Bhīṣmaparva Chapter -6 (Third day war)

भीष्मपर्व - Bhīṣmaparva (तृतीय दिवसीय युद्धम्)

अध्यायः – 6 ::Chapter-6 (Third day war)

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ प्रभातायां तु शर्वर्यां भीष्मः शान्तनवस्ततः । अनीकान्यनुसंयाने व्यादिदेशाथ भारत ॥ 1॥ गारुडं च महाव्यूहं चक्रे शान्तनवस्तदा । पुत्राणां ते जयाकाङ्क्षी भीष्मः कुरुपितामहः ॥ 2॥ व्यूढं दृष्ट्वा तु तत्सैन्यं सव्यसाची परन्तपः । धृष्टद्युम्नेन सहितः प्रत्यव्यूहत संयुगे ॥ अर्धचन्द्रेण व्यूहेन व्यूहं तमतिदारुणम् ॥ 3॥ ततः प्रववृते युद्धं व्यतिषक्तरथद्विपम् । तावकानां परेषां च निघ्नतामितरेतरम् ॥ 4॥ ततो व्यूढेष्वनीकेषु तावकेष्वितरेषु च । धनञ्जयो रथानीकमवधीत्तव भारत ॥ 5॥ शरैरतिरथो युद्धे पातयन्रथयूथपान् ॥ ते वध्यमानाः पार्थेन कालेनेव युगक्षये । 6 धार्तराष्ट्रा रणे यत्ताः पाण्डवान्प्रत्ययोधयन् ॥ प्रार्थयाना यशो दीप्तं मृत्युं कृत्वा निवर्तनम् ॥ 7॥ एकाग्रमनसो भूत्वा पाण्डवानां वरूथिनीम् । बभञ्जुर्बहुशो राजंस्ते चाभज्यन्त संयुगे ॥ 8॥ ततो रथसहस्रेण पुत्रो दुर्योधनस्तव । अभ्ययात्पाण्डवान्युद्धे राक्षसं च घटोत्कचम् ॥ 9॥ कुर्वाणौ तु महत्कर्म भीमसेनघटोत्कचौ । दुर्योधनस्ततोऽभ्येत्य तावुभावभ्यवारयत् ॥ 10॥ तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम हैडिम्बस्य पराक्रमम् । अतीत्य पितरं युद्धे यदयुध्यत भारत ॥ 11॥ भीमसेनस्तु सङ्क्रुद्धो दुर्योधनममर्षणम् । हृद्यविध्यत्पृषत्केन प्रहसन्निव पाण्डवः ॥ 12॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा प्रहारवरमोहितः । निषसाद रथोपस्थे कश्मलं च जगाम ह ॥ 13॥ तं विसञ्ज्ञमथो ज्ञात्वा त्वरमाणोऽस्य सारथिः । अपोवाह रणाद्राजंस्ततः सैन्यमभिद्यत ॥ 14॥ ततस्तां कौरवीं सेनां द्रवमाणां समन्ततः । निघ्नन्भीमः शरैस्तीक्ष्णैरनुवव्राज पृष्ठतः ॥ 15॥ पार्षतश्च रथश्रेष्ठो धर्मपुत्रश्च पाण्डवः । द्रोणस्य पश्यतः सैन्यं गाङ्गेयस्य च पश्यतः ॥ जघ्नतुर्विशिखैस्तीक्ष्णैः परानीकविशातनैः ॥ 16॥ द्रवमाणं तु तत्सैन्यं तव पुत्रस्य संयुगे । नाशक्नुतां वारयितुं भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ ॥ 17॥ वार्यमाणं हि भीष्मेण द्रोणेन च विशां पते । विद्रवत्येव तत्सैन्यं पश्यतोर्द्रोणभीष्मयोः ॥ 18॥ ततो रथसहस्रेषु विद्रवत्सु ततस्ततः । तावास्थितावेकरथं सौभद्रशिनिपुङ्गवौ ॥ सौबलीं समरे सेनां शातयेतां समन्ततः ॥ 19॥ शुशुभाते तदा तौ तु शैनेयकुरुपुङ्गवौ । अमावास्यां गतौ यद्वत्सोमसूर्यौ नभस्तले ॥ 20॥ अर्जुनस्तु ततः क्रुद्धस्तव सैन्यं विशां पते । ववर्ष शरवर्षेण धाराभिरिव तोयदः ॥ 21॥ वध्यमानं ततस्तत्तु शरैः पार्थस्य संयुगे । दुद्राव कौरवं सैन्यं विषादभयकम्पितम् ॥ 22॥ द्रवतस्तान्समालोक्य भीष्मद्रोणौ महारथौ । न्यवारयेतां संरब्धौ दुर्योधनहितैषिणौ ॥ 23॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा समाश्वस्य विशां पते । न्यवर्तयत तत्सैन्यं द्रवमाणं समन्ततः ॥ 24॥ यत्र यत्र सुतं तुभ्यं यो यः पश्यति भारत । तत्र तत्र न्यवर्तन्त क्षत्रियाणां महारथाः ॥ 25॥ तान्निवृत्तान्समीक्ष्यैव ततोऽन्येऽपीतरे जनाः । अन्योन्यस्पर्धया राजँल्लज्जयान्येऽवतस्थिरे ॥ 26॥ पुनरावर्ततां तेषां वेग आसीद्विशां पते । पूर्यतः सागरस्येव चन्द्रस्योदयनं प्रति ॥ 27॥ संनिवृत्तांस्ततस्तांस्तु दृष्ट्वा राजा सुयोधनः । अब्रवीत्त्वरितो गत्वा भीष्मं शान्तनवं वचः ॥ 28॥ पितामह निबोधेदं यत्त्वा वक्ष्यामि भारत । नानुरूपमहं मन्ये त्वयि जीवति कौरव ॥ 29॥ द्रोणे चास्त्रविदां श्रेष्ठे सपुत्रे ससुहृज्जने । कृपे चैव महेष्वासे द्रवतीयं वरूथिनी ॥ 30॥ न पाण्डवाः प्रतिबलास्तव राजन्कथञ्चन । तथा द्रोणस्य सङ्ग्रामे द्रौणेश्चैव कृपस्य च ॥ 31॥ अनुग्राह्याः पाण्डुसुता नूनं तव पितामह । यथेमां क्षमसे वीर वध्यमानां वरूथिनीम् ॥ 32॥ सोऽस्मि वाच्यस्त्वया राजन्पूर्वमेव समागमे । न योत्स्ये पाण्डवान्सङ्ख्ये नापि पार्षतसात्यकी ॥ 33॥ श्रुत्वा तु वचनं तुभ्यमाचार्यस्य कृपस्य च । कर्णेन सहितः कृत्यं चिन्तयानस्तदैव हि ॥ 34॥ यदि नाहं परित्याज्यो युवाभ्यामिह संयुगे । विक्रमेणानुरूपेण युध्येतां पुरुषर्षभौ ॥ 35॥ एतच्छ्रुत्वा वचो भीष्मः प्रहसन्वै मुहुर्मुहुः । अब्रवीत्तनयं तुभ्यं क्रोधादुद्वृत्य चक्षुषी ॥ 36॥ बहुशो हि मया राजंस्तथ्यमुक्तं हितं वचः । अजेयाः पाण्डवा युद्धे देवैरपि सवासवैः ॥ 37॥ यत्तु शक्यं मया कर्तुं वृद्धेनाद्य नृपोत्तम । करिष्यामि यथाशक्ति प्रेक्षेदानीं सबान्धवः ॥ 38॥ अद्य पाण्डुसुतान्सर्वान्ससैन्यान्सह बन्धुभिः । मिषतो वारयिष्यामि सर्वलोकस्य पश्यतः ॥ 39॥	39 (384)
Sanjaya said, "When the night had passed, dawn broke, and Bhishma, the son of Santanu and fierce enemy of foes, commanded the Kuru army to prepare for battle. Eager for victory for your sons, the old Kuru grandsire arranged a powerful formation named after Garuda. Savyasachin, seeing the enemy's troops lined up for battle, with Dhrishtadyumna's help, organized his forces in counter-formation. In response, the son of Pandu created a fierce formation shaped like a half-moon. Then the battle erupted, as both sides clashed, with chariots and elephants colliding in the chaos. Once both armies were ready, the great charioteer, Dhananjaya, struck down commanders of chariot divisions with his arrows in that fierce conflict, causing significant carnage among your ranks, O Bharata. The Dhartarashtras, slaughtered by Pritha's son, fought on valiantly like warriors at the end of an age facing destruction. Then your son Duryodhana, supported by a thousand chariots, charged into battle alongside Ghatotkhacha, the Rakshasa son of Bhima.". The brave army of Gandhara, along with Shakuni and his large force, surrounded Satyaki and Abhimanyu. Driven by anger, the warriors led by Suvala's son attacked and shattered the impressive chariot of the Vrishni hero with various weapons. In the midst of this fierce battle, Satyaki quickly left his chariot and climbed onto Abhimanyu’s chariot, O vanquisher of enemies. Together, they unleashed a flurry of sharp arrows, causing chaos in Suvala's son’s ranks. Meanwhile, Drona and Bhishma fought relentlessly, cutting down Yudhishthira's division with precise arrows feathered with Kanka bird feathers. Then, the son of Dharma and two brothers of Pandu, born from Madri, confronted Drona's division in full view of the entire army. The battle was fierce and terrifying, sending chills down the spine, reminiscent of the legendary battles between gods and Asuras of ancient times. Bhimasena and Ghatotkacha performed extraordinary feats, but Duryodhana stepped in to challenge them. What we witnessed from Hidimba's son was