The sixth day of war

OM! Having bowed down to Narayana, and Nara, the most exalted of male beings, and also to the goddess Saraswati, must the word 'Jaya' be uttered.

The Pandava and Kaurava armies are formed in Vyuhas

Having rested for a while, both the Kurus and the Pandavas, after the night had passed away, once more went out for battle. Then loud was the uproar that arose of mighty car-warriors as they prepared for battle, and of tuskers as these were being equipped for the conflict, and of infantry as they put on their armour, and of steeds also. The blare of conches and the beat of drums became deafening in all parts of the field. Then king Yudhishthira addressed Dhrishtadyumna and said,

“O mighty-armed one, dispose the troops in the array called Makara that scorches the foe.”

Thus addressed by Pritha's son, that mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost of combatants on cars, issued the order to the car-warriors, (for forming the Makara array). Drupada, and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, formed the head of that array, and Sahadeva and that mighty car-warrior Nakula formed its two eyes. The mighty Bhimasena formed its beak. Subhadra's son, and the sons of Draupadi and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and Satyaki, and king Yudhishthira the just, were stationed in its neck. King Virata that commander of a large division, formed its back, supported by Dhrishtadyumna and a large force. The five Kekaya brothers consisted its left wing, and that tiger among men, viz., Dhrishtaketu, and Chekitana of great prowess, stationed in the right wing, stood for protecting that array. Its two feet were constituted by that mighty car-warrior the blessed Kuntibhoja, and Shatanika, supported by a large force. That great bowman, the mighty Shikhandin, surrounded by the Somakas, and Iravan, were stationed in the tail of that Makara array. Having formed their great array, the Pandavas, equipped in mail at dawn, again stood for battle. With elephants and steeds and cars and infantry, and with standards upraised and umbrellas set up, and armed with bright, whetted weapons, they quickly proceeded against the Kauravas.

Then Devavrata, beholding the (Pandava) army thus arrayed, disposed his army, in counter-array after the form of a huge crane. In its beak was Bharadwaja's son (Drona). Ashwatthaman and Kripa formed its two eyes. That foremost, of all bowmen, viz., Kritavarman, united with the ruler of the Kambojas and with the Bahlikas was stationed in its head. In its neck, were Shurasena, and Duryodhana, surrounded by many kings. The ruler of the Pragjyotishas, united with the Madras, the Sauviras, and the Kekayas, and surrounded by a large force, was stationed in its breasts. Susharman the king of Prasthala, accompanied by his own troops, stood, accoutred in mail, in the left wing. The Tusharas, the Yavanas and the Shakas, along with the Chulikas, stood in the right wing of that array. Shrutayush and Sataytish and Somadatta's son were stationed in the rear of that array protecting one another.

The war commences on the sixth day

Then the Pandavas rushed against the Kauravas for battle. The sun had risen when the battle commenced. Elephants proceeded against elephants. Horsemen rushed against horsemen, car-warriors against car-warriors, and against elephants also, in that dreadful conflict. Car-men rushed against riders of elephants, and riders of elephants against horsemen. Car-warriors engaged with foot-soldiers, and cavalry with infantry. All the warriors, excited with wrath, rushed against one another in battle. The Pandava army, protected by Bhimasena and Arjuna and the twins, looked beautiful like the night decorated with stars. Dhritarashtra’s army also, with Bhishma and Kripa and Drona and Shalya and Duryodhana, and others, shone like the firmament spangled with the planets.

Bhima’s fight

Bhimasena the son of Kunti, endued with great prowess, beholding Drona rushed against the division of Bharadwaja's son, borne by his steeds of great fleetness. Then Drona, excited with wrath in that conflict and endued with great energy, pierced Bhima with nine shafts made wholly of iron, aiming his vital limbs. Deeply pierced by Bharadwaja's son in that conflict, Bhima despatched Drona's charioteer to the region of Yama. Thereupon the son of Bharadwaja, endued with great prowess, himself restraining his steeds, began to consume the Pandava army like fire consuming a heap of cotton. While thus slaughtered by Drona and Bhishma, the Srinjayas along with the Kekayas took to flight. So Dhritarashtra’s troops also, mangled by Bhima and Arjuna, became deprived of their senses as they stood, like a beautiful female in her pride. In that conflict destructive of heroes great was the distress that befell both the armies. The troops fought with one another regardless of their lives. The Pandavas and the Kauravas, in that conflict, fought with one another counteracting one another's weapons.

