एतेपामपि दीयन्तां रथा ध्वजपताकिनः। कवचानि विचित्राणि दृढानि च लघूनि च ।। 33
Let chariots with banners be given to these men, along with armor—varied, strong, and light.
प्रतिमुञ्चन्तु गात्रेषु दीयन्तामायुधानि च । नेमे जातु न युद्ध्य्रेयुरिति मे धीयते मतिः ।। 34
Let them fasten armor to their bodies, and let weapons be given as well; in my judgment, they would never refrain from battle.
तच्छ्रुत्वा नृपतेर्वाक्यं शीघ्रं त्वरितमानसः। शतानीकः स पार्थभ्यो रथान्राजन्समादिशत् ।। 35
Hearing the king's words, Shatanika, his mind swift and eager, quickly ordered chariots for the sons of Pritha.
सहदेवाय राज्ञे च भीमाय नकुलाय च। तान्दृष्ट्वा सहसा सूता राजभक्तिपुरस्कृताः ।। 36
For Sahadeva, the king, Bhima, and Nakula, the charioteers, devoted to the king, saw them and hurried forth.
निर्दिष्टा नरदेवेन रथाञ्छीघ्रमयोजयन्। कवचानि विचित्राणि नवानि च दृढानि च।। 37
Directed by the king, the charioteers quickly yoked the chariots, and gave armor—varied, new, and strong.
विराटः प्रददौ यानि तेषामक्लिष्टकर्मणाम्। तान्यामुच्य शरीरेषु दंशितास्ते महारथाः ।। 38
Virata gave armor to those of flawless deeds; having donned them on their bodies, those great chariot-warriors were ready.
तरस्विनश्छन्नरूपाः सर्वशस्त्रविशारदाः । रथान्हेमपरिष्कारान्समास्थाय महारथाः। पाण्डवा निर्ययुर्हृष्टा दंशिता राजसत्तम ।। 39
The energetic Pandavas, disguised and skilled in all weapons, mounted chariots adorned with gold, and joyfully set out, armored, O best of kings.
विराटमन्वयुः पश्चात्सहिताः कुरुपुङ्गवाः। चत्वारो भ्रातरः शूराः पाण्डवाः सत्यविक्रमाः ।। 40
The four heroic Pandava brothers, true in valor, followed Virata, together with the foremost of the Kurus, from behind.
दीर्घानां च दृढानां च धनुषां ते यथाबलम्। उत्कृष्य पाशान्मौर्वीणां वीराश्चापेष्वयोजयन् ।। 41
The warriors, according to their strength, drew the long and sturdy bows, stringing them with cords of hemp.
ततः सुवाससः सर्वे वीराश्चन्दनरूषिताः । चोदिता नरदेवेन क्षिप्रमश्वानचोदयन् ।। 42
Then, all the heroes, splendidly dressed and adorned with sandalwood, swiftly urged their horses at the king's command.
ते हया हेमसंच्छन्ना बृहन्तः साधुवाहिनः । चोदिताः प्रत्यदृश्यन्त पत्रिणामिव पङ्क्तयः ।। 43
Those great horses, covered in gold and well-trained, when driven forward, appeared like rows of arrows in flight.
भीमरूपाश्च मातङ्गाः प्रभिन्नकरटामुखाः। स्वारूढा युद्धकुशलैर्महामात्राधिरोहिताः ।। 44
The elephants, terrifying in form, with broken tusks and fierce mouths, mounted by skilled mahouts, were ridden by warriors adept in battle.
क्षरन्त इव जीमूताः सुदन्ताः षाष्टिहायनाः । राजानमन्वयुः पश्चात्क्रामन्त इव पर्वताः ।। 45
Those well-tamed elephants, sixty years old, seemed to pour forth like clouds, following the king from behind, advancing like mountains.
दृढायुधजनाकीर्णं रथाश्वगजसंकुलम् । तद्बलाग्रं विराटस्य शक्रस्येव तदा बभौ ।। 46
That vanguard of Virata, crowded with strong-armed men, chariots, horses, and elephants, shone at that moment like Indra's own army.
तं प्रयान्तं महाराज निनीषन्तं गवां पदम्। विशारदानां वैश्यानां प्रकृष्टानां तदा नृप ।। 47
O king, as he advanced, intending to reach the cattle, the distinguished and skilled herdsmen accompanied him.
