Bhisma Parwa 114

Mahabharata 6.114

 

Bisma Parwa 114

 

1 संजय उवाच           

एवं ते पण्डवाः सर्वे पुरस्कृत्य शिखण्डिनम           

विव्यधुः समरे भीष्मं परिवार्य समन्ततः       

2 शतघ्नीभिः सुघॊराभिः पट्टिशैः सपरश्वधैः           

मुद्गरैर मुसलैः परासैः कषेपणीभिश च सर्वशः       

3 शरैः कनकपुङ्खैश च शक्तितॊमरकम्पनैः           

नाराचैर वत्सदन्तैश च भुशुण्डीभिश च भारत           

अताडयन रणे भीष्मे सहिताः सर्वसृञ्जयाः       

4 स विशीर्णातनुत्राणः पीडितॊ बहुभिस तदा          

 विव्यथे नैव गाङ्गेयॊ भिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु       

5 स दीप्तशरचापार्चिर अस्त्रप्रसृतमारुतः           

नेमिनिर्ह्रादसंनादॊ महास्त्रॊदयपावकः       

6 चित्रचापमहाज्वालॊ वीरक्षयमहेन्धनः           

युगान्ताग्निसमॊ भीष्मः परेषां समपद्यत       

7 निपत्य रथसंघानाम अन्तरेण विनिःसृतः           

दृश्यते सम नरेन्द्राणां पुनर मध्यगतश चरन       

8 ततः पाञ्चालराजं च धृष्टकेतुम अतीत्य च           

पाण्डवानीकिनीमध्यम आससाद स वेगितः       

9 ततः सात्यकिभीमौ च पाण्डवं च धनंजयम           

दरुपदं च विराटं च धृष्टद्युम्नं च पार्षतम       

10 भीमघॊषैर महावेगैर वैरिवारणभेदिभिः          

षड एतान षड्भिर आनर्छद भास्करप्रतिमैः शरैः      

11 तस्य ते निशितान बाणान संनिवार्य महारथाः         

 दशभिर दशभिर भीष्मम अर्दयाम आसुर ओजसा      

12 शिखण्डी तु रणे बाणान यान मुमॊच महाव्रते         

ते भीष्मं विविशुस तूर्णं सवर्णपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः      

