The tenth day of war: Bhishma’s fall

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 army formations

Then all those Pandavas, towards the hour of sun-rise, with beat of drums and cymbals and smaller drums, and with the blare of conches of milky whiteness, all around, went out for battle, placing Shikhandin in their forefront. They marched out having formed an array that was destructive of all foes. Shikhandin was stationed in the very forefront of all the troops. Bhimasena and Dhananjaya became the protectors of his car-wheels. In his rear were the sons of Draupadi and the valiant Abhimanyu. Those mighty car-warriors, viz., Satyaki and Chekitana, became the protectors of the last. Behind them was Dhrishtadyumna protected by the Panchalas. Next to Dhrishtadyumna, behind, marched the royal lord Yudhishthira, accompanied by the twins, filling the air with leonine shouts. Next behind him was Virata, surrounded by his own troops. Next to him marched Drupada. The five Kaikeya brothers and the valiant Dhrishtaketu protected the rear of the Pandava army. Having disposed their vast army in such an array, the Pandavas rushed against Dhritarashtra’s host, prepared to cast away their lives.

Similarly the Kauravas, placing that mighty car-warrior Bhishma at the head of their whole host, proceeded against the Pandavas. That invincible warrior was protected by Dhritarashtra’s mighty sons. Next behind them was the great bowman Drona, as also his mighty son (Ashwatthaman). Next behind was Bhagadatta surrounded by his elephant division. Behind Bhagadatta were Kripa and Kritavarman. Behind them were Sudakshina the mighty ruler of the Kambojas, and Jayatsena, the king of the Magadhas, and Subala’s son and Brihadbala. Similarly, many other kings, that were all great bowmen, protected the rear of Dhritarashtra’s host. As each day came, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, formed arrays in battle, sometimes after the manner of the Asuras, sometimes after that of the Pishachas, and sometimes after that of the Rakshasas. Then commenced the battle between Dhritarashtra’s troops and theirs, both parties smiting one another and increasing the population of Yama's kingdom.

The war begins on the tenth day

The Parthas with Arjuna at their head, placing Shikhandin in the forefront, proceeded against Bhishma in that battle, scattering diverse kinds of arrows. Then, afflicted by Bhima with his shafts, (many of) Dhritarashtra’s warriors, profusely bathed in blood, repaired to the other world. Nakula and Sahadeva, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, approaching Dhritarashtra’s army, began to afflict it with great vigour. Thus slaughtered in battle, Dhritarashtra’s warriors were unable to resist that vast host of the Pandavas. Then Dhritarashtra’s host, vigorously afflicted by great car-warriors and thus slaughtered by them everywhere, fled away on all sides. Slaughtered with sharp shafts by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas they found not a protector.

With cheerful hearts, the brave sons of Pandu encountered Dhritarashtra’s son's host, slaughtering (all whom they met). That carnage of human beings, elephants and steeds, that destruction by the foe of Dhritarashtra’s army in battle, Bhishma could not brook. That invincible and great bowman, then, reckless of his very life poured upon the Pandavas, the Panchalas, and the Srinjayas, showers of long shafts and calf-toothed and crescent-shaped arrows. With weapons, he checked with his shafts and with showers of other weapons, both offensive and defensive, all sped with energy and wrath, the five foremost of mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, who had been struggling vigorously in battle. Excited with wrath, he slaughtered in that battle countless elephants and steeds. That bull among men, throwing down many car-warriors from their cars, and horsemen from their horses, and crowds of foot soldiers, and elephant-warriors from the backs of the beasts they rode, struck terror into the foe.

Bhishma fights

The Pandava warriors all rushed together upon Bhishma singly, upon that mighty car-warrior struggling in battle with great activity, like the Asuras rushing together upon him with the thunderbolt in hand. Shooting on all sides his whetted arrows whose touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, he seemed to the enemy to have assembled a terrible visage. While fighting in that battle, his large bow, resembling that of Shakra himself, seemed to be always drawn to a circle. Beholding those feats in battle, Dhritarashtra’s sons, filled with exceeding wonder, worshipped the grandsire. The Parthas cast their eyes, with cheerless hearts, upon Dhritarashtra’s heroic sire struggling in battle, like the celestials upon (the Asura) Viprachitti (in days of old). They could not resist that warrior who then resembled the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth. In that battle on the tenth day, Bhishma, with his sharp shafts, consumed the division of Shikhandin like a conflagration consuming a forest. Him resembling an angry snake of virulent poison, or the Destroyer urged by Death himself, Shikhandin pierced with three shafts in the centre of the chest. Deeply pierced therewith, Bhishma saw that it was Shikhandin (who was piercing him). Excited with wrath, but unwilling (to fight with Shikhandin) Bhishma laughingly said,

“Whether you choose to strike me or not, I will never fight with you. You are that Shikhandin still which the Creator had made you first”

Hearing these words of his, Shikhandin, deprived of his senses by wrath, and licking the corners of his mouth addressed Bhishma in that battle, saying,

“I know you, O mighty-armed one, to be the exterminator of the Kshatriya race. I have heard also of your battle with Jamadagni's son. I have also heard much of your super-human prowess. Knowing your prowess I will still fight with you today. For doing what is agreeable to the Pandavas and is agreeable to my own self, O chastiser of foes, I will today fight with you in battle, O best of men. I will, of a certainty, slay you. I swear this before you by my troth! Hearing these words of mine, do that which you should. Whether you choos to strike me or not, you shall not escape me with life. O you that are ever victorious, O Bhishma, look your last on this world.”

Having said so, Shikhandin in that battle pierced Bhishma with five straight shafts, having already pierced him with his wordy shafts. Hearing those words of his, the mighty car-warrior Arjuna, regarding Shikhandin to be Bhishma's Destroyer, urged him on, saying,

“I will fight behind you, routing the foe with my shafts. Excited with fury, rush you against Bhishma of terrible prowess. The mighty Bhishma will not be able to afflict you in battle. Therefore, O mighty-armed one, encounter Bhishma with vigor. If, O sire, you return today without slaying Bhishma, you will, with myself, be an object of ridicule to the world. Seek to do that in battle by which, O hero, we may not incur ridicule in this great battle. Stay the grandsire. O you of great strength, I will protect you in this battle, checking all the car-warriors (of the Kuru army). Do you slay the grandsire. Drona, and Drona's son, and Kripa, and Suyodhana, and Chitrasena, and Vikarna, and Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, Vinda and Anuvinda. of Avanti, and Sudakshina the ruler of the Kambojas, and the brave Bhagadatta, and the mighty king of the Magadhas, and Somadatta's son, and the brave Rakshasas who is Rishyashringa's son and the ruler of the Trigartas, alone with all the other great car-warriors (of the Kuru army). I will check like the continent resisting the surging sea. Indeed, I will hold in check all the mighty warriors of the Kuru army assembled together and battling with us. Do you slay the grandsire.”

While fighting in that battle, neither the bow nor the car of Bhishma had suffered any injury. He was then slaying the foe with straight shafts. Many thousands of mighty car-warriors belonging to Dhritarashtra’s army, as also elephants, and steeds well harnessed, proceeded for battle, with the grandsire in the forefront. Agreeably to his vow, the ever-victorious Bhishma was incessantly engaged in slaughtering the troops of the Parthas. The Panchalas and the Pandavas were unable to bear that great bowman battling (with them) and slaying his foes with his shafts. When the tenth day came, the hostile army was torn into pieces by Bhishma with his shafts by hundreds and thousands. The sons of Pandu were incapable of defeating in battle the great bowman Bhishma who resembled the Destroyer himself armed with the lance.

Conversation between Duryodhana and Bhishma

Then, the unvanquished Bibhatsu or Dhananjaya, who was capable of drawing the bow with even the left hand, came to that spot, frightening all the car-warriors. Roaring loudly like a lion, and repeatedly drawing the bow-string, and scattering showers of arrows, Partha careered on the field of battle like Death himself. Frightened at those roars of his, Dhritarashtra’s warriors fled away in terror, like smaller animals, at the sound of the lion. Beholding the son of Pandu crowned with victory and thus afflicting that host, Duryodhana, himself under the influence of terror addressed Bhishma and said,

“There son of Pandu, O sire, with white steeds (yoked unto his car), and having Krishna for his charioteer, consumes all my troops like a conflagration consuming a forest. Behold, O son of Ganga, all troops, slaughtered by Pandu's son in battle, are, O foremost of warriors, fleeing away. Indeed, as the herdsman belabours his cattle in the forest, even so, O scorcher of foes is my army being belaboured. Broken and driven away on all sides by Dhananjaya with his shafts, the invincible Bhima is also routing that (already broken) host of mine. Satyaki, and Chekitana, and the twin sons of Madri, and the valiant Abhimanyu, these also are routing my troops. The brave Dhrishtadyumna, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha also, are vigorously breaking and driving away my army in this fierce conflict. Of these troops that are being slaughtered by all those mighty car-warriors, I do not see any other refuge in the matter of their staying and fighting on the field, O Bharata, save you, O tiger among men, that are possessed of prowess equal to that of the celestials, Therefore, receive you those great car-warriors without delay, and be you the refuge of these afflicted troops.”

Thus addressed by him, Devavrata, the son of Shantanu, reflecting for a moment and settling what he should do, said these words unto Dhritarashtra’s son, comforting him (therewith),

“O Duryodhana, listen calmly to what I say, O king, O you of great might, formerly I vowed before you that slaying every day ten thousand high-souled kshatriyas, I would come back from the battle. I have fulfilled that vow, O bull of Bharata's race! O you of great might, today I will achieve even a great feat. Today I will either sleep myself being slain, or, I will slay the Pandavas. O tiger among men, I will today free myself from the debt I owe you, the debt, O king, arising out of the food, you gave me, by casting away my life at the head of your army.”

Having said these words, that invincible warrior, scattering his shafts among the Kshatriyas, attacked the Pandava host. The Pandavas then, began to resist the son of Ganga staying in the midst of his forces and excited with wrath like a snake of virulent poison. Indeed, on that tenth day of the battle, Bhishma, displaying his might, slew hundreds of thousands. He drained the energies of those royal and mighty car-warriors that were the foremost among the Panchalas, like the Sun sucking up the moisture (of the earth) with his rays. Having slain ten thousand elephants of great activity and ten thousand steeds also, along with their riders, and full two hundred thousands of foot-soldiers, that best of men, viz., Bhishma, shone resplendent in battle like a fire without a curl of smoke. No one amongst the Pandavas was capable of even looking at him who then resembled the burning Sun staying in the northern solstice.

The Pandavas, however, though afflicted in battle by that great bowman, still rushed, accompanied by the mighty car-warriors of the Srinjayas, for slaughtering him. Battling with myriads upon myriads around him, Shantanu’s son Bhishma then looked like the cliff of Meru covered on all sides with masses of clouds. Dhritarashtra’s sons, however, stood, surrounding Bhishma on all sides with a large force (for protecting him). Then commenced a fierce battle (between the Kurus and the Pandavas).

Arjuna fights Duhshasana

Arjuna then, beholding the prowess of Bhishma in battle, addressed Shikhandin saying,

“Proceed towards the grandsire. You should not entertain the slightest fear of Bhishma today. I will throw him down from his excellent car by means of my sharp shafts.”

Thus addressed by Partha, Shikhandin, having heard those words, rushed at the son of Ganga. So Dhrishtadyumna also, and the mighty car-warrior Abhimanyu, having heard those words of Partha, joyfully rushed at Bhishma. Old Virata and Drupada, and Kuntibhoja also, clad in mail, rushed at Bhishma in the very sight of Dhritarashtra’s son. Nakula, Sahadeva, and the valiant king Yudhishthira also, and all the rest of the warriors rushed against Bhishma.

Like a young tiger attacking a bull, Chitrasena rushed against Chekitana who in that battle was proceeding for getting at Bhishma. Kritavarman resisted Dhrishtadyumna who had reached the presence of Bhishma and who was exerting himself with great activity and vigour in that battle. Somadatta's son, with great activity, resisted Bhimasena excited with fury and desirous of slaying Bhishma. Similarly Vikarna, desirous of (protecting) Bhishma's life, resisted the brave Nakula who was scattering innumerable arrows around. So, Kripa the son of Sharadwat, excited with rage, resisted Sahadeva proceeding towards Bhishma's car. The mighty Durmukha rushed at that Rakshasa of cruel deeds, viz., the mighty son of Bhimasena, desirous of Bhishma's slaughter. Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana himself resisted Satyaki proceeding to battle. Sudakshina the ruler of the Kamabojas, resisted Abhimanyu, who was proceeding towards Bhishma's car. Ashwatthaman, excited with rage, resisted old Virata and Drupada, those two chastisers of foes united together. Bharadwaja's son, exerting himself with vigour in battle, resisted the eldest Pandava, that is to say, king Yudhishthira the just, who was desirous of Bhishma's death. That great bowman, viz., Duhshasana, in that battle, resisted Arjuna who was rushing with great speed, with Shikhandin before him, desirous of coming upon Bhishma, and illuminating the ten quarters (with his bright weapons). Other warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army resisted in that great battle other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas proceeding against Bhishma.