विंशतिस्तु सहस्राणि नराणामनुयायिनाम्। अष्टौ रथसहस्राणि दश नागशतानि च । विंशच्चाश्वसहस्राणि मात्स्यानां त्वरितं ययुः ।। 48
Twenty thousand men followed, along with eight thousand chariots, ten hundred elephants, and twenty thousand swift horses of the Matsyas.
तदनीकं विराटस्य शुशुभेऽतीव भारत। वसन्ते बहुपुष्पाढ्यं काननं चित्रितं यथा ।। 49
That army of Virata shone exceedingly, O Bharata, like a forest in spring, rich with many blossoms and adorned in colors.
निर्याय नगराच्छूरा व्यूढानीकाः प्रहारिणः। त्रिगर्तानस्पृशन्मात्स्याः मूर्येऽस्तंगमिते सति ।। 1
Having departed from the city, the valiant warriors, arrayed in formation and ready to strike, the Matsyas confronted the Trigartas as the sun set.
ते त्रिगर्ताश्च मात्स्याश्च व्यूढानीकाः प्रहारिणः। अन्योन्यमभिवर्तन्ते गोषु गृद्धा महाबलाः ।। 2
The Trigartas and Matsyas, both arrayed in formation and eager for battle, rushed at each other, greedy for cattle and possessing great strength.
भीमाश्च मत्तमातङ्गास्तोमराङ्कुशचोदिताः। ग्रामणीयैः समारूढाः कुशलैर्हस्तिसादिभिः ।। 3
The mighty, intoxicated elephants, driven by spears and goads, were mounted by skilled leaders and expert elephant riders.
तेषां समागमो घोरस्तुमुलो रोमहर्षणः। घ्नतां परस्परं राजन्यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनः ।। 4
Their meeting was fierce, tumultuous, and hair-raising, as the kings struck each other, increasing the glory of their realms.
देवासुरसमो राजन्नासीत्सूर्येऽबलम्बति । पदातिरथनागेन्द्रहयारोहबलौघवान् ।। 5
O king, the battle was like that between gods and demons, as the sun lost its strength, with masses of foot soldiers, chariots, elephants, and horsemen.
अन्योन्यमभ्यापततां निघ्नतां चेतरेतरम् । उदतिष्ठद्रजो भौमं न प्राज्ञायत किंचन ।। 6
As they rushed at each other and struck one another, dust rose from the earth so thick that nothing could be seen.
पक्षिणश्चापतन्भूमौ सैन्येन रजसा वृताः । इषुभिर्व्यतिसर्पद्भिरादित्योऽन्तरधीयत ।। 7
Birds fell to the ground, covered by the army's dust, and as arrows flew, even the sun was hidden.
खद्योतैरिव संयुक्तमन्तरिक्षमजायत।। 8
The sky appeared as if filled with fireflies.
रुक्मपृष्ठानि चापानि विचेरुर्विद्युतो यथा । नर्दतां लोकवीराणां सव्यं दक्षिणमस्यताम् ।। 9
Golden-backed arrows moved about like lightning, as the warriors roared, shooting to the left and right.
रथा रथैः समाजग्मुः पत्तयश्च पदातिभिः । सादिनः सादिभिर्जग्मुर्गजैश्चापि महागजाः ।। 10
Charioteers advanced against charioteers, foot soldiers against foot soldiers; horsemen moved with horsemen, and mighty elephants with other elephants.
असिभिः पट्टसैश्चापि शक्तिभिस्तोमरैरपि । संरब्धाः समरे योधा निजघ्नुरितरेतरम् ।। 11
Warriors, enraged in battle, struck one another with swords, broad blades, spears, and javelins.
निघ्नन्तः समरेऽन्योन्यं हृष्टाः परिघपाणयः । न शेकुरतिसंक्रुद्धाः शूराः कर्तुं पराङ्भुखम् ।। 12
Rejoicing, wielding iron clubs, they struck each other in battle; those furious heroes could not be turned away or made to flee.
रक्ताधरोष्ठं सुनसं क्लृप्तश्मश्रु स्वलंकृतम्। अदृश्यत शिरश्छिन्नं रजोविध्वस्तकुण्डलम् ।। 13
A severed head was seen, with blood-red lips, a fine nose, trimmed beard, well-adorned, its earrings scattered by dust.