13 ततः किरीटी संरब्धॊ भीष्मम एवाभ्यवर्तत          

शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य धनुश चास्य समाच्छिनत      

14 भीष्मस्य धनुषश छेदं नामृष्यन्त महारथाः          

दरॊणश च कृतवर्मा च सैन्धवश च जयद्रथः      

15 भूरिश्रवाः शलः शल्यॊ भगदत्तस तथैव च          

सप्तैते परमक्रुद्धाः किरीटिनम अभिद्रुताः      

16 उत्तमास्त्राणि दिव्यानि दर्शयन्तॊ महारथाः          

अभिपेतुर भृशं करुद्धाश छादयन्त सम पाण्डवान      

17 तेषाम आपततां शब्दः शुश्रुवे फल्गुनं परति         

 उद्वृत्तानां यथा शब्दः समुद्राणां युगक्षये      

18 हतानयत गृह्णीत युध्यतापि च कृन्तत          

इत्य आसीत तुमुलः शब्दः फल्गुनस्य रथं परति      

19 तं शब्दं तुमुलं शरुत्वा पाण्डवानां महारथाः          

अभ्यधावन परीप्सन्तः फल्गुनं भरतर्षभ      

20 सात्यकिर भीमसेनश च धृष्टद्युम्नश च पार्षतः          

विराटद्रुपदौ चॊभौ राक्षसश च घटॊत्कचः     

 21 अभिमन्युश च संक्रुद्धः सप्तैते करॊधमूर्छिताः          

समभ्यधावंस तवरिताश चित्रकार्मुकधारिणः      

22 तेषां समभवद युद्धं तुमुलं लॊमहर्षणम          

संग्रामे भरतश्रेष्ठ देवानां दानवैर इव      

23 शिखण्डी तु रथश्रेष्ठॊ रक्ष्यमाणः किरीटिना          

अविध्यद दशभिर भीष्मं छिन्नधन्वानम आहवे          

सारथिं दशभिश चास्य धवजं चैकेन चिच्छिदे      

24 सॊ ऽनयत कार्मुकम आदाय गाङ्गेयॊ वेगवत्तरम         

तद अप्य अस्य शितैर भल्लैस तरिभिश चिच्छेद फल्गुनः      

25 एवं स पाण्डवः करुद्ध आत्तम आत्तं पुनः पुनः          

धनुर भीष्मस्य चिच्छेद सव्यसाची परंतपः      

26 स चछिन्नधन्वा संक्रुद्धः सृक्किणी परिसंलिहन          

शक्तिं जग्राह संक्रुद्धॊ गिरीणाम अपि दारणीम          

तां च चिक्षेप संक्रुद्धः फल्गुनस्य रथं परति      

27 ताम आपतन्तीं संप्रेक्ष्य जवलन्तीम अशनीम इव          

समादत्त शितान भल्लान पञ्च पाण्डवनन्दनः      

28 तस्य चिच्छेद तां शक्तिं पञ्चधा पञ्चभिः शरैः          

संक्रुद्धॊ भरतश्रेष्ठ भीष्मबाहुबलेरिताम      

29 सा पपात परिच्छिन्ना संक्रुद्धेन किरीटिना         

 मेघवृन्दपरिभ्रष्टा विच्छिन्नेव शतह्रदा      

30 छिन्नां तां शक्तिम आलॊक्य भीष्मः करॊधसमन्वितः          

अचिन्तयद रणे वीरॊ बुद्ध्या परपुरंजयः      

31 शक्तॊ ऽहं धनुषैकेन निहन्तुं सर्वपाण्डवान          

यद्य एषां न भवेद गॊप्ता विष्वक्सेनॊ महाबलः      

32 कारणद्वयम आस्थाय नाहं यॊत्स्यामि पाण्डवैः          

अवध्यत्वाच च पाण्डूनां सत्रीभावाच च शिखण्डिनः      

33 पित्रा तुष्टेन मे पूर्वं यदा कालीम उदावहत          

सवच्छन्दमरणं दत्तम अवध्यत्वं रणे तथा          

तस्मान मृत्युम अहं मन्ये पराप्तकालम इवात्मनः      

34 एवं जञात्वा वयवसितं भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः          

ऋषयॊ वसवश चैव वियत्स्था भीष्मम अब्रुवन      

35 यत ते वयवसितं वीर अस्माकं सुमहत परियम          

तत कुरुष्व महेष्वास युद्धाद बुद्धिं निवर्तय      

36 तस्य वाक्यस्य निधने परादुर आसीच छिवॊ ऽनिलः          

अनुलॊमः सुगन्धी च पृषतैश च समन्वितः      

37 देवदुन्दुभयश चैव संप्रणेदुर महास्वनाः          

पपात पुष्पवृष्टिश च भीष्मस्यॊपरि पार्थिव      

38 न च तच छुश्रुवे कश चित तेषां संवदतां नृप          

ऋते भीष्मं महाबाहुं मां चापि मुनितेजसा      

39 संभ्रमश च महान आसीत तरिदशानां विशां पते          

पतिष्यति रथाद भीष्मे सर्वलॊकप्रिये तदा      

40 इति देवगणानां च शरुत्वा वाक्यं महामनाः          

ततः शांतनवॊ भीष्मॊ बीभत्सुं नाभ्यवर्तत          

भिद्यमानः शितैर बाणैः सर्वावरणभेदिभिः      

41 शिखण्डी तु महाराज भरतानां पितामहम          

आजघानॊरसि करुद्धॊ नवभिर निशितैः शरैः      

42 स तेनाभिहतः संख्ये भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः          

नाकम्पत महाराज कषितिकम्पे यथाचलः      

43 ततः परहस्य बीभत्सुर वयाक्षिपन गाण्डिवं धनुः          

गाङ्गेयं पञ्चविंशत्या कषुद्रकाणां समर्पयत      

44 पुनः शरशतेनैवं तवरमाणॊ धनंजयः          

सर्वगात्रेषु संक्रुद्धः सर्वमर्मस्व अताडयत      

45 एवम अन्यैर अपि भृशं वध्यमानॊ महारणे         

 न चक्रुस ते रुजं तस्य रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः      

46 ततः किरीटी संरब्धॊ भीष्मम एवाभ्यवर्तत          

शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य धनुश चास्य समाच्छिनत      

47 अथैनं दशभिर विद्ध्वा धवजम एकेन चिच्छिदे          

सारथिं विशिखैश चास्य दशभिः समकम्पयत      

48 सॊ ऽनयत कार्मुकम आदत्त गाङ्गेयॊ बलवत्तरम          

तद अप्य अस्य शितैर भल्लैस तरिधा तरिभिर उपानुदत          

निमेषान्तरमात्रेण आत्तम आत्तं महारणे      

49 एवम अस्य धनूंष्य आजौ चिच्छेद सुबहून्य अपि          

ततः शांतनवॊ भीष्मॊ बीभत्सुं नाभ्यवर्तत      

50 अथैनं पञ्चविंशत्या कषुद्रकाणां समर्दयत          

सॊ ऽतिविद्धॊ महेष्वासॊ दुःशासनम अभाषत      

51 एष पार्थॊ रणे करुद्धः पाण्डवानां महारथः          

शरैर अनेकसाहस्रैर माम एवाभ्यसते रणे      

52 न चैष शक्यः समरे जेतुं वज्रभृता अपि          

न चापि सहिता वीरा देवदानवराक्षसाः          

मां चैव शक्ता निर्जेतुं किम उ मर्त्याः सुदुर्बलाः      

53 एवं तयॊः संवदतॊः फल्गुनॊ निशितैः शरैः          

शिखण्डिनं पुरस्कृत्य भीष्मं विव्याध संयुगे      

54 ततॊ दुःशासनं भूयः समयमानॊ ऽभयभाषत          

अतिविद्धः शितैर बाणैर भृशं गाण्डीवधन्वना      

55 वज्राशनिसमस्पर्शाः शिताग्राः संप्रवेशिताः         

 विमुक्ता अव्यवच्छिन्ना नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

56 निकृन्तमाना मर्माणि दृढावरणभेदिनः          

मुसलानीव मे घनन्ति नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

57 बरह्मदण्डसमस्पर्शा वज्रवेगा दुरासदाः          

मम पराणान आरुजन्ति नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

58 भुजगा इव संक्रुद्धा लेलिहाना विषॊल्बणाः          

ममाविशन्ति मर्माणि नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

59 नाशयन्तीव मे पराणान यमदूता इवाहिताः         

 गदापरिघसंस्पर्शा नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

60 कृन्तन्ति मम गात्राणि माघमासे गवाम इव          

अर्जुनस्य इमे बाणा नेमे बाणाः शिखण्डिनः      

61 सर्वे हय अपि न मे दुःखं कुर्युर अन्ये नराधिपाः          

वीरं गण्डीवधन्वानम ऋते जिष्णुं कपिध्वजम      

