Adhyaya 190

Verse 1

शीश >> श््जु भ्निध्ररॉभ्राध्यस अष्टा शीर्त्याधिकशततमोब् ध्याय: दुःशासन और सहदेवका, कर्ण और भीमसेनका तथा द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनका घोर युद्ध संजय उवाच ततो दुःशासन: क्रुद्ध: सहदेवमुपाद्रवत्‌ । रथवेगेन तीव्रेण कम्पयन्निव मेदिनीम्‌,संजय कहते हैं--राजन्‌! तदनन्तर अपने रथके तीव्र वेगसे पृथ्वीको कँपाते हुए-से दुःशासनने कुपित होकर सहदेवपर आक्रमण किया

Sañjaya said: Then Duḥśāsana, inflamed with anger, charged at Sahadeva. With the fierce speed of his chariot, he seemed to make the earth itself tremble—signaling the ruthless escalation of combat where wrath drives warriors to seek dominance rather than restraint.

Verse 2

तस्यापतत एवाशु भल्‍्लेनामित्रकर्शन: । माद्रीपुत्र: शिरो यन्तु: सशिरस्त्राणमच्छिनत्‌,उसके आते ही शत्रुसूदन माद्रीकुमार सहदेवने शीघ्र ही एक भल्ल मारकर दुःशासनके सारथिका मस्तक शिरस्त्राणसहित काट डाला

Sañjaya said: As he rushed in, the enemy-subduing son of Mādrī—Sahadeva—swiftly struck with a bhalla arrow and severed the charioteer’s head, helmet and all. The scene underscores the ruthless momentum of battle, where skill and resolve are exercised without pause, even as the moral weight of violence hangs over every decisive act.

Verse 3

नैनं दुःशासन: सूतं नापि कश्चन सैनिक: । कृत्तोत्तमाड़माशुत्वात्‌ सहदेवेन बुद्धवान्‌,इस कार्यमें उन्होंने ऐसी फुर्ती दिखायी कि न तो दुःशासन और न दूसरा ही कोई सैनिक इस बातको जान सका कि सहदेवने सारथिका सिर काट डाला है

Sañjaya said: Neither Duḥśāsana nor any other soldier noticed it—so swiftly and skillfully did the wise Sahadeva act—when he struck and severed the charioteer’s head. The episode underscores how, in the chaos of war, speed and tactical precision can conceal even a grave act of violence, raising the ethical tension between battlefield necessity and the human cost borne by non-royal combatants such as charioteers.

Verse 4

यदा त्वसंगृहीतत्वात्‌ प्रयान्त्यश्वा यथासुखम्‌ | ततो दुःशासन: सूतं बुबुधे गतचेतसम्‌,जब रास छूट जानेके कारण घोड़े अपनी मौजसे इधर-उधर भागने लगे, तब दुःशासनको यह ज्ञात हुआ कि मेरा सारथि मारा गया

Sañjaya said: When, because no one held the reins, the horses began to run about as they pleased, then Duḥśāsana realized that his sūta, the charioteer, had lost consciousness—effectively slain or rendered incapable—and the chariot was left without control.

Verse 5

स हयान्‌ संनिगृह्माजी स्वयं हयविशारद: । युयुधे रथिनां श्रेष्ठो लघु चित्र च सुष्ल च,रथियोंमें श्रेष्ठ द:शासन अश्व-संचालनकी कलामें निपुण था। वह रणभूमिमें स्वयं ही घोड़ोंको काबूमें करके शीघ्रतापूर्वक विचित्र रीतिसे अच्छी तरह युद्ध करने लगा

Sañjaya said: Skilled in handling horses, he himself reined in the steeds on the battlefield. That foremost of chariot-warriors fought swiftly, employing varied and well-executed maneuvers.

Verse 6

तदस्यापूजयन्‌ कर्म स्वे परे चापि संयुगे । हतसूतरथेनाजौ व्यचरद्‌ यदभीतवत्‌

Sañjaya said: Both his own side and the opposing side praised that deed on the battlefield. For though his charioteer had been slain, he moved about in the fray as if fearless.

Verse 7

सारथिके मारे जानेपर भी दुःशासन उस रथके द्वारा युद्धभूमिमें निर्भय-सा विचरता रहा; उसके इस कर्मकी अपने और शत्रुपक्षके लोगोंने भी प्रशंसा की ।। सहदेवस्तु तानश्चांस्ती3णैर्बाणैरवाकिरत्‌ । पीड्यमाना: शरैश्वाशु प्राद्रवंस्ते ततस्तत:,सहदेव उन घोड़ोंपर तीखे बाणोंकी वर्षा करने लगे। उन बाणोंसे पीड़ित हुए वे घोड़े शीघ्र ही इधर-उधर भागने लगे

Sañjaya said: Though his charioteer had been slain, Duḥśāsana still ranged over the battlefield in that chariot as if fearless, and both friend and foe praised the deed. But Sahadeva showered those horses with sharp arrows; tormented by the shafts, they quickly bolted and scattered in different directions.

Verse 8

स रश्मिषु विषक्तत्वादुत्ससर्ज शरासनम्‌ | धनुषा कर्म कुर्वस्तु रश्मींश्ष॒ पुनरुत्सूजत्‌,दुःशासन जब घोड़ोंकी रास सँभालने लगता तो धनुष छोड़ देता और जब धनुषसे काम लेता तो विवश होकर घोड़ोंकी रास छोड़ देता था

Sañjaya said: Because he was entangled with the reins, he let go of his bow; and when he tried to act with the bow, he was compelled to release the reins again. Thus, in the press of battle, he could not properly manage both the horses and the weapon at once.