The heroic Bhimasena, having with his sharp shafts broken Dhritarashtra’s mighty array, then came upon all the younger brothers of Duryodhana. The mighty Bhima, beholding Duhshasana and Durvishaha and Dussaha and Durmada and Jaya, and Jayasena and Vikarna and Chitrasena and Sudarshana, and Charuchitra and Suvarman and Dushkarna and Karna, and many other mighty car-warriors, excited with rage, of the Dhartarashtra host near enough to himself, penetrated into (Dhritarashtra’s) mighty array that was protected by Bhishma in that battle. Then, beholding him in their midst, all those warriors said,

“You kings, let us take this one's life!”

Thereupon that son of Pritha was surrounded by those cousins of his who were firmly resolved (to take his life). Bhima then resembled Surya himself of fierce splendour surrounded by the mighty planets of evil nature, at the time of the universal destruction. Although the son of Pandu was there in the very midst of the (Kaurava) array, yet fear entered not his heart, as it did not that of Indra while surrounded by the Danavas in the fierce battle of old between the celestials and the Asuras. Then thousands of car-warriors armed with all weapons and fully prepared for battle overwhelmed his single self with terrible shafts. Thereupon the heroic Bhima, disregarding the sons of Dhritarashtra, slew in that conflict many foremost warriors (of the Kaurava army) fighting from cars or upon the back of elephants and steeds. Ascertaining the purpose harboured by those cousins of his who were bent upon his destruction, the mighty Bhima set his heart upon slaying them all. Then leaving his car and taking up his mace, the son of Pandu began to smite that very sea of Dhartarashtra troops.

Then when Bhimasena thus penetrated the Dhartarashtra host, Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata, forsaking Drona (with whom he had been engaged), quickly proceeded to the spot where Subala’s son was stationed. That bull among men, baffling countless warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, came upon the empty car of Bhimasena in that battle. Beholding in that conflict, Vishoka, the charioteer of Bhimasena, Dhrishtadyumna became exceedingly cheerless and almost deprived of his senses. With voice choked in tears, and sighing as he spoke, he asked Vishoka, in grief, saying,

“Where is Bhima who is dear to me as my life itself?”

Vishoka then, joining his hands, replied unto Dhrishtadyumna saying,

“The mighty son of Pandu, endued with great strength, ordering me to wait for him here, has alone penetrated into the Dhartarashtra host that resembles the very ocean. That tiger among men very cheerfully said unto me these words

“Wait for me, O charioteer, restraining the steeds for a short space of time, that is, till I slay those that are bent upon my destruction.”

Beholding then the mighty Bhima rushing mace in hand, all our troops (that supported him) became filled with delight. Then in this fierce and terrible battle, O prince, your friend, breaking the mighty array (of the foe), has penetrated into it.”

Hearing these words of Vishoka, Prishata's son Dhrishtadyumna, endued with great strength, said unto the charioteer these words on the field of battle,

“What need have I today of life itself, if forgetting my affection for the Pandavas, I forsake Bhima in battle? If I return today without Bhima, what will the Kshatriyas say of me? What will they say of me when they will learn that while I was on the field Bhima penetrated alone into the hostile array making a single opening in it? The gods with Indra at their head visit him with evil who, forsaking his comrades in battle, returns home unhurt! The mighty Bhima again is my friend and kinsman. He is devoted to me, and I also am devoted to that slayer of foes. Therefore, I will go there, where Bhima has gone. Behold me slaying the foe like Vasava slaying the Danavas.”

Having said this, the heroic Dhrishtadyumna proceeded through the midst of the foe, along the tracks opened by Bhimasena and marked by elephants crushed with his mace. He then obtained sight of Bhimasena consuming the hostile ranks or felling Kshatriya warriors like the tempest devastating rows of trees. Car-warriors and horsemen and foot-soldiers and tuskers, while thus slaughtered by him, uttered loud cries of woe. Cries of “ah” and “alas” arose from Dhritarashtra’s troops, while they were slaughtered by the victorious Bhima accomplished in all moods of warfare. Then the Kaurava warriors all accomplished in arms, surrounding Vrikodara on all sides, fearlessly poured upon him their arrowy showers at the same time. Then the mighty son of Prishata, beholding that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that celebrated hero, viz., the son of Pandu, thus attacked on all sides by fierce ranks of foes in close array, mangled with shafts, treading the field on foot, and vomiting the poison of his wrath, mace in hand and looking like the Destroyer himself at the hour of the universal dissolution, quickly approached him and comforted him by his presence. Taking him upon his car, and plucking the arrows off from all his limbs, and embracing him warmly, the high-souled son of Prishata comforted Bhimasena in the very midst of the foe.

