Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 6.48
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6.48.1
एवं श्वेते महेष्वासे प्राप्ते शल्यरथं प्रति ।
कुरवः पाण्डवेयाश्च किमकुर्वत सञ्जय ॥ ६.४८.१ ॥
Sañjaya, when the great archer Śveta had come against Śalya's chariot in this way, what did the Kurus and the sons of Pāṇḍu do?
6.48.2
भीष्मः शान्तनवः किं वा तन्ममाचक्ष्व पृच्छतः ।
राजञ्शतसहस्राणि ततः क्षत्रियपुङ्गवाः ॥ ६.४८.२ ॥
Or what did Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, do? Tell me who am asking. O king, then hundreds of thousands of the best of kṣatriyas—what did they do?
6.48.3
श्वेतं सेनापतिं शूरं पुरस्कृत्य महारथाः ।
राज्ञो बलं दर्शयन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य भारत ॥ ६.४८.३ ॥
O Bhārata, the great chariot-warriors, placing the heroic Śveta in front as commander, displayed the army of the king, your son.
6.48.4
शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य त्रातुमैच्छन्महारथाः ।
अभ्यवर्तन्त भीष्मस्य रथं हेमपरिष्कृतम् ॥ ६.४८.४ ॥
Placing Śikhaṇḍin in front, the great chariot-warriors wished to protect Bhīṣma, and they charged against Bhīṣma's chariot, adorned with gold.
6.48.5
जिघांसन्तं युधांश्रेष्ठं तदासीत्तुमुलं महत् ।
तत्तेऽहं संप्रवक्ष्यामि महावैशसमच्युत ॥ ६.४८.५ ॥
O Acyuta, that became a great and tumultuous battle, with each side desiring to slay the best of warriors. I will tell you fully of that great slaughter.
6.48.6
तावकानां परेषां च यथा युद्धमवर्तत ।
तत्राकरोद्रथोपस्थाञ्शून्याञ्शान्तनवो बहून् ॥ ६.४८.६ ॥
As the battle raged between your men and the enemy, there the son of Śantanu emptied the charioteers' seats of many chariots.
6.48.7
तत्राद्भुतं महच्चक्रे शरैरार्च्छद्रथोत्तमान् ।
समावृणोच्छरैरर्कमर्कतुल्यप्रतापवान् ॥ ६.४८.७ ॥
There he performed a wondrous and great deed: with arrows he struck the finest chariots, and, mighty as the sun, he covered even the sun with his arrows.
6.48.8
नुदन्समन्तात्समरे रविरुद्यन्यथा तमः ।
तेनाजौ प्रेषिता राजञ्शराः शतसहस्रशः ॥ ६.४८.८ ॥
Just as the rising sun drives away darkness on every side, so he, pressing back all around in battle, O king, sent forth arrows by hundreds of thousands.
6.48.9
क्षत्रियान्तकराः सङ्ख्ये महावेगा महाबलाः ।
शिरांसि पातयामासुर्वीराणां शतशो रणे ॥ ६.४८.९ ॥
In battle, bringing death to the warrior class, swift and mighty, they caused the heads of hundreds of heroes to fall in the fight.
6.48.10
गजान्कण्टकसन्नाहान्वज्रेणेव शिलोच्चयान् ।
रथा रथेषु संसक्ता व्यदृश्यन्त विशांपते ॥ ६.४८.१० ॥
The elephants, armoured with spikes, appeared like heaps of rock struck by the thunderbolt; and chariots were seen entangled with chariots, O lord of men.
6.48.11
एके रथं पर्यवहंस्तुरगाः सतुरंगमम् ।
युवानं निहतं वीरं लम्बमानं सकार्मुकम् ॥ ६.४८.११ ॥
Some horses drew away the chariot together with its horses; the slain young hero hung down, bow and all.
6.48.12
उदीर्णाश्च हया राजन्वहनक्तस्तत्रतत्र ह ।
बद्धस्वङ्गनिषङ्गाश्च विध्वस्तशिरसो हताः ॥ ६.४८.१२ ॥
And the frenzied horses, O king, carried the chariots rushing here and there; their limbs and quivers were bound, and many lay slain, their heads shattered.
6.48.13
शतशः पतिता भूमौ वीरशय्यासु शेरते ।
परस्पेरण धावन्तः पतिताः पुनरुत्थिताः ॥ ६.४८.१३ ॥
Hundreds have fallen to the ground and lie on the beds of heroes; running at one another, they fell and rose again.
6.48.14
उत्थाय च प्रधावन्तो द्वन्द्वयुद्धमवाप्नुवन् ।
पीडिताः पुनरन्योन्यं लुठन्तो रणमूर्धनि ॥ ६.४८.१४ ॥
Rising and rushing forth, they engaged in single combat; afflicted, rolling again upon one another, they lay at the head of the battlefield.
6.48.15
सचापाः सनिषङ्गाश्च जातरूपपरिष्कृताः ।
विस्रब्धहतवीराश्च शतशः परिपीडिताः ॥ ६.४८.१५ ॥
With bows and quivers, adorned with gold, heroes slain while off their guard; hundreds sorely afflicted.
