The Great Epic of the Bhārata dynasty 6.45: pañca catvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

6.45.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
gatapūrvāhṇabhūyiṣṭhe tasminnahani dāruṇe |
vartamāne mahāraudre mahāvīravarakṣaye || 1 ||

Sanjaya said,--"After the great part of the forenoon of that awful day had worn out, in that terrific engagement, O king, that was (so) destructive of foremost of men, Durmukha and Kritavarman, and Kripa, and Salya, and Vivinsati, urged by thy son, approached Bhishma and began to protect him. And protected by those five mighty car-warriors. O bull of Bharata's race, that great car-warrior penetrated the Pandava host. And the palmyra standard of Bhishma was seen to glide continually, O Bharata, through the Chedis, the Kasis, the Karushas, and the Panchalas. And that hero, with broad-headed shafts of great swiftness which were again perfectly straight, cut off the heads (of foes) and their cars with yokes and standards. And, O bull of Bharata's race, Bhishma seemed to dance on his car as it coursed along its track. And some elephants, struck (by him) in their vital parts, shrieked in agony. Then Abhimanyu in great wrath, stationed on his car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of a tawny hue, rushed towards Bhishma's car. And with his standard adorned with pure gold and resembling a Karnikara tree, he approached Bhishma and those (five) foremost of car-warriors. And striking with a keen-edged shaft the standard of the palmyra-bannered (warrior), that hero engaged in battle with Bhishma and those other car-warriors that protected him. Piercing Kritavarman with one arrow, and Salya with five, he weakened his great-grandsire with nine arrows.

Sanjaya said,--"After the great part of the forenoon of that awful day had worn out, in that terrific engagement, O king, that was (so) destructive of foremost of men, Durmukha and Kritavarman, and Kripa, and Salya, and Vivinsati, urged by thy son, approached Bhishma and began to protect him. And protected by those five mighty car-warriors. O bull of Bharata's race, that great car-warrior penetrated the Pandava host. And the palmyra standard of Bhishma was seen to glide continually, O Bharata, through the Chedis, the Kasis, the Karushas, and the Panchalas. And that hero, with broad-headed shafts of great swiftness which were again perfectly straight, cut off the heads (of foes) and their cars with yokes and standards. And, O bull of Bharata's race, Bhishma seemed to dance on his car as it coursed along its track. And some elephants, struck (by him) in their vital parts, shrieked in agony. Then Abhimanyu in great wrath, stationed on his car unto which were yoked excellent steeds of a tawny hue, rushed towards Bhishma's car. And with his standard adorned with pure gold and resembling a Karnikara tree, he approached Bhishma and those (five) foremost of car-warriors. And striking with a keen-edged shaft the standard of the palmyra-bannered (warrior), that hero engaged in battle with Bhishma and those other car-warriors that protected him. Piercing Kritavarman with one arrow, and Salya with five, he weakened his great-grandsire with nine arrows.

And with one arrow well shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he cut off (his adversary's) standard adorned with pure gold. And with one broad-headed shaft capable of penetrating every cover, which was perfectly straight, he cut off from his body the head of Durmukha's charioteer. And with another keen-edged arrow he cut in twain the gold-decked bow of Kripa. And them also, with many sharp-pointed shafts, that mighty car-warrior smote in great wrath, seeming to dance (the while). And beholding his lightness of hand, the very gods were gratified. And in consequence of Abhimanyu's sureness of aim, all the car-warriors headed by Bhishma regarded him to be possessed of the capacity of Dhananjaya himself. And his bow, emitting a twang like that of Gandiva, while stretched and re-stretched, seemed to revolve like a circle of fire. Bhishma then, that slayer of hostile heroes, rushing on him impetuously, speedily pierced the son of Arjuna in that combat with nine arrows. And he also, with three broad-headed shafts, cut off the standard of that warrior of great energy. Of rigid vows, Bhishma also struck his (adversary's) charioteer. And Kritavarman, and Kripa, and Salya also, O sire, piercing Arjuna's son, all failed to make him waver, for he stood firm like the Mainaka mountain. And the heroic son of Arjuna, though surrounded by those mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army, still showered on those five car-warriors arrowy downpours.

And baffling their mighty weapons by his arrowy showers, and pouring on Bhishma his shafts, the powerful son of Arjuna set up loud shout. And struggling in the battle thus and afflicting Bhishma with (his) arrows, the strength we saw of his arms then was very great. But though endued with such prowess Bhishma also shot his arrows at him. But he cut off in that combat the arrows shot from Bhishma's bow. And then that heroic warrior of arrows that were never lost, cut off with nine arrows, in that combat, the standard of Bhishma. And at that feat the people there set up a loud shout. Decked with jewels and made of silver, that tall standard bearing the device of the palmyra, cut off, O Bharata, by the shafts of Subhadra's son, fell down on the earth. And beholding, O bull of Bharata's race, that standard failing in consequence of the shafts of Subhadra's son, the proud Bhima set up a loud shout for cheering the son of Subhadra. Then in fierce combat, the mighty Bhishma caused many celestial weapons of great efficacy to appear. And the great grandsire of immeasurable soul then covered Subhadra's son with thousands of arrows. And at this, ten great bowmen and mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, quickly rushed on their cars for protecting the son of Subhadra. And those were Virata with his son, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and Bhima, the five Kekaya brothers, and Satyaki also, O king.

