धृतराष्ट्र उवाच एवं बहुगुणं सैन्यमेवं प्रविचितं बलम्। व्यूढमेवं यथान्यायमेवं बहु च संजय॥
Dhritarashtra said Our army is possessed of many excellencies; and it is composed of various kinds of troops; its efficiency is great. O Sanjaya, it is disposed of in order in perfect accordance to the rules of military science and it is strong in numbers.
नित्यं पूजितमस्माभिरभिकामं च नः सदा। प्रौढमत्यद्भुताकारं पुरस्ताद् दृष्टविक्रमम्॥
The warriors therein are ever well-treated by us and they are attached to us very much. The army is not newly recruited and its aspect is wonderful. Its efficiency has been tested previously.
नातिवृद्धमबालं च नाकृशं नातिपीवरम्। लघुवृत्तायतप्रायं सारगात्रपनामयम्॥ आत्तसंनाहसंछन्नं बहुशस्त्रपरिच्छदम्। शस्त्रग्रहणविद्यासु बह्वीषु परिनिष्ठितम्॥
The warriors belonging to it are neither very old, nor very young; they are neither lean nor very corpulent. They are of active habits, well-built, strong-bodied and free from any disease. They are clad in cuirasses and wellequipped with offensive weapons. They are accomplished in the use of various weapons and are well practised in the exercise of all kinds of weapons.
आरोहे पर्यवस्कन्दे सरणे सान्तरप्लुते। सम्यक्प्रहरणे याने व्यपयाने च कोविदम्॥
They are experts in mountain upon and descending from vehicles, in moving forward and in falling back, in striking down effectually and in advancing and retreating.
नागेष्वश्वेषु बहुशो रथेषु च परीक्षितम्। परीक्ष्य च यथान्यायं वेतनेनोपपादितम्॥
They have before been examined in the management of steeds, elephants and cars; and after due examination, they have been employed on pay.
न गोष्ठ्या नोपकारेण न सम्बन्धनिमित्ततः। नानाहूतं नाप्यभृतं मम सैन्यं बभूव ह॥
And no for the sake of family relationship, nor from favour, nor from kinship. They have not come uncalled for, nor are they unpaid soldicrs.
कुलीनार्यजनोपेतं तुष्टपुष्टमनुद्धतम्। कृतमानोपचारं च यशखि च मनखि च॥
They are high-born, respectable, evercontented, well-fed and submissive. They have been duly honoured and rewarded by ourselves. They are all endued with fame and intelligence.
सचिवैश्चापरैर्मुख्यैर्बहुभिः पुण्यकर्मभिः। लोकपालोपमैस्तात पालितं नरसत्तमैः॥
They again, O sire, are defended by our best warriors and other's of pious practices, all of whom are foremost men and resemble the Lokapalas themselves.
बहुभिः पार्थिवैर्गुप्तस्मत्प्रियचिकार्युभिः। अस्मानभिसृतैः कामात् सबलैः सपदानुगैः॥
Numerous kings solicitous of our welfare, who have, out of their own accord, joined us with all their forces and followers, also defend them.
महोदधिमिवापूर्णमापगभिः समन्ततः। अपक्षैः पक्षिसंकाशे रथैरश्वैश्च संवृतम्॥
Truly our army is like the vast ocean swelling with the waters of various stream flowing into it from all sides. It teems with chariot and steeds, which though devoid of wings are still capable of moving through the air like the winged rangers of the sky.
प्रभिन्नकरटैश्चैव द्विरदैरावृतं महत्। यदहन्यत मे सैन्यं किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
My army abounds in elephants with the temporal juice flowing down their cheeks. Then to what else, but Destiny, can the slaughter of such an army be attributed?
योधाक्षय्यजलं भीमं वाहनोर्मितरङ्गिणम्। क्षेपण्यसिगदाशक्तिशरप्रासझषाकुलम्॥
(Ocean-like as our arrmy is), numerous warriors constitute its waters; and the various vehicles constitute its dreadful and surging waves. Innumerable maces, swords, darts, shafts and javelins constitute the oars plied on it.
