None: Chapter 194

Communication of the intelligence of Drona's death to Ashvatthama

संजय उवाच ततो द्रोणे हते राजन् कुरवः शस्रपीडितः। हतप्रवीरा विध्वस्ता भृशं शोकपरायणाः॥
Sanjaya said Upon the slaughter of Drona, O king, the Kurus, afflicted with the weapons of their enemies, their foremost warrior slain and themselves confounded-began to indulge copiously in grief,

उदीर्णाश्च परान् दृष्ट्वा कम्पमानाः पुनः पुनः। अश्रुपूर्णक्षणास्रस्ता दीनास्त्वासन् विशाम्पते॥
Beholding their enemies then elated with joy and success, they repeatedly trembled in fear. O ruler of men, they were panic-stricken and depressed and their eyes were filled with tears.

विचेतसो हतोत्साहा: कश्मलाभिहतौजसः। आर्तस्वरेण महता पुत्रं ते पर्यवारयन्॥
They were distracted (with sorrow), their courage gone and themselves reduced in splendour under the burden of grief. Uttering piteous wails, they then surrounded your son.

रजस्वला वेपमाना वीक्षमाणा दिशो दश। अश्रुकण्ठा यथा दैत्या हिरण्याक्षे पुरा हते॥
Covered with dust, trembling (in every limbs), gazing (vacantly) at the ten points of the compass, their eyes flooded with tears, they looked like the Daityas upon the fall of Hiranyaksha in days of yore.

स तैः परिवृतो राजा त्रस्तैः क्षुद्रमृगैरिव। अशक्नुवन्नवस्थातुमपायात् तनयस्तव॥
Surrounded by those panic-stricken troops of his, who then looked like puny animals, your son could not stay on the field and went away from it.

क्षुत्पिपासापरिम्लानास्ते योधास्तव भारत। आदित्येनेव संतप्ता भृशं विमनसोऽभवन्॥
Those warriors of yours, O Bharata, worn out with hunger and thirst and scorched by the burning rays of the sun were exceedingly dejected.

भास्करस्यैव पतनं समुद्रस्येव शोषणम्। विपर्यासं यथा मेरोर्वासवस्येव निर्जयम्॥ अमर्षणीयं तद् दृष्ट्वा भारद्वाजस्य पातनम्। त्रस्तरूपतरा राजन् कौरवाः प्राद्रवन् भयात्॥
Beholding that unthought-of over-throw of Bharadvaja's son, that was like falling the sun on the earth or the drying up of the ocean or the transplantation of Meru nountain or the defeat of Vasava himself, your troops, O king, began to fly away, panic lending speed to their legs.

गान्धारराजः शकुनिस्रस्तस्त्रस्ततरैः सह। हतं रुक्मरथं श्रुत्वा प्राद्रवत् सहितौ रथैः॥
Beholding him of the golden car slain, Sakuni the king of the Gandharvas, with his terrified and affrighted followers fled in all haste.

वरूथिनी वेगवतीं विद्रुतां सपताकिनीम्। परिगृह्य महासेनां सूतपुत्रोऽपयाद् भयात्॥
Taking with him his numerous divisions that were flying with all their standards, Suta's son also, out of fear, fled away.

रथनागाश्वकलिलां पुरस्कृत्य तु वाहिनीम्। मद्राणामीश्वरः शल्यो वीक्षमाणोऽपयाद् भयात्॥
The ruler of the Madras viz., Salva gathering together his divisions abounding in cars, elephants and steeds and looking vacantly on all sides, fled away, out of fear.

हतप्रवीरैर्भूयिष्ठैर्ध्वजैर्बहुपताकिभिः। वृतः शारद्वतोऽगच्छत् कष्टं कष्टमिति ब्रुवन्॥
Kripa the son of Sharadvata also fled, saying Alas, Alas and taking with him his divisions consisting mostly of elephants and infantry, of which the greater part had been slaughtered.

भोजानीकेन शिष्टेन कलिङ्गारट्टबाह्निकैः। कृतवर्मा वृतो राजन् प्रायात् सुजवनैर्हयैः॥
Kritavarman, surrounded by the Bhoja division and the remnants of the Kalingas, Asratta and Valhikas, fled away borne by his swift steeds.

पदातिगणसंयुक्तस्रस्तो राजन् भयादितः। उलूकः प्राद्रवत् तत्र दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं निपातितम्॥
Beholding Drona slain, Uluka, filled with fear and with his infantry divisions, fled away in great speed.