Dhrishtadyumna, that mighty car-warrior, excited with rage, rushed against Bhishma alone and addressing the troops, repeatedly said in a loud voice,

“There, Arjuna, that delighter of Kuru's race, is proceeding against Bhishma in battle. Rush you against Ganga's son. Be not afraid. Bhishma will not be able to attack you in battle. Vasava himself cannot venture to fight with Arjuna in battle. What therefore, need be said of Bhishma who, though possessed of bravery in battle, is feeble and old.”

Hearing these words of their commander, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army, filled with joy, rushed towards the car of Ganga's son. Many foremost of men, however, of Dhritarashtra’s army cheerfully received and resisted those heroes coming towards Bhishma like impetuous mass of living energy. That mighty car-warrior, Duhshasana, abandoning all fears, rushed against Dhananjaya, desirous of protecting the life of Bhishma. So the heroic Pandavas also rushed in battle against Dhritarashtra’s sons, those mighty car-warriors, stationed about Bhishma's car. Then, Partha proceeded as far as Duhshasana's car, but could not advance further. As the continent resists the surging sea, even so did Duhshasana resist the angry son of Pandu. Both of them were foremost of car-warriors. Both of them were invincible. Both of them, in beauty and splendour, resembled the Sun or the Moon. Both of them were excited with wrath. Each of them desired to slay the other. They encountered each other in dreadful battle like Maya and Shakra in days of old.

Duhshasana in that battle pierced the son of Pandu with three shafts and Vasudeva with twenty. Then Arjuna, excited with rage upon beholding him of Vrishni's race thus afflicted, pierced Duhshasana with a hundred shafts. These, penetrating through the latter's armour, drank his blood in that battle. Then Duhshasana, excited with wrath, pierced Partha with five shafts. Once more, he pierced Arjuna in the forehead with three sharp shafts. With those shafts sticking to his forehead, the son of Pandu looked beautiful in that battle, like Meru with its tall crests. That great bowman, viz., Partha, then thus deeply pierced by Dhritarashtra’s son wielding the bow, looked resplendent in that battle like a flowering Kinsuka. The son of Pandu then, excited with rage, afflicted Duhshasana, like Rahu inflamed with rage on the fifteenth day of the lighted fortnight afflicting the Moon at full. Thus afflicted by that mighty warrior, Dhritarashtra’s son pierced Partha in that battle with many shafts whetted on stone and winged with the features of the Kanka bird. Then Partha, cutting off Duhshasana's bow and splitting his car with three shafts, sped at him many fierce arrows resembling the darts of Death. Dhritarashtra’s son, however, cut off all those shafts of Partha exerting himself with vigour before they could reach him. All this seemed highly wonderful. Then Dhritarashtra’s son pierced Partha with many shafts of great sharpness. Then Partha, excited with rage in that battle, placed on his bowstring a number of shafts whetted on stone and furnished with wings of gold and aiming them, sped them all at his foe. These penetrated the body of that high-souled warrior, like swans diving into a lake. Thus afflicted by the high-souled son of Pandu, Dhritarashtra’s son avoiding Partha, quickly proceeded to the car of Bhishma.

Indeed, Bhishma then became an island unto him who was thus sinking into fathomless waters. Regaining consciousness then, Dhritarashtra’s son, endued with heroism and prowess, once more began to resist Partha with sharp arrows like Purandara resisting (the Asura) Vritra. Of huge form, Dhritarashtra’s son began to pierce Arjuna, but the latter was scarcely pained (at all this).

The Kaurava army resists the advance of Pandava warriors towards Bhishma

The mighty bowman (Alambusha) the son of Rishyashringa, in that battle, resisted Satyaki clad in mail and proceeding towards Bhishma. He of Madhu's race, however, excited with wrath, pierced the Rakshasa with nine arrows, smiling the while. So the Rakshasa also, excited with wrath, afflicted him of Madhu's race, viz., that bull of Shini's line, with nine arrows. Then Shini's grandson, that slayer of hostile heroes, of Madhu's race, excited with rage, sped in that battle a profusion of arrows at the Rakshasa. Then that mighty-aimed Rakshasa pierced Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being baffled, with many sharp arrows, and uttered a loud shout. Then he of Madhu's race, endued with great energy, though deeply pierced by the Rakshasa in that battle, still, relying upon his prowess, laughed (at his wounds) and uttered loud roars. Then Bhagadatta, excited with rage, afflicted him of Madhu's race in that battle with many sharp arrows like a guide piercing a huge elephant with the hook. Then that foremost of car-warriors, viz., the grandson of Shini, abandoning the Rakshasa in battle, sped many straight shafts at the ruler of the Pragjyotishas. The ruler of the Pragjyotishas then, with a broad-headed arrow of great sharpness, displaying great lightness of hand, cut off, the large bow of Satyaki. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, excited with rage and taking up another bow of greater impetus, pierced Bhagadatta in that battle with many sharp arrows. That mighty bowman, viz., Bhagadatta, then deeply pierced, began to lick the corners of his mouth. He then hurled at his foe, in that dreadful battle, a tough dart, made wholly of iron, decked with gold and stones of lapis lazuli, and fierce as the rod of Yama himself. Sped with the might of Bhagadatta's arm and coursing towards him impetuously, Satyaki cut that dart in twain by means of his shafts. Thereupon that dart fell down suddenly, like a great meteor shorn of its splendour. Beholding the dart baffled, Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana) surrounded him of Madhu's race with a large number of cars. Seeing that mighty car-warrior among the Vrishnis thus surrounded, Duryodhana, angrily addressing all his brothers, said,

“Take such steps, you Kauravas, that Satyaki may not, in this battle, escape you and this large division of cars, with life. If he be slain, the vast host of the Pandavas may be regarded as slain also.”

Accepting Duryodhana's words with the answer, “So be it”, those mighty car-warriors fought with Shini's grandson in the view of Bhishma.

The mighty ruler of the Kambojas, in that battle, resisted Abhimanyu who was proceeding against Bhishma. The son of Arjuna, having pierced the king with many straight shafts, once more pierced that monarch with four and sixty shafts. Sudakshina, however, desirous of Bhishma's life, pierced Abhimanyu in that battle with five arrows and his charioteer with nine. The battle that took place there, in consequence of the meeting of those two warriors, was fierce in the extreme. That grinder of foes Shikhandin, then rushed at the son of Ganga.

Old Virata and Drupada, those mighty car-warriors, both excited with rage, rushed to battle with Bhishma, resisting the large host of the Kauravas as they went. That best of car-warriors, viz., Ashwatthaman, excited with rage, encountered both those warriors. Then commenced a battle between him and them. Virata then, struck with broad-headed shafts, that mighty bowman and ornament of battle, viz., Drona's son, as the latter advanced against them. Drupada also pierced him with three sharp shafts. Then the preceptor's son, Ashwatthaman, coming upon those mighty warriors thus striking him, viz., the brave Virata and Drupada both proceeding towards Bhishma, pierced them both with many shafts. Wonderful was the conduct of those two old warriors, inasmuch as they checked all those fierce shafts shot by Drona's son.

Like an infuriate elephant in the forest rushing against an infuriate compeer, Kripa, the son of Sharadwat, proceeded against Sahadeva who was advancing upon Bhishma. Kripa, brave in battle, quickly struck that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Madri, with seventy shafts decked with gold. The son of Madri, however, cut Kripa's bow in twain by means of his shafts. Cutting off his bow, Sahadeva then pierced Kripa with nine arrows. Taking up then, in that battle, another bow capable of bearing a great strain Kripa, excited with rage and desirous of Bhishma's life, cheerfully struck Madri's son in that battle with ten shafts. So the son of Pandu, in return, desirous of Bhishma's death, excited with rage, struck the wrathful Kripa in the chest (with many shafts). Then occurred there a terrible and fierce battle.

That scorcher of foes, viz., Vikarna, desirous of saving the grandsire Bhishma, excited with rage in that battle, pierced Nakula with sixty arrows. Nakula also, deeply pierced by your intelligent son, pierced Vikarna in return with seven and seventy shafts. There those two tigers among men, those two chastisers of foes, those two heroes, struck each other for the sake of Bhishma, like two bovine bulls in a fold.

Dhritarashtra’s son Durmukha, endued with great prowess, proceeded, for the sake of Bhishma, against Ghatotkacha advancing to battle and slaughtering his army as he came. Hidimba’s son, however, excited with rage, struck Durmukha, that chastiser of foes, in the chest a straight shaft. The heroic Durmukha then, shouting cheerfully, pierced Bhimasena's son on the field of battle with sixty shafts of keen points.

That mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Hridika resisted Dhrishtadyumna, that foremost of car-warriors, who was advancing to battle from desire of Bhishma's slaughter. The son of Prishata, however, having pierced Kritavarman with five shafts made wholly of iron, once more, struck him quickly in the centre of the chest fifty shafts. Similarly, Prishata's son struck Kritavarman with nine sharp and blazing shaft, winged with the feathers of the Kanka bird. Encountering each other with great vigour, the battle that took place between them for Bhishma's sake was as fierce as that between Vritra and Vasava.

Against Bhimasena who was advancing upon the mighty Bhishma, proceeded Bhurishravas with great speed, saying, “Wait, Wait!”  The son of Somadatta struck Bhima in the centre of the chest with an arrow of exceeding sharpness and golden wings in that battle. The valiant Bhimasena, with that arrow on his chest, looked beautiful, like the Krauncha mountain in days of old with the dart of Skanda. Those two bulls among men, enraged in battle, shot at each other shafts brightly polished by their forgers and endued with effulgence of the Sun. Bhima, longing for Bhishma's death, fought with the mighty son of Somadatta, and the latter, desirous of Bhishma's victory, fought with the former, each carefully seeking to counteract the other's feats.

Bharadwaja's son resisted Yudhishthira the son of Kunti, who, accompanied by a large force, was coming towards Bhishma. Hearing the rattle of Drona's car, that resembled the roar of the clouds, the Prabhadrakas began to tremble. That large force, of Pandu's son, resisted by Drona in battle, could not, exerting vigorously, advance even one step.

Dhritarashtra’s son Chitrasena resisted Chekitana of wrathful visage who was exerting vigorously for coming upon Bhishma. Possessed of great prowess and great dexterity of hand, that mighty car-warrior for the sake of Bhishma, battled with Chekitana according to the utmost of his power. Chekitana also fought with Chitrasena to the utmost of his power. The battle that took place there in consequence of the meeting of those two warriors, was exceedingly fierce.

As regards Arjuna, although he was resisted by all means, he still compelled Dhritarashtra’s son to turn back and then crushed Dhritarashtra’s troops. Duhshasana however, to the utmost stretch of his power, began to resist Partha, wishing to protect Bhishma. The army of Dhritarashtra’s son undergoing such slaughter, began to be agitated here and there by many foremost car-warriors (of the Pandava).

Drona witnesses bad omens

The heroic Drona, that great bowman endued with the prowess of an infuriate elephant, that foremost of men possessed of great might, taking up his large bow which was capable [of] checking even an infuriate elephant, and shaking it (in his hands), was engaged in afflicting the Pandava ranks, having penetrated into their midst. That valiant warrior acquainted with every omen, beholding the omens on all sides, addressed his son who also was scorching the hostile ranks and said these words,

“This is that day, O son, on which the mighty Partha, desirous of slaying Bhishma in battle, will exert himself to the best of his might. My arrows are coming out (of the quiver, of their own accord). My bow seems to yawn. My weapon seems unwilling to obey my behests, and my heart also is cheerless. Animals and birds are uttering fearful and incessant cries. Vultures seem to disappear beneath the feet of the Bharata troops. The Sun himself seems to have lost hue. The quarters are all ablaze. The Earth seems to shriek, inspire fear, and tremble everywhere. Kankas, and vultures, and cranes are frequently crying. Jackals are uttering inauspicious and fierce yells foreboding great danger. Large meteors seem to fall from the centre of the solar disc. The constellation called Parigha, with a trunkless form, appears around the Sun. The solar and the lunar discs have become awful, foreboding great danger to Kshatriyas about the mangling of their bodies. The idols of the Kuru king in his temples tremble and laugh and dance and weep. The illustrious Moon rises with his horns downward. The bodies of the kings belonging to the Kuru army all seem to be pale, and though clad in mail, are shorn of splendour. The loud blare of Panchajanya and the twang of Gandiva are heard on all sides of both the armies. Without doubt, Arjuna, relying upon his great weapons and avoiding other warriors will advance upon the grandsire. The pores of my body are contracting, and my heart also is depressed, thinking, O mighty-armed one, of the encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna. Keeping on his fore the Panchala prince of sinful soul and conversant with deceit, Partha is proceeding towards Bhishma for battle. Bhishma said before that he would not slay Shikhandin. By the Creator had that one been made female, though through chance he subsequently became a male person. That mighty son of Yajnasena is also an inauspicious omen (by himself). The son of the Ocean-going (Ganga) will not strike that person of inauspicious self. Thinking of this, viz., that Arjuna, excited with wrath, is about to fall upon the aged Kuru grandsire, my heart is exceedingly depressed. The wrath of Yudhishthira, an encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna in battle, and an endeavour like this (of the shooting of weapons) by myself, these (three) are certainly fraught with great harm to creatures. Arjuna is endued with great energy; he is powerful, brave, accomplished in weapons, and possessed of valour that is very active. Capable of shooting his arrows to a great distance and shooting them with force, he is, besides, acquainted with omens, Endued with great might and intelligence, and above fatigue, that foremost of warriors is incapable of defeat by the very gods with Vasava at their head. The son of Pandu possesses terrible weapons and is ever victorious in battle. Avoiding his path, go you to battle (for Bhishma's victory) O you of rigid vows.

