe with clouds of shafts! If the day expire, O foremost of men, victory, O Karna, will certainly be ours! If the ruler of the Sindhus can be protected till the setting of the sun, then Partha, his vow being falsified, will enter into blazing fire. O giver of honours, the brothers, then, of Arjuna, with all their followers, will not be able to live for even a moment in a world that is destitute of Arjuna! Upon the death of the sons of Pandu, the whole of the earth, O Karna, with her mountains and waters and forests, we will enjoy without a thorn on our side! O giver of honours, it seems that Partha, who without ascertaining what is practicable and what is impracticable, made this vow in battle, was afflicted by destiny itself, his judgment having taken a misdirected course! Without doubt, O Karna, the diadem-decked son of Pandu must have made this vow about the slaughter of Jayadratha for his own destruction! How, O son of Radha, when thou art alive will Phalguna succeed in slaying the ruler of the Sindhus before the sun goes to the Asta hills? How will Dhananjaya slay Jayadratha in battle when the latter is protected by the king of the Madras and by the illustrious Kripa? How will Vibhatsu, who seems to have been urged on by Fate, get at the ruler of the Sindhus when the latter if protected by Drona's son, by myself, and Duhsasana? Many are the heroes engaged in fight. The sun is hanging low in the sky. Partha will not even get at Jayadratha in battle, O giver of honours. Do thou therefore, O Karna, with myself and other brave and mighty car-warriors, with Drona's son and the ruler of the Madras and Kripa fight with Partha in battle, exerting thyself with the greatest firmness and resolution.' Thus addressed by thy son, O sire, the son of Radha replied unto Duryodhana, that foremost one among the Kurus, in these words, 'Deeply hath my body been pierced in battle by the brave bowman Bhimasena, capable of striking vigorously with repeated showers of arrows. O giver of honours, that I am yet present in battle is because that one like me should be present here. Scorched with the powerful shafts of Bhimasena, every limb of mine is suffering from torturing pain I shall, however, for all that, fight to the best of my

powers. My life itself is for thee. I shall strive my best so that this foremost one of the sons of Pandu may not succeed in slaying the ruler of the Sindhus. As long as I shall fight, shooting my whetted shafts, the heroic Dhananjaya, capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, will not succeed in getting at the ruler of the Sindhus. All that a person, bearing love and affection to thee and always solicitous of thy good, may do, shall be done by me, O thou of Kuru's race! As regards victory, that depends on destiny. I shall in battle today exert myself to my utmost for the sake of the ruler of the Sindhus, and for achieving thy good. O king, victory, however, is dependent on destiny. Relying on my manliness, I shall fight with Arjuna today for thy sake, O tiger among men! Victory, however, is dependent on destiny. O chief of the Kurus, let all the troops behold today the fierce battle, making the very hair stand on end, that takes place between myself and Arjuna.' While Karna and the Kuru king were thus talking to each other in battle, Arjuna began, with his keen arrows, to slaughter thy host. With his broad-headed arrows of great sharpness he began to cut off in that battle the arms, looking like spiked clubs or the trunks of elephants, of unreturning heroes. And the mighty-armed hero also cut off their heads with whetted shafts. And Vibhatsu also cut off the trunks of elephants and the necks of steeds and the Akshas of cars all around, as also blood-dyed horsemen, armed with spears and lances, with razor-faced arrows into two or three fragments. And steeds and foremost of elephants and standards and umbrellas and bows and Yalk-tails and heads fell fast on all sides. Consuming thy host like a blazing fire consuming a heap of dry grass, Partha soon caused the earth to be covered with blood. And the mighty and invincible Partha, of prowess incapable of being baffled, causing an immense slaughter in that army of thine, soon reached the ruler of the Sindhus. Protected by Bhimasena and by Satwata, Vibhatsu, O chief of the Bharatas, looked resplendent like a blazing fire. Beholding Phalguna in that state, the mighty bowmen of thy army, those bulls among men, endued with wealth of energy, could not brook him. Then Duryodhana and Karna and Vrishasena and the ruler of the Madras, and Aswatthaman and Kripa and the ruler of the Sindhus himself, excited with wrath and fighting for the sake of the Sindhu king, encompassed the diadem-decked Arjuna on all sides. All those warriors, skilled in battle, placing the ruler of the Sindhus at their back, and desirous of slaying Arjuna and Krishna, surrounded Partha, that hero conversant with battle, who was then dancing along the track of his car, producing fierce sounds with the bowstring and his palms and resembling the Destroyer himself with wide-opened mouth. The sun then had assumed a red hue in the sky. Desirous of his (speedy) setting, the Kaurava warriors, bending their bows with arms, resembling the (tapering) bodies of snake sped their shafts in hundreds towards Phalguna, resembling the rays of the sun. Cutting off those shafts thus sped towards him, into two, three, or eight fragments the diadem-decked Arjuna, invincible in battle, pierced them all in that encounter. Then

[paragraph continues] Aswatthaman, bearing on his banner the mark of a lion's tail, displaying his might, began, O king, to resist Arjuna. Indeed, the son of Saradwata's daughter piercing Partha with ten shafts and Vâsudeva with seven, stayed in the track of Arjuna's car, protecting the ruler of the Sindhus. Then, many foremost ones among the Kurus, great car-warriors, all encompassed Arjuna, on all sides with a large throng of cars. Stretching their bows and shooting countless shafts, they began to protect the ruler of the Sindhus, at the command of thy son. We then beheld the prowess of the brave Partha as also the inexhaustible character of his shafts, and the might, too, of his bow Gandiva. Baffling with his own weapons those of Drona's son and Kripa, he pierced every one of those warriors with nine shafts. Then, Drona's son pierced him with five and twenty arrows, and Vrishasena with seven, and Duryodhana pierced him with twenty, and Karma and Salya each with three. And all of them roared at him and continued to pierce him frequently, and shaking their bows, they surrounded him on all sides. And soon they caused their cars to be drawn up in a serried line around Arjuna. Desirous of the (speedy) setting of the sun, those mighty car-warriors of the Kaurava army, endued with great activity, began to roar at Arjuna, and shaking their bows, covered him with showers of keen arrows like cloud pouring rain on a mountain. Those brave warriors, with arms resembling heavy clubs, also discharged on that occasion, O king, on Dhananjaya's body celestial weapons. Having caused an immense slaughter in thy army, the mighty and invincible Dhananjaya, of prowess incapable of being baffled came upon the ruler of the Sindhus. Karna, however, O king, with his arrows, resisted him in that battle in the very sight, O Bharata, of Bhimasena and Satwata. The mighty-armed Partha, in the very sight of all the troops, pierced the Suta's son, in return, with ten arrows, on the field of battle. Then Satwata, O sire, pierced Karna with three arrows. And Bhimasena pierced him with three arrows, and Partha himself, once more, with seven. The mighty car-warrior, Karna, then pierced each of those three warriors with sixty arrows. And thus, O king, raged that battle between Karna alone (on one side) and the many (on the other). The prowess, O sire, that we then beheld of the Suta's son was wonderful in the extreme, since, excited with wrath in battle, he singly resisted those three great car-warriors. Then the mighty-armed Phalguna, in that battle, pierced Karna, the son of Vikartana, in all his limbs with a hundred arrows. All his limbs bathed in blood, the Suta's son of great prowess and bravery, pierced Phalguna in return with fifty arrows. Beholding that lightness of hand displayed by him in battle, Arjuna brooked it not. Cutting off his bow, that hero, viz., Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, quickly pierced Karna in the centre of the chest with nine arrows, Then Dhananjaya, with great speed at a time, when speed was necessary shot in that battle a shaft of solar effulgence for the destruction of Karna. Drona's son, however, with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut off that shaft as it coursed impetuously (towards Karna). Thus cut off by

[paragraph continues] Aswatthaman, that shaft fell down on the earth. Endued with great prowess, the Suta's son, then, O king, took up another bow, and covered the son of Pandu with several thousands of arrows. Partha, however, like the wind dispersing flight of locusts, dispelled with his own arrows that extraordinary shower of arrows issuing out of Karna's bow. Then Arjuna, displaying his lightness of hands, covered Karna, in that battle, with his arrows, in the very sight of all thy troops. Karna also, that slayer of hosts, desirous of counteracting Arjuna's feat, covered Arjuna with several thousands of arrows. Roaring at each other like two bulls, those lions among men, those mighty car-warriors, shrouded the welkin with clouds of straight shafts. Each rendered invisible by the other's arrowy showers, they continued to strike each other. And they roared at each other and pierced each other with their wordy darts, saying, 'I am Partha, wait'--or, 'I am Karna, wait', O Phalguna! Indeed these two heroes fought with each other wonderfully, displaying great activity and skill. And the sight they presented was such that other warriors became witnesses of that battle. And applauded by Siddhas, Charnas and Pannagas, they fought with each other, O king, each desirous of slaying the other. Then Duryodhana, O king addressing thy warriors, said, 'Carefully protect the son of Radha! Without slaying Arjuna he would not abstain from battle. Even this is what Vrisha told me.' Meanwhile, O monarch, beholding the prowess of Karna, Arjuna, of white steeds, with four shafts shot from the bow-string drawn to the ear, despatched the four steeds of Karna to Yama's domain. And he also felled with a broad-headed arrow, Karna's charioteer from his niche in the car. And he covered Karna himself with clouds of shafts in the very sight of thy son. Thus shrouded with arrows the steedless and driverless Karna, stupefied by that arrowy shower, knew not what to do. Beholding him made carless, Aswatthaman, O king, caused him to ride on his car, and continued to fight with Arjuna. Then the ruler of the Madras pierced the son of Kunti with thirty arrows. Saradwata's son pierced Vâsudeva with twenty arrows. And he struck Dhananjaya also with a dozen shafts. And the ruler of the Sindhus pierced each with four arrows, and Vrishasena also pierced each of them, O king, with seven arrows. Kunti's son, Dhananjaya, pierced all of them in return. Indeed, piercing Drona's son with four and sixty shafts, and the ruler of the Madras with a hundred, and the Sindhu king with ten broad-headed arrows, and Vrishasena with three arrows and Saradwata's son with twenty, Partha uttered a loud shout. Desirous of baffling the vow of Savyasachin, thy warriors, excited with wrath, quickly rushed at Dhananjaya from all sides. Then Arjuna, frightening the Dhartarashtras, invoked into existence the Varuna weapon on all sides. The Kauravas, however, on their costly cars, pouring showers of arrows, advanced against the son of Pandu. But, O Bharata, in course of that stupefying and fierce engagement, fraught with the greatest confusion, that price, viz., Arjuna, decked with diadem and gold chain never lost his senses. On the other hand, he continued to pour

showers of arrows. Desirous of recovering the kingdom and recollecting all the wrongs he had suffered for twelve years in consequence of the Kurus, the high-souled and immeasurable Arjuna darkened all the points of the compass with shafts from Gandiva. The welkin seemed ablaze with meteors. Innumerable crows, alighting from the sky, perched on the bodies (of dead combatants). Meanwhile, Arjuna continued to slay the foe with his Gandiva, like Mahadeva slaying the Asuras with his Pinaka equipped with tawny string. 1 Then the illustrious Kiritin, that subjugator of (hostile) ranks, dispersing the shafts of the foe by means of his own formidable bow, slaughtered with his arrows many foremost ones among the Kurus, mounted on their foremost of steeds and elephants. Then many kings, taking up heavy maces and clubs of iron and swords and darts and diverse other kinds of powerful weapons, assuming terrible forms, rushed suddenly against Partha in that battle. Then Arjuna, bending with his arms his formidable bow Gandiva which resembled the bow of Indra himself and whose twang was as loud as the roar of the clouds congregating at the end of the Yuga, and laughing the while, went on consuming thy troops and increasing the population of Yama's kingdom. Indeed, that hero caused those enraged warriors with their cars and elephants and with the foot-soldiers and bowmen supporting them, to be deprived of their arms and lives and thus to swell the population of Yama's domain.'"

7.121.1

संजय उवाच
स रणे व्यचरत्पार्थः प्रेक्षणीयो धनंजयः
युगपद्दिक्षु सर्वासु चित्राण्यस्त्राणि दर्शयन्

7.121.2

मध्यंदिनगतं सूर्यं प्रतपन्तमिवाम्बरे
न शेकुः सर्वभूतानि पाण्डवं प्रतिवीक्षितुम्

7.121.3

प्रसृतांस्तस्य गाण्डीवाच्छरव्रातान्महात्मनः
संग्रामे समपश्याम हंसपङ्क्तीरिवाम्बरे

7.121.4

विनिवार्य स वीराणामस्त्रैरस्त्राणि सर्वशः
दर्शयन्रौद्रमात्मानमुग्रे कर्मणि धिष्ठितः

7.121.5

स तान्रथवरान्राजन्नभ्यतिक्रामदर्जुनः
मोहयन्निव नाराचैर्जयद्रथवधेप्सया

7.121.6

विसृजन्दिक्षु सर्वासु शरानसितसारथिः
स रणे व्यचरत्तूर्णं प्रेक्षणीयो धनंजयः

7.121.7

भ्रमन्त इव शूरस्य शरव्राता महात्मनः
अदृश्यन्तान्तरिक्षस्थाः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.121.8

आददानं महेष्वासं संदधानं च पाण्डवम्
विसृजन्तं च कौन्तेयं नानुपश्यामहे तदा

7.121.9

तथा सर्वा दिशो राजन्सर्वांश्च रथिनो रणे
आकुलीकृत्य कौन्तेयो जयद्रथमुपाद्रवत्
विव्याध च चतुःषष्ट्या शराणां नतपर्वणाम्

7.121.10

सैन्धवस्तु तथा विद्धः शरैर्गाण्डीवधन्वना
न चक्षमे सुसंक्रुद्धस्तोत्त्रार्दित इव द्विपः

7.121.11

स वराहध्वजस्तूर्णं गार्ध्रपत्रानजिह्मगान्
आशीविषसमप्रख्यान्कर्मारपरिमार्जितान्
मुमोच निशितान्संख्ये सायकान्सव्यसाचिनि

7.121.12

त्रिभिस्तु विद्ध्वा गाण्डीवं नाराचैः षड्भिरर्जुनम्
अष्टाभिर्वाजिनोऽविध्यद्ध्वजं चैकेन पत्रिणा

7.121.13

स विक्षिप्यार्जुनस्तीक्ष्णान्सैन्धवप्रेषिताञ्शरान्
युगपत्तस्य चिच्छेद शराभ्यां सैन्धवस्य ह
सारथेश्च शिरः कायाद्ध्वजं च समलंकृतम्

7.121.14

स छिन्नयष्टिः सुमहाञ्शीर्यमाणः शराहतः
वराहः सिन्धुराजस्य पपाताग्निशिखोपमः

7.121.15

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु द्रुतं गच्छति भास्करे
अब्रवीत्पाण्डवं तत्र त्वरमाणो जनार्दनः

7.121.16

धनंजय शिरश्छिन्धि सैन्धवस्य दुरात्मनः
अस्तं महीधरश्रेष्ठं यियासति दिवाकरः
शृणुष्वैव च मे वाक्यं जयद्रथवधं प्रति

7.121.17

वृद्धक्षत्रः सैन्धवस्य पिता जगति विश्रुतः
स कालेनेह महता सैन्धवं प्राप्तवान्सुतम्

7.121.18

जयद्रथममित्रघ्नं तं चोवाच ततो नृपम्
अन्तर्हिता तदा वाणी मेघदुन्दुभिनिस्वना

7.121.19

तवात्मजोऽयं मर्त्येषु कुलशीलदमादिभिः
गुणैर्भविष्यति विभो सदृशो वंशयोर्द्वयोः
क्षत्रियप्रवरो लोके नित्यं शूराभिसत्कृतः

7.121.20

शत्रुभिर्युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे त्वस्य धन्विनः
शिरश्छेत्स्यति संक्रुद्धः शत्रुर्नालक्षितो भुवि

7.121.21

एतच्छ्रुत्वा सिन्धुराजो ध्यात्वा चिरमरिंदम
ज्ञातीन्सर्वानुवाचेदं पुत्रस्नेहाभिपीडितः

7.121.22

संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य वहतो महतीं धुरम्
धरण्यां मम पुत्रस्य पातयिष्यति यः शिरः
तस्यापि शतधा मूर्धा फलिष्यति न संशयः

7.121.23

एवमुक्त्वा ततो राज्ये स्थापयित्वा जयद्रथम्
वृद्धक्षत्रो वनं यातस्तपश्चेष्टं समास्थितः

7.121.24

सोऽयं तप्यति तेजस्वी तपो घोरं दुरासदम्
समन्तपञ्चकादस्माद्बहिर्वानरकेतन

7.121.25

तस्माज्जयद्रथस्य त्वं शिरश्छित्त्वा महामृधे
दिव्येनास्त्रेण रिपुहन्घोरेणाद्भुतकर्मणा

7.121.26

सकुण्डलं सिन्धुपतेः प्रभञ्जनसुतानुज
उत्सङ्गे पातयस्वाशु वृद्धक्षत्रस्य भारत

7.121.27

अथ त्वमस्य मूर्धानं पातयिष्यसि भूतले
तवापि शतधा मूर्धा फलिष्यति न संशयः

7.121.28

यथा चैतन्न जानीयात्स राजा पृथिवीपतिः
तथा कुरु कुरुश्रेष्ठ दिव्यमस्त्रमुपाश्रितः

7.121.29

न ह्यसाध्यमकार्यं वा विद्यते तव किंचन
समस्तेष्वपि लोकेषु त्रिषु वासवनन्दन

7.121.30

एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्
इन्द्राशनिसमस्पर्शं दिव्यमन्त्राभिमन्त्रितम्

7.121.31

सर्वभारसहं शश्वद्गन्धमाल्यार्चितं शरम्
विससर्जार्जुनस्तूर्णं सैन्धवस्य वधे वृतः

7.121.32

स तु गाण्डीवनिर्मुक्तः शरः श्येन इवाशुगः
शकुन्तमिव वृक्षाग्रात्सैन्धवस्य शिरोऽहरत्

7.121.33

अहरत्तत्पुनश्चैव शरैरूर्ध्वं धनंजयः
दुर्हृदामप्रहर्षाय सुहृदां हर्षणाय च

7.121.34

शरैः कदम्बकीकृत्य काले तस्मिंश्च पाण्डवः
समन्तपञ्चकाद्बाह्यं शिरस्तद्व्यहरत्ततः

7.121.35

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु वृद्धक्षत्रो महीपतिः
संध्यामुपास्ते तेजस्वी संबन्धी तव मारिष

7.121.36

उपासीनस्य तस्याथ कृष्णकेशं सकुण्डलम्
सिन्धुराजस्य मूर्धानमुत्सङ्गे समपातयत्

7.121.37

तस्योत्सङ्गे निपतितं शिरस्तच्चारुकुण्डलम्
वृद्धक्षत्रस्य नृपतेरलक्षितमरिंदम

7.121.38

कृतजप्यस्य तस्याथ वृद्धक्षत्रस्य धीमतः
उत्तिष्ठतस्तत्सहसा शिरोऽगच्छद्धरातलम्

7.121.39

ततस्तस्य नरेन्द्रस्य पुत्रमूर्धनि भूतलम्
गते तस्यापि शतधा मूर्धागच्छदरिंदम

7.121.40

ततः सर्वाणि भूतानि विस्मयं जग्मुरुत्तमम्
वासुदेवश्च बीभत्सुं प्रशशंस महारथम्

7.121.41

ततो दृष्ट्वा विनिहतं सिन्धुराजं जयद्रथम्
पुत्राणां तव नेत्रेभ्यो दुःखाद्बह्वपतज्जलम्

7.121.42

भीमसेनोऽपि संग्रामे बोधयन्निव पाण्डवम्
सिंहनादेन महता पूरयामास रोदसी

7.121.43

तं श्रुत्वा तु महानादं धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
सैन्धवं निहतं मेने फल्गुनेन महात्मना

7.121.44

ततो वादित्रघोषेण स्वान्योधानभिहर्षयन्
अभ्यवर्तत संग्रामे भारद्वाजं युयुत्सया

7.121.45

ततः प्रववृते राजन्नस्तं गच्छति भास्करे
द्रोणस्य सोमकैः सार्धं संग्रामो लोमहर्षणः

7.121.46

ते तु सर्वप्रयत्नेन भारद्वाजं जिघांसवः
सैन्धवे निहते राजन्नयुध्यन्त महारथाः

7.121.47

पाण्डवास्तु जयं लब्ध्वा सैन्धवं विनिहत्य च
अयोधयंस्ततो द्रोणं जयोन्मत्तास्ततस्ततः

7.121.48

अर्जुनोऽपि रणे योधांस्तावकान्रथसत्तमान्
अयोधयन्महाराज हत्वा सैन्धवकं नृपम्

7.121.49

स देवशत्रूनिव देवराजः; किरीटमाली व्यधमत्समन्तात्
यथा तमांस्यभ्युदितस्तमोघ्नः; पूर्वां प्रतिज्ञां समवाप्य वीरः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing the twang, resembling the loud call of Death himself or the frightful peal of Indra's thunder, of Dhananjaya's bow, while he stretched it, that host of thine, O king, anxious with fear and exceedingly agitated, became like the waters of the sea with fishes and makaras within them, ruffled into mountain-like waves and lashed into fury by the hurricane that arises at the end of the Yuga. Then Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, careered in battle in such a way that he was seen at the same time to be present in all directions, displaying his wonderful weapons. Indeed, so light-handed was the son of Pandu that we could not mark when he took out his shafts, O king, when he fixed them on the bow-string, when he stretched the bow, and when he let them off. Then the mighty-armed one, O king, excited with wrath, invoked into existence the invincible Aindra weapon, frightening all the Bharatas. Hundreds and thousands of blazing shafts of fiery mouths, inspired by mantras with the force of celestial weapons, flowed from it. With those shafts resembling fire or the rays of the sun, coursing with fierce impetuosity, the welkin became incapable of being

gazed at, as if filled with flashing meteors. Then that darkness which had been caused by the Katirava with their arrows, which was incapable of being dispersed even in imagination by others, the son of Pandu, careering around and displaying his prowess, destroyed by means of those shafts of his that were inspired by means of mantras with the force of celestial weapons, like the sun himself speedily dispersing at dawn of day the darkness of night by means of his rays. Then the puissant Arjuna, with those blazing shafts of his, sucked the lives of thy warriors like the summer sun sucking with his hot rays the waters of tanks and lakes. Indeed, showers of shafts endued with the force of celestial weapons, (shot by Arjuna) covered the hostile army like the rays of the sun covering the earth. Other arrows of fierce energy, sped (by Dhananjaya), quickly entered the hearts of (hostile) heroes, like dear friends. Indeed, those brave warriors that came in that battle before Arjuna, all perished like insects approaching a blazing fire. Thus crushing the lives of his foes and their fame, Partha careered in that battle like Death in embodied form. Heads decked with diadems, massive arms, adorned with Angadas, and ears with ear-rings of the foes, Partha, cut off with his shafts. The arms, with spears, of elephant-riders; those, with lances, of horsemen; those, with shields, of foot-soldiers; those with bows, of car-warriors; and those, with whips and goads, of charioteers the son of Pandu cut off. Indeed, Dhananjaya looked resplendent with his shafts of blazing points that seemed to constitute his rays, like a blazing fire with incessant sparks and rising flames. The hostile kings, mustering all their resolution, could not even gaze at Dhananjaya, that foremost of all bearers of arms, that hero equal to the chief of the gods himself, that bull among men, seen at the same time in all directions on his car, scattering his mighty weapons, dancing in the tract of his car, and producing deafening sounds with his bowstring and palms, and resembling the midday sun of scorching rays in the firmament. Bearing his shafts of blazing points, the diadem-decked Arjuna looked beautiful like a mighty mass of rain-charged clouds in the season of rains decked with a rainbow. When that perfect flood of mighty weapons was set in motion by Jishnu, many bulls among warriors sank in that frightful and unfordable flood. Strewn with infuriated elephants whose trunks or tusks had been cut off, with steeds deprived of hoofs or necks, with cars reduced to pieces, with warriors having their entrails drawn out and others with legs or other limbs cut off, with bodies lying in hundreds and thousands that were either perfectly still or moving unconsciously, we beheld the vast field, on which Partha battled, resembled the coveted arena of Death, O king, enhancing the terrors of the timid, or like the sporting ground of Rudra when he destroyed creatures in days of old. Portions of the field, strewn with the trunks of elephants cut off with razor-headed arrows, looked as if strewn with snakes. Portions, again, covered with the cut-off heads of warriors, looked as if strewn with garlands of lotuses. Variegated with beautiful head-gear and crowns, Keyuras and Angadas and car-rings with coats of mail decked with gold, and with the trappings and other

ornaments of elephants and steeds, and scattered over with hundreds of diadems, lying here and there, and the earth looked exceedingly beautiful like a new bride. Dhananjaya then caused a fierce and terrible river full of fearful objects and enhancing the fear of the timid, to flow resembling the Vaitarani itself. The marrow and fat (of men and animals) formed its mire. Blood formed its current. Full of limbs and bones, it was fathomless in depth. The hairs of creatures formed its moss and weeds. Heads and arms formed the stones on its shores. It was decked with standards and banners that variegated its aspect. Umbrellas and bows formed the waves. And it abounded with bodies of huge elephants deprived of life, and it teemed with cars that formed hundreds of rafts floating on its surface. And the carcases of countless steeds formed its banks. And it was difficult to cross in consequence of wheels and yokes and shafts and Akshas and Kuveras of cars, and spears and swords and darts and battle-axes and shafts looking like snakes. And ravens and kankas formed its alligators. And jackals, forming its Makaras, made in terrible. And fierce vultures formed its sharks. And it became frightful in consequence of the howls of jackals. And it abounded with capering ghosts and Pisachas and thousands of other kinds of spirits. And on it floated countless bodies of warriors destitute of life. Beholding that prowess of Arjuna whose visage then resembled that of the Destroyer himself, a panic, such as had never occurred before, possessed the Kurus on the field of battle. The son of Pandu, then, baffling with his weapons those of the hostile heroes, and engaged in achieving fierce feats, gave all to understand that he was a warrior of fierce feats. Then Arjuna transgressed all those foremost of car-warriors, like the midday sun of scorching rays in the firmament, no one amongst the creatures there could even look at him. The shafts issuing out of the bow Gandiva of that illustrious hero in that battle, seemed to us to resemble a row of cranes in the welkin. Baffling with his own the weapons of all those heroes, and showing by the terrible achievements in which he was engaged that he was a warrior of fierce feats. Arjuna, desirous of slaying Jayadratha, transgressed all those foremost of car-warriors, stupefying them all by means of his shafts. Shooting his shafts on all sides, Dhananjaya, having Krishna for his charioteer, presented a beautiful sight by careering with great speed on the field of battle. The shafts in the welkin, by hundreds and thousands, of that illustrious hero, seemed to course incessantly through the sky. We never could notice when that mighty bowman took out his shafts, when indeed, that son of Pandu aimed them, and when he let them off. Then, O king, filling all the points of the compass with his shafts and afflicting all the car-warriors in battle, the son of Kunti proceeded towards Jayadratha and pierced him with four and sixty straight arrows. Then the Kuru warriors, beholding the son of Pandu proceeded towards Jayadratha, all abstained from battle. In fact, those heroes became hopeless of Jayadratha's life. Every one amongst thy warriors that rushed in that fierce battle against the son of Pandu, had his body deeply pierced, O lord, with a shaft of Arjuna. The

mighty car-warrior Arjuna, that foremost of victorious persons, with his shafts blazing as fire made thy army teem with headless trunks. 1 Indeed, O king, thus creating a perfect confusion in thy host consisting of four kinds of forces, the son of Kunti proceeded towards Jayadratha, And he pierced the son of Drona. with fifty shafts and Vrishasena with three. And the son of Kunti mildly struck Kripa with nine arrows, and he struck Salya with sixteen arrows and Karna with two and thirty. And piercing the ruler of the Sindhus then with four and sixty arrows, he uttered a leonine shout. The ruler of the Sindhus, however, thus pierced by the wielder of Gandiva with his arrows, became filled with rage and unable to brook it, like an elephant when pierced with the hook. Bearing the device of the boar on his banner, he quickly sped towards Phalguna's car many straight shafts equipped with vulturine feathers, resembling angry snakes of virulent poison, well-polished by the hands of the smith, and shot from his bow drawn to the fullest stretch. Then piercing Govinda with three shafts, he struck Arjuna with six. And then he pierced the steeds of Arjuna with eight arrows and his standard also with one. Then Arjuna, baffling the keen arrows sped by the ruler of the Sindhus, cut off at the same time, with a pair of shafts, the head of Jayadratha's driver and the well-decked standard also of Jayadratha. Its stay cut off and itself pierced and struck with arrows, that standard fell down like a flame of fire. Meanwhile, the sun was going down quickly. Janardana then quickly addressed the son of Pandu and said, 'Behold, O Partha, the ruler of the Sindhus hath, by six mighty and heroic car-warriors, been placed in their-midst! Jayadratha also, O mighty-armed one, is waiting there in fear! Without vanquishing those six car-warriors in battle, O bull among men, thou wilt never be able to slay the ruler of the Sindhus even if thou exertest thyself without intermission. I shall, therefore, resort to Yoga for shrouding the sun. Then the ruler of the Sindhus will (in consequence) behold the sun to have set. Desirous of life, O lord, through joy that wicked wight will no longer, for his destruction, conceal himself. Availing yourself of that opportunity, thou shouldst then, O best of the Kurus, strike him. Thou shouldst not give up the enterprise, thinking the sun to have really set.' Hearing these words, Vibhatsu replied unto Kesava, saying, 'Let it be so.' Then Krishna otherwise called Hari, possessed of ascetic powers, that lord of all ascetics, having taken recourse to Yoga, created that darkness. Thy warriors, O king, thinking the sun to have set were filled with delight at the prospect of Partha's laying down his life. Indeed, thy warriors, not seeing the sun, were filled with gladness. All of them stood, with heads thrown backwards. King Jayadratha also was in the same attitude. And while the ruler of the Sindhus was thus beholding the sun, Krishna, once more addressing Dhananjaya said these words, 'Behold, the heroic ruler of the Sindhus is now looking at the sun, casting off his fear of thee, O foremost one among

the Bharatas! This is the hour, O mighty-armed one, for the slaughter of that wicked-souled wretch. Speedily cut off the head and make thy vow true.' Thus addressed by Kesava the valiant son of Pandu began to slaughter thy host with his arrows resembling the sun or fire in splendour. And he pierced Kripa with twenty arrows and Karna with fifty. And he struck Salya and Duryodhana each with six. And he pierced Vrishasena with eight arrows and the ruler of the Sindhus himself with sixty. And the mighty-armed son of Pandu, O king, deeply piercing with his arrows the other warriors of thy host, rushed against Jayadratha. Beholding him in their presence like a swelling fire with its tongue of flame outstretched, the protectors of Jayadratha were sorely puzzled. Then all the warriors, O king, desirous of victory bathed the son of Indra in that battle with torrents of arrows. Shrouded with incessant showers of arrows, the son of Kunti, that mighty-armed and unvanquished descendant of Kuru, became filled with rage. Then that tiger among men, viz., the son of Indra, desirous of slaughtering thy host, created a thick net of arrows. Then those warriors of thine, O king, thus slaughtered in battle by that hero, abandoned the ruler of the Sindhus in fear and fled away. And they fled away in such a manner that no two persons could be seen flying together. The prowess that we then beheld of Kunti's son was extremely wonderful. Indeed, the like of what that illustrious warrior then did had never been nor will ever be. Like Rudra himself slaughtering creatures, Dhananjaya slaughtered elephants and elephant-riders, horses and horse-riders, and (car-warriors and) car-drivers. I did not in that battle, O king, see a single elephant or steed or human warrior that was not struck with Partha's shafts. Their vision blurred by dust and darkness, thy warriors became perfectly cheerless and unable to distinguish one another. Urged on by fate and with their vital limbs cut open and mangled with shafts, they began to wander or, limp, or fall down. And some amongst them, O Bharata, became paralysed and some became deathly pale. During that terrible carnage resembling the slaughter of creatures at the end of the Yuga, in that deadly and fierce battle from which few could escape with life, the earth became drenched with gore and the earthy dust that had arisen disappeared in consequence of the showers of blood that fell and the swift currents of wind that blew over the field. So deep was that rain of blood that the wheels of cars sank to their naves. Thousands of infuriated elephants endued with great speed, O king, of thy army, their riders slain and limbs mangled, fled away, uttering cries of pain and crushing friendly ranks with their tread. Steeds destitute of riders and foot-soldiers also, O king, fled away, O monarch, from fear, struck with the shafts of Dhananjaya. Indeed, thy soldiers, with dishevelled hair and deprived of their coats of mail, with blood streaming out of their wounds, fled away in terror, leaving the field of battle. And some, deprived of the power of motion as if their lower limbs had been seized by alligators, remained on the field. And others concealed themselves behind and under the bodies of slain elephants Routing thy host thus, O king, Dhananjaya began to strike with terrible

shafts the protectors of the ruler of the Sindhus with his arrowy showers, Karna and Drona's son and Kripa and Salya and Vrishasena and Duryodhana. So quick was he in the use of weapons that no one could mark when Arjuna took out his arrows, when he fixed them on the bowstring, when he stretched---the bow and let them off. Indeed, while striking the foe, his bow was seen incessantly drawn to a circle. His arrows also were seen incessantly issuing out of his bow and scattered in all directions. Then cutting off Karna's bow as also of Vrishasena's, Arjuna felled Salya's driver from his niche in the car, with a broad-headed arrow. With many arrows that foremost of victors, viz., Dhananjaya, then deeply pierced in that battle Kripa and Aswatthaman, related as uncle and nephew to each other. Sorely afflicting those mighty car-warriors of thy army thus, the son of Pandu took up a terrible arrow of fiery splendour. Looking like the thunderbolt of Indra, and inspired with divine mantras, that formidable arrow was capable of bearing any strain. And it had been always worshipped with incense and garlands of flowers. Duly inspiring it (by mantras) with the force of the thunderbolt, that descendant, of Kuru, viz., the mighty-armed Arjuna, fixed it on Gandiva. When that arrow of fiery effulgence was fixed on the bowstring, loud shouts, O king, were heard in the welkin. Then Janardana, once more addressing Arjuna, quickly said, 'O Dhananjaya, quickly cut off the head of the wicked-souled ruler of the Sindhus! The sun is about to get at the mountain of Asta. Listen, however, to the words I say about the slaughter of Jayadratha. The father of Jayadratha is Vriddhakshatra known all over the world. It was after a long time that he got Jayadratha, that slayer of foes, for his son. (At the birth of the son) an incorporeal and invisible voice, deep as that of the clouds or of the drum, said unto king Vriddhakshatra. 'This thy son, O lord, amongst men in this world will become worthy of the two races (viz., the Solar and the Lunar) in respect of blood, behaviour, self-restraint and the other attributes. He will become one of the foremost of Kshatriyas, and will always be worshipped by heroes. But while struggling in battle, some bull among the Kshatriyas, some conspicuous person in the world, excited with wrath, will cut off this one's head.' That chastiser of foes, viz., the (old) ruler of the Sindhus, hearing these words, reflected for sometime. Overwhelmed with affection for his son, he summoned all his kinsmen and said, 'That man who will cause the head of my son to fall on the earth while the latter, struggling in battle, will be bearing a great burthen, I say that the head of that man will certainly crack into a hundred pieces.' Having spoken these words and installed Jayadratha on the throne, Vriddhakshatra, repairing to the woods, devoted himself to ascetic austerities. Endued with great energy, he is still engaged in the observance of the austerest of penances outside this very Samantapanchaka, O ape-bannered one! Therefore, cutting off Jayadratha's head in this dreadful battle, thou, O slayer of foes, shouldst, O Bharata, by thy fierce celestial weapon of wonderful feats, quickly throw that head decked with car-rings upon the lap of Vriddhakshatra himself, O younger brother of the son of the Wind-god! If thou fellest Jayadratha's head on

the earth, thy own head, then, without doubt, will crack into a hundred fragments. Aided by thy celestial weapon, do thee deed in such a way that the lord of earth viz., the old Sindhu king, may not know that it is done. Truly, O Arjuna, there is nothing in the three worlds which thou canst not achieve or do, O son of Vasava!' Hearing these words (of Krishna), Dhananjaya, licking the corners of his mouth, quickly shot that arrow which he had taken up for Jayadratha's slaughter, that arrow, viz., whose touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, which was inspired with mantras and converted into a celestial weapon, which was capable of bearing any strain, and which had always been worshipped with incense and garlands. That shaft, sped from Gandiva, coursing swiftly, snatched Jayadratha's head away, like a hawk snatching away a smaller bird from the top of a tree. Dhananjaya, then, with his shafts, sent that head along in the welkin (without allowing it to fall down). For grieving his foes and gladdening his friends, the son of Pandu, by shooting his shafts repeatedly at it, sent that head outside the limits of Samantapanchaka. Meanwhile, king Vriddhakshatra, the father of thy son-in-law, endued with great energy, was, O sire, engaged in his evening prayers. Decked with black locks and adorned with ear-rings, that head of Jayadratha was thrown upon Vriddhakshatra's lap, as the latter was saying his prayers in a sitting posture. Thus thrown on his lap, that head decked with car-rings, O chastiser of foes, was not seen by king Vriddhakshatra. As the latter, however, stood up after finishing his prayers it suddenly fell down on the earth. And as the head of Jayadratha fell down on the earth, the head of Vriddhakshatra, O chastiser of foes, cracked into a hundred pieces. At the sight of this, all creatures were filled with wonder. And all of them applauded Vasudeva and the mighty Vibhatsu.

"After, O king, the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain by the diadem-decked Arjuna, that darkness, O bull of Bharata's race, was withdrawn by Vasudeva. Thy sons with their followers, O king, thus, came to know subsequently that the darkness, they had seen, had all been an illusion produced by Vasudeva. Even thus, O king, was thy son-in-law, the ruler of the Sindhus, having caused eight Akshauhinis to be slaughtered, himself slain by Partha of inconceivable energy. Beholding Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus slain, tears of sorrow fell from the eyes of thy sons. After Jayadratha, O king, had been slain by Partha, Kesava blew his conch and that scorcher of foes, viz., the mighty-armed Arjuna also blew his; Bhimasena also, in that battle, as if for sending a message to Yudhishthira, filled the welkin with a tremendous leonine shout. Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, bearing that tremendous shout understood that the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain by the high-souled Phalguna. With sounds of drums and other instruments he gladdened the warriors of his own army, and proceeded against the son of Bharadwaja from desire of battle. Then commenced, O king, after the sun had set, a fierce battle between Drona and the Somakas, that made the very hair stand on end. Desirous of slaying him, those mighty car-warriors after the fall of Jayadratha, fought with the

son of Bharadwaja, exerting themselves to their utmost. Indeed, the Pandavas, having got the victory by slaying the ruler of the Sindhus fought with Drona, intoxicated with success. Arjuna, also, O king, having slain king Jayadratha, fought with many mighty car-warriors of thy army. Indeed, that hero decked with diadem and garlands, having accomplished his former vow, began to destroy his foes like the chief of the celestials destroying the Danavas, or the sun destroying darkness.'

318:1 The second line of 94 I render a little freely to make the sense clearer.

321:1 A Kavandha is a headless trunk moving about as if endued with life. Tales are told of these headless beings drinking the blood of victims falling within their grasp.

7.122.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तस्मिन्विनिहते वीरे सैन्धवे सव्यसाचिना
मामका यदकुर्वन्त तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.122.2

संजय उवाच
सैन्धवं निहतं दृष्ट्वा रणे पार्थेन मारिष
अमर्षवशमापन्नः कृपः शारद्वतस्तदा

7.122.3

महता शरवर्षेण पाण्डवं समवाकिरत्
द्रौणिश्चाभ्यद्रवत्पार्थं रथमास्थाय फल्गुनम्

7.122.4

तावेनं रथिनां श्रेष्ठौ रथाभ्यां रथसत्तमम्
उभावुभयतस्तीक्ष्णैर्विशिखैरभ्यवर्षताम्

7.122.5

स तथा शरवर्षाभ्यां सुमहद्भ्यां महाभुजः
पीड्यमानः परामार्तिमगमद्रथिनां वरः

7.122.6

सोऽजिघांसुर्गुरुं संख्ये गुरोस्तनयमेव च
चकाराचार्यकं तत्र कुन्तीपुत्रो धनंजयः

7.122.7

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्रौणेः शारद्वतस्य च
मन्दवेगानिषूंस्ताभ्यामजिघांसुरवासृजत्

7.122.8

ते नातिभृशमभ्यघ्नन्विशिखा जयचोदिताः
बहुत्वात्तु परामार्तिं शराणां तावगच्छताम्

7.122.9

अथ शारद्वतो राजन्कौन्तेयशरपीडितः
अवासीदद्रथोपस्थे मूर्च्छामभिजगाम ह

7.122.10

विह्वलं तमभिज्ञाय भर्तारं शरपीडितम्
हतोऽयमिति च ज्ञात्वा सारथिस्तमपावहत्

7.122.11

तस्मिन्सन्ने महाराज कृपे शारद्वते युधि
अश्वत्थामाप्यपायासीत्पाण्डवेयाद्रथान्तरम्

7.122.12

दृष्ट्वा शारद्वतं पार्थो मूर्छितं शरपीडितम्
रथ एव महेष्वासः कृपणं पर्यदेवयत्

7.122.13

पश्यन्निदं महाप्राज्ञः क्षत्ता राजानमुक्तवान्
कुलान्तकरणे पापे जातमात्रे सुयोधने

7.122.14

नीयतां परलोकाय साध्वयं कुलपांसनः
अस्माद्धि कुरुमुख्यानां महदुत्पत्स्यते भयम्

7.122.15

तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं वचनं सत्यवादिनः
तत्कृते ह्यद्य पश्यामि शरतल्पगतं कृपम्

7.122.16

धिगस्तु क्षात्रमाचारं धिगस्तु बलपौरुषम्
को हि ब्राह्मणमाचार्यमभिद्रुह्येत मादृशः

7.122.17

ऋषिपुत्रो ममाचार्यो द्रोणस्य दयितः सखा
एष शेते रथोपस्थे मद्बाणैरभिपीडितः

7.122.18

अकामयानेन मया विशिखैरर्दितो भृशम्
अवासीदद्रथोपस्थे प्राणान्पीडयतीव मे

7.122.19

शरार्दितेन हि मया प्रेक्षणीयो महाद्युतिः
प्रत्यस्तो बहुभिर्बाणैर्दशधर्मगतेन वै

7.122.20

शोचयत्येष निपतन्भूयः पुत्रवधाद्धि माम्
कृपणं स्वरथे सन्नं पश्य कृष्ण यथा गतम्

7.122.21

उपाकृत्य तु वै विद्यामाचार्येभ्यो नरर्षभाः
प्रयच्छन्तीह ये कामान्देवत्वमुपयान्ति ते

7.122.22

ये तु विद्यामुपादाय गुरुभ्यः पुरुषाधमाः
घ्नन्ति तानेव दुर्वृत्तास्ते वै निरयगामिनः

7.122.23

तदिदं नरकायाद्य कृतं कर्म मया ध्रुवम्
आचार्यं शरवर्षेण रथे सादयता कृपम्

7.122.24

यत्तत्पूर्वमुपाकुर्वन्नस्त्रं मामब्रवीत्कृपः
न कथंचन कौरव्य प्रहर्तव्यं गुराविति

7.122.25

तदिदं वचनं साधोराचार्यस्य महात्मनः
नानुष्ठितं तमेवाजौ विशिखैरभिवर्षता

7.122.26

नमस्तस्मै सुपूज्याय गौतमायापलायिने
धिगस्तु मम वार्ष्णेय यो ह्यस्मै प्रहराम्यहम्

7.122.27

तथा विलपमाने तु सव्यसाचिनि तं प्रति
सैन्धवं निहतं दृष्ट्वा राधेयः समुपाद्रवत्

7.122.28

उपायान्तं तु राधेयं दृष्ट्वा पार्थो महारथः
प्रहसन्देवकीपुत्रमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

7.122.29

एष प्रयात्याधिरथिः सात्यकेः स्यन्दनं प्रति
न मृष्यति हतं नूनं भूरिश्रवसमाहवे

7.122.30

यत्र यात्येष तत्र त्वं चोदयाश्वाञ्जनार्दन
मा सोमदत्तेः पदवीं गमयेत्सात्यकिं वृषः

7.122.31

एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः केशवः सव्यसाचिना
प्रत्युवाच महातेजाः कालयुक्तमिदं वचः

7.122.32

अलमेष महाबाहुः कर्णायैको हि पाण्डव
किं पुनर्द्रौपदेयाभ्यां सहितः सात्वतर्षभः

7.122.33

न च तावत्क्षमः पार्थ कर्णेन तव संगरः
प्रज्वलन्ती महोल्केव तिष्ठत्यस्य हि वासवी
त्वदर्थं पूज्यमानैषा रक्ष्यते परवीरहन्

7.122.34

अतः कर्णः प्रयात्वत्र सात्वतस्य यथा तथा
अहं ज्ञास्यामि कौरव्य कालमस्य दुरात्मनः

7.122.35

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
योऽसौ कर्णेन वीरेण वार्ष्णेयस्य समागमः
हते तु भूरिश्रवसि सैन्धवे च निपातिते

7.122.36

सात्यकिश्चापि विरथः कं समारूढवान्रथम्
चक्ररक्षौ च पाञ्चाल्यौ तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.122.37

संजय उवाच
हन्त ते वर्णयिष्यामि यथावृत्तं महारणे
शुश्रूषस्व स्थिरो भूत्वा दुराचरितमात्मनः

7.122.38

पूर्वमेव हि कृष्णस्य मनोगतमिदं प्रभो
विजेतव्यो यथा वीरः सात्यकिर्यूपकेतुना

7.122.39

अतीतानागतं राजन्स हि वेत्ति जनार्दनः
अतः सूतं समाहूय दारुकं संदिदेश ह
रथो मे युज्यतां काल्यमिति राजन्महाबलः

7.122.40

न हि देवा न गन्धर्वा न यक्षोरगराक्षसाः
मानवा वा विजेतारः कृष्णयोः सन्ति केचन

7.122.41

पितामहपुरोगाश्च देवाः सिद्धाश्च तं विदुः
तयोः प्रभावमतुलं शृणु युद्धं च तद्यथा

7.122.42

सात्यकिं विरथं दृष्ट्वा कर्णं चाभ्युद्यतायुधम्
दध्मौ शङ्खं महावेगमार्षभेणाथ माधवः

7.122.43

दारुकोऽवेत्य संदेशं श्रुत्वा शङ्खस्य च स्वनम्
रथमन्वानयत्तस्मै सुपर्णोच्छ्रितकेतनम्

7.122.44

स केशवस्यानुमते रथं दारुकसंयुतम्
आरुरोह शिनेः पौत्रो ज्वलनादित्यसंनिभम्

7.122.45

कामगैः सैन्यसुग्रीवमेघपुष्पबलाहकैः
हयोदग्रैर्महावेगैर्हेमभाण्डविभूषितैः

7.122.46

युक्तं समारुह्य च तं विमानप्रतिमं रथम्
अभ्यद्रवत राधेयं प्रवपन्सायकान्बहून्

7.122.47

चक्ररक्षावपि तदा युधामन्यूत्तमौजसौ
धनंजयरथं हित्वा राधेयं प्रत्युदीययुः

7.122.48

राधेयोऽपि महाराज शरवर्षं समुत्सृजन्
अभ्यद्रवत्सुसंक्रुद्धो रणे शैनेयमच्युतम्

7.122.49

नैव दैवं न गान्धर्वं नासुरोरगराक्षसम्
तादृशं भुवि वा युद्धं दिवि वा श्रुतमित्युत

7.122.50

उपारमत तत्सैन्यं सरथाश्वनरद्विपम्
तयोर्दृष्ट्वा महाराज कर्म संमूढचेतनम्

7.122.51

सर्वे च समपश्यन्त तद्युद्धमतिमानुषम्
तयोर्नृवरयो राजन्सारथ्यं दारुकस्य च

7.122.52

गतप्रत्यागतावृत्तैर्मण्डलैः संनिवर्तनैः
सारथेस्तु रथस्थस्य काश्यपेयस्य विस्मिताः

7.122.53

नभस्तलगताश्चैव देवगन्धर्वदानवाः
अतीवावहिता द्रष्टुं कर्णशैनेययो रणम्

7.122.54

मित्रार्थे तौ पराक्रान्तौ स्पर्धिनौ शुष्मिणौ रणे
कर्णश्चामरसंकाशो युयुधानश्च सात्यकिः

7.122.55

अन्योन्यं तौ महाराज शरवर्षैरवर्षताम्
प्रममाथ शिनेः पौत्रं कर्णः सायकवृष्टिभिः

7.122.56

अमृष्यमाणो निधनं कौरव्यजलसंधयोः
कर्णः शोकसमाविष्टो महोरग इव श्वसन्

7.122.57

स शैनेयं रणे क्रुद्धः प्रदहन्निव चक्षुषा
अभ्यद्रवत वेगेन पुनः पुनररिंदमः

7.122.58

तं तु संप्रेक्ष्य संक्रुद्धं सात्यकिः प्रत्यविध्यत
महता शरवर्षेण गजः प्रतिगजं यथा

7.122.59

तौ समेत्य नरव्याघ्रौ व्याघ्राविव तरस्विनौ
अन्योन्यं संततक्षाते रणेऽनुपमविक्रमौ

7.122.60

ततः कर्णं शिनेः पौत्रः सर्वपारशवैः शरैः
बिभेद सर्वगात्रेषु पुनः पुनररिंदमः

7.122.61

सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपाहरत्
अश्वांश्च चतुरः श्वेतान्निजघ्ने निशितैः शरैः

7.122.62

छित्त्वा ध्वजं शतेनैव शतधा पुरुषर्षभः
चकार विरथं कर्णं तव पुत्रस्य पश्यतः

7.122.63

ततो विमनसो राजंस्तावकाः पुरुषर्षभाः
वृषसेनः कर्णसुतः शल्यो मद्राधिपस्तथा

7.122.64

द्रोणपुत्रश्च शैनेयं सर्वतः पर्यवारयन्
ततः पर्याकुलं सर्वं न प्राज्ञायत किंचन

7.122.65

तथा सात्यकिना वीरे विरथे सूतजे कृते
हाहाकारस्ततो राजन्सर्वसैन्येषु चाभवत्

7.122.66

कर्णोऽपि विह्वलो राजन्सात्वतेनार्दितः शरैः
दुर्योधनरथं राजन्नारुरोह विनिःश्वसन्

7.122.67

मानयंस्तव पुत्रस्य बाल्यात्प्रभृति सौहृदम्
कृतां राज्यप्रदानेन प्रतिज्ञां परिपालयन्

7.122.68

तथा तु विरथे कर्णे पुत्रान्वै तव पार्थिव
दुःशासनमुखाञ्शूरान्नावधीत्सात्यकिर्वशी

7.122.69

रक्षन्प्रतिज्ञां च पुनर्भीमसेनकृतां पुरा
विरथान्विह्वलांश्चक्रे न तु प्राणैर्व्ययोजयत्

7.122.70

भीमसेनेन तु वधः पुत्राणां ते प्रतिश्रुतः
पुनर्द्यूते च पार्थेन वधः कर्णस्य संश्रुतः

7.122.71

वधे त्वकुर्वन्यत्नं ते तस्य कर्णमुखास्तदा
नाशक्नुवंश्च तं हन्तुं सात्यकिं प्रवरा रथाः

7.122.72

द्रौणिश्च कृतवर्मा च तथैवान्ये महारथाः
निर्जिता धनुषैकेन शतशः क्षत्रियर्षभाः
काङ्क्षता परलोकं च धर्मराजस्य च प्रियम्

7.122.73

कृष्णयोः सदृशो वीर्ये सात्यकिः शत्रुकर्शनः
कृष्णो वापि भवेल्लोके पार्थो वापि धनुर्धरः
शैनेयो वा नरव्याघ्रश्चतुर्थो नोपलभ्यते

7.122.74

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अजय्यं रथमास्थाय वासुदेवस्य सात्यकिः
विरथं कृतवान्कर्णं वासुदेवसमो युवा

7.122.75

दारुकेण समायुक्तं स्वबाहुबलदर्पितः
कच्चिदन्यं समारूढः स रथं सात्यकिः पुनः

7.122.76

एतदिच्छाम्यहं श्रोतुं कुशलो ह्यसि भाषितुम्
असह्यं तमहं मन्ये तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.122.77

संजय उवाच
शृणु राजन्यथा तस्य रथमन्यं महामतिः
दारुकस्यानुजस्तूर्णं कल्पनाविधिकल्पितम्

7.122.78

आयसैः काञ्चनैश्चापि पट्टैर्नद्धं सकूबरम्
तारासहस्रखचितं सिंहध्वजपताकिनम्

7.122.79

अश्वैर्वातजवैर्युक्तं हेमभाण्डपरिच्छदैः
पाण्डुरैरिन्दुसंकाशैः सर्वशब्दातिगैर्दृढैः

7.122.80

चित्रकाञ्चनसंनाहैर्वाजिमुख्यैर्विशां पते
घण्टाजालाकुलरवं शक्तितोमरविद्युतम्

7.122.81

वृतं सांग्रामिकैर्द्रव्यैर्बहुशस्त्रपरिच्छदम्
रथं संपादयामास मेघगम्भीरनिस्वनम्

7.122.82

तं समारुह्य शैनेयस्तव सैन्यमुपाद्रवत्
दारुकोऽपि यथाकामं प्रययौ केशवान्तिकम्

7.122.83

कर्णस्यापि महाराज शङ्खगोक्षीरपाण्डुरैः
चित्रकाञ्चनसंनाहैः सदश्वैर्वेगवत्तरैः

7.122.84

हेमकक्ष्याध्वजोपेतं कॢप्तयन्त्रपताकिनम्
अग्र्यं रथं सुयन्तारं बहुशस्त्रपरिच्छदम्

7.122.85

उपाजह्रुस्तमास्थाय कर्णोऽप्यभ्यद्रवद्रिपून्
एतत्ते सर्वमाख्यातं यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि

7.122.86

भूयश्चापि निबोध त्वं तवापनयजं क्षयम्
एकत्रिंशत्तव सुता भीमसेनेन पातिताः

7.122.87

दुर्मुखं प्रमुखे कृत्वा सततं चित्रयोधिनम्
शतशो निहताः शूराः सात्वतेनार्जुनेन च

7.122.88

भीष्मं प्रमुखतः कृत्वा भगदत्तं च मारिष
एवमेष क्षयो वृत्तो राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya, what did my warriors do after the heroic ruler of the Sindhus had been slain, by Arjuna.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the ruler of the Sindhus, O sire, slain in battle by Partha, Kripa, the son of Saradwat, under the influence of wrath, covered the son of Pandu with a dense shower of arrows. Drona's son also, on his car, rushed against Phalguna, the son of Pritha. Those two foremost of car-warriors began from their cars to shower from opposite directions upon the son of Pandu their keen arrows. That foremost of car-warriors, viz., the mighty-armed Arjuna, afflicted by those arrowy showers of (Kripa and Drona's son) felt great pain. Without desiring, however, to slay his preceptor (Kripa) as also the son of (his other preceptor) Drona, Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, began to act like a preceptor in arms. Baffling with his own weapons those of both Aswatthaman and Kripa, he sped at them, without desiring to slay them, shafts that coursed mildly. Those shafts, however (though mildly), shot by Jaya struck the two with great force, and in consequence of their number, caused great pain to Kripa and his nephew. Then Saradwat's son, O king, thus afflicted with the arrows of Arjuna, lost all strength and swooned away on the terrace of his car. Understanding his master afflicted with shafts to be deprived of his senses, and believing him to be dead, the driver of Kripa's car bore Kripa away from the fight. And after Kripa, the son of Saradwat, had thus been borne away from the battle, Aswatthaman also, from fear, fled away from the son of Pandu. Then the mighty bowman, Partha, beholding the son of Saradwat afflicted with shafts and in a swoon, began to indulge, on his car, in piteous lamentations. With a tearful face and in great dejection of heart, he uttered these words: Beholding all this (in his mental vision), Vidura of great wisdom had, on the birth of the wretched Suyodhana, that exterminator of his race, said unto Dhritarashtra, 'Let this wretch of his race be soon killed. Owing to him, a great calamity will overtake the foremost ones of Kuru's race.` Alas, these words of the truth-telling Vidura have come to be true. It is for him that I behold my preceptor today lying on a bed of arrows. Fie on the practices of Kshatriya!

[paragraph continues] Fie on my might and prowess! Who else like me would fight with a Brahmana that is, besides his preceptor? Kripa is the son of a Rishi; he is, again, my preceptor; he is also the dear friend of Drona. Alas, he lieth stretched on the terrace of his car, afflicted with my arrows. Though not wishing it, I have still been the means of crushing him with my shafts. Lying senseless on the terrace of his car, he paineth my heart exceedingly. Even though he afflicted me with shafts, I should still have only looked at that warrior of dazzling splendour (without striking him in return). Struck with numerous shafts of mine, he hath gone the way of all creatures. By that he hath pained me more than even the slaughter of my own son. Behold, O Krishna, to what plight he hath been reduced, thus lying miserably and in a senseless state on his own car. Those bulls among men that give desirable objects unto their preceptors after obtaining knowledge from them, attain to godhead. Those lowest of mortals on the other hand, who, after obtaining knowledge from their preceptors strike the latter, those wicked men, go to hell. Without doubt, this act that I have done will lead me to hell. I have deeply pierced my preceptor on his car with showers of arrows. While studying the science of arms at his feet, Kripa told me in those days, 'Do not, O thou of Kuru's race, ever strike thy preceptor. That command of my righteous and high-souled preceptor I have not obeyed, for I have struck, the very Kripa himself with my shafts. I bow to that worshipful son of Gotama, to that unretreating hero. Fie on me, O thou of Vrishni's race, since I have struck even him.' While Savyasachin was thus lamenting for Kripa, the son of Radha, beholding the ruler of the Sindhu slain, rushed towards him. Seeing the son of Radha thus rushing towards Arjuna the two Panchala princes and Satyaki suddenly rushed towards him. The mighty car-warrior, Partha, beholding the son of Radha advancing, smilingly addressed the son of Devaki and said, 'Yonder cometh the son of Adhiratha against the car of Satyaki. Without doubt, he is unable to bear the slaughter of Bhurisravas in battle. Urge my steeds, O Janardana, towards the spot whither Karna cometh. Let not Vrisha (Karna) cause the Satwata hero to follow in the wake of Bhurisravas.' Thus addressed by Savyasachin, the mighty-armed Kesava, endued with great energy, replied in these opportune words, 'The mighty-armed Satyaki is singly a match for Karna, O son of Pandu! How much superior then will this bull among the Satwatas be when he is united with the two sons of Drupada! For the present, O Partha, it is not proper for thee to fight with Karna. The latter hath with him the blazing dart, like a fierce meteor, that Vasava gave him. O slayer of hostile heroes, he hath kept it for thy sake, worshipping it with reverence. Let Karna then freely proceed against the Satwata hero. I know, O son of Kunti, this wicked wight's hour, when, indeed, thou wilt, with keen shafts, throw him down from his car.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya, how the battle took place between the heroic Karna and Satyaki of the Vrishni race, after the fall of Bhurisravas and of the ruler of the Sindhus. Satyaki had been carless,

upon what car then was he mounted? And how also did the two protectors of the wheels (of Arjuna's car), viz., the two Panchala princes, fight?'

