संजय उवाच विरथं तं समासाद्य चित्रसेनं यशस्विनम्। रथमारोपयामास विकर्णस्तनयस्तवाशा
Sanjaya said Approaching the highly intelligent Chitrasena who had been deprived of his car, your son Vikarna picked him up on his own chariots.
तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने तुमुले संकुले भृशम्। भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तूर्णं युधिष्ठिररमुपाद्रवत्॥
When that dreadful and confounding battle was thus raging, Shantanu's son Bhishma quickly rushed against Yudhishthira.
ततः सरथनागाश्वा: समकम्पन्त सुंजयाः। मृत्योरास्यमनुप्राप्तं मेनिरे च युधिष्ठिरम्॥
Then the Srinjayas with their cars, elephants and steeds, began to quake (with inside the jaws of Death.
युधिष्ठिरोऽपि कौरव्यो यमाभ्यां सहितः प्रभुः। महेष्वासं नरव्याघ्र भीष्मं शान्तनवं ययौ॥
On the other hand that descendant of Kuru's race, that lord Yudhishthira, united with his two twin brothers (Nakula and Sahadeva), encountered that foremost of men, that fierce bowman namely Bhishma, the of Shantanu.
ततः शरसहस्राणि प्रमुञ्चन् पाण्डवो युधि। भीष्मं संछादयामास यथा मेघो दिवाकरम्॥
Thereafter that son of Pandu shooting in that battle thousands of arrows, covered Bhishma, like clouds covering the orb of the day. son arrows
तेन सम्यक् प्रणीतानि शरजालानि मारिष। प्रतिजग्राह गाङ्गेयः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥
Those duly discharged by Yudhishthira, the son of Ganga received in distinct sets of hundreds and thousands.
तथैव शरजालानि भीष्मेणास्तानि मारिष। आकाशे समदृश्यन्त खगमानां व्रजा इव॥
Also, O'sire, a network of arrows woven by Bhima was seen in the heavens resembling fights of insects ranging through the skies.
निमेषार्धेन की तेयं भीष्मः शान्तनवो युधि। अदृश्यं समरे चक्रे शरजालेन भागशः॥
In half a wink's time, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, in that battle made the son of Kunti disappear in battle, covering him with distinct sets of arrows.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा कौरव्यस्य महात्मनः। नाराजं प्रेषयामास क्रुद्ध आशीविषोपमम्॥
Thereat king Yudhishthira inflamed with rage, sped at that high-souled grandsire of the Kurus, a Naracha that resembled a snake of virulent venom.
असम्प्राप्तं ततस्तं तु क्षुरप्रेण महारथः। चिच्छेद समरे राजन् भीष्मस्तस्य धनुश्च्युतम्॥
Then in that battle, O king, the mighty carwarrior Bhishma, with a razor sharp arrow, cut off that Naracha discharged from the bow of Yudhishthira, even before it could reach him.
तं तु छित्त्वा रणे भीष्मो नाराचं कालसम्मितम्। निजने कौरवेन्द्रस्य हयान् काञ्चनभूषणान्॥
In that battle, Bhishma, having cut off that Naracha that resembled the Destroyer himself, slew the steeds caparisoned with golden ornaments, of that foremost of the Kurus (Yudhishthira).
हताश्वं तु रथं त्यक्त्वा धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः। आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं नकुलस्य महात्मनः॥
Leaving his car the steeds of which were slain, Yudhishthira the son of Dharma, quickly ascended the car of the high-souled Nakula.
यमावपि हि संक्रुद्धः समासाद्य रणे तदा। शरैः संछादयामास भीष्मः परपुरंजयः॥
Thereafter 'Bhishma that conqueror of hostile fortresses, excited with wrath, approaching the twins in battle, covered them with numerous shafts.
तौ तु दृष्ट्वा महाराज भीष्मबाणप्रपीडितौ। जगाम परमां चिन्तां भीष्मस्य वधकाझया॥
Then O mighty monarch, beholding the twins thus afflicted with the arrows shot by Bhishma, Yudhishthira began to reflect anxiously, desirous of finding out a means for the death of Bhishma.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो वश्यान् राज्ञस्तान् समचोदयत्। भीष्मं शान्तनवं सर्वे निहतेति सुहृद्गणान्॥
Thereafter, O king, Yudhishthira urged the kings on his side and his relatives, saying "Uniting together do you all slay Bhishma the son of Shantanu."
