Bhīṣmaparva Chapter - 12 (Ninth day war)

 

भीष्मपर्व - Bhīṣmaparva (नवम दिवसीय युद्धम्)

अध्यायः – 12  ::Chapter-12 (Ninth day war)

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा शकुनिश्चापि सौबलः । दुःशासनश्च पुत्रस्ते सूतपुत्रश्च दुर्जयः ॥ 1॥ समागम्य महाराज मन्त्रं चक्रूर्विवक्षितम् । कथं पाण्डुसुता युद्धे जेतव्याः सगणा इति ॥ 2॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा सर्वांस्तानाह मन्त्रिणः । सूतपुत्रं समाभाष्य सौबलं च महाबलम् ॥ 3॥ द्रोणो भीष्मः कृपः शल्यः सौमदत्तिश्च संयुगे । न पार्थान्प्रतिबाधन्ते न जाने तत्र कारणम् ॥ 4॥ अवध्यमानास्ते चापि क्षपयन्ति बलं मम । सोऽस्मि क्षीणबलः कर्ण क्षीणशस्त्रश्च संयुगे ॥ 5॥ तमब्रवीन्महाराज सूतपुत्रो नराधिपम् । मा शुचो भरतश्रेष्ठ प्रकरिष्ये प्रियं तव ॥ 6॥ भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तूर्णमपयातु महारणात् । निवृत्ते युधि गाङ्गेये न्यस्तशस्त्रे च भारत ॥ 7॥ अहं पार्थान्हनिष्यामि सनितान्सर्वसोमकैः । पश्यतो युधि भीष्मस्य शपे सत्येन ते नृप ॥ 8॥ स त्वं शीघ्रमितो गत्वा भीष्मस्य शिबिरं प्रति । अनुमान्य रणे भीष्मं शस्त्रं न्यासय भारत ॥ 9॥ निष्पपात ततस्तूर्णं पुत्रस्तव विशां पते । सहितो भ्रातृभिः सर्वैर्देवैरिव शतक्रतुः ॥ 10॥ सम्प्राप्य तु ततो राजा भीष्मस्य सदनं शुभम् । अवतीर्य हयाच्चापि भीष्मं प्राप्य जनेश्वरः ॥ 11॥ अभिवाद्य ततो भीष्मं निषण्णः परमासने । काञ्चने सर्वतोभद्रे स्पर्ध्यास्तरणसंवृते ॥ 12॥ उवाच प्राञ्जलिर्भीष्मं बाष्पकण्ठोऽश्रुलोचनः ॥ त्वां वयं समुपाश्रित्य संयुगे शत्रुसूदन ॥ 13। उत्सहेम रणे जेतुं सेन्द्रानपि सुरासुरान् ॥ किमु पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान् ॥ 14। तस्मादर्हसि गाङ्गेय कृपां कर्तुं मयि प्रभो ॥ जहि पाण्डुसुतान्वीरान्महेन्द्र इव दानवान् ॥ 15॥ पूर्वमुक्तं महाबाहो निहनिष्यामि सोमकान् । पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवैः सार्धं करूषांश्चेति भारत ॥ 16॥ तद्वचः सत्यमेवास्तु जहि पार्थान्समागतान् । सोमकांश्च महेष्वासान्सत्यवाग्भव भारत ॥ 17॥ दयया यदि वा राजन्द्वेष्यभावान्मम प्रभो । मन्दभाग्यतया वापि मम रक्षसि पाण्डवान् ॥ 18॥ अनुजानीहि समरे कर्णमाहवशोभिनम् । स जेष्यति रणे पार्थान्ससुहृद्गणबान्धवान् ॥ 19॥ वाक्षल्यैस्तव पुत्रेण सोऽतिविद्धः पितामहः । दुःखेन महताविष्टो नोवाचाप्रियमण्वपि ॥ 20॥ उद्वृत्य चक्षुषी कोपान्निर्दहन्निव भारत । सदेवासुरगन्धर्वं लोकं लोकविदां वरः ॥ 21॥ अब्रवीत्तव पुत्रं तु सामपूर्वमिदं वचः किं नु दुर्योधनैवं मां वाक्षल्यैरुपविध्यसि ॥ 22॥ घटमानं यथाशक्ति कुर्वाणं च तव प्रियम् ॥ जुह्वानं समरे प्राणांस्तवैव हितकाम्यया ॥ 23॥ यदा तु पाण्डवः शूरः खाण्डवेऽग्निमतर्पयत् । पराजित्य रणे शक्रं पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम् ॥ 24॥ यदा च त्वां महाबाहो गन्धर्वैर्हृतमोजसा । अमोचयत्पाण्डुसुतः पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम् ॥ 25 द्रवमाणेषु शूरेषु सोदरेषु तथाभिभो । सूतपुत्रे च राधेये पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम् ॥ 26॥ यच्च नः सहितान्सर्वान्विराटनगरे तदा । एक एव समुद्यातः पर्याप्तं तन्निदर्शनम् ॥ 27॥ मुमूर्षुर्हि नरः सर्वान्वृक्षान्पश्यति काञ्चनान् । तथा त्वमपि गान्धारे विपरीतानि पश्यसि ॥ 28॥ स्वयं वैरं महत्कृत्वा पाण्डवैः सहसृञ्जयैः । युध्यस्व तानद्य रणे पश्यामः पुरुषो भव ॥ 29॥ अहं तु सोमकान्सर्वान्सपाञ्चालान्समागतान् । निहनिष्ये नरव्याघ्र वर्जयित्वा शिखण्डिनम् ॥ 30॥ सुखं स्वपिहि गान्धारे श्वोऽस्मि कर्ता महारणम् । यज्जनाः कथयिष्यन्ति यावत्स्थास्यति मेदिनी ॥ 31॥ दुर्योधनस्य तच्छ्रुत्वा रात्रौ विलपितं बहु । मन्यमानः स तं राजन्प्रत्यादेशमिवात्मनः ॥ 32॥ निर्वेदं परमं गत्वा विनिन्द्य परवाच्यताम् । दीर्घं दध्यौ शान्तनवो योद्धुकामोऽर्जुनं रणे ॥ 33॥ इङ्गितेन तु तज्ज्ञात्वा गाङ्गेयेन विचिन्तितम् । दुर्योधनो महाराज दुःशासनमचोदयत् ॥ 34॥ अरक्ष्यमाणं हि वृको हन्यात्सिंहं महावने । मा वृकेणेव शार्दूलं घातयेम शिखण्डिना ॥ 35॥ मातुलः शकुनिः शल्यः कृपो द्रोणो विविंशतिः । यत्ता रक्षन्तु गाङ्गेयं तस्मिन्गुप्ते ध्रुवो जयः ॥ 36॥	36 (803)