6.48.16
तेनतेनाभ्यधावन्त विसृजन्तश्च भारत ।
मत्तो गजः पर्यवर्तद्धयांश्च हतसादिनः ॥ ६.४८.१६ ॥
Rushing this way and that, hurling weapons, O Bhārata; the maddened elephant turned about, and the horses whose riders were slain also turned back.
6.48.17
सरथा रथिनश्चापि विमृद्गन्तः समन्ततः ।
स्यान्दनादपतत्कश्चिन्निहतोऽन्येन सायकैः ॥ ६.४८.१७ ॥
Chariot-warriors with their chariots trampled about on every side; one fell from his chariot, slain by another's arrows.
6.48.18
हतसारथिरप्युच्चैः पपात काष्ठवद्रथः ।
युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे व्यूढे रजसि चोत्थिते ॥ ६.४८.१८ ॥
Though its charioteer was slain, the chariot fell loudly like a log, while its warrior fought in battle, the dust raised in the arrayed ranks.
6.48.19
धनुःकूजितविज्ञानं तत्रासीत्प्रतियुद्ध्यतः ।
गात्रस्पर्शेन योधानां व्यज्ञास्त परिपन्थिनम् ॥ ६.४८.१९ ॥
There, by the twang of bows, one could recognize, and warriors fighting one another knew their enemy by the touch of bodies.
6.48.20
युद्ध्यमानं शरै राजन्सिञ्जिनीध्वजिनीरवात् ।
अन्योन्यं वीरसंशब्दो नाश्रूयत भटैः कृतः ॥ ६.४८.२० ॥
O king, while they fought with arrows, the heroes' war-cries that the warriors addressed to one another could not be heard over the sound of bowstrings and banners.
6.48.21
शब्दायमाने संग्रामे पटहे कर्णदारिणि ।
युध्यमानस्य संग्रामे कुर्वतः पौरुषं स्वकम् ॥ ६.४८.२१ ॥
As the drums, that pierce the ears, resounded in the battle, the warriors fighting there displayed their own manly valour.
6.48.22
नाश्रौषं नामगोत्राणि कीर्तनं च परस्परम् ।
भीष्मचापच्युतैर्बाणैरार्तानां युध्यतां मृधे ॥ ६.४८.२२ ॥
I did not hear the names and lineages, nor the proclamations made to one another, of those wounded by the arrows shot from Bhīṣma's bow as they fought in battle.
6.48.23
परस्परेषां वीराणां मनांसि समकम्पयन् ।
तस्मिन्नत्याकुले युद्धे दारुणे रोमहर्षणे ॥ ६.४८.२३ ॥
In that utterly confused, dreadful and hair-raising battle, the minds of the heroes trembled, each with the other.
6.48.24
पिता पुत्रं च समरे नाभिजानाति कश्चन ।
चक्रे भग्ने युगे च्छिन्ने एकधुर्ये हये हतः ॥ ६.४८.२४ ॥
In battle no father recognized his son. When the wheel broke, the yoke was severed, and the horse yoked alone was killed…
6.48.25
आक्षिप्तः स्यन्दनाद्वीरः समारथिरजिह्मगैः ।
एवं च समरे सर्वे वीराश्च विरथीकृताः ॥ ६.४८.२५ ॥
That hero, struck from his chariot by straight-flying arrows, together with his charioteer; and thus in battle all the heroes were made chariotless.
6.48.26
तेन तेन स्म दृश्यन्ते धावमानाः समंततः ।
गजो हतः शिरश्छिन्नं मर्म भिन्नं हयो हतः ॥ ६.४८.२६ ॥
Here and there, running about on every side, they were seen: an elephant slain, its head severed, its vital part pierced, a horse slain.
6.48.27
अहतः कोपि नैवासीद्भीष्मे नघ्नति शात्रवान् ।
श्वेतः कुरूणामकरोत्क्षयं तस्मिन्महाहवे ॥ ६.४८.२७ ॥
While Bhīṣma was striking the enemies, none remained unhurt; in that great battle the white one (Bhīṣma) brought destruction upon the Kurus.
6.48.28
राजपुत्रान्रथोदारानवधीच्छतसङ्घशः ।
चिच्छेद रथिनां बाणैः शिरांसि भरतर्षभ ॥ ६.४८.२८ ॥
Bhīṣma slew noble princes who were charioteers by the hundreds; with arrows he cut off the heads of chariot-warriors, O bull of the Bharatas.
6.48.29
साङ्गदा बाहवश्चैव धनूंषि च समंततः ।
रथेषां रथचक्राणि तूणीराणि युगानि च ॥ ६.४८.२९ ॥
Arms with their armlets, and bows too, on every side; chariot-poles, chariot-wheels, quivers, and yokes.
6.48.30
छत्राणि च महार्हाणि पताकाश्च विशांपते ।
हयैघाश्च रथौघाश्च नरौघाश्चैव भारत ॥ ६.४८.३० ॥
Precious parasols and banners too, O lord of the people; hordes of horses, hordes of chariots, and hordes of men as well, O Bhārata.
6.48.31
वारणाः शतशश्चैव हताः श्वेतेन भारत ।
वयं श्वेतभयाद्भीता विहाय रथसत्तमम् ॥ ६.४८.३१ ॥
O descendant of Bharata, hundreds of elephants were slain by the white one. Terrified by fear of the white one, we abandoned the finest chariot.