Today in this dreadful battle you will behold a great carnage. The beautiful and costly coats of mail, decked with gold, of brave warriors will be pierced with straight shafts. The tops of standards, and bearded javelins, and bows, and bright lances of sharp points, and darts bright with gold, and the standards on the backs of elephants, will all be cut off by Kiritin in wrath. O son, this is not the time when dependents should take care of their lives. Go to battle, keeping heaven before you, and for the sake of fame and victory. There, the ape-bannered (Arjuna) crosses on his car the river of battle that is awful and incapable of being easily crossed, and has cars, elephants, and steeds, for its eddies. Regard for Brahmanas, self-restraint, liberality, asceticism, and noble conduct, are seen in Yudhishthira alone who has for his brothers Dhananjaya, and the mighty Bhimasena, and the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, and who has Vasudeva of the Vrishni race for his protector. The wrath, born of grief, of that Yudhishthira whose body has been purified by the flames of penance, directed to the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra, is consuming this Bharata host.

There comes Partha, having Vasudeva for his protector, checking (as he comes) this entire Dhartarashtra army. Behold, Kiritin is agitating this host like a large whale agitating the vast sea of crested waves. Hark, cries of distress and woe are heard in the forefront of the army. Go, encounter the heir of the Panchala king. As for myself, I will proceed against Yudhishthira. The heart of king Yudhishthira's very strong array is difficult of access. Inaccessible as the interior of the sea, it is guarded on all sides by Atirathas. Satyaki, and Abhimanyu and Dhrishtadyumna, and Vrikodara, and the twins, even these are protecting that ruler of men, viz., king Yudhishthira. Dark as the younger brother of Indra, and risen like a tall Shala, behold Abhimanyu advancing at the head of the (Pandava) host, like a second Phalguna!

Take up your mighty weapons, and with your large bow in hand proceed against the royal son of Prishata (viz., Shikhandin), and against Vrikodara. Who is there that does not wish his dear son to live for many years? Keeping the duties of a Kshatriya, however, before me, I am engaging you (to this task). So Bhishma also, in this battle, is consuming the mighty host of the Pandavas. O son, he is, in battle, equal to Yama or Varuna himself.”

Bhimasena fights

Hearing these words of the high-souled Drona, Bhagadatta and Kripa and Shalya and Kritavarman, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, and Chitrasena and Vikarna and Durmarshana and others, these ten warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, supported by a large host consisting of many nationalities, fought with Bhimasena, desirous of winning high renown in the battle for Bhishma's sake. Shalya struck Bhima with nine arrows, and Kritavarman struck him with three, and Kripa with nine. Chitrasena and Vikarna and Bhagadatta, each struck him with ten arrows. The ruler of the Sindhus struck him with three, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti each struck him with five arrows. Duryodhana struck that son of Pandu with twenty sharp arrows.

Bhimasena pierced in return every one of those kings, those foremost of men in the world, those mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army, one after another. The brave Pandava, that slayer of hostile heroes, pierced Shalya with seven arrows, and Kritavarman with eight. He cut off Kripa's bow with arrow fixed thereon in the middle, dividing it in twain. After thus cutting off his bow, he pierced Kripa once more with seven arrows. He struck Vinda and Anuvinda with three arrows each. He pierced Durmarshana with twenty arrows, and Chitrasena with five, and Vikarna with ten, and Jayadratha with five. Once more striking the ruler of the Sindhus with three arrows, he uttered a loud shout, filled with joy. Then Gautama, that foremost of car-warriors, taking up another bow, angrily pierced Bhima with ten sharp shafts. Pierced with those ten shafts like a huge elephant with the hook, the valiant Bhimasena, filled with wrath, struck Gautama in that battle with many shafts. Possessed of the splendour of Yama himself, as he appears at the end of the Yuga, Bhimasena then, with three arrows, dispatched unto Death's domain the steeds of the ruler of the Sindhus as also his charioteer. Thereupon that mighty car-warrior, (viz., Jayadratha), quickly jumping down from that car whose steeds had been slain, shot in that battle many sharp-pointed shafts at Bhimasena. Then, with a couple of broad-headed arrows, he cut off the bow of the high-souled king of the Sindhus in the middle. His bow cut off, himself deprived of car, his steeds and charioteer slain, Jayadratha then, quickly mounted on the car of Chitrasena. Indeed, the son of Pandu achieved in that battle a most wonderful feat, for piercing all those mighty car-warriors and holding them in check, he deprived the ruler of the Sindhus of his car in the very sight of all the army.

Shalya could not brook to see the prowess that Bhimasena displayed, for saying unto him, “Wait, Wait”, he aimed some sharp arrows well-polished by the forger's hands, and pierced Bhima therewith in that battle. Kripa and Kritavarman and the valiant Bhagadatta, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, and Chitrasena, and Durmarshana, and Vikarna, and the valiant ruler of the Sindhus also, in that battle, these chastisers of foes, all quickly pierced Bhima for the sake of Shalya. Bhima then pierced each of them in return with five arrows. He pierced Shalya then with seventy arrows and once more with ten. Shalya then pierced him with nine arrows and once more with five. He pierced Bhimasena's charioteer also, deep in his vitals, with a broad-headed arrow. The valiant Bhimasena then, beholding his charioteer Vishoka deeply pierced, sped three arrows at the arms and chest of the ruler of Madras. As regards the other great bowmen, he pierced each of them in that battle With three straight arrows, and then uttered a loud roar like that of a lion. Each of those great bowmen then, exerting himself with vigour, deeply Pierced that son of Pandu skilled in battle, with three arrows in his vitals.

That mighty bowman viz., Bhimasena, though pierced deeply, trembled not (but stood still) like a mountain drenched with torrents of rain by showering clouds. Then that mighty car-warrior of the Pandavas, filled with wrath, that celebrated hero, deeply, pierced the ruler of the Madras with three arrows. He pierced the ruler of the Pragjyotishas in that battle, with a hundred arrows. Of great renown, he then pierced Kripa with many arrows, and then, displaying great dexterity, he cut off with a keen-edged shaft the bow, with arrow fixed thereon, of the high-souled Kritavarman. Then Kritavarman, that scorcher of foes, taking up another bow, struck Vrikodara between his eyebrows with a long arrow. Bhima, however, in that battle, having pierced Shalya with nine arrows made wholly of iron, and Bhagadatta with three, and Kritavarman with eight, pierced each of the others with Gautama at their head, with two arrows. Those warriors also, in return, pierced him with sharp-pointed shafts. Though thus afflicted by those mighty car-warriors with all kinds of weapons, yet, regarding them all as straw, he coursed on the field without any anxiety. Those foremost of car-warriors (on the other hand), with great coolness, sped at Bhima sharp-pointed arrows by hundreds and thousands. The heroic and mighty Bhagadatta then, in that battle, hurled at him a dart of fierce impetuosity furnished with a golden staff.

The Sindhu king, of strong arms, hurled at him a lance and an axe. Kripa hurled at him a Shataghni, and Shalya an arrow. The other great bowmen each sped at him five arrows with great force. The son of the Wind-god then cut off, with a sharp shaft, that lance in twain. He cut off that axe also with three shafts, as if it were a sesame stalk. With five shafts winged with the feathers of the Kanka bird, he cut that Shataghni into fragments. That mighty car-warrior then, having cut off the arrow sped by the ruler of the Madras, forcibly cut off the dart sped by Bhagadatta in that battle. As regards the other fierce shafts, Bhimasena, proud of his feats in battle, cut them each into three fragments by means of his own straight shafts. He struck each of those great bowmen also with three shafts. Then Dhananjaya, during the progress of that dreadful battle, beholding the mighty car-warrior Bhima striking the foe and battling (against many) with his arrows, came there on his car. Then those bulls among men, of Dhritarashtra’s army, beholding those two high-souled sons of Pandu together, gave up all hopes of victory.

Bhima and Arjuna fight

Then Arjuna, desirous of slaying Bhishma, placing Shikhandin before him, approached Bhima who had been fighting with those great car-warriors and fell upon those fierce combatants, numbering ten, of your army. Then Bibhatsu, desirous of doing what was agreeable to Bhima, pierced all those warriors who had been battling with Bhima. Then king Duryodhana urged Susharman, for the destruction of both Arjuna and Bhimasena, saying,

“O Susharman, go you quickly supported by a large force. Slay those two sons of Pandu, viz., Dhananjaya and Vrikodara.”

Hearing these words of his, the Trigarta king who ruled the country called Prasthala, quickly rushed in battle upon those two bowmen, viz., Bhima and Dhananjaya, and surrounded them both by many thousands of cars. Then commenced a fierce battle between Arjuna and the foe.

Arjuna covered with his straight shafts the mighty car-warrior Shalya who was struggling vigorously in battle. He pierced Susharman and Kripa with three arrows each. In that battle the Atiratha Arjuna, afflicting Dhritarashtra’s host, struck the ruler of the Pragjyotishas, and Jayadratha the king of the Sindhus, and Chitrasena, and Vikarna, and Kritavarman, and Durmarshana, and those two mighty car-warriors, viz., the princes of Avanti, each with three arrows winged with the feathers of the Kanka and the peacock. Jayadratha, staying on the car of Chitrasena, pierced Partha (in return), and then, without loss of time, Bhima also, with his shafts. Shalya, and that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Kripa, both pierced Jishnu with diverse arrows capable of penetrating into the very vitals. Dhritarashtra’s sons headed by Chitrasena each quickly pierced Arjuna and Bhimasena in that battle with five sharp shafts. Those two foremost of car-warriors however, viz., those sons of Kunti, those bulls of Bharata's race, began in that battle to afflict the mighty host of the Trigartas.

Susharman (in return) pierced Partha with nine swift arrows, and uttered a loud shout frightening the vast host (of the Pandavas). Other heroic car-warriors pierced Bhimasena and Dhananjaya with many straight-going arrows of keen points and golden wings. Amid these car-warriors, however, those two bulls of Bharata's race, viz., the two sons of Kunti, those great car-warriors, looked exceedingly beautiful. They seemed to sport amid them like two furious lions amid a herd of kine. Cutting off in various ways the bows and arrows of many brave warriors in that battle, those two heroes felled the heads of combatants by hundreds upon hundreds. Innumerable cars were broken, and steeds by hundreds were slain, and many elephants, along with their riders, were laid low on the field in that dreadful battle. Car-warriors and horsemen and elephant-riders in large numbers, deprived of life were seen moving in convulsions all over the field. The earth was covered with slain elephants and foot-soldiers in large bands, and steeds deprived of life, and cars broken in diverse ways. The prowess of Partha was highly wonderful, in as much as holding in check all those heroes, that mighty warrior caused a great slaughter.

Kripa, and Kritavarman, and Jayadratha, the ruler of the Sindhus, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, these did not forsake the battle. Then that great bowman Bhima, and that mighty car-warrior Arjuna, began in that battle to rout the fierce host of the Kauravas. The kings (in that army) quickly sped at Dhananjaya's car myriads upon myriads and millions upon millions of arrows furnished with peacock feathers. Partha, however, checking those arrows by means of his own arrowy showers, began to send those mighty car-warriors to Yama's abode. The great car-warrior Shalya then, excited with wrath and as if sporting in that battle, struck Partha in the chest with some straight shafts of broad heads. Partha then, cutting off by means of five shafts Shalya's bow and leathern fence, pierced the latter deeply in the very vitals with many arrows of keen points. Taking up another bow capable of bearing a great strain, the ruler of the Madras then furiously attacked Jishnu with three arrows and Vasudeva with five. He struck Bhimasena in the arms and the chest with nine arrows. Then Drona and that mighty car-warrior, viz., the ruler of the Magadhas, commanded by Duryodhana, both came to that spot where those two mighty car-warriors, viz., Partha and Bhimasena, were slaughtering the mighty host of the Kuru king. Jayatsena (the king of the Magadhas) then, pierced Bhima, that wielder of awful weapons in battle, with eight sharp arrows. Bhima, however, pierced him (in return) with ten arrows, and once more with five. With another broad-headed shaft he felled Jayatsena's charioteer from his niche in the car. The steeds (of his car), no longer restrained, ran wildly in all directions and thus carried away the ruler of the Magadhas (from battle) in the sight of all the troops.

