Bhishma Rates Ashvatthaman, Drona and Other Kaurava Warriors

Verse 1 (5.167.1)

शकुनिर्मातुलस्तेऽसौ रथ एको नराधिप । प्रयुज्य पाण्डवैर्वैरं योत्स्यते नात्र संशयः ॥

śakunirmātulaste'sau ratha eko narādhipa | prayujya pāṇḍavairvairaṃ yotsyate nātra saṃśayaḥ

"Your maternal uncle Shakuni here, lord of men, is one ratha. Having bound himself in enmity with the Pandavas, he will fight; of that there is no doubt.

Verse 2 (5.167.2)

एतस्य सेना दुर्धर्षा समरे प्रतियायिनः । विकृतायुधभूयिष्ठा वायुवेगसमा जवे ॥

etasya senā durdharṣā samare pratiyāyinaḥ | vikṛtāyudhabhūyiṣṭhā vāyuvegasamā jave

The army of this man, who presses on against the foe in battle, is hard to withstand; it abounds in strange weapons and is as swift as the rushing wind.

Verse 3 (5.167.3)

द्रोणपुत्रो महेष्वासः सर्वानेवातिधन्विनः । समरे चित्रयोधी च दृढास्त्रश्च महारथः ॥

droṇaputro maheṣvāsaḥ sarvānevātidhanvinaḥ | samare citrayodhī ca dṛḍhāstraśca mahārathaḥ

Drona's son, the great archer who surpasses all bowmen, a marvellous fighter in battle and firm in his weapons, is a maharatha.

Verse 4 (5.167.4)

एतस्य हि महाराज यथा गाण्डीवधन्वनः । शरासनविनिर्मुक्ताः संसक्ता यान्ति सायकाः ॥

etasya hi mahārāja yathā gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ | śarāsanavinirmuktāḥ saṃsaktā yānti sāyakāḥ

With him, great king, as with the wielder of Gandiva, the arrows loosed from his bow fly one close upon another.

Verse 5 (5.167.5)

नैष शक्यो मया वीरः संख्यातुं रथसत्तमः । निर्दहेदपि लोकांस्त्रीनिच्छन्नेष महारथः ॥

naiṣa śakyo mayā vīraḥ saṃkhyātuṃ rathasattamaḥ | nirdahedapi lokāṃstrīnicchanneṣa mahārathaḥ

I cannot put a measure on this hero, this best of chariot-warriors; if he wished it, this maharatha could burn up even the three worlds.

Verse 6 (5.167.6)

क्रोधस्तेजश्च तपसा संभृतोऽऽश्रमवासिनाम् । द्रोणेनानुगृहीतश्च दिव्यैरस्त्रैरुदारधीः ॥

krodhastejaśca tapasā saṃbhṛto''śramavāsinām | droṇenānugṛhītaśca divyairastrairudāradhīḥ

In him are gathered, through austerity, the wrath and the fiery energy of the sages who dwell in hermitages; and this noble-minded man has been favoured by Drona with divine weapons.

Note on the text: Corrected संभृतोश्रमवासिनाम् → संभृतोऽऽश्रमवासिनाम् (misprint in Wikisource; the sandhi of संभृतः + आश्रमवासिनाम् is written with the double avagraha, as at 168.8 यथाऽऽत्थ; the gloss reads आश्रमवासिनामृषीणाम् and the critical edition saṃbhṛto ''śramavāsinā).

Verse 7 (5.167.7)

दोषस्त्वस्य महानेको येनैव भरतर्षभ । न मे रथो नातिरथो मतः पार्थिवसत्तम ॥

doṣastvasya mahāneko yenaiva bharatarṣabha | na me ratho nātiratho mataḥ pārthivasattama

But he has one great fault, bull of the Bharatas, on account of which I count him neither a ratha nor an atiratha, best of kings:

Verse 8 (5.167.8)

जीवितं प्रियमत्यर्थमायुष्कामः सदा द्विजः । न ह्यस्य सदृशः कश्चिदुभयोः सेनयोरपि ॥

jīvitaṃ priyamatyarthamāyuṣkāmaḥ sadā dvijaḥ | na hyasya sadṛśaḥ kaścidubhayoḥ senayorapi

this brahmin holds his life exceedingly dear and is always eager for long life. Yet there is no one his equal in either army.

