Mahabharata 6.46: ṣaṭ catvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

6.46.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
kṛte'vahāre sainyānāṃ prathame bharatarṣabha |
bhīṣme ca yudhi saṃrabdhe hṛṣṭe duryodhane tathā || 1 ||

Sanjaya said, "When the troops, O bull of Bharata's race, were withdrawn on the first day, and when Duryodhana was filled with delight upon (beholding) Bhishma excited with wrath in battle, king Yudhisthira the just, speedily repaired unto Janardana, accompanied by all his brothers and all the kings (on his side). Filled with great grief thinking of his defeat, and beholding Bhishma's prowess, O king, he addressed that scion of Vrishni's race, saying, 'Behold, O Krishna, that mighty bowman Bhishma of terrible prowess. He consumes with his arrow my troops like fire (consuming)

6.46.2

dharmarājastatastūrṇamabhigamya janārdanam |
bhrātṛbhiḥ sahitaḥ sarvaiḥ sarvaiścaiva janeśvaraiḥ || 2 ||

6.46.3

śucā paramayā yuktaścintayānaḥ parājayam |
vārṣṇeyamabravīdrājandṛṣṭvā bhīṣmasya vikramam || 3 ||

6.46.4

kṛṣṇa paśya maheṣvāsaṃ bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam |
śarairdahantaṃ sainyaṃ me grīṣme kakṣamivānalam || 4 ||

6.46.5

kathamenaṃ mahātmānaṃ śakṣyāmaḥ prativīkṣitum |
lelihyamānaṃ sainyaṃ me haviṣmantamivānalam || 5 ||

dry grass. How shall we even look at that high-souled (warrior) who is licking up my troops like fire fed with clarified butter? Beholding; that tiger among men, that mighty warrior armed with the bow, my troops fly away, afflicted with arrows. Enraged Yama himself, or He armed with the thunder, or even Varuna noose in hand, or Kuvera armed with mace, may be vanquished in battle but the mighty car-warrior Bhishma, of great energy is incapable of being vanquished. Such being the case, I am sinking in the fathomless ocean represented by Bhishma, without a boat (to rescue me). In consequence, O Kesava, of the weakness of my understanding, having obtained Bhishma (for a foe in battle), I shall, O Govinda, retire into woods. To live there is preferable to devoting these lords of earth to Death in the form of Bhishma. Conversant with mighty weapons, Bhishma, O Krishna, will annihilate my army. As insects rush into the blazing fire for their own destruction, the combatants of my army are even so. In putting forth prowess for the sake of kingdom, O thou of Vrishni's race, I am being led to destruction. My heroic brothers also are pained and afflicted with arrows for my sake, having been deprived of both sovereignty and happiness in consequence of their love for their eldest brother. We regard life very highly, for, under these circumstances, life is too precious (to be sacrificed). During the remainder of my days I will practise the severest of ascetic austerities. I will not, O Kesava, cause these friends of mine to be slain. The mighty Bhishma incessantly stays, with his celestial weapon, many thousands of my car-warriors who are foremost of smiters. Tell me, O Madhava, without delay, what should be done that might do me good. As regards Arjuna, I see that he is an indifferent spectator in this battle. Endued with great might, this Bhima alone, remembering Kshatriya duties, fighteth putting forth the prowess of his arms and to the utmost of his power. With his hero-slaying mace, this high-souled (warrior), to the full measure of his powers, achieveth the most difficult feats upon foot-soldiers and steeds and cars and elephants. This hero, however, is incapable, O sire, of destroying in fair fight the hostile host in even a century. This thy friend (Arjuna) alone (amongst) is conversant with (mighty) weapons. He, however, beholding us consumed by Bhishma and the high-souled Drona, looketh indifferently on us. The celestial weapons of Bhishma and the high-souled Drona, incessantly applied, are consuming all the Kshatriyas. O Krishna, such is his prowess, that Bhishma, with wrath excited, aided by the kings (on his side), will, without doubt annihilate us. O Lord of Yoga, look for that great bowman, that mighty car-warrior, who will give Bhishma his quietus like rain-charged clouds quenching a forest conflagration. (Then) through thy grace, O Govinda, the son of Pandu, their foes being slain, will, after recovery of their kingdom, be happy with their kinsmen.