62 इति बरुवञ शांतनवॊ दिधक्षुर इव पाण्डवम          

सविष्फुलिङ्गां दीप्ताग्रां शक्तिं चिक्षेप भारत      

63 ताम अस्य विशिखैश छित्त्वा तरिधा तरिभिर अपातयत          

पश्यतां कुरुवीराणां सर्वेषां तत्र भारत      

64 चर्माथादत्त गाङ्गेयॊ जातरूपपरिष्कृतम          

खड्गं चान्यतरं परेप्सुर मृत्यॊर अग्रे जयाय वा      

65 तस्य तच छतधा चर्म वयधमद दंशितात्मनः          

रथाद अनवरूढस्य तद अद्भुतम इवाभवत      

66 विनद्यॊच्चैः सिंह इव सवान्य अनीकान्य अचॊदयत          

अभिद्रवत गाङ्गेयं मां वॊ ऽसतु भयम अण्व अपि      

67 अथ ते तॊमरैः परासैर बाणौघैश च समन्ततः          

पट्टिशैश च सनिस्त्रिंशैर नानाप्रहरणैस तथा      

68 वत्सदन्तैश च भल्लैश च तम एकम अभिदुद्रुवुः          

सिंहनादस ततॊ घॊरः पाण्डवानाम अजायत      

69 तथैव तव पुत्राश च राजन भीष्मजयैषिणः          

तम एकम अभ्यवर्तन्त सिंहनादांश च नेदिरे      

70 तत्रासीत तुमुलं युद्धं तावकानां परैः सह          

दशमे ऽहनि राजेन्द्र भीष्मार्जुनसमागमे      

71 आसीद गाङ्ग इवावर्तॊ मुहूर्तम उदधेर इव          

सैन्यानां युध्यमानानां निघ्नताम इतरेतरम      

72 अगम्यरूपा पृथिवी शॊणिताक्ता तदाभवत          

समं च विषमं चैव न पराज्ञायत किं चन      

73 यॊधानाम अयुतं हत्वा तस्मिन स दशमे ऽहनि          

अतिष्ठद आहवे भीष्मॊ भिद्यमानेषु मर्मसु      

74 ततः सेनामुखे तस्मिन सथितः पार्थॊ धनंजयः          

मध्येन कुरुसैन्यानां दरावयाम आस वाहिनीम      

75 वयं शवेतहयाद भीताः कुन्तीपुत्राद धनंजयात          

पीड्यमानाः शितैः शस्त्रैः परद्रवाम महारणात      

76 सौवीराः कितवाः पराच्याः परतीच्यॊदीच्यमालवाः          

अभीषाहाः शूरसेनाः शिबयॊ ऽथ वसातयः      

77 शाल्वाश्रयास तरिगर्ताश च अम्बष्ठाः केकयैः सह          

दवादशैते जनपदाः शरार्ता वरणपीडिताः          

संग्रामे न जहुर भीष्मं युध्यमानं किरीटिना      

78 ततस तम एकं बहवः परिवार्य समन्ततः         

 परिकाल्य कुरून सर्वाञ शरवर्षैर अवाकिरन      

79 निपातयत गृह्णीत विध्यताथ च कर्षत          

इत्य आसीत तुमुलः शब्दॊ राजन भीष्मरथं परति      

80 अभिहत्य शरौघैस तं शतशॊ ऽथ सहस्रशः         

 न तस्यासीद अनिर्भिन्नं गात्रेष्व अङ्गुलमात्रकम      

81 एवंविभॊ तव पिता शरैर विशकली कृतः          

शिताग्रैः फल्गुनेनाजौ पराक्शिराः परापतद रथात          

किंचिच्छेषे दिनकरे पुत्राणां तव पश्यताम      

82 हाहेति दिवि देवानां पार्थिवानां च सर्वशः          

पतमाने रथाद भीष्मे बभूव सुमहान सवनः      

83 तं पतन्तम अभिप्रेक्ष्य महात्मानं पितामहम          

सह भीष्मेण सर्वेषां परापतन हृदयानि नः      

84 स पपात महाबाहुर वसुधाम अनुनादयन          

इन्द्रध्वज इवॊत्सृष्टः केतुः सर्वधनुष्मताम          

धरणीं नास्पृशच चापि शरसंघैः समाचितः      

85 शरतल्पे महेष्वासं शयानं पुरुषर्षभम          

रथात परपतितं चैनं दिव्यॊ भावः समाविशत      

86 अभ्यवर्षत पर्जन्यः पराकम्पत च मेदिनी          

पतन स ददृशे चापि खर्वितं च दिवाकरम      

87 संज्ञां चैवालभद वीरः कालं संचिन्त्य भारत          

अन्तरिक्षे च शुश्राव दिव्यां वाचं समन्ततः      

88 कथं महात्मा गाङ्गेयः सर्वशस्त्रभृतां वरः          

कालं कर्ता नरव्याघ्रः संप्राप्ते दक्षिणायने      

89 सथितॊ ऽसमीति च गाङ्गेयस तच छरुत्वा वाक्यम अब्रवीत          

धारयाम आस च पराणान पतितॊ ऽपि हि भूतले          

उत्तरायणम अन्विच्छन भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः      

90 तस्य तन मतम आज्ञाय गङ्गा हिमवतः सुता         

 महर्षीन हंसरूपेण परेषयाम आस तत्र वै      

91 ततः संपातिनॊ हंसास तवरिता मानसौकसः          

आजग्मुः सहिता दरष्टुं भीष्मं कुरुपितामहम          

यत्र शेते नरश्रेष्ठः शरतल्पे पितामहः      

92 ते तु भीष्मं समासाद्य मुनयॊ हंसरूपिणः          

अपश्यञ शरतल्पस्थं भीष्मं कुरुपितामहम      

93 ते तं दृष्ट्वा महात्मानं कृत्वा चापि परदक्षिणम          

गाङ्गेयं भरतश्रेष्ठं दक्षिणेन च भास्करम      

94 इतरेतरम आमन्त्र्य पराहुस तत्र मनीषिणः          

भीष्म एव महात्मा सन संस्थाता दक्षिणायने      

95 इत्य उक्त्वा परस्थितान हंसान दक्षिणाम अभितॊ दिशम          

संप्रेक्ष्य वै महाबुद्धिश चिन्तयित्वा च भारत      

96 तान अब्रवीच छांतनवॊ नाहं गन्ता कथं चन          

दक्षिणावृत्त आदित्य एतन मम मनैः सथितम      

97 गमिष्यामि सवकं सथानम आसीद यन मे पुरातनम          

उदगावृत्त आदित्ये हंसाः सत्यं बरवीमि वः     

98 धारयिष्याम्य अहं पराणान उत्तरायणकाङ्क्षया          

ऐश्वर्यभूतः पराणानाम उत्सर्गे नियतॊ हय अहम          

तस्मात पराणान धारयिष्ये मुमूर्षुर उदगायने      

99 यश च दत्तॊ वरॊ मह्यं पित्रा तेन महात्मना          

छन्दतॊ मृत्युर इत्य एवं तस्य चास्तु वरस तथा      

100 धारयिष्ये ततः पराणान उत्सर्गे नियते सति         

इत्य उक्त्वा तांस तदा हंसान अशेत शरतल्पगः     

101 एवं कुरूणां पतिते शृङ्गे भीष्मे महौजसि         

पाण्डवाः सृञ्जयाश चैव सिंहनादं परचक्रिरे     

102 तस्मिन हते महासत्त्वे भरतानाम अमध्यमे         

न किं चित परत्यपद्यन्त पुत्रास ते भरतर्षभ         

संमॊहश चैव तुमुलः कुरूणाम अभवत तदा     

103 नृपा दुर्यॊधनमुखा निःश्वस्य रुरुदुस ततः        

 विषादाच च चिरं कालम अतिष्ठन विगतेन्द्रियाः     

104 दध्युश चैव महाराज न युद्धे दधिरे मनः        

 ऊरुग्राहगृहीताश च नाभ्यधावन्त पाण्डवान     

105 अवध्ये शंतनॊः पुत्रे हते भीष्मे महौजसि         

अभावः सुमहान राजन कुरून आगाद अतन्द्रितः     

106 हतप्रवीराश च वयं निकृत्ताश च शितैः शरैः        

 कर्तव्यं नाभिजानीमॊ निर्जिताः सव्यसाचिना     

107 पाण्डवास तु जयं लब्ध्वा परत्र च परां गतिम         

सर्वे दध्मुर महाशङ्खाञ शूराः परिघबाहवः         

सॊमकाश च सपञ्चालाः पराहृष्यन्त जनेश्वर     

108 ततस तूर्यसहस्रेषु नदत्सु सुमहाबलः         

आस्फॊटयाम आस भृशं भीमसेनॊ ननर्त च     

109 सेनयॊर उभयॊश चापि गाङ्गेये विनिपातिते         

संन्यस्य वीराः शस्त्राणि पराध्यायन्त समन्ततः     

110 पराक्रॊशन परापतंश चान्ये जग्मुर मॊहं तथापरे         

कषत्रं चान्ये ऽभयनिन्दन्त भीष्मं चैके ऽभयपूजयन     

111 ऋषयः पितरश चैव परशशंसुर महाव्रतम         

भरतानां च ये पूर्वे ते चैनं परशशंसिरे     

112 महॊपनिषदं चैव यॊगम आस्थाय वीर्यवान         

जपञ शांतनवॊ धीमान कालाकाङ्क्षी सथितॊ ऽभवत

 