Verse 9 (5.167.9)

हन्यादेकरथेनैव देवानामपि वाहिनीम् । वपुष्मांस्तलघोषेण स्फोटयेदपि पर्वतान् ॥

hanyādekarathenaiva devānāmapi vāhinīm | vapuṣmāṃstalaghoṣeṇa sphoṭayedapi parvatān

With a single chariot he could destroy even the army of the gods; this man of mighty frame could split mountains with the slap of his palm upon the bowstring.

Verse 10 (5.167.10)

असंख्येयगुणो वीरः प्रहन्ता दारुणद्युतिः । दण्डपाणिरिवासह्यः कालवत्प्रचरिष्यति ॥

asaṃkhyeyaguṇo vīraḥ prahantā dāruṇadyutiḥ | daṇḍapāṇirivāsahyaḥ kālavatpracariṣyati

A hero of countless virtues, a fierce smiter of dreadful splendour, irresistible like the bearer of the rod, he will range over the field like Death.

Verse 11 (5.167.11)

युगान्ताग्निसमः क्रोधात्सिंहग्रीवो महाद्युतिः । एष भारत युद्धस्य पृष्ठं संशमयिष्यति ॥

yugāntāgnisamaḥ krodhātsiṃhagrīvo mahādyutiḥ | eṣa bhārata yuddhasya pṛṣṭhaṃ saṃśamayiṣyati

Like the fire at the end of an age in his wrath, lion-necked and of great splendour, this man, Bharata, will bring the rest of the battle to its end.

Note on the text: Corrected संशयमिष्यति → संशमयिष्यति (misprint in Wikisource; transposed syllables, संशयमिष्यति is not a word; the critical edition reads saṃśamayiṣyati, and the gloss पृष्ठं शेषम् fits "will bring the rest to an end").

Verse 12 (5.167.12)

पिता त्वस्य महातेजा वृद्धोऽपि युवभिर्वरः । रणे कर्म महत्कर्ता अत्र मे नास्ति संशयः ॥

pitā tvasya mahātejā vṛddho'pi yuvabhirvaraḥ | raṇe karma mahatkartā atra me nāsti saṃśayaḥ

His father, of great energy, though old, is better than young men; he will do great deeds in battle, of that I have no doubt.

Verse 13 (5.167.13)

अस्त्रवेगानिलोद्भूतः सेनाकक्षेन्धनोत्थितः । पाण्डुपुत्रस्य सैन्यानि प्रधक्ष्यति रणे धृतः ॥

astravegānilodbhūtaḥ senākakṣendhanotthitaḥ | pāṇḍuputrasya sainyāni pradhakṣyati raṇe dhṛtaḥ

Fanned by the wind of his weapons' speed, kindled from the dry brush of armies, standing firm in battle he will burn up the forces of Pandu's son.

Verse 14 (5.167.14)

रथयूथपयूथानां यूथपोऽयं नरर्षभः । भरद्वाजात्मजः कर्ता कर्म तीव्रं हितं तव ॥

rathayūthapayūthānāṃ yūthapo'yaṃ nararṣabhaḥ | bharadvājātmajaḥ kartā karma tīvraṃ hitaṃ tava

This bull among men, the son of Bharadvaja, leader over the leaders of chariot-bands, will do fierce deeds for your good.

Note on the text: Corrected यूथपोऽय → यूथपोऽयं (misprint in Wikisource; dropped anusvara, अयम् "this").

Verse 15 (5.167.15)

सर्वमूर्धाभिषिक्तानामाचार्यः स्थविरो गुरुः । गच्छेदन्तं सृञ्जयानां प्रियस्त्वस्य धनञ्जयः ॥

sarvamūrdhābhiṣiktānāmācāryaḥ sthaviro guruḥ | gacchedantaṃ sṛñjayānāṃ priyastvasya dhanañjayaḥ

The teacher of all anointed kings, the aged preceptor could make an end of the Srinjayas; but Dhananjaya is dear to him.

