Shikhandi Challenges Bhishma

Verse 1 (6.108.1)

कथं शिखण्डी गाङ्गेयमभ्यवर्तत संयुगे । पाण्डवाश्च कथं भीष्मं तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥

kathaṃ śikhaṇḍī gāṅgeyamabhyavartata saṃyuge | pāṇḍavāśca kathaṃ bhīṣmaṃ tanmamācakṣva sañjaya

How did Shikhandi advance against the son of Ganga in battle, and how did the Pandavas advance against Bhishma? Tell me that, Sanjaya.

Note on the text: Adhyaya note: checked against the raw Wikisource page (a table, one row per verse, 6-108-1 to 6-108-60c, with headings धृतराष्ट्र उवाच before verses 1 and 24 and सञ्जय उवाच before verses 2, 26 and 50). This adhyaya is the critical edition's 6.104 (the tenth day begins; Shikhandi challenges Bhishma). Speeches without a printed heading that fill whole verses are given to their speakers: Bhishma (43), Shikhandi (45–49) and Arjuna (52–60). From verse 29 to verse 39 Wikisource pairs the half-verses differently from the critical edition (whose 6.104.30 and 6.104.37 have three lines); each verse carries the ce_ref of the critical-edition verse holding its first line, and the notes map the lines.

Verse 2 (6.108.2)

ततः प्रभाते विमले सूर्यस्योदयनं प्रति । ताड्यमानासु भेरीषु मृदङ्गेष्वानकेषु च ॥

tataḥ prabhāte vimale sūryasyodayanaṃ prati | tāḍyamānāsu bherīṣu mṛdaṅgeṣvānakeṣu ca

Then, in the clear dawn, as the sun was rising, while kettledrums, tabors and war-drums were being beaten,

Verse 3 (6.108.3)

ध्मायमानेषु शङ्खेषु पाण्डरेषु समन्ततः । शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य निर्याताः पाण्डवा युधि ॥

dhmāyamāneṣu śaṅkheṣu pāṇḍareṣu samantataḥ | śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya niryātāḥ pāṇḍavā yudhi

and white conches were being blown on every side, the Pandavas went out to battle with Shikhandi at their head.

Note on the text: Corrected निर्याप्ताः → निर्याताः (misprint in Wikisource; not a valid form, critical edition niryātāḥ). Line 1 (ध्मायमानेषु शङ्खेषु पाण्डरेषु) differs from the critical edition's dhmāyatsu dadhivarṇeṣu jalajeṣu; kept as a recension variant.

Verse 4 (6.108.4)

कृत्वा व्यूहं महाराज सर्वशत्रुनिबर्हणम् । शिखण्डी सर्वसैन्यानामग्र आसीद्विशांपते ॥

kṛtvā vyūhaṃ mahārāja sarvaśatrunibarhaṇam | śikhaṇḍī sarvasainyānāmagra āsīdviśāṃpate

Having formed an array able to crush every enemy, great king, Shikhandi stood at the front of all the troops, O lord of the people.

Verse 5 (6.108.5)

चक्ररक्षौ ततस्तस्य भीमसेनधनंजयौ । पृष्ठतो द्रौपदेयाश्च सौभद्रश्चैव वीर्यवान् ॥

cakrarakṣau tatastasya bhīmasenadhanaṃjayau | pṛṣṭhato draupadeyāśca saubhadraścaiva vīryavān

Bhimasena and Dhananjaya guarded the wheels of his chariot; behind him came the sons of Draupadi and the valiant son of Subhadra.

Verse 6 (6.108.6)

सात्यकिश्चेकितानश्च तेषां गोप्ता महारथः । धृष्टद्युम्नस्ततः पश्चात्पाञ्चालैरभिरक्षितः ॥

sātyakiścekitānaśca teṣāṃ goptā mahārathaḥ | dhṛṣṭadyumnastataḥ paścātpāñcālairabhirakṣitaḥ

Satyaki and Chekitana, great chariot-warriors, were their protectors, and behind them came Dhrishtadyumna, guarded by the Panchalas.

Verse 7 (6.108.7)

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा यमाभ्यां सहितः प्रभुः । प्रययौ सिंहनादेन नादयन्भरतर्षभ ॥

tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā yamābhyāṃ sahitaḥ prabhuḥ | prayayau siṃhanādena nādayanbharatarṣabha

Then the lord King Yudhishthira, together with the twins, advanced, making the field ring with lion-roars, O bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 8 (6.108.8)

विराटस्तु ततः पश्चात्स्वेन सैन्येन संवृतः । द्रुपदश्च महाबाहो ततः पश्चादुपाद्रवत् ॥

virāṭastu tataḥ paścātsvena sainyena saṃvṛtaḥ | drupadaśca mahābāho tataḥ paścādupādravat

Behind him came Virata, surrounded by his own army, and behind him, mighty-armed one, Drupada pressed forward.

