Mahabharata 8.45: pañcacatvāriṃśo'dhyāyaḥ

8.45.1

saṃjaya uvāca |
drauṇistu rathavaṃśena mahatā parivāritaḥ |
āpatatsahasā rājanyatra rājā vyavasthitaḥ || 1 ||

64

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Drona's son, surrounded by a large car-force, O king, suddenly proceeded to that spot where Partha was. Like the continent withstanding the surging ocean, the heroic Partha having Saurin (Krishna) for his help-mate withstood the impetuously rushing Ashvatthama. Then, O monarch, the valiant son of Drona, filled with rage, covered both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his shafts. Beholding the two Krishnas shrouded with arrows, the great car-warriors (of the Pandava army), as also the Kurus that witnessed it, wondered exceedingly. Then Arjuna, as if smiling, invoked into existence a celestial weapon. The brahmana Ashvatthama, however, O Bharata, baffled that weapon in that battle. Indeed, all those weapons that Arjuna sped from desire of slaying the son of Drona were baffled by the latter, that great bowman, in that encounter. During the progress of that awful encounter of weapons, O king, we beheld the son of Drona to resemble the Destroyer himself, with gaping mouth. Having covered all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with straight arrows, he pierced Vasudeva with three arrows in the right arm. Then Arjuna, slaying all the steeds of his high-souled assailant, caused the Earth in that battle to be covered with a river of blood that was exceedingly awful that led towards the other world, and that had diverse kinds of creatures floating on it.

All the spectators beheld a large number of car-warriors along with their cars, belonging to the division of Ashvatthama, slain and destroyed by means of the arrows sped from Partha's bow. Ashvatthama also, slaying his enemies, caused a terrible river of blood to flow there that led to Yama's domains. During the progress of that fierce and awful battle between Drona's son and Partha, the combatants fought without showing any regard for one another, and rushed hither and thither. In consequence of cars having their steeds and drivers slain, and steeds having their riders slain, and elephants having their riders and guides slain, an awful carnage, O king, was made by Partha in that battle! Car-warriors, deprived of life with shafts sped from Partha's bow, fell down. Steeds freed from their trappings ran hither and thither. Beholding those feats of Partha, that ornament of battle, that valiant son of Drona quickly approached the former, that foremost of victorious men, shook his formidable bow decked with gold, and then pierced him from every side with many sharp arrows. Once more bending the bow, O king, the son of Drona cruelly struck Arjuna, aiming at the chest, with a winged arrow. Deeply pierced by Drona's son, O Bharata, in that encounter, the wielder of gandiva, that hero of great intelligence forcibly covered the son of Drona with showers of arrows, and then cut off his bow.

His bow cut off Drona's son then, taking up a spiked mace whose touch resembled that of thunder's, hurled it, in that encounter, at the diadem-decked Arjuna. The son of Pandu, however, O king, as if smiling the while, suddenly cut off that spiked mace decked with gold, as it advanced towards him. Thus cut off with Partha's shafts, it fell down on the Earth, like a mountain, O king, broken into pieces, struck with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Drona's son, that great car-warrior, began to cover Vibhatsu, aided by the energy of the aindra weapon. Beholding that shower of arrows spread over the welkin through the aindra weapon, Partha, endued with great activity, O king, taking up his bow gandiva, and fixing on his bowstring a mighty weapon created by Indra, destroyed that aindra-shower of arrows. Having baffled that arrowy shower caused by the aindra weapon, Partha soon covered the car of Drona's son (with his own arrows). The son of Drona, however, overwhelmed with Partha's shafts, penetrated through that shower of arrows shot by the son of Pandu, and approaching the latter, invoked a mighty weapon and suddenly pierced Krishna with hundred shafts and Arjuna with three hundred small arrows. Then Arjuna pierced the son of his preceptor with a hundred arrows in all his vital limbs. And then he poured many arrows on the steeds and driver and the bowstring of Drona's son in the very sight of thy warriors.

Having pierced Drona's son in every vital part, Pandu's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, then felled his adversary's driver from the car-niche with a broad-headed arrow. Drona's son, however, himself, taking up the reins, covered Krishna with many arrows. The activity of prowess that we then beheld in Drona's son was exceedingly wonderful, since he guided his steeds while he fought with Phalguni. That feat of his in battle, O king, was applauded by all the warriors. Then Vibhatsu, otherwise called Jaya, smiling the while, quickly cut off the traces of Ashvatthama's steeds in that battle, with a razor-faced arrow. Already afflicted by the energy of Arjuna's shafts, the steeds of Drona's son thereupon ran away. Then a loud noise arose from thy troops, O Bharata! Meanwhile the Pandavas, having obtained the victory, and desiring to improve it, rushed against thy troops, shooting from all sides sharp arrows at them. The vast Dhartarashtra host, then, O king, was repeatedly broken by the heroic Pandavas inspired with desire of victory, in the very sight, O monarch, of thy sons, conversant with all modes of warfare, and of, Shakuni the son of Subala, and of Karna, O king! Though sought to be stopped, O king, by thy sons, that great army, afflicted on all sides, stayed not on the field. Indeed, a confusion set in among the vast terrified host of thy son in consequence of many warriors flying away on all sides.