6.46.6

etaṃ hi puruṣavyāghraṃ dhanuṣmantaṃ mahābalam |
dṛṣṭvā vipradrutaṃ sainyaṃ madīyaṃ mārgaṇāhatam || 6 ||

6.46.7

śakyo jetuṃ yamaḥ kruddho vajrapāṇiśca saṃyuge |
varuṇaḥ pāśabhṛccāpi kubero vā gadādharaḥ || 7 ||

6.46.8

na tu bhīṣmo mahātejāḥ śakyo jetuṃ mahābalaḥ |
so'hamevaṃ gate magno bhīṣmāgādhajale'plavaḥ || 8 ||

6.46.9

ātmano buddhidaurbalyādbhīṣmamāsādya keśava |
vanaṃ yāsyāmi govinda śreyo me tatra jīvitum || 9 ||

6.46.10

na tvimānpṛthivīpālāndātuṃ bhīṣmāya mṛtyave |
kṣapayiṣyati senāṃ me kṛṣṇa bhīṣmo mahāstravit || 10 ||

6.46.11

yathānalaṃ prajvalitaṃ pataṃgāḥ samabhidrutāḥ |
vināśāyaiva gacchanti tathā me sainiko janaḥ || 11 ||

6.46.12

kṣayaṃ nīto'smi vārṣṇeya rājyahetoḥ parākramī |
bhrātaraścaiva me vīrāḥ karśitāḥ śarapīḍitāḥ || 12 ||

6.46.13

matkṛte bhrātṛsauhārdādrājyādbhraṣṭāstathā sukhāt |
jīvitaṃ bahu manye'haṃ jīvitaṃ hyadya durlabham || 13 ||

6.46.14

jīvitasya hi śeṣeṇa tapastapsyāmi duścaram |
na ghātayiṣyāmi raṇe mitrāṇīmāni keśava || 14 ||

6.46.15

rathānme bahusāhasrāndivyairastrairmahābalaḥ |
ghātayatyaniśaṃ bhīṣmaḥ pravarāṇāṃ prahāriṇām || 15 ||

6.46.16

kiṃ nu kṛtvā kṛtaṃ me syādbrūhi mādhava māciram |
madhyasthamiva paśyāmi samare savyasācinam || 16 ||

6.46.17

eko bhīmaḥ paraṃ śaktyā yudhyatyeṣa mahābhujaḥ |
kevalaṃ bāhuvīryeṇa kṣatradharmamanusmaran || 17 ||

6.46.18

gadayā vīraghātinyā yathotsāhaṃ mahāmanāḥ |
karotyasukaraṃ karma gajāśvarathapattiṣu || 18 ||

6.46.19

nālameṣa kṣayaṃ kartuṃ parasainyasya māriṣa |
ārjavenaiva yuddhena vīra varṣaśatairapi || 19 ||

6.46.20

eko'stravitsakhā te'yaṃ so'pyasmānsamupekṣate |
nirdahyamānānbhīṣmeṇa droṇena ca mahātmanā || 20 ||

6.46.21

divyānyastrāṇi bhīṣmasya droṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ |
dhakṣyanti kṣatriyānsarvānprayuktāni punaḥ punaḥ || 21 ||

6.46.22

kṛṣṇa bhīṣmaḥ susaṃrabdhaḥ sahitaḥ sarvapārthivaiḥ |
kṣapayiṣyati no nūnaṃ yādṛśo'sya parākramaḥ || 22 ||

6.46.23

sa tvaṃ paśya maheṣvāsaṃ yogīṣvara mahāratham |
yo bhīṣmaṃ śamayetsaṃkhye dāvāgniṃ jalado yathā || 23 ||

6.46.24

tava prasādādgovinda pāṇḍavā nihatadviṣaḥ |
svarājyamanusaṃprāptā modiṣyanti sabāndhavāḥ || 24 ||

6.46.25

evamuktvā tataḥ pārtho dhyāyannāste mahāmanāḥ |
ciramantarmanā bhūtvā śokopahatacetanaḥ || 25 ||

"Having said this, the high-souled son of Pritha, with heart afflicted by grief and mind turned within, remained silent for a long while in a reflected mood. Beholding the son of Pandu stricken with grief and deprived of his senses by sorrow, Govinda then gladdening all the Pandavas said, 'Do not grieve, O chief of the Bharatas. It behoveth thee not to grieve, when thy brothers are all heroes and renowned bowmen in the world. I also am employed in doing thee good, as also that mighty car-warrior Satyaki and Virata and Drupada, both reverend in years, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's line. And so also, O best of kings, all these monarchs with their (respective) troops are expectant of thy favour and devoted to thee, O king. This mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race placed in command of thy army is always desirous of thy welfare and engaged in doing that which is agreeable to thee, as also this Sikhandin, O thou of mighty arms, who is certainly the slayer of Bhishma. Hearing these words, the king (Yudhishthira), said, unto that mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, in that very assembly and in the hearing of Vasudeva, these words, O Dhrishtadyumna, mark these words that I say unto thee, O thou of Prishata's line. The words uttered by me should not be transgressed. Approved by Vasudeva, thou hast been the commander of our forces.