Then Dhritarashtra’s son, in that terrible conflict, quickly coming up to his brothers, said unto them,

“This son of Drupada of wicked soul, is now united with Bhimasena. Let us all approach him together for slaying him. Let not the foe seek our ranks (for battle).”

Hearing these words, the Dhartarashtras, thus urged on by the command of their eldest brother and unable to put up (with the foe), quickly rushed, with upraised weapons, for slaying Dhrishtadyumna like fierce comets at the hour of the universal dissolution. Taking up their beautiful bows, those heroes, making the very earth shiver with the twang of their bowstring and the rattle of their car-wheels, showered shafts on Drupada's son, like the clouds covering the mountain-breast with torrents of rain. But that hero conversant with all modes of warfare, though thus struck with sharp arrows in that battle, did not waver. On the other hand, that mighty car-warrior, the youthful son of Drupada, beholding those heroic sons of yours staying before him in battle and exerting themselves to their utmost being desirous of slaying them applied that fierce weapon called Pramohana and engaged with Dhritarashtra’s sons, like Indra with the Danavas in battle. Then those heroic warriors were deprived of their senses, their minds and strength afflicted by the Pramohana weapon. The Kauravas fled away in all directions, with their steeds and elephants and cars, beholding those sons of Dhritarashtra deprived of their senses in a swoon like those whose hours had come.

At that time Drona, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, approaching Drupada, pierced him with three fierce shafts. That monarch then, viz., Drupada, deeply pierced by Drona, left the battle, remembering his former hostility (with Bharadwaja's son). Thereupon Drona endued with great prowess having thus vanquished Drupada, blew his conch. Hearing the blare of his conch, all the Somakas were struck with fear. Then Drona, possessed of great energy, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, heard of Dhritarashtra’s sons being deprived of their senses in battle with the Pramohana weapon. Then the son of Bharadwaja, desirous of rescuing the princes, speedily left that part of the field where he was and proceeded to the place where your sons were. That mighty bowman viz., Bharadwaja's son of great prowess, there beheld Dhrishtadyumna and Bhima careering through the field in that dreadful conflict. That mighty car-warrior beheld Dhritarashtra’s sons deprived of their senses. Taking up then the weapon called Prajna, he neutralized the Pramohana weapon (that Dhrishtadyumna had shot).

Then Dhritarashtra’s sons those mighty car-warriors, when their senses returned, once more proceeded to battle with Bhima and Prishata's son. Then Yudhishthira, addressing his own troops said,

“Let twelve brave car-warriors cased in mail and headed by Subhadra's son, follow, to the utmost of their might, the track of Bhima and Prishata's son in battle. Let intelligence be had (of those two warriors). My heart is very uneasy.”

Thus ordered by the king, those heroes possessed of great prowess in battle and proud of their manliness, saying “Yes,” all proceeded forward when the sun had reached the meridian. Those chastisers of foes then, viz., the Kaikeyas and the sons of Draupadi, and Dhrishtaketu of great prowess, supported by a large force and with Abhimanyu at their head, and disposing themselves in the array called Suchimukha, penetrated into that car-division of the Dhartarashtras in battle. Dhritarashtra’s troops struck with the fear of Bhimasena and deprived of their senses by Dhrishtadyumna, were unable to resist (the rush of) those mighty bowmen headed by Abhimanyu. They were quite helpless, like a lady in the streets.

Those mighty bowmen with standards variegated with gold cutting through (the Kaurava ranks), proceeded with great speed for rescuing Dhrishtadyumna and Vrikodara. The latter, beholding those mighty bowmen headed by Abhimanyu, became filled with delight and continued to smite down Dhritarashtra’s ranks. The heroic prince of Panchala, viz., the son of Prishata, seeing meanwhile his preceptor advancing towards him with great speed, no longer wished to compass the death of Dhritarashtra’s sons. Causing Vrikodara then to be taken up on the car of the king of the Kaikeyas, he rushed in great wrath against Drona accomplished in arrow and all weapons. That slayer of foes, viz., the valiant son of Bharadwaja, excited with rage, cut off with a broad-headed shaft the bow of Prishata's son who was rushing towards him with impetuosity. Remembering the bread he had eaten of his master and desirous of doing good to Duryodhana, he also sped hundreds of shafts after Prishata's son. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Prishata, taking up another bow, pierced Drona with seventy shafts whetted on stone and furnished with wings of gold. Then that grinder of foes, viz., Drona, once more cut off his bow, and despatched his four steeds to Yama's abode with four excellent arrows, and also slew his charioteer with a broad-headed shaft.

