The eleventh day of war: Drona is anointed as Kuru General

OM! Having bowed down unto Narayan, and unto that most exalted of male beings, viz., Nara, and unto the goddess Saraswati also, must the word Jaya be uttered.

Karna enters the battle field

When Bhishma, of prowess incapable of being baffled, was slain, Dhritarashtra’s warriors as also the Pandavas both reflected by themselves (on the situation). Reflecting on the duties of the Kshatriya order, they were filled with wonder and joy; but acting according to those duties of their own order, they all bowed to that high-souled warrior. Then those tigers among men contrived for Bhishma of immeasurable prowess a bed with a pillow made of straight shafts. Having made arrangements for Bhishma's protection, they addressed one another (in pleasant converse). Then bidding Ganga's son their farewell and walking round him, and looking at one another with eyes red in anger, those Kshatriyas, urged by fate, once more went out against one another for battle. Then by the blare of trumpets and the beat of drums, the divisions of Dhritarashtra’s army as also those of the foe, marched out. After the fall of Ganga's son, when the best part of the day had passed away, yielding to the influence of wrath, with hearts afflicted by fate, and disregarding the words, worthy of acceptance, of the high-souled Bhishma, those foremost ones of Bharata's race went out with great speed, armed with weapons. In consequence of Dhritarashtra’s folly and of Dhritarashtra’s son's and of the slaughter of Shantanu’s son, the Kauravas with all the kings seemed to be summoned by Death himself. The Kurus, deprived of Devavrata, were filled with great anxiety, and resembled a herd of goats and sheep without a herdsman, in a forest abounding with beasts of prey. Indeed, after the fall of that foremost one of Bharata's race, the Kuru host looked like the firmament divested of stars, or like the sky without the atmosphere, or like the earth with blasted crops, or like an oration disfigured by bad grammar, or like the Asura host of old after Bali had been smitten down, or like a beautiful damsel deprived of husband, or like a river whose waters have been dried up, or like a roe deprived of her mate and encompassed in the woods by wolves; or like a spacious mountain cave with its lion killed by a Sharabha. Indeed, the Bharata host, on the fall of Ganga's son, became like a frail boat on the bosom of the ocean, tossed by a tempest blowing from every side. Exceedingly afflicted by the mighty and heroic Pandavas of sure aim, the Kaurava host, with its steeds, car-warriors and elephants much troubled, became exceedingly distressed, helpless, and panic-stricken. The frightened kings and the common soldiers, no longer relying upon one another, of that army, deprived of Devavrata, seemed to sink into the nethermost region of the world.

Then the Kauravas remembered Karna, who indeed, was equal to Devavrata himself. All hearts turned to that foremost of all wielders of arms, that one resembling a guest resplendent (with learning and ascetic austerities). All hearts turned to him, as the heart of a man in distress turns to a friend capable of relieving that distress. The kings then cried out saying,

“Karna! Karna! The son of Radha, our friend, the son of a Suta, that one who is ever prepared to lay down his life in battle! Endued with great fame, Karna, with his followers and friends, did not fight for these ten days. O, summon him soon!”

The mighty-armed hero, in the presence of all the Kshatriyas, during the mention of valiant and mighty car-warriors, was by Bhishma classed as an Ardha-ratha, although that bull among men is equal to two Maharathas! Even thus was he classed during the counting of Rathas and Atirathas, he that is the foremost (of all Rathas and Atirathas), he that is respected by all heroes, he that would venture to fight even with Yama, Kubera, Varuna, and Indra. Through anger caused by this, he had said unto Ganga's son these words:

“As long as you live, O you of Kuru's race, I will never fight! if you, however, succeed in slaying the sons of Pandu in great battle, I shall, O Kaurava, with Duryodhana's permission, retire into the woods. If, on the other hand, you, O Bhishma, slain by the Pandavas, attain to heaven, I shall then, on a single car, slay all of them, whom you regard as great car-warriors.”

Having said this, mighty-armed Karna of great fame, with Dhritarashtra’s son's approval, did not fight for the first ten days. Bhishma, of great prowess in battle and of immeasurable might slew a very large number of warriors belonging to Yudhishthira's army. When, however, that hero of sure aim and great energy was slain, Dhritarashtra’s sons thought of Karna, like persons desirous of crossing a river thinking, of a boat. Dhritarashtra’s warriors and Dhritarashtra’s sons, together with all the kings, cried out, saying, “Karna!” And they all said,

“This is the time for the display of his prowess.”

Their hearts were turned to that Karna who derived his knowledge of weapons from Jamadagni's son, and whose prowess was incapable of being resisted! He, indeed, was competent to save them from great dangers, like Govinda always saving the celestials from great dangers.

Then Adhiratha's son of the Suta caste, knowing that Bhishma had been slain, became desirous of rescuing, like a brother, Dhritarashtra’s son's army from the distress into which it had fallen, and which then resembled a boat sunk in the fathomless ocean. [Indeed], having heard that that mighty car-warrior and foremost of men, that hero of unfading glory, viz., Shantanu’s son, had been thrown down (from his car), that grinder of foes, that foremost of all wielders of bows, viz., Karna, soon came (to the field of battle). When the best of car-warriors, viz., Bhishma, was slain by the foe, Karna speedily came there, desirous of rescuing the Kuru host which resembled a boat sunk in the ocean, like a sire desirous of rescuing his children.

Karna (addressing the soldiers) said,

“That Bhishma who possessed firmness, intelligence, prowess, vigour, truth, self-restraint, and all the virtues of a hero, as also celestial weapons, and humidity, and modesty, agreeable speech, and freedom from malice, that ever-grateful Bhishma, that slayer of the foes of Brahmanas, in whom were these attributes as permanently as Lakshmi in the moon, alas, when that Bhishma, that slayer of hostile heroes, has received his quietus, I regard all other heroes as already slain. In consequence of the eternal connection (of all things) with work, nothing exists in this world that is imperishable. When Bhishma of high vows has been slain, who is there that would take upon himself to say with certitude that tomorrow's sun will rise? When he that was endued with prowess equal to that of the Vasus, he that was born of the energy of the Vasus, when he, that ruler of the earth, has once more been united with the Vasus, grieve you, therefore, for your possessions and children for this earth and the Kurus, and this host.”

Upon the fall of that boon-giving hero of great might, that lord of the world, viz., Shantanu’s son of great energy, and upon the (consequent) defeat of the Bharatas, Karna, with cheerless heart and eyes filled with tears, began to console (the Dhartarashtras). Hearing these words of Radha's son, Dhritarashtra’s sons, and Dhritarashtra’s troops, began to wail aloud and shed copious tears of grief corresponding with the loudness of those wails. When, however, the dreadful battle once more took place and the Kaurava divisions, urged on by the Kings, once more set up loud shouts, that bull among mighty car-warriors, viz., Karna, then addressed the great car-warriors (of the Kaurava army) and said words which caused them great delight,

“In this transient world everything is continually flitting (towards the jaws of Death). Thinking of this, I regard everything as ephemeral. When, however, all of you were here, how could Bhishma, that bull among the Kurus, immovable as a hill, be thrown down from his car? When that mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Shantanu, has been overthrown, who even now lies on the ground like the Sun himself dropped (from the firmament), the Kuru kings are scarcely competent to bear Dhananjaya, like trees incapable of bearing the mountain-wind. I shall, however, now protect, as that high-souled one did, this helpless Kuru host of cheerless mien, whose foremost warriors have already been slain by the foe. Let this burden now devolve on me. I see that this universe is transient, since that foremost of heroes has been slain in battle. Why shall I then cherish any fear of battle? Coursing, therefore, on the field I shall despatch those bulls of Kuru's race (viz., the Pandavas) to Yama's abode by means of my straight shafts. Regarding fame as the highest object in the world, I shall slay them in battle, or, slain by the foe, shall sleep on the field. Yudhishthira is possessed of firmness, intelligence, virtue, and might. Vrikodara is equal to a hundred elephant in prowess, Arjuna is young and is the son of the chief of the celestials. The Pandava host, therefore, is not capable of being easily defeated by the very celestials. That force in which are the twins, each resembling Yama himself, that force in which are Satyaki and the son of Devaki, that force is like the jaws of Death. No coward, approaching it, can come back with life. The wise oppose swelling ascetic power with ascetic austerities, so should force be opposed by force.