Meanwhile Drona, noticing an opening, pierced Bhimasena with eight keen shafts furnished with heads shaped after the frog's mouth. Bhima, however, ever delighting in battle, pierced the preceptor, who was worthy of paternal reverence, with five broad-headed arrows, and then with sixty. Arjuna, again piercing Susharman with a large number of arrows made (wholly) of iron, destroyed his troops like the tempest destroying mighty masses of clouds. Then Bhishma, and the king (viz., Duryodhana), and Brihadbala, the ruler of the Kosalas, excited with rage, advanced upon Bhimasena and Dhananjaya. At this, the heroic warriors of the Pandava army, and Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata, rushed in battle against Bhishma who was advancing like Death himself with wide-open mouth. Shikhandin also, sighting the grandsire of the Bharatas, was filled with joy and rushed at him, abandoning all fear of the mighty car-warrior. Then all the Parthas with Yudhishthira at their head, placing Shikhandin in the forefront, and uniting with the Srinjayas, fought with Bhishma in battle. Similarly all the warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, placing Bhishma of regulated vows in their forefront, fought in battle with all the Parthas headed by Shikhandin.

The battle then that commenced there between the Kauravas and the sons of Pandu for the sake of Bhishma's victory or victory over Bhishma, was exceedingly terrible. Indeed, in that game of battle, played for the sake of victory or the reverse, Bhishma became the stake on which the victory of your army depended. Then Dhrishtadyumna commanded all the troops, saying,

“Rush against the son of Ganga. Do not fear, you best of car-warriors.”

Hearing those words of their generalissimo, the army of the Pandavas quickly advanced against Bhishma, ready to lay down their lives in that dreadful battle. Bhishma then, that foremost of car-warriors, received that large host rushing towards him, like the continent receiving the surging sea.

Bhishma asks Yudhishthira to kill him

Day after day many mighty car-warriors of your army, excited with wrath, were dispatched to the other world by the diadem-decked (Arjuna) with his great weapons. The ever-victorious Kuru warrior Bhishma also, agreeably to his vow, always caused a great carnage among the Partha army. Beholding Bhishma, fighting at the head of the Kurus, and Arjuna also fighting at the head of the Panchalas, no one could say truly on which side the victory would declare itself. On the tenth day of battle, when Bhishma and Arjuna encountered each other, awful was the carnage that took place. On that day, Shantanu’s son, Bhishma, conversant with high and mighty weapons, repeatedly slew thousands upon thousands of warriors. Many, whose names and families were not known, but who, endued with great bravery, were unretreating from battle, were on that day slain by Bhishma. Scorching the Pandava army for ten days, Bhishma of virtuous soul, gave up all desire of protecting his life. Wishing his own slaughter presently at the head of his troops, “No more shall I slay large numbers of foremost of warriors” thought that mighty-armed Devavrata. Seeing Yudhishthira near him, he addressed him, saying,

“O Yudhishthira, O you of great wisdom, O you that are acquainted with every branch of learning, listen to these righteous and heaven-leading words, O sire, that I say. O Bharata, I no longer desire to protect, O sire, this body of mine. I have passed much time in slaying large numbers of men in battle. If you wish to do what is agreeable to me, strive to slay me, placing Partha with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas at your forefront.”

Ascertaining this to be his intention, king Yudhishthira of true sight proceeded to battle with the Srinjayas (for his support). Then Dhrishtadyumna and Pandu's son Yudhishthira, having heard those words of Bhishma urged their array on. Yudhishthira said,

“Advance! Fight! Vanquish Bhishma in battle. You all will be protected by that conqueror of foes, viz., Jishnu of unbaffled aim. And this great bowman, this generalissimo (of our forces), viz., the son of Prishata, as also Bhima, will assuredly protect you. You Srinjayas, entertain no fear today of Bhishma in battle. Without doubt, we will vanquish Bhishma today, placing Shikhandin in our forefront.”

Having, on the tenth day of battle, made such a vow, the Pandavas, resolved to (conquer or) go to heaven, advanced, blinded by rage, with Shikhandin and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu to the fore. They made the most vigorous efforts for the overthrow of Bhishma. Then diverse kings, of great might, urged by Dhritarashtra’s son, and accompanied by Drona and his son and a large force, and the mighty Duhshasana at the head of all his uterine brothers, proceeded towards Bhishma staying in the midst of that battle. Then those brave warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, placing Bhishma of high vows in their forefront, battled with the Parthas headed by Shikhandin. Supported by the Chedis and the Panchalas, the ape-bannered Arjuna, placing Shikhandin ahead, proceeded towards Bhishma, the son of Shantanu. The grandson of Shini battled with Drona's son, and Dhrishtaketu with the descendant of Puru, and Yudhamanyu with your son Duryodhana at the head of his followers. Virata, at the head of his forces, encountered Jayadratha supported by his own troops. Vardhakshatra's heir encountered Dhritarashtra’s son Chitrasena armed with excellent bow and arrows. Yudhishthira proceeded against the mighty bowman Shalya at the head of his troops. Bhimasena, well-protected, proceeded against the elephant-division (of the Kaurava army). Dhrishtadyumna, the prince of Panchala, excited with fury and accompanied by his brothers, proceeded against Drona, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, invincible, and irresistible. That chastiser of foes, viz., prince Brihadbala, bearing on his standard the device of the lion, proceeded against Subhadra's son whose standard bore the device of the Karnikara flower. Dhritarashtra’s sons, accompanied by many kings, proceeded against Shikhandin and Dhananjaya the son of Pritha, from desire of slaughtering both of them. When the combatants of both armies rushed against each other with awful prowess, the earth shook (under their tread). Beholding Shantanu’s son in battle, the divisions of Dhritarashtra’s army and of the foe became mingled with one another. Tremendous was the din that arose there of those warriors burning with rage and rushing against each other. It was heard on all sides. With the blare of conchs and the leonine shouts of the soldiers, the uproar became awful. The splendour, equal to that of either the Sun or the Moon, of bracelets and diadems of all the heroic kings, became dimmed. The dust that rose looked like a cloud, the flash of bright weapons constituting its lightning. The twang of bows, the whiz of arrows, the blare of conchs, the loud beat of drums, and the rattle of cars, of both the armies, constituted the fierce roar of those clouds. The welkin, over the field of battle, in consequence of the bearded darts, the javelins, the swords and showers of arrows of both armies, was darkened. Car-warriors, and horsemen felled horsemen, in that dreadful battle. Elephants killed elephants, and foot-soldiers slew foot-soldiers. The battle that took place there for Bhishma's sake, between the Kurus and the Pandavas was fierce in the extreme, like that between two hawks for a piece of flesh. Engaged in battle, that encounter between those combatants desirous of slaughtering and vanquishing one another, was extremely dreadful.

The Pandavas approach Bhishma

Abhimanyu, displaying his prowess for the sake of Bhishma, fought with your son who was supported by a large force. Then Duryodhana, excited with wrath, struck Abhimanyu in the chest with rune straight arrows, and once more with three. Then in that battle, Arjuna's son, inflamed with wrath, hurled at Duryodhana's car a terrible dart resembling the rod of Death himself. Dhritarashtra’s son, however, that mighty car-warrior, with a broad-headed arrow of great sharpness, cut off in twain that dart of terrible force coursing towards him with great speed. Beholding that dart of his drop down on the earth, Arjuna's wrathful son pierced Duryodhana with three shafts in his arms and chest. Once more, that mighty car-warrior of Bharata's race struck the Kuru king with ten fierce shafts in the centre of his chest. The battle that took place between those two heroes, viz., Subhadra's son, and that bull of Kuru's race, the former fighting for compassing Bhishma's death and the latter for Arjuna's defeat, was fierce and interesting to behold, and gratifying to the senses, and was applauded by all the kings. That bull among Brahmanas and chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Drona, excited with wrath in that battle, forcibly struck Satyaki in the chest with fierce arrow. The grandson of Shini also, that hero of immeasurable soul, struck the preceptor's son in every vital limbs with nine shafts winged with the feathers of the Kanka bird. Ashwatthaman then, in that battle, struck Satyaki (in return) with nine shafts, and once more, quickly, with thirty, in his arms and chest.

Then that great bowman Of the Satwata race, possessed of great fame, deeply pierced by Drona's son, pierced the latter (in return) with arrows. The mighty car-warrior Paurava, covering Dhrishtaketu in that battle with his shafts, mangled that great bowman exceedingly. The mighty car-warrior Dhrishtaketu, endued with great strength, quickly pierced the former with thirty arrows. Then the mighty car-warrior Paurava cut off Dhrishtaketu's bow, and uttering a loud shout, pierced him with whetted shafts. Dhrishtaketu then taking up another bow, pierced Paurava, with three and seventy shafts of great sharpness. Those two great bowmen and mighty car-warriors, both of gigantic stature, pierced each other with showers of arrows. Each succeeded in cutting off the other's bow, and each slew the other's steeds. Both of them, thus deprived of their cars, then encountered each other in a battle with swords. Each took up a beautiful shield made of bull's hide and docked with a hundred moons and graced with a hundred stars. Each of them also took up a polished sword of brilliant lustre. Thus equipped, they rushed at each other, like two lions in the deep forest, both seeking the companionship of the same lioness in her season. They wheeled in beautiful circles, advanced and retreated, and displayed other movements, seeking to strike each other. Then Paurava, excited with wrath, addressed Dhrishtaketu, saying “Wait, Wait”, and struck him on the frontal bone with that large scimitar of his. The king of the Chedis also, in that battle, struck Paurava, that bull among men, on his shoulder-joint, with his large scimitar of sharp edge. Those two repressors of foes thus encountering each other in dreadful battle and thus striking each other, both fell down on the field. Then Dhritarashtra’s son Jayatsena, taking Paurava up on his car, removed him from the field of battle on that vehicle. As regards Dhrishtaketu, the valiant and heroic Sahadeva, the son of Madri, possessed of great prowess, bore him away from the field.

Chitrasena, having pierced Susharman with many arrows made wholly of iron, once more pierced him with sixty arrows and once more with nine. Susharman, however, excited with wrath in battle, pierced Dhritarashtra’s son with hundreds of arrows. Chitrasena then excited with rage, pierced his adversary with thirty straight shafts. Susharman, however, pierced Chitrasena again in return.

In that battle for the destruction of Bhishma, Subhadra's son, enhancing his fame and honour, fought with prince Brihadbala, putting forth his prowess for aiding (his sire) Partha and then proceeded towards Bhishma's front. The ruler of the Kosalas, having pierced the son of Arjuna with five shafts made of iron, once more pierced him with twenty straight shafts. Then the son of Subhadra pierced the ruler of Kosalas with eight shafts made wholly of iron. He succeeded not, however, in making the ruler of the Kosalas to tremble, and, therefore, he once more pierced him with many arrows. And Phalguni's son then cut off Brihadbala's bow, and struck him again with thirty arrows winged with feathers of the Kanka bird. Prince Brihadbala then, taking up another bow, angrily pierced the son of Phalguni in that battle with many arrows. Verily, O scorcher of foes, the battle, for Bhishma's sake, that took place between them, both excited with rage and both conversant with every mode of fight, was like the encounter of Vali and Vasava in days of old on the occasion of the battle between the gods and the Asuras.

Bhimasena, fighting against the elephant-division, looked highly resplendent like Shakra armed with the thunder after splitting large mountains. Indeed, elephants, huge as hills, slaughtered by Bhimasena in battle, fell down in numbers on the field, filling the earth with their shrieks. Resembling massive heaps of antimony, and of mountain-like proportions, those elephants with frontal globes split open, lying prostrate on the earth, seemed like mountains strewn over the earth's surface. The mighty bowman Yudhishthira, protected by a large force, afflicted the ruler of the Madras, encountering him in that dreadful battle. The ruler of the Madras, in return, displaying his prowess for the sake of Bhishma, afflicted the son of Dharma, that mighty car-warrior, in battle. The king of Sindhus, having pierced Virata with nine straight arrows of keen points, once more struck him with thirty. Virata, however, that commander of a large division, struck Jayadratha in the centre of his chest with thirty shafts of keen points. The ruler of the Matsyas and the ruler of the Sindhus, both armed with beautiful bows and beautiful scimitars, both decked with handsome coats of mail and weapons and standards, and both of beautiful forms looked resplendent in that battle.

Drona, encountering Dhrishtadyumna the prince of the Panchalas in dreadful battle, fought fiercely with his straight shafts. Then Drona, having cut off the large bow of Prishata's son, pierced him deeply with fifty arrows. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Prishata, taking up another bow, sped at Drona who was contending with him, many arrows. The mighty car-warrior Drona however, cut off all those arrows, striking them with his own. Then Drona sped at Drupada's son five fierce shafts. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Prishata, excited with rage, hurled at Drona in that battle a mace resembling the rod of Death himself. Drona however, with fifty arrows checked that mace decked with gold as it coursed impetuously towards him. Thereupon that mace, cut into fragments, by those shafts shot from Drona's bow, fell down on the earth. Then that scorcher of foes, viz., the son of Prishata, beholding his mace baffled, hurled at Drona an excellent dart made wholly of iron. Drona, however, cut that dart with nine shafts in that battle and then afflicted that great bowman, viz., the son of Prishata. Thus took place that fierce and awful battle between Drona and the son of Prishata, for the sake of Bhishma.