 1 saṃjaya uvāca           

evaṃ te paṇḍavāḥ sarve puraskṛtya śikhaṇḍinam           

vivyadhuḥ samare bhīṣmaṃ parivārya samantataḥ       

2 śataghnībhiḥ sughorābhiḥ paṭṭiśaiḥ saparaśvadhaiḥ           

mudgarair musalaiḥ prāsaiḥ kṣepaṇībhiś ca sarvaśaḥ       

3 śaraiḥ kanakapuṅkhaiś ca śaktitomarakampanaiḥ           

nārācair vatsadantaiś ca bhuśuṇḍībhiś ca bhārata           

atāḍayan raṇe bhīṣme sahitāḥ sarvasṛñjayāḥ       

4 sa viśīrṇātanutrāṇaḥ pīḍito bahubhis tadā           

vivyathe naiva gāṅgeyo bhidyamāneṣu marmasu       

5 sa dīptaśaracāpārcir astraprasṛtamārutaḥ           

neminirhrādasaṃnādo mahāstrodayapāvakaḥ       

6 citracāpamahājvālo vīrakṣayamahendhanaḥ           

yugāntāgnisamo bhīṣmaḥ pareṣāṃ samapadyata       

7 nipatya rathasaṃghānām antareṇa viniḥsṛtaḥ           

dṛśyate sma narendrāṇāṃ punar madhyagataś caran       

8 tataḥ pāñcālarājaṃ ca dhṛṣṭaketum atītya ca           

pāṇḍavānīkinīmadhyam āsasāda sa vegitaḥ       

9 tataḥ sātyakibhīmau ca pāṇḍavaṃ ca dhanaṃjayam           

drupadaṃ ca virāṭaṃ ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaṃ ca pārṣatam       

10 bhīmaghoṣair mahāvegair vairivāraṇabhedibhiḥ          

ṣaḍ etān ṣaḍbhir ānarchad bhāskarapratimaiḥ śaraiḥ      

11 tasya te niśitān bāṇān saṃnivārya mahārathāḥ          

daśabhir daśabhir bhīṣmam ardayām āsur ojasā      

12 śikhaṇḍī tu raṇe bāṇān yān mumoca mahāvrate          

te bhīṣmaṃ viviśus tūrṇaṃ svarṇapuṅkhāḥ śilāśitāḥ      

13 tataḥ kirīṭī saṃrabdho bhīṣmam evābhyavartata          

śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya dhanuś cāsya samācchinat      

14 bhīṣmasya dhanuṣaś chedaṃ nāmṛṣyanta mahārathāḥ          

droṇaś ca kṛtavarmā ca saindhavaś ca jayadrathaḥ      

15 bhūriśravāḥ śalaḥ śalyo bhagadattas tathaiva ca          

saptaite paramakruddhāḥ kirīṭinam abhidrutāḥ      

16 uttamāstrāṇi divyāni darśayanto mahārathāḥ          

abhipetur bhṛśaṃ kruddhāś chādayanta sma pāṇḍavān      

17 teṣām āpatatāṃ śabdaḥ śuśruve phalgunaṃ prati          

udvṛttānāṃ yathā śabdaḥ samudrāṇāṃ yugakṣaye      

18 hatānayata gṛhṇīta yudhyatāpi ca kṛntata          

ity āsīt tumulaḥ śabdaḥ phalgunasya rathaṃ prati      

19 taṃ śabdaṃ tumulaṃ śrutvā pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathāḥ          

abhyadhāvan parīpsantaḥ phalgunaṃ bharatarṣabha      

20 sātyakir bhīmasenaś ca dhṛṣṭadyumnaś ca pārṣataḥ          

virāṭadrupadau cobhau rākṣasaś ca ghaṭotkacaḥ      

21 abhimanyuś ca saṃkruddhaḥ saptaite krodhamūrchitāḥ          

samabhyadhāvaṃs tvaritāś citrakārmukadhāriṇaḥ      

22 teṣāṃ samabhavad yuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam          

saṃgrāme bharataśreṣṭha devānāṃ dānavair iva      

23 śikhaṇḍī tu rathaśreṣṭho rakṣyamāṇaḥ kirīṭinā          

avidhyad daśabhir bhīṣmaṃ chinnadhanvānam āhave          

sārathiṃ daśabhiś cāsya dhvajaṃ caikena cicchide      

24 so 'nyat kārmukam ādāya gāṅgeyo vegavattaram          

tad apy asya śitair bhallais tribhiś ciccheda phalgunaḥ      

25 evaṃ sa pāṇḍavaḥ kruddha āttam āttaṃ punaḥ punaḥ          

dhanur bhīṣmasya ciccheda savyasācī paraṃtapaḥ      

26 sa cchinnadhanvā saṃkruddhaḥ sṛkkiṇī parisaṃlihan          

śaktiṃ jagrāha saṃkruddho girīṇām api dāraṇīm          

tāṃ ca cikṣepa saṃkruddhaḥ phalgunasya rathaṃ prati      

27 tām āpatantīṃ saṃprekṣya jvalantīm aśanīm iva          

samādatta śitān bhallān pañca pāṇḍavanandanaḥ      

28 tasya ciccheda tāṃ śaktiṃ pañcadhā pañcabhiḥ śaraiḥ          

saṃkruddho bharataśreṣṭha bhīṣmabāhubaleritām      

29 sā papāta paricchinnā saṃkruddhena kirīṭinā         

 meghavṛndaparibhraṣṭā vicchinneva śatahradā      

30 chinnāṃ tāṃ śaktim ālokya bhīṣmaḥ krodhasamanvitaḥ          

acintayad raṇe vīro buddhyā parapuraṃjayaḥ      

31 śakto 'haṃ dhanuṣaikena nihantuṃ sarvapāṇḍavān          

yady eṣāṃ na bhaved goptā viṣvakseno mahābalaḥ      

32 kāraṇadvayam āsthāya nāhaṃ yotsyāmi pāṇḍavaiḥ          

avadhyatvāc ca pāṇḍūnāṃ strībhāvāc ca śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

33 pitrā tuṣṭena me pūrvaṃ yadā kālīm udāvahat          

svacchandamaraṇaṃ dattam avadhyatvaṃ raṇe tathā          

tasmān mṛtyum ahaṃ manye prāptakālam ivātmanaḥ      

34 evaṃ jñātvā vyavasitaṃ bhīṣmasyāmitatejasaḥ          

ṛṣayo vasavaś caiva viyatsthā bhīṣmam abruvan      

35 yat te vyavasitaṃ vīra asmākaṃ sumahat priyam          

tat kuruṣva maheṣvāsa yuddhād buddhiṃ nivartaya      

36 tasya vākyasya nidhane prādur āsīc chivo 'nilaḥ         

anulomaḥ sugandhī ca pṛṣataiś ca samanvitaḥ      

37 devadundubhayaś caiva saṃpraṇedur mahāsvanāḥ         

 papāta puṣpavṛṣṭiś ca bhīṣmasyopari pārthiva      

38 na ca tac chuśruve kaś cit teṣāṃ saṃvadatāṃ nṛpa          

ṛte bhīṣmaṃ mahābāhuṃ māṃ cāpi munitejasā      

39 saṃbhramaś ca mahān āsīt tridaśānāṃ viśāṃ pate         

 patiṣyati rathād bhīṣme sarvalokapriye tadā      

40 iti devagaṇānāṃ ca śrutvā vākyaṃ mahāmanāḥ        

  tataḥ śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo bībhatsuṃ nābhyavartata         

 bhidyamānaḥ śitair bāṇaiḥ sarvāvaraṇabhedibhiḥ      

41 śikhaṇḍī tu mahārāja bharatānāṃ pitāmaham         

 ājaghānorasi kruddho navabhir niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ      

