Mahābhārata · Adhyāya 9.2

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9.2.1

विसृष्टास्वथ नारीषु धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः ।
विललाप महाराज दुःखाद्दुःखतरं गतः
शृणु राजन्नवहितो यथावृत्तो महान्क्षयः ।
कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च समासाद्य परस्परम् ॥ ९.२.१ ॥

After the women had been sent away, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, son of Ambikā, fell from grief into still greater grief and lamented. Listen attentively, O great king, to how the great destruction came about when the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas met one another.

9.2.2

सधूममिव निःश्वस्य करौ धुन्वन्पुनःपुनः ।
बहु सञ्चिन्तयित्वा तु सञ्जयं वाक्यमब्रवीत्
निहते सूतपुत्रे तु पाण्डवेन महात्मना ।
विद्रुतेषु च सैन्येषु समानीतेषु चासकृत् ॥ ९.२.२ ॥

Sighing as if smoking, shaking his hands again and again, and after much reflection, Dhṛtarāṣṭra spoke these words to Sañjaya: 'When the son of the charioteer had been slain by the great-souled Pāṇḍava, and the troops had fled and been gathered again and again...'

9.2.3

अहो बत महद्दुःखं यदहं पाण्डवान्रणे ।
क्षेमिणश्चाव्ययांश्चैव त्वत्तः सूत शृणोमि वै
घोरे मनुष्यदेहानामाजौ नरवरक्षये ।
यत्तत्कर्णे हते पार्थः कसिंहनादमथाकरोत् ॥ ९.२.३ ॥

Alas! Truly this is a great sorrow, that I hear from you, O charioteer, that the Pāṇḍavas are safe and unharmed in battle. In that dreadful slaughter of human bodies, in the destruction of the best of men, when Karṇa was slain, Pārtha roared a lion's roar.

9.2.4

वज्रसारमयं नूनं हृदयं सुदृढं मम ।
यच्छ्रुत्वा निहतान्पुत्रान्दीर्यते न सहस्रधा
तदा तव सुतान्राजन्प्राविशत्सुमहद्भयम् ॥ ९.२.४ ॥

Surely my heart is made of the essence of the thunderbolt, very firm, since on hearing of my sons being slain it does not burst into a thousand pieces. Then, O king, a very great fear entered your sons.

9.2.5

चिन्तयित्वा वचस्तेषां बालक्रीडां च सञ्जय ।
अद्य चैव हताञ्श्रुत्वा दीर्यते मे भृशं मनः
न सन्धातुमनीकानि न चैवाथ पराक्रमे ।
आसीद्बुद्धिर्हते कर्णे तव योधस्य कस्यचित् ॥ ९.२.५ ॥

Recalling their words and their childish play, O Sañjaya, and hearing today that they were slain, my mind is greatly torn. When Karṇa was slain, no warrior of yours had the resolve to rejoin the armies or to display valour.

9.2.6

अन्धत्वाद्यदि पुत्राणां न मे रूपिनिदर्शनम् ।
पुत्रस्नेहकृता प्रीतिर्नित्यमेतेषु धारिता
वणिजो नावि भिन्नायामगाधे विप्लुवा इव ।
अपारे पारमिच्छन्तो हते द्वीपे किरीटिना ॥ ९.२.६ ॥

Though, because of my blindness, I could not see the forms of my sons, the affection born of love for sons was always held toward these. Like merchants in a broken ship in an unfathomable sea, desiring the far shore, when the island was lost, they were slain by the diademed one.

9.2.7

बालभावमतिक्रम्य यौवनस्थांश्च तानहम् ।
श्रियं प्राप्तांश्च ताञ्श्रुत्वा हृष्ट आसं तदाऽनघ
सूतपुत्रो हते राजन्वित्रस्ताः शरविक्षताः ।
अनाथा नाथमिच्छन्तो मृगाः सिंहार्दिता इव ॥ ९.२.७ ॥

Having passed beyond childhood to be youths, and hearing that they had gained prosperity, O blameless one, I was then delighted. But when the charioteer's son was slain, O king, they, struck by arrows, terrified and without a protector, sought a protector like deer harried by lions.

9.2.8

तानद्य निहताञ्श्रुत्वा हतैश्वर्यान्हतौजसः ।
न लभेयं क्वचिच्छान्तिं पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतः
भग्नशृङ्गा इव वृषा शीर्णदंष्ट्रा इवोरगाः ।
प्रत्युपायाम सायाह्ने निर्जिताः सव्यसाचिना ॥ ९.२.८ ॥

Today, having heard that they were slain, their dominion and vigour destroyed, I, overwhelmed by grief for my sons, shall never find peace. Like bulls with broken horns, like serpents with broken fangs, they returned at evening, defeated by Savyasācin (Arjuna).