Verse 9

छिद्रेष्वेतेषु तं बाणैर्माद्रीपुत्रो 5 भ्यवाकिरत्‌ । परीप्संस्त्वत्सुतं कर्णस्तदन्‍्तरमवाप तत्‌,उसकी दुर्बलताके इन्हीं अवसरोंपर माद्रीकुमार सहदेव उसे बाणोंसे ढक देते थे। उस समय आपके पुत्रकी रक्षाके लिये कर्ण बीचमें कूद पड़ा

Sañjaya said: “Finding those openings in the enemy’s defence, Mādrī’s son Sahadeva showered him with arrows, as though covering him over. At that moment, Karṇa—seeking to protect your son—rushed into the gap and took that position between them.”

Verse 10

वृकोदरस्तत: कर्ण त्रिभिर्भल्लै: समाहित: । आकर्णपूर्णरभ्यघ्नद्‌ बाह्वोरुगसि चानदत्‌,तब भीमसेनने भी सावधान होकर धनुषको कानतक खींचकर छोड़े गये तीन भल्लोंद्वारा कर्णकी दोनों भुजाओं और छातीमें गहरी चोट पहुँचायी। फिर वे जोर-जोरसे गर्जना करने लगे

Sañjaya said: Then Vṛkodara (Bhīma), fixing his aim on Karṇa, drew his bow back to the ear and struck him with three sharp arrows, dealing deep blows to both arms and to the chest. After landing those hits, Bhīma roared loudly.

Verse 11

स निवृत्तस्तत: कर्ण: संघट्टधित इवोरग: । भीममावारयामास विकिरन्‌ निशितान्‌ शरान्‌,तदनन्तर पैरोंसे कुचले गये सर्पके समान कुपित हो कर्ण लौट पड़ा और तीखे बाणोंकी वर्षा करके भीमको रोकने लगा

Sañjaya said: Then Karṇa, having turned back—like a serpent enraged after being trampled—checked Bhīma’s advance, scattering a shower of razor-sharp arrows.

Verse 12

ततो<भूत्‌ तुमुलं युद्ध भीमराधेययोस्तदा । तौ वृषाविव नर्दन्तौ विवृत्तनयनावुभौ,फिर तो भीमसेन और राधापुत्र कर्णमें घोर युद्ध होने लगा। दोनों ही एक-दूसरेकी ओर विकृत दृष्टिसे देखते हुए साँड्रोंके समान गर्जने लगे

Sañjaya said: Then a tumultuous battle flared up between Bhima and Radheya (Karna). Both, with eyes distorted in fury and fixed upon one another, roared like two bulls.

Verse 13

वेगेन महतान्योन्यं संरब्धावभिपेततु: । अभिसंश्शलिष्टयोस्तत्र तयोराहवशौण्डयो:

Sañjaya said: Driven by tremendous speed and fierce resolve, the two rushed at one another. There, as they closed in and grappled at close quarters, those two champions—seasoned in the ways of battle—met in a tight, violent clash.

Verse 14

गदया भीमसेनस्तु कर्णस्य रथकूबरम्‌

Sañjaya said: With his mace, Bhīmasena struck at Karṇa’s chariot—its pole, its very supporting beam—seeking to cripple the vehicle and thus check the warrior’s rush amid the battle’s turmoil. It was a hard choice of war: to disable the instrument of harm rather than merely trade blows, yet still within the grim necessities of the field.

Verse 15

ततो भीमस्य राधेयो गदामाविध्य वीर्यवान्‌

Sañjaya said: Then the mighty Rādheya (Karṇa), whirling his mace, advanced against Bhīma—an image of battle-fury rising, where strength and resolve are tested beneath the moral weight of war among kin.

Verse 16

ततो भीम: पुनर्गुर्वी चिक्षेपाधिरथेर्गदाम्‌

Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma, undeterred, once again hurled his heavy mace at the great chariot-warrior. The verse marks the relentless escalation of battle—valor and wrath driving repeated assaults, even as the ethical weight of violence gathers upon the field of dharma.

Verse 17

तां गदां बहुभि: कर्ण: सुपुड्खै: सुप्रवेजितै: । प्रत्यविध्यत्‌ पुनश्चान्यै: सा भीम॑ पुनराव्रजत्‌

Sañjaya said: Karṇa struck that mace again and again with many arrows—well-feathered and driven with great force—yet the mace, though checked by his shafts, still came back toward Bhīma. Thus the battle’s momentum would not be easily turned aside: skill and power met unwavering resolve.

Verse 18

तत्पश्चात्‌ उन्होंने अधिरथपुत्र कर्णपर पुनः एक भारी गदा छोड़ी। परंतु कर्णने तेज किये हुए सुन्दर पंखवाले दूसरे-दूसरे बहुत-से बाण मारकर उस गदाको बींध डाला। इससे वह पुनः भीमपर ही लौट आयी ।। व्यालीव मन्त्राभिहता कर्णबाणैरभिद्रुता । तस्या: प्रतिनिपातेन भीमस्य विपुलो ध्वज:

Sañjaya said: Then Bhīma hurled yet another massive mace at Karṇa, the son of Adhiratha. But Karṇa, with many swift, well-feathered arrows, pierced that mace and drove it back; and by its recoil it returned again toward Bhīma. Thus, in the clash of prowess, power was checked by precision, and violence rebounded upon the one who unleashed it.