Then that mighty car-warrior of strong arms, viz., Dhrishtadyumna, quickly descending from that car whose steeds had been slain, ascended the great car of Abhimanyu. Then Drona caused the Pandava army consisting of cars, elephants, and steeds, to tremble, in the very sight of Bhimasena and the intelligent son of Prishata. Beholding then that army thus broken by Drona of immeasurable energy, all those mighty car-warriors were incapable of checking its flight. That army, thus slaughtered by Drona with his sharp shafts, began to move in eddies there, like the agitated sea. Beholding the (Pandava) army in that condition, Dhritarashtra’s troops were filled with delight. Seeing the preceptor excited with rage and thus consuming the ranks of the foe, all Dhritarashtra’s warriors set up loud shouts and uttered exclamations in praise of Drona.

Then king Duryodhana, regaining his senses, once more began to resist Bhima with showers of arrows. Once more those mighty car-warriors viz., Dhritarashtra’s sons, united together, began to fight valiantly with Bhimasena. Bhimasena also of mighty arms during that battle, having got his car, ascended it and proceeded to the spot where Dhritarashtra’s sons were. Taking up a strong and very tough bow adorned with gold and capable of taking the lives of foes he pierced your sons in that conflict, with his shafts. Then king Duryodhana struck the mighty Bhimasena at the very vitals with a long shaft of exceeding sharpness. Then that mighty bowman, pierced thus deeply by Dhritarashtra’s son, bow in hand, forcibly drawing his own with eyes red in wrath, struck Duryodhana in his two arms and the breast with three shafts. But struck thus, he moved not, like a prince of mountains. Beholding then those two heroes excited with rage and smiting each other, the younger brothers of Duryodhana, all of whom were heroes prepared to lay down their lives, remembering their previously formed scheme of afflicting Vrikodara of terrible deeds, set about firmly resolved, for smiting him down. As they fell upon him in battle, Bhimasena of great strength rushed against them, like an elephant rushing against an attacking compeer. Excited with fury and endued with great energy, that celebrated hero then, afflicted Dhritarashtra’s son Chitrasena with a long arrow. As regards Dhritarashtra’s other sons, that descendant of Bharata smote them all in that battle, with diverse kinds of shafts furnished with wings of gold and endued with great impetus. Then king Yudhishthira the just, disposing all his own divisions properly despatched twelve mighty car-warriors including Abhimanyu and others to follow Bhimasena behind. Those, all proceeded against those mighty car-warriors, viz., Dhritarashtra’s sons. Beholding those heroes on their cars, resembling the Sun himself or the fire in splendour-those great bowmen of blazing effulgence and superb beauty, looking resplendent in that dreadful conflict with ornaments of gold, Dhritarashtra’s mighty sons abandoned Bhima (with whom they had been fighting). The sons of Kunti, however, could not bear the sight of their abandoning the conflict alive.

Then Abhimanyu, accompanied by Bhimasena pursuing Dhritarashtra’s sons, afflicted them all. Then the mighty car-warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, including Duryodhana and others, beholding Abhimanyu and Bhimasena united with Prishata's son in the midst of the (Kauravas) troops, took up their bows, and borne by their fleet steeds rushed to the spot where those warriors were. On that afternoon, a dreadful conflict took place between the mighty combatants of Dhritarashtra’s army and those of the foe. Abhimanyu, having, in that fierce battle, slain the steeds of Vikarna, pierced the latter with five and twenty small arrows. Then that mighty car-warrior, Vikarna, abandoning that car whose steeds had been slain, mounted on the resplendent car of Chitrasena. Then thus stationed on the same car, viz., those two brothers of Kuru's race, the son of Arjuna covered with showers of arrows. Then Durjaya and Vikarna pierced Abhimanyu with five shafts made wholly of iron. Abhimanyu however, shook not in the least but stood firm like the mountain Meru.

Duhshasana in that battle, fought with the five Kekaya brothers. All these seemed exceedingly wonderful. The sons of Draupadi, excited with rage, resisted Duryodhana in that battle. Each of them pierced Dhritarashtra’s son with three shafts. Dhritarashtra’s son also, invincible in battle, pierced each of the sons of Draupadi with sharp shafts. Pierced by them (in return) and bathed in blood, he shone like a hill with rillettes of water mixed with red-chalk (gliding down its breast). The mighty Bhishma also, in that battle, afflicted the Pandava army like a herdsman belabouring his herd. Then, the twang of Gandiva was heard, of Partha, who was engaged in slaughtering the foe on the right of the army.

