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घटोत्कचवधपर्वन् (ghaTotkacavadhaparvan)

 
Mahabharata
English
[Ghaṭotkacavadhaparvan (ºva)]
(“the section including the slaughter of Ghaṭotkaca, ” the 76th of the minor parvans of Mhbhr.
cf. Ghaṭotkacavadha). § 600: THE NIGHTLY COMBAT AFTER THE FOURTEENTH DAY: A dreadful battle took place between the Pāñcālas and the Kauravas. Duryodhana. penetrated into the midst of the Pāṇḍava host, and caused an immense slaughter. Bhīmasena, etc. () & Duryodhana
Yudhishṭhira made Duryodhana insensible
Droṇa advanced to the rescue of Duryodhana
the Pāṇḍavas & Droṇa (VII, 153). Arjuna, etc. () & Droṇa. (Description of the awful night) (VII, 154.) Dhṛtarāshṭra asked Sañjaya about the battle (). Sañjaya related: Droṇa slew the Kaikeyas and the sons of Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc., and Śibi
Duryodhana sent Droṇa a driver for his chariot
the Kaliṅga prince attacked Bhīma (and Viśoka) and was slain by Bhīma with his bare fists)
Karṇa and Dhruva (the brother of the Kaliṅga prince) & Bhīma, who slew Dhruva with his fist, and then Jayarāta with a slap of his palm
Śakuni rescued Karṇa
Dhṛtarāshṭra's sons & Bhīma
Durmada mounted the chariot of Dushkarṇa
then, before the eyes of Karṇa, etc. (), Bhīma, by a kick of his foot, caused that chariot to sink into the earth, and with his fists crushed Durmada and Dushkarṇa. All the kings fled away
Bhīma repaired to Yudhishṭhira
Nakula, etc. () paid their adorations to Bhīma. The Dhārtarāshṭras + Droṇa & Bhīma (VII, 155, ). Somadatta rebuked Sātyaki for having slain Bhūriśravas while sitting in prāya ()
Sātyaki's reply (). Somadatta + Duryodhana and Śakuni & Sātyaki + Dhṛshṭadyumna
Somadatta was carried away by his driver. Droṇa & Sātyaki + Yudhishṭhira, etc. ()
the Pāṇḍava host fled away
Arjuna + Bhīma (+ Viśoka) + the Pāñcālas, etc. (i) & Droṇa + Aśvatthāman. Ghaṭotkaca (description of his chariot) + Rā. & Aśvatthāman
description of the battle of Rā.
the sons of Dhṛtarāshṭra, etc., and Karṇa fled away, but not Aśvatthāman, who soon dispelled the illusive creations of Ghaṭotkaca
Aśvatthāman & Ghaṭotkaca + the latter's son Añjanaparvan, who was slain by Aśvatthāman
Ghaṭotkaca created illusions
Aśvatthāman invoked the Vajra weapon and then the Vāyavya weapon
the followers of Ghaṭotkaca were Paulastyas and Yātudhānas. Duryodhana was afraid of them, but quieted by Aśvatthāman he urged Śakuni to proceed against Arjuna with Karṇa, etc. (), and a great force
and he should also slay Bhīma, etc. (). Śakuni proceeded quickly. Ghaṭotkaca & Aśvatthāman, who burnt a full akshauhiṇī of Rā. troops and destroyed the chariot of Ghaṭotkaca, who mounted Dhṛshṭadyumna's chariot. Bhīmasena + Ghaṭotkaca + Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc. (), & Aśvatthāman, who destroyed the Rā. host and caused a river of blood, and slew Drupada's son Suratha, and then Suratha's younger brother Śatruñjaya, etc. ()
Ghaṭotkaca was made insensible by Aśvatthāman and borne away by Dhṛshṭadyumna
Yudhishṭhira's chariots turned away. Si., G., Pś., N., birds, P., etc., Aps., and the gods applauded Aśvatthāman (VII, 156). Beholding the sons of Drupada and Kuntibhoja and Rā. in thousands slain by Aśvatthāman, Yudhishṭhira, etc. (), set their hearts firmly on battle. Somadatta & Yuyudhāna + Bhīma, who made Somadatta insensible, and slew Pratīpa's son Bāhlīka (the father of Somadatta), ten sons of Dhṛtarāshṭra
Nāgadatta, etc. (), & Bhīma, who slew them. Vṛkaratha (the brother of Karṇa) & Bhīma, who slew him, and thereupon seven brothers of Śakuni, and pressed Śatacandra down into the earth. Śakuni's five brothers, Gavāksha, etc. () & Bhīma, who slew them. Yudhishṭhira & Droṇa
Yudhishṭhira began to slay the Ambashṭhas ()
Droṇa and Yudhishṭhira employed the Vāyavya weapon
then Droṇa employed the Vāruṇa, Yāmya, Āgneya, Tvāshṭra, and Sāvitra, which were all baffled by Yudhishṭhira
then Droṇa invoked the Aindra and the Prājāpatya weapons, and Yudhishṭhira the Māhendra
