The eighth 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.

Vyuha formations

Having passed the night in sound steep, those rulers of men, the Kauravas and the Pandavas, once more proceeded to battle. When the troops of both armies were about to proceed to the field, great was the uproar heard there, resembling the loud uproar of the ocean itself. Then king Duryodhana, and Chitrasena, and Vivimshati, and that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhishma and Bharadwaja's son possessed of great prowess, those mighty car-warriors, clad in mail and uniting together, formed with great care the array of the Kauravas against the Pandavas. Having formed that mighty array fierce as the ocean and having for its billows and current its steeds and elephants, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, then, proceeded in the forefront of the whole army, supported by the Malavas, and the inhabitants of the southern countries, and the Avantis. Next to him was the valiant son of Bharadwaja, accompanied by the Pulindas, the Paradas, and the Kshudraka-Malavas. Next to Drona was the valiant Bhagadatta, firmly resolved on fight, accompanied by the Magadhas, the Kalingas, and the Pishachas. Behind Bhagadatta was Brihadbala the king of the Kosalas accompanied by the Melakas, the Tripuras, and the Chichilas. Next to Brihadbala was the brave Trigarta, the ruler of the Prasthala, accompanied by a large number of the Kambojas, and by Yavanas in thousands. Next to the ruler of the Trigartas proceeded that mighty hero, viz., the son of Drona, uttering leonine roars and filling the earth with those shouts. Next to Drona's son proceeded king Duryodhana with the whole army, surrounded by his uterine brothers. Behind Duryodhana proceeded Kripa the son of Sharadwat. It was thus that that mighty array, resembling the very ocean, advanced (to battle). Standards and white umbrellas, and beautiful bracelets and costly bows shed their effulgence there.

Beholding that mighty array of Dhritarashtra’s forces, that great car-warrior Yudhishthira, speedily addressed the generalissimo (of his forces), viz., Prishata's son saying,

“Behold, O great bowman, that array, already formed, resembling the ocean. Do you also, O son of Prishata, form without delay your counter-array.”

(Thus addressed), the heroic son of Prishata formed that terrible array called Shringataka that is destructive of all hostile arrays. At the horns were Bhimasena and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Satyaki, with many thousands of cars as also of horse and infantry. Next to them was that foremost of men, (viz., Arjuna) of white steeds and having Krishna for his charioteer. In the centre were king Yudhishthira and the twin sons of Pandu by Madri. Other royal bowmen, conversant with the science of arrays, with their troops, filled up that array. In the rear were ordered Abhimanyu, and that mighty car-warrior, Virata, and the sons of Draupadi and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha. Thus having formed their mighty array, the heroic Pandavas waited on the field, longing for battle and desirous of victory. The loud noise of drums mingling with the blare of conches and leonine roars and shouts (of the combatants) and the slapping of their armpits, became terrible and filled all the points of the compass.

The war commences

Then those brave warriors, approaching one another for battle, looked at one another with winkless eyes. Then, the warriors, first challenging each other by name, engaged with each other. Then commenced a fierce and terrible battle between Dhritarashtra’s troops and those of the foe striking one another. In that battle, whetted shafts fell in showers like terrible snakes with mouths wide open. Polished darts of impetuous force, washed with oil shone like the effulgent flashes of lightning from the clouds. Maces decked with gold and attached to bright slings were seen to fall all over the field, resembling beautiful crests of hills. Sabres of the colour of the clear (blue) sky, and shields of bull's hides and decked with a hundred moons, as they fell everywhere over the field looked beautiful. As the two armies were engaged in battle with each other, they looked resplendent like the celestial and the demoniac hosts battling with each other. All around they rushed against one another in battle. Foremost of royal car-warriors, impetuously dashing against car-warriors in that dreadful battle, fought on, with the yokes of their cars entangled with those of their adversaries. All over the field flashes of fire mixed with smoke were generated, in consequence of friction, in the tusks of battling elephants. Combatants on the backs of elephants, struck with lances, were seen all around to fall down like blocks (loosened) from crests of hills. Brave foot-soldiers, battling with their bare arms or with lances, and striking one another, looked exceedingly beautiful. The warriors of the Kaurava and the Pandava hosts, coming upon one another in that conflict, despatched one another with diverse kinds of shafts to the abode of Yama.

Then Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, filling (the air) with the rattle of his car, and depriving the foe of his senses by the twang of his bow, rushed against the Pandavas in battle. The car-warriors of the Pandavas, too, headed by Dhrishtadyumna, uttering fierce shouts, rushed at him, firmly resolved on fight. Then commenced a battle between the infantry, car-warriors, and elephants, of the Pandavas and the Kauravas, in which the combatants became all entangled with one another.

Bhima kills eight of Dhritarashtra’s sons

The Pandavas were incapable of even looking at Bhishma excited with rage in battle and scorching every side like the Sun himself shedding scorching heat. Then all the (Pandava) troops, at the command of Dharma's son, rushed at the son of Ganga who was grinding (everything) with his whetted arrows, Bhishma, however, who delighted in battle felled the mightiest of bowmen amongst the Srinjayas and the Panchalas, with his shafts. Though thus slaughtered by Bhishma, the Panchalas along with the Somakas still rushed impetuously at him, forsaking the fear of death. The heroic Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, however, in that battle, cut off the arms and heads of their car-warriors. Devavrata deprived their car-warriors of cars. The heads of cavalry soldiers on their chargers fell fast. Huge elephants looked like hills, deprived of their riders, and paralysed with Bhishma's weapons, lying all around. Amongst the Pandavas, there was no other man save that foremost of car-warriors, the mighty Bhimasena, (who could resist Bhishma).

Indeed, Bhima alone, approaching Bhishma, encountered him in battle. Then in that encounter between Bhima and Bhishma, a fierce and terrible uproar arose among all the troops (of the Kauravas). The Pandavas then, filled with joy, uttered leonine shouts. During that destructive carnage, king Duryodhana, surrounded by his uterine brothers, protected Bhishma in that battle. Then that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhima, slew Bhishma's charioteer. Thereupon the steeds no longer controlled, ran away from the field with car. Then that slayer of foes, viz., Bhima with a sharp arrow having a horse-shoe head, cut off the head of Sunabha. (Thus) slain, the latter fell down on the earth. When that son of Dhritarashtra, that mighty car-warrior and great bowman was slain, seven of his heroic brothers could not (quietly) bear (that act). These, viz., Adityaketu and Bahvasin, and Kundadhara and Mahodara, and Aparajita, and Panditaka and the invincible Vishalaksha, clad in variegated armour and with their beautiful coats of mail and weapons, these grinders of foes desirous of battle, rushed against the son of Pandu. Mahodara, in that battle, pierced Bhimasena with nine winged arrows, each resembling the thunder-bolt in force, like the slayer of Vritra striking (the great Asura) Namuchi. Adityaketu struck him with seventy shafts, and Bahvasin with five. Kundadhara struck him with ninety shafts, and Vishalaksha with seven. That conqueror of foes, the mighty car-warrior Aparajita struck Bhimasena of great strength with many arrows. Panditaka also, in battle, pierced him with three arrows. Bhima, however, did not (quietly) bear these attacks of his foes in battle. Forcibly grasping the bow with his left hand, that grinder of foes cut off, in that battle, the head, with a straight shaft, of Dhriarashtra’s son Aparajita, graced with a fine nose. Thus vanquished by Bhima, his head then dropped on the ground. Then, in the very sight of all the troops, Bhima despatched, with another broad-headed arrow, the mighty car-warrior Kundadhara to the domain of Death. Then that hero of immeasurable soul, once more aiming an arrow, sped it, at Panditaka in that battle. The arrow killing Panditaka, entered the earth, like a snake impelled by Death quickly entering the earth after despatching the person (whose hour had come). Of undepressed soul, that hero then, recollecting his former woes, felled Vishalaksha's head, cutting it off with three arrows. Then Bhima, in that battle, struck the mighty bowman Mahodara in the centre of the chest with a long shaft. Slain (therewith), the latter fell down on the earth. Then, cutting off with an arrow the umbrella of Adityaketu in that battle, he severed his head with another broad-headed shaft of exceeding sharpness. Then, excited with rage, Bhima, with another straight shaft, despatched Bahvasin towards the abode of Yama. Then Dhriarashtra’s other sons all fled away regarding the words to be true which Bhima had uttered in the (midst of the Kaurava) assembly. Then king Duryodhana afflicted with sorrow on account of his brothers, addressed all his troops, saying,

“There is Bhima. Let him be slain.”

Thus, Dhriarashtra’s sons, those mighty bowmen, beholding their brothers slain, recollected those words beneficial and peaceful, that Vidura of great wisdom had spoken. From the way in which that mighty armed hero was slaying the Kauravas, it seemed that that mighty son of Pandu has assuredly taken his birth for the destruction of Dhriarashtra’s sons. Meanwhile, king Duryodhana, overwhelmed with great grief, went to Bhishma, and there, overcome with sorrow, he began to lament, saying,

“My heroic brothers have been slain in battle by Bhimasena. Although, again, all our troops are fighting bravely, yet they also are failing. You seem to disregard us, behaving (as you do) like an indifferent spectator, Alas, what course have I taken. Behold my evil destiny.”