6.46.26

śokārtaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ jñātvā duḥkhena hatacetasam |
abravīttatra govindo harṣayansarvapāṇḍavān || 26 ||

6.46.27

mā śuco bharataśreṣṭha na tvaṃ śocitumarhasi |
yasya te bhrātaraḥ śūrāḥ sarvalokasya dhanvinaḥ || 27 ||

6.46.28

ahaṃ ca priyakṛdrājansātyakiśca mahārathaḥ |
virāṭadrupadau vṛddhau dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ || 28 ||

6.46.29

tathaiva sabalāḥ sarve rājāno rājasattama |
tvatprasādaṃ pratīkṣante tvadbhaktāśca viśāṃ pate || 29 ||

6.46.30

eṣa te pārṣato nityaṃ hitakāmaḥ priye rataḥ |
senāpatyamanuprāpto dhṛṣṭadyumno mahābalaḥ |
śikhaṇḍī ca mahābāho bhīṣmasya nidhanaṃ kila || 30 ||

6.46.31

etacchrutvā tato rājā dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ mahāratham |
abravītsamitau tasyāṃ vāsudevasya śṛṇvataḥ || 31 ||

6.46.32

dhṛṣṭadyumna nibodhedaṃ yattvā vakṣyāmi māriṣa |
nātikramyaṃ bhavettacca vacanaṃ mama bhāṣitam || 32 ||

6.46.33

bhavānsenāpatirmahyaṃ vāsudevena saṃmataḥ |
kārttikeyo yathā nityaṃ devānāmabhavatpurā |
tathā tvamapi pāṇḍūnāṃ senānīḥ puruṣarṣabha || 33 ||

As Kartikeya, in days of old, was ever the commander of the celestial host, so also art thou, O bull among men, the commander of the Pandava host. Putting forth thy prowess, O tiger among men, slay the Kauravas. I will follow thee, and Bhima, and Krishna also, O sire, and the sons of Madri united together, and the sons of Draupadi accoutred in mail, and all the other foremost of kings, O bull among men. Then gladdening (the listeners) Dhrishtadyumna said, 'Ordained of old by Sambhu himself, I am, O son of Pritha, the slayer of Drona. I shall now fight in battle against Bhishma, and Drona and Kripa and Salya and Jayadratha and all the proud monarchs (on the Kuru side)'. When that foremost of princes, that slayer of foes, the son of Prishata, said this defiantly, the Pandava warriors, endued with great energy and incapable of being defeated in battle, all set up a loud shout. And then Pritha's son Yudhishthira said unto the commander of his army, the son of Prishata, (these words), 'An array known by the name of Krauncharuma, that is destructive of all foes, and that was spoken of by Vrihaspati unto Indra in days of old when the gods and the Asuras fought,--that array destructive of hostile divisions, do thou form. Unseen before, the kings behold it, along with the Kurus.' Thus addressed by that god among men, like Vishnu addressed by the wielder of the thunderbolt, he (Dhrishtadyumna), when morning dawned, placed Dhananjaya in the van of the whole army.

6.46.34

sa tvaṃ puruṣaśārdūla vikramya jahi kauravān |
ahaṃ ca tvānuyāsyāmi bhīmaḥ kṛṣṇaśca māriṣa || 34 ||

6.46.35

mādrīputrau ca sahitau draupadeyāśca daṃśitāḥ |
ye cānye pṛthivīpālāḥ pradhānāḥ puruṣarṣabha || 35 ||

6.46.36

tata uddharṣayansarvāndhṛṣṭadyumno'bhyabhāṣata |
ahaṃ droṇāntakaḥ pārtha vihitaḥ śaṃbhunā purā || 36 ||

6.46.37

raṇe bhīṣmaṃ tathā droṇaṃ kṛpaṃ śalyaṃ jayadratham |
sarvānadya raṇe dṛptānpratiyotsyāmi pārthiva || 37 ||

6.46.38

athotkruṣṭaṃ maheṣvāsaiḥ pāṇḍavairyuddhadurmadaiḥ |
samudyate pārthivendre pārṣate śatrusūdane || 38 ||

6.46.39

tamabravīttataḥ pārthaḥ pārṣataṃ pṛtanāpatim |
vyūhaḥ krauñcāruṇo nāma sarvaśatrunibarhaṇaḥ || 39 ||

6.46.40

yaṃ bṛhaspatirindrāya tadā devāsure'bravīt |
taṃ yathāvatprativyūha parānīkavināśanam |
adṛṣṭapūrvaṃ rājānaḥ paśyantu kurubhiḥ saha || 40 ||

6.46.41

tathoktaḥ sa nṛdevena viṣṇurvajrabhṛtā iva |
prabhāte sarvasainyānāmagre cakre dhanaṃjayam || 41 ||

6.46.42

ādityapathagaḥ ketustasyādbhutamanoramaḥ |
śāsanātpuruhūtasya nirmito viśvakarmaṇā || 42 ||