then both employed the Brāhma weapon. Droṇa (with the Vāyavya weapon, abandoning Yudhishṭhira) & Drupada's division, who fled, but were rallied by Arjuna and Bhīma, who attacked Droṇa from two sides, and were followed by the Kaikayas, etc. (). The Kurus fled
Droṇa and Duryodhana in vain tried to rally them (VII, 157). Duryodhana urged Karṇa to defeat the Pāṇḍavas (Pāñcālas, etc. ())
Karṇa vowed to slay Arjuna, etc. (), and was ridiculed by Kṛpa (), who said that Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc. (), were all fighting for the Pāṇḍavas
Karṇa vowed to cut off Kṛpa's tongue if Kṛpa addressed him again in the same strain, naming Duryodhana, etc. (), as invincible, and saying that Bhīshma, etc. (), had been slain by the work of destiny (VII, 158). Aśvatthāman in rage rebuked Karṇa ()
Duryodhana and Kṛpa pacified Karṇa and Aśvatthāman. Karṇa & the Pāṇḍavas + Pāñcālas, who were vanquished and slaughtered. Urged by Duryodhana, Aśvatthāman, etc. (), & Arjuna in order to rescue Karṇa
Arjuna slew the steeds and driver of Karṇa and made him loose his bow
Karṇa took shelter in Kṛpa's chariot. Duryodhana (rallying the troops) & Arjuna
Kṛpa urged Aśvatthāman to proceed against Arjuna. Aśvatthāman made Duryodhana desist from an encounter with Arjuna
Duryodhana urged Aśvatthāman to slay the Pāñcālas and the Somakas (VII, 159). Aśvatthāman said that he, etc. (). could destroy the foe within the twinkling of an eye, and promised to fight with the Pāñcālas, etc. (). Aśvatthāman routed the Pāñcālas, etc. Dhṛshṭadyumna & Aśvatthāman
Si. and Cā., etc., applauded them
Aśvatthāman cut off the bow, the standard, the drivers, and the steeds of Dhṛshṭadyumna
the Pāñcālas and Sṛñjayas fled away (VII, 160). Yudhishṭhira and Bhīma & Aśvatthāman + Duryodhana
Yudhishṭhira slew the Ambashṭhas, etc. (), Bhīma the Abhīshāhas, etc. (), Arjuna the Yaudheyas, etc. (). Droṇa employed the Vāyavya weapon
the Pāñcālas fled, but were rallied by Bhīma and Arjuna, who attacked Droṇa from both sides together with the Sṛñjayas, etc.
the Kauravas fled
Duryodhana and Droṇa endeavoured in vain to rally them (VII, 161). Sātyaki (with white steeds of the Sindhu breed) + Bhīmasena & Somadatta (Bāhlīka's son), who was slain by Sātyaki. Yudhishṭhira + Pāṇḍavas + Prabhadrakas & Droṇa
Droṇa and Yudhishṭhira employed the Vāyavya weapon. Kṛshṇa dissuaded Yudhishṭhira from fighting with Droṇa
he should go to Duryodhana, Arjuna, and Bhīma (VII, 162). Droṇa, etc. (), afflicted one another and the troops
both armies were dejected. The remnants of the slaughtered army were once more disposed in array
Droṇa in the van, Śalya in the rear, Aśvatthāman and Śakuni on the right and left flanks
Duryodhana protected all the troops. Duryodhana ordered his troops to take up lighted lamps and torches. D., Ṛ., G., D.-ṛ., V.-D., Aps., N., Y., U., and K. also took up lamps, and many lamps came from Nārada and Parvata for Duryodhana's sake. (Description)
the glare reached the skies, and awakened by it, D., G., Y., Ṛ., etc., and Aps. came there (VII, 163). Duryodhana appointed his brothers Vikarṇa, etc. (), to protect Droṇa from the rear
Kṛtavarman should protect his right wheel, and Śala his left. The remnants of the Trigartas he placed in the van
especially Droṇa should be protected against Dhṛshṭadyumna
“Karṇa will vanquish Arjuna, Bhīmasena, and others.” Arjuna & the Kauravas
Aśvatthāman & the Pāñcāla ruler
Droṇa & the Sṛñjayas (VII, 164). Yudhishṭhira commanded all his warriors to proceed against Droṇa alone. The Pāñcālas & the Somakas & Droṇa
Kṛtavarman & Yudhishṭhira (advancing against Droṇa)
Yuyudhāna & Bhūri
Karṇa & Sahadeva (advancing in order to get at Droṇa)
Duryodhana & Bhīmasena
Śakuni & Nakula
Kṛpa & Śikhaṇḍin
Duḥśāsana & Prativindhya
Aśvatthāman & Ghaṭotkaca
Vṛshasena & Drupada (advancing against Droṇa)
Śalya & Virāṭa (advancing in order to slay Droṇa)
Citrasena & Nakula's son Śatānīka (advancing in order to slay Droṇa)
Alambusha & Arjuna
Dhṛshṭadyumna & Droṇa, etc.
