तस्य पापं ममैवास्तु प्रतिज्ञापरिघातिनः । इति वाक्यमुदीर्यैव तूष्णींभूतो धनुर्दधे
—let the sin of breaking a vow fall upon me; having spoken thus, he became silent and readied his bow.
तदानेन निषंगात्स्वादुद्धृत्य सायकं वरम् । कथयामास विशदं वाक्यं शत्रुवधावहम्
Then, drawing a splendid arrow from his quiver, he spoke clear words, bringing death to his enemy.
पुष्कल उवाच। यदि रामांघ्रियुगुलं निष्कापट्येन चेतसा । उपासितं मया तर्हि मम वाक्यमृतं भवेत्
Puṣkala said: If I have worshipped the pair of Rāma’s feet with a sincere heart, then let my words become true.
यदि स्वमहिलां भुक्त्वा नान्यां जानामिचेतसा । तेन सत्येन मे वाक्यं सत्यं भवतु संगरे
If, after enjoying my own wife, I have not thought of another woman, then by that truth let my words be fulfilled in battle.
इति वाक्यमुदीर्याशु बाणं धनुषि संधितम् । कालानलोपमं वीरशिरश्छेदनमाक्षिपत्
Having spoken thus, he swiftly fitted the arrow to his bow, and, like the fire of destruction, aimed it to sever the hero’s head.
तं बाणं मुक्तमालोक्य स तु राजसुतो बली । बाणं शरासने धत्त तीक्ष्णं कालानलोपमम्
Seeing that arrow released, the powerful prince fitted a sharp arrow, blazing like the fire of doom, to his own bow.
तेन बाणेन संछिन्नो बाणः स्ववधउद्यतः । हाहाकारो महानासीच्छिन्ने तस्मिञ्छरे तदा
With that arrow, he cut down the arrow aimed at his own death; as it was severed, a great outcry arose.
परार्धं पतितं भूमौ पूर्वार्धं फलसंयुतम् । शिरोधरां चकर्ताशु पद्मनालमिव क्षणात्
One half fell to the ground, the other half, with its head, swiftly severed the neck like a lotus stalk in an instant.
तदा भूमौ पतंतं तु दृष्ट्वा तत्तस्यसैनिकाः । हाहाकृत्वा भृशं सर्वे पलायनपरागताः
Then, seeing him falling to the ground, all his soldiers cried out in distress and, overwhelmed by fear, turned to flee.
पृथ्व्यां तन्मस्तकं श्रेष्ठं सकिरीटं सकुंडलम् । शुशुभेऽतीव पतितं चंद्रबिंबं दिवो यथा
His excellent head, adorned with a crown and earrings, lay on the earth, shining greatly like the disc of the moon fallen from the sky.
तं वीक्ष्य पतितं वीरः पुष्कलो भरतात्मजः । व्यगाहत व्यूहमिमं सर्ववीरैकशोभितम्
Beholding him fallen, Puṣkala, son of Bharata, bravely entered this formation, which was resplendent with many heroes.
शेष उवाच। अथ पुत्रं समालोक्य पतितं व्यसुमुद्धतम् । विललाप भृशं राजा सुतदुःखेन दुःखितः
Śeṣa said: Then, seeing his son fallen, lifeless and struck down, the king, afflicted by grief for his son, wept bitterly.
मूर्ध्नि संताडयामास पाणिभ्यामतिदुःखितः । कम्पमानो भृशं चाश्रूण्यमुञ्चन्नयनाब्जयोः
Greatly distressed, he struck his head with his hands, trembling intensely and shedding tears from his lotus-like eyes.
गृहीत्वा पतितं वक्त्रं चंद्रबिंबमनोरमम् । पुष्कलेषु क्षतासृग्भिः क्लिन्नं कुंडलशोभितम्
Taking up the fallen, lovely face, beautiful as the moon, of Puṣkala—moistened with blood from his wounds and adorned with earrings—
कुटिलभ्रूयुगं श्रेष्ठं संदष्टाधरपल्लवम् । स चुंबन्मुखपद्मेन विलपन्निदमब्रवीत्
With his excellent, arched brows and lips bitten in anger, the king kissed his son's lotus-like face and, lamenting, spoke these words:
हा पुत्र वीर कथमुत्सुकचेतसं मां । किं नेक्षसे विशदनेत्रयुगेन शूर । किं मद्विनोदकथयारहितस्त्वमेव । रोषोदधिप्लुतमनाः किल लक्ष्यसे च
Alas, my son, my hero, why do you not look upon me with your clear eyes, though my heart longs for you? Why do you, who once delighted me with your words, now appear as if your mind is submerged in the ocean of anger?
