Bhīṣmaparva Chapter -8 (Fifth day war)

भीष्मपर्व - Bhīṣmaparva (पञ्चम दिवसीय युद्धम्)

अध्यायः – 8 ::Chapter-8 (Fifth day war)

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ व्युषितायां च शर्वर्यामुदिते च दिवाकरे । उभे सेने महाराज युद्धायैव समीयतुः ॥ 1॥ अरक्षन्मकरव्यूहं भीष्मो राजन्समन्ततः । तथैव पाण्डवा राजन्नरक्षन्व्यूहमात्मनः ॥ 2॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा प्रोद्यतान्सङ्ख्ये पाण्डवाश्च यशस्विनः । श्येनेन व्यूहराजेन तेनाजय्येन संयुगे ॥ 3॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा भारद्वाजमभाषत । पूर्वं दृष्ट्वा वधं घोरं बलस्य बलिनां वरः ॥ भ्रातॄणां च वधं युद्धे स्मरमाणो महारथः ॥ 4॥ आचार्य सततं त्वं हि हितकामो ममानघ । वयं हि त्वां समाश्रित्य भीष्मं चैव पितामहम् ॥ 5॥ देवानपि रणे जेतुं प्रार्थयामो न संशयः । किमु पाण्डुसुतान्युद्धे हीनवीर्यपराक्रमान् ॥ 6॥ एवमुक्तस्ततो द्रोणस्तव पुत्रेण मारिष । अभिनत्पाण्डवानीकं प्रेक्षमाणस्य सात्यकेः ॥ 7॥ सात्यकिस्तु तदा द्रोणं वारयामास भारत । ततः प्रववृते युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् ॥ 8॥ अकरोत्तुमुलं युद्धं भीष्मः शान्तनवस्तदा । भीमसेनभयादिच्छन्पुत्रांस्तारयितुं तव ॥ 9॥ पूर्वाह्णे तन्महारौद्रं राज्ञां युद्धमवर्तत । कुरूणां पाण्डवानां च मुख्यशूरविनाशनम् ॥ 10॥ ततो दुर्योधनो राजा कलिङ्गैर्बहुभिर्वृतः । पुरस्कृत्य रणे भीष्मं पाण्डवानभ्यवर्तत ॥ 11॥ तथैव पाण्डवाः सर्वे परिवार्य वृकोदरम् । भीष्ममभ्यद्रवन्क्रुद्धा रणे रभसवाहनाः ॥ 12॥ दृष्ट्वा भीष्मेण संसक्तान्भ्रातॄनन्यांश्च पार्थिवान् । तमभ्यधावद्गाङ्गेयमुद्यतास्त्रो धनञ्जयः ॥ 13॥ दिशं प्राचीं प्रतीचीं च न जानीमोऽस्त्रमोहिताः ॥ 14॥ कांदिग्भूताः श्रान्तपत्रा हतास्त्रा हतचेतसः । अन्योन्यमभिसंश्लिष्य योधास्ते भरतर्षभ ॥ 15॥ भीष्ममेवाभिलीयन्त सह सर्वैस्तवात्मजैः । तेषामार्तायनमभूद्भीष्मः शन्तनवो रणे ॥ 16॥ भीष्मस्तु रथिनां श्रेष्ठो भीमसेनं महाबलम् । अवारयत सङ्क्रुद्धः सर्वसैन्यस्य पश्यतः ॥ 17॥ ततो भीष्मविनिर्मुक्ता रुक्मपुङ्खाः शिलाशिताः । अभ्यघ्नन्समरे भीमं तैलधौताः सुतेजनाः ॥ 18॥ तस्य शक्तिं महावेगां भीमसेनो महाबलः । क्रुद्धाशीविषसङ्काशां प्रेषयामास भारत ॥ 19॥ तामापतन्तीं सहसा रुक्मदण्डां दुरासदाम् । चिच्छेद समरे भीष्मः शरैः संनतपर्वभिः ॥ 20॥ ततोऽपरेण भल्लेन पीतेन निशितेन च । कार्मुकं भीमसेनस्य द्विधा चिच्छेद भारत ॥ 21॥ सात्यकिस्तु ततस्तूर्णं भीष्ममासाद्य संयुगे । शरैर्बहुभिरानर्छत्पितरं ते जनेश्वर ॥ 22॥ ततः सन्धाय वै तीक्ष्णं शरं परमदारुणम् । वार्ष्णेयस्य रथाद्भीष्मः पातयामास सारथिम् ॥ 23॥ तस्याश्वाः प्रद्रुता राजन्निहते रथसारथौ । तेन तेनैव धावन्ति मनोमारुतरंहसः ॥ 24॥ एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु भीष्मः शान्तनवः पुनः । व्यहनत्पाण्डवीं सेनामासुरीमिव वृत्रहा ॥ 25॥ ते वध्यमाना भीष्मेण पाञ्चालाः सोमकैः सह । आर्यां युद्धे मतिं कृत्वा भीष्ममेवाभिदुद्रुवुः ॥ 26॥ धृष्टद्युम्नमुखाश्चापि पार्थाः शान्तनवं रणे । अभ्यधावञ्जिगीषन्तस्तव पुत्रस्य वाहिनीम् ॥ 27॥ तथैव तावका राजन्भीष्मद्रोणमुखाः परान् । अभ्यधावन्त वेगेन ततो युद्धमवर्तत ॥ 28॥	28 (511)
