The second day of war

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

Thus addressed by that god among men, like Vishnu addressed by the wielder of the thunderbolt, he (Dhrishtadyumna), when morning dawned, placed Dhananjaya in the forefront of the whole army. Dhananjaya's standard, created at Indra's command by the celestial artificer, while moving through the skies, seemed wonderfully beautiful. Decked with banners bearing hues resembling those of Indra's bow, coursing through the air like a ranger of the skies, and looking like the fleeting edifice of vapour in the welkin, it seemed to glide dancingly along the track of the car (to which it was attached). The bearer of Gandiva with that (standard) graced with gems, and that standard itself with the bearer of Gandiva, looked highly adorned, like the Self-create with the Sun (and the Sun with the Self-create). King Drupada, surrounded by a large number of troops, became the head (of that array). The two kings Kuntibhoja and Shaibya became its two eyes. The ruler of the Dasharnas, and the Prayagas, with the Dasherakas, and the Anupakas, and the Kiratas were placed in its neck. Yudhishthira, with the Patachcharas, the Hunas, the Pauravakas and the Nishadas, became its two wings, so also the Pishachas, with the Kundavishas, and the Mandakas, the Ladakas, the Tanganas, and the Uddras, and the Sharabas, the Tumbhumas, the Vatsas, and the Nakulas. Nakula and Sahadeva placed themselves on the left wing. On the joints of the wings were placed ten thousand cars and on the head a hundred thousand, and on the back a hundred millions and twenty thousand and on the neck a hundred and seventy thousand. On the joints of the wings, the wings and the extremities of the wings proceeded elephants in large bodies, looking like blazing mountains. The rear was protected by Virata aided by the Kekayas, and the ruler of Kashi and the king of the Chedis, with thirty thousand cars. Forming their mighty array thus, the Pandavas, expectant of sunrise, waited for battle, all cased in armour. Their white umbrellas, clean and costly, and brilliant as the sun, shone resplendent on their elephants and cars.

Beholding the mighty and terrible array called Krauncha formed by Pandu's son of immeasurable energy, your son, approaching the preceptor, and Kripa, and Shalya, and Somadatta's son, and Vikarna, and Ashwatthaman also, and all his brothers too, headed by Duhshasana, and other immeasurable heroes assembled there for battle, said these timely words, gladdening them all,

“Armed with various kinds of weapons, you all are conversant with the meaning of the scriptures. You mighty car-warriors, each of you is singly capable of slaying in battle the sons of Pandu with their troops. How much more then, when you are united together. Our host, therefore, which is protected by Bhishma, is immeasurable, while that host of theirs, which is protected by Bhima, is measurable. Let the Samsthanas, the Shurasenas, the Venikas, the Kukkuras, the Rechakas, the Trigartas, the Madrakas, the Yavanas, with Satrunjayas, and Duhshasana, and that excellent hero Vikarna, and Nanda and Upanandaka, and Chitrasena, along with the Manibhadrakas, protect Bhishma with their (respective) troops.”

Then Bhishma and Drona and Dhritarashtra’s sons, formed a mighty array for resisting that of the Parthas. Bhishma, surrounded by a large body of troops, advanced, leading a mighty army, like the chief of the celestials himself. That mighty bowman, the son of Bharadwaja, endued with great energy, followed him with the Kuntalas, the Dasharnas, and the Magadhas, and with the Vidarbhas, the Melakas, the Karnas, and the Pravaranas also. The Gandharas, the Sindhusauviras, the Shibis and the Vasatis with all their combatants also, (followed) Bhishma, that ornament of battle, and Shakuni, with all his troops protected the son of Bharadwaja. Then king Duryodhana, united with all his brothers, with the Ashwalakas, the Vikarnas, the Vamanas, the Kosalas, the Daradas, the Vrikas, as also the Kshudrakas and the Malavas advanced cheerfully against the Pandava host. Bhurishravas, and Shala, and Shalya, and Bhagadatta, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti, protected the left flank. Somadatta, and Susharman, and Sudakshina, the ruler of the Kambojas and Shatayus, and Shrutayus, were on the right flank. Ashwatthaman, and Kripa, and Kritavarman of Satwata's race, with a very large division of the troops, were, stationed at the rear of the army. Behind them were the rulers of many provinces, and Ketumat, and Vasudana, and the powerful son of the king of Kashi. Then all the troops on Dhritarashtra’s side cheerfully waiting for battle blew their conches with great pleasure, and set up leonine roars. Hearing the shouts of those (combatants) filled with delight the venerable Kuru grandsire, endued with great prowess, uttering a leonine roar, blew his conch. Thereupon, conches and drums and diverse kinds of Pesis and cymbals, were sounded at once by others, and the noise made became a loud uproar.