astonishing, as he fought even more fiercely than his father. Enraged, Bhimasena pierced Duryodhana's chest with an arrow, all while smirking. Wounded by that strike, King Duryodhana collapsed on his chariot and fainted. Seeing their leader unconscious, the charioteer swiftly took him away from the battle, O king. As this happened, Duryodhana's forces broke and scattered. Bhima, striking those fleeing Kuru soldiers with sharp arrows, chased them down. Witnessing this, the brave Dhrishtadyumna, son of Prishata, and the just king Yudhishthira, both under the watchful eyes of Drona and the son of Ganga, decimated their army with deadly arrows. Duryodhana's mighty warriors fled from battle, unable to be restrained by Bhishma and Drona. Despite their efforts, the Kaurava army fled right before their eyes. As thousands of charioteers scattered in all directions, Subhadra's son and the strong Sini, both on the same chariot, began mercilessly attacking Subala's forces. Sini’s grandson and the powerful Kuru warrior shone like the sun and moon together in the sky, bright after the dark moon. Furious, Arjuna unleashed a rain of arrows upon your army, causing the Kaurava troops to retreat in fear and sorrow, decimated by Partha’s onslaught. As Bhishma and Drona watched their army flee, filled with anger and eager to support Duryodhana, they tried to hold it together. Then Duryodhana himself reassured his warriors and managed to halt the retreating forces. Seeing him, all the fierce Kshatriya charioteers froze in place, each where they caught sight of your son. The common soldiers, witnessing this, also stopped out of respect and the wish to show their bravery. The renewed energy of that army rolled back into battle like the tumultuous sea at high tide. Duryodhana, seeing his forces regrouping, hurried to Bhishma, Santanu's son, and spoke. 'O grandfather, heed my words, O Bharata. While you, O son of Kuru, and Drona, our expert with weapons, along with his son and our allies, are here, I cannot accept my army fleeing. I do not believe the Pandavas can match you or Drona, or Drona’s son, or Kripa in combat. Clearly, O grandsire, you favour the Pandavas by allowing this slaughter of my troops. You should have told me before the battle that you would not fight against the Pandavas. If I had known that, alongside Karna, I would have contemplated our strategy. If I deserve your support in battle, then, mighty heroes, fight with all your strength.'. Upon hearing these words, Bhishma laughed heartily and glared in anger, addressing your son, 'Time and again, O king, I have spoken to you truths deserving of your heed and beneficial for you. The Pandavas cannot be defeated in battle, not even by the gods, with Vasava among them. However, I will do all that my old body can muster, O greatest of kings, in this fight. Let your family bear witness. Today, I will face the sons of Pandu alone at the frontlines, right before all their kin.'
