15. Book 08 · Karṇa Parva — The Book of Karṇa (part 1 of 2)

8.1.1

वैशंपायन उवाच
ततो द्रोणे हते राजन्दुर्योधनमुखा नृपाः
भृशमुद्विग्नमनसो द्रोणपुत्रमुपागमन्

8.1.2

ते द्रोणमुपशोचन्तः कश्मलाभिहतौजसः
पर्युपासन्त शोकार्तास्ततः शारद्वतीसुतम्

8.1.3

मुहूर्तं ते समाश्वास्य हेतुभिः शास्त्रसंमितैः
रात्र्यागमे महीपालाः स्वानि वेश्मानि भेजिरे

8.1.4

विशेषतः सूतपुत्रो राजा चैव सुयोधनः
दुःशासनोऽथ शकुनिर्न निद्रामुपलेभिरे

8.1.5

ते वेश्मस्वपि कौरव्य पृथ्वीशा नाप्नुवन्सुखम्
चिन्तयन्तः क्षयं तीव्रं निद्रां नैवोपलेभिरे

8.1.6

सहितास्ते निशायां तु दुर्योधननिवेशने
अतिप्रचण्डाद्विद्वेषात्पाण्डवानां महात्मनाम्

8.1.7

यत्तद्द्यूतपरिक्लिष्टां कृष्णामानिन्यिरे सभाम्
तत्स्मरन्तोऽन्वतप्यन्त भृशमुद्विग्नचेतसः

8.1.8

चिन्तयन्तश्च पार्थानां तान्क्लेशान्द्यूतकारितान्
कृच्छ्रेण क्षणदां राजन्निन्युरब्दशतोपमाम्

8.1.9

ततः प्रभाते विमले स्थिता दिष्टस्य शासने
चक्रुरावश्यकं सर्वे विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा

8.1.10

ते कृत्वावश्यकार्याणि समाश्वस्य च भारत
योगमाज्ञापयामासुर्युद्धाय च विनिर्ययुः

8.1.11

कर्णं सेनापतिं कृत्वा कृतकौतुकमङ्गलाः
वाचयित्वा द्विजश्रेष्ठान्दधिपात्रघृताक्षतैः

8.1.12

निष्कैर्गोभिर्हिरण्येन वासोभिश्च महाधनैः
वर्ध्यमाना जयाशीर्भिः सूतमागधबन्दिभिः

8.1.13

तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्कृतसर्वाह्णिकक्रियाः
शिबिरान्निर्ययू राजन्युद्धाय कृतनिश्चयाः

8.1.14

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम्
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च परस्परवधैषिणाम्

8.1.15

तयोर्द्वे दिवसे युद्धं कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः
कर्णे सेनापतौ राजन्नभूदद्भुतदर्शनम्

8.1.16

ततः शत्रुक्षयं कृत्वा सुमहान्तं रणे वृषः
पश्यतां धार्तराष्ट्राणां फल्गुनेन निपातितः

8.1.17

ततस्तत्संजयः सर्वं गत्वा नागाह्वयं पुरम्
आचख्यौ धृतराष्ट्राय यद्वृत्तं कुरुजाङ्गले

8.1.18

जनमेजय उवाच
आपगेयं हतं श्रुत्वा द्रोणं च समरे परैः
यो जगाम परामार्तिं वृद्धो राजाम्बिकासुतः

8.1.19

स श्रुत्वा निहतं कर्णं दुर्योधनहितैषिणम्
कथं द्विजवर प्राणानधारयत दुःखितः

8.1.20

यस्मिञ्जयाशां पुत्राणाममन्यत स पार्थिवः
तस्मिन्हते स कौरव्यः कथं प्राणानधारयत्

8.1.21

दुर्मरं बत मन्येऽहं नृणां कृच्छ्रेऽपि वर्तताम्
यत्र कर्णं हतं श्रुत्वा नात्यजज्जीवितं नृपः

8.1.22

तथा शांतनवं वृद्धं ब्रह्मन्बाह्लिकमेव च
द्रोणं च सोमदत्तं च भूरिश्रवसमेव च

8.1.23

तथैव चान्यान्सुहृदः पुत्रपौत्रांश्च पातितान्
श्रुत्वा यन्नाजहात्प्राणांस्तन्मन्ये दुष्करं द्विज

8.1.24

एतन्मे सर्वमाचक्ष्व विस्तरेण तपोधन
न हि तृप्यामि पूर्वेषां शृण्वानश्चरितं महत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana, and unto that most exalted of male beings, Nara, and unto the goddess Sarasvati also, must the word Jaya be uttered.

Vaishampayana said, "After Drona had been slain, O monarch, the royal warriors (of the Kaurava army) headed by Duryodhana, with hearts filled with great anxiety, all repaired to Drona's son. Lamenting the loss of Drona, and deprived of energy in consequence of their cheerlessness, they sat around the son of Sharadvata's daughter, afflicted with grief. Comforted for a little while by considerations founded upon the scriptures, when night came, those rulers of Earth proceeded to their respective tents. Those lords of Earth, however, O thou of Kuru's race, could feel no happiness in their abodes. Thinking of that immense slaughter, they could not also sleep. The Suta's son (Karna), and king Suyodhana and Duhshasana and Shakuni, in special, could not compose themselves to sleep. Those four passed that night together in Duryodhana's tent, reflecting upon the woes they had inflicted upon the high-souled Pandavas. Formerly they had brought Draupadi, plunged into woe on account of the match at dice, into the assembly. Recollecting it they experienced great regret, their hearts being filled with anxiety. Thinking of those sufferings inflicted (upon the Pandavas) in consequence of the gambling match they passed that night in sorrow, O king, as if it were really a hundred years. Then when morning came, observing the dictates of the ordinance, all of them duly went through the customary rites. Having gone through these customary rites, and comforted to some extent, O Bharata, they ordered their troops to be arrayed, and then came out for battle, having made Karna their generalissimo by tying the auspicious thread round his wrists, and having caused many foremost of brahmanas, by presents of vessels of curds, clarified butter, akshatas, coins of gold, kine, jewels and gems, and costly robes, to pray for their victory, and having caused heralds and musicians, and panegyrists to adore them with hymns about victory. The Pandavas also, O king, having gone through their morning rites, issued from their camp, resolved on battle. Then commenced a fierce battle, making the hair to stand on end, between the Kurus and the Pandavas, each desirous of vanquishing the other. During the commandership of Karna, the battle that took place between the Kuru and the Pandava troops was exceedingly fierce and lasted for two days. Then Vrisha (Karna) having made an immense slaughter of his enemies in battle, was at last slain in the sight of the Dhartarashtras, by Arjuna. Then Sanjaya, repairing to Hastinapura told Dhritarashtra all that had happened at Kurujangala."

Janamejaya said, "Having heard of the fall of Bhishma and that other mighty car-warrior, Drona, the old king Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika had been afflicted with great grief. How, O foremost of brahmanas, could he, plunged into grief, support his life having heard of the death of Karna, that well-wisher of Duryodhana? How indeed, could that descendant of Kuru support his life when he, upon whom that monarch had rested the hope of his sons' victory, had fallen? When the king did not lay down his life even after hearing of Karna's death, I think that it is very difficult for men to yield up life even under circumstances of great grief! O brahmana, when the king did not yield up his life after hearing of the fall of the venerable son of Shantanu, of Bahlika and Drona and Somadatta and Bhurishrava, as also other friends and his sons and grandsons, I think, O regenerate one, that the act of yielding up one's life is exceedingly difficult! Tell me all these in detail and as they actually happened! I am not satiated with hearing the high achievements of my ancestors!"

8.1.25

वैशंपायन उवाच
हते कर्णे महाराज निशि गावल्गणिस्तदा
दीनो ययौ नागपुरमश्वैर्वातसमैर्जवे

8.1.26

स हास्तिनपुरं गत्वा भृशमुद्विग्नमानसः
जगाम धृतराष्ट्रस्य क्षयं प्रक्षीणबान्धवम्

8.1.27

स समुद्वीक्ष्य राजानं कश्मलाभिहतौजसम्
ववन्दे प्राञ्जलिर्भूत्वा मूर्ध्ना पादौ नृपस्य ह

8.1.28

संपूज्य च यथान्यायं धृतराष्ट्रं महीपतिम्
हा कष्टमिति चोक्त्वा स ततो वचनमाददे

8.1.29

संजयोऽहं क्षितिपते कच्चिदास्ते सुखं भवान्
स्वदोषेणापदं प्राप्य कच्चिन्नाद्य विमुह्यसि

8.1.30

हितान्युक्तानि विदुरद्रोणगाङ्गेयकेशवैः
अगृहीतान्यनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्

8.1.31

रामनारदकण्वैश्च हितमुक्तं सभातले
नगृहीतमनुस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्

8.1.32

सुहृदस्त्वद्धिते युक्तान्भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्परैः
निहतान्युधि संस्मृत्य कच्चिन्न कुरुषे व्यथाम्

8.1.33

तमेवंवादिनं राजा सूतपुत्रं कृताञ्जलिम्
सुदीर्घमभिनिःश्वस्य दुःखार्त इदमब्रवीत्

8.1.34

गाङ्गेये निहते शूरे दिव्यास्त्रवति संजय
द्रोणे च परमेष्वासे भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः

8.1.35

यो रथानां सहस्राणि दंशितानां दशैव हि
अहन्यहनि तेजस्वी निजघ्ने वसुसंभवः

8.1.36

स हतो यज्ञसेनस्य पुत्रेणेह शिखण्डिना
पाण्डवेयाभिगुप्तेन भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः

8.1.37

भार्गवः प्रददौ यस्मै परमास्त्रं महात्मने
साक्षाद्रामेण यो बाल्ये धनुर्वेद उपाकृतः

8.1.38

यस्य प्रसादात्कौन्तेया राजपुत्रा महाबलाः
महारथत्वं संप्राप्तास्तथान्ये वसुधाधिपाः

8.1.39

तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा धृष्टद्युम्नेन संयुगे
सत्यसंधं महेष्वासं भृशं मे व्यथितं मनः

8.1.40

त्रैलोक्ये यस्य शास्त्रेषु न पुमान्विद्यते समः
तं द्रोणं निहतं श्रुत्वा किमकुर्वत मामकाः

8.1.41

संशप्तकानां च बले पाण्डवेन महात्मना
धनंजयेन विक्रम्य गमिते यमसादनम्

8.1.42

नारायणास्त्रे निहते द्रोणपुत्रस्य धीमतः
हतशेषेष्वनीकेषु किमकुर्वत मामकाः

8.1.43

विप्रद्रुतानहं मन्ये निमग्नः शोकसागरे
प्लवमानान्हते द्रोणे सन्ननौकानिवार्णवे

8.1.44

दुर्योधनस्य कर्णस्य भोजस्य कृतवर्मणः
मद्रराजस्य शल्यस्य द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च

8.1.45

मत्पुत्रशेषस्य तथा तथान्येषां च संजय
विप्रकीर्णेष्वनीकेषु मुखवर्णोऽभवत्कथम्

8.1.46

एतत्सर्वं यथा वृत्तं तत्त्वं गावल्गणे रणे
आचक्ष्व पाण्डवेयानां मामकानां च सर्वशः

8.1.47

संजय उवाच
पाण्डवेयैर्हि यद्वृत्तं कौरवेयेषु मारिष
तच्छ्रुत्वा मा व्यथां कार्षीर्दिष्टे न व्यथते मनः

8.1.48

यस्मादभावी भावी वा भवेदर्थो नरं प्रति
अप्राप्तौ तस्य वा प्राप्तौ न कश्चिद्व्यथते बुधः

8.1.49

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
न व्यथा शृण्वतः काचिद्विद्यते मम संजय
दिष्टमेतत्पुरा मन्ये कथयस्व यथेच्छकम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Vaishampayana said, "Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the son of Gavalgana, with a cheerless heart, set out that night for Nagapura, on steeds that rivalled the wind in speed. Arrived at Hastinapura, with a heart filled with deep anxiety, he proceeded to Dhritarashtra's abode which no longer teemed with kinsmen and friends. Beholding the king deprived of all energy by grief, joining his hands he worshipped, with a bend of his head, the monarch's feet. Having duly worshipped king Dhritarashtra, he uttered an exclamation of woe and then began, 'I am Sanjaya, O lord of Earth! Art thou not happy? I hope thou art not stupefied, having through thy own faults fallen into such distress? Counsels for thy good had been uttered by Vidura and Ganga's son and Keshava. I hope thou feelest no pain now, remembering thy rejection of those counsels? Counsels for thy good had also been uttered in the assembly by Rama and Narada and Kanwa and others. I hope thou feelest no pain now, remembering their rejection by thee? I hope thou feelest no pain, remembering the slaughter in battle, by the foe, of Bhishma and Drona and others, those friends that were ever engaged in thy good?' Unto the Suta's son who with joined hands was telling him so, the monarch afflicted with grief and drawing a long and hot breath, said these words.

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Hearing, O Sanjaya, of the fall of the heroic son of Ganga, that warrior of all celestial weapons, as also of the fall of that foremost of all bowmen, Drona, my heart feeleth great pain! That hero endued with great energy and born of the Vasus themselves, who slew every day 10,000 car-warriors clad in mail, that high-souled one unto whom Bhrigu's son had given the highest weapons, that warrior who in his childhood had been trained in the science of the bow by Rama, alas, even he hath been slain by Yajnasena's son Shikhandi protected by the Pandavas! At this my heart is greatly pained! That hero through whose grace those mighty car-warriors, the royal sons of Kunti, as also many other lords of Earth, have become maharathas, alas, hearing of the slaughter of that great bowman of sure aim, Drona, by Dhrishtadyumna, my heart is exceedingly pained! Those two had not in the world a person equal to them in (knowledge and use of) the four kinds of weapons! Alas, hearing of the slaughter of these two, Bhishma and Drona, in battle my heart is exceedingly pained! That warrior who had not in the three worlds a person equal to him in knowledge of weapons, alas, hearing of the slaughter of that hero, Drona, what did the people of my side do? After the high-souled son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, exerting himself with prowess, had despatched unto Yama's abode the strong force of the samsaptakas, after the Narayana weapon of the intelligent son of Drona had been baffled, and after the (Kaurava) divisions had begun to fly away, what, indeed, did the people of my side do? I think that, after Drona's death my troops, flying away and sinking in an ocean of grief, resembled shipwrecked mariners struggling on the bosom of the vast deep. What also, O Sanjaya, became the colour of the faces of Duryodhana, and Karna, and Kritavarma the chief of the Bhojas and Shalya, the ruler of the Madras, and of my remaining sons, and of the others, when the Kuru divisions fled away from the field? Tell me all this as it truly happened in battle, O son of Gavalgana, and describe to me the prowess put forth by the Pandavas and the warriors of my side!"

"Sanjaya said, 'O sire, hearing all that has happened unto the Kauravas through thy fault, thou shouldst not feel any anguish! He that is wise never feeleth any pain at what Destiny bringeth! And since Destiny is unconquerable, human purposes may or may not become attainable. Hence, he that is wise never feeleth pain on the acquisition or the reverse of the objects cherished by him.

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I do not feel great pain, O Sanjaya! I regard all this to be the result of Destiny! Tell me all that thou wishest!'"

8.2.1

संजय उवाच
हते द्रोणे महेष्वासे तव पुत्रा महारथाः
बभूवुराश्वस्तमुखा विषण्णा गतचेतसः

8.2.2

अवाङ्मुखाः शस्त्रभृतः सर्व एव विशां पते
अप्रेक्षमाणाः शोकार्ता नाभ्यभाषन्परस्परम्

8.2.3

तान्दृष्ट्वा व्यथिताकारान्सैन्यानि तव भारत
ऊर्ध्वमेवाभ्यवेक्षन्त दुःखत्रस्तान्यनेकशः

8.2.4

शस्त्राण्येषां च राजेन्द्र शोणिताक्तान्यशेषतः
प्राभ्रश्यन्त कराग्रेभ्यो दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं निपातितम्

8.2.5

तानि बद्धान्यनिष्टानि लम्बमानानि भारत
अदृश्यन्त महाराज नक्षत्राणि यथा दिवि

8.2.6

तथार्तं स्तिमितं दृष्ट्वा गतसत्त्वमिव स्थितम्
स्वं बलं तन्महाराज राजा दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्

8.2.7

भवतां बाहुवीर्यं हि समाश्रित्य मया युधि
पाण्डवेयाः समाहूता युद्धं चेदं प्रवर्तितम्

8.2.8

तदिदं निहते द्रोणे विषण्णमिव लक्ष्यते
युध्यमानाश्च समरे योधा वध्यन्ति सर्वतः

8.2.9

जयो वापि वधो वापि युध्यमानस्य संयुगे
भवेत्किमत्र चित्रं वै युध्यध्वं सर्वतोमुखाः

8.2.10

पश्यध्वं च महात्मानं कर्णं वैकर्तनं युधि
प्रचरन्तं महेष्वासं दिव्यैरस्त्रैर्महाबलम्

8.2.11

यस्य वै युधि संत्रासात्कुन्तीपुत्रो धनंजयः
निवर्तते सदामर्षात्सिंहात्क्षुद्रमृगो यथा

8.2.12

येन नागायुतप्राणो भीमसेनो महाबलः
मानुषेणैव युद्धेन तामवस्थां प्रवेशितः

8.2.13

येन दिव्यास्त्रविच्छूरो मायावी स घटोत्कचः
अमोघया रणे शक्त्या निहतो भैरवं नदन्

8.2.14

तस्य दुष्पारवीर्यस्य सत्यसंधस्य धीमतः
बाह्वोर्द्रविणमक्षय्यमद्य द्रक्ष्यथ संयुगे

8.2.15

द्रोणपुत्रस्य विक्रान्तं राधेयस्यैव चोभयोः
पाण्डुपाञ्चालसैन्येषु द्रक्ष्यथापि महात्मनोः

8.2.16

सर्व एव भवन्तश्च शूराः प्राज्ञाः कुलोद्गताः
शीलवन्तः कृतास्त्राश्च द्रक्ष्यथाद्य परस्परम्

8.2.17

एवमुक्ते महाराज कर्णो वैकर्तनो नृपः
सिंहनादं विनद्योच्चैः प्रायुध्यत महाबलः

8.2.18

स सृञ्जयानां सर्वेषां पाञ्चालानां च पश्यताम्
केकयानां विदेहानामकरोत्कदनं महत्

8.2.19

तस्येषुधाराः शतशः प्रादुरासञ्शरासनात्
अग्रे पुङ्खे च संसक्ता यथा भ्रमरपङ्क्तयः

8.2.20

स पीडयित्वा पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवांश्च तरस्विनः
हत्वा सहस्रशो योधानर्जुनेन निपातितः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Upon the fall of the great bowman Drona, thy sons, those mighty car-warriors, became pale and deprived of their senses. Armed with weapons, all of them, O monarch, hung down their heads. Afflicted with grief and without looking at one another, they stood perfectly silent. Beholding them with such afflicted countenances, thy troops, O Bharata, themselves perturbed by grief, vacantly gazed upwards. Seeing Drona slain in battle, the weapons of many of them, O king, dyed with blood, dropped from their hands. Innumerable weapons, again, O Bharata, still retained in the grasp of the soldiers, seemed in their pendent attitude, to resemble falling meteors in the sky. Then king Duryodhana, O monarch, beholding that army of thine thus standing as if paralysed and lifeless, said, "Relying upon the might of your army I have summoned the Pandavas to battle and caused this passage-at-arms to commence! Upon the fall of Drona, however, the prospect seems to be cheerless. Warriors engaged in battle all die in battle. Engaged in battle, a warrior may have either victory or death. What can be strange then in this (viz., the death of Drona)? Fight ye with faces turned towards every direction. Behold now the high-souled Karna, the son of Vikartana, that great bowman of mighty strength, careering in battle, using his celestial weapons! Through fear of that warrior in battle, that coward, viz., Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, always turns back like a small deer at the sight of a lion! It is he who, by the ordinary methods of human battle, brought the mighty Bhimasena endued with the strength of 10,000 elephants to that plight! It is he who, uttering a loud roar, slew with his invincible dart the brave Ghatotkaca of a 1,000 illusions and well-acquainted with celestial weapons! Behold today the inexhaustible might of arms of that intelligent warrior of sure aim and invincible energy! Let the sons of Pandu behold today the prowess of both Ashvatthama and Karna resembling that of Vishnu and Vasava! All of you are singly able to slay the sons of Pandu with their troops in battle! How much more then are you capable, when united together, of that feat! Endued with great energy and accomplished in weapons, you will today behold one another engaged in the achievement of mighty tasks!'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words, O sinless one, thy son Duryodhana, with his brothers, made Karna the generalissimo (of the Kuru army). Obtaining the command, the mighty car-warrior Karna, so fierce in battle, uttered loud roars and fought with the foe. He caused, O sire, a great carnage among the Srinjayas, the Pancalas, the Kekayas, and the Videhas. From his bow issued innumerable lines of arrows, one close behind the wings of another, like flights of bees. Having afflicted the Pancalas and the Pandavas endued with great activity, and slain thousands of warriors, he was at last slain by Arjuna!"

8.3.1

वैशंपायन उवाच
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः
शोकस्यान्तमपश्यन्वै हतं मत्वा सुयोधनम्
विह्वलः पतितो भूमौ नष्टचेता इव द्विपः

8.3.2

तस्मिन्निपतिते भूमौ विह्वले राजसत्तमे
आर्तनादो महानासीत्स्त्रीणां भरतसत्तम

8.3.3

स शब्दः पृथिवीं सर्वां पूरयामास सर्वशः
शोकार्णवे महाघोरे निमग्ना भरतस्त्रियः

8.3.4

राजानं च समासाद्य गान्धारी भरतर्षभ
निःसंज्ञा पतिता भूमौ सर्वाण्यन्तःपुराणि च

8.3.5

ततस्ताः संजयो राजन्समाश्वासयदातुराः
मुह्यमानाः सुबहुशो मुञ्चन्त्यो वारि नेत्रजम्

8.3.6

समाश्वस्ताः स्त्रियस्तास्तु वेपमाना मुहुर्मुहुः
कदल्य इव वातेन धूयमानाः समन्ततः

8.3.7

राजानं विदुरश्चापि प्रज्ञाचक्षुषमीश्वरम्
आश्वासयामास तदा सिञ्चंस्तोयेन कौरवम्

8.3.8

स लब्ध्वा शनकैः संज्ञां ताश्च दृष्ट्वा स्त्रियो नृप
उन्मत्त इव राजा स स्थितस्तूष्णीं विशां पते

8.3.9

ततो ध्यात्वा चिरं कालं निःश्वसंश्च पुनः पुनः
स्वान्पुत्रान्गर्हयामास बहु मेने च पाण्डवान्

8.3.10

गर्हयित्वात्मनो बुद्धिं शकुनेः सौबलस्य च
ध्यात्वा च सुचिरं कालं वेपमानो मुहुर्मुहुः

8.3.11

संस्तभ्य च मनो भूयो राजा धैर्यसमन्वितः
पुनर्गावल्गणिं सूतं पर्यपृच्छत संजयम्

8.3.12

यत्त्वया कथितं वाक्यं श्रुतं संजय तन्मया
कच्चिद्दुर्योधनः सूत न गतो वै यमक्षयम्
ब्रूहि संजय तत्त्वेन पुनरुक्तां कथामिमाम्

8.3.13

एवमुक्तोऽब्रवीत्सूतो राजानं जनमेजय
हतो वैकर्तनो राजन्सह पुत्रैर्महारथैः
भ्रातृभिश्च महेष्वासैः सूतपुत्रैस्तनुत्यजैः

8.3.14

दुःशासनश्च निहतः पाण्डवेन यशस्विना
पीतं च रुधिरं कोपाद्भीमसेनेन संयुगे

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Vaishampayana said, "Hearing this intelligence, O monarch, Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, feeling the acme of grief, regarded Suyodhana to be already dead. Exceedingly agitated, the king fell down on the Earth like an elephant deprived of its senses. When that foremost of the monarchs, greatly agitated, fell down on the Earth, loud wails were uttered, O best of the Bharatas, by the ladies (of the royal household). That noise was so loud that it seemed to fill the entire Earth. Immersed in a deep ocean of woe, the Bharata ladies, with hearts exceedingly agitated and scorched by grief, wept aloud. Approaching the king, Gandhari, O bull of Bharata's race, and the other ladies of the household, all fell down on the earth, deprived of their senses. Then Sanjaya, O king, began to comfort those ladies stricken with grief, bathed in tears, and reft of consciousness. Comforted (by Sanjaya), those ladies began to tremble repeatedly like a plantain grove shaken by the wind. Vidura also, sprinkling that descendant of Kuru with water, began to comfort the puissant monarch who had knowledge only for his eye. Slowly restored to consciousness, and understanding that the ladies of the household were there, the king, O monarch, remained perfectly silent for some time like one reft of reason. Having reflected then for some time, and repeatedly drawn long breaths, the king censured his own sons and applauded the Pandavas. Censuring also his own intelligence and that of Shakuni the son of Subala, the king, having reflected for a long time, began to tremble repeatedly. Controlling his mind once more, the king, with sufficient fortitude, questioned his charioteer Sanjaya the son of Gavalgana.

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I have heard, O Sanjaya, all that thou hast said. Hath my son Duryodhana, O Suta, who is ever desirous of victory, already gone to Yama's abode, despairing of success? Tell me truly, O Sanjaya, all this even if thou wilt have to repeat it!'"

Vaishampayana continued, "Thus addressed by the king, O Janamejaya, the Suta said unto him, 'The mighty car-warrior Vaikartana, O monarch, hath been slain with his sons and brothers, and other Suta warriors, all of whom were mighty bowmen ready to lay down their lives in battle! Duhshasana also hath been slain by the renowned son of Pandu. Indeed, his blood also hath been, from wrath, drunk by Bhimasena in battle!'"

8.4.1

वैशंपायन उवाच
एतच्छ्रुत्वा महाराज धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः
अब्रवीत्संजयं सूतं शोकव्याकुलचेतनः

8.4.2

दुष्प्रणीतेन मे तात मनसाभिप्लुतात्मनः
हतं वैकर्तनं श्रुत्वा शोको मर्माणि कृन्तति

8.4.3

कृतास्त्रपरमाः शल्ये दुःखपारं तितीर्षवः
कुरूणां सृञ्जयानां च के नु जीवन्ति के मृताः

8.4.4

संजय उवाच
हतः शांतनवो राजन्दुराधर्षः प्रतापवान्
हत्वा पाण्डवयोधानामर्बुदं दशभिर्दिनैः

8.4.5

ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्
निहत्य युधि दुर्धर्षः पश्चाद्रुक्मरथो हतः

8.4.6

हतशिष्टस्य भीष्मेण द्रोणेन च महात्मना
अर्धं निहत्य सैन्यस्य कर्णो वैकर्तनो हतः

8.4.7

विविंशतिर्महाराज राजपुत्रो महाबलः
आनर्तयोधाञ्शतशो निहत्य निहतो रणे

8.4.8

अथ पुत्रो विकर्णस्ते क्षत्रव्रतमनुस्मरन्
क्षीणवाहायुधः शूरः स्थितोऽभिमुखतः परान्

8.4.9

घोररूपान्परिक्लेशान्दुर्योधनकृतान्बहून्
प्रतिज्ञां स्मरता चैव भीमसेनेन पातितः

8.4.10

विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ राजपुत्रौ महाबलौ
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गतौ वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.11

सिन्धुराष्ट्रमुखानीह दश राष्ट्राणि यस्य वै
वशे तिष्ठन्ति वीरस्य यः स्थितस्तव शासने

8.4.12

अक्षौहिणीर्दशैकां च निर्जित्य निशितैः शरैः
अर्जुनेन हतो राजन्महावीर्यो जयद्रथः

8.4.13

तथा दुर्योधनसुतस्तरस्वी युद्धदुर्मदः
वर्तमानः पितुः शास्त्रे सौभद्रेण निपातितः

8.4.14

तथा दौःशासनिर्वीरो बाहुशाली रणोत्कटः
द्रौपदेयेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.15

किरातानामधिपतिः सागरानूपवासिनाम्
देवराजस्य धर्मात्मा प्रियो बहुमतः सखा

8.4.16

भगदत्तो महीपालः क्षत्रधर्मरतः सदा
धनंजयेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.17

तथा कौरवदायादः सौमदत्तिर्महायशाः
हतो भूरिश्रवा राजञ्शूरः सात्यकिना युधि

8.4.18

श्रुतायुरपि चाम्बष्ठः क्षत्रियाणां धनुर्धरः
चरन्नभीतवत्संख्ये निहतः सव्यसाचिना

8.4.19

तव पुत्रः सदा संख्ये कृतास्त्रो युद्धदुर्मदः
दुःशासनो महाराज भीमसेनेन पातितः

8.4.20

यस्य राजन्गजानीकं बहुसाहस्रमद्भुतम्
सुदक्षिणः स संग्रामे निहतः सव्यसाचिना

8.4.21

कोसलानामधिपतिर्हत्वा बहुशतान्परान्
सौभद्रेण हि विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.22

बहुशो योधयित्वा च भीमसेनं महारथः
चित्रसेनस्तव सुतो भीमसेनेन पातितः

8.4.23

मद्रराजात्मजः शूरः परेषां भयवर्धनः
असिचर्मधरः श्रीमान्सौभद्रेण निपातितः

8.4.24

समः कर्णस्य समरे यः स कर्णस्य पश्यतः
वृषसेनो महातेजाः शीघ्रास्त्रः कृतनिश्चयः

8.4.25

अभिमन्योर्वधं स्मृत्वा प्रतिज्ञामपि चात्मनः
धनंजयेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.26

नित्यप्रसक्तवैरो यः पाण्डवैः पृथिवीपतिः
विश्राव्य वैरं पार्थेन श्रुतायुः स निपातितः

8.4.27

शल्यपुत्रस्तु विक्रान्तः सहदेवेन मारिष
हतो रुक्मरथो राजन्भ्राता मातुलजो युधि

8.4.28

राजा भगीरथो वृद्धो बृहत्क्षत्रश्च केकयः
पराक्रमन्तौ विक्रान्तौ निहतौ वीर्यवत्तरौ

8.4.29

भगदत्तसुतो राजन्कृतप्रज्ञो महाबलः
श्येनवच्चरता संख्ये नकुलेन निपातितः

8.4.30

पितामहस्तव तथा बाह्लिकः सह बाह्लिकैः
भीमसेनेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.31

जयत्सेनस्तथा राजञ्जारासंधिर्महाबलः
मागधो निहतः संख्ये सौभद्रेण महात्मना

8.4.32

पुत्रस्ते दुर्मुखो राजन्दुःसहश्च महारथः
गदया भीमसेनेन निहतौ शूरमानिनौ

8.4.33

दुर्मर्षणो दुर्विषहो दुर्जयश्च महारथः
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गता वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.34

सचिवो वृषवर्मा ते सूतः परमवीर्यवान्
भीमसेनेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.35

नागायुतबलो राजा नागायुतबलो महान्
सगणः पाण्डुपुत्रेण निहतः सव्यसाचिना

8.4.36

वसातयो महाराज द्विसाहस्राः प्रहारिणः
शूरसेनाश्च विक्रान्ताः सर्वे युधि निपातिताः

8.4.37

अभीषाहाः कवचिनः प्रहरन्तो मदोत्कटाः
शिबयश्च रथोदाराः कलिङ्गसहिता हताः

8.4.38

गोकुले नित्यसंवृद्धा युद्धे परमकोविदाः
श्रेणयो बहुसाहस्राः संशप्तकगणाश्च ये
ते सर्वे पार्थमासाद्य गता वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.39

स्यालौ तव महाराज राजानौ वृषकाचलौ
त्वदर्थे संपराक्रान्तौ निहतौ सव्यसाचिना

8.4.40

उग्रकर्मा महेष्वासो नामतः कर्मतस्तथा
शाल्वराजो महाराज भीमसेनेन पातितः

8.4.41

ओघवांश्च महाराज बृहन्तः सहितो रणे
पराक्रमन्तौ मित्रार्थे गतौ वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.42

तथैव रथिनां श्रेष्ठः क्षेमधूर्तिर्विशां पते
निहतो गदया राजन्भीमसेनेन संयुगे

8.4.43

तथा राजा महेष्वासो जलसंधो महाबलः
सुमहत्कदनं कृत्वा हतः सात्यकिना रणे

8.4.44

अलायुधो राक्षसेन्द्रः खरबन्धुरयानगः
घटोत्कचेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.45

राधेयाः सूतपुत्राश्च भ्रातरश्च महारथाः
केकयाः सर्वशश्चापि निहताः सव्यसाचिना

8.4.46

मालवा मद्रकाश्चैव द्रविडाश्चोग्रविक्रमाः
यौधेयाश्च ललित्थाश्च क्षुद्रकाश्चाप्युशीनराः

8.4.47

मावेल्लकास्तुण्डिकेराः सावित्रीपुत्रकाञ्चलाः
प्राच्योदीच्याः प्रतीच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च मारिष

8.4.48

पत्तीनां निहताः संघा हयानामयुतानि च
रथव्रजाश्च निहता हताश्च वरवारणाः

8.4.49

सध्वजाः सायुधाः शूराः सवर्माम्बरभूषणाः
कालेन महता यत्ताः कुले ये च विवर्धिताः

8.4.50

ते हताः समरे राजन्पार्थेनाक्लिष्टकर्मणा
अन्ये तथामितबलाः परस्परवधैषिणः

8.4.51

एते चान्ये च बहवो राजानः सगणा रणे
हताः सहस्रशो राजन्यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि
एवमेष क्षयो वृत्तः कर्णार्जुनसमागमे

8.4.52

महेन्द्रेण यथा वृत्रो यथा रामेण रावणः
यथा कृष्णेन निहतो मुरो रणनिपातितः
कार्तवीर्यश्च रामेण भार्गवेण हतो यथा

8.4.53

सज्ञातिबान्धवः शूरः समरे युद्धदुर्मदः
रणे कृत्वा महायुद्धं घोरं त्रैलोक्यविश्रुतम्

8.4.54

तथार्जुनेन निहतो द्वैरथे युद्धदुर्मदः
सामात्यबान्धवो राजन्कर्णः प्रहरतां वरः

8.4.55

जयाशा धार्तराष्ट्राणां वैरस्य च मुखं यतः
तीर्णं तत्पाण्डवै राजन्यत्पुरा नावबुध्यसे

8.4.56

उच्यमानो महाराज बन्धुभिर्हितकाङ्क्षिभिः
तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं व्यसनं त्वां महात्ययम्

8.4.57

पुत्राणां राज्यकामानां त्वया राजन्हितैषिणा
अहितानीव चीर्णानि तेषां ते फलमागतम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Vaishampayana said, "Hearing these words, O monarch, Ambika's son Dhritarashtra, with heart agitated by grief, addressed his driver Sanjaya, saying, 'Though the evil policy, O sire, of my son of little foresight, Vikartana's son hath been slain! This intelligence is cutting the very core of my heart! I am desirous of crossing this sea of grief! Remove my doubts, therefore, by telling me who are still alive and who are dead amongst the Kurus and the Pandavas!'

"Sanjaya said, 'Endued with great prowess and invincible in battle, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, O king, having slain large numbers of Srinjayas and Pancalas, hath been slain after ten days. The mighty and invincible bowman Drona of the golden car, having slaughtered the Pancala divisions in battle, hath been slain. Having slaughtered the half of what remained after the carnage by Bhishma and the illustrious Drona, Vikartana's son Karna hath been slain. Endued with great strength, O monarch, prince Vivingsati, having slain hundreds of Anarta warriors in battle, hath been slain. Thy heroic son Vikarna, deprived of steeds and weapons, stood, facing the foe, remembering the duties of Kshatriyas. Remembering the many foul wrongs inflicted upon him by Duryodhana, and bearing in mind his own vow, Bhimasena hath slain him. Possessed of great might, Vinda and Anuvinda, the two princes of Avanti, after achieving the most difficult feats, have gone to Yama's abode. That hero who had under his sway ten kingdoms, having Sindhu for their chief, him who was ever obedient to thee, Jayadratha of mighty energy, O king, Arjuna hath slain after vanquishing eleven akshauhinis of troops with his keen arrows. Endued with great activity and incapable of being easily defeated in battle, the son of Duryodhana, ever obedient to his sire's commands, hath been slain by the son of Subhadra. The brave son of Duhshasana, possessed of mighty arms and fierce in battle, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Draupadi's son exerting himself with great prowess! The ruler of the Kiratas and other dwellers of the lowlands on the seacoast, the much respected and dear friend of the chief of the celestials himself, the virtuous king Bhagadatta, who was ever devoted to Kshatriya duties, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Dhananjaya exerting himself great with prowess. The kinsman of the Kauravas, the son of Somadatta, the brave and celebrated Bhurishrava, O king, hath been slain by Satyaki in battle. The Amvashtha king Srutayus, that foremost of Kshatriyas, who used to career in battle most fearlessly, hath been slain by Arjuna. Thy son Duhshasana, accomplished in arms and invincible in battle, and who was always wrathful, hath, O monarch, been slain by Bhimasena. Sudakshina, O king, who had many thousands of wonderful elephants, hath been slain in battle by Arjuna. The ruler of the Kosolas, having slain many hundreds of foes, hath himself been despatched to Yama's abode by Subhadra's son exerting himself with prowess. Having fought with many thousands of foes and with the mighty car-warrior Bhimasena himself, thy son Citrasena hath been slain by Bhimasena. The brave younger brother of the ruler of the Madras, that enhancer of the fears of foes, that handsome warrior armed with sword and shield, hath been slain by Subhadra's son. He who was equal to Karna himself in battle, Karna's son Vrishasena, accomplished in arms, of mighty energy and steady prowess, hath, in the very sight of Karna, been despatched to Yama's abode by Dhananjaya who put forth his prowess remembering the slaughter of his own son Abhimanyu and bearing in mind the vow he had made. That lord of Earth, Srutayus, who always displayed a deep-rooted antipathy towards the Pandavas, hath been slain by Partha who reminded him of that antipathy before taking his life. Shalya's son of great prowess, O sire, Rukmaratha, hath, O king, been slain in battle by Sahadeva although the former happened to be the latter's brother, having been the son of the latter's maternal uncle. The old king Bhagiratha, and Vrihatkshatra the ruler of the Kaikeyas both endued with great prowess and might and energy, have been slain. Bhagadatta's son, O king who was possessed of great wisdom and great strength, hath been slain by Nakula who always careers in battle with the activity of the hawk. Thy grandsire Bahlika, possessed of great might and prowess, hath, with all his followers, been slain by Bhimasena. The mighty Jayatsena the son of Jarasandha, the prince of the Magadhas, O king, hath been slain in battle by the high-souled son of Subhadra. Thy son Durmukha, O king, as also thy other son Dussaha, that mighty car-warrior, both of whom were regarded as heroes, have been slain by Bhimasena with his mace. Durmarshana and Durvisaha and the mighty car-warrior Durjaya, having achieved the most difficult feats, have gone to Yama's abode. The two brothers Kalinga and Vrishaka, who were invincible in battle, having achieved very difficult feats have gone to Yama's abode. Thy counsellor Vrishavarman of the Suta caste, endued with great energy, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Bhimasena exerting himself with prowess. So also king Paurava who was endued with the might of 10,000 elephants, hath, with all his followers, been slain by Pandu's son Arjuna. The Vasatis, O king, numbering 2,000, effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas endued with prowess, have all been slain in battle. The Abhishahas, clad in mail, capable of smiting effectually, and fierce in battle, also the Sivis, those foremost of car-warriors, with the Kalingas, have all been slain. Those other heroes also, (the Narayana Gopas) who live and grew in Gokula, who were exceedingly wrathful in battle, and who never retreated from the field have been slain by Savyasaci. Many thousands of Srenis, as also the samsaptakas, approaching Arjuna, have all repaired to the abode of Yama. Thy two brothers-in-law, viz., the princes Vrishaka and Achala, who were endued with great prowess, have for thy sake been slain by Savyasaci. King Shalva of mighty arms and fierce deeds, who was a great bowman both in name and feats, hath been slain by Bhimasena. Oghavat, O king, and Vrishanta, fighting together in battle and exerting themselves with great vigour for the sake of their ally, have both repaired to Yama's abode. So also that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Kshemadhurti, O monarch, hath been slain in battle by Bhimasena with his mace. So also that great bowman, viz., the mighty king Jalasandha, after causing an immense carnage, hath been slain by Satyaki in battle. That prince of Rakshasas, viz., Alayudha, unto whose vehicle were yoked asses (of monstrous shape) hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Ghatotkaca exerting himself with great prowess. Radha's son of the Suta caste, and those mighty car-warriors who were his brothers, and the Kaikeyas, the Malavas, the Madrakas the Dravidas of fierce prowess, the Yaudheyas, the Lalittyas, the Kshudrakas, the Usinaras, the Tundikeras, the Savitriputras, the Easterners, the Northerners, the Westerners, and the Southerners, O sire, have all been slain by Savyasaci. Large bands of foot-soldiers, myriads upon myriads of steeds, large number of car-warriors, and many huge elephants, have been slain. Many heroes also, with standards and weapons, and with armour and attire and ornaments, and endued with perseverance and possessed of high birth and good conduct, have been slain in battle by Partha who is never fatigued with exertion. Others, endued with immeasurable might, and desirous of slaying their foes, (have met with a similar fate). These and many other kings, numbering thousands, with their followers, have, O monarch, been slain in battle. That which thou askest me I am answering now. Even thus did the destruction take place when Arjuna and Karna fought. Even as Mahendra slew Vritra, and Rama slew Ravana; even as Krishna slew Naraka or Mura in battle; even as the mighty Rama of Bhrigu's race slew the heroic Kartavirya, invincible in battle, with all his kinsmen and friends, after fighting a terrible battle celebrated through the three worlds; even as Skanda slew (the Asura) Mahisha, and Rudra slew (the Asura) Andhaka, even so hath Arjuna, O king, in single combat, slain, with all his kinsmen, that foremost of smiters, viz., Karna, who was invincible in battle and upon whom the Dhartarashtras had placed their hopes of victory, and who was the great cause of the hostility with the Pandavas! Pandu's son hath now accomplished that which at one time thou couldst not believe him capable of accomplishing, although, O monarch, well-meaning friends failed not to apprise thee of it. That calamity, fraught with great destruction, hath now come! Thou, O king wishing them well, hast heaped those evils on the heads of thy covetous sons! The fruit of those evils is now manifesting itself!'"

8.4.58

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
आख्याता मामकास्तात निहता युधि पाण्डवैः
निहतान्पाण्डवेयानां मामकैर्ब्रूहि संजय

8.4.59

संजय उवाच
कुन्तयो युधि विक्रान्ता महासत्त्वा महाबलाः
सानुबन्धाः सहामात्या भीष्मेण युधि पातिताः

8.4.60

समः किरीटिना संख्ये वीर्येण च बलेन च
सत्यजित्सत्यसंधेन द्रोणेन निहतो रणे

8.4.61

तथा विराटद्रुपदौ वृद्धौ सहसुतौ नृपौ
पराक्रमन्तौ मित्रार्थे द्रोणेन निहतौ रणे

8.4.62

यो बाल एव समरे संमितः सव्यसाचिना
केशवेन च दुर्धर्षो बलदेवेन चाभिभूः

8.4.63

स एष कदनं कृत्वा महद्रणविशारदः
परिवार्य महामात्रैः षड्भिः परमकै रथैः
अशक्नुवद्भिर्बीभत्सुमभिमन्युर्निपातितः

8.4.64

तं कृतं विरथं वीरं क्षत्रधर्मे व्यवस्थितम्
दौःशासनिर्महाराज सौभद्रं हतवान्रणे

8.4.65

बृहन्तस्तु महेष्वासः कृतास्त्रो युद्धदुर्मदः
दुःशासनेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.66

मणिमान्दण्डधारश्च राजानौ युद्धदुर्मदौ
पराक्रमन्तौ मित्रार्थे द्रोणेन विनिपातितौ

8.4.67

अंशुमान्भोजराजस्तु सहसैन्यो महारथः
भारद्वाजेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.68

चित्रायुधश्चित्रयोधी कृत्वा तौ कदनं महत्
चित्रमार्गेण विक्रम्य कर्णेन निहतौ युधि

8.4.69

वृकोदरसमो युद्धे दृढः केकयजो युधि
केकयेनैव विक्रम्य भ्रात्रा भ्राता निपातितः

8.4.70

जनमेजयो गदायोधी पार्वतीयः प्रतापवान्
दुर्मुखेन महाराज तव पुत्रेण पातितः

8.4.71

रोचमानौ नरव्याघ्रौ रोचमानौ ग्रहाविव
द्रोणेन युगपद्राजन्दिवं संप्रेषितौ शरैः

8.4.72

नृपाश्च प्रतियुध्यन्तः पराक्रान्ता विशां पते
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गता वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.73

पुरुजित्कुन्तिभोजश्च मातुलः सव्यसाचिनः
संग्रामनिर्जिताँल्लोकान्गमितो द्रोणसायकैः

8.4.74

अभिभूः काशिराजश्च काशिकैर्बहुभिर्वृतः
वसुदानस्य पुत्रेण न्यासितो देहमाहवे

8.4.75

अमितौजा युधामन्युरुत्तमौजाश्च वीर्यवान्
निहत्य शतशः शूरान्परैर्विनिहतौ रणे

8.4.76

क्षत्रधर्मा च पाञ्चाल्यः क्षत्रवर्मा च मारिष
द्रोणेन परमेष्वासौ गमितौ यमसादनम्

8.4.77

शिखण्डितनयो युद्धे क्षत्रदेवो युधां पतिः
लक्ष्मणेन हतो राजंस्तव पौत्रेण भारत

8.4.78

सुचित्रश्चित्रधर्मा च पितापुत्रौ महारथौ
प्रचरन्तौ महावीर्यौ द्रोणेन निहतौ रणे

8.4.79

वार्धक्षेमिर्महाराज कृत्वा कदनमाहवे
बाह्लिकेन महाराज कौरवेण निपातितः

8.4.80

धृष्टकेतुर्महाराज चेदीनां प्रवरो रथः
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गतो वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.81

तथा सत्यधृतिस्तात कृत्वा कदनमाहवे
पाण्डवार्थे पराक्रान्तो गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.82

पुत्रस्तु शिशुपालस्य सुकेतुः पृथिवीपते
निहत्य शात्रवान्संख्ये द्रोणेन निहतो युधि

8.4.83

तथा सत्यधृतिर्वीरो मदिराश्वश्च वीर्यवान्
सूर्यदत्तश्च विक्रान्तो निहतो द्रोणसायकैः

8.4.84

श्रेणिमांश्च महाराज युध्यमानः पराक्रमी
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गतो वैवस्वतक्षयम्

8.4.85

तथैव युधि विक्रान्तो मागधः परवीरहा
भीष्मेण निहतो राजन्युध्यमानः पराक्रमी

8.4.86

वसुदानश्च कदनं कुर्वाणोऽतीव संयुगे
भारद्वाजेन विक्रम्य गमितो यमसादनम्

8.4.87

एते चान्ये च बहवः पाण्डवानां महारथाः
हता द्रोणेन विक्रम्य यन्मां त्वं परिपृच्छसि

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou hast, O son, mentioned the names of those of my side that have been slain in battle by the Pandavas. Tell me now, O Sanjaya, the names of those amongst the Pandavas that have been slain by the people of my side!'

"Sanjaya said, 'The Kuntis possessed of great prowess in battle, endued with great energy and great might, have been slain in fight by Bhishma, with all their kinsmen and advisers. The Narayanas, the Valabhadras, and hundreds of other heroes, all devoted (to the Pandavas) have been slain in battle by the heroic Bhishma. Satyajit, who was equal to the diadem-decked Arjuna himself in battle as regards energy and might, hath been slain in battle by Drona of sure aim. Many mighty bowmen among the Pancalas, all of whom were skilled in battle, encountering Drona, have repaired to Yama's abode. So the two kings Virata and Drupada, both venerable in years, who exerted themselves with great prowess for their ally, have, with their sons, been slain in battle by Drona. That invincible hero, viz., Abhimanyu, who, though a child in years, was still equal in battle to Arjuna or Keshava or Baladeva, O lord, that, warrior who was highly accomplished in battle, after making an immense slaughter of the foe, was at last encompassed by six foremost of car-warriors and slain by them. Unable to resist Arjuna himself, they thus slew Arjuna's son! Deprived of his car, that hero, viz., the son of Subhadra, still stayed in battle, remembering the duties of a Kshatriya. At last, O king, Duhshasana's son slew him on the field. The slayer of the Patachchatras, viz., the handsome son of Amvashtha, surrounded by a large force, had put forth all his prowess for the sake of his allies. Having made a great slaughter among the foe, he was encountered by Duryodhana's son, the brave Lakshmana, in battle and despatched to Yama's abode. The mighty bowman Vrihanta, accomplished in arms and invincible in battle, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Duhshasana, exerting himself with great prowess. The two kings Manimat and Dandadhara, both of whom were invincible in battle and had put forth their prowess for their allies, have been slain by Drona. Ansumat the ruler of the Bhojas, that mighty car-warrior at the head of his own forces, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Drona exerting himself with great prowess. Citrasena, the ruler of the sea-coast, with his son, O Bharata, hath been forcibly despatched by Samudrasena to Yama's abode. Another ruler of a maritime country, viz., Nila, and Vyaghradatta of great energy, have both, O king, been despatched to Yama's abode by Ashvatthama. Citrayudha and Citrayodhin, after making a great slaughter, have both been slain in battle by Vikarna exerting himself with great prowess and displaying diverse manoeuvres of his car. The chief of the Kaikeyas, who was equal to Vrikodara himself in battle and surrounded by Kaikeya warriors, has been slain by Kaikeya, the brother by the brother. Janamejaya of the hilly country, endued with great prowess and accomplished in encounters with the mace, hath, O king, been slain by thy son Durmukha. Those two foremost of men, viz., the brothers Rochamana, like two brilliant planets, have together been despatched to heaven by Drona with his shafts. Many other kings, O monarch, endued with great prowess, have fought (for the Pandavas) Having achieved the most difficult feats, all of them have gone to Yama's abode. Purujit and Kuntibhoja, the two maternal uncles of Savyasaci, have been despatched by Drona with shafts to such regions as are attained by death in battle. Abhibhu the Kasis, at the head of many of his followers, hath been obliged by Vasudana's son to lay down his life in battle. Yudhamanyu of immeasurable prowess, and Uttamauja of great energy, after slaying hundreds of heroic warriors, have themselves been slain by our men. The Pancala prince Mitravarman, O Bharata, those two foremost of bowmen, have been despatched to Yama's abode by Drona. Shikhandi's son Kshatradeva, that foremost of warriors, possessed of great bravery, hath, O king, been slain by thy grandson Lakshmana, O sire! The two heroes Sucitra and Citravarman, who were sire and son and endued with great might, and who careered fearlessly in battle, have been slain by Drona. Vardhakshemi, O monarch, who was like the ocean at full tide, having had his weapons exhausted in battle, hath at last obtained undisturbed peace. That foremost of Sutas, viz., Senavindu, having consumed many foes in battle, hath, at last, O king been slain by Bahlika. Dhrishtaketu, O monarch, that foremost of car-warriors among the Cedis, after accomplishing the most difficult feats, hath repaired to the abode of Yama. Similarly, the heroic Satyadhriti, endued with great prowess, having made a great slaughter in battle for the sake of the Pandavas, has been despatched to Yama's abode. That lord of Earth, viz., Suketu, the son of Shishupala, having slain many foes, hath at last been slain by Drona in battle. Virata's son Sankha, as also Uttara of great strength, having accomplished the most difficult feats, have repaired to Yama's abode. Similarly, Satyadhriti of the Matsyas, and Madiraswa of great energy, and Suryadatta possessed of great prowess, have all been slain by Drona with his shafts. Srenimat also, O monarch, having fought with great prowess and accomplished the most difficult feats, hath repaired to Yama's abode. Similarly, the chief of the Magadhas, that slayer of hostile heroes, endued with great energy and acquainted with the highest weapons, sleepeth on the field of battle, slain by Bhishma. Vasudana also, having made an immense carnage in battle, has been despatched to Yama's abode by Bharadwaja's son exerting himself with great prowess. These and many other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas have been slain by Drona exerting himself with great energy. I have now told them all that thou hadst asked me.'"

8.4.88

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
हतप्रवीरे सैन्येऽस्मिन्मामके वदतां वर
अहताञ्शंस मे सूत येऽत्र जीवन्ति केचन

8.4.89

एतेषु निहतेष्वद्य ये त्वया परिकीर्तिताः
अहतान्मन्यसे यांस्त्वं तेऽपि स्वर्गजितो मताः

8.4.90

संजय उवाच
यस्मिन्महास्त्राणि समर्पितानि; चित्राणि शुभ्राणि चतुर्विधानि
दिव्यानि राजन्निहितानि चैव; द्रोणेन वीरद्विजसत्तमेन

8.4.91

महारथः कृतिमान्क्षिप्रहस्तो; दृढायुधो दृढमुष्टिर्दृढेषुः
स वीर्यवान्द्रोणपुत्रस्तरस्वी; व्यवस्थितो योद्धुकामस्त्वदर्थे

8.4.92

आनर्तवासी हृदिकात्मजोऽसौ; महारथः सात्वतानां वरिष्ठः
स्वयं भोजः कृतवर्मा कृतास्त्रो; व्यवस्थितो योद्धुकामस्त्वदर्थे

8.4.93

शारद्वतो गौतमश्चापि राज;न्महाबलो बहुचित्रास्त्रयोधी
धनुश्चित्रं सुमहद्भारसाहं; व्यवस्थितो योत्स्यमानः प्रगृह्य

8.4.94

आर्तायनिः समरे दुष्प्रकम्प्यः; सेनाग्रणीः प्रथमस्तावकानाम्
स्वस्रेयांस्तान्पाण्डवेयान्विसृज्य; सत्यां वाचं तां चिकीर्षुस्तरस्वी

8.4.95

तेजोवधं सूतपुत्रस्य संख्ये; प्रतिश्रुत्वाजातशत्रोः पुरस्तात्
दुराधर्षः शक्रसमानवीर्यः; शल्यः स्थितो योद्धुकामस्त्वदर्थे

8.4.96

आजानेयैः सैन्धवैः पार्वतीयै;र्नदीजकाम्बोजवनायुबाह्लिकैः
गान्धारराजः स्वबलेन युक्तो; व्यवस्थितो योद्धुकामस्त्वदर्थे

8.4.97

तथा सुतस्ते ज्वलनार्कवर्णं; रथं समास्थाय कुरुप्रवीर
व्यवस्थितः कुरुमित्रो नरेन्द्र; व्यभ्रे सूर्यो भ्राजमानो यथा वै

8.4.98

दुर्योधनो नागकुलस्य मध्ये; महावीर्यः सह सैन्यप्रवीरैः
रथेन जाम्बूनदभूषणेन; व्यवस्थितः समरे योद्धुकामः

8.4.99

स राजमध्ये पुरुषप्रवीरो; रराज जाम्बूनदचित्रवर्मा
पद्मप्रभो वह्निरिवाल्पधूमो; मेघान्तरे सूर्य इव प्रकाशः

8.4.100

तथा सुषेणोऽप्यसिचर्मपाणि;स्तवात्मजः सत्यसेनश्च वीरः
व्यवस्थितौ चित्रसेनेन सार्धं; हृष्टात्मानौ समरे योद्धुकामौ

8.4.101

ह्रीनिषेधा भरता राजपुत्रा;श्चित्रायुधः श्रुतकर्मा जयश्च
शलश्च सत्यव्रतदुःशलौ च; व्यवस्थिता बलिनो योद्धुकामाः

8.4.102

कैतव्यानामधिपः शूरमानी; रणे रणे शत्रुहा राजपुत्रः
पत्री हयी नागरथप्रयायी; व्यवस्थितो योद्धुकामस्त्वदर्थे

8.4.103

वीरः श्रुतायुश्च श्रुतायुधश्च; चित्राङ्गदश्चित्रवर्मा स वीरः
व्यवस्थिता ये तु सैन्ये नराग्र्याः; प्रहारिणो मानिनः सत्यसंधाः

8.4.104

कर्णात्मजः सत्यसेनो महात्मा; व्यवस्थितः समरे योद्धुकामः
अथापरौ कर्णसुतौ वरार्हौ; व्यवस्थितौ लघुहस्तौ नरेन्द्र
बलं महद्दुर्भिदमल्पधैर्यैः; समाश्रितौ योत्स्यमानौ त्वदर्थे

8.4.105

एतैश्च मुख्यैरपरैश्च राज;न्योधप्रवीरैरमितप्रभावैः
व्यवस्थितो नागकुलस्य मध्ये; यथा महेन्द्रः कुरुराजो जयाय

8.4.106

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
आख्याता जीवमाना ये परेभ्योऽन्ये यथातथम्
इतीदमभिगच्छामि व्यक्तमर्थाभिपत्तितः

8.4.107

वैशंपायन उवाच
एवं ब्रुवन्नेव तदा धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः
हतप्रवीरं विध्वस्तं किंचिच्छेषं स्वकं बलम्
श्रुत्वा व्यामोहमगमच्छोकव्याकुलितेन्द्रियः

8.4.108

मुह्यमानोऽब्रवीच्चापि मुहूर्तं तिष्ठ संजय
व्याकुलं मे मनस्तात श्रुत्वा सुमहदप्रियम्
नष्टचित्तस्ततः सोऽथ बभूव जगतीपतिः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'When all the foremost of my warriors, O Sanjaya have perished, I do not think that the remnant of my army will not perish! When those two heroes, those two mighty bowmen, those two foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma and Drona, have been slain, what use can I any longer have with life? I cannot also brook the death of Radha's son, that ornament of battle, the might of whose arms was as great as that of 10,000 elephants! O foremost of speakers, tell me now, O Suta, who are yet alive in my army after the death of all the foremost heroes! Thou hast told me the names of those that have fallen. It seems, however, to me that those who are still alive are almost all dead!'

"Sanjaya said, 'That hero O king, to whom Drona, that foremost of brahmanas, imparted many blazing, celestial, and mighty weapons of the four kinds, that mighty car-warrior, possessed of skill and lightness of hands, that hero of firm grasp, strong weapons, and powerful shafts, that high-souled son of Drona, capable of shooting to a great distance, is still on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. That dweller of the Anarta country, that son of Hridika, that mighty car-warrior, that foremost one among the Satwatas, that chief of the Bhojas, Kritavarma, accomplished in arms, is on the field, desirous of battle. Artayana's son, dauntless in battle, that first of warriors, that foremost of all yet on thy side, he, that abandoned his own sister's sons, the Pandavas, for making his own words true, that hero endued with great activity who promised in the presence of Yudhishthira that he would in battle depress the proud spirit of Karna, that invincible Shalya, who is equal unto Sakra himself in energy, is still on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. Accompanied by his own force consisting of Ajaneyas, Saindhavas, mountaineers, dwellers of riparian regions, Kambojas, and Vanayus, the king of the Gandharas stayeth on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. Sharadvata's son called Gautama, O king, endued with mighty arms and capable of fighting with diverse weapons in diverse beautiful ways, taking up a beautiful and large bow capable of bearing great strain, stayeth on the field, desirous of battle. That mighty car-warrior, the son of the ruler of the Kaikeyas, riding on a goodly car equipped with standard and goodly steeds, stayeth on the field, O chief of Kuru's race, for battling for thy sake. Thy son also, that foremost of heroes in Kuru's race, Purumitra, O king, riding on his car possessed of the effulgence of fire or the Sun, stayeth on the field, like the Sun himself shining brilliantly in the cloudless firmament. Duryodhana also, endued with great energy, in the midst of an elephant force and accompanied by many foremost of combatants, stayeth on his car adorned with gold, desirous of engaging in battle. In the midst of many kings, that foremost of men, possessed of the splendour of a lotus, looked resplendent in his beautiful armour of gold like a fire with little smoke or the Sun emerged from the clouds. So also thy sons Sushena, armed with sword and shield, and the heroic Satyasena, are staying with Citrasena, their hearts full of joy and themselves desirous of battle. Endued with modesty, the Bharata princes Citrayudha, Srutavarman, and Jaya, Dala, and Satyavrata, and Dussala, all of whom are possessed of great might, stay on the field, desirous of battle. The ruler of the Kaitavyas, that prince proud of his courage, and capable of fearlessly careering in battle and slaying his foes, possessing foot-soldiers and cavalry, and elephants and cars, stayeth on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. The heroic Srutayu and Srutayudha, and Citrangada and Citravarman, those foremost of men, those proud warriors capable of smiting effectually and possessed of sureness of aim, stay on the field, desirous of battle. The high-souled Satyasandha, the son of Karna, stayeth on the field, desirous of battle. Two other sons of Karna, possessing a knowledge of high weapons and endued with great lightness of hands, are both staying, O king, at the head of forces that are large and incapable of being pierced by warriors of little energy, desirous of battling for thy sake. Accompanied by these heroes and by many other foremost of warriors, O king, that are possessed of immeasurable might, the Kuru king (Duryodhana) is staying like a second Indra in the midst of his elephant division in expectation of victory!'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou hast told me duly all that are alive both amongst us and the foe. From this I plainly see on which side the victory will be. Indeed, it may be inferred from the facts.'"

Vaishampayana continued, "While saying this, Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, having learnt that only a small portion of his army was alive, for all his foremost of warriors had died, felt his heart to be exceedingly agitated by grief. The king swooned away. Partially restored to his senses, he addressed Sanjaya, saying, 'Wait for a moment!' And the king said, 'O son, having heard of this dire calamity, my heart is greatly agitated. My senses are being stupefied, and my limbs are about to be paralysed!' Having said these words, Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, that lord of earth, lost his senses and fell down on the earth."

8.5.1

जनमेजय उवाच
श्रुत्वा कर्णं हतं युद्धे पुत्रांश्चैवापलायिनः
नरेन्द्रः किंचिदाश्वस्तो द्विजश्रेष्ठ किमब्रवीत्

8.5.2

प्राप्तवान्परमं दुःखं पुत्रव्यसनजं महत्
तस्मिन्यदुक्तवान्काले तन्ममाचक्ष्व पृच्छतः

8.5.3

वैशंपायन उवाच
श्रुत्वा कर्णस्य निधनमश्रद्धेयमिवाद्भुतम्
भूतसंमोहनं भीमं मेरोः पर्यसनं यथा

8.5.4

चित्तमोहमिवायुक्तं भार्गवस्य महामतेः
पराजयमिवेन्द्रस्य द्विषद्भ्यो भीमकर्मणः

8.5.5

दिवः प्रपतनं भानोरुर्व्यामिव महाद्युतेः
संशोषणमिवाचिन्त्यं समुद्रस्याक्षयाम्भसः

8.5.6

महीवियद्दिगीशानां सर्वनाशमिवाद्भुतम्
कर्मणोरिव वैफल्यमुभयोः पुण्यपापयोः

8.5.7

संचिन्त्य निपुणं बुद्ध्या धृतराष्ट्रो जनेश्वरः
नेदमस्तीति संचिन्त्य कर्णस्य निधनं प्रति

8.5.8

प्राणिनामेतदात्मत्वात्स्यादपीति विनाशनम्
शोकाग्निना दह्यमानो धम्यमान इवाशयः

8.5.9

विध्वस्तात्मा श्वसन्दीनो हा हेत्युक्त्वा सुदुःखितः
विललाप महाराज धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः

8.5.10

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
संजयाधिरथो वीरः सिंहद्विरदविक्रमः
वृषमप्रतिमस्कन्धो वृषभाक्षगतिस्वनः

8.5.11

वृषभो वृषभस्येव यो युद्धे न निवर्तते
शत्रोरपि महेन्द्रस्य वज्रसंहननो युवा

8.5.12

यस्य ज्यातलशब्देन शरवृष्टिरवेण च
रथाश्वनरमातङ्गा नावतिष्ठन्ति संयुगे

8.5.13

यमाश्रित्य महाबाहुं द्विषत्संघघ्नमच्युतम्
दुर्योधनोऽकरोद्वैरं पाण्डुपुत्रैर्महाबलैः

8.5.14

स कथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठः कर्णः पार्थेन संयुगे
निहतः पुरुषव्याघ्रः प्रसह्यासह्यविक्रमः

8.5.15

यो नामन्यत वै नित्यमच्युतं न धनंजयम्
न वृष्णीनपि तानन्यान्स्वबाहुबलमाश्रितः

8.5.16

शार्ङ्गगाण्डीवधन्वानौ सहितावपराजितौ
अहं दिव्याद्रथादेकः पातयिष्यामि संयुगे

8.5.17

इति यः सततं मन्दमवोचल्लोभमोहितम्
दुर्योधनमपादीनं राज्यकामुकमातुरम्

8.5.18

यश्चाजैषीदतिबलानमित्रानपि दुर्जयान्
गान्धारान्मद्रकान्मत्स्यांस्त्रिगर्तांस्तङ्गणाञ्शकान्

8.5.19

पाञ्चालांश्च विदेहांश्च कुणिन्दान्काशिकोसलान्
सुह्मानङ्गांश्च पुण्ड्रांश्च निषादान्वङ्गकीचकान्

8.5.20

वत्सान्कलिङ्गांस्तरलानश्मकानृषिकांस्तथा
यो जित्वा समरे वीरश्चक्रे बलिभृतः पुरा

8.5.21

उच्चैःश्रवा वरोऽश्वानां राज्ञां वैश्रवणो वरः
वरो महेन्द्रो देवानां कर्णः प्रहरतां वरः

8.5.22

यं लब्ध्वा मागधो राजा सान्त्वमानार्थगौरवैः
अरौत्सीत्पार्थिवं क्षत्रमृते कौरवयादवान्

8.5.23

तं श्रुत्वा निहतं कर्णं द्वैरथे सव्यसाचिना
शोकार्णवे निमग्नोऽहमप्लवः सागरे यथा

8.5.24

ईदृशैर्यद्यहं दुःखैर्न विनश्यामि संजय
वज्राद्दृढतरं मन्ये हृदयं मम दुर्भिदम्

8.5.25

ज्ञातिसंबन्धिमित्राणामिमं श्रुत्वा पराजयम्
को मदन्यः पुमाँल्लोके न जह्यात्सूत जीवितम्

8.5.26

विषमग्निं प्रपातं वा पर्वताग्रादहं वृणे
न हि शक्ष्यामि दुःखानि सोढुं कष्टानि संजय

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

Janamejaya said, "Having heard of Karna's fall and the slaughter of his sons, what, O foremost of regenerate ones, did the king say, after he had been a little comforted? Indeed, poignant was the grief that he experienced, arising from the calamity that befell his sons! Tell me, I ask thee, all that the king said on that occasion!"

Vaishampayana said, "Hearing of the slaughter of Karna that was incredible and astounding, that was dreadful and capable of paralysing the senses of all creatures, that looked like the downfall of Meru, or a never-to-be-believed clouding of the intellect of the wise Shukra, or the defeat of Indra of terrible feats at the hands of his foes, or the falling down on the Earth of the resplendent Sun from the firmament, or a scarcely-to-be-comprehended drying up of the ocean, that receptacle of inexhaustible waters, or the annihilation, perfectly astounding, of the earth, the firmament, the points of the compass, and the waters, or the fruitlessness of acts both virtuous and sinful, king Dhritarashtra, having earnestly reflected for some time on it, thought that his army had been annihilated. Thinking that other creatures also, as unslayable as Karna, would meet with a similar fate, king Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika, scorched with grief and sighing like a snake, with limbs almost palsied, long breaths, highly cheerless, and filled with melancholy, began to lament, saying, 'Oh!' and 'Alas!' And the king said, 'O Sanjaya, the heroic son of Adhiratha was endued with the prowess of the lion or the elephant! His neck was as thick as that of a bull, and his eyes, gait, and voice were like the bull's! Of limbs as hard as the thunderbolt, that young man, like a bull never flying away from a bull, never desisted from battle even if his foe happened to be the great Indra himself! At the sound of his bow-string and palms and at the whizz of his arrowy showers men and steeds and cars and elephants fled away from battle. Relying upon that mighty-armed one, that slayer of large bands of foes, that warrior of unfading glory, Duryodhana had provoked hostilities with those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Pandu! How then could Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, that tiger among men, that hero of irresistible onset, be forcibly slain by Partha in battle? Relying on the might of his own arms, he always disregarded Keshava of unfading glory, and Dhananjaya, and the Vrishnis, and all other foes! Often did he use to say unto the foolish, avaricious crestfallen, kingdom-coveting, and afflicted Duryodhana even such words as these, "Alone, I shall, in battle, throw down from their foremost of cars, those two invincible warriors united together, the wielder of sarnga and the wielder of gandiva!" He had subjugated many invincible and mighty foes--the Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas, the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas. Subjugating all these brave races, by means of his keen and whetted arrows equipped with kanka feathers, that foremost of car-warriors, Radha's son, had caused all of them to pay tribute to us for the aggrandisement of Duryodhana. Alas, how could that warrior acquainted with celestial weapons, that protector of armies, Karna the son of Vikartana, called also Vrisha, of mighty energy, be slain in battle by his foes, the heroic and mighty sons of Pandu? As Indra is the foremost of gods, Karna was the foremost of men. In the three worlds no third person has been heard of by us to be like them. Amongst steeds, Uccaisravas is the foremost; amongst Yakshas, Vaishravana is the foremost; amongst celestials, Indra is the foremost; amongst smiters, Karna was the foremost. Unvanquished by even the most heroic and the mightiest of monarchs, he had, Duryodhana's aggrandisement, subjugated the whole earth. The ruler of Magadha, having by conciliation and honours obtained Karna for a friend, had challenged all the Kshatriyas of the world, except the Kauravas and the Yadavas, to battle. Hearing that Karna hath been slain by Savyasaci in single combat, I am plunged in an ocean of woe like a wrecked vessel in the vast deep! Indeed, hearing that that foremost of men, that best of car-warriors, hath been slain in single combat, I am sinking in an ocean of grief like a person without a raft in the sea! When, O Sanjaya, I do not die of such grief, I think my heart is impenetrable and made of something harder than the thunderbolt. Hearing of the defeat and humiliation of kinsmen and relatives and allies, who else in the world, O Suta, save my wretched self, would not yield up his life? I desire to have poison or fire or a fall from the summit of a mountain, I am unable, O Sanjaya, to bear this heavy load of grief!'"

