Arjuna Finishes the Samshaptakas; Krishna Shows the Battlefield

Verse 1 (8.55.1)

प्रत्येत्याथ पुनर्जिष्णुर्जित्वा संशप्तकान्बभौ । वक्रानुवक्रगमनादङ्गारक इव ग्रहः ॥

pratyetyātha punarjiṣṇurjitvā saṃśaptakānbabhau | vakrānuvakragamanādaṅgāraka iva grahaḥ

Having come back, Jishnu shone again after conquering the Samshaptakas, like the planet Angaraka (Mars) in its winding, retreating and returning course.

Verse 2 (8.55.2)

पार्थबाणहता राजन्नराश्वरथकुञ्जराः । विचेलुर्बभ्रमुर्नेशुः पेतुर्मम्लुश्च भारत ॥

pārthabāṇahatā rājannarāśvarathakuñjarāḥ | vicelurbabhramurneśuḥ peturmamluśca bhārata

O king, struck down by Partha's arrows, men, horses, chariots and elephants reeled, whirled about, perished, fell and withered away, O Bharata.

Verse 3 (8.55.3)

धुर्यान्धुर्येतरान्सूतान्ध्वजांश्चापासिसायकान् । पाणीन्पाणिगताञ्शस्त्रान्बाहूनपि शिरांसि च ॥

dhuryāndhuryetarānsūtāndhvajāṃścāpāsisāyakān | pāṇīnpāṇigatāñśastrānbāhūnapi śirāṃsi ca

The chief horses and the lesser ones, the charioteers, the banners, the bows, swords and arrows, the hands and the weapons held in them, the arms and the heads as well,

Note on the text: Corrected ध्वजांश्चपासिसायकान् → ध्वजांश्चापासिसायकान् (misprint in Wikisource; the long ā of चाप dropped, giving "banners, bows, swords and arrows"; the critical edition has a different line here). Line 1 is a variant of CE 8.14.3a (dhuryaṃ dhuryatarān sūtān rathāṃś ca parisaṃkṣipan); line 2 is 8.14.3c.

Verse 4 (8.55.4)

भल्लैः क्षुरैरर्धचन्द्रैर्वत्सदन्तैश्च पाण्डवः । चिच्छेदामित्रवीराणां समरे प्रतियुध्यताम् ॥

bhallaiḥ kṣurairardhacandrairvatsadantaiśca pāṇḍavaḥ | cicchedāmitravīrāṇāṃ samare pratiyudhyatām

with broad-headed arrows, razor-edged arrows, crescent-headed arrows and calf-tooth arrows, the son of Pandu cut away in battle from the enemy heroes who stood against him.

Verse 5 (8.55.5)

तं प्रवीरास्त्वदीयानां नर्दमानाऽभिदुद्रुवुः । वासितार्थे युयुत्सन्तो वृषभा वृषभं यथा । निपतन्त्यर्जुनं शूराः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

taṃ pravīrāstvadīyānāṃ nardamānā'bhidudruvuḥ | vāsitārthe yuyutsanto vṛṣabhā vṛṣabhaṃ yathā | nipatantyarjunaṃ śūrāḥ śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Roaring, your foremost warriors rushed at him, like bulls charging a bull in a quarrel over a cow in season; heroes fell upon Arjuna by hundreds and by thousands.

Note on the text: Three lines. Line 1 is the CE star line 8.14.4d*0102_01 (taṃ pravīrās tvadīyānāṃ nardamānābhidudruvuḥ), not in the constituted text; lines 2–3 are CE 8.14.5a and 8.14.5c (āpatanty arjunaṃ for Wikisource निपतन्त्यर्जुनं). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 6 (8.55.6)

तेषां तस्य च तद्युद्धमभवद्रोमहर्षणम् । त्रैलोक्यविजये यादृग्दैत्यानां सह वज्रिणा ॥

teṣāṃ tasya ca tadyuddhamabhavadromaharṣaṇam | trailokyavijaye yādṛgdaityānāṃ saha vajriṇā

A battle that made the hair stand on end arose between them and him, such as the Daityas fought with the wielder of the thunderbolt when they set out to conquer the three worlds.

Verse 7 (8.55.7)

तमविध्यत्त्रिभिर्बाणैर्दन्दशूकैरिवाहिभिः । उग्रायुधस्य तस्याशु शिरः कायादपाहरत् ॥

tamavidhyattribhirbāṇairdandaśūkairivāhibhiḥ | ugrāyudhasya tasyāśu śiraḥ kāyādapāharat

He pierced him with three arrows, like three biting snakes, and swiftly struck the head of Ugrayudha from his body.

Verse 8 (8.55.8)

तेऽर्जुनं सर्वतः क्रुद्धा नानाशस्त्रैरवीवृषन् । मरुद्भिः प्रेरिता मेघा हिमवन्तमिवोष्णगे ॥

te'rjunaṃ sarvataḥ kruddhā nānāśastrairavīvṛṣan | marudbhiḥ preritā meghā himavantamivoṣṇage

Furious, they showered Arjuna from every side with weapons of every kind, like clouds driven by the winds pouring on the Himalaya when the hot season is gone.