"Sanjaya said, 'I will describe to thee all that happened in that dreadful battle. Listen patiently to (the consequences of) thy own evil conduct. Before even the encounter, Krishna knew it in his heart that the heroic Satyaki would be vanquished by the stake-bannered (Bhurisravas). Janardana, O king, knoweth both the past and the future. For this, summoning his charioteer, Daruka, he had commanded him, saying, 'Let my car be kept equipped tomorrow.' Even this had been the command of that mighty one. Neither the gods, nor the Gandharvas, nor the Yakshas, nor the Uragas, nor the Rakshasas, nor human beings, are capable of conquering the two Krishnas. The gods with the Grandsire at their head, as also the Siddhas, know the incomparable prowess of those two. Listen, however, now to the battle as it happened. Beholding Satyaki carless and Karna ready for battle Madhava blew his conch of loud blare in the Rishabha note. 1 Daruka, hearing the blare of (Kesava's) conch, understood the meaning, and soon took that car, equipped with a lofty standard of gold, to where Kesava was. With Kesava's permission, upon that car guided by Daruka, and which resembled the blazing fire or the sun in effulgence, ascended the grandson of Sini. Ascending upon the car which resembled a celestial vehicle and unto which were yoked those foremost of steeds, capable of going everywhere at will, viz., Saivya and Sugriva and Meghapushya and Valahaka, and which were adorned with trappings of gold, Satyaki rushed against the son of Radha, scattering countless shafts. The two protectors of (Arjuna's) car-wheels, viz., Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas, abandoning Dhananjaya's car, proceeded against the son of Radha. Radha's son also, O king, shooting showers of shafts, angrily rushed, in that battle, against the invincible grandson of Sini. The battle that took place between them was such that its like had never been heard to have taken place on earth or in heaven between gods, Gandharvas, Asuras, Uragas, or Rakshasas. The entire host consisting of cars, steeds, men, and elephants, abstained from the fight, Beholding, O monarch, the stunning feats of two warriors. All became silent spectators of that superhuman battle between those two human heroes, O king, and of the skill of Daruka in guiding the car. Indeed, beholding the skill of the charioteer Daruka standing on the car, as he guided the vehicle forwards, backwards, sidelong, now wheeling in circles and now stopping outright, all were amazed. The gods, the Gandharvas, and the Danavas, in the welkin, intently watched that battle between Karna and the grandson of Sini. Both of them endued with great might, each challenging the other, those two warriors put forth their prowess for the sake of their friends. Karna who looked like a celestial, and Yuyudhana, O king, rained upon each other showers of shafts. Indeed, Karna ground the grandson of Sini with his arrowy downpours, unable to put up with the slaughter (by Satyaki) of the Kuru hero, Jalasandha. Filled

with grief and sighing like a mighty snake, Karna, casting angry glances on the grandson of Sini in that battle, and as if burning him therewith, rushed at him furiously again and again, O Chastiser of foes! Beholding him filled with rage, Satyaki pierced him in return, shooting dense showers of arrows, like an elephant piercing (with his tusks) a rival elephant. Those two tigers among men, endued with the activity of tigers and possessed of incomparable prowess, mangled each other furiously in that battle. The grandson of Sini, then, with shafts made entirely of iron, repeatedly pierced Karna, that chastiser of foes, in all his limbs. And he also felled, with a broad-headed arrow, the charioteer of Karna from his niche in the car. And with his keen shafts, he slew the four steeds, white in hue, of Adhiratha's son. And then cutting into a hundred fragments the standard of Karna with a hundred arrows, that bull among men made Karna carless in the very sight of thy son. Then all thy warriors, O king, became cheerless. Then Vrishasena, the son of Karna, and Salya, the ruler of the Madras, and Drona's son, encompassed the grandson of Sini from all sides. Then a confusion set in, and nothing could be seen. Indeed, when the heroic Karna was made carless by Satyaki, cries of Oh and Alas arose, among all thy troops. Karna also, O king, pierced by Satwata with his arrows and exceedingly weakened ascended the car of Duryodhana, sighing deeply, remembering his friendship for thy son from his childhood and having striven to realise the promise he had made about the bestowal of sovereignty on Duryodhana. After Karna hath been made carless, thy brave sons, headed by Duhsasana, O king, were not slain by the self-restrained Satyaki because the latter wished not to falsify the vow made by Bhimasena. Desirous also of not falsifying the vow formerly made by Partha (about the slaughter of Karna), Satyaki simply made those warriors carless and weakened them exceedingly, but did not deprive them of life. It is Bhima that hath vowed the slaughter of thy sons, and it is Partha that, at the time of the second match at dice, vowed the slaughter of Karna. Although all those warriors headed by Karna made strong efforts for slaying Satyaki, yet those foremost of car-warriors, failed to slay him. Drona's son and Kritavarman and other mighty car-warriors, as also hundreds of foremost Kshatriyas, were all vanquished by Satyaki with only one bow. That hero fought, desirous of benefiting king Yudhishthira the Just, and of attaining to heaven. Indeed, Satyaki, that crusher of foes, is equal to either of the two Krishnas in energy. Smiling the while, he vanquished all thy troops, O best of men! In this world, there are only three mighty bowmen, viz., Krishna, Partha, and Satyaki. There is no fourth to be seen.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Ascending on the invincible car of Vasudeva that had Daruka for its driver, Satyaki, proud of the might of his arms and equal in battle unto Vasudeva himself, made Karna carless. Did Satyaki ride any other car (after his encounter with Karna was over)? I am desirous of hearing this, O Sanjaya! Thou art skilled in narration. I regard Satyaki to be endued with unbearable prowess. Tell me all, O Sanjaya!'

"Sanjaya said, 'Hear, O king, how it had happened. The intelligent younger brother of Daruka soon brought unto Satyaki another car, duly equipped with all necessaries. With shafts attached to it by chains of iron and gold and bands of silk, decked with a thousand stars, decked with banners and with the figure of a lion on his standard, with horses, fleet as the wind and adorned with trappings of gold, yoked unto it, and with rattle deep as the roar of the clouds, that car was brought unto him. Ascending upon it, the grandson of Sini rushed against thy troops. Daruka, meanwhile, went as he listed to Kesava's side. A new cat was brought for Karna also, O king, unto which were yoked four steeds of the best breed that were decked in trappings of gold and white as conchs or milk. Its kaksha and standard were made of gold. Furnished with banners and machines, that foremost of cars had an excellent driver. And it was furnished with a profusion of weapons of every kind. Mounting on that car, Karna also rushed against his foes. I have now told thee all that thou hadst asked me. Once more, however, O king, learn the (extent of the) destruction caused by the evil policy. Thirty one of thy sons have been slain by Bhimasena. Having Durmukha for their foremost, they were conversant with all modes of warfare. Satyaki and Arjuna also have slain hundreds of heroes with Bhimasena as their foremost, and Bhagadatta also, O sire! Even thus, O king, hath the destruction commenced, caused by thy evil counsels.'

327:1 The second of the seven notes of the Hindu gamut.

7.123.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तथा गतेषु शूरेषु तेषां मम च संजय
किं वै भीमस्तदाकार्षीत्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.123.2

संजय उवाच
विरथो भीमसेनो वै कर्णवाक्शल्यपीडितः
अमर्षवशमापन्नः फल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

7.123.3

पुनः पुनस्तूबरक मूढ औदरिकेति च
अकृतास्त्रक मा योधीर्बाल संग्रामकातर

7.123.4

इति मामब्रवीत्कर्णः पश्यतस्ते धनंजय
एवं वक्ता च मे वध्यस्तेन चोक्तोऽस्मि भारत

7.123.5

एतद्व्रतं महाबाहो त्वया सह कृतं मया
यथैतन्मम कौन्तेय तथा तव न संशयः

7.123.6

तद्वधाय नरश्रेष्ठ स्मरैतद्वचनं मम
यथा भवति तत्सत्यं तथा कुरु धनंजय

7.123.7

तच्छ्रुत्वा वचनं तस्य भीमस्यामितविक्रमः
ततोऽर्जुनोऽब्रवीत्कर्णं किंचिदभ्येत्य संयुगे

7.123.8

कर्ण कर्ण वृथादृष्टे सूतपुत्रात्मसंस्तुत
अधर्मबुद्धे शृणु मे यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि सांप्रतम्

7.123.9

द्विविधं कर्म शूराणां युद्धे जयपराजयौ
तौ चाप्यनित्यौ राधेय वासवस्यापि युध्यतः

7.123.10

मुमूर्षुर्युयुधानेन विरथोऽसि विसर्जितः
यदृच्छया भीमसेनं विरथं कृतवानसि

7.123.11

अधर्मस्त्वेष राधेय यत्त्वं भीममवोचथाः
युद्धधर्मं विजानन्वै युध्यन्तमपलायिनम्
पूरयन्तं यथाशक्ति शूरकर्माहवे तथा

7.123.12

पश्यतां सर्वसैन्यानां केशवस्य ममैव च
विरथो भीमसेनेन कृतोऽसि बहुशो रणे
न च त्वां परुषं किंचिदुक्तवान्पण्डुनन्दनः

7.123.13

यस्मात्तु बहु रूक्षं च श्रावितस्ते वृकोदरः
परोक्षं यच्च सौभद्रो युष्माभिर्निहतो मम

7.123.14

तस्मादस्यावलेपस्य सद्यः फलमवाप्नुहि
त्वया तस्य धनुश्छिन्नमात्मनाशाय दुर्मते

7.123.15

तस्माद्वध्योऽसि मे मूढ सभृत्यबलवाहनः
कुरु त्वं सर्वकृत्यानि महत्ते भयमागतम्

7.123.16

हन्तास्मि वृषसेनं ते प्रेक्षमाणस्य संयुगे
ये चान्येऽप्युपयास्यन्ति बुद्धिमोहेन मां नृपाः
तांश्च सर्वान्हनिष्यामि सत्येनायुधमालभे

7.123.17

त्वां च मूढाकृतप्रज्ञमतिमानिनमाहवे
दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनो मन्दो भृशं तप्स्यति पातितम्

7.123.18

अर्जुनेन प्रतिज्ञाते वधे कर्णसुतस्य तु
महान्सुतुमुलः शब्दो बभूव रथिनां तदा

7.123.19

तस्मिन्नाकुलसंग्रामे वर्तमाने महाभये
मन्दरश्मिः सहस्रांशुरस्तं गिरिमुपागमत्

7.123.20

ततो राजन्हृषीकेशः संग्रामशिरसि स्थितम्
तीर्णप्रतिज्ञं बीभत्सुं परिष्वज्येदमब्रवीत्

7.123.21

दिष्ट्या संपादिता जिष्णो प्रतिज्ञा महती त्वया
दिष्ट्या च निहतः पापो वृद्धक्षत्रः सहात्मजः

7.123.22

धार्तराष्ट्रबलं प्राप्य देवसेनापि भारत
सीदेत समरे जिष्णो नात्र कार्या विचारणा

7.123.23

न तं पश्यामि लोकेषु चिन्तयन्पुरुषं क्वचित्
त्वदृते पुरुषव्याघ्र य एतद्योधयेद्बलम्

7.123.24

महाप्रभावा बहवस्त्वया तुल्याधिकापि वा
समेताः पृथिवीपाला धार्तराष्ट्रस्य कारणात्
ते त्वां प्राप्य रणे क्रुद्धं नाभ्यवर्तन्त दंशिताः

7.123.25

तव वीर्यं बलं चैव रुद्रशक्रान्तकोपमम्
नेदृशं शक्नुयात्कश्चिद्रणे कर्तुं पराक्रमम्
यादृशं कृतवानद्य त्वमेकः शत्रुतापनः

7.123.26

एवमेव हते कर्णे सानुबन्धे दुरात्मनि
वर्धयिष्यामि भूयस्त्वां विजितारिं हतद्विषम्

7.123.27

तमर्जुनः प्रत्युवाच प्रसादात्तव माधव
प्रतिज्ञेयं मयोत्तीर्णा विबुधैरपि दुस्तरा

7.123.28

अनाश्चर्यो जयस्तेषां येषां नाथोऽसि माधव
त्वत्प्रसादान्महीं कृत्स्नां संप्राप्स्यति युधिष्ठिरः

7.123.29

तवैव भारो वार्ष्णेय तवैव विजयः प्रभो
वर्धनीयास्तव वयं प्रेष्याश्च मधुसूदन

7.123.30

एवमुक्तः स्मयन्कृष्णः शनकैर्वाहयन्हयान्
दर्शयामास पार्थाय क्रूरमायोधनं महत्

7.123.31

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
प्रार्थयन्तो जयं युद्धे प्रथितं च महद्यशः
पृथिव्यां शेरते शूराः पार्थिवास्त्वच्छरैर्हताः

7.123.32

विकीर्णशस्त्राभरणा विपन्नाश्वरथद्विपाः
संछिन्नभिन्नवर्माणो वैक्लव्यं परमं गताः

7.123.33

ससत्त्वा गतसत्त्वाश्च प्रभया परया युताः
सजीवा इव लक्ष्यन्ते गतसत्त्वा नराधिपाः

7.123.34

तेषां शरैः स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शस्त्रैश्च विविधैः शितैः
वाहनैरायुधैश्चैव संपूर्णां पश्य मेदिनीम्

7.123.35

वर्मभिश्चर्मभिर्हारैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः
उष्णीषैर्मुकुटैः स्रग्भिश्चूडामणिभिरम्बरैः

7.123.36

कण्ठसूत्रैरङ्गदैश्च निष्कैरपि च सुप्रभैः
अन्यैश्चाभरणैश्चित्रैर्भाति भारत मेदिनी

7.123.37

चामरैर्व्यजनैश्चित्रैर्ध्वजैश्चाश्वरथद्विपैः
विविधैश्च परिस्तोमैरश्वानां च प्रकीर्णकैः

7.123.38

कुथाभिश्च विचित्राभिर्वरूथैश्च महाधनैः
संस्तीर्णां वसुधां पश्य चित्रपट्टैरिवावृताम्

7.123.39

नागेभ्यः पतितानन्यान्कल्पितेभ्यो द्विपैः सह
सिंहान्वज्रप्रणुन्नेभ्यो गिर्यग्रेभ्य इव च्युतान्

7.123.40

संस्यूतान्वाजिभिः सार्धं धरण्यां पश्य चापरान्
पदातिसादिसंघांश्च क्षतजौघपरिप्लुतान्

7.123.41

संजय उवाच
एवं संदर्शयन्कृष्णो रणभूमिं किरीटिनः
स्वैः समेतः स मुदितः पाञ्चजन्यं व्यनादयत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, When such was the condition of battle, between those heroes of their side and mine, what did Bhima then do? Tell me all, O Sanjaya!'

"Sanjaya said, 'After Bhimasena had been made carless, that hero, afflicted with the wordy darts of Karna and filled with rage, addressed Phalguna and said, 'In thy very sight, O Dhananjaya, Karna hath repeatedly said to me, 'Eunuch, fool, glutton, unskilled in weapons, do not fight, child, unable to bear the burden of battle!' He that would tell me so would be slain by me. Karna hath told me those words, O Bharata! O mighty-armed one, thou knowest the vow which I have made jointly with thee. Remember the words that were then spoken by me. O foremost of men, act in such a way that that vow of mine, O son of Kunti, as also thy own vow, may not be falsified. O Dhananjaya, do that by which that vow of mine may be made true.' Hearing these words of Bhima, Arjuna of immeasurable prowess, getting near Karna in that battle, told him, 'O Karna, thou art of false fight. O son of a Suta, thou applaudest thy own self. Of wicked understanding, listen now to what I tell thee.

[paragraph continues] Heroes meet with either of these two things in battle, viz., victory or defeat. Both of these are uncertain, O son of Radha! The case is not otherwise when Indra himself is engaged in battle. Made carless by Yuyudhana, with thy senses no longer under thy control, thou wert almost at the point of death. Remembering, however, that I had vowed to slay thee, that hero dismissed thee without taking thy life. It is true thou hadst succeeded in depriving Bhimasena of his car. Thy abuse, however, O son of Radha, of that hero was sinful. Those bulls among men that are truly righteous and brave, having vanquished a foe, never boast, nor speak ill of anybody. Thy knowledge, however, is little. It is for this, O son of a Suta, that thou indulged in such speeches. Then, again the abusive epithets thou didst apply to the battling Bhimasena, endued with great prowess and heroism and devoted to the practices of the righteous, were not consistent with truth. In the very sight of all the troops, of Kesava, as also of myself, thou wert many a time made carless by Bhimasena in battle. That son of Pandu, however, did not call thee a single harsh word. Since, however, thou hast addressed Vrikodara in many harsh speeches, and since thou with others hast slain the son of Subhadra out of my sight, therefore, this very day obtain the fruit of those offences of thine. It was for thy own destruction, O wicked wight, that thou didst then cut off Abhimanyu's bow; for that, O thou of little understanding, thou shalt be slain by me, with all thy followers, forces, and animals. Accomplish now all those acts which thou shouldst do, for a great calamity is impending over thee. I will slay Vrishasena in thy very sight in battle. All those other kings, again, that will fully advance against me, I will despatch unto Yama's abode. I say this truly, laying my hand on my weapon. A fool as thou art, without wisdom and full of vanity, I say that beholding thee lying on the field of battle the wicked Duryodhana will indulge in bitter lamentations.' After Arjuna had vowed the slaughter of Karna's son, a loud and tremendous uproar arose amongst the car-warriors. At that frightful time when confusion was everywhere, the thousand-rayed sun, dimming his rays, entered the Asta hill. Then, O king, Hrishikesa, stationed in the van of battle embracing Arjuna who had accomplished his vow, told him these words, By good luck, O Jishnu, thy great vow hath been accomplished. By good luck, that Vriddhakshatra hath been slain along with his son. The celestial generalissimo himself, O -Bharata, encountering the Dhartarashtra force, would, in battle, O Jishnu, lose his senses. There is no doubt of this. Except thee, O tiger among men, I do not even in thought see the person in the three worlds that could fight with this host. Many royal warriors endued with great prowess, equal to thee or superior have been united together at Duryodhana's command. Clad in mail, they could not approach thee, encountering thy angry self in battle. Thy energy and might are equal to that of Rudra or the Destroyer himself. None else is capable of putting forth such prowess in battle as thou, O scorcher of foes, alone and unsupported, didst today put forth. Thus shall I applaud thee again after Karna

of wicked soul has been slain along with his followers. Thus shall I glorify thee when that foe of thine shall have been vanquished and slain.' Unto him Arjuna replied, 'Through thy grace, O Madhava, this vow that even the gods could with difficulty accomplish, hath been accomplished by me. Their victory is not at all a matter of wonder that have thee, O Kesava, for their lord. Through thy grace, Yudhishthira will obtain the whole earth. All this is due to thy power, O thou of Vrishni's race! This is thy victory, O lord! Our prosperity is thy victory, O lord! Our prosperity is thy care and we are thy servants, O slayer of Madhu!' Thus addressed, Krishna smiled softly, and slowly urged the steeds. And he showed unto Partha, as they came, the field of battle abounding with cruel sights.

"Then Krishna said, 'Desirous of victory in battle or world-wide fame many heroic kings are lying on the earth, struck with thy shafts. Their weapons and ornaments lay scattered, and their steeds, cars, and elephants are mangled and broken. With their coats of mail pierced or cut open, they have come to the greatest grief. Some of them are yet alive, and some of them are dead. Those, however, that are dead, still seem to be alive in consequence of the splendour with which they are endued. Behold the earth covered with their shafts equipped with golden wings, with their numerous other weapons of attack and defence, and with their animals (deprived of life). Indeed, the earth looks resplendent with coats of mail and necklaces of gems, with their heads decked with earrings, and headgears and diadems, and floral wreaths and jewels worn on crowns, and Kanthasutras and Angadas, and collars of gold, and with diverse other beautiful ornaments. Strewn with Anuskaras and quivers, with standards and banners, with Upaskaras and Adhishthanas, with shafts and crests of cars, with broken wheels and beautiful Akshas in profusion, with yokes and trappings of steeds, with belts and bows and arrows, with elephants, housings, with spiked maces and hooks of iron, with darts and short arrows, with spears and pikes, with Kundas and clubs, with Sataghnis and Bhushandis, with scimitars and axes, with short and heavy clubs and mallets, with maces and Kunapas, with whips decked with gold, O bull of Bharata's race, with the bells and diverse other ornaments of mighty elephants, with floral garlands and various kinds of decorations, and with costly robes all loosened from the bodies of men and animals, the earth shines brilliantly, like the autumnal firmament with planets and stars. The lords of the earth, slain for the sake of earth, are slumbering on the earth clasping with their limbs the earth like a dear wife. Like mountains shedding through their caves and fissures streams of liquid chalk, these elephants, resembling Airavata himself and huge as mountains, are shedding profuse streams of blood through the openings in their bodies caused by weapons. Behold, O hero, those huge creatures afflicted with shafts lying on the ground in convulsions. Behold, those steeds also, lying on the ground, adorned with trappings of gold. Behold also, O Partha, those riderless and driverless cars that had at one time resembled celestial vehicles

or the vapoury forms in the evening sky, now lying on the ground, with standards and banners and Akshas and yokes cut into pieces, and with broken shafts and crests, O lord. Foot-soldiers also, O hero, bearing bows and shields and slain in hundreds and thousands are lying on the ground, bathed in blood and clasping the earth with every limb and their locks smeared with dust. Behold, O mighty-armed one, those warriors with bodies mangled with thy weapons. Behold the earth, strewn with Yak-tails and fans, and umbrellas and standards, and steeds and cars and elephants, and with diverse kinds of blankets, and reins of steeds, and beautiful robes and costly Varuthas (of cars), look, as if overspread with embroidered tapestry. Many warriors fallen from the backs of well-equipped elephants along with those creatures themselves that they had ridden, are looking like lions fallen from mountain summits struck down by thunder. Mingled with the steeds (they had ridden) and the bows (they had held), horsemen and foot-soldiers in large numbers, are lying on the field, covered with blood. Behold, O foremost of men, the surface of the earth is frightful to look at, covered as it is with large number of slain elephants and steeds and car-warriors, and miry with blood, fat, and rotten flesh in profusion, and on which dogs and wolves and Pisachas and diverse wanderers of the night are cantering with joy! This fame-enhancing and mighty feat on the field of battle is capable of being achieved by thee only, O puissant one, or by that chief of the gods, viz., Indra himself, who in great battle slayeth the Daityas and the Danavas.'

"Sanjaya continued, "Thus showing the field of battle unto the diadem-decked Arjuna, Krishna blew his conch Panchajanya with the gleeful soldiers of the Pandava army (blowing their respective conchs). Having shown the field of battle unto the diadem-decked hero, that slayer of foes viz., Janardana quickly proceeded towards Ajatasatru, the son of Pandu, and informed him of the slaying of Jayadratha.'" 1

332:1 The printed editions and the manuscripts do not agree with one another in respect of the order and numbering of the last dozen verses. The Bombay edition omits a few of the verses.

7.124.1

संजय उवाच
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा रथादाप्लुत्य भारत
पर्यष्वजत्तदा कृष्णावानन्दाश्रुपरिप्लुतः

7.124.2

प्रमृज्य वदनं शुभ्रं पुण्डरीकसमप्रभम्
अब्रवीद्वासुदेवं च पाण्डवं च धनंजयम्

7.124.3

दिष्ट्या पश्यामि संग्रामे तीर्णभारौ महारथौ
दिष्ट्या च निहतः पापः सैन्धवः पुरुषाधमः

7.124.4

कृष्ण दिष्ट्या मम प्रीतिर्महती प्रतिपादिता
दिष्ट्या शत्रुगणाश्चैव निमग्नाः शोकसागरे

7.124.5

न तेषां दुष्करं किंचित्त्रिषु लोकेषु विद्यते
सर्वलोकगुरुर्येषां त्वं नाथो मधुसूदन

7.124.6

तव प्रसादाद्गोविन्द वयं जेष्यामहे रिपून्
यथा पूर्वं प्रसादात्ते दानवान्पाकशासनः

7.124.7

पृथिवीविजयो वापि त्रैलोक्यविजयोऽपि वा
ध्रुवो हि तेषां वार्ष्णेय येषां तुष्टोऽसि माधव

7.124.8

न तेषां विद्यते पापं संग्रामे वा पराजयः
त्रिदशेश्वरनाथस्त्वं येषां तुष्टोऽसि माधव

7.124.9

त्वत्प्रसादाद्धृषीकेश शक्रः सुरगणेश्वरः
त्रैलोक्यविजयं श्रीमान्प्राप्तवान्रणमूर्धनि

7.124.10

तव चैव प्रसादेन त्रिदशास्त्रिदशेश्वर
अमरत्वं गताः कृष्ण लोकांश्चाश्नुवतेऽक्षयान्

7.124.11

त्वत्प्रसादसमुत्थेन विक्रमेणारिसूदन
सुरेशत्वं गतः शक्रो हत्वा दैत्यान्सहस्रशः

7.124.12

त्वत्प्रसादाद्धृषीकेश जगत्स्थावरजङ्गमम्
स्ववर्त्मनि स्थितं वीर जपहोमेषु वर्तते

7.124.13

एकार्णवमिदं पूर्वं सर्वमासीत्तमोमयम्
त्वत्प्रसादात्प्रकाशत्वं जगत्प्राप्तं नरोत्तम

7.124.14

स्रष्टारं सर्वलोकानां परमात्मानमच्युतम्
ये प्रपन्ना हृषीकेशं न ते मुह्यन्ति कर्हिचित्

7.124.15

अनादिनिधनं देवं लोककर्तारमव्ययम्
त्वां भक्ता ये हृषीकेश दुर्गाण्यतितरन्ति ते

7.124.16

परं पुराणं पुरुषं पुराणानां परं च यत्
प्रपद्यतस्तं परमं परा भूतिर्विधीयते

7.124.17

योऽगात चतुरो वेदान्यश्च वेदेषु गीयते
तं प्रपद्य महात्मानं भूतिमाप्नोत्यनुत्तमाम्

7.124.18

धनंजयसखा यश्च धनंजयहितश्च यः
तं धनंजयगोप्तारं प्रपद्य सुखमेधते

7.124.19

इत्युक्तौ तौ महात्मानावुभौ केशवपाण्डवौ
तावब्रूतां तदा हृष्टौ राजानं पृथिवीपतिम्

7.124.20

तव कोपाग्निना दग्धः पापो राजा जयद्रथः
उदीर्णं चापि सुमहद्धार्तराष्ट्रबलं रणे

7.124.21

हन्यते निहतं चैव विनङ्क्ष्यति च भारत
तव क्रोधहता ह्येते कौरवाः शत्रुसूदन

7.124.22

त्वां हि चक्षुर्हणं वीरं कोपयित्वा सुयोधनः
समित्रबन्धुः समरे प्राणांस्त्यक्ष्यति दुर्मतिः

7.124.23

तव क्रोधहतः पूर्वं देवैरपि सुदुर्जयः
शरतल्पगतः शेते भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः

7.124.24

दुर्लभो हि जयस्तेषां संग्रामे रिपुसूदन
याता मृत्युवशं ते वै येषां क्रुद्धोऽसि पाण्डव

7.124.25

राज्यं प्राणाः प्रियाः पुत्राः सौख्यानि विविधानि च
अचिरात्तस्य नश्यन्ति येषां क्रुद्धोऽसि मानद

7.124.26

विनष्टान्कौरवान्मन्ये सपुत्रपशुबान्धवान्
राजधर्मपरे नित्यं त्वयि क्रुद्धे युधिष्ठिर

7.124.27

ततो भीमो महाबाहुः सात्यकिश्च महारथः
अभिवाद्य गुरुं ज्येष्ठं मार्गणैः क्षतविक्षतौ
स्थितावास्तां महेष्वासौ पाञ्चाल्यैः परिवारितौ

7.124.28

तौ दृष्ट्व मुदितौ वीरौ प्राञ्जली चाग्रतः स्थितौ
अभ्यनन्दत कौन्तेयस्तावुभौ भीमसात्यकी

7.124.29

दिष्ट्या पश्यामि वां वीरौ विमुक्तौ सैन्यसागरात्
द्रोणग्राहाद्दुराधर्षाद्धार्दिक्यमकरालयात्
दिष्ट्या च निर्जिताः संख्ये पृथिव्यां सर्वपार्थिवाः

7.124.30

युवां विजयिनौ चापि दिष्ट्या पश्यामि संयुगे
दिष्ट्या द्रोणो जितः संख्ये हार्दिक्यश्च महाबलः

7.124.31

सैन्यार्णवं समुत्तीर्णौ दिष्ट्या पश्यामि चानघौ
समरश्लाघिनौ वीरौ समरेष्वपलायिनौ
मम प्राणसमौ चैव दिष्ट्या पश्यामि वामहम्

7.124.32

इत्युक्त्वा पाण्डवो राजा युयुधानवृकोदरौ
सस्वजे पुरुषव्याघ्रौ हर्षाद्बाष्पं मुमोच ह

7.124.33

ततः प्रमुदितं सर्वं बलमासीद्विशां पते
पाण्डवानां जयं दृष्ट्वा युद्धाय च मनो दधे

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'After the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain by Partha, Krishna, repairing unto the king, viz., Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, worshipped the latter with a gladdened heart. And he said, 'By good luck, O king of kings, thy prosperity increaseth. O best of men, thy foe hath been slain. By good luck, thy younger brother hath accomplished his vow.' Thus addressed by Krishna, that subjugator of hostile towns, viz., king

[paragraph continues] Yudhishthira, filled with joy, came down from his car, O Bharata! His eyes filled with tears of joy, he embraced the two Krishnas and wiping his bright and lotus-like face, said these words unto Vasudeva, and Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, 'Ye mighty car-warriors, by good luck, I behold both of you after ye have accomplished your task. By good luck, that sinful wretch, viz., the ruler of the Sindhus, hath been slain. Ye Krishnas, by good luck, ye have done that which hath filled me with great happiness. By good luck, our foes have been plunged into an ocean of grief. Thou art the sovereign lord of all the worlds, O slayer of Madhu! In the three worlds they that have thee for their preceptor can have no object incapable of accomplishment. Through thy grace, O Govinda, we will conquer our foes, like Indra conquering the Danavas in days of old. Be it the conquest of the world, or be it the conquest of the three worlds, everything is certain, O thou of the Vrishni race, in their case with whom thou art gratified, O giver of honours! They can have no sin, nor can they meet with defeat in battle with whom thou, O lord of the celestials, art gratified, O giver of honours! It is through thy grace, O Hrishikesa, that Sakra hath become the chief of the celestials. It is through thy grace, that blessed personage obtained on the field of battle the sovereignty of the three worlds! It is through thy grace, O lord of the celestials, that the latter obtained immortality, O Krishna, and enjoy eternal regions (of bliss). Having slain thousands of Daityas, with prowess having its origin in thy grace, O slayer of foes, Sakra obtained the lordship of the celestials. Through thy grace, O Hrishikesa, the mobile and immobile universe, without swerving from its (ordained) course, O hero, is engaged in prayers and homa! 1 In the beginning, this universe, enveloped in darkness, had been one vast expanse of water. Through thy grace, O mighty-armed one, the universe became manifest, O best of men! Thou art the creator of all the worlds, thou art the Supreme Soul, and thou art immutable! They that behold thee, O Hrishikesa, are never confounded. Thou art the Supreme God, thou art the God of gods, and thou art Eternal. They that seek refuge with thee, O lord of the gods, are never confounded. Without beginning and without death, thou art Divine, the Creator of all the worlds, and immutable. They that are devoted to thee, O Hrishikesa, always tide over every difficulty. Thou art Supreme, the Ancient one, the Divine-Being, and that which is the Highest of the high. He that attaineth to that viz., thy Supreme Self hath ordained for him the highest prosperity. Thou art sung in the four Vedas. The four Vedas sing of thee. Be seeking thy shelter, O high-souled one, I shall enjoy unrivalled prosperity. Thou art the Supreme God, thou art the God of the highest gods, thou art the lord of Winged creatures, and the lord of all human beings. Thou art the Supremest Lord of everything. I bow to thee, O best of beings! Thou art the Lord, the Lord of lords O puissant one! Prosperity to thee, O Madhava! O thou of large eyes, O Universal soul, Thou art the origin of

all things. He, again, that is a friend of Dhananjaya or is engaged in Dhananjaya's good, obtaineth thee that art the preceptor of Dhananjaya and attaineth to happiness.' Thus addressed by him those high-souled ones, viz., Kesava and Arjuna, cheerfully said unto the king, that lord of the earth, 'The sinful king Jayadratha, hath been consumed by the fire of thy wrath. O puissant one, although the Dhartarashtra host is vast and swelleth with pride, yet, O Bharata, struck and slain, it is being exterminated. O slayer of foes, it is in consequence of thy wrath that the Kauravas are being destroyed. Having, O hero, angered thee that canst slay with thy eyes alone, the wicked-minded Suyodhana, with his friends and kinsmen, will have to lay down his life in battle. Slain before in consequence of thy ire, and struck down also by the gods themselves, the invincible Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus, lieth now on a bed of arrows. O slayer of foes, victory in battle is unattainable by them, and death also waiteth for them, that have thee, O son of Pandu, for their foe. Kingdom, life, dear ones, children, and diverse kinds of bliss, will soon be lost by him with whom thou, O scorcher of foes, hast been angry. I regard the Kauravas to be lost with their sons, and kinsmen, when thou, O scorcher of foes, that art observant of the duties of a king, hast been angry with them.' Then Bhima, O king, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, both mangled with shafts, saluted their senior. And those two mighty bowmen sat down on the ground, surrounded by the Panchalas, Beholding those two heroes filled with joy and arrived and waiting with joined hands, the son of Kunti congratulated them both, saying, 'By good luck, it is that I see you both, ye heroes, escaped with lire from that sea of (hostile) troops, that sea in which Drona acted the part of an invincible alligator, and the son of Hridika that of a fierce shark. By good luck, all the kings of the earth have been vanquished (by you two). 1 By good luck, I see both of you victorious in battle. By good luck, Drona hath been vanquished in battle, and that mighty car-warrior also viz., the son of Hridika. By good luck, Karna hath been vanquished in battle with barbed shafts. By good luck, Salya also was obliged to turn away from the field by you both, ye bulls among men. By good luck, I behold you both come back from battle safe and sound, ye that are foremost of car-warriors and well-skilled in battle! By good luck, I behold again, ye heroes, that have forded that sea of troops in obedience to my command, ye that went to battle impelled by the desire of honouring me! Ye are heroes delighting in battle. Ye are to me as life. By good luck, I see you both.' Having said this, the son of Pandu, O king, embraced both Yuyudhana and Vrikodara, those tigers among men, and shed tears of joy. Then, O monarch, the entire host of the Pandavas became cheerful and filled with joy. And all of them once more set their hearts on battle.'"

333:1 Everything even the inanimate creation, exists and adores the Supreme deity.

334:1 This is a triplet in the Calcutta edition.

7.125.1

संजय उवाच
सैन्धवे निहते राजन्पुत्रस्तव सुयोधनः
अश्रुक्लिन्नमुखो दीनो निरुत्साहो द्विषज्जये
अमन्यतार्जुनसमो योधो भुवि न विद्यते

7.125.2

न द्रोणो न च राधेयो नाश्वत्थामा कृपो न च
क्रुद्धस्य प्रमुखे स्थातुं पर्याप्ता इति मारिष

7.125.3

निर्जित्य हि रणे पार्थः सर्वान्मम महारथान्
अवधीत्सैन्धवं संख्ये नैनं कश्चिदवारयत्

7.125.4

सर्वथा हतमेवैतत्कौरवाणां महद्बलम्
न ह्यस्य विद्यते त्राता साक्षादपि पुरंदरः

7.125.5

यमुपाश्रित्य संग्रामे कृतः शस्त्रसमुद्यमः
स कर्णो निर्जितः संख्ये हतश्चैव जयद्रथः

7.125.6

परुषाणि सभामध्ये प्रोक्तवान्यः स्म पाण्डवान्
स कर्णो निर्जितः संख्ये सैन्धवश्च निपातितः

7.125.7

यस्य वीर्यं समाश्रित्य शमं याचन्तमच्युतम्
तृणवत्तमहं मन्ये स कर्णो निर्जितो युधि

7.125.8

एवं क्लान्तमना राजन्नुपायाद्द्रोणमीक्षितुम्
आगस्कृत्सर्वलोकस्य पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ

7.125.9

ततस्तत्सर्वमाचख्यौ कुरूणां वैशसं महत्
परान्विजयतश्चापि धार्तराष्ट्रान्निमज्जतः

7.125.10

दुर्योधन उवाच
पश्य मूर्धावसिक्तानामाचार्य कदनं कृतम्
कृत्वा प्रमुखतः शूरं भीष्मं मम पितामहम्

7.125.11

तं निहत्य प्रलुब्धोऽयं शिखण्डी पूर्णमानसः
पाञ्चालैः सहितः सर्वैः सेनाग्रमभिकर्षति

7.125.12

अपरश्चापि दुर्धर्षः शिष्यस्ते सव्यसाचिना
अक्षौहिणीः सप्त हत्वा हतो राजा जयद्रथः

7.125.13

अस्मद्विजयकामानां सुहृदामुपकारिणाम्
गन्तास्मि कथमानृण्यं गतानां यमसादनम्

7.125.14

ये मदर्थं परीप्सन्ति वसुधां वसुधाधिपाः
ते हित्वा वसुधैश्वर्यं वसुधामधिशेरते

7.125.15

सोऽहं कापुरुषः कृत्वा मित्राणां क्षयमीदृशम्
नाश्वमेधसहस्रेण पातुमात्मानमुत्सहे

7.125.16

मम लुब्धस्य पापस्य तथा धर्मापचायिनः
व्यायच्छन्तो जिगीषन्तः प्राप्ता वैवस्वतक्षयम्

7.125.17

कथं पतितवृत्तस्य पृथिवी सुहृदां द्रुहः
विवरं नाशकद्दातुं मम पार्थिवसंसदि

7.125.18

सोऽहं रुधिरसिक्ताङ्गं राज्ञां मध्ये पितामहम्
शयानं नाशकं त्रातुं भीष्ममायोधने हतम्

7.125.19

तं मामनार्यपुरुषं मित्रद्रुहमधार्मिकम्
किं स वक्ष्यति दुर्धर्षः समेत्य परलोकजित्

7.125.20

जलसंधं महेष्वासं पश्य सात्यकिना हतम्
मदर्थमुद्यतं शूरं प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा महारथम्

7.125.21

काम्बोजं निहतं दृष्ट्वा तथालम्बुसमेव च
अन्यान्बहूंश्च सुहृदो जीवितार्थोऽद्य को मम

7.125.22

व्यायच्छन्तो हताः शूरा मदर्थे येऽपराङ्मुखाः
यतमानाः परं शक्त्या विजेतुमहितान्मम

7.125.23

तेषां गत्वाहमानृण्यमद्य शक्त्या परंतप
तर्पयिष्यामि तानेव जलेन यमुनामनु

7.125.24

सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वर
इष्टापूर्तेन च शपे वीर्येण च सुतैरपि

7.125.25

निहत्य तान्रणे सर्वान्पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवैः सह
शान्तिं लब्धास्मि तेषां वा रणे गन्ता सलोकताम्

7.125.26

न हीदानीं सहाया मे परीप्सन्त्यनुपस्कृताः
श्रेयो हि पाण्डून्मन्यन्ते न तथास्मान्महाभुज

7.125.27

स्वयं हि मृत्युर्विहितः सत्यसंधेन संयुगे
भवानुपेक्षां कुरुते सुशिष्यत्वाद्धनंजये

7.125.28

अतो विनिहताः सर्वे येऽस्मज्जयचिकीर्षवः
कर्णमेव तु पश्यामि संप्रत्यस्मज्जयैषिणम्

7.125.29

यो हि मित्रमविज्ञाय याथातथ्येन मन्दधीः
मित्रार्थे योजयत्येनं तस्य सोऽर्थोऽवसीदति

7.125.30

तादृग्रूपमिदं कार्यं कृतं मम सुहृद्ब्रुवैः
मोहाल्लुब्धस्य पापस्य जिह्माचारैस्ततस्ततः

7.125.31

हतो जयद्रथश्चैव सौमदत्तिश्च वीर्यवान्
अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः

7.125.32

सोऽहमद्य गमिष्यामि यत्र ते पुरुषर्षभाः
हता मदर्थं संग्रामे युध्यमानाः किरीटिना

7.125.33

न हि मे जीवितेनार्थस्तानृते पुरुषर्षभान्
आचार्यः पाण्डुपुत्राणामनुजानातु नो भवान्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, Upon the fall, O king, of the ruler of the Sindhus, thy son Suyodhana, his face bedewed with tears, and himself filled with grief and breathing hot sighs like a snake whose fangs have been broken, that offender against the whole world, viz., thy son, experienced bitter affliction. Beholding that great terrible slaughter of his troops caused by Jishnu and Bhimasena and Satwata in battle, he became pale, dejected and melancholy, and his eyes became filled with tears. And he came to think no warrior existed on the earth that could be compared with Arjuna. Neither Drona, nor the son of Radha, nor Aswatthaman, nor Kripa, O sire, is competent to stand before Arjuna when the latter is excited with wrath, And Suyodhana, said unto himself, 'Having vanquished in battle all the mighty car-warriors of my army, Partha slew the ruler of the Sindhus. None could resist him. This my vast host hath almost been exterminated by the Pandavas. I think, there is no one that can protect my army, no, not even Purandara himself. He, relying upon whom I have been engaged in this passage-at-arms in battle, alas, that Karna hath been defeated in battle and Jayadratha slain. That Karna relying upon whose energy I regarded Krishna as straw who came to sue me for peace, alas, that Karna hath been vanquished in battle.' Grieving so within his heart, that offender against the whole world, O king, went to Drona, O bull of Bharata's race, for seeing him. Repairing unto him, he informed Drona of that immense slaughter of the Kurus, the victory of his foes, and the dire calamity of the Dhartarashtras. 1 And Suyodhana said, 'Behold, O preceptor, this immense slaughter of kings. 2 I came to battle, placing that grandsire of mine, viz., the heroic Bhishma, at our head. Having slain him, Sikhandin, his aspiration fulfilled, stayeth at the very van of all the troops, surrounded by all the Panchalas, covetous of another triumph. 3 Another disciple of thine, viz., the invincible Savyasachin, having slain seven. Akshauhinis of troops hath despatched king Jayadratha to Yama's abode. How, O preceptor, shall I be freed from the debt I owe to those allies of mine who, desirous of victory to me and ever engaged in my good, have gone to Yama's abode? Those lords of earth who had desired the sovereignty of the earth, are now lying on the earth, abandoning all their earthly prosperity. Truly, I am a coward. Having caused such a slaughter of friends, I dare not think that I shall be sanctified by performing even a hundred horse-sacrifices. I am covetous and sinful and a transgressor against righteousness. Through my acts alone, these lords of earth, in their desire for victory, have gone to Yama's abode. Why, in presence of those kings,

does not the earth yield me a hole (through which to sink), since I am so sinful in behaviour and such a fomenter of internecine dissensions! 1 Alas, what will the grandsire with blood-red eyes, that invincible hero who hath conquered the other world, tell me in the midst of the kings when he meets me? 2 Behold that mighty bowman, Jalasandha, slain by Satyaki. That great car-warrior, that hero, came proudly to battle for my sake, prepared to lay down his life. Beholding the ruler of the Kamvojas slain, as also Alamvusha and many other allies of mine, what object can I have for preserving my life? Those unretreating heroes who, fighting for my sake and struggling to the utmost of their powers to vanquish my foes, have laid down their lives. I shall today, O scorcher of foes, exerting the utmost measure of my might, free myself from the debt that I owe them and gratify them with oblations of water by repairing to the Yamuna. O foremost of all bearers of arms, I tell thee truly and swear by the good acts I have performed, by the prowess I possess and by my sons, that slaying all the Panchalas with the Pandavas, I shall obtain peace of mind, or slain by them in battle I shall repair to those regions whither those allies of mine have gone. I shall certainly proceed thither whither those bulls among men, slain, while engaged in battle for my sake, by Arjuna have gone! Our allies, seeing that they are not well-protected by us, no longer desire to stand by us. O thou of mighty arms, they now regard the Pandavas to be preferable to ourselves. Thyself, of sure aim, hast ordained our extermination in battle, for thou treatest Arjuna leniently, since he is thy disciple. It is for this that all those have been slain who had endeavoured to secure victory to us. It seems that only Karna now wishes us victory. The man of weak understanding who without duly examining another, accepteth him for a friend and engageth him in concerns that require friends for their accomplishment, is certain to suffer injury even so hath this affair of mine been managed by my best friend! 3 I am exceedingly covetous, sinful, crooked-hearted, and characterised by avarice! Alas, king Jayadratha hath been slain, and Somadatta's son also of great energy, and the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, and the Vasatis! I shall go thither today whither those bulls among men, slain, while engaged in battle for my sake, by Arjuna, have gone. In the absence of those bulls among men, I have no need for life. O preceptor of the sons of Pandu, let me have thy permission in this.

335:1 Literally, 'the fact of the Dhartarashtras having sunk (into distress).'

335:2 Literally, 'of persons whose coronal locks have undergone the sacred bath.'

335:3 Praluvdhas is explained by Nilakantha differently. He supposes that Duryodhana here characterises Sikhandin to be a deceitful fowler or hunter in consequence of the deceit with which he caused Bhishma's fall. This is far-fetched.

336:1 I adopt the Bombay reading.

336:2 The Bombay edition reads this verse differently and introduces another after it which does not occur in the Bengal texts.

336:3 I am not sure whether I have rendered the 31st and the first half of 32nd correctly. The vernacular translators have made a mess of the passage. The difficulty lies with Surhittamais. I take it to mean that Duryodhana says, 'Karna, Sakuni, Duhsasana, with myself, had taken thee, O preceptor, for a friend, and had engaged thee in this battle. We did not, however, then know that thou art an enemy in disguise.'

7.126.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
सिन्धुराजे हते तात समरे सव्यसाचिना
तथैव भूरिश्रवसि किमासीद्वो मनस्तदा

7.126.2

दुर्योधनेन च द्रोणस्तथोक्तः कुरुसंसदि
किमुक्तवान्परं तस्मात्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

7.126.3

संजय उवाच
निष्टानको महानासीत्सैन्यानां तव भारत
सैन्धवं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भूरिश्रवसमेव च

7.126.4

मन्त्रितं तव पुत्रस्य ते सर्वमवमेनिरे
येन मन्त्रेण निहताः शतशः क्षत्रियर्षभाः

7.126.5

द्रोणस्तु तद्वचः श्रुत्वा पुत्रस्य तव दुर्मनाः
मुहूर्तमिव तु ध्यात्वा भृशमार्तोऽभ्यभाषत

7.126.6

दुर्योधन किमेवं मां वाक्शरैरभिकृन्तसि
अजय्यं समरे नित्यं ब्रुवाणं सव्यसाचिनम्

7.126.7

एतेनैवार्जुनं ज्ञातुमलं कौरव संयुगे
यच्छिखण्ड्यवधीद्भीष्मं पाल्यमानः किरीटिना

7.126.8

अवध्यं निहतं दृष्ट्वा संयुगे देवमानुषैः
तदैवाज्ञासिषमहं नेयमस्तीति भारती

7.126.9

यं पुंसां त्रिषु लोकेषु सर्वशूरममंस्महि
तस्मिन्विनिहते शूरे किं शेषं पर्युपास्महे

7.126.10

यान्स्म तान्ग्लहते तातः शकुनिः कुरुसंसदि
अक्षान्न तेऽक्षा निशिता बाणास्ते शत्रुतापनाः

7.126.11

त एते घ्नन्ति नस्तात विशिखा जयचोदिताः
यांस्तदा ख्याप्यमानांस्त्वं विदुरेण न बुध्यसे

7.126.12

तास्ता विलपतश्चापि विदुरस्य महात्मनः
धीरस्य वाचो नाश्रौषीः क्षेमाय वदतः शिवाः

7.126.13

तदिदं वर्तते घोरमागतं वैशसं महत्
तस्यावमानाद्वाक्यस्य दुर्योधन कृते तव

7.126.14

यच्च नः प्रेक्षमाणानां कृष्णामानाययः सभाम्
अनर्हतीं कुले जातां सर्वधर्मानुचारिणीम्

7.126.15

तस्याधर्मस्य गान्धारे फलं प्राप्तमिदं त्वया
नो चेत्पापं परे लोके त्वमर्च्छेथास्ततोऽधिकम्

7.126.16

यच्च तान्पाण्डवान्द्यूते विषमेण विजित्य ह
प्राव्राजयस्तदारण्ये रौरवाजिनवाससः

7.126.17

पुत्राणामिव चैतेषां धर्ममाचरतां सदा
द्रुह्येत्को नु नरो लोके मदन्यो ब्राह्मणब्रुवः

7.126.18

पाण्डवानामयं कोपस्त्वया शकुनिना सह
आहृतो धृतराष्ट्रस्य संमते कुरुसंसदि

7.126.19

दुःशासनेन संयुक्तः कर्णेन परिवर्धितः
क्षत्तुर्वाक्यमनादृत्य त्वयाभ्यस्तः पुनः पुनः

7.126.20

यत्तत्सर्वे पराभूय पर्यवारयतार्जुनिम्
सिन्धुराजानमाश्रित्य स वो मध्ये कथं हतः

7.126.21

कथं त्वयि च कर्णे च कृपे शल्ये च जीवति
अश्वत्थाम्नि च कौरव्य निधनं सैन्धवोऽगमत्

7.126.22

यद्वस्तत्सर्वराजानस्तेजस्तिग्ममुपासते
सिन्धुराजं परित्रातुं स वो मध्ये कथं हतः

7.126.23

मय्येव हि विशेषेण तथा दुर्योधन त्वयि
आशंसत परित्राणमर्जुनात्स महीपतिः

7.126.24

ततस्तस्मिन्परित्राणमलब्धवति फल्गुनात्
न किंचिदनुपश्यामि जीवितत्राणमात्मनः

7.126.25

मज्जन्तमिव चात्मानं धृष्टद्युम्नस्य किल्बिषे
पश्याम्यहत्वा पाञ्चालान्सह तेन शिखण्डिना

7.126.26

तन्मा किमभितप्यन्तं वाक्शरैरभिकृन्तसि
अशक्तः सिन्धुराजस्य भूत्वा त्राणाय भारत

7.126.27

सौवर्णं सत्यसंधस्य ध्वजमक्लिष्टकर्मणः
अपश्यन्युधि भीष्मस्य कथमाशंससे जयम्

7.126.28

मध्ये महारथानां च यत्राहन्यत सैन्धवः
हतो भूरिश्रवाश्चैव किं शेषं तत्र मन्यसे

7.126.29

कृप एव च दुर्धर्षो यदि जीवति पार्थिव
यो नागात्सिन्धुराजस्य वर्त्म तं पूजयाम्यहम्

7.126.30

यच्चापश्यं हतं भीष्मं पश्यतस्तेऽनुजस्य वै
दुःशासनस्य कौरव्य कुर्वाणं कर्म दुष्करम्
अवध्यकल्पं संग्रामे देवैरपि सवासवैः

7.126.31

न ते वसुंधरास्तीति तदहं चिन्तये नृप
इमानि पाण्डवानां च सृञ्जयानां च भारत
अनीकान्याद्रवन्ते मां सहितान्यद्य मारिष

7.126.32

नाहत्वा सर्वपाञ्चालान्कवचस्य विमोक्षणम्
कर्तास्मि समरे कर्म धार्तराष्ट्र हितं तव

7.126.33

राजन्ब्रूयाः सुतं मे त्वमश्वत्थामानमाहवे
न सोमकाः प्रमोक्तव्या जीवितं परिरक्षता

7.126.34

यच्च पित्रानुशिष्टोऽसि तद्वचः परिपालय
आनृशंस्ये दमे सत्ये आर्जवे च स्थिरो भव

7.126.35

धर्मार्थकामकुशलो धर्मार्थावप्यपीडयन्
धर्मप्रधानः कार्याणि कुर्याश्चेति पुनः पुनः

7.126.36

चक्षुर्मनोभ्यां संतोष्या विप्राः सेव्याश्च शक्तितः
न चैषां विप्रियं कार्यं ते हि वह्निशिखोपमाः

7.126.37

एष त्वहमनीकानि प्रविशाम्यरिसूदन
रणाय महते राजंस्त्वया वाक्शल्यपीडितः

7.126.38

त्वं च दुर्योधन बलं यदि शक्नोषि धारय
रात्रावपि हि योत्स्यन्ते संरब्धाः कुरुसृञ्जयाः

7.126.39

एवमुक्त्वा ततः प्रायाद्द्रोणः पाण्डवसृञ्जयान्
मुष्णन्क्षत्रियतेजांसि नक्षत्राणामिवांशुमान्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'After the ruler of the Sindhus had been slain in battle by Savyasachin and after the fall of Bhurisravas, what became the state of your mind? After Drona also had been thus addressed by Duryodhana in the midst of the Kurus, what did the preceptor say unto him then? Tell me all this, O Sanjaya!'

"Sanjaya said, 'Loud wails arose among thy coops, O Bharata, after the slaughter of Bhurisravas and the ruler of the Sindhus. All of them disregarded the counsels of thy son, those counsels in consequence of which leaders of men, by hundreds, were slain, As regards Drona, hearing those words of thy son, he became filled with grief. Reflecting for a short while, O monarch, he said these words in great affliction.

"Drona said, O Duryodhana, why dost thou pierce me thus with wordy shafts? I told thee before that Arjuna is incapable of defeat in battle. Protected by the diadem-decked Arjuna, Sikhandin slew Bhishma. By that feat, O thou of Kuru's race, the prowess of Arjuna in battle hath been well-tested. Beholding Bhisma who was incapable of being defeated by the gods and the Danavas, actually slain in battle, even then I knew that this Bharata host is doomed. Upon the fall of him whom of all persons in the three worlds, we had regarded to be the very foremost of heroes, who else is there upon whom we are to rely? Those dice, O sire, with which Sakuni formerly played in the Kuru assembly, were not dice but keen arrows capable of slaying foes. Even those arrows, O sire, sped by Jaya, are now slaying us. Though Vidura characterised them to be such, thou didst not yet understand them to be so. Those words, again, that the wise and high-souled Vidura, with tears in his eyes had then said unto thee, those auspicious words recommending peace, thou didst not then hear. That calamity which foretold hath now come. That frightful carnage, O Duryodhana, hath now come as the result of that disobedience by thee of Vidura's words. That man of foolish understanding who, disregarding the salutary words of trusted friends, followeth his own opinion, soon falls into a pitiable plight. O son of Gandhari, this great evil, viz., that dragging in our very sight to the Kuru assembly of Krishna who never deserved such treatment, who hath been born in a noble race, and who practiseth every virtue. Know that all this is but little, for in the next world dire consequences yet will be thine. Vanquishing the Pandavas at dice by deceit, thou hadst sent them, into the woods, attired in deer-skins. What other Brahmana, except myself, in this world, would seek to injure those princes that are ever engaged in the practice of virtue and that are to me even as my own sons" With the approval of Dhritarashtra, in the midst of the Kuru assembly, thou hadst, with Sakuni as thy help-mate, provoked the ire of the Pandavas. United with Duhsasana, Karna then fanned that wrath. Disregarding the words of Vidura, thou hast repeatedly fanned it thyself. With resolute care, all

of you had surrounded Arjuna, resolved to stand by the ruler of the Sindhus. Why then have all of you been vanquished and why also has Jayadratha been slain? Why, when thou art alive, and Karna, and Kripa, and Salya, and Aswatthaman, O Kauravya, hath the ruler of the Sindhus been slain? For rescuing the ruler of the Sindhus, the kings (on thy side) had put forth all their fierce energy. Why, then, hath Jayadratha been slain in their midst? Relying upon me, king Jayadratha had expected his rescue from the hands of Arjuna. He, however, obtained not the rescue he had expected. I do not also see my safety for my own self. Until I succeed in slaying the Panchalas with Sikhandin, I feel like one sinking in the Dhristadyumna-mire. Having failed, O Bharata, in rescuing the ruler of the Sindhus, why dost thou pierce me thus with thy wordy shafts, seeing that I too am burning with grief? Thou seest not any longer on the field the gold standards of Bhishma of sure aim, that warrior who was never tired in battle. How, then, canst thou hope for success? When the ruler of the Sindhus and Bhurisravas also have been slain in the very midst of so many mighty car-warriors, what do you think, will the end be? Kripa, difficult of being vanquished, is still alive, O king! That he hath not followed in the track of Jayadratha, I applaud him highly for this! When I saw Bhishma himself, that achiever of the most difficult feats (in battle), that warrior who was incapable of being slain in battle by the gods with Vasava at their head, slain in thy sight, O Kaurava, as also of thy younger brother Duhsasana, I thought then, O king, that the Earth hath abandoned thee. Yonder the troops of the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, united together, are now rushing against me. For achieving thy good in battle, O son of Dhritarashtra, I will not without slaying all the Panchalas, put off my armour. O king, go and tell my son Aswatthaman who is present in battle that even at the risk of his life he should not let the Somakas alone. 1 Thou shouldst also tell him, 'Observe all the instructions thou hast received from thy father. Be firm in acts of humility, in self-restraint, in truth and righteousness. Observant of religion, profit, and pleasure, without neglecting religion and profit, thou shouldst always accomplish those acts in which religion predominates. The Brahmanas should always be gratified with presents. All of them deserve thy worship. Thou shouldst never do anything that is injurious to them. They are like flames of fire. As regards myself, I will penetrate the hostile host, O slayer of foes, for doing great battle, pierced as I am by thee with thy wordy shafts. If thou canst, O Duryodhana, go and protect those troops. Both the Kurus and the Srinjayas have been angry. They will fight even during the night.' Having said these words, Drona proceeded against the Pandavas and set himself to over-ride the energy of the Kshatriyas like the sun overshadowing the light of the stars.'"

338:1 i.e., 'he should, by very means in his power, avenge himself on the Somakas, those enemies of mine.'

7.127.1

संजय उवाच
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा द्रोणेनैवं प्रचोदितः
अमर्षवशमापन्नो युद्धायैव मनो दधे

7.127.2

अब्रवीच्च तदा कर्णं पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
पश्य कृष्णसहायेन पाण्डवेन किरीटिना
आचार्यविहितं व्यूहं भिन्नं देवैः सुदुर्भिदम्

7.127.3

तव व्यायच्छमानस्य द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः
मिषतां योधमुख्यानां सैन्धवो विनिपातितः

7.127.4

पश्य राधेय राजानः पृथिव्यां प्रवरा युधि
पार्थेनैकेन निहताः सिंहेनेवेतरा मृगाः

7.127.5

मम व्यायच्छमानस्य समरे शत्रुसूदन
अल्पावशेषं सैन्यं मे कृतं शक्रात्मजेन ह

7.127.6

कथं ह्यनिच्छमानस्य द्रोणस्य युधि फल्गुनः
भिन्द्यात्सुदुर्भिदं व्यूहं यतमानोऽपि संयुगे

7.127.7

प्रियो हि फल्गुनो नित्यमाचार्यस्य महात्मनः
ततोऽस्य दत्तवान्द्वारं नयुद्धेनारिमर्दन

7.127.8

अभयं सैन्धवस्याजौ दत्त्वा द्रोणः परंतपः
प्रादात्किरीटिने द्वारं पश्य निर्गुणतां मम

7.127.9

यद्यदास्यमनुज्ञां वै पूर्वमेव गृहान्प्रति
सिन्धुराजस्य समरे नाभविष्यज्जनक्षयः

7.127.10

जयद्रथो जीवितार्थी गच्छमानो गृहान्प्रति
मयानार्येण संरुद्धो द्रोणात्प्राप्याभयं रणे

7.127.11

अद्य मे भ्रातरः क्षीणाश्चित्रसेनादयो युधि
भीमसेनं समासाद्य पश्यतां नो दुरात्मनाम्

7.127.12

कर्ण उवाच
आचार्यं मा विगर्हस्व शक्त्या युध्यत्यसौ द्विजः
अजय्यान्पाण्डवान्मन्ये द्रोणेनास्त्रविदा मृधे

7.127.13

तथा ह्येनमतिक्रम्य प्रविष्टः श्वेतवाहनः
दैवदृष्टोऽन्यथाभावो न मन्ये विद्यते क्वचित्

7.127.14

ततो नो युध्यमानानां परं शक्त्या सुयोधन
सैन्धवो निहतो राजन्दैवमत्र परं स्मृतम्

7.127.15

परं यत्नं कुर्वतां च त्वया सार्धं रणाजिरे
हत्वास्माकं पौरुषं हि दैवं पश्चात्करोति नः
सततं चेष्टमानानां निकृत्या विक्रमेण च

7.127.16

दैवोपसृष्टः पुरुषो यत्कर्म कुरुते क्वचित्
कृतं कृतं स्म तत्तस्य दैवेन विनिहन्यते

7.127.17

यत्कर्तव्यं मनुष्येण व्यवसायवता सता
तत्कार्यमविशङ्केन सिद्धिर्दैवे प्रतिष्ठिता

7.127.18

निकृत्या निकृताः पार्था विषयोगैश्च भारत
दग्धा जतुगृहे चापि द्यूतेन च पराजिताः

7.127.19

राजनीतिं व्यपाश्रित्य प्रहिताश्चैव काननम्
यत्नेन च कृतं यत्ते दैवेन विनिपातितम्

7.127.20

युध्यस्व यत्नमास्थाय मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्
यततस्तव तेषां च दैवं मार्गेण यास्यति

7.127.21

न तेषां मतिपूर्वं हि सुकृतं दृश्यते क्वचित्
दुष्कृतं तव वा वीर बुद्ध्या हीनं कुरूद्वह

7.127.22

दैवं प्रमाणं सर्वस्य सुकृतस्येतरस्य वा
अनन्यकर्म दैवं हि जागर्ति स्वपतामपि

7.127.23

बहूनि तव सैन्यानि योधाश्च बहवस्तथा
न तथा पाण्डुपुत्राणामेवं युद्धमवर्तत

7.127.24

तैरल्पैर्बहवो यूयं क्षयं नीताः प्रहारिणः
शङ्के दैवस्य तत्कर्म पौरुषं येन नाशितम्

7.127.25

संजय उवाच
एवं संभाषमाणानां बहु तत्तज्जनाधिप
पाण्डवानामनीकानि समदृश्यन्त संयुगे

7.127.26

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं व्यतिषक्तरथद्विपम्
तावकानां परैः सार्धं राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Thus urged by Drona, king Duryodhana, filled with rage set his heart on battle. And thy son, Duryodhana, then said unto Karna, 'Behold, the diadem-decked son of Pandu, with Krishna alone for helpmate, penetrated into the array formed by the preceptor, an array that the gods themselves could not pierce, and in the very sight of the illustrious Drona struggling in battle and of many other foremost of warriors, slew the ruler of the Sindhus. Behold, O son of Radha, many foremost of kings lying on the earth, slain in battle. Partha unaided by any one, in the very sight of the illustrious Drona and myself, vigorously exerting ourselves like a host of inferior animals-slain by a lion. The son of Sakra hath reduced my host to a small remnant of what it was. How, indeed, could Phalguna, in spite of the resistance offered by Drona in battle, accomplish his vow by slaying the ruler of the Sindhus? If Drona had not himself willed it, O hero, how could the son of Pandu, in battle, have pierced that impenetrable array, overcoming his struggling preceptor? Truly, Phalguna is exceedingly dear to the illustrious preceptor! For this, the latter gave him admittance, without having fought with him. Behold my misfortune! Having in the first instance promised protection unto the ruler of the Sindhus, Drona, that scorcher of foes, gave unto the diadem-decked Arjuna admittance into the array! If he had in the beginning granted permission to the ruler of the Sindhus for his return home, without doubt, such an awful carnage would then have never occurred. Alas! Jayadratha, in hopes of saving his life, had desired to return home. Having obtained from Drona a promise of protection in battle, it was I, a fool that I was, who prevented him from going. Alas, today my brothers having Chitrasena for their head, have all perished in the very sight of our wretched selves.' 1

"Karna said, 'Do not blame the preceptor. That Brahmana is fighting according to the measure of his power and courage and regardless of his very life. If Arjuna, of white steeds, having transgressed him, penetrated into our array, the slightest fault does not, for that, attach to the preceptor. Phalguna is accomplished in weapons, possessed of great activity, endued with youth; he is a hero who has mastered all arms; he is distinguished for the celerity of his movements. Armed with celestial weapons and mounted on his ape-bannered car, the reins of whose steeds again were in the hands of Krishna, cased in impenetrable armour, and taking his celestial bow Gandiva of unfading might, the valiant Arjuna, scattering keen arrows, and proud of the strength of his arms, transgressed Drona. There is nothing to wonder at this. The preceptor, on the other hand is, O king, old and incapable of proceeding quickly. He is also, O king, incapable of exercising his arms long. It was for this that Phalguna, of

white steeds and having Krishna for his charioteer, succeeded in transgressing the preceptor. For this reason also, I do not see any fault in Drona. For all that, when Arjuna, of white steeds, penetrated into our array, having transgressed the preceptor it seems that the latter, however skilled in weapons, is incapable of vanquishing the Pandavas in battle. I think that which is ordained by Fate never occurs otherwise. And since, O Suyodhana, in spite of ourselves fighting to the utmost extent of our powers, the ruler of the Sindhus has been slain in battle, it seems that Fate is all-powerful. With thyself we had all been exerting to the utmost of our might on the field of battle. Fate, however, baffling our exertions, did not smile on us. We have always exerted to injure the Pandavas, relying both on deceit and prowess. Whatever act, O king, a person afflicted by Fate does, is frustrated by Fate, however, much the person himself may strive to achieve it. Whatever, indeed, a man endued with perseverance should do, ought to be done fearlessly. Success depends on Fate! By deceit the sons of Pritha were beguiled as also by the administration of poison, O Bharata! Burnt they were in the palace of lac, vanquished they were at dice. In accordance with the dictates of statecraft, they were exited into the woods. All these, though done by us with care, have been baffled by Fate. Fight with resolution, O king, setting Fate at nought. Between thee and them, both striving to the best of your prowess even Fate may prove auspicious to that party which excels the other. 1 No wise measures have been adopted by the Pandavas with the aid of superior intelligence. Nor, O hero, do we see, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, that thou hast done anything unwise from want of intelligence! It is Fate that decides the result of acts, wise or unwise; Fate, ever intent on its own purposes is awake when all else sleeps. Vast was thy host, and thy warriors are many. Even thus the battle began. With their small force, much greater and consisting of men capable of smiting effectually, hath been much reduced. I fear, it is the work of Fate, that has frustrated our exertions.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'While they were discoursing thus, O king, the Pandava divisions appeared for battle. Then occurred a fierce battle between thy warriors and theirs, in which cars and elephants encountered one another. All this, however, O king, was due to thy evil policy!'"

