महाभारतम् — ६.१५

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच ।

कथं कुरूणामृषभो हतो भीष्मः शिखण्डिना ।
कथं रथात्स न्यपतत्पिता मे वासवोपमः ॥

M N Dutt Dhritarashtra said How has that foremost of all the Kurus Bhishma been killed by Shikhandi? How did my sire (Bhishma) who was like a second Indra fall down from his car?

६.१५.२

कथमासंश्च मे पुत्रा हीना भीष्मेण संजय ।
बलिना देवकल्पेन गुर्वर्थे ब्रह्मचारिणा ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, what happened to my sons when they were deprived of the powerful Bhishma who was like a god and who led a life of celibacy for his father?

६.१५.३

तस्मिन्हते महासत्त्वे महेष्वासे महाबले ।
महारथे नरव्याघ्रे किमु आसीन्मनस्तदा ॥

M N Dutt On the fall of that foremost of men Bhishma who possessed great wisdom, great ability for action, great powers and great energy what did our warriors thinks in their ininds?

६.१५.४

आर्तिः परा माविशति यतः शंससि मे हतम् ।
कुरूणामृषभं वीरमकम्प्यं पुरुषर्षभम् ॥

M N Dutt Hearing that the foremost of men, the best of the Kurus, the unwavering hero (Bhishma) is killed, my heart is possessed by great grief. sun

६.१५.५

के तं यान्तमनुप्रेयुः के चास्यासन्पुरोगमाः ।
केऽतिष्ठन्के न्यवर्तन्त केऽभ्यवर्तन्त संजय ॥

M N Dutt When he advanced who followed him and who went in front? Who stood by his side and who advanced with him?

६.१५.६

के शूरा रथशार्दूलमच्युतं क्षत्रियर्षभम् ।
रथानीकं गाहमानं सहसा पृष्ठतोऽन्वयुः ॥

M N Dutt Who arc those brave warriors that followed that foremost of all car-warriors, that great bowman, that best of the Kshatriya (Bhishma) when he penetrated into the ranks of the enemy?

६.१५.७

यस्तमोऽर्क इवापोहन्परसैन्यममित्रहा ।
सहस्ररश्मिप्रतिमः परेषां भयमादधत् ।
अकरोद्दुष्करं कर्म रणे कौरवशासनात् ॥

M N Dutt When he attacked the enemy's rank who were the warriors that opposed the chastiser of foes who resembled the and who, spreading terror among the foes destroyed their ranks as the sun destroys darkness, and who achieved exceedingly difficult feats amongst the ranks of the Pandavas?

६.१५.८

ग्रसमानमनीकानि य एनं पर्यवारयन् ।
कृतिनं तं दुराधर्षं सम्यग्यास्यन्तमन्तिके ।
कथं शांतनवं युद्धे पाण्डवाः प्रत्यवारयन् ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, how did the Pandavas oppose in battle that invincible son of Shantanu that accomplished warrior when he attacked them?

६.१५.९

निकृन्तन्तमनीकानि शरदंष्ट्रं तरस्विनम् ।
चापव्यात्ताननं घोरमसिजिह्वं दुरासदम् ॥

६.१५.१०

अत्यन्यान्पुरुषव्याघ्रान्ह्रीमन्तमपराजितम् ।
पातयामास कौन्तेयः कथं तमजितं युधि ॥

६.१५.११

उग्रधन्वानमुग्रेषुं वर्तमानं रथोत्तमे ।
परेषामुत्तमाङ्गानि प्रचिन्वन्तं शितेषुभिः ॥

६.१५.१२

पाण्डवानां महत्सैन्यं यं दृष्ट्वोद्यन्तमाहवे ।
कालाग्निमिव दुर्धर्षं समवेष्टत नित्यशः ॥

६.१५.१३

परिकृष्य स सेनां मे दशरात्रमनीकहा ।
जगामास्तमिवादित्यः कृत्वा कर्म सुदुष्करम् ॥

M N Dutt Alas (even that great Bhishma) the slayer of hostile heroes after having protected your army for ten nights and having achieved feats exceedingly difficult to be accomplished, today has set like the sun.