ध्वजभूषणसम्बाघरत्नोपलसुसंचितम्। वाहनैरभिधावद्भिर्वायुवेगविकम्पितम्॥
Teeming with standards and ornaments, the combatants form the lotuses on it. The swiftmoving steeds and elephants and chargers constitute the tempest that lashes in into fury.
द्रोणगम्भीरपातालं कृतवर्ममहाह्रदम्। जलसंधमहाग्राहं कर्णचन्द्रोदयोद्धतम्॥
Drona forms its fathomless cave, Kritavarman its minghty lake and Jalasandha its dreadful alligator and Karna, the rising of the moon that makes it swell with pride and energy.
गते सैन्यार्णवं भित्त्वा तरसा पाण्डवर्षभे। संजयैकरथेनैव युयुधाने च मामकम्॥
O Sanjaya, on a single car that foremost of the Pandavas viz., Arjuna has gone piercing through my ocean-like host and Yuyudhana also has followed him;
तत्र शेषं न पश्यामि प्रविष्टे सव्यसाचिनि। सात्वते च रथोदारे मम सैन्यस्य संजय॥
And O Sanjaya, when Savyasachin has thus penetrated into my host and also that excellent car-warrior Satyaki of the Satvata race has done so, I do not think that any one of my troops will be able to escape with his life.
तौ तत्र समतिक्रान्तौ दृष्ट्वातीव तरखिनौ। सिन्धुराजं तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य गाण्डीवस्येषुगोचरे॥
Beholding those two heroes dash with speed through the vanguards of my troops and seeing the ruler of the Sindhus come within range of arrows shot from the Gandiva bow.
किं नु वा कुरवः कृत्यं विदधुः कालचोदिताः। दारुणैकायने कालं कथं वा प्रतिपेदिरे॥
What course of action did the Kurus, goaded on to destruction by Fate then adopt? What became of them at that hour when the battle raged with fury?
ग्रस्तान् हि कौरवान् मन्ये मृत्युना तात संगतान्। विक्रमोऽपि रणे तेषां न तथा दृश्यते हि वै॥
O son, I consider the assembled Kaurava host already within the jaws of Death. Their prowess in battle is no longer seen to be what it once was.
अक्षतौ संयुगे तत्र प्रविष्टौ कृष्णपाण्डवौ। न च वारयिता कश्चित् तयोरस्तीह संजय॥
Krishna and the son of Pandu have both entered into our troops, receiving not even the slightest wound. O Sanjaya, there is none also who can resist them.
भृताश्च बहवो योधाः परीक्ष्यैव महारथाः। वेतनेन यथासोगं प्रियवादेन चापरे॥
Many mighty car-warriors and combatants have been admitted into our army after due examination. They all have been gratified by us with due remunerations and agreeable speeches.
असत्कारभृतस्तात मम सैन्ये न विद्यते। कर्मणा ह्यनुरूपेण लभ्यते भक्तवेतनम्॥
There is none among my troops who has been maltreated. Every one receives his pay and ration, according to his abilities.
न चायोधोऽभवत् कश्चिन्मम सैन्ये तु संजय। अल्पदानभृतस्तात तथा चाभृतको नरः॥
O Sanjaya, there is none who is not a good warrior, none who receives remuneration less then what he deserves or none who receives no pay.
पूजितो हि यथाशक्त्या दानमानासनैर्मया। तथा पुत्रैश्च मे तात ज्ञातिभिश्च सबान्धवैः॥
The soldiers are honoured by me to the best of my resources, with gifts, honors and seats. My sons, relatives and my kinsmen, O son, all treat them in the same respectful manner as I do.
ते च प्राप्यैव संग्रामे निर्जिताः सव्यसाचिना। शैनेयन परामृष्टाः किमन्यद् भागधेयतः॥
Even such troops, encountering Savayasachin in battle, are being vanquished by him; they are also being crushed by the grand son of Sini; what can it be but Destiny?