Verse 9 (8.55.9)

अस्त्रैरस्त्राणि संवार्य द्विषतां सर्वतोऽर्जुनः । सम्यगस्तैः शरैः सर्वानहितानहनद्बहून् ॥

astrairastrāṇi saṃvārya dviṣatāṃ sarvato'rjunaḥ | samyagastaiḥ śaraiḥ sarvānahitānahanadbahūn

Warding off the enemies' missiles with his own on every side, Arjuna killed many foes with arrows that were rightly shot.

Note on the text: Corrected अस्त्राणिं → अस्त्राणि (misprint in Wikisource; stray anusvara; the critical edition reads astrāṇi).

Verse 10 (8.55.10)

छिन्नत्रिवेणुजङ्घेषान्हताश्वान्हतसारथीन् । विस्रस्तहस्ततूणीरान्विचक्ररथकेतनान् ॥

chinnatriveṇujaṅgheṣānhatāśvānhatasārathīn | visrastahastatūṇīrānvicakrarathaketanān

With their three-fold frames, shanks and poles cut away, their horses and charioteers slain, the hands and quivers of their riders gone slack, their wheels gone and their banners ruined,

Note on the text: Corrected विचक्रथकेतनान् → विचक्ररथकेतनान् (misprint in Wikisource; the र of रथ dropped; CE vicakrarathaketanān). Line 1 is a variant of CE 8.14.10a (nihatapārṣṇisārathīn for हतसारथीन् etc.); line 2 is a variant of the CE star line 8.14.10b*0103_01 (vidhvastāyudhatūṇīrān for विस्रस्तहस्ततूणीरान्). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 11 (8.55.11)

सञ्छिन्नरश्मियोक्त्राक्षान्व्यनुकर्षयुगान्रथान् । विध्वस्तसर्वसन्नाहान्बाणैश्चक्रेऽर्जुनस्त्वरन् ॥

sañchinnaraśmiyoktrākṣānvyanukarṣayugānrathān | vidhvastasarvasannāhānbāṇaiścakre'rjunastvaran

with reins, traces and axles cut through, their under-timbers and yokes torn away, and all their armour shattered—such were the chariots Arjuna made of them with his arrows, working swiftly.

Note on the text: Lines are CE 8.14.10c and 8.14.10e (saṃchinnaraśmiyoktrākṣān vyanukarṣayugān rathān; vidhvastasarvasaṃnāhān bāṇaiś cakre ’rjunas tvaran). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 12 (8.55.12)

ते रथास्तत्र विध्वस्ताः परार्ध्या भान्त्यनेकशः । धनिनामिव वेश्मानि हतान्यग्न्यनिलाम्बुभिः ॥

te rathāstatra vidhvastāḥ parārdhyā bhāntyanekaśaḥ | dhanināmiva veśmāni hatānyagnyanilāmbubhiḥ

Those wrecked chariots, costly as they were, lay there in great numbers, like the houses of rich men destroyed by fire, wind and water.

Note on the text: Corrected परार्द्व्या → परार्ध्या (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for ध्य; CE parārdhyā).

Verse 13 (8.55.13)

द्विपाः सम्भिन्नमर्माणो वज्राशनिसमैः शरैः । पेतुर्गिर्यग्रवेश्मानि वज्रवाताग्निभिर्यथा ॥

dvipāḥ sambhinnamarmāṇo vajrāśanisamaiḥ śaraiḥ | peturgiryagraveśmāni vajravātāgnibhiryathā

Elephants with their vitals torn by arrows like thunderbolts and lightning fell, like mountain-top dwellings struck by thunderbolt, wind and fire.

Verse 14 (8.55.14)

अनेकैश्च शिलाधौतैर्वज्रानलविषोपमैः । शरैर्निजघ्निवान्पार्थो महेन्द्र इव दानवान् ॥

anekaiśca śilādhautairvajrānalaviṣopamaiḥ | śarairnijaghnivānpārtho mahendra iva dānavān

With many arrows sharpened on stone, like thunderbolt, fire and poison, Partha struck them down, as great Indra struck down the Danavas.

Note on the text: Aligns with CE 8.14.15 (aṇakaiś ca … for अनेकैश्च …); in Wikisource it comes before the verses that match CE 8.14.13–14 (verses 15–16 here).

Verse 15 (8.55.15)

सारोहास्तुरगाः पेतुर्बहवोऽर्जुनताडिताः । निर्जिह्वान्त्राः क्षितौ क्षीणा रुधिरार्द्राः सुदुर्दृशः ॥

sārohāsturagāḥ peturbahavo'rjunatāḍitāḥ | nirjihvāntrāḥ kṣitau kṣīṇā rudhirārdrāḥ sudurdṛśaḥ

Many horses with their riders fell, struck by Arjuna, with tongues and entrails hanging out, spent on the ground, drenched in blood, dreadful to look at.