६.१५.१४

यः स शक्र इवाक्षय्यं वर्षं शरमयं सृजन् ।
जघान युधि योधानामर्बुदं दशभिर्दिनैः ॥

M N Dutt Scattering thousands of arrows with the greatest composure, he who like Indra, daily killed ten thousand warriors and that too (continually) for ten days.

६.१५.१५

स शेते निष्टनन्भूमौ वातरुग्ण इव द्रुमः ।
मम दुर्मन्त्रितेनासौ यथा नार्हः स भारतः ॥

M N Dutt O king, that descendant of Bharata even he, now killed by the enemy, lies, though he does not deserve it, on the bare ground like a large tree broken by the wind.

६.१५.१६

कथं शांतनवं दृष्ट्वा पाण्डवानामनीकिनी ।
प्रहर्तुमशकत्तत्र भीष्मं भीमपराक्रमम् ॥

M N Dutt Seeing the son of Shantanu, Bhishma, of fearful prowess, how could the army of the Panchalas strike him down?

६.१५.१७

कथं भीष्मेण संग्राममकुर्वन्पाण्डुनन्दनाः ।
कथं च नाजयद्भीष्मो द्रोणे जीवति संजय ॥

M N Dutt How did the Pandavas fight with Bhishma? O Sanjaya, how is it that Bhishma could not conquer when Drona is still alive.

६.१५.१८

कृपे संनिहिते तत्र भरद्वाजात्मजे तथा ।
भीष्मः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठः कथं स निधनं गतः ॥

M N Dutt When Kripa was near him, when Drona was there, how could Bhishma that foremost of warriors be killed?

६.१५.१९

कथं चातिरथस्तेन पाञ्चाल्येन शिखण्डिना ।
भीष्मो विनिहतो युद्धे देवैरपि दुरुत्सहः ॥

M N Dutt How could Bhishma, who was an Atiratha and who could not be resisted even by the celestial be killed in battle by the Panchala Prince Shikhandin?

६.१५.२०

यः स्पर्धते रणे नित्यं जामदग्न्यं महाबलम् ।
अजितं जामदग्न्येन शक्रतुल्यपराक्रमम् ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, he who always considered himself equal to the mighty son of Jamadagni, he whom Jamadagni's son himself could not conquer, he who resembled Indra in prowess, tell me how such a hero, Bhishma, born as he was in the race of Maharathas, was killed in battle. Without knowing all the particulars, I cannot get rest.

६.१५.२१

तं हतं समरे भीष्मं महारथबलोचितम् ।
संजयाचक्ष्व मे वीरं येन शर्म न विद्महे ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, he who always considered himself equal to the mighty son of Jamadagni, he whom Jamadagni's son himself could not conquer, he who resembled Indra in prowess, tell me how such a hero, Bhishma, born as he was in the race of Maharathas, was killed in battle. Without knowing all the particulars, I cannot get rest.

६.१५.२२

मामकाः के महेष्वासा नाजहुः संजयाच्युतम् ।
दुर्योधनसमादिष्टाः के वीराः पर्यवारयन् ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, (tell me) what great bow men of my army, did not abandon that hero of unfading energy and what brave warriors at the command Duryodhana stood around that hero in order to protect him?

६.१५.२३

यच्छिखण्डिमुखाः सर्वे पाण्डवा भीष्ममभ्ययुः ।
कच्चिन्न कुरवो भीतास्तत्यजुः संजयाच्युतम् ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, when all the Pandavas with Shikhandin at their head advanced against Bhishma, I hope the Kurus stood by the side of the great hero of immeasurable prowess.

६.१५.२४

मौर्वीघोषस्तनयित्नुः पृषत्कपृषतो महान् ।
धनुर्ह्रादमहाशब्दो महामेघ इवोन्नतः ॥

M N Dutt He was like a mighty cloud, the twang of his bow was the roar of that clouds, the arrows were its showers of rains, and the sound of his bow was its thunder. That hero, showering his arrows on the sons of Kunti along with the Panchalas and Srinjayas who were on their side struck down the hostile car-warriors as the slayer of Bala (Indra) struck down the Danavas.