Sanjaya said, "Then King Duryodhana, along with Shakuni, son of Suvala, and your son Dussasana, and the unstoppable Karna, gathered together to discuss their strategy. Their main concern was: how could they defeat the sons of Pandu and their followers in battle? This was the topic of their discussion.  Duryodhana then turned to Karna and the powerful Shakuni and spoke to his advisors, 'Drona, Bhishma, Kripa, Salya, and Somadatta's son are not effectively opposing the Pandavas. I don’t understand why they are behaving this way. The Pandavas, who haven’t been harmed by any of these warriors, are overpowering my forces. Because of this, O Karna, I feel my strength waning and my resources are quickly depleting.'  In response to the king's distress, the Suta's son said, 'Do not worry, O leader of the Bharata. I will do what you wish. Let Bhishma, son of Santanu, step back from this great battle. Once Ganga's son has withdrawn and laid down his weapons, I will take out the Partha along with all the Somakas, right in front of Bhishma. So, hurry to Bhishma’s tent and request that esteemed elder to set down his weapons.’  The king then prepared to leave without delay, accompanied by his brothers, just as someone with a hundred sacrifices would be accompanied by gods. Arriving at Bhishma’s magnificent quarters, the king dismounted from his horse. Upon reaching Bhishma, this leader of men saluted him and took a seat on a splendid golden chair, beautifully adorned and covered with a luxurious cloth."  With hands clasped, eyes filled with tears, and a voice choked with sorrow, he spoke to Bhishma, saying, 'Under your protection, we dared to fight against the gods and the Asuras, led by Indra. What can I say about the sons of Pandu, brave though they are, along with their families and friends? So, dear son of Ganga, I ask for your mercy. Just as Mahendra defeats the Danavas, slay the noble sons of Pandu. I will take down all the Somakas, Panchalas, Karushas, and Kekayas – these were your promises to me. Let your words come to pass. If out of kindness for the Pandavas, O king, or out of dislike for me, you spare them, then allow Karna, the jewel of warriors, to enter the fight. He will defeat the Parthas and their allies in battle.  The noble Bhishma, deeply wounded by your son's harsh words, was overcome with sorrow. Raising his gaze, as if to consume the world in his wrath, he addressed your son peacefully, saying, 'Why, O Duryodhana, do you wound me with your harsh words? I strive tirelessly to do what benefits you, and I am willing to give my life in battle for your sake. The Pandavas are truly unbeatable. When the brave son of Pandu pleased Agni in the Khandava forest, having bested Indra himself, that speaks volumes.'’   ‘When you, O mighty warrior, were saved by the son of Pandu from being captured by the Gandharvas, that alone should tell you all you need to know. At that moment, your brave brothers had all fled, as did Radha's son of humble birth. That rescue by Arjuna is clear evidence of his loyalty. But because of your foolishness, O Suyodhana, you fail to understand what should or shouldn't be said. A man facing death sees everything as gold, just as you, son of Gandhari, see the world upside down. After provoking the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, stand up and face them in battle. Let's see you act like a true warrior. As for me, I will, O noble one, defeat all the Somakas and Panchalas gathered here, sparing only Sikhandin.'  Hearing Duryodhana lamenting throughout the night, Bhishma saw this as orders for himself. Overcome with sorrow and rejecting servitude, Santanu's son pondered for a long time about battling Arjuna. Realizing that Ganga’s son was thinking of this, Duryodhana told Dussasana, ‘Even a wolf can fell an unprotected lion in the wild. Let Sikhandin not kill Ganga’s son like the wolf taking down the lion. Our maternal uncle Shakuni, along with Salya, Kripa, Drona, and Vivingsati, must guard Ganga’s son closely. If we protect him, victory is assured.’.'
सञ्जय उवाच॥ मध्याह्ने तु महाराज सङ्ग्रामः समपद्यत । लोकक्षयकरो रौद्रो भीष्मस्य सह सोमकैः ॥ 1॥ गाङ्गेयो रथिनां श्रेष्ठः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् । व्यधमन्निशितैर्बाणैः शतशोऽथ सहस्रशः ॥ 2॥ संममर्द च तत्सैन्यं पिता देवव्रतस्तव । धान्यानामिव लूनानां प्रकरं गोगणा इव ॥ 3॥ धृष्टद्युम्नः शिखण्डी च विराटो द्रुपदस्तथा । भीष्ममासाद्य समरे शरैर्जघ्नुर्महारथम् ॥ 4॥ तेन विद्धा महेष्वासा भीष्मेणामित्रकर्शिना । चुक्रुधुः समरे राजन्पादस्पृष्टा इवोरगाः ॥ 5॥ शिखण्डी तं च विव्याध भरतानां पितामहम् । स्त्रीमयं मनसा ध्यात्वा नास्मै प्राहरदच्युतः ॥ 6॥ ततो भीमो महाराज द्रौपद्याः पञ्च चात्मजाः । केकया भ्रातरः पञ्च सात्यकिश्चैव सात्वतः ॥ 7॥ अभ्यद्रवन्त गाङ्गेयं युधिष्ठिरहितेप्सया । रिरक्षिषन्तः पाञ्चाल्यं धृष्टद्युम्नमुखन्रणे ॥ 8॥ तथैव तावकाः सर्वे भीष्मरक्षार्थमुद्यताः । प्रत्युद्ययुः पाण्डुसेनां सहसैन्या नराधिप ॥ 9॥ तत्रासीत्सुमहद्युद्धं तव तेषां च सङ्कुलम् । नराश्वरथनागानां यमराष्ट्रविवर्धनम् ॥ 10॥ सुशर्मापि ततो बाणैः पार्थं विव्याध संयुगे । वासुदेवं च सप्तत्या पार्थं च नवभिः पुनः ॥ 11॥ तान्निवार्य शरौघेण शक्रसूनुर्महारथः । सुशर्मणो रणे योधान्प्राहिणोद्यमसादनम् ॥ 12॥ ते वध्यमानाः पार्थेन कालेनेव युगक्षये । व्यद्रवन्त रणे राजन्भये जाते महारथाः ॥ 13॥ उत्सृज्य तुरगान्केचिद्रथान्केचिच्च मारिष । गजानन्ये समुत्सृज्य प्राद्रवन्त दिशो दश ॥ 14॥ वार्यमाणाः स्म बहुशस्त्रैगर्तेन सुशर्मणा । तथान्यैः पार्थिवश्रेष्ठैर्न व्यतिष्ठन्त संयुगे ॥ 15॥ तद्बलं प्रद्रुतं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव । पुरस्कृत्य रणे भीष्मं सर्वसैन्यपुरस्कृतम् ॥ 16॥ सर्वोद्योगेन महता धनञ्जयमुपाद्रवत् । त्रिगर्ताधिपतेरर्थे जीवितस्य विशां पते ॥ 17॥ ततस्तालध्वजः शूरः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् । छादयामास समरे शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥ 18॥ एकीभूतास्ततः सर्वे कुरवः पाण्डवैः सह । अयुध्यन्त महाराज मध्यं प्राप्ते दिवाकरे ॥ 19॥ दृष्ट्वा भीष्मं रणे क्रुद्धं पाण्डवैरभिसंवृतम् । यथा मेघैर्महाराज तपान्ते दिवि भास्करम् ॥ 20॥ दुर्योधनो महाराज दुःशासनमभाषत । एष शूरो महेष्वासो भीष्मः शत्रुनिषूदनः ॥ 21॥ छादितः पाण्डवैः शूरैः समन्ताद्भरतर्षभ । तस्य कार्यं त्वया वीर रक्षणं सुमहात्मनः ॥ 22॥ रक्ष्यमाणो हि समरे भीष्मोऽस्माकं पितामहः । निहन्यात्समरे यत्तान्पाञ्चालान्पाण्डवैः सह ॥ 23॥ तत्र कार्यमहं मन्ये भीष्मस्यैवाभिरक्षणम् । गोप्ता ह्येष महेष्वासो भीष्मोऽस्माकं पितामहः ॥ 