Madhava and Arjuna, both stationed on a great car unto which were yoked white steeds, blew their excellent conches decked with gold and jewels. Hrishikesha blew the conch called Panchajanya, and Dhananjaya (that called) Devadatta. Vrikodara of terrible deeds blew the huge conch called Paundra. Kunti's son king Yudhishthira blew the conch called Anantavijaya, while Nakula and Sahadeva (those conches called) Sughosa and Manipushpaka. The ruler of Kashi, and Shaibya, and Shikhandin the mighty car-warrior, and Dhrishtadyumna, and Virata, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki, and that great bowman the king of the Panchalas, and the five sons of Draupadi, all blew their large conches and set up leonine roars. And that great uproar uttered there by those heroes, loudly reverberated through both the earth and the welkin. Thus, the Kurus and the Pandavas, both filled with delight, advanced against each other for battling again, and scorching each other thus.

When all the divisions were thus arrayed, the combatants waited, each cased in mail, and with their beautiful standards all upraised. Beholding the (Kuru) host that resembled the limitless ocean, Dhritarashtra’s son Duryodhana, stationed within it, said unto all the combatants on your side,

“Cased in mail (as you are), begin you the fight”.

The combatants then, entertaining cruel intentions, and abandoning their very lives, all rushed against the Pandavas, with standards upraised. The battle that took place then was fierce and made the hair stand on end. The cars and elephants all got mixed together. Shafts with beautiful feathers, and endued with great energy and sharp points, shot by car-warriors fell upon elephants and horses. When the battle began in this way, the venerable Kuru grandsire, the mighty-armed Bhishma of terrible prowess, cased in mail, taking up his bow, and approaching them, showered an arrowy downpour on the heroic son of Subhadra, and the mighty car-warrior Arjuna, and the ruler of the Kekayas and Virata, and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, as also upon the Chedi and the Matsya warriors. That mighty array (of the Pandavas) wavered at the onset of that hero. Terrific was the encounter that took place between all the combatants. Horse-men and car-warriors and foremost of steeds fell fast. The car-divisions of the Pandavas began to fly away.

Bhishma and Arjuna fight

Then that tiger among men, Arjuna, beholding that mighty car-warrior Bhishma, angrily said unto him of Vrishni's race.

“Proceed to the place where the grandsire is. O you of Vrishni's race, it is evident that this Bhishma, with wrath excited, will annihilate for Duryodhana's benefit my host. This Drona, and Kripa and Shalya and Vikarna, O Janardana, united with Dhritarashtra's sons headed by Duryodhana, and protected by this firm bowman, will slaughter the Panchalas. Even I, therefore, shall stay Bhishma for the sake of my troops, O Janardana.”

Unto him Vasudeva then said,

“Be careful, O Dhananjaya, for I will soon take you, O hero, towards the grandsire's car.”

Having said this, Shaurin took that car, which was celebrated over the world, before the car of Bhishma. With numerous banners all waving, with steeds looking handsome like a flight of (white) cranes, with standard upraised on which was the ape roaring fiercely, upon his large car of solar effulgence and whose rattle resembled roar of the clouds, slaughtering the Kaurava divisions and the Shurasenas also, the son of Pandu, that enhancer of the joys of friends speedily came to the encounter. Him (thus) rushing impetuously like an infuriate elephant and (thus) frightening in a battle brave combatants and felling them with his shafts, Bhishma the son of Shantanu, protected by the warriors headed by Saindhava and by the combatants of the East and the Sauviras and the Kekayas, encountered with great impetuosity. Who else save the Kuru grandsire and those car-warriors, viz., Drona and Vikartana's son (Karna), are capable of advancing in battle against the bearer of the bow called Gandiva?

Then, Bhishma, the grandsire of the Kauravas, struck Arjuna with seventy-seven arrows and Drona (struck him) with five and twenty, and Kripa with fifty, and Duryodhana with four and sixty, and Shalya with nine arrows; and Drona's son, that tiger among men, with sixty, and Vikarna with three arrows; and Saindhava with nine and Shakuni with five. Artayani pierced Pandu's son with three broad-headed arrows. (though) pierced on all sides by them with sharp arrows, that great bowman, that mighty-armed (warrior), wavered not like mountain that is pierced (with arrows). Thereupon he, the diadem-decked, of immeasurable soul, in return pierced Bhishma with five and twenty, and Kripa with nine arrows, and Drona with sixty and Vikarna with three arrows; and Artayani with three arrows, and the king (Duryodhana) also with five. then Satyaki, and Virata and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, and the sons of Draupadi, and Abhimanyu, all surrounded him, (proceeding to his support). Then the prince of the Panchalas, supported by the Somakas, advanced towards the great bowman Drona who was engaged in seeking the welfare of Ganga's son. Then Bhishma, that foremost of car-warriors, speedily pierced the son of Pandu with eighty sharp arrows, upon which the combatants on your side were much gratified. Hearing the shouts of those lions among car-warriors, Dhananjaya, endued with great prowess, then cheerfully entered into the midst of those lions among car-warriors and sported with his bow,  (successively) aiming those mighty car-warriors. Then that ruler of men, king Duryodhana, said unto Bhishma, beholding his own troops (thus) afflicted in battle by the son of Pritha.