Verse 19

स कर्ण सायकानष्टौ व्यसृजत्‌ क्रोधमूर्च्छित:

Sañjaya said: Overcome by a surge of anger, Karṇa released eight arrows.

Verse 20

तैस्तस्य निशितैस्ती&$णैरभीमसेनो महाबल: । चिच्छेद परवीरघ्न: प्रहसन्निव भारत

Sañjaya said: With those sharp, keen arrows, the mighty Bhīmasena—slayer of enemy heroes—cut down his opponent’s weapons, as if laughing, O Bhārata.

Verse 21

ध्वजं शरासनं चैव शरावापं च भारत । तब क्रोधसे व्याकुल हुए भीमसेनने कर्णको आठ बाण मारे। भारत! शत्रुवीरोंका संहार करनेवाले महाबली भीमसेनने हँसते हुए-से उन तेज धारवाले तीखे बाणोंद्वारा कर्णके ध्वज धनुष और तरकसको काट गिराया ।। १९-२० $ ।। कर्णोउप्यन्यद्‌ धनुर्गह्मु हेमपृष्ठं दुरासदम्‌,तत्पश्चात्‌ राधापुत्र कर्णने पुन: सोनेकी पीठवाला दूसरा दुर्जय धनुष हाथमें लेकर रथपर रखे हुए बाणोंद्वारा भीमसेनके रीकछके समान रंगवाले काले घोड़ों और दोनों पार्श्वरक्षकोंको शीघ्र ही मार डाला

Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, with sharp, keen arrows Bhīmasena, though shaken by wrath, struck Karṇa and cut down his banner, his bow, and his quiver. Karṇa then seized another bow—gold-backed and hard to overcome—and thereafter, the son of Rādhā swiftly slew with the arrows set upon his chariot Bhīmasena’s dark horses, black as bears, along with the two flank-guards.

Verse 22

ततः पुनस्तु राधेयो हयानस्य रथेषुभि: । ऋक्षवर्णाञ्जघानाशु तथोभौ पार्ष्णिसारथी,तत्पश्चात्‌ राधापुत्र कर्णने पुन: सोनेकी पीठवाला दूसरा दुर्जय धनुष हाथमें लेकर रथपर रखे हुए बाणोंद्वारा भीमसेनके रीकछके समान रंगवाले काले घोड़ों और दोनों पार्श्वरक्षकोंको शीघ्र ही मार डाला

Sañjaya said: Then again Rādheya (Karna) swiftly struck down, with arrows shot from his chariot, Bhīmasena’s bear-coloured horses; and he also quickly slew both of the chariot’s side-guards and the charioteer.

Verse 23

स विपन्नरथो भीमो नकुलस्याप्लुतो रथम्‌ | हरिर्यथा गिरे: शूड़ं समाक्रामदरिंदम:,इस तरह रथ नष्ट हो जानेसे शत्रुदमन भीमसेन जैसे सिंह पर्वतके शिखरपर चढ़ जाता है, उसी प्रकार उछलकर नकुलके रथपर जा बैठे

Sañjaya said: When his own chariot had been destroyed, Bhīma—subduer of foes—leapt up and mounted Nakula’s chariot, just as a lion springs onto a mountain peak.

Verse 24

तथा द्रोणार्जुनौ चित्रमयुध्येतां महारथौ । आचार्यशिष्यौ राजेन्द्र कृतप्रहरणौ युधि,राजेन्द्र! इसी प्रकार उस युद्धस्थलमें आचार्य और शिष्य महारथी द्रोण तथा अर्जुन परस्पर प्रहार करते हुए विचित्र रीतिसे युद्ध कर रहे थे

Sañjaya said: “So too, O king, the two great chariot-warriors Droṇa and Arjuna—teacher and disciple—fought in a wondrous manner on that battlefield, striking each other in combat.”

Verse 25

लघुसंधानयोगाभ्यां रथयोश्व रणेन च । मोहयन्तौ मनुष्याणां चक्षूंषि च मनांसि च,शीघ्रतापूर्वक बाणोंके संधान और रथोंके योगसे अपने संग्रामद्वारा वे दोनों वीर लोगोंके नेत्रों और मनको भी मोह लेते थे

Sañjaya said: By their swift skill in fitting arrows to the bow, by the disciplined coordination of their chariots, and by the very manner of their fighting, those two heroes bewildered the onlookers—captivating both the eyes and the minds of men.

Verse 26

उपारमन्त ते सर्वे योधा भरतसत्तम । अदृष्टपूर्व पश्यन्तस्तद्‌ युद्ध गुरुशिष्ययो:,भरतश्रेष्ठ! गुरु और शिष्यके उस अपूर्व युद्धको देखते हुए सब योद्धा संग्रामसे विरत हो गये

Sañjaya said: O best of the Bharatas, all those warriors ceased fighting, as they beheld that unprecedented combat between teacher and disciple.

Verse 27

विचित्रान्‌ पृतनामध्ये रथमार्गनुदीर्य तौ । अन्योन्यमपसव्यं च कर्तु वीरौ तदेषतु:,वे दोनों वीर सेनाके बीचमें रथके विचित्र पैंतरे प्रकट करते हुए उस समय एक-दूसरेको दायें कर देनेकी चेष्टा करने लगे

Sañjaya said: In the midst of the armies, the two heroes displayed wondrous chariot-manoeuvres, driving their courses in intricate patterns, each striving to force the other into an inauspicious (leftward) position—seeking tactical advantage amid the press of war.

