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The Mahabharata of Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa BOOK 8 Karna-parva

The Mahabharata


of


Krishna-Dwaipayana Vyasa


BOOK 8


Karna-parva




Translated into English Prose from the Original Sanskrit Text


by


Kisari Mohan Ganguli


[1883-1896]


Scanned and Proofed by Mantra Caitanya. Additional proofing and

formatting at sacred-texts.com, by J. B. Hare, October 2003.






1


Om! Having bowed down unto Narayana, and unto that most exalted of male

beings, Nara, and unto the goddess Sarasvati also, must the word Jaya be

uttered.


Vaishampayana said, "After Drona had been slain, O monarch, the royal

warriors (of the Kaurava army) headed by Duryodhana, with hearts filled

with great anxiety, all repaired to Drona's son. Lamenting the loss of

Drona, and deprived of energy in consequence of their cheerlessness, they

sat around the son of Sharadvata's daughter, afflicted with grief.

Comforted for a little while by considerations founded upon the

scriptures, when night came, those rulers of Earth proceeded to their

respective tents. Those lords of Earth, however, O thou of Kuru's race,

could feel no happiness in their abodes. Thinking of that immense

slaughter, they could not also sleep. The Suta's son (Karna), and king

Suyodhana and Duhshasana and Shakuni, in special, could not compose

themselves to sleep. Those four passed that night together in

Duryodhana's tent, reflecting upon the woes they had inflicted upon the

high-souled Pandavas. Formerly they had brought Draupadi, plunged into

woe on account of the match at dice, into the assembly. Recollecting it

they experienced great regret, their hearts being filled with anxiety.

Thinking of those sufferings inflicted (upon the Pandavas) in consequence

of the gambling match they passed that night in sorrow, O king, as if it

were really a hundred years. Then when morning came, observing the

dictates of the ordinance, all of them duly went through the customary

rites. Having gone through these customary rites, and comforted to some

extent, O Bharata, they ordered their troops to be arrayed, and then came

out for battle, having made Karna their generalissimo by tying the

auspicious thread round his wrists, and having caused many foremost of

brahmanas, by presents of vessels of curds, clarified butter, akshatas,

coins of gold, kine, jewels and gems, and costly robes, to pray for their

victory, and having caused heralds and musicians, and panegyrists to

adore them with hymns about victory. The Pandavas also, O king, having

gone through their morning rites, issued from their camp, resolved on

battle. Then commenced a fierce battle, making the hair to stand on end,

between the Kurus and the Pandavas, each desirous of vanquishing the

other. During the commandership of Karna, the battle that took place

between the Kuru and the Pandava troops was exceedingly fierce and lasted

for two days. Then Vrisha (Karna) having made an immense slaughter of his

enemies in battle, was at last slain in the sight of the Dhartarashtras,

by Arjuna. Then Sanjaya, repairing to Hastinapura told Dhritarashtra all

that had happened at Kurujangala."


Janamejaya said, "Having heard of the fall of Bhishma and that other

mighty car-warrior, Drona, the old king Dhritarashtra the son of Ambika

had been afflicted with great grief. How, O foremost of brahmanas, could

he, plunged into grief, support his life having heard of the death of

Karna, that well-wisher of Duryodhana? How indeed, could that descendant

of Kuru support his life when he, upon whom that monarch had rested the

hope of his sons' victory, had fallen? When the king did not lay down his

life even after hearing of Karna's death, I think that it is very

difficult for men to yield up life even under circumstances of great

grief! O brahmana, when the king did not yield up his life after hearing

of the fall of the venerable son of Shantanu, of Bahlika and Drona and

Somadatta and Bhurishrava, as also other friends and his sons and

grandsons, I think, O regenerate one, that the act of yielding up one's

life is exceedingly difficult! Tell me all these in detail and as they

actually happened! I am not satiated with hearing the high achievements

of my ancestors!"




2


Vaishampayana said, "Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the son of

Gavalgana, with a cheerless heart, set out that night for Nagapura, on

steeds that rivalled the wind in speed. Arrived at Hastinapura, with a

heart filled with deep anxiety, he proceeded to Dhritarashtra's abode

which no longer teemed with kinsmen and friends. Beholding the king

deprived of all energy by grief, joining his hands he worshipped, with a

bend of his head, the monarch's feet. Having duly worshipped king

Dhritarashtra, he uttered an exclamation of woe and then began, 'I am

Sanjaya, O lord of Earth! Art thou not happy? I hope thou art not

stupefied, having through thy own faults fallen into such distress?

Counsels for thy good had been uttered by Vidura and Ganga's son and

Keshava. I hope thou feelest no pain now, remembering thy rejection of

those counsels? Counsels for thy good had also been uttered in the

assembly by Rama and Narada and Kanwa and others. I hope thou feelest no

pain now, remembering their rejection by thee? I hope thou feelest no

pain, remembering the slaughter in battle, by the foe, of Bhishma and

Drona and others, those friends that were ever engaged in thy good?' Unto

the Suta's son who with joined hands was telling him so, the monarch

afflicted with grief and drawing a long and hot breath, said these words.


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Hearing, O Sanjaya, of the fall of the heroic son

of Ganga, that warrior of all celestial weapons, as also of the fall of

that foremost of all bowmen, Drona, my heart feeleth great pain! That

hero endued with great energy and born of the Vasus themselves, who slew

every day 10,000 car-warriors clad in mail, that high-souled one unto

whom Bhrigu's son had given the highest weapons, that warrior who in his

childhood had been trained in the science of the bow by Rama, alas, even

he hath been slain by Yajnasena's son Shikhandi protected by the

Pandavas! At this my heart is greatly pained! That hero through whose

grace those mighty car-warriors, the royal sons of Kunti, as also many

other lords of Earth, have become maharathas, alas, hearing of the

slaughter of that great bowman of sure aim, Drona, by Dhrishtadyumna, my

heart is exceedingly pained! Those two had not in the world a person

equal to them in (knowledge and use of) the four kinds of weapons! Alas,

hearing of the slaughter of these two, Bhishma and Drona, in battle my

heart is exceedingly pained! That warrior who had not in the three worlds

a person equal to him in knowledge of weapons, alas, hearing of the

slaughter of that hero, Drona, what did the people of my side do? After

the high-souled son of Pandu, Dhananjaya, exerting himself with prowess,

had despatched unto Yama's abode the strong force of the samsaptakas,

after the Narayana weapon of the intelligent son of Drona had been

baffled, and after the (Kaurava) divisions had begun to fly away, what,

indeed, did the people of my side do? I think that, after Drona's death

my troops, flying away and sinking in an ocean of grief, resembled

shipwrecked mariners struggling on the bosom of the vast deep. What also,

O Sanjaya, became the colour of the faces of Duryodhana, and Karna, and

Kritavarma the chief of the Bhojas and Shalya, the ruler of the Madras,

and of my remaining sons, and of the others, when the Kuru divisions fled

away from the field? Tell me all this as it truly happened in battle, O

son of Gavalgana, and describe to me the prowess put forth by the

Pandavas and the warriors of my side!"


"Sanjaya said, 'O sire, hearing all that has happened unto the Kauravas

through thy fault, thou shouldst not feel any anguish! He that is wise

never feeleth any pain at what Destiny bringeth! And since Destiny is

unconquerable, human purposes may or may not become attainable. Hence, he

that is wise never feeleth pain on the acquisition or the reverse of the

objects cherished by him.


"Dhritarashtra said, 'I do not feel great pain, O Sanjaya! I regard all

this to be the result of Destiny! Tell me all that thou wishest!'"




3


"Sanjaya said, 'Upon the fall of the great bowman Drona, thy sons, those

mighty car-warriors, became pale and deprived of their senses. Armed with

weapons, all of them, O monarch, hung down their heads. Afflicted with

grief and without looking at one another, they stood perfectly silent.

Beholding them with such afflicted countenances, thy troops, O Bharata,

themselves perturbed by grief, vacantly gazed upwards. Seeing Drona slain

in battle, the weapons of many of them, O king, dyed with blood, dropped

from their hands. Innumerable weapons, again, O Bharata, still retained

in the grasp of the soldiers, seemed in their pendent attitude, to

resemble falling meteors in the sky. Then king Duryodhana, O monarch,

beholding that army of thine thus standing as if paralysed and lifeless,

said, "Relying upon the might of your army I have summoned the Pandavas

to battle and caused this passage-at-arms to commence! Upon the fall of

Drona, however, the prospect seems to be cheerless. Warriors engaged in

battle all die in battle. Engaged in battle, a warrior may have either

victory or death. What can be strange then in this (viz., the death of

Drona)? Fight ye with faces turned towards every direction. Behold now

the high-souled Karna, the son of Vikartana, that great bowman of mighty

strength, careering in battle, using his celestial weapons! Through fear

of that warrior in battle, that coward, viz., Dhananjaya, the son of

Kunti, always turns back like a small deer at the sight of a lion! It is

he who, by the ordinary methods of human battle, brought the mighty

Bhimasena endued with the strength of 10,000 elephants to that plight! It

is he who, uttering a loud roar, slew with his invincible dart the brave

Ghatotkaca of a 1,000 illusions and well-acquainted with celestial

weapons! Behold today the inexhaustible might of arms of that intelligent

warrior of sure aim and invincible energy! Let the sons of Pandu behold

today the prowess of both Ashvatthama and Karna resembling that of Vishnu

and Vasava! All of you are singly able to slay the sons of Pandu with

their troops in battle! How much more then are you capable, when united

together, of that feat! Endued with great energy and accomplished in

weapons, you will today behold one another engaged in the achievement of

mighty tasks!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words, O sinless one, thy son

Duryodhana, with his brothers, made Karna the generalissimo (of the Kuru

army). Obtaining the command, the mighty car-warrior Karna, so fierce in

battle, uttered loud roars and fought with the foe. He caused, O sire, a

great carnage among the Srinjayas, the Pancalas, the Kekayas, and the

Videhas. From his bow issued innumerable lines of arrows, one close

behind the wings of another, like flights of bees. Having afflicted the

Pancalas and the Pandavas endued with great activity, and slain thousands

of warriors, he was at last slain by Arjuna!"




4


Vaishampayana said, "Hearing this intelligence, O monarch, Dhritarashtra

the son of Ambika, feeling the acme of grief, regarded Suyodhana to be

already dead. Exceedingly agitated, the king fell down on the Earth like

an elephant deprived of its senses. When that foremost of the monarchs,

greatly agitated, fell down on the Earth, loud wails were uttered, O best

of the Bharatas, by the ladies (of the royal household). That noise was

so loud that it seemed to fill the entire Earth. Immersed in a deep ocean

of woe, the Bharata ladies, with hearts exceedingly agitated and scorched

by grief, wept aloud. Approaching the king, Gandhari, O bull of Bharata's

race, and the other ladies of the household, all fell down on the earth,

deprived of their senses. Then Sanjaya, O king, began to comfort those

ladies stricken with grief, bathed in tears, and reft of consciousness.

Comforted (by Sanjaya), those ladies began to tremble repeatedly like a

plantain grove shaken by the wind. Vidura also, sprinkling that

descendant of Kuru with water, began to comfort the puissant monarch who

had knowledge only for his eye. Slowly restored to consciousness, and

understanding that the ladies of the household were there, the king, O

monarch, remained perfectly silent for some time like one reft of reason.

Having reflected then for some time, and repeatedly drawn long breaths,

the king censured his own sons and applauded the Pandavas. Censuring also

his own intelligence and that of Shakuni the son of Subala, the king,

having reflected for a long time, began to tremble repeatedly.

Controlling his mind once more, the king, with sufficient fortitude,

questioned his charioteer Sanjaya the son of Gavalgana.


"Dhritarashtra said, 'I have heard, O Sanjaya, all that thou hast said.

Hath my son Duryodhana, O Suta, who is ever desirous of victory, already

gone to Yama's abode, despairing of success? Tell me truly, O Sanjaya,

all this even if thou wilt have to repeat it!'"


Vaishampayana continued, "Thus addressed by the king, O Janamejaya, the

Suta said unto him, 'The mighty car-warrior Vaikartana, O monarch, hath

been slain with his sons and brothers, and other Suta warriors, all of

whom were mighty bowmen ready to lay down their lives in battle!

Duhshasana also hath been slain by the renowned son of Pandu. Indeed, his

blood also hath been, from wrath, drunk by Bhimasena in battle!'"




5


Vaishampayana said, "Hearing these words, O monarch, Ambika's son

Dhritarashtra, with heart agitated by grief, addressed his driver

Sanjaya, saying, 'Though the evil policy, O sire, of my son of little

foresight, Vikartana's son hath been slain! This intelligence is cutting

the very core of my heart! I am desirous of crossing this sea of grief!

Remove my doubts, therefore, by telling me who are still alive and who

are dead amongst the Kurus and the Pandavas!'


"Sanjaya said, 'Endued with great prowess and invincible in battle,

Bhishma the son of Shantanu, O king, having slain large numbers of

Srinjayas and Pancalas, hath been slain after ten days. The mighty and

invincible bowman Drona of the golden car, having slaughtered the Pancala

divisions in battle, hath been slain. Having slaughtered the half of what

remained after the carnage by Bhishma and the illustrious Drona,

Vikartana's son Karna hath been slain. Endued with great strength, O

monarch, prince Vivingsati, having slain hundreds of Anarta warriors in

battle, hath been slain. Thy heroic son Vikarna, deprived of steeds and

weapons, stood, facing the foe, remembering the duties of Kshatriyas.

Remembering the many foul wrongs inflicted upon him by Duryodhana, and

bearing in mind his own vow, Bhimasena hath slain him. Possessed of great

might, Vinda and Anuvinda, the two princes of Avanti, after achieving the

most difficult feats, have gone to Yama's abode. That hero who had under

his sway ten kingdoms, having Sindhu for their chief, him who was ever

obedient to thee, Jayadratha of mighty energy, O king, Arjuna hath slain

after vanquishing eleven akshauhinis of troops with his keen arrows.

Endued with great activity and incapable of being easily defeated in

battle, the son of Duryodhana, ever obedient to his sire's commands, hath

been slain by the son of Subhadra. The brave son of Duhshasana, possessed

of mighty arms and fierce in battle, hath been despatched to Yama's abode

by Draupadi's son exerting himself with great prowess! The ruler of the

Kiratas and other dwellers of the lowlands on the seacoast, the much

respected and dear friend of the chief of the celestials himself, the

virtuous king Bhagadatta, who was ever devoted to Kshatriya duties, hath

been despatched to Yama's abode by Dhananjaya exerting himself great with

prowess. The kinsman of the Kauravas, the son of Somadatta, the brave and

celebrated Bhurishrava, O king, hath been slain by Satyaki in battle. The

Amvashtha king Srutayus, that foremost of Kshatriyas, who used to career

in battle most fearlessly, hath been slain by Arjuna. Thy son Duhshasana,

accomplished in arms and invincible in battle, and who was always

wrathful, hath, O monarch, been slain by Bhimasena. Sudakshina, O king,

who had many thousands of wonderful elephants, hath been slain in battle

by Arjuna. The ruler of the Kosolas, having slain many hundreds of foes,

hath himself been despatched to Yama's abode by Subhadra's son exerting

himself with prowess. Having fought with many thousands of foes and with

the mighty car-warrior Bhimasena himself, thy son Citrasena hath been

slain by Bhimasena. The brave younger brother of the ruler of the Madras,

that enhancer of the fears of foes, that handsome warrior armed with

sword and shield, hath been slain by Subhadra's son. He who was equal to

Karna himself in battle, Karna's son Vrishasena, accomplished in arms, of

mighty energy and steady prowess, hath, in the very sight of Karna, been

despatched to Yama's abode by Dhananjaya who put forth his prowess

remembering the slaughter of his own son Abhimanyu and bearing in mind

the vow he had made. That lord of Earth, Srutayus, who always displayed a

deep-rooted antipathy towards the Pandavas, hath been slain by Partha who

reminded him of that antipathy before taking his life. Shalya's son of

great prowess, O sire, Rukmaratha, hath, O king, been slain in battle by

Sahadeva although the former happened to be the latter's brother, having

been the son of the latter's maternal uncle. The old king Bhagiratha, and

Vrihatkshatra the ruler of the Kaikeyas both endued with great prowess

and might and energy, have been slain. Bhagadatta's son, O king who was

possessed of great wisdom and great strength, hath been slain by Nakula

who always careers in battle with the activity of the hawk. Thy grandsire

Bahlika, possessed of great might and prowess, hath, with all his

followers, been slain by Bhimasena. The mighty Jayatsena the son of

Jarasandha, the prince of the Magadhas, O king, hath been slain in battle

by the high-souled son of Subhadra. Thy son Durmukha, O king, as also thy

other son Dussaha, that mighty car-warrior, both of whom were regarded as

heroes, have been slain by Bhimasena with his mace. Durmarshana and

Durvisaha and the mighty car-warrior Durjaya, having achieved the most

difficult feats, have gone to Yama's abode. The two brothers Kalinga and

Vrishaka, who were invincible in battle, having achieved very difficult

feats have gone to Yama's abode. Thy counsellor Vrishavarman of the Suta

caste, endued with great energy, hath been despatched to Yama's abode by

Bhimasena exerting himself with prowess. So also king Paurava who was

endued with the might of 10,000 elephants, hath, with all his followers,

been slain by Pandu's son Arjuna. The Vasatis, O king, numbering 2,000,

effectual smiters of all, as also the Surasenas endued with prowess, have

all been slain in battle. The Abhishahas, clad in mail, capable of

smiting effectually, and fierce in battle, also the Sivis, those foremost

of car-warriors, with the Kalingas, have all been slain. Those other

heroes also, (the Narayana Gopas) who live and grew in Gokula, who were

exceedingly wrathful in battle, and who never retreated from the field

have been slain by Savyasaci. Many thousands of Srenis, as also the

samsaptakas, approaching Arjuna, have all repaired to the abode of Yama.

Thy two brothers-in-law, viz., the princes Vrishaka and Achala, who were

endued with great prowess, have for thy sake been slain by Savyasaci.

King Shalva of mighty arms and fierce deeds, who was a great bowman both

in name and feats, hath been slain by Bhimasena. Oghavat, O king, and

Vrishanta, fighting together in battle and exerting themselves with great

vigour for the sake of their ally, have both repaired to Yama's abode. So

also that foremost of car-warriors, viz., Kshemadhurti, O monarch, hath

been slain in battle by Bhimasena with his mace. So also that great

bowman, viz., the mighty king Jalasandha, after causing an immense

carnage, hath been slain by Satyaki in battle. That prince of Rakshasas,

viz., Alayudha, unto whose vehicle were yoked asses (of monstrous shape)

hath been despatched to Yama's abode by Ghatotkaca exerting himself with

great prowess. Radha's son of the Suta caste, and those mighty

car-warriors who were his brothers, and the Kaikeyas, the Malavas, the

Madrakas the Dravidas of fierce prowess, the Yaudheyas, the Lalittyas,

the Kshudrakas, the Usinaras, the Tundikeras, the Savitriputras, the

Easterners, the Northerners, the Westerners, and the Southerners, O sire,

have all been slain by Savyasaci. Large bands of foot-soldiers, myriads

upon myriads of steeds, large number of car-warriors, and many huge

elephants, have been slain. Many heroes also, with standards and weapons,

and with armour and attire and ornaments, and endued with perseverance

and possessed of high birth and good conduct, have been slain in battle

by Partha who is never fatigued with exertion. Others, endued with

immeasurable might, and desirous of slaying their foes, (have met with a

similar fate). These and many other kings, numbering thousands, with

their followers, have, O monarch, been slain in battle. That which thou

askest me I am answering now. Even thus did the destruction take place

when Arjuna and Karna fought. Even as Mahendra slew Vritra, and Rama slew

Ravana; even as Krishna slew Naraka or Mura in battle; even as the mighty

Rama of Bhrigu's race slew the heroic Kartavirya, invincible in battle,

with all his kinsmen and friends, after fighting a terrible battle

celebrated through the three worlds; even as Skanda slew (the Asura)

Mahisha, and Rudra slew (the Asura) Andhaka, even so hath Arjuna, O king,

in single combat, slain, with all his kinsmen, that foremost of smiters,

viz., Karna, who was invincible in battle and upon whom the

Dhartarashtras had placed their hopes of victory, and who was the great

cause of the hostility with the Pandavas! Pandu's son hath now

accomplished that which at one time thou couldst not believe him capable

of accomplishing, although, O monarch, well-meaning friends failed not to

apprise thee of it. That calamity, fraught with great destruction, hath

now come! Thou, O king wishing them well, hast heaped those evils on the

heads of thy covetous sons! The fruit of those evils is now manifesting

itself!'"




6


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou hast, O son, mentioned the names of those of

my side that have been slain in battle by the Pandavas. Tell me now, O

Sanjaya, the names of those amongst the Pandavas that have been slain by

the people of my side!'


"Sanjaya said, 'The Kuntis possessed of great prowess in battle, endued

with great energy and great might, have been slain in fight by Bhishma,

with all their kinsmen and advisers. The Narayanas, the Valabhadras, and

hundreds of other heroes, all devoted (to the Pandavas) have been slain

in battle by the heroic Bhishma. Satyajit, who was equal to the

diadem-decked Arjuna himself in battle as regards energy and might, hath

been slain in battle by Drona of sure aim. Many mighty bowmen among the

Pancalas, all of whom were skilled in battle, encountering Drona, have

repaired to Yama's abode. So the two kings Virata and Drupada, both

venerable in years, who exerted themselves with great prowess for their

ally, have, with their sons, been slain in battle by Drona. That

invincible hero, viz., Abhimanyu, who, though a child in years, was still

equal in battle to Arjuna or Keshava or Baladeva, O lord, that, warrior

who was highly accomplished in battle, after making an immense slaughter

of the foe, was at last encompassed by six foremost of car-warriors and

slain by them. Unable to resist Arjuna himself, they thus slew Arjuna's

son! Deprived of his car, that hero, viz., the son of Subhadra, still

stayed in battle, remembering the duties of a Kshatriya. At last, O king,

Duhshasana's son slew him on the field. The slayer of the Patachchatras,

viz., the handsome son of Amvashtha, surrounded by a large force, had put

forth all his prowess for the sake of his allies. Having made a great

slaughter among the foe, he was encountered by Duryodhana's son, the

brave Lakshmana, in battle and despatched to Yama's abode. The mighty

bowman Vrihanta, accomplished in arms and invincible in battle, hath been

despatched to Yama's abode by Duhshasana, exerting himself with great

prowess. The two kings Manimat and Dandadhara, both of whom were

invincible in battle and had put forth their prowess for their allies,

have been slain by Drona. Ansumat the ruler of the Bhojas, that mighty

car-warrior at the head of his own forces, hath been despatched to Yama's

abode by Drona exerting himself with great prowess. Citrasena, the ruler

of the sea-coast, with his son, O Bharata, hath been forcibly despatched

by Samudrasena to Yama's abode. Another ruler of a maritime country,

viz., Nila, and Vyaghradatta of great energy, have both, O king, been

despatched to Yama's abode by Ashvatthama. Citrayudha and Citrayodhin,

after making a great slaughter, have both been slain in battle by Vikarna

exerting himself with great prowess and displaying diverse manoeuvres of

his car. The chief of the Kaikeyas, who was equal to Vrikodara himself in

battle and surrounded by Kaikeya warriors, has been slain by Kaikeya, the

brother by the brother. Janamejaya of the hilly country, endued with

great prowess and accomplished in encounters with the mace, hath, O king,

been slain by thy son Durmukha. Those two foremost of men, viz., the

brothers Rochamana, like two brilliant planets, have together been

despatched to heaven by Drona with his shafts. Many other kings, O

monarch, endued with great prowess, have fought (for the Pandavas) Having

achieved the most difficult feats, all of them have gone to Yama's abode.

Purujit and Kuntibhoja, the two maternal uncles of Savyasaci, have been

despatched by Drona with shafts to such regions as are attained by death

in battle. Abhibhu the Kasis, at the head of many of his followers, hath

been obliged by Vasudana's son to lay down his life in battle. Yudhamanyu

of immeasurable prowess, and Uttamauja of great energy, after slaying

hundreds of heroic warriors, have themselves been slain by our men. The

Pancala prince Mitravarman, O Bharata, those two foremost of bowmen, have

been despatched to Yama's abode by Drona. Shikhandi's son Kshatradeva,

that foremost of warriors, possessed of great bravery, hath, O king, been

slain by thy grandson Lakshmana, O sire! The two heroes Sucitra and

Citravarman, who were sire and son and endued with great might, and who

careered fearlessly in battle, have been slain by Drona. Vardhakshemi, O

monarch, who was like the ocean at full tide, having had his weapons

exhausted in battle, hath at last obtained undisturbed peace. That

foremost of Sutas, viz., Senavindu, having consumed many foes in battle,

hath, at last, O king been slain by Bahlika. Dhrishtaketu, O monarch,

that foremost of car-warriors among the Cedis, after accomplishing the

most difficult feats, hath repaired to the abode of Yama. Similarly, the

heroic Satyadhriti, endued with great prowess, having made a great

slaughter in battle for the sake of the Pandavas, has been despatched to

Yama's abode. That lord of Earth, viz., Suketu, the son of Shishupala,

having slain many foes, hath at last been slain by Drona in battle.

Virata's son Sankha, as also Uttara of great strength, having

accomplished the most difficult feats, have repaired to Yama's abode.

Similarly, Satyadhriti of the Matsyas, and Madiraswa of great energy, and

Suryadatta possessed of great prowess, have all been slain by Drona with

his shafts. Srenimat also, O monarch, having fought with great prowess

and accomplished the most difficult feats, hath repaired to Yama's abode.

Similarly, the chief of the Magadhas, that slayer of hostile heroes,

endued with great energy and acquainted with the highest weapons,

sleepeth on the field of battle, slain by Bhishma. Vasudana also, having

made an immense carnage in battle, has been despatched to Yama's abode by

Bharadwaja's son exerting himself with great prowess. These and many

other mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas have been slain by Drona

exerting himself with great energy. I have now told them all that thou

hadst asked me.'"




7


"Dhritarashtra said, 'When all the foremost of my warriors, O Sanjaya

have perished, I do not think that the remnant of my army will not

perish! When those two heroes, those two mighty bowmen, those two

foremost of the Kurus, Bhishma and Drona, have been slain, what use can I

any longer have with life? I cannot also brook the death of Radha's son,

that ornament of battle, the might of whose arms was as great as that of

10,000 elephants! O foremost of speakers, tell me now, O Suta, who are

yet alive in my army after the death of all the foremost heroes! Thou

hast told me the names of those that have fallen. It seems, however, to

me that those who are still alive are almost all dead!'


"Sanjaya said, 'That hero O king, to whom Drona, that foremost of

brahmanas, imparted many blazing, celestial, and mighty weapons of the

four kinds, that mighty car-warrior, possessed of skill and lightness of

hands, that hero of firm grasp, strong weapons, and powerful shafts, that

high-souled son of Drona, capable of shooting to a great distance, is

still on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. That dweller of

the Anarta country, that son of Hridika, that mighty car-warrior, that

foremost one among the Satwatas, that chief of the Bhojas, Kritavarma,

accomplished in arms, is on the field, desirous of battle. Artayana's

son, dauntless in battle, that first of warriors, that foremost of all

yet on thy side, he, that abandoned his own sister's sons, the Pandavas,

for making his own words true, that hero endued with great activity who

promised in the presence of Yudhishthira that he would in battle depress

the proud spirit of Karna, that invincible Shalya, who is equal unto

Sakra himself in energy, is still on the field, desirous of battling for

thy sake. Accompanied by his own force consisting of Ajaneyas,

Saindhavas, mountaineers, dwellers of riparian regions, Kambojas, and

Vanayus, the king of the Gandharas stayeth on the field, desirous of

battling for thy sake. Sharadvata's son called Gautama, O king, endued

with mighty arms and capable of fighting with diverse weapons in diverse

beautiful ways, taking up a beautiful and large bow capable of bearing

great strain, stayeth on the field, desirous of battle. That mighty

car-warrior, the son of the ruler of the Kaikeyas, riding on a goodly car

equipped with standard and goodly steeds, stayeth on the field, O chief

of Kuru's race, for battling for thy sake. Thy son also, that foremost of

heroes in Kuru's race, Purumitra, O king, riding on his car possessed of

the effulgence of fire or the Sun, stayeth on the field, like the Sun

himself shining brilliantly in the cloudless firmament. Duryodhana also,

endued with great energy, in the midst of an elephant force and

accompanied by many foremost of combatants, stayeth on his car adorned

with gold, desirous of engaging in battle. In the midst of many kings,

that foremost of men, possessed of the splendour of a lotus, looked

resplendent in his beautiful armour of gold like a fire with little smoke

or the Sun emerged from the clouds. So also thy sons Sushena, armed with

sword and shield, and the heroic Satyasena, are staying with Citrasena,

their hearts full of joy and themselves desirous of battle. Endued with

modesty, the Bharata princes Citrayudha, Srutavarman, and Jaya, Dala, and

Satyavrata, and Dussala, all of whom are possessed of great might, stay

on the field, desirous of battle. The ruler of the Kaitavyas, that prince

proud of his courage, and capable of fearlessly careering in battle and

slaying his foes, possessing foot-soldiers and cavalry, and elephants and

cars, stayeth on the field, desirous of battling for thy sake. The heroic

Srutayu and Srutayudha, and Citrangada and Citravarman, those foremost of

men, those proud warriors capable of smiting effectually and possessed of

sureness of aim, stay on the field, desirous of battle. The high-souled

Satyasandha, the son of Karna, stayeth on the field, desirous of battle.

Two other sons of Karna, possessing a knowledge of high weapons and

endued with great lightness of hands, are both staying, O king, at the

head of forces that are large and incapable of being pierced by warriors

of little energy, desirous of battling for thy sake. Accompanied by these

heroes and by many other foremost of warriors, O king, that are possessed

of immeasurable might, the Kuru king (Duryodhana) is staying like a

second Indra in the midst of his elephant division in expectation of

victory!'


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou hast told me duly all that are alive both

amongst us and the foe. From this I plainly see on which side the victory

will be. Indeed, it may be inferred from the facts.'"


Vaishampayana continued, "While saying this, Dhritarashtra the son of

Ambika, having learnt that only a small portion of his army was alive,

for all his foremost of warriors had died, felt his heart to be

exceedingly agitated by grief. The king swooned away. Partially restored

to his senses, he addressed Sanjaya, saying, 'Wait for a moment!' And the

king said, 'O son, having heard of this dire calamity, my heart is

greatly agitated. My senses are being stupefied, and my limbs are about

to be paralysed!' Having said these words, Dhritarashtra the son of

Ambika, that lord of earth, lost his senses and fell down on the earth."




8


Janamejaya said, "Having heard of Karna's fall and the slaughter of his

sons, what, O foremost of regenerate ones, did the king say, after he had

been a little comforted? Indeed, poignant was the grief that he

experienced, arising from the calamity that befell his sons! Tell me, I

ask thee, all that the king said on that occasion!"


Vaishampayana said, "Hearing of the slaughter of Karna that was

incredible and astounding, that was dreadful and capable of paralysing

the senses of all creatures, that looked like the downfall of Meru, or a

never-to-be-believed clouding of the intellect of the wise Shukra, or the

defeat of Indra of terrible feats at the hands of his foes, or the

falling down on the Earth of the resplendent Sun from the firmament, or a

scarcely-to-be-comprehended drying up of the ocean, that receptacle of

inexhaustible waters, or the annihilation, perfectly astounding, of the

earth, the firmament, the points of the compass, and the waters, or the

fruitlessness of acts both virtuous and sinful, king Dhritarashtra,

having earnestly reflected for some time on it, thought that his army had

been annihilated. Thinking that other creatures also, as unslayable as

Karna, would meet with a similar fate, king Dhritarashtra the son of

Ambika, scorched with grief and sighing like a snake, with limbs almost

palsied, long breaths, highly cheerless, and filled with melancholy,

began to lament, saying, 'Oh!' and 'Alas!' And the king said, 'O Sanjaya,

the heroic son of Adhiratha was endued with the prowess of the lion or

the elephant! His neck was as thick as that of a bull, and his eyes,

gait, and voice were like the bull's! Of limbs as hard as the

thunderbolt, that young man, like a bull never flying away from a bull,

never desisted from battle even if his foe happened to be the great Indra

himself! At the sound of his bow-string and palms and at the whizz of his

arrowy showers men and steeds and cars and elephants fled away from

battle. Relying upon that mighty-armed one, that slayer of large bands of

foes, that warrior of unfading glory, Duryodhana had provoked hostilities

with those mighty car-warriors, the sons of Pandu! How then could Karna,

that foremost of car-warriors, that tiger among men, that hero of

irresistible onset, be forcibly slain by Partha in battle? Relying on the

might of his own arms, he always disregarded Keshava of unfading glory,

and Dhananjaya, and the Vrishnis, and all other foes! Often did he use to

say unto the foolish, avaricious crestfallen, kingdom-coveting, and

afflicted Duryodhana even such words as these, "Alone, I shall, in

battle, throw down from their foremost of cars, those two invincible

warriors united together, the wielder of sarnga and the wielder of

gandiva!" He had subjugated many invincible and mighty foes--the

Gandharas, the Madrakas, the Matsyas, the Trigartas, the Tanganas, the

Khasas, the Pancalas, the Videhas, the Kulindas, the Kasi-kosalas, the

Suhmas, the Angas, the Nishadhas, the Pundras, the Kichakas, the Vatsas,

the Kalingas, the Taralas, the Asmakas, and the Rishikas. Subjugating all

these brave races, by means of his keen and whetted arrows equipped with

kanka feathers, that foremost of car-warriors, Radha's son, had caused

all of them to pay tribute to us for the aggrandisement of Duryodhana.