6.48.32
अपयातास्तथा पश्चाद्विभुं पश्याम धृष्णवः ।
शरपातमतिक्रम्य कुरवः कुरुनन्दन ॥ ६.४८.३२ ॥
Likewise, having retreated from behind, we bold ones saw the mighty one. O joy of the Kurus, the Kurus, having passed beyond the range of arrows, stood apart.
6.48.33
भीष्मं शान्तनवं युद्धे स्थिताः पश्याम सर्वशः ।
अदीनो दीनसमये भीष्मोऽस्माकं महाहवे ॥ ६.४८.३३ ॥
Standing in battle, we saw Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu, on all sides. In a time of distress, the undaunted Bhīṣma stood for us in the great battle.
6.48.34
एकस्तस्थौ नरव्याघ्रो गिरिर्मेरुरिवाचलः ।
आददान इव प्राणान्सविता शिशिरात्यये ॥ ६.४८.३४ ॥
Alone, that tiger among men stood immovable like Mount Meru, as the sun seems to take up the breaths of life at the end of winter.
6.48.35
गभस्तिभिरिवादित्यस्तस्थौ शरमरीचिमान् ।
स मुमोच महेष्वासः शरसङ्घाननेकशः ॥ ६.४८.३५ ॥
Like the sun with its rays, he stood radiant with rays of arrows. That great archer loosed flights of arrows in many ways.
6.48.36
निघ्नन्नमित्रान्समरे वज्रपाणिरिवासुरान् ।
ते वध्यमाना भीष्मेण प्रजहुस्तं महाबलम् ॥ ६.४८.३६ ॥
Striking down enemies in battle, as the thunderbolt-handed one strikes the demons, they, being slain by Bhīṣma, fled from that mighty one.
6.48.37
स्वयूथादिव ते यूथान्मुक्तं भूमिषु दारुणम् ।
तमेवमुपलक्ष्यैको हृष्टः पुष्टः परंतप ॥ ६.४८.३७ ॥
As terrible herds loosed on the ground from their own herd, so they scattered. Seeing him thus, he alone was exultant and strengthened, O scorcher of foes.
6.48.38
दुर्योधनप्रिये युक्तः पाण्डवान्परिशोचयन् ।
जीवितं दुस्त्यजं त्यक्त्वा भयं च सुमहाहवे ॥ ६.४८.३८ ॥
Devoted to what was dear to Duryodhana, grieving for the Pāṇḍavas, having given up life, hard to renounce, and fear too, in that great battle.
6.48.39
पातयामास सैन्यानि पाण्डवानां विशांपते ।
प्रहरन्तमनीकानि पिता देवव्रतस्तव ॥ ६.४८.३९ ॥
He brought down the troops of the Pāṇḍavas, O lord of men: your father Devavrata, striking the divisions.
6.48.40
दृष्ट्वा सेनापतिं भीष्मस्त्वरितः श्वेतमभ्ययात् ।
स भीष्मं शरजालेन महता समवाकिरत् ॥ ६.४८.४० ॥
Seeing the commander, Bhīṣma swiftly went toward Śveta. He covered Bhīṣma with a great net of arrows.
6.48.41
श्वेतं चापि तथा भीष्मः शरौघैः समवाकिरत् ।
तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ मत्ताविव महाद्विपौ ॥ ६.४८.४१ ॥
And Bhīṣma likewise showered Śveta with floods of arrows. Those two, roaring like bulls, like maddened great elephants, (clashed).
6.48.42
व्याघ्राविव सुसंरब्धावन्योन्यमभिजघ्नतुः ।
अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य ततस्तौ पुरुषर्षभौ ॥ ६.४८.४२ ॥
Fiercely enraged like two tigers, the two struck each other. Then, warding off weapons with weapons, those two bulls among men (fought).
6.48.43
भीष्मः श्वेतश्च युयुधे परस्परवधैषिणौ ।
एकाह्ना निर्दहेद्भीष्मः पाम्डवानामनीकिनीम् ॥ ६.४८.४३ ॥
Bhīṣma and Śveta fought, each seeking the other's death. In a single day Bhīṣma would have burned up the Pāṇḍavas' army.
6.48.44
शरैः परमसंक्रुद्धो यदि श्वेतो न पालयेत् ।
पितामहं ततो दृष्ट्वा श्वेतो विमुखीकृतम् ॥ ६.४८.४४ ॥
If Śveta, greatly enraged, had not protected the grandsire with arrows, then seeing the grandsire turned away, Śveta...
6.48.45
प्रहर्षं पाण्डवा जग्मुः पुत्रस्ते विमनाभवत् ।
ततो दुर्योधनः क्रुद्धः पार्थिवैः परिवारितः ॥ ६.४८.४५ ॥
The Pāṇḍavas rejoiced, and your son became dejected. Then Duryodhana, enraged and surrounded by kings...
6.48.46
ससैन्यः पाण्डवानीकमभ्यद्रवत संयुगे ।
दुर्मुखः कृतवर्मा च कृपः शल्यो विशांपतिःक ॥ ६.४८.४६ ॥
With his army he charged against the Pāṇḍava host in battle. Durmukha, Kṛtavarman, Kṛpa, Śalya, and the lord of men...