“This mighty son of Pandu, O sire, accompanied by Krishna, felling all our troops, cuts down our roots, even though you, O son of Ganga, and that foremost of car-warriors, Drona, are alive. O monarch, it is for you only that this Karna, laying aside his weapons, doth not fight with the sons of Pritha in battle (though) he is ever a well-wisher of mine, Do, therefore, that, O son of Ganga by which Phalguni may be slain.”

Thus addressed, Devavrata, saying, “Fie to Kshatriya usage” then proceeded towards Partha's car. All the kings seeing both those warriors with white steeds yoked unto their cars stationed (for battle), set up loud leonine roars, and also blew their conches. Drona's son and Duryodhana, and your son Vikarna, surrounding Bhishma in that combat, stood for battle. So all the Pandavas, surrounding Dhananjaya, stood for fierce conflict. The battle then commenced.

The son of Ganga pierced Partha in that combat with nine shafts. Arjuna pierced him in return with ten shafts penetrating into the very vitals. Then, with a thousand arrows, well shot, Pandu's son Arjuna, famed for his skill in battle, shrouded Bhishma on all sides. That arrowy net, however, of Partha, Bhishma the son of Shantanu baffled with an arrowy net (of his own). Both well-pleased, and both delighting in battle, fought with each other without each gaining any advantage over the other, and each desirous of counteracting the other's feats. The successive flights of arrows shot from Bhishma's bow were seen to be dispersed by the shafts of Arjuna. So the flights of arrows shot by Arjuna, cut off by the arrows of Ganga's son, all fell down on the ground. Arjuna pierced Bhishma with five and twenty arrows of sharp points. Bhishma, too, in that combat, pierced Partha in return with nine arrows. Those two mighty warriors, those chastisers of foes, piercing each other's steeds, and also the shafts and the wheels of each other's cars, began to sport. Then, Bhishma, that foremost of smiters, struck Vasudeva between his two breasts with three arrows.

The slayer of Madhu, struck with those shafts shot from Bhishma's bow, shone in that battle like a flowering Kinshuka. Then Arjuna, indignant at seeing Madhava, pierced in that combat the charioteer of Ganga's son with three arrows. Both heroes, striving with each other against each other's car, succeeded not in taking aim at each other in the combat. In consequence of the ability and dexterity of the charioteers of both those warriors, both displayed, beautiful circles and advancings and retreatings in respect of their moving cars. Seeing the opportunity to strike, they frequently changed positions, for obtaining what they sought. Both the heroes blew their conches, mingling that blare with their leonine roars. Those mighty car-warriors twang their bows, both in the same manner.

With the blare of their conches and the rattle of their car-wheels, the very Earth was suddenly rent. It began to tremble and produce subterranean noises. Nobody could detect any latches in either of them. Both of them was possessed of great might and great courage in battle, each was other's match. By (the sight of) his standard alone, the Kauravas could approach him (for aid). So the Pandavas approached Pritha's son (for aid), guided by his standard only. Beholding prowess thus displayed by those two foremost of men, all creatures (present) in that battle were filled with wonder. None observed any difference between the two, just as none finds any transgression in a person observant of morality. Both of them (at times) became perfectly invisible in consequence of clouds of arrows. Soon enough both of them in that battle became visible. The gods with Gandharvas and the Charanas, and the great Rishis beholding their prowess, said unto one another. These mighty car-warriors when excited with rage, are incapable of ever being vanquished in battle by all the worlds with the gods, the Asuras and the Gandharvas. This highly wonderful battle would be wonderful in all the worlds. Indeed, a battle such as this will never take place again. Bhishma is incapable of being conquered in combat by Pritha's son of great intelligence, showering his arrows in battle, with bow and car and steeds. So also that great bowman, the son of Pandu, incapable of being vanquished in battle by the very gods, Bhishma is not competent to conquer in combat. As long as the world itself will last, so long will this battle continue equally. These words, fraught with the praise of Ganga's son and Arjuna in battle were heard there. While those two were engaged in displaying their prowess, other warriors of Dhritarashtra’s side and of the Pandavas slew one another in battle, with sharp-edged scimitars, and polished battle-axes, and innumerable arrows, and diverse kinds of weapons. The brave combatants of both armies cut one another down, while that terrible and murderous conflict lasted.

