Jayaparva Chapter - 2 (Eighteenth day war – Part-2) – Duryodhana killed

 

जयपर्व – Jayaparva (अष्टादश दिवसीय युद्धम् - भाग- २) – दुर्योधन वध:

अध्यायः – 2 ::Chapter-2 (Eighteenth day war – Part-2) – Duryodhana killed

Shlokas	No. of Shlokas
सञ्जय उवाच॥ वासुदेवमिदं वाक्यमब्रवीत्कुरुनन्दनः ॥ पश्येमां धार्तराष्ट्रेण मायामप्सु प्रयोजिताम् ॥ 1। विष्टभ्य सलिलं शेते नास्य मानुषतो भयम् ॥ दैवीं मायामिमां कृत्वा सलिलान्तर्गतो ह्ययम् ॥ 2। युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ जलस्थं तं महाराज तव पुत्रं महाबलम् ॥ अभ्यभाषत कौन्तेयः प्रहसन्निव भारत ॥ 3॥ सुयोधन किमर्थोऽयमारम्भोऽप्सु कृतस्त्वया । सर्वं क्षत्रं घातयित्वा स्वकुलं च विशां पते ॥ 4॥ जलाशयं प्रविष्टोऽद्य वाञ्छञ्जीवितमात्मनः । उत्तिष्ठ राजन्युध्यस्व सहास्माभिः सुयोधन ॥ 5॥ स च दर्पो नरश्रेष्ठ स च मानः क्व ते गतः । यस्त्वं संस्तभ्य सलिलं भीतो राजन्व्यवस्थितः ॥ 6॥ अस्मान्वा त्वं पराजित्य प्रशाधि पृथिवीमिमाम् । अथ वा निहतोऽस्माभिर्भूमौ स्वप्स्यसि भारत ॥ 7॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ अहं वनं गमिष्यामि ह्यजिनैः प्रतिवासितः । रतिर्हि नास्ति मे राज्ये हतपक्षस्य भारत ॥ 8॥ हतबान्धवभूयिष्ठा हताश्वा हतकुञ्जरा । एषा ते पृथिवी राजन्भुङ्क्ष्वैनां विगतज्वरः ॥ 9॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ यदि चापि समर्थः स्यास्त्वं दानाय सुयोधन । नाहमिच्छेयमवनिं त्वया दत्तां प्रशासितुम् ॥ 10॥ अधर्मेण न गृह्णीयां त्वया दत्तां महीमिमाम् । न हि धर्मः स्मृतो राजन्क्षत्रियस्य प्रतिग्रहः ॥ 11॥ त्वया दत्तां न चेच्छेयं पृथिवीमखिलामहम् । त्वां तु युद्धे विनिर्जित्य भोक्तास्मि वसुधामिमाम् ॥ 12॥ उत्तिष्ठोत्तिष्ठ गान्धारे मां योधय सुयोधन । एक एकेन सङ्गम्य संयुगे गदया बली ॥ 13॥ पुरुषो भव गान्धारे युध्यस्व सुसमाहितः । अद्य ते जीवितं नास्ति यद्यपि त्वं मनोजवः ॥ 14॥ सञ्जय उवाच॥ स भित्त्वा स्तम्भितं तोयं स्कन्धे कृत्वायसीं गदाम् । उदतिष्ठत पुत्रस्ते प्रतपन्रश्मिमानिव ॥ 15॥ दुर्योधन उवाच॥ एकैकेन च मां यूयमासीदत युधिष्ठिर । न ह्येको बहुभिर्न्याय्यो वीर योधयितुं युधि ॥ 16॥ युधिष्ठिर उवाच॥ नाभूदियं तव प्रज्ञा कथमेवं सुयोधन । यदाभिमन्युं बहवो जघ्नुर्युधि महारथाः ॥ 17॥ पञ्चानां पाण्डवेयानां येन योद्धुमिहेच्छसि । तं हत्वा वै भवान्राजा हतो वा स्वर्गमाप्नुहि ॥ 18॥ ऋते च जीविताद्वीर युद्धे किं कुर्म ते प्रियम् ॥ भ्रातॄणां भवतामेको युध्यतां गदया मया ॥ 19। सहदेवेन वा योत्स्ये भीमेन नकुलेन वा ॥ अथ वा फल्गुनेनाद्य त्वया वा भरतर्षभ ॥ 20। सञ्जय उवाच॥ ततो भीमबलो भीमो युधिष्ठिरमथाब्रवीत् । सृञ्जयैः सह तिष्ठन्तं तपन्तमिव भास्करम् ॥ 21॥ अहमेतेन सङ्गम्य संयुगे योद्धुमुत्सहे । न हि शक्तो रणे जेतुं मामेष पुरुषाधमः ॥ 22॥ इत्युक्त्वा भरतश्रेष्ठो गदामुद्यम्य वीर्यवान् । उदतिष्ठत युद्धाय शक्रो वृत्रमिवाह्वयन् ॥ 23॥ तं महात्मा महात्मानं गदामुद्यम्य पाण्डवः । अभिदुद्राव वेगेन धार्तराष्ट्रं वृकोदरः ॥ 24॥	24 (97)