6.48.47
भीष्मं जुगुपुरासाद्य तव पुत्रेण नोदिताः ।
दृष्ट्वा तु पार्थिवैः सर्वैर्दुर्योधनपुरोगमैः ॥ ६.४८.४७ ॥
Urged on by your son, they came to Bhīṣma and protected him. Seeing this, all the kings led by Duryodhana...
6.48.48
पाण्डवानामनीकानि वध्यमानानि संयुगे ।
श्वेतो गाङ्गेयमुत्सृज्य तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् ॥ ६.४८.४८ ॥
The Pāṇḍava armies were being slain in battle. Śveta, leaving Gāṅgeya, turned toward your son's army...
6.48.49
नाशयामास वेगेन वायुर्वृक्षानिवौजसा ।
द्रावयित्वा चमूं राजन्वैराटिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ ६.४८.४९ ॥
As the wind with its force uproots trees, O king, the son of Virāṭa, bewildered with anger, routed and scattered the army.
6.48.50
आपतत्सहसा भूयो यत्र भीष्मो व्यवस्थितः ।
तौ तत्रोपगतौ राजञ्शरदीप्तौ महाबलौ ॥ ६.४८.५० ॥
Again they suddenly rushed forward to where Bhīṣma stood; O king, those two mighty ones, blazing with arrows, came there.
6.48.51
अयुध्येतां महात्मानौ यथोभौ वृत्रवासवौ ।
अन्योन्यं तु महाराज परस्परवधैषिणौ ॥ ६.४८.५१ ॥
Like Vṛtra and Vāsava, those two great-souled ones fought; O great king, both sought each other's death.
6.48.52
निगृह्य कार्मुकं श्वेतो भीष्मं विव्याध सप्तभिः ।
पराक्रमं ततस्तस्य पराक्रम्य पराक्रमी ॥ ६.४८.५२ ॥
Taking up his bow, Śveta pierced Bhīṣma with seven arrows; then that valiant one, displaying his valor, checked the valor of Bhīṣma.
6.48.53
तरसा वारयामास मत्तो मत्तमिव द्विपम् ।
श्वेतः शान्तनवं भूयः शरैः सन्नतपर्वभिः ॥ ६.४८.५३ ॥
As one maddened elephant checks another, Śveta swiftly checked the son of Śantanu; and again he pierced him with arrows of bent joints.
6.48.54
विव्याध प़ञ्चविंशत्या तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ।
तं प्रत्यविध्यद्दशभिर्भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तदा ॥ ६.४८.५४ ॥
He pierced him with twenty-five arrows, and that seemed wondrous; then Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu, struck back at him with ten arrows.
6.48.55
स विद्धस्तेन बलवान्नाकम्पत यथाऽचलः ।
वैराटिः समरे क्रुद्धो भृशमायम्य कार्मुकम् ॥ ६.४८.५५ ॥
Pierced by him, the mighty one did not tremble, like a mountain. In battle the enraged son of Virāṭa drew his bow fully.
6.48.56
आजघान ततो भीष्मं श्वेतः क्षत्रियनन्दनः ।
संप्रहस्य तत श्वेतः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन् ॥ ६.४८.५६ ॥
Then Śveta, the son of a kṣatriya, struck Bhīṣma. Then Śveta, laughing, kept licking the corners of his mouth.
6.48.57
घनुश्चिच्छेद भीष्मस्य नवभिर्दशधा शरैः ।
संधाय विशिखं चैव शरं लोमप्रवाहिनम् ॥ ६.४८.५७ ॥
With nine arrows he cut Bhīṣma's bow into ten pieces. Then, fitting an arrow, he loosed a shaft streaming with feathers.
6.48.58
उन्ममाथ ततस्तालं ध्वजशीर्षं महात्मनः ।
केतुं निपतितं दृष्ट्वा भीष्मस्य तनयास्तव ॥ ६.४८.५८ ॥
Then he uprooted the palm-tree emblem atop the banner of the great-souled one. Seeing Bhīṣma's banner fallen, your sons...
6.48.59
हतं भीष्मममन्यन्त श्वेतस्य वशमागतम् ।
पाण्डवाश्चापि संहृष्टा दध्मुः शङ्खान्मुदा युताः ॥ ६.४८.५९ ॥
They thought Bhīṣma was slain and had fallen into Śveta's power. The Pāṇḍavas too, filled with delight, blew their conches in joy.
6.48.60
भीष्मस्य पतितं केतुं दृष्ट्वा तालं महात्मनः ।
ततो दुर्योधनः क्रोधात्स्वमनीकमनोदयत् ॥ ६.४८.६० ॥
Seeing the fallen banner of Bhīṣma, bearing the palm emblem of the great-souled one, Duryodhana in anger drove his own army forward.
6.48.61
यत्ता भीष्मं परीप्सध्वं रक्षमाणाः समंततः ।
मा नः प्रपश्यमानानां श्वेतान्मृत्युमवाप्स्यति ॥ ६.४८.६१ ॥
Be alert and guard Bhīṣma on every side, lest Śveta bring him death while we are watching.