दर्शनीयो युवा चैव शौर्येण कृतलक्षणः। दुःशासनो भृशोद्विगनः प्राद्रवद् गजसंवृतः॥
Handsome, youthful in years and wellknown for his bravery, Dussassana inspired with great fear, fled away being surrounded by his elephant division.

रथानामयुतं गृह्य त्रिसाहस्रं च दन्तिनाम्। वृषसेनो ययौ तूर्णं दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं निपातितम्॥
Beholding Drona overthrown Vrishasena fled in haste, taking away with him ten thousand chariots and three thousand tusked clephants.

गजाश्वरथसंयुक्तो वृतश्चैव पदातिभिः। दुर्योधनो महाराज प्रायात् तत्र महारथः॥
Your the mighty car-warrior Duryodhana also, O king, then fled from the field attended by cars, elephants and steeds and surrounded by foot-soldiers.

संशप्तकगणान् गृह्य हतशेषान् किरीटिना। सुशर्मा प्राद्रवद् राजन् दृष्ट्वा द्रोणं निपातितम्॥
Beholding Drona overthrown, O king, Susarman fled away, taking with him the remmants of the Samshaptakas, slain by the diadem-decked Arjuna.

गजान् स्थान् समारुह्य व्युदस्य च हयाञ्जनाः। प्राद्रवन् सर्वतः संख्ये दृष्ट्वा रुक्मरथं हतम्॥
Beholding him of the golden car slain, men began to fly on all sides, riding on their elephants and cars and urging on their steeds.

त्वरयन्तः पितृनन्ये भ्रातृनन्येऽथ मातुलान्। पुत्रानन्ये वयस्यांश्च प्राद्रवन् कुरवस्तदा॥
son Sonne urging on their sires, others their brothers and others their uncles and others their sons and other companions, the Kurus fled away in haste.

चोदयन्तश्च सैन्यानि स्वस्रीयांश्च तथापरे। सम्बन्धिनस्तथान्ये च प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश।॥
Some exhorting their troops to make haste and others their nephews and other kinsmen, fled away in all directions.

प्रकीर्णकेशा विध्वस्ता न द्वावेकर धावतः। नेदमस्तीति मन्वाना हतोत्साहा हतौजसः॥
Their hair dishevelled and their accouterments falling off, no two persons were seen to fly together; their courage gone and their splendour destroyed, men then thought that the Kuru army was completely annihilated.

उत्सृज्य कवचानन्ये प्राद्रवंस्तावका विभो। अन्योन्यं ते समाक्रोशन सैनिका भरतर्षभ।॥
Others among your troops fled, O lord, throwing off their coats of mail. O foremost of the Bharatas, then your troops addressing one another loudly said

तिष्ठ तिष्ठेति न च ते स्वयं तत्रावतस्थिरे। धुर्यानुन्मुच्य च रथाद्धतसूतात् स्वलंकृतान्। अधिरुह्य हयान् योधाः क्षिप्रं पद्भिरचोदयान्॥
"Wait, Wait"'; but none of them who thus spoke remained a moment on the field. Abandoning their vehicles and chariots decked with ornaments.

द्रवमाणे तथा सैन्ये त्रस्तरूपे हतौजसि। प्रतिस्रोत इव ग्राहो द्रोणपुत्रः परानियात्॥
Warriors, mounting on the steeds or using their legs, fled in all possible haste. While the troops, with their splendour lost and filled with fear, were thus flying away.

तस्यासीत् सुमहद् युद्धं शिखण्डिप्रमुखैर्गणैः। प्रभद्रकैश्च पाञ्चालैश्चेदिभिश्च सकेकयैः॥
Only Drona's son Ashvatthman advanced towards the foes, like a huge alligator swimming against the current. He had recently fought a terrible fight with the hostile division headed by Sikhandin.

हत्वा बहुविधाः सेनाः पाण्डूनां युद्धदुर्मदः। कथंचित् संकटान्मुक्तो मत्तद्विरदविक्रमः॥
As also with with the Prabhadrakas the Panchalas and the Chedis accompanied by the Kekayas. Having slain numerous indomitable troops of the Pandavas.

