संजय उवाच दुःशासनबलं हत्वा सब्यसाची महारथः। सिन्धुराज परीप्सन् वै द्रोणानीकमुपाद्रवत्॥
Sanjaya said Having slaughtered the division of Dushasana, the mighty-armed Savysachin desirous of getting at the king of the Sindhus, fell upon Drona's division.
स तु द्रोणं समासाद्य व्यूहस्य प्रमुखे स्थितम्। कृताञ्जलिरिदं वाक्यं कृष्णस्यानुमतेऽब्रवीत्॥
Approaching Drona who was standing in the mouth of his array, Arjuna, with Krishna's permission, folding his palms thus spoke to Drona.
अर्जुन उवाच शिवेन ध्याहि मां ब्रह्मन् स्वस्ति चैव वदस्व मे। भवतप्रसादादिच्छामि प्रवेष्टुं दुर्भिदां चमूम्॥
Arjuna said Wish me well, O Brahmana and bless me saying Svasti, through your grace I desire to penetrate through this impenetrable array.
भवान् पितृसमो मह्यं धर्मराजसमोऽपि च। तथा कृष्णसमश्चैव सत्यमेतद् ब्रवीमि ते॥
You are to me even as my own father or the very virtuous king Yudhishthira or as Krishna himself. This I tell you in sooth.
अश्वत्थामा यथा तात रक्षणीयस्त्वयानघ। तथाहमपि ते रक्ष्यः सदैव द्विजसत्तम॥
0 sire, o sinless one, even Ashvatthaman deserves to be protected by you, so also, O foremost of the regenerate ones, I deserve to be protected by you.
तव प्रसादादिच्छेयं सिन्धुराजानमाहवे। निहन्तुं द्विपदां श्रेष्ठ प्रतिज्ञां रक्ष मे प्रभो॥
Through your grace, I desire to slay the ruler of the Sindhus in battle, O you foremost as of men. O lord, see that my vow may be fulfiled.
संजय उवाच एवमुक्तस्तदाचार्यः प्रत्युवाच स्मयन्निव। मामजित्वा न बीभत्यो शक्यो जेतुं जयद्रथः॥
Sanjaya said Thus spoken to, the preceptors then smilingly replied unto Arjuna thus-Vibhatsu you shall not conquer Jayadratha without in the first instance conquering my own self.”
एतावदुक्त्वा तं द्रोणः शरवातैरवाकिरत्। सारथाश्वध्वजं तीक्ष्णैः प्रहसन् वैससारथिम्॥
Speaking these words only, Drona with myriads of sharp arrows, covered Arjuna, is chariot, steeds, standards and charioteer, similing all the while.
ततोऽर्जुनः शरवातान् द्रोणस्यावार्य सायकैः। द्रोणमभ्यद्रवद् बाणैर्घोररूमैर्महत्तरैः।
Thereat Arjuna repulsing the arrowy showers of Drona with those of his own, proceeded against Drona, discharging mightier and more dreadful shafts.
विव्याध चरणे द्रोणमनुमान्य विशाम्यते। क्षत्रधर्मे समास्थाय नवभिः सायकैः पुनः॥
Then, O ruler of men, showing due respect to Drona and observing the duties of the Kshatriya order, Arjuna sped at him nine shafts.
तस्येषूनिषुभिश्छत्त्वा द्रोणो विव्याध तावुभौ। विषाग्निज्वलितप्रख्यैरिषुभिः कृष्णपाण्डवौ॥
Then cutting those arrows of Arjuna with those of his own, Drona pierced both Krishna and the son of Pandu with shafts that resembled poison of the blazing tongues of fire.
इयेष पाण्डवस्तस्य बाणैश्छेत्तुं शरासनम्। तस्य चिन्तयतस्त्वेवं फाल्गुनस्य महात्मनः॥
The son of Pandu desired to sever the bow string of Drona with his arrows. Even when the illustrious Phalguna as thus thinking of cutting his bow string.
द्रोणः शरैरसम्भ्रान्तो ज्यां विच्छेदाशु वीर्यवान्। विव्याध च हयानस्य ध्वजं सारथिमेव च॥
The undaunted Drona endued with prowess, cut-off with his arrows the formers string; he also pierced his horses, standards and charioteer.
अर्जुनं च शरैर्वीरः स्मयमानोऽभ्यवाकिरत्। एतस्मिन्नन्तरे पार्थः सज्यं कृत्वा महद् धनुः॥
And smilingly did then Drona cover Arjuna himself with many arrows. Meanwhile having strung his mighty bow, Pritha's son.
विशेषयिष्यन्नाचार्ये सर्वास्त्रविदुषां वरः। मुमोच षट्शतान् बाणान् गृहीत्वैकमिव दुतम्॥
That foremost of all men versed in the use of weapons getting the better of his preceptor, quickly discharged six hundred arrows; that looked as if he had taken out and shot only a single arrow.