9.2.9

एह्येहि वत्स राजेन्द्र ममानाथस्य पुत्रक ।
त्वया हीनो महाबाहो कां नु यास्याम्यहं गतिम्
हतप्रवीरा विध्वस्ता निकृत्ता निशितैः शरैः ।
सूतपुत्रे हते राजन्पुत्रास्ते प्राद्रवंस्ततः ॥ ९.२.९ ॥

Come, come, dear child, lord of kings, my son, for I am without protection! Bereft of you, O mighty-armed one, what path shall I take? When the son of the charioteer was slain, O king, your sons, their heroes slain and shattered, cut down by sharp arrows, then fled.

9.2.10

कथं त्वं पृथिवीपालांस्त्यक्त्वा तात समागतान् ।
शेषे विनिहतो भूमौ प्राकृतः कुनृपो यथा
विध्वस्तकवचनाः सर्वे कान्दिशीका विचेतसः ।
अन्योन्यमभिनिघ्नन्तो वीक्षमाणा भयाद्दिशः ॥ ९.२.१० ॥

Dear child, how is it that you lie slain upon the ground, having abandoned the protectors of the earth who had gathered, like some base common king? All of them, their armour shattered, fleeing in every direction, bewildered, looking about in fear, striking one another.

9.2.11

गतिर्भूत्वा महाराज ज्ञातीनां सुहृदां तथा ।
अन्धं वृद्वं च मां वीर विहाय क्व नु यास्यसि
मामेव नूनं बीभत्सुर्मामेव च वृकोदरः ।
अभियातीति मन्वानाः पेतुर्मम्लुश्च भारत ॥ ९.२.११ ॥

O great king, you were the refuge of kinsmen and friends. O hero, where will you go, leaving me, blind and old? Thinking, 'Bībhatsu and Vṛkodara are attacking me alone,' they fell and were crushed, O Bhārata.

9.2.12

सा कृपा सा च ते प्रीतिः सा च राजसु मानिता ।
कथं त्वं निहतः पार्थैः संयुगेष्वपराजितः
अश्वानन्ये गजानन्ये रथानन्ये महारथाः ।
आरुह्य जवसम्पन्नाः पादातान्प्रजहुर्भयात् ॥ ९.२.१२ ॥

Where is that compassion, your affection, and the honour you had among kings? How were you, unvanquished in battles, slain by the sons of Pṛthā? Mounting horses, elephants and chariots, the great charioteers, swift and full of speed, fled in fear, abandoning the foot soldiers.

9.2.13

को नु मामुत्थितः काले ताततातेति वक्ष्यति ।
महाराजेति सततं लोकनाथेति चासकृत्
कुञ्जरैः स्यन्दना भग्नाः सादिनश्च महारथैः ।
पदातिसङ्घाश्चाश्वौघैः पलायद्भिर्भृशं हताः ॥ ९.२.१३ ॥

Now, when I rise, who will address me again and again, constantly calling me 'dear father, dear father,' 'great king,' and 'lord of the world'? Chariots were smashed by elephants, riders were broken; throngs of foot soldiers and herds of horses were greatly slain by the great charioteers as they fled.

9.2.14

परिष्वज्य च कं कण्ठे स्नेहेन क्लिन्नलोचनः ।
अनुशास्ताऽस्मि कौरव्य तत्साधु वदमे वचः
व्यालतस्करसङ्कीर्णे सार्थहीना यथा वने ।
तथा त्वदीया निहते सूतपुत्रे पदाऽभवन् ॥ ९.२.१४ ॥

Embracing him on the neck with affection, his eyes wet with tears: "O descendant of Kuru, I am your counsellor, so hear my words rightly. As caravans without a leader in a forest crowded with snakes and thieves, so your men became foot-soldiers when the son of the charioteer was slain."

9.2.15

ननु नामाहमश्रौषं वचनं तव पुत्रक ।
भूयसी मम पृथ्वीयं तात पार्थस्य नो तथा
हतारोहास्तथा नागाश्छिन्नहस्तास्तथाऽपरे ।
सर्वं पार्थमयं लोकमपश्यन्वै भयार्दिताः ॥ ९.२.१५ ॥

Indeed I heard your word, my son: "This earth is mine, dear one, but not Pārtha's." With their riders slain, elephants with trunks severed and others, tormented by fear, they saw the whole world as full of Pārtha.