Yudhishthira, speaking to Vasudeva, exclaimed, "Look! Dhritarashtra's son has bewitched these waters! He's used illusion to enchant them and now hides within. He thinks he's safe from harm now, invoking this magical trick to lie low in the water!" Yudhishthira then called out to Duryodhana, "Suyodhana, why are you hiding in the water? You caused the death of all the warriors and the destruction of your own line! Why seek to save your life in this lake now? Rise and fight us, Suyodhana! Where's your pride, your honor gone? You, who once boasted so much, now hide underwater, having cast a spell upon it! Rise, Bharata, and fight like a warrior! Either rule the world by defeating us, or fall here and be buried in the ground!" Duryodhana replied, "I'd rather retreat into the forest wearing deer skin. I have no desire for a kingdom without friends and allies, Bharata. With my friends, allies, heroes, and elephants almost entirely gone, the earth is yours, Yudhishthira! Enjoy it now!" Yudhisthira then addressed Duryodhana, "You might now, Suyodhana, offer me the earth as a gift. However, I have no desire to rule lands you've given! I won't accept this earth sinfully from you! Accepting gifts, O king, isn't a Kshatriya's duty! Thus, I don't want the vast earth you offer this way! Instead, I'll enjoy the earth after defeating you in battle! Rise, son of Gandhari, and fight me, Suyodhana! Though you stand alone, face us one by one, mighty one, armed with your mace! Be a man, son of Gandhari, and fight carefully! Today, you'll lose your life, even if Indra aids you!" Breaking through the frozen waters, your son Duryodhana rose, hoisting his iron mace, like the sun scorching all with its rays. Duryodhana declared: "Yudhishthira, you'll face me one at a time! It's not right for one hero to battle many together." Yudhisthira retorted, "Duryodhana, where was this honor when many great warriors ganged up to kill Abhimanyu in battle? Kshatriya duties are brutally cruel, without thought or compassion! I'll grant you this added wish, hero: if you can kill whichever of the five Pandavas you choose to fight, you'll be king! Otherwise, slain by him, you'll go to heaven! Tell us, hero, what other boon we can grant you, besides your life." Duryodhana declared, "Let any one of you five brothers fight me, armed with maces! I'm ready to face Sahadeva, Bhima, Nakula, Arjuna, or you, Yudhishthira, today, son of Bharata!" Then, mighty Bhima, seeing Yudhishthira standing among the Srinjayas like the sun, proclaimed, "I'll take him on! This scoundrel hasn't a chance against me!" With that, Bhima, full of power, rose to fight Duryodhana, like Indra challenging Vritra. The high-souled Vrikodara, the son of Pandu, then, uplifting his mace, rushed furiously high-souled son Duryodhana.