Arjuna, getting at the son of Ganga, afflicted him with many arrows of keen points, and rushed at him like an infuriate elephant in the forest upon another. King Bhagadatta, however, of great prowess then rushed at Arjuna, and checked his course in battle with showers of arrows. Arjuna then, in that dreadful battle, pierced Bhagadatta's elephant coming towards him, with many polished arrows of iron, that were all bright as silver and furnished with keen points. The son of Kunti, meanwhile urged Shikhandin, saying, “Proceed, proceed, towards Bhishma, and slay him!” Then, the ruler of Pragjyotishas, abandoning that son of Pandu, quickly proceeded against the car of Drupada. Then Arjuna speedily proceeded towards Bhishma, placing Shikhandin ahead. Then there took place a fierce battle, for all the brave combatants of Dhritarashtra’s army rushed with great vigour against Arjuna, uttering loud shouts. All this seemed extremely wonderful. Like the wind dispersing in the summer masses of clouds in the welkin, Arjuna dispersed all those diverse divisions of Dhritarashtra’s sons. Shikhandin, however, without any anxiety, coming up at the grandsire of the Bharatas, quickly pierced him with great many arrows.

As regards Bhishma, his car was then his fire-chamber. His bow was the flame of that fire. Swords I and darts and maces constituted the fuel of that fire. The showers of arrows he shot were the blazing sparks of that fire with which he was then consuming Kshatriyas in that battle. As a raging conflagration with constant supply of fuel, wandered amid masses of dry grass when aided by the wind, so did Bhishma blaze up with his flames, scattering his celestial weapons. The Kuru hero slew the Somakas that followed Partha in that battle. Indeed that mighty car-warrior checked also the other forces of Arjuna, by means of his straight and whetted shafts furnished with wings of gold. Filling in that dreadful battle all the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with his leonine shouts, Bhishma felled many car-warriors (from their cars) and many steeds along with their riders. He caused large bodies of cars to look like forests of palmyras shorn of their leafy heads. That foremost of all wielders of weapons, in that battle, deprived cars and steeds and elephants, of their riders. Hearing the twang of his bow and the slap of his palms, both resembling the roll of the thunder, the troops trembled all over the field. The shafts of Bhishma were never bootless as they fell. Indeed, shot from Bhishma's bow they never fell only touching the bodies of the foe (but pierced them through in every case). Crowds of cars deprived of riders, but unto which were yoked fleet steeds, were seen dragged on all sides with the speed of the wind. Full fourteen thousand great car-warriors of noble parentage, prepared to lay down their lives, unretreating and brave, and possessed of standards decked with gold, belonging to the Chedis, the Kashis, and the Karushas, approaching Bhishma, that hero who resembled the Destroyer himself with wide-open mouth, were dispatched to the other world, with their steeds, cars and elephants.

There was not a single great car-warrior among the Somakas, who, having approached Bhishma in that battle, returned with life from that engagement. Beholding Bhishma's prowess, people regarded all those warriors (who approached him) as already dispatched to the abode of the king of the Dead. Indeed, no car-warrior ventured to approach Bhishma in battle, except the heroic Arjuna having white steeds (yoked unto his car) and owning Krishna for his charioteer, and Shikhandin, the prince of Panchala, of immeasurable energy.

Shikhandin, approaching Bhishma in battle, struck him in the centre of the chest with ten broad-headed arrows The son of Ganga, however, only looked at Shikhandin with wrath and as if consuming the Panchala prince with that look. Remembering his femininity, Bhishma, in the very sight of all, struck him not. Shikhandin, however, understood it not. Then Arjuna addressed Shikhandin, saying,

“Rush quickly and slay the grandsire. What need you say, O hero? Slay the mighty car-warrior Bhishma. I do not see any other warrior in Yudhishthira's army who is competent to fight with Bhishma in battle, save you, O tiger among men. I say this truly.”

Thus addressed by Partha, Shikhandin quickly covered the grandsire with diverse kinds of weapons. Disregarding those shafts, Devavrata began, with his shafts, to check the angry Arjuna only in that battle. That mighty car-warrior began also to dispatch, with his shafts of keen points, the whole army of the Pandavas to the other world. The Pandavas also, after the same manner, supported by their vast host, began to overwhelm Bhishma like the clouds covering the maker of day. Surrounded on all sides, that Bharata hero consumed many brave warriors in that battle like a raging conflagration in the forest (consuming numberless trees). The prowess there of Dhritarashtra’s son (Duhshasana) was wonderful, inasmuch as he battled with Partha and protected the grandsire at the same time.

With that feat of Dhritarashtra’s son Duhshasana, that illustrious bowman, all the people there were highly gratified. Alone he battled with all the Pandavas having Arjuna amongst them; and he fought with such vigour that the Pandavas were unable to resist him. Many car-warriors were in that battle deprived of their cars by Duhshasana. Many mighty bowmen on horseback and many mighty-warriors, elephants, pierced with Duhshasana's keen shafts, fell down on the earth. Many elephants, afflicted with his shafts, ran away in all directions. As a fire fiercely blazes forth with bright flames when fed with fuel, so did your son blaze forth, consuming the Pandava host. No car-warrior of the Pandava host ventured to vanquish or even proceed against that warrior of gigantic proportions, save Indra's son (Arjuna) owning white steeds and having Krishna for his charioteer. Then Arjuna also called Vijaya, vanquishing Duhshasana in battle in the very sight of all the troops, proceeded against Bhishma. Though vanquished, Dhritarashtra’s son, however, relying upon the might of Bhishma's arms, repeatedly comforted his own side and battled with the Pandavas with great fierceness. Arjuna, fighting with his foes in that battle, looked exceedingly resplendent. Then Shikhandin, in that battle, pierced the grandsire with many arrows whose touch resembled that of the bolts of heaven and which were as fatal as the poison of the snake. These arrows, however, caused Bhishma little pain, for the son of Ganga received them laughingly. Indeed, as a person afflicted with heat cheerfully receives torrents of rain, so did the son of Ganga received those arrows of Shikhandin. The Kshatriyas there beheld Bhishma in that great battle as a being of fierce visage who was incessantly consuming the troops of the high-souled Pandavas.

Then Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana), addressing all his warriors, said unto them,

“Rush you against Phalguni from all sides. Bhishma, acquainted with the duties of a commander, will protect you.”

Thus addressed, the Kaurava troops casting off all fear, fought with the Pandavas. (And once more, Duryodhana said unto them).

“With his tall standard bearing the device of the golden palmyra, Bhishma stays, protecting the honour and the armour of all the Dhartarashtra warriors. The very gods, striving vigorously, cannot vanquish the illustrious and mighty Bhishma. What need be said, therefore, of the Parthas who are mortals? Therefore, you warriors, fly not away from the field, getting Phalguni for a foe. I myself, striving vigorously, will today fight with the Pandavas, uniting with all of you, you lords of earth, exerting yourselves actively.”

Hearing these words of Dhritarashtra’s son with bow in hand, many mighty combatants, excited with rage, belonging to the Videhas, the Kalingas, and the diverse tribes of the Daserkas, fell upon Phalguni. Many combatants also, belonging to the Nishadas, the Sauviras, the Bahlikas, the Daradas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhighatas, the Shurasenas, the Shibis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Shakas, the Trigartas, the Ambashthas, and the Kekayas, similarly fell upon Partha, like flights of insects upon a fire. The mighty Dhananjaya, otherwise called Bibhatsu, then, calling to mind diverse celestial weapons and aiming them at those great car-warriors at the heads of their respective divisions, quickly consumed them all, by means of those weapons of great force, like fire consuming a flight of insects. While that firm bowman was (by means of his celestial weapons) creating thousands upon thousands of arrows, his Gandiva looked highly resplendent in the welkin. Then those Kshatriyas, afflicted with those arrows with their tall standards torn and overthrown, could not even together, approach the ape-bannered (Partha). Car-warriors fell down with their standards, and horsemen with their horses, and elephant-riders with their elephants, attacked by Kiritin with his shafts. The earth was soon covered all on all sides with the retreating troops of those kings, routed in consequence of the shafts shot from Arjuna's arms. Partha then, having routed the Kaurava army, sped many arrows at Duhshasana. Those arrows with iron heads, piercing your son Duhshasana through, all entered the earth like snakes through ant-hills. Arjuna then slew Duhshasana's steeds and then felled his charioteer. The lord Arjuna, with twenty shafts, deprived Vivimshati of his car, and struck him five straight shafts. Piercing Kripa and Vikarna and Shalya with many arrows made wholly of iron, Kunti's son owning white steeds deprived all of them of their cars. Thus deprived of their cars and vanquished in battle by Savyasachin, Kripa and Shalya, and Duhshasana, and Vikarna and Vivimshati, all fled away. Having vanquished those mighty car-warriors, in the forenoon, Partha blazed up in that battle like a smokeless conflagration. Scattering his shafts all around like the Sun shedding rays of light, Partha felled many other kings. Making those mighty car-warriors turn their backs upon the field by means of his arrowy showers, Arjuna caused a large river of bloody current to flow in that battle between the hosts of the Kurus and the Pandavas. Large numbers of elephants and steeds and car-warriors were slain by car-warriors. Many were the car-warriors slain by elephants, and many also were the steeds slain by foot-soldiers. The bodies of many elephant-riders and horsemen and car-warriors, cut off in the middle, as also their heads, fell down on every part of the field. The field of battle was strewn with (slain) princes, mighty car-warriors, falling or fallen, decked with ear-rings and bracelets. It was also strewn with the bodies of many warriors cut off by car-wheels, or trodden down by elephants. Foot-soldiers ran away, and horsemen also with their horses. Many elephants and car-warriors fell down on all sides. Many cars, with wheels and yokes and standards broken, lay scattered all about on the field. The field of battle, dyed with the gore of large numbers of elephants, steeds, and car-warriors, looked beautiful like a red cloud, in the autumnal sky. Dogs, and crows, and vultures, and wolves, and jackals, and many other frightful beasts and birds, set up loud howls, at the sight of the food that lay before them. Diverse kinds of winds blew along all directions. Rakshasas and evil spirits were seen there, uttering loud roars. Strings, embroidered with gold, and costly banners, were seen to wave, moved by the wind. Thousands of umbrellas and great cars with standards attached to them, were seen lying scattered about on the field.

Then Bhishma, invoking a celestial weapon, rushed at the son of Kunti, in the very sight of all the bowmen. Thereupon Shikhandin, clad in mail, rushed at Bhishma who was dashing towards Arjuna. At this, Bhishma withdrew that weapon resembling fire (in effulgence and energy). Meanwhile Kunti's son owning white steeds slaughtered Dhritarashtra’s troops, confounding the grandsire.

When the combatants of both armies, strong in number, were thus disposed in battle array, all those unretreating heroes set their heart upon the region of Brahma. In course of the general engagement that followed, the same class of combatants did not fight with the same class of combatants. Car-warriors fought not with car-warriors, or foot-soldiers with foot-soldiers, or horsemen with horsemen, or elephant-warriors with elephant-warriors. On the other hand, the combatants fought with one another like mad men. Great and dreadful was the calamity that overtook both the armies. In that fierce slaughter when elephants and men spread themselves on the field, all distinctions between them ceased, for they fought indiscriminately.

Then Shalya and Kripa, and Chitrasena, and Duhshasana, and Vikarna, those heroes mounted on their bright cars, caused the Pandava host to tremble. Slaughtered in battle by those high-souled warriors, the Pandava army began to reel in diverse ways, like a boat on the waters tossed by the wind. As the wintry cold cuts kine to the quick, so did Bhishma cut the sons of Pandu to the quick. As regards Dhritarashtra’s army also, many elephants, looking like newly-risen clouds, were felled by the illustrious Partha. Many foremost of warriors too were seen to be crushed by that hero. Struck with arrows and long shafts in thousands, many huge elephants fell down, uttering frightful shrieks of pain. The field of battle looked beautiful, strewn with the bodies, still decked with ornaments of high-souled warriors deprived of life and with heads still decked with ear-rings. In that battle which was destructive of great heroes, when Bhishma and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu put forth their prowess, Dhritarashtra’s sons, beholding the grandsire exert himself vigorously, approached him, with all their troops placed ahead. Desirous of laying down their lives in battle and making heaven itself their goal, they approached the Pandavas in that battle, which was fraught with great carnage. The brave Pandavas also, bearing in mind the many injuries of diverse kinds inflicted upon them before by Dhritarashtra’s and Dhritarashtra’s son, and casting off all fear, and eager to win the highest heavens, cheerfully fought with Dhritarashtra’s son and the other warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army.

Then the generalissimo of the Pandava army, viz., the mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, addressing his soldiers, said,

“You Somakas, accompanied by the Srinjayas, rush you at Ganga's son.”