रक्ष्यते यश्च संग्रामे ये च संजय रक्षिणः। एकः साधारणः पन्था रक्ष्यस्य सह रक्षिभिः॥
Those who are protecting and those who are protected, are following the same road, the dcfender and the defended!
अर्जुनं समरे दृष्ट्वा सैन्धवस्याग्रतः स्थितम्। पुत्रो मम भृशं मूढः किं कार्य प्रत्यपद्यत॥
Beholding Arjuna stand before the ruler of the Sindhus in hostile attitude, what measure did my highly foolish son adopt?
सात्यकिं च रणे दृष्ट्वा प्रविशन्तमभीवत्। किं नु दुर्योधनः कृत्यं प्राप्तकालममन्यत॥
Beholding also Satyaki dash through his troops like one fearless, what measures also did Duryodhana consider to be suitable to the situation?
सर्वशस्त्रातिगौ सेनां प्रविष्टौ रथितसत्तमौ। दृष्ट्वा कां वै धृति युद्धे प्रत्यपद्यन्त मामकाः॥
Beholding those two foremost of carwarriors, both beyond the reach of all weapons, thus penetrate into my host, what resolution did my troops then form
दृष्ट्वा कृष्णं तु दाशार्हमर्जुनार्थे व्यवस्थितम्। शिनीनामृषभं चैव मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems, beholding Krishna of the Dasarha race and that foremost of the Sinis, both exerting for the sake of Arjuna, my sons are giving way to grief.
दृष्ट्वा सेनां व्यतिक्रान्तां सात्वतेनार्जुनेन च। पलायमानांश्च कुरून् मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Beholding him of the Satvata race and Arjuna pass through my divisions and beholding the Kurus fly in all directions, Meseems, my sons are giving way to grief.
विदुतान् रथिनो दृष्ट्वा निरुत्साहान् द्विषजये। पलायनकृतोत्साहान् मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are giving way to grief, beholding the car-warriors routed and hopeless of conquering their foes and exert themselves in flying away.
शून्यान् कृतान् रथोपस्थान् सात्वतेनार्जुनेन च। हतांश्च योधान् संदृश्य मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are giving way to grief, beholding the terraces of cars made empty by Satvata and Arjuna and also beholding the warriors slain (by thousands).
व्यश्वनागरथान् दृष्ट्वा तत्र वीरान् सहस्रशः। धावमानान् रणे व्यग्रान् मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are lamenting, beholding the steeds, the chariots, the elephants and thousands of heroic soldiers flying away in haste from the field of battle.
महानागान् विद्रवतो दृष्ट्वार्जुनशराहतान्। पतितान् पततश्चान्यान् मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are lamenting beholding the huge elephants of my army fly away smitten by the arrows of Arjuna and also beholding them fallen and falling.
विहीनांश्च कृतानश्वान् विस्थांश्च कृतान् नरान्। तत्र सात्यकिपार्थाभ्यां मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are lamenting seeing steeds deprived of riders and warriors deprived of chariots, by Arjuna and Satyaki.
हयौधान् निहतान् दृष्ट्वा द्रवमाणांस्ततस्ततः। रणे माधवपार्थाभ्यां मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Mescems my sons are lamenting seeing large bodies of steeds slain and routed in all directions in battle, by the son of Pritha and the descendant of Madhu's race.
पत्तिसंघान् रणे दृष्ट्वा धावमानांश्च सर्वशः। निराशा विजये सर्वे मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are lamenting, hopeless of their victory, by seeing the divisions of infantry fly with haste in all direction.
द्रोणस्य समतिक्रान्तावनीकमपराजितौ। क्षणेन दृष्ट्वा तौ वीरौ मन्ये शोचन्ति पुत्रकाः॥
Meseems my sons are lamenting beholding those two invincible heroes pass in a moment through the division of Drona.