8.5.27

संजय उवाच
श्रिया कुलेन यशसा तपसा च श्रुतेन च
त्वामद्य सन्तो मन्यन्ते ययातिमिव नाहुषम्

8.5.28

श्रुते महर्षिप्रतिमः कृतकृत्योऽसि पार्थिव
पर्यवस्थापयात्मानं मा विषादे मनः कृथाः

8.5.29

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
दैवमेव परं मन्ये धिक्पौरुषमनर्थकम्
यत्र रामप्रतीकाशः कर्णोऽहन्यत संयुगे

8.5.30

हत्वा युधिष्ठिरानीकं पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्
प्रताप्य शरवर्षेण दिशः सर्वा महारथः

8.5.31

मोहयित्वा रणे पार्थान्वज्रहस्त इवासुरान्
स कथं निहतः शेते वातरुग्ण इव द्रुमः

8.5.32

शोकस्यान्तं न पश्यामि समुद्रस्येव विप्लुकाः
चिन्ता मे वर्धते तीव्रा मुमूर्षा चापि जायते

8.5.33

कर्णस्य निधनं श्रुत्वा विजयं फल्गुनस्य च
अश्रद्धेयमहं मन्ये वधं कर्णस्य संजय

8.5.34

वज्रसारमयं नूनं हृदयं सुदृढं मम
यच्छ्रुत्वा पुरुषव्याघ्रं हतं कर्णं न दीर्यते

8.5.35

आयुर्नूनं सुदीर्घं मे विहितं दैवतैः पुरा
यत्र कर्णं हतं श्रुत्वा जीवामीह सुदुःखितः

8.5.36

धिग्जीवितमिदं मेऽद्य सुहृद्धीनस्य संजय
अद्य चाहं दशामेतां गतः संजय गर्हिताम्
कृपणं वर्तयिष्यामि शोच्यः सर्वस्य मन्दधीः

8.5.37

अहमेव पुरा भूत्वा सर्वलोकस्य सत्कृतः
परिभूतः कथं सूत पुनः शक्ष्यामि जीवितुम्
दुःखात्सुदुःखं व्यसनं प्राप्तवानस्मि संजय

8.5.38

तस्माद्भीष्मवधे चैव द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः
नात्र शेषं प्रपश्यामि सूतपुत्रे हते युधि

8.5.39

स हि पारं महानासीत्पुत्राणां मम संजय
युद्धे विनिहतः शूरो विसृजन्सायकान्बहून्

8.5.40

को हि मे जीवितेनार्थस्तमृते पुरुषर्षभम्
रथादतिरथो नूनमपतत्सायकार्दितः

8.5.41

पर्वतस्येव शिखरं वज्रपातविदारितम्
शयीत पृथिवीं नूनं शोभयन्रुधिरोक्षितः
मातङ्ग इव मत्तेन मातङ्गेन निपातितः

8.5.42

यद्बलं धार्तराष्ट्राणां पाण्डवानां यतो भयम्
सोऽर्जुनेन हतः कर्णः प्रतिमानं धनुष्मताम्

8.5.43

स हि वीरो महेष्वासः पुत्राणामभयंकरः
शेते विनिहतो वीरः शक्रेणेव यथा बलः

8.5.44

पङ्गोरिवाध्वगमनं दरिद्रस्येव कामितम्
दुर्योधनस्य चाकूतं तृषितस्येव पिप्लुकाः

8.5.45

अन्यथा चिन्तितं कार्यमन्यथा तत्तु जायते
अहो नु बलवद्दैवं कालश्च दुरतिक्रमः

8.5.46

पलायमानः कृपणं दीनात्मा दीनपौरुषः
कच्चिन्न निहतः सूत पुत्रो दुःशासनो मम

8.5.47

कच्चिन्न नीचाचरितं कृतवांस्तात संयुगे
कच्चिन्न निहतः शूरो यथा न क्षत्रिया हताः

8.5.48

युधिष्ठिरस्य वचनं मा युद्धमिति सर्वदा
दुर्योधनो नाभ्यगृह्णान्मूढः पथ्यमिवौषधम्

8.5.49

शरतल्पे शयानेन भीष्मेण सुमहात्मना
पानीयं याचितः पार्थः सोऽविध्यन्मेदिनीतलम्

8.5.50

जलस्य धारां विहितां दृष्ट्वा तां पाण्डवेन ह
अब्रवीत्स महाबाहुस्तात संशाम्य पाण्डवैः

8.5.51

प्रशमाद्धि भवेच्छान्तिर्मदन्तं युद्धमस्तु च
भ्रातृभावेन पृथिवीं भुङ्क्ष्व पाण्डुसुतैः सह

8.5.52

अकुर्वन्वचनं तस्य नूनं शोचति मे सुतः
तदिदं समनुप्राप्तं वचनं दीर्घदर्शिनः

8.5.53

अहं तु निहतामात्यो हतपुत्रश्च संजय
द्यूततः कृच्छ्रमापन्नो लूनपक्ष इव द्विजः

8.5.54

यथा हि शकुनिं गृह्य छित्त्वा पक्षौ च संजय
विसर्जयन्ति संहृष्टाः क्रीडमानाः कुमारकाः

8.5.55

छिन्नपक्षतया तस्य गमनं नोपपद्यते
तथाहमपि संप्राप्तो लूनपक्ष इव द्विजः

8.5.56

क्षीणः सर्वार्थहीनश्च निर्बन्धुर्ज्ञातिवर्जितः
कां दिशं प्रतिपत्स्यामि दीनः शत्रुवशं गतः

8.5.57

दुर्योधनस्य वृद्ध्यर्थं पृथिवीं योऽजयत्प्रभुः
स जितः पाण्डवैः शूरैः समर्थैर्वीर्यशालिभिः

8.5.58

तस्मिन्हते महेष्वासे कर्णे युधि किरीटिना
के वीराः पर्यवर्तन्त तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.5.59

कच्चिन्नैकः परित्यक्तः पाण्डवैर्निहतो रणे
उक्तं त्वया पुरा वीर यथा वीरा निपातिताः

8.5.60

भीष्ममप्रतियुध्यन्तं शिखण्डी सायकोत्तमैः
पातयामास समरे सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरम्

8.5.61

तथा द्रौपदिना द्रोणो न्यस्तसर्वायुधो युधि
युक्तयोगो महेष्वासः शरैर्बहुभिराचितः
निहतः खड्गमुद्यम्य धृष्टद्युम्नेन संजय

8.5.62

अन्तरेण हतावेतौ छलेन च विशेषतः
अश्रौषमहमेतद्वै भीष्मद्रोणौ निपातितौ

8.5.63

भीष्मद्रोणौ हि समरे न हन्याद्वज्रभृत्स्वयम्
न्यायेन युध्यमानौ हि तद्वै सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते

8.5.64

कर्णं त्वस्यन्तमस्त्राणि दिव्यानि च बहूनि च
कथमिन्द्रोपमं वीरं मृत्युर्युद्धे समस्पृशत्

8.5.65

यस्य विद्युत्प्रभां शक्तिं दिव्यां कनकभूषणाम्
प्रायच्छद्द्विषतां हन्त्रीं कुण्डलाभ्यां पुरंदरः

8.5.66

यस्य सर्पमुखो दिव्यः शरः कनकभूषणः
अशेत निहतः पत्री चन्दनेष्वरिसूदनः

8.5.67

भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्वीरान्योऽवमन्य महारथान्
जामदग्न्यान्महाघोरं ब्राह्ममस्त्रमशिक्षत

8.5.68

यश्च द्रोणमुखान्दृष्ट्वा विमुखानर्दिताञ्शरैः
सौभद्रस्य महाबाहुर्व्यधमत्कार्मुकं शरैः

8.5.69

यश्च नागायुतप्राणं वातरंहसमच्युतम्
विरथं भ्रातरं कृत्वा भीमसेनमुपाहसत्

8.5.70

सहदेवं च निर्जित्य शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
कृपया विरथं कृत्वा नाहनद्धर्मवित्तया

8.5.71

यश्च मायासहस्राणि ध्वंसयित्वा रणोत्कटम्
घटोत्कचं राक्षसेन्द्रं शक्रशक्त्याभिजघ्निवान्

8.5.72

एतानि दिवसान्यस्य युद्धे भीतो धनंजयः
नागमद्द्वैरथं वीरः स कथं निहतो रणे

8.5.73

रथसङ्गो न चेत्तस्य धनुर्वा न व्यशीर्यत
न चेदस्त्राणि निर्णेशुः स कथं निहतः परैः

8.5.74

को हि शक्तो रणे कर्णं विधुन्वानं महद्धनुः
विमुञ्चन्तं शरान्घोरान्दिव्यान्यस्त्राणि चाहवे
जेतुं पुरुषशार्दूलं शार्दूलमिव वेगितम्

8.5.75

ध्रुवं तस्य धनुश्छिन्नं रथो वापि गतो महीम्
अस्त्राणि वा प्रनष्टानि यथा शंससि मे हतम्
न ह्यन्यदनुपश्यामि कारणं तस्य नाशने

8.5.76

न हन्यामर्जुनं यावत्तावत्पादौ न धावये
इति यस्य महाघोरं व्रतमासीन्महात्मनः

8.5.77

यस्य भीतो वने नित्यं धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः
त्रयोदश समा निद्रां न लेभे पुरुषर्षभः

8.5.78

यस्य वीर्यवतो वीर्यं समाश्रित्य महात्मनः
मम पुत्रः सभां भार्यां पाण्डूनां नीतवान्बलात्

8.5.79

तत्र चापि सभामध्ये पाण्डवानां च पश्यताम्
दासभार्येति पाञ्चालीमब्रवीत्कुरुसंसदि

8.5.80

यश्च गाण्डीवमुक्तानां स्पर्शमुग्रमचिन्तयन्
अपतिर्ह्यसि कृष्णेति ब्रुवन्पार्थानवैक्षत

8.5.81

यस्य नासीद्भयं पार्थैः सपुत्रैः सजनार्दनैः
स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य मुहूर्तमपि संजय

8.5.82

तस्य नाहं वधं मन्ये देवैरपि सवासवैः
प्रतीपमुपधावद्भिः किं पुनस्तात पाण्डवैः

8.5.83

न हि ज्यां स्पृशमानस्य तलत्रे चापि गृह्णतः
पुमानाधिरथेः कश्चित्प्रमुखे स्थातुमर्हति

8.5.84

अपि स्यान्मेदिनी हीना सोमसूर्यप्रभांशुभिः
न वधः पुरुषेन्द्रस्य समरेष्वपलायिनः

8.5.85

यदि मन्दः सहायेन भ्रात्रा दुःशासनेन च
वासुदेवस्य दुर्बुद्धिः प्रत्याख्यानमरोचयत्

8.5.86

स नूनमृषभस्कन्धं दृष्ट्वा कर्णं निपातितम्
दुःशासनं च निहतं मन्ये शोचति पुत्रकः

8.5.87

हतं वैकर्तनं श्रुत्वा द्वैरथे सव्यसाचिना
जयतः पाण्डवान्दृष्ट्वा किं स्विद्दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्

8.5.88

दुर्मर्षणं हतं श्रुत्वा वृषसेनं च संयुगे
प्रभग्नं च बलं दृष्ट्वा वध्यमानं महारथैः

8.5.89

पराङ्मुखांस्तथा राज्ञः पलायनपरायणान्
विद्रुतान्रथिनो दृष्ट्वा मन्ये शोचति पुत्रकः

8.5.90

अनेयश्चाभिमानेन बालबुद्धिरमर्षणः
हतोत्साहं बलं दृष्ट्वा किं स्विद्दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्

8.5.91

भ्रातरं निहतं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन संयुगे
रुधिरं पीयमानेन किं स्विद्दुर्योधनोऽब्रवीत्

8.5.92

सह गान्धारराजेन सभायां यदभाषत
कर्णोऽर्जुनं रणे हन्ता हते तस्मिन्किमब्रवीत्

8.5.93

द्यूतं कृत्वा पुरा हृष्टो वञ्चयित्वा च पाण्डवान्
शकुनिः सौबलस्तात हते कर्णे किमब्रवीत्

8.5.94

कृतवर्मा महेष्वासः सात्वतानां महारथः
कर्णं विनिहतं दृष्ट्वा हार्दिक्यः किमभाषत

8.5.95

ब्राह्मणाः क्षत्रिया वैश्या यस्य शिक्षामुपासते
धनुर्वेदं चिकीर्षन्तो द्रोणपुत्रस्य धीमतः

8.5.96

युवा रूपेण संपन्नो दर्शनीयो महायशाः
अश्वत्थामा हते कर्णे किमभाषत संजय

8.5.97

आचार्यत्वं धनुर्वेदे गतः परमतत्त्ववित्
कृपः शारद्वतस्तात हते कर्णे किमब्रवीत्

8.5.98

मद्रराजो महेष्वासः शल्यः समितिशोभनः
दिष्टं तेन हि तत्सर्वं यथा कर्णो निपातितः

8.5.99

ये च केचन राजानः पृथिव्यां योद्धुमागताः
वैकर्तनं हतं दृष्ट्वा किमभाषन्त संजय

8.5.100

कर्णे तु निहते वीरे रथव्याघ्रे नरर्षभे
किं वो मुखमनीकानामासीत्संजय भागशः

8.5.101

मद्रराजः कथं शल्यो नियुक्तो रथिनां वरः
वैकर्तनस्य सारथ्ये तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.5.102

केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं सूतपुत्रस्य संयुगे
वामं चक्रं ररक्षुर्वा के वा वीरस्य पृष्ठतः

8.5.103

के कर्णं वाजहुः शूराः के क्षुद्राः प्राद्रवन्भयात्
कथं च वः समेतानां हतः कर्णो महारथः

8.5.104

पाण्डवाश्च कथं शूराः प्रत्युदीयुर्महारथम्
सृजन्तं शरवर्षाणि वारिधारा इवाम्बुदम्

8.5.105

स च सर्पमुखो दिव्यो महेषुप्रवरस्तदा
व्यर्थः कथं समभवत्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.5.106

मामकस्यास्य सैन्यस्य हृतोत्सेधस्य संजय
अवशेषं न पश्यामि ककुदे मृदिते सति

8.5.107

तौ हि वीरौ महेष्वासौ मदर्थे कुरुसत्तमौ
भीष्मद्रोणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा को न्वर्थो जीवितेन मे

8.5.108

न मृष्यामि च राधेयं हतमाहवशोभिनम्
यस्य बाह्वोर्बलं तुल्यं कुञ्जराणां शतं शतम्

8.5.109

द्रोणे हते च यद्वृत्तं कौरवाणां परैः सह
संग्रामे नरवीराणां तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.5.110

यथा च कर्णः कौन्तेयैः सह युद्धमयोजयत्
यथा च द्विषतां हन्ता रणे शान्तस्तदुच्यताम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'The world regards thee to be equal to Yayati the son of Nahusha, in beauty, birth, fame, asceticism, and learning! Indeed, in learning, thou art, O king, like a great rishi, highly accomplished and crowned with success! Summon thy fortitude! Do not yield to grief!'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I think destiny is supreme, and exertion fruitless since even Karna, who was like a shala tree, hath been slain in battle! Having slaughtered Yudhishthira's army and the large throngs of the Pancala car-warriors, having scorched all the points of the compass by means of his arrowy showers, having stupefied the Parthas in battle like the wielder of the thunderbolt stupefying the asuras, alas, how could that mighty car-warrior, slain by the foe, fall down on the earth like a large tree uprooted by the tempest? Indeed, I do not behold the end of my sorrows like a drowning man unable to see the end of the ocean. My anxieties are increasing, I do not desire to live, hearing of Karna's death and Phalguni's victory! Indeed O Sanjaya, I regard the slaughter of Karna to be highly incredible. Without doubt, this hard heart of mine is made of the essence of adamant, for it does not burst into a 1,000 fragments upon hearing of the fall of Karna! Without doubt, the gods ordained, before (my birth), a very long life for me, since sore distressed on hearing of the death of Karna, I do not die! Fie, O Sanjaya, on this life of one that is destitute of friends. Brought today, O Sanjaya, to this wretched plight, miserably shall I have to live, of foolish understanding that I am, pitied by all! Having formerly been the honoured of the whole world, how shall I, O Suta, live, overridden by foes? From pain to greater pain and calamity, have I come, O Sanjaya, in consequence of the fall of Bhishma and Drona and the high-souled Karna! I do not see that anyone (of my army) will escape with life when the Suta's son hath been slain in battle! He was the great raft, O Sanjaya, to my sons! That hero, having shot innumerable arrows, hath been slain in battle! What use have I of life, without that bull among men? Without doubt, the son of Adhiratha, afflicted with arrows, fell down from his car, like a mountain-peak riven by the fall of thunder! Without doubt, bathed in blood, he lieth, adorning the Earth, like an elephant slain by an infuriate prince of elephants! He who was the strength of the Dhartarashtras, he who was an object of fear to the sons of Pandu, alas, he viz., Karna, that pride of all bowman, hath been slain by Arjuna! He was a hero, a mighty bowman, the dispeller of the fears of my sons! Alas, that hero, reft of life, lieth (on the earth), like mountain struck down by Indra! The fulfilment of Duryodhana's wishes is even like locomotion to one that is lame, or the gratification of the poor man's desire, or stray drops of water to one that is thirsty! Planned in one way, our schemes end otherwise. Alas, destiny is all powerful, and time incapable of being transgressed! Was my son Duhshasana, O Suta, slain, while flying away from the field, humbled (to the dust), of cheerless soul, and destitute of all manliness? O son, O Sanjaya, I hope he did no dastardly act on that occasion? Did not that hero meet with his death like the other kshatriyas that have fallen? The foolish Duryodhana did not accept Yudhishthira's constant advice, wholesome as medicine, against the propriety of battle. Possessed of great renown, Partha, when begged for drink by Bhishma then lying on his arrowy bed, pierced the surface of the earth! Beholding the jet of water caused by the son of Pandu, the mighty-armed (Bhishma, addressing Duryodhana), said, "O sire, make peace with the Pandavas! Hostilities ceasing, peace will be thine! Let the war between thyself and thy cousins end with me! Enjoy the earth in brotherliness with the sons of Pandu!" Having disregarded those counsels, my child is certainly repenting now. That has now come to pass which Bhishma of great foresight said. As regards myself, O Sanjaya, I am destitute of counsellors and reft of sons! In consequence of gambling, I am fallen into great misery like a bird shorn of its wings! As children engaged in sport, O Sanjaya, having seized a bird and cut off its wings, merrily release it, but the creature cannot achieve locomotion in consequence of its winglessness; even so have I become, like a bird shorn of its wings! Weak, destitute of every resource, without kinsmen and deprived of relatives and friends, cheerless and overpowered by enemies, to which point of the compass shall I go? He who vanquished all the Kambojas and the Amvashthas with the Kaikeyas, that puissant one, who, having for the accomplishment of his purpose vanquished the Gandharas and the Videhas in battle, subjugated the whole Earth for the sake of Duryodhana's aggrandisement, alas, he hath been vanquished by the heroic and strong Pandavas endued with mighty arms! Upon the slaughter, in battle, of that mighty bowman, Karna, by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), tell me, O Sanjaya, who were these heroes that stayed (on the field)! I hope he was not alone and abandoned (by friends) when slain in battle by the Pandavas? Thou hast, O sire, told me, before this, how our brave warriors have fallen. With his powerful shafts Shikhandi felled in battle that foremost of all wielders of weapons, viz., Bhishma, who did nothing to repel the attack. Similarly, Sanjaya, Drupada's son Dhrishtadyumna, uplifting his scimitar, slew the mighty bowman Drona who, already pierced with many arrows, had laid aside his weapons in battle and devoted himself to Yoga. These two were both slain at a disadvantage and especially by deceit. Even this is what I have heard about the slaughter of Bhishma and Drona! Indeed, Bhishma and Drona, while contending in fight, were incapable of being slain in battle by the wielder of the thunderbolt himself by fair means. This that I tell thee is the truth! As regards Karna, how, indeed, could Death touch him, that hero equal unto Indra himself, while he was engaged in shooting his manifold celestial weapons? He unto whom in exchange for his earrings, Purandara had given that foe slaying, gold-decked, and celestial dart of the splendour of lightning,--he who had, lying (within his quiver) amid sandal-dust, that snake-mouthed celestial arrow decked with gold, equipped with goodly wings, and capable of slaying all foes, he who, disregarding those heroic and mighty car-warriors having Bhishma and Drona at their head, had acquired from Jamadagni's son the terrible brahmastra, that mighty-armed one, who, having seen the warriors with Drona at their head afflicted with arrows and turn away from the field, had cut off with his keen shafts the bow of Subhadra's son, he who, having in a trice deprived the invincible Bhimasena endued with the might of 10,000 elephants and the speed of the wind, of his car, had laughed at him,--he who, having vanquished Sahadeva by means of his straight shafts and made him carless, slew him not from compassion and considerations of virtue,--he who, with Shakra's dart, slew that prince of rakshasas, Ghatotkaca, who from desire of victory, had invoked a 1,000 kinds of illusions,--he whose feats in battle, filling Dhananjaya with fear, had made the latter for such a long period avoid a single combat with him,--alas, how could that hero be slain in battle? How could he be slain by foes unless one of these had happened to him viz., the destruction of his car, the snapping of his bow, and the exhaustion of his weapons? Who could vanquish that tiger among men, like a real tiger, endued with great impetuosity, Karna, while shaking his formidable bow and shooting therefrom his terrible shafts and celestial weapons in battle? Surely, his bow broke, or his car sank in the earth, or his weapons became exhausted, since thou tellest me that he is slain! I do not, indeed, see any other cause for (explaining) his slaughter! That high-souled one who had made the terrible vow "I will not wash my feet till I slay Phalguni," that warrior through whose fear that bull among men, king Yudhishthira the just, had not, in the wilderness, for thirteen years continuously, obtained a wink of sleep,--that high-souled hero of great prowess relying upon whose valour my son had forcibly dragged the wife of the Pandavas to the assembly, and there in the midst of that conclave, in the very sight of the Pandavas and in the presence of the Kurus, had addressed the princess of Pancala as the wife of slaves, that hero of the Suta caste, who in the midst of the assembly had addressed Krishna, saying, "All thy husbands, O Krishna, that are even like sesamum seeds without kernel, are no more, therefore, seek some other husband, O thou of the fairest complexion!" and in wrath had caused her to listen to other expressions equally harsh and rude, how was that hero slain by the foe? He who had said unto Duryodhana even these words, viz., "If Bhishma who boasteth of his prowess in battle or Drona who is invincible in fight, doth not, from partiality, slay the sons of Kunti, O Duryodhana, even I will slay them all, let the fever of thy heart be dispelled!" who also said, "What will (Arjuna's) gandiva and the two inexhaustible quivers do to that shaft of mine, smeared with cool sandal-paste, when it will course through the welkin?" alas, how could that warrior possessed of shoulders broad as those of the bull be slain by Arjuna? He who, disregarding the fierce touch of the arrows shot from gandiva had addressed Krishna, saying, "Thou hast no husbands now" and glared at the Pandavas, he who, O Sanjaya, relying on the might of his own arms, had entertained no fear, for even a moment, of the Parthas with their sons and Janardana,--he, I think, could not possibly meet with death at the hands of the very gods with Vasava at their head rushing against him in fury, what then need I say, O sire, of the Pandavas? The person could not be seen competent to stay before the son of Adhiratha, while the latter, putting on his fences, used to touch the bowstring! It was possible for the Earth to be destitute of the splendour of the Sun, of the Moon, or of fire, but the death of that foremost of men, who never retreated from battle, could not be possible. That foolish child of mine, of wicked understanding, who having got Karna, as also his brother Duhshasana, for his ally, had made up his mind for the rejection of Vasudeva's proposals, surely, that wight, beholding the slaughter of the bull-shouldered Karna and of Duhshasana, is now indulging in lamentations! Seeing Vikartana's son slain in single combat by Savyasaci, and the Pandavas crowned with victory, what indeed, did Duryodhana say? Seeing Durmarshana slain in battle and Vrishasena also, and seeing his host break when slaughtered by mighty car-warriors, beholding also the kings (of his army) turn back their faces, intent on flight, and his car-warriors already fled, I think that son of mine is now indulging in lamentations! Beholding his host dispirited, what, indeed, did the ungovernable, proud, and foolish Duryodhana, with passions not under control, say? Having himself provoked such fierce hostility though dissuaded by all his friends what, indeed, did Duryodhana, who has suffered a great loss in battle of friends and followers, say? Beholding his brother slain in battle by Bhimasena, and upon his blood being drunk, what indeed, did Duryodhana say? My son had, with the ruler of the gandharvas, said, "Karna will slay Arjuna in battle!" When he saw that Karna slain, what indeed, did he say? What, O sire, did Shakuni, the son of Subala, who had formerly been filled with joy after going through the match at dice and cheating the son of Pandu, say when he saw Karna slain? What did that mighty car-warrior among the Satwatas, that great bowman, Kritavarma the son of Hridika, say when he saw Vaikartana slain? Endued with youth, possessed of a handsome form, agreeable to the sight, and celebrated throughout the world, what, O Sanjaya, did Ashvatthama, the intelligent son of Drona, upon whom brahmanas and kshatriyas and vaishyas who are desirous of acquiring the science of arms wait, for protections, say when he saw Karna slain? What did Sharadvata's son Kripa, O sire, of Gotama's race, that foremost of car-warriors, that teacher of the science of arms, say when he saw Karna slain? What did the mighty leader of the Madras warriors, that king of the Madras, the great bowman Shalya of the Sauvira clan, that ornament of assemblies, that foremost of car-warriors (temporarily) engaged in driving the car, say when he saw Karna slain? What also did all the other warriors, difficult of defeat in battle, those lords of earth that came to fight, say, O Sanjaya, when they behold Vaikartana slain? After the fall of the heroic Drona, that tiger among car-warriors that bull among men, who, O Sanjaya, became the heads of the several division in their order? Tell me, O Sanjaya, how that foremost of car-warriors, Shalya the ruler of the Madras, became engaged in driving the car of Vaikartana! Who were they that guarded the right wheel of the Suta's son while the latter was engaged in fight, and who were they that guarded his left wheel, and who were they that stood at the rear of that hero? Who were those heroes that did not desert Karna, and who were those mean fellows that ran away? How was the mighty car-warrior Karna slain amidst your united selves? How also did those mighty car-warriors, the brave Pandavas, advance against him shooting showers of shafts like the clouds pouring torrents of rain? Tell me also, O Sanjaya, how that mighty shaft, celestial and foremost of its species, and equipped with a head like that of a serpent became futile! I do not, O Sanjaya, see the possibility of even a small remnant of my cheerless host being saved when its leaders have been crushed! Hearing of the slaughter of those two heroes, those two mighty bowmen, Bhishma and Drona, who were ever ready to lay down their lives for my sake, what use have I of life? Again and again I am unable to endure that Karna, the might of whose arms equalled that of 10,000 elephants, should be slain by the Pandavas! Tell me, O Sanjaya, all that occurred in the battle between the brave warriors of the Kauravas and their foes, after the death of Drona! Tell me also how the sons of Kunti fought the battle with Karna, and how that slayer of foes received his quietus in the fight!'"

8.6.1

संजय उवाच
हते द्रोणे महेष्वासे तस्मिन्नहनि भारत
कृते च मोघसंकल्पे द्रोणपुत्रे महारथे

8.6.2

द्रवमाणे महाराज कौरवाणां बले तथा
व्यूह्य पार्थः स्वकं सैन्यमतिष्ठद्भ्रातृभिः सह

8.6.3

तमवस्थितमाज्ञाय पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ
द्रवच्च स्वबलं दृष्ट्वा पौरुषेण न्यवारयत्

8.6.4

स्वमनीकमवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्ये व्यवस्थितः
युद्ध्वा च सुचिरं कालं पाण्डवैः सह भारत

8.6.5

लब्धलक्षैः परैर्हृष्टैर्व्यायच्छद्भिश्चिरं तदा
संध्याकालं समासाद्य प्रत्याहारमकारयत्

8.6.6

कृत्वावहारं सैन्यानां प्रविश्य शिबिरं स्वकम्
कुरवोऽऽत्महितं मन्त्रं मन्त्रयां चक्रिरे तदा

8.6.7

पर्यङ्केषु परार्ध्येषु स्पर्ध्यास्तरणवत्सु च
वरासनेषूपविष्टाः सुखशय्यास्विवामराः

8.6.8

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा साम्ना परमवल्गुना
तानाभाष्य महेष्वासान्प्राप्तकालमभाषत

8.6.9

मतिं मतिमतां श्रेष्ठाः सर्वे प्रब्रूत माचिरम्
एवं गते तु यत्कार्यं भवेत्कार्यकरं नृपाः

8.6.10

एवमुक्ते नरेन्द्रेण नरसिंहा युयुत्सवः
चक्रुर्नानाविधाश्चेष्टाः सिंहासनगतास्तदा

8.6.11

तेषां निशम्येङ्गितानि युद्धे प्राणाञ्जुहूषताम्
समुद्वीक्ष्य मुखं राज्ञो बालार्कसमवर्चसः
आचार्यपुत्रो मेधावी वाक्यज्ञो वाक्यमाददे

8.6.12

रागो योगस्तथा दाक्ष्यं नयश्चेत्यर्थसाधकाः
उपायाः पण्डितैः प्रोक्ताः सर्वे दैवसमाश्रिताः

8.6.13

लोकप्रवीरा येऽस्माकं देवकल्पा महारथाः
नीतिमन्तस्तथा युक्ता दक्षा रक्ताश्च ते हताः

8.6.14

न त्वेव कार्यं नैराश्यमस्माभिर्विजयं प्रति
सुनीतैरिह सर्वार्थैर्दैवमप्यनुलोम्यते

8.6.15

ते वयं प्रवरं नॄणां सर्वैर्गुणगणैर्युतम्
कर्णं सेनापतिं कृत्वा प्रमथिष्यामहे रिपून्

8.6.16

ततो दुर्योधनः प्रीतः प्रियं श्रुत्वा वचस्तदा
प्रीतिसंस्कारसंयुक्तं तथ्यमात्महितं शुभम्

8.6.17

स्वं मनः समवस्थाप्य बाहुवीर्यमुपाश्रितः
दुर्योधनो महाराज राधेयमिदमब्रवीत्

8.6.18

कर्ण जानामि ते वीर्यं सौहृदं च परं मयि
तथापि त्वां महाबाहो प्रवक्ष्यामि हितं वचः

8.6.19

श्रुत्वा यथेष्टं च कुरु वीर यत्तव रोचते
भवान्प्राज्ञतमो नित्यं मम चैव परा गतिः

8.6.20

भीष्मद्रोणावतिरथौ हतौ सेनापती मम
सेनापतिर्भवानस्तु ताभ्यां द्रविणवत्तरः

8.6.21

वृद्धौ च तौ महेष्वासौ सापेक्षौ च धनंजये
मानितौ च मया वीरौ राधेय वचनात्तव

8.6.22

पितामहत्वं संप्रेक्ष्य पाण्डुपुत्रा महारणे
रक्षितास्तात भीष्मेण दिवसानि दशैव ह

8.6.23

न्यस्तशस्त्रे च भवति हतो भीष्मः पितामहः
शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य फल्गुनेन महाहवे

8.6.24

हते तस्मिन्महाभागे शरतल्पगते तदा
त्वयोक्ते पुरुषव्याघ्र द्रोणो ह्यासीत्पुरःसरः

8.6.25

तेनापि रक्षिताः पार्थाः शिष्यत्वादिह संयुगे
स चापि निहतो वृद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नेन सत्वरम्

8.6.26

निहताभ्यां प्रधानाभ्यां ताभ्याममितविक्रम
त्वत्समं समरे योधं नान्यं पश्यामि चिन्तयन्

8.6.27

भवानेव तु नः शक्तो विजयाय न संशयः
पूर्वं मध्ये च पश्चाच्च तवैव विदितं हि तत्

8.6.28

स भवान्धुर्यवत्संख्ये धुरमुद्वोढुमर्हसि
अभिषेचय सेनान्ये स्वयमात्मानमात्मना

8.6.29

देवतानां यथा स्कन्दः सेनानीः प्रभुरव्ययः
तथा भवानिमां सेनां धार्तराष्ट्रीं बिभर्तु मे
जहि शत्रुगणान्सर्वान्महेन्द्र इव दानवान्

8.6.30

अवस्थितं रणे ज्ञात्वा पाण्डवास्त्वां महारथम्
द्रविष्यन्ति सपाञ्चाला विष्णुं दृष्ट्वेव दानवाः
तस्मात्त्वं पुरुषव्याघ्र प्रकर्षेथा महाचमूम्

8.6.31

भवत्यवस्थिते यत्ते पाण्डवा गतचेतसः
भविष्यन्ति सहामात्याः पाञ्चालैः सृञ्जयैः सह

8.6.32

यथा ह्यभ्युदितः सूर्यः प्रतपन्स्वेन तेजसा
व्यपोहति तमस्तीव्रं तथा शत्रून्व्यपोह नः

8.6.33

कर्ण उवाच
उक्तमेतन्मया पूर्वं गान्धारे तव संनिधौ
जेष्यामि पाण्डवान्राजन्सपुत्रान्सजनार्दनान्

8.6.34

सेनापतिर्भविष्यामि तवाहं नात्र संशयः
स्थिरो भव महाराज जितान्विद्धि च पाण्डवान्

8.6.35

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्तो महातेजास्ततो दुर्योधनो नृपः
उत्तस्थौ राजभिः सार्धं देवैरिव शतक्रतुः
सेनापत्येन सत्कर्तुं कर्णं स्कन्दमिवामराः

8.6.36

ततोऽभिषिषिचुस्तूर्णं विधिदृष्टेन कर्मणा
दुर्योधनमुखा राजन्राजानो विजयैषिणः
शातकौम्भमयैः कुम्भैर्माहेयैश्चाभिमन्त्रितैः

8.6.37

तोयपूर्णैर्विषाणैश्च द्वीपिखड्गमहर्षभैः
मणिमुक्तामयैश्चान्यैः पुण्यगन्धैस्तथौषधैः

8.6.38

औदुम्बरे समासीनमासने क्षौमसंवृतम्
शास्त्रदृष्टेन विधिना संभारैश्च सुसंभृतैः

8.6.39

जय पार्थान्सगोविन्दान्सानुगांस्त्वं महाहवे
इति तं बन्दिनः प्राहुर्द्विजाश्च भरतर्षभ

8.6.40

जहि पार्थान्सपाञ्चालान्राधेय विजयाय नः
उद्यन्निव सदा भानुस्तमांस्युग्रैर्गभस्तिभिः

8.6.41

न ह्यलं त्वद्विसृष्टानां शराणां ते सकेशवाः
कृतघ्नाः सूर्यरश्मीनां ज्वलतामिव दर्शने

8.6.42

न हि पार्थाः सपाञ्चालाः स्थातुं शक्तास्तवाग्रतः
आत्तशस्त्रस्य समरे महेन्द्रस्येव दानवाः

8.6.43

अभिषिक्तस्तु राधेयः प्रभया सोऽमितप्रभः
व्यत्यरिच्यत रूपेण दिवाकर इवापरः

8.6.44

सेनापत्येन राधेयमभिषिच्य सुतस्तव
अमन्यत तदात्मानं कृतार्थं कालचोदितः

8.6.45

कर्णोऽपि राजन्संप्राप्य सेनापत्यमरिंदमः
योगमाज्ञापयामास सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति

8.6.46

तव पुत्रैर्वृतः कर्णः शुशुभे तत्र भारत
देवैरिव यथा स्कन्दः संग्रामे तारकामये

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'After the fall of the mighty bowman Drona on that day, O Bharata, and after the purpose had been baffled of that mighty car-warriors, viz., the son of Drona, and after the vasty army, O monarch, of the Kauravas had fled away, Partha, having arrayed his own troops, stayed on the field with his brothers. Perceiving him staying on the field, thy son, O bull of Bharata's race, seeing his own army running away, rallied them with great courage. Having caused his divisions to take up their stand, thy son, O Bharata, relying on the might of his arms, fought for a long time with his foes, the Pandavas, who, having gained their end, were filled with joy and had been struggling for hours together. On the approach there of the evening twilight, he caused the troops to be withdrawn. Having caused the withdrawal of their troops, and having entered their own encampment, the Kauravas held with one another a consultation about their own welfare, seated like the celestials on costly couches overlaid with rich coverlets, and on excellent seats and luxurious beds. Then king Duryodhana, addressing those mighty bowmen in agreeable and highly sweet expression, spoke the following words suited to the occasion.

"'Duryodhana said, "Ye foremost of intelligent men, declare all of you, without delay, your opinions! Under these circumstances, ye kings, what is necessary and what is still more necessary?'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'When that prince of men had spoken those words, those lions among men, seated on their thrones, made various gestures expressive of their desire of battle. Observing the indications of those who were all desirous of pouring their lives as libations on the battle-fire, and beholding the monarch's face radiant as morning Sun, the preceptor's son endued with intelligence and accomplished in speech, said these words: "Enthusiasm, opportunity, skill and policy,--these are the means declared by the learned, to be capable of accomplishing all ends. They are, however, dependent on destiny. Those foremost of men we had on our side, equal unto the celestials, mighty car-warriors all, possessed of policy, devoted, accomplished, and loyal, have been slain. For all that we should not despair of victory. If all these means be properly applied, even destiny may be made propitious. All of us, therefore, O Bharata, shall install Karna, that foremost of men, endued besides with every accomplishment, in the command of the army! Making Karna our commander, we shall crush our foes. This Karna is endued with great might; he is a hero, accomplished in weapons, and incapable of defeat in battle. Irresistible as Yama himself, he is quite competent to vanquish our foes in battle!" Hearing these words from the preceptor's son, O king, at that time, built great hopes on Karna. Cherishing the hope in his heart that after the fall of Bhishma and Drona, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas, and comforted (by it), O Bharata, Duryodhana then, filled with joy at having heard those words of Ashvatthama, steadying his mind and relying on the might of his arms, said unto Radha's son, O monarch, these words that were fraught with affection and regard, and that were true, delightful, and beneficial to himself: "O Karna, I know thy prowess, and the great friendship thou bearest to me! For all that, O mighty-armed one, I shall address the certain words that are for my good! Having heard them, O hero, do that which may appear desirable to thee! Thou art endued with great wisdom, and thou art even my supreme refuge! Those two Atirathas that were my Generals, viz., Bhishma and Drona, have been slain. Be thou my General, thou that art mightier than they! Both of those great bowmen were advanced in years. They were, besides, partial to Dhananjaya. Still both those heroes were respected by me, O son of Radha, at thy word! Viewing his relationship of grandsire unto them, the sons of Pandu, O sire, were spared in dreadful battle by Bhishma for ten successive days! Thyself also having laid aside thy weapons, the valiant Bhishma was slain in great battle by Phalguni with Shikhandi before him! After that great bowman had fallen and betaken himself to his bed of arrows, it was at thy word, O tiger among men, that Drona was made our leader! By him also were the sons of Pritha spared, in consequence, as I think, of their relationship unto him of pupils. That old man also has been slain by Dhrishtadyumna more speedily. I do not see, even on reflection, another warrior equal to thee in battle,--thee, that is, whose prowess could not be measured by even those two foremost of warriors that have been slain in the fight! Without doubt, thou alone today art competent to win victory for us! Before, in the middle, and later on, thou hast accordingly acted for our good. Therefore, like a leader, it behoveth thee, in this battle, to bear the burden thyself. Thyself install thy own self in the Generalship. Like the celestial generalissimo, the lord Skanda of unfading prowess, (supporting the celestial army), do thou support this Dhartarashtra host! Like Mahendra slaying the Danavas, destroy thou all the throngs of our foes! Beholding thee staying in battle, the Pandavas, those mighty car-warriors, will, with the Pancalas, fly away from battle, like the Danavas at sight of Vishnu. Do thou, therefore lead this vast force! When thou shalt stand resolved on the field, the Pandavas of wicked hearts, the Pancalas, and the Srinjayas, will all fly away with their friends. As the risen Sun, scorching everything by his energy, destroyeth the thick gloom, even so do thou destroy our foes!'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Strong became that hope, O king, in the heart of thy son, viz., that where Bhishma and Drona had been slain, Karna would vanquish the Pandavas. Cherishing that hope within his heart, he said unto Karna, "O Suta's son, Partha never wishes to fight, standing before thee!" Karna said, "I have, O son of Gandhari, said before in thy presence, even these words, vanquish all the Pandavas with their sons and Janardana!' I shall become thy General. In this there is no doubt. Tranquilise thyself, O monarch I Consider the Pandavas to be already vanquished!'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed, O monarch, king Duryodhana then stood up with all the monarchs, like He of a hundred sacrifices with the gods, for honouring Karna with the command of the army, like the celestials for honouring Skanda. Then, O monarch, all the kings headed by Duryodhana, desirous of victory, installed Karna in the command, according to the rites enjoined by the ordinance. With golden and earthen jars filled to the brim with water and sanctified with mantras, with tusks of elephants and horns of rhinoceroses and mighty bulls, with other vessels decked with jewels and gems, with also fragrant herbs and plants, and with other articles collected in abundance, Karna, seated at his ease on a seat made of udumvara wood and overlaid with silken cloth, was invested with the command, according to the rites in the scriptures. Brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and respectable shudras, praised that high-souled one after he was bathed on that excellent seat. Thus installed in the command, O king, that slayer of foes, the son of Radha, caused, by presents of Niskas and kine and other wealth, many foremost of brahmanas to utter blessings on him. "Vanquish the Parthas with Govinda and all their followers," even these were the words that the eulogists and the brahmanas said (unto him), O bull among men! (And they also said) "Slay the Parthas and the Pancalas, O son of Radha, for our victory, like risen Sun ever destroying Darkness with his fierce rays! The son of Pandu with Keshava are not able to even look at the shafts shot by thee, like owls unable to gaze at the burning rays of the Sun! The Parthas with the Pancalas are incapable of standing before thee armed with weapons, like the danavas before Indra in battle!" Installed in the command, Radha's son of incomparable splendour looked resplendent in beauty and radiance like a second Sun. Having installed the son of Radha (thus) in the command of the army, thy son, urged on by Death, regarded himself as one who had his purpose accomplished. That chastiser of foes, Karna, also, O king, having obtained the command, ordered the troops to be arrayed, at the rise of the Sun. Surrounded by thy sons, O Bharata, Karna looked resplendent like Skanda surrounded by the celestials, in the battle having Saraka for its evil root.'"

8.7.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
सेनापत्यं तु संप्राप्य कर्णो वैकर्तनस्तदा
तथोक्तश्च स्वयं राज्ञा स्निग्धं भ्रातृसमं वचः

8.7.2

योगमाज्ञाप्य सेनाया आदित्येऽभ्युदिते तदा
अकरोत्किं महाप्राज्ञस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.7.3

संजय उवाच
कर्णस्य मतमाज्ञाय पुत्रस्ते भरतर्षभ
योगमाज्ञापयामास नान्दीतूर्यपुरःसरम्

8.7.4

महत्यपररात्रे तु तव पुत्रस्य मारिष
योगो योगेति सहसा प्रादुरासीन्महास्वनः

8.7.5

नागानां कल्पमानानां रथानां च वरूथिनाम्
संनह्यतां पदातीनां वाजिनां च विशां पते

8.7.6

क्रोशतां चापि योधानां त्वरितानां परस्परम्
बभूव तुमुलः शब्दो दिवस्पृक्सुमहांस्तदा

8.7.7

ततः श्वेतपताकेन बालार्काकारवाजिना
हेमपृष्ठेन धनुषा हस्तिकक्ष्येण केतुना

8.7.8

तूणेन शरपूर्णेन साङ्गदेन वरूथिना
शतघ्नीकिङ्किणीशक्तिशूलतोमरधारिणा

8.7.9

कार्मुकेणोपपन्नेन विमलादित्यवर्चसा
रथेनातिपताकेन सूतपुत्रो व्यदृश्यत

8.7.10

धमन्तं वारिजं तात हेमजालविभूषितम्
विधुन्वानं महच्चापं कार्तस्वरविभूषितम्

8.7.11

दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महेष्वासं रथस्थं रथिनां वरम्
भानुमन्तमिवोद्यन्तं तमो घ्नन्तं सहस्रशः

8.7.12

न भीष्मव्यसनं केचिन्नापि द्रोणस्य मारिष
नान्येषां पुरुषव्याघ्र मेनिरे तत्र कौरवाः

8.7.13

ततस्तु त्वरयन्योधाञ्शङ्खशब्देन मारिष
कर्णो निष्कासयामास कौरवाणां वरूथिनीम्

8.7.14

व्यूहं व्यूह्य महेष्वासो माकरं शत्रुतापनः
प्रत्युद्ययौ तदा कर्णः पाण्डवान्विजिगीषया

8.7.15

मकरस्य तु तुण्डे वै कर्णो राजन्व्यवस्थितः
नेत्राभ्यां शकुनिः शूर उलूकश्च महारथः

8.7.16

द्रोणपुत्रस्तु शिरसि ग्रीवायां सर्वसोदराः
मध्ये दुर्योधनो राजा बलेन महता वृतः

8.7.17

वामे पादे तु राजेन्द्र कृतवर्मा व्यवस्थितः
नारायणबलैर्युक्तो गोपालैर्युद्धदुर्मदः

8.7.18

पादे तु दक्षिणे राजन्गौतमः सत्यविक्रमः
त्रिगर्तैश्च महेष्वासैर्दाक्षिणात्यैश्च संवृतः

8.7.19

अनुपादस्तु यो वामस्तत्र शल्यो व्यवस्थितः
महत्या सेनया सार्धं मद्रदेशसमुत्थया

8.7.20

दक्षिणे तु महाराज सुषेणः सत्यसंगरः
वृतो रथसहस्रैश्च दन्तिनां च शतैस्तथा

8.7.21

पुच्छे आस्तां महावीरौ भ्रातरौ पार्थिवौ तदा
चित्रसेनश्च चित्रश्च महत्या सेनया वृतौ

8.7.22

ततः प्रयाते राजेन्द्र कर्णे नरवरोत्तमे
धनंजयमभिप्रेक्ष्य धर्मराजोऽब्रवीदिदम्

8.7.23

पश्य पार्थ महासेनां धार्तराष्ट्रस्य संयुगे
कर्णेन निर्मितां वीर गुप्तां वीरैर्महारथैः

8.7.24

हतवीरतमा ह्येषा धार्तराष्ट्री महाचमूः
फल्गुशेषा महाबाहो तृणैस्तुल्या मता मम

8.7.25

एको ह्यत्र महेष्वासः सूतपुत्रो व्यवस्थितः
सदेवासुरगन्धर्वैः सकिंनरमहोरगैः
चराचरैस्त्रिभिर्लोकैर्योऽजय्यो रथिनां वरः

8.7.26

तं हत्वाद्य महाबाहो विजयस्तव फल्गुन
उद्धृतश्च भवेच्छल्यो मम द्वादशवार्षिकः
एवं ज्ञात्वा महाबाहो व्यूहं व्यूह यथेच्छसि

8.7.27

भ्रातुस्तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा पाण्डवः श्वेतवाहनः
अर्धचन्द्रेण व्यूहेन प्रत्यव्यूहत तां चमूम्

8.7.28

वामपार्श्वेऽभवद्राजन्भीमसेनो व्यवस्थितः
दक्षिणे च महेष्वासो धृष्टद्युम्नो महाबलः

8.7.29

मध्ये व्यूहस्य साक्षात्तु पाण्डवः कृष्णसारथिः
नकुलः सहदेवश्च धर्मराजश्च पृष्ठतः

8.7.30

चक्ररक्षौ तु पाञ्चाल्यौ युधामन्यूत्तमौजसौ
नार्जुनं जहतुर्युद्धे पाल्यमानौ किरीटिना

8.7.31

शेषा नृपतयो वीराः स्थिता व्यूहस्य दंशिताः
यथाभावं यथोत्साहं यथासत्त्वं च भारत

8.7.32

एवमेतन्महाव्यूहं व्यूह्य भारत पाण्डवाः
तावकाश्च महेष्वासा युद्धायैव मनो दधुः

8.7.33

दृष्ट्वा व्यूढां तव चमूं सूतपुत्रेण संयुगे
निहतान्पाण्डवान्मेने तव पुत्रः सहान्वयः

8.7.34

तथैव पाण्डवीं सेनां व्यूढां दृष्ट्वा युधिष्ठिरः
धार्तराष्ट्रान्हतान्मेने सकर्णान्वै जनाधिप

8.7.35

ततः शङ्खाश्च भेर्यश्च पणवानकगोमुखाः
सहसैवाभ्यहन्यन्त सशब्दाश्च समन्ततः

8.7.36

सेनयोरुभयो राजन्प्रावाद्यन्त महास्वनाः
सिंहनादश्च संजज्ञे शूराणां जयगृद्धिनाम्

8.7.37

हयहेषितशब्दाश्च वारणानां च बृंहितम्
रथनेमिस्वनाश्चोग्राः संबभूवुर्जनाधिप

8.7.38

न द्रोणव्यसनं कश्चिज्जानीते भरतर्षभ
दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महेष्वासं मुखे व्यूहस्य दंशितम्

8.7.39

उभे सेने महासत्त्वे प्रहृष्टनरकुञ्जरे
योद्धुकामे स्थिते राजन्हन्तुमन्योन्यमञ्जसा

8.7.40

तत्र यत्तौ सुसंरब्धौ दृष्ट्वान्योन्यं व्यवस्थितौ
अनीकमध्ये राजेन्द्र रेजतुः कर्णपाण्डवौ

8.7.41

नृत्यमाने तु ते सेने समेयातां परस्परम्
तयोः पक्षैः प्रपक्षैश्च निर्जग्मुर्वै युयुत्सवः

8.7.42

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं नरवारणवाजिनाम्
रथिनां च महाराज अन्योन्यं निघ्नतां दृढम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'After having obtained the command of the army, and after he had been addressed by the king himself in those sweet and brotherly words, and after he had ordered the troops to be arrayed at the hour of sunrise, tell me, O Sanjaya, what did Vikartana's son Karna do?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Having learnt Karna's wishes, thy sons, O bull of Bharata's race, ordered the troops to be arrayed with joyful music. While it still wanted a long period for the coming of the dawn, a loud noise of "Array, Array!" O king, suddenly arose among thy troops. And the uproar that arose, became tremendous and touched the very heavens, of foremost of elephants and fenced cars while under process of equipment, of foot-soldiers and steeds, O monarch, while putting on their armour or in course of being harnessed, and of combatants moving with activity and shouting unto one another! Then the Suta's son bearing a gold-backed bow appeared (on the field) in his car possessed of the splendour of the radiant Sun, crowned with many banners, equipped with a white standard, with steeds of the hue of cranes, bearing the device of the elephants' rope, filled with a hundred quivers, furnished with mace and wooden fence, freighted with shataghnis and rows of bells and darts and lances and spears, and supplied with many bows. And the Suta's son appeared on the field, blowing his conch, O king; decorated with a net-work of gold, and shaking his formidable bow adorned with pure gold. Beholding the mighty bowman Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, seated on his car, difficult of approach and resembling the risen Sun that destroys the gloom, none amongst the Kauravas, O tiger among men, recked, O sire, the loss of Bhishma or Drona or other men! Speeding the warriors, O sire, with the blasts of his conch, Karna caused the vast army of the Kauravas to be drawn out. Having arrayed the troops in the makara array, that mighty bowman, that scorcher of foes, viz., Karna, proceeded against the Pandavas from desire of victory. In the tip of the beak of that makara, O king, was stationed Karna himself. In the two eyes were the brave Shakuni and the mighty car-warrior Uluka. In the head was Drona's son and in the neck were all the uterine brothers. In the middle was king Duryodhana supported by a large force. In the left foot, O monarch, was stationed Kritavarma accompanied by the Narayana troops, and those invincible warriors, the gopalas. In the right foot, O king, was Gotama's son of prowess incapable of being baffled, surrounded by those mighty bowmen viz., the Trigartas and by the Southerners. In the left hind-foot was stationed Shalya with a large force raised in the country of Madras. In the right (hind-foot), O monarch, was Sushena of true vows, surrounded by a 1,000 cars and 300 elephants. In the tail were the two royal brothers of mighty energy, viz., Citra and Citrasena surrounded by a large force.

"'When, O great king, that foremost of men, Karna, thus came out, king Yudhishthira the just, casting his eyes on Arjuna, said these words: "Behold, O Partha, how the Dhartarashtra force, O hero, in this battle, protected by heroes and mighty car-warriors, hath been arrayed by Karna! This vast Dhartarashtra force hath lost its bravest warriors. They that remain, O mighty-armed one, are feeble, equal, as I think, to straw! Only one great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, shineth in it! That foremost of car-warriors is incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds with their mobile and immobile creatures, including the gods, Asuras and Gandharvas, and the Kinnaras and great serpents! If thou slayest him today, O mighty-armed one, the victory will be thine, O Phalguna! The thorn also which for twelve years hath been planted in my heart will then be plucked out! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, form thou the array that thou wishest!" Hearing those words of his brother, that Pandava of the white steeds disposed his army in counter array after the form of the half moon. On the left side was stationed Bhimasena, and on the right was stationed the great bowman Dhrishtadyumna. In the middle of the array were the king and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu. Nakula and Sahadeva were at the rear of king Yudhishthira the just. The two Pancala princes, Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja, became the protectors of (Arjuna's) car wheels. Protected by the diadem-decked Arjuna himself, they did not quit Arjuna for a moment. The remaining kings, possessed of great courage, clad in mail, stood in the array, each in the position assigned to him, according to the measure of his enthusiasm and resolution, O Bharata. Having thus formed their great array, O Bharata, the Pandavas, and the mighty bowmen of thy army set their hearts on battle. Beholding thy army disposed into battle array by the Suta's son in battle Duryodhana with all his brethren regarded the Pandavas to be already slain. Similarly Yudhishthira, O king, beholding the Pandava army disposed in array, regarded the Dhartarashtras with Karna to be already slain. Then conches, and kettle-drums, and tabours, and large drums, and cymbals, and Dindimas, and Jharjharas, were loudly blown and beaten on all sides! Indeed, those loud-sounding instruments were blown and beaten, O king, among both the armies. Leonine roars also arose, uttered by brave warriors for victory. And there also arose, O king, the noise of neighing steeds and grunting elephants, and the fierce clatter of car-wheels. None, O Bharata, (in the Kaurava army), at that time, felt the loss of Drona, seeing the great bowman Karna clad in mail and stationed at the head of the array. Both armies, O monarch, teeming with joyous men, stood, eager for battle and (ready) to destroy each other without delay. There, the two heroes, viz., Karna and the son of Pandu, excited with wrath at sight of each other, and both firmly resolved, stood or careered, O king, through their respective divisions. The two armies, as they advanced to meet each other, seemed to dance (in joy). From the wings and the side-wings of both, warriors desirous of battle came forth. Then commenced the battle, O monarch, of men, elephants, steeds, and cars, engaged in destroying one another.'"

8.8.1

संजय उवाच
ते सेनेऽन्योन्यमासाद्य प्रहृष्टाश्वनरद्विपे
बृहत्यौ संप्रजह्राते देवासुरचमूपमे

8.8.2

ततो गजा रथाश्चाश्वाः पत्तयश्च महाहवे
संप्रहारं परं चक्रुर्देहपाप्मप्रणाशनम्

8.8.3

पूर्णचन्द्रार्कपद्मानां कान्तित्विड्गन्धतः समैः
उत्तमाङ्गैर्नृसिंहानां नृसिंहास्तस्तरुर्महीम्

8.8.4

अर्धचन्द्रैस्तथा भल्लैः क्षुरप्रैरसिपट्टिशैः
परश्वधैश्चाप्यकृन्तन्नुत्तमाङ्गानि युध्यताम्

8.8.5

व्यायतायतबाहूनां व्यायतायतबाहुभिः
व्यायता बाहवः पेतुश्छिन्नमुष्ट्यायुधाङ्गदाः

8.8.6

तैः स्फुरद्भिर्मही भाति रक्ताङ्गुलितलैस्तदा
गरुडप्रहतैरुग्रैः पञ्चास्यैरिव पन्नगैः

8.8.7

हयस्यन्दननागेभ्यः पेतुर्वीरा द्विषद्धताः
विमानेभ्यो यथा क्षीणे पुण्ये स्वर्गसदस्तथा

8.8.8

गदाभिरन्यैर्गुर्वीभिः परिघैर्मुसलैरपि
पोथिताः शतशः पेतुर्वीरा वीरतरै रणे

8.8.9

रथा रथैर्विनिहता मत्ता मत्तैर्द्विपैर्द्विपाः
सादिनः सादिभिश्चैव तस्मिन्परमसंकुले

8.8.10

रथा वररथैर्नागैरश्वारोहाश्च पत्तिभिः
अश्वारोहैः पदाताश्च निहता युधि शेरते

8.8.11

रथाश्वपत्तयो नागै रथैर्नागाश्च पत्तयः
रथपत्तिद्विपाश्चाश्वैर्नृभिश्चाश्वरथद्विपाः

8.8.12

रथाश्वेभनराणां च नराश्वेभरथैः कृतम्
पाणिपादैश्च शस्त्रैश्च रथैश्च कदनं महत्

8.8.13

तथा तस्मिन्बले शूरैर्वध्यमाने हतेऽपि च
अस्मानभ्यागमन्पार्था वृकोदरपुरोगमाः

8.8.14

धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः
सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च द्रविडैः सैनिकैः सह

8.8.15

भृता वित्तेन महता पाण्ड्याश्चौड्राः सकेरलाः
व्यूढोरस्का दीर्घभुजाः प्रांशवः प्रियदर्शनाः

8.8.16

आपीडिनो रक्तदन्ता मत्तमातङ्गविक्रमाः
नानाविरागवसना गन्धचूर्णावचूर्णिताः

8.8.17

बद्धासयः पाशहस्ता वारणप्रतिवारणाः
समानमृत्यवो राजन्ननीकस्थाः परस्परम्

8.8.18

कलापिनश्चापहस्ता दीर्घकेशाः प्रियाहवाः
पत्तयः सात्यकेरन्ध्रा घोररूपपराक्रमाः

8.8.19

अथापरे पुनः शूराश्चेदिपाञ्चालकेकयाः
करूषाः कोसलाः काश्या मागधाश्चापि दुद्रुवुः

8.8.20

तेषां रथाश्च नागाश्च प्रवराश्चापि पत्तयः
नानाविधरवैर्हृष्टा नृत्यन्ति च हसन्ति च

8.8.21

तस्य सैन्यस्य महतो महामात्रवरैर्वृतः
मध्यं वृकोदरोऽभ्यागात्त्वदीयं नागधूर्गतः

8.8.22

स नागप्रवरोऽत्युग्रो विधिवत्कल्पितो बभौ
उदयाद्र्यग्र्यभवनं यथाभ्युदितभास्करम्

8.8.23

तस्यायसं वर्मवरं वररत्नविभूषितम्
तारोद्भासस्य नभसः शारदस्य समत्विषम्

8.8.24

स तोमरप्रासकरश्चारुमौलिः स्वलंकृतः
चरन्मध्यंदिनार्काभस्तेजसा व्यदहद्रिपून्

8.8.25

तं दृष्ट्वा द्विरदं दूरात्क्षेमधूर्तिर्द्विपस्थितः
आह्वयानोऽभिदुद्राव प्रमनाः प्रमनस्तरम्

8.8.26

तयोः समभवद्युद्धं द्विपयोरुग्ररूपयोः
यदृच्छया द्रुमवतोर्महापर्वतयोरिव

8.8.27

संसक्तनागौ तौ वीरौ तोमरैरितरेतरम्
बलवत्सूर्यरश्म्याभैर्भित्त्वा भित्त्वा विनेदतुः

8.8.28

व्यपसृत्य तु नागाभ्यां मण्डलानि विचेरतुः
प्रगृह्य चैव धनुषी जघ्नतुर्वै परस्परम्

8.8.29

क्ष्वेडितास्फोटितरवैर्बाणशब्दैश्च सर्वशः
तौ जनान्हर्षयित्वा च सिंहनादान्प्रचक्रतुः

8.8.30

समुद्यतकराभ्यां तौ द्विपाभ्यां कृतिनावुभौ
वातोद्धूतपताकाभ्यां युयुधाते महाबलौ

8.8.31

तावन्योन्यस्य धनुषी छित्त्वान्योन्यं विनेदतुः
शक्तितोमरवर्षेण प्रावृण्मेघाविवाम्बुभिः

8.8.32

क्षेमधूर्तिस्तदा भीमं तोमरेण स्तनान्तरे
निर्बिभेद तु वेगेन षड्भिश्चाप्यपरैर्नदन्

8.8.33

स भीमसेनः शुशुभे तोमरैरङ्गमाश्रितैः
क्रोधदीप्तवपुर्मेघैः सप्तसप्तिरिवांशुमान्

8.8.34

ततो भास्करवर्णाभमञ्जोगतिमयस्मयम्
ससर्ज तोमरं भीमः प्रत्यमित्राय यत्नवान्

8.8.35

ततः कुलूताधिपतिश्चापमायम्य सायकैः
दशभिस्तोमरं छित्त्वा शक्त्या विव्याध पाण्डवम्

8.8.36

अथ कार्मुकमादाय महाजलदनिस्वनम्
रिपोरभ्यर्दयन्नागमुन्मदः पाण्डवः शरैः

8.8.37

स शरौघार्दितो नागो भीमसेनेन संयुगे
निगृह्यमाणो नातिष्ठद्वातध्वस्त इवाम्बुदः

8.8.38

तामभ्यधावद्द्विरदं भीमसेनस्य नागराट्
महावातेरितं मेघं वातोद्धूत इवाम्बुदः

8.8.39

संनिवर्त्यात्मनो नागं क्षेमधूर्तिः प्रयत्नतः
विव्याधाभिद्रुतं बाणैर्भीमसेनं सकुञ्जरम्

8.8.40

ततः साधुविसृष्टेन क्षुरेण पुरुषर्षभः
छित्त्वा शरासनं शत्रोर्नागमामित्रमार्दयत्

8.8.41

ततः खजाकया भीमं क्षेमधूर्तिः पराभिनत्
जघान चास्य द्विरदं नाराचैः सर्वमर्मसु

8.8.42

पुरा नागस्य पतनादवप्लुत्य स्थितो महीम्
भीमसेनो रिपोर्नागं गदया समपोथयत्

8.8.43

तस्मात्प्रमथितान्नागात्क्षेमधूर्तिमवद्रुतम्
उद्यतासिमुपायान्तं गदयाहन्वृकोदरः

8.8.44

स पपात हतः सासिर्व्यसुः स्वमभितो द्विपम्
वज्रप्ररुग्णमचलं सिंहो वज्रहतो यथा

8.8.45

निहतं नृपतिं दृष्ट्वा कुलूतानां यशस्करम्
प्राद्रवद्व्यथिता सेना त्वदीया भरतर्षभ

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then those two vast armies, teeming with rejoicing men and steeds and elephants, resembling in splendour the celestial and the Asura hosts, meeting together, began to strike each other. Men, cars, steeds, elephants, and foot-soldiers of fierce prowess, made sturdy strokes destructive of bodies and sin. Lion-like men strewed the Earth with the heads of lion-like men, each resembling the full moon or the sun in splendour and the lotus in fragrance. Combatants cut off the heads of combatants, with crescent-shaped and broad-headed shafts and razor-faced arrows and axes, and battle-axes. The arms of men of long and massive arms, cut off by men of long and massive arms, falling upon the Earth, shone, decked with weapons and bracelets. With those writhing arms adorned with red fingers and palms, the Earth looked resplendent as if strewn with fierce five-headed snakes slain by Garuda. From elephants and cars and steeds, brave warriors fell down, struck by foes, like the denizens of heaven from their celestial cars on the exhaustion of their merits. Other brave warriors fell down by hundreds, crushed in that battle by brave combatants with heavy maces spiked clubs and short bludgeons. Cars also, in that tumultuous fight, were crushed by cars, and infuriate elephants by infuriate compeers, and horsemen by horsemen. Men destroyed by cars, and cars by elephants, and horsemen by foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers by horsemen, dropped down on the field, as also cars and steeds and foot-soldiers destroyed by elephants and cars and steeds and elephants by foot-soldiers, and cars and foot-soldiers and elephants by steeds and men and elephants by cars. Great was the carnage made of car-warriors and steeds and elephants and men by men and steeds and elephants and car-warriors, using their hands and feet and weapons and cars. When that host was being thus struck and slain by heroic warriors the Parthas, headed by Vrikodara, advanced against us. They consisted of Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and the five sons of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and Satyaki and Chekitana with the Dravida forces, and the Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, surrounded by a mighty array, all possessed of broad chests, long arms, tall statures, and large eyes. Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, endued with the prowess of infuriate elephants, attired in robes of diverse colours, smeared with powdered scents, armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining mighty elephants, companions in death, and never deserting one another, equipped with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led by Satyaki, belonging to the Andhra tribe, endued with fierce forms and great energy. Other brave warriors such as the Cedis, the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, the Karushas, the Kosalas, the Kanchis, and the Maghadhas, also rushed forward. Their cars and steeds and elephants, all of the foremost kind, and their fierce foot-soldiers, gladdened by the notes of diverse instruments, seemed to dance and laugh. In the midst of that vast force, came Vrikodara, riding on the neck of an elephant, and surrounded by many foremost of elephant-soldiers, advancing against thy army. That fierce and foremost of elephants, duly equipped, looked resplendent, like the stone-built mansion on the top of the Udaya mountain, crowned with the risen Sun. Its armour of iron, the foremost of its kind, studded with costly gems, was as resplendent as the autumnal firmament bespangled with stars. With a lance in his outstretched arm, his head decked with a beautiful diadem, and possessed of the splendour of the meridian Sun at autumn, Bhima began to burn his foes. Beholding that elephant from a distance, Kshemadhurti, himself on an elephant, challenging, rushed cheerfully towards Bhima who was more cheerful still. An encounter then took place between those two elephants of fierce forms resembling two huge hills topped with trees, each, fighting with the other as it liked. Those two heroes, then, whose elephants thus encountered each other, forcibly struck each other with lances endued with the splendour of solar rays, and uttered loud roars. Separating, they then careered in circles with their elephants, and each taking up a bow began to strike the other. Gladdening the people around with their loud roars and the slaps on their armpits and the whizz of this arrows, they continued to utter leonine shouts. Endued with great strength, both of them, accomplished in weapons, fought, using their elephants with upturned trunks and decked with banners floating on the wind. Then each cutting off the other's bow, they roared at each other, and rained on each other showers of darts and lances like two masses of clouds in the rainy season pouring torrents of rain. Then Kshemadhurti pierced Bhimasena in the centre of the chest with a lance endued with great impetuosity, and then with six others, and uttered a loud shout. With those lances sticking to his body, Bhimasena, whose form then blazed with wrath, looked resplendent like the cloud-covered Sun with his rays issuing through the interstices of that canopy. Then Bhima carefully hurled at his antagonist a lance bright as the rays of the Sun, coursing perfectly straight, and made entirely of iron. The ruler of the Kulutas then, drawing his bow, cut off that lance with ten shafts and then pierced the son of Pandu with sixty shafts. Then Bhima the son of Pandu, taking up a bow whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds, uttered a loud shout and deeply afflicted with his shafts the elephants of his antagonist. Thus afflicted in that battle by Bhimasena with his arrows, that elephant, though sought to be restrained, stayed not on the field like a wind-blown cloud. The fierce prince of elephants owned by Bhima then pursued his (flying) compeer, like a wind-blown mass of clouds pursuing another mass driven by the tempest. Restraining his own elephant valiant Kshemadhurti pierced with his shafts the pursuing elephant of Bhimasena. Then with a well-shot razor-headed arrow that was perfectly straight, Kshemadhurti cut off his antagonist's bow and then afflicted that hostile elephant. Filled with wrath, Kshemadhurti then, in that battle, pierced Bhima and struck his elephant with many long shafts in every vital part. That huge elephant of Bhima then fell down, O Bharata! Bhima, however, who had jumped down from his elephant and stood on the Earth before the fall of the beast, then crushed the elephant of his antagonist with his mace. And Vrikodara then struck Kshemadhurti also, who, jumped down from his crushed elephant, was advancing against him with uplifted weapon. Kshemadhurti, thus struck, fell down lifeless, with the sword in his arm, by the side of his elephant, like a lion struck down by thunder beside a thunder-riven hill. Beholding the celebrated king of the Kulutas slain, thy troops, O bull of Bharata's race exceedingly distressed, fled away.'"

8.9.1

संजय उवाच
ततः कर्णो महेष्वासः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम्
जघान समरे शूरः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

8.9.2

तथैव पाण्डवा राजंस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम्
कर्णस्य प्रमुखे क्रुद्धा विनिजघ्नुर्महारथाः

8.9.3

कर्णो राजन्महाबाहुर्न्यवधीत्पाण्डवीं चमूम्
नाराचैरर्करश्म्याभैः कर्मारपरिमार्जितैः

8.9.4

तत्र भारत कर्णेन नाराचैस्ताडिता गजाः
नेदुः सेदुश्च मम्लुश्च बभ्रमुश्च दिशो दश

8.9.5

वध्यमाने बले तस्मिन्सूतपुत्रेण मारिष
नकुलोऽभ्यद्रवत्तूर्णं सूतपुत्रं महारणे

8.9.6

भीमसेनस्तथा द्रौणिं कुर्वाणं कर्म दुष्करम्
विन्दानुविन्दौ कैकेयौ सात्यकिः समवारयत्

8.9.7

श्रुतकर्माणमायान्तं चित्रसेनो महीपतिः
प्रतिविन्ध्यं तथा चित्रश्चित्रकेतनकार्मुकः

8.9.8

दुर्योधनस्तु राजानं धर्मपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम्
संशप्तकगणान्क्रुद्धो अभ्यधावद्धनंजयः

8.9.9

धृष्टद्युम्नः कृपं चाथ तस्मिन्वीरवरक्षये
शिखण्डी कृतवर्माणं समासादयदच्युतम्

8.9.10

श्रुतकीर्तिस्तथा शल्यं माद्रीपुत्रः सुतं तव
दुःशासनं महाराज सहदेवः प्रतापवान्

8.9.11

केकयौ सात्यकिं युद्धे शरवर्षेण भास्वता
सात्यकिः केकयौ चैव छादयामास भारत

8.9.12

तावेनं भ्रातरौ वीरं जघ्नतुर्हृदये भृशम्
विषाणाभ्यां यथा नागौ प्रतिनागं महाहवे

8.9.13

शरसंभिन्नवर्माणौ तावुभौ भ्रातरौ रणे
सात्यकिं सत्यकर्माणं राजन्विव्यधतुः शरैः

8.9.14

तौ सात्यकिर्महाराज प्रहसन्सर्वतोदिशम्
छादयञ्शरवर्षेण वारयामास भारत

8.9.15

वार्यमाणौ ततस्तौ तु शैनेयशरवृष्टिभिः
शैनेयस्य रथं तूर्णं छादयामासतुः शरैः

8.9.16

तयोस्तु धनुषी चित्रे छित्त्वा शौरिर्महाहवे
अथ तौ सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैश्छादयामास दुःसहैः

8.9.17

अथान्ये धनुषी मृष्टे प्रगृह्य च महाशरान्
सात्यकिं पूरयन्तौ तौ चेरतुर्लघु सुष्ठु च

8.9.18

ताभ्यां मुक्ता महाबाणाः कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः
द्योतयन्तो दिशः सर्वाः संपेतुः स्वर्णभूषणाः

8.9.19

बाणान्धकारमभवत्तयो राजन्महाहवे
अन्योन्यस्य धनुश्चैव चिच्छिदुस्ते महारथाः

8.9.20

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज सात्वतो युद्धदुर्मदः
धनुरन्यत्समादाय सज्यं कृत्वा च संयुगे
क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन अनुविन्दशिरोऽहरत्

8.9.21

तच्छिरो न्यपतद्भूमौ कुण्डलोत्पीडितं महत्
शम्बरस्य शिरो यद्वन्निहतस्य महारणे
शोषयन्केकयान्सर्वाञ्जगामाशु वसुंधराम्

8.9.22

तं दृष्ट्वा निहतं शूरं भ्राता तस्य महारथः
सज्यमन्यद्धनुः कृत्वा शैनेयं प्रत्यवारयत्

8.9.23

स शक्त्या सात्यकिं विद्ध्वा स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः
ननाद बलवन्नादं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

8.9.24

स सात्यकिं पुनः क्रुद्धः केकयानां महारथः
शरैरग्निशिखाकारैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत्

8.9.25

स शरैः क्षतसर्वाङ्गः सात्वतः सत्त्वकोविदः
रराज समरे राजन्सपत्र इव किंशुकः

8.9.26

सात्यकिः समरे विद्धः केकयेन महात्मना
केकयं पञ्चविंशत्या विव्याध प्रहसन्निव

8.9.27

शतचन्द्रचिते गृह्य चर्मणी सुभुजौ तु तौ
व्यरोचेतां महारङ्गे निस्त्रिंशवरधारिणौ
यथा देवासुरे युद्धे जम्भशक्रौ महाबलौ

8.9.28

मण्डलानि ततस्तौ च विचरन्तौ महारणे
अन्योन्यमसिभिस्तूर्णं समाजघ्नतुराहवे

8.9.29

केकयस्य ततश्चर्म द्विधा चिच्छेद सात्वतः
सात्यकेश्च तथैवासौ चर्म चिच्छेद पार्थिवः

8.9.30

चर्म च्छित्त्वा तु कैकेयस्तारागणशतैर्वृतम्
चचार मण्डलान्येव गतप्रत्यागतानि च

8.9.31

तं चरन्तं महारङ्गे निस्त्रिंशवरधारिणम्
अपहस्तेन चिच्छेद शैनेयस्त्वरयान्वितः

8.9.32

सवर्मा केकयो राजन्द्विधा छिन्नो महाहवे
निपपात महेष्वासो वज्रनुन्न इवाचलः

8.9.33

तं निहत्य रणे शूरः शैनेयो रथसत्तमः
युधामन्यो रथं तूर्णमारुरोह परंतपः

8.9.34

ततोऽन्यं रथमास्थाय विधिवत्कल्पितं पुनः
केकयानां महत्सैन्यं व्यधमत्सात्यकिः शरैः

8.9.35

सा वध्यमाना समरे केकयस्य महाचमूः
तमुत्सृज्य रथं शत्रुं प्रदुद्राव दिशो दश

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then the mighty and heroic bowman Karna began to smite the Pandava army in that battle, with his straight shafts. Similarly, those great car-warriors, viz., the Pandavas, O king, filled with wrath, began to smite the army of thy son in the very sight of Karna. Karna also, O king, in that battle slew the Pandava army with his cloth-yard shafts bright as the rays of the Sun and polished by the hands of the smith. There, O Bharata, the elephants, struck by Karna with his shafts, uttered loud cries, lost strength, became faint, and wandered on all sides. While the army was being thus destroyed by the Suta's son, Nakula rushed with speed against that mighty car-warrior. And Bhimasena rushed against Drona's son who was engaged in the accomplishment of the most difficult feats. Satyaki checked the Kaikaya princes Vinda and Anuvinda. King Citrasena rushed against the advancing Srutakarman; and Prativindhya against Citra owning a beautiful standard and a beautiful bow. Duryodhana rushed against king Yudhishthira the son of Dharma; while Dhananjaya rushed against the angry throngs of the samsaptakas. In that slaughter of great heroes, Dhrishtadyumna proceeded against Kripa. The invincible Shikhandi closed with Kritavarma. Srutakirti encountered Shalya, and Madri's son, the valiant Sahadeva, O king, encountered thy son Duhshasana. The two Kaikaya princes, in that battle, shrouded Satyaki with a shower of blazing arrows, and the latter also, O Bharata, shrouded the two Kaikaya brothers. Those two heroic brothers deeply struck Satyaki in the chest like two elephants striking with their tusks a hostile compeer in the forest. Indeed, O king, those two brothers, in that battle, their own vitals pierced with shafts, pierced Satyaki of true deeds with their shafts. Satyaki, however, O great king, covering all the points of the compass with a shower of arrows and smiling the while, checked the two brothers, O Bharata. Checked by those showers of arrows shot by the grandson of Sini, the two brothers speedily shrouded the car of Sini's grandson with their shafts. Cutting off their beautiful bows, Saurin of great fame checked them both with his keen arrows in that battle. Taking up two other beautiful bows, and a number of powerful shafts, the two began to cover Satyaki and career with great activity and skill. Shot by the two brothers, those mighty shafts equipped with the feathers of the Kanka and the peacock and decked with gold, began to fall, illumining all the points of the compass. In that dreadful battle between them, O king, the arrows they shot caused a darkness there. Those mighty car-warriors then cut off each other's bows. Then the invincible Satwata, O king, filled with rage, took up another bow in that battle, and stringing it, cut off Anuvinda's head with a keen razor-headed shaft. Decked with earrings, that large head, O king, fell like the head of Samvara slain in the great battle (of old). And it reached the Earth in no time, filling all the Kaikayas with grief. Beholding that brave warrior slain, his brother, the mighty car-warrior Vinda, stringing another bow began to resist the grandson of Sini from every side. Piercing with sixty arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone, he uttered a loud shout and said, "Wait, Wait!" Then that mighty car-warrior of the Kaikayas speedily struck Satyaki with many thousands of shafts in his arms and chest. All his limbs wounded with arrows, Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being baffled, looked resplendent in that battle, O king, like a flowering Kinsuka. Pierced by the high-souled Kaikaya in that encounter, Satyaki, with the greatest ease, pierced the Kaikaya (in return) with five and twenty arrows. Then those two foremost of car-warriors, having each cut off the other's handsome bow in that encounter, and having each quickly slain the other's driver and steeds approached each other on foot for a fight with swords. Both endued with massive arms, they looked resplendent on that extensive arena, each having taken up a shield decked with a hundred moons, and each armed with an excellent sword, like Jambha and Sakra, both endued with great might, in the battle between the gods and the Asuras (of old). Both of them, in that great battle, then began to career in circles. And then they speedily encountered each other in battle, each approaching the other near. And each of them made great efforts for the destruction of the other. Then Satwata cut in twain the shield of Kaikeya. The latter also, O king, cut in twain the shield of Satyaki. Having cut off his antagonist's shield covered with centuries of stars, Kaikeya began to career in circles, advancing and receding (at times). Then the grandson of Sini, endued with great activity, cut off by a sidestroke the prince of the Kaikeyas thus careering in that great arena armed with excellent sword. Cased in armour that great bowman, viz., the Kaikeya prince, O king, thus cut off in twain in that great battle, fell down like a hill riven with thunder. Having slain him in battle that foremost of car-warriors that scorcher of foes, viz., the brave grandson of Sini quickly got upon the car of Yudhamanyu. Afterwards riding upon another car duly equipped (with everything), Satyaki began to slay with his shafts the large force of the Kaikeyas. The vast army of the Kaikeyas, thus slaughtered in battle, leaving that foe of theirs fled away on all sides.'"

8.10.1

संजय उवाच
श्रुतकर्मा महाराज चित्रसेनं महीपतिम्
आजघ्ने समरे क्रुद्धः पञ्चाशद्भिः शिलीमुखैः

8.10.2

अभिसारस्तु तं राजा नवभिर्निशितैः शरैः
श्रुतकर्माणमाहत्य सूतं विव्याध पञ्चभिः

8.10.3

श्रुतकर्मा ततः क्रुद्धश्चित्रसेनं चमूमुखे
नाराचेन सुतीक्ष्णेन मर्मदेशे समर्दयत्

8.10.4

एतस्मिन्नन्तरे चैनं श्रुतकीर्तिर्महायशाः
नवत्या जगतीपालं छादयामास पत्रिभिः

8.10.5

प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां चित्रसेनो महारथः
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन तं च विव्याध सप्तभिः

8.10.6

सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय वेगघ्नं रुक्मभूषणम्
चित्ररूपतरं चक्रे चित्रसेनं शरोर्मिभिः

8.10.7

स शरैश्चित्रितो राजंश्चित्रमाल्यधरो युवा
युवेव समशोभत्स गोष्ठीमध्ये स्वलंकृतः

8.10.8

श्रुतकर्माणमथ वै नाराचेन स्तनान्तरे
बिभेद समरे क्रुद्धस्तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

8.10.9

श्रुतकर्मापि समरे नाराचेन समर्दितः
सुस्राव रुधिरं भूरि गैरिकाम्भ इवाचलः

8.10.10

ततः स रुधिराक्ताङ्गो रुधिरेण कृतच्छविः
रराज समरे राजन्सपुष्प इव किंशुकः

8.10.11

श्रुतकर्मा ततो राजञ्शत्रूणां समभिद्रुतः
शत्रुसंवरणं कृत्वा द्विधा चिच्छेद कार्मुकम्

8.10.12

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं नाराचानां त्रिभिः शतैः
विव्याध भरतश्रेष्ठ श्रुतकर्मा महायशाः

8.10.13

ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन भृशं तीक्ष्णेन सत्वरः
जहार सशिरस्त्राणं शिरस्तस्य महात्मनः

8.10.14

तच्छिरो न्यपतद्भूमौ सुमहच्चित्रवर्मणः
यदृच्छया यथा चन्द्रश्च्युतः स्वर्गान्महीतले

8.10.15

राजानं निहतं दृष्ट्वा अभिसारं च मारिष
अभ्यद्रवन्त वेगेन चित्रसेनस्य सैनिकाः

8.10.16

ततः क्रुद्धो महेष्वासस्तत्सैन्यं प्राद्रवच्छरैः
अन्तकाले यथा क्रुद्धः सर्वभूतानि प्रेतराट्
द्रावयन्निषुभिस्तूर्णं श्रुतकर्मा व्यरोचत

8.10.17

प्रतिविन्ध्यस्ततश्चित्रं भित्त्वा पञ्चभिराशुगैः
सारथिं त्रिभिरानर्च्छद्ध्वजमेकेषुणा ततः

8.10.18

तं चित्रो नवभिर्भल्लैर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत्
स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाधौतैः कङ्कबर्हिणवाजितैः

8.10.19

प्रतिविन्ध्यो धनुस्तस्य छित्त्वा भारत सायकैः
पञ्चभिर्निशितैर्बाणैरथैनं संप्रजघ्निवान्

8.10.20

ततः शक्तिं महाराज हेमदण्डां दुरासदाम्
प्राहिणोत्तव पुत्राय घोरामग्निशिखामिव

8.10.21

तामापतन्तीं सहसा शक्तिमुल्कामिवाम्बरात्
द्विधा चिच्छेद समरे प्रतिविन्ध्यो हसन्निव

8.10.22

सा पपात तदा छिन्ना प्रतिविन्ध्यशरैः शितैः
युगान्ते सर्वभूतानि त्रासयन्ती यथाशनिः

8.10.23

शक्तिं तां प्रहतां दृष्ट्वा चित्रो गृह्य महागदाम्
प्रतिविन्ध्याय चिक्षेप रुक्मजालविभूषिताम्

8.10.24

सा जघान हयांस्तस्य सारथिं च महारणे
रथं प्रमृद्य वेगेन धरणीमन्वपद्यत

8.10.25

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु रथादाप्लुत्य भारत
शक्तिं चिक्षेप चित्राय स्वर्णघण्टामलंकृताम्

8.10.26

तामापतन्तीं जग्राह चित्रो राजन्महामनाः
ततस्तामेव चिक्षेप प्रतिविन्ध्याय भारत

8.10.27

समासाद्य रणे शूरं प्रतिविन्ध्यं महाप्रभा
निर्भिद्य दक्षिणं बाहुं निपपात महीतले
पतिताभासयच्चैव तं देशमशनिर्यथा

8.10.28

प्रतिविन्ध्यस्ततो राजंस्तोमरं हेमभूषितम्
प्रेषयामास संक्रुद्धश्चित्रस्य वधकाम्यया

8.10.29

स तस्य देवावरणं भित्त्वा हृदयमेव च
जगाम धरणीं तूर्णं महोरग इवाशयम्

8.10.30

स पपात तदा राजंस्तोमरेण समाहतः
प्रसार्य विपुलौ बाहू पीनौ परिघसंनिभौ

8.10.31

चित्रं संप्रेक्ष्य निहतं तावका रणशोभिनः
अभ्यद्रवन्त वेगेन प्रतिविन्ध्यं समन्ततः

8.10.32

सृजन्तो विविधान्बाणाञ्शतघ्नीश्च सकिङ्किणीः
त एनं छादयामासुः सूर्यमभ्रगणा इव

8.10.33

तानपास्य महाबाहुः शरजालेन संयुगे
व्यद्रावयत्तव चमूं वज्रहस्त इवासुरीम्

8.10.34

ते वध्यमानाः समरे तावकाः पाण्डवैर्नृप
विप्रकीर्यन्त सहसा वातनुन्ना घना इव

8.10.35

विप्रद्रुते बले तस्मिन्वध्यमाने समन्ततः
द्रौणिरेकोऽभ्ययात्तूर्णं भीमसेनं महाबलम्

8.10.36

ततः समागमो घोरो बभूव सहसा तयोः
यथा देवासुरे युद्धे वृत्रवासवयोरभूत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Srutakarman then, O king, filled with wrath, struck that lord of Earth, viz., Citrasena, in that battle, with fifty shafts. The ruler of the Abhisars (in return), striking Srutakarman, O king, with nine straight arrows, pierced his driver with five. Srutakarman then, filled with rage, struck Citrasena at the head of his forces, with a keen arrow in a vital part. Deeply pierced, O monarch, with that arrow by that high-souled prince the heroic Citrasena felt great pain and swooned away. During this interval, Srutakarman of great renown covered that lord of Earth, (viz., his insensible antagonist), with ninety arrows. The mighty car-warrior Citrasena then, recovering consciousness, cut off his antagonist's bow with a broad-headed arrow, and pierced his antagonist himself with seven arrows. Taking up another bow that was decked with gold, and capable of striking hard, Srutakarman then, with his waves of arrows, made Citrasena assume a wonderful appearance. Adorned with those arrows, the youthful king, wearing beautiful garlands, looked in that battle like a well-adorned youth in the midst of an assembly. Quickly piercing Srutakarman with an arrow in the centre of the chest, he said unto him, "Wait, Wait!" Srutakarman also, pierced with that arrow in the battle, began to shed blood, like a mountain shedding streams of liquid red chalk. Bathed in blood and dyed therewith, that hero shone in battle like a flowering Kinsuka. Srutakarman, then, O king, thus assailed by the foe, became filled with rage, and cut in twain the foe-resisting bow of Citrasena. The latter's bow having been cut off, Srutakarman then, O king, pierced him with three hundred arrows equipped with goodly wings, covering him completely therewith. With another broad-headed arrow, sharp-edged and keen pointed, he cut off the head, decked with head-gear of his high-souled antagonist. That blazing head of Citrasena fell down on the ground, like the moon loosened from the firmament upon the Earth at will. Beholding the king slain, the troops of Citrasena, O sire, rushed impetuously against (his slayer). That great bowman then, filled with rage, rushed, shooting his shafts, against that army, like Yama filled with fury, against all creatures at the time of the universal dissolution. Slaughtered in that battle by thy grandson armed with the bow, they quickly fled on all sides like elephants scorched by a forestconflagration. Beholding them flying away, hopeless of vanquishing the foe, Srutakarman, pursuing them with his keen arrows, looked exceedingly resplendent (on his car). Then Prativindhya, piercing Citra with five arrows, struck his driver with three and his standard with one. Him Citra pierced, striking in the arms and the chest, with nine broad-headed shafts equipped with wings of gold, having keen points, and plumed with Kanka and peacock feathers. Then Prativindhya, O Bharata, cutting off with his shafts the bow of his antagonist deeply struck the latter with five keen arrows. Then Citra, O monarch, sped at thy grandson a terrible and irresistible dart, adorned with golden bells, and resembling a flame of fire. Prativindhya, however, in that battle, cut off, with the greatest ease, into three fragments, that dart as it coursed towards him like a flashing meteor. Cut off into three fragments, with Prativindhya's shafts, that dart fell down, like the thunderbolt inspiring all creatures with fear at the end of the Yuga. Beholding that dart baffled, Citra, taking up a huge mace decked with a net-work of gold, hurled it at Prativindhya. That mace slew the latter's steeds and driver also in that great battle, and crushing, besides, his car, fell with great impetuosity on the Earth. Meanwhile, having alighted from his car, O Bharata, Prativindhya hurled at Citra a dart, well-adorned and equipped with a golden staff. Catching it as it coursed towards him, the high-souled king Citra, O Bharata, hurled the very weapon at Prativindhya. Striking the brave Prativindhya in that battle, that blazing dart, piercing through his right arm, fell down on the Earth, and falling illumined the whole region like a blast of lightning. Then Prativindhya, O king, filled with rage, and desiring to compass the destruction of Citra, sped at him a lance decked with gold. That lance penetrating through his armour and chest, entered the Earth like a mighty snake in its hole. Struck with that lance, the king fell down, stretching out his large and massive arms that resembled a couple of iron clubs. Beholding Citra slain, thy warriors, those ornaments of battle, rushed impetuously at Prativindhya from all sides. Shooting diverse kinds of shafts and Sataghnis decked with rows of bells, they soon covered Prativindhya like masses of clouds covering the Sun. The mighty-armed Prativindhya, consuming with his arrowy showers those assailants of his in that battle, routed thy army like the thunder-wielding Sakra routing the Asura host. Thus slaughtered in battle by the Pandavas, thy troops, O king, suddenly dispersed in all directions like congregated masses of clouds dispersed by the wind. While thy army, slaughtered on all sides, was thus flying away, only Drona's son singly rushed with speed against the mighty Bhimasena. All at once a fierce encounter ensued between them like to what had taken place between Vritra and Vasava in the battle between the gods and the Asuras (of old).'"