339:1 This is a triplet in the Bengal texts.

340:1 I render the second line freely, following Nilakantha.

7.128.1

संजय उवाच
तदुदीर्णगजाश्वौघं बलं तव जनाधिप
पाण्डुसेनामभिद्रुत्य योधयामास सर्वतः

7.128.2

पाञ्चालाः कुरवश्चैव योधयन्तः परस्परम्
यमराष्ट्राय महते परलोकाय दीक्षिताः

7.128.3

शूराः शूरैः समागम्य शरतोमरशक्तिभिः
विव्यधुः समरे तूर्णं निन्युश्चैव यमक्षयम्

7.128.4

रथिनां रथिभिः सार्धं रुधिरस्रावि दारुणम्
प्रावर्तत महद्युद्धं निघ्नतामितरेतरम्

7.128.5

वारणाश्च महाराज समासाद्य परस्परम्
विषाणैर्दारयामासुः संक्रुद्धाश्च मदोत्कटाः

7.128.6

हयारोहान्हयारोहाः प्रासशक्तिपरश्वधैः
बिभिदुस्तुमुले युद्धे प्रार्थयन्तो महद्यशः

7.128.7

पत्तयश्च महाबाहो शतशः शस्त्रपाणयः
अन्योन्यमार्दयन्राजन्नित्ययत्ताः पराक्रमे

7.128.8

गोत्राणां नामधेयानां कुलानां चैव मारिष
श्रवणाद्धि विजानीमः पाञ्चालान्कुरुभिः सह

7.128.9

अन्योन्यं समरे योधाः शरशक्तिपरश्वधैः
प्रेषयन्परलोकाय विचरन्तो ह्यभीतवत्

7.128.10

शरैर्दश दिशो राजंस्तेषां मुक्तैः सहस्रशः
न भ्राजन्त यथापूर्वं भास्करेऽस्तं गतेऽपि च

7.128.11

तथा प्रयुध्यमानेषु पाण्डवेयेषु निर्भयः
दुर्योधनो महाराज व्यवगाहत तद्बलम्

7.128.12

सैन्धवस्य वधेनैव भृशं दुःखसमन्वितः
मर्तव्यमिति संचिन्त्य प्राविशत्तु द्विषद्बलम्

7.128.13

नादयन्रथघोषेण कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्
अभ्यवर्तत पुत्रस्ते पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्

7.128.14

स संनिपातस्तुमुलस्तस्य तेषां च भारत
अभवत्सर्वसैन्यानामभावकरणो महान्

7.128.15

मध्यंदिनगतं सूर्यं प्रतपन्तं गभस्तिभिः
तथा तव सुतं मध्ये प्रतपन्तं शरोर्मिभिः

7.128.16

न शेकुर्भारतं युद्धे पाण्डवाः समवेक्षितुम्
पलायने कृतोत्साहा निरुत्साहा द्विषज्जये

7.128.17

पर्यधावन्त पाञ्चाला वध्यमाना महात्मना
रुक्मपुङ्खैः प्रसन्नाग्रैस्तव पुत्रेण धन्विना
अर्द्यमानाः शरैस्तूर्णं न्यपतन्पाण्डुसैनिकाः

7.128.18

न तादृशं रणे कर्म कृतवन्तस्तु तावकाः
यादृशं कृतवान्राजा पुत्रस्तव विशां पते

7.128.19

पुत्रेण तव सा सेना पाण्डवी मथिता रणे
नलिनी द्विरदेनेव समन्तात्फुल्लपङ्कजा

7.128.20

क्षीणतोयानिलार्काभ्यां हतत्विडिव पद्मिनी
बभूव पाण्डवी सेना तव पुत्रस्य तेजसा

7.128.21

पाण्डुसेनां हतां दृष्ट्वा तव पुत्रेण भारत
भीमसेनपुरोगास्तु पाञ्चालाः समुपाद्रवन्

7.128.22

स भीमसेनं दशभिर्माद्रीपुत्रौ त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
विराटद्रुपदौ षड्भिः शतेन च शिखण्डिनम्

7.128.23

धृष्टद्युम्नं च सप्तत्या धर्मपुत्रं च सप्तभिः
केकयांश्चैव चेदींश्च बहुभिर्निशितैः शरैः

7.128.24

सात्वतं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा द्रौपदेयांस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
घटोत्कचं च समरे विद्ध्वा सिंह इवानदत्

7.128.25

शतशश्चापरान्योधान्सद्विपाश्वरथान्रणे
शरैरवचकर्तोग्रैः क्रुद्धोऽन्तक इव प्रजाः

7.128.26

तस्य तान्निघ्नतः शत्रून्रुक्मपृष्ठं महद्धनुः
भल्लाभ्यां पाण्डवो ज्येष्ठस्त्रिधा चिच्छेद मारिष

7.128.27

विव्याध चैनं दशभिः सम्यगस्तैः शितैः शरैः
मर्माणि भित्त्वा ते सर्वे संभग्नाः क्षितिमाविशन्

7.128.28

ततः प्रमुदिता योधाः परिवव्रुर्युधिष्ठिरम्
वृत्रहत्यै यथा देवाः परिवव्रुः पुरंदरम्

7.128.29

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा तव पुत्रस्य मारिष
शरं परमदुर्वारं प्रेषयामास संयुगे
स तेन भृशसंविद्धो निषसाद रथोत्तमे

7.128.30

ततः पाञ्चालसैन्यानां भृशमासीद्रवो महान्
हतो राजेति राजेन्द्र मुदितानां समन्ततः

7.128.31

बाणशब्दरवश्चोग्रः शुश्रुवे तत्र मारिष
अथ द्रोणो द्रुतं तत्र प्रत्यदृश्यत संयुगे

7.128.32

हृष्टो दुर्योधनश्चापि दृढमादाय कार्मुकम्
तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति राजानं ब्रुवन्पाण्डवमभ्ययात्

7.128.33

प्रत्युद्ययुस्तं त्वरिताः पाञ्चाला राजगृद्धिनः
तान्द्रोणः प्रतिजग्राह परीप्सन्कुरुसत्तमम्
चण्डवातोद्धतान्मेघान्निघ्नन्रश्मिमुचो यथा

7.128.34

ततो राजन्महानासीत्संग्रामो भूरिवर्धनः
तावकानां परेषां च समेतानां युयुत्सया

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

(Ghatotkacha-badha Parva)

"Sanjaya said, 'That elephant force of thine, O king, swelling with might, fought everywhere, prevailing over the Pandava force. Resolved to go to

the other world, the Panchalas and the Kauravas fought with one another for admission into the swelling domains of Yama. Brave warriors, encountering brave rivals, pierced one another with arrows and lances and darts, and quickly despatched one another unto Yama's abode. Dreadful was the battle that took place between car-warriors and car-warriors who struck one another and caused a fierce flow of blood. Infuriated elephants, encountering infuriated compeers, afflicted one another with their tusks. Horsemen, solicitous of glory, pierced and cut down horsemen in that terrific melee with spears and darts and battle-axes. Foot-soldiers also O mighty-armed one, in hundreds, armed with weapons, repeatedly rushed against one another with resolute courage, O scorcher of foes! So great was the confusion that the Panchalas and the Kurus could only be distinguished from each other by the tribal, the family, and the personal names we heard them utter. The warriors, despatching one another to the other world with arrows and darts and axes, careered fearlessly on the field. With thousands of arrows, however, O king, shot by the combatants the ten points were no longer illuminated as before in consequence of the Sun having set. While the Pandavas were thus fighting, O Bharata, Duryodhana, O king, penetrated into the midst of their host. Filled with great wrath at the slaughter of the ruler of Sindhus, and resolved to lay down his life, he penetrated into the hostile army. Filling the earth with the rattle of his car-wheels and causing her to tremble therewith, thy son approached the Pandava host. Terrific was the clash that took place between him and them, O Bharata, causing a tremendous carnage of troops. Like the sun himself at midday scorching everything with his rays, thy son scorched the hostile host with his arrowy showers. 1 The Pandavas became incapable of even looking at their brother (Duryodhana). Despairing of vanquishing their foes, they set their hearts on flying away from the field. Slaughtered by thy illustrious son, armed with the bow, by means of his gold-winged arrows of blazing points, the Panchalas ran away in all directions. Afflicted with those keen shafts, the Pandava troops began to fall down on the ground. Indeed, the Pandavas had never succeeded in achieving such a feat in battle as was then achieved by thy royal son, O monarch! The Pandava host was crushed and ground by an elephant. 2 As, again, an assemblage of lotuses becomes shorn of its beauty when the water (over which it grows) is dried up by the sun and the wind, even so became the Pandava host being dried up by thy son, O Bharata, the Panchalas, with Bhimasena then with ten shafts, and each of the sons of Madri with three, and Virata and Drupada each with six, and Sikhandin with a hundred, and Dhrishtadyumna with seventy, and Yudhishthira with seven, and the Kaikeyas and the Chedis with innumerable keen shafts, and Satwata with five, and each of the (five) sons of Draupadi with three, and Ghatotkacha also with a few, he uttered a

leonine shout. Cutting off hundreds of other warriors and the bodies of elephants and steeds in that great battle by means of his fierce shafts, he behaved like the Destroyer himself in rage slaying created beings. 1 While engaged, however, in thus slaughtering his foes, his bow, the back of whose staff was ornamented with gold, Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, O sire, cut off into three parts with a pair of broad-headed shafts. And Yudhishthira pierced Duryodhana himself with ten keen arrows shot with great force. Piercing through Duryodhana's vital limbs, those passed out and entered the earth in a continuous line. The troops that stood around then encompassed Yudhishthira, like the celestials encompassing Purandara for the slaughter of Vritra. Then king Yudhishthira, O sire, who is incapable of being easily defeated, shot at thy son in that battle a fierce shaft. Deeply pierced therewith, Duryodhana sat down on his excellent car. Then a loud noise arose from among the Panchala troops. Even this, O monarch, was that tremendous uproar, viz., 'The king is slain!' The fierce whizz of arrows also was heard there, O Bharata. Then Drona quickly showed himself there in that battle. Meanwhile, Duryodhana recovering his senses, had firmly grasped the bow. He then rushed towards the royal son of Pandu saying, 'Wait, Wait.' Then the Panchalas also solicitous of victory, began to advance with speed. Desirous of rescuing the Kuru prince, Drona received them all. And the preceptor began to destroy them like the bright-rayed maker of day destroying tempest-tossed clouds. Then, O king, there occurred a fierce battle, fraught with immense carnage, between thine and theirs encountering one another from desire of fight.'"

341:1 Literally, 'with shafts resembling his rays.'

341:2 Or, 'as a lake overgrown with lotuses is agitated on every side by an elephant.'

342:1 Sixteen lines, occurring after this in the Bombay edition, have been omitted in the Calcutta edition.

7.129.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यत्तदा प्राविशत्पाण्डूनाचार्यः कुपितो वशी
उक्त्वा दुर्योधनं सम्यङ्मम शास्त्रातिगं सुतम्

7.129.2

प्रविश्य विचरन्तं च रणे शूरमवस्थितम्
कथं द्रोणं महेष्वासं पाण्डवाः पर्यवारयन्

7.129.3

केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रमाचार्यस्य महात्मनः
के चोत्तरमरक्षन्त निघ्नतः शात्रवान्रणे

7.129.4

नृत्यन्स रथमार्गेषु सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
धूमकेतुरिव क्रुद्धः कथं मृत्युमुपेयिवान्

7.129.5

संजय उवाच
सायाह्ने सैन्धवं हत्वा राज्ञा पार्थः समेत्य च
सात्यकिश्च महेष्वासो द्रोणमेवाभ्यधावताम्

7.129.6

तथा युधिष्ठिरस्तूर्णं भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः
पृथक्चमूभ्यां संसक्तौ द्रोणमेवाभ्यधावताम्

7.129.7

तथैव नकुलो धीमान्सहदेवश्च दुर्जयः
धृष्टद्युम्नः शतानीको विराटश्च सकेकयः
मत्स्याः शाल्वेयसेनाश्च द्रोणमेव ययुर्युधि

7.129.8

द्रुपदश्च तथा राजा पाञ्चालैरभिरक्षितः
धृष्टद्युम्नपिता राजन्द्रोणमेवाभ्यवर्तत

7.129.9

द्रौपदेया महेष्वासा राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः
ससेनास्तेऽभ्यवर्तन्त द्रोणमेव महाद्युतिम्

7.129.10

प्रभद्रकाश्च पाञ्चालाः षट्सहस्राः प्रहारिणः
द्रोणमेवाभ्यवर्तन्त पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम्

7.129.11

तथेतरे नरव्याघ्राः पाण्डवानां महारथाः
सहिताः संन्यवर्तन्त द्रोणमेव द्विजर्षभम्

7.129.12

तेषु शूरेषु युद्धाय गतेषु भरतर्षभ
बभूव रजनी घोरा भीरूणां भयवर्धिनी

7.129.13

योधानामशिवा रौद्रा राजन्नन्तकगामिनी
कुञ्जराश्वमनुष्याणां प्राणान्तकरणी तदा

7.129.14

तस्यां रजन्यां घोरायां नदन्त्यः सर्वतः शिवाः
न्यवेदयन्भयं घोरं सज्वालकवलैर्मुखैः

7.129.15

उलूकाश्चाप्यदृश्यन्त शंसन्तो विपुलं भयम्
विशेषतः कौरवाणां ध्वजिन्यामतिदारुणम्

7.129.16

ततः सैन्येषु राजेन्द्र शब्दः समभवन्महान्
भेरीशब्देन महता मृदङ्गानां स्वनेन च

7.129.17

गजानां गर्जितैश्चापि तुरङ्गाणां च हेषितैः
खुरशब्दनिपातैश्च तुमुलः सर्वतोऽभवत्

7.129.18

ततः समभवद्युद्धं संध्यायामतिदारुणम्
द्रोणस्य च महाराज सृञ्जयानां च सर्वशः

7.129.19

तमसा चावृते लोके न प्राज्ञायत किंचन
सैन्येन रजसा चैव समन्तादुत्थितेन ह

7.129.20

नरस्याश्वस्य नागस्य समसज्जत शोणितम्
नापश्याम रजो भौमं कश्मलेनाभिसंवृताः

7.129.21

रात्रौ वंशवनस्येव दह्यमानस्य पर्वते
घोरश्चटचटाशब्दः शस्त्राणां पततामभूत्

7.129.22

नैव स्वे न परे राजन्प्राज्ञायन्त तमोवृते
उन्मत्तमिव तत्सर्वं बभूव रजनीमुखे

7.129.23

भौमं रजोऽथ राजेन्द्र शोणितेन प्रशामितम्
शातकौम्भैश्च कवचैर्भूषणैश्च तमोऽभ्यगात्

7.129.24

ततः सा भारती सेना मणिहेमविभूषिता
द्यौरिवासीत्सनक्षत्रा रजन्यां भरतर्षभ

7.129.25

गोमायुबडसंघुष्टा शक्तिध्वजसमाकुला
दारुणाभिरुता घोरा क्ष्वेडितोत्क्रुष्टनादिता

7.129.26

ततोऽभवन्महाशब्दस्तुमुलो लोमहर्षणः
समावृण्वन्दिशः सर्वा महेन्द्राशनिनिस्वनः

7.129.27

सा निशीथे महाराज सेनादृश्यत भारती
अङ्गदैः कुण्डलैर्निष्कैः शस्त्रैश्चैवावभासिता

7.129.28

तत्र नागा रथाश्चैव जाम्बूनदविभूषिताः
निशायां प्रत्यदृश्यन्त मेघा इव सविद्युतः

7.129.29

ऋष्टिशक्तिगदाबाणमुसलप्रासपट्टिशाः
संपतन्तो व्यदृश्यन्त भ्राजमाना इवाग्नयः

7.129.30

दुर्योधनपुरोवातां रथनागबलाहकाम्
वादित्रघोषस्तनितां चापविद्युद्ध्वजैर्वृताम्

7.129.31

द्रोणपाण्डवपर्जन्यां खड्गशक्तिगदाशनिम्
शरधारास्त्रपवनां भृशं शीतोष्णसंकुलाम्

7.129.32

घोरां विस्मापनीमुग्रां जीवितच्छिदमप्लवाम्
तां प्राविशन्नतिभयां सेनां युद्धचिकीर्षवः

7.129.33

तस्मिन्रात्रिमुखे घोरे महाशब्दनिनादिते
भीरूणां त्रासजनने शूराणां हर्षवर्धने

7.129.34

रात्रियुद्धे तदा घोरे वर्तमाने सुदारुणे
द्रोणमभ्यद्रवन्क्रुद्धाः सहिताः पाण्डुसृञ्जयाः

7.129.35

ये ये प्रमुखतो राजन्न्यवर्तन्त महात्मनः
तान्सर्वान्विमुखांश्चक्रे कांश्चिन्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Having said all those words unto my son, Duryodhana, who is ever disobedient to my commands, when that mighty bowman endued with great strength, viz., the preceptor Drona, penetrated in wrath into the Pandava host, and when that hero, stationed on his car, careered over the field, how did the Pandavas check his course? Who protected the right wheel of the preceptor's car in that dreadful battle? Who also protected his left when he fiercely slaughtered the foe? Who were those brave warriors that followed that fighting hero at his back? Who were those, then, that stood in front of that car-warrior? When that unvanquished and great bowman, that foremost of all bearers of weapons, dancing along the track of his car, entered the Pandavas host, I think, his

foes felt an excessive and unseasonable cold. I think, they trembled like kine exposed to wintry blasts. How did that bull among car-warriors, who consumed all the troops of the Panchalas like a raging conflagration, meet with his death?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Having slain the ruler of the Sindhus in the evening, Partha, after his meeting with Yudhishthira and the great bowman, viz., Satyaki, both proceeded towards Drona. Then Yudhishthira, and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, each with a separate division of the army, quickly proceeded against Drona. Similarly, the intelligent Nakula, and the invincible Sahadeva, and Dhrishtadyumna with his own division, and Virata, and the ruler of the Salwas, with a large force, proceeded against Drona in battle. Similarly, king Drupada, the father of Dhrishtadyumna, protected by the Panchalas proceeded, O king, against Drona. And the sons of Draupadi, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, accompanied by their forces, proceeded against Drona of great splendour. The Prabhadraka-Panchalas also six thousand strong, and all effectual smiters, proceeded against Drona placing Sikhandin at their head. Other foremost of men and mighty car-warriors among the Pandavas, uniting together, O bull among men, proceeded against Drona. When those heroic warriors, O bull among the Bharatas, proceeded to battle, the night became pitch dark, enhancing the terrors of the timid. And during that hour of darkness, O king, many were the warriors that laid down their lives. And that night also proved the death of many elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers. On that night of pitch darkness, yelling jackals everywhere inspired great fear with their blazing mouths. Fierce owls, perching on the standards of Kauravas and hooting therefrom, foreboded fears. Then, O king, a fierce uproar arose among the troops. Mingling with the loud beat of drums and cymbals, grunts of elephants, neighings of steeds, and stampings of horse-hoofs, that uproar spread everywhere. Then, in that hour of evening, fierce was the battle that took place between Drona, O king, and all of the Srinjayas. The world having been enveloped in darkness, nothing could be noticed. The welkin was covered with the dust raised by the combatants. Blood of man and horse and elephant mingled together. The earthy dust then disappeared. All of us became perfectly cheerless. During that night, like the sounds of a burning forest of bamboos on a mountain, frightful sounds were heard of clashing weapons. With the sounds of Mridangas and Anakas and Vallakis and Patahas, 1 with the shouts (of human beings) and the neigh (of steeds), a dreadful confusion set in everywhere, O lord! When the field of battle was enveloped in darkness, friends, O king, could not be distinguished from foes. All were possessed with a madness in that night. The earthen dust that had arisen, O king, was soon allayed with showers of blood. Then, in consequence of golden coats of mail and the bright ornaments of the warriors, that darkness was dispelled. The Bharata host then, adorned with gems and gold (and abounding with darts and

standards), looked like the firmament in the night, O bull of Bharata's race, bespangled with stars. The field of battle then resounded with the yells of jackals and the cawings of crows, with the grunts of elephants, and the shouts and cries of the warriors. Those sounds, mingling together, produced a loud uproar, making the hair stand on end. That uproar filled all the points of the compass like the report of Indra's thunder. At dead of night, the Bharata host seemed illuminated with the Angadas, the ear-rings, the cuirasses, and the weapons of combatants. There elephants and cars, adorned with gold, looked in that night like clouds charged with lightning. Swords and darts and maces and scimitars and clubs and lances and axes, as they fell, looked like dazzling flashes of fire. Duryodhana was the gust of wind that was the precursor (of that tempest-like host). Cars and elephants constituted its dry clouds. The loud noise of drums and other instruments formed the peal of its thunders. Abounding with standards, bows formed to lightning flashes. Drona and the Pandavas formed its pouring clouds. Scimitars and darts and maces constituted its thunders. Shafts formed its downpour, and weapons (of other kinds) its incessant gusts of wind. And the winds that blew were both exceedingly hot and exceedingly cold. Terrible, stunning and fierce, it was destructive of life. There was nothing that could afford shelter from it. 1 Combatants, desirous of battle entered into that frightful host on that dreadful night resounding with terrible noises, enhancing the fears of the timid and the delight of heroes. And during the progress of that fierce and dreadful battle in the night, the Pandus and the Srinjayas, united together, rushed in wrath against Drona. All these, however, O king, that advanced right against the illustrious Drona, were either obliged to turn back or despatched to the abode of Yama. Indeed, on that night, Drona alone pierced with his shafts, elephants in thousands and cars in tens of thousands and millions of millions of foot-soldiers and steeds.'"

343:1 Drums of diverse kinds and sizes.

344:1 The Bombay reading is apalavam and not viplatam.

7.130.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तस्मिन्प्रविष्टे दुर्धर्षे सृञ्जयानमितौजसि
अमृष्यमाणे संरब्धे का वोऽभूद्वै मतिस्तदा

7.130.2

दुर्योधनं तथा पुत्रमुक्त्वा शास्त्रातिगं मम
यत्प्राविशदमेयात्मा किं पार्थः प्रत्यपद्यत

7.130.3

निहते सैन्धवे वीरे भूरिश्रवसि चैव हि
यदभ्यगान्महातेजाः पाञ्चालानपराजितः

7.130.4

किममन्यत दुर्धर्षः प्रविष्टे शत्रुतापने
दुर्योधनश्च किं कृत्यं प्राप्तकालममन्यत

7.130.5

के च तं वरदं वीरमन्वयुर्द्विजसत्तमम्
के चास्य पृष्ठतोऽगच्छन्वीराः शूरस्य युध्यतः
के पुरस्तादयुध्यन्त निघ्नतः शात्रवान्रणे

7.130.6

मन्येऽहं पाण्डवान्सर्वान्भारद्वाजशरार्दितान्
शिशिरे कम्पमाना वै कृशा गाव इवाभिभो

7.130.7

प्रविश्य स महेष्वासः पाञ्चालानरिमर्दनः
कथं नु पुरुषव्याघ्रः पञ्चत्वमुपजग्मिवान्

7.130.8

सर्वेषु सैन्येषु च संगतेषु; रात्रौ समेतेषु महारथेषु
संलोड्यमानेषु पृथग्विधेषु; के वस्तदानीं मतिमन्त आसन्

7.130.9

हतांश्चैव विषक्तांश्च पराभूतांश्च शंससि
रथिनो विरथांश्चैव कृतान्युद्धेषु मामकान्

7.130.10

कथमेषां तदा तत्र पार्थानामपलायिनाम्
प्रकाशमभवद्रात्रौ कथं कुरुषु संजय

7.130.11

संजय उवाच
रात्रियुद्धे तदा राजन्वर्तमाने सुदारुणे
द्रोणमभ्यद्रवन्रात्रौ पाण्डवाः सहसैनिकाः

7.130.12

ततो द्रोणः केकयांश्च धृष्टद्युम्नस्य चात्मजान्
प्रेषयन्मृत्युलोकाय सर्वानिषुभिराशुगैः

7.130.13

तस्य प्रमुखतो राजन्येऽवर्तन्त महारथाः
तान्सर्वान्प्रेषयामास परलोकाय भारत

7.130.14

प्रमथ्नन्तं तदा वीरं भारद्वाजं महारथम्
अभ्यवर्तत संक्रुद्धः शिबी राजन्प्रतापवान्

7.130.15

तमापतन्तं संप्रेक्ष्य पाण्डवानां महारथम्
विव्याध दशभिर्द्रोणः सर्वपारशवैः शरैः

7.130.16

तं शिबिः प्रतिविव्याध त्रिंशता निशितैः शरैः
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन स्मयमानो न्यपातयत्

7.130.17

तस्य द्रोणो हयान्हत्वा सारथिं च महात्मनः
अथास्य सशिरस्त्राणं शिरः कायादपाहरत्

7.130.18

कलिङ्गानां च सैन्येन कलिङ्गस्य सुतो रणे
पूर्वं पितृवधात्क्रुद्धो भीमसेनमुपाद्रवत्

7.130.19

स भीमं पञ्चभिर्विद्ध्वा पुनर्विव्याध सप्तभिः
विशोकं त्रिभिराजघ्ने ध्वजमेकेन पत्रिणा

7.130.20

कलिङ्गानां तु तं शूरं क्रुद्धं क्रुद्धो वृकोदरः
रथाद्रथमभिद्रुत्य मुष्टिनाभिजघान ह

7.130.21

तस्य मुष्टिहतस्याजौ पाण्डवेन बलीयसा
सर्वाण्यस्थीनि सहसा प्रापतन्वै पृथक्पृथक्

7.130.22

तं कर्णो भ्रातरश्चास्य नामृष्यन्त महारथाः
ते भीमसेनं नाराचैर्जघ्नुराशीविषोपमैः

7.130.23

ततः शत्रुरथं त्यक्त्वा भीमो ध्रुवरथं गतः
ध्रुवं चास्यन्तमनिशं मुष्टिना समपोथयत्
स तथा पाण्डुपुत्रेण बलिना निहतोऽपतत्

7.130.24

तं निहत्य महाराज भीमसेनो महाबलः
जयरातरथं प्राप्य मुहुः सिंह इवानदत्

7.130.25

जयरातमथाक्षिप्य नदन्सव्येन पाणिना
तलेन नाशयामास कर्णस्यैवाग्रतः स्थितम्

7.130.26

कर्णस्तु पाण्डवे शक्तिं काञ्चनीं समवासृजत्
ततस्तामेव जग्राह प्रहसन्पाण्डुनन्दनः

7.130.27

कर्णायैव च दुर्धर्षश्चिक्षेपाजौ वृकोदरः
तामन्तरिक्षे चिच्छेद शकुनिस्तैलपायिना

7.130.28

ततस्तव सुता राजन्भीमस्य रथमाव्रजन्
महता शरवर्षेण छादयन्तो वृकोदरम्

7.130.29

दुर्मदस्य ततो भीमः प्रहसन्निव संयुगे
सारथिं च हयांश्चैव शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्
दुर्मदस्तु ततो यानं दुष्कर्णस्यावपुप्लुवे

7.130.30

तावेकरथमारूढौ भ्रातरौ परतापनौ
संग्रामशिरसो मध्ये भीमं द्वावभ्यधावताम्
यथाम्बुपतिमित्रौ हि तारकं दैत्यसत्तमम्

7.130.31

ततस्तु दुर्मदश्चैव दुष्कर्णश्च तवात्मजौ
रथमेकं समारुह्य भीमं बाणैरविध्यताम्

7.130.32

ततः कर्णस्य मिषतो द्रौणेर्दुर्योधनस्य च
कृपस्य सोमदत्तस्य बाह्लीकस्य च पाण्डवः

7.130.33

दुर्मदस्य च वीरस्य दुष्कर्णस्य च तं रथम्
पादप्रहारेण धरां प्रावेशयदरिंदमः

7.130.34

ततः सुतौ ते बलिनौ शूरौ दुष्कर्णदुर्मदौ
मुष्टिनाहत्य संक्रुद्धो ममर्द चरणेन च

7.130.35

ततो हाहाकृते सैन्ये दृष्ट्वा भीमं नृपाब्रुवन्
रुद्रोऽयं भीमरूपेण धार्तराष्ट्रेषु गृध्यति

7.130.36

एवमुक्त्वापलायन्त सर्वे भारत पार्थिवाः
विसंज्ञावाहयन्वाहान्न च द्वौ सह धावतः

7.130.37

ततो बले भृशलुलिते निशामुखे; सुपूजितो नृपवृषभैर्वृकोदरः
महाबलः कमलविबुद्धलोचनो; युधिष्ठिरं नृपतिमपूजयद्बली

7.130.38

ततो यमौ द्रुपदविराटकेकया; युधिष्ठिरश्चापि परां मुदं ययुः
वृकोदरं भृशमभिपूजयंश्च ते; यथान्धके प्रतिनिहते हरं सुराः

7.130.39

ततः सुतास्तव वरुणात्मजोपमा; रुषान्विताः सह गुरुणा महात्मना
वृकोदरं सरथपदातिकुञ्जरा; युयुत्सवो भृशमभिपर्यवारयन्

7.130.40

ततोऽभवत्तिमिरघनैरिवावृतं; महाभये भयदमतीव दारुणम्
निशामुखे बडवृकगृध्रमोदनं; महात्मनां नृपवरयुद्धमद्भुतम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, "When the invincible Drona, of immeasurable energy, unable to bear (the slaughter of Jayadratha), Wrathfully entered into the midst of the Srinjayas, what did all of you think? When that warrior of immeasurable soul, having said those words unto my disobedient son, Duryodhana, so entered (the hostile ranks), what steps did Partha take? When after the fall of the heroic Jayadratha and of Bhurisravas, that unvanquished warrior of great energy, that scorcher of foes, viz., the unconquerable Drona, proceeded against the Panchalas, what did Arjuna

think? What also did Duryodhana think as the most seasonable step that he could adopt? Who were they that followed that boon-giving hero, that foremost of regenerated ones? Who were those heroes, O Suta, that stood behind that hero while engaged in 'battle? Who fought in his van, while he was employed in slaughter? I think, all the Pandavas, afflicted with the arrows of Bharadwaja's son, were, O Suta, like lean kine trembling under a wintry sky. Having penetrated into the midst of the Panchalas how did that great bowman, that scorcher of foes, that tiger among men, meet with his death? 1 When on that night all the troops, united together, and all the great car-warriors combined were being separately ground (by Drona), who were those intelligent men amongst you that were present there? Thou sayest that my troops were slain or huddled together, or vanquished, and that my car-warriors were made carless in those encounters. While those combatants became cheerless and were being ground by the Pandavas, what did they think when they sank in such affliction on that dark night? Thou sayest that the Pandavas were hearty and exceedingly hopeful, and that mine were melancholy and heartless and panic-stricken. How, O Sanjaya, couldst thou mark the distinction on that night between the Kurus and the unretreating Parthas?'

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress, O king, of that fierce night-battle, the Pandavas along with the Somakas all rushed against Drona. Then Drona, with his swift-going shafts, despatched all the Kaikeyas and the sons of Dhrishtadyumna into the world of spirits. Indeed, all those mighty car-warriors, O king, that advanced right against Drona, all those lords of the earth, were despatched (by him) into the region of the dead. Then king Sivi, of great prowess, filled with rage, proceeded against that mighty car-warrior, viz., the heroic son of Bharadwaja, while the latter was thus employed in grinding (the hostile combatants). Beholding that great car-warrior of the Pandavas advancing, Drona pierced him with ten shafts made entirely of iron. Sivi, however, pierced Drona in return with thirty shafts, winged with Kanka feathers. And smiling the while, he also, with a broad-headed shaft felled the driver of Drona's car. Drona then, slaying the steeds of the illustrious Sivi as also the driver of his car, cut off from his trunk Sivi's head with head-gear on it. Then Duryodhana quickly sent unto Drona a driver for his car. The reins of his steeds having been taken up by the new man, Drona once more rushed against his foes. The sort of the ruler of the Kalingas, supported by the Kalinga troops, rushed against Bhimasena, filled with rage at the slaughter of his sire by the latter, Having pierced Bhima with five shafts he once more pierced him with seven. And he struck Visoka (the driver of Bhima's car) with three shafts and the latter's standard with one. The Vrikodara, filled with rage, leaping from his own car to that of his foe, slew with only his fists that angry hero of the Kalingas. The bones of that prince thus slain in battle by the mighty son of Pandu with only his fists, fell down on the earth separated

from one another, Karna and the brother of the slain prince, (and others), could not brook that act of Bhima. All of them began to strike Bhimasena with keen shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. Abandoning then that car of the foe (upon which he stood), Bhima proceeded to the car of Dhruva, 1 and crushed, by a blow of his fist, that prince who had been striking him incessantly. Thus struck by the mighty son of Pandu. Dhruva fell down. Having slain him, O king, Bhimasena of great strength, proceeding to the car of Jayarata, began to roar repeatedly like a lion. Dragging Jayarata then with his left arm, while, employed in roaring, he slew that warrior with a slap of his palm in the very sight of Karna. Then Karna hurled at the son of Pandu, a dart decked with gold. The Pandava, however, smiling the while, seized with his hand that dart. And the invincible Vrikodara in that battle hurled that very dart back at Karna. Then Sakuni, with a shaft that had drunk oil, cut off that dart as it coursed towards Karna. Having achieved these mighty feats in battle, Bhima, of wonderful prowess, came back to his own car and rushed against thy troops. And while Bhima was thus advancing, slaughtering (thy troops) like the Destroyer himself in rage, thy sons, O monarch, attempted to resist that mighty-armed hero. Indeed, those mighty car-warriors covered him with a dense shower of arrows. Then Bhima, smiling the while, despatched in that battle, with his shafts, the driver and the steeds of Durmada unto the abode of Yama. Durmada, at this, quickly mounted upon the car of Dushkarna. Then those scorchers of foes, viz., the two brothers, riding oh the same car, both rushed against Bhima in the front rank of battle, like the Regent of the waters and Surya rushing against Taraka, that foremost of Daityas. Then thy sons, Durmada and Dushkarna, mounting on the same car, pierced Bhima with shafts. Then in the very sight of Karna, of Aswatthaman, of Duryodhana, of Kripa, of Somadatta, and of Valhika, the son of Pandu, that chastiser of foes, by a stamp of his foot, caused that car of the heroic Durmada and Dushkarna to sink into the earth. Filled with rage, Bhima struck with his fists those mighty and brave sons of thine, viz., Durmada and Dushkarna, and crushed them therewith and roared aloud. Then cries of Oh and Alas arose among the troops. And the kings, beholding Bhima said, 'That is Rudra who is fighting in Bhima's form among the Dhartarashtras.' Saying these words, O Bharata, all the kings fled away, deprived of their senses and urging the animals they rode to their greatest speed. Indeed, no two of them could be seen running together. Then, when on that night a great carnage had been caused among the (Kaurava) army, the mighty Vrikodara, with eyes beautiful as the full-blown lotus, highly applauded by many bulls among kings, repairing unto Yudhishthira, paid his regards unto him. Then the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and Drupada and Virata, and the Kaikeyas, and Yudhishthira also, felt great joy. And all of them paid their adorations unto Vrikodara even as the celestials did unto Mahadeva after Andhaka had been slain.

[paragraph continues] Then thy sons, all equal unto the sons of Varuna, filled with rage and accompanied by the illustrious Preceptor and a large number of cars, foot-soldiers, and elephants encompassed Vrikodara on all sides from desire of fight. Then, O best of kings, on that terrible night, when everything was enveloped in darkness, as thick as a cloud, a dreadful battle took place between those illustrious warriors, delightful to wolves and crows and vultures.'"

345:1 This is a triplet in all the editions.

346:1 The brother of the Kalinga prince.

7.131.1

संजय उवाच
प्रायोपविष्टे तु हते पुत्रे सात्यकिना ततः
सोमदत्तो भृशं क्रुद्धः सात्यकिं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

7.131.2

क्षत्रधर्मः पुरा दृष्टो यस्तु देवैर्महात्मभिः
तं त्वं सात्वत संत्यज्य दस्युधर्मे कथं रतः

7.131.3

पराङ्मुखाय दीनाय न्यस्तशस्त्राय याचते
क्षत्रधर्मरतः प्राज्ञः कथं नु प्रहरेद्रणे

7.131.4

द्वावेव किल वृष्णीनां तत्र ख्यातौ महारथौ
प्रद्युम्नश्च महाबाहुस्त्वं चैव युधि सात्वत

7.131.5

कथं प्रायोपविष्टाय पार्थेन छिन्नबाहवे
नृशंसं पतनीयं च तादृशं कृतवानसि

7.131.6

शपे सात्वत पुत्राभ्यामिष्टेन सुकृतेन च
अनतीतामिमां रात्रिं यदि त्वां वीरमानिनम्

7.131.7

अरक्ष्यमाणं पार्थेन जिष्णुना ससुतानुजम्
न हन्यां निरये घोरे पतेयं वृष्णिपांसन

7.131.8

एवमुक्त्वा सुसंक्रुद्धः सोमदत्तो महाबलः
दध्मौ शङ्खं च तारेण सिंहनादं ननाद च

7.131.9

ततः कमलपत्राक्षः सिंहदंष्ट्रो महाबलः
सात्वतो भृशसंक्रुद्धः सोमदत्तमथाब्रवीत्

7.131.10

हतो भूरिश्रवा वीरस्तव पुत्रो महारथः
शलश्चैव तथा राजन्भ्रातृव्यसनकर्शितः

7.131.11

त्वां चाप्यद्य वधिष्यामि सपुत्रपशुबान्धवम्
तिष्ठेदानीं रणे यत्तः कौरवोऽसि विशेषतः

7.131.12

यस्मिन्दानं दमः शौचमहिंसा ह्रीर्धृतिः क्षमा
अनपायीनि सर्वाणि नित्यं राज्ञि युधिष्ठिरे

7.131.13

मृदङ्गकेतोस्तस्य त्वं तेजसा निहतः पुरा
सकर्णसौबलः संख्ये विनाशं समुपेष्यसि

7.131.14

शपेऽहं कृष्णचरणैरिष्टापूर्तेन चैव ह
यदि त्वां ससुतं पापं न हन्यां युधि रोषितः
अपयास्यसि चेत्त्यक्त्वा ततो मुक्तो भविष्यसि

7.131.15

एवमाभाष्य चान्योन्यं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनौ
प्रवृत्तौ शरसंपातं कर्तुं पुरुषसत्तमौ

7.131.16

ततो गजसहस्रेण रथानामयुतेन च
दुर्योधनः सोमदत्तं परिवार्य व्यवस्थितः

7.131.17

शकुनिश्च सुसंक्रुद्धः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
पुत्रपौत्रैः परिवृतो भ्रातृभिश्चेन्द्रविक्रमैः
स्यालस्तव महाबाहुर्वज्रसंहननो युवा

7.131.18

साग्रं शतसहस्रं तु हयानां तस्य धीमतः
सोमदत्तं महेष्वासं समन्तात्पर्यरक्षत

7.131.19

रक्ष्यमाणश्च बलिभिश्छादयामास सात्यकिम्
तं छाद्यमानं विशिखैर्दृष्ट्वा संनतपर्वभिः
धृष्टद्युम्नोऽभ्ययात्क्रुद्धः प्रगृह्य महतीं चमूम्

7.131.20

चण्डवाताभिसृष्टानामुदधीनामिव स्वनः
आसीद्राजन्बलौघानामन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नताम्

7.131.21

विव्याध सोमदत्तस्तु सात्वतं नवभिः शरैः
सात्यकिर्दशभिश्चैनमवधीत्कुरुपुंगवम्

7.131.22

सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता समरे दृढधन्वना
रथोपस्थं समासाद्य मुमोह गतचेतनः

7.131.23

तं विमूढं समालक्ष्य सारथिस्त्वरयान्वितः
अपोवाह रणाद्वीरं सोमदत्तं महारथम्

7.131.24

तं विसंज्ञं समालोक्य युयुधानशरार्दितम्
द्रौणिरभ्यद्रवत्क्रुद्धः सात्वतं रणमूर्धनि

7.131.25

तमापतन्तं संप्रेक्ष्य शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति
भैमसेनिः सुसंक्रुद्धः प्रत्यमित्रमवारयत्

7.131.26

कार्ष्णायसमयं घोरमृक्षचर्मावृतं महत्
युक्तं गजनिभैर्वाहैर्न हयैर्नापि वा गजैः

7.131.27

विक्षिप्तमष्टचक्रेण विवृताक्षेण कूजता
ध्वजेनोच्छ्रिततुण्डेन गृध्रराजेन राजता

7.131.28

लोहितार्द्रपताकं तमन्त्रमालाविभूषितम्
अष्टचक्रसमायुक्तमास्थाय विपुलं रथम्

7.131.29

शूलमुद्गरधारिण्या शैलपादपहस्तया
रक्षसां घोररूपाणामक्षौहिण्या समावृतः

7.131.30

तमुद्यतमहाचापं निशाम्य व्यथिता नृपाः
युगान्तकालसमये दण्डहस्तमिवान्तकम्

7.131.31

भयार्दिता प्रचुक्षोभ पुत्रस्य तव वाहिनी
वायुना क्षोभितावर्ता गङ्गेवोर्ध्वतरङ्गिणी

7.131.32

घटोत्कचप्रयुक्तेन सिंहनादेन भीषिताः
प्रसुस्रुवुर्गजा मूत्रं विव्यथुश्च नरा भृशम्

7.131.33

ततोऽश्मवृष्टिरत्यर्थमासीत्तत्र समन्ततः
संध्याकालाधिकबलैः प्रमुक्ता राक्षसैः क्षितौ

7.131.34

आयसानि च चक्राणि भुशुण्ड्यः प्रासतोमराः
पतन्त्यविरलाः शूलाः शतघ्न्यः पट्टिशास्तथा

7.131.35

तदुग्रमतिरौद्रं च दृष्ट्वा युद्धं नराधिपाः
तनयास्तव कर्णश्च व्यथिताः प्राद्रवन्दिशः

7.131.36

तत्रैकोऽस्त्रबलश्लाघी द्रौणिर्मानी न विव्यथे
व्यधमच्च शरैर्मायां घटोत्कचविनिर्मिताम्

7.131.37

निहतायां तु मायायाममर्षी स घटोत्कचः
विससर्ज शरान्घोरांस्तेऽश्वत्थामानमाविशन्

7.131.38

भुजगा इव वेगेन वल्मीकं क्रोधमूर्छिताः
ते शरा रुधिराभ्यक्ता भित्त्वा शारद्वतीसुतम्
विविशुर्धरणीं शीघ्रा रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः

7.131.39

अश्वत्थामा तु संक्रुद्धो लघुहस्तः प्रतापवान्
घटोत्कचमभिक्रुद्धं बिभेद दशभिः शरैः

7.131.40

घटोत्कचोऽतिविद्धस्तु द्रोणपुत्रेण मर्मसु
चक्रं शतसहस्रारमगृह्णाद्व्यथितो भृशम्

7.131.41

क्षुरान्तं बालसूर्याभं मणिवज्रविभूषितम्
अश्वत्थाम्नस्तु चिक्षेप भैमसेनिर्जिघांसया

7.131.42

वेगेन महता गच्छद्विक्षिप्तं द्रौणिना शरैः
अभाग्यस्येव संकल्पस्तन्मोघं न्यपतद्भुवि

7.131.43

घटोत्कचस्ततस्तूर्णं दृष्ट्वा चक्रं निपातितम्
द्रौणिं प्राच्छादयद्बाणैः स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्

7.131.44

घटोत्कचसुतः श्रीमान्भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमः
रुरोध द्रौणिमायान्तं प्रभञ्जनमिवाद्रिराट्

7.131.45

पौत्रेण भीमसेनस्य शरैः सोऽञ्जनपर्वणा
बभौ मेघेन धाराभिर्गिरिर्मेरुरिवार्दितः

7.131.46

अश्वत्थामा त्वसंभ्रान्तो रुद्रोपेन्द्रेन्द्रविक्रमः
ध्वजमेकेन बाणेन चिच्छेदाञ्जनपर्वणः

7.131.47

द्वाभ्यां तु रथयन्तारं त्रिभिश्चास्य त्रिवेणुकम्
धनुरेकेन चिच्छेद चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्

7.131.48

विरथस्योद्यतं हस्ताद्धेमबिन्दुभिराचितम्
विशिखेन सुतीक्ष्णेन खड्गमस्य द्विधाकरोत्

7.131.49

गदा हेमाङ्गदा राजंस्तूर्णं हैडिम्बसूनुना
भ्राम्योत्क्षिप्ता शरैः सापि द्रौणिनाभ्याहतापतत्

7.131.50

ततोऽन्तरिक्षमुत्पत्य कालमेघ इवोन्नदन्
ववर्षाञ्जनपर्वा स द्रुमवर्षं नभस्तलात्

7.131.51

ततो मायाधरं द्रौणिर्घटोत्कचसुतं दिवि
मार्गणैरभिविव्याध घनं सूर्य इवांशुभिः

7.131.52

सोऽवतीर्य पुनस्तस्थौ रथे हेमपरिष्कृते
महीधर इवात्युच्चः श्रीमानञ्जनपर्वतः

7.131.53

तमयस्मयवर्माणं द्रौणिर्भीमात्मजात्मजम्
जघानाञ्जनपर्वाणं महेश्वर इवान्धकम्

7.131.54

अथ दृष्ट्वा हतं पुत्रमश्वत्थाम्ना महाबलम्
द्रौणेः सकाशमभ्येत्य रोषात्प्रचलिताङ्गदः

7.131.55

प्राह वाक्यमसंभ्रान्तो वीरं शारद्वतीसुतम्
दहन्तं पाण्डवानीकं वनमग्निमिवोद्धतम्

7.131.56

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ न मे जीवन्द्रोणपुत्र गमिष्यसि
त्वामद्य निहनिष्यामि क्रौञ्चमग्निसुतो यथा

7.131.57

अश्वत्थामोवाच
गच्छ वत्स सहान्यैस्त्वं युध्यस्वामरविक्रम
न हि पुत्रेण हैडिम्बे पिता न्याय्यं प्रबाधितुम्

7.131.58

कामं खलु न मे रोषो हैडिम्बे विद्यते त्वयि
किं तु रोषान्वितो जन्तुर्हन्यादात्मानमप्युत

7.131.59

संजय उवाच
श्रुत्वैतत्क्रोधताम्राक्षः पुत्रशोकसमन्वितः
अश्वत्थामानमायस्तो भैमसेनिरभाषत

7.131.60

किमहं कातरो द्रौणे पृथग्जन इवाहवे
भीमात्खल्वहमुत्पन्नः कुरूणां विपुले कुले

7.131.61

पाण्डवानामहं पुत्रः समरेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्
रक्षसामधिराजोऽहं दशग्रीवसमो बले

7.131.62

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ न मे जीवन्द्रोणपुत्र गमिष्यसि
युद्धश्रद्धामहं तेऽद्य विनेष्यामि रणाजिरे

7.131.63

इत्युक्त्वा रोषताम्राक्षो राक्षसः सुमहाबलः
द्रौणिमभ्यद्रवत्क्रुद्धो गजेन्द्रमिव केसरी

7.131.64

रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिरभ्यवर्षद्घटोत्कचः
रथिनामृषभं द्रौणिं धाराभिरिव तोयदः

7.131.65

शरवृष्टिं शरैर्द्रौणिरप्राप्तां तां व्यशातयत्
ततोऽन्तरिक्षे बाणानां संग्रामोऽन्य इवाभवत्

7.131.66

अथास्त्रसंघर्षकृतैर्विस्फुलिङ्गैः समाबभौ
विभावरीमुखे व्योम खद्योतैरिव चित्रितम्

7.131.67

निशाम्य निहतां मायां द्रौणिना रणमानिना
घटोत्कचस्ततो मायां ससर्जान्तर्हितः पुनः

7.131.68

सोऽभवद्गिरिरत्युच्चः शिखरैस्तरुसंकटैः
शूलप्रासासिमुसलजलप्रस्रवणो महान्

7.131.69

तमञ्जनचयप्रख्यं द्रौणिर्दृष्ट्वा महीधरम्
प्रपतद्भिश्च बहुभिः शस्त्रसंघैर्न चुक्षुभे

7.131.70

ततः स्मयन्निव द्रौणिर्वज्रमस्त्रमुदीरयत्
स तेनास्त्रेण शैलेन्द्रः क्षिप्तः क्षिप्रमनश्यत

7.131.71

ततः स तोयदो भूत्वा नीलः सेन्द्रायुधो दिवि
अश्मवृष्टिभिरत्युग्रो द्रौणिमाच्छादयद्रणे

7.131.72

अथ संधाय वायव्यमस्त्रमस्त्रविदां वरः
व्यधमद्द्रोणतनयो नीलमेघं समुत्थितम्

7.131.73

स मार्गणगणैर्द्रौणिर्दिशः प्रच्छाद्य सर्वतः
शतं रथसहस्राणां जघान द्विपदां वरः

7.131.74

स दृष्ट्वा पुनरायान्तं रथेनायतकार्मुकम्
घटोत्कचमसंभ्रान्तं राक्षसैर्बहुभिर्वृतम्

7.131.75

सिंहशार्दूलसदृशैर्मत्तद्विरदविक्रमैः
गजस्थैश्च रथस्थैश्च वाजिपृष्ठगतैरपि

7.131.76

विवृतास्यशिरोग्रीवैर्हैडिम्बानुचरैः सह
पौलस्त्यैर्यातुधानैश्च तामसैश्चोग्रविक्रमैः

7.131.77

नानाशस्त्रधरैर्वीरैर्नानाकवचभूषणैः
महाबलैर्भीमरवैः संरम्भोद्वृत्तलोचनैः

7.131.78

उपस्थितैस्ततो युद्धे राक्षसैर्युद्धदुर्मदैः
विषण्णमभिसंप्रेक्ष्य पुत्रं ते द्रौणिरब्रवीत्

7.131.79

तिष्ठ दुर्योधनाद्य त्वं न कार्यः संभ्रमस्त्वया
सहैभिर्भ्रातृभिर्वीरैः पार्थिवैश्चेन्द्रविक्रमैः

7.131.80

निहनिष्याम्यमित्रांस्ते न तवास्ति पराजयः
सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि पर्याश्वासय वाहिनीम्

7.131.81

दुर्योधन उवाच
न त्वेतदद्भुतं मन्ये यत्ते महदिदं मनः
अस्मासु च परा भक्तिस्तव गौतमिनन्दन

7.131.82

संजय उवाच
अश्वत्थामानमुक्त्वैवं ततः सौबलमब्रवीत्
वृतः शतसहस्रेण रथानां रणशोभिनाम्

7.131.83

षष्ट्या गजसहस्रैश्च प्रयाहि त्वं धनंजयम्
कर्णश्च वृषसेनश्च कृपो नीलस्तथैव च

7.131.84

उदीच्याः कृतवर्मा च पुरुमित्रः श्रुतार्पणः
दुःशासनो निकुम्भश्च कुण्डभेदी उरुक्रमः

7.131.85

पुरंजयो दृढरथः पताकी हेमपङ्कजः
शल्यारुणीन्द्रसेनाश्च संजयो विजयो जयः

7.131.86

कमलाक्षः पुरुः क्राथी जयवर्मा सुदर्शनः
एते त्वामनुयास्यन्ति पत्तीनामयुतानि षट्

7.131.87

जहि भीमं यमौ चोभौ धर्मराजं च मातुल
असुरानिव देवेन्द्रो जयाशा मे त्वयि स्थिता

7.131.88

दारितान्द्रौणिना बाणैर्भृशं विक्षतविग्रहान्
जहि मातुल कौन्तेयानसुरानिव पावकिः

7.131.89

एवमुक्तो ययौ शीघ्रं पुत्रेण तव सौबलः
पिप्रीषुस्ते सुतान्राजन्दिधक्षुश्चैव पाण्डवान्

7.131.90

अथ प्रववृते युद्धं द्रौणिराक्षसयोर्मृधे
विभावर्यां सुतुमुलं शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव

7.131.91

ततो घटोत्कचो बाणैर्दशभिर्गौतमीसुतम्
जघानोरसि संक्रुद्धो विषाग्निप्रतिमैर्दृढैः

7.131.92

स तैरभ्याहतो गाढं शरैर्भीमसुतेरितैः
चचाल रथमध्यस्थो वातोद्धूत इव द्रुमः

7.131.93

भूयश्चाञ्जलिकेनास्य मार्गणेन महाप्रभम्
द्रौणिहस्तस्थितं चापं चिच्छेदाशु घटोत्कचः

7.131.94

ततोऽन्यद्द्रौणिरादाय धनुर्भारसहं महत्
ववर्ष विशिखांस्तीक्ष्णान्वारिधारा इवाम्बुदः

7.131.95

ततः शारद्वतीपुत्रः प्रेषयामास भारत
सुवर्णपुङ्खाञ्शत्रुघ्नान्खचरान्खचरान्प्रति

7.131.96

तद्बाणैरर्दितं यूथं रक्षसां पीनवक्षसाम्
सिंहैरिव बभौ मत्तं गजानामाकुलं कुलम्

7.131.97

विधम्य राक्षसान्बाणैः साश्वसूतरथान्विभुः
ददाह भगवान्वह्निर्भूतानीव युगक्षये

7.131.98

स दग्ध्वाक्षौहिणीं बाणैर्नैरृतान्रुरुचे भृशम्
पुरेव त्रिपुरं दग्ध्वा दिवि देवो महेश्वरः

7.131.99

युगान्ते सर्वभूतानि दग्ध्वेव वसुरुल्बणः
रराज जयतां श्रेष्ठो द्रोणपुत्रस्तवाहितान्

7.131.100

तेषु राजसहस्रेषु पाण्डवेयेषु भारत
नैनं निरीक्षितुं कश्चिच्छक्नोति द्रौणिमाहवे
ऋते घटोत्कचाद्वीराद्राक्षसेन्द्रान्महाबलात्

7.131.101

स पुनर्भरतश्रेष्ठ क्रोधाद्रक्तान्तलोचनः
तलं तलेन संहत्य संदश्य दशनच्छदम्
स्वसूतमब्रवीत्क्रुद्धो द्रोणपुत्राय मां वह

7.131.102

स ययौ घोररूपेण तेन जैत्रपताकिना
द्वैरथं द्रोणपुत्रेण पुनरप्यरिसूदनः

7.131.103

स चिक्षेप ततः क्रुद्धो द्रोणपुत्राय राक्षसः
अष्टचक्रां महारौद्रामशनीं रुद्रनिर्मिताम्

7.131.104

तामवप्लुत्य जग्राह द्रौणिर्न्यस्य रथे धनुः
चिक्षेप चैनां तस्यैव स्यन्दनात्सोऽवपुप्लुवे

7.131.105

साश्वसूतध्वजं वाहं भस्म कृत्वा महाप्रभा
विवेश वसुधां भित्त्वा साशनिर्भृशदारुणा

7.131.106

द्रौणेस्तत्कर्म दृष्ट्वा तु सर्वभूतान्यपूजयन्
यदवप्लुत्य जग्राह घोरां शंकरनिर्मिताम्

7.131.107

धृष्टद्युम्नरथं गत्वा भैमसेनिस्ततो नृप
मुमोच निशितान्बाणान्पुनर्द्रौणेर्महोरसि

7.131.108

धृष्टद्युम्नोऽप्यसंभ्रान्तो मुमोचाशीविषोपमान्
सुवर्णपुङ्खान्विशिखान्द्रोणपुत्रस्य वक्षसि

7.131.109

ततो मुमोच नाराचान्द्रौणिस्ताभ्यां सहस्रशः
तावप्यग्निशिखाप्रख्यैर्जघ्नतुस्तस्य मार्गणान्

7.131.110

अतितीव्रमभूद्युद्धं तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः
योधानां प्रीतिजननं द्रौणेश्च भरतर्षभ

7.131.111

ततो रथसहस्रेण द्विरदानां शतैस्त्रिभिः
षड्भिर्वाजिसहस्रैश्च भीमस्तं देशमाव्रजत्

7.131.112

ततो भीमात्मजं रक्षो धृष्टद्युम्नं च सानुगम्
अयोधयत धर्मात्मा द्रौणिरक्लिष्टकर्मकृत्

7.131.113

तत्राद्भुततमं द्रौणिर्दर्शयामास विक्रमम्
अशक्यं कर्तुमन्येन सर्वभूतेषु भारत

7.131.114

निमेषान्तरमात्रेण साश्वसूतरथद्विपाम्
अक्षौहिणीं राक्षसानां शितैर्बाणैरशातयत्

7.131.115

मिषतो भीमसेनस्य हैडिम्बेः पार्षतस्य च
यमयोर्धर्मपुत्रस्य विजयस्याच्युतस्य च

7.131.116

प्रगाढमञ्जोगतिभिर्नाराचैरभिताडिताः
निपेतुर्द्विरदा भूमौ द्विशृङ्गा इव पर्वताः

7.131.117

निकृत्तैर्हस्तिहस्तैश्च विचलद्भिरितस्ततः
रराज वसुधा कीर्णा विसर्पद्भिरिवोरगैः

7.131.118

क्षिप्तैः काञ्चनदण्डैश्च नृपच्छत्रैः क्षितिर्बभौ
द्यौरिवोदितचन्द्रार्का ग्रहाकीर्णा युगक्षये

7.131.119

प्रवृद्धध्वजमण्डूकां भेरीविस्तीर्णकच्छपाम्
छत्रहंसावलीजुष्टां फेनचामरमालिनीम्

7.131.120

कङ्कगृध्रमहाग्राहां नैकायुधझषाकुलाम्
रथक्षिप्तमहावप्रां पताकारुचिरद्रुमाम्

7.131.121

शरमीनां महारौद्रां प्रासशक्त्युग्रडुण्डुभाम्
मज्जामांसमहापङ्कां कबन्धावर्जितोडुपाम्

7.131.122

केशशैवलकल्माषां भीरूणां कश्मलावहाम्
नागेन्द्रहययोधानां शरीरव्ययसंभवाम्

7.131.123

शोणितौघमहावेगां द्रौणिः प्रावर्तयन्नदीम्
योधार्तरवनिर्घोषां क्षतजोर्मिसमाकुलाम्

7.131.124

प्रायादतिमहाघोरं यमक्षयमहोदधिम्
निहत्य राक्षसान्बाणैर्द्रौणिर्हैडिम्बमार्दयत्

7.131.125

पुनरप्यतिसंक्रुद्धः सवृकोदरपार्षतान्
स नाराचगणैः पार्थान्द्रौणिर्विद्ध्वा महाबलः

7.131.126

जघान सुरथं नाम द्रुपदस्य सुतं विभुः
पुनः श्रुतंजयं नाम सुरथस्यानुजं रणे

7.131.127

बलानीकं जयानीकं जयाश्वं चाभिजघ्निवान्
श्रुताह्वयं च राजेन्द्र द्रौणिर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

7.131.128

त्रिभिश्चान्यैः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः सुपुङ्खै रुक्ममालिनम्
शत्रुंजयं च बलिनं शक्रलोकं निनाय ह

7.131.129

जघान स पृषध्रं च चन्द्रदेवं च मानिनम्
कुन्तिभोजसुतांश्चाजौ दशभिर्दश जघ्निवान्

7.131.130

अश्वत्थामा सुसंक्रुद्धः संधायोग्रमजिह्मगम्
मुमोचाकर्णपूर्णेन धनुषा शरमुत्तमम्
यमदण्डोपमं घोरमुद्दिश्याशु घटोत्कचम्

7.131.131

स भित्त्वा हृदयं तस्य राक्षसस्य महाशरः
विवेश वसुधां शीघ्रं सपुङ्खः पृथिवीपते

7.131.132

तं हतं पतितं ज्ञात्वा धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः
द्रौणेः सकाशाद्राजेन्द्र अपनिन्ये रथान्तरम्

7.131.133

तथा पराङ्मुखरथं सैन्यं यौधिष्ठिरं नृप
पराजित्य रणे वीरो द्रोणपुत्रो ननाद ह
पूजितः सर्वभूतैश्च तव पुत्रैश्च भारत

7.131.134

अथ शरशतभिन्नकृत्तदेहै;र्हतपतितैः क्षणदाचरैः समन्तात्
निधनमुपगतैर्मही कृताभू;द्गिरिशिखरैरिव दुर्गमातिरौद्रा

7.131.135

तं सिद्धगन्धर्वपिशाचसंघा; नागाः सुपर्णाः पितरो वयांसि
रक्षोगणा भूतगणाश्च द्रौणि;मपूजयन्नप्सरसः सुराश्च

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'After his son (Bhurisravas) had been slain by Satyaki while the former was sitting in Praya, Somadatta, filled with rage, said unto Satyaki these words, 'Why, O Satwata, 'having abandoned those Kshatriya duties ordained by the high-souled gods, hast thou betaken thyself to the practices of robbers? Why would one that is observant of Kshatriya duties and possessed of wisdom, strike in battle a person that is turning away from the fight, or one that has become helpless, or one that has laid aside his weapons, or one that beggeth for quarters? Two persons, indeed, among the Vrishnis are reputed to be the foremost of great car-warriors, viz., Pradyumna of mighty energy and thou also, O Satyaki! Why then didst thou behave so cruelly and sinfully towards one that had sat on Praya and that had his arms cut off by Partha? 1 Take now in battle the consequence of that act of thine, O thou of wicked behaviour! I shall today, O wretch, putting forth my prowess, cut off thy. head with a winged arrow. I swear, O Satwata, by my two sons, by what is dear to me, and by all my meritorious acts, that, if before this night passes away, I do not slay thee, that art so proud of thy heroism, with thy sons and younger brothers, provided Jishnu, the son of Pritha, does not protect thee, then let me sink into terrible hell, O wretch of Vrishni's race!' Having said these words, the mighty Somadatta, filled with rage, blew his conch loudly and uttered a leonine roar. Then Satyaki, of eyes like lotus-petals and teeth like those of a lion, possessed of great strength, and filled with rage, said these words unto Somadatta, 'O thou of Kuru's race, whether battling with thee or with others, I do not in my heart ever experience the slightest fear. If, protected by all the troops, thou fightest with me, I would not, even then experience on thy account, any pain, O thou of Kuru's race! I am ever observant of Kshatriya practices. Thou canst not, therefore, frighten me with only words smacking of battle or with speeches that insult the good. If, O king, thou wishest to fight with me today, be cruel and strike me with keen shafts and I will also strike thee.