ततस्ते पार्थिवाः सर्वे श्रुत्वा पार्थस्य भाषितम्। महता रथवंशेन परिवत्रुः पितामहम्॥
Then bearing the command of Pritha's son, all the rulers of earth surrounded the grandsire with a mighty host of cars.
स समन्तात् परिवृतः पिता देवव्रतस्तव। चिक्रीड धनुषा राजन् पातयानो महारथान्॥
Thus encircled, your father Devavrata played with his bow and arrows felling, o king, numerous mighty car-warriors.
तं चरन्तं रणे पार्था ददृशुः कौरवं युधि। मृगमध्यं प्रविश्येव यथा सिंहशिशुं वने॥
The sons of Pritha then beheld that foremost of the Kurus, career on the field of battle, like a lion-cub in the woods amidst a herd of deer.
तर्जयानं रणे वीरांस्त्रासयानं च सायकैः। दृष्ट्वा त्रेसुर्महाराज सिंहं मृगगणा इव॥
Beholding him utter loud war-cries in battle and frighten heroes with his shafts. O monarch, the Pandava warriors were seized with terror, like a herd of deer at the sight of a lion.
रणे भारतसिंहस्य ददृशुः क्षत्रिया गतिम्। अग्नेर्वायुसहायस्य यथा कक्षं दिधक्षतः॥
Then the Kshatriyas, in that battle, beheld the movements of that foremost of the Bharatas, resemble the movements of fire aided by a strong wind, when it consumes a heap straw.
शिरांसि रथिनां भीष्मः पातयामास संयुगे। तालेभ्यः परिपक्वानि फलानि कुशलो नरः॥
Then in that battle Bhishma felled the heads of car-warriors like expert men felling ripe palm-fruits from their trees.
पतद्भिश्च महाराज शिरोभिर्धरणीतले। बभूव तुमुलः शब्दः पततामश्मनामिव॥
As those heads, O mighty monarch, fell down on the surface of the earth, a great noise was produced like that of a shower of stones.
तस्मिन् सुतुमुले युद्धे वर्तमाने भयानके। सर्वेषामेव सैन्यानामासीद् व्यतिकरो महान्॥
As that dreadful and fierce battle regard, a great a confusion set in, O king, among all the ranks of the soldiers.
भिन्नेषु तेषु व्यूहेषु क्षत्रिया इतरेतरम्। एकमेकं समाहूय युद्धायैवावतस्थिरे॥
When the arrays were thus shattered by Bhishma, the Kshatriyas challenging one another encountered one another for battle.
शिखण्डी तु समासाद्य भरतानां पितामहम्। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति चाब्रवीत्॥
Shikhandin approaching the grandsire of the Bharatas, assailed him with vehemence saying 'stay'.
अनादृत्य ततो भीष्मस्तं शिखण्डिनमाहवे। प्रययौ सुंजयान् क्रुद्धः स्त्रीत्वं चिन्त्य शिखण्डिनः॥
Then Bhishma remembering the femininity of Shikhandin, and for that reason neglecting him in battle, rushed against the Srinjayas.
सुंजयास्तु ततो दृष्ट्वा हृष्टं भीष्मं महारणे। सिंहनादांश्च विविधांश्चक्रुः शङ्खविमिश्रितान्॥
Thereupon the Srinjayas, beholding Bhishma in that battle, were filled with delight and they uttered numerous war-cries that became mingled with the blare of the conchs.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं व्यतिषक्तरथद्विपम्। पश्चिमां दिशमासाद्य स्थिते सवितरि प्रभो॥
Then, O lord, when the sun was on the western side of the meridian, there commenced a battle in which car-warriors and elephantriders encountered one another.
धृष्टद्युम्नोऽथ पाञ्चाल्यः सात्यकिश्च महारथः। पीडयन्तौ भृशं सैन्यं शक्तितोमरवृष्टिभिः॥
Then Dhrishtadyumna the prince of the Pandavas, and also the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, began to torment your troops with showers of Shaktis and Tomaras.