Verse 16 (8.55.16)

नराश्वनागा नाराचैः संस्यूताः सव्यसाचिना । बभ्रमुश्चस्खलुः पेतुर्नेदुर्मम्लुश्च मारिष ॥

narāśvanāgā nārācaiḥ saṃsyūtāḥ savyasācinā | babhramuścaskhaluḥ peturnedurmamluśca māriṣa

Men, horses and elephants, pinned together by Savyasachin's iron arrows, whirled around, staggered, fell, cried out and withered, my lord.

Verse 17 (8.55.17)

महार्हवर्माभरणा नानारूपाम्बरायुधाः । सरथाश्वद्विपा वीरा हताः पार्थेन शेरते ॥

mahārhavarmābharaṇā nānārūpāmbarāyudhāḥ | sarathāśvadvipā vīrā hatāḥ pārthena śerate

Heroes in costly armour and ornaments, in garments and weapons of many kinds, slain by Partha, lie there together with their chariots, horses and elephants.

Verse 18 (8.55.18)

निर्भयाः पुण्यकर्माणो विशिष्टाभिजनश्रुताः । गताः शरीरैर्वसुधामूर्जितैः कर्मभिर्दिवम् ॥

nirbhayāḥ puṇyakarmāṇo viśiṣṭābhijanaśrutāḥ | gatāḥ śarīrairvasudhāmūrjitaiḥ karmabhirdivam

Fearless, doers of meritorious deeds, of distinguished birth and learning, they have left their bodies on the earth and gone to heaven by their mighty deeds.

Verse 19 (8.55.19)

अथार्जुनरथं वीरास्त्वदीयाः समभिद्रवन् । नानाजनपदाध्यक्षाः सगणा जातमन्यवः ॥

athārjunarathaṃ vīrāstvadīyāḥ samabhidravan | nānājanapadādhyakṣāḥ sagaṇā jātamanyavaḥ

Then your heroes rushed at Arjuna's chariot—chiefs of many realms, with their troops, their anger roused,

Verse 20 (8.55.20)

उह्यमाना रथाश्वेभैः पत्तयश्च जिघांसवः । समभ्यधावन्नस्यन्तो विविधं क्षिप्रमायुधम् ॥

uhyamānā rathāśvebhaiḥ pattayaśca jighāṃsavaḥ | samabhyadhāvannasyanto vividhaṃ kṣipramāyudham

borne by chariots, horses and elephants, and foot-soldiers eager to kill; they ran at him, hurling weapons of every kind in swift succession.

Note on the text: Corrected उह्यमना → उह्यमाना (misprint in Wikisource; the long ā dropped; CE uhyamānā).

Verse 21 (8.55.21)

तदायुधमहावर्षं क्षिप्तं योधमहाम्बुदैः । व्यधमन्निशितैर्बाणैः क्षिप्रमर्जुनमारुतः ॥

tadāyudhamahāvarṣaṃ kṣiptaṃ yodhamahāmbudaiḥ | vyadhamanniśitairbāṇaiḥ kṣipramarjunamārutaḥ

That great rain of weapons, hurled by the warriors like great clouds, Arjuna, like the wind, quickly scattered with his sharp arrows.

Verse 22 (8.55.22)

साश्वपत्तिद्विपरथं महाशस्त्रौघसम्प्लवम् । सहसा सन्तितीर्षन्तं पार्थं शस्त्रास्त्रसेतुना ॥

sāśvapattidviparathaṃ mahāśastraughasamplavam | sahasā santitīrṣantaṃ pārthaṃ śastrāstrasetunā

As Partha was suddenly trying to cross that flood of mighty weapons, with its horses, foot-soldiers, elephants and chariots, by a bridge of his own weapons and missiles,

Verse 23 (8.55.23)

अथाब्रवीद्वासुदेवः पार्थ किं क्रीडसेऽनघ । संशप्तकान्प्रमथ्यैनांस्ततः कर्णवधे त्वर ॥

athābravīdvāsudevaḥ pārtha kiṃ krīḍase'nagha | saṃśaptakānpramathyaināṃstataḥ karṇavadhe tvara

Vasudeva then said: "Partha, blameless one, why are you playing? Crush these Samshaptakas, and then hasten to the slaying of Karna."

Verse 24 (8.55.24)

तथेत्युक्त्वाऽर्जुनः कृष्णं शिष्टान्संशप्तकांस्तदा । क्षपयिष्यंस्तदा बाणैर्दैत्यानिन्द्र इवावधीत् ॥

tathetyuktvā'rjunaḥ kṛṣṇaṃ śiṣṭānsaṃśaptakāṃstadā | kṣapayiṣyaṃstadā bāṇairdaityānindra ivāvadhīt

Saying "So be it" to Krishna, Arjuna then destroyed the remaining Samshaptakas with his arrows, as Indra struck down the Daityas, wishing to finish them off.

