Shakuni's Horse Charge and the Slaughter of the Cavalry

Verse 1 (9.22.1)

वर्तमाने तदा युद्धे घोररूपे भयानके । अभज्यत बलं तत्र तव पुत्रस्य पाण्डवैः ॥

vartamāne tadā yuddhe ghorarūpe bhayānake | abhajyata balaṃ tatra tava putrasya pāṇḍavaiḥ

While the battle was thus raging, terrible and fearsome, your son's army was broken there by the Pandavas.

Verse 2 (9.22.2)

तांस्तु सर्वान्यत्नेन सन्निवार्य महारथाः । पुत्रास्ते योधयामासुः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् ॥

tāṃstu sarvānyatnena sannivārya mahārathāḥ | putrāste yodhayāmāsuḥ pāṇḍavānāmanīkinīm

But your sons, the great chariot-warriors, having restrained them all with great effort, fought the Pandava army.

Note on the text: Corrected सर्वानयन्तेन → सर्वान्यत्नेन (misprint in Wikisource; न्त for त्न and a stray अ; the evident word is यत्नेन, and the critical edition reads yatnena). The page's first line differs from CE 9.22.2 (tāṃs tu yatnena mahatā saṃnivārya mahārathān; putras te yodhayām āsa): a recension variant, kept.

Verse 3 (9.22.3)

निवृत्ताः सहसा योधास्तव पुत्रजयैषिणः । सन्निवृत्तेषु तेष्वेवं युद्धमासीत्सुदारुणम् । तावकानां परेषां च देवासुररणोपमम् ॥

nivṛttāḥ sahasā yodhāstava putrajayaiṣiṇaḥ | sannivṛtteṣu teṣvevaṃ yuddhamāsītsudāruṇam | tāvakānāṃ pareṣāṃ ca devāsuraraṇopamam

The warriors, who wished for your son's victory, suddenly turned back; and when they had rallied, a most dreadful battle took place, between your men and the enemy, like the war of the gods and the asuras.

Note on the text: Corrected जयैपिणः → जयैषिणः (misprint in Wikisource; प for ष). Corrected देवासुररणोपभम् → देवासुररणोपमम् (misprint in Wikisource; भ for म; the critical edition reads devāsuraraṇopamam). Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.3a, 3c and 4a (the page reads पुत्रजयैषिणः for CE putrapriyaiṣiṇaḥ, a variant).

Verse 4 (9.22.4)

परेषां तावकानां च नासीत्कश्चित्पराङ्मुखः ॥

pareṣāṃ tāvakānāṃ ca nāsītkaścitparāṅmukhaḥ

Among the enemy's men and among yours, not one turned his face away.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; a recension variant of CE 9.22.4c (pareṣāṃ tava sainye ca nāsīt kaś cit parāṅmukhaḥ). CE verse 4 begins with the line the page puts at the end of its verse 3.

Verse 5 (9.22.5)

अनुमानेन युध्यन्ते सञ्ज्ञाभिश्च परस्परम् । तेषां क्षयो महानासीद्युध्यतामितरेतरम् ॥

anumānena yudhyante sañjñābhiśca parasparam | teṣāṃ kṣayo mahānāsīdyudhyatāmitaretaram

They fought by guesswork and by signals with one another; great was the slaughter of them as they fought each other.

Verse 6 (9.22.6)

ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा क्रोधेन महता युतः । जिगीषमाणः सङ्ग्रामे धार्तराष्ट्रान्सराजकान् ॥

tato yudhiṣṭhiro rājā krodhena mahatā yutaḥ | jigīṣamāṇaḥ saṅgrāme dhārtarāṣṭrānsarājakān

Then King Yudhishthira, filled with great anger, desiring victory over the sons of Dhritarashtra and their kings in the battle,

Verse 7 (9.22.7)

त्रिभिः शारद्वतं विद्ध्वा रुक्मपुङ्खैः शिलाशितैः । चतुर्भिर्निजघानाश्वान्कल्याणान्कृतवर्मणः ॥

tribhiḥ śāradvataṃ viddhvā rukmapuṅkhaiḥ śilāśitaiḥ | caturbhirnijaghānāśvānkalyāṇānkṛtavarmaṇaḥ

pierced Sharadvata (Kripa) with three gold-feathered arrows whetted on stone, and with four killed the fine horses of Kritavarma.

Note on the text: Corrected विद्व्वा → विद्ध्वा (misprint in Wikisource; broken conjunct; the critical edition reads viddhvā).

Verse 8 (9.22.8)

अश्वत्थामा तु हार्दिक्यमपोवाह यशस्विनम् । अथ शारद्वतोऽष्टाभिः प्रत्यविध्यद्युधिष्ठिरम् ॥

aśvatthāmā tu hārdikyamapovāha yaśasvinam | atha śāradvato'ṣṭābhiḥ pratyavidhyadyudhiṣṭhiram

But Ashvatthama carried the glorious son of Hridika (Kritavarma) away; and Sharadvata then pierced Yudhishthira with eight arrows in return.

Verse 9 (9.22.9)

ततो दुर्योधनो राजा रथान्सप्तशतान्रणे । प्रैषयद्यत्र राजाऽसौ धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥

tato duryodhano rājā rathānsaptaśatānraṇe | praiṣayadyatra rājā'sau dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

Then King Duryodhana sent seven hundred chariots into the battle, to where King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, was.

Verse 10 (9.22.10)

ते रथा रथिभिर्युक्ता मनोमारुतरंहसः । अभ्यद्रवन्त सङ्ग्रामे कौन्तेयस्य रथं प्रति ॥

te rathā rathibhiryuktā manomārutaraṃhasaḥ | abhyadravanta saṅgrāme kaunteyasya rathaṃ prati

Those chariots, manned by chariot-warriors and swift as mind and wind, rushed in the battle toward the chariot of Kunti's son.