द्रवमाणं बलं दृष्ट्वा पलायनकृतक्षणम्। दुर्योधनं समासाद्य द्रोणपुत्रोऽब्रवीदिदम्॥
And with difficulty extricating himself from his perilous situations, that one of the gait of an infuriated elephant, beholding the troops flying away.

किमियं द्रवते सेना त्रस्तरूपेव भारत। द्रवमाणां च राजेन्द्र नावस्थापयसे रणे॥
Approached Duryodhana; and then that son of Drona said these words to the latter-"Why O Bharata, are the troops flying away, as if in fear?

त्वं चापि न यथापूर्वं प्रकृतिस्थो नराधिप। कर्णप्रभृतयश्चेमे नावतिष्ठन्ति पार्थिव॥
Why, O king, do you not try to rally them when they are thus flying away? O ruler of men, you also are not in your usual mood.

अन्येष्वपि च युद्धेषु नैव सेनाद्रवत् तदा। कचित् क्षेमं महाबाहो तव सैन्यस्य भारत॥
In consequence of the slaughter of what foremost of warriors of your army have the troops been reduced to this plight? O foremost of the Kurus, tell me all truly.

कस्मिन्निदं हते राजन् रथसिंहे बलं तवा एतामवस्थां सम्प्राप्तं तन्ममाचक्ष्व कौरव॥
O king, even these division headed by Karna and others are not staying on the field. In no previsions battle was the arıny thus broken and routed.

तत्तु दुर्योधनः श्रुत्वा द्रोणपुत्रस्य भाषितम्। घोरमप्रियमाख्यातुं नाशक्नोत् पार्थिवर्षभः॥
0 Bharata, has any great catastrophe, O mighty monarch, overtaken your army? Thereafter Duryodhana hearing the words of Drona's son.

भिन्ना नौरिव ते पुत्रो मग्नः शोकमहार्णवे। वाष्पेणापिहितो दृष्ट्वा द्रोणपुत्रं रथे स्थितम्॥
Hesitated to communicate that most terrible and disagreeable intelligence to him. Your son, that foremost of kings, was then sunk deep in the ocean of grief, even like a splintered boat in the sea.

ततः शारद्वतं राजा सव्रीडमिदमब्रवीत्। शंसात्र भद्रं ते सर्वं यथा सैन्यमिदं दुतम्॥
At the sight of Drona's son seated on his chariot, the eyes of the king were flooded with tears. Thereafter, O king, your son suffused with shame, said these words to the son of

अथ शारद्वतो राजन्नार्तिमार्छन् पुनः पुनः। शशंस द्रोणपुत्राय यथा द्रोणो निपातितः॥
“May good betide you. Do you first inform Ashvatthaman of the cause of this flight of our troops. Thereupon o king, Saradvata's son, repeatedly over-whelmed with sorrow, said to Drona's son how Drona had been slain.

कृप उवाच वयं द्रोणं पुरस्कृत्य पृथिव्यां प्रवरं रथम्। प्रावर्तयाम संग्रामं पञ्चालैरेव केवलम्॥
Kripa said Ourselves, placing that foremost of carwarriors on earth viz., Drona before us, commenced the battle with the Panchalas only.

ततः प्रवृत्ते संग्रामे विमिश्राः कुरुसोमकाः। अन्योन्यमभिगर्जन्तः शस्त्रैर्देहानपातयन्॥
During the progress of the battle the Kurus and the Somakas became mingled together and then challenging one another they mangled one another a body with their weapons.

वर्तमाने तथा युद्धे क्षीयमाणेषु संयुगे। धार्तराष्ट्रेषु संक्रुद्धः पिता तेऽस्रमुदैरयत्॥
When the battle thus raged and when the Dhartarashtra troops were being reduced in number, your father, filled with rage, invoked into existence a celestial weapon.

ततो द्रोणो ब्राह्ममस्रं विकुर्वाणो नरर्षभः। व्यहनच्छात्रवान् भल्लैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः॥
Then, O foremost of men, Drona using that Brahma weapon, slow his enemies by hundreds and thousands.

पाण्डवाः केकया मत्स्याः पञ्चालाच विशेषतः। संख्ये द्रोणरथं प्राप्य व्यनशन् कालचोदिताः॥
Impelled forward by Fate the Pandavas, the Kaikayas, the Matsyas and the Panchalas, O foremost of the regenerate ones, approaching the vicinity of Drona's car, were slaughtered (indiscriminately).