पुनः सप्तशतानन्यान् सहस्रं चानिवर्तिनः। चिक्षेपायुतशश्चान्यांस्तेऽनन् द्रोणस्य तां चमूम्॥
Once more he shot seven hundred other arrows and again a thousand irresistible arrows and ten thousand other arrows. All these dispatched many warriors of Drona's division.
तैः सम्यगस्तैर्वलिना कृतिना चित्रयोधिना। मनुष्यवाजिमातङ्गा विद्धाः पेतुर्गतासवः॥
Pierced deep by those shafts shot by the mighty and accomplished Partha versed in all modes of warfare, many men and horses and elephants began to fall down dead.
विसूताश्वध्वजाः पेतुः संछिन्नायुधजीविताः। रथिनो स्थमुख्येभ्यः सहसा शरपीडिताः॥
Afflicted with those arrows, car warriors dropped down from their excellent chariots, deprived of horses and standards and weapons and life.
चूर्णिताक्षिप्तदग्धानां वज्रानिलहुताशनैः। तुल्यरूपा गजा: पेतुर्गिर्यग्राम्बुदवेश्मनाम्॥
Like mountain-peaks or masses of clouds or mansions crushed, driven or dismantled by the thunder, the tempest or the fire, elephants began to fall down (being pierced with the shafts of Arjuna).
पेतुश्वसहस्राणि प्रहतान्यर्जुनेषुभिः। हंसा हिमवतः पृष्ठे वारिविप्रहता इव।॥
Thousands of horses began to fall down being struck by the arrows of Arjuna, like so many swans falling upon the Himavat mountain, being driven down by shower of rain.
स्थाश्वद्विपपत्तयोघाः सलिलौघा इवाद्भुताः। युगान्तादित्यरश्मयाभैः पाण्डवास्त्रशरैर्हताः॥
Like the sun that rises at the end of a Yuga, sucking up with its rays large expanses of water, the son of Pandu, by his showers of weapons and shafts, slew large bodies of carwarriors, horses elephants and foot soldiers.
तं पाण्डवादित्यशरांशुजालं कुरुप्रवीरान् युधि निष्टपन्तम्। स द्रोणमेघः शरवृष्टिवेगैः प्राच्छादयन्मेघ इवार्करश्मीन्॥
Then like the clouds covering the sun, the Drona-cloud with its down-pour of arrows, covered the Arjuna-sun whose rays in the form of thick shower of arrows, were burning down the foremost ones among the Kurus, in battle.
अथात्यर्थं विसृष्टेन द्विषतामसुभोजिना। आजघ्ने वक्षसि द्रोणो नाराचेन धनंजयम्॥
Then the preceptor pierced Dhananjaya on the breast with a Naracha discharged with great force and capable of sucking out the life of every foe.
स विह्वलितसर्वाङ्गः क्षितिकम्पे यथाचलः। धैर्यमालम्ब्य बीभत्सुयॊणं विव्याध पत्रभिः॥
Thereupon the latter trembled in all his limbs like a mountain during an earth quake. But (in a while) regaining his composure, he began to pierce Drona with winged arrows.
द्रोणस्तु पञ्चभिर्बाणैर्वासुदेवमताडयत्। अर्जुनं च त्रिसप्तत्या ध्वजं चास्य त्रिभिः शरैः॥
Then Drona with five arrows afflicted the son of Vasudeva and he struck Vibhatsu with seventy-three shafts and his standard with three.
विशेषयिष्यशिष्यं च द्रोणो राजन् पराक्रमी। अदृश्यमर्जुनं चक्रे निमेषाच्छरवृष्टिभिः॥
Thus, O monarch, the puissant Drona, worsting his disciple within a moment, caused Arjuna to disappear from the view, with his arrowy showers.
प्रसक्तान् पततोऽद्राक्षम भारद्वाजस्य सायकान्। मण्डलीकृतमेवास्य धनुश्चादृश्यताद्भुतम्॥
We then beheld the arrows shot by Bharadvaja's son fall in unbroken lines and his bow present the wonderful appearance of always being drawn to a circle.
तेऽभ्ययुः समरे राजन् वासुदेवधनंजयौ। द्रोणसृष्टाः सुबहवः कङ्कपत्रपरिच्छदाः॥
Those numerous arrows furnished with wings of Kanka feather and discharged by Drona in that battle, incessantly fell, O monarch, on Dhananjaya and the son of Vasudeva.
तद् दृष्ट्वा तादृशं युद्धं द्रोणपाण्डवयोस्तदा। वासुदेवो महाबुद्धिः कार्यवत्तामचिन्तयत्॥
Then beholding that battle between Drona and the son of Pandu, the highly intelligent son of Vasudeva began to think about the accomplishment of the (more important) task (viz., the slaughter of Jayadratha).