Verily, my mind is firmly fixed upon opposing the foe and protecting my own party, O charioteer, I shall today certainly resist the might of the enemy, and vanquish him by repairing only to the field of battle. I will not tolerate this intestine feud. When the troops are broken, he that cometh (for aiding) in the endeavour to rally is a friend. I shall either achieve this righteous feat worthy of an honest man, or casting off my life shall follow Bhishma. I shall either slay all my foes united together, or slain by them proceed to the regions reserved for heroes. O charioteer, I know that even this is what I should do, when women and children cry for help, or when Duryodhana's prowess sustains a check. Therefore, I shall today conquer the foe. Reckless of my very life in this terrible battle, I shall protect the Kurus and slay the sons of Pandu. Slaying in battle all my foes banded together, I shall bestow (undisputed) sovereignty on Dhritarashtra's son. Let my armour, beautiful, made of gold, bright, and radiant with jewels and gems, be donned; and my head-gear, of effulgence equal to that of the sun; and my bows and arrows that resemble fire, poison, or snakes. Let also sixteen quivers be tied (to my car) at the proper places, and let a number of excellent bows be procured. Let also shafts, and darts and heavy maces, and my conch, variegated with gold, be got ready. Bring also my variegated, beautiful, and excellent standard, made of gold, possessed of the effulgence of the lotus, and bearing the device of the elephant's girth, cleaning it with a delicate cloth, and decking it with excellent garlands and a network of wires.

O charioteer's son, bring me also, with speed, some fleet steeds of the hue of tawny clouds, not lean, and bathed in water sanctified with mantras, and furnished with trappings of bright gold. Bring me also, with speed, an excellent car decked with garlands of gold, adorned gems, bright as the sun or the moon, furnished with every necessary, as also with weapons, and unto which are yoked excellent animals. Bring me also a number of excellent bows of great toughness, and a number of excellent bow-strings capable of smitting (the foe), and some quivers, large and full of shafts and some coats of mail for my body. Bring me also, with speed, O hero, every (auspicious) article needed for occasions of setting out (for battle), such as vessels of brass and gold, full of curds. Let garlands of flowers be brought, and let them be put on the (proper) limbs of my body. Let drums also be beaten for victory! Go, O charioteer, quickly to the spot where the diadem-decked (Arjuna), and Vrikodara, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira), and the twins, are. Encountering them in battle, either I shall slay them, or, being slain by them, my foes, I shall follow Bhishma. Arjuna, and Vasudeva, and Satyaki, and the Srinjayas, that force, I think, is incapable of being conquered by the kings. If all-destroying Death himself with unremitting vigilance, were to protect Kiritin, still shall I slay him, encountering him in battle, or repair myself to Yama's abode by Bhishma's track. Verily, I say, that I will repair into the midst of those heroes. Those (kings) that are my allies are not provokers of intestine feuds, or of weak attachment to me, or of unrighteous souls.”

Riding on an excellent and costly car of great strength, with an excellent pole, decked with gold, auspicious, furnished with a standard, and unto which were yoked excellent steeds that were fleet as the wind, Karna proceeded (to battle) for victory. Worshipped by the foremost of Kuru car-warriors like Indra by the celestials, that high-souled and fierce bowman, endued with immeasurable energy like the Sun himself, upon his car decked with gold and jewels and gems, furnished with an excellent standard, unto which were yoked excellent steeds, and whose rattle resembled the roll of the clouds, proceeded, accompanied by a large force, to that field of battle where that bull of Bharata's race (Bhishma) had paid his debt to nature. Of beautiful person, and endued with the splendour of fire, that great bowman and mighty car-warrior, viz., the son of Adhiratha, then mounted on his own beautiful car possessed of the effulgence of fire, and shone like the lord of the celestials himself riding on his celestial car.

Beholding the grandsire, viz., the venerable Bhishma, that destroyer of all the Kshatriyas, that hero of righteous soul and immeasurable energy, that great bowman thrown down (from his car) by Savyasachin with his celestial weapons, lying on a bed of arrows, and looking like the vast ocean dried up by mighty winds, the hope of Dhritarashtra’s sons for victory had disappeared along with their coats of mail and peace of mind. Beholding him who was always an island unto persons sinking in the fathomless ocean in their endeavours to cross it, beholding that hero covered with arrows that had coursed in a stream as continuous as that of Yamuna, that hero who looked like Mainaka of unbearable energy thrown down on the earth by the great Indra, that warrior lying prostrate on the earth like the Sun dropped down from the firmament, that one who looked like the inconceivable Indra himself after his defeat of old by Vritra, that depriver of all warriors of their senses, that foremost of all combatants, that signal of all bowmen, beholding that hero and bull among men, viz., Dhritarashtra’s sire Bhishma of high vows, that grandsire of the Bharatas thrown down in battle and lying covered with Arjuna's shafts, on a hero's bed. Adhiratha's son (Karna) alighted from his car, in great affliction, filled with grief, and almost senseless. Afflicted (with sorrow), and with eyes troubled with tears, he proceeded on foot. Saluting him with joined palms, and addressing him reverentially, he said,

“I am Karna! Blessed be you! Speak to me, O Bharata, in sacred and auspicious words, and look at me, opening your eyes. No man certainly enjoys in this world the fruits of his pious deeds, since you, reverend in years and devoted to virtue, lies slain on the ground. O you that are the foremost one amongst the Kurus, I do not see that there is any one else among them, who is competent (like you) in filling the treasury, in counsels, in the matter of disposing the troops in battle array, and in the use of weapons, Alas, he that was endued with a righteous understanding, he that always protected the Kurus from every danger, alas, he, having slain numberless warriors, proceeds to the region of the Pitris. From this day, O chief of the Bharatas, the Pandavas, excited with wrath, will slaughter the Kurus like tigers slaying deer. Today the Kauravas, acquainted with the force of Gandiva's twang, will regard Savyasachin, like the Asuras regarding the wielder of the thunder-bolt, with terror. Today the noise, resembling that of heaven's thunder, of the arrows shot from Gandiva, will inspire the Kurus and other kings with great terror. Today, O hero, like a raging conflagration of fierce flames consuming a forest, the shafts of Kiritin will consume the Dhartarashtras. In those parts of the forest through which fire and wind march together, they burn all plants and creepers and trees. Without doubt, Partha is even like a surging fire, and, without doubt, O tiger among men, Krishna is like the wind. Hearing the blare of Panchajanya and the twang of Gandiva all the Kaurava troops, O Bharata, will be filled with fear.

O hero, without you, the kings will never be able to bear the rattle of the ape-bannered car belonging to that grinder of foes, when he will advance (upon them). Who amongst the kings, save yourself, is competent to battle with that Arjuna whose feats, as described by the wise, are all superhuman? Superhuman was the battle that he fought with the high-souled (Mahadeva) of three eyes. From him he obtained a boon that is unattainable by persons of unsanctified souls. Delighted in battle, that son of Pandu is protected by Madhava. Who is there that is competent to vanquish him who could not be vanquished by you before, although you, endued with great energy, had vanquished Rama himself in battle, that fierce destroyer of the Kshatriya race, worshipped, besides, by the gods and the Danavas? Incapable of putting up with that son of Pandu, that foremost of heroes in battle, even I, with your permission, am competent to slay, with the force of my weapons, that brave and fierce warrior who resembles a snake of virulent poison and who slays his foes with his glances alone!”