8.11.1

संजय उवाच
भीमसेनं ततो द्रौणी राजन्विव्याध पत्रिणा
त्वरया परया युक्तो दर्शयन्नस्त्रलाघवम्

8.11.2

अथैनं पुनराजघ्ने नवत्या निशितैः शरैः
सर्वमर्माणि संप्रेक्ष्य मर्मज्ञो लघुहस्तवत्

8.11.3

भीमसेनः समाकीर्णो द्रौणिना निशितैः शरैः
रराज समरे राजन्रश्मिवानिव भास्करः

8.11.4

ततः शरसहस्रेण सुप्रयुक्तेन पाण्डवः
द्रोणपुत्रमवच्छाद्य सिंहनादममुञ्चत

8.11.5

शरैः शरांस्ततो द्रौणिः संवार्य युधि पाण्डवम्
ललाटेऽभ्यहनद्राजन्नाराचेन स्मयन्निव

8.11.6

ललाटस्थं ततो बाणं धारयामास पाण्डवः
यथा शृङ्गं वने दृप्तः खड्गो धारयते नृप

8.11.7

ततो द्रौणिं रणे भीमो यतमानं पराक्रमी
त्रिभिर्विव्याध नाराचैर्ललाटे विस्मयन्निव

8.11.8

ललाटस्थैस्ततो बाणैर्ब्राह्मणः स व्यरोचत
प्रावृषीव यथा सिक्तस्त्रिशृङ्गः पर्वतोत्तमः

8.11.9

ततः शरशतैर्द्रौणिमर्दयामास पाण्डवः
न चैनं कम्पयामास मातरिश्वेव पर्वतम्

8.11.10

तथैव पाण्डवं युद्धे द्रौणिः शरशतैः शितैः
नाकम्पयत संहृष्टो वार्योघ इव पर्वतम्

8.11.11

तावन्योन्यं शरैर्घोरैश्छादयानौ महारथौ
रथचर्यागतौ शूरौ शुशुभाते रणोत्कटौ

8.11.12

आदित्याविव संदीप्तौ लोकक्षयकरावुभौ
स्वरश्मिभिरिवान्योन्यं तापयन्तौ शरोत्तमैः

8.11.13

कृतप्रतिकृते यत्नं कुर्वाणौ च महारणे
कृतप्रतिकृते यत्नं चक्राते तावभीतवत्

8.11.14

व्याघ्राविव च संग्रामे चेरतुस्तौ महारथौ
शरदंष्ट्रौ दुराधर्षौ चापव्यात्तौ भयानकौ

8.11.15

अभूतां तावदृश्यौ च शरजालैः समन्ततः
मेघजालैरिव च्छन्नौ गगने चन्द्रभास्करौ

8.11.16

प्रकाशौ च मुहूर्तेन तत्रैवास्तामरिंदमौ
विमुक्तौ मेघजालेन शशिसूर्यौ यथा दिवि

8.11.17

अपसव्यं ततश्चक्रे द्रौणिस्तत्र वृकोदरम्
किरञ्शरशतैरुग्रैर्धाराभिरिव पर्वतम्

8.11.18

न तु तन्ममृषे भीमः शत्रोर्विजयलक्षणम्
प्रतिचक्रे च तं राजन्पाण्डवोऽप्यपसव्यतः

8.11.19

मण्डलानां विभागेषु गतप्रत्यागतेषु च
बभूव तुमुलं युद्धं तयोस्तत्र महामृधे

8.11.20

चरित्वा विविधान्मार्गान्मण्डलं स्थानमेव च
शरैः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैरन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः

8.11.21

अन्योन्यस्य वधे यत्नं चक्रतुस्तौ महारथौ
ईषतुर्विरथं चैव कर्तुमन्योन्यमाहवे

8.11.22

ततो द्रौणिर्महास्त्राणि प्रादुश्चक्रे महारथः
तान्यस्त्रैरेव समरे प्रतिजघ्नेऽस्य पाण्डवः

8.11.23

ततो घोरं महाराज अस्त्रयुद्धमवर्तत
ग्रहयुद्धं यथा घोरं प्रजासंहरणे अभूत्

8.11.24

ते बाणाः समसज्जन्त क्षिप्तास्ताभ्यां तु भारत
द्योतयन्तो दिशः सर्वास्तच्च सैन्यं समन्ततः

8.11.25

बाणसंघावृतं घोरमाकाशं समपद्यत
उक्लापातकृतं यद्वत्प्रजानां संक्षये नृप

8.11.26

बाणाभिघातात्संजज्ञे तत्र भारत पावकः
सविस्फुलिङ्गो दीप्तार्चिः सोऽदहद्वाहिनीद्वयम्

8.11.27

तत्र सिद्धा महाराज संपतन्तोऽब्रुवन्वचः
अति युद्धानि सर्वाणि युद्धमेतत्ततोऽधिकम्

8.11.28

सर्वयुद्धानि चैतस्य कलां नार्हन्ति षोडशीम्
नैतादृशं पुनर्युद्धं न भूतं न भविष्यति

8.11.29

अहो ज्ञानेन संयुक्तावुभौ चोग्रपराक्रमौ
अहो भीमे बलं भीममेतयोश्च कृतास्त्रता

8.11.30

अहो वीर्यस्य सारत्वमहो सौष्ठवमेतयोः
स्थितावेतौ हि समरे कालान्तकयमोपमौ

8.11.31

रुद्रौ द्वाविव संभूतौ यथा द्वाविव भास्करौ
यमौ वा पुरुषव्याघ्रौ घोररूपाविमौ रणे

8.11.32

श्रूयन्ते स्म तदा वाचः सिद्धानां वै मुहुर्मुहुः
सिंहनादश्च संजज्ञे समेतानां दिवौकसाम्
अद्भुतं चाप्यचिन्त्यं च दृष्ट्वा कर्म तयोर्मृधे

8.11.33

तौ शूरौ समरे राजन्परस्परकृतागसौ
परस्परमुदैक्षेतां क्रोधादुद्वृत्य चक्षुषी

8.11.34

क्रोधरक्तेक्षणौ तौ तु क्रोधात्प्रस्फुरिताधरौ
क्रोधात्संदष्टदशनौ संदष्टदशनच्छदौ

8.11.35

अन्योन्यं छादयन्तौ स्म शरवृष्ट्या महारथौ
शराम्बुधारौ समरे शस्त्रविद्युत्प्रकाशिनौ

8.11.36

तावन्योन्यं ध्वजौ विद्ध्वा सारथी च महारथौ
अन्योन्यस्य हयान्विद्ध्वा बिभिदाते परस्परम्

8.11.37

ततः क्रुद्धौ महाराज बाणौ गृह्य महाहवे
उभौ चिक्षिपतुस्तूर्णमन्योन्यस्य वधैषिणौ

8.11.38

तौ सायकौ महाराज द्योतमानौ चमूमुखे
आजघ्नाते समासाद्य वज्रवेगौ दुरासदौ

8.11.39

तौ परस्परवेगाच्च शराभ्यां च भृशाहतौ
निपेततुर्महावीरौ स्वरथोपस्थयोस्तदा

8.11.40

ततस्तु सारथिर्ज्ञात्वा द्रोणपुत्रमचेतनम्
अपोवाह रणाद्राजन्सर्वक्षत्रस्य पश्यतः

8.11.41

तथैव पाण्डवं राजन्विह्वलन्तं मुहुर्मुहुः
अपोवाह रथेनाजौ सारथिः शत्रुतापनम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Endued with the greatest activity, Drona's son, O king, displaying the lightness of his arms, pierced Bhima with an arrow. Aiming at all his vital points--for he had a knowledge of all the vital points of the body--the quick-handed Ashvatthama again struck him with ninety shafts. Pierced all over with keen arrows by the son of Drona, Bhimasena looked resplendent in that battle like the Sun himself with his rays. The son of Pandu then, covering the son of Drona with a 1,000 well-directed shafts, uttered a leonine roar. Baffling with his own shafts the shafts of his foe in that battle, the son of Drona, O king, as if smiling, then struck the Pandava on the forehead with a cloth-yard shaft. The son of Pandu bore that arrow on his forehead even as the proud rhinoceros, O king, in the forest bears its horn. The valiant Bhima, then, in that battle as if smiling all the while, struck the struggling son of Drona on the forehead with three cloth-yard shafts. With those three arrows sticking on his forehead, that brahmana looked beautiful like a three-peaked mountain washed with water in the season of rains. The son of Drona then afflicted the Pandava with hundreds of arrows, but failed to shake him like the wind failing to shake the mountain. Similarly the son of Pandu, filled with joy, could not in that battle shake the son of Drona with his hundreds of keen shafts like torrents of rain failing to shake a mountain. Shrouding each other with showers of terrible shafts those two great car-warriors, those two heroes, endued with fierce might, shone resplendent on those two foremost of cars of theirs. Then they looked like two blazing Suns risen for the destruction of the world, and engaged themselves in scorching each other with their rays representing excellent arrows. Endeavouring with great care to counteract each other's feats in the great battle, and actually engaged in matching deed by deed with showers of arrows most fearlessly, those two foremost of men careered in that combat like a couple of tigers. Both invincible and terrible, arrows constituted their fangs and bows their mouths. They became invisible under those clouds of arrows on all sides like the Sun and the Moon in the firmament shrouded by masses of clouds. And then those two chastisers of foes soon became visible and blazed forth like Mars and Mercury freed from cloudy screens. Then at that instant during the progress of that awful battle, Drona's son placing Vrikodara to his right, poured hundreds of fierce arrows upon him like the clouds pouring torrents of rain upon a mountain. Bhima, however, could not brook that indication of his enemy's triumphs. The son of Pandu, O king, from that very station on Ashvatthama's right, began to counteract the latter's feats. Their cars continuing to wheel around in diverse ways and advance and retreat (according to the exigencies of the situation), the battle between those two lions among men became exceedingly furious. Careering in diverse paths, and (executing) circular manoeuvres, they continued to strike each other with arrows shot from their bows drawn to their fullest stretch. And each made the greatest endeavours to compass the destruction of the other. And each of them desired to make the other carless in that battle. Then that car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, invoked many mighty weapons. The son of Pandu, however, in that battle, with his own weapons, counteracted all those weapons of his foe. Then, O monarch, there took place an awful encounter of weapons, like to the terrible encounter of planets at the time of the universal dissolution. Those shafts, O Bharata, let off by them, coming in collision, illuminated all the points of the compass and thy troops also all around. Covered with flights of arrows, the welkin assumed a terrible sight, like to what happens, O king, at the time of the universal dissolution, when it is covered with falling meteors. From the clash of shafts, O Bharata, fire was generated there with sparks and blazing flames. That fire began to consume both armies. Siddhas, moving there, O monarch, said these words, "O lord, this battle is the foremost of all battles. Any battle (fought before) does not come up to even a sixteenth part of this. A battle like this will never occur again. Both these persons, viz., this brahmana and this kshatriya, are endued with knowledge. Both are possessed of courage, and both are fierce in prowess. Dreadful is the might of Bhima, and wonderful is the skill of the other in weapons. How great is their energy and how wonderful the skill possessed by both! Both of them stand in this battle like two universe-destroying Yamas at the end of the Yuga. They are born like two Rudras or like two Suns. These two tigers among men, both endued with terrible forms, are like two Yamas in this battle." Such were the words of the Siddhas heard there every moment. And among the assembled denizens of heaven there arose a leonine roar. Beholding the amazing and inconceivable feats of the two warriors in that battle, the dense throngs of Siddhas, and Charanas were filled with wonder. And the gods, the Siddhas, and the great Rishis applauded them both saying, "Excellent, O mighty-armed son of Drona. Excellent, O Bhima." Meanwhile those two heroes, in that battle, O king, having done injuries to each other, glared at each other with eyes rolling in rage. With eyes red in rage, their lips also quivered in rage. And they grinded their teeth in wrath and bit their lips. And those two great car-warriors covered each other with showers of arrows, as if they were in that battle two masses of clouds that poured torrents of arrows for rain and that gleamed with weapons constituting their lightning. Having pierced each other's standards and drivers in that great battle, and having also pierced each other's steeds, they continued to strike each other. Then, O monarch, filled with rage, they took up in that dreadful encounter, two arrows, and each desirous of slaying the other shot quickly at his foe. Those two blazing arrows, resistless and endued with the force of thunder, coming, O king, to the two warriors as they stood at the head of their respective divisions, struck them both. Each of the two mighty combatants then deeply struck with those arrows, sank, on the terrace of their respective car. Understanding the son of Drona to be insensible, his driver then bore him away from the battle-field, O king, in the sight of all the troops. Similarly, O king, Bhima's driver bore away from the battle-field on his car, the son of Pandu, that scorcher of foes, who was repeatedly falling into a swoon.'"

8.12.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यथा संशप्तकैः सार्धमर्जुनस्याभवद्रणः
अन्येषां च मदीयानां पाण्डवैस्तद्ब्रवीहि मे

8.12.2

संजय उवाच
शृणु राजन्यथावृत्तं संग्रामं ब्रुवतो मम
वीराणां शत्रुभिः सार्धं देहपाप्मप्रणाशनम्

8.12.3

पार्थः संशप्तकगणं प्रविश्यार्णवसंनिभम्
व्यक्षोभयदमित्रघ्नो महावात इवार्णवम्

8.12.4

शिरांस्युन्मथ्य वीराणां शितैर्भल्लैर्धनंजयः
पूर्णचन्द्राभवक्त्राणि स्वक्षिभ्रूदशनानि च
संतस्तार क्षितिं क्षिप्रं विनालैर्नलिनैरिव

8.12.5

सुवृत्तानायतान्पुष्टांश्चन्दनागुरुभूषितान्
सायुधान्सतनुत्राणान्पञ्चास्योरगसंनिभान्
बाहून्क्षुरैरमित्राणां विचकर्तार्जुनो रणे

8.12.6

धुर्यान्धुर्यतरान्सूतान्ध्वजांश्चापानि सायकान्
पाणीनरत्नीनसकृद्भल्लैश्चिच्छेद पाण्डवः

8.12.7

द्विपान्हयान्रथांश्चैव सारोहानर्जुनो रणे
शरैरनेकसाहस्रै राजन्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

8.12.8

तं प्रवीरं प्रतीयाता नर्दमाना इवर्षभाः
वाशितार्थमभिक्रुद्धा हुंकृत्वा चाभिदुद्रुवुः
निघ्नन्तमभिजघ्नुस्ते शरैः शृङ्गैरिवर्षभाः

8.12.9

तस्य तेषां च तद्युद्धमभवल्लोमहर्षणम्
त्रैलोक्यविजये यादृग्दैत्यानां सह वज्रिणा

8.12.10

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्विषतां सर्वतोऽर्जुनः
इषुभिर्बहुभिस्तूर्णं विद्ध्वा प्राणान्ररास सः

8.12.11

छिन्नत्रिवेणुचक्राक्षान्हतयोधाश्वसारथीन्
विध्वस्तायुधतूणीरान्समुन्मथितकेतनान्

8.12.12

संछिन्नयोक्त्ररश्मीकान्वित्रिवेणून्विकूबरान्
विध्वस्तबन्धुरयुगान्विशस्तायुधमण्डलान्
रथान्विशकलीकुर्वन्महाभ्राणीव मारुतः

8.12.13

विस्मापयन्प्रेक्षणीयं द्विषातां भयवर्धनम्
महारथसहस्रस्य समं कर्मार्जुनोऽकरोत्

8.12.14

सिद्धदेवर्षिसंघाश्च चारणाश्चैव तुष्टुवुः
देवदुन्दुभयो नेदुः पुष्पवर्षाणि चापतन्
केशवार्जुनयोर्मूर्ध्नि प्राह वाक्चाशरीरिणी

8.12.15

चन्द्रार्कानिलवह्नीनां कान्तिदीप्तिबलद्युतीः
यौ सदा बिभ्रतुर्वीरौ ताविमौ केशवार्जुनौ

8.12.16

ब्रह्मेशानाविवाजय्यौ वीरावेकरथे स्थितौ
सर्वभूतवरौ वीरौ नरनारायणावुभौ

8.12.17

इत्येतन्महदाश्चर्यं दृष्ट्वा श्रुत्वा च भारत
अश्वत्थामा सुसंयत्तः कृष्णावभ्यद्रवद्रणे

8.12.18

अथ पाण्डवमस्यन्तं यमकालान्तकाञ्शरान्
सेषुणा पाणिनाहूय हसन्द्रौणिरथाब्रवीत्

8.12.19

यदि मां मन्यसे वीर प्राप्तमर्हमिवातिथिम्
ततः सर्वात्मनाद्य त्वं युद्धातिथ्यं प्रयच्छ मे

8.12.20

एवमाचार्यपुत्रेण समाहूतो युयुत्सया
बहु मेनेऽर्जुनोऽऽत्मानमिदं चाह जनार्दनम्

8.12.21

संशप्तकाश्च मे वध्या द्रौणिराह्वयते च माम्
यदत्रानन्तरं प्राप्तं प्रशाधि त्वं महाभुज

8.12.22

एवमुक्तोऽवहत्पार्थं कृष्णो द्रोणात्मजान्तिकम्
जैत्रेण विधिनाहूतं वायुरिन्द्रमिवाध्वरे

8.12.23

तमामन्त्र्यैकमनसा केशवो द्रौणिमब्रवीत्
अश्वत्थामन्स्थिरो भूत्वा प्रहराशु सहस्व च

8.12.24

निर्वेष्टुं भर्तृपिण्डं हि कालोऽयमुपजीविनाम्
सूक्ष्मो विवादो विप्राणां स्थूलौ क्षात्रौ जयाजयौ

8.12.25

यां न संक्षमसे मोहाद्दिव्यां पार्थस्य सत्क्रियाम्
तामाप्तुमिच्छन्युध्यस्व स्थिरो भूत्वाद्य पाण्डवम्

8.12.26

इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन तथेत्युक्त्वा द्विजोत्तमः
विव्याध केशवं षष्ट्या नाराचैरर्जुनं त्रिभिः

8.12.27

तस्यार्जुनः सुसंक्रुद्धस्त्रिभिर्भल्लैः शरासनम्
चिच्छेदाथान्यदादत्त द्रौणिर्घोरतरं धनुः

8.12.28

सज्यं कृत्वा निमेषात्तद्विव्याधार्जुनकेशवौ
त्रिभिः शरैर्वासुदेवं सहस्रेण च पाण्डवम्

8.12.29

ततः शरसहस्राणि प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च
ससृजे द्रौणिरायस्तः संस्तभ्य च रणेऽर्जुनम्

8.12.30

इषुधेर्धनुषो ज्याया अङ्गुलीभ्यश्च मारिष
बाह्वोः कराभ्यामुरसो वदनघ्राणनेत्रतः

8.12.31

कर्णाभ्यां शिरसोऽङ्गेभ्यो लोमवर्त्मभ्य एव च
रथध्वजेभ्यश्च शरा निष्पेतुर्ब्रह्मवादिनः

8.12.32

शरजालेन महता विद्ध्वा केशवपाण्डवौ
ननाद मुदितो द्रौणिर्महामेघौघनिस्वनः

8.12.33

तस्य नानदतः श्रुत्वा पाण्डवोऽच्युतमब्रवीत्
पश्य माधव दौरात्म्यं द्रोणपुत्रस्य मां प्रति

8.12.34

वधप्राप्तौ मन्यते नौ प्रवेश्य शरवेश्मनि
एषोऽस्य हन्मि संकल्पं शिक्षया च बलेन च

8.12.35

अश्वत्थाम्नः शरानस्तांश्छित्त्वैकैकं त्रिधा त्रिधा
व्यधमद्भरतश्रेष्ठो नीहारमिव मारुतः

8.12.36

ततः संशप्तकान्भूयः साश्वसूतरथद्विपान्
ध्वजपत्तिगणानुग्रैर्बाणैर्विव्याध पाण्डवः

8.12.37

ये ये ददृशिरे तत्र यद्यद्रूपं यथा यथा
ते ते तत्तच्छरैर्व्याप्तं मेनिरेऽऽत्मानमेव च

8.12.38

ते गाण्डीवप्रणुदिता नानारूपाः पतत्रिणः
क्रोशे साग्रे स्थितान्घ्नन्ति द्विपांश्च पुरुषान्रणे

8.12.39

भल्लैश्छिन्नाः कराः पेतुः करिणां मदकर्षिणाम्
छिन्ना यथा परशुभिः प्रवृद्धाः शरदि द्रुमाः

8.12.40

पश्चात्तु शैलवत्पेतुस्ते गजाः सह सादिभिः
वज्रिवज्रप्रमथिता यथैवाद्रिचयास्तथा

8.12.41

गन्धर्वनगराकारान्विधिवत्कल्पितान्रथान्
विनीतजवनान्युक्तानास्थितान्युद्धदुर्मदान्

8.12.42

शरैर्विशकलीकुर्वन्नमित्रानभ्यवीवृषत्
अलंकृतानश्वसादीन्पत्तींश्चाहन्धनंजयः

8.12.43

धनंजययुगान्तार्कः संशप्तकमहार्णवम्
व्यशोषयत दुःशोषं तीव्रैः शरगभस्तिभिः

8.12.44

पुनर्द्रौणिमहाशैलं नाराचैः सूर्यसंनिभैः
निर्बिभेद महावेगैस्त्वरन्वज्रीव पर्वतम्

8.12.45

तमाचार्यसुतः क्रुद्धः साश्वयन्तारमाशुगैः
युयुत्सुर्नाशकद्योद्धुं पार्थस्तानन्तराच्छिनत्

8.12.46

ततः परमसंक्रुद्धः काण्डकोशानवासृजत्
अश्वत्थामाभिरूपाय गृहानतिथये यथा

8.12.47

अथ संशप्तकांस्त्यक्त्वा पाण्डवो द्रौणिमभ्ययात्
अपाङ्क्तेयमिव त्यक्त्वा दाता पाङ्क्तेयमर्थिनम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Describe to me the battle of Arjuna with the samsaptakas, and of the other kings with the Pandavas. Narrate to me also, O Sanjaya, the battle of Arjuna with Ashvatthama, and of the other lords of the Earth with Partha.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, as I speak to thee as to how occurred the battle of the heroic warriors (on our side) with the foe--the battle which was destructive of bodies, sins, and lives. That slayer of foes, viz, Partha, penetrating into the Samsaptaka force that resembled the ocean, agitated it exceedingly, like a tempest agitating the vast deep. Cutting off with broad-headed arrows of keen edges the heads of brave warriors that were decked with faces possessed of the splendour of the full moon and with beautiful eyes and eyebrows and teeth, Dhananjaya speedily caused the Earth to be strewn there as if with lotuses, plucked off their stalks. And in that battle Arjuna with his razor-headed shafts, cut off the arms of his foes, that were all well rounded, large and massive, and smeared with sandal-paste and other perfumes, with weapons in grasp, with leathern gloves casing their fingers, and looking like five-headed snakes. And the son of Pandu repeatedly cut off with his broad-headed shafts, steeds, riders, drivers, and flags, and bows and arrows, and arms decked with gems. And Arjuna in that battle, O king, with many thousands of arrows, despatched to Yama's abode, car-warriors and elephants and horses and horsemen. Many foremost of warriors, filled with rage and roaring like bulls mad (like them) with excitement for a cow in season, rushed towards Arjuna, with loud cries. All of them then began to strike Arjuna with their arrows as the latter was employed in slaying them, like infuriate bulls striking one of their species with their horns. The battle that took place between him and them made the hair to stand on end, even like the battle between the Daityas and the wielder of the thunderbolt on the occasion of the conquest of the three worlds. Resisting with his own weapons the weapons of his foes on all sides. Arjuna, piercing them fast with innumerable arrows, took their lives. Like the wind destroying vast masses of clouds, Arjuna, otherwise called Jaya, that enhancer of the fears of his foes, cutting off into minute fragments large throngs of cars,--cars, that is, whose poles, wheels, and axles had previously been shattered by him, and whose warriors and steeds and drivers had been slain before, and whose weapons and quivers had been displaced, and standards crushed, and traces and reins sundered, and wooden fences and shafts broken already, and filling every body with wonder, achieved feats magnificent to behold and rivalling those of a 1,000 great car-warriors fighting together. Crowds of Siddhas and celestial Rishis and Charanas all applauded him. And celestial kettle-drums sounded, and floral showers fell upon the heads of Keshava and Arjuna. And an incorporeal voice said, "These viz., Keshava and Arjuna, are those two heroes that always possess the beauty of the moon, the splendour of fire, the force of the wind and the radiance of the sun. Stationed on the same car these two heroes are invincible even like Brahman and Isana. These two heroes the foremost of all creatures are Nara and Narayana." Hearing and beholding these wonderful things, O Bharata, Ashvatthama, with great care and resolution, rushed against Krishna and Arjuna in that battle. With his arm that held an arrow in its grasp, the son of Drona hailed the Pandava, shooting shafts equipped with foe-slaying heads, and smilingly told him these words, "If, O hero, thou regardest me a worthy guest arrived (before thee), then give me today, with the whole heart, the hospitality of battle." Thus summoned by the preceptor's son from desire of battle, Arjuna regarded himself highly honoured, and addressing Janardana said, "The samsaptakas should be slain by me, but Drona's son again is summoning me. Tell me, O Madhava, to which of these duties should I first turn? First let the services of hospitality be offered, if thou thinkest that to be proper." Thus addressed, Krishna bore Partha who had been summoned according to the rules of triumphant challenge to the vicinity of Drona's son, like Vayu bearing Indra to the sacrifice. Saluting Drona's son whose mind was fixed upon one thing, Keshava, said unto him, "O Ashvatthama, be cool, and without losing a moment strike and bear. The time has come for those that are dependent on others to repay their obligation to their masters. The disputes between brahmanas are subtle. The consequences, however, of the disputes of kshatriyas are palpable, being either victory or defeat. For obtaining those excellent rites of hospitality that from folly thou solicitest at the hands of Partha, fight coolly now with the son of Pandu." Thus addressed by Vasudeva, that foremost of regenerate ones, replied saying, "So be it!" pierced Keshava with sixty shafts and Arjuna with three. Arjuna then, filled with rage, cut off Ashvatthama's bow with three shafts. Drona's son took up another bow that was still more formidable. Stringing it within the twinkling of an eye, he pierced Arjuna and Keshava, the latter with three hundred arrows, and the former with a 1,000. And then Drona's son, with good care, stupefying Arjuna in that battle, shot thousands and tens of thousands and millions of arrows. From the quivers, the bow, the bow-string, the fingers, the arms, the hands, the chest, the face, the nose, the eyes, the ears, the heads, the limbs, the pores of the body, the armour on his person, the car, and the standard, O sire, of that utterer of Brahma, arrows began to issue. Piercing Madhava and the son of Pandu with the thick arrowy shower, Drona's son filled with joy, roared aloud like a vast mass of congregated clouds. Hearing that roar of his, the son of Pandu said unto Keshava of unfading glory these words "Behold, O Madhava, this wickedness towards me of the preceptor's son. He regardeth us to be slain, having shrouded us with his dense arrowy shower. I will presently, however, by my training and might, baffle his purpose." Cutting off every one of those arrows shot by Ashvatthama into three fragments, that foremost one of Bharata's race destroyed them all like the Sun destroying a thick fog. After this the son of Pandu once more pierced with his fierce shafts, the samsaptakas with their steeds, drivers, cars, elephants, standards and foot-soldiers. Every one of those that stood there as spectators, every one of those that were stationed there on foot or car or steed or elephant, regarded himself as shrouded by the arrows of Arjuna. Shot from Gandiva, those winged arrows of diverse forms slew in that battle elephants and steeds and men whether stationed in his immediate front or at the distance of two miles. The trunks, cut off with broad-headed shafts, of elephants, down whose cheeks and other limbs flowed the juice indicative of excitement, fell down like tall trees in the forest struck down with the axe. A little after down fell elephants, huge as hillocks, with their riders, like mountains crushed by Indra with his thunder. With his shafts cutting into minute portions well-equipped cars that looked like dissolving edifices of vapour in the evening sky and unto which were yoked well-trained steeds of great speed and which were ridden by warriors invincible in battle, the son of Pandu continued to shower his arrows on his enemies. And Dhananjaya continued to slay well-decked horsemen and foot-soldiers of the foe. Indeed, Dhananjaya, resembling the very Sun as he rises at the end of the Yuga, dried up the samsaptaka ocean incapable of being dried up easily, by means of keen arrows constituting his rays. Without losing a moment, the son of Pandu once more pierced Drona's son resembling a huge hill, with shafts of great impetuosity and the splendour of the Sun, like the wielder of the thunderbolt piercing a mountain with the thunder. Desirous of battle, the preceptor's son then, filled with rage, approached Arjuna for piercing him and his steeds and drivers by means of his swiftly coursing shafts. Arjuna, however, quickly cut off the shafts shot at him by Ashvatthama. The son of Pandu then filled with great wrath, proffered unto Ashvatthama, that desirable guest, quivers upon quivers of arrows, like a charitable person offering everything in his house unto a guest. Leaving the samsaptakas then the son of Pandu rushed towards Drona's son like a donor abandoning unworthy guests, for proceeding towards one that is worthy."

8.12.48

ततः समभवद्युद्धं शुक्राङ्गिरसवर्चसोः
नक्षत्रमभितो व्योम्नि शुक्राङ्गिरसयोरिव

8.12.49

संतापयन्तावन्योन्यं दीप्तैः शरगभस्तिभिः
लोकत्रासकरावास्तां विमार्गस्थौ ग्रहाविव

8.12.50

ततोऽविध्यद्भ्रुवोर्मध्ये नाराचेनार्जुनो भृशम्
स तेन विबभौ द्रौणिरूर्ध्वरश्मिर्यथा रविः

8.12.51

अथ कृष्णौ शरशतैरश्वत्थाम्नार्दितौ भृशम्
सरश्मिजालनिकरौ युगान्तार्काविवासतुः

8.12.52

ततोऽर्जुनः सर्वतोधारमस्त्र;मवासृजद्वासुदेवाभिगुप्तः
द्रौणायनिं चाभ्यहनत्पृषत्कै;र्वज्राग्निवैवस्वतदण्डकल्पैः

8.12.53

स केशवं चार्जुनं चातितेजा; विव्याध मर्मस्वतिरौद्रकर्मा
बाणैः सुमुक्तैरतितीव्रवेगै;र्यैराहतो मृत्युरपि व्यथेत

8.12.54

द्रौणेरिषूनर्जुनः संनिवार्य; व्यायच्छतस्तद्द्विगुणैः सुपुङ्खैः
तं साश्वसूतध्वजमेकवीर;मावृत्य संशप्तकसैन्यमार्छत्

8.12.55

धनूंषि बाणानिषुधीर्धनुर्ज्याः; पाणीन्भुजान्पाणिगतं च शस्त्रम्
छत्राणि केतूंस्तुरगानथैषां; वस्त्राणि माल्यान्यथ भूषणानि

8.12.56

चर्माणि वर्माणि मनोरथांश्च; प्रियाणि सर्वाणि शिरांसि चैव
चिच्छेद पार्थो द्विषतां प्रमुक्तै;र्बाणैः स्थितानामपराङ्मुखानाम्

8.12.57

सुकल्पिताः स्यन्दनवाजिनागाः; समास्थिताः कृतयत्नैर्नृवीरैः
पार्थेरितैर्बाणगणैर्निरस्ता;स्तैरेव सार्धं नृवरैर्निपेतुः

8.12.58

पद्मार्कपूर्णेन्दुसमाननानि; किरीटमालामुकुटोत्कटानि
भल्लार्धचन्द्रक्षुरहिंसितानि; प्रपेतुरुर्व्यां नृशिरांस्यजस्रम्

8.12.59

अथ द्विपैर्देवपतिद्विपाभै;र्देवारिदर्पोल्बणमन्युदर्पैः
कलिङ्गवङ्गाङ्गनिषादवीरा; जिघांसवः पाण्डवमभ्यधावन्

8.12.60

तेषां द्विपानां विचकर्त पार्थो; वर्माणि मर्माणि करान्नियन्तॄन्
ध्वजाः पताकाश्च ततः प्रपेतु;र्वज्राहतानीव गिरेः शिरांसि

8.12.61

तेषु प्ररुग्णेषु गुरोस्तनूजं; बाणैः किरीटी नवसूर्यवर्णैः
प्रच्छादयामास महाभ्रजालै;र्वायुः समुद्युक्तमिवांशुमन्तम्

8.12.62

ततोऽर्जुनेषूनिषुभिर्निरस्य; द्रौणिः शरैरर्जुनवासुदेवौ
प्रच्छादयित्व दिवि चन्द्रसूर्यौ; ननाद सोऽम्भोद इवातपान्ते

8.12.63

तमर्जुनस्तांश्च पुनस्त्वदीया;नभ्यर्दितस्तैरविकृत्तशस्त्रैः
बाणान्धकारं सहसैव कृत्वा; विव्याध सर्वानिषुभिः सुपुङ्खैः

8.12.64

नाप्याददत्संदधन्नैव मुञ्च;न्बाणान्रणेऽदृश्यत सव्यसाची
हतांश्च नागांस्तुरगान्पदाती;न्संस्यूतदेहान्ददृशू रथांश्च

8.12.65

संधाय नाराचवरान्दशाशु; द्रौणिस्त्वरन्नेकमिवोत्ससर्ज
तेषां च पञ्चार्जुनमभ्यविध्य;न्पञ्चाच्युतं निर्बिभिदुः सुमुक्ताः

8.12.66

तैराहतौ सर्वमनुष्यमुख्या;वसृक्क्षरन्तौ धनदेन्द्रकल्पौ
समाप्तविद्येन यथाभिभूतौ; हतौ स्विदेतौ किमु मेनिरेऽन्ये

8.12.67

अथार्जुनं प्राह दशार्हनाथः; प्रमाद्यसे किं जहि योधमेतम्
कुर्याद्धि दोषं समुपेक्षितोऽसौ; कष्टो भवेद्व्याधिरिवाक्रियावान्

8.12.68

तथेति चोक्त्वाच्युतमप्रमादी; द्रौणिं प्रयत्नादिषुभिस्ततक्ष
छित्त्वाश्वरश्मींस्तुरगानविध्य;त्ते तं रणादूहुरतीव दूरम्

8.12.69

आवृत्य नेयेष पुनस्तु युद्धं; पार्थेन सार्धं मतिमान्विमृश्य
जानञ्जयं नियतं वृष्णिवीरे; धनंजये चाङ्गिरसां वरिष्ठः

8.12.70

प्रतीपकाये तु रणादश्वत्थाम्नि हृते हयैः
मन्त्रौषधिक्रियादानैर्व्याधौ देहादिवाहृते

8.12.71

संशप्तकानभिमुखौ प्रयातौ केशवार्जुनौ
वातोद्धूतपताकेन स्यन्दनेनौघनादिना

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Then occurred that battle between Arjuna and Ashvatthama resembling the planets Shukra and Brihaspati in splendour, like the battle between Shukra and Brihaspati in the firmament for entering the same constellation. Afflicting each other with blazing shafts that constituted their rays, those terrifiers of the world stood like two planets both deviating from their orbits. Then Arjuna deeply pierced Ashvatthama with a shaft in the midst of his eyebrows. With that shaft the son of Drona looked resplendent like the Sun with upward rays. The two Krishnas (Nara and Narayana), also deeply afflicted by Ashvatthama with hundreds of arrows, looked like two Suns at the end of the Yuga, resplendent with their own rays. Then when Vasudeva seemed to be stupefied, Arjuna shot a weapon from which issued torrents of shafts on all sides. And he struck the son of Drona with innumerable shafts, each resembling the thunder or fire or the sceptre of Death. Endued with mighty energy, that achiever of fierce feats, (Ashvatthama) then pierced both Keshava and Arjuna with well-shot shafts which were inspired with great impetuosity and struck with which Death himself would feel pain. Checking the shafts of Drona's son, Arjuna covered him with twice as many arrows equipped with goodly wings, and shrouding that foremost of heroes and his steeds and driver and standard, began to strike the samsaptakas. With his well-shot shafts Partha began to cut off the bows and quivers and bowstrings and hands and arms and tightly grasped weapons and umbrellas and standards and steeds and car shafts and robes and floral garlands and ornaments and coats of mail and handsome shields and beautiful heads, in large numbers, of his unretreating foes. Well-equipped cars and steeds and elephants, ridden by heroes fighting with great care, were destroyed by the hundreds of shafts sped by Partha and fell down along with the heroes that rode on them. Cut off with broad-headed and crescent-shaped and razor-faced arrows, human heads, resembling the lotus, the Sun, or the full Moon in beauty and resplendent with diadems and necklaces and crowns, dropped ceaselessly on the earth. Then the Kalinga, the Vanga, and the Nishada heroes, riding on elephants, that resembled in splendour the elephant of the great foe of the daityas, rushed with speed against the queller of the pride of the danavas, the son of Pandu, from desire of slaying him. Partha cut off the vital limbs, the trunks, the riders, the standards, and the banners of those elephants, upon which those beasts fell down like mountain summits riven with thunder. When that elephant force was broken, the diadem-decked Arjuna shrouded the son of his preceptor with shafts endued with the splendour of the newly risen Sun, like the wind shrouding the risen Sun with masses of congregated clouds. Checking with his own shafts those of Arjuna, Drona's son shrouding both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his arrows, gave a loud roar, like a mass of clouds at the close of summer after shrouding the Sun or the Moon in the firmament. Deeply afflicted with those arrows, Arjuna, aiming his weapons at Ashvatthama and at those followers of his belonging to the army, speedily dispelled that darkness caused by Ashvatthama's arrows, and pierced all of them with shafts equipped with goodly wings. In that battle none could see when Savyasaci took up his shafts, when he aimed them, and when he let them off. All that could be seen was that elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers and car-warriors, struck with his arrows, fell down deprived of life. Then Drona's son without losing a moment, aiming ten foremost of arrows, sped them quickly as if they formed only one arrow. Shot with great force, five of these pierced Arjuna and the other five pierced Vasudeva. Struck with those arrows, those two foremost of men, like Kuvera and Indra, became bathed in blood. Thus afflicted, all the people there regarded those two heroes as slain by Ashvatthama the warrior who had completely mastered the science of arms. Then the chief of the Dasharhas addressed Arjuna and said, "Why errest thou in thus sparing Ashvatthama? Slay this warrior. If treated with indifference, even this one will be the cause of great woe, like a disease not sought to be put down by treatment." Replying unto Keshava of unfading glory with the words "So be it!" Arjuna of unclouded understanding began with good care to mangle the son of Drona with his shafts. Now the son of Pandu, filled with rage, quickly pierced the massive arms, smeared with sandal-paste, and the chest, the head, and the unrivalled thighs of his antagonist with shafts equipped with heads like goats' ears, and shot with great force from gandiva. Then cutting off the traces of Ashvatthama's steeds, Arjuna began to pierce the steeds themselves, whereat the latter bore Ashvatthama away to a great distance from the field. Thus borne away by these steeds endued with the speed of the wind, the intelligent son of Drona, deeply afflicted with the shafts of Partha, reflecting for some time, wished not to go back and renew the fight with Partha. Knowing that victory is ever with the chief of the Vrishnis and with Dhananjaya, that foremost one of Angirasa's race, endued with great activity, entered the army of Karna, deprived of hope and with shafts and weapons almost exhausted. Indeed, Drona's son, restraining his steeds, and having comforted himself a little, O sire, entered the force of Karna, teeming with cars and steeds and men. After Ashvatthama, that enemy of theirs, had been thus removed from the field by his steeds like a disease removed from the body by incantations and medicines and means, Keshava and Arjuna proceeded towards the samsaptakas, on their car whose rattle resembled the roar of the clouds and whose banner waved on the wind.'"

8.13.1

संजय उवाच
अथोत्तरेण पाण्डूनां सेनायां ध्वनिरुत्थितः
रथनागाश्वपत्तीनां दण्डधारेण वध्यताम्

8.13.2

निवर्तयित्वा तु रथं केशवोऽर्जुनमब्रवीत्
वाहयन्नेव तुरगान्गरुडानिलरंहसः

8.13.3

मागधोऽथाप्यतिक्रान्तो द्विरदेन प्रमाथिना
भगदत्तादनवरः शिक्षया च बलेन च

8.13.4

एनं हत्वा निहन्तासि पुनः संशप्तकानिति
वाक्यान्ते प्रापयत्पार्थं दण्डधारान्तिकं प्रति

8.13.5

स मागधानां प्रवरोऽङ्कुशग्रहो; ग्रहेष्वसह्यो विकचो यथा ग्रहः
सपत्नसेनां प्रममाथ दारुणो; महीं समग्रां विकचो यथा ग्रहः

8.13.6

सुकल्पितं दानवनागसंनिभं; महाभ्रसंह्रादममित्रमर्दनम्
रथाश्वमातङ्गगणान्सहस्रशः; समास्थितो हन्ति शरैर्द्विपानपि

8.13.7

रथानधिष्ठाय सवाजिसारथी;न्रथांश्च पद्भिस्त्वरितो व्यपोथयत्
द्विपांश्च पद्भ्यां चरणैः करेण च; द्विपास्थितो हन्ति स कालचक्रवत्

8.13.8

नरांश्च कार्ष्णायसवर्मभूषणा;न्निपात्य साश्वानपि पत्तिभिः सह
व्यपोथयद्दन्तिवरेण शुष्मिणा; सशब्दवत्स्थूलनडान्यथा तथा

8.13.9

अथार्जुनो ज्यातलनेमिनिस्वने; मृदङ्गभेरीबहुशङ्खनादिते
नराश्वमातङ्गसहस्रनादितै; रथोत्तमेनाभ्यपतद्द्विपोत्तमम्

8.13.10

ततोऽर्जुनं द्वादशभिः शरोत्तमै;र्जनार्दनं षोडशभिः समार्दयत्
स दण्डधारस्तुरगांस्त्रिभिस्त्रिभि;स्ततो ननाद प्रजहास चासकृत्

8.13.11

ततोऽस्य पार्थः सगुणेषुकार्मुकं; चकर्त भल्लैर्ध्वजमप्यलंकृतम्
पुनर्नियन्तॄन्सह पादगोप्तृभि;स्ततस्तु चुक्रोध गिरिव्रजेश्वरः

8.13.12

ततोऽर्जुनं भिन्नकटेन दन्तिना; घनाघनेनानिलतुल्यरंहसा
अतीव चुक्षोभयिषुर्जनार्दनं; धनंजयं चाभिजघान तोमरैः

8.13.13

अथास्य बाहू द्विपहस्तसंनिभौ; शिरश्च पूर्णेन्दुनिभाननं त्रिभिः
क्षुरैः प्रचिच्छेद सहैव पाण्डव;स्ततो द्विपं बाणशतैः समार्दयत्

8.13.14

स पार्थबाणैस्तपनीयभूषणैः; समारुचत्काञ्चनवर्मभृद्द्विपः
तथा चकाशे निशि पर्वतो यथा; दवाग्निना प्रज्वलितौषधिद्रुमः

8.13.15

स वेदनार्तोऽम्बुदनिस्वनो नदं;श्चलन्भ्रमन्प्रस्खलितोऽऽतुरो द्रवन्
पपात रुग्णः सनियन्तृकस्तथा; यथा गिरिर्वज्रनिपातचूर्णितः

8.13.16

हिमावदातेन सुवर्णमालिना; हिमाद्रिकूटप्रतिमेन दन्तिना
हते रणे भ्रातरि दण्ड आव्रज;ज्जिघांसुरिन्द्रावरजं धनंजयम्

8.13.17

स तोमरैरर्ककरप्रभैस्त्रिभि;र्जनार्दनं पञ्चभिरेव चार्जुनम्
समर्पयित्वा विननाद चार्दयं;स्ततोऽस्य बाहू विचकर्त पाण्डवः

8.13.18

क्षुरप्रकृत्तौ सुभृशं सतोमरौ; च्युताङ्गदौ चन्दनरूषितौ भुजौ
गजात्पतन्तौ युगपद्विरेजतु;र्यथाद्रिशृङ्गात्पतितौ महोरगौ

8.13.19

अथार्धचन्द्रेण हृतं किरीटिना; पपात दण्डस्य शिरः क्षितिं द्विपात्
तच्छोणिताभं निपतद्विरेजे; दिवाकरोऽस्तादिव पश्चिमां दिशम्

8.13.20

अथ द्विपं श्वेतनगाग्रसंनिभं; दिवाकरांशुप्रतिमैः शरोत्तमैः
बिभेद पार्थः स पपात नानद;न्हिमाद्रिकूटः कुलिशाहतो यथा

8.13.21

ततोऽपरे तत्प्रतिमा गजोत्तमा; जिगीषवः संयति सव्यसाचिनम्
तथा कृतास्तेन यथैव तौ द्विपौ; ततः प्रभग्नं सुमहद्रिपोर्बलम्

8.13.22

गजा रथाश्वाः पुरुषाश्च संघशः; परस्परघ्नाः परिपेतुराहवे
परस्परप्रस्खलिताः समाहता; भृशं च तत्तत्कुलभाषिणो हताः

8.13.23

अथार्जुनं स्वे परिवार्य सैनिकाः; पुरंदरं देवगणा इवाब्रुवन्
अभैष्म यस्मान्मरणादिव प्रजाः; स वीर दिष्ट्या निहतस्त्वया रिपुः

8.13.24

न चेत्परित्रास्य इमाञ्जनान्भया;द्द्विषद्भिरेवं बलिभिः प्रपीडितान्
तथाभविष्यद्द्विषतां प्रमोदनं; यथा हतेष्वेष्विह नोऽरिषु त्वया

8.13.25

इतीव भूयश्च सुहृद्भिरीरिता; निशम्य वाचः सुमनास्ततोऽर्जुनः
यथानुरूपं प्रतिपूज्य तं जनं; जगाम संशप्तकसंघहा पुनः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile towards the northern part of the Pandava army, a loud uproar arose of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers as those were being massacred by Dandadhara. Turning the course of the car, but without stopping the steeds which were as fleet as Garuda or the wind, Keshava, addressing Arjuna, said, "The chief of the Magadhas, with his (foe-crushing) elephant is unrivalled in prowess. In training and might he is not inferior to Bhagadatta himself. Having slain him first, thou wilt then slay the samsaptakas." At the conclusion of his words, Keshava bore Partha to the presence of Dandadhara. The chief of the Magadhas, peerless in handling the elephant-hook even as the headless planet Ketu (is peerless) among all the planets, was destroying the hostile army like a fierce comet destroying the whole earth. Riding on his foe-slaying and well-equipped elephant which looked like the danava with elephantine face and form, and whose roar resembled that of a congregated mass of clouds, Dandadhara was destroying with his shafts thousands of cars and steeds and elephants and men. The elephants also, treading upon cars with their feet, pressed down into the Earth a large number of men with their steeds and drivers. Many were the elephants, also, which that foremost of elephants, crushed and slew with his two forefeet and trunk. Indeed, the beast moved like the wheel of Death. Slaying men adorned with steel coats of mail, along with their horses and foot-soldiers, the chief of the Magadhas caused these to be pressed down into the earth, like thick reeds pressed down with crackling sounds, by means of that mighty and foremost of elephants belonging to him. Then Arjuna, riding on that foremost of cars, rushed quickly towards that prince of elephants in the midst of that host teeming with thousands of cars and steeds and elephants, and resounding with the beat and blare of innumerable cymbals and drums and conchs and uproarious with the clatter of car-wheels, the twang of bow-strings, and the sound of palms. Even Dandadhara pierced Arjuna with a dozen foremost of shafts and Janardana with sixteen and each of the steeds with three, and then uttered a loud shout and laughed repeatedly. Then Partha, with a number of broad-headed shafts, cut off the bow of his antagonist with its string and arrow fixed thereon, as also his well-decked standard, and then the guides of his beast and the footmen that protected the animal. At this, the lord of Girivraja became filled with rage. Desirous of agitating Janardana with that tusker of his, whose temples had split from excitement, and which resembled a mass of clouds and was endued with the speed of the wind, Dandadhara struck Dhananjaya with many lances. The son of Pandu then, with three razor-headed arrows, cut off, almost at the same instant of time, the two arms each looking like the trunk of an elephant, and then the head, resembling the full Moon, of his foe. Then Arjuna struck the elephant of this antagonist with hundreds of arrows. Covered with the gold-decked arrows of Partha, that elephant equipped with golden armour looked as resplendent as a mountain in the night with its herbs and trees blazing in a conflagration. Afflicted with the pain and roaring like a mass of clouds, and exceedingly weakened, the elephant crying and wandering and running with tottering steps, fell down with the guide on its neck, like a mountain summit riven by thunder. Upon the fall of his brother in battle, Danda advanced against Indra's younger brother and Dhananjaya, desirous of slaying them, on his tusker white as snow and adorned with gold and looking like a Himalayan summit. Danda struck Janardana with three whetted lances bright as the rays of the sun, and Arjuna with five, and uttered a loud shout. The son of Pandu then uttering a loud shout cut off the two arms of Danda. Cut off by means of razor-headed shafts, those two arms, smeared with sandal-paste, adorned with angadas, and with lances in grasp, as they fell from the elephant's back at the same instant of time, looked resplendent like a couple of large snakes of great beauty falling down from a mountain summit. Cut off with a crescent-shaped arrow by the diadem-decked (Partha), the head also of Danda fell down on the Earth from the elephant's back, and covered with blood it looked resplendent as it lay like the sun dropped from the Asta mountain towards the western quarter. Then Partha pierced with many excellent arrows bright as the rays of the sun that elephant of his foe, resembling a mass of white clouds whereupon it fell down with a noise like a Himalayan summit riven with thunder. Then other huge elephants capable of winning victory and resembling the two already slain, were cut off by Savyasaci, in that battle, even as the two (belonging to Danda and Dandadhara) had been cut off. At this the vast hostile force broke. Then elephants and cars and steeds and men, in dense throngs, clashed against one another and fell down on the field. Tottering, they violently struck one another and fell down deprived of life. Then his soldiers, encompassing Arjuna like the celestials encompassing Purandara, began to say, "O hero, that foe of whom we had been frightened like creatures at the sight of Death himself, hath by good luck been slain by thee. If thou hadst not protected from that fear those people that were so deeply afflicted by mighty foes, then by this time our foes would have felt that delight which we now feel at their death, O slayer of enemies." Hearing these and other words uttered by friends and allies, Arjuna, with a cheerful heart, worshipped those men, each according to his deserts, and proceeded once more against the samsaptakas.'"

8.14.1

संजय उवाच
प्रत्यागत्य पुनर्जिष्णुरहन्संशप्तकान्बहून्
वक्रानुवक्रगमनादङ्गारक इव ग्रहः

8.14.2

पार्थबाणहता राजन्नराश्वरथकुञ्जराः
विचेलुर्बभ्रमुर्नेदुः पेतुर्मम्लुश्च मारिष

8.14.3

धुर्यं धुर्यतरान्सूतान्रथांश्च परिसंक्षिपन्
पाणीन्पाणिगतं शस्त्रं बाहूनपि शिरांसि च

8.14.4

भल्लैः क्षुरैरर्धचन्द्रैर्वत्सदन्तैश्च पाण्डवः
चिच्छेदामित्रवीराणां समरे प्रतियुध्यताम्

8.14.5

वाशितार्थे युयुत्सन्तो वृषभा वृषभं यथा
आपतन्त्यर्जुनं शूराः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.14.6

तेषां तस्य च तद्युद्धमभवल्लोमहर्षणम्
त्रैलोक्यविजये यादृग्दैत्यानां सह वज्रिणा

8.14.7

तमविध्यत्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्दन्दशूकैरिवाहिभिः
उग्रायुधस्ततस्तस्य शिरः कायादपाहरत्

8.14.8

तेऽर्जुनं सर्वतः क्रुद्धा नानाशस्त्रैरवीवृषन्
मरुद्भिः प्रेषिता मेघा हिमवन्तमिवोष्णगे

8.14.9

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्विषतां सर्वतोऽर्जुनः
सम्यगस्तैः शरैः सर्वान्सहितानहनद्बहून्

8.14.10

छिन्नत्रिवेणुजङ्घेषान्निहतपार्ष्णिसारथीन्
संछिन्नरश्मियोक्त्राक्षान्व्यनुकर्षयुगान्रथान्
विध्वस्तसर्वसंनाहान्बाणैश्चक्रेऽर्जुनस्त्वरन्

8.14.11

ते रथास्तत्र विध्वस्ताः परार्ध्या भान्त्यनेकशः
धनिनामिव वेश्मानि हतान्यग्न्यनिलाम्बुभिः

8.14.12

द्विपाः संभिन्नमर्माणो वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः
पेतुर्गिर्यग्रवेश्मानि वज्रवाताग्निभिर्यथा

8.14.13

सारोहास्तुरगाः पेतुर्बहवोऽर्जुनताडिताः
निर्जिह्वान्त्राः क्षितौ क्षीणा रुधिरार्द्राः सुदुर्दृशः

8.14.14

नराश्वनागा नाराचैः संस्यूताः सव्यसाचिना
बभ्रमुश्चस्खलुः पेतुर्नेदुर्मम्लुश्च मारिष

8.14.15

अणकैश्च शिलाधौतैर्वज्राशनिविषोपमैः
शरैर्निजघ्निवान्पार्थो महेन्द्र इव दानवान्

8.14.16

महार्हवर्माभरणा नानारूपाम्बरायुधाः
सरथाः सध्वजा वीरा हताः पार्थेन शेरते

8.14.17

विजिताः पुण्यकर्माणो विशिष्टाभिजनश्रुताः
गताः शरीरैर्वसुधामूर्जितैः कर्मभिर्दिवम्

8.14.18

अथार्जुनरथं वीरास्त्वदीयाः समुपाद्रवन्
नानाजनपदाध्यक्षाः सगणा जातमन्यवः

8.14.19

उह्यमाना रथाश्वैस्ते पत्तयश्च जिघांसवः
समभ्यधावन्नस्यन्तो विविधं क्षिप्रमायुधम्

8.14.20

तदायुधमहावर्षं क्षिप्तं योधमहाम्बुदैः
व्यधमन्निशितैर्बाणैः क्षिप्रमर्जुनमारुतः

8.14.21

साश्वपत्तिद्विपरथं महाशस्त्रौघमप्लवम्
सहसा संतितीर्षन्तं पार्थं शस्त्रास्त्रसेतुना

8.14.22

अथाब्रवीद्वासुदेवः पार्थं किं क्रीडसेऽनघ
संशप्तकान्प्रमथ्यैतांस्ततः कर्णवधे त्वर

8.14.23

तथेत्युक्त्वार्जुनः क्षिप्रं शिष्टान्संशप्तकांस्तदा
आक्षिप्य शस्त्रेण बलाद्दैत्यानिन्द्र इवावधीत्

8.14.24

आदधत्संदधन्नेषून्दृष्टः कैश्चिद्रणेऽर्जुनः
विमुञ्चन्वा शराञ्शीघ्रं दृश्यते स्म हि कैरपि

8.14.25

आश्चर्यमिति गोविन्दो ब्रुवन्नश्वानचोदयत्
हंसांसगौरास्ते सेनां हंसाः सर इवाविशन्

8.14.26

ततः संग्रामभूमिं तां वर्तमाने जनक्षये
अवेक्षमाणो गोविन्दः सव्यसाचिनमब्रवीत्

8.14.27

एष पार्थ महारौद्रो वर्तते भरतक्षयः
पृथिव्यां पार्थिवानां वै दुर्योधनकृते महान्

8.14.28

पश्य भारत चापानि रुक्मपृष्ठानि धन्विनाम्
महतामपविद्धानि कलापानिषुधीस्तथा

8.14.29

जातरूपमयैः पुङ्खैः शरांश्च नतपर्वणः
तैलधौतांश्च नाराचान्निर्मुक्तानिव पन्नगान्

8.14.30

हस्तिदन्तत्सरून्खड्गाञ्जातरूपपरिष्कृतान्
आकीर्णांस्तोमरांश्चापांश्चित्रान्हेमविभूषितान्

8.14.31

वर्माणि चापविद्धानि रुक्मपृष्ठानि भारत
सुवर्णविकृतान्प्रासाञ्शक्तीः कनकभूषिताः

8.14.32

जाम्बूनदमयैः पट्टैर्बद्धाश्च विपुला गदाः
जातरूपमयीश्चर्ष्टीः पट्टिशान्हेमभूषितान्

8.14.33

दण्डैः कनकचित्रैश्च विप्रविद्धान्परश्वधान्
अयस्कुशान्तान्पतितान्मुसलानि गुरूणि च

8.14.34

शतघ्नीः पश्य चित्राश्च विपुलान्परिघांस्तथा
चक्राणि चापविद्धानि मुद्गरांश्च बहून्रणे

8.14.35

नानाविधानि शस्त्राणि प्रगृह्य जयगृद्धिनः
जीवन्त इव लक्ष्यन्ते गतसत्त्वास्तरस्विनः

8.14.36

गदाविमथितैर्गात्रैर्मुसलैर्भिन्नमस्तकान्
गजवाजिरथक्षुण्णान्पश्य योधान्सहस्रशः

8.14.37

मनुष्यगजवाजीनां शरशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः
निस्त्रिंशैः पट्टिशैः प्रासैर्नखरैर्लगुडैरपि

8.14.38

शरीरैर्बहुधा भिन्नैः शोणितौघपरिप्लुतैः
गतासुभिरमित्रघ्न संवृता रणभूमयः

8.14.39

बाहुभिश्चन्दनादिग्धैः साङ्गदैः शुभभूषणैः
सतलत्रैः सकेयूरैर्भाति भारत मेदिनी

8.14.40

साङ्गुलित्रैर्भुजाग्रैश्च विप्रविद्धैरलंकृतैः
हस्तिहस्तोपमैश्छिन्नैरूरुभिश्च तरस्विनाम्

8.14.41

बद्धचूडामणिवरैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः
निकृत्तैर्वृषभाक्षाणां विराजति वसुंधरा

8.14.42

कबन्धैः शोणितादिग्धैश्छिन्नगात्रशिरोधरैः
भूर्भाति भरतश्रेष्ठ शान्तार्चिर्भिरिवाग्निभिः

8.14.43

रथान्बहुविधान्भग्नान्हेमकिङ्किणिनः शुभान्
अश्वांश्च बहुधा पश्य शोणितेन परिप्लुतान्

8.14.44

योधानां च महाशङ्खान्पाण्डुरांश्च प्रकीर्णकान्
निरस्तजिह्वान्मातङ्गाञ्शयानान्पर्वतोपमान्

8.14.45

वैजयन्तीविचित्रांश्च हतांश्च गजयोधिनः
वारणानां परिस्तोमान्सुयुक्ताम्बरकम्बलान्

8.14.46

विपाटिता विचित्राश्च रूपचित्राः कुथास्तथा
भिन्नाश्च बहुधा घण्टाः पतद्भिश्चूर्णिता गजैः

8.14.47

वैडूर्यमणिदण्डांश्च पतितानङ्कुशान्भुवि
बद्धाः सादिध्वजाग्रेषु सुवर्णविकृताः कशाः

8.14.48

विचित्रान्मणिचित्रांश्च जातरूपपरिष्कृतान्
अश्वास्तरपरिस्तोमान्राङ्कवान्पतितान्भुवि

8.14.49

चूडामणीन्नरेन्द्राणां विचित्राः काञ्चनस्रजः
छत्राणि चापविद्धानि चामरव्यजनानि च

8.14.50

चन्द्रनक्षत्रभासैश्च वदनैश्चारुकुण्डलैः
कॢप्तश्मश्रुभिरत्यर्थं वीराणां समलंकृतैः
वदनैः पश्य संछन्नां महीं शोणितकर्दमाम्

8.14.51

सजीवांश्च नरान्पश्य कूजमानान्समन्ततः
उपास्यमानान्बहुभिर्न्यस्तशस्त्रैर्विशां पते

8.14.52

ज्ञातिभिः सहितैस्तत्र रोदमानैर्मुहुर्मुहुः
व्युत्क्रान्तानपरान्योधांश्छादयित्वा तरस्विनः
पुनर्युद्धाय गच्छन्ति जयगृद्धाः प्रमन्यवः

8.14.53

अपरे तत्र तत्रैव परिधावन्ति मानिनः
ज्ञातिभिः पतितैः शूरैर्याच्यमानास्तथोदकम्

8.14.54

जलार्थं च गताः केचिन्निष्प्राणा बहवोऽर्जुन
संनिवृत्ताश्च ते शूरास्तान्दृष्ट्वैव विचेतसः

8.14.55

जलं दृष्ट्वा प्रधावन्ति क्रोशमानाः परस्परम्
जलं पीत्वा मृतान्पश्य पिबतोऽन्यांश्च भारत

8.14.56

परित्यज्य प्रियानन्ये बान्धवान्बान्धवप्रिय
व्युत्क्रान्ताः समदृश्यन्त तत्र तत्र महारणे

8.14.57

पश्यापरान्नरश्रेष्ठ संदष्टौष्ठपुटान्पुनः
भ्रुकुटीकुटिलैर्वक्त्रैः प्रेक्षमाणान्समन्ततः

8.14.58

एतत्तवैवानुरूपं कर्मार्जुन महाहवे
दिवि वा देवराजस्य त्वया यत्कृतमाहवे

8.14.59

एवं तां दर्शयन्कृष्णो युद्धभूमिं किरीटिने
गच्छन्नेवाशृणोच्छब्दं दुर्योधनबले महत्

8.14.60

शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषान्भेरीपणवमिश्रितान्
रथाश्वगजनादांश्च शस्त्रशब्दांश्च दारुणान्

8.14.61

प्रविश्य तद्बलं कृष्णस्तुरगैर्वातवेगिभिः
पाण्ड्येनाभ्यर्दितां सेनां त्वदीयां वीक्ष्य धिष्ठितः

8.14.62

स हि नानाविधैर्बाणैरिष्वासप्रवरो युधि
न्यहनद्द्विषतां व्रातान्गतासूनन्तको यथा

8.14.63

गजवाजिमनुष्याणां शरीराणि शितैः शरैः
भित्त्वा प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठो विदेहासूंश्चकार सः

8.14.64

शत्रुप्रवीरैरस्तानि नानाशस्त्राणि सायकैः
भित्त्वा तानहनत्पाण्ड्यः शत्रूञ्शक्र इवासुरान्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Wheeling round, like the planet Mercury in the curvature of its orbit, Jishnu (Arjuna) once more slew large number of the samsaptakas. Afflicted with the shafts of Partha, O king, men, steeds, and elephants, O Bharata, wavered and wondered and lost colour and fell down and died. Many foremost of animals tied to yokes and drivers and standards, and bows, and shafts and hands and weapons in grasp, and arms, and heads, of heroic foes fighting with him, the son of Pandu cut off in that battle, with arrows, some of which were broad-headed, some equipped with heads like razors, some crescent-shaped, and some furnished with heads like the calf's tooth. Like bulls fighting with a bull for the sake of a cow in season, brave warriors by hundreds and thousands closed upon Arjuna. The battle that took place between them and him made the hair to stand on end like the encounter between the Daityas and Indra, the wielder of the thunderbolt on the occasion of the conquest of the three worlds. Then the son of Ugrayudha pierced Partha with three shafts resembling three venomous snakes. Partha, however, cut off from his enemy's trunk the latter's head. Then those warriors, filled with rage, covered Arjuna from every side with diverse kinds of weapons like the clouds urged by the Maruts shrouding Himavat at the close of summer. Checking with his own weapons those of his foes on every side, Arjuna slew a large number of his enemies with well-shot shafts. With his arrows Arjuna then cut off the Trivenus, the steeds, the drivers, and the parshni drivers of many cars, and displaced the weapons and quivers of many, and deprived many of their wheels and standards, and broke the cords, the traces and the axles of many, and destroyed the bottoms and yokes of others, and caused all the equipment of many to fall from their places. Those cars, thus smashed and injured by Arjuna in large numbers, looked like the luxurious mansions of the rich destroyed by fire, wind, and rain. Elephants, their vitals pierced with shafts resembling thunderbolts in impetuosity, fell down like mansions on mountain-tops overthrown by blasts of lightning. Large numbers of steeds with their riders, struck by Arjuna, fell down on the Earth, their tongues and entrails pressed out, themselves deprived of strength and bathed in blood, and presenting an awful sight. Men and steeds and elephants, pierced by Savyasaci (Arjuna) with his shafts, wondered and tottered and fell down and uttered cries of pain and looked pale, O sire. Like Mahendra smiting down the danavas, Partha smote down large numbers of his foes, by means of shafts whetted on stone and resembling the thunder of poison in deadliness. Brave warriors, cased in costly coats of mail and decked with ornaments and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, lay on the field, with their cars and standards, slain by Partha. Vanquished (and deprived of life) persons of righteous deeds, possessed of noble birth and great knowledge, proceeded to heaven in consequence of those glorious deeds of theirs while their bodies only lay on Earth. Then the chief, belonging to thy army, of various realms, filled with wrath and accompanied by their followers, rushed against Arjuna, that foremost of car-warriors. Warriors borne on their cars and steeds and elephants, and foot-soldiers also, all desirous of slaying (Arjuna), rushed towards him, shooting diverse weapons with great speed. Then Arjuna like wind, by means of keen shafts, destroyed that thick shower of weapons dropped by those warriors constituting a mass of congregated clouds. People then beheld Arjuna crossing that raftless ocean constituted by steeds and foot-soldiers and elephants and cars, and having mighty weapons for its waves, on a bridge constituted by his own mighty weapons of offence and defence. Then Vasudeva, addressing Partha, said, "Why, O sinless one, dost thou sport in this way? Grinding these samsaptakas, haste thyself for Karna's slaughter." Saying, "So be it" unto Krishna, Arjuna then, forcibly smiting the remnant of the samsaptakas with his weapons, began to destroy them like Indra destroying the Daityas. At that time, with even the closest attention, men could not mark when Arjuna took out his shafts, when he aimed them and when he let them off quickly. Govinda himself, O Bharata, regarded it wonderful. Like swans diving into a lake the shafts of Arjuna, white and active as swans, penetrated into the hostile force. Then Govinda, beholding the field of battle during the progress of that carnage, said these words to Savyasaci, "Here, O Partha, for the sake of Duryodhana alone, occurreth this great and terrible destruction of the Bharatas and other kings of Earth. Behold, O son of Bharata, these bows, with golden backs, of many mighty bowmen, and these girdles and quivers loosened from their bodies. Behold these straight shafts equipped with wings of gold, and these long arrows washed with oil and looking like snakes freed from their sloughs. Behold these beautiful lances decked with gold lying scattered about, and these coats of mail, O Bharata, adorned with gold and fallen off from the bodies of the warriors. Behold these spears embellished with gold, these darts adorned with the same metal, and these huge maces twined round with threads of gold, and cords of hemp. Behold these swords decked with bright gold and these axes adorned with the same, and these battle-axes equipped with gold-decked handles. Behold also these spiked clubs, these short arrows, these Bhusundis, and these Kanapas; these iron Kuntas lying around, and these heavy Mushalas. These victory-longing warriors endued with great activity and armed with diverse weapons, though dead, still seem to be quick with life. Behold those thousands of warriors, their limbs crushed with maces, and heads split with Mushalas or smashed and trod by elephants and steeds and cars. O slayer of foes, the field of battle is strewn with the bodies of men and elephants and steeds, deprived of life, dreadfully mangled with shafts and darts and swords and lances and scimitars and axes and spears and Nakharas and bludgeons, and bathed in streams of blood. Strewn with arms smeared with sandal-paste and decked with Angadas and graced with auspicious indications and cased in leathern fences and adorned with Keyuras, the Earth looks resplendent, O Bharata. Strewn also with hands having fingers cased in fences, decked with ornaments, and lopped off from arms, and with severed thighs looking like the trunks of elephants, of heroes endued with great activity and with heads adorned with earrings and headgears set with gems, (the Earth looks exceedingly beautiful). Behold those beautiful cars, decked with golden bells, broken in diverse ways. Behold those numerous steeds bathed in blood, those bottoms of cars and long quivers, and diverse kinds of standards and banners and those huge conchs, of the combatants, and those yak-tails perfectly white, and those elephants with tongues lolling out and lying on the field like hills, and those beautiful with triumphal banners, and those slain elephant-warriors, and those rich coverlets, each consisting of one piece of blanket, for the backs of those huge beasts, and those beautiful and variegated and torn blankets, and those numerous bells loosened from the bodies of elephants and broken into fragments by those falling creatures, and those hooks with handles set with stones of lapis lazuli fallen upon the Earth, and those ornamental yokes of steeds, and those armours set with diamonds for their breasts and those rich cloths, adorned with gold and tied to the ends of the standards borne by horsemen, and those variegated coverlets and housings and Ranku skins, set with brilliant gems and inlaid with gold, for the backs of steeds and fallen on the ground, and those large diamonds adorning the head-gears of kings, and those beautiful necklaces of gold, and those umbrellas displaced from their positions, and those yak-tails and fans. Behold the earth strewn with faces adorned with earrings bright as the moon or stars, and embellished with well-cut beards, and each looking like the full moon. The earth, strewn with those faces looking like lilies and lotuses, resembles a lake adorned with a dense assemblage of lilies and lotuses. Behold, the earth possessing the effulgence of the bright moon and diversified as if with myriads of stars, looks like the autumnal firmament bespangled with stellar lights. O Arjuna, these feats that have been achieved by thee in great battle today are, indeed, worthy of thee or of the chief of the celestials himself in heaven." Even thus did Krishna show the field of battle unto Arjuna. And while returning (from the field to their camp), they heard a loud noise in the army of Duryodhana. Indeed the uproar that was heard consisted of the blare of conchs and the beat of cymbals and drums and Patahas and the clatter of car wheels, the neighing of steeds, the grunt of elephants, and the fierce clash of weapons. Penetrating into that force by the aid of his steeds possessing the fleetness of the wind, Krishna became filled with wonder upon beholding the army grinded by Pandya. Like Yama himself slaying creatures whose lives have run out, Pandya, that foremost of warriors skilled in shafts and weapons, was destroying crowds of foes by means of diverse kinds of shafts. Piercing the bodies of the elephants and steeds and men with sharp shafts, that foremost of smiters overthrew and deprived them of life. Cutting off with his own shafts the diverse weapons hurled at him by many foremost of foes, Pandya slew his enemies like Sakra (Indra) destroying the Danavas.'"