सम्मूढोऽस्मि भृशं तात श्रुत्वा कृष्णधनंजयौ। प्रविष्टौ मामकं सैन्यं सात्वतेन सहाच्युतौ॥
O son, I am indeed overwhelmed with a stupor upon hearing that Krishna and Arjuna of unfading glory together with Satyaki of the Satvata race, have entered into my divisions.
तस्मिन् प्रविष्टे पृतनां शिनीनां प्रवरे रथे। भोजानीकं व्यतिक्रान्ते किमकुर्वत कौरवाः।।
When that foremost of car-warriors among the Sinis had plunged into my host and when he had passed through the Bhoja division, what, O Sanjaya, did the Kurus do?
तथा द्रोणेन समरे निगृहीतेषु पाण्डुषु। कथं युद्धमभूत् तत्र तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय॥
O Sanjaya, relate to me also how the battle raged there where Drona began to crush the Pandava host in battle.
द्रोणो हि बलवाश्रेष्ठः कृतास्त्रो युद्धदुर्मदः। पञ्चालास्ते महेष्वासं प्रत्यविध्यन् कथं रणे॥
Drona was a warrior of superior skill; he was endued with strength, accomplished in the use of weapons and indomitable in battle. How was it then possible for the Panchalas to pierce that hero in battle?
पद्धवैरास्ततो द्रोणे धनंजयजयैषिणा। भारद्वाजसुतस्तेषु दृढवैरो महारथः॥
Solicitious of Dhanajaya's victory, the Panchalas were Drona's implacable foes, so also that mighty car-warrior the son of Bharadvaja was an inveterate enemy of theirs.
अर्जुनश्चापि यचक्रे सिन्धुराजवधं प्रति। तन्मे सर्व समाचक्ष्व कुशलो ह्यसि संजय॥
O Sanjaya, skilful as you are in narration, tell me all that in detail which Arjuna did for bringing about the slaughter of the Sindhu king.
संजय उताच आत्मापराधात् सम्भूतं व्यसनं भरतर्षभ। प्राप्य प्राकृतवद् वीर न त्वं शोचितुमर्हसि॥
Sanjaya said O foremost of the Bharatas, it behoves you not to lament like an ordinary person, when you are overtaken, O hero, by a calamity which owes its origin to your own misconduct.
पुरा यदुच्यसे प्राज्ञैः सुहृद्भिर्विदुरादिभिः। मा हार्षीः पाण्डवान् राजनिति तन्न त्वया श्रुतम्॥
Formerly, many of your well-wishers including the wise Vidura, advised you saying, "O king, do not forsake the sons of Pandu's but to those advices you paid no heed."
सुहृदां हितकामानां वाक्यं यो न शृणोति ह। समहद् व्यसनं प्राप्य शोचते वैयथाभवान्॥
He that sets at nought the advices of wellwishing friends, weeps like yourself when a calamity overtakes him.
याचितोऽसि पुरा राजन् दाशार्हेण शमं प्रति। न च तं लब्धवान् कामं त्वत्तः कृष्णोमहायशाः॥
O king, the descendant of the Dasarha race entreated you for the conclusion of peace. But the highly-renowned Krishna then did not obtain that boon at your hands.
तव निगुर्णतां ज्ञात्वा पक्षपातं सुतेषु च। द्वैधीभावं तथा धर्मे पाण्डवेषु च मत्सरम्॥५ तव जिह्ममभिप्रायं विदित्वा पाण्डवान् प्रति। आप्रिलापांश्च बहून् मनुजाधिपसत्तम॥
Knowing your worthlessness, your partiality for your sons, your duplicity in virtue, your animosity against the sons of Pandu and ascertaining your crooked intentions against them and listening to many of your incoherent and delirious bewailings, 0 foremost of kings.