Alas, how could that warrior acquainted with celestial weapons, that

protector of armies, Karna the son of Vikartana, called also Vrisha, of

mighty energy, be slain in battle by his foes, the heroic and mighty sons

of Pandu? As Indra is the foremost of gods, Karna was the foremost of

men. In the three worlds no third person has been heard of by us to be

like them. Amongst steeds, Uccaisravas is the foremost; amongst Yakshas,

Vaishravana is the foremost; amongst celestials, Indra is the foremost;

amongst smiters, Karna was the foremost. Unvanquished by even the most

heroic and the mightiest of monarchs, he had, Duryodhana's

aggrandisement, subjugated the whole earth. The ruler of Magadha, having

by conciliation and honours obtained Karna for a friend, had challenged

all the Kshatriyas of the world, except the Kauravas and the Yadavas, to

battle. Hearing that Karna hath been slain by Savyasaci in single combat,

I am plunged in an ocean of woe like a wrecked vessel in the vast deep!

Indeed, hearing that that foremost of men, that best of car-warriors,

hath been slain in single combat, I am sinking in an ocean of grief like

a person without a raft in the sea! When, O Sanjaya, I do not die of such

grief, I think my heart is impenetrable and made of something harder than

the thunderbolt. Hearing of the defeat and humiliation of kinsmen and

relatives and allies, who else in the world, O Suta, save my wretched

self, would not yield up his life? I desire to have poison or fire or a

fall from the summit of a mountain, I am unable, O Sanjaya, to bear this

heavy load of grief!'"




9


"Sanjaya said, 'The world regards thee to be equal to Yayati the son of

Nahusha, in beauty, birth, fame, asceticism, and learning! Indeed, in

learning, thou art, O king, like a great rishi, highly accomplished and

crowned with success! Summon thy fortitude! Do not yield to grief!'


"Dhritarashtra said, 'I think destiny is supreme, and exertion fruitless

since even Karna, who was like a shala tree, hath been slain in battle!

Having slaughtered Yudhishthira's army and the large throngs of the

Pancala car-warriors, having scorched all the points of the compass by

means of his arrowy showers, having stupefied the Parthas in battle like

the wielder of the thunderbolt stupefying the asuras, alas, how could

that mighty car-warrior, slain by the foe, fall down on the earth like a

large tree uprooted by the tempest? Indeed, I do not behold the end of my

sorrows like a drowning man unable to see the end of the ocean. My

anxieties are increasing, I do not desire to live, hearing of Karna's

death and Phalguni's victory! Indeed O Sanjaya, I regard the slaughter of

Karna to be highly incredible. Without doubt, this hard heart of mine is

made of the essence of adamant, for it does not burst into a 1,000

fragments upon hearing of the fall of Karna! Without doubt, the gods

ordained, before (my birth), a very long life for me, since sore

distressed on hearing of the death of Karna, I do not die! Fie, O

Sanjaya, on this life of one that is destitute of friends. Brought today,

O Sanjaya, to this wretched plight, miserably shall I have to live, of

foolish understanding that I am, pitied by all! Having formerly been the

honoured of the whole world, how shall I, O Suta, live, overridden by

foes? From pain to greater pain and calamity, have I come, O Sanjaya, in

consequence of the fall of Bhishma and Drona and the high-souled Karna! I

do not see that anyone (of my army) will escape with life when the Suta's

son hath been slain in battle! He was the great raft, O Sanjaya, to my

sons! That hero, having shot innumerable arrows, hath been slain in

battle! What use have I of life, without that bull among men? Without

doubt, the son of Adhiratha, afflicted with arrows, fell down from his

car, like a mountain-peak riven by the fall of thunder! Without doubt,

bathed in blood, he lieth, adorning the Earth, like an elephant slain by

an infuriate prince of elephants! He who was the strength of the

Dhartarashtras, he who was an object of fear to the sons of Pandu, alas,

he viz., Karna, that pride of all bowman, hath been slain by Arjuna! He

was a hero, a mighty bowman, the dispeller of the fears of my sons! Alas,

that hero, reft of life, lieth (on the earth), like mountain struck down

by Indra! The fulfilment of Duryodhana's wishes is even like locomotion

to one that is lame, or the gratification of the poor man's desire, or

stray drops of water to one that is thirsty! Planned in one way, our

schemes end otherwise. Alas, destiny is all powerful, and time incapable

of being transgressed! Was my son Duhshasana, O Suta, slain, while flying

away from the field, humbled (to the dust), of cheerless soul, and

destitute of all manliness? O son, O Sanjaya, I hope he did no dastardly

act on that occasion? Did not that hero meet with his death like the

other kshatriyas that have fallen? The foolish Duryodhana did not accept

Yudhishthira's constant advice, wholesome as medicine, against the

propriety of battle. Possessed of great renown, Partha, when begged for

drink by Bhishma then lying on his arrowy bed, pierced the surface of the

earth! Beholding the jet of water caused by the son of Pandu, the

mighty-armed (Bhishma, addressing Duryodhana), said, "O sire, make peace

with the Pandavas! Hostilities ceasing, peace will be thine! Let the war

between thyself and thy cousins end with me! Enjoy the earth in

brotherliness with the sons of Pandu!" Having disregarded those counsels,

my child is certainly repenting now. That has now come to pass which

Bhishma of great foresight said. As regards myself, O Sanjaya, I am

destitute of counsellors and reft of sons! In consequence of gambling, I

am fallen into great misery like a bird shorn of its wings! As children

engaged in sport, O Sanjaya, having seized a bird and cut off its wings,

merrily release it, but the creature cannot achieve locomotion in

consequence of its winglessness; even so have I become, like a bird shorn

of its wings! Weak, destitute of every resource, without kinsmen and

deprived of relatives and friends, cheerless and overpowered by enemies,

to which point of the compass shall I go? He who vanquished all the

Kambojas and the Amvashthas with the Kaikeyas, that puissant one, who,

having for the accomplishment of his purpose vanquished the Gandharas and

the Videhas in battle, subjugated the whole Earth for the sake of

Duryodhana's aggrandisement, alas, he hath been vanquished by the heroic

and strong Pandavas endued with mighty arms! Upon the slaughter, in

battle, of that mighty bowman, Karna, by the diadem-decked (Arjuna), tell

me, O Sanjaya, who were these heroes that stayed (on the field)! I hope

he was not alone and abandoned (by friends) when slain in battle by the

Pandavas? Thou hast, O sire, told me, before this, how our brave warriors

have fallen. With his powerful shafts Shikhandi felled in battle that

foremost of all wielders of weapons, viz., Bhishma, who did nothing to

repel the attack. Similarly, Sanjaya, Drupada's son Dhrishtadyumna,

uplifting his scimitar, slew the mighty bowman Drona who, already pierced

with many arrows, had laid aside his weapons in battle and devoted

himself to Yoga. These two were both slain at a disadvantage and

especially by deceit. Even this is what I have heard about the slaughter

of Bhishma and Drona! Indeed, Bhishma and Drona, while contending in

fight, were incapable of being slain in battle by the wielder of the

thunderbolt himself by fair means. This that I tell thee is the truth! As

regards Karna, how, indeed, could Death touch him, that hero equal unto

Indra himself, while he was engaged in shooting his manifold celestial

weapons? He unto whom in exchange for his earrings, Purandara had given

that foe slaying, gold-decked, and celestial dart of the splendour of

lightning,--he who had, lying (within his quiver) amid sandal-dust, that

snake-mouthed celestial arrow decked with gold, equipped with goodly

wings, and capable of slaying all foes, he who, disregarding those heroic

and mighty car-warriors having Bhishma and Drona at their head, had

acquired from Jamadagni's son the terrible brahmastra, that mighty-armed

one, who, having seen the warriors with Drona at their head afflicted

with arrows and turn away from the field, had cut off with his keen

shafts the bow of Subhadra's son, he who, having in a trice deprived the

invincible Bhimasena endued with the might of 10,000 elephants and the

speed of the wind, of his car, had laughed at him,--he who, having

vanquished Sahadeva by means of his straight shafts and made him carless,

slew him not from compassion and considerations of virtue,--he who, with

Shakra's dart, slew that prince of rakshasas, Ghatotkaca, who from desire

of victory, had invoked a 1,000 kinds of illusions,--he whose feats in

battle, filling Dhananjaya with fear, had made the latter for such a long

period avoid a single combat with him,--alas, how could that hero be

slain in battle? How could he be slain by foes unless one of these had

happened to him viz., the destruction of his car, the snapping of his

bow, and the exhaustion of his weapons? Who could vanquish that tiger

among men, like a real tiger, endued with great impetuosity, Karna, while

shaking his formidable bow and shooting therefrom his terrible shafts and

celestial weapons in battle? Surely, his bow broke, or his car sank in

the earth, or his weapons became exhausted, since thou tellest me that he

is slain! I do not, indeed, see any other cause for (explaining) his

slaughter! That high-souled one who had made the terrible vow "I will not

wash my feet till I slay Phalguni," that warrior through whose fear that

bull among men, king Yudhishthira the just, had not, in the wilderness,

for thirteen years continuously, obtained a wink of sleep,--that

high-souled hero of great prowess relying upon whose valour my son had

forcibly dragged the wife of the Pandavas to the assembly, and there in

the midst of that conclave, in the very sight of the Pandavas and in the

presence of the Kurus, had addressed the princess of Pancala as the wife

of slaves, that hero of the Suta caste, who in the midst of the assembly

had addressed Krishna, saying, "All thy husbands, O Krishna, that are

even like sesamum seeds without kernel, are no more, therefore, seek some

other husband, O thou of the fairest complexion!" and in wrath had caused

her to listen to other expressions equally harsh and rude, how was that

hero slain by the foe? He who had said unto Duryodhana even these words,

viz., "If Bhishma who boasteth of his prowess in battle or Drona who is

invincible in fight, doth not, from partiality, slay the sons of Kunti, O

Duryodhana, even I will slay them all, let the fever of thy heart be

dispelled!" who also said, "What will (Arjuna's) gandiva and the two

inexhaustible quivers do to that shaft of mine, smeared with cool

sandal-paste, when it will course through the welkin?" alas, how could

that warrior possessed of shoulders broad as those of the bull be slain

by Arjuna? He who, disregarding the fierce touch of the arrows shot from

gandiva had addressed Krishna, saying, "Thou hast no husbands now" and

glared at the Pandavas, he who, O Sanjaya, relying on the might of his

own arms, had entertained no fear, for even a moment, of the Parthas with

their sons and Janardana,--he, I think, could not possibly meet with

death at the hands of the very gods with Vasava at their head rushing

against him in fury, what then need I say, O sire, of the Pandavas? The

person could not be seen competent to stay before the son of Adhiratha,

while the latter, putting on his fences, used to touch the bowstring! It

was possible for the Earth to be destitute of the splendour of the Sun,

of the Moon, or of fire, but the death of that foremost of men, who never

retreated from battle, could not be possible. That foolish child of mine,

of wicked understanding, who having got Karna, as also his brother

Duhshasana, for his ally, had made up his mind for the rejection of

Vasudeva's proposals, surely, that wight, beholding the slaughter of the

bull-shouldered Karna and of Duhshasana, is now indulging in

lamentations! Seeing Vikartana's son slain in single combat by Savyasaci,

and the Pandavas crowned with victory, what indeed, did Duryodhana say?

Seeing Durmarshana slain in battle and Vrishasena also, and seeing his

host break when slaughtered by mighty car-warriors, beholding also the

kings (of his army) turn back their faces, intent on flight, and his

car-warriors already fled, I think that son of mine is now indulging in

lamentations! Beholding his host dispirited, what, indeed, did the

ungovernable, proud, and foolish Duryodhana, with passions not under

control, say? Having himself provoked such fierce hostility though

dissuaded by all his friends what, indeed, did Duryodhana, who has

suffered a great loss in battle of friends and followers, say? Beholding

his brother slain in battle by Bhimasena, and upon his blood being drunk,

what indeed, did Duryodhana say? My son had, with the ruler of the

gandharvas, said, "Karna will slay Arjuna in battle!" When he saw that

Karna slain, what indeed, did he say? What, O sire, did Shakuni, the son

of Subala, who had formerly been filled with joy after going through the

match at dice and cheating the son of Pandu, say when he saw Karna slain?

What did that mighty car-warrior among the Satwatas, that great bowman,

Kritavarma the son of Hridika, say when he saw Vaikartana slain? Endued

with youth, possessed of a handsome form, agreeable to the sight, and

celebrated throughout the world, what, O Sanjaya, did Ashvatthama, the

intelligent son of Drona, upon whom brahmanas and kshatriyas and vaishyas

who are desirous of acquiring the science of arms wait, for protections,

say when he saw Karna slain? What did Sharadvata's son Kripa, O sire, of

Gotama's race, that foremost of car-warriors, that teacher of the science

of arms, say when he saw Karna slain? What did the mighty leader of the

Madras warriors, that king of the Madras, the great bowman Shalya of the

Sauvira clan, that ornament of assemblies, that foremost of car-warriors

(temporarily) engaged in driving the car, say when he saw Karna slain?

What also did all the other warriors, difficult of defeat in battle,

those lords of earth that came to fight, say, O Sanjaya, when they behold

Vaikartana slain? After the fall of the heroic Drona, that tiger among

car-warriors that bull among men, who, O Sanjaya, became the heads of the

several division in their order? Tell me, O Sanjaya, how that foremost of

car-warriors, Shalya the ruler of the Madras, became engaged in driving

the car of Vaikartana! Who were they that guarded the right wheel of the

Suta's son while the latter was engaged in fight, and who were they that

guarded his left wheel, and who were they that stood at the rear of that

hero? Who were those heroes that did not desert Karna, and who were those

mean fellows that ran away? How was the mighty car-warrior Karna slain

amidst your united selves? How also did those mighty car-warriors, the

brave Pandavas, advance against him shooting showers of shafts like the

clouds pouring torrents of rain? Tell me also, O Sanjaya, how that mighty

shaft, celestial and foremost of its species, and equipped with a head

like that of a serpent became futile! I do not, O Sanjaya, see the

possibility of even a small remnant of my cheerless host being saved when

its leaders have been crushed! Hearing of the slaughter of those two

heroes, those two mighty bowmen, Bhishma and Drona, who were ever ready

to lay down their lives for my sake, what use have I of life? Again and

again I am unable to endure that Karna, the might of whose arms equalled

that of 10,000 elephants, should be slain by the Pandavas! Tell me, O

Sanjaya, all that occurred in the battle between the brave warriors of

the Kauravas and their foes, after the death of Drona! Tell me also how

the sons of Kunti fought the battle with Karna, and how that slayer of

foes received his quietus in the fight!'"




10


"Sanjaya said, 'After the fall of the mighty bowman Drona on that day, O

Bharata, and after the purpose had been baffled of that mighty

car-warriors, viz., the son of Drona, and after the vasty army, O

monarch, of the Kauravas had fled away, Partha, having arrayed his own

troops, stayed on the field with his brothers. Perceiving him staying on

the field, thy son, O bull of Bharata's race, seeing his own army running

away, rallied them with great courage. Having caused his divisions to

take up their stand, thy son, O Bharata, relying on the might of his

arms, fought for a long time with his foes, the Pandavas, who, having

gained their end, were filled with joy and had been struggling for hours

together. On the approach there of the evening twilight, he caused the

troops to be withdrawn. Having caused the withdrawal of their troops, and

having entered their own encampment, the Kauravas held with one another a

consultation about their own welfare, seated like the celestials on

costly couches overlaid with rich coverlets, and on excellent seats and

luxurious beds. Then king Duryodhana, addressing those mighty bowmen in

agreeable and highly sweet expression, spoke the following words suited

to the occasion.


"'Duryodhana said, "Ye foremost of intelligent men, declare all of you,

without delay, your opinions! Under these circumstances, ye kings, what

is necessary and what is still more necessary?'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'When that prince of men had spoken those words,

those lions among men, seated on their thrones, made various gestures

expressive of their desire of battle. Observing the indications of those

who were all desirous of pouring their lives as libations on the

battle-fire, and beholding the monarch's face radiant as morning Sun, the

preceptor's son endued with intelligence and accomplished in speech, said

these words: "Enthusiasm, opportunity, skill and policy,--these are the

means declared by the learned, to be capable of accomplishing all ends.

They are, however, dependent on destiny. Those foremost of men we had on

our side, equal unto the celestials, mighty car-warriors all, possessed

of policy, devoted, accomplished, and loyal, have been slain. For all

that we should not despair of victory. If all these means be properly

applied, even destiny may be made propitious. All of us, therefore, O

Bharata, shall install Karna, that foremost of men, endued besides with

every accomplishment, in the command of the army! Making Karna our

commander, we shall crush our foes. This Karna is endued with great

might; he is a hero, accomplished in weapons, and incapable of defeat in

battle. Irresistible as Yama himself, he is quite competent to vanquish

our foes in battle!" Hearing these words from the preceptor's son, O

king, at that time, built great hopes on Karna. Cherishing the hope in

his heart that after the fall of Bhishma and Drona, Karna would vanquish

the Pandavas, and comforted (by it), O Bharata, Duryodhana then, filled

with joy at having heard those words of Ashvatthama, steadying his mind

and relying on the might of his arms, said unto Radha's son, O monarch,

these words that were fraught with affection and regard, and that were

true, delightful, and beneficial to himself: "O Karna, I know thy

prowess, and the great friendship thou bearest to me! For all that, O

mighty-armed one, I shall address the certain words that are for my good!

Having heard them, O hero, do that which may appear desirable to thee!

Thou art endued with great wisdom, and thou art even my supreme refuge!

Those two Atirathas that were my Generals, viz., Bhishma and Drona, have

been slain. Be thou my General, thou that art mightier than they! Both of

those great bowmen were advanced in years. They were, besides, partial to

Dhananjaya. Still both those heroes were respected by me, O son of Radha,

at thy word! Viewing his relationship of grandsire unto them, the sons of

Pandu, O sire, were spared in dreadful battle by Bhishma for ten

successive days! Thyself also having laid aside thy weapons, the valiant

Bhishma was slain in great battle by Phalguni with Shikhandi before him!

After that great bowman had fallen and betaken himself to his bed of

arrows, it was at thy word, O tiger among men, that Drona was made our

leader! By him also were the sons of Pritha spared, in consequence, as I

think, of their relationship unto him of pupils. That old man also has

been slain by Dhrishtadyumna more speedily. I do not see, even on

reflection, another warrior equal to thee in battle,--thee, that is,

whose prowess could not be measured by even those two foremost of

warriors that have been slain in the fight! Without doubt, thou alone

today art competent to win victory for us! Before, in the middle, and

later on, thou hast accordingly acted for our good. Therefore, like a

leader, it behoveth thee, in this battle, to bear the burden thyself.

Thyself install thy own self in the Generalship. Like the celestial

generalissimo, the lord Skanda of unfading prowess, (supporting the

celestial army), do thou support this Dhartarashtra host! Like Mahendra

slaying the Danavas, destroy thou all the throngs of our foes! Beholding

thee staying in battle, the Pandavas, those mighty car-warriors, will,

with the Pancalas, fly away from battle, like the Danavas at sight of

Vishnu. Do thou, therefore lead this vast force! When thou shalt stand

resolved on the field, the Pandavas of wicked hearts, the Pancalas, and

the Srinjayas, will all fly away with their friends. As the risen Sun,

scorching everything by his energy, destroyeth the thick gloom, even so

do thou destroy our foes!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Strong became that hope, O king, in the heart of thy

son, viz., that where Bhishma and Drona had been slain, Karna would

vanquish the Pandavas. Cherishing that hope within his heart, he said

unto Karna, "O Suta's son, Partha never wishes to fight, standing before

thee!" Karna said, "I have, O son of Gandhari, said before in thy

presence, even these words, vanquish all the Pandavas with their sons and

Janardana!' I shall become thy General. In this there is no doubt.

Tranquilise thyself, O monarch I Consider the Pandavas to be already

vanquished!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed, O monarch, king Duryodhana then

stood up with all the monarchs, like He of a hundred sacrifices with the

gods, for honouring Karna with the command of the army, like the

celestials for honouring Skanda. Then, O monarch, all the kings headed by

Duryodhana, desirous of victory, installed Karna in the command,

according to the rites enjoined by the ordinance. With golden and earthen

jars filled to the brim with water and sanctified with mantras, with

tusks of elephants and horns of rhinoceroses and mighty bulls, with other

vessels decked with jewels and gems, with also fragrant herbs and plants,

and with other articles collected in abundance, Karna, seated at his ease

on a seat made of udumvara wood and overlaid with silken cloth, was

invested with the command, according to the rites in the scriptures.

Brahmanas, kshatriyas, vaishyas, and respectable shudras, praised that

high-souled one after he was bathed on that excellent seat. Thus

installed in the command, O king, that slayer of foes, the son of Radha,

caused, by presents of Niskas and kine and other wealth, many foremost of

brahmanas to utter blessings on him. "Vanquish the Parthas with Govinda

and all their followers," even these were the words that the eulogists

and the brahmanas said (unto him), O bull among men! (And they also said)

"Slay the Parthas and the Pancalas, O son of Radha, for our victory, like

risen Sun ever destroying Darkness with his fierce rays! The son of Pandu

with Keshava are not able to even look at the shafts shot by thee, like

owls unable to gaze at the burning rays of the Sun! The Parthas with the

Pancalas are incapable of standing before thee armed with weapons, like

the danavas before Indra in battle!" Installed in the command, Radha's

son of incomparable splendour looked resplendent in beauty and radiance

like a second Sun. Having installed the son of Radha (thus) in the

command of the army, thy son, urged on by Death, regarded himself as one

who had his purpose accomplished. That chastiser of foes, Karna, also, O

king, having obtained the command, ordered the troops to be arrayed, at

the rise of the Sun. Surrounded by thy sons, O Bharata, Karna looked

resplendent like Skanda surrounded by the celestials, in the battle

having Saraka for its evil root.'"




11


"Dhritarashtra said, 'After having obtained the command of the army, and

after he had been addressed by the king himself in those sweet and

brotherly words, and after he had ordered the troops to be arrayed at the

hour of sunrise, tell me, O Sanjaya, what did Vikartana's son Karna do?'


"Sanjaya said, 'Having learnt Karna's wishes, thy sons, O bull of

Bharata's race, ordered the troops to be arrayed with joyful music. While

it still wanted a long period for the coming of the dawn, a loud noise of

"Array, Array!" O king, suddenly arose among thy troops. And the uproar

that arose, became tremendous and touched the very heavens, of foremost

of elephants and fenced cars while under process of equipment, of

foot-soldiers and steeds, O monarch, while putting on their armour or in

course of being harnessed, and of combatants moving with activity and

shouting unto one another! Then the Suta's son bearing a gold-backed bow

appeared (on the field) in his car possessed of the splendour of the

radiant Sun, crowned with many banners, equipped with a white standard,

with steeds of the hue of cranes, bearing the device of the elephants'

rope, filled with a hundred quivers, furnished with mace and wooden

fence, freighted with shataghnis and rows of bells and darts and lances

and spears, and supplied with many bows. And the Suta's son appeared on

the field, blowing his conch, O king; decorated with a net-work of gold,

and shaking his formidable bow adorned with pure gold. Beholding the

mighty bowman Karna, that foremost of car-warriors, seated on his car,

difficult of approach and resembling the risen Sun that destroys the

gloom, none amongst the Kauravas, O tiger among men, recked, O sire, the

loss of Bhishma or Drona or other men! Speeding the warriors, O sire,

with the blasts of his conch, Karna caused the vast army of the Kauravas

to be drawn out. Having arrayed the troops in the makara array, that

mighty bowman, that scorcher of foes, viz., Karna, proceeded against the

Pandavas from desire of victory. In the tip of the beak of that makara, O

king, was stationed Karna himself. In the two eyes were the brave Shakuni

and the mighty car-warrior Uluka. In the head was Drona's son and in the

neck were all the uterine brothers. In the middle was king Duryodhana

supported by a large force. In the left foot, O monarch, was stationed

Kritavarma accompanied by the Narayana troops, and those invincible

warriors, the gopalas. In the right foot, O king, was Gotama's son of

prowess incapable of being baffled, surrounded by those mighty bowmen

viz., the Trigartas and by the Southerners. In the left hind-foot was

stationed Shalya with a large force raised in the country of Madras. In

the right (hind-foot), O monarch, was Sushena of true vows, surrounded by

a 1,000 cars and 300 elephants. In the tail were the two royal brothers

of mighty energy, viz., Citra and Citrasena surrounded by a large force.


"'When, O great king, that foremost of men, Karna, thus came out, king

Yudhishthira the just, casting his eyes on Arjuna, said these words:

"Behold, O Partha, how the Dhartarashtra force, O hero, in this battle,

protected by heroes and mighty car-warriors, hath been arrayed by Karna!

This vast Dhartarashtra force hath lost its bravest warriors. They that

remain, O mighty-armed one, are feeble, equal, as I think, to straw! Only

one great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, shineth in it! That foremost of

car-warriors is incapable of being vanquished by the three worlds with

their mobile and immobile creatures, including the gods, Asuras and

Gandharvas, and the Kinnaras and great serpents! If thou slayest him

today, O mighty-armed one, the victory will be thine, O Phalguna! The

thorn also which for twelve years hath been planted in my heart will then

be plucked out! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, form thou the array

that thou wishest!" Hearing those words of his brother, that Pandava of

the white steeds disposed his army in counter array after the form of the

half moon. On the left side was stationed Bhimasena, and on the right was

stationed the great bowman Dhrishtadyumna. In the middle of the array

were the king and Dhananjaya the son of Pandu. Nakula and Sahadeva were

at the rear of king Yudhishthira the just. The two Pancala princes,

Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja, became the protectors of (Arjuna's) car wheels.

Protected by the diadem-decked Arjuna himself, they did not quit Arjuna

for a moment. The remaining kings, possessed of great courage, clad in

mail, stood in the array, each in the position assigned to him, according

to the measure of his enthusiasm and resolution, O Bharata. Having thus

formed their great array, O Bharata, the Pandavas, and the mighty bowmen

of thy army set their hearts on battle. Beholding thy army disposed into

battle array by the Suta's son in battle Duryodhana with all his brethren

regarded the Pandavas to be already slain. Similarly Yudhishthira, O

king, beholding the Pandava army disposed in array, regarded the

Dhartarashtras with Karna to be already slain. Then conches, and

kettle-drums, and tabours, and large drums, and cymbals, and Dindimas,

and Jharjharas, were loudly blown and beaten on all sides! Indeed, those

loud-sounding instruments were blown and beaten, O king, among both the

armies. Leonine roars also arose, uttered by brave warriors for victory.

And there also arose, O king, the noise of neighing steeds and grunting

elephants, and the fierce clatter of car-wheels. None, O Bharata, (in the

Kaurava army), at that time, felt the loss of Drona, seeing the great

bowman Karna clad in mail and stationed at the head of the array. Both

armies, O monarch, teeming with joyous men, stood, eager for battle and

(ready) to destroy each other without delay. There, the two heroes, viz.,

Karna and the son of Pandu, excited with wrath at sight of each other,

and both firmly resolved, stood or careered, O king, through their

respective divisions. The two armies, as they advanced to meet each

other, seemed to dance (in joy). From the wings and the side-wings of

both, warriors desirous of battle came forth. Then commenced the battle,

O monarch, of men, elephants, steeds, and cars, engaged in destroying one

another.'"




12


"Sanjaya said, 'Then those two vast armies, teeming with rejoicing men

and steeds and elephants, resembling in splendour the celestial and the

Asura hosts, meeting together, began to strike each other. Men, cars,

steeds, elephants, and foot-soldiers of fierce prowess, made sturdy

strokes destructive of bodies and sin. Lion-like men strewed the Earth

with the heads of lion-like men, each resembling the full moon or the sun

in splendour and the lotus in fragrance. Combatants cut off the heads of

combatants, with crescent-shaped and broad-headed shafts and razor-faced

arrows and axes, and battle-axes. The arms of men of long and massive

arms, cut off by men of long and massive arms, falling upon the Earth,

shone, decked with weapons and bracelets. With those writhing arms

adorned with red fingers and palms, the Earth looked resplendent as if

strewn with fierce five-headed snakes slain by Garuda. From elephants and

cars and steeds, brave warriors fell down, struck by foes, like the

denizens of heaven from their celestial cars on the exhaustion of their

merits. Other brave warriors fell down by hundreds, crushed in that

battle by brave combatants with heavy maces spiked clubs and short

bludgeons. Cars also, in that tumultuous fight, were crushed by cars, and

infuriate elephants by infuriate compeers, and horsemen by horsemen. Men

destroyed by cars, and cars by elephants, and horsemen by foot-soldiers,

and foot-soldiers by horsemen, dropped down on the field, as also cars

and steeds and foot-soldiers destroyed by elephants and cars and steeds

and elephants by foot-soldiers, and cars and foot-soldiers and elephants

by steeds and men and elephants by cars. Great was the carnage made of

car-warriors and steeds and elephants and men by men and steeds and

elephants and car-warriors, using their hands and feet and weapons and

cars. When that host was being thus struck and slain by heroic warriors

the Parthas, headed by Vrikodara, advanced against us. They consisted of

Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and the five sons of Draupadi and the

Prabhadrakas, and Satyaki and Chekitana with the Dravida forces, and the

Pandyas, the Cholas, and the Keralas, surrounded by a mighty array, all

possessed of broad chests, long arms, tall statures, and large eyes.

Decked with ornaments, possessed of red teeth, endued with the prowess of

infuriate elephants, attired in robes of diverse colours, smeared with

powdered scents, armed with swords and nooses, capable of restraining

mighty elephants, companions in death, and never deserting one another,

equipped with quivers, bearing bows adorned with long locks, and

agreeable in speech were the combatants of the infantry files led by

Satyaki, belonging to the Andhra tribe, endued with fierce forms and

great energy. Other brave warriors such as the Cedis, the Pancalas, the

Kaikayas, the Karushas, the Kosalas, the Kanchis, and the Maghadhas, also

rushed forward. Their cars and steeds and elephants, all of the foremost

kind, and their fierce foot-soldiers, gladdened by the notes of diverse

instruments, seemed to dance and laugh. In the midst of that vast force,

came Vrikodara, riding on the neck of an elephant, and surrounded by many

foremost of elephant-soldiers, advancing against thy army. That fierce

and foremost of elephants, duly equipped, looked resplendent, like the

stone-built mansion on the top of the Udaya mountain, crowned with the

risen Sun. Its armour of iron, the foremost of its kind, studded with

costly gems, was as resplendent as the autumnal firmament bespangled with

stars. With a lance in his outstretched arm, his head decked with a

beautiful diadem, and possessed of the splendour of the meridian Sun at

autumn, Bhima began to burn his foes. Beholding that elephant from a

distance, Kshemadhurti, himself on an elephant, challenging, rushed

cheerfully towards Bhima who was more cheerful still. An encounter then

took place between those two elephants of fierce forms resembling two

huge hills topped with trees, each, fighting with the other as it liked.

Those two heroes, then, whose elephants thus encountered each other,

forcibly struck each other with lances endued with the splendour of solar

rays, and uttered loud roars. Separating, they then careered in circles

with their elephants, and each taking up a bow began to strike the other.