[paragraph continues] Thy son, the mighty car-warrior Bhurisravas, O king, had been slain. Sala also, and Vrishasena, have been crushed by me. Thee also today I shall slay, with thy soils and kinsmen. Stay with resolution in battle, for thou, O Katirava, art endued with great strength. Thou art already slain in consequence of the energy of that drum-bannered king Yudhishthira in whom are always charity, and self-restraint, and purity of heart, compassion, and modesty, and intelligence, and forgiveness, and all else that is indestructible. Thou shalt meet with destruction along with Karna and Suvala's son. I swear by Krishna's feet and by all my good acts that, filled with rage, I shall, with my shafts, slay thee with thy sons in battle. If thou fliest away from battle, then mayst thou have safety.' Having thus addressed each other, with eyes red in wrath, those foremost of men began to shoot their shafts at each other. Then with a thousand cars and ten thousand horses, Duryodhana took his station, encompassing Somadatta, Sakuni also, filled with rage, and armed with every weapon and surrounded by his sons and grandsons as also by his brothers, that were equal to Indra himself in prowess (did the same). Thy brother-in-law, O king, young in years and of body hard as the thunder-bolt and possessed of wisdom, had a hundred thousand horses of the foremost valour with him. With these he encompassed the mighty bowman Somadatta. Protected by those mighty warriors, Somadatta covered Satyaki (with clouds of shafts). Beholding Satyaki thus covered with clouds of straight shafts, Dhrishtadyumna proceeded towards him in rage and accompanied by a mighty force. Then, O king, the sound that arose there of those two large hosts striking each other, resembled that of many oceans lashed into fury by frightful hurricanes. Then Somadatta pierced Satyaki, with nine arrows. Satyaki, in return, struck that foremost of Kuru warriors with nine arrows. Deeply pierced in that battle by the mighty and firm bowman (Satyaki), Somadatta sat down on the terrace of his car and lost his senses in a swoon, Beholding him deprived of his senses, his driver, with great speed, bore away from the battle that great car-warrior, viz., the heroic Somadatta. Seeing that Somadatta, afflicted with Yuyudhana's shafts, had lost his senses Drona rushed with speed, desiring to slay the Yadu hero. Beholding the Preceptor advance, many Pandava warriors headed by Yudhishthira surrounded that illustrious perpetuator of Yadu's race from desire of rescuing him. Then commenced a battle between Drona and the Pandavas, resembling that between Vali and the celestials for acquiring sovereignty oft the three worlds. Then Bharadwaja's son of great energy shrouded the Pandava host with clouds of arrows and pierced Yudhishthira also. And Drona pierced Satyaki with ten arrows, and the son of Prishata with twenty. And he pierced Bhimasena with nine arrows and Nakula with five, and Sahadeva with eight, and Sikhandin with a hundred. And the mighty-armed hero pierced each of the (five) sons of Draupadi with five arrows. And he pierced Virata with eight arrows and Drupada with ten. And he pierced Yudhamanyu with three arrows and Uttamaujas with six in that encounter. And piercing many other combatants,

he rushed towards Yudhishthira. The troops of Pandu's son, slaughtered by Drona, ran away in all directions, from fear, O king, with loud wails. Beholding that host slaughtered by Drona. Phalguna, the son of Pritha, with wrath excited a little, quickly proceeded towards the preceptor. Beholding then that Drona was also proceeding towards Arjuna in that battle, that host of Yudhishthira, O king, once more rallied. Then once more occurred a battle between Drona and the Pandavas. Drona, surrounded, O king, on all sides, by thy sons, began to consume the Pandava host, like fire consuming a heap of cotton. Beholding him radiant like the sun and endued with the splendour of a blazing fire, and fiercely and continually, O king, emitting his ray-like arrows, with bow incessantly drawn to a circle and scorching everything around like the sun himself, and consuming his foes, there was none in that army that could check him. The shafts of Drona cutting off the head of all those that ventured to approach him in the face, penetrated into the earth. Thus slaughtered by that illustrious warrior, the Pandava host, once more fled away in fear in the very sight of Arjuna. Beholding that force, O Bharata, thus routed on that night by Drona, Jishnu asked Govinda to proceed towards Drona's car. Then he of Dasarha's race urged those steeds, white as silver or milk or the Kunda flower, or the moon, towards the car of Drona. Bhimasena also, beholding Phalguna proceed towards Drona, commanded his own charioteer, saying, 'Bear me towards Drona's division.' Hearing those words of Bhima, his driver Visoka urged his steeds, following in the wake, O chief of the Bharatas, of Jishnu, of sure aim. Beholding the two brothers resolutely proceeding towards Drona's division, the mighty car-warriors among the Panchalas, the Srinjayas, the Matsyas, the Chedis, the Karushas, the Kosalas, and the Kaikeyas, O king, all followed them. Then, O monarch, took place a terrible battle that made the hair stand on end. With two mighty throngs of cars, Vibhatsu and Vrikodara attacked thy host; the former on the right and the latter in the front. Seeing those tigers among men, viz., Bhimasena and Dhananjaya (thus engaged), Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, and Satyaki of great strength, rushed behind. Then, O king, an uproar arose there in consequence of the two hosts striking each other, that resembled the noise made by many seas lashed into fury by a tempest. Beholding Satyaki in battle, Aswatthaman, filled with rage at the slaughter of Somadatta's son, rushed furiously against that Satwata hero at the van of battle. Seeing him rush in that battle against the car of Sini's grandson, Bhimasena's son, the gigantic Rakshasa, Ghatotkacha, endued with great strength, rushed at him, riding on a huge and terrible car made of black iron covered with bear-skins. Both the height and the width of that large car measured thirty nalwas. 1 Equipped with machines set in proper places it was; its rattle resembled that of a mighty mass of clouds. No steeds or elephants were yoked unto it, but, instead, beings that looked like elephants. 2 On its tall standard

perched a prince of vultures with outstretched wings and feet, with eyes wide-expanded, and shrieking awfully. And it was equipped with red flags and decked with the entrails of various animals. And that huge vehicle was furnished with eight wheels. Riding on it, Ghatotkacha was surrounded by a full Akshauhini of fierce-looking Rakshasas armed with lances and heavy clubs and rocks and trees. Seeing him advance with uplifted bow, resembling the mace-armed Destroyer himself in the hour of universal dissolution, the hostile kings were struck with fear. At sight of that prince of Rakshasas, viz., Ghatotkacha, looking like a mountain summit of terrible aspect, frightful, possessed of terrible teeth and fierce face, with arrow-like ears and high cheek-bones, with stiff hair rising upwards, awful eyes, sunken belly, blazing mouth, wide as a chasm, and diadem on his head, capable of striking every creature with fear, possessing jaws wide-open like those of the Destroyer, endued with great splendour and capable of agitating all foes, advancing towards them, thy son's host, afflicted with fear, became highly agitated like the current of the Ganga agitated into fierce eddies by (the action of) the wind. Terrified by the leonine roar uttered by Ghatotkacha, elephants began to eject urine and the kings began to tremble. Then, thrown by the Rakshasas who had become more powerful in consequence of the night, there began to fall on the field of battle a thick shower of stones. And a ceaseless shower of iron wheels and Bhundis and darts and lances and spears and Sataghnis and axes also fell there. Beholding that fierce and awful battle, the kings, thy sons, and Karna, also exceedingly pained, fled away. Only the proud son of Drona, ever boastful of his might in arms, stood fearlessly. And he soon dispelled that illusion that had been created by Ghatotkacha. Upon the destruction of his illusion, Ghatotkacha in rage sped fierce shafts (Aswatthaman). These pierced the son of Drona, like angry snakes speedily piercing through an ant-hill. Those arrows, having pierced through the body of Aswatthaman, dyed with blood and quickly entered the earth like snakes into an ant-hill. The light-handed Aswatthaman, however, of great prowess, filled with wrath, pierced Ghatotkacha with ten arrows. Ghatotkacha, deeply pierced in his vital parts by Drona's son, and feeling great pain, took up a wheel having a thousand spokes. Its edge was sharp as a razor, and it was resplendent as the rising sun. And it was decked with diverse gems and diamonds. Desirous of slaying him, the son of Bhimasena hurled that wheel at Aswatthaman. And as that wheel coursed swiftly towards Drona's son, the latter cut it into fragments by means of his shafts. Baffled, it fell down on the earth, like the hope cherished by an unfortunate man. Beholding his wheel baffled, Ghatotkacha quickly covered the son of Drona with his shafts, like Rahu swallowing the sun. Meanwhile, Ghatotkacha's son endued with great splendour and looking like a mass of antimony, checked the advancing son of Drona like the king of mountain (Meru) checking the (course of the) wind. Afflicted with showers of shafts by Bhimasena's grandson, viz., the brave Anjanaparvan, Aswatthaman looked like the mountain Meru

bearing a torrent of rain from a mighty cloud. Then Aswatthaman, equal unto Rudra or Upendra in prowess, became filled with rage. With one shaft he cut off the standard of Anjanaparvan. With two others, his two drivers, and with three others, his Trivenuka. And he cut off the Rakshasa's bow with one arrow, and his four steeds with four other arrows, Made carless, Anjanaparvan took up a scimitar. With another keen shaft, Aswatthaman cut off in two fragments that scimitar, decked with golden stars, in the Rakshasa's hand. The grandson of Hidimva then, O king, whirling a gold adorned mace, quickly hurled it at Aswatthaman. Drona's son, however, striking it with his shafts, caused it to fall down on the earth. Soaring up then into the sky, Anjanaparvan began to roar like a cloud. And from the welkin he showered trees upon his foe. Like the sun piercing a mass of clouds with his rays, Aswatthaman then began to pierce with his shafts the son of Ghatotkacha, that receptacle of illusions, in the welkin. Gifted with great energy, the Rakshasa once more came down on his gold decked car. He then looked like a high and beautiful hill of antimony on the surface of the earth. The son of Drona then slew that son of Bhima's son, viz., Anjanaparvan, cased in an iron coat of mail, even as Mahadeva had slain in days of yore the Asura Andhaka. Beholding his mighty son slain by Aswatthaman, Ghatotkacha, coming unto the son of Drona, fearlessly addressed the heroic son of Saradwata's daughter, who was then consuming the Pandava troops like a raging forest-conflagration, in these words:

"Ghatotkacha said, 'Wait, Wait, O son of Drona! Thou shalt not escape me with life! I shall slay thee today like Agni's son slaying Krauncha.'

"Aswatthaman said, 'Go, O son, and fight with others, O thou that hast the prowess of a celestial. It is not proper, O son of Hidimva, that sire should battle with son. 1 I do not cherish any grudge against thee, O son of Hidimva! When, however, one's ire is excited, one may kill one's own self.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Having heard these words, Ghatotkacha, filled with grief on account of the fall of his son, and with eyes red as copper in wrath, approached Aswatthaman and said, 'Am I a dastard in battle, O son of Drona, like a vulgar person, that thou dost frighten me thus with words? Thy words are improper. Verily, I have been begotten by Bhima in the celebrated race of the Kurus. I am a son of the Pandavas, those heroes that never retreat from battle. I am the king of the Rakshasas, equal to the Ten-necked (Ravana) in might. Wait, wait, O son of Drona! Thou shalt not escape me with life. I shall today, on the field of battle, dispel thy desire for fight.' Having thus replied unto Aswatthaman, that mighty Rakshasa with eyes red as copper in rage, rushed furiously against the son of Drona, like a lion against a prince of elephants. And Ghatotkacha began to shower upon that bull among car-warriors, viz., Drona's

son, shafts of the measure of Aksha of battle car, like a cloud pouring torrents of rain. Drona's son however, with his own shafts, checked that arrowy shower before it could reach him. At that time, it seemed that another encounter was taking place in the welkin between shafts (as the combatants). The welkin, then, during the night, shone resplendent with the sparks caused by the clash of those weapons, as if with (myriads of) flies. Observing that his illusion was dispelled by Drona's son, proud of his prowess in battle, Ghatotkacha, once more making himself invisible, created an illusion. He assumed the form of a high mountain, crowded with cliffs and trees, and possessing fountains from which ceaselessly flowed spears and lances and swords and heavy clubs. Beholding that mountain-like mass of antimony, with countless weapons falling from it, Drona's son was not at all moved. The latter invoked into existence the Vajra weapon. 1 The prince of mountains, then, struck with that weapon, was quickly destroyed. Then the Rakshasa, becoming a mass of blue clouds in the firmament, decked with rainbow, began furiously to shower upon Drona's son in that battle a downpour of stones and rocks. Then that foremost of all persons acquainted with weapons, viz., Aswatthaman, aiming the Vayavya weapon, destroyed that blue cloud which had risen on the firmament. Drona's son, that foremost of men, covering then all the points of the compass with his shafts, slew a hundred thousand car-warriors. He then beheld Ghatotkacha fearlessly coming towards him with bent bow and accompanied by a large number of Rakshasas that resembled lions or infuriated elephants of great strength, some riding on elephants, some on cars, and some on steeds. The son of Hidimva was accompanied by those fierce followers of his, with frightful faces and heads and necks. Those Rakshasas consisted of both Paulastyas and Yatudhanas. 2 Their prowess was equal to that of Indra himself. They were armed with diverse kinds of weapons and were cased in diverse kinds of armour. Of terrible visage, they swelled with rage. Ghatotkacha came to battle, accompanied by those Rakshasas, who were, indeed, incapable of being easily defeated in battle. Beholding them, thy son, Duryodhana, became exceedingly cheerless. Unto him the son of Drona said, 'Wait, O Duryodhana! Thou needst have no fear. Stand aside with these thy heroic brothers and these lords of earth, endued with the prowess of Indra. I will slay thy foes. Defeat thou shalt not have. I tell thee truly. Meanwhile, assure thy troops.'

"Duryodhana said, 'I do not regard what thou sayest to be at all wonderful, since thy heart is large. O son of Gautama's daughter, thy regard for us is great.'

"Sanjaya continued, Having said those words unto Aswatthaman, he then addressed the son of Suvala, saying, 'Dhananjaya is engaged in battle surrounded by a hundred thousand car-warriors of great valour. Go

thou against him, with sixty thousand cars. Karna also, and Vrishasena and Kripa, and Nila, and the Northerners, and Kritavarman, and the sons of Purumitra, and Duhsasana, and Nikumbha, and Kundabhedin, and Puranjaya and Dridharatha, and Hemakampana, and Salya, and Aruni, and Indrasena, and Sanjaya, and Vijaya, and Jaya, and Purakrathin, and Jayavarman, and Sudarsana, these will follow thee, with sixty thousand foot-soldiers. O uncle, slay Bhima and the twins and king Yudhishthira the Just, like the chief of the celestials slaying the Asuras. My hope of victory is in thee. Already pierced by Drona's son with shafts, all their limbs have been exceedingly mangled. Slay the sons of Kunti, O uncle, like Kartikeya slaying the Asuras.' Thus addressed by thy son, Sakuni proceeded quickly to destroy the Pandavas, filling thy son's heart, O king, with delight.

"Meanwhile, O king, the battle that took place between the Rakshasas and the son of Drona on that night was exceedingly terrible like that between Sakra and Prahlada (in days of old). Ghatotkacha, filled with rage, struck Drona's son in the chest with ten powerful shafts fierce as poison or fire. Deeply pierced with those shafts by the son of Bhimasena, Aswatthaman trembled on the terrace of his car like a tall tree shaken by the tempest. Once more Ghatotkacha, with a broad-headed shaft, quickly cut off the bright bow that was in the hands of Drona's son. The latter, then, taking up another bow capable of bearing of great strain, showered keen arrows (upon his foe) like a cloud pouring torrents of rain. Then the son of Saradwat's daughter, O Bharata, sped many sky-ranging and foe-slaying arrows, winged with gold, towards the sky-ranging Rakshasa. Afflicted with those shafts of Aswatthaman, that vast force of broad-chested Rakshasas looked like a herd of infuriated elephants afflicted by lions. Consuming with his arrows those Rakshasas with their steeds, drivers, and elephants, he blazed forth like the adorable Agni while consuming creatures at the end of the Yuga. Having burnt with his shafts a full Akshauhini of Rakshasa troops, Aswatthaman shone resplendent like the divine Maheswara in heaven after the burning of the triple city. 1 That foremost of victors, viz., Drona's son, having burnt thy foes, shone brilliantly like the blazing Yuga-fire after having burnt all creatures at the end of the Yuga. Then Ghatotkacha, filled with rage, urged that vast Rakshasa force on, saying, 'Slay the son of Drona!' That command of Ghatotkacha was obeyed by those terrible Rakshasa of bright teeth, large faces, frightful aspects, gaping mouths, long tongues and eyes blazing with wrath. Causing the earth to be filled with their loud leonine roars, and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, they rushed against the son of Drona for slaying him. Endued with fierce prowess, those Rakshasas, with eyes red in wrath, fearlessly hurled at Aswatthaman's head hundreds and thousands of darts, and Sataghnis, and spiked maces, and Asanis and long lances, and axes, and scimitars, and maces, and short arrows and heavy

clubs, and battle-axes, and spears, and swords, and lances, and polished Kampanas and Kunapas, and Hulas, and rockets, and stones, and vessels of (hot) treacle, and thunas made of black iron, and mallets, all of terrible forms and capable of destroying foes. Beholding that thick shower of weapons falling upon the head of Drona's son, thy warriors were much pained. The son of Drona, however, fearlessly destroyed with his whetted shafts endued with the force of the thunder that frightful shower of weapons looking like a risen cloud. Then the high-souled son of Drona, with other weapons, equipped with golden wings and inspired with mantras speedily slew many Rakshasas. Afflicted with those shafts, that vast force of broad-chested Rakshasas looked like a herd of infuriated elephants afflicted by lions. Then those mighty Rakshasas, thus afflicted Drona's son, became filled with fury and rushed against the former. The prowess that the son of Drona then showed was exceedingly wonderful, for the feat he achieved is incapable of being achieved by any other being among living creatures, since, alone and unsupported, that warrior acquainted with high and mighty weapons burnt that Rakshasa force with his blazing shafts in the very sight of that prince of Rakshasas. Whilst consuming that Rakshasa force, Drona's son in that battle shone resplendent like the Samvartaka fire, while burning all creatures at the end of the Yuga. Indeed, amongst those thousands of kings and those Pandavas, O Bharata, there was none, except that mighty prince of the Rakshasa, viz., the heroic Ghatotkacha, capable of even looking at the son of Drona in that battle, who was thus employed in consuming their ranks with his shafts, resembling snakes of virulent poison. The Rakshasa, O chief of the Bharatas, with eyes rolling in wrath, striking his palms, and biting his (nether) lip, addressed his own driver, saying, 'Bear me towards the son of Drona.' Riding on that formidable car equipped with triumphal banners, that slayer of foes once more proceeded against Drona's son, desirous of a single combat with the latter. Endued with terrible prowess, the Rakshasa, uttering a loud leonine roar, hurled in that encounter at Drona's son, having whirled it (previously), a terrible Asani of celestial workmanship, and equipped with eight bells. 1 Drona's son, however, jumping down from his car, having left his bow thereon, seized it and hurled it back at Ghatotkacha himself. Ghatotkacha, meanwhile, had quickly alighted from his car. That formidable Asani, of dazzling effulgence, having reduced to ashes the Rakshasa's vehicle with steeds and drivers and standard, entered the earth, having pierced her through. Beholding that feat of Drona's son, viz., his having jumped down and seized that terrible Asani of celestial workmanship, all creatures applauded it. Proceeding then, O king, to Dhrishtadyumna's car, Bhimasena's son, taking up a terrible bow that resembled the large bow of Indra himself, once more shot many keen shafts at the illustrious son of Drona. Dhrishtadyumna also fearlessly shot at Aswatthaman's chest many foremost

of shafts, equipped with wings of gold and resembling snakes of virulent poison. Then Drona's son shot arrows and long shafts by thousands. These two heroes, however, viz., Ghatotkacha and Dhrishtadyumna, struck and baffled Aswatthaman's shafts by means of their own shafts whose touch resembled that of fire. The battle then that took place between those two lions among men (Ghatotkacha on the one side) and the son of Drona (on the other) became fierce in the extreme and gladdened all the combatants, O bull of Bharata's race! Then, accompanied by a thousand cars, three hundred elephants, and six thousand horses, Bhimasena arrived at that spot. The virtuous son of Drona, however, endued as he was with prowess that knew no fatigue, continued to fight with the heroic son of Bhima and with Dhrishtadyumna supported by his followers. 1 The prowess then that Drona's son displayed on that occasion was exceedingly wonderful, in as much as, O Bharata, none else amongst all creatures is capable of accomplishing such feats. Within the twinkling of an eye, he destroyed, by means of his sharp shafts, a full Akshauhini of Rakshasa troops with steeds, drivers, cars, and elephants, in the very sight of Bhimasena and Hidimva's son and Prishata's son and the twins and Dharma's son and Vijaya and Achyuta. 2 Deeply struck with the straight-going shafts (of Aswatthaman), elephants fell down on elephants on the earth like crestless mountains. Strewn all around with the lopped off trunks of elephants, that moved still in convulsions, the earth looked as if overspread with moving snakes. And the earth looked resplendent with golden staves and royal umbrellas, like the firmament at the end of the Yuga, bespangled with planets and stars and many moons and suns. And Drona's son caused a bloody river of impetuous current to flow there. The blood of elephants and steeds and combatants formed its water; tall standards its frogs; drums formed its large tortoises; umbrellas, its rows of swans, yak-tails in profusion, Kankas and vultures, its crocodiles; weapons its fishes; large elephants the stones and rocks on its banks; elephants and steeds, its sharks; cars, its unstable and broad banks; and banners, its beautiful rows of trees. Having shafts for its (smaller) fishes, that frightful river had lances and darts and swords for snakes; marrow and flesh for its mire, and trunkless bodies floating on it for its rafts. And it was choked with the hair (of men and animals) for its moss. And it inspired the timid with cheerlessness and fear. And bloody waves were seen on its surface. Rendered frightful by means of the foot-soldiers with which it teemed, Yama's abode, was the ocean towards which it flowed. Having slain the Rakshasas, Drona's son then began to afflict the son of Hidimva with arrows. Filled once more with rage, the puissant son of Drona having pierced those mighty car-warriors, viz., the Parthas including Vrikodara and the sons of Prishata, slew Suratha,

one of the sons of Drupada. Then he slew in that battle Suratha's younger brother named Satrunjaya. And then he slew Valanika and Jayanika, and Jaya. And once more, with a keen shaft, Drona's son' uttering a leonine roar, slew Prishdhra, and then proud Chandrasena. And then he slew with ten arrows the ten sons of Kuntibhoja. Then, O king, Drona's son despatched Srutayus to the abode of Yama. With three other keen shafts, equipped with beautiful wings and red eyes, he despatched the mighty Satrunjaya to the region of Sakra. 1 Then Aswatthaman, filled with rage, fixed on his bowstring a fierce and straight arrow. Drawing the string to his ear, he quickly shot that fierce and excellent arrow resembling the rod of Death himself, aiming at Ghatotkacha. That mighty shaft, equipped with beautiful wings, passing through the chest of that Rakshasa, O lord of the earth, entered the earth, piercing through it, Ghatotkacha thereupon fell down on the car. Beholding him fallen down and believing him to be dead, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna took him away from the presence of Drona's son and caused him to be placed upon another car. Thus, O king, that car-force of Yudhishthira turned away from the fight. The heroic son of Drona having vanquished his foes, uttered a loud roar. And he was worshipped by all men and all thy sons, O sire.' 2 The earth, strewn all around with the fallen bodies of dead Rakshasas, pierced and mangled with hundreds of arrows, became fierce looking and impassable, as if strewn with mountain summits. The Siddhas and Gandharvas and Pisachas, and Nagas, and birds, and Pitris and ravens and large numbers of cannibals and ghosts, and Apsaras and celestials, all combined in highly applauding the son of Drona.'"

347:1 Patanipam is explained by Nilakantha as something that causes the patana or downfall of a person hence sin. There is no reference for this note in the body of this page, so I have placed it in a likely location.--JBH

349:1 A nalwa measured four hundred cubits.

349:2 Nilakantha explains that there were Pisachas.

351:1 Aswatthaman and the Pandavas were like brothers, for both were disciples of Drona Ghatotkacha, therefore, having been Bhima's son was Aswatthaman's brother's son.

352:1 i.e., the weapon endued with the force of the thunder.

352:2 Different species of Rakshasas.

353:1 Tripura, belonging to an Asura of the same.

354:1 Asani literally means the thunder. Probably, some kind of iron mace.

355:1 The Bengal texts read Utkrisha-vikramas. The correct reading seems to be Aklivhtavikramas. Then again Sahanujam seems to be inaccurate. I follow the Bombay reading Sahanugam.

355:2 Achyuta, when used as a proper noun, refers to Krishna. It means of unfading glory and 'the immortal.'

356:1 Sight differences are observable between the Bengal and the Bombay texts as regards the last three verses.

356:2 This is a triplet.

7.132.1

संजय उवाच
द्रुपदस्यात्मजान्दृष्ट्वा कुन्तिभोजसुतांस्तथा
द्रोणपुत्रेण निहतान्राक्षसांश्च सहस्रशः

7.132.2

युधिष्ठिरो भीमसेनो धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः
युयुधानश्च संयत्ता युद्धायैव मनो दधुः

7.132.3

सोमदत्तः पुनः कुर्द्धो दृष्ट्वा सात्यकिमाहवे
महता शरवर्षेण छादयामास सर्वतः

7.132.4

ततः समभवद्युद्धमतीव भयवर्धनम्
त्वदीयानां परेषां च घोरं विजयकाङ्क्षिणाम्

7.132.5

दशभिः सात्वतस्यार्थे भीमो विव्याध कौरवम्
सोमदत्तोऽपि तं वीरं शतेन प्रत्यविध्यत

7.132.6

सात्वतस्त्वभिसंक्रुद्धः पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतम्
वृद्धमृद्धं गुणैः सर्वैर्ययातिमिव नाहुषम्

7.132.7

विव्याध दशभिस्तीक्ष्णैः शरैर्वज्रनिपातिभिः
शक्त्या चैनमथाहत्य पुनर्विव्याध सप्तभिः

7.132.8

ततस्तु सात्यकेरर्थे भीमसेनो नवं दृढम्
मुमोच परिघं घोरं सोमदत्तस्य मूर्धनि

7.132.9

सात्यकिश्चाग्निसंकाशं मुमोच शरमुत्तमम्
सोमदत्तोरसि क्रुद्धः सुपत्रं निशितं युधि

7.132.10

युगपत्पेततुरथ घोरौ परिघमार्गणौ
शरीरे सोमदत्तस्य स पपात महारथः

7.132.11

व्यामोहिते तु तनये बाह्लीकः समुपाद्रवत्
विसृजञ्शरवर्षाणि कालवर्षीव तोयदः

7.132.12

भीमोऽथ सात्वतस्यार्थे बाह्लीकं नवभिः शरैः
पीडयन्वै महात्मानं विव्याध रणमूर्धनि

7.132.13

प्रातिपीयस्तु संक्रुद्धः शक्तिं भीमस्य वक्षसि
निचखान महाबाहुः पुरंदर इवाशनिम्

7.132.14

स तयाभिहतो भीमश्चकम्पे च मुमोह च
प्राप्य चेतश्च बलवान्गदामस्मै ससर्ज ह

7.132.15

सा पाण्डवेन प्रहिता बाह्लीकस्य शिरोऽहरत्
स पपात हतः पृथ्व्यां वज्राहत इवाद्रिराट्

7.132.16

तस्मिन्विनिहते वीरे बाह्लीके पुरुषर्षभे
पुत्रास्तेऽभ्यर्दयन्भीमं दश दाशरथेः समाः

7.132.17

नाराचैर्दशभिर्भीमस्तान्निहत्य तवात्मजान्
कर्णस्य दयितं पुत्रं वृषसेनमवाकिरत्

7.132.18

ततो वृषरथो नाम भ्राता कर्णस्य विश्रुतः
जघान भीमं नाराचैस्तमप्यभ्यवधीद्बली

7.132.19

ततः सप्त रथान्वीरः स्यालानां तव भारत
निहत्य भीमो नाराचैः शतचन्द्रमपोथयत्

7.132.20

अमर्षयन्तो निहतं शतचन्द्रं महारथम्
शकुनेर्भ्रातरो वीरा गजाक्षः शरभो विभुः
अभिद्रुत्य शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्भीमसेनमताडयन्

7.132.21

स तुद्यमानो नाराचैर्वृष्टिवेगैरिवर्षभः
जघान पञ्चभिर्बाणैः पञ्चैवातिबलो रथान्
तान्दृष्ट्वा निहतान्वीरान्विचेलुर्नृपसत्तमाः

7.132.22

ततो युधिष्ठिरः क्रुद्धस्तवानीकमशातयत्
मिषतः कुम्भयोनेश्च पुत्राणां च तवानघ

7.132.23

अम्बष्ठान्मालवाञ्शूरांस्त्रिगर्तान्सशिबीनपि
प्राहिणोन्मृत्युलोकाय गणान्युद्धे युधिष्ठिरः

7.132.24

अभीषाहाञ्शूरसेनान्बाह्लीकान्सवसातिकान्
निकृत्य पृथिवीं राजा चक्रे शोणितकर्दमाम्

7.132.25

यौधेयारट्टराजन्यमद्रकाणां गणान्युधि
प्राहिणोन्मृत्युलोकाय शूरान्बाणैर्युधिष्ठिरः

7.132.26

हताहरत गृह्णीत विध्यत व्यवकृन्तत
इत्यासीत्तुमुलः शब्दो युधिष्ठिररथं प्रति

7.132.27

सैन्यानि द्रावयन्तं तं द्रोणो दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरम्
चोदितस्तव पुत्रेण सायकैरभ्यवाकिरत्

7.132.28

द्रोणस्तु परमक्रुद्धो वायव्यास्त्रेण पार्थिवम्
विव्याध सोऽस्य तद्दिव्यमस्त्रमस्त्रेण जघ्निवान्

7.132.29

तस्मिन्विनिहते चास्त्रे भारद्वाजो युधिष्ठिरे
वारुणं याम्यमाग्नेयं त्वाष्ट्रं सावित्रमेव च
चिक्षेप परमक्रुद्धो जिघांसुः पाण्डुनन्दनम्

7.132.30

क्षिप्तानि क्षिप्यमाणानि तानि चास्त्राणि धर्मजः
जघानास्त्रैर्महाबाहुः कुम्भयोनेरवित्रसन्

7.132.31

सत्यां चिकीर्षमाणस्तु प्रतिज्ञां कुम्भसंभवः
प्रादुश्चक्रेऽस्त्रमैन्द्रं वै प्राजापत्यं च भारत
जिघांसुर्धर्मतनयं तव पुत्रहिते रतः

7.132.32

पतिः कुरूणां गजसिंहगामी; विशालवक्षाः पृथुलोहिताक्षः
प्रादुश्चकारास्त्रमहीनतेजा; माहेन्द्रमन्यत्स जघान तेऽस्त्रे

7.132.33

विहन्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु द्रोणः क्रोधसमन्वितः
युधिष्ठिरवधप्रेप्सुर्ब्राह्ममस्त्रमुदैरयत्

7.132.34

ततो नाज्ञासिषं किंचिद्घोरेण तमसावृते
सर्वभूतानि च परं त्रासं जग्मुर्महीपते

7.132.35

ब्रह्मास्त्रमुद्यतं दृष्ट्वा कुन्तीपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
ब्रह्मास्त्रेणैव राजेन्द्र तदस्त्रं प्रत्यवारयत्

7.132.36

ततः सैनिकमुख्यास्ते प्रशशंसुर्नरर्षभौ
द्रोणपार्थौ महेष्वासौ सर्वयुद्धविशारदौ

7.132.37

ततः प्रमुच्य कौन्तेयं द्रोणो द्रुपदवाहिनीम्
व्यधमद्रोषताम्राक्षो वायव्यास्त्रेण भारत

7.132.38

ते हन्यमाना द्रोणेन पाञ्चालाः प्राद्रवन्भयात्
पश्यतो भीमसेनस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः

7.132.39

ततः किरीटी भीमश्च सहसा संन्यवर्तताम्
महद्भ्यां रथवंशाभ्यां परिगृह्य बलं तव

7.132.40

बीभत्सुर्दक्षिणं पार्श्वमुत्तरं तु वृकोदरः
भारद्वाजं शरौघाभ्यां महद्भ्यामभ्यवर्षताम्

7.132.41

तौ तदा सृञ्जयाश्चैव पाञ्चालाश्च महौजसः
अन्वगच्छन्महाराज मत्स्याश्च सह सात्वतैः

7.132.42

ततः सा भारती सेना वध्यमाना किरीटिना
द्रोणेन वार्यमाणास्ते स्वयं तव सुतेन च
नाशक्यन्त महाराज योधा वारयितुं तदा

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the sons of Drupada, as also those of Kuntibhoja, and Rakshasas too in thousands, slain by the son of Drona, Yudhishthira and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and Yuyudhana, uniting together, set their hearts firmly on battle. Then Somadatta, once more filled with rage upon beholding Satyaki in that battle, covered the latter, O Bharata, with a dense shower of arrows. Then took place a battle, fierce and exceedingly wonderful to behold, between thy warriors and those of the foe, both parties being solicitous of victory. Fighting on behalf of Satyaki, Bhima pierced the Katirava. hero with ten shafts. Somadatta, however, in return, pierced that hero with a hundred arrows. Then Satwata, filled with rage, pierced with ten keen shafts,

endued with the force of the thunder, that old warrior afflicted with grief on account of the death of his son, and who was, besides, endued with every estimable virtue like Yayati, the son of Nahusha. Having pierced him with great force, he struck him once more with seven arrows. Then, fighting for the sake of Satyaki, Bhimasena hurled at the head of Somadatta a new, hard and terrible Parigha. Satyaki also filled with rage, shot at Somadatta's chest, in that battle, an excellent shaft, keen and equipped with goodly wings and resembling fire itself in splendour. The Parigha and the shaft, both terrible, fell simultaneously upon the body of the heroic Somadatta. That mighty car-warrior, thereupon, fell down. Beholding his son (Somadatta) thus fallen into a swoon, Valhika rushed at Satyaki scattering showers of arrows like a cloud in season. Then Bhima, for Satyaki's sake, afflicted the illustrious Valhika with nine shafts and pierced him therewith at the van of battle. Then the mighty-armed son of Pratipa, Valhika, filled with great fury, hurled a dart at the chest of Bhima, like Purandara himself hurling the thunder. Struck therewith, Bhima trembled (on his car) and swooned away. The mighty warrior then, recovering his senses, hurled a mace at his opponent. Hurled by the son of Pandu, that mace snatched away the head of Valhika, who, thereupon, fell down lifeless on the earth, like a tree struck down by lightning. Upon the slaughter of that bull among men, viz., the heroic Valhika, ten of thy sons, each of whom was equal unto Rama, the son of Dasaratha, in prowess, began to afflict Bhima. They were Nagadatta, and Dridharatha, and Viravahu, and Ayobhuja, and Dridha, and Suhasta, and Viragas and Pramatha, and Ugrayayin. Beholding them Bhimasena became filled with rage. He then took up a number of arrows, each capable of bearing a great strain. Aiming at each of them one after another, he sped those arrows at them, striking each in his vital part. Pierced therewith, they fell down from their cars, deprived of energy and life, like tall trees from mountain cliffs broken by a tempest. Having with those ten shafts slain those ten sons of thine, Bhima shrouded the favourite son of Karna with showers of arrows. Then the celebrated Vrikaratha, brother of Karna, pierced Bhima with many arrows. The mighty Pandava, however, soon disposed of him effectually. Slaying next, O Bharata, seven car-warriors among thy brother-in-law, with his shafts, the heroic Bhima pressed Satachandra down into the earth. Unable to bear the slaughter of the mighty car-warrior Satachandra, Sakuni's brothers, viz., the heroic Gavaksha and Sarabha and Bibhu, and Subhaga, and Bhanudatta, those five mighty car-warriors, rushing towards Bhimasena, attacked him with their keen shafts. Thus attacked with those shafts, like a mountain with torrents of rain.' 1 Bhima slew those five mighty kings with five shafts of his. Beholding those heroes slain many great kings began to waver.

"Then Yudhishthira, filled with wrath, began to destroy thy ranks, in the sight, O sinless one, of the Pot-born (Drona) and of thy sons. Indeed,

with his shafts, Yudhishthira began to despatch to the regions of Yama the Amvashthas, the Malavas, the brave Trigartas and the Sivis. And cutting off the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Valhikas, and the Vasatis, he caused the earth to be miry with flesh and blood. And he also despatched within a trice, by means of many shafts, to Yama's domains, the Yaudheyas, the Malavas, and large numbers, O king, of the Madrakas. Then a loud uproar arose in the vicinity of Yudhishthira's car, amid which was heard, 'Slay', Seize', 'Capture', Pierce', Cut into pieces'! Beholding him thus slaying and routing thy troops, Drona, urged on by thy son, shrouded Yudhishthira with showers of shafts. Drona filled with great wrath, struck Yudhishthira with the Vayavya weapon. The son of Pandu, however, baffled that celestial weapon with a similar weapon of his own. Seeing his weapon baffled, the son of Bharadwaja, filled with great wrath and desirous of slaying the son of Pandu, sped at Yudhishthira diverse celestial weapons such as the Varuna, the Yamya, the Agneya, the Tvashtra, and the Savitra. The mighty-armed Pandava, however, conversant with morality, fearlessly baffled all those weapons of the Pot-born that were hurled or in course of being hurled at him. Then the Pot-born, striving to accomplish his vow and desirous also for thy son's good, to slay the son of Dharma, invoked into existence, O Bharata, the Aindra and the Prajapatya weapons. Then that foremost one of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira, of the gait of the elephant or the lion, of broad chest and large and red eyes, and endued with energy scarcely inferior (to that of Drona) invoked into existence the Mahendra weapon. With that he baffled the weapon of Drona. Seeing all his weapons baffled, Drona, filled with wrath and desirous of accomplishing the destruction of Yudhishthira, invoked into existence the Brahma weapon. Enveloped as we then were by a thick gloom, we could not observe what passed. All creatures also, O monarch, were filled with great fright. Beholding the Brahma weapon uplifted, Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, O king, baffled it with a Brahma weapon of his own. Then, all the foremost warriors applauded those two bulls among men, viz., Drona and Yudhishthira, those great bowmen acquainted with every mode of warfare. Abandoning Yudhishthira, Drona then, with eyes red as copper in rage, began to consume the division of Drupada with the Vayavya weapon. Oppressed by Drona, the Panchalas fled away from fear, in the very sight of Bhimasena and of the illustrious Partha. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and Bhimasena, checking that flight of their troops, suddenly encountered that hostile force with two large throngs of cars. Vibhatsu, attacking the right and Vrikodara the left, Bharadwaja's son was encountered, with two mighty showers of shafts. Then the Kaikeyas, the Srinjayas, and the Panchalas of great energy followed the two brothers, O king, accompanied by the Matsyas and the Satwatas. Then the Bharata host, slaughtered by the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and overcome with sleep and darkness, began to break. Drona, and thy son himself, endeavoured to rally them. The combatants, however, O king, were incapable of being then checked in their flight.'"

357:1 This is a triplet.

7.133.1

संजय उवाच
उदीर्यमाणं तद्दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानां महद्बलम्
अविषह्यं च मन्वानः कर्णं दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्

7.133.2

अयं स कालः संप्राप्तो मित्राणां मित्रवत्सल
त्रायस्व समरे कर्ण सर्वान्योधान्महाबल

7.133.3

पाञ्चालैर्मत्स्यकैकेयैः पाण्डवैश्च महारथैः
वृतान्समन्तात्संक्रुद्धैर्निःश्वसद्भिरिवोरगैः

7.133.4

एते नदन्ति संहृष्टाः पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः
शक्रोपमाश्च बहवः पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजाः

7.133.5

कर्ण उवाच
परित्रातुमिह प्राप्तो यदि पार्थं पुरंदरः
तमप्याशु पराजित्य ततो हन्तास्मि पाण्डवम्

7.133.6

सत्यं ते प्रतिजानामि समाश्वसिहि भारत
हन्तास्मि पाण्डुतनयान्पाञ्चालांश्च समागतान्

7.133.7

जयं ते प्रतिजानामि वासवस्येव पावकिः
प्रियं तव मया कार्यमिति जीवामि पार्थिव

7.133.8

सर्वेषामेव पार्थानां फल्गुनो बलवत्तरः
तस्यामोघां विमोक्ष्यामि शक्तिं शक्रविनिर्मिताम्

7.133.9

तस्मिन्हते महेष्वासे भ्रातरस्तस्य मानद
तव वश्या भविष्यन्ति वनं यास्यन्ति वा पुनः

7.133.10

मयि जीवति कौरव्य विषादं मा कृथाः क्वचित्
अहं जेष्यामि समरे सहितान्सर्वपाण्डवान्

7.133.11

पाञ्चालान्केकयांश्चैव वृष्णींश्चापि समागतान्
बाणौघैः शकलीकृत्य तव दास्यामि मेदिनीम्

7.133.12

संजय उवाच
एवं ब्रुवाणं कर्णं तु कृपः शारद्वतोऽब्रवीत्
स्मयन्निव महाबाहुः सूतपुत्रमिदं वचः

7.133.13

शोभनं शोभनं कर्ण सनाथः कुरुपुंगवः
त्वया नाथेन राधेय वचसा यदि सिध्यति

7.133.14

बहुशः कत्थसे कर्ण कौरव्यस्य समीपतः
न तु ते विक्रमः कश्चिद्दृश्यते बलमेव वा

7.133.15

समागमः पाण्डुसुतैर्दृष्टस्ते बहुशो युधि
सर्वत्र निर्जितश्चासि पाण्डवैः सूतनन्दन

7.133.16

ह्रियमाणे तदा कर्ण गन्धर्वैर्धृतराष्ट्रजे
तदायुध्यन्त सैन्यानि त्वमेकस्तु पलायथाः

7.133.17

विराटनगरे चापि समेताः सर्वकौरवाः
पार्थेन निर्जिता युद्धे त्वं च कर्ण सहानुजः

7.133.18

एकस्याप्यसमर्थस्त्वं फल्गुनस्य रणाजिरे
कथमुत्सहसे जेतुं सकृष्णान्सर्वपाण्डवान्

7.133.19

अब्रुवन्कर्ण युध्यस्व बहु कत्थसि सूतज
अनुक्त्वा विक्रमेद्यस्तु तद्वै सत्पुरुषव्रतम्

7.133.20

गर्जित्वा सूतपुत्र त्वं शारदाभ्रमिवाजलम्
निष्फलो दृश्यसे कर्ण तच्च राजा न बुध्यते

7.133.21

तावद्गर्जसि राधेय यावत्पार्थं न पश्यसि
पुरा पार्थं हि ते दृष्ट्वा दुर्लभं गर्जितं भवेत्

7.133.22

त्वमनासाद्य तान्बाणान्फल्गुनस्य विगर्जसि
पार्थसायकविद्धस्य दुर्लभं गर्जितं भवेत्

7.133.23

बाहुभिः क्षत्रियाः शूरा वाग्भिः शूरा द्विजातयः
धनुषा फल्गुनः शूरः कर्णः शूरो मनोरथैः

7.133.24

एवं परुषितस्तेन तदा शारद्वतेन सः
कर्णः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कृपं वाक्यमथाब्रवीत्

7.133.25

शूरा गर्जन्ति सततं प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः
फलं चाशु प्रयच्छन्ति बीजमुप्तमृताविव

7.133.26

दोषमत्र न पश्यामि शूराणां रणमूर्धनि
तत्तद्विकत्थमानानां भारं चोद्वहतां मृधे

7.133.27

यं भारं पुरुषो वोढुं मनसा हि व्यवस्यति
दैवमस्य ध्रुवं तत्र साहाय्यायोपपद्यते

7.133.28

व्यवसायद्वितीयोऽहं मनसा भारमुद्वहन्
गर्जामि यद्यहं विप्र तव किं तत्र नश्यति

7.133.29

वृथा शूरा न गर्जन्ति सजला इव तोयदाः
सामर्थ्यमात्मनो ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जन्ति पण्डिताः

7.133.30

सोऽहमद्य रणे यत्तः सहितौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ
उत्सहे तरसा जेतुं ततो गर्जामि गौतम

7.133.31

पश्य त्वं गर्जितस्यास्य फलं मे विप्र सानुगः
हत्वा पाण्डुसुतानाजौ सहकृष्णान्ससात्वतान्
दुर्योधनाय दास्यामि पृथिवीं हतकण्टकाम्

7.133.32

कृप उवाच
मनोरथप्रलापो मे न ग्राह्यस्तव सूतज
यदा क्षिपसि वै कृष्णौ धर्मराजं च पाण्डवम्

7.133.33

ध्रुवस्तत्र जयः कर्ण यत्र युद्धविशारदौ
देवगन्धर्वयक्षाणां मनुष्योरगरक्षसाम्
दंशितानामपि रणे अजेयौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ

7.133.34

ब्रह्मण्यः सत्यवाग्दान्तो गुरुदैवतपूजकः
नित्यं धर्मरतश्चैव कृतास्त्रश्च विशेषतः
धृतिमांश्च कृतज्ञश्च धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः

7.133.35

भ्रातरश्चास्य बलिनः सर्वास्त्रेषु कृतश्रमाः
गुरुवृत्तिरताः प्राज्ञा धर्मनित्या यशस्विनः

7.133.36

संबन्धिनश्चेन्द्रवीर्याः स्वनुरक्ताः प्रहारिणः
धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च दौर्मुखिर्जनमेजयः

7.133.37

चन्द्रसेनो भद्रसेनः कीर्तिधर्मा ध्रुवो धरः
वसुचन्द्रो दामचन्द्रः सिंहचन्द्रः सुवेधनः

7.133.38

द्रुपदस्य तथा पुत्रा द्रुपदश्च महास्त्रवित्
येषामर्थाय संयत्तो मत्स्यराजः सहानुगः

7.133.39

शतानीकः सुदशनः श्रुतानीकः श्रुतध्वजः
बलानीको जयानीको जयाश्वो रथवाहनः

7.133.40

चन्द्रोदयः कामरथो विराटभ्रातरः शुभाः
यमौ च द्रौपदेयाश्च राक्षसश्च घटोत्कचः
येषामर्थाय युध्यन्ते न तेषां विद्यते क्षयः

7.133.41

कामं खलु जगत्सर्वं सदेवासुरमानवम्
सयक्षराक्षसगणं सभूतभुजगद्विपम्
निःशेषमस्त्रवीर्येण कुर्यातां भीमफल्गुनौ

7.133.42

युधिष्ठिरश्च पृथिवीं निर्दहेद्घोरचक्षुषा
अप्रमेयबलः शौरिर्येषामर्थे च दंशितः
कथं तान्संयुगे कर्ण जेतुमुत्सहसे परान्

7.133.43

महानपनयस्त्वेष तव नित्यं हि सूतज
यस्त्वमुत्सहसे योद्धुं समरे शौरिणा सह

7.133.44

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्तस्तु राधेयः प्रहसन्भरतर्षभ
अब्रवीच्च तदा कर्णो गुरुं शारद्वतं कृपम्

7.133.45

सत्यमुक्तं त्वया ब्रह्मन्पाण्डवान्प्रति यद्वचः
एते चान्ये च बहवो गुणाः पाण्डुसुतेषु वै

7.133.46

अजय्याश्च रणे पार्था देवैरपि सवासवैः
सदैत्ययक्षगन्धर्वपिशाचोरगराक्षसैः
तथापि पार्थाञ्जेष्यामि शक्त्या वासवदत्तया

7.133.47

ममाप्यमोघा दत्तेयं शक्तिः शक्रेण वै द्विज
एतया निहनिष्यामि सव्यसाचिनमाहवे

7.133.48

हते तु पाण्डवे कृष्णो भ्रातरश्चास्य सोदराः
अनर्जुना न शक्ष्यन्ति महीं भोक्तुं कथंचन

7.133.49

तेषु नष्टेषु सर्वेषु पृथिवीयं ससागरा
अयत्नात्कौरवेयस्य वशे स्थास्यति गौतम

7.133.50

सुनीतैरिह सर्वार्थाः सिध्यन्ते नात्र संशयः
एतमर्थमहं ज्ञात्वा ततो गर्जामि गौतम

7.133.51

त्वं तु वृद्धश्च विप्रश्च अशक्तश्चापि संयुगे
कृतस्नेहश्च पार्थेषु मोहान्मामवमन्यसे

7.133.52

यद्येवं वक्ष्यसे भूयो मामप्रियमिह द्विज
ततस्ते खड्गमुद्यम्य जिह्वां छेत्स्यामि दुर्मते

7.133.53

यच्चापि पाण्डवान्विप्र स्तोतुमिच्छसि संयुगे
भीषयन्सर्वसैन्यानि कौरवेयाणि दुर्मते
अत्रापि शृणु मे वाक्यं यथावद्गदतो द्विज

7.133.54

दुर्योधनश्च द्रोणश्च शकुनिर्दुर्मुखो जयः
दुःशासनो वृषसेनो मद्रराजस्त्वमेव च
सोमदत्तश्च भूरिश्च तथा द्रौणिर्विविंशतिः

7.133.55

तिष्ठेयुर्दंशिता यत्र सर्वे युद्धविशारदाः
जयेदेतान्रणे को नु शक्रतुल्यबलोऽप्यरिः

7.133.56

शूराश्च हि कृतास्त्राश्च बलिनः स्वर्गलिप्सवः
धर्मज्ञा युद्धकुशला हन्युर्युद्धे सुरानपि

7.133.57

एते स्थास्यन्ति संग्रामे पाण्डवानां वधार्थिनः
जयमाकाङ्क्षमाणा हि कौरवेयस्य दंशिताः

7.133.58

दैवायत्तमहं मन्ये जयं सुबलिनामपि
यत्र भीष्मो महाबाहुः शेते शरशताचितः

7.133.59

विकर्णश्चित्रसेनश्च बाह्लीकोऽथ जयद्रथः
भूरिश्रवा जयश्चैव जलसंधः सुदक्षिणः

7.133.60

शलश्च रथिनां श्रेष्ठो भगदत्तश्च वीर्यवान्
एते चान्ये च राजानो देवैरपि सुदुर्जयाः

7.133.61

निहताः समरे शूराः पाण्डवैर्बलवत्तराः
किमन्यद्दैवसंयोगान्मन्यसे पुरुषाधम

7.133.62

यांश्च तान्स्तौषि सततं दुर्योधनरिपून्द्विज
तेषामपि हताः शूराः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.133.63

क्षीयन्ते सर्वसैन्यानि कुरूणां पाण्डवैः सह
प्रभावं नात्र पश्यामि पाण्डवानां कथंचन

7.133.64

यांस्तान्बलवतो नित्यं मन्यसे त्वं द्विजाधम
यतिष्येऽहं यथाशक्ति योद्धुं तैः सह संयुगे
दुर्योधनहितार्थाय जयो दैवे प्रतिष्ठितः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding that vast host of the Pandavas swelling with rage and regarding it to be incapable of being resisted, thy son Duryodhana. addressing Karna, said these words, 'O thou that art devoted to friends, that hour hath now come in respect of thy friends (when thy help is most needed). O Karna, save in battle all my warriors. Our combatants are now encompassed on all sides by the Panchalas, the Kaikeyas, the Matsyas, and the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, all filled, with rage and resembling hissing snakes. Yonder the Pandavas, solicitous of victory, are roaring in joy. The vast car-force of the Panchalas is possessed of the prowess of Sakra himself.'

"Karna replied, 'If Purandara himself were to come hither for saving Partha, quickly vanquishing even him, I would slay that son or Pandu. I tell thee truly. Be cheered, O Bharata! I will slay the son of Pandu and all the assembled Panchalas, I will give thee victory, like Pavaka's son giving victory unto Vasava. I shall do what is agreeable to thee in this battle that has begun. Amongst all the Parthas, Phalguna is the strongest. At him I will hurl the fatal dart of Sakra's workmanship. Upon the death of that great bowman, his brothers, O giver of honour, will either surrender themselves unto thee or once more retire into the forest. When I am alive, O Kauravya, never indulge in any grief. I will vanquish in battle all the Pandavas united together and all the Panchalas, the Kaikeyas, and the Vrishnis assembled together. Making porcupines of them by means of my arrowy showers, I will give thee the earth.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'While Karna was uttering those words, Kripa, the mighty armed son of Saradwat, smiling the while, addressed the Suta's son in these words, 'Thy speech is fair, O Karna! If words alone could lead to success, then with thee, O son of Radha, as his protector, this bull among the Kurus would be considered to have the amplest measure of protection. Thou boastest much, O Karna, in the presence of the Kuru chief, but thy prowess is seldom witnessed, nor, indeed, any result (of thy boastful speeches). Many a time have we seen thee encounter the sons of Pandu in battle. On every one of those occasions, O Suta's son, thou hast been vanquished by the Pandavas. While Dhritarashtra's son was being taken away (as a captive) by the Gandharvas, all the troops fought on that occasion except thy single self, who was the first to fly away. In Virata's city also, all the Kauravas, united together, including thyself and thy younger brother were vanquished by Partha in battle. Thou art not a match for even one of the sons of Pandu, viz., Phalguna, on the field of battle. How then canst thou venture to vanquish all the sons of Pandu with Krishna at their head? Thou indulgest in too much brag, O Suta's son! Engage thyself in battle without saying anything. To Put forth prowess without indulging in brag is the duty of good men. Ever roaring aloud, O Suta's son like the dry clouds of autumn, thou showest

thyself, O Karna to be without substance. The king, however, does not understand it. Thou roarest, O son of Radha, as long as thou seest not the son of Pritha. These thy roars disappear when thou seest Partha near. Indeed, thou roarest as long as thou art out of the range of Phalguna's shafts. Those roars of thine disappear when thou art pierced with Partha's shafts. Kshatriyas evince their eminence by means of their arms; Brahmanas, by means of speech; Arjuna evinces his by means of the bow; but Karna, by the castles he builds in the air. Who is there that will resist that Partha who gratified Rudra himself (in battle)?' Thus railed at by Saradwat's son, Karna, that foremost of smiters, answered Kripa in the following strain, 'Heroes always roar like clouds in the season of rains, and like steeds put in the soil, quickly yield fruits. I do not see any fault in heroes that take great burdens on their shoulders, indulging in boastful speeches on the field of battle. When a person mentally resolves to bear a burden, Destiny itself aids him in the execution. Wishing in my heart bear a great burden, I always summon sufficient resolution. If, slaying the sons of Pandu with Krishna and Satwatas in battle, I indulge in such roars, what is it to thee, O Brahmana? They that are heroes never roar fruitlessly like autumnal clouds. Conscious of their own might, the wise indulge in roars! In my heart I am determined to vanquish in battle today Krishna and Partha united together and fighting with resolution! It is for this that I roar, O son of Gotama! Behold the fruit of these my roars, O Brahmana! Slaying the son of Pandu in battle, with all their followers, Krishna and Satwatas, I will bestow on Duryodhana the whole earth without a thorn in it.'