सर्वलोकस्य तत्त्वज्ञः सर्वलोकेश्वरः प्रभुः। वासुदेवस्ततो युद्धं कुरूणामकरोन्महत्॥
That puissant lord of all the worlds, that one conversant with the truth of everything in the worlds, namely, the son of Vasudeva, caused the drums of war to be sounded among the Kurus.
आत्मापराधात् सुमहान् प्राप्तस्ते विपुलः क्षयः। नैनं दुर्योधने दोषं कर्तुमर्हसि मानद॥
This awful destruction has overtaken you through your own faults; O giver of honour, it behoves you not to lay all blames on the shoulders of Duryodhana.
न हि ते सुकृतं किंचिदादौ मध्ये च भारत। दृश्यते पृष्ठतश्चैव त्वन्मूलो हि पराजयः॥
As these incidents developed themselves, no good action was performed by you either in the beginning, in the middle or in the end, O Bharata. The defeat that can be anticipated now, is entirely owing to your fault.
तस्मादवस्थितो भूत्वा ज्ञात्वा लोकस्य निर्णयम्। शृणु युद्धं यथावृत्तं घोरं देवासुरोपमम्॥
Therefore, knowing as you do, the fate of this world, quietly and attentively hear how the battle that resembled that between the gods and the Asuras, took place.
प्रविष्टे तव सैन्यं त शैनेय सत्यविक्रमे। भीमसेनमुखाः पार्थाः प्रतीयुर्वाहिनीं तव॥
When Sini's grandson of invincible prowess had entered into your troops, the troops of the Parthas headed by Bhimasena, fell upon your troops.
आगच्छतस्तान् सहसा क्रुद्धरूपान् सहानुगान्। दधारैको रणे पाण्डून् कृतवर्मा महारथः॥
Then the mighty car-warrior Kritavarman, single-headed, received in that battle, the enraged Pandava troops who had been rushing to the battle with their followers.
यथोद्वत्तं वारयते वेला वै सलिलार्णवम्। पाण्डुसैन्यं तथा संख्ये हार्दिक्यः समवारयत्॥
Just as the banks resist the surging waves of the sea, so did the son of Hridika resist the Pandava troops in battle.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम हार्दिक्यस्य पराक्रमम्। यदेनं सहिताः पार्था नातिचक्रमुराहवे॥
Then we beheld the wonderful prowess of Hridika's son inasmuch as the united divisions of the Parthas were unable to bear him down in battle.
ततो भीमस्त्रिभिर्विद्धवा कृतवर्माणमाशुगैः। शङ्ख दध्मौ महाबाहुर्हर्पयन् सर्वपाण्डवान्॥
Thereupon the mighty-armed Bhima piercing Kritavarman with three swift-coursing arrows, blew his conch-shell, imparting thereby delight unto the Pandava troops.
सहदेवस्तु विंशत्या धर्मराजश्च पञ्चभिः। शतेन नकुलश्चापि हार्दिक्यं समविध्यत॥
Then Sahadeva pierced Hridika's son with twenty, Yudhishthira the virtuous with five and Nakula with a hundred shafts.
द्रौपदेयास्त्रिसप्तत्या सप्तभिश्च घटोत्कचः। धृष्टद्युम्नस्त्रिभिश्चापि कृतवर्माणमार्दयत्॥
The son of Draupadi pierced him with three and seventy, Ghatotkacha with seven and Dhristadyumna pierced Kritavarman with three arrows.
विराटो द्रुपदश्चैव याज्ञसेनिश्च पञ्चभिः। शिखण्डी चैव हार्दिक्यं विद्धवा पञ्चभिराशुगैः॥
Virata, Drupada and Yajnaseni each pierced him with five shafts, Sikhandin also pierced Hridika's son with five swift flying arrows.
पुनर्विव्याध विंशत्या सायकानां हसन्निव। कृतवर्मा ततो राजन् सर्वतस्तान् महारथान्॥ एकैकं पञ्चभिर्विद्धवा भीमं विव्याध सप्तभिः। धनुर्ध्वजं चास्य तथा रथाद् भूमावपातयत्॥
He then once more smilingly pierced him with twenty shafts. Thereupon, Oking, Kritavarman piercing each of these mighty carwarriors separately with five shafts, pierced Bhima with another seven shafts. Then he felled from the latter's car his standard and cutoff his bow.