Verse 11 (9.22.11)

ते समन्तान्महाराज परिवार्य युधिष्ठिरम् । अदृश्यं सायकैश्चक्रुर्मेघा इव दिवाकरम् ॥

te samantānmahārāja parivārya yudhiṣṭhiram | adṛśyaṃ sāyakaiścakrurmeghā iva divākaram

From every side, O great king, they surrounded Yudhishthira and hid him from sight with their arrows, as clouds hide the sun.

Verse 12 (9.22.12)

तं दृष्ट्वा धर्मराजानं कौरवेयैस्तथावृतम् । नामृष्यन्त सुसंरब्धाः शिखण्डिप्रमुखा रथाः ॥

taṃ dṛṣṭvā dharmarājānaṃ kauraveyaistathāvṛtam | nāmṛṣyanta susaṃrabdhāḥ śikhaṇḍipramukhā rathāḥ

Seeing the king of Dharma so beset by the Kauravas, the chariot-warriors headed by Shikhandi, greatly enraged, could not bear it,

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; line 1 is a variant of the CE's star line 9.22.11d*0121_01 (te dṛṣṭvā dharmarājānaṃ kauravais taṃ tathākṛtam), line 2 is CE 12a.

Verse 13 (9.22.13)

रथैरश्ववरैर्युक्तैः किङ्किणीजालसंवृतैः । आजग्मुरथ रक्षन्तः कुन्तीपुत्रं युधिष्ठिरम् ॥

rathairaśvavarairyuktaiḥ kiṅkiṇījālasaṃvṛtaiḥ | ājagmuratha rakṣantaḥ kuntīputraṃ yudhiṣṭhiram

and with chariots drawn by excellent horses and hung with nets of little bells, they came to protect Kunti's son Yudhishthira.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.12c and 12e, both with variant wording (CE: rathair agryajavair yuktaiḥ; ājagmur abhirakṣantaḥ).

Verse 14 (9.22.14)

ततः प्रववृते रौद्रः सङ्ग्रामः शोणितोदकः । पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनः ॥

tataḥ pravavṛte raudraḥ saṅgrāmaḥ śoṇitodakaḥ | pāṇḍavānāṃ kurūṇāṃ ca yamarāṣṭravivardhanaḥ

Then a terrible battle began, with blood for its water, between the Pandavas and the Kurus, swelling the realm of Yama.

Verse 15 (9.22.15)

रथान्सप्तशतान्हत्वा कुरूणामाततायिनाम् । पाण्डवाः सह पाञ्चालैः पुनरेवाभ्यवारयन् ॥

rathānsaptaśatānhatvā kurūṇāmātatāyinām | pāṇḍavāḥ saha pāñcālaiḥ punarevābhyavārayan

Having killed seven hundred chariots of the Kurus, the assailants, the Pandavas together with the Panchalas closed in on them again.

Verse 16 (9.22.16)

तत्र युद्धं महच्चासीत्तव पुत्रस्य पाण्डवैः । न च तत्तादृशं दृष्टं नैव चापि परिश्रुतम् ॥

tatra yuddhaṃ mahaccāsīttava putrasya pāṇḍavaiḥ | na ca tattādṛśaṃ dṛṣṭaṃ naiva cāpi pariśrutam

There a great battle took place between your son and the Pandavas; nothing like it had we ever seen, nor even heard of.

Verse 17 (9.22.17)

वर्तमाने तदा युद्धे निर्मर्यादे समन्ततः । वध्यमानेषु योधेषु तावकेष्वितरेषु च ॥

vartamāne tadā yuddhe nirmaryāde samantataḥ | vadhyamāneṣu yodheṣu tāvakeṣvitareṣu ca

While the battle raged on every side without any restraint, and warriors of yours and of the enemy were being slain,

Verse 18 (9.22.18)

विनदत्सु च योधेषु शङ्खवर्यैश्च पूरितैः । उत्क्रुष्टैः सिंहनादैश्च गर्जितैश्चैव धन्विनाम् ॥

vinadatsu ca yodheṣu śaṅkhavaryaiśca pūritaiḥ | utkruṣṭaiḥ siṃhanādaiśca garjitaiścaiva dhanvinām

while the warriors roared, with the finest conches blown, with shouts, lion-roars and the twanging of the archers' bows,

Verse 19 (9.22.19)

अतिप्रवृत्ते युद्धे च छिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु । धावमानेषु योधेषु जयगृद्धिषु मारिष ॥

atipravṛtte yuddhe ca chidyamāneṣu marmasu | dhāvamāneṣu yodheṣu jayagṛddhiṣu māriṣa

when the fight had grown fiercer, vital parts were being cut, and the warriors, eager for victory, were running about, O sir,

Verse 20 (9.22.20)

संहारे सर्वतो जाते पृथिव्यां शोकसम्भवे । बह्वीनामुत्तमस्त्रीणां सीमन्तोद्धरणे कृते ॥

saṃhāre sarvato jāte pṛthivyāṃ śokasambhave | bahvīnāmuttamastrīṇāṃ sīmantoddharaṇe kṛte

when slaughter was everywhere, grief was being born on earth, and many noble women were having the partings of their hair undone,

Note on the text: Corrected वह्नीनामुत्तम → बह्वीनामुत्तम (misprint in Wikisource; the sense requires "many noble women"; the critical edition reads bahvīnām).

Verse 21 (9.22.21)

निर्मर्यादे महायुद्धे वर्तमाने सुदारुणे । प्रादुरासन्विनाशाय तदोत्पाताः सुदारुणाः ॥

nirmaryāde mahāyuddhe vartamāne sudāruṇe | prādurāsanvināśāya tadotpātāḥ sudāruṇāḥ

while that boundless great battle, so terrible, went on, dreadful omens appeared for the destruction of all.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.20a and 20c.

Verse 22 (9.22.22)

चचाल शब्दं कुर्वाणा सपर्वतवना मही । सदण्डाः सोल्मुका राजन्कीर्यमाणाः समन्ततः ॥

cacāla śabdaṃ kurvāṇā saparvatavanā mahī | sadaṇḍāḥ solmukā rājankīryamāṇāḥ samantataḥ

The earth, with its mountains and forests, shook and made a rumbling sound; and, with their shafts and firebrands, scattered on every side, O king,

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; line 1 is CE 9.22.20e, line 2 is CE 21a (the page reads कीर्यमाणाः for CE śīryamāṇāḥ, a variant).