Verse 16 (5.167.16)

नैष जातु महेष्वासः पार्थमक्लिष्टकारिणम् । हन्यादाचार्यकं दीप्तं संस्मृत्य गुणनिर्जितम् ॥

naiṣa jātu maheṣvāsaḥ pārthamakliṣṭakāriṇam | hanyādācāryakaṃ dīptaṃ saṃsmṛtya guṇanirjitam

Never would this great archer kill Partha, tireless in his deeds, remembering his own radiant office of teacher, won over as he is by Partha's virtues.

Verse 17 (5.167.17)

श्लाघते यं सदा वीर पार्थस्य गुणविस्तरैः । पुत्रादभ्यधिकं चैनं भारद्वाजोऽनुपश्यति ॥

ślāghate yaṃ sadā vīra pārthasya guṇavistaraiḥ | putrādabhyadhikaṃ cainaṃ bhāradvājo'nupaśyati

Him, O hero, he always praises for the breadth of his virtues, and the son of Bharadvaja looks on him as more than his own son.

Verse 18 (5.167.18)

हन्यादेकरथेनैव देवगन्धर्वमानुषान् । एकीभूतानपि रणे दिव्यैरस्त्रैः प्रतापवान् ॥

hanyādekarathenaiva devagandharvamānuṣān | ekībhūtānapi raṇe divyairastraiḥ pratāpavān

With a single chariot this mighty man could slay with his divine weapons gods, gandharvas and men, even if they all came against him together.

Verse 19 (5.167.19)

पौरवो राजशार्दूलस्तव राजन्महारथः । मतो मम रथोदारः परवीररथारुजः ॥

pauravo rājaśārdūlastava rājanmahārathaḥ | mato mama rathodāraḥ paravīrarathārujaḥ

The Paurava, a tiger among kings, is your maharatha, O king; I count him a noble ratha, a breaker of the chariots of hostile heroes.

Verse 20 (5.167.20)

स्वेन सैन्येन महता प्रतपञ्शत्रुवाहिनीम् । प्रधक्ष्यति स पाञ्चालान्कक्षमग्निगतिर्यथा ॥

svena sainyena mahatā pratapañśatruvāhinīm | pradhakṣyati sa pāñcālānkakṣamagnigatiryathā

Scorching the enemy host with his own great army, he will burn up the Panchalas as fire spreading through dry grass.

Verse 21 (5.167.21)

सत्यश्रवा रथस्त्वेको राजपुत्रो बृहद्बलः । तव राजन्रिपुबले कालवत्प्रचरिष्यति ॥

satyaśravā rathastveko rājaputro bṛhadbalaḥ | tava rājanripubale kālavatpracariṣyati

Prince Satyashravas, of great strength, is one ratha; he will range like Death among the forces of your enemies, O king.

Verse 22 (5.167.22)

एतस्य योधा राजेन्द्र विचित्रकवचायुधाः । विचरिष्यन्ति सङ्ग्रामे निघ्नन्तः शात्रवांस्तव ॥

etasya yodhā rājendra vicitrakavacāyudhāḥ | vicariṣyanti saṅgrāme nighnantaḥ śātravāṃstava

His warriors, lord of kings, with their many-coloured armour and weapons, will range through the battle slaying your foes.

Note on the text: Corrected निन्घन्तः → निघ्नन्तः and शास्त्रवांस्तव → शात्रवांस्तव (misprints in Wikisource; a garbled conjunct, and शास्त्र "scripture" for शात्रव "enemy"; the critical edition reads nighnantaḥ śātravāṃs tava). Removed a stray zero-width non-joiner in सङ्ग्रामे.