Drona and Dhrishtadyumna fight

The encounter also that took place between Drona and the prince of the Panchalas, was awful. Drona with diverse arrows pierced Dhrishtadyumna and felled the latter's charioteer from his niche in the car. The enraged hero also afflicted Dhrishtadyumna's four steeds with four excellent shafts. The heroic Dhrishtadyumna too pierced Drona in the combat with nine sharp arrows and addressed him, saying, “Wait! Wait!” Then, again, Bharadwaja's son of great prowess and immeasurable soul, covered with his arrows the wrathful Dhrishtadyumna. He took up a dreadful arrow for the destruction of Prishata's son whose force resembled that of Shakra's bolt and which was like a second rod of death. Beholding that arrow aimed by Bharadwaja in battle, loud cries of “oh!” and “alas!” arose among all the combatants. Then the wonderful prowess of Dhrishtadyumna insomuch that the hero stood alone, immovable like a mountain was seen. He cut off that terrible and blazing arrow coming towards him like his own Death, and also showered an arrowy downpour on Bharadwaja's son. Beholding that difficult feat achieved by Dhrishtadyumna, the Panchalas with the Pandavas, filled with delight, set up loud shouts. That prince, endued with great prowess, desirous of slaying Drona hurled at him a dart of great impetuosity, decked with gold and stones of lapis lazuli. Thereupon the son of Bharadwaja, smiling the while, cut off into three fragments that dart decked with gold that was coming towards him impetuously. Beholding his dart thus baffled, Dhrishtadyumna of great prowess rained arrowy downpours on Drona. Then that mighty car-warrior Drona, baffling that arrowy shower, cut off when the opportunity presented, the bow of Drupada's son.

His bow (thus) cut off in the combat, that mighty warrior of great fame hurled at Drona a heavy mace endued with the strength of the mountain. Hurled from his hands, that mace coursed through the air for Drona's destruction. Then the wonderful prowess of Bharadwaja's son was displayed. By (the) lightness (of his car's motion), he baffled that mace decked with gold, and having baffled it, he shot at Prishata's son many shafts of sharp edge, well-tempered, furnished with golden wings, and whetted on stone. These, penetrating through Prishata's coat of mail, drank his blood in that battle. Then the high-souled Dhrishtadyumna, taking up another bow, and putting forth his prowess pierced Drona in that encounter with five shafts. Then those two bulls among men, both covered with blood, looked beautiful like two blossoming Kinshukas in spring variegated with flowers. Then, excited with wrath and putting forth his prowess at the head of his division, Drona once more cut off the bow of Drupada's son.

Then that hero of immeasurable soul covered that warrior whose bow was cut off, with innumerable straight arrows like the clouds showering rain on a mountain. He also felled his foe's charioteer from his niche in the car. His four steeds, too, with four sharp arrows, Drona felled in that combat that set up a leonine roar. With another shaft he cut off the leathern fence that cased Dhrishtadyumna's hand. His bow cut off, deprived of car, his steeds slain, and charioteer overthrown, the prince of Panchala alighted from his car, mace in hand, displaying great prowess. But before he could come down from his car, Drona with his shafts cut off that mace into fragments. This feat seemed wonderful to us. Then the mighty prince of the Panchalas of strong arms, taking a large and beautiful shield decked with a hundred moons, and a large scimitar of beautiful make, rushed impetuously from desire of slaying Drona, like a hungry lion in the forest towards an infuriate elephant. Then wonderful was the prowess that we behold of Bharadwaja's son, and his lightness (of hand) in the use of weapons, as also the strength of his arms, in as much as, alone, he checked Prishata's son with a shower of arrows. Although possessed of great might in battle, he was unable to proceed further. The mighty car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna stayed where he did and warded off those clouds of arrows with his shield, using his arms with great dexterity.

Then the mighty-armed Bhima endued with great strength quickly came there, desirous of aiding in battle the high-souled son of Prishata. He pierced Drona with seven sharp-pointed arrows, and speedily caused Prishata's son to be taken up on another car. Then king Duryodhana urged the ruler of the Kalingas supported by a large division, for the protection of Bharadwaja's son. Then that terrible and mighty division of the Kalingas rushed against Bhima at the command of Dhritarashtra’s son. Drona then, that foremost of car-warriors, abandoning the prince of Panchala, encountered Virata and Drupada together. Dhrishtadyumna also proceeded to support king Yudhishthira in battle.