सञ्जय उवाच॥ अभवच्च तयोर्युद्धं तुमुलं रोमहर्षणम् । जिगीषतोर्युधान्योन्यमिन्द्रप्रह्रादयोरिव ॥ 1॥ ततो गुरुतरां दीप्तां गदां हेमपरिष्कृताम् । दुर्योधनाय व्यसृजद्भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ॥ 2॥ तं प्रहारमसम्भ्रान्तो लाघवेन महाबलः । मोघं दुर्योधनश्चक्रे तत्राभूद्विस्मयो महान् ॥ 3॥ सा तु मोघा गदा राजन्पतन्ती भीमचोदिता । चालयामास पृथिवीं महानिर्घातनिस्वना ॥ 4॥ आस्थाय कौशिकान्मार्गानुत्पतन्स पुनः पुनः । गदानिपातं प्रज्ञाय भीमसेनमवञ्चयत् ॥ 5॥ वञ्चयित्वा तथा भीमं गदया कुरुसत्तमः । ताडयामास सङ्क्रुद्धो वक्षोदेशे महाबलः ॥ 6॥ उपसृत्य तु राजानं गदामोक्षविशारदः । आविध्यत गदां राजन्समुद्दिश्य सुतं तव ॥ अताडयद्भीमसेनः पार्श्वे दुर्योधनं तदा ॥ 7। तमभ्याशगतं प्राज्ञो रणे प्रेक्ष्य वृकोदरः । अवाक्षिपद्गदां तस्मै वेगेन महता बली ॥ 8॥ अवक्षेपं तु तं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रस्तव विशां पते । अपासर्पत्ततः स्थानात्सा मोघा न्यपतद्भुवि ॥ 9॥ मोक्षयित्वा प्रहारं तं सुतस्तव स सम्भ्रमात् । भीमसेनं च गदया प्राहरत्कुरुसत्तमः ॥ 10॥ तस्य विष्यन्दमानेन रुधिरेणामितौजसः । प्रहारगुरुपाताच्च मूर्छेव समजायत ॥ 11॥ दुर्योधनस्तं च वेद पीडितं पाण्डवं रणे । धारयामास भीमोऽपि शरीरमतिपीडितम् ॥ 12॥ अमन्यत स्थितं ह्येनं प्रहरिष्यन्तमाहवे । अतो न प्राहरत्तस्मै पुनरेव तवात्मजः ॥ 13॥ ततो मुहूर्तमाश्वस्य दुर्योधनमवस्थितम् । वेगेनाभ्यद्रवद्राजन्भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् ॥ 14॥ तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य संरब्धममितौजसम् । मोघमस्य प्रहारं तं चिकीर्षुर्भरतर्षभ ॥ 15॥ अवस्थाने मतिं कृत्वा पुत्रस्तव महामनाः । इयेषोत्पतितुं राजंश्छलयिष्यन्वृकोदरम् ॥ 16॥ अबुध्यद्भीमसेनस्तद्राज्ञस्तस्य चिकीर्षितम् । अथास्य समभिद्रुत्य समुत्क्रम्य च सिंहवत् ॥ 17॥ सृत्या वञ्चयतो राजन्पुनरेवोत्पतिष्यतः । ऊरुभ्यां प्राहिणोद्राजन्गदां वेगेन पाण्डवः ॥ 18॥ सा वज्रनिष्पेषसमा प्रहिता भीमकर्मणा । ऊरू दुर्योधनस्याथ बभञ्ज प्रियदर्शनौ ॥ 19॥ स पपात नरव्याघ्रो वसुधामनुनादयन् । भग्नोरुर्भीमसेनेन पुत्रस्तव महीपते ॥ 20॥ ततो दुर्योधनं हत्वा भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् । पतितं कौरवेन्द्रं तमुपगम्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ 21॥ गौर्गौरिति पुरा मन्द द्रौपदीमेकवाससम् । यत्सभायां हसन्नस्मांस्तदा वदसि दुर्मते ॥ तस्यावहासस्य फलमद्य त्वं समवाप्नुहि ॥ 22॥ नास्माकं निकृतिर्वह्निर्नाक्षद्यूतं न वञ्चना । स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य प्रबाधामो वयं रिपून् ॥ 23॥ ये नः पुरा षण्ढतिलानवोच;न्क्रूरा राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः । ते नो हताः सगणाः सानुबन्धाः; कामं स्वर्गं नरकं वा व्रजामः ॥ 24॥ पुनश्च राज्ञः पतितस्य भूमौ; स तां गदां स्कन्धगतां निरीक्ष्य । वामेन पादेन शिरः प्रमृद्य; दुर्योधनं नैकृतिकेत्यवोचत् ॥ 25॥ तव पुत्रं तथा हत्वा कत्थमानं वृकोदरम् । नृत्यमानं च बहुशो धर्मराजोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ 26॥ मा शिरोऽस्य पदा मर्दीर्मा धर्मस्तेऽत्यगान्महान् । राजा ज्ञातिर्हतश्चायं नैतन्न्याय्यं तवानघ ॥ 27॥ अथाब्रवीन्महाराज वासुदेवो महायशाः । अस्माभिर्मङ्गलार्थाय वस्तव्यं शिबिराद्बहिः ॥ 28॥ तथेत्युक्त्वा च ते सर्वे पाण्डवाः सात्यकिस्तथा । वासुदेवेन सहिता मङ्गलार्थं ययुर्बहिः ॥ 29॥ ते समासाद्य सरितं पुण्यामोघवतीं नृप । न्यवसन्नथ तां रात्रिं पाण्डवा हतशत्रवः ॥ 30॥	30 (127)
