धृतराष्ट्र उवाच कथं शिखण्डी गाङ्गेयमभ्यवर्तत संयुगे। पाण्डवांश्च कथं भीष्मस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय॥
Dhritarashtra said How did Shikhandin proceed in battle against the son of Ganga? How also Bhishma advance against the Pandavas? Speak to me of all these, O Sanjaya.
संजय उवाच ततस्ते पाण्डवाः सर्वे सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति। ताड्यमानासु भेरीषु मृदङ्गेष्वानकेषु च।॥
Sanjaya said Then towards the hour of sunrise, all the Pandava warriors, with the sound of drums, cymbals and Anakas,
ध्मायत्सु दधिवर्णेषु जलजेषु समन्ततः। शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य निर्याताः पाण्डवा युधि॥
And with the blare of conchs of the hue of curds, all around, placing Shikhandin at their van, marched forth in battle array.
कृत्वा व्यूह महाराज सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम्। शिखण्डी सर्वसैन्यानामग्र आसीद् विशाम्पते॥
O mighty monarch, they disposed of their troops in an array capable if destroying all the foes; and O ruler of men, Shikhandin then occupied the van of all the troops.
चक्ररक्षौ ततस्तस्य भीमसेनधनंजयौ। पृष्ठतो द्रौपदेयाश्च सौभद्रश्चैव वीर्यवान्॥
Then Bhimasena and Dhananjaya became the protectors of his car-wheels. Behind him were the sons of Draupadi and the highly puissant of Subhadra.
सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च तेषां गोप्ता महारथा धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततः पश्चात्यञ्चालैरभिरक्षितः॥
Then Satyaki and Chekitana, each a mighty car-warrior, became the protector of these last named. Behind them came Dhrishtadyumna protected by the Panchalas.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा यमाभ्यां सहितः प्रभुः। प्रययौ सिंहनादेन नादयन् भरतर्षभ॥
Then king Yudhishthira that mighty lord, with his twin brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva, proceeded to battle, O foremost of the Bharata, uttering his war-cries aloud.
विराटस्तु ततः पश्चात् स्वेन सैन्येन संवृतः। दुपदश्च महाबाहो ततः पश्चादुपाद्रवत्॥
After him came Virata supported by his own divisions and then came, O mighty armed one, king Draupada.
केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च धृष्टकेतुश्च वीर्यवान्। जघनं पालयामासुः पाण्डुसैन्यस्य भारत॥
The five Kaikeya brothers, and the highly powerful Dhrishtaketu, protected, O Bharata, the rear of the Pandava forces.
एवं व्यूह्य महासैन्यं पाण्डवास्तव वाहिनीम्। अभ्यद्रवन्त संग्रामे त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः॥
Having thus disposed of their troops in battle-array, the Pandavas, all prepared to lay down their lives in battle, charged your divisions.
तथैव कुरवी राजन् भीष्मं कृत्वा महारथम्। अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां प्रययुः पाण्डवान् प्रति॥
The Kauravas also, O king, placing at the van of all their troops the mighty car-warrior Bhishma, advanced against the Pandavas.
पुत्रैस्तव दुराधर्षो रक्षितः सुमहाबलैः। ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः पुत्रश्चास्य महाबलः॥
That invincible warrior Bhishma, was protected by your sons, all endued with great might. Next behind him came the mighty bowman Drona along with his highly puissant son Ashvathama.
भगदत्तस्ततः पश्चाद् गजानीकेन सवृतः। कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च भगदत्तमनुव्रतौ॥
Next behind came Bhagadatta supported by a division of elephants. Kripa and Kritavarma followed Bhagadatta.
काम्बोजराजो बलवांस्ततः पश्चात् सुदक्षिणः। मागधच जयत्सेनः सौबलश्च बृहद्बलः॥
After them came the powerful Sudakshina, the king of the Kambojas, Jayatsena of the Magadha kingdom, and the son of Subala, and Brihadbala.
तथैवान्ये महेष्वासाः सुशर्मप्रमुखा नृपाः। जघनं पालयामासुस्तव सैन्यस्य भारत॥
Other mighty royal bowmen royal bowmen headed by Susharma protected, O Bharata, the rear of your troops.