Gladdening the people around with their loud roars and the slaps on their

armpits and the whizz of this arrows, they continued to utter leonine

shouts. Endued with great strength, both of them, accomplished in

weapons, fought, using their elephants with upturned trunks and decked

with banners floating on the wind. Then each cutting off the other's bow,

they roared at each other, and rained on each other showers of darts and

lances like two masses of clouds in the rainy season pouring torrents of

rain. Then Kshemadhurti pierced Bhimasena in the centre of the chest with

a lance endued with great impetuosity, and then with six others, and

uttered a loud shout. With those lances sticking to his body, Bhimasena,

whose form then blazed with wrath, looked resplendent like the

cloud-covered Sun with his rays issuing through the interstices of that

canopy. Then Bhima carefully hurled at his antagonist a lance bright as

the rays of the Sun, coursing perfectly straight, and made entirely of

iron. The ruler of the Kulutas then, drawing his bow, cut off that lance

with ten shafts and then pierced the son of Pandu with sixty shafts. Then

Bhima the son of Pandu, taking up a bow whose twang resembled the roar of

the clouds, uttered a loud shout and deeply afflicted with his shafts the

elephants of his antagonist. Thus afflicted in that battle by Bhimasena

with his arrows, that elephant, though sought to be restrained, stayed

not on the field like a wind-blown cloud. The fierce prince of elephants

owned by Bhima then pursued his (flying) compeer, like a wind-blown mass

of clouds pursuing another mass driven by the tempest. Restraining his

own elephant valiant Kshemadhurti pierced with his shafts the pursuing

elephant of Bhimasena. Then with a well-shot razor-headed arrow that was

perfectly straight, Kshemadhurti cut off his antagonist's bow and then

afflicted that hostile elephant. Filled with wrath, Kshemadhurti then, in

that battle, pierced Bhima and struck his elephant with many long shafts

in every vital part. That huge elephant of Bhima then fell down, O

Bharata! Bhima, however, who had jumped down from his elephant and stood

on the Earth before the fall of the beast, then crushed the elephant of

his antagonist with his mace. And Vrikodara then struck Kshemadhurti

also, who, jumped down from his crushed elephant, was advancing against

him with uplifted weapon. Kshemadhurti, thus struck, fell down lifeless,

with the sword in his arm, by the side of his elephant, like a lion

struck down by thunder beside a thunder-riven hill. Beholding the

celebrated king of the Kulutas slain, thy troops, O bull of Bharata's

race exceedingly distressed, fled away.'"




13


"Sanjaya said, 'Then the mighty and heroic bowman Karna began to smite

the Pandava army in that battle, with his straight shafts. Similarly,

those great car-warriors, viz., the Pandavas, O king, filled with wrath,

began to smite the army of thy son in the very sight of Karna. Karna

also, O king, in that battle slew the Pandava army with his cloth-yard

shafts bright as the rays of the Sun and polished by the hands of the

smith. There, O Bharata, the elephants, struck by Karna with his shafts,

uttered loud cries, lost strength, became faint, and wandered on all

sides. While the army was being thus destroyed by the Suta's son, Nakula

rushed with speed against that mighty car-warrior. And Bhimasena rushed

against Drona's son who was engaged in the accomplishment of the most

difficult feats. Satyaki checked the Kaikaya princes Vinda and Anuvinda.

King Citrasena rushed against the advancing Srutakarman; and Prativindhya

against Citra owning a beautiful standard and a beautiful bow. Duryodhana

rushed against king Yudhishthira the son of Dharma; while Dhananjaya

rushed against the angry throngs of the samsaptakas. In that slaughter of

great heroes, Dhrishtadyumna proceeded against Kripa. The invincible

Shikhandi closed with Kritavarma. Srutakirti encountered Shalya, and

Madri's son, the valiant Sahadeva, O king, encountered thy son

Duhshasana. The two Kaikaya princes, in that battle, shrouded Satyaki

with a shower of blazing arrows, and the latter also, O Bharata, shrouded

the two Kaikaya brothers. Those two heroic brothers deeply struck Satyaki

in the chest like two elephants striking with their tusks a hostile

compeer in the forest. Indeed, O king, those two brothers, in that

battle, their own vitals pierced with shafts, pierced Satyaki of true

deeds with their shafts. Satyaki, however, O great king, covering all the

points of the compass with a shower of arrows and smiling the while,

checked the two brothers, O Bharata. Checked by those showers of arrows

shot by the grandson of Sini, the two brothers speedily shrouded the car

of Sini's grandson with their shafts. Cutting off their beautiful bows,

Saurin of great fame checked them both with his keen arrows in that

battle. Taking up two other beautiful bows, and a number of powerful

shafts, the two began to cover Satyaki and career with great activity and

skill. Shot by the two brothers, those mighty shafts equipped with the

feathers of the Kanka and the peacock and decked with gold, began to

fall, illumining all the points of the compass. In that dreadful battle

between them, O king, the arrows they shot caused a darkness there. Those

mighty car-warriors then cut off each other's bows. Then the invincible

Satwata, O king, filled with rage, took up another bow in that battle,

and stringing it, cut off Anuvinda's head with a keen razor-headed shaft.

Decked with earrings, that large head, O king, fell like the head of

Samvara slain in the great battle (of old). And it reached the Earth in

no time, filling all the Kaikayas with grief. Beholding that brave

warrior slain, his brother, the mighty car-warrior Vinda, stringing

another bow began to resist the grandson of Sini from every side.

Piercing with sixty arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on

stone, he uttered a loud shout and said, "Wait, Wait!" Then that mighty

car-warrior of the Kaikayas speedily struck Satyaki with many thousands

of shafts in his arms and chest. All his limbs wounded with arrows,

Satyaki, of prowess incapable of being baffled, looked resplendent in

that battle, O king, like a flowering Kinsuka. Pierced by the high-souled

Kaikaya in that encounter, Satyaki, with the greatest ease, pierced the

Kaikaya (in return) with five and twenty arrows. Then those two foremost

of car-warriors, having each cut off the other's handsome bow in that

encounter, and having each quickly slain the other's driver and steeds

approached each other on foot for a fight with swords. Both endued with

massive arms, they looked resplendent on that extensive arena, each

having taken up a shield decked with a hundred moons, and each armed with

an excellent sword, like Jambha and Sakra, both endued with great might,

in the battle between the gods and the Asuras (of old). Both of them, in

that great battle, then began to career in circles. And then they

speedily encountered each other in battle, each approaching the other

near. And each of them made great efforts for the destruction of the

other. Then Satwata cut in twain the shield of Kaikeya. The latter also,

O king, cut in twain the shield of Satyaki. Having cut off his

antagonist's shield covered with centuries of stars, Kaikeya began to

career in circles, advancing and receding (at times). Then the grandson

of Sini, endued with great activity, cut off by a sidestroke the prince

of the Kaikeyas thus careering in that great arena armed with excellent

sword. Cased in armour that great bowman, viz., the Kaikeya prince, O

king, thus cut off in twain in that great battle, fell down like a hill

riven with thunder. Having slain him in battle that foremost of

car-warriors that scorcher of foes, viz., the brave grandson of Sini

quickly got upon the car of Yudhamanyu. Afterwards riding upon another

car duly equipped (with everything), Satyaki began to slay with his

shafts the large force of the Kaikeyas. The vast army of the Kaikeyas,

thus slaughtered in battle, leaving that foe of theirs fled away on all

sides.'"




14


"Sanjaya said, 'Srutakarman then, O king, filled with wrath, struck that

lord of Earth, viz., Citrasena, in that battle, with fifty shafts. The

ruler of the Abhisars (in return), striking Srutakarman, O king, with

nine straight arrows, pierced his driver with five. Srutakarman then,

filled with rage, struck Citrasena at the head of his forces, with a keen

arrow in a vital part. Deeply pierced, O monarch, with that arrow by that

high-souled prince the heroic Citrasena felt great pain and swooned away.

During this interval, Srutakarman of great renown covered that lord of

Earth, (viz., his insensible antagonist), with ninety arrows. The mighty

car-warrior Citrasena then, recovering consciousness, cut off his

antagonist's bow with a broad-headed arrow, and pierced his antagonist

himself with seven arrows. Taking up another bow that was decked with

gold, and capable of striking hard, Srutakarman then, with his waves of

arrows, made Citrasena assume a wonderful appearance. Adorned with those

arrows, the youthful king, wearing beautiful garlands, looked in that

battle like a well-adorned youth in the midst of an assembly. Quickly

piercing Srutakarman with an arrow in the centre of the chest, he said

unto him, "Wait, Wait!" Srutakarman also, pierced with that arrow in the

battle, began to shed blood, like a mountain shedding streams of liquid

red chalk. Bathed in blood and dyed therewith, that hero shone in battle

like a flowering Kinsuka. Srutakarman, then, O king, thus assailed by the

foe, became filled with rage, and cut in twain the foe-resisting bow of

Citrasena. The latter's bow having been cut off, Srutakarman then, O

king, pierced him with three hundred arrows equipped with goodly wings,

covering him completely therewith. With another broad-headed arrow,

sharp-edged and keen pointed, he cut off the head, decked with head-gear

of his high-souled antagonist. That blazing head of Citrasena fell down

on the ground, like the moon loosened from the firmament upon the Earth

at will. Beholding the king slain, the troops of Citrasena, O sire,

rushed impetuously against (his slayer). That great bowman then, filled

with rage, rushed, shooting his shafts, against that army, like Yama

filled with fury, against all creatures at the time of the universal

dissolution. Slaughtered in that battle by thy grandson armed with the

bow, they quickly fled on all sides like elephants scorched by a

forestconflagration. Beholding them flying away, hopeless of vanquishing

the foe, Srutakarman, pursuing them with his keen arrows, looked

exceedingly resplendent (on his car). Then Prativindhya, piercing Citra

with five arrows, struck his driver with three and his standard with one.

Him Citra pierced, striking in the arms and the chest, with nine

broad-headed shafts equipped with wings of gold, having keen points, and

plumed with Kanka and peacock feathers. Then Prativindhya, O Bharata,

cutting off with his shafts the bow of his antagonist deeply struck the

latter with five keen arrows. Then Citra, O monarch, sped at thy grandson

a terrible and irresistible dart, adorned with golden bells, and

resembling a flame of fire. Prativindhya, however, in that battle, cut

off, with the greatest ease, into three fragments, that dart as it

coursed towards him like a flashing meteor. Cut off into three fragments,

with Prativindhya's shafts, that dart fell down, like the thunderbolt

inspiring all creatures with fear at the end of the Yuga. Beholding that

dart baffled, Citra, taking up a huge mace decked with a net-work of

gold, hurled it at Prativindhya. That mace slew the latter's steeds and

driver also in that great battle, and crushing, besides, his car, fell

with great impetuosity on the Earth. Meanwhile, having alighted from his

car, O Bharata, Prativindhya hurled at Citra a dart, well-adorned and

equipped with a golden staff. Catching it as it coursed towards him, the

high-souled king Citra, O Bharata, hurled the very weapon at

Prativindhya. Striking the brave Prativindhya in that battle, that

blazing dart, piercing through his right arm, fell down on the Earth, and

falling illumined the whole region like a blast of lightning. Then

Prativindhya, O king, filled with rage, and desiring to compass the

destruction of Citra, sped at him a lance decked with gold. That lance

penetrating through his armour and chest, entered the Earth like a mighty

snake in its hole. Struck with that lance, the king fell down, stretching

out his large and massive arms that resembled a couple of iron clubs.

Beholding Citra slain, thy warriors, those ornaments of battle, rushed

impetuously at Prativindhya from all sides. Shooting diverse kinds of

shafts and Sataghnis decked with rows of bells, they soon covered

Prativindhya like masses of clouds covering the Sun. The mighty-armed

Prativindhya, consuming with his arrowy showers those assailants of his

in that battle, routed thy army like the thunder-wielding Sakra routing

the Asura host. Thus slaughtered in battle by the Pandavas, thy troops, O

king, suddenly dispersed in all directions like congregated masses of

clouds dispersed by the wind. While thy army, slaughtered on all sides,

was thus flying away, only Drona's son singly rushed with speed against

the mighty Bhimasena. All at once a fierce encounter ensued between them

like to what had taken place between Vritra and Vasava in the battle

between the gods and the Asuras (of old).'"




15


"Sanjaya said, 'Endued with the greatest activity, Drona's son, O king,

displaying the lightness of his arms, pierced Bhima with an arrow. Aiming

at all his vital points--for he had a knowledge of all the vital points

of the body--the quick-handed Ashvatthama again struck him with ninety

shafts. Pierced all over with keen arrows by the son of Drona, Bhimasena

looked resplendent in that battle like the Sun himself with his rays. The

son of Pandu then, covering the son of Drona with a 1,000 well-directed

shafts, uttered a leonine roar. Baffling with his own shafts the shafts

of his foe in that battle, the son of Drona, O king, as if smiling, then

struck the Pandava on the forehead with a cloth-yard shaft. The son of

Pandu bore that arrow on his forehead even as the proud rhinoceros, O

king, in the forest bears its horn. The valiant Bhima, then, in that

battle as if smiling all the while, struck the struggling son of Drona on

the forehead with three cloth-yard shafts. With those three arrows

sticking on his forehead, that brahmana looked beautiful like a

three-peaked mountain washed with water in the season of rains. The son

of Drona then afflicted the Pandava with hundreds of arrows, but failed

to shake him like the wind failing to shake the mountain. Similarly the

son of Pandu, filled with joy, could not in that battle shake the son of

Drona with his hundreds of keen shafts like torrents of rain failing to

shake a mountain. Shrouding each other with showers of terrible shafts

those two great car-warriors, those two heroes, endued with fierce might,

shone resplendent on those two foremost of cars of theirs. Then they

looked like two blazing Suns risen for the destruction of the world, and

engaged themselves in scorching each other with their rays representing

excellent arrows. Endeavouring with great care to counteract each other's

feats in the great battle, and actually engaged in matching deed by deed

with showers of arrows most fearlessly, those two foremost of men

careered in that combat like a couple of tigers. Both invincible and

terrible, arrows constituted their fangs and bows their mouths. They

became invisible under those clouds of arrows on all sides like the Sun

and the Moon in the firmament shrouded by masses of clouds. And then

those two chastisers of foes soon became visible and blazed forth like

Mars and Mercury freed from cloudy screens. Then at that instant during

the progress of that awful battle, Drona's son placing Vrikodara to his

right, poured hundreds of fierce arrows upon him like the clouds pouring

torrents of rain upon a mountain. Bhima, however, could not brook that

indication of his enemy's triumphs. The son of Pandu, O king, from that

very station on Ashvatthama's right, began to counteract the latter's

feats. Their cars continuing to wheel around in diverse ways and advance

and retreat (according to the exigencies of the situation), the battle

between those two lions among men became exceedingly furious. Careering

in diverse paths, and (executing) circular manoeuvres, they continued to

strike each other with arrows shot from their bows drawn to their fullest

stretch. And each made the greatest endeavours to compass the destruction

of the other. And each of them desired to make the other carless in that

battle. Then that car-warrior, viz., the son of Drona, invoked many

mighty weapons. The son of Pandu, however, in that battle, with his own

weapons, counteracted all those weapons of his foe. Then, O monarch,

there took place an awful encounter of weapons, like to the terrible

encounter of planets at the time of the universal dissolution. Those

shafts, O Bharata, let off by them, coming in collision, illuminated all

the points of the compass and thy troops also all around. Covered with

flights of arrows, the welkin assumed a terrible sight, like to what

happens, O king, at the time of the universal dissolution, when it is

covered with falling meteors. From the clash of shafts, O Bharata, fire

was generated there with sparks and blazing flames. That fire began to

consume both armies. Siddhas, moving there, O monarch, said these words,

"O lord, this battle is the foremost of all battles. Any battle (fought

before) does not come up to even a sixteenth part of this. A battle like

this will never occur again. Both these persons, viz., this brahmana and

this kshatriya, are endued with knowledge. Both are possessed of courage,

and both are fierce in prowess. Dreadful is the might of Bhima, and

wonderful is the skill of the other in weapons. How great is their energy

and how wonderful the skill possessed by both! Both of them stand in this

battle like two universe-destroying Yamas at the end of the Yuga. They

are born like two Rudras or like two Suns. These two tigers among men,

both endued with terrible forms, are like two Yamas in this battle." Such

were the words of the Siddhas heard there every moment. And among the

assembled denizens of heaven there arose a leonine roar. Beholding the

amazing and inconceivable feats of the two warriors in that battle, the

dense throngs of Siddhas, and Charanas were filled with wonder. And the

gods, the Siddhas, and the great Rishis applauded them both saying,

"Excellent, O mighty-armed son of Drona. Excellent, O Bhima." Meanwhile

those two heroes, in that battle, O king, having done injuries to each

other, glared at each other with eyes rolling in rage. With eyes red in

rage, their lips also quivered in rage. And they grinded their teeth in

wrath and bit their lips. And those two great car-warriors covered each

other with showers of arrows, as if they were in that battle two masses

of clouds that poured torrents of arrows for rain and that gleamed with

weapons constituting their lightning. Having pierced each other's

standards and drivers in that great battle, and having also pierced each

other's steeds, they continued to strike each other. Then, O monarch,

filled with rage, they took up in that dreadful encounter, two arrows,

and each desirous of slaying the other shot quickly at his foe. Those two

blazing arrows, resistless and endued with the force of thunder, coming,

O king, to the two warriors as they stood at the head of their respective

divisions, struck them both. Each of the two mighty combatants then

deeply struck with those arrows, sank, on the terrace of their respective

car. Understanding the son of Drona to be insensible, his driver then

bore him away from the battle-field, O king, in the sight of all the

troops. Similarly, O king, Bhima's driver bore away from the battle-field

on his car, the son of Pandu, that scorcher of foes, who was repeatedly

falling into a swoon.'"




16


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Describe to me the battle of Arjuna with the

samsaptakas, and of the other kings with the Pandavas. Narrate to me

also, O Sanjaya, the battle of Arjuna with Ashvatthama, and of the other

lords of the Earth with Partha.'


"Sanjaya said, 'Listen, O king, as I speak to thee as to how occurred the

battle of the heroic warriors (on our side) with the foe--the battle

which was destructive of bodies, sins, and lives. That slayer of foes,

viz, Partha, penetrating into the Samsaptaka force that resembled the

ocean, agitated it exceedingly, like a tempest agitating the vast deep.

Cutting off with broad-headed arrows of keen edges the heads of brave

warriors that were decked with faces possessed of the splendour of the

full moon and with beautiful eyes and eyebrows and teeth, Dhananjaya

speedily caused the Earth to be strewn there as if with lotuses, plucked

off their stalks. And in that battle Arjuna with his razor-headed shafts,

cut off the arms of his foes, that were all well rounded, large and

massive, and smeared with sandal-paste and other perfumes, with weapons

in grasp, with leathern gloves casing their fingers, and looking like

five-headed snakes. And the son of Pandu repeatedly cut off with his

broad-headed shafts, steeds, riders, drivers, and flags, and bows and

arrows, and arms decked with gems. And Arjuna in that battle, O king,

with many thousands of arrows, despatched to Yama's abode, car-warriors

and elephants and horses and horsemen. Many foremost of warriors, filled

with rage and roaring like bulls mad (like them) with excitement for a

cow in season, rushed towards Arjuna, with loud cries. All of them then

began to strike Arjuna with their arrows as the latter was employed in

slaying them, like infuriate bulls striking one of their species with

their horns. The battle that took place between him and them made the

hair to stand on end, even like the battle between the Daityas and the

wielder of the thunderbolt on the occasion of the conquest of the three

worlds. Resisting with his own weapons the weapons of his foes on all

sides. Arjuna, piercing them fast with innumerable arrows, took their

lives. Like the wind destroying vast masses of clouds, Arjuna, otherwise

called Jaya, that enhancer of the fears of his foes, cutting off into

minute fragments large throngs of cars,--cars, that is, whose poles,

wheels, and axles had previously been shattered by him, and whose

warriors and steeds and drivers had been slain before, and whose weapons

and quivers had been displaced, and standards crushed, and traces and

reins sundered, and wooden fences and shafts broken already, and filling

every body with wonder, achieved feats magnificent to behold and

rivalling those of a 1,000 great car-warriors fighting together. Crowds

of Siddhas and celestial Rishis and Charanas all applauded him. And

celestial kettle-drums sounded, and floral showers fell upon the heads of

Keshava and Arjuna. And an incorporeal voice said, "These viz., Keshava

and Arjuna, are those two heroes that always possess the beauty of the

moon, the splendour of fire, the force of the wind and the radiance of

the sun. Stationed on the same car these two heroes are invincible even

like Brahman and Isana. These two heroes the foremost of all creatures

are Nara and Narayana." Hearing and beholding these wonderful things, O

Bharata, Ashvatthama, with great care and resolution, rushed against

Krishna and Arjuna in that battle. With his arm that held an arrow in its

grasp, the son of Drona hailed the Pandava, shooting shafts equipped with

foe-slaying heads, and smilingly told him these words, "If, O hero, thou

regardest me a worthy guest arrived (before thee), then give me today,

with the whole heart, the hospitality of battle." Thus summoned by the

preceptor's son from desire of battle, Arjuna regarded himself highly

honoured, and addressing Janardana said, "The samsaptakas should be slain

by me, but Drona's son again is summoning me. Tell me, O Madhava, to

which of these duties should I first turn? First let the services of

hospitality be offered, if thou thinkest that to be proper." Thus

addressed, Krishna bore Partha who had been summoned according to the

rules of triumphant challenge to the vicinity of Drona's son, like Vayu

bearing Indra to the sacrifice. Saluting Drona's son whose mind was fixed

upon one thing, Keshava, said unto him, "O Ashvatthama, be cool, and

without losing a moment strike and bear. The time has come for those that

are dependent on others to repay their obligation to their masters. The

disputes between brahmanas are subtle. The consequences, however, of the

disputes of kshatriyas are palpable, being either victory or defeat. For

obtaining those excellent rites of hospitality that from folly thou

solicitest at the hands of Partha, fight coolly now with the son of

Pandu." Thus addressed by Vasudeva, that foremost of regenerate ones,

replied saying, "So be it!" pierced Keshava with sixty shafts and Arjuna

with three. Arjuna then, filled with rage, cut off Ashvatthama's bow with

three shafts. Drona's son took up another bow that was still more

formidable. Stringing it within the twinkling of an eye, he pierced

Arjuna and Keshava, the latter with three hundred arrows, and the former

with a 1,000. And then Drona's son, with good care, stupefying Arjuna in

that battle, shot thousands and tens of thousands and millions of arrows.

From the quivers, the bow, the bow-string, the fingers, the arms, the

hands, the chest, the face, the nose, the eyes, the ears, the heads, the

limbs, the pores of the body, the armour on his person, the car, and the

standard, O sire, of that utterer of Brahma, arrows began to issue.

Piercing Madhava and the son of Pandu with the thick arrowy shower,

Drona's son filled with joy, roared aloud like a vast mass of congregated

clouds. Hearing that roar of his, the son of Pandu said unto Keshava of

unfading glory these words "Behold, O Madhava, this wickedness towards me

of the preceptor's son. He regardeth us to be slain, having shrouded us

with his dense arrowy shower. I will presently, however, by my training

and might, baffle his purpose." Cutting off every one of those arrows

shot by Ashvatthama into three fragments, that foremost one of Bharata's

race destroyed them all like the Sun destroying a thick fog. After this

the son of Pandu once more pierced with his fierce shafts, the

samsaptakas with their steeds, drivers, cars, elephants, standards and

foot-soldiers. Every one of those that stood there as spectators, every

one of those that were stationed there on foot or car or steed or

elephant, regarded himself as shrouded by the arrows of Arjuna. Shot from

Gandiva, those winged arrows of diverse forms slew in that battle

elephants and steeds and men whether stationed in his immediate front or

at the distance of two miles. The trunks, cut off with broad-headed

shafts, of elephants, down whose cheeks and other limbs flowed the juice

indicative of excitement, fell down like tall trees in the forest struck

down with the axe. A little after down fell elephants, huge as hillocks,

with their riders, like mountains crushed by Indra with his thunder. With

his shafts cutting into minute portions well-equipped cars that looked

like dissolving edifices of vapour in the evening sky and unto which were

yoked well-trained steeds of great speed and which were ridden by

warriors invincible in battle, the son of Pandu continued to shower his

arrows on his enemies. And Dhananjaya continued to slay well-decked

horsemen and foot-soldiers of the foe. Indeed, Dhananjaya, resembling the

very Sun as he rises at the end of the Yuga, dried up the samsaptaka

ocean incapable of being dried up easily, by means of keen arrows

constituting his rays. Without losing a moment, the son of Pandu once

more pierced Drona's son resembling a huge hill, with shafts of great

impetuosity and the splendour of the Sun, like the wielder of the

thunderbolt piercing a mountain with the thunder. Desirous of battle, the

preceptor's son then, filled with rage, approached Arjuna for piercing

him and his steeds and drivers by means of his swiftly coursing shafts.

Arjuna, however, quickly cut off the shafts shot at him by Ashvatthama.

The son of Pandu then filled with great wrath, proffered unto

Ashvatthama, that desirable guest, quivers upon quivers of arrows, like a

charitable person offering everything in his house unto a guest. Leaving

the samsaptakas then the son of Pandu rushed towards Drona's son like a

donor abandoning unworthy guests, for proceeding towards one that is

worthy."




17


"Sanjaya said, 'Then occurred that battle between Arjuna and Ashvatthama

resembling the planets Shukra and Brihaspati in splendour, like the

battle between Shukra and Brihaspati in the firmament for entering the

same constellation. Afflicting each other with blazing shafts that

constituted their rays, those terrifiers of the world stood like two

planets both deviating from their orbits. Then Arjuna deeply pierced

Ashvatthama with a shaft in the midst of his eyebrows. With that shaft

the son of Drona looked resplendent like the Sun with upward rays. The

two Krishnas (Nara and Narayana), also deeply afflicted by Ashvatthama

with hundreds of arrows, looked like two Suns at the end of the Yuga,

resplendent with their own rays. Then when Vasudeva seemed to be

stupefied, Arjuna shot a weapon from which issued torrents of shafts on

all sides. And he struck the son of Drona with innumerable shafts, each

resembling the thunder or fire or the sceptre of Death. Endued with

mighty energy, that achiever of fierce feats, (Ashvatthama) then pierced

both Keshava and Arjuna with well-shot shafts which were inspired with

great impetuosity and struck with which Death himself would feel pain.

Checking the shafts of Drona's son, Arjuna covered him with twice as many

arrows equipped with goodly wings, and shrouding that foremost of heroes

and his steeds and driver and standard, began to strike the samsaptakas.

With his well-shot shafts Partha began to cut off the bows and quivers

and bowstrings and hands and arms and tightly grasped weapons and

umbrellas and standards and steeds and car shafts and robes and floral

garlands and ornaments and coats of mail and handsome shields and

beautiful heads, in large numbers, of his unretreating foes.

Well-equipped cars and steeds and elephants, ridden by heroes fighting

with great care, were destroyed by the hundreds of shafts sped by Partha

and fell down along with the heroes that rode on them. Cut off with

broad-headed and crescent-shaped and razor-faced arrows, human heads,

resembling the lotus, the Sun, or the full Moon in beauty and resplendent

with diadems and necklaces and crowns, dropped ceaselessly on the earth.

Then the Kalinga, the Vanga, and the Nishada heroes, riding on elephants,

that resembled in splendour the elephant of the great foe of the daityas,

rushed with speed against the queller of the pride of the danavas, the

son of Pandu, from desire of slaying him. Partha cut off the vital limbs,

the trunks, the riders, the standards, and the banners of those

elephants, upon which those beasts fell down like mountain summits riven

with thunder. When that elephant force was broken, the diadem-decked

Arjuna shrouded the son of his preceptor with shafts endued with the

splendour of the newly risen Sun, like the wind shrouding the risen Sun

with masses of congregated clouds. Checking with his own shafts those of

Arjuna, Drona's son shrouding both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his arrows,

gave a loud roar, like a mass of clouds at the close of summer after

shrouding the Sun or the Moon in the firmament. Deeply afflicted with

those arrows, Arjuna, aiming his weapons at Ashvatthama and at those

followers of his belonging to the army, speedily dispelled that darkness

caused by Ashvatthama's arrows, and pierced all of them with shafts

equipped with goodly wings. In that battle none could see when Savyasaci

took up his shafts, when he aimed them, and when he let them off. All

that could be seen was that elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers and

car-warriors, struck with his arrows, fell down deprived of life. Then

Drona's son without losing a moment, aiming ten foremost of arrows, sped

them quickly as if they formed only one arrow. Shot with great force,

five of these pierced Arjuna and the other five pierced Vasudeva. Struck

with those arrows, those two foremost of men, like Kuvera and Indra,

became bathed in blood. Thus afflicted, all the people there regarded

those two heroes as slain by Ashvatthama the warrior who had completely

mastered the science of arms. Then the chief of the Dasharhas addressed

Arjuna and said, "Why errest thou in thus sparing Ashvatthama? Slay this

warrior. If treated with indifference, even this one will be the cause of

great woe, like a disease not sought to be put down by treatment."

Replying unto Keshava of unfading glory with the words "So be it!" Arjuna

of unclouded understanding began with good care to mangle the son of

Drona with his shafts. Now the son of Pandu, filled with rage, quickly

pierced the massive arms, smeared with sandal-paste, and the chest, the

head, and the unrivalled thighs of his antagonist with shafts equipped

with heads like goats' ears, and shot with great force from gandiva. Then

cutting off the traces of Ashvatthama's steeds, Arjuna began to pierce

the steeds themselves, whereat the latter bore Ashvatthama away to a

great distance from the field. Thus borne away by these steeds endued

with the speed of the wind, the intelligent son of Drona, deeply

afflicted with the shafts of Partha, reflecting for some time, wished not

to go back and renew the fight with Partha. Knowing that victory is ever

with the chief of the Vrishnis and with Dhananjaya, that foremost one of

Angirasa's race, endued with great activity, entered the army of Karna,

deprived of hope and with shafts and weapons almost exhausted. Indeed,

Drona's son, restraining his steeds, and having comforted himself a

little, O sire, entered the force of Karna, teeming with cars and steeds

and men. After Ashvatthama, that enemy of theirs, had been thus removed

from the field by his steeds like a disease removed from the body by

incantations and medicines and means, Keshava and Arjuna proceeded

towards the samsaptakas, on their car whose rattle resembled the roar of

the clouds and whose banner waved on the wind.'"




18


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile towards the northern part of the Pandava army,

a loud uproar arose of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers as

those were being massacred by Dandadhara. Turning the course of the car,

but without stopping the steeds which were as fleet as Garuda or the

wind, Keshava, addressing Arjuna, said, "The chief of the Magadhas, with

his (foe-crushing) elephant is unrivalled in prowess. In training and

might he is not inferior to Bhagadatta himself. Having slain him first,

thou wilt then slay the samsaptakas." At the conclusion of his words,

Keshava bore Partha to the presence of Dandadhara. The chief of the

Magadhas, peerless in handling the elephant-hook even as the headless

planet Ketu (is peerless) among all the planets, was destroying the

hostile army like a fierce comet destroying the whole earth. Riding on

his foe-slaying and well-equipped elephant which looked like the danava

with elephantine face and form, and whose roar resembled that of a

congregated mass of clouds, Dandadhara was destroying with his shafts

thousands of cars and steeds and elephants and men. The elephants also,

treading upon cars with their feet, pressed down into the Earth a large

number of men with their steeds and drivers. Many were the elephants,

also, which that foremost of elephants, crushed and slew with his two

forefeet and trunk. Indeed, the beast moved like the wheel of Death.