In that part of the field headless trunks stood up by thousands, amongst the troops of both the Kauravas and the Pandavas. The field of battle resembled an ocean whose water was blood, and whose eddies were the shafts (shot by the combatants). The elephants constituted the islands of that ocean, and the steeds its waves. Cars constituted the boats by which brave men crossed it. Many brave combatants, with arms cut off, divested of armour, and hideously mutilated, were seen lying there in hundreds and thousands. With the bodies of infuriate elephants deprived of life and bathed in blood, the field of battle looked as if strewn with hills. The wonderful sight there was that neither in the Pandava army nor in Dhritarashtra’s was a single person that was unwilling to fight. Thus did those brave warriors, of both Dhritarashtra’s army and the Pandavas, fight, seeking glory and desirous of victory.

Then when the sun assumed a red hue, king Duryodhana, desirous of battle, rushed towards Bhima from desire of slaying him. Beholding that heroic warrior cherishing deep animosity (thus) coming towards him, Bhimasena, excited with great wrath, said these words,

“That hour has come which I have desired for so many years. I will slay you to-day if you do not abandon the battle. Slaying you I shall today dispel the sorrows of Kunti as also of Draupadi and the woes that were ours during our exile in the woods. Filled with pride, you had formerly humiliated the sons of Pandu. Behold, O son of Gandhari, the dire fruit of that sinful behaviour. Following the counsels of Karna as also of Subala’s son, and recking the Pandavas little, you had formerly behaved towards them as you had hinted. You had also disregarded Krishna who begged you (for peace). With a joyous heart didst you despatch Uluka (to us) with your messages. For all these, I shall slay you to-day with all your kinsmen, and thus avenge all those offences of yours of former days.”

Having said these words, Bhima bending his bow and stretching it repeatedly, and taking up a number of terrible shafts whose effulgence resembled that of the lightning itself, and filled with wrath, quickly sped six and thirty of them at Duryodhana. Those shafts resembled the flames of a blazing fire, and coursed straight with the force of the thunder-bolt. Then he pierced Duryodhana's bow with two shafts, and his charioteer with two. With four shafts he despatched Duryodhana's (four) steeds to the regions of Yama. That grinder of foes then, with two shafts shot with great force, cut off in that battle the king's umbrella from his excellent car. With three other shafts he cut off his handsome and blazing standard. Having cut it off, he uttered a loud shout in the very sight of your son. That beautiful standard of the latter, decked with diverse gems, suddenly fell down on the earth from his car like a flash of lightning from the clouds. All the kings beheld that beautiful standard of the Kuru king, bearing the device of an elephant, decked with gems, and blazing like the sun, fell down cut off (by Bhimasena). That mighty car-warrior, viz., Bhima, then pierced Duryodhana in that battle, smiling the while, with ten shafts like a guide piercing a mighty elephant with the hook. Then that foremost of car-warriors, viz., the mighty king of the Sindhus, supported by many brave warriors, placed himself on the flank of Duryodhana. Then that great car-warrior, viz., Kripa, caused the vindictive Duryodhana, that son of Kuru's race, of immeasurable energy, to mount on his own car. Then king Duryodhana, deeply pierced by Bhimasena and feeling great pain, sat down on the terrace of that car.

Then Jayadratha, desirous of slaying Bhima, surrounded him on all sides with several thousands of cars. Then, Dhrishtaketu and Abhimanyu of great energy, and the Kekayas, and the sons of Draupadi, all encountered Dhritarashtra’s sons. The high-souled Abhimanyu smote them all, piercing each with five straight shafts, resembling the bolts of heaven or Death's selves, shot from his excellent bow. Thereupon, all of them, unable to bear it (coolly), showered on that foremost of car-warriors, viz., the son of Subhadra, a perfect down-pour of sharp shafts like rain-charged clouds pouring rain on the breast of the mountains of Meru. But Abhimanyu, that invisible warrior accomplished in arms, thus afflicted by them in battle, caused all Dhritarashtra’s sons to tremble like the wielder of the thunder-bolt causing the mighty Asuras to tremble in the battle between the celestials and the latter. Then that foremost of car-warriors shot fourteen broad-headed shafts, fierce and looking like snakes of virulent poison, at Vikarna. Endued with great prowess and as if dancing in that battle, he felled with those shafts the standard of Vikarna from his car and slew also his charioteer and steeds.