Note on the text: Corrected संवृत्तः → संवृतः (misprint in Wikisource; a doubled त gives 'happened' for 'surrounded', critical edition saṃvṛtaḥ) and पञ्चादुपाद्रवत् → पश्चादुपाद्रवत् (misprint in Wikisource; ञ्च for श्च, critical edition paścād upādravat). महाबाहो for mahārāja kept as a variant.

Verse 9 (6.108.9)

केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च धृष्टकेतुश्च वीर्यवान् । जघनं पालयामासुः पाण्डवेयश्च राक्षसः ॥

kekayā bhrātaraḥ pañca dhṛṣṭaketuśca vīryavān | jaghanaṃ pālayāmāsuḥ pāṇḍaveyaśca rākṣasaḥ

The five Kekaya brothers, the valiant Dhrishtaketu and the rakshasa son of the Pandavas (Ghatotkacha) guarded the rear.

Note on the text: Line 2 (जघनं पालयामासुः पाण्डवेयश्च राक्षसः) differs from the critical edition's jaghanaṃ pālayām āsa pāṇḍusainyasya bhārata; kept as a recension variant.

Verse 10 (6.108.10)

एवं व्यूह्य महासैन्यं पाण्डवास्तव वाहिनीम् । अभ्यद्रवन्त संग्रामे त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः ॥

evaṃ vyūhya mahāsainyaṃ pāṇḍavāstava vāhinīm | abhyadravanta saṃgrāme tyaktvā jīvitamātmanaḥ

Having arrayed their great army in this way, the Pandavas charged your host in battle, giving up all thought of their own lives.

Verse 11 (6.108.11)

तथैव कुरवो राजन्भीष्मं कृत्वा महारथम् । अग्रतः सर्वसैन्यानां प्रययुः पाण्डवान्प्रति ॥

tathaiva kuravo rājanbhīṣmaṃ kṛtvā mahāratham | agrataḥ sarvasainyānāṃ prayayuḥ pāṇḍavānprati

In the same way, O king, the Kurus placed the great chariot-warrior Bhishma at the front of all their troops and advanced against the Pandavas.

Verse 12 (6.108.12)

पुत्रैस्तव दुराधर्षो रक्षितः सुमहाबलैः । ततो द्रोणो महेष्वासः पुत्रश्चास्य महाबलः ॥

putraistava durādharṣo rakṣitaḥ sumahābalaiḥ | tato droṇo maheṣvāsaḥ putraścāsya mahābalaḥ

He, hard to assail, was guarded by your very mighty sons; behind him came the great archer Drona and his mighty son.

Verse 13 (6.108.13)

भगदत्तस्ततः पश्चाद्गजानीकेन संवृतः । कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च भगदत्तमनुव्रतौ ॥

bhagadattastataḥ paścādgajānīkena saṃvṛtaḥ | kṛpaśca kṛtavarmā ca bhagadattamanuvratau

Behind them came Bhagadatta, surrounded by his division of elephants, and Kripa and Kritavarman followed Bhagadatta.

Verse 14 (6.108.14)

काम्भोजराजो बलवांस्ततः पश्चात्सुदक्षिणः । मागधश्च जयत्सेनः सौबलश्च बृहद्बलः ॥

kāmbhojarājo balavāṃstataḥ paścātsudakṣiṇaḥ | māgadhaśca jayatsenaḥ saubalaśca bṛhadbalaḥ

Behind them came the mighty Sudakshina, king of the Kambojas, Jayatsena of Magadha, Saubala (Shakuni) and Brihadbala.

Verse 15 (6.108.15)

तथैवान्ये महेष्वासाः सुशर्मप्रमुखा नृपाः । जघनं पालयामासुस्तव सैन्यस्य भारत ॥

tathaivānye maheṣvāsāḥ suśarmapramukhā nṛpāḥ | jaghanaṃ pālayāmāsustava sainyasya bhārata

Other great archers too, kings led by Susharman, guarded the rear of your army, O Bharata.