दिवसे दिवसे प्राप्ते भीष्मः शान्तनवो युधि। आसुरानकरोद् व्यूहान् पैशाचानथ राक्षसान्॥
Day after day Bhishma the son of Shantanu used to dispose of his troops in battle arrays such as Pisachas, Rakshasas, and Asuras.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तव तेषां च भारत। अन्योन्य निजतां राजन् यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम्॥
Then ensued a fight, as they slew on another, between your troops and theirs, that added considerably to the population of Death's domain.
अर्जुनप्रमुखाः पार्थाः पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम्। भीष्मं युद्धेऽभ्यवर्तन्त किरन्तो विविधाञ्छरान्॥
The son of Pritha headed by Arjuna, placing Shikhandin in front of them, advanced towards Bhishma in battle, shooting arrows of various descriptions.
तत्र भारत भीमेन ताडितास्तावकाः शरैः। रुधिरोधपरिक्लिन्ना: परलोकं ययुस्तदा॥
Then, O Bharata, your troops wounded with shafts shot by Bhima, exhausted with the loss of blood, repaired to the regions of the departed.
नकुलः सहदेवश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः। तव सैन्यं समासाद्य पीडयामासुरोजसा॥
Then Nakula, Sahadeva, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, all approaching your troops began to afflict them with force.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे तावका भरतर्षभ। नाशक्नुतन् वारयितुं पाण्डवानां महद् वलम्॥
Thus, O foremost of the Bharatas, slaughtered in battle, your troops were unable to resist the mighty army of the Pandavas.
ततस्तु तावकं सैन्यं वध्यमानं समन्ततः। सुसम्प्राप्तं दश दिशः काल्यमानं महारथैः॥
Then your troops, being thus slain, crushed and afflicted by the mighty car-warriors, fled in all directions.
वातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त तावका भरतर्षभ। वध्यमानाः शितैर्बाणैः पाण्डवैः सहसृञ्जयैः॥
Being thus slaughtered, foremost of the Bharatas, by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, with their sharp arrows your troops could not find a protector
धृतराष्ट्र उवाच पीड्यमानं बलं दृष्ट्वा पार्थैर्भीष्मः पराक्रमी। यदकार्षीद् रणे क्रुद्धस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय॥
Dhritarashtra said Tell me, O Sanjaya, what did the mighty Bhishma wrought up with wrath do, when he saw my troops thus afflicted by the Partha's in battle?
कथं वा पाण्डवान् युद्धे प्रत्युद्यातः परंतपः। विनिघ्ननं सोमकान् वीरस्तदाचक्ष्व ममानघ॥
Tell me also, O sinless one, how that afflicter of foes, that puissant hero comforted the Pandavas and slew the Somakas?
संजय उवाच आचक्षे ते महाराज यदकार्षीत् पिता तव। पीडिते तव पुत्रस्य सैन्ये पाण्डवसुंजयैः॥
Sanjaya said I shall tell you, O monarch, what did your father do, when the troops of your sons were afflicted by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.
प्रहृष्टमनसः शूराः पाण्डवाः पाण्डुपूर्वज। अभ्यवर्तन्त निघ्नन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम्॥
The heroic Pandavas, O elder brother of Pandu, with cheerful hearts, advanced slaying the forces of your son,
तं विनाशं मनुष्येन्द्र गरवारणवाजिनाम्। नामृष्यत तदा भीष्मः सैन्यघातं रणे परैः॥
Then, O foremost of men, Bhishma did not tolerate that slaughter of men, elepnants and steeds, of your host, by the enemy.
स पाण्डवान् महेष्वासः पञ्चामांश्चैव संजरा न्। नाराचैर्वत्सदन्तैश्च शितैरशलिकैस्तथा।॥ अभ्यवर्षत दुर्धर्षस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः। स पाण्डवानां प्रवरान् पञ्च राजन् महारथान्॥ आत्तशत्रो रणे यत्नाद् वारयामास सायकैः। गानाशस्त्रास्त्रवर्षेस्तान् वीर्यामर्षप्रवेरितैः॥
Then that fierce bowmen, that invincible hero, ready to lay down his life in battle, showered upon the Pandavas, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, a downpour of sharp lances, and Vatsadantas and Anjalikas. Then, O king, wielding his weapons Bhishma with his shafts repulsed the five foremost and mighty carwarriors of the Pandava host who had been vigorously exerting theinselves in battle. He held them in check by showering on them many weapons both offensive and defensive, all sped with wrath and force.