Verse 25 (8.55.25)

आददत्सन्दधन्नेषून्दृष्टः कैश्चिद्रणेऽर्जुनः । विमुञ्चन्वा शराञ्शीघ्रं दृश्यन्ते वै नरा हताः ॥

ādadatsandadhanneṣūndṛṣṭaḥ kaiścidraṇe'rjunaḥ | vimuñcanvā śarāñśīghraṃ dṛśyante vai narā hatāḥ

Some saw Arjuna in the battle as he took up, fitted or swiftly loosed his arrows; after that, only men lying slain were to be seen.

Note on the text: Corrected नेषृन् → नेषून् (misprint in Wikisource; ऋ for ऊ in सन्दधन् + इषून्; CE neṣūn).

Verse 26 (8.55.26)

आश्चर्यमिति गोविन्दो ब्रुवन्नश्वानचोदयत् । हंसांशुगौरास्ते सेनां हंसाः सर इवाविशन् ॥

āścaryamiti govindo bruvannaśvānacodayat | haṃsāṃśugaurāste senāṃ haṃsāḥ sara ivāviśan

"Wonderful!" said Govinda, and urged on the horses; white as swan-rays, they entered the army as swans enter a lake.

Verse 27 (8.55.27)

ततः सङ्ग्रामभूमिं तां वर्तमाने जनक्षये । अवेक्षमाणो गोविन्दः सव्यसाचिनमब्रवीत् ॥

tataḥ saṅgrāmabhūmiṃ tāṃ vartamāne janakṣaye | avekṣamāṇo govindaḥ savyasācinamabravīt

Then, while the slaughter went on, Govinda, surveying that field of battle, spoke to Savyasachin.

Verse 28 (8.55.28)

एष पार्थ महारौद्रो वर्तते भरतक्षयः । पृथिव्यां पार्थिवानां वै दुर्योधनकृते महान् ॥

eṣa pārtha mahāraudro vartate bharatakṣayaḥ | pṛthivyāṃ pārthivānāṃ vai duryodhanakṛte mahān

Partha, this terrible destruction of the Bharatas is going on—this great destruction of the kings of the earth, brought about for Duryodhana's sake.

Note on the text: Speaker: Krishna's speech to Arjuna (introduced by verse 27), unheaded on the page and running to verse 57; the input had Sanjaya for all of verses 28–57.

Verse 29 (8.55.29)

पश्य भारत चापानि रुक्मपृष्ठानि धन्विनाम् । हतानामपविद्धानि कलापानिषुधींस्तथा ॥

paśya bhārata cāpāni rukmapṛṣṭhāni dhanvinām | hatānāmapaviddhāni kalāpāniṣudhīṃstathā

Look, Bharata, at the gold-backed bows of the archers, cast aside by the slain, and at their arrow-cases and quivers.

Verse 30 (8.55.30)

जातरूपमयैः पुङ्खैः शरांश्च नतपर्वणः । तैलधौतांश्च नाराचान्निर्मुक्तानिव पन्नगान् ॥

jātarūpamayaiḥ puṅkhaiḥ śarāṃśca nataparvaṇaḥ | tailadhautāṃśca nārācānnirmuktāniva pannagān

Look at the arrows with golden shafts and bent joints, and the iron arrows washed in oil, like snakes that have cast their skins.

Verse 31 (8.55.31)

आकीर्णांस्तोमरान्वाहांश्छत्रान्हेमविभूषितान् । चर्माणि चापविद्धानि रुक्मपृष्ठानि भारत ॥

ākīrṇāṃstomarānvāhāṃśchatrānhemavibhūṣitān | carmāṇi cāpaviddhāni rukmapṛṣṭhāni bhārata

Look at the spears strewn about, the mounts, the gold-adorned parasols, and the shields flung away with their gold backs, Bharata.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.14.30c (ākīrṇāṃs tomarāṃś cāpāṃś citrān hemavibhūṣitān, with variants); line 2 is CE 8.14.31a (varmāṇi cāpaviddhāni rukmapṛṣṭhāni bhārata). CE 8.14.30ab (hastidantatsarūn khaḍgāñ jātarūpapariṣkṛtān) and the star line 8.14.30d*0106_01 are not in Wikisource.

Verse 32 (8.55.32)

सुवर्णविकृतान्प्रासाञ्शक्तीः कनकभूषिताः । जाम्बूनदमयैः पट्टैर्बद्धाश्च विपुला गदाः ॥

suvarṇavikṛtānprāsāñśaktīḥ kanakabhūṣitāḥ | jāmbūnadamayaiḥ paṭṭairbaddhāśca vipulā gadāḥ

Look at the gold-wrought lances, the spears adorned with gold, and the great maces bound with bands of Jambunada gold,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.14.31c (suvarṇavikṛtān prāsāñ śaktīḥ kanakabhūṣitāḥ); line 2 is CE 8.14.32a.