Unto him who was talking thus, the aged Kuru grandsire with a cheerful heart, said these words adapted to both time and place,

“Like the ocean unto rivers, like the Sun unto all luminous bodies, like the righteous unto Truth, like a fertile soil unto seeds, like the clouds unto all creatures, be you the refuge of your relatives and friends! Like the celestials upon him of a thousand eyes, let your kinsmen depend on you. Be you the humiliator of your foes, and the enhancer of the joys of your friends. Be you unto the Kauravas as Vishnu unto the dwellers of heaven. Desirous of doing what was agreeable to Dhritarashtra's son, you did with the might and prowess of own arms, O Karna, vanquish the Kambojas having proceeded to Rajpura. Many kings, amongst whom Nagnajit was the foremost, while staying in Girivraja, as also the Ambashthas, the Videhas, and the Gandharvas, were all vanquished by you. The Kiratas, fierce in battle, dwelling in the fastness of Himavat, were formerly, O Karna, made by you to own Duryodhana's sway. And so also, the Utpalas, the Mekalas, the Paundras, the Kalingas, the Andhras, the Nishadas, the Trigartas, and the Bahlikas, were all vanquished by you, O Karna, in battle. In many other countries, O Karna, impelled by the desire of doing good to Duryodhana, you did, O hero, vanquish many races and kings of great energy. Like Duryodhana, O child, with his kinsmen, and relatives, and friends, be you also the refuge of all the Kauravas. In auspicious words I command you, go and fight with the enemy. Lead the Kurus in battle, and give victory unto Duryodhana. You are to us our grandson even as Duryodhana is. According to the ordinance, all of us also are as much yours as Duryodhana's! The wise, O foremost of men, say that the companionship of the righteous with the righteous is a superior relationship to that born of the same womb. Without falsifying, therefore, your relationship with Kurus, protect you the Kaurava host like Duryodhana, regarding it as your own.”

Hearing these words of his, Vikartana's. son Karna, reverentially saluting Bhishma's feet, (bade him farewell) and came to that spot where all the Kaurava bowmen were. Viewing that wide and unparalleled encampment of the vast host, he began to cherish (by words of encouragement) those well-armed and broad-chested warriors. All the Kauravas headed by Duryodhana were filled with joy. Beholding the mighty-armed and high-souled Karna come to the field and station himself at the head of the whole army, for battle, the Kauravas received him with loud shouts and slapping of arm-pits and leonine roars and twang of bows and diverse other kinds of noise.

Drona is anointed as the Kaurava generalissimo

Beholding that tiger among men, viz., Karna, mounted on his car, Duryodhana, filled with joy, said these words,

“This host, protected by you, has now, I think, got a proper leader. Let that, however, be settled now which is proper and within our power.”

Karna said,

“Tell us yourself, O tiger among men, for you are the wisest of kings. Another can never see so well what should be done as one sees it whose concern it is. Those kings are all desirous of listening to what you may have to say. I am sure that no improper words will be uttered by you.”

Duryodhana, said,

“Bhishma was our commander possessed (as he was) of years, prowess, and learning and supported by all our warriors. That high-souled one, O Karna, achieving great glory and slaying large numbers of my enemies protected us by fair fight for ten days. He achieved the most difficult of feats. But now that he is about to ascend to heaven, whom, O Karna, do you think fit to our commander after him? Without a leader, an army cannot stay in battle for even a short while. You are foremost in battle, like a boat without a helmsman in the waters. Indeed, as a boat without a helmsman, or a car without a driver, would go anywhere, so would the plight be of a host that is without a leader. Like a merchant who falls into every kind of distress when he is unacquainted with the ways of the country he visits, an army that is without a leader is exposed to every kind of distress. Look you, therefore, among all the high-souled warriors of our army and find out a proper leader who may succeed the son of Shantanu. Him whom you would regard as a fit leader in battle, him, all of us, without doubt, will together make our leader.”

Karna said,

“All these foremost of men are high-souled persons. Every one of them deserves to be our leader. There is no need of any minute examination. All of them are conversant with noble genealogies and with the are of smiting; all of them are endued with prowess and intelligence, all of them are attentive and acquainted with the scriptures, possessed of wisdom, and unretreating from battle. All, however, cannot be leaders at the same time. Only one should be selected as leader, in whom are special merits. All of these regard one another as equals. If one amongst them, therefore, be honoured, others will be dissatisfied, and, it is evident, will no longer fight for you from a desire of benefiting you. This one, however, is the Preceptor (in arms) of all these warriors; is venerable in years, and worthy of respect. Therefore, Drona, this foremost of all wielders of weapons, should be made the leader. Who is there worthy of becoming a leader, when the invincible Drona, that foremost of persons conversant with Brahma, is here, that one who is equal to Shukra or Brihaspati himself? Amongst all the kings in your army, O Bharata, there is not a single warrior who will not follow Drona when the latter goes to battle. This Drona is the foremost of all leaders of forces, the foremost of all wielders of weapons, and the foremost of all intelligent persons. He is, besides, O king, your preceptor (in arms). Therefore, O Duryodhana, make this one the leader of your forces without delay, as the celestials made Kartikeya their leader in battle for vanquishing the Asuras.”

Hearing these words of Karna, king Duryodhana. then said this unto Drona who was staying in the midst of the troops. Duryodhana said,

“For the superiority of the order of your birth, for the nobility of your parentage, for your learning, years and intelligence, for also your prowess, skill, invincibility, knowledge of worldly matters, policy, and self-conquest, by reason also of your ascetic austerities and your gratitude, superior as you are as regards every virtue, among these kings there is none who can make so good a leader as you. Protect you, therefore, ourselves, like Vasava protecting the celestials. Having you for our leader, we desire, O best of Brahmanas, to vanquish our foes. As Kapali amongst the Rudras, Pavaka among the Vasus, Kubera among the Yakshas, Vasava among the Maruts, Vasishtha among Brahmanas, the Sun amongst luminous bodies, Yama among the Pitris, Varuna among aquatic creatures, as the Moon among the stars, and Ushanas among the sons of Diti, so are you the foremost of all leaders of forces. Be you, therefore, our leader. O sinless one, let these ten and one Akshauhinis of troops be obedient to your word of command. Disposing these troops in battle array, slay you our foes, like Indra slaying the Danavas. Proceed you are the head of us all, like Pavaka's son (Kartikeya) at the head of the celestial forces. We will follow you to battle, like bulls following a bovine leader. A fierce and great bowman as you are, beholding you stretching the bow at our head. Arjuna will not strike. Without doubt, O tiger among men, if you become our leader, I will vanquish Yudhishthira with all his followers and relatives in battle.”

After Duryodhana had uttered these words, the kings (in the Kaurava army) all cried victory to Drona. They delighted Dhritarashtra’s son by uttering a loud leonine shout. The troops, filled with joy, and with Duryodhana at their head, desirous of winning great renown, began to glorify that best of Brahmanas. Then, Drona addressed Duryodhana fin those words. Drona said,

“I know the Vedas with their six branches. I know also the science of human affairs. I am acquainted also with the Shaiva weapon, and diverse other species of weapons. Endeavouring to actually display all those virtues which you, desirous of victory, have attributed to me, I will fight with the Pandavas. I will not, however, O king, be able to slay the son of Prishata. O bull among men, he has been created for my slaughter. I will fight with the Pandavas, and slay the Somakas. As regards the Pandavas, they will not fight with me with cheerful hearts.”

Thus permitted by Drona, Dhritarashtra’s son, then made him the commander of his forces according to the rites prescribed in the ordinance. The kings (in the Kaurava army) headed by Duryodhana performed the investiture of Drona in the command of the forces, like the celestials headed by Indra in days of yore performing the investiture of Skanda. After Drona's installation in the command, the joy of the army expressed itself by the sound of drums and the loud blare of conchs. Then with cries such as Punyahaghosha, with auspicious invocations by Brahmanas gratified with cries of Jaya uttered by foremost of Brahmanas, and with the dance of mimes, Drona was duly honoured. Kaurava warriors regarded the Pandavas as already vanquished.

Having obtained the command of the troops, that mighty car-warrior, viz., Bharadwaja's son, said these words unto Dhritarashtra’s son in the midst of all the troops,

“Inasmuch as, O king, you have honoured me with the command of the troops immediately after that bull among the Kauravas, viz., the son of the Ocean-going (Ganga), take you, O Bharata, the adequate fruit of that act of yours. What business of yours shall I now achieve? Ask you the boon that you desire.”

Then king Duryodhana having consulted with Karna and Duhshasana and others, said unto the preceptor, that invincible warrior and foremost of all victors, these words,

“If you would give me a boon, then, seizing that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Yudhishthira, alive, bring him unto me here.”