वद पुत्र कथं मां त्वं प्रब्रूषे न हसन्पुनः । अमृतैर्मधुरास्वादैर्विनोदयसि पुत्रक
Tell me, my son, why do you not speak to me again with a smile, gladdening me with your sweet words, like nectar?
शत्रुघ्नाश्वं गृहाण त्वं सितचामरशोभितम् । स्वर्णपत्रेण शोभाढ्यं त्यज निद्रां महामते
Take up Śatrughna’s horse, adorned with a white fly-whisk and golden trappings, and, O wise one, abandon sleep.
एष प्रतापविशदः प्रतापाग्र्यः परंतपः । धनुर्बिभ्रत्पुरो भाति पुष्कलः परवीरहा
Here stands Puṣkala, radiant with valor, foremost among the valiant, destroyer of enemies, shining before you with his bow.
एनं वारय सत्तीक्ष्णैर्बाणैः कोदंडनिर्गतैः । कथं त्वं रणमध्ये वै शेते वीरविमोहितः
Ward him off with sharp arrows released from your bow; how can you, deluded hero, lie in the midst of battle?
हस्तिनः पत्तयश्चैव रथारूढा भयार्दिताः । शरणं त्वां समायांति तानीक्षस्व महामते
Elephants, infantry, and chariot warriors, terrified, come to you for refuge; look upon them, O wise one.
पुत्र त्वया विना सोढुं कथं शक्तो रणांगणे । शत्रुघ्नसायकांस्तीक्ष्णांश्चंडकोदंडनिर्गतान्
My son, how can I endure in the field of battle without you, facing the sharp arrows shot from Śatrughna’s mighty bow?
अतो मां तु त्वया हीनं को वा पालयितुं क्षमः । यदि त्यक्ष्यसि निद्रा त्वं जयायाहं क्षमस्तदा
Now, deprived of you, who is able to protect me? If you abandon sleep, then I am able to achieve victory.
इत्थं विलप्य सुभृशं तताड हृदयं स्वकम् । बहुशः पाणिना राजा पुत्रदुःखेन दुःखितः
Thus lamenting greatly, the king, afflicted by grief for his son, struck his own heart many times with his hand.
तदा विचित्र दमनौ स्व स्व स्यंदनसंस्थितौ । पितुश्चरणयोर्नत्वा ऊचतुः समयोचितम्
Then the two, Damanas, standing each in their own chariot, bowed at their father’s feet and spoke words appropriate to the moment.
राजन्नस्मासु जीवत्सु किं दुःखं हृदि तद्वद । वीराणां प्रधने मृत्युर्वांच्छितो जायते महान्
O king, while we are still alive, what sorrow remains in your heart? For great warriors, death in battle is a much-desired fate.
धन्योऽयं बत चित्रांगो यो वीर भुवि शोभते । सकिरीटस्तु संदष्टदंतच्छदयुगः प्रभुः
Fortunate indeed is Citrāṅga, O hero, who shines upon the earth, crowned, his teeth clenched in determination, a mighty lord.
कथयाशु किमद्यैव कुर्वस्ते कार्यमीप्सितम् । शत्रुघ्नवाहिनीं सर्वां हन्व आवामनाथिनीम्
Tell me quickly—what is it you wish to accomplish today? Shall I destroy Shatrughna's entire army, now left without its master?
अद्यैव पुष्कलं भ्रातुर्वधकारिणमाहवे । पातयावो रथाच्छित्त्वा शिरोमुकुटमंडितम्
Today itself, let us bring down Puṣkala, the slayer of your brother, from his chariot in battle, severing his head adorned with a jeweled crown.
त्यज शोकं सुदुःखार्तः कथं भासि महामते । आज्ञापयावां मानार्ह कुरु युद्धे मतिं तथा
Abandon your sorrow, though you are deeply afflicted; why do you speak so, O wise one? Command us, worthy lord—fix your mind on battle.