The Anger of Rama at Seeing the Unfair Fight. Krishna Pacifies Him (ch60)

CHAPTER 60
(Gadayuddha Parva)-Continued

The Anger of Rama at Seeing the Unfair Fight. Krishna Pacifies Him

SYNOPSIS

The text captures the dramatic and morally charged aftermath of Duryodhana’s defeat in the Kurukshetra war. Bhima’s controversial act of striking Duryodhana on the thighs during their mace duel sparks outrage and sets off a chain of emotional and ethical confrontations among key characters.

Baladeva (Balarama), the elder brother of Krishna and a master of mace combat, is appalled at Bhima’s breach of the rules of warfare. He condemns the act as a disgraceful violation of fair combat, declaring that such a blow—delivered below the navel—is unworthy of a warrior. With anger blazing in his eyes, Baladeva denounces Bhima as an ignorant wretch and laments the dishonor brought upon the duel. His words echo across the battlefield, adding to the tension of the moment.

Krishna, ever calm and persuasive, steps in to pacify Baladeva. He justifies Bhima’s actions by recalling the terrible injustices endured by the Pandavas—Duryodhana’s humiliation of Draupadi, the deceitful dice game, and the years of exile. Krishna reminds Baladeva of Bhima’s solemn vow to break Duryodhana’s thighs as vengeance for Draupadi’s insult, a vow sanctioned by fate and the curse of the sage Maitreya. He argues that Bhima’s actions, though brutal, are part of the greater cosmic design. Despite Krishna’s eloquent reasoning, Baladeva remains unconvinced. Declaring Duryodhana a noble warrior who has achieved eternal glory through his sacrificial death, Baladeva departs for Dwaraka, leaving the Pandavas and their allies disheartened.

Amid this turmoil, Yudhishthira is overcome by conflicting emotions. The eldest Pandava is deeply troubled by the moral implications of Bhima’s actions and the devastation wrought by the war. Although he does not approve of Bhima’s act of striking Duryodhana’s head with his foot, Yudhishthira rationalizes his silence by recalling the years of oppression and betrayal his family endured at the hands of Duryodhana. His heart, however, remains heavy with grief for the annihilation of his kin and the Pyrrhic nature of their victory. He acknowledges the tragedy of the situation—that the Pandavas, though victorious, are left as miserable survivors amidst a wasteland of destruction.

Bhima, on the other hand, is unrepentant and exultant. Standing tall, with joy and pride radiating from him, he declares that the Earth has been freed of all “thorns”—their enemies have been vanquished, and the kingdom now belongs to Yudhishthira. Bhima revels in having fulfilled his vow and avenged the wrongs inflicted on their family, urging his elder brother to take up the mantle of rulership.

Yudhishthira, though outwardly acknowledging Bhima’s achievement, remains haunted by the heavy cost of their triumph. He mourns the loss of countless loved ones and the moral compromises made in their quest for justice. While Bhima celebrates the end of hostilities, Yudhishthira sees only the grim reality of war—where victory feels as hollow as defeat, and the survivors are left to carry the burden of loss and guilt.

Through this vivid tapestry of clashing emotions—rage, grief, pride, and despair—the text paints a poignant picture of the aftermath of war. It portrays not only the fulfillment of vows and the settling of debts but also the tragic cost of revenge and the complex interplay of morality, fate, and human frailty.

CHAPTER 60

धृतराष्ट्र उवाच
अधर्मेण हतं दृष्ट्वा राजानं माधवोत्तमः ।
किमब्रवीत् तदा सूत बलदेवो महाबलः ॥ १ ॥

dhṛtarāṣṭra uvāca
adharmeṇa hataṃ dṛṣṭvā rājānaṃ mādhavottamaḥ |
kimabravīt tadā sūta baladevo mahābalaḥ || 1 ||

Dhritarashtra said

"Seeing the (Kuru) king struck dawn unfairly, what, O charioteer did the powerful Baladeva, that Madhu's chief, say?

गदायुद्धविशेषज्ञो गदायुद्धविशारदः ।
कृतवान् रौहिणेयो यत् तन्ममाचक्ष्व संजय ॥२॥

gadāyuddhaviśeṣajño gadāyuddhaviśāradaḥ |

kṛtavān rauhiṇeyo yat tanmamācakṣva saṃjaya ||2||

"Tell me, O Sanjaya, what Rohini's son, well-skilled in mace encounters and well acquainted with all its rules did on that occasion!”

संजय उवाच
शिरस्यभिहतं दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनेन ते सुतम् ।
रामः प्रहरतां श्रेष्ठशुक्रोध बलवद्वली ॥ ३ ॥

 
saṃjaya uvāca
śirasyabhihataṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenena te sutam |
rāmaḥ praharatāṃ śreṣṭhaśukrodha balavadvalī || 3 ||

Sanjaya said

"Seeing your son struck at the thighs, the powerful Rama, that best of smiters, became highly angry.

ततो मध्ये नरेन्द्राणामूर्ध्वबाहुर्हलायुधः ।
कुर्वन्नार्तस्वरं घोरं धिग्भीमेत्युवाच ह ॥ ४ ॥

tato madhye narendrāṇāmūrdhvabāhurhalāyudhaḥ |
kurvannārtasvaraṃ ghoraṃ dhigbhīmetyuvāca ha || 4 ||

Raising his arms, the hero having the plow for his weapon, sorrowfully said amid those kings — 'Oh, fie on Bhima, fie on Bhima.

अहो धिग् यदधो नाभेः प्रहृतं धर्मविग्रहे ।
नैतद् दृष्टं गदायुद्धे कृतवान् यद् वृकोदरः ॥ ५ ॥

aho dhig yadadho nābheḥ prahṛtaṃ dharmavigrahe |
naitad dṛṣṭaṃ gadāyuddhe kṛtavān yad vṛkodaraḥ || 5 ||

Oh, fie, that in such a fair fight a blow has been inflicted below the navel! Never before has such an act, as has been done by Vrikodara, been seen in an encounter with the mace!

अधो नाभ्यां न हन्तव्यमिति शास्त्रस्य निश्चयः ।
अयं त्वशास्त्रविन्मूढः स्वच्छन्दात् सम्प्रवर्तते ॥ ६ ॥

adho nābhyāṃ na hantavyamiti śāstrasya niścayaḥ |
ayaṃ tvaśāstravinmūḍhaḥ svacchandāt sampravartate || 6 ||

No limb below the navel should be struck. This is the rule laid down in treatises! Bhima, however, is an ignorant wretch, unacquainted with the code of war! He, therefore, acted as he likes.'

तस्य तत्तद् ब्रुवाणस्य रोषः समभवन्महान् ।
ततो राजानमालोक्य रोषसंरक्तलोचनः ॥ ७ ॥
बलदेवो महाराज ततो वचनमब्रवीत्।

tasya tattad bruvāṇasya roṣaḥ samabhavanmahān |
tato rājānamālokya roṣasaṃraktalocanaḥ || 7 ||
baladevo mahārāja tato vacanamabravīt|

Uttering these words, Rama became very angry. Seeing on Duryodhana he became with reddened eyed and said these words:

न चैष पतितः कृष्ण केवलं मत्समोऽसमः ॥ ८ ॥
आश्रित्य तु दौर्बल्यादाश्रयः परिभर्त्स्यते ।
ततो लाङ्गलमुद्यम्य भीममभ्यद्रवद् बली ॥ ९ ॥

na caiṣa patitaḥ kṛṣṇa kevalaṃ matsamo’samaḥ || 8 ||
āśritya tu daurbalyādāśrayaḥ paribhartsyate |
tato lāṅgalamudyamya bhīmamabhyadravad balī || 9 ||

(Baladeva then replied -) O Sri Krishna! King Duryodhana was mighty not in any way less than me. Nobody here was able to face him in war with mace. The fall of Duryodhana unjust way or by tactics has humiliated me also, the shelterer is being condemned/insulted owing to defects in the person sheltered.

तमुत्पतन्तं जग्राह केशवो विनयान्वितः ।
बाहुभ्यां पीनवृत्ताभ्यां प्रयत्नाद् बलवद्बली ॥। ११॥

tamutpatantaṃ jagrāha keśavo vinayānvitaḥ |
bāhubhyāṃ pīnavṛttābhyāṃ prayatnād balavadbalī ||| 11||

 

The powerful Keshava, however, ever bending with humility, caught the rushing Rama, with his massive and well-formed arms.

सितासितौ यदुवरौ शुशुभातेऽधिकं तदा ।
भोगतौ यथा राजंश्चन्द्रसूर्यौ दिनक्षये ॥ १२ ॥
तस्योर्ध्वबाहोः सदृशं रूपमासीन्महात्मनः ।
बहुधातुविचित्रस्य श्वेतस्येव महागिरेः ॥ १० ॥

sitāsitau yaduvarau śuśubhāte’dhikaṃ tadā |
bhogatau yathā rājaṃścandrasūryau dinakṣaye || 12 ||
tasyordhvabāhoḥ sadṛśaṃ rūpamāsīnmahātmanaḥ |
bahudhātuvicitrasya śvetasyeva mahāgireḥ || 10 ||

Those two Yadu heroes, the one dark in complexion and the other fair, shone exceedingly beautiful at that moment, like the Sun and the Moon, The great warrior with uplifted arms appeared like the huge mountain of Kailasa variegated with various kinds of metals.

उवाच चैनं संरब्धं शमयन्निव केशवः ।
आत्मवृद्धिर्मित्रवृद्धिर्मित्रमित्रोदयस्तथा ॥ १३ ॥
विपरीतं द्विषत्स्वेतत् षड्विधा वृद्धिरात्मनः ।
आत्मन्यपि च मित्रे च विपरीतं यदा भवेत् ॥ १४॥

uvāca cainaṃ saṃrabdhaṃ śamayanniva keśavaḥ |
ātmavṛddhirmitravṛddhirmitramitrodayastathā || 13 ||
viparītaṃ dviṣatsvetat ṣaḍvidhā vṛddhirātmanaḥ |
ātmanyapi ca mitre ca viparītaṃ yadā bhavet || 14||

To pacify the angry Rama, Keshava addressed him, saying: there are six sorts of advancement that a person may seek, viz., one's own advancement, the advancement of one's friends' the destruction of one enemy, the destruction of one's enemy's friends, and the destruction of one's enemy's friends' friends.

तदा विद्यान्मनोग्लानिमाशु शान्तिकरो भवेत् ।
अस्माकं सहजं मित्रं पाण्डवाः शुद्धपौरुषाः ॥ १५ ॥

tadā vidyānmanoglānimāśu śāntikaro bhavet |
asmākaṃ sahajaṃ mitraṃ pāṇḍavāḥ śuddhapauruṣāḥ || 15 ||

When misfortunes befall one's self or one's friends, it is a sign that one's fall is near, and, therefore, one should at such times seek the remedy.

स्वका: पितृष्वसुः पुत्रास्ते परैर्निकृता भृशम् ।
प्रतिज्ञापालनं धर्मः क्षत्रियस्येह वेदम्यहम् ॥ १६ ॥

svakā: pitṛṣvasuḥ putrāste parairnikṛtā bhṛśam |
pratijñāpālanaṃ dharmaḥ kṣatriyasyeha vedamyaham || 16 ||

The Pandavas are our natural friends. They are the children of our own father's sister! They had been greatly assailed by their enemies.

सुयोधनस्य गदया भङ्क्तास्म्यूरू महाहवे ।
इति पूर्वं प्रतिज्ञातं भीमेन हि सभातले ॥ १७ ॥

suyodhanasya gadayā bhaṅktāsmyūrū mahāhave |
iti pūrvaṃ pratijñātaṃ bhīmena hi sabhātale || 17 ||

The fulfillment of one's promise is one's duty. Formerly Bhima had promised in the assembly that he would in great battle break with his mace the thighs of Duryodhana.

मैत्रैयेणाभिशप्तश्च पूर्वमेव महर्षिणा ।
ऊरू ते भेत्स्यते भीमो गदयेति परंतप ॥ १८ ॥

maitraiyeṇābhiśaptaśca pūrvameva maharṣiṇā |
ūrū te bhetsyate bhīmo gadayeti paraṃtapa || 18 ||

The great Rishi Maitreya also had formerly imprecated Duryodhana, saying, Bhima will, with his mace, break your thighs.

अतो दोषं न पश्यामि मा क्रुद्ध्यस्व प्रलम्बहन् ।
यौनः स्वैः सुखहार्दैश्च सम्बन्धः सह पाण्डवैः ॥ १९ ॥

ato doṣaṃ na paśyāmi mā kruddhyasva pralambahan |
yaunaḥ svaiḥ sukhahārdaiśca sambandhaḥ saha pāṇḍavaiḥ || 19 ||

For all this, I do not see any fault in Bhima! Do not yield to anger, O slayer of Pralamba! Our relationship with the Pandavas is based on birth, blood, and love.

तेषां वृद्ध्यां हि वृद्धिर्नो मा क्रुधः पुरुषर्षभ ।
वासुदेववचः श्रुत्वा सीरभृत् प्राह धर्मवित्॥२०॥
धर्मः सुचरितः सद्भिः स च द्वाभ्यां नियच्छति ।
अर्थात्यर्थलुब्धस्य कामश्चातिप्रसङ्गिणः ॥ २१ ॥

teṣāṃ vṛddhyāṃ hi vṛddhirno mā krudhaḥ puruṣarṣabha |
vāsudevavacaḥ śrutvā sīrabhṛt prāha dharmavit||20||
dharmaḥ sucaritaḥ sadbhiḥ sa ca dvābhyāṃ niyacchati |
arthātyarthalubdhasya kāmaścātiprasaṅgiṇaḥ || 21 ||

On their advancement depends our own. Do not, therefore, give away to anger, O foremost of men!'--Hearing these words of Vasudeva the wielder of the plow, who was well-read in the Ethical lore, said, 'Morality is always followed by the good. Morality is always followed by two motives, viz., the desire for Profit cherished by those that follow it, or the desire for Pleasure.

धर्मार्थी धर्मकामौ च कामार्थौ चाप्यपीडयन् ।
धर्मार्थकामान् योऽभ्येति सोऽत्यन्तं सुखमश्नुते ॥ २२॥

dharmārthī dharmakāmau ca kāmārthau cāpyapīḍayan |
dharmārthakāmān yo’bhyeti so’tyantaṃ sukhamaśnute || 22||

Whoever, without making a distinction between Morality and Profit, or Morality and Pleasure, or Pleasure and Profit, follows all three, viz., Morality, Profit and Pleasure, always succeeds in obtaining great happiness.