Verse 23 (9.22.23)

उल्काः पेतुर्दिवो भूमावाहत्य रविमण्डलम् । विष्वग्वाताः प्रादुरासन्नीचैः शर्करवर्षिणः ॥

ulkāḥ peturdivo bhūmāvāhatya ravimaṇḍalam | viṣvagvātāḥ prādurāsannīcaiḥ śarkaravarṣiṇaḥ

meteors fell from the sky to the earth, striking the disc of the sun. Whirlwinds blew from every side, low along the ground, raining gravel.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.21c and 22a.

Verse 24 (9.22.24)

अश्रूणि मुमुचुर्नागा वेपथुं चास्पृशन्भृशम् । एतान्घोराननादृत्य समुत्पातान्सुदारुणान् ॥

aśrūṇi mumucurnāgā vepathuṃ cāspṛśanbhṛśam | etānghorānanādṛtya samutpātānsudāruṇān

Elephants shed tears and trembled violently. Paying no heed to these terrible, dreadful portents,

Note on the text: Corrected एतान्धोरा → एतान्घोरा (misprint in Wikisource; ध for घ; the critical edition reads ghorān). Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.22c and 23a (the page reads वेपथुं चास्पृशन्, CE vepathuś cāspṛśad: a variant).

Verse 25 (9.22.25)

पुनर्युद्धाय संयत्ताः क्षत्रियास्तस्थुरव्यथाः । रमणीये कुरुक्षेत्रे पुण्ये स्वर्गं यियासवः ॥

punaryuddhāya saṃyattāḥ kṣatriyāstasthuravyathāḥ | ramaṇīye kurukṣetre puṇye svargaṃ yiyāsavaḥ

the kshatriyas, intent on fighting again, stood fearless on beautiful, holy Kurukshetra, eager to go to heaven.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.23c and 23e.

Verse 26 (9.22.26)

ततो गान्धारराजस्य पुत्रः शकुनिरब्रवीत् । युध्यध्वमग्रतो यावत्पृष्ठतो हन्मि पाण्डवान् ॥

tato gāndhārarājasya putraḥ śakunirabravīt | yudhyadhvamagrato yāvatpṛṣṭhato hanmi pāṇḍavān

Then Shakuni, the son of the king of Gandhara, said: "Keep fighting in front, while I strike the Pandavas from behind."

Verse 27 (9.22.27)

ततो नः सम्प्रायातानां मद्रयोधास्तरस्विनः । हृष्टाः किलाकिलाशब्दमकुर्वत परे तथा ॥

tato naḥ samprāyātānāṃ madrayodhāstarasvinaḥ | hṛṣṭāḥ kilākilāśabdamakurvata pare tathā

Then, as we advanced, the swift Madra warriors, delighted, raised joyful shouts, and so did the others.

Verse 28 (9.22.28)

अस्मांस्तु पुनरासाद्य लब्धलक्षा दुरासदाः । शरासनानि धुन्वन्तः शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥

asmāṃstu punarāsādya labdhalakṣā durāsadāḥ | śarāsanāni dhunvantaḥ śaravarṣairavākiran

Meeting us again, the hard-to-withstand ones, having found their aim, shook their bows and covered us with showers of arrows.

Verse 29 (9.22.29)

ततो हतं परैस्तत्र मद्रराजबलं तदा । दुर्योधनबलं दृष्ट्वा पुनरासीत्पराङ्मुखम् ॥

tato hataṃ paraistatra madrarājabalaṃ tadā | duryodhanabalaṃ dṛṣṭvā punarāsītparāṅmukham

Then the Madra king's force was cut down there by the enemy, and, seeing Duryodhana's army, turned away again.

Verse 30 (9.22.30)

गान्धारराजस्तु पुनर्वाक्यमाह ततो बली । निवर्तध्वमधर्मज्ञा युध्यध्वं किं सृतेन वः ॥

gāndhārarājastu punarvākyamāha tato balī | nivartadhvamadharmajñā yudhyadhvaṃ kiṃ sṛtena vaḥ

Then the mighty king of Gandhara spoke again: "Turn back, you who know no dharma! Fight! What use is this flight of yours?"

Verse 31 (9.22.31)

अनीकं दशसाहस्रमश्वानां भरतर्षभ । आसीद्गान्धारराजस्य विशालप्रासयोधिनाम् ॥

anīkaṃ daśasāhasramaśvānāṃ bharatarṣabha | āsīdgāndhārarājasya viśālaprāsayodhinām

O best of the Bharatas, the king of Gandhara had a force of ten thousand horse, fighting with broad lances.

Verse 32 (9.22.32)

बलेन तेन विक्रम्य वर्तमाने जनक्षये । पृष्ठतः पाण्डवानीकमभ्यघ्नन्निशितैः शरैः ॥

balena tena vikramya vartamāne janakṣaye | pṛṣṭhataḥ pāṇḍavānīkamabhyaghnanniśitaiḥ śaraiḥ

With that force he charged, while the slaughter of men went on, and struck the Pandava army from behind with sharp arrows.

Verse 33 (9.22.33)

तदभ्रमिव वातेन क्षिप्यमाणं समन्ततः । अभज्यत महाराज पाण्डूनां सुमहद्बलम् ॥

tadabhramiva vātena kṣipyamāṇaṃ samantataḥ | abhajyata mahārāja pāṇḍūnāṃ sumahadbalam

Like a cloud driven by the wind, scattered on every side, that great host of the Pandavas broke apart, O great king.