9.2.16

भगदत्तः कृपः शल्य आवन्त्योऽथ जयद्रथः ।
भूरिश्रवाः सोमदत्तो महाराजश्च बाह्लिकः
तान्प्रेक्ष्य द्रवतः सर्वान्भीमसेनभयार्दितान् ।
दुर्योधनोऽथ स्वं सूतं हाहाकृत्वैवमब्रवीत् ॥ ९.२.१६ ॥

Seeing all of them — Bhagadatta, Kṛpa, Śalya, the prince of Avantī, Jayadratha, Bhūriśravas, Somadatta, the great king and Bāhlīka — fleeing, tormented by fear of Bhīmasena, Duryodhana cried out "Alas!" and spoke thus to his own charioteer.

9.2.17

अश्वत्थामा च भोजश्च मागधश्च महाबलः ।
बृहद्बलश्च क्राथश्च शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः
नातिक्रमिष्यते पार्थो धनुष्पाणिमवस्थितम् ।
जघने युध्यमानं मां तूर्णमश्वान्प्रचोदय ॥ ९.२.१७ ॥

Aśvatthāman, Bhoja, the mighty Māgadha, Bṛhadbala, Krātha and Śakuni the son of Subala too: Pārtha, standing with bow in hand, will not pass me while I fight from behind. Quickly, urge on the horses.

9.2.18

म्लेच्छाश्च शतसाहस्राः शकाश्च यवनैः सह ।
सुदक्षिणश्च काम्भोजस्त्रिगर्ताधिपतिस्तथा
समरे युध्यमानं हि कौन्तेयो मां धनञ्जयः ।
नोत्सहेताप्यतिक्रान्तुं वेलामिव महार्णवः ॥ ९.२.१८ ॥

The barbarians, hundreds of thousands of Śakas together with the Yavanas, Sudakṣiṇa, the king of Kamboja, and likewise the lord of the Trigartas: Kaunteya Dhanañjaya would not dare to pass me while I fight in battle, just as the great ocean does not overstep its shore.

9.2.19

भीष्मः पितामहश्चैव भारद्वाजोऽथ गौतमः ।
श्रुतायुश्चाश्रुतायुश्च शतायुश्चापि वीर्यवान्
अद्यार्जुनं सगोविन्दं मानिनं च वृकोदरम् ।
निहत्य शिष्टाञ्शत्रूंश्च कर्णस्यानृण्यमाप्नुयाम् ॥ ९.२.१९ ॥

Bhīṣma the grandfather, Bhāradvāja and Gautama, Śrutāyus, Aśrutāyus and the mighty Śatāyus too: having slain today Arjuna together with Govinda and the proud Vṛkodara, and having slain the remaining enemies, may I obtain release from my debt to Karṇa.

9.2.20

जलसन्धोऽथार्ष्यशृङ्गी राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः ।
अलम्बुसो वीरबाहुः सुबाहुश्च महारथः
तच्छ्रुत्वा कुरुराजस्य शूरार्यसदृशं वचः ।
सूतो हेमपरिच्छन्नाञ्शनैरश्वानचोदयत् ॥ ९.२.२० ॥

Jalasandha, Ārṣyaśṛṅgī, the rākṣasa Alāyudha, Alambusa, Vīrabāhu, Subāhu and the great charioteer — having heard that speech of the king of the Kurus, fit for heroes and noble men, the charioteer slowly urged on the horses covered with gold.

9.2.21

एते चान्ये च बहवो राजानो राजसत्तम ।
मदर्थं प्रहरिष्यन्ति प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वा धनानि च
गजाश्वरथहीनास्तु पादाताश्चैव मारिष ।
पञ्चविंशतिसाहस्राः प्राद्रवञ्शनकैरिव ॥ ९.२.२१ ॥

These and many other kings, best of kings, will strike for my sake, giving up their lives and wealth. And, sire, the foot soldiers, lacking elephants, horses and chariots — twenty-five thousand — ran forward slowly, as it were.

9.2.22

तेषां मध्ये स्थितो युद्धे भ्रातृभिः परिवारितः ।
योधयिष्याम्यहं पार्थान्पाञ्चालांश्चैव सर्वशः
तान्भीमसेनः सङ्क्रुद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नश्च पार्षतः ।
बलेन चतुरङ्गेण परिक्षिप्याहनच्छरैः ॥ ९.२.२२ ॥

Standing in the midst of them, surrounded by my brothers, I will fight the sons of Pṛthā and the Pāñcālas on every side in battle. Enraged, Bhīmasena and Dhṛṣṭadyumna, son of Pṛṣata, surrounded them with the fourfold army and struck them with arrows.

