Bhishma-Vadha Parva — Falling of Bhishma,

Sanjaya said Thus all the Pandavas, placing Shikhandin before them and surrounding Bhishma on all sides began to pierce him in battle.

Then with terrible Shataghnis, with bludgeons, battle-axes, maces, mallets, thick short clubs, and lances, and other missiles,

With arrows furnished with golden wings, with dares, javelins and Kampanas, with Narachas, Vatsadantas, and Bhushundis,

The Srinjayas united together began to wound Bhishma in battle. Then when his shattered and he himself overwhelmed with many arrows.

Bhishma experienced no pain pierced though he was to the very vitals. On the other hand Bhishma then appeared fearful to his enemies like the all destructive fire at the expiration of a Yuga, fire, whose flames were armour was constituted by his effulgent arrows and bow, whose (friendly) gale was constituted by the vibrations of air produced by the shafts shot by him, whose heat was constituted by the clatter of his car-wheel, whose splendor was constituted by his mighty weapons, tongues by his variegated bow and fuel by the destruction of heroes. Wheeling in the midst of those car divisions, he sometimes came out of the press, And sometimes again was seen to career rapidly through them. Thereafter without regarding the king of the Panchalas and Dhrishtaketu,

Bhishma, O ruler of men, penetrated into the very heart of the Pandava ranks. Then with arrows of excellent make and great sharpness, all capable of penetrating all kinds of armour and producing great whizz, and charged with great velocity, Bhishma pierced deeply the following six car-warriors, viz., Satyaki, Bhima, Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, Draupada, Virata and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race. These mighty car-warriors also resisting those sharp arrows shot by Bhishma,

Pierced him with force, each shooting ten arrows. Those dreadful arrows which that mighty car-warrior Shikhandin shot, and which were furnished with wings of gold and whetted on stone, quickly penetrated the body of Bhishma. Thereupon the diadem-decked Arjuna waxing worth rushed at Bhishma,

And placing Shikhandin before him, he cut off the bow of the latter. Then the following seven mighty car-warriors did not brook that cutting off of Bhishma's bow, warriors namely,

Drona, Kritavarina, Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, Bhurishravas, Sala, Shalya, and Bhagadatta.

These seven car-warriors waxing irascible and displaying weapons of celestial make rushed against the diadem-decked Arjuna.

Indeed excited to the highest pitch of fury they fell upon that son of Pandu shrouding him (with those arrows). Great was the din that as they rushed against Phalguna's chariot. The challenges with loud voice of those warriors who attacked on Arjuna was heard like the roaring seas who violate the limits in devastation (Pralaya kala) and move forward to merge the entire universe with them. The dreadful words started making echo as-"Kill them", "Bring here", "trap soon", "pierce in pieces", "divide in small fractions" near the chariot of Arjuna.

Hearing that dreadful din, the mighty carwarriors of the Pandava host rushed to battle desirous of rescuing that foremost of the Bharatas, viz., Phalguna.

arose Then Satyaki, Bhimasena, Prishata's son Dhrishtadyumna, both Virata and Draupada, the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha,

The enraged Abhimanyu, all these seven warriors seized with fury and wielding variegated bows rushed to battle, at the top of their speed.

Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, like the battle between the celestial and the Danavas, the battle between those seven car-warriors of each army raged fiercely causing the hair to stand erect.

In that battle, protected as he was by Dhananjaya, that excellent warrior Shikhandin, with ten shafts pierced Bhishma whose bow had been cut off.

He then pierced the latter's charioteer with ten shafts and with another one shaft cut off his standard. Then Ganga's son took up another bow of superior toughness.

But that again was cut off with three sharp shafts by Phalguna. 'Thus that scorcher of foes that son of Pandu namely Savyasachin, excited with wrath again and again cut off all the bows that Bhishma took up. Then excited with wrath in consequence of his bows being cut off and licking the corners of his mouth,

Bhishma took up a lance with lightness, that was capable of rending even the breasts of mountains, and inflamed with rage he hurled that lance at the car of Phaiguna.

Beholding that lance course towards himself like the blazing bolt of Heaven, the son of Pandu took up five sharp broad headed arrows,

Then, O foremost of the Bharatas, inflamed with rage, Arjuna with those five arrows, splintered into five fragments that lance hurled with strength of Bhishma's arms.