Verse 34 (9.22.34)

ततो युधिष्ठिरः प्रेक्ष्य भग्नं स्वबलमन्तिकात् । अभ्यनोदयदव्यग्रः सहदेवं महाबलम् ॥

tato yudhiṣṭhiraḥ prekṣya bhagnaṃ svabalamantikāt | abhyanodayadavyagraḥ sahadevaṃ mahābalam

Then Yudhishthira, seeing his army broken close by, calmly urged the mighty Sahadeva on:

Verse 35 (9.22.35)

असौ सुबलपुत्रो नो जघनं पीड्य दंशितः । सैन्यानि सूदयत्येष पश्य पाण्डव दुर्मतिः ॥

asau subalaputro no jaghanaṃ pīḍya daṃśitaḥ | sainyāni sūdayatyeṣa paśya pāṇḍava durmatiḥ

"This son of Subala, armoured, is pressing on our rear and destroying our armies. Look at him, O Pandava, the evil-minded one!

Note on the text: Direct speech of Yudhishthira to Sahadeva; the page prints no heading (verse 34 narrates that he urged Sahadeva on). Verses 35-37 are given to Yudhishthira.

Verse 36 (9.22.36)

गच्छ त्वं द्रौपदेयैश्च शकुनिं सौबलं जहि । रथानीकमहं धक्ष्ये पाञ्चालसहितोऽनघ ॥

gaccha tvaṃ draupadeyaiśca śakuniṃ saubalaṃ jahi | rathānīkamahaṃ dhakṣye pāñcālasahito'nagha

Go, you, with the sons of Draupadi, and kill Shakuni, the son of Subala. I will burn up the chariot force together with the Panchalas, O sinless one.

Verse 37 (9.22.37)

गच्छन्तु कुञ्जराः सर्वे वाजिनश्च सह त्वया । पादाताश्च त्रिसाहस्राः शकुनिं तैर्वृतो जहि ॥

gacchantu kuñjarāḥ sarve vājinaśca saha tvayā | pādātāśca trisāhasrāḥ śakuniṃ tairvṛto jahi

Let all the elephants and horses go with you, and three thousand foot-soldiers; surrounded by them, kill Shakuni."

Verse 38 (9.22.38)

ततो गजाः सप्तशताश्चापपाणिभिरास्थिताः । पञ्च चाश्वसहस्राणि सहदेवश्च वीर्यवान् ॥

tato gajāḥ saptaśatāścāpapāṇibhirāsthitāḥ | pañca cāśvasahasrāṇi sahadevaśca vīryavān

Then seven hundred elephants, mounted by men with bows in their hands, and five thousand horses, and the mighty Sahadeva,

Verse 39 (9.22.39)

पादाताश्च त्रिसाहस्रा द्रौपदेयाश्च सर्वशः । रणे ह्यभ्यद्रवंस्ते तु शकुनिं युद्धदुर्मदम् ॥

pādātāśca trisāhasrā draupadeyāśca sarvaśaḥ | raṇe hyabhyadravaṃste tu śakuniṃ yuddhadurmadam

and three thousand foot-soldiers, and all the sons of Draupadi, rushed in the battle at Shakuni, who was mad for the fight.

Verse 40 (9.22.40)

ततस्तु सौबलो राजन्नभ्यतिक्रम्य पाण्डवान् । जघान पृष्ठतः सेनां जयगृद्धः प्रतापवान् ॥

tatastu saubalo rājannabhyatikramya pāṇḍavān | jaghāna pṛṣṭhataḥ senāṃ jayagṛddhaḥ pratāpavān

But Saubala, O king, slipping past the Pandavas, eager for victory and mighty, struck the army from behind.

Note on the text: Corrected जयगृद्वः → जयगृद्धः (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध).

Verse 41 (9.22.41)

अश्वारोहास्तु संरब्धाः पाण्डवानां तरस्विनाम् । प्राविशन्सौबलानीकमभ्यतिक्रम्य तान्रथान् ॥

aśvārohāstu saṃrabdhāḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ tarasvinām | prāviśansaubalānīkamabhyatikramya tānrathān

The enraged horsemen of the swift Pandavas passed beyond those chariots and entered Saubala's host.

Verse 42 (9.22.42)

ते तत्र सादिनः शूराः सौबलस्य महद्बलम् । रणमध्ये व्यतिष्ठन्त शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् ॥

te tatra sādinaḥ śūrāḥ saubalasya mahadbalam | raṇamadhye vyatiṣṭhanta śaravarṣairavākiran

Those heroic horsemen stood there in the midst of the battle against Saubala's great force and covered it with showers of arrows.

Verse 43 (9.22.43)

तदुद्यतगदाप्रासमकापुरुषसेवितम् । प्रावर्तत महद्युद्धं राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥

tadudyatagadāprāsamakāpuruṣasevitam | prāvartata mahadyuddhaṃ rājandurmantrite tava

A great battle began, with maces and lances raised, attended by no cowards, O king, the fruit of your evil counsel.

Verse 44 (9.22.44)

उपारमन्त ज्याशब्दाः प्रेक्षका रथिनोऽभवन् । न हि स्वेषां परेषां वा विशेषः प्रत्यदृश्यत ॥

upāramanta jyāśabdāḥ prekṣakā rathino'bhavan | na hi sveṣāṃ pareṣāṃ vā viśeṣaḥ pratyadṛśyata

The twanging of bowstrings ceased and the chariot-warriors became mere onlookers, for no difference could be seen between their own men and the enemy's.

Verse 45 (9.22.45)

शूरबाहुविसृष्टानां शक्तीनां भरतर्षभ । ज्योतिषामिव सम्पातमपश्यन्कुरुपाण्डवाः ॥

śūrabāhuvisṛṣṭānāṃ śaktīnāṃ bharatarṣabha | jyotiṣāmiva sampātamapaśyankurupāṇḍavāḥ

O best of the Bharatas, the Kurus and Pandavas watched the spears hurled by the arms of heroes fall like a shower of shooting stars.

Verse 46 (9.22.46)

ऋष्टिभिर्विमलाभिश्च तत्रतत्र विशाम्पते । सम्पतन्तीभिराकाशमावृतं बह्वशोभत ॥

ṛṣṭibhirvimalābhiśca tatratatra viśāmpate | sampatantībhirākāśamāvṛtaṃ bahvaśobhata

With bright lances flying here and there, O lord of the people, the sky was covered and shone greatly.

