संजय उवाच ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे। श्रुतायुषमभिप्रेक्ष्य प्रेषयामास वाजिनः॥
Sanjaya said Then when the sun shone on the meridian, king Yudhishthira, beholding Shrutayush, urged his own steeds towards him.
अभ्यधावत् ततो राजा श्रुतायुषमरिंदमम्। विनिमन् सायकैस्तीक्ष्णैवभिनतपर्वभिः॥
Then the king rushed at Shrutayush, that subduer of foes, wounding the latter at same time with nine straight knotted shafts of exceeding sharpness.
स संवार्य रणे राजा प्रेषितान् धर्मसूनुना। शरान् सप्त महेष्वासः कौन्तेयाय समार्पयत्॥
That king, that mighty bowman, (Shrutayush) resisting in battle, the shafts, shot at him by the son of Pandu, sped at Kunti's son a group of seven arrows.
ते तस्य कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे। असूनिव विचिन्वन्तो देहे तस्य महात्मनः॥
Those arrows penetrating through Yudhisthira's armour drank, in that battle, his life-blood, as if plucking out all vitality invigorating the frame of that high-souled warrior.
पाण्डवस्तु भृशं क्रुद्धो विद्धस्तेन महात्मना। रणे वराहकर्णेन राजानं हृद्यविध्यत॥
Pierced deep by that illustrious sovereign, the son of Pandu, in that combat struck the former on his breast with an arrow resembling in shape the ear of a boar.
अथापरेण भल्लेन केतुं तस्य महात्मनः। रथश्रेष्ठो रथात् तूर्णं भूमौ पार्थो न्यपातयत्॥
Then that foremost of car-warriors namely the son of Pritha, with another broad-headed shafts, quickly felled on the illustrious Shrutayush.
केतुं विपतितं दृष्ट्वा श्रुतायुः स तु पार्थिवः। पाण्डवं विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णै राजन् विव्याध सप्तभिः॥
Then that ruler of earth Shrutayush, beholding his standard felled, pierced, O king, the son of Pandu with seven arrows of great sharpness.
ततः क्रोधात् प्रजज्वाल धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। यथा युगान्ते भूतानि दिधक्षुरिव पावकः॥
Then Yudhishthira the son of Dharma burnt with rage, like the fire that burns at the end of a Yuga consuming all creatures.
क्रुद्धं तु पाण्डवं दृष्ट्वा देवगन्धर्वराक्षसाः। प्रविव्यथुमहाराज व्याकुलं चाप्यभूज्जगत्॥
Beholding the son of Pandu blaze forth in rage, the celestial, the Gandharvas, and the Rakshasas became afflicted O monarch, and the whole world was seized upon by anxiety.
सर्वेषा चैव भूतानामिदमासीन्मनोगतम्। त्रील्लोकानद्य संक्रुद्धो नृपोऽयं धक्ष्यतीति वै॥
Then this thought prevailed in the minds of all beings present, namely 'This king, waxing worth, will today consume the triune world.'
ऋषयश्चैव देवाश्च चक्रुः स्वस्त्ययनं महत्। लोकानां नृप शान्त्यर्थं क्रोधिते पाण्डवे तदा॥
Then, O king, when the son of Pandu was thus enraged, the Rishis and the celestial performed many benediction ceremonies for the peace of the worlds.
स च क्रोधसमाविष्टः सृकिणी परिसंलिहन्। दधारात्मवपुर्घोरं युगान्तादित्यसंनिभम्॥
Then that king (Yudhishthira) possessed with anger and constantly licking the corners of his mouth, assumed a dreadful appears like that of the sun that rises at the end of a Yuga.
ततः सैन्यानि सर्वाणि तावकानि विशाम्पते। निराशान्यभवंस्तत्र जीवितं प्रति भारत॥
one Thereupon, O ruler of men, all the warriors of your army, became despondent of their lives, O Bharata.