Bhima fights the Kalinga army

Then commenced a fierce battle, making the hair stand on end, between the Kalingas and the high-souled Bhima, a battle that was destructive of the universe, terrific, and awful. Thus urged by Dhritarashtra’s son, the mighty king of the Kalingas, accompanied by a large army advanced towards Bhima's car. Bhimasena, then, supported by the Chedis, rushed towards that large and mighty army of the Kalingas, abounding with cars, steeds, and elephants, and armed with mighty weapons, and advancing towards him with Ketumat, the son of the king of the Nishadas. Shrutayus also, excited with wrath, accoutred in mail, followed by his troops in battle-array, and, accompanied by king Ketumat, came before Bhima in battle. The ruler of the Kalingas with many thousands of cars, and Ketumat with ten thousand elephants and the Nishadas, surrounded Bhimasena on all sides. Then the Chedis, the Matsyas, and Karushas, with Bhimasena at their head, with many kings impetuously rushed against the Nishadas. Then commenced the battle, fierce and terrible, between the warriors rushing at one another from desire of slaughter. Terrific was the battle that suddenly took place between Bhima and his foes, resembling the battle between Indra and the mighty host of Diti's sons. Loud became the uproar of that mighty army struggling in battle, that resembled the sound of the roaring ocean. The combatants cutting one another, made the whole field resemble a crematorium strewn with flesh and blood. Combatants, impelled by the desire of slaughter could not distinguish friend from foe. Those brave warriors, incapable of being easily defeated in battle, even began to strike down their own friend. Terrific was the collision that took place between the few and many, between the Chedis (on the one side) and the Kalingas and the Nishadas (on the other).

Displaying their manliness to the best of their power, the mighty Chedis, abandoning Bhimasena, turned back, and when the Chedis ceased to follow him, the son of Pandu, encountering all the Kalingas, did not turn back, depending upon the might of his own arms. Indeed, the mighty Bhimasena moved not, but from the terrace of his car covered the division of the Kalingas with showers of sharp arrows. Then that mighty bowman, the king of the Kalingas, and that car-warrior, his son known by the name of Shakradeva, both began to strike the son of Pandu with their shafts. The mighty-armed Bhima, shaking his beautiful bow, and depending on the might of his own arms, fought with Kalinga, and Shakradeva, shooting in that battle innumerable arrows, slew Bhimasena's steeds with them. Beholding that chastiser of foes Bhimasena deprived of his car, Shakradeva rushed at him, shooting sharp arrows. Upon Bhimasena, the mighty Shakradeva showered arrowy downpours like the clouds after summer is gone. But the mighty Bhimasena, staying on his car whose steeds had been slain, hurled at Shakradeva a mace made of the hardest iron. Slain by that mace, the son of the ruler of the Kalingas, from his car, fell down on the ground, with his standard and charioteer.

Then that mighty car-warrior, the king of the Kalingas beholding his own son slain, surrounded Bhima on all sides with many thousands of cars. Then the mighty-armed Bhima endued with great strength, abandoning mace, took up a scimitar, desirous of achieving a fierce feat. That bull among men also took up crescents made of gold. The ruler of the Kalingas also, excited with wrath, and rubbing his bowstring, and taking up a terrible arrow (deadly) as poison of the snake, shot it at Bhimasena, desirous at that monarch was of slaying (the Pandava). That sharp arrow, thus shot and coursing impetuously, Bhimasena cut in twain with his huge sword. Filled with delight he set up a loud shout, terrifying the troops. The ruler of the Kalingas, excited with rage in that combat with Bhimasena, quickly hurled at him fourteen bearded darts whetted on stone. The mighty-armed son of Pandu, however, with that best of scimitars, fearlessly cut into fragments in a trice those darts while coursing through the welkin and before they could reach him. Having in that battle (thus) cut off those fourteen darts Bhima, that bull among men, beholding Bhanumat, rushed at him.

Bhanumat then covered Bhima with a shower of arrows, and set up a loud shout, making the welkin resound with it. Bhima, however, in that fierce battle, could not bear that leonine shout. Himself endued with a loud voice, he also shouted very loudly. At these shouts of his, the army of the Kalingas became filled with fear. In that battle they no longer regarded Bhima as a human being. Then, having uttered a loud shout, Bhima, sword in hand impetuously jumping on (Bhanumat's) excellent elephant aided by the latter's tusks, gained the back of that prince of tuskers, and with his huge sword cut Bhanumat, dividing him in the middle. That chastiser of foes, then, having (thus) slain in battle the prince of the Kalingas, next made his sword which was capable of bearing a great strain, to descend upon the neck of that elephant. His head cut off, that prince of elephants fell down with a loud roar, like a crested mountain (whose base is) eaten away by the impetuous (surges of the) sea.