The Suta's son loudly cried out, saying "Stay, Stay!" but thy army, slaughtered by many high-souled warriors, did not stay on the field. Loud shouts were uttered then, O monarch, by the Pandavas, inspired with this desire of victory, on beholding the Dhartarashtra host flying away on all sides. Then Duryodhana addressing Karna from affection, "Behold, O Karna, how our army, exceedingly afflicted by the Pandavas, though thou art here, is flying away from battle! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, do that which is suited to the hour, O chastiser of foes! Thousands of (our) warriors, routed by the Pandavas, are O hero, calling after thee only, O best of men!" Hearing these grave words of Duryodhana, the son of Radha, as if smiling, said these words unto the ruler of the Madras, "Behold the prowess of my arms and the energy of my weapons, O ruler of men! Today I will slay all the Pancalas and the Pandavas in battle! Cause the steeds to proceed with my car, O tiger among men! Without doubt, everything will be as I have said!" Having said these words, the Suta's son of great valour, that hero, taking up his ancient and foremost of bows called Vijaya, stringed it and rubbed the string repeatedly. Bidding the troops stay on the field after having assured them upon his truth and by an oath, the mighty Karna of immeasurable soul fixed on his bow-string the weapon known by the name of Bhargava. From that weapon flowed, O king, millions and millions of keen arrows in that great battle.

Entirely shrouded with those blazing and terrible arrows winged with feathers of Kankas and peacocks, the Pandava army could not see anything. Loud wails of woe arose from among the Pancalas, O king, afflicted, in that battle, with the mighty Bhargava weapon. In consequence then of elephants, O king, and steeds, by thousands, and cars, O monarch, and men, falling on all sides, deprived of life, the Earth began to tremble. The vast force of the Pandavas became agitated from one extremity to another. Meanwhile Karna, that scorcher of foes, that foremost of warriors, that tiger among men, while consuming his foes, looked resplendent like a smokeless fire. Thus slaughtered by Karna, the Pancalas and the Cedis began to lose their senses all over the field like elephants during the conflagration in a forest. Those foremost of men, O tiger among men, uttered loud roars like those of the tiger. Loud became the wails of woe, like those of living creatures at the universal dissolution that were uttered by those crying combatants struck with panic and running wildly on all sides, O king, of the field of battle and trembling with fear. Beholding them thus slaughtered, O sire, by the Suta's son, all creatures, even beasts and birds, were filled with fear. The Srinjayas then, thus slaughtered in battle by the Suta's son, repeatedly called upon Arjuna and Vasudeva like the spirits of the dead within Yama's dominions calling upon Yama to rescue them.

Hearing those wails of the troops slaughtered with Karna's shafts, and beholding the terrible bhargava weapon invoked into existence Kunti's son Dhananjaya said unto Vasudeva these words, "Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the prowess of the bhargava weapon! It cannot, by any means, be baffled! Behold the Suta's son also, O Krishna, filled with rage in this great battle and resembling the Destroyer himself, in prowess and employed in achieving such a fierce feat! Urging his steeds incessantly, he is repeatedly casting angry glances upon me! I will never be able to fly away from Karna in battle! The person that is living, may, in battle, meet with either victory or defeat. To the man, however, that is dead, O Hrishikesha, even death is victory. How can defeat be his that is dead?" Thus addressed by Partha, Krishna replied unto that foremost of intelligent men and chastiser of foes, these words that were suitable to the occasion, "The royal son of Kunti hath been deeply wounded and mangled by Karna. Having seen him first and comforted him, thou wilt then, O Partha, slay Karna?" Then Keshava proceeded, desirous of beholding Yudhishthira, thinking that Karna meanwhile, O monarch, would be overwhelmed with fatigue! Then Dhananjaya, himself desirous of beholding the king afflicted with arrows, quickly proceeded on that car, avoiding the battle, at Keshava's command.

While the son of Kunti was thus proceeding from desire of seeing king Yudhishthira the just, he cast his eyes on every part of the army but failed to find his eldest brother anywhere on the field. The son of Kunti proceeded, O Bharata, having fought with the son of his preceptor Drona, and having vanquished that hero incapable of being resisted by the wielder of the thunderbolt himself.'"

"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Drona's son, surrounded by a large car-force, O king, suddenly proceeded to that spot where Partha was. Like the continent withstanding the surging ocean, the heroic Partha having Saurin (Krishna) for his help-mate withstood the impetuously rushing Ashvatthama. Then, O monarch, the valiant son of Drona, filled with rage, covered both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his shafts. Beholding the two Krishnas shrouded with arrows, the great car-warriors (of the Pandava army), as also the Kurus that witnessed it, wondered exceedingly. Then Arjuna, as if smiling, invoked into existence a celestial weapon. The brahmana Ashvatthama, however, O Bharata, baffled that weapon in that battle. Indeed, all those weapons that Arjuna sped from desire of slaying the son of Drona were baffled by the latter, that great bowman, in that encounter. During the progress of that awful encounter of weapons, O king, we beheld the son of Drona to resemble the Destroyer himself, with gaping mouth. Having covered all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with straight arrows, he pierced Vasudeva with three arrows in the right arm. Then Arjuna, slaying all the steeds of his high-souled assailant, caused the Earth in that battle to be covered with a river of blood that was exceedingly awful that led towards the other world, and that had diverse kinds of creatures floating on it.

