तस्य तद्दहतः सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा चास्य पराक्रमम्। सर्वे शान्तिपरा योधा धार्तराष्ट्रस्य भारत
Seeing his army being burned and witnessing his prowess, all the warriors of Dhritarashtra sought peace, O Bharata.
यथा नलवनं नागः प्रभिन्नः षष्टिहायनः। एवं सर्वानपामृद्रादर्जुनः शस्त्रतेजसा
Just as a sixty-year-old elephant devastates a lotus pond, so Arjuna destroyed all foes with the brilliance of his weapons.
विद्राव्य च ततः सैन्यं त्रासयित्वा महारथान्। अर्जुनो जयतांश्रेष्ठः पर्यावर्तत भारत
Driving away the army and terrifying the great chariot-warriors, Arjuna, foremost among victors, turned back, O Bharata.
तस्य मार्गान्विचरतो निघ्नतश्च रणाजिरे । प्रावर्तत नदी घोरा शोणितान्त्रतरङ्गिणी
As he moved along his path, striking down enemies on the battlefield, a dreadful river began to flow, its waves formed of blood and entrails.
अस्थिशैवालसंबाधां संग्रामे पार्थनिर्मिताम् । शरचापप्लवां घोरां मांसशोणितकर्दमाम्
Crowded with bones and algae, created by Partha in battle, dreadful, flooded with arrows and bows, muddy with flesh and blood.
रथोडुपां चान्त्रसर्पां केशशैवालशाड्वलाम्। करवालासिपाठीनां चामरोष्णीषफेनिलाम्
With chariots as stars, entrails as serpents, hair and algae as grass, foaming with turbans and fans of swords and scimitars.
अश्वग्रीवामहावर्तां कबन्धजलमानुषाम्। काककङ्करुतां तीव्रां सारसक्रौञ्चनादिताम्
With horse-necks as great whirlpools, human trunks as waters, intense with the cries of crows and vultures, resounding with the calls of cranes and herons.
सिंहनादमहानादां शङ्खस्वनमहास्वनाम् । वीरोत्तमाङ्गपद्माढ्यां शरचापमहानलाम्
Roaring with lion-shouts and conch-blasts, adorned with the lotus-limbs of fallen heroes, blazing with the fire of arrows and bows.
पदातिमत्स्यकलुषां गजशीर्षककच्छपाम्। गोमायुगसंघुष्टां मांसमञ्जाभिकर्दमाम्
Filled with infantry, fish, and mud, with elephant-heads and turtles, resounding with the howls of jackals, muddy with lumps of flesh.
प्रावर्तयन्नदीं घोरां पिशाचगणसेविताम् । अपारामनिवासां च रक्तोदां सर्वतो वृताम्
He caused a dreadful river to flow, frequented by hosts of demons, boundless and uninhabitable, with blood as its water, surrounded on all sides.
अभीक्ष्णमकरोत्पार्थो नदीमुत्तमशोणिताम्। गजवर्ममहाद्वीपामश्वदेहमहाशिलाम्
Partha repeatedly made a river of excellent blood, with islands of elephant armor, rocks of horse bodies, and great stones.
पदातिदेहसंघाटां रथावलिमहातरुम्। केशशाद्वलसंछन्नां सुतरां भीतिदां नृणाम्
With masses of infantry bodies, rows of chariots as great trees, covered with hair and grass, it instilled great fear in men.
अगाधरक्तोदवहां यमसागरगामिनीम्। दुस्तरां भीरुमर्त्यानां शूराणां सुतरां नृप। प्रावर्तयन्नदीमेवं भीषणां पाकशासनिः
Carrying deep waters of blood, flowing toward the ocean of Yama, impassable for the fearful and mortals, but easily crossed by heroes, O king, thus Pakashasana caused a dreadful river to flow.
तस्याददानस्य शरान्सन्दधानस्य मुञ्चतः। विकर्षतश्च गाण्डीवं न किंचिद्ददृशेऽन्तरम्
As he took arrows, fitted them, released them, and drew the Gandiva, no interval could be seen at all.
एवं विद्राव्य तत्सैन्यं पार्थो भीष्ममुपाद्रवत्। त्रस्तेषु सर्वसैन्येषु कौरव्यस्य महात्मनः
Having thus routed that army, Partha advanced toward Bhishma, while the entire force of the great Kaurava was seized with fear.
