दिशोऽनुभ्रमतः सर्वा सव्यदक्षिणमस्यतः। सततं दृश्यते युद्धे सायकासनमण्डलम्
As he shot to all directions, left and right, the circle of arrows and bow was always seen in battle.
पतन्त्यरूपेषु यथा चक्षूंषि न कदाचन। नालक्ष्येषु शराः पेतुस्तस्य गाण्डीवधन्वनः
Just as eyes cannot see falling forms, so too the arrows of the wielder of Gandiva fell where none could perceive.
महागजसहस्रस्य युगपन्मृद्गतो वनम्। कौन्तेयरथमार्गस्तु रणे घोरतरोऽभवत्
The path of the Kunteya's chariot in battle became more terrible than a forest trampled at once by a thousand great elephants.
नूनं पार्थजयैषित्वाच्छक्रः सर्वामरैः सह। हन्त्यस्मानिति मन्यन्ते पार्थेनैवार्दिताः परे
Surely, because of Partha's desire for victory, the discus, along with all the gods, will destroy us—so thought the others, afflicted by Partha.
घ्नन्तमत्यर्थमहितान्सव्यसाचिनमाहवे। कालमर्जुनरूपेण ग्रसन्तमिव च प्रजाः
In battle, Savyasācin struck down the exceedingly mighty, appearing as Time itself in the form of Arjuna, devouring creatures.
कुरुसेनाशरीराणि पार्थेनानाहतान्यपि । पेतुः पार्थहतानीव पार्थकर्मानुदर्शनात्
Even the bodies of the Kuru army, though untouched by Pārtha, fell as if struck by him, because of witnessing Pārtha’s deeds.
ओषधीनां शिरांसीव कालपक्तिसमन्वयात्। अवनेमुः कुरूणां हि शिरांस्यर्जुनजाद्भयात्
Like the heads of herbs at the proper season, the heads of the Kurus bowed down out of fear of Arjuna.
चकार चार्जुनः क्रोधाद्विमुखान्रुषितानपि
And Arjuna, in his wrath, turned even those who faced him away in fear.
अर्जुनेनापि भिन्नानि बलाग्नाणि पुनः क्वचित्। चक्रुर्लोहितधाराभिर्धरणीं लोहितोत्तराम्
The shattered divisions, broken again by Arjuna, at times made the earth overflow with streams of blood.
लोहितेनापि संपृक्तैः पांसुभिः पवनोद्धतैः । तेनैव च समुद्धूतैः सूक्ष्मैर्लोहितबिन्दुभिः
With dust mingled with blood, raised by the wind, and with fine drops of blood stirred up by the same,
लोहितार्द्रैः प्रहरणैः प्रभग्ना लोहितोक्षिताः। लोहितेषु निमग्नास्ते निहताश्च किरीटिना
With weapons drenched in blood, shattered and stained red, they were sunk in blood and slain by the diademed one.
बभूवुर्लोहितास्तत्र भृशमादित्यरश्मयः। आकाशं तत्क्षणेनासीत्सन्ध्याभ्रमिव लोहितं
There, the rays of the sun became intensely red; in that moment, the sky appeared crimson, like evening clouds.
अप्यस्तं प्राप्य चादित्यो निवर्तेत न पाण्डवः। निवर्तन्ते न जित्वारिं नित्यजल्पविचक्षणाः
Even if the sun were to set, Pāṇḍava would not turn back; those skilled in constant speech do not withdraw without conquering the foe.
तान्सर्वान्समरे शूरान्पौरुषे पर्यवस्थितान्। दिव्यैरस्त्रैरमोघात्मा सर्वानार्च्छद्धनुर्धरान्
All those heroes, steadfast in valor on the battlefield, he, possessed of unfailing weapons, assailed—all the bowmen—with divine missiles.
स तु द्रोणं त्रिसप्तत्या नाराचानां समार्पयत्। अशीत्या शकुनिं चैव द्रौणिमप्याशु सप्तभिः
He struck Droṇa with seventy-three iron arrows, Śakuni with eighty, and quickly Drauṇi with seven.
दुःसहं दशभिर्बाणैरर्जुनः समविध्यत । दुश्यासनं द्वादशभिः कृपं शारद्वतं त्रिभिः। भीष्मं शान्तनवं षष्ट्या प्रत्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे
Arjuna pierced Duḥsaha with ten arrows, Duśāsana with twelve, Kṛpa, son of Śaradvat, with three, and Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu, in the chest with sixty.
स कर्णं कर्णिनाऽविध्यत्पीतेन निशितेन च। वासविर्द्विषतां मध्ये विव्याध परमेषुणा
He struck Karṇa on the ear with a sharp, golden arrow, and Vāsavi, in the midst of enemies, pierced him with a supreme shaft.