8.15.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
प्रोक्तस्त्वया पूर्वमेव प्रवीरो लोकविश्रुतः
न त्वस्य कर्म संग्रामे त्वया संजय कीर्तितम्

8.15.2

तस्य विस्तरतो ब्रूहि प्रवीरस्याद्य विक्रमम्
शिक्षां प्रभावं वीर्यं च प्रमाणं दर्पमेव च

8.15.3

संजय उवाच
द्रोणभीष्मकृपद्रौणिकर्णार्जुनजनार्दनान्
समाप्तविद्यान्धनुषि श्रेष्ठान्यान्मन्यसे युधि

8.15.4

तुल्यता कर्णभीष्माभ्यामात्मनो येन दृश्यते
वासुदेवार्जुनाभ्यां च न्यूनतां नात्मनीच्छति

8.15.5

स पाण्ड्यो नृपतिश्रेष्ठः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः
कर्णस्यानीकमवधीत्परिभूत इवान्तकः

8.15.6

तदुदीर्णरथाश्वं च पत्तिप्रवरकुञ्जरम्
कुलालचक्रवद्भ्रान्तं पाण्ड्येनाधिष्ठितं बलम्

8.15.7

व्यश्वसूतध्वजरथान्विप्रविद्धायुधान्रिपून्
सम्यगस्तैः शरैः पाण्ड्यो वायुर्मेघानिवाक्षिपत्

8.15.8

द्विरदान्प्रहतप्रोथान्विपताकध्वजायुधान्
सपादरक्षानवधीद्वज्रेणारीनिवारिहा

8.15.9

सशक्तिप्रासतूणीरानश्वारोहान्हयानपि
पुलिन्दखशबाह्लीकान्निषादान्ध्रकतङ्गणान्

8.15.10

दाक्षिणात्यांश्च भोजांश्च क्रूरान्संग्रामकर्कशान्
विशस्त्रकवचान्बाणैः कृत्वा पाण्ड्योऽकरोद्व्यसून्

8.15.11

चतुरङ्गं बलं बाणैर्निघ्नन्तं पाण्ड्यमाहवे
दृष्ट्वा द्रौणिरसंभ्रान्तमसंभ्रान्ततरोऽभ्ययात्

8.15.12

आभाष्य चैनं मधुरमभि नृत्यन्नभीतवत्
प्राह प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः स्मितपूर्वं समाह्वयन्

8.15.13

राजन्कमलपत्राक्ष प्रधानायुधवाहन
वज्रसंहननप्रख्य प्रधानबलपौरुष

8.15.14

मुष्टिश्लिष्टायुधाभ्यां च व्यायताभ्यां महद्धनुः
दोर्भ्यां विस्फारयन्भासि महाजलदवद्भृशम्

8.15.15

शरवर्षैर्महावेगैरमित्रानभिवर्षतः
मदन्यं नानुपश्यामि प्रतिवीरं तवाहवे

8.15.16

रथद्विरदपत्त्यश्वानेकः प्रमथसे बहून्
मृगसंघानिवारण्ये विभीर्भीमबलो हरिः

8.15.17

महता रथघोषेण दिवं भूमिं च नादयन्
वर्षान्ते सस्यहा पीथो भाभिरापूरयन्निव

8.15.18

संस्पृशानः शरांस्तीक्ष्णांस्तूणादाशीविषोपमान्
मयैवैकेन युध्यस्व त्र्यम्बकेणान्धको यथा

8.15.19

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा प्रहरेति च ताडितः
कर्णिना द्रोणतनयं विव्याध मलयध्वजः

8.15.20

मर्मभेदिभिरत्युग्रैर्बाणैरग्निशिखोपमैः
स्मयन्नभ्यहनद्द्रौणिः पाण्ड्यमाचार्यसत्तमः

8.15.21

ततो नवापरांस्तीक्ष्णान्नाराचान्कङ्कवाससः
गत्या दशम्या संयुक्तानश्वत्थामा व्यवासृजत्

8.15.22

तेषां पञ्चाच्छिनत्पाण्ड्यः पञ्चभिर्निशितैः शरैः
चत्वारोऽभ्याहनन्वाहानाशु ते व्यसवोऽभवन्

8.15.23

अथ द्रोणसुतस्येषूंस्तांश्छित्त्वा निशितैः शरैः
धनुर्ज्यां विततां पाण्ड्यश्चिच्छेदादित्यवर्चसः

8.15.24

विज्यं धनुरथाधिज्यं कृत्वा द्रौणिरमित्रहा
ततः शरसहस्राणि प्रेषयामास पाण्ड्यतः
इषुसंबाधमाकाशमकरोद्दिश एव च

8.15.25

ततस्तानस्यतः सर्वान्द्रौणेर्बाणान्महात्मनः
जानानोऽप्यक्षयान्पाण्ड्योऽशातयत्पुरुषर्षभः

8.15.26

प्रहितांस्तान्प्रयत्नेन छित्त्वा द्रौणेरिषूनरिः
चक्ररक्षौ ततस्तस्य प्राणुदन्निशितैः शरैः

8.15.27

अथारेर्लाघवं दृष्ट्वा मण्डलीकृतकार्मुकः
प्रास्यद्द्रोणसुतो बाणान्वृष्टिं पूषानुजो यथा

8.15.28

अष्टावष्टगवान्यूहुः शकटानि यदायुधम्
अह्नस्तदष्टभागेन द्रौणिश्चिक्षेप मारिष

8.15.29

तमन्तकमिव क्रुद्धमन्तकालान्तकोपमम्
ये ये ददृशिरे तत्र विसंज्ञाः प्रायशोऽभवन्

8.15.30

पर्जन्य इव घर्मान्ते वृष्ट्या साद्रिद्रुमां महीम्
आचार्यपुत्रस्तां सेनां बाणवृष्ट्याभ्यवीवृषत्

8.15.31

द्रौणिपर्जन्यमुक्तां तां बाणवृष्टिं सुदुःसहाम्
वायव्यास्त्रेण स क्षिप्रं रुद्ध्वा पाण्ड्यानिलोऽनदत्

8.15.32

तस्य नानदतः केतुं चन्दनागुरुभूषितम्
मलयप्रतिमं द्रौणिश्छित्त्वाश्वांश्चतुरोऽहनत्

8.15.33

सूतमेकेषुणा हत्वा महाजलदनिस्वनम्
धनुश्छित्त्वार्धचन्द्रेण व्यधमत्तिलशो रथम्

8.15.34

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य छित्त्वा सर्वायुधानि च
प्राप्तमप्यहितं द्रौणिर्न जघान रणेप्सया

8.15.35

हतेश्वरो दन्तिवरः सुकल्पित;स्त्वराभिसृष्टः प्रतिशर्मगो बली
तमध्यतिष्ठन्मलयेश्वरो महा;न्यथाद्रिशृङ्गं हरिरुन्नदंस्तथा

8.15.36

स तोमरं भास्कररश्मिसंनिभं; बलास्त्रसर्गोत्तमयत्नमन्युभिः
ससर्ज शीघ्रं प्रतिपीडयन्गजं; गुरोः सुतायाद्रिपतीश्वरो नदन्

8.15.37

मणिप्रतानोत्तमवज्रहाटकै;रलंकृतं चांशुकमाल्यमौक्तिकैः
हतोऽस्यसावित्यसकृन्मुदा नद;न्पराभिनद्द्रौणिवराङ्गभूषणम्

8.15.38

तदर्कचन्द्रग्रहपावकत्विषं; भृशाभिघातात्पतितं विचूर्णितम्
महेन्द्रवज्राभिहतं महावनं; यथाद्रिशृङ्गं धरणीतले तथा

8.15.39

ततः प्रजज्वाल परेण मन्युना; पदाहतो नागपतिर्यथा तथा
समादधे चान्तकदण्डसंनिभा;निषूनमित्रान्तकरांश्चतुर्दश

8.15.40

द्विपस्य पादाग्रकरान्स पञ्चभि;र्नृपस्य बाहू च शिरोऽथ च त्रिभिः
जघान षड्भिः षडृतूत्तमत्विषः; स पाण्ड्यराजानुचरान्महारथान्

8.15.41

सुदीर्घवृत्तौ वरचन्दनोक्षितौ; सुवर्णमुक्तामणिवज्रभूषितौ
भुजौ धरायां पतितौ नृपस्य तौ; विवेष्टतुस्तार्क्ष्यहताविवोरगौ

8.15.42

शिरश्च तत्पूर्णशशिप्रभाननं; सरोषताम्रायतनेत्रमुन्नसम्
क्षितौ विबभ्राज पतत्सकुण्डलं; विशाखयोर्मध्यगतः शशी यथा

8.15.43

समाप्तविद्यं तु गुरोः सुतं नृपः; समाप्तकर्माणमुपेत्य ते सुतः
सुहृद्वृतोऽत्यर्थमपूजयन्मुदा; जिते बलौ विष्णुमिवामरेश्वरः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou didst mention to me before the name of Pandya, that hero of world-wide celebrity, but his feats, O Sanjaya, in battle have never been narrated by thee. Tell me today in detail of the prowess of that great hero, his skill, spirit, and energy, the measure of his might, and his pride.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son and Karna and Arjuna and Janardana, those thorough masters of the science of weapons, are regarded by thee as the foremost of car-warriors. Know, however, that Pandya regarded himself superior to all these foremost of car-warriors in energy. Indeed he never regarded any one amongst the kings as equal to himself. He never admitted his equality with Karna and Bhishma. Nor did he admit within his heart that he was inferior in any respect to Vasudeva or Arjuna. Even such was Pandya, that foremost of kings, that first of wielder of weapons. Filled with rage like the Destroyer himself, Pandya at the time was slaughtering the army of Karna. That force, swelling with cars and steeds and teeming with foremost of foot-soldiers, struck by Pandya, began to turn round like the potter's wheel. Like the wind dispersing a mass of congregated clouds, Pandya, with his well shot arrows, began to disperse that force, destroying its steeds and drivers and standards and cars and causing its weapons and elephants to fall down. Like the splitter of mountains striking down mountains with his thunder, Pandya overthrew elephants with their riders, having previously cut down the standards and banners and weapons with which they were armed, as also the foot-soldiers that protected those beasts. And he cut down horses, and horsemen with their darts and lances and quivers. Mangling with his shafts the Pulindas, the Khasas, the Bahlikas, the Nishadas, the Andhakas, the Tanganas, the Southerners, and the Bhojas, all of whom, endued with great courage, were unyielding and obstinate in battle, and divesting them of their weapons and coats of mail, Pandya deprived them of their lives. Beholding Pandya destroying with his shafts in battle that host consisting of four kinds of forces, the son of Drona fearlessly proceeded towards that fearless warrior. Fearlessly addressing in sweet words that warrior who then seemed to dance on his car, Drona's son, that foremost of smiters, smiling the while, summoned him and said, "O king, O thou with eyes like the petals of the lotus, thy birth is noble and learning great. Of celebrated might and prowess, thou resemblest Indra himself. Stretching with thy two massive arms the bow held by thee and whose large string is attached to thy grasp, thou lookest beautiful like a mass of congregated clouds as thou pourest over thy foes thick showers of impetuous shafts. I do not see anybody save myself that can be a match for thee in battle. Alone thou crushest numerous cars and elephants and foot-soldiers and steeds, like the fearless lion of terrible might crushing herds of deer in the forest. Making the welkin and the Earth resound with the loud clatter of thy car-wheels thou lookest resplendent, O king, like a crop-destroying autumnal cloud of loud roars. Taking out of thy quiver and shooting thy keen shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison fight with myself only, like (the asura) Andhaka fighting with the three-eyed deity." Thus addressed, Pandya answered, "So be it." Then Drona's son, telling him "Strike," assailed him with vigour. In return, Malayadhwaja pierced the son of Drona with a barbed arrow. Then Drona's son, that best of preceptors, smiling the while, struck Pandya with some fierce arrows, capable of penetrating into the very vitals and resembling flames of fire. Then Ashvatthama once more sped at his foe some other large arrows equipped with keen points and capable of piercing the very vitals, causing them to course through the welkin with the ten different kinds of motion. Pandya, however, with nine shafts of his cut off all those arrows of his antagonist. With four other shafts he afflicted the four steeds of his foe, at which they speedily expired. Having then, with his sharp shafts, cut off the arrows of Drona's son, Pandya then cut off the stretched bow-string of Ashvatthama, endued with the splendour of the sun. Then Drona's son, that slayer of foes, stringing his unstringed bow, and seeing that his men had meanwhile speedily yoked other excellent steeds unto his car, sped thousands of arrows (at his foe). By this, that regenerate one filled the entire welkin and the ten points of the compass with his arrows. Although knowing that those shafts of the high-souled son of Drona employed in shooting were really inexhaustible, yet Pandya, that bull among men, cut them all into pieces. The antagonist of Ashvatthama, carefully cutting off all those shafts shot by the latter, then slew with his own keen shafts the two protectors of the latter's car wheels in that encounter. Beholding the lightness of hand displayed by his foe, Drona's son, drawing his bow to a circle, began to shoot his arrows like a mass of clouds pouring torrents of rain. During that space of time, O sire, which consisted only of the eighth part of a day, the son of Drona shot as many arrows as were carried on eight carts each drawn by eight bullocks. Almost all those men that then beheld Ashvatthama, who at the time looked like the Destroyer himself filled with rage, or rather the Destroyer of the Destroyer, lost their senses. Like a mass of clouds at the close of summer drenching with torrents of rain, the Earth with her mountains and trees, the preceptor's son poured on that hostile force his arrowy shower. Baffling with the Vayavya weapon that unbearable shower of arrows shot by the Ashvatthama-cloud, the Pandya-wind, filled with joy, uttered loud roars. Then Drona's son cutting off the standard, smeared with sandal-paste and other perfumed unguents and bearing the device of the Malaya mountain on it, of the roaring Pandya, slew the four steeds of the latter. Slaying then his foe's driver with a single shaft, and cutting off with a crescent-shaped arrow the bow also of that warrior whose twang resembled the roar of the clouds, Ashvatthama cut off his enemy's car into minute fragments. Checking with the weapons those of his enemy, and cutting off all the weapons of the latter, Drona's son, although he obtained the opportunity to do his enemy the crowning evil, still slew him not, from desire of battling with him for some time more. Meanwhile Karna rushed against the large elephant force of the Pandavas and began to rout and destroy it. Depriving car-warriors of their cars, he struck elephants and steeds and human warriors, O Bharata, with innumerable straight shafts. That mighty bowman, the son of Drona, although he had made Pandya, that slayer of foes and foremost of car-warriors, carless, yet he did not slay him from desire of fight. At that time a huge riderless elephant with large tusks, well-equipped with all utensils of war, treading with speed, endued with great might, quick to proceed against any enemy, struck with Ashvatthama's shafts, advanced towards the direction of Pandya with great impetuosity, roaring against a hostile compeer. Beholding that prince of elephants, looking like a cloven mountain summit, Pandya, who was well acquainted with the method of fighting from the neck of an elephant, quickly ascended that beast like a lion springing with a loud roar to the top of a mountain summit. Then that lord of the prince of mountains, striking the elephant with the hook, and inspired with rage, and with that cool care for which he was distinguished in hurling weapons with great force, quickly sped a lance, bright as Surya's rays, at the preceptor's son and uttered a loud shout. Repeatedly shouting in joy, "Thou art slain, Thou art slain!" Pandya (with that lance) crushed to pieces the diadem of Drona's son adorned with foremost of jewels and diamonds of the first water and the very best kind of gold and excellent cloth and strings of pearls. That diadem possessed of the splendour of the Sun, the Moon, the planets, or the fire, in consequence of the violence of the stroke, fell down, split into fragments, like a mountain summit riven by Indra's thunder, falling down on the Earth with great noise. At this, Ashvatthama blazed up with exceeding rage like a prince of snakes struck with the foot, and took up four and ten shafts capable of inflicting great pain upon foes and each resembling the Destroyer's rod. With five of those shafts he cut off the four feet and the trunk of his adversary's elephant, and with three the two arms and the head of the king, and with six he slew the six mighty car-warriors, endued with great effulgence, that followed king Pandya. Those long and well-rounded arms of the king, smeared with excellent sandal-paste, and adorned with gold and pearls and gems and diamonds falling upon the Earth, began to writhe like a couple of snakes slain by Garuda. That head also, graced with a face bright as the full Moon, having a prominent nose and a pair of large eyes, red as copper with rage, adorned with earrings, falling on the ground, looked resplendent like the Moon himself between two bright constellations. The elephant, thus cut off by that skilful warrior into six pieces with those five shafts and the king into four pieces with those three shafts lay divided in all into ten pieces that looked like the sacrificial butter distributed into ten portions intended for the ten deities. Having cut off numerous steeds and men and elephants into pieces and offered them as food into the Rakshasas, king Pandya was thus quieted by Drona's son with his shafts like a blazing fire in a crematorium, extinguished with water after it has received a libation in the shape of a lifeless body. Then like the chief of the celestials joyfully worshipping Vishnu after the subjugation of the Asura Vali, thy son, the king, accompanied by his brothers approaching the preceptor's son worshipped with great respect that warrior who is a complete master of the science of arms, after indeed, he had completed the task he had undertaken."

8.16.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
पाण्ड्ये हते किमकरोदर्जुनो युधि संजय
एकवीरेण कर्णेन द्रावितेषु परेषु च

8.16.2

समाप्तविद्यो बलवान्युक्तो वीरश्च पाण्डवः
सर्वभूतेष्वनुज्ञातः शंकरेण महात्मना

8.16.3

तस्मान्महद्भयं तीव्रममित्रघ्नाद्धनंजयात्
स यत्तत्राकरोत्पार्थस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय

8.16.4

संजय उवाच
हते पाण्ड्येऽर्जुनं कृष्णस्त्वरन्नाह वचो हितम्
पश्यातिमान्यं राजानमपयातांश्च पाण्डवान्

8.16.5

अश्वत्थाम्नश्च संकल्पाद्धताः कर्णेन सृञ्जयाः
तथाश्वनरनागानां कृतं च कदनं महत्
इत्याचष्ट सुदुर्धर्षो वासुदेवः किरीटिने

8.16.6

एतच्छ्रुत्वा च दृष्ट्वा च भ्रातुर्घोरं महद्भयम्
वाहयाश्वान्हृषीकेश क्षिप्रमित्याह पाण्डवः

8.16.7

ततः प्रायाद्धृषीकेशो रथेनाप्रतियोधिना
दारुणश्च पुनस्तत्र प्रादुरासीत्समागमः

8.16.8

ततः प्रववृते भूयः संग्रामो राजसत्तम
कर्णस्य पाण्डवानां च यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनः

8.16.9

धनूंषि बाणान्परिघानसितोमरपट्टिशान्
मुसलानि भुशुण्डीश्च शक्तिऋष्टिपरश्वधान्

8.16.10

गदाः प्रासानसीन्कुन्तान्भिण्डिपालान्महाङ्कुशान्
प्रगृह्य क्षिप्रमापेतुः परस्परजिगीषया

8.16.11

बाणज्यातलशब्देन द्यां दिशः प्रदिशो वियत्
पृथिवीं नेमिघोषेण नादयन्तोऽभ्ययुः परान्

8.16.12

तेन शब्देन महता संहृष्टाश्चक्रुराहवम्
वीरा वीरैर्महाघोरं कलहान्तं तितीर्षवः

8.16.13

ज्यातलत्रधनुःशब्दाः कुञ्जराणां च बृंहितम्
ताडितानां च पततां निनादः सुमहानभूत्

8.16.14

बाणशब्दांश्च विविधाञ्शूराणामभिगर्जताम्
श्रुत्वा शब्दं भृशं त्रेसुर्जघ्नुर्मम्लुश्च भारत

8.16.15

तेषां नानद्यतां चैव शस्त्रवृष्टिं च मुञ्चताम्
बहूनाधिरथिः कर्णः प्रममाथ रणेषुभिः

8.16.16

पञ्च पाञ्चालवीराणां रथान्दश च पञ्च च
साश्वसूतध्वजान्कर्णः शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

8.16.17

योधमुख्या महावीर्याः पाण्डूनां कर्णमाहवे
शीघ्रास्त्रा दिवमावृत्य परिवव्रुः समन्ततः

8.16.18

ततः कर्णो द्विषत्सेनां शरवर्षैर्विलोडयन्
विजगाहेऽण्डजापूर्णां पद्मिनीमिव यूथपः

8.16.19

द्विषन्मध्यमवस्कन्द्य राधेयो धनुरुत्तमम्
विधुन्वानः शितैर्बाणैः शिरांस्युन्मथ्य पातयत्

8.16.20

चर्मवर्माणि संछिन्द्य निर्वापमिव देहिनाम्
विषेहुर्नास्य संपर्कं द्वितीयस्य पतत्रिणः

8.16.21

वर्मदेहासुमथनैर्धनुषः प्रच्युतैः शरैः
मौर्व्या तलत्रैर्न्यवधीत्कशया वाजिनो यथा

8.16.22

पाण्डुसृञ्जयपाञ्चालाञ्शरगोचरमानयत्
ममर्द कर्णस्तरसा सिंहो मृगगणानिव

8.16.23

ततः पाञ्चालपुत्राश्च द्रौपदेयाश्च मारिष
यमौ च युयुधानश्च सहिताः कर्णमभ्ययुः

8.16.24

व्यायच्छमानाः सुभृशं कुरुपाण्डवसृञ्जयाः
प्रियानसून्रणे त्यक्त्वा योधा जग्मुः परस्परम्

8.16.25

सुसंनद्धाः कवचिनः सशिरस्त्राणभूषणाः
गदाभिर्मुसलैश्चान्ये परिघैश्च महारथाः

8.16.26

समभ्यधावन्त भृशं देवा दण्डैरिवोद्यतैः
नदन्तश्चाह्वयन्तश्च प्रवल्गन्तश्च मारिष

8.16.27

ततो निजघ्नुरन्योन्यं पेतुश्चाहवताडिताः
वमन्तो रुधिरं गात्रैर्विमस्तिष्केक्षणा युधि

8.16.28

दन्तपूर्णैः सरुधिरैर्वक्त्रैर्दाडिमसंनिभैः
जीवन्त इव चाप्येते तस्थुः शस्त्रोपबृंहिताः

8.16.29

परस्परं चाप्यपरे पट्टिशैरसिभिस्तथा
शक्तिभिर्भिण्डिपालैश्च नखरप्रासतोमरैः

8.16.30

ततक्षुश्चिच्छिदुश्चान्ये बिभिदुश्चिक्षिपुस्तथा
संचकर्तुश्च जघ्नुश्च क्रुद्धा निर्बिभिदुश्च ह

8.16.31

पेतुरन्योन्यनिहता व्यसवो रुधिरोक्षिताः
क्षरन्तः स्वरसं रक्तं प्रकृताश्चन्दना इव

8.16.32

रथै रथा विनिहता हस्तिनश्चापि हस्तिभिः
नरा नरवरैः पेतुरश्वाश्चाश्वैः सहस्रशः

8.16.33

ध्वजाः शिरांसि च्छत्राणि द्विपहस्ता नृणां भुजाः
क्षुरैर्भल्लार्धचन्द्रैश्च छिन्नाः शस्त्राणि तत्यजुः

8.16.34

नरांश्च नागांश्च रथान्हयान्ममृदुराहवे
अश्वारोहैर्हताः शूराश्छिन्नहस्ताश्च दन्तिनः

8.16.35

सपताका ध्वजाः पेतुर्विशीर्णा इव पर्वताः
पत्तिभिश्च समाप्लुत्य द्विरदाः स्यन्दनास्तथा

8.16.36

प्रहता हन्यमानाश्च पतिताश्चैव सर्वशः
अश्वारोहाः समासाद्य त्वरिताः पत्तिभिर्हताः
सादिभिः पत्तिसंघाश्च निहता युधि शेरते

8.16.37

मृदितानीव पद्मानि प्रम्लाना इव च स्रजः
हतानां वदनान्यासन्गात्राणि च महामते

8.16.38

रूपाण्यत्यर्थकाम्यानि द्विरदाश्वनृणां नृप
समुन्नानीव वस्त्राणि प्रापुर्दुर्दर्शतां परम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'When Pandya had been slain and when that foremost of heroes, viz., Karna was employed in routing and destroying the foe, what, O Sanjaya, did Arjuna do in battle? That son of Pandu is a hero, endued with great might, attentive to his duties, and a complete master of the science of arms. The high-souled Sankara himself hath made him invincible among all creatures. My greatest fears proceed from that Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes. Tell me, O Sanjaya, all that Partha achieved there on that occasion.'

"Sanjaya said, 'After Pandya's fall, Krishna quickly said unto Arjuna these beneficial words, "I do not behold the King. The other Pandavas also have retreated. If the Parthas had returned, the vast force of the enemy would have been broken. In fulfilment of purposes entertained by Ashvatthama, Karna is slaying the Srinjayas. A great carnage is being made (by that warrior) of steeds and car-warriors and elephants." Thus the heroic Vasudeva represented everything unto the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Hearing of and beholding that great danger of his brother (Yudhishthira), Partha quickly addressed Krishna, saying, "Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha." Then Hrishikesha proceeded on that irresistible car. The encounter then that once more took place became exceedingly fierce. The Kurus and the Pandavas once more fearlessly closed with each other, that is, the Parthas headed by Bhimasena and ourselves headed by the Suta's son. Then, O best of kings, there once more commenced a battle between Karna and the Pandavas that swelled the population of Yama's kingdom. With bows and arrows and spiked clubs and swords and lances and axes and short clubs and Bhushundis and darts and rapiers and battle-axes and maces and spears and polished Kuntas, and short shafts and hooks, the combatants quickly fell upon one another, desirous of taking one another's life. Filling the welkin, the cardinal points of the compass, the subsidiary ones, the firmament, and the Earth, with the whizz of arrows, the twang of bow-strings, the sound of palms, and the clatter of car-wheels, foes rushed upon foes. Gladdened by that loud noise, heroes, fought with heroes desirous of reaching the end of the hostilities. Loud became the noise caused by the sound of bow-strings and fences and bows, the grunt of elephants, and the shouts of foot-soldiers and falling men. Hearing the terrible whizz of arrows and the diverse shouts of brave warriors, the troops took fright, became pale, and fell down. Large numbers of those foes thus employed in shouting and shooting weapons, the heroic son of Adhiratha crushed with his arrows. With his shafts Karna then despatched to Yama's abode twenty car-warriors among the brave Pancala heroes, with their steeds, drivers, and standards. Then many foremost of warriors of the Pandava army, endued with great energy and quick in the use of weapons, speedily wheeling round, encompassed Karna on all sides. Karna agitated that hostile force with showers of weapons like the leader of an elephantine herd plunging into a lake adorned with lotuses and covered with swans. Penetrating into the midst of his foes, the son of Radha, shaking his best of bows, began to strike off and fell their heads with his sharp shafts. The shield and coats of mail of the warriors, cut off, fell down on the Earth. There was none amongst them that needed the touch of a second arrow of Karna's. Like a driver striking the steeds with the whip, Karna, with his shafts capable of crushing coats of mail and bodies and the life that quickened them, struck the fences (of his foes) perceivable only by their bow-strings. Like a lion grinding herds of deer, Karna speedily grinded all those Pandus and Srinjayas and Pancalas that came within range of his arrows. Then the chief of the Pancalas, and the sons of Draupadi, O sire, and the twins, and Yuyudhana, uniting together, proceeded against Karna. When those Kurus, and Pancalas and Pandus were thus engaged in battle, the other warriors, reckless of their very lives, began to strike at one another. Well-cased in armour and coats of mail and adorned with head-gears, combatants endued with great strength rushed at their foes, with maces and short clubs and spiked bludgeons looking like uplifted rods of the Destroyer, and jumping, O sire, and challenging one another, uttered loud shouts. They struck one another, and fell down, assailed by one another with blood rising from their limbs and deprived of brains and eyes and weapons. Covered with weapons, some, as they lay there with faces beautiful as pomegranates, having teeth-adorned mouths filled with blood, seemed to be alive. Others, in that vast ocean of battle, filled with rage mangled or cut or pierced or overthrew or lopped off or slew one another with battle-axes and short arrows and hooks and spears and lances. Slain by one another they fell down, covered with blood and deprived of life like sandal trees cut down with the axe falling down and shedding as they fall their cool blood-red juice. Cars destroyed by cars, elephants by elephants, men by men, and steeds by steeds, fell down in thousands. Standards, and heads, and umbrellas, and elephants, trunks, and human arms, cut off with razor-faced or broad-headed or crescent-shaped arrows, fell down on the Earth. Large numbers also of men, and elephants, and cars with steed yoked thereto, were crushed in that battle. Many brave warriors, slain by horsemen, fell down, and many tuskers, with their trunks cut off, and banners and standards (on their bodies), fell down like fallen mountains. Assailed by foot-soldiers, many elephants and cars, destroyed or in course of destruction, fell down on all sides. Horsemen, encountering foot-soldiers with activity, were slain by the latter. Similarly crowds of foot-soldiers, slain by horsemen, laid themselves down on the field. The faces and the limbs of those slain in that dreadful battle looked like crushed lotuses and faded floral wreaths. The beautiful forms of elephants and steeds and human beings, O king, then resembled cloths foul with dirt, and became exceedingly repulsive to look at.'"

8.17.1

संजय उवाच
हस्तिभिस्तु महामात्रास्तव पुत्रेण चोदिताः
धृष्टद्युम्नं जिघांसन्तः क्रुद्धाः पार्षतमभ्ययुः

8.17.2

प्राच्याश्च दाक्षिणात्याश्च प्रवीरा गजयोधिनः
अङ्गा वङ्गाश्च पुण्ड्राश्च मागधास्ताम्रलिप्तकाः

8.17.3

मेकलाः कोशला मद्रा दशार्णा निषधास्तथा
गजयुद्धेषु कुशलाः कलिङ्गैः सह भारत

8.17.4

शरतोमरनाराचैर्वृष्टिमन्त इवाम्बुदाः
सिषिचुस्ते ततः सर्वे पाञ्चालाचलमाहवे

8.17.5

तान्संमिमर्दिषुर्नागान्पार्ष्ण्यङ्गुष्ठाङ्कुशैर्भृशम्
पोथितान्पार्षतो बाणैर्नाराचैश्चाभ्यवीवृषत्

8.17.6

एकैकं दशभिः षड्भिरष्टाभिरपि भारत
द्विरदानभिविव्याध क्षिप्तैर्गिरिनिभाञ्शरैः
प्रच्छाद्यमानो द्विरदैर्मेघैरिव दिवाकरः

8.17.7

पर्यासुः पाण्डुपाञ्चाला नदन्तो निशितायुधाः
तान्नागानभिवर्षन्तो ज्यातन्त्रीशरनादितैः

8.17.8

नकुलः सहदेवश्च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः
सात्यकिश्च शिखण्डी च चेकितानश्च वीर्यवान्

8.17.9

ते म्लेच्छैः प्रेषिता नागा नरानश्वान्रथानपि
हस्तैराक्षिप्य ममृदुः पद्भिश्चाप्यतिमन्यवः

8.17.10

बिभिदुश्च विषाणाग्रैः समाक्षिप्य च चिक्षिपुः
विषाणलग्नैश्चाप्यन्ये परिपेतुर्विभीषणाः

8.17.11

प्रमुखे वर्तमानं तु द्विपं वङ्गस्य सात्यकिः
नाराचेनोग्रवेगेन भित्त्वा मर्मण्यपातयत्

8.17.12

तस्यावर्जितनागस्य द्विरदादुत्पतिष्यतः
नाराचेनाभिनद्वक्षः सोऽपतद्भुवि सात्यकेः

8.17.13

पुण्ड्रस्यापततो नागं चलन्तमिव पर्वतम्
सहदेवः प्रयत्नात्तैर्नाराचैर्व्यहनत्त्रिभिः

8.17.14

विपताकं वियन्तारं विवर्मध्वजजीवितम्
तं कृत्वा द्विरदं भूयः सहदेवोऽङ्गमभ्यगात्

8.17.15

सहदेवं तु नकुलो वारयित्वाङ्गमार्दयत्
नाराचैर्यमदण्डाभैस्त्रिभिर्नागं शतेन च

8.17.16

दिवाकरकरप्रख्यानङ्गश्चिक्षेप तोमरान्
नकुलाय शतान्यष्टौ त्रिधैकैकं तु सोऽच्छिनत्

8.17.17

तथार्धचन्द्रेण शिरस्तस्य चिच्छेद पाण्डवः
स पपात हतो म्लेच्छस्तेनैव सह दन्तिना

8.17.18

आचार्यपुत्रे निहते हस्तिशिक्षाविशारदे
अङ्गाः क्रुद्धा महामात्रा नागैर्नकुलमभ्ययुः

8.17.19

चलत्पताकैः प्रमुखैर्हेमकक्ष्यातनुच्छदैः
मिमर्दिषन्तस्त्वरिताः प्रदीप्तैरिव पर्वतैः

8.17.20

मेकलोत्कलकालिङ्गा निषादास्ताम्रलिप्तकाः
शरतोमरवर्षाणि विमुञ्चन्तो जिघांसवः

8.17.21

तैश्छाद्यमानं नकुलं दिवाकरमिवाम्बुदैः
परि पेतुः सुसंरब्धाः पाण्डुपाञ्चालसोमकाः

8.17.22

ततस्तदभवद्युद्धं रथिनां हस्तिभिः सह
सृजतां शरवर्षाणि तोमरांश्च सहस्रशः

8.17.23

नागानां प्रस्फुटुः कुम्भा मर्माणि विविधानि च
दन्ताश्चैवातिविद्धानां नाराचैर्भूषणानि च

8.17.24

तेषामष्टौ महानागांश्चतुःषष्ट्या सुतेजनैः
सहदेवो जघानाशु ते पेतुः सह सादिभिः

8.17.25

अञ्जोगतिभिरायम्य प्रयत्नाद्धनुरुत्तमम्
नाराचैरहनन्नागान्नकुलः कुरुनन्दन

8.17.26

ततः शैनेयपाञ्चाल्यौ द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः
शिखण्डी च महानागान्सिषिचुः शरवृष्टिभिः

8.17.27

ते पाण्डुयोधाम्बुधरैः शत्रुद्विरदपर्वताः
बाणवर्षैर्हताः पेतुर्वज्रवर्षैरिवाचलाः

8.17.28

एवं हत्वा तव गजांस्ते पाण्डुनरकुञ्जराः
द्रुतं सेनामवैक्षन्त भिन्नकूलामिवापगाम्

8.17.29

ते तां सेनामवालोक्य पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैनिकाः
विक्षोभयित्वा च पुनः कर्णमेवाभिदुद्रुवुः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Many elephant-warriors riding on their beasts, urged by thy son, proceeded against Dhrishtadyumna, filled with rage and desirous of compassing his destruction. Many foremost of combatants skilled in elephant-fight, belonging to the Easterners, the Southerners, the Angas, the Vangas, the Pundras, the Magadhas, the Tamraliptakas, the Mekalas, the Koshalas, the Madras, the Dasharnas, the Nishadas uniting with the Kalingas, O Bharata, and showering shafts and lances and arrows like pouring clouds, drenched the Pancala force therewith in that battle. Prishata's son covered with his arrows and shafts those (foe-crushing) elephants urged forward by their riders with heels and toes and hooks. Each of those beasts that were huge as hills, the Pancala hero pierced with ten, eight, or six whetted shafts, O Bharata. Beholding the prince of the Pancalas shrouded by those elephants like the Sun by the clouds, the Pandus and the Pancalas proceeded towards him (for his rescue) uttering loud roars and armed with sharp weapons. Pouring their weapons upon those elephants, those warriors began to dance the dance of heroes, aided by the music of their bow-strings and the sound of their palms, and urged by heroes beating the time. Then Nakula and Sahadeva, and the sons of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakas, and Satyaki, and Shikhandi, and Chekitana endued with great energy,--all those heroes--drenched those elephants from every side with their weapons, like the clouds drenching the hills with their showers. Those furious elephants, urged on by mleccha warriors dragging down with their trunks men and steeds and cars, crushed them with their feet. And some they pierced with the points of their tusks, and some they raised aloft and dashed down on the ground; others taken aloft on the tusks of those huge beasts, fell down inspiring spectators with fear. Then Satyaki, piercing the vitals of the elephant belonging to the king of the Vangas staying before him, with a long shaft endued with great impetuosity, caused it to fall down on the field of battle. Then Satyaki pierced with another long shaft the chest of the rider whom he could not hitherto touch, just as the latter was about to jump from the back of his beast. Thus struck by Satwata, he fell down on the Earth.

"'Meanwhile Sahadeva, with three shafts shot with great care, struck the elephant of Pundra, as it advanced against him like a moving mountain, depriving it of its standard and driver and armour and life. Having thus cut off that elephant, Sahadeva proceeded against the chief of the Angas.

"'Nakula, however, causing Sahadeva to desist, himself afflicted the ruler of the Angas with three long shafts, each resembling the rod of Yama, and his foe's elephant with a hundred arrows. Then the ruler of the Angas hurled at Nakula eight hundred lances bright as the rays of the Sun. Each of these Nakula cut off into three fragments. The son of Pandu then cut off the head of his antagonist with a crescent-shaped arrow. At this that mleccha king, deprived of life, fell down with the animal he rode. Upon the fall of the prince of the Angas who was well-skilled in elephant-lore, the elephant-men of the Angas, filled with rage, proceeded with speed against Nakula, on their elephants decked with banners that waved in the air, possessing excellent mouths, adorned with housings of gold, and looking like blazing mountains, from desire of crushing him to pieces. And many Mekalas and Utkalas, and Kalingas, and Nishadas, and Tamraliptakas, also advanced against Nakula, showering their shafts and lances, desirous of slaying him. Then the Pandus, the Pancalas, and the Somakas, filled with rage, rushed with speed for the rescue of Nakula shrouded by those warriors like the Sun by the clouds. Then occurred a fierce battle between those car-warriors and elephant-men, the former showering their arrows and shafts the latter their lances by thousands. The frontal globes and other limbs and the tusks and adornments of the elephants, exceedingly pierced with shafts, were split and mangled. Then Sahadeva, with four and sixty impetuous arrows, quickly slew eight of those huge elephants which fell down with their riders. And Nakula also, that delighter of his race, bending his excellent bow with great vigour, with many straight shafts, slew many elephants. Then the Pancala prince, and the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and the sons of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and Shikhandi, drenched those huge elephants with showers of shafts. Then in consequence of those rain-charged clouds constituted by the Pandava warriors, those hills constituted by the elephants of the foe, fell, struck down by torrents of rain formed by their numerous shafts, like real mountains struck down with a thunder-storm. Those leaders of the Pandava car-warriors then, thus slaying those elephants of thine cast their eyes on the hostile army, which, as it fled away at that time resembled a river whose continents had been washed away. Those warriors of Pandu's son, having thus agitated that army of thine, agitated it once more, and then rushed against Karna.'"

8.17.30

सहदेवं ततः क्रुद्धं दहन्तं तव वाहिनीम्
दुःशासनो महाराज भ्राता भ्रातरमभ्ययात्

8.17.31

तौ समेतौ महायुद्धे दृष्ट्वा तत्र नराधिपाः
सिंहनादरवांश्चक्रुर्वासांस्यादुधुवुश्च ह

8.17.32

ततो भारत क्रुद्धेन तव पुत्रेण धन्विना
पाण्डुपुत्रस्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्वक्षस्यभिहतो बली

8.17.33

सहदेवस्ततो राजन्नाराचेन तवात्मजम्
विद्ध्वा विव्याध सप्तत्या सारथिं च त्रिभिस्त्रिभिः

8.17.34

दुःशासनस्तदा राजंश्छित्त्वा चापं महाहवे
सहदेवं त्रिसप्तत्या बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत्

8.17.35

सहदेवस्ततः क्रुद्धः खड्गं गृह्य महाहवे
व्याविध्यत युधां श्रेष्ठः श्रीमांस्तव सुतं प्रति

8.17.36

समार्गणगणं चापं छित्त्वा तस्य महानसिः
निपपात ततो भूमौ च्युतः सर्प इवाम्बरात्

8.17.37

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय सहदेवः प्रतापवान्
दुःशासनाय चिक्षेप बाणमन्तकरं ततः

8.17.38

तमापतन्तं विशिखं यमदण्डोपमत्विषम्
खड्गेन शितधारेण द्विधा चिच्छेद कौरवः

8.17.39

तमापतन्तं सहसा निस्त्रिंशं निशितैः शरैः
पातयामास समरे सहदेवो हसन्निव

8.17.40

ततो बाणांश्चतुःषष्टिं तव पुत्रो महारणे
सहदेवरथे तूर्णं पातयामास भारत

8.17.41

ताञ्शरान्समरे राजन्वेगेनापततो बहून्
एकैकं पञ्चभिर्बाणैः सहदेवो न्यकृन्तत

8.17.42

स निवार्य महाबाणांस्तव पुत्रेण प्रेषितान्
अथास्मै सुबहून्बाणान्माद्रीपुत्रः समाचिनोत्

8.17.43

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज सहदेवः प्रतापवान्
समाधत्त शरं घोरं मृत्युकालान्तकोपमम्
विकृष्य बलवच्चापं तव पुत्राय सोऽसृजत्

8.17.44

स तं निर्भिद्य वेगेन भित्त्वा च कवचं महत्
प्राविशद्धरणीं राजन्वल्मीकमिव पन्नगः
ततः स मुमुहे राजंस्तव पुत्रो महारथः

8.17.45

मूढं चैनं समालक्ष्य सारथिस्त्वरितो रथम्
अपोवाह भृशं त्रस्तो वध्यमानं शितैः शरैः

8.17.46

पराजित्य रणे तं तु पाण्डवः पाण्डुपूर्वज
दुर्योधनबलं हृष्टः प्रामथद्वै समन्ततः

8.17.47

पिपीलिकापुटं राजन्यथामृद्नान्नरो रुषा
तथा सा कौरवी सेना मृदिता तेन भारत

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'While Sahadeva, filled with rage, was thus blasting thy host, Duhshasana, O great king, proceeded against him, the brother against the brother. Beholding those two engaged in dreadful combat, all the great car-warriors uttered leonine shouts and waved their garments. Then, O Bharata, the mighty son of Pandu was struck in the chest with three arrows by thy angry son armed with bow. Then Sahadeva, O king, having first pierced thy son with an arrow, pierced him again with seventy arrows, and then his driver with three. Then Duhshasana, O monarch, having cut off Sahadeva's bow in that great battle, pierced Sahadeva himself with three and seventy arrows in the arms and the chest. Then Sahadeva filled with rage, took up a sword, in that dreadful conflict, and whirling, hurled it quickly towards the car of thy son. Cutting off Duhshasana's bow with string and arrow fixed on it, that large sword fell down on the Earth like a snake from the firmament. Then the valiant Sahadeva taking up another bow, shot a deadly shaft at Duhshasana. The Kuru warrior, however, with his keen-edged sword, cut off into two fragments that shaft, bright as the rod of Death, as it coursed towards him. Then whirling that sharp sword, Duhshasana quickly hurled it in that battle as his foe. Meanwhile that valiant warrior took up another bow with a shaft. Sahadeva, however, with the greatest ease, cut off, with his keen shafts, that sword as it coursed towards him, and caused it to fall down in that battle. Then, O Bharata, thy son, in that dreadful battle, quickly sped four and sixty shafts at the car of Sahadeva. Sahadeva, however, O king, cut off every one of those numerous arrows as they coursed with great impetuosity towards him, with five shafts of his. Checking then those mighty shafts sped by thy son, Sahadeva, in that battle, sped a large number of arrows at his foe. Cutting off each of those shafts with three shafts of his, thy son uttered a loud shout, making the whole Earth resound with it. Then Duhshasana, O king, having pierced Sahadeva in that battle, struck the latter's driver with nine arrows. The valiant Sahadeva then, O monarch, filled with rage, fixed on his bow-string a terrible shaft resembling the Destroyer himself and forcibly drawing the bow, he sped that shaft at thy son. Piercing with great speed through his strong armour and body, that shaft entered the Earth, O king, like a snake penetrating into an ant-hill. Then thy son, that great car-warrior, swooned away, O king. Beholding him deprived of his senses, his driver quickly took away the car, himself forcibly struck all the while with keen arrows. Having vanquished the Kuru warrior thus, the son of Pandu, beholding Duryodhana's division, began to crush it on all sides. Indeed, O king, as a man excited with wrath crushes swarm of ants, even so, O Bharata did that son of Pandu begin to crush the Kaurava host.'"

8.17.48

नकुलं रभसं युद्धे दारयन्तं वरूथिनीम्
कर्णो वैकर्तनो राजन्वारयामास वै तदा

8.17.49

नकुलश्च तदा कर्णं प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्
चिरस्य बत दृष्टोऽहं दैवतैः सौम्यचक्षुषा

8.17.50

यस्य मे त्वं रणे पाप चक्षुर्विषयमागतः
त्वं हि मूलमनर्थानां वैरस्य कलहस्य च

8.17.51

त्वद्दोषात्कुरवः क्षीणाः समासाद्य परस्परम्
त्वामद्य समरे हत्वा कृतकृत्योऽस्मि विज्वरः

8.17.52

एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच नकुलं सूतनन्दनः
सदृशं राजपुत्रस्य धन्विनश्च विशेषतः

8.17.53

प्रहरस्व रणे बाल पश्यामस्तव पौरुषम्
कर्म कृत्वा रणे शूर ततः कत्थितुमर्हसि

8.17.54

अनुक्त्वा समरे तात शूरा युध्यन्ति शक्तितः
स युध्यस्व मया शक्त्या विनेष्ये दर्पमद्य ते

8.17.55

इत्युक्त्वा प्राहरत्तूर्णं पाण्डुपुत्राय सूतजः
विव्याध चैनं समरे त्रिसप्तत्या शिलीमुखैः

8.17.56

नकुलस्तु ततो विद्धः सूतपुत्रेण भारत
अशीत्याशीविषप्रख्यैः सूतपुत्रमविध्यत

8.17.57

तस्य कर्णो धनुश्छित्त्वा स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः
त्रिंशता परमेष्वासः शरैः पाण्डवमार्दयत्

8.17.58

ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे
आशीविषा यथा नागा भित्त्वा गां सलिलं पपुः

8.17.59

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम्
कर्णं विव्याध विंशत्या सारथिं च त्रिभिः शरैः

8.17.60

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज नकुलः परवीरहा
क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन कर्णस्य धनुरच्छिनत्

8.17.61

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं सायकानां शतैस्त्रिभिः
आजघ्ने प्रहसन्वीरः सर्वलोकमहारथम्

8.17.62

कर्णमभ्यर्दितं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डुपुत्रेण मारिष
विस्मयं परमं जग्मू रथिनः सह दैवतैः

8.17.63

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय कर्णो वैकर्तनस्तदा
नकुलं पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्जत्रुदेशे समार्दयत्

8.17.64

उरःस्थैरथ तैर्बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रो व्यरोचत
स्वरश्मिभिरिवादित्यो भुवने विसृजन्प्रभाम्

8.17.65

नकुलस्तु ततः कर्णं विद्ध्वा सप्तभिरायसैः
अथास्य धनुषः कोटिं पुनश्चिच्छेद मारिष

8.17.66

सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय समरे वेगवत्तरम्
नकुलस्य ततो बाणैः सर्वतोऽवारयद्दिशः

8.17.67

संछाद्यमानः सहसा कर्णचापच्युतैः शरैः
चिच्छेद स शरांस्तूर्णं शरैरेव महारथः

8.17.68

ततो बाणमयं जालं विततं व्योम्न्यदृश्यत
खद्योतानां गणैरेव संपतद्भिर्यथा नभः

8.17.69

तैर्विमुक्तैः शरशतैश्छादितं गगनं तदा
शलभानां यथा व्रातैस्तद्वदासीत्समाकुलम्

8.17.70

ते शरा हेमविकृताः संपतन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः
श्रेणीकृता अभासन्त हंसाः श्रेणीगता इव

8.17.71

बाणजालावृते व्योम्नि छादिते च दिवाकरे
समसर्पत्ततो भूतं किंचिदेव विशां पते

8.17.72

निरुद्धे तत्र मार्गे तु शरसंघैः समन्ततः
व्यरोचतां महाभागौ बालसूर्याविवोदितौ

8.17.73

कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैर्वध्यमानास्तु सोमकाः
अवालीयन्त राजेन्द्र वेदनार्ताः शरार्दिताः

8.17.74

नकुलस्य तथा बाणैर्वध्यमाना चमूस्तव
व्यशीर्यत दिशो राजन्वातनुन्ना इवाम्बुदाः

8.17.75

ते सेने वध्यमाने तु ताभ्यां दिव्यैर्महाशरैः
शरपातमपक्रम्य ततः प्रेक्षकवत्स्थिते

8.17.76

प्रोत्सारिते जने तस्मिन्कर्णपाण्डवयोः शरैः
विव्याधाते महात्मानावन्योन्यं शरवृष्टिभिः

8.17.77

निदर्शयन्तौ त्वस्त्राणि दिव्यानि रणमूर्धनि
छादयन्तौ च सहसा परस्परवधैषिणौ

8.17.78

नकुलेन शरा मुक्ताः कङ्कबर्हिणवाससः
ते तु कर्णमवच्छाद्य व्यतिष्ठन्त यथा परे

8.17.79

शरवेश्मप्रविष्टौ तौ ददृशाते न कैश्चन
चन्द्रसूर्यौ यथा राजंश्छाद्यमानौ जलागमे

8.17.80

ततः क्रुद्धो रणे कर्णः कृत्वा घोरतरं वपुः
पाण्डवं छादयामास समन्ताच्छरवृष्टिभिः

8.17.81

स च्छाद्यमानः समरे सूतपुत्रेण पाण्डवः
न चकार व्यथां राजन्भास्करो जलदैर्यथा

8.17.82

ततः प्रहस्याधिरथिः शरजालानि मारिष
प्रेषयामास समरे शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.17.83

एकच्छायमभूत्सर्वं तस्य बाणैर्महात्मनः
अभ्रच्छायेव संजज्ञे संपतद्भिः शरोत्तमैः

8.17.84

ततः कर्णो महाराज धनुश्छित्त्वा महात्मनः
सारथिं पातयामास रथनीडाद्धसन्निव

8.17.85

तथाश्वांश्चतुरश्चास्य चतुर्भिर्निशितैः शरैः
यमस्य सदनं तूर्णं प्रेषयामास भारत

8.17.86

अथास्य तं रथं तूर्णं तिलशो व्यधमच्छरैः
पताकां चक्ररक्षौ च ध्वजं खड्गं च मारिष
शतचन्द्रं ततश्चर्म सर्वोपकरणानि च

8.17.87

हताश्वो विरथश्चैव विवर्मा च विशां पते
अवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं परिघं गृह्य विष्ठितः

8.17.88

तमुद्यतं महाघोरं परिघं तस्य सूतजः
व्यहनत्सायकै राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.17.89

व्यायुधं चैनमालक्ष्य शरैः संनतपर्वभिः
आर्दयद्बहुशः कर्णो न चैनं समपीडयत्

8.17.90

स वध्यमानः समरे कृतास्त्रेण बलीयसा
प्राद्रवत्सहसा राजन्नकुलो व्याकुलेन्द्रियः

8.17.91

तमभिद्रुत्य राधेयः प्रहसन्वै पुनः पुनः
सज्यमस्य धनुः कण्ठे सोऽवासृजत भारत

8.17.92

ततः स शुशुभे राजन्कण्ठासक्तमहाधनुः
परिवेषमनुप्राप्तो यथा स्याद्व्योम्नि चन्द्रमाः
यथैव च सितो मेघः शक्रचापेन शोभितः

8.17.93

तमब्रवीत्तदा कर्णो व्यर्थं व्याहृतवानसि
वदेदानीं पुनर्हृष्टो वध्यं मां त्वं पुनः पुनः

8.17.94

मा योत्सीर्गुरुभिः सार्धं बलवद्भिश्च पाण्डव
सदृशैस्तात युध्यस्व व्रीडां मा कुरु पाण्डव
गृहं वा गच्छ माद्रेय यत्र वा कृष्णफल्गुनौ

8.17.95

एवमुक्त्वा महाराज व्यसर्जयत तं ततः
वधप्राप्तं तु तं राजन्नावधीत्सूतनन्दनः
स्मृत्वा कुन्त्या वचो राजंस्तत एनं व्यसर्जयत्

8.17.96

विसृष्टः पाण्डवो राजन्सूतपुत्रेण धन्विना
व्रीडन्निव जगामाथ युधिष्ठिररथं प्रति

8.17.97

आरुरोह रथं चापि सूतपुत्रप्रतापितः
निःश्वसन्दुःखसंतप्तः कुम्भे क्षिप्त इवोरगः

8.17.98

तं विसृज्य रणे कर्णः पाञ्चालांस्त्वरितो ययौ
रथेनातिपताकेन चन्द्रवर्णहयेन च

8.17.99

तत्राक्रन्दो महानासीत्पाण्डवानां विशां पते
दृष्ट्वा सेनापतिं यान्तं पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्

8.17.100

तत्राकरोन्महाराज कदनं सूतनन्दनः
मध्यं गते दिनकरे चक्रवत्प्रचरन्प्रभुः

8.17.101

भग्नचक्रै रथैः केचिच्छिन्नध्वजपताकिभिः
ससूतैर्हतसूतैश्च भग्नाक्षैश्चैव मारिष
ह्रियमाणानपश्याम पाञ्चालानां रथव्रजान्

8.17.102

तत्र तत्र च संभ्रान्ता विचेरुर्मत्तकुञ्जराः
दवाग्निना परीताङ्गा यथैव स्युर्महावने

8.17.103

भिन्नकुम्भा विरुधिराश्छिन्नहस्ताश्च वारणाः
भिन्नगात्रवराश्चैव च्छिन्नवालाश्च मारिष
छिन्नाभ्राणीव संपेतुर्वध्यमाना महात्मना

8.17.104

अपरे त्रासिता नागा नाराचशततोमरैः
तमेवाभिमुखा यान्ति शलभा इव पावकम्

8.17.105

अपरे निष्टनन्तः स्म व्यदृश्यन्त महाद्विपाः
क्षरन्तः शोणितं गात्रैर्नगा इव जलप्लवम्

8.17.106

उरश्छदैर्विमुक्ताश्च वालबन्धैश्च वाजिनः
राजतैश्च तथा कांस्यैः सौवर्णैश्चैव भूषणैः

8.17.107

हीना आस्तरणैश्चैव खलीनैश्च विवर्जिताः
चामरैश्च कुथाभिश्च तूणीरैः पतितैरपि

8.17.108

निहतैः सादिभिश्चैव शूरैराहवशोभिभिः
अपश्याम रणे तत्र भ्राम्यमाणान्हयोत्तमान्

8.17.109

प्रासैः खड्गैश्च संस्यूतानृष्टिभिश्च नराधिप
हययोधानपश्याम कञ्चुकोष्णीषधारिणः

8.17.110

रथान्हेमपरिष्कारान्सुयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः
भ्रममाणानपश्याम हतेषु रथिषु द्रुतम्

8.17.111

भग्नाक्षकूबरान्कांश्चिच्छिन्नचक्रांश्च मारिष
विपताकाध्वजांश्चान्याञ्छिन्नेषायुगबन्धुरान्

8.17.112

विहीनान्रथिनस्तत्र धावमानान्समन्ततः
सूर्यपुत्रशरैस्त्रस्तानपश्याम विशां पते

8.17.113

विशस्त्रांश्च तथैवान्यान्सशस्त्रांश्च बहून्हतान्
तावकाञ्जालसंछन्नानुरोघण्टाविभूषितान्

8.17.114

नानावर्णविचित्राभिः पताकाभिरलंकृतान्
पदातीनन्वपश्याम धावमानान्समन्ततः

8.17.115

शिरांसि बाहूनूरूंश्च छिन्नानन्यांस्तथा युधि
कर्णचापच्युतैर्बाणैरपश्याम विनाकृतान्

8.17.116

महान्व्यतिकरो रौद्रो योधानामन्वदृश्यत
कर्णसायकनुन्नानां हतानां निशितैः शरैः

8.17.117

ते वध्यमानाः समरे सूतपुत्रेण सृञ्जयाः
तमेवाभिमुखा यान्ति पतंगा इव पावकम्

8.17.118

तं दहन्तमनीकानि तत्र तत्र महारथम्
क्षत्रिया वर्जयामासुर्युगान्ताग्निमिवोल्बणम्

8.17.119

हतशेषास्तु ये वीराः पाञ्चालानां महारथाः
तान्प्रभग्नान्द्रुतान्कर्णः पृष्ठतो विकिरञ्शरैः
अभ्यधावत तेजस्वी विशीर्णकवचध्वजान्

8.17.120

तापयामास तान्बाणैः सूतपुत्रो महारथः
मध्यंदिनमनुप्राप्तो भूतानीव तमोनुदः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'While Nakula was employed in destroying and routing the Kaurava divisions in battle with great force, Vikartana's son Karna, filled with rage, checked him, O king. Then Nakula smiling the while, addressed Karna, and said, "After a long time, through the favour of the gods, I am seen by thee, and thou also, O wretch, dost become the object of my sight. Thou art the root of all these evils, this hostility, this quarrel. It is through thy faults that the Kauravas are being thinned, encountering one another. Slaying thee in battle today, I will regard myself as one that has achieved his object, and the fever of my heart will be dispelled." Thus addressed by Nakula, the Suta's son said unto him the following words befitting a prince and a bowman in particular, "Strike me, O hero. We desire to witness thy manliness. Having achieved some feats in battle, O brave warrior, thou shouldst then boast. O sire, they that are heroes fight in battle to the best of their powers, without indulging in brag. Fight now with me to the best of thy might. I will quell thy pride." Having said these words the Suta's son quickly struck the son of Pandu and pierced him, in that encounter, with three and seventy shafts. Then Nakula, O Bharata, thus pierced by the Suta's son, pierced the latter in return with eighty shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. Then Karna, that great bowman, cutting off his antagonist's bow with a number of arrows winged with gold and whetted on stone, afflicted him with thirty arrows. Those arrows, piercing through his armour drank his blood in that battle, like the Nagas of virulent poison drinking water after having pierced through the Earth. Then Nakula, taking up another formidable bow whose back was decked with gold, pierced Karna with twenty arrows and his driver with three. Then, O monarch, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Nakula, filled with rage, cut off Karna's bow with a razor-headed shaft of great keenness. Smiling the while, the heroic son of Pandu then struck the bowless Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, with three hundred arrows. Beholding Karna thus afflicted, O sire, by the son of Pandu, all the carwarriors there, with the gods (in the welkin), were filled with great wonder. Then Vikartana's son Karna taking up another bow, struck Nakula with five arrows in the shoulder-joint. With those arrows sticking to him here, the son of Madri looked resplendent like the Sun with his own rays while shedding his light on the Earth. Then Nakula piercing Karna with seven shafts, once more, O sire, cut off one of the horns of Karna's bow. Then Karna, taking up in that battle a tougher bow, filled the welkin on every side of Nakula with his arrows. The mighty car-warrior, Nakula, however, thus suddenly shrouded with the arrows shot from Karna's bow quickly cut off all those shafts with shafts of his own. Then was seen overspread in the welkin a vast number of arrows like to the spectacle presented by the sky when it is filled with myriads of roving fireflies. Indeed, the sky shrouded with those hundreds of arrows shot (by both the warriors) looked, O monarch, as if it was covered with flights of locusts. Those arrows, decked with gold, issuing repeatedly in continuous lines, looked beautiful like rows of cranes while flying through the welkin. When the sky was thus covered with showers of arrows and the sun himself hid from the view, no creature ranging the air could descend on the Earth. When all sides were thus covered with showers of arrows, those two high-souled warriors looked resplendent like two Suns risen at the end of the Yuga. Slaughtered with the shafts issuing from Karna's bow the Somakas, O monarch, greatly afflicted and feeling much pain, began to breathe their last. Similarly, thy warriors, struck with the shafts of Nakula, dispersed on all sides, O king, like clouds tossed by the wind. The two armies thus slaughtered by those two warriors with their mighty celestial shafts, retreated from the range of those arrows and stood as spectators of the encounter. When both the armies were driven off by means of the shafts of Karna and Nakula, those two high-souled warriors began to pierce each other with showers of shafts. Displaying their celestial weapons on the field of battle, they quickly shrouded each other, each desirous of compassing the destruction of the other. The shafts shot by Nakula, dressed with Kanka and peacock feathers, shrouding the Suta's son, seemed to stay in the welkin. Similarly, the shafts sped by the Suta's son in that dreadful battle, shrouding the son of Pandu, seemed to stay in the welkin. Shrouded within arrowy chambers, both the warriors became invisible, like the Sun and the Moon, O king, hidden by the clouds. Then Karna, filled with rage and assuming a terrible aspect in the battle, covered the son of Pandu with showers of arrows from every side. Completely covered, O monarch, by the Suta's son, the son of Pandu felt no pain like the Maker of day when covered by the clouds. The son of Adhiratha then, smiling the while, sped arrowy lines, O sire, in hundreds and thousands, in that battle. With those shafts of the high-souled Karna, an extensive shade seemed to rest on the field of battle. Indeed, with those excellent shafts constantly issuing out (of his bow), a shade was caused there like that formed by the clouds. Then Karna, O monarch, cutting off the bow of the high-souled Nakula, felled the latter's driver from the car-niche with the greatest ease. With four keen shafts, next, he quickly despatched the four steeds of Nakula, O Bharata, to the abode of Yama. With his shafts, he also cut off into minute fragments that excellent car of his antagonist as also his standard and the protectors of his car-wheels, and mace, and sword, and shield decked with a hundred moons, and other utensils and equipments of battle. Then Nakula, steedless and carless and armourless, O monarch, quickly alighting from his car, stood, armed with a spiked bludgeon. Even that terrible bludgeon, so uplifted by the son of Pandu, the Suta's son, O king, cut off with many keen arrows capable of bearing a great strain. Beholding his adversary weaponless. Karna began to strike him with many straight shafts, but took care not to afflict him greatly. Thus struck in that battle by that mighty warrior accomplished in weapons, Nakula, O king, fled away precipitately in great affliction. Laughing repeatedly, the son of Radha pursued him and placed his stringed bow, O Bharata, around the neck of the retreating Nakula. With the large bow around his neck, O king, the son of Pandu looked resplendent like Moon in the firmament when within a circular halo of light, or a white cloud girdled round by Indra's bow. Then Karna, addressing him, said, "The words thou hadst uttered were futile. Canst thou utter them now once more in joy, repeatedly struck as thou art by me? Do not, O son of Pandu, fight again with those amongst the Kurus that are possessed of greater might. O child, fight with them that are thy equals. Do not, O son of Pandu, feel any shame for it. Return home, O son of Madri, or go thither where Krishna and Phalguna are." Having addressed him thus he abandoned him then. Acquainted with morality as the brave Karna was, he did not then slay Nakula who was already within the jaws of death. Recollecting the words of Kunti, O king, Karna let Nakula go. The son of Pandu, thus let off, O king, by that bowman, Suta's son, proceeded towards Yudhishthira's car in great shame. Scorched by the Suta's son, he then ascended his brother's car, and burning with grief he continued to sigh like a snake kept within a jar. Meanwhile Karna, having vanquished Nakula, quickly proceeded against the Pancalas, riding on that car of his which bore many gorgeous pennons and whose steeds were as white as the Moon. There, O monarch, a great uproar arose among the Pandavas when they saw the leader of the Kaurava army proceeding towards the Pancala car-throngs. The Suta's son, O monarch, made a great massacre there at that hour when the Sun had reached the meridian, that puissant warrior careering all the while with the activity of a wheel. We beheld many Pancala car-warriors borne away from the battle on their steedless and driverless cars with broken wheels and broken axles and with standards and pennons also that were broken and torn, O sire. And many elephants were seen to wander there in all directions (with limbs scorched by arrows) like individuals of their species in the wide forest with limbs scorched and burned in a forest conflagration. Others with their frontal globes split open, or bathed in blood, or with trunks lopped off, or with their armour cut down, or their tails lopped off, fell down, struck by the high-souled Karna, like straggling clouds. Other elephants, frightened by the shafts and lances of Radha's son proceeded against Radha's son himself like insects towards a blazing fire. Other huge elephants were seen striking against one another and shedding blood from various limbs like mountains with rillets running down their breasts. Steeds of the foremost breed, divested of breast-plates and their ornaments of silver and brass and gold, destitute of trappings and bridle-bits and yak-tails and saddle-cloths, with quivers fallen off from their backs, and with their heroic riders,--ornaments of battle,--slain, were seen wandering here and there on the field. Pierced and cut with lances and scimitars and swords, O Bharata, we beheld many a horseman adorned with armour and head-gear, slain or in course of being slain or trembling with fear, and deprived, O Bharata, of diverse limbs. Cars also, decked with gold, and unto which were yoked steeds of great fleetness, were seen by us dragged with exceeding speed hither and thither, their riders having been slain. Some of these had their axles and poles broken, and some, O Bharata, had their wheels broken; and some were without banners and standards, and some were divested of their shafts. Many car-warriors also were seen there, by us, O monarch, wandering all around, deprived of their cars and scorched with the shafts of the Suta's son. And some destitute of weapons and some with weapons still in their arms were seen lying lifeless on the field in large numbers. And many elephants also were seen by us, wandering in all directions, studded with clusters of stars, adorned with rows of beautiful bells, and decked with variegated banners of diverse hues. Heads and arms and chests and other limbs, cut off with shafts sped from Karna's bow, were beheld by us lying around. A great and fierce calamity overtook the warriors (of the Pandava army) as they fought with whetted arrows, and mangled as they were with the shafts of Karna. The Srinjayas, slaughtered in that battle by the Suta's son, blindly proceeded against the latter's self like insects rushing upon a blazing fire. Indeed, as that mighty car-warrior was engaged in scorching the Pandava divisions, the kshatriyas avoided him, regarding him to be the blazing Yuga fire. Those heroic and mighty car-warriors of the Pancala that survived the slaughter fled away. The brave Karna, however, pursued those broken and retreating warriors from behind, shooting his shafts at them. Endued with great energy, he pursued those combatants divested of armour and destitute of standards. Indeed, the Suta's son, possessed of great might, continued to scorch them with his shafts, like the dispeller of darkness scorching all creatures when he attains to the meridian.'"

8.18.1

संजय उवाच
युयुत्सुं तव पुत्रं तु प्राद्रवन्तं महद्बलम्
उलूकोऽभ्यपतत्तूर्णं तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

8.18.2

युयुत्सुस्तु ततो राजञ्शितधारेण पत्रिणा
उलूकं ताडयामास वज्रेणेन्द्र इवाचलम्

8.18.3

उलूकस्तु ततः क्रुद्धस्तव पुत्रस्य संयुगे
क्षुरप्रेण धनुश्छित्त्वा ताडयामास कर्णिना

8.18.4

तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नं युयुत्सुर्वेगवत्तरम्
अन्यदादत्त सुमहच्चापं संरक्तलोचनः

8.18.5

शाकुनिं च ततः षष्ट्या विव्याध भरतर्षभ
सारथिं त्रिभिरानर्छत्तं च भूयो व्यविध्यत

8.18.6

उलूकस्तं तु विंशत्या विद्ध्वा हेमविभूषितैः
अथास्य समरे क्रुद्धो ध्वजं चिच्छेद काञ्चनम्

8.18.7

स च्छिन्नयष्टिः सुमहाञ्शीर्यमाणो महाध्वजः
पपात प्रमुखे राजन्युयुत्सोः काञ्चनोज्ज्वलः

8.18.8

ध्वजमुन्मथितं दृष्ट्वा युयुत्सुः क्रोधमूर्छितः
उलूकं पञ्चभिर्बाणैराजघान स्तनान्तरे

8.18.9

उलूकस्तस्य भल्लेन तैलधौतेन मारिष
शिरश्चिच्छेद सहसा यन्तुर्भरतसत्तम

8.18.10

जघान चतुरोऽश्वांश्च तं च विव्याध पञ्चभिः
सोऽतिविद्धो बलवता प्रत्यपायाद्रथान्तरम्

8.18.11

तं निर्जित्य रणे राजन्नुलूकस्त्वरितो ययौ
पाञ्चालान्सृञ्जयांश्चैव विनिघ्नन्निशितैः शरैः

8.18.12

शतानीकं महाराज श्रुतकर्मा सुतस्तव
व्यश्वसूतरथं चक्रे निमेषार्धादसंभ्रमम्

8.18.13

हताश्वे तु रथे तिष्ठञ्शतानीको महाबलः
गदां चिक्षेप संक्रुद्धस्तव पुत्रस्य मारिष

8.18.14

सा कृत्वा स्यन्दनं भस्म हयांश्चैव ससारथीन्
पपात धरणीं तूर्णं दारयन्तीव भारत

8.18.15

तावुभौ विरथौ वीरौ कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धनौ
अपाक्रमेतां युद्धार्तौ प्रेक्षमाणौ परस्परम्

8.18.16

पुत्रस्तु तव संभ्रान्तो विवित्सो रथमाविशत्
शतानीकोऽपि त्वरितः प्रतिविन्ध्यरथं गतः

8.18.17

सुतसोमस्तु शकुनिं विव्याध निशितैः शरैः
नाकम्पयत संरब्धो वार्योघ इव पर्वतम्

8.18.18

सुतसोमस्तु तं दृष्ट्वा पितुरत्यन्तवैरिणम्
शरैरनेकसाहस्रैश्छादयामास भारत

8.18.19

ताञ्शराञ्शकुनिस्तूर्णं चिच्छेदान्यैः पतत्रिभिः
लघ्वस्त्रश्चित्रयोधी च जितकाशी च संयुगे

8.18.20

निवार्य समरे चापि शरांस्तान्निशितैः शरैः
आजघान सुसंक्रुद्धः सुतसोमं त्रिभिः शरैः

8.18.21

तस्याश्वान्केतनं सूतं तिलशो व्यधमच्छरैः
स्यालस्तव महावीर्यस्ततस्ते चुक्रुशुर्जनाः

8.18.22

हताश्वो विरथश्चैव छिन्नधन्वा च मारिष
धन्वी धनुर्वरं गृह्य रथाद्भूमावतिष्ठत
व्यसृजत्सायकांश्चैव स्वर्णपुङ्खाञ्शिलाशितान्

8.18.23

छादयामासुरथ ते तव स्यालस्य तं रथम्
पतंगानामिव व्राताः शरव्राता महारथम्

8.18.24

रथोपस्थान्समीक्ष्यापि विव्यथे नैव सौबलः
प्रमृद्नंश्च शरांस्तांस्ताञ्शरव्रातैर्महायशाः

8.18.25

तत्रातुष्यन्त योधाश्च सिद्धाश्चापि दिवि स्थिताः
सुतसोमस्य तत्कर्म दृष्ट्वाश्रद्धेयमद्भुतम्
रथस्थं नृपतिं तं तु पदातिः सन्नयोधयत्

8.18.26

तस्य तीक्ष्णैर्महावेगैर्भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः
व्यहनत्कार्मुकं राजा तूणीरं चैव सर्वशः

8.18.27

स च्छिन्नधन्वा समरे खड्गमुद्यम्य नानदन्
वैडूर्योत्पलवर्णाभं हस्तिदन्तमयत्सरुम्

8.18.28

भ्राम्यमाणं ततस्तं तु विमलाम्बरवर्चसम्
कालोपमं ततो मेने सुतसोमस्य धीमतः

8.18.29

सोऽचरत्सहसा खड्गी मण्डलानि सहस्रशः
चतुर्विंशन्महाराज शिक्षाबलसमन्वितः

8.18.30

सौबलस्तु ततस्तस्य शरांश्चिक्षेप वीर्यवान्
तानापतत एवाशु चिच्छेद परमासिना

8.18.31

ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज सौबलः परवीरहा
प्राहिणोत्सुतसोमस्य शरानाशीविषोपमान्

8.18.32

चिच्छेद तांश्च खड्गेन शिक्षया च बलेन च
दर्शयँल्लाघवं युद्धे तार्क्ष्यवीर्यसमद्युतिः

8.18.33

तस्य संचरतो राजन्मण्डलावर्तने तदा
क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन खड्गं चिच्छेद सुप्रभम्

8.18.34

स च्छिन्नः सहसा भूमौ निपपात महानसिः
अवशस्य स्थितं हस्ते तं खड्गं सत्सरुं तदा

8.18.35

छिन्नमाज्ञाय निस्त्रिंशमवप्लुत्य पदानि षट्
प्राविध्यत ततः शेषं सुतसोमो महारथः

8.18.36

स च्छित्त्वा सगुणं चापं रणे तस्य महात्मनः
पपात धरणीं तूर्णं स्वर्णवज्रविभूषितः
सुतसोमस्ततोऽगच्छच्छ्रुतकीर्तेर्महारथम्

8.18.37

सौबलोऽपि धनुर्गृह्य घोरमन्यत्सुदुःसहम्
अभ्ययात्पाण्डवानीकं निघ्नञ्शत्रुगणान्बहून्

8.18.38

तत्र नादो महानासीत्पाण्डवानां विशां पते
सौबलं समरे दृष्ट्वा विचरन्तमभीतवत्

8.18.39

तान्यनीकानि दृप्तानि शस्त्रवन्ति महान्ति च
द्राव्यमाणान्यदृश्यन्त सौबलेन महात्मना

8.18.40

यथा दैत्यचमूं राजन्देवराजो ममर्द ह
तथैव पाण्डवीं सेनां सौबलेयो व्यनाशयत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Against Yuyutsu who was employed in routing the vast army of thy son, Uluka proceeded with speed saying "Wait, Wait." Then Yuyutsu, O king, with a winged arrow of keen edge struck Uluka with great force, like (Indra himself striking ) a mountain with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Uluka, in that battle, cut off thy son's bow with a razor-headed arrow and struck thy son himself with a barbed shaft. Casting off that broken bow, Yuyutsu, with eyes red in wrath, took up another formidable bow endued with greater impetus. The prince then, O bull of Bharata's race, pierced Uluka with sixty arrows. Piercing next the driver of Uluka, Yuyutsu struck Uluka once more. Then Uluka, filled with rage pierced Yuyutsu with twenty shafts adorned with gold, and then cut off his standard made of gold. That lofty and gorgeous standard made of gold, O king, thus cut off (by Uluka), fell down in front of Yuyutsu's car. Beholding his standard cut off, Yuyutsu, deprived of his senses by wrath, struck Uluka with five shafts in the centre of the chest. Then Uluka, O sire, in that battle, cut off, with a broad-headed arrow steeped in oil, the head of his antagonist's driver, O best of the Bharatas. Slaying next his four steeds he struck Yuyutsu himself with five arrows. Deeply struck by the strong Uluka, Yuyutsu proceeded to another car. Having vanquished him in battle, O king, Uluka proceeded quickly towards the Pancalas and the Srinjayas and began to slaughter them with sharp shafts. Thy son Srutakarman, O monarch, within half the time taken up by a wink of the eye, fearlessly made Satanika steedless and driverless and carless. The mighty car-warrior Satanika, however, staying on his steedless car, O sire, hurled a mace, filled with rage, at thy son. That mace, reducing thy son's car with its steeds and driver into fragments, fell down upon the Earth with great speed, and pierced it through. Then those two heroes, both enhancers of the glory of the Kurus, deprived of their cars, retreated from the encounter, glaring at each other. Then thy son, overcome with fear, mounted upon the car of Vivingsu, while Satanika quickly got upon the car of Prativindhya. Shakuni, filled with rage, pierced Sutasoma with many keen shafts, but failed to make the latter tremble like a torrent of water failing to produce any impression upon a mountain. Beholding that great enemy of his father, Sutasoma covered Shakuni, O Bharata, with many thousands of arrows. Shakuni, however, that warrior of sure aim and conversant with all methods of warfare, actuated by desire of battle, quickly cut off all those shafts with his own winged arrows. Having checked those shafts with his own keen arrows in battle, Shakuni, filled with rage, struck Sutasoma with three arrows. Thy brother-in-law then, O monarch, with his arrows cut off into minute fragments the steeds, the standard, and the driver of his adversary, at which all the spectators uttered a loud shout. Deprived of his steed and car, and having his standard cut off, O sire, the great bowman (Sutasoma), jumping down from his car, stood on the Earth, having taken up a good bow. And he shot a large number of arrows equipped with golden wings and whetted on stone, and shrouded therewith the car of thy brother-in law in that battle. The son of Subala, however, beholding those showers of arrows that resembled a flight of locusts, coming towards his car, did not tremble. On the other hand, that illustrious warrior crushed all those arrows with arrows of his own. The warriors that were present there, as also the Siddhas in the firmament, were highly pleased at sight of that wonderful and incredible feat of Sutasoma, inasmuch as he contended on foot with Shakuni staying in his car. Then Shakuni, with a number of broad-headed shafts of great impetuosity, keen and perfectly straight, cut off, O king, the bow of Sutasoma as also all his quivers. Bowless, and carless, Sutasoma then, uplifting a scimitar of the hue of the blue lotus and equipped with an ivory handle, uttered a loud shout. That scimitar of the intelligent Sutasoma of the hue of the clear sky, as it was whirled by that hero, was regarded by Shakuni to be as fatal as the rod of Death. Armed with that scimitar he suddenly began to career in circles over the arena, displaying, O monarch, the fourteen different kinds of manoeuvres, endued as he was with skill and might. Indeed, he displayed in that battle all those motions such as wheeling about and whirling on high, and making side-thrusts and jumping forward and leaping on high and running above and rushing forward and rushing upwards. The valiant son of Subala then sped a number of arrows at his foe, but the latter quickly cut them off with that excellent scimitar of his as they coursed towards him. Filled with rage (at this), the son of Subala, O king, once more sped at Sutasoma a number of shafts that resembled snakes of virulent poison. Aided by his skill and might, Sutasoma cut off even these with his scimitar, displaying his great activity, and possessed as he was of prowess equal to that of Garuda himself. With a razor-headed arrow of great sharpness, Shakuni then, O king, cut off that bright scimitar of his adversary as the latter careered in circles before him. Thus cut off, (half of) that large scimitar suddenly fell down on the Earth, while half of it, O Bharata, continued in the grasp of Sutasoma. Seeing his sword cut off, the mighty car-warrior Sutasoma retreated six steps and then hurled that half (of the scimitar) which he had in his grasp at his foe. The fragment decked with gold and gems, cutting off the bow, with string, of the illustrious Shakuni, quickly fell down on the Earth. Then Sutasoma went to the great car of Srutakirti. Subala's son also, taking up another formidable and invincible bow, proceeded towards the Pandava army, slaying large numbers of foes (on the way). Beholding the son of Subala careering fearlessly in battle, a loud uproar, O king, arose among the Pandavas in that part of the army. People witnessed those large and proud divisions bristling with arms, routed by the illustrious son of Subala. Even as the chief of the celestials crushed the Daitya army, the son of Subala destroyed that army of the Pandavas.'"

8.18.41

धृष्टद्युम्नं कृपो राजन्वारयामास संयुगे
यथा दृप्तं वने नागं शरभो वारयेद्युधि

8.18.42

निरुद्धः पार्षतस्तेन गौतमेन बलीयसा
पदात्पदं विचलितुं नाशक्नोत्तत्र भारत

8.18.43

गौतमस्य वपुर्दृष्ट्वा धृष्टद्युम्नरथं प्रति
वित्रेसुः सर्वभूतानि क्षयं प्राप्तं च मेनिरे

8.18.44

तत्रावोचन्विमनसो रथिनः सादिनस्तथा
द्रोणस्य निधने नूनं संक्रुद्धो द्विपदां वरः

8.18.45

शारद्वतो महातेजा दिव्यास्त्रविदुदारधीः
अपि स्वस्ति भवेदद्य धृष्टद्युम्नस्य गौतमात्

8.18.46

अपीयं वाहिनी कृत्स्ना मुच्येत महतो भयात्
अप्ययं ब्राह्मणः सर्वान्न नो हन्यात्समागतान्

8.18.47

यादृशं दृश्यते रूपमन्तकप्रतिमं भृशम्
गमिष्यत्यद्य पदवीं भारद्वाजस्य संयुगे

8.18.48

आचार्यः क्षिप्रहस्तश्च विजयी च सदा युधि
अस्त्रवान्वीर्यसंपन्नः क्रोधेन च समन्वितः

8.18.49

पार्षतश्च भृशं युद्धे विमुखोऽद्यापि लक्ष्यते
इत्येवं विविधा वाचस्तावकानां परैः सह

8.18.50

विनिःश्वस्य ततः क्रुद्धः कृपः शारद्वतो नृप
पार्षतं छादयामास निश्चेष्टं सर्वमर्मसु

8.18.51

स वध्यमानः समरे गौतमेन महात्मना
कर्तव्यं न प्रजानाति मोहितः परमाहवे

8.18.52

तमब्रवीत्ततो यन्ता कच्चित्क्षेमं नु पार्षत
ईदृशं व्यसनं युद्धे न ते दृष्टं कदाचन

8.18.53

दैवयोगात्तु ते बाणा नातरन्मर्मभेदिनः
प्रेषिता द्विजमुख्येन मर्माण्युद्दिश्य सर्वशः

8.18.54

व्यावर्तये तत्र रथं नदीवेगमिवार्णवात्
अवध्यं ब्राह्मणं मन्ये येन ते विक्रमो हतः

8.18.55

धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततो राजञ्शनकैरब्रवीद्वचः
मुह्यते मे मनस्तात गात्रे स्वेदश्च जायते

8.18.56

वेपथुं च शरीरे मे रोमहर्षं च पश्य वै
वर्जयन्ब्राह्मणं युद्धे शनैर्याहि यतोऽच्युतः

8.18.57

अर्जुनं भीमसेनं वा समरे प्राप्य सारथे
क्षेममद्य भवेद्यन्तरिति मे नैष्ठिकी मतिः

8.18.58

ततः प्रायान्महाराज सारथिस्त्वरयन्हयान्
यतो भीमो महेष्वासो युयुधे तव सैनिकैः

8.18.59

प्रद्रुतं तु रथं दृष्ट्वा धृष्टद्युम्नस्य मारिष
किरञ्शरशतान्येव गौतमोऽनुययौ तदा

8.18.60

शङ्खं च पूरयामास मुहुर्मुहुररिंदमः
पार्षतं प्राद्रवद्यन्तं महेन्द्र इव शम्बरम्

8.18.61

शिखण्डिनं तु समरे भीष्ममृत्युं दुरासदम्
हार्दिक्यो वारयामास स्मयन्निव मुहुर्मुहुः

8.18.62

शिखण्डी च समासाद्य हृदिकानां महारथम्
पञ्चभिर्निशितैर्भल्लैर्जत्रुदेशे समार्दयत्

8.18.63

कृतवर्मा तु संक्रुद्धो भित्त्वा षष्टिभिराशुगैः
धनुरेकेन चिच्छेद हसन्राजन्महारथः

8.18.64

अथान्यद्धनुरादाय द्रुपदस्यात्मजो बली
तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति संक्रुद्धो हार्दिक्यं प्रत्यभाषत

8.18.65

ततोऽस्य नवतिं बाणान्रुक्मपुङ्खान्सुतेजनान्
प्रेषयामास राजेन्द्र तेऽस्याभ्रश्यन्त वर्मणः

8.18.66

वितथांस्तान्समालक्ष्य पतितांश्च महीतले
क्षुरप्रेण सुतीक्ष्णेन कार्मुकं चिच्छिदे बली

8.18.67

अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं भग्नशृङ्गमिवर्षभम्
अशीत्या मार्गणैः क्रुद्धो बाह्वोरुरसि चार्दयत्

8.18.68

कृतवर्मा तु संक्रुद्धो मार्गणैः कृतविक्षतः
धनुरन्यत्समादाय समार्गणगणं प्रभो
शिखण्डिनं बाणवरैः स्कन्धदेशेऽभ्यताडयत्

8.18.69

स्कन्धदेशे स्थितैर्बाणैः शिखण्डी च रराज ह
शाखाप्रतानैर्विमलैः सुमहान्स यथा द्रुमः

8.18.70

तावन्योन्यं भृशं विद्ध्वा रुधिरेण समुक्षितौ
अन्योन्यशृङ्गाभिहतौ रेजतुर्वृषभाविव

8.18.71

अन्योन्यस्य वधे यत्नं कुर्वाणौ तौ महारथौ
रथाभ्यां चेरतुस्तत्र मण्डलानि सहस्रशः

8.18.72

कृतवर्मा महाराज पार्षतं निशितैः शरैः
रणे विव्याध सप्तत्या स्वर्णपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः

8.18.73

ततोऽस्य समरे बाणं भोजः प्रहरतां वरः
जीवितान्तकरं घोरं व्यसृजत्त्वरयान्वितः

8.18.74

स तेनाभिहतो राजन्मूर्छामाशु समाविशत्
ध्वजयष्टिं च सहसा शिश्रिये कश्मलावृतः

8.18.75

अपोवाह रणात्तं तु सारथी रथिनां वरम्
हार्दिक्यशरसंतप्तं निःश्वसन्तं पुनः पुनः

8.18.76

पराजिते ततः शूरे द्रुपदस्य सुते प्रभो
प्राद्रवत्पाण्डवी सेना वध्यमाना समन्ततः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Kripa, O king, resisted Dhrishtadyumna in battle, like a Sarabha in the forest resisting a proud lion. Checked by the mighty son of Gautama, Prishata's son, O Bharata, could not advance even one step. Beholding Gautama's car in front of Dhrishtadyumna's, all creatures were inspired with fright and regarded the latter's destruction to be at hand. Car-warriors and horsemen, becoming very cheerless, said, "Without doubt, this foremost of men, Sharadvata's son of mighty energy and great intelligence and versed in celestial weapon, is filled with rage at the death of Drona. Will Dhrishtadyumna today escape from the hands of Gautama? Will this vast army escape today this great danger? Will not this brahmana slay all of us together? The form that he has assumed today, even like that of the Destroyer himself, shows that he will today act after the manner of Drona himself. The preceptor Gautama, endued with great lightness of hands, is ever victorious in battle. Possessing a knowledge of weapons, he is endued with great energy and filled with rage." Diverse speeches like these, uttered by the warriors of both the armies were, O monarch, heard there as those two heroes encountered each other. Drawing deep breath in rage, Sharadvata's son Kripa, O king, began to afflict the son of Prishata in all his vital limbs while the latter stood inactive. Struck in that battle by the illustrious Gautama, Dhrishtadyumna, greatly stupefied, knew not what to do. His driver then, addressing him said, "It is not all right with thee, O son of Prishata. Never before have I seen such a calamity overtake thee in battle. It is a lucky chance, it seems, that these shafts, capable of penetrating the very vitals, sped by that foremost of brahmanas aiming at thy vital limbs, are not striking thee. I will presently cause the car to turn back, like the current of a river dashed back by the sea. I think that brahmana, by whom thy prowess hath been annihilated, is incapable of being slain by thee." Thus addressed, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, slowly said, "My mind becometh stupefied, O sire, and perspiration covereth my limbs. My body trembles and my hair stands on end. Avoiding that brahmana in battle, proceed slowly to where Arjuna is, O charioteer; arrived at the presence of either Arjuna or Bhimasena, prosperity may be mine. Even this is my certain conviction." Then, O monarch, the charioteer, urging the steeds, proceeded to the spot where the mighty bowman Bhimasena was battling with thy troops. Beholding the car, O sire, of Dhrishtadyumna speedily moving away from that spot, Gautama followed it, shooting hundreds of shafts. And that chastiser of foes also repeatedly blew his conch. Indeed, he routed the son of Prishata like Indra routing the Danava Namuci.