सञ्जय उवाच॥ गतपूर्वाह्णभूयिष्ठे तस्मिन्नहनि भारत । जयं प्राप्तेषु हृष्टेषु पाण्डवेषु महात्मसु ॥ 1॥ सर्वधर्मविशेषज्ञः पिता देवव्रतस्तव । अभ्ययाज्जवनैरश्वैः पाण्डवानामनीकिनीम् ॥ 2॥ महत्या सेनया गुप्तस्तव पुत्रैश्च सर्वशः ॥ 3॥ तत्र भीष्मः शान्तनवो नित्यं मण्डलकार्मुकः । मुमोच बाणान्दीप्ताग्रानहीनाशीविषानिव ॥ 4॥ शरैरेकायनीकुर्वन्दिशः सर्वा यतव्रतः । जघान पाण्डवरथानादिश्यादिश्य भारत ॥ 5॥ न चैनं पाण्डवेयानां कश्चिच्छक्नोति वीक्षितुम् । विशिखानेव पश्यन्ति भीष्मचापच्युतान्बहून् ॥ 6॥ एवं सा धर्मराजस्य वध्यमाना महाचमूः । भीष्मेणातुलवीर्येण व्यशीर्यत सहस्रधा ॥ 7॥ प्रकीर्यत महासेना शरवर्षाभितापिता । पश्यतो वासुदेवस्य पार्थस्य च महात्मनः ॥ 8॥ प्रभज्यमानं तत्सैन्यं दृष्ट्वा देवकिनन्दनः । उवाच पार्थं बीभत्सुं निगृह्य रथमुत्तमम् ॥ 9॥ अयं स कालः सम्प्राप्तः पार्थ यः काङ्क्षितस्त्वया । प्रहरास्मै नरव्याघ्र न चेन्मोहाद्विमुह्यसे ॥ 10॥ यत्त्वया कथितं वीर पुरा राज्ञां समागमे । भीष्मद्रोणमुखान्सर्वान्धार्तराष्ट्रस्य सैनिकान् ॥ 11॥ सानुबन्धान्हनिष्यामि ये मां योत्स्यन्ति संयुगे । इति तत्कुरु कौन्तेय सत्यं वाक्यमरिंदम ॥ 12॥ बीभत्सो पश्य सैन्यं स्वं भज्यमानं समन्ततः । द्रवतश्च महीपालान्सर्वान्यौधिष्ठिरे बले ॥ 13॥ दृष्ट्वा हि समरे भीष्मं व्यात्ताननमिवान्तकम् । भयार्ताः सम्प्रणश्यन्ति सिंहं क्षुद्रमृगा इव ॥ 14॥ एवमुक्तः प्रत्युवाच वासुदेवं धनञ्जयः । चोदयाश्वान्यतो भीष्मो विगाह्यैतद्बलार्णवम् ॥ 15॥ ततोऽश्वान्रजतप्रख्यांश्चोदयामास माधवः । यतो भीष्मरथो राजन्दुष्प्रेक्ष्यो रश्मिमानिव ॥ 16॥ ततस्तत्पुनरावृत्तं युधिष्ठिरबलं महत् । दृष्ट्वा पार्थं महाबाहुं भीष्मायोद्यन्तमाहवे ॥ 17॥ ततः पार्थो धनुर्गृह्य दिव्यं जलदनिस्वनम् । पातयामास भीष्मस्य धनुश्छित्त्वा त्रिभिः शरैः ॥ 18॥ स च्छिन्नधन्वा कौरव्यः पुनरन्यन्महद्धनुः । निमेषान्तरमात्रेण सज्यं चक्रे पिता तव ॥ 19॥ विचकर्ष ततो दोर्भ्यां धनुर्जलदनिस्वनम् । अथास्य तदपि क्रुद्धश्चिच्छेद धनुरर्जुनः ॥ 20॥ शिलीमुखाः पार्थधनुःप्रमुक्ता; रथान्ध्वजाग्राणि धनूंषि बाहून् । निकृत्य देहान्विविशुः परेषां; नरेन्द्रनागेन्द्रतुरङ्गमाणाम् ॥ 21॥ वित्रास्य सेनां ध्वजिनीपतीनां; सिंहो मृगाणामिव यूथसङ्घान् ॥ विनेदतुस्तावतिहर्षयुक्तौ; गाण्डीवधन्वा च जनार्दनश्च ॥ 22॥ ततो रविं संहृतरश्मिजालं; दृष्ट्वा भृशं शस्त्रपरिक्षताङ्गाः । तदैन्द्रमस्त्रं विततं सुघोर;मसह्यमुद्वीक्ष्य युगान्तकल्पम् ॥ 23॥ अथापयानं कुरवः सभीष्माः; सद्रोणदुर्योधनबाह्लिकाश्च । चक्रुर्निशां सन्धिगतां समीक्ष्य; विभावसोर्लोहितराजियुक्ताम् ॥ 24॥ अवाप्य कीर्तिं च यशश्च लोके; विजित्य शत्रूंश्च धनञ्जयोऽपि । ययौ नरेन्द्रैः सह सोदरैश्च; समाप्तकर्मा शिबिरं निशायाम् ॥ 25॥	25 (409)
Sanjaya said, "After the forenoon of that day, O Bharata, had come to an end and the sun had progressed in its journey westward, the noble Pandavas emerged victorious. Your father Devavrata, well-versed in the intricacies of all moral codes, charged towards the Pandava army, which was protected by a strong force and all your sons. In that battle, Bhishma, the son of Santanu, with his bow drawn tight, unleashed arrows with blazing tips that looked