Hearing those words of their commander the Somakas and the Srinjayas, though afflicted with showers of arrows, rushed at the son of Ganga. Thus attacked, Bhishma, influenced by wrath, began to fight with the Srinjayas. In days of old, the intelligent Rama had imparted to Bhishma of glorious achievements that instruction in weapons which was so destructive of hostile ranks. Relying on that instruction and causing a great havoc among the troops of the foe, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the old Kuru grandsire Bhishma, day after day, slew ten thousand warriors of the Ratha. On the tenth day, however, Bhishma, single-handed, slew ten thousand elephants. Then he slew seven great car-warriors among the Matsyas and the Panchalas. In addition to all this, in that dreadful battle five thousand foot-soldiers, and one thousand tuskers, and ten thousand steeds, were also slain by him, through skill acquired by education. Then having thinned the ranks of all the kings, he slew Shatanika, the dear brother of Virata. The valiant Bhishma, having slain Shatanika in battle, felled full one thousand Kshatriyas with his broad-headed shafts. Besides these, all the Kshatriyas of the Pandava army who followed Dhananjaya, as soon as they approached Bhishma, had to go to Yama's abode. Covering the Pandava host from every side with showers of arrows, Bhishma stayed in battle at the head of the Kaurava army. Achieving the most glorious feats on the tenth day, as he stayed between the two armies, bow in hand, none of the kings could even look at him, for he then resembled the hot mid-day Sun in the summer sky. As Shakra scorched the Daitya host in battle, even so did Bhishma scorch the Pandava host. Beholding him thus put forth his prowess, the slayer of Madhu, viz., the son of Devaki, cheerfully addressing Dhananjaya, said,

“There, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, stays between the two armies. Slaying him by putting forth your might, you may win victory. There, at that spot, whence he breaks our ranks, check him, putting forth your strength. O lord, none else, save you, ventures to bear the arrows of Bhishma.”

Thus urged, the ape-bannered Arjuna at that moment made Bhishma with his car, steeds, and standard, invisible by means of his arrows. That bull, however, among the foremost of Kurus, by means of his own arrowy showers, pierced those showers of shafts shot by the son of Pandu. Then the king of the Panchalas the valiant Dhrishtaketu, Bhimasena the son of Pandu, Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), Chekitana, and the five Kaikaya brothers, and the mighty-armed Satyaki and Subhadra's son, and Ghatotkacha, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and Shikhandin, and the valiant Kuntibhoja, and Susharman, and Virata, these and many other powerful warriors of the Pandava army, afflicted by the shafts of Bhishma, seemed to sink in an ocean of grief, Phalguni, however, rescued them all. Then Shikhandin, taking up a mighty weapon and protected by Kiritin, rushed impetuously towards Bhishma alone. The unvanquished Bibhatsu then, knowing what should be done after what, slew all those that followed Bhishma, and then himself rushed at him. Satyaki, and Chekitana, and Dhristadyumna of Prishata's race, and Virata, and Drupada, and the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, all protected by that firm bowman (viz., Arjuna) rushed against Bhishma alone in that battle. Abhimanyu, and the five sons of Draupadi also, with mighty weapons upraised, rushed against Bhishma in battle. All those firm bowmen, unretreating from battle, pierced Bhishma in diverse parts of his body with well-aimed shafts. Disregarding all those shafts, large in number, shot by those foremost of princes belonging to the Pandava host, Bhishma of undepressed soul penetrated into the Pandava ranks. The grandsire baffled all those arrows, as if sporting the while. Frequently looking at Shikhandin the prince of the Panchalas with a laugh, he aimed not a single arrow at him, recollecting his femininity. On the other hand, he slew seven great car-warriors belonging to Drupada's division. Then confused cries of woe soon arose amongst the Matsyas, the Panchalas, and the Chedis, who were together rushing at that single hero. With large numbers of foot-soldiers and steeds and cars, and with showers of arrows, they overwhelmed that single warrior, viz., Bhishma the son of Bhagirathi, that scorcher of foes, like the clouds overwhelming the maker of day. Then in that battle between him and them, which resembled the battle between the gods and the Asuras in days of old, the diadem-decked (Arjuna), placing Shikhandin before him, pierced Bhishma (repeatedly).

The fall of Bhishma

Thus all the Pandavas, placing Shikhandin before them pierced Bhishma in that battle repeatedly surrounding him on all sides. All the Srinjayas, uniting together, struck him with dreadful Shataghnis, and spiked maces, and battle-axes, and mallets, and short thick clubs, and bearded darts, and other missiles, and arrows furnished with golden wing, and darts and lances and kampanas; and with long shafts, and arrows furnished with heads shaped like the calf-tooth, and rockets. Thus afflicted by many, his coat of mail was pierced everywhere. But though pierced in every vital part, Bhishma felt no pain. On the other hand, he then seemed to his enemies to resemble in appearance the (all-destructive) fire that rises at the end of Yuga. His bow and arrows constituted the blazing flames (of that fire). The flight of his weapons constituted its (friendly) breeze. The rattle of his car-wheels constituted its heat and mighty weapons constituted its splendour. His beautiful bow formed its fierce tongue, and the bodies of heroic warriors, its profuse fuel. Bhishma was seen to roll through the midst of crowds of cars belonging to those kings, or to come out (of the press) at times, or course once more through their midst. Then, disregarding the king of the Panchalas and Dhrishtaketu, he penetrated into the midst of the Pandava army. He then pierced the six Pandava warriors, viz., Satyaki, and Bhima, and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, and Drupada, and Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, with many excellent arrows of great sharpness and dreadful whizz and exceeding impetuosity, and capable of piercing through every kind of armour. Those mighty car-warriors, however, checking those keen shafts, afflicted Bhishma with great force, each of them striking him with ten shafts. Those mighty shafts, whetted on stone and furnished with golden wings, which the great car-warrior Shikhandin shot, quickly penetrated into Bhishma's body.

Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna), excited with wrath, and placing Shikhandin ahead rushed at Bhishma and cut off the latter's bow. Thereupon mighty car-warriors, seven in number, viz., Drona and Kritavarman, and Jayadratha the ruler of the Sindhus, and Bhurishravas, and Shala, and Shalya, and Bhagadatta could not brook that act of Arjuna. Inflamed with rage, they rushed at him. Indeed, those mighty car-warriors, invoking into existence celestial weapons, fell with great wrath upon that son of Pandu, and covered him with their arrows. As they rushed towards Phalguni's car, the noise made by them was heard to resemble that made by the ocean itself when it swells in rage at the end of the Yuga, “Kill, Bring up (our forces), Take, Pierce, Cut off”, this was the furious uproar heard about Phalguni's car. Hearing that furious uproar, the mighty car-warriors of the Pandava army rushed forward for protecting Arjuna. They were Satyaki, and Bhimasena, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and both Virata and Drupada, and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha, and the wrathful Abhimanyu. These seven, inflamed with rage, and armed with excellent bows, rushed with great speed. The battle that took place between these and the Kaurava warriors was fierce, making the hair stand on end, and resembling the battle of the gods with the Danavas.

Shikhandin, however, that foremost of car-warriors, protected in the battle by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), pierced Bhishma, in that encounter, with ten shafts after the latter's bow had been cut off. He struck Bhishma's charioteer with other shafts, and cut off the latter's standard with one shaft. Then the son of Ganga took up another bow that was tougher. That even was cut off by Phalguni with three sharp shafts. Indeed, that chastiser of foes, viz., Arjuna, who was capable of drawing the bow with even his left hand, excited with rage, one after another, cut off all the bows that Bhishma took up. Then Bhishma, whose bows were thus cut off, excited with rage, and licking the corners of his mouth, took up a dart that was capable of riving a hill. In rage he hurled it at Phalguni's car. Beholding its course towards him like the blazing bolt of heaven, the delighter of the Pandavas fixed five sharp broad-headed arrows (on his bow-string). With those five arrows, the angry Arjuna cut off into five fragments that dart hurled from Bhishma's arms. Thus cut off by the angry Arjuna, that dart then fell down like a flash of lightning separated from a mass of clouds. Beholding his dart cut off, Bhishma became filled with rage. That hero, that subjugator of hostile cities, then began to reflect. He said unto himself,

“With only a single bow I could slay all the Pandavas, if the mighty Vishnu himself had not been their protector. For two reasons, however, I will not fight with the Pandavas, viz., their unslayableness, and the femininity of Shikhandin. Formerly, when my sire wedded Kali, he pleased (with me) gave me two boons, viz., that I should be incapable of being slain in battle, and that my death should depend on my own choice. I should, however, now wish my own death, this being the proper hour.”

Ascertaining this to be the resolve of Bhishma of immeasurable energy, the Rishis and the Vasus stationed in the firmament, said,

“That which has been resolved by you is approved by us also, O son! Act according to your resolution, O king. Withdraw your heart from battle.”

On the conclusion, of those words, fragrant and auspicious breeze charged with particles of water, began to blow along a natural direction. Celestial cymbals of loud sounds began to beat. A flowery shower fell upon Bhishma. The words spoken by the Rishis and the Vasus, however, were not heard by any one save Bhishma himself. Sanjaya also heard them, through the power conferred on him by the Muni. Great was the grief that filled the hearts of the celestials at the thought of Bhishma, that favourite of all the worlds, falling down from his car. Having listened to these words of the celestials, Shantanu’s son Bhishma of great ascetic merit rushed out at Bibhatsu, even though he was then being pierced with sharp arrows capable of penetrating through every armour.

Then Shikhandin, excited with rage, struck the grandsire of the Bharatas in the chest with nine sharp arrows. The Kuru grandsire Bhishma, however, though struck by him in battle, thus, trembled not, but remained unmoved like a mountain during an earthquake. Then Bibhatsu, drawing his bow Gandiva with a laugh, pierced the son of Ganga with five and twenty arrows. Once more, Dhananjaya, with great speed and excited with wrath struck him in every vital part with hundreds of arrows. Thus pierced by others, also with thousands of arrows, the mighty car-warrior Bhishma pierced those others in return with great speed. As regards the arrows shot by those warriors, Bhishma, possessed of prowess in battle that was incapable of being baffled, equally checked them all with his own straight arrows. Those arrows, however, endued with wings of gold and whetted on stone, which the mighty car-warrior Shikhandin shot in that battle, scarcely caused Bhishma any pain. Then the diadem-decked (Arjuna), excited with rage and placing Shikhandin to the fore, approached Bhishma (nearer) and once more cut off his bow. Then piercing Bhishma with ten arrows, he cut off the latter's standard with one. Striking Bhishma's chariot with ten arrows, Arjuna caused him to tremble. The son of Ganga then took up another bow that was stronger. Within, however, the twinkling of an eye, as soon, in fact, as it was taken up, Arjuna cut that bow also into three fragments with three broad-headed shafts. Thus the son of Pandu cut off in that battle even all the bows of Bhishma.

After that, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, no longer desired to battle with Arjuna. The latter, however, then pierced him with five and twenty arrows. That great bowman, thus pierced greatly, then addressed Duhshasana, and said,

“Behold, Partha, that great car-warrior of the Pandavas, excited with wrath in battle, pierces me alone with many thousands of arrows. He is incapable of being vanquished in battle by the wielder of the thunder-bolt himself. As regards myself also, O hero, the very gods, Danavas and Rakshasas united together, are incapable of vanquishing me. What I shall say then of mighty car-warriors among men?”

While Bhishma was thus speaking to Duhshasana, Phalguni with sharp shafts, and placing Shikhandin to the fore, pierced Bhishma in that battle. Then Bhishma, deeply and excessively pierced by the wielder of Gandiva with keen-pointed shafts, once more addressed Duhshasana with a smile and said,

“These arrows coursing towards me in one continuous line, whose touch resemble that of heaven's bolt, have been shot by Arjuna. These are not Shikhandin's. Cutting me to the quick, piercing through even my hard coat of mail, and striking me with the force of musalas, these arrows are not Shikhandin's. Of touch as hard as that of the Brahmana's rod (of chastisement), and of impetus unbearable as that of the thunder-bolt, these arrows are afflicting my vital forces. These are not Shikhandin's. Of the touch of maces and spiked bludgeons, those arrows are destroying my vital forces like messengers of Death commissioned (by the grim king himself). These are not Shikhandin's. Like angry snakes of virulent poison, projecting their tongues out, these are penetrating into my vitals. These are not Shikhandin's, these that cut me to the quick like the cold of winter cutting kine to the quick. Save the heroic wielder of Gandiva, viz., the ape-bannered Jishnu, even all other kings united together cannot cause me pain.”

Saying these words, Bhishma, the valiant son of Shantanu, as if for the object of consuming the Pandavas, hurled a dart at Partha. Partha, however, caused that dart to drop down, cutting it into three fragments with three shafts, in the very sight, of all the Kuru heroes of Dhritarashtra’s army. Desirous of obtaining either death or victory, the son of Ganga then took up a sword and a shield decked with gold. Before, however, he could come down from his car, Arjuna cut off by means of his arrows, that shield into a hundred fragments. That feat of his seemed exceedingly wonderful. Then the king Yudhishthira urged his own troops, saying,

“Rush you at Ganga's son. Do not entertain the slightest fear.”

