धृतराष्ट्र उवाच आर्जुनि समरे शूरं विनिघ्नन्तं महारथान्। अलम्बुषः कथं युद्धे प्रत्ययुध्यत संजय॥
Dhritarashtra said How, O descendant of the Bharata race, did Alambusha fight with the heroic son of Arjuna who had been slaying mighty car-warriors in battle?
आर्थ्यशृङ्गिं कथं चैव सौभद्रः परवीरहा। तन्ममाचक्ष्व तत्त्वेन यथावृत्तं स्म संयुगे॥
How did also the son of Subhadra that slayer of hostile heroes, fight with the son of Rishyashringa? Describe all this in detail to me as it actually happened in the battle.
धनंजयश्च किं चक्रे मम सैन्येषु संयुगे। भीमो वा रथिनां श्रेष्ठो राक्षसो वा घटोत्कचः॥ नकुलः सहदेवो वा सात्यकिर्वा महारथः। एतदाचक्ष्व मे सत्यं कुशलो ह्यसि संजय॥
What did also Bhima, that foremost of carwarriors and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha and Nakula and Sahadeva and the car-warriors Satyaki and Dhananjaya do to my troops in that battle? Tell me all this truly, O Sanjaya, for you are well acquainted with the incident of the battle.
संजय उवाच हन्त तेऽहं प्रवक्ष्यामि संग्राम लोमहर्षणम्। यथाभूद् राक्षसेन्द्रस्य सौभद्रस्य च मारिष॥
Sanjaya said I shall describe to you, O sire in detail, the hair-string battle that was fought between the prince of the Rakshasas an the son of Subhadra;
अर्जुनश्च यथा संख्ये भीमसेनश्च पाण्डवः। नकुलः सहदेवश्च रणे चक्रुः पराक्रमम्॥
As also the prowess that Arjuna and Bhimasena the son of Pandu, and Nakula and Sahadeva did display in battle;
तथैव तावकाः सर्वे भीष्मद्रोणपुरःसराः। अद्भुतानि विचित्राणि चक्रुः कर्माण्यभीतवत्॥
As also how your warriors, headed by Bhishma and Drona, fearlessly achieved many wonderful feats in battle.
अलम्बुषस्तु समरे अभिमन्युं महारथम्। विनद्य सुमहानादं तर्जयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः॥
In that battle uttering fierce roars Abhimanyu the mighty car-warrior, Alambusha, repeatedly challenging the former,
अभिदुद्राव वेगेन तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्। अभिमन्युश्च वेगेन सिंहवद् विनदन् मुहुः॥
Rushed at him saying “Stop, Stop." Abhimanyu also, incessantly roaring like a lion,
आर्ण्यशृङ्गिं महेष्वासं पितुरत्यन्तवैरिणम्। ततः समीयतुः संख्ये त्वरितौ नरराक्षसौ॥ रथाभ्यां रथिनौ श्रेष्ठो यथा वै देवदानवौ। मायावी राक्षसश्रेष्ठो दिव्यास्त्रश्चैव फाल्गुनिः॥
Rushed at that mighty bowman, the son of Rishyashringa, that implacable enemy of his father. Thereupon these two foremost of carwarriors, man and Rakshasa, impetuously met one another on their respective cars, like a deity and a Danava. The foremost of the Rakshasas was possessed of illusive powers while Phalguna's son was accomplished in the use of celestial weapons. at
ततः कार्णिमहाराज निशितैः सायकैस्त्रिभिः। आर्थ्यशृङ्गि रणे विद्ध्वा पुनर्विव्याध पञ्चभिः॥
Thereafter, O mighty monarch, Krishna's nephew, piercing the son of Rishyashringa with three shafts of exceeding sharpness, again pierced him with five,
अलम्बुषोऽसंक्रुद्धः कार्ष्णि नवभिराशुगैः। हृदि विव्याध वेगेन तोत्रैरिव महाद्विपम्॥
Thereupon Alambusha, inflamed with rage, pierced Krishna's nephew on the breast with nine swift-coursing shafts, like a guide piercing a huge elephant with the hook.
ततः शरसहस्रेण क्षिप्रकारी निशाचरः। अर्जुनस्य सुतं संख्ये पीडयामास भारत॥
Then that ranger of the night, endued with great lightness, afflicted Arjuna's son in battle, OBharata, with thousands of arrows.