स त धैर्मेण तं कोपं संनिवार्य महायशाः। श्रुतायुषः प्रचिच्छेद मुष्टिदेशे महाधनुः॥
But that highly-renowned (Yudhishthira) restraining that wrath of his, with patience, served the mighty bow of Shrutayush near the grasp.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं नाराचेन स्तनान्तरे। निर्बिभेद रणे राजा सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः॥
Thereafter in that combat the king (Yudhishthira), pierced the latter whose bow had been served, with a long arrow between his breasts, even before the very eyes of all the troops.
सत्वरं च रणे राजन्तस्य वाहान् महात्मनः। निजघान शरैः क्षिप्रं सूतं च सुमहाबलः॥ हताश्वं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा दृष्ट्वा राज्ञोऽस्य पौरुषम्।
Then, O monarch, with great quickens, Yudhishthira endued with great prowess, slew the steeds of the illustrious Shrutayush as also his charioteer, with swift-flying arrows.
विप्रदुद्राव वेगेन श्रुतायुः समरे तदा॥
Then deserting his car of which the steeds were slain, and beholding the manliness of the monarch (Yudhishthira), Shrutayush fled with all haste from the field of battle.
तस्मिञ्जिते महेष्वासे धर्मपुत्रेण संयुगे। दुर्योधनबलं राजन् सर्वमासीत् पराङ्मुखम्॥
When that mighty-bowman Shrutayush was vanquished in battle by the son of Dharma, the troops of Duryodhana, o king, turned their faces away from the field of battle.
एतत् कृत्वा महाराज धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। व्यात्ताननो यथा कालस्तव सैन्यं जघान ह॥
Achieving this feat, O mighty monarch, Yudhishthira the son of Dharma fell to slaughter your army, like the Destroyer himself with gaping mouth.
चेकितानस्तु वार्ष्णेयो गौतमं रथिनां वरम्। प्रेक्षतां सर्वसैन्यानां छादयामास सायकैः॥
Then Chekitana that descendant of the Vrishni race, covered that foremost of carwarriors namely the son of Gautami, with numerous arrows, before the very eyes of all the troops.
संनिवार्य शरांन्तांस्तु कृपः शारद्वतो युधि। चेकितानं रणे यत्तं राजन् विव्याध पत्रिभिः॥
Resisting also those arrows, in that combat, Kripa the son of Sharadvata pierced 0 monarch, with winged shafts, Chekitana who had been fighting very heedfully.
अथापरेण भल्लेन धनुश्चिच्छेद मारिष। सारथिं चास्य समरे क्षिप्रहस्तो न्यपातयत्॥
Then, O Bharata, with a broad-headed shaft the former severed the latter's bow; as also with great lightness of hand he overthrew with another broad-headed the latter's charioteer.
अश्वांश्चास्यावधीद् राजन्नुभौ तौ पार्णिसारथी। सोऽवप्लुत्य रथात् तूर्णं गदां जग्राह सात्वतः॥
Kripa also slew Chekitana's steeds and the charioteers of those who were protecting him in the flank. Then he of the Satvata race quickly jumping down from his car grasped a arrow mace.
स तया वीरघातिन्या गदया गदिनां वरः। गौतमस्य हयान् हत्वा सारथिं च न्यपातयत्॥
Then that foremost of all wielders off maces slaying the steeds of the son of Gautami with that mace capable of crushing herces, felled the latter's charioteer.
भूमिष्ठो गौतमस्तस्य शरांश्चिक्षेप षोडश। शरास्ते सात्वतं भित्त्वा प्राविशन् धरणीतलम्॥
Then standing on the ground, the son of Gautami shot at him sixteen shafts, and those shafts penetrating through him of the Satvata race, struck on the surface of the earth.
चेकितानस्ततः क्रुद्धं पुनश्चिक्षेप तां गदाम्। गौतमस्य वधाकाक्षी वृत्रस्येव पुरंदरः॥
Then Chekitana, inflamed with rage and desirous of slaying the son of Gautami, once more hurled that mace at the latter, like Purandara hurling his thunder-bolt at Vritra.
तामापतन्ती विमलामश्मगर्भा महागदाम्। शरैरनेकसाहस्रर्वारयामास गौतमः॥
Thereat the son of Gautami, with many thousands of arrows resisted that mighty and huge mace made entirely of adamant, that was falling swiftly on him.