Verse 33 (8.55.33)

जातरूपमयीश्चर्ष्टीः पट्टसान्हेमभूषितान् । दण्डैः कनकचित्रैश्च विप्रविद्धान्परश्वथान् ॥

jātarūpamayīścarṣṭīḥ paṭṭasānhemabhūṣitān | daṇḍaiḥ kanakacitraiśca vipraviddhānparaśvathān

the golden swords, the gold-adorned battle-axes, and the axes thrown aside with their gold-bright handles,

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.14.32c (paṭṭiśān for पट्टसान्); line 2 is CE 8.14.33a.

Verse 34 (8.55.34)

परिघान्भिण्डिपालांश्च भुशुण्डीः कणपानपि । अयस्कुन्तांश्च पतितान्मुसलानि गुरूणि च ॥

parighānbhiṇḍipālāṃśca bhuśuṇḍīḥ kaṇapānapi | ayaskuntāṃśca patitānmusalāni gurūṇi ca

the clubs, bhindipalas, bhushundis and kanapas, the iron-tipped lances fallen down, and the heavy pestles.

Note on the text: Line 1 is the CE star line 8.14.33b*0107_01 (parighān bhiṇḍipālāṃś ca bhuśuṇḍīḥ kuṇapān api); line 2 is CE 8.14.33c (ayaskuśāntān for अयस्कुन्तांश्च). CE 8.14.34 (śataghnīḥ paśya citrāś ca …) is not in Wikisource.

Verse 35 (8.55.35)

नानाविधानि शस्त्राणि प्रगृह्य जयगृद्धिनः । जीवन्त इव दृश्यन्ते गतसत्वास्तरस्विनः ॥

nānāvidhāni śastrāṇi pragṛhya jayagṛddhinaḥ | jīvanta iva dṛśyante gatasatvāstarasvinaḥ

Having gripped weapons of every kind, eager for victory, those mighty men, though their life is gone, look as if they were still alive.

Verse 36 (8.55.36)

गदाविमथितैर्गात्रैर्मुसलैर्भिन्नमस्तकान् । गजवाजिरथैः क्षुण्णान्पश्य योधान्सहस्रशः ॥

gadāvimathitairgātrairmusalairbhinnamastakān | gajavājirathaiḥ kṣuṇṇānpaśya yodhānsahasraśaḥ

See thousands of warriors with limbs crushed by maces and heads split by pestles, trampled by elephants, horses and chariots.

Verse 37 (8.55.37)

मनुष्यगजवाजीनां शरशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः । निस्त्रिंशैः पट्टसैः प्रासैर्नखरैर्लगुडैरपि ॥

manuṣyagajavājīnāṃ śaraśaktyṛṣṭitomaraiḥ | nistriṃśaiḥ paṭṭasaiḥ prāsairnakharairlaguḍairapi

Of men, elephants and horses, struck down by arrows, spears, rishtis and tomaras, by swords, pattisas, lances, claw-weapons and clubs,

Verse 38 (8.55.38)

शरीरैर्बहुघा छिन्नैः शोणितौघपरिप्लुतैः । गतासुभिरमित्रघ्न संवृता रणभूमयः ॥

śarīrairbahughā chinnaiḥ śoṇitaughapariplutaiḥ | gatāsubhiramitraghna saṃvṛtā raṇabhūmayaḥ

with their bodies hacked to pieces in many ways and steeped in floods of blood, the lifeless have covered the battlefields, O destroyer of foes.

Verse 39 (8.55.39)

बाहुभिश्चन्दनादिग्धैः साङ्गदैः शुभभूषणैः । सतलत्रैः सकेयूरैर्भाति भारत मेदिनी ॥

bāhubhiścandanādigdhaiḥ sāṅgadaiḥ śubhabhūṣaṇaiḥ | satalatraiḥ sakeyūrairbhāti bhārata medinī

The earth shines, Bharata, with arms smeared with sandal-paste, with armlets and splendid ornaments, with arm-guards and bracelets,

Verse 40 (8.55.40)

साङ्गुलित्रैर्भुजाग्रैश्च विप्रविद्धैरलङ्कृतैः । हस्तिहस्तोपमैश्छिन्नैरूरुभिश्च तरस्विनाम् ॥

sāṅgulitrairbhujāgraiśca vipraviddhairalaṅkṛtaiḥ | hastihastopamaiśchinnairūrubhiśca tarasvinām

with hands wearing finger-guards, flung about and adorned, and with the severed thighs of the mighty, like elephants' trunks,

Note on the text: Corrected विप्रविद्वैरलङ्कृतैः → विप्रविद्धैरलङ्कृतैः (misprint in Wikisource; व for ध; CE vipraviddhaiḥ).

Verse 41 (8.55.41)

बद्धचूडामणिवरैः शिरोभिश्च सकुण्डलैः । निकृत्तैर्वृषभाक्षाणां शरीरैश्चापि सङ्घशः ॥

baddhacūḍāmaṇivaraiḥ śirobhiśca sakuṇḍalaiḥ | nikṛttairvṛṣabhākṣāṇāṃ śarīraiścāpi saṅghaśaḥ

with heads wearing fine crest-jewels and earrings, and with the bodies, cut down in heaps, of the bull-eyed warriors.