Sanjaya said, 'Each thirsty for victory, the ensuing battle was fierce, a truly hair-raising spectacle akin to the clash between Indra and Prahlada. The formidable Bhima then hurled his heavy, gold-adorned, blazing mace at Duryodhana. But the mighty, fearless Duryodhana skillfully dodged the blow. The spectators were awestruck. The earth trembled with a thunderous roar as Bhima's mace fell harmlessly. Employing the Kausika manoeuvre, Duryodhana repeatedly leaped, anticipating and evading Bhima's mace. After thwarting Bhimasena, the powerful Kuru king, enraged, struck Bhima squarely on the chest. Bhimasena retaliated, striking Duryodhana on the flank.  During the fight, Vrikodara feigned an opening, and Duryodhana, smirking slightly, lunged forward. The skilled warrior Vrikodara, watching his foe approach, abruptly hurled his mace. Seeing the projectile, your son, O King, sidestepped the spot where it crashed harmlessly to the ground. Having evaded that blow, your son, the foremost of Kurus, swiftly struck Bhimasena with his mace. The force of the blow and the ensuing blood loss left Bhimasena momentarily stunned. Duryodhana, however, failed to realize the extent of the Pandava's distress. Despite his pain, Bhima endured, summoning every ounce of his resolve.'  Duryodhana saw that Bhima was unflinching, ready to retaliate. This is why your son didn't strike again immediately. After a short pause, the mighty Bhimasena charged ferociously at Duryodhana, who stood close by. Seeing the immensely powerful Bhimasena rushing at him in fury, your noble son, descendant of Bharata, aimed to evade the blow by attempting the Avasthana maneuver. He tried to leap upwards, hoping to trick Vrikodara. But Bhimasena saw through his plan. With a thunderous roar, he lunged forward and slammed his mace into Duryodhana's thighs just as he jumped. The mace, with the force of lightning and wielded by the formidable Bhima, shattered both of Duryodhana's handsome thighs. The tiger among men, your son, crashed to the ground as his thighs broke, the earth shaking with his fall.  Approaching the fallen Duryodhana, the valiant Bhimasena said, “You despicable creature, who mocked the disrobing of Draupadi in the assembly, calling us ‘Cow, Cow!’—now taste the consequence of that insult! We have no deceit, no fire tricks, no match-fixing, no lies! We rely solely on the strength of our arms to defeat our enemies!” Those evil sons of Dhritarashtra who called us ‘Sesame seeds without kernel’ have been wiped out, along with their kin and supporters! It makes no difference if we go to heaven or hell because of what we've done!”  Saying so to the deceitful Duryodhana, raising the mace from his shoulders, he kicked the prostrate king in the head with his left foot.  While Bhima, after felling your son, was boasting and dancing wildly, King Yudhishthira told him, 'Stop, Bhima! Don't crush his head! Don't sin! Duryodhana is a king, and your relative!' Then the renowned Vasudeva said, 'As a sacred beginning, we should stay out of the camp tonight.' Agreeing, the Pandavas and Satyaki, with Vasudeva, left the camp for this auspicious act. Arriving at the Oghavati's shores, the Pandavas, now without enemies, rested there for the night!'
