तदप्यस्य शितैर्भल्लैस्त्रिधा त्रिभिरघातयत् । निमेषार्धेन कौन्तेय आत्तमात्तं महारणे
But Arjuna struck even that with three sharp broad-headed arrows, breaking it in three; and in half a moment, son of Kunti, he cut down each bow Bhishma took up in the great battle.
एवमस्य धनूंष्याजौ चिच्छेद सुबहून्यथ। ततः शान्तनवो भीष्मो बीभत्सुं नात्यवर्तत
Thus, in that battle, he cut down many of his bows; then Bhishma, son of Shantanu, did not advance further against Arjuna.
अथैनं पञ्चविंशत्या क्षुद्रकाणां समार्पयत्। सोऽतिविद्धो महेष्वासो दुःशासनमभाषत
Then he released twenty-five small arrows upon him; thus pierced, the mighty archer spoke to Duhshasana.
एष पार्थो रणे क्रुद्धः पाण्डवानां महारथः । शरैरनेकसाहस्त्रैर्मामेवाभ्यपतद्रणे
This Partha, enraged in battle, the great chariot-warrior of the Pandavas, has rushed at me in combat with countless thousands of arrows.
न चैष समरे शक्यो जेतुं वज्रभृता अपि। न चापि सहिता वीरा देवदानवराक्षसाः
He cannot be conquered in battle, not even by the wielder of the thunderbolt, nor by heroes united—gods, demons, or rākṣasas.
मां चापि शक्ता निर्जेतुं किमु मर्त्या महारथाः । `ऋतेऽर्जुनं सुसंक्रुद्धमेतत्सत्यं ब्रवीमि ते
Nor can they defeat me—what then of mortal chariot-warriors, except for Arjuna, fiercely enraged? This is the truth I tell you.
एवं तयोः संवदतोः फल्गुनो निशितैः शरैः। शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य भीष्मं विव्याध संयुगे
As the two conversed thus, Phalguna, with sharp arrows, attacked Bhishma in battle, placing Shikhandi at the forefront.
ततो दुःशासनं भीष्मः स्मयमान इवाब्रवीत् । अर्दितो निशितैर्बाणैर्भृशं गाण्डीवधन्वना
Then Bhishma, smiling as if amused, spoke to Duhshasana, sorely afflicted by the sharp arrows of the wielder of Gandiva.
वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शाः सुपुङ्खाः सुप्रतेजनाः । सुमुक्ता अव्यवच्छिन्ना नेमे बाणाःशिखण्डिनः
These arrows, well-feathered, well-sharpened, and released skillfully, strike with the force of thunderbolts; these are not Shikhandi's arrows.
निकृन्तमाना मर्माणि दृढावरणभेदिनः । सुसला इव मे ध्नन्ति नेमे बाणः शिखण्डिनः
Cutting through vital points, piercing strong armor, they strike me like well-cast javelins; these are not Shikhandi's arrows.
वज्रदण्डसमस्पर्शा वज्रवेगदुरासदाः । मम प्राणानारुजन्ति नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः
Touching like adamantine rods, irresistible with the speed of thunder, they torment my life-breath; these are not Shikhandi's arrows.
नाशयन्तीव मे प्राणान्यमदूता इवागताः । गदापरिघसंस्पर्शा नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः
They seem to destroy my life, arriving like messengers of Yama; with the impact of maces and iron clubs—these are not Shikhandi's arrows.
भुजगा इव संक्रुद्धा लेलिहाना विषोल्बणाः। समाविशन्ति मर्माणि नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः
Like enraged serpents, licking with venom, they penetrate my vital points; these are not Shikhandi's arrows.
अर्जुनस्य इमे बाणा नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः । कृन्तन्ति मम गात्राणि माघमां सेगवा इव
These are Arjuna's arrows, not Shikhandi's; they cut my limbs like axes splitting wood.
सर्वे ह्यपि न मे दुःखं कुर्युरन्ये नराधिपाःक । वीरं गाण्डीवधन्वानमृते जिष्णुं कपिध्वजम्
Indeed, none of the other kings could cause me pain, save for the heroic wielder of Gandiva, Jiṣṇu, with the monkey-banner.