Note on the text: Removed the stray backtick that opens line 2 (the page opens a bracketed passage with it and closes it at the end of verse 42). Line 1 is CE 8.14.41a; line 2 is a different ending from CE 8.14.41c (nikṛttair vṛṣabhākṣāṇāṃ virājati vasuṃdharā).

Verse 42 (8.55.42)

गजवाजिमनुष्याणां शरशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः । कबन्धैः शोणितादिग्धैश्छिन्नगात्रशिरोधरैः । भूर्भाति भरतश्रेष्ठ शान्ताग्निभिरिवाध्वरे ॥

gajavājimanuṣyāṇāṃ śaraśaktyṛṣṭitomaraiḥ | kabandhaiḥ śoṇitādigdhaiśchinnagātraśirodharaiḥ | bhūrbhāti bharataśreṣṭha śāntāgnibhirivādhvare

With the headless trunks of elephants, horses and men, struck down by arrows, spears, rishtis and tomaras, smeared with blood, their limbs and necks cut away, the earth shines, best of the Bharatas, like fires at a sacrifice when they have died down.

Note on the text: Removed the stray quote mark at the end (closing the passage opened by the backtick in verse 41). Three lines: line 1 (गजवाजिमनुष्याणां शरशक्त्यृष्टितोमरैः) is not in the critical edition at this place — it echoes 8.14.37a; lines 2–3 are CE 8.14.42a and 42c (śāntārcirbhir ivāgnibhiḥ for शान्ताग्निभिरिवाध्वरे). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 43 (8.55.43)

रथांश्च बहुधा भग्नान्हेमकिङ्किणिनः शुभान् । अश्वांश्च बहुधा पश्य शोणितेन परिप्लुतान् ॥

rathāṃśca bahudhā bhagnānhemakiṅkiṇinaḥ śubhān | aśvāṃśca bahudhā paśya śoṇitena pariplutān

See the chariots broken in many ways, the fine ones with golden bells, and the horses, too, in many a state, drenched with blood.

Note on the text: Corrected बुहधा → बहुधा (misprint in Wikisource; transposed letters; CE bahudhā).

Verse 44 (8.55.44)

अनुकर्षानुपासङ्गान्पताका विविधान्ध्वजान् । योधानां च महाशङ्खान्पाण्डुरांश्च प्रकीर्णकान् । निरस्तजिह्वान्मातङ्गाञ्शयानान्पर्वतोपमान् ॥

anukarṣānupāsaṅgānpatākā vividhāndhvajān | yodhānāṃ ca mahāśaṅkhānpāṇḍurāṃśca prakīrṇakān | nirastajihvānmātaṅgāñśayānānparvatopamān

See the under-timbers of the chariots and the quiver-straps, the pennants and standards of many kinds, the great conches of the warriors and the pale whisks scattered about, and the elephants, tongues hanging out, lying like mountains.

Note on the text: Three lines. Line 1 is the CE star line 8.14.43d*0108_01 (anukarṣān upāsaṅgān patākā vividhān dhvajān); lines 2–3 are CE 8.14.44a and 44c (suyuktāmbarakambalān aside). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 45 (8.55.45)

वैजयन्तीर्विचित्राश्च हतांश्च गजयोधिनः । वारणानां परिस्तोमान्संयुक्तानेककम्बलान् ॥

vaijayantīrvicitrāśca hatāṃśca gajayodhinaḥ | vāraṇānāṃ paristomānsaṃyuktānekakambalān

See the many-coloured victory-banners, the slain elephant-warriors, and the coverings of the elephants, made of many blankets joined together.

Verse 46 (8.55.46)

विपाटितविचित्राश्च रूपचित्राः कुथास्तथा । भिन्नाश्च बहुधा घण्टाः पतद्भिश्चूर्णिता गजैः ॥

vipāṭitavicitrāśca rūpacitrāḥ kuthāstathā | bhinnāśca bahudhā ghaṇṭāḥ patadbhiścūrṇitā gajaiḥ

See the torn and many-hued housings, wrought with figures, and the bells shattered in many ways, crushed by the falling elephants.

Verse 47 (8.55.47)

वैदूर्यमणिदण्डांश्च पतितांश्चाङ्कुशान्भुवि । अश्वानां च युगापीडान्रत्नचित्रानुरश्छदान् ॥

vaidūryamaṇidaṇḍāṃśca patitāṃścāṅkuśānbhuvi | aśvānāṃ ca yugāpīḍānratnacitrānuraśchadān

See the beryl-and-jewel goads fallen on the ground, the horses' yoke-cushions, and the jewel-bright breast-plates.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.14.47a; line 2 is the CE star line 8.14.47b*0109_01 (aśvānāṃ ca yugāpīḍān ratnacitrān uraśchadān). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 48 (8.55.48)

विद्धाः सादिध्वजाग्रेषु सुवर्णविकृताः कुथाः । विचित्रान्मणिचित्रांश्च जातरूपपरिष्कृतान् ॥

viddhāḥ sādidhvajāgreṣu suvarṇavikṛtāḥ kuthāḥ | vicitrānmaṇicitrāṃśca jātarūpapariṣkṛtān

See the gold-worked cloths hanging, pierced, from the tips of the horsemen's banners, and the varied, gem-studded, gold-adorned

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of CE 8.14.47c (baddhāḥ sādidhvajāgreṣu suvarṇavikṛtāḥ kaśāḥ; Wikisource has विद्धाः … कुथाः); line 2 is CE 8.14.48a.