सञ्जय उवाच॥ वातिकानां सकाशात्तु श्रुत्वा दुर्योधनं हतम् । हतशिष्टास्ततो राजन्कौरवाणां महारथाः ॥ 1॥ विनिर्भिन्नाः शितैर्बाणैर्गदातोमरशक्तिभिः । अश्वत्थामा कृपश्चैव कृतवर्मा च सात्वतः ॥ 2॥ अवतीर्य रथेभ्यस्तु प्राद्रवन्राजसंनिधौ । दुर्योधनं च सम्प्रेक्ष्य सर्वे भूमावुपाविशन् ॥ 3॥ स तु क्रोधसमाविष्टः पाणौ पाणिं निपीड्य च । बाष्पविह्वलया वाचा राजानमिदमब्रवीत् ॥ 4॥ पिता मे निहतः क्षुद्रैः सुनृशंसेन कर्मणा । न तथा तेन तप्यामि यथा राजंस्त्वयाद्य वै ॥ 5॥ शृणु चेदं वचो मह्यं सत्येन वदतः प्रभो । इष्टापूर्तेन दानेन धर्मेण सुकृतेन च ॥ 6॥ अद्याहं सर्वपाञ्चालान्वासुदेवस्य पश्यतः । सर्वोपायैर्हि नेष्यामि प्रेतराजनिवेशनम् ॥ अनुज्ञां तु महाराज भवान्मे दातुमर्हति ॥ 7॥ इति श्रुत्वा तु वचनं द्रोणपुत्रस्य कौरवः । मनसः प्रीतिजननं कृपं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ ॥ आचार्य शीघ्रं कलशं जलपूर्णं समानय ॥ 8॥ स तद्वचनमाज्ञाय राज्ञो ब्राह्मणसत्तमः । कलशं पूर्णमादाय राज्ञोऽन्तिकमुपागमत् ॥ 9॥ तमब्रवीन्महाराज पुत्रस्तव विशां पते । ममाज्ञया द्विजश्रेष्ठ द्रोणपुत्रोऽभिषिच्यताम् ॥ सेनापत्येन भद्रं ते मम चेदिच्छसि प्रियम् ॥ 10॥ राज्ञो नियोगाद्योद्धव्यं ब्राह्मणेन विशेषतः । वर्तता क्षत्रधर्मेण ह्येवं धर्मविदो विदुः ॥ 11॥ राज्ञस्तु वचनं श्रुत्वा कृपः शारद्वतस्ततः । द्रौणिं राज्ञो नियोगेन सेनापत्येऽभ्यषेचयत् ॥ 12॥ सोऽभिषिक्तो महाराज परिष्वज्य नृपोत्तमम् । प्रययौ सिंहनादेन दिशः सर्वा विनादयन् ॥ 13॥ ततस्ते सहिता वीराः प्रयाता दक्षिणामुखाः । उपास्तमयवेलायां शिबिराभ्याशमागताः ॥ 14॥ विमुच्य वाहांस्त्वरिता भीताः समभवंस्तदा । गहनं देशमासाद्य प्रच्छन्ना न्यविशन्त ते ॥ 15॥ ततो निद्रावशं प्राप्तौ कृपभोजौ महारथौ । सुखोचितावदुःखार्हौ निषण्णौ धरणीतले ॥ 16॥ न लेभे स तु निद्रां वै दह्यमानोऽतिमन्युना । वीक्षां चक्रे महाबाहुस्तद्वनं घोरदर्शनम् ॥ 17॥ तद्भावकृतसङ्कल्पो द्रौणिरेको व्यचिन्तयत् ॥ छद्मना तु भवेत्सिद्धिः शत्रूणां च क्षयो महान् ॥18॥ तत्र संशयितादर्थाद्योऽर्थो निःसंशयो भवेत् । तं जना बहु मन्यन्ते येऽर्थशास्त्रविशारदाः ॥ 19॥ इत्येवं निश्चयं चक्रे सुप्तानां युधि मारणे । पाण्डूनां सह पाञ्चालैर्द्रोणपुत्रः प्रतापवान् ॥ 20॥ स क्रूरां मतिमास्थाय विनिश्चित्य मुहुर्मुहुः । सुप्तौ प्राबोधयत्तौ तु मातुलं भोजमेव च ॥ नोत्तरं प्रतिपेदे च तत्र युक्तं ह्रिया वृतः ॥ 21। अश्वत्थामोवाच॥ पितृहन्तॄनहं हत्वा पाञ्चालान्निशि सौप्तिके । कामं कीटः पतङ्गो वा जन्म प्राप्य भवामि वै ॥ 22॥ त्वरे चाहमनेनाद्य यदिदं मे चिकीर्षितम् । तस्य मे त्वरमाणस्य कुतो निद्रा कुतः सुखम् ॥ 23॥ इत्युक्त्वा रथमास्थाय प्रायादभिमुखः परान् । तमन्वगात्कृपो राजन्कृतवर्मा च सात्वतः ॥ 24॥ सञ्जय उवाच॥ तस्मिन्प्रयाते शिबिरं द्रोणपुत्रे महात्मनि । कृपश्च कृतवर्मा च शिबिरद्वार्यतिष्ठताम् ॥ 25॥ तं शयानं महात्मानं विस्रब्धमकुतोभयम् । प्राबोधयत पादेन शयनस्थं महीपते ॥ 26॥ तमुत्पतन्तं शयनादश्वत्थामा महाबलः । केशेष्वालम्ब्य पाणिभ्यां निष्पिपेष महीतले ॥ 27॥ एवं ब्रुवाणस्तं वीरं सिंहो मत्तमिव द्विपम् । मर्मस्वभ्यवधीत्क्रुद्धः पादाष्ठीलैः सुदारुणैः ॥ 28॥ तं तु तेनाभ्युपायेन गमयित्वा यमक्षयम् । अध्यतिष्ठत्स तेजस्वी रथं प्राप्य सुदर्शनम् ॥ 29॥ स तस्य भवनाद्राजन्निष्क्रम्यानादयन्दिशः । रथेन शिबिरं प्रायाज्जिघांसुर्द्विषतो बली ॥ 30। ततो निस्त्रिंशमादाय जघानान्यान्पृथग्जनान् । भागशो विचरन्मार्गानसियुद्धविशारदः ॥ द्रौपदेयानभिद्रुत्य खड्गेन व्यचरद्बली ॥ 31॥ स तु क्रोधसमाविष्टो द्रोणपुत्रो महाबलः । शिखण्डिनं समासाद्य द्विधा चिच्छेद सोऽसिना ॥ 32॥ द्रुपदस्य च पुत्राणां पौत्राणां सुहृदामपि । चकार कदनं घोरं दृष्ट्वा दृष्ट्वा महाबलः ॥ 33॥ तांस्तु निष्पततस्त्रस्ताञ्शिबिराञ्जीवितैषिणः । कृतवर्मा कृपश्चैव द्वारदेशे निजघ्नतुः ॥ 34०॥ अश्वत्थामोवाच॥ दुर्योधन जीवसि चेद्वाचं श्रोत्रसुखां शृणु । सप्त पाण्डवतः शेषा धार्तराष्ट्रास्त्रयो वयम् ॥ 35॥ ते चैव भ्रातरः पञ्च वासुदेवोऽथ सात्यकिः । अहं च कृतवर्मा च कृपः शारद्वतस्तथा ॥ 36॥ द्रौपदेया हताः सर्वे धृष्टद्युम्नस्य चात्मजाः । पाञ्चाला निहताः सर्वे मत्स्यशेषं च भारत ॥ 37॥ कृते प्रतिकृतं पश्य हतपुत्रा हि पाण्डवाः । सौप्तिके शिबिरं तेषां हतं सनरवाहनम् ॥ 38॥ मया च पापकर्मासौ धृष्टद्युम्नो महीपते । प्रविश्य शिबिरं रात्रौ पशुमारेण मारितः ॥ 39॥ दुर्योधनस्तु तां वाचं निशम्य मनसः प्रियाम् । प्रतिलभ्य पुनश्चेत इदं वचनमब्रवीत् ॥ 40॥ न मेऽकरोत्तद्गाङ्गेयो न कर्णो न च ते पिता । यत्त्वया कृपभोजाभ्यां सहितेनाद्य मे कृतम् ॥ 41॥ स चेत्सेनापतिः क्षुद्रो हतः सार्धं शिखण्डिना । तेन मन्ये मघवता सममात्मानमद्य वै ॥ 42॥ स्वस्ति प्राप्नुत भद्रं वः स्वर्गे नः सङ्गमः पुनः । इत्येवमुक्त्वा तूष्णीं स कुरुराजो महामनाः ॥ 43॥ प्राणानुदसृजद्वीरः सुहृदां शोकमादधत् ॥ तथेति ते परिष्वक्ताः परिष्वज्य च तं नृपम् । पुनः पुनः प्रेक्षमाणाः स्वकानारुरुहू रथान् ॥ 44॥	44 (171)
Sanjaya recounted, ‘Upon hearing news of Duryodhana's downfall from messengers, the mighty chariot warriors—the surviving remnants of the Kaurava army, heavily wounded by sharp arrows, maces, lances, and darts—Ashvatthama, Kripa, and Kritavarma of the Satwata lineage, swiftly arrived on their swift steeds at the battlefield. Dismounting their chariots, they rushed to the king's side. Seeing Duryodhana, they all sat on the ground around him.  Seeing the king in tears and sorrow, Drona's son was inflamed with rage, like the fire at the end of the world. Overcome with fury, he clenched his fist and, in a voice choked with tears, addressed the king: "My father was slain by those villains through a deceitful trick. Yet, that does not sting me as much as seeing you in this condition, O king! Hear my solemn vow, O lord, sworn by Truth itself, by all my righteous deeds, my gifts, my faith, and the merits I have earned. Today, before Vasudeva himself, I will send all the Panchalas to Yama's abode by any means necessary. Grant me your permission, O monarch!"  