Verse 16 (6.108.16)

दिवसेदिवसे प्राप्ते भीष्मः शान्तनवो युधि । आसुरानकरोद्व्यूहान्पैशाचानथ राक्षसान् ॥

divasedivase prāpte bhīṣmaḥ śāntanavo yudhi | āsurānakarodvyūhānpaiśācānatha rākṣasān

Day after day, as each day came, Bhishma son of Shantanu formed his arrays in battle after the fashion of the Asuras, the Pishachas and the Rakshasas.

Verse 17 (6.108.17)

ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तव तेषां च भारत । अन्योन्यं निघ्नतां राजन्यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम् ॥

tataḥ pravavṛte yuddhaṃ tava teṣāṃ ca bhārata | anyonyaṃ nighnatāṃ rājanyamarāṣṭravivardhanam

Then battle began between your men and theirs, O Bharata; slaying one another, O king, they swelled the kingdom of Yama.

Verse 18 (6.108.18)

अर्जुनप्रमुखाः पार्थाः पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम् । भीष्मं युद्धेऽभ्यवर्तन्त किरन्तो विविधाञ्शरान् ॥

arjunapramukhāḥ pārthāḥ puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam | bhīṣmaṃ yuddhe'bhyavartanta kiranto vividhāñśarān

The Parthas, led by Arjuna, with Shikhandi in front, advanced against Bhishma in the battle, scattering arrows of many kinds.

Verse 19 (6.108.19)

तत्र भारत भीमेन ताडितास्तावकाः शरैः । रुधिरौघपरिक्लिन्नाः परलोकं ययुस्तदा ॥

tatra bhārata bhīmena tāḍitāstāvakāḥ śaraiḥ | rudhiraughapariklinnāḥ paralokaṃ yayustadā

There, O Bharata, your men, struck by Bhima's arrows and drenched in streams of blood, went to the other world.

Verse 20 (6.108.20)

नकुलः सहदेवश्च सात्यकिश्च महारथः । तव सैन्यं समासाद्य पीडयामासुरोजसा ॥

nakulaḥ sahadevaśca sātyakiśca mahārathaḥ | tava sainyaṃ samāsādya pīḍayāmāsurojasā

Nakula and Sahadeva and the great chariot-warrior Satyaki fell upon your army and harassed it with their might.

Note on the text: Corrected सैनयं → सैन्यं (misprint in Wikisource; a broken conjunct, critical edition sainyaṃ).

Verse 21 (6.108.21)

ते वध्यमानाः समरे तावका भरतर्षभ । नाशक्नुवन्वारयितुं पाण्डवानां महद्बलम् ॥

te vadhyamānāḥ samare tāvakā bharatarṣabha | nāśaknuvanvārayituṃ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahadbalam

Slaughtered in the battle, O bull of the Bharatas, your men could not hold back the great army of the Pandavas.

Note on the text: Corrected वध्यामानाः → वध्यमानाः (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign, critical edition vadhyamānāḥ).

Verse 22 (6.108.22)

ततस्तु तावकं सैन्यं वध्यमानं समन्ततः । संप्राद्रवद्दश दिशः काल्यमानं महारथैः ॥

tatastu tāvakaṃ sainyaṃ vadhyamānaṃ samantataḥ | saṃprādravaddaśa diśaḥ kālyamānaṃ mahārathaiḥ

Then your army, slaughtered on every side and driven by the great chariot-warriors, fled in all ten directions.

Note on the text: Corrected दशः दिशः → दश दिशः (misprint in Wikisource; a stray visarga on the numeral). The critical edition reads saṃprādravad diśo rājan; दश दिशः kept as a variant.

Verse 23 (6.108.23)

त्रातारं नाध्यगच्छन्त तावका भरतर्षभ । वध्यमानाः शितैर्बाणैः पाण्डवैः सह सृञ्जयैः ॥

trātāraṃ nādhyagacchanta tāvakā bharatarṣabha | vadhyamānāḥ śitairbāṇaiḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha sṛñjayaiḥ

Slain with sharp arrows by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, your men found no protector, O bull of the Bharatas.

Verse 24 (6.108.24)

पीड्यमानं बलं दृष्ट्वा पार्थैर्भीष्मः पराक्रमी । यदकार्षीद्रणे क्रुद्धस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥

pīḍyamānaṃ balaṃ dṛṣṭvā pārthairbhīṣmaḥ parākramī | yadakārṣīdraṇe kruddhastanmamācakṣva sañjaya

Seeing his army harassed by the Parthas, what did the valiant Bhishma do in the battle in his wrath? Tell me that, Sanjaya.