Hearing these cruel words of Duryodhana, Devavrata with eyes filled with tears, said this unto him,

“Even this was said by me before, as also by Drona, and Vidura, and the renowned Gandhari. O son, you did not then comprehend it. O grinder of foes, it has also been before settled by me that neither myself, nor Drona, will ever escape with life from this battle. I tell you truly that those upon whom Bhima will cast his eyes in battle, he will surely slay. Therefore, O king, summoning all your patience, and firmly resolved on battle, fight with the sons of Pritha, making heaven your goal. As regards the Pandavas, they are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods with Vasava (at their head). Therefore, setting your heart firmly on battle, fight, O Bharata.”

At midday the battle became exceedingly awful and fraught with great carnage. Then all the troops (of the Pandava army), excited with rage, rushed, at the command of Dharma's son, against Bhishma alone from desire of slaying him. Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandin, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, accompanied by their forces, proceeded against Bhishma alone. Those mighty car-warriors, viz., Virata and Drupada, with all the Somakas, rushed in battle against Bhishma alone. The Kaikeyas, and Dhrishtaketu, and Kuntibhoja, equipped in mail and supported by their forces, rushed against Bhishma alone. Arjuna, and the sons of Draupadi, and Chekitana of great prowess, proceeded against all the kings under the command of Duryodhana. The heroic Abhimanyu, and that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Hidimba, and Bhimasena excited with wrath, rushed against the (other) Kauravas. (Thus) the Pandavas, divided into three bodies began to slaughter the Kauravas.

Similarly the Kauravas also began to slaughter their foes. That foremost of car-warriors, viz., Drona excited with wrath, rushed against the Somakas and the Srinjayas, desirous of sending them to the abode of Yama. Thereupon loud cries of woe arose among the brave Srinjayas while they were being slaughtered by Bharadwaja's son bow in hand. Large numbers of Kshatriyas, struck down by Drona, were seen to all convulsing like persons writhing in the agony of disease. All over the field were continuously heard moans and shrieks and groans resembling those of persons afflicted with hunger. So the mighty Bhimasena, excited with wrath, and like unto a second Yama, caused a terrible carnage amongst the Kaurava troops. There in that dreadful battle, in consequence of the warriors slaying one another, a terrible river began to flow whose billowy current consisted of blood. That battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas, becoming fierce and awful, began to swell the population of Yama's kingdom.

Then in that battle Bhima excited with wrath, fell with great impetuosity upon the elephant division (of the Kauravas) and began to send many to the regions of Death. Then, struck with Bhima's shafts, some of those beasts fell down, some were paralysed, some shrieked (in pain), and some ran away in all directions. Huge elephants, their trunks cut off and limbs mangled, screaming like cranes, began to fall down on the earth.

Nakula and Sahadeva fell upon the (Kaurava) cavalry. Many steeds with garlands of gold on their heads and with their necks and breasts adorned with ornaments of gold, were seen to be slain in hundreds and thousands. The earth was strewn with fallen steeds. Some were deprived of their tongues; and some breathed hard; and some uttered low moans, and some were void of life. The earth looked beautiful with those steeds of such diverse kinds. At the same time, she looked fiercely resplendent with a large number of kings slain by Arjuna in that battle.

Strewn with broken cars and rent banners and brilliant umbrellas, with torn chamaras and fans, and mighty weapons broken into fragments, with garlands and necklaces of gold, with bracelets, with heads decked with ear-rings, with head-gears loosened (from off heads), with standards, with beautiful bottoms of cars, and with traces and reins, the earth shone as brightly as she does in spring when strewn with flowers. It was thus that the Pandava host suffered destruction when Bhishma the son of Shantanu, and Drona that foremost of car-warriors, and Ashwatthaman, and Kripa, and Kritavarman, were inflamed with wrath. Similarly Dhriarashtra’s army also suffered the same kind of destruction when the other side, viz., the Pandava heroes were excited with rage.

The killing of Iravan

During the progress of that fierce battle fraught with the slaughter of great heroes, Shakuni the glorious son of Subala, rushed against the Pandavas. So also, Hridika's son of the Satwata race, that slayer of hostile heroes, rushed in that battle against the Pandava ranks. Smiling the while, (several warriors on Dhriarashtra’s side), with a large number of steeds consisting of the best of the Kamboja breed as also of those born in the country of the Rivers, and of those belonging to Aratta and Mahi and Sindhu, and of those of Vanayu also that were white in hue, and lastly those of hilly countries, surrounded (the Pandava army). So also with horses, exceedingly swift, fleet as the very winds, and belonging to the Tittri breed, (others encompassed that army). With many horses, clad in mail and decked with gold, the foremost of their class and fleet as the winds the mighty son of Arjuna (viz., Iravan), that slayer of foes, approached the (Kaurava) force.

This handsome and valiant son of Arjuna, named Iravan, was begotten upon the daughter of the king of the Nagas by the intelligent Partha. Her husband having been slain by Garuda, she became helpless, and of cheerless soul. Childless as she was, she was bestowed (upon Arjuna) by the high-souled Airavat. Partha accepted her for wife, coming to him as she did under the influence of desire. It was thus that that son of Arjuna was begotten upon the wife of another. Abandoned by his wicked uncle from hatred of Partha, he grew up in the region of the Nagas, protected by his mother. He was handsome and endued with great strength, possessed of diverse accomplishments, and of prowess incapable of being baffled. Hearing that Arjuna had gone to the region of Indra, he speedily went there. The mighty-armed Iravan, possessed of prowess incapable of being baffled, approaching his sire, saluted him duly, standing before him with joined hands. He introduced himself to the high-souled Arjuna, saying,

“I am Iravan. blessed be you, and I am your son, O lord”.

He reminded Arjuna of all the circumstances connected with the latter's meeting with his mother. Thereupon the son of Pandu recollected all those circumstances exactly as they happened. Embracing his son then who resembled himself in accomplishments, Partha, in Indra's abode, was filled with joy. The mighty-armed Iravan then, in the celestial regions was, joyfully commanded by Arjuna, with regard to his own business, (in these words), “When the battle takes place, assistance should be rendered by you.” Saying “Yes”, he went away.

Now at the time of battle he presented himself. Accompanied with a large number of steeds of great fleetness and beautiful colour. Those steeds, decked with ornaments of gold, of various colours and exceeding fleetness, suddenly coursed over the field like swans on the bosom of the vast deep. Those steeds failing upon Dhriarashtra’s of exceeding swiftness, struck their chests and noses against those of Dhriarashtra’s. Afflicted by their own impetuous clash (against Dhriarashtra’s), they suddenly fell down on the earth. In consequence of those steeds as also of Dhriarashtra’s occasioned by that clash, loud sounds were heard resembling what occurs at Garuda's swoop. The rider of those steeds, thus dashing against one another in that battle, began to slay one another fiercely. During that general engagement which was fierce and terrible, the chargers of both sides (escaping from press of battle) ran wildly away over the field. Weakened by one another's shafts, brave warriors, with their horses killed under them, and themselves worn out with exertion, perished fast sabring one another.

Then when those cavalry divisions were thinned and a remnant only survived, the Younger brothers of Subala’s son, Possessed of great wisdom, rode out (from the Kaurava array) to the forefront of battle, mounted On excellent charges that resembled the tempest itself in both fleetness and the violence of their dash and that were well-trained and neither old nor young. Those six brothers endued with great strength, viz., Gaya, Gavaksha, Vrishaba, Charmavat, Arjava, and Shuka dashed out of the mighty (Kaurava) array, supported by Shakuni and by their respective forces of great valour, themselves clad in mail, skilled in battle, fierce in mien, and possessed of exceeding might. Breaking through that invincible cavalry division (of the Pandavas), those Gandhara warriors who could with difficulty be vanquished, supported by a large force, desirous of heaven, longing for victory, and filled with delight, penetrated into it. Beholding them filled with joy, the valiant Iravan, addressing his own warriors decked with diverse ornaments and weapons, said unto them,

“Adopt such contrivances in consequence of which these Dhritarashtra warriors with their weapons and animals may all be destroyed.”

Saying “Yes”, all those warriors of Iravan began to slay those mighty and invincible Dhartarashtra soldiers. Beholding that their own warriors were thus overthrown by Iravan's division, those sons of Subala being unable to beat it coolly, all rushed at Iravan and surrounded him on all sides. Commanding (all their followers) to attack those of Iravan with lances, those heroes swept over the field, creating a great confusion. Iravan, pierced with lances by those high-souled warriors, and bathed in blood that trickled down (his wounds), looked like an elephant pierced with the hook. Wounded deeply on the chest, back, and flanks, singly encountering the many, he did not yet, swerve from his (natural) firmness. Indeed, Iravan, excited with rage, deprived all those adversaries of their senses, piercing them, in that battle, with sharp shafts. That chastiser of foes, tearing those lances from off his body, struck with them the sons of Subala in battle. Then unsheathing his polished sword and taking a shield, he rushed on foot, desirous of slaying Subala’s sons in that combat.