Jumping down from that failing elephant, the prince of Bharata's race, of undepressed soul, stood on the ground, sword in hand and accoutred in mail (as before). Felling numerous elephants on all sides, he wandered (over the field), making many paths (for himself). Then he seemed to be like a moving wheel of fire slaughtering whole divisions of cavalry, of elephants, and cars, and large bodies of infantry. That lord among men, the mighty Bhima, was seen to move over the field with the activity of the hawk, quickly cutting off in that battle, with his sharp-edged sword, their bodies and heads, as also those of the combatants on elephant. Combatant on foot, excited with rage, all alone, and like Yama at the season of universal dissolution, he struck terror into his foes and confounded those brave warriors. Only they that were senseless rushed with loud shouts at him wandering in that great battle with impetuosity, sword in hand. That grinder of foes, endued with great strength, cutting off the shafts and yokes of warriors on their cars, slew those warriors also. Bhimasena was seen to display diverse kinds of motions there. He wheeled about, and whirled about on high, and, made side-thrusts, and jumped forward, and ran above, and leapt high. He was also seen to rush forward and rush upward. Some mangled by the high-souled son of Pandu by means of his excellent sword, shrieked aloud, struck at their vitals or fell down deprived of life. Many elephants, some with trunks and the extremities of their tusks cut off, and others having their temporal globes cut open, deprived of riders, slew their own ranks and fell down uttering loud cries. Broken lances, and the head of elephant drivers, and beautiful housings of elephants, and chords resplendent with gold, and collars, and darts and mallets and quivers, diverse kinds of machines, and beautiful bows, short arrows with polished heads, with hooks and iron crows for guiding elephants, bells of diverse shape, and hilts decked with gold, were seen by us falling down or (already) fallen along with riders of steeds. With elephants (lying down) having the fore parts and hind parts of their bodies and their trunks cut off, or entirely slain, the field seemed to be strewn with fallen cliffs. That bull among men, having thus crushed the huge elephants, next crushed the steeds also. That hero also felled the foremost of cavalry soldiers. The battle that took place between him and them was fierce in the extreme.

Hilts and traces, and saddle girths resplendent with gold, and covers for the back of steeds, and bearded darts, and costly swords, and coats of mail, and shields, and beautiful ornaments, were seen by us strewn over the ground in that great battle. He caused the earth to be strewn over (with blood) as if it were variegated with lilies. The mighty son of Pandu, jumping high and dragging some car-warriors down with his sword felled them along with (their) standards. Frequently jumping up or rushing on all sides, that hero endued with great activity, wandering along many routes, caused the combatants to be amazed. Some he slew by his legs, and dragging down others he pressed them down under the earth. Others he cut off with his sword, and others he frightened with his roars. Others he threw down on the ground by the force of his thighs (as he ran). Others, beholding him, fled away in terror. It was thus that that vast force of the Kalingas endued with great activity, surrounding the terrible Bhimasena in battle, rushed at him.

Then, beholding Shrutayush at the head of Kalinga troops, Bhimasena rushed at him. Seeing him advancing the ruler of the Kalingas, of immeasurable soul, pierced Bhimasena between his breasts with nine arrows. Struck with those shafts shot by the ruler of the Kalingas, like an elephant pierced with the hook, Bhimasena blazed up with wrath like fire fed with fuel. Then Ashoka, that best of charioteers, bringing a car decked with gold, caused Bhima to mount on it. Thereupon that slayer of foes, the son of Kunti, speedily mounted on that car. Then he rushed at the ruler of the Kalingas, saying, “Wait, Wait”. Then the mighty Shrutayush excited with wrath, shot at Bhima many sharp arrows, displaying his lightness of hand, and that mighty warrior, Bhima, forcibly struck with those nine sharp arrows shot by Kalinga from his excellent bow, yielded to great wrath, like a snake struck with a rod. Then that foremost of mighty men, Bhima, the son of Pritha, excited with rage and drawing his bow with great strength, slew the ruler of the Kalingas with seven shafts made wholly of iron. With two shafts he slew the two mighty protectors of the car-wheels of Kalinga. He also despatched Satyadeva and Satya to the abode of Yama. Of immeasurable soul, Bhima also, with many sharp arrows and long shafts, caused Ketumat to repair unto Yama's abode.

Then the Kshatriyas of the Kalinga country, excited with rage and supported by many thousands of combatants, encountered the wrathful Bhimasena in battle. Armed with darts and maces and scimitars and lances and swords and battle-axes, the Kalingas, hundreds upon hundreds surrounded Bhimasena. Baffling that risen shower of arrows, that mighty warrior then took up his mace and jumped down (from his car) with great speed. Bhima then despatched seven hundred heroes to Yama's abode. That grinder of foes despatched, in addition, two thousand Kalingas to the region of death. That feat seemed highly wonderful. It was thus that the heroic Bhima of terrible prowess repeatedly felled in battle large bands of the Kalingas.

Elephants deprived by Pandu's son, in that battle, of their riders, and afflicted with arrows wandered on the field, treading down their own ranks and uttering loud roars like masses of clouds driven by the wind. Then the mighty-armed Bhima, scimitar in hand, and filled with delight, blew his conch of terrible loudness. With that blare he caused the hearts of all the Kalinga troops to quake with fear. All the Kalingas seemed at the same time to be deprived of their senses. All the combatants and all the animals shook with terror. In consequence of Bhimasena wandering in that battle through many paths or rushing on all sides like a prince of elephants, or frequently jumping up, a trance seemed to be engendered there that deprived his foes of their senses. The whole (Kalinga) army shook with terror of Bhimasena, like a large lake agitated by an alligator. Struck with panic in consequence of Bhima of wonderful achievements, all the Kalinga combatants fled away in all directions.