Verse 23 (5.167.23)

वृषसेनो रथस्तेऽग्र्यः कर्णपुत्रो महारथः । प्रधक्ष्यति रिपूणां ते बलं तु बलिनां वरः ॥

vṛṣaseno rathaste'gryaḥ karṇaputro mahārathaḥ | pradhakṣyati ripūṇāṃ te balaṃ tu balināṃ varaḥ

Vrishasena, Karna's son, is your foremost ratha, a maharatha; best of the strong, he will burn up the strength of your enemies.

Verse 24 (5.167.24)

जलसन्धो महातेजा राजन्रथवरस्तव । त्यक्ष्यते समरे प्राणान्माधवः परवीरहा ॥

jalasandho mahātejā rājanrathavarastava | tyakṣyate samare prāṇānmādhavaḥ paravīrahā

Jalasandha, of great energy, is an excellent ratha of yours, O king; this Madhava, slayer of hostile heroes, will lay down his life in battle.

Note on the text: Corrected जघसन्धो → जलसन्धो (misprint in Wikisource; the warrior is Jalasandha, critical edition jalasaṃdho). The base text calls him माधवः where the critical edition reads māgadhaḥ ("of Magadha"); माधवः is a valid word and is kept.

Verse 25 (5.167.25)

एष योत्स्यति सङ्ग्रामे गजस्कन्धविशारदः । रथेन वा महाबाहुः क्षपयञ्शत्रुवाहिनीम् ॥

eṣa yotsyati saṅgrāme gajaskandhaviśāradaḥ | rathena vā mahābāhuḥ kṣapayañśatruvāhinīm

This mighty-armed warrior, skilled at fighting from an elephant's back, will fight in battle, or else from a chariot, wasting the enemy host.

Note on the text: Corrected माहबाहुः → महाबाहुः (misprint in Wikisource; misplaced vowel sign; the critical edition reads mahābāhuḥ).

Verse 26 (5.167.26)

रथ एष महाराज मतो मे राजसत्तम । त्वदर्थे त्यक्ष्यते प्राणान्सहसैन्यो महारणे ॥

ratha eṣa mahārāja mato me rājasattama | tvadarthe tyakṣyate prāṇānsahasainyo mahāraṇe

I count him a ratha, great king, best of kings; for your sake he will give up his life, together with his army, in the great battle.

Verse 27 (5.167.27)

एष विक्रान्तयोधी च चित्रयोधी च संगरे । वीतभीश्चापि ते राजञ्शत्रुभिः सह योत्स्यते ॥

eṣa vikrāntayodhī ca citrayodhī ca saṃgare | vītabhīścāpi te rājañśatrubhiḥ saha yotsyate

He is a valiant fighter and a marvellous fighter in battle; and without fear, O king, he will fight against your enemies.

Verse 28 (5.167.28)

बाह्लीकोऽतिरथश्चैव समरे चानिवर्तनः । मम राजन्मतो युद्धे शूरो वैवस्वतोपमः ॥

bāhlīko'tirathaścaiva samare cānivartanaḥ | mama rājanmato yuddhe śūro vaivasvatopamaḥ

Bahlika is an atiratha, one who never turns back in battle; in my judgement, O king, he is a hero in war like Vaivasvata, the god of death.

Verse 29 (5.167.29)

न ह्येष समरं प्राप्य निवर्तेत कथञ्चन । यथा सततगो राजन्स हि हन्यात्परान्रणे ॥

na hyeṣa samaraṃ prāpya nivarteta kathañcana | yathā satatago rājansa hi hanyātparānraṇe

Once he has entered the fight he will never turn back by any means; like the ever-moving wind, O king, he will strike down his foes in battle.

Verse 30 (5.167.30)

सेनापतिर्महाराज सत्यवांस्ते महारथः । रणेष्वद्भुतकर्मा च रथी पररथारुजः ॥

senāpatirmahārāja satyavāṃste mahārathaḥ | raṇeṣvadbhutakarmā ca rathī pararathārujaḥ

Your army-commander Satyavan, great king, is a maharatha, a doer of wondrous deeds in battle, a chariot-fighter who shatters the chariots of the enemy.