24॥ एवमुक्तस्तु समरे पुत्रो दुःशासनस्तव । परिवार्य स्थितो भीष्मं सैन्येन महता वृतः ॥ 25॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा शूराणां हयसादिनाम् । अयुतं प्रेषयामास पाण्डवानां निवारणे ॥ 26॥ वेगवद्भिर्हयैस्तैस्तु क्षोभितं पाण्डवं बलम् । निपतद्भिर्महावेगैर्हंसैरिव महत्सरः ॥ 27॥ ततो युधिष्ठिरो राजा माद्रीपुत्रौ च पाण्डवौ । प्रत्यघ्नंस्तरसा वेगं समरे हयसादिनाम् ॥ 28॥ उद्वृत्तस्य महाराज प्रावृट्कालेन पूर्यतः । पौर्णमास्यामम्बुवेगं यथा वेला महोदधेः ॥ 29॥ ततस्ते रथिनो राजञ्शरैः संनतपर्वभिः । न्यकृन्तन्नुत्तमाङ्गानि कायेभ्यो हयसादिनाम् ॥ 30॥ ततः पिता तव क्रुद्धो निशितैः सायकोत्तमैः । आजघान रणे पार्थान्सहसेनान्समन्ततः ॥ 31॥ भीमं द्वादशभिर्विद्ध्वा सात्यकिं नवभिः शरैः । नकुलं च त्रिभिर्बाणैः सहदेवं च सप्तभिः ॥ 32॥ युधिष्ठिरं द्वादशभिर्बाह्वोरुरसि चार्पयत् । धृष्टद्युम्नं ततो विद्ध्वा विननाद महाबलः ॥ 33 तं द्वादशार्धैर्नकुलो माधवश्च त्रिभिः शरैः । धृष्टद्युम्नश्च सप्तत्या भीमसेनश्च पञ्चभिः ॥ 34॥ युधिष्ठिरो द्वादशभिः प्रत्यविध्यत्पितामहम् ॥ नासज्जन्त तनुत्रेषु भीष्मचापच्युताः शराः ॥ 35॥ हतवीरान्रथान्राजन्संयुक्ताञ्जवनैर्हयैः । अपश्याम महाराज ह्रियमाणान्रणाजिरे ॥ 36॥ चेदिकाशिकरूषाणां सहस्राणि चतुर्दश । महारथाः समाख्याताः कुलपुत्रास्तनुत्यजः ॥ अपरावर्तिनः सर्वे सुवर्णविकृतध्वजाः ॥ 37॥ सङ्ग्रामे भीष्ममासाद्य व्यादितास्यमिवान्तकम् । निमग्नाः परलोकाय सवाजिरथकुञ्जराः ॥ 38॥ महेन्द्रसमवीर्येण वध्यमाना महाचमूः । अभज्यत महाराज न च द्वौ सह धावतः ॥ 39॥ विमृद्नतस्तस्य तु पाण्डुसेना;मस्तं जगामाथ सहस्ररश्मिः । ततो बलानां श्रमकर्शितानां; मनोऽवहारं प्रति सम्बभूव ॥40	40 (843)
Sanjaya said, "At noon, O king, a fierce battle erupted with great bloodshed between Bhishma and the Somakas. Bhishma, the son of Ganga and the greatest of chariot warriors, relentlessly attacked the ranks of the Pandavas with countless arrows. Your father Devavrata crushed the enemy forces like a herd of bulls trampling a pile of harvested grain. Then Dhrishtadyumna, Sikhandin, Virata, and Drupada charged at Bhishma in the heat of battle, striking him with numerous arrows. Despite being hit by the powerful Bhishma, who devastated his foes, the great archers were filled with rage, like snakes trampled by humans. Sikhandin then struck the revered elder of the Bharatas with many arrows, yet Bhishma, renowned for his honour, refrained from attacking him as he saw him as a woman.  Meanwhile, Bhima, along with Draupadi's five sons, the five Kaikeya brothers, and Satyaki from the Satwata clan, all rallied around Yudhishthira to protect the Panchalas led by Dhrishtadyumna. Likewise, your warriors, O king, prepared to defend Bhishma and charged at the Pandava forces. A fierce clash erupted between your army of men and horses and theirs, resulting in heavy casualties. In that battle, Susarman struck Arjuna with his arrows, hitting Vasudeva with seventy arrows, and Arjuna again with nine. But the mighty charioteer, the son of Indra, repelled those arrows with his own and sent Susarman's troops to Yama’s realm."  