Verse 28

पराक्रमं तयोयोधा ददृशुस्ते सुविस्मिता: । तयो: समभवद्‌ युद्ध द्रोणपाण्डवयोर्महत्‌

Sañjaya said: The warriors, astonished, beheld the prowess of those two. Between Droṇa and the Pāṇḍavas there then arose a great battle.

Verse 29

यद्‌ यच्चकार द्रोणस्तु कुन्तीपुत्रजिगीषया

Sañjaya said: Whatever deeds Droṇa performed, he did them with the intent to overcome the sons of Kuntī—driven by the desire to conquer them in battle.

Verse 30

यदा द्रोणो न शक्नोति पाण्डवं सम विशेषितुम्‌

Sañjaya said: “When Droṇa is no longer able to overpower the Pāṇḍava and gain a decisive advantage over him…”

Verse 31

ऐन्द्रं पाशुपतं त्वाष्ट्र वायव्यमथ वारुणम्‌

Sañjaya said: “(He employed) the Indra-weapon, the Pāśupata weapon, the Tvaṣṭṛ-born weapon, and then the weapons of Vāyu and Varuṇa.” In the ethical atmosphere of the war, the piling up of divine missiles signals an escalation beyond ordinary human combat, where power and restraint (dharma) are tested amid the drive to overpower the foe.

Verse 32

अस्त्राण्यस्त्रैर्यदा तस्य विधिवद्धन्ति पाण्डव:

Sañjaya said: “When the Pāṇḍavas, in due and proper manner, counter his missiles with their own weapons….”

Verse 33

यद्‌ यदस्त्रं स पार्थाय प्रयुड्धक्ते वेजिगीषया

Sañjaya said: “Whatever weapon he employed against Pārtha, he did so with the intent to prevail in battle.”

Verse 34

तस्य तस्य विघाताय तत्‌ तद्धि कुरुतेडर्जुन: । परंतु विजयकी इच्छासे वे पार्थपर जिस-जिस अस्त्रका प्रयोग करते थे, उस-उसके विनाशके लिये अर्जुन वैसे ही अस्त्रोंका प्रयोग करते थे ।। ३३ ई ।। स वध्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु दिव्येष्वपि यथाविधि

Sañjaya said: To counter each and every one of those attacks, Arjuna employed precisely the corresponding means of neutralization. Whenever divine missiles were being deployed according to their proper rites, Arjuna—intent on victory—met them with matching weapons, destroying each as it arose. The scene underscores disciplined mastery in war: power is checked not by rage, but by skill, restraint, and exact knowledge of countermeasures.

Verse 35

मेने चात्मानमधिकं पृथिव्यामधि भारत

Sañjaya said: “O Bhārata, he deemed himself superior upon the earth.”

Verse 36

वार्यमाणस्तु पार्थेन तथा मध्ये महात्मनाम्‌

Sañjaya said: Though being restrained by Pārtha (Arjuna), he still remained there, in the very midst of the great-souled warriors—suggesting a tense moment where personal valor and the attempt to check further harm collide on the battlefield.

Verse 37

ततोडन्तरिक्षे देवाश्न गन्धर्वाश्ष सहस्रश:

Then, in the sky, the gods and the Gandharvas appeared in their thousands, bearing witness to the moment and heightening the sense that the battlefield events were being observed and judged by higher beings.

Verse 38

तदप्सरोभिराकीर्ण यक्षगन्धर्वसंकुलम्‌

Sañjaya said: That region appeared crowded with Apsarases and thronged with Yakṣas and Gandharvas—evoking a celestial, otherworldly atmosphere amid the unfolding events.

Verse 39

तत्र स्मान्तर्हिता वाचो व्यचरन्त पुन: पुन:

There, again and again, voices—hidden from sight—moved about, resounding at intervals, as though proclaiming unseen presences and the unsettling uncertainty that pervaded the battlefield.

Verse 40

विसृज्यमानेष्वस्त्रेषु ज्वालयत्सु दिशो दश

Sañjaya said: As the weapons were hurled, blazing forth, they seemed to set all ten directions aflame—signaling the terrifying escalation of the battle and the moral peril that follows when wrath and martial power are unleashed without restraint.

Verse 41

अब्रुव॑ंस्तत्र सिद्धाश्षन ऋषयश्न समागता: । जब दिव्यास्त्रोंके प्रयोग होने लगे और उनके तेजसे दसों दिशाएँ प्रकाशित हो उठीं, उस समय आकाशकमें एकत्र हुए सिद्ध और ऋषि इस प्रकार वार्तालाप करने लगे--- || ४० ई | नैवेदं मानुषं युद्ध नासुरं न च राक्षसम्‌,'यह युद्ध न तो मनुष्योंका है, न असुरोंका, न राक्षसोंका है और न देवताओं एवं गन्धर्वोंका ही। निश्चय ही यह परम उत्तम ब्राह्म युद्ध है। ऐसा विचित्र एवं आश्चर्यजनक संग्राम हमलोगोंने न तो कभी देखा था और न सुना ही था

Sañjaya said: When the celestial weapons began to be unleashed and their radiance lit up all ten directions, the Siddhas and seers gathered in the sky spoke among themselves: “This is not a war of men, nor of Asuras, nor of Rakshasas—nor even of the gods and Gandharvas. Surely this is a supreme, brahma-like battle. Such a strange and astonishing combat we have neither seen before nor even heard of.”