And as they were falling upon him with great impetuosity, Bhishma the son of Santanu, in that conflict, pierced the prince of Panchala with three arrows, and Satyaki with ten. And with one winged arrow, whetted and sharp-edged as a razor, and shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he cut off the standard of Bhimasena. And, O best of men, the standard of Bhimasena, made of gold and bearing the device of a lion, cut off by Bhishma, fell from the car. And Bhima then, piercing Santanu's son Bhishma in that combat with three arrows, pierced Kripa with one, and Kritavarman with eight. And Uttara also, the son of Virata, on a tusker with upraised trunk, rushed against the ruler of the Madras. Salya, however, succeeded in checking the unparalleled impetuosity of that prince of elephants rushing quickly towards his car. That prince of elephants, in great wrath, placing his leg upon the yoke of (Salya's) car, killed his four large steeds of excellent speed. The ruler of the Madras then, staying on that car whose steeds had been slain, hurled a dart, all made of iron, and resembling a snake, for slaying Uttara outright. The latter's coat of mail being cut through by that dart, he became totally deprived of his senses and fell down from his elephant's neck, with the hook and the lance loosened from his grasp. And Salya then, taking up his sword and jumping down from his excellent car, and putting forth his prowess, cut off the large trunk of that prince of elephants.

His coat of mail pierced all over with a shower of arrows, and his trunk cut off, that elephant uttered a loud shriek and fell down and expired. Achieving such a feat, O king, the ruler of the Madras speedily mounted on the splendid car of Kritavarman. And beholding his brother Uttara slain and seeing Salya staying with Kritavarman, Virata's son Sweta blazed up in wrath, like fire (blazing up) with clarified butter. And that mighty warrior, stretching his large bow that resembled the bow of Sakra himself, rushed with the desire of slaying Salya the ruler of the Madras. Surrounded on all sides with a mighty division of cars, he advanced towards Salya's car pouring an arrowy shower. And beholding him rush to the fight with prowess equal to that of an infuriate elephant, seven car-warriors of thy side surrounded him on all sides, desirous of protecting the ruler of Madras who seemed to be already within the jaws of Death. And those seven warriors were Vrihadvala the ruler of the Kosalas, and Jayatsena of Magadha, and Rukmaratha, O king, who was the valourous son of Salya, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and Sudakshina the king of the Kamvojas, and Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus and the kinsman of Vrihadkshatra. And the stretched bows of those high-souled warriors, decorated with diverse colours, looked like the lightning's flashes in the clouds.

And they all poured on Sweta's head ceaseless showers of arrows like the clouds tossed by the wind dropping rain on the mountain breast on the expiry of summer. That mighty bowman and commander of the forces, enraged at this, with seven broad-headed arrows of great impetuosity, struck their bows, and then continued to grind them. And those bows we saw were cut off, O Bharata, and thereupon they all took up, within half the time taken up in a wink of the eye, other bows. And they then shot at Sweta seven arrows. And once again that mighty-armed warrior of immeasurable soul, with seven fleet shafts, cut off those (other) bows of these bowmen. Those warriors then, whose large bows had been cut off, those mighty car-warriors swelling (with rage), grasping (seven) darts, set up a loud shout. And, O chief of the Bharatas, they hurled those seven darts at Sweta's car. And those blazing darts which coursed (through the air) like large meteors, with the sound of thunder, were all cut off, before they could reach him, that warrior conversant with mighty weapons, by means of seven broad-headed arrows. Then taking up an arrow capable of penetrating into every part of the body, he shot it, O chief of the Bharatas, at Rukmaratha. And that mighty arrow, surpassing (the force of) the thunder-bolt, penetrated into the latter's body. Then, O king, forcibly struck by that arrow, Rukmaratha sat down on the terrace of his car and fell into a deadly swoon.