"Kripa said, 'Little do I reckon, O Suta's son, these delirious saying of thine discovering thy thoughts, not deeds. Thou always speakest in depreciation of the two Krishnas and king Yudhishthira the just. He, O Karna, is certain, to have the victory who hath on his side those two heroes skilled in battle. Indeed, Krishna and Arjuna are incapable of being defeated by the celestials, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, human beings, the Nagas, and the birds, all clad in mail. Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma is devoted to the Brahmanas. He is truthful in speech and self-restrained. He reverences the Pitris and the deities. He is devoted to the practice of truth and righteousness. He is, again, skilled in weapons. Possessed of great intelligence, he is also grateful. His brothers are all endued with great might and well-practised in all weapons. They are devoted to the service of their seniors. Possessed of wisdom and fame, they are also righteous in their practices. Their kinsmen and relatives are all endued with the prowess of Indra. Effectual smiters, they are all exceedingly devoted to the Pandavas. Dhrishtadyumna, and Sikhandin and Janamejaya, the son of Durmuksha and Chandrasen, and Madrasen, and Kritavarman, Dhruva, and Dhara and Vasuchandra, and Sutejana, the sons of Drupada, and Drupada himself, conversant with high and mighty weapons, and the king of the Matsyas also, with his younger brothers, all resolutely struggling for their sake, and Gajanika, and Virabhadra, and Sudarsana, and Srutadhwaja, and Valanika,

and Jayanika, and Jayaprya, and Vijaya and Labhalaksha, and Jayaswa, and Kamaratha, and the handsome brothers of Virata, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, are all fighting for the Pandavas. The sons of Pandu, therefore, will not meet with destruction. These and many other hosts (of heroes) are for the sons of Pandu. Without doubt, the entire universe, with the celestials, Asuras, and human beings, with all the tribes of Yaksha and Rakshas and with all the elephants and snakes and other creatures, can be annihilated by Bhima and Phalguna by the prowess of their weapons. As regards Yudhishthira also, he can, with angry eyes only, consume the whole world. How, O Karna, canst thou venture to vanquish those foes in battle for whom Sauri of immeasurable might hath clad himself in mail? This, O Suta's son, is a great folly on thy part, since thou always venturest to contend with Sauri himself in battle.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed (by Kripa), Karna the son of Radha, O bull of Bharata's race, smiling the while, said these words unto the preceptor Kripa, the son of Saradwat, 'The words thou hast spoken about the Pandavas, O Brahmana, are all true. These and many other virtues are to be seen in the sons of Pandu. It is true also that the Parthas are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods with Vasava at their head, and the Daityas, the Yakshas, and the Rakshasas. For all that I will vanquish the Parthas with the help of the dart given me by Vasava. Thou knowest, O Brahmana, that the dart given by Sakra is incapable of being baffled. With that I will slay Savyasachin in battle. Upon Arjuna's fall, Krishna and the uterine brothers of Arjuna will never be able to enjoy the (sovereignty of the) earth without Arjuna (to aid them). All of them, therefore, will perish. This earth then, with her seas, will remain subject to the chief of the Kurus, O Gautama, without costing him any efforts. In this world everything, without doubt, becomes attainable by policy. Knowing this, I indulge in these roars, O Gautama! As regards thyself, thou art old, a Brahmana by birth, and unskilled in battle. Thou bearest much love for the Pandavas. It is for this thou insultest me thus. If, O Brahmana, thou tellest me again such words as these, I shall, then, drawing out my scimitar, cut off thy tongue, O wretch! Thou desirest, O Brahmana, to applaud the Pandavas, for frightening all the troops and the Kauravas, O thou of wretched understanding! As regards this also, O Gautama, listen to what I say. Duryodhana, and Drona, and Sakuni, and Durmukha, and Jaya, and Duhsasana, and Vrishasena, and the ruler of the Madras, and thyself too and Somadatta and Drona's son, and Vivinsati,--all these heroes skilled in battle,--are here, clad in mail. What foe is there, endued with even the prowess of Sakra, that would vanquish these in battle? All those I have named a-e heroes, skilled in weapons, endued with great might, solicitous of admission into heaven, conversant with morality, and skilled in battle. They would stay the very gods in fight. These will take their places on the field for slaying the Pandavas, clad in mail on behalf of Duryodhana desirous of victory. I regard victory

to be dependent on destiny, even in the case of the foremost of mighty men. When the mighty-armed Bhishma himself lieth pierced with a hundred arrows, as also Vikarna, and Jayadratha, and Bhurisravas, and Jaya, and Jalasandha, and Sudakshina, and Sala; that foremost of car-warriors, and Bhagadatta of great energy, I say, when these and many others, incapable of being easily vanquished by the very gods, heroes all and mightier (than the Pandavas), lie on the field of battle, slain by the Pandavas, what dost thou think, O wretch among men, but that all this is the result of destiny? As regards them also, viz., the foes of Duryodhana, whom thou adorest, O Brahmana, brave warriors of theirs, in hundreds and thousands, have been slain. The armies of both the Kurus and the Pandavas are diminishing in numbers; I do not, in this, behold the prowess of the Pandavas! With them, O lowest of men, whom thou always regardest to be so mighty, I shall strive, to the utmost extent of my might, to contend in battle, for Duryodhana's good. As regards victory, that depends on destiny.'"

7.134.1

संजय उवाच
तथा परुषितं दृष्ट्वा सूतपुत्रेण मातुलम्
खड्गमुद्यम्य वेगेन द्रौणिरभ्यपतद्द्रुतम्

7.134.2

अश्वत्थामोवाच
कर्ण पश्य सुदुर्बुद्धे तिष्ठेदानीं नराधम
एष तेऽद्य शिरः कायादुद्धरामि सुदुर्मते

7.134.3

संजय उवाच
तमुत्पतन्तं वेगेन राजा दुर्योधनः स्वयम्
न्यवारयन्महाराज कृपश्च द्विपदां वरः

7.134.4

कर्ण उवाच
शूरोऽयं समरश्लाघी दुर्मतिश्च द्विजाधमः
आसादयतु मद्वीर्यं मुञ्चेमं कुरुसत्तम

7.134.5

अश्वत्थामोवाच
तवैतत्क्षम्यतेऽस्माभिः सूतात्मज सुदुर्मते
दर्पमुत्सिक्तमेतत्ते फल्गुनो नाशयिष्यति

7.134.6

दुर्योधन उवाच
अश्वत्थामन्प्रसीदस्व क्षन्तुमर्हसि मानद
कोपः खलु न कर्तव्यः सूतपुत्रे कथंचन

7.134.7

त्वयि कर्णे कृपे द्रोणे मद्रराजेऽथ सौबले
महत्कार्यं समायत्तं प्रसीद द्विजसत्तम

7.134.8

एते ह्यभिमुखाः सर्वे राधेयेन युयुत्सवः
आयान्ति पाण्डवा ब्रह्मन्नाह्वयन्तः समन्ततः

7.134.9

संजय उवाच
कर्णोऽपि रथिनां श्रेष्ठश्चापमुद्यम्य वीर्यवान्
कौरवाग्र्यैः परिवृतः शक्रो देवगणैरिव
पर्यतिष्ठत तेजस्वी स्वबाहुबलमाश्रितः

7.134.10

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं कर्णस्य सह पाण्डवैः
संरब्धस्य महाराज सिंहनादविनादितम्

7.134.11

ततस्ते पाण्डवा राजन्पाञ्चालाश्च यशस्विनः
दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महाबाहुमुच्चैः शब्दमथानदन्

7.134.12

अयं कर्णः कुतः कर्णस्तिष्ठ कर्ण महारणे
युध्यस्व सहितोऽस्माभिर्दुरात्मन्पुरुषाधम

7.134.13

अन्ये तु दृष्ट्वा राधेयं क्रोधरक्तेक्षणाब्रुवन्
हन्यतामयमुत्सिक्तः सूतपुत्रोऽल्पचेतनः

7.134.14

सर्वैः पार्थिवशार्दूलैर्नानेनार्थोऽस्ति जीवता
अत्यन्तवैरी पार्थानां सततं पापपूरुषः

7.134.15

एष मूलं ह्यनर्थानां दुर्योधनमते स्थितः
हतैनमिति जल्पन्तः क्षत्रियाः समुपाद्रवन्

7.134.16

महता शरवर्षेण छादयन्तो महारथाः
वधार्थं सूतपुत्रस्य पाण्डवेयेन चोदिताः

7.134.17

तांस्तु सर्वांस्तथा दृष्ट्वा धावमानान्महारथान्
न विव्यथे सूतपुत्रो न च त्रासमगच्छत

7.134.18

दृष्ट्वा नगरकल्पं तमुद्धूतं सैन्यसागरम्
पिप्रीषुस्तव पुत्राणां संग्रामेष्वपराजितः

7.134.19

सायकौघेन बलवान्क्षिप्रकारी महाबलः
वारयामास तत्सैन्यं समन्ताद्भरतर्षभ

7.134.20

ततस्तु शरवर्षेण पार्थिवास्तमवारयन्
धनूंषि ते विधुन्वानाः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः
अयोधयन्त राधेयं शक्रं दैत्यगणा इव

7.134.21

शरवर्षं तु तत्कर्णः पार्थिवैः समुदीरितम्
शरवर्षेण महता समन्ताद्व्यकिरत्प्रभो

7.134.22

तद्युद्धमभवत्तेषां कृतप्रतिकृतैषिणाम्
यथा देवासुरे युद्धे शक्रस्य सह दानवैः

7.134.23

तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम सूतपुत्रस्य लाघवम्
यदेनं समरे यत्ता नाप्नुवन्त परे युधि

7.134.24

निवार्य च शरौघांस्तान्पार्थिवानां महारथः
युगेष्वीषासु छत्रेषु ध्वजेषु च हयेषु च
आत्मनामाङ्कितान्बाणान्राधेयः प्राहिणोच्छितान्

7.134.25

ततस्ते व्याकुलीभूता राजानः कर्णपीडिताः
बभ्रमुस्तत्र तत्रैव गावः शीतार्दिता इव

7.134.26

हयानां वध्यमानानां गजानां रथिनां तथा
तत्र तत्राभ्यवेक्षामः संघान्कर्णेन पातितान्

7.134.27

शिरोभिः पतितै राजन्बाहुभिश्च समन्ततः
आस्तीर्णा वसुधा सर्वा शूराणामनिवर्तिनाम्

7.134.28

हतैश्च हन्यमानैश्च निष्टनद्भिश्च सर्वशः
बभूवायोधनं रौद्रं वैवस्वतपुरोपमम्

7.134.29

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा दृष्ट्वा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्
अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य तदा वाक्यमुवाच ह

7.134.30

युध्यतेऽसौ रणे कर्णो दंशितः सर्वपार्थिवैः
पश्यैतां द्रवतीं सेनां कर्णसायकपीडिताम्
कार्त्तिकेयेन विध्वस्तामासुरीं पृतनामिव

7.134.31

दृष्ट्वैतां निर्जितां सेनां रणे कर्णेन धीमता
अभियात्येष बीभत्सुः सूतपुत्रजिघांसया

7.134.32

तद्यथा पश्यमानानां सूतपुत्रं महारथम्
न हन्यात्पाण्डवः संख्ये तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

7.134.33

ततो द्रौणिः कृपः शल्यो हार्दिक्यश्च महारथः
प्रत्युद्ययुस्तदा पार्थं सूतपुत्रपरीप्सया

7.134.34

आयान्तं दृश्य कौन्तेयं वृत्रं देवचमूमिव
प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा कर्णो यथा शक्रः प्रतापवान्

7.134.35

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
संरब्धं फल्गुनं दृष्ट्वा कालान्तकयमोपमम्
कर्णो वैकर्तनः सूत प्रत्यपद्यत्किमुत्तरम्

7.134.36

स ह्यस्पर्धत पार्थेन नित्यमेव महारथः
आशंसते च बीभत्सुं युद्धे जेतुं सुदारुणे

7.134.37

स तु तं सहसा प्राप्तं नित्यमत्यन्तवैरिणम्
कर्णो वैकर्तनः सूत किमुत्तरमपद्यत

7.134.38

संजय उवाच
आयान्तं पाण्डवं दृष्ट्वा गजः प्रतिगजं यथा
असंभ्रान्ततरः कर्णः प्रत्युदीयाद्धनंजयम्

7.134.39

तमापतन्तं वेगेन वैकर्तनमजिह्मगैः
वारयामास तेजस्वी पाण्डवः शत्रुतापनः

7.134.40

तं कर्णः शरजालेन छादयामास मारिष
विव्याध च सुसंक्रुद्धः शरैस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः

7.134.41

तस्य तल्लाघवं पार्थो नामृष्यत महाबलः
तस्मै बाणाञ्शिलाधौतान्प्रसन्नाग्रानजिह्मगान्

7.134.42

प्राहिणोत्सूतपुत्राय त्रिंशतं शत्रुतापनः
विव्याध चैनं संरब्धो बाणेनैकेन वीर्यवान्

7.134.43

सव्ये भुजाग्रे बलवान्नाराचेन हसन्निव
तस्य विद्धस्य वेगेन कराच्चापं पपात ह

7.134.44

पुनरादाय तच्चापं निमेषार्धान्महाबलः
छादयामास बाणौघैः फल्गुनं कृतहस्तवत्

7.134.45

शरवृष्टिं तु तां मुक्तां सूतपुत्रेण भारत
व्यधमच्छरवर्षेण स्मयन्निव धनंजयः

7.134.46

तौ परस्परमासाद्य शरवर्षेण पार्थिव
छादयेतां महेष्वासौ कृतप्रतिकृतैषिणौ

7.134.47

तदद्भुतमभूद्युद्धं कर्णपाण्डवयोर्मृधे
क्रुद्धयोर्वाशिताहेतोर्वन्ययोर्गजयोरिव

7.134.48

ततः पार्थो महेष्वासो दृष्ट्वा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्
मुष्टिदेशे धनुस्तस्य चिच्छेद त्वरयान्वितः

7.134.49

अश्वांश्च चतुरो भल्लैरनयद्यमसादनम्
सारथेश्च शिरः कायादहरच्छत्रुतापनः

7.134.50

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं हताश्वं हतसारथिम्
विव्याध सायकैः पार्थश्चतुर्भिः पाण्डुनन्दनः

7.134.51

हताश्वात्तु रथात्तूर्णमवप्लुत्य नरर्षभः
आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं कृपस्य शरपीडितः

7.134.52

राधेयं निर्जितं दृष्ट्वा तावका भरतर्षभ
धनंजयशरैर्नुन्नाः प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश

7.134.53

द्रवतस्तान्समालोक्य राजा दुर्योधनो नृप
निवर्तयामास तदा वाक्यं चेदमुवाच ह

7.134.54

अलं द्रुतेन वः शूरास्तिष्ठध्वं क्षत्रियर्षभाः
एष पार्थवधायाहं स्वयं गच्छामि संयुगे
अहं पार्थान्हनिष्यामि सपाञ्चालान्ससोमकान्

7.134.55

अद्य मे युध्यमानस्य सह गाण्डीवधन्वना
द्रक्ष्यन्ति विक्रमं पार्थाः कालस्येव युगक्षये

7.134.56

अद्य मद्बाणजालानि विमुक्तानि सहस्रशः
द्रक्ष्यन्ति समरे योधाः शलभानामिवायतीः

7.134.57

अद्य बाणमयं वर्षं सृजतो मम धन्विनः
जीमूतस्येव घर्मान्ते द्रक्ष्यन्ति युधि सैनिकाः

7.134.58

जेष्याम्यद्य रणे पार्थं सायकैर्नतपर्वभिः
तिष्ठध्वं समरे शूरा भयं त्यजत फल्गुनात्

7.134.59

न हि मद्वीर्यमासाद्य फल्गुनः प्रसहिष्यति
यथा वेलां समासाद्य सागरो मकरालयः

7.134.60

इत्युक्त्वा प्रययौ राजा सैन्येन महता वृतः
फल्गुनं प्रति दुर्धर्षः क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः

7.134.61

तं प्रयान्तं महाबाहुं दृष्ट्वा शारद्वतस्तदा
अश्वत्थामानमासाद्य वाक्यमेतदुवाच ह

7.134.62

एष राजा महाबाहुरमर्षी क्रोधमूर्छितः
पतंगवृत्तिमास्थाय फल्गुनं योद्धुमिच्छति

7.134.63

यावन्नः पश्यमानानां प्राणान्पार्थेन संगतः
न जह्यात्पुरुषव्याघ्रस्तावद्वारय कौरवम्

7.134.64

यावत्फल्गुनबाणानां गोचरं नाधिगच्छति
कौरवः पार्थिवो वीरस्तावद्वारय तं द्रुतम्

7.134.65

यावत्पार्थशरैर्घोरैर्निर्मुक्तोरगसंनिभैः
न भस्मीक्रियते राजा तावद्युद्धान्निवार्यताम्

7.134.66

अयुक्तमिव पश्यामि तिष्ठत्स्वस्मासु मानद
स्वयं युद्धाय यद्राजा पार्थं यात्यसहायवान्

7.134.67

दुर्लभं जीवितं मन्ये कौरव्यस्य किरीटिना
युध्यमानस्य पार्थेन शार्दूलेनेव हस्तिनः

7.134.68

मातुलेनैवमुक्तस्तु द्रौणिः शस्त्रभृतां वरः
दुर्योधनमिदं वाक्यं त्वरितं समभाषत

7.134.69

मयि जीवति गान्धारे न युद्धं गन्तुमर्हसि
मामनादृत्य कौरव्य तव नित्यं हितैषिणम्

7.134.70

न हि ते संभ्रमः कार्यः पार्थस्य विजयं प्रति
अहमावारयिष्यामि पार्थं तिष्ठ सुयोधन

7.134.71

दुर्योधन उवाच
आचार्यः पाण्डुपुत्रान्वै पुत्रवत्परिरक्षति
त्वमप्युपेक्षां कुरुषे तेषु नित्यं द्विजोत्तम

7.134.72

मम वा मन्दभाग्यत्वान्मन्दस्ते विक्रमो युधि
धर्मराजप्रियार्थं वा द्रौपद्या वा न विद्म तत्

7.134.73

धिगस्तु मम लुब्धस्य यत्कृते सर्वबान्धवाः
सुखार्हाः परमं दुःखं प्राप्नुवन्त्यपराजिताः

7.134.74

को हि शस्त्रभृतां मुख्यो महेश्वरसमो युधि
शत्रून्न क्षपयेच्छक्तो यो न स्याद्गौतमीसुतः

7.134.75

अश्वत्थामन्प्रसीदस्व नाशयैतान्ममाहितान्
तवास्त्रगोचरे शक्ताः स्थातुं देवापि नानघ

7.134.76

पाञ्चालान्सोमकांश्चैव जहि द्रौणे सहानुगान्
वयं शेषान्हनिष्यामस्त्वयैव परिरक्षिताः

7.134.77

एते हि सोमका विप्र पाञ्चालाश्च यशस्विनः
मम सैन्येषु संरब्धा विचरन्ति दवाग्निवत्

7.134.78

तान्वारय महाबाहो केकयांश्च नरोत्तम
पुरा कुर्वन्ति निःशेषं रक्ष्यमाणाः किरीटिना

7.134.79

आदौ वा यदि वा पश्चात्तवेदं कर्म मारिष
त्वमुत्पन्नो महाबाहो पाञ्चालानां वधं प्रति

7.134.80

करिष्यसि जगत्सर्वमपाञ्चालं किलाच्युत
एवं सिद्धाब्रुवन्वाचो भविष्यति च तत्तथा

7.134.81

न तेऽस्त्रगोचरे शक्ताः स्थातुं देवाः सवासवाः
किमु पार्थाः सपाञ्चालाः सत्यमेतद्वचो मम

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Seeding his uncle thus addressed in harsh and insulting words by the Suta's son, Aswatthaman, uplifting his scimitar, furiously rushed towards the latter. Filled with fury, Drona's son rushed towards Karna, in the very sight of the Kuru king, like a lion at an infuriated elephant.

"And Aswatthaman said, 'O lowest of men, Kripa was speaking of the virtues truly possessed by Arjuna. Of wicked understanding as thou art, thou rebukest, however, my brave uncle from malice. Possessed with pride and insolence, thou braggest today of thy prowess, not regarding any of the world's bowmen in battle! 1 Where was thy prowess and where were thy weapons when vanquishing thee in battle the wielder of Gandiva slew Jayadratha in thy very sight? Vainly, O wretch of a Suta, dost thou indulge in thy mind the hope of vanquishing him who formerly contended in battle with Mahadeva himself. The very gods with the Asuras united together and with Indra at their head had failed to vanquish Arjuna, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, having Krishna only for his ally. How then, O Suta, hopest thou, aided by these kings, to vanquish that foremost of heroes in the world, viz., the unvanquished Arjuna, in battle? Behold, O Karna of wicked soul, (what I do to thee) today! O lowest of men, O thou of wretched understanding, I shall presently sever thy head from thy trunk.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus saying, Aswatthaman made a furious rush at Karna. The king himself, of great energy, and Kripa, that foremost of men, held him fast. Then Karna said, 'Of wicked understanding, this wretch of a Brahmana thinks himself brave and boasts of his prowess in battle. Set him at liberty, O chief of the Kurus. Let him come in contact with my might.'

"Aswatthaman said, 'O son of a Suta, O thou of wicked understanding, this (thy fault) is pardoned by us. Phalguna, however, will quell this risen pride of thine.'

"Duryodhana said, 'O Aswatthaman, quell thy wrath. It behoveth thee, O giver of honours, to forgive. Thou shouldst not, O sinless one, be angry with the Suta's son. Upon thee and Karna and Kripa and Drona and the ruler of the Madras and Suvala's son resteth a great burthen. Drive away thy wrath, O best of Brahmanas! Yonder, all the Pandava troops are approaching from desire of fight with Radha's son. Indeed, O Brahmana, yonder they come, challenging us all.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus pacified by the king, the high-souled son of Drona, O monarch, whose ire had been excited, suppressed his wrath and forgave (Karna). Then the preceptor Kripa, of noble heart, who is of a quite disposition, O monarch, and mild temper, therefore, returned soon unto him, said these words.'

"Kripa, said, 'O Suta's son of wicked heart, this (thy fault) is pardoned by us. Phalguna, however, will quell this thy risen pride.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Then the Pandavas, O king, and the Panchalas, celebrated for their prowess, uniting together approached in thousands, uttering loud shouts; Karna also, that foremost of car-warriors, endued with great energy, surrounded by many foremost ones among the Kuru warriors and resembling Sakra in the midst of the celestials, waited, drawing his bow and relying on the might of his own arms. Then commenced a battle between Karna and the Pandavas. O king, that was exceedingly dreadful and characterised by loud leonine roars. Then Pandavas, O monarch, and the Panchalas, celebrated for their prowess, beholding the mighty-armed Karna, loudly shouted, saying, 'There is Karna,' 'Where is Karna in this fierce battle.'--'O thou of wicked understanding, O lowest of men, fight with us!'--Others, beholding the son of Radha said, with eyes expanded In wrath, 'Let this arrogant wretch of little understanding, this son of a Suta, be slain by the allied kings. He hath no need to live. This sinful man is always very hostile to the Parthas. Obedient to the counsels of Duryodhana, this one is the root of these evils. Slay him.' Uttering such words, great Kshatriya car-warriors, urged by Pandu's son, rushed towards him, covering him with a dense shower of arrows, for slaying him. Beholding all those mighty Pandavas thus (advancing), the Suta's son, trembled not, nor experienced any fear. Indeed, seeing that wonderful sea of troops, resembling Death himself, that benefactor of thy sons, viz., the mighty and fight-handed Karna, never vanquished in battle, O bull of Bharata's race, began, with clouds of shafts, to resist that force on all sides. The Pandavas

also fought with the foe, shooting showers of shafts. Shaking their hundreds and thousands of bows they fought with Radha's son, like the Daityas of old fighting with Sakra. The mighty Karna, however, with a dense arrowy shower of his own dispelled that downpour of arrows caused by those lords of earth on all sides. The battle that took place between them, and in which each party counteracted the feats of the other,' resembled the encounter between Sakra and the Danavas in the great battle fought of yore between the gods and the Asuras. The lightness of arm that we then behold of the Suta's son was wonderful in the extreme, inasmuch as, all his foes, fighting resolutely, could not strike him in that battle. Checking the clouds of arrows shot by the (hostile) king, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Radha's son, sped terrible arrows marked with his own name at the yokes, the shafts, the umbrellas, the cars, and the steeds (of his foes). Then those kings, afflicted by Karna and losing their coolness, began to wander on the field like a herd of kine afflicted with cold. Struck by Karna, large numbers of steeds and elephants and car-warriors were seen there to drop down deprived of life. The whole field, O king, became strewn with the fallen heads and arms of unreturning heroes. With the dead, the dying, and the wailing warriors, the field of battle, O monarch, assumed the aspect of Yama's domain. Then Duryodhana, O king, witnessing the prowess of Karna, repaired to Aswatthaman and addressing him, said, 'Behold, Karna, clad in mail, is engaged with all the (hostile) kings. Behold, the hostile army, afflicted with the arrows of Karna, is being routed like the Asura army overwhelmed with the energy of Kartikeya. Seeing his army vanquished in battle by that intelligent Karna, yonder cometh Vibhatsu from desire of slaying the Suta's son. Let such steps, therefore, be taken as may prevent the son of Pandu from slaying that mighty car-warrior viz., Suta's son, in the very sight of us all.' (Thus addressed), Drona's son, and Kripa, and Salya, and that great car-warrior, viz., the son of Hridika, beholding the son of Kunti coming (towards them) like Sakra himself towards the Daitya host, all advanced against Partha for rescuing the Suta's son. Meanwhile, Vibhatsu, O monarch, surrounded by the Panchala I advanced against Karna, like Purandara proceeding against the Asura Vritra.' 1

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Beholding Phalguna excited with fury and looking like the Destroyer himself, as he appears at the end of the Yuga what, O Suta, did Vikartana's son Karna do next? Indeed, the mighty car-warrior Karna, the son of Vikartana, had always challenged Partha. Indeed, he had always said that he was competent to vanquish the terrible Vibhatsu. What then, O Suta, did that warrior do when he thus suddenly met his ever deadly foe?' 2

"Sanjaya continued, 'Beholding the son of Pandu rushing towards him like an elephant towards a rival elephant, Karna fearlessly proceeded

against Dhananjaya. Partha, however, soon covered Karna who was thus advancing with great impetuosity, with showers of straight shafts, equipped with wings of gold. Karna also covered Vijaya with his shafts. The son of Pandu then once more shrouded Karna with clouds of arrows. Then Karna, filled with rage, pierced Arjuna with three shafts. The mighty car-warrior, Arjuna, beholding Karna's lightness of hand, could not brook it. That scorcher of foes shot at the Suta's son thirty straight shafts, whetted on stone and equipped with blazing points. Endued with great might and energy, he also pierced him, in rage, with another long arrow on the wrist of his left arm, smiling the while. Karna's bow then dropped from that arm of his, which had thus been pierced with great force. Then the mighty Karna, taking up that bow within the twinkling of an eye, once more covered Phalguna with clouds of shafts, displaying great lightness of hard. Dhananjaya then, O Bharata, smiling the while, baffled with his own shafts, that arrowy shower shot by the Suta's son. Approaching each other, those two great bowmen, desirous of counteracting each other's feats, continued to cover each other with showers of shafts. The battle that took place between them, viz., Karna and the son of Pandu, became exceedingly wonderful, like that between the two wild elephants for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. Then the mighty bowman Partha, beholding Karna's prowess, quickly cut of the latter's bow at the handle. And he also despatched the four steeds of the Suta's son to Yama's abode with a number of broad-headed shafts. And that scorcher of foes also cut off from the trunk the head of Karna's driver. Then, the son of Pandu and Pritha pierced the bowless, the steedless, and the driverless Karna with four shafts. Then that bull among men Karna, afflicted with those shafts, specially jumping down from that steedless car, mounted upon that of Kripa. Beholding the son of Radha vanquished, thy, warriors, O bull of Bharata's race, fled away in all directions. Seeing them fly away, king Duryodhana himself checked them and said these words, 'Ye heroes, do not fly away. Ye bulls among Kshatriyas, stay in battle. I myself will now advance for slaying Partha in battle. I myself will slay Partha with the assembled Panchalas. While I shall fight with the wielder of Gandiva today, Partha will behold my prowess to resemble that of the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. Today the Parthas shall behold my shafts shot in thousands to resemble flights of locusts. The combatants shall behold me today shooting, bow in hand, dense showers of shafts, like torrents of rain poured by the clouds at the end of the summer season. I shall today vanquish Partha with my straight shafts. Stay, ye heroes, in battle, and remove your fear or Phalguna. Encountering my prowess, Phalguna shall never be able to bear it, like the ocean, the abode of makaras, unable to overcome the continents.' Thus saying, the king proceeded in rage, his eyes red in wrath, surrounded by a large host, towards Phalguna. Beholding the mighty-armed Duryodhana thus proceeding, Saradwat's son, approaching Aswatthaman, said these words, 'Yonder, the mighty-armed Duryodhana, deprived of his

senses by wrath, desireth to fight with Phalguna, like an insect desiring to rush into a blazing fire. Before this foremost of kings layeth down his life, in our very sight, in this battle with Partha, prevent him (from rushing into the encounter). The brave Kuru king can remain alive in battle as long only as he doth not place himself within the range of Partha's shafts. Let the king be stopped before he is consumed into ashes by the terrible shafts of Partha, that resemble snakes just freed from their sloughs. When we are here, O giver of honours, it seems to be highly improper that the king should himself go to battle to fight, as if he had none to fight for him. The life of this descendant of Kuru will be in great danger if he engages in battle with the diademdecked (Arjuna), like that of an elephant contending with a tiger.' Thus addressed by his maternal uncle, Drona's son, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, quickly repaired unto Duryodhana and addressing him, said these words, 'When I am alive, O son of Gandhari, it behoveth thee not to engage thyself in battle, disregarding me, O descendant of Kuru, that am ever desirous of thy good. Thou needst not be at all anxious about vanquishing Partha. I will check Partha! Stand here, O Suyodhana.'

"Duryodhana said, 'The preceptor (Drona) always protecteth the sons of Pandu, as if they are his own sons. Thou also always never interferest with those my foes. Or, it may be due to my misfortune, that thy prowess never becometh fierce in battle. This may be due also to thy affection for Yudhishthira or Draupadi. I myself am ignorant of the true reason. Fie on my covetous self, for whose sake all friends, desirous of making me happy, are themselves vanquished and plunged into grief. Except thee, O son of Gotama's daughter, what foremost of all wielders of weapons of there, what warrior, indeed, equal to Mahadeva himself in battle, that would not, though competent, destroy the foe? O Aswatthaman; be pleased with me and destroy my enemies. Neither the gods nor the Danavas are capable of staying within the range of thy weapons, O son of Drona, slay the Panchalas and the Somakas with all their followers. As regards the rest, we will slay them, Protected by thee. Yonder, O Brahmana, the Somakas and the Panchalas, possessed of great fame, are careering amid my troops like a forest-conflagration. O mighty-armed one, check them as also the Kailkeyas, O best of men, else, protected by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), they will annihilate us all. O Aswatthaman, O chastiser of foes, go thither with speed. Whether thou accomplishest it now or afterwards, that feat, O sire, should be accomplished by thee. Thou hast been born, O mighty-armed one, for the destruction of the Panchalas. Putting forth thy prowess, thou shalt make the world destitute of Panchalas. Even thus the reverend ones crowned with (ascetic) success, have said. It will be as they have said. Therefore, O tiger among men, slay the Panchalas with all their followers. The very gods with Vasava at their head are incapable of staying within the range of thy weapons, what need be said then of the Parthas and the Panchalas? These words of mine are true. I tell thee truly, O hero, that the Pandavas

united with the Somakas are no match for thee in battle! Go, O mighty-armed one! Let there be no delay. Behold, our army, afflicted with Partha's shafts, is breaking and flying away. Thou art competent, O mighty-armed one, aided by thy own celestial energy, to afflict, O giver of honours, the Pandavas and the Panchalas.'"

362:1 In the second line of 4, utsedha and not udvrita is the true reading. So also kanchit and not kinchit. The paraphrase, according to Nilakantha, in kanchit dhanurdharam na ganayan, etc.

364:1 147 is a triplet.

364:2 The Bengal reading sudakshinas at the end of 49 dose not seem to be correct. I adopt the Bombay reading sudarnnam.

7.135.1

संजय उवाच
दुर्योधनेनैवमुक्तो द्रौणिराहवदुर्मदः
प्रत्युवाच महाबाहो यथा वदसि कौरव

7.135.2

प्रिया हि पाण्डवा नित्यं मम चापि पितुश्च मे
तथैवावां प्रियौ तेषां न तु युद्धे कुरूद्वह
शक्तितस्तात युध्यामस्त्यक्त्वा प्राणानभीतवत्

7.135.3

अहं कर्णश्च शल्यश्च कृपो हार्दिक्य एव च
निमेषात्पाण्डवीं सेनां क्षपयेम नृपोत्तम

7.135.4

ते चापि कौरवीं सेनां निमेषार्धात्कुरूद्वह
क्षपयेयुर्महाबाहो न स्याम यदि संयुगे

7.135.5

युध्यतां पाण्डवाञ्शक्त्या तेषां चास्मान्युयुत्सताम्
तेजस्तु तेज आसाद्य प्रशमं याति भारत

7.135.6

अशक्या तरसा जेतुं पाण्डवानामनीकिनी
जीवत्सु पाण्डुपुत्रेषु तद्धि सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते

7.135.7

आत्मार्थं युध्यमानास्ते समर्थाः पाण्डुनन्दनाः
किमर्थं तव सैन्यानि न हनिष्यन्ति भारत

7.135.8

त्वं हि लुब्धतमो राजन्निकृतिज्ञश्च कौरव
सर्वातिशङ्की मानी च ततोऽस्मानतिशङ्कसे

7.135.9

अहं तु यत्नमास्थाय त्वदर्थे त्यक्तजीवितः
एष गच्छामि संग्रामं त्वत्कृते कुरुनन्दन

7.135.10

योत्स्येऽहं शत्रुभिः सार्धं जेष्यामि च वरान्वरान्
पाञ्चालैः सह योत्स्यामि सोमकैः केकयैस्तथा
पाण्डवेयैश्च संग्रामे त्वत्प्रियार्थमरिंदम

7.135.11

अद्य मद्बाणनिर्दग्धाः पाञ्चालाः सोमकास्तथा
सिंहेनेवार्दिता गावो विद्रविष्यन्ति सर्वतः

7.135.12

अद्य धर्मसुतो राजा दृष्ट्वा मम पराक्रमम्
अश्वत्थाममयं लोकं मंस्यते सह सोमकैः

7.135.13

आगमिष्यति निर्वेदं धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
दृष्ट्वा विनिहतान्संख्ये पाञ्चालान्सोमकैः सह

7.135.14

ये मां युद्धेऽभियोत्स्यन्ति तान्हनिष्यामि भारत
न हि ते वीर मुच्येरन्मद्बाह्वन्तरमागताः

7.135.15

एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः पुत्रं दुर्योधनं तव
अभ्यवर्तत युद्धाय द्रावयन्सर्वधन्विनः
चिकीर्षुस्तव पुत्राणां प्रियं प्राणभृतां वरः

7.135.16

ततोऽब्रवीत्सकैकेयान्पाञ्चालान्गौतमीसुतः
प्रहरध्वमितः सर्वे मम गात्रे महारथाः
स्थिरीभूताश्च युध्यध्वं दर्शयन्तोऽस्त्रलाघवम्

7.135.17

एवमुक्तास्तु ते सर्वे शस्त्रवृष्टिमपातयन्
द्रौणिं प्रति महाराज जलं जलधरा इव

7.135.18

तान्निहत्य शरान्द्रौणिर्दश वीरानपोथयत्
प्रमुखे पाण्डुपुत्राणां धृष्टद्युम्नस्य चाभिभो

7.135.19

ते हन्यमानाः समरे पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयास्तथा
परित्यज्य रणे द्रौणिं व्यद्रवन्त दिशो दश

7.135.20

तान्दृष्ट्वा द्रवतः शूरान्पाञ्चालान्सहसोमकान्
धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज द्रौणिमभ्यद्रवद्युधि

7.135.21

ततः काञ्चनचित्राणां सजलाम्बुदनादिनाम्
वृतः शतेन शूराणां रथानामनिवर्तिनाम्

7.135.22

पुत्रः पाञ्चालराजस्य धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः
द्रौणिमित्यब्रवीद्वाक्यं दृष्ट्वा योधान्निपातितान्

7.135.23

आचार्यपुत्र दुर्बुद्धे किमन्यैर्निहतैस्तव
समागच्छ मया सार्धं यदि शूरोऽसि संयुगे
अहं त्वां निहनिष्यामि तिष्ठेदानीं ममाग्रतः

7.135.24

ततस्तमाचार्यसुतं धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्
मर्मभिद्भिः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्जघान भरतर्षभ

7.135.25

ते तु पङ्क्तीकृता द्रौणिं शरा विविशुराशुगाः
रुक्मपुङ्खाः प्रसन्नाग्राः सर्वकायावदारणाः
मध्वर्थिन इवोद्दामा भ्रमराः पुष्पितं द्रुमम्

7.135.26

सोऽतिविद्धो भृशं क्रुद्धः पदाक्रान्त इवोरगः
मानी द्रौणिरसंभ्रान्तो बाणपाणिरभाषत

7.135.27

धृष्टद्युम्न स्थिरो भूत्वा मुहूर्तं प्रतिपालय
यावत्त्वां निशितैर्बाणैः प्रेषयामि यमक्षयम्

7.135.28

द्रौणिरेवमथाभाष्य पार्षतं परवीरहा
छादयामास बाणौघैः समन्ताल्लघुहस्तवत्

7.135.29

स छाद्यमानः समरे द्रौणिना युद्धदुर्मदः
द्रौणिं पाञ्चालतनयो वाग्भिरातर्जयत्तदा

7.135.30

न जानीषे प्रतिज्ञां मे विप्रोत्पत्तिं तथैव च
द्रोणं हत्वा किल मया हन्तव्यस्त्वं सुदुर्मते
ततस्त्वाहं न हन्म्यद्य द्रोणे जीवति संयुगे

7.135.31

इमां तु रजनीं प्राप्तामप्रभातां सुदुर्मते
निहत्य पितरं तेऽद्य ततस्त्वामपि संयुगे
नेष्यामि मृत्युलोकायेत्येवं मे मनसि स्थितम्

7.135.32

यस्ते पार्थेषु विद्वेषो या भक्तिः कौरवेषु च
तां दर्शय स्थिरो भूत्वा न मे जीवन्विमोक्ष्यसे

7.135.33

यो हि ब्राह्मण्यमुत्सृज्य क्षत्रधर्मरतो द्विजः
स वध्यः सर्वलोकस्य यथा त्वं पुरुषाधम

7.135.34

इत्युक्तः परुषं वाक्यं पार्षतेन द्विजोत्तमः
क्रोधमाहारयत्तीव्रं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.135.35

निर्दहन्निव चक्षुर्भ्यां पार्षतं सोऽभ्यवैक्षत
छादयामास च शरैर्निःश्वसन्पन्नगो यथा

7.135.36

स छाद्यमानः समरे द्रौणिना राजसत्तम
सर्वपाञ्चालसेनाभिः संवृतो रथसत्तमः

7.135.37

नाकम्पत महाबाहुः स्वधैर्यं समुपाश्रितः
सायकांश्चैव विविधानश्वत्थाम्नि मुमोच ह

7.135.38

तौ पुनः संन्यवर्तेतां प्राणद्यूतपरे रणे
निवारयन्तौ बाणौघैः परस्परममर्षिणौ
उत्सृजन्तौ महेष्वासौ शरवृष्टीः समन्ततः

7.135.39

द्रौणिपार्षतयोर्युद्धं घोररूपं भयानकम्
दृष्ट्वा संपूजयामासुः सिद्धचारणवातिकाः

7.135.40

शरौघैः पूरयन्तौ तावाकाशं प्रदिशस्तथा
अलक्ष्यौ समयुध्येतां महत्कृत्वा शरैस्तमः

7.135.41

नृत्यमानाविव रणे मण्डलीकृतकार्मुकौ
परस्परवधे यत्तौ परस्परजयैषिणौ

7.135.42

अयुध्येतां महाबाहू चित्रं लघु च सुष्ठु च
संपूज्यमानौ समरे योधमुख्यैः सहस्रशः

7.135.43

तौ प्रयुद्धौ रणे दृष्ट्वा वने वन्यौ गजाविव
उभयोः सेनयोर्हर्षस्तुमुलः समपद्यत

7.135.44

सिंहनादरवाश्चासन्दध्मुः शङ्खांश्च मारिष
वादित्राण्यभ्यवाद्यन्त शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.135.45

तस्मिंस्तु तुमुले युद्धे भीरूणां भयवर्धने
मुहूर्तमिव तद्युद्धं समरूपं तदाभवत्

7.135.46

ततो द्रौणिर्महाराज पार्षतस्य महात्मनः
ध्वजं धनुस्तथा छत्रमुभौ च पार्ष्णिसारथी
सूतमश्वांश्च चतुरो निहत्याभ्यद्रवद्रणे

7.135.47

पाञ्चालांश्चैव तान्सर्वान्बाणैः संनतपर्वभिः
व्यद्रावयदमेयात्मा शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.135.48

ततः प्रविव्यथे सेना पाण्डवी भरतर्षभ
दृष्ट्वा द्रौणेर्महत्कर्म वासवस्येव संयुगे

7.135.49

शतेन च शतं हत्वा पाञ्चालानां महारथः
त्रिभिश्च निशितैर्बाणैर्हत्वा त्रीन्वै महारथान्

7.135.50

द्रौणिर्द्रुपदपुत्रस्य फल्गुनस्य च पश्यतः
नाशयामास पाञ्चालान्भूयिष्ठं ये व्यवस्थिताः

7.135.51

ते वध्यमानाः पाञ्चालाः समरे सह सृञ्जयैः
अगच्छन्द्रौणिमुत्सृज्य विप्रकीर्णरथध्वजाः

7.135.52

स जित्वा समरे शत्रून्द्रोणपुत्रो महारथः
ननाद सुमहानादं तपान्ते जलदो यथा

7.135.53

स निहत्य बहूञ्शूरानश्वत्थामा व्यरोचत
युगान्ते सर्वभूतानि भस्म कृत्वेव पावकः

7.135.54

संपूज्यमानो युधि कौरवेयै;र्विजित्य संख्येऽरिगणान्सहस्रशः
व्यरोचत द्रोणसुतः प्रतापवा;न्यथा सुरेन्द्रोऽरिगणान्निहत्य

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Thus addressed by Duryodhana, Drona's son, that warrior difficult of defeat in battle, set his heart upon destroying the foe, like Indra bent upon destroying the Daityas. The mighty-armed Aswatthaman answered thy son, saying, 'It is even so as thou sayest, O descendant of Kuru! The Pandavas are always dear to both myself and my father. So also, are we both dear unto them. Not so, however, in battle. We will, according to the measure of our might, fearlessly contend in battle, reckless of our lives. Myself, Karna, Salya, Kripa, and Hridika's son, could, O best of kings, destroy the Pandava host within the twinkling of an eye. The Pandavas also, O best of the Kurus, could within the twinkling of an eye, destroy the Kaurava host, if, O mighty-armed one, we were not present in battle. We are fighting with the Pandavas to the best of our might, and they also are fighting with us to the best of their might. Energy, encountering energy, is being neutralised, O Bharata! The Pandava army is incapable of being vanquished as long as the sons of Pandu are alive. This that I tell thee is true. The sons of Pandu are endued with great might. They are, again, fighting for their own sake. Why should not they, O Bharata, be able to slay thy troops. Thou, however, O king, art exceedingly covetous. Thou, O Kaurava, art deceitful. Thou art vainglorious and suspicious of everything. For this, thou suspectest even us. I think, O king, thou art wicked, of sinful soul, and an embodiment of sin. Mean and of sinful thoughts, thou doubtest us and others. As regards myself, fighting with resolution for thy sake, I am prepared to lay down my life. I will presently go to battle for thy sake, O chief of the Kurus. I will fight with the foe and slay a large number of the enemy. I will fight with the Panchalas, the Somakas, the Kaikeyas, and the Pandayas also, in battle, for doing what is agreeable to thee, O chastiser of foes. Scorched with my arrows today, the Chedis, the Panchalas, and the Somakas, will fly away on all sides like a herd of kine afflicted by a lion. Today, the royal son of Dharma with all the Somakas, beholding my prowess, will regard the whole world to be filled with Aswatthamans. Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, will become exceedingly cheerless, beholding the Panchalas and Somakas slain (by me) in battle. I will, O Bharata, slay all those that will approach me in battle. Afflicted with the might

of my arms, none of them, O hero, will escape me today with life.' Having said so unto thy son, Duryodhana, the mighty-armed (Aswatthaman) proceeded to battle, and afflicted all bowmen. That foremost of all living beings thus sought to achieve what was agreeable to thy sons. The son of Gotama's daughter, then addressing the Panchalas and the Kaikeyas, said unto them, 'Ye mighty car-warriors, strike ye all at my body. Displaying your lightness in the use of arms, fight ye with me coolly.' Thus addressed by him, all those combatants, O king, poured showers of weapons upon Drona's son like clouds pouring torrents of rain. Baffling that shower, Drona's son in that battle, slew ten brave warriors amongst them, in the very sight, O lord, of Dhrishtadyumna and the sons of Pandu. The Panchalas and the Somakas then, thus worked in battle, abandoned the son of Drona and fled away in all directions. Beholding those brave warriors, viz., the Panchalas and the Somakas, flying away, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, rushed against Drona's son in that battle. Surrounded then by a hundred brave and unreturning car-warriors mounted upon cars, decked with gold, and the rattle of whose wheels resembled the roar or rain-charged clouds, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, the son of the Panchala king, beholding his warriors slain, addressed Drona's son and said these words, 'O foolish son of the preceptor, what is the use of slaying vulgar combatants. If thou art a hero, fight then with me in battle. I will slay thee. Wait for a moment without flying away.' Saying thus, Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess struck the preceptor's son with many keen and terrible arrows capable of piercing the very vitals. Those swiftly-coursing shafts, equipped with golden wings and keen points, and capable of piercing the body of every foe proceeding in a continuous line, penetrated into Aswatthaman's body, like freely-roaming bees in search of honey entering a flowering tree. Deeply pierced and swelling with rage, like a trodden snake, the proud and fearless son of Drona, arrow in hand, addressed his foe, saying, 'O Dhrishtadyumna, wait for moment, without leaving my presence.' Soon shall I despatch thee to Yama's abode with my keen shafts.' Having said these words, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Drona, displaying great lightness of hands, covered the son of Prishata from every side with clouds of arrows. Thus covered in that encounter (with arrows) by Drona's son, the Panchala prince, difficult to defeat in battle, said 'Thou knowest not of my origin, O Brahmana, or of my vow. O thou of wicked understanding, having first slain Drona himself, I will not, therefore, slay thee today when Drona himself is still alive. O thou of wicked understanding, after this night passeth away and bringeth in the fair dawn, I shall first slay thy sire in battle and then despatch thee also to the region of Spirits. Even this is the wish entertained by me. Standing before me, display, therefore, till then, the hatred thou bearest towards the Parthas, and the devotion thou cherishest for the Kurus. Thou shalt not escape from me with life. That, Brahmana who, abandoning the practices of a Brahmana, devoteth himself to the practices of a Kshatriya, becomes slayable by all Kshatriyas even as thou,

[paragraph continues] O lowest of men.' Thus addressed by Prishata's son in language so harsh and insulting that best of Brahmanas Aswatthaman mustered all his rage and answered, saying, 'Wait, Wait!' And he gazed at Prishata's son apparently burning him with his eyes. Sighing (in rage) like a snake, the preceptor's son, then, covered Dhrishtadyumna in that battle (with a shower of arrows). The mighty-armed son of Prishata, however, that best of car-warriors, surrounded by all the Panchala troops, though thus struck with arrows in that encounter by Drona's son, did not tremble, relying as he did on his own energy. In return, he sped many arrows at Aswatthaman. Both engaged in a gambling match in which the stake was life itself, those heroes, unable to brook each other, resisted each other and checked each other's arrowy showers. And those great bowmen shot dense showers of shafts all around. Beholding that fierce battle, inspiring terror, between Drona's and Prishata's son, the Siddhas and Charanas and other sky-ranging beings applauded them highly. Filling the welkin and all the points of the compass with clouds of shafts, and creating a thick gloom therewith, those two warriors continued to fight with each other, unseen (by any of us). As if dancing in that battle, with their bows drawn to circles, resolutely aspiring to slay each other, those mighty-armed warriors, inspiring fear in every heart, fought wonderfully and with remarkable activity and skill. Applauded by thousands of foremost warriors in that battle, and thus resolutely engaged in fight like two wild elephants in the forest, both the armies, beholding them, became filled with delight. And leonine shouts were heard there, and all the combatants blew their conchs. And hundreds and thousands of musical instruments began to be sounded. That fierce fight, enhancing the terror of the timid, seemed only for a short time to be waged equally. Then Drona's son, O king, making a rush, cut off the bow, and standard, and umbrella, and the two Parshni drivers, and the principal driver, and the four steeds, of the high-souled son of Prishata. And that warrior of immeasurable soul then caused the Panchalas in hundreds and thousands, by means of his straight shafts, to fly away. Beholding those feats of Drona's son, resembling those of Vasava himself in battle, the Pandava host, O bull of Bharata race, began to tremble in fear. Slaying a hundred Panchalas with a hundred arrows, and three foremost of men with three keen arrows, in the very sight of Drupada's son and of Phalguna, that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, slew a very large number of Panchalas that stayed before him. The Panchalas then, as also the Srinjayas, thus disconcerted in battle, fled away leaving Drona's son, with their banners torn. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, having vanquished his foes in battle, uttered a loud roar like that of a mass of clouds at the end of summer. Having slain a large number of foes, Aswatthaman looked resplendent like the blazing fire at the end of the Yuga, after having consumed all creatures. Applauded by all the Kauravas after having defeated thousands of foes in battle, the valiant son of Drona beamed forth in beauty, like the chief of the celestials himself after vanquishing his foes'."

7.136.1

संजय उवाच
ततो युधिष्ठिरश्चैव भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः
द्रोणपुत्रं महाराज समन्तात्पर्यवारयन्

7.136.2

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा भारद्वाजेन संवृतः
अभ्ययात्पाण्डवान्संख्ये ततो युद्धमवर्तत
घोररूपं महाराज भीरूणां भयवर्धनम्

7.136.3

अम्बष्ठान्मालवान्वङ्गाञ्शिबींस्त्रैगर्तकानपि
प्राहिणोन्मृत्युलोकाय गणान्क्रुद्धो युधिष्ठिरः

7.136.4

अभीषाहाञ्शूरसेनान्क्षत्रियान्युद्धदुर्मदान्
निकृत्य पृथिवीं चक्रे भीमः शोणितकर्दमाम्

7.136.5

यौधेयारट्टराजन्यान्मद्रकांश्च गणान्युधि
प्राहिणोन्मृत्युलोकाय किरीटी निशितैः शरैः

7.136.6

प्रगाढमञ्जोगतिभिर्नाराचैरभिपीडिताः
निपेतुर्द्विरदा भूमौ द्विशृङ्गा इव पर्वताः

7.136.7

निकृत्तैर्हस्तिहस्तैश्च लुठमानैस्ततस्ततः
रराज वसुधा कीर्णा विसर्पद्भिरिवोरगैः

7.136.8

क्षिप्तैः कनकचित्रैश्च नृपच्छत्रैः क्षितिर्बभौ
द्यौरिवादित्यचन्द्राद्यैर्ग्रहैः कीर्णा युगक्षये

7.136.9

हत प्रहरताभीता विध्यत व्यवकृन्तत
इत्यासीत्तुमुलः शब्दः शोणाश्वस्य रथं प्रति

7.136.10

द्रोणस्तु परमक्रुद्धो वायव्यास्त्रेण संयुगे
व्यधमत्तान्यथा वायुर्मेघानिव दुरत्ययः

7.136.11

ते हन्यमाना द्रोणेन पाञ्चालाः प्राद्रवन्भयात्
पश्यतो भीमसेनस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः

7.136.12

ततः किरीटी भीमश्च सहसा संन्यवर्तताम्
महता रथवंशेन परिगृह्य बलं तव

7.136.13

बीभत्सुर्दक्षिणं पार्श्वमुत्तरं तु वृकोदरः
भारद्वाजं शरौघाभ्यां महद्भ्यामभ्यवर्षताम्

7.136.14

तौ तदा सृञ्जयाश्चैव पाञ्चालाश्च महारथाः
अन्वगच्छन्महाराज मत्स्याश्च सह सोमकैः

7.136.15

तथैव तव पुत्रस्य रथोदाराः प्रहारिणः
महत्या सेनया सार्धं जग्मुर्द्रोणरथं प्रति

7.136.16

ततः सा भारती सेना वध्यमाना किरीटिना
तमसा निद्रया चैव पुनरेव व्यदीर्यत

7.136.17

द्रोणेन वार्यमाणास्ते स्वयं तव सुतेन च
न शक्यन्ते महाराज योधा वारयितुं तदा

7.136.18

सा पाण्डुपुत्रस्य शरैर्दार्यमाणा महाचमूः
तमसा संवृते लोके व्यद्रवत्सर्वतोमुखी

7.136.19

उत्सृज्य शतशो वाहांस्तत्र केचिन्नराधिपाः
प्राद्रवन्त महाराज भयाविष्टाः समन्ततः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then king Yudhishthira, and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, O monarch, encompassed Drona's son on all sides. Seeing this, king Duryodhana, aided by Bharadwaja's son, rushed against the Pandavas in that encounter. Then commenced a battle that was fierce and terrific, enhancing the fears of the timid. Yudhishthira, in wrath began to despatch vast numbers of Amvashthas, Malavas, Vangas, Sivis, and Trigartas, to the domain of the dead. Bhima also, mangling the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, and other Kshatriyas difficult to defeat in battle, made the earth miry with blood. The diademdecked (Arjuna) of white steeds despatched, O king, the Yaudheyas, the Mountaineers, the Madrakas, and the Malavas also, to the regions of the dead. Forcibly struck with swiftly-coursing shafts, elephants began to fall down on the earth like double-crested hills. Strewn with the lopped-off trunks elephants that still moved in convulsions, the earth seemed as if covered with moving snakes. Covered with the fallen umbrellas of kings that were adorned with gold, the field of battle looked resplendent like the firmament at the end of the Yuga bespangled with suns, moons and stars. About this time a fierce uproar arose near Drona's car, in the midst of which could be heard the words, 'Slay', 'Strike fearlessly', 'Pierce', 'cut in pieces'. Drona, however, filled with rage, began to destroy by means of the Vayavya weapon the foes about him, like a mighty tempest destroying gathering masses of clouds. Thus treated by Drona, the Panchalas fled away, from fear, in the very sight to Bhimasena and the high-souled Partha. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and Bhimasena soon checked the flight of their troops and accompanied by a large car-force attacked the vast force of Drona. Vibhatsu attacking the right and Vrikodara the left, they both poured on Bharadwaja's son two dense showers of arrows. The mighty car-warriors among the Srinjayas and the Panchalas, with the Matsyas and the Somakas, O king, followed the two brothers thus engaged (in that encounter with Drona). Similarly, many foremost of car-warriors, skilled in smiting, belonging to thy son, accompanied by a large force, proceeded towards Drona's car (for supporting the latter). Then the Bharata host, slaughtered by the diadem-decked (Arjuna) and overcome with and afflicted by the darkness, began to break. Thy son himself, and Drona, both endevoured to rally them. Thy troops, however, O king, could not be checked in their flight. Indeed, that vast host, slaughtered by the shafts of Pandu's son, began to fly away in all directions in that hour when the world was enveloped with gloom. Many kings, abandoning the animals and vehicles they rode, fled away on all sides, O monarch, overwhelmed with fear'."