 
तदिदं व्याकुलं सर्वं कृतं धर्मस्य पीडनात् ।
भीमसेनेन गोविन्द कामं तु यथाऽऽत्थ माम् ॥ २३ ॥

tadidaṃ vyākulaṃ sarvaṃ kṛtaṃ dharmasya pīḍanāt |
bhīmasenena govinda kāmaṃ tu yathā’’ttha mām || 23 ||

It is because Bhimasena has deviated from morality that this harmony, of which I have spoken, has been disturbed, spite, O Govinda, of all your arguments to me!'

श्रीकृष्ण उवाच
अरोषणो हि धर्मात्मा सततं धर्मवत्सलः ।
भवान् प्रख्यायते लोके तस्मात् संशाम्य मा क्रुधः ॥२४॥

śrīkṛṣṇa uvāca
aroṣaṇo hi dharmātmā satataṃ dharmavatsalaḥ |
bhavān prakhyāyate loke tasmāt saṃśāmya mā krudhaḥ ||24||

Krishna replied, saying 'You are always described as shorn of wrath, and devoted to righteousness! Pacify yourself, therefore, and do not yield to wrath!

प्राप्तं कलियुगं विद्धि प्रतिज्ञां पाण्डवस्य च ।
आनृण्यं यातु वैरस्य प्रतिज्ञायाश्च पाण्डवः ॥ २५ ॥

prāptaṃ kaliyugaṃ viddhi pratijñāṃ pāṇḍavasya ca |
ānṛṇyaṃ yātu vairasya pratijñāyāśca pāṇḍavaḥ || 25 ||

Know that the Kali age is at hand. Remember also the promise made by the son of Pandu! Let, therefore, the son of Pandu be regarded to have requited the debt he owed to his enemy and to have carried out his promise."

 
संजय उवाच
धर्मच्छलमपि श्रुत्वा केशवात् स विशाम्पते ।
नैव प्रीतमना रामो वचनं प्राह संसदि ॥ २६ ॥
हत्वा धर्मेण राजानं धर्मात्मानं सुयोधनम् ।
जियोधीते लोकेऽस्मिन् ख्यातिं यास्यति पाण्डवः ।

 
saṃjaya uvāca
dharmacchalamapi śrutvā keśavāt sa viśāmpate |
naiva prītamanā rāmo vacanaṃ prāha saṃsadi || 26 ||
hatvā dharmeṇa rājānaṃ dharmātmānaṃ suyodhanam |
jiyodhīte loke’smin khyātiṃ yāsyati pāṇḍavaḥ |

Sanjaya continued

"Hearing this fallacious argument from Keshava, O king, Rama failed to remove his anger and become cheerful. He then said in that assembly, having unfairly killed the righteous king Suyodhana, the son of Pandu shall be known in the world as a wily warrior.

दुर्योधनोऽपि धर्मात्मा गतिं यास्यति शाश्वतीम् ।
ऋजुयोधी हतो राजा धार्तराष्ट्रो नराधिपः ॥ २८ ॥

duryodhano’pi dharmātmā gatiṃ yāsyati śāśvatīm |
ṛjuyodhī hato rājā dhārtarāṣṭro narādhipaḥ || 28 ||

The righteous Duryodhana, on the other hand, shall acquire eternal blessedness! Dhritarashtra's royal son, who has been struck down, is a fair warrior!

युद्धदीक्षां प्रविश्याजौ रणयज्ञं वितत्य च ।
हुत्वाऽऽत्मानममित्राग्नौ प्राप चावभृथं यशः ॥ २९ ॥

 
yuddhadīkṣāṃ praviśyājau raṇayajñaṃ vitatya ca |
hutvā’’tmānamamitrāgnau prāpa cāvabhṛthaṃ yaśaḥ || 29 ||

Having made all possible arrangements for the Sacrifice of battle, and having performed the initiatory rites on the field, and lastly, having poured his life as a libation upon the fire of foes, Duryodhana had duly completed his Sacrifice by the final ablutions of glory!"

 
इत्युक्त्वा रथमास्थाय रौहिणेयः प्रतापवान् ।
श्वेताभ्रशिखराकार: प्रययौ द्वारकां प्रति ॥ ३० ॥

ityuktvā rathamāsthāya rauhiṇeyaḥ pratāpavān |
śvetābhraśikharākāra: prayayau dvārakāṃ prati || 30 ||

Having said these words, the brave son of Rohini, looking like a white cloud, got upon his chariot and went towards Dwaraka.

पञ्चालाश्च सवार्ष्णेयाः पाण्डवाश्च विशाम्पते।
रामे द्वारावती या नातिप्रमनसोऽभवन्॥ ३१ ॥

pañcālāśca savārṣṇeyāḥ pāṇḍavāśca viśāmpate|
rāme dvārāvatī yā nātipramanaso’bhavan|| 31 ||

The Panchalas, the Vrishnis, and the Pandavas, O king, became rather dispirited after Rama had started for Dvaravati.

ततो युधिष्ठिरं दीनं चिन्तापरमधोमुखम्।
शोकोपहतसंकल्पं वासुदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ ३२ ॥

tato yudhiṣṭhiraṃ dīnaṃ cintāparamadhomukham|
śokopahatasaṃkalpaṃ vāsudevo’bravīdidam || 32 ||

Then approaching Yudhishthira, who was exceedingly melancholy and anxious, and who hung down his head and knew not what to do in the great affliction of his heart, Vasudeva, said to him these words.

वासुदेव उवाच धर्मराज किमर्थं त्वमधर्ममनुमन्यसे ।
हतबन्धोर्यदेतस्य पतितस्य विचेतसः ॥ ३३ ॥
दुर्योधनस्य भीमेन मृद्यमानं शिरः पदा ।
उपप्रेक्षसि कस्मात् त्वं धर्मज्ञः सन्नराधिप ।। ३४ ।।

vāsudeva uvāca dharmarāja kimarthaṃ tvamadharmamanumanyase |
hatabandhoryadetasya patitasya vicetasaḥ || 33 ||
duryodhanasya bhīmena mṛdyamānaṃ śiraḥ padā |
upaprekṣasi kasmāt tvaṃ dharmajñaḥ sannarādhipa || 34 ||

Vasudeva said

O Yudhishthira why do you allow such a wrong act, since you suffer the head of the insensible and fallen Duryodhana whose relatives and friends have all been killed to be thus struck by Bhima with his foot? conversant as thou art with the rules of Ethics, why do you, O king, look at this act with indifference?"

 
युधिष्ठिर उवाच
न ममैतत् प्रियं कृष्ण यद् राजानं वृकोदरः ।
पदा मूर्ध्यस्पृशत् क्रोधान्न हृष्ये कुलक्षये ॥ ३५॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
na mamaitat priyaṃ kṛṣṇa yad rājānaṃ vṛkodaraḥ |

padā mūrdhyaspṛśat krodhānna hṛṣye kulakṣaye || 35||

Yudhishthira answered

This act, O Krishna, of Vrikodara's angrily touching the head of the king with his foot, is not pleasant to me, nor am I glad at this extermination of my race!

निकृत्या निकृता नित्यं धृतराष्ट्रसुतैर्वयम्।
बहूनि परुषाण्युक्त्वा वनं प्रस्थापिताः स्म ह ।। ३६ ॥

nikṛtyā nikṛtā nityaṃ dhṛtarāṣṭrasutairvayam|
bahūni paruṣāṇyuktvā vanaṃ prasthāpitāḥ sma ha || 36 ||

By guile were we always imposed on by the sons of Dhritarastra! They spoke many harsh words to us. We were again exiled into the forest by them.

भीमसेनस्य तद् दुःखमतीव हृदि वर्तते ।
इति संचिन्त्य वार्ष्णेय मयैतत् समुपेक्षितम् ॥ ३७ ॥

bhīmasenasya tad duḥkhamatīva hṛdi vartate |
iti saṃcintya vārṣṇeya mayaitat samupekṣitam || 37 ||

On account of all those acts great grief exists in Bhimasena's heart! Thinking of all this, O hero of the Vrishnis's race, I looked on with indifference!

तस्माद्धत्वाऽकृतप्रज्ञं लुब्धं कामवशानुगम्।
लभतां पाण्डवः कामं धर्मेऽधर्मे च वा कृते ॥ ३८ ॥

tasmāddhatvā’kṛtaprajñaṃ lubdhaṃ kāmavaśānugam|
labhatāṃ pāṇḍavaḥ kāmaṃ dharme’dharme ca vā kṛte || 38 ||

Having killed the covetous, foolish, and passionate Duryodhana, let the son of Pandu satisfy his desire, be it by means fair or foul.

संजय उवाच
इत्युक्ते धर्मराजेन वासुदेवोऽब्रवीदिदम् ।
काममस्त्वेतदिति वै कृच्छ्राद् यदुकुलोद्वहः ॥ ३९ ॥
इत्युक्तो वासुदेवेन भीमप्रियहितैषिणा ।
अन्वमोदत तत् सर्वं यद् भीमेन कृतं युधि ॥ ४० ॥
भीमसेनोऽपि हत्वाऽऽजौ तव पुत्रममर्षणः ।
अभिवाद्याग्रतः स्थित्वा सम्प्रहृष्टः कृताञ्जलिः ॥ ४१ ॥

 
saṃjaya uvāca
ityukte dharmarājena vāsudevo’bravīdidam |
kāmamastvetaditi vai kṛcchrād yadukulodvahaḥ || 39 ||
ityukto vāsudevena bhīmapriyahitaiṣiṇā |
anvamodata tat sarvaṃ yad bhīmena kṛtaṃ yudhi || 40 ||
bhīmaseno’pi hatvā’’jau tava putramamarṣaṇaḥ |
abhivādyāgrataḥ sthitvā samprahṛṣṭaḥ kṛtāñjaliḥ || 41 ||

Sanjaya continued

After Yudhishthira had said this, Vasudeva, said with difficulty — Let it be so! After Vasudeva had been addressed in those words by Yudhishthira, the former, who, always wished what was pleasant to, and beneficial for, Bhima, insooth, approved all those acts that Bhima had done in battle.

Having struck down your son in battle, the wrathful Bhimasena, his heart overflowing with joy, stood with joined hands before Yudhishthira and saluted him duly.

 
प्रोवाच सुमहातेजा धर्मराजं युधिष्ठिरम् ।
हर्षादुत्फुल्लनयनो जितकाशी विशाम्पते ॥ ४२ ॥
तवाद्य पृथिवी सर्वा क्षेमा निहतकण्टका।
तां प्रशाधि महाराज स्वधर्ममनुपालय ॥ ४३ ॥

provāca sumahātejā dharmarājaṃ yudhiṣṭhiram |
harṣādutphullanayano jitakāśī viśāmpate || 42 ||
tavādya pṛthivī sarvā kṣemā nihatakaṇṭakā|
tāṃ praśādhi mahārāja svadharmamanupālaya || 43 ||

With eyes expanded in joy and pride at the victory he had acquired, the energetic Vrikodara, O king, said to his eldest brother, saying— 'The Earth belongs today to you, O king, without quarrels to disturb her and with all her thorns gone! Govern her, O king, and observe the duties of your order.

यस्तु कर्ताऽस्य वैरस्य निकृत्या निकृतिप्रियः ।
सोऽयं विनिहतः शेते पृथिव्यां पृथिवीपते ॥ ४४ ॥

yastu kartā’sya vairasya nikṛtyā nikṛtipriyaḥ |
so’yaṃ vinihataḥ śete pṛthivyāṃ pṛthivīpate || 44 ||

He, who was the root of these hostilities, and who fomented them employing his wiliness, that wretched being, lies struck down, on the bare ground, O lord of Earth.

 
दुःशासनप्रभृतयः सर्वे ते चोग्रवादिनः ।
राधेयः शकुनिश्चैव हताश्च तव शत्रवः ॥ ४५ ॥

duḥśāsanaprabhṛtayaḥ sarve te cogravādinaḥ |
rādheyaḥ śakuniścaiva hatāśca tava śatravaḥ || 45 ||

All those wretched led by Dusshasana, who used to utter cruel words, as also those other enemies of yours, viz., the son of Radha, and Shakuni, have been killed.

सेयं रत्नसमाकीर्णा मही सवनपर्वता ।
उपावृत्ता महाराज त्वामद्य निहतद्विषम् ॥ ४६ ॥

seyaṃ ratnasamākīrṇā mahī savanaparvatā |
upāvṛttā mahārāja tvāmadya nihatadviṣam || 46 ||

Filled with all sorts of gems, the Earth, with her forests and mountains, O king, once more approaches you who have no foes alive.'

युधिष्ठिर उवाच
तो वैरस्य निधनं हतो राजा सुयोधनः ।
कृष्णस्य मतमास्थाय विजितेयं वसुन्धरा ॥ ४७ ॥

yudhiṣṭhira uvāca
to vairasya nidhanaṃ hato rājā suyodhanaḥ |
kṛṣṇasya matamāsthāya vijiteyaṃ vasundharā || 47 ||

Yudhishthira said

Hostilities have been closed! King Suyodhana has been struck down! The Earth has been conquered (by us), under the advice of Krishna.

दिष्ट्या गतस्त्वमानृण्यं मातुः कोपस्य चोभयोः ।
दिष्ट्या जयति दुर्धर्ष दिष्ट्या, शत्रुर्निपातितः ॥ ४८ ॥

diṣṭyā gatastvamānṛṇyaṃ mātuḥ kopasya cobhayoḥ |
diṣṭyā jayati durdharṣa diṣṭyā, śatrurnipātitaḥ || 48 ||

By good luck, you had paid off your debt to your mother and your wrath! By good luck, you have been victorious, O invincible hero, and by good luck, your enemy has been killed.'

Bhima Tries to Crush Duryodhana's Head With His Foot (ch 59)

CHAPTER 59
(Gadayuddha Parva ) -- Continued.