अभिमन्युस्ततः क्रुद्धो नवभिनतपर्वभिः। बिभेद निशितैर्बाणै राक्षसेन्द्र महोरसि॥
Thereat Abhimanyu, waxing worth, with nine straight-knotted and whetted shafts, pierced that foremost of the Rakshasas on his broad chest.
ते तस्य विविशुस्तूर्णं कायं निर्भिद्य मर्मसु। त तैर्विभिन्नसर्वाङ्गः शुशुभे राक्षसोत्तमः॥
Those shafts, then piercing through his body, penetrated into his very vitals. His body mangled with those shafts, the foremost of the Rakshasas appeared beautiful,
पुष्पितैः किंशुकै राजन् संस्तीर्ण इव पर्वतः। संधारयाणश्च शरान् हेमपुङ्खान् महाबलः॥
Like mountain overgrown with blossoming Kinshuka trees. Struck with those arrows furnished with golden wings, that highly powerful,
विबभौ राक्षसश्रेष्ठः : सज्वाल इव ततः क्रुद्धो महाराज आHशृङ्गिरमर्षणः॥
And foremost Rakshasa, appeared beautiful like a mountain on fire. Thereupon, O monarch, the vindictive son of Rishyashringa, waxing worth, a
पर्वतः। पत्रिभिः। महेन्द्रप्रतिमं कार्णि छादयामास तेन ते विशिखा मुक्ता यमदण्डोपमाः शिताः॥
Paired, with winged shafts, that nephew of Krishna, who resembled the great Indra himself. Those sharp arrows, resembling the rod of Death, discharged by the Rakshasa,
अभिमन्युं विनिर्भिद्य प्राविशन्त धरातलम्। तथैवार्जुनिना मुक्ताः शराः कनकभूषणाः॥
Piercing through Abhimanyu, penetrated the surface of the earth. So also, gold-decked arrows shot by the son of Arjuna,
अलम्बुषं विनिर्भिद्य प्राविशन्त धरातलम्। सौभद्रस्तु रणे रक्षः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः॥
Piercing Alambusha entered the earth. Then the son of Subhadra with his straight shafts,
चक्रे विमुखमासाद्य मयं शक्र इवाहवे। विमुखं च ततो रक्षो वध्यमानं रणेऽरिणा॥
Compelled the Rakshasa to turn his face away from the field, like Shakra repulsing Maya in the great battle between the celestials and the Asuras. Thus repulsed and afflicted by the foe in battle, the Rakshasas,
प्रादुश्चक्रे महामायां तामसी परतापनाम्। ततस्ते तमसा सर्वे वृताश्चासन् महीपते॥
That afflicter of enemies, created a veil of impenetrable darkness through his illusive prowess. Then O ruler of men, every body was covered by the gloom;
नाभिमन्युमपश्यन्त नैव स्वान् न परान् रणे। अभिमन्युश्च तद् दृष्ट्वा घोररूपं महत्तमः॥
And none was able to discern Abhimanyu, or his friends or enemies. Then, beholding that palpable darkness of great fearfulness, Abhimanyu,
प्रादुश्चक्रेऽस्त्रमत्युग्रं भास्करं कुरुनन्दनः। ततः प्रकाशमभवज्जगत् सर्वं महीपते॥
That delighter of the Kuru race, invoked into existence the solar weapon of great effulgence. Then, O monarch, the world was again disclosed to the sight.
तां चाभिजनिवान् मायां राक्षसस्य दुरात्मनः। संक्रुद्धश्च महावीर्यो राक्षसेन्द्रं नरोत्तमः॥ छादयामास समरे शरैः संनतपर्वभिः। बह्वीस्तथान्या मायाश्च प्रयुक्तास्तेन रक्षसा॥
And with that weapon Abhimanyu destroyed the illusion of that wicked-souled Rakshasa. Then waxing worth, that foremost of men, endued with great prowess, covered the prince of the Rakshasas in that battle with a net-work of straight-knotted shaft. Various other kinds of illusion was created by that Rakshasas;
सर्वास्त्रविदमेयात्मा वारयामास फाल्गुनिः। हतमायं ततो रक्षो वध्यमानं च सायकैः॥
But Phalguna's son, of immeasurable should, and versed in the use of all weapons, destroyed them all. Then the Rakshasas, his illusions all neutralised, and himself afflicted with shafts,
रथं तत्रैव संत्यज्य प्राद्रवन्महतो भयात्। तस्मिन् विनिर्जिते तूर्णं कूटयोधिनि राक्षसे॥
Fled out fear, forsaking his chariot even where he was. When that Rakshasas, ever fighting unfairly, had been thus speedily vanquished,
आर्जुनिः समरे सैन्यं तावकं सम्ममर्द ह। मदान्धो गन्धनागेन्द्रं सपद्मां पद्मिनीमिव॥
Then son of Arjuna began to crush your troops in battle like an infuriated excellent elephant agitating a lake having lotuses blooming in its waters.