Verse 42

नदैवं न च गान्धर्व ब्राह्मां ध्रुवमिदं परम्‌ विचित्रमिदमाश्चर्य न नो दृष्टं न च श्रुतम्‌,'यह युद्ध न तो मनुष्योंका है, न असुरोंका, न राक्षसोंका है और न देवताओं एवं गन्धर्वोंका ही। निश्चय ही यह परम उत्तम ब्राह्म युद्ध है। ऐसा विचित्र एवं आश्चर्यजनक संग्राम हमलोगोंने न तो कभी देखा था और न सुना ही था

Sañjaya said: “This battle is neither of men, nor of the asuras, nor of the rākṣasas, nor even of the gods and gandharvas. Surely, this is the supreme and unfailing ‘brāhma’ warfare. Such a strange and astonishing combat has never been seen by us before, nor even heard of.”

Verse 43

अति पाण्डवमाचार्यो द्रोणं चाप्पति पाण्डव: । नानयोरन्तरं शक्‍्यं द्रष्टमन्येन केनचित्‌

Sañjaya said: The Teacher (Droṇa) was wholly aligned with the Pāṇḍavas, and the Pāṇḍava warrior pressed hard upon Droṇa. No one else could discern any gap or separation between those two—so closely matched and so directly engaged were they in that combat.

Verse 44

“आचार्य द्रोण पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनसे बढ़कर हैं और पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुन भी आचार्य द्रोणसे बढ़कर हैं। इन दोनोंमें कितना अन्तर है, इसे दूसरा कोई नहीं देख सकता ।। यदि रुद्रो द्विधाकृत्य युध्येतात्मानमात्मना । तत्र शक्‍्योपमा कर्तुमन्यत्र तु न विद्यते,“यदि भगवान्‌ शंकर अपने दो रूप बनाकर स्वयं ही अपने साथ युद्ध करें तो उसी युद्धसे इनकी उपमा दी जा सकती है और कहीं इन दोनोंकी समता नहीं है

Sañjaya said: “Droṇa, the preceptor, surpasses Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu; and yet Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, surpasses Droṇa. No one else can truly discern what the difference between these two is. If Rudra (Śiva) were to divide himself into two forms and fight against himself, only that combat could serve as a comparison; elsewhere no equal likeness for these two exists.”

Verse 45

ज्ञानमेकस्थमाचार्य ज्ञानं योगश्न पाण्डवे | शौर्यमेकस्थमाचार्ये बलं शौर्य च पाण्डवे,“आचार्य द्रोणमें सारा ज्ञान एकत्र संचित है; परंतु पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनमें ज्ञानकके साथ-साथ योग भी है। इसी प्रकार आचार्य द्रोणमें सारा शौर्य एक स्थानपर आ गया है; परंतु पाण्डुनन्दन अर्जुनमें शौर्यके साथ बल भी है

Sañjaya said: “All learning is gathered in one place in the Teacher (Droṇa); but in the son of Pāṇḍu (Arjuna) there is learning together with disciplined yogic mastery. Likewise, all valor is concentrated in one place in the Teacher; but in Arjuna there are both valor and strength.”

Verse 46

नेमौ शक्‍्यौ महेष्वासौ युद्धे क्षपयितुं परै: । इच्छमानौ पुनरिमौ हन्येतां सामरं जगत्‌,'ये दोनों महाधनुर्धर वीर युद्धमें दूसरे किन्हीं योद्धाओंके द्वारा नहीं मारे जा सकते। परंतु यदि ये दोनों चाहें तो देवताओंसहित सम्पूर्ण जगत्‌का विनाश कर सकते हैं"

Sañjaya said: “These two great bowmen cannot be destroyed in battle by any other warriors. Yet, if they themselves so willed, they could bring about the destruction of the entire world together with the gods.”

Verse 47

इत्यब्रुवन्‌ महाराज दृष्टवा तौ पुरुषर्षभौ । अन्तर्हितानि भूतानि प्रकाशानि च सर्वश:,महाराज! उन दोनों पुरुषप्रवर वीरोंको देखकर आकाशमें छिपे हुए तथा प्रत्यक्ष दिखायी देनेवाले प्राणी भी सब ओर यही बातें कह रहे थे

Sañjaya said: “O King, seeing those two bull-like heroes among men, beings everywhere—both those hidden in the sky and those plainly visible—were heard uttering these very words on all sides.”

Verse 48

ततो द्रोणो ब्राह्ममस्त्र प्रादुश्चक्रे महामति: । संतापयन्‌ रणे पार्थ भूतान्यन्तर्हितानि च,तत्पश्चात्‌ परम बुद्धिमान्‌ द्रोणाचार्यने रणभूमिमें अर्जुनको तथा आकाशवर्ती अदृश्य प्राणियोंको संताप देते हुए ब्रह्मास्त्र प्रकट किया

Sañjaya said: “Then the great-minded Droṇa brought forth the Brahmā-weapon (Brahmāstra). On the battlefield he scorched Pārtha (Arjuna) and even the unseen beings that move in the sky.”