सहस्रं नरसिंहानां द्विसाहस्रं च दन्तिनाम्। द्रोणो ब्रह्मास्रयोगेन प्रेषयामास मृत्यवे॥
Then with his Brahma weapon Drona dispatched a thousand foremost heroes and two thousand tusked elephants to the abode of Death.

आकर्णपलित: श्यामो वयसाशीतिपञ्चकः। रणे पर्यचरद् द्रोणो वृद्धः षोडशवर्षवत्॥
With his hoary locks flowering down to his ears and of a dark complexion and full eightyfive years of age, Drona then careered on the field with the agility of a boy of sixteen.

क्लिश्यमानेषु सैन्येषु वध्यमानेषु राजसु। अमर्षवशमापन्नाः पञ्चाला विमुखाऽभवन्॥
Their troops fatigued and their kings slain, the Panchalas although burning with rage, were compelled to turn back.

तेषु किंचित् प्रभग्नेषु विमुखेषु सपत्नजित्। दिव्यमस्रं विकर्वाणो बभूवार्क इवोदितः॥
When the enemy's rank was partly broken and when they were compelled to turn their faces away from the field, that conqueror of foes, exhibiting his celestial weapon, looked beautiful like the rising sun.

स मध्यं प्राप्य पाण्डूनां शररश्मिः प्रतापवान्। मध्यंगत इवादित्यो दुष्प्रेक्ष्यस्ते पिताभवत्॥
Penetrating into the centre of the Pandava rank, the puissant hero, your father, shooting his ray-like shafts, became incapable of being looked at like the sun shining in the centre of the heaven.

ते दह्यमाना द्रोणेन सूर्येणेव विराजता। दग्धवीर्या निरुत्साहा बभूवुर्गतचेतसः॥
Our enemies, then scorched by Drona who then appeared beautiful like the sun, were reduced in their energy, deprived of courage and depressed at heart.

तान् दृष्ट्वा पीडितान् बाणैर्दोणेन मधुसूदनः। जयैषी पाण्डुपुत्राणामिदं वचनमब्रवीत्॥
Thereupon the slayer of Madhu ever solicitous of the victory of the Pandavas, beholding the troops afflicted by Drona with his shafts spoke these wordsनैष जातु नरैः शक्यो जेतुं शस्रभृतां वरः।

अपि वृत्रहणा संख्ये रथयूथपयूथपः॥
This leader of the leaders of car-hosts, this foremost of all wielders of bow is incapable of being vanquished in battle even by the slayer of Vritra himself.

ते यूयं धर्ममुत्सृज्य जयं रक्षत पाण्डवाः। यथा वः संयुगे सर्वान् न हन्याद् रुक्मवाहनः॥
Therefore disregarding the rules of fair combat do you strive for the sake of giving victory to the Pandavas, in such a manner that he of the golden car may not slay you all.

अश्वत्थाम्न हते नैष युध्यदिति मतिर्मम) हतं तं संयुगे कश्चिदाख्यात्वस्मै मृषा नरः॥
I think, he will never fight if he hears that Ashvatthamari has been slain in battle. Let therefore some one tell him this falsehood that Ashvatthaman has been slai in battle.

एतन्नारोचयद् वाक्यं कुन्तीपुत्रो धनंजयः। अरोचयंस्तु सर्वेऽन्ये कृच्छ्रेण तु युधिष्ठिरः॥
These words did not sound agreeable to the ear of Kunti's son Dhananjaya. Others again approved of their words. King Yudhishthira accepted them after much hesitation.

भीमसेनस्तु सव्रीडमब्रवीत् पितरं तव। अश्वत्थामा हत इति तं नाबुध्यत ते पिता॥
Then Bhimasena suffused with blashes of shame said to your father-"Ashvatthaman has been slain." But your father believed him not.

स शङ्कमानस्तन्मिथ्या धर्मराजमपृच्छत। हतं वाप्यहतं वाऽऽजौ त्वां पिता पुत्रवत्सलः॥
Your father affectionate to his son then doubting the veracity of Bhima's words, questioned very virtuous king Yudhishthira, whether you were really slain or not.

तमतथ्यभये मग्नो जये सक्तो युधिष्ठिरः। अश्वत्थामानमयोधे हतं दृष्ट्वा महागजम्॥
Afraid of tell lies but interested in securing victory, Yudhishthira, then beholding a mighty elephant by name Ashvatthaman slain in battle.