7.137.1

संजय उवाच
सोमदत्तं तु संप्रेक्ष्य विधुन्वानं महद्धनुः
सात्यकिः प्राह यन्तारं सोमदत्ताय मां वह

7.137.2

न ह्यहत्वा रणे शत्रुं बाह्लीकं कौरवाधमम्
निवर्तिष्ये रणात्सूत सत्यमेतद्वचो मम

7.137.3

ततः संप्रेषयद्यन्ता सैन्धवांस्तान्महाजवान्
तुरङ्गमाञ्शङ्खवर्णान्सर्वशब्दातिगान्रणे

7.137.4

तेऽवहन्युयुधानं तु मनोमारुतरंहसः
यथेन्द्रं हरयो राजन्पुरा दैत्यवधोद्यतम्

7.137.5

तमापतन्तं संप्रेक्ष्य सात्वतं रभसं रणे
सोमदत्तो महाबाहुरसंभ्रान्तोऽभ्यवर्तत

7.137.6

विमुञ्चञ्शरवर्षाणि पर्जन्य इव वृष्टिमान्
छादयामास शैनेयं जलदो भास्करं यथा

7.137.7

असंभ्रान्तश्च समरे सात्यकिः कुरुपुंगवम्
छादयामास बाणौघैः समन्ताद्भरतर्षभ

7.137.8

सोमदत्तस्तु तं षष्ट्या विव्याधोरसि माधवम्
सात्यकिश्चापि तं राजन्नविध्यत्सायकैः शितैः

7.137.9

तावन्योन्यं शरैः कृत्तौ व्यराजेतां नरर्षभौ
सुपुष्पौ पुष्पसमये पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ

7.137.10

रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गौ कुरुवृष्णियशस्करौ
परस्परमवेक्षेतां दहन्ताविव लोचनैः

7.137.11

रथमण्डलमार्गेषु चरन्तावरिमर्दनौ
घोररूपौ हि तावास्तां वृष्टिमन्ताविवाम्बुदौ

7.137.12

शरसंभिन्नगात्रौ तौ सर्वतः शकलीकृतौ
श्वाविधाविव राजेन्द्र व्यदृश्येतां शरक्षतौ

7.137.13

सुवर्णपुङ्खैरिषुभिराचितौ तौ व्यरोचताम्
खद्योतैरावृतौ राजन्प्रावृषीव वनस्पती

7.137.14

संप्रदीपितसर्वाङ्गौ सायकैस्तौ महारथौ
अदृश्येतां रणे क्रुद्धावुल्काभिरिव कुञ्जरौ

7.137.15

ततो युधि महाराज सोमदत्तो महारथः
अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद माधवस्य महद्धनुः

7.137.16

अथैनं पञ्चविंशत्या सायकानां समार्पयत्
त्वरमाणस्त्वराकाले पुनश्च दशभिः शरैः

7.137.17

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सात्यकिर्वेगवत्तरम्
पञ्चभिः सायकैस्तूर्णं सोमदत्तमविध्यत

7.137.18

ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन ध्वजं चिच्छेद काञ्चनम्
बाह्लीकस्य रणे राजन्सात्यकिः प्रहसन्निव

7.137.19

सोमदत्तस्त्वसंभ्रान्तो दृष्ट्वा केतुं निपातितम्
शैनेयं पञ्चविंशत्या सायकानां समाचिनोत्

7.137.20

सात्वतोऽपि रणे क्रुद्धः सोमदत्तस्य धन्विनः
धनुश्चिच्छेद समरे क्षुरप्रेण शितेन ह

7.137.21

अथैनं रुक्मपुङ्खानां शतेन नतपर्वणाम्
आचिनोद्बहुधा राजन्भग्नदंष्ट्रमिव द्विपम्

7.137.22

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सोमदत्तो महारथः
सात्यकिं छादयामास शरवृष्ट्या महाबलः

7.137.23

सोमदत्तं तु संक्रुद्धो रणे विव्याध सात्यकिः
सात्यकिं चेषुजालेन सोमदत्तो अपीडयत्

7.137.24

दशभिः सात्वतस्यार्थे भीमोऽहन्बाह्लिकात्मजम्
सोमदत्तोऽप्यसंभ्रान्तः शैनेयमवधीच्छरैः

7.137.25

ततस्तु सात्वतस्यार्थे भैमसेनिर्नवं दृढम्
मुमोच परिघं घोरं सोमदत्तस्य वक्षसि

7.137.26

तमापतन्तं वेगेन परिघं घोरदर्शनम्
द्विधा चिच्छेद समरे प्रहसन्निव कौरवः

7.137.27

स पपात द्विधा छिन्न आयसः परिघो महान्
महीधरस्येव महच्छिखरं वज्रदारितम्

7.137.28

ततस्तु सात्यकी राजन्सोमदत्तस्य संयुगे
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन हस्तावापं च पञ्चभिः

7.137.29

चतुर्भिस्तु शरैस्तूर्णं चतुरस्तुरगोत्तमान्
समीपं प्रेषयामास प्रेतराजस्य भारत

7.137.30

सारथेश्च शिरः कायाद्भल्लेन नतपर्वणा
जहार रथशार्दूलः प्रहसञ्शिनिपुंगवः

7.137.31

ततः शरं महाघोरं ज्वलन्तमिव पावकम्
मुमोच सात्वतो राजन्स्वर्णपुङ्खं शिलाशितम्

7.137.32

स विमुक्तो बलवता शैनेयेन शरोत्तमः
घोरस्तस्योरसि विभो निपपाताशु भारत

7.137.33

सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता सात्वतेन महारथः
सोमदत्तो महाबाहुर्निपपात ममार च

7.137.34

तं दृष्ट्वा निहतं तत्र सोमदत्तं महारथाः
महता शरवर्षेण युयुधानमुपाद्रवन्

7.137.35

छाद्यमानं शरैर्दृष्ट्वा युयुधानं युधिष्ठिरः
महत्या सेनया सार्धं द्रोणानीकमुपाद्रवत्

7.137.36

ततो युधिष्ठिरः क्रुद्धस्तावकानां महाबलम्
शरैर्विद्रावयामास भारद्वाजस्य पश्यतः

7.137.37

सैन्यानि द्रावयन्तं तु द्रोणो दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरम्
अभिदुद्राव वेगेन क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः

7.137.38

ततः सुनिशितैर्बाणैः पार्थं विव्याध सप्तभिः
सोऽतिविद्धो महाबाहुः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्
युधिष्ठिरस्य चिच्छेद ध्वजं कार्मुकमेव च

7.137.39

स छिन्नधन्वा त्वरितस्त्वराकाले नृपोत्तमः
अन्यदादत्त वेगेन कार्मुकं समरे दृढम्

7.137.40

ततः शरसहस्रेण द्रोणं विव्याध पार्थिवः
साश्वसूतध्वजरथं तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

7.137.41

ततो मुहूर्तं व्यथितः शरघातप्रपीडितः
निषसाद रथोपस्थे द्रोणो भरतसत्तम

7.137.42

प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां मुहूर्ताद्द्विजसत्तमः
क्रोधेन महताविष्टो वायव्यास्त्रमवासृजत्

7.137.43

असंभ्रान्तस्ततः पार्थो धनुराकृष्य वीर्यवान्
तदस्त्रमस्त्रेण रणे स्तम्भयामास भारत

7.137.44

ततोऽब्रवीद्वासुदेवः कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
युधिष्ठिर महाबाहो यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु

7.137.45

उपारमस्व युद्धाय द्रोणाद्भरतसत्तम
गृध्यते हि सदा द्रोणो ग्रहणे तव संयुगे

7.137.46

नानुरूपमहं मन्ये युद्धमस्य त्वया सह
योऽस्य सृष्टो विनाशाय स एनं श्वो हनिष्यति

7.137.47

परिवर्ज्य गुरुं याहि यत्र राजा सुयोधनः
भीमश्च रथशार्दूलो युध्यते कौरवैः सह

7.137.48

वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः
मुहूर्तं चिन्तयित्वा तु ततो दारुणमाहवम्

7.137.49

प्रायाद्द्रुतममित्रघ्नो यत्र भीमो व्यवस्थितः
विनिघ्नंस्तावकान्योधान्व्यादितास्य इवान्तकः

7.137.50

रथघोषेण महता नादयन्वसुधातलम्
पर्जन्य इव घर्मान्ते नादयन्वै दिशो दश

7.137.51

भीमस्य निघ्नतः शत्रून्पार्ष्णिं जग्राह पाण्डवः
द्रोणोऽपि पाण्डुपाञ्चालान्व्यधमद्रजनीमुखे

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said 'Beholding Somadatta shaking his large bow, Satyaki, addressing his driver, said, 'Bear me towards Somadatta. I tell thee truely, O Suta, that I shall not return from battle today without having slain that foe, viz., that worst of the Kurus, the son of Valhika'. Thus addressed, the charioteer then urged to battle those fleet steeds of the Sindhu breed, white as conch and capable of bearing every weapon. Those steeds endued with the speed of the wind or the mind, bore Yuyudhana to battle like the steeds of Indra, O king, bearing the latter in days of yore when he proceeded to quell the Danavas. Beholding the Satwata hero thus advancing quickly in battle Somadatta, O king, fearlessly turned towards him. Scattering showers of shafts like the clouds pouring torrents of rain, he covered the grandson of Sini like the clouds covering the sun. Satyaki also, O bull of Bharata's race, in that encounter fearlessly covered that bull amongst the Kurus with showers of shafts. Then Somadatta pierced that hero of Madhu's race with sixty shafts in the chest. Satyaki, in turn, O king, pierced Somadatta with many whetted arrows. Mangled by each other with each-other's shafts, those two warriors looked resplendent like a couple of flowering Kinsukas in the season of spring. Dyed all over with blood, those illustrious warriors of the Kuru and the Vrishni races looked at each other with their glances. Riding on their cars that coursed in circles, those grinders of foes, of terrible countenances, resembled two clouds pouring torrents of rain. Their bodies mangled and pierced all over with arrows, they looked, O king, like two porcupines. Pierced with countless shafts, equipped with wings of gold, the two warriors looked resplendent, O monarch, like a couple of tall trees covered with fire-flies. Their bodies looking bright with the blazing arrows sticking to them, those two mighty car-warriors looked in that battle like two angry elephants decked with burning torches. Then, O monarch, the mighty car-warrior, Somadatta, in that battle, cut off with a crescent-shaped arrow the large bow of Madhava. With great speed also, at a time when speed was of the utmost consequence, the Kuru hero then pierced Satyaki with five and twenty shafts, and once again with ten. Then Satyaki, taking up a tougher bow, quickly pierced Somadatta with five shafts. With another broad-headed arrow, Satyaki also, O king, smiling the while, cut off the golden standard of Valhika's son. Somadatta, however, beholding his standard cut down, fearlessly pierced the grandson of Sini with five and twenty arrows. Satwata also, excited with rage, cut off with a razor-faced arrow the bow of Somadatta, in that encounter. And he also pierced Somadatta who then resembled a snake without fangs, with a hundred straight arrows, equipped with wings of gold. The mighty car-warrior Somadatta, then, who was endued with great strength taking up another bow, began to cover Satyaki (with showers of shafts). Satyaki too, inflamed with rage, pierced Somadatta

with many shafts. Somadatta, in return, afflicted Satyaki with his arrowy showers. Then Bhima coming to the encounter, and fighting on behalf of Satyaki, struck Valhika's son with ten shafts. Somadatta, however, fearlessly struck Bhimasena with many whetted arrows. Then Satyaki, inflamed with rage, aiming at Somadatta's chest, shot a new and terrible Parigha equipped with a golden staff and hard as the thunder. The Kuru warrior, however, smiling the while, cut off that terrible Parigha advancing with speed against him in two parts. That formidable Parigha of iron, then, thus cut off into two fragments, fell down like so many crests of a mountain riven by thunder. Then Satyaki, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, cut off in that encounter Somadatta's bow, and then with five arrows, the leathern fence that cased his fingers. Then, O Bharata, with four other shafts he speedily despatched the four excellent steeds of the Kuru warrior to Yama's presence. And then that tiger among car-warriors with another straight shaft, smiling the while, cut off from his trunk the head of Somadatta's driver. Then he sought at Somadatta himself a terrible shaft of fiery effulgence, whetted on stone, steeped in oil, and equipped with wings of gold. That excellent and fierce shaft, shot by the mighty grandson of Sini, quickly fell like a hawk, O Lord, upon the chest of Somadatta. Deeply pierced by the mighty Satwata, the great car-warrior Somadatta, O monarch, fell down (from his car) and expired. Beholding the great car-warrior Somadatta slain there, thy warriors with a large throng of cars rushed against Yuyudhana. Meanwhile, the Pandava also, O king, with all the Prabhadrakas and accompanied by a large force, rushed against Drona's army. Then Yudhishthira, excited with wrath, began, with his shafts, to strike and rout the troops of Bharadwaja's son at the very sight of the latter. Beholding Yudhishthira thus agitating his troops, Drona, with eyes red in wrath, furiously rushed against him. The preceptor, then pierced the son of Pritha with seven keen arrows. Yudhishthira, in return, excited with wrath, pierced the preceptor with five arrows. Deeply pierced by the son of Pandu, the mighty bowman (Drona), licking the corners of his mouth for a moment, cut off both the standard and the bow of Yudhishthira. With great speed, at a time when speed was of the utmost consequence, that best of kings, whose bow had been cut off, took up another bow that was sufficiently tough and hard. The son of Pandu then pierced Drona with his steeds, driver, standard, and car, with a thousand arrows. All this seemed exceedingly wonderful. Afflicted with the strokes of those arrows and feeling great pain, Drona, that bull among Brahmanas, sat down for a while on the terrace of his car. Recovering his senses, sighing like a snake, and filled with great rage, the preceptor invoked into existence the Vayavya weapon. The valiant son of Pritha, bow in hand, fearlessly baffled that weapon with a similar weapon of his in that encounter. And the son of Pandu also cut in two fragments the large bow of the Brahmana. Then Drona, that grinder of Kshatriyas, took up another bow. That bull of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira, cut off that bow also, with many keen shafts. Then

[paragraph continues] Vasudeva, addressing Yudhishthira. the son of Kunti, said, 'Listen, O mighty-armed Yudhishthira, to what I say. Cease, O best of the Bharatas, to fight with Drona. Drona always striveth to seize thee in battle. I do not think it fit that thou shouldst fight with him. He who hath been created for Drona's destruction will, without doubt, slay him. Leaving the preceptor, go where king Suyodhana is. Kings should fight with kings, they should not desire to fight with such as are not kings. Surrounded, therefore, by elephants and steeds and cars, repair thou thither, O son of Kunti, where Dhananjaya with myself, aided by a small force, and Bhima also, that tiger among men, are fighting with the Kurus'. Hearing these words of Vasudeva, king Yudhishthira the just, reflecting for a moment, proceeded to that part of the field where that slayer of foes, viz., Bhima, engaged in fierce battle, was slaughtering thy troops like the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth. Making the earth resound with the loud rattle of his car, which resembled the roar of the clouds at the end of summer, king Yudhishthira the just, the (eldest) son of Pandu, took up the flank of Bhima, engaged in the slaughter of the foe. Drona also on that night, began to consume his foes, the Panchalas'"

7.138.1

संजय उवाच
वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे घोररूपे भयावहे
तमसा संवृते लोके रजसा च महीपते
नापश्यन्त रणे योधाः परस्परमवस्थिताः

7.138.2

अनुमानेन संज्ञाभिर्युद्धं तद्ववृते महत्
नरनागाश्वमथनं परमं लोमहर्षणम्

7.138.3

द्रोणकर्णकृपा वीरा भीमपार्षतसात्यकाः
अन्योन्यं क्षोभयामासुः सैन्यानि नृपसत्तम

7.138.4

वध्यमानानि सैन्यानि समन्तात्तैर्महारथैः
तमसा रजसा चैव समन्ताद्विप्रदुद्रुवुः

7.138.5

ते सर्वतो विद्रवन्तो योधा वित्रस्तचेतसः
अहन्यन्त महाराज धावमानाश्च संयुगे

7.138.6

महारथसहस्राणि जघ्नुरन्योन्यमाहवे
अन्धे तमसि मूढानि पुत्रस्य तव मन्त्रिते

7.138.7

ततः सर्वाणि सैन्यानि सेनागोपाश्च भारत
व्यमुह्यन्त रणे तत्र तमसा संवृते सति

7.138.8

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तेषां संलोड्यमानानां पाण्डवैर्निहतौजसाम्
अन्धे तमसि मग्नानामासीत्का वो मतिस्तदा

7.138.9

कथं प्रकाशस्तेषां वा मम सैन्येषु वा पुनः
बभूव लोके तमसा तथा संजय संवृते

7.138.10

संजय उवाच
ततः सर्वाणि सैन्यानि हतशिष्टानि यानि वै
सेनागोप्तॄनथादिश्य पुनर्व्यूहमकल्पयत्

7.138.11

द्रोणः पुरस्ताज्जघने तु शल्य;स्तथा द्रौणिः पार्श्वतः सौबलश्च
स्वयं तु सर्वाणि बलानि राज;न्राजाभ्ययाद्गोपयन्वै निशायाम्

7.138.12

उवाच सर्वांश्च पदातिसंघा;न्दुर्योधनः पार्थिव सान्त्वपूर्वम्
उत्सृज्य सर्वे परमायुधानि; गृह्णीत हस्तैर्ज्वलितान्प्रदीपान्

7.138.13

ते चोदिताः पार्थिवसत्तमेन; ततः प्रहृष्टा जगृहुः प्रदीपान्
सा भूय एव ध्वजिनी विभक्ता; व्यरोचताग्निप्रभया निशायाम्

7.138.14

महाधनैराभरणैश्च दिव्यैः; शस्त्रैः प्रदीप्तैरभिसंपतद्भिः
क्षणेन सर्वे विहिताः प्रदीपा; व्यदीपयंश्च ध्वजिनीं तदाशु

7.138.15

सर्वास्तु सेना व्यतिसेव्यमानाः; पदातिभिः पावकतैलहस्तैः
प्रकाश्यमाना ददृशुर्निशायां; यथान्तरिक्षे जलदास्तडिद्भिः

7.138.16

प्रकाशितायां तु तथा ध्वजिन्यां; द्रोणोऽग्निकल्पः प्रतपन्समन्तात्
रराज राजेन्द्र सुवर्णवर्मा; मध्यं गतः सूर्य इवांशुमाली

7.138.17

जाम्बूनदेष्वाभरणेषु चैव; निष्केषु शुद्धेषु शरावरेषु
पीतेषु शस्त्रेषु च पावकस्य; प्रतिप्रभास्तत्र ततो बभूवुः

7.138.18

गदाश्च शैक्याः परिघाश्च शुभ्रा; रथेषु शक्त्यश्च विवर्तमानाः
प्रतिप्रभा रश्मिभिराजमीढ; पुनः पुनः संजनयन्ति दीप्ताः

7.138.19

छत्राणि बालव्यजनानुषङ्गा; दीप्ता महोल्काश्च तथैव राजन्
व्याघूर्णमानाश्च सुवर्णमाला; व्यायच्छतां तत्र तदा विरेजुः

7.138.20

शस्त्रप्रभाभिश्च विराजमानं; दीपप्रभाभिश्च तदा बलं तत्
प्रकाशितं चाभरणप्रभाभि;र्भृशं प्रकाशं नृपते बभूव

7.138.21

पीतानि शस्त्राण्यसृगुक्षितानि; वीरावधूतानि तनुद्रुहाणि
दीप्तां प्रभां प्राजनयन्त तत्र; तपात्यये विद्युदिवान्तरिक्षे

7.138.22

प्रकम्पितानामभिघातवेगै;रभिघ्नतां चापततां जवेन
वक्त्राण्यशोभन्त तदा नराणां; वाय्वीरितानीव महाम्बुजानि

7.138.23

महावने दाव इव प्रदीप्ते; यथा प्रभा भास्करस्यापि नश्येत्
तथा तवासीद्ध्वजिनी प्रदीप्ता; महाभये भारत भीमरूपा

7.138.24

तत्संप्रदीप्तं बलमस्मदीयं; निशाम्य पार्थास्त्वरितास्तथैव
सर्वेषु सैन्येषु पदातिसंघा;नचोदयंस्तेऽथ चक्रुः प्रदीपान्

7.138.25

गजे गजे सप्त कृताः प्रदीपा; रथे रथे चैव दश प्रदीपाः
द्वावश्वपृष्ठे परिपार्श्वतोऽन्ये; ध्वजेषु चान्ये जघनेषु चान्ये

7.138.26

सेनासु सर्वासु च पार्श्वतोऽन्ये; पश्चात्पुरस्ताच्च समन्ततश्च
मध्ये तथान्ये ज्वलिताग्निहस्ताः; सेनाद्वयेऽपि स्म नरा विचेरुः

7.138.27

सर्वेषु सैन्येषु पदातिसंघा; व्यामिश्रिता हस्तिरथाश्ववृन्दैः
मध्ये तथान्ये ज्वलिताग्निहस्ता; व्यदीपयन्पाण्डुसुतस्य सेनाम्

7.138.28

तेन प्रदीप्तेन तथा प्रदीप्तं; बलं तदासीद्बलवद्बलेन
भाः कुर्वता भानुमता ग्रहेण; दिवाकरेणाग्निरिवाभितप्तः

7.138.29

तयोः प्रभाः पृथिवीमन्तरिक्षं; सर्वा व्यतिक्रम्य दिशश्च वृद्धाः
तेन प्रकाशेन भृशं प्रकाशं; बभूव तेषां तव चैव सैन्यम्

7.138.30

तेन प्रकाशेन दिवंगमेन; संबोधिता देवगणाश्च राजन्
गन्धर्वयक्षासुरसिद्धसंघाः; समागमन्नप्सरसश्च सर्वाः

7.138.31

तद्देवगन्धर्वसमाकुलं च; यक्षासुरेन्द्राप्सरसां गणैश्च
हतैश्च वीरैर्दिवमारुहद्भि;रायोधनं दिव्यकल्पं बभूव

7.138.32

रथाश्वनागाकुलदीपदीप्तं; संरब्धयोधाहतविद्रुताश्वम्
महद्बलं व्यूढरथाश्वनागं; सुरासुरव्यूहसमं बभूव

7.138.33

तच्छक्तिसंघाकुलचण्डवातं; महारथाभ्रं रथवाजिघोषम्
शस्त्रौघवर्षं रुधिराम्बुधारं; निशि प्रवृत्तं नरदेवयुद्धम्

7.138.34

तस्मिन्महाग्निप्रतिमो महात्मा; संतापयन्पाण्डवान्विप्रमुख्यः
गभस्तिभिर्मध्यगतो यथार्को; वर्षात्यये तद्वदभून्नरेन्द्र

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that fierce and terrible battle, when the world was enveloped with darkness and dust, O king, the combatants, as they stood on the field, could not see one another. Those foremost of Kshatriyas fought with each other, guided by conjectures and the personal and other names (they uttered). And during the progress, O lord, of that terrible carnage of car-warriors and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers 1, those heroes, viz., Drona and Karna and Kripa, and Bhima and Prishata's son and Satwata, afflicted one another and the troops of either party, O bull of Bharata's race. The combatants of both armies, oppressed all around by those foremost of car-warriors, during the hour of darkness, fled away on all sides. Indeed, the warriors, broke and fled away in all directions with hearts perfectly cheerless. And as they fled away in all directions, they underwent a great carnage. Thousands of foremost car-warriors also, O king, slaughtered one another in that battle. Unable to see anything in the dark, the combatants became deprived of their senses. All this was the result of the evil counsels of thy son. Indeed, at that hour when the world was enveloped in darkness, all

creatures, O Bharata, including even the foremost of warriors, overcome with panic, were deprived of their senses in that battle.' 1

"Dhritarashtra said, 'What became the state of your mind then when, afflicted by that darkness, ye all were deprived of your energy and furiously agitated by the Pandavas! How also, O Sanjaya, when everything was enveloped in darkness, did the Pandava troops as also mine once more became visible?'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Then the remnant of the army (of the Katirava), under the orders of their leaders, were once more disposed in (compact) array. Drona placed himself at the van, and Salya at the rear. And Drona's son and Sakuni, the son of Suvala, placed themselves on the right and the left flanks. And king Duryodhana himself, O monarch, on that night, busied himself in protecting all the troops. Cheering all the foot-soldiers, O king, Duryodhana said unto them, 'Laying aside your great weapons, take ye all blazing lamps in your hands.' Thus commanded by that best of kings, the foot-soldiers joyfully took up burning lamps. The gods and Rishis, Gandharvas and celestial Rishis, and the diverse tribes of Vidyadharas and Apsaras, and Nagas and Yakshas and Uragas and Kinnaras, stationed on the welkin also joyfully took up blazing lamps. Many lamps, filled with sweet-scented oil, were seen to fall from the Regents of the cardinal and the subsidiary points of the compass. For Duryodhana's sake, many such were seen to come from Narada and Parvata in especial, lighting up that darkness. The (Kaurava) army then, disposed in compact array, looked resplendent, on that night with the light of those lamps, the costly ornaments (on the persons of combatants), and the blazing celestial weapons as those were shot or hurled by it. On each car were placed five lamps, and on each infuriated elephant three. 2 And upon each horse was placed a large lamp. Thus was that host lighted up by the Kuru warriors. 3 Set in their places within a short time, those lamps speedily lighted up thy army. Indeed, all the troops, thus made radiant by the foot-soldiers with oil-fed lamps in their hands, looked beautiful like clouds in the nocturnal sky illumined by flashes of lightning. When the Kuru host had thus been illuminated, Drona, endued with the effulgence of fire, scorching everything around, looked radiant, O king, in his golden armour, like the midday sun of blazing ray. The light of those lamps began to be reflected from the golden ornaments, the bright cuirasses and bows, and the well-tempered weapons of the combatants. And maces twined with strings, and bright Parighas, and cars and shafts and darts, as they coursed along, repeatedly created, O Ajamidha, by their reflection myriads of lamps. And umbrellas and yak-tails and scimitars and blazing brands, O king, and necklaces of gold, as these were whirled or moved,

reflecting that light, looked exceedingly beautiful. Illuminated by the light of those lamps and irradiated by the reflection from weapons and ornaments, that host, O king, blazed up with splendour. Well-tempered and beautiful weapons, red with blood, and whirled by heroes, created a blazing effulgence there, like flashes of lightning in the sky at the end of summer. The faces of warriors, impetuously pursuing foes for striking them down and themselves trembling in the ardour of the rush, looked beautiful like masses of clouds urged on by the wind. As the splendour of the sun becomes fierce on the occasion of the conflagration of a forest full of trees, even so on that terrible night became the splendour of that fierce and illuminated host. Beholding that host of ours illumined, the Parthas also, with great speed, stirring up the foot-soldiers throughout their army, acted like ourselves. On each elephant, they placed seven lamps; on each car, ten; and on the back of each steed they placed two lamps; and on the flanks and rear (of their cars) and on their standard also, they placed many lamps. And on the flanks of their host, and on the rear and the van, and all around and within, many other lamps were lighted. The Kurus having done the same, both the armies were thus lighted. Throughout the host, the foot-soldiers became mingled with elephants and cars and cavalry. And the army of Pandu's son was also illuminated by others (than foot-soldiers) standing with blazing torches in their hands. 1 With those lamps that host became fiercely effulgent, like a blazing fire made doubly resplendent by the dazzling rays of the maker of day. The splendour of both the armies, over-spreading the earth, the welkin, and all the points of the compass, seemed to increase. With that light, thy army as also theirs became distinctly visible. Awakened by that light which reached the skies, the gods, the Gandharvas, the Yakshas, the Rishis and other crowned with (ascetic) success, and the Apsaras, all came there. Crowded then with gods and Gandharvas, and Yakshas, and Rishis crowned with (ascetic) success, and Apsaras, and the spirits of slain warriors about to enter the celestial regions, the field of battle looked like a second heaven. Teeming with cars and steeds and elephants, brilliantly illumined with lamps, with angry combatants and horses slain or wandering wildly, that vast force of arrayed warriors and steeds and elephants looked like the arrays of the celestials and the Asuras in days of old. The rush of darts formed the fierce winds; great cars, the cloud; the neigh and grunt of steeds and elephants, the roars; shafts, the showers; and the blood of warriors and animals, the flood, of that tempest like nocturnal encounter between those god-like men. In the midst of that battle, that foremost of Brahmanas, viz., the high-souled Aswatthaman, scorching the

[paragraph continues] Pandavas, O ruler of men, resembled the midday sun at the end of the season of rains, scorching everything with his fierce ray.'" 1

373:1 The Bombay edition reads the first line of 3 differently. The Bengal reading is also defective. The correct reading seems to be Rathanaga instead of Naranaga.

374:1 This is a Triplet.

374:2 Instead of mattagaje, the Bombay edition reads tatragaje.

374:3 There seems to be a mistake in this sloka in its reference to the Pandavas. The reading, however, that occurs in all the printed edition, is the same. In one manuscript I find Kamrava-yodhavurgais (which I adopt) for Pandava-Kauraveyais.

375:1 The second line of 30, as it occurs in the Bengal texts, is adopted by me. A slight difference of reading occurs between the Bengal and the Bombay editions.

7.139.1

संजय उवाच
प्रकाशिते तथा लोके रजसा च तमोवृते
समाजग्मुरथो वीराः परस्परवधैषिणः

7.139.2

ते समेत्य रणे राजञ्शस्त्रप्रासासिधारिणः
परस्परमुदैक्षन्त परस्परकृतागसः

7.139.3

प्रदीपानां सहस्रैश्च दीप्यमानैः समन्ततः
विरराज तदा भूमिर्द्यौर्ग्रहैरिव भारत

7.139.4

उल्काशतैः प्रज्वलितै रणभूमिर्व्यराजत
दह्यमानेव लोकानामभावे वै वसुंधरा

7.139.5

प्रादीप्यन्त दिशः सर्वाः प्रदीपैस्तैः समन्ततः
वर्षाप्रदोषे खद्योतैर्वृता वृक्षा इवाबभुः

7.139.6

असज्जन्त ततो वीरा वीरेष्वेव पृथक्पृथक्
नागा नागैः समाजग्मुस्तुरगाः सह वाजिभिः

7.139.7

रथा रथवरैरेव समाजग्मुर्मुदान्विताः
तस्मिन्रात्रिमुखे घोरे पुत्रस्य तव शासनात्

7.139.8

ततोऽर्जुनो महाराज कौरवाणामनीकिनीम्
व्यधमत्त्वरया युक्तः क्षपयन्सर्वपार्थिवान्

7.139.9

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
तस्मिन्प्रविष्टे संरब्धे मम पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम्
अमृष्यमाणे दुर्धर्षे किं व आसीन्मनस्तदा

7.139.10

किममन्यन्त सैन्यानि प्रविष्टे शत्रुतापने
दुर्योधनश्च किं कृत्यं प्राप्तकालममन्यत

7.139.11

के चैनं समरे वीरं प्रत्युद्ययुररिंदमम्
केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं के च द्रोणस्य सव्यतः

7.139.12

के पृष्ठतोऽस्य ह्यभवन्वीरा वीरस्य युध्यतः
के पुरस्तादगच्छन्त निघ्नतः शात्रवान्रणे

7.139.13

यत्प्राविशन्महेष्वासः पाञ्चालानपराजितः
नृत्यन्निव नरव्याघ्रो रथमार्गेषु वीर्यवान्

7.139.14

ददाह च शरैर्द्रोणः पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्
धूमकेतुरिव क्रुद्धः स कथं मृत्युमीयिवान्

7.139.15

अव्यग्रानेव हि परान्कथयस्यपराजितान्
हतांश्चैव विषण्णांश्च विप्रकीर्णांश्च शंससि
रथिनो विरथांश्चैव कृतान्युद्धेषु मामकान्

7.139.16

संजय उवाच
द्रोणस्य मतमाज्ञाय योद्धुकामस्य तां निशाम्
दुर्योधनो महाराज वश्यान्भ्रातॄनभाषत

7.139.17

विकर्णं चित्रसेनं च महाबाहुं च कौरवम्
दुर्धर्षं दीर्घबाहुं च ये च तेषां पदानुगाः

7.139.18

द्रोणं यत्ताः पराक्रान्ताः सर्वे रक्षत पृष्ठतः
हार्दिक्यो दक्षिणं चक्रं शल्यश्चैवोत्तरं तथा

7.139.19

त्रिगर्तानां च ये शूरा हतशिष्टा महारथाः
तांश्चैव सर्वान्पुत्रस्ते समचोदयदग्रतः

7.139.20

आचार्यो हि सुसंयत्तो भृशं यत्ताश्च पाण्डवाः
तं रक्षत सुसंयत्ता निघ्नन्तं शात्रवान्रणे

7.139.21

द्रोणो हि बलवान्युद्धे क्षिप्रहस्तः पराक्रमी
निर्जयेत्त्रिदशान्युद्धे किमु पार्थान्ससोमकान्

7.139.22

ते यूयं सहिताः सर्वे भृशं यत्ता महारथाः
द्रोणं रक्षत पाञ्चाल्याद्धृष्टद्युम्नान्महारथात्

7.139.23

पाण्डवेयेषु सैन्येषु योधं पश्याम्यहं न तम्
यो जयेत रणे द्रोणं धृष्टद्युम्नादृते नृपाः

7.139.24

तस्य सर्वात्मना मन्ये भारद्वाजस्य रक्षणम्
स गुप्तः सोमकान्हन्यात्सृञ्जयांश्च सराजकान्

7.139.25

सृञ्जयेष्वथ सर्वेषु निहतेषु चमूमुखे
धृष्टद्युम्नं रणे द्रौणिर्नाशयिष्यत्यसंशयम्

7.139.26

तथार्जुनं रणे कर्णो विजेष्यति महारथः
भीमसेनमहं चापि युद्धे जेष्यामि दंशितः

7.139.27

सोऽयं मम जयो व्यक्तं दीर्घकालं भविष्यति
तस्माद्रक्षत संग्रामे द्रोणमेव महारथाः

7.139.28

इत्युक्त्वा भरतश्रेष्ठ पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव
व्यादिदेश ततः सैन्यं तस्मिंस्तमसि दारुणे

7.139.29

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं रात्रौ तद्भरतर्षभ
उभयोः सेनयोर्घोरं विजयं प्रति काङ्क्षिणोः

7.139.30

अर्जुनः कौरवं सैन्यमर्जुनं चापि कौरवाः
नानाशस्त्रसमावापैरन्योन्यं पर्यपीडयन्

7.139.31

द्रौणिः पाञ्चालराजानं भारद्वाजश्च सृञ्जयान्
छादयामासतुः संख्ये शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

7.139.32

पाण्डुपाञ्चालसेनानां कौरवाणां च मारिष
आसीन्निष्टानको घोरो निघ्नतामितरेतरम्

7.139.33

नैवास्माभिर्न पूर्वैर्नो दृष्टं पूर्वं तथाविधम्
युद्धं यादृशमेवासीत्तां रात्रिं सुमहाभयम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'When the field of battle which had before been enveloped in darkness and dust had thus become illuminated, heroic warriors encountered one another, desirous of taking one another's life. 2 Encountering one another in battle, O king, those combatants, armed with lances and swords and other weapons, gazed at one another under the influence of rage. With thousands of lamps blazing all around and with the more blazing lamps of the gods and the Gandharvas, set upon golden stands decked with jewels, and fed with fragrant oil, the field of battle, O Bharata, looked resplendent like the firmament bespangled with stars. With hundreds upon hundreds of blazing brands, the earth looked exceedingly beautiful. Indeed, the earth seemed to be in a conflagration, like what happens at the universal destruction. 3 All the points of the compass blazed up with those lamps all around and looked like trees covered by fire-flies at an evening in the season of rains. Heroic combatants, then, O king, engaged in battle with heroic rivals. Elephants engaged with elephants, and horsemen with horsemen, and car-warriors with car-warriors, filled with joy, on that fierce night at the command of thy son. The clash of the two armies both consisting of four kinds of forces, became terrible. Then Arjuna, O monarch, began, with great speed, to destroy the Kaurava ranks, weakening all the kings.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'When the invincible Arjuna, excited with wrath and unable to brook (the feats of the Kurus), penetrated into the army of my son, what became the state of your minds? Indeed, when that scorcher of foes entered into their midst, what did the soldiers think? What steps also did Duryodhana think fit to be adopted then? Who were those chastisers of foes that proceeded in that battle against that hero? Indeed,

when Arjuna, of white steeds, entered (our army), who were they that protected Drona? Who guarded the right wheel and who the left wheel of Drona's car? Who were those heroes that protected the rear of that battling hero? Indeed, when Bharadwaja's son proceeded, slaying the foe (along his route), who were they that proceeded in his van? That mighty and invincible bowman who penetrated into the midst of the Panchalas, that tiger among men endued with great valour, who proceeded, as if dancing, along the track of his car, and consumed large throngs of Panchala cars by means of his shafts like a raging conflagration; alas, how did that Drona meet with his death? Thou always speakest of my foes as cool and unvanquished and cheerful and swelling with might in battle. Thou dost not, however, speak of mine in such words. On the other hand, thou describest them to be slain, pale, and routed, and thou speakest of my car-warriors, as always deprived of their cars in all the battles they fight!'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Understanding the wishes of Drona who was bent on battle, Duryodhana, on that night, O king, addressing his obedient brothers, viz., Vikarna and Chitrasena and Suparsva and Durdharsha and Dirghavahu, and all those that followed them, said those words, 'Ye heroes of great valour, struggling with resolution, all of you protect Drona from the rear. The son of Hridika will protect his right and Sala his left.' Saying this, thy son then urged forward placing them at the van, the remnant of the brave and mighty Trigarta car-warriors, saying, 'The preceptor is merciful. The Pandavas are fighting with great resolution.. While engaged in slaughtering the foe in battle, protect him well, uniting together. Drona is mighty in battle; is endued with great lightness of hand and great valour. He can vanquish the very gods in battle,--what need then be said of the Pandavas and the Somakas? All of you, however, united together and struggling with great resolution in this terrible battle, protect the invincible Drona from that mighty car-warrior, viz., Dhrishtadyumna. Except Dhrishtadyumna, I do not see the man amongst all the warriors of the Pandavas that can vanquish Drona in battle. I, therefore, think that we should, with our whole soul, protect the son of Bharadwaja. Protected (by us), he is sure to slay the Somakas and the Srinjayas, one after another. Upon the slaughter of all the Srinjayas at the head of the (Pandava) army, Drona's son without doubt, will slay Dhrishtadyumna in battle. Similarly, the mighty car-warrior Karna will vanquish Arjuna in battle. As regards Bhimasena and others clad in mail, I will subjugate them all in fight. The rest of the Pandavas deprived of energy, will be easily defeated by the warriors. It is evident, my success then will last for ever. For these reasons, protect the mighty car-warrior Drona in battle.' Having said these words, O chief of the Bharatas, thy son Duryodhana, urged his troops on that night of terrible darkness. Then commenced a battle, O chief of the Bharatas, between the two hosts. O Monarch, both actuated by the desire of victory. Arjuna began to afflict the Kauravas, and the Kauravas began to afflict Arjuna, with diverse

kinds of weapons. Drona's son covered the, ruler of the Panchalas, and Drona himself covered the Srinjaya, with showers of straight shafts in that battle. And as the Pandava and the Panchala troops (on the one side) and the Kaurava troops (on the other), O Bharata, were engaged in slaughtering each other, there arose a furious uproar on the field. The battle that took place on that night was so terrible and fierce that its like had never been previously witnessed by ourselves or those gone before us.'"

376:1 As regards almost every one of these slokas, differences of reading are observable between the Bengal texts and the Bombay edition. The readings of the Bombay edition are almost uniformly better. Then, again, many of those verses are disfigured with syntactical pleonasms and other grave errors. Abounding with tiresome repetitions that scarcely attract notice amid the variety of synonyms with which the language of the original abounds and amid also the melodious flow of the rhythm, the defects become glaring in translation. At the latter, however, of faithfulness, I have been obliged to sacrifice elegance, in rendering this section.

376:2 The Bengal reading tatha loka is incorrect. The Bombay text correctly reads tadaloka. Then also, instead of the Bengal reading rajasacaa samavrite (which is faulty), the true reading is raja tamasa vrite.

376:3 Lokanamabhave is explained by Nilakantha as pralaya-kale.

7.140.1

संजय उवाच
वर्तमाने तथा रौद्रे रात्रियुद्धे विशां पते
सर्वभूतक्षयकरे धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः

7.140.2

अब्रवीत्पाण्डवांश्चैव पाञ्चालांश्च ससोमकान्
अभ्यद्रवत गच्छध्वं द्रोणमेव जिघांसया

7.140.3

राज्ञस्ते वचनाद्राजन्पाञ्चालाः सोमकास्तथा
द्रोणमेवाभ्यवर्तन्त नदन्तो भैरवान्रवान्

7.140.4

तान्वयं प्रतिगर्जन्तः प्रत्युद्यातास्त्वमर्षिताः
यथाशक्ति यथोत्साहं यथासत्त्वं च संयुगे

7.140.5

कृतवर्मा च हार्दिक्यो युधिष्ठिरमुपाद्रवत्
द्रोणं प्रति जिघांसन्तं मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम्

7.140.6

शैनेयं शरवर्षाणि विकिरन्तं समन्ततः
अभ्ययात्कौरवो राजन्भूरिः संग्राममूर्धनि

7.140.7

सहदेवमथायान्तं द्रोणप्रेप्सुं महारथम्
कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन्वारयामास पाण्डवम्

7.140.8

भीमसेनमथायान्तं व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम्
स्वयं दुर्योधनो युद्धे प्रतीपं मृत्युमाव्रजत्

7.140.9

नकुलं च युधां श्रेष्ठं सर्वयुद्धविशारदम्
शकुनिः सौबलो राजन्वारयामास सत्वरः

7.140.10

शिखण्डिनमथायान्तं रथेन रथिनां वरम्
कृपो शारद्वतो राजन्वारयामास संयुगे

7.140.11

प्रतिविन्ध्यमथायान्तं मयूरसदृशैर्हयैः
दुःशासनो महाराज यत्तो यत्तमवारयत्

7.140.12

भैमसेनिमथायान्तं मायाशतविशारदम्
अश्वत्थामा पितुर्मानं कुर्वाणः प्रत्यषेधयत्

7.140.13

द्रुपदं वृषसेनस्तु ससैन्यं सपदानुगम्
वारयामास समरे द्रोणप्रेप्सुं महारथम्

7.140.14

विराटं द्रुतमायान्तं द्रोणस्य निधनं प्रति
मद्रराजः सुसंक्रुद्धो वारयामास भारत

7.140.15

शतानीकमथायान्तं नाकुलिं रभसं रणे
चित्रसेनो रुरोधाशु शरैर्द्रोणवधेप्सया

7.140.16

अर्जुनं च युधां श्रेष्ठं प्राद्रवन्तं महारथम्
अलम्बुसो महाराज राक्षसेन्द्रो न्यवारयत्

7.140.17

तथा द्रोणं महेष्वासं निघ्नन्तं शात्रवान्रणे
धृष्टद्युम्नोऽथ पाञ्चाल्यो हृष्टरूपमवारयत्

7.140.18

तथान्यान्पाण्डुपुत्राणां समायातान्महारथान्
तावका रथिनो राजन्वारयामासुरोजसा

7.140.19

गजारोहा गजैस्तूर्णं संनिपत्य महामृधे
योधयन्तः स्म दृश्यन्ते शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.140.20

निशीथे तुरगा राजन्नाद्रवन्तः परस्परम्
समदृश्यन्त वेगेन पक्षवन्त इवाद्रयः

7.140.21

सादिनः सादिभिः सार्धं प्रासशक्त्यृष्टिपाणयः
समागच्छन्महाराज विनदन्तः पृथक्पृथक्

7.140.22

नरास्तु बहवस्तत्र समाजग्मुः परस्परम्
गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चैव नानाशस्त्रैश्च संघशः

7.140.23

कृतवर्मा तु हार्दिक्यो धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
वारयामास संक्रुद्धो वेलेवोद्वृत्तमर्णवम्

7.140.24

युधिष्ठिरस्तु हार्दिक्यं विद्ध्वा पञ्चभिराशुगैः
पुनर्विव्याध विंशत्या तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.140.25

कृतवर्मा तु संक्रुद्धो धर्मपुत्रस्य मारिष
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन तं च विव्याध सप्तभिः

7.140.26

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः
हार्दिक्यं दशभिर्बाणैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्

7.140.27

माधवस्तु रणे विद्धो धर्मपुत्रेण मारिष
प्राकम्पत च रोषेण सप्तभिश्चार्दयच्छरैः

7.140.28

तस्य पार्थो धनुश्छित्त्वा हस्तावापं निकृत्य च
प्राहिणोन्निशितान्बाणान्पञ्च राजञ्शिलाशितान्

7.140.29

ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा हेमचित्रं महाधनम्
प्राविशन्धरणीमुग्रा वल्मीकमिव पन्नगाः

7.140.30

अक्ष्णोर्निमेषमात्रेण सोऽन्यदादाय कार्मुकम्
विव्याध पाण्डवं षष्ट्या सूतं च नवभिः शरैः

7.140.31

तस्य शक्तिममेयात्मा पाण्डवो भुजगोपमाम्
चिक्षेप भरतश्रेष्ठ रथे न्यस्य महद्धनुः

7.140.32

सा हेमचित्रा महती पाण्डवेन प्रवेरिता
निर्भिद्य दक्षिणं बाहुं प्राविशद्धरणीतलम्

7.140.33

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु गृह्य पार्थः पुनर्धनुः
हार्दिक्यं छादयामास शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

7.140.34

ततस्तु समरे शूरो वृष्णीनां प्रवरो रथी
व्यश्वसूतरथं चक्रे निमेषार्धाद्युधिष्ठिरम्

7.140.35

ततस्तु पाण्डवो ज्येष्ठः खड्गचर्म समाददे
तदस्य निशितैर्बाणैर्व्यधमन्माधवो रणे

7.140.36

तोमरं तु ततो गृह्य स्वर्णदण्डं दुरासदम्
प्रेषयत्समरे तूर्णं हार्दिक्यस्य युधिष्ठिरः

7.140.37

तमापतन्तं सहसा धर्मराजभुजच्युतम्
द्विधा चिच्छेद हार्दिक्यः कृतहस्तः स्मयन्निव

7.140.38

ततः शरशतेनाजौ धर्मपुत्रमवाकिरत्
कवचं चास्य संक्रुद्धः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरदारयत्

7.140.39

हार्दिक्यशरसंछिन्नं कवचं तन्महात्मनः
व्यशीर्यत रणे राजंस्ताराजालमिवाम्बरात्

7.140.40

स छिन्नधन्वा विरथः शीर्णवर्मा शरार्दितः
अपायासीद्रणात्तूर्णं धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः

7.140.41

कृतवर्मा तु निर्जित्य धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
पुनर्द्रोणस्य जुगुपे चक्रमेव महाबलः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that terrible nocturnal engagement, O king, which was fraught with an indiscriminate carnage, Dharma's son Yudhishthira, addressed the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Somakas. Indeed, O king, for the destruction of men, cars, and elephants, king Yudhisthira commanded his own troops, saying, 'Proceed ye against Drona only, for slaying him!' 1 At the command of the king, O monarch, the Panchalas and the Somakas rushed against Drona alone, uttering terrible shouts. Ourselves excited with rage, and loudly roaring in return, rushed against them, to the best of our prowess, courage, and might, in battle. Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, rushed against Yudhishthira, as the latter was advancing against Drona, like an infuriated elephant against an infuriated compeer. Against Sini's grandson who advanced scattering arrowy showers all around, rushed, O king, the Kuru warrior Bhuri, that grinder (of foes) in battle. Karna, the son of Vikartana, O king, resisted that mighty car-warrior, viz., Pandu's son, Sahadeva, as the letter advanced for getting at Drona. King Duryodhana, in that battle, himself rushed against that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhimasena, advancing on his car like the Destroyer. Sakuni, the son of Suvala, O king, proceeding quickly, resisted that foremost of warriors, viz., Nakula, who was conversant with every kind of battle. Kripa, the son of Saradwat, O king, resisted Sikhandin in that battle, that foremost of car-warrior, as the latter advanced on his car. Duhsasana, O king, contending vigorously, resisted Prativindhya as the letter advanced with resolution (on his car), drawn by steeds looking like peacocks. Aswatthaman, O monarch, resisted Bhimasena's son, viz., Rakshasa (Ghatotkacha) acquainted with a hundred kinds of illusion, as the latter advanced. Vrishasena. in that battle resisted the mighty Drupada with his troops and followers as the latter advanced for getting at Drona. The ruler of the Madras, O king, excited with wrath resisted Virata, O Bharata, as the latter quickly advanced for the slaughter of Drona; Chitrasena, in that battle, resisted, with great force and shooting

many shafts, Nakula's son, Satanika, as the latter advanced for slaying Drona. The prince of the Rakshasas, viz., Alambhusha, O king, resisted Arjuna, that foremost of car-warriors, as the latter advanced. Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of the Panchalas, cheerfully resisted the great bowman Drona as the latter was engaged in slaughtering the foe. As regards the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, that advanced (against Drona), other car-warriors of thy army, O king, resisted them with great force. Elephant riders speedily encountering elephant riders in that dreadful battle, began to fight, with each other and grind each other by thousands. At dead of night, O monarch, as the steeds rushed against each other with impetuosity, they looked like winged hills. Horsemen, O monarch, encountered horsemen, armed with lances and darts and swords, and uttering loud shouts. Large numbers of men slaughtered one another in heaps, with maces and short clubs and diverse other weapons. Kritavarman, the son of Hridika, excited with wrath, resisted Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, like continents resisting the swelling sea. Yudhishthira, however, piercing Hridika's son with five arrows, once more pierced him with twenty, and addressing him, said, Wait, Wait.' Then Kritavarman, O sire, excited with wrath, cut off with a broad-headed shaft, the bow of king Yudhishthira the just and pierced the latter with seven arrows. Taking up another bow, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Dharma's son, pierced the son of Hridika in the arms and chest with ten arrows. Then that warrior of Madhu's race, thus pierced, O sire, by Dharma's son in that battle, trembled with rage and afflicted Yudhishthira with seven shafts. Then Pritha's son cutting off his enemy's bow as also the leathern fence that cased his hands, sped at him five keen shafts whetted on stone. Those fierce shafts, piercing through the latter's costly armour, decked with gold, entered the earth like snakes into an ant-hill. With the twinkling of an eye, Kritavarman, taking up another bow, pierced the son of Pandu with sixty arrows and once more with ten. Of immeasurable soul, the son of Pandu, then placing his large bow on his car, sped at Kritavarman a dart resembling a snake. That dart decked with gold, shot by the son of Pandu, piercing through Kritavarman's right arm, entered the earth. Meanwhile, Pritha's son, taking up his formidable bow, shrouded the son of Hridika with showers of straight shafts. Then brave Kritavarman, that great car-warrior among the Vrishnis, within less than the twinkling of an eye, made Yudhishthira steedless and driverless and carless. Thereupon, the eldest son of Pandu took up a sword and a shield. Then he, of Madhu's race, cut off both those weapons in that battle. Yudhishthira then, taking up a fierce lance, equipped with a gold-decked staff, quickly sped it, in that battle, at the illustrious son of Hridika. Hridika's son, however, smiling the while, and displaying great lightness of hand, cut off into two fragments that lance hurled from the arms of Yudhishthira, as it coursed impetuously towards him. He then covered the son of Dharma with a hundred arrows in that encounter. Excited with wrath, he then cut off the latter's coat of mail with showers of shafts. Yudhishthira's armour,

decked with gold, cut off by Hridika's son with his shafts, dropped down from his body, O king, like a cluster of stars dropping down from the firmament. His armour cut off, himself deprived of car and afflicted with the shafts of Kritavarman, Dharma's son, Yudhishthira, quickly retreated from battle. The mighty car-warrior Kritavarman, then, having vanquished Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, once more began to protect the wheel of Drona's car.'"

378:1 A different reading occurs in the Bombay edition.

7.141.1

संजय उवाच
भूरिस्तु समरे राजञ्शैनेयं रथिनां वरम्
आपतन्तमपासेधत्प्रपानादिव कुञ्जरम्

7.141.2

अथैनं सात्यकिः क्रुद्धः पञ्चभिर्निशितैः शरैः
विव्याध हृदये तूर्णं प्रास्रवत्तस्य शोणितम्

7.141.3

तथैव कौरवो युद्धे शैनेयं युद्धदुर्मदम्
दशभिर्विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैरविध्यत भुजान्तरे

7.141.4

तावन्योन्यं महाराज ततक्षाते शरैर्भृशम्
क्रोधसंरक्तनयनौ क्रोधाद्विस्फार्य कार्मुके

7.141.5

तयोरासीन्महाराज शस्त्रवृष्टिः सुदारुणा
क्रुद्धयोः सायकमुचोर्यमान्तकनिकाशयोः

7.141.6

तावन्योन्यं शरै राजन्प्रच्छाद्य समरे स्थितौ
मुहूर्तं चैव तद्युद्धं समरूपमिवाभवत्

7.141.7

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज शैनेयः प्रहसन्निव
धनुश्चिच्छेद समरे कौरव्यस्य महात्मनः

7.141.8

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं नवभिर्निशितैः शरैः
विव्याध हृदये तूर्णं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.141.9

सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता शत्रुणा शत्रुतापनः
धनुरन्यत्समादाय सात्वतं प्रत्यविध्यत

7.141.10

स विद्ध्वा सात्वतं बाणैस्त्रिभिरेव विशां पते
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन सुतीक्ष्णेन हसन्निव

7.141.11

छिन्नधन्वा महाराज सात्यकिः क्रोधमूर्छितः
प्रजहार महावेगां शक्तिं तस्य महोरसि

7.141.12

स तु शक्त्या विभिन्नाङ्गो निपपात रथोत्तमात्
लोहिताङ्ग इवाकाशाद्दीप्तरश्मिर्यदृच्छया

7.141.13

तं तु दृष्ट्वा हतं शूरमश्वत्थामा महारथः
अभ्यधावत वेगेन शैनेयं प्रति संयुगे
अभ्यवर्षच्छरौघेण मेरुं वृष्ट्या यथाम्बुदः

7.141.14

तमापतन्तं संरब्धं शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति
घटोत्कचोऽब्रवीद्राजन्नादं मुक्त्वा महारथः

7.141.15

तिष्ठ तिष्ठ न मे जीवन्द्रोणपुत्र गमिष्यसि
एष त्वाद्य हनिष्यामि महिषं स्कन्दराडिव
युद्धश्रद्धामहं तेऽद्य विनेष्यामि रणाजिरे

7.141.16

इत्युक्त्वा रोषताम्राक्षो राक्षसः परवीरहा
द्रौणिमभ्यद्रवत्क्रुद्धो गजेन्द्रमिव केसरी

7.141.17

रथाक्षमात्रैरिषुभिरभ्यवर्षद्घटोत्कचः
रथिनामृषभं द्रौणिं धाराभिरिव तोयदः

7.141.18

शरवृष्टिं तु तां प्राप्तां शरैराशीविषोपमैः
शातयामास समरे तरसा द्रौणिरुत्स्मयन्

7.141.19

ततः शरशतैस्तीक्ष्णैर्मर्मभेदिभिराशुगैः
समाचिनोद्राक्षसेन्द्रं घटोत्कचमरिंदम

7.141.20

स शरैराचितस्तेन राक्षसो रणमूर्धनि
व्यकाशत महाराज श्वाविच्छललितो यथा

7.141.21

ततः क्रोधसमाविष्टो भैमसेनिः प्रतापवान्
शरैरवचकर्तोग्रैर्द्रौणिं वज्राशनिस्वनैः

7.141.22

क्षुरप्रैरर्धचन्द्रैश्च नाराचैः सशिलीमुखैः
वराहकर्णैर्नालीकैस्तीक्ष्णैश्चापि विकर्णिभिः

7.141.23

तां शस्त्रवृष्टिमतुलां वज्राशनिसमस्वनाम्
पतन्तीमुपरि क्रुद्धो द्रौणिरव्यथितेन्द्रियः

7.141.24

सुदुःसहां शरैर्घोरैर्दिव्यास्त्रप्रतिमन्त्रितैः
व्यधमत्स महातेजा महाभ्राणीव मारुतः

7.141.25

ततोऽन्तरिक्षे बाणानां संग्रामोऽन्य इवाभवत्
घोररूपो महाराज योधानां हर्षवर्धनः

7.141.26

ततोऽस्त्रसंघर्षकृतैर्विस्फुलिङ्गैः समन्ततः
बभौ निशामुखे व्योम खद्योतैरिव संवृतम्

7.141.27

स मार्गणगणैर्द्रौणिर्दिशः प्रच्छाद्य सर्वतः
प्रियार्थं तव पुत्राणां राक्षसं समवाकिरत्

7.141.28

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं द्रौणिराक्षसयोर्मृधे
विगाढे रजनीमध्ये शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव

7.141.29

ततो घटोत्कचो बाणैर्दशभिर्द्रौणिमाहवे
जघानोरसि संक्रुद्धः कालज्वलनसंनिभैः

7.141.30

स तैरभ्यायतैर्विद्धो राक्षसेन महाबलः
चचाल समरे द्रौणिर्वातनुन्न इव द्रुमः
स मोहमनुसंप्राप्तो ध्वजयष्टिं समाश्रितः

7.141.31

ततो हाहाकृतं सैन्यं तव सर्वं जनाधिप
हतं स्म मेनिरे सर्वे तावकास्तं विशां पते

7.141.32

तं तु दृष्ट्वा तथावस्थमश्वत्थामानमाहवे
पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयाश्चैव सिंहनादं प्रचक्रिरे

7.141.33

प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञामश्वत्थामा महाबलः
धनुः प्रपीड्य वामेन करेणामित्रकर्शनः

7.141.34

मुमोचाकर्णपूर्णेन धनुषा शरमुत्तमम्
यमदण्डोपमं घोरमुद्दिश्याशु घटोत्कचम्

7.141.35

स भित्त्वा हृदयं तस्य राक्षसस्य शरोत्तमः
विवेश वसुधामुग्रः सुपुङ्खः पृथिवीपते

7.141.36

सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्
राक्षसेन्द्रः सुबलवान्द्रौणिना रणमानिना

7.141.37

दृष्ट्वा विमूढं हैडिम्बं सारथिस्तं रणाजिरात्
द्रौणेः सकाशात्संभ्रान्तस्त्वपनिन्ये त्वरान्वितः

7.141.38

तथा तु समरे विद्ध्वा राक्षसेन्द्रं घटोत्कचम्
ननाद सुमहानादं द्रोणपुत्रो महाबलः

7.141.39

पूजितस्तव पुत्रैश्च सर्वयोधैश्च भारत
वपुषा प्रतिजज्वाल मध्याह्न इव भास्करः

7.141.40

भीमसेनं तु युध्यन्तं भारद्वाजरथं प्रति
स्वयं दुर्योधनो राजा प्रत्यविध्यच्छितैः शरैः

7.141.41

तं भीमसेनो नवभिः शरैर्विव्याध मारिष
दुर्योधनोऽपि विंशत्या शराणां प्रत्यविध्यत

7.141.42

तौ सायकैरवच्छन्नावदृश्येतां रणाजिरे
मेघजालसमाच्छन्नौ नभसीवेन्दुभास्करौ

7.141.43

अथ दुर्योधनो राजा भीमं विव्याध पत्रिभिः
पञ्चभिर्भरतश्रेष्ठ तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.141.44

तस्य भीमो धनुश्छित्त्वा ध्वजं च नवभिः शरैः
विव्याध कौरवश्रेष्ठं नवत्या नतपर्वणाम्

7.141.45

ततो दुर्योधनः क्रुद्धो भीमसेनस्य मारिष
चिक्षेप स शरान्राजन्पश्यतां सर्वधन्विनाम्

7.141.46

तान्निहत्य शरान्भीमो दुर्योधनधनुश्च्युतान्
कौरवं पञ्चविंशत्या क्षुद्रकाणां समार्पयत्

7.141.47

दुर्योधनस्तु संक्रुद्धो भीमसेनस्य मारिष
क्षुरप्रेण धनुश्छित्त्वा दशभिः प्रत्यविध्यत

7.141.48

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय भीमसेनो महाबलः
विव्याध नृपतिं तूर्णं सप्तभिर्निशितैः शरैः

7.141.49

तदप्यस्य धनुः क्षिप्रं चिच्छेद लघुहस्तवत्
द्वितीयं च तृतीयं च चतुर्थं पञ्चमं तथा

7.141.50

आत्तमात्तं महाराज भीमस्य धनुराच्छिनत्
तव पुत्रो महाराज जितकाशी मदोत्कटः

7.141.51

स तदा छिद्यमानेषु कार्मुकेषु पुनः पुनः
शक्तिं चिक्षेप समरे सर्वपारशवीं शुभाम्

7.141.52

अप्राप्तामेव तां शक्तिं त्रिधा चिच्छेद कौरवः
पश्यतः सर्वलोकस्य भीमस्य च महात्मनः

7.141.53

ततो भीमो महाराज गदां गुर्वीं महाप्रभाम्
चिक्षेपाविध्य वेगेन दुर्योधनरथं प्रति

7.141.54

ततः सा सहसा वाहांस्तव पुत्रस्य संयुगे
सारथिं च गदा गुर्वी ममर्द भरतर्षभ

7.141.55

पुत्रस्तु तव राजेन्द्र रथाद्धेमपरिष्कृतात्
आप्लुतः सहसा यानं नन्दकस्य महात्मनः

7.141.56

ततो भीमो हतं मत्वा तव पुत्रं महारथम्
सिंहनादं महच्चक्रे तर्जयन्निव कौरवान्

7.141.57

तावकाः सैनिकाश्चापि मेनिरे निहतं नृपम्
ततो विचुक्रुशुः सर्वे हा हेति च समन्ततः

7.141.58

तेषां तु निनदं श्रुत्वा त्रस्तानां सर्वयोधिनाम्
भीमसेनस्य नादं च श्रुत्वा राजन्महात्मनः

7.141.59

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा हतं मत्वा सुयोधनम्
अभ्यवर्तत वेगेन यत्र पार्थो वृकोदरः

7.141.60

पाञ्चालाः केकया मत्स्याः सृञ्जयाश्च विशां पते
सर्वोद्योगेनाभिजग्मुर्द्रोणमेव युयुत्सया

7.141.61

तत्रासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं द्रोणस्याथ परैः सह
घोरे तमसि मग्नानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Bhuri, O king, in that battle, resisted that foremost of car-warriors, viz., the grandson of Sini, who advanced like an elephant towards a lake full of water. The Satyaki, excited with wrath, pierced his foe in chest with five keen shafts. At this, the latter's blood began to flow. The Kuru warrior in that encounter similarly pierced with great speed the grandson of Sini, that hero difficult of defeat in battle, with ten shafts in the chest. Those warriors, drawing their bows to their fullest stretch, and with eyes red in wrath, began, O king, to mangle each other in that combat. The arrowy downpours of those two warriors, both, excited with rage and resembling Death himself or the sun scattering his rays, were exceedingly terrible. Shrouding each other with shafts, each stayed before the other in that battle. For a short while that battle proceeded equally. Then, O king, the grandson of Sini, excited with rage and smiling the while, cut off the bow of the illustrious Kuru warrior in that battle. Having cut off his bow, Satyaki quickly pierced him in the chest with nine keen arrows and addressing him, said, 'Wait! Wait!' That scorcher of foes deeply pierced his mighty foe, quickly took up another bow and pierced the Satwata warrior in return. Having pierced the Satwata hero with three shafts, O monarch, Bhuri, then, smiling the while, cut off his foe's bow with a sharp and broad-headed shaft. His bow being cut off, Satyaki, O king, maddened with rage, hurled an impetuous dart at the broad chest of Bhuri. Pierced with that dart, Bhuri fell down from his excellent car, covered with blood, like the sun dropping down from the firmament. Beholding him thus slain, the mighty car-warrior Aswatthaman, O Bharata, rushed impetuously against grandson of Sini. Having addressed Satyaki, O king, saying, 'Wait, Wait,' he shrouded him with showers of shafts, like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on the crest of Merit. Beholding him rushing towards the car of Sini's grandson, the mighty car-warrior Ghatotkacha, O king, uttering a loud roar, addressed saying, Wait, Wait, O son of Drona! Thou shalt not escape from me with life. I will presently slay thee like the six-faced (Karttikeya) slaying (the Asura) Mahisha. I shall today, on the field, purge thy heart of all desire of

battle.' Having said these words, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the Rakshasa (Ghatotkacha), with eyes red like copper in wrath, rushed furiously against the son of Drona, like a lion rushing against a prince of elephants. And Ghatotkacha sped at his foe shafts of the measure of the Aksha of a car, and covered that bull among car-warriors therewith, like clouds pouring torrents of rain. With his own shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison, Drona's son, however, in that battle, quickly dispelled that arrowy shower before it could reach him. He then pierced that chastiser of foes, viz., Ghatotkacha, that prince of the Rakshasas, with hundreds of keen and swift-coursing arrows, all capable of penetrating into the very vitals. Thus pierced with those shafts by Aswatthaman, that Rakshasas, on the field of battle, looked beautiful, O monarch, like a porcupine with quills erect on its body. Then the valiant son of Bhimasena, filled with rage, mangled the son of Drona with many fierce arrows, whizzing through the air with the roar of thunder. And he rained on Aswatthaman a perfect shower of arrows of diverse kinds; some, equipped with heads like razors; some, shaped as the crescent; some, only pointed; some, frog-faced; some, with heads resembling the boar's ear; some, barbed; and some of other species. 1 Like the wind dispersing mighty masses of clouds, Drona's son, O king, without his senses being agitated, destroyed with his own terrible arrows, inspired by mantras with the force of celestial weapons, that fierce, unbearable and unrivalled shower of weapons, whose sound resembled the roar of thunder, and which fell incessantly upon him. It seemed then that another encounter was taking place in the welkin between weapons (as the combatants), which was terrible, and which, O king, filled the warriors with awe. With the sparks all around, generated by the clash of the weapons, shot by those two warriors, the welkin looked beautiful as illumined by myriads of fire-flies in the evening. Drona's son then, filling all the points of the compass with his shafts, shrouded the Rakshasa himself, for doing what was agreeable to thy sons. Then commenced a battle once more between Drona's son and the Rakshasa on that night of thick darkness, which resembled the encounter between Sakra and Prahlada. Then Ghatotkacha, filled with rage, struck Drona's son, in that battle, on the chest with ten shafts, each resembling the Yuga-fire, Deeply pierced the Rakshasa, the mighty son of Drona began to tremble in that battle like a tall tree shaken by the wind. Supporting himself by holding the flagstaff, he swooned away. Then all thy troops, O king, uttered cries of Oh and Alas. Indeed, O monarch, all thy warriors then regarded Drona's son as slain. Beholding Aswatthaman in that plight, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas in that battle uttered leonine roars. Then that crusher of foes, viz., the mighty car-warrior Aswatthaman, recovering his senses, forcibly drawing the bow with his left hand, stretching the bowstring to his ear, quickly shot a

terrible shaft resembling the rod of Yama himself, aiming at Ghatotkacha. That excellent shafts, fierce and equipped with golden wings, piercing through the chest of the Rakshasa, entered the earth, O king. Deeply pierced, O monarch, by Drona's son who was proud of his prowess in battle, that prince of Rakshasas, endued with great strength, sat down on the terrace of his car. Beholding Hidimva's son deprived of his senses, his charioteer, inspired with fear, speedily removed him from the field, bearing him away from the presence of Drona's son. Having pierced that prince of Rakshasas, viz., Ghatotkacha, in that encounter thus, Drona's son, that mighty car-warrior, uttered a loud roar. Worshipped by thy sons as also by all thy warriors, O Bharata, Aswatthaman's body blazed up like the midday sun.