Slaying men adorned with steel coats of mail, along with their horses and

foot-soldiers, the chief of the Magadhas caused these to be pressed down

into the earth, like thick reeds pressed down with crackling sounds, by

means of that mighty and foremost of elephants belonging to him. Then

Arjuna, riding on that foremost of cars, rushed quickly towards that

prince of elephants in the midst of that host teeming with thousands of

cars and steeds and elephants, and resounding with the beat and blare of

innumerable cymbals and drums and conchs and uproarious with the clatter

of car-wheels, the twang of bow-strings, and the sound of palms. Even

Dandadhara pierced Arjuna with a dozen foremost of shafts and Janardana

with sixteen and each of the steeds with three, and then uttered a loud

shout and laughed repeatedly. Then Partha, with a number of broad-headed

shafts, cut off the bow of his antagonist with its string and arrow fixed

thereon, as also his well-decked standard, and then the guides of his

beast and the footmen that protected the animal. At this, the lord of

Girivraja became filled with rage. Desirous of agitating Janardana with

that tusker of his, whose temples had split from excitement, and which

resembled a mass of clouds and was endued with the speed of the wind,

Dandadhara struck Dhananjaya with many lances. The son of Pandu then,

with three razor-headed arrows, cut off, almost at the same instant of

time, the two arms each looking like the trunk of an elephant, and then

the head, resembling the full Moon, of his foe. Then Arjuna struck the

elephant of this antagonist with hundreds of arrows. Covered with the

gold-decked arrows of Partha, that elephant equipped with golden armour

looked as resplendent as a mountain in the night with its herbs and trees

blazing in a conflagration. Afflicted with the pain and roaring like a

mass of clouds, and exceedingly weakened, the elephant crying and

wandering and running with tottering steps, fell down with the guide on

its neck, like a mountain summit riven by thunder. Upon the fall of his

brother in battle, Danda advanced against Indra's younger brother and

Dhananjaya, desirous of slaying them, on his tusker white as snow and

adorned with gold and looking like a Himalayan summit. Danda struck

Janardana with three whetted lances bright as the rays of the sun, and

Arjuna with five, and uttered a loud shout. The son of Pandu then

uttering a loud shout cut off the two arms of Danda. Cut off by means of

razor-headed shafts, those two arms, smeared with sandal-paste, adorned

with angadas, and with lances in grasp, as they fell from the elephant's

back at the same instant of time, looked resplendent like a couple of

large snakes of great beauty falling down from a mountain summit. Cut off

with a crescent-shaped arrow by the diadem-decked (Partha), the head also

of Danda fell down on the Earth from the elephant's back, and covered

with blood it looked resplendent as it lay like the sun dropped from the

Asta mountain towards the western quarter. Then Partha pierced with many

excellent arrows bright as the rays of the sun that elephant of his foe,

resembling a mass of white clouds whereupon it fell down with a noise

like a Himalayan summit riven with thunder. Then other huge elephants

capable of winning victory and resembling the two already slain, were cut

off by Savyasaci, in that battle, even as the two (belonging to Danda and

Dandadhara) had been cut off. At this the vast hostile force broke. Then

elephants and cars and steeds and men, in dense throngs, clashed against

one another and fell down on the field. Tottering, they violently struck

one another and fell down deprived of life. Then his soldiers,

encompassing Arjuna like the celestials encompassing Purandara, began to

say, "O hero, that foe of whom we had been frightened like creatures at

the sight of Death himself, hath by good luck been slain by thee. If thou

hadst not protected from that fear those people that were so deeply

afflicted by mighty foes, then by this time our foes would have felt that

delight which we now feel at their death, O slayer of enemies." Hearing

these and other words uttered by friends and allies, Arjuna, with a

cheerful heart, worshipped those men, each according to his deserts, and

proceeded once more against the samsaptakas.'"




19


"Sanjaya said, 'Wheeling round, like the planet Mercury in the curvature

of its orbit, Jishnu (Arjuna) once more slew large number of the

samsaptakas. Afflicted with the shafts of Partha, O king, men, steeds,

and elephants, O Bharata, wavered and wondered and lost colour and fell

down and died. Many foremost of animals tied to yokes and drivers and

standards, and bows, and shafts and hands and weapons in grasp, and arms,

and heads, of heroic foes fighting with him, the son of Pandu cut off in

that battle, with arrows, some of which were broad-headed, some equipped

with heads like razors, some crescent-shaped, and some furnished with

heads like the calf's tooth. Like bulls fighting with a bull for the sake

of a cow in season, brave warriors by hundreds and thousands closed upon

Arjuna. The battle that took place between them and him made the hair to

stand on end like the encounter between the Daityas and Indra, the

wielder of the thunderbolt on the occasion of the conquest of the three

worlds. Then the son of Ugrayudha pierced Partha with three shafts

resembling three venomous snakes. Partha, however, cut off from his

enemy's trunk the latter's head. Then those warriors, filled with rage,

covered Arjuna from every side with diverse kinds of weapons like the

clouds urged by the Maruts shrouding Himavat at the close of summer.

Checking with his own weapons those of his foes on every side, Arjuna

slew a large number of his enemies with well-shot shafts. With his arrows

Arjuna then cut off the Trivenus, the steeds, the drivers, and the

parshni drivers of many cars, and displaced the weapons and quivers of

many, and deprived many of their wheels and standards, and broke the

cords, the traces and the axles of many, and destroyed the bottoms and

yokes of others, and caused all the equipment of many to fall from their

places. Those cars, thus smashed and injured by Arjuna in large numbers,

looked like the luxurious mansions of the rich destroyed by fire, wind,

and rain. Elephants, their vitals pierced with shafts resembling

thunderbolts in impetuosity, fell down like mansions on mountain-tops

overthrown by blasts of lightning. Large numbers of steeds with their

riders, struck by Arjuna, fell down on the Earth, their tongues and

entrails pressed out, themselves deprived of strength and bathed in

blood, and presenting an awful sight. Men and steeds and elephants,

pierced by Savyasaci (Arjuna) with his shafts, wondered and tottered and

fell down and uttered cries of pain and looked pale, O sire. Like

Mahendra smiting down the danavas, Partha smote down large numbers of his

foes, by means of shafts whetted on stone and resembling the thunder of

poison in deadliness. Brave warriors, cased in costly coats of mail and

decked with ornaments and armed with diverse kinds of weapons, lay on the

field, with their cars and standards, slain by Partha. Vanquished (and

deprived of life) persons of righteous deeds, possessed of noble birth

and great knowledge, proceeded to heaven in consequence of those glorious

deeds of theirs while their bodies only lay on Earth. Then the chief,

belonging to thy army, of various realms, filled with wrath and

accompanied by their followers, rushed against Arjuna, that foremost of

car-warriors. Warriors borne on their cars and steeds and elephants, and

foot-soldiers also, all desirous of slaying (Arjuna), rushed towards him,

shooting diverse weapons with great speed. Then Arjuna like wind, by

means of keen shafts, destroyed that thick shower of weapons dropped by

those warriors constituting a mass of congregated clouds. People then

beheld Arjuna crossing that raftless ocean constituted by steeds and

foot-soldiers and elephants and cars, and having mighty weapons for its

waves, on a bridge constituted by his own mighty weapons of offence and

defence. Then Vasudeva, addressing Partha, said, "Why, O sinless one,

dost thou sport in this way? Grinding these samsaptakas, haste thyself

for Karna's slaughter." Saying, "So be it" unto Krishna, Arjuna then,

forcibly smiting the remnant of the samsaptakas with his weapons, began

to destroy them like Indra destroying the Daityas. At that time, with

even the closest attention, men could not mark when Arjuna took out his

shafts, when he aimed them and when he let them off quickly. Govinda

himself, O Bharata, regarded it wonderful. Like swans diving into a lake

the shafts of Arjuna, white and active as swans, penetrated into the

hostile force. Then Govinda, beholding the field of battle during the

progress of that carnage, said these words to Savyasaci, "Here, O Partha,

for the sake of Duryodhana alone, occurreth this great and terrible

destruction of the Bharatas and other kings of Earth. Behold, O son of

Bharata, these bows, with golden backs, of many mighty bowmen, and these

girdles and quivers loosened from their bodies. Behold these straight

shafts equipped with wings of gold, and these long arrows washed with oil

and looking like snakes freed from their sloughs. Behold these beautiful

lances decked with gold lying scattered about, and these coats of mail, O

Bharata, adorned with gold and fallen off from the bodies of the

warriors. Behold these spears embellished with gold, these darts adorned

with the same metal, and these huge maces twined round with threads of

gold, and cords of hemp. Behold these swords decked with bright gold and

these axes adorned with the same, and these battle-axes equipped with

gold-decked handles. Behold also these spiked clubs, these short arrows,

these Bhusundis, and these Kanapas; these iron Kuntas lying around, and

these heavy Mushalas. These victory-longing warriors endued with great

activity and armed with diverse weapons, though dead, still seem to be

quick with life. Behold those thousands of warriors, their limbs crushed

with maces, and heads split with Mushalas or smashed and trod by

elephants and steeds and cars. O slayer of foes, the field of battle is

strewn with the bodies of men and elephants and steeds, deprived of life,

dreadfully mangled with shafts and darts and swords and lances and

scimitars and axes and spears and Nakharas and bludgeons, and bathed in

streams of blood. Strewn with arms smeared with sandal-paste and decked

with Angadas and graced with auspicious indications and cased in leathern

fences and adorned with Keyuras, the Earth looks resplendent, O Bharata.

Strewn also with hands having fingers cased in fences, decked with

ornaments, and lopped off from arms, and with severed thighs looking like

the trunks of elephants, of heroes endued with great activity and with

heads adorned with earrings and headgears set with gems, (the Earth looks

exceedingly beautiful). Behold those beautiful cars, decked with golden

bells, broken in diverse ways. Behold those numerous steeds bathed in

blood, those bottoms of cars and long quivers, and diverse kinds of

standards and banners and those huge conchs, of the combatants, and those

yak-tails perfectly white, and those elephants with tongues lolling out

and lying on the field like hills, and those beautiful with triumphal

banners, and those slain elephant-warriors, and those rich coverlets,

each consisting of one piece of blanket, for the backs of those huge

beasts, and those beautiful and variegated and torn blankets, and those

numerous bells loosened from the bodies of elephants and broken into

fragments by those falling creatures, and those hooks with handles set

with stones of lapis lazuli fallen upon the Earth, and those ornamental

yokes of steeds, and those armours set with diamonds for their breasts

and those rich cloths, adorned with gold and tied to the ends of the

standards borne by horsemen, and those variegated coverlets and housings

and Ranku skins, set with brilliant gems and inlaid with gold, for the

backs of steeds and fallen on the ground, and those large diamonds

adorning the head-gears of kings, and those beautiful necklaces of gold,

and those umbrellas displaced from their positions, and those yak-tails

and fans. Behold the earth strewn with faces adorned with earrings bright

as the moon or stars, and embellished with well-cut beards, and each

looking like the full moon. The earth, strewn with those faces looking

like lilies and lotuses, resembles a lake adorned with a dense assemblage

of lilies and lotuses. Behold, the earth possessing the effulgence of the

bright moon and diversified as if with myriads of stars, looks like the

autumnal firmament bespangled with stellar lights. O Arjuna, these feats

that have been achieved by thee in great battle today are, indeed, worthy

of thee or of the chief of the celestials himself in heaven." Even thus

did Krishna show the field of battle unto Arjuna. And while returning

(from the field to their camp), they heard a loud noise in the army of

Duryodhana. Indeed the uproar that was heard consisted of the blare of

conchs and the beat of cymbals and drums and Patahas and the clatter of

car wheels, the neighing of steeds, the grunt of elephants, and the

fierce clash of weapons. Penetrating into that force by the aid of his

steeds possessing the fleetness of the wind, Krishna became filled with

wonder upon beholding the army grinded by Pandya. Like Yama himself

slaying creatures whose lives have run out, Pandya, that foremost of

warriors skilled in shafts and weapons, was destroying crowds of foes by

means of diverse kinds of shafts. Piercing the bodies of the elephants

and steeds and men with sharp shafts, that foremost of smiters overthrew

and deprived them of life. Cutting off with his own shafts the diverse

weapons hurled at him by many foremost of foes, Pandya slew his enemies

like Sakra (Indra) destroying the Danavas.'"




20


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Thou didst mention to me before the name of Pandya,

that hero of world-wide celebrity, but his feats, O Sanjaya, in battle

have never been narrated by thee. Tell me today in detail of the prowess

of that great hero, his skill, spirit, and energy, the measure of his

might, and his pride.'


"Sanjaya said, 'Bhishma and Drona and Kripa and Drona's son and Karna and

Arjuna and Janardana, those thorough masters of the science of weapons,

are regarded by thee as the foremost of car-warriors. Know, however, that

Pandya regarded himself superior to all these foremost of car-warriors in

energy. Indeed he never regarded any one amongst the kings as equal to

himself. He never admitted his equality with Karna and Bhishma. Nor did

he admit within his heart that he was inferior in any respect to Vasudeva

or Arjuna. Even such was Pandya, that foremost of kings, that first of

wielder of weapons. Filled with rage like the Destroyer himself, Pandya

at the time was slaughtering the army of Karna. That force, swelling with

cars and steeds and teeming with foremost of foot-soldiers, struck by

Pandya, began to turn round like the potter's wheel. Like the wind

dispersing a mass of congregated clouds, Pandya, with his well shot

arrows, began to disperse that force, destroying its steeds and drivers

and standards and cars and causing its weapons and elephants to fall

down. Like the splitter of mountains striking down mountains with his

thunder, Pandya overthrew elephants with their riders, having previously

cut down the standards and banners and weapons with which they were

armed, as also the foot-soldiers that protected those beasts. And he cut

down horses, and horsemen with their darts and lances and quivers.

Mangling with his shafts the Pulindas, the Khasas, the Bahlikas, the

Nishadas, the Andhakas, the Tanganas, the Southerners, and the Bhojas,

all of whom, endued with great courage, were unyielding and obstinate in

battle, and divesting them of their weapons and coats of mail, Pandya

deprived them of their lives. Beholding Pandya destroying with his shafts

in battle that host consisting of four kinds of forces, the son of Drona

fearlessly proceeded towards that fearless warrior. Fearlessly addressing

in sweet words that warrior who then seemed to dance on his car, Drona's

son, that foremost of smiters, smiling the while, summoned him and said,

"O king, O thou with eyes like the petals of the lotus, thy birth is

noble and learning great. Of celebrated might and prowess, thou

resemblest Indra himself. Stretching with thy two massive arms the bow

held by thee and whose large string is attached to thy grasp, thou

lookest beautiful like a mass of congregated clouds as thou pourest over

thy foes thick showers of impetuous shafts. I do not see anybody save

myself that can be a match for thee in battle. Alone thou crushest

numerous cars and elephants and foot-soldiers and steeds, like the

fearless lion of terrible might crushing herds of deer in the forest.

Making the welkin and the Earth resound with the loud clatter of thy

car-wheels thou lookest resplendent, O king, like a crop-destroying

autumnal cloud of loud roars. Taking out of thy quiver and shooting thy

keen shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison fight with myself only,

like (the asura) Andhaka fighting with the three-eyed deity." Thus

addressed, Pandya answered, "So be it." Then Drona's son, telling him

"Strike," assailed him with vigour. In return, Malayadhwaja pierced the

son of Drona with a barbed arrow. Then Drona's son, that best of

preceptors, smiling the while, struck Pandya with some fierce arrows,

capable of penetrating into the very vitals and resembling flames of

fire. Then Ashvatthama once more sped at his foe some other large arrows

equipped with keen points and capable of piercing the very vitals,

causing them to course through the welkin with the ten different kinds of

motion. Pandya, however, with nine shafts of his cut off all those arrows

of his antagonist. With four other shafts he afflicted the four steeds of

his foe, at which they speedily expired. Having then, with his sharp

shafts, cut off the arrows of Drona's son, Pandya then cut off the

stretched bow-string of Ashvatthama, endued with the splendour of the

sun. Then Drona's son, that slayer of foes, stringing his unstringed bow,

and seeing that his men had meanwhile speedily yoked other excellent

steeds unto his car, sped thousands of arrows (at his foe). By this, that

regenerate one filled the entire welkin and the ten points of the compass

with his arrows. Although knowing that those shafts of the high-souled

son of Drona employed in shooting were really inexhaustible, yet Pandya,

that bull among men, cut them all into pieces. The antagonist of

Ashvatthama, carefully cutting off all those shafts shot by the latter,

then slew with his own keen shafts the two protectors of the latter's car

wheels in that encounter. Beholding the lightness of hand displayed by

his foe, Drona's son, drawing his bow to a circle, began to shoot his

arrows like a mass of clouds pouring torrents of rain. During that space

of time, O sire, which consisted only of the eighth part of a day, the

son of Drona shot as many arrows as were carried on eight carts each

drawn by eight bullocks. Almost all those men that then beheld

Ashvatthama, who at the time looked like the Destroyer himself filled

with rage, or rather the Destroyer of the Destroyer, lost their senses.

Like a mass of clouds at the close of summer drenching with torrents of

rain, the Earth with her mountains and trees, the preceptor's son poured

on that hostile force his arrowy shower. Baffling with the Vayavya weapon

that unbearable shower of arrows shot by the Ashvatthama-cloud, the

Pandya-wind, filled with joy, uttered loud roars. Then Drona's son

cutting off the standard, smeared with sandal-paste and other perfumed

unguents and bearing the device of the Malaya mountain on it, of the

roaring Pandya, slew the four steeds of the latter. Slaying then his

foe's driver with a single shaft, and cutting off with a crescent-shaped

arrow the bow also of that warrior whose twang resembled the roar of the

clouds, Ashvatthama cut off his enemy's car into minute fragments.

Checking with the weapons those of his enemy, and cutting off all the

weapons of the latter, Drona's son, although he obtained the opportunity

to do his enemy the crowning evil, still slew him not, from desire of

battling with him for some time more. Meanwhile Karna rushed against the

large elephant force of the Pandavas and began to rout and destroy it.

Depriving car-warriors of their cars, he struck elephants and steeds and

human warriors, O Bharata, with innumerable straight shafts. That mighty

bowman, the son of Drona, although he had made Pandya, that slayer of

foes and foremost of car-warriors, carless, yet he did not slay him from

desire of fight. At that time a huge riderless elephant with large tusks,

well-equipped with all utensils of war, treading with speed, endued with

great might, quick to proceed against any enemy, struck with

Ashvatthama's shafts, advanced towards the direction of Pandya with great

impetuosity, roaring against a hostile compeer. Beholding that prince of

elephants, looking like a cloven mountain summit, Pandya, who was well

acquainted with the method of fighting from the neck of an elephant,

quickly ascended that beast like a lion springing with a loud roar to the

top of a mountain summit. Then that lord of the prince of mountains,

striking the elephant with the hook, and inspired with rage, and with

that cool care for which he was distinguished in hurling weapons with

great force, quickly sped a lance, bright as Surya's rays, at the

preceptor's son and uttered a loud shout. Repeatedly shouting in joy,

"Thou art slain, Thou art slain!" Pandya (with that lance) crushed to

pieces the diadem of Drona's son adorned with foremost of jewels and

diamonds of the first water and the very best kind of gold and excellent

cloth and strings of pearls. That diadem possessed of the splendour of

the Sun, the Moon, the planets, or the fire, in consequence of the

violence of the stroke, fell down, split into fragments, like a mountain

summit riven by Indra's thunder, falling down on the Earth with great

noise. At this, Ashvatthama blazed up with exceeding rage like a prince

of snakes struck with the foot, and took up four and ten shafts capable

of inflicting great pain upon foes and each resembling the Destroyer's

rod. With five of those shafts he cut off the four feet and the trunk of

his adversary's elephant, and with three the two arms and the head of the

king, and with six he slew the six mighty car-warriors, endued with great

effulgence, that followed king Pandya. Those long and well-rounded arms

of the king, smeared with excellent sandal-paste, and adorned with gold

and pearls and gems and diamonds falling upon the Earth, began to writhe

like a couple of snakes slain by Garuda. That head also, graced with a

face bright as the full Moon, having a prominent nose and a pair of large

eyes, red as copper with rage, adorned with earrings, falling on the

ground, looked resplendent like the Moon himself between two bright

constellations. The elephant, thus cut off by that skilful warrior into

six pieces with those five shafts and the king into four pieces with

those three shafts lay divided in all into ten pieces that looked like

the sacrificial butter distributed into ten portions intended for the ten

deities. Having cut off numerous steeds and men and elephants into pieces

and offered them as food into the Rakshasas, king Pandya was thus quieted

by Drona's son with his shafts like a blazing fire in a crematorium,

extinguished with water after it has received a libation in the shape of

a lifeless body. Then like the chief of the celestials joyfully

worshipping Vishnu after the subjugation of the Asura Vali, thy son, the

king, accompanied by his brothers approaching the preceptor's son

worshipped with great respect that warrior who is a complete master of

the science of arms, after indeed, he had completed the task he had

undertaken."




21


"Dhritarashtra said, 'When Pandya had been slain and when that foremost

of heroes, viz., Karna was employed in routing and destroying the foe,

what, O Sanjaya, did Arjuna do in battle? That son of Pandu is a hero,

endued with great might, attentive to his duties, and a complete master

of the science of arms. The high-souled Sankara himself hath made him

invincible among all creatures. My greatest fears proceed from that

Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes. Tell me, O Sanjaya, all that Partha

achieved there on that occasion.'


"Sanjaya said, 'After Pandya's fall, Krishna quickly said unto Arjuna

these beneficial words, "I do not behold the King. The other Pandavas

also have retreated. If the Parthas had returned, the vast force of the

enemy would have been broken. In fulfilment of purposes entertained by

Ashvatthama, Karna is slaying the Srinjayas. A great carnage is being

made (by that warrior) of steeds and car-warriors and elephants." Thus

the heroic Vasudeva represented everything unto the diadem-decked

(Arjuna). Hearing of and beholding that great danger of his brother

(Yudhishthira), Partha quickly addressed Krishna, saying, "Urge the

steeds, O Hrishikesha." Then Hrishikesha proceeded on that irresistible

car. The encounter then that once more took place became exceedingly

fierce. The Kurus and the Pandavas once more fearlessly closed with each

other, that is, the Parthas headed by Bhimasena and ourselves headed by

the Suta's son. Then, O best of kings, there once more commenced a battle

between Karna and the Pandavas that swelled the population of Yama's

kingdom. With bows and arrows and spiked clubs and swords and lances and

axes and short clubs and Bhushundis and darts and rapiers and battle-axes

and maces and spears and polished Kuntas, and short shafts and hooks, the

combatants quickly fell upon one another, desirous of taking one

another's life. Filling the welkin, the cardinal points of the compass,

the subsidiary ones, the firmament, and the Earth, with the whizz of

arrows, the twang of bow-strings, the sound of palms, and the clatter of

car-wheels, foes rushed upon foes. Gladdened by that loud noise, heroes,

fought with heroes desirous of reaching the end of the hostilities. Loud

became the noise caused by the sound of bow-strings and fences and bows,

the grunt of elephants, and the shouts of foot-soldiers and falling men.

Hearing the terrible whizz of arrows and the diverse shouts of brave

warriors, the troops took fright, became pale, and fell down. Large

numbers of those foes thus employed in shouting and shooting weapons, the

heroic son of Adhiratha crushed with his arrows. With his shafts Karna

then despatched to Yama's abode twenty car-warriors among the brave

Pancala heroes, with their steeds, drivers, and standards. Then many

foremost of warriors of the Pandava army, endued with great energy and

quick in the use of weapons, speedily wheeling round, encompassed Karna

on all sides. Karna agitated that hostile force with showers of weapons

like the leader of an elephantine herd plunging into a lake adorned with

lotuses and covered with swans. Penetrating into the midst of his foes,

the son of Radha, shaking his best of bows, began to strike off and fell

their heads with his sharp shafts. The shield and coats of mail of the

warriors, cut off, fell down on the Earth. There was none amongst them

that needed the touch of a second arrow of Karna's. Like a driver

striking the steeds with the whip, Karna, with his shafts capable of

crushing coats of mail and bodies and the life that quickened them,

struck the fences (of his foes) perceivable only by their bow-strings.

Like a lion grinding herds of deer, Karna speedily grinded all those

Pandus and Srinjayas and Pancalas that came within range of his arrows.

Then the chief of the Pancalas, and the sons of Draupadi, O sire, and the

twins, and Yuyudhana, uniting together, proceeded against Karna. When

those Kurus, and Pancalas and Pandus were thus engaged in battle, the

other warriors, reckless of their very lives, began to strike at one

another. Well-cased in armour and coats of mail and adorned with

head-gears, combatants endued with great strength rushed at their foes,

with maces and short clubs and spiked bludgeons looking like uplifted

rods of the Destroyer, and jumping, O sire, and challenging one another,

uttered loud shouts. They struck one another, and fell down, assailed by

one another with blood rising from their limbs and deprived of brains and

eyes and weapons. Covered with weapons, some, as they lay there with

faces beautiful as pomegranates, having teeth-adorned mouths filled with

blood, seemed to be alive. Others, in that vast ocean of battle, filled

with rage mangled or cut or pierced or overthrew or lopped off or slew

one another with battle-axes and short arrows and hooks and spears and

lances. Slain by one another they fell down, covered with blood and

deprived of life like sandal trees cut down with the axe falling down and

shedding as they fall their cool blood-red juice. Cars destroyed by cars,

elephants by elephants, men by men, and steeds by steeds, fell down in

thousands. Standards, and heads, and umbrellas, and elephants, trunks,

and human arms, cut off with razor-faced or broad-headed or

crescent-shaped arrows, fell down on the Earth. Large numbers also of

men, and elephants, and cars with steed yoked thereto, were crushed in

that battle. Many brave warriors, slain by horsemen, fell down, and many

tuskers, with their trunks cut off, and banners and standards (on their

bodies), fell down like fallen mountains. Assailed by foot-soldiers, many

elephants and cars, destroyed or in course of destruction, fell down on

all sides. Horsemen, encountering foot-soldiers with activity, were slain

by the latter. Similarly crowds of foot-soldiers, slain by horsemen, laid

themselves down on the field. The faces and the limbs of those slain in

that dreadful battle looked like crushed lotuses and faded floral

wreaths. The beautiful forms of elephants and steeds and human beings, O

king, then resembled cloths foul with dirt, and became exceedingly

repulsive to look at.'"




22


"Sanjaya said, 'Many elephant-warriors riding on their beasts, urged by

thy son, proceeded against Dhrishtadyumna, filled with rage and desirous

of compassing his destruction. Many foremost of combatants skilled in

elephant-fight, belonging to the Easterners, the Southerners, the Angas,

the Vangas, the Pundras, the Magadhas, the Tamraliptakas, the Mekalas,

the Koshalas, the Madras, the Dasharnas, the Nishadas uniting with the

Kalingas, O Bharata, and showering shafts and lances and arrows like

pouring clouds, drenched the Pancala force therewith in that battle.

Prishata's son covered with his arrows and shafts those (foe-crushing)

elephants urged forward by their riders with heels and toes and hooks.

Each of those beasts that were huge as hills, the Pancala hero pierced

with ten, eight, or six whetted shafts, O Bharata. Beholding the prince

of the Pancalas shrouded by those elephants like the Sun by the clouds,

the Pandus and the Pancalas proceeded towards him (for his rescue)

uttering loud roars and armed with sharp weapons. Pouring their weapons

upon those elephants, those warriors began to dance the dance of heroes,

aided by the music of their bow-strings and the sound of their palms, and

urged by heroes beating the time. Then Nakula and Sahadeva, and the sons

of Draupadi, and the Prabhadrakas, and Satyaki, and Shikhandi, and

Chekitana endued with great energy,--all those heroes--drenched those

elephants from every side with their weapons, like the clouds drenching

the hills with their showers. Those furious elephants, urged on by

mleccha warriors dragging down with their trunks men and steeds and cars,

crushed them with their feet. And some they pierced with the points of

their tusks, and some they raised aloft and dashed down on the ground;

others taken aloft on the tusks of those huge beasts, fell down inspiring

spectators with fear. Then Satyaki, piercing the vitals of the elephant

belonging to the king of the Vangas staying before him, with a long shaft

endued with great impetuosity, caused it to fall down on the field of

battle. Then Satyaki pierced with another long shaft the chest of the

rider whom he could not hitherto touch, just as the latter was about to

jump from the back of his beast. Thus struck by Satwata, he fell down on

the Earth.


"'Meanwhile Sahadeva, with three shafts shot with great care, struck the

elephant of Pundra, as it advanced against him like a moving mountain,

depriving it of its standard and driver and armour and life. Having thus

cut off that elephant, Sahadeva proceeded against the chief of the Angas.


"'Nakula, however, causing Sahadeva to desist, himself afflicted the

ruler of the Angas with three long shafts, each resembling the rod of

Yama, and his foe's elephant with a hundred arrows. Then the ruler of the

Angas hurled at Nakula eight hundred lances bright as the rays of the

Sun. Each of these Nakula cut off into three fragments. The son of Pandu

then cut off the head of his antagonist with a crescent-shaped arrow. At

this that mleccha king, deprived of life, fell down with the animal he

rode. Upon the fall of the prince of the Angas who was well-skilled in

elephant-lore, the elephant-men of the Angas, filled with rage, proceeded

with speed against Nakula, on their elephants decked with banners that

waved in the air, possessing excellent mouths, adorned with housings of

gold, and looking like blazing mountains, from desire of crushing him to

pieces. And many Mekalas and Utkalas, and Kalingas, and Nishadas, and

Tamraliptakas, also advanced against Nakula, showering their shafts and

lances, desirous of slaying him. Then the Pandus, the Pancalas, and the

Somakas, filled with rage, rushed with speed for the rescue of Nakula

shrouded by those warriors like the Sun by the clouds. Then occurred a

fierce battle between those car-warriors and elephant-men, the former

showering their arrows and shafts the latter their lances by thousands.

The frontal globes and other limbs and the tusks and adornments of the

elephants, exceedingly pierced with shafts, were split and mangled. Then

Sahadeva, with four and sixty impetuous arrows, quickly slew eight of

those huge elephants which fell down with their riders. And Nakula also,

that delighter of his race, bending his excellent bow with great vigour,

with many straight shafts, slew many elephants. Then the Pancala prince,

and the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and the sons of Draupadi and the

Prabhadrakas, and Shikhandi, drenched those huge elephants with showers

of shafts. Then in consequence of those rain-charged clouds constituted

by the Pandava warriors, those hills constituted by the elephants of the

foe, fell, struck down by torrents of rain formed by their numerous

shafts, like real mountains struck down with a thunder-storm. Those

leaders of the Pandava car-warriors then, thus slaying those elephants of

thine cast their eyes on the hostile army, which, as it fled away at that

time resembled a river whose continents had been washed away. Those

warriors of Pandu's son, having thus agitated that army of thine,

agitated it once more, and then rushed against Karna.'"




23


"Sanjaya said, 'While Sahadeva, filled with rage, was thus blasting thy

host, Duhshasana, O great king, proceeded against him, the brother

against the brother. Beholding those two engaged in dreadful combat, all

the great car-warriors uttered leonine shouts and waved their garments.

Then, O Bharata, the mighty son of Pandu was struck in the chest with

three arrows by thy angry son armed with bow. Then Sahadeva, O king,

having first pierced thy son with an arrow, pierced him again with

seventy arrows, and then his driver with three. Then Duhshasana, O

monarch, having cut off Sahadeva's bow in that great battle, pierced

Sahadeva himself with three and seventy arrows in the arms and the chest.

Then Sahadeva filled with rage, took up a sword, in that dreadful

conflict, and whirling, hurled it quickly towards the car of thy son.

Cutting off Duhshasana's bow with string and arrow fixed on it, that

large sword fell down on the Earth like a snake from the firmament. Then

the valiant Sahadeva taking up another bow, shot a deadly shaft at

Duhshasana. The Kuru warrior, however, with his keen-edged sword, cut off

into two fragments that shaft, bright as the rod of Death, as it coursed

towards him. Then whirling that sharp sword, Duhshasana quickly hurled it

in that battle as his foe. Meanwhile that valiant warrior took up another

bow with a shaft. Sahadeva, however, with the greatest ease, cut off,

with his keen shafts, that sword as it coursed towards him, and caused it

to fall down in that battle. Then, O Bharata, thy son, in that dreadful

battle, quickly sped four and sixty shafts at the car of Sahadeva.

Sahadeva, however, O king, cut off every one of those numerous arrows as

they coursed with great impetuosity towards him, with five shafts of his.

Checking then those mighty shafts sped by thy son, Sahadeva, in that

battle, sped a large number of arrows at his foe. Cutting off each of

those shafts with three shafts of his, thy son uttered a loud shout,

making the whole Earth resound with it. Then Duhshasana, O king, having

pierced Sahadeva in that battle, struck the latter's driver with nine

arrows. The valiant Sahadeva then, O monarch, filled with rage, fixed on

his bow-string a terrible shaft resembling the Destroyer himself and

forcibly drawing the bow, he sped that shaft at thy son. Piercing with

great speed through his strong armour and body, that shaft entered the

Earth, O king, like a snake penetrating into an ant-hill. Then thy son,

that great car-warrior, swooned away, O king. Beholding him deprived of

his senses, his driver quickly took away the car, himself forcibly struck

all the while with keen arrows. Having vanquished the Kuru warrior thus,

the son of Pandu, beholding Duryodhana's division, began to crush it on

all sides. Indeed, O king, as a man excited with wrath crushes swarm of

ants, even so, O Bharata did that son of Pandu begin to crush the Kaurava

host.'"