6.48.62
भीष्मः शान्तनवः शूरस्तथा सत्यं ब्रवीमि वः ।
राज्ञस्तु वचनं श्रत्वा त्वरमाणा महारथाः ॥ ६.४८.६२ ॥
Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu, the heroic one — I tell you this truly — having heard the king's word, the great chariot-warriors hastened.
6.48.63
बलेन चतुरङ्गेण गाङ्गेयप्रन्वपालयन् ।
बाह्लीकः कृतवर्मा च शलः शल्यश्च भारत ॥ ६.४८.६३ ॥
With the fourfold army, guarding Gāṅgeya, Bāhlīka, Kṛtavarman, Śala and Śalya, O Bhārata.
6.48.64
जलसन्धो विकर्णश्च चित्रसेनो विविंशतिः ।
त्वरमाणास्त्वराकाले परिवार्य समंततः ॥ ६.४८.६४ ॥
Jalasandha, Vikarṇa, Citrasena and Vivinśati, hastening at that hurried moment, surrounded him on all sides.
6.48.65
शस्त्रवृष्टिं सुतुमुलां श्वेतस्योपर्यपातयन् ।
तान्क्रुद्धो निशितैर्बाणैस्त्वरमाणो महारथः ॥ ६.४८.६५ ॥
They rained down a most tumultuous shower of weapons upon Śveta; but the angered, hastening great chariot-warrior checked them all with sharp arrows.
6.48.66
अवारयदमेयात्मा दर्शयन्पाणिलाघवम् ।
स निवार्य तु तान्सर्वान्केसरी कुञ्जराविव ॥ ६.४८.६६ ॥
The one of immeasurable spirit, showing the lightness of his hands, held them back; and having checked them all, he was like a lion facing two elephants.
6.48.67
महता शरवर्षेण भीष्मस्य धनुराच्छिनत् ।
ततोऽन्यद्धनुरादाय भीष्मः शान्तनवो युधि ॥ ६.४८.६७ ॥
With a great shower of arrows he cut off Bhīṣma's bow. Then Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu, took up another bow and in the battle (pressed on).
6.48.68
श्वेतं विव्याध राजेन्द्र कङ्कपत्रैः शितैः शरैः ।
ततः सेनापतिः क्रुद्धो भीष्मं बहुभिरायसैः ॥ ६.४८.६८ ॥
O lord of kings, he pierced Śveta with sharp arrows fletched with heron feathers. Then the enraged commander pierced Bhīṣma with many iron (arrows).
6.48.69
विव्याध समरे राजन्सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः ।
ततः प्रव्यथितो राजा भीष्मं दृष्ट्वा निवारितम् ॥ ६.४८.६९ ॥
O king, while all the people watched, he pierced him in battle. Then the king, seeing Bhīṣma held back, was greatly distressed.
6.48.70
प्रवीरं सर्वलोकस्य श्वेतेन युधि वै तदा ।
निष्ठानकश्च सुमहांस्तव सैन्यस्य चाभवत् ॥ ६.४८.७० ॥
Śveta pierced in battle that hero of all the people (Bhīṣma). And in your army a very great uproar (niṣṭhānaka) arose.
6.48.71
तं वीरं वारितं दृष्ट्वा श्वेतेन शरविक्षतम् ।
हतं श्वेतेन मन्यन्ते श्वेतस्य वशमागतम् ॥ ६.४८.७१ ॥
Seeing that hero held back and wounded by arrows, people think he has been slain by Śveta and has come under Śveta's power.
6.48.72
ततः क्रोधवशं प्राप्तः पिता देवव्रतस्तव ।
ध्वजमुन्मतितं दृष्ट्वा तां च सेनां निवारिताम् ॥ ६.४८.७२ ॥
Then your father Devavrata, having come under the sway of anger, saw the banner shattered and that army held back.
6.48.73
श्वेतं प्रति महाराज व्यसृजत्प्तायकान्बहून् ।
तानावार्य रणे श्वेतो भीष्मस्य रथिनां वरः ॥ ६.४८.७३ ॥
Great king, against him Śveta discharged many arrows; having checked them in battle, Śveta, best of charioteers, faced Bhīṣma.
6.48.74
धनुश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन पुनरेव पितुस्तव ।
उत्सृज्य कार्मुकं राजन्गाङ्गेयः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ ६.४८.७४ ॥
With a bhalla he again cut your father's bow; then, O king, Gāṅgeya, overcome with anger, dropped his own bow.
6.48.75
अन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय विपुलं बलवत्तरम् ।
तत्र संधाय विपुलान्भल्लान्सप्त शिलाशितान् ॥ ६.४८.७५ ॥
Taking another great and very strong bow, he fitted to it seven great bhalla arrows whetted on stone.
6.48.76
चतुर्भिश्च जघानाश्वाञ्श्वेतस्य पृतनापतेः ।
ध्वजं द्वाभ्यां तु चिच्छेद सप्तमेन च सारथे ॥ ६.४८.७६ ॥
With four he struck down the horses of Śveta, leader of the army; with two he cut his banner; and with the seventh, O charioteer...
6.48.77
शिरश्चिच्छेद भल्लेन संक्रुद्धोऽलघुविक्रमः ।
हताश्वसूतात्सु रथादवप्लुत्य महाबलः ॥ ६.४८.७७ ॥
Greatly enraged and of no small valour, he cut off his head with a bhalla; and the mighty one, his horses and charioteer slain, leapt down from the chariot.