Sanjaya said, "When night had passed and the sun rose, the two armies, O king, moved closer for battle. The formation that Bhishma defended was shaped like a Makara. Seeing them ready to fight, the renowned sons of Pandu organized their forces in the mighty formation known as the Syena (Hawk). Then king Duryodhana, the greatest of heroes and a valiant chariot-warrior, saw the devastating losses among his troops and remembered the deaths of his brothers from the day before. He hurried to Bharadwaja's son and spoke to him, saying, 'O teacher, O virtuous one, you are always on my side. With your guidance and that of the venerable Bhishma, we trust we can defeat even the gods in battle, not to mention the sons of Pandu, who lack strength and skill. May you be blessed; act in a way that ensures the Pandavas are defeated.' In battle, your son spoke to Drona, who charged into the Pandava formation right in front of Satyaki. O Bharata, Satyaki confronted Bharadwaja's son, leading to a fierce and terrifying clash. Bhishma, son of Santanu, fought valiantly, intent on shielding the warriors from Bhimasena's fearsome might. The fighting between the Kaurava and Pandava forces was catastrophic, claiming many great heroes. King Duryodhana, flanked by a large contingent from Kalinga and with Bhishma leading, charged at the Pandavas. In response, the Pandava warriors, bolstered by Vrikodara and riding swift steeds, surged forward in a furious attack against Bhishma. Seeing his brothers and other kings battling him, Dhananjaya raised his weapons and charged at the son of Ganga. Like a storm cloud full of lightning, driven by a fierce wind, Arjuna unleashed a relentless volley of arrows, covering every direction. Dhananjaya quickly advanced toward Ganga's son with his fearsome weapons. Overcome by confusion from his onslaught, your warriors could not tell East from West. Tired and heartbroken, with their horses fallen, they huddled together, seeking Bhishma's safety along with all your sons. And Bhishma, the greatest charioteer, filled with fury, confronted the formidable Bhimasena right in front of the troops. The swift arrows shot by Bhishma, adorned with golden feathers and sharpened on stone, struck Bhima in that fierce battle. Then Bhimasena, filled with immense strength, hurled a fierce dart at him, O Bharata, resembling a vengeful snake. But Bhishma skillfully severed that dart, crafted from gold, with his straight arrows as it raced towards him. Additionally, he shattered Bhimasena's bow into two pieces with another finely honed, broad-headed arrow, O Bharata. Then, O king, in that clash, Satyaki dashed towards Bhishma, hitting your father with countless sharp arrows shot from his bowstring pulled taut. Then Bhishma, releasing a fiercely aimed arrow, knocked Satyaki's charioteer off his seat. As Satyaki's charioteer fell, his horses, O king, bolted wildly across the battlefield. The entire army erupted in chaotic cries, creating a tremendous uproar. Meanwhile, Bhishma, son of Santanu, began to decimate the Pandava forces like Indra thinning the Danavas. Despite being cut down by Bhishma, the Panchalas and Somakas, determined and brave, charged towards him. Other warriors from the Pandava side, led by Dhrishtadyumna and eager to combat your son's forces, surged toward Santanu's son in battle. Likewise, O king, your warriors, led by Bhishma and Drona, surged fiercely toward their enemies. Thus, another fierce battle ensued."