The sons of Subala, however, recovering their senses, once more rushed at Iravan, excited with wrath. Iravan, however, proud of his might, and displaying his lightness of hand, proceeded towards all of them, armed with his sword. Moving as he did with great activity, the sons of Subala, although they moved about on their fleet steeds, could not find an opportunity for striking that hero (on foot). Beholding him then on foot, his foes surrounded him closely and wished to take him captive. Then that crusher of foes, seeing them contiguous to himself, struck off, with his sword, both their right and left arms, and mangled their other limbs. Then those arms of theirs adorned with gold, and their weapons, fell down on the earth, and they themselves, with limbs mangled, fell down on the field, deprived of life. Only Vrishaba, with many wounds on his person, escaped (with life) from that dreadful battle destructive of heroes.

Beholding them lying on the field of battle, Dhriarashtra’s son Duryodhana, excited with wrath said unto that Rakshasa of terrible mien, viz., Rishyasringa's son (Alambusha), that great bowman versed in illusion, that chastiser of foes, who bore feelings of animosity against Bhimasena in consequence of the slaughter of Baka, these words:

“Behold, O hero, how the mighty son of Phalguni, versed in illusion, has done me a severe injury by destroying my forces. You also, O sire, are capable of going everywhere at will and accomplished in all weapons of illusion. You cherish animosity also for Partha. Therefore, do you slay this one in battle.”

Saying “Yes”, that Rakshasa of terrible mien proceeded with a leonine roar to that spot where the mighty and youthful son of Arjuna was. He was supported by the heroic warriors of his own division, accomplished in smiting, well-mounted, skilled in battle and fighting with bright lances. Accompanied by the remnant of that excellent cavalry division (of the Kauravas), he proceeded, desirous of slaying in battle the mighty Iravan. That slayer of foes, viz., the valiant Iravan, excited with rage, and advancing speedily from desire of slaying the Rakshasa, began to resist him. Beholding him advance, the mighty Rakshasa speedily set himself about for displaying his powers of illusion. The Rakshasa then created a number of illusive chargers which were riden by terrible Rakshasas armed with spears and axes. Those two thousand accomplished smiters advancing with rage, were however, soon sent to the regions of Yama, (falling in the encounter with Iravan's forces).

When the forces of both perished, both of them, invincible in battle, encountered each other like Vritra and Vasava. Beholding the Rakshasa, who was difficult of being vanquished in battle, advancing towards him, the mighty Iravan, excited with rage, began to check his onset. When the Rakshasa approached him nearer, Iravan with his sword quickly cut off his bow, as also each of his shafts into five fragments. Seeing his bow cut off, the Rakshasa speedily rose up into the welkin, confounding with his illusion the enraged Iravan. Then Iravan also, difficult of approach, capable of assuming any form at will, and having a knowledge of what are the vital limbs of the body, rising up into the welkin, and confounding with his illusion the Rakshasa began to cut off the latter's limbs in that battle and thus were the limbs of the Rakshasa repeatedly cut into several pieces. Then the Rakshasa, however, was re-born, assuming a youthful appearance. Illusion is natural with them, and their age and form are both dependent on their will. The limbs of that Rakshasa, cut into pieces, presented a beautiful sight.

Iravan, excited with rage, repeatedly cut that mighty Rakshasa with his sharp axe. The brave Rakshasa, thus cut into pieces like a tree by the mighty Iravan, roared fiercely. Those roars of his became deafening. Mangled with the axe, the Rakshasa began to pour forth blood in torrents. Then (Alambusha), the mighty son of Rishyashringa, beholding his foe blazing forth with energy, became infuriate with rage and himself put forth his prowess in that combat. Assuming a prodigious and fierce form, he endeavoured to seize the heroic son of Arjuna, viz., the renowned Iravan. In the sight of all the combatants there present, beholding that illusion of the wicked Rakshasa in the forefront of battle, Iravan became inflamed with rage and adopted steps for himself having recourse to illusion. When that hero, never retreating from battle, became inflamed with wrath, a Naga related to him by his mother's side, came to him. Surrounded on all sides, in that battle by Nagas, that Naga assumed a huge form mighty as Ananta himself. With diverse kinds of Nagas then he covered the Rakshasa. While being covered by those Nagas, that bull among Rakshasas reflected for a moment, and assuming the form of Garuda, he devoured those snakes. When that Naga of his mother's line was devoured through illusion, Iravan became confounded. While in that state, the Rakshasa slew him with his sword, Alambusha felled on the earth Iravan's head decked with ear-rings and graced with a diadem and looking beautiful like a lotus or the moon.

When the heroic son of Arjuna was thus slain by the Rakshasa, the Dhartarashtra host with all the kings (in it) were freed from grief. In that great battle that was so fierce, awful was the carnage that occurred among both the divisions. Horses and elephants and foot-soldiers entangled with one another, were slain by tuskers. Many steeds and tuskers were slain by foot-soldiers. In that general engagement bodies of foot-soldiers and cars, and large numbers of horses belonging both to the armies were slain by car-warriors. Meanwhile, Arjuna, not knowing that the son of his loins had been slaughtered, slew in that battle many kings who had been protecting Bhishma. The warriors of Dhriarashtra’s army and the Srinjayas, by thousands, poured out their lives as libations (on the fire of battle), striking one another. Many car-warriors, with dishevelled hair, and with swords and bows fallen from their grasp fought with their bare arms, encountering one another. The mighty Bhishma also, with shafts capable of penetrating into the very vitals, slew many mighty car-warriors and caused the Pandava army to tremble (the while). By him were slain many combatants in Yudhishthira's host, and many tuskers and cavalry-soldiers and car-warriors and steeds. Beholding the prowess of Bhishma in that battle, it seemed that it was equal to that of Shakra himself. The prowess of Bhimasena, as also that of Parshata, was hardly less (than that of Bhishma). So also the battle fought by that great bowman (viz., Satyaki) of Satwata's race, was equally fierce. Beholding, however, the prowess of Drona, the Pandavas were struck with fear. Indeed they thought,

“Alone, Drona can slay us with all our troops. What then should be said of him when he is surrounded by a large body of warriors who for their bravery are renowned over the world?”

Even this was what the Partha said, afflicted by Drona. During the progress of that fierce battle, the brave combatants of neither army forgave their adversaries of the other. The mighty bowmen of both Dhriarashtra’s army and that of the Pandavas, inflamed with wrath, fought furiously with one another, as if they were possessed of by the Rakshasas and demons. Indeed, he did not see any one in the battle which was so destructive of lives and which was considered as a battle of the demons, to take of life.

Ghatotkacha fights Duryodhana

Beholding Iravan slain in battle, the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, the son of Bhimasena, uttered loud shouts. In consequence of the loudness of those roars, the earth having the ocean for her robes, along with her mountains and forests, began to tremble violently. The welkin also and the quarters both cardinal and subsidiary, all trembled. Hearing those loud roars of his, the thighs and other limbs of the troops began to tremble, and sweat also appeared on their persons. All Dhriarashtra’s combatants became cheerless of heart. All over the field the warriors stood still, like an elephant afraid of the lion. The Rakshasa, uttering those loud roars resembling the rattle of thunder, assuming a terrible form, and with a blazing spear upraised in hand, and surrounded by many bulls among Rakshasas of fierce forms armed with diverse weapons, advanced, excited with rage and resembling the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. Beholding him advance in wrath and with a terrible countenance, and seeing also his own troops almost all running away from fear of that Rakshasa, king Duryodhana rushed against Ghatotkacha, taking up his bow with arrow fixed on the string, and repeatedly roaring like a lion. Behind him proceeded the ruler of the Vangas, with ten thousand elephants, huge as hills, and each with juice trickling down. Beholding Dhriarashtra’s son (thus) advancing surrounded by that elephant division, that ranger of the night (viz., Ghatotkacha) was highly inflamed with rage.

Then commenced a battle with utmost vehemences that made the hair stand on end, between the formidable Rakshasa and the troops of Duryodhana. Beholding also that elephant division risen (on the horizon) like a cloud, the Rakshasas, inflamed with rage, rushed towards it, weapons in hand, and uttering diverse roars like clouds charged with lightning. With arrows and darts and swords and long shafts, as also with spears and mallets and battle-axes and short arrows, they began to smite down that elephant host. They slew huge elephants with mountain-summits and large trees. While the Rakshasas slew those elephants, some of them had their frontal globes smashed, some were bathed in blood, and some had their limbs broken or cut through. At last when that elephant host was broken and thinned, Duryodhana rushed upon the Rakshasas, under the influence of rage and becoming reckless of his very life. That mighty warrior sped clouds of sharp shafts at the Rakshasas. That great bowman slew many of their foremost warriors. Inflamed with rage that mighty car-warrior, viz., Duryodhana, then slew with four shafts four of the principal Rakshasas, viz., Vegavat, Maharudra, Vidyujihva, and Pramathin.

Once again, that warrior of immeasurable soul, sped at the Rakshasa host showers of arrows that could with difficulty be resisted. Beholding that great feat of Dhriarashtra’s son, the mighty son of Bhimasena blazed up with wrath. Drawing his large bow effulgent as the lightning, he rushed impetuously at the wrathful Duryodhana. Beholding him (thus) rushing like Death himself commissioned by the Destroyer, Dhriarashtra’s son Duryodhana shook not at all. With eyes red in anger, and excited with rage, Ghatotkacha, then, addressing Dhriarashtra’s son, said,

“I shall today be freed from the debt I owe to my sires, as also to my mother, they that had so long been exiled by your cruel self. The sons of Pandu, O king, were vanquished by you in that match at dice. Drupada's daughter Krishna also, while ill and, therefore, clad in a single raiment, was brought into the assembly and great trouble was given by you in diverse ways, O you most wicked, unto her. While dwelling also in her sylvan retreat, your well-wisher, that wicked wight, viz., the ruler of the Sindhus, persecuted her further, disregarding my sires. For these and other wrongs, O wretch of your race, I shall today take vengeance if you do not quit the field.”