Verse 47 (9.22.47)

प्रासानां पततां राजन्रूपमासीत्समन्ततः । शलभानामिवाकाशे तदा भरतसत्तम ॥

prāsānāṃ patatāṃ rājanrūpamāsītsamantataḥ | śalabhānāmivākāśe tadā bharatasattama

The sight of the falling javelins all around, O king, was like swarms of locusts in the sky, O best of the Bharatas.

Verse 48 (9.22.48)

रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गा विप्रविद्धैर्नियन्तृभिः । हयाः परिपतन्ति स्म शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

rudhirokṣitasarvāṅgā vipraviddhairniyantṛbhiḥ | hayāḥ paripatanti sma śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

Horses, their whole bodies smeared with blood, their drivers thrown off, ran and fell by hundreds and by thousands.

Note on the text: Corrected परिपतन्तिस्म → परिपतन्ति स्म (misprint in Wikisource; missing space).

Verse 49 (9.22.49)

अन्योन्यं परिपिष्टाश्च समासाद्य परस्परम् । सुविक्षताः स्म दृश्यन्ते वमन्तो रुधिरं मुखैः ॥

anyonyaṃ paripiṣṭāśca samāsādya parasparam | suvikṣatāḥ sma dṛśyante vamanto rudhiraṃ mukhaiḥ

Crushed against one another, colliding together, they were seen badly wounded, vomiting blood from their mouths.

Verse 50 (9.22.50)

ततोऽभवत्तमो घोरं सैन्येन रजसा वृतम् । तानपाक्रमतोऽद्राक्षं तस्माद्देशादरिन्दम ॥

tato'bhavattamo ghoraṃ sainyena rajasā vṛtam | tānapākramato'drākṣaṃ tasmāddeśādarindama

Then a terrible darkness fell, veiled by the dust of the army. I saw them moving away from that place, O tamer of foes.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.48a and 48c (CE: ghoraṃ ... vṛte; the page reads वृतम्, valid).

Verse 51 (9.22.51)

अश्वान्राजन्मनुष्यांश्च रजसा संवृते सति । भूमौ निपतिताश्चान्ये वमन्तो रुधिरं बहु ॥

aśvānrājanmanuṣyāṃśca rajasā saṃvṛte sati | bhūmau nipatitāścānye vamanto rudhiraṃ bahu

While horses and men were enveloped in the dust, others fell to the ground, vomiting much blood, O king.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.48e and 49a.

Verse 52 (9.22.52)

केशाकेशि समालग्ना न शेकुश्चेष्टितुं नराः । अन्योन्यमश्वपृष्ठेभ्यो विकर्षन्तो महाबलाः ॥

keśākeśi samālagnā na śekuśceṣṭituṃ narāḥ | anyonyamaśvapṛṣṭhebhyo vikarṣanto mahābalāḥ

Locked together hair to hair, the men could not move; those mighty men were dragging one another down from horseback.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.49c (केशाकेशि... for CE keśākeśisamālagnā) and 50a.

Verse 53 (9.22.53)

मल्ला इव समासाद्य निजघ्नुरितरेतरम् । अश्वैश्च व्यपकृष्यन्त बहवोऽत्र गतासवः ॥

mallā iva samāsādya nijaghnuritaretaram | aśvaiśca vyapakṛṣyanta bahavo'tra gatāsavaḥ

Like wrestlers they closed with one another and struck each other. Many there, dead, were dragged along by their horses.

Note on the text: Not matched by the alignment; lines are CE 9.22.50c and 50e.

Verse 54 (9.22.54)

भूमौ निपतिताश्चान्ये बहवो विजयैषिणः । तत्रतत्र व्यदृश्यन्त पुरुषाः शूरमानिनः ॥

bhūmau nipatitāścānye bahavo vijayaiṣiṇaḥ | tatratatra vyadṛśyanta puruṣāḥ śūramāninaḥ

Many others, who had fallen to the ground, eager for victory, men who thought themselves heroes, were seen here and there.

Verse 55 (9.22.55)

रक्तोक्षितैश्छिन्नभुजैरवकृष्टशिरोरुहैः । व्यदृश्यत मही कीर्णा शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

raktokṣitaiśchinnabhujairavakṛṣṭaśiroruhaiḥ | vyadṛśyata mahī kīrṇā śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

The earth lay strewn by hundreds and thousands with men smeared with blood, with severed arms, with their hair dragged loose.

Verse 56 (9.22.56)

दूरं न शक्यं तत्रासीद्गन्तुमश्वेन केनचित् । साश्वारोहैर्हतैरश्वैरावृते वसुधातले ॥

dūraṃ na śakyaṃ tatrāsīdgantumaśvena kenacit | sāśvārohairhatairaśvairāvṛte vasudhātale

It was impossible for anyone to ride far on a horse there, the ground being covered with dead horses and their riders.

Verse 57 (9.22.57)

रुधिरोक्षितसन्नाहैरात्तशस्त्रैरुदायुधैः । नानाप्रहरणैर्घोरैः परस्परवधैषिभिः । सुसन्निकृष्टे सङ्ग्रामे हतभूयिष्ठसैनिके ॥

rudhirokṣitasannāhairāttaśastrairudāyudhaiḥ | nānāpraharaṇairghoraiḥ parasparavadhaiṣibhiḥ | susannikṛṣṭe saṅgrāme hatabhūyiṣṭhasainike

With their armour smeared with blood, their weapons seized and raised, bearing dreadful weapons of many kinds and each seeking the other's death, they fought in that battle at close quarters, where most of the soldiers had been slain.

Verse 58 (9.22.58)

स मुहूर्तं ततो युद्ध्वा सौबलोऽथ विशाम्पते । षट्‌साहस्रैर्हयैः शिष्टैरपायाच्छकुनिस्ततः ॥

sa muhūrtaṃ tato yuddhvā saubalo'tha viśāmpate | ṣaṭsāhasrairhayaiḥ śiṣṭairapāyācchakunistataḥ

Then, O lord of the people, Saubala (Shakuni), having fought for a moment, withdrew with the six thousand horses that were left.