Bhima Tries to Crush Duryodhana's Head With His Foot and Yudhishthira Prevents Him

SYNOPSIS

The passage vividly captures the aftermath of Duryodhana’s brutal defeat by Bhima in the Mahabharata. Struck down in combat, Duryodhana lies on the battlefield like a fallen titan. Bhima, consumed by rage and vengeance, mocks him for his past crimes, especially the humiliation of Draupadi. With scornful words, he places his foot on Duryodhana’s head, taunting him for once calling the Pandavas “cows.” Bhima declares their revenge complete, boasting of the annihilation of the Kauravas. His actions, however, draw disapproval from allies who find such behavior dishonorable, even against an enemy.

Yudhishthira intervenes to chastise Bhima. He condemns his brother’s disrespect, reminding him that Duryodhana, for all his faults, was still a king, a kinsman, and a fallen warrior deserving dignity in death. Turning to the dying Duryodhana, Yudhishthira does not offer comfort but delivers a cold reckoning, blaming his greed and pride for the war and the destruction of his family. He makes it clear that Duryodhana’s suffering is self-inflicted, the result of his own hubris.

Yet Yudhishthira reveals the bitter truth: the Pandavas are the real wretches. Their so-called victory has left them miserable survivors in a ruined world. They must endure the agony of living with the deaths of their loved ones and face the grief-stricken widows of their families and allies. Duryodhana’s death is enviable, granting him escape, while the Pandavas are cursed to live on, burdened by the devastating cost of war. The passage closes with Yudhishthira lamenting the futility of revenge, the inevitability of destiny, and the hollow triumph of their shattered victory.

CHAPTER 59

संजय उवाच
तं पातितं ततो दृष्ट्वा महाशालमिवोद्गतम् ।
प्रहृष्टमनसः सर्वे दद्दशुस्तत्र पाण्डवाः ॥ १ ॥
उन्मत्तमिव मातङ्ग सिंहेन विनिपातितम् ।
दद्दशुर्हष्टरोमाणः सर्वे ते चापि सोमकाः ॥ २ ॥

 
saṃjaya uvāca
taṃ pātitaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā mahāśālamivodgatam |
prahṛṣṭamanasaḥ sarve daddaśustatra pāṇḍavāḥ || 1 ||
unmattamiva mātaṅga siṃhena vinipātitam |
daddaśurhaṣṭaromāṇaḥ sarve te cāpi somakāḥ || 2 ||

Sanjaya said

Seeing Duryodhana struck down on Earth like a gigantic Shala uprooted by the storm, the Pandavas were filled with delight. The Somakas also saw, with their hair standing erect, the Kuru king felled upon the Earth, like an infuriated elephant felled by a lion.

 
ततो दुर्योधनं हत्वा भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् ।
पातितं कौरवेन्द्रं तमुपगम्येदमब्रवीत् ॥ ३ ॥
गौरिति पुरा मन्द द्रौपदीमेकवाससम् ।
यत् सभायां हसन्नस्मांस्तदा वदसि दुर्मते ॥ ४ ॥
तस्यावहासस्य फलमद्य त्वं समवाप्नुहि ।
एवमुक्त्वा स वामेन पदा मौलिमुपास्पृशत् ॥ ५ ॥
शिरश्च राजसिंहस्य पादेन समलोडयत् ।

tato duryodhanaṃ hatvā bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān |
pātitaṃ kauravendraṃ tamupagamyedamabravīt || 3 ||
gauriti purā manda draupadīmekavāsasam |
yat sabhāyāṃ hasannasmāṃstadā vadasi durmate || 4 ||
tasyāvahāsasya phalamadya tvaṃ samavāpnuhi |
evamuktvā sa vāmena padā maulimupāspṛśat || 5 ||
śiraśca rājasiṃhasya pādena samaloḍayat |

Having struck Duryodhana down the brave Bhimasena, approaching the Kuru chief, addressed him, saying – O wretch, formerly laughing at Draupadi who had no cloth in the assembly, you, O fool, called us Cows. Bear now the consequences of that insult. Saying so, he struck the head of his fallen foe, with his left foot. Indeed, he struck the head of that best of kings with his foot.

तथैवः क्रोधसंरक्तो भीमः परबलार्दनः ॥ ६ ॥
पुनरेवाब्रवीद्वाक्यं यत् तच्छृणु नराधिप ।
येऽस्मान् पुरोपनृत्यन्त मूढा गौरिति गौरिति ॥ ७ ॥
तान् वयं प्रतिनृत्यामः पुनर्गौरिति गौरिति ।
नास्माकं निकृतिर्वह्निर्नाक्षद्यूतं न वञ्चना ।
स्वबाहुबलमाश्रित्य प्रबाधामो वयं रिपून् ॥ ८ ॥
सोऽवाप्य वैरस्य परस्य पारं वृकोदरः प्राह शनैः प्रहस्य |
युधिष्ठिरं केशवसृजयांश्च धनंजय माद्रवतीसुतौ च ॥ ९ ॥

tathaivaḥ krodhasaṃrakto bhīmaḥ parabalārdanaḥ || 6 ||
punarevābravīdvākyaṃ yat tacchṛṇu narādhipa |
ye’smān puropanṛtyanta mūḍhā gauriti gauriti || 7 ||
tān vayaṃ pratinṛtyāmaḥ punargauriti gauriti |
nāsmākaṃ nikṛtirvahnirnākṣadyūtaṃ na vañcanā |
svabāhubalamāśritya prabādhāmo vayaṃ ripūn || 8 ||
so’vāpya vairasya parasya pāraṃ vṛkodaraḥ prāha śanaiḥ prahasya |
yudhiṣṭhiraṃ keśavasṛjayāṃśca dhanaṃjaya mādravatīsutau ca || 9 ||

With eyes reddened in wrath, Bhimasena, that grinder of hostile armies, once more said these words. Listen to them, O king, we will now dance and call them Cows!--who formerly insulted us by calling us so. We have no deceipt, no fire, no match at dice, no deception! Depending upon the strength of our own arms we resist and check our foes! — Having brought those fierce hostilities to a close, Vrikodara once more slowly and laughingly said these words unto Yudhisthira and Keshava and the Shrinjayas and Dhananjaya and the two sons of Madri.

 
रजस्वलां द्रौपदीमानयन् ये चाप्यकुर्वन्त सदस्यवस्त्राम्।
तान् पश्यध्वं पाण्डवैर्धार्तराष्ट्रान् रणे हतांस्तपसा याज्ञसेन्याः ॥ १० ॥

rajasvalāṃ draupadīmānayan ye cāpyakurvanta sadasyavastrām|
tān paśyadhvaṃ pāṇḍavairdhārtarāṣṭrān raṇe hatāṃstapasā yājñasenyāḥ || 10 ||

Let them who had dragged Draupadi, while she was in her period, into the assembly, and had made her necked there, behold those Dhartarashtras slain in battle by the Pandavas through the ascetic penances of Yajnasena's daughter.

ये नः पुरा षण्डतिलानवोचन् क्रूरा राज्ञो धृतराष्ट्रस्य पुत्राः ।
ते नो हताः सगणाः सानुबन्धाः कामं स्वर्गं नरकं वा पतामः ॥ ११ ॥
पुनश्च राज्ञः पतितस्य भूमौ सतां गदां स्कन्धगतां प्रगृह्य ।
वामेन पादेन शिरः प्रमृद्य दुर्योधनं नैकृतिकं न्यवोचत् ॥ १२ ॥

ye naḥ purā ṣaṇḍatilānavocan krūrā rājño dhṛtarāṣṭrasya putrāḥ |
te no hatāḥ sagaṇāḥ sānubandhāḥ kāmaṃ svargaṃ narakaṃ vā patāmaḥ || 11 ||
punaśca rājñaḥ patitasya bhūmau satāṃ gadāṃ skandhagatāṃ pragṛhya |
vāmena pādena śiraḥ pramṛdya duryodhanaṃ naikṛtikaṃ nyavocat || 12 ||

Those wicked sons of King Dhritarashtra who had called us Sesame seeds without kernel have all been killed by us with their relatives and followers! It is a matter of no consequence whether we go to heaven or hell! —– Once more, uplifting the mace that was on his shoulders he struck with his left, foot the head of the king who was lying on Earth, and addressed the deceitful Duryodhana.

हृष्टेन राजन् कुरुसत्तमस्य क्षुद्रात्मना भीमसेनेन पादम् ।
दृष्ट्वा कृतं मूर्धनि नाभ्यनन्दन् धर्मात्मानः सोमकानां प्रबर्हाः ॥ १३ ॥

hṛṣṭena rājan kurusattamasya kṣudrātmanā bhīmasenena pādam |
dṛṣṭvā kṛtaṃ mūrdhani nābhyanandan dharmātmānaḥ somakānāṃ prabarhāḥ || 13 ||

Seeing the foot of the rejoicing but mean Bhimasena placed upon the head of that foremost one Kuru's race, many of the leading warriors among the Somakas did not a all approve of it.

तव पुत्रं तथा हत्वा कत्थमानं वृकोदरम् ।
नृत्यमानं च बहुशो धर्मराजोऽब्रवीदिदम् ॥ १४ ॥
गतोऽसि वैरस्यानृण्यं प्रतिज्ञा पूरिता त्वया ।
शुभेनाथाशुभेनैव कर्मणा विरमाधुना ॥ १५ ॥

tava putraṃ tathā hatvā katthamānaṃ vṛkodaram |
nṛtyamānaṃ ca bahuśo dharmarājo’bravīdidam || 14 ||
gato’si vairasyānṛṇyaṃ pratijñā pūritā tvayā |
śubhenāthāśubhenaiva karmaṇā viramādhunā || 15 ||

After having stuck down your son, while Vrikodara was thus vaunting and dancing madly, King Yudhisthira said to him - `You have wreaked your vengeance (on Duryodhana) and gained your ends by means fair or foul! Cease now, O Bhima.

मा शिरोऽस्य पदा मादर्मा धर्मस्तेऽतिगो भवेत् ।
राजा ज्ञातिर्हतश्चायं नैतन्याय्यं तवानघ ॥ १६ ॥

mā śiro’sya padā mādarmā dharmaste’tigo bhavet |
rājā jñātirhataścāyaṃ naitanyāyyaṃ tavānagha || 16 ||

Do not crush his head with your foot! Do not act sinfully! Duryodhana is a king! He is, again, your kinsman! He has fallen! Your conduct, O sinless one, is not becoming.

एकादशचमूनाथं कुरूणामधिपं तथा ।
मा स्प्राक्षीर्भीम पादेन राजानं ज्ञातिमेव च ॥ १७ ॥

ekādaśacamūnāthaṃ kurūṇāmadhipaṃ tathā |
mā sprākṣīrbhīma pādena rājānaṃ jñātimeva ca || 17 ||

Duryodhana was the lord of eleven Akshauhinis of troops. He was the king of the Kurus! Do not, O Bhima, strike a king and a kinsman with your foot!

हतबन्धुर्हतामात्यो भ्रष्टसैन्यो हतो मृधे ।
सर्वाकारेण शोच्योऽयं नावहास्योऽयमीश्वरः ॥ १८ ॥

hatabandhurhatāmātyo bhraṣṭasainyo hato mṛdhe |
sarvākāreṇa śocyo’yaṃ nāvahāsyo’yamīśvaraḥ || 18 ||

His relatives are killed! His friends and counselors are all slain! His troops have been destroyed! He has been struck down in battle! He is to be pitied in every respect! He deserves not to be insulted, remember that he is a king!

विध्वस्तोऽयं हतामात्यो हतभ्राता हतप्रजः ।
उत्सन्नपिण्डो भ्राता च नैतन्याय्यं कृतं त्वया ॥ १९ ॥

vidhvasto’yaṃ hatāmātyo hatabhrātā hataprajaḥ |
utsannapiṇḍo bhrātā ca naitanyāyyaṃ kṛtaṃ tvayā || 19 ||

He is ruined! His friends and kinsmen have been killed! His brothers have been slain! His sons too have been killed! His funeral cake has been taken away! He is our brother! Your conduct towards him is not proper!

धार्मिको भीमसेनोऽसावित्याहुस्त्वां पुरा जनाः ।
स कस्माद् भीमसेन त्वं राजानमधितिष्ठसि ॥ २० ॥
इत्युक्त्वा भीमसेनं तु साश्रुकण्ठो युधिष्ठिरः ।
उपसृत्याब्रवीद् दीनो दुर्योधनमरिंदमम् ॥ २१ ॥
तात मन्युर्न ते कार्यो नात्मा शोच्यस्त्वया तथा ।
नूनं पूर्वकृतं कर्म सुघोरमनुभूयते ॥ २२ ॥

dhārmiko bhīmaseno’sāvityāhustvāṃ purā janāḥ |
sa kasmād bhīmasena tvaṃ rājānamadhitiṣṭhasi || 20 ||
ityuktvā bhīmasenaṃ tu sāśrukaṇṭho yudhiṣṭhiraḥ |
upasṛtyābravīd dīno duryodhanamariṃdamam || 21 ||
tāta manyurna te kāryo nātmā śocyastvayā tathā |
nūnaṃ pūrvakṛtaṃ karma sughoramanubhūyate || 22 ||

Bhimasena is a righteous man! People used to say this before of thee! Why then, O Bhimasena, do you insult the king in this way?' Saying this to Bhimasena, Yudhishthira, with a voice suppressed with tears, and afflicted with sorrows approached Duryodhana, and said to him. 'O brother, you should not give way to anger nor grieve for yourself! Forsooth, you suffer the dreadful consequences of your former acts!

धात्रोपदिष्टं विषमं नूनं फलमसंस्कृतम् ।
यद् वयं त्वां जिघांसामस्त्वं चास्मान् कुरुसत्तम ॥ २३ ॥

 
dhātropadiṣṭaṃ viṣamaṃ nūnaṃ phalamasaṃskṛtam |
yad vayaṃ tvāṃ jighāṃsāmastvaṃ cāsmān kurusattama || 23 ||

Forsooth, this sad and woeful result had been ordained the Creator himself, viz., that we should harm you and you should injure us, O foremost one of Kuru's race!

आत्मनो ह्यपराधेन महद् व्यसनमीदृशम् ।
प्राप्तवानसि यल्लोभान्मदाद् बाल्याच्च भारत ॥ २४ ॥

 
ātmano hyaparādhena mahad vyasanamīdṛśam |
prāptavānasi yallobhānmadād bālyācca bhārata || 24 ||

Through thy fault, avarice pride, and folly this great calamity has befallen you, O Bharata!