Then that preceptor of the Kurus, hearing those words of Dhritarashtra’s son, returned him the following answer, gladdening all the troops therewith,

“Praised be Kunti's son (Yudhishthira) whose seizing only you desire. O you that are difficult of being vanquished, you ask not any other boon (one for example) for his slaughter. For what reason, O tiger among men, do you not desire his death? You are, without doubt, O Duryodhana, not ignorant of policy. Why, therefore, do you not allude to Yudhishthira's death? It is a matter of great wonder that king Yudhishthira, the just, has no enemy desirous of his death. Inasmuch as you wish him to be alive, you (either) seek to preserve your race from extinction, or, O chief of the Bharatas, you, having vanquished the Pandavas in battle, are desirous of establishing brotherly relation (with them) by giving them their kingdom. Auspicious was the birth of that intelligent prince. Truly is he called Ajatashatru (the foeless one), for even you bears affection for him.”

Thus addressed by Drona, the feeling that is ever present in Dhritarashtra’s son's breast suddenly made itself known. Not even persons like Brihaspati can conceal the expressions of their countenance. For this, Dhritarashtra’s son, filled with joy, said these words,

“By the slaughter of Kunti's son in battle, O preceptor, victory cannot be mine. If Yudhishthira were slain, Partha then, without doubt, would slay all of us. All of them, again, cannot be slain by the very gods. He amongst them that will, in that case, survive, will exterminate us. Yudhishthira, however, is truthful in his promises. If brought here (alive), vanquished once more at dice, the Pandavas will once more go to the woods, for they are all obedient to Yudhishthira. It is evident that such a victory will be an enduring one. It is for this that I do not, by any means, desire the slaughter of king Yudhishthira the just.”

Ascertaining this crooked purpose of Duryodhana, Drona who was conversant with the truths of the science of profit and gifted with great intelligence, reflected a little and gave him the boon circumscribing it in the following way. Drona said,

“If the heroic Arjuna does not protect Yudhishthira in battle, you may think the eldest Pandava as already brought under your control. As regards Partha, the very gods and the Asuras together headed by Indra, cannot advance against him in battle. It is for this that I dare not do what you ask me to do. Without doubt, Arjuna is my disciple, and I was his first preceptor in arms. He is, however, young, endued with great good fortune, and excessively intent (on the achievement of his purposes). He has obtained, again, many weapons from Indra and Rudra. He has besides been provoked by you. I dare not, therefore, do what you ask me. Let Arjuna be removed, by whatsoever means that can be done, from the battle. Upon Partha being withdrawn, you may regard king Yudhishthira as already vanquished. Upon his seizure is victory and not upon his slaughter, O bull among men! Even by stratagem, can his seizure be accomplished. Seizing that king devoted to truth and righteousness, I will, without doubt, O monarch, bring him to your control this very day, if he stays before me in battle even for a moment, of course, if Dhananjaya, the son of Kunti, that tiger among men, be withdrawn from the field. In Phalguni's presence, however, O king, Yudhishthira is incapable of being taken in battle even by the gods and the Asuras headed by Indra.”

After Drona had promised the king's seizure even under these limitations, Dhritarashtra’s foolish sons regarded Yudhishthira as already taken. Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana) knew Drona's partiality for the Pandavas. In order to make Drona stick to his promise, therefore, he divulged those counsels. Then, the fact of Drona's having promised to seize the (eldest) Pandava was proclaimed by Duryodhana unto all his troops.

King Yudhishthira the just, however, soon learnt in detail, through his spies, everything about the purpose upon which Bharadwaja's son was intent. Then bringing together all his brothers and all the other kings of his army, king Yudhishthira the just addressed Dhananjaya, saying,

“You have heard, O tiger among men, about the intention of Drona. Let such measures, therefore, be adopted as may prevent the accomplishment of that purpose. It is true, Drona, that grinder of foes, has vowed his pledge, subject to limitations, however, O great bowman, rest on you. Fight you, therefore, today, O you of mighty arms, in my vicinity, so that Duryodhana may not obtain from Drona the fruition of his desire.”

Arjuna said,

“As the slaughter of my preceptor can never be accomplished by me, so, king, I can never consent to give you up. O son of Pandu, I would rather yield up my life in battle than fight against my preceptor. This son of Dhritarashtra desires sovereignty, having seized you as a captive in battle. In this world he will never obtain the fruition of that desire of his. The firmament itself with its stars may fall down, the Earth herself may split into fragments, yet Drona will, surely, never succeed in seizing you as long as I am alive. If the wielder of the thunderbolt himself, or Vishnu at the head of the gods, assist him in battle, still he shall not succeed in seizing you on the field. As long as I am alive, O great king, it befits you not to entertain any fear of Drona, although he is the foremost of all wielders of weapons. I further say unto you. O monarch, that my promise never remains unfulfilled. I do not recollect having ever spoken any untruth. I do not recollect having ever been vanquished. I do not recollect having ever, after making a vow, left the least part of it unfulfilled.”

After Drona had promised the kings seizure under those limitations, Dhritarashtra’s troops hearing of (that promise about) Yudhishthira's capture, uttered many leonine shouts, mingling them with the whiz of their arrows and the blare of their conchs. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., Bharadwaja's son, having obtained the command, arrayed the troops in order of battle, and went out with Dhritarashtra’s sons from desire of fighting the foe. The ruler of the Sindhus, and the chief of the Kalingas, and Dhritarashtra’s son Vikarna, clad in mail, took up their position on the right wing (of Drona). Shakuni, accompanied by many foremost of horsemen battling with bright lances and belonging to the Gandhara tribe, proceeded, acting as their support. Kripa, and Kritavarman, and Chitrasena, and Vivimshati headed by Duhshasana, strove vigorously for protecting the left wing. The Kambojas headed by Sudakshina, and the Shakas, and the Yavanas, with steeds of great fleetness, proceeded, as the latter's support. The Madras, the Trigartas the Ambashthas, the Westerners, the Northerners, the Malavas, the Shurasenas, the Shudras the Maladas, the Sauviras, the Kaitavas, the Easterners, and the Southerners placing Dhritarashtra’s son (Duryodhana) and the Suta's son (Karna) at their head, forming the rear guard, gladdened warriors of their own army, added to the strength of the (advancing) force, Vikartana's son Karna proceeded at the head of the bowmen. His blazing and large and tall standard bearing the advice of the elephant's rope, shone with an effulgence like that of the Sun, gladdening his own divisions. Beholding Karna, none regarded the calamity caused by Bhishma's death. The kings, along with the Kurus, all became freed from grief. Large numbers of warriors, banded together, said unto one another,

“Beholding Karna on the field, the Pandavas will never be able to stand in battle. Indeed, Karna is quite competent to vanquish in battle the very gods with Vasava at their head. What need be said, therefore, for the sons of Pandu who are destitute of energy and prowess? The mighty-armed Bhishma spared the Parthas in battle. Karna, however, will slay them in the fight with his keen shafts.”

Speaking unto one another thus and filled with joy, they proceeded, applauding and worshipping the son of Radha. As regards Dhritarashtra’s army, it was arrayed by Drona in the form of a Shakata (vehicle); while the array of their illustrious foes was in the form of a Krauncha (crane), as disposed by king Yudhishthira the just in great cheerfulness.

Beginning of the eleventh day war

At the head of their array were those two foremost of persons viz., Vishnu and Dhananjaya, with their banner set up, bearing the device of the ape. The hump of the whole army and the refuge of all bowmen, that banner of Partha, endued with immeasurable energy, as it floated in the, sky, seemed to illumine the entire host of the high-souled Yudhishthira. The banner of Partha, possessed of great intelligence, seemed to resemble the blazing Sun that rises at the end of the Yuga for consuming the world. Amongst bowmen, Arjuna is the foremost; amongst bows, Gandiva is the foremost, amongst creatures Vasudeva is the first; and amongst all kinds of discs, Sudarshana is the first. Bearing these four embodiments of energy, that car unto which were yoked white steeds, took up its position in the front of the (hostile) army, like the fierce discus upraised (for striking). Thus did those two foremost of men stand at the very head of their respective forces, viz., Karna at the head of Dhritarashtra’s army, and Dhananjaya at the head of the hostile one. Both excited with wrath, and each desirous of slaying the other, Karna and Arjuna looked at each other in that battle.