भीमेन गिरिवाणं मालवस्येन्द्रवर्मणः। उपसृत्य तदा द्रोणमुच्चैरिदमुवाच ह॥
By Bhima an elephant belonging to Indravarman the ruler of the Malavas and that was huge as a hill, approached Drona and

यस्यार्थे शस्त्रमादत्से यमवेक्ष्य च जीवसि। पुत्रस्ते दयितो नित्यं सोऽश्वत्थामा निपातितः॥
“He for whom you are wielding your weapons and looking on whom you live, that dearly-loved son of yours by Ashvauhman has been slain.

शेते विनिहतो भूमौ वने सिंहशिशुर्यथा॥ जाननप्यनृतस्याथ दोषान् स द्विजसत्तमम्। अव्यक्तमब्रवीद् राजा हतः कुञ्जर इत्युत॥
Slain he lies prostrate on the field like a lion-calf in the woods. Cognisant of the evils of falschood that king clearly spoke these words to the foremost of Brahmanas, adding indistinctly the word elephant after them. Hearing that you have been slain and consequently afflicted with great grief.

स त्वां निहतमाक्रन्दे श्रुत्वा संतापतापितः। नियम्य दिव्यान्यस्राणि नायुध्यत यथा पुरा॥
Withdrawing his celestial weapons he ceased to fight. Beholding him greatly anxious and overpowered with grief.

तं दृष्ट्वा परमोद्विग्नं शोकातुरमचेतसम्। पाजालराजस्य सुतः क्रूरकर्मा समाद्रवत्॥
The son of the Panchala king, that perpetrator of vile deeds, assailed him. name Beholding that prince who had been destined to be the cause of his death, Drona, conversant with the truths about men and things.

तं दृष्ट्वा विहितं मृत्यु लोकतत्त्वविचक्षणः। दिव्यान्यस्राण्यथोत्सृज्य रणे प्रायमुपाविशत्॥
Abandoned his celestial weapons and betook to the Praya Joga. Then grasping his hair with his left hand.

ततोऽस्य केशान् सव्येन गृहीत्वा पाणिना तदा। पार्षतः क्रोशमानानां वीराणामच्छिनच्छिरः॥
The son of Prisata lopped off his head disregarding the expostulating cries of the heroes. From all sides they then said-"He should not be slain, He should not be slain.

न हन्तव्यो न हन्तव्य इति ते सर्वतोऽब्रुवन्। तथैव चार्जुनो वाहादवरुनिमाद्रवत्॥
Similarly Arjuna also, jumping down from his chariot quickly rushed towards Dhristadyumna, with his arms raised and

उद्यम्य त्वरितो बाहुं ब्रुवाणश्च पुनः पुनः। जीवन्तमानयाचार्य मा वधीरिति धर्मवित्॥
"Bring the preceptor alive; conversant with the rules of fair fight, you should not slay aim." Although thus prevented by the Kauravas and Arjuna.

तथा निवार्यमाणेन कौरवैरर्जुनेन च। हत एव नृशंसेन पिता तव नरर्षभ।॥ सैनिकाश्च ततः सर्वे प्राद्रवन्त भयार्दिताः। वयं चापि निरुत्साहा हते पितरि तेऽनघ॥
Your father, O foremost of men, suffered death at the hands of that most heartless warrior (Dhristadyumna). It is for this reason that the troops afflicted with fear are flying away. Similarly, O sinless one, depressed upon the overthrow of your sire.

संजय उवाच तच्छ्रुत्वा द्रोणपुत्रस्तु निधनं पितुराहवे। क्रोधमाहारयत् तीव्र पदाहत इवोरगः॥
Sanjaya said we are Then Drona's son, hearing that account of the slaughter of his father in battle, became filled with fury like a snake trembled under ; feet.

ततः क्रुद्धो रणे द्रौणि शं जज्वाल मारिष। यथेन्धनं महत् प्राप्य प्राज्वलद्धव्यवाहनः॥
Then, O sire, filled with wrath Drona's son appeared to burn on the field, like fire that blazes froth furiously having obtained heaps of fuel to feed it.

तलं तलेन निष्यिष्य दन्तैर्दन्तानुपास्पृशत्। निःश्वसन्नुरगो यद्वलोहिताक्षोऽभवत् तदा॥
Squeezing one of his hands with the other and grinding his teeth and breathing like a snake his eyes became coppery (in rage).