श्रुतायुरम्बष्ठपतिश्च राजा विन्दानुविन्दौ च सुदक्षिणश्च। प्राच्याश्च सौवीरगणाश्च सर्वे वसातयः क्षुद्रकमालवाश्च
Shrutayus, the lord of the Ambasthas, the king, Vindya and Anuvinda, and Sudakshina, and all the eastern and Sauvira hosts, the Vasatas, the Kshudrakas, and the Malavas—
किरीटिनं त्वरमाणाभिस्रु- र्निदेशगाः शान्तनवस्य राज्ञः। तं वाजिपादातरथौघजालै- रनेकसाहस्रशतैर्ददर्श
Eager and swift, they advanced toward the diademed one, following the command of King Shantanu’s son; and he saw him surrounded by countless thousands of horses, elephants, and chariots.
किरीटिनं संपरिवार्यमाणं शिनेर्नप्ता वारणयूथपैश्च। ततस्तु दृष्ट्वार्जुनवासुदेवौ पदातिनागाश्वरथैः समन्तात्
The diademed one was being encircled by Shini’s grandson and by leaders of elephant battalions; then, seeing Arjuna and Vasudeva surrounded on all sides by infantry, elephants, horses, and chariots—
अभिद्रुतौ शस्त्रभृतां वरिष्ठौ शिनिप्रवीरोऽभिससार तूर्णम्। स तान्यनीकानि महाधनुष्मान् शिनिप्रवीरः सहसाऽभिपत्य
The best among weapon-bearers, the mighty Shini’s descendant, swiftly rushed forward; that great archer, Shini’s hero, suddenly attacked those divisions.
चकार साहाय्यमथार्जुनस्य विष्णुर्यथा वृत्रनिषूदनस्य। विशीर्णनागाश्वरथध्वजौघं भीष्मेण वित्रासितसर्वयोधम्
He then aided Arjuna, as Vishnu aided the slayer of Vritra; the lines of elephants, horses, chariots, and banners were shattered, and all the warriors were terrified by Bhishma.
युधिष्ठिरानीकमभिद्रवन्तं प्रोवाच संदृश्य शिनिप्रवीरः । क्व क्षत्रिया यास्यथ नैष धर्मः सतां पुरस्तात्कथितः पुराणैः
Seeing the division of Yudhishthira advancing, Shini’s hero spoke: ‘Where are you Kshatriyas going? This is not the ancient code of the righteous, as declared by the elders.’
मा स्वां प्रतिज्ञां त्यजत प्रवीराः स्वं वीरधर्मं परिपालयध्वम्। तान्वासवानन्तरजो निशाम्य नरेन्द्रमुख्यान्द्रवतः समन्तात्
‘Do not abandon your vow, O heroes! Uphold your warrior’s duty!’ Hearing this, the son of Ananta, seeing the foremost kings fleeing on all sides—
पार्थस्य दृष्टवा मृदुयुद्धातां च भीष्मं च सङ्ख्ये समुदीर्यमाणम्। अमृष्यमाणः स ततो महात्मा यशस्विनं सर्वदशार्हभर्ता
Seeing Partha’s gentle fighting and Bhishma being urged on in battle, that great-souled one, unable to endure it, the illustrious lord of the Dasharhas—
उवाच शैनेयमभिप्रशंसन् दृष्ट्वा कुरूनापततः समग्रान्। ये यान्ति ते यान्तु शिनिप्रवीर येऽपि स्थिताः सात्वत तेऽपि यान्तु
Praised Shini’s descendant, seeing all the Kauravas charging; ‘Let those who go, go, O hero of the Shinis; let even those who stand, O Sātvata, also go!’
भीष्मं रथात्पश्य निपात्यमानं द्रोणं च सङ्ख्ये सगणं मयाऽद्य। न सारथेः सात्वत कौरवाणां क्रुद्धस्य मुच्येत रणेऽद्य कश्चित्
‘Behold Bhishma being struck down from his chariot, and Drona with his troops by me today; not one of the Kauravas’ charioteers, O Sātvata, will escape alive from me in battle today, if angered!’
तस्मादहं गृह्य रथाङ्गमुग्रं प्राणं हरिष्यामि महाव्रतस्य। निहत्य भीष्मं सगणं तथाजौ द्रोणं च शैनेय रथप्रवीरौ
‘Therefore, seizing the fierce wheel, I will take the life of the great-vowed one; having slain Bhishma with his troops and likewise Drona in battle, O Shini’s descendant, those foremost of chariot-warriors—’
संपादयिष्याम्यहमद्य हृष्टः
‘I will accomplish this today, rejoicing!’
इतीदमुक्त्वा स महानुभावः सस्मार चक्रं निशितं पुराणम्। सुदर्शनं चिन्तितमात्रमेव तस्याग्रहस्तं स्वयमारुरोह
Having spoken thus, that great-souled one remembered the ancient, sharp-edged discus Sudarshana, which, as soon as thought of, came into his hand by itself.
तच्चक्रपद्मं प्रगृहीतमाजौ रराज नारायणबाहुनालम्। यथादिपद्मं तरुणार्कवर्णं रराज नारायणनाभिजातमक्
That discus, radiant like a lotus, grasped in battle by the mighty arm of Narayana, shone like the lotus sprung from Narayana’s navel, glowing with the color of the rising sun.