Then when that mighty car-warrior, viz.. Bharadwaja's son, proceeded to battle with great speed, the earth seemed to tremble with loud sounds of wailing. Then the thick dust, raised by the wind resembling a canopy of tawny silk, enveloped the sky and the sun. Though the firmament was cloudless, yet a shower fell of pieces of flesh, bones, and blood. Vultures and hawks and cranes and Kankas, and crows in thousands, began continually to fall upon the (Kaurava) troops. Jackals yelled aloud; and many fierce and terrible birds repeatedly wheeled to the left of Dhritarashtra’s army, from desire of eating flesh and drinking blood, and many blazing meteors, illuminating (the sky), and covering large areas with their tails, fell on the field with loud sound and trembling motion. The wide disc of the sun seemed to emit flashes of lightning with thundering noise, when commander of the (Kaurava) army set out. These and many other portents, fierce and indicating a destruction of heroes, were seen during the battle.

Then commenced the encounter between the troops of the Kurus and the Pandavas, desirous of slaying each other. So loud was the din that it seemed to fill the whole earth. The Pandavas and the Kauravas, enraged with each other and skilled in smiting, began to strike each other with sharp weapons, from desire of victory. Then that great bowman of blazing effulgence rushed towards the troops of the Pandavas with great impetuosity, scattering hundreds of sharp arrows. Then the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, beholding Drona rush towards them, received him with showers upon showers (in distinct sets) of arrows. Agitated and broken by Drona, the large host of the Pandavas and the Panchalas broke like rows of cranes by force of the wind. Invoking into existence many celestial weapons in that battle, Drona, within a very short time, afflicted the Pandavas and the Srinjayas. Slaughtered by Drona, like Danavas by Vasava, the Panchalas headed by Dhrishtadyumna trembled in that battle. Then that mighty car-warrior, viz., Yajnasena's son (Dhrishtadyumna), that hero acquainted with celestial weapons, broke, with his arrowy showers, the division of Drona in many places. The mighty son of Prishata baffling with his own arrowy showers the showers of arrows shot by Drona, caused a great slaughter among the Kurus. The mighty-armed Drona then, rallying his men in battle and gathering them together, rushed towards the son of Prishata. He then shot at Prishata's son a thick shower of arrows, like Maghavat excited with rage showering his arrows with great force upon the Danavas, Then the Pandavas and the Srinjayas, shaken by Drona with his shafts, repeatedly broke like a herd of inferior animals attacked by a lion. The mighty Drona coursed through the Pandava force like a circle of fire. All this seemed highly wonderful. Mounted on his own excellent car which (then) resembled a city coursing through the skies, which was furnished with every necessary article according to (military) science, whose banner floated on the air, whose rattle resounded through the field, whose steeds were (well) urged, and the staff of whose standard was bright as crystal, Drona struck terror into the hearts of the enemy and caused a great slaughter among them.

Beholding Drona thus slaying steeds and drivers and car-warriors and elephants, the Pandavas, without being troubled, encompassed him on all sides. Then king Yudhishthira, addressing Dhrishtadyumna and Dhananjaya, said unto them,

“Let the pot-born (Drona) be checked, our men surrounding him on all sides with care.”

Thus addressed those mighty car-warriors, viz., Arjuna and Prishata's son, along with their followers, all received Drona as the latter came. The Kekaya princes, and Bhimasena, and Subhadra's son and Ghatotkacha and Yudhishthira, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the ruler of the Matsyas, and the son of Drupada, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, all filled with joy, and Dhrishtaketu, and Satyaki, and the wrathful Chitrasena, and the mighty car-warrior, Yuyutsu, and many other kings, who followed the sons of Pandu, all achieved diverse feats in keeping with their lineage and prowess. Beholding then that host protected in that battle by those Pandava warriors, Bharadwaja's son, turning his eyes in wrath, cast his looks upon it. Inflamed with rage, that warrior, invincible in battle, consumed, as he stood upon his car, the Pandava host like the tempest destroying vast masses of clouds. Rushing on all sides at car-warriors and steeds and foot-soldiers and elephants, Drona furiously careered over the field like a young man, though bearing the weight of years. His red steeds, fleet as the wind, and of excellent breed, covered with blood, assumed a beautiful appearance. Beholding that hero of regulated vows, felling them like Yama himself inflamed with wrath, the soldiers of Yudhishthira fled away on all sides. As some fled away and other rallied, as some looked at him and others stayed on the field, the noise they made was fierce and terrible. That noise causing delight to heroes and enhancing the fears of the timid, filled the whole sky and the earth. Once more Drona, uttering his own name in battle, made himself exceedingly fierce, scattering hundreds of arrows among the foes. Indeed, the mighty Drona, though old, yet acting like a young man, careered like Death himself amid the divisions of Pandu's son. That fierce warrior cutting off heads and arms decked with ornaments, made the terraces of many cars empty and uttered leonine roars. In consequence of those joyous shouts of his, as also of the force of his shafts, the warriors (of the hostile army) trembled like a herd of cows afflicted by cold. In consequence of the rattle of his car and the stretching of his bow-string and the twang of his bow, the whole welkin resounded with a loud noise. The shaft., of that hero, coursing in thousands from his bow, and enveloping all the points of the compass, fell upon the elephants and steeds and cars and foot-soldiers (of the enemy). Then the Panchalas and the Pandavas boldly approached Drona, who, armed with his bow of great force, resembled a fire having weapons for its flames. Then with their elephants and foot-soldiers and steeds he began to despatch them unto the abode of Yama. Drona made the earth miry with blood. Scattering his mighty weapons and shooting his shafts thick on every side, Drona soon so covered all the points of the compass, that nothing could be seen except his showers of arrows. Among foot-soldiers and cars and steeds and elephants nothing could be seen save Drona's arrows. The standard of his car was all that could be seen, moving like flashes of lightning amid the cars. Of soul incapable of being depressed, Drona then, armed with bow and arrows, afflicted the five princes of Kekaya and the ruler of the Panchalas and then rushed against the division of Yudhishthira. Then Bhimasena and Dhananjaya and the grandson of Shini, and the sons of Drupada, and the ruler of Kashi, viz., the son of Shaibya, and Shibi himself, cheerfully and with loud roars covered him with their arrows. Shafts in thousands, decked with wings of gold, shot from Drona's bow, piercing through the bodies of the elephants and the young horses of those warriors, entered the earth, their feathers dyed with blood. The field of battle, strewn with cars and the prostrate forms of large bands of warriors, and of elephants and steeds mangled with shafts, looked like the welkin covered with masses of black clouds.

Then, conchs and drums and cymbals and smaller drums were sounded and beaten in the Pandava camp. The high-souled Pandavas uttered many leonine shouts. These and the awful twang of their bow-strings and the slaps of palms reached the very heaven. Hearing that loud blare of conchs that arose from the camp of the mighty sons of Pandu, diverse instruments were sounded amongst Dhritarashtra’s divisions also. Then Dhritarashtra’s divisions as also those of theirs were arrayed in order of battle. Slowly they advanced against each other from desire of battle. Then commenced a battle, that was fierce and that made the hairs stand on their ends, between the Pandavas and the Kurus, and Drona and the Panchalas. The Srinjayas, though struggling vigorously, were unable to beat in battle the host of Drona as it was protected by Drona himself. So also the mighty car-warriors of Dhritarashtra’s son, skilled in smiting, could not beat the Pandava host, as it was protected by the Diadem-decked (Arjuna). Protected by Drona and Arjuna, both the hosts seemed to stand inactive like two blossoming forests in the silence of the night. Then he, of the golden car, (viz., Drona) like the Sun himself of great splendour, crushing the ranks of the Pandavas, careered through them at will. The Pandavas, and the Srinjayas, through fear, regarded that single warrior of great activity upon his quickly-moving car as if multiplied into many. Shot by him, terrible shafts coursed in all directions, frightening the army of Pandu's son. Indeed, Drona then seemed as the Sun himself at mid-day covered by a hundred rays of light. As the Danavas were unable to look at Indra, so there was not one amongst the Pandavas, who was able to look at the angry son of Bharadwaja in that battle. The valiant son of Bharadwaja then, having confound the (hostile) troops, speedily began to consume the division of Dhrishtadyumna by means of sharp shafts. Covering and obstructing all the points of the compass by means of his straight shafts, he began to crush the Pandava force even there, where Prishata's son was.

