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.
तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा वैराटिः पार्थसारथिः। वाहयच्चोदितस्तेन रथं भीष्मरथं प्रति
Hearing these words, the Matsya prince, Partha's charioteer, urged on the chariot as commanded, toward Bhishma's car.
तं रथं चोदितं दृष्ट्वा फल्गुनस्य रथोत्तमम् । वायुनेव महामेघं सहसाऽभिसमीरितम्। तं प्रत्ययाच्च गाङ्गेयो रथेनादित्यवर्चसा
Seeing that chariot of Phalguna, the best of chariots, driven forward like a great cloud suddenly propelled by the wind, Ganga's son advanced to meet it with his radiant chariot.
आयान्तमर्जुनं दृष्ट्वा भीष्मः परपुंजयः। प्रत्युञ्जगाम युद्धार्थी महर्षभमिवर्षभः
Seeing Arjuna approaching, Bhishma, the conqueror of foes, advanced to meet him, eager for battle, like a mighty bull confronting another.
तथा हि गुप्त एतेषां दुराधर्षः पितामहः । हन्यमानेषु योघेषु धनंजयमुपाद्रवत्
Thus, the invincible grandsire, protector of his forces, moved toward Dhananjaya as the troops were being struck in the conflict.
प्रगृह्य कार्मुकश्रेष्ठं जातरूपपरिष्कृतम् । शरानादाय तीक्ष्णाग्रान्मर्मदेहप्रमाथिनः
Grasping his finest bow, adorned with gold, he took up sharp arrows, capable of piercing vital organs and destroying bodies.
पाण्डुरेणातपत्रेण ध्रियमाणेन मूर्धनि । शुशुभे स नरव्याघ्रो गिरिः सूर्योत्तरे यथा
With a pale parasol held above his head, that tiger among men shone like a mountain beneath the rising sun.
प्राध्माप्य शङ्खं गाङ्गेयो धार्तराष्ट्रान्प्रहर्षयन् । प्रदक्षिणमुपावृत्य बीभत्सुं प्रत्यवारयत्
Blowing his conch, Gangeya delighted the sons of Dhritarashtra, then, circling to the right, confronted Bhībhatsu and blocked his advance.
तमवेक्ष्य समायान्तं कौन्तेयः परवीरहा । प्रत्यगृह्णादमेयात्मा प्रियातिथिमिवागतम् । देवदत्तं महाशङ्खं प्रदध्मौ युधि वीर्यवान्
Seeing him approaching, the son of Kunti, slayer of enemy heroes, received him with an unfathomable spirit, as one welcomes a dear guest; the mighty warrior blew his great conch, Devadatta, in battle.
तौ शङ्खनादावत्यर्थं भीष्मपाण्डवयोस्तदा । नादयामासतुर्द्यां च खं च भूमिं च सर्वशः
Then, the sound of conches from Bhishma and the Pandava resounded, filling the sky, the heavens, and the earth in every direction.
अन्तरिक्षे च जल्पन्ति सर्वे देवाः सवासवाः । यदर्जुनः कुरून्सर्वान्प्राकृन्तच्छस्रतेजसा
In the sky, all the gods with Indra spoke, as Arjuna cut down all the Kurus with his radiant energy.