तत्कृष्णकोपोदयसूर्यबुद्धं क्षुरान्ततीक्ष्णाग्रसुजातपत्रम्। तेस्यैव देहोरुसरःप्ररूढं रराज नारायणबाहुनालम्
That discus, blazing with Krishna’s wrath, its sharp edge like a razor, its petals beautifully formed, grown from the vast lake of his own body, shone in the mighty arm of Narayana.
वेगेन कृष्मः प्रससार भीष्मम्
With speed, Krishna rushed toward Bhishma.
घनो यथा खे तडितावनद्धः
Like a cloud in the sky bound with lightning.
तमात्तचक्रं प्रणदन्तमुच्चैः क्रुद्धं महेन्द्रावरजं समीक्ष्य । सर्वाणि भूतानि भृशं विनेदुः क्षयं कुरूणामिव चिन्तयित्वा
Seeing him, armed with the discus, roaring loudly, furious, the younger brother of Mahendra—all beings wailed greatly, thinking of the destruction of the Kurus.
स वासुदेवः प्रगृहीतचक्रः संवर्तयिष्यन्निव सर्वलोकम्। अभ्युत्पतँल्लोकगुरुर्बभासे भूतानि धक्ष्यन्निव धूमकेतुः
Vāsudeva, grasping the discus, shone forth as if he would destroy all worlds; the teacher of the universe rose up, appearing like a comet about to burn all creatures.
गोविन्दमाजावविमूढचेताः
With bewildered mind, they rushed at Govinda in the battle.
एह्येहि देवेश जगन्निवास नमोस्तु ते माधव चक्रपाणे। प्रसह्य मां पातय लोकनाथ रथोत्तमात्सर्वशरण्य सङ्ख्ये
Come, come, Lord of the gods, shelter of the universe! Salutations to you, Mādhava, wielder of the discus. Overpower me, O Lord of all, and cast me down from this excellent chariot in battle, you who are the refuge of all.
त्वया हतस्यापि ममाऽद्य कृष्ण श्रेयः परिस्मिन्निह चैव लोके। संभावितोऽस्म्यन्धकवृष्णिनाथ लोकैस्त्रिभिर्वीर तवाभियानात्
Even if I am slain by you today, O Kṛṣṇa, it will be for my good in this world and the next. I am honored by you, Lord of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, and by the three worlds, O hero, because of your attack.
रथादवप्लुत्य ततस्त्वरावान् पार्थोऽप्यनुद्रुत्य यदुप्रवीरम्। जग्राह पीनोत्तमलम्बबाहुं बाह्वोर्हरिं व्यायतपीनबाहुः
Then, swiftly leaping from the chariot, Arjuna pursued the foremost Yadu hero and seized Hari, whose mighty arms hung down, with his own strong, outstretched, muscular arms.
निगृह्यमणाश्च तदाऽऽदिदेवो भृश सरोषः किल नाम योगी । आदाय वेगेन जगाम विष्णु- र्जिष्णुं महावात इवैकवृक्षम्
At that moment, the great god, full of wrath, restrained by Arjuna, took up speed and moved like Viṣṇu, the yogi, rushing toward Jiṣṇu as a mighty wind toward a solitary tree.
पार्थस्तु विष्टभ्य बलेन पादौ भीष्मान्तिकं तूर्णमभिद्रवन्तम्। बलान्निजग्राह हरिं किरीटी पदेऽथ राजन्दशमे कथंचित्
Arjuna, bracing his feet with strength, seized Hari, the crowned one, as he swiftly charged toward Bhīṣma; with force, he somehow caught him at the tenth step, O king.
अवस्थितं च प्रणिपत्य कृष्णं प्रीतोऽर्जुनः काञ्चनचित्रमाली। उवाच कोपे प्रतिसंहरेति गतिर्भवान्केशव पाण्डवानाम्
Arjuna, adorned with a golden, splendid garland, bowed to Kṛṣṇa, who stood firm, and, pleased yet angry, said: 'Withdraw, O Keśava, you are the refuge of the Pāṇḍavas.'
न हास्यते कर्म यथाप्रतिज्ञं पुत्रैः शपे केशव सोदरैश्च । अन्तं करिष्यामि यथा कुरूणां त्वयाऽहमिन्द्रानुजसंप्रयुक्तः
The deed will not fail as promised, O Keśava; I swear by my sons and brothers. I will bring an end to the Kurus, aided by you, Indra's younger brother.
ततः प्रतिज्ञां समयं च तस्य जनार्दनः प्रीतमना निशम्य। स्थितः प्रिये कौरवसत्तमस्य रथं सचक्रः पुनरारुरोह
Then Janārdana, hearing his vow and promise with a pleased heart, stood by the beloved best of the Kauravas, and, with the discus, again mounted the chariot.
ततः प्रतिज्ञां समवाप्य भीष्मः कृताञ्चलिः स्तुत्यमथाकरोद्वै । त्रैविक्रमे यस्य वपुर्बभासे तथैव दृष्ट्वा तु समुञ्ज्वलन्तम्
Then Bhīṣma, having fulfilled his vow, with folded hands, began to praise him; seeing him shining brilliantly, just as his form shone in the three strides.
प्रगृह्य शङ्खं द्विषताकं निहन्ता स तानभूषून्पुनराददानः । भीष्मं शरैः संपरिवार्य सङ्ख्ये चिच्छेद भूरिश्रवसश्च चापम्
Grasping his conch, the slayer of enemies again took up his weapons; surrounding Bhīṣma with arrows in battle, he cut off the bow of Bhūriśravas.