Having said these words, Hidimba’s son, drawing his gigantic bow, biting his (nether) lip with his teeth, and licking the corners of his mouth, covered Duryodhana with a profuse shower, like a mass of clouds covering the mountain-breast with torrents of rain in the rainy season.

That arrowy shower, difficult of being borne by even the Danavas, king Duryodhana, however, (quietly) bore in that battle, like a gigantic elephant bearing a shower (from the blue). Then filled with anger and sighing like a snake, Dhriarashtra’s son was placed in a position of great danger. He then shot five and twenty sharp arrows of keen points. These fell with great force on that bull among Rakshasas, like angry snakes of virulent poison on the breast of Gandhamadana. Pierced with those shafts, blood trickled down the Rakshasa's body and he looked like an elephant with rent temples. Thereupon that cannibal set his heart upon the destruction of the (Kuru) king. He took up a huge dart that was capable of piercing even a mountain. Blazing with light, effulgent as a large meteor, it flamed with radiance like the lightning itself. The mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, desirous of slaying Dhriarashtra’s son, raised that dart. Beholding that dart upraised, the ruler of the Vangas mounting upon an elephant huge as a hill, drove towards the Rakshasa.

On the field of battle, with the mighty elephant of great speed, Bhagadatta placed himself in the very front of Duryodhana's car. With that elephant he completely shrouded the car of your son. Beholding then the way (to Duryodhana's car) thus covered by the intelligent king of the Vangas, the eyes of Ghatotkacha became red in anger. He ruled that huge dart, before upraised, at that elephant. Struck with that dart hurled from the arms of Ghatotkacha, that elephant, covered with blood and in great agony, fell down and died. The mighty king of the Vangas, however, quickly jumping down from that elephant, alighted on the ground. Duryodhana then beholding the prince of elephants slain, and seeing also his troops broken and giving way, was filled with anguish. From regard, however, for a Kshatriya's duty as also his own pride, the king, though defeated, stood firm like a hill. Filled with wrath and aiming a sharp arrow that resembled the Yuga fire in energy, he sped it at that fierce wanderer of the night. Beholding that arrow, blazing as Indra's bolt, thus coursing towards him, the high-souled Ghatotkacha baffled it by the celerity of his movements. With eyes red in wrath, he once more shouted fiercely, frightening all Dhriarashtra’s troops, like the clouds that appear at the end of the Yuga.

Hearing those fierce roars of the terrible Rakshasa, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, approaching the preceptor, said these words,

“These fierce roars that are heard, uttered by Rakshasas, without doubt indicate that Hidimba’s son is battling with king Duryodhana. That Rakshasa is incapable of being vanquished in battle by any creature. Therefore, blessed be you, go there and protect the king. The blessed Duryodhana has been attacked by the high-souled Rakshasa. Therefore, you chastisers of foes, even this is our highest duty.”

Hearing those words of the grandsire, those mighty car-warriors without loss of time and with the utmost speed, proceeded to the spot when the king of the Kurus was. They met Duryodhana and Somadatta and Bahlika and Jayadratha; and Kripa and Bhurishravas and Shalya, and the two princes of Avanti along with Brihadbala, and Ashwatthaman and Vikarna, and Chitrasena and Vivimshati. Many thousands of other car-warriors, including all those that followed them, proceeded, desirous of rescuing Duryodhana who had been hotly pressed. Beholding that invincible division protected by those mighty car-warriors, coming towards him with hostile intentions, that best of Rakshasas, viz., the mighty-armed Ghatotkacha, stood firm like the Mainaka mountain, with a huge bow in hand, and surrounded by his kinsmen armed with clubs and mallets and diverse other kinds of weapons. Then commenced a fierce battle, making the hair stand on end, between those Rakshasas on the one side and that foremost of Duryodhana's divisions on the other. The loud noise of twanging bows in that battle was heard on all sides resembling the noise made by burning bamboos. The din produced by the weapons falling upon the coats of mail of the combatants resembled the noise of splitting hills. The lances hurled by heroic arms, while coursing through the welkin, looked like darting snakes.

Then, excited with great wrath and drawing his gigantic bow, the mighty-armed prince of the Rakshasas, uttering a loud roar, cut off, with a crescent-shaped arrow, the preceptor's bow in a rage. Overthrowing, with another broad-headed arrow, the standard of Somadatta, he uttered a loud yell. He pierced Bahlika with three shafts in the centre of the chest. He pierced Kripa with one arrow, and Chitrasena with three. With another arrow, well-armed and well-sped from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he struck Vikarna at the shoulder-joint. Thereupon the latter, covered with gore, sat down on the terrace of his car. Then that Rakshasa of immeasurable soul, excited with rage sped at Bhurishravas five and ten shafts. These, penetrating through the latter's armour, entered the earth. He then struck the chariot of Vivimshati and Ashwatthaman. These fell down on the front of their cars, relinquishing the reins of the steeds. With another crescent-shaped shaft he overthrew the standard of Jayadratha bearing the device of a boar and decked with gold. With a second arrow he cut off the latter's bow. With eyes red in wrath, he slew with four shafts the four steeds of the high-souled king of Avanti. With another arrow, well-tempered and sharp, and shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he pierced king Brihadbala. Deeply pierced and exceedingly pained, the latter sat down on the terrace of his car. Filled with great wrath and seated on his car, the prince of the Rakshasas then shot many bright arrows of keen points that resembled snakes of virulent poison. These succeeded in piercing Shalya accomplished in battle.

Having in that battle made all those warriors (of Dhriarashtra’s army) turn their faces from the field, the Rakshasa then rushed at Duryodhana, desirous of slaying him. Beholding him rushing with great impetuosity towards the king, many warriors of Dhriarashtra’s army, incapable of defeat in battle, rushed towards him (in return) from desire of slaying him. Those mighty car-warriors, drawing their bows that measured full six cubits long, and uttering loud roars like a herd of lions, all rushed together against that single warrior. Surrounding him on all sides, they covered him with their arrowy showers like the clouds covering the mountain-breast with torrents of rain in autumn. Deeply pierced with those arrows and much pained, he resembled then an elephant pierced with the hook. Quickly then he soared up into the firmament like Garuda. (while there) he uttered many loud roars like the autumnal clouds, making the welkin and all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, resounded with those fierce cries.

Hearing those roars of the Rakshasa, king Yudhishthira then, addressing Bhima, said unto that chastiser of foes these words,

“The noise that we hear uttered by the fiercely-roaring Rakshasa, without doubt, indicates that he is battling with the mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army. I see also that the burden has proved heavier than what that bull among Rakshasas is able to bear. The grandsire, too, excited with rage, is ready to slaughter the Panchalas. For protecting them Phalguni is battling with the foe. O you of mighty arms hearing now of these two tasks, both of which demand prompt attention, go and give succour to Hidimba’s son who is placed in a position of very great danger.”

Listening to these words of his brother, Vrikodara, with great speed, proceeded, frightening all the kings with his leonine roars, with great impetuosity like the ocean itself during the period of the new full moon. Him followed Satyadhriti and Sauchiti difficult of being vanquished in battle, and Shrenimat, and Vasudana and the powerful son of the ruler of Kashi, and many car-warriors headed by Abhimanyu, as also those mighty car-warriors, viz., the sons of Draupadi, and the valiant Kshatradeva, and Kshatradharman, and Nila, the ruler of the low countries, at the head of his own forces. These surrounded the son of Hidimba with a large division of cars (for aiding him). They advanced to the rescue of Ghatotkacha, that prince of the Rakshasas, with the six thousand elephants, always infuriate and accomplished in smiting. With their loud leonine roars, and the clatter of their car-wheels, and with the tread of their horse's hoofs, they made the very earth to tremble. Hearing the din of those advancing warriors the faces of Dhriarashtra’s troops who were filled with anxiety in consequence of their fear of Bhimasena became pale. Leaving Ghatotkacha then they all fled away.