24


"Sanjaya said, 'While Nakula was employed in destroying and routing the

Kaurava divisions in battle with great force, Vikartana's son Karna,

filled with rage, checked him, O king. Then Nakula smiling the while,

addressed Karna, and said, "After a long time, through the favour of the

gods, I am seen by thee, and thou also, O wretch, dost become the object

of my sight. Thou art the root of all these evils, this hostility, this

quarrel. It is through thy faults that the Kauravas are being thinned,

encountering one another. Slaying thee in battle today, I will regard

myself as one that has achieved his object, and the fever of my heart

will be dispelled." Thus addressed by Nakula, the Suta's son said unto

him the following words befitting a prince and a bowman in particular,

"Strike me, O hero. We desire to witness thy manliness. Having achieved

some feats in battle, O brave warrior, thou shouldst then boast. O sire,

they that are heroes fight in battle to the best of their powers, without

indulging in brag. Fight now with me to the best of thy might. I will

quell thy pride." Having said these words the Suta's son quickly struck

the son of Pandu and pierced him, in that encounter, with three and

seventy shafts. Then Nakula, O Bharata, thus pierced by the Suta's son,

pierced the latter in return with eighty shafts resembling snakes of

virulent poison. Then Karna, that great bowman, cutting off his

antagonist's bow with a number of arrows winged with gold and whetted on

stone, afflicted him with thirty arrows. Those arrows, piercing through

his armour drank his blood in that battle, like the Nagas of virulent

poison drinking water after having pierced through the Earth. Then

Nakula, taking up another formidable bow whose back was decked with gold,

pierced Karna with twenty arrows and his driver with three. Then, O

monarch, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., Nakula, filled with rage,

cut off Karna's bow with a razor-headed shaft of great keenness. Smiling

the while, the heroic son of Pandu then struck the bowless Karna, that

foremost of car-warriors, with three hundred arrows. Beholding Karna thus

afflicted, O sire, by the son of Pandu, all the carwarriors there, with

the gods (in the welkin), were filled with great wonder. Then Vikartana's

son Karna taking up another bow, struck Nakula with five arrows in the

shoulder-joint. With those arrows sticking to him here, the son of Madri

looked resplendent like the Sun with his own rays while shedding his

light on the Earth. Then Nakula piercing Karna with seven shafts, once

more, O sire, cut off one of the horns of Karna's bow. Then Karna, taking

up in that battle a tougher bow, filled the welkin on every side of

Nakula with his arrows. The mighty car-warrior, Nakula, however, thus

suddenly shrouded with the arrows shot from Karna's bow quickly cut off

all those shafts with shafts of his own. Then was seen overspread in the

welkin a vast number of arrows like to the spectacle presented by the sky

when it is filled with myriads of roving fireflies. Indeed, the sky

shrouded with those hundreds of arrows shot (by both the warriors)

looked, O monarch, as if it was covered with flights of locusts. Those

arrows, decked with gold, issuing repeatedly in continuous lines, looked

beautiful like rows of cranes while flying through the welkin. When the

sky was thus covered with showers of arrows and the sun himself hid from

the view, no creature ranging the air could descend on the Earth. When

all sides were thus covered with showers of arrows, those two high-souled

warriors looked resplendent like two Suns risen at the end of the Yuga.

Slaughtered with the shafts issuing from Karna's bow the Somakas, O

monarch, greatly afflicted and feeling much pain, began to breathe their

last. Similarly, thy warriors, struck with the shafts of Nakula,

dispersed on all sides, O king, like clouds tossed by the wind. The two

armies thus slaughtered by those two warriors with their mighty celestial

shafts, retreated from the range of those arrows and stood as spectators

of the encounter. When both the armies were driven off by means of the

shafts of Karna and Nakula, those two high-souled warriors began to

pierce each other with showers of shafts. Displaying their celestial

weapons on the field of battle, they quickly shrouded each other, each

desirous of compassing the destruction of the other. The shafts shot by

Nakula, dressed with Kanka and peacock feathers, shrouding the Suta's

son, seemed to stay in the welkin. Similarly, the shafts sped by the

Suta's son in that dreadful battle, shrouding the son of Pandu, seemed to

stay in the welkin. Shrouded within arrowy chambers, both the warriors

became invisible, like the Sun and the Moon, O king, hidden by the

clouds. Then Karna, filled with rage and assuming a terrible aspect in

the battle, covered the son of Pandu with showers of arrows from every

side. Completely covered, O monarch, by the Suta's son, the son of Pandu

felt no pain like the Maker of day when covered by the clouds. The son of

Adhiratha then, smiling the while, sped arrowy lines, O sire, in hundreds

and thousands, in that battle. With those shafts of the high-souled

Karna, an extensive shade seemed to rest on the field of battle. Indeed,

with those excellent shafts constantly issuing out (of his bow), a shade

was caused there like that formed by the clouds. Then Karna, O monarch,

cutting off the bow of the high-souled Nakula, felled the latter's driver

from the car-niche with the greatest ease. With four keen shafts, next,

he quickly despatched the four steeds of Nakula, O Bharata, to the abode

of Yama. With his shafts, he also cut off into minute fragments that

excellent car of his antagonist as also his standard and the protectors

of his car-wheels, and mace, and sword, and shield decked with a hundred

moons, and other utensils and equipments of battle. Then Nakula,

steedless and carless and armourless, O monarch, quickly alighting from

his car, stood, armed with a spiked bludgeon. Even that terrible

bludgeon, so uplifted by the son of Pandu, the Suta's son, O king, cut

off with many keen arrows capable of bearing a great strain. Beholding

his adversary weaponless. Karna began to strike him with many straight

shafts, but took care not to afflict him greatly. Thus struck in that

battle by that mighty warrior accomplished in weapons, Nakula, O king,

fled away precipitately in great affliction. Laughing repeatedly, the son

of Radha pursued him and placed his stringed bow, O Bharata, around the

neck of the retreating Nakula. With the large bow around his neck, O

king, the son of Pandu looked resplendent like Moon in the firmament when

within a circular halo of light, or a white cloud girdled round by

Indra's bow. Then Karna, addressing him, said, "The words thou hadst

uttered were futile. Canst thou utter them now once more in joy,

repeatedly struck as thou art by me? Do not, O son of Pandu, fight again

with those amongst the Kurus that are possessed of greater might. O

child, fight with them that are thy equals. Do not, O son of Pandu, feel

any shame for it. Return home, O son of Madri, or go thither where

Krishna and Phalguna are." Having addressed him thus he abandoned him

then. Acquainted with morality as the brave Karna was, he did not then

slay Nakula who was already within the jaws of death. Recollecting the

words of Kunti, O king, Karna let Nakula go. The son of Pandu, thus let

off, O king, by that bowman, Suta's son, proceeded towards Yudhishthira's

car in great shame. Scorched by the Suta's son, he then ascended his

brother's car, and burning with grief he continued to sigh like a snake

kept within a jar. Meanwhile Karna, having vanquished Nakula, quickly

proceeded against the Pancalas, riding on that car of his which bore many

gorgeous pennons and whose steeds were as white as the Moon. There, O

monarch, a great uproar arose among the Pandavas when they saw the leader

of the Kaurava army proceeding towards the Pancala car-throngs. The

Suta's son, O monarch, made a great massacre there at that hour when the

Sun had reached the meridian, that puissant warrior careering all the

while with the activity of a wheel. We beheld many Pancala car-warriors

borne away from the battle on their steedless and driverless cars with

broken wheels and broken axles and with standards and pennons also that

were broken and torn, O sire. And many elephants were seen to wander

there in all directions (with limbs scorched by arrows) like individuals

of their species in the wide forest with limbs scorched and burned in a

forest conflagration. Others with their frontal globes split open, or

bathed in blood, or with trunks lopped off, or with their armour cut

down, or their tails lopped off, fell down, struck by the high-souled

Karna, like straggling clouds. Other elephants, frightened by the shafts

and lances of Radha's son proceeded against Radha's son himself like

insects towards a blazing fire. Other huge elephants were seen striking

against one another and shedding blood from various limbs like mountains

with rillets running down their breasts. Steeds of the foremost breed,

divested of breast-plates and their ornaments of silver and brass and

gold, destitute of trappings and bridle-bits and yak-tails and

saddle-cloths, with quivers fallen off from their backs, and with their

heroic riders,--ornaments of battle,--slain, were seen wandering here and

there on the field. Pierced and cut with lances and scimitars and swords,

O Bharata, we beheld many a horseman adorned with armour and head-gear,

slain or in course of being slain or trembling with fear, and deprived, O

Bharata, of diverse limbs. Cars also, decked with gold, and unto which

were yoked steeds of great fleetness, were seen by us dragged with

exceeding speed hither and thither, their riders having been slain. Some

of these had their axles and poles broken, and some, O Bharata, had their

wheels broken; and some were without banners and standards, and some were

divested of their shafts. Many car-warriors also were seen there, by us,

O monarch, wandering all around, deprived of their cars and scorched with

the shafts of the Suta's son. And some destitute of weapons and some with

weapons still in their arms were seen lying lifeless on the field in

large numbers. And many elephants also were seen by us, wandering in all

directions, studded with clusters of stars, adorned with rows of

beautiful bells, and decked with variegated banners of diverse hues.

Heads and arms and chests and other limbs, cut off with shafts sped from

Karna's bow, were beheld by us lying around. A great and fierce calamity

overtook the warriors (of the Pandava army) as they fought with whetted

arrows, and mangled as they were with the shafts of Karna. The Srinjayas,

slaughtered in that battle by the Suta's son, blindly proceeded against

the latter's self like insects rushing upon a blazing fire. Indeed, as

that mighty car-warrior was engaged in scorching the Pandava divisions,

the kshatriyas avoided him, regarding him to be the blazing Yuga fire.

Those heroic and mighty car-warriors of the Pancala that survived the

slaughter fled away. The brave Karna, however, pursued those broken and

retreating warriors from behind, shooting his shafts at them. Endued with

great energy, he pursued those combatants divested of armour and

destitute of standards. Indeed, the Suta's son, possessed of great might,

continued to scorch them with his shafts, like the dispeller of darkness

scorching all creatures when he attains to the meridian.'"




25


"Sanjaya said, 'Against Yuyutsu who was employed in routing the vast army

of thy son, Uluka proceeded with speed saying "Wait, Wait." Then Yuyutsu,

O king, with a winged arrow of keen edge struck Uluka with great force,

like (Indra himself striking ) a mountain with the thunderbolt. Filled

with rage at this, Uluka, in that battle, cut off thy son's bow with a

razor-headed arrow and struck thy son himself with a barbed shaft.

Casting off that broken bow, Yuyutsu, with eyes red in wrath, took up

another formidable bow endued with greater impetus. The prince then, O

bull of Bharata's race, pierced Uluka with sixty arrows. Piercing next

the driver of Uluka, Yuyutsu struck Uluka once more. Then Uluka, filled

with rage pierced Yuyutsu with twenty shafts adorned with gold, and then

cut off his standard made of gold. That lofty and gorgeous standard made

of gold, O king, thus cut off (by Uluka), fell down in front of Yuyutsu's

car. Beholding his standard cut off, Yuyutsu, deprived of his senses by

wrath, struck Uluka with five shafts in the centre of the chest. Then

Uluka, O sire, in that battle, cut off, with a broad-headed arrow steeped

in oil, the head of his antagonist's driver, O best of the Bharatas.

Slaying next his four steeds he struck Yuyutsu himself with five arrows.

Deeply struck by the strong Uluka, Yuyutsu proceeded to another car.

Having vanquished him in battle, O king, Uluka proceeded quickly towards

the Pancalas and the Srinjayas and began to slaughter them with sharp

shafts. Thy son Srutakarman, O monarch, within half the time taken up by

a wink of the eye, fearlessly made Satanika steedless and driverless and

carless. The mighty car-warrior Satanika, however, staying on his

steedless car, O sire, hurled a mace, filled with rage, at thy son. That

mace, reducing thy son's car with its steeds and driver into fragments,

fell down upon the Earth with great speed, and pierced it through. Then

those two heroes, both enhancers of the glory of the Kurus, deprived of

their cars, retreated from the encounter, glaring at each other. Then thy

son, overcome with fear, mounted upon the car of Vivingsu, while Satanika

quickly got upon the car of Prativindhya. Shakuni, filled with rage,

pierced Sutasoma with many keen shafts, but failed to make the latter

tremble like a torrent of water failing to produce any impression upon a

mountain. Beholding that great enemy of his father, Sutasoma covered

Shakuni, O Bharata, with many thousands of arrows. Shakuni, however, that

warrior of sure aim and conversant with all methods of warfare, actuated

by desire of battle, quickly cut off all those shafts with his own winged

arrows. Having checked those shafts with his own keen arrows in battle,

Shakuni, filled with rage, struck Sutasoma with three arrows. Thy

brother-in-law then, O monarch, with his arrows cut off into minute

fragments the steeds, the standard, and the driver of his adversary, at

which all the spectators uttered a loud shout. Deprived of his steed and

car, and having his standard cut off, O sire, the great bowman

(Sutasoma), jumping down from his car, stood on the Earth, having taken

up a good bow. And he shot a large number of arrows equipped with golden

wings and whetted on stone, and shrouded therewith the car of thy

brother-in law in that battle. The son of Subala, however, beholding

those showers of arrows that resembled a flight of locusts, coming

towards his car, did not tremble. On the other hand, that illustrious

warrior crushed all those arrows with arrows of his own. The warriors

that were present there, as also the Siddhas in the firmament, were

highly pleased at sight of that wonderful and incredible feat of

Sutasoma, inasmuch as he contended on foot with Shakuni staying in his

car. Then Shakuni, with a number of broad-headed shafts of great

impetuosity, keen and perfectly straight, cut off, O king, the bow of

Sutasoma as also all his quivers. Bowless, and carless, Sutasoma then,

uplifting a scimitar of the hue of the blue lotus and equipped with an

ivory handle, uttered a loud shout. That scimitar of the intelligent

Sutasoma of the hue of the clear sky, as it was whirled by that hero, was

regarded by Shakuni to be as fatal as the rod of Death. Armed with that

scimitar he suddenly began to career in circles over the arena,

displaying, O monarch, the fourteen different kinds of manoeuvres, endued

as he was with skill and might. Indeed, he displayed in that battle all

those motions such as wheeling about and whirling on high, and making

side-thrusts and jumping forward and leaping on high and running above

and rushing forward and rushing upwards. The valiant son of Subala then

sped a number of arrows at his foe, but the latter quickly cut them off

with that excellent scimitar of his as they coursed towards him. Filled

with rage (at this), the son of Subala, O king, once more sped at

Sutasoma a number of shafts that resembled snakes of virulent poison.

Aided by his skill and might, Sutasoma cut off even these with his

scimitar, displaying his great activity, and possessed as he was of

prowess equal to that of Garuda himself. With a razor-headed arrow of

great sharpness, Shakuni then, O king, cut off that bright scimitar of

his adversary as the latter careered in circles before him. Thus cut off,

(half of) that large scimitar suddenly fell down on the Earth, while half

of it, O Bharata, continued in the grasp of Sutasoma. Seeing his sword

cut off, the mighty car-warrior Sutasoma retreated six steps and then

hurled that half (of the scimitar) which he had in his grasp at his foe.

The fragment decked with gold and gems, cutting off the bow, with string,

of the illustrious Shakuni, quickly fell down on the Earth. Then Sutasoma

went to the great car of Srutakirti. Subala's son also, taking up another

formidable and invincible bow, proceeded towards the Pandava army,

slaying large numbers of foes (on the way). Beholding the son of Subala

careering fearlessly in battle, a loud uproar, O king, arose among the

Pandavas in that part of the army. People witnessed those large and proud

divisions bristling with arms, routed by the illustrious son of Subala.

Even as the chief of the celestials crushed the Daitya army, the son of

Subala destroyed that army of the Pandavas.'"




26


"Sanjaya said, 'Kripa, O king, resisted Dhrishtadyumna in battle, like a

Sarabha in the forest resisting a proud lion. Checked by the mighty son

of Gautama, Prishata's son, O Bharata, could not advance even one step.

Beholding Gautama's car in front of Dhrishtadyumna's, all creatures were

inspired with fright and regarded the latter's destruction to be at hand.

Car-warriors and horsemen, becoming very cheerless, said, "Without doubt,

this foremost of men, Sharadvata's son of mighty energy and great

intelligence and versed in celestial weapon, is filled with rage at the

death of Drona. Will Dhrishtadyumna today escape from the hands of

Gautama? Will this vast army escape today this great danger? Will not

this brahmana slay all of us together? The form that he has assumed

today, even like that of the Destroyer himself, shows that he will today

act after the manner of Drona himself. The preceptor Gautama, endued with

great lightness of hands, is ever victorious in battle. Possessing a

knowledge of weapons, he is endued with great energy and filled with

rage." Diverse speeches like these, uttered by the warriors of both the

armies were, O monarch, heard there as those two heroes encountered each

other. Drawing deep breath in rage, Sharadvata's son Kripa, O king, began

to afflict the son of Prishata in all his vital limbs while the latter

stood inactive. Struck in that battle by the illustrious Gautama,

Dhrishtadyumna, greatly stupefied, knew not what to do. His driver then,

addressing him said, "It is not all right with thee, O son of Prishata.

Never before have I seen such a calamity overtake thee in battle. It is a

lucky chance, it seems, that these shafts, capable of penetrating the

very vitals, sped by that foremost of brahmanas aiming at thy vital

limbs, are not striking thee. I will presently cause the car to turn

back, like the current of a river dashed back by the sea. I think that

brahmana, by whom thy prowess hath been annihilated, is incapable of

being slain by thee." Thus addressed, Dhrishtadyumna, O king, slowly

said, "My mind becometh stupefied, O sire, and perspiration covereth my

limbs. My body trembles and my hair stands on end. Avoiding that brahmana

in battle, proceed slowly to where Arjuna is, O charioteer; arrived at

the presence of either Arjuna or Bhimasena, prosperity may be mine. Even

this is my certain conviction." Then, O monarch, the charioteer, urging

the steeds, proceeded to the spot where the mighty bowman Bhimasena was

battling with thy troops. Beholding the car, O sire, of Dhrishtadyumna

speedily moving away from that spot, Gautama followed it, shooting

hundreds of shafts. And that chastiser of foes also repeatedly blew his

conch. Indeed, he routed the son of Prishata like Indra routing the

Danava Namuci.


"'The invincible Shikhandi, the cause of Bhishma's death, was in that

battle, resisted by Hridika's son who smiled repeatedly as he fought with

the former. Shikhandi, however, encountering the mighty car-warrior of

the Hridikas, struck him with five keen and broad-headed shafts at the

shoulder-joint. Then the mighty car-warrior Kritavarma filled with rage,

pierced his foe with sixty winged arrows. With a single arrow then, he

cut off his bow, laughing the while. The mighty son of Drupada, filled

with wrath, took up another bow, and addressing the son of Hridika, said,

"Wait, Wait." Then, O monarch, Shikhandi sped at his foe ninety shafts of

great impetuosity, all equipped with golden wings. Those shafts, however,

all recoiled from Kritavarma's armour. Seeing those shafts recoil and

scattered on the surface of the Earth, Shikhandi cut off Kritavarma's bow

with a keen razor-headed arrow. Filled with wrath he struck the bowless

son of Hridika, who then resembled a hornless bull, in the arms and the

chest, with eighty arrows. Filled with rage but torn and mangled with

shafts, Kritavarma vomited blood through his limbs like a jar disgorging

the water with which it is filled. Bathed in blood, the Bhoja king looked

beautiful like a mountain, O king, streaked with streams of liquefied red

chalk after a shower. The puissant Kritavarma then, taking up another bow

with a string and an arrow fixed thereon, struck Shikhandi in his

shoulder-joint. With those shafts sticking to his shoulder-joint,

Shikhandi looked resplendent like a lordly tree with its spreading

branches and twigs. Having pierced each other, the two combatants were

bathed in blood, and resembled a couple of bulls that have gored each

other with their horns Carefully exerting themselves to slay each other,

those two mighty car-warriors moved in a 1,000 circles with their

respective cars on that arena. Then Kritavarma, O king, in that

encounter, pierced the son of Prishata with seventy shafts all of which

were equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone. The ruler of the

Bhojas then, that foremost of smiters, sped with great activity a

terrible and fatal shaft at his foe. Struck therewith, Shikhandi quickly

swooned away. Overcome with stupefaction, he supported himself by seizing

his flag-staff. The driver then of that foremost of car-warriors speedily

bore him away from the fight. Scorched with the shaft of Hridika's son he

drew breath upon breath repeatedly. After the defeat of the heroic son of

Drupada, O lord, the Pandava army, slaughtered on all sides, fled away

from the field."




27


"Sanjaya said, 'The white steeded (Arjuna) also, O monarch, routed thy

force even as the winds, approaching a heap of cotton, scatters it on all

sides. Against him rushed the Trigartas, the Sivis, the Kauravas, the

Salwas, the samsaptakas, and that force which consisted of the Narayanas.

And Satyasena and Candradeva, and Mitradeva and Satrunjaya, and Susruta's

son, and Citrasena, and Mitravarman, O Bharata, and the king of the

Trigartas surrounded by his brothers and by his sons that were all mighty

bowmen accomplished in diverse weapons, suddenly advanced, shooting and

scattering showers of shafts in that battle, against Arjuna, like a

fierce current of water towards the ocean. Those warriors in hundreds of

thousands, approaching Arjuna, seemed to melt away like snakes at sight

of Garuda. Though slaughtered in battle, they did not still leave the son

of Pandu like insects, O monarch, never receding from a blazing fire.

Satyasena, in that encounter, pierced that son of Pandu with three

arrows, and Mitradeva pierced him with three and sixty, and Candradeva

with seven. And Mitravarman pierced him with three and seventy arrows,

and Susruta's son with seven. And Satrunjaya pierced him with twenty, and

Susharma with nine. Thus pierced in that encounter by many, Arjuna

pierced all those kings in return. Indeed, piercing the son of Susruta

with seven arrows, he pierced Satyasena with three, Satrunjaya with

twenty and Candradeva with eight, Mitradeva with a hundred, Srutasena

with three, Mitravarman with nine, and Susharma with eight. Then slaying

king Satrunjaya with a number of arrows whetted on stone, he smote off

from his trunk, the head, decked with headgear, of Susruta's son. Without

any delay he then, with a number of other shafts, despatched Candradeva

to the abode of Yama. As regards the other mighty car-warriors vigorously

contending with him, he checked each of them with five arrows. Then

Satyasena filled with rage, hurled a formidable lance in that battle

aiming at Krishna and uttered a leonine roar. That ironmouthed lance

having a golden shaft, piercing through the left arm of the high-souled

Madhava, penetrated into the Earth. Madhava being thus pierced with that

lance in great battle the goad and the reins, O king, fell down from his

hands. Beholding Vasudeva's limb pierced through, Pritha's son Dhananjaya

mustered all his wrath and addressing Vasudeva said, "O mighty-armed one,

bear the car to Satyasena, O puissant one, so that I may, with keen

shafts, despatch him to Yama's abode." The illustrious Keshava then,

quickly taking up the goad and the reins, caused the steeds to bear the

car to the front of Satyasena's vehicle. Beholding the Ruler of the

Universe pierced, Pritha's son Dhananjaya, that mighty car-warrior,

checking Satyasena with some keen arrows, cut off with a number of

broad-headed shafts of great sharpness, the large head of that king

decked with earrings, from off his trunk at the head of the army. Having

thus cut off Satyasena's head, he then despatched Citravarman with a

number of keen shafts, and then the latter's driver, O sire, with a keen

calf-toothed arrow. Filled with rage, the mighty Partha then, with

hundreds of shafts, felled the samsaptakas in hundreds and thousands.

Then, O king, with a razor-headed arrow equipped with wings of silver,

that mighty car-warrior cut off the head of the illustrious Mitrasena.

Filled with rage he then struck Susharma in the shoulder-joint. Then all

the samsaptakas, filled with wrath, encompassed Dhananjaya on all sides

and began to afflict him with showers of weapons and make all the points

of the compass resound with their shouts. Afflicted by them thus, the

mighty car-warrior Jishnu, of immeasurable soul, endued with prowess

resembling that of Sakra himself, invoked the Aindra weapon. From that

weapon, thousands of shafts, O king, began to issue continually. Then O

king, a loud din was heard of falling cars with standards and quivers and

yokes, and axles and wheels and traces with chords, of bottoms of cars

and wooden fences around them, of arrows and steeds and spears and

swords, and maces and spiked clubs and darts and lances and axes, and

Sataghnis equipped with wheels and arrows. Thighs and necklaces and

Angadas and Keyuras, O sire, and garlands and cuirasses and coats of

mail, O Bharata, and umbrellas and fans and heads decked with diadems lay

on the battle-field. Heads adorned with earrings and beautiful eyes, and

each resembling the full moon, looked, as they lay on the field, like

stars in the firmament. Adorned with sandal-paste, beautiful garlands of

flowers and excellent robes, many were the bodies of slain warriors that

were seen to lie on the ground. The field of battle, terrible as it was,

looked like the welkin teeming with vapoury forms. With the slain princes

and kshatriyas of great might and fallen elephants and steeds, the Earth

became impassable in that battle as if she were strewn with hills. There

was no path on the field for the wheels of the illustrious Pandava's car,

engaged as he was in continually slaying his foes and striking down

elephants and steeds with his broad-headed shafts. It seemed, O sire,

that the wheels of his car stopped in fright at the sight of his own self

careering in that battle through that bloody mire. His steeds, however,

endued with the speed of the mind or the wind, dragged with great efforts

and labour those wheels that had refused to move. Thus slaughtered by

Pandu's son armed with the bow, that host fled away almost entirely,

without leaving even a remnant, O Bharata, contending with the foe.

Having vanquished large numbers of the samsaptakas in battle, Pritha's

son Jishnu looked resplendent, like a blazing fire without smoke.'"




28


"Sanjaya said, 'King Duryodhana, O monarch, himself fearlessly received

Yudhishthira, as the latter was engaged in shooting large numbers of

shafts. The royal Yudhishthira the just, speedily piercing thy son, that

mighty car-warrior, as the latter was rushing towards him with

impetuosity, addressed him, saying, "Wait, Wait." Duryodhana, however,

pierced Yudhishthira, in return, with nine keen arrows, and filled with

great wrath, struck Yudhishthira's driver also with a broad-headed shaft.

Then king Yudhishthira sped at Duryodhana three and ten arrows equipped

with wings of gold and whetted on stone. With four shafts that mighty

car-warrior then slew the four steeds of his foe, and with the fifth he

cut off from his trunk the head of Duryodhana's driver. With the sixth

arrow he felled the (Kuru) king's standard on the Earth, with the seventh

his bow, and with the eighth his scimitar. And then with five more shafts

king Yudhishthira the just deeply afflicted the Kuru monarch. Thy son,

then, alighting from that steedless car, stood on the Earth in imminent

danger. Beholding him in that situation of great peril, Karna and Drona's

son and Kripa and others rushed suddenly towards the spot, desirous of

rescuing the king. Then the (other) sons of Pandu, surrounding

Yudhishthira, all proceeded to the encounter, upon which, O king, a

fierce battle was fought. Thousands of trumpets then were blown in that

great engagement, and a confused din of myriad voices arose there, O

king. There where the Pancalas engaged the Kauravas, in battle, men

closed with men, and elephants with foremost of elephants. And

car-warriors closed with car-warriors, and horse with horse. And the

various couples of battling men and animals, of great prowess and armed

with diverse kinds of weapons and possessed of great skill presented a

beautiful sight, O king, over the field. All those heroes endued with

great impetuosity and desirous of compassing the destruction of one

another, fought beautifully and with great activity and skill. Observing

the (sanctioned) practices of warriors, they slew one another in battle.

None of them fought from behind others. For only a very short time that

battle presented a beautiful aspect. Soon it became an encounter of mad

men, in which the combatants showed no regard for one another. The

car-warrior, approaching the elephant, pierced the latter with keen

shafts and despatched it to Yama's presence by means of straight arrows.

Elephants, approaching steeds, dragged down many of them in that battle,

and tore them (with their tusks) most fiercely in diverse places. Large

numbers of horsemen also, encompassing many foremost of steeds, made a

loud noise with their palms, and closed with them. And those horsemen

slew those steeds as they ran hither and thither, as also many huge

elephants as these wandered over the field, from behind and the flanks.

Infuriate elephants, O king, routing large numbers of steeds, slew them

with their tusks or crushed them with great force. Some elephants, filled

with wrath pierced with their tusks horses with horsemen. Others seizing

such with great force hurled them to the ground with violence. Many

elephants, struck by foot-soldiers availing of the proper opportunities,

uttered terrible cries of pain and fled away on all sides. Among the

foot-soldiers that fled away in that great battle throwing down their

ornaments, there were many that were quickly encompassed on the field.

Elephant-warriors, riding on huge elephants, understanding indications of

victory, wheeled their beasts and causing them to seize those beautiful

ornaments, made the beasts to pierce them with their tusks. Other

foot-soldiers endued with great impetuosity and fierce might, surrounding

those elephant-warriors thus engaged in those spots began to slay them.

Others in that great battle, thrown aloft into the air by elephants with

their trunks, were pierced by those trained beasts with the points of

their tusks as they fell down. Others, suddenly seized by other

elephants, were deprived of life with their tusks. Others, borne away

from their own divisions into the midst of others, were, O king, mangled

by huge elephants which rolled them repeatedly on the ground. Others,

whirled on high like fans, were slain in that battle. Others, hither and

thither on the field, that stood full in front of other elephants had

their bodies exceedingly pierced and torn. Many elephants were deeply

wounded with spears and lances and darts in their cheeks and frontal

globes and parts between their tusks. Exceedingly afflicted by fierce

car-warriors and horsemen stationed on their flanks, many elephants,

ripped open, fell down on the Earth. In that dreadful battle many

horsemen on their steeds, striking foot-soldiers with their lances,

pinned them down to the Earth or crushed them with great force. Some

elephants, approaching mail-clad car-warriors, O sire, raised them aloft

from their vehicles and hurled them down with great force upon the Earth

in that fierce and awful fight. Some huge elephants slain by means of

cloth-yard shafts, fell down on the Earth like mountain summits riven by

thunder. Combatants, encountering combatants, began to strike each other

with their fists, or seizing each other by the hair, began to drag and

throw down and mangle each other. Others, stretching their arms and

throwing down their foes on the Earth, placed their feet on their chests

and with great activity cut off their heads. Some combatant, O king,

struck with his feet some foe that was dead, and some, O king, struck off

with his sword, the head of a falling foe, and some thrust his weapon

into the body of a living foe. A fierce battle took place there, O

Bharata, in which the combatants struck one another with fists or seized

one another's hair or wrestled with one another with bare arms. In many

instances, combatants, using diverse kinds of weapons, took the lives of

combatants engaged with others and, therefore, unperceived by them.

During the progress of that general engagement when all the combatants

were mangled in battle, hundreds and thousands of headless trunks stood

up on the field. Weapons and coats of mail, drenched with gore, looked

resplendent, like cloths dyed with gorgeous red. Even thus occurred that

fierce battle marked by the awful clash of weapons. Like the mad and

roaring current of the Ganga it seemed to fill the whole universe with

its uproar. Afflicted with shafts, the warriors failed to distinguish

friends from foes. Solicitous of victory, the kings fought on because

they fought that fight they should. The warriors slew both friends and

foes, with whom they came in contact. The combatants of both the armies

were deprived of reason by the heroes of both the armies assailing them

with fury. With broken cars, O monarch, the fallen elephants, and steeds

lying on the ground, and men laid low, the Earth, miry with gore and

flesh, and covered with streams of blood, soon became impassable, Karna

slaughtered the Pancalas while Dhananjaya slaughtered the Trigartas. And

Bhimasena, O king, slaughtered the Kurus and all the elephant divisions

of the latter. Even thus occurred that destruction of troops of both the

Kurus and the Pandavas, both parties having been actuated by the desire

of winning great fame, at that hour when the Sun had passed the

meridian.'"




29


"Dhritarashtra said, 'I have heard from thee, O Sanjaya, of many poignant

and unbearable griefs as also of the losses sustained by my sons. From

what thou hast said unto me, from the manner in which the battle has been

fought, it is my certain conviction, O Suta, that the Kauravas are no

more. Duryodhana was made carless in that dreadful battle. How did

Dharma's son (then) fight, and how did the royal Duryodhana also fight in

return? How also occurred that battle which was fought in the afternoon?

Tell me all this in detail, for thou art skilled in narration, O Sanjaya.'