9.2.23

चेदींश्च नृपशार्दूल द्रौपदेयांश्च संयुगे ।
सात्यकिं कुन्तिभोजं च राक्षसं च घटोत्कचम्
प्रत्ययुध्यंस्तु ते सर्वे भीमसेनं सपार्षतम् ।
पार्थपार्षतयोश्चान्ये जगृहुस्तत्र नामनी ॥ ९.२.२३ ॥

O tiger among kings, in battle they all fought against the Cedis, the sons of Draupadī, Sātyaki, Kuntibhoja and the rākṣasa Ghaṭotkaca, and against Bhīmasena together with Pārṣata. There others took up the names of Pārtha and Pārṣata.

9.2.24

एकोऽप्येषां महाराज समर्थः सन्निवारणे ।
समरे पाण्डवेयानां सङ्क्रुद्धो ह्यभिधावताम्
अक्रुध्यत रणे भीमस्तैर्मृधे प्रत्यवस्थितैः ।
सोऽवतीर्य रथात्तूर्णं गदापाणिरयुध्यत ॥ ९.२.२४ ॥

Great king, even one of them is able to hold back the Pāṇḍavas. Bhīma, enraged at the Pāṇḍavas who were attacking in battle, standing against them in the fight, swiftly came down from his chariot and fought with the mace in his hand.

9.2.25

किं पुनः सहिता वीराः कृतवैराश्च पाण्डवैः ।
अथवा सर्व एवैते पाण्डवस्यानुयायिभिः
न तान्रथस्थो भूमिष्ठान्धर्मापेक्षी वृकोदरः ।
योधयामास कौन्तेयो भुजवीर्यमुपाश्रितः ॥ ९.२.२५ ॥

Then, when those heroes were together and hostile to the Pāṇḍavas, or when they were all followers of Pāṇḍu's son, Vṛkodara, mindful of dharma, did not fight those standing on the ground while himself standing on the chariot; the son of Kuntī fought them relying on the might of his arms.

9.2.26

योत्स्यन्ते सह राजेन्द्र हनिष्यन्ति च तान्मृधे ।
कर्ण एको मया सार्धं निहनिष्यति पाण्डवान्
जातरूपपरिच्छन्नां प्रगृह्य महतीं गदाम् ।
न्यवधीत्तावकान्सर्वान्दण्डपाणिरिवान्तकः ॥ ९.२.२६ ॥

O lord of kings, they will fight with them and slay them in battle. Karṇa alone, together with me, will destroy the Pāṇḍavas. Taking up a great mace covered with gold, he struck down all your men like Death with his staff in hand.

9.2.27

ते वै नृपतयो वीराः स्थास्यन्ति मम शासने ।
पदातयो हि संरब्धास्त्यक्तजीवितबान्धवाः।
भीममभ्यद्रवन्सङ्ख्ये पतङ्गा इव पावकम् ॥ ९.२.२७ ॥

Those heroic kings will stand under my command. Enraged foot soldiers, having abandoned life and kin, rushed at Bhīma in battle like moths at a fire.

9.2.28

यश्च तेषां प्रणेता वै वासुदेवो महाबलः ।
न स सन्नह्यते राजन्निति मामब्रवीद्वचः
आसाद्य भीमसेनं ते संरब्धा युद्धदुर्मदाः ।
विनेदुः सहसा दृष्ट्वा भूतग्रामा इवान्तकम् ॥ ९.२.२८ ॥

And their leader, the mighty Vāsudeva, does not put on armor, O king, so he told me. Reaching Bhīmasena, they, enraged and maddened for battle, suddenly roared out, like hosts of beings crying out on seeing Death.

9.2.29

एवं च वदतः सूत बहुशो मम सन्निधौ ।
युक्तितो ह्यनुपश्यामि निहतान्पाण्डवान्रणे
श्येनवद्व्यचरद्भीमः खङ्गेन गदया तथा ।
पञ्चविंशतिसाहस्रांस्तावकानां व्यपोथयत् ॥ ९.२.२९ ॥

Charioteer, as you say this to me again and again, I see by reasoning that the Pāṇḍavas have been slain in battle. Like a hawk, Bhīma roamed with sword and mace and crushed twenty-five thousand of your men.

9.2.30

तेषां मध्ये स्थिता यत्र हन्यन्ते मम पुत्रकाः ।
व्यायच्छमानाः समरे किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
हत्वा तत्पुरुषानीकं भीमः सत्यपराक्रमः ।
धृष्टद्युम्नं पुरस्कृत्य पुनस्तस्थौ महाबलः ॥ ९.२.३० ॥

Standing in the midst of them, where my sons are being slain as they strive in battle, what else but fate can be the cause? Having slain that host of men, the mighty Bhīma of true valour stood again, with Dhṛṣṭadyumna placed in front.