8.45.2

tamāpatantaṃ sahasā śūraḥ śaurisahāyavān |
dadhāra sahasā pārtho veleva makarālayam || 2 ||

8.45.3

tataḥ kruddho mahārāja droṇaputraḥ pratāpavān |
arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca chādayāmāsa patribhiḥ || 3 ||

8.45.4

avacchannau tataḥ kṛṣṇau dṛṣṭvā tatra mahārathāḥ |
vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā praikṣanta kuravastadā || 4 ||

8.45.5

arjunastu tato divyamastraṃ cakre hasanniva |
tadastraṃ brāhmaṇo yuddhe vārayāmāsa bhārata || 5 ||

8.45.6

yadyaddhi vyākṣipadyuddhe pāṇḍavo'straṃ jighāṃsayā |
tattadastraṃ maheṣvāso droṇaputro vyaśātayat || 6 ||

8.45.7

astrayuddhe tato rājanvartamāne bhayāvahe |
apaśyāma raṇe drauṇiṃ vyāttānanamivāntakam || 7 ||

8.45.8

sa diśo vidiśaścaiva chādayitvā vijihmagaiḥ |
vāsudevaṃ tribhirbāṇairavidhyaddakṣiṇe bhuje || 8 ||

8.45.9

tato'rjuno hayānhatvā sarvāṃstasya mahātmanaḥ |
cakāra samare bhūmiṃ śoṇitaughataraṅgiṇīm || 9 ||

8.45.10

nihatā rathinaḥ petuḥ pārthacāpacyutaiḥ śaraiḥ |
hayāśca paryadhāvanta muktayoktrāstatastataḥ || 10 ||

All the spectators beheld a large number of car-warriors along with their cars, belonging to the division of Ashvatthama, slain and destroyed by means of the arrows sped from Partha's bow. Ashvatthama also, slaying his enemies, caused a terrible river of blood to flow there that led to Yama's domains. During the progress of that fierce and awful battle between Drona's son and Partha, the combatants fought without showing any regard for one another, and rushed hither and thither. In consequence of cars having their steeds and drivers slain, and steeds having their riders slain, and elephants having their riders and guides slain, an awful carnage, O king, was made by Partha in that battle! Car-warriors, deprived of life with shafts sped from Partha's bow, fell down. Steeds freed from their trappings ran hither and thither. Beholding those feats of Partha, that ornament of battle, that valiant son of Drona quickly approached the former, that foremost of victorious men, shook his formidable bow decked with gold, and then pierced him from every side with many sharp arrows. Once more bending the bow, O king, the son of Drona cruelly struck Arjuna, aiming at the chest, with a winged arrow. Deeply pierced by Drona's son, O Bharata, in that encounter, the wielder of gandiva, that hero of great intelligence forcibly covered the son of Drona with showers of arrows, and then cut off his bow.

8.45.11

taddṛṣṭvā karma pārthasya drauṇirāhavaśobhinaḥ |
avākiradraṇe kṛṣṇaṃ samantānniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ || 11 ||

8.45.12

tato'rjunaṃ mahārāja drauṇirāyamya patriṇā |
vakṣodeśe samāsādya tāḍayāmāsa saṃyuge || 12 ||

8.45.13

so'tividdho raṇe tena droṇaputreṇa bhārata |
ādatta parighaṃ ghoraṃ drauṇeścainamavākṣipat || 13 ||

His bow cut off Drona's son then, taking up a spiked mace whose touch resembled that of thunder's, hurled it, in that encounter, at the diadem-decked Arjuna. The son of Pandu, however, O king, as if smiling the while, suddenly cut off that spiked mace decked with gold, as it advanced towards him. Thus cut off with Partha's shafts, it fell down on the Earth, like a mountain, O king, broken into pieces, struck with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Drona's son, that great car-warrior, began to cover Vibhatsu, aided by the energy of the aindra weapon. Beholding that shower of arrows spread over the welkin through the aindra weapon, Partha, endued with great activity, O king, taking up his bow gandiva, and fixing on his bowstring a mighty weapon created by Indra, destroyed that aindra-shower of arrows. Having baffled that arrowy shower caused by the aindra weapon, Partha soon covered the car of Drona's son (with his own arrows). The son of Drona, however, overwhelmed with Partha's shafts, penetrated through that shower of arrows shot by the son of Pandu, and approaching the latter, invoked a mighty weapon and suddenly pierced Krishna with hundred shafts and Arjuna with three hundred small arrows. Then Arjuna pierced the son of his preceptor with a hundred arrows in all his vital limbs. And then he poured many arrows on the steeds and driver and the bowstring of Drona's son in the very sight of thy warriors.