Verse 49

ततश्नचाल पृथिवी सपर्वतवनद्रुमा । ववौ च विषमो वायु: सागराश्षापि चुक्षुभु:,फिर तो पर्वत, वन और वृक्षोंसहित धरती डोलने लगी, आँधी उठ गयी और समुद्रोंमें ज्वार आ गया

Sañjaya said: Then the earth began to tremble, together with its mountains, forests, and trees. A violent, irregular wind blew, and the oceans too were thrown into agitation—portents that the very order of nature was being shaken by the dreadful turn of the war.

Verse 50

ततस्त्रासो महानासीत्‌ कुरुपाण्डवसेनयो: । सर्वेषां चैव भूतानामुद्यते<स्त्रे महात्मना,महामना द्रोणके द्वारा ब्रह्मास्त्रके उठाये जाते ही कौरवों और पाण्डवोंकी सेनाओंपर तथा समस्त प्राणियोंमें बड़ा भारी आतंक छा गया

Sañjaya said: Then a great terror arose in the armies of the Kurus and the Pāṇḍavas; indeed, among all living beings as well, when that mighty-souled warrior raised his weapon.

Verse 51

ततः पार्थोउप्यसम्भ्रान्तस्तदस्त्रं प्रतिजध्निवान्‌ । ब्रह्मास्त्रेणैेव राजेन्द्र ततः सर्वमशीशमत्‌,राजेन्द्र! तब अर्जुनने भी बिना किसी घबराहटके ब्रह्मास्त्रसे ही द्रोणाचार्यके उस अस्त्रको दबा दिया; फिर सारा उपद्रव शान्त हो गया

Sañjaya said: Then Pārtha (Arjuna) too, remaining unshaken, countered that weapon; O king, he checked it with the Brahmāstra itself. Thereupon, O best of kings, the entire turmoil was brought to rest.

Verse 52

यदा न गम्यते पारं तयोरन्यतरस्य वा । ततः संकुलयुद्धेन तद्‌ युद्ध व्याकुलीकृतम्‌,जब द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनमेंसे कोई भी किसीको परास्त न कर सका, तब सामूहिक युद्धके द्वारा उस संग्रामको व्यापक बना दिया गया

Sañjaya said: When neither of the two—Droṇācārya or Arjuna—could reach the far shore, that is, could decisively overcome the other, then the battle was thrown into confusion and made more widespread through a tangled, collective engagement.

Verse 53

नाज्ञायत ततः किंचित्‌ पुनरेव विशाम्पते । प्रवृत्ते तुमुले युद्धे द्रोणपाण्डवरयोर्मुथे,प्रजानाथ! रणभूमिमें द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनमें घमासान युद्ध छिड़ जानेपर फिर किसीको कुछ सूझ नहीं रहा था

Sañjaya said: O lord of the people, O ruler of men, once that fierce battle between Droṇa and the Pāṇḍava (Arjuna) had erupted, nothing could be clearly discerned again—amid the tumult, perception and judgment were overwhelmed by the violence of war.

Verse 54

(द्रोणो मुक्त्वा रणे पार्थ पज्चालानन्वधावत । अर्जुनो5पि रणे द्रोणं त्यक्त्वा प्राद्रावयत्‌ कुरून्‌ ।। द्रोणाचार्यने युद्धस्थलमें अर्जुनको छोड़कर पांचालोंपर धावा किया और अर्जुनने भी वहाँ द्रोणाचार्यका मुकाबला छोड़कर कौरव-सैनिकोंको वेगपूर्वक खदेड़ना आरम्भ किया। शरौघैरथ ताभ्यां तु छायाभूतं महामृथे । तुमुलं प्रबभौ राजन्‌ सर्वस्य जगतो भयम्‌ ।।) राजन! उस महासमरमें उन दोनोंने अपने बाणसमूहोंद्वारा सब कुछ अन्धकारसे आच्छन्न कर दिया। वह तुमुल युद्ध सम्पूर्ण जगत्‌॒के लिये भयदायक प्रतीत हो रहा था। शरजालै: समाकीर्णे मेघजालैरिवाम्बरे | नापतच्च तत:ः कश्रिदन्तरिक्षचरस्तदा,आकाशमें इस प्रकार बाणोंका जाल बिछ गया, मानो वहाँ मेघोंकी घटा घिर आयी हो। इससे वहाँ उस समय कोई आकाशचारी पक्षी भी कहीं उड़कर न जा सका

Sañjaya said: In the battle, Droṇa, leaving Arjuna aside, charged after the Pañcālas; and Arjuna too, setting aside his engagement with Droṇa, began to drive the Kuru forces back with speed. Then, O King, in that great clash, the two of them, by torrents of arrows, made the field as though covered in shadow; the uproar of combat appeared terrifying to the whole world. The sky became thick with a net of arrows, like a mass of clouds spread across the heavens, so that at that time no creature moving through the air could pass through.

Verse 136

विच्छिन्नशरपातत्वाद्‌ गदायुद्धमवर्तत । फिर दोनों परस्पर अत्यन्त कुपित हो बड़े वेगसे टूट पड़े। उन युद्धकुशल योद्धाओंके परस्पर अत्यन्त निकट आ जानेके कारण उनके बाण चलानेका क्रम टूट गया; इसलिये उनमें गदायुद्ध आरम्भ हो गया

Sañjaya said: Because the exchange of arrows was cut off, the combat turned into a mace-fight. As the two warriors, inflamed with anger, rushed at each other with great speed and came into very close range, the orderly sequence of missile warfare broke; thus, the battle shifted to close-quarters fighting with clubs.