"Sanjaya said, 'When the troops of both armies were engaged in battle,

according to their respective divisions, thy son Duryodhana, O king,

riding on another car and filled with rage like a snake of virulent

poison, beholding king Yudhishthira the just, quickly addressed his own

driver, O Bharata, saying, "Proceed, proceed, quickly take me there, O

driver, where the royal son of Pandu, clad in mail shineth under yon

umbrella held over his head." Thus urged by the king, the driver, in that

battle, quickly urged his royal master's goodly car towards the face of

Yudhishthira. At this, Yudhishthira also, filled with rage and looking

like an infuriate elephant, urged his own driver saying, "Proceed to

where Suyodhana is." Then those two heroes and brothers and foremost of

car-warriors encountered each other. Both endued with great energy, both

filled with wrath, both difficult of defeat in battle, approaching each

other, those two great bowmen began to mangle each other with their

arrows in that battle. Then king Duryodhana, in that encounter, O sire,

with a broad-headed arrow whetted on stone, cut in twain the bow of the

virtuous monarch. Filled with rage, Yudhishthira could not brook that

insult. Casting aside his broken bow, with eyes red in wrath, Dharma's

son took up another bow at the head of his forces, and then cut off

Duryodhana's standard and bow. Duryodhana then, taking up another bow,

pierced the son of Pandu. Filled with rage, they continued to shoot

showers of shafts at each other. Desirous of vanquishing each other, they

resembled a pair of angry lions. They struck each other in that battle

like a couple of roaring bulls. Those mighty car-warriors continued to

career, expecting to find each other's lapses. Then wounded with shafts

sped from bows drawn to their fullest stretch the two warriors, O king,

looked resplendent like flowering Kinsukas. They then, O king, repeatedly

uttered leonine roars. Those two rulers of men, in that dreadful battle,

also made loud sounds with their palms and caused their bows to twang

loudly. And they blew their conchs too with great force. And they

afflicted each other very much. Then king Yudhishthira, filled with rage,

struck thy son in the chest with three irresistible shafts endued with

force of thunder. Him, however, thy royal son quickly pierced, in return,

with five keen shafts winged with gold and whetted on stone. Then king

Duryodhana, O Bharata, hurled a dart capable of slaying everybody,

exceedingly keen, and resembling a large blazing brand. As it advanced,

king Yudhishthira the just, with sharp shafts, speedily cut it off into

three fragments, and then pierced Duryodhana also with five arrows.

Equipped with golden staff, and producing a loud whizz, that dart then

fell down, and while falling, looked resplendent like a large brand with

blazing flames. Beholding the dart baffled, thy son, O monarch, struck

Yudhishthira with nine sharp and keen-pointed arrows. Pierced deeply by

his mighty foe, that scorcher of foes quickly took up an arrow for aiming

it at Duryodhana. The mighty Yudhishthira then placed that arrow on his

bow-string. Filled with rage and possessed of great valour, the son of

Pandu then shot it at his foe. That arrow, striking thy son, that mighty

car-warrior, stupefied him and then (passing through his body) entered

the Earth. Then Duryodhana, filled with wrath, uplifting a mace of great

impetuosity, rushed at king Yudhishthira the just, for ending the

hostilities (that raged between the Kurus and the Pandus). Beholding him

armed with that uplifted mace and resembling Yama himself with his

bludgeon, king Yudhishthira the just hurled at thy son a mighty dart

blazing with splendour, endued with great impetuosity, and looking like a

large blazing brand. Deeply pierced in the chest by that dart as he stood

on his car, the Kuru prince, deeply pained, fell down and swooned away.

Then Bhima, recollecting his own vow, addressed Yudhishthira, saying,

"This one should not be slain by thee, O king." At this Yudhishthira

abstained from giving his foe the finishing blow. At that time

Kritavarma, quickly advancing, came upon thy royal son then sunk in an

ocean of calamity. Bhima then, taking up a mace adorned with gold and

flaxen chords, rushed impetuously towards Kritavarma in that battle. Thus

occurred the battle between thy troops and the foe on that afternoon, O

monarch, every one of the combatants being inspired with the desire of

victory.'"




30


"Sanjaya said, 'Placing Karna at their van, thy warriors, difficult of

defeat in fight, returned and fought (with the foe) a battle that

resembled that between the gods and the Asuras. Excited by the loud

uproar made by elephants and men and cars and steeds and conchs,

elephant-men and car-warriors and foot-soldiers and horsemen, in large

numbers, filled with wrath advanced against the foe and slew the latter

with strokes of diverse kinds of weapons. Elephants and cars, steeds and

men, in that dreadful battle were destroyed by brave warriors with sharp

battle axes and swords and axes and shafts of diverse kinds and by means

also of their animals. Strewn with human heads that were adorned with

white teeth and fair faces and beautiful eyes and goodly noses, and

graced with beautiful diadems and earrings, and everyone of which

resembled the lotus, the Sun, or the Moon, the Earth looked exceedingly

resplendent. Elephants and men and steeds, by thousands, were slain with

hundreds of spiked clubs and short bludgeons and darts and lances and

hooks and Bhusundis and maces. The blood that fell formed a river like

currents on the field. In consequence of those car-warriors and men and

steeds and elephants slain by the foe, and lying with ghostly features

and gaping wounds, the field of battle looked like the domains of the

king of the dead at the time of universal dissolution. Then, O god among

men, thy troops, and those bulls amongst the Kurus, viz., thy sons

resembling the children of the celestials, with a host of warriors of

immeasurable might at their van, all proceeded against Satyaki, that bull

of Sini's race. Thereupon that host, teeming with many foremost of men

and steeds and cars and elephants, producing an uproar loud as that of

the vast deep, and resembling the army of the Asuras or that of the

celestials, shone with fierce beauty. Then the son of Surya, resembling

the chief of the celestials himself in prowess and like unto the younger

brother of Indra, struck that foremost one of Sini's race with shafts

whose splendour resembled the rays of the Sun. That bull of Sini's race

also, in that battle, then quickly shrouded that foremost of men, with

his car and steeds and driver, with diverse kinds of shafts terrible as

the poison of the snake. Then many Atirathas belonging to thy army,

accompanied by elephants and cars and foot-soldiers, quickly approached

that bull among car-warriors, viz., Vasusena, when they beheld the latter

deeply afflicted with the shafts of that foremost hero of Sini's race.

That force, however, vast as the ocean, assailed by foes possessed of

great quickness viz., the Pandava warriors headed by the sons of Drupada,

fled away from the field. At that time a great carnage occurred of men

and cars and steeds and elephants. Then those two foremost of men, viz.,

Arjuna and Keshava, having said their daily prayer and duly worshipped

the lord Bhava, quickly rushed against thy troops, resolved to slay those

foes of theirs. Their foes (i.e., the Kurus) cast their eyes cheerlessly

on that car whose rattle resembled the roar of the clouds and whose

banners waved beautifully in the air and which had white steeds yoked

unto it and which was coming towards them. Then Arjuna, bending Gandiva

and as if dancing on his car, filled the welkin and all the points of the

compass, cardinal and subsidiary, with showers of shafts, not leaving the

smallest space empty. Like the tempest destroying the clouds, the son of

Pandu destroyed with his arrows many cars looking like celestial

vehicles, that were well-adorned, and equipped with weapons and

standards, along with their drivers. Many elephants also, with the men

that guided them, adorned with truimphal banners and weapons, and many

horsemen with horses, and many foot-soldiers also, Arjuna despatched with

his arrows to Yama's abode. Then Duryodhana singly proceeded against that

mighty car-warrior who was angry and irresistible and resembled a

veritable Yama, striking him with his straight shafts. Arjuna, cutting

off his adversary's bow and driver and steeds and standard with seven

shafts, next cut off his umbrella with one arrow. Obtaining then an

opportunity, he sped at Duryodhana an excellent shaft, capable of taking

the life of the person struck. Drona's son, however, cut off that shaft

into seven fragments. Cutting off then the bow of Drona's son and slaying

the four steeds of the latter with his arrow, the son of Pandu next cut

off the formidable bow of Kripa too. Then cutting off the bow of

Hridika's son, he felled the latter's standard and steeds. Then cutting

off the bow of Duhshasana, he proceeded against the son of Radha. At

this, Karna, leaving Satyaki quickly pierced Arjuna with three arrows and

Krishna with twenty, and Partha again repeatedly. Although many were the

arrows that he shot while slaying his foes in that battle, like Indra

himself inspired with wrath, Karna yet felt no fatigue. Meanwhile

Satyaki, coming up, pierced Karna with nine and ninety fierce arrows, and

once more with a hundred. Then all the foremost heroes among the Parthas

began to afflict Karna. Yudhamanyu and Shikhandi and the sons of Draupadi

and the Prabhadrakas, and Uttamauja and Yuyutsu and the twins and

Dhrishtadyumna, and the divisions of the Cedis and the Karushas and the

Matsyas and Kaikeyas, and the mighty Chekitana, and king Yudhishthira of

excellent vows, all these, accompanied by cars and steeds and elephants,

and foot-soldiers of fierce prowess, encompassed Karna on all sides in

that battle, and showered upon him diverse kinds of weapons, addressing

him in harsh words and resolved to compass his destruction. Cutting off

that shower of weapons with his sharp shafts, Karna dispersed his

assailants by the power of his weapons like the wind breaking down the

trees that stand on its way. Filled with wrath, Karna was seen to destroy

car-warriors, and elephants with their riders, and horses with horse-men,

and large bands of foot-soldiers. Slaughtered by the energy of Karna's

weapons, almost the whole of that force of the Pandavas, deprived of

weapons, and with limbs mangled and torn, retired from the field. Then

Arjuna, smiling the while, baffled with his own weapons the weapons of

Karna and covered the welkin, the Earth, and all the points of the

compass with dense shower of arrows. The shafts of Arjuna fell like heavy

clubs and spiked bludgeons. And some amongst them fell like Sataghnis and

some fell like fierce thunderbolts. Slaughtered therewith, the Kaurava

force consisting of infantry and horse and cars and elephants, shutting

its eyes, uttered loud wails of woe and wandered senselessly. Many were

the steeds and men and elephants that perished on that occasion. Many,

again, struck with shafts and deeply afflicted fled away in fear.


"'Whilst thy warriors were thus engaged in battle from desire of victory,

the Sun approaching the Setting Mountain, entered it. In consequence of

the darkness, O king, but especially owing to the dust, we could not

notice anything favourable or unfavourable. The mighty bowmen (amongst

the Kauravas), fearing a night-battle, O Bharata, then retired from the

field, accompanied by all their combatants. Upon the retirement of the

Kauravas, O king, at the close of the day, the Parthas, cheerful at

having obtained the victory, also retired to their own encampment,

jeering at their enemies by producing diverse kinds of sounds with their

musical instruments, and applauding Acyuta and Arjuna. After those heroes

had thus withdrawn the army, all the troops and all the kings uttered

benediction upon the Pandavas. The withdrawal having been made, those

sinless men, the Pandavas, became very glad, and proceeding to their

tents rested there for the night. Then rakshasas and pishacas, and

carnivorous beasts, in large numbers came to that awful field of battle

resembling the sporting ground of Rudra himself.'




31


"Dhritarashtra said, 'It seems that Arjuna slew all of you at his will.

Indeed, the Destroyer himself could not escape him in battle, if Arjuna

took up arms against Him. Single-handed, Partha ravished Bhadra, and

single-handed, he gratified Agni. Single-handed, he subjugated the whole

Earth, and made all the kings pay tribute. Single-handed, with his

celestial bow he slew the Nivatakavachas. Single-handed, he contended in

battle with Mahadeva who stood before him in the guise of a hunter.

Single-handed, he protected the Bharatas, and single-handed, he gratified

Bhava. Single-handed, were vanquished by him all the kings of the Earth

endued with fierce prowess. The Kurus cannot be blamed. On the other

hand, they deserve praise (for having fought with such a warrior). Tell

me now what they did. Tell me also, O Suta, what Duryodhana did after

that.'


"Sanjaya said, 'Struck and wounded and overthrown from their vehicles and

divested of armour and deprived of weapons and their beasts slain, with

plaintive voices and burning with grief and vanquished by their foes, the

vain Kauravas, entering their tents once more took counsel of one

another. They then looked like snakes deprived of fangs and poison trod

upon by others. Unto them, Karna, sighing like an angry snake, squeezing

his hands, and eyeing thy son, said, "Arjuna is always careful, firm,

possessed of skill, and endued with intelligence. Again, when the time

comes, Vasudeva awakes him (to what should be done). Today, by that

sudden shower of weapons we were deceived by him. Tomorrow, however, O

lord of Earth, I will frustrate all his purposes." Thus addressed by

Karna, Duryodhana said, "So be it," and then granted permission to those

foremost of kings to retire. Bidden by the king, all those rulers

proceeded to their respective tents. Having passed the night happily,

they cheerfully went out for battle (the next day). They then beheld an

invincible array formed by king Yudhishthira the just, that foremost one

of Kuru race, with great care, and according to the sanction of

Brihaspati and Usanas. Then that slayer of foes, Duryodhana, called to

mind the heroic Karna, that counteractor of foes, that warrior with neck

like that of a bull, equal to Purandara himself in battle, the Maruts in

might, and Kartavirya in energy. Indeed, the heart of the king turned

towards Karna. And the hearts of all the troops also turned to that hero,

that Suta's son, that mighty bowman, as one's heart turns to a friend in

a situation of great danger.'


"Dhritarashtra said, 'What did Duryodhana next do, O Suta, when the

hearts of all of you turned towards Vikarna's son Karna? Did my troops

cast their eyes on Radha's son like persons afflicted with cold turning

their gaze towards the Sun? Upon the recommencement of the battle after

the withdrawal of the troops, how, O Sanjaya, did Vikarna's son Karna

fight? How also did all the Pandavas fight with the Suta's son? The

mighty-armed Karna would, single-handed, slay the Parthas with the

Srinjayas. The might of Karna's arms in battle equals that of Sakra or

Vishnu. His weapons are fierce, and the prowess also of that high-souled

one is fierce. Relying upon Karna, king Duryodhana had set his heart on

battle. Beholding Duryodhana deeply afflicted by the son of Pandu, and

seeing also the sons of Pandu displaying great prowess, what did that

mighty car-warrior, viz., Karna, do? Alas, the foolish Duryodhana,

relying on Karna, hopeth to vanquish the Parthas with their sons and

Keshava in battle! Alas, it is a matter of great grief that Karna could

not, with his strength, overcome the sons of Pandu in fight! Without

doubt, Destiny is supreme. Alas, the terrible end of that gambling match

hath now come! Alas, these heartrending sorrows, due to Duryodhana's

acts, many in number and like unto terrible darts, are now being borne

by, me, O Sanjaya! O sire, Subala's son used to be then regarded as a

politic person. Karna also is always exceedingly attached to king

Duryodhana. Alas, when such is the case, O Sanjaya, why have I then to

hear of the frequent defeats and deaths of my sons? There is no one that

can resist the Pandavas in battle. They penetrate into my army like a man

into the midst of helpless women. Destiny, indeed, is supreme.'


"Sanjaya said, 'O king, think now of all those wrongful acts of thine

like that match at dice and the others--acts that have passed away from

the subjects of thought with man. One should not, however, reflect on

bygone acts. One may be ruined by such reflection. That result (which

thou hadst expected) is now much removed from the point of fruition,

since, although possessed of knowledge, thou didst not reflect on the

propriety or impropriety of thy acts then. Many a time wert thou, O king,

counselled against warring with the Pandavas. Thou didst not, however, O

monarch, accept those counsels, from folly. Diverse sinful acts of a

grave nature were perpetrated by thee against the sons of Pandu. For

those acts this awful slaughter of kings hath now come. All that,

however, is now past. Do not grieve, O bull of Bharata's race. O thou of

unfading glory, listen now to the details of the awful carnage that has

occurred.


"'When the night dawned, Karna repaired to king Duryodhana. Approaching

the king, the mighty-armed hero said, "I shall, O king, engage in battle

today the illustrious son of Pandu. Either I will slay that hero today,

or he will slay me. In consequence of the diverse things both myself and

Partha had to do, O Bharata, an encounter, O king, could not hitherto

take place between myself and Arjuna! Listen now, O monarch, to these

words of mine, spoken according to my wisdom. Without slaying Partha in

battle I will not come back, O Bharata. Since this army of ours hath been

deprived of its foremost warriors, and since I will stand in battle,

Partha will advance against me, especially because I am destitute of the

dart Sakra gave me. Therefore, O ruler of men, listen now to what is

beneficial. The energy of my celestial weapons is equal to the energy of

Arjuna's weapons. In counteracting the feats of powerful foes, in

lightness of hands, in range of the arrows shot, in skill, and in hitting

the mark, Savyasaci is never my equal. In physical strength, in courage,

in knowledge of (weapons), in prowess, O Bharata, in aiming, Savyasaci is

never my equal. My bow, called Vijaya, is the foremost of all weapons (of

its kind). Desirous of doing what was agreeable (to Indra), it was made

by Vishakarman (the celestial artificer) for Indra. With that bow, O

king, Indra had vanquished the Daityas. At its twang the Daityas beheld

the ten points to be empty. That bow, respected by all, Sakra gave to

Bhrigu's son (Rama). That celestial and foremost of bows Bhrigu's son

gave to me. With that bow I will contend in battle with the mighty-armed

Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors, like Indra fighting with

the assembled Daityas. That formidable bow, the gift of Rama, is superior

to Gandiva. It was with that bow that the Earth was subjugated thrice

seven times (by Bhrigu's son). With that bow given to me by Rama I will

contend in battle with the son of Pandu. I will, O Duryodhana, gladden

thee today with thy friends, by slaying in battle that hero, viz.,

Arjuna, that foremost of conquerors. The whole Earth with her mountains

and forest and islands, without a heroic warrior (to oppose thy wish),

will, O king, become thine today, over which thyself with thy sons and

grandsons will reign supreme. Today there is nothing that is incapable of

being achieved by me, especially when the object is to do what is

agreeable to thee, even as success is incapable of being missed by an

ascetic zealously devoted to virtue and having his soul under control.

Arjuna will not be able to bear me in battle, even as a tree in contact

with fire is incapable of bearing that element. I must, however, declare

in what respect I am inferior to Arjuna. The string of his bow is

celestial, and the two large quivers of his are inexhaustible. His driver

is Govinda. I have none like him. His is that celestial and foremost of

bows, called Gandiva, which is irrefragible in battle. I also have that

excellent, celestial, and formidable bow called Vijaya. In respect of our

bows, therefore, O king, I am superior to Arjuna. Listen now to those

matters in which the heroic son of Pandu is superior to me. The holder of

the reins (of his steeds) is he of Dasharha's race who is adored by all

the worlds. His celestial car decked with gold, given unto him by Agni,

is impenetrable in every part, and his steeds also, O hero, are endued

with the speed of the mind. His celestial standard, bearing the blazing

Ape, is exceedingly wonderful. Again, Krishna, who is Creator of the

universe, protects that car. Though inferior to Arjuna in respect of

these things, I still desire to fight with him. This Shalya, however, the

ornament of assemblies, is equal to Saurin. If he becomes my driver,

victory will certainly be thine. Let Shalya, therefore, who is incapable

of being resisted by foes be the driver of my car. Let a large number of

carts bear my long shafts and those that are winged with vulturine

feathers. Let a number of foremost cars, O monarch, with excellent steeds

yoked unto them, always follow me, O bull of Bharata's race. By these

arrangements I will, as regards the qualities mentioned, be superior to

Arjuna. Shalya is superior to Krishna, and I am superior to Arjuna. As

that slayer of foes, viz., he of Dasharha's race, is acquainted with

horselore, even so is that mighty car-warrior, viz., Shalya acquainted

with horselore. There is none equal to the chief of the Madras in might

of arms. As there is none equal to myself in weapons, so there is none

equal to Shalya in knowledge of steeds. So circumstanced, I will become

superior to Partha. Against my car, the very gods with Vasava at their

head will not dare advance. All these being attended to, when I take my

stand on my car, I will become superior to Arjuna in the attributes of

warrior and will then, O best of the Kurus, vanquish Phalguna. I desire,

O monarch, all this to be done by thee, O scorcher of foes. Let these

wishes of mine be accomplished. Let no time be suffered to elapse. If all

this be accomplished, the most effectual aid will be rendered to me on

every desirable point. Thou wilt then see, O Bharata, what I will achieve

in battle. I will by every means vanquish the sons of Pandu in battle

when they will approach me. The very gods and Asuras are not able to

advance against me in battle. What need be said then of the sons of Pandu

that are of human origin?'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed by that ornament of battle, viz.,

Karna, thy son, worshipping the son of Radha, answered him, with a glad

heart, saying, "Accomplish that, O Karna, which thou thinkest. Equipped

with goodly quivers and steeds, such cars shall follow thee in battle.

Let as many cars as thou wishest bear thy long shafts and arrows equipped

with vulturine feathers. Ourselves, as also all the kings, O Karna will,

follow thee in battle.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words, thy royal son, endued with

great prowess, approached the ruler of the Madras and addressed him in

the following words.'"




32


"Sanjaya said, 'Thy son then, O monarch, humbly approaching that mighty

car-warrior, viz., the ruler of the Madras, addressed him, from

affection, in these words, "O thou of true vows, O thou of great good

fortune, O enhancer of the sorrows of foes, O ruler of the Madras, O hero

in battle, O thou that inspirest hostile troops with fear, thou hast

heard, O foremost of speakers, how, for the sake of Karna who spoke unto

me, I myself am desirous of soliciting thee among all these lions of

kings. O thou of incomparable prowess, O king of the Madras, for the

destruction of the foe, I solicit thee today, with humility and bow of

the head. Therefore, for the destruction of Partha and for my good, it

behoveth thee, O foremost of car-warriors, to accept, from love, the

office of charioteer. With thee for his driver, the son of Radha will

subjugate my foes. There is none else for holding the reins of Karna's

steeds, except thee, O thou of great good fortune, thou that art the

equal of Vasudeva in battle. Protect Karna then by every means like

Brahma protecting Maheswara. Even as he of Vrishni's race protects by

every means the son of Pandu in all dangers, do thou, O chief of the

Madras, protect the son of Radha today. Bhishma, and Drona, and Kripa,

and thyself and the valiant ruler of the Bhojas, and Shakuni the son of

Subala, and Drona's son and myself, constituted the chief strength of our

army. Even thus, O lord of Earth, we had divided amongst ourselves the

hostile army into portion for the share of each. The share that had been

allotted to Bhishma is now no more as also that which had been allotted

to the high-souled Drona. Going even beyond their allotted shares, those

two slew my foes. Those two tigers among men, however, were old, and both

of them have been slain deceitfully. Having achieved the most difficult

feats, both of them, O sinless one, have departed hence to heaven.

Similarly, many other tigers among men, of our army, slain by foes in

battle, have ascended to heaven, casting off their lives and having made

great exertions to the best of their powers. This my host, therefore, O

king, the greater portion of which has been slaughtered, has been reduced

to this state by the Parthas who were at first fewer than us. What should

be done for the present? Do that now, O lord of Earth, by which the

mighty and the high-souled sons of Kunti, of prowess incapable of being

baffled, may be prevented from exterminating the remnant of my host. O

lord, the Pandavas have in battle slain the bravest warriors of this my

force. The mighty-armed Karna alone is devoted to our good, as also

thyself, O tiger among men, that art the foremost of car-warriors in the

whole world. O Shalya, Karna wishes to contend in battle today with

Arjuna. On him, O ruler of the Madras, my hopes of victory are great.

There is none else in the world (save thee) that can make so good a

holder of the reins for Karna. As Krishna is the foremost of all holders

of reins for Partha in battle, even so, O king, be thou the foremost of

all holders of reins for Karna's car. Accompanied and protected, O sire,

by him in battle, the feats that Partha achieve are all before thee.

Formerly, Arjuna had never slain his foes in battle in such a way. Now

however, his prowess has become great, united as he is with Krishna. Day

after day, O ruler of the Madras, this vast Dhritarashtra force is seen

to be routed by Partha because he is united with Krishna. A portion

remains of the share allotted to Karna and thyself, O thou of great

splendour. Bear that share with Karna, and destroy it unitedly in battle.

Even as Surya, uniting with Aruna, destroys the darkness, do thou,

uniting with Karna, slay Partha in battle. Let the mighty car-warriors

(of the enemy), fly away, beholding in battle those two warriors endued

with the effulgence of the morning sun, viz., Karna and Shalya,

resembling two Suns risen above the horizon. Even as darkness is

destroyed, O sire, at the sight of Surya and Aruna, even so let the

Kaunteyas (Pandavas) with the Pancalas and the Srinjayas perish beholding

thee and Karna. Karna is the foremost of car-warriors, and thou art the

foremost of drivers. In the clash of battle, again there is none equal to

thee. As he of Vrishni's race protects the son of Pandu under all

circumstances, even so let thyself protect Vikarna's son Karna in battle.

With thee as his driver, Karna will become invincible, O king, in battle

even with the gods having Sakra at their head! What then need be said

about the Pandavas? Do not doubt my words.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of Duryodhana, Shalya, became

filled with rage. Contracting his brow into three lines, and waving his

arms repeatedly, and rolling his large eyes red in wrath, that warrior of

massive arms proud of his lineage and wealth and knowledge and strength,

said these words:


"'Shalya said "Thou insultest me, O son of Gandhari, or without doubt

suspectest me, since thou solicitest me, without hesitation, saying, 'Act

thou as a driver.' Regarding Karna to be superior to ourselves, thou

applaudest him thus. I, however, do not regard the son of Radha as my

equal in battle. Assign to me a much greater share, O lord of Earth.

Destroying that in battle, I will return to the place I come from. Or, if

thou wishest, I will, O delighter of the Kurus, contend, single-handed,

with the enemy. While engaged in consuming the foe, behold thou my

prowess today. Brooding upon an insult, O thou of Kuru's race, a person

like ourselves never engageth in my task. Do not have thy doubts about

me. Never shouldst thou humiliate me in battle. Behold these two massive

arms of mine, strong as the thunder. Behold also my excellent bow, and

these shafts that resemble snakes of virulent poison. Behold my car, unto

which are yoked excellent steeds endued with the speed of the wind.

Behold also, O son of Gandhari, my mace decked with gold and twined with

hempen chords. Filled with wrath, I can split the very Earth, scatter the

mountains, and dry up the oceans, with my own energy, O king. Knowing me,

O monarch, to be so capable, of afflicting the foe, why dost thou appoint

me to the office of driver in battle for such a low-born person as

Adhiratha's son? It behoveth thee not, O king of kings, to set me to such

mean tasks! Being so superior, I cannot make up my mind to obey the

commands of a sinful person. He that causeth a superior person arrived of

his own will and obedient from love, to yield to a sinful wight,

certainly incurreth the sin of confusing the superior with the inferior.

Brahman created the brahmanas from his mouth, and the kshatriyas from his

arms. He created the Vaishyas from his thighs and the Shudras from his

feet. In consequence of the intermixture of those four orders, O Bharata,

from those four have sprung particular classes, viz., those born of men

of superior classes wedding women of classes inferior to themselves, and

vice versa. The kshatriyas have been described to be protectors (of the

other classes) acquirers of wealth and givers of the same. The brahmanas

have been established on the Earth for the sake of favouring its people

by assisting at sacrifices, by teaching and acceptance of pure gifts.

Agriculture and tending of cattle and gift are the occupations of the

Vaishyas according to the scriptures. Shudras have been ordained to be

the servants of the brahmanas, the kshatriyas, and the vaishyas.

Similarly, the Sutas are the servants of kshatriyas, and not latter the

servants of the former. Listen to these my words, O sinless one. As

regards myself, I am one whose coronal locks have undergone the sacred

bath. I am born in a race of royal sages. I am reckoned a great

car-warrior. I deserve the worship and the praises that bards and

eulogists render and sing. Being all this, O slayer of hostile troops, I

cannot go to the extent of acting as the driver of the Suta's son in

battle. I will never fight, undergoing an act of humiliation. I ask thy

permission, O son of Gandhari, for returning home."


"Sanjaya continued, 'Having said these words that tiger among men and

ornament of assemblies, viz., Shalya, filled with rage stood up quickly

and endeavoured to get away from that concourse of kings. Thy son,

however, from affection and great regard, held the king, and addressed

him in these sweet and conciliatory words, that were capable of

accomplishing every object, "Without doubt, O Shalya, it is even so as

thou hast said. But I have a certain purpose in view. Listen to it, O

ruler of men, Karna is not superior to thee, nor do I suspect thee, O

king. The royal chief of the Madras will never do that which is false.

Those foremost of men that were thy ancestors always told the truth. I

think it is for this that thou art called Artayani (the descendant of

those that had truth for their refuge). And since, O giver of honours,

thou art like a barbed arrow to thy foes, therefore art thou called by

the name of Shalya on earth. O thou that makest large present (to

brahmanas) at sacrifices, do thou accomplish all that which, O virtuous

one, thou hadst previously said thou wouldst accomplish. Neither the son

of Radha nor myself am superior to thee in valour that I would select

thee as the driver of those foremost of steeds (that are yoked unto

Karna's car). As, however, O sire, Karna is superior to Dhananjaya in

regard to many qualities, even so doth the world regard thee to be

superior to Vasudeva. Karna is certainly superior to Partha in the matter

of weapons, O bull among men. Thou too art superior to Krishna in

knowledge of steeds and might. Without doubt O ruler of the Madras, thy

knowledge of horse is double that which the high-souled Vasudeva hath."


"'Shalya said, "Since, O son of Gandhari, thou describest me, O thou of

Kuru's race, in the midst of all these troops, to be superior to Devaki's

son, I am gratified with thee. I will become the driver of Radha's son of

great fame while he will be engaged in battle with the foremost one of

Pandu's sons, as thou solicitest me. Let this, however, O hero, be my

understanding with Vikartana's son that I will in his presence utter

whatever speeches I desire.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'O king, thy son, with Karna then, O Bharata,

answered the prince of the Madras, O best of Bharata's race, saying, "So

be it."'"




33


"'Duryodhana said, "Listen, once more, O ruler of the Madras, to what I

will say unto thee, about what happened, O lord, in the battle between

the gods and the Asuras in days of yore. The great rishi Markandeya

narrated it to my sire. I will now recite it without leaving out

anything, O best of royal sages. Listen to that account confidingly and

without mistrusting it at all. Between the gods and the Asuras, each

desirous of vanquishing the other, there happened a great battle, O king,

which had Taraka for its evil (root). It hath been heard by us that the

Daityas were defeated by the gods. Upon the defeat of the Daityas, the

three sons of Taraka, named Tarakaksha, Kamalaksha and Vidyunmalin, O

king, practising the austerest penances, lived in the observance of high

vows. By those penances they emaciated their bodies, O scorcher of foes.

In consequence of their self-restraint, their penances, their vows and

contemplation, the boongiving Grandsire became gratified with them and

gave them boons. Unitedly they solicited the Grandsire of all the worlds,

O king, for the boon of immunity from death at the hands of all Creatures

of all times. The divine Lord and Master of all the worlds said unto

them, 'There is nothing like immunity from death at the hands of all

creatures. Therefore, ye Asuras, abstain from such a prayer. Solicit some

other boon that may seem desirable to you.' When all of them, O king,

having settled it amongst themselves after long and repeated conferences,

bowed to the great Master of all the worlds and said these words, 'O god,

O Grandsire, give us this boon. Residing in three cities, we will rove

over this Earth, with thy grace ever before us. After a 1,000 years then,

we will come together, and our three cities also, O sinless one, will

become united into one. That foremost one amongst the gods who will, with

one shaft, pierce those three cities united into one, will, O lord, be

the cause of our destruction.' Saying unto them, 'Let it be so,' that god

ascended to heaven. Those Asuras then, filled with joy at having obtained

those boons and having settled it among themselves about the construction

of the three cities, selected for the purpose the great Asura Maya, the

celestial artificer, knowing no fatigue or decay, and worshipped by all

the daityas and danavas. Then Maya, of great intelligence, by the aid of

his own ascetic merit, constructed three cities, one of which was of

gold, another of silver, and the third of black iron. The golden city was

set in heaven, the silver city in the welkin, and the iron city was set

on the Earth, all in such a way as to revolve in a circle, O lord of

Earth. Each of those cities measured a hundred yojanas in breadth and a

hundred in length. And they consisted of houses and mansions and lofty

walls and porches. And though teeming with lordly palaces close to each

other, yet the streets were wide and spacious. And they were adorned with

diverse mansions and gate-ways. Each of those cities, again, O monarch,

had a separate king. The beautiful city of gold belonged to the

illustrious Tarakaksha: the silver city to Kamalaksha, and the iron one

to Vidyunmalin. Those three Daitya kings, soon assailing the three worlds

with their energy, continued to dwell and reign, and began to say, 'Who

is he called the Creator?' Unto those foremost of Danavas having no

heroes equal to them, came from every side millions upon millions, of

proud and flesh-eating Danavas who had before been defeated by the

celestials, and who now settled in the three cities, desirous of great

prosperity. Unto all of them thus united, Maya became the supplier of

every thing they wanted. Relying upon him, all of them resided there, in

perfect fearlessness. Whoever amongst those residing in the triple city

wished for any object in his heart had his wish fulfilled by Maya aided

by the latter's powers of illusion. Tarakaksha had a heroic and mighty

son named Hari. He underwent the austerest of penances, upon which the

Grandsire became gratified with him. When the god was gratified, Hari

solicited a boon of him, saying, 'Let a lake start into existence in our

city, such that persons, slain by means of weapons, may, when thrown into

it, come out with life, and with redoubled strength.' Obtaining this

boon, the heroic Hari, son of Tarakaksha, created a lake, O lord, in his

city, that was capable of reviving the dead. In whatever form and

whatever guise a Daitya might have been slain, if thrown into that lake,

he was restored to life, in the self-same form and guise. Obtaining alive

the slain among them, the Daityas began to afflict the three worlds.