Then commenced in that part of the field a dreadful battle between those high-souled warriors and Dhriarashtra’s, both of whom were unretreating. Mighty car-warriors, hurling diverse kinds of the weapons, chased and smote one another. That fierce battle striking terror into the hearts of the timid, was such that the different classes of combatants became entangled with one another. Horses engaged with elephants and foot-soldiers with car-warriors. Challenging one another, they engaged in the fight. In consequence of that clash of cars, steeds, elephants, and foot-soldiers, a thick dust appeared, raised by the car-wheels and the tread (of those combatants and animals). That dust, thick and of the colour of reddish smoke, shrouded the field of battle. The combatants were unable to distinguish their own from the foe. Sire recognised not the son, and son recognised not the sire, in that dreadful engagement which made the hair stand on end and in which no consideration was shown (by any one for any body). The noise made by the hissing weapons and the shouting combatants resembled that made by departed spirits (in the infernal regions). There flowed a river whose current consisted of the blood of elephants and steeds and men. The hair (of the combatants) formed its weeds and moss. In that battle heads falling from the trunks of men made a loud noise like that of a falling shower of stones. The earth was strewn with the headless trunks of human beings, with mangled bodies of elephants and with the hacked limbs of steeds. Mighty car-warriors chased one another for smiting one another down, and hurled diverse kinds of weapons. Steeds, urged by their riders and falling upon steeds, dashed against one another and fell down deprived of life. Men, with eyes red in wrath, rushing against men and striking one another with their chests, smote one another down. Elephants, urged by their guides against hostile elephants, slew their compeers in that battle, with the points of their tusks. Covered with blood in consequence of their wounds and decked with standards (on their backs), elephants were entangled with elephants and looked like masses of clouds charged with lightning. Some amongst them mounted (by others) with the points of their tusks, and some with their frontal globes split with lances, ran here and there with loud shrieks like masses of roaring clouds. Some amongst them with their trunks lopped off, and others with mangled limbs, dropped down in that dreadful battle like mountains shorn of their wings. Other huge elephants, copiously shedding blood from their flanks, ripped open by compeers, looked like mountains with (liquified) red chalk running down their sides (after a shower). Others, slain with shafts or pierced with lances and deprived of their riders, looked like mountains deprived of their crests. Some amongst them, possessed by wrath and blinded (with fury) in consequence of the juice (trickling down their temples and cheeks) and no longer restrained with the hook, crushed cars and steeds and foot-soldiers in that battle by hundreds. So steeds, attacked by horsemen with bearded darts and lances, rushed against their assailants, as if agitating the points of the compass. Car-warriors of noble parentage and prepared to lay down their lives, encountering car-warriors, fought fearlessly, relying upon their utmost might. The combatants seeking glory or heaven, struck one another in that awful press, as if in a marriage by self-choice. During however, that dreadful battle making the hair stand on end, the Dhartarashtra troops generally were made to run their backs on the field.

Duryodhana fights Bhima

Beholding his own troops slain, king Duryodhana then excited with wrath, rushed towards Bhimasena, that chastiser of foes. Taking up a large bow whose effulgence resembled that of Indra's bolt, he covered the son of Pandu with a thick shower of arrows. Filled with rage, and aiming a sharp crescent-shaped shaft winged with feathers, he cut off Bhimasena's bow. That mighty car-warrior, noticing an opportunity, quickly aimed at his adversary a whetted shaft capable of riving the very hills. With that (shaft), that mighty-armed (warrior) struck Bhimasena in the chest. Deeply pierced with that arrow, and exceedingly pained, and licking the corners of his mouth, Bhimasena of great energy caught hold of his flag-staff decked with gold. Beholding Bhimasena in that cheerless state, Ghatotkacha blazed up with wrath like an all-consuming conflagration. Then many mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, headed by Abhimanyu and with wrath generated (in their bosoms), rushed at the king shouting loudly. Beholding them (thus) advancing (to the fight) filled with wrath and in great fury, Bharadwaja's son addressing the mighty car-warriors (of Dhriarashtra’s side), said these words,

“Go quickly, blessed be you, and protect the king. Sinking in an ocean of distress, he is placed in a situation of great danger. These mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, these great bowmen, placing Bhimasena at their head, are rushing towards Duryodhana, shooting and hurling diverse kinds of weapons, resolved upon winning success, uttering terrible shouts, and frightening the kings (on your side).”

Hearing these words of the preceptor, many warriors of Dhriarashtra’s side headed by Somadatta rushed upon the Pandava ranks. Kripa and Bhurishravas and Shalya, and Drona's son and Vivimshati, and Chitrasena and Vikarna, and the ruler of the Sindhus, and Brihadbala, and those two mighty bowmen, viz., the two princes of Avanti, surrounded the Kuru king. Advancing only twenty steps, the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras began to strike, desirous of slaughtering each other. The mighty-armed son of Bharadwaja also, having said those words (unto the Dhartarashtra warriors), stretched his own large bow and pierced Bhima with six and twenty arrows. Once again that mighty car-warrior speedily covered Bhimasena with a shower of arrows like a mass of clouds dropping torrents of rain on the mountain-breasts in the rainy season. That mighty bowman Bhimasena, however, of great strength, speedily pierced him in return with ten shafts on the left side. Deeply pierced with those arrows and exceedingly pained, the preceptor, enfeebled as he is with age, suddenly sat down on the terrace of his car, deprived of consciousness.

Beholding him thus pained, king Duryodhana himself, and Ashwatthaman also, excited with wrath, both rushed towards Bhimasena. Beholding those two warriors advance, each like Yama as he shows himself at the end of the Yuga, the mighty-armed Bhimasena, quickly taking up a mace, and jumping down from his car without loss of time, stood immovable like a hill, with that heavy mace resembling the very club of Yama, upraised in battle. Beholding him with mace (thus) upraised and looking (on that account) like the crested Kailasa, both the Kuru king and Drona's son rushed towards him. Then the mighty Bhimasena himself rushed impetuously at those two foremost of men thus rushing together towards him with great speed. Beholding him thus rushing in fury and with terrible expression of face, many mighty car-warriors of the Kaurava army speedily proceeded towards him. Those car-warriors headed by Bharadwaja's son, impelled by the desire of slaughtering Bhimasena, hurled at his breast diverse kinds of weapons, and thus all of them together afflicted Bhima from all sides.

Beholding that mighty car-warrior thus afflicted and placed in a situation of great peril, many mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, headed by Abhimanyu, and prepared to lay down dear life itself, rushed to the spot, desirous of rescuing him. The heroic ruler of the low country, the dear friend of Bhima, viz., Nila, looking like a mass of blue clouds, rushed at Drona's son, filled with wrath. A great bowman, Nila always desired an encounter with Drona's son. Drawing his large bow, he pierced the son of Drona with many winged arrows, like Shakra in days of old, piercing the invincible Danava Viprachitti, that terror of the celestials, who, moved by anger frightened the three worlds by his energy. Pierced after the same way by Nila with his well-shot arrows winged with feathers, Drona's son, covered with blood and exceedingly pained, was filled with wrath. Drawing then his large bow, of twang loud as the roar of Indra's thunder, that foremost of intelligent persons set his heart upon the destruction of Nila. Aiming then a few bright shafts of broad heads and sharpened by the hands of their forger, he slew the four steeds of his adversary and overthrew also his standard. With the seventh shaft he pierced Nila himself in the chest. Deeply pierced and exceedingly pained, he sat down on the terrace of his car.

Beholding king Nila, who looked like a mass of blue clouds, in a swoon, Ghatotkacha, filled with wrath and surrounded by his kinsmen, rushed impetuously towards Drona's son, that ornament of battle. Similarly many other Rakshasas, incapable of being easily defeated in battle, rushed at Ashwatthaman. Beholding then that Rakshasa of terrible mien coming towards him, the valiant son of Bharadwaja impetuously rushed towards him. Filled with wrath he slew many Rakshasas of formidable visage, that is, those wrathful ones amongst them who were in Ghatotkacha's forefront. Beholding them repulsed from the encounter by means of the shafts shot from the bow of Drona's son, Bhimasena's son Ghatotkacha of gigantic size was filled with rage. He then exhibited a fierce and awful illusion. Therewith that prince of the Rakshasas, endued with extraordinary powers of illusion, confounded the son of Drona in that battle. Then all your troops, in consequence of that illusion, turned their backs upon the field. They beheld one another cut down and lying prostrate on the surface of the earth, writhing convulsively, perfectly helpless, and bathed in blood. Drona and Duryodhana and Shalya and Ashwatthaman, and other great bowmen that were regarded as foremost among the Kauravas, also seemed to fly away. All the car-warriors seemed to be crushed, and all the kings seemed to be slain. Horses and horse-riders seemed to be cut down in thousands. Beholding all this, Dhriarashtra’s troops fled away towards their tents. Although, both Sanjaya and Devavrata cried out at the top of our voices, saying,

“Fight, do not fly away, all this is Rakshasa illusion in battle, applied by Ghatotkacha.”

Yet they stopped not, their senses having been confounded. Although both of them said so, still struck with panic, they gave no credit to their words. Beholding them fly away the Pandavas regarded the victory to be theirs, with Ghatotkacha (among them) they uttered many leonine shouts. All around they filled the air with their shouts mingled with the blare of their conches and the beat of their drums. It was thus that Dhriarashtra’s whole army, routed by the wicked Ghatotkacha, towards the hour of sunset, fled away in all directions.

Bhagadatta fights Bhima and Ghatotkacha

After that great battle, king Duryodhana, approaching Ganga's son and saluting him with humility, began to narrate to him all that had happened about the victory won by Ghatotkacha and his own defeat. That invincible warrior, sighing repeatedly, said these words unto Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kurus,

“O lord, relying upon you, as Vasudeva has been (relied upon) by the foe, a fierce war has been commenced by me with the Pandavas. These eleven Akshauhinis of celebrated troops that I have, are, with myself, obedient to your command, O chastiser of foes. O tiger among the Bharatas, though thus situated, yet have I been defeated into battle by the Pandava warriors headed by Bhimasena relying upon Ghatotkacha. It is this that consumes my limbs like fire consuming dry tree. O blessed one, O chastiser of foes, I therefore, desire, through your grace, O grandsire, to slay Ghatotkacha myself, that worst of Rakshasas, relying upon your invincible self. It befits you to see that wish of mine may be fulfilled.”