सञ्जय उवाच॥ द्रौणिर्गाण्डीवधन्वानं भीमधन्वा महारथः । अविध्यदिषुभिः षड्भिर्दृढहस्तः स्तनान्तरे ॥ 1॥ कार्मुकं तस्य चिच्छेद फल्गुनः परवीरहा । अविध्यच्च भृशं तीक्ष्णैः पत्रिभिः शत्रुकर्शनः ॥ 2॥ सोऽन्यत्कार्मुकमादाय वेगवत्क्रोधमूर्छितः । अमृष्यमाणः पार्थेन कार्मुकच्छेदमाहवे ॥ 3॥ अविध्यत्फल्गुनं राजन्नवत्या निशितैः शरैः । वासुदेवं च सप्तत्या विव्याध परमेषुभिः ॥ 4॥ ततः क्रोधाभिताम्राक्षः सह कृष्णेन फल्गुनः । दीर्घमुष्णं च निःश्वस्य चिन्तयित्वा मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ 5॥ धनुः प्रपीड्य वामेन करेणामित्रकर्शनः । गाण्डीवधन्वा सङ्क्रुद्धः शितान्संनतपर्वणः ॥ 6॥ जीवितान्तकरान्घोरान्समादत्त शिलीमुखान् ॥ तैस्तूर्णं समरेऽविध्यद्द्रौणिं बलवतां वरम् ॥ 7 तस्य ते कवचं भित्त्वा पपुः शोणितमाहवे ॥ न विव्यथे च निर्भिन्नो द्रौणिर्गाण्डीवधन्वना ॥ 8 तथैव शरवर्षाणि प्रतिमुञ्चन्नविह्वलः ॥ तस्थौ स समरे राजंस्त्रातुमिच्छन्महाव्रतम् ॥ 9॥ तस्य तत्सुमहत्कर्म शशंसुः पुरुषर्षभाः । यत्कृष्णाभ्यां समेताभ्यां नापत्रपत संयुगे ॥ 10॥ स हि नित्यमनीकेषु युध्यतेऽभयमास्थितः । अस्त्रग्रामं ससंहारं द्रोणात्प्राप्य सुदुर्लभम् ॥ 11॥ ममायमाचार्यसुतो द्रोणस्यातिप्रियः सुतः । ब्राह्मणश्च विशेषेण माननीयो ममेति च ॥ 12॥ समास्थाय मतिं वीरो बीभत्सुः शत्रुतापनः । कृपां चक्रे रथश्रेष्ठो भारद्वाजसुतं प्रति ॥ 13॥ द्रौणिं त्यक्त्वा ततो युद्धे कौन्तेयः शत्रुतापनः । युयुधे तावकान्निघ्नंस्त्वरमाणः पराक्रमी ॥ 14॥ अथ राजन्महाबाहुः सात्यकिर्युद्धदुर्मदः । विकृष्य चापं समरे भारसाधनमुत्तमम् ॥ 15॥ स कृत्वा दारुणं कर्म प्रगृहीतशरासनः । आससाद ततो वीरो भूरिश्रवसमाहवे ॥ 16॥ स हि संदृश्य सेनां तां युयुधानेन पातिताम् । अभ्यधावत सङ्क्रुद्धः कुरूणां कीर्तिवर्धनः ॥ 17॥ इन्द्रायुधसवर्णं तत्स विस्फार्य महद्धनुः । व्यसृजद्वज्रसङ्काशाञ्शरानाशीविषोपमान् ॥ 18॥ सहस्रशो महाराज दर्शयन्पाणिलाघवम् ॥ शरांस्तान्मृत्युसंस्पर्शान्सात्यकेस्तु पदानुगाः ॥ 19 न विषेहुस्तदा राजन्दुद्रुवुस्ते समन्ततः ॥ विहाय समरे राजन्सात्यकिं युद्धदुर्मदम् ॥ 20॥ तं दृष्ट्वा युयुधानस्य सुता दश महाबलाः । महारथाः समाख्याताश्चित्रवर्मायुधध्वजाः ॥ 21॥ समासाद्य महेष्वासं भूरिश्रवसमाहवे । ऊचुः सर्वे सुसंरब्धा यूपकेतुं महारणे ॥ 22॥ भो भो कौरवदायाद सहास्माभिर्महाबल । एहि युध्यस्व सङ्ग्रामे समस्तैः पृथगेव वा ॥ 23॥ अस्मान्वा त्वं पराजित्य यशः प्राप्नुहि संयुगे । वयं वा त्वां पराजित्य प्रीतिं दास्यामहे पितुः ॥ 24॥ एवमुक्तस्तदा शूरैस्तानुवाच महाबलः । वीर्यश्लाघी नरश्रेष्ठस्तान्दृष्ट्वा समुपस्थितान् ॥ 25॥ साध्विदं कथ्यते वीरा यदेवं मतिरद्य वः । युध्यध्वं सहिता यत्ता निहनिष्यामि वो रणे ॥ 26॥ एवमुक्ता महेष्वासास्ते वीराः क्षिप्रकारिणः । महता शरवर्षेण अभ्यवर्षन्नरिंदमम् ॥ 27॥ अपराह्णे महाराज सङ्ग्रामस्तुमुलोऽभवत् । एकस्य च बहूनां च समेतानां रणाजिरे ॥ 28॥ तमेकं रथिनां श्रेष्ठं शरवर्षैरवाकिरन् । प्रावृषीव महाशैलं सिषिचुर्जलदा नृप ॥ 29॥ तैस्तु मुक्ताञ्शरौघांस्तान्यमदण्डाशनिप्रभान् । असम्प्राप्तानसम्प्राप्तांश्चिच्छेदाशु महारथः ॥ 30॥ तत्राद्भुतमपश्याम सौमदत्तेः पराक्रमम् । यदेको बहुभिर्युद्धे समसज्जदभीतवत् ॥ 