"'The invincible Shikhandi, the cause of Bhishma's death, was in that battle, resisted by Hridika's son who smiled repeatedly as he fought with the former. Shikhandi, however, encountering the mighty car-warrior of the Hridikas, struck him with five keen and broad-headed shafts at the shoulder-joint. Then the mighty car-warrior Kritavarma filled with rage, pierced his foe with sixty winged arrows. With a single arrow then, he cut off his bow, laughing the while. The mighty son of Drupada, filled with wrath, took up another bow, and addressing the son of Hridika, said, "Wait, Wait." Then, O monarch, Shikhandi sped at his foe ninety shafts of great impetuosity, all equipped with golden wings. Those shafts, however, all recoiled from Kritavarma's armour. Seeing those shafts recoil and scattered on the surface of the Earth, Shikhandi cut off Kritavarma's bow with a keen razor-headed arrow. Filled with wrath he struck the bowless son of Hridika, who then resembled a hornless bull, in the arms and the chest, with eighty arrows. Filled with rage but torn and mangled with shafts, Kritavarma vomited blood through his limbs like a jar disgorging the water with which it is filled. Bathed in blood, the Bhoja king looked beautiful like a mountain, O king, streaked with streams of liquefied red chalk after a shower. The puissant Kritavarma then, taking up another bow with a string and an arrow fixed thereon, struck Shikhandi in his shoulder-joint. With those shafts sticking to his shoulder-joint, Shikhandi looked resplendent like a lordly tree with its spreading branches and twigs. Having pierced each other, the two combatants were bathed in blood, and resembled a couple of bulls that have gored each other with their horns Carefully exerting themselves to slay each other, those two mighty car-warriors moved in a 1,000 circles with their respective cars on that arena. Then Kritavarma, O king, in that encounter, pierced the son of Prishata with seventy shafts all of which were equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone. The ruler of the Bhojas then, that foremost of smiters, sped with great activity a terrible and fatal shaft at his foe. Struck therewith, Shikhandi quickly swooned away. Overcome with stupefaction, he supported himself by seizing his flag-staff. The driver then of that foremost of car-warriors speedily bore him away from the fight. Scorched with the shaft of Hridika's son he drew breath upon breath repeatedly. After the defeat of the heroic son of Drupada, O lord, the Pandava army, slaughtered on all sides, fled away from the field."

8.19.1

संजय उवाच
श्वेताश्वोऽपि महाराज व्यधमत्तावकं बलम्
यथा वायुः समासाद्य तूलराशिं समन्ततः

8.19.2

प्रत्युद्ययुस्त्रिगर्तास्तं शिबयः कौरवैः सह
शाल्वाः संशप्तकाश्चैव नारायणबलं च यत्

8.19.3

सत्यसेनः सत्यकीर्तिर्मित्रदेवः श्रुतंजयः
सौश्रुतिश्चित्रसेनश्च मित्रवर्मा च भारत

8.19.4

त्रिगर्तराजः समरे भ्रातृभिः परिवारितः
पुत्रैश्चैव महेष्वासैर्नानाशस्त्रधरैर्युधि

8.19.5

ते सृजन्तः शरव्रातान्किरन्तोऽर्जुनमाहवे
अभ्यद्रवन्त समरे वार्योघा इव सागरम्

8.19.6

ते त्वर्जुनं समासाद्य योधाः शतसहस्रशः
अगच्छन्विलयं सर्वे तार्क्ष्यं दृष्ट्वेव पन्नगाः

8.19.7

ते वध्यमानाः समरे नाजहुः पाण्डवं तदा
दह्यमाना यथा राजञ्शलभा इव पावकम्

8.19.8

सत्यसेनस्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्विव्याध युधि पाण्डवम्
मित्रदेवस्त्रिषष्ट्या च चन्द्रदेवश्च सप्तभिः

8.19.9

मित्रवर्मा त्रिसप्तत्या सौश्रुतिश्चापि पञ्चभिः
शत्रुंजयश्च विंशत्या सुशर्मा नवभिः शरैः

8.19.10

शत्रुंजयं च राजानं हत्वा तत्र शिलाशितैः
सौश्रुतेः सशिरस्त्राणं शिरः कायादपाहरत्
त्वरितश्चन्द्रदेवं च शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

8.19.11

अथेतरान्महाराज यतमानान्महारथान्
पञ्चभिः पञ्चभिर्बाणैरेकैकं प्रत्यवारयत्

8.19.12

सत्यसेनस्तु संक्रुद्धस्तोमरं व्यसृजन्महत्
समुद्दिश्य रणे कृष्णं सिंहनादं ननाद च

8.19.13

स निर्भिद्य भुजं सव्यं माधवस्य महात्मनः
अयस्मयो महाचण्डो जगाम धरणीं तदा

8.19.14

माधवस्य तु विद्धस्य तोमरेण महारणे
प्रतोदः प्रापतद्धस्ताद्रश्मयश्च विशां पते

8.19.15

स प्रतोदं पुनर्गृह्य रश्मींश्चैव महायशाः
वाहयामास तानश्वान्सत्यसेनरथं प्रति

8.19.16

विष्वक्सेनं तु निर्भिन्नं प्रेक्ष्य पार्थो धनंजयः
सत्यसेनं शरैस्तीक्ष्णैर्दारयित्वा महाबलः

8.19.17

ततः सुनिशितैर्बाणै राज्ञस्तस्य महच्छिरः
कुण्डलोपचितं कायाच्चकर्त पृतनान्तरे

8.19.18

तं निहत्य शितैर्बाणैर्मित्रवर्माणमाक्षिपत्
वत्सदन्तेन तीक्ष्णेन सारथिं चास्य मारिष

8.19.19

ततः शरशतैर्भूयः संशप्तकगणान्वशी
पातयामास संक्रुद्धः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.19.20

ततो रजतपुङ्खेन राज्ञः शीर्षं महात्मनः
मित्रदेवस्य चिच्छेद क्षुरप्रेण महायशाः
सुशर्माणं च संक्रुद्धो जत्रुदेशे समार्दयत्

8.19.21

ततः संशप्तकाः सर्वे परिवार्य धनंजयम्
शस्त्रौघैर्ममृदुः क्रुद्धा नादयन्तो दिशो दश

8.19.22

अभ्यर्दितस्तु तैर्जिष्णुः शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमः
ऐन्द्रमस्त्रममेयात्मा प्रादुश्चक्रे महारथः
ततः शरसहस्राणि प्रादुरासन्विशां पते

8.19.23

ध्वजानां छिद्यमानानां कार्मुकाणां च संयुगे
रथानां सपताकानां तूणीराणां शरैः सह

8.19.24

अक्षाणामथ योक्त्राणां चक्राणां रश्मिभिः सह
कूबराणां वरूथानां पृषत्कानां च संयुगे

8.19.25

अश्मनां पततां चैव प्रासानामृष्टिभिः सह
गदानां परिघाणां च शक्तीनां तोमरैः सह

8.19.26

शतघ्नीनां सचक्राणां भुजानामूरुभिः सह
कण्ठसूत्राङ्गदानां च केयूराणां च मारिष

8.19.27

हाराणामथ निष्काणां तनुत्राणां च भारत
छत्राणां व्यजनानां च शिरसां मुकुटैः सह
अश्रूयत महाञ्शब्दस्तत्र तत्र विशां पते

8.19.28

सकुण्डलानि स्वक्षीणि पूर्णचन्द्रनिभानि च
शिरांस्युर्व्यामदृश्यन्त तारागण इवाम्बरे

8.19.29

सुस्रग्वीणि सुवासांसि चन्दनेनोक्षितानि च
शरीराणि व्यदृश्यन्त हतानां च महीतले
गन्धर्वनगराकारं घोरमायोधनं तदा

8.19.30

निहतै राजपुत्रैश्च क्षत्रियैश्च महाबलैः
हस्तिभिः पतितैश्चैव तुरगैश्चाभवन्मही
अगम्यमार्गा समरे विशीर्णैरिव पर्वतैः

8.19.31

नासीच्चक्रपथश्चैव पाण्डवस्य महात्मनः
निघ्नतः शात्रवान्भल्लैर्हस्त्यश्वं चामितं महत्

8.19.32

आ तुम्बादवसीदन्ति रथचक्राणि मारिष
रणे विचरतस्तस्य तस्मिँल्लोहितकर्दमे

8.19.33

सीदमानानि चक्राणि समूहुस्तुरगा भृशम्
श्रमेण महता युक्ता मनोमारुतरंहसः

8.19.34

वध्यमानं तु तत्सैन्यं पाण्डुपुत्रेण धन्विना
प्रायशो विमुखं सर्वं नावतिष्ठत संयुगे

8.19.35

ताञ्जित्वा समरे जिष्णुः संशप्तकगणान्बहून्
रराज स महाराज विधूमोऽग्निरिव ज्वलन्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'The white steeded (Arjuna) also, O monarch, routed thy force even as the winds, approaching a heap of cotton, scatters it on all sides. Against him rushed the Trigartas, the Sivis, the Kauravas, the Salwas, the samsaptakas, and that force which consisted of the Narayanas. And Satyasena and Candradeva, and Mitradeva and Satrunjaya, and Susruta's son, and Citrasena, and Mitravarman, O Bharata, and the king of the Trigartas surrounded by his brothers and by his sons that were all mighty bowmen accomplished in diverse weapons, suddenly advanced, shooting and scattering showers of shafts in that battle, against Arjuna, like a fierce current of water towards the ocean. Those warriors in hundreds of thousands, approaching Arjuna, seemed to melt away like snakes at sight of Garuda. Though slaughtered in battle, they did not still leave the son of Pandu like insects, O monarch, never receding from a blazing fire. Satyasena, in that encounter, pierced that son of Pandu with three arrows, and Mitradeva pierced him with three and sixty, and Candradeva with seven. And Mitravarman pierced him with three and seventy arrows, and Susruta's son with seven. And Satrunjaya pierced him with twenty, and Susharma with nine. Thus pierced in that encounter by many, Arjuna pierced all those kings in return. Indeed, piercing the son of Susruta with seven arrows, he pierced Satyasena with three, Satrunjaya with twenty and Candradeva with eight, Mitradeva with a hundred, Srutasena with three, Mitravarman with nine, and Susharma with eight. Then slaying king Satrunjaya with a number of arrows whetted on stone, he smote off from his trunk, the head, decked with headgear, of Susruta's son. Without any delay he then, with a number of other shafts, despatched Candradeva to the abode of Yama. As regards the other mighty car-warriors vigorously contending with him, he checked each of them with five arrows. Then Satyasena filled with rage, hurled a formidable lance in that battle aiming at Krishna and uttered a leonine roar. That ironmouthed lance having a golden shaft, piercing through the left arm of the high-souled Madhava, penetrated into the Earth. Madhava being thus pierced with that lance in great battle the goad and the reins, O king, fell down from his hands. Beholding Vasudeva's limb pierced through, Pritha's son Dhananjaya mustered all his wrath and addressing Vasudeva said, "O mighty-armed one, bear the car to Satyasena, O puissant one, so that I may, with keen shafts, despatch him to Yama's abode." The illustrious Keshava then, quickly taking up the goad and the reins, caused the steeds to bear the car to the front of Satyasena's vehicle. Beholding the Ruler of the Universe pierced, Pritha's son Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior, checking Satyasena with some keen arrows, cut off with a number of broad-headed shafts of great sharpness, the large head of that king decked with earrings, from off his trunk at the head of the army. Having thus cut off Satyasena's head, he then despatched Citravarman with a number of keen shafts, and then the latter's driver, O sire, with a keen calf-toothed arrow. Filled with rage, the mighty Partha then, with hundreds of shafts, felled the samsaptakas in hundreds and thousands. Then, O king, with a razor-headed arrow equipped with wings of silver, that mighty car-warrior cut off the head of the illustrious Mitrasena. Filled with rage he then struck Susharma in the shoulder-joint. Then all the samsaptakas, filled with wrath, encompassed Dhananjaya on all sides and began to afflict him with showers of weapons and make all the points of the compass resound with their shouts. Afflicted by them thus, the mighty car-warrior Jishnu, of immeasurable soul, endued with prowess resembling that of Sakra himself, invoked the Aindra weapon. From that weapon, thousands of shafts, O king, began to issue continually. Then O king, a loud din was heard of falling cars with standards and quivers and yokes, and axles and wheels and traces with chords, of bottoms of cars and wooden fences around them, of arrows and steeds and spears and swords, and maces and spiked clubs and darts and lances and axes, and Sataghnis equipped with wheels and arrows. Thighs and necklaces and Angadas and Keyuras, O sire, and garlands and cuirasses and coats of mail, O Bharata, and umbrellas and fans and heads decked with diadems lay on the battle-field. Heads adorned with earrings and beautiful eyes, and each resembling the full moon, looked, as they lay on the field, like stars in the firmament. Adorned with sandal-paste, beautiful garlands of flowers and excellent robes, many were the bodies of slain warriors that were seen to lie on the ground. The field of battle, terrible as it was, looked like the welkin teeming with vapoury forms. With the slain princes and kshatriyas of great might and fallen elephants and steeds, the Earth became impassable in that battle as if she were strewn with hills. There was no path on the field for the wheels of the illustrious Pandava's car, engaged as he was in continually slaying his foes and striking down elephants and steeds with his broad-headed shafts. It seemed, O sire, that the wheels of his car stopped in fright at the sight of his own self careering in that battle through that bloody mire. His steeds, however, endued with the speed of the mind or the wind, dragged with great efforts and labour those wheels that had refused to move. Thus slaughtered by Pandu's son armed with the bow, that host fled away almost entirely, without leaving even a remnant, O Bharata, contending with the foe. Having vanquished large numbers of the samsaptakas in battle, Pritha's son Jishnu looked resplendent, like a blazing fire without smoke.'"

8.19.36

युधिष्ठिरं महाराज विसृजन्तं शरान्बहून्
स्वयं दुर्योधनो राजा प्रत्यगृह्णादभीतवत्

8.19.37

तमापतन्तं सहसा तव पुत्रं महाबलम्
धर्मराजो द्रुतं विद्ध्वा तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्

8.19.38

स च तं प्रतिविव्याध नवभिर्निशितैः शरैः
सारथिं चास्य भल्लेन भृशं क्रुद्धोऽभ्यताडयत्

8.19.39

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा हेमपुङ्खाञ्शिलीमुखान्
दुर्योधनाय चिक्षेप त्रयोदश शिलाशितान्

8.19.40

चतुर्भिश्चतुरो वाहांस्तस्य हत्वा महारथः
पञ्चमेन शिरः कायात्सारथेस्तु समाक्षिपत्

8.19.41

षष्ठेन च ध्वजं राज्ञः सप्तमेन च कार्मुकम्
अष्टमेन तथा खड्गं पातयामास भूतले
पञ्चभिर्नृपतिं चापि धर्मराजोऽर्दयद्भृशम्

8.19.42

हताश्वात्तु रथात्तस्मादवप्लुत्य सुतस्तव
उत्तमं व्यसनं प्राप्तो भूमावेव व्यतिष्ठत

8.19.43

तं तु कृच्छ्रगतं दृष्ट्वा कर्णद्रौणिकृपादयः
अभ्यवर्तन्त सहिताः परीप्सन्तो नराधिपम्

8.19.44

अथ पाण्डुसुताः सर्वे परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम्
अभ्ययुः समरे राजंस्ततो युद्धमवर्तत

8.19.45

अथ तूर्यसहस्राणि प्रावाद्यन्त महामृधे
क्ष्वेडाः किलकिलाशब्दाः प्रादुरासन्महीपते
यदभ्यगच्छन्समरे पाञ्चालाः कौरवैः सह

8.19.46

नरा नरैः समाजग्मुर्वारणा वरवारणैः
रथाश्च रथिभिः सार्धं हयाश्च हयसादिभिः

8.19.47

द्वंद्वान्यासन्महाराज प्रेक्षणीयानि संयुगे
विस्मापनान्यचिन्त्यानि शस्त्रवन्त्युत्तमानि च

8.19.48

अयुध्यन्त महावेगाः परस्परवधैषिणः
अन्योन्यं समरे जघ्नुर्योधव्रतमनुष्ठिताः
न हि ते समरं चक्रुः पृष्ठतो वै कथंचन

8.19.49

मुहूर्तमेव तद्युद्धमासीन्मधुरदर्शनम्
तत उन्मत्तवद्राजन्निर्मर्यादमवर्तत

8.19.50

रथी नागं समासाद्य विचरन्रणमूर्धनि
प्रेषयामास कालाय शरैः संनतपर्वभिः

8.19.51

नागा हयान्समासाद्य विक्षिपन्तो बहूनथ
द्रावयामासुरत्युग्रास्तत्र तत्र तदा तदा

8.19.52

विद्राव्य च बहूनश्वान्नागा राजन्बलोत्कटाः
विषाणैश्चापरे जघ्नुर्ममृदुश्चापरे भृशम्

8.19.53

साश्वारोहांश्च तुरगान्विषाणैर्बिभिदू रणे
अपरांश्चिक्षिपुर्वेगात्प्रगृह्यातिबलास्तथा

8.19.54

पादातैराहता नागा विवरेषु समन्ततः
चक्रुरार्तस्वरं घोरं व्यद्रवन्त दिशो दश

8.19.55

पदातीनां तु सहसा प्रद्रुतानां महामृधे
उत्सृज्याभरणं तूर्णमवप्लुत्य रणाजिरे

8.19.56

निमित्तं मन्यमानास्तु परिणम्य महागजाः
जगृहुर्बिभिदुश्चैव चित्राण्याभरणानि च

8.19.57

प्रतिमानेषु कुम्भेषु दन्तवेष्टेषु चापरे
निगृहीता भृशं नागाः प्रासतोमरशक्तिभिः

8.19.58

निगृह्य च गदाः केचित्पार्श्वस्थैर्भृशदारुणैः
रथाश्वसादिभिस्तत्र संभिन्ना न्यपतन्भुवि

8.19.59

सरथं सादिनं तत्र अपरे तु महागजाः
भूमावमृद्नन्वेगेन सवर्माणं पताकिनम्

8.19.60

रथं नागाः समासाद्य धुरि गृह्य च मारिष
व्याक्षिपन्सहसा तत्र घोररूपे महामृधे

8.19.61

नाराचैर्निहतश्चापि निपपात महागजः
पर्वतस्येव शिखरं वज्रभग्नं महीतले

8.19.62

योधा योधान्समासाद्य मुष्टिभिर्व्यहनन्युधि
केशेष्वन्योन्यमाक्षिप्य चिच्छिदुर्बिभिदुः सह

8.19.63

उद्यम्य च भुजावन्यो निक्षिप्य च महीतले
पदा चोरः समाक्रम्य स्फुरतो व्यहनच्छिरः

8.19.64

मृतमन्यो महाराज पद्भ्यां ताडितवांस्तदा
जीवतश्च तथैवान्यः शस्त्रं काये न्यमज्जयत्

8.19.65

मुष्टियुद्धं महच्चासीद्योधानां तत्र भारत
तथा केशग्रहश्चोग्रो बाहुयुद्धं च केवलम्

8.19.66

समासक्तस्य चान्येन अविज्ञातस्तथापरः
जहार समरे प्राणान्नानाशस्त्रैरनेकधा

8.19.67

संसक्तेषु च योधेषु वर्तमाने च संकुले
कबन्धान्युत्थितानि स्म शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.19.68

लोहितैः सिच्यमानानि शस्त्राणि कवचानि च
महारङ्गानुरक्तानि वस्त्राणीव चकाशिरे

8.19.69

एवमेतन्महायुद्धं दारुणं भृशसंकुलम्
उन्मत्तरङ्गप्रतिमं शब्देनापूरयज्जगत्

8.19.70

नैव स्वे न परे राजन्विज्ञायन्ते शरातुराः
योद्धव्यमिति युध्यन्ते राजानो जयगृद्धिनः

8.19.71

स्वान्स्वे जघ्नुर्महाराज परांश्चैव समागतान्
उभयोः सेनयोर्वीरैर्व्याकुलं समपद्यत

8.19.72

रथैर्भग्नैर्महाराज वारणैश्च निपातितैः
हयैश्च पतितैस्तत्र नरैश्च विनिपातितैः

8.19.73

अगम्यरूपा पृथिवी मांसशोणितकर्दमा
क्षणेनासीन्महाराज क्षतजौघप्रवर्तिनी

8.19.74

पाञ्चालानवधीत्कर्णस्त्रिगर्तांश्च धनंजयः
भीमसेनः कुरून्राजन्हस्त्यनीकं च सर्वशः

8.19.75

एवमेष क्षयो वृत्तः कुरुपाण्डवसेनयोः
अपराह्णे महाराज काङ्क्षन्त्योर्विपुलं जयम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'King Duryodhana, O monarch, himself fearlessly received Yudhishthira, as the latter was engaged in shooting large numbers of shafts. The royal Yudhishthira the just, speedily piercing thy son, that mighty car-warrior, as the latter was rushing towards him with impetuosity, addressed him, saying, "Wait, Wait." Duryodhana, however, pierced Yudhishthira, in return, with nine keen arrows, and filled with great wrath, struck Yudhishthira's driver also with a broad-headed shaft. Then king Yudhishthira sped at Duryodhana three and ten arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone. With four shafts that mighty car-warrior then slew the four steeds of his foe, and with the fifth he cut off from his trunk the head of Duryodhana's driver. With the sixth arrow he felled the (Kuru) king's standard on the Earth, with the seventh his bow, and with the eighth his scimitar. And then with five more shafts king Yudhishthira the just deeply afflicted the Kuru monarch. Thy son, then, alighting from that steedless car, stood on the Earth in imminent danger. Beholding him in that situation of great peril, Karna and Drona's son and Kripa and others rushed suddenly towards the spot, desirous of rescuing the king. Then the (other) sons of Pandu, surrounding Yudhishthira, all proceeded to the encounter, upon which, O king, a fierce battle was fought. Thousands of trumpets then were blown in that great engagement, and a confused din of myriad voices arose there, O king. There where the Pancalas engaged the Kauravas, in battle, men closed with men, and elephants with foremost of elephants. And car-warriors closed with car-warriors, and horse with horse. And the various couples of battling men and animals, of great prowess and armed with diverse kinds of weapons and possessed of great skill presented a beautiful sight, O king, over the field. All those heroes endued with great impetuosity and desirous of compassing the destruction of one another, fought beautifully and with great activity and skill. Observing the (sanctioned) practices of warriors, they slew one another in battle. None of them fought from behind others. For only a very short time that battle presented a beautiful aspect. Soon it became an encounter of mad men, in which the combatants showed no regard for one another. The car-warrior, approaching the elephant, pierced the latter with keen shafts and despatched it to Yama's presence by means of straight arrows. Elephants, approaching steeds, dragged down many of them in that battle, and tore them (with their tusks) most fiercely in diverse places. Large numbers of horsemen also, encompassing many foremost of steeds, made a loud noise with their palms, and closed with them. And those horsemen slew those steeds as they ran hither and thither, as also many huge elephants as these wandered over the field, from behind and the flanks. Infuriate elephants, O king, routing large numbers of steeds, slew them with their tusks or crushed them with great force. Some elephants, filled with wrath pierced with their tusks horses with horsemen. Others seizing such with great force hurled them to the ground with violence. Many elephants, struck by foot-soldiers availing of the proper opportunities, uttered terrible cries of pain and fled away on all sides. Among the foot-soldiers that fled away in that great battle throwing down their ornaments, there were many that were quickly encompassed on the field. Elephant-warriors, riding on huge elephants, understanding indications of victory, wheeled their beasts and causing them to seize those beautiful ornaments, made the beasts to pierce them with their tusks. Other foot-soldiers endued with great impetuosity and fierce might, surrounding those elephant-warriors thus engaged in those spots began to slay them. Others in that great battle, thrown aloft into the air by elephants with their trunks, were pierced by those trained beasts with the points of their tusks as they fell down. Others, suddenly seized by other elephants, were deprived of life with their tusks. Others, borne away from their own divisions into the midst of others, were, O king, mangled by huge elephants which rolled them repeatedly on the ground. Others, whirled on high like fans, were slain in that battle. Others, hither and thither on the field, that stood full in front of other elephants had their bodies exceedingly pierced and torn. Many elephants were deeply wounded with spears and lances and darts in their cheeks and frontal globes and parts between their tusks. Exceedingly afflicted by fierce car-warriors and horsemen stationed on their flanks, many elephants, ripped open, fell down on the Earth. In that dreadful battle many horsemen on their steeds, striking foot-soldiers with their lances, pinned them down to the Earth or crushed them with great force. Some elephants, approaching mail-clad car-warriors, O sire, raised them aloft from their vehicles and hurled them down with great force upon the Earth in that fierce and awful fight. Some huge elephants slain by means of cloth-yard shafts, fell down on the Earth like mountain summits riven by thunder. Combatants, encountering combatants, began to strike each other with their fists, or seizing each other by the hair, began to drag and throw down and mangle each other. Others, stretching their arms and throwing down their foes on the Earth, placed their feet on their chests and with great activity cut off their heads. Some combatant, O king, struck with his feet some foe that was dead, and some, O king, struck off with his sword, the head of a falling foe, and some thrust his weapon into the body of a living foe. A fierce battle took place there, O Bharata, in which the combatants struck one another with fists or seized one another's hair or wrestled with one another with bare arms. In many instances, combatants, using diverse kinds of weapons, took the lives of combatants engaged with others and, therefore, unperceived by them. During the progress of that general engagement when all the combatants were mangled in battle, hundreds and thousands of headless trunks stood up on the field. Weapons and coats of mail, drenched with gore, looked resplendent, like cloths dyed with gorgeous red. Even thus occurred that fierce battle marked by the awful clash of weapons. Like the mad and roaring current of the Ganga it seemed to fill the whole universe with its uproar. Afflicted with shafts, the warriors failed to distinguish friends from foes. Solicitous of victory, the kings fought on because they fought that fight they should. The warriors slew both friends and foes, with whom they came in contact. The combatants of both the armies were deprived of reason by the heroes of both the armies assailing them with fury. With broken cars, O monarch, the fallen elephants, and steeds lying on the ground, and men laid low, the Earth, miry with gore and flesh, and covered with streams of blood, soon became impassable, Karna slaughtered the Pancalas while Dhananjaya slaughtered the Trigartas. And Bhimasena, O king, slaughtered the Kurus and all the elephant divisions of the latter. Even thus occurred that destruction of troops of both the Kurus and the Pandavas, both parties having been actuated by the desire of winning great fame, at that hour when the Sun had passed the meridian.'"

8.20.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अतितीव्राणि दुःखानि दुःसहानि बहूनि च
तवाहं संजयाश्रौषं पुत्राणां मम संक्षयम्

8.20.2

तथा तु मे कथयसे यथा युद्धं तु वर्तते
न सन्ति सूत कौरव्या इति मे नैष्ठिकी मतिः

8.20.3

दुर्योधनस्तु विरथः कृतस्तत्र महारणे
धर्मपुत्रः कथं चक्रे तस्मिन्वा नृपतिः कथम्

8.20.4

अपराह्णे कथं युद्धमभवल्लोमहर्षणम्
तन्ममाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन कुशलो ह्यसि संजय

8.20.5

संजय उवाच
संसक्तेषु च सैन्येषु युध्यमानेषु भागशः
रथमन्यं समास्थाय पुत्रस्तव विशां पते

8.20.6

क्रोधेन महताविष्टः सविषो भुजगो यथा
दुर्योधनस्तु दृष्ट्वा वै धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम्
उवाच सूत त्वरितं याहि याहीति भारत

8.20.7

अत्र मां प्रापय क्षिप्रं सारथे यत्र पाण्डवः
ध्रियमाणेन छत्रेण राजा राजति दंशितः

8.20.8

स सूतश्चोदितो राज्ञा राज्ञः स्यन्दनमुत्तमम्
युधिष्ठिरस्याभिमुखं प्रेषयामास संयुगे

8.20.9

ततो युधिष्ठिरः क्रुद्धः प्रमत्त इव सद्गवः
सारथिं चोदयामास याहि यत्र सुयोधनः

8.20.10

तौ समाजग्मतुर्वीरौ भ्रातरौ रथसत्तमौ
समेत्य च महावीर्यौ संनद्धौ युद्धदुर्मदौ
ततक्षतुर्महेष्वासौ शरैरन्योन्यमाहवे

8.20.11

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा धर्मशीलस्य मारिष
शिलाशितेन भल्लेन धनुश्चिच्छेद संयुगे
तं नामृष्यत संक्रुद्धो व्यवसायं युधिष्ठिरः

8.20.12

अपविध्य धनुश्छिन्नं क्रोधसंरक्तलोचनः
अन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय धर्मपुत्रश्चमूमुखे

8.20.13

दुर्योधनस्य चिच्छेद ध्वजं कार्मुकमेव च
अथान्यद्धनुरादाय प्रत्यविध्यत पाण्डवम्

8.20.14

तावन्योन्यं सुसंरब्धौ शरवर्षाण्यमुञ्चताम्
सिंहाविव सुसंक्रुद्धौ परस्परजिगीषया

8.20.15

अन्योन्यं जघ्नतुश्चैव नर्दमानौ वृषाविव
अन्योन्यं प्रेक्षमाणौ च चेरतुस्तौ महारथौ

8.20.16

ततः पूर्णायतोत्सृष्टैरन्योन्यं सुकृतव्रणौ
विरेजतुर्महाराज पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ

8.20.17

ततो राजन्प्रतिभयान्सिंहनादान्मुहुर्मुहुः
तलयोश्च तथा शब्दान्धनुषोश्च महाहवे

8.20.18

शङ्खशब्दरवांश्चैव चक्रतुस्तौ रथोत्तमौ
अन्योन्यं च महाराज पीडयां चक्रतुर्भृशम्

8.20.19

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा तव पुत्रं त्रिभिः शरैः
आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धो वज्रवेगो दुरासदः

8.20.20

प्रतिविव्याध तं तूर्णं तव पुत्रो महीपतिम्
पञ्चभिर्निशितैर्बाणैर्हेमपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः

8.20.21

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा शक्तिं चिक्षेप भारत
सर्वपारशवीं तीक्ष्णां महोल्काप्रतिमां तदा

8.20.22

तामापतन्तीं सहसा धर्मराजः शिलाशितैः
त्रिभिश्चिच्छेद सहसा तं च विव्याध सप्तभिः

8.20.23

निपपात ततः साथ हेमदण्डा महाघना
निपतन्ती महोल्केव व्यराजच्छिखिसंनिभा

8.20.24

शक्तिं विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा पुत्रस्तव विशां पते
नवभिर्निशितैर्भल्लैर्निजघान युधिष्ठिरम्

8.20.25

सोऽतिविद्धो बलवतामग्रणीः शत्रुतापनः
दुर्योधनं समुद्दिश्य बाणं जग्राह सत्वरः

8.20.26

समाधत्त च तं बाणं धनुष्युग्रं महाबलः
चिक्षेप च ततो राजा राज्ञः क्रुद्धः पराक्रमी

8.20.27

स तु बाणः समासाद्य तव पुत्रं महारथम्
व्यमोहयत राजानं धरणीं च जगाम ह

8.20.28

ततो दुर्योधनः क्रुद्धो गदामुद्यम्य वेगितः
विधित्सुः कलहस्यान्तमभिदुद्राव पाण्डवम्

8.20.29

तमालक्ष्योद्यतगदं दण्डहस्तमिवान्तकम्
धर्मराजो महाशक्तिं प्राहिणोत्तव सूनवे
दीप्यमानां महावेगां महोल्कां ज्वलितामिव

8.20.30

रथस्थः स तया विद्धो वर्म भित्त्वा महाहवे
भृशं संविग्नहृदयः पपात च मुमोह च

8.20.31

ततस्त्वरितमागत्य कृतवर्मा तवात्मजम्
प्रत्यपद्यत राजानं मग्नं वै व्यसनार्णवे

8.20.32

भीमोऽपि महतीं गृह्य गदां हेमपरिष्कृताम्
अभिदुद्राव वेगेन कृतवर्माणमाहवे
एवं तदभवद्युद्धं त्वदीयानां परैः सह

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'I have heard from thee, O Sanjaya, of many poignant and unbearable griefs as also of the losses sustained by my sons. From what thou hast said unto me, from the manner in which the battle has been fought, it is my certain conviction, O Suta, that the Kauravas are no more. Duryodhana was made carless in that dreadful battle. How did Dharma's son (then) fight, and how did the royal Duryodhana also fight in return? How also occurred that battle which was fought in the afternoon? Tell me all this in detail, for thou art skilled in narration, O Sanjaya.'

"Sanjaya said, 'When the troops of both armies were engaged in battle, according to their respective divisions, thy son Duryodhana, O king, riding on another car and filled with rage like a snake of virulent poison, beholding king Yudhishthira the just, quickly addressed his own driver, O Bharata, saying, "Proceed, proceed, quickly take me there, O driver, where the royal son of Pandu, clad in mail shineth under yon umbrella held over his head." Thus urged by the king, the driver, in that battle, quickly urged his royal master's goodly car towards the face of Yudhishthira. At this, Yudhishthira also, filled with rage and looking like an infuriate elephant, urged his own driver saying, "Proceed to where Suyodhana is." Then those two heroes and brothers and foremost of car-warriors encountered each other. Both endued with great energy, both filled with wrath, both difficult of defeat in battle, approaching each other, those two great bowmen began to mangle each other with their arrows in that battle. Then king Duryodhana, in that encounter, O sire, with a broad-headed arrow whetted on stone, cut in twain the bow of the virtuous monarch. Filled with rage, Yudhishthira could not brook that insult. Casting aside his broken bow, with eyes red in wrath, Dharma's son took up another bow at the head of his forces, and then cut off Duryodhana's standard and bow. Duryodhana then, taking up another bow, pierced the son of Pandu. Filled with rage, they continued to shoot showers of shafts at each other. Desirous of vanquishing each other, they resembled a pair of angry lions. They struck each other in that battle like a couple of roaring bulls. Those mighty car-warriors continued to career, expecting to find each other's lapses. Then wounded with shafts sped from bows drawn to their fullest stretch the two warriors, O king, looked resplendent like flowering Kinsukas. They then, O king, repeatedly uttered leonine roars. Those two rulers of men, in that dreadful battle, also made loud sounds with their palms and caused their bows to twang loudly. And they blew their conchs too with great force. And they afflicted each other very much. Then king Yudhishthira, filled with rage, struck thy son in the chest with three irresistible shafts endued with force of thunder. Him, however, thy royal son quickly pierced, in return, with five keen shafts winged with gold and whetted on stone. Then king Duryodhana, O Bharata, hurled a dart capable of slaying everybody, exceedingly keen, and resembling a large blazing brand. As it advanced, king Yudhishthira the just, with sharp shafts, speedily cut it off into three fragments, and then pierced Duryodhana also with five arrows. Equipped with golden staff, and producing a loud whizz, that dart then fell down, and while falling, looked resplendent like a large brand with blazing flames. Beholding the dart baffled, thy son, O monarch, struck Yudhishthira with nine sharp and keen-pointed arrows. Pierced deeply by his mighty foe, that scorcher of foes quickly took up an arrow for aiming it at Duryodhana. The mighty Yudhishthira then placed that arrow on his bow-string. Filled with rage and possessed of great valour, the son of Pandu then shot it at his foe. That arrow, striking thy son, that mighty car-warrior, stupefied him and then (passing through his body) entered the Earth. Then Duryodhana, filled with wrath, uplifting a mace of great impetuosity, rushed at king Yudhishthira the just, for ending the hostilities (that raged between the Kurus and the Pandus). Beholding him armed with that uplifted mace and resembling Yama himself with his bludgeon, king Yudhishthira the just hurled at thy son a mighty dart blazing with splendour, endued with great impetuosity, and looking like a large blazing brand. Deeply pierced in the chest by that dart as he stood on his car, the Kuru prince, deeply pained, fell down and swooned away. Then Bhima, recollecting his own vow, addressed Yudhishthira, saying, "This one should not be slain by thee, O king." At this Yudhishthira abstained from giving his foe the finishing blow. At that time Kritavarma, quickly advancing, came upon thy royal son then sunk in an ocean of calamity. Bhima then, taking up a mace adorned with gold and flaxen chords, rushed impetuously towards Kritavarma in that battle. Thus occurred the battle between thy troops and the foe on that afternoon, O monarch, every one of the combatants being inspired with the desire of victory.'"

8.21.1

संजय उवाच
ततः कर्णं पुरस्कृत्य त्वदीया युद्धदुर्मदाः
पुनरावृत्य संग्रामं चक्रुर्देवासुरोपमम्

8.21.2

द्विरदरथनराश्वशङ्खशब्दैः; परिहृषिता विविधैश्च शस्त्रपातैः
द्विरदरथपदातिसार्थवाहाः; परिपतिताभिमुखाः प्रजह्रिरे ते

8.21.3

शरपरशुवरासिपट्टिशै;रिषुभिरनेकविधैश्च सादिताः
द्विरदरथहया महाहवे; वरपुरुषैः पुरुषाश्च वाहनैः

8.21.4

कमलदिनकरेन्दुसंनिभैः; सितदशनैः सुमुखाक्षिनासिकैः
रुचिरमुकुटकुण्डलैर्मही; पुरुषशिरोभिरवस्तृता बभौ

8.21.5

परिघमुसलशक्तितोमरै;र्नखरभुशुण्डिगदाशतैर्द्रुताः
द्विरदनरहयाः सहस्रशो; रुधिरनदीप्रवहास्तदाभवन्

8.21.6

प्रहतनररथाश्वकुञ्जरं; प्रतिभयदर्शनमुल्बणं तदा
तदहितनिहतं बभौ बलं; पितृपतिराष्ट्रमिव प्रजाक्षये

8.21.7

अथ तव नरदेव सैनिका;स्तव च सुताः सुरसूनुसंनिभाः
अमितबलपुरःसरा रणे; कुरुवृषभाः शिनिपुत्रमभ्ययुः

8.21.8

तदतिरुचिरभीममाबभौ; पुरुषवराश्वरथद्विपाकुलम्
लवणजलसमुद्धतस्वनं; बलममरासुरसैन्यसंनिभम्

8.21.9

सुरपतिसमविक्रमस्तत;स्त्रिदशवरावरजोपमं युधि
दिनकरकिरणप्रभैः पृषत्कै; रवितनयोऽभ्यहनच्छिनिप्रवीरम्

8.21.10

तमपि सरथवाजिसारथिं; शिनिवृषभो विविधैः शरैस्त्वरन्
भुजगविषसमप्रभै रणे; पुरुषवरं समवास्तृणोत्तदा

8.21.11

शिनिवृषभशरप्रपीडितं; तव सुहृदो वसुषेणमभ्ययुः
त्वरितमतिरथा रथर्षभं; द्विरदरथाश्वपदातिभिः सह

8.21.12

तमुदधिनिभमाद्रवद्बली; त्वरिततरैः समभिद्रुतं परैः
द्रुपदसुतसखस्तदाकरो;त्पुरुषरथाश्वगजक्षयं महत्

8.21.13

अथ पुरुषवरौ कृताह्निकौ; भवमभिपूज्य यथाविधि प्रभुम्
अरिवधकृतनिश्चयौ द्रुतं; तव बलमर्जुनकेशवौ सृतौ

8.21.14

जलदनिनदनिस्वनं रथं; पवनविधूतपताककेतनम्
सितहयमुपयान्तमन्तिकं; हृतमनसो ददृशुस्तदारयः

8.21.15

अथ विस्फार्य गाण्डीवं रणे नृत्यन्निवार्जुनः
शरसंबाधमकरोत्खं दिशः प्रदिशस्तथा

8.21.16

रथान्विमानप्रतिमान्सज्जयन्त्रायुधध्वजान्
ससारथींस्तदा बाणैरभ्राणीवानिलोऽवधीत्

8.21.17

गजान्गजप्रयन्तॄंश्च वैजयन्त्यायुधध्वजान्
सादिनोऽश्वांश्च पत्तींश्च शरैर्निन्ये यमक्षयम्

8.21.18

तमन्तकमिव क्रुद्धमनिवार्यं महारथम्
दुर्योधनोऽभ्ययादेको निघ्नन्बाणैः पृथग्विधैः

8.21.19

तस्यार्जुनो धनुः सूतं केतुमश्वांश्च सायकैः
हत्वा सप्तभिरेकैकं छत्रं चिच्छेद पत्रिणा

8.21.20

नवमं च समासाद्य व्यसृजत्प्रतिघातिनम्
दुर्योधनायेषुवरं तं द्रौणिः सप्तधाच्छिनत्

8.21.21

ततो द्रौणेर्धनुश्छित्त्वा हत्वा चाश्ववराञ्शरैः
कृपस्यापि तथात्युग्रं धनुश्चिच्छेद पाण्डवः

8.21.22

हार्दिक्यस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा ध्वजं चाश्वं तथावधीत्
दुःशासनस्येषुवरं छित्त्वा राधेयमभ्ययात्

8.21.23

अथ सात्यकिमुत्सृज्य त्वरन्कर्णोऽर्जुनं त्रिभिः
विद्ध्वा विव्याध विंशत्या कृष्णं पार्थं पुनस्त्रिभिः

8.21.24

अथ सात्यकिरागत्य कर्णं विद्ध्वा शितैः शरैः
नवत्या नवभिश्चोग्रैः शतेन पुनरार्दयत्

8.21.25

ततः प्रवीराः पाण्डूनां सर्वे कर्णमपीडयन्
युधामन्युः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाः प्रभद्रकाः

8.21.26

उत्तमौजा युयुत्सुश्च यमौ पार्षत एव च
चेदिकारूषमत्स्यानां केकयानां च यद्बलम्
चेकितानश्च बलवान्धर्मराजश्च सुव्रतः

8.21.27

एते रथाश्वद्विरदैः पत्तिभिश्चोग्रविक्रमैः
परिवार्य रणे कर्णं नानाशस्त्रैरवाकिरन्
भाषन्तो वाग्भिरुग्राभिः सर्वे कर्णवधे वृताः

8.21.28

तां शस्त्रवृष्टिं बहुधा छित्त्वा कर्णः शितैः शरैः
अपोवाह स्म तान्सर्वान्द्रुमान्भङ्क्त्वेव मारुतः

8.21.29

रथिनः समहामात्रान्गजानश्वान्ससादिनः
शरव्रातांश्च संक्रुद्धो निघ्नन्कर्णो व्यदृश्यत

8.21.30

तद्वध्यमानं पाण्डूनां बलं कर्णास्त्रतेजसा
विशस्त्रक्षतदेहं च प्राय आसीत्पराङ्मुखम्

8.21.31

अथ कर्णास्त्रमस्त्रेण प्रतिहत्यार्जुनः स्वयम्
दिशः खं चैव भूमिं च प्रावृणोच्छरवृष्टिभिः

8.21.32

मुसलानीव निष्पेतुः परिघा इव चेषवः
शतघ्न्य इव चाप्यन्ये वज्राण्युग्राणि वापरे

8.21.33

तैर्वध्यमानं तत्सैन्यं सपत्त्यश्वरथद्विपम्
निमीलिताक्षमत्यर्थमुदभ्राम्यत्समन्ततः

8.21.34

निष्कैवल्यं तदा युद्धं प्रापुरश्वनरद्विपाः
वध्यमानाः शरैरन्ये तदा भीताः प्रदुद्रुवुः

8.21.35

एवं तेषां तदा युद्धे संसक्तानां जयैषिणाम्
गिरिमस्तं समासाद्य प्रत्यपद्यत भानुमान्

8.21.36

तमसा च महाराज रजसा च विशेषतः
न किंचित्प्रत्यपश्याम शुभं वा यदि वाशुभम्

8.21.37

ते त्रसन्तो महेष्वासा रात्रियुद्धस्य भारत
अपयानं ततश्चक्रुः सहिताः सर्ववाजिभिः

8.21.38

कौरवेषु च यातेषु तदा राजन्दिनक्षये
जयं सुमनसः प्राप्य पार्थाः स्वशिबिरं ययुः

8.21.39

वादित्रशब्दैर्विविधैः सिंहनादैश्च नर्तितैः
परानवहसन्तश्च स्तुवन्तश्चाच्युतार्जुनौ

8.21.40

कृतेऽवहारे तैर्वीरैः सैनिकाः सर्व एव ते
आशिषः पाण्डवेयेषु प्रायुज्यन्त नरेश्वराः

8.21.41

ततः कृतेऽवहारे च प्रहृष्टाः कुरुपाण्डवाः
निशायां शिबिरं गत्वा न्यविशन्त नरेश्वराः

8.21.42

यक्षरक्षःपिशाचाश्च श्वापदानि च संघशः
जग्मुरायोधनं घोरं रुद्रस्यानर्तनोपमम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Placing Karna at their van, thy warriors, difficult of defeat in fight, returned and fought (with the foe) a battle that resembled that between the gods and the Asuras. Excited by the loud uproar made by elephants and men and cars and steeds and conchs, elephant-men and car-warriors and foot-soldiers and horsemen, in large numbers, filled with wrath advanced against the foe and slew the latter with strokes of diverse kinds of weapons. Elephants and cars, steeds and men, in that dreadful battle were destroyed by brave warriors with sharp battle axes and swords and axes and shafts of diverse kinds and by means also of their animals. Strewn with human heads that were adorned with white teeth and fair faces and beautiful eyes and goodly noses, and graced with beautiful diadems and earrings, and everyone of which resembled the lotus, the Sun, or the Moon, the Earth looked exceedingly resplendent. Elephants and men and steeds, by thousands, were slain with hundreds of spiked clubs and short bludgeons and darts and lances and hooks and Bhusundis and maces. The blood that fell formed a river like currents on the field. In consequence of those car-warriors and men and steeds and elephants slain by the foe, and lying with ghostly features and gaping wounds, the field of battle looked like the domains of the king of the dead at the time of universal dissolution. Then, O god among men, thy troops, and those bulls amongst the Kurus, viz., thy sons resembling the children of the celestials, with a host of warriors of immeasurable might at their van, all proceeded against Satyaki, that bull of Sini's race. Thereupon that host, teeming with many foremost of men and steeds and cars and elephants, producing an uproar loud as that of the vast deep, and resembling the army of the Asuras or that of the celestials, shone with fierce beauty. Then the son of Surya, resembling the chief of the celestials himself in prowess and like unto the younger brother of Indra, struck that foremost one of Sini's race with shafts whose splendour resembled the rays of the Sun. That bull of Sini's race also, in that battle, then quickly shrouded that foremost of men, with his car and steeds and driver, with diverse kinds of shafts terrible as the poison of the snake. Then many Atirathas belonging to thy army, accompanied by elephants and cars and foot-soldiers, quickly approached that bull among car-warriors, viz., Vasusena, when they beheld the latter deeply afflicted with the shafts of that foremost hero of Sini's race. That force, however, vast as the ocean, assailed by foes possessed of great quickness viz., the Pandava warriors headed by the sons of Drupada, fled away from the field. At that time a great carnage occurred of men and cars and steeds and elephants. Then those two foremost of men, viz., Arjuna and Keshava, having said their daily prayer and duly worshipped the lord Bhava, quickly rushed against thy troops, resolved to slay those foes of theirs. Their foes (i.e., the Kurus) cast their eyes cheerlessly on that car whose rattle resembled the roar of the clouds and whose banners waved beautifully in the air and which had white steeds yoked unto it and which was coming towards them. Then Arjuna, bending Gandiva and as if dancing on his car, filled the welkin and all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with showers of shafts, not leaving the smallest space empty. Like the tempest destroying the clouds, the son of Pandu destroyed with his arrows many cars looking like celestial vehicles, that were well-adorned, and equipped with weapons and standards, along with their drivers. Many elephants also, with the men that guided them, adorned with truimphal banners and weapons, and many horsemen with horses, and many foot-soldiers also, Arjuna despatched with his arrows to Yama's abode. Then Duryodhana singly proceeded against that mighty car-warrior who was angry and irresistible and resembled a veritable Yama, striking him with his straight shafts. Arjuna, cutting off his adversary's bow and driver and steeds and standard with seven shafts, next cut off his umbrella with one arrow. Obtaining then an opportunity, he sped at Duryodhana an excellent shaft, capable of taking the life of the person struck. Drona's son, however, cut off that shaft into seven fragments. Cutting off then the bow of Drona's son and slaying the four steeds of the latter with his arrow, the son of Pandu next cut off the formidable bow of Kripa too. Then cutting off the bow of Hridika's son, he felled the latter's standard and steeds. Then cutting off the bow of Duhshasana, he proceeded against the son of Radha. At this, Karna, leaving Satyaki quickly pierced Arjuna with three arrows and Krishna with twenty, and Partha again repeatedly. Although many were the arrows that he shot while slaying his foes in that battle, like Indra himself inspired with wrath, Karna yet felt no fatigue. Meanwhile Satyaki, coming up, pierced Karna with nine and ninety fierce arrows, and once more with a hundred. Then all the foremost heroes among the Parthas began to afflict Karna. Yudhamanyu and Shikhandi and the sons of Draupadi and the Prabhadrakas, and Uttamauja and Yuyutsu and the twins and Dhrishtadyumna, and the divisions of the Cedis and the Karushas and the Matsyas and Kaikeyas, and the mighty Chekitana, and king Yudhishthira of excellent vows, all these, accompanied by cars and steeds and elephants, and foot-soldiers of fierce prowess, encompassed Karna on all sides in that battle, and showered upon him diverse kinds of weapons, addressing him in harsh words and resolved to compass his destruction. Cutting off that shower of weapons with his sharp shafts, Karna dispersed his assailants by the power of his weapons like the wind breaking down the trees that stand on its way. Filled with wrath, Karna was seen to destroy car-warriors, and elephants with their riders, and horses with horse-men, and large bands of foot-soldiers. Slaughtered by the energy of Karna's weapons, almost the whole of that force of the Pandavas, deprived of weapons, and with limbs mangled and torn, retired from the field. Then Arjuna, smiling the while, baffled with his own weapons the weapons of Karna and covered the welkin, the Earth, and all the points of the compass with dense shower of arrows. The shafts of Arjuna fell like heavy clubs and spiked bludgeons. And some amongst them fell like Sataghnis and some fell like fierce thunderbolts. Slaughtered therewith, the Kaurava force consisting of infantry and horse and cars and elephants, shutting its eyes, uttered loud wails of woe and wandered senselessly. Many were the steeds and men and elephants that perished on that occasion. Many, again, struck with shafts and deeply afflicted fled away in fear.

"'Whilst thy warriors were thus engaged in battle from desire of victory, the Sun approaching the Setting Mountain, entered it. In consequence of the darkness, O king, but especially owing to the dust, we could not notice anything favourable or unfavourable. The mighty bowmen (amongst the Kauravas), fearing a night-battle, O Bharata, then retired from the field, accompanied by all their combatants. Upon the retirement of the Kauravas, O king, at the close of the day, the Parthas, cheerful at having obtained the victory, also retired to their own encampment, jeering at their enemies by producing diverse kinds of sounds with their musical instruments, and applauding Acyuta and Arjuna. After those heroes had thus withdrawn the army, all the troops and all the kings uttered benediction upon the Pandavas. The withdrawal having been made, those sinless men, the Pandavas, became very glad, and proceeding to their tents rested there for the night. Then rakshasas and pishacas, and carnivorous beasts, in large numbers came to that awful field of battle resembling the sporting ground of Rudra himself.'

8.22.1

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
स्वेन च्छन्देन नः सर्वान्नावधीद्व्यक्तमर्जुनः
न ह्यस्य समरे मुच्येतान्तकोऽप्याततायिनः

8.22.2

पार्थो ह्येकोऽहरद्भद्रामेकश्चाग्निमतर्पयत्
एकश्चेमां महीं जित्वा चक्रे बलिभृतो नृपान्

8.22.3

एको निवातकवचानवधीद्दिव्यकार्मुकः
एकः किरातरूपेण स्थितं शर्वमयोधयत्

8.22.4

एकोऽभ्यरक्षद्भरतानेको भवमतोषयत्
तेनैकेन जिताः सर्वे मदीया उग्रतेजसः
ते न निन्द्याः प्रशस्याश्च यत्ते चक्रुर्ब्रवीहि तत्

8.22.5

संजय उवाच
हतप्रहतविध्वस्ता विवर्मायुधवाहनाः
दीनस्वरा दूयमाना मानिनः शत्रुभिर्जिताः

8.22.6

शिबिरस्थाः पुनर्मन्त्रं मन्त्रयन्ति स्म कौरवाः
भग्नदंष्ट्रा हतविषाः पदाक्रान्ता इवोरगाः

8.22.7

तानब्रवीत्ततः कर्णः क्रुद्धः सर्प इव श्वसन्
करं करेणाभिपीड्य प्रेक्षमाणस्तवात्मजम्

8.22.8

यत्तो दृढश्च दक्षश्च धृतिमानर्जुनः सदा
स बोधयति चाप्येनं प्राप्तकालमधोक्षजः

8.22.9

सहसास्त्रविसर्गेण वयं तेनाद्य वञ्चिताः
श्वस्त्वहं तस्य संकल्पं सर्वं हन्ता महीपते

8.22.10

एवमुक्तस्तथेत्युक्त्वा सोऽनुजज्ञे नृपोत्तमान्
सुखोषितास्ते रजनीं हृष्टा युद्धाय निर्ययुः

8.22.11

तेऽपश्यन्विहितं व्यूहं धर्मराजेन दुर्जयम्
प्रयत्नात्कुरुमुख्येन बृहस्पत्युशनोमतात्

8.22.12

अथ प्रतीपकर्तारं सततं विजितात्मनाम्
सस्मार वृषभस्कन्धं कर्णं दुर्योधनस्तदा

8.22.13

पुरंदरसमं युद्धे मरुद्गणसमं बले
कार्तवीर्यसमं वीर्ये कर्णं राज्ञोऽगमन्मनः
सूतपुत्रं महेष्वासं बन्धुमात्ययिकेष्विव

8.22.14

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
यद्वोऽगमन्मनो मन्दाः कर्णं वैकर्तनं तदा
अप्यद्राक्षत तं यूयं शीतार्ता इव भास्करम्

8.22.15

कृतेऽवहारे सैन्यानां प्रवृत्ते च रणे पुनः
कथं वैकर्तनः कर्णस्तत्रायुध्यत संजय
कथं च पाण्डवाः सर्वे युयुधुस्तत्र सूतजम्

8.22.16

कर्णो ह्येको महाबाहुर्हन्यात्पार्थान्ससोमकान्
कर्णस्य भुजयोर्वीर्यं शक्रविष्णुसमं मतम्
तथास्त्राणि सुघोराणि विक्रमश्च महात्मनः

8.22.17

दुर्योधनं तदा दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवेन भृशार्दितम्
पराक्रान्तान्पाण्डुसुतान्दृष्ट्वा चापि महाहवे

8.22.18

कर्णमाश्रित्य संग्रामे दर्पो दुर्योधने पुनः
जेतुमुत्सहते पार्थान्सपुत्रान्सहकेशवान्

8.22.19

अहो बत महद्दुःखं यत्र पाण्डुसुतान्रणे
नातरद्रभसः कर्णो दैवं नूनं परायणम्
अहो द्यूतस्य निष्ठेयं घोरा संप्रति वर्तते

8.22.20

अहो दुःखानि तीव्राणि दुर्योधनकृतान्यहम्
सहिष्यामि सुघोराणि शल्यभूतानि संजय

8.22.21

सौबलं च तथा तात नीतिमानिति मन्यते

8.22.22

युद्धेषु नाम दिव्येषु वर्तमानेषु संजय
अश्रौषं निहतान्पुत्रान्नित्यमेव च निर्जितान्

8.22.23

न पाण्डवानां समरे कश्चिदस्ति निवारकः
स्त्रीमध्यमिव गाहन्ति दैवं हि बलवत्तरम्

8.22.24

संजय उवाच
अतिक्रान्तं हि यत्कार्यं पश्चाच्चिन्तयतीति च
तच्चास्य न भवेत्कार्यं चिन्तया च विनश्यति

8.22.25

तदिदं तव कार्यं तु दूरप्राप्तं विजानता
न कृतं यत्त्वया पूर्वं प्राप्ताप्राप्तविचारणे

8.22.26

उक्तोऽसि बहुधा राजन्मा युध्यस्वेति पाण्डवैः
गृह्णीषे न च तन्मोहात्पाण्डवेषु विशां पते

8.22.27

त्वया पापानि घोराणि समाचीर्णानि पाण्डुषु
त्वत्कृते वर्तते घोरः पार्थिवानां जनक्षयः

8.22.28

तत्त्विदानीमतिक्रम्य मा शुचो भरतर्षभ
शृणु सर्वं यथावृत्तं घोरं वैशसमच्युत

8.22.29

प्रभातायां रजन्यां तु कर्णो राजानमभ्ययात्
समेत्य च महाबाहुर्दुर्योधनमभाषत

8.22.30

अद्य राजन्समेष्यामि पाण्डवेन यशस्विना
हनिष्यामि च तं वीरं स वा मां निहनिष्यति

8.22.31

बहुत्वान्मम कार्याणां तथा पार्थस्य पार्थिव
नाभूत्समागमो राजन्मम चैवार्जुनस्य च

8.22.32

इदं तु मे यथाप्रज्ञं शृणु वाक्यं विशां पते
अनिहत्य रणे पार्थं नाहमेष्यामि भारत

8.22.33

हतप्रवीरे सैन्येऽस्मिन्मयि चैव स्थिते युधि
अभियास्यति मां पार्थः शक्रशक्त्या विनाकृतम्

8.22.34

ततः श्रेयस्करं यत्ते तन्निबोध जनेश्वर
आयुधानां च यद्वीर्यं द्रव्याणामर्जुनस्य च

8.22.35

कायस्य महतो भेदे लाघवे दूरपातने
सौष्ठवे चास्त्रयोगे च सव्यसाची न मत्समः

8.22.36

सर्वायुधमहामात्रं विजयं नाम तद्धनुः
इन्द्रार्थमभिकामेन निर्मितं विश्वकर्मणा

8.22.37

येन दैत्यगणान्राजञ्जितवान्वै शतक्रतुः
यस्य घोषेण दैत्यानां विमुह्यन्ति दिशो दश
तद्भार्गवाय प्रायच्छच्छक्रः परमसंमतम्

8.22.38

तद्दिव्यं भार्गवो मह्यमददाद्धनुरुत्तमम्
येन योत्स्ये महाबाहुमर्जुनं जयतां वरम्
यथेन्द्रः समरे सर्वान्दैतेयान्वै समागतान्

8.22.39

धनुर्घोरं रामदत्तं गाण्डीवात्तद्विशिष्यते
त्रिःसप्तकृत्वः पृथिवी धनुषा तेन निर्जिता

8.22.40

धनुषो यस्य कर्माणि दिव्यानि प्राह भार्गवः
तद्रामो ह्यददान्मह्यं येन योत्स्यामि पाण्डवम्

8.22.41

अद्य दुर्योधनाहं त्वां नन्दयिष्ये सबान्धवम्
निहत्य समरे वीरमर्जुनं जयतां वरम्

8.22.42

सपर्वतवनद्वीपा हतद्विड्भूः ससागरा
पुत्रपौत्रप्रतिष्ठा ते भविष्यत्यद्य पार्थिव

8.22.43

नासाध्यं विद्यते मेऽद्य त्वत्प्रियार्थं विशेषतः
सम्यग्धर्मानुरक्तस्य सिद्धिरात्मवतो यथा

8.22.44

न हि मां समरे सोढुं स शक्तोऽग्निं तरुर्यथा
अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं येन हीनोऽस्मि फल्गुनात्

8.22.45

ज्या तस्य धनुषो दिव्या तथाक्षय्यौ महेषुधी
तस्य दिव्यं धनुः श्रेष्ठं गाण्डीवमजरं युधि

8.22.46

विजयं च महद्दिव्यं ममापि धनुरुत्तमम्
तत्राहमधिकः पार्थाद्धनुषा तेन पार्थिव

8.22.47

मया चाभ्यधिको वीरः पाण्डवस्तन्निबोध मे
रश्मिग्राहश्च दाशार्हः सर्वलोकनमस्कृतः

8.22.48

अग्निदत्तश्च वै दिव्यो रथः काञ्चनभूषणः
अच्छेद्यः सर्वतो वीर वाजिनश्च मनोजवाः
ध्वजश्च दिव्यो द्युतिमान्वानरो विस्मयंकरः

8.22.49

कृष्णश्च स्रष्टा जगतो रथं तमभिरक्षति
एभिर्द्रव्यैरहं हीनो योद्धुमिच्छामि पाण्डवम्

8.22.50

अयं तु सदृशो वीरः शल्यः समितिशोभनः
सारथ्यं यदि मे कुर्याद्ध्रुवस्ते विजयो भवेत्

8.22.51

तस्य मे सारथिः शल्यो भवत्वसुकरः परैः
नाराचान्गार्ध्रपत्रांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु मे

8.22.52

रथाश्च मुख्या राजेन्द्र युक्ता वाजिभिरुत्तमैः
आयान्तु पश्चात्सततं मामेव भरतर्षभ

8.22.53

एवमभ्यधिकः पार्थाद्भविष्यामि गुणैरहम्
शल्यो ह्यभ्यधिकः कृष्णादर्जुनादधिको ह्यहम्

8.22.54

यथाश्वहृदयं वेद दाशार्हः परवीरहा
तथा शल्योऽपि जानीते हयानां वै महारथः

8.22.55

बाहुवीर्ये समो नास्ति मद्रराजस्य कश्चन
तथास्त्रैर्मत्समो नास्ति कश्चिदेव धनुर्धरः

8.22.56

तथा शल्यसमो नास्ति हययाने ह कश्चन
सोऽयमभ्यधिकः पार्थाद्भविष्यति रथो मम

8.22.57

एतत्कृतं महाराज त्वयेच्छामि परंतप
एवं कृते कृतं मह्यं सर्वकामैर्भविष्यति

8.22.58

ततो द्रष्टासि समरे यत्करिष्यामि भारत
सर्वथा पाण्डवान्सर्वाञ्जेष्याम्यद्य समागतान्

8.22.59

दुर्योधन उवाच
सर्वमेतत्करिष्यामि यथा त्वं कर्ण मन्यसे
सोपासङ्गा रथाः साश्वा अनुयास्यन्ति सूतज

8.22.60

नाराचान्गार्ध्रपक्षांश्च शकटानि वहन्तु ते
अनुयास्याम कर्ण त्वां वयं सर्वे च पार्थिवाः

8.22.61

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा महाराज तव पुत्राः प्रतापवान्
अभिगम्याब्रवीद्राजा मद्रराजमिदं वचः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Dhritarashtra said, 'It seems that Arjuna slew all of you at his will. Indeed, the Destroyer himself could not escape him in battle, if Arjuna took up arms against Him. Single-handed, Partha ravished Bhadra, and single-handed, he gratified Agni. Single-handed, he subjugated the whole Earth, and made all the kings pay tribute. Single-handed, with his celestial bow he slew the Nivatakavachas. Single-handed, he contended in battle with Mahadeva who stood before him in the guise of a hunter. Single-handed, he protected the Bharatas, and single-handed, he gratified Bhava. Single-handed, were vanquished by him all the kings of the Earth endued with fierce prowess. The Kurus cannot be blamed. On the other hand, they deserve praise (for having fought with such a warrior). Tell me now what they did. Tell me also, O Suta, what Duryodhana did after that.'

"Sanjaya said, 'Struck and wounded and overthrown from their vehicles and divested of armour and deprived of weapons and their beasts slain, with plaintive voices and burning with grief and vanquished by their foes, the vain Kauravas, entering their tents once more took counsel of one another. They then looked like snakes deprived of fangs and poison trod upon by others. Unto them, Karna, sighing like an angry snake, squeezing his hands, and eyeing thy son, said, "Arjuna is always careful, firm, possessed of skill, and endued with intelligence. Again, when the time comes, Vasudeva awakes him (to what should be done). Today, by that sudden shower of weapons we were deceived by him. Tomorrow, however, O lord of Earth, I will frustrate all his purposes." Thus addressed by Karna, Duryodhana said, "So be it," and then granted permission to those foremost of kings to retire. Bidden by the king, all those rulers proceeded to their respective tents. Having passed the night happily, they cheerfully went out for battle (the next day). They then beheld an invincible array formed by king Yudhishthira the just, that foremost one of Kuru race, with great care, and according to the sanction of Brihaspati and Usanas. Then that slayer of foes, Duryodhana, called to mind the heroic Karna, that counteractor of foes, that warrior with neck like that of a bull, equal to Purandara himself in battle, the Maruts in might, and Kartavirya in energy. Indeed, the heart of the king turned towards Karna. And the hearts of all the troops also turned to that hero, that Suta's son, that mighty bowman, as one's heart turns to a friend in a situation of great danger.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'What did Duryodhana next do, O Suta, when the hearts of all of you turned towards Vikarna's son Karna? Did my troops cast their eyes on Radha's son like persons afflicted with cold turning their gaze towards the Sun? Upon the recommencement of the battle after the withdrawal of the troops, how, O Sanjaya, did Vikarna's son Karna fight? How also did all the Pandavas fight with the Suta's son? The mighty-armed Karna would, single-handed, slay the Parthas with the Srinjayas. The might of Karna's arms in battle equals that of Sakra or Vishnu. His weapons are fierce, and the prowess also of that high-souled one is fierce. Relying upon Karna, king Duryodhana had set his heart on battle. Beholding Duryodhana deeply afflicted by the son of Pandu, and seeing also the sons of Pandu displaying great prowess, what did that mighty car-warrior, viz., Karna, do? Alas, the foolish Duryodhana, relying on Karna, hopeth to vanquish the Parthas with their sons and Keshava in battle! Alas, it is a matter of great grief that Karna could not, with his strength, overcome the sons of Pandu in fight! Without doubt, Destiny is supreme. Alas, the terrible end of that gambling match hath now come! Alas, these heartrending sorrows, due to Duryodhana's acts, many in number and like unto terrible darts, are now being borne by, me, O Sanjaya! O sire, Subala's son used to be then regarded as a politic person. Karna also is always exceedingly attached to king Duryodhana. Alas, when such is the case, O Sanjaya, why have I then to hear of the frequent defeats and deaths of my sons? There is no one that can resist the Pandavas in battle. They penetrate into my army like a man into the midst of helpless women. Destiny, indeed, is supreme.'

"Sanjaya said, 'O king, think now of all those wrongful acts of thine like that match at dice and the others--acts that have passed away from the subjects of thought with man. One should not, however, reflect on bygone acts. One may be ruined by such reflection. That result (which thou hadst expected) is now much removed from the point of fruition, since, although possessed of knowledge, thou didst not reflect on the propriety or impropriety of thy acts then. Many a time wert thou, O king, counselled against warring with the Pandavas. Thou didst not, however, O monarch, accept those counsels, from folly. Diverse sinful acts of a grave nature were perpetrated by thee against the sons of Pandu. For those acts this awful slaughter of kings hath now come. All that, however, is now past. Do not grieve, O bull of Bharata's race. O thou of unfading glory, listen now to the details of the awful carnage that has occurred.

"'When the night dawned, Karna repaired to king Duryodhana. Approaching the king, the mighty-armed hero said, "I shall, O king, engage in battle today the illustrious son of Pandu. Either I will slay that hero today, or he will slay me. In consequence of the diverse things both myself and Partha had to do, O Bharata, an encounter, O king, could not hitherto take place between myself and Arjuna! Listen now, O monarch, to these words of mine, spoken according to my wisdom. Without slaying Partha in battle I will not come back, O Bharata. Since this army of ours hath been deprived of its foremost warriors, and since I will stand in battle, Partha will advance against me, especially because I am destitute of the dart Sakra gave me. Therefore, O ruler of men, listen now to what is beneficial. The energy of my celestial weapons is equal to the energy of Arjuna's weapons. In counteracting the feats of powerful foes, in lightness of hands, in range of the arrows shot, in skill, and in hitting the mark, Savyasaci is never my equal. In physical strength, in courage, in knowledge of (weapons), in prowess, O Bharata, in aiming, Savyasaci is never my equal. My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to Bhrigu's son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of bows Bhrigu's son gave to me. With that bow I will contend in battle with the mighty-armed Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with the assembled Daityas. That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior to Gandiva. It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice seven times (by Bhrigu's son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will contend in battle with the son of Pandu. I will, O Duryodhana, gladden thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz., Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors. The whole Earth with her mountains and forest and islands, without a heroic warrior (to oppose thy wish), will, O king, become thine today, over which thyself with thy sons and grandsons will reign supreme. Today there is nothing that is incapable of being achieved by me, especially when the object is to do what is agreeable to thee, even as success is incapable of being missed by an ascetic zealously devoted to virtue and having his soul under control. Arjuna will not be able to bear me in battle, even as a tree in contact with fire is incapable of bearing that element. I must, however, declare in what respect I am inferior to Arjuna. The string of his bow is celestial, and the two large quivers of his are inexhaustible. His driver is Govinda. I have none like him. His is that celestial and foremost of bows, called Gandiva, which is irrefragible in battle. I also have that excellent, celestial, and formidable bow called Vijaya. In respect of our bows, therefore, O king, I am superior to Arjuna. Listen now to those matters in which the heroic son of Pandu is superior to me. The holder of the reins (of his steeds) is he of Dasharha's race who is adored by all the worlds. His celestial car decked with gold, given unto him by Agni, is impenetrable in every part, and his steeds also, O hero, are endued with the speed of the mind. His celestial standard, bearing the blazing Ape, is exceedingly wonderful. Again, Krishna, who is Creator of the universe, protects that car. Though inferior to Arjuna in respect of these things, I still desire to fight with him. This Shalya, however, the ornament of assemblies, is equal to Saurin. If he becomes my driver, victory will certainly be thine. Let Shalya, therefore, who is incapable of being resisted by foes be the driver of my car. Let a large number of carts bear my long shafts and those that are winged with vulturine feathers. Let a number of foremost cars, O monarch, with excellent steeds yoked unto them, always follow me, O bull of Bharata's race. By these arrangements I will, as regards the qualities mentioned, be superior to Arjuna. Shalya is superior to Krishna, and I am superior to Arjuna. As that slayer of foes, viz., he of Dasharha's race, is acquainted with horselore, even so is that mighty car-warrior, viz., Shalya acquainted with horselore. There is none equal to the chief of the Madras in might of arms. As there is none equal to myself in weapons, so there is none equal to Shalya in knowledge of steeds. So circumstanced, I will become superior to Partha. Against my car, the very gods with Vasava at their head will not dare advance. All these being attended to, when I take my stand on my car, I will become superior to Arjuna in the attributes of warrior and will then, O best of the Kurus, vanquish Phalguna. I desire, O monarch, all this to be done by thee, O scorcher of foes. Let these wishes of mine be accomplished. Let no time be suffered to elapse. If all this be accomplished, the most effectual aid will be rendered to me on every desirable point. Thou wilt then see, O Bharata, what I will achieve in battle. I will by every means vanquish the sons of Pandu in battle when they will approach me. The very gods and Asuras are not able to advance against me in battle. What need be said then of the sons of Pandu that are of human origin?'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed by that ornament of battle, viz., Karna, thy son, worshipping the son of Radha, answered him, with a glad heart, saying, "Accomplish that, O Karna, which thou thinkest. Equipped with goodly quivers and steeds, such cars shall follow thee in battle. Let as many cars as thou wishest bear thy long shafts and arrows equipped with vulturine feathers. Ourselves, as also all the kings, O Karna will, follow thee in battle.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words, thy royal son, endued with great prowess, approached the ruler of the Madras and addressed him in the following words.'"