६.१५.२५

यदभ्यवर्षत्कौन्तेयान्सपाञ्चालान्ससृञ्जयान् ।
निघ्नन्पररथान्वीरो दानवानिव वज्रभृत् ॥

M N Dutt He was like a mighty cloud, the twang of his bow was the roar of that clouds, the arrows were its showers of rains, and the sound of his bow was its thunder. That hero, showering his arrows on the sons of Kunti along with the Panchalas and Srinjayas who were on their side struck down the hostile car-warriors as the slayer of Bala (Indra) struck down the Danavas.

६.१५.२६

इष्वस्त्रसागरं घोरं बाणग्राहं दुरासदम् ।
कार्मुकोर्मिणमक्षय्यमद्वीपं समरेऽप्लवम् ।
गदासिमकरावर्तं हयग्राहं गजाकुलम् ॥

६.१५.२७

हयान्गजान्पदातांश्च रथांश्च तरसा बहून् ।
निमज्जयन्तं समरे परवीरापहारिणम् ॥

६.१५.२८

विदह्यमानं कोपेन तेजसा च परंतपम् ।
वेलेव मकरावासं के वीराः पर्यवारयन् ॥

६.१५.२९

भीष्मो यदकरोत्कर्म समरे संजयारिहा ।
दुर्योधनहितार्थाय के तदास्य पुरोऽभवन् ॥

M N Dutt Who were in his front when that chastiser of foes Bhishma achieved great feats in battle for the good of Duryodhana?

६.१५.३०

केऽरक्षन्दक्षिणं चक्रं भीष्मस्यामिततेजसः ।
पृष्ठतः के परान्वीरा उपासेधन्यतव्रताः ॥

M N Dutt Who were they that protected the right of that immeasurably powerful warrior? Who were they that resisted the enemy's warriors from his rear with patience and energy?

६.१५.३१

के पुरस्तादवर्तन्त रक्षन्तो भीष्ममन्तिके ।
केऽरक्षन्नुत्तरं चक्रं वीरा वीरस्य युध्यतः ॥

M N Dutt Who placed themselves just in front of him to protect him? Who were the heroes that protected the front of that brave warrior when he fought?

६.१५.३२

वामे चक्रे वर्तमानाः केऽघ्नन्संजय सृञ्जयान् ।
समेताग्रमनीकेषु केऽभ्यरक्षन्दुरासदम् ॥

M N Dutt Who were they that placed themselves on his left and attacked the Srinjayas? Who were they that protected the irresistible ranks of his advanced guard?

६.१५.३३

पार्श्वतः केऽभ्यवर्तन्त गच्छन्तो दुर्गमां गतिम् ।
समूहे के परान्वीरान्प्रत्ययुध्यन्त संजय ॥

M N Dutt Who protected the wings of that warrior who has gone away to his last journey? O Sanjaya, who were they that fought with the enemy's warriors in general engagement?

६.१५.३४

रक्ष्यमाणः कथं वीरैर्गोप्यमानाश्च तेन ते ।
दुर्जयानामनीकानि नाजयंस्तरसा युधि ॥

M N Dutt If he was protected by our warriors and if they protected by him, how is it that he could not defeat in battle the Pandava army, invincible though it was?

६.१५.३५

सर्वलोकेश्वरस्येव परमेष्ठिप्रजापतेः ।
कथं प्रहर्तुमपि ते शेकुः संजय पाण्डवाः ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, how could the Pandavas succeed in striking Bhishma who was like Parameshti himself, that lord and creator of all creatures.

६.१५.३६

यस्मिन्द्वीपे समाश्रित्य युध्यन्ति कुरवः परैः ।
तं निमग्नं नरव्याघ्रं भीष्मं शंससि संजय ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, you tell me of the disappearance of Bhishma, that foremost of men who was our main stay and relying on whom, the Kurus were fighting with their enemies.

६.१५.३७

यस्य वीर्ये समाश्वस्य मम पुत्रो बृहद्बलः ।
न पाण्डवानगणयत्कथं स निहतः परैः ॥

M N Dutt Alas, how has that greatly powerful warrior, relying on whose prowess my son never cared for the Pandavas, been (today) killed by the enemy?