अथैनं छिन्नधन्वानं त्वरमाणो महारथः। आजघानोरसि क्रुद्धः सप्तत्या निशितैः शरैः॥
Then that mighty car-warrior making haste and burning with rage, pierced Bhima whose bow had been severed, on the breast, with seventy sharp arrows.
स गाढविद्धो बलवान् हार्दिक्यस्य शरोत्तमैः। चचाल स्थमध्यस्थः क्षितिकम्पे यथाचलः॥
That hero (Bhima) endued with prowess, thus deeply pierced by the excellent shafts of Hridika's son, began to tremble in the terrace of his car, like a mountain shaking during an earthquake.
भीमसेनं तथा दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजपुरोगमाः। विसृजन्तः शरान् राजन् कृतवर्माणमार्दयन्॥
Beholding Bhima thus involved in a dangerous situation, O king, the Pandava warriors headed by Yudhishthira, began to afflict Kritavarman by shooting numerous arrows.
तं कथा कोष्ठकीकृत्य रथवंशेन मारिष। विव्यधुः सायकैईष्टा रक्षार्थ मारुतेर्पधे॥
Then impaling Kritavarman within a circle of chariots, the Pandava warriors, O sire, filled with delight, began to wound him with their arrows, out of a desire for rescuing the son of Maruta.
प्रतिलभ्य ततः संज्ञां भीमसेनो महाबलः। शक्तिं जग्राह समरे हेमदण्डामयस्मयीम्॥
Thereafter the highly puissant Bhimasena regaining his senses, grasped, in that battle, a dreadful lance of golden staff and iron head.
चिक्षेप च रथात् तूर्ण कृतवर्मरथं प्रति। सा भीमभुजनिर्मुक्ता निर्मुक्तोरगसंनिभा॥
Then he huried from his own car that lance at the car of Kritavarman, with great force. That lance hurled by the arm of Bhima and resembling a snake that had recently cast off its slough.
कृतवर्माणमभितः प्रजज्वाल सुदारुणा। तामापतन्ती सहसा युगान्ताग्निसमप्रभाम्॥
began to burn dreadfully as it coursed towards Kritavarman. Then as that lance, effulgent like the fire that appears at the end of a Yugu, was coursing swiftly towards.
द्वाभ्यां शराभ्यां हार्दिक्यो निजघान द्विधा तदा। सा छिन्ना पतिता भूमौ शक्तिः कनकभूषणा॥
The son of Hridika, he cut it in twain with a couple of arrows. That dart decked with golden ornaments, thus severed, fell down on the earth.
द्योतयन्ती दिशो राजन् महोल्केव नभश्चयुता। शक्तिं विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा भीमश्चुक्रोध वैभृशम्॥
And, O king, it there began to illumine the points of the compass like a mighty meteor dropping from the heavens. Thereat Bhima beholding his lance baffled, became excited to the highest pitch of fury.
ततोऽन्यद् धनुरादाय वेगवत् सुमहास्वनम्। भीमसेनो रणे क्रुद्धो हार्दिक्यं समवारयत्॥
Thereafter, taking up another bow of great toughness and emitting loud twang, the enraged Bhimasena in that battle began to resist the son of Hridika.
अथैनं पञ्चभिर्बाणैराजधान स्तनान्तरे। भीमो भीमबलो राजंस्त्व दुर्मत्रितेन च॥
Then, Oking, Bhima of awful prowess, pierced Kritavarman, on the centre of his breast, with five arrows. All this is the result of your wicked policy.