Verse 25 (6.108.25)

कथं वा पाण्डवा युद्धे प्रत्युद्याताः परंतपाः । निघ्नन्तो मामकान्वीरांस्तन्ममाचक्ष्व सञ्जय ॥

kathaṃ vā pāṇḍavā yuddhe pratyudyātāḥ paraṃtapāḥ | nighnanto māmakānvīrāṃstanmamācakṣva sañjaya

And how did the Pandavas, scorchers of their foes, advance in battle, slaying my heroes? Tell me that, Sanjaya.

Note on the text: Differs from the critical edition (kathaṃ vā pāṇḍavān yuddhe pratyudyātaḥ paraṃtapaḥ / vinighnan somakān vīrān, of Bhishma advancing against the Pandavas): Wikisource makes the Pandavas the subject; kept as a recension variant.

Verse 26 (6.108.26)

आचक्षे ते महाराज यदकार्षीत्पिता तव । पीडिते तव पुत्रस्य सैन्ये पाण्डवसृञ्जयैः ॥

ācakṣe te mahārāja yadakārṣītpitā tava | pīḍite tava putrasya sainye pāṇḍavasṛñjayaiḥ

I shall tell you, great king, what your father did when your son's army was harassed by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.

Note on the text: Corrected पाण्डव सृञ्जयैः → पाण्डवसृञ्जयैः (misprint in Wikisource; a space splits the compound and leaves a stray vocative, critical edition pāṇḍavasṛñjayaiḥ). पिता तव for pitāmahaḥ kept as a variant.

Verse 27 (6.108.27)

प्रहृष्टमनसः शूराः पाण्डवाः पाण्डुपूर्वज । अभ्यवर्तन्त निघ्नन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् ॥

prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ śūrāḥ pāṇḍavāḥ pāṇḍupūrvaja | abhyavartanta nighnantastava putrasya vāhinīm

The heroic Pandavas, glad at heart, O elder brother of Pandu, came on, slaying your son's host.

Note on the text: Corrected प्रंहृष्टमनसः → प्रहृष्टमनसः (misprint in Wikisource; a stray anusvara, critical edition prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ).

Verse 28 (6.108.28)

तं विनाशं मनुष्येन्द्र नरवारणवाजिनाम् । नामृष्यत तदा भीष्मः सैन्यघातं रणे परैः ॥

taṃ vināśaṃ manuṣyendra naravāraṇavājinām | nāmṛṣyata tadā bhīṣmaḥ sainyaghātaṃ raṇe paraiḥ

That slaughter of men, elephants and horses, O lord of men, the destruction of his army by the enemy in battle, Bhishma would not then endure.

Verse 29 (6.108.29)

स पाण्डवान्महेष्वासः पञ्चालांश्चैव सृञ्जयान् । नाराचैर्वत्सदन्तैश्च शितैरञ्जलिकैस्तथा ॥

sa pāṇḍavānmaheṣvāsaḥ pañcālāṃścaiva sṛñjayān | nārācairvatsadantaiśca śitairañjalikaistathā

That great archer, against the Pandavas, the Panchalas and the Srinjayas, with iron shafts, calf-toothed arrows and sharp anjalika arrows,

Note on the text: Corrected पाणडवान् → पाण्डवान् (misprint in Wikisource; a broken conjunct, critical edition pāṇḍavān). Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.29ab (पञ्चालांश्चैव सृञ्जयान् for pāñcālāṃś ca sasṛñjayān, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.30ef.

Verse 30 (6.108.30)

अभ्यवर्षत दुर्धर्षस्त्यक्त्वा जीवितमात्मनः । स पाण्डवानां प्रवरान्पञ्च राजन्महारथान् ॥

abhyavarṣata durdharṣastyaktvā jīvitamātmanaḥ | sa pāṇḍavānāṃ pravarānpañca rājanmahārathān

rained down, he who was hard to assail, giving up all thought of his own life. The five foremost great chariot-warriors of the Pandavas, O king,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.29cd (अभ्यवर्षत for abhyadravata, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.30ab.

Verse 31 (6.108.31)

आत्तशस्त्रो रणे यत्नाद्वारयामास सायकैः । नानाशस्त्रास्त्रवर्षैस्तान्वीर्यामर्षप्रवेरितैः ॥

āttaśastro raṇe yatnādvārayāmāsa sāyakaiḥ | nānāśastrāstravarṣaistānvīryāmarṣapraveritaiḥ

he, weapons in hand, strove in battle to hold back with his arrows. With showers of many weapons and missiles, driven by his valour and his wrath,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.30cd (आत्तशस्त्रो रणे यत्नात् for āttaśastrān raṇe yattān, a variant). Line 2 (नानाशस्त्रास्त्रवर्षैस्तान्वीर्यामर्षप्रवेरितैः) is not in the critical edition's constituted text (found in the vulgate recension); the critical edition records it in its apparatus as the star passage 6.104.30f*0436.