8.45.14

tamāpatantaṃ parighaṃ kārtasvaravibhūṣitam |
drauṇiściccheda sahasā tata uccukruśurjanāḥ || 14 ||

8.45.15

so'nekadhāpatadbhūmau bhāradvājasya sāyakaiḥ |
viśīrṇaḥ parvato rājanyathā syānmātariśvanā || 15 ||

8.45.16

tato'rjuno raṇe drauṇiṃ vivyādha daśabhiḥ śaraiḥ |
sārathiṃ cāsya bhallena rathanīḍādapāharat || 16 ||

Having pierced Drona's son in every vital part, Pandu's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, then felled his adversary's driver from the car-niche with a broad-headed arrow. Drona's son, however, himself, taking up the reins, covered Krishna with many arrows. The activity of prowess that we then beheld in Drona's son was exceedingly wonderful, since he guided his steeds while he fought with Phalguni. That feat of his in battle, O king, was applauded by all the warriors. Then Vibhatsu, otherwise called Jaya, smiling the while, quickly cut off the traces of Ashvatthama's steeds in that battle, with a razor-faced arrow. Already afflicted by the energy of Arjuna's shafts, the steeds of Drona's son thereupon ran away. Then a loud noise arose from thy troops, O Bharata! Meanwhile the Pandavas, having obtained the victory, and desiring to improve it, rushed against thy troops, shooting from all sides sharp arrows at them. The vast Dhartarashtra host, then, O king, was repeatedly broken by the heroic Pandavas inspired with desire of victory, in the very sight, O monarch, of thy sons, conversant with all modes of warfare, and of, Shakuni the son of Subala, and of Karna, O king! Though sought to be stopped, O king, by thy sons, that great army, afflicted on all sides, stayed not on the field. Indeed, a confusion set in among the vast terrified host of thy son in consequence of many warriors flying away on all sides.

8.45.17

sa saṃgṛhya svayaṃ vāhānkṛṣṇau prācchādayaccharaiḥ |
tatrādbhutamapaśyāma drauṇerāśu parākramam || 17 ||

8.45.18

ayacchatturagānyacca phalgunaṃ cāpyayodhayat |
tadasya samare rājansarve yodhā apūjayan || 18 ||

8.45.19

yadā tvagrasyata raṇe droṇaputreṇa phalgunaḥ |
tato raśmīnrathāśvānāṃ kṣurapraiścicchide jayaḥ || 19 ||

8.45.20

prādravaṃsturagāste tu śaravegaprabādhitāḥ |
tato'bhūnninado bhūyastava sainyasya bhārata || 20 ||

8.45.21

pāṇḍavāstu jayaṃ labdhvā tava sainyamupādravan |
samantānniśitānbāṇānvimuñcanto jayaiṣiṇaḥ || 21 ||

8.45.22

pāṇḍavaistu mahārāja dhārtarāṣṭrī mahācamūḥ |
punaḥ punaratho vīrairabhajyata jayoddhataiḥ || 22 ||

8.45.23

paśyatāṃ te mahārāja putrāṇāṃ citrayodhinām |
śakuneḥ saubaleyasya karṇasya ca mahātmanaḥ || 23 ||

8.45.24

vāryamāṇā mahāsenā putraistava janeśvara |
nāvatiṣṭhata saṃgrāme tāḍyamānā samantataḥ || 24 ||

8.45.25

tato yodhairmahārāja palāyadbhistatastataḥ |
abhavadvyākulaṃ bhītaiḥ putrāṇāṃ te mahadbalam || 25 ||

8.45.26

tiṣṭha tiṣṭheti satataṃ sūtaputrasya jalpataḥ |
nāvatiṣṭhata sā senā vadhyamānā mahātmabhiḥ || 26 ||

The Suta's son loudly cried out, saying "Stay, Stay!" but thy army, slaughtered by many high-souled warriors, did not stay on the field. Loud shouts were uttered then, O monarch, by the Pandavas, inspired with this desire of victory, on beholding the Dhartarashtra host flying away on all sides. Then Duryodhana addressing Karna from affection, "Behold, O Karna, how our army, exceedingly afflicted by the Pandavas, though thou art here, is flying away from battle! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, do that which is suited to the hour, O chastiser of foes! Thousands of (our) warriors, routed by the Pandavas, are O hero, calling after thee only, O best of men!" Hearing these grave words of Duryodhana, the son of Radha, as if smiling, said these words unto the ruler of the Madras, "Behold the prowess of my arms and the energy of my weapons, O ruler of men! Today I will slay all the Pancalas and the Pandavas in battle! Cause the steeds to proceed with my car, O tiger among men! Without doubt, everything will be as I have said!" Having said these words, the Suta's son of great valour, that hero, taking up his ancient and foremost of bows called Vijaya, stringed it and rubbed the string repeatedly. Bidding the troops stay on the field after having assured them upon his truth and by an oath, the mighty Karna of immeasurable soul fixed on his bow-string the weapon known by the name of Bhargava. From that weapon flowed, O king, millions and millions of keen arrows in that great battle.