His charioteer then, without betraying any fear, bore him away, senseless and in a swoon, in the very sight of all. Then taking up six other (arrows) adorned with gold, the mighty-armed Sweta cut off the standard-tops of his six adversaries. And that chastiser of foes then, piercing their steeds and charioteers also, and covering those six warriors themselves with ceaseless shafts, proceeded towards the car of Salya. And beholding that generalissimo of the (Pandava) forces proceeding quickly towards Salya's car, a loud uproar of oh and alas arose in thy army, O Bharata. Then thy mighty son, with Bhishma at the head, and supported by heroic warriors and many troops, proceeded towards Sweta's car. And he (thus) rescued the ruler of the [paragraph continues] Madras who had already entered the jaws of Death. And then commenced a battle, terrific and making the hair stand on end, between thy troops and those of the enemy, in which cars and elephants all got mixed up in confusion. And upon Subhadra's son and Bhimasena, and that mighty car-warrior Satyaki, and upon the ruler of the Kekayas, and Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishatas' race, and upon the Chedi troops, the old Kuru grandsire poured showers of arrows.

The Bengal reading 'narvarakshaye' seems to be better than 'Mahavirakshaye' of the Bombay text.

Talaketu is lit. Palmyra-bannered. Without using such compounds, the 'brevity' of the sentences cannot be maintained.

Karshni is Krishna's or Arjuna's son Abhimanyu. Arjuna was sometimes called Krishna.

Laghavamargasya is a mis-reading for Laghavamargastham'; then again chapi is incorrect, the correct reading chapam as in the Bombay text.

The Bengal reading is 'Suaris Vritascha Sainyena'. The Bombay reading (which I do not adopt) is 'Vritastu Sarva Sainyena.'

6.45.2

durmukhaḥ kṛtavarmā ca kṛpaḥ śalyo viviṃśatiḥ |
bhīṣmaṃ jugupurāsādya tava putreṇa coditāḥ || 2 ||

6.45.3

etairatirathairguptaḥ pañcabhirbharatarṣabha |
pāṇḍavānāmanīkāni vijagāhe mahārathaḥ || 3 ||

6.45.4

cedikāśikarūṣeṣu pāñcāleṣu ca bhārata |
bhīṣmasya bahudhā tālaścaranketuradṛśyata || 4 ||

6.45.5

śirāṃsi ca tadā bhīṣmo bāhūṃścāpi sahāyudhān |
nicakarta mahāvegairbhallaiḥ saṃnataparvabhiḥ || 5 ||

6.45.6

nṛtyato rathamārgeṣu bhīṣmasya bharatarṣabha |
kecidārtasvaraṃ cakrurnāgā marmaṇi tāḍitāḥ || 6 ||

6.45.7

abhimanyuḥ susaṃkruddhaḥ piśaṅgaisturagottamaiḥ |
saṃyuktaṃ rathamāsthāya prāyādbhīṣmarathaṃ prati || 7 ||

6.45.8

jāmbūnadavicitreṇa karṇikāreṇa ketunā |
abhyavarṣata bhīṣmaṃ ca tāṃścaiva rathasattamān || 8 ||

6.45.9

sa tālaketostīkṣṇena ketumāhatya patriṇā |
bhīṣmeṇa yuyudhe vīrastasya cānucaraiḥ saha || 9 ||

6.45.10

kṛtavarmāṇamekena śalyaṃ pañcabhirāyasaiḥ |
viddhvā navabhirānarchacchitāgraiḥ prapitāmaham || 10 ||

6.45.11

pūrṇāyatavisṛṣṭena samyakpraṇihitena ca |
dhvajamekena vivyādha jāmbūnadavibhūṣitam || 11 ||

And with one arrow well shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he cut off (his adversary's) standard adorned with pure gold. And with one broad-headed shaft capable of penetrating every cover, which was perfectly straight, he cut off from his body the head of Durmukha's charioteer. And with another keen-edged arrow he cut in twain the gold-decked bow of Kripa. And them also, with many sharp-pointed shafts, that mighty car-warrior smote in great wrath, seeming to dance (the while). And beholding his lightness of hand, the very gods were gratified. And in consequence of Abhimanyu's sureness of aim, all the car-warriors headed by Bhishma regarded him to be possessed of the capacity of Dhananjaya himself. And his bow, emitting a twang like that of Gandiva, while stretched and re-stretched, seemed to revolve like a circle of fire. Bhishma then, that slayer of hostile heroes, rushing on him impetuously, speedily pierced the son of Arjuna in that combat with nine arrows. And he also, with three broad-headed shafts, cut off the standard of that warrior of great energy. Of rigid vows, Bhishma also struck his (adversary's) charioteer. And Kritavarman, and Kripa, and Salya also, O sire, piercing Arjuna's son, all failed to make him waver, for he stood firm like the Mainaka mountain. And the heroic son of Arjuna, though surrounded by those mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army, still showered on those five car-warriors arrowy downpours.