ततः शान्तनवो भीष्मः सैन्यं दृष्ट्वाभिविद्रुतम्। महता शरवर्षेण सौभद्रं पर्यवारयत्॥
Thereupon Bhishma the son of Shantanu beholding the troops thus routed by the son of Subhadra, choked the latter with a mighty shower of arrows.
कोष्ठीकृत्य च तं वीरं धार्तराष्ट्रा महारथाः। एकं सुबहवो युद्धे ततक्षुः सायकैदृढम्॥
Then the mighty car-warrior of the Dhritarashtra's host encircling that single hero, began to pierce him forcibly with many arrows.
स तेषां रथिनां वीरः पितुस्तुल्यपराक्रमः। सदृशो वासुदेवस्य विक्रमेण बलेन च॥
Thereat that hero (Abhimanyu) equal in prowess to his father and to the son of Vasudeva in strength and powers,
उभयोः सदृशं कर्म स पितुर्मातुलस्य च। रणे बहुविधं चक्रे सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः॥
That foremost of all wielders of weapon, performed in battle many a wonderful feat worthy of his father and his maternal uncle.
ततो धनंजयो वीरो विनिमंस्तव सैनिकान्। आससाद रणे भीष्मं पुत्रप्रेप्सुरमर्षणः॥
Thereupon that heroic Dhananjaya, highly enraged, desirous of rescuing his son, rushed to the spot where the latter was, slaying your troops as he came.
तथैव समरे राजन् पिता देवव्रतस्तव। आससाद रणे पार्थं स्वर्भानुरिव भास्करम्॥
So also, O monarch your sire Devavrata encountered the son of Pritha in battle, like Rahu meeting the lustrous orb.
ततः सरथनागाश्वाः पुत्रास्तव जनेश्वर। परिववू रणे भीष्मं जुगुपुश्च समन्ततः॥
Thereupon, O ruler of men, your sons with cars, steeds, and and elephants, surrounded Bhishma in battle and began to protect him.
तथैव पाण्डवा राजन् परिवार्य धनंजयम्। रणाय महते युक्ता दंशिता भरतर्षभ॥
So also, O king, the Pandavas, clad in mail, surrounding Dhananjaya, O foremost of the Bharatas, began to put forth all their energies in battle.
शारद्वतस्ततो राजन् भीष्मस्य प्रमुखे स्थितम्। अर्जुनं पञ्चविंशत्या सायकानां समाचिनोत्॥
Then, O king, The son of Sharadvata, who was stationed in front of Bhishma, pierced Arjuna with a number of twenty five arrows.
प्रत्युद्गम्याथ विव्याध सात्यकिस्तं शितैः शरैः। पाण्डवप्रियकामार्थं शार्दूल इव कुञ्जरम्॥
Rushing against him like a tiger rushing against an elephant, Satyaki pierced him with whetted shafts, desirous of doing good to the Pandavas.
गौतमोऽपि त्वरायुक्तो माधवं नवभिः शरैः। हृदि विव्याध संक्रुद्धः कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छदैः। :॥
The son of Gautami also great celerity and waxing worth, pierced the descendant of Madhu's race on the breast with nine shafts decked with golden wings.
शैनेयोऽपि ततः क्रुद्धश्चापमानम्य वेगवान्। गौतमान्तकरं तूर्णं समाधत्त शिलीमुखम्॥
Thereat the grandson of Shini also highly inflamed with rage, bending his bow quickly fixed on the bow-string a shaft capable of doing away with the son of Gautami.
तमापतन्तं वेगेन शक्राशनिसमद्युतिम्। द्विधा चिच्छेद संक्रुद्धो द्रौणिः परमकोपनः॥
Then the irate son of Drona seeing the effulgent dare course swiftly like the thunderbolt of Indra, speedily cut it in twain.
समुत्सृज्याथ शैनेयो गौतमं रथिनां वरः। द्रौणि राहुः खे शशिनं यथा॥
Thereupon that foremost of car-warriors the grandson of Shini, forsaking Gautama's son in battle, rushed towards Drona's son, like Rahu in the firmament rushing towards the moon.