8.45.27

athotkruṣṭaṃ mahārāja pāṇḍavairjitakāśibhiḥ |
dhārtarāṣṭrabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā dravamāṇaṃ samantataḥ || 27 ||

8.45.28

tato duryodhanaḥ karṇamabravītpraṇayādiva |
paśya karṇa yathā senā pāṇḍavairarditā bhṛśam || 28 ||

8.45.29

tvayi tiṣṭhati saṃtrāsātpalāyati samantataḥ |
etajjñātvā mahābāho kuru prāptamariṃdama || 29 ||

8.45.30

sahasrāṇi ca yodhānāṃ tvāmeva puruṣarṣabha |
krośanti samare vīra drāvyamāṇāni pāṇḍavaiḥ || 30 ||

8.45.31

etacchrutvā tu rādheyo duryodhanavaco mahat |
madrarājamidaṃ vākyamabravītsūtanandanaḥ || 31 ||

8.45.32

paśya me bhujayorvīryamastrāṇāṃ ca janeśvara |
adya hanmi raṇe sarvānpāñcālānpāṇḍubhiḥ saha |
vāhayāśvānnaravyāghra bhadreṇaiva janeśvara || 32 ||

8.45.33

evamuktvā mahārāja sūtaputraḥ pratāpavān |
pragṛhya vijayaṃ vīro dhanuḥśreṣṭhaṃ purātanam |
sajyaṃ kṛtvā mahārāja saṃmṛjya ca punaḥ punaḥ || 33 ||

8.45.34

saṃnivārya ca yodhānsvānsatyena śapathena ca |
prāyojayadameyātmā bhārgavāstraṃ mahābalaḥ || 34 ||

8.45.35

tato rājansahasrāṇi prayutānyarbudāni ca |
koṭiśaśca śarāstīkṣṇā niragacchanmahāmṛdhe || 35 ||

8.45.36

jvalitaistairmahāghoraiḥ kaṅkabarhiṇavājitaiḥ |
saṃchannā pāṇḍavī senā na prājñāyata kiṃcana || 36 ||

Entirely shrouded with those blazing and terrible arrows winged with feathers of Kankas and peacocks, the Pandava army could not see anything. Loud wails of woe arose from among the Pancalas, O king, afflicted, in that battle, with the mighty Bhargava weapon. In consequence then of elephants, O king, and steeds, by thousands, and cars, O monarch, and men, falling on all sides, deprived of life, the Earth began to tremble. The vast force of the Pandavas became agitated from one extremity to another. Meanwhile Karna, that scorcher of foes, that foremost of warriors, that tiger among men, while consuming his foes, looked resplendent like a smokeless fire. Thus slaughtered by Karna, the Pancalas and the Cedis began to lose their senses all over the field like elephants during the conflagration in a forest. Those foremost of men, O tiger among men, uttered loud roars like those of the tiger. Loud became the wails of woe, like those of living creatures at the universal dissolution that were uttered by those crying combatants struck with panic and running wildly on all sides, O king, of the field of battle and trembling with fear. Beholding them thus slaughtered, O sire, by the Suta's son, all creatures, even beasts and birds, were filled with fear. The Srinjayas then, thus slaughtered in battle by the Suta's son, repeatedly called upon Arjuna and Vasudeva like the spirits of the dead within Yama's dominions calling upon Yama to rescue them.

8.45.37

hāhākāro mahānāsītpāñcālānāṃ viśāṃ pate |
pīḍitānāṃ balavatā bhārgavāstreṇa saṃyuge || 37 ||

8.45.38

nipatadbhirgajai rājannaraiścāpi sahasraśaḥ |
rathaiścāpi naravyāghra hayaiścāpi samantataḥ || 38 ||

8.45.39

prākampata mahī rājannihataistaistatastataḥ |
vyākulaṃ sarvamabhavatpāṇḍavānāṃ mahadbalam || 39 ||

8.45.40

karṇastveko yudhāṃ śreṣṭho vidhūma iva pāvakaḥ |
dahañśatrūnnaravyāghra śuśubhe sa paraṃtapaḥ || 40 ||

8.45.41

te vadhyamānāḥ karṇena pāñcālāścedibhiḥ saha |
tatra tatra vyamuhyanta vanadāhe yathā dvipāḥ |
cukruśuste naravyāghra yathāprāgvā narottamāḥ || 41 ||

8.45.42

teṣāṃ tu krośatāṃ śrutvā bhītānāṃ raṇamūrdhani |
dhāvatāṃ ca diśo rājanvitrastānāṃ samantataḥ |
ārtanādo mahāṃstatra pretānāmiva saṃplave || 42 ||

8.45.43

vadhyamānāṃstu tāndṛṣṭvā sūtaputreṇa māriṣa |
vitresuḥ sarvabhūtāni tiryagyonigatānyapi || 43 ||