Verse 31 (5.167.31)

एतस्य समरं दृष्ट्वा न व्यथास्ति कथञ्चन । उत्स्मयन्नुत्पतत्येष परान्रथपथे स्थितान् ॥

etasya samaraṃ dṛṣṭvā na vyathāsti kathañcana | utsmayannutpatatyeṣa parānrathapathe sthitān

At the sight of battle he feels no dismay whatever; laughing for joy, he leaps upon the enemies who stand in his chariot's path.

Verse 32 (5.167.32)

एष चारिषु विक्रान्तः कर्म सत्पुरुषोचितम् । कर्ता विमर्दे सुमहत्त्वदर्थे पुरुषोत्तमः ॥

eṣa cāriṣu vikrāntaḥ karma satpuruṣocitam | kartā vimarde sumahattvadarthe puruṣottamaḥ

This best of men, valiant against his foes, will do for your sake, in the clash of battle, a great deed worthy of a true man.

Verse 33 (5.167.33)

अलम्बुसो राक्षसेन्द्रः क्रूरकर्मा महारथः । हनिष्यति परान्राजन्पूर्ववैरमनुस्मरन् ॥

alambuso rākṣasendraḥ krūrakarmā mahārathaḥ | haniṣyati parānrājanpūrvavairamanusmaran

Alambusa, lord of the rakshasas, a maharatha of cruel deeds, will slay your enemies, O king, remembering his old feud.

Verse 34 (5.167.34)

एष राक्षससैन्यानां सर्वेषां रथसत्तमः । मायावी दृढवैरश्च समरे विचरिष्यति ॥

eṣa rākṣasasainyānāṃ sarveṣāṃ rathasattamaḥ | māyāvī dṛḍhavairaśca samare vicariṣyati

He is the best chariot-warrior of all the rakshasa forces; a master of illusion and firm in enmity, he will range across the battlefield.

Note on the text: Corrected सैन्यानं → सैन्यानां (misprint in Wikisource; dropped vowel sign of the genitive plural; the critical edition reads sainyānāṃ).

Verse 35 (5.167.35)

प्राग्ज्योतिषाधिपो वीरो भगदत्तः प्रतापवान् । गजाङ्कुशधरश्रेष्ठो रथे चैव विशारदः ॥

prāgjyotiṣādhipo vīro bhagadattaḥ pratāpavān | gajāṅkuśadharaśreṣṭho rathe caiva viśāradaḥ

The valiant and mighty Bhagadatta, lord of Pragjyotisha, foremost of those who wield the elephant-goad, is skilled in chariot fighting as well.

Verse 36 (5.167.36)

एतेन युद्धमभवत्पुरा गाण्डीवधन्वनः । दिवसान्सुबहून्राजन्नुभयोर्जयगृद्धिनोः ॥

etena yuddhamabhavatpurā gāṇḍīvadhanvanaḥ | divasānsubahūnrājannubhayorjayagṛddhinoḥ

Long ago he fought a battle with the wielder of Gandiva that lasted many days, O king, each of them hungry for victory.

Verse 37 (5.167.37)

ततः सखायं गान्धारे मानयन्पाकशासनम् । अकरोत्संविदं तेन पाण्डवेन महात्मना ॥

tataḥ sakhāyaṃ gāndhāre mānayanpākaśāsanam | akarotsaṃvidaṃ tena pāṇḍavena mahātmanā

Then, son of Gandhari, out of regard for his friend Indra, the chastiser of Paka, he made a pact of friendship with that great-souled Pandava.

Verse 38 (5.167.38)

एष योत्स्यति सङ्ग्रामे गजस्कन्धविशारदः । ऐरावतगतो राजा देवानामिव वासवः ॥

eṣa yotsyati saṅgrāme gajaskandhaviśāradaḥ | airāvatagato rājā devānāmiva vāsavaḥ

He will fight in battle, skilled at fighting from an elephant's back, a king mounted on his elephant like Vasava upon Airavata among the gods."