"As regards Bhimasena who was battling in from of Drona's cal king Duryodhana himself pierced him with many whetted shafts. Bhimasena, however, O Bharata, pierced him in return with nine arrows. Duryodhana, then, pierced Bhimasena with twenty arrows. Covered with each other's arrows on the field of battle, those two warriors looked like the sun and the moon covered with clouds in the firmament. Then king Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, pierced Bhima with five winged arrows and said, 'Wait! Wait!' Bhima then, cutting off his bow as also his standard with keen shafts, pierced the Kuru king himself with ninety straight arrows. Then, Duryodhana filled with rage, taking up a more formidable bow, O chief of the Bharatas, afflicted Bhimasena, at the van of battle, with many whetted shafts, in the very sight of all the bowmen. Baffling those shafts shot from Duryodhana's bow, Bhima pierced the Kuru king with five and twenty short arrows. Duryodhana then, O sire, excited with wrath, cut off Bhimasena's bow with a razor-faced arrow and pierced Bhima himself with ten shafts in return. Then the mighty Bhimasena, taking up another bow, quickly pierced the king with seven keen shafts. Displaying great lightness of hand, Duryodhana cut off even that bow of Bhima. The second, the third, the fourth, and the fifth, bow that Bhima took up were similarly cut off. Indeed, O king, thy son, proud of his prowess and desirous of victory, cut off Bhima's bow as soon as the latter took up one. Seeing his bows repeatedly cut off, Bhima then hurled, in that battle, a dart made wholly of iron and hard as the thunder. That dart blazing as a flame of fire, resembled the sister of Death. The Kuru king, however, in the very sight of all the warriors and before the eyes of Bhima himself, cut in three fragments that dart, which coursed towards him through the welkin with the splendour of fire and dividing it, as it were by a straight line such as is visible on the head of a woman parting her tresses. Then Bhima, O king, whirling his heavy and blazing mace, hurled it with great force at the car of Duryodhana. That heavy mace speedily crushed the steeds, the driver, and the car also, of thy son in that encounter. Thy son, then, O monarch, afraid of Bhima and shrinking within the narrowest compass, ascended another car, viz., that of the illustrious Nandaka. Then Bhima, regarding Suyodhana to have been slain

amid the darkness of that night, uttered a loud leonine roar challenging the Kauravas. Thy warriors regarded the king to be slain. All of them uttered loud cries of Oh and Alas. Hearing the wails of the affrighted warriors and the roars of the high souled Bhima, O king, king Yudhishthira also regarded Suyodhana to have been slain. And the eldest son of Pandu, thereupon, rushed quickly to the spot where Vrikodara, the son of Pritha, was. And the Panchalas, the Srinjayas, the Matsyas, the Kaikeyas, and the Chedis, speedily advanced, with all their might against Drona from desire of slaying him. There also occurred a dreadful battle between Drona and the enemy. And the combatants of both sides were enveloped in thick gloom and struck and slew one another'."

381:1 Nalikas, as used here, appear to have been some species of shafts. In an earlier note, relying on other authorities, I took it to mean some kind of air-gun.

7.142.1

संजय उवाच
सहदेवमथायान्तं द्रोणप्रेप्सुं विशां पते
कर्णो वैकर्तनो युद्धे वारयामास भारत

7.142.2

सहदेवस्तु राधेयं विद्ध्वा नवभिराशुगैः
पुनर्विव्याध दशभिर्निशितैर्नतपर्वभिः

7.142.3

तं कर्णः प्रतिविव्याध शतेन नतपर्वणाम्
सज्यं चास्य धनुः शीघ्रं चिच्छेद लघुहस्तवत्

7.142.4

ततोऽन्यद्धनुरादाय माद्रीपुत्रः प्रतापवान्
कर्णं विव्याध विंशत्या तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

7.142.5

तस्य कर्णो हयान्हत्वा शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन द्रुतं निन्ये यमक्षयम्

7.142.6

विरथः सहदेवस्तु खड्गं चर्म समाददे
तदप्यस्य शरैः कर्णो व्यधमत्प्रहसन्निव

7.142.7

ततो गुर्वीं महाघोरां हेमचित्रां महागदाम्
प्रेषयामास समरे वैकर्तनरथं प्रति

7.142.8

तामापतन्तीं सहसा सहदेवप्रवेरिताम्
व्यष्टम्भयच्छरैः कर्णो भूमौ चैनामपातयत्

7.142.9

गदां विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा सहदेवस्त्वरान्वितः
शक्तिं चिक्षेप कर्णाय तामप्यस्याच्छिनच्छरैः

7.142.10

ससंभ्रमस्ततस्तूर्णमवप्लुत्य रथोत्तमात्
सहदेवो महाराज दृष्ट्वा कर्णं व्यवस्थितम्
रथचक्रं ततो गृह्य मुमोचाधिरथिं प्रति

7.142.11

तमापतन्तं सहसा कालचक्रमिवोद्यतम्
शरैरनेकसाहस्रैरच्छिनत्सूतनन्दनः

7.142.12

तस्मिंस्तु वितथे चक्रे कृते तेन महात्मना
वार्यमाणश्च विशिखैः सहदेवो रणं जहौ

7.142.13

तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयो मुहूर्ताद्भरतर्षभ
अब्रवीत्प्रहसन्वाक्यं सहदेवं विशां पते

7.142.14

मा युध्यस्व रणे वीर विशिष्टै रथिभिः सह
सदृशैर्युध्य माद्रेय वचो मे मा विशङ्किथाः

7.142.15

अथैनं धनुषोऽग्रेण तुदन्भूयोऽब्रवीद्वचः
एषोऽर्जुनो रणे यत्तो युध्यते कुरुभिः सह
तत्र गच्छस्व माद्रेय गृहं वा यदि मन्यसे

7.142.16

एवमुक्त्वा तु तं कर्णो रथेन रथिनां वरः
प्रायात्पाञ्चालपाण्डूनां सैन्यानि प्रहसन्निव

7.142.17

वधप्राप्तं तु माद्रेयं नावधीत्समरेऽरिहा
कुन्त्याः स्मृत्वा वचो राजन्सत्यसंधो महारथः

7.142.18

सहदेवस्ततो राजन्विमनाः शरपीडितः
कर्णवाक्शल्यतप्तश्च जीवितान्निरविद्यत

7.142.19

आरुरोह रथं चापि पाञ्चाल्यस्य महात्मनः
जनमेजयस्य समरे त्वरायुक्तो महारथः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

'Sanjaya said, 'Karna, the son of Vikartana, 1 O king, resisted the mighty car-warrior Sahadeva in that battle, who advanced from desire of getting at Drona. Piercing the son of Radha with nine shafts, Sahadeva once more pierced that warrior with nine straight arrows. Karna then pierced Sahadeva in return with a hundred straight shafts, and displaying great lightness in hand, cut off the latter's stringed bow. Then the valiant son of Madri, taking up another bow, pierced Karna with twenty arrows. This feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Then Karna, slaying Sahadeva's steeds with many straight shafts, speedily despatched the latter's driver with a broad-headed shaft, to Yama's abode. This carless Sahadeva then took up a sword and a shield. Even those weapons were cut off by Karna smiling the while. Then the mighty Sahadeva, in that encounter, sped towards the car of Vikartana's son, a heavy and terrible mace decked with gold. Karna, then with his shafts, quickly cut off that mace which hurled by Sahadeva, coursed towards him impetuously, and caused it to fall down on the earth. Beholding his mace cut off, Sahadeva quickly hurled a dart at Karna. That dart also was cut off by Karna. The son of Madri, then, quickly jumping down from his excellent car, and blazing with wrath upon beholding Karna stationed before him, took up a car-wheel and hurled it at the son of Adhiratha. The Suta's son, however, with many thousands of arrows, cut off that wheel coursing towards him like the uplifted wheel of Death. When that wheel had been cut off, Sahadeva, O sire, aiming at Karna, hurled at him the shafts of his car, the traces of his steeds, the yokes of his cars, the limbs of elephants and

steeds and dead human bodies. Karna cut off all these with his shafts. Seeing himself deprived of all weapons, Madri's son, Sahadeva, struck by Karna with many shafts, left the battle. Pursuing him for a while, the son of Radha, O bull of Bharata's race, smilingly addressed Sahadeva and said these cruel words, 'Do not, O hero, fight in battle with those that are superior to thee. Fight with thy equals, O son of Madri! Do not mistrust my words.' Then touching him with the horn of his bow, he once more said, 'Yonder, Arjuna is fighting resolutely with the Kurus in battle. Go there, O son of Madri, or return home if thou likest.' Having said those words, Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, smilingly proceeded on his car against the troops of the king of the Panchalas. The slayer of foes, that mighty car-warrior, devoted to truth, slew not the son of Madri although he had got the opportunity, recollecting the words of Kunti. Sahadeva, then, heartless and afflicted with arrows, and pierced with the wordy darts of Karna, no longer cherished any love for life. That mighty car-warrior then quickly ascended the car of Janamejaya, the illustrious prince of the Panchalas.'"

383:1 Vaikartana may also mean one who has peeled off his skin of natural armour. To preserve dramatic propriety, the Hindu commentators explain it in this sense when it occurs in any such passage, for the real origin of Karna, viz., his procreation by the deity of the sun, became known after his death.

7.142.20

विराटं सहसेनं तु द्रोणार्थे द्रुतमागतम्
मद्रराजः शरौघेण छादयामास धन्विनम्

7.142.21

तयोः समभवद्युद्धं समरे दृढधन्विनोः
यादृशं ह्यभवद्राजञ्जम्भवासवयोः पुरा

7.142.22

मद्रराजो महाराज विराटं वाहिनीपतिम्
आजघ्ने त्वरितं तीक्ष्णैः शतेन नतपर्वणाम्

7.142.23

प्रतिविव्याध तं राजा नवभिर्निशितैः शरैः
पुनश्चैव त्रिसप्तत्या भूयश्चैव शतेन ह

7.142.24

तस्य मद्राधिपो हत्वा चतुरो रथवाजिनः
सूतं ध्वजं च समरे रथोपस्थादपातयत्

7.142.25

हताश्वात्तु रथात्तूर्णमवप्लुत्य महारथः
तस्थौ विस्फारयंश्चापं विमुञ्चंश्च शिताञ्शरान्

7.142.26

शतानीकस्ततो दृष्ट्वा भ्रातरं हतवाहनम्
रथेनाभ्यपतत्तूर्णं सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः

7.142.27

शतानीकमथायान्तं मद्रराजो महामृधे
विशिखैर्बहुभिर्विद्ध्वा ततो निन्ये यमक्षयम्

7.142.28

तस्मिंस्तु निहते वीरे विराटो रथसत्तमः
आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं तमेव ध्वजमालिनम्

7.142.29

ततो विस्फार्य नयने क्रोधाद्द्विगुणविक्रमः
मद्रराजरथं तूर्णं छादयामास पत्रिभिः

7.142.30

ततो मद्राधिपः क्रुद्धः शतेन नतपर्वणाम्
आजघानोरसि दृढं विराटं वाहिनीपतिम्

7.142.31

सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्
कश्मलं चाविशत्तीव्रं विराटो भरतर्षभ
सारथिस्तमपोवाह समरे शरविक्षतम्

7.142.32

ततः सा महती सेना प्राद्रवन्निशि भारत
वध्यमाना शरशतैः शल्येनाहवशोभिना

7.142.33

तां दृष्ट्वा विद्रुतां सेनां वासुदेवधनंजयौ
प्रायातां तत्र राजेन्द्र यत्र शल्यो व्यवस्थितः

7.142.34

तौ तु प्रत्युद्ययौ राजन्राक्षसेन्द्रो ह्यलम्बुसः
अष्टचक्रसमायुक्तमास्थाय प्रवरं रथम्

7.142.35

तुरंगममुखैर्युक्तं पिशाचैर्घोरदर्शनैः
लोहितार्द्रपताकं तं रक्तमाल्यविभूषितम्
कार्ष्णायसमयं घोरमृक्षचर्मावृतं महत्

7.142.36

रौद्रेण चित्रपक्षेण विवृताक्षेण कूजता
ध्वजेनोच्छ्रिततुण्डेन गृध्रराजेन राजता

7.142.37

स बभौ राक्षसो राजन्भिन्नाञ्जनचयोपमः
रुरोधार्जुनमायान्तं प्रभञ्जनमिवाद्रिराट्
किरन्बाणगणान्राजञ्शतशोऽर्जुनमूर्धनि

7.142.38

अतितीव्रमभूद्युद्धं नरराक्षसयोर्मृधे
द्रष्टॄणां प्रीतिजननं सर्वेषां भरतर्षभ

7.142.39

तमर्जुनः शतेनैव पत्रिणामभ्यताडयत्
नवभिश्च शितैर्बाणैश्चिच्छेद ध्वजमुच्छ्रितम्

7.142.40

सारथिं च त्रिभिर्बाणैस्त्रिभिरेव त्रिवेणुकम्
धनुरेकेन चिच्छेद चतुर्भिश्चतुरो हयान्
विरथस्योद्यतं खड्गं शरेणास्य द्विधाच्छिनत्

7.142.41

अथैनं निशितैर्बाणैश्चतुर्भिर्भरतर्षभ
पार्थोऽर्दयद्राक्षसेन्द्रं स विद्धः प्राद्रवद्भयात्

7.142.42

तं विजित्यार्जुनस्तूर्णं द्रोणान्तिकमुपाययौ
किरञ्शरगणान्राजन्नरवारणवाजिषु

7.142.43

वध्यमाना महाराज पाण्डवेन यशस्विना
सैनिका न्यपतन्नुर्व्यां वातनुन्ना इव द्रुमाः

7.142.44

तेषु तूत्साद्यमानेषु फल्गुनेन महात्मना
संप्राद्रवद्बलं सर्वं पुत्राणां ते विशां पते

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'The ruler of the Madras shrouded on all sides, with clouds of shafts, Virata with his troops, who was proceeding quickly for getting at Drona. The battle that took place between those two great bowmen resembled, O king, that between Vala and Vasava in days of yore. The ruler of the Madras, O monarch, with great activity, struck Virata, that commander of a large division, with a hundred straight shafts. King Virata, in return, pierced the ruler of the Madras with nine keen arrows, and once more with three and seventy, and once again with a hundred. The ruler of the Madras, then, slaying the four steeds yoked unto Virata's car, cut down with a couple of shafts, the latter's umbrella and standard. Quickly jumping down from that steedless car, the king stood, drawing his bow and shooting keen shafts. Beholding his brother deprived of his steeds, Satanika quickly approached him on his car in the very sight of all the troops. The ruler of the Madras, however, piercing the advancing Satanika with many shafts, despatched him to the abode of Yama. Upon the fall of the heroic Satanika, Virata, that commander of a large division, ascended the fallen hero's car, decked with standard and garlands. 1 opening his eyes wide, and with prowess doubled by wrath, Virata quickly covered the car of the ruler of the Madras with winged arrows. The

ruler of the Madras then, excited with rage, deeply pierced Virata, that commander of a large division, in the chest, with a hundred straight shafts. Deeply pierced by the mighty ruler of the Madras, that great car-warrior, viz., Virata, sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. His driver, then, beholding him mangled with shafts in that encounter, bore him away. Then that vast force, O Bharata, fled away on that night, oppressed by hundreds of arrows of Salya, that ornament of battle. Beholding the troops flying away, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya quickly advanced to that spot, O monarch, where Salya was stationed. Then that prince of the Rakshasas, viz., Alamvusha, O king, riding upon a foremost car, harnessed with eight steeds, having terrible-looking Pisachas of equine faces yoked unto it, furnished with blood-red banners, decked with floral garlands made of black iron, covered with bear-skins, and possessing a tall standard over which perched a terrible, fierce-looking, and incessantly shrieking vulture, of spotted wings and wide-open eyes, proceeded against those advancing heroes. That Rakshasa, O king, looked beautiful like a loose heap of antimony, and he withstood the advancing Arjuna, like Meru withstanding a tempest, scattering showers of arrows, O monarch, upon Arjuna's head. The battle then that commenced between the Rakshasa and that human warrior, was exceedingly fierce. And it filled all the spectators there, O Bharata, with wonder. And it conduced to the joy also of vultures and crows, of ravens and owls and Kanakas and jackals. Arjuna struck Alamvusha with six shafts and then cut off his standard with ten sharp arrows. With a few other arrows, he cut off his driver, and with some others his Trivenu, and with one more, his bow, and with four others his four steeds. Alamvusha strung another bow, but that also Arjuna cut off in two fragments. Then, O bull of Bharata's race, Partha pierced that prince of the Rakshasas with four keen arrows. Thus pierced, the Rakshasas fled away in fear. Having vanquished him, Arjuna quickly proceeded towards the spot where Drona was, shooting as he went, many shafts, O king, at men, elephants, and steeds. Slaughtered O monarch, by the illustrious son of Pandu, the combatants fell down on the ground, like trees laid low by a tempest. Thus treated by the illustrious son of Pandu, all of them fled like a frightened herd of deer.'"

384:1 'The second line of 9 is read differently in the Calcutta edition. I adopt the Bombay reading.

7.143.1

संजय उवाच
शतानीकं शरैस्तूर्णं निर्दहन्तं चमूं तव
चित्रसेनस्तव सुतो वारयामास भारत

7.143.2

नाकुलिश्चित्रसेनं तु नाराचेनार्दयद्भृशम्
स च तं प्रतिविव्याध दशभिर्निशितैः शरैः

7.143.3

चित्रसेनो महाराज शतानीकं पुनर्युधि
नवभिर्निशितैर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे

7.143.4

नाकुलिस्तस्य विशिखैर्वर्म संनतपर्वभिः
गात्रात्संच्यावयामास तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्

7.143.5

सोऽपेतवर्मा पुत्रस्ते विरराज भृशं नृप
उत्सृज्य काले राजेन्द्र निर्मोकमिव पन्नगः

7.143.6

ततोऽस्य निशितैर्बाणैर्ध्वजं चिच्छेद नाकुलिः
धनुश्चैव महाराज यतमानस्य संयुगे

7.143.7

स छिन्नधन्वा समरे विवर्मा च महारथः
धनुरन्यन्महाराज जग्राहारिविदारणम्

7.143.8

ततस्तूर्णं चित्रसेनो नाकुलिं नवभिः शरैः
विव्याध समरे क्रुद्धो भरतानां महारथः

7.143.9

शतानीकोऽथ संक्रुद्धश्चित्रसेनस्य मारिष
जघान चतुरो वाहान्सारथिं च नरोत्तमः

7.143.10

अवप्लुत्य रथात्तस्माच्चित्रसेनो महारथः
नाकुलिं पञ्चविंशत्या शराणामार्दयद्बली

7.143.11

तस्य तत्कुर्वतः कर्म नकुलस्य सुतो रणे
अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद चापं रत्नविभूषितम्

7.143.12

स छिन्नधन्वा विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः
आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं हार्दिक्यस्य महात्मनः

7.143.13

द्रुपदं तु सहानीकं द्रोणप्रेप्सुं महारथम्
वृषसेनोऽभ्ययात्तूर्णं किरञ्शरशतैस्तदा

7.143.14

यज्ञसेनस्तु समरे कर्णपुत्रं महारथम्
षष्ट्या शराणां विव्याध बाह्वोरुरसि चानघ

7.143.15

वृषसेनस्तु संक्रुद्धो यज्ञसेनं रथे स्थितम्
बहुभिः सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैराजघान स्तनान्तरे

7.143.16

तावुभौ शरनुन्नाङ्गौ शरकण्टकिनौ रणे
व्यभ्राजेतां महाराज श्वाविधौ शललैरिव

7.143.17

रुक्मपुङ्खैरजिह्माग्रैः शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदौ
रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नौ व्यभ्राजेतां महामृधे

7.143.18

तपनीयनिभौ चित्रौ कल्पवृक्षाविवाद्भुतौ
किंशुकाविव चोत्फुल्लौ व्यकाशेतां रणाजिरे

7.143.19

वृषसेनस्ततो राजन्नवभिर्द्रुपदं शरैः
विद्ध्वा विव्याध सप्तत्या पुनश्चान्यैस्त्रिभिः शरैः

7.143.20

ततः शरसहस्राणि विमुञ्चन्विबभौ तदा
कर्णपुत्रो महाराज वर्षमाण इवाम्बुदः

7.143.21

ततस्तु द्रुपदानीकं शरैश्छिन्नतनुच्छदम्
संप्राद्रवद्रणे राजन्निशीथे भैरवे सति

7.143.22

प्रदीपैर्हि परित्यक्तैर्ज्वलद्भिस्तैः समन्ततः
व्यराजत मही राजन्वीताभ्रा द्यौरिव ग्रहैः

7.143.23

तथाङ्गदैर्निपतितैर्व्यराजत वसुंधरा
प्रावृट्काले महाराज विद्युद्भिरिव तोयदः

7.143.24

ततः कर्णसुतत्रस्ताः सोमका विप्रदुद्रुवुः
यथेन्द्रभयवित्रस्ता दानवास्तारकामये

7.143.25

तेनार्द्यमानाः समरे द्रवमाणाश्च सोमकाः
व्यराजन्त महाराज प्रदीपैरवभासिताः

7.143.26

तांस्तु निर्जित्य समरे कर्णपुत्रो व्यरोचत
मध्यंदिनमनुप्राप्तो घर्मांशुरिव भारत

7.143.27

तेषु राजसहस्रेषु तावकेषु परेषु च
एक एव ज्वलंस्तस्थौ वृषसेनः प्रतापवान्

7.143.28

स विजित्य रणे शूरान्सोमकानां महारथान्
जगाम त्वरितस्तत्र यत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरः

7.143.29

प्रतिविन्ध्यमथ क्रुद्धं प्रदहन्तं रणे रिपून्
दुःशासनस्तव सुतः प्रत्युद्गच्छन्महारथः

7.143.30

तयोः समागमो राजंश्चित्ररूपो बभूव ह
व्यपेतजलदे व्योम्नि बुधभार्गवयोरिव

7.143.31

प्रतिविन्ध्यं तु समरे कुर्वाणं कर्म दुष्करम्
दुःशासनस्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्ललाटे समविध्यत

7.143.32

सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता पुत्रेण तव धन्विना
विरराज महाबाहुः सशृङ्ग इव पर्वतः

7.143.33

दुःशासनं तु समरे प्रतिविन्ध्यो महारथः
नवभिः सायकैर्विद्ध्वा पुनर्विव्याध सप्तभिः

7.143.34

तत्र भारत पुत्रस्ते कृतवान्कर्म दुष्करम्
प्रतिविन्ध्यहयानुग्रैः पातयामास यच्छरैः

7.143.35

सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन ध्वजं च समपातयत्
रथं च शतशो राजन्व्यधमत्तस्य धन्विनः

7.143.36

पताकाश्च स तूणीरान्रश्मीन्योक्त्राणि चाभिभो
चिच्छेद तिलशः क्रुद्धः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

7.143.37

विरथः स तु धर्मात्मा धनुष्पाणिरवस्थितः
अयोधयत्तव सुतं किरञ्शरशतान्बहून्

7.143.38

क्षुरप्रेण धनुस्तस्य चिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत्
अथैनं दशभिर्भल्लैश्छिन्नधन्वानमार्दयत्

7.143.39

तं दृष्ट्वा विरथं तत्र भ्रातरोऽस्य महारथाः
अन्ववर्तन्त वेगेन महत्या सेनया सह

7.143.40

आप्लुतः स ततो यानं सुतसोमस्य भास्वरम्
धनुर्गृह्य महाराज विव्याध तनयं तव

7.143.41

ततस्तु तावकाः सर्वे परिवार्य सुतं तव
अभ्यवर्तन्त संग्रामे महत्या सेनया वृताः

7.143.42

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तव तेषां च भारत
निशीथे दारुणे काले यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Thy son, Chitrasena, O Bharata, resisted (Nakula's son) Satanika who was engaged in scorching thy host with his keen shafts. Nakula's son pierced Chitrasena with five arrows. The letter then pierced the former in return with ten whetted shafts. And once more Chitrasena, O monarch, in that battle, pierced Satanika in the chest with nine keen

shafts. Then the son of Nakula with many straight shafts cut Chitrasena's armour from off his body. This feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Divested of his armour, thy son, O king, looked exceedingly beautiful, like a snake, O monarch, having cast off his slough at the proper season. Then Nakula's son, with many keen shafts, cut off the struggling Chitrasena's standard, and then his bow, O monarch, in that encounter. His bow cut off in that combat, and deprived also of his armour, that mighty car-warrior, then, O king, took up another bow capable of piercing every foe. Then Chitrasena, that mighty car-warrior amongst the Bharata's, quickly pierced the son of Nakula with many straight arrows. Then mighty Satanika, excited with rage, O Bharata, slew the four steeds of Chitrasena and then his driver. The illustrious Chitrasena, endued with great strength, jumping down from that car, afflicted the son of Nakula with five and twenty arrows. Then Nakula's son with a crescent-shaped arrow, cut off in that combat the gold-decked bow of Chitrasena while the latter was engaged in thus striking him. Bowless and carless and steedless and driverless, Chitrasena then quickly ascended the car of the illustrious son Hridika.

"Vrishasena, O king, rushed with great speed, scattering shafts in hundreds, against the mighty car-warrior Drupada, advancing at the head of his troops against Drona. 1 Yajnasena, in that encounter pierced that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Karna in the arms and the chest, O lord, with sixty arrows. Vrishasena, then, excited with rage, quickly pierced Yajnasena, standing on his car, with many shafts in the centre of the chest. Those two warriors mangled by arrows, and with shafts sticking to their bodies, looked beautiful like a couple of porcupines with their quills erect. Bathed in blood in consequence of the wounds caused by those straight arrows of keen points and golden wings, they looked exceedingly beautiful in that dreadful encounter. Indeed, the spectacle they presented was that of a couple of beautiful and radiant Kalpa trees or of a couple of Kinsukas rich with their flowery burthens. Then Vrishasena, O king, having pierced Drupada with nine arrows, once more pierced him with seventy, and then again with three other arrows. Then shooting thousands of arrows, Karna's son, O monarch, looked beautiful in that battle, like a cloud pouring torrents of rain. Then Drupada, inflamed with wrath, cut off Vrishasena's bow into two fragments, with a broad-headed arrow, sharp and well-tempered. Taking, then, another gold-decked bow that was new and strong, and drawing out of his quiver a strong, whetted, well-tempered, sharp and broad-headed arrow, and fixing it on his string, and carefully aiming it-at Drupada, he let it off with great force, inspiring all the Somakas with fear. That arrow, piercing through the breast of Drupada, fell on the surface of the earth. The king (of the Panchalas), then, thus pierced through with Vrishasena's arrow, swooned away. His driver, then, recollecting his own duty, bore him away from

the field. After the retreat, O monarch, of that mighty car-warrior of the Panchalas, the (Kaurava) army, on that terrible night, rushed furiously against Drupada's troops whose coats of mail had been cut off by means of the arrows of the foe. In consequence of the blazing lamps dropped by the combatants all around, the earth, O king, looked beautiful like the cloudless firmament bespangled with planets and stars. With the fallen Angadas of the combatants, the earth looked resplendent, O king, like a mass of clouds in the rainy season with flashes of lightning. Afflicted with the fear of Karna's son, the Panchalas fled away on all sides, like the Danavas from fear of Indra in the great battle of yore between the gods and the Asuras. Thus afflicted in battle by Vrishasena, the Panchalas and the Somakas, O monarch, illumined by lamps, looked exceedingly beautiful. 1 Having vanquished them in battle, Karna's son looked beautiful like the son, O Bharata, when he reaches the meridian. Amongst all those thousands of kings of thy side and their the valiant Vrishasena then seemed to be the only resplendent luminary. Having defeated in battle many heroes and all the mighty car-warriors among the Somakas, he quickly proceeded, O king, to the spot where king Yudhishthira was stationed.

"Thy son Duhsasana proceeded against that mighty car-warrior, viz., Prativindhya, who was advancing (against Drona), scorching his foes in battle. The encounter that took place between them, O king, looked beautiful, like that of Mercury and Venus in the cloudless firmament. Duhsasana pierced Prativindhya, who was accomplishing fierce feats in battle, with three arrows on the forehead. Deeply pierced by that mighty bowman, thy son, Prativindhya, O monarch, looked beautiful like a crested hill. The mighty car-warrior Prativindhya, then, piercing Duhsasana with three arrows, once more pierced him with seven, Thy son, then, O Bharata, achieved there an exceedingly difficult feat, for he felled Prativindhya's steeds with many arrows. With another broad-headed arrow he also felled the latter's driver, and then his standard. And then he cut off, O king, into a thousand fragments the car of Prativindhya, armed with the bow. Excited with rage, O lord, thy son also cut off, with his straight shafts, into numberless fragments the banner, the quivers, the strings, and the traces (of his antagonist's car). Deprived of his car, the virtuous Prativindhya stood, bow in hand, and contended with thy son scattering numberless arrows. Then Duhsasana, displaying great lightness of hand, cut off Prativindhya's bow. And then he afflicted his bowless antagonist with ten shafts. Beholding their brother, (Prativindhya) in that plight, his brothers, all mighty car-warriors, rushed impetuously to that spot with a large force. He then ascended the resplendent of Sutasoma. Taking up another bow, he continued, O king, to pierce thy son. Then many warriors on thy side, accompanied by a large force, rushed impetuously and surrounded thy son (for rescuing him). Then commenced a

fierce battle between thy troops and theirs, O Bharata, at that dreadful hour of midnight, increasing the population of Yama's kingdom.'"

386:1 In the second line of 13, Avyayatturnam instead of Maharaja is the correct reading.

387:1 This sloka seems to be a vicious one.

7.144.1

संजय उवाच
नकुलं रभसं युद्धे निघ्नन्तं वाहिनीं तव
अभ्ययात्सौबलः क्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.144.2

कृतवैरौ तु तौ वीरावन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणौ
शरैः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैरन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः

7.144.3

यथैव सौबलः क्षिप्रं शरवर्षाणि मुञ्चति
तथैव नकुलो राजञ्शिक्षां संदर्शयन्युधि

7.144.4

तावुभौ समरे शूरौ शरकण्टकिनौ तदा
व्यराजेतां महाराज कण्टकैरिव शाल्मली

7.144.5

सुजिह्मं प्रेक्षमाणौ च राजन्विवृतलोचनौ
क्रोधसंरक्तनयनौ निर्दहन्तौ परस्परम्

7.144.6

स्यालस्तु तव संक्रुद्धो माद्रीपुत्रं हसन्निव
कर्णिनैकेन विव्याध हृदये निशितेन ह

7.144.7

नकुलस्तु भृशं विद्धः स्यालेन तव धन्विना
निषसाद रथोपस्थे कश्मलं चैनमाविशत्

7.144.8

अत्यन्तवैरिणं दृप्तं दृष्ट्वा शत्रुं तथागतम्
ननाद शकुनी राजंस्तपान्ते जलदो यथा

7.144.9

प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां नकुलः पाण्डुनन्दनः
अभ्ययात्सौबलं भूयो व्यात्तानन इवान्तकः

7.144.10

संक्रुद्धः शकुनिं षष्ट्या विव्याध भरतर्षभ
पुनश्चैव शतेनैव नाराचानां स्तनान्तरे

7.144.11

ततोऽस्य सशरं चापं मुष्टिदेशे स चिच्छिदे
ध्वजं च त्वरितं छित्त्वा रथाद्भूमावपातयत्

7.144.12

सोऽतिविद्धो महाराज रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्
तं विसंज्ञं निपतितं दृष्ट्वा स्यालं तवानघ
अपोवाह रथेनाशु सारथिर्ध्वजिनीमुखात्

7.144.13

ततः संचुक्रुशुः पार्था ये च तेषां पदानुगाः
निर्जित्य च रणे शत्रून्नकुलः शत्रुतापनः
अब्रवीत्सारथिं क्रुद्धो द्रोणानीकाय मां वह

7.144.14

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा माद्रीपुत्रस्य धीमतः
प्रायात्तेन रणे राजन्येन द्रोणोऽन्वयुध्यत

7.144.15

शिखण्डिनं तु समरे द्रोणप्रेप्सुं विशां पते
कृपः शारद्वतो यत्तः प्रत्युद्गच्छत्सुवेगितः

7.144.16

गौतमं द्रुतमायान्तं द्रोणान्तिकमरिंदमम्
विव्याध नवभिर्भल्लैः शिखण्डी प्रहसन्निव

7.144.17

तमाचार्यो महाराज विद्ध्वा पञ्चभिराशुगैः
पुनर्विव्याध विंशत्या पुत्राणां प्रियकृत्तव

7.144.18

महद्युद्धं तयोरासीद्घोररूपं विशां पते
यथा देवासुरे युद्धे शम्बरामरराजयोः

7.144.19

शरजालावृतं व्योम चक्रतुस्तौ महारथौ
प्रकृत्या घोररूपं तदासीद्घोरतरं पुनः

7.144.20

रात्रिश्च भरतश्रेष्ठ योधानां युद्धशालिनाम्
कालरात्रिनिभा ह्यासीद्घोररूपा भयावहा

7.144.21

शिखण्डी तु महाराज गौतमस्य महद्धनुः
अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद सज्यं सविशिखं तदा

7.144.22

तस्य क्रुद्धः कृपो राजञ्शक्तिं चिक्षेप दारुणाम्
स्वर्णदण्डामकुण्ठाग्रां कर्मारपरिमार्जिताम्

7.144.23

तामापतन्तीं चिच्छेद शिखण्डी बहुभिः शरैः
सापतन्मेदिनीं दीप्ता भासयन्ती महाप्रभा

7.144.24

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय गौतमो रथिनां वरः
प्राच्छादयच्छितैर्बाणैर्महाराज शिखण्डिनम्

7.144.25

स छाद्यमानः समरे गौतमेन यशस्विना
व्यषीदत रथोपस्थे शिखण्डी रथिनां वरः

7.144.26

सीदन्तं चैनमालोक्य कृपः शारद्वतो युधि
आजघ्ने बहुभिर्बाणैर्जिघांसन्निव भारत

7.144.27

विमुखं तं रणे दृष्ट्वा याज्ञसेनिं महारथम्
पाञ्चालाः सोमकाश्चैव परिवव्रुः समन्ततः

7.144.28

तथैव तव पुत्राश्च परिवव्रुर्द्विजोत्तमम्
महत्या सेनया सार्धं ततो युद्धमभूत्पुनः

7.144.29

रथानां च रणे राजन्नन्योन्यमभिधावताम्
बभूव तुमुलः शब्दो मेघानां नदतामिव

7.144.30

द्रवतां सादिनां चैव गजानां च विशां पते
अन्योन्यमभितो राजन्क्रूरमायोधनं बभौ

7.144.31

पत्तीनां द्रवतां चैव पदशब्देन मेदिनी
अकम्पत महाराज भयत्रस्तेव चाङ्गना

7.144.32

रथा रथान्समासाद्य प्रद्रुता वेगवत्तरम्
न्यगृह्णन्बहवो राजञ्शलभान्वायसा इव

7.144.33

तथा गजान्प्रभिन्नांश्च सुप्रभिन्ना महागजाः
तस्मिन्नेव पदे यत्ता निगृह्णन्ति स्म भारत

7.144.34

सादी सादिनमासाद्य पदाती च पदातिनम्
समासाद्य रणेऽन्योन्यं संरब्धा नातिचक्रमुः

7.144.35

धावतां द्रवतां चैव पुनरावर्ततामपि
बभूव तत्र सैन्यानां शब्दः सुतुमुलो निशि

7.144.36

दीप्यमानाः प्रदीपाश्च रथवारणवाजिषु
अदृश्यन्त महाराज महोल्का इव खाच्च्युताः

7.144.37

सा निशा भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रदीपैरवभासिता
दिवसप्रतिमा राजन्बभूव रणमूर्धनि

7.144.38

आदित्येन यथा व्याप्तं तमो लोके प्रणश्यति
तथा नष्टं तमो घोरं दीपैर्दीप्तैरलंकृतम्

7.144.39

शस्त्राणां कवचानां च मणीनां च महात्मनाम्
अन्तर्दधुः प्रभाः सर्वा दीपैस्तैरवभासिताः

7.144.40

तस्मिन्कोलाहले युद्धे वर्तमाने निशामुखे
अवधीत्समरे पुत्रं पिता भरतसत्तम

7.144.41

पुत्रश्च पितरं मोहात्सखायं च सखा तथा
संबन्धिनं च संबन्धी स्वस्रीयं चापि मातुलः

7.144.42

स्वे स्वान्परे परांश्चापि निजघ्नुरितरेतरम्
निर्मर्यादमभूद्युद्धं रात्रौ घोरं भयावहम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Against Nakula who was engaged in smiting thy host, Suvala's son (Sakuni) in wrath, rushed with great impetuosity and addressing him, said, 'Wait! Wait!' Each enraged with the other and each desirous of slaying the other, those two heroes struck each other with shafts sped from their bows drawn to their fullest stretch. Suvala's son in that encounter displayed the same measure of skill that Nakula displayed, O king, in shooting showers of arrows. Both pierced with arrows, O king, in that battle, they looked beautiful like a couple of porcupines with quills erect on their bodies. The armour of each cut off by means of shafts with straight points and golden wings, and each bathed in blood, those two warriors looked resplendent in that dreadful battle like two beautiful and brilliant Kalpa trees, or like two flowering Kinsukas on the field of battle. Indeed, O king, those two heroes in that encounter, both pierced with arrows, looked beautiful like a couple of Salmali trees with prickly thorns on them. Casting oblique glances at each other, with eyes expanded in rage, whose corners had become red, they seemed to scorch each other by those glances. Then thy brother-in-law, excited with wrath, and smiling the while, pierced Madri's son in the chest with a barbed arrow of keen point. Deeply pierced by that great bowman, viz., thy brother-in-law, Nakula sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. Beholding his proud foe, that mortal enemy of his in that plight, Sakuni uttered a roar loud as that of the clouds at the end of summer. Recovering consciousness, Nakula, the son of Pandu, once more rushed against Suvala's son, like the Destroyer himself of wide-open mouth. Inflamed with rage, O bull of Bharata's race, he pierced Sakuni with sixty arrows, and more with a hundred long shafts at the centre of his chest. He then cut off Sakuni's bow with arrow fixed thereon, into two fragments, at the handle. And then cutting off in a trice Sakuni's standard, he caused it to fall down on the earth. Piercing next Sakuni's thigh with keen, sharp, and well-tempered shafts, Nakula, the son of Pandu, caused him to fall down on the terrace of his car, clasping his flag-staff, like an amorous man clasping his mistress. Beholding that brother-in-law of thine laid low and deprived of consciousness, O sinless one, his driver quickly bore him away from the van of battle. The Parthas, then, and all their followers, uttered a loud roar. Having vanquished his foes, Nakula, that scorcher of foes, addressing his driver, said, 'Beat me to the host commanded by Drona.' Hearing these words of Madri's son, his driver proceeded to

the spot, O king, where Drona was stationed. 1 Against mighty Sikhandin proceeding towards Drona, Kripa resolutely advanced with great impetuosity. That chastiser of foes, viz., Sikhandin, then, smiling the while, pierced with nine arrows the son of Gotama thus advancing against him towards the vicinity of Drona. Then the preceptor, Kripa, that benefactor of thy sons, piercing Sikhandin first with five arrows, once more pierced him with twenty. The combat that took place, O monarch, between them, was exceedingly dreadful, like that between Samvara and the chief of the celestials in the battle between the gods and the Asuras. Those heroic and mighty car-warriors, both invincible in battle, covered the welkin with their arrows, like clouds covering the welkin on the expiry or summer. Terrible of itself, that night, O chief of the Bharatas, became more terrible still to the heroic combatants engaged in battle. Indeed, of terrible aspects and inspiring all sorts of fear, that night became, as it were, death-night (of all creatures). Then Sikhandin, O king, cut off, with a crescent-shaped arrow, the large bow of Gotama's son and shot at the latter many whetted shafts. Inflamed with wrath, O monarch, Kripa then sped at his antagonist a fierce dart, equipped with a golden shaft and keen point, and polished by the hands of the smith. Sikhandin, however, cut it off with ten shafts as it coursed towards him. That dart, then, decked with gold (thus cut off), fell down on the earth. Then Gautama, foremost of men, taking up another bow, O king, covered Sikhandin with a large number of whetted shafts. Thus covered in that battle by the illustrious son of Gotama, Sikhandin, that foremost of car-warriors sank on the terrace of his car. Beholding him thus weakened, Kripa in that encounter, struck him with many arrows, from desire of slaying him, O Bharata! (Sikhandin then was borne away by his driver). Beholding that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Yajnasena retreating from battle, the Panchalas and the Somakas surrounded him on all sides (for rescuing him). Similarly, thy sons also surrounded that foremost of Brahmans, Kripa, with a large force. Then commenced a battle once more, between car-warriors, O king, that struck one another. The uproar that rose became loud as the roaring of clouds, O Bharata, caused by rushing horsemen and elephants, O monarch, smiting one another down. Then, O king, the field of battle looked exceedingly fierce. With the tread of rushing infantry the earth began to tremble, O monarch, like a lady shaken with fear. Car-warriors, mounting on their cars, rushed impetuously, attacking compeers by their thousands, O king, like crows seizing winged insects (in the air). Similarly, mighty elephants with winy exudation down their bodies, pursuing similar elephants, encountered them, O Bharata, furiously. So also, horsemen, coming upon horsemen, and foot-soldiers angrily encountered one another in that battle. At dead of night, the sound of retreating and the rushing of troops and of those coming again to the encounter became deafening. The blazing lamps also, placed on cars and elephants and steeds, seemed,

[paragraph continues] O king, large meteors falling from the firmament. That night, O chief of the Bharatas, lightened up by those lamps looked like day, O king, on the field of battle. As the sun, encountering the thick gloom, destroys it completely, even so the thick gloom of the battle was destroyed by those blazing lamps. Indeed, the welkin, the earth, the cardinal and the subsidiary points of the compass, enveloped by dust and darkness, became once more illuminated by that light. The splendour of weapons and coats of mail, and of the jewels of illustrious heroes, became overshadowed, by the light of those blazing lamps. During the progress of that fierce battle at night, none of the combatants, O Bharata, could know the warriors of his own side. Sire, O chief of the Bharatas, slew son, and son, from ignorance, slew sire, and friend slew friend. And relatives slew relatives, and maternal uncles slew sisters' sons, and warriors slew warriors of their own side, and foes slew their own men, in that battle, O Bharata. In that dreadful nocturnal encounter, O king, all fought furiously, ceasing to have any regard for one another.'"

389:1 Yena and tena here are equal to yatra and tatra.

7.145.1

संजय उवाच
तस्मिन्सुतुमुले युद्धे वर्तमाने भयावहे
धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज द्रोणमेवाभ्यवर्तत

7.145.2

संमृजानो धनुः श्रेष्ठं ज्यां विकर्षन्पुनः पुनः
अभ्यवर्तत द्रोणस्य रथं रुक्मविभूषितम्

7.145.3

धृष्टद्युम्नं तदायान्तं द्रोणस्यान्तचिकीर्षया
परिवव्रुर्महाराज पाञ्चालाः पाण्डवैः सह

7.145.4

तथा परिवृतं दृष्ट्वा द्रोणमाचार्यसत्तमम्
पुत्रास्ते सर्वतो यत्ता ररक्षुर्द्रोणमाहवे

7.145.5

बलार्णवौ ततस्तौ तु समेयातां निशामुखे
वातोद्धूतौ क्षुब्धसत्त्वौ भैरवौ सागराविव

7.145.6

ततो द्रोणं महाराज पाञ्चाल्यः पञ्चभिः शरैः
विव्याध हृदये तूर्णं सिंहनादं ननाद च

7.145.7

तं द्रोणः पञ्चविंशत्या विद्ध्वा भारत संयुगे
चिच्छेदान्येन भल्लेन धनुरस्य महाप्रभम्

7.145.8

धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु निर्विद्धो द्रोणेन भरतर्षभ
उत्ससर्ज धनुस्तूर्णं संदश्य दशनच्छदम्

7.145.9

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्
आददेऽन्यद्धनुः श्रेष्ठं द्रोणस्यान्तचिकीर्षया

7.145.10

विकृष्य च धनुश्चित्रमाकर्णात्परवीरहा
द्रोणस्यान्तकरं घोरं व्यसृजत्सायकं ततः

7.145.11

स विसृष्टो बलवता शरो घोरो महामृधे
भासयामास तत्सैन्यं दिवाकर इवोदितः

7.145.12

तं दृष्ट्वा तु शरं घोरं देवगन्धर्वमानवाः
स्वस्त्यस्तु समरे राजन्द्रोणायेत्यब्रुवन्वचः

7.145.13

तं तु सायकमप्राप्तमाचार्यस्य रथं प्रति
कर्णो द्वादशधा राजंश्चिच्छेद कृतहस्तवत्

7.145.14

स छिन्नो बहुधा राजन्सूतपुत्रेण मारिष
निपपात शरस्तूर्णं निकृत्तः कर्णसायकैः

7.145.15

छित्त्वा तु समरे बाणं शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
धृष्टद्युम्नं रणे कर्णो विव्याध दशभिः शरैः

7.145.16

पञ्चभिर्द्रोणपुत्रस्तु स्वयं द्रोणश्च सप्तभिः
शल्यश्च नवभिर्बाणैस्त्रिभिर्दुःशासनस्तथा

7.145.17

दुर्योधनश्च विंशत्या शकुनिश्चापि पञ्चभिः
पाञ्चाल्यं त्वरिताविध्यन्सर्व एव महारथाः

7.145.18

स विद्धः सप्तभिर्वीरैर्द्रोणत्राणार्थमाहवे
सर्वानसंभ्रमाद्राजन्प्रत्यविध्यत्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः
द्रोणं द्रौणिं च कर्णं च विव्याध तव चात्मजम्

7.145.19

ते विद्ध्वा धन्विना तेन धृष्टद्युम्नं पुनर्मृधे
विव्यधुः पञ्चभिस्तूर्णमेकैको रथिनां वरः

7.145.20

द्रुमसेनस्तु संक्रुद्धो राजन्विव्याध पत्रिणा
त्रिभिश्चान्यैः शरैस्तूर्णं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.145.21

स तु तं प्रतिविव्याध त्रिभिस्तीक्ष्णैरजिह्मगैः
स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाधौतैः प्राणान्तकरणैर्युधि

7.145.22

भल्लेनान्येन तु पुनः सुवर्णोज्ज्वलकुण्डलम्
उन्ममाथ शिरः कायाद्द्रुमसेनस्य वीर्यवान्

7.145.23

तच्छिरो न्यपतद्भूमौ संदष्टौष्ठपुटं रणे
महावातसमुद्धूतं पक्वं तालफलं यथा

7.145.24

तांश्च विद्ध्वा पुनर्वीरान्वीरः सुनिशितैः शरैः
राधेयस्याच्छिनद्भल्लैः कार्मुकं चित्रयोधिनः

7.145.25

न तु तन्ममृषे कर्णो धनुषश्छेदनं तथा
निकर्तनमिवात्युग्रो लाङ्गूलस्य यथा हरिः

7.145.26

सोऽन्यद्धनुः समादाय क्रोधरक्तेक्षणः श्वसन्
अभ्यवर्षच्छरौघैस्तं धृष्टद्युम्नं महाबलम्

7.145.27

दृष्ट्वा तु कर्णं संरब्धं ते वीराः षड्रथर्षभाः
पाञ्चाल्यपुत्रं त्वरिताः परिवव्रुर्जिघांसया

7.145.28

षण्णां योधप्रवीराणां तावकानां पुरस्कृतम्
मृत्योरास्यमनुप्राप्तं धृष्टद्युम्नममंस्महि

7.145.29

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु दाशार्हो विकिरञ्शरान्
धृष्टद्युम्नं पराक्रान्तं सात्यकिः प्रत्यपद्यत

7.145.30

तमायान्तं महेष्वासं सात्यकिं युद्धदुर्मदम्
राधेयो दशभिर्बाणैः प्रत्यविध्यदजिह्मगैः

7.145.31

तं सात्यकिर्महाराज विव्याध दशभिः शरैः
पश्यतां सर्ववीराणां मा गास्तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.145.32

स सात्यकेस्तु बलिनः कर्णस्य च महात्मनः
आसीत्समागमो घोरो बलिवासवयोरिव

7.145.33

त्रासयंस्तलघोषेण क्षत्रियान्क्षत्रियर्षभः
राजीवलोचनं कर्णं सात्यकिः प्रत्यविध्यत

7.145.34

कम्पयन्निव घोषेण धनुषो वसुधां बली
सूतपुत्रो महाराज सात्यकिं प्रत्ययोधयत्

7.145.35

विपाठकर्णिनाराचैर्वत्सदन्तैः क्षुरैरपि
कर्णः शरशतैश्चापि शैनेयं प्रत्यविध्यत

7.145.36

तथैव युयुधानोऽपि वृष्णीनां प्रवरो रथः
अभ्यवर्षच्छरैः कर्णं तद्युद्धमभवत्समम्

7.145.37

तावकाश्च महाराज कर्णपुत्रश्च दंशितः
सात्यकिं विव्यधुस्तूर्णं समन्तान्निशितैः शरैः

7.145.38

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य तेषां कर्णस्य चाभिभो
अविध्यत्सात्यकिः क्रुद्धो वृषसेनं स्तनान्तरे

7.145.39

तेन बाणेन निर्विद्धो वृषसेनो विशां पते
न्यपतत्स रथे मूढो धनुरुत्सृज्य वीर्यवान्

7.145.40

ततः कर्णो हतं मत्वा वृषसेनं महारथः
पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तः सात्यकिं प्रत्यपीडयत्

7.145.41

पीड्यमानस्तु कर्णेन युयुधानो महारथः
विव्याध बहुभिः कर्णं त्वरमाणः पुनः पुनः

7.145.42

स कर्णं दशभिर्विद्ध्वा वृषसेनं च सप्तभिः
सहस्तावापधनुषी तयोश्चिच्छेद सात्वतः

7.145.43

तावन्ये धनुषी सज्ये कृत्वा शत्रुभयंकरे
युयुधानमविध्येतां समन्तान्निशितैः शरैः

7.145.44

वर्तमाने तु संग्रामे तस्मिन्वीरवरक्षये
अतीव शुश्रुवे राजन्गाण्डीवस्य महास्वनः

7.145.45

श्रुत्वा तु रथनिर्घोषं गाण्डीवस्य च निस्वनम्
सूतपुत्रोऽब्रवीद्राजन्दुर्योधनमिदं वचः

7.145.46

एष सर्वाञ्शिबीन्हत्वा मुख्यशश्च नरर्षभान्
पौरवांश्च महेष्वासान्गाण्डीवनिनदो महान्

7.145.47

श्रूयते रथघोषश्च वासवस्येव नर्दतः
करोति पाण्डवो व्यक्तं कर्मौपयिकमात्मनः

7.145.48

एषा विदीर्यते राजन्बहुधा भारती चमूः
विप्रकीर्णान्यनीकानि नावतिष्ठन्ति कर्हिचित्

7.145.49

वातेनेव समुद्धूतमभ्रजालं विदीर्यते
सव्यसाचिनमासाद्य भिन्ना नौरिव सागरे

7.145.50

द्रवतां योधमुख्यानां गाण्डीवप्रेषितैः शरैः
विद्धानां शतशो राजञ्श्रूयते निनदो महान्
निशीथे राजशार्दूल स्तनयित्नोरिवाम्बरे

7.145.51

हाहाकाररवांश्चैव सिंहनादांश्च पुष्कलान्
शृणु शब्दान्बहुविधानर्जुनस्य रथं प्रति

7.145.52

अयं मध्ये स्थितोऽस्माकं सात्यकिः सात्वताधमः
इह चेल्लभ्यते लक्ष्यं कृत्स्नाञ्जेष्यामहे परान्

7.145.53

एष पाञ्चालराजस्य पुत्रो द्रोणेन संगतः
सर्वतः संवृतो योधै राजन्पुरुषसत्तमैः

7.145.54

सात्यकिं यदि हन्यामो धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम्
असंशयं महाराज ध्रुवो नो विजयो भवेत्

7.145.55

सौभद्रवदिमौ वीरौ परिवार्य महारथौ
प्रयतामो महाराज निहन्तुं वृष्णिपार्षतौ

7.145.56

सव्यसाची पुरोऽभ्येति द्रोणानीकाय भारत
संसक्तं सात्यकिं ज्ञात्वा बहुभिः कुरुपुंगवैः

7.145.57

तत्र गच्छन्तु बहवः प्रवरा रथसत्तमाः
यावत्पार्थो न जानाति सात्यकिं बहुभिर्वृतम्

7.145.58

ते त्वरध्वं यथा शूराः शराणां मोक्षणे भृशम्
यथा तूर्णं व्रजत्येष परलोकाय माधवः

7.145.59

कर्णस्य मतमाज्ञाय पुत्रस्ते प्राह सौबलम्
यथेन्द्रः समरे राजन्प्राह विष्णुं यशस्विनम्

7.145.60

वृतः सहस्रैर्दशभिर्गजानामनिवर्तिनाम्
रथैश्च दशसाहस्रैर्वृतो याहि धनंजयम्

7.145.61

दुःशासनो दुर्विषहः सुबाहुर्दुष्प्रधर्षणः
एते त्वामनुयास्यन्ति पत्तिभिर्बहुभिर्वृताः

7.145.62

जहि कृष्णौ महाबाहो धर्मराजं च मातुल
नकुलं सहदेवं च भीमसेनं च भारत

7.145.63

देवानामिव देवेन्द्रे जयाशा मे त्वयि स्थिता
जहि मातुल कौन्तेयानसुरानिव पावकिः

7.145.64

एवमुक्तो ययौ पार्थान्पुत्रेण तव सौबलः
महत्या सेनया सार्धं तव पुत्रैस्तथा विभो

7.145.65

प्रियार्थं तव पुत्राणां दिधक्षुः पाण्डुनन्दनान्
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तावकानां परैः सह

7.145.66

प्रयाते सौबले राजन्पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्
बलेन महता युक्तः सूतपुत्रस्तु सात्वतम्

7.145.67

अभ्ययात्त्वरितं युद्धे किरञ्शरशतान्बहून्
तथैव पाण्डवाः सर्वे सात्यकिं पर्यवारयन्

7.145.68

महद्युद्धं तदासीत्तु द्रोणस्य निशि भारत
धृष्टद्युम्नेन शूरेण पाञ्चालैश्च महात्मनः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'In that fierce and terrible battle, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, proceeded against Drona. Holding his formidable bow and repeatedly stretching his bowstring, the Panchala prince rushed towards Drona's car decked with gold. And as Dhrishtadyumna proceeded for accomplishing the destruction of Drona, the Panchalas and the Pandavas, O king, surrounded him. Beholding Drona, that foremost of preceptors, thus assailed, thy son, resolutely contending in battle, protected Drona on all sides. Then those two oceans of troops encountered each other on that night, looked like two terrible oceans lashed into fury by tempest, with all living creatures within them exceedingly agitated. Then the prince of the Panchalas, O king, quickly pierced Drona in the chest with five arrows and uttered a leonine roar. Drona, however, O Bharata, piercing his foe in return with five and twenty arrows in that battle, cut off, with another broad-headed arrow, his bright bow. Forcibly pierced by Drona, O bull of Bharata's race, Dhrishtadyumna, quickly casting aside his bow, bit his (nether) lip in rage. Indeed, O monarch, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, excited with wrath, took up another formidable bow for accomplishing the destruction of Drona. That slayer of hostile heroes, that warrior endued with great beauty, stretching that formidable bow to his ear, shot a terrible shaft capable of taking Drona's life. That shaft, thus sped by the mighty prince in that fierce and dreadful battle, illumined the whole army like the risen sun. Beholding that terrible shaft, the gods, the Gandharvas, and the Danavas. said these words, O king, viz.,

[paragraph continues] 'Prosperity to Drona!' Karna, however, O king, displaying great lightness of hand cut off into dozen fragments that shaft as it coursed towards the preceptor's car. Thus cut off into many fragments, O king, that shaft of Dhrishtadyumna, O sire, quickly fell down on the earth like a snake without poison. Having cut off with his own straight shafts those of Dhrishtadyumna in that battle, Karna then pierced Dhrishtadyumna himself with many sharp arrows. And Drona's son pierced him with five, and Drona himself with five, and Salya pierced him with nine, and Duhsasana with three. And Duryodhana pierced him with twenty arrows and Sakuni with five. Indeed, all those mighty car-warriors quickly pierced the prince of the Panchalas. Thus was he pierced by these seven heroes in that battle exerting themselves for the rescue of Drona. The prince of the Panchalas, however, pierced every one of these heroes with three arrows. Indeed, O king, Dhrishtadyumna, in that dreadful battle, quickly pierced Drona himself, and Karna, and Drona's son, and thy son. Thus pierced by that bowman, those warriors, fighting together, pierced Dhrishtadyumna again in that encounter, uttering loud roars the while. Then Drumasena, excited with wrath, O king, pierced the Panchala prince with a winged arrow, and once again quickly with three other arrows. And addressing the prince, he said, 'Wait! Wait!' Dhrishtadyumna then pierced Drumasena in return with three straight arrows, in the encounter, which were equipped with wings of gold, steeped in oil, and capable of taking the life of him at whom they are sped. With another broad-headed shaft, the prince of the Panchalas then, in that battle, cut off from Drumasena's trunk the latter's head decked with bright ear-rings of gold. That head, with (the lower) lip bit (in rage), fell on the ground like a ripe palmyra fruit separated from the stalk by the action of a strong wind. Once again, piercing all those warriors with keen shafts, that hero, with some broad-headed shafts, cut off the bow of Radha's son, that warrior conversant with all modes of warfare. Karna could not book that cutting off of his bow, like a fierce lion incapable of brooking the cutting off of his tail. Taking up another bow, Karna, with eyes red in rage, and breathing hard, covered mighty Dhrishtadyumna with clouds of arrows. Beholding Karna excited with rage, those heroes, viz., those six bulls among car-warriors, quickly encompassed the prince of the Panchalas from desire of slaying him. Seeing the latter in front of those six foremost warriors of thy side, all thy troops, O lord, regarded him to be already within the jaws of the Destroyer. Meanwhile, Satyaki, of the Dasarha race, scattering his shafts as he proceeded, reached the spot where, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna was battling. Beholding that invincible warrior of the Satwata race advancing, Radha's son pierced him in that battle with ten arrows. Satyaki, then, O king, pierced Karna with ten shafts in the very sight of all those heroes, and addressing him, said, 'Do not fly away but stay before me.' The encounter then, that took place between mighty Satyaki and the industrious Karna, resembled, O king, that between Vali and Vasava (in

the days of yore). That bull among Kshatriyas, viz., Satyaki, terrifying all the Kshatriyas with the rattle of his car, pierced the lotus-eyed Karna in return (with many arrows). Making the earth tremble with the twang of his bow, the mighty son of the Suta, O monarch, contended with Satyaki. Indeed, Karna pierced the grandson of Sini in return with hundreds of long, and barbed, and pointed, and tall-toothed, and razor-headed arrows and diverse other shafts. Similarly, that foremost one of Vrishni's race, Yuyudhana, in that battle, shrouded Karna with his arrows. For a time that battle proceeded equally. Then thy son, O monarch, placing Karna at their head, all pierced Satyaki from every side with keen arrows. Resisting with his own weapons those of them all and of Karna also, O lord, Satyaki quickly pierced Vrishasena in the centre of the chest. Pierced with that arrow, the valiant Vrishasena, of great splendour, quickly fell down on his car, casting aside his bow. Then Karna, believing that mighty car-warrior, viz., Vrishasena, slain, became scorched with grief on account of the death of his son and began to afflict Satyaki with great force. Thus afflicted by Karna, the mighty car-warrior Yuyudhana, with great speed, repeatedly pierced Karna with many shafts. Once more piercing Karna with ten arrows, and Vrishasena with five, the Satwata hero cut off the leathern fences and the bows of both sire and son. Then those two warriors, stringing two other bows, capable of inspiring enemies with terror, began to pierce Yuyudhana from every side with keen shafts. During the progress of that fierce conflict that was so destructive of heroes the loud twang of Gandiva, O king, was heard over every other sound. Hearing then the rattle of Arjuna's car as also that twang of Gandiva, the Suta's son, O king, said these words unto Duryodhana, 'Slaughtering our entire army and the foremost of heroic warriors and many mighty bowmen among the Kauravas, Arjuna is loudly twanging his bow. The rattle also of his car is heard, resembling the roar of the thunder. It's evident, the son of Pandu is achieving feats worthy of his own self This son of Pritha, O monarch, will grind our large host. Many of our troops are already breaking. No one stays in battle. Indeed, our army is being dispersed like a risen mass of clouds dispersed by the wind. Encountering Arjuna, our host breaks like a boat on the ocean. The loud wails, O king, of the foremost of warriors, O monarch, flying away from the field, or falling down in consequence of the arrows sped from Gandiva, are being heard. Hear, O tiger among car-warriors, the sound of drums and cymbals near Arjuna's car at dead of night, resembling the deep roll of thunder in the welkin. Hear also the loud wails (of afflicted combatants) and the tremendous leonine shouts, and diverse other noises in the vicinity of Arjuna's car. Here, however, this Satyaki, this foremost one of the Satwata race, stayeth amid us. If this object of our aim can be struck down, we can then vanquish all our foes. Similarly, the son of the Panchala king is engaged with Drona. He is encompassed on all sides by many heroic and foremost of car-warriors. If we can slay Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata without doubt, O king, victory will

be ours. Surrounding these two heroes, these two mighty car-warriors, as we did the son of Subhadra we will strive, O king, to slay them, viz., this son of Vrishni's race and this son of Prishata. Savyasachin, O Bharata, is before us, coming towards this division of Drona, knowing that Satyaki is engaged here with many chief among the Kurus. Let a large number of our foremost of car-warriors proceed thither, so that Partha may not be able to come to the rescue of Satyaki, now encompassed by many. Let these great heroes speedily shoot clouds of shafts with great force, so that Satyaki of Madhu's race may by speedily despatched to Yama's abode.' Ascertaining this to be the opinion of Karna, thy son, addressing Suvala's son in the battle, like the illustrious Indra addressing Vishnu, said these words, Surrounded by ten thousand unretreating elephants and ten thousand cars also, proceed against Dhananjaya! Duhsasana and Durvishaha and Suvahu and Dushpradharshana--these will follow thee, surrounded by a large number of foot-soldiers. O uncle, slay those great bowmen, viz., the two Krishnas, and Yudhishtira, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Bhima, the son of Pandu My hope of victory resteth on thee, like that of the gods on their chief Indra. O uncle, slay the son of Kunti, like (Kartikeya) slaying the Asuras.' Thus addressed and urged by thy son, Sakuni, clad in mail, proceeded against the Parthas, accompanied by a large force as also by thy sons, in order to consume the sons of Pandu. Then commenced a great battle between the warriors of thy army and the foe. When Suvala's son, O king, (thus) proceeded against the Pandavas, the Suta's son, accompanied by a large force, quickly advanced against Satyaki, shooting many hundreds of shafts. Indeed, thy warriors, combining together, encompassed Satyaki. Then Bharadwaja's son, proceeding against the car of Dhrishtadyumna, fought a wonderful and fierce battle at dead of night, O bull of Bharata's race, with the brave Dhrishtadyumna and the Panchalas.'"