8.45.44

te vadhyamānāḥ samare sūtaputreṇa sṛñjayāḥ |
arjunaṃ vāsudevaṃ ca vyākrośanta muhurmuhuḥ |
pretarājapure yadvatpretarājaṃ vicetasaḥ || 44 ||

8.45.45

athābravīdvāsudevaṃ kuntīputro dhanaṃjayaḥ |
bhārgavāstraṃ mahāghoraṃ dṛṣṭvā tatra sabhīritam || 45 ||

Hearing those wails of the troops slaughtered with Karna's shafts, and beholding the terrible bhargava weapon invoked into existence Kunti's son Dhananjaya said unto Vasudeva these words, "Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the prowess of the bhargava weapon! It cannot, by any means, be baffled! Behold the Suta's son also, O Krishna, filled with rage in this great battle and resembling the Destroyer himself, in prowess and employed in achieving such a fierce feat! Urging his steeds incessantly, he is repeatedly casting angry glances upon me! I will never be able to fly away from Karna in battle! The person that is living, may, in battle, meet with either victory or defeat. To the man, however, that is dead, O Hrishikesha, even death is victory. How can defeat be his that is dead?" Thus addressed by Partha, Krishna replied unto that foremost of intelligent men and chastiser of foes, these words that were suitable to the occasion, "The royal son of Kunti hath been deeply wounded and mangled by Karna. Having seen him first and comforted him, thou wilt then, O Partha, slay Karna?" Then Keshava proceeded, desirous of beholding Yudhishthira, thinking that Karna meanwhile, O monarch, would be overwhelmed with fatigue! Then Dhananjaya, himself desirous of beholding the king afflicted with arrows, quickly proceeded on that car, avoiding the battle, at Keshava's command.

8.45.46

paśya kṛṣṇa mahābāho bhārgavāstrasya vikramam |
naitadastraṃ hi samare śakyaṃ hantuṃ kathaṃcana || 46 ||

8.45.47

sūtaputraṃ ca saṃrabdhaṃ paśya kṛṣṇa mahāraṇe |
antakapratimaṃ vīraṃ kurvāṇaṃ karma dāruṇam || 47 ||

8.45.48

sutīkṣṇaṃ codayannaśvānprekṣate māṃ muhurmuhuḥ |
na ca paśyāmi samare karṇasya prapalāyitam || 48 ||

8.45.49

jīvanprāpnoti puruṣaḥ saṃkhye jayaparājayau |
jitasya tu hṛṣīkeśa vadha eva kuto jayaḥ || 49 ||

8.45.50

tato janārdanaḥ prāyāddraṣṭumicchanyudhiṣṭhiram |
śrameṇa grāhayiṣyaṃśca karṇaṃ yuddhena māriṣa || 50 ||

8.45.51

arjunaṃ cābravītkṛṣṇo bhṛśaṃ rājā parikṣataḥ |
tamāśvāsya kuruśreṣṭha tataḥ karṇaṃ haniṣyasi || 51 ||

8.45.52

tato dhanaṃjayo draṣṭuṃ rājānaṃ bāṇapīḍitam |
rathena prayayau kṣipraṃ saṃgrāme keśavājñayā || 52 ||

8.45.53

gacchanneva tu kaunteyo dharmarājadidṛkṣayā |
sainyamālokayāmāsa nāpaśyattatra cāgrajam || 53 ||

While the son of Kunti was thus proceeding from desire of seeing king Yudhishthira the just, he cast his eyes on every part of the army but failed to find his eldest brother anywhere on the field. The son of Kunti proceeded, O Bharata, having fought with the son of his preceptor Drona, and having vanquished that hero incapable of being resisted by the wielder of the thunderbolt himself.'"

8.45.54

yuddhaṃ kṛtvā tu kaunteyo droṇaputreṇa bhārata |
duḥsahaṃ vajriṇā saṃkhye parājigye bhṛgoḥ sutam || 54 ||

8.45.55

drauṇiṃ parājitya tatogradhanvā kṛtvā mahadduṣkaramāryakarma |
ālokayāmāsa tataḥ svasainyaṃ dhanaṃjayaḥ śatrubhirapradhṛṣyaḥ || 55 ||