42 sa tenābhihataḥ saṃkhye bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ          

nākampata mahārāja kṣitikampe yathācalaḥ      

43 tataḥ prahasya bībhatsur vyākṣipan gāṇḍivaṃ dhanuḥ          

gāṅgeyaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṃ samarpayat      

44 punaḥ śaraśatenaivaṃ tvaramāṇo dhanaṃjayaḥ          

sarvagātreṣu saṃkruddhaḥ sarvamarmasv atāḍayat     

 45 evam anyair api bhṛśaṃ vadhyamāno mahāraṇe          

na cakrus te rujaṃ tasya rukmapuṅkhāḥ śilāśitāḥ      

46 tataḥ kirīṭī saṃrabdho bhīṣmam evābhyavartata          

śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya dhanuś cāsya samācchinat      

47 athainaṃ daśabhir viddhvā dhvajam ekena cicchide          

sārathiṃ viśikhaiś cāsya daśabhiḥ samakampayat      

48 so 'nyat kārmukam ādatta gāṅgeyo balavattaram          

tad apy asya śitair bhallais tridhā tribhir upānudat         

 nimeṣāntaramātreṇa āttam āttaṃ mahāraṇe      

49 evam asya dhanūṃṣy ājau ciccheda subahūny api          

tataḥ śāṃtanavo bhīṣmo bībhatsuṃ nābhyavartata      

50 athainaṃ pañcaviṃśatyā kṣudrakāṇāṃ samardayat         

 so 'tividdho maheṣvāso duḥśāsanam abhāṣata      

51 eṣa pārtho raṇe kruddhaḥ pāṇḍavānāṃ mahārathaḥ         

 śarair anekasāhasrair mām evābhyasate raṇe      

52 na caiṣa śakyaḥ samare jetuṃ vajrabhṛtā api          

na cāpi sahitā vīrā devadānavarākṣasāḥ          

māṃ caiva śaktā nirjetuṃ kim u martyāḥ sudurbalāḥ      

53 evaṃ tayoḥ saṃvadatoḥ phalguno niśitaiḥ śaraiḥ          

śikhaṇḍinaṃ puraskṛtya bhīṣmaṃ vivyādha saṃyuge      

54 tato duḥśāsanaṃ bhūyaḥ smayamāno 'bhyabhāṣata          

atividdhaḥ śitair bāṇair bhṛśaṃ gāṇḍīvadhanvanā      

55 vajrāśanisamasparśāḥ śitāgrāḥ saṃpraveśitāḥ          

vimuktā avyavacchinnā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

56 nikṛntamānā marmāṇi dṛḍhāvaraṇabhedinaḥ          

musalānīva me ghnanti neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

57 brahmadaṇḍasamasparśā vajravegā durāsadāḥ          

mama prāṇān ārujanti neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

58 bhujagā iva saṃkruddhā lelihānā viṣolbaṇāḥ          

mamāviśanti marmāṇi neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

59 nāśayantīva me prāṇān yamadūtā ivāhitāḥ          

gadāparighasaṃsparśā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ     

 60 kṛntanti mama gātrāṇi māghamāse gavām iva          

arjunasya ime bāṇā neme bāṇāḥ śikhaṇḍinaḥ      

61 sarve hy api na me duḥkhaṃ kuryur anye narādhipāḥ         

 vīraṃ gaṇḍīvadhanvānam ṛte jiṣṇuṃ kapidhvajam      

62 iti bruvañ śāṃtanavo didhakṣur iva pāṇḍavam          

saviṣphuliṅgāṃ dīptāgrāṃ śaktiṃ cikṣepa bhārata      

63 tām asya viśikhaiś chittvā tridhā tribhir apātayat          

paśyatāṃ kuruvīrāṇāṃ sarveṣāṃ tatra bhārata      

64 carmāthādatta gāṅgeyo jātarūpapariṣkṛtam          

khaḍgaṃ cānyataraṃ prepsur mṛtyor agre jayāya vā     

 65 tasya tac chatadhā carma vyadhamad daṃśitātmanaḥ          

rathād anavarūḍhasya tad adbhutam ivābhavat      

66 vinadyoccaiḥ siṃha iva svāny anīkāny acodayat         

 abhidravata gāṅgeyaṃ māṃ vo 'stu bhayam aṇv api      

67 atha te tomaraiḥ prāsair bāṇaughaiś ca samantataḥ          

paṭṭiśaiś ca sanistriṃśair nānāpraharaṇais tathā      

68 vatsadantaiś ca bhallaiś ca tam ekam abhidudruvuḥ          

siṃhanādas tato ghoraḥ pāṇḍavānām ajāyata      

69 tathaiva tava putrāś ca rājan bhīṣmajayaiṣiṇaḥ         

 tam ekam abhyavartanta siṃhanādāṃś ca nedire      

70 tatrāsīt tumulaṃ yuddhaṃ tāvakānāṃ paraiḥ saha         

 daśame 'hani rājendra bhīṣmārjunasamāgame      

71 āsīd gāṅga ivāvarto muhūrtam udadher iva          

sainyānāṃ yudhyamānānāṃ nighnatām itaretaram      

72 agamyarūpā pṛthivī śoṇitāktā tadābhavat          

samaṃ ca viṣamaṃ caiva na prājñāyata kiṃ cana      

73 yodhānām ayutaṃ hatvā tasmin sa daśame 'hani          

atiṣṭhad āhave bhīṣmo bhidyamāneṣu marmasu      

74 tataḥ senāmukhe tasmin sthitaḥ pārtho dhanaṃjayaḥ          

madhyena kurusainyānāṃ drāvayām āsa vāhinīm      

75 vayaṃ śvetahayād bhītāḥ kuntīputrād dhanaṃjayāt          

pīḍyamānāḥ śitaiḥ śastraiḥ pradravāma mahāraṇāt      

76 sauvīrāḥ kitavāḥ prācyāḥ pratīcyodīcyamālavāḥ          

abhīṣāhāḥ śūrasenāḥ śibayo 'tha vasātayaḥ      

77 śālvāśrayās trigartāś ca ambaṣṭhāḥ kekayaiḥ saha          

dvādaśaite janapadāḥ śarārtā vraṇapīḍitāḥ          

saṃgrāme na jahur bhīṣmaṃ yudhyamānaṃ kirīṭinā      

78 tatas tam ekaṃ bahavaḥ parivārya samantataḥ          

parikālya kurūn sarvāñ śaravarṣair avākiran      

79 nipātayata gṛhṇīta vidhyatātha ca karṣata         

 ity āsīt tumulaḥ śabdo rājan bhīṣmarathaṃ prati      

80 abhihatya śaraughais taṃ śataśo 'tha sahasraśaḥ          

na tasyāsīd anirbhinnaṃ gātreṣv aṅgulamātrakam      

81 evaṃvibho tava pitā śarair viśakalī kṛtaḥ          

śitāgraiḥ phalgunenājau prākśirāḥ prāpatad rathāt          

kiṃciccheṣe dinakare putrāṇāṃ tava paśyatām      

82 hāheti divi devānāṃ pārthivānāṃ ca sarvaśaḥ          

patamāne rathād bhīṣme babhūva sumahān svanaḥ      

83 taṃ patantam abhiprekṣya mahātmānaṃ pitāmaham         

 saha bhīṣmeṇa sarveṣāṃ prāpatan hṛdayāni naḥ      

84 sa papāta mahābāhur vasudhām anunādayan         

 indradhvaja ivotsṛṣṭaḥ ketuḥ sarvadhanuṣmatām          

dharaṇīṃ nāspṛśac cāpi śarasaṃghaiḥ samācitaḥ      

85 śaratalpe maheṣvāsaṃ śayānaṃ puruṣarṣabham         

 rathāt prapatitaṃ cainaṃ divyo bhāvaḥ samāviśat      

86 abhyavarṣata parjanyaḥ prākampata ca medinī          

patan sa dadṛśe cāpi kharvitaṃ ca divākaram      

87 saṃjñāṃ caivālabhad vīraḥ kālaṃ saṃcintya bhārata          

antarikṣe ca śuśrāva divyāṃ vācaṃ samantataḥ      

88 kathaṃ mahātmā gāṅgeyaḥ sarvaśastrabhṛtāṃ varaḥ          

kālaṃ kartā naravyāghraḥ saṃprāpte dakṣiṇāyane      

89 sthito 'smīti ca gāṅgeyas tac chrutvā vākyam abravīt          

dhārayām āsa ca prāṇān patito 'pi hi bhūtale          

uttarāyaṇam anvicchan bhīṣmaḥ kurupitāmahaḥ      

90 tasya tan matam ājñāya gaṅgā himavataḥ sutā          

maharṣīn haṃsarūpeṇa preṣayām āsa tatra vai      

91 tataḥ saṃpātino haṃsās tvaritā mānasaukasaḥ          

ājagmuḥ sahitā draṣṭuṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham          

yatra śete naraśreṣṭhaḥ śaratalpe pitāmahaḥ      

92 te tu bhīṣmaṃ samāsādya munayo haṃsarūpiṇaḥ          

apaśyañ śaratalpasthaṃ bhīṣmaṃ kurupitāmaham      

93 te taṃ dṛṣṭvā mahātmānaṃ kṛtvā cāpi pradakṣiṇam         

 gāṅgeyaṃ bharataśreṣṭhaṃ dakṣiṇena ca bhāskaram      

94 itaretaram āmantrya prāhus tatra manīṣiṇaḥ          

bhīṣma eva mahātmā san saṃsthātā dakṣiṇāyane      

95 ity uktvā prasthitān haṃsān dakṣiṇām abhito diśam          

saṃprekṣya vai mahābuddhiś cintayitvā ca bhārata      

96 tān abravīc chāṃtanavo nāhaṃ gantā kathaṃ cana          

dakṣiṇāvṛtta āditya etan mama manaiḥ sthitam      

97 gamiṣyāmi svakaṃ sthānam āsīd yan me purātanam         

 udagāvṛtta āditye haṃsāḥ satyaṃ bravīmi vaḥ      

98 dhārayiṣyāmy ahaṃ prāṇān uttarāyaṇakāṅkṣayā         

 aiśvaryabhūtaḥ prāṇānām utsarge niyato hy aham          

tasmāt prāṇān dhārayiṣye mumūrṣur udagāyane      

99 yaś ca datto varo mahyaṃ pitrā tena mahātmanā          

chandato mṛtyur ity evaṃ tasya cāstu varas tathā      

100 dhārayiṣye tataḥ prāṇān utsarge niyate sati        

 ity uktvā tāṃs tadā haṃsān aśeta śaratalpagaḥ     

101 evaṃ kurūṇāṃ patite śṛṅge bhīṣme mahaujasi        

 pāṇḍavāḥ sṛñjayāś caiva siṃhanādaṃ pracakrire     

102 tasmin hate mahāsattve bharatānām amadhyame         

na kiṃ cit pratyapadyanta putrās te bharatarṣabha         

saṃmohaś caiva tumulaḥ kurūṇām abhavat tadā     

103 nṛpā duryodhanamukhā niḥśvasya rurudus tataḥ         

viṣādāc ca ciraṃ kālam atiṣṭhan vigatendriyāḥ     

104 dadhyuś caiva mahārāja na yuddhe dadhire manaḥ         

ūrugrāhagṛhītāś ca nābhyadhāvanta pāṇḍavān     

105 avadhye śaṃtanoḥ putre hate bhīṣme mahaujasi         

abhāvaḥ sumahān rājan kurūn āgād atandritaḥ     

106 hatapravīrāś ca vayaṃ nikṛttāś ca śitaiḥ śaraiḥ         

kartavyaṃ nābhijānīmo nirjitāḥ savyasācinā     

107 pāṇḍavās tu jayaṃ labdhvā paratra ca parāṃ gatim         

sarve dadhmur mahāśaṅkhāñ śūrāḥ parighabāhavaḥ         

somakāś ca sapañcālāḥ prāhṛṣyanta janeśvara     

108 tatas tūryasahasreṣu nadatsu sumahābalaḥ         

āsphoṭayām āsa bhṛśaṃ bhīmaseno nanarta ca     

109 senayor ubhayoś cāpi gāṅgeye vinipātite         

saṃnyasya vīrāḥ śastrāṇi prādhyāyanta samantataḥ     

110 prākrośan prāpataṃś cānye jagmur mohaṃ tathāpare        

 kṣatraṃ cānye 'bhyanindanta bhīṣmaṃ caike 'bhyapūjayan     

111 ṛṣayaḥ pitaraś caiva praśaśaṃsur mahāvratam         

bharatānāṃ ca ye pūrve te cainaṃ praśaśaṃsire     

112 mahopaniṣadaṃ caiva yogam āsthāya vīryavān        

 japañ śāṃtanavo dhīmān kālākāṅkṣī sthito 'bhavat

 