शस्त्रैश्च बहुभि राजञ्जनतुस्तावकान् रणे। ते हन्यमानाः समरे तावका भरतर्षभ॥
They also, O monarch siew in battle your warriors with innumerable shafts. O foremost of men, your troops, through thus smitten down in battle,
आर्यां युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा न त्यजन्ति स्म संयुगम्। यथोत्साहं तु समरे निजघ्नुस्तावका रणे॥
Did not desert the fight having formed a laudable determination (to fight to the last); and those foremost of car-warriors began to slay (the hostile troop) to the best o their energies.
तत्राक्रन्दो महानासीत् तावकानां महात्मनाम्। वध्यतां समरे राजन् पार्षतेन महात्मना॥
Then, O monarch, a loud cry of agony was set up by your high souled warriors as they were slain by the illustrious son of Prishata.
तं श्रुत्वा निनदं घोरं तावकानां महारथौ। विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ पार्षतं प्रत्युपस्थितौ॥
Hearing that distressful cry uttered by your troop, Vinda and Anuvinda of the Avanti country, both mighty car-warriors, rushed to cncounter the son of Prishata.
तौ तस्य तुरगान् हत्वा त्वरमाणौ महारथौ। छादयामासतुरुभौ शरवाण पार्षतम्॥
Then those mighty car-warriors both endued with greu activity, slaying the steeds of Prishata's son, shrouded him with a shower of arrows.
अवप्लुत्याथ पाञ्चाल्यो रथात् तूर्णं महाबलः। आरुरोह रथं तूर्णं सात्यकेस्तु महात्मनः॥
Thereupon that mighty car-warrior the Panchala prince quickly jumping down his car, ascended with agility the chariot of the highly illustrious Satyaki.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा महत्या सेनया वृतः। आवन्त्यौ समरे क्रुद्धावभ्ययात् स परंतपौ॥
Thereupon king Yudhishthira surrounded by a mighty division of troops rushed to those two afflicter of foes viz., the princes of Avanti both inflamed with wrath.
तथैव तव पुत्रोऽपि सर्वोद्योगेन मारिष। विन्दानुविन्दौ समरे परिवार्यावतस्थिवान्।॥
So also, O sire, your sons putting forth all their energies, remained in battle surrounding Vinda and Anuvinda.
अर्जुनश्चापि संक्रुद्धः क्षत्रियान् क्षत्रियर्षभः। अयोधयत संग्रामे वज्रपाणिरिवासुरान्॥
In that battle Arjuna also inflamed with many wrath fought with many best of Kshatriyas like the wielder of the thunder-bolt fighting against the Asuras.
द्रोणस्तु समरे क्रुद्धः पुत्रस्य प्रियकृत् तव। व्यधमत् सर्वपञ्चालास्तूलराशिमिवानलः॥
Drona also, that well-wisher of your son, excited with wrath began to consume all the Panchalas like fire consuming a heap of cotton.
दुर्योधनपुरोगास्तु पुत्रास्तव विशाम्पते। परिवार्य रणे भीष्मं युयुधुः पाण्डवैः सह॥
Your sons, O ruler of men, headed by Duryodhana himself surrounding Bhishma, fought on with the Pandavas.
ततो दुर्योधनो राजा लोहितायति भास्करे। अब्रवीत् तावकान् सर्वांस्त्वध्वमिति भारत॥
Then, 0 Bharata, when the lustrous orb assume a crimson hue, king Duryodhana addressing all your warriors said, "make hasten".
युध्यतां तु तेषां कुर्वतां कर्म दुष्करम्। अस्तं गिरिमथारूढे अप्रकाशति भास्करे॥
When they thus fought on achieving feats difficult of being accomplished, the sun being lost to the sight ascended the western hills,
प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा शोणितौघतरङ्गिणीः। गोमायुगणसंकीर्णा क्षणेन क्षणदामुखे॥
Then in a moment, towards nightfall, a dreadful river surging with billows of flow across the field of battle.