31॥ विसृज्य शरवृष्टिं तां दश राजन्महारथाः । परिवार्य महाबाहुं निहन्तुमुपचक्रमुः ॥ 32॥ सौमदत्तिस्ततः क्रुद्धस्तेषां चापानि भारत । चिच्छेद दशभिर्बाणैर्निमेषेण महारथः ॥ 33॥ अथैषां छिन्नधनुषां भल्लैः संनतपर्वभिः । चिच्छेद समरे राजञ्शिरांसि निशितैः शरैः ॥ 34॥ ते हता न्यपतन्भूमौ वज्रभग्ना इव द्रुमाः ॥ तान्दृष्ट्वा निहतान्वीरान्रणे पुत्रान्महाबलान् ॥ 35 वार्ष्णेयो विनदन्राजन्भूरिश्रवसमभ्ययात् ॥ रथं रथेन समरे पीडयित्वा महाबलौ ॥ 36 तावन्योन्यस्य समरे निहत्य रथवाजिनः ॥ विरथावभिवल्गन्तौ समेयातां महारथौ ॥ 37॥ प्रगृहीतमहाखड्गौ तौ चर्मवरधारिणौ । शुशुभाते नरव्याघ्रौ युद्धाय समवस्थितौ ॥ 38॥ ततः सात्यकिमभ्येत्य निस्त्रिंशवरधारिणम् । भीमसेनस्त्वरन्राजन्रथमारोपयत्तदा ॥ 39॥ तवापि तनयो राजन्भूरिश्रवसमाहवे । आरोपयद्रथं तूर्णं पश्यतां सर्वधन्विनाम् ॥ 40॥ एतस्मिन्नेव काले तु सूर्येऽस्तमुपगच्छति । सर्वेषामेव सैन्यानां प्रमोहः समजायत ॥ 41॥ पाण्डवानां कुरूणां च परस्परसमागमे । ते सेने भृशसंविग्ने ययतुः स्वं निवेशनम् ॥ 42॥	42 (553)
Sanjaya said, "King Virata then struck the mighty chariot-warrior Bhishma with three arrows. In return, Bhishma shot three arrows at the enemy's horses, each adorned with golden wings. The fearsome archer and strong chariot-warrior, Drona's son, pierced the wielder of Gandiva with six arrows, directly between his breasts. In response, Phalguni, known for defeating enemies and slaying heroic foes, cut Aswatthaman's bow and then shot him back with five arrows. Furious and unable to accept the loss of his bow in battle, Drona's son grabbed a tougher bow and shot ninety arrows at Phalguni and seventy fierce arrows at Vasudeva. With eyes blazing in rage, and breaths heavy with anger, Phalguni briefly contemplated alongside Krishna. Firmly holding his bow with his left hand, the relentless warrior wielding Gandiva, filled with fury, nocked a series of deadly, straight arrows on his bowstring, prepared to end his foe's life." In that fierce battle, the mightiest warrior quickly struck down Drona's son with his arrows. Those arrows pierced through his armour, taking his life’s blood. Yet, despite being wounded by the bowman of Gandiva, Drona's son did not falter. He retaliated with arrows of his own towards Partha, remaining calm in combat, determined to defend the esteemed Bhishma. His actions were celebrated by the top fighters of the Kuru army, as he bravely faced both Krishnas together. Indeed, Aswatthaman fought boldly amid the ranks, having learned all the weapons and their uses from Drona. 