Verse 32 (6.108.32)

निजघ्ने समरे क्रुद्धो हस्त्यश्वं चामितं बहु । रथिनोऽपातयद्राजन्रथेभ्यः पुरुषर्षभ ॥

nijaghne samare kruddho hastyaśvaṃ cāmitaṃ bahu | rathino'pātayadrājanrathebhyaḥ puruṣarṣabha

he, enraged, slew in the battle countless elephants and horses, a great many; he felled chariot-fighters from their chariots, O king, bull among men,

Verse 33 (6.108.33)

सादिनश्चाश्वपृष्ठेभ्यः पादातांश्च समागतान् ॥

sādinaścāśvapṛṣṭhebhyaḥ pādātāṃśca samāgatān

horsemen from their horses' backs, and foot-soldiers who had come up against him,

Note on the text: A single line on the page (row 33a, closed with its own verse mark): the critical edition's 6.104.32ab (पादातांश्च for padātīṃś ca, a variant). Nothing is lost here; the line's partner, 6.104.32cd, opens verse 34.

Verse 34 (6.108.34)

गजारोहान्गजेभ्यश्च परेषां जयकारिणः । तमेकं समरे भीष्मं त्वरमाणं महारथम् ॥

gajārohāngajebhyaśca pareṣāṃ jayakāriṇaḥ | tamekaṃ samare bhīṣmaṃ tvaramāṇaṃ mahāratham

and elephant-riders from their elephants, the men who were winning victory for the enemy. Against Bhishma, that great chariot-warrior, alone and swift in the battle,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.32cd (जयकारिणः for vidadhad bhayam, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.33ab.

Verse 35 (6.108.35)

पाण्डवाः समवर्तन्त वज्रहस्तमिवासुराः । शक्राशनिसमस्पर्शान्विमुञ्चन्निशिताञ्छरान् ॥

pāṇḍavāḥ samavartanta vajrahastamivāsurāḥ | śakrāśanisamasparśānvimuñcanniśitāñcharān

the Pandavas closed in, as the Asuras once closed in on the wielder of the thunderbolt. Loosing sharp arrows whose touch was like Indra's thunderbolt,

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.33cd (वज्रहस्तम् for vajrapāṇim, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.34ab.

Verse 36 (6.108.36)

दिक्ष्वदृश्यत सर्वासु घोरं सन्धारयन्वपुः । मण्डलीभूतमेवास्य नित्यं धनुरदृश्यत ॥

dikṣvadṛśyata sarvāsu ghoraṃ sandhārayanvapuḥ | maṇḍalībhūtamevāsya nityaṃ dhanuradṛśyata

he was seen in every direction, bearing a terrible form. His bow was seen always drawn into a circle

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.34cd; line 2 is its 6.104.35ab (मण्डलीभूतम् for maṇḍalīkṛtam, a variant).

Verse 37 (6.108.37)

संग्रामे युध्यमानस्य शक्रचापोपमं महत् । तद्दृष्ट्वा समरे कर्म पुत्रास्तव विशांपते ॥

saṃgrāme yudhyamānasya śakracāpopamaṃ mahat | taddṛṣṭvā samare karma putrāstava viśāṃpate

as he fought in the battle, huge, like Indra's rainbow. Seeing that feat of his in the battle, O lord of the people, your sons

Note on the text: Corrected तदृष्ट्वा → तद्दृष्ट्वा (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped द in the conjunct, critical edition tad dṛṣṭvā). Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.35cd (शक्रचापोपमं for śakracāpanibhaṃ, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.36ab (पुत्रास्तव for tava putrā).

Verse 38 (6.108.38)

विस्मयं परमं गत्वा पितामहमपूजयन् । पार्था विमनसो भूत्वा प्रैक्षन्त पितरं तव ॥

vismayaṃ paramaṃ gatvā pitāmahamapūjayan | pārthā vimanaso bhūtvā praikṣanta pitaraṃ tava

were filled with the greatest wonder and honoured the grandsire. The Parthas, dismayed, gazed at your father

Note on the text: Corrected विस्मायं → विस्मयं (misprint in Wikisource; a stray vowel sign, critical edition vismayaṃ). Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.36cd (गत्वा for prāptāḥ, a variant); line 2 is its 6.104.37ab.