Verse 146

बिभेद शतधा राजंस्तदद्भुतमिवाभवत्‌ | राजन! भीमसेनने अपनी गदासे कर्णके रथका कूबर तोड़कर उसके सौ टुकड़े कर दिये, वह अद्भुत-सा कार्य हुआ

Sañjaya said: O King, Bhīmasena smashed it into a hundred pieces; it appeared almost miraculous. With his mace he broke the forepart of Karṇa’s chariot and shattered it utterly.

Verse 186

पपात सारथिभश्चास्य मुमोह च गदाहतः । कर्णके बाणोंसे आहत हो वह गदा मन्त्रसे मारी गयी सर्पिणीके समान लौटकर भीमसेनके ही रथपर गिरी। उसके गिरनेसे भीमसेनकी विशाल ध्वजा धराशायी हो गयी और उस गदाकी चोट खाकर उनका सारथि भी मूर्च्छित हो गया

Sanjaya said: Struck by the blow of the mace, Bhima’s charioteer fell and lost consciousness. That mace—having been hit by Karna’s arrows and driven back by mantra-power like a returning serpent—fell upon Bhimasena’s own chariot. With its fall, Bhima’s great banner was brought down to the earth, and the charioteer too, smitten by the impact, fainted.

Verse 187

इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत द्रोणवधपर्वमें नकुलका युद्धाविषयक एक सौ सतासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Sanjaya said: Thus ends the one hundred and eighty-seventh chapter on Nakula’s battle, within the Droṇa Parva of the Śrī Mahābhārata, in the sub-section concerning the slaying of Droṇa.

Verse 188

इति श्रीमहाभारते द्रोणपर्वणि द्रोणवधपर्वणि संकुलयुद्धे अष्टाशीत्यधिकशततमो< ध्याय:,इस प्रकार श्रीमहाभारत द्रोणपर्वके अन्तर्गत द्रोणवधपर्वमें घमासान युद्धविषयक एक सौ अद्वासीवाँ अध्याय पूरा हुआ

Thus, in the Śrī Mahābhārata, within the Droṇa Parva—specifically in the section on the slaying of Droṇa—this chapter concerning the densely entangled, all-consuming battle comes to an end, completing the one hundred and eighty-eighth chapter. The colophon bears witness to the war’s moral gravity: the tale advances not as spectacle, but as a record of how dharma is obscured amid relentless violence and strategic killing.

Verse 283

आमिषार्थ महाराज गगने श्येनयोरिव । उन द्रोणाचार्य और पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनके पराक्रमको वे सब सैनिक अत्यन्त आश्चर्यचकित होकर देख रहे थे। महाराज! जैसे मांसके टुकड़ेके लिये आकाशमें दो बाज लड़ रहे हों, उसी प्रकार राज्यके लिये उन दोनों गुरु-शिष्योंमें बड़ा भारी युद्ध हो रहा था

Sañjaya said: O King, all the warriors watched in utter amazement the prowess of Droṇācārya and Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu. O Mahārāja, just as two hawks contend in the sky for a piece of flesh, so too a tremendous battle arose between that teacher and his disciple for the sake of sovereignty. The scene lays bare the war’s tragic tension: excellence and loyalty are present, yet they are driven into conflict by the hunger for dominion and the demands of opposing duties.

Verse 296

तत्‌ तत्‌ प्रतिजघानाशु प्रहसंस्तस्य पाण्डव: । द्रोणाचार्य कुन्तीपुत्र अर्जुनको जीतनेकी इच्छासे जिस-जिस अस्त्रका प्रयोग करते थे, उस-उसको पाए्जुपुत्र अर्जुन हँसते हुए तत्काल काट देते थे

Sañjaya said: Laughing, the Pāṇḍava swiftly struck back, countering each and every attack of his opponent at once. Whatever astra Droṇācārya employed in his desire to overcome Arjuna, the son of Kuntī, Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, smilingly cut it down without delay. In the heat of battle, Arjuna’s composure and mastery of weapons appear not as cruelty, but as disciplined control—meeting force with precise restraint and turning every attempt of the foe into a lesson in superior skill and steadiness of mind.

Verse 306

ततः प्रादुश्चकारास्त्रमस्त्रमार्गविशारद: । जब द्रोणाचार्य पाण्डुपुत्र अर्जुनकी अपेक्षा अपनी विशेषता न सिद्ध कर सके, तब अस्त्रमार्गोके ज्ञाता गुरुदेवने दिव्यास्त्रोंकोी प्रकट किया

Sañjaya said: Then the master, thoroughly skilled in the pathways and applications of weapons-mantras, manifested a divine missile. In the battlefield’s moral tension, when ordinary prowess no longer sufficed to establish superiority, the teacher’s resort to higher astras signaled both the escalation of war and the grave responsibility that accompanies specialized knowledge.

Verse 323

ततो<अस्त्रै: परमैर्दिव्यैद्रोण: पार्थमवाकिरत्‌ । जब पाण्डुकुमार अर्जुन आचार्यके सभी अस्त्रोंको अपने अस्त्रोंद्वारा विधिपूर्वक नष्ट करने लगे, तब द्रोणने परम दिव्य अस्त्रोंद्वारा अर्जुनको ढक दिया

Sañjaya said: Thereupon Droṇa, resorting to his supreme, celestial missiles, showered them upon Pārtha (Arjuna), overwhelming him. As Arjuna, the son of Pāṇḍu, began to duly counter and neutralize the teacher’s weapons with his own, Droṇa intensified the assault with higher divine astras—an escalation that highlights both the ferocity of war and the grave tension when a guru and disciple meet as enemies on the battlefield.