Yudhishṭhira retreated, and Kṛtavarman once more began to protect the wheel of Droṇa's chariot (VII, 165). Bhūri & Sātyaki who slew him. Aśvatthāman & Sātyaki
Ghaṭotkaca & Aśvatthāman, who swooned away, but then made Ghaṭotkaca insensible, who was borne away by his charioteer. Bhīma crushed the steeds, the charioteer, and the chariot of Duryodhana, who ascended Nandaka's chariot, and was regarded as slain, also by Yudhishṭhira, who rushed to Bhīma. The Pāñcālas, etc. (), & Droṇa (VII, 166). Karṇa & Sahadeva, who was worsted by Karṇa, who touched him with his bow and scoffed at him (), but did not slay him, recollecting the words of Kuntī
Sahadeva ascended the chariot of the Pāñcāla prince Janamejaya. Virāṭa & Śalya, who deprived him of his chariot and then slew Virāṭa's brother Śatānīka
once more Virāṭa (ascending Śatānīka's chariot) & Śalya, who made him insensible
Virāṭa was carried away by his charioteer
the host fled away. Alambusha (with terrible-looking Piśācas of equine faces yoked to his chariot
description) & Arjuna (+ Kṛshṇa), who vanquished him
Alambusha fled away. Arjuna quickly proceeded towards Droṇa, slaughtering men, etc.
they all fled (VII, 167). Citrasena (Dhārtarāshṭra) & Nakula's son Śatānīka, who vanquished him
Citrasena ascended Kṛtavarman's chariot
Vṛshasena & Drupada, who swooned and was carried off by his charioteer
Vṛshasena caused a great slaughter among the Pāñcālas and the Somakas, and then proceeded to Yudhishṭhira. Duḥśāsana (Dhārtarāshṭra) & Prativindhya, who was vanquished by him and rescued by his brothers, ascended the chariot of Sutasoma and continued to fight Duḥśāsana, to whose assistance many warriors rushed, and a fierce battle ensued (VII, 168). Nakula & Śakuni, who was carried away by his charioteer
Nakula proceeded towards Droṇa. Śikhaṇḍin (proceeding towards Droṇa) & Kṛpa
(Śikhaṇḍin was carried away by his charioteer)
the Pāñcālas and Somakas surrounded him, and Dhṛtarāshṭra's sons surrounded Droṇa. A battle commenced once more (description) (VII, 169). Dhṛshṭadyumna (+ the Pāñcālas and Pāṇḍavas) & Droṇa
D., G., and Dā. wished prosperity to Droṇa
Karṇa, etc. () (in order to rescue Droṇa) & Dhṛshṭadyumna
Dhṛshṭadyumna & Drumasena, whom he slew
the six chariot warriors & Dhṛshṭadyumna
Sātyaki (in order to rescue Dhṛshṭadyumna) & Karṇa
the sons of Dhṛtarāshṭra + Karṇa + Karṇa's son Vṛshasena & Dhṛshṭadyumna + Sātyaki
Gāṇḍīva was heard, and the sound of Arjuna's chariot. Karṇa counselled Duryodhana to encompass and slay Dhṛshṭadyumna and Sātyaki
Duryoḍhana dispatched Śakuni with a large force (also Duḥśāsana, etc. ()) against Arjuna, to slay Arjuna, etc. ()
a great fight commenced. Śakāuni, etc., & Sātyaki
Droṇa & Dhṛshṭadyumna + the Pāñcālas (VII, 170). Sātyaki was surrounded by many leaders of the Kuru army
Duryodhana & Yuyudhāna, who forced him to fly away (having mounted the chariot of Kṛtavarman), and routed the foes with whom he was engaged. Arjuna & Śakuni (+ his son Ulūka), whom he deprived of his chariot
Śakuni ascended the chariot of Ulūka
Arjuna slew the Kuru army. Kṛshṇa and Arjuna blew their conches. Dhṛshṭadyumna & Droṇa, whom Dhṛshṭadyumna checked and caused an immense carnage. Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc. (), blew their conches (VII, 171). Duryodhana in anger addressed Droṇa and Karṇa (), who furiously attacked and routed the Pāṇḍava army