6.48.78
अमर्षवशमापन्नो व्याकुलः समपद्यत ।
विरथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठं श्वेतं दृष्ट्वा पितामहः ॥ ६.४८.७८ ॥
Overcome by indignation, the grandsire became agitated when he saw Śveta, best of charioteers, left without his chariot.
6.48.79
ताडयामास निशितैः शरसङ्घैः समंततः ।
स ताड्यमानः समरे भीष्मचापच्युतैः शरैः ॥ ६.४८.७९ ॥
He struck on all sides with volleys of sharp arrows; and he, struck in battle by the arrows released from Bhīṣma's bow...
6.48.80
स्वरथे धनुरुत्सृज्य शक्तिं जग्राह काञ्चनीम् ।
ततः शक्तिं रणे श्वेतो जग्राहोग्रं महाभयाम् ॥ ६.४८.८० ॥
Setting down his bow on his own chariot, he seized a golden spear; then in battle Śveta seized that terrible, greatly fearsome spear.
6.48.81
कालदण्डोपमां घोरां मृत्योर्जिह्वामेव श्वसन् ।
अब्रवीच्च तदा श्वेतो भीष्मं शान्तनवं रणे ॥ ६.४८.८१ ॥
Breathing like the staff of Time, like Death's own tongue, dreadful, Śveta then spoke in battle to Bhīṣma, son of Śantanu.
6.48.82
तिष्ठेदानीं सुसंरब्धः पश्य मां पुरुषो भव ।
एवमुक्त्वा महेष्वासो भीष्मं युधि पराक्रमी ॥ ६.४८.८२ ॥
"Stand now, fully enraged, look at me, be a man!" Having said this, the great archer, the valiant one, said to Bhīṣma in battle.
6.48.83
ततः शक्तिममेयात्मा चिक्षेप भुजगोपमाम् ।
पाण्डवार्थे पराक्रान्तस्तवानर्थं चिकीर्षुकः ॥ ६.४८.८३ ॥
Then he of immeasurable self hurled a spear like a serpent, valiant for the sake of the Pāṇḍavas, desiring harm to you.
6.48.84
हाहाकारो महानासीत्पुत्राणां ते विशांपते ।
दृष्ट्वा शक्तिं महाघोरां मृत्योर्दण्डसमप्रभाम् ॥ ६.४८.८४ ॥
O lord of men, a great cry of 'alas' arose among your sons, seeing that very dreadful spear with the radiance of Death's staff.
6.48.85
श्वेतस्य करनिर्मुक्तां निर्मुक्तोरगसन्निभाम् ।
अपतत्सहसा राजन्महोल्केव नभस्तलात् ॥ ६.४८.८५ ॥
O king, that spear, released from Śveta's hand and like a freed serpent, suddenly fell like a great meteor from the sky.
6.48.86
ज्वलन्तीमन्तरिक्षे तां ज्वालाभिरिव संवृताम् ।
असंभ्रान्तस्तदा राजन्पिता देवव्रतस्तव ॥ ६.४८.८६ ॥
Seeing that spear blazing in the sky, as if enveloped in flames, O king, your father Devavrata was then not agitated.
6.48.87
अष्टभिर्नवभिर्भीष्मः शक्तिं चिच्छेद पत्रिभिः ।
उत्कृष्टहेमविकृतां निकृतां निशितैः शरैः ॥ ६.४८.८७ ॥
Bhīṣma cut that spear, adorned with fine gold, with eight and nine arrows, cut through by sharp shafts.
6.48.88
उच्चुक्रुशुस्ततः सर्वे तावका भरतर्षभ ।
शक्तिं विनिहतां दृष्ट्वा वैराटिः क्रोधमूर्च्छितः ॥ ६.४८.८८ ॥
Then all your men cried out loudly, O bull of the Bharatas, seeing the spear destroyed; and Virāṭa's son, overcome with anger,
6.48.89
कालोपहतचेतास्तु कर्तवक्यं नाभ्यजानत ।
क्रोधसंमूर्च्छितो राजन्वैराटिः प्रहसन्निव ॥ ६.४८.८९ ॥
His mind struck by fate, he did not recognize what should be done; O king, the son of Virāṭa, overcome with anger, as if laughing,
6.48.90
गदां जग्राह संहृष्टो भीष्मस्य निधनं प्रति ।
क्रोधेन रक्तनयनो दण्डपाणिरिवान्तकः ॥ ६.४८.९० ॥
Exultant, he seized the mace for the death of Bhīṣma; red-eyed with anger, like Death with his club in hand.
6.48.91
भीष्मं समिदुद्राव जलौघ इव पर्वतम् ।
तस्य वेगमसंवार्यं मत्वा भीष्मः प्रतापवान् ॥ ६.४८.९१ ॥
As a flood of water rushes upon a mountain, he charged at Bhīṣma. Judging his onrush irresistible, the mighty Bhīṣma…
6.48.92
प्रहारविप्रमोक्षार्थं सहसा धरणींगतः ।
श्वेतः क्रोधसमाविष्टो भ्रामयित्वा तु तां गदाम् ॥ ६.४८.९२ ॥
To escape the blow, he suddenly descended to the ground. Śveta, seized with anger, whirled that mace and…
6.48.93
रथे भीष्मस्य चिक्षेप यथा देवो धनेश्वरः ।
तया भीष्मनिपातिन्या स रथो भस्मसात्कृतः ॥ ६.४८.९३ ॥
As the god of wealth hurls, he flung it onto Bhīṣma's chariot; by that mace, which could fell Bhīṣma, the chariot was reduced to ashes.