Crowned with success by means of austere penances, those enhancers of the

fears of the gods sustained, O king, no diminution in battle. Stupefied

then by covetousness and folly, and deprived of their senses, all of them

began to shamelessly exterminate the cities and towns established all

over the universe. Filled with pride at the boons they had received, and

driving before them, at all times and from all places, the gods with

their attendants, they roamed at will over celestial forests and other

realms dear to the denizens of heaven and the delightful and sacred

asylums of rishis. And the wicked Danavas ceased to show any respect for

anybody. While the worlds were thus afflicted, Sakra, surrounded by the

Maruts, battled against the three cities by hurling his thunder upon them

from every side. When, however, Purandra failed to pierce those cities

made impenetrable, O king, by the Creator with his boons, the chief of

celestials, filled with fear, and leaving those cities, repaired with

those very gods to that chastiser of foes, viz., the Grandsire, for

representing unto him the oppressions committed by the Asuras.

Representing everything and bowing with their heads unto him, they asked

the divine Grandsire the means by which the triple city could be

destroyed. The illustrious Deity, hearing the words of Indra, told the

gods, 'He that is an offender against you offends against me also. The

Asuras are all of wicked souls and always hate the gods. They that give

pain to you always offend against me. I am impartial to all creatures.

There is no doubt in this. For all that, however, they that are

unrighteous should be slain. This is my fixed vow. Those three forts are

to be pierced with one shaft. By no other means can their destruction be

effected. None else, save Sthanu, is competent to pierce them with one

shaft. Ye Adityas, select Sthanu, otherwise called Ishana and Jishnu, who

is never fatigued with work, as your warrior. It is he that will destroy

those asuras.' Hearing these words of his, the gods with Sakra at their

head, making Brahman take their lead, sought the protection of the Deity

having the bull for his mark. Those righteous ones accompanied by rishis

devoted to the severest penances and uttering the eternal words of the

Vedas, sought Bhava with their whole soul. And they praised, O king, in

the high words of the Vedas, that dispeller of fears in all situations of

fear that Universal Soul, that Supreme Soul, that One by whom All this is

pervaded with his Soul. Then the gods who, by special penances, had

learnt to still all the functions of his Soul and to withdraw Soul from

Matter,--they who had their soul always under control--beheld him, called

Ishana,--that lord of Uma, that mass of energy, that is, who hath no

equal in the universe, that source (of everything), that sinless Self.

Though that Deity is one they had imagined him to be of various forms.

Beholding in that high-souled one those diverse forms that each had

individually conceived in own heart, all of them became filled with

wonder. Beholding that Unborn one, that Lord of the universe, to be the

embodiment of all creatures, the gods and the regenerate Rishis, all

touched the Earth with their heads. Saluting them with the word 'Welcome'

and raising them from their bent attitudes, the illustrious Sankara

addressed them smilingly, saying, 'Tell us the object of your visit.'

Commanded by the Three-eyed god, their hearts became easy. They then said

these words unto him, 'Our repeated salutations to thee, O Lord.

Salutations to thee that art the source of all the gods, to thee that art

armed with the bow, to thee that art full of wrath. Salutations to thee

that hadst destroyed the sacrifice of that lord of creatures (viz.,

Daksha) to thee that art adored by all the lords of creatures.

Salutations to thee that art always praised, to thee that deservest to be

praised, to thee that art Death's self. Salutations to thee that art red,

to thee that art fierce, to thee that art blue-throated, to thee that art

armed with the trident, to thee that art incapable of being baffled, to

thee that hast eyes as beautiful as those of the gazelle, to thee that

fightest with the foremost of weapons, to thee that deservest all praise,

to thee that art pure, to thee that art destruction's self, to thee that

art the destroyer; to thee that art irresistible, to thee that art

Brahman, to thee that leadest the life of a brahmacari; to thee that art

Ishana; to thee that art immeasurable, to thee that art the great

controller, to thee that art robed in tatters; to thee that art ever

engaged in penances, to thee that art tawny, to thee that art observant

of vows, to thee that art robed in animal skins; to thee that art the

sire of Kumara, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that art armed with

the foremost of weapons, to thee that destroyest the afflictions of all

that seek thy shelter, to thee that destroyest all haters of brahmanas,

to thee that art the lord of all trees, the lord of all men, the lord of

all kine, and ever the lord of sacrifices. Salutations to thee that art

always at the head of troops, to thee that art three-eyed, to thee that

art endued with fierce energy. We devote ourselves to thee in thought,

word and deed. Be gracious unto us.' Gratified with these adorations, the

holy one, saluting them with the word 'Welcome' said unto them, 'Let your

fears be dispelled. Say, what we are to do for you?'"'"




34


"'Duryodhana said, "After the fears of those throngs of the pitris, the

gods, and the Rishis had thus been dispelled by that high-souled Deity,

Brahman then offered his adorations, unto Sankara, and said these words

for the benefit of the universe, 'Through thy favour, O Lord of all, the

Lordship of all creatures is mine. Occupying that rank, I have given a

great boon to the Danavas. It behoveth none else, save thee, O Lord of

the Past and the Future, to destroy those wicked wights that show no

regard for any one. Thou O god, art the only person competent to slay the

foes of these denizens of heaven that have sought thy protection and that

solicit thee. O lord of all the gods, show favour to these. Slay the

Danavas, O wielder of the trident. O giver of honours, let the universe,

through thy grace, obtain happiness. O Lord of all the worlds, thou art

the one whose shelter should be sought. We all seek thy shelter.'


"'"Sthanu said, 'All your foes should be slain. But, I shall not however,

slay them single-handed. The enemies of the gods are possessed of might.

Therefore, all of you, united together, consume those enemies of yours in

battle, with half my might. Union is great strength.'


"'"The gods said, 'Theirs (Danavas') is twice the energy and might of

ourselves, we think, for we have already seen their energy and might.'


"'"The holy one said, 'Those sinful wights that have offended against ye

should be slain. With half of my energy and might, slay all those enemies

of yours.'


"'"The gods said, 'We will not be able, O Maheswara, to bear half of thy

energy. With, on the other hand, half of our united might, do thou slay

those foes.'


"'"The holy one said, 'If, indeed, ye have not the ability to bear half

of my might, then, endued with half of your united energy, I will slay

them.'


"'Duryodhana continued, "The celestials then, addressing the god of gods,

said 'So be it' O best of kings. Taking half of their energies from all

of them, he became superior in might. Indeed, in might that god became

superior to all in the universe. From that time Sankara came to be called

Mahadeva. And Mahadeva then said, 'Armed with bow and shaft, I will, from

my car, slay in battle those foes of yours, ye denizens of heaven.

Therefore, ye gods, see now to my car and bow and shaft so that I may,

this very day, throw the Asuras down on the Earth.'


"'"The gods said, 'Gathering all forms that may be found in the three

worlds and taking portions of each, we will each, O Lord of the gods,

construct a car of great energy for thee. It will be a large car, the

handiwork of Viswakarman, designed with intelligence.' Saying this, those

tigers among the gods began the construction of that car. And they made

Vishnu and Soma and Hutasana the arrow for Sankara's use. Agni became the

staff, and Soma became the head, and Vishnu the point, O king, of that

foremost of arrows. The goddess Earth, with her large cities and towns,

her mountains and forests and islands, that home of diverse creatures,

was made the car. The Mandara mountain was made its axle; and the great

river Ganga was made its Jangha; and the points of the compass, cardinal

and subsidiary became the ornaments of the car. The constellations became

its shaft; the Krita age became its yoke; and that best of Snakes, viz.,

Vasuki, became the Kuvara of that car. Himavat and Vindhya mountains

became its Apaskara and Adhishthana; and the Udaya and the Asta mountains

were made the wheels of that car by those foremost ones among the gods.

They made the excellent Ocean, that abode of the Danavas its other axle.

The seven Rishis became the protectors of the wheels of that car. Ganga

and Sarasvati and Sindhu and the Sky became its Dhura; all the other

rivers and all the waters became the chords for binding the several limbs

of that car. Day and Night and the other divisions of time such as Kalas

and Kasthas, and the Seasons became its Amukarsha. The blazing planets

and the stars became its wooden fence; Religion, Profit, and Pleasure,

united together, became its Trivenu. The herbs and the creepers, decked

with flowers and fruits, became its bells. Making the Sun and the Moon

equal, these were made the (other two) wheels of that foremost of cars.

Day and Night were made its auspicious wings on the right and left. The

ten foremost of snakes having Dhritarashtra for their first, all

exceedingly strong, formed the (other) shaft of that car. The Sky was

made its (other) yoke, and the clouds called Samvartaka and Valahaka were

the leathern strings of the yoke. The two Twilights and Dhritri and Medha

and Sthiti and Sannati, and the firmament bespangled with planets and

stars, were made the skins for covering that car. Those Regents of the

world, viz., the Lords of the gods, of the waters, of the dead, and of

treasures, were made the steeds of that car. Kalaprishtha, and Nahusha,

and Karkotaka, and Dhananjaya and the other snakes became the chords for

binding the manes of the steeds. The cardinal and the subsidiary

directions became the reins of the steeds of that car. The Vedic sound

Vashat became the goad, and Gayatri became the string attached to that

goad. The four auspicious days were made the traces of the steeds, and

the pitris presiding over them were made the hooks and pins. Action and

truth and ascetic penances and profit were made the chords of that car.

The Mind became the ground upon which that car stood, and Speech the

tracks upon which it was to proceed. Beautiful banners of various hues

waved in the air. With lightning and Indra's bow attached to it, that

blazing car gave fierce light. That space of time which, on a former

occasion, had, in the Sacrifice of the high-souled Ishana, been fixed as

a Year, became the bow, and the goddess Savitri became the loud-sounding

bow-string. A celestial coat of mail was made, decked with costly gems,

and impenetrable and effulgent, sprung from the wheel of Time. That

golden mountain, viz., the beautiful Meru, became the flagstaff, and the

clouds decked with flashes of lightning became its banners. Thus

equipped, that car shone brilliantly like a blazing fire in the midst of

the priests officiating at a sacrifice. Beholding that car properly

equipped, the gods became filled with wonder. Seeing the energies of the

entire universe united together in one place, O sire, the gods wondered,

and at last represented unto that illustrious Deity that the car was

ready. After, O monarch, that best of cars had thus been constructed by

the gods, O tiger among men, for grinding their foes, Sankara placed upon

it his own celestial weapons. Making the sky its flagstaff, he placed

upon it his bovine bull. The Brahmana's rod, the rod of Death, Rudra's

rod, and Fever became the protectors of the sides of that car and stood

with faces turned towards all sides. Atharvan and Angirasa became the

protectors of the car-wheels of that illustrious warrior. The Rigveda,

the Samaveda, and the Puranas stood in advance of that car. The histories

and the Yajurveda became the protectors of the rear. All sacred Speeches

and all the Sciences stood around it, and all hymns, O monarch, and the

Vedic sound of Vashat also. And the syllable Om, O king, standing in the

van of that car, made it exceedingly beautiful. Having made the Year

adorned with the six seasons his bow, he made his own shadow the

irrefragable string of that bow in that battle. The illustrious Rudra is

Death's self. The Year became his bow; Kala Ratri the Death-night

therefore, which is Rudra's shadow, became the indestructible string of

that bow. Vishnu and Agni and Soma became (as already said) the arrow.

The universe is said to consist of Agni and Soma. The universe is

similarly said to consist of Vishnu. Vishnu is, again, the Soul of the

holy Bhava of immeasurable energy. For this the touch of that bow-string

became unbearable to the Asuras. And the lord Sankara cast on that arrow

his own irresistible and fierce wrath, the unbearable fire of anger,

viz., that which was born of wrath of Bhrigu and Angirasa. Then He called

Nila Rohita (Blue and Red or smoke)--that terrible deity robed in

skins,--looking like 10,000 Suns, and shrouded by the fire of

superabundant Energy, blazed up with splendour. That discomfiter of even

him that is difficult of being discomfited, that victor, that slayer of

all haters of Brahma, called also Hara, that rescuer of the righteous and

destroyer of the unrighteous, viz., the illustrious Sthanu, accompanied

by many beings of terrible might and terrible forms that were endued with

the speed of the mind and capable of agitating and crushing all foes, as

if with all the fourteen faculties of the soul awake about him, looked

exceedingly resplendent. Having his limbs for their refuge, this entire

universe of mobile and immobile creatures that were present there, O

king, looked beautiful, presenting a highly wonderful appearance.

Beholding that car, duly equipped, he cased himself in mail and armed

himself with the bow, and took up that celestial shaft born of Soma and

Vishnu and Agni. The gods, O king, then commanded that foremost of

celestials, viz., Wind, to breathe after that puissant Deity all the

fragrance that he carries. Then Mahadeva, terrifying the very gods, and

making the very Earth tremble, ascended that car resolutely. Then the

great Rishis, the Gandharvas, those throngs of gods and those diverse

tribes of Apsaras began to praise that Lord of the gods while he was

about to ascend that car. Adored by the regenerate Rishis, and praised by

the eulogists and diverse tribes of dancing Apsaras well-versed in the

art of dancing, that boon-giving lord, armed with scimitar and arrow and

bow, looked very beautiful. Smiling, he then asked the gods, 'Who will

become my driver?' The gods answered him, saying, 'He whom thou wilt

appoint, will, O Lord of the gods, without doubt, become thy driver!'

Unto them the god replied, 'Reflecting yourselves, without delay make him

my driver who is superior to me!' Hearing these words uttered by that

high-souled Deity, the gods repaired unto the Grandsire and inclining him

to grace, said these words, 'We have accomplished everything, O holy one,

that thou hadst ordered us to do in the matter of afflicting the foes of

celestials. The Deity having the bull for his mark has been gratified

with us. A car hath been constructed by us, equipped with many wonderful

weapons. We do not, however, know who is to become the driver of that

foremost of cars. Therefore, let some foremost one among the gods be

appointed as the driver. O holy one, it behoveth thee to make true those

words that thou, O lord, hadst then said to us. Before this, O god, thou

hadst even said to us that thou wouldst do us good. It behoveth thee to

accomplish that promise. That irresistible and best of cars, that router

of our foes, hath been constructed out of the component parts of the

celestials. The Deity armed with Pinaka hath been made the warrior who is

to stand on it. Striking the Danavas with fear, he is prepared for

battle. The four Vedas have become the four foremost of steeds. With her

mountains, the Earth has become the car of that high-souled one. The

stars have become the adornments of that vehicle. (As already said) Hara

is the warrior. We do not, however, see who is to become the driver. A

driver should be sought for that car who is superior to all these. Equal

to thee in importance is that car, O god, and Hara is the warrior.

Armour, and weapons, and bow, these we have got already, O Grandsire.

Except thee, we do not behold any person that can make its driver. Thou

art endued with every accomplishment. Thou, O lord, art superior to all

the gods. Mounting upon that car with speed, hold the reins of those

foremost of steeds, for the victory of the celestials and the destruction

of their foes.' It has been heard by us that bowing with their heads unto

the Grandsire that Lord of the three worlds, the gods sought to gratify

him for inducing him to accept the drivership.


"'"The Grandsire said, 'There is nothing of untruth in all this that ye

have said, ye denizens of heaven. I will hold the reins of the steeds for

Kapaddin while he will be engaged in fight.' Then that illustrious god,

that Creator of the worlds, the Grandsire, was appointed by the gods as

the driver of the high-souled Ishana. And when he was about to ascend

quickly upon that car worshipped by all, those steeds, endued with the

speed of the wind, bowed themselves with their heads to the Earth. Having

ascended the car the illustrious Deity, viz., the Grandsire resplendent

with his own energy, took the reins and the goad. Then the illustrious

god, raising those steeds addressed that foremost one among the gods,

viz., Sthanu, saying, 'Ascend.' Then, taking that arrow composed of

Vishnu and Soma and Agni, Sthanu ascended the car, causing the foe to

tremble by means of his bow. The great Rishis, the Gandharvas, the

throngs of gods, and the diverse tribes of Apsaras, then praised that

Lord of the gods after he had ascended the car. Resplendent with beauty,

the boon-giving Lord, armed with scimitar, shaft, and bow, stayed on the

car causing the three worlds to blaze forth with his own energy. The

great Deity once more said unto the gods headed by Indra, 'Ye should

never grieve, doubting my ability to destroy the Asura. Know that the

Asuras have already been slain by means of this arrow'. The gods then

answered, saying, 'It is true! The Asuras have already been slain.'

Indeed, the gods thinking that the words which the divine Lord had said

could not be untrue, became exceedingly gratified. Then that Lord of the

gods proceeded surrounded by all the gods, upon that large car, O king,

which had nothing to compare with it. And the illustrious Deity was

adored, all the while by the attendants that always wait upon him, and by

others that subsisted on meat, that were invincible in battle, and that

danced in joy on the present occasion, running wildly on all sides and

shouting at one another, Rishis also, of great good fortune, possessed of

ascetic merit and endued with high qualities, as also the gods, wished

for Mahadeva's success. When that boon-giving Lord, that dispeller of the

fears of the three worlds, thus proceeded, the entire universe, all the

gods, O best of men, became exceedingly gratified. And the Rishis there

adored the Lord of the gods with diverse hymns, and enhancing his energy,

O king, took up their station there. And millions upon millions of

Gandharvas played upon diverse kinds of musical instruments at the hour

of his setting out. When the boon-giving Brahman, having ascended the

car, set out for the Asuras, the Lord of the Universe, smiling the while,

said, 'Excellent, Excellent! Proceed, O god, to the spot where the

Daityas are. Urge the steeds wakefully. Behold today the might of arms

while I slay the foe in battle.' Thus addressed, Brahman urged those

steeds endued with the fleetness of the wind or thought towards that spot

where the triple city, O king, stood, protected by the Daityas and the

Danavas. With those steeds worshipped by all the worlds, and which

coursed with such speed that they seemed to devour the skies, the

illustrious god quickly proceeded for the victory of the denizens of

heaven. Indeed, when Bhava, riding on the car, set out towards the triple

city, his bull uttered tremendous roars, filling all the points of the

compass. Hearing that loud and terrible roar of the bull, many of the

descendants and followers of Taraka, those enemies of the gods, breathed

their last. Others amongst them stood facing the foe for battle. Then

Sthanu, O king, armed with trident became deprived of his senses in

wrath. All creatures became frightened, and the three worlds began to

tremble. Frightful portents appeared when he was on the point of aiming

that shaft. In consequence, however, of the pressure caused by the weight

of Soma, Agni, and Vishnu that were in that shaft, as also of the

pressure caused by the weight of Brahman and Rudra and the latter's bow,

that car seemed to sink. Then Narayana, issuing out of the point of that

shaft, assumed the form of a bull and raised that large car. During the

time the car had sunk and the foe had began to roar, the illustrious

Deity, endued with great might began, from rage, to utter loud shouts,

standing, O giver of honours, on the head of his bull and the back of his

steeds. At that time the illustrious Rudra was employed in eyeing the

Danava city. While in that posture, O best of men, Rudra cut off the

teats of the horses and clove the hoofs of the bull. Blessed be thou,

from the date the hoofs of all animals of the bovine species came to be

cloven. And from that time, O king, horses, afflicted by the mighty Rudra

of wonderful deeds, came to be without teats. Then Sarva, having stringed

his bow and aimed that shaft with which he had united the Pasupata

weapon, waited thinking of the triple city. And O king, as Rudra thus

stood, holding his bow, the three cities during that time became united.

When the three cities, losing their separate characters became united,

tumultuous became the joy of the high-souled gods. Then all the gods, the

Siddhas, and the great Rishis, uttered the word Jaya, adoring Maheshwara.

The triple city then appeared immediately before that god of unbearable

energy, that Deity of fierce and indescribable form, that warrior who was

desirous of slaying the Asuras. The illustrious deity, that Lord of the

universe, then drawing that celestial bow, sped that shaft which

represented the might of the whole universe, at the triple city. Upon

that foremost of shafts, O thou of great good fortune, being shot, loud

wails of woe were heard from those cities as they began to fall down

towards the Earth. Burning those Asuras, he threw them down into the

Western ocean. Thus was the triple city burnt and thus were the Danavas

exterminated by Maheswara in wrath, from desire of doing good to the

three worlds. The fire born of his own wrath, the three-eyed god

quenched, saying, 'Do not reduce the three worlds to ashes.' After this,

the gods, the Rishis, and the three worlds became all restored to their

natural dispositions, and gratified Sthanu of unrivalled energy with

words of high import. Receiving then the permission of the great god, the

gods with the Creator at their head went away to the places they came

from, their object being accomplished after such effort. Thus that

illustrious Deity, that Creator of the worlds, that Lord of both the Gods

and the Asuras, viz., Maheswara, did that which was for the good of all

the worlds. As the illustrious Brahman, the Creator of the worlds, the

Grandsire, the Supreme Deity of unfading glory, acted as the driver of

Rudra, so do thou restrain the steeds of the high-souled son of Radha

like Grandsire restraining those of Rudra. There is not the slightest

doubt, O tiger among kings, that thou art superior to Krishna, to Karna,

and to Phalguna. In battle, Karna is like Rudra, and thou art like

Brahman in policy. United, ye two, therefore, are competent to vanquish

my foes that are even like the Asuras. Let, O Shalya, that be done

speedily today by which this Karna, grinding the Pandava troops, may be

able to slay Kunti's son owning white steeds and having Krishna for the

driver of his car. Upon thee depend Karna, ourselves, our kingdom, and

(our) victory in battle. Hold the reins, therefore, of the excellent

steeds (of Karna). There is another story which I will narrate. Listen

once more to it. A virtuous brahmana had recited it in the presence of my

father. Hearing these delightful words fraught with the reasons and

purposes of acts, do, O Shalya, what thou mayst settle, without

entertaining any scruples. In the race of the Bhrigus was Jamadagni of

severe ascetic penances. He had a son endued with energy and every

virtue, who became celebrated by the name of Rama. Practising the

austerest penances, of cheerful soul, bound to observances and vows, and

keeping his senses under control, he gratified the god Bhava for

obtaining weapons. In consequence of his devotion and tranquillity of

heart. Mahadeva became gratified with him. Sankara, understanding the

desire cherished in his heart, showed himself unto Rama. And Mahadeva

said, 'O Rama, I am gratified with thee. Blessed be thou, thy desire is

known to me. Make thy soul pure. Thou wilt then have all that thou

desirest. I will give thee all weapons when thou wilt become pure. Those

weapons, O son, of Bhrigu, burn a person that is incompetent and that is

not deserving of them.' Thus addressed by that god of gods, that deity

bearing the trident, the son of Jamadagni, bending his head unto that

puissant high-souled one, said, 'O god of gods, it behoveth thee to give

those weapons unto me that am always devoted to thy service, when, indeed

thou wilt regard me fit for holding them.'"


"'Duryodhana continued. "With penances then, and restraining his senses,

and observances of vows, and worship and offerings and with sacrifices

and Homa performed with mantras, Rama adored Sarva for many long years.

At last Mahadeva, pleased with the high-souled son of Bhrigu's race,

described him, in the presence of his divine spouse, as possessed of many

virtues: 'This Rama, of firm vows is ever devoted to me.' Gratified with

him, the Lord Sankara thus repeatedly proclaimed his virtues in the

presence of gods and the Rishis, O slayer of foes. Meanwhile, the Daityas

became very mighty. Blinded by pride and folly, they afflicted the

denizens of heaven. The gods then, uniting together, and firmly resolved

to slay them, strove earnestly for the destruction of those foes. They,

however, failed to vanquish them. The gods then, repairing to Maheswara,

the Lord of Uma, began to gratify him with devotion, saying, 'Slay our

foes.' That god, having promised the destruction of their foes unto the

celestials, summoned Rama the descendant of Bhrigu. And Sankara addressed

Rama, saying, 'O descendant of Bhrigu, slay all the assembled foes of the

gods, from desire of doing good unto all the worlds as also for my

satisfaction.' Thus addressed, Rama replied unto that boon-giving Lord of

Three-eyes, saying, 'What strength have I, O chief of the gods destitute

as I am of weapons, to slay in battle the assembled Danavas that are

accomplished in weapons and invincible in fight? Maheswara said, 'Go thou

at my command. Thou shalt slay those foes. Having vanquished all those

enemies, thou shalt acquire numerous merits.' Hearing these words and

accepting them all, Rama, causing propitiatory rites to be performed for

his success, proceeded against the Danavas. Addressing those enemies of

the gods that were endued with might and possessed with folly and pride,

he said, 'Ye Daityas that are fierce in battle, give me battle. I have

been sent by the God of gods to vanquish you.' Thus addressed by the

descendant of Bhrigu, the Daityas began to fight. The delighter of the

Bhargavas, however, slaying the Daityas in battle, with strokes whose

touch resembled that of Indra's thunder, came back to Mahadeva.

Jamadagni's son, that foremost of brahmanas returned with many wounds on

his person inflicted by the Danavas. Touched, however by Sthanu, his

wounds were immediately healed. Gratified also with that feat of his, the

illustrious god gave diverse kinds of boons unto the high-souled son of

Bhrigu. With satisfaction in his heart, the trident-wielding God of gods

said, 'The pain thou hast suffered in consequence of the fall of weapons

upon thy body evidences the super-human feat that thou hast achieved, O

delighter of the Bhrigus. As desired by thee, accept from me these

celestial weapons.'"


"'Duryodhana continued, "Having obtained all the celestial weapons and

the boons that had been desired by him, Rama bowed unto Siva with his

head. Obtaining the leave also of the gods that great ascetic went away.

This is the old story that the rishi had recited. The descendant of

Bhrigu gave the whole science of weapons unto the high-souled Karna, O

tiger among kings with delighted heart. If Karna had any fault, O lord of

Earth, the delighter of Bhrigu's race would never have given him his

celestial weapons. I do not think that Karna could have been born in the

Suta order. I think him to be the son of a god, born in the kshatriya

order. I think that he was abandoned (in infancy) in order that the race

in which he was born might be ascertained (by his features and feats). By

no means, O Shalya, could this Karna have been born in the Suta order.

With his (natural) earring and (natural) coat of mail, this mighty

car-warrior of long arms, resembling Surya himself, could not be borne by

a common woman even as a she-deer can never bear a tiger. His arms are

massive, each resembling the trunk of a prince of elephants. Behold his

chest that is so broad and capable of resisting every foe. Karna

otherwise called Vaikartana, O king, cannot be an ordinary person. Endued

with great valour, this disciple of Rama, O king of kings, is a

high-souled personage.'"




35


"'Duryodhana said, "Even thus did that illustrious Deity, that Grandsire

of all the worlds, viz., Brahman, act as driver on that occasion and even

thus did Rudra become the warrior. The driver of the car, O hero, should

be superior to the warrior on it. Therefore, O tiger among men, do thou

hold the reins of the steeds in this battle. As on that occasion the

Grandsire had been selected with care by all the celestials, indeed, O

great king, as one greater than Sankara, so thou that art superior to

Karna art now selected by us with care. Like the Grandsire holding the

reins of Rudra's steeds, do thou hold, without delay, the reins of

Karna's steeds in battle, O thou of great splendour."


"'Shalya said, "O foremost of men, many a time have I heard this

excellent and celestial history, recited to me, of those two lions among

gods. Indeed, I have heard how the Grandsire acted as the driver of Bhava

and how the Asuras also, O Bharata, were all destroyed with one shaft.

Krishna also had knowledge of all this before, the knowledge, viz., of

how the illustrious Grandsire had become the driver on that occasion of

yore. Indeed, Krishna knoweth the past and the future with all their

details. Knowing this fact, he became the driver, O Bharata, of Partha

like the Self-create becoming the driver of Rudra. If the Suta's son, by

some means, succeeds in slaying the son of Kunti, Keshava, beholding

Partha slain, will fight himself. That bearer of the conch, the discus,

and the mace, will then consume thy army. There is no king here that will

stay in the ranks in front of that illustrious one of Vrishni's race when

he will be excited with wrath.'"


"Sanjaya said, 'Unto the ruler of the Madras who was speaking in that

strain, that chastiser of foes, viz., thy mighty-armed son of cheerful

soul replied, saying, "Do not, O mighty-armed one, think disparagingly of

Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, in battle,--that warrior who is the

foremost of all wielders of arms and who is acquainted with the meaning

of the whole body of our scriptures. Hearing the terrible and loud twang

of his bow and the sound of his palms, the Pandava troops fly away on all

sides. Thou hast witnessed it with thy own eyes, O mighty-armed one, how

Ghatotkaca, screened by his illusions and displaying hundreds of still

slain that night (by Karna). Feeling a great fear all these days Vibhatsu

could never stand, fronting Karna. The mighty Bhimasena also, moved

hither and thither by the horn of Karna's bow, was, O king, addressed in

very harsh words such as 'Fool' and 'Glutton.' The two brave sons of

Madri also were defeated by Karna in great battle, though, from some

object he had in view, he did not, O sire, slay them then. That foremost

one of Vrishni's race, viz., the heroic Satyaki, the chief of the Satwata

clan, was vanquished by Karna and made carless. Others, such as all the

Srinjayas headed by Dhrishtadyumna, have been repeatedly defeated in

battle by Karna the great car-warrior who has achieved all these feats

and who excited with wrath, is competent to slay Purandara himself armed

with the thunderbolt in fight. Thyself also, O hero, art acquainted with

every weapon. Thou art, again, the master of all branches of learning.

There is none on Earth who is thy equal in might of arms. Irresistible in

prowess, thou art like a dart (Shalya) unto thy enemies. It is for this,

O king, that thou O slayer of foes, art called 'Shalya.' Encountering the

might of thy arms, all the Satwatas were unable to get the better of it.

Is Krishna superior to thee in might of arms, O king? Indeed, as Krishna

is to bear the burthen of the Pandava troops upon the slaughter of

Partha, even so art thou to bear the burthen of this vast (Kaurava) force

if Karna lays down his life. Why should he be able to resist my troops

and why shouldst not thou be able to slay the hostile troops, O sire? For

thy sake, O sire, I would willingly follow the footsteps of my (slain)

brothers and the other heroic kings of the Earth."


"'Shalya said, "O son of Gandhari, when thou, O giver of honours,

describest me before thy troops to be superior to the son of Devaki, I am

exceedingly gratified with thee. I accept the drivership of the

celebrated son of Radha when he will fight with that foremost of the sons

of Pandu, as thou desirest. I have, however, O hero, a compact to make

with Vaikartana, and that is this: I will utter whatever words I may

wish, in this one's presence.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Thy son then, O king, with Karna, O sire, answered

the ruler of the Madras, saying, "Let it be so" in the presence of all

the kshatriyas. Assured by Shalya's acceptance of the drivership,

Duryodhana, filled with joy, embraced Karna. Eulogised (by bards and

panegyrists around), thy son then once more addressed Karna, saying,

"Slay all the Parthas in battle, like the great Indra slaying the

Danavas." Shalya having accepted the office of holding the reins of his

steeds, Karna, with a cheerful heart, once more addressed Duryodhana,

saying, "The ruler of the Madras does not say very cheerfully what he

says. O king, solicit him once more in sweet words." Thus addressed, the

mighty king Duryodhana, possessed of great wisdom and accomplished in

everything, once more spoke unto that lord of Earth, viz., Shalya, the

ruler of Madras, in a voice deep as that of the clouds and filling the

whole region there with the sound of that voice: "O Shalya, Karna thinks

that he should fight with Arjuna today. O tiger among men hold the reins

of Karna's steeds in battle. Having slain all the other warriors Karna

desires to slay Phalguna. I solicit thee, O king, repeatedly, in the

matter of holding the reins of his steeds. As Krishna, that foremost of

all drivers, is the counsellor of Partha, even so do thou protect the son

of Radha today from every danger.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Embracing thy son then, Shalya the ruler of the

Madras, joyfully answered that slayer of foes, viz., Duryodhana, saying,

"If this is what is thou thinkest, O royal son of Gandhari, O thou of

handsome features, I shall, for that, accomplish everything that may be

agreeable to thee. O chief of the Bharatas, for whatever acts I may be

fit, employing myself therein with my whole heart, I will bear the

burthen of those acts of thine. Let Karna, however, and thyself pardon me

all those words, agreeable or disagreeable, that I may speak unto Karna

from desire of his good.'"