6.45.12

durmukhasya tu bhallena sarvāvaraṇabhedinā |
jahāra sāratheḥ kāyācchiraḥ saṃnataparvaṇā || 12 ||

6.45.13

dhanuściccheda bhallena kārtasvaravibhūṣitam |
kṛpasya niśitāgreṇa tāṃśca tīkṣṇamukhaiḥ śaraiḥ || 13 ||

6.45.14

jaghāna paramakruddho nṛtyanniva mahārathaḥ |
tasya lāghavamudvīkṣya tutuṣurdevatā api || 14 ||

6.45.15

labdhalakṣyatayā kārṣṇeḥ sarve bhīṣmamukhā rathāḥ |
sattvavantamamanyanta sākṣādiva dhanaṃjayam || 15 ||

6.45.16

tasya lāghavamārgasthamalātasadṛśaprabham |
diśaḥ paryapataccāpaṃ gāṇḍīvamiva ghoṣavat || 16 ||

6.45.17

tamāsādya mahāvegairbhīṣmo navabhirāśugaiḥ |
vivyādha samare tūrṇamārjuniṃ paravīrahā || 17 ||

6.45.18

dhvajaṃ cāsya tribhirbhallaiściccheda paramaujasaḥ |
sārathiṃ ca tribhirbāṇairājaghāna yatavrataḥ || 18 ||

6.45.19

tathaiva kṛtavarmā ca kṛpaḥ śalyaśca māriṣa |
viddhvā nākampayatkārṣṇiṃ mainākamiva parvatam || 19 ||

6.45.20

sa taiḥ parivṛtaḥ śūro dhārtarāṣṭrairmahārathaiḥ |
vavarṣa śaravarṣāṇi kārṣṇiḥ pañcarathānprati || 20 ||

6.45.21

tatasteṣāṃ mahāstrāṇi saṃvārya śaravṛṣṭibhiḥ |
nanāda balavānkārṣṇirbhīṣmāya visṛjañśarān || 21 ||

And baffling their mighty weapons by his arrowy showers, and pouring on Bhishma his shafts, the powerful son of Arjuna set up loud shout. And struggling in the battle thus and afflicting Bhishma with (his) arrows, the strength we saw of his arms then was very great. But though endued with such prowess Bhishma also shot his arrows at him. But he cut off in that combat the arrows shot from Bhishma's bow. And then that heroic warrior of arrows that were never lost, cut off with nine arrows, in that combat, the standard of Bhishma. And at that feat the people there set up a loud shout. Decked with jewels and made of silver, that tall standard bearing the device of the palmyra, cut off, O Bharata, by the shafts of Subhadra's son, fell down on the earth. And beholding, O bull of Bharata's race, that standard failing in consequence of the shafts of Subhadra's son, the proud Bhima set up a loud shout for cheering the son of Subhadra. Then in fierce combat, the mighty Bhishma caused many celestial weapons of great efficacy to appear. And the great grandsire of immeasurable soul then covered Subhadra's son with thousands of arrows. And at this, ten great bowmen and mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, quickly rushed on their cars for protecting the son of Subhadra. And those were Virata with his son, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and Bhima, the five Kekaya brothers, and Satyaki also, O king.

6.45.22

tatrāsya sumahadrājanbāhvorbalamadṛśyata |
yatamānasya samare bhīṣmamardayataḥ śaraiḥ || 22 ||

6.45.23

parākrāntasya tasyaiva bhīṣmo'pi prāhiṇoccharān |
sa tāṃściccheda samare bhīṣmacāpacyutāñśarān || 23 ||

6.45.24

tato dhvajamamogheṣurbhīṣmasya navabhiḥ śaraiḥ |
ciccheda samare vīrastata uccukruśurjanāḥ || 24 ||

6.45.25

sa rājato mahāskandhastālo hemavibhūṣitaḥ |
saubhadraviśikhaiśchinnaḥ papāta bhuvi bhārata || 25 ||

6.45.26

dhvajaṃ saubhadraviśikhaiḥ patitaṃ bharatarṣabha |
dṛṣṭvā bhīmo'nadaddhṛṣṭaḥ saubhadramabhiharṣayan || 26 ||

6.45.27

atha bhīṣmo mahāstrāṇi divyāni ca bahūni ca |
prāduścakre mahāraudraḥ kṣaṇe tasminmahābalaḥ || 27 ||

6.45.28

tataḥ śatasahasreṇa saubhadraṃ prapitāmahaḥ |
avākiradameyātmā śarāṇāṃ nataparvaṇām || 28 ||

6.45.29

tato daśa maheṣvāsāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ |
rakṣārthamabhyadhāvanta saubhadraṃ tvaritā rathaiḥ || 29 ||

6.45.30

virāṭaḥ saha putreṇa dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ |
bhīmaśca kekayāścaiva sātyakiśca viśāṃ pate || 30 ||

6.45.31

javenāpatatāṃ teṣāṃ bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo raṇe |
pāñcālyaṃ tribhirānarchatsātyakiṃ niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ || 31 ||