Hearing Drona's son's words, which pleased him greatly, the Kuru king turned to Kripa and said, "O preceptor, quickly bring me a pot of water!" At the king's request, the foremost Brahmana promptly brought a vessel filled with water and approached the king. Then, your son, O monarch, said to Kripa: "Let Drona's son, O best of Brahmanas, be installed as commander-in-chief at my command, if you wish to do me a service! At the king's command, even a Brahmana may fight, especially one who has adopted Kshatriya ways! So, say those learned in the scriptures!" Hearing the king's words, Kripa, son of Saradwat, installed Drona's son as commander-in-chief, as the king commanded.’With the ceremony done, O king, Ashvatthama embraced the noble king and departed, his lion-like roars echoing in every direction.  Sanjaya said, "The warriors then headed south. As sunset neared, they arrived near the Kuru camp. They released their animals, filled with growing dread. Seeking refuge in a forest, they went into hiding. Kripa and Kritavarma, great chariot warriors, fell asleep on the hard ground, now deserving of rest yet far from comfort. Ashvatthama, consumed by rage, remained wide awake, his gaze sweeping the ominous forest. Drona's son pondered his next move, determined to chart his course.  He thought, "Deception may yet grant me victory, unleashing great destruction upon my enemies! People and scholars alike praise sure methods over uncertain ones." With this in mind, Drona's valiant son resolved to slay the slumbering Pandavas and Panchalas under cover of night. Having made this foul decision, he repeatedly vowed to carry it out, then roused his uncle and the Bhoja chief. Awakened, the illustrious Kripa and the Bhoja leader heard Ashvatthama's plan, and overcome with shame, they remained silent."  Ashvatthama said, "Having slaughtered the Panchalas, those who murdered my father, in the dead of night while they were deep in slumber, I care not if I am reborn as a worm or a fly in my next life. I am driven toward fulfilling my resolve. How can I find sleep or joy when I am so consumed?" After speaking, Ashvatthama mounted his chariot and sped toward the enemy. Kripa and Kritavarma of the Satvata clan followed him. As Drona's noble son advanced toward the camp, Kripa and Kritavarma waited at the gate.  