Droṇa, etc. ()
the Pāṇḍava host fled, throwing down their torches before the eyes of Bhīmasena, etc. (), pursued by Droṇa and Karṇa
Arjuna and Kṛshṇa rallied the retreating troops ()
a wild battle ensued between the Kurus (especially Droṇa and Karṇa) and the Pāṇḍavas (especially Yudhishṭhira) (description) (VII, 172). Karṇa & Dhṛshṭadyumna, who was deprived of his chariot by him, but then slew his steeds and ascended the chariot of Arjuna and desired to proceed, but was stopped by Yudhishṭhira. Karṇa routed the Pāñcālas, who, with the Somakas, attacked Karṇa. Meanwhile Karṇa's charioteer had yoked other white steeds of the Sindhu breed to his chariot. The Pāñcāla host (and the Sṛñjayas) fled (description)
others, only observed by Droṇa, fled away on all sides. Yudhishṭhira and Arjuna (and Kṛshṇa) conversed about Karṇa
Arjuna asked Kṛshṇa to proceed towards Karṇa. Kṛshṇa said that none except Arjuna and Ghaṭotkaca could encounter him
but Arjuna must not do it, as long as he had the lance given him by Indra
“but Ghaṭotkaca (who had celestial weapons, as also those used by Rā. and As.), would vanquish Karṇa.” They prevailed upon Ghaṭotkaca to encounter Karṇa ()
“thou, O Ghaṭotkaca, Sātyaki, and Bhīmasena are the foremost among all our warriors
Sātyaki will protect thy rear.” Ghaṭotkaca & Karṇa (VII, 173). Duryodhana urged Duḥśāsana to protect Karṇa against Ghaṭotkaca. Meanwhile the Rā. Jaṭāsura's son Alambusha said to Duryodhana that he wished to slay the Pāṇḍavas in order to avenge his father, whom they had slain, performing some Rā.-slaying incantations. Duryodhana urged him to slay Ghaṭotkaca. Alambusha & Ghaṭotkaca
both resorted to their power of illusion ()
Ghaṭotkaca slew Alambusha and threw his head upon Duryodhana's chariot, promising that he should also see the slaughter of Karṇa and then his own. Ghaṭotkaca & Karṇa (VII, 174). Requested by Dhṛtarāshṭra, Sañjaya described Ghaṭotkaca's person, armour, weapons, and chariot
then the encounter between Karṇa & Ghaṭotkaca, who employed Rā.-illusion, and even destroyed the celestial weapon of Karṇa
a Vāyavya weapon was employed by Karṇa to destroy clouds
Ghaṭotkaca was once seen on a chariot, created by illusion, yoked with a number of asses, looking like elephants, and having the faces of Piśācas
Ghaṭotkaca employed an aśani of Rudra's workmanship, furnished with eight wheels
there appeared many Rā., Pś., and Yātudhānas, etc. (VII, 175). Meanwhile, the Rā. Alāyudha, with many thousands of Rā., came to Duryodhana, and said that he wished to avenge his kinsmen Baka and Kirmīra, and his friend Hiḍimba, and the marriage of Hiḍimbā, by slaying all the sons of Kuntī, especially Bhīma, with Kṛshṇa, Ghaṭotkaca, etc. Duryodhana urged him to slay Bhīma. Alāyudha's chariot, steeds, weapons, etc., were pretty much as those of Ghaṭotkaca's (description) (VII, 176). The Kurus with Duryodhana welcomed Alāyudha, having been (with Droṇa, etc. ()), very anxious about Karṇa, who was engaged with Ghaṭotkaca. Alāyudha & Ghaṭotkaca (abandoning Karṇa)
Karṇa & Bhīmasena
Bhīma (disregarding the advancing Karṇa) & Alāyudha (abandoning Ghaṭotkaca) + all the other Rā. (who fled away)
the Rā. attacked the elephants, the Pāñcālas, and the Sṛñjayas. Kṛshṇa urged Arjuna to proceed in Bhīma's wake, and to let Dhṛshṭadyumna, etc. (), proceed against Karṇa, Nakula, etc. (), slay the other Rā.