भोजस्तु क्षतसर्वाङ्गो भीमसेनेन मारिष। रक्ताशोक इवोत्फुल्लो व्यभ्राजत रणाजिरे॥
Then, O sire, the ruler of the Bhojas wounded on all parts of his body, appeared on the field of battle like a red Ashoka tree covered with blossoms.
ततः क्रुद्धस्त्रिभिर्बाणैभीमसेनं हसन्निव। अभिहत्य दृढं युद्धे तान् सर्वान् प्रत्यविध्यत॥
Thereafter Kritavarman inflamed with rage, smilingly striking Bhimasena with three arrows, began, in return, to pierce the other warriors (with his arrows).
त्रिभिस्त्रिभिर्महेष्वासो यतमानान् महारथान्। तेऽपि तं प्रत्यविध्यन्त सप्तभिः सप्तभिः शरैः॥
That mighty bowman then pierced those car-warriors exerting their best in battle, each with three shafts. They then also pierced him in return, each with seven shafts.
शिखण्डिनस्ततः क्रुद्धः क्षुरप्रेण महारथः। धनुश्चिच्छेद समरे प्रहसन्निव सात्वतः॥
Then that mighty car-warrior of the Satvata race, inflamed with rage, smilingly cut-off the bow of Sikhandin with a razor-headed arrow.
शिखण्डी तु ततः क्रुद्धश्छिन्ने धनुषि सत्वरः। असिं जग्राह समरे शतचन्द्रं च भाखरम्॥
Thereupon on the severance of his bow, Sikhandin burning with rage and hastening as much as possible, took up a sword and a buckler decked with hundreds of moons.
भ्रामयित्वा महचर्म चामीकरविभूषितम्। तमसिं प्रेषयामास कृतवर्मरथं प्रति॥
Whirling that mighty sword decked with gold, Sikhandin hurled it at the chariot of Kritavarman.
स तस्य सशरं चापं छित्त्वा राजन् महानसिः। अभ्यगाद् धरणी राजंश्च्युतं ज्योतिरिवाम्बरात्॥
O king, then that mighty sword, cutting off his bow with arrows placed on its string, dropped, O king, on the ground like a luminous body falling down from the skies.
एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु त्वरमाणं महारथाः। विव्यधुः सायकैर्गाढं कृतवर्माणमाहवे॥
Meanwhile many mighty car-warriors, making haste began to pierce Kritavarman deeply and quickly with their arrows.
अथान्यद् धनुरादाय त्यक्त्वा तच महद् धनुः। विशीर्ण भरतश्रेष्ठ हार्दिक्याः परवीरहा॥
Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, taking up a fresh bow and leaving the one cut-off, that slayer of hostile heroes, namely Hridika's son.
विव्याध पाण्डवान् युद्धे त्रिभिस्त्रिभिरजिह्मगैः। शिखण्डिनं च विव्याध त्रिभिः पञ्चभिरेव च॥
Pierced the Pandavas in battle, each with three straight-flying arrows. He then pierced Sikhandin at first with three and then with five arrows.
धनुरन्यत् समादाय शिखण्डी तु महायशाः। अवारयन् कूर्मनखैराशुगैर्हकित्मजम्॥
Then the highly renowned Sikhandin also, taking up another bow, covered the son of Hridika with swift-flying arrows. Furnished with heads resembling the mouth of tortoises.
ततः क्रुद्धो रणे राजन् हृदिकस्यात्मसम्भवः। अभिदुद्राव वेगेन याज्ञसेनिं महारथम्॥
Then, O king, the son of Hridika, excited with wrath, in that battle, quickly rushed upon that mighty car-warrior that son of Yajnasena.
भीष्मस्य समरे राजन् मृत्योर्हतुं महात्मनः। विदर्शयन् बलं शूरः शार्दूल इव कुञ्जरम्॥
Who had been, Oking, the cause of death of the illustrious Bhima. Then the heroic Kritavarman displaying his prowess fell upon Sikhandin like a tiger falling upon an elephant.