9.2.31

भीष्मश्च निहतो यत्र लोकनाथः प्रतापवान् ।
शिखण्डिनं समासाद्य मृगेन्द्र इव जम्बुकम्
धनञ्जयो रथानीकमन्वपद्यत वीर्यवान् ॥ ९.२.३१ ॥

Where Bhīṣma, lord of the worlds and mighty in splendour, was slain, approaching Śikhaṇḍin, as a lion pounces on a jackal, the valiant Dhanañjaya attacked the host of chariots.

9.2.32

द्रोणश्च ब्राह्मणो यत्र सर्वशस्त्रास्त्रपारगः ।
निहतः पाण्डवैः सङ्ख्ये किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
माद्रीपुत्रौ च शकुनिं सात्यकिश्च महाबलः ।
जवेनाभ्यपतन्हृष्टा घ्नन्तो दौर्योधनं बलम् ॥ ९.२.३२ ॥

Where the Brahmin Droṇa, master of all weapons and missiles, was slain in battle by the Pāṇḍavas—what other cause but fate? The two sons of Mādrī and the mighty Sātyaki, joyful, swiftly attacked Śakuni, striking down Duryodhana's army.

9.2.33

कर्णश्च निहतः सङ्ख्ये दिव्यास्त्रज्ञो महाबलः ।
भूरिश्रवा हतो पत्र सोमदत्तश्च संयुगे।
बाह्लिकश्च महाराज किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ।
तस्याश्ववाहान्सुबहूंस्ते निहत्य शितैः शरैः।
तमन्वधावंस्त्वरितास्तत्र युद्धमवर्तत ॥ ९.२.३३ ॥

In battle the mighty Karṇa, knower of divine missiles, was slain; Bhūriśravas and Somadatta were also slain in battle. O great king, Bāhlīka too—what other cause but fate? Having slain his many horse-riders with sharp arrows, they hastily pursued him, and there a battle took place.

9.2.34

भगदत्तो हतो यत्र गजयुद्धविशारदः ।
जयद्रथश्च निहतः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
ततो धनञ्जयो राजन्रथानीकमगाहत ।
विश्रुतं त्रिषु लोकेषु गाण्डीवं व्याक्षिपन्धनुः ॥ ९.२.३४ ॥

Where Bhagadatta, skilled in elephant warfare, was slain, and Jayadratha too was slain—what other cause but fate? Then, O king, Dhanañjaya plunged into the chariot host, brandishing the bow Gāṇḍīva, renowned in the three worlds.

9.2.35

सुदक्षिणो हतो यत्र जलसन्धश्च पौरवः ।
श्रुतायुश्चाश्रुतायुश्च किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
कृष्णसारथिमायान्तं दृष्ट्वा श्वेतहयं रथम् ।
अर्जुनं चापि योद्वारं त्वदीयाः प्राद्रावन्भयात् ॥ ९.२.३५ ॥

Where Sudakṣiṇa was slain, and the Paurava Jalasandha, and Śrutāyus and Aśrutāyus — what else but fate? Seeing the white-horsed chariot coming with Kṛṣṇa as charioteer, and the warrior Arjuna, your men fled in fear.

9.2.36

महाबलस्तथा पाण्ड्यः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः ।
निहतः पाण्डवैः सङ्ख्ये किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
विप्रहीनरथाश्वाश्च शरैश्च परिवारिताः ।
पञ्चविंशतिसाहस्राः पार्थमार्च्छन्पदातयः ॥ ९.२.३६ ॥

The mighty Pāṇḍya, best of all weapon-bearers, was also slain in battle by the Pāṇḍavas — what else but fate? Twenty-five thousand foot soldiers, with chariots and horses lacking drivers, surrounded by arrows, rushed against Pārtha.

9.2.37

बृहद्बलो हतो यत्र मागधश्च महाबलः ।
उग्रायुधश्च विक्रान्तः प्रतिमानं धनुष्मताम्
हत्वा तत्पुरुषानीकं पाञ्चालानां महारथः ।
भीमसेनं पुरस्कृत्य न चिरात्प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥ ९.२.३७ ॥

Where Bṛhadbala was slain, and the Magadha king the mighty, and Ugrāyudha, the valiant match of all archers — having destroyed that host of men of the Pāñcālas, with Bhīmasena placed in front, the great chariot-warrior soon appeared again.

9.2.38

आवन्त्यो निहतो यत्र त्रैगर्तश्च जनाधिपः ।
संशप्तकाश्च निहताः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
महाधनुर्धरः श्रीमानमित्रगणमर्दनः ।
पुत्रः पाञ्चालराजस्य धृष्टद्युम्नो महायशाः ॥ ९.२.३८ ॥

There the prince of Avanti was slain, the lord of the people, the king of the Trigartas, and the Saṃśaptakas were slain. What else but fate could be the cause? The great archer, the glorious crusher of hosts of enemies, the son of the king of the Pāñcālas, the illustrious Dhṛṣṭadyumna.