And as they were falling upon him with great impetuosity, Bhishma the son of Santanu, in that conflict, pierced the prince of Panchala with three arrows, and Satyaki with ten. And with one winged arrow, whetted and sharp-edged as a razor, and shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he cut off the standard of Bhimasena. And, O best of men, the standard of Bhimasena, made of gold and bearing the device of a lion, cut off by Bhishma, fell from the car. And Bhima then, piercing Santanu's son Bhishma in that combat with three arrows, pierced Kripa with one, and Kritavarman with eight. And Uttara also, the son of Virata, on a tusker with upraised trunk, rushed against the ruler of the Madras. Salya, however, succeeded in checking the unparalleled impetuosity of that prince of elephants rushing quickly towards his car. That prince of elephants, in great wrath, placing his leg upon the yoke of (Salya's) car, killed his four large steeds of excellent speed. The ruler of the Madras then, staying on that car whose steeds had been slain, hurled a dart, all made of iron, and resembling a snake, for slaying Uttara outright. The latter's coat of mail being cut through by that dart, he became totally deprived of his senses and fell down from his elephant's neck, with the hook and the lance loosened from his grasp. And Salya then, taking up his sword and jumping down from his excellent car, and putting forth his prowess, cut off the large trunk of that prince of elephants.

6.45.32

pūrṇāyatavisṛṣṭena kṣureṇa niśitena ca |
dhvajamekena ciccheda bhīmasenasya patriṇā || 32 ||

6.45.33

jāmbūnadamayaḥ ketuḥ kesarī narasattama |
papāta bhīmasenasya bhīṣmeṇa mathito rathāt || 33 ||

6.45.34

bhīmasenastribhirviddhvā bhīṣmaṃ śāṃtanavaṃ raṇe |
kṛpamekena vivyādha kṛtavarmāṇamaṣṭabhiḥ || 34 ||

6.45.35

pragṛhītāgrahastena vairāṭirapi dantinā |
abhyadravata rājānaṃ madrādhipatimuttaraḥ || 35 ||

6.45.36

tasya vāraṇarājasya javenāpatato rathī |
śalyo nivārayāmāsa vegamapratimaṃ raṇe || 36 ||

6.45.37

tasya kruddhaḥ sa nāgendro bṛhataḥ sādhuvāhinaḥ |
padā yugamadhiṣṭhāya jaghāna caturo hayān || 37 ||

6.45.38

sa hatāśve rathe tiṣṭhanmadrādhipatirāyasīm |
uttarāntakarīṃ śaktiṃ cikṣepa bhujagopamām || 38 ||

6.45.39

tayā bhinnatanutrāṇaḥ praviśya vipulaṃ tamaḥ |
sa papāta gajaskandhātpramuktāṅkuśatomaraḥ || 39 ||

6.45.40

samādāya ca śalyo'simavaplutya rathottamāt |
vāraṇendrasya vikramya cicchedātha mahākaram || 40 ||

6.45.41

bhinnamarmā śaravrātaiśchinnahastaḥ sa vāraṇaḥ |
bhīmamārtasvaraṃ kṛtvā papāta ca mamāra ca || 41 ||

His coat of mail pierced all over with a shower of arrows, and his trunk cut off, that elephant uttered a loud shriek and fell down and expired. Achieving such a feat, O king, the ruler of the Madras speedily mounted on the splendid car of Kritavarman. And beholding his brother Uttara slain and seeing Salya staying with Kritavarman, Virata's son Sweta blazed up in wrath, like fire (blazing up) with clarified butter. And that mighty warrior, stretching his large bow that resembled the bow of Sakra himself, rushed with the desire of slaying Salya the ruler of the Madras. Surrounded on all sides with a mighty division of cars, he advanced towards Salya's car pouring an arrowy shower. And beholding him rush to the fight with prowess equal to that of an infuriate elephant, seven car-warriors of thy side surrounded him on all sides, desirous of protecting the ruler of Madras who seemed to be already within the jaws of Death. And those seven warriors were Vrihadvala the ruler of the Kosalas, and Jayatsena of Magadha, and Rukmaratha, O king, who was the valourous son of Salya, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and Sudakshina the king of the Kamvojas, and Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus and the kinsman of Vrihadkshatra. And the stretched bows of those high-souled warriors, decorated with diverse colours, looked like the lightning's flashes in the clouds.