Note on the text: Corrected शिष्टेर → शिष्टैर (misprint in Wikisource; े for ै; the critical edition reads śiṣṭair).

Verse 59 (9.22.59)

तथैव पाण्डवानीकं रुधिरेण समुक्षितम् । षट्‌साहस्रैर्हयैः शिष्टैरपायाच्छ्रान्तवाहनम् ॥

tathaiva pāṇḍavānīkaṃ rudhireṇa samukṣitam | ṣaṭsāhasrairhayaiḥ śiṣṭairapāyācchrāntavāhanam

In the same way the Pandava host, drenched with blood, withdrew with six thousand horses left, their mounts weary.

Note on the text: Corrected शिष्टेर → शिष्टैर (misprint in Wikisource; े for ै; the critical edition reads śiṣṭair).

Verse 60 (9.22.60)

अश्वारोहाश्च पाण्डूनामब्रुवन्रुधिरोक्षिताः । सुसन्निकृष्टे सङ्ग्रामे भूयिष्ठे त्यक्तजीविताः ॥

aśvārohāśca pāṇḍūnāmabruvanrudhirokṣitāḥ | susannikṛṣṭe saṅgrāme bhūyiṣṭhe tyaktajīvitāḥ

And the Pandavas' horsemen, smeared with blood, most of them having given up hope of life in that closely locked battle, said:

Verse 61 (9.22.61)

न हि शक्यं रथैर्योद्धुं कुत एव महागजैः । रथानेव रथा यान्तु कुञ्जराः कुञ्जरानपि ॥

na hi śakyaṃ rathairyoddhuṃ kuta eva mahāgajaiḥ | rathāneva rathā yāntu kuñjarāḥ kuñjarānapi

"It is not possible to fight with chariots, still less with great elephants. Let chariots go against chariots, and elephants against elephants.

Note on the text: Direct speech of the Pandava horsemen (verse 60 says they spoke); the page prints no heading. Verses 61-62 are given to them.

Verse 62 (9.22.62)

प्रतियातो हि शकुनिः स्वमनीकमवस्थितः । न पुनः सौबलो राजा योद्धुमभ्यागमिष्यति ॥

pratiyāto hi śakuniḥ svamanīkamavasthitaḥ | na punaḥ saubalo rājā yoddhumabhyāgamiṣyati

Shakuni has gone back and stands with his own army; King Saubala will not come back to fight again."

Verse 63 (9.22.63)

ततस्तु द्रौपदेयाश्च ते च मत्ता महाद्विपाः । प्रययुर्यत्र पाञ्चाल्यो धृष्टद्युम्नो महारथः ॥

tatastu draupadeyāśca te ca mattā mahādvipāḥ | prayayuryatra pāñcālyo dhṛṣṭadyumno mahārathaḥ

Then the sons of Draupadi and those maddened great elephants went to where Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchala, the great chariot-warrior, was.

Verse 64 (9.22.64)

सहदेवोऽपि कौरव्य रजोमेघे समुत्थिते । एकाकी प्रययौ तत्र यत्र राजा युधिष्ठिरः ॥

sahadevo'pi kauravya rajomeghe samutthite | ekākī prayayau tatra yatra rājā yudhiṣṭhiraḥ

And Sahadeva too, O Kaurava, when the cloud of dust had risen, went alone to where King Yudhishthira was.

Verse 65 (9.22.65)

ततस्तेषु प्रयातेषु शकुनिः सौबलः पुनः । पार्श्वतोऽभ्यहनत्क्रुद्धो धृष्टद्युम्नस्य वाहिनीम् ॥

tatasteṣu prayāteṣu śakuniḥ saubalaḥ punaḥ | pārśvato'bhyahanatkruddho dhṛṣṭadyumnasya vāhinīm

Then, when they had gone, Shakuni, the son of Subala, enraged, again attacked the flank of Dhrishtadyumna's army.

Verse 66 (9.22.66)

तत्पुनस्तुमुलं युद्धं प्राणांस्त्यक्त्वाऽभ्यवर्तत । तावकानां परेषां च परस्परवधैषिणाम् ॥

tatpunastumulaṃ yuddhaṃ prāṇāṃstyaktvā'bhyavartata | tāvakānāṃ pareṣāṃ ca parasparavadhaiṣiṇām

That battle, of your men and the enemy's, each seeking the other's death, flared up again, tumultuous, and they gave up their lives.

Verse 67 (9.22.67)

ते चान्योन्यमवैक्षन्त तस्मिन्वीरसमागमे । योधाः पर्यपतन्राजञ्शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

te cānyonyamavaikṣanta tasminvīrasamāgame | yodhāḥ paryapatanrājañśataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

They looked at one another in that meeting of heroes, O king; warriors fell by hundreds and by thousands.

Verse 68 (9.22.68)

असिभिश्छिद्यमानानां शिरसां लोकसंक्षये । प्रादुरासीन्महाञ्शब्दस्तालानां पततामिव ॥

asibhiśchidyamānānāṃ śirasāṃ lokasaṃkṣaye | prādurāsīnmahāñśabdastālānāṃ patatāmiva

As heads were cut off by swords in that destruction of the world, a great sound arose, like the sound of palm fruits falling.

Verse 69 (9.22.69)

विमुक्तानां शरीराणां छिन्नानां पततां भुवि । सायुधानां च बाहूनामूरूणां च विशाम्पते । आसीत्कटकटाशब्दः सुमहान्रोमहर्षणः ॥

vimuktānāṃ śarīrāṇāṃ chinnānāṃ patatāṃ bhuvi | sāyudhānāṃ ca bāhūnāmūrūṇāṃ ca viśāmpate | āsītkaṭakaṭāśabdaḥ sumahānromaharṣaṇaḥ

Of bodies freed of life, cut down and falling to the ground, of arms with their weapons and of thighs, O lord of the people, there arose a very great, hair-raising clattering.