9.2.39

अलम्बुसस्तथा राजन्राक्षसश्चाप्यलायुधः ।
आर्ष्यशृङ्गिश्च निहतः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
पारावतसवर्णाश्वं कोविदारवरध्वजम् ।
धृष्टद्युम्नं रणे दृष्ट्वा त्वदीयाः प्राद्रवन्भयात् ॥ ९.२.३९ ॥

O king, Alambusa and the rakshasa Alāyudha were slain, and Ṛṣyaśṛṅgi as well. What else but fate could be the cause? Seeing Dhṛṣṭadyumna in battle, with horses the colour of doves and a fine kovidāra banner, your men fled in fear.

9.2.40

नारायणा हता यत्र गोपाला युद्धदुर्मदाः ।
म्लेच्छाश्च बहुसाहस्राः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
गान्धारराजं श्रीघ्रास्त्रमनुसृत्य यशस्विनौ ।
अचिरात्प्रत्यदृश्येतां माद्रीपुत्रौ ससात्यकी ॥ ९.२.४० ॥

There the Nārāyaṇas, the cowherds proud and fierce in battle, and many thousands of barbarians were slain. What else but fate could be the cause? Pursuing the king of the Gāndhāras, the two illustrious sons of Mādrī, swift with their weapons, were soon seen again together with Sātyaki.

9.2.41

शकुनिः सौबलो यत्र कैतव्यश्च महाबलः ।
निहतः सबलो वीरः किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
चेकितानः शिखण्डी च द्रौपदेयाश्च मारिष ।
हत्वा त्वदीयं सुमहत्सैन्यं शङ्खानथाधमन् ॥ ९.२.४१ ॥

Where Śakuni, the son of Subala, the deceitful and very strong hero, was slain with his army — what else can be said but that it was by fate? Cekitāna, Śikhaṇḍin and the sons of Draupadī, having destroyed your mighty army, O noble one, blew their conch-shells.

9.2.42

एते चान्ये च बहवः कृतास्त्रा युद्धदुर्मदाः ।
राजानो राजपुत्राश्च शूराः परिघबाहवः।
निहता बहवो यत्र किमन्यद्भागधेयतः ।
ते सर्वे तावकान्प्रेक्ष्य द्रवतो वै पराङ्मुखान्।
अभ्यधावन्त निघ्नन्तो वृषाञ्चित्वा वृषा इव ॥ ९.२.४२ ॥

These and many others, skilled in weapons, intoxicated with battle, heroic kings and princes with arms like iron clubs, were slain there — what else can be said but that it was by fate? Seeing all your men fleeing with their backs turned, they rushed upon them, striking, like bulls marking out other bulls.

9.2.43

यत्र शूरा महेष्वासाः कृतास्त्रा युद्वदुर्मदाः ।
बहवो निहताः सूत महेन्द्रसमविक्रमाः
सेनावशेषं तं दृष्ट्वा तव पुत्रस्य पाण्डवः ।
अवस्थितं सव्यसाची चुक्रोध बलवन्नृप ॥ ९.२.४३ ॥

Where many heroes, great archers skilled in weapons, intoxicated with battle, with valour equal to great Indra's, were slain, O charioteer — seeing the remnant of your son's army standing firm, the Pāṇḍava Savyasācin grew mightily angry, O king.

9.2.44

नानादेशसमावृत्ताः क्षत्रिया यत्र सञ्जय ।
निहताः समरे सर्वे किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
तत एनं शरै राजन्सहसा समवाकिरत् ।
रजसा चोद्गतेनाथ न स्म किञ्चन दृश्यते ॥ ९.२.४४ ॥

O Sañjaya, where all the warriors gathered from many lands have been slain in battle — what is this but fate? Then, O king, they suddenly showered him with arrows, and with the dust that rose, nothing could be seen.

9.2.45

पुत्राश्च मे विनिहताः पौत्राश्चैव महाबलाः ।
वयस्या भ्रातरश्चैव किमन्यद्भागधेयतः
अन्धकारीकृते लोके शरीभूते महीतले ।
दिशः सर्वा महाराज तावकाः प्राद्रवन्भयात् ॥ ९.२.४५ ॥

My sons have been slain, and my mighty grandsons too; companions and brothers as well — what is this but fate? O great king, when the world was darkened and the earth became heaped with corpses, all your men fled in terror in every direction.