चेकितानस्ततः खङ्गं क्रोधादुद्धृत्य भारत। लाघवं परमास्थाय गौतमं समुपाद्रवत्॥
Thereupon Chekitana, O Bharata, drawing his sword out of its sheath, with admirable activity rushed at the son of Gautami.
गौतमोऽपि धनुस्त्यक्त्वा प्रगृह्यासिं सुसंयतः। वेगेन महता राजंश्चेकितानमुपाद्रवत्॥
Thereupon Kripa also having laid aside his bow and grasping his sword highly polished, with great impetuosity rushed at Chekitana.
तावुभौ बलसम्पन्नौ निस्त्रिशवरधारिणौ। निस्त्रिशाभ्यां सुतीक्ष्याभ्यामन्योन्यं संततक्षतुः॥
Then those two (heroes) endued with strength and armed with swords of excellent make, began to smite one another with their well-sharpened weapons.
निस्त्रिंशवेगाभिहतौ ततस्तौ पुरुषर्षभौ। धरणीं समनुप्राप्तौ सर्वभूतनिषेविताम्॥
Then those two foremost of men, struck with the vehemence of one another's swords (blows) fell down on the earth inhabited by all sorts of creatures.
मूर्छयाऽभिपरीताङ्गौ व्यायामेन तु मोहितौ। ततोऽभ्यधावद् वेगेन करकर्षः सुहृत्तया॥
Their limbs were stiffened in a swoon and they lost their consciousness through the fatigue (of their exertions). Thereupon the king of the Kauravas, out of friendship, rushed (to the rescue of Chekitana,
चेकितानं तथाभूतं दृष्ट्वा समरदुर्मदः। रथमारोपयच्चैनं सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः॥
And that hero invincible in battle seeing Chekitana in that plight, placed him on his car before the very eyes of all the troops.
तथैव शकुनिः शूरः स्यालस्तव विशाम्पते। आरोपयद् स्थं तूर्णं गौतमं रथिनां वरम्॥
So also, O ruler of men, your heroic brother-in-law Shakuni, quickly took up on his chariot that foremost of car-warriors namely the son of Gautami.
सौमदत्तिं तथा क्रुद्धौ धृष्टकेतुर्महाबलः। नवत्या सायकैः क्षिप्रं राजन् विव्याध वक्षसि॥
Thereafter Dhrishtaketu endued with great strength, waxing worth, pierced, O king, the son of Somadatta, on the breast, with ninety shafts.
सौमदत्तिरुरःस्थास्तै शं बाणैरशोभत। मध्यंदिने महाराज रश्मिभिस्तपनो यथा॥
The son of Somadatta, O mighty monarch, with those arrows struck on his breast, appeared highly beautiful like the midday sun covered with its own rays.
भूरिश्रवास्तु समरे धृष्टकेतुं महारथम्। हतसूतहयं चक्रे विरथं सायकोत्तमैः॥
Then in that conflict, Bhurishravas deprived the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtaketu (of the use) of his chariot, having slain its steeds and driver with excellent arrows.
विरथं तं समालोक्य हताश्वं हतसारथिम्। महता शरवर्षेण च्छादयामास संयुगे॥
Beholding him deprived of his car in consequence of its driver and steeds being slain, Somadatta's son covered him in the battle with a thick shower of arrows.
स तु तं रथमुत्सृज्य धृष्टकेतुर्महामनाः। आरुरोह ततो यानं शतानीकस्य मारिष॥
Then, O sire, deserting that car of his, the high-minded Dhrishtaketu ascended the vehicle belonging to Shatanika.
चित्रसेनो विकर्णश्च राजन् दुर्मर्षणस्तथा। रथिनो हेमसंनाहाः सौभद्रमभिदुद्रुवुः॥
Then, O monarch, Chitrasena, Vikarna, and Durmarshana, all good car-warriors, clad in armours of gold, rushed against the son of Subhadra.
अभिमन्योस्ततस्तैस्तु घोरं युद्धमवर्तत। शरीरस्य यथा राजन् वातपित्तकफैस्त्रिभिः॥
Then a dreadful combat endued between Abhimanyu and these warriors, that resembled, O king, the fight between the body and its three humours viz., wind bile, and phlegm.