Arjuna himself should resist Droṇa's division
then Kṛshṇa dispatched Ghaṭotkaca to protect Bhīmasena (VII, 177). Ghaṭotkaca (abandoning Karṇa) & Alāyudha (brother of Baka). Meanwhile, Yuyudhāna, etc. (), & the Rā. of Alāyudha
Arjuna shot many kshatriyas, Karṇa many Pāñcālas headed by Dhṛshṭadyumna, Śikhaṇḍin, etc. Bhīma + Nakula, etc. () (having slain the Rā.) & Karṇa
the Pāñcālas & Droṇa
Alāyudha resorted to his power of illusion, and so did Ghaṭotkaca, who cut off the head of Alāyudha and threw it down before Duryodhana, who, with all his troops, became full of anxiety, while the Pāñcālas and Pāṇḍavas roared like lions (VII, 178). Karṇa & the Pāñcālas, etc. ()
many of them entered the force of Yudhishṭhira. Ghaṭotkaca & Karṇa, who had his steeds and charioteer slain by Ghaṭotkaca, who then disappeared from view, and created a terrible illusion (description), which severely afflicted the Kuru host, which at last fled
Karṇa alone kept his ground, looked at by all the Saindhavas and Bāhlikas
Karṇa's steeds were again slain by Ghaṭotkaca, and his celesṭial weapon was baffled by Ghaṭotkava's illusion. The Kauravas urged him to slay Ghaṭotkaca with the dart presented to him by Indra, without minding Bhīma, etc. (). When Karṇa held the dart in his hands Ghaṭotkaca began to fly away in fear, all creatures in the skies uttered loud cries, etc.
Karṇa hurled the dart, and Ghaṭotkaca was slain, and falling upon the Kaurava army with his gigantic body, he slew a full akshauhiṇī, desirous of benefiting the Pāṇḍavas. The Kauravas uttered loud shouts of joy
Karṇa ascended the chariot of Duryodhana and entered the Kuru host (VII, 179). The Pāṇḍavas were filled with grief
only Kṛshṇa with transports of delight raised his warcry, embracing Arjuna, to whom he explained that he rejoiced because Karṇa's dart could not now kill Arjuna, having been employed against Ghaṭotkaca
he recited to Arjuna how he had gradually caused all the foes of the Pāṇḍavas to be slain (VII, 180), which he explained more explicitly () (VII, 181). Requested by Dhṛtarāshṭra why Karṇa had not hurled the fatal dart at Arjuna, Sañjaya assigned Kṛshṇa's policy as the reason (), though it had formed the subject of deliberation with Duryodhana, etc. (), every night. Sātyaki asked Kṛshṇa why Karṇa had not hurled his dart at Arjuna
Kṛshṇa said that Duḥśāsana, etc., had frequently discussed this subject, and Karṇa had approved of it
but Kṛshṇa always used to stupefy him
Kṛshṇa had neither sleep nor joy in his heart, as long as he could not frustrate that instrument for killing Arjuna (VII, 182). Concluding from Karṇa's not using the dart (), Dhṛtarāshṭra attributed the ill success of the Kurus to Destiny, their own folly, and the policy of Kṛshṇa, and asked Sañjaya about the battle (). Sañjaya related: All the Kauravas uttered loud shouts and began to slay the Pāṇḍava troops. Yudhishṭhira told Bhīmasena to resist the Dhārtarāshṭra host, himself sitting down with tearful face
Kṛshṇa comforted him, but Yudhishṭhira remembered the many services Ghaṭotkaca had rendered them ()
Droṇa and Aśvatthāman were the real cause of Abhimanyu's slaughter, but it was Jayadratha who was slain
“Droṇa and Karṇa are the root of our woes”
therefore Yudhishṭhira will slay Karṇa, Bhīmasena being engaged with Droṇa's division. Yudhishṭhira quickly proceeded against Karṇa, followed by the Pāñcālas, etc. (). Vyāsa approached Yudhishṭhira and congratulated him upon Karṇa's having employed his dart against Ghaṭotkaca
“on the 5th day from hence the earth will be thine.” Then he disappeared (VII, 183).