And Dhananjaya's standard, created at Indra's command by the celestial artificer, while moving through the skies, seemed wonderfully beautiful. Decked with banners bearing hues resembling those of Indra's bow, coursing through the air like a ranger of the skies, and looking like the fleeting edifice of vapour in the welkin, it seemed, O sire to glide dancingly along the track of the car (to which it was attached). And the bearer of Gandiva with that (standard) graced with gems, and that standard itself with the bearer of Gandiva, looked highly adorned, like the Self-create with the Sun (and the Sun with the Self-create). And king Drupada, surrounded by a large number of troops, became the head (of that array). And the two kings Kuntibhoja and Saivya became its two eyes. And the ruler of the Dasarnas, and the Prayagas, with the Daserakas, and the Anupakas, and the Kiratas were placed in its neck, O bull of Bharata's race. And Yudhishthira, O king, with the Patachcharas, the Hunas, the Pauravakas and the Nishadas, became its two wings, so also the Pisachas, with the Kundavishas, and the Mandakas, the Ladakas, the Tanganas, and the Uddras, O Bharata, and the Saravas, the Tumbhumas, the Vatsas, and the Nakulas. And Nakula and Sahadeva placed themselves on the left wing. And on the joints of the wings were placed ten thousand cars and on the head a hundred thousand, and on the back a hundred millions and twenty thousand and on the neck a hundred and seventy thousand.

6.46.43

indrāyudhasavarṇābhiḥ patākābhiralaṃkṛtaḥ |
ākāśaga ivākāśe gandharvanagaropamaḥ |
nṛtyamāna ivābhāti rathacaryāsu māriṣa || 43 ||

6.46.44

tena ratnavatā pārthaḥ sa ca gāṇḍīvadhanvanā |
babhūva paramopetaḥ svayaṃbhūriva bhānunā || 44 ||

6.46.45

śiro'bhūddrupado rājā mahatyā senayā vṛtaḥ |
kuntibhojaśca caidyaśca cakṣuṣyāstāṃ janeśvara || 45 ||

6.46.46

dāśārṇakāḥ prayāgāśca dāśerakagaṇaiḥ saha |
anūpagāḥ kirātāśca grīvāyāṃ bharatarṣabha || 46 ||

6.46.47

paṭaccaraiśca huṇḍaiśca rājanpauravakaistathā |
niṣādaiḥ sahitaścāpi pṛṣṭhamāsīdyudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 47 ||

6.46.48

pakṣau tu bhīmasenaśca dhṛṣṭadyumnaśca pārṣataḥ |
draupadeyābhimanyuśca sātyakiśca mahārathaḥ || 48 ||

6.46.49

piśācā daradāścaiva puṇḍrāḥ kuṇḍīviṣaiḥ saha |
maḍakā laḍakāścaiva taṅgaṇāḥ parataṅgaṇāḥ || 49 ||

6.46.50

bāhlikāstittirāścaiva colāḥ pāṇḍyāśca bhārata |
ete janapadā rājandakṣiṇaṃ pakṣamāśritāḥ || 50 ||

6.46.51

agniveṣyā jagattuṇḍāḥ paladāśāśca bhārata |
śabarāstumbupāścaiva vatsāśca saha nākulaiḥ |
nakulaḥ sahadevaśca vāmaṃ pārśvaṃ samāśritāḥ || 51 ||

6.46.52

rathānāmayutaṃ pakṣau śiraśca niyutaṃ tathā |
pṛṣṭhamarbudamevāsītsahasrāṇi ca viṃśatiḥ |
grīvāyāṃ niyutaṃ cāpi sahasrāṇi ca saptatiḥ || 52 ||

6.46.53

pakṣakoṭiprapakṣeṣu pakṣānteṣu ca vāraṇāḥ |
jagmuḥ parivṛtā rājaṃścalanta iva parvatāḥ || 53 ||

And on the joints of the wings, the wings and the extremities of the wings proceeded elephants in large bodies, looking, O king, like blazing mountains. And the rear was protected by Virata aided by the Kekayas, and the ruler of Kasi and the king of the Chedis, with thirty thousand cars. Forming, O Bharata, their mighty array thus, the Pandavas, expectant of sunrise, waited for battle, all cased in armour. And their white umbrellas, clean and costly, and brilliant as the sun, shone resplendent on their elephants and cars."

6.46.54

jaghanaṃ pālayāmāsa virāṭaḥ saha kekayaiḥ |
kāśirājaśca śaibyaśca rathānāmayutaistribhiḥ || 54 ||

6.46.55

evametaṃ mahāvyūhaṃ vyūhya bhārata pāṇḍavāḥ |
sūryodayanamicchantaḥ sthitā yuddhāya daṃśitāḥ || 55 ||

6.46.56

teṣāmādityavarṇāni vimalāni mahānti ca |
śvetacchatrāṇyaśobhanta vāraṇeṣu ratheṣu ca || 56 ||