6.48.94
सध्वजः सह सूतेन साश्वः सयुगबन्धुरः ।
विरथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठं भीष्मं दृष्ट्वा रथोत्तमकाः ॥ ६.४८.९४ ॥
With its banner, charioteer, horses and yoke-harness, that chariot was destroyed. Seeing Bhīṣma, foremost of chariot-warriors, without a chariot, the excellent charioteers…
6.48.95
अभ्यधावन्त सहिताः शल्यप्रभृतयो रथाः ।
ततोऽन्यं रथमास्थाय धनुर्विस्फार्य दुर्मनाः ॥ ६.४८.९५ ॥
Led by Śalya and others, the chariot-warriors rushed forward together. Then Bhīṣma, troubled in mind, mounted another chariot, stretched his bow and…
6.48.96
शनकैरभ्यायाच्छ्वेतं गाङ्गेयः प्रहसन्निव ।
एतस्मिन्नन्तरे भीष्मः शुश्राव विपुलां गिरम् ॥ ६.४८.९६ ॥
Slowly, as if smiling, the son of Gaṅgā advanced toward Śveta. Meanwhile Bhīṣma heard a loud voice.
6.48.97
आकाशादीरितां दिव्यामात्मनो हितसंभवाम् ।
भीष्मभीष्म महाबाहो शीघ्रं यत्नं कुरुष्व वै ॥ ६.४८.९७ ॥
The divine word, spoken from the sky, arising for his own welfare: O Bhīṣma, Bhīṣma, mighty-armed one, quickly make the effort.
6.48.98
एष ह्यस्य जये कालो निर्दिष्टो विश्वयोनिना ।
एतच्छ्रुत्वा तु वचनं देवदूतेन भाषितम् ॥ ६.४८.९८ ॥
This is the time appointed by the source of the universe for his victory. Having heard this word spoken by the messenger of the gods—
6.48.99
संप्रहृष्टमना भूत्वा वधे तस्य मनो दधे ।
विरथं रथिनां श्रेष्ठं श्वेतं दृष्ट्वा पदातिनम् ॥ ६.४८.९९ ॥
With his mind greatly delighted, he set his mind on slaying him. Seeing Śveta, the best of chariot-warriors, chariotless and on foot—
6.48.100
सहितास्त्वभ्यवर्तन्त परीप्सन्तो महारथाः ।
सात्यकिर्भीमसेनश्च धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ॥ ६.४८.१०० ॥
The great chariot-warriors advanced together, desiring to protect him: Sātyaki, Bhīmasena, Dhṛṣṭadyumna, and the son of Pṛṣata.
6.48.101
कैकेयो धृष्टकेतुश्च अभिमन्युश्च वीर्यवान् ।
एतानापततः सर्वान्द्रोणशल्यकृपैः सह ॥ ६.४८.१०१ ॥
The Kaikeya, Dhṛṣṭaketu, and the mighty Abhimanyu—all of them advancing—were met together with Droṇa, Śalya, and Kṛpa.
6.48.102
अवारयदमेयात्मा वारिवेगानिवाचलः ।
स निरुद्धेषु सर्वेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु ॥ ६.४८.१०२ ॥
The immeasurable-souled one held them back, as a mountain holds back the surges of water. When all the great-souled Pāṇḍavas were thus obstructed—
6.48.103
श्वेतः खङ्गमथाकृष्य भीष्मस्य धनुराच्छिनात् ।
तदपास्य धनुश्छिन्नं त्वरमाणः पितामहः ॥ ६.४८.१०३ ॥
Śveta drew his sword and cut through Bhīṣma's bow. Then the grandsire, casting aside the broken bow, hastened
6.48.104
देवदूतवचः श्रुत्वा वधे तस्य मनो दधे ।
ततः प्रचरमाणस्तु पिता देवव्रतस्तव ॥ ६.४८.१०४ ॥
Having heard the words of the divine messenger, he set his mind on slaying him. Then your father Devavrata,
6.48.105
अन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय त्वरमाणो महारथः ।
क्षणेन सज्यमकरोच्छक्रचापसमप्रभम् ॥ ६.४८.१०५ ॥
Taking up another bow, the great warrior hastily strung it in an instant, bright as Indra's bow.
6.48.106
पिता ते भरतश्रेष्ठ श्वेतं दृष्ट्वा महारथैः ।
वृतं तं मनुजव्याघ्रैर्भीमसेनपुरोगमैःक ॥ ६.४८.१०६ ॥
O best of the Bharatas, your father saw Śveta surrounded by great warriors, tigers among men, led by Bhīmasena.