6.45.42

etadīdṛśakaṃ kṛtvā madrarājo mahārathaḥ |
āruroha rathaṃ tūrṇaṃ bhāsvaraṃ kṛtavarmaṇaḥ || 42 ||

6.45.43

uttaraṃ nihataṃ dṛṣṭvā vairāṭirbhrātaraṃ śubham |
kṛtavarmaṇā ca sahitaṃ dṛṣṭvā śalyamavasthitam |
śaṅkhaḥ krodhātprajajvāla haviṣā havyavāḍiva || 43 ||

6.45.44

sa visphārya mahaccāpaṃ kārtasvaravibhūṣitam |
abhyadhāvajjighāṃsanvai śalyaṃ madrādhipaṃ balī || 44 ||

6.45.45

mahatā rathavaṃśena samantātparivāritaḥ |
sṛjanbāṇamayaṃ varṣaṃ prāyācchalyarathaṃ prati || 45 ||

6.45.46

tamāpatantaṃ saṃprekṣya mattavāraṇavikramam |
tāvakānāṃ rathāḥ sapta samantātparyavārayan |
madrarājaṃ parīpsanto mṛtyordaṃṣṭrāntaraṃ gatam || 46 ||

6.45.47

tato bhīṣmo mahābāhurvinadya jalado yathā |
tālamātraṃ dhanurgṛhya śaṅkhamabhyadravadraṇe || 47 ||

Sanjaya said, "Hear, O king, quietly about thy transgressions. It behoveth thee not to impute the fruit to Duryodhana. As is the construction of an embankment when the waters have disappeared, so is thy understanding, or, it is like the digging of a well when house is on fire. When, after the forenoon had passed away, the commander Sweta was, O Bharata, slain by Bhishma in that fierce conflict, Virata's son Sankha, that grinder of hostile ranks ever delighting in battle, beholding Salya stationed with Kritavarman (on his car), suddenly blazed up with wrath, like fire with clarified butter. That mighty warrior, stretching his large bow that resembled the bow of Indra himself, rushed with the desire of slaying the ruler of the Madras in battle, himself supported on all sides by a large division of cars. And Sankha, causing an arrowy downpour rushed towards the car on which Salya was. And beholding him advancing like an infuriate elephant, seven mighty car-warriors of thy side surrounded him--desirous of rescuing the ruler of the Madras already within the jaws of death. Then the mighty-armed Bhishma, roaring like the very clouds, and taking up a bow full six cubits long, rushed towards Sankha in battle. And beholding that mighty car-warrior and great bowman thus rushing, the Pandava host began to tremble like a boat tossed by a violence of the tempest. Then Arjuna, quickly advancing, placed himself in front of Sankha, thinking that Sankha should, then be protected from Bhishma. And then the combat commenced between Bhishma and Arjuna. And loud cries of oh and alas arose among the warriors engaged in battle. And one force seemed to merge into another force. And thus all were filled with wonder. Then Salya, mace in hand, alighting from his large car, slew, O bull of Bharata's race, the four steeds of Sankha. Jumping down from his car thus deprived of steeds, and taking a sword, Sankha ran towards Vibhatsu's car and (mounting on it) was once more at his ease. And then there fell from Bhishma's car innumerable arrows by which were covered the entire welkin and the earth. And that foremost of smiters, Bhishma, slaughtered with his arrows the Panchala, the Matsya, the Kekaya, and the Prabhadraka host. And soon abandoning in that battle, Pandu's son (Arjuna) capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, Bhishma rushed towards Drupada, the king of the Panchalas, surrounded by his host. And he soon covered his dear relative with innumerable arrows. Like a forest consumed by fire at the end of winter, the troops of Drupada were seen to be consumed. And Bhishma stood in that battle like a blazing fire without smoke, or like the Sun himself at midday scorching everything around with his heat. The combatants of the Pandavas were not able to even look at Bhishma. And afflicted with fear, the Pandava host cast its eyes around, and not beholding any protector, looked like a herd of kine afflicted by cold. Slaughtered or retreating in despondence being crushed the while, loud cries, O Bharata, of oh and alas arose among the troops of the Pandavas. Then Bhishma the son of Santanu, with bow always drawn to a circle, shot therefrom blazing arrows that resembled virulent poison. And creating continuous lines of arrows in all directions, that hero of rigid vows slew Pandava car-warriors, naming each, O Bharata, beforehand. And then when the troops of the Pandavas were routed and crushed all over the field, the sun set and nothing could be seen. And then beholding Bhishma, O bull of Bharata's race, proudly standing in battle, the Parthas withdrew their forces (for nightly rest)."