Then, armed with bearded darts, and lances, and arrows, from all sides, with axes, and excellent scimitars, and long shafts of great sharpness, with calf-toothed arrows, and broad-headed shafts, they all rushed at that single warrior. Then arose from among the Pandava host a loud shout. Then Dhritarashtra’s sons also, desirous of Bhishma's victory, surrounded him and uttered leonine shouts. Fierce was the battle fought there between Dhritarashtra’s troops and those of the enemy on that the tenth day when Bhishma and Arjuna met together. Like unto the vortex that occurs at the spot where the Ganga meets the Ocean, for a short while a vortex occurred there where the troops of both armies met and struck one another down. The Earth, wet with gore, assumed a fierce form. The even and the uneven spots on her surface could no longer be distinguished. Although Bhishma was pierced in all his vital limbs, yet on that the tenth day he stayed (calmly) in battle, having slain ten thousand warriors. Then that great bowman, Partha, stationed at the head of his troops, broke the centre of the Kuru army. The Kurus then, afraid of Kunti's son Dhananjaya having white steeds attached to his car, and afflicted by him with polished weapons, fled away from the battle. The Sauviras, the Kitavas, the Easterners, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Abhishahas, the Shurasenas, the Shibis, the Vasatis, the Salwas, the Sayas, the Trigartas, the Ambashthas, and the Kaikeyas, these and many other illustrious warriors, afflicted with arrows and pained by their wounds, abandoned Bhishma in that battle while he was fighting with the diadem-decked (Arjuna). Then a great many warriors, surrounding that single warrior on all sides, defeated the Kurus (that protected him) and covered him with shower of arrows. “Throw down, Seize, Fight, Cut into pieces”, this was the furious uproar heard in the vicinity of Bhishma's car. Having slain in that battle (his foes) by hundreds and thousands, there was not in Bhishma's body space of even two fingers' breadth that was not pierced with arrows. Thus was Dhritarashtra’s sire mangled with arrows of keen points by Phalguni in that battle.

Then he fell down from his car with his head to the east, a little before sunset, in the very sight of Dhritarashtra’s sons. While Bhishma fell, loud cries of “alas” and “oh” were heard in the welkin uttered by the celestials and the kings of the earth. Beholding the high-souled grandsire falling down (from his car), the hearts of all of us fell with him. That foremost of all bowmen, that mighty-armed hero, fell down, like an uprooted standard of Indra, making the earth tremble the while. Pierced all over with arrows, his body touched not the ground. At that moment, a divine nature took possession of that great bowman lying on a bed of arrows. The clouds poured a (cool) shower (over him) and the Earth trembled. While falling he had marked that the Sun was then in the southern solstice. That hero, therefore, permitted not his senses to depart, thinking of that (inauspicious) season (of death). All around in the welkin he heard celestial voices saying,

“Why, Oh why, should Ganga's son, that foremost of all warriors of weapons, yield up his life during the southern declension?”

Hearing these words, the son of Ganga answered, “I am alive!” Although fallen upon the earth, the Kuru grandsire Bhishma, expectant of the northern declension, suffered not his life to depart. Ascertaining that to be his resolve, Ganga, the daughter of Himavat, sent unto him the great Rishis in swanlike form. Then those Rishis in the forms of swans inhabiting the Manasa lake, quickly rose up, and came together, for obtaining a sight of the Kuru grandsire Bhishma, to that spot where that foremost of men was lying on his bed of arrows. Then those Rishis in swanlike forms, coming to Bhishma, beheld that perpetuator of Kuru's race lying on his bed of arrows. Beholding that high-souled son of Ganga, that chief of the Bharatas, they walked round him, and the Sun being then in the southern solstice, they said, addressing one another, these words,

“Being a high-souled person, why should Bhishma pass out (of the world) during the southern declension?”

Having said these words, those swans went away, proceeding towards the southern direction. Endued with great intelligence, Bhishma, beholding them, reflected for a moment. The son of Shantanu then said unto them.

“I will never pass out (of the world) as long as the Sun is in the southern solstice. This is my resolve. I will proceed to my own ancient abode when the Sun reaches the northern solstice. You swans, I tell you this truly. Expectant of the northern declension I will hold my life. Since I have the fullest control over the yielding up of my life, I will, therefore, hold life, expectant of death during the northern declension. The boon that was granted to me by my illustrious sire, to the effect that my death would depend on my own wish O, let that boon become true. I will hold my life, since I have control in the matter of laying it down.”

Having said these words to those swans, he continued to lie down on his bed of arrows.

When that crest of the Kuru race, viz., Bhishma of great energy, fell down, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas uttered leonine shouts. When the grandsire of the Bharatas who was endued with great might was overthrown, Dhritarashtra’s son knew not what to do. All the Kurus were entirely deprived of their senses. The Kurus headed by Kripa, and Duryodhana, sighed and wept. From grief they remained for a long while deprived of their senses. They remained perfectly still without setting their hearts on battle. As if seized by thighs, they stood motionless, without proceeding against the Pandavas. When Shantanu’s son Bhishma of mighty energy, who was (regarded as) unslayable, was slain, all of them thought that the destruction of the Kuru king was at hand. Vanquished by Savyasachin, with foremost heroes of the Kaurava army slain, and themselves mangled with sharp arrows, they knew not what to do. The heroic Pandavas possessed of massive arms that looked like spiked maces, having obtained the victory and won a highly blessed state in the other world, all blew their great conches. The Somakas and the Panchalas all rejoiced. Then when thousands of trumpets were blown, the mighty Bhimasena slapped his arm-pits and uttered loud shouts. When the all-powerful son of Ganga was slain, the heroic warriors of both armies, laying down their weapons, began to reflect thoughtfully. Some uttered loud shrieks and some fled away, and some were deprived of their senses. Some censured the practices of the Kshatriya order and some applauded Bhishma. The Rishis and the Pitris all applauded Bhishma of high vows. The deceased ancestors of the Bharatas also praised Bhishma. Meanwhile the valiant and intelligent Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, having recourse to that Yoga which is taught in the great Upanishads and engaged in mental prayers, remained quiet, expectant of his hour.

Slain in the evening the Kuru grandsire Bhishma saddened the Dhartarashtras and delighted the Panchalas. Falling down on the earth, he lay on his bed of arrows without however, touching the earth with his body. Indeed, when Bhishma, thrown down from his car fell upon the surface of the earth, cries of “Oh” and “Alas” were heard among all creatures. When that boundary-tree of the Kurus, viz., the ever victorious Bhishma, fell down, fear entered the hearts of the Kshatriyas of both the armies. Beholding Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, with his standard overthrown and his armour cut open, both the Kurus and the Pandavas were inspired with sentiments of cheerlessness. The welkin was enveloped with a gloom and the Sun himself became dim. The Earth seemed to utter loud shrieks when the son of Shantanu was slain. “This one is the foremost of those conversant with the Vedas! This one is the best of those that are conversant with the Vedas!” Thus did creatures speak of that bull among men as he lay (on his bed of arrows). “This one, formerly, ascertaining his sire Shantanu to be afflicted by Kama, this bull among men, resolved to draw up his vital steed!” Thus did the Rishis together with the Siddhas and the Charanas said of that foremost one of the Bharatas as he lay on his bed of arrows.

Arjuna provides a pillow of arrows to Bhishma

When Shantanu’s son Bhishma, the grandsire of the Bharatas, was slain, Dhritarashtra’s sons knew not what to do. Their faces wore an expression of grief. The splendour of their countenances seemed to abandon them! All of them stood in shame, hanging down their heads. The Pandavas, on the other hand, having, won the victory, stood at the head of their ranks. They all blew their large conchs decked with gold. When in consequence of their joys thousands of trumpets were blown there, the mighty Bhimasena, the son of Kunti, sported in great glee, having quickly slain many hostile warriors endued with great strength. A great swoon overtook all the Kurus. Karna and Duryodhana repeatedly drew long breaths. When the Kuru grandsire Bhishma fell down, thus, cries of sorrow were heard all round, and the greatest confusion prevailed (among the Kuru army).

Beholding Bhishma fallen, Duhshasana, with great speed, entered the division commanded by Drona. That hero, clad in mail and at the head of his own troops, had been placed by his elder brother (for the protection of Bhishma). That tiger among men now came, plunging the troops he had commanded into grief. Beholding him coming towards them, the Kauravas surrounded prince Duhshasana, desirous of hearing what he had to say. Then Duhshasana of Kuru's race informed Drona of Bhishma's slaughter. Drona then, hearing those evil tidings, suddenly fell down from his car. Then the valiant son of Bharadwaja, quickly recovering his senses, forbade the Kuru army, sire, to continue the fight. Beholding the Kurus desist from battle, the Pandavas also, through messengers on fleet horses, forbade their orders, ceased to fight, the kings of both armies, putting off their armour, all repaired to Bhishma.

Desisting from the fight, thousands of (other) warriors then, proceeded towards the high-souled Bhishma like the celestials towards the Lord of all creatures. Approaching Bhishma who was then lying (on his bed of arrows), the Pandavas and the Kurus stood there, having offered him their salutations. Then Shantanu’s son Bhishma of righteous soul addressed the Pandavas and the Kurus who having reverenced him thus, stood before him. He said,

“Welcome to you, you highly blessed ones! Welcome to you, you mighty car-warriors! Gratified am I with your sight, you that are the equals of the very gods.”

Thus addressing them with his head hanging down, he once more said,

“My head is hanging down greatly. Let a pillow be given to me!”

The kings (standing there) then fetched many excellent pillows that were very soft and made of very delicate fabrics. The grandsire, however, desired them not. That tiger among men then said unto those kings with a laugh,

“These, you kings, do not become a hero's bed.”

Beholding them that foremost of men, that mightiest of car-warriors in all the worlds, viz., the mighty-armed Dhananjaya the son of Pandu, he said,

“O Dhananjaya, O you of mighty arms, my head hangs down, O sire! Give me a pillow such as you regard to be fit!”

Stringing then his large bow and reverentially saluting the grandsire, Arjuna, with eyes filled with tears, said these words,

“O foremost one among the Kurus, O you that are the first among all wielders of weapons, command me, O invincible one, for I am your slave! What shall I do, O grandsire!”

Unto him Shantanu’s son said,

“My head, O sire, hangs down! O foremost one among the Kuru's O Phalguni, get me a pillow! Indeed, give me one without delay O hero, that would become my bed! You O Partha, are competent, you are the foremost of all wielders of bows! You are conversant with the duties of Kshatriyas and you are endued with intelligence and goodness!”

Then Phalguni, saying, “So be it” desired to do Bhishma's bidding. Taking up Gandiva and a number of straight shafts, and inspiring them with mantras, and obtaining the permission of that illustrious and mighty car-warrior of Bharata's race, Arjuna then, with three keen shafts endued with great force, supported Bhishma's head. Then that chief of the Bharatas, viz., Bhishma of virtuous soul, conversant with the truths of religion, seeing that Arjuna, having divined his thought, had achieved that feat, became highly gratified. After that pillow had thus been given to him, he applauded Dhananjaya. Casting his eyes upon all the Bharatas there, he addressed Kunti's son Arjuna, that foremost of all warriors, that enhancer of the joys of his friends and said,

“You have given me, O son of Pandu, a pillow that becomes my bed! If you had acted otherwise, I would have cursed you, from wrath! Thus, O mighty-armed one, should a Kshatriya, observant of his duties, sleep on the field of battle on his bed of arrows!”

Having addressed Bibhatsu thus, he then said unto all those kings and princes that were present there, these words,

“Behold you the pillow that the son of Pandu has given me! I will sleep on this bed till the Sun turns to the northern solstice! Those kings that will then come to me will behold me (yield up my life)! When the Sun on his car of great speed and unto which are yoked seven steeds, will proceed towards the direction occupied by Vaishravana, verily, even then, will I yield up my life like a dear friend dismissing a dear friend! Let a ditch be dug here around my quarters you kings! Thus pierced with hundreds of arrows will I pay my adorations to the Sun? As regards yourselves, abandoning enmity, cease you from the fight, you kings!”

Then there came unto him some surgeons well trained (in their science) and skilled in plucking out arrows, with all becoming appliances (of their profession). Beholding them, the son of Ganga said unto Dhritarashtra’s son,

“Let these physicians, after proper respect being paid to them, be dismissed with presents of wealth. Brought to such a plight, what need have I now of physicians? I have won the most laudable and the highest state ordained in Kshatriya observances! You kings, lying as I do on a bed of arrows, it is not proper for me to submit now to the treatment of physicians. With these arrows on my body, you rulers of men, should I be burnt!”

Hearing these words of his, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana dismissed those physicians, having honoured them as they deserved. Then those kings of diverse realms, beholding that constancy in virtue displayed by Bhishma of immeasurable energy, were filled with wonder. Having given a pillow to Dhritarashtra’s sire thus, those rulers of men, those mighty car-warriors, viz., the Pandavas and the Kauravas, united together, once more approached the high-souled Bhishma lying on that excellent bed of his. Reverentially saluting that high-souled one and circumambulating him thrice, and stationing guards all around for his protection, those heroes, with bodies drenched in blood, repaired for rest towards their own tents in the evening, their hearts plunged into grief and thinking of what they had seen.