Verse 39 (6.108.39)

युध्यमानं रणे शूरं विप्रचित्तिमिवामराः । न चैनं वारयामासुर्व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम् ॥

yudhyamānaṃ raṇe śūraṃ vipracittimivāmarāḥ | na cainaṃ vārayāmāsurvyāttānanamivāntakam

fighting heroically in the battle, as the immortals gazed at Viprachitti; and they could not check him, who was like Death with jaws gaping wide.

Note on the text: The critical edition's 6.104.37cd and 37ef.

Verse 40 (6.108.40)

दशमेऽहनि संप्राप्ते रथानीकं शिखण्डिनः । अदहन्निशितैर्बाणैः कृष्णवर्त्मेव काननम् ॥

daśame'hani saṃprāpte rathānīkaṃ śikhaṇḍinaḥ | adahanniśitairbāṇaiḥ kṛṣṇavartmeva kānanam

When the tenth day had come, he burned up Shikhandi's chariot division with sharp arrows, as a fire burns a forest.

Verse 41 (6.108.41)

तं शिखण्डी त्रिभिर्बाणैरभ्यविध्यत्स्तनान्तरे । आशीविषमिव क्रुद्धं कालसृष्टमिवान्तकम् ॥

taṃ śikhaṇḍī tribhirbāṇairabhyavidhyatstanāntare | āśīviṣamiva kruddhaṃ kālasṛṣṭamivāntakam

Shikhandi pierced him in the middle of the chest with three arrows, though he was like an angry venomous serpent, like Death let loose by Time.

Note on the text: Corrected सनान्तरे → स्तनान्तरे (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped त in the conjunct, critical edition stanāntare).

Verse 42 (6.108.42)

स तेनातिभृशं विद्धः प्रेक्ष्य भीष्मः शिखण्डिनम् । पुनर्नालोकयत्क्रुद्धः प्रहसन्निदमब्रवीत् ॥

sa tenātibhṛśaṃ viddhaḥ prekṣya bhīṣmaḥ śikhaṇḍinam | punarnālokayatkruddhaḥ prahasannidamabravīt

Sorely wounded by him, Bhishma looked at Shikhandi, and in his anger would not look at him again; laughing, he said this:

Note on the text: Line 2 (पुनर्नालोकयत्क्रुद्धः) differs from the critical edition's anicchann api saṃkruddhaḥ; kept as a recension variant.

Verse 43 (6.108.43)

कामं प्रहर वा मा वा न त्वां योत्स्ये कथंचन । यैव हि त्वं कृता धात्रा सैव हि त्वं शिखण्डिनी ॥

kāmaṃ prahara vā mā vā na tvāṃ yotsye kathaṃcana | yaiva hi tvaṃ kṛtā dhātrā saiva hi tvaṃ śikhaṇḍinī

Strike or do not strike, as you please; I will not fight you in any way. You are still the very Shikhandini that the Creator made you.

Note on the text: Bhishma's words, without a printed heading on the page; the speaker is given as Bhishma. प्रहर for abhyasa kept as a variant (the page's own gloss mentions the reading अभ्यस).

Verse 44 (6.108.44)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा शिखण्डी क्रोधमूर्च्छितः । उवाच भीष्मं समरे सृक्विणी परिलेलिहन् ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā śikhaṇḍī krodhamūrcchitaḥ | uvāca bhīṣmaṃ samare sṛkviṇī parilelihan

Hearing those words of his, Shikhandi, beside himself with anger, licking the corners of his mouth, spoke to Bhishma in the battle:

Verse 45 (6.108.45)

जानामि त्वां महाबाहो क्षत्रियाणां भयंकरम् । मया श्रुतं च ते युद्धं जामदग्न्येन वै सह ॥

jānāmi tvāṃ mahābāho kṣatriyāṇāṃ bhayaṃkaram | mayā śrutaṃ ca te yuddhaṃ jāmadagnyena vai saha

I know you, mighty-armed one, as a terror to the kshatriyas; and I have heard of your battle with Jamadagni's son.

Note on the text: Shikhandi's speech (45–49), without a printed heading on the page; the speaker is given as Shikhandi. भयंकरम् for kṣayaṃkaram kept as a variant.