In that fierce battle, the great charioteers were being slaughtered by Partha, as if Death itself had come to claim them at the end of an age. Panic struck, they fled from the field, O king. Some left their horses, others their chariots, and some even their elephants, scattering in all directions. Despite being warned by Susarman, the ruler of the Trigartas, and other powerful kings, they didn’t remain to fight. Seeing the troops in disarray, your son Duryodhana rallied the whole army, with Bhishma leading the charge, determined to defend the life of the Trigarta king. The hero with the palm-leaf banner unleashed arrows upon the Pandava forces, and at midday, the Kauravas clashed with the Pandavas in chaotic fury. When Bhishma, filled with anger, fought valiantly, he was surrounded by the Pandavas like the sun engulfed by clouds at the end of summer. Duryodhana then spoke to Dussasana, saying, 'This great warrior Bhishma, the slayer of foes, is surrounded by the brave Pandavas. It is your duty, hero, to defend him. With our support, our grandparent Bhishma can vanquish all the Panchalas and the Pandavas. Therefore, protecting Bhishma is our paramount responsibility, as he is our shield in battle.' Following Duryodhana's words, Dussasana gathered a formidable force to surround Bhishma, while Duryodhana sent forth ten thousand horsemen to confront the Pandavas.  As a result of those fierce steeds, the Pandava army was stirred like a vast lake suddenly disturbed by a flock of swans landing on its surface. Their loud neighing drowned out everything else. Then King Yudhishthira and the two sons of Pandu by Madri swiftly countered the charge of those horsemen in battle, like a landmass enduring the full force of the turbulent sea during the rainy season. Those three charioteers, O king, with their straight arrows, severed the heads of the horse riders. After defeating their enemies in that great clash, the Pandavas sounded their conches and beat their drums.  In a fit of rage, your father began to strike the Parthas and their troops all around with finely crafted, sharp arrows. He shot Bhima with twelve arrows and Satyaki with nine. Then, he struck Nakula with three arrows and Sahadeva with seven. He also pierced Yudhishthira in the arms and chest with twelve arrows. As he roared, he wounded Dhrishtadyumna, who retaliated with twelve arrows, while Satyaki shot him with three. Dhrishtadyumna hit back with seventy arrows, and Bhimasena followed with seven. Yudhishthira also shot their grandfather with twelve arrows. Indeed, arrows from Bhishma's bow didn't just hit their armour—they penetrated through.  And we saw, O king, many chariots left without their brave drivers being dragged across the battlefield by fast horses. Fourteen thousand warrior charioteers from the Chedis, Kasis, and Karushas, celebrated for their noble heritage, were ready to sacrifice their lives without retreating, showcasing impressive banners adorned with gold. They faced Bhishma in battle, who seemed to embody the very Destroyer himself with his gaping mouth, and they all departed for the afterlife along with their chariots, horses, and elephants. Truly, O king, that mighty force was so thoroughly decimated by Bhishma, who possessed strength comparable to Indra, that no two soldiers managed to flee together. As he ravaged the Pandava army, the sun with its thousand rays sank behind the hills, and the weary troops resolved to retreat from the battlefield."

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  भीष्मपर्वणि द्वादशोऽध्यायः॥

 

Bhīṣmaparva Chapter- 11

Bhīṣmaparva Chapter- 13