"Sanjaya said, 'Having vanquished the son of Drona and achieved a mighty and heroic feat that is exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, Dhananjaya, irresistible by foes, and with bow outstretched in his hands, cast his eyes among his own troops. The brave Savyasaci, gladdening those warriors of his that were still battling at the head of their divisions and applauding those among them that were celebrated for their former achievements, caused the carwarriors of his own army to continue to stand in their posts. Not seeing his brother Yudhishthira of Ajamida's race, the diadem-decked Arjuna, adorned, besides, with a necklace of gold, speedily approached Bhima and enquired of him the whereabouts of the king, saying, "Tell me, where is the king?" Thus asked, Bhima said, "King Yudhishthira the just, hath gone away from this place, his limbs scorched with Karna's shafts. It is doubtful whether he still liveth!" Hearing those words, Arjuna said, "For this reason go thou quickly from the spot for bringing intelligence of the king, that best of all the descendants of Kuru! Without doubt, deeply pierced by Karna with shafts, the king hath gone to the camp! In that fierce passage at arms, though deeply pierced by Drona with keen shafts, the king endued with great activity, had still stayed in battle, expectant of victory, until Drona was slain! That foremost one among the Pandavas, possessed of great magnanimity, was greatly imperilled by Karna in today's battle! For ascertaining his condition, quickly go hence, O Bhima! I will stay here, checking all our foes!" Thus addressed, Bhima said, "O thou of great glory, go thyself for ascertaining the condition of the king, that bull amongst the Bharatas! If, O Arjuna, I go there, many foremost of heroes will then say that I am frightened in battle!" Then Arjuna said unto Bhimasena, "The samsaptakas are before my division! Without slaying those assembled foes first, it is impossible for me to stir from this place!' Then Bhimasena said unto Arjuna, 'Relying upon my own might, O foremost one among the Kurus, I will fight with all the samsaptakas in battle! Therefore, O Dhananjaya, do thou go thyself!'"

65

"Sanjaya said, 'Having vanquished the son of Drona and achieved a mighty and heroic feat that is exceedingly difficult of accomplishment, Dhananjaya, irresistible by foes, and with bow outstretched in his hands, cast his eyes among his own troops. The brave Savyasaci, gladdening those warriors of his that were still battling at the head of their divisions and applauding those among them that were celebrated for their former achievements, caused the carwarriors of his own army to continue to stand in their posts. Not seeing his brother Yudhishthira of Ajamida's race, the diadem-decked Arjuna, adorned, besides, with a necklace of gold, speedily approached Bhima and enquired of him the whereabouts of the king, saying, "Tell me, where is the king?" Thus asked, Bhima said, "King Yudhishthira the just, hath gone away from this place, his limbs scorched with Karna's shafts. It is doubtful whether he still liveth!" Hearing those words, Arjuna said, "For this reason go thou quickly from the spot for bringing intelligence of the king, that best of all the descendants of Kuru! Without doubt, deeply pierced by Karna with shafts, the king hath gone to the camp! In that fierce passage at arms, though deeply pierced by Drona with keen shafts, the king endued with great activity, had still stayed in battle, expectant of victory, until Drona was slain! That foremost one among the Pandavas, possessed of great magnanimity, was greatly imperilled by Karna in today's battle! For ascertaining his condition, quickly go hence, O Bhima! I will stay here, checking all our foes!" Thus addressed, Bhima said, "O thou of great glory, go thyself for ascertaining the condition of the king, that bull amongst the Bharatas! If, O Arjuna, I go there, many foremost of heroes will then say that I am frightened in battle!" Then Arjuna said unto Bhimasena, "The samsaptakas are before my division! Without slaying those assembled foes first, it is impossible for me to stir from this place!' Then Bhimasena said unto Arjuna, 'Relying upon my own might, O foremost one among the Kurus, I will fight with all the samsaptakas in battle! Therefore, O Dhananjaya, do thou go thyself!'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing in the midst of foes, those words of his brother Bhimasena that were difficult of accomplishment, Arjuna, desiring to see the king, addressed the Vrishni hero, saying, "Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, leaving this sea of troops! I desire, O Keshava to see king Ajatasatru!'"

"Sanjaya continued, 'Just as he was on the point of urging the steeds, Keshava, that foremost one of the Dasharhas, addressed Bhima, saying, "This feat is not at all wonderful for thee, O Bhima! I am about to go (hence). Slay these assembled foes of Partha!" Then Hrishikesha proceeded with very great speed to the spot where king Yudhishthira was, O king, borne by those steeds that resembled Garuda, having stationed Bhima, that chastiser of foes, at the head of the army and having commanded him, O monarch, to fight (with the samsaptakas). Then those two foremost of men, (Krishna and Arjuna), proceeding on their car, approached the king who was lying alone on his bed. Both of them, alighting from that car, worshipped the feet of king Yudhishthira the just. Beholding that bull of tigers among men safe and sound, the two Krishnas became filled with joy, like the twin Ashvinis on seeing Vasava. The king then congratulated them both like Vivasvat congratulating the twin Ashvinis, or like Brihaspati congratulating Sankara and Vishnu after the slaughter of the mighty asura Jambha. King Yudhishthira the just, thinking that Karna had been slain, became filled with joy, and that scorcher of foes thereupon addressed them in these words in a voice choked with delight.'"