8.23.1

संजय उवाच
पुत्रस्तव महाराज मद्रराजमिदं वचः
विनयेनोपसंगम्य प्रणयाद्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

8.23.2

सत्यव्रत महाभाग द्विषतामघवर्धन
मद्रेश्वर रणे शूर परसैन्यभयंकर

8.23.3

श्रुतवानसि कर्णस्य ब्रुवतो वदतां वर
यथा नृपतिसिंहानां मध्ये त्वां वरयत्ययम्

8.23.4

तस्मात्पार्थविनाशार्थं हितार्थं मम चैव हि
सारथ्यं रथिनां श्रेष्ठ सुमनाः कर्तुमर्हसि

8.23.5

अस्याभीशुग्रहो लोके नान्योऽस्ति भवता समः
स पातु सर्वतः कर्णं भवान्ब्रह्मेव शंकरम्

8.23.6

पार्थस्य सचिवः कृष्णो यथाभीशुग्रहो वरः
तथा त्वमपि राधेयं सर्वतः परिपालय

8.23.7

भीष्मो द्रोणः कृपः कर्णो भवान्भोजश्च वीर्यवान्
शकुनिः सौबलो द्रौणिरहमेव च नो बलम्
एषामेव कृतो भागो नवधा पृतनापते

8.23.8

नैव भागोऽत्र भीष्मस्य द्रोणस्य च महात्मनः
ताभ्यामतीत्य तौ भागौ निहता मम शत्रवः

8.23.9

वृद्धौ हि तौ नरव्याघ्रौ छलेन निहतौ च तौ
कृत्वा नसुकरं कर्म गतौ स्वर्गमितोऽनघ

8.23.10

तथान्ये पुरुषव्याघ्राः परैर्विनिहता युधि
अस्मदीयाश्च बहवः स्वर्गायोपगता रणे
त्यक्त्वा प्राणान्यथाशक्ति चेष्टाः कृत्वा च पुष्कलाः

8.23.11

कर्णो ह्येको महाबाहुरस्मत्प्रियहिते रतः
भवांश्च पुरुषव्याघ्र सर्वलोकमहारथः
तस्मिञ्जयाशा विपुला मम मद्रजनाधिप

8.23.12

पार्थस्य समरे कृष्णो यथाभीशुवरग्रहः
तेन युक्तो रणे पार्थो रक्ष्यमाणश्च पार्थिव
यानि कर्माणि कुरुते प्रत्यक्षाणि तथैव ते

8.23.13

पूर्वं न समरे ह्येवमवधीदर्जुनो रिपून्
अहन्यहनि मद्रेश द्रावयन्दृश्यते युधि

8.23.14

भागोऽवशिष्टः कर्णस्य तव चैव महाद्युते
तं भागं सह कर्णेन युगपन्नाशयाहवे

8.23.15

सूर्यारुणौ यथा दृष्ट्वा तमो नश्यति मारिष
तथा नश्यन्तु कौन्तेयाः सपाञ्चालाः ससृञ्जयाः

8.23.16

रथानां प्रवरः कर्णो यन्तॄणां प्रवरो भवान्
संनिपातः समो लोके भवतोर्नास्ति कश्चन

8.23.17

यथा सर्वास्ववस्थासु वार्ष्णेयः पाति पाण्डवम्
तथा भवान्परित्रातु कर्णं वैकर्तनं रणे

8.23.18

त्वया सारथिना ह्येष अप्रधृष्यो भविष्यति
देवतानामपि रणे सशक्राणां महीपते
किं पुनः पाण्डवेयानां मातिशङ्कीर्वचो मम

8.23.19

दुर्योधनवचः श्रुत्वा शल्यः क्रोधसमन्वितः
त्रिशिखां भ्रुकुटीं कृत्वा धुन्वन्हस्तौ पुनः पुनः

8.23.20

क्रोधरक्ते महानेत्रे परिवर्त्य महाभुजः
कुलैश्वर्यश्रुतिबलैर्दृप्तः शल्योऽब्रवीदिदम्

8.23.21

अवमन्यसे मां गान्धारे ध्रुवं मां परिशङ्कसे
यन्मां ब्रवीषि विस्रब्धं सारथ्यं क्रियतामिति

8.23.22

अस्मत्तोऽभ्यधिकं कर्णं मन्यमानः प्रशंससि
न चाहं युधि राधेयं गणये तुल्यमात्मना

8.23.23

आदिश्यतामभ्यधिको ममांशः पृथिवीपते
तमहं समरे हत्वा गमिष्यामि यथागतम्

8.23.24

अथ वाप्येक एवाहं योत्स्यामि कुरुनन्दन
पश्य वीर्यं ममाद्य त्वं संग्रामे दहतो रिपून्

8.23.25

न चाभिकामान्कौरव्य विधाय हृदये पुमान्
अस्मद्विधः प्रवर्तेत मा मा त्वमतिशङ्किथाः

8.23.26

युधि चाप्यवमानो मे न कर्तव्यः कथंचन
पश्य हीमौ मम भुजौ वज्रसंहननोपमौ

8.23.27

धनुः पश्य च मे चित्रं शरांश्चाशीविषोपमान्
रथं पश्य च मे कॢप्तं सदश्वैर्वातवेगितैः
गदां च पश्य गान्धारे हेमपट्टविभूषिताम्

8.23.28

दारयेयं महीं क्रुद्धो विकिरेयं च पर्वतान्
शोषयेयं समुद्रांश्च तेजसा स्वेन पार्थिव

8.23.29

तन्मामेवंविधं जानन्समर्थमरिनिग्रहे
कस्माद्युनक्षि सारथ्ये न्यूनस्याधिरथेर्नृप

8.23.30

न नाम धुरि राजेन्द्र प्रयोक्तुं त्वमिहार्हसि
न हि पापीयसः श्रेयान्भूत्वा प्रेष्यत्वमुत्सहे

8.23.31

यो ह्यभ्युपगतं प्रीत्या गरीयांसं वशे स्थितम्
वशे पापीयसो धत्ते तत्पापमधरोत्तरम्

8.23.32

ब्राह्मणा ब्रह्मणा सृष्टा मुखात्क्षत्रमथोरसः
ऊरुभ्यामसृजद्वैश्याञ्शूद्रान्पद्भ्यामिति श्रुतिः
तेभ्यो वर्णविशेषाश्च प्रतिलोमानुलोमजाः

8.23.33

अथान्योन्यस्य संयोगाच्चातुर्वर्ण्यस्य भारत
गोप्तारः संग्रहीतारो दातारः क्षत्रियाः स्मृताः

8.23.34

याजनाध्यापनैर्विप्रा विशुद्धैश्च प्रतिग्रहैः
लोकस्यानुग्रहार्थाय स्थापिता ब्रह्मणा भुवि

8.23.35

कृषिश्च पाशुपाल्यं च विशां दानं च सर्वशः
ब्रह्मक्षत्रविशां शूद्रा विहिताः परिचारकाः

8.23.36

ब्रह्मक्षत्रस्य विहिताः सूता वै परिचारकाः
न विट्शूद्रस्य तत्रैव शृणु वाक्यं ममानघ

8.23.37

सोऽहं मूर्धावसिक्तः सन्राजर्षिकुलसंभवः
महारथः समाख्यातः सेव्यः स्तव्यश्च बन्दिनाम्

8.23.38

सोऽहमेतादृशो भूत्वा नेहारिकुलमर्दन
सूतपुत्रस्य संग्रामे सारथ्यं कर्तुमुत्सहे

8.23.39

अवमानमहं प्राप्य न योत्स्यामि कथंचन
आपृच्छ्य त्वाद्य गान्धारे गमिष्यामि यथागतम्

8.23.40

एवमुक्त्वा नरव्याघ्रः शल्यः समितिशोभनः
उत्थाय प्रययौ तूर्णं राजमध्यादमर्षितः

8.23.41

प्रणयाद्बहुमानाच्च तं निगृह्य सुतस्तव
अब्रवीन्मधुरं वाक्यं साम सर्वार्थसाधकम्

8.23.42

यथा शल्य त्वमात्थेदमेवमेतदसंशयम्
अभिप्रायस्तु मे कश्चित्तं निबोध जनेश्वर

8.23.43

न कर्णोऽभ्यधिकस्त्वत्तः शङ्के नैव कथंचन
न हि मद्रेश्वरो राजा कुर्याद्यदनृतं भवेत्

8.23.44

ऋतमेव हि पूर्वास्ते वहन्ति पुरुषोत्तमाः
तस्मादार्तायनिः प्रोक्तो भवानिति मतिर्मम

8.23.45

शल्यभूतश्च शत्रूणां यस्मात्त्वं भुवि मानद
तस्माच्छल्येति ते नाम कथ्यते पृथिवीपते

8.23.46

यदेव व्याहृतं पूर्वं भवता भूरिदक्षिण
तदेव कुरु धर्मज्ञ मदर्थं यद्यदुच्यसे

8.23.47

न च त्वत्तो हि राधेयो न चाहमपि वीर्यवान्
वृणीमस्त्वां हयाग्र्याणां यन्तारमिति संयुगे

8.23.48

यथा ह्यभ्यधिकं कर्णं गुणैस्तात धनंजयात्
वासुदेवादपि त्वां च लोकोऽयमिति मन्यते

8.23.49

कर्णो ह्यभ्यधिकः पार्थादस्त्रैरेव नरर्षभ
भवानप्यधिकः कृष्णादश्वयाने बले तथा

8.23.50

यथाश्वहृदयं वेद वासुदेवो महामनाः
द्विगुणं त्वं तथा वेत्थ मद्रराज न संशयः

8.23.51

शल्य उवाच
यन्मा ब्रवीषि गान्धारे मध्ये सैन्यस्य कौरव
विशिष्टं देवकीपुत्रात्प्रीतिमानस्म्यहं त्वयि

8.23.52

एष सारथ्यमातिष्ठे राधेयस्य यशस्विनः
युध्यतः पाण्डवाग्र्येण यथा त्वं वीर मन्यसे

8.23.53

समयश्च हि मे वीर कश्चिद्वैकर्तनं प्रति
उत्सृजेयं यथाश्रद्धमहं वाचोऽस्य संनिधौ

8.23.54

संजय उवाच
तथेति राजन्पुत्रस्ते सह कर्णेन भारत
अब्रवीन्मद्रराजस्य सुतं भरतसत्तम

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Thy son then, O monarch, humbly approaching that mighty car-warrior, viz., the ruler of the Madras, addressed him, from affection, in these words, "O thou of true vows, O thou of great good fortune, O enhancer of the sorrows of foes, O ruler of the Madras, O hero in battle, O thou that inspirest hostile troops with fear, thou hast heard, O foremost of speakers, how, for the sake of Karna who spoke unto me, I myself am desirous of soliciting thee among all these lions of kings. O thou of incomparable prowess, O king of the Madras, for the destruction of the foe, I solicit thee today, with humility and bow of the head. Therefore, for the destruction of Partha and for my good, it behoveth thee, O foremost of car-warriors, to accept, from love, the office of charioteer. With thee for his driver, the son of Radha will subjugate my foes. There is none else for holding the reins of Karna's steeds, except thee, O thou of great good fortune, thou that art the equal of Vasudeva in battle. Protect Karna then by every means like Brahma protecting Maheswara. Even as he of Vrishni's race protects by every means the son of Pandu in all dangers, do thou, O chief of the Madras, protect the son of Radha today. Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa, and thyself and the valiant ruler of the Bhojas, and Shakuni the son of Subala, and Drona's son and myself, constituted the chief strength of our army. Even thus, O lord of Earth, we had divided amongst ourselves the hostile army into portion for the share of each. The share that had been allotted to Bhishma is now no more as also that which had been allotted to the high-souled Drona. Going even beyond their allotted shares, those two slew my foes. Those two tigers among men, however, were old, and both of them have been slain deceitfully. Having achieved the most difficult feats, both of them, O sinless one, have departed hence to heaven. Similarly, many other tigers among men, of our army, slain by foes in battle, have ascended to heaven, casting off their lives and having made great exertions to the best of their powers. This my host, therefore, O king, the greater portion of which has been slaughtered, has been reduced to this state by the Parthas who were at first fewer than us. What should be done for the present? Do that now, O lord of Earth, by which the mighty and the high-souled sons of Kunti, of prowess incapable of being baffled, may be prevented from exterminating the remnant of my host. O lord, the Pandavas have in battle slain the bravest warriors of this my force. The mighty-armed Karna alone is devoted to our good, as also thyself, O tiger among men, that art the foremost of car-warriors in the whole world. O Shalya, Karna wishes to contend in battle today with Arjuna. On him, O ruler of the Madras, my hopes of victory are great. There is none else in the world (save thee) that can make so good a holder of the reins for Karna. As Krishna is the foremost of all holders of reins for Partha in battle, even so, O king, be thou the foremost of all holders of reins for Karna's car. Accompanied and protected, O sire, by him in battle, the feats that Partha achieve are all before thee. Formerly, Arjuna had never slain his foes in battle in such a way. Now however, his prowess has become great, united as he is with Krishna. Day after day, O ruler of the Madras, this vast Dhritarashtra force is seen to be routed by Partha because he is united with Krishna. A portion remains of the share allotted to Karna and thyself, O thou of great splendour. Bear that share with Karna, and destroy it unitedly in battle. Even as Surya, uniting with Aruna, destroys the darkness, do thou, uniting with Karna, slay Partha in battle. Let the mighty car-warriors (of the enemy), fly away, beholding in battle those two warriors endued with the effulgence of the morning sun, viz., Karna and Shalya, resembling two Suns risen above the horizon. Even as darkness is destroyed, O sire, at the sight of Surya and Aruna, even so let the Kaunteyas (Pandavas) with the Pancalas and the Srinjayas perish beholding thee and Karna. Karna is the foremost of car-warriors, and thou art the foremost of drivers. In the clash of battle, again there is none equal to thee. As he of Vrishni's race protects the son of Pandu under all circumstances, even so let thyself protect Vikarna's son Karna in battle. With thee as his driver, Karna will become invincible, O king, in battle even with the gods having Sakra at their head! What then need be said about the Pandavas? Do not doubt my words.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Shalya, became filled with rage. Contracting his brow into three lines, and waving his arms repeatedly, and rolling his large eyes red in wrath, that warrior of massive arms proud of his lineage and wealth and knowledge and strength, said these words:

"'Shalya said "Thou insultest me, O son of Gandhari, or without doubt suspectest me, since thou solicitest me, without hesitation, saying, 'Act thou as a driver.' Regarding Karna to be superior to ourselves, thou applaudest him thus. I, however, do not regard the son of Radha as my equal in battle. Assign to me a much greater share, O lord of Earth. Destroying that in battle, I will return to the place I come from. Or, if thou wishest, I will, O delighter of the Kurus, contend, single-handed, with the enemy. While engaged in consuming the foe, behold thou my prowess today. Brooding upon an insult, O thou of Kuru's race, a person like ourselves never engageth in my task. Do not have thy doubts about me. Never shouldst thou humiliate me in battle. Behold these two massive arms of mine, strong as the thunder. Behold also my excellent bow, and these shafts that resemble snakes of virulent poison. Behold my car, unto which are yoked excellent steeds endued with the speed of the wind. Behold also, O son of Gandhari, my mace decked with gold and twined with hempen chords. Filled with wrath, I can split the very Earth, scatter the mountains, and dry up the oceans, with my own energy, O king. Knowing me, O monarch, to be so capable, of afflicting the foe, why dost thou appoint me to the office of driver in battle for such a low-born person as Adhiratha's son? It behoveth thee not, O king of kings, to set me to such mean tasks! Being so superior, I cannot make up my mind to obey the commands of a sinful person. He that causeth a superior person arrived of his own will and obedient from love, to yield to a sinful wight, certainly incurreth the sin of confusing the superior with the inferior. Brahman created the brahmanas from his mouth, and the kshatriyas from his arms. He created the Vaishyas from his thighs and the Shudras from his feet. In consequence of the intermixture of those four orders, O Bharata, from those four have sprung particular classes, viz., those born of men of superior classes wedding women of classes inferior to themselves, and vice versa. The kshatriyas have been described to be protectors (of the other classes) acquirers of wealth and givers of the same. The brahmanas have been established on the Earth for the sake of favouring its people by assisting at sacrifices, by teaching and acceptance of pure gifts. Agriculture and tending of cattle and gift are the occupations of the Vaishyas according to the scriptures. Shudras have been ordained to be the servants of the brahmanas, the kshatriyas, and the vaishyas. Similarly, the Sutas are the servants of kshatriyas, and not latter the servants of the former. Listen to these my words, O sinless one. As regards myself, I am one whose coronal locks have undergone the sacred bath. I am born in a race of royal sages. I am reckoned a great car-warrior. I deserve the worship and the praises that bards and eulogists render and sing. Being all this, O slayer of hostile troops, I cannot go to the extent of acting as the driver of the Suta's son in battle. I will never fight, undergoing an act of humiliation. I ask thy permission, O son of Gandhari, for returning home."

"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words that tiger among men and ornament of assemblies, viz., Shalya, filled with rage stood up quickly and endeavoured to get away from that concourse of kings. Thy son, however, from affection and great regard, held the king, and addressed him in these sweet and conciliatory words, that were capable of accomplishing every object, "Without doubt, O Shalya, it is even so as thou hast said. But I have a certain purpose in view. Listen to it, O ruler of men, Karna is not superior to thee, nor do I suspect thee, O king. The royal chief of the Madras will never do that which is false. Those foremost of men that were thy ancestors always told the truth. I think it is for this that thou art called Artayani (the descendant of those that had truth for their refuge). And since, O giver of honours, thou art like a barbed arrow to thy foes, therefore art thou called by the name of Shalya on earth. O thou that makest large present (to brahmanas) at sacrifices, do thou accomplish all that which, O virtuous one, thou hadst previously said thou wouldst accomplish. Neither the son of Radha nor myself am superior to thee in valour that I would select thee as the driver of those foremost of steeds (that are yoked unto Karna's car). As, however, O sire, Karna is superior to Dhananjaya in regard to many qualities, even so doth the world regard thee to be superior to Vasudeva. Karna is certainly superior to Partha in the matter of weapons, O bull among men. Thou too art superior to Krishna in knowledge of steeds and might. Without doubt O ruler of the Madras, thy knowledge of horse is double that which the high-souled Vasudeva hath."

"'Shalya said, "Since, O son of Gandhari, thou describest me, O thou of Kuru's race, in the midst of all these troops, to be superior to Devaki's son, I am gratified with thee. I will become the driver of Radha's son of great fame while he will be engaged in battle with the foremost one of Pandu's sons, as thou solicitest me. Let this, however, O hero, be my understanding with Vikartana's son that I will in his presence utter whatever speeches I desire.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'O king, thy son, with Karna then, O Bharata, answered the prince of the Madras, O best of Bharata's race, saying, "So be it."'"

8.24.1

दुर्योधन उवाच
भूय एव तु मद्रेश यत्ते वक्ष्यामि तच्छृणु
यथा पुरा वृत्तमिदं युद्धे देवासुरे विभो

8.24.2

यदुक्तवान्पितुर्मह्यं मार्कण्डेयो महानृषिः
तदशेषेण ब्रुवतो मम राजर्षिसत्तम
त्वं निबोध न चाप्यत्र कर्तव्या ते विचारणा

8.24.3

देवानामसुराणां च महानासीत्समागमः
बभूव प्रथमो राजन्संग्रामस्तारकामयः
निर्जिताश्च तदा दैत्या दैवतैरिति नः श्रुतम्

8.24.4

निर्जितेषु च दैत्येषु तारकस्य सुतास्त्रयः
ताराक्षः कमलाक्षश्च विद्युन्माली च पार्थिव

8.24.5

तप उग्रं समास्थाय नियमे परमे स्थिताः
तपसा कर्शयामासुर्देहान्स्वाञ्शत्रुतापन

8.24.6

दमेन तपसा चैव नियमेन च पार्थिव
तेषां पितामहः प्रीतो वरदः प्रददौ वरान्

8.24.7

अवध्यत्वं च ते राजन्सर्वभूतेषु सर्वदा
सहिता वरयामासुः सर्वलोकपितामहम्

8.24.8

तानब्रवीत्तदा देवो लोकानां प्रभुरीश्वरः
नास्ति सर्वामरत्वं हि निवर्तध्वमतोऽसुराः
वरमन्यं वृणीध्वं वै यादृशं संप्ररोचते

8.24.9

ततस्ते सहिता राजन्संप्रधार्यासकृद्बहु
सर्वलोकेश्वरं वाक्यं प्रणम्यैनमथाब्रुवन्

8.24.10

अस्माकं त्वं वरं देव प्रयच्छेमं पितामह
वयं पुराणि त्रीण्येव समास्थाय महीमिमाम्
विचरिष्याम लोकेऽस्मिंस्त्वत्प्रसादपुरस्कृताः

8.24.11

ततो वर्षसहस्रे तु समेष्यामः परस्परम्
एकीभावं गमिष्यन्ति पुराण्येतानि चानघ

8.24.12

समागतानि चैतानि यो हन्याद्भगवंस्तदा
एकेषुणा देववरः स नो मृत्युर्भविष्यति
एवमस्त्विति तान्देवः प्रत्युक्त्वा प्राविशद्दिवम्

8.24.13

ते तु लब्धवराः प्रीताः संप्रधार्य परस्परम्
पुरत्रयविसृष्ट्यर्थं मयं वव्रुर्महासुरम्
विश्वकर्माणमजरं दैत्यदानवपूजितम्

8.24.14

ततो मयः स्वतपसा चक्रे धीमान्पुराणि ह
त्रीणि काञ्चनमेकं तु रौप्यं कार्ष्णायसं तथा

8.24.15

काञ्चनं दिवि तत्रासीदन्तरिक्षे च राजतम्
आयसं चाभवद्भूमौ चक्रस्थं पृथिवीपते

8.24.16

एकैकं योजनशतं विस्तारायामसंमितम्
गृहाट्टाट्टालकयुतं बृहत्प्राकारतोरणम्

8.24.17

गुणप्रसवसंबाधमसंबाधमनामयम्
प्रासादैर्विविधैश्चैव द्वारैश्चाप्युपशोभितम्

8.24.18

पुरेषु चाभवन्राजन्राजानो वै पृथक्पृथक्
काञ्चनं तारकाक्षस्य चित्रमासीन्महात्मनः
राजतं कमलाक्षस्य विद्युन्मालिन आयसम्

8.24.19

त्रयस्ते दैत्यराजानस्त्रीँल्लोकानाशु तेजसा
आक्रम्य तस्थुर्वर्षाणां पूगान्नाम प्रजापतिः

8.24.20

तेषां दानवमुख्यानां प्रयुतान्यर्बुदानि च
कोट्यश्चाप्रतिवीराणां समाजग्मुस्ततस्ततः
महदैश्वर्यमिच्छन्तस्त्रिपुरं दुर्गमाश्रिताः

8.24.21

सर्वेषां च पुनस्तेषां सर्वयोगवहो मयः
तमाश्रित्य हि ते सर्वे अवर्तन्ताकुतोभयाः

8.24.22

यो हि यं मनसा कामं दध्यौ त्रिपुरसंश्रयः
तस्मै कामं मयस्तं तं विदधे मायया तदा

8.24.23

तारकाक्षसुतश्चासीद्धरिर्नाम महाबलः
तपस्तेपे परमकं येनातुष्यत्पितामहः

8.24.24

स तुष्टमवृणोद्देवं वापी भवतु नः पुरे
शस्त्रैर्विनिहता यत्र क्षिप्ताः स्युर्बलवत्तराः

8.24.25

स तु लब्ध्वा वरं वीरस्तारकाक्षसुतो हरिः
ससृजे तत्र वापीं तां मृतानां जीवनीं प्रभो

8.24.26

येन रूपेण दैत्यस्तु येन वेषेण चैव ह
मृतस्तस्यां परिक्षिप्तस्तादृशेनैव जज्ञिवान्

8.24.27

तां प्राप्य त्रैपुरस्थास्तु सर्वाँल्लोकान्बबाधिरे
महता तपसा सिद्धाः सुराणां भयवर्धनाः
न तेषामभवद्राजन्क्षयो युद्धे कथंचन

8.24.28

ततस्ते लोभमोहाभ्यामभिभूता विचेतसः
निर्ह्रीकाः संस्थितिं सर्वे स्थापितां समलूलुपन्

8.24.29

विद्राव्य सगणान्देवांस्तत्र तत्र तदा तदा
विचेरुः स्वेन कामेन वरदानेन दर्पिताः

8.24.30

देवारण्यानि सर्वाणि प्रियाणि च दिवौकसाम्
ऋषीणामाश्रमान्पुण्यान्यूपाञ्जनपदांस्तथा
व्यनाशयन्त मर्यादा दानवा दुष्टचारिणः

8.24.31

ते देवाः सहिताः सर्वे पितामहमरिंदम
अभिजग्मुस्तदाख्यातुं विप्रकारं सुरेतरैः

8.24.32

ते तत्त्वं सर्वमाख्याय शिरसाभिप्रणम्य च
वधोपायमपृच्छन्त भगवन्तं पितामहम्

8.24.33

श्रुत्वा तद्भगवान्देवो देवानिदमुवाच ह
असुराश्च दुरात्मानस्ते चापि विबुधद्विषः
अपराध्यन्ति सततं ये युष्मान्पीडयन्त्युत

8.24.34

अहं हि तुल्यः सर्वेषां भूतानां नात्र संशयः
अधार्मिकास्तु हन्तव्या इत्यहं प्रब्रवीमि वः

8.24.35

ते यूयं स्थाणुमीशानं जिष्णुमक्लिष्टकारिणम्
योद्धारं वृणुतादित्याः स तान्हन्ता सुरेतरान्

8.24.36

इति तस्य वचः श्रुत्वा देवाः शक्रपुरोगमाः
ब्रह्माणमग्रतः कृत्वा वृषाङ्कं शरणं ययुः

8.24.37

तपः परं समातस्थुर्गृणन्तो ब्रह्म शाश्वतम्
ऋषिभिः सह धर्मज्ञा भवं सर्वात्मना गताः

8.24.38

तुष्टुवुर्वाग्भिरर्थ्याभिर्भयेष्वभयकृत्तमम्
सर्वात्मानं महात्मानं येनाप्तं सर्वमात्मना

8.24.39

तपोविशेषैर्बहुभिर्योगं यो वेद चात्मनः
यः सांख्यमात्मनो वेद यस्य चात्मा वशे सदा

8.24.40

ते तं ददृशुरीशानं तेजोराशिमुमापतिम्
अनन्यसदृशं लोके व्रतवन्तमकल्मषम्

8.24.41

एकं च भगवन्तं ते नानारूपमकल्पयन्
आत्मनः प्रतिरूपाणि रूपाण्यथ महात्मनि
परस्परस्य चापश्यन्सर्वे परमविस्मिताः

8.24.42

सर्वभूतमयं चेशं तमजं जगतः पतिम्
देवा ब्रह्मर्षयश्चैव शिरोभिर्धरणीं गताः

8.24.43

तान्स्वस्तिवाक्येनाभ्यर्च्य समुत्थाप्य च शंकरः
ब्रूत ब्रूतेति भगवान्स्मयमानोऽभ्यभाषत

8.24.44

त्र्यम्बकेणाभ्यनुज्ञातास्ततस्तेऽस्वस्थचेतसः
नमो नमस्तेऽस्तु विभो तत इत्यब्रुवन्भवम्

8.24.45

नमो देवातिदेवाय धन्विने चातिमन्यवे
प्रजापतिमखघ्नाय प्रजापतिभिरीड्यसे

8.24.46

नमः स्तुताय स्तुत्याय स्तूयमानाय मृत्यवे
विलोहिताय रुद्राय नीलग्रीवाय शूलिने

8.24.47

अमोघाय मृगाक्षाय प्रवरायुधयोधिने
दुर्वारणाय शुक्राय ब्रह्मणे ब्रह्मचारिणे

8.24.48

ईशानायाप्रमेयाय नियन्त्रे चर्मवाससे
तपोनित्याय पिङ्गाय व्रतिने कृत्तिवाससे

8.24.49

कुमारपित्रे त्र्यक्षाय प्रवरायुधधारिणे
प्रपन्नार्तिविनाशाय ब्रह्मद्विट्संघघातिने

8.24.50

वनस्पतीनां पतये नराणां पतये नमः
गवां च पतये नित्यं यज्ञानां पतये नमः

8.24.51

नमोऽस्तु ते ससैन्याय त्र्यम्बकायोग्रतेजसे
मनोवाक्कर्मभिर्देव त्वां प्रपन्नान्भजस्व नः

8.24.52

ततः प्रसन्नो भगवान्स्वागतेनाभिनन्द्य तान्
प्रोवाच व्येतु वस्त्रासो ब्रूत किं करवाणि वः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Duryodhana said, "Listen, once more, O ruler of the Madras, to what I will say unto thee, about what happened, O lord, in the battle between the gods and the Asuras in days of yore. The great rishi Markandeya narrated it to my sire. I will now recite it without leaving out anything, O best of royal sages. Listen to that account confidingly and without mistrusting it at all. Between the gods and the Asuras, each desirous of vanquishing the other, there happened a great battle, O king, which had Taraka for its evil (root). It hath been heard by us that the Daityas were defeated by the gods. Upon the defeat of the Daityas, the three sons of Taraka, named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmalin, O king, practising the austerest penances, lived in the observance of high vows. By those penances they emaciated their bodies, O scorcher of foes. In consequence of their self-restraint, their penances, their vows and contemplation, the boongiving Grandsire became gratified with them and gave them boons. Unitedly they solicited the Grandsire of all the worlds, O king, for the boon of immunity from death at the hands of all Creatures of all times. The divine Lord and Master of all the worlds said unto them, 'There is nothing like immunity from death at the hands of all creatures. Therefore, ye Asuras, abstain from such a prayer. Solicit some other boon that may seem desirable to you.' When all of them, O king, having settled it amongst themselves after long and repeated conferences, bowed to the great Master of all the worlds and said these words, 'O god, O Grandsire, give us this boon. Residing in three cities, we will rove over this Earth, with thy grace ever before us. After a 1,000 years then, we will come together, and our three cities also, O sinless one, will become united into one. That foremost one amongst the gods who will, with one shaft, pierce those three cities united into one, will, O lord, be the cause of our destruction.' Saying unto them, 'Let it be so,' that god ascended to heaven. Those Asuras then, filled with joy at having obtained those boons and having settled it among themselves about the construction of the three cities, selected for the purpose the great Asura Maya, the celestial artificer, knowing no fatigue or decay, and worshipped by all the daityas and danavas. Then Maya, of great intelligence, by the aid of his own ascetic merit, constructed three cities, one of which was of gold, another of silver, and the third of black iron. The golden city was set in heaven, the silver city in the welkin, and the iron city was set on the Earth, all in such a way as to revolve in a circle, O lord of Earth. Each of those cities measured a hundred yojanas in breadth and a hundred in length. And they consisted of houses and mansions and lofty walls and porches. And though teeming with lordly palaces close to each other, yet the streets were wide and spacious. And they were adorned with diverse mansions and gate-ways. Each of those cities, again, O monarch, had a separate king. The beautiful city of gold belonged to the illustrious Tarakaksha: the silver city to Kamalaksha, and the iron one to Vidyunmalin. Those three Daitya kings, soon assailing the three worlds with their energy, continued to dwell and reign, and began to say, 'Who is he called the Creator?' Unto those foremost of Danavas having no heroes equal to them, came from every side millions upon millions, of proud and flesh-eating Danavas who had before been defeated by the celestials, and who now settled in the three cities, desirous of great prosperity. Unto all of them thus united, Maya became the supplier of every thing they wanted. Relying upon him, all of them resided there, in perfect fearlessness. Whoever amongst those residing in the triple city wished for any object in his heart had his wish fulfilled by Maya aided by the latter's powers of illusion. Tarakaksha had a heroic and mighty son named Hari. He underwent the austerest of penances, upon which the Grandsire became gratified with him. When the god was gratified, Hari solicited a boon of him, saying, 'Let a lake start into existence in our city, such that persons, slain by means of weapons, may, when thrown into it, come out with life, and with redoubled strength.' Obtaining this boon, the heroic Hari, son of Tarakaksha, created a lake, O lord, in his city, that was capable of reviving the dead. In whatever form and whatever guise a Daitya might have been slain, if thrown into that lake, he was restored to life, in the self-same form and guise. Obtaining alive the slain among them, the Daityas began to afflict the three worlds. Crowned with success by means of austere penances, those enhancers of the fears of the gods sustained, O king, no diminution in battle. Stupefied then by covetousness and folly, and deprived of their senses, all of them began to shamelessly exterminate the cities and towns established all over the universe. Filled with pride at the boons they had received, and driving before them, at all times and from all places, the gods with their attendants, they roamed at will over celestial forests and other realms dear to the denizens of heaven and the delightful and sacred asylums of rishis. And the wicked Danavas ceased to show any respect for anybody. While the worlds were thus afflicted, Sakra, surrounded by the Maruts, battled against the three cities by hurling his thunder upon them from every side. When, however, Purandra failed to pierce those cities made impenetrable, O king, by the Creator with his boons, the chief of celestials, filled with fear, and leaving those cities, repaired with those very gods to that chastiser of foes, viz., the Grandsire, for representing unto him the oppressions committed by the Asuras. Representing everything and bowing with their heads unto him, they asked the divine Grandsire the means by which the triple city could be destroyed. The illustrious Deity, hearing the words of Indra, told the gods, 'He that is an offender against you offends against me also. The Asuras are all of wicked souls and always hate the gods. They that give pain to you always offend against me. I am impartial to all creatures. There is no doubt in this. For all that, however, they that are unrighteous should be slain. This is my fixed vow. Those three forts are to be pierced with one shaft. By no other means can their destruction be effected. None else, save Sthanu, is competent to pierce them with one shaft. Ye Adityas, select Sthanu, otherwise called Ishana and Jishnu, who is never fatigued with work, as your warrior. It is he that will destroy those asuras.' Hearing these words of his, the gods with Sakra at their head, making Brahman take their lead, sought the protection of the Deity having the bull for his mark. Those righteous ones accompanied by rishis devoted to the severest penances and uttering the eternal words of the Vedas, sought Bhava with their whole soul. And they praised, O king, in the high words of the Vedas, that dispeller of fears in all situations of fear that Universal Soul, that Supreme Soul, that One by whom All this is pervaded with his Soul. Then the gods who, by special penances, had learnt to still all the functions of his Soul and to withdraw Soul from Matter,--they who had their soul always under control--beheld him, called Ishana,--that lord of Uma, that mass of energy, that is, who hath no equal in the universe, that source (of everything), that sinless Self. Though that Deity is one they had imagined him to be of various forms. Beholding in that high-souled one those diverse forms that each had individually conceived in own heart, all of them became filled with wonder. Beholding that Unborn one, that Lord of the universe, to be the embodiment of all creatures, the gods and the regenerate Rishis, all touched the Earth with their heads. Saluting them with the word 'Welcome' and raising them from their bent attitudes, the illustrious Sankara addressed them smilingly, saying, 'Tell us the object of your visit.' Commanded by the Three-eyed god, their hearts became easy. They then said these words unto him, 'Our repeated salutations to thee, O Lord. Salutations to thee that art the source of all the gods, to thee that art armed with the bow, to thee that art full of wrath. Salutations to thee that hadst destroyed the sacrifice of that lord of creatures (viz., Daksha) to thee that art adored by all the lords of creatures. Salutations to thee that art always praised, to thee that deservest to be praised, to thee that art Death's self. Salutations to thee that art red, to thee that art fierce, to thee that art blue-throated, to thee that art armed with the trident, to thee that art incapable of being baffled, to thee that hast eyes as beautiful as those of the gazelle, to thee that fightest with the foremost of weapons, to thee that deservest all praise, to thee that art pure, to thee that art destruction's self, to thee that art the destroyer; to thee that art irresistible, to thee that art Brahman, to thee that leadest the life of a brahmacari; to thee that art Ishana; to thee that art immeasurable, to thee that art the great controller, to thee that art robed in tatters; to thee that art ever engaged in penances, to thee that art tawny, to thee that art observant of vows, to thee that art robed in animal skins; to thee that art the sire of Kumara, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that art armed with the foremost of weapons, to thee that destroyest the afflictions of all that seek thy shelter, to thee that destroyest all haters of brahmanas, to thee that art the lord of all trees, the lord of all men, the lord of all kine, and ever the lord of sacrifices. Salutations to thee that art always at the head of troops, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that art endued with fierce energy. We devote ourselves to thee in thought, word and deed. Be gracious unto us.' Gratified with these adorations, the holy one, saluting them with the word 'Welcome' said unto them, 'Let your fears be dispelled. Say, what we are to do for you?'"'"

8.24.53

पितृदेवर्षिसंघेभ्यो वरे दत्ते महात्मना
सत्कृत्य शंकरं प्राह ब्रह्मा लोकहितं वचः

8.24.54

तवातिसर्गाद्देवेश प्राजापत्यमिदं पदम्
मयाधितिष्ठता दत्तो दानवेभ्यो महान्वरः

8.24.55

तानतिक्रान्तमर्यादान्नान्यः संहर्तुमर्हति
त्वामृते भूतभव्येश त्वं ह्येषां प्रत्यरिर्वधे

8.24.56

स त्वं देव प्रपन्नानां याचतां च दिवौकसाम्
कुरु प्रसादं देवेश दानवाञ्जहि शूलभृत्

8.24.57

श्रीभगवानुवाच
हन्तव्याः शत्रवः सर्वे युष्माकमिति मे मतिः
न त्वेकोऽहं वधे तेषां समर्थो वै सुरद्विषाम्

8.24.58

ते यूयं सहिताः सर्वे मदीयेनास्त्रतेजसा
जयध्वं युधि ताञ्शत्रून्संघातो हि महाबलः

8.24.59

देवा ऊचुः
अस्मत्तेजोबलं यावत्तावद्द्विगुणमेव च
तेषामिति ह मन्यामो दृष्टतेजोबला हि ते

8.24.60

भगवानुवाच
वध्यास्ते सर्वतः पापा ये युष्मास्वपराधिनः
मम तेजोबलार्धेन सर्वांस्तान्घ्नत शात्रवान्

8.24.61

देवा ऊचुः
बिभर्तुं तेजसोऽर्धं ते न शक्ष्यामो महेश्वर
सर्वेषां नो बलार्धेन त्वमेव जहि शात्रवान्

8.24.62

दुर्योधन उवाच
ततस्तथेति देवेशस्तैरुक्तो राजसत्तम
अर्धमादाय सर्वेभ्यस्तेजसाभ्यधिकोऽभवत्

8.24.63

स तु देवो बलेनासीत्सर्वेभ्यो बलवत्तरः
महादेव इति ख्यातस्तदाप्रभृति शंकरः

8.24.64

ततोऽब्रवीन्महादेवो धनुर्बाणधरस्त्वहम्
हनिष्यामि रथेनाजौ तान्रिपून्वै दिवौकसः

8.24.65

ते यूयं मे रथं चैव धनुर्बाणं तथैव च
पश्यध्वं यावदद्यैतान्पातयामि महीतले

8.24.66

देवा ऊचुः
मूर्तिसर्वस्वमादाय त्रैलोक्यस्य ततस्ततः
रथं ते कल्पयिष्याम देवेश्वर महौजसम्

8.24.67

तथैव बुद्ध्या विहितं विश्वकर्मकृतं शुभम्
ततो विबुधशार्दूलास्तं रथं समकल्पयन्

8.24.68

वन्धुरं पृथिवीं देवीं विशालपुरमालिनीम्
सपर्वतवनद्वीपां चक्रुर्भूतधरां तदा

8.24.69

मन्दरं पर्वतं चाक्षं जङ्घास्तस्य महानदीः
दिशश्च प्रदिशश्चैव परिवारं रथस्य हि

8.24.70

अनुकर्षान्ग्रहान्दीप्तान्वरूथं चापि तारकाः
धर्मार्थकामसंयुक्तं त्रिवेणुं चापि बन्धुरम्
ओषधीर्विविधास्तत्र नानापुष्पफलोद्गमाः

8.24.71

सूर्याचन्द्रमसौ कृत्वा चक्रे रथवरोत्तमे
पक्षौ पूर्वापरौ तत्र कृते रात्र्यहनी शुभे

8.24.72

दश नागपतीनीषां धृतराष्ट्रमुखान्दृढाम्
द्यां युगं युगचर्माणि संवर्तकबलाहकान्

8.24.73

शम्यां धृतिं च मेधां च स्थितिं संनतिमेव च
ग्रहनक्षत्रताराभिश्चर्म चित्रं नभस्तलम्

8.24.74

सुराम्बुप्रेतवित्तानां पतीँल्लोकेश्वरान्हयान्
सिनीवालीमनुमतिं कुहूं राकां च सुव्रताम्
योक्त्राणि चक्रुर्वाहानां रोहकांश्चापि कण्ठकम्

8.24.75

कर्म सत्यं तपोऽर्थश्च विहितास्तत्र रश्मयः
अधिष्ठानं मनस्त्वासीत्परिरथ्यं सरस्वती

8.24.76

नानावर्णाश्च चित्राश्च पताकाः पवनेरिताः
विद्युदिन्द्रधनुर्नद्धं रथं दीप्तं व्यदीपयत्

8.24.77

एवं तस्मिन्महाराज कल्पिते रथसत्तमे
देवैर्मनुजशार्दूल द्विषतामभिमर्दने

8.24.78

स्वान्यायुधानि मुख्यानि न्यदधाच्छंकरो रथे
रथयष्टिं वियत्कृष्टां स्थापयामास गोवृषम्

8.24.79

ब्रह्मदण्डः कालदण्डो रुद्रदण्डस्तथा ज्वरः
परिस्कन्दा रथस्यास्य सर्वतोदिशमुद्यताः

8.24.80

अथर्वाङ्गिरसावास्तां चक्ररक्षौ महात्मनः
ऋग्वेदः सामवेदश्च पुराणं च पुरःसराः

8.24.81

इतिहासयजुर्वेदौ पृष्ठरक्षौ बभूवतुः
दिव्या वाचश्च विद्याश्च परिपार्श्वचराः कृताः

8.24.82

तोत्त्रादयश्च राजेन्द्र वषट्कारस्तथैव च
ओंकारश्च मुखे राजन्नतिशोभाकरोऽभवत्

8.24.83

विचित्रमृतुभिः षड्भिः कृत्वा संवत्सरं धनुः
तस्मान्नॄणां कालरात्रिर्ज्या कृता धनुषोऽजरा

8.24.84

इषुश्चाप्यभवद्विष्णुर्ज्वलनः सोम एव च
अग्नीषोमौ जगत्कृत्स्नं वैष्णवं चोच्यते जगत्

8.24.85

विष्णुश्चात्मा भगवतो भवस्यामिततेजसः
तस्माद्धनुर्ज्यासंस्पर्शं न विषेहुर्हरस्य ते

8.24.86

तस्मिञ्शरे तिग्ममन्युर्मुमोचाविषहं प्रभुः
भृग्वङ्गिरोमन्युभवं क्रोधाग्निमतिदुःसहम्

8.24.87

स नीललोहितो धूम्रः कृत्तिवासा भयंकरः
आदित्यायुतसंकाशस्तेजोज्वालावृतो ज्वलन्

8.24.88

दुश्च्यावश्च्यावनो जेता हन्ता ब्रह्मद्विषां हरः
नित्यं त्राता च हन्ता च धर्माधर्माश्रिताञ्जनान्

8.24.89

प्रमाथिभिर्घोररूपैर्भीमोदग्रैर्गणैर्वृतः
विभाति भगवान्स्थाणुस्तैरेवात्मगुणैर्वृतः

8.24.90

तस्याङ्गानि समाश्रित्य स्थितं विश्वमिदं जगत्
जङ्गमाजङ्गमं राजञ्शुशुभेऽद्भुतदर्शनम्

8.24.91

दृष्ट्वा तु तं रथं दिव्यं कवची स शरासनी
बाणमादत्त तं दिव्यं सोमविष्ण्वग्निसंभवम्

8.24.92

तस्य वाजांस्ततो देवाः कल्पयां चक्रिरे विभोः
पुण्यगन्धवहं राजञ्श्वसनं राजसत्तम

8.24.93

तमास्थाय महादेवस्त्रासयन्दैवतान्यपि
आरुरोह तदा यत्तः कम्पयन्निव रोदसी

8.24.94

स शोभमानो वरदः खड्गी बाणी शरासनी
हसन्निवाब्रवीद्देवो सारथिः को भविष्यति

8.24.95

तमब्रुवन्देवगणा यं भवान्संनियोक्ष्यते
स भविष्यति देवेश सारथिस्ते न संशयः

8.24.96

तानब्रवीत्पुनर्देवो मत्तः श्रेष्ठतरो हि यः
तं सारथिं कुरुध्वं मे स्वयं संचिन्त्य माचिरम्

8.24.97

एतच्छ्रुत्वा ततो देवा वाक्यमुक्तं महात्मना
गत्वा पितामहं देवं प्रसाद्यैवं वचोऽब्रुवन्

8.24.98

देव त्वयेदं कथितं त्रिदशारिनिबर्हणम्
तथा च कृतमस्माभिः प्रसन्नो वृषभध्वजः

8.24.99

रथश्च विहितोऽस्माभिर्विचित्रायुधसंवृतः
सारथिं तु न जानीमः कः स्यात्तस्मिन्रथोत्तमे

8.24.100

तस्माद्विधीयतां कश्चित्सारथिर्देवसत्तम
सफलां तां गिरं देव कर्तुमर्हसि नो विभो

8.24.101

एवमस्मासु हि पुरा भगवन्नुक्तवानसि
हितं कर्तास्मि भवतामिति तत्कर्तुमर्हसि

8.24.102

स देव युक्तो रथसत्तमो नो; दुरावरो द्रावणः शात्रवाणाम्
पिनाकपाणिर्विहितोऽत्र योद्धा; विभीषयन्दानवानुद्यतोऽसौ

8.24.103

तथैव वेदाश्चतुरो हयाग्र्या; धरा सशैला च रथो महात्मन्
नक्षत्रवंशोऽनुगतो वरूथे; यस्मिन्योद्धा सारथिनाभिरक्ष्यः

8.24.104

तत्र सारथिरेष्टव्यः सर्वैरेतैर्विशेषवान्
तत्प्रतिष्ठो रथो देव हया योद्धा तथैव च
कवचानि च शस्त्राणि कार्मुकं च पितामह

8.24.105

त्वामृते सारथिं तत्र नान्यं पश्यामहे वयम्
त्वं हि सर्वैर्गुणैर्युक्तो देवताभ्योऽधिकः प्रभो
सारथ्ये तूर्णमारोह संयच्छ परमान्हयान्

8.24.106

इति ते शिरसा नत्वा त्रिलोकेशं पितामहम्
देवाः प्रसादयामासुः सारथ्यायेति नः श्रुतम्

8.24.107

ब्रह्मोवाच
नात्र किंचिन्मृषा वाक्यं यदुक्तं वो दिवौकसः
संयच्छामि हयानेष युध्यतो वै कपर्दिनः

8.24.108

ततः स भगवान्देवो लोकस्रष्टा पितामहः
सारथ्ये कल्पितो देवैरीशानस्य महात्मनः

8.24.109

तस्मिन्नारोहति क्षिप्रं स्यन्दनं लोकपूजिते
शिरोभिरगमंस्तूर्णं ते हया वातरंहसः

8.24.110

महेश्वरे त्वारुहति जानुभ्यामगमन्महीम्

8.24.111

अभीशून्हि त्रिलोकेशः संगृह्य प्रपितामहः
तानश्वांश्चोदयामास मनोमारुतरंहसः

8.24.112

ततोऽधिरूढे वरदे प्रयाते चासुरान्प्रति
साधु साध्विति विश्वेशः स्मयमानोऽभ्यभाषत

8.24.113

याहि देव यतो दैत्याश्चोदयाश्वानतन्द्रितः
पश्य बाह्वोर्बलं मेऽद्य निघ्नतः शात्रवान्रणे

8.24.114

ततस्तांश्चोदयामास वायुवेगसमाञ्जवे
येन तत्त्रिपुरं राजन्दैत्यदानवरक्षितम्

8.24.115

अथाधिज्यं धनुः कृत्वा शर्वः संधाय तं शरम्
युक्त्वा पाशुपतास्त्रेण त्रिपुरं समचिन्तयत्

8.24.116

तस्मिन्स्थिते तदा राजन्क्रुद्धे विधृतकार्मुके
पुराणि तानि कालेन जग्मुरेकत्वतां तदा

8.24.117

एकीभावं गते चैव त्रिपुरे समुपागते
बभूव तुमुलो हर्षो दैवतानां महात्मनाम्

8.24.118

ततो देवगणाः सर्वे सिद्धाश्च परमर्षयः
जयेति वाचो मुमुचुः संस्तुवन्तो मुदान्विताः

8.24.119

ततोऽग्रतः प्रादुरभूत्त्रिपुरं जघ्नुषोऽसुरान्
अनिर्देश्योग्रवपुषो देवस्यासह्यतेजसः

8.24.120

स तद्विकृष्य भगवान्दिव्यं लोकेश्वरो धनुः
त्रैलोक्यसारं तमिषुं मुमोच त्रिपुरं प्रति
तत्सासुरगणं दग्ध्वा प्राक्षिपत्पश्चिमार्णवे

8.24.121

एवं तत्त्रिपुरं दग्धं दानवाश्चाप्यशेषतः
महेश्वरेण क्रुद्धेन त्रैलोक्यस्य हितैषिणा

8.24.122

स चात्मक्रोधजो वह्निर्हाहेत्युक्त्वा निवारितः
मा कार्षीर्भस्मसाल्लोकानिति त्र्यक्षोऽब्रवीच्च तम्

8.24.123

ततः प्रकृतिमापन्ना देवा लोकास्तथर्षयः
तुष्टुवुर्वाग्भिरर्थ्याभिः स्थाणुमप्रतिमौजसम्

8.24.124

तेऽनुज्ञाता भगवता जग्मुः सर्वे यथागतम्
कृतकामाः प्रसन्नेन प्रजापतिमुखाः सुराः

8.24.125

यथैव भगवान्ब्रह्मा लोकधाता पितामहः
संयच्छ त्वं हयानस्य राधेयस्य महात्मनः

8.24.126

त्वं हि कृष्णाच्च कर्णाच्च फल्गुनाच्च विशेषतः
विशिष्टो राजशार्दूल नास्ति तत्र विचारणा

8.24.127

युद्धे ह्ययं रुद्रकल्पस्त्वं च ब्रह्मसमोऽनघ
तस्माच्छक्तौ युवां जेतुं मच्छत्रूंस्ताविवासुरान्

8.24.128

यथा शल्याद्य कर्णोऽयं श्वेताश्वं कृष्णसारथिम्
प्रमथ्य हन्यात्कौन्तेयं तथा शीघ्रं विधीयताम्
त्वयि कर्णश्च राज्यं च वयं चैव प्रतिष्ठिताः

8.24.129

इमं चाप्यपरं भूय इतिहासं निबोध मे
पितुर्मम सकाशे यं ब्राह्मणः प्राह धर्मवित्

8.24.130

श्रुत्वा चैतद्वचश्चित्रं हेतुकार्यार्थसंहितम्
कुरु शल्य विनिश्चित्य मा भूदत्र विचारणा

8.24.131

भार्गवाणां कुले जातो जमदग्निर्महातपाः
तस्य रामेति विख्यातः पुत्रस्तेजोगुणान्वितः

8.24.132

स तीव्रं तप आस्थाय प्रसादयितवान्भवम्
अस्त्रहेतोः प्रसन्नात्मा नियतः संयतेन्द्रियः

8.24.133

तस्य तुष्टो महादेवो भक्त्या च प्रशमेन च
हृद्गतं चास्य विज्ञाय दर्शयामास शंकरः

8.24.134

ईश्वर उवाच
राम तुष्टोऽस्मि भद्रं ते विदितं मे तवेप्सितम्
कुरुष्व पूतमात्मानं सर्वमेतदवाप्स्यसि

8.24.135

दास्यामि ते तदास्त्राणि यदा पूतो भविष्यसि
अपात्रमसमर्थं च दहन्त्यस्त्राणि भार्गव

8.24.136

इत्युक्तो जामदग्न्यस्तु देवदेवेन शूलिना
प्रत्युवाच महात्मानं शिरसावनतः प्रभुम्

8.24.137

यदा जानासि देवेश पात्रं मामस्त्रधारणे
तदा शुश्रूषतेऽस्त्राणि भवान्मे दातुमर्हति

8.24.138

दुर्योधन उवाच
ततः स तपसा चैव दमेन नियमेन च
पूजोपहारबलिभिर्होममन्त्रपुरस्कृतैः

8.24.139

आराधयितवाञ्शर्वं बहून्वर्षगणांस्तदा
प्रसन्नश्च महादेवो भार्गवस्य महात्मनः

8.24.140

अब्रवीत्तस्य बहुशो गुणान्देव्याः समीपतः
भक्तिमानेष सततं मयि रामो दृढव्रतः

8.24.141

एवं तस्य गुणान्प्रीतो बहुशोऽकथयत्प्रभुः
देवतानां पितॄणां च समक्षमरिसूदनः

8.24.142

एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु दैत्या आसन्महाबलाः
तैस्तदा दर्पमोहान्धैरबाध्यन्त दिवौकसः

8.24.143

ततः संभूय विबुधास्तान्हन्तुं कृतनिश्चयाः
चक्रुः शत्रुवधे यत्नं न शेकुर्जेतुमेव ते

8.24.144

अभिगम्य ततो देवा महेश्वरमथाब्रुवन्
प्रसादयन्तस्तं भक्त्या जहि शत्रुगणानिति

8.24.145

प्रतिज्ञाय ततो देवो देवतानां रिपुक्षयम्
रामं भार्गवमाहूय सोऽभ्यभाषत शंकरः

8.24.146

रिपून्भार्गव देवानां जहि सर्वान्समागतान्
लोकानां हितकामार्थं मत्प्रीत्यर्थं तथैव च

8.24.147

राम उवाच
अकृतास्त्रस्य देवेश का शक्तिर्मे महेश्वर
निहन्तुं दानवान्सर्वान्कृतास्त्रान्युद्धदुर्मदान्

8.24.148

ईश्वर उवाच
गच्छ त्वं मदनुध्यानान्निहनिष्यसि दानवान्
विजित्य च रिपून्सर्वान्गुणान्प्राप्स्यसि पुष्कलान्

8.24.149

दुर्योधन उवाच
एतच्छ्रुत्वा च वचनं प्रतिगृह्य च सर्वशः
रामः कृतस्वस्त्ययनः प्रययौ दानवान्प्रति

8.24.150

अवधीद्देवशत्रूंस्तान्मददर्पबलान्वितान्
वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शैः प्रहारैरेव भार्गवः

8.24.151

स दानवैः क्षततनुर्जामदग्न्यो द्विजोत्तमः
संस्पृष्टः स्थाणुना सद्यो निर्व्रणः समजायत

8.24.152

प्रीतश्च भगवान्देवः कर्मणा तेन तस्य वै
वरान्प्रादाद्ब्रह्मविदे भार्गवाय महात्मने

8.24.153

उक्तश्च देवदेवेन प्रीतियुक्तेन शूलिना
निपातात्तव शस्त्राणां शरीरे याभवद्रुजा

8.24.154

तया ते मानुषं कर्म व्यपोढं भृगुनन्दन
गृहाणास्त्राणि दिव्यानि मत्सकाशाद्यथेप्सितम्

8.24.155

ततोऽस्त्राणि समस्तानि वरांश्च मनसेप्सितान्
लब्ध्वा बहुविधान्रामः प्रणम्य शिरसा शिवम्

8.24.156

अनुज्ञां प्राप्य देवेशाज्जगाम स महातपाः
एवमेतत्पुरावृत्तं तदा कथितवानृषिः

8.24.157

भार्गवोऽप्यददात्सर्वं धनुर्वेदं महात्मने
कर्णाय पुरुषव्याघ्र सुप्रीतेनान्तरात्मना

8.24.158

वृजिनं हि भवेत्किंचिद्यदि कर्णस्य पार्थिव
नास्मै ह्यस्त्राणि दिव्यानि प्रादास्यद्भृगुनन्दनः

8.24.159

नापि सूतकुले जातं कर्णं मन्ये कथंचन
देवपुत्रमहं मन्ये क्षत्रियाणां कुलोद्भवम्

8.24.160

सकुण्डलं सकवचं दीर्घबाहुं महारथम्
कथमादित्यसदृशं मृगी व्याघ्रं जनिष्यति

8.24.161

पश्य ह्यस्य भुजौ पीनौ नागराजकरोपमौ
वक्षः पश्य विशालं च सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Duryodhana said, "After the fears of those throngs of the pitris, the gods, and the Rishis had thus been dispelled by that high-souled Deity, Brahman then offered his adorations, unto Sankara, and said these words for the benefit of the universe, 'Through thy favour, O Lord of all, the Lordship of all creatures is mine. Occupying that rank, I have given a great boon to the Danavas. It behoveth none else, save thee, O Lord of the Past and the Future, to destroy those wicked wights that show no regard for any one. Thou O god, art the only person competent to slay the foes of these denizens of heaven that have sought thy protection and that solicit thee. O lord of all the gods, show favour to these. Slay the Danavas, O wielder of the trident. O giver of honours, let the universe, through thy grace, obtain happiness. O Lord of all the worlds, thou art the one whose shelter should be sought. We all seek thy shelter.'

"'"Sthanu said, 'All your foes should be slain. But, I shall not however, slay them single-handed. The enemies of the gods are possessed of might. Therefore, all of you, united together, consume those enemies of yours in battle, with half my might. Union is great strength.'

"'"The gods said, 'Theirs (Danavas') is twice the energy and might of ourselves, we think, for we have already seen their energy and might.'

"'"The holy one said, 'Those sinful wights that have offended against ye should be slain. With half of my energy and might, slay all those enemies of yours.'

"'"The gods said, 'We will not be able, O Maheswara, to bear half of thy energy. With, on the other hand, half of our united might, do thou slay those foes.'

"'"The holy one said, 'If, indeed, ye have not the ability to bear half of my might, then, endued with half of your united energy, I will slay them.'

"'Duryodhana continued, "The celestials then, addressing the god of gods, said 'So be it' O best of kings. Taking half of their energies from all of them, he became superior in might. Indeed, in might that god became superior to all in the universe. From that time Sankara came to be called Mahadeva. And Mahadeva then said, 'Armed with bow and shaft, I will, from my car, slay in battle those foes of yours, ye denizens of heaven. Therefore, ye gods, see now to my car and bow and shaft so that I may, this very day, throw the Asuras down on the Earth.'

"'"The gods said, 'Gathering all forms that may be found in the three worlds and taking portions of each, we will each, O Lord of the gods, construct a car of great energy for thee. It will be a large car, the handiwork of Viswakarman, designed with intelligence.' Saying this, those tigers among the gods began the construction of that car. And they made Vishnu and Soma and Hutasana the arrow for Sankara's use. Agni became the staff, and Soma became the head, and Vishnu the point, O king, of that foremost of arrows. The goddess Earth, with her large cities and towns, her mountains and forests and islands, that home of diverse creatures, was made the car. The Mandara mountain was made its axle; and the great river Ganga was made its Jangha; and the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary became the ornaments of the car. The constellations became its shaft; the Krita age became its yoke; and that best of Snakes, viz., Vasuki, became the Kuvara of that car. Himavat and Vindhya mountains became its Apaskara and Adhishthana; and the Udaya and the Asta mountains were made the wheels of that car by those foremost ones among the gods. They made the excellent Ocean, that abode of the Danavas its other axle. The seven Rishis became the protectors of the wheels of that car. Ganga and Sarasvati and Sindhu and the Sky became its Dhura; all the other rivers and all the waters became the chords for binding the several limbs of that car. Day and Night and the other divisions of time such as Kalas and Kasthas, and the Seasons became its Amukarsha. The blazing planets and the stars became its wooden fence; Religion, Profit, and Pleasure, united together, became its Trivenu. The herbs and the creepers, decked with flowers and fruits, became its bells. Making the Sun and the Moon equal, these were made the (other two) wheels of that foremost of cars. Day and Night were made its auspicious wings on the right and left. The ten foremost of snakes having Dhritarashtra for their first, all exceedingly strong, formed the (other) shaft of that car. The Sky was made its (other) yoke, and the clouds called Samvartaka and Valahaka were the leathern strings of the yoke. The two Twilights and Dhritri and Medha and Sthiti and Sannati, and the firmament bespangled with planets and stars, were made the skins for covering that car. Those Regents of the world, viz., the Lords of the gods, of the waters, of the dead, and of treasures, were made the steeds of that car. Kalaprishtha, and Nahusha, and Karkotaka, and Dhananjaya and the other snakes became the chords for binding the manes of the steeds. The cardinal and the subsidiary directions became the reins of the steeds of that car. The Vedic sound Vashat became the goad, and Gayatri became the string attached to that goad. The four auspicious days were made the traces of the steeds, and the pitris presiding over them were made the hooks and pins. Action and truth and ascetic penances and profit were made the chords of that car. The Mind became the ground upon which that car stood, and Speech the tracks upon which it was to proceed. Beautiful banners of various hues waved in the air. With lightning and Indra's bow attached to it, that blazing car gave fierce light. That space of time which, on a former occasion, had, in the Sacrifice of the high-souled Ishana, been fixed as a Year, became the bow, and the goddess Savitri became the loud-sounding bow-string. A celestial coat of mail was made, decked with costly gems, and impenetrable and effulgent, sprung from the wheel of Time. That golden mountain, viz., the beautiful Meru, became the flagstaff, and the clouds decked with flashes of lightning became its banners. Thus equipped, that car shone brilliantly like a blazing fire in the midst of the priests officiating at a sacrifice. Beholding that car properly equipped, the gods became filled with wonder. Seeing the energies of the entire universe united together in one place, O sire, the gods wondered, and at last represented unto that illustrious Deity that the car was ready. After, O monarch, that best of cars had thus been constructed by the gods, O tiger among men, for grinding their foes, Sankara placed upon it his own celestial weapons. Making the sky its flagstaff, he placed upon it his bovine bull. The Brahmana's rod, the rod of Death, Rudra's rod, and Fever became the protectors of the sides of that car and stood with faces turned towards all sides. Atharvan and Angirasa became the protectors of the car-wheels of that illustrious warrior. The Rigveda, the Samaveda, and the Puranas stood in advance of that car. The histories and the Yajurveda became the protectors of the rear. All sacred Speeches and all the Sciences stood around it, and all hymns, O monarch, and the Vedic sound of Vashat also. And the syllable Om, O king, standing in the van of that car, made it exceedingly beautiful. Having made the Year adorned with the six seasons his bow, he made his own shadow the irrefragable string of that bow in that battle. The illustrious Rudra is Death's self. The Year became his bow; Kala Ratri the Death-night therefore, which is Rudra's shadow, became the indestructible string of that bow. Vishnu and Agni and Soma became (as already said) the arrow. The universe is said to consist of Agni and Soma. The universe is similarly said to consist of Vishnu. Vishnu is, again, the Soul of the holy Bhava of immeasurable energy. For this the touch of that bow-string became unbearable to the Asuras. And the lord Sankara cast on that arrow his own irresistible and fierce wrath, the unbearable fire of anger, viz., that which was born of wrath of Bhrigu and Angirasa. Then He called Nila Rohita (Blue and Red or smoke)--that terrible deity robed in skins,--looking like 10,000 Suns, and shrouded by the fire of superabundant Energy, blazed up with splendour. That discomfiter of even him that is difficult of being discomfited, that victor, that slayer of all haters of Brahma, called also Hara, that rescuer of the righteous and destroyer of the unrighteous, viz., the illustrious Sthanu, accompanied by many beings of terrible might and terrible forms that were endued with the speed of the mind and capable of agitating and crushing all foes, as if with all the fourteen faculties of the soul awake about him, looked exceedingly resplendent. Having his limbs for their refuge, this entire universe of mobile and immobile creatures that were present there, O king, looked beautiful, presenting a highly wonderful appearance. Beholding that car, duly equipped, he cased himself in mail and armed himself with the bow, and took up that celestial shaft born of Soma and Vishnu and Agni. The gods, O king, then commanded that foremost of celestials, viz., Wind, to breathe after that puissant Deity all the fragrance that he carries. Then Mahadeva, terrifying the very gods, and making the very Earth tremble, ascended that car resolutely. Then the great Rishis, the Gandharvas, those throngs of gods and those diverse tribes of Apsaras began to praise that Lord of the gods while he was about to ascend that car. Adored by the regenerate Rishis, and praised by the eulogists and diverse tribes of dancing Apsaras well-versed in the art of dancing, that boon-giving lord, armed with scimitar and arrow and bow, looked very beautiful. Smiling, he then asked the gods, 'Who will become my driver?' The gods answered him, saying, 'He whom thou wilt appoint, will, O Lord of the gods, without doubt, become thy driver!' Unto them the god replied, 'Reflecting yourselves, without delay make him my driver who is superior to me!' Hearing these words uttered by that high-souled Deity, the gods repaired unto the Grandsire and inclining him to grace, said these words, 'We have accomplished everything, O holy one, that thou hadst ordered us to do in the matter of afflicting the foes of celestials. The Deity having the bull for his mark has been gratified with us. A car hath been constructed by us, equipped with many wonderful weapons. We do not, however, know who is to become the driver of that foremost of cars. Therefore, let some foremost one among the gods be appointed as the driver. O holy one, it behoveth thee to make true those words that thou, O lord, hadst then said to us. Before this, O god, thou hadst even said to us that thou wouldst do us good. It behoveth thee to accomplish that promise. That irresistible and best of cars, that router of our foes, hath been constructed out of the component parts of the celestials. The Deity armed with Pinaka hath been made the warrior who is to stand on it. Striking the Danavas with fear, he is prepared for battle. The four Vedas have become the four foremost of steeds. With her mountains, the Earth has become the car of that high-souled one. The stars have become the adornments of that vehicle. (As already said) Hara is the warrior. We do not, however, see who is to become the driver. A driver should be sought for that car who is superior to all these. Equal to thee in importance is that car, O god, and Hara is the warrior. Armour, and weapons, and bow, these we have got already, O Grandsire. Except thee, we do not behold any person that can make its driver. Thou art endued with every accomplishment. Thou, O lord, art superior to all the gods. Mounting upon that car with speed, hold the reins of those foremost of steeds, for the victory of the celestials and the destruction of their foes.' It has been heard by us that bowing with their heads unto the Grandsire that Lord of the three worlds, the gods sought to gratify him for inducing him to accept the drivership.

"'"The Grandsire said, 'There is nothing of untruth in all this that ye have said, ye denizens of heaven. I will hold the reins of the steeds for Kapaddin while he will be engaged in fight.' Then that illustrious god, that Creator of the worlds, the Grandsire, was appointed by the gods as the driver of the high-souled Ishana. And when he was about to ascend quickly upon that car worshipped by all, those steeds, endued with the speed of the wind, bowed themselves with their heads to the Earth. Having ascended the car the illustrious Deity, viz., the Grandsire resplendent with his own energy, took the reins and the goad. Then the illustrious god, raising those steeds addressed that foremost one among the gods, viz., Sthanu, saying, 'Ascend.' Then, taking that arrow composed of Vishnu and Soma and Agni, Sthanu ascended the car, causing the foe to tremble by means of his bow. The great Rishis, the Gandharvas, the throngs of gods, and the diverse tribes of Apsaras, then praised that Lord of the gods after he had ascended the car. Resplendent with beauty, the boon-giving Lord, armed with scimitar, shaft, and bow, stayed on the car causing the three worlds to blaze forth with his own energy. The great Deity once more said unto the gods headed by Indra, 'Ye should never grieve, doubting my ability to destroy the Asura. Know that the Asuras have already been slain by means of this arrow'. The gods then answered, saying, 'It is true! The Asuras have already been slain.' Indeed, the gods thinking that the words which the divine Lord had said could not be untrue, became exceedingly gratified. Then that Lord of the gods proceeded surrounded by all the gods, upon that large car, O king, which had nothing to compare with it. And the illustrious Deity was adored, all the while by the attendants that always wait upon him, and by others that subsisted on meat, that were invincible in battle, and that danced in joy on the present occasion, running wildly on all sides and shouting at one another, Rishis also, of great good fortune, possessed of ascetic merit and endued with high qualities, as also the gods, wished for Mahadeva's success. When that boon-giving Lord, that dispeller of the fears of the three worlds, thus proceeded, the entire universe, all the gods, O best of men, became exceedingly gratified. And the Rishis there adored the Lord of the gods with diverse hymns, and enhancing his energy, O king, took up their station there. And millions upon millions of Gandharvas played upon diverse kinds of musical instruments at the hour of his setting out. When the boon-giving Brahman, having ascended the car, set out for the Asuras, the Lord of the Universe, smiling the while, said, 'Excellent, Excellent! Proceed, O god, to the spot where the Daityas are. Urge the steeds wakefully. Behold today the might of arms while I slay the foe in battle.' Thus addressed, Brahman urged those steeds endued with the fleetness of the wind or thought towards that spot where the triple city, O king, stood, protected by the Daityas and the Danavas. With those steeds worshipped by all the worlds, and which coursed with such speed that they seemed to devour the skies, the illustrious god quickly proceeded for the victory of the denizens of heaven. Indeed, when Bhava, riding on the car, set out towards the triple city, his bull uttered tremendous roars, filling all the points of the compass. Hearing that loud and terrible roar of the bull, many of the descendants and followers of Taraka, those enemies of the gods, breathed their last. Others amongst them stood facing the foe for battle. Then Sthanu, O king, armed with trident became deprived of his senses in wrath. All creatures became frightened, and the three worlds began to tremble. Frightful portents appeared when he was on the point of aiming that shaft. In consequence, however, of the pressure caused by the weight of Soma, Agni, and Vishnu that were in that shaft, as also of the pressure caused by the weight of Brahman and Rudra and the latter's bow, that car seemed to sink. Then Narayana, issuing out of the point of that shaft, assumed the form of a bull and raised that large car. During the time the car had sunk and the foe had began to roar, the illustrious Deity, endued with great might began, from rage, to utter loud shouts, standing, O giver of honours, on the head of his bull and the back of his steeds. At that time the illustrious Rudra was employed in eyeing the Danava city. While in that posture, O best of men, Rudra cut off the teats of the horses and clove the hoofs of the bull. Blessed be thou, from the date the hoofs of all animals of the bovine species came to be cloven. And from that time, O king, horses, afflicted by the mighty Rudra of wonderful deeds, came to be without teats. Then Sarva, having stringed his bow and aimed that shaft with which he had united the Pasupata weapon, waited thinking of the triple city. And O king, as Rudra thus stood, holding his bow, the three cities during that time became united. When the three cities, losing their separate characters became united, tumultuous became the joy of the high-souled gods. Then all the gods, the Siddhas, and the great Rishis, uttered the word Jaya, adoring Maheshwara. The triple city then appeared immediately before that god of unbearable energy, that Deity of fierce and indescribable form, that warrior who was desirous of slaying the Asuras. The illustrious deity, that Lord of the universe, then drawing that celestial bow, sped that shaft which represented the might of the whole universe, at the triple city. Upon that foremost of shafts, O thou of great good fortune, being shot, loud wails of woe were heard from those cities as they began to fall down towards the Earth. Burning those Asuras, he threw them down into the Western ocean. Thus was the triple city burnt and thus were the Danavas exterminated by Maheswara in wrath, from desire of doing good to the three worlds. The fire born of his own wrath, the three-eyed god quenched, saying, 'Do not reduce the three worlds to ashes.' After this, the gods, the Rishis, and the three worlds became all restored to their natural dispositions, and gratified Sthanu of unrivalled energy with words of high import. Receiving then the permission of the great god, the gods with the Creator at their head went away to the places they came from, their object being accomplished after such effort. Thus that illustrious Deity, that Creator of the worlds, that Lord of both the Gods and the Asuras, viz., Maheswara, did that which was for the good of all the worlds. As the illustrious Brahman, the Creator of the worlds, the Grandsire, the Supreme Deity of unfading glory, acted as the driver of Rudra, so do thou restrain the steeds of the high-souled son of Radha like Grandsire restraining those of Rudra. There is not the slightest doubt, O tiger among kings, that thou art superior to Krishna, to Karna, and to Phalguna. In battle, Karna is like Rudra, and thou art like Brahman in policy. United, ye two, therefore, are competent to vanquish my foes that are even like the Asuras. Let, O Shalya, that be done speedily today by which this Karna, grinding the Pandava troops, may be able to slay Kunti's son owning white steeds and having Krishna for the driver of his car. Upon thee depend Karna, ourselves, our kingdom, and (our) victory in battle. Hold the reins, therefore, of the excellent steeds (of Karna). There is another story which I will narrate. Listen once more to it. A virtuous brahmana had recited it in the presence of my father. Hearing these delightful words fraught with the reasons and purposes of acts, do, O Shalya, what thou mayst settle, without entertaining any scruples. In the race of the Bhrigus was Jamadagni of severe ascetic penances. He had a son endued with energy and every virtue, who became celebrated by the name of Rama. Practising the austerest penances, of cheerful soul, bound to observances and vows, and keeping his senses under control, he gratified the god Bhava for obtaining weapons. In consequence of his devotion and tranquillity of heart. Mahadeva became gratified with him. Sankara, understanding the desire cherished in his heart, showed himself unto Rama. And Mahadeva said, 'O Rama, I am gratified with thee. Blessed be thou, thy desire is known to me. Make thy soul pure. Thou wilt then have all that thou desirest. I will give thee all weapons when thou wilt become pure. Those weapons, O son, of Bhrigu, burn a person that is incompetent and that is not deserving of them.' Thus addressed by that god of gods, that deity bearing the trident, the son of Jamadagni, bending his head unto that puissant high-souled one, said, 'O god of gods, it behoveth thee to give those weapons unto me that am always devoted to thy service, when, indeed thou wilt regard me fit for holding them.'"

"'Duryodhana continued. "With penances then, and restraining his senses, and observances of vows, and worship and offerings and with sacrifices and Homa performed with mantras, Rama adored Sarva for many long years. At last Mahadeva, pleased with the high-souled son of Bhrigu's race, described him, in the presence of his divine spouse, as possessed of many virtues: 'This Rama, of firm vows is ever devoted to me.' Gratified with him, the Lord Sankara thus repeatedly proclaimed his virtues in the presence of gods and the Rishis, O slayer of foes. Meanwhile, the Daityas became very mighty. Blinded by pride and folly, they afflicted the denizens of heaven. The gods then, uniting together, and firmly resolved to slay them, strove earnestly for the destruction of those foes. They, however, failed to vanquish them. The gods then, repairing to Maheswara, the Lord of Uma, began to gratify him with devotion, saying, 'Slay our foes.' That god, having promised the destruction of their foes unto the celestials, summoned Rama the descendant of Bhrigu. And Sankara addressed Rama, saying, 'O descendant of Bhrigu, slay all the assembled foes of the gods, from desire of doing good unto all the worlds as also for my satisfaction.' Thus addressed, Rama replied unto that boon-giving Lord of Three-eyes, saying, 'What strength have I, O chief of the gods destitute as I am of weapons, to slay in battle the assembled Danavas that are accomplished in weapons and invincible in fight? Maheswara said, 'Go thou at my command. Thou shalt slay those foes. Having vanquished all those enemies, thou shalt acquire numerous merits.' Hearing these words and accepting them all, Rama, causing propitiatory rites to be performed for his success, proceeded against the Danavas. Addressing those enemies of the gods that were endued with might and possessed with folly and pride, he said, 'Ye Daityas that are fierce in battle, give me battle. I have been sent by the God of gods to vanquish you.' Thus addressed by the descendant of Bhrigu, the Daityas began to fight. The delighter of the Bhargavas, however, slaying the Daityas in battle, with strokes whose touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, came back to Mahadeva. Jamadagni's son, that foremost of brahmanas returned with many wounds on his person inflicted by the Danavas. Touched, however by Sthanu, his wounds were immediately healed. Gratified also with that feat of his, the illustrious god gave diverse kinds of boons unto the high-souled son of Bhrigu. With satisfaction in his heart, the trident-wielding God of gods said, 'The pain thou hast suffered in consequence of the fall of weapons upon thy body evidences the super-human feat that thou hast achieved, O delighter of the Bhrigus. As desired by thee, accept from me these celestial weapons.'"

"'Duryodhana continued, "Having obtained all the celestial weapons and the boons that had been desired by him, Rama bowed unto Siva with his head. Obtaining the leave also of the gods that great ascetic went away. This is the old story that the rishi had recited. The descendant of Bhrigu gave the whole science of weapons unto the high-souled Karna, O tiger among kings with delighted heart. If Karna had any fault, O lord of Earth, the delighter of Bhrigu's race would never have given him his celestial weapons. I do not think that Karna could have been born in the Suta order. I think him to be the son of a god, born in the kshatriya order. I think that he was abandoned (in infancy) in order that the race in which he was born might be ascertained (by his features and feats). By no means, O Shalya, could this Karna have been born in the Suta order. With his (natural) earring and (natural) coat of mail, this mighty car-warrior of long arms, resembling Surya himself, could not be borne by a common woman even as a she-deer can never bear a tiger. His arms are massive, each resembling the trunk of a prince of elephants. Behold his chest that is so broad and capable of resisting every foe. Karna otherwise called Vaikartana, O king, cannot be an ordinary person. Endued with great valour, this disciple of Rama, O king of kings, is a high-souled personage.'"

8.25.1

दुर्योधन उवाच
एवं स भगवान्देवः सर्वलोकपितामहः
सारथ्यमकरोत्तत्र यत्र रुद्रोऽभवद्रथी

8.25.2

रथिनाभ्यधिको वीरः कर्तव्यो रथसारथिः
तस्मात्त्वं पुरुषव्याघ्र नियच्छ तुरगान्युधि

8.25.3

संजय उवाच
ततः शल्यः परिष्वज्य सुतं ते वाक्यमब्रवीत्
दुर्योधनममित्रघ्नः प्रीतो मद्राधिपस्तदा

8.25.4

एवं चेन्मन्यसे राजन्गान्धारे प्रियदर्शन
तस्मात्ते यत्प्रियं किंचित्तत्सर्वं करवाण्यहम्

8.25.5

यत्रास्मि भरतश्रेष्ठ योग्यः कर्मणि कर्हिचित्
तत्र सर्वात्मना युक्तो वक्ष्ये कार्यधुरं तव

8.25.6

यत्तु कर्णमहं ब्रूयां हितकामः प्रियाप्रियम्
मम तत्क्षमतां सर्वं भवान्कर्णश्च सर्वशः

8.25.7

कर्ण उवाच
ईशानस्य यथा ब्रह्मा यथा पार्थस्य केशवः
तथा नित्यं हिते युक्तो मद्रराज भजस्व नः

8.25.8

शल्य उवाच
आत्मनिन्दात्मपूजा च परनिन्दा परस्तवः
अनाचरितमार्याणां वृत्तमेतच्चतुर्विधम्

8.25.9

यत्तु विद्वन्प्रवक्ष्यामि प्रत्ययार्थमहं तव
आत्मनः स्तवसंयुक्तं तन्निबोध यथातथम्

8.25.10

अहं शक्रस्य सारथ्ये योग्यो मातलिवत्प्रभो
अप्रमादप्रयोगाच्च ज्ञानविद्याचिकित्सितैः

8.25.11

ततः पार्थेन संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य तेऽनघ
वाहयिष्यामि तुरगान्विज्वरो भव सूतज

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Duryodhana said, "Even thus did that illustrious Deity, that Grandsire of all the worlds, viz., Brahman, act as driver on that occasion and even thus did Rudra become the warrior. The driver of the car, O hero, should be superior to the warrior on it. Therefore, O tiger among men, do thou hold the reins of the steeds in this battle. As on that occasion the Grandsire had been selected with care by all the celestials, indeed, O great king, as one greater than Sankara, so thou that art superior to Karna art now selected by us with care. Like the Grandsire holding the reins of Rudra's steeds, do thou hold, without delay, the reins of Karna's steeds in battle, O thou of great splendour."

"'Shalya said, "O foremost of men, many a time have I heard this excellent and celestial history, recited to me, of those two lions among gods. Indeed, I have heard how the Grandsire acted as the driver of Bhava and how the Asuras also, O Bharata, were all destroyed with one shaft. Krishna also had knowledge of all this before, the knowledge, viz., of how the illustrious Grandsire had become the driver on that occasion of yore. Indeed, Krishna knoweth the past and the future with all their details. Knowing this fact, he became the driver, O Bharata, of Partha like the Self-create becoming the driver of Rudra. If the Suta's son, by some means, succeeds in slaying the son of Kunti, Keshava, beholding Partha slain, will fight himself. That bearer of the conch, the discus, and the mace, will then consume thy army. There is no king here that will stay in the ranks in front of that illustrious one of Vrishni's race when he will be excited with wrath.'"

"Sanjaya said, 'Unto the ruler of the Madras who was speaking in that strain, that chastiser of foes, viz., thy mighty-armed son of cheerful soul replied, saying, "Do not, O mighty-armed one, think disparagingly of Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, in battle,--that warrior who is the foremost of all wielders of arms and who is acquainted with the meaning of the whole body of our scriptures. Hearing the terrible and loud twang of his bow and the sound of his palms, the Pandava troops fly away on all sides. Thou hast witnessed it with thy own eyes, O mighty-armed one, how Ghatotkaca, screened by his illusions and displaying hundreds of still slain that night (by Karna). Feeling a great fear all these days Vibhatsu could never stand, fronting Karna. The mighty Bhimasena also, moved hither and thither by the horn of Karna's bow, was, O king, addressed in very harsh words such as 'Fool' and 'Glutton.' The two brave sons of Madri also were defeated by Karna in great battle, though, from some object he had in view, he did not, O sire, slay them then. That foremost one of Vrishni's race, viz., the heroic Satyaki, the chief of the Satwata clan, was vanquished by Karna and made carless. Others, such as all the Srinjayas headed by Dhrishtadyumna, have been repeatedly defeated in battle by Karna the great car-warrior who has achieved all these feats and who excited with wrath, is competent to slay Purandara himself armed with the thunderbolt in fight. Thyself also, O hero, art acquainted with every weapon. Thou art, again, the master of all branches of learning. There is none on Earth who is thy equal in might of arms. Irresistible in prowess, thou art like a dart (Shalya) unto thy enemies. It is for this, O king, that thou O slayer of foes, art called 'Shalya.' Encountering the might of thy arms, all the Satwatas were unable to get the better of it. Is Krishna superior to thee in might of arms, O king? Indeed, as Krishna is to bear the burthen of the Pandava troops upon the slaughter of Partha, even so art thou to bear the burthen of this vast (Kaurava) force if Karna lays down his life. Why should he be able to resist my troops and why shouldst not thou be able to slay the hostile troops, O sire? For thy sake, O sire, I would willingly follow the footsteps of my (slain) brothers and the other heroic kings of the Earth."

"'Shalya said, "O son of Gandhari, when thou, O giver of honours, describest me before thy troops to be superior to the son of Devaki, I am exceedingly gratified with thee. I accept the drivership of the celebrated son of Radha when he will fight with that foremost of the sons of Pandu, as thou desirest. I have, however, O hero, a compact to make with Vaikartana, and that is this: I will utter whatever words I may wish, in this one's presence.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thy son then, O king, with Karna, O sire, answered the ruler of the Madras, saying, "Let it be so" in the presence of all the kshatriyas. Assured by Shalya's acceptance of the drivership, Duryodhana, filled with joy, embraced Karna. Eulogised (by bards and panegyrists around), thy son then once more addressed Karna, saying, "Slay all the Parthas in battle, like the great Indra slaying the Danavas." Shalya having accepted the office of holding the reins of his steeds, Karna, with a cheerful heart, once more addressed Duryodhana, saying, "The ruler of the Madras does not say very cheerfully what he says. O king, solicit him once more in sweet words." Thus addressed, the mighty king Duryodhana, possessed of great wisdom and accomplished in everything, once more spoke unto that lord of Earth, viz., Shalya, the ruler of Madras, in a voice deep as that of the clouds and filling the whole region there with the sound of that voice: "O Shalya, Karna thinks that he should fight with Arjuna today. O tiger among men hold the reins of Karna's steeds in battle. Having slain all the other warriors Karna desires to slay Phalguna. I solicit thee, O king, repeatedly, in the matter of holding the reins of his steeds. As Krishna, that foremost of all drivers, is the counsellor of Partha, even so do thou protect the son of Radha today from every danger.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Embracing thy son then, Shalya the ruler of the Madras, joyfully answered that slayer of foes, viz., Duryodhana, saying, "If this is what is thou thinkest, O royal son of Gandhari, O thou of handsome features, I shall, for that, accomplish everything that may be agreeable to thee. O chief of the Bharatas, for whatever acts I may be fit, employing myself therein with my whole heart, I will bear the burthen of those acts of thine. Let Karna, however, and thyself pardon me all those words, agreeable or disagreeable, that I may speak unto Karna from desire of his good.'"

"'Karna said, "O ruler of the Madras, be thou ever engaged in our good as Brahman in that of Ishana, as Keshava in that of Partha."

"'Shalya said, "These four kinds of conduct--self-rebuke and self-praise, speaking ill of others, and adulation of others, are never practised by those that are respectable. That, however, O learned one, which I shall say, for inspiring thy confidence is fraught with self-adulation. For all that, listen to it duly. O puissant one, like Matali himself, I am fit to act as the driver of even Indra in watchfulness, in managing the steeds, in knowledge of coming danger and of the means of avoiding it, and in competence to avoid it in practice. When thou wilt be engaged in battle with Partha, I will hold the reins of thy steeds. Let thy anxiety be dispelled, O Suta's son."'"