When, however, they were rallied again, the commander of the Pandava army (Dhrishtadyumna), ordered his own troops, saying, “Fight”. Hearing the words of their commander, many leaders (of the Pandava army) headed by Shikhandin approached Bhima, supported by many car-divisions accomplished in smiting. Pandu's son, king Yudhishthira the just, followed all of them with a large elephant force of the colour of the clouds. Thus urging all his divisions, the son of Prishata, surrounded by many excellent warriors, took upon himself the protection of one of the wings of Bhimasena. There exists nobody on earth, save Bhima and Satyaki, who to the prince of the Panchalas is dearer than his very life.

That slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Prishata, beheld the mighty-armed Bhimasena, that slayer of foes, wandering among the Kalingas. He set up many shouts, and was filled with delight. Indeed, he blew his conch in battle and uttered a leonine roar. Bhimasena also, beholding the red standard of Dhrishtadyumna on his car decked with gold and unto which were yoked steeds white as pigeons, became comforted. Dhrishtadyumna of immeasurable soul, beholding Bhimasena encountered by the Kalingas rushed to the battle for his rescue.

Both those heroes. Dhrishtadyumna and Vrikodara, endued with great energy, beholding Satyaki at a distance, furiously encountered the Kalingas in battle. That bull among men, the grand son of Shini, that foremost of victorious warriors, quickly advancing to the spot took up the wing of both Bhima and Prishata's son. Bow in hand creating a great havoc there and making himself fierce in the extreme, he began to slay the enemy in battle. Bhima caused a river to flow there of bloody current, mingled with the blood and flesh of the warriors born in Kalinga. Beholding Bhimasena then, the troops cried aloud saying.

“This is Death himself that is fighting in Bhima's shape with the Kalingas.”

Then Shantanu’s son Bhishma, hearing those cries in battle, quickly proceeded towards Bhima, himself surrounded on all sides with combatants in army. Thereupon, Satyaki and Bhimasena and Dhrishtadyumna of Prishata's race, rushed towards that car of Bhima decked with gold. All of them quickly surrounding Ganga's son in battle, pierced Bhishma, each with three terrible shafts, without losing a moment. Devavrata, however, in return pierced each of those mighty bowmen striving (in battle) with three straight shafts. Checking those mighty car-warriors, with thousands of arrows he slew with his shafts the steeds of Bhima decked with golden armour. Bhima, however, endued with great energy, staying on that car whose steeds had been slain, with great impetuosity hurled a dart at Bhishma's car. Devavrata then, in that battle, cut off that dart in twain before it could reach him, and thereupon it fell down on the earth. Then that bull among men, Bhimasena, taking up a heavy and mighty mace made of Saikya iron speedily jumped down from his car. Dhrishtadyumna quickly taking up that foremost of car-warriors on his own car, took away, in the very sight of all the combatants, that renowned warrior.

Satyaki then from desire of doing what was agreeable to Bhima, felled with his shaft the charioteer of the reverend Kuru grand-sire. Upon his charioteer being slain, that foremost of car-warriors, Bhishma, was borne away from the field of battle by his steeds with the speed of the wind.

When that mighty car-warrior was (thus) taken away from the field, Bhimasena then blazed up like a mighty fire while consuming dry grass. Slaying all the Kalingas, he stayed in the midst of the troops, and none of Dhritarashtra’s side ventured to withstand him. Worshipped by the Panchalas and the Matsyas, he embraced Dhrishtadyumna and then approached Satyaki. Satyaki, the tiger among the Yadus, of prowess incapable of being baffled, then gladdening Bhimasena, said unto him, in the presence of Dhrishtadyumna, (these words).

“By good luck the king of the Kalingas, and Ketumat, the prince of the Kalingas, and Shakradeva also of that country and all the Kalingas, have been slain in battle. With the might and prowess of your arms, by you alone, has been crushed the very large division of the Kalingas that abounded with elephants and steeds and cars, and with noble warriors, and heroic combatants.”

Having said this, the long-armed grandson of Shini, that chastiser of foes, quickly getting upon his car, embraced the son of Pandu. Then that mighty car-warrior, coming back to his own car, began to slay your troops excited with rage and strengthening (the hands of) Bhima.