8.45.56

sa yudhyamānaḥ pṛtanāmukhasthāñśūrāñśūro harṣayansavyasācī |
pūrvāpadānaiḥ prathitaiḥ praśaṃsansthirāṃścakārātmarathānanīke || 56 ||

8.45.57

apaśyamānastu kirīṭamālī yudhi jyeṣṭhaṃ bhrātaramājamīḍham |
uvāca bhīmaṃ tarasābhyupetya rājñaḥ pravṛttistviha keti rājan || 57 ||

8.45.58

bhīma uvāca |
apayāta ito rājā dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
karṇabāṇavibhugnāṅgo yadi jīvetkathaṃcana || 58 ||

8.45.59

arjuna uvāca |
tasmādbhavāñśīghramitaḥ prayātu rājñaḥ pravṛttyai kurusattamasya |
nūnaṃ hi viddho'tibhṛśaṃ pṛṣatkaiḥ karṇena rājā śibiraṃ gato'sau || 59 ||

8.45.60

yaḥ saṃprahāre niśi saṃpravṛtte droṇena viddho'tibhṛśaṃ tarasvī |
tasthau ca tatrāpi jayapratīkṣo droṇena yāvanna hataḥ kilāsīt || 60 ||

8.45.61

sa saṃśayaṃ gamitaḥ pāṇḍavāgryaḥ saṃkhye'dya karṇena mahānubhāvaḥ |
jñātuṃ prayāhyāśu tamadya bhīma sthāsyāmyahaṃ śatrugaṇānnirudhya || 61 ||

8.45.62

bhīma uvāca |
tvameva jānīhi mahānubhāva rājñaḥ pravṛttiṃ bharatarṣabhasya |
ahaṃ hi yadyarjuna yāmi tatra vakṣyanti māṃ bhīta iti pravīrāḥ || 62 ||

8.45.63

tato'bravīdarjuno bhīmasenaṃ saṃśaptakāḥ pratyanīkaṃ sthitā me |
etānahatvā na mayā tu śakyamito'payātuṃ ripusaṃghagoṣṭhāt || 63 ||

8.45.64

athābravīdarjunaṃ bhīmasenaḥ svavīryamāśritya kurupravīra |
saṃśaptakānpratiyotsyāmi saṃkhye sarvānahaṃ yāhi dhanaṃjayeti || 64 ||

8.45.65

tadbhīmasenasya vaco niśamya sudurvacaṃ bhrāturamitramadhye |
draṣṭuṃ kuruśreṣṭhamabhiprayātuṃ provāca vṛṣṇipravaraṃ tadānīm || 65 ||

"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing in the midst of foes, those words of his brother Bhimasena that were difficult of accomplishment, Arjuna, desiring to see the king, addressed the Vrishni hero, saying, "Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, leaving this sea of troops! I desire, O Keshava to see king Ajatasatru!'"

8.45.66

codayāśvānhṛṣīkeśa vigāhyaitaṃ rathārṇavam |
ajātaśatruṃ rājānaṃ draṣṭumicchāmi keśava || 66 ||

8.45.67

tato hayānsarvadāśārhamukhyaḥ prācodayadbhīmamuvāca cedam |
naitaccitraṃ tava karmādya vīra yāsyāmahe jahi bhīmārisaṃghān || 67 ||

"Sanjaya continued, 'Just as he was on the point of urging the steeds, Keshava, that foremost one of the Dasharhas, addressed Bhima, saying, "This feat is not at all wonderful for thee, O Bhima! I am about to go (hence). Slay these assembled foes of Partha!" Then Hrishikesha proceeded with very great speed to the spot where king Yudhishthira was, O king, borne by those steeds that resembled Garuda, having stationed Bhima, that chastiser of foes, at the head of the army and having commanded him, O monarch, to fight (with the samsaptakas). Then those two foremost of men, (Krishna and Arjuna), proceeding on their car, approached the king who was lying alone on his bed. Both of them, alighting from that car, worshipped the feet of king Yudhishthira the just. Beholding that bull of tigers among men safe and sound, the two Krishnas became filled with joy, like the twin Ashvinis on seeing Vasava. The king then congratulated them both like Vivasvat congratulating the twin Ashvinis, or like Brihaspati congratulating Sankara and Vishnu after the slaughter of the mighty asura Jambha. King Yudhishthira the just, thinking that Karna had been slain, became filled with joy, and that scorcher of foes thereupon addressed them in these words in a voice choked with delight.'"

8.45.68

tato yayau hṛṣīkeśo yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
śīghrācchīghrataraṃ rājanvājibhirgaruḍopamaiḥ || 68 ||

8.45.69

pratyanīke vyavasthāpya bhīmasenamariṃdamam |
saṃdiśya caiva rājendra yuddhaṃ prati vṛkodaram || 69 ||

8.45.70

tatastu gatvā puruṣapravīrau rājānamāsādya śayānamekam |
rathādubhau pratyavaruhya tasmādvavandaturdharmarājasya pādau || 70 ||

8.45.71

tau dṛṣṭvā puruṣavyāghrau kṣemiṇau puruṣarṣabha |
mudābhyupagatau kṛṣṇāvaśvināviva vāsavam || 71 ||

8.45.72

tāvabhyanandadrājā hi vivasvānaśvināviva |
hate mahāsure jambhe śakraviṣṇū yathā guruḥ || 72 ||

8.45.73

manyamāno hataṃ karṇaṃ dharmarājo yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
harṣagadgadayā vācā prītaḥ prāha paraṃtapau || 73 ||