घातयित्वा वयस्यांश्च भ्रातॄनथ पितॄंस्तथा ।
पुत्रान् पौत्रांस्तथा चान्यांस्ततोऽसि निधनं गतः ।। २५ ।

ghātayitvā vayasyāṃśca bhrātṝnatha pitṝṃstathā |
putrān pautrāṃstathā cānyāṃstato’si nidhanaṃ gataḥ || 25 |

Having brought about the death of your companions and brothers and sires and sons and grandsons and others you now meet with your death!

तवापराधदस्माभिर्भ्रातरस्ते निपातिताः ।
निहता ज्ञातयश्चापि दिष्टं मन्ये दुरत्ययम् ॥ २६ ॥

tavāparādhadasmābhirbhrātaraste nipātitāḥ |
nihatā jñātayaścāpi diṣṭaṃ manye duratyayam || 26 ||

For your folly, your brothers, mighty car-warriors all, and your kinsmen, have been killed by us! I think all this is the work of irresistible Destiny!

आत्मा न शोचनीयस्ते श्लाघ्यो मृत्युस्तवानघ ।
वयमेवाधुना शोच्याः सर्वावस्थासु कौरव ॥ २७ ॥
कृपणं वर्तयिष्यामस्तैर्हीना बन्धुभिः प्रियैः ।

ātmā na śocanīyaste ślāghyo mṛtyustavānagha |
vayamevādhunā śocyāḥ sarvāvasthāsu kaurava || 27 ||
kṛpaṇaṃ vartayiṣyāmastairhīnā bandhubhiḥ priyaiḥ |

You are not to be pitied! On the other hand, your death, O sinless one, is enviable! It is we that are objects of pity, O Kaurava! We shall have to carry on a miserable existence, shorn of all our dear friends and kinsmen!

भ्रातॄणां चैव पुत्राणां तथा वै शोकविह्वलाः ॥ २८ ॥
कथं द्रक्ष्यामि विधवा वधूः शोकपरिप्लुताः ।

bhrātṝṇāṃ caiva putrāṇāṃ tathā vai śokavihvalāḥ || 28 ||
kathaṃ drakṣyāmi vidhavā vadhūḥ śokapariplutāḥ |

Alas, how shall I see the widows, of my brothers and sons and grandsons, all overwhelmed with grief and stricken down with sorrow.

त्वमेकः सुस्थितो राजन् स्वर्गे ते निलयो ध्रुवः ॥ २९ ॥
वयं नरकसंज्ञं वै दुःखं प्राप्स्याम दारुणम् ।

tvamekaḥ susthito rājan svarge te nilayo dhruvaḥ || 29 ||
vayaṃ narakasaṃjñaṃ vai duḥkhaṃ prāpsyāma dāruṇam |

You are, O king, departing from this world! You will surely go to heaven! We are, on the other hand, creatures of hell, and shall continue to suffer the bitterest grief!

स्नुषाश्च प्रस्नुषाश्चैव धृतराष्ट्रस्य विह्वलाः ।
गयिष्यन्ति नो नूनं विधवाः शोककर्शिताः ॥ ३० ॥

snuṣāśca prasnuṣāścaiva dhṛtarāṣṭrasya vihvalāḥ |
gayiṣyanti no nūnaṃ vidhavāḥ śokakarśitāḥ || 30 ||

The wives of Dhritarashtra's sons and grandsons stricken with grief will, forsooth, curse us all!'

संजय उवाच
एवमुक्त्वा सुदुःखार्तो निशश्वास स पार्थिवः ।
विललाप चिरं चापि धर्मपुत्रो युधिष्ठिरः ॥ ३१ ॥

saṃjaya uvāca
evamuktvā suduḥkhārto niśaśvāsa sa pārthivaḥ |
vilalāpa ciraṃ cāpi dharmaputro yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 31 ||

Saying these words, Dharma's son Yudhishthira, deeply afflicted with grief, began to sigh heavily and bewail."

The Fall of Duryodhana (ch58)

CHAPTER 58
(Gadayuddha Parva)-Continued.

The Fall of Duryodhana

SYNOPSIS

This passage from the Mahabharata describes the final mace duel between Bhima (Vrikodara) and Duryodhana (Suyodhana) at the end of the Kurukshetra War. It highlights the intensity of their battle, the strategies employed, and the moral ambiguities that arise in the pursuit of justice and vengeance.
Arjuna, observing the duel, asks Krishna to evaluate the two combatants. Krishna explains that while Bhima is physically stronger, Duryodhana possesses greater skill and years of rigorous training. Krishna also notes that a fair fight would likely favor Duryodhana, but Bhima's victory could only be assured through deception. Krishna reminds Arjuna of Bhima’s vow to break Duryodhana's thighs, made years earlier after Draupadi’s humiliation in the Kuru court. This moment calls for fulfilling that promise, even if it means bending the rules of mace combat.

As the duel progresses, both warriors display incredible skill and determination. They move in intricate patterns, their maces clashing with thunderous sounds that spark like lightning. The sheer ferocity of their strikes makes the ground tremble, and blood flows freely from their injuries. Each appears equally matched, trading blow for blow with neither willing to yield. Duryodhana, confident in his abilities, miscalculates Bhima’s resilience after landing a powerful strike. Believing his opponent weakened, he refrains from pressing his advantage, allowing Bhima to recover and prepare for a counterattack.

At this moment, Arjuna gestures to Bhima, pointing at Duryodhana’s thighs as a reminder of his vow. Understanding the signal, Bhima roars like a lion and executes a decisive maneuver. Duryodhana, attempting to evade Bhima’s attack by leaping into the air, exposes his thighs. Seizing the opportunity, Bhima delivers a crushing blow with his mace, shattering Duryodhana’s thighs and bringing him down. The strike, though effective, violates the established rules of mace combat, further deepening the ethical complexity of the battle.

Duryodhana’s fall unleashes apocalyptic omens. Fierce winds blow, the earth trembles, and blood rains from the skies. Lakes overflow, rivers flow backward, and unnatural phenomena terrify all who witness them. The Pandava army celebrates the victory, but the moment is tinged with unease, as even the gods and celestial beings recognize the moral weight of what has transpired.

This climactic duel encapsulates the dualities of war: strength versus skill, righteousness versus pragmatism, and justice versus revenge. It marks the end of Duryodhana’s reign and solidifies the Pandavas’ victory, but not without leaving questions about the cost of such triumphs.

CHAPTER 58

संजय उवाच
समुदीर्णं ततो दृष्ट्वा संग्रामें कुरुमुख्ययोः ।
अथाब्रवीदर्जुनस्तु वासुदेवं यशस्विनम् ॥ १ ॥
अनयोर्वीरयोर्युद्धे को ज्यायान् भवतो मतः ।
कस्य वा को गुणो भूयानेतद् वद जनार्दन ॥ २ ॥

 
saṃjaya uvāca
samudīrṇaṃ tato dṛṣṭvā saṃgrāmeṃ kurumukhyayoḥ |
athābravīdarjunastu vāsudevaṃ yaśasvinam || 1 ||
anayorvīrayoryuddhe ko jyāyān bhavato mataḥ |
kasya vā ko guṇo bhūyānetad vada janārdana || 2 ||

Sanjaya said

"Seeing that fight thus ranging between those two greatest heroes of Kuru's race, Arjuna said to Vasudeva, ' Who, in your superior between these two? What is their respective merit? Tell me this, O Janarddana!'-

वासुदेव उवाच
उपदेशोऽनयोस्तुल्यो भीमस्तु बलवत्तरः ।
कृती यत्नपरस्त्वेष धार्तराष्ट्रो वृकोदरात् ॥ ३ ॥

vāsudeva uvāca
upadeśo’nayostulyo bhīmastu balavattaraḥ |
kṛtī yatnaparastveṣa dhārtarāṣṭro vṛkodarāt || 3 ||

Vasudeva said

The instruction they received was equal. Bhima, however, is possessed of greater strength while Duryodhana possessed greater skill and worked harder.

भीमसेनस्तु धर्मेण युद्ध्यमानो न जेष्यति ।
अन्यायेन तु युध्यन् वै हन्यादेव सुयोधनम् ॥ ४ ॥

bhīmasenastu dharmeṇa yuddhyamāno na jeṣyati |
anyāyena tu yudhyan vai hanyādeva suyodhanam || 4 ||

If he were to fight fairly, Bhimasena would never succeed in gaining victory. If he fights unfairly, he will surely be able to kill Duryodhana.

मायया निर्जिता देवैरसुरा इति नः श्रुतम् ।
विरोचनस्तु शक्रेण मायया निर्जितः स वै ॥ ५ ॥

māyayā nirjitā devairasurā iti naḥ śrutam |
virocanastu śakreṇa māyayā nirjitaḥ sa vai || 5 ||

The Asuras were defeated by the gods deceptively. We have heard this. Virochana was defeated by Shakra with the aid of deception.

मायया चाक्षिपत् तेजो वृत्रस्य बलसूदनः ।
तस्मान्मायामयं भीम आतिष्ठतु पराक्रमम् ॥ ६ ॥

māyayā cākṣipat tejo vṛtrasya balasūdanaḥ |
tasmānmāyāmayaṃ bhīma ātiṣṭhatu parākramam || 6 ||

The destroyer of Vala deprived Vritra of his energy by an act of deception. Therefore, let Bhimasena put forth his prowess, through deception!

प्रतिज्ञातं च भीमेन द्यूतकाले धनंजय |
ऊरू भेत्स्यामि ते संख्ये गदयेति सुयोधनम् ॥ ७ ॥

pratijñātaṃ ca bhīmena dyūtakāle dhanaṃjaya |
ūrū bhetsyāmi te saṃkhye gadayeti suyodhanam || 7 ||

At the time of the gambling, O Dhananjaya, Bhima promised to break the thighs of Suyodhana with his mace in battle.

सोऽयं प्रतिज्ञां तां चापि पालयत्वरिकर्षणः ।
मायाविनं तु राजानं माययैव निकृन्ततु ॥ ८ ॥

so’yaṃ pratijñāṃ tāṃ cāpi pālayatvarikarṣaṇaḥ |
māyāvinaṃ tu rājānaṃ māyayaiva nikṛntatu || 8 ||

Let this destroyer of foes, therefore, fulfill his vow. Let him, deceptively kill the Kuru king who is made of deception!

यद्येष बलमास्थाय न्यायेन प्रहरिष्यति ।
विषमस्थस्ततो राजा भविष्यति युधिष्ठिरः ॥ ९ ॥

yadyeṣa balamāsthāya nyāyena prahariṣyati |
viṣamasthastato rājā bhaviṣyati yudhiṣṭhiraḥ || 9 ||

If depending upon his might alone, Bhima were to fight fairly, King Yudhishthira would meet with great peril.

पुनरेव तु वक्ष्यामि पाण्डवेय निबोध मे ।
धर्मराजापराधेन भयं नः पुनरागतम् ॥ १० ॥

punareva tu vakṣyāmi pāṇḍaveya nibodha me |
dharmarājāparādhena bhayaṃ naḥ punarāgatam || 10 ||

I tell you again, O son of Pandu, listen to me! It is through the fault of King Yudhishthira alone that danger has once more befallen us.

 
कृत्वा हि सुमहत् कर्म हत्वा भीष्ममुखान् कुरून् ।
जयः प्राप्तो यशः प्राग्र्यं वैरं च प्रतियातितम् ॥ ११॥

kṛtvā hi sumahat karma hatvā bhīṣmamukhān kurūn |
jayaḥ prāpto yaśaḥ prāgryaṃ vairaṃ ca pratiyātitam || 11||

Having performed great feats by the destruction of Bhishma and the other Kurus, the king had gained victory and glory and had almost terminated the hostilities.

तदेवं विजय: प्राप्तः पुनः संशयितः कृतः ।
अबुद्धिरेषा महती धर्मराजस्य पाण्डव ॥ १२ ॥
यदेकविजये युद्धं पाणितं घोरमीद्दशम् ।
सुयोधनः कृती वीर एकायनगतस्तथा।। १३ ।।

tadevaṃ vijaya: prāptaḥ punaḥ saṃśayitaḥ kṛtaḥ |
abuddhireṣā mahatī dharmarājasya pāṇḍava || 12 ||
yadekavijaye yuddhaṃ pāṇitaṃ ghoramīddaśam |
suyodhanaḥ kṛtī vīra ekāyanagatastathā|| 13 ||

Having thus gained the victory, he pleased himself once more in a doubtful and perilous situation. This has been a great mistake on the part of Yudhishthira, O Pandava since he has made the result of the battle depend upon the victory or the defeat of only one warrior! Suyodhana is an expert, he is a hero; he is of firm determination.

अपि चोशनसा गीत: श्रूयतेऽयं पुरातनः ।
श्लोकस्तत्त्वार्थसहितस्तन्मे निगदतः शृणु ॥ १४ ॥

api cośanasā gīta: śrūyate’yaṃ purātanaḥ |
ślokastattvārthasahitastanme nigadataḥ śṛṇu || 14 ||

We have all heard the old verse uttered by Ushanas. Hear I recite it to you with its true sense and meaning!

पुनरावर्तमानानां भग्नानां जीवितैषिणाम् ।
भेतव्यपरिशेषाणामेकायनगता हि ते ॥ १५ ॥

punarāvartamānānāṃ bhagnānāṃ jīvitaiṣiṇām |
bhetavyapariśeṣāṇāmekāyanagatā hi te || 15 ||

The remnant of hostile force routed and flying away for life that really and come back to the fight, should always be feared, for they are of fixed determination and singleness of purpose!

साहसोत्पतितानां च निराशानां च जीविते ।
न शक्यमग्रतः स्थातुं शक्रेणापि धनंजय ॥ १६ ॥

sāhasotpatitānāṃ ca nirāśānāṃ ca jīvite |
na śakyamagrataḥ sthātuṃ śakreṇāpi dhanaṃjaya || 16 ||

Shakra himself O Dhananjaya, cannot stand before them who rush in fury, giving up all hopes of life.