9.2.46

भागधेयसमायुक्तो ध्रुवमुत्पद्यते नरः ।
यस्तु भाग्यसमायुक्तः स शुभं प्राप्नुयान्नरः
भज्यमानेषु सर्वेषु कुरुराजो विशाम्पते ।
परेषामात्मनश्चैव सैन्ये ते समुपाद्रवत् ॥ ९.२.४६ ॥

A man born endowed with fortune surely comes into being; the man who is fortunate obtains good. O lord of men, when all were being broken, the Kuru king fled in the midst of your army, through both the enemy's ranks and his own.

9.2.47

अहं वियुक्तस्तैर्भाग्यैः पुत्रैश्चैवेह सञ्जय ।
कथमद्य भविष्यामि वृद्धः शत्रुवशं गतः
ततो दुर्योधनः सर्वानाजुहावाथ पाण्डवान् ।
युद्धाय भरतश्रेष्ठ देवानिव पुरा बलिः ॥ ९.२.४७ ॥

Sañjaya, bereft of my sons and of fortune, I am old and have fallen into the power of enemies; how shall I fare now? Then Duryodhana summoned all the Pāṇḍavas to battle, as Bali of old summoned the gods, best of the Bharatas.

9.2.48

नान्यदत्र परं मन्ये वनवासादृते प्रभो ।
सोऽहं वनं गमिष्यामि निर्बन्धुर्ज्ञातिसंक्षये
त एनमभिगर्जन्तं सहिताः समुपाद्रवन् ।
नानाशस्त्रसृजः क्रुद्धा भर्त्सयन्तो मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ ९.२.४८ ॥

Lord, I think nothing better here than dwelling in the forest. Bereft of kin, after the destruction of my kinsmen, I shall go to the forest. Then they all together, angry, rushed upon him as he roared, hurling weapons of many kinds and reviling him again and again.

9.2.49

न हि मेऽन्यद्भवेच्छ्रेयो वनाभ्युपगमादृते ।
इमामवस्थां प्राप्तस्य लूनपक्षस्य सञ्जय
दुर्योधनोऽप्यसम्भ्रान्तस्तानरीन्व्यधमच्छरैः ॥ ९.२.४९ ॥

For me, reduced to this state, wings clipped, Sañjaya, nothing could be better than going to the forest. Then Duryodhana too, undisturbed, struck down those enemies with arrows.

9.2.50

दुर्योधनो हतो यत्र शल्यश्च निहतो युधि ।
दुःशासनो विविंशश्च विकर्णश्च महाबलः
तत्राद्भुतमपरश्याम तव पुत्रस्य पौरुषम् ।
यदेनं पाण्डवाः सर्वे न शेकुरतिवर्तितुम् ॥ ९.२.५० ॥

Where Duryodhana was slain, and Śalya too was killed in battle; Duḥśāsana, Vivinśati and the mighty Vikarṇa as well. There we saw the marvellous valour of your son, which all the Pāṇḍavas could not overcome.

9.2.51

कथं हि भीमसेनस्य श्रोष्येऽहं शब्दमुत्तमम् ।
एकेन समरे येन हतं पुत्रशतं मम
नातिदूरापयातं च कृतबुद्धि पलायने ।
दुर्योधनः स्वकं सैन्यमपश्यकद्भृशविक्षतम् ॥ ९.२.५१ ॥

How shall I hear the excellent report of Bhīmasena, who alone in battle slew my hundred sons? Duryodhana, resolved on flight and not gone far, saw his own army grievously wounded.

9.2.52

असकृद्वदतस्तस्य दुर्योधनवधेन च ।
दुःखशोकाभिसन्तप्तो न श्रोष्ये परुषा गिरः
ततोऽवस्थाप्य राजेन्द्र कृतबुद्धिस्तवात्मजः ।
हर्षयन्निव तान्योधांस्ततो वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ९.२.५२ ॥

Because he kept speaking again and again of Duryodhana's slaying, I, tormented by sorrow and grief, shall not hear harsh words. Then, O lord of kings, your resolute son, halting the flight and as if gladdening those warriors, spoke these words.

9.2.53

एवं स शोकसन्तप्तः पार्थिवो हतबान्धवः ।
मुहुर्मुहुर्मुह्यमानः पुत्राधिभिरभिप्लुतः
न तं देशं प्रपश्यामि पृथिव्यां पर्वतेषु च ।
यत्र यातान्न वो हन्युः पाण्डवाः किं सृतेन वः ॥ ९.२.५३ ॥

Thus, tormented by grief, the king whose kinsmen had been slain, bewildered again and again and overwhelmed by anxiety for his sons, spoke: I see no place on earth or among the mountains where, if you go, the Pāṇḍavas would not slay you. What use is fleeing to you?