Then shattered by the wrathful Arjuna decked with a diadem, that lance fell down like forks of lightning torn away from large masses of clouds.

Beholding his lance severed, Bhishma became inflamed with rage; and that hero that subduer of hostile cities began to think with the help of his understanding thus.

“I can slay even with a single bow all these Pandavas, if highly powerful Visaksena (Krishna) be not their protector.

I shall not fight with the Pandavas for two reasons, viz., for the unslayableness of the Pandavas and for the femininity of Shikhandin.

Formerly on the occasion of his marrying Kali, my father gratified with me, accorded me two boons, viz., death at my pleasure, and unslayableness in battle.

I now think that the proper time for my death has arrived." Ascertaining this to be the intention of Bhishma of immeasurable energy,

The Rishis and Vasus stationed in the firmament then thus addressed Bhishma saying "What you have resolved upon O sire, is also our dear will.

Therefore, O monarch, follow up in action what you have resolved; and withdraw your heart from fight.” At the conclusion of these words there began to blow an auspicious breeze,

Fragrant and moistened with sprinkles of water, from all directions. Celestial drums were also sounded emitting great din.

And, O sire, over Bhishma fell a shower of blossoms. As those Rishis and Vasus spoke, O king, none heard then.

Save the mighty armed Bhishma and myself through the prowess of the sage (Vyasa). O ruler of men, great was the flurry that was then found among the Gods, As they thought of the fall of Bhishma, that favorite of all the worlds. Then hearing those words of the celestial, that hero of great ascetic wealth, viz.,

Shantanu's son Bhishma assailed not Vibhatsu although he was then being pierced by sharp shafts capable of penetrating through all armours.

Then, O mighty monarch, Shikhaindin inflamed with wrath struck the grandsire of the Bharatas on the breast with nine shafts of great sharpness.

Then, O mighty monarch, Shikhandin inflamed with wrath struck the grandsire of the Bharatas on the breast with nine shafts of great sharpness.

Then smiling and stretching his bow Gandiva, Vibhatsu wounded Ganga's son with twenty-five short thick shafts.

Then again under the influence of wrath, Dhananjaya pierced him quick on all parts of his body and to the vitals, with one hundred shafts more.

Thus pierced by many other warriors with thousands of arrows, the mighty car-warrior Bhishma pierced them all in return quickly with his own arrows.

Then Bhishma of prowess unfailing, in battle, with his own shafts of depressed knots simultaneously baffled all these arrows shot by the hostile warriors.

Those arrows furnished with golden wings and whetted on stone that Shikhandin the mighty car-warrior shot at him could not produce any the slightest pain to him.

Thereupon inflamed with wrath the diademdecked Arjuna placing Shikhandin before him rushed at Bhishma and cut off the latter's bow.

Then he pierced Bhishma with ten arrows and with another cut down the latter's standard; then with ten other arrows he caused Bhishma's charioteer to tremble.

Then that son of Ganga took up another bow of great toughness. Then in that battle, within a twinkling of the eye, Arjuna cut off with three sharp broad-headed arrows that bow as soon as it was taken up. Thus Arjuna cut off successively all the bows that the son of Ganga took up one after another.

Thereupon Bhishma the son of Shantanu did no longer assail Vibhatsu; then the latter pierced the former with twenty-five small arrows.

That mighty bowman thus deeply pierced addressing Dushasana said: 'This mighty carwarriot of the Pandava host, viz., Pritha's son Arjuna, inflamed with rage,

Is afflicting me in battle with many thousands of arrows. This one is incapable of being conquered even by the wielder of the thunder bolt.

Regarding me, I may say that all the heroic celestial, Danavas and Rakshasas, united together, can not vanquish me in battle, what to speak of human car-warriors?"

Thus when they were conversing with one another, Arjuna, placing Shikhandin before him, began to pierce Bhishma in battle with shafts of great sharpness.

Thus pierced with sharp arrows by the wielder of the Gandiva, Bhishma once more addressing Dushasana smilingly said:

These arrows of touch resembling that of the thunder bolt, coming in an unbroken line towards me have been discharged by Arjuna. Surely they are not Shikhandin's.