निजघ्ने समरे क्रुन्द्रो हस्त्यश्वं चामितं बहु। र६िनोऽयात बद् राजन् रथेभ्यः पुरुषर्षभः॥
Wrought up with rage, he slew in battle countless nuinber: of elephants and stecd:". then, O king, that foremost of me throv, ing many car-warriors from their cars,
सादिनश्चाश्च पृष्ठे-य: । दातांश्च सम्पगतान्। गजारोहान् गजेभ्यश्च परेषां जयकारिणः॥
Many horse-soldiers from the back of horses, and also many foot-seldiers, and elephant-riders from the back of the elephants, inspired terror into the hearts of the foe.
तमेकं समरे भीष्मं त्वरमाण महारथम्। पाण्डवाः समवर्तन्त वज्रहस्तमिवासुराः॥
Then like the Asuras assailing the wielder of the thunder bolt, the Pandavas assailed, in a body, that single-handed mighty car-warrior Bhishma who was moving swiftly up and down the field of battle.
शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शान् विमुञ्चन् निशिताञ्छरान्। विश्वदृश्यत सर्वासु घोरं संधारयन् वपुः॥
Then Bhishma was seen in all directions, with a terrible form and shooting sharp arrows of which the touch was as fatal as that of Indra's thunder bolt.
मण्डलीभूतवास्य नित्यं धनुरदृश्यत। संग्रामे युद्ध्यमानस्य शक्रचापोपमं महत्॥
As Bhishma fought on, his bow that resembled the mighty bow of Indra (Rainbow) was seen to remain continuously in a circular form.
तद् दृष्ट्वा सम् कर्म पुत्रास्तव विशाम्पते। विस्म परमं गत्वा पितामहमजयन्॥ पार्था विमनसो भूत्वा पैक्षन पितरं तव॥
Then, O ruler of men, your sons beholding those mighty feats of Bhishma in battle, were amazed, and highly honoured the grandsire.
युध्यमानं रणे शूरं विप्रचित्तिमिवामराः। न चैनं वारयामासुक्त्ताननमिवान्तकम्॥
Then like the immortals loO king, in the days of yore, at Viprachitti, the Partha's with depressed hearts began to look at your heroic father who was fighting fiercely;
दशमेऽहनि सम्प्राप्ते रथानीकं शिखण्डिनः। अहदनिशितैर्बाणैः कृष्णवर्मेव काननम्॥ तं शिखण्डी त्रिभिर्बाणैरभ्यविध्यत् स्तनान्तरे। आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं कालसृष्टमिवान्तकम्॥
And they were unable to resist him who then looked like Death's self with wide-open mouth. On the tenth day of the battle, Bhishma began to consume with his sharp arrows the car-host of Shikhandin like fire consuming a forest. Then Shikhandin with three arrows pierced Bhishma between his breasts,
स तेना तभृशं विद्धः प्रेक्ष्य भीष्मः शिखाण्डनम्। अनिच्छन्निव संक्रुद्धः प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत्॥
Bhishma-who then resembled an enraged snake of virulent venom or the Destroyer himself let loose by time. Thus sorely pierced by Shikhandin Bhishma loO king at him.
काममभ्यस वा मा वा न त्वां योत्स्ये कथंचन। यैव हि त्वं कृता धात्रा सैव हिच शिखण्डिनी॥
And waxing wroth, as if unwillingly said these words with a smile "Whether you strike me (with arrows) or not, I will never fight with you;
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा शिखण्डी क्रोधमूर्छितः। उवाचैनं तथ पीष्मं सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन्॥
You are even now the same Shikhandin as the creator made you before. Hearing these words of his, Shikhandin overwhelmed with rage,
जानामि त्वां मह बाहो क्षत्रियाणां क्षयंकर। मया श्रुतं च ते युद्धं जामदग्न्टे. वै सह॥
Said these words to Bhishma in battle licking at the same time the corners of his and mouth. “I know you, O mighty-armed hero, to be the destroyer of the Kshatriyas.
दिव्यश्च ते प्रभावोऽयं मया च बहुशः श्रुतः। जानन्नपि प्रभावंते योत्स्येऽद्याहं त्वया सह॥
I have heard of the battle you fought with the son of Jamadagni; I have also heard of your divine prowess.