तौ दिशां गजसंकाशौ ज्वलिताविव पावकौ। समापेततुरन्योन्यं शरसङ्घररिंदमौ॥
Then those to subduers of foes, resembling two elephants guarding the points of the compass and looking like two blazing fires, attacked each other with their showers of arrows.
विधुन्वानौ धनुःश्रेष्ठे संदधानौ च सायकान्। विसृजन्तौ च शतशो गभस्तीनिव भास्वरौ॥
They stretched their two excellent bows and placed many arrows on their bow-strings. Like two suns shooting numerous rays, they also shot myriad arrows.
तापयन्तौ शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरन्योन्यं तौ महारथौ। युगान्तप्रतिमौ वीरौ रेजतुर्भास्कराविव॥
Those two mighty car-warriors afflicting one another with their sharp-arrows, appeared beautiful like two suns that rise at the end of a Yuga.
कृतवर्मा च समरे याज्ञसेनिं महारथम्। विद्ध्वेषुभिस्त्रिसप्तस्या पुनर्विव्याघ सप्तभिः॥
In that battle then, Kritavarman pierced that mighty car-warrior the son of Yajanasena at first with seventy three and then again with seven arrowS.
स गाढविद्धो व्यथितो रथोपस्थ उपाविशत्। विराज्य सशरं चापं मूर्च्छयाभिपरिप्लुतः॥
Thus deeply pierced and extremely pained, the latter squatted down on the terrace of his car; and he lost hold of his arrows and bow and was overwhelmed with a swoon.
तं विषण्णं रणे दृष्ट्वा तावकाः पुरुषर्षभ। हार्दिक्यं पूजयामासुर्वासांस्यादुधुवुश्च ह॥
Then your troops, O foremost of men, beholding Sikhandin cheerless in battle, began to applaud Hridika's son and they waived their garments in the air.
शिखण्डिनं तथा ज्ञात्वा हार्दिक्यशरपीडितम्। अपोवाह रणाद् यन्ता त्वरमाणो महारथम्॥
Then knowing Sikhandin to be afflicted sore with the arrows of the son of Hridika, his driver, in all haste, carried that mighty carwarrior away from the field of battle.
सादितं तु रथोपस्थे दृष्ट्वा पार्थाः शिखण्डिनम्। परिव्रवू रथैस्तूर्णं कृतवर्माणमाहवे॥
Beholding Sikhandin overthrown on the terrace of his car, the Parthas in that battle quickly surrounded Kritavarman with their chariots.
तत्राद्भुतं परं चक्रे कृतवर्मा महारथः। यदेकः समरे पार्थान् वारयामास सानुगान्॥
Then the mighty car-warrior Kritavarman filled his enemies with wonder, in asmuch as the alone succeeded in resisting the sons of Pritha and their followers in battle.
पार्थाञ्जित्वाजयचेदीन् पञ्चालान् सृञ्जयानपि। केकयांश्च महावीर्यान् कृतवर्मा महारथः॥
Conquering the Parthas, the mighty carwarrior Kritavarman vanquished the Chedis, the Panchaias, the Srinjayas and the valourous Kekayas.
ते वध्यमानाः समरे हार्दिक्येन स्म पाण्डवाः। इतश्चेतश्च धावन्तो नैव चक्रुतिं रणे॥
Thus slaughtered by Hridika's son in battle, the Pandavas began to run hither and thither and they could not then fight steadily.
जित्वा पाण्डुसुतान् युद्धे भीमसेनपुरोगमान्। हार्दिक्यः समरेऽतिष्ठद् विधूम इव पावकः॥
Conquering the son of Pandu viz., Bhimasena in battle, Hridika's son then remained on the field, like a blazing fire free from even a single curl of smoke.
ते द्राव्यमाणाः समरे हार्दिक्येन महारथाः। विमुखाः समपद्यन्त शरवृष्टिभिरार्दिताः॥
Those mighty car-warriors routed by the son of Hridika, were compelled to turn their faces leack, afflicted as they were with incessant showers of arrows.