8.26.1

दुर्योधन उवाच
अयं ते कर्ण सारथ्यं मद्रराजः करिष्यति
कृष्णादभ्यधिको यन्ता देवेन्द्रस्येव मातलिः

8.26.2

यथा हरिहयैर्युक्तं संगृह्णाति स मातलिः
शल्यस्तव तथाद्यायं संयन्ता रथवाजिनाम्

8.26.3

योधे त्वयि रथस्थे च मद्रराजे च सारथौ
रथश्रेष्ठो ध्रुवं संख्ये पार्थो नाभिभविष्यति

8.26.4

संजय उवाच
ततो दुर्योधनो भूयो मद्रराजं तरस्विनम्
उवाच राजन्संग्रामे संयच्छन्तं हयोत्तमान्

8.26.5

त्वयाभिगुप्तो राधेयो विजेष्यति धनंजयम्
इत्युक्तो रथमास्थाय तथेति प्राह भारत

8.26.6

शल्येऽभ्युपगते कर्णः सारथिं सुमनोऽब्रवीत्
स्वं सूत स्यन्दनं मह्यं कल्पयेत्यसकृत्त्वरन्

8.26.7

ततो जैत्रं रथवरं गन्धर्वनगरोपमम्
विधिवत्कल्पितं भर्त्रे जयेत्युक्त्वा न्यवेदयत्

8.26.8

तं रथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठः कर्णोऽभ्यर्च्य यथाविधि
संपादितं ब्रह्मविदा पूर्वमेव पुरोधसा

8.26.9

कृत्वा प्रदक्षिणं यत्नादुपस्थाय च भास्करम्
समीपस्थं मद्रराजं समारोपयदग्रतः

8.26.10

ततः कर्णस्य दुर्धर्षं स्यन्दनप्रवरं महत्
आरुरोह महातेजाः शल्यः सिंह इवाचलम्

8.26.11

ततः शल्यास्थितं राजन्कर्णः स्वरथमुत्तमम्
अध्यतिष्ठद्यथाम्भोदं विद्युत्वन्तं दिवाकरः

8.26.12

तावेकरथमारूढावादित्याग्निसमत्विषौ
व्यभ्राजेतां यथा मेघं सूर्याग्नी सहितौ दिवि

8.26.13

संस्तूयमानौ तौ वीरौ तदास्तां द्युतिमत्तरौ
ऋत्विक्सदस्यैरिन्द्राग्नी हूयमानाविवाध्वरे

8.26.14

स शल्यसंगृहीताश्वे रथे कर्णः स्थितोऽभवत्
धनुर्विस्फारयन्घोरं परिवेषीव भास्करः

8.26.15

आस्थितः स रथश्रेष्ठं कर्णः शरगभस्तिमान्
प्रबभौ पुरुषव्याघ्रो मन्दरस्थ इवांशुमान्

8.26.16

तं रथस्थं महावीरं यान्तं चामिततेजसम्
दुर्योधनः स्म राधेयमिदं वचनमब्रवीत्

8.26.17

अकृतं द्रोणभीष्माभ्यां दुष्करं कर्म संयुगे
कुरुष्वाधिरथे वीर मिषतां सर्वधन्विनाम्

8.26.18

मनोगतं मम ह्यासीद्भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ
अर्जुनं भीमसेनं च निहन्ताराविति ध्रुवम्

8.26.19

ताभ्यां यदकृतं वीर वीरकर्म महामृधे
तत्कर्म कुरु राधेय वज्रपाणिरिवापरः

8.26.20

गृहाण धर्मराजं वा जहि वा त्वं धनंजयम्
भीमसेनं च राधेय माद्रीपुत्रौ यमावपि

8.26.21

जयश्च तेऽस्तु भद्रं च प्रयाहि पुरुषर्षभ
पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैन्यानि कुरु सर्वाणि भस्मसात्

8.26.22

ततस्तूर्यसहस्राणि भेरीणामयुतानि च
वाद्यमानान्यरोचन्त मेघशब्दा यथा दिवि

8.26.23

प्रतिगृह्य तु तद्वाक्यं रथस्थो रथसत्तमः
अभ्यभाषत राधेयः शल्यं युद्धविशारदम्

8.26.24

चोदयाश्वान्महाबाहो यावद्धन्मि धनंजयम्
भीमसेनं यमौ चोभौ राजानं च युधिष्ठिरम्

8.26.25

अद्य पश्यतु मे शल्य बाहुवीर्यं धनंजयः
अस्यतः कङ्कपत्राणां सहस्राणि शतानि च

8.26.26

अद्य क्षेप्स्याम्यहं शल्य शरान्परमतेजनान्
पाण्डवानां विनाशाय दुर्योधनजयाय च

8.26.27

शल्य उवाच
सूतपुत्र कथं नु त्वं पाण्डवानवमन्यसे
सर्वास्त्रज्ञान्महेष्वासान्सर्वानेव महारथान्

8.26.28

अनिवर्तिनो महाभागानजेयान्सत्यविक्रमान्
अपि संजनयेयुर्ये भयं साक्षाच्छतक्रतोः

8.26.29

यदा श्रोष्यसि निर्घोषं विस्फूर्जितमिवाशनेः
राधेय गाण्डिवस्याजौ तदा नैवं वदिष्यसि

8.26.30

संजय उवाच
अनादृत्य तु तद्वाक्यं मद्रराजेन भाषितम्
द्रक्ष्यस्यद्येत्यवोचद्वै शल्यं कर्णो नरेश्वर

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Duryodhana said, "This one, O Karna, will act as thy driver, this ruler of the Madras, who is superior to Krishna, like Matali the driver of the chief of the celestials. Indeed, as Matali taketh the management of the car unto which the steeds of Indra are attached, even so will Shalya be the driver of the steeds of thy car today. With thyself as warrior on that vehicle and the ruler of the Madras as its driver, that foremost of car will certainly vanquish the Parthas in battle.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'When the morning came, O monarch, Duryodhana once more addressed the ruler of the Madras endued with great activity, saying, "O ruler of the Madras, hold the reins in battle of Karna's foremost of steeds. Protected by thee, the son of Radha will vanquish Dhananjaya." Thus addressed, Shalya, answering, "So be it" ascended the car, O Bharata. When Shalya approached that car, Karna with a cheerful heart addressed his driver, saying, "O charioteer, quickly equip the car for me." Having duly equipped that triumphal car, the foremost of its kind, which resembled the vapoury mansions in the sky, Shalya presented it to Karna, saying, "Blessed be thou, victory to thee." Then Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, duly worshipping that car which had in days of old been sanctified by a priest conversant with Brahma, and circumambulating it and carefully adoring the god Surya addressed the ruler of the Madras standing near, saying, "Ascend the vehicle." Thereupon Shalya of mighty energy ascended that large, invincible, and foremost of cars, belonging to Karna like a lion ascending a mountain summit. Beholding Shalya stationed, Karna ascended his excellent car like the Sun riding on a mass of clouds charged with lightning. Mounted on the same car, those two heroes endued with the splendour or the Sun of fire looked resplendent like Surya and Agni sitting together on a cloud in the firmament. Eulogised then (by bards and panegyrists), those two heroes of great effulgence looked like Indra and Agni adored with hymns in a sacrifice by Ritwiks and Sadasyas. Karna stood on that car, the reins of whose steeds were held by Shalya, stretching his formidable bow, like the Sun himself within a halo of circular light. Stationed on that foremost of cars, that tiger among men, Karna, with his shafts constituting his rays, looked beautiful like the Sun on the Mandara mountains. Unto the mighty-armed son of Radha that warrior of immeasurable energy, stationed on his car for battle. Duryodhana said these words, "O son of Adhiratha, O hero, do thou achieve that feat difficult of accomplishment which Drona and Bhishma have not achieved in the very sight of all the bowmen. I had always believed that those two mighty car-warriors, viz., Bhishma and Drona, would without doubt slay Arjuna and Bhimasena in battle. Like a second wielder of the thunderbolt, O son of Radha, do thou in great battle achieve that feat worthy of a hero which was not achieved by those two. Either seize king Yudhishthira the just or slay Dhananjaya and Bhimasena, O son of Radha, and the twin sons of Madri. Blessed be thou, let victory be thine. Set out for battle, O tiger among men. Reduce to ashes all the troops of Pandu's son." Then thousands of trumpets and tens of thousands of drums, sounded together, produced a noise like that of the clouds in the welkin. Accepting those words (of Duryodhana), the foremost of car-warriors stationed on his car, viz., the son of Radha, addressed Shalya, that warrior accomplished in battle, saying, "Urge the steeds, O mighty-armed one, so that I may slay Dhananjaya and Bhimasena and both the twins and king Yudhishthira. O Shalya, let Dhananjaya behold today the might of my arms, when I will be engaged in shooting shafts winged with Kanka feathers in hundreds and thousands. Today, O Shalya, I will shoot shafts with great energy for the destruction of the Pandavas and the victory of Duryodhana."

"'"Shalya said, "O Suta's son, why dost thou think so low of the sons of Pandu, all of whom are endued with great might, all of whom are great bowmen, and all of whom are acquainted with every weapon? They are unretreating, of great good fortune, invincible, and of prowess incapable of being baffled. They are capable of inspiring fear in the heart of Indra himself. When, son of Radha thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva in battle, resembling the peal of the thunder itself, thou wilt not then utter such speeches. When thou wilt behold Dharma's son and the twins causing a canopy, like that of the clouds in the welkin, with their sharp arrows, and the other invincible kings (of the Pandava army), endued with great lightness of hands and shooting (showers of shafts) and weakening their foes, then thou wilt not utter such words.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Disregarding those words spoken by the ruler of the Madras, Karna addressing him endued with great activity, saying, "Proceed."'"

8.26.31

दृष्ट्वा कर्णं महेष्वासं युयुत्सुं समवस्थितम्
चुक्रुशुः कुरवः सर्वे हृष्टरूपाः परंतप

8.26.32

ततो दुन्दुभिघोषेण भेरीणां निनदेन च
बाणशब्दैश्च विविधैर्गर्जितैश्च तरस्विनाम्
निर्ययुस्तावका युद्धे मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम्

8.26.33

प्रयाते तु ततः कर्णे योधेषु मुदितेषु च
चचाल पृथिवी राजन्ररास च सुविस्वरम्

8.26.34

निश्चरन्तो व्यदृश्यन्त सूर्यात्सप्त महाग्रहाः
उल्कापातश्च संजज्ञे दिशां दाहस्तथैव च
तथाशन्यश्च संपेतुर्ववुर्वाताश्च दारुणाः

8.26.35

मृगपक्षिगणाश्चैव बहुशः पृतनां तव
अपसव्यं तदा चक्रुर्वेदयन्तो महद्भयम्

8.26.36

प्रस्थितस्य च कर्णस्य निपेतुस्तुरगा भुवि
अस्थिवर्षं च पतितमन्तरिक्षाद्भयानकम्

8.26.37

जज्वलुश्चैव शस्त्राणि ध्वजाश्चैव चकम्पिरे
अश्रूणि च व्यमुञ्चन्त वाहनानि विशां पते

8.26.38

एते चान्ये च बहव उत्पातास्तत्र मारिष
समुत्पेतुर्विनाशाय कौरवाणां सुदारुणाः

8.26.39

न च तान्गणयामासुः सर्वे ते दैवमोहिताः
प्रस्थितं सूतपुत्रं च जयेत्यूचुर्नरा भुवि
निर्जितान्पाण्डवांश्चैव मेनिरे तव कौरवाः

8.26.40

ततो रथस्थः परवीरहन्ता; भीष्मद्रोणावात्तवीर्यौ निरीक्ष्य
समज्वलद्भारत पावकाभो; वैकर्तनोऽसौ रथकुञ्जरो वृषः

8.26.41

स शल्यमाभाष्य जगाद वाक्यं; पार्थस्य कर्माप्रतिमं च दृष्ट्वा
मानेन दर्पेण च दह्यमानः; क्रोधेन दीप्यन्निव निःश्वसित्वा

8.26.42

नाहं महेन्द्रादपि वज्रपाणेः; क्रुद्धाद्बिभेम्यात्तधनू रथस्थः
दृष्ट्वा तु भीष्मप्रमुखाञ्शयाना;न्न त्वेव मां स्थिरता संजहाति

8.26.43

महेन्द्रविष्णुप्रतिमावनिन्दितौ; रथाश्वनागप्रवरप्रमाथिनौ
अवध्यकल्पौ निहतौ यदा परै;स्ततो ममाद्यापि रणेऽस्ति साध्वसम्

8.26.44

समीक्ष्य संख्येऽतिबलान्नराधिपै;र्नराश्वमातङ्गरथाञ्शरैर्हतान्
कथं न सर्वानहितान्रणेऽवधी;न्महास्त्रविद्ब्राह्मणपुंगवो गुरुः

8.26.45

स संस्मरन्द्रोणहवं महाहवे; ब्रवीमि सत्यं कुरवो निबोधत
न वो मदन्यः प्रसहेद्रणेऽर्जुनं; क्रमागतं मृत्युमिवोग्ररूपिणम्

8.26.46

शिक्षा प्रसादश्च बलं धृतिश्च; द्रोणे महास्त्राणि च संनतिश्च
स चेदगान्मृत्युवशं महात्मा; सर्वानन्यानातुरानद्य मन्ये

8.26.47

नेह ध्रुवं किंचिदपि प्रचिन्त्यं; विदुर्लोके कर्मणोऽनित्ययोगात्
सूर्योदये को हि विमुक्तसंशयो; गर्वं कुर्वीताद्य गुरौ निपातिते

8.26.48

न नूनमस्त्राणि बलं पराक्रमः; क्रिया सुनीतं परमायुधानि वा
अलं मनुष्यस्य सुखाय वर्तितुं; तथा हि युद्धे निहतः परैर्गुरुः

8.26.49

हुताशनादित्यसमानतेजसं; पराक्रमे विष्णुपुरंदरोपमम्
नये बृहस्पत्युशनःसमं सदा; न चैनमस्त्रं तदपात्सुदुःसहम्

8.26.50

संप्रक्रुष्टे रुदितस्त्रीकुमारे; पराभूते पौरुषे धार्तराष्ट्रे
मया कृत्यमिति जानामि शल्य; प्रयाहि तस्माद्द्विषतामनीकम्

8.26.51

यत्र राजा पाण्डवः सत्यसंधो; व्यवस्थितो भीमसेनार्जुनौ च
वासुदेवः सृञ्जयाः सात्यकिश्च; यमौ च कस्तौ विषहेन्मदन्यः

8.26.52

तस्मात्क्षिप्रं मद्रपते प्रयाहि; रणे पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवान्सृञ्जयांश्च
तान्वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य संख्ये; यास्यामि वा द्रोणमुखाय मन्ये

8.26.53

न त्वेवाहं न गमिष्यामि मध्यं; तेषां शूराणामिति मा शल्य विद्धि
मित्रद्रोहो मर्षणीयो न मेऽयं; त्यक्त्वा प्राणाननुयास्यामि द्रोणम्

8.26.54

प्राज्ञस्य मूढस्य च जीवितान्ते; प्राणप्रमोक्षोऽन्तकवक्त्रगस्य
अतो विद्वन्नभियास्यामि पार्थं; दिष्टं न शक्यं व्यतिवर्तितुं वै

8.26.55

कल्याणवृत्तः सततं हि राज;न्वैचित्रवीर्यस्य सुतो ममासीत्
तस्यार्थसिद्ध्यर्थमहं त्यजामि; प्रियान्भोगान्दुस्त्यजं जीवितं च

8.26.56

वैयाघ्रचर्माणमकूजनाक्षं; हैमत्रिकोशं रजतत्रिवेणुम्
रथप्रबर्हं तुरगप्रबर्है;र्युक्तं प्रादान्मह्यमिदं हि रामः

8.26.57

धनूंषि चित्राणि निरीक्ष्य शल्य; ध्वजं गदां सायकांश्चोग्ररूपान्
असिं च दीप्तं परमायुधं च; शङ्खं च शुभ्रं स्वनवन्तमुग्रम्

8.26.58

पताकिनं वज्रनिपातनिस्वनं; सिताश्वयुक्तं शुभतूणशोभितम्
इमं समास्थाय रथं रथर्षभं; रणे हनिष्याम्यहमर्जुनं बलात्

8.26.59

तं चेन्मृत्युः सर्वहरोऽभिरक्षते; सदाप्रमत्तः समरे पाण्डुपुत्रम्
तं वा हनिष्यामि समेत्य युद्धे; यास्यामि वा भीष्ममुखो यमाय

8.26.60

यमवरुणकुबेरवासवा वा; यदि युगपत्सगणा महाहवे
जुगुपिषव इहैत्य पाण्डवं; किमु बहुना सह तैर्जयामि तम्

8.26.61

इति रणरभसस्य कत्थत;स्तदुपनिशम्य वचः स मद्रराट्
अवहसदवमन्य वीर्यवा;न्प्रतिषिषिधे च जगाद चोत्तरम्

8.26.62

विरम विरम कर्ण कत्थना;दतिरभसोऽस्यति चाप्ययुक्तवाक्
क्व च हि नरवरो धनंजयः; क्व पुनरिह त्वमुपारमाबुध

8.26.63

यदुसदनमुपेन्द्रपालितं; त्रिदिवमिवामरराजरक्षितम्
प्रसभमिह विलोक्य को हरे;त्पुरुषवरावरजामृतेऽर्जुनात्

8.26.64

त्रिभुवनसृजमीश्वरेश्वरं; क इह पुमान्भवमाह्वयेद्युधि
मृगवधकलहे ऋतेऽर्जुना;त्सुरपतिवीर्यसमप्रभावतः

8.26.65

असुरसुरमहोरगान्नरा;न्गरुडपिशाचसयक्षराक्षसान्
इषुभिरजयदग्निगौरवा;त्स्वभिलषितं च हविर्ददौ जयः

8.26.66

स्मरसि ननु यदा परैर्हृतः; स च धृतराष्ट्रसुतो विमोक्षितः
दिनकरज नरोत्तमैर्यदा; मरुषु बहून्विनिहत्य तानरीन्

8.26.67

प्रथममपि पलायिते त्वयि; प्रियकलहा धृतराष्ट्रसूनवः
स्मरसि ननु यदा प्रमोचिताः; खचरगणानवजित्य पाण्डवैः

8.26.68

समुदितबलवाहनाः पुनः; पुरुषवरेण जिताः स्थ गोग्रहे
सगुरुगुरुसुताः सभीष्मकाः; किमु न जितः स तदा त्वयार्जुनः

8.26.69

इदमपरमुपस्थितं पुन;स्तव निधनाय सुयुद्धमद्य वै
यदि न रिपुभयात्पलायसे; समरगतोऽद्य हतोऽसि सूतज

8.26.70

संजय उवाच
इति बहुपरुषं प्रभाषति; प्रमनसि मद्रपतौ रिपुस्तवम्
भृशमतिरुषितः परं वृषः; कुरुपृतनापतिराह मद्रपम्

8.26.71

भवतु भवतु किं विकत्थसे; ननु मम तस्य च युद्धमुद्यतम्
यदि स जयति मां महाहवे; तत इदमस्तु सुकत्थितं तव

8.26.72

एवमस्त्विति मद्रेश उक्त्वा नोत्तरमुक्तवान्
याहि मद्रेश चाप्येनं कर्णः प्राह युयुत्सया

8.26.73

स रथः प्रययौ शत्रूञ्श्वेताश्वः शल्यसारथिः
निघ्नन्नमित्रान्समरे तमो घ्नन्सविता यथा

8.26.74

ततः प्रायात्प्रीतिमान्वै रथेन; वैयाघ्रेण श्वेतयुजाथ कर्णः
स चालोक्य ध्वजिनीं पाण्डवानां; धनंजयं त्वरया पर्यपृच्छत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the mighty Karna take up his station from desire of battle, the Kauravas, filled with delight, uttered loud shouts from every side. With the beat of cymbals and the sound of drums, with the whizz of diverse kinds of arrows and the roars of combatants endued with great activity, all thy troops proceeded to battle, making death only the point at which to stop. When Karna set out and the warriors of the Kuru army were filled with joy, the Earth, O king, trembled and made a loud noise. The seven great planets including the Sun seemed to proceed against one another (for combat). Meteoric showers became noticeable and all the quarters seemed ablaze. Thunders fell from a cloudless sky, and fierce winds began to blow. Animals and birds in larger numbers kept thy army to their right, foreboding great calamities. After Karna had set out, his steeds tumbled down on the Earth. A frightful shower of bones fell from the sky. The weapons (of the Kuru warriors) seemed to be ablaze; their standards trembled; and their animals, O monarch, shed copious tears. These and many other terrible and awful portents appeared for the destruction of the Kurus. Stupefied by destiny, none of them regarded those portents at all. Beholding the Suta's son setting out, all the rulers of men (in the Kaurava army) cried victory to him. The Kauravas regarded the Pandavas to have been already vanquished. That slayer of hostile heroes, that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Vaikartana, as he stayed on his car recollecting the death of Bhishma and Drona, blazed up with splendour like the Sun or fire. Reflecting on the mighty feats of Partha, and burning with self-conceit and pride, and blazing with wrath and breathing long and hard, he addressed Shalya and said these words: "When stationed on my car and armed with my bow, I would not take fright at Indra himself armed with the thunder and excited with wrath. Beholding those great heroes headed by Bhishma lying on the field of battle, do not feel any anxiety. Seeing even the faultless Bhishma and Drona, equal unto Indra and Vishnu, those crushers of foremost of cars and steeds and elephants, those heroes that were unslayable, slain by the foe, I do not still experience any fear in this battle. Acquainted with mighty weapons, and himself the foremost of brahmanas, why, indeed, did not the preceptor slay in battle all foes, seeing them destroy the mightiest of our kings with their drivers and elephants and cars? Remembering that Drona in great battle, I tell you truly, listen to me, ye Kurus, there is none amongst you, save myself, that is competent to bear the advancing Arjuna, that warrior who resembles Death himself in his fiercest form. In Drona were the skills attendant on practice, and might, and bravery, and the highest of weapons and policy. When even that high-souled one had to succumb to Death, I regard all the others (of our army), strengthless and on the point of death. In this world I do not find anything, even on reflection, to be stable, in consequence of the inevitable connection of acts. When the preceptor himself is dead, who then will indulge in the certain belief that he will live till even today's sun-rise? When the preceptor was thus slain by the enemy in battle, without doubt weapons, ordinary and celestial, and might and prowess, and achievements and wise policy, are not able to compass the happiness of man. In energy Drona was equal to fire or the Sun, in prowess he resembled Vishnu or Purandara; in policy he was equal to Brihaspati or Usana; irresistible as he was, weapons could not yet protect him. When (our) women and children are weeping and uttering loud wails, when the valour of the Dhartarashtras has been defeated, I know it, O Shalya, that it is I who am to fight. Proceed therefore, against the army of our enemies. Who else, save myself, will be able to bear those troops amongst whom are stationed the royal son of Pandu firm in truth, and Bhimasena and Arjuna, and Satyaki, and the twins? Therefore, O ruler of the Madras, proceed quickly, in this battle, towards the Pancalas, the Pandavas, and the Srinjayas. Encountering them in battle, either I will slay them, or myself to Yama's presence by the path taken by Drona. Do not think, O Shalya, that I will not go into the very midst of those heroes. These intestine dissensions cannot be tolerated by me. (Without seeking to tolerate them) I will even follow in the wake of Drona. Wise or ignorant, when his period is run out, everybody is equally regarded by the Destroyer; no one can escape, O learned one, for this, I will proceed against the Parthas. I am unable to transgress my destiny. The son of Vichitravirya's son is, O king, always engaged in doing me good. For the accomplishment of his purpose, I will cast away my life-breaths that are so dear, and this body that is so difficult of being cast away. This foremost of cars covered with tigerskins, with axle producing no sound equipped with a golden seat endued with trivenu made of silver, and unto which are yoked these foremost of steeds, Rama gave unto me. Behold, also, O Shalya, these beautiful bows, these standards, these maces, these shafts of fierce forms, this blazing sword, this mighty weapon, this white conch of fierce and loud blare. Riding upon this car decked with banners, its wheels producing a rattle deep as that of the thunder, having white steeds yoked unto it, and adorned with excellent quivers, I will, putting forth my might, slay in battle that bull among car-warriors, Arjuna. If Death himself, that universal consumer, were to protect with vigilance the son of Pandu in battle, I would still encounter him in fight and either slay him or myself go to Yama's presence following Bhishma. If Yama, Varuna, Kuvera, and Vasava, with all their followers coming hither, unitedly protect the son of Pandu in this great battle, what need of many words, I will still vanquish him with them.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of the bragging Karna who was exceedingly delighted with the prospect of battle, the valiant king of the Madras, deriding him, laughed aloud, and gave him the following reply for checking him.

"'Shalya said, "Forbear, forbear, O Karna, from such bragging. Thou art in transports of delight and sayest what thou shouldst never say. Where is Dhananjaya, that foremost of men, and where again, art thou, O lowest of men? Who else, save Arjuna, could take away the younger sister of (Keshava) that foremost of all persons, having forcibly agitated the home of the Yadus that was protected by the younger brother of Indra and that resembled heaven itself that is guarded by the chief of celestials? What man save Arjuna who is endued with prowess that is equal to the prowess of the chief of the celestials, could on the occasion of the dispute caused by the slaughter of an animal, summon Bhava the Lord of Lords, the Creator of the worlds, to battle? For the sake of honouring Agni, Jaya had vanquished asuras and gods and great snakes and men and birds and pishacas and yakshas and rakshasas with his shafts and gave unto that god the food he had desired. Dost thou remember, O Karna, the occasion when, slaughtering those foes in large numbers with his excellent shafts endued with the effulgence of the Sun, Phalguna liberated Dhritarashtra's son himself among the Kurus? Dost thou remember the occasion when, thyself having been the first to fly away, the quarrelsome sons of Dhritarashtra were liberated by the Pandavas after the latter had defeated those rangers of the skies (the gandharvas headed by Citraratha)? On the occasion also of the seizure of (Virata's) kine, the Kauravas, swelling with numbers in respect of both men and animals, and having the preceptor and the preceptor's son and Bhishma amongst them, were vanquished by that foremost of men. Why, O son of Suta, didst thou not vanquish Arjuna then? For thy destruction another excellent battle has now presented itself. If thou dost not fly away from fear of thy enemy, know O Suta's son, that as soon as thou goest to battle thou wilt be slain.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'When the ruler of the Madras was most heartily engaged in addressing these harsh speeches to Karna and uttering these praises of the latter's foe, that scorcher of foes, viz., the commander of the Kuru army, excited with rage, said these words unto the Madra king.

"'Karna said, "Let it be so, let it be so. Why, however, dost thou indulge in Arjuna's praises? A battle is about to ensue between myself and him. If he vanquishes me in fight, then will these thy praises be regarded as well-uttered.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'The ruler of the Madras said, "Let it be so," and gave no reply. When Karna, from desire of fight, addressed Shalya, saying, "Proceed," then that great carwarrior, having white steeds yoked unto his vehicle and owning Shalya as his charioteer, proceeded against his foes, slaying large numbers in battle along his way, like the Sun destroying the darkness. Indeed, on that car covered with tiger-skins and having white steeds yoked unto it, Karna proceeded with a cheerful heart, and beholding the army of the Pandavas, speedily enquired after Dhananjaya.'"

8.27.1

संजय उवाच
प्रयानेव तदा कर्णो हर्षयन्वाहिनीं तव
एकैकं समरे दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवं पर्यपृच्छत

8.27.2

यो ममाद्य महात्मानं दर्शयेच्छ्वेतवाहनम्
तस्मै दद्यामभिप्रेतं वरं यं मनसेच्छति

8.27.3

स चेत्तदभिमन्येत तस्मै दद्यामहं पुनः
शकटं रत्नसंपूर्णं यो मे ब्रूयाद्धनंजयम्

8.27.4

स चेत्तदभिमन्येत पुरुषोऽर्जुनदर्शिवान्
अन्यं तस्मै पुनर्दद्यां सौवर्णं हस्तिषड्गवम्

8.27.5

तथा तस्मै पुनर्दद्यां स्त्रीणां शतमलंकृतम्
श्यामानां निष्ककण्ठीनां गीतवाद्यविपश्चिताम्

8.27.6

स चेत्तदभिमन्येत पुरुषोऽर्जुनदर्शिवान्
अन्यं तस्मै वरं दद्यां श्वेतान्पञ्चशतान्हयान्

8.27.7

हेमभाण्डपरिच्छन्नान्सुमृष्टमणिकुण्डलान्
सुदान्तानपि चैवाहं दद्यामष्टशतान्परान्

8.27.8

रथं च शुभ्रं सौवर्णं दद्यां तस्मै स्वलंकृतम्
युक्तं परमकाम्बोजैर्यो मे ब्रूयाद्धनंजयम्

8.27.9

अन्यं तस्मै वरं दद्यां कुञ्जराणां शतानि षट्
काञ्चनैर्विविधैर्भाण्डैराच्छन्नान्हेममालिनः
उत्पन्नानपरान्तेषु विनीतान्हस्तिशिक्षकैः

8.27.10

स चेत्तदभिमन्येत पुरुषोऽर्जुनदर्शिवान्
अन्यं तस्मै वरं दद्यां यमसौ कामयेत्स्वयम्

8.27.11

पुत्रदारान्विहारांश्च यदन्यद्वित्तमस्ति मे
तच्च तस्मै पुनर्दद्यां यद्यत्स मनसेच्छति

8.27.12

हत्वा च सहितौ कृष्णौ तयोर्वित्तानि सर्वशः
तस्मै दद्यामहं यो मे प्रब्रूयात्केशवार्जुनौ

8.27.13

एता वाचः सुबहुशः कर्ण उच्चारयन्युधि
दध्मौ सागरसंभूतं सुस्वनं शङ्खमुत्तमम्

8.27.14

ता वाचः सूतपुत्रस्य तथा युक्ता निशम्य तु
दुर्योधनो महाराज प्रहृष्टः सानुगोऽभवत्

8.27.15

ततो दुन्दुभिनिर्घोषो मृदङ्गानां च सर्वशः
सिंहनादः सवादित्रः कुञ्जराणां च निस्वनः

8.27.16

प्रादुरासीत्तदा राजंस्त्वत्सैन्ये भरतर्षभ
योधानां संप्रहृष्टानां तथा समभवत्स्वनः

8.27.17

तथा प्रहृष्टे सैन्ये तु प्लवमानं महारथम्
विकत्थमानं समरे राधेयमरिकर्शनम्
मद्रराजः प्रहस्येदं वचनं प्रत्यभाषत

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said 'After Karna, gladdening thy army, had set out for battle, he spoke unto every Pandava soldier that he met with, even these words: "Unto him that will today point out the high-souled Dhananjaya of white steeds to me, I will give whatever wealth he desires. If having got it he does not become satisfied, I shall in addition, give him,--him that is, that will discover Arjuna to me, a cart-load of jewels and gems. If that does not satisfy the person who discovers Arjuna to me, I will give him a century of kine with as many vessels of brass for milking those animals. I will give a hundred foremost of villages unto the person that discovers Arjuna to me. I will also give him that shows Arjuna to me a number of long-tressed damsels of black eyes and a car unto which shall be yoked white mules. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall give him another foremost of cars, made of gold, and having six bulls yoked unto it that shall be as large as elephants. I shall also give unto him a hundred damsels decked with ornaments, with collars of gold, fair-complexioned and accomplished in singing and dancing. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall give him a 100 elephants, a 100 villages and a 100 cars, and 10,000 steeds of the foremost of breed, fat, docile, endued with many excellent qualities, capable of dragging cars and well-trained. I shall also give to the person that discovers Arjuna to me four hundred kine, each with golden horns and her calf. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., five hundred steeds, adorned with trappings of gold and decked with jewelled ornaments. I shall also give eighteen other steeds of great docility. I shall also give the person that discovers Arjuna to me a bright car made of gold and adorned with diverse ornaments and having foremost of Kamboja steeds yoked unto it. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., six hundred elephants, with chains of gold around their necks, and covered with housings of gold, born in the western shores of the ocean, and trained by elephant trainers. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., fourteen Vaishya villages, teeming with people, full of wealth, situated in the proximity of forests and rivers, free from all sorts of danger, well furnished (with other necessaries), and worthy of being enjoyed by kings. To him that will discover Dhananjaya to me, I shall also give a hundred female slaves, with golden collars, belonging to the country of the Magadhas, and of very youthful age. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I will make him a more valuable gift, that, indeed, which he himself will solicit. Sons, wives and articles of pleasure and enjoyment that I have, these all I shall give him if he desires them. Indeed, unto him who discovers Keshava and Arjuna to me, I shall, after slaying those two, give all the wealth that may be left by them." Having uttered those diverse speeches in that battle, Karna blew his excellent conch, sea-born and producing a sweet blare. Hearing these words of Suta's son that were suitable to his disposition, Duryodhana, O king, with all his followers became filled with joy. At that juncture the beat of cymbals and drums and leonine shouts, and grunts of elephants with the sounds of diverse musical instruments, arose there, O king, among the (Kaurava) troops, O bull among men. The shouts also of warriors filled with joy arose there. When the (Kaurava) troops were thus filled with joy, the ruler of the Madras, laughing in scorn, said these words unto that grinder of foes, viz., the son of Radha, that mighty car-warrior who was about to plunge into that ocean of battle and who was indulging in such vain bragging.'"

8.27.18

मा सूतपुत्र मानेन सौवर्णं हस्तिषड्गवम्
प्रयच्छ पुरुषायाद्य द्रक्ष्यसि त्वं धनंजयम्

8.27.19

बाल्यादिव त्वं त्यजसि वसु वैश्रवणो यथा
अयत्नेनैव राधेय द्रष्टास्यद्य धनंजयम्

8.27.20

परासृजसि मिथ्या किं किं च त्वं बहु मूढवत्
अपात्रदाने ये दोषास्तान्मोहान्नावबुध्यसे

8.27.21

यत्प्रवेदयसे वित्तं बहुत्वेन खलु त्वया
शक्यं बहुविधैर्यज्ञैर्यष्टुं सूत यजस्व तैः

8.27.22

यच्च प्रार्थयसे हन्तुं कृष्णौ मोहान्मृषैव तत्
न हि शुश्रुम संमर्दे क्रोष्ट्रा सिंहौ निपातितौ

8.27.23

अप्रार्थितं प्रार्थयसे सुहृदो न हि सन्ति ते
ये त्वां न वारयन्त्याशु प्रपतन्तं हुताशने

8.27.24

कालकार्यं न जानीषे कालपक्वोऽस्यसंशयम्
बह्वबद्धमकर्णीयं को हि ब्रूयाज्जिजीविषुः

8.27.25

समुद्रतरणं दोर्भ्यां कण्ठे बद्ध्वा यथा शिलाम्
गिर्यग्राद्वा निपतनं तादृक्तव चिकीर्षितम्

8.27.26

सहितः सर्वयोधैस्त्वं व्यूढानीकैः सुरक्षितः
धनंजयेन युध्यस्व श्रेयश्चेत्प्राप्तुमिच्छसि

8.27.27

हितार्थं धार्तराष्ट्रस्य ब्रवीमि त्वा न हिंसया
श्रद्धत्स्वैतन्मया प्रोक्तं यदि तेऽस्ति जिजीविषा

8.27.28

कर्ण उवाच
स्ववीर्येऽहं पराश्वस्य प्रार्थयाम्यर्जुनं रणे
त्वं तु मित्रमुखः शत्रुर्मां भीषयितुमिच्छसि

8.27.29

न मामस्मादभिप्रायात्कश्चिदद्य निवर्तयेत्
अपीन्द्रो वज्रमुद्यम्य किं नु मर्त्यः करिष्यति

8.27.30

संजय उवाच
इति कर्णस्य वाक्यान्ते शल्यः प्राहोत्तरं वचः
चुकोपयिषुरत्यर्थं कर्णं मद्रेश्वरः पुनः

8.27.31

यदा वै त्वां फल्गुनवेगनुन्ना; ज्याचोदिता हस्तवता विसृष्टाः
अन्वेतारः कङ्कपत्राः शिताग्रा;स्तदा तप्स्यस्यर्जुनस्याभियोगात्

8.27.32

यदा दिव्यं धनुरादाय पार्थः; प्रभासयन्पृतनां सव्यसाची
त्वामर्दयेत निशितैः पृषत्कै;स्तदा पश्चात्तप्स्यसे सूतपुत्र

8.27.33

बालश्चन्द्रं मातुरङ्के शयानो; यथा कश्चित्प्रार्थयतेऽपहर्तुम्
तद्वन्मोहाद्यतमानो रथस्थ;स्त्वं प्रार्थयस्यर्जुनमद्य जेतुम्

8.27.34

त्रिशूलमाश्लिष्य सुतीक्ष्णधारं; सर्वाणि गात्राणि निघर्षसि त्वम्
सुतीक्ष्णधारोपमकर्मणा त्वं; युयुत्ससे योऽर्जुनेनाद्य कर्ण

8.27.35

सिद्धं सिंहं केसरिणं बृहन्तं; बालो मूढः क्षुद्रमृगस्तरस्वी
समाह्वयेत्तद्वदेतत्तवाद्य; समाह्वानं सूतपुत्रार्जुनस्य

8.27.36

मा सूतपुत्राह्वय राजपुत्रं; महावीर्यं केसरिणं यथैव
वने सृगालः पिशितस्य तृप्तो; मा पार्थमासाद्य विनङ्क्ष्यसि त्वम्

8.27.37

ईषादन्तं महानागं प्रभिन्नकरटामुखम्
शशकाह्वयसे युद्धे कर्ण पार्थं धनंजयम्

8.27.38

बिलस्थं कृष्णसर्पं त्वं बाल्यात्काष्ठेन विध्यसि
महाविषं पूर्णकोशं यत्पार्थं योद्धुमिच्छसि

8.27.39

सिंहं केसरिणं क्रुद्धमतिक्रम्याभिनर्दसि
सृगाल इव मूढत्वान्नृसिंहं कर्ण पाण्डवम्

8.27.40

सुपर्णं पतगश्रेष्ठं वैनतेयं तरस्विनम्
लट्वेवाह्वयसे पाते कर्ण पार्थं धनंजयम्

8.27.41

सर्वाम्भोनिलयं भीममूर्मिमन्तं झषायुतम्
चन्द्रोदये विवर्तन्तमप्लवः संतितीर्षसि

8.27.42

ऋषभं दुन्दुभिग्रीवं तीक्ष्णशृङ्गं प्रहारिणम्
वत्स आह्वयसे युद्धे कर्ण पार्थं धनंजयम्

8.27.43

महाघोषं महामेघं दर्दुरः प्रतिनर्दसि
कामतोयप्रदं लोके नरपर्जन्यमर्जुनम्

8.27.44

यथा च स्वगृहस्थः श्वा व्याघ्रं वनगतं भषेत्
तथा त्वं भषसे कर्ण नरव्याघ्रं धनंजयम्

8.27.45

सृगालोऽपि वने कर्ण शशैः परिवृतो वसन्
मन्यते सिंहमात्मानं यावत्सिंहं न पश्यति

8.27.46

तथा त्वमपि राधेय सिंहमात्मानमिच्छसि
अपश्यञ्शत्रुदमनं नरव्याघ्रं धनंजयम्

8.27.47

व्याघ्रं त्वं मन्यसेऽऽत्मानं यावत्कृष्णौ न पश्यसि
समास्थितावेकरथे सूर्याचन्द्रमसाविव

8.27.48

यावद्गाण्डीवनिर्घोषं न शृणोषि महाहवे
तावदेव त्वया कर्ण शक्यं वक्तुं यथेच्छसि

8.27.49

रथशब्दधनुःशब्दैर्नादयन्तं दिशो दश
नर्दन्तमिव शार्दूलं दृष्ट्वा क्रोष्टा भविष्यसि

8.27.50

नित्यमेव सृगालस्त्वं नित्यं सिंहो धनंजयः
वीरप्रद्वेषणान्मूढ नित्यं क्रोष्टेव लक्ष्यसे

8.27.51

यथाखुः स्याद्बिडालश्च श्वा व्याघ्रश्च बलाबले
यथा सृगालः सिंहश्च यथा च शशकुञ्जरौ

8.27.52

यथानृतं च सत्यं च यथा चापि विषामृते
तथा त्वमपि पार्थश्च प्रख्यातावात्मकर्मभिः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Shalya said, "Do not, O Suta's son, give away to any man a golden car with six bulls of elephantine proportions. Thou wilt obtain a sight of Dhananjaya today. From foolishness thou art giving away wealth as if thou wert the Lord of treasures. Without any trouble, however, O son of Radha, thou wilt behold Dhananjaya today. Thou art for giving away this wealth like a senseless person; but thou seest not the demerits attaching to those gifts that are made to undeserving persons. With that large wealth which thou art desirous of giving away, thou art certainly able to perform many sacrifices. Therefore, O Suta's son, do thou perform those sacrifices. As regards thy desire, entertained from folly, that is surely vain. We have never heard of a couple of lions having been overthrown by a fox. Thou seekest what should never be sought by thee. It seems that thou hast no friends for forbidding thee that art speedily falling into a blazing fire. Thou art unable to discriminate between what thou shouldst do and what thou shouldst not. Without doubt thy period is full. What man desirous of living would utter speeches that are so incoherent and undeserving of being listened to? This thy endeavour is like that of a person desirous of crossing the ocean by the aid of only his two arms after having attached to his neck a heavy stone, or of one desirous of leaping down from the summit of a mountain. If thou art desirous of winning what is for thy good, fight with Dhananjaya, well protected from within thy arrayed division, and aided by all thy warriors. I say this to thee for the good of Dhritarashtra's son and not from any ill will to thee. If thou hast any wish for preserving thy life then accept the words spoken by me."

"'Karna said, "Relying on the might of my own arms I seek Arjuna in battle. Thou, however, that art a foe with the face of a friend desirest to frighten me. No person shall deter me from this resolution, not even Indra himself uplifting his thunder; what then need be said of a mortal?'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'At the conclusion of these words of Karna, Shalya, the ruler of the Madras, desirous of provoking Karna exceedingly, said these words in reply, "When keen-pointed shafts winged with Kanka feathers, shot by Phalguna of mighty arms and impelled from his bow-string and sped with all his energy will seek thee then wilt thou lament thy encounter with that hero. When Partha, called also Savyasaci, taking up his celestial bow, will scorch the (Kuru) army and afflict thee exceedingly with keen shafts, then, O Suta's son, wilt thou repent (of thy folly). As a child lying on the lap of its mother seeks to seize the Moon, even so dost thou from folly seek to vanquish the resplendent Arjuna stationed on his car. In desiring, O Karna, to fight today with Arjuna of keen-edged feats, thou art for rubbing all thy limbs against the keen edges of a trident. This thy challenge of Arjuna, O Suta's son, is like that of a foolish young little deer of activity challenging a huge lion excited with wrath. Do not, O Suta's son, challenge that prince of mighty energy like a fox gratified with meat in the forest challenging the maned monarch of the forest. Do not be destroyed, encountering Arjuna. Thou, O Karna, challengest Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, even like a hare challenging a mighty elephant with tusks large as plough-shafts, and with the juice issuing out of its mouth and rent cheeks. From folly thou art piercing, with a piece of wood, the black cobra of virulent poison excited to fury within its hole, in desiring to fight with Partha. Endued with little understanding, thou, O Karna, disregarding that lion among men, viz., the son of Pandu, yellest at him, like a jackal that, disregarding a maned lion excited with wrath, yells at him. As a snake, for its own destruction, challenges that foremost of birds, viz., Vinata's son, possessed of beautiful plumage and great activity, even so dost thou, O Karna, challenge Dhananjaya the son of Pandu. Thou desirest to cross without a raft the terrible ocean, the receptacle of all the waters, with its mountain waves and teeming with aquatic animals, when at its height at the rise of the Moon. O Karna, thou challengest Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, to battle even like a calf challenging a smiting bull of keen horns and neck thick as a drum. Like a frog croaking at a terrible and mighty cloud yielding copious showers of rain, thou croakest at Arjuna who is even like Parjanya among men. As a dog from within the precincts of the house of his master barks at a forest-roaming tiger, even so, O Karna, thou barkest at Dhananjaya, that tiger among men. A jackal, O Karna, residing in the forest in the midst of hares regardeth himself a lion till he actually sees a lion. Even so, O son of Radha, thou regardest thyself a lion, for thou dost not behold that repressor of foes, that tiger among men, viz., Dhananjaya. Thou regardest thyself a lion till thou beholdest the two Krishnas stationed on the same car like Surya and Candramas. As long as thou dost not hear the twang of Gandiva in great battle, so long art thou able to do what thou pleasest. Beholding Partha, causing the ten points of the compass to resound with the roar of his car and the twang of his bow, and beholding him roaring like a tiger, thou wilt become a jackal. Thou art always a jackal, and Dhananjaya always a lion. O fool, in consequence of thy envy and hatred for heroes, thou always, seemest to be like a jackal. As a mouse and a car are to each other in strength, or a dog and a tiger, a fox and a lion, or a hare and an elephant, as falsehood and truth, as poison and nectar, even so art thou and Partha known to all by your respective deeds.'"

8.27.53

संजय उवाच
अधिक्षिप्तस्तु राधेयः शल्येनामिततेजसा
शल्यमाह सुसंक्रुद्धो वाक्शल्यमवधारयन्

8.27.54

गुणान्गुणवतः शल्य गुणवान्वेत्ति नागुणः
त्वं तु नित्यं गुणैर्हीनः किं ज्ञास्यस्यगुणो गुणान्

8.27.55

अर्जुनस्य महास्त्राणि क्रोधं वीर्यं धनुः शरान्
अहं शल्याभिजानामि न त्वं जानासि तत्तथा

8.27.56

एवमेवात्मनो वीर्यमहं वीर्यं च पाण्डवे
जानन्नेवाह्वये युद्धे शल्य नाग्निं पतंगवत्

8.27.57

अस्ति चायमिषुः शल्य सुपुङ्खो रक्तभोजनः
एकतूणीशयः पत्री सुधौतः समलंकृतः

8.27.58

शेते चन्दनपूर्णेन पूजितो बहुलाः समाः
आहेयो विषवानुग्रो नराश्वद्विपसंघहा

8.27.59

एकवीरो महारौद्रस्तनुत्रास्थिविदारणः
निर्भिन्द्यां येन रुष्टोऽहमपि मेरुं महागिरिम्

8.27.60

तमहं जातु नास्येयमन्यस्मिन्फल्गुनादृते
कृष्णाद्वा देवकीपुत्रात्सत्यं चात्र शृणुष्व मे

8.27.61

तेनाहमिषुणा शल्य वासुदेवधनंजयौ
योत्स्ये परमसंक्रुद्धस्तत्कर्म सदृशं मम

8.27.62

सर्वेषां वासुदेवानां कृष्णे लक्ष्मीः प्रतिष्ठिता
सर्वेषां पाण्डुपुत्राणां जयः पार्थे प्रतिष्ठितः
उभयं तत्समासाद्य कोऽतिवर्तितुमर्हति

8.27.63

तावेतौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ समेतौ स्यन्दने स्थितौ
मामेकमभिसंयातौ सुजातं शल्य पश्य मे

8.27.64

पितृष्वसामातुलजौ भ्रातरावपराजितौ
मणी सूत्र इव प्रोतौ द्रष्टासि निहतौ मया

8.27.65

अर्जुने गाण्डिवं कृष्णे चक्रं तार्क्ष्यकपिध्वजौ
भीरूणां त्रासजननौ शल्य हर्षकरौ मम

8.27.66

त्वं तु दुष्प्रकृतिर्मूढो महायुद्धेष्वकोविदः
भयावतीर्णः संत्रासादबद्धं बहु भाषसे

8.27.67

संस्तौषि त्वं तु केनापि हेतुना तौ कुदेशज
तौ हत्वा समरे हन्ता त्वामद्धा सहबान्धवम्

8.27.68

पापदेशज दुर्बुद्धे क्षुद्र क्षत्रियपांसन
सुहृद्भूत्वा रिपुः किं मां कृष्णाभ्यां भीषयन्नसि

8.27.69

तौ वा ममाद्य हन्तारौ हन्तास्मि समरे स्थितौ
नाहं बिभेमि कृष्णाभ्यां विजानन्नात्मनो बलम्

8.27.70

वासुदेवसहस्रं वा फल्गुनानां शतानि च
अहमेको हनिष्यामि जोषमास्स्व कुदेशज

8.27.71

स्त्रियो बालाश्च वृद्धाश्च प्रायः क्रीडागता जनाः
या गाथाः संप्रगायन्ति कुर्वन्तोऽध्ययनं यथा
ता गाथाः शृणु मे शल्य मद्रकेषु दुरात्मसु

8.27.72

ब्राह्मणैः कथिताः पूर्वं यथावद्राजसंनिधौ
श्रुत्वा चैकमना मूढ क्षम वा ब्रूहि वोत्तरम्

8.27.73

मित्रध्रुङ्मद्रको नित्यं यो नो द्वेष्टि स मद्रकः
मद्रके संगतं नास्ति क्षुद्रवाक्ये नराधमे

8.27.74

दुरात्मा मद्रको नित्यं नित्यं चानृतिकोऽनृजुः
यावदन्तं हि दौरात्म्यं मद्रकेष्विति नः श्रुतम्

8.27.75

पिता माता च पुत्रश्च श्वश्रूश्वशुरमातुलाः
जामाता दुहिता भ्राता नप्ता ते ते च बान्धवाः

8.27.76

वयस्याभ्यागताश्चान्ये दासीदासं च संगतम्
पुंभिर्विमिश्रा नार्यश्च ज्ञाताज्ञाताः स्वयेच्छया

8.27.77

येषां गृहेषु शिष्टानां सक्तुमन्थाशिनां सदा
पीत्वा सीधुं सगोमांसं नर्दन्ति च हसन्ति च

8.27.78

यानि चैवाप्यबद्धानि प्रवर्तन्ते च कामतः
कामप्रलापिनोऽन्योन्यं तेषु धर्मः कथं भवेत्

8.27.79

मद्रकेषु विलुप्तेषु प्रख्याताशुभकर्मसु
नापि वैरं न सौहार्दं मद्रकेषु समाचरेत्

8.27.80

मद्रके संगतं नास्ति मद्रको हि सचापलः
मद्रकेषु च दुःस्पर्शं शौचं गान्धारकेषु च

8.27.81

राजयाजकयाज्येन नष्टं दत्तं हविर्भवेत्

8.27.82

शूद्रसंस्कारको विप्रो यथा याति पराभवम्
तथा ब्रह्मद्विषो नित्यं गच्छन्तीह पराभवम्

8.27.83

मद्रके संगतं नास्ति हतं वृश्चिकतो विषम्
आथर्वणेन मन्त्रेण सर्वा शान्तिः कृता भवेत्

8.27.84

इति वृश्चिकदष्टस्य नानाविषहतस्य च
कुर्वन्ति भेषजं प्राज्ञाः सत्यं तच्चापि दृश्यते
एवं विद्वञ्जोषमास्स्व शृणु चात्रोत्तरं वचः

8.27.85

वासांस्युत्सृज्य नृत्यन्ति स्त्रियो या मद्यमोहिताः
मिथुनेऽसंयताश्चापि यथाकामचराश्च ताः
तासां पुत्रः कथं धर्मं मद्रको वक्तुमर्हति

8.27.86

यास्तिष्ठन्त्यः प्रमेहन्ति यथैवोष्ट्रीदशेरके
तासां विभ्रष्टलज्जानां निर्लज्जानां ततस्ततः
त्वं पुत्रस्तादृशीनां हि धर्मं वक्तुमिहेच्छसि

8.27.87

सुवीरकं याच्यमाना मद्रका कषति स्फिजौ
अदातुकामा वचनमिदं वदति दारुणम्

8.27.88

मा मा सुवीरकं कश्चिद्याचतां दयितो मम
पुत्रं दद्यां प्रतिपदं न तु दद्यां सुवीरकम्

8.27.89

नार्यो बृहत्यो निर्ह्रीका मद्रकाः कम्बलावृताः
घस्मरा नष्टशौचाश्च प्राय इत्यनुशुश्रुम

8.27.90

एवमादि मयान्यैर्वा शक्यं वक्तुं भवेद्बहु
आ केशाग्रान्नखाग्राच्च वक्तव्येषु कुवर्त्मसु

8.27.91

मद्रकाः सिन्धुसौवीरा धर्मं विद्युः कथं त्विह
पापदेशोद्भवा म्लेच्छा धर्माणामविचक्षणाः

8.27.92

एष मुख्यतमो धर्मः क्षत्रियस्येति नः श्रुतम्
यदाजौ निहतः शेते सद्भिः समभिपूजितः

8.27.93

आयुधानां संपराये यन्मुच्येयमहं ततः
न मे स प्रथमः कल्पो निधने स्वर्गमिच्छतः

8.27.94

सोऽहं प्रियः सखा चास्मि धार्तराष्ट्रस्य धीमतः
तदर्थे हि मम प्राणा यच्च मे विद्यते वसु

8.27.95

व्यक्तं त्वमप्युपहितः पाण्डवैः पापदेशज
यथा ह्यमित्रवत्सर्वं त्वमस्मासु प्रवर्तसे

8.27.96

कामं न खलु शक्योऽहं त्वद्विधानां शतैरपि
संग्रामाद्विमुखः कर्तुं धर्मज्ञ इव नास्तिकैः

8.27.97

सारङ्ग इव घर्मार्तः कामं विलप शुष्य च
नाहं भीषयितुं शक्यः क्षत्रवृत्ते व्यवस्थितः

8.27.98

तनुत्यजां नृसिंहानामाहवेष्वनिवर्तिनाम्
या गतिर्गुरुणा प्राङ्मे प्रोक्ता रामेण तां स्मर

8.27.99

स्वेषां त्राणार्थमुद्युक्तं वधाय द्विषतामपि
विद्धि मामास्थितं वृत्तं पौरूरवसमुत्तमम्

8.27.100

न तद्भूतं प्रपश्यामि त्रिषु लोकेषु मद्रक
यो मामस्मादभिप्रायाद्वारयेदिति मे मतिः

8.27.101

एवं विद्वञ्जोषमास्स्व त्रासात्किं बहु भाषसे
मा त्वा हत्वा प्रदास्यामि क्रव्याद्भ्यो मद्रकाधम

8.27.102

मित्रप्रतीक्षया शल्य धार्तराष्ट्रस्य चोभयोः
अपवादतितिक्षाभिस्त्रिभिरेतैर्हि जीवसि

8.27.103

पुनश्चेदीदृशं वाक्यं मद्रराज वदिष्यसि
शिरस्ते पातयिष्यामि गदया वज्रकल्पया

8.27.104

श्रोतारस्त्विदमद्येह द्रष्टारो वा कुदेशज
कर्णं वा जघ्नतुः कृष्णौ कर्णो वापि जघान तौ

8.27.105

एवमुक्त्वा तु राधेयः पुनरेव विशां पते
अब्रवीन्मद्रराजानं याहि याहीत्यसंभ्रमम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Thus rebuked by Shalya of immeasurable energy, the son of Radha, feeling the propriety of his rebuker's name in consequence of his wordy darts, and becoming filled with rage, answered him thus:

"'Karna said, "The merits of meritorious men, O Shalya, are known to them that are themselves meritorious but not to them that are destitute of merit. Thou, however, art destitute of every merit. How then canst thou judge of merit and demerit? The mighty weapons of Arjuna, his wrath, his energy, his bow, his shafts and the prowess also of that high-souled hero are, O Shalya, well known to me. So also, O Shalya, thou dost not know, so as well as I myself, the greatness of Krishna, that bull among the lords of Earth. But knowing my own energy as also that of Pandu's son, I challenge him to battle, O Shalya, I do not act like an insect in respect of a blazing fire. I have this shaft, O Shalya, of keen mouth, blood-drinking, lying alone within one quiver, equipped with wings, well-steeped in oil and well-adorned. It lieth amid sandal dust, worshipped by me for long years. Partaking of the nature and form of a snake, it is poisonous and fierce and capable of killing large numbers of men and steeds and elephants of terrible form, and exceedingly awful, it is capable of piercing coats of mail and bones. Inspired with wrath, I may pierce even the mighty mountains of Meru with it. That shaft I will never shoot at any other person save Phalguna or Krishna, the son of Devaki. In this I tell thee the truth. Listen to it. With that shaft, O Shalya, I will, inspired with rage, fight with Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. That would be a feat worthy of me. Of all the heroes in the Vrishni race, it is Krishna in whom Prosperity is always established. Among all the sons of Pandu, it is Partha in whom Victory is always established. Those two tigers among men, stationed together on the same car, will advance against my single self for battle. Thou shalt, O Shalya, behold today the nobility of my lineage. Those two cousins, one of whom is the son of the aunt and the other the son of the maternal uncle, those two invincible warriors, thou shalt see, will be slain by me (with one shaft) and will look like two pearls strung together in the same string. Arjuna's gandiva and the ape-bearing banner, and Krishna's discus and the Garuda-bearing banner, inspire with fear only those that are timid. To me, however, O Shalya, they are causes of delight. Thou art a fool, of evil disposition, and unskilled in the ways of great battle. Overcome with terror, thou utterest these ravings. Or, thou art praising them for some reason not known to me. Having slain those two first, I shall then slay thee today with all thy kinsmen. Born in a sinful country thou art wicked-souled and mean, and a wretch amongst kshatriyas. Being a friend, why dost thou, like an enemy, frighten me with these praises of the two Krishnas? Either they two will slay me today or I will slay them two. Knowing as I do my own might, I do not cherish any fear of the two Krishnas. A 1,000 Vasudevas and hundreds of Phalgunas, I shall, single-handed, slay. Hold thy tongue, O thou that art born in a sinful country. Hear from me, O Shalya, the sayings, already passed into proverbs, that men, young and old, and women, and persons arrived in course of their listless wanderings, generally utter, as if those sayings formed part of their studies, about the wicked Madrakas. brahmanas also duly narrated the same things formerly in the courts of kings. Listening to those sayings attentively, O fool, thou mayst forgive or rejoin. The Madraka is always a hater of friends. He that hateth us is a Madraka. There is no friendship in the Madraka who is mean in speech and is the lowest of mankind. The Madraka is always a person of wicked soul, is always untruthful and crooked. It hath been heard by us that till the moment of death the Madrakas are wicked. (Amongst the Madrakas) the sire, the son, the mother, the mother-in-law, the brother, the grand-son, and other kinsmen, companions, strangers arrived at their homes, slaves male and female, mingle together. The women of the Madrakas mingle, at their own will, with men known and unknown. Of unrighteous conduct, and subsisting upon fried and powdered corn and fish, in their homes, they laugh and cry having drunk spirits and eaten beef. They sing incoherent songs and mingle lustfully with one another, indulging the while in the freest speeches. How then can virtue have a place amongst the Madrakas who are arrogant and notorious for all kinds of evil acts? No one should make friends with a Madraka or provoke hostilities with him. In the Madraka land there is no friendship. The Madraka is always the dirt of humanity. Amongst the Madrakas all acts of friendship are lost as purity amongst the Gandharakas and the libations poured in a sacrifice in which the king is himself the sacrificer and priest. Then again, it is truly seen that wise men treat a person bit by a scorpion and affected by its poison, even with these words: 'As a brahmana that assists at the religious ceremonies of a Shudra suffereth degradation, as one that hateth brahmanas always suffereth degradation, even so a person by making an alliance with the Madrakas becometh fallen. As there is no friendship in the Madraka, so, O scorpion, thy poison is nought.' With these mantras of the Atharvan I have duly performed the rite of exorcism. Knowing this, O learned one, hold thy tongue, or listen to something further that I will say. Those women that, intoxicated by spirits, cast off their robes and dance, those women that are not attached (to particular individuals) in the matter of intercourse and that they do as they please without owning any restrictions, I say, that being as thou art the child of one of those women, how canst thou, O Madraka, be a fit person for declaring the duties of men? Those women that live and answer calls of nature like camels and asses, being as thou art the child of one of those sinful and shameless creatures, how canst thou wish to declare the duties of men? When a Madraka woman is solicited for the gift of a little quantity of vinegar, she scratches her hips and without being desirous of giving it, says these cruel words, 'Let no man ask any vinegar of me that is so dear to me. I would give him my son, I would give him my husband, but vinegar I would not give.' The young Madraka maidens, we hear, are generally very shameless and hairy and gluttonous and impure. These and many other things of a like nature, in respect of all their acts, from the crown of their heads to the tip of their toes, are capable of being asserted of them by myself and others. How, indeed, would the Madrakas and the Sindhu-Sauviras know anything of duty, being born, as they are, in a sinful country, being mlecchas in their practices, and being totally regardless of all duties? It hath been heard by us that even this is the highest duty of a kshatriya, viz., that slain in battle, he should lie down on the Earth, applauded by the righteous. That I should lay down (my life) in this clash of arms is my foremost wish, desirous as I am of heaven through Death. I am also the dear friend of the intelligent son of Dhritarashtra. For his sake are my life-breaths and whatever wealth I have! As regards thyself, O thou that art born in a sinful country, it is evident that thou hast been tampered with by the Pandavas, since thou behavest towards us in everything like a foe. Like a righteous man that is incapable of being led astray by atheists, surely I am incapable of being dissuaded from this battle by hundreds of persons like thee. Like a deer, covered with sweat, thou art at liberty to weep or thirst. Observant as I am of the duties of a kshatriya, I am incapable of being frightened by thee. I recall to my mind the end, declared unto me in past times by my preceptor Rama, of those lions among men, those unreturning heroes, that laid down their lives in battle. Prepared for rescuing the Kauravas and slaying our foes, know that I am now determined to imitate the excellent behaviour of Pururavas. I do not, O ruler of the Madrakas, behold the person in the three worlds that can, I think, dissuade me from this purpose. Forbear to speak, knowing all this. Why dost thou rave in such a way from fear? O wretch amongst the Madrakas, I shall not now slay thee and present thy carcase as an offering to carnivorous creatures. From regard for a friend, O Shalya, for the sake of Dhritarashtra's son, and for avoiding blame, for these three reasons, thou still livest. If, O ruler of the Madras, thou speakest such words again, I shall then crush thy head with my mace that is as hard as the thunder. People will today see or hear, O thou that art born in a sinful country, either that the two Krishnas have slain Karna or that Karna has slain the two Krishnas." Having said these words, the son of Radha, O monarch, once more addressed the king of the Madras, fearlessly saying, "Proceed, proceed.'"

8.28.1

संजय उवाच
मारिषाधिरथेः श्रुत्वा वचो युद्धाभिनन्दिनः
शल्योऽब्रवीत्पुनः कर्णं निदर्शनमुदाहरन्

8.28.2

यथैव मत्तो मद्येन त्वं तथा न च वा तथा
तथाहं त्वां प्रमाद्यन्तं चिकित्सामि सुहृत्तया

8.28.3

इमां काकोपमां कर्ण प्रोच्यमानां निबोध मे
श्रुत्वा यथेष्टं कुर्यास्त्वं विहीन कुलपांसन

8.28.4

नाहमात्मनि किंचिद्वै किल्बिषं कर्ण संस्मरे
येन त्वं मां महाबाहो हन्तुमिच्छस्यनागसम्

8.28.5

अवश्यं तु मया वाच्यं बुध्यतां यदि ते हितम्
विशेषतो रथस्थेन राज्ञश्चैव हितैषिणा

8.28.6

समं च विषमं चैव रथिनश्च बलाबलम्
श्रमः खेदश्च सततं हयानां रथिना सह

8.28.7

आयुधस्य परिज्ञानं रुतं च मृगपक्षिणाम्
भारश्चाप्यतिभारश्च शल्यानां च प्रतिक्रिया

8.28.8

अस्त्रयोगश्च युद्धं च निमित्तानि तथैव च
सर्वमेतन्मया ज्ञेयं रथस्यास्य कुटुम्बिना
अतस्त्वां कथये कर्ण निदर्शनमिदं पुनः

8.28.9

वैश्यः किल समुद्रान्ते प्रभूतधनधान्यवान्
यज्वा दानपतिः क्षान्तः स्वकर्मस्थोऽभवच्छुचिः

8.28.10

बहुपुत्रः प्रियापत्यः सर्वभूतानुकम्पकः
राज्ञो धर्मप्रधानस्य राष्ट्रे वसति निर्भयः

8.28.11

पुत्राणां तस्य बालानां कुमाराणां यशस्विनाम्
काको बहूनामभवदुच्छिष्टकृतभोजनः

8.28.12

तस्मै सदा प्रयच्छन्ति वैश्यपुत्राः कुमारकाः
मांसोदनं दधि क्षीरं पायसं मधुसर्पिषी

8.28.13

स चोच्छिष्टभृतः काको वैश्यपुत्रैः कुमारकैः
सदृशान्पक्षिणो दृप्तः श्रेयसश्चावमन्यते

8.28.14

अथ हंसाः समुद्रान्ते कदाचिदभिपातिनः
गरुडस्य गतौ तुल्याश्चक्राङ्गा हृष्टचेतसः

8.28.15

कुमारकास्ततो हंसान्दृष्ट्वा काकमथाब्रुवन्
भवानेव विशिष्टो हि पतत्रिभ्यो विहंगम

8.28.16

प्रतार्यमाणस्तु स तैरल्पबुद्धिभिरण्डजः
तद्वचः सत्यमित्येव मौर्ख्याद्दर्पाच्च मन्यते

8.28.17

तान्सोऽभिपत्य जिज्ञासुः क एषां श्रेष्ठभागिति
उच्छिष्टदर्पितः काको बहूनां दूरपातिनाम्

8.28.18

तेषां यं प्रवरं मेने हंसानां दूरपातिनाम्
तमाह्वयत दुर्बुद्धिः पताम इति पक्षिणम्

8.28.19

तच्छ्रुत्वा प्राहसन्हंसा ये तत्रासन्समागताः
भाषतो बहु काकस्य बलिनः पततां वराः
इदमूचुश्च चक्राङ्गा वचः काकं विहंगमाः

8.28.20

वयं हंसाश्चरामेमां पृथिवीं मानसौकसः
पक्षिणां च वयं नित्यं दूरपातेन पूजिताः

8.28.21

कथं नु हंसं बलिनं वज्राङ्गं दूरपातिनम्
काको भूत्वा निपतने समाह्वयसि दुर्मते
कथं त्वं पतनं काक सहास्माभिर्ब्रवीषि तत्

8.28.22

अथ हंसवचो मूढः कुत्सयित्वा पुनः पुनः
प्रजगादोत्तरं काकः कत्थनो जातिलाघवात्

8.28.23

शतमेकं च पातानां पतितास्मि न संशयः
शतयोजनमेकैकं विचित्रं विविधं तथा

8.28.24

उड्डीनमवडीनं च प्रडीनं डीनमेव च
निडीनमथ संडीनं तिर्यक्चातिगतानि च

8.28.25

विडीनं परिडीनं च पराडीनं सुडीनकम्
अतिडीनं महाडीनं निडीनं परिडीनकम्

8.28.26

गतागतप्रतिगता बह्वीश्च निकुडीनिकाः
कर्तास्मि मिषतां वोऽद्य ततो द्रक्ष्यथ मे बलम्

8.28.27

एवमुक्ते तु काकेन प्रहस्यैको विहंगमः
उवाच हंसस्तं काकं वचनं तन्निबोध मे

8.28.28

शतमेकं च पातानां त्वं काक पतिता ध्रुवम्
एकमेव तु ये पातं विदुः सर्वे विहंगमाः

8.28.29

तमहं पतिता काक नान्यं जानामि कंचन
पत त्वमपि रक्ताक्ष येन वा तेन मन्यसे

8.28.30

अथ काकाः प्रजहसुर्ये तत्रासन्समागताः
कथमेकेन पातेन हंसः पातशतं जयेत्

8.28.31

एकेनैव शतस्यैकं पातेनाभिभविष्यति
हंसस्य पतितं काको बलवानाशुविक्रमः

8.28.32

प्रपेततुः स्पर्धयाथ ततस्तौ हंसवायसौ
एकपाती च चक्राङ्गः काकः पातशतेन च

8.28.33

पेतिवानथ चक्राङ्गः पेतिवानथ वायसः
विसिस्मापयिषुः पातैराचक्षाणोऽऽत्मनः क्रियाम्

8.28.34

अथ काकस्य चित्राणि पतितानीतराणि च
दृष्ट्वा प्रमुदिताः काका विनेदुरथ तैः स्वरैः

8.28.35

हंसांश्चावहसन्ति स्म प्रावदन्नप्रियाणि च
उत्पत्योत्पत्य च प्राहुर्मुहूर्तमिति चेति च

8.28.36

वृक्षाग्रेभ्यः स्थलेभ्यश्च निपतन्त्युत्पतन्ति च
कुर्वाणा विविधान्रावानाशंसन्तस्तदा जयम्

8.28.37

हंसस्तु मृदुकेनैव विक्रान्तुमुपचक्रमे
प्रत्यहीयत काकाच्च मुहूर्तमिव मारिष

8.28.38

अवमन्य रयं हंसानिदं वचनमब्रवीत्
योऽसावुत्पतितो हंसः सोऽसावेव प्रहीयते

8.28.39

अथ हंसः स तच्छ्रुत्वा प्रापतत्पश्चिमां दिशम्
उपर्युपरि वेगेन सागरं वरुणालयम्

8.28.40

ततो भीः प्राविशत्काकं तदा तत्र विचेतसम्
द्वीपद्रुमानपश्यन्तं निपतन्तं श्रमान्वितम्
निपतेयं क्व नु श्रान्त इति तस्मिञ्जलार्णवे

8.28.41

अविषह्यः समुद्रो हि बहुसत्त्वगणालयः
महाभूतशतोद्भासी नभसोऽपि विशिष्यते

8.28.42

गाम्भीर्याद्धि समुद्रस्य न विशेषः कुलाधम
दिगम्बराम्भसां कर्ण समुद्रस्था हि दुर्जयाः
विदूरपातात्तोयस्य किं पुनः कर्ण वायसः

8.28.43

अथ हंसोऽभ्यतिक्रम्य मुहूर्तमिति चेति च
अवेक्षमाणस्तं काकं नाशक्नोद्व्यपसर्पितुम्
अतिक्रम्य च चक्राङ्गः काकं तं समुदैक्षत

8.28.44

तं तथा हीयमानं च हंसो दृष्ट्वाब्रवीदिदम्
उज्जिहीर्षुर्निमज्जन्तं स्मरन्सत्पुरुषव्रतम्

8.28.45

बहूनि पतनानि त्वमाचक्षाणो मुहुर्मुहुः
पतस्यव्याहरंश्चेदं न नो गुह्यं प्रभाषसे

8.28.46

किं नाम पतनं काक यत्त्वं पतसि सांप्रतम्
जलं स्पृशसि पक्षाभ्यां तुण्डेन च पुनः पुनः

8.28.47

स पक्षाभ्यां स्पृशन्नार्तस्तुण्डेन जलमर्णवे
काको दृढं परिश्रान्तः सहसा निपपात ह

8.28.48

हंस उवाच
शतमेकं च पातानां यत्प्रभाषसि वायस
नानाविधानीह पुरा तच्चानृतमिहाद्य ते

8.28.49

काक उवाच
उच्छिष्टदर्पितो हंस मन्येऽऽत्मानं सुपर्णवत्
अवमन्य बहूंश्चाहं काकानन्यांश्च पक्षिणः
प्राणैर्हंस प्रपद्ये त्वां द्वीपान्तं प्रापयस्व माम्

8.28.50

यद्यहं स्वस्तिमान्हंस स्वदेशं प्राप्नुयां पुनः
न कंचिदवमन्येयमापदो मां समुद्धर

8.28.51

तमेवंवादिनं दीनं विलपन्तमचेतनम्
काक काकेति वाशन्तं निमज्जन्तं महार्णवे

8.28.52

तथैत्य वायसं हंसो जलक्लिन्नं सुदुर्दशम्
पद्भ्यामुत्क्षिप्य वेपन्तं पृष्ठमारोपयच्छनैः

8.28.53

आरोप्य पृष्ठं काकं तं हंसः कर्ण विचेतसम्
आजगाम पुनर्द्वीपं स्पर्धया पेततुर्यतः

8.28.54

संस्थाप्य तं चापि पुनः समाश्वास्य च खेचरम्
गतो यथेप्सितं देशं हंसो मन इवाशुगः

8.28.55

उच्छिष्टभोजनात्काको यथा वैश्यकुले तु सः
एवं त्वमुच्छिष्टभृतो धार्तराष्ट्रैर्न संशयः
सदृशाञ्श्रेयसश्चापि सर्वान्कर्णातिमन्यसे

8.28.56

द्रोणद्रौणिकृपैर्गुप्तो भीष्मेणान्यैश्च कौरवैः
विराटनगरे पार्थमेकं किं नावधीस्तदा

8.28.57

यत्र व्यस्ताः समस्ताश्च निर्जिताः स्थ किरीटिना
सृगाला इव सिंहेन क्व ते वीर्यमभूत्तदा

8.28.58

भ्रातरं च हतं दृष्ट्वा निर्जितः सव्यसाचिना
पश्यतां कुरुवीराणां प्रथमं त्वं पलायथाः

8.28.59

तथा द्वैतवने कर्ण गन्धर्वैः समभिद्रुतः
कुरून्समग्रानुत्सृज्य प्रथमं त्वं पलायथाः

8.28.60

हत्वा जित्वा च गन्धर्वांश्चित्रसेनमुखान्रणे
कर्ण दुर्योधनं पार्थः सभार्यं सममोचयत्

8.28.61

पुनः प्रभावः पार्थस्य पुराणः केशवस्य च
कथितः कर्ण रामेण सभायां राजसंसदि

8.28.62

सततं च तदश्रौषीर्वचनं द्रोणभीष्मयोः
अवध्यौ वदतोः कृष्णौ संनिधौ वै महीक्षिताम्

8.28.63

कियन्तं तत्र वक्ष्यामि येन येन धनंजयः
त्वत्तोऽतिरिक्तः सर्वेभ्यो भूतेभ्यो ब्राह्मणो यथा

8.28.64

इदानीमेव द्रष्टासि प्रधने स्यन्दने स्थितौ
पुत्रं च वसुदेवस्य पाण्डवं च धनंजयम्

8.28.65

देवासुरमनुष्येषु प्रख्यातौ यौ नरर्षभौ
प्रकाशेनाभिविख्यातौ त्वं तु खद्योतवन्नृषु

8.28.66

एवं विद्वान्मावमंस्थाः सूतपुत्राच्युतार्जुनौ
नृसिंहौ तौ नरश्वा त्वं जोषमास्स्व विकत्थन

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing, O sire, these words of Radha's son who delighted in battle, Shalya once more addressed Karna, citing an example, "I am born in the race of men who performed great sacrifices, who never retreated from battle, who were kings whose coronal locks underwent the sacred bath. I am also myself devoted to the practice of virtue. Thou, O Vrisha, seemest to be like one that is intoxicated with spirits. For all that, I will, from friendship, seek to cure thy erring and intoxicated self. Listen, O Karna, to this simile of a crow that I am about to narrate. Having heard it, thou mayest do what thou choosest, O thou that art destitute of intelligence and that art a wretch of thy race. I do not, O Karna, remember the slightest fault in me for which, O thou of mighty arms, thou mayst desire to slay my innocent self. I must tell thee what is for thy good and what is for thy ill, acquainted as I am with both, especially as I am the driver of thy car and desirous of the good of king Duryodhana. What land is level and what not, the strength or weakness of the warrior (on my vehicle), the fatigue and faintness, at all times, of the steeds and the warrior (I am driving), a knowledge of the weapons that are available, the cries of animals and birds, what would be heavy for the steeds and what exceedingly heavy for them, the extraction of arrows and the curing of wounds which weapons counteract which, the several methods of battle, and all kinds of omens and indications, I who am so nearly connected with this car, being none else than its driver, should be familiar with. For this, O Karna, I narrate this instance to thee once more. There lived on the other side of the ocean a Vaishya who had abundance of wealth and corn. He performed sacrifices, made liberal gifts, was peaceful, devoted to the duties of his own order, and pure in habits and mind. He had many sons whom he loved, and was kind unto all creatures. He lived fearlessly in the dominions of a king that was guided by virtue. There was a crow that lived on the refuse of the dishes set before those well-behaved young children of the Vaishya. Those Vaishya children always gave the crow meat and curds, and milk, and sugared milk with rice, and honey, and butter. Thus fed with the refuse of their dishes by the young children of that Vaishya, the crow became arrogant and came to disregard all birds that were equal to him or even superior. It chanced that once certain swans of cheerful hearts, of great speed and capable of going everywhere at will and equal unto Garuda himself in range and speed of flight, came to that side of the ocean. The Vaishya boys, beholding those swans, addressed the crow and said, 'O ranger of the skies, thou art superior to all winged creatures.' Deceived by those children of little understanding, that oviparous creature from folly and pride, regarded their words to be true. Proud of the refuse of the children's dishes upon which he fed, the crow then, alighting in the midst of those swans capable of traversing great distances, desired to enquire as to who amongst them was their leader. The foolish crow at last challenged him amongst those birds of tireless wings whom he regarded their leader, saying, 'Let us compete in flight.' Hearing those words of the raving crow, the swans that had assembled there, those foremost of birds endued with great strength, began to laugh. The swans then, that were capable of going everywhere at will, addressed the crow, saying. 'We are swans, having our abode in the Manasa lake. We traverse the whole Earth, and amongst winged creatures we are always applauded for the length of the distances we traverse. Being, as thou art, only a crow, how canst thou, O fool, challenge a swan endued with might, capable of going everywhere at will, and doing large distances in course of his flight? Tell us, O crow, how thou shalt fly with us.' The boastful crow, in consequence of the foolishness of his species, repeatedly finding fault with the words of that swan, at last gave this answer. The crow said, 'I shall without doubt fly displaying a hundred and one different kinds of motion. Doing every hundred Yojanas in a separate and beautiful kind of motion, I shall display all those motions. Rising up, and swooping down, and whirling around, and coursing straight, and proceeding gently, and advancing steadily, and performing the diverse courses up and receding back, and soaring high, and darting forward and soaring upwards with fiercer velocity, and once more proceeding gently and then proceeding with great impetuosity, and once again swooping down and whirling around and advancing steadily, and rising up by the jerks, and soaring straight, and once more falling down and wheeling in a circle and rushing proudly, and diverse other kinds of motion, these all I shall display in the sight of all you. Ye shall then witness my strength. With one of these different kinds of motion I shall presently rise into the sky. Point out duly, ye swans, by which of these motions I shall course through space. Settling the kind of motion amongst yourselves, you will have to course with me. Adopting all those different motion, ye shall have to course with me through supportless space.' The crow having said these words, one of the swans addressed him, 'Listen, O son of Radha, to the words that the swan said. The swan spoke, 'Thou, O crow, wilt doubtless fly the hundred and one different kinds of flight. I shall, however, fly in that one kind of motion that all (other) birds know, for I do not, O crow, know any other. As regards thee, O thou of red eyes, fly thou in any kind of course that thou likest.' At these words, those crows that had been assembled there laughed aloud, saying, 'How will the swan with only one kind of flight get the better of a hundred different kinds of flight?'