Verse 46 (6.108.46)

दिव्यश्च ते प्रभावोऽयं मया च बहुशः श्रुतः । जानन्नपि प्रभावं ते योत्स्येऽद्याहं त्वया सह ॥

divyaśca te prabhāvo'yaṃ mayā ca bahuśaḥ śrutaḥ | jānannapi prabhāvaṃ te yotsye'dyāhaṃ tvayā saha

I have often heard of this divine power of yours. Even knowing your power, I will fight you today.

Note on the text: Corrected जनन्नपि → जानन्नपि (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped vowel sign, critical edition jānann api).

Verse 47 (6.108.47)

पाण्डवानां प्रियं कुर्वन्नात्मनश्च नरोत्तम । अद्य त्वां योधयिष्यामि रणे पुरुषसत्तम ॥

pāṇḍavānāṃ priyaṃ kurvannātmanaśca narottama | adya tvāṃ yodhayiṣyāmi raṇe puruṣasattama

Doing what is dear to the Pandavas and to myself, best of men, I shall make you fight me in battle today, most excellent of men.

Verse 48 (6.108.48)

ध्रुवं च त्वां हनिष्यामि शपे सत्येन तेऽग्रतः । एतच्छ्रुत्वा च मद्वाक्यं यत्कृत्यं तत्समाचर ॥

dhruvaṃ ca tvāṃ haniṣyāmi śape satyena te'grataḥ | etacchrutvā ca madvākyaṃ yatkṛtyaṃ tatsamācara

And I will surely kill you; I swear it by the truth before you. Having heard these words of mine, do what you must.

Verse 49 (6.108.49)

कामं युध्यस्व वा मा वा न मे जीवन्प्रमोक्ष्यसे । सुदृष्टः क्रियतां भीष्म लोकोऽयं समितिंजय ॥

kāmaṃ yudhyasva vā mā vā na me jīvanpramokṣyase | sudṛṣṭaḥ kriyatāṃ bhīṣma loko'yaṃ samitiṃjaya

Fight or do not fight, as you please; you will not escape me alive. Take a good look at this world, Bhishma, conqueror in battle.

Verse 50 (6.108.50)

एवमुक्त्वा ततो भीष्मं पञ्चभिर्नतपर्वभिः । अविध्यत रणे भीष्मं प्रतुदन्वाक्यसायकैः ॥

evamuktvā tato bhīṣmaṃ pañcabhirnataparvabhiḥ | avidhyata raṇe bhīṣmaṃ pratudanvākyasāyakaiḥ

Having said this, he pierced Bhishma in the battle with five straight arrows, stinging him with the arrows of his words.

Verse 51 (6.108.51)

तस्य तद्वचनं श्रुत्वा सव्यसाची महारथः । कालोऽयमिति संचिन्त्य शिखण्डिनमचोदयत् ॥

tasya tadvacanaṃ śrutvā savyasācī mahārathaḥ | kālo'yamiti saṃcintya śikhaṇḍinamacodayat

Hearing his words, Savyasachin, the great chariot-warrior, thinking, "This is the time," urged Shikhandi on:

Verse 52 (6.108.52)

अहं त्वामनुयास्यामि परान्विद्रावयञ्शरैः । अभिद्रव सुसंरब्धो भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥

ahaṃ tvāmanuyāsyāmi parānvidrāvayañśaraiḥ | abhidrava susaṃrabdho bhīṣmaṃ bhīmaparākramam

I shall follow you, scattering the enemy with my arrows. Rush in fury upon Bhishma of terrible valour.

Note on the text: Arjuna's speech to Shikhandi (52–60), without a printed heading on the page; the speaker is given as Arjuna.

Verse 53 (6.108.53)

न हि ते संयुगे पीडां शक्ताः कर्तुं महाबलाः । तस्मादद्य महाबाहो यत्नाद्भीष्ममभिद्रव ॥

na hi te saṃyuge pīḍāṃ śaktāḥ kartuṃ mahābalāḥ | tasmādadya mahābāho yatnādbhīṣmamabhidrava

The mighty cannot do you harm in battle; so today, mighty-armed one, rush upon Bhishma with all your effort.

Note on the text: Corrected भीष्यम् → भीष्मम् (misprint in Wikisource; य for म, critical edition bhīṣmam). शक्ताः … महाबलाः (plural) for śaktaḥ … mahābalaḥ and यत्नाद् for vīra kept as variants.