सुयोधनमिमं भग्नं हतसैन्यं हृदं गतम् ।
पराजितं वनप्रेप्सुं निराशं राज्यलम्भने ॥ १७॥
को वेष संयुगे प्राज्ञः पुनर्द्वन्द्वे समाह्वयेत् ।
अपि नो निर्जितं राज्यं न हरेत सुयोधनः ॥ १८ ॥

suyodhanamimaṃ bhagnaṃ hatasainyaṃ hṛdaṃ gatam |
parājitaṃ vanaprepsuṃ nirāśaṃ rājyalambhane || 17||
ko veṣa saṃyuge prājñaḥ punardvandve samāhvayet |
api no nirjitaṃ rājyaṃ na hareta suyodhanaḥ || 18 ||

This Suyodhana had been routed and fled. All his troops had been slain. He had entered the lake. He had been defeated, and, therefore, he had wished to retire into the forest, having given up all hope of retaining his kingdom. What wise man is there, that would challenge such a person to a single-combat?

यस्त्रयोदशवर्षाणि गदया कृतनिश्रमः । 

चरत्यूर्ध्वं च तिर्यक् च भीमसेनजिघांसया ॥ १९ ॥

yastrayodaśavarṣāṇi gadayā kṛtaniśramaḥ |
caratyūrdhvaṃ ca tiryak ca bhīmasenajighāṃsayā || 19 ||

I do not know whether Duryodhana will regain the kingdom that had already become ours! For a full thirteen years, he practiced with the mace with great firmness. Even now, for filling Bhimasena, he jumps up and down.

 
एनं चेन महाबाहुरन्यायेन हनिष्यति ।
एष वः कौरवो राजा धार्तराष्ट्रो भविष्यति ॥ २० ॥
धनंजयस्तु श्रुत्वैतत् केशवस्य महात्मनः ।
प्रेक्षतो भीमसेनस्य सव्यमूरुमताडयत् ॥ २१ ॥

enaṃ cena mahābāhuranyāyena haniṣyati |
eṣa vaḥ kauravo rājā dhārtarāṣṭro bhaviṣyati || 20 ||
dhanaṃjayastu śrutvaitat keśavasya mahātmanaḥ |
prekṣato bhīmasenasya savyamūrumatāḍayat || 21 ||

If the mighty-armed Bhima does not kill him unfairly, the son of Dhritarashtra will surely retain kingdom!'-Having heard those words of the great Keshava, Dhananjaya struck his left thigh before the gaze of Bhimasena.

 
गृह्य संज्ञां ततो भीमो गदया व्यचरद् रणे ।
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि यमकानीतराणि च ॥ २२ ॥

gṛhya saṃjñāṃ tato bhīmo gadayā vyacarad raṇe |
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi yamakānītarāṇi ca || 22 ||

Understanding that sign, Bhima began to move about with his uplifted mace making many kinds of manoeuvres.

दक्षिणं मण्डलं सव्यं गोमूत्रकमथापि च।
व्यचरत् पाण्डवो राजन्नरिं सम्मोहयन्निव ॥ २३ ॥

dakṣiṇaṃ maṇḍalaṃ savyaṃ gomūtrakamathāpi ca|
vyacarat pāṇḍavo rājannariṃ sammohayanniva || 23 ||

Sometimes adopting the right Mandala, sometimes the left Mandala, and sometimes Gomutraka, the son of Pandu began to move about, O king, stupefying his foe.

तथैव तव पुत्रोऽपि गदामार्गविशारदः ।
व्यचरल्लघु चित्रं च भीमसेनजिघांसया ॥ २४॥

tathaiva tava putro’pi gadāmārgaviśāradaḥ |
vyacarallaghu citraṃ ca bhīmasenajighāṃsayā || 24 ||

Likewise, your son O king, who was adept in the mace fight, moved about beautifully and with great activity, for killing Bhimasena.

आधुन्वन्तो गदे घोरे चन्दनागरुरूषिते ।
वैरस्यान्तं परीप्सन्तौ रणे क्रुद्धाविवान्तकौ ॥ २५ ॥

ādhunvanto gade ghore candanāgarurūṣite |
vairasyāntaṃ parīpsantau raṇe kruddhāvivāntakau || 25 ||

Whirling their terrible maces which were smeared with sandal paste and other unguents, the two heroes, desirous of terminating their hostilities, moved about in that battle like two angry Yamas.

अन्योन्यं तौ जिघांसन्तौ प्रवीरौ पुरुषर्षभौ ।
युयुधाते गरुत्मन्तौ तथा नागामिषैषिणौ ॥ २६ ॥

anyonyaṃ tau jighāṃsantau pravīrau puruṣarṣabhau |
yuyudhāte garutmantau tathā nāgāmiṣaiṣiṇau || 26 ||

Desirous of killing each other, those two best of men, possessed of great heroism, fought like two Garudas desirous of catching the same snake.

मण्डलानि विचित्राणि चरतोर्नृपभीमयोः ।
गदासम्पात जास्तत्र प्रजज्ञुः पावकार्चिषः ॥ २७॥

maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi caratornṛpabhīmayoḥ |
gadāsampāta jāstatra prajajñuḥ pāvakārciṣaḥ || 27 ||

While the king and Bhima moved about in beautiful circles, their maces clashed, which created sparks of fire.

समं प्रहरतोस्तत्र शूरयोर्बलिनोर्मृधे ।
क्षुब्धयोर्वायुना राजन् द्वयोरिव समुद्रयोः ॥ २८ ॥

samaṃ praharatostatra śūrayorbalinormṛdhe |
kṣubdhayorvāyunā rājan dvayoriva samudrayoḥ || 28 ||

Those two heroic and powerful warriors struck each other equally in that battle. They then resembled, O king, two oceans agitated by the tempest.

तयोः प्रहरतोस्तुल्यं मत्तकुञ्जरयोरिव ।
गदानिर्घातसंहृादः प्रहाराणामजायत॥ २९ ॥

tayoḥ praharatostulyaṃ mattakuñjarayoriva |
gadānirghātasaṃhṛādaḥ prahārāṇāmajāyata|| 29 ||

Striking each other equally like two infuriate elephants, their clashing maces produced sounds like peals of thunder.

तस्मिंस्तदा सम्प्रहारे दारुणे संकुले भृशम्।
उभावपि परिश्रान्तौ युध्यमानावरिंदमौ ॥ ३० ॥

tasmiṃstadā samprahāre dāruṇe saṃkule bhṛśam|
ubhāvapi pariśrāntau yudhyamānāvariṃdamau || 30 ||

During the onset of that dreadful battle, both those chastisers of foes, while fighting became exhausted.

तौ मुहूर्तं समाश्वस्य पुनरेव परंतप ।

अभ्यहारयतां क्रुद्धो प्रगृह्य महती गदे ॥ ३१ ॥

tau muhūrtaṃ samāśvasya punareva paraṃtapa |
abhyahārayatāṃ kruddho pragṛhya mahatī gade || 31 ||

Having rested for a while, those two destroyers of foes, filled with rage and uplifting their maces, once more began to fight with each other.

तयोः समभवद् युद्धं घोररूपमसंवृतम् ।
गदानिपातै राजेन्द्र तक्षतोर्वै परस्परम् ॥ ३२ ॥

tayoḥ samabhavad yuddhaṃ ghorarūpamasaṃvṛtam |
gadānipātai rājendra takṣatorvai parasparam || 32 ||

When, O king, by the repeated falls of their maces, they wounded each other, the battle became exceedingly dreadful and perfectly unrestrained.

समरे प्रद्रुतौ तौ तु वृषभाक्षौ तरस्विनौ ।
अन्योन्यं जघ्नतुर्वीरौ पङ्कस्थौ महिषाविव ॥ ३३ ॥

samare pradrutau tau tu vṛṣabhākṣau tarasvinau |
anyonyaṃ jaghnaturvīrau paṅkasthau mahiṣāviva || 33 ||

Rushing at each other in that fight, those two heroes, having eyes like those of bulls and gifted with great activity, struck each other fiercely like two buffaloes in the mire.

 
जर्जरीकृतसर्वाङ्गौ रुधिरेणाभिसम्प्लुतौ ।
दद्दशाते हिमवति पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥ ३४ ॥

jarjarīkṛtasarvāṅgau rudhireṇābhisamplutau |
daddaśāte himavati puṣpitāviva kiṃśukau || 34 ||

All their limbs wounded and bruised, and bathed in blood from head to foot, they looked like a couple of Kinshukas on the breast of Himavat.

दुर्योधनस्तु पार्थेन विवरे सम्प्रदर्शिते ।
ईषदुन्मिषमाणस्तु सहसा प्रससार ॥ ३५॥

duryodhanastu pārthena vivare sampradarśite |
īṣadunmiṣamāṇastu sahasā prasasāra || 35 ||

During the onset of the fight, when Vrikodara, seemed to give Duryodhana an opportunity, the latter, smiling a little, advanced.

तमभ्यागतं प्राज्ञो रणे प्रेक्ष्य वृकोदरः ।
अवाक्षिपद् गदां तस्मिन् वेगेन महता बली ॥ ३६॥

 
tamabhyāgataṃ prājño raṇe prekṣya vṛkodaraḥ |
avākṣipad gadāṃ tasmin vegena mahatā balī || 36 ||

Well-skilled in battle, the powerful Vrikodara, seeing his adversary come up, suddenly hurled his mace at him.

आक्षिपन्तं तु तं दृष्ट्वा पुत्रस्तव विशाम्पते।
अवासर्पत्ततः स्थानात् सा मोघा न्यपतद् भुवि ॥ ३७॥

ākṣipantaṃ tu taṃ dṛṣṭvā putrastava viśāmpate|
avāsarpattataḥ sthānāt sā moghā nyapatad bhuvi || 37||

Seeing the mace thrown at him, your son, O king, moved away from that place at which the weapon fell baffled.

मोक्षयित्वा प्रहारं तं सुतस्तव सुसम्भ्रमात्।
भीमसेनं त गदया प्राहरत् कुरुसत्तम ॥ ३८॥

mokṣayitvā prahāraṃ taṃ sutastava susambhramāt|
bhīmasenaṃ ta gadayā prāharat kurusattama || 38||

Having warded off that blow, your son, that foremost one of Kuru's race, quickly struck Bhimasena with his weapon.

तस्य विस्यन्दमानेन रुधिरेणामितौजसः ।
प्रहारगुरुपाताच मूछेंव समजायत ।। ३९ ।।

tasya visyandamānena rudhireṇāmitaujasaḥ |
prahāragurupātāca mūcheṃva samajāyata || 39 ||

A large quantity of blood being, drawn by that blow, as also owing to its violence, Bhimasena became stupefied.

दुर्योधनो न तं वेद पीडितं पाण्डवं रणे ।
धारयामास भीमोऽपि शरीरमतिपीडितम् ॥ ४० ॥

duryodhano na taṃ veda pīḍitaṃ pāṇḍavaṃ raṇe |
dhārayāmāsa bhīmo’pi śarīramatipīḍitam || 40 ||

Duryodhana, however, could not perceive that Pandu's son was so afflicted at that moment. Though deeply afflicted, Bhima kept himself, summoning all his patience.

अमन्यत स्थितं ह्येनं प्रहरिष्यन्तमाहवे ।
अतो न प्राहरत् तस्मै पुनरेव तवात्मजः ॥ ४१ ॥

amanyata sthitaṃ hyenaṃ prahariṣyantamāhave |
ato na prāharat tasmai punareva tavātmajaḥ || 41 ||

Duryodhana, therefore, thought that he was all right and ready to return the blow. It was, therefore, that your son did not then strike him again.

ततो मुहूर्तमाश्वस्य दुर्योधनमुपस्थितम् ।
वेगेनाभ्यपद् राजन् भीमसेनः प्रतापवान् ॥ ४२ ॥

tato muhūrtamāśvasya duryodhanamupasthitam |
vegenābhyapad rājan bhīmasenaḥ pratāpavān || 42 ||

Having taken rest for a little while, the brave Bhimasena rushed furiously, O king, at Duryodhana who was standing near.

तमापतन्तं सम्प्रेक्ष्य संरब्धममितौजसम् ।
मोघमस्य प्रहारं तं चिकीर्षुर्भरतर्षभ ॥ ४३ ॥
अवस्थाने मतिं कृत्वा पुत्रस्तव महामनाः ।
इयेषोत्पतितुं राजञ्छलयिष्यन् वृकोदरम्॥४४॥

tamāpatantaṃ samprekṣya saṃrabdhamamitaujasam |
moghamasya prahāraṃ taṃ cikīrṣurbharatarṣabha || 43 ||
avasthāne matiṃ kṛtvā putrastava mahāmanāḥ |
iyeṣotpatituṃ rājañchalayiṣyan vṛkodaram||44||

Seeing the energetic Bhimasena, filled with rage and rushing towards him your high-souled so, O Bharata's chief, desiring to thwart his blow, thought of showing the maneuver called Avasthana. He, therefore, desired to jump upwards, O king, for beguiling Vrikodara.

अबुद्ध्यद् भीमसेनस्तु राज्ञस्तस्य चिकीर्षितम् ।
अथास्य समभिद्रुत्य समुत्क्रुश्य च सिंहवत् ॥ ४५ ॥
सृत्या वञ्चयतो राजन् पुनरेवोत्पतिष्यतः ।
ऊरुभ्यां प्राहिणोद् राजन् गदां वेगेन पाण्डवः ॥ ४६॥

abuddhyad bhīmasenastu rājñastasya cikīrṣitam |
athāsya samabhidrutya samutkruśya ca siṃhavat || 45 ||
sṛtyā vañcayato rājan punarevotpatiṣyataḥ |
ūrubhyāṃ prāhiṇod rājan gadāṃ vegena pāṇḍavaḥ || 46||

Bhimasena fully understood the object of his opponent. Rushing at him, with a loud leonine roar, he fiercely dropped his mace at the thighs of the Kuru king, as the latter had jumped up for making the first aim useless.

 
सा वज्रनिष्पेषसमा प्रहिता भीमकर्मणा ।
ऊरू दुर्योधनस्याथ बभञ्ज प्रियदर्शनी ॥ ४७ ॥

sā vajraniṣpeṣasamā prahitā bhīmakarmaṇā |
ūrū duryodhanasyātha babhañja priyadarśanī || 47 ||

That mace, strong, like thunder and hurled by Bhima broke the two handsome thighs of Duryodhana.

स पपात नरव्याघ्रो वसुधामनुनादयन् ।
भग्नोरुर्भीमसेनेन पुत्रस्तव महीपते ॥ ४८ ॥

sa papāta naravyāghro vasudhāmanunādayan |
bhagnorurbhīmasenena putrastava mahīpate || 48 ||

That foremost of men, viz., your son after his thighs had been broken by Bhimasena, fell down resounding the Earth.