Drona’s fight

Then Drona, causing a great confusion in the Pandava host, careered through it, like a conflagration consuming (a forest of) trees. Beholding that angry warrior, owning a golden car, consume their divisions like a raging conflagration, the Srinjayas trembled (in fear). The twang, in that battle, of the constantly stretched bow of that warrior of great activity was heard to resemble the roar of the thunder. Fierce shafts shot by Drona, endued with great lightness of hand, began to crush car-warriors and horsemen and elephant-warriors and foot soldiers along with elephants and steeds. Showering his arrows as the roaring clouds at the close of summer, assisted by the wind, pour hail-stones, he inspired fear in the hearts of the foe. Coursing (through the hostile ranks) and agitating the troops, the mighty Drona enhanced the unnatural fear entertained by the enemy. The gold-decked bow, on his quickly-moving car, was repeatedly seen to resemble the lightning's flash amid a mass of dark clouds. That hero, firm in truth, endued with wisdom, and always devoted, besides, to righteousness, caused an awful river of angry current, such as may be seen at the end of the Yuga, to flow there. That river had its source in the impetuosity of Drona's wrath, and it was haunted by crowds of carnivorous creatures. The combatants constituted the waves that filled its entire surface. Heroic warriors constituted the trees on its banks whose roots were constantly eaten away by its current. Its waters were constituted by the blood that was shed in that battle, and cars constituted its eddies, and elephants and steeds formed its banks. Costs of mail constituted its lilies, and the flesh of creatures the mire on its bed. The fat, marrow, and bones (of fallen animals and men) formed the sands on its beach, and (fallen) head-gears its froth. The battle itself that was fought there constituted the canopy above its surface. Lances constituted the fish with which it abounded. It was inaccessible in consequence of the large number of (slain) men, elephants, and steeds (that fell in it). The impetus of the shaft shot constituted its current. The slain bodies themselves constituted the timber floating on it. Cars constituted its tortoises. Heads constituted the stones scattered on its banks and bed, and scimitars, its fish in profusion. Cars and elephants formed its lakes. It was decked with many adornments. Mighty car-warriors constituted its hundreds of little whirlpools. The dust of the earth constituted its wavelets. Capable of being easily crossed by those possessed of exceeding energy, it was incapable of being crossed by the timid. Heaps of dead bodies constituted the sand-banks obstructing its navigation. It was the haunt of Kankas and vultures and other birds of prey. It carried away thousands of mighty-car-warriors to the abode of Yama. Long spears constituted the snakes that infested it in profusion. The living combatants constituted the fowls sporting on its waters. Torn umbrellas constituted its large swans. Diadems formed the (smaller) birds that adorned it. Wheels constituted its turtles, and maces its alligators, and arrows its smaller fish. It was the resort of frightful swarms of crows and vultures and jackals. That river bore away in hundreds, to the region of the Pitris, the creatures that were slain by Drona in battle. Obstructed by hundreds of bodies (floating on it), the hair (of slain warriors and animals) constituted its moss and weeds. Such was the river, enhancing the fears of the timid, that Drona caused to flow there.

When Drona was thus grinding the hostile army here and there, the Pandava warriors headed by Yudhishthira rushed at that mighty car-warrior from all sides. Then seeing them thus rushing (towards Drona), brave combatants of Dhritarashtra’s army, possessed of unyielding prowess, rushed from every side. The battle that thereupon ensued made the hair stand on end.

The duels

Shakuni, full of a hundred kinds of deceit, rushed towards Sahadeva, and pierced the latter's charioteer, and standard, and car, with many keen-pointed shafts. Sahadeva, however, without being much excited, cutting off Saubala’s standard and bow and car-driver and car, with sharp arrows, pierced Saubala himself with sixty shafts. Thereupon, Subala’s son, taking up mace, jumped down from his excellent car, and with that mace, he felled Sahadeva's driver from the latter's car. Then these two heroic and mighty warriors, both deprived of car, and both armed with mace, sported in battle like two crests of hills.

Drona, having pierced the ruler of the Panchalas with ten shafts, was, in return, pierced by the latter with many shafts. The latter was again pierced by Drona with a larger number of shafts.

Bhimasena pierced Vivimshati with sharp arrows. The latter, however, thus pierced, trembled not, which seemed to be highly wonderful. Vivimshati then, suddenly deprived Bhimasena of his steeds and standard and bow. Thereupon all the troops worshipped him for that feat. The heroic Bhimasena, however, brooked not that exhibition of prowess by his enemy in battle. With his mace, therefore, he slew the well-trained steeds of Vivimshati. Then the mighty Vivimshati, taking up a shield (and sword) jumped down from that car whose steeds had been slain, and rushed against Bhimasena like an infuriated elephant rushing against an infuriated compeer.

The heroic Shalya, laughing the while, pierced, as if in dalliance, his own dear nephew, Nakula. with many shafts for angering him. The valiant Nakula, however, cutting off his uncle's steeds and umbrella and standard and charioteer and bow in that battle, blew his conch.

Dhrishtaketu, engaged with Kripa, cut off diverse kinds of arrows shot at him by the latter, and then pierced Kripa, with seventy arrows. Then he cut off the device of Kripa's standard with three arrows. Kripa, however, began to oppose him with a thick shower of arrows. Resisting him in this way, the Brahmana fought on with Dhrishtaketu.

Satyaki, laughing the while, pierced Kritavarman in the centre of the chest with a long arrow. Piercing him then with seventy arrows, he once more pierced him with many others. The Bhoja warrior, however, in return, pierced Satyaki with seventy arrows of keen points. Like the swiftly-coursing winds failing to move a mountain, Kritavarman was unable to move Satyaki or make him tremble.

Senapati deeply struck Susharman in his vitals. Susharman also struck his antagonist with a lance on the shoulder-joint.

Virata, aided by his Matsya warriors of great energy, resisted Vikartana's son in that battle. That feat (of the Matsya king) seemed highly wonderful. This was regarded as an act of great valour on the part of the Suta's son, in that, he singly resisted that whole force by means of his straight shafts.

King Drupada was engaged with Bhagadatta. The battle between those two warriors became beautiful to behold. That bull among men, viz., Bhagadatta, pierced king Drupada and his driver and standard and car with many straight shafts. Then Drupada, excited with wrath, quickly pierced that mighty car-warrior in the chest with a straight shaft.

Those two foremost of warriors on earth, viz., Somadatta's son and Shikhandin, both conversant with every weapon, encountered each other in fierce battle that made all creatures tremble with fear. The valiant Bhurishravas covered that mighty car-warrior, Yajnasena's son Shikhandin, with a thick shower of arrows. Shikhandin, then, excited with wrath, pierced Somadatta's son with ninety shafts, and caused him to tremble.

Those Rakshasas of fierce deeds, viz., Hidimba's son and Alambusha, each desirous of vanquishing the other, battled most wonderfully. Both capable of creating a hundred illusions, both swelling with pride, battled with each other most wonderfully, relying on their powers of illusion, and each desirous of vanquishing the other.

The fierce Chekitana battled with Anuvinda. They coursed on the field, disappearing at times, and causing great wonder.

Lakshmana fought fiercely with Kshatradeva, as Vishnu, in days of old, with the (Asura) Hiranyaksha.