Hearing these words of the king, that foremost one among the Bharatas, viz., Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, said these words unto Duryodhana,

“Listen, O king, to these words of mine that I say unto you, O you of Kuru's race, about the way in which you, O chastiser of foes, should always behave. One's own self, under all circumstances, should be protected in battle, O repressor of foes. You should always, O sinless one, battle with king Yudhishthira the Just, or with Arjuna, or with the twins, or with Bhimasena. Keeping the duty of a king before himself, a king strikes a king. Myself, and Drona, and Kripa, and Drona's son, and Kritavarman of the Satwata race, and Shalya, and Somadatta's son, and that mighty car-warrior Vikarna, and your heroic brothers headed by Duhshasana, will all, for your sake, battle against that mighty Rakshasas. Or if your grief on account of that fierce prince of the Rakshasas be too great, let this one proceed in battle against that wicked warrior, that is to say, king Bhagadatta who is equal unto Purandara himself in fight.”

Having said this much unto the king, the grandsire skilled in speech then addressed Bhagadatta in the presence of the (Kuru) king, saying,

“Proceed quickly, O great monarch, against that invincible warrior, viz., the son of Hidimba. Resist in battle, with care, and in view of all the bowmen, that Rakshasa of cruel deeds, like Indra in days of old resisting Taraka. Your weapons are celestial. Your prowess also is great, O chastiser of foes. In days of old many have been the encounters that you had with Asura, O tiger among kings, you are that Rakshasa's match in great battle. Strongly supported by your own troops, slay, O king, that bull among Rakshasas.”

Hearing these words of Bhishma the generalissimo (of the Kaurava army), Bhagadatta specially set out with a leonine roar facing the ranks of the foe. Beholding him advance towards them like a mass of roaring clouds, many mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army proceeded against him, inflamed with wrath. They were Bhimasena, and Abhimanyu and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha; and the sons of Draupadi, and Satyadhriti, and Kshatradeva, and the rulers of the Chedis, and Vasudana, and the king of the Dasharnas. Bhagadatta then, on his elephant named Supratika, rushed against them. Then commenced a fierce and awful battle between the Pandavas and Bhagadatta, that increased the population of Yama's kingdom. Shafts of terrible energy and great impetuosity, shot by car-warriors, fell on elephants and cars. Huge elephants with rent temples and trained (to the fight) by their guides, approaching fell upon one another fearlessly. Blind (with fury) in consequence of the temporal juice trickling down their bodies, and excited with rage, attacking one another with their tusks resembling stout bludgeons, they pierced one another with the points of those weapons. Graced with excellent tails, and ridden by warriors armed with lances, steeds, urged by those riders fell fearlessly and with great impetuosity upon one another. Foot-soldiers, attacked by bodies of foot-soldiers with darts and lances, fell down on the earth by hundreds and thousands. Car-warriors upon their cars, slaughtering heroic adversaries in that battle by means of barbed arrows and muskets and shafts, uttered leonine shouts.

During the progress of the battle making the hair stand on end, that great bowman, viz., Bhagadatta, rushed towards Bhimasena, on his elephant of rent temples and with juice trickling down in seven currents and resembling (on that account) a mountain with (as many) rillets flowing down its breast after a shower. He came scattering thousands of arrows from the head of Supratika (whereon he stood) like he illustrious Purandara himself on his Airavata. King Bhagadatta afflicted Bhimasena with that arrowy shower like the clouds afflicting the mountain breast with torrents of rain on the expiry of summer. That mighty bowman Bhimasena, however, excited with rage, slew by his arrowy showers the combatants numbering more than a hundred, that protected the flanks and rear of Bhagadatta. Beholding them slain, the valiant Bhagadatta, filled with rage, urged his prince of elephants towards Bhimasena's car. That elephant, thus urged by him, rushed impetuously like an arrow propelled from the bowstring towards Bhimasena, that chastiser of foes. Beholding that elephant advancing, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, placing Bhimasena at their head, themselves rushed towards it. Those warriors were the (five) Kekaya princes, and Abhimanyu, and the (five) sons of Draupadi and the heroic ruler of the Dasharnas, and Kshatradeva also, and the ruler of the Chedis, and Chitraketu. All these mighty warriors came, inflamed with anger, and exhibiting their excellent celestial weapons. They all surrounded in anger that single elephant (on which their adversary rode). Pierced with many shafts, that huge elephant, covered with gore flowing from his wounds, looked resplendent like a prince of mountain variegated with (liquified) red chalk (after a shower). The ruler of the Dasharnas then, on an elephant that resembled a mountain, rushed towards Bhagadatta's elephant. That prince of elephants, however, viz., Supratika, bore (the rush of) that advancing compeer like the continent bearing (the rush of) the surging sea. Beholding that elephant of the high souled king of the Dasharnas thus resisted, even the Pandava troops, applauding, cried out “Excellent, excellent!” Then that best of kings, viz., the ruler of the Pragjyotishas, excited with rage, sped four and ten lances at that elephant. These, speedily penetrating through the excellent armour, decked with gold, that covered the animal's body, entered into it, like snakes entering anthills.

Deeply pierced and exceedingly pained, that elephant, its fury quelled, speedily turned back with great force. It fled away with great swiftness, uttering frightful shrieks, and crushing the Pandava ranks like the tempest crushing trees with its violence. After that elephant was (thus) vanquished, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, uttering loud leonine shouts, approached for battle. Placing Bhima at their head, they rushed at Bhagadatta scattering diverse kinds of arrows and diverse kinds of weapons. Hearing the fierce shouts of those advancing warriors swelling with rage and vengeance, that great bowman Bhagadatta, filled with rage and perfectly fearless, urged his own elephant. That prince of elephants then, thus urged with the hook and the toe, soon assumed the form of the (all-destructive) Samvarta fire (that appears at the end of the Yuga). Crushing crowds of cars and (hostile) compeers and steeds with riders, in that battle, it began to turn here and there. Filled with rage it also crushed foot-soldiers by hundreds and thousands. Attacked and agitated by that elephant, that large force of the Pandavas shrank in dimensions like a piece of leather exposed to the heat of fire.

Beholding, then the Pandava array broken by the intelligent Bhagadatta, Ghatotkacha, of fierce mien, with blazing face and eyes red as fire, filled with rage, rushed towards him. Assuming a terrible form and burning with wrath, he took up a bright dart capable of riving the very hills. Endued with great strength, he forcibly hurled that dart that emitted blazing flames from every part desirous of slaying that elephant. Beholding it coursing towards him with great impetuosity, the ruler of the Pragjyotishas sped at it a beautiful but fierce and sharp arrow with a crescent head. Possessed of great energy he cut off that dart with that arrow of his. Thereupon that dart, decked with gold, thus divided in twain, dropped down on the ground, like the bolt of heaven, hurled by Indra, flashing through the welkin. Beholding that dart (of his adversary), divided in twain and fallen on the ground, Bhagadatta took up a large javelin furnished with a golden staff and resembling a flame of fire in effulgence, and hurled it at the Rakshasa, saying, “Wait, Wait”. Seeing it coursing towards him like the bolt of heaven through the welkin, the Rakshasa jumped up and speedily seizing it uttered a loud shout. Quickly placing it against his knee, he broke it in the very sight of all the kings. All this seemed exceedingly wonderful. Beholding that feat achieved by the mighty Rakshasa, the celestials in the firmament, with the Gandharvas  and the Munis, were filled with wonder. The Pandava warriors also, headed by Bhimasena, filled the earth with cries of “Excellent, Excellent”.

Hearing, however, those loud shouts of the rejoicing Pandavas, that great bowman, viz., the valiant Bhagadatta, could not bear it (coolly). Drawing his large bow whose effulgence resembled that of Indra's bolt, he roared with great energy at the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, shooting at the same time many bright arrows of great sharpness and possessed of the effulgence of fire. He pierced Bhima with one arrow, and the Rakshasa with nine. He pierced Abhimanyu with three, and the Kekaya brothers with five. With another straight arrow shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch, he pierced, in that battle, the right arm of Kshatradeva. Thereupon the latter's bow with arrow fixed on the bowstring dropped down from his hand. He struck the five sons of Draupadi with five arrows. From wrath, he slew the steeds of Bhimasena. With three shafts winged with feathers, he cut down Bhimasena's standard bearing the device of a lion. With three other shafts he pierced Bhima's charioteer. Deeply pierced by Bhagadatta in that battle, and exceedingly pained, Vishoka thereupon, sat down on the terrace of the car. Then, that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Bhima, thus deprived of his car, quickly jumped down from his large vehicle taking up his mace. Beholding him with mace upraised and looking like a crested hill, all Dhriarashtra’s troops, became filled with great fear.

Just at this time that son of Pandu who had Krishna for his charioteer, slaughtering the foe on all sides as he came, appeared at that spot where those tigers among men, those mighty car-warriors, viz., Bhimasena and Ghatotkacha, sire and son, were engaged with the ruler of the Pragjyotishas. Beholding his brothers, those mighty car-warriors, engaged in battle, that son of Pandu quickly commenced to fight, profusely scattering his shafts. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., king Duryodhana, speedily urged on a division of his troops abounding with cars and elephants. Towards that mighty division of the Kauravas thus advancing with impetuosity, Arjuna of white steeds rushed with great impetuosity. Bhagadatta also, upon that elephant of his, crushing the Pandava ranks, rushed towards Yudhishthira. Then commenced a fierce battle between Bhagadatta, and the Panchalas, the Srinjayas, and the Kekayas, with upraised weapons. Then Bhimasena, in that battle told both Keshava and Arjuna in detail about the slaughter of Iravan as it had occurred.