like venomous snakes. He released a continuous stream of arrows in all directions, striking down the Pandava chariot warriors, naming each one beforehand, O Bharata. None among the Pandavas could even bear to look at him; all they saw were the countless arrows flying from his bow. The great host of Yudhishthira, the just king, was thus ravaged by Bhishma's unmatched skill and began to falter in all directions. Overwhelmed by that hail of arrows, the vast army shook with fear in the presence of Vasudeva and the noble Partha." Seeing that army in disarray, Krishna spoke to Partha, halting the best chariot he drove, and said, 'The moment you've been waiting for has come, O Partha. Strike down Bhishma, you fierce warrior, or you will lose your nerve. O hero, remember when you pledged in the assembly of kings that you would defeat all the warriors of Dhritarashtra's sons, led by Bhishma and Drona—every last one who dares to confront you? O son of Kunti, O vanquisher of foes, make your words a reality. Look around, O Vibhatsu, your forces are falling back from every direction. The kings in Yudhishthira's army are retreating, terrified by Bhishma's fierce presence, which is as daunting as the Destroyer himself, with his mouth wide open. Overcome by fear, they are fleeing like timid animals spotting a lion. In response to this, Dhananjaya replied to Vasudeva, 'Guide the horses through this sea of enemies to where Bhishma stands. I will bring down that invincible elder of the Kuru dynasty.' Then Madhava urged the silvery horses towards Bhishma's chariot, which shone like the sun, too brilliant to look at. And as the might of Partha surged toward his duel with Bhishma, Yudhishthira's grand army readied itself for battle. Then Arjuna, picking up his divine bow that echoed like thunder, made Bhishma's bow fall by slicing it with his sharp arrows. The Kuru warrior, your father, noticing his bow had been severed, swiftly grabbed another and strung it in the blink of an eye. He pulled back that bow, which roared like thunder, with both hands. But enraged, Arjuna shot down that bow too. His arrows pierced through the arms, bows, flagpoles, and chariots, striking the bodies of kings, giant elephants, and enemy steeds. Then both Arjuna and Krishna, filled with joy, let out triumphant roars. The Kuru warriors, including Bhishma, Drona, Duryodhana, and Balhika, severely wounded by Arjuna’s attacks, saw the sun dim and felt the weight of the formidable weapon named after Indra, as if signalling the end of an era, and retreated to rest for the night. The mighty Arjuna, having accomplished a great victory and earned immense glory by defeating his enemies, observed the sun turning red as dusk approached, and completed his tasks before heading back to camp with his brothers for the night.