6.48.107
अभ्यवर्तत गाङ्गेयः श्वेतं सेनापतिं द्रुतम् ।
आपतन्तं ततो भीष्मो भीमसेनं प्रतापवान् ॥ ६.४८.१०७ ॥
The son of Gaṅgā advanced swiftly against Śveta, the commander; then Bhīṣma, the mighty one, as he rushed upon Bhīmasena,
6.48.108
आजघ्ने विशिखैः षष्ट्या सेनान्यं स महारथः ।
अभिमन्युं च समरे पिता देवव्रतस्तव ॥ ६.४८.१०८ ॥
That great warrior struck the commander with sixty arrows, and in battle your father Devavrata also struck Abhimanyu
6.48.109
आजघ्ने भरतश्रेष्ठस्त्रिभिः सन्नतपर्वभिः ।
सात्यकिं च शतेनाजौ भरतानां पितामहः ॥ ६.४८.१०९ ॥
The best of the Bharatas struck with three bent-jointed arrows, and in battle struck Sātyaki with a hundred — the grandsire of the Bharatas.
6.48.110
धृष्टद्युम्नं च विंशत्या कैकेयं चापि पञ्चभिः ।
तांश्च सर्वान्महेष्वासान्पिता देवव्रतस्तव ॥ ६.४८.११० ॥
Dhṛṣṭadyumna with twenty, and the Kaikeya prince with five; and all those great archers — your father Devavrata struck them.
6.48.111
वारयित्वा शरैर्घोरैः श्वेतमेवाभिदुद्रुवे ।
ततः शरं मृत्युसमं भारसाधनमुत्तमम् ॥ ६.४८.१११ ॥
Having warded them off with terrible arrows, he rushed straight at Śveta. Then he took up a supreme arrow, equal to death, able to accomplish its burden.
6.48.112
विकृष्य बलवान्भीष्मः समाधत्त दुरासदम् ।
ब्रह्मास्त्रेण सुसंयुक्तं तं शरं लोमवाहिनम् ॥ ६.४८.११२ ॥
The mighty Bhīṣma, drawing back, fixed that irresistible arrow — well joined with the Brahma-weapon, that feathered shaft.
6.48.113
ददृशुर्देवगन्धर्वाः पिशाचोरगराक्षसाः ।
स तस्य कवचं भित्वा हृदयं चामितौजसः ॥ ६.४८.११३ ॥
Gods, gandharvas, piśācas, serpents and rākṣasas saw it. That arrow, piercing the armour of the one of boundless might, reached his heart.
6.48.114
जगाम धरणीं बाणो महाशनिरिव ज्वलन् ।
अस्तं गच्छन्यथाऽऽदित्यः प्रभाप्रादाय सत्वरः ॥ ६.४८.११४ ॥
That arrow, blazing like a great thunderbolt, went down to the earth — as the sun, going to set, swiftly takes up its light.
6.48.115
एवं जीवितमादाय श्वेतदेहाञ्जगाम ह ।
तं भीष्मेण नरव्याघ्रं तथा विनिहतं युधि ॥ ६.४८.११५ ॥
Thus, taking away his life, the white-bodied one departed. That tiger among men, so slain in battle by Bhīṣma, (was seen).
6.48.116
प्रपतन्तमपश्याम गिरेः शृङ्गमिव च्युतम् ।
अशोचन्पाण्डवास्तत्र क्षत्रियाश्च महारथाः ॥ ६.४८.११६ ॥
We saw him falling, like a mountain peak cast down. There the Pāṇḍavas and the great chariot-warrior kṣatriyas grieved.
6.48.117
प्रहृष्टाश्च सुतास्तुभ्यं कुरवश्चापि सर्वशः ।
ततो दुःशासनो राजञ्श्वेतं दृष्ट्वा निपातितम् ॥ ६.४८.११७ ॥
Your sons and all the Kurus were delighted. Then, O king, Duḥśāsana, seeing the white one felled,
6.48.118
वादित्रनिनदैर्घोरैर्नृत्यति स्म समंततः ।
तस्मिन्हते महेष्वासे भीष्मेणाहवशोभिना ॥ ६.४८.११८ ॥
With fierce sounds of instruments, he danced on every side when that great archer was slain by Bhīṣma, glorious in battle.
6.48.119
प्रावेपन्त महेष्वासाः शिखण्डिप्रमुखा रथाः ।
ततो धनंजयो राजन्वार्ष्णेयश्चापि सर्वशः ॥ ६.४८.११९ ॥
The great archers and chariot-warriors headed by Śikhaṇḍin trembled. Then, O king, Dhanaṃjaya (Arjuna) and the Vārṣṇeya (Kṛṣṇa) also trembled on every side.
6.48.120
अवहारं शनैश्चक्रुर्निहते वाहिनीपतौ ।
ततोऽवहारः सैन्यानां तव तेषां च भारत ॥ ६.४८.१२० ॥
When the commander of the army was slain, they slowly began to withdraw. Then, O descendant of Bharata, the withdrawal of your armies and theirs took place.
6.48.121
तावकानां परेषां च नर्दतां च मुहुर्मुहुः ।
पार्था विमनसो भूत्वा न्यवर्तन्त महारथाः ।
चिन्तयन्तो वधं घोरं द्वैरथेन परंतपाः ॥ ६.४८.१२१ ॥
While your men and the enemy's roared again and again, the sons of Pṛthā and the great charioteers turned back, downcast, brooding on the terrible slaughter that would come in single combat, O scorchers of foes.