६.१५.३८

यः पुरा विबुधैः सेन्द्रैः साहाय्ये युद्धदुर्मदः ।
काङ्क्षितो दानवान्घ्नद्भिः पिता मम महाव्रतः ॥

M N Dutt In the day of yore when the celestials were fighting with the Danavas, they sought the help of that invincible hero, my great vowobserving father.

६.१५.३९

यस्मिञ्जाते महावीर्ये शंतनुर्लोकशंकरे ।
शोकं दुःखं च दैन्यं च प्राजहात्पुत्रलक्ष्मणि ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, how can you tell me that Bhishma that foremost of all mighty men, that renowned warrior, that great refuge of all, that wise and virtuous man ever devoted to the duties of his order and learned in all the Vedas and their branches, the hero in whose birth Shantanu was freed from all grief, melancholy and sorrow, has been killed?

६.१५.४०

प्रज्ञा परायणं तज्ज्ञं सद्धर्मनिरतं शुचिम् ।
वेदवेदाङ्गतत्त्वज्ञं कथं शंससि मे हतम् ॥

M N Dutt O Sanjaya, how can you tell me that Bhishma that foremost of all mighty men, that renowned warrior, that great refuge of all, that wise and virtuous man ever devoted to the duties of his order and learned in all the Vedas and their branches, the hero in whose birth Shantanu was freed from all grief, melancholy and sorrow, has been killed?

६.१५.४१

सर्वास्त्रविनयोपेतं दान्तं शान्तं मनस्विनम् ।
हतं शांतनवं श्रुत्वा मन्ये शेषं बलं हतम् ॥

M N Dutt Skilled in every weapon, possessing himself gentleness, and great energy with passions under complete control, hearing that such son of Shantanu (Bhishma) is killed, I consider that rest of my army as already slain.

६.१५.४२

धर्मादधर्मो बलवान्संप्राप्त इति मे मतिः ।
यत्र वृद्धं गुरुं हत्वा राज्यमिच्छन्ति पाण्डवाः ॥

M N Dutt In my opinion, impiety has now become stronger than piety, for the Pandavas desire sovereignty even killed their venerable Guru.

६.१५.४३

जामदग्न्यः पुरा रामः सर्वास्त्रविदनुत्तमः ।
अम्बार्थमुद्यतः संख्ये भीष्मेण युधि निर्जितः ॥

M N Dutt In the days of yore. Rama, the son of Jamadagni, skilled in every weapon and whom none excelled, was vanquished by Bhishma in battle when fighting on behalf of Amba.

६.१५.४४

तमिन्द्रसमकर्माणं ककुदं सर्वधन्विनाम् ।
हतं शंससि भीष्मं मे किं नु दुःखमतः परम् ॥

M N Dutt You tell me that Bhishma who is the foremost of all warriors and who is equal to Indra in the great deeds he has performed has been killed, what can be a greater grief to me than this?

६.१५.४५

असकृत्क्षत्रियव्राताः संख्ये येन विनिर्जिताः ।
जामदग्न्यस्तथा रामः परवीरनिघातिना ॥

M N Dutt That great intelligent one, who was not killed even by that slayer of hostile heroes, that Rama, the son of Jamadagni who defeated in battle all Kshatriyas, has now been killed by Shikhandin,.

६.१५.४६

तस्मान्नूनं महावीर्याद्भार्गवाद्युद्धदुर्मदात् ।
तेजोवीर्यबलैर्भूयाञ्शिखण्डी द्रुपदात्मजः ॥

६.१५.४७

यः शूरं कृतिनं युद्धे सर्वशास्त्रविशारदम् ।
परमास्त्रविदं वीरं जघान भरतर्षभम् ॥

६.१५.४८

के वीरास्तममित्रघ्नमन्वयुः शत्रुसंसदि ।
शंस मे तद्यथा वृत्तं युद्धं भीष्मस्य पाण्डवैः ॥

६.१५.४९

योषेव हतवीरा मे सेना पुत्रस्य संजय ।
अगोपमिव चोद्भ्रान्तं गोकुलं तद्बलं मम ॥