Eating into my very vitals, and penetrating even through my invulnerable armour, these arrows are striking like so many bludgeons. Surely they are not Shikhandin's. Of the touch like that of a Brahmana's rod, of velocity like that of the thunder bolt and incapable of being repulsed, these arrows are sucking out my vital energies. Surely they are not Shikhandin's.

Of touch heavy like that of a mace or a bludgeon these arrows are destroying my vital breaths like so many messengers of Death. Surely they are not Shikhandin's.

Like infuriate snakes of virulent venom with their tongues protruding out these arrows are penetrating into my very vitals. Surely these are not Shikhandin's.

These are the arrows of Arjuna and not of Shikhandin, arrows that are cutting me to the quick like the bleakness of winter cutting kine to the quick.

Save and except the heroic wielder of the Gandiva bow, that owner of the standard marked with the device of an ape, viz., the ever victorious Arjuna, all the other monarchs united together can not afflict me."

Having thus spoken, the highly powerful Bhishma, as if desirous of consuming the Pandavas, hurled at Pritha's son a (terrible) lance.

Thereupon with three arrows cutting that lance into three pierces Arjuna felied it down on the ground, O Bharata, even before the very eyes of all the Kurus heroes.

Thereafter Ganga's son grasped a buckler of the polish of gold, as also a resplendent sword, desirous of reaping either victory or death.

But before he (Bhishma) could descend from his chariot, Arjuna with his shafts splintered that buckler into hundred fragments. Indeed that looked like something marvelous.

Thereupon, king Yudhishthira urged on his own division saying “Assail the son of Ganga. Entertain not the slightest fear."

Thereupon from all sides, those troops, with dares, lances, arrows, battle-axes, excellent swords, long shafts of great sharpness,

With Vatsadantas, and broad-headed arrows, rushed against that single warrior. Then loud was the sin of war-cries that rang through the Pandava ranks.

Similarly, O king, your sons all desirous of seeing Bhishma victorious rushed forward for rescuing that single hero, and they also set up a mighty uproar caused by their yells and warcries.

Then on that the tenth day when Bhishma and Arjuna contested with one another, fierce was the fight that regard between your soldiers and those of the enemy.

Then at the spot where the hostile troops clashed and smote down one another an eddy seemed to stare up into existence like that occurring at the spot where Ganga meets the Ocean.

Deluged with blood the earth then assumed a hideous aspect, and her undulations were lost to sight.

Having slain ten thousand warriors on that the tenth day of the fight, Bhishma stood on the field while his vitals were being pierced into by Arjuna.

Then Partha, holding his bow and standing at the head of his divisions broke the Kuru ranks in the very centre of their array.

Then afraid of that son of Kunti viz., Dhananjaya the owner of cream-coloured steeds and afflicted with his sharp arrows, we then began to fly away from the field of battle.

Then the Souviras, the Kitavas, the Westerners, the Northermers and the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Shurasenas, the Shinis, the Vasatis,

The Shalvas, Shakas, the Trigartas, the Ambashta, the Kaikeyas, all these illustrious warriors, afflicted with shafts, and pained with thcir cuts,

Did not abandon Bhishma in battle who had been fighting with the diadem-decked Arjuna. Then surrounding the single car-warrior *Bhishma, large numbers of the enemy,

Covered him with arrows showers, having at first defeated the rest of the Kuru warriors. “Slay” “Seize” “Fight” “Cut into pieces,"

Such were the cries, O king, that were then heard round Bhishma's chariot. Bhishma then slaughtered his foes by hundreds and thousands.

But then there was not even a space of two fingers in all his body that was not mangled with shafts. Thus then your father, mangled with keep-pointed dares shot by Phalguna, fail down from his car on the field with his head laid towards the East, a little before sunset before the very eyes of your sons.

Then at the overthrow of Bhishma loud lamentations of “Alas" and "Oh" were heard,O Bharata, among the kings, and the celestial in the heaven.

Beholding the illustrious grandsire fall, we all became dejected and depressed at heart.