'This is my teacher's son, beloved by Drona and a noble Brahmana, deserving my respect.' With that thought, the valiant Vibhatsu, the greatest chariot warrior, showed compassion toward Drona's son. Steering clear of him, Kunti's son, skilled and driving white horses, engaged the battle, moving swiftly and causing significant destruction among your troops. Then, O king, the formidable Satyaki, invincible in warfare, drew an exceptional bow, unleashing countless arrows that swarmed like venomous snakes, showcasing his incredible agility. After performing this fierce act with his bow, he approached Bhurisravas in battle. Observing the Dhartarashtra forces falling before Yuyudhana, Bhurisravas, known for enhancing the Kuru legacy, charged forward in fury. Drawing his colossal bow, resembling Indra's in colour, he released thousands of arrows, looking like poisonous snakes and striking with the power of thunder, all while demonstrating remarkable agility. Then the warriors who followed Satyaki, unable to withstand the deadly arrows, fled in all directions, leaving the unbeatable Satyaki behind in battle. Seeing this, the powerful sons of Yuyudhana, renowned chariot-fighters in brilliant armor, armed with varied weapons and bold standards, approached the great archer, Bhurisravas. They furiously called out to him, saying, 'Listen, kinsman of the Kauravas, you who are strong, come and fight us! Whether together or one by one, defeat us in battle and earn honor, or we shall conquer you and find great satisfaction.' Addressed like this, the mighty hero, proud of his power and unrivaled among men, looked at them and responded, 'You warriors have spoken well. If this is your desire, then fight carefully all together; I will defeat you in battle.' In response, those brave bowmen surrounded that fierce enemy with a torrential rain of arrows. In the afternoon, a fierce battle ensued between Bhurisravas alone and many united against him. Those ten heroes bombarded that lone chariot-warrior with arrows like clouds raining on a mountain during the wet season. Yet, Bhurisravas skillfully cut down the arrows, which resembled fatal darts or brilliant lightning, before they could strike him. They surrounded the strong warrior and tried to kill him. But the son of Somadatta, filled with fury, cut their bows and then their heads with sharp arrows. As they fell, they dropped like great trees struck down by lightning. Seeing his brave sons defeated in battle, the hero Satyaki let out a loud roar and charged at Bhurisravas. The mighty warriors each drove their chariots toward the other, and in the skirmish, they killed each other's horses. Without their chariots, the warriors jumped down to fight on foot, picking up large swords and strong shields as they faced off. Like fierce beasts, they readied themselves for battle, shining with determination. Then Bhimasena quickly approached the armed Satyaki and lifted him onto his own chariot. Meanwhile, your son, O king, swiftly took Bhurisravas onto his chariot in front of all the archers..