"'"Then those two, viz., the swan and the crow, rose into the sky, challenging each other. Capable of going everywhere at will, the swan proceeded in one kind of motion, while the crow coursed in a hundred different kinds. And the swan flew and the crow also flew, causing each other to wonder (at his skill) and each speaking highly of his own achievements. Beholding the diverse kinds of flight at successive instants of time, the crows that were there were filled with great joy and began to caw more loudly. The swans also laughed in mockery, uttering many remarks disagreeable (to the crows). And they began to soar and alight repeatedly, here and there. And they began to come down and rise up from tree-tops and the surface of the earth. And they uttered diverse cries indicative of their victory. The swan, however, with that one kind of slow motion (with which he was familiar) began to traverse the skies. For a moment, therefore, O sire, he seemed to yield to the crow. The crows, at this, disregarding the swans, said these words: 'That swan amongst you which has soared into the sky, is evidently yielding'. Hearing these words, the (soaring) swan flew westwards with great velocity to the ocean, that abode of Makaras. Then fear entered the heart of the crow who became almost senseless at not seeing any island or trees whereon to perch when tired. And the crow thought within his heart as to where he should alight when tired, upon that vast expanse of water. The ocean, being as it is the abode of countless creatures, is irresistible. Dwelt in by hundreds of monsters, it is grander than space. Nothing can exceed it in depth, O Suta's son. Men know, O Karna, that the waters of the ocean are as limitless as space. For the extent of its waters, O Karna, what is a crow to it? The swan, having traversed a great distance in a moment, looked back at the crow, and (though capable) could not leave him behind. Having transgressed the crow, the swan cast his eyes on him and waited, thinking, 'Let the crow come up.' The crow then, exceedingly tired, came up to the swan. Beholding him succumbing, and about to sink, and desirous of rescuing him in remembrance of the practices of good folks, the swan addressed him in these words, 'Thou hadst repeatedly spoken of many kinds of flight while speaking on the subject. Thou wouldst not speak of this (thy present motion) because of its having been a mystery to us? What is the name of this kind of flight, O crow, that thou hast now adopted? Thou touchest the waters with thy wings and beak repeatedly. Which amongst those diverse kinds of flight is this, O crow, that thou art now practising? Come, come, quickly, O crow, for I am waiting for thee.''"

"'Shalya continued, "Exceedingly afflicted, and touching the water with his wings and beak, O thou of wicked soul, the crow, beheld in that state by the swan, addressed the latter. Indeed, not seeing the limit of that watery expanse and sinking down in fatigue, and exhausted with the effort of his flight the crow said unto the swan, 'We are crows, we wander hither and thither, crying-caw, caw. 'O swan, I seek thy protection, placing my life-breaths at thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of the ocean with the wings and beak.' The crow, very much fatigued, suddenly fell down. Beholding him fallen upon the waters of the ocean with a melancholy heart, the swan, addressing the crow who was on the point of death, said these words, 'Remember, O crow, what thou hadst said in praise of thyself. The words even were that thou wouldst course through the sky in a hundred and one different kinds of flight. Thou, therefore that wouldst fly a hundred different kinds of flight, thou that art superior to me, alas, why then art thou tired and fallen down on the ocean?' Overcome with weakness, the crow then, casting his eyes upwards at the swan, and seeking to gratify him, replied, saying, 'Proud of the remains of others' dishes upon which I fed, I had, O swan, regarded myself as the equal of Garuda and disregarded all crows and many other birds. I now, however, seek thy protection and place my life-breaths at thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of some island. If, O swan, I can, O lord, return in safety to my own country, I will never again disregard anybody. Oh rescue me now from this calamity.' Him that said so and was so melancholy and weeping and deprived of senses, him that was sinking in the ocean, uttering cries 'caw, caw,' him so drenched by the water and so disgusting to look at and trembling with fear, the swan, without a word, took up with his feet, and slowly caused him to ride on his back. Having caused the crow whose senses had deserted him to ride upon his back, the swan quickly returned to that island whence they had both flown, challenging each other. Placing down that ranger of the sky on dry land and comforting him, the swan, fleet as the mind, proceeded to the region he desired. Thus was that crow, fed on the remains of others' dinners, vanquished by the swan. The crow, then, casting off the pride of might and energy, adopted a life of peace and quiet. Indeed, even, as that crow, fed upon the remains of the dinners of the Vaishya children, disregarded his equals and superiors, so dost thou, O Karna, that art fed by the sons of Dhritarashtra upon the remains of their dishes, disregard all thy equals and superiors. Why didst thou not slay Partha at Virata's city when thou hadst the advantage of being protected by Drona and Drona's son and Kripa and Bhishma and the other Kauravas? There where, like a pack of jackals defeated by a lion, ye all were defeated with great slaughter by the diadem-decked Arjuna, what became of your prowess? Beholding also thy brother slain by Savyasaci, in the very sight of the Kuru heroes, it was thou that didst fly away first. By the skirts also of the dvaitya lake, O Karna, when thou wert assailed by the Gandharvas, it was thou that, deserting all the Kurus, didst first run away. Having vanquished in battle the Gandharvas headed by Citrasena, with great slaughter, it was Partha, O Karna, that liberated Duryodhana with his wife. Rama himself, O Karna, before the kings in the (Kuru) assembly spake of the great prowess of both Partha and Keshava. Thou didst frequently hear the words of Drona and Bhishma, speaking in the presence of all the kings, that the two Krishnas are unslayable. I have told thee a little only regarding those matters in which Dhananjaya is superior to thee like the brahmana who is superior to all created beings. Soon wilt thou see, stationed on that foremost of cars, the son of Vasudeva and the son of Kunti and Pandu. As the crow (in the story), acting with intelligence, had sought the protection of the swan, so do thou seek the protection of him of Vrishni's race, and of Pandu's son Dhananjaya. When thou shalt in battle behold Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, those two endued with great prowess, stationed together on the same car, thou shalt not then, O Karna, utter such speeches. When Partha will, with hundreds of arrows, quell thy pride, then wilt thou behold the difference between thyself and Dhananjaya. Those two best of persons are celebrated among the gods, the Asuras and human beings. Thou that art a firefly, do not, from folly, think disrespectfully of those two resplendent luminaries. Like the Sun and moon, Keshava and Arjuna are celebrated for their resplendence. Thou, however, art like a fire-fly among men. O learned one, O son of a Suta, do not think disrespectfully of Acyuta and Arjuna. Those two high-souled persons are lions among men. Forbear indulging in such boasts."'"

8.29.1

संजय उवाच
मद्राधिपस्याधिरथिस्तदैवं; वचो निशम्याप्रियमप्रतीतः
उवाच शल्यं विदितं ममैत;द्यथाविधावर्जुनवासुदेवौ

8.29.2

शौरे रथं वाहयतोऽर्जुनस्य; बलं महास्त्राणि च पाण्डवस्य
अहं विजानामि यथावदद्य; परोक्षभूतं तव तत्तु शल्य

8.29.3

तौ चाप्रधृष्यौ शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठौ; व्यपेतभीर्योधयिष्यामि कृष्णौ
संतापयत्यभ्यधिकं तु रामा;च्छापोऽद्य मां ब्राह्मणसत्तमाच्च

8.29.4

अवात्सं वै ब्राह्मणच्छद्मनाहं; रामे पुरा दिव्यमस्त्रं चिकीर्षुः
तत्रापि मे देवराजेन विघ्नो; हितार्थिना फल्गुनस्यैव शल्य

8.29.5

कृतोऽवभेदेन ममोरुमेत्य; प्रविश्य कीटस्य तनुं विरूपाम्
गुरोर्भयाच्चापि न चेलिवानहं; तच्चावबुद्धो ददृशे स विप्रः

8.29.6

पृष्टश्चाहं तमवोचं महर्षिं; सूतोऽहमस्मीति स मां शशाप
सूतोपधावाप्तमिदं त्वयास्त्रं; न कर्मकाले प्रतिभास्यति त्वाम्

8.29.7

अन्यत्र यस्मात्तव मृत्युकाला;दब्राह्मणे ब्रह्म न हि ध्रुवं स्यात्
तदद्य पर्याप्तमतीव शस्त्र;मस्मिन्संग्रामे तुमुले तात भीमे

8.29.8

अपां पतिर्वेगवानप्रमेयो; निमज्जयिष्यन्निवहान्प्रजानाम्
महानगं यः कुरुते समुद्रं; वेलैव तं वारयत्यप्रमेयम्

8.29.9

प्रमुञ्चन्तं बाणसंघानमोघा;न्मर्मच्छिदो वीरहणः सपत्रान्
कुन्तीपुत्रं प्रतियोत्स्यामि युद्धे; ज्याकर्षिणामुत्तममद्य लोके

8.29.10

एवं बलेनातिबलं महास्त्रं; समुद्रकल्पं सुदुरापमुग्रम्
शरौघिणं पार्थिवान्मज्जयन्तं; वेलेव पार्थमिषुभिः संसहिष्ये

8.29.11

अद्याहवे यस्य न तुल्यमन्यं; मन्ये मनुष्यं धनुराददानम्
सुरासुरान्वै युधि यो जयेत; तेनाद्य मे पश्य युद्धं सुघोरम्

8.29.12

अतिमानी पाण्डवो युद्धकामो; अमानुषैरेष्यति मे महास्त्रैः
तस्यास्त्रमस्त्रैरभिहत्य संख्ये; शरोत्तमैः पातयिष्यामि पार्थम्

8.29.13

दिवाकरेणापि समं तपन्तं; समाप्तरश्मिं यशसा ज्वलन्तम्
तमोनुदं मेघ इवातिमात्रो; धनंजयं छादयिष्यामि बाणैः

8.29.14

वैश्वानरं धूमशिखं ज्वलन्तं; तेजस्विनं लोकमिमं दहन्तम्
मेघो भूत्वा शरवर्षैर्यथाग्निं; तथा पार्थं शमयिष्यामि युद्धे

8.29.15

प्रमाथिनं बलवन्तं प्रहारिणं; प्रभञ्जनं मातरिश्वानमुग्रम्
युद्धे सहिष्ये हिमवानिवाचलो; धनंजयं क्रुद्धममृष्यमाणम्

8.29.16

विशारदं रथमार्गेष्वसक्तं; धुर्यं नित्यं समरेषु प्रवीरम्
लोके वरं सर्वधनुर्धराणां; धनंजयं संयुगे संसहिष्ये

8.29.17

अद्याहवे यस्य न तुल्यमन्यं; मध्येमनुष्यं धनुराददानम्
सर्वामिमां यः पृथिवीं सहेत; तथा विद्वान्योत्स्यमानोऽस्मि तेन

8.29.18

यः सर्वभूतानि सदेवकानि; प्रस्थेऽजयत्खाण्डवे सव्यसाची
को जीवितं रक्षमाणो हि तेन; युयुत्सते मामृते मानुषोऽन्यः

8.29.19

अहं तस्य पौरुषं पाण्डवस्य; ब्रूयां हृष्टः समितौ क्षत्रियाणाम्
किं त्वं मूर्खः प्रभषन्मूढचेता; मामवोचः पौरुषमर्जुनस्य

8.29.20

अप्रियो यः परुषो निष्ठुरो हि; क्षुद्रः क्षेप्ता क्षमिणश्चाक्षमावान्
हन्यामहं तादृशानां शतानि; क्षमामि त्वां क्षमया कालयोगात्

8.29.21

अवोचस्त्वं पाण्डवार्थेऽप्रियाणि; प्रधर्षयन्मां मूढवत्पापकर्मन्
मय्यार्जवे जिह्मगतिर्हतस्त्वं; मित्रद्रोही सप्तपदं हि मित्रम्

8.29.22

कालस्त्वयं मृत्युमयोऽतिदारुणो; दुर्योधनो युद्धमुपागमद्यत्
तस्यार्थसिद्धिमभिकाङ्क्षमाण;स्तमभ्येष्ये यत्र नैकान्त्यमस्ति

8.29.23

मित्रं मिदेर्नन्दतेः प्रीयतेर्वा; संत्रायतेर्मानद मोदतेर्वा
ब्रवीति तच्चामुत विप्रपूर्वा;त्तच्चापि सर्वं मम दुर्योधनेऽस्ति

8.29.24

शत्रुः शदेः शासतेः शायतेर्वा; शृणातेर्वा श्वयतेर्वापि सर्गे
उपसर्गाद्बहुधा सूदतेश्च; प्रायेण सर्वं त्वयि तच्च मह्यम्

8.29.25

दुर्योधनार्थं तव चाप्रियार्थं; यशोर्थमात्मार्थमपीश्वरार्थम्
तस्मादहं पाण्डववासुदेवौ; योत्स्ये यत्नात्कर्म तत्पश्य मेऽद्य

8.29.26

अस्त्राणि पश्याद्य ममोत्तमानि; ब्राह्माणि दिव्यान्यथ मानुषाणि
आसादयिष्याम्यहमुग्रवीर्यं; द्विपोत्तमं मत्तमिवाभिमत्तः

8.29.27

अस्त्रं ब्राह्मं मनसा तद्ध्यजय्यं; क्षेप्स्ये पार्थायाप्रतिमं जयाय
तेनापि मे नैव मुच्येत युद्धे; न चेत्पतेद्विषमे मेऽद्य चक्रम्

8.29.28

वैवस्वताद्दण्डहस्ताद्वरुणाद्वापि पाशिनः
सगदाद्वा धनपतेः सवज्राद्वापि वासवात्

8.29.29

नान्यस्मादपि कस्माच्चिद्बिभिमो ह्याततायिनः
इति शल्य विजानीहि यथा नाहं बिभेम्यभीः

8.29.30

तस्माद्भयं न मे पार्थान्नापि चैव जनार्दनात्
अद्य युद्धं हि ताभ्यां मे संपराये भविष्यति

8.29.31

श्वभ्रे ते पततां चक्रमिति मे ब्राह्मणोऽवदत्
युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे प्राप्तस्यैकायने भयम्

8.29.32

तस्माद्बिभेमि बलवद्ब्राह्मणव्याहृतादहम्
एते हि सोमराजान ईश्वराः सुखदुःखयोः

8.29.33

होमधेन्वा वत्समस्य प्रमत्त इषुणाहनम्
चरन्तमजने शल्य ब्राह्मणात्तपसो निधेः

8.29.34

ईषादन्तान्सप्तशतान्दासीदासशतानि च
ददतो द्विजमुख्याय प्रसादं न चकार मे

8.29.35

कृष्णानां श्वेतवत्सानां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश
आहरन्न लभे तस्मात्प्रसादं द्विजसत्तमात्

8.29.36

ऋद्धं गेहं सर्वकामैर्यच्च मे वसु किंचन
तत्सर्वमस्मै सत्कृत्य प्रयच्छामि न चेच्छति

8.29.37

ततोऽब्रवीन्मां याचन्तमपराद्धं प्रयत्नतः
व्याहृतं यन्मया सूत तत्तथा न तदन्यथा

8.29.38

अनृतोक्तं प्रजा हन्यात्ततः पापमवाप्नुयात्
तस्माद्धर्माभिरक्षार्थं नानृतं वक्तुमुत्सहे

8.29.39

मा त्वं ब्रह्मगतिं हिंस्याः प्रायश्चित्तं कृतं त्वया
मद्वाक्यं नानृतं लोके कश्चित्कुर्यात्समाप्नुहि

8.29.40

इत्येतत्ते मया प्रोक्तं क्षिप्तेनापि सुहृत्तया
जानामि त्वाधिक्षिपन्तं जोषमास्स्वोत्तरं शृणु

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'The high-souled son of Adhiratha, having listened unconvinced to these words of the ruler of the Madras, addressed Shalya, saying, "That which Vasudeva and Arjuna are is well-known to me. The skill of Saurin in the management of cars, and the might and the high weapons of Arjuna, the son of Pandu are well known to me at this hour. Thou however, O Shalya, hast no ocular proof of those matters. I shall fearlessly fight with the two Krishnas, those two foremost of all wielders of weapons. The curse, however, of Rama that best of regenerate persons, paineth me greatly today. I dwelt, in the disguise of a brahmana, with Rama in former days, desirous of obtaining celestial weapons from him. On that occasion, O Shalya, the chief of the gods, wishing to benefit Phalguna, caused an obstacle, by approaching my thigh and piercing it, having assumed the dire form of a worm. When my preceptor slept, having laid his head thereon, that worm, approaching my thigh, began to pierce it through. In consequence of the piercing of my thigh, a pool of thick blood flowed from my body. For fear of (disturbing the slumber of) my preceptor I did not move my limb. Awaking, the brahmana, however, beheld what had taken place. Witnessing my patience he addressed me, saying, 'Thou art never a brahmana. Tell me truly who thou art.' I then, O Shalya, truly informed him of myself, saying that I was a Suta. Hearing my words, the great ascetic, his heart filled with rage, cursed me, saying, 'In consequence of the deception, O Suta, by which thou hast obtained this weapon, it will never, at the time of need, when the hour of thy death comes, occur to thy memory. Brahma cannot certainly reside in one that is not a brahmana.' I have forgotten that great weapon in this fierce and terrible battle. He amongst the Bharatas, O Shalya, who is accomplished, who is an effectual smiter, who is universal destroyer, and who is exceedingly terrible, (viz., Arjuna),--that mighty crusher,--I think, will burn many foremost of kshatriyas. Know, however, O Shalya, that I will slay in battle that fierce bowman, that foremost of warriors, that hero endued with activity, that terrible person whose energy is unbearable, that warrior whose promises are accomplished, that son of Pandu, viz., Dhananjaya. I have that weapon (at least) under my control today with which I will be able to destroy large numbers of foes. I will slay in battle that scorcher of enemies, that mighty warrior accomplished in weapons, that fierce bowman of immeasurable energy, that cruel and terrible hero, that great resister of enemies, viz., Dhananjaya. The immeasurable Ocean, that lord of all waters, rusheth with fierce impetuosity for overwhelming innumerable creatures. The continent, however, holds and checks him. Today, in this world, I will resist in fight the son of Kunti, that foremost of all drawers of the bow-string, while he will be engaged in ceaselessly shooting his countless shafts equipped with goodly wings, destructive of heroes, capable of penetrating into every limb and none of which becomes futile. Like the continent resisting the Ocean, I will today resist that mightiest of the mighty, that great warrior possessing the highest weapons, that hero like unto the Ocean's self of far-reaching arrows, fierce, and having shafts for his waves, while he will be engaged in overwhelming (hostile) kings. Behold today the fierce battle I fight with him that hath no equal, I think, among men wielding the bow, and that would vanquish the very gods united with the Asuras. Exceedingly proud is that son of Pandu. Desirous of battle he will approach me with his mighty and super-human weapons. Baffling his weapons with my own weapons in battle, I shall today overthrow that Partha with my own excellent shafts. Scorching his foes like the Sun endued with fiery rays, and blazing with flame like that dispeller of the darkness, I shall, like a mass of clouds, completely shroud Dhananjaya today with my shafts. Like the clouds extinguishing a blazing fire of great energy and smoke-mixed flames, that seems ready to consume the whole Earth, I shall, with my showers of arrows, extinguish the son of Kunti in battle. With my broad-headed shafts I shall still the son of Kunti, that terrible snake of virulent poison, that is exceedingly difficult of being captured, that is endued with keen fangs, that is even like a blazing fire that flames up in wrath, and that always consumes his foes. Like Himavat bearing the mighty, all-crushing, fierce and smiting god of wind, I shall, without moving, bear the angry and vindictive Dhananjaya. I shall resist in battle Dhananjaya, that foremost of all wielders of bows in the world, that hero in fight, that warrior who is always in the van and who is competent to meet all foes, that car-warrior who is conversant with all car-tracks. Today I shall fight in battle with that person who hath, I think, no equal among men wielding the bow and who conquered the entire Earth. What other man desirous of saving his life, except myself, will fight with that Savyasaci, who vanquished all creatures including the very gods in the country called Khandava? Arjuna is proud; his weapons strike deep; he is endued with great lightness of hands; he is conversant with steeds; he agitates vast hosts; he is regarded an Atiratha. Though such, I shall yet, with my sharp shafts, strike his head from off his trunk today. O Shalya, ever keeping Death or victory in battle before me, I shall today fight with Dhananjaya. There is none else save myself that would on a single car fight with that Pandava who resembles the destroyer himself. I myself will gladly speak of the prowess of Phalguna in the midst of an assembly of kshatriyas. Why however, dost thou, a fool as thou art and of foolish understanding, speak to me of Phalguna's prowess? Thou art a doer of disagreeable deeds. Thou art cruel and mean and being thyself unforgiving, thou art a detractor of one that is forgiving. I can slay a hundred persons like thee, but I forgive thee in consequence of my forgiving disposition, owing to the exigency of the times. Thou art of sinful deeds. Like a fool thou hast, for the sake of Pandu's son, rebuked me and told me many disagreeable things. Crooked-hearted as thou art, thou hast said all these words unto me, that am of a sincere heart. Cursed art thou for thou art an injurer of friends,--of friends, because friendship is seven-paced. Terrible is the hour that is now passing. Duryodhana hath himself come to battle. I am solicitous of seeing his purposes achieved. Thou, however, art acting in such a way that it shows thee to have no friendship (for the Kuru king)! He is a friend who shows affection for another, who gladdens another, who makes himself agreeable to another, who protects another, who honours another, and who rejoices in the joys of another. I tell thee that I have all those attributes, and the king himself knows all this. He, on the other hand, that destroys, chastises, sharpens his weapons, injures, causes us to sigh, makes us cheerless, and wrongs us in diverse ways, is a foe. All these attributes are to be found in thee and thou discoverest all of them in me. For the sake of Duryodhana, for the sake of doing what is agreeable to thee, for the sake of victory, for the sake of myself, and for the sake of God himself, I will with vigorous exertion, fight with Partha and Vasudeva. Witness today my feats. Behold today my excellent weapons, my brahmastra and other celestial weapons, as also those that are human. I will today slay that hero of fierce prowess, like an exceedingly infuriate elephant slaying an infuriate compeer. I shall, by my mind alone, hurl today at Partha, for my victory, that weapon of immeasurable energy, called the brahmastra. Arjuna will never be able to escape that weapon, if only the wheels of my car do not sink into the Earth in battle today. Know this, O Shalya, that I would not take fright at Yama himself armed with his rod, or Varuna himself armed with his noose, or Kuvera himself armed with his mace, or Vasava himself armed with the thunderbolt, or at any other foe whatever that may approach for slaying me. Therefore, I have no fear from Partha, nor from Janardana. On the other hand, I shall encounter them both in today's destructive battle. Once on a time, while wandering for the sake of practising weapons on my bow called Vijaya, O king, I had, by shooting many fierce shafts of terrible forms, heedlessly struck the calf of a (brahmana's) homa cow with one of those shafts, and unwillingly killed it white it was wandering in a solitary forest. The brahmana then addressed me, saying, 'Since, becoming insensate, thou hast slain the offspring of my homa cow, the wheel (of thy car) will sink into the Earth while at the time of battle fear will enter thy heart.' From these words of the brahmana I am experiencing great fear. These kings of the Lunar race that are lords of (other people's) weal and woe, offered to give that brahmana a 1,000 kine and 600 bovine bulls. With even such a gift, O Shalya, the brahmana would not be gratified, O ruler of the Madras. I was then for giving him seven hundred elephants of large tusks and many hundred of slaves male and female. That foremost of brahmana would not still be gratified. Collecting next full 14,000 kine, each black in hue and having a white calf I was still unable to obtain the grace of that best of brahmana. A wealthy mansion full of every object of desire, in fact, whatever wealth I had, I wished to give him with due worship, but he refused to accept the gift. Unto me then that had offended and that had begged so importunately for his pardon, the brahmana said, 'That which, O Suta, hath been uttered by me is sure to happen. It cannot be otherwise. A false speech would destroy creatures, and sin also would be mine. Therefore, for the preservation of virtue I do not venture to speak what is false. Do not, again, destroy the means of a brahmana's support. There is none in the world that would be able to falsify my speech. Accept those words. It will be thy atonement (for the sin of having slain a calf).' Though rebuked by thee, still for friendship's sake, I have disclosed to thee all this. I know thee that art rebuking me thus. Be silent now, and hear what I will presently say.'"

8.30.1

संजय उवाच
ततः पुनर्महाराज मद्रराजमरिंदमम्
अभ्यभाषत राधेयः संनिवार्योत्तरं वचः

8.30.2

यत्त्वं निदर्शनार्थं मां शल्य जल्पितवानसि
नाहं शक्यस्त्वया वाचा विभीषयितुमाहवे

8.30.3

यदि मां देवताः सर्वा योधयेयुः सवासवाः
तथापि मे भयं न स्यात्किमु पार्थात्सकेशवात्

8.30.4

नाहं भीषयितुं शक्यो वाङ्मात्रेण कथंचन
अन्यं जानीहि यः शक्यस्त्वया भीषयितुं रणे

8.30.5

नीचस्य बलमेतावत्पारुष्यं यत्त्वमात्थ माम्
अशक्तोऽस्मद्गुणान्प्राप्तुं वल्गसे बहु दुर्मते

8.30.6

न हि कर्णः समुद्भूतो भयार्थमिह मारिष
विक्रमार्थमहं जातो यशोर्थं च तथैव च

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'That chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Radha, thus silencing the ruler of the Madras, once more addressed him, O monarch, saying these words, "In answer to that which, O Shalya, thou hast said unto me by way of instance, I tell thee that I am incapable of being frightened by thee in battle with thy words. If all the gods themselves with Vasava would fight with me, I would not still feel any fear, what need be said then of my fears from Pritha and Keshava? I am incapable of being frightened by means of words alone. He, O Shalya, whom thou wouldst be able to frighten in battle is some other person (and not myself)! Thou hast spoken many bitter words to me. Therein lieth the strength of a person that is low. Incapable of speaking of my merits, thou sayst many bitter things, O thou of wicked heart; Karna was never born, O Madraka, for fear in battle. On the other hand, I was born for displaying valour as also for achieving glory for my own self. For the sake of my friendship for thee, for my affection, and for thy being an ally,--for these three reasons thou still livest, O Shalya. Important is the task that has now to be done for king Dhritarashtra. That task, O Shalya, depends on me. For this, thou livest a moment. Before this, I made a compact with thee that any disagreeable speeches thou mightest utter would be pardoned by me. That compact should be observed. It is for this that thou livest, O Madraka. Without a 1,000 Salyas I would vanquish my foes. He that injureth a friend is sinful. It is for this that thou livest for the present.'"

8.30.7

इदं तु मे त्वमेकाग्रः शृणु मद्रजनाधिप
संनिधौ धृतराष्ट्रस्य प्रोच्यमानं मया श्रुतम्

8.30.8

देशांश्च विविधांश्चित्रान्पूर्ववृत्तांश्च पार्थिवान्
ब्राह्मणाः कथयन्तः स्म धृतराष्ट्रमुपासते

8.30.9

तत्र वृद्धः पुरावृत्ताः कथाः काश्चिद्द्विजोत्तमः
बाह्लीकदेशं मद्रांश्च कुत्सयन्वाक्यमब्रवीत्

8.30.10

बहिष्कृता हिमवता गङ्गया च तिरस्कृताः
सरस्वत्या यमुनया कुरुक्षेत्रेण चापि ये

8.30.11

पञ्चानां सिन्धुषष्ठानां नदीनां येऽन्तराश्रिताः
तान्धर्मबाह्यानशुचीन्बाह्लीकान्परिवर्जयेत्

8.30.12

गोवर्धनो नाम वटः सुभाण्डं नाम चत्वरम्
एतद्राजकुलद्वारमाकुमारः स्मराम्यहम्

8.30.13

कार्येणात्यर्थगाढेन बाह्लीकेषूषितं मया
तत एषां समाचारः संवासाद्विदितो मम

8.30.14

शाकलं नाम नगरमापगा नाम निम्नगा
जर्तिका नाम बाह्लीकास्तेषां वृत्तं सुनिन्दितम्

8.30.15

धानागौडासवे पीत्वा गोमांसं लशुनैः सह
अपूपमांसवाट्यानामाशिनः शीलवर्जिताः

8.30.16

हसन्ति गान्ति नृत्यन्ति स्त्रीभिर्मत्ता विवाससः
नगरागारवप्रेषु बहिर्माल्यानुलेपनाः

8.30.17

मत्तावगीतैर्विविधैः खरोष्ट्रनिनदोपमैः
आहुरन्योन्यमुक्तानि प्रब्रुवाणा मदोत्कटाः

8.30.18

हा हते हा हतेत्येव स्वामिभर्तृहतेति च
आक्रोशन्त्यः प्रनृत्यन्ति मन्दाः पर्वस्वसंयताः

8.30.19

तेषां किलावलिप्तानां निवसन्कुरुजाङ्गले
कश्चिद्बाह्लीकमुख्यानां नातिहृष्टमना जगौ

8.30.20

सा नूनं बृहती गौरी सूक्ष्मकम्बलवासिनी
मामनुस्मरती शेते बाह्लीकं कुरुवासिनम्

8.30.21

शतद्रुकनदीं तीर्त्वा तां च रम्यामिरावतीम्
गत्वा स्वदेशं द्रक्ष्यामि स्थूलशङ्खाः शुभाः स्त्रियः

8.30.22

मनःशिलोज्ज्वलापाङ्गा गौर्यस्त्रिककुदाञ्जनाः
केवलाजिनसंवीताः कूर्दन्त्यः प्रियदर्शनाः

8.30.23

मृदङ्गानकशङ्खानां मर्दलानां च निस्वनैः
खरोष्ट्राश्वतरैश्चैव मत्ता यास्यामहे सुखम्

8.30.24

शमीपीलुकरीराणां वनेषु सुखवर्त्मसु
अपूपान्सक्तुपिण्डीश्च खादन्तो मथितान्विताः

8.30.25

पथिषु प्रबला भूत्वा कदासमृदितेऽध्वनि
खलोपहारं कुर्वाणास्ताडयिष्याम भूयसः

8.30.26

एवं हीनेषु व्रात्येषु बाह्लीकेषु दुरात्मसु
कश्चेतयानो निवसेन्मुहूर्तमपि मानवः

8.30.27

ईदृशा ब्राह्मणेनोक्ता बाह्लीका मोघचारिणः
येषां षड्भागहर्ता त्वमुभयोः शुभपापयोः

8.30.28

इत्युक्त्वा ब्राह्मणः साधुरुत्तरं पुनरुक्तवान्
बाह्लीकेष्वविनीतेषु प्रोच्यमानं निबोधत

8.30.29

तत्र स्म राक्षसी गाति सदा कृष्णचतुर्दशीम्
नगरे शाकले स्फीते आहत्य निशि दुन्दुभिम्

8.30.30

कदा वा घोषिका गाथाः पुनर्गास्यन्ति शाकले
गव्यस्य तृप्ता मांसस्य पीत्वा गौडं महासवम्

8.30.31

गौरीभिः सह नारीभिर्बृहतीभिः स्वलंकृताः
पलाण्डुगण्डूषयुतान्खादन्ते चैडकान्बहून्

8.30.32

वाराहं कौक्कुटं मांसं गव्यं गार्दभमौष्ट्रकम्
ऐडं च ये न खादन्ति तेषां जन्म निरर्थकम्

8.30.33

इति गायन्ति ये मत्ताः शीधुना शाकलावतः
सबालवृद्धाः कूर्दन्तस्तेषु वृत्तं कथं भवेत्

8.30.34

इति शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
यदन्योऽप्युक्तवानस्मान्ब्राह्मणः कुरुसंसदि

8.30.35

पञ्च नद्यो वहन्त्येता यत्र पीलुवनान्यपि
शतद्रुश्च विपाशा च तृतीयेरावती तथा
चन्द्रभागा वितस्ता च सिन्धुषष्ठा बहिर्गताः

8.30.36

आरट्टा नाम ते देशा नष्टधर्मान्न तान्व्रजेत्
व्रात्यानां दासमीयानां विदेहानामयज्वनाम्

8.30.37

न देवाः प्रतिगृह्णन्ति पितरो ब्राह्मणास्तथा
तेषां प्रनष्टधर्माणां बाह्लीकानामिति श्रुतिः

8.30.38

ब्राह्मणेन तथा प्रोक्तं विदुषा साधुसंसदि
काष्ठकुण्डेषु बाह्लीका मृण्मयेषु च भुञ्जते
सक्तुवाट्यावलिप्तेषु श्वादिलीढेषु निर्घृणाः

8.30.39

आविकं चौष्ट्रिकं चैव क्षीरं गार्दभमेव च
तद्विकारांश्च बाह्लीकाः खादन्ति च पिबन्ति च

8.30.40

पुत्रसंकरिणो जाल्माः सर्वान्नक्षीरभोजनाः
आरट्टा नाम बाह्लीका वर्जनीया विपश्चिता

8.30.41

उत शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
यदन्योऽप्युक्तवान्सभ्यो ब्राह्मणः कुरुसंसदि

8.30.42

युगंधरे पयः पीत्वा प्रोष्य चाप्यच्युतस्थले
तद्वद्भूतिलये स्नात्वा कथं स्वर्गं गमिष्यति

8.30.43

पञ्च नद्यो वहन्त्येता यत्र निःसृत्य पर्वतात्
आरट्टा नाम बाह्लीका न तेष्वार्यो द्व्यहं वसेत्

8.30.44

बहिश्च नाम ह्लीकश्च विपाशायां पिशाचकौ
तयोरपत्यं बाह्लीका नैषा सृष्टिः प्रजापतेः

8.30.45

कारस्करान्महिषकान्कलिङ्गान्कीकटाटवीन्
कर्कोटकान्वीरकांश्च दुर्धर्मांश्च विवर्जयेत्

8.30.46

इति तीर्थानुसर्तारं राक्षसी काचिदब्रवीत्
एकरात्रा शमीगेहे महोलूखलमेखला

8.30.47

आरट्टा नाम ते देशा बाह्लीका नाम ते जनाः
वसातिसिन्धुसौवीरा इति प्रायो विकुत्सिताः

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Shalya said, "These, O Karna, are ravings that thou utterest regarding the foe. As regards myself without a 1,000 Karnas I am able to vanquish the foe in battle.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Unto the ruler of Madras, of harsh features, who was saying such disagreeable things unto Karna, the latter once more said words that were twice bitter.

"'Karna said, "Listen with devoted attention to this, O ruler of the Madras, that was heard by me while it was recited in the presence of Dhritarashtra. In Dhritarashtra's abode the brahmanas used to narrate the accounts of diverse delightful regions and many kings of ancient times. A foremost one among brahmanas, venerable in years while reciting old histories, said these words, blaming the Vahikas and Madrakas, 'One should always avoid the Vahikas, those impure people that are out of the pale of virtue, and that live away from the Himavat and the Ganga and Sarasvati and Yamuna and Kurukshetra and the Sindhu and its five tributary rivers. I remember from the days of my youth that a slaughter-ground for kine and a space for storing intoxicating spirits always distinguish the entrances of the abodes of the (Vahika) kings. On some very secret mission I had to live among the Vahikas. In consequence of such residence the conduct of these people is well known to me. There is a town of the name of Sakala, a river of the name of Apaga, and a clan of the Vahikas known by the name of the Jarttikas. The practices of these people are very censurable. They drink the liquor called Gauda, and eat fried barley with it. They also eat beef with garlic. They also eat cakes of flour mixed with meat, and boiled rice that is bought from others. Of righteous practices they have none. Their women, intoxicated with drink and divested of robes, laugh and dance outside the walls of the houses in cities, without garlands and unguents, singing while drunk obscene songs of diverse kinds that are as musical as the bray of the ass or the bleat of the camel. In intercourse they are absolutely without any restraint, and in all other matters they act as they like. Maddened with drink, they call upon one another, using many endearing epithets. Addressing many drunken exclamations to their husbands and lords, the fallen women among the Vahikas, without observing restrictions even on sacred days, give themselves up to dancing. One of those wicked Vahikas,--one that is, that lived amongst those arrogant women,--who happened to live for some days in Kurujangala, burst out with cheerless heart, saying, "Alas, that (Vahika) maiden of large proportions, dressed in thin blankets, is thinking of me,--her Vahika lover--that is now passing his days in Kurujangala, at the hour of her going to bed." Crossing the Sutlej and the delightful Iravati, and arriving at my own country, when shall I cast my eyes upon those beautiful women with thick frontal bones, with blazing circlets of red arsenic on their foreheads, with streaks of jet black collyrium on their eyes, and their beautiful forms attired in blankets and skins and themselves uttering shrill cries! When shall I be happy, in the company of those intoxicated ladies amid the music of drums and kettle-drums and conchs sweet as the cries of asses and camels and mules! When shall I be amongst those ladies eating cakes of flour and meat and balls of pounded barley mixed with skimmed milk, in the forests, having many pleasant paths of Sami and Pilu and Karira! When shall I, amid my own countrymen, mustering in strength on the high-roads, fall upon passengers, and snatching their robes and attires beat them repeatedly! What man is there that would willingly dwell, even for a moment amongst the Vahikas that are so fallen and wicked, and so depraved in their practises?' Even thus did that brahmana describe the Vahikas of base behaviour, a sixth of whose merits and demerits is thine, O Shalya. Having said this, that pious brahmana began once more to say what I am about to repeat respecting the wicked Vahikas. Listen to what I say, 'In the large and populous town of Sakala, a Rakshasa woman used to sing on every fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, in accompaniment with a drum, "When shall I next sing the songs of the Vahikas in this Sakala town, having gorged myself with beef and drunk the Gauda liquor? When shall I again, decked in ornaments, and with those maidens and ladies of large proportions, gorge upon a large number of sheep and large quantities of pork and beef and the meat of fowls and asses and camels? They who do not eat sheep live in vain!"' Even thus, O Shalya, the young and old, among the inhabitants of Sakala, intoxicated with spirits, sing and cry. How can virtue be met with among such a people? Thou shouldst know this. I must, however, speak again to thee about what another brahmana had said unto us in the Kuru court, 'There where forests of Pilus stand, and those five rivers flow, viz., the Satadru, the Vipasa, the Iravati, the Candrabhaga, and the Vitasa and which have the Sindhu for their sixth, there in those regions removed from the Himavat, are the countries called by the name of the Arattas. Those regions are without virtue and religion. No one should go thither. The gods, the pitris, and the brahmanas, never accept gifts from those that are fallen, or those that are begotten by Shudras on the girls of other castes, or the Vahikas who never perform sacrifices and are exceedingly irreligious.' That learned brahmana had also said in the Kuru court, 'The Vahikas, without any feelings of revulsion, eat of wooden vessels having deep stomachs and earthen plates and vessels that have been licked by dogs and that are stained with pounded barley and other corn. The Vahikas drink the milk of sheep and camels and asses and eat curds and other preparations from those different kinds of milk. Those degraded people number many bastards among them. There is no food and no milk that they do not take. The Aratta-Vahikas that are steeped in ignorance, should be avoided.' Thou shouldst know this, O Shalya. I must, however, again speak to thee about what another brahmana had said unto me in the Kuru court, 'How can one go to heaven, having drunk milk in the town called Yugandhara, and resided in the place called Acyutasthala, and bathed in the spot called Bhutilaya? There where the five rivers flow just after issuing from the mountains, there among the Aratta-Vahikas, no respectable person should dwell even for two days. There are two Pishacas named Vahi and Hika in the river Vipasa. The Vahikas are the offspring of those two Pishacas. They are not creatures created by the Creator. Being of such low origin, how can they be conversant with the duties ordained in the scriptures? The Karashakas, the Mahishakas, the Kalingas, the Keralas, the Karkotakas, the Virakas, and other peoples of no religion, one should always avoid.' Even thus did a Rakshasa woman of gigantic hips speak unto a brahmana who on a certain occasion went to that country for bathing in a sacred water and passed a single night there. The regions are called by the name of Arattas. The people residing there are called the Vahikas. The lowest of brahmanas also are residing there from very remote times. They are without the Veda and without knowledge, without sacrifice and without the power to assist at other's sacrifices. They are all fallen and many amongst them have been begotten by Shudras upon other peoples' girls. The gods never accept any gifts from them. The Prasthalas, the Madras, the Gandharas, the Arattas, those called Khasas, the Vasatis, the Sindhus and the Sauviras are almost as blamable in their practices.'"

8.30.48

उत शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
उच्यमानं मया सम्यक्तदेकाग्रमनाः शृणु

8.30.49

ब्राह्मणः शिल्पिनो गेहमभ्यगच्छत्पुरातिथिः
आचारं तत्र संप्रेक्ष्य प्रीतः शिल्पिनमब्रवीत्

8.30.50

मया हिमवतः शृङ्गमेकेनाध्युषितं चिरम्
दृष्टाश्च बहवो देशा नानाधर्मसमाकुलाः

8.30.51

न च केन च धर्मेण विरुध्यन्ते प्रजा इमाः
सर्वे हि तेऽब्रुवन्धर्मं यथोक्तं वेदपारगैः

8.30.52

अटता तु सदा देशान्नानाधर्मसमाकुलान्
आगच्छता महाराज बाह्लीकेषु निशामितम्

8.30.53

तत्रैव ब्राह्मणो भूत्वा ततो भवति क्षत्रियः
वैश्यः शूद्रश्च बाह्लीकस्ततो भवति नापितः

8.30.54

नापितश्च ततो भूत्वा पुनर्भवति ब्राह्मणः
द्विजो भूत्वा च तत्रैव पुनर्दासोऽपि जायते

8.30.55

भवत्येकः कुले विप्रः शिष्टान्ये कामचारिणः
गान्धारा मद्रकाश्चैव बाह्लीकाः केऽप्यचेतसः

8.30.56

एतन्मया श्रुतं तत्र धर्मसंकरकारकम्
कृत्स्नामटित्वा पृथिवीं बाह्लीकेषु विपर्ययः

8.30.57

उत शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
यदप्यन्योऽब्रवीद्वाक्यं बाह्लीकानां विकुत्सितम्

8.30.58

सती पुरा हृता काचिदारट्टा किल दस्युभिः
अधर्मतश्चोपयाता सा तानभ्यशपत्ततः

8.30.59

बालां बन्धुमतीं यन्मामधर्मेणोपगच्छथ
तस्मान्नार्यो भविष्यन्ति बन्धक्यो वै कुलेषु वः
न चैवास्मात्प्रमोक्ष्यध्वं घोरात्पापान्नराधमाः

8.30.60

कुरवः सहपाञ्चालाः शाल्वा मत्स्याः सनैमिषाः
कोसलाः काशयोऽङ्गाश्च कलिङ्गा मगधास्तथा

8.30.61

चेदयश्च महाभागा धर्मं जानन्ति शाश्वतम्
नानादेशेषु सन्तश्च प्रायो बाह्या लयादृते

8.30.62

आ मत्स्येभ्यः कुरुपाञ्चालदेश्या; आ नैमिषाच्चेदयो ये विशिष्टाः
धर्मं पुराणमुपजीवन्ति सन्तो; मद्रानृते पञ्चनदांश्च जिह्मान्

8.30.63

एवं विद्वन्धर्मकथांश्च राजं;स्तूष्णींभूतो जडवच्छल्य भूयाः
त्वं तस्य गोप्ता च जनस्य राजा; षड्भागहर्ता शुभदुष्कृतस्य

8.30.64

अथ वा दुष्कृतस्य त्वं हर्ता तेषामरक्षिता
रक्षिता पुण्यभाग्राजा प्रजानां त्वं त्वपुण्यभाक्

8.30.65

पूज्यमाने पुरा धर्मे सर्वदेशेषु शाश्वते
धर्मं पाञ्चनदं दृष्ट्वा धिगित्याह पितामहः

8.30.66

व्रात्यानां दाशमीयानां कृतेऽप्यशुभकर्मणाम्
इति पाञ्चनदं धर्ममवमेने पितामहः
स्वधर्मस्थेषु वर्णेषु सोऽप्येतं नाभिपूजयेत्

8.30.67

उत शल्य विजानीहि हन्त भूयो ब्रवीमि ते
कल्माषपादः सरसि निमज्जन्राक्षसोऽब्रवीत्

8.30.68

क्षत्रियस्य मलं भैक्षं ब्राह्मणस्यानृतं मलम्
मलं पृथिव्या बाह्लीकाः स्त्रीणां मद्रस्त्रियो मलम्

8.30.69

निमज्जमानमुद्धृत्य कश्चिद्राजा निशाचरम्
अपृच्छत्तेन चाख्यातं प्रोक्तवान्यन्निबोध तत्

8.30.70

मानुषाणां मलं म्लेच्छा म्लेच्छानां मौष्टिका मलम्
मौष्टिकानां मलं शण्डाः शण्डानां राजयाजकाः

8.30.71

राजयाजकयाज्यानां मद्रकाणां च यन्मलम्
तद्भवेद्वै तव मलं यद्यस्मान्न विमुञ्चसि

8.30.72

इति रक्षोपसृष्टेषु विषवीर्यहतेषु च
राक्षसं भेषजं प्रोक्तं संसिद्धं वचनोत्तरम्

8.30.73

ब्राह्मं पाञ्चालाः कौरवेयाः स्वधर्मः; सत्यं मत्स्याः शूरसेनाश्च यज्ञः
प्राच्या दासा वृषला दाक्षिणात्याः; स्तेना बाह्लीकाः संकरा वै सुराष्ट्राः

8.30.74

कृतघ्नता परवित्तापहारः; सुरापानं गुरुदारावमर्शः
येषां धर्मस्तान्प्रति नास्त्यधर्म; आरट्टकान्पाञ्चनदान्धिगस्तु

8.30.75

आ पाञ्चालेभ्यः कुरवो नैमिषाश्च; मत्स्याश्चैवाप्यथ जानन्ति धर्मम्
कलिङ्गकाश्चाङ्गका मागधाश्च; शिष्टान्धर्मानुपजीवन्ति वृद्धाः

8.30.76

प्राचीं दिशं श्रिता देवा जातवेदःपुरोगमाः
दक्षिणां पितरो गुप्तां यमेन शुभकर्मणा

8.30.77

प्रतीचीं वरुणः पाति पालयन्नसुरान्बली
उदीचीं भगवान्सोमो ब्रह्मण्यो ब्राह्मणैः सह

8.30.78

रक्षःपिशाचान्हिमवान्गुह्यकान्गन्धमादनः
ध्रुवः सर्वाणि भूतानि विष्णुर्लोकाञ्जनार्दनः

8.30.79

इङ्गितज्ञाश्च मगधाः प्रेक्षितज्ञाश्च कोसलाः
अर्धोक्ताः कुरुपाञ्चालाः शाल्वाः कृत्स्नानुशासनाः
पार्वतीयाश्च विषमा यथैव गिरयस्तथा

8.30.80

सर्वज्ञा यवना राजञ्शूराश्चैव विशेषतः
म्लेच्छाः स्वसंज्ञानियता नानुक्त इतरो जनः

8.30.81

प्रतिरब्धास्तु बाह्लीका न च केचन मद्रकाः
स त्वमेतादृशः शल्य नोत्तरं वक्तुमर्हसि

8.30.82

एतज्ज्ञात्वा जोषमास्स्व प्रतीपं मा स्म वै कृथाः
स त्वां पूर्वमहं हत्वा हनिष्ये केशवार्जुनौ

8.30.83

शल्य उवाच
आतुराणां परित्यागः स्वदारसुतविक्रयः
अङ्गेषु वर्तते कर्ण येषामधिपतिर्भवान्

8.30.84

रथातिरथसंख्यायां यत्त्वा भीष्मस्तदाब्रवीत्
तान्विदित्वात्मनो दोषान्निर्मन्युर्भव मा क्रुधः

8.30.85

सर्वत्र ब्राह्मणाः सन्ति सन्ति सर्वत्र क्षत्रियाः
वैश्याः शूद्रास्तथा कर्ण स्त्रियः साध्व्यश्च सुव्रताः

8.30.86

रमन्ते चोपहासेन पुरुषाः पुरुषैः सह
अन्योन्यमवतक्षन्तो देशे देशे समैथुनाः

8.30.87

परवाच्येषु निपुणः सर्वो भवति सर्वदा
आत्मवाच्यं न जानीते जानन्नपि विमुह्यति

8.30.88

संजय उवाच
कर्णोऽपि नोत्तरं प्राह शल्योऽप्यभिमुखः परान्
पुनः प्रहस्य राधेयः पुनर्याहीत्यचोदयत्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"'Karna continued, "Thou shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall however, again speak unto thee. Listen with close attention to what I say. Once on a time a brahmana came to our house as a guest. Observing our practices he became highly gratified and said unto us, 'I dwelt for a long time on a peak of the Himavat quite alone. Since then I have seen diverse countries following diverse religions. Never, however, have I seen all the people of a country act unrighteously. All the races I have met will admit that to be true religion which has been declared by persons conversant with the Vedas. Travelling through various countries following various religions, I at last, O king, came among the Vahikas. There I heard that one at first becomes a brahmana and then he becomes a kshatriya. Indeed, a Vahika would, after that, become a Vaishya, and then a Shudra, and then a barber. Having become a barber, he would then again become a brahmana. Returning to the status of a brahmana, he would again become a slave. One person in a family becomes a brahmana: all the others, falling off from virtue, act as they like. The Gandharas, the Madrakas, and the Vahikas of little understanding are even such. Having travelled through the whole world I heard of these practices, destructive of virtue, of these sinful irregularities amongst the Vahikas.' Thou shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee about those ugly words that another said unto me regarding the Vahikas. In former days a chaste woman was abducted by robbers (hailing) from Aratta. Sinfully was she violated by them, upon which she cursed them, saying, 'Since ye have sinfully violated a helpless girl who am not without a husband, therefore, the women of your families shall all become unchaste. Ye lowest of men, never shall ye escape from the consequences of this dreadful sin.' It is for this, O Shalya, that the sisters' sons of the Arattas, and not their own sons, become their heirs. The Kauravas with the Pancalas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Naimishas, the Koshalas, the Kasapaundras, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, and the Cedis who are all highly blessed, know what the eternal religion is. The wicked even of these various countries know what religion is. The Vahikas, however, live without righteousness. Beginning with the Matsyas, the residents of the Kuru and the Pancala countries, the Naimishas as well and the other respectable peoples, the pious among all races are conversant with the eternal truths of religion. This cannot be said of the Madrakas and the crooked-hearted race that resides in the country of the five rivers. Knowing all these things, O king, hold thy tongue, O Shalya, like one deprived of utterance, in all matters connected with religion and virtue. Thou art the protector and king of that people, and, therefore, the partaker of sixth part of their merits and demerits. Or perhaps, thou art the partaker of a sixth part of their demerits only, for thou never protectest them. A king that protects is a sharer in the merits of his subjects. Thou art not a sharer in their merits. In days of yore, when the eternal religion was reverenced in all countries, the Grandsire, observing the practices of the country of the five rivers, cried fie on them. When even in the krita age, Brahman had censured the practices of those fallen people of evil deeds who were begotten by Shudras on others' wives, what would you now say to men in the world? Even thus did the Grandsire condemn the practices of the country of the five waters. When all people were observant of the duties of their respective orders, the Grandsire had to find fault with these men. Thou shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee. A Rakshasa of the name of Kalmashapada, while plunging in a tank, said, 'Eleemosynation is a kshatriya's dirt, while the non-observance of vows is a brahmana's dirt. The Vahikas are the dirt of the Earth, and the Madra women are the dirt of the whole female sex. While sinking in the stream, a king rescued the Rakshasa. Asked by the former, the latter gave this answer. I will recite it to you. Listen to me. 'The mlecchas are the dirt of mankind: the oilmen are the dirt of the Mlecchas; eunuchs are the dirt of oilmen; they who avail of the priestly ministrations of Kshatriyas, in their sacrifices, are the dirt of eunuchs. The sin of those again that have the last-named persons for their priests, of also of the Madrakas, shall be thine if thou do not abandon me.' Even this was declared by the Rakshasa to be the formula that should be used for curing a person possessed by a Rakshasa or one killed by the energy of a poison. The words that follow are all very true. The Pancalas observe the duties enjoined in the Vedas; the Kauravas observe truth; the Matsyas and the Surasenas perform sacrifices, the Easterners follow the practices of the Shudras; the Southerners are fallen; the Vahikas are thieves; the Saurashtras are bastards. They that are defiled by ingratitude, theft, drunkenness, adultery with the wives of their preceptors, harshness of speech, slaughter of kine, lustful wanderings during the night out of home, and the wearing of other people's ornaments,--what sin is there that they do not incur? Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five rivers! Commencing with the Pancalas, the Kauravas, the Naimishas, the Matsyas,--all these,--know what religion is. The old men among the Northerners, the Angas, the Magadhas, (without themselves knowing what virtue is) follow the practices of the pious. Many gods, headed by Agni, dwell in the East. The pitris dwell in the South that is presided over by Yama of righteous deeds. The West is protected by the mighty Varuna who overlooks the other gods there. The north is protected by the divine Soma along with the Brahmanas. So Rakshasas and Pishacas protect the Himavat, the best of mountains. The Guhyakas, O great king, protect the mountains of Gandhamadana. Without doubt, Vishnu, otherwise, called Janardana, protects all creatures. (For all that the Vahikas have no especial protectors among the gods). The Magadhas are comprehenders of signs; the Koshalas comprehend from what they see; the Kurus and the Pancalas comprehend from a half-uttered speech; the Salwas cannot comprehend till the whole speech is uttered. The Mountaineers, like the Sivis, are very stupid. The Yavanas, O king, are omniscient; the Suras are particularly so. The mlecchas are wedded to the creations of their own fancy. Other peoples cannot understand. The Vahikas resent beneficial counsels; as regards the Madrakas there are none amongst those (mentioned above.) Thou, O Shalya, art so. Thou shouldst not reply to me. The Madrakas are regarded on Earth as the dirt of every nation. So the Madra woman is called the dirt of the whole female sex. They that have for their practices the drinking of spirits, the violation of the beds of their preceptors, the destruction of the embryo by procuring miscarriage, and the robbing of other people's wealth, there is no sin that they have not. Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five rivers. Knowing this, be silent. Do not seek to oppose me. Do not let me slay Keshava and Arjuna, having slain thee first.'"

"'Shalya said, "The abandonment of the afflicted and the sale of wives and children are, O Karna, prevalent amongst the Angas whose king thou art. Recollecting those faults of thine that Bhishma recited on the occasion of the tale of Rathas and Atirathas, drive away thy wrath. Do not be angry. Brahmanas may be found everywhere; Kshatriyas may be found everywhere; so also Vaishyas and Shudras, O Karna, women of chastity and excellent vows may also be found everywhere. Everywhere men take delight in jesting with men and wounding one another. Lustful men also may be found everywhere. Everyone on every occasion can command skill in speaking of the faults of others. No one, however, knows his own faults, or knowing them, feels shame. Everywhere are kings devoted to their respective religions, and employed in chastising the wicked. Everywhere may be found virtuous men. It cannot be, O Karna, that all the people of a country are sinful. There are men in many countries that surpass the very gods by their behaviour.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Then king Duryodhana stopped Karna and Shalya (from going on with their wordy warfare), addressing the son of Radha as a friend, and beseeching Shalya with joined hands, Karna, O sire, was quieted by thy son and forbore saying anything more. Shalya also then faced the enemy. Then Radha's son, smiling, once more urged Shalya, saying, "Proceed."'"

8.31.1

संजय उवाच
ततः परानीकभिदं व्यूहमप्रतिमं परैः
समीक्ष्य कर्णः पार्थानां धृष्टद्युम्नाभिरक्षितम्

8.31.2

प्रययौ रथघोषेण सिंहनादरवेण च
वादित्राणां च निनदैः कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्

8.31.3

वेपमान इव क्रोधाद्युद्धशौण्डः परंतपः
प्रतिव्यूह्य महातेजा यथावद्भरतर्षभ

8.31.4

व्यधमत्पाण्डवीं सेनामासुरीं मघवानिव
युधिष्ठिरं चाभिभवन्नपसव्यं चकार ह

8.31.5

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
कथं संजय राधेयः प्रत्यव्यूहत पाण्डवान्
धृष्टद्युम्नमुखान्वीरान्भीमसेनाभिरक्षितान्

8.31.6

के च प्रपक्षौ पक्षौ वा मम सैन्यस्य संजय
प्रविभज्य यथान्यायं कथं वा समवस्थिताः

8.31.7

कथं पाण्डुसुताश्चापि प्रत्यव्यूहन्त मामकान्
कथं चैतन्महायुद्धं प्रावर्तत सुदारुणम्

8.31.8

क्व च बीभत्सुरभवद्यत्कर्णोऽयाद्युधिष्ठिरम्
को ह्यर्जुनस्य सांनिध्ये शक्तोऽभ्येतुं युधिष्ठिरम्

8.31.9

सर्वभूतानि यो ह्येकः खाण्डवे जितवान्पुरा
कस्तमन्यत्र राधेयात्प्रतियुध्येज्जिजीविषुः

8.31.10

संजय उवाच
शृणु व्यूहस्य रचनामर्जुनश्च यथा गतः
परिदाय नृपं तेभ्यः संग्रामश्चाभवद्यथा

8.31.11

कृपः शारद्वतो राजन्मागधश्च तरस्विनः
सात्वतः कृतवर्मा च दक्षिणं पक्षमाश्रिताः

8.31.12

तेषां प्रपक्षे शकुनिरुलूकश्च महारथः
सादिभिर्विमलप्रासैस्तवानीकमरक्षताम्

8.31.13

गान्धारिभिरसंभ्रान्तैः पार्वतीयैश्च दुर्जयैः
शलभानामिव व्रातैः पिशाचैरिव दुर्दृशैः

8.31.14

चतुस्त्रिंशत्सहस्राणि रथानामनिवर्तिनाम्
संशप्तका युद्धशौण्डा वामं पार्श्वमपालयन्

8.31.15

समुच्चितास्तव सुतैः कृष्णार्जुनजिघांसवः
तेषां प्रपक्षः काम्बोजाः शकाश्च यवनैः सह

8.31.16

निदेशात्सूतपुत्रस्य सरथाः साश्वपत्तयः
आह्वयन्तोऽर्जुनं तस्थुः केशवं च महाबलम्

8.31.17

मध्येसेनामुखं कर्णो व्यवातिष्ठत दंशितः
चित्रवर्माङ्गदः स्रग्वी पालयन्ध्वजिनीमुखम्

8.31.18

रक्ष्यमाणः सुसंरब्धैः पुत्रैः शस्त्रभृतां वरः
वाहिनीप्रमुखं वीरः संप्रकर्षन्नशोभत

8.31.19

अयोरत्निर्महाबाहुः सूर्यवैश्वानरद्युतिः
महाद्विपस्कन्धगतः पिङ्गलः प्रियदर्शनः
दुःशासनो वृतः सैन्यैः स्थितो व्यूहस्य पृष्ठतः

8.31.20

तमन्वयान्महाराज स्वयं दुर्योधनो नृपः
चित्राश्वैश्चित्रसंनाहैः सोदर्यैरभिरक्षितः

8.31.21

रक्ष्यमाणो महावीर्यैः सहितैर्मद्रकेकयैः
अशोभत महाराज देवैरिव शतक्रतुः

8.31.22

अश्वत्थामा कुरूणां च ये प्रवीरा महारथाः
नित्यमत्ताश्च मातङ्गाः शूरैर्म्लेच्छैरधिष्ठिताः
अन्वयुस्तद्रथानीकं क्षरन्त इव तोयदाः

8.31.23

ते ध्वजैर्वैजयन्तीभिर्ज्वलद्भिः परमायुधैः
सादिभिश्चास्थिता रेजुर्द्रुमवन्त इवाचलाः

8.31.24

तेषां पदातिनागानां पादरक्षाः सहस्रशः
पट्टिशासिधराः शूरा बभूवुरनिवर्तिनः

8.31.25

सादिभिः स्यन्दनैर्नागैरधिकं समलंकृतैः
स व्यूहराजो विबभौ देवासुरचमूपमः

8.31.26

बार्हस्पत्यः सुविहितो नायकेन विपश्चिता
नृत्यतीव महाव्यूहः परेषामादधद्भयम्

8.31.27

तस्य पक्षप्रपक्षेभ्यो निष्पतन्ति युयुत्सवः
पत्त्यश्वरथमातङ्गाः प्रावृषीव बलाहकाः

8.31.28

ततः सेनामुखे कर्णं दृष्ट्वा राजा युधिष्ठिरः
धनंजयममित्रघ्नमेकवीरमुवाच ह

8.31.29

पश्यार्जुन महाव्यूहं कर्णेन विहितं रणे
युक्तं पक्षैः प्रपक्षैश्च सेनानीकं प्रकाशते

8.31.30

तदेतद्वै समालोक्य प्रत्यमित्रं महद्बलम्
यथा नाभिभवत्यस्मांस्तथा नीतिर्विधीयताम्

8.31.31

एवमुक्तोऽर्जुनो राज्ञा प्राञ्जलिर्नृपमब्रवीत्
यथा भवानाह तथा तत्सर्वं न तदन्यथा

8.31.32

यस्त्वस्य विहितो घातस्तं करिष्यामि भारत
प्रधानवध एवास्य विनाशस्तं करोम्यहम्

8.31.33

युधिष्ठिर उवाच
तस्मात्त्वमेव राधेयं भीमसेनः सुयोधनम्
वृषसेनं च नकुलः सहदेवोऽपि सौबलम्

8.31.34

दुःशासनं शतानीको हार्दिक्यं शिनिपुंगवः
धृष्टद्युम्नस्तथा द्रौणिं स्वयं यास्याम्यहं कृपम्

8.31.35

द्रौपदेया धार्तराष्ट्राञ्शिष्टान्सह शिखण्डिना
ते ते च तांस्तानहितानस्माकं घ्नन्तु मामकाः

8.31.36

संजय उवाच
इत्युक्तो धर्मराजेन तथेत्युक्त्वा धनंजयः
व्यादिदेश स्वसैन्यानि स्वयं चागाच्चमूमुखम्

8.31.37

अथ तं रथमायान्तं दृष्ट्वात्यद्भुतदर्शनम्
उवाचाधिरथिं शल्यः पुनस्तं युद्धदुर्मदम्

8.31.38

अयं स रथ आयाति श्वेताश्वः कृष्णसारथिः
निघ्नन्नमित्रान्कौन्तेयो यं यं त्वं परिपृच्छसि

8.31.39

श्रूयते तुमुलः शब्दो रथनेमिस्वनो महान्
एष रेणुः समुद्भूतो दिवमावृत्य तिष्ठति

8.31.40

चक्रनेमिप्रणुन्ना च कम्पते कर्ण मेदिनी
प्रवात्येष महावायुरभितस्तव वाहिनीम्
क्रव्यादा व्याहरन्त्येते मृगाः कुर्वन्ति भैरवम्

8.31.41

पश्य कर्ण महाघोरं भयदं लोमहर्षणम्
कबन्धं मेघसंकाशं भानुमावृत्य संस्थितम्

8.31.42

पश्य यूथैर्बहुविधैर्मृगाणां सर्वतोदिशम्
बलिभिर्दृप्तशार्दूलैरादित्योऽभिनिरीक्ष्यते

8.31.43

पश्य कङ्कांश्च गृध्रांश्च समवेतान्सहस्रशः
स्थितानभिमुखान्घोरानन्योन्यमभिभाषतः

8.31.44

सिताश्चाश्वाः समायुक्तास्तव कर्ण महारथे
प्रदराः प्रज्वलन्त्येते ध्वजश्चैव प्रकम्पते

8.31.45

उदीर्यतो हयान्पश्य महाकायान्महाजवान्
प्लवमानान्दर्शनीयानाकाशे गरुडानिव

8.31.46

ध्रुवमेषु निमित्तेषु भूमिमावृत्य पार्थिवाः
स्वप्स्यन्ति निहताः कर्ण शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः

8.31.47

शङ्खानां तुमुलः शब्दः श्रूयते लोमहर्षणः
आनकानां च राधेय मृदङ्गानां च सर्वशः

8.31.48

बाणशब्दान्बहुविधान्नराश्वरथनिस्वनान्
ज्यातलत्रेषुशब्दांश्च शृणु कर्ण महात्मनाम्

8.31.49

हेमरूप्यप्रमृष्टानां वाससां शिल्पिनिर्मिताः
नानावर्णा रथे भान्ति श्वसनेन प्रकम्पिताः

8.31.50

सहेमचन्द्रतारार्काः पताकाः किङ्किणीयुताः
पश्य कर्णार्जुनस्यैताः सौदामिन्य इवाम्बुदे

8.31.51

ध्वजाः कणकणायन्ते वातेनाभिसमीरिताः
सपताका रथाश्चापि पाञ्चालानां महात्मनाम्

8.31.52

नागाश्वरथपत्त्यौघांस्तावकान्समभिघ्नतः
ध्वजाग्रं दृश्यते त्वस्य ज्याशब्दश्चापि श्रूयते

8.31.53

अद्य द्रष्टासि तं वीरं श्वेताश्वं कृष्णसारथिम्
निघ्नन्तं शात्रवान्संख्ये यं कर्ण परिपृच्छसि

8.31.54

अद्य तौ पुरुषव्याघ्रौ लोहिताक्षौ परंतपौ
वासुदेवार्जुनौ कर्ण द्रष्टास्येकरथस्थितौ

8.31.55

सारथिर्यस्य वार्ष्णेयो गाण्डीवं यस्य कार्मुकम्
तं चेद्धन्तासि राधेय त्वं नो राजा भविष्यसि

8.31.56

एष संशप्तकाहूतस्तानेवाभिमुखो गतः
करोति कदनं चैषां संग्रामे द्विषतां बली
इति ब्रुवाणं मद्रेशं कर्णः प्राहातिमन्युमान्

8.31.57

पश्य संशप्तकैः क्रुद्धैः सर्वतः समभिद्रुतः
एष सूर्य इवाम्भोदैश्छन्नः पार्थो न दृश्यते
एतदन्तोऽर्जुनः शल्य निमग्नः शोकसागरे

8.31.58

शल्य उवाच
वरुणं कोऽम्भसा हन्यादिन्धनेन च पावकम्
को वानिलं निगृह्णीयात्पिबेद्वा को महार्णवम्

8.31.59

ईदृग्रूपमहं मन्ये पार्थस्य युधि निग्रहम्
न हि शक्योऽर्जुनो जेतुं सेन्द्रैः सर्वैः सुरासुरैः

8.31.60

अथैवं परितोषस्ते वाचोक्त्वा सुमना भव
न स शक्यो युधा जेतुमन्यं कुरु मनोरथम्

8.31.61

बाहुभ्यामुद्धरेद्भूमिं दहेत्क्रुद्ध इमाः प्रजाः
पातयेत्त्रिदिवाद्देवान्योऽर्जुनं समरे जयेत्

8.31.62

पश्य कुन्तीसुतं वीरं भीममक्लिष्टकारिणम्
प्रभासन्तं महाबाहुं स्थितं मेरुमिवाचलम्

8.31.63

अमर्षी नित्यसंरब्धश्चिरं वैरमनुस्मरन्
एष भीमो जयप्रेप्सुर्युधि तिष्ठति वीर्यवान्

8.31.64

एष धर्मभृतां श्रेष्ठो धर्मराजो युधिष्ठिरः
तिष्ठत्यसुकरः संख्ये परैः परपुरंजयः

8.31.65

एतौ च पुरुषव्याघ्रावश्विनाविव सोदरौ
नकुलः सहदेवश्च तिष्ठतो युधि दुर्जयौ

8.31.66

दृश्यन्त एते कार्ष्णेयाः पञ्च पञ्चाचला इव
व्यवस्थिता योत्स्यमानाः सर्वेऽर्जुनसमा युधि

8.31.67

एते द्रुपदपुत्राश्च धृष्टद्युम्नपुरोगमाः
हीनाः सत्यजिता वीरास्तिष्ठन्ति परमौजसः

8.31.68

इति संवदतोरेव तयोः पुरुषसिंहयोः
ते सेने समसज्जेतां गङ्गायमुनवद्भृशम्

Translation — Kisari Mohan Ganguli

"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding then that unrivalled array of the Parthas made by Dhrishtadyumna which was capable of resisting all hostile armies, Karna proceeded, uttering leonine shouts and causing his car to produce a loud rattle. And he made the Earth to tremble with the loud din of musical instruments. And that chastiser of foes, that hero in battle, seemed to tremble in rage. Duly disposing his own troops in counter-array, O bull of Bharata's race, that hero of great energy made a great slaughter of the Pandava forces like Maghavat slaughtering the Asura host. Striking Yudhishthira then with many arrows, he placed the eldest son of Pandu to his right.'

"Dhritarashtra said, 'How, O Sanjaya, did the son of Radha dispose his forces in counter array to all the Pandavas headed by Dhristadyumna and protected by Bhimasena, viz., all those great bowmen invincible by the very gods? Who, O Sanjaya, stood in the wings and the further wings of our army? Dividing themselves properly, how were the warriors stationed? How also did the sons of Pandu dispose their army in counter-array to mine? How also did that great and awful battle commence? Where was Vibhatsu when Karna proceeded against Yudhishthira? Who could succeed in assailing Yudhishthira in the presence of Arjuna? That Arjuna who had vanquished, single-handed in former days, all creatures at Khandava, who else that is desirous of life, save the son of Radha, would fight with him?'

"Sanjaya said, 'Hear now of the formation of the arrays, the manner in which Arjuna came and how the battle was fought by both sides surrounding their respective kings. Sharadvata's son Kripa, O king, and the Magadhas endued with great activity, and Kritavarma of Satwata race, took up their position in the right wing. Shakuni, and the mighty car-warrior Uluka, standing on the right of these, and accompanied by many fearless Gandhara horsemen armed with bright lances, and many mountaineers difficult to defeat, numerous as flights of locusts, and grimlooking as Pishacas, protected the (Kaurava) army. 34,000 unreturning cars of the samsaptakas, mad with desire of battle, with thy sons in their midst, and all desirous of slaying Krishna and Arjuna, protected the left side (of the Kaurava army). On their left, the Kambojas, the Sakas, and the Yavanas, with cars and horse and foot, at the command of the Suta's son, stood, challenging Arjuna and the mighty Keshava. In the centre, at the head of that host, stood Karna, clad in armour with beautiful coat of mail and adorned with Angadas and garlands, for protecting that point. Supported by his own angry sons, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that hero, shone resplendent at the head of the army as he drew his bow repeatedly. The mighty-armed Duhshasana, possessed of the effulgence of the sun or fire with tawny eyes and handsome features, riding on the neck of a huge elephant, surrounded by many troops, and stationed at the rear of the army gradually approached for fight. Behind him came Duryodhana himself, O monarch, protected by his uterine brothers riding on beautiful steeds and cased in beautiful mail. Protected by the united Madrakas and the Kekayas of exceeding energy, the king, O monarch, looked resplendent like Indra of a hundred sacrifices when surrounded by the celestials. Ashvatthama and the other foremost of mighty car-warriors, and many ever-infuriate elephants shedding temporal secretions like the very clouds and ridden by brave Mlecchas, followed behind that car-force. Decked with triumphal standards and blazing weapons, those huge creatures, ridden by warriors skilled in fighting from their backs, looked beautiful like hills overgrown with trees. Many thousands of brave and unreturning warriors, armed with axes and swords, became the footguards of those elephants. Gorgeously decked with horsemen and car-warriors and elephants, that foremost of arrays looked exceedingly beautiful like the array of the celestials or of the Asuras. That great array, formed according to the scheme of Brihaspati by its commander, well-versed in ways of battle, seemed to dance (as it advanced) and struck terror into the hearts of foes. Like ever-appearing clouds in the season of rains, foot-soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors and elephants, longing for battle began to issue from the wings and further wings of that array. Then king Yudhishthira, beholding Karna at the head of the (hostile) army, addressed Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, that one hero in the world, and said these words, "Behold, O Arjuna, the mighty array formed by Karna in battle. The hostile force looks resplendent with its wings and further wings. At sight of this vast hostile force, let such measures be adopted that it may not vanquish us.' Thus addressed by the king, Arjuna replied with joined hands, 'Everything will be done as thou sayest. Nothing will be otherwise. I will, O Bharata, do that by which the destruction of the enemy may be compassed. By slaying their foremost of warriors, I will achieve their destruction."

"'Yudhishthira said, "With that view, do thou proceed against the son of Radha, and let Bhimasena proceed against Suyodhana, Nakula against Virshasena, Sahadeva against the son of Subala, Satanika against Duhshasana, that bull amongst the Sinis, viz., Satyaki, against the son of Hridika, and Pandya against the son of Drona. I myself will fight with Kripa. Let the sons of Draupadi with Shikhandi amongst them, proceed against the rest of the Dhartarashtras. Let the other warriors of our army encounter our other foes.'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just, Dhananjaya saying, "So be it," ordered his troops (to do the needful) and himself proceeded to the head of the army. That car for which the Leader of the universe, viz., Agni, who derives his effulgence from Brahman, became the steeds, that car which was known amongst the gods as belonging to Brahman because it sprang first from Brahman himself, that car which in days of old had successively borne Brahman and Ishana and Indra and Varuna one after another, riding on that primeval car, Keshava and Arjuna now proceeded to battle. Beholding that advancing car of wonderful aspect, Shalya once more said unto Adhiratha's son, that warrior of great energy in battle, these words "Yonder comes that car having white steeds yoked unto it and owning Krishna for its driver, that vehicle incapable of being resisted by all the troops, like the inevitable fruit of work. There comes the son of Kunti, slaughtering his foes along the way,--he, that is, about whom thou hadst been enquiring. Since tremendous is the uproar that is being heard, deep as the roar of the clouds, it is, without doubt, those high-souled ones, viz., Vasudeva and Dhananjaya. Yonder ascends a cloud of dust that overspreads the welkin like a canopy. The whole Earth, O Karna, seems to tremble, cut deep by the circumference of Arjuna's wheels. These violent winds are blowing on both sides of thy army. These carnivorous creatures are yelling aloud and these animals are uttering fearful cries. Behold, O Karna, the terrible and portentous Ketu of vapoury form, making the hair to stand on end, hath appeared, covering the Sun. Behold, diverse kinds of animals, all around in large packs, and many mighty wolves and tigers are looking at the Sun. Behold those terrible Kankas and those vultures, assembled together in thousands, sitting with faces towards one another, in seeming discourse. Those coloured yak-tails attached to thy great car are waving unquietly. Thy standard also is trembling. Behold these thy beautiful steeds, of huge limbs and great speed resembling that of soaring birds, are also quivering. From these portents, it is certain that kings, in hundreds and thousands, O Karna, deprived of life, will lie down on the ground for eternal sleep. The loud uproar of conchs, making the hair to stand on end, is being heard. The sound also of drums and cymbals, O son of Radha, is being heard on all sides, as also the whizz of diverse kinds of arrows, and the din made by cars and steeds and men. Listen also, O Karna, to the loud twang produced by the bow-strings of high-souled warriors. Behold, O Karna, those banners of Arjuna, that are equipped with rows of bells, and decked with golden moons and stars. Made by skilful artists out of cloths embroidered with gold and of diverse hues, they are blazing with resplendence on Arjuna's car as they are shaken by the wind, like flashes of lightning in a mass of clouds. Behold those (other) banners producing sharp sounds as they wave in the air. Those car-warriors of the high-souled Pancalas, with flag-decked standards on their vehicles, are looking resplendent, O Karna, like the very gods on their celestial cars. Behold the heroic son of Kunti, the unvanquished Vibhatsu (Arjuna) with that foremost of apes on his standard, advancing for the destruction of the foe. There, on the top of Partha's standard, is to be seen that terrible ape, that enhancer of the fears of foes, attracting the gaze (of warriors) from every side. The discus, the mace, the bow called Saranga and the conch (called Panchajanya) of the intelligent Krishna, as also his gem Kaustubha, look exceedingly beautiful in him. The wielder of Saranga and the mace, viz., Vasudeva, of great energy, cometh, urging those white steeds endued with the fleetness of the wind. Yonder twangs Gandiva, drawn by Savyasaci. Those whetted shafts, sped by that strong-armed hero, are destroying his enemies. The Earth is strewn with the heads of unretreating kings, with faces beautiful as the moon at full, and decked with large and expansive eyes of coppery hue. There the arms, looking like spiked maces, with weapons in grasp, and smeared with excellent perfumes, of warriors delighting in battle and contending with uplifted weapons, are falling. Steeds with eyes, tongues, and entrails drawn out along with their riders, are falling and fallen and deprived of life lie prostrate on the Earth. Those lifeless elephants huge as mountain summits, torn, mangled, and pierced by Partha, are falling down like veritable hills. Those cars, looking like the changeful forms of vapour in the sky, with their royal riders slain, are falling down like the celestial cars of the denizens of heaven upon the exhaustion of the latter's merits. Behold, the army is exceedingly agitated by the diadem-decked Arjuna, like herds of countless cattle by a maned lion. There the Pandava heroes, advancing for the attack, are slaying kings and large numbers of elephants and steeds and car-warriors and foot-soldiers of thy army engaged in battle. There Partha, shrouded (by friends and foes and weapons and dust) is not to be seen, like the Sun shrouded by clouds. Only the top of his standard may be seen and the twang of his bow-string may be heard. Thou art sure, O Karna, to behold today that hero of white steed with Krishna for his driver, engaged in slaughtering his foes in battle. Thou art sure of beholding him about whom thou hadst been enquiring. Today, O Karna, thou art sure to behold those two tigers among men, both of red eyes, both chastisers of foes, viz., Vasudeva and Arjuna, stationed on the same car. If, O son of Radha, thou succeedest in slaying him that hath Keshava for his driver and Gandiva for his bow, then thou shalt be our king. Challenged by the samsaptakas, Partha now proceedeth against them. That mighty warrior is engaged in making a great slaughter of his foes in battle." Unto the ruler of the Madras who was saying so, Karna, in rage, said, "Behold, Partha is assailed on all sides by the angry samsaptakas. Like the Sun shrouded by the clouds, Partha is no longer visible. Plunged, into that ocean of warriors, O Shalya, Arjuna is sure to perish."

"'Shalya said, "Who is there that would slay Varuna with water, or quench fire with fuel? Who is there that would seize the wind, or drink off the ocean? I regard thy act of afflicting Partha to be even such. Arjuna is incapable of being vanquished in battle by the very gods and the Asuras united together and having Indra himself at their head. Or, suffer thyself to be gratified, and be of easy mind, having said those words (about thy capacity to slay Partha) Partha cannot be conquered in battle. Accomplish some other purpose thou mayst have in thy mind. He that would uplift this Earth on his two arms, or burn all creatures in wrath, or hurl the gods from heaven, may vanquish Arjuna in battle. Behold that other heroic son of Kunti, viz., Bhima, who is never fatigued with exertion, blazing with resplendence, mighty-armed, and standing like another Meru. With wrath ever kindled and longing for revenge, Bhima of great energy stands there desirous of victory in battle, and remembering all his injuries. There that foremost of virtuous men, viz., king Yudhishthira the just, that subjugator of hostile towns, stands difficult of being resisted by foes in battle. There stand those two tigers among men, the twin Ashvinis, the two uterine brothers Nakula and Sahadeva, both invincible in battle. Yonder may be seen the five sons of Krishna, that have the features of Pancala princes. All of them, equal to Arjuna in battle, are standing, desirous of fight. There the sons of Drupada, headed by Dhristadyumna, swelling with pride and energy,--heroes endued with great energy,--have taken up their stand. There, that foremost one among the Satwatas, viz., Satyaki, irresistible like Indra, advanceth against us, from desire of fight, like the destroyer himself in wrath before our eyes." While those two lions among men were thus addressing each other, the two armies mingled fiercely in battle, like the currents of the Ganga and Yamuna.'"