Verse 70 (9.22.70)

निघ्नन्तो निशितैः शस्त्रैर्भ्रातॄन्पुत्रान्सखीनपि । योधाः परिपतन्ति स्म यथाऽऽमिषकृते खगाः ॥

nighnanto niśitaiḥ śastrairbhrātṝnputrānsakhīnapi | yodhāḥ paripatanti sma yathā''miṣakṛte khagāḥ

Striking down their brothers, sons and friends with sharp weapons, the warriors fell upon one another like birds upon meat.

Verse 71 (9.22.71)

अन्योन्यं प्रतिसंरब्धाः समासाद्य परस्परम् । अहम्पूर्वमहम्पूर्वमिति निघ्नन्सहस्रशः ॥

anyonyaṃ pratisaṃrabdhāḥ samāsādya parasparam | ahampūrvamahampūrvamiti nighnansahasraśaḥ

Furious at one another, closing with one another, shouting, "I first! I first!" they struck down men by the thousand.

Verse 72 (9.22.72)

संयातेनासनभ्रष्टैरश्वारोहैर्गतासुभिः । हयाः परिपतन्ति स्म शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥

saṃyātenāsanabhraṣṭairaśvārohairgatāsubhiḥ | hayāḥ paripatanti sma śataśo'tha sahasraśaḥ

With their riders dead and thrown from their seats in the collision, the horses fell, by hundreds and by thousands.

Note on the text: The page reads संयातेन for CE saṃghātaiḥ; kept as a recension variant (a valid word).

Verse 73 (9.22.73)

स्फुरतां प्रतिपिष्टानामश्वानां शीघ्रगामिनाम् । स्तनतां च मनुष्याणां सन्नद्धानां विशाम्पते ॥

sphuratāṃ pratipiṣṭānāmaśvānāṃ śīghragāminām | stanatāṃ ca manuṣyāṇāṃ sannaddhānāṃ viśāmpate

Of the swift horses that twitched, crushed, and of the armoured men who groaned, O lord of the people,

Verse 74 (9.22.74)

शक्त्यृष्टिप्रासशब्दश्च तुमुलः समपद्यत । भिन्दतां परमर्माणि राजन्दुर्मन्त्रिते तव ॥

śaktyṛṣṭiprāsaśabdaśca tumulaḥ samapadyata | bhindatāṃ paramarmāṇi rājandurmantrite tava

a tumultuous din of spears, lances and javelins arose, as they pierced one another's vital parts, O king, through your evil counsel.

Verse 75 (9.22.75)

श्रमाभिभूताः संरब्धाः श्रान्तवाहाः पिपासवः । विक्षताश्च शितैः शस्त्रैरभ्यवर्तन्त तावकाः ॥

śramābhibhūtāḥ saṃrabdhāḥ śrāntavāhāḥ pipāsavaḥ | vikṣatāśca śitaiḥ śastrairabhyavartanta tāvakāḥ

Overcome with weariness, furious, with exhausted mounts, thirsty, and wounded by sharp weapons, your men pressed on.

Note on the text: Corrected संरब्धा श्रान्त → संरब्धाः श्रान्त (misprint in Wikisource; missing visarga; the critical edition reads saṃrabdhāḥ). Corrected शस्त्रैरभ्यवर्न्तत → शस्त्रैरभ्यवर्तन्त (misprint in Wikisource; misplaced न्; the critical edition reads abhyavartanta).

Verse 76 (9.22.76)

मत्ता रुधिरगन्धेन बहवोऽत्र विचेतसः । जघ्नुः परान्स्वकांश्चैव प्राप्तान्प्राप्ताननन्तरान् ॥

mattā rudhiragandhena bahavo'tra vicetasaḥ | jaghnuḥ parānsvakāṃścaiva prāptānprāptānanantarān

Many there, drunk with the smell of blood and out of their senses, struck down enemies and their own alike, whoever came next.

Verse 77 (9.22.77)

बहवश्च गतप्राणाः क्षत्रिया जयगृद्धिनः । भूमावभ्यपतन्राजञ्शरवृष्टिभिरावृताः ॥

bahavaśca gataprāṇāḥ kṣatriyā jayagṛddhinaḥ | bhūmāvabhyapatanrājañśaravṛṣṭibhirāvṛtāḥ

And many kshatriyas, eager for victory, their life gone, fell to the ground, O king, covered with showers of arrows.

Note on the text: Corrected जयगृद्विनः → जयगृद्धिनः (misprint in Wikisource; द्वि for द्धि; the critical edition reads jayagṛddhinaḥ).

Verse 78 (9.22.78)

वृकगृध्रशृगालानां तुमुले मोदनेऽहनि । आसीद्बलक्षयो घोरस्तव पुत्रस्य पश्यतः ॥

vṛkagṛdhraśṛgālānāṃ tumule modane'hani | āsīdbalakṣayo ghorastava putrasya paśyataḥ

On that day of joy for wolves, vultures and jackals, a terrible slaughter of the army took place in the tumult, before your son's eyes.

Verse 79 (9.22.79)

नराश्वकायैः सञ्छन्ना भूमिरासीद्विशाम्पते । रुधिरोदकचित्रा च भीरूणां भयवर्धिनी ॥

narāśvakāyaiḥ sañchannā bhūmirāsīdviśāmpate | rudhirodakacitrā ca bhīrūṇāṃ bhayavardhinī

The earth, O lord of the people, was covered with the bodies of men and horses, marked with streams of blood, and swelling the fear of the timid.

Verse 80 (9.22.80)

असिभिः पट्टसैः शूलैस्तक्षमाणाः पुनःपुनः । तावकाः पाण्डवेयाश्च न न्यवर्तन्त भारत ॥

asibhiḥ paṭṭasaiḥ śūlaistakṣamāṇāḥ punaḥpunaḥ | tāvakāḥ pāṇḍaveyāśca na nyavartanta bhārata

Cutting one another again and again with swords, pattisas and spears, your men and the Pandavas did not turn back, O Bharata.