Dhrishtadyumna fights Ashwatthama, Shalya and Kripa

When the forenoon of that day had passed away, and when the destruction of cars, elephants, steeds, foot-soldiers and horse-soldiers, proceeded on, the prince of Panchala engaged himself in battle with these three mighty car-warriors, viz., Drona's son, Shalya, and the high-souled Kripa. The mighty heir of Panchala's king with many sharp shafts, slew the steeds of Drona's son that were celebrated over all the world. Deprived then of his animals, Drona's son quickly getting up on Shalya's car, showered his shafts on the hair of the Panchala king. Beholding Dhrishtadyumna engaged in battle with Drona's son, the son of Subhadra, quickly came up scattering his sharp arrows. He pierced Shalya with five and twenty, and Kripa with nine arrows, and Ashwatthaman with eight. Drona's son, however, quickly pierced Arjuna's son with many winged arrows, and Shalya pierced him with twelve, and Kripa with three sharp arrows.

Lakshmana and Abhimanyu fight

Dhritarashtra’s grandson Lakshmana then, beholding Subhadra's son engaged in battle, rushed at him, excited with rage. The battle commenced between them. The son of Duryodhana, excited with rage, pierced Subhadra's son with sharp shafts in that combat. That (feat), seemed highly wonderful. The light-handed Abhimanyu then, excited with rage, quickly pierced his cousin with five hundred arrows. Lakshmana also, with his shafts, then cut off his (cousin's) bow-staff at the middle, at which all the people sent forth a loud shout. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, the son of Subhadra, leaving aside that broken bow, took up another that was beautiful and tougher. Thereupon those two bulls among men, thus engaged in combat and desirous of counteracting each other's feats, pierced each other with sharp shafts.

King Duryodhana then, beholding his mighty son thus afflicted by your grandson (Abhimanyu), proceeded to that spot. When Dhritarashtra’s son turned (towards that spot), all the kings surrounded the son of Arjuna on every side with crowds of cars. Incapable of being defeated in battle and equal in prowess unto Krishna himself, that hero, thus surrounded by those heroes, was not agitated in the least. Then Dhananjaya, beholding Subhadra's son engaged in battle, rushed to that spot, excited with wrath, desirous of rescuing his own son. Thereupon the kings (on the Kuru side), headed by Bhishma and Drona and with cars, elephants and steeds, rushed impetuously at Savyasachin.

Then a thick earthly dust, suddenly raised by foot-soldiers and steeds and cars and cavalry troopers, covering the sky appeared on the view. Those thousands of elephants and hundreds of kings, when they came within reach of Arjuna's arrows, were all unable to make any further advance. All creatures there set up loud wails, and the points of the compass became dark. Then the transgression of the Kurus assumed a fierce and dreadful aspect as regards its consequences. Neither the welkin, nor the cardinal points of the compass nor the earth, nor the sun, could be distinguished in consequence of the arrows shot by Kiritin.

Many were the elephants there deprived of the standards (on their backs), and many car-warriors also, deprived of their steeds. Some leaders of car divisions were seen wandering, having abandoned their cars. Other car-warriors, deprived of their cars, were seen to wander here and there, weapon in hand and their arms graced with Angadas. Riders of steeds abandoning their steeds and of elephants abandoning their elephants from fear of Arjuna fled away in all directions. Kings were seen felled or falling from cars and elephants and steeds in consequence of Arjuna's shafts. Arjuna, assuming a fierce countenance, cut off with his terrible shafts, the upraised arms of warriors, mace in grasp, and arms bearing swords, or darts, or quivers, or shafts, or bows, or hooks, or standards, all over the field. Spiked maces broken in fragments, and mallets, and bearded darts, and short arrows, and swords also, in that battle, and sharp-edged battle-axes, and lances, and shields broken into pieces, and coats of mail also, and standards, and weapons of all kinds thrown away and umbrellas furnished with golden staves, and iron hooks also, and goads and whips, and traces also, were seen strewn over the field of battle in heaps. There was no man in your army, who could advance against the heroic Arjuna in battle. Whoever advanced against Pritha's son in battle, pierced by sharp shafts was despatched to the other world.

When all these combatants of Dhritarashtra’s broke had fled away, Arjuna and Vasudeva blew their excellent conches. Devavrata then, beholding the (Kuru) host routed, smilingly addressed the heroic son of Bharadwaja in the battle and said,

“This mighty and heroic son of Pandu, viz., Dhananjaya, accompanied by Krishna, is dealing with (our) troops as he alone is competent to deal with them. He is incapable of being vanquished in battle today by any means, judging by his form that we see now so like unto that of the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga. This vast host again (of ours) is incapable of being rallied. Behold, looking at one another, our troops are flying away. There, Sun, robbing in every way the vision of the whole world, is about to reach that best of mountains called Asta. For this, O bull among men, I think that the hour is come for the withdrawal (of the army). The warriors, who have all been tired and struck with panic, will never fight.”

Having said this unto Drona that best of preceptors, Bhishma, that mighty car-warrior, caused Dhritarashtra’s army to be withdrawn. Then when the sun set, the withdrawal of both the armies took place, and twilight set in.