That foremost of all bowmen, that mightyarmed hero fell like an uprooted standard in honour of Indra, causing the earth tremble for the while.

Covered closely with arrows he did not then touch the earth's surface. Then as that mighty bowman, that foremost of all male beings lay prostrate on his arrows bed,

Being overthrown from his car, a divine inspiration took possession of him. The raincloud Parjanya then poured down its contents and the earth waked.

When falling Bhishma had marked the sun to be then on the Southern solstice and that hero considering that hour to be inauspicious for paying his debt to nature did not allow his senses to depart.

He then also heard divine utterance in the heaven, viz., “Why should that foremost of all wielders of weapons, Oh, why should the illustrious son of Ganga,

Why should that foremost of men give up his life when the sun is in the Southern solstice?" Hearing those words Ganga's son said "I am still alive."

Then desirous of yielding his life up during the Northern solstice, the grandsire of the Kurus, viz., Bhishma though fallen on earth still retained his vital breaths.

Ascertaining that to be his intention, Ganga, the daughter of the Himalayas sent great sages under the disguise of swans then to Bhishma. one,

Then those sages disguised under the forms of swans inhabiting the Manasa lake flew to the sky, and in a line came to see Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus,

At the spot where that foremost of men was lying on his arrowy bed. Then coming to Bhishma those sages under the forms of swans,

Beheld that perpetuator of the Kuru race, viz., Bhishma laid on his bed of arrows. Then beholding that illustrious and circumbulating.

That foremost of the Bharatas, that son of Ganga, the sages, knowing the sun to be then in the Southern solstice addressing one another said

“Why should the high-souled Bhishma pass away when the sun is in the Southern solstice." Having thus spoken, the swans flew towards the Southern directions.

Then that highly intelligent Bhishma beholding them and reflecting for a while said to them, "I shall not yield up my life,

As long as the sun will remain in the Southern solstice. This indeed is my determination, I shall repair to my own former abode,

When the sun will be in the Northern solstice; this, O Swans. I tell you forsooth. I shall retain my vital breaths loO king anxiously forward for the Northern' solstice.

In as much as my giving up of my life is under my thorough control, therefore shall I retain it desirous of dying during the Northern solstice.

The boon that my illustrious father accorded me. viz.,; that I shall die at my own pleasure, let that boon be true.

As the yielding up of my vital breaths lies entirely with me, I shall retain them.” Having then thus spoken to the swans, he remained (motionless) on his arrowy bed.

Thus when the crest of the Kurus, viz., the highly puissant Bhishma was over thrown the Pandavas and the Srinjayas set up a loud warcry.

When that grandsire of the Bharatas, possessed of great strength was overthrown, O foremost of the Bharatas, your sons knew not what to do.

Then the Kurus were totally confounded; and Kripa and Duryodhana and others began to wail aloud drawing long and heavy signs.

With their senses deprived of their powers in consequence of grief, they remained inert and reflected for long and did not think of fighting.

They could not then rush against the Pandavas as if their thighs were locked and seized in a vice. When that unslayable son of Shantanu. viz., Bhishma endued with great prowess was overthrown,

O king, the destruction of the Kuru monarch became apparent. Mangled with sharp shafts and with our foremost heroes slain,

And crushed completely by Savyasachin (Arjuna), we did not then know what to do. Then obtaining victory, and a highly blessed state of existence (hereafter), the Pandavas,

All endued with heroism and possessed of bludgeon-like arms, blew their mighty conchs and, O ruler of men, the Somakas together with the Panchalas then were filled with great delight.

Then when thousands of drums were struck up, the highly powerful Bhimasena uttered his fierce war-cries and slapped his arms.

On the fall of that illustrious son of Ganga, the heroic combatants of the two armies laying down their weapons, fell to thinking.

Some wept aloud, some ran wildly, some were overwhelmed with swoon; some then censured the life of a Kshatriya and some worshipped Bhishma.

The sages and the Patriarchs all applauded Bhishma. The ancestral manes of the Bharata race also began to praise him.

Then the highly intelligent son of Shantanu, viz., Bhishma endued with great prowess, be taking himself to the Yoga taught in the Upanishadas and reiterating prayers in his mind, remained quite, anxiously loO king forward for his last hour.