Verse 49 (8.55.49)

अश्वास्तरपरिस्तोमान्राङ्कवान्पतितान्भुवि । चूडामणीन्नरेन्द्राणां विचित्राः काञ्चनस्रजः । छत्राणि चापविद्धानि चामरव्यजनानि च ॥

aśvāstaraparistomānrāṅkavānpatitānbhuvi | cūḍāmaṇīnnarendrāṇāṃ vicitrāḥ kāñcanasrajaḥ | chatrāṇi cāpaviddhāni cāmaravyajanāni ca

horse-rugs and Ranku-hide covers fallen to the ground, the crest-jewels of kings, the wonderful golden garlands, and the parasols and yak-tail fans flung aside.

Note on the text: Line 1 is CE 8.14.48c; line 2 is CE 8.14.49a; line 3 is CE 8.14.49c.

Verse 50 (8.55.50)

चन्द्रनक्षत्रभासैश्च वदनैश्चारुकुण्डलैः । क्लृप्तश्मश्रुभिरत्यर्थं वीराणां समलङ्कृतैः । वदनैः पश्य सञ्छन्नां महीं शोणितकर्दमाम् ॥

candranakṣatrabhāsaiśca vadanaiścārukuṇḍalaiḥ | klṛptaśmaśrubhiratyarthaṃ vīrāṇāṃ samalaṅkṛtaiḥ | vadanaiḥ paśya sañchannāṃ mahīṃ śoṇitakardamām

Look at the earth, covered with the faces of heroes—faces bright as the moon and stars, with lovely earrings, with beards well trimmed and finely adorned—and turned into a mire of blood.

Verse 51 (8.55.51)

सजीवांश्च नरान्पश्य कूजमानान्समन्ततः । उपास्यमानांश्च बहून्न्यस्तशस्त्रैश्च भूपते । ज्ञातिभिश्च जलक्लिन्नान्रोदमानैर्मुहुर्मुहुः ॥

sajīvāṃśca narānpaśya kūjamānānsamantataḥ | upāsyamānāṃśca bahūnnyastaśastraiśca bhūpate | jñātibhiśca jalaklinnānrodamānairmuhurmuhuḥ

See the men who are still alive, crying out on every side, attended by many who have laid down their weapons, O lord of men, and wet with water brought by their kinsmen, who weep again and again.

Note on the text: Lines are CE 8.14.51a, 8.14.51c (with variants) and 8.14.52a (jñātibhiḥ sahitais tatra rodamānair muhur muhuḥ, with variants). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 52 (8.55.52)

उत्क्रान्तानपरान्योधाञ्छादयित्वा तरस्विनः । पुनर्युद्धाय गच्छन्ति जये लुब्धाः प्रमन्यवः ॥

utkrāntānaparānyodhāñchādayitvā tarasvinaḥ | punaryuddhāya gacchanti jaye lubdhāḥ pramanyavaḥ

Having covered over the other warriors who have departed this life, the mighty go back into the fight, greedy for victory and furious.

Note on the text: Lines are CE 8.14.52c and 8.14.52e (punar yuddhāya gacchanti jayagṛddhāḥ pramanyavaḥ). The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 53 (8.55.53)

अपरे तत्रतत्रैव परिधावन्ति मानवाः । सन्निवृत्ताश्च ते शूरा दृष्टा चैतान्विचेतसः ॥

apare tatratatraiva paridhāvanti mānavāḥ | sannivṛttāśca te śūrā dṛṣṭā caitānvicetasaḥ

Others run about here and there; and those heroes who had turned back are bewildered when they see them.

Note on the text: Line 1 is a variant of CE 8.14.53a (apare tatra tatraiva paridhāvanti māninaḥ); line 2 corresponds to CE 8.14.54c (saṃnivṛttāś ca te śūrās tān dṛṣṭvaiva vicetasaḥ). CE 8.14.53c–54a is not in Wikisource. The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 54 (8.55.54)

जलं त्यक्त्वा प्रधावन्ति क्रोशमानाः परस्परम् । जलं पीत्वा मृतान्पश्य पिबतोऽन्यांश्च भारत ॥

jalaṃ tyaktvā pradhāvanti krośamānāḥ parasparam | jalaṃ pītvā mṛtānpaśya pibato'nyāṃśca bhārata

Some leave the water and rush off, calling out to one another; see those who have died after drinking water, and others as they are drinking, Bharata.