स कर्णं सतनुत्राणं निर्भिद्य निशितः शरः। अगच्छद्दानयन्भूमिं चोदितो दृढधन्वना
That keen arrow, having pierced Karṇa, protected by armor, went to the ground, driven by the strong-bowed one.
ततोऽस्य वाहान्व्यहनच्चतुर्भिश्चतुरः क्षुरैः । सारथेश्च शिरः कायादपाहरदरिन्दमः । अर्धचन्द्रेण चिच्छेद चापं तस्य करे स्थितम्
Then the subduer of foes struck down his four horses with four razors, severed the charioteer’s head from his body, and with a crescent cut the bow held in his hand.
तस्मिन्विद्धे महाभागे कर्णे सर्वास्त्रपारगे। हताश्वसूते विरथे ततोऽनीकमभज्यत
When that great-souled Karṇa, master of all weapons, was struck, his horses and charioteer slain, and his chariot lost, then the formation was broken.
तत्प्रभग्नं बलं सर्वं विपुलौघस्वनं तथा। भीष्ममासाद्य संतस्थौ वेलामिव महोदधिः
That entire shattered force, resounding with a great tumult, halted upon reaching Bhīṣma, like the ocean at its shore.
तानि सर्वाणि गाङ्गेयः समाश्वास्य परंतपः । ततो व्यूह्य महाबाहुः समरेष्वपराजितः
Then Gāṅgeya, the scorcher of foes, reassured them all, and, undefeated in battle, arrayed them once more.
रथनागाश्वकलिकं युयुजे युद्धकोविदः । अभेद्यं पंरसैन्यानां शूरैरपि समीक्षितम्
The expert in battle yoked the impenetrable vehicle, adorned with chariot, elephant, and horse divisions, which even brave warriors regarded as invincible.
आचार्यदुर्योधनसूतपुत्रैः कृपेण भीष्मेण च पालितानि। अवध्यकल्पानि दुरासदानि रथाश्वमातङ्गसमाकुलानि च
Guarded by the teacher, Duryodhana, the son of the charioteer, Kripa, and Bhishma, these formations, filled with chariots, horses, and elephants, seemed unconquerable and unassailable.
तेषामनीकानि किरीटमाली व्यूढानि दृष्ट्वा विपुलध्वजानि। गाण्डीवधन्वा द्विषतां निहन्ता वैराटिमामन्त्र्य ततोऽभ्युवाच
Seeing those battle arrays, well-formed and bearing great banners, the diademed one, wielder of Gandiva and destroyer of enemies, addressed the prince of the Matsyas and spoke thus.
सुसंगृहीतैरथ रश्मिभिस्त्वं हयान्नियम्य प्रसमीक्ष्य यत्तः। संप्रेषयाशु प्रतिवीरमेनं वैकर्तनं योधयितुं वृणोमि
With reins well gathered, control the white steeds attentively; then swiftly drive me toward that mighty Karna, for I choose to fight him, hero against hero.
यां हस्तिकक्ष्यां बहुधा विचित्रां स्तम्भे रथे पश्यसि दर्शनीयाम् । विवर्तमानां ज्वलनप्रकाशां वैकर्तनस्यैतदनीकमग्र्यम्
That elephant-division, variegated and splendid, which you see stationed at the post and on the chariot, shining like fire and turning in all directions, is the foremost array of Karna.
एतेन शीघ्रं प्रतिपादयेमान् श्वेतान्हयान्काञ्चनजालकक्ष्यान् । सर्वं जवं तत्र विदर्शयिष्ये ह्यासादयैतद्रथवीरवृन्दम्
With these swift white horses, decked with golden harness, I will quickly penetrate that formation; there I shall display all their speed—bring me to that gathering of chariot-warriors.
गजो गजनेव हि योद्धुकामो मया सदा काङ्क्षति सूतपुत्रः । तमेव मां प्रापय सूतपुत्रं दुर्योधनोपाश्रयजातदर्पम् । तं पातयिष्यामि रथस्य मध्ये सहस्रनेत्रोऽशनिनेव वृत्रम्
The son of the charioteer, ever eager to fight me, longs for battle like an elephant for another in rut; bring me straight to him, proud with Duryodhana’s favor—I will cast him down in the midst of his chariot, as Indra with a thunderbolt struck down Vritra.
स तैर्हयैर्जातजवैर्बृहद्भिः पुत्रो विराटस्य हिरण्यकक्ष्यै । विध्वंसयंस्तद्रथिनामनीकं ततोऽवहत्पाण्डवमाजिमध्ये
Then, with those great, swift, golden-harnessed horses, the son of Virata shattered the ranks of those chariot-warriors and brought the Pandava into the midst of the battle.