Arjuna grieves the death of Iravan

Hearing that his son Iravan had been slain, Dhananjaya was filled with great grief and sighed like a snake. Addressing Vasava in the midst of battle, he said these words,

“Without doubt, the high-souled Vidura of great wisdom had before seen (with his mind's eye) this awful destruction of the Kurus and the Pandavas. It was for this that he forbade king Dhritarashtra. In this battle, O slayer of Madhu, many other heroes have been slain by the Kaurava and many amongst the Kauravas have similarly been slain by ourselves. O best of men, for the sake of wealth vile acts are being done. Fie upon that wealth for the sake of which such slaughter of kinsmen is being perpetrated. For him that has no wealth, even death would be better than the acquisition of wealth by the slaughter of kinsmen. What, O Krishna, shall we gain by slaying our assembled kinsmen? Alas, for Duryodhana's, fault, and also of Shakuni the son of Subala, as also through the evil counsels of Karna, the Kshatriya race is being exterminated, O slayer of Madhu, I now understand, O mighty-armed one, that the king acted wisely by begging of Suyodhana only half the kingdom, or, instead, only five villages. Alas, even that was not granted by that wicked-souled wight. Beholding so many brave Kshatriyas lying (dead) on the field of battle, I censure myself, (saying) fie upon the profession of a Kshatriya. The Kshatriyas will regard me powerless in battle. For this alone, I am battling. Else, O slayer of Madhu, this battle with kinsmen is distasteful to me. Urge the steeds on with speed towards the Dhartarashtra army, I will, with my two arms, reach the other shore of this ocean of battle that is so difficult to cross. There is no time, O Madhava, to lose in action.”

Thus addressed by Partha, Keshava, that slayer of hostile heroes, urged those steeds of white hue endued with the speed of the wind. Then, loud was the noise that was heard among Dhriarashtra’s troops, resembling that of the ocean itself at full tide when agitated by the tempest. In the afternoon, the battle that ensued between Bhishma and the Pandavas was marked by noise that resembled the roar of the clouds. Then, Dhriarashtra’s sons, surrounding Drona like the Vasus surrounding Vasava, rushed in the battle against Bhimasena. Then Shantanu’s son, Bhishma, and that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Kripa, and Bhagadatta, and Susharman, all went towards Dhananjaya. Hridika's son (Kritavarman) and Bahlika rushed towards Satyaki. King Ambashta placed himself before Abhimanyu. Other great car-warriors encountered other great car-warriors. Then commenced a fierce battle that was terrible to behold.

Bhima kills nine sons of Dhritarashtra

Bhimasena then, beholding Dhriarashtra’s sons, blazed up with wrath in that battle, like fire with (a libation of) clarified butter. Dhriarashtra’s sons, however, covered that son of Kunti with their arrows like the clouds drenching the mountain-breast in the season of rains. While being (thus) covered in diverse ways by Dhriarashtra’s sons, that hero, possessed of the activity of the tiger, licked the corners of his mouth. Then, Bhima felled Vyudoraska with a sharp horse-shoe-headed arrow. Thereupon that son of Dhriarashtra’s was deprived of life. With another broad-headed arrow, well-tempered and sharp, he then felled Kundalin like a lion overthrowing a smaller animal. Then, getting Dhriarashtra’s (other) sons (within reach of his arrows), he took up a number of shafts, sharp and well-tempered, and with careful aim speedily shot these at them. Those shafts, sped by that strong bowman, viz., Bhimasena, felled Dhriarashtra’s sons, those mighty car-warriors, from their vehicles. (These sons of yours that were thus slain were) Anadhriti, and Kundabhedin, and Virata, and Dirghalochana, and Dirghabahu, and Subahu, and Kanykadhyaja. While falling down (from their cars), those heroes looked resplendent like falling mango trees variegated with blossoms in the spring. Then Dhriarashtra’s sons fled away, regarding the mighty Bhimasena as Death himself.

Then like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on the mountain breast, Drona in that battle covered with arrows from every side that hero who was thus consuming Dhriarashtra’s sons. The prowess of Kunti's son was exceedingly wonderful, for though held in check by Drona, he still slew Dhriarashtra’s sons. Indeed, as a bull bears a shower of rain falling from above. Bhima cheerfully bore that shower of arrows shot by Drona. Wonderful was the feat that Vrikodara achieved there, for he slew Dhriarashtra’s sons in that battle and resisted Drona the while. Indeed, the elder brother of Arjuna sported amongst those heroic sons of Dhritarashtra, like a mighty tiger among a herd of deer. As a wolf, staying in the midst of a herd of deer, would chase and frighten those animals, so did Vrikodara, in that battle chase and frighten Dhriarashtra’s sons.

End of eighth day of war

Meanwhile, Ganga's son, and Bhagadatta, and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Gautama, began to resist Arjuna, that impetuous son of Pandu. That Atiratha, baffling with his weapons the weapons of those adversaries of his in that battle, despatched many prominent heroes of Dhriarashtra’s army to the abode of Death. Abhimanyu also, with his shafts, deprived that renowned and foremost of car-warriors, viz., king Ambashtha, of his car. Deprived of his car and about to be slain by the celebrated son of Subhadra, that king quickly jumped down from his car in shame, and hurled his sword in that battle at the high-souled Abhimanyu. Then, that mighty monarch got up on the car of Hridika's son, conversant with all movements in battle. Subhadra's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholding that sword coursing towards him, baffled it by the celerity of his movements. Seeing that sword thus baffled in that battle by Subhadra's son, loud cries of “well done” “well done” were heard among the troops. Other warriors headed by Dhrishtadyumna battled with Dhriarashtra’s troops, while Dhriarashtra’s troops, also, all battled with those of the Pandavas. Then, fierce was the engagement that took place between the two armies, that combatants smiting one another with great force and achieving the most difficult feats.

Brave combatants, seizing one another by the hair, fought using their nails and teeth, and fists and knees, and palms and swords, and their well-proportioned arms. Seizing one another's laches, they despatched one another to the abode of Yama. Sire slew son, and son slew sire. Indeed, the combatants fought with one another, using every limb of theirs. Beautiful bows with golden staves, loosened from the grasp of slain warriors, and costly ornaments, and sharp shafts furnished with wings of pure gold or silver and washed with oil, looked resplendent (as they lay scattered on the field), the latter resembling, in particular, snakes that had cast off their slough. Swords furnished with ivory handles decked with gold, and the shield also of bowmen, variegated with gold, lay on the field, loosened from their grasp. Bearded darts and axes and swords and javelins, all decked with gold, beautiful coats of mail, and heavy and short bludgeons, and spiked clubs, and battle-axes, and short arrows, and elephants' housings of diverse shapes, and yak tails, and fans, lay scattered on the field. Mighty car-warriors lay on the field with diverse kinds of weapons in their hands or beside them, and looking alive, though the breath of life had gone. Men lay on the field with limbs shattered with maces and heads smashed with clubs, or crushed by elephants, steeds, and cars. The earth, strewn in many places with the bodies of slain steeds, men, and elephants, looked beautiful, as if strewn with hills. The field of battle lay covered with fallen darts and swords and arrows and lances and scimitars and axes and bearded darts and iron crows and battle-axes, and spiked clubs and short arrows and Sataghnis and bodies mangled with weapons. Covered with blood, warriors lay prostrate on the field, some deprived of life and therefore, in the silence of death, and others uttering low moans. The earth, strewn with those bodies, presented a variegated sight. Strewn with the arms of strong warriors smeared with sandal paste and decked with leathern fences and bracelets, with tapering thighs resembling the trunks of elephants, and with fallen heads, graced with gems attached to turbans and with earrings of large-eyed combatants, the earth assumed a beautiful sight. The field of battle, overspread with blood, dyed coats of mail and golden ornaments of many kinds, looked exceedingly beautiful as if with (scattered) fires of mild flames. With ornaments of diverse kinds fallen off from their places, with bows lying about, with arrows of golden wings scattered around, with many broken cars adorned with rows of bells, with many slain steeds scattered about covered with blood and with their tongues protruding, with bottoms of cars, standards, quivers, and banners, with gigantic conches, belonging to great heroes, of milky whiteness lying about, and with trunkless elephants lying prostrate, the earth looked beautiful like a damsel adorned with diverse kinds of ornaments. There, with other elephants pierced with lances and in great agony, and frequently uttering low moans with their trunks, the field of battle looked beautiful as if with moving hills. With blankets of diverse hue, and housings of elephants, with beautiful hooks falling about having handles decked with stones of lapis lazuli, with bells lying about that had adorned gigantic elephants, with clean and variegated cloths as also skins of the Ranku deer, with beautiful neck-chains of elephants, with gold-decked girths, with broken engines of diverse kinds, with bearded darts decked with gold, with embroidered housings of steeds, embrowned with dust, with the lopped off arms of cavalry soldiers, decked with bracelets and lying about, with polished and sharp lances and bright swords, with variegated head-gears fallen off (from heads) and scattered about, with beautiful crescent-shaped arrows decked with gold, with housings of steeds, with skins of the Ranku deer, torn and crushed, with beautiful and costly gems that decked the head-gears of kings, with their umbrellas lying about and yak tails and fans, with faces, bright as the lotus or the moon, of heroic warriors, decked with beautiful ear-rings and graced with well-cut beards, lying about and radiant with other ornaments of gold, the earth looked like the firmament besmangled with planets and stars. Thus, the two armies, encountering each other in battle, crushed each other. After the combatants had been fatigued, routed, and crushed, dark night set in and the battle could no longer be seen. Thereupon both the Kurus and the Pandavas withdrew their armies, when that awful night of pitchy darkness came. Having withdrawn their troops, both the Kurus and the Pandavas took rest for the night, retiring to their respective tents.