Then that mighty car-warrior, the son of Subhadra, again sped at Vikarna many other arrows that were well-tempered, straight-going, and capable of penetrating every armour. Those arrows furnished with feathers of the kanka bird, coming at Vikarna and passing through his body, entered the earth, like hissing snakes. Those arrows, with wings and points decked with gold, bathed in Vikarna's blood, seemed to vomit blood on the earth. Beholding Vikarna thus pierced, his other uterine brothers rushed, in that battle, against those car-warriors headed by Subhadra's son. When these invincible warriors upon their (own) cars came upon those combatants (of the Pandava army) resplendent like so many suns and staying on their cars both began to pierce one another. Durmukha, having pierced Shrutakarman with five shafts, cut off the latter's standard with a single shaft and then pierced his charioteer with seven. Advancing closer, he slew with half a dozen shafts his foe's steeds, fleet as the wind and cased in golden armour, and then felled his charioteer. Shrutakarman, however, staying on that car of his, the steeds of which had been slain, hurled in great wrath a dart blazing like a fierce meteor. That dart, blazing with effulgence, passing through the renowned Durmukha's hard coat of mail, penetrated into the earth. Meanwhile the mighty Sutasoma beholding Shrutakarman deprived of his car, caused him to mount upon his own car in the very sight of all the troops. The heroic Shrutakirti rushed against your son Jayatsena in that battle, desirous of slaying that renowned warrior. Then Dhritarashtra’s son Jayatsena with a sharp arrow having a horse-shoe head, smiling the while, cut off the bow of the high-souled Shrutakirti as the latter came along stretching it in his hands. Then Shatanika, beholding his uterine brother's bow cut off, endued as he was with great valour, quickly came at that spot repeatedly roaring like a lion. Shatanika, drawing his bow in that battle with great force, speedily pierced Jayatsena with ten shafts, and uttered a loud shout like an infuriate elephant. With another arrow of sharp point and capable of penetrating every armour, Shatanika deeply pierced Jayatsena in the chest. Just at that time, Dushkarna who was near his brother (Jayatsena) infuriate with anger, cut off Shatanika's bow and arrow. Then the mighty Shatanika taking up another excellent bow capable of bearing a great strain, aimed many sharp shafts. Addressing Dushkarna in the presence of his brother (Jayatsena), saying “Wait”, “Wait”, he sped at him those sharp and blazing shafts resembling so many snakes. Then he speedily cut off Dushkarna's bow with one arrow, and slew his charioteer with two, and then pierced Dushkarna himself with seven arrows. That spotless warrior then with a dozen sharp shafts slew all the steeds of Dushkarna that were fleet as the mind and of variegated hue. Then with another broad-headed arrow, well-aimed and capable of coursing swiftly, Shatanika, excited with great wrath deeply pierced Dushkarna in the chest. Thereupon the latter fell down on the earth like a tree struck with lightning. Beholding Dushkarna slain, five mighty car-warriors, surrounded Shatanika on all sides, from desire of slaying him. They struck the renowned Shatanika with showers of arrows. Then the five Kekaya brothers, excited with wrath, approached (Shatanika for rescuing him). Beholding the latter coming upon them, your sons those mighty car-warriors, rushed towards them like elephants rushing against mighty elephants. (These amongst Dhritarashtra’s sons, viz.,) Durmukha and Durjaya and the youthful Durmarshana and Shatrunjaya and Shatrusha, all renowned warriors, excited with rage, proceeded against the (five) Kekaya brothers. On their cars that resembled (fortified) towns, unto which were yoked steeds decked with ornaments, and which were graced with beautiful standards of variegated hue, those heroes wielding excellent bows and cased in beautiful coats of mail and owning excellent standards, entered the hostile army like lions entering one forest from another. Smiting one another, fierce and terrific was the battle that ensued between them and the foe, in which cars and elephants got entangled with one another. Cherishing feelings of hostility towards one another, the terrible battle in which they took part lasted for a short space of time about sunset, increasing the population of Yama's kingdom.

Car-warriors and horsemen by thousands were strewn over the field. Bhishma the son of Shantanu excited with wrath, began to slaughter the troops of the high-souled Pandavas with his straight shafts. With his arrows he began to despatch the combatants of the Panchalas to the domains of Yama. The grandsire, having thus broken the ranks of the Pandavas at last withdrew his troops and retired to his encampment. King Yudhishthira also, beholding both Dhrishtadyumna and Vrikodara, smelt their heads, and filled with joy, retired to his tents.