Abhimanyu’s fight

With his fleet steeds and upon his car duly equipped, Paurava roared at Abhimanyu. Endued with great might, Paurava then rushed at Abhimanyu, desirous of battle. Then that chastiser of foes, viz., Abhimanyu fought fiercely with that foe. Paurava covered Subhadra's son with a thick shower of arrows. Thereupon, Arjuna's son felled his antagonist's standard and umbrella and bow on earth. Then piercing Paurava with seven arrows, Subhadra's son pierced the latter's driver and steeds with five arrows. Gladdening his troops thus, he then repeatedly roared like a lion. Then Arjuna's son quickly fixed an arrow on his bow-string that was certain to take away Paurava's life. Beholding however, that arrow of frightful mien fixed on Abhimanyu's bow-string, Haridika's son, with two shafts, cut off that bow and arrow. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Subhadra's son, throwing aside that broken bow, took up a bright sword and a shield. Whirling with great speed that shield decked with many stars, and whirling that sword also, he coursed on the field, exhibiting his prowess. Whirling them before him, and whirling them on high, now shaking them and now jumping up himself, from the manner of his handling those weapons, it seemed that (with him) there is no difference between that offensive and that defensive weapons. Jumping suddenly then upon the shafts of Paurava's car, he roared aloud. Mounting next upon his car, he seized Paurava by the hair, and slaying meanwhile with a kick, the latter's driver, he felled his standard with a stroke of his sword. As regards Paurava himself, Abhimanyu raised him up, like the Garuda raising a snake from the bottom of the sea agitating the waters. Thereupon, all the kings beheld Paurava (standing helpless) with dishevelled hair, and looking like an ox deprived of its senses while on the point of being slain by a lion. Beholding Paurava thus prostrated, placed under the control of Arjuna's son, and dragged helplessly, Jayadratha was unable to tolerate it.

Taking up a sword as also a shield that bore the device of a peacock and was decked with a hundred bells of small size suspended in rows, Jayadratha jumped down from his car with a loud roar. Then Subhadra's son (Abhimanyu), beholding the ruler of the Sindhus, let Paurava alone, and leaping up like a hawk from the latter's car, quickly alighted on the earth. The lances and scimitars hurled by his foes--Arjuna's son cut off by means of his sword or warded off by his shield. Thus showing unto all the warriors the strength of his own arms the mighty Abhimanyu, once more upraising his large and heavy sword as also his shield, proceeded towards Vriddhakshatra's son who was a sworn foe of his (Abhimanyu's) father, like a tiger proceeding against an elephant. Approaching they cheerfully attacked each other with their swords like a tiger and a lion with their claws and teeth. None could notice any difference between those two lions among men as regards the whirl-strokes, and descent of their swords and shields. As regards the descent and the whiz of their swords, and the warding off of each other's blows, it seemed there was no distinction between the two. Coursing, beautifully in outward and inward tracks, those two illustrious warriors seemed to be like two winged mountains.

Then Jayadratha struck on the shield of the renowned Abhimanyu when the latter stretched his sword for making a pass at him. Then, Jayadratha's large sword sticking into Abhimanyu's shield covered with golden plate, broke, as the ruler of the Sindhus attempted to draw it off forcibly. Seeing his sword broken, Jayadratha hastily retreated six steps and was seen within a twinkle of the eye to be mounted on his own car. Then Arjuna's son also, that combat with the sword being over, ascended his own excellent car.

Many kings, then, of the Kuru army, uniting together, surrounded him on all sides. The mighty son of Arjuna, however, eyeing Jayadratha, whirled his sword and shield, and uttered a loud shout. Having vanquished the ruler of the Sindhus, Subhadra's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, then began to scorch that division of the Kaurava army like Sun scorching the world. Then in that battle Shalya hurled at him a fierce dart made wholly of iron, decked with gold, and resembling a blazing flame of fire. Thereupon, Arjuna's son, jumping up, caught hold of that dart, like Garuda catching a mighty snake falling from above. Having seized it thus, Abhimanyu unsheathed his sword. Witnessing the great activity and might of that warrior of immeasurable energy, all the kings together uttered a leonine shout. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Subhadra, hurled with the might of his arms at Shalya himself that very dart of great effulgence, decked with stones of lapis lazuli. Resembling a snake that has recently cast off its slough, that dart, reaching Shalya's car slew the latter's driver and felled him from his niche of the vehicle.

Then Virata and Drupada, and Dhristaketu, and Yudhishthira, and Satyaki, and Kekaya, and Bhima, and Dhrishtadyumna, and Shikhandin, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the five sons of Draupadi, all exclaimed, “Excellent! Excellent!” Diverse kinds of sounds due to the shooting of arrows, and many leonine shouts, arose there, gladdening the unretreating son of Arjuna. Dhritarashtra’s sons, however, could not tolerate those indications of the victory of their foe. Then all of them suddenly surrounded Subhadra's son and covered him with showers of arrows like the clouds pouring rain on the mountain-breast. Then that slayer of foes, viz., Artayani (Shalya), wishing good of Dhritarashtra’s sons, and remembering the overthrow of his own driver, rushed in rage against Subhadra's son.

Beholding his driver slain, Shalya, upraising a mace made wholly of iron, jumped down in rage from his excellent car. Bhima, then taking up his own huge mace, quickly rushed towards Shalya who then resembled the blazing Yuga-fire or the Destroyer himself armed with his bludgeon. Subhadra's son also, taking up a prodigious mace resembling the bolt of heaven, addressed Shalya, saying, “Come, Come!” Bhima, however, with much ado, persuaded him to stand aside.

Bhimasena fights Shalya

The valiant Bhimasena, then, having persuaded Subhadra's son to stand aside, approached Shalya in battle and stood immovable as a hill. The mighty ruler of Madras also, beheld Bhima, and proceeded towards him like a tiger towards an elephant Then was heard there the loud blare of trumpets and conchs by thousands and leonine shouts, and the sound of drums. Loud cries of “Bravo, Bravo,” arose among hundreds of Pandava and Kaurava warriors rushing towards each other. There was none else among all the kings, save the ruler of Madras who could venture to bear the might of Bhimasena in battle; similarly, who else save Vrikodara, in the world, could venture to bear the impetus of the illustrious Shalya's mace in battle? Bound in hempen strings mixed with wires of gold, the prodigious mace of Bhima, capable of delighting by its beauty all spectators, being grasped by him, shone, brilliantly. Similarly the mace of Shalya, also, who coursed in beautiful circles, looked like a blazing flash of lightning. Both of them roared like bulls, and both coursed in circles. Both Shalya and Vrikodara, standing as they did, with their maces slightly bent, looked like a couple of horned bulls. Whether as regards coursing in circles or in whirling and striking with their maces, the combat that took place between those two lions among men was in every way equal. Struck by Bhimasena with his mace, the prodigious mace of Shalya, emitting fierce sparks of fire, soon broke unto fragments. Similarly, Bhimasena's mace, struck by the foe, looked beautiful like a tree covered fire-flies during the season of rains at even-tide. The mace that the ruler of Madras hurled in that battle, irradiating the welkin frequently caused sparks of fire (to fly around). Similarly, the mace hurled by Bhimasena at the foe scorched his antagonist's forces like a fierce meteor falling down (from the firmament). Both those best of maces, striking against each other, resembled sighing she-snakes and caused flashes of fire.

Like two large tigers attacking each other with their claws, or like two mighty elephants with their tusks, those mighty warriors coursed in circles, encountering each other with those two foremost of maces, and soon covered with blood, those two illustrious warriors seemed to resemble a couple of flowering Kinsukas. The blows, loud as Indra's thunder, of the maces wielded by those two lions among men were heard on all sides. Struck by the ruler of Madras with his mace on both the left and the right side, Bhima moved not in the least, like a hill riven by the thunder. Similarly, the mighty ruler of Madras, struck by Bhima with his mace, patiently stood still like a hill struck with the thunder. Both of them, with upraised maces, endued as they were with great impetus, fell upon each other, coursing in shorter circles. Quickly nearing each other, then by eight steps and falling upon each other like two elephants, they suddenly struck each other with those maces of theirs made entirely or iron. Each of those heroes, in consequence of the other's impetuosity and violence being struck with each other's mace, fell down at the same instant of time like a couple of Indra's poles. Then the mighty car-warrior Kritavarman quickly approached Shalya who, deprived of his senses, was breathing hard as he lay on the field. Beholding him struck violently with the mace, and writhing like a snake, and deprived of his senses in a swoon, the mighty car-warrior Kritavarman, taking him upon his car, quickly bore the ruler of Madras away from the field.