Sanjaya said, "Thus all the Pandavas, placing Sikhandin before them pierced Bhishma in that battle repeatedly surrounding him on all sides. And all the Srinjayas, uniting together, struck him with dreadful Sataghnis, and spiked maces, and battle-axes, and mallets, and short thick clubs, and bearded darts, and other missiles, and arrows furnished with golden wing, and darts and lances and kampanas; and with long shafts, and arrows furnished with heads shaped like the calf-tooth, and rockets. Thus afflicted by many, his coat of mail was pierced everywhere. But though pierced in every vital part, Bhishma felt no pain. On the other hand, he then seemed to his enemies to resemble in appearance the (all-destructive) fire that rises at the end of Yuga. His bow and arrows constituted the blazing flames (of that fire). The flight of his weapons constituted its (friendly) breeze. The rattle of his car-wheels constituted its heat and mighty weapons constituted its splendour. His beautiful bow formed its fierce tongue, and the bodies of heroic warriors, its profuse fuel. And Bhishma was seen to roll through the midst of crowds of cars belonging to those kings, or to come out (of the press) at times, or course once more through their midst. Then, disregarding the king of the Panchalas and Dhrishtaketu, he penetrated, O monarch, into the midst of the Pandava army. He then pierced the six Pandava warriors, viz., Satyaki, and Bhima, and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, and Drupada, and Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, with many excellent arrows of great sharpness and dreadful whizz and exceeding impetuosity, and capable of piercing through every kind of armour. Those mighty car-warriors, however, checking those keen shafts, afflicted Bhishma with great force, each of them striking him with ten shafts. Those mighty shafts, whetted on stone and furnished with golden wings, which the great car-warrior Sikhandin shot, quickly penetrated into Bhishma's body. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna), excited with wrath, and placing Sikhandin ahead rushed at Bhishma and cut off the latter's bow. Thereupon mighty car-warriors, seven in number, viz., Drona and Kritavarman, and Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, and Bhurisravas, and Sala, and Salya, and Bhagadatta could not brook that act of Arjuna. Inflamed with rage, they rushed at him. Indeed, those mighty car-warriors, invoking into existence celestial weapons, fell with great wrath upon that son of Pandu, and covered him with their arrows. And as they rushed towards Phalguni's car, the noise made by them was heard to resemble that made by the ocean itself when it swelleth in rage at the end of the Yuga, Kill, Bring up (our forces), Take, Pierce, Cut off, this was the furious uproar heard about Phalguni's car. Hearing that furious uproar, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army rushed forward, O bull of Bharata's race, for protecting Arjuna. They were Satyaki, and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and both Virata and Drupada, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and the wrathful Abhimanyu. These seven, inflamed with rage, and armed with excellent bows, rushed with great speed. And the battle that took place between these and the Kaurava warriors was fierce, making the hair stand on end, and resembling O chief of the Bharatas, the battle of the gods with the Danavas. Sikhandin, however, that foremost of car-warriors, protected in the battle by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), pierced Bhishma, in that encounter, with ten shafts after the latter's bow had been cut off. And he struck Bhishma's charioteer with other shafts, and cut off the latter's standard with one shaft. Then the son of Ganga took up another bow that was tougher. That even was cut off by Phalguni with three sharp shafts. Indeed, that chastiser of foes, viz., Arjuna, who was capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, excited with rage, one after another, cut off all the bows that Bhishma took up. Then Bhishma, whose bows were thus cut off, excited with rage, and licking the corners of his mouth, took up a dart that was capable of riving a hill. In rage he hurled it at Phalguni's car. Beholding its course towards him like the blazing bolt of heaven, the delighter of the Pandavas fixed five sharp broad-headed arrows (on his bow-string). And with those five arrows, O chief of the Bharatas, the angry Arjuna cut off into five fragments that dart hurled from Bhishma's arms. Thus cut off by the angry Arjuna, that dart then fell down like a flash of lightning separated from a mass of clouds. Beholding his dart cut off, Bhishma became filled with rage. That hero, that subjugator of hostile cities, then began to reflect. And he said unto himself, 'With only a single bow I could slay all the Pandavas, if the mighty Vishnu himself had not been their protector. For two reasons, however, I will not fight with the Pandavas, viz., their unslayableness, and the femininity of Sikhandin. Formerly, when my sire wedded Kali, he pleased (with me) gave me two boons, viz., that I should be incapable of being slain in battle, and that my death should depend on my own choice. I should, however, now wish my own death, this being the proper hour.' Ascertaining this to be the resolve of Bhishma of immeasurable energy, the Rishis and the Vasus stationed in the firmament, said, 'That which hath been resolved by thee is approved by us also, O son! Act according to thy resolution, O king. Withdraw thy heart from battle.' On the conclusion, of those words, fragrant and auspicious breeze charged with particles of water, began to blow along a natural direction. And celestial cymbals of loud sounds began to beat. And a flowery shower fell upon Bhishma, O sire. The words spoken by the Rishis and the Vasus, however, O king, were not heard by any one save Bhishma himself. I also heard them, through the power conferred on me by the Muni. Great was the grief, O monarch, that filled the hearts of the celestials at the thought of Bhishma, that favourite of all the worlds, falling down from his car. Having listened to these words of the celestials, Santanu's son Bhishma of great ascetic merit rushed out at Vibhatsu, even though he was then being pierced with sharp arrows capable of penetrating through every armour. Then Sikhandin, O king, excited with rage, struck the grandsire of the Bharatas in the chest with nine sharp arrows. The Kuru grandsire Bhishma, however, though struck by him in battle, thus, trembled not, O monarch, but remained unmoved like a mountain during an earthquake. Then Vibhatsu, drawing his bow Gandiva with a laugh, pierced the son of Ganga with five and twenty arrows. And once more, Dhananjaya, with great speed and excited with wrath struck him in every vital part with hundreds of arrows. Thus pierced by others, also with thousands of arrows, the mighty car-warrior Bhishma pierced those others in return with great speed. And as regards the arrows shot by those warriors, Bhishma, possessed of prowess in battle that was incapable of being baffled, equally checked them all with his own straight arrows. Those arrows, however, endued with wings of gold and whetted on stone, which the mighty car-warrior Sikhandin shot in that battle, scarcely caused Bhishma any pain. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna), excited with rage and placing Sikhandin to the fore, approached Bhishma (nearer) and once more cut off his bow. And then piercing Bhishma with ten arrows, he cut off the latter's standard with one. And striking Bhishma's chariot with ten arrows, Arjuna caused him to tremble. The son of Ganga then took up another bow that was stronger. Within, however, the twinkling of an eye, as soon, in fact, as it was taken up, Arjuna cut that bow also into three fragments with three broad-headed shafts. And thus the son of Pandu cut off in that battle even all the bows of Bhishma. After that, Bhishma the son of Santanu, no longer desired to battle with Arjuna. The latter, however, then pierced him with five and twenty arrows. That great bowman, thus pierced greatly, then addressed Dussasana, and skid, 'Behold, Partha, that great car-warrior of the Pandavas, excited with wrath in battle, pierceth me alone with many thousands of arrows. He is incapable of being vanquished in battle by the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself. As regards myself also, O hero, the very gods, Danavas and Rakshasas united together, are incapable of vanquishing me. What I shall say then of mighty car-warriors among men?' While Bhishma was thus speaking to Dussasana, Phalguni with sharp shafts, and placing Sikhandin to the fore, pierced Bhishma in that battle. Then Bhishma, deeply and excessively pierced by the wielder of Gandiva with keen-pointed shafts, once more addressed Dussasana with a smile and said, 'These arrows coursing towards me in one continuous line, whose touch resembleth that of heaven's bolt, have been shot by Arjuna. These are not Sikhandin's. Cutting me to the quick, piercing through even my hard coat of mail, and striking me with the force of mushalas, these arrows are not Sikhandin's. Of touch as hard as that of the Brahmana's rod (of chastisement), and of impetus unbearable as that of the thunder-bolt, these arrows are afflicting my vital forces. These are not Sikhandin's. Of the touch of maces and spiked bludgeons, those arrows are destroying my vital forces like messengers of Death commissioned (by the grim king himself). These are not Sikhandin's. Like angry snakes of virulent poison, projecting their tongues out, these are penetrating into my vitals. These are not Sikhandin's--these that cut me to the quick like the cold of winter cutting kine to the quick. Save the heroic wielder of Gandiva, viz., the ape-bannered Jishnu, even all other kings united together cannot cause me pain. Saying these words, Bhishma, the valiant son of Santanu, as if for the object of consuming the Pandavas, hurled a dart at Partha. Partha, however, caused that dart to drop down, cutting it into three fragments with three shafts, in the very sight, O Bharata, of all the Kuru heroes of thy army. Desirous of obtaining either death or victory, the son of Ganga then took up a sword and a shield decked with gold. Before, however, he could come down from his car, Arjuna cut off by means of his arrows, that shield into a hundred fragments. And that feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Then the king Yudhishthira urged his own troops, saying, 'Rush ye at Ganga's son. Do not entertain the slightest fear'. Then, armed with bearded darts, and lances, and arrows, from all sides, with axes, and excellent scimitars, and long shafts of great sharpness, with calf-toothed arrows, and broad-headed shafts, they all rushed at that single warrior. Then arose from among the Pandava host a loud shout. Then thy sons also, O king, desirous of Bhishma's victory, surrounded him and uttered leonine shouts. Fierce was the battle fought there between thy troops and those of the enemy on that the tenth day, O king, when Bhishma and Arjuna met together. Like unto the vortex that occurs at the spot where the Ganga meets the Ocean, for a short while a vortex occurred there where the troops of both armies met and struck one another down. And the Earth, wet with gore, assumed a fierce form. And the even and the uneven spots on her surface could no longer be distinguished. Although Bhishma was pierced in all his vital limbs, yet on that the tenth day he stayed (calmly) in battle, having slain ten thousand warriors. Then that great bowman, Partha, stationed at the head of his troops, broke the centre of the Kuru army. Ourselves then, afraid of Kunti's son Dhananjaya having white steeds attached to his car, and afflicted by him with polished weapons, fled away from the battle. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Surasenas, the Sivis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Amvashthas, and the Kaikeyas. --these and many other illustrious warriors,--afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Then a great many warriors, surrounding that single warrior on all sides, defeated the Kurus (that protected him) and covered him with shower of arrows. Throw down, Seize, Fight, Cut into pieces,--this was the furious uproar, O king, heard in the vicinity of Bhishma's car. Having slain in that battle, O monarch, (his foes) by hundreds and thousands, there was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows. Thus was thy sire mangled with arrows of keen points by Phalguni in that battle. And then he fell down from his car with his head to the east, a little before sunset, in the very sight of thy sons. And while Bhishma fell, loud cries of alas and oh, O Bharata, were heard in the welkin uttered by the celestials and the kings of the earth. And beholding the high-souled grandsire falling down (from his car), the hearts of all of us fell with him. That foremost of all bowmen, that mighty-armed hero, fell down, like an uprooted standard of Indra, making the earth tremble the while. Pierced all over with arrows, his body touched not the ground. At that moment, O bull of Bharata's race, a divine nature took possession of that great bowman lying on a bed of arrows. The clouds poured a (cool) shower (over him) and the Earth trembled. While falling he had marked that the Sun was then in the southern solstice. That hero, therefore, permitted not his senses to depart, thinking of that (inauspicious) season (of death). And all around in the welkin he heard celestial voices saying, 'Why, Oh why, should Ganga's son, that foremost of all warriors of weapons, yield up his life during the southern declension?' Hearing these words, the son of Ganga answered, 'I am alive!' Although fallen upon the earth, the Kuru grandsire Bhishma, expectant of the northern declension, suffered not his life to depart. Ascertaining that to be his resolve, Ganga, the daughter of Himavat, sent unto him the great Rishis in swanlike form. Then those Rishis in the forms of swans inhabiting the Manasa lake, quickly rose up, and came together, for obtaining a sight of the Kuru grandsire Bhishma, to that spot where that foremost of men was lying on his bed of arrows. Then those Rishis in swanlike forms, coming to Bhishma, beheld that perpetuator of Kuru's race lying on his bed of arrows. Beholding that high-souled son of Ganga, that chief of the Bharatas, they walked round him, and the Sun being then in the southern solstice, they said, addressing one another, these words, 'Being a high-souled person, why should Bhishma pass out (of the world) during the southern declension?' Having said these words, those swans went away, proceeding towards the southern direction. Endued with great intelligence, Bhishma, O Bharata. beholding them, reflected for a moment. And the son of Santanu then said unto them. 'I will never pass out (of the world) as long as the Sun is in the southern solstice. Even this is my resolve. I will proceed to my own ancient abode when the Sun reacheth the northern solstice. Ye swans, I tell you this truly. Expectant of the northern declension I will hold my life. Since I have the fullest control over the yielding up of my life, I will, therefore, hold life, expectant of death during the northern declension. The boon that was granted to me by my illustrious sire, to the effect that my death would depend on my own wish O, let that boon become true. I will hold my life, since I have control in the matter of laying it down.' Having said these words to those swans, he continued to lie down on his bed of arrows.