Ashvatthama ruthlessly kicked Dhristadyumna awake, who was sleeping soundly and without worry in his bed. As he tried to rise, the powerful Ashvatthama grabbed him by the hair and pinned him to the ground. Enraged, Ashvatthama brutally kicked his enemy's vital points, killing him like a lion felling a raging elephant. Having sent him to the realm of Yama in this way, the mighty Ashvatthama exited, boarded his magnificent chariot, and remained there. Emerging from Dhrishtadyumna's dwelling, O king, Ashvatthama's roars echoed across every direction. He then drove his chariot to other camp locations, intent on slaughtering his enemies. Traversing the camp's various paths, Ashvatthama, skilled with his blade, swiftly located clusters of soldiers. In moments, he slew the unarmed, weary warriors as they slept. Next, he murdered Draupadi's five sons. Fuelled by rage, Drona's powerful son approached Shikhandi and cleaved him in two with his sword. With immense strength, Drona's son wrought a terrible massacre among Drupada's descendants and followers, picking them off one by one. Those who attempted to flee the camp to save themselves were cut down by Kritavarma and Kripa at the gate.  Ashvatthama declared, "Duryodhana, if you still cling to life, listen to this welcome news. Among the Pandavas, only seven remain, while among us Dhartarashtras, only three! Their seven are the five Pandava brothers, Vasudeva, and Satyaki; our three are myself, Kripa, and Kritavarma! All of Draupadi's sons are dead, as are all of Dhrishtadyumna's children! The Panchalas are annihilated, as is what remained of the Matsyas, Bharata! See the revenge exacted for their deeds! The Pandavas are now without heirs! While they slept, the men and animals in their camp were slaughtered! I infiltrated their camp at night, king, and slew Dhrishtadyumna, that vile sinner, as one would butcher an animal."  Duryodhana, hearing these heartening words, revived and replied, "What neither Ganga's son, nor Karna, nor your father could accomplish, you, with Kripa and Bhoja, have finally achieved today. You have killed that scoundrel Dhrishtadyumna, the Pandava commander, and Shikhandi. Because of this, I feel myself equal to Maghavat! Bless you all! May prosperity be yours! We will all meet again in heaven!"  Having spoken, the noble Kuru king fell silent. Releasing his grief for all his slain relatives, he then breathed his last.

 

इति श्री जयसंहिते  जयपर्वणि द्वितीयोऽध्यायः॥

Jayaparva Chapter- 1

Jayaparva Chapter- 3