Verse 55 (8.55.55)

परिष्वज्य प्रियानन्ये बान्धवान्बन्धुवत्सलाः । विसंज्ञान्समरे योधांस्तत्रतत्र महारणे ॥

pariṣvajya priyānanye bāndhavānbandhuvatsalāḥ | visaṃjñānsamare yodhāṃstatratatra mahāraṇe

Others, loving their kin, embrace their dear relatives, who lie senseless in the great battle here and there.

Note on the text: A variant of CE 8.14.56 (parityajya priyān anye bāndhavān bāndhavapriya; vyutkrāntāḥ samadṛśyanta tatra tatra mahāraṇe); line 2 differs in wording. The automatic alignment found no match.

Verse 56 (8.55.56)

पश्यापरान्नरश्रेष्ठ सन्दष्टोष्ठपुटान्पुनः । भृकुटीकुटिलैर्वक्त्रैः प्रेक्षमाणान्महारणम् ॥

paśyāparānnaraśreṣṭha sandaṣṭoṣṭhapuṭānpunaḥ | bhṛkuṭīkuṭilairvaktraiḥ prekṣamāṇānmahāraṇam

Look at still others, best of men, with their lips clenched between their teeth and faces twisted with knitted brows, gazing at the great battlefield.

Verse 57 (8.55.57)

एतत्तवैवानुरूपं कर्मार्जुन महाहवे । दिवि वा देवराजस्य त्वया यत्कृतमाहवे ॥

etattavaivānurūpaṃ karmārjuna mahāhave | divi vā devarājasya tvayā yatkṛtamāhave

This deed in the great battle, Arjuna, is worthy of you alone—what you did in battle in heaven for the king of the gods.

Verse 58 (8.55.58)

एवं तां दर्शयन्कृष्णो युद्धभूमिं किरीटिने । गच्छन्नेवाशृणोच्छब्दं दुर्योधनबले महत् ॥

evaṃ tāṃ darśayankṛṣṇo yuddhabhūmiṃ kirīṭine | gacchannevāśṛṇocchabdaṃ duryodhanabale mahat

Thus showing that battlefield to Kiritin, Krishna drove on, and as he went he heard a great clamour in Duryodhana's army,

Note on the text: Speaker: Sanjaya resumes as narrator (the page repeats the heading सञ्जय उवाच here, 8-55-58x).

Verse 59 (8.55.59)

शङ्खदुन्दुभिनिर्घोषं भेरीपणवनिःस्वनम् । रथाश्वनरनागानां पादशब्दांश्च दारुणान् ॥

śaṅkhadundubhinirghoṣaṃ bherīpaṇavaniḥsvanam | rathāśvanaranāgānāṃ pādaśabdāṃśca dāruṇān

the din of conches and kettledrums, the sound of bheris and tabors, and the dreadful tramping of chariots, horses, men and elephants.

Verse 60 (8.55.60)

प्रविश्य तद्बलं कृष्णस्तुरगैर्वातवेगितैः । पाण्ड्येनाभ्यर्दितं सैन्यं त्वदीयं वीक्ष्य विस्मितः ॥

praviśya tadbalaṃ kṛṣṇasturagairvātavegitaiḥ | pāṇḍyenābhyarditaṃ sainyaṃ tvadīyaṃ vīkṣya vismitaḥ

Entering that host with horses swift as the wind, Krishna saw your army hard pressed by the Pandya, and was astonished.

Verse 61 (8.55.61)

स हि नानाविधैर्बाणैरिष्वस्त्रप्रवरो युधि । न्यहनद्द्विषतां पूगान्गतासूनन्तको यथा ॥

sa hi nānāvidhairbāṇairiṣvastrapravaro yudhi | nyahanaddviṣatāṃ pūgāngatāsūnantako yathā

For that foremost wielder of bow and missiles, with arrows of many kinds, was striking down throngs of the enemy in battle, leaving them lifeless as Death himself would.

Verse 62 (8.55.62)

गजवाजिमनुष्याणां शरीराणि शितैः शरैः । भित्त्वा प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठो विदेहासूनपातयत् ॥

gajavājimanuṣyāṇāṃ śarīrāṇi śitaiḥ śaraiḥ | bhittvā praharatāṃ śreṣṭho videhāsūnapātayat

Best of fighters, he pierced the bodies of elephants, horses and men with sharp arrows and robbed them of body and breath.

Verse 63 (8.55.63)

शत्रुप्रवीरैरस्त्राणि नानाशस्त्राणि सायकैः । छित्त्वा तानवधीच्छत्रून्पाण्ड्यः शक्र इवासुरान् ॥

śatrupravīrairastrāṇi nānāśastrāṇi sāyakaiḥ | chittvā tānavadhīcchatrūnpāṇḍyaḥ śakra ivāsurān

Cutting down with his arrows the weapons and missiles of the foremost enemy heroes, the Pandya struck those foes dead, as Shakra struck the asuras.