Dhritarashtra said, "When the generalissimo Sweta, O son, was slain in battle by the enemy, what did those mighty bowmen, the Panchalas with the Pandavas, do? Hearing their commander Sweta slain, what happened between those that strove for his sake and their foes that retreated before them? O Sanjaya, hearing of our victory, (thy) words please my heart? Nor doth my heart feel any shame in remembering our transgression. The old chief of Kuru's race is ever cheerful and devoted (to us). (As regards Duryodhana), having provoked hostilities with that intelligent son of his uncle, he sought at one time the protection of the sons of Pandu in consequence of his anxiety and fear due to Yudhishthira. At that time, abandoning everything he lived in misery. In consequence of the prowess of the sons of Pandu, and everywhere receiving checks--having placed himself amid entanglements--from his enemies Duryodhana had (for some time) recourse to honourable behaviour. Formerly that wicked-minded king had placed himself under their protection. Why, therefore, O Sanjaya, hath Sweta who was devoted to Yudhishthira, been slain. Indeed, this narrow-minded prince, with all his prospects, hath been hurled to the nether regions by a number of wretches. Bhishma liked not the war, nor even did the preceptor. Nor Kripa, nor Gandhari liked it. O Sanjaya, nor do I like it, nor Vasudeva of Vrishni's race, nor that just king the son of Pandu; nor Bhima, nor Arjuna, nor those bulls among men, the twins (liked it.) Always forbidden by me, by Gandhari, by Vidura, by Rama the son of Jamadagni, and by the high-souled Vyasa also, the wicked-minded and sinful Duryodhana, with Dussasana, O Sanjaya, always following the counsels of Karna and Suvala's son, behaved maliciously towards the Pandavas. I think, O Sanjaya, that he has fallen into great distress. After the slaughter of Sweta and the victory of Bhishma what did Partha, excited with rage, do in battle accompanied by Krishna? Indeed, it is from Arjuna that my fears arise, and those fears, O Sanjaya, cannot be dispelled. He, Dhananjaya. the son of Kunti, is brave and endued with great activity. I think, with his arrows he will cut into fragments the bodies of his enemies. The son of Indra, and in battle equal unto Upendra the younger brother of Indra, a warrior whose wrath and purposes are never futile, alas, beholding him what becomes the state of your minds? Brave, acquainted with Vedas, resembling the fire and the Sun in splendour, and possessing a knowledge of the Aindra weapon, that warrior of immeasurable soul is ever victorious when he falleth upon the foe? His weapons always falling upon the foe with the force of the thunderbolt and his arms wonderfully quick in drawing the bowstring, the son of Kunti is a mighty car-warrior. The formidable son of Drupada also, O Sanjaya, is endued with great wisdom. What, indeed, did Dhristadyumna do when Sweta was slain in battle? I think that in consequence of the wrongs they sustained of old, and of the slaughter of their commander, the hearts of the high-souled Pandavas blazed up. Thinking of their wrath I am never at my ease, by day or by night, on account of Duryodhana. How did the great battle take place? Tell me all about it, O Sanjaya.

The transgression of which Dhritarashtra alludes is the slaughter by Bhishma from his car, of Sweta who was then a combatant on foot. Or, it may be the very slaughter of Sweta, who was dear to the Pandavas and which act would, the king thought, provoke them more.

Verses 4 to 7 are exceedingly difficult. I am not sure that I have understood them correctly. They are of the nature of Vyasakutas, i.e., deliberate obscurities for puzzling Ganesa, who acted as the scribe, for enabling Vyasa to gain time for compositions. In verse 4 'Pitus' means uncle's and not father's; so also 'durga decam' in verse 6 means entanglements, like Duryodhana's hostility with the Gandharvas on the occasion of the tale of cattle. In verse 7 of the Bengal reading is Yudhishthiram bhaktya. The Bombay reading which I adopt, is Yudhishthire bhaktas. In 8, the purushadhamas are Sakuni and Karna. &c.

Sanjaya said, "Hear, O king, quietly about thy transgressions. It behoveth thee not to impute the fruit to Duryodhana. As is the construction of an embankment when the waters have disappeared, so is thy understanding, or, it is like the digging of a well when house is on fire. When, after the forenoon had passed away, the commander Sweta was, O Bharata, slain by Bhishma in that fierce conflict, Virata's son Sankha, that grinder of hostile ranks ever delighting in battle, beholding Salya stationed with Kritavarman (on his car), suddenly blazed up with wrath, like fire with clarified butter. That mighty warrior, stretching his large bow that resembled the bow of Indra himself, rushed with the desire of slaying the ruler of the Madras in battle, himself supported on all sides by a large division of cars. And Sankha, causing an arrowy downpour rushed towards the car on which Salya was. And beholding him advancing like an infuriate elephant, seven mighty car-warriors of thy side surrounded him--desirous of rescuing the ruler of the Madras already within the jaws of death. Then the mighty-armed Bhishma, roaring like the very clouds, and taking up a bow full six cubits long, rushed towards Sankha in battle. And beholding that mighty car-warrior and great bowman thus rushing, the Pandava host began to tremble like a boat tossed by a violence of the tempest. Then Arjuna, quickly advancing, placed himself in front of Sankha, thinking that Sankha should, then be protected from Bhishma. And then the combat commenced between Bhishma and Arjuna. And loud cries of oh and alas arose among the warriors engaged in battle. And one force seemed to merge into another force. And thus all were filled with wonder. Then Salya, mace in hand, alighting from his large car, slew, O bull of Bharata's race, the four steeds of Sankha. Jumping down from his car thus deprived of steeds, and taking a sword, Sankha ran towards Vibhatsu's car and (mounting on it) was once more at his ease. And then there fell from Bhishma's car innumerable arrows by which were covered the entire welkin and the earth. And that foremost of smiters, Bhishma, slaughtered with his arrows the Panchala, the Matsya, the Kekaya, and the Prabhadraka host. And soon abandoning in that battle, Pandu's son (Arjuna) capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, Bhishma rushed towards Drupada, the king of the Panchalas, surrounded by his host. And he soon covered his dear relative with innumerable arrows. Like a forest consumed by fire at the end of winter, the troops of Drupada were seen to be consumed. And Bhishma stood in that battle like a blazing fire without smoke, or like the Sun himself at midday scorching everything around with his heat. The combatants of the Pandavas were not able to even look at Bhishma. And afflicted with fear, the Pandava host cast its eyes around, and not beholding any protector, looked like a herd of kine afflicted by cold. Slaughtered or retreating in despondence being crushed the while, loud cries, O Bharata, of oh and alas arose among the troops of the Pandavas. Then Bhishma the son of Santanu, with bow always drawn to a circle, shot therefrom blazing arrows that resembled virulent poison. And creating continuous lines of arrows in all directions, that hero of rigid vows slew Pandava car-warriors, naming each, O Bharata, beforehand. And then when the troops of the Pandavas were routed and crushed all over the field, the sun set and nothing could be seen. And then beholding Bhishma, O bull of Bharata's race, proudly standing in battle, the Parthas withdrew their forces (for nightly rest)."