इति ब्रुवञ्छान्तनवो दिधक्षुरिव पाण्डवम् । शक्तिं भीष्मः स पार्थाय ततश्चिक्षेप भारत
Thus speaking, Shantanu's son, as if eager to burn the Pandava, Bhishma hurled a spear at Partha, O Bharata.
तामस्य विशिखैश्छित्त्वा त्रिधा त्रिभिरपातयत्। पश्यतां कुरुवीराणां सर्वेषां तत्र भारत
Arjuna cut it down with arrows, splitting it into three, and made it fall in three parts, as all the Kuru heroes watched, O Bharata.
चर्माथादत्त गाङ्गेयो जातरूपपरिष्कृतम् । खङ्गं चान्यतरप्रेप्सुर्मृत्योरग्रे जयाय वा
Then the son of Ganga took up a shield adorned with gold and a sword, seeking either victory or death.
तस्य तच्छतधा चर्म व्यधमत्सायकैस्तथा । रथादनवरूढस्य तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्
That shield was shattered into a hundred pieces by his arrows, while Bhishma stood on his chariot; it was a marvel to behold.
ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा स्वान्यनीकान्यचोदयत्। अभिद्रवत गाङ्गेयं मा वोऽस्तु भयमण्वपि
Then King Yudhishthira urged his own troops forward: 'Attack the son of Ganga! Let not even the slightest fear be yours.'
अथ ते तोमरैः प्रासैर्बाणौघैश्च समन्ततः। पट्टसैश्च सुनिस्त्रिंशैर्नाराचैश्च तथा शितैः
Then, with javelins, lances, showers of arrows on all sides, with swords, sharp scimitars, and keen-tipped shafts,
वत्सदन्तैश्च भल्लैश्च तमेकमभिदुद्रुवुः । सिंहनादस्ततो घोरः पाण्डवानामभूत्तदा
With calf-toothed arrows and broad-headed shafts, they all rushed at that one man; then a terrible lion's roar arose from the Pandavas.
तथैव तव पुत्राश्च नेदुर्भीष्मजयैषिणः। तमेकमभ्यरक्षन्त सिंहनादांश्च चक्रिरे
Likewise, your sons, eager for Bhishma's victory, shouted in response and surrounded that one man, making lion-like cries.
तत्रासीत्तुमुलं युद्धं तावकानां परैः सह। दशमेऽहनि राजेन्द्र भीष्मार्जुनसमागमे
There, a tumultuous battle took place between your forces and the enemy, O king, on the tenth day, when Bhishma and Arjuna met.
आसीद्धोर इवावर्तो मुहूर्तमुदधेरिव । सैन्यानां युध्यमानानां निघ्नतामितरेतरम्
It was like a dreadful whirlpool for a moment, as if in the ocean, with the armies fighting and striking each other down.
असौम्यरूपा पृथिवी शोणिताक्ताऽभवत्तदा। समं च विषमं चैव न प्राज्ञायत किंचन
The earth then became grim in appearance, stained with blood; neither level nor uneven ground could be distinguished.
योधानामयुतं हत्वा तस्मिन्स दशमेऽहनि । अतिष्ठदाहवे भीष्मो भिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु
Having slain tens of thousands of warriors on that tenth day, Bhishma stood firm in the battle, even as his vital points were being struck.
ततः सेनामुखे तस्मिन्स्थितः पार्थो धनुर्धरः। मध्येन कुरुसैन्यानां द्रावयामास वाहिनीम्
Then Arjuna, the wielder of the bow, stood at the front of the army and began to drive back the Kuru forces through their center.
तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम पाण्डवानां पराक्रमम्। द्रावयामासुरिषुभिः सर्वान्भीष्मपदानुगान्
There we witnessed the astonishing valor of the Pandavas, as with arrows they routed all those who followed Bhishma.
वयं श्वेतहयाद्भीताः कुन्तीपुत्राद्धनञ्जयात्। पीड्यमानाः शितैः शस्त्रैः प्राद्रवाम रणे तदा
We, terrified by Arjuna, the son of Kunti with white horses, and afflicted by sharp weapons, fled from the battle at that time.