7.146.1

संजय उवाच
ततस्ते प्राद्रवन्सर्वे त्वरिता युद्धदुर्मदाः
अमृष्यमाणाः संरब्धा युयुधानरथं प्रति

7.146.2

ते रथैः कल्पितै राजन्हेमरूप्यविभूषितैः
सादिभिश्च गजैश्चैव परिवव्रुः स्म सात्वतम्

7.146.3

अथैनं कोष्ठकीकृत्य सर्वतस्ते महारथाः
सिंहनादांस्तदा चक्रुस्तर्जयन्तः स्म सात्यकिम्

7.146.4

तेऽभ्यवर्षञ्शरैस्तीक्ष्णैः सात्यकिं सत्यविक्रमम्
त्वरमाणा महावीर्या माधवस्य वधैषिणः

7.146.5

तान्दृष्ट्वा पततस्तूर्णं शैनेयः परवीरहा
प्रत्यगृह्णान्महाबाहुः प्रमुञ्चन्विशिखान्बहून्

7.146.6

तत्र वीरो महेष्वासः सात्यकिर्युद्धदुर्मदः
निचकर्त शिरांस्युग्रैः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

7.146.7

हस्तिहस्तान्हयग्रीवान्बाहूनपि च सायुधान्
क्षुरप्रैः पातयामास तावकानां स माधवः

7.146.8

पतितैश्चामरैश्चैव श्वेतच्छत्रैश्च भारत
बभूव धरणी पूर्णा नक्षत्रैर्द्यौरिव प्रभो

7.146.9

तेषां तु युयुधानेन युध्यतां युधि भारत
बभूव तुमुलः शब्दः प्रेतानामिव क्रन्दताम्

7.146.10

तेन शब्देन महता पूरितासीद्वसुंधरा
रात्रिः समभवच्चैव तीव्ररूपा भयावहा

7.146.11

दीर्यमाणं बलं दृष्ट्वा युयुधानशराहतम्
श्रुत्वा च विपुलं नादं निशीथे लोमहर्षणम्

7.146.12

सुतस्तवाब्रवीद्राजन्सारथिं रथिनां वरः
यत्रैष शब्दस्तत्राश्वांश्चोदयेति पुनः पुनः

7.146.13

तेन संचोद्यमानस्तु ततस्तांस्तुरगोत्तमान्
सूतः संचोदयामास युयुधानरथं प्रति

7.146.14

ततो दुर्योधनः क्रुद्धो दृढधन्वा जितक्लमः
शीघ्रहस्तश्चित्रयोधी युयुधानमुपाद्रवत्

7.146.15

ततः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैर्मांसशोणितभोजनैः
दुर्योधनं द्वादशभिर्माधवः प्रत्यविध्यत

7.146.16

दुर्योधनस्तेन तथा पूर्वमेवार्दितः शरैः
शैनेयं दशभिर्बाणैः प्रत्यविध्यदमर्षितः

7.146.17

ततः समभवद्युद्धमाकुलं भरतर्षभ
पाञ्चालानां च सर्वेषां भारतानां च दारुणम्

7.146.18

शैनेयस्तु रणे क्रुद्धस्तव पुत्रं महारथम्
सायकानामशीत्या तु विव्याधोरसि भारत

7.146.19

ततोऽस्य वाहान्समरे शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्
सारथिं च रथात्तूर्णं पातयामास पत्रिणा

7.146.20

हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठन्पुत्रस्तव विशां पते
मुमोच निशितान्बाणाञ्शैनेयस्य रथं प्रति

7.146.21

शरान्पञ्चाशतस्तांस्तु शैनेयः कृतहस्तवत्
चिच्छेद समरे राजन्प्रेषितांस्तनयेन ते

7.146.22

अथापरेण भल्लेन मुष्टिदेशे महद्धनुः
चिच्छेद रभसो युद्धे तव पुत्रस्य मारिष

7.146.23

विरथो विधनुष्कश्च सर्वलोकेश्वरः प्रभुः
आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं भास्वरं कृतवर्मणः

7.146.24

दुर्योधने परावृत्ते शैनेयस्तव वाहिनीम्
द्रावयामास विशिखैर्निशामध्ये विशां पते

7.146.25

शकुनिश्चार्जुनं राजन्परिवार्य समन्ततः
रथैरनेकसाहस्रैर्गजैश्चैव सहस्रशः
तथा हयसहस्रैश्च तुमुलं सर्वतोऽकरोत्

7.146.26

ते महास्त्राणि दिव्यानि विकिरन्तोऽर्जुनं प्रति
अर्जुनं योधयन्ति स्म क्षत्रियाः कालचोदिताः

7.146.27

तान्यर्जुनः सहस्राणि रथवारणवाजिनाम्
प्रत्यवारयदायस्तः प्रकुर्वन्विपुलं क्षयम्

7.146.28

ततस्तु समरे शूरः शकुनिः सौबलस्तदा
विव्याध निशितैर्बाणैरर्जुनं प्रहसन्निव

7.146.29

पुनश्चैव शतेनास्य संरुरोध महारथम्
तमर्जुनस्तु विंशत्या विव्याध युधि भारत

7.146.30

अथेतरान्महेष्वासांस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरविध्यत
संवार्य तान्बाणगणैर्युधि राजन्धनंजयः
अवधीत्तावकान्योधान्वज्रपाणिरिवासुरान्

7.146.31

भुजैश्छिन्नैर्महाराज शरीरैश्च सहस्रशः
समास्तीर्णा धरा तत्र बभौ पुष्पैरिवाचिता

7.146.32

स विद्ध्वा शकुनिं भूयः पञ्चभिर्नतपर्वभिः
उलूकं त्रिभिराजघ्ने त्रिभिरेव महायसैः

7.146.33

तमुलूकस्तथा विद्ध्वा वासुदेवमताडयत्
ननाद च महानादं पूरयन्वसुधातलम्

7.146.34

अर्जुनस्तु द्रुतं गत्वा शकुनेर्धनुराच्छिनत्
निन्ये च चतुरो वाहान्यमस्य सदनं प्रति

7.146.35

ततो रथादवप्लुत्य सौबलो भरतर्षभ
उलूकस्य रथं तूर्णमारुरोह विशां पते

7.146.36

तावेकरथमारूढौ पितापुत्रौ महारथौ
पार्थं सिषिचतुर्बाणैर्गिरिं मेघाविवोत्थितौ

7.146.37

तौ तु विद्ध्वा महाराज पाण्डवो निशितैः शरैः
विद्रावयंस्तव चमूं शतशो व्यधमच्छरैः

7.146.38

अनिलेन यथाभ्राणि विच्छिन्नानि समन्ततः
विच्छिन्नानि तथा राजन्बलान्यासन्विशां पते

7.146.39

तद्बलं भरतश्रेष्ठ वध्यमानं तथा निशि
प्रदुद्राव दिशः सर्वा वीक्षमाणं भयार्दितम्

7.146.40

उत्सृज्य वाहान्समरे चोदयन्तस्तथापरे
संभ्रान्ताः पर्यधावन्त तस्मिंस्तमसि दारुणे

7.146.41

विजित्य समरे योधांस्तावकान्भरतर्षभ
दध्मतुर्मुदितौ शङ्खौ वासुदेवधनंजयौ

7.146.42

धृष्टद्युम्नो महाराज द्रोणं विद्ध्वा त्रिभिः शरैः
चिच्छेद धनुषस्तूर्णं ज्यां शरेण शितेन ह

7.146.43

तन्निधाय धनुर्नीडे द्रोणः क्षत्रियमर्दनः
आददेऽन्यद्धनुः शूरो वेगवत्सारवत्तरम्

7.146.44

धृष्टद्युम्नं ततो द्रोणो विद्ध्वा सप्तभिराशुगैः
सारथिं पञ्चभिर्बाणै राजन्विव्याध संयुगे

7.146.45

तं निवार्य शरैस्तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः
व्यधमत्कौरवीं सेनां शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

7.146.46

वध्यमाने बले तस्मिंस्तव पुत्रस्य मारिष
प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा शोणितौघतरङ्गिणी

7.146.47

उभयोः सेनयोर्मध्ये नराश्वद्विपवाहिनी
यथा वैतरणी राजन्यमराष्ट्रपुरं प्रति

7.146.48

द्रावयित्वा तु तत्सैन्यं धृष्टद्युम्नः प्रतापवान्
अत्यराजत तेजस्वी शक्रो देवगणेष्विव

7.146.49

अथ दध्मुर्महाशङ्खान्धृष्टद्युम्नशिखण्डिनौ
यमौ च युयुधानश्च पाण्डवश्च वृकोदरः

7.146.50

जित्वा रथसहस्राणि तावकानां महारथाः
सिंहनादरवांश्चक्रुः पाण्डवा जितकाशिनः

7.146.51

पश्यतस्तव पुत्रस्य कर्णस्य च मदोत्कटाः
तथा द्रोणस्य शूरस्य द्रौणेश्चैव विशां पते

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then all those kings of thy army, incapable of being easily defeated in battle, angrily proceeded against Yuyudhana's car, unable to brook (his feats). Mounting on their well-equipped cars, O king, that were decked with gold and jewels, and accompanied also by cavalry and elephants, they encompassed the Satwata hero. Hemming him on all sides those mighty car-warriors, challenging that hero, uttered loud leonine roars. Those great heroes, desirous of slaying him of Madhu's race, poured their keen arrows on Satyaki of invincible prowess. Beholding them thus advancing with speed towards him, that slayer of hostile hosts, viz., the mighty-armed grandson of Sini, took up and shot many shafts. The heroic and great bowman Satyaki, invincible in battle, cut off many

heads with his fierce and straight arrows. And he of Madhu's race also cut off the trunks of many elephants, the necks of many seeds, and arms decked with Angadas of many warriors, by means of razor-faced arrows. With the fallen yak-tails and white umbrellas, O Bharata, the field of battle became almost full, and resembled the firmament, O lord, with stars. The wails of the host thus slaughtered in battle, O Bharata, by Yuyudhana, became as loud as those of shrieking ghosts (in hell). With that loud uproar the earth became filled, and the night became fiercer and more terrible. Beholding his host, afflicted with Yuyudhana's arrows breaking, and hearing that tremendous uproar at dead of night making the hair stand on end, thy son, that mighty car-warrior, addressing his driver, repeatedly said, 'Urge the steeds to that spot whence this uproar cometh.' Then king Duryodhana, that firm bowman, above all modes of warfare, rushed against Yuyudhana. Madhava pierced Duryodhana with a dozen blood-drinking shafts, sped from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch. Thus afflicted with arrows by Yuyudhana first, Duryodhana, excited with rage, pierced the grandson of Sini in return with ten arrows. Meanwhile, the battle that raged between the Panchalas and all thy troops presented an exceedingly wonderful sight. Then the grandson of Sini, excited with rage in that battle, pierced thy son, that mighty car-warrior, with eighty shafts, in the chest. He then, with other shafts, despatched Duryodhana's steeds to Yama's abode. And that slayer of foes then quickly felled his antagonist's driver from the car. Thy son, O monarch, staying on that steedless car, shot many keen arrows towards Satyaki's car. The grandson of Sini, however, displaying great lightness of hand, O king, cut off those fifty shafts sped in that battle by thy son. Then Madhava, with a broad-headed shafts suddenly cut off in that encounter the formidable bow of thy son in the handle, Deprived of both his car and bow, that puissant ruler of men then mounted quickly upon the bright car of Kritavarman. Upon Duryodhana's retreat, the grandson of Sini, O monarch, afflicted and routed thy army at dead of night.

"Sakuni, meanwhile, O king, encompassing Arjuna on all sides with many thousands of cars and several thousands of elephants, and many thousands of steeds, began to fight desperately. Many of them hurled towards Arjuna celestial weapons of great power. Indeed, those Kshatriyas fought with Arjuna, incurring the certitude of death. Arjuna, however, excited with rage, checked those thousands of cars and elephants and steeds, and ultimately caused those foes to turn back. Then Suvala's son, with eyes red as copper with rage, deeply pierced Arjuna, that slayer of foes, with twenty shafts. And once more shooting a hundred shafts, he checked the progress of Partha's great car. Then Arjuna, O Bharata, pierced Sakuni with twenty arrows in that battle. And he pierced each of the great bowmen with three arrows. Checking all of them with his arrows, O king, Dhananjaya slew those warriors of thy army with excellent shafts, endued with the force of thunder. 1 Strewn with lopped off arrows,

[paragraph continues] O monarch, and (dead) bodies by thousands, the earth looked as if covered with flowers. Indeed, strewn with the heads of Kshatriyas, heads that were decked with diadems and handsome noses and beautiful ear-rings and (nether) lips bit in rage and wide open eyes,--heads that were graced with collars and crowned also with gems, and which, while life was in them, spoke sweet words,--the earth looked resplendent as if strewn with hillocks overspread with Champaka flowers. Having achieved that fierce feat, and pierced Sakuni once more, struck Uluka with an arrow in that battle. Piercing Uluka thus in the sight of his sire, viz., Suvala's son, Arjuna uttered a loud roar, filling the earth therewith. Then the son of Indra cut off Sakuni's bow. And then he despatched his four steeds to Yama's abode. Then Suvala's son, O bull of Bharata's race, jumping down from his car, quickly ascended the car of Uluka. Then those two mighty car-warriors, viz., sire and son, both riding on the same car, showered their arrows on Partha like two risen clouds pouring torrents of rain on a mountain. The son of Pandu then piercing both those warriors with keen shafts, afflicted and caused thy troops to fly away in hundreds and thousands. Like a mighty mass of clouds dispersed on all sides by the wind, that army of thine, O monarch, was dispersed on all sides. Indeed, that host, O chief of the Bharatas, thus slaughtered on the night, fled away in all directions, afflicted with fear and in the very sight (of their leaders). Many abandoning the animals they rode, other urging their animals to their greatest speed, turned back from the battle, inspired with fear, during that fierce hour of darkness. Having vanquished thy warriors thus, O bull of Bharata's race, Vasudeva and Dhananjaya cheerfully blew their conchs.

"Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, piercing Drona with three arrows, quickly cut off the latter's bowstring with a sharp arrow. Throwing down that bow on the earth, heroic Drona, that grinder of Kshatriyas, took up another that was exceedingly tough and strong. Piercing Dhrishtadyumna then with five arrows, Drona pierced his driver also, O bull of Bharata's race, with five arrows. Checking Drona with his arrows, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna began to destroy the Kaurava host, like Maghavat destroying the Asura army. During the slaughter of thy son's army, O sire, a terrible river, having blood for its current, began to flow. And it ran between the two hosts, bearing away men and steeds and elephants along its current. And it resembled, O king, the Vaitarani that flows, O lord, towards the domains of Yama. Agitating and routing thy army, the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, endued with great energy, blazed forth like Sakra in the midst of the celestials. Then Dhrishtadyumna and Sikhandin blew their large conchs, as also the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and Vrikodara, the son of Pandu. Thus those fierce warriors, vanquished thousands of kings; on thy side that were endued with great energy, at the sight of thy Son and of Karna and the heroic Drona and Drona's son, O monarch!'"

394:1 In the first line of 30 Vaganais and not Vanaganan is the true reading.

7.147.1

संजय उवाच
विद्रुतं स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा वध्यमानं महात्मभिः
क्रोधेन महताविष्टः पुत्रस्तव विशां पते

7.147.2

अभ्येत्य सहसा कर्णं द्रोणं च जयतां वरम्
अमर्षवशमापन्नो वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यमब्रवीत्

7.147.3

भवद्भ्यामिह संग्रामो क्रुद्धाभ्यां संप्रवर्तितः
आहवे निहतं दृष्ट्वा सैन्धवं सव्यसाचिना

7.147.4

निहन्यमानां पाण्डूनां बलेन मम वाहिनीम्
भूत्वा तद्विजये शक्तावशक्ताविव पश्यतः

7.147.5

यद्यहं भवतोस्त्याज्यो न वाच्योऽस्मि तदैव हि
आवां पाण्डुसुतान्संख्ये जेष्याव इति मानदौ

7.147.6

तदैवाहं वचः श्रुत्वा भवद्भ्यामनुसंमतम्
कृतवान्पाण्डवैः सार्धं वैरं योधविनाशनम्

7.147.7

यदि नाहं परित्याज्यो भवद्भ्यां पुरुषर्षभौ
युध्येतामनुरूपेण विक्रमेण सुविक्रमौ

7.147.8

वाक्प्रतोदेन तौ वीरौ प्रणुन्नौ तनयेन ते
प्रावर्तयेतां तौ युद्धं घट्टिताविव पन्नगौ

7.147.9

ततस्तौ रथिनां श्रेष्ठौ सर्वलोकधनुर्धरौ
शैनेयप्रमुखान्पार्थानभिदुद्रुवतू रणे

7.147.10

तथैव सहिताः पार्थाः स्वेन सैन्येन संवृताः
अभ्यवर्तन्त तौ वीरौ नर्दमानौ मुहुर्मुहुः

7.147.11

अथ द्रोणो महेष्वासो दशभिः शिनिपुंगवम्
अविध्यत्त्वरितं क्रुद्धः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः

7.147.12

कर्णश्च दशभिर्बाणैः पुत्रश्च तव सप्तभिः
दशभिर्वृषसेनश्च सौबलश्चापि सप्तभिः
एते कौरव संक्रन्दे शैनेयं पर्यवारयन्

7.147.13

दृष्ट्वा च समरे द्रोणं निघ्नन्तं पाण्डवीं चमूम्
विव्यधुः सोमकास्तूर्णं समन्ताच्छरवृष्टिभिः

7.147.14

ततो द्रोणोऽहरत्प्राणान्क्षत्रियाणां विशां पते
रश्मिभिर्भास्करो राजंस्तमसामिव भारत

7.147.15

द्रोणेन वध्यमानानां पाञ्चालानां विशां पते
शुश्रुवे तुमुलः शब्दः क्रोशतामितरेतरम्

7.147.16

पुत्रानन्ये पितॄनन्ये भ्रातॄनन्ये च मातुलान्
भागिनेयान्वयस्यांश्च तथा संबन्धिबान्धवान्
उत्सृज्योत्सृज्य गच्छन्ति त्वरिता जीवितेप्सवः

7.147.17

अपरे मोहिता मोहात्तमेवाभिमुखा ययुः
पाण्डवानां रणे योधाः परलोकं तथापरे

7.147.18

सा तथा पाण्डवी सेना वध्यमाना महात्मभिः
निशि संप्राद्रवद्राजन्नुत्सृज्योल्काः सहस्रशः

7.147.19

पश्यतो भीमसेनस्य विजयस्याच्युतस्य च
यमयोर्धर्मपुत्रस्य पार्षतस्य च पश्यतः

7.147.20

तमसा संवृते लोके न प्राज्ञायत किंचन
कौरवाणां प्रकाशेन दृश्यन्ते तु द्रुताः परे

7.147.21

द्रवमाणं तु तत्सैन्यं द्रोणकर्णौ महारथौ
जघ्नतुः पृष्ठतो राजन्किरन्तौ सायकान्बहून्

7.147.22

पाञ्चालेषु प्रभग्नेषु दीर्यमाणेषु सर्वशः
जनार्दनो दीनमनाः प्रत्यभाषत फल्गुनम्

7.147.23

द्रोणकर्णौ महेष्वासावेतौ पार्षतसात्यकी
पाञ्चालांश्चैव सहितौ जघ्नतुः सायकैर्भृशम्

7.147.24

एतयोः शरवर्षेण प्रभग्ना नो महारथाः
वार्यमाणापि कौन्तेय पृतना नावतिष्ठते

7.147.25

एतावावां सर्वसैन्यैर्व्यूढैः सम्यगुदायुधैः
द्रोणं च सूतपुत्रं च प्रयतावः प्रबाधितुम्

7.147.26

एतौ हि बलिनौ शूरौ कृतास्त्रौ जितकाशिनौ
उपेक्षितौ बलं क्रुद्धौ नाशयेतां निशामिमाम्
एष भीमोऽभियात्युग्रः पुनरावर्त्य वाहिनीम्

7.147.27

वृकोदरं तथायान्तं दृष्ट्वा तत्र जनार्दनः
पुनरेवाब्रवीद्राजन्हर्षयन्निव पाण्डवम्

7.147.28

एष भीमो रणश्लाघी वृतः सोमकपाण्डवैः
रुषितोऽभ्येति वेगेन द्रोणकर्णौ महाबलौ

7.147.29

एतेन सहितो युध्य पाञ्चालैश्च महारथैः
आश्वासनार्थं सर्वेषां सैन्यानां पाण्डुनन्दन

7.147.30

ततस्तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रावुभौ माधवपाण्डवौ
द्रोणकर्णौ समासाद्य धिष्ठितौ रणमूर्धनि

7.147.31

ततस्तत्पुनरावृत्तं युधिष्ठिरबलं महत्
ततो द्रोणश्च कर्णश्च परान्ममृदतुर्युधि

7.147.32

स संप्रहारस्तुमुलो निशि प्रत्यभवन्महान्
यथा सागरयो राजंश्चन्द्रोदयविवृद्धयोः

7.147.33

तत उत्सृज्य पाणिभ्यः प्रदीपांस्तव वाहिनी
युयुधे पाण्डवैः सार्धमुन्मत्तवदहःक्षये

7.147.34

रजसा तमसा चैव संवृते भृशदारुणे
केवलं नामगोत्रेण प्रायुध्यन्त जयैषिणः

7.147.35

अश्रूयन्त हि नामानि श्राव्यमाणानि पार्थिवैः
प्रहरद्भिर्महाराज स्वयंवर इवाहवे

7.147.36

निःशब्दमासीत्सहसा पुनः शब्दो महानभूत्
क्रुद्धानां युध्यमानानां जयतां जीयतामपि

7.147.37

यत्र यत्र स्म दृश्यन्ते प्रदीपाः कुरुसत्तम
तत्र तत्र स्म ते शूरा निपतन्ति पतंगवत्

7.147.38

तथा संयुध्यमानानां विगाढाभून्महानिशा
पाण्डवानां च राजेन्द्र कौरवाणां च सर्वशः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding his own army routed while being slaughtered by those illustrious heroes, thy son, well-acquainted with words, O monarch, quickly repairing unto Karna and Drona, that foremost of all victors in battle, wrathfully said these words, 'This battle has been set on foot by you two in rage, having seen the ruler of the Sindhus slain by Savyasachin. You are beholding with indifference the slaughter of my army by the forces of the Pandavas, although you two are fully competent to vanquish those forces. If you two now abandon me, you should have, in the beginning, told me of it, 'We two shall vanquish the sons of Pandu in battle.' Even these were the words, ye givers of honours, that ye then said unto me. Hearing these words of yours, I sanctioned these proceedings. I would never have provoked these hostilities with the Parthas,--hostilities that are so destructive of heroic combatants (if ye had told me otherwise). If I do not deserve to be abandoned by you two, ye bulls among men, then fight according to the true measure of your prowess, ye heroes endued with great prowess.' Thus pierced by the goad of speech of thy son, those two heroes once more engaged in battle, like two snakes vexed with sticks. Then those two foremost of car-warriors, those two bowmen above all bowmen in the world, rushed with speed against the Parthas headed by the grandson of Sini and by others. Similarly, the Parthas uniting together, and accompanied by all their troops, advanced against those two heroes, who were roaring repeatedly. Then the great bowman, Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, excited with rage, quickly pierced (Satyaki), that bull amongst the Sinis, with ten arrows. And Karna pierced him with ten arrows, and thy son with seven, and Vrishasena pierced him with ten, and Suvala's son with seven. In that impervious wall of Kauravas around the grandson of Sini, these also stationed themselves, encompassing him. Beholding Drona slaughtering the Pandava army in that battle, the Somakas quickly pierced him from every side with showers of arrows. Then Drona began to take the lives of Kshatriyas, O monarch, like the sun destroying darkness around him by his rays. We then heard, O monarch, a loud uproar amongst the Panchalas, who called upon one another, while they were being slaughtered by Drona. Some abandoning sons, some sires, some brothers, some uncles, some their sister's sons, some their relatives and kinsmen, fled away with speed, for saving their own lives. Some, again, deprived of their senses, ran against Drona himself. Indeed, many were the combatants of the Pandava army that were then despatched to the other world. Thus afflicted by that illustrious hero, the Pandava host, that night, O king, fled away, throwing down their blazing torches all around, in the very sight of Bhimasena and Arjuna and Krishna and the twins and Yudhishthira and Prishata's son. The world being enveloped in darkness, nothing could be seen. In consequence of the light that was amongst the Katirava troops, the flight of the foe could

be ascertained. Those mighty car-warriors, viz., Drona and Karna, O king, pursued the flying host, scattering numerous shafts. Seeing the Panchalas slaughtered and routed, Janardana becoming cheerless, said these words unto Phalguna, 'Dhrishtadyumna and Satyaki, accompanied by the Panchalas, had proceeded against those great bowmen, viz., Drona and Karna, shooting many shafts. This large host of ours hath been broken and routed (by them) with showers of arrows. Though their flight is sought to be checked, they are still incapable of being rallied, O son of Kunti!--Beholding the host fly away, through fear, ye Pandava warriors, cast away your fears! Accompanied by all the forces and arraying then, in good order, both of us, with uplifted weapons, are even now proceeding against Drona and the Suta's son for withstanding them.' Then Janardana beholding Vrikodara advancing, once more addressed Arjuna, the son of Pandu, as if for gladdening him, in these words, 'Yonder Bhima, who taketh delight in battle, surrounded by the Somakas and the Pandavas, is coming against those mighty car-warriors, viz., Drona and Karna. Supported by him, as also by the many mighty car-warriors among the Pandavas, fight now, O son of Pandu, for assuring all your troops.' 1 Then those two tigers among men, viz., the son of Pandu and he of Madhu's race, approaching Drona and Karna, took up their station at the head of battle.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Then that vast force of Yudhishthira once more returned to battle, proceeding to the place where Drona and Karna were grinding their foes in battle. At dead of night, a fierce encounter took place, resembling that of two oceans swelling at moon-rise. Then the warriors of thy army, throwing away from their hands the blazing lamps held by them, fought with the Pandavas fearlessly and madly. On that terrible night when the world was enveloped with gloom and dust, the combatants fought with one another, guided only by the names they uttered. The names uttered by the kings contending in battle, were heard, O monarch, there, like what happens, O king, at a Swayamvara or self-choice. Suddenly, a silence overspread the field of battle, and lasted for a moment. Then, again, a loud uproar was heard made by the angry combatants, victors and vanquished. Thither where blazing lamps were seen, O bull of Kuru's race, thither rushed those heroes like insects (towards a blazing fire). And as the Pandavas, O king, and the Kauravas, contended with each other in battle, the darkness of night thickened around them.'"

397:1 The second line of 30 is read differently in the Calcutta edition. In consequence also of some differences between two printed editions, 30 of the Calcutta text is 32 of the Bombay text.

7.148.1

संजय उवाच
ततः कर्णो रणे दृष्ट्वा पार्षतं परवीरहा
आजघानोरसि शरैर्दशभिर्मर्मभेदिभिः

7.148.2

प्रतिविव्याध तं तूर्णं धृष्टद्युम्नोऽपि मारिष
पञ्चभिः सायकैर्हृष्टस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

7.148.3

तावन्योन्यं शरैः संख्ये संछाद्य सुमहारथौ
पुनः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैर्विव्यधाते परस्परम्

7.148.4

ततः पाञ्चालमुख्यस्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य संयुगे
सारथिं चतुरश्चाश्वान्कर्णो विव्याध सायकैः

7.148.5

कार्मुकप्रवरं चास्य प्रचिच्छेद शितैः शरैः
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन रथनीडादपातयत्

7.148.6

धृष्टद्युम्नस्तु विरथो हताश्वो हतसारथिः
गृहीत्वा परिघं घोरं कर्णस्याश्वानपीपिषत्

7.148.7

विद्धश्च बहुभिस्तेन शरैराशीविषोपमैः
ततो युधिष्ठिरानीकं पद्भ्यामेवान्ववर्तत
आरुरोह रथं चापि सहदेवस्य मारिष

7.148.8

कर्णस्यापि रथे वाहानन्यान्सूतो न्ययोजयत्
शङ्खवर्णान्महावेगान्सैन्धवान्साधुवाहिनः

7.148.9

लब्धलक्ष्यस्तु राधेयः पाञ्चालानां महारथान्
अभ्यपीडयदायस्तः शरैर्मेघ इवाचलान्

7.148.10

सा पीड्यमाना कर्णेन पाञ्चालानां महाचमूः
संप्राद्रवत्सुसंत्रस्ता सिंहेनेवार्दिता मृगी

7.148.11

पतितास्तुरगेभ्यश्च गजेभ्यश्च महीतले
रथेभ्यश्च नरास्तूर्णमदृश्यन्त ततस्ततः

7.148.12

धावमानस्य योधस्य क्षुरप्रैः स महामृधे
बाहू चिच्छेद वै कर्णः शिरश्चैव सकुण्डलम्

7.148.13

ऊरू चिच्छेद चान्यस्य गजस्थस्य विशां पते
वाजिपृष्ठगतस्यापि भूमिष्ठस्य च मारिष

7.148.14

नाज्ञासिषुर्धावमाना बहवश्च महारथाः
संछिन्नान्यात्मगात्राणि वाहनानि च संयुगे

7.148.15

ते वध्यमानाः समरे पाञ्चालाः सृञ्जयैः सह
तृणप्रस्पन्दनाच्चापि सूतपुत्रं स्म मेनिरे

7.148.16

अपि स्वं समरे योधं धावमानं विचेतसः
कर्णमेवाभ्यमन्यन्त ततो भीता द्रवन्ति ते

7.148.17

तान्यनीकानि भग्नानि द्रवमाणानि भारत
अभ्यद्रवद्द्रुतं कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्शरान्

7.148.18

अवेक्षमाणास्तेऽन्योन्यं सुसंमूढा विचेतसः
नाशक्नुवन्नवस्थातुं काल्यमाना महात्मना

7.148.19

कर्णेनाभ्याहता राजन्पाञ्चालाः परमेषुभिः
द्रोणेन च दिशः सर्वा वीक्षमाणाः प्रदुद्रुवुः

7.148.20

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वसैन्यं प्रेक्ष्य विद्रुतम्
अपयाने मतिं कृत्वा फल्गुनं वाक्यमब्रवीत्

7.148.21

पश्य कर्णं महेष्वासं धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम्
निशीथे दारुणे काले तपन्तमिव भास्करम्

7.148.22

कर्णसायकनुन्नानां क्रोशतामेष निस्वनः
अनिशं श्रूयते पार्थ त्वद्बन्धूनामनाथवत्

7.148.23

यथा विसृजतश्चास्य संदधानस्य चाशुगान्
पश्यामि जयविक्रान्तं क्षपयिष्यति नो ध्रुवम्

7.148.24

यदत्रानन्तरं कार्यं प्राप्तकालं प्रपश्यसि
कर्णस्य वधसंयुक्तं तत्कुरुष्व धनंजय

7.148.25

एवमुक्तो महाबाहुः पार्थः कृष्णमथाब्रवीत्
भीतः कुन्तीसुतो राजा राधेयस्यातिविक्रमात्

7.148.26

एवं गते प्राप्तकालं कर्णानीके पुनः पुनः
भवान्व्यवस्यतां क्षिप्रं द्रवते हि वरूथिनी

7.148.27

द्रोणसायकनुन्नानां भग्नानां मधुसूदन
कर्णेन त्रास्यमानानामवस्थानं न विद्यते

7.148.28

पश्यामि च तथा कर्णं विचरन्तमभीतवत्
द्रवमाणान्रथोदारान्किरन्तं विशिखैः शितैः

7.148.29

नैतदस्योत्सहे सोढुं चरितं रणमूर्धनि
प्रत्यक्षं वृष्णिशार्दूल पादस्पर्शमिवोरगः

7.148.30

स भवानत्र यात्वाशु यत्र कर्णो महारथः
अहमेनं वधिष्यामि मां वैष मधुसूदन

7.148.31

वासुदेव उवाच
पश्यामि कर्णं कौन्तेय देवराजमिवाहवे
विचरन्तं नरव्याघ्रमतिमानुषविक्रमम्

7.148.32

नैतस्यान्योऽस्ति समरे प्रत्युद्याता धनंजय
ऋते त्वां पुरुषव्याघ्र राक्षसाद्वा घटोत्कचात्

7.148.33

न तु तावदहं मन्ये प्राप्तकालं तवानघ
समागमं महाबाहो सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे

7.148.34

दीप्यमाना महोल्केव तिष्ठत्यस्य हि वासवी
त्वदर्थं हि महाबाहो रौद्ररूपं बिभर्ति च

7.148.35

घटोत्कचस्तु राधेयं प्रत्युद्यातु महाबलः
स हि भीमेन बलिना जातः सुरपराक्रमः

7.148.36

तस्मिन्नस्त्राणि दिव्यानि राक्षसान्यासुराणि च
सततं चानुरक्तो वो हितैषी च घटोत्कचः
विजेष्यति रणे कर्णमिति मे नात्र संशयः

7.148.37

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुः पार्थं पुष्करलोचनः
आजुहावाथ तद्रक्षः तच्चासीत्प्रादुरग्रतः

7.148.38

कवची स शरी खड्गी सधन्वा च विशां पते
अभिवाद्य ततः कृष्णं पाण्डवं च धनंजयम्
अब्रवीत्तं तदा हृष्टस्त्वयमस्म्यनुशाधि माम्

7.148.39

ततस्तं मेघसंकाशं दीप्तास्यं दीप्तकुण्डलम्
अभ्यभाषत हैडिम्बं दाशार्हः प्रहसन्निव

7.148.40

घटोत्कच विजानीहि यत्त्वां वक्ष्यामि पुत्रक
प्राप्तो विक्रमकालोऽयं तव नान्यस्य कस्यचित्

7.148.41

स भवान्मज्जमानानां बन्धूनां त्वं प्लवो यथा
विविधानि तवास्त्राणि सन्ति माया च राक्षसी

7.148.42

पश्य कर्णेन हैडिम्ब पाण्डवानामनीकिनी
काल्यमाना यथा गावः पालेन रणमूर्धनि

7.148.43

एष कर्णो महेष्वासो मतिमान्दृढविक्रमः
पाण्डवानामनीकेषु निहन्ति क्षत्रियर्षभान्

7.148.44

किरन्तः शरवर्षाणि महान्ति दृढधन्विनः
न शक्नुवन्त्यवस्थातुं पीड्यमानाः शरार्चिषा

7.148.45

निशीथे सूतपुत्रेण शरवर्षेण पीडिताः
एते द्रवन्ति पाञ्चालाः सिंहस्येव भयान्मृगाः

7.148.46

एतस्यैवं प्रवृद्धस्य सूतपुत्रस्य संयुगे
निषेद्धा विद्यते नान्यस्त्वदृते भीमविक्रम

7.148.47

स त्वं कुरु महाबाहो कर्म युक्तमिहात्मनः
मातुलानां पितॄणां च तेजसोऽस्त्रबलस्य च

7.148.48

एतदर्थं हि हैडिम्ब पुत्रानिच्छन्ति मानवाः
कथं नस्तारयेद्दुःखात्स त्वं तारय बान्धवान्

7.148.49

तव ह्यस्त्रबलं भीमं मायाश्च तव दुस्तराः
संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य सततं भीमनन्दन

7.148.50

पाण्डवानां प्रभग्नानां कर्णेन शितसायकैः
मज्जतां धार्तराष्ट्रेषु भव पारं परंतप

7.148.51

रात्रौ हि राक्षसा भूयो भवन्त्यमितविक्रमाः
बलवन्तः सुदुर्धर्षाः शूरा विक्रान्तचारिणः

7.148.52

जहि कर्णं महेष्वासं निशीथे मायया रणे
पार्था द्रोणं वधिष्यन्ति धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः

7.148.53

केशवस्य वचः श्रुत्वा बीभत्सुरपि राक्षसम्
अभ्यभाषत कौरव्य घटोत्कचमरिंदमम्

7.148.54

घटोत्कच भवांश्चैव दीर्घबाहुश्च सात्यकिः
मतौ मे सर्वसैन्येषु भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः

7.148.55

स भवान्यातु कर्णेन द्वैरथं युध्यतां निशि
सात्यकिः पृष्ठगोपस्ते भविष्यति महारथः

7.148.56

जहि कर्णं रणे शूरं सात्वतेन सहायवान्
यथेन्द्रस्तारकं पूर्वं स्कन्देन सह जघ्निवान्

7.148.57

घटोत्कच उवाच
अलमेवास्मि कर्णाय द्रोणायालं च सत्तम
अन्येषां क्षत्रियाणां च कृतास्त्राणां महात्मनाम्

7.148.58

अद्य दास्यामि संग्रामं सूतपुत्राय तं निशि
यं जनाः संप्रवक्ष्यन्ति यावद्भूमिर्धरिष्यति

7.148.59

न चात्र शूरान्मोक्ष्यामि न भीतान्न कृताञ्जलीन्
सर्वानेव वधिष्यामि राक्षसं धर्ममास्थितः

7.148.60

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा महाबाहुर्हैडिम्बः परवीरहा
अभ्ययात्तुमुले कर्णं तव सैन्यं विभीषयन्

7.148.61

तमापतन्तं संक्रुद्धं दीप्तास्यमिव पन्नगम्
अभ्यस्यन्परमेष्वासः प्रतिजग्राह सूतजः

7.148.62

तयोः समभवद्युद्धं कर्णराक्षसयोर्निशि
गर्जतो राजशार्दूल शक्रप्रह्रादयोरिव

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then Karna, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholding Prishata's son in battle, struck him on the chest with ten shafts capable of penetrating into the very vitals. Dhrishtadyumna quickly pierced Karna in return in that great battle, with five shafts, and addressing him, said, Wait! Wait!' Shrouding each other in that dreadful combat with showers of arrows, O king, they once more pierced each other with keen shafts, sped from bows drawn to their fullest stretch. Then Karna, in that battle, despatched to Yama's abode the driver and the four steeds or Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost warrior among the Panchalas. He then cut off his enemy's foremost bow with keen arrows, and felled, with a broad-headed shaft the latter's driver from his niche in the car. Then the valiant Dhrishtadyumna, deprived of car, steeds, and driver, quickly jumped down from his car and took up a mace. Though struck all the while with straight shafts by Karna, the Panchala prince, approaching Karna, slew the four steeds of the latter. Turning back with great speed, that slayer of hosts, viz., the son of Prishata, quickly ascended the car of Dhananjaya. Mounting upon that car, the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna desired to proceed towards Karna. Dharma's son (Yudhishthira), however, bade him desist. Then Karna endued with great energy, mingling his leonine shouts with it twanged his bow loudly and blew his conch with great force. Beholding Prishata's son vanquished in battle, those mighty car-warriors, viz., the Panchalas and the Somakas, excited with rage, and taking up all kinds of weapons, proceeded, making death itself their goal, towards Karna, from desire of slaughtering him. Meanwhile, Karna's driver had yoked other steeds unto his master's car, that were white as conchs, endued with great speed, of the Sindhu breed, and well-broken. Then Karna of sure aim, contending with vigour, afflicted those mighty car-warriors among the Panchalas with his shafts like a cloud pouring torrents of rain upon a mountain. The Panchala host, thus afflicted by Karna, fled away in fear, like a doe frightened by a lion. Horsemen were seen falling from their horses, and elephant-riders from their elephants, O monarch, and car-warriors from cars, all around. In that dreadful battle, Karna cut off with razor-faced arrows the arms of flying combatants and heads decked with car-rings. And he cut off, O king, the thighs of others that were on elephants or on the back of steeds, or on the earth, O sire! Many mighty car-warriors, as they fled away, felt not their loss of limbs or the injury in their animals, in that battle. Slaughtered by terrible shafts, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas took the motion of even a straw for Karna (so great was their fright). Deprived of their senses, the warriors took their flying friends for Karna and fled away from these in fear. Karna pursued the broken and retreating host, O Bharata, shooting his shafts on all sides. Indeed, in that battle, the retreating warriors, deprived of their senses, were slaughtered

with mighty weapons by that illustrious hero, Karna. Others, only looked at by Drona, fled away on all sides. Then king Yudhishthira, beholding his army flying away, and regarding retreat to be advisable, addressed Phalguna and said, 'Behold that mighty bowman, Karna stationed there like Rudra himself armed with his bow. Behold him scorching everything around like the blazing sun himself, at this fierce hour, this dead of night. These wails are being incessantly heard, O Partha, of thy helpless friends who are uttering them, mangled by the shafts of Karna. The manner in which Karna is aiming and letting off his shafts is such that no interval can be noticed between the two acts. He will, O Partha, annihilate all our friends. Do that now, Dhananjaya, about the slaughter of Karna, which, according to thy judgment, should next be done and the time for which may have come.' Thus addressed (by Yudhishthira), Partha said unto Krishna, 'The royal son of Dharma is frightened today by the prowess of Karna. When Karna's division is thus acting (towards us) repeatedly, do thou speedily adopt that course which should now be adopted. Our army is flying away, O slayer of Madhu, our troops, broken and mangled with Drona's shafts and frightened by Karna, are unable to make a stand. I see Karna careering fearlessly. Our foremost of car-warriors are flying away. Karna is scattering his keen shafts. I cannot, like a snake incapable of putting up with the tread of a human being upon its body, bear to see him thus careering at the head of battle, before my eyes, O tiger of Vrishni's race. Proceed, therefore, to that spot where the mighty car-warrior Karna is. I will either kill him, O slayer of Madhu, or let him slay me.' 1

"Vasudeva said, 'I behold Karna, O son of Kunti, that tiger among men, that warrior of superhuman prowess, careering in battle like the chief of the celestials himself. O Dhananjaya, there is none else capable of advancing against him in battle, save thee, O tiger among men, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha. I do not, however, O sinless one, regard the time to have come, O mighty-armed one, for thee to encounter the Suta's son in battle. The blazing dart, resembling a mighty meteor, given him by Vasava, is still with him, O thou of mighty arms, kept for thee with care, by the Suta's son. He keepeth that dart by him, and hath now assumed a terrible form. As regards Ghatotkacha, he is always devoted to you and desirous of your good. Let the mighty Ghatotkacha proceed against the son of Radha. Endued with the prowess of a celestial, he has been begotten by the mighty Bhima. With him are celestial weapons as also those used by Rakshasa. The latter soon came before him, clad in mail, and armed, O king, with sword arrow, and bow. Saluting Krishna and also Dhananjaya, the son of Pandu, he proudly said, 'Here I am, command me.' Then he of Dasarha's race, addressed Hidimva's son, that Rakshasa of blazing mouth and fiery eyes and body of the hue of clouds, and said these words, 'Listen, O Ghatotkacha, attend to what

[paragraph continues] I say. The time is come for the display of thy prowess, and not of anybody else. Be thou the raft in this battle to the sinking Pandavas. Thou hast diverse weapons, and many kinds of Rakshasa illusion. Behold, O son of Hidimva, the army of the Pandavas is being beaten by Karna on the field of battle, like a herd of kine by the herdsman. Yonder, the mighty bowman Karna, endued with great intelligence and steady prowess, is scorching the foremost of Kshatriyas among the divisions of the Pandava host. Afflicted by his fiery arrows, the Pandava warriors are incapable of standing in front of that firm bowman who is shooting showers of mighty shafts. Afflicted at dead of night by the Suta's son with his arrowy showers, the Panchalas are flying away like a herd of deer afflicted by a loin. Except thee, O thou of terrible prowess, there is none else that can withstand the Suta's son who is thus engaged in battle. Aided by thy energy and might, do thou, O mighty-armed one, accomplish that which is worthy of thy own self, of thy maternal race, and of thy sires. It is even for this, O son of Hidimva, that men desire children, viz., for being rescued from difficulties. Do thou now rescue thy kinsmen. O Ghatotkacha, sires desire sons for achieving their own objects. Children, those sources of good, are expected to rescue their sires both here and hereafter. Illustrious thou art, and thy might in battle is terrible and unrivalled, while contending in battle, there is none equal to thee. O scorcher of foes, be thou the means by which the Pandavas who are routed by Karna with his shafts this night, and who are now sinking in the Dhartarashtra ocean, may safely reach the shore. At night, Rakshasas, again, become endued with unlimited prowess, great might, and great courage. They become (at such an hour) warriors of great valour and incapable of defeat. Slay Karna in battle, at this dead of night, aided by thy illusions. The Parthas, with Dhrishtadyumna, will dispose of Drona.'

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing those words of Kesava, Vibhatsu also, O Kauravya, said these words unto that chastiser of foes, viz., the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, 'O Ghatotkacha, thyself, the long-armed Satyaki, and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu, these three, in my judgment, are the foremost ones among all our warriors. Go and encounter Karna in single combat this night. The mighty car-warrior Satyaki will protect thy rear. Assisted by Satwata hero, slay brave Karna in battle, as Indra in days of old had slain (the Asura) Taraka, aided by (the celestial generalissimo) Skanda.'

"Ghatotkacha said, 'I am match for Karna, as also for Drona, O Bharata, or for any illustrious Kshatriya accomplished in weapons. This night I shall fight such a battle with the Suta's son as will form the subject of talk as long as the world lasts. Tonight, I will spare neither the brave nor the timid nor those that will, with joined hands, pray for quarter. Following the Rakshasa usage, I shall slay all.'

"Sanjaya continued, Having said these words, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Hidimva, rushed against Karna in that dreadful fight frightening thy troops. The Suta's son, that tiger among men,

smilingly received that angry warrior of blazing mouth and blazing locks. The battle then that took place between Karna and that Rakshasa, both roaring against each other, O tiger among kings, resembled that between Indra and Prahlada (in days of yore).'

399:1 In the Bengal texts this is a triplet.

7.149.1

संजय उवाच
दृष्ट्वा घटोत्कचं राजन्सूतपुत्ररथं प्रति
प्रयान्तं त्वरया युक्तं जिघांसुं कर्णमाहवे

7.149.2

अब्रवीत्तव पुत्रस्तु दुःशासनमिदं वचः
एतद्रक्षो रणे तूर्णं दृष्ट्वा कर्णस्य विक्रमम्

7.149.3

अभियाति द्रुतं कर्णं तद्वारय महारथम्
वृतः सैन्येन महता याहि यत्र महाबलः

7.149.4

कर्णो वैकर्तनो युद्धे राक्षसेन युयुत्सति
रक्ष कर्णं रणे यत्तो वृतः सैन्येन मानद

7.149.5

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे राजञ्जटासुरसुतो बली
दुर्योधनमुपागम्य प्राह प्रहरतां वरः

7.149.6

दुर्योधन तवामित्रान्प्रख्यातान्युद्धदुर्मदान्
पाण्डवान्हन्तुमिच्छामि त्वयाज्ञप्तः सहानुगान्

7.149.7

जटासुरो मम पिता रक्षसामग्रणीः पुरा
प्रयुज्य कर्म रक्षोघ्नं क्षुद्रैः पार्थैर्निपातितः
तस्यापचितिमिच्छामि त्वद्दिष्टो गन्तुमीश्वर

7.149.8

तमब्रवीत्ततो राजा प्रीयमाणः पुनः पुनः
द्रोणकर्णादिभिः सार्धं पर्याप्तोऽहं द्विषद्वधे
त्वं तु गच्छ मयाज्ञप्तो जहि युद्धं घटोत्कचम्

7.149.9

तथेत्युक्त्वा महाकायः समाहूय घटोत्कचम्
जटासुरिर्भैमसेनिं नानाशस्त्रैरवाकिरत्

7.149.10

अलंबलं च कर्णं च कुरुसैन्यं च दुस्तरम्
हैडिम्बः प्रममाथैको महावातोऽम्बुदानिव

7.149.11

ततो मायामयं दृष्ट्वा रथं तूर्णमलंबलः
घटोत्कचं शरव्रातैर्नानालिङ्गैः समार्दयत्

7.149.12

विद्ध्वा च बहुभिर्बाणैर्भैमसेनिमलंबलः
व्यद्रावयच्छरव्रातैः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्

7.149.13

तेन विद्राव्यमाणानि पाण्डुसैन्यानि मारिष
निशीथे विप्रकीर्यन्त वातनुन्ना घना इव

7.149.14

घटोत्कचशरैर्नुन्ना तथैव कुरुवाहिनी
निशीथे प्राद्रवद्राजन्नुत्सृज्योल्काः सहस्रशः

7.149.15

अलंबलस्ततः क्रुद्धो भैमसेनिं महामृधे
आजघ्ने निशितैर्बाणैस्तोत्त्रैरिव महाद्विपम्

7.149.16

तिलशस्तस्य तद्यानं सूतं सर्वायुधानि च
घटोत्कचः प्रचिच्छेद प्राणदच्चातिदारुणम्

7.149.17

ततः कर्णं शरव्रातैः कुरूनन्यान्सहस्रशः
अलंबलं चाभ्यवर्षन्मेघो मेरुमिवाचलम्

7.149.18

ततः संचुक्षुभे सैन्यं कुरूणां राक्षसार्दितम्
उपर्युपरि चान्योन्यं चतुरङ्गं ममर्द ह

7.149.19

जटासुरिर्महाराज विरथो हतसारथिः
घटोत्कचं रणे क्रुद्धो मुष्टिनाभ्यहनद्दृढम्

7.149.20

मुष्टिनाभिहतस्तेन प्रचचाल घटोत्कचः
क्षितिकम्पे यथा शैलः सवृक्षगणगुल्मवान्

7.149.21

ततः स परिघाभेन द्विट्संघघ्नेन बाहुना
जटासुरिं भैमसेनिरवधीन्मुष्टिना भृशम्

7.149.22

तं प्रमथ्य ततः क्रुद्धस्तूर्णं हैडिम्बिराक्षिपत्
दोर्भ्यामिन्द्रध्वजाभाभ्यां निष्पिपेष महीतले

7.149.23

अलंबलोऽपि विक्षिप्य समुत्क्षिप्य च राक्षसम्
घटोत्कचं रणे रोषान्निष्पिपेष महीतले

7.149.24

तयोः समभवद्युद्धं गर्जतोरतिकाययोः
घटोत्कचालंबलयोस्तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्

7.149.25

विशेषयन्तावन्योन्यं मायाभिरतिमायिनौ
युयुधाते महावीर्याविन्द्रवैरोचनाविव

7.149.26

पावकाम्बुनिधी भूत्वा पुनर्गरुडतक्षकौ
पुनर्मेघमहावातौ पुनर्वज्रमहाचलौ
पुनः कुञ्जरशार्दूलौ पुनः स्वर्भानुभास्करौ

7.149.27

एवं मायाशतसृजावन्योन्यवधकाङ्क्षिणौ
भृशं चित्रमयुध्येतामलंबलघटोत्कचौ

7.149.28

परिघैश्च गदाभिश्च प्रासमुद्गरपट्टिशैः
मुसलैः पर्वताग्रैश्च तावन्योन्यं निजघ्नतुः

7.149.29

हयाभ्यां च गजाभ्यां च पदातिरथिनौ पुनः
युयुधाते महामायौ राक्षसप्रवरौ युधि

7.149.30

ततो घटोत्कचो राजन्नलंबलवधेप्सया
उत्पपात भृशं क्रुद्धः श्येनवन्निपपात ह

7.149.31

गृहीत्वा च महाकायं राक्षसेन्द्रमलंबलम्
उद्यम्य न्यवधीद्भूमौ मयं विष्णुरिवाहवे

7.149.32

ततो घटोत्कचः खड्गमुद्गृह्याद्भुतदर्शनम्
चकर्त कायाद्धि शिरो भीमं विकृतदर्शनम्

7.149.33

तच्छिरो रुधिराभ्यक्तं गृह्य केशेषु राक्षसः
घटोत्कचो ययावाशु दुर्योधनरथं प्रति

7.149.34

अभ्येत्य च महाबाहुः स्मयमानः स राक्षसः
रथेऽस्य निक्षिप्य शिरो विकृताननमूर्धजम्
प्राणदद्भैरवं नादं प्रावृषीव बलाहकः

7.149.35

अब्रवीच्च ततो राजन्दुर्योधनमिदं वचः
एष ते निहतो बन्धुस्त्वया दृष्टोऽस्य विक्रमः
पुनर्द्रष्टासि कर्णस्य निष्ठामेतां तथात्मनः

7.149.36

एवमुक्त्वा ततः प्रायात्कर्णं प्रति जनेश्वर
किरञ्शरशतांस्तीक्ष्णान्विमुञ्चन्कर्णमूर्धनि

7.149.37

ततः समभवद्युद्धं घोररूपं भयानकम्
विस्मापनं महाराज नरराक्षसयोर्मृधे

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, O king, proceeding towards the car of Suta's son, Karna for slaughtering him in battle, thy son Duryodhana addressing Duhsasana, said these words, 'The Rakshasa, seeing the prowess of Karna in battle, is speedily advancing against him. Resist that mighty car-warrior. Surrounded by a mighty force proceed to that spot where the mighty Karna, the son of Vikartana, is contending with the Rakshasa in battle. O giver of honours, surrounded by troops and exerting thyself vigorously, protect Karna in battle. Let not the terrible Rakshasa slay Karna in consequence of our carelessness. Meanwhile, O king, Jatasura's mighty son, that foremost of smiters, approaching Duryodhana, said unto him, 'O Duryodhana, commanded by thee, I desire to slay, with their followers, thy foes of celebrity, viz., the Pandavas, those warriors incapable of being easily defeated in battle. My father was mighty Jatasura, that foremost of Rakshasa. Formerly, having performed some Rakshasa slaying incantations, the despicable sons of Pritha slew him. I desire to worship my dead sire by offering him the blood of his foes, and their flesh, O monarch! it behoveth thee to grant me permission.' The king, thus addressed, became exceedingly delighted and said unto him repeatedly, 'Aided by Drona and Karna and others, I am quite competent to vanquish my foes. Commanded, however, by me, O Rakshasa, go thou to battle and slay Ghatotkacha in the fight--that Rakshasa of fierce deeds, born of man, ever devoted to the welfare of the Pandavas, and always slaying our elephants and steeds and car-warriors in battle, himself all the while staying in the welkin, O, despatch him to Yama's abode.' Saying, 'so be it,' and summoning Ghatotkacha to the fight, Jatasura's son shrouded the son of Bhimasena with diverse kinds of weapons. The son of Hidimva, however, alone and unsupported began, to grind Alamvusha and Karna and the vast Kuru host, like the tempest crushing a mass of clouds. Seeing then the power of (Ghatotkacha's) illusion, the Rakshasa Alamvusha covered Ghatotkacha with showers of diverse kinds of arrows. Having pierced Bhimasena's son with many shafts, Alamvusha, without losing any time, began to afflict the Pandava host with his arrows. Thus afflicted by him, O Bharata, the Pandava troops, at dead of night, broke and fled away like clouds dispersed by a tempest. Similarly, thy host also, mingled with the shafts of Ghatotkacha,

fled away at dead of night, O king, in thousands, throwing down their torches. Alamvusha then, excited with great wrath, struck Bhimasena's son in that dreadful battle with many shafts, like a driver striking an elephant. Then Ghatotkacha cut off into minute fragments the car, the driver, and all the weapons of his foe and laughed frightfully. Then, like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on the mountains of Meru, Ghatotkacha poured showers of arrows on Karna, Alamvusha and all the Kurus. Afflicted by the Rakshasa, the Kuru host became exceedingly agitated. The four kinds of forces, of which thy army consisted, began to press and crush one another. Then Jatasura's son, carless and driverless, wrathfully struck Ghatotkacha, in that battle, with his fists. Thus struck, Ghatotkacha trembled like a mountain with its trees and creepers and grass at the time of an earthquake. Then Bhimasena's son, mad with rage, raising his own foe-slaying arm that resembled a spiked mace, dealt a severe blow on Jatasura's son. Crushing him then in rage, Hidimva's son quickly threw him down, and seizing him with his two arms he began to press him with great force upon the earth. Then Jatasura's son freeing himself from Ghatotkacha, rose up and assailed Ghatotkacha with great impetuosity. Alamvusha also, dragging and throwing down the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, in that battle, began to crush him in rage on the surface of the earth. The battle then that took place between those two roaring and gigantic warriors, viz., Ghatotkacha and Alamvusha, became exceedingly fierce and made the hair stand on end. Endeavouring to prevail over each other by means of their powers of illusion, those two proud warriors, endued with great energy, fought with each other like Indra and Virochana's son. Becoming fire and ocean, and, once more, Garuda and Takshaka, and once again, a cloud and a tempest, and then thunder and a large mountain, and once again, an elephant and then Rahu and the sun, they thus displayed a hundred different kinds of illusion, solicitous of destroying each other. Indeed, Alamvusha and Ghatotkacha fought most wonderfully, striking each other with spiked clubs and maces and lances and mallets and axes and short clubs and mountain-cliffs. Riding on horseback or on elephants, on foot or on car, those foremost of Rakshasas, both endued with large powers of illusion, fought with each other in battle. Then Ghatotkacha, O king, desiring to slay Alamvusha, roared aloft in rage and then alighted with great quickness like a hawk. Seizing then that gigantic prince of Rakshasas, viz., Alamvusha, who thus struggled with him, he pressed him down on the earth, like Vishnu slaying (the Asura) Maya in battle. Taking a scimitar of wonderful appearance, Ghatotkacha, of immeasurable prowess, then cut off from his trunk, O king, his fierce and mighty foe's terrible head that was still uttering awful roars. Seizing that blood-dyed head by the hair, Ghatotkacha quickly proceeded towards Duryodhana's car. Approaching (the Kuru king), the mighty-armed Rakshasa, smiling the while, threw upon Duryodhana's car that head with frightful face and hair. Uttering then a fierce roar, deep as that of the clouds in the season of rains, he addressed Duryodhana,

[paragraph continues] O king, and said, 'This thy ally is now slain, he, that is, whose prowess thou hadst beheld! Thou shalt see the slaughter of Karna again, and then thy own. One that is observant of these three, viz., morality, profit and pleasure, should never see with empty hands a king, a Brahmana, or a woman. 1 Live cheerfully till that time when I slay Karna.' Having said these words, he then, O king, proceeded towards Karna, shooting hundreds of keen arrows upon the head of Karna. The battle then that took place between that human warrior and that Rakshasa, was fierce and terrible, O king, and exceedingly wonderful.'"

403:1 It is for this that I see thee with this head as a tribute.