9.2.54

विलप्य सुचिरं कालं धृतराष्ट्रोऽम्बिकासुतः ।
दीर्घमुष्णं स निःश्वस्य चिन्तयित्वा पराभवम्
स्वल्पं चैव बलं तेषां कृष्णौ च भृशविक्षतौ ।
यदि सर्वेऽपि तिष्ठामो ध्रुवं नो विजयो भवेत् ॥ ९.२.५४ ॥

After lamenting for a long time, Dhṛtarāṣṭra, son of Ambikā, heaved a hot, long sigh and reflected on the defeat: their army is small, and both Kṛṣṇas are grievously wounded. If we all stand firm, victory will surely be ours.

9.2.55

दुःखेन महता राजन्सन्तप्तो भरतर्षभः ।
पुनर्गावल्गणिं सूतं पर्यपृच्छद्यथातथम्
विप्लयातांस्तु वो भिन्नान्पाण्डवाः कृतकिल्पिषान् ।
अनुसृत्य हनिष्यन्ति श्रेयोः न समरे वधः ॥ ९.२.५५ ॥

O king, tormented by great sorrow, the best of the Bharatas again asked the charioteer Gāvalgaṇi exactly how things stood: Will the Pāṇḍavas, who have been wronged, pursue you who have scattered and fled and slay you? Nothing is better than to be slain in battle.

9.2.56

भीष्मद्रोणौ हतौ श्रुत्वा सूतपुत्रं च पातितम् ।
सेनापतिं प्रणेतारं कमकुर्वत मामकाः
सुखः साङ्ग्रामिको मृत्युः क्षत्रधर्मेण युध्यताम् ।
मृतो दुःखं न जानीते प्रेत्य चानन्त्यमश्नुते ॥ ९.२.५६ ॥

Hearing that Bhīṣma and Droṇa were slain, and that the son of the charioteer had also been felled, whom did my people make their commander and leader? For warriors who fight, death in battle by the duty of the kṣatriya is easy. The dead man knows no sorrow, and after death he attains endlessness.

9.2.57

यं यं सेनाप्रणेतारं युधि कुर्वन्ति मामकाः ।
अचिरेणैव कालेन तं तं निघ्नन्ति पाण्डवाः
शृण्वन्तु क्षत्रियाः सर्वे यावन्तोऽत्र समागताः ।
द्विषतो भीमसेनस्य वशमेष्यथ विद्रुताः ॥ ९.२.५७ ॥

Whomever my people make their army leader in battle, the Pāṇḍavas strike down that very man in a short time. Let all the kṣatriyas assembled here hear: fleeing, you will fall into the power of the enemy Bhīmasena.

9.2.58

रणमूर्ध्नि हतो भीष्मः पश्यतां वः किरीटिना ।
एवमेव हतो द्रोणः सर्वेषामेव पश्यताम्
पितामहैराचरितं न धर्मं हातुमर्हथ ।
नान्यत्कर्मास्ति पापीयः क्षत्रियस्य पलायनात् ॥ ९.२.५८ ॥

At the head of battle, Bhīṣma was slain while you looked on, by the crowned one (Arjuna); in just the same way Droṇa was slain while all of you looked on. You ought not to abandon the duty practised by your grandfathers. For a kṣatriya there is no action more sinful than fleeing.

9.2.59

एवमेव हतः कर्णः सूतपुत्रः प्रतापवान् ।
सराजकानां सर्वेषां पश्यतां वः किरीटिना
न युद्वधर्माच्छ्रेयान्हि पन्थाः स्वर्गस्य कौरवाः ।
सुचिरेणार्जिताँलोकान्सद्यो युद्धात्समश्नुते ॥ ९.२.५९ ॥

In the same way the mighty Karṇa, the charioteer's son, was slain, before all the kings and all of you looking on, by Kirīṭin. O Kauravas, there is no better path to heaven than the duty of battle; by battle a man at once obtains worlds that were won over a long time.

9.2.60

पूर्वमेवाहमुक्तो वै विदुरेण महात्मना ।
दुर्योधनापराधेन प्रजेयं विनशिष्यति
तस्य तद्वचनं राज्ञः पूजयित्वा महारथाः ।
पुनरेवाभ्यवर्तन्त क्षत्रियाः पाण्डवान्प्रति।
पराजयममृष्यन्त कृतचित्ताश्च विक्रमे ॥ ९.२.६० ॥

Long before, the great-souled Vidura had told me that this people would perish through the fault of Duryodhana. Yet, honouring the king's word, the great chariot-warriors and kṣatriyas turned back again against the Pāṇḍavas; unable to endure defeat, they resolved their minds for valour.