तस्य द्रोणसुतश्चापं द्विधा चिच्छेद भारत। अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं ताडयामास सायकैः॥
The son of Drona cut of the bow of Satyaki in twain. O Bharata; then he pierced him whose bow had been cut with numerous shafts.
सोऽन्यत् कार्मुकमादाय शत्रुजं भारसाधनम्। द्रौणि षष्ट्या महाराज बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत्।॥
Then taking up another capable of slaying the foe and of bearing great stream, Satyaki pierced the son of Drona on the breast and on the arms with a group of sixty shafts, O king.
स विद्धो व्यथितश्चैव मुहूर्तं कश्मलायुतः। निषसाद रथोपस्थे ध्वजयष्टिं समाश्रितः॥
Thus pierced and pained, the latter became unconscious and he sat down on the terrace of his and supported himself by holding the flagstaff.
अभ्यद्रवद् रणे प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां द्रोणपुत्रः प्रतापवान्। वार्ष्णेयं समरे क्रुद्धो नाराचेन समार्पयत्॥
Then Drona's son possessed of great prowess regaining consciousness and waxing worth, pierced the descendant of the Vrishni race with a Naracha.
शैनेयं स तु निर्भिद्य प्राविशद् धरणीतलम्। वसन्तकाले बलवान् बिलं सर्पशिशुर्यथा॥
That Naracha penetrating Shini's grandson, entered the surface of the earth like a powerful young snake entering its hold in the spring.
अथापरेण भल्लेन माधवस्य ध्वजोत्तमम्। चिच्छेद समरे द्रौणिः सिंहनादं मुमोच ह॥
Then with another broad-headed arrow Drona's down the excellent standard of him of Madhu's race; and then uttered a fierce warcry.
पुनश्चैनं शरै।रैश्छादयामास भारत। निदाघान्ते महाराज यथा मेघो दिवाकरम्॥
One more he covered Satyaki with a dreadful group of arrows, O monarch, like clouds covering the sun at the expiration of the summer season.
सात्यकोऽपि महाराज शरजालं निहत्य तत्। द्रौणिमभ्यकिरत् तूर्णं शरजालैरनेकधा॥
Satyki also, O mighty monarch, destroying that net-work of arrows, speedily scattered on Drona's a large number of arrows.
तापयामास च द्रौणि शैनेयः परवीरहा। विमुक्तो मेघजालेन यथैव तपनस्तथा॥
Then that grandson of Shini, freed from that net-work of arrows, like the sun emerging out of the clouds, began to scorch the son of Drona (with his arrows).
शराणां च सहस्रेण पुनरेव समुद्यतः। सात्यकिश्छादयामास ननाद च महाबलः॥
Inflamed with ire, the highly puissant Satyaki once again covered Drona's son with a thousand shafts; and then uttered his war-cry.
दृष्ट्वा पुत्रं च तं ग्रस्तं राहुणेव निशाकरम्। अभ्यद्रवत शैनेयं भारद्वाजः प्रतापवान्॥
Then beholding his son in that plight, like the moon devoured by Rahu, the highly powerful son of Bharadvaja rushed against the grandson of Shini.
विव्याध च सुतीक्ष्णेन पृषत्केन महामृधे। परीप्सन् स्वसुतं वार्ष्णेयेनाभिपीडितम्॥
Then in that great battle, he pierced him of the Vrishni race with arrows of excceding sharpness, desirous of rescuing his own son so afflicted by the latter (Satyaki).
सात्यकिस्तु रणे हित्वा गुरुपुत्रं महारथम्। द्रोणं विव्याध विंशत्या सर्वपारशवैः शरैः॥
Then abandoning that mighty car-warrior that son of the preceptor Drona, Satyaki, picrced Drona with twenty shafts of sharpness like that battle axe.
तदन्तरममेयात्मा कौन्तेयः शत्रुतापनः। अभ्यद्रवद् रणे क्रुद्धो द्रोणं प्रति महारथः॥
At this crisis, that afflicter of foes that mighty car-warrior the son of Kunti, (Arjuna) waxing worth, rushed against Drona.
ततो द्रोणश्च पार्थश्च समेयेतां महामृधे। यथा बुधश्च शुक्रश्च महाराज नभस्तले॥
Then Drona and Arjuna met in that fierce battle, like, O mighty monarch, Venus and Jupiter meeting one another on the heavens.