शिवाभिरशिवाभिश्च रुवद्भिभैरवं रवम्। धोकमायोधनं जज्ञे भूतसंघैः समाकुलम्॥
Then the field of battle assumed a dreadful sight abounding as at did with the spirits of the dead and the ominous jackals howling (tediously).
राक्षसाश्च पिशाचाश्च तथान्ये पिशिताशिनः। समन्ततो व्यदृश्यन्त शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥
Rakshasas, and Pishachas and other feeders on flesh were seen on all sides by hundreds and by thousands.
अर्जुनोऽथ सुशर्मादीन् राज्ञस्तान् सपदानुगान्। विजित्य पृतनामध्ये ययौ स्वशिबिरं प्रति॥
Arjuna having conquered the kings headed by Susharma along with their followers, proceeded through the divisions towards his own tent.
युधिष्ठिरोऽपि कौरव्यौ भ्रातृभ्यां सहितस्तथा। ययौ स्वशिबिरं राजा निशायां सेनया वृतः॥
That descendant of the Kuru race, viz., the lord Yudhishthira also proceeded, o king surrounded by his troops and accompanied by his brothers, towards his own tent at the advent of night.
भीमसेनोऽपि राजेन्द्र दुर्योधनमुखान् रथान्। अवजित्य ततः संख्ये ययौ स्वशिबिरं प्रति॥
Bhimasena also, o foremost of kings having vanquished in battle the kings, all good car-warriors, headed by Duryodhana hiinself, retired to his own camp. slain many
दुर्योधनोऽपि नृपतिः परिवार्य महारणे। भीष्मं शान्तनवं तूर्णं प्रयात: शिबिरं प्रति॥
In that great battle also, king Duryodhana surrounding Bhishma the son of Shantanu, speedily proceed towards his own tents.
द्रोणो द्रौणिः कृपः शल्यः कृतवर्मा च सात्वतः। परिवार्य चमूं सर्वां प्रययुः शिबिरं प्रति॥
Drona and his son, Kripa and Shalya and Kritavarma of the Satvata race, bringing up the rear of the hole host of the Kurus, wended towards their respective tents.
तथैव सात्यकी राजन् धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः। परिवार्य रणे योधान् ययतुः शिबिरं प्रति॥
So also, O monarch, Satyaki and Prishata's son Dhrishtadyumna having warriors in the battle proceeded towards their tents.
एवमेते महाराज तावकाः पाण्डवैः सह। पर्यवर्तन्त सहिता निशाकाले परंतप॥
Thus, O mighty monarch, your warriors as also those of the Pandavas, all chastisers of their enemies, returned to their encampments when the shades of night had fallen on this earth.
ततः स्वशिबिरं गत्वा पाण्डवाः कुरवस्तथा। न्यवसन्त महाराज पूजयन्तः परस्परम्॥
Then, O mighty monarch, the Pandavas and the Kurus repairing near their respective encampments entered them exchanging greetings with one another.
रक्षां कृत्वा ततः शूरा न्यस्य गुल्मान् यथाविधि। अपनीय च शल्यानि स्नात्वा च विविधैर्जलैः॥
Then duly arranging for scouts and outposts and for protecting their persons, and drawing out the arrows from their bodies and having bathed in various waters,
कृतस्वस्त्ययनाः सर्वे संस्तूयन्तश्च बन्दिभिः। गीतवादित्रशब्देन व्यक्रीडन्त यशस्विनः॥
And being praised by the minstrels and bards and arranging for the performance of benedictory rites those illustrious heroes then began to sport accompanied by songs and sounds of musical instruments.
मुहूर्तादिव तत् सर्वमभवत् स्वर्गसंनिभम्। न हि युद्धकथां कांचित् तत्राकुर्वन् महारथाः॥
For a short while only did that scene resemble paradise itself, and those foremost of mortals for a while desisted from talking of the battle.
ते प्रसुप्ते बले तत्र परिश्रान्तजने नृप। हस्त्यश्वबहुले रात्रौ प्रेक्षणीये बभूवतुः॥
When those two armies, abounding in elephants and steeds and men exhausted with fatigue, were lulled in the arms of sleep O king, they, indeed presented a charming sight.