Note on the text: Corrected पाण्वेयाश्च → पाण्डवेयाश्च (misprint in Wikisource; ड dropped and a stray zero-width joiner left in its place; the critical edition reads pāṇḍavāḥ).

Verse 81 (9.22.81)

प्रहरन्तो यथाशक्ति यावत्प्राणस्य धारणम् । योधाः परिपतन्ति स्म वमन्तो रुधिरं मुखैः ॥

praharanto yathāśakti yāvatprāṇasya dhāraṇam | yodhāḥ paripatanti sma vamanto rudhiraṃ mukhaiḥ

Striking as best they could, as long as life was held in them, the warriors fell, vomiting blood from their mouths.

Verse 82 (9.22.82)

शिरो गृहीत्वा केशेषु कबन्धः स प्रदृश्यते । उद्यम्य च शितं खड्गं रुधिरेण परिप्लुतम् ॥

śiro gṛhītvā keśeṣu kabandhaḥ sa pradṛśyate | udyamya ca śitaṃ khaḍgaṃ rudhireṇa pariplutam

A headless trunk was seen holding a head by the hair, raising a sharp sword drenched with blood.

Note on the text: Corrected खङ्गं → खड्गं (misprint in Wikisource; ङ्ग for ड्ग; the critical edition reads khaḍgaṃ).

Verse 83 (9.22.83)

तथोत्थितेषु बहुषु कबन्धेषु नराधिप । तथा रुधिरगन्धेन योधाः कश्मलमाविशन् ॥

tathotthiteṣu bahuṣu kabandheṣu narādhipa | tathā rudhiragandhena yodhāḥ kaśmalamāviśan

As many such trunks stood up, O lord of men, the warriors fainted at the smell of blood.

Verse 84 (9.22.84)

मन्दीभूते ततः शब्दे पाण्डवानां महद्बलम् । अल्पावशिष्टैस्तुरगैरभ्यवर्तत सौबलः ॥

mandībhūte tataḥ śabde pāṇḍavānāṃ mahadbalam | alpāvaśiṣṭaisturagairabhyavartata saubalaḥ

When the noise had died down, Saubala, with the few horses that remained, advanced against the great Pandava force.

Verse 85 (9.22.85)

ततोऽभ्यधावंस्त्वरिताः पाण्डवा जयगृद्धिनः । पदातयश्च नागाश्च सादिनश्चोद्यतायुधाः ॥

tato'bhyadhāvaṃstvaritāḥ pāṇḍavā jayagṛddhinaḥ | padātayaśca nāgāśca sādinaścodyatāyudhāḥ

Then the Pandavas, eager for victory, rushed up in haste, foot-soldiers, elephants and horsemen with weapons raised.

Note on the text: Corrected जयगृद्विनः → जयगृद्धिनः (misprint in Wikisource; द्वि for द्धि; the critical edition reads jayagṛddhinaḥ).

Verse 86 (9.22.86)

कोष्ठकीकृत्य चाप्येनं परिक्षिप्य च सर्वशः । शस्त्रैर्नानाविधैर्जघ्नुर्युद्धपारं तितीर्षवः ॥

koṣṭhakīkṛtya cāpyenaṃ parikṣipya ca sarvaśaḥ | śastrairnānāvidhairjaghnuryuddhapāraṃ titīrṣavaḥ

Penning him in on all sides, surrounding him, they struck him with weapons of many kinds, wishing to cross to the farther shore of the battle.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्वपारं → युद्धपारं (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध).

Verse 87 (9.22.87)

त्वदीयास्तांस्तु सम्प्रेक्ष्य सर्वतः समभिद्रुतान् । रथाश्वपत्तिद्विरदाः पाण्डवानभिदुद्रुवुः ॥

tvadīyāstāṃstu samprekṣya sarvataḥ samabhidrutān | rathāśvapattidviradāḥ pāṇḍavānabhidudruvuḥ

Seeing them rushed upon from every side, your men, with chariots, horses, foot-soldiers and elephants, charged at the Pandavas.

Verse 88 (9.22.88)

केचित्पदातयः पद्भिर्मुष्टिभिश्च परस्परम् । निजघ्नुः समरे शूराः क्षीणशस्त्रास्ततोऽपतन् ॥

kecitpadātayaḥ padbhirmuṣṭibhiśca parasparam | nijaghnuḥ samare śūrāḥ kṣīṇaśastrāstato'patan

Some foot-soldiers, heroes, fought one another in the battle with feet and fists; their weapons spent, they then fell.

Verse 89 (9.22.89)

रथेभ्यो रथिनः पेतुर्द्विपेभ्यो हस्तिसादिनः । विमानेभ्यो दिवो भ्रष्टाः सिद्धाः पुण्यक्षयादिव ॥

rathebhyo rathinaḥ peturdvipebhyo hastisādinaḥ | vimānebhyo divo bhraṣṭāḥ siddhāḥ puṇyakṣayādiva

Chariot-warriors fell from their chariots, and elephant-riders from their elephants, like Siddhas fallen from their heavenly cars when their merit is exhausted.

Note on the text: Corrected सिद्वाः → सिद्धाः (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध).

Verse 90 (9.22.90)

एवमन्योन्यमायत्ता योधा जघ्नुर्महाहवे । पितॄन्भ्रातॄन्वयस्यांश्च पुत्रानपि तथा परे ॥

evamanyonyamāyattā yodhā jaghnurmahāhave | pitṝnbhrātṝnvayasyāṃśca putrānapi tathā pare

Thus closely locked, the warriors in the great battle killed fathers, brothers and friends, and others their sons.

Verse 91 (9.22.91)

एवमासीदमर्यादं युद्धं भरतसत्तम । प्रासासिबाणकलिलं वर्तमाने सुदारुणे ॥

evamāsīdamaryādaṃ yuddhaṃ bharatasattama | prāsāsibāṇakalilaṃ vartamāne sudāruṇe

So that unbounded battle went on, O best of the Bharatas, choked with spears, swords and arrows, most terrible.

Note on the text: Corrected युद्वं → युद्धं (misprint in Wikisource; द्व for द्ध).