As both operations are useless, so are these thy regrets.

The sense is that Arjuna representing one force, and Bhishma another, the two forces seemed to mingle, into one another, like one bolt of heaven against another, as one may say.

6.45.48

tamudyatamudīkṣyātha maheṣvāsaṃ mahābalam |
saṃtrastā pāṇḍavī senā vātavegahateva nauḥ || 48 ||

6.45.49

tatrārjunaḥ saṃtvaritaḥ śaṅkhasyāsītpuraḥsaraḥ |
bhīṣmādrakṣyo'yamadyeti tato yuddhamavartata || 49 ||

6.45.50

hāhākāro mahānāsīdyodhānāṃ yudhi yudhyatām |
tejastejasi saṃpṛktamityevaṃ vismayaṃ yayuḥ || 50 ||

6.45.51

atha śalyo gadāpāṇiravatīrya mahārathāt |
śaṅkhasya caturo vāhānahanadbharatarṣabha || 51 ||

6.45.52

sa hatāśvādrathāttūrṇaṃ khaḍgamādāya vidrutaḥ |
bībhatsoḥ syandanaṃ prāpya tataḥ śāntimavindata || 52 ||

6.45.53

tato bhīṣmarathāttūrṇamutpatanti patatriṇaḥ |
yairantarikṣaṃ bhūmiśca sarvataḥ samavastṛtam || 53 ||

6.45.54

pāñcālānatha matsyāṃśca kekayāṃśca prabhadrakān |
bhīṣmaḥ praharatāṃ śreṣṭhaḥ pātayāmāsa mārgaṇaiḥ || 54 ||

6.45.55

utsṛjya samare tūrṇaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ savyasācinam |
abhyadravata pāñcālyaṃ drupadaṃ senayā vṛtam |
priyaṃ saṃbandhinaṃ rājañśarānavakiranbahūn || 55 ||

6.45.56

agnineva pradagdhāni vanāni śiśirātyaye |
śaradagdhānyadṛśyanta sainyāni drupadasya ha |
atiṣṭhata raṇe bhīṣmo vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ || 56 ||

6.45.57

madhyaṃdine yathādityaṃ tapantamiva tejasā |
na śekuḥ pāṇḍaveyasya yodhā bhīṣmaṃ nirīkṣitum || 57 ||

6.45.58

vīkṣāṃ cakruḥ samantātte pāṇḍavā bhayapīḍitāḥ |
trātāraṃ nādhyagacchanta gāvaḥ śītārditā iva || 58 ||

6.45.59

hatavipradrute sainye nirutsāhe vimardite |
hāhākāro mahānāsītpāṇḍusainyeṣu bhārata || 59 ||

6.45.60

tato bhīṣmaḥ śāṃtanavo nityaṃ maṇḍalakārmukaḥ |
mumoca bāṇāndīptāgrānahīnāśīviṣāniva || 60 ||

6.45.61

śarairekāyanīkurvandiśaḥ sarvā yatavrataḥ |
jaghāna pāṇḍavarathānādiśyādiśya bhārata || 61 ||

6.45.62

tataḥ sainyeṣu bhagneṣu mathiteṣu ca sarvaśaḥ |
prāpte cāstaṃ dinakare na prājñāyata kiṃcana || 62 ||

6.45.63

bhīṣmaṃ ca samudīryantaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārthā mahāhave |
avahāramakurvanta sainyānāṃ bharatarṣabha || 63 ||