Verse 54 (6.108.54)

अहत्वा समरे भीष्मं यदि यास्यसि मारिष । अवहास्योऽस्य लोकस्य भविष्यसि मया सह ॥

ahatvā samare bhīṣmaṃ yadi yāsyasi māriṣa | avahāsyo'sya lokasya bhaviṣyasi mayā saha

If you go back without slaying Bhishma in battle, good sir, you will be a laughing-stock to the world, and I along with you.

Note on the text: Corrected भीष्म → भीष्मं (misprint in Wikisource; a dropped anusvara turns the object of अहत्वा into a vocative, critical edition bhīṣmaṃ).

Verse 55 (6.108.55)

नावहास्या यथा वीर भवेम परमाहवे । तथा कुरु रणे यत्नं साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥

nāvahāsyā yathā vīra bhavema paramāhave | tathā kuru raṇe yatnaṃ sādhayasva pitāmaham

So that we may not be laughed at, hero, in this great battle, make every effort in the fight and bring down the grandsire.

Verse 56 (6.108.56)

कुरूंश्च सहितान्सर्वान्यतमानान्महारथान् । अहमावारयिष्यामि साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥

kurūṃśca sahitānsarvānyatamānānmahārathān | ahamāvārayiṣyāmi sādhayasva pitāmaham

I will hold back all the Kurus together, the great chariot-warriors who strive against us; bring down the grandsire.

Note on the text: Not in the critical edition (found in the vulgate recension). It stands where the critical edition has 6.104.54 (ahaṃ te rakṣaṇaṃ yuddhe kariṣyāmi paraṃtapa / vārayan rathinaḥ sarvān sādhayasva pitāmaham), which shares only the closing quarter. Corrected सावयस्व → साधयस्व (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध, as in the closing quarter of verses 55 and 60).

Verse 57 (6.108.57)

द्रोणं च द्रोणपुत्रं च कृपं चाथ सुयोधनम् । चित्रसेनं विकर्णं च सैन्धवं च जयद्रथम् ॥

droṇaṃ ca droṇaputraṃ ca kṛpaṃ cātha suyodhanam | citrasenaṃ vikarṇaṃ ca saindhavaṃ ca jayadratham

Drona and Drona's son, Kripa and Suyodhana, Chitrasena and Vikarna, and Jayadratha of Sindhu,

Note on the text: Corrected यजद्रथम् → जयद्रथम् (misprint in Wikisource; transposed aksharas, critical edition jayadratham).

Verse 58 (6.108.58)

विन्दानुविन्दावावन्त्यौ काम्भोजं च सुदक्षिणम् । भगदत्तं तथा शूरं मागधं च महाबलम् ॥

vindānuvindāvāvantyau kāmbhojaṃ ca sudakṣiṇam | bhagadattaṃ tathā śūraṃ māgadhaṃ ca mahābalam

Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, Sudakshina of Kamboja, the brave Bhagadatta and the mighty king of Magadha,

Note on the text: Corrected मागदं → मागधं (misprint in Wikisource; द for ध, critical edition māgadhaṃ). महाबलम् for mahāratham kept as a variant.

Verse 59 (6.108.59)

सौमदत्तिं तथा शूरमार्श्यशृङ्गिं च राक्षसम् । त्रिगर्तराजं च रणे सह सर्वैर्महारथैः ॥

saumadattiṃ tathā śūramārśyaśṛṅgiṃ ca rākṣasam | trigartarājaṃ ca raṇe saha sarvairmahārathaiḥ

the brave son of Somadatta, the rakshasa son of Rishyashringa (Alambusha), and the king of the Trigartas in battle together with all the great chariot-warriors,

Note on the text: The critical edition's 6.104.57ab and 57cd (तथा शूरम् for raṇe śūram, a variant); the alignment missed it because the critical edition's verse has a third line, which opens verse 60.

Verse 60 (6.108.60)

अहमावारयिष्यामि वेलेव मकरालयम् । कुरूंश्च सहितान्सर्वान्युध्यमानान्महाबलान् । निवारयिष्यामि रणे साधयस्व पितामहम् ॥

ahamāvārayiṣyāmi veleva makarālayam | kurūṃśca sahitānsarvānyudhyamānānmahābalān | nivārayiṣyāmi raṇe sādhayasva pitāmaham

all these I will hold back, as the shore holds back the ocean, home of sea-monsters. All the Kurus together, the mighty men who fight, I will hold back in battle; bring down the grandsire.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the critical edition's 6.104.57ef; lines 2–3 are its 6.104.58 (line 2, युध्यमानान्महाबलान्, differs from its ye caiṣāṃ sainikāḥ sthitāḥ; kept as a recension variant).