ततोऽब्रवीद् वासुदेवो धनंजयमिदं वचः। पार्थ पार्थ महाबाहो न न: कालात्ययो भवेत्॥
Thereafter Vasudeva's son thus spoke addressing Dhananjaya "O Partha O Partha,o mighty-armed one, we should not waste time.
द्रोणमुत्सृज्य गच्छामः कृत्यमेतन्महत्तरम्। पार्थश्चाप्यब्रवीत् कृष्णं यथेष्टमिति केशवम्॥
Let us proceed leaving Drona alone the more important task must be accomplished.” Then the son of Pritha replied to Krishna saying-"As it lists you, O Keshava."
ततः प्रदक्षिणं कृत्वा द्रोणं प्रायान्महाभुजम्। परिवृत्तश्च बीभत्सुरगच्छद् विसृजशरान्॥
Thereupon leaving the mighty-armed Drona to their right they proceeded onwards; turning his face away, Vibhatsu advanced shooting his shafts.
ततोऽब्रवीत् स्वयं द्रोणः क्वेदं पाण्डव गम्यते। ननु नाम रणे शत्रुमजित्वा न निवर्तसे॥
Thereupon Drona addressing Arjuna said "Where are you going, O son of Pandu? Is it not the fact that you never turn back without defeating your adversary?”
अर्जुन उवाच गुरुभवान् न मे शत्रुः शिष्यः पुत्रसमोऽस्मि ते। न चास्ति स पुमाल्लोके यस्त्वां युधि पराजयेत्॥
Arjuna said You are my preceptor and not my foe; I am your pupil and like your son. Also there exists not the man in the worlds who can vanquish you in battle.
संजय उवाच एवं ब्रुवाणो बीभत्सुर्जयद्रथवधोत्सुकः। त्वरायुक्तो महाबाहुस्त्वत्सैन्यं समुपाद्रवत्॥
Sanjaya said Having thus spoken, the mighty-armed Vibhatsu, intent on slaying Jayadratha, quickly rushed against the hostile troops.
तं चक्ररक्षौ पाञ्चाल्यौ युधामन्यूत्तमौजसौ। अन्वयातां महात्मानौ विशन्तं तावकं बलम्॥
And when he penetrated into your army, the two illustrious Panchala princes, Yudhamanyu and Uttamaujas, followed him, protecting his car-wheel.
ततो जयो महाराज कृतवर्मा च सात्वतः। काम्बोजश्च श्रुतायुश्च धनञ्जयमवारयन्॥
Thereupon, O mighty monarch, Jaya, Kritavarman of the Satva race and the Kamboja king the Shrutayusha-these put themselves on the way of Dhananjaya.
तेषां दश सहस्राणि रथानामनुयायिनाम्। अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयोऽथ वसातयः॥
Ten thousand car-warriors followed these warriors. The Abhishakas, the Shurasenas, the Shibis, the Vasatis.
मावेल्लका ललित्याश्च केकया मद्रकास्तथा। नारायणाच गोपालाः काम्बोजानां च ये गणाः॥
The Mavellakas, the Lalithyuas, the Kaikeyas, the Madra, the Narayanas, the Gopalas and the Kamboja clans.
कर्णेन विजिताः पूर्वं संग्रामे शूरसम्मताः। भारद्वाजं पुरस्कृत्य हृष्टात्मानोऽर्जुनं प्रति॥
Who had before been defeated by Karna and who were regarded as heroes, all these warriors placing the son of Bharadvaja at their head and disregardful of their lives, rushed against Arjuna.
पुत्रशोकाभिसंतप्तं क्रुद्धं मृत्युमिवान्तकम्। त्यजन्तं तुमुले प्राणान् संनद्धं चित्रयोधिनम्॥
For opposing that wrathful hero burning with sorrow an account of the death of his son, that warrior resembling the all-destroying Death himself, cased in armour, versed in all modes of warfare, prepared to sacrifice his life in the very thick of the fight.
गाहमानमनीकानि मातङ्गमिव यूथपम्। महेष्वासं पराक्रान्तं नरव्याघ्रमवारयन्॥
That foremost of men, fierce bowman, endued with prowess, who resembled the infurrite leader of an elephant and who seemed to plunge into the ranks of your troops.
ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम्। अन्योन्यं वै प्रार्थयतां योधानामर्जुनस्य च॥
Then the battle that raged between all those warriors on one side and Arjuna on the other, became exceeding fierce and hair-stirring, inasmuch as each desired to meet the other.
जयद्रथवधप्रेप्सुमायान्तं पुरुषर्षभम्। न्यवारयन्त सहिताः क्रिया व्याधिमिवोत्थितम्॥
Then like medicines checking a raging malady, the Kaurava warriors firmly united together began to check that foremost of men proceeding onwards for the slaughter of Jayadratha.