पाण्डवानां प्रियं कुर्वन्नात्मनश्च नरोत्तम। अद्य त्वां योधयिष्यामि रणे पुरुषसत्तम॥
Knowing your prowess, I will still fight with you this day, desirous of doing a good turn to the Pandavas and to myself, O afflicter of foes.
ध्रुवं च त्वां हनिष्यामि शपे सत्येन तेऽग्रतः। एतच्छुत्रा च मद्वाक्यं यत् कृत्यं तत् समाचर॥
O foremost of men, I will fight with you this day on the field of battle, and will, without doubt, slay you in battle. This I swear by my troth before you.
काममभ्यस वा मा वा न मे जीवन् प्रमोक्ष्यसे। सुदृष्टः क्रियतां भीष्मं लोकोऽयं समितिंजय॥
Having heard these words of mine do what you think to be your duty. Whether you strike me or not, you shall not escape me alive this day. So, O ever-victorious Bhishma, let your eyes take a good view of this world, (as they will no longer see its charms).”
संजय उवाच एवमुक्त्वा ततो भीष्मं पञ्चभिर्नतपर्वभिः। अविध्यत रणे भीष्मं प्रणुन्नं वाक्यसायकैः॥
Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, ne, with five shafts of depressed knots, pierced Bhishma in battle who had already been deeply pierced with the former's wordy arrow.
तस्य तद् वचनं श्रुत्वा सव्यसाची महारथः। कालोऽयमिति संचिन्त्य शिखण्डिनमचोदयत्॥
Hearing those words of Shikhandin, the mighty car-warrior Savyasachi (Arjuna) thinking that was the right moment (to strike Bhishma) urged the former on saying
अहं त्वामनुयास्यामि परान् विद्रावयशरैः। अभिद्रव सुसंरब्धो भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम्॥
'I shall fight behind you crushing the enemy with my arrows; now inflamed with wrath, do you assail Bhishma of dreadful prowess.
न हि ते संयुगे पीडां शक्तः कर्तुं महाबलः। तस्मादद्य महाबाहो यत्नाद् भीष्ममभिद्रव॥
O mighty-armed hero, Bhishma will not be able to cause pain to you in battle. Therefore, O mighty hero, do you now assail Bhishma putting forth all your energies.
अहत्वा समरे भीष्मं यदि यास्यसि महारिष अवहास्योऽस्य लोकस्टः भविष्यसि मया सह॥
If, O sire, you do return without slaying Bhishma in battle, you along with myself, shail be exposed to the derision of the world.
नावहास्या यथा वीरं भवेम परमाहवे। तथा कुरु रणे यत्नं साधयस्व पितामहम्॥
O hero, so exert yourself, that we may not be held in ridicule in this fierce battle. Struggling vigorously in battle, do you slay the grandsire.
अहं ते रक्षणं युद्धे करिष्यामि महाबल। वारयन् रथिनः सर्वान् साधयस्व पितामहम्॥
I, myself O mighty hero, shall look to your protection, epulsing all the car-Warriors of the eneray's host. Do you overthrow the grandfather.
द्रोणं च द्रोणपुत्रं च कृपं चाथ सुयोधनम्। चित्रसेनं विकर्णं च सैन्धर जयद्रथम्॥
Drona and his son, Krishna, Suyodhana, Chitresena, Vikarna, Jayadratha the king if the Sindhus,
विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौकाम्बोजं च मदक्षिणम्। भगदत्तं तथा शूरं मागधं च महाबलम्॥
The two Avanti princes Vinda and Anuvinda, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kambojas, the heroic Bhagadatta, the mighty ruler of the Magadhas, son
सौमदत्तिं तथा शूरमार्थ्यशृङ्गिं च राक्षसम्। त्रिगर्तराजं च रणे सह सर्वैर्महारथैः॥
The valiant of Somadatta, the Rakshasa, Alambusha, and the ruler of the Trigarta's along with all the mighty car-warriors,
अहमावारयिष्यामि बेलेव मकरालयम्। कुरूंश्च सहितान् सर्वान् युध्यमानान् महाबलान्। निवारयिष्यामि रणे साधयस्व पितामहम्॥
All these warriors, I will resist like the banks resisting the waves of the mighty main. I will also hold at bay the mighty warriors of the Kuru army all united against us and fighting with us. Do you overthrow the grandsire.