Reeling like a drunken man, the heroic Bhima of mighty arms, rising up within the twinkling of an eye, stood mace in hand. Dhritarashtra’s sons then, beholding the ruler of the Madras turn away from the fight, began to tremble, along with their elephants, and foot-soldiers, and cavalry, and cars. Ground then by the Pandavas desirous of victory, those warriors of Dhritarashtra’s army, struck with fear, fled away in all directions, like masses of clouds driven away by the wind. Those mighty car-warriors, viz., the Pandavas, having vanquished the Dhritarashtras, looked resplendent in that battle like blazing fires. They uttered loud leonine roars, and blew their conchs, elated with joy. They beat their drums, large and small, and cymbals and other instruments.

Karna fights

Beholding that army of Dhritarashtra exceedingly broken, the valiant Vrishasena, single-handed, began to protect it displaying the illusion of his weapons. Shot by Vrishasena in that battle, thousands of arrows coursed in all directions, piercing through men and steeds and cars and elephants. Mighty arrows, of blazing effulgence, shot by him, coursed in thousands, like the rays of the sun, in the summer season. Afflicted and crushed therewith, car-warriors and horse-men, suddenly fell down on the earth, like trees broken by the wind. The mighty car-warrior Vrishasena felled large bodies of steeds, of cars and of elephants, in that battle, by thousands. Beholding that single warrior coursing fearlessly on the field, all the kings (of the Pandava army) uniting together, surrounded him on all sides.

Nakula's son, Shatanika, rushed at Vrishasena and pierced him with ten arrows capable of penetrating into the vitals. The son of Karna, however, cutting off his bow, felled then his standard. Thereupon, the other sons of Draupadi, desirous of rescuing that brother of theirs, rushed at him. Soon they made Karna's son invisible by means of their arrowy showers. Against them thus smiting (the son of Karna), many car-warriors headed by Drona's son (Ashwatthama) rushed. They quickly covered those mighty car-warriors, viz., the sons of Draupadi, with diverse kinds of arrows like clouds pouring rain on mountain breasts. Thereupon, the Pandavas, from affection for their sons, quickly encountered those assailants. The battle then that took place between Dhritarashtra’s troops and those of the Pandavas, was exceedingly fierce and made the hairs stand on their ends, resembling as it did that between the Gods and the Danavas. Thus did the heroic Kauravas and the Pandavas, excited with rage, fight, eyeing one another (furiously) and having incurred one another's animosity for past offences. The bodies of those heroes of immeasurable energy then seemed, in consequence of (the) wrath (that inspired them), to resemble those of Garuda and (mighty) Nagas battling in the sky. With Bhima and Karna and Kripa and Drona and Drona's son and Prishata's son and Satyaki, the field of battle looked resplendent like the all-destructive sun that rises at the end of the Yuga. The battle that took place between those mighty men engaged with mighty antagonists and all smiting one another was fierce in the extreme, resembling that (of yore) between the Danavas and the gods.

Drona approaches Yudhishthira; Arjuna comes to Yudhishthira’s rescue

Then Yudhishthira's host, uttering a shout, loud as that of the surging sea, began to slaughter Dhritarashtra’s troops, the great car-warriors of your army having fled away. Beholding the (Kaurava) host broken and excessively mangled by the foe, Drona said, “You heroes, you need not fly away.” Then he (Drona) owning red steeds, excited with wrath and resembling a (fierce) elephant with four tusks, penetrated into the Pandava host and rushed against Yudhishthira. Then Yudhishthira pierced the preceptor with many whetted arrows equipped with Kanka feathers; Drona, however, cutting off Yudhishthira's bow, rushed impetuously at him.

Then the protector of Yudhishthira's car-wheels, Kumara, the renowned prince of the Panchalas, received the advancing Drona, like the continent receiving the surging sea. Beholding Drona, that bull among Brahmanas, held in check by Kumara, loud leonine shouts were heard there with cries of “Excellent, Excellent!” Kumara then, in that great battle, excited with rage, pierced Drona with an arrow in the chest and uttered many leonine shouts. Having checked Drona in battle, the mighty Kumara, endued with great lightness of hand, and above all fatigue, pierced him with many thousands of arrows. Then that bull among men (Drona) slew that protector of Yudhishthira's car-wheels, Kumara, that hero observant of virtuous vows and accomplished in both mantras and weapons.

Then penetrating into the midst of the (Pandava) host and careering in all directions, that bull among men, Bharadwaja's son, became the protector of your troops. Piercing Shikhandin with twelve arrows, and Uttamaujas with twenty, and Nakula with five, and Sahadeva with seven, and Yudhishthira with twelve, and each of the (five) sons of Draupadi with three, and Satyaki with five, and the ruler of Matsyas with ten arrows, and agitating the entire host in that battle, he rushed against one after another of the foremost warriors (of the Pandavas). Then he advanced against Kunti's son, Yudhishthira, from a desire of seizing him. Then Yugandhara checked Bharadwaja's son, that mighty car-warrior, filled with rage and resembling the very ocean lashed into fury by the tempest. Bharadwaja's son, however, having pierced Yudhishthira with many straight arrows, felled Yugandhara with a broad-headed shaft from his niche in the car.

Then, Virata and Drupada, and the Kaikeya princes, and Satyaki, and Shibi, and Vyaghradatta, the prince of the Panchalas, and the valiant Singhasena, these, and many others, desirous of rescuing Yudhishthira, surrounded Drona on all sides and impeded his way, scattering countless arrows. Vyaghradatta, the prince of the Panchalas, pierced Drona with fifty keen-pointed arrows, at which the troops uttered loud shouts. Then Singhasena also, quickly piercing that mighty car-warrior, Drona, roared aloud in joy, striking terror into the hearts of mighty car-warriors; Drona then expanding his eyes and rubbing his bowstring and producing loud sound of slaps by his palms, rushed against the latter. Then the mighty son of Bharadwaja, putting forth his prowess, cut off with a couple of broad-headed arrows the heads decked with earrings from the trunks of both Singhasena and Vyaghradatta.

Afflicting also, with his arrowy showers, the other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, he stood in front of Yudhishthira's car, like all-destroying Death himself. Then, loud cries were heard among the warriors of Yudhishthira's army to the effect, “The king is slain,” when Bharadwaja's son, of regulated vows, thus, stood in his vicinity. The warriors there all exclaimed, beholding Drona's prowess,

“Today the royal son of Dhritarashtra will be crowned with success. This very moment Drona having seized Yudhishthira, will, filled, with joy, assuredly come to us and Duryodhana's presence.”

While Dhritarashtra’s soldiers were indulging in such talks, Kunti's son (Arjuna) quickly came there, filling (the welkin) with the rattle of his car, and creating, as he came, owing to the carnage he caused, a river whose waters were blood, and whose eddies were cars, and which abounded with the bones and bodies of brave warriors and which bore creatures away to where the spirits of the departed dwell. The son of Pandu came there, routing the Kurus, and quickly crossing that river whose froth was constituted by showers of arrows and which abounded with fish in the form of lances and other weapons. The diadem-decked (Arjuna) suddenly came upon Drona's divisions, covering it with a thick net-work of arrows and confounding the very sense (of those that followed Drona). Incessantly placing his arrows on the bow-string and quickly shooting them, none could notice any lapse of time between these two acts of the renowned son of Kunti. Neither (four cardinal) directions, nor the firmament above, nor the earth could any longer be distinguished, for everything then became one dense mass of arrows. Indeed, when the wielder of Gandiva caused that thick darkness by means of his arrows, nothing could be seen in that battle. Just then the sun also set, enveloped with a dusty cloud. Neither friend nor foe could any longer be distinguished.

Then Drona and Duryodhana and others caused the withdrawal of their troops. Ascertaining the foe to be inspired with fear and unwilling to continue the fight, Bibhatsu also slowly caused his troops to be withdrawn. Then the Pandavas and the Srinjayas and the Panchalas, filled with joy, praised Partha with delightful speeches like the Rishis praising the Sun. Having vanquished his foes thus, Dhananjaya then, filled with joy, retired to his tent, proceeding in the rear of the whole army, with Keshava as his companion. Stationed on his beautiful car decked with the costliest specimens of sapphires and rubies and gold and silver and diamonds and corals and crystals, the son of Pandu looked resplendent like the moon in the firmament bespangled with stars.