ववुर्वाता: सनिर्घाताः पांशुवर्षं पपात च ।
चचाल पृथिवी चापि सवृक्षक्षुपपर्वता ॥ ४९ ॥

vavurvātā: sanirghātāḥ pāṃśuvarṣaṃ papāta ca |
cacāla pṛthivī cāpi savṛkṣakṣupaparvatā || 49 ||

Fierce winds began to blow, with loud sounds, Showers of dust dropped. The Earth, with her trees and mountains, began to tremble.

 
तस्मिन् निपतिते वीरे पत्यौ सर्वमहीक्षिताम् ।
महास्वना पुनर्दीता सनिर्घाता भयंकरी ॥ ५० ॥
पपात चोल्का महती पतिते पृथिवीपतौ ।

tasmin nipatite vīre patyau sarvamahīkṣitām |
mahāsvanā punardītā sanirghātā bhayaṃkarī || 50 ||
papāta colkā mahatī patite pṛthivīpatau |

Upon the fall of that hero who was the head of all kings, fierce and fiery winds blew with a loud noise and with thunder falling frequently. When that lord of Earth fell, large meteors dropped down from the welkin.

तथा शोणितवर्षं च पांशुवर्षं च भारत ।। ५१ ।।

ववर्ष मघवांस्तत्र तव पुत्रे निपातिते ।

tathā śoṇitavarṣaṃ ca pāṃśuvarṣaṃ ca bhārata || 51 ||
vavarṣa maghavāṃstatra tava putre nipātite |

Bloody and dusty showers, fell, O Bharata! These were poured by Indra, upon the fall of your son.

यक्षाणां राक्षसानां च पिशाचानां तथैव च ॥ ५२ ॥

अन्तरिक्षे महानादः श्रूयते भतरर्षभ ।

yakṣāṇāṃ rākṣasānāṃ ca piśācānāṃ tathaiva ca || 52 ||
antarikṣe mahānādaḥ śrūyate bhatararṣabha |

A loud noise was heard, O Bharata's chief, in the sky, caused by the Yakshas, Rakshasas, and the Pishachas.

तेन शब्देन घोरेण मृगाणामथ पक्षिणाम् ॥ ५३ ॥
जज्ञे घोरतरः शब्दो बहूनां सर्वतोदिशम् ।

tena śabdena ghoreṇa mṛgāṇāmatha pakṣiṇām || 53 ||
jajñe ghorataraḥ śabdo bahūnāṃ sarvatodiśam |

At the terrible sound, thousands of beasts and birds began to yell hideously on every side.

 
ये तत्र वाजिनः शेषा गजाश्च मनुजैः सह ॥ ५४ ॥
मुमुचुस्ते महानादं तव पुत्रे निपातिते ।
भेरीशङ्खमृदङ्गानामभवच स्वनो महान् ॥ ५५ ॥

ye tatra vājinaḥ śeṣā gajāśca manujaiḥ saha || 54 ||
mumucuste mahānādaṃ tava putre nipātite |
bherīśaṅkhamṛdaṅgānāmabhavaca svano mahān || 55 ||

Those horses, elephants, and men, forming the remnant of the Pandava's army, uttered loud cries when your son fell. Loud blare of conchs and the peal of drums and cymbals were heard.

अन्तर्भूमिगतश्चैव तव पुत्रे निपातिते ।
बहुपादैर्बहुभुजैः कबन्धैर्घोरदर्शनैः ॥ ५६ ॥
नृत्यद्भिर्भयदैर्व्याप्ता दिशस्तत्राभवन् नृप ।

antarbhūmigataścaiva tava putre nipātite |
bahupādairbahubhujaiḥ kabandhairghoradarśanaiḥ || 56 ||
nṛtyadbhirbhayadairvyāptā diśastatrābhavan nṛpa |

A terrific noise seemed to come from the very bowels of the earth. Upon the fall of your son, O king, headless beings or dreadful appearance, possessed of many legs and many arms, and striking terror to all creatures, began to dance and cover the earth on all sides.

ध्वजवन्तोऽस्त्रवन्तश्च शस्त्रवन्तस्तथैव च ॥ ५७॥
प्राकम्पन्त ततो राजंस्तव पुत्रे निपातिते ।

dhvajavanto’stravantaśca śastravantastathaiva ca || 57||
prākampanta tato rājaṃstava putre nipātite |

Warriors, O king, who stood with standards or weapons in their arms, began to tremble, O king when your son fell.

ह्रदाः कूपाश्च रुधिरमुद्वेमुर्नृपसत्तम ॥ ५८ ॥
नद्यश्च सुमहावेगाः प्रतिस्त्रोतोवहाऽभवन् ।

hradāḥ kūpāśca rudhiramudvemurnṛpasattama || 58 ||
nadyaśca sumahāvegāḥ pratistrotovahā’bhavan |

Lakes and wells, O best of kings, vomited forth blood. Swift-coursing rivers flowed in opposite directions.

पुँल्लिङ्गा इव नार्यस्तु स्त्रीलिङ्गाः पुरुषाभवन् ॥५९॥
दुर्योधने तदा राजन् पतिते तनये तव ।

puṁlliṅgā iva nāryastu strīliṅgāḥ puruṣābhavan ||59||
duryodhane tadā rājan patite tanaye tava |

Women seemed to look like men, and men like women when your son Duryodhana fell.

 
दृष्ट्वा तानद्भुतोत्पातान् पञ्चालाः पाण्डवैः सह ॥ ६०॥
आविग्नमनसः सर्वे बभूवुर्भरतर्षभ ।

dṛṣṭvā tānadbhutotpātān pañcālāḥ pāṇḍavaiḥ saha || 60||
āvignamanasaḥ sarve babhūvurbharatarṣabha |

Seeing those wonderful portents, the Panchalas and the Pandavas, O Bharata's chief, were filled with anxiety.

ययुर्देवा यथाकामं गन्धर्वाप्सरसस्तथा । ६१ ।।
कथयन्तोऽद्भुतं युद्धं सुतयोस्तव भारत ।

yayurdevā yathākāmaṃ gandharvāpsarasastathā | 61 ||
kathayanto’dbhutaṃ yuddhaṃ sutayostava bhārata |

The gods and Gandharvas went away to their wished-for regions, taking and discoursing on that wonderful battle between your sons.

तथैव सिद्धा राजेन्द्र तथा वातिकचारणाः ।
नरसिंह प्रशंसन्तौ विप्रजग्मुर्यथागतम् ॥ ६२ ॥

tathaiva siddhā rājendra tathā vātikacāraṇāḥ |
narasiṃha praśaṃsantau viprajagmuryathāgatam || 62 ||

Similarly, the Siddhas and the quick-coursing Charanas went to those places from which they had come, praising these two best of men.

The Encounter Between Bhima and Duryodhana (ch57)

CHAPTER 57
(Gadayuddha Parva ) -- Continued.

The encounter between Bhima and Duryodhana

SYNOPSIS

The passage recounts the fierce and climactic mace duel between Bhima and Duryodhana during the Kurukshetra war, a confrontation filled with raw power, skill, and intense emotions.

As the battle begins, Duryodhana, enraged and roaring with fury, charges at Bhima. The two warriors engage in brutal and skillful combat, resembling two ferocious bulls locked in a deadly fight. Their maces clash with thunderous sounds, filling the battlefield with awe and terror. Bloodied but undeterred, both combatants display extraordinary dexterity, executing advanced maneuvers and tactical strikes.

The fight draws admiration from the spectators, including gods and mortals, who are captivated by their prowess and endurance. Both warriors adopt complex combat techniques like the Mandala formations, evading and countering each other's blows with remarkable precision. Despite the injuries they inflict upon each other, they continue to fight with unrelenting determination.

At one point, Duryodhana strikes Bhima with great force, causing him to falter and drop to the ground. This momentary triumph prompts a roar of celebration from Duryodhana and his supporters. However, Bhima quickly regains his composure, standing once more like an immovable mountain. Enraged by his opponent’s resilience, Duryodhana presses on with greater ferocity.

The duel intensifies further, with each warrior delivering devastating blows. Bhima finally strikes Duryodhana on his side with tremendous force, causing the Kuru prince to collapse to his knees. Though he quickly rises again, his rage and exhaustion are evident. The Pandavas and their allies cheer as Bhima, undeterred by his injuries, continues to fight with unyielding resolve.

The battle is marked by moments of triumph and despair on both sides, as the outcome remains uncertain. The passage ends with Bhima standing once more after being temporarily struck down, his bloodied form a testament to his endurance and determination. The duel, a microcosm of the larger war, showcases the intensity of the conflict and the personal vendettas driving these two warriors.

CHAPTER 57

संजय उवाच
ततो दुर्योधनो दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनं तथागतम् ।
प्रत्युद्ययावदीनात्मा वेगेन महता नदन् ॥ १ ॥

saṃjaya uvāca
tato duryodhano dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaṃ tathāgatam |
pratyudyayāvadīnātmā vegena mahatā nadan || 1 ||

Sanjaya said

Seeing Bhimasena in that state, Duryodhana rushed furiously against him uttering a loud roar.

समापेततुरन्योन्यं शृङ्गिणौ वृषभाविव ।
महानिर्घातघोषश्चं प्रहाराणामजायत॥ २ ॥

samāpetaturanyonyaṃ śṛṅgiṇau vṛṣabhāviva |
mahānirghātaghoṣaścaṃ prahārāṇāmajāyata|| 2 ||

They met each other like two bulls encountering each other with their horns. The strokes of their maces produced loud sounds like those of thunderbolts.

अभवच तयोर्युद्धं तुमुलं लोमहर्षणम् ।
जिगीषतोर्यथान्योन्यमिन्द्रप्रह्लादयोरिव ॥ ३ ॥

abhavaca tayoryuddhaṃ tumulaṃ lomaharṣaṇam |
jigīṣatoryathānyonyamindraprahlādayoriva || 3 ||

Each seeking victory, the battle that took place between them was terrible, making the hair stand erect, like that between Indra and Pralada.

रुधिरोक्षितसर्वाङ्गौ गदाहस्तौ मनस्विनौ ।
ददृशाते महात्मानौ पुष्पिताविव किंशुकौ ॥ ४ ॥

rudhirokṣitasarvāṅgau gadāhastau manasvinau |
dadṛśāte mahātmānau puṣpitāviva kiṃśukau || 4 ||

All their limbs covered with blood, the two great and energetic warriors both armed with maces, looked like two Kinshukas decked with flowers.

तथा तस्मिन् महायुद्धे वर्तमाने सुदारुणे ।
खद्योतसंघैरिव खं दर्शनीयं व्यरोचत ॥ ५ ॥

tathā tasmin mahāyuddhe vartamāne sudāruṇe |
khadyotasaṃghairiva khaṃ darśanīyaṃ vyarocata || 5 ||

During the onset of that great and awful encounter, the sky looked beautiful as if it swarmed with fireflies.

तथा तस्मिन् वर्तमाने संकुले तुमुले भृशम्।
उभावपि परिश्रान्तौ युध्यमानावरिंदमौ ॥ ६ ॥

tathā tasmin vartamāne saṃkule tumule bhṛśam|
ubhāvapi pariśrāntau yudhyamānāvariṃdamau || 6 ||

After that fierce and terrible battle had lasted for some time, both of them were exhausted.

तौ मुहूर्तं समाश्वस्य पुनरेव परंतप ।
अभ्यहारयतान्योन्यं सम्प्रगृह्य गदे शुभे ॥ ७ ॥

tau muhūrtaṃ samāśvasya punareva paraṃtapa |
abhyahārayatānyonyaṃ sampragṛhya gade śubhe || 7 ||

Having rested for some time those two destroyers of foes, taking up their handsome maces, once again began to prevent each other's attacks.

तौ तु दृष्ट्वा महावीर्यौ समाश्वस्तौ नरर्षभौ ।
बलिनौ वारणौ यद्वद्वासितार्थे मदोत्कटौ ॥ ८ ॥

tau tu dṛṣṭvā mahāvīryau samāśvastau nararṣabhau |
balinau vāraṇau yadvadvāsitārthe madotkaṭau || 8 ||

Indeed, when those two highly energetic warriors, those two foremost of men, both possessed of great strength, once more met each other after having rested a little, they looked like two infuriate elephants attacking each other for obtaining elephants in season.

 
समानवीय सम्प्रेक्ष्य प्रगृहीतगदावुभौ ।
विस्मयं परमं जग्मुर्देवगन्धर्वमानवाः ॥ ९ ॥

samānavīya samprekṣya pragṛhītagadāvubhau |
vismayaṃ paramaṃ jagmurdevagandharvamānavāḥ || 9 ||

Seeing those two heroes, both armed with maces and equaling each other in energy, the gods and Gandharvas and men were filled with wonder.

प्रगृहीतगदौ दृष्ट्वा दुर्योधनवृकोदरौ।
संशयः सर्वभूतानां विजये समपद्यत ॥ १० ॥

pragṛhītagadau dṛṣṭvā duryodhanavṛkodarau|
saṃśayaḥ sarvabhūtānāṃ vijaye samapadyata || 10 ||

Beholding Duryodhana and Vrikodara both armed with mace, all creatures became doubtful as to who amongst them would come off victorious.

समागम्य ततो भूयो भ्रातरो बलिनां वरौ ।
अन्योन्यस्यन्तरप्रेप्सू प्रचक्रातेऽन्तरं प्रति ॥ ११ ॥

samāgamya tato bhūyo bhrātaro balināṃ varau |
anyonyasyantaraprepsū pracakrāte’ntaraṃ prati || 11 ||

Rushing each other and desiring to take advantage of each other's weaknesses, those two great cousins waited each watching the other.

 
यमदण्डोपमां गुर्वीमिन्द्राशनिमिवोद्यताम् ।
ददृशुः प्रेक्षका राजन् रौद्री विशसनीं गदाम् ॥१२॥

yamadaṇḍopamāṃ gurvīmindrāśanimivodyatām |
dadṛśuḥ prekṣakā rājan raudrī viśasanīṃ gadām ||12||

People, O king, saw each armed with his uplifted mace, which was heavy dreadful, and killing, and that resembled the bludgeon of Yama or the thunderbolt of Indra.