विरथांस्तव पुत्रांस्तु कृत्वा राजन् महाहवे। न जगान नरव्याघ्रः स्मरन् भीमवचस्तदा॥
Depriving, O monarch, your sons of their chariot, in that great battle, that foremost of men, Abhimanyu did not slay them recollecting the words of Bhima.
ततो राज्ञां बहुशतैर्गजाश्वरथायायिभिः। संवृतं समरे भीष्मं देवैरपि दुरासदम्॥ प्रयान्तं शीघ्रमुवीक्ष्य परित्रातुं सुतांस्तव। अभिमन्युं समुद्दिश्य बालमेकं महारथम्॥ वासुदेवमुवाचेदं कौन्तेयः श्वेतवाहनः। चोदयाश्वान् हृषीकेश यत्रैते बहुला रथाः॥
There after as the battle raged, the son of Kunti (Arjuna) owning white steeds, beholding Bhishma who was unconquerable even by the celestial themselves in battle and who was supported by many thousands king proceed to rescue your sons from Abhimanyu, a mere boy, though a mighty car-warrior still aloneaddressed these words to the son of Vasudeva. “O Hrishikesha, urge the steeds to the spot where those numerous warriors are.
एते हि बहवः शूराः कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः। यथा हन्युर्न नः सेनां तथा माधव चोदया।४६।।
O Madhava, so guide the steeds that these numerous heroes irrepressible in battle and all accomplished in the use of weapons, may not slay our troops.
एवमुक्तः स वार्ष्णेयः कौन्तेयनामितौजसा। रथं श्वेतहयैर्युक्तं प्रेषयामास संयुगे॥
Thus spoken to by Kunti's son of immeasurable prowess, he of the Vrishni race drove in the thick of the battle that car to which were yoked white steeds.
निष्ठानको महानासीत् तव सैन्यस्य मारिष। यदर्जुनो रणे क्रुद्धः संयातस्तावकान् प्रति॥
When wrought up with waist Arjuna rushed against your army O sire a tremendous uproar was set up by your troops.
समासाद्य तु कौन्तेयो राज्ञस्तान् भीष्मरक्षिणः। सुशाण्यथो राजन्निदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
The son of Kunti then having approached those monarchs protected by Bhishma himself, addressing, O king, Susharma spoke these words to him.
जानामि त्वां युधां श्रेष्ठमत्यन्तं पूर्ववैरिणम्। अनयस्याद्य सम्प्राप्तं फलं पश्य सुदारुणम्॥
“I know you to be one of the foremost in battle; your enmity for us in days gone by, was also implacable. Today, reap the mortal fruit of that wicked behaviour of yours.
अद्य ते दर्शयिष्यामि पूर्वप्रेतान् पितामहान्। एवं संजल्पतस्तस्य बीभत्सोः शत्रुघातिनः॥ श्रुत्वापि परुषं वाक्य सुशर्मा रथयूथपः। न चैनमब्रवीत् किंचिच्छुभं वा यदि वाऽशुभम्॥
Today I shall transport you to your grenadiers who had long being dwelling in the regions of the dead.” Hearing these insulting words spoken by that slayer of foes namely Vibhatsu, Susharma, the commander of a cardivision spoke nothing well or ill in reply.
अभिगम्यार्जुनं वीरं राजभिर्बहुभिर्वृतः। पुरस्तात् पृष्ठतश्चैव पार्श्वतश्चैव सर्वतः॥
Surrounded by innumerable monarchs, he attacked the heroic Arjuna from all sides, namely in the front, in the rear and in the two flanks.
परिवार्यार्जुनं संख्ये तव पुत्रैर्महारथः। शरैः संछादयामास मेधैरिव दिवाकरम्॥
O sinless one, encircling Arjuna in that battle, Susharma along with your sons covered the former with arrows, like clouds covering the orb of the day.
ततः प्रवृत्तः सुमहान् संग्राम: शोणितोदकः। तावकानां च समरे पाण्डवानां च भारत।॥
Then commenced a sanguinary engagement between your warriors and those of the Pandavas, in which blood flowed like streams of water.