 

"When that crest of the Kuru race, viz., Bhishma of great energy, fell down, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas uttered leonine shouts. When the grandsire of the Bharatas who was endued with great might was overthrown, thy son, O bull of Bharata's race, knew not what to do. And all the Kurus were entirely deprived of their senses. And the Kurus headed by Kripa, and Duryodhana, sighed and wept. And from grief they remained for a long while deprived of their senses. And they remained perfectly still, O monarch, without setting their hearts on battle. As if seized by thighs, they stood motionless, without proceeding against the Pandavas. When Santanu's son Bhishma of mighty energy, who was (regarded as) unslayable, was slain, all of us thought that the destruction of the Kuru king was at hand. Vanquished by Savyasachin, with our foremost heroes slain, and ourselves mangled with sharp arrows, we knew not what to do. And the heroic Pandavas possessed of massive arms that looked like spiked maces, having obtained the victory and won a highly blessed state in the other world, all blew their great conches. And the Somakas and the Panchalas all rejoiced, O king. Then when thousands of trumpets were blown, the mighty Bhimasena slapped his arm-pits and uttered loud shouts. When the all-powerful son of Ganga was slain, the heroic warriors of both armies, laying down their weapons, began to reflect thoughtfully. And some uttered loud shrieks and some fled away, and some were deprived of their senses. And some censured the practices of the Kshatriya order and some applauded Bhishma. And the Rishis and the Pitris all applauded Bhishma of high vows. And the deceased ancestors of the Bharatas also praised Bhishma. Meanwhile the valiant and intelligent Bhishma, the son of Santanu, having recourse to that Yoga which is taught in the great Upanishads and engaged in mental prayers, remained quiet, expectant of his hour."