 
आविद्ध्यतो गदां तस्य भीमसेनस्य संयुगे ।
शब्दः सुतुमुलो घोरो मुहूर्तं समपद्यत ॥ १३ ॥

āviddhyato gadāṃ tasya bhīmasenasya saṃyuge |
śabdaḥ sutumulo ghoro muhūrtaṃ samapadyata || 13 ||

While Bhimasena whirled his weapon, it produced a loud and dreadful sound.

आविद्ध्यन्तमरिं प्रेक्ष्य धार्तराष्ट्रोऽथ पाण्डवम् ।
गदामतुलवेगां तां विस्मितः सम्बभूवह ॥ १४ ॥

āviddhyantamariṃ prekṣya dhārtarāṣṭro’tha pāṇḍavam |
gadāmatulavegāṃ tāṃ vismitaḥ sambabhūvaha || 14 ||

Seeing his foe, the son of Pandu, thus whirling his mace, the impetuous Duryodhana was amazed.

चरंश्च विविधानं मार्गान् मण्डलानि च भारत ।
अशोभत तदा वीरो भूय एव वृकोदरः ॥ १५ ॥

caraṃśca vividhānaṃ mārgān maṇḍalāni ca bhārata |
aśobhata tadā vīro bhūya eva vṛkodaraḥ || 15 ||

Indeed, the heroic Vrikodara, O Bharata, as he moved about in various courses, shone highly beautiful.

तौ परस्परमासाद्य यत्तावन्योन्यरक्षणे ।
मार्जाराविव भक्षार्ये ततक्षाते मुहुर्मुहुः ॥ १६ ॥

tau parasparamāsādya yattāvanyonyarakṣaṇe |
mārjārāviva bhakṣārye tatakṣāte muhurmuhuḥ || 16 ||

Both bent upon carefully protecting themselves, as they approached, they repeatedly wounded each other like two cats, fighting for a piece of meat.

अचरद् भीमसेनस्तु मार्गान् बहुविधांस्तथा ।
मण्डलानि विचित्राणि गतप्रत्यागतानि च ॥ १७ ॥

acarad bhīmasenastu mārgān bahuvidhāṃstathā |
maṇḍalāni vicitrāṇi gatapratyāgatāni ca || 17 ||

Bhimasena performed various kinds of evolutions. He moved about in beautiful circles, advanced, and receded.

अस्त्रयन्त्राणि चित्राणि स्थानानि विविधानि च।
परिमोक्षं प्रहाराणां वर्जनं परिधावनम् ॥ १८ ॥

astrayantrāṇi citrāṇi sthānāni vividhāni ca|
parimokṣaṃ prahārāṇāṃ varjanaṃ paridhāvanam || 18 ||

He dealt blows and warded off those of his opponent, with wonderful dexterity. He took up various kinds of offensive and defensive positions. He made attacks and warded off those of his opponent. He ran at his enemy now turning to the right and now to the left.

अभिद्रवणमाक्षेपमवस्थानं सविग्रहम् ।
परिवर्तनसंवर्तमवप्लुतमुपप्लुतम् ॥ १९ ॥

abhidravaṇamākṣepamavasthānaṃ savigraham |
parivartanasaṃvartamavaplutamupaplutam || 19 ||

He advanced straight against the foe. He made various tricks for drawing his foe. He stood immovable, bent upon attacking his enemy as soon as the latter would expose himself to attack. He went around his foe and prevented his foe from circumambulating him. He avoided the attacks of his enemy by moving away in bent postures or jumping up.

 
उपन्यस्तमपन्यस्तं गदायुद्धविशारदौ ।
एवं तौ विचरन्तौ तु परस्परमविध्यताम् ॥ २० ॥

upanyastamapanyastaṃ gadāyuddhaviśāradau |
evaṃ tau vicarantau tu parasparamavidhyatām || 20 ||

Facing his enemy he struck or dealt back-thrusts while moving away from him. Both experts in mace-fighting, Bhima and Duryodhana thus moved about and fought, and struck each other.

वञ्जयानौ पुनश्चैव चेरतुः कुरुसत्तमौ ।
विक्रीडन्तौ सुबलिनौ मण्डलानि विचेरतुः ॥ २१॥

vañjayānau punaścaiva ceratuḥ kurusattamau |
vikrīḍantau subalinau maṇḍalāni viceratuḥ || 21||

Those two leading Kuru's heroes fared thus, each avoiding the other's attacks. Indeed, those two great warriors thus moved about in circles and seemed to play with each other.

 
तौ दर्शयन्तौ समरे युद्धक्रीडां समन्ततः ।
गदाभ्यां सहसान्योन्यमाजघ्नतुररिंदमौ ॥ २२ ॥
परस्परं समासाद्य दंष्ट्राभ्यां द्विरदौ यथा ।
अशोभेतां महाराज शोणितेन परिप्लुतौ ॥ २३ ॥

tau darśayantau samare yuddhakrīḍāṃ samantataḥ |
gadābhyāṃ sahasānyonyamājaghnaturariṃdamau || 22 ||
parasparaṃ samāsādya daṃṣṭrābhyāṃ dviradau yathā |
aśobhetāṃ mahārāja śoṇitena pariplutau || 23 ||

Displaying in that encounter their skill in battle, those two destroyers of foes sometimes suddenly attacked each other with their weapons, like two elephants attacked each other with their tusks. Bathed in blood, they looked very beautiful, O king, on the field.

 
एवं तदभवद्युद्धं घोररूपं परंतप ।
परिवृत्तेऽहनिं क्रूर वृत्रवासवयोरिव ॥ २४ ॥
गदाहस्तौ ततस्तौ तु मण्डलावस्थितौ बली ।

evaṃ tadabhavadyuddhaṃ ghorarūpaṃ paraṃtapa |
parivṛtte’haniṃ krūra vṛtravāsavayoriva || 24 ||
gadāhastau tatastau tu maṇḍalāvasthitau balī |

Thus took place that dreadful battle before the very eyes of a large multitude, towards the close of the day, like the battle between Vritra and Vasava. Armed with maces, both began to move about in circles.

दक्षिणं मण्डलं राजन् भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत ॥ २५ ॥
सव्यं तु मण्डलं तत्र भीमसेनोऽभ्यवर्तत।

dakṣiṇaṃ maṇḍalaṃ rājan bhīmaseno’bhyavartata || 25 ||
savyaṃ tu maṇḍalaṃ tatra bhīmaseno’bhyavartata|

Duryodhana, O king, adopted the right Mandala, while Bhimasena adopted the left Mandala.

तथा तु चरतस्तस्य भीमस्य रणमूर्धनि ॥ २६ ॥
दुर्योधनो महाराज पार्श्वदेशेऽभ्यताडयत् ।

tathā tu caratastasya bhīmasya raṇamūrdhani || 26 ||
duryodhano mahārāja pārśvadeśe’bhyatāḍayat |

While Bhima was thus moving about in circles on the field of battle, Duryodhana, O king, suddenly struck him with a fierce blow on one of his flanks.

आहतस्तु ततो भीमः पुत्रेण तव भारत ।। २७॥
आविद्धयत गदां गुर्वी प्रहारं तमचिन्तयन् ।

āhatastu tato bhīmaḥ putreṇa tava bhārata || 27||
āviddhayata gadāṃ gurvī prahāraṃ tamacintayan |

Struck by your son, Bhima began to whirl his heavy mace for returning the same.

इन्द्राशनिसमा घोरां यमदण्डमिवोद्यताम् ॥ २८॥
ददृशुस्ते महाराज भीमसेनस्य तां गदाम् ।

indrāśanisamā ghorāṃ yamadaṇḍamivodyatām || 28||
dadṛśuste mahārāja bhīmasenasya tāṃ gadām |

People, O king, saw the mace of Bhimasena look as terrible as Indra's thunderbolt or Yama's rod.

आविध्यन्तं गदां दृष्ट्वा भीमसेनं तवात्मजः ॥ २९ ॥
समुद्यम्य गदां घोरां प्रत्यविध्यत् परंतपः ।

āvidhyantaṃ gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā bhīmasenaṃ tavātmajaḥ || 29 ||
samudyamya gadāṃ ghorāṃ pratyavidhyat paraṃtapaḥ |

Seeing Bhima whirl his mace, your son, took up his terrible weapon and struck him again.

गदामारुतवेगेन तव पुत्रस्य भारत ॥ ३० ॥
शब्द आसीत् सुतुमुलस्तेजश्च समजायत ।

gadāmārutavegena tava putrasya bhārata || 30 ||
śabda āsīt sutumulastejaśca samajāyata |

A loud sound, O Bharata, was caused by the fall of your son's mace. So quick was that fall that it caused a flame of fire in the sky.

सचरन् विविधान् मार्गान् मण्डलानि च भागशः ॥ ३१॥
समशोभत तेजस्वी भूयो भीमात् सुयोधनः ।

sacaran vividhān mārgān maṇḍalāni ca bhāgaśaḥ || 31 ||
samaśobhata tejasvī bhūyo bhīmāt suyodhanaḥ |

coursing in circles, adopting each motion at the proper time, the energetic Suyodhana, once more seemed to prevail over Bhima.

आविद्धा सर्ववेगेन भीमेन महती गदा ॥ ३२ ॥
सधूमं सार्चिषं चाग्निं मुमोचोग्रमहास्वना ।

āviddhā sarvavegena bhīmena mahatī gadā || 32 ||
sadhūmaṃ sārciṣaṃ cāgniṃ mumocogramahāsvanā |

Meanwhile, the massive mace of Bhimasena, whirled with his entire force, produced a tremendous sound with valleys of smoke, and sparks and flames of fire.

आधूतां भीमसेनेन गदां दृष्ट्वा सुयोधनः ॥ ३३ ॥
अद्रिसारमयीं गुर्वीमाविध्यन् बह्वशोभत ।

ādhūtāṃ bhīmasenena gadāṃ dṛṣṭvā suyodhanaḥ || 33 ||
adrisāramayīṃ gurvīmāvidhyan bahvaśobhata |

Seeing Bhimasena whirling his mace, Suyodhana also whirled his heavy and adamantine mace and appeared highly beautiful.

गदामारुतवेगं हि दृष्ट्वा तस्य महात्मनः ॥ ३४॥
भयं विवेश पाण्डूंस्तु सर्वानेव ससोमकान् ।

gadāmārutavegaṃ hi dṛṣṭvā tasya mahātmanaḥ || 34||
bhayaṃ viveśa pāṇḍūṃstu sarvāneva sasomakān |

Marking the vehemence of the wind, caused by the whirl of Duryodhana's mace, the Pandus and the Somakas were stricken with great fear.

 
तौ दर्शयन्तौ समरे युद्धक्रीडां समन्ततः ॥ ३५ ॥
गदाभ्यां सहसान्योन्यमाजघ्नतुररिंदमौ ।
तौ परस्परमासाद्य दंष्ट्राभ्यां द्विरदौ यथा ॥ ३६ ॥
अशोभेतां महाराज शोणितेन परिप्लुतौ ।

tau darśayantau samare yuddhakrīḍāṃ samantataḥ || 35 ||

gadābhyāṃ sahasānyonyamājaghnaturariṃdamau |

tau parasparamāsādya daṃṣṭrābhyāṃ dviradau yathā || 36 ||

aśobhetāṃ mahārāja śoṇitena pariplutau |

Meanwhile showing on every side their skill in battle those two chastisers of foes continued to strike each other with their maces, like two elephants striking each other with their tusks. Both of them, O king, covered with blood, shone highly beautiful.

एवं तदभवद्युद्धं घोररूपमसंवृतम् ॥ ३७॥
परिवृत्तेऽहनि क्रूरं वृत्रवासवयोरिव ।

evaṃ tadabhavadyuddhaṃ ghorarūpamasaṃvṛtam || 37||
parivṛtte’hani krūraṃ vṛtravāsavayoriva |

Thus that dreadful battle went on before the very eyes of thousands of spectators at the close of day, like the fierce battle that took place between Vritra and Vasava.

दृष्ट्वा व्यवस्थितं भीमं तव पुत्रो महाबलः ॥ ३८ ॥
चरंश्चित्रतरान् मार्गान् कौन्तेयमभिदुद्रुवे ।

dṛṣṭvā vyavasthitaṃ bhīmaṃ tava putro mahābalaḥ || 38 ||
caraṃścitratarān mārgān kaunteyamabhidudruve |

Seeing Bhima firmly stationed on the field, your powerful son, moving about, rushed towards that son of Kunti.

तस्य भीमो महावेगां जाम्बूनदपरिष्कृताम् ॥ ३९ ॥
अतिक्रुद्धस्य क्रुद्धस्तु ताडयामास तां गदाम् ।

tasya bhīmo mahāvegāṃ jāmbūnadapariṣkṛtām || 39 ||
atikruddhasya kruddhastu tāḍayāmāsa tāṃ gadām |

Worked up with wrath Bhima struck the mace, endued with great impetuosity and adorned with gold, of the angry Duryodhana.

 
सविस्फुलिङ्गो निर्ह्रादस्तयोस्तत्राभिघातजः ॥ ४० ॥
प्रादुरासीन्महाराज सृष्टयोर्वज्रयोरिव ।

savisphuliṅgo nirhrādastayostatrābhighātajaḥ || 40 ||
prādurāsīnmahārāja sṛṣṭayorvajrayoriva |

That clash of the two maces produced a loud sound with sparks of fire, which resembled the clash of two thunderbolts from opposite directions.

वेगवत्या तया तत्र भीमसेनप्रमुक्तया ॥ ४१ ॥
निपतन्त्या महाराज पृथिवी समकम्पत ।

vegavatyā tayā tatra bhīmasenapramuktayā || 41 ||
nipatantyā mahārāja pṛthivī samakampata |

Discharged by Bhimasena, his impetuous mace, as it dropped down, shook the very Earth.

तां नामृष्यत कौरव्यो गदां प्रतिहतां रणे ॥ ४२ ॥
मत्तो द्विप इव क्रुद्धः प्रतिकुञ्जरदर्शनात् ।

tāṃ nāmṛṣyata kauravyo gadāṃ pratihatāṃ raṇe || 42 ||
matto dvipa iva kruddhaḥ pratikuñjaradarśanāt |

The Kuru prince could not see his mace thus baffled by that attack. He was enraged like an infuriated elephant at the sight of a rival elephant.