Duryodhana’s consultation

Then king Duryodhana, and Shakuni the son of Subala, and Dhriarashtra’s son Duhshasana, and the invincible Suta's son (Karna) meeting together, consulted in the following way: How could the sons of Pandu, with their followers, be vanquished in battle? This was the subject of their consultation. Then king Duryodhana, addressing the Suta's son and the mighty Shakuni, said unto all those counsellors of his,

“Drona, Bhishma, and Kripa, and Shalya and Somadatta's son do not resist the Parthas. I do not know what the cause is of such conduct (of theirs). Unslain by any of these, the Pandavas are destroying my forces. Therefore, O Karna, I am becoming weaker in strength and my weapons also are being exhausted. I am deceived by the heroic Pandavas, they that are incapable of being vanquished by the very gods. Doubt fills my mind as to how, indeed, I shall succeed is smiting them in battle.”

Unto the king who said so, the Suta's son answered,

“Do not grieve, O chief of the Bharata. I will do what is agreeable to you. Let Shantanu’s son Bhishma soon withdraw from the great battle. After Ganga's son will have withdrawn from the fight and laid aside his weapons, I will slay the Partha along with all the Somakas, in the very sight of Bhishma. I pledge my truth, O king. Indeed, Bhishma every day shows mercy towards the Pandavas. He is, besides, incapable of vanquishing those mighty car-warriors. Bhishma is proud of showing his prowess in battle. He is again, very fond of fight. Why, O sire, will he, therefore, vanquish the assembled Pandavas (for then the battle will be over)? Therefore, repairing without delay to the tent of Bhishma, solicit that old and reverend signior to lay aside his weapons. After he will have laid aside his weapons, O Bharata, think the Pandavas as already slain, with all their friends and kinsmen, O king, by myself alone.”

Thus addressed by Karna, Duryodhana then said unto his brother Duhshasana these words,

“See, O Duhshasana, that without delay that all who walk in my train be dressed.”

Having said these words, the king addressed Karna, saying,

“Having caused Bhishma, that foremost of men, to consent to this, I will, without delay, come to you, O chastiser of foes. After Bhishma will have retired from the fight, you will smite (the foe) in battle.”

Then Dhriarashtra’s son set out without delay, accompanied by his brothers like he of a hundred sacrifices (accompanied) by the gods. Then his brother Duhshasana caused that tiger among king, endued, besides, with the prowess of a tiger, to mount on his horse. Graced with bracelets, with diadem on head, and adorned with other ornaments on his arms, Dhriarashtra’s son shone brightly as he proceeded along the streets. Smeared with fragrant sandal-paste of the hue of the Bhandi flower and bright as burnished gold, and clad in clean vestments, and proceeding with the sportive gait of the lion, Duryodhana looked beautiful like the Sun of brilliant radiance in the firmament. As that tiger among men proceeded towards the tent of Bhishma, many mighty bowmen, celebrated over the world, followed him behind. His brothers also walked in his train, like the celestials walking behind Vasava. Others, foremost of men, mounted upon steeds, and others again on elephants and others on cars, surrounded him on all sides. Many amongst those that wished him well, taking up arms for the protection on his royal self, appeared there in large bodies, like the celestials surrounding Shakra in heaven. The mighty chief of the Kurus, adored by all the Kauravas, thus proceeded towards the quarters of the renowned son of Ganga. Ever followed and surrounded, by his uterine brothers, he proceeded, often raising his right arm, massive and resembling the trunk of an elephant and capable of resisting all foes. With that arm of his, he accepted the regards that were paid to him from all sides by by-standers who stood raising towards him their joined hands. He heard, as he journeyed, the sweet voices of the natives of diverse realms. Of great fame, he was eulogised by bards and eulogists. In return that great king paid his regards unto them all. Many high-souled persons stood around him with lighted lamps of gold fed with fragrant oil. Surrounded with golden lamps, the king looked radiant like the Moon attended by the blazing planets around him. (attendants) with head-gears decked with gold, having canes and Jhariharas in hand, softly caused the crowd all around to make way. The king then, having reached the excellent quarters of Bhishma, alighted from his horse. Arrived at Bhishma's presence, that ruler of men saluted Bhishma and then sat himself down on an excellent seat that was made of gold, beautiful throughout and overlaid with a rich coverlet. With hands joined, eyes bathed in tears, and voice chocked in grief, he then addressed Bhishma, saying,

“Taking your protection, this battle, O slayer of foes, we ventured to vanquish the very gods and the Asuras with Indra at their head. What shall I say, therefore, of the sons of Pandu, heroic though they be, with their kinsmen and friends? Therefore, O son of Ganga, it befits you, O lord, to show me mercy. Slay the brave sons of Pandu like Mahendra slaying the Danavas. I will slay, O king, all the Somakas and the Panchalas and the Karushas along with the Kekayas, O Bharata-these were your words to me. Let these words become true. Slay the assembled Parthas, and those mighty bowmen, viz., the Somakas. Make your words true, O Bharata. If from kindness (for the Pandavas), O king, or from your hatred of my unfortunate self, you spare the Pandavas, then permit Karna, that ornament of battle, to fight. He will vanquish in battle the Parthas with all their friends and kinsmen.”

The king Duryodhana having said this, shut his lips without saying anything more to Bhishma of terrible prowess. The high-souled Bhishma, deeply pierced with wordy daggers by Dhriarashtra’s son, became filled with great grief. But he said not a single disagreeable word in reply. Indeed, mangled by those wordy daggers and filled with grief and rage, he sighed like a snake and reflected (in silence) for a long while. Raising his eyes then, and as if consuming, from wrath, the world with the celestials, the Asuras, and the Gandharvas, that foremost of persons conversant with the world, then addressed your son and said unto him these tranquil words,

“Why, O Duryodhana, do you pierce me thus with your wordy daggers? I always endeavour to the utmost of my might to achieve, and do achieve, what is for your good. Indeed, from desire of doing what is agreeable to you, I am prepared to cast away my life in battle. The Pandavas are really invincible. When the brave son of Pandu gratified Agni in the forest of Khandava, having vanquished Shakra himself in battle, even that is a sufficient indication. When, O mighty-armed one, the same son of Pandu rescued you while you were being led away a captive by the Gandharvas, even that is a sufficient indication. On that occasion, O lord, your brave uterine brothers had all fled, as also Radha's son of the Suta caste. That (rescue, therefore, by Arjuna) is a sufficient indication. In Virata's city, alone he fell upon all of us united together. That is a sufficient indication. Vanquishing in battle both Drona and myself excited with rage, he took away our robes. That is a sufficient indication. On that occasion, of old, of the seizure of kine, he vanquished that mighty bowman the son of Drona, and Sharadwata also. That is a sufficient indication. Having vanquished Karna also who is very boastful of his manliness, he gave the latter's robes unto Uttara. That is a sufficient indication. The son of Pritha defeated in battle the Nivatakavachas who were incapable of defeat by Vasava himself. That is a sufficient indication. Who, indeed, is capable of vanquishing in battle the son of Pandu by force, him, viz., that has for his protector the Protector of the Universe armed with conch, discus, and mace? Vasudeva is possessed of infinite power, and is the Destroyer of the Universe. He is the highest Lord of all, the God of gods, the Supreme Soul and eternal. He has been variously described, O king, by Narada and other great Rishis. In consequence of your folly, however, O Suyodhana, you know not what should be said and what should not. The man on the point of death beholds all trees to be made of gold. So you also, O son of Gandhari, see everything inverted. Having provoked fierce hostilities with the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, fight now (yourself) with them in battle. Let us see you act like a man. As regards myself, I will, O tiger among men, slay all the Somakas and the Panchalas assembled together, avoiding Shikhandin alone. Slain by them in battle, I will go to Yama's abode, or slaying them in battle, I will give you joy. Shikhandin was born in Drupada's palace as female at first. She became a male in consequence of the grant of a boon. After all, however, she is Sikhandini. Him I will not slay even if I have to lose my life, O Bharata. She is the same Sikhandini that the Creator had first made her. Pass the night in happy sleep, O son of Gandhari. Tomorrow I will fight a fierce battle about which men will speak as long as the world lasts.”

Thus addressed by him, Dhriarashtra’s son came away. Saluting his signior with a bow of the head, he came back to his own tent. Coming back, the king dismissed his attendants. Soon then that destroyer of foes entered his abode. Having entered (his tent) the monarch passed the night (in sleep).