Verse 353

तेन शिष्येण सर्वेभ्य: शस्त्रविद्भ्य: परंतप: । भारत! शत्रुओंको संताप देनेवाले द्रोणाचार्य उस शिष्यके द्वारा अपने-आपको भूमण्डलके सभी शस्त्रवेत्ताओंसे श्रेष्ठ मानने लगे

Sañjaya said: O Bhārata, through that disciple, Droṇācārya—an afflicter of enemies—came to regard himself as superior to all weapon-masters across the earth. The episode shows how a teacher’s fame and self-judgment can become bound to the prowess of a single student, raising questions of pride, merit, and the ethical weight of martial excellence in war.

Verse 366

यतमानोडर्जुनं प्रीत्या प्रत्यवारयदुत्स्मयन्‌ । महामनस्वी वीरोंके बीचमें अर्जुनके द्वारा इस प्रकार रोके जाते हुए द्रोणाचार्य प्रयत्न करके प्रसन्नतापूर्वक मुसकराते हुए स्वयं भी अर्जुनको आगे बढ़नेसे रोकने लगे

Sañjaya said: Striving with affectionate regard, and smiling, he checked Arjuna’s advance. Though restrained in this manner by Arjuna in the thick of the fight, the great-souled hero Droṇācārya, exerting himself and smiling with calm satisfaction, began in turn to hold Arjuna back from pressing forward. The scene underscores a warrior’s discipline: even amid lethal conflict, mastery of self and respect for a worthy opponent can coexist with relentless duty on the battlefield.

Verse 373

ऋषय: सिद्धसंघाश्च व्यतिष्ठन्त दिदृक्षया । तदनन्तर वह युद्ध देखनेकी इच्छासे आकाशमें बहुत-से देवता, सहस्रों गन्धर्व, ऋषि और सिद्धसमुदाय खड़े हो गये

Sañjaya said: “Sages and hosts of Siddhas stood poised, eager to witness. Thereafter, desiring to behold the battle, many gods—along with thousands of Gandharvas, the Ṛṣis, and the assembled Siddha communities—took their stations in the sky.”

Verse 383

श्रीमदाकाशमभवद्‌ भूयो मेघाकुलं यथा । अप्सराओं, यक्षों और गन्धर्वोंसे भरा हुआ आकाश ऐसी विशिष्ट शोभा पा रहा था, मानो उसमें मेघोंकी घटा घिर आयी हो

Sañjaya said: Once again the sky became splendid—so densely filled, as it were, like a mass of clouds. Crowded with apsarases, yakṣas, and gandharvas, it took on a distinctive radiance, as though a great bank of clouds had gathered within it.

Verse 393

द्रोणपार्थस्तवोपेता व्यश्रूयन्त नराधिप । नरेश्वर! वहाँ द्रोणाचार्य और अर्जुनकी स्तुतिसे युक्त अदृश्य व्यक्तियोंके मुखोंसे निकली हुई बातें बारंबार सुनायी देने लगीं

Sañjaya said: O king, words of praise for Drona and Arjuna began to be heard repeatedly—uttered by unseen beings, as though voices had arisen from invisible mouths. In the midst of war’s turmoil, this recurring acclaim signals that extraordinary prowess and adherence to the warrior’s code were being witnessed and affirmed beyond the human battlefield.

Verse 1536

अवासूजदू रथे तां तु बिभेद गदया गदाम्‌ | फिर पराक्रमी राधापुत्र कर्णने भीमकी ही गदा उठा ली और उसे घुमाकर उन्हींके रथपर फेंका; किंतु भीमने दूसरी गदासे उस गदाको तोड़ डाला

Sañjaya said: Bhīma, standing firm in battle, struck and shattered that mace with his own mace. Thus, in the fierce exchange of weapons, strength was met with strength, and the warrior’s aggression was checked by an equal and timely counterblow—an image of how, in war, prowess and vigilance decide the moment’s outcome.

Verse 3136

मुक्त मुक्त द्रोणचापात्‌ तज्जघान धनंजय: । द्रोणाचार्यके धनुषसे क्रमश: छूटे हुए ऐन्द्र, पाशुपत, त्वाष्ट्, वायव्य तथा वारुण नामक अस्त्रको अर्जुनने तत्काल शान्त कर दिया

Sañjaya said: As the missiles were released again and again from Droṇa’s bow, Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) struck them down. The celestial weapons that issued in sequence from Droṇācārya’s bow—named Aindra, Pāśupata, Tvāṣṭra, Vāyavya, and Vāruṇa—were immediately neutralized by Arjuna. The episode underscores disciplined mastery over power: even the most formidable force is to be met with restraint, precision, and the resolve to prevent uncontrolled devastation on the battlefield.

Verse 3436

अर्जुनेनार्जुनं द्रोणो मनसैवाभ्यपूजयत्‌ । जब अर्जुनके द्वारा उनके विधिपूर्वक चलाये हुए दिव्यास्त्र भी प्रतिहत होने लगे, तब द्रोणने अर्जुनकी मन-ही-मन सराहना की

Sañjaya said: Drona inwardly honored Arjuna. For when even the divine missiles that Arjuna had properly and ritually discharged began to be checked and neutralized, Drona—recognizing the extraordinary mastery and restraint involved in such warfare—praised Arjuna in his heart.