स सव्यं मण्डलं राजा उद्भ्राम्य कृतनिश्चयः ॥ ४३॥
आज मूर्ध्नि कौन्तेयं गदया भीमवेगया।

sa savyaṃ maṇḍalaṃ rājā udbhrāmya kṛtaniścayaḥ || 43||
āja mūrdhni kaunteyaṃ gadayā bhīmavegayā|

Adopting the left Mandala, O king, and whirling his mace, Suyodhana, then struck the son of Kunti on the head with his terrible weapon.

तया त्वभिहतो भीमः पुत्रेण तव पाण्डवः ॥ ४४ ॥
नाकम्पत महाराज तदद्भुतमिवाभवत् ।

tayā tvabhihato bhīmaḥ putreṇa tava pāṇḍavaḥ || 44 ||
nākampata mahārāja tadadbhutamivābhavat |

Thus struck by your son, Bhima, the son of Pandu, did not even quake, O king, and the sight filled all present with wonder.

आश्चर्यं चापि तद् राजन् सर्वसैन्यान्यपूजयन् ॥ ४५ ॥
यद् गदाभिहतो भीमो नाकम्पत पदात् पदम्।
ततो गुरुतरां दीप्तां गदां हेमपरिष्कृताम् ॥ ४६ ॥
दुर्योधनाय व्यसृजद् भीमो भीमपराक्रमः ।

āścaryaṃ cāpi tad rājan sarvasainyānyapūjayan || 45 ||
yad gadābhihato bhīmo nākampata padāt padam|
tato gurutarāṃ dīptāṃ gadāṃ hemapariṣkṛtām || 46 ||
duryodhanāya vyasṛjad bhīmo bhīmaparākramaḥ |

That wonderful patience, O king, of Bhimasena, who did not move an inch, though struck so violently, was praised by all the combatants present there. Then Bhima hurled at Duryodhana his own heavy and shining mace adorned with gold.

तं प्रहारमसम्भ्रान्तो लाघवेन महाबलः ॥ ४७ ॥
मोघं दुर्योधनश्चक्रे तत्राभूद् विस्मयो महान् ।

taṃ prahāramasambhrānto lāghavena mahābalaḥ || 47 ||
moghaṃ duryodhanaścakre tatrābhūd vismayo mahān |

The powerful and fearless Duryodhana prevented that blow by his activity. Seeing this the spectators were filled with great wonder.

 
सा तु मोघा गदा राजन् पतन्ती भीमचोदिता ॥ ४८ ॥
चालयामास पृथिवी महानिर्घातनिः स्वना ।

sā tu moghā gadā rājan patantī bhīmacoditā || 48 ||
cālayāmāsa pṛthivī mahānirghātaniḥ svanā |

That mace, hurled by Bhima, O king, Produced a loud sound like that of the thunderbolt and shook the very Earth.

आस्थाय कौशिकान् मार्गानुत्पतन् स पुनः पुनः ॥ ४९ ॥
गदानिपातं प्रज्ञाय भीमसेनं च वञ्चितम् ।

āsthāya kauśikān mārgānutpatan sa punaḥ punaḥ || 49 ||
gadānipātaṃ prajñāya bhīmasenaṃ ca vañcitam |

Adopting the maneuver called Kaushika, and jumping up again and again, Duryodhana, properly making the fall of Bhima's mace, made the latter useless.

वञ्चयित्वा तदा भीमं गदया कुरुसत्तमः ॥ ५० ॥
ताडयामास संक्रुद्धो वक्षोदेशे महाबलः ।

vañcayitvā tadā bhīmaṃ gadayā kurusattamaḥ || 50 ||
tāḍayāmāsa saṃkruddho vakṣodeśe mahābalaḥ |

Baffling Bhimasena thus, the highly powerful Kuru king, at last in anger struck the former in the chest.

गया निहतो भीमो मुह्यमानो महारणे ॥ ५१ ॥
नाभ्यमन्यत कर्तव्यं पुत्रेणाभ्याहतस्तव ।

gayā nihato bhīmo muhyamāno mahāraṇe || 51 ||
nābhyamanyata kartavyaṃ putreṇābhyāhatastava |

Struck very forcibly by your son in that dreadful battle, Bhimasena was stupefied, and for a time knew not what to do.

तस्मिंस्तथा वर्तमाने राजन् सोमकपाण्डवाः ॥ ५२ ॥
भृशोपहतसंकल्पा न हृष्टमनसोऽभवन् ।

tasmiṃstathā vartamāne rājan somakapāṇḍavāḥ || 52 ||
bhṛśopahatasaṃkalpā na hṛṣṭamanaso’bhavan |

At that time, O king, the Somakas, and the Pandavas were greatly disappointed and dispirited.

स तु तेन प्रहारेण मातङ्ग इव रोहितः ॥ ५३ ॥
हस्तिवद्धस्तिसंकाशमभिदुद्राव ते सुतम् ।

sa tu tena prahāreṇa mātaṅga iva rohitaḥ || 53 ||
hastivaddhastisaṃkāśamabhidudrāva te sutam |

Worked up with anger at that blow, Bhima then rushed at your son like an elephant rushing against an elephant.

ततस्तु तरसा भीमो गया तनयं तव ।। ५४ ।।
अभिदुद्राव वेगेन सिंहो वनगजं यथा ।

tatastu tarasā bhīmo gayā tanayaṃ tava || 54 ||
abhidudrāva vegena siṃho vanagajaṃ yathā |

With uplifted mace, Bhima rushed furiously at Duryodhana like a lion rushing against a wild elephant.

उपसृत्य तु राजानं गदामोक्षविशारदः ।। ५५ ।।
आविध्यत गदां राजन् समुद्दिश्य सुतं तव।

upasṛtya tu rājānaṃ gadāmokṣaviśāradaḥ || 55 ||
āvidhyata gadāṃ rājan samuddiśya sutaṃ tava|

Approaching the Kuru king, the son of Pandu, O king, an expert in the use of the mace, began to whirl his weapon, aiming at your son.

अताडयद् भीमसेनः पार्श्वे दुर्योधनं तदा ॥ ५६ ॥
स विह्वलः प्रहारेण जानुभ्यामगमन्महीम् ।

atāḍayad bhīmasenaḥ pārśve duryodhanaṃ tadā || 56 ||
sa vihvalaḥ prahāreṇa jānubhyāmagamanmahīm |

Bhimasena then struck Duryodhana on one of his sides. Stupefied at that blow, the latter dropped down on the Earth, supporting himself on his knees.

तस्मिन् कुरुकुलश्रेष्ठे जानुभ्यामवनीं गते ॥ ५७ ॥
उदतिष्ठत् ततो नादः सृजयानां जगत्पते ।

tasmin kurukulaśreṣṭhe jānubhyāmavanīṃ gate || 57 ||
udatiṣṭhat tato nādaḥ sṛjayānāṃ jagatpate |

When that Kuru's hero fell upon his knees, a loud cry arose from among the Srinjayas, O king!

तेषां तु निनदं श्रुत्वा संजयानां नरर्षभः ॥ ५८ ॥
अमर्षाद् भरतश्रेष्ठ पुत्रस्ते समकुप्यत ।

teṣāṃ tu ninadaṃ śrutvā saṃjayānāṃ nararṣabhaḥ || 58 ||
amarṣād bharataśreṣṭha putraste samakupyata |

Hearing that cry of the Srinjayas, O foremost of men, your son was worked up with rage.

उत्थाय तु महाबाहुर्महानाग इव श्वसन् ॥ ५९ ॥
दिधक्षन्निव नेत्राभ्यां भीमसेनमवैक्षत ।

utthāya tu mahābāhurmahānāga iva śvasan || 59 ||
didhakṣanniva netrābhyāṃ bhīmasenamavaikṣata |

Rising up, the mighty-armed hero began to breathe like a powerful snake and seemed to burn Bhimasena by looking at him.

 
ततः स भरतश्रेष्ठो गजापाणिरभिद्रवन् ॥ ६० ॥
प्रमथिष्यन्निव शिरो भीमसेनस्य संयुगे ।

tataḥ sa bharataśreṣṭho gajāpāṇirabhidravan || 60 ||
pramathiṣyanniva śiro bhīmasenasya saṃyuge |

That best of the line of Bharata then rushed at Bhimasena, as if he would crush the head of his opponent in that battle.

स महात्मा महात्मानं भीमं भीमपराक्रमः ॥ ६१ ॥
अताडयच्छङ्घदेशे न चचालाचलोपमः ।

sa mahātmā mahātmānaṃ bhīmaṃ bhīmaparākramaḥ || 61 ||
atāḍayacchaṅghadeśe na cacālācalopamaḥ |

The great and highly powerful Duryodhana then struck the high-souled Bhimasena on the forehead. The latter, however, stirred not an inch but stood fixed like a mountain.

भूयः शुशुभे पार्थस्ताडितो गदया रणे ।
उद्भिन्नरुधिरो राजन्प्रभिन्न इव कुञ्जरः ॥ ६२ ॥

bhūyaḥ śuśubhe pārthastāḍito gadayā raṇe |
udbhinnarudhiro rājanprabhinna iva kuñjaraḥ || 62 ||

Thus struck in that battle, the son of Pritha, O king, looked beautiful, as he bled profusely, like an elephant with temporal juice trickling down its temples.

ततो गदां वीरहणीमयोमयां प्रगृह्य वज्राशनितुल्यानिः स्वनाम् ।
अताडयच्छत्रुममित्रकर्षणो ada विक्रम्य धनंजयाग्रजः ॥ ६३ ॥

tato gadāṃ vīrahaṇīmayomayāṃ pragṛhya vajrāśanitulyāniḥ svanām |
atāḍayacchatrumamitrakarṣaṇo ada vikramya dhanaṃjayāgrajaḥ || 63 ||

Then, taking up his hero-killing mace made of iron and producing a sound loud as that of the thunder-bolt, the elder brother of Dhananjaya struck his opponent with great force.

स भीमसेनाभिहतस्तवात्मजः पपात संकम्पितदेहबन्धनः ।
सुपुष्पितो मारुतवेगताडितो वने यथा शाल इवाघूर्णितः ॥ ६४ ॥

sa bhīmasenābhihatastavātmajaḥ papāta saṃkampitadehabandhanaḥ |
supuṣpito mārutavegatāḍito vane yathā śāla ivāghūrṇitaḥ || 64 ||

Struck by Bhimasena, your son dropped down, his body trembling all over, like a gigantic Shala in the forest, decked with flowers, uprooted by a tempest.

ततः प्रणेदुर्जहृषुश्च पाण्डवाः समीक्ष्य पुत्रं पतितं क्षितौ तव ।
ततः सुतस्ते प्रतिलभ्य चेतनां समुत्पपात द्विरदो यथा ह्रदात् ॥ ६५ ॥

tataḥ praṇedurjahṛṣuśca pāṇḍavāḥ samīkṣya putraṃ patitaṃ kṣitau tava |
tataḥ sutaste pratilabhya cetanāṃ samutpapāta dvirado yathā hradāt || 65 ||

See your son laid on the Earth, the Pandavas became highly glad and uttered loud cries. Regaining his consciousness your son then rose, like an elephant from a lake.

स पार्थिवो नित्यममर्षितस्तदा महारथ: शिक्षितवत् परिभ्रमन् ।
अताडयत् पाण्डवमग्रतः स्थितं सविला जगतीमुपास्पृशत् ॥ ६६ ॥

sa pārthivo nityamamarṣitastadā mahāratha: śikṣitavat paribhraman |
atāḍayat pāṇḍavamagrataḥ sthitaṃ savilā jagatīmupāspṛśat || 66 ||

That angry king and great car warrior then, moving about with great skill, struck Bhimasena who was before him. Thereat, the son of Pandu, with weakened limbs, dropped down on the Earth.

स सिंहनादं विननाद कौरवो निपात्य भूमौ युधि भीममोजसा ।
बिभेद चैवाशनितुल्यमोजसा गदानिपातेन शरीररक्षणम् ॥ ६७ ॥

sa siṃhanādaṃ vinanāda kauravo nipātya bhūmau yudhi bhīmamojasā |
bibheda caivāśanitulyamojasā gadānipātena śarīrarakṣaṇam || 67 ||

Having by his power struck down Bhimasena on the ground, the Kuru prince sent up a leonine roar. By the fall of his mace, whose vehemence was like that of the thunder, he had, broken Bhima's coat-of-mail.

ततोऽन्तरिक्षे निनदो महानभूद् दिवौकसामप्सरसां च नेदुषाम् ।
पपात चौच्चैरमरप्रवेरितं विचित्रपुष्पोत्करवर्षमुत्तमम्॥६८॥

tato’ntarikṣe ninado mahānabhūd divaukasāmapsarasāṃ ca neduṣām |
papāta cauccairamarapraveritaṃ vicitrapuṣpotkaravarṣamuttamam||68||

A loud uproar was then heard in the sky made by the celestials and the Apsaras. A shower of flowers of sweet fragrance, rained by the celestials, poured in.

ततः परानाविशदुत्तमं भयं समीक्ष्य भूमौ पतितं नरोत्तमम् ।
अहीयमानं च बलेन कौरवं निशाम्य भेदं सुदृढस्य वर्मणः ॥ ६९ ॥

tataḥ parānāviśaduttamaṃ bhayaṃ samīkṣya bhūmau patitaṃ narottamam |
ahīyamānaṃ ca balena kauravaṃ niśāmya bhedaṃ sudṛḍhasya varmaṇaḥ || 69 ||

Seeing Bhima prostrated on the Earth, and seeing his coat-of-mail out open, a great fear possessed the hearts of our foes.

ततो मुहूर्तादुपलभ्य चेतनां प्रमृज्य वक्त्रं रुधिराक्तमात्मनः ।
धृतिं समालम्ब्य विवृत्य लोचने बलेन संस्तभ्य वृकोदरः स्थितः ॥ ७० ॥

tato muhūrtādupalabhya cetanāṃ pramṛjya vaktraṃ rudhirāktamātmanaḥ |
dhṛtiṃ samālambya vivṛtya locane balena saṃstabhya vṛkodaraḥ sthitaḥ || 70 ||

Regaining his senses in a moment, wiping his face which had been covered with blood, and gathering patience, Vrikodara stood up, with rolling eyes."