बाणान्धनुषि संधाय चतुरः पाकशासनिः। भीष्मं च प्राहिणोद्भीतस्तं द्वाभ्यामभ्यवादयत्
The wielder of the thunderbolt, having placed four arrows on his bow, sent them swiftly at Bhishma, and with two he greeted him.
तस्य कर्णान्तिकं गत्वा द्वावब्रूतां च कौशलम् । सोऽप्याशीरवदद्भीष्मः कौन्तेयो जयतामिति
Two of those arrows, reaching near Karna, displayed skill; and Bhishma, in return, spoke words of blessing, saying, 'May the son of Kunti be ever victorious.'
नरसिंहमुपायान्तं जिगीषन्तं परान्रणे। वृषसेनोऽभ्ययात्तूर्णं योद्धुकामो धनंजयम्
As the lion among men approached, seeking to conquer his foes in battle, Vrishasena quickly advanced, desiring to fight with Dhananjaya.
वैकर्तनात्मजो वीरः संग्रामे लोकविश्रुतः। शौर्यवीर्यादिभिः कर्णाद्बिम्बाद्विम्ब इवोद्धृतः
The valiant son of Karna, renowned in battle throughout the world for his courage and heroism, seemed as if sprung from Karna himself, like an image from its reflection.
आत्मना युध्यतस्तस्य वृषसेनस्य पाण्डवः । मुहूर्तं तस्य तद्दृष्ट्वा हस्तलाघवपौरुषे। तुतोष च ततः पार्थो वृषसेनपराक्रमम्
As Vrishasena fought with all his might, the son of Pandu, observing for a moment his dexterity and strength of hand, was pleased with Vrishasena's valor.
तस्य पार्थस्तदा क्षिप्रं क्षुरधारेण कार्मुकम् । न्यकृन्यद्गृध्रपत्रेण जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृतम्
Then Partha swiftly cut down his bow, adorned with gold, with a razor-headed arrow feathered with vulture plumes.
अथैनं पञ्चभिर्भूयः प्रत्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे। स पार्थबाणाभिहतो रथात्प्रस्कन्द्य दुद्रुवे
Then, striking him again with five arrows in the chest, Vrishasena, wounded by Partha's shafts, leapt from his chariot and fled.
दुःशासनो विकर्णश्च शकुनिश्च विविंशतिः। आयान्तं भीमधन्वानं पर्यकीर्यन्त पाण्डवम्
Duhshasana, Vikarna, Shakuni, and Vivimsati surrounded Bhimasena as he advanced, showering him with arrows.
तेषां पार्थो रणे क्रुद्धः शरैः सन्नतपर्वभिः । युगं ध्वजं शरासं च चिच्छेद तरसा रणे
In that battle, Partha, enraged, with arrows whose joints were well-formed, swiftly cut down their yoke, banner, and quivers.
ते निकृत्तध्वजाः सर्वे छिन्नकार्मुकवेष्टनाः । रणमध्यादपययुः पार्थबाणाभिपीडिताः
All of them, their banners cut down and bowstrings severed, oppressed by Partha's arrows, withdrew from the midst of battle.
ततः प्रहस्य बीभत्सुर्वैराटिमिदमब्रवीत् । एतं मे प्रापयेदानीं तालं सौवर्णमुच्छ्रितम्
Then Bhīmasena, laughing, said to the king of the Matsyas: 'Now bring me that tall golden palm-tree.'
मेघमध्ये यथा विद्युदुज्ज्वलन्ती पुनः पुनः । असौ शान्तनवो भीष्मस्तत्र याहि परंतप
Just as lightning flashes again and again amidst the clouds, so does Bhishma, son of Shantanu, shine there; go towards him, scorcher of foes.
अस्राणि तस्य दिव्यानि दर्शयिष्यामि संयुगे। घोररूपाणि चित्राणि लघूनि च गुरूणि च
In battle I will show him my divine weapons, terrible in form, wondrous, both light and heavy.
अस्माकं पोषको नित्यमाबाल्यान्मत्स्यभूमिप। श्रेयस्कामी सदाऽस्माकं योगक्षेमकरः सदा
He has always been our protector since childhood, the king of the Matsyas, ever seeking our welfare and always ensuring our well-being.
तस्याङ्के विर्धितो बाल्ये तद्योत्स्येऽनेन सांप्रतम्। अस्माकं धार्तराष्ट्राणां शमकामो दिवानिशम्
Raised on his lap in childhood, I will now fight him; he, who always desires peace for us sons of Dhritarashtra, day and night.