Then at the proper time, the mighty Madhava, approaching the Pandavas, those mighty car-warriors cheerfully seated together and filled with joy at the fall of Bhishma, said unto Dharma's son Yudhishthira these words,

“By good luck victory has been yours, O you of Kuru's rare! By good luck has Bhishma been overthrown, who is unslayable by men, and is a mighty car-warrior of aim incapable of being baffled! Or, perhaps, as destiny would have it, that warrior who was master of every weapon, having obtained you for a foe that canst slay with your eyes alone, has been consumed by your wrathful eye!”

Thus addressed by Krishna, king Yudhishthira the just, replied unto Janardana, saying,

“Through Your grace is Victory, through Your wrath is Defeat! You are dispeller of the fears of those that are devoted to you. You are our refuge! It is not wonderful that they should have victory whom You always protect in battle, and in whose welfare You are always engaged, O Keshava! Having got You for our refuge, I do not regard anything as wonderful!”

Thus addressed by him, Janardana answered with a smile, “O best of kings, these words can come from you alone!”

Arjuna provides water to Bhishma

After the night had passed away, all the kings, the Pandavas and the Dhartarashtras, repaired to the grandsire, Those Kshatriyas then saluted that bull of their order, that foremost one among the Kurus, that hero lying on a hero's bed, and stood in his presence. Maidens by thousands, having repaired to that place, gently showered over Shantanu’s son powdered sandal wood and fried paddy, and garlands of flowers. Women and old men and children, and ordinary spectators, all approached Shantanu’s son like creatures of the world desirous of beholding the Sun. Trumpets by hundreds and thousands, and actors, and mimes, and skilled mechanics also came to the aged Kuru grandsire. Ceasing to fight, putting aside their coats of mail, and lying aside their weapons, the Kurus and the Pandavas, united together, came to the invincible Devavrata, that chastiser of foes. They were assembled together as in days of old, and cheerfully addressed one another according to their respective ages. That conclave full of Bharata kings by hundreds and adorned with Bhishma, looked beautiful and blazing like a conclave of the gods in heaven. That conclave of kings engaged in honouring the son of Ganga looked as beautiful as a conclave of the celestials engaged in adorning their Lord, viz., the Grandsire (Brahman). Bhishma, however, suppressing his agonies with fortitude though burning with the arrows (still sticking to his body), was sighing like a snake. His body burning with these arrows, and himself nearly deprived of his senses in consequence of his weapon-wounds, Bhishma cast his eyes on those kings and asked for water.

Then those Kshatriyas brought there excellent viands and several vessels of cold water. Beholding that water brought for him, Shantanu’s son said,

“I cannot, O sire, now use any article of human enjoyment! I am removed from the pale of humanity. I am lying on a bed of arrows. I am staying here, expecting only the return of the Moon and the Sun!”

Having spoken these words and thereby rebuked those kings, he said, “I wish to see Arjuna!” The mighty-armed Arjuna then came there, and reverentially saluting the grandsire stood with joined hands, and said, “What shall I do?” Beholding then that son of Pandu, thus standing before him after having offered him respectful salutations, Bhishma of righteous soul cheerfully addressed Dhananjaya, saying,

“Covered all over with your shafts, my body is burning greatly! All the vital parts of my body are in agony. My mouth is dry. Staying as I am with body afflicted with agony, give me water, O Arjuna! You are a great bowman! You are capable of giving me water duly!”

The valiant Arjuna then saying, “So be it”, mounted on his car, and striking his Gandiva with force, began to stretch it. Hearing the twang of his bow and the slap of his palms which resembled the roar of the thunder, the troops and the kings were all inspired with fear. Then that foremost of car-warriors, mounted on his car, circumambulated that prostrate chief of the Bharatas, that foremost of all wielders of weapons. Aiming then a blazing arrow, after having inspired it with Mantras and identified it with the Parjanya weapon, in the very sight of the entire army, the son of Pandu, viz., Partha, pierced the Earth a little to the south of where Bhishma lay. Then there arose a jet of water that was pure, and auspicious, and cool, and that resembling the nectar itself, was of celestial scent and taste. With that cool jet of water Partha gratified Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, of godlike deeds and prowess. At that feat of Partha who resembled Shakra himself in his acts, all those rulers of Earth were filled with great wonder. Beholding that feat of Bibhatsu implying superhuman prowess, the Kurus trembled like kine afflicted with cold. From wonder all the kings there present waved their garments (in the air). Loud was the blare of conchs and the beat of drums that were then heard all over the field. Shantanu’s son, his thirst quenched, then addressed Jishnu and said, applauding him highly in the presence of all those kings, these words,

“O you of mighty arms, this is not wonderful in you, O son of Kuru's race! O you of immeasurable effulgence, even Narada spoke of you as an ancient Rishi! Indeed, with Vasudeva as your ally, you will achieve many mighty feats which the chief of the celestials himself with all the gods, of a certainty, will not venture to achieve! They that have knowledge of such things know you to be the destroyer of the whole Kshatriya race! You are the one bowman among the bowmen of the world! You are the foremost among men. As human beings are, in this world, foremost of all creatures, as Garuda is the foremost of all winged creatures; as the Ocean is the foremost among all receptacles of water and the cow among all quadrupeds; as the Sun is the foremost amongst all luminous bodies and Himavat among all mountains; as the Brahmana is the foremost among all castes, are you the foremost of all bowmen! Dhritarashtra's son (Duryodhana) listened not to the words repeatedly spoken by me and Vidura and Drona and Rama and Janardana and also by Sanjaya. Reft of his senses, like unto an idiot, Duryodhana placed no reliance on those utterances. Past all instructions, he will certainly have to lie down for ever, overwhelmed by the might of Bhima!”

Hearing these words of his, the Kuru king Duryodhana became of cheerless heart. Eyeing him, Shantanu’s son said,

“Listen, O king! Abandon your wrath! You have seen, O Duryodhana how the intelligent Partha created that jet of cool and nectar-scented water! There is none else in this world capable of achieving such feat. The weapons appertaining to Agni, Varuna, Soma, Vayu, and Vishnu, as also those appertaining to Indra, Pashupati, and Paramesthi, and those of Prajapati, Dhatri, Tashtri, Savitri, and Vivaswat, all these are known to Dhananjaya alone in this world of men! Krishna, the son of Devaki, also knows them. But there is none else here that knows them. This son of Pandu, O sire, is incapable of being defeated in battle by even the gods and the Asuras together. The feats of this high-souled one are superhuman. With that truthful hero, that ornament of battle, that warrior accomplished in fight, let peace, O king, be soon made! As long as the mighty-armed Krishna is not possessed by wrath, O chief of the Kurus, it is fit, O sire, that peace should be made with the heroic Parthas! As long as this remnant of your brothers is not slain, let peace, O monarch, be made! As long as Yudhishthira with eyes burning in wrath does not consume your troops in battle, let peace, O sire, be made! As long as Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Bhimasena, the sons of Pandu, do not, O monarch, exterminate your army, it seems to me that friendly relations should be restored between you and the heroic Pandavas! Let this battle end with my death, O sire! Make peace with the Pandavas, Let these words that are uttered to you by me be acceptable to you, O sinless one! Even this is what I regard to be beneficial both for yourself and the race (itself of Kuru)! Abandoning your wrath, let peace be made with Parthas. What Phalguni has already done is sufficient. Let friendly relations be restored with the death of Bhishma! Let this remnant (of warriors) live! Relent, O king! Let half the kingdom be given to the Pandavas. Let king Yudhishthira the just, go to Indraprastha. O chief of the Kurus, do not achieve a sinful notoriety among the kings of the earth by incurring the reproach of meanness, becoming a fomentor of intestine dissensions! Let peace come to all with my death! Let these rulers of earth, cheerfully mix with one another! Let sire get back the son, let sister's son get back the maternal uncle! If from want of understanding and possessed by folly you do not harken to those timely words of mine you will have to repent greatly! What I say is true. Therefore, desist even now!”

Having, from affection, said these words unto Duryodhana in the midst of the kings, the son of the ocean-going (Ganga) became silent. Though his vital limbs were burning with the arrow-wounds, yet, prevailing over his agonies, he applied himself to yoga. Having heard these beneficial and peaceful words fraught with both virtue and profit, Dhritarashtra’s son, however, accepted them not, like a dying man refusing medicine.

Karna visits Bhishma

After Shantanu’s son Bhishma had become silent, all those rulers of earth, there present, then returned to their respective quarters. Hearing of Bhishma's slaughter that bull among men, viz., Radha's son (Karna), partially inspired with fear quickly came there. He beheld that illustrious hero lying on his bed of reeds. Then Vrisha (Karna) endued with great glory, with voice choked in tears, approaching that hero lying with eyes closed, fell at his feet. He said,

“O chief of the Kurus, I am Radha's son, who while before your eyes, was everywhere looked upon by you with hate!”

Hearing these words, the aged chief of the Kurus, the son of Ganga, whose eyes were covered with film slowly raising his eyelids, and causing the guards to be removed, and seeing the place deserted by all, embraced Karna with one arm, like a sire embracing his son, and said these words with great affection,

“Come, come! You are an opponent of mine who always challenges comparison with me! If you had not come to me, without doubt, it would not have been well with you! You are Kunti's son, not Radha's! Nor is Adhiratha your father! O you of mighty arms, I heard all this about you from Narada as also from Krishna-Dwaipayana! Without doubt, all this is true! I tell you truly, O son, that I bear you no malice! It was only for abating your energy that I used to say such harsh words to you! O you of excellent vows without any reason you speak ill of all the Pandavas! Sinfully did you come into the world. It is for this that your heart has been such. Through pride, and owning also to your companionship with the low, your heart hates even persons of merit! It is for this that I spoke such harsh words about you in the Kuru camp! I know your prowess in battle, which can with difficulty be borne on earth by foes! I know also your regard for Brahmanas. your courage, and your great attachment to alms-giving! O you that resembles a very god, amongst men there is none like you! For fear of intestine dissensions I always spoke harsh words about you. In bowmanship, in aiming weapon, in lightness of hand and in strength of weapons, you are equal to Phalguni himself, or the high-souled Krishna!

O Karna, proceeding to the city of Kashi, alone with your bow, you had crushed the kings in battle for procuring a bride for the Kuru king! The mighty and invincible king Jarasandha also, ever boastful of his prowess in battle, could not become your match in fight! You are devoted to Brahmanas; you always fight fairly! In energy and strength, you are equal to a child of the celestials and certainly much superior to men. The wrath I cherished against you is gone. Destiny is incapable of being avoided by exertion. O slayer of foes, the heroic sons of Pandu are your uterine brothers! If you wish to do what is agreeable to me, unite with them, O you of mighty arms! O son of Surya, let these hostilities end with me! Let all the kings of Earth be to-day freed from danger!”

Karna said,

“I know this, O you of mighty arms! All this without doubt, is (as you say)! As you tell me, O, Bhishma, I am Kunti's son, and not the son of a Suta! I was, however, abandoned by Kunti, and I have been reared by a Suta. Having (so long) enjoyed the wealth of Duryodhana, I dare not falsify it now. Like Vasudeva's son who is firmly resolved for the sake of the Pandavas, I also, O you that makes profuse presents to Brahmanas, am prepared to cast away my possessions, my body itself, my children, and my wife, for Duryodhana's sake! Death from disease, O you of Kuru's race, does not become a Kshatriya! Relying upon Suyodhana I have always offended the Pandavas! This affairs is destined to take its course. It is incapable of being prevented. Who was there that would venture to overcome Destiny by exertion? Various omens indicating the destruction of the Earth. O grandsire, were noticed by you and declared in the assembly. It is well known to me that the son of Pandu, and Vasudeva, are incapable of being conquered by other men. Even with them we venture to fight! I will vanquish the son of Pandu in battle! Even this is my firm resolve! I am not capable, of casting off this fierce animosity (that I cherish against the Pandavas)! With a cheerful heart, and keeping the duties of my order before my eye, I will contend against Dhananjaya. Firmly resolved that I am on battle, grant me your permission, O hero! I will fight. Even this is my wish. It befits you to forgive me also any harsh words that I may have at any time uttered against you or any act that I may have done against you from anger or inconsiderateness!”

Bhishma said,

“If, indeed, you are unable to cast off this fierce animosity, I permit you, O Karna! Fight, moved by the desire of heaven! Without anger and without vindictiveness, serve you the king according to your power and according to your courage and observant of the conduct of the righteous! Have then my permission, O Karna! Obtain you that which you seek! Through Dhananjaya you will obtain all those regions (hereafter) which are capable of being had by fulfilling the duties of a Kshatriya! Freed from pride, and relying on your (own) might and energy, engage in battle, since a Kshatriya cannot have a (source of) greater happiness than a righteous battle. For a long while I made great efforts for bringing about peace! But I succeeded not, O Karna, in the task! Truly do I say this unto you!”

After the son of Ganga had said this, Radha's son (Karna) having saluted Bhishma and obtained his forgiveness, got up on his car and proceeded towards (the quarters of) Dhritarashtra’s son.