"'Karna said, "O ruler of the Madras, be thou ever engaged in our good as

Brahman in that of Ishana, as Keshava in that of Partha."


"'Shalya said, "These four kinds of conduct--self-rebuke and self-praise,

speaking ill of others, and adulation of others, are never practised by

those that are respectable. That, however, O learned one, which I shall

say, for inspiring thy confidence is fraught with self-adulation. For all

that, listen to it duly. O puissant one, like Matali himself, I am fit to

act as the driver of even Indra in watchfulness, in managing the steeds,

in knowledge of coming danger and of the means of avoiding it, and in

competence to avoid it in practice. When thou wilt be engaged in battle

with Partha, I will hold the reins of thy steeds. Let thy anxiety be

dispelled, O Suta's son."'"




36


"'Duryodhana said, "This one, O Karna, will act as thy driver, this ruler

of the Madras, who is superior to Krishna, like Matali the driver of the

chief of the celestials. Indeed, as Matali taketh the management of the

car unto which the steeds of Indra are attached, even so will Shalya be

the driver of the steeds of thy car today. With thyself as warrior on

that vehicle and the ruler of the Madras as its driver, that foremost of

car will certainly vanquish the Parthas in battle.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'When the morning came, O monarch, Duryodhana once

more addressed the ruler of the Madras endued with great activity,

saying, "O ruler of the Madras, hold the reins in battle of Karna's

foremost of steeds. Protected by thee, the son of Radha will vanquish

Dhananjaya." Thus addressed, Shalya, answering, "So be it" ascended the

car, O Bharata. When Shalya approached that car, Karna with a cheerful

heart addressed his driver, saying, "O charioteer, quickly equip the car

for me." Having duly equipped that triumphal car, the foremost of its

kind, which resembled the vapoury mansions in the sky, Shalya presented

it to Karna, saying, "Blessed be thou, victory to thee." Then Karna, that

foremost of car-warriors, duly worshipping that car which had in days of

old been sanctified by a priest conversant with Brahma, and

circumambulating it and carefully adoring the god Surya addressed the

ruler of the Madras standing near, saying, "Ascend the vehicle."

Thereupon Shalya of mighty energy ascended that large, invincible, and

foremost of cars, belonging to Karna like a lion ascending a mountain

summit. Beholding Shalya stationed, Karna ascended his excellent car like

the Sun riding on a mass of clouds charged with lightning. Mounted on the

same car, those two heroes endued with the splendour or the Sun of fire

looked resplendent like Surya and Agni sitting together on a cloud in the

firmament. Eulogised then (by bards and panegyrists), those two heroes of

great effulgence looked like Indra and Agni adored with hymns in a

sacrifice by Ritwiks and Sadasyas. Karna stood on that car, the reins of

whose steeds were held by Shalya, stretching his formidable bow, like the

Sun himself within a halo of circular light. Stationed on that foremost

of cars, that tiger among men, Karna, with his shafts constituting his

rays, looked beautiful like the Sun on the Mandara mountains. Unto the

mighty-armed son of Radha that warrior of immeasurable energy, stationed

on his car for battle. Duryodhana said these words, "O son of Adhiratha,

O hero, do thou achieve that feat difficult of accomplishment which Drona

and Bhishma have not achieved in the very sight of all the bowmen. I had

always believed that those two mighty car-warriors, viz., Bhishma and

Drona, would without doubt slay Arjuna and Bhimasena in battle. Like a

second wielder of the thunderbolt, O son of Radha, do thou in great

battle achieve that feat worthy of a hero which was not achieved by those

two. Either seize king Yudhishthira the just or slay Dhananjaya and

Bhimasena, O son of Radha, and the twin sons of Madri. Blessed be thou,

let victory be thine. Set out for battle, O tiger among men. Reduce to

ashes all the troops of Pandu's son." Then thousands of trumpets and tens

of thousands of drums, sounded together, produced a noise like that of

the clouds in the welkin. Accepting those words (of Duryodhana), the

foremost of car-warriors stationed on his car, viz., the son of Radha,

addressed Shalya, that warrior accomplished in battle, saying, "Urge the

steeds, O mighty-armed one, so that I may slay Dhananjaya and Bhimasena

and both the twins and king Yudhishthira. O Shalya, let Dhananjaya behold

today the might of my arms, when I will be engaged in shooting shafts

winged with Kanka feathers in hundreds and thousands. Today, O Shalya, I

will shoot shafts with great energy for the destruction of the Pandavas

and the victory of Duryodhana."


"'"Shalya said, "O Suta's son, why dost thou think so low of the sons of

Pandu, all of whom are endued with great might, all of whom are great

bowmen, and all of whom are acquainted with every weapon? They are

unretreating, of great good fortune, invincible, and of prowess incapable

of being baffled. They are capable of inspiring fear in the heart of

Indra himself. When, son of Radha thou wilt hear the twang of Gandiva in

battle, resembling the peal of the thunder itself, thou wilt not then

utter such speeches. When thou wilt behold Dharma's son and the twins

causing a canopy, like that of the clouds in the welkin, with their sharp

arrows, and the other invincible kings (of the Pandava army), endued with

great lightness of hands and shooting (showers of shafts) and weakening

their foes, then thou wilt not utter such words.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Disregarding those words spoken by the ruler of the

Madras, Karna addressing him endued with great activity, saying,

"Proceed."'"




37


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the mighty Karna take up his station from

desire of battle, the Kauravas, filled with delight, uttered loud shouts

from every side. With the beat of cymbals and the sound of drums, with

the whizz of diverse kinds of arrows and the roars of combatants endued

with great activity, all thy troops proceeded to battle, making death

only the point at which to stop. When Karna set out and the warriors of

the Kuru army were filled with joy, the Earth, O king, trembled and made

a loud noise. The seven great planets including the Sun seemed to proceed

against one another (for combat). Meteoric showers became noticeable and

all the quarters seemed ablaze. Thunders fell from a cloudless sky, and

fierce winds began to blow. Animals and birds in larger numbers kept thy

army to their right, foreboding great calamities. After Karna had set

out, his steeds tumbled down on the Earth. A frightful shower of bones

fell from the sky. The weapons (of the Kuru warriors) seemed to be

ablaze; their standards trembled; and their animals, O monarch, shed

copious tears. These and many other terrible and awful portents appeared

for the destruction of the Kurus. Stupefied by destiny, none of them

regarded those portents at all. Beholding the Suta's son setting out, all

the rulers of men (in the Kaurava army) cried victory to him. The

Kauravas regarded the Pandavas to have been already vanquished. That

slayer of hostile heroes, that foremost of car-warriors, viz.,

Vaikartana, as he stayed on his car recollecting the death of Bhishma and

Drona, blazed up with splendour like the Sun or fire. Reflecting on the

mighty feats of Partha, and burning with self-conceit and pride, and

blazing with wrath and breathing long and hard, he addressed Shalya and

said these words: "When stationed on my car and armed with my bow, I

would not take fright at Indra himself armed with the thunder and excited

with wrath. Beholding those great heroes headed by Bhishma lying on the

field of battle, do not feel any anxiety. Seeing even the faultless

Bhishma and Drona, equal unto Indra and Vishnu, those crushers of

foremost of cars and steeds and elephants, those heroes that were

unslayable, slain by the foe, I do not still experience any fear in this

battle. Acquainted with mighty weapons, and himself the foremost of

brahmanas, why, indeed, did not the preceptor slay in battle all foes,

seeing them destroy the mightiest of our kings with their drivers and

elephants and cars? Remembering that Drona in great battle, I tell you

truly, listen to me, ye Kurus, there is none amongst you, save myself,

that is competent to bear the advancing Arjuna, that warrior who

resembles Death himself in his fiercest form. In Drona were the skills

attendant on practice, and might, and bravery, and the highest of weapons

and policy. When even that high-souled one had to succumb to Death, I

regard all the others (of our army), strengthless and on the point of

death. In this world I do not find anything, even on reflection, to be

stable, in consequence of the inevitable connection of acts. When the

preceptor himself is dead, who then will indulge in the certain belief

that he will live till even today's sun-rise? When the preceptor was thus

slain by the enemy in battle, without doubt weapons, ordinary and

celestial, and might and prowess, and achievements and wise policy, are

not able to compass the happiness of man. In energy Drona was equal to

fire or the Sun, in prowess he resembled Vishnu or Purandara; in policy

he was equal to Brihaspati or Usana; irresistible as he was, weapons

could not yet protect him. When (our) women and children are weeping and

uttering loud wails, when the valour of the Dhartarashtras has been

defeated, I know it, O Shalya, that it is I who am to fight. Proceed

therefore, against the army of our enemies. Who else, save myself, will

be able to bear those troops amongst whom are stationed the royal son of

Pandu firm in truth, and Bhimasena and Arjuna, and Satyaki, and the

twins? Therefore, O ruler of the Madras, proceed quickly, in this battle,

towards the Pancalas, the Pandavas, and the Srinjayas. Encountering them

in battle, either I will slay them, or myself to Yama's presence by the

path taken by Drona. Do not think, O Shalya, that I will not go into the

very midst of those heroes. These intestine dissensions cannot be

tolerated by me. (Without seeking to tolerate them) I will even follow in

the wake of Drona. Wise or ignorant, when his period is run out,

everybody is equally regarded by the Destroyer; no one can escape, O

learned one, for this, I will proceed against the Parthas. I am unable to

transgress my destiny. The son of Vichitravirya's son is, O king, always

engaged in doing me good. For the accomplishment of his purpose, I will

cast away my life-breaths that are so dear, and this body that is so

difficult of being cast away. This foremost of cars covered with

tigerskins, with axle producing no sound equipped with a golden seat

endued with trivenu made of silver, and unto which are yoked these

foremost of steeds, Rama gave unto me. Behold, also, O Shalya, these

beautiful bows, these standards, these maces, these shafts of fierce

forms, this blazing sword, this mighty weapon, this white conch of fierce

and loud blare. Riding upon this car decked with banners, its wheels

producing a rattle deep as that of the thunder, having white steeds yoked

unto it, and adorned with excellent quivers, I will, putting forth my

might, slay in battle that bull among car-warriors, Arjuna. If Death

himself, that universal consumer, were to protect with vigilance the son

of Pandu in battle, I would still encounter him in fight and either slay

him or myself go to Yama's presence following Bhishma. If Yama, Varuna,

Kuvera, and Vasava, with all their followers coming hither, unitedly

protect the son of Pandu in this great battle, what need of many words, I

will still vanquish him with them.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing these words of the bragging Karna who was

exceedingly delighted with the prospect of battle, the valiant king of

the Madras, deriding him, laughed aloud, and gave him the following reply

for checking him.


"'Shalya said, "Forbear, forbear, O Karna, from such bragging. Thou art

in transports of delight and sayest what thou shouldst never say. Where

is Dhananjaya, that foremost of men, and where again, art thou, O lowest

of men? Who else, save Arjuna, could take away the younger sister of

(Keshava) that foremost of all persons, having forcibly agitated the home

of the Yadus that was protected by the younger brother of Indra and that

resembled heaven itself that is guarded by the chief of celestials? What

man save Arjuna who is endued with prowess that is equal to the prowess

of the chief of the celestials, could on the occasion of the dispute

caused by the slaughter of an animal, summon Bhava the Lord of Lords, the

Creator of the worlds, to battle? For the sake of honouring Agni, Jaya

had vanquished asuras and gods and great snakes and men and birds and

pishacas and yakshas and rakshasas with his shafts and gave unto that god

the food he had desired. Dost thou remember, O Karna, the occasion when,

slaughtering those foes in large numbers with his excellent shafts endued

with the effulgence of the Sun, Phalguna liberated Dhritarashtra's son

himself among the Kurus? Dost thou remember the occasion when, thyself

having been the first to fly away, the quarrelsome sons of Dhritarashtra

were liberated by the Pandavas after the latter had defeated those

rangers of the skies (the gandharvas headed by Citraratha)? On the

occasion also of the seizure of (Virata's) kine, the Kauravas, swelling

with numbers in respect of both men and animals, and having the preceptor

and the preceptor's son and Bhishma amongst them, were vanquished by that

foremost of men. Why, O son of Suta, didst thou not vanquish Arjuna then?

For thy destruction another excellent battle has now presented itself. If

thou dost not fly away from fear of thy enemy, know O Suta's son, that as

soon as thou goest to battle thou wilt be slain.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'When the ruler of the Madras was most heartily

engaged in addressing these harsh speeches to Karna and uttering these

praises of the latter's foe, that scorcher of foes, viz., the commander

of the Kuru army, excited with rage, said these words unto the Madra king.


"'Karna said, "Let it be so, let it be so. Why, however, dost thou

indulge in Arjuna's praises? A battle is about to ensue between myself

and him. If he vanquishes me in fight, then will these thy praises be

regarded as well-uttered.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'The ruler of the Madras said, "Let it be so," and

gave no reply. When Karna, from desire of fight, addressed Shalya,

saying, "Proceed," then that great carwarrior, having white steeds yoked

unto his vehicle and owning Shalya as his charioteer, proceeded against

his foes, slaying large numbers in battle along his way, like the Sun

destroying the darkness. Indeed, on that car covered with tiger-skins and

having white steeds yoked unto it, Karna proceeded with a cheerful heart,

and beholding the army of the Pandavas, speedily enquired after

Dhananjaya.'"




38


"Sanjaya said 'After Karna, gladdening thy army, had set out for battle,

he spoke unto every Pandava soldier that he met with, even these words:

"Unto him that will today point out the high-souled Dhananjaya of white

steeds to me, I will give whatever wealth he desires. If having got it he

does not become satisfied, I shall in addition, give him,--him that is,

that will discover Arjuna to me, a cart-load of jewels and gems. If that

does not satisfy the person who discovers Arjuna to me, I will give him a

century of kine with as many vessels of brass for milking those animals.

I will give a hundred foremost of villages unto the person that discovers

Arjuna to me. I will also give him that shows Arjuna to me a number of

long-tressed damsels of black eyes and a car unto which shall be yoked

white mules. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to

me, I shall give him another foremost of cars, made of gold, and having

six bulls yoked unto it that shall be as large as elephants. I shall also

give unto him a hundred damsels decked with ornaments, with collars of

gold, fair-complexioned and accomplished in singing and dancing. If that

does not satisfy the person that discovers Arjuna to me, I shall give him

a 100 elephants, a 100 villages and a 100 cars, and 10,000 steeds of the

foremost of breed, fat, docile, endued with many excellent qualities,

capable of dragging cars and well-trained. I shall also give to the

person that discovers Arjuna to me four hundred kine, each with golden

horns and her calf. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers

Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., five hundred

steeds, adorned with trappings of gold and decked with jewelled

ornaments. I shall also give eighteen other steeds of great docility. I

shall also give the person that discovers Arjuna to me a bright car made

of gold and adorned with diverse ornaments and having foremost of Kamboja

steeds yoked unto it. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers

Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., six hundred

elephants, with chains of gold around their necks, and covered with

housings of gold, born in the western shores of the ocean, and trained by

elephant trainers. If that does not satisfy the person that discovers

Arjuna to me, I shall make him a more valuable gift, viz., fourteen

Vaishya villages, teeming with people, full of wealth, situated in the

proximity of forests and rivers, free from all sorts of danger, well

furnished (with other necessaries), and worthy of being enjoyed by kings.

To him that will discover Dhananjaya to me, I shall also give a hundred

female slaves, with golden collars, belonging to the country of the

Magadhas, and of very youthful age. If that does not satisfy the person

that discovers Arjuna to me, I will make him a more valuable gift, that,

indeed, which he himself will solicit. Sons, wives and articles of

pleasure and enjoyment that I have, these all I shall give him if he

desires them. Indeed, unto him who discovers Keshava and Arjuna to me, I

shall, after slaying those two, give all the wealth that may be left by

them." Having uttered those diverse speeches in that battle, Karna blew

his excellent conch, sea-born and producing a sweet blare. Hearing these

words of Suta's son that were suitable to his disposition, Duryodhana, O

king, with all his followers became filled with joy. At that juncture the

beat of cymbals and drums and leonine shouts, and grunts of elephants

with the sounds of diverse musical instruments, arose there, O king,

among the (Kaurava) troops, O bull among men. The shouts also of warriors

filled with joy arose there. When the (Kaurava) troops were thus filled

with joy, the ruler of the Madras, laughing in scorn, said these words

unto that grinder of foes, viz., the son of Radha, that mighty

car-warrior who was about to plunge into that ocean of battle and who was

indulging in such vain bragging.'"




39


"'Shalya said, "Do not, O Suta's son, give away to any man a golden car

with six bulls of elephantine proportions. Thou wilt obtain a sight of

Dhananjaya today. From foolishness thou art giving away wealth as if thou

wert the Lord of treasures. Without any trouble, however, O son of Radha,

thou wilt behold Dhananjaya today. Thou art for giving away this wealth

like a senseless person; but thou seest not the demerits attaching to

those gifts that are made to undeserving persons. With that large wealth

which thou art desirous of giving away, thou art certainly able to

perform many sacrifices. Therefore, O Suta's son, do thou perform those

sacrifices. As regards thy desire, entertained from folly, that is surely

vain. We have never heard of a couple of lions having been overthrown by

a fox. Thou seekest what should never be sought by thee. It seems that

thou hast no friends for forbidding thee that art speedily falling into a

blazing fire. Thou art unable to discriminate between what thou shouldst

do and what thou shouldst not. Without doubt thy period is full. What man

desirous of living would utter speeches that are so incoherent and

undeserving of being listened to? This thy endeavour is like that of a

person desirous of crossing the ocean by the aid of only his two arms

after having attached to his neck a heavy stone, or of one desirous of

leaping down from the summit of a mountain. If thou art desirous of

winning what is for thy good, fight with Dhananjaya, well protected from

within thy arrayed division, and aided by all thy warriors. I say this to

thee for the good of Dhritarashtra's son and not from any ill will to

thee. If thou hast any wish for preserving thy life then accept the words

spoken by me."


"'Karna said, "Relying on the might of my own arms I seek Arjuna in

battle. Thou, however, that art a foe with the face of a friend desirest

to frighten me. No person shall deter me from this resolution, not even

Indra himself uplifting his thunder; what then need be said of a mortal?'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'At the conclusion of these words of Karna, Shalya,

the ruler of the Madras, desirous of provoking Karna exceedingly, said

these words in reply, "When keen-pointed shafts winged with Kanka

feathers, shot by Phalguna of mighty arms and impelled from his

bow-string and sped with all his energy will seek thee then wilt thou

lament thy encounter with that hero. When Partha, called also Savyasaci,

taking up his celestial bow, will scorch the (Kuru) army and afflict thee

exceedingly with keen shafts, then, O Suta's son, wilt thou repent (of

thy folly). As a child lying on the lap of its mother seeks to seize the

Moon, even so dost thou from folly seek to vanquish the resplendent

Arjuna stationed on his car. In desiring, O Karna, to fight today with

Arjuna of keen-edged feats, thou art for rubbing all thy limbs against

the keen edges of a trident. This thy challenge of Arjuna, O Suta's son,

is like that of a foolish young little deer of activity challenging a

huge lion excited with wrath. Do not, O Suta's son, challenge that prince

of mighty energy like a fox gratified with meat in the forest challenging

the maned monarch of the forest. Do not be destroyed, encountering

Arjuna. Thou, O Karna, challengest Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, even

like a hare challenging a mighty elephant with tusks large as

plough-shafts, and with the juice issuing out of its mouth and rent

cheeks. From folly thou art piercing, with a piece of wood, the black

cobra of virulent poison excited to fury within its hole, in desiring to

fight with Partha. Endued with little understanding, thou, O Karna,

disregarding that lion among men, viz., the son of Pandu, yellest at him,

like a jackal that, disregarding a maned lion excited with wrath, yells

at him. As a snake, for its own destruction, challenges that foremost of

birds, viz., Vinata's son, possessed of beautiful plumage and great

activity, even so dost thou, O Karna, challenge Dhananjaya the son of

Pandu. Thou desirest to cross without a raft the terrible ocean, the

receptacle of all the waters, with its mountain waves and teeming with

aquatic animals, when at its height at the rise of the Moon. O Karna,

thou challengest Dhananjaya, the son of Pritha, to battle even like a

calf challenging a smiting bull of keen horns and neck thick as a drum.

Like a frog croaking at a terrible and mighty cloud yielding copious

showers of rain, thou croakest at Arjuna who is even like Parjanya among

men. As a dog from within the precincts of the house of his master barks

at a forest-roaming tiger, even so, O Karna, thou barkest at Dhananjaya,

that tiger among men. A jackal, O Karna, residing in the forest in the

midst of hares regardeth himself a lion till he actually sees a lion.

Even so, O son of Radha, thou regardest thyself a lion, for thou dost not

behold that repressor of foes, that tiger among men, viz., Dhananjaya.

Thou regardest thyself a lion till thou beholdest the two Krishnas

stationed on the same car like Surya and Candramas. As long as thou dost

not hear the twang of Gandiva in great battle, so long art thou able to

do what thou pleasest. Beholding Partha, causing the ten points of the

compass to resound with the roar of his car and the twang of his bow, and

beholding him roaring like a tiger, thou wilt become a jackal. Thou art

always a jackal, and Dhananjaya always a lion. O fool, in consequence of

thy envy and hatred for heroes, thou always, seemest to be like a jackal.

As a mouse and a car are to each other in strength, or a dog and a tiger,

a fox and a lion, or a hare and an elephant, as falsehood and truth, as

poison and nectar, even so art thou and Partha known to all by your

respective deeds.'"




40


"Sanjaya said, 'Thus rebuked by Shalya of immeasurable energy, the son of

Radha, feeling the propriety of his rebuker's name in consequence of his

wordy darts, and becoming filled with rage, answered him thus:


"'Karna said, "The merits of meritorious men, O Shalya, are known to them

that are themselves meritorious but not to them that are destitute of

merit. Thou, however, art destitute of every merit. How then canst thou

judge of merit and demerit? The mighty weapons of Arjuna, his wrath, his

energy, his bow, his shafts and the prowess also of that high-souled hero

are, O Shalya, well known to me. So also, O Shalya, thou dost not know,

so as well as I myself, the greatness of Krishna, that bull among the

lords of Earth. But knowing my own energy as also that of Pandu's son, I

challenge him to battle, O Shalya, I do not act like an insect in respect

of a blazing fire. I have this shaft, O Shalya, of keen mouth,

blood-drinking, lying alone within one quiver, equipped with wings,

well-steeped in oil and well-adorned. It lieth amid sandal dust,

worshipped by me for long years. Partaking of the nature and form of a

snake, it is poisonous and fierce and capable of killing large numbers of

men and steeds and elephants of terrible form, and exceedingly awful, it

is capable of piercing coats of mail and bones. Inspired with wrath, I

may pierce even the mighty mountains of Meru with it. That shaft I will

never shoot at any other person save Phalguna or Krishna, the son of

Devaki. In this I tell thee the truth. Listen to it. With that shaft, O

Shalya, I will, inspired with rage, fight with Vasudeva and Dhananjaya.

That would be a feat worthy of me. Of all the heroes in the Vrishni race,

it is Krishna in whom Prosperity is always established. Among all the

sons of Pandu, it is Partha in whom Victory is always established. Those

two tigers among men, stationed together on the same car, will advance

against my single self for battle. Thou shalt, O Shalya, behold today the

nobility of my lineage. Those two cousins, one of whom is the son of the

aunt and the other the son of the maternal uncle, those two invincible

warriors, thou shalt see, will be slain by me (with one shaft) and will

look like two pearls strung together in the same string. Arjuna's gandiva

and the ape-bearing banner, and Krishna's discus and the Garuda-bearing

banner, inspire with fear only those that are timid. To me, however, O

Shalya, they are causes of delight. Thou art a fool, of evil disposition,

and unskilled in the ways of great battle. Overcome with terror, thou

utterest these ravings. Or, thou art praising them for some reason not

known to me. Having slain those two first, I shall then slay thee today

with all thy kinsmen. Born in a sinful country thou art wicked-souled and

mean, and a wretch amongst kshatriyas. Being a friend, why dost thou,

like an enemy, frighten me with these praises of the two Krishnas? Either

they two will slay me today or I will slay them two. Knowing as I do my

own might, I do not cherish any fear of the two Krishnas. A 1,000

Vasudevas and hundreds of Phalgunas, I shall, single-handed, slay. Hold

thy tongue, O thou that art born in a sinful country. Hear from me, O

Shalya, the sayings, already passed into proverbs, that men, young and

old, and women, and persons arrived in course of their listless

wanderings, generally utter, as if those sayings formed part of their

studies, about the wicked Madrakas. brahmanas also duly narrated the same

things formerly in the courts of kings. Listening to those sayings

attentively, O fool, thou mayst forgive or rejoin. The Madraka is always

a hater of friends. He that hateth us is a Madraka. There is no

friendship in the Madraka who is mean in speech and is the lowest of

mankind. The Madraka is always a person of wicked soul, is always

untruthful and crooked. It hath been heard by us that till the moment of

death the Madrakas are wicked. (Amongst the Madrakas) the sire, the son,

the mother, the mother-in-law, the brother, the grand-son, and other

kinsmen, companions, strangers arrived at their homes, slaves male and

female, mingle together. The women of the Madrakas mingle, at their own

will, with men known and unknown. Of unrighteous conduct, and subsisting

upon fried and powdered corn and fish, in their homes, they laugh and cry

having drunk spirits and eaten beef. They sing incoherent songs and

mingle lustfully with one another, indulging the while in the freest

speeches. How then can virtue have a place amongst the Madrakas who are

arrogant and notorious for all kinds of evil acts? No one should make

friends with a Madraka or provoke hostilities with him. In the Madraka

land there is no friendship. The Madraka is always the dirt of humanity.

Amongst the Madrakas all acts of friendship are lost as purity amongst

the Gandharakas and the libations poured in a sacrifice in which the king

is himself the sacrificer and priest. Then again, it is truly seen that

wise men treat a person bit by a scorpion and affected by its poison,

even with these words: 'As a brahmana that assists at the religious

ceremonies of a Shudra suffereth degradation, as one that hateth

brahmanas always suffereth degradation, even so a person by making an

alliance with the Madrakas becometh fallen. As there is no friendship in

the Madraka, so, O scorpion, thy poison is nought.' With these mantras of

the Atharvan I have duly performed the rite of exorcism. Knowing this, O

learned one, hold thy tongue, or listen to something further that I will

say. Those women that, intoxicated by spirits, cast off their robes and

dance, those women that are not attached (to particular individuals) in

the matter of intercourse and that they do as they please without owning

any restrictions, I say, that being as thou art the child of one of those

women, how canst thou, O Madraka, be a fit person for declaring the

duties of men? Those women that live and answer calls of nature like

camels and asses, being as thou art the child of one of those sinful and

shameless creatures, how canst thou wish to declare the duties of men?

When a Madraka woman is solicited for the gift of a little quantity of

vinegar, she scratches her hips and without being desirous of giving it,

says these cruel words, 'Let no man ask any vinegar of me that is so dear

to me. I would give him my son, I would give him my husband, but vinegar

I would not give.' The young Madraka maidens, we hear, are generally very

shameless and hairy and gluttonous and impure. These and many other

things of a like nature, in respect of all their acts, from the crown of

their heads to the tip of their toes, are capable of being asserted of

them by myself and others. How, indeed, would the Madrakas and the

Sindhu-Sauviras know anything of duty, being born, as they are, in a

sinful country, being mlecchas in their practices, and being totally

regardless of all duties? It hath been heard by us that even this is the

highest duty of a kshatriya, viz., that slain in battle, he should lie

down on the Earth, applauded by the righteous. That I should lay down (my

life) in this clash of arms is my foremost wish, desirous as I am of

heaven through Death. I am also the dear friend of the intelligent son of

Dhritarashtra. For his sake are my life-breaths and whatever wealth I

have! As regards thyself, O thou that art born in a sinful country, it is

evident that thou hast been tampered with by the Pandavas, since thou

behavest towards us in everything like a foe. Like a righteous man that

is incapable of being led astray by atheists, surely I am incapable of

being dissuaded from this battle by hundreds of persons like thee. Like a

deer, covered with sweat, thou art at liberty to weep or thirst.

Observant as I am of the duties of a kshatriya, I am incapable of being

frightened by thee. I recall to my mind the end, declared unto me in past

times by my preceptor Rama, of those lions among men, those unreturning

heroes, that laid down their lives in battle. Prepared for rescuing the

Kauravas and slaying our foes, know that I am now determined to imitate

the excellent behaviour of Pururavas. I do not, O ruler of the Madrakas,

behold the person in the three worlds that can, I think, dissuade me from

this purpose. Forbear to speak, knowing all this. Why dost thou rave in

such a way from fear? O wretch amongst the Madrakas, I shall not now slay

thee and present thy carcase as an offering to carnivorous creatures.

From regard for a friend, O Shalya, for the sake of Dhritarashtra's son,

and for avoiding blame, for these three reasons, thou still livest. If, O

ruler of the Madras, thou speakest such words again, I shall then crush

thy head with my mace that is as hard as the thunder. People will today

see or hear, O thou that art born in a sinful country, either that the

two Krishnas have slain Karna or that Karna has slain the two Krishnas."

Having said these words, the son of Radha, O monarch, once more addressed

the king of the Madras, fearlessly saying, "Proceed, proceed.'"




41


"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing, O sire, these words of Radha's son who delighted

in battle, Shalya once more addressed Karna, citing an example, "I am

born in the race of men who performed great sacrifices, who never

retreated from battle, who were kings whose coronal locks underwent the

sacred bath. I am also myself devoted to the practice of virtue. Thou, O

Vrisha, seemest to be like one that is intoxicated with spirits. For all

that, I will, from friendship, seek to cure thy erring and intoxicated

self. Listen, O Karna, to this simile of a crow that I am about to

narrate. Having heard it, thou mayest do what thou choosest, O thou that

art destitute of intelligence and that art a wretch of thy race. I do

not, O Karna, remember the slightest fault in me for which, O thou of

mighty arms, thou mayst desire to slay my innocent self. I must tell thee

what is for thy good and what is for thy ill, acquainted as I am with

both, especially as I am the driver of thy car and desirous of the good

of king Duryodhana. What land is level and what not, the strength or

weakness of the warrior (on my vehicle), the fatigue and faintness, at

all times, of the steeds and the warrior (I am driving), a knowledge of

the weapons that are available, the cries of animals and birds, what

would be heavy for the steeds and what exceedingly heavy for them, the

extraction of arrows and the curing of wounds which weapons counteract

which, the several methods of battle, and all kinds of omens and

indications, I who am so nearly connected with this car, being none else

than its driver, should be familiar with. For this, O Karna, I narrate

this instance to thee once more. There lived on the other side of the

ocean a Vaishya who had abundance of wealth and corn. He performed

sacrifices, made liberal gifts, was peaceful, devoted to the duties of

his own order, and pure in habits and mind. He had many sons whom he

loved, and was kind unto all creatures. He lived fearlessly in the

dominions of a king that was guided by virtue. There was a crow that

lived on the refuse of the dishes set before those well-behaved young

children of the Vaishya. Those Vaishya children always gave the crow meat

and curds, and milk, and sugared milk with rice, and honey, and butter.

Thus fed with the refuse of their dishes by the young children of that

Vaishya, the crow became arrogant and came to disregard all birds that

were equal to him or even superior. It chanced that once certain swans of

cheerful hearts, of great speed and capable of going everywhere at will

and equal unto Garuda himself in range and speed of flight, came to that

side of the ocean. The Vaishya boys, beholding those swans, addressed the

crow and said, 'O ranger of the skies, thou art superior to all winged

creatures.' Deceived by those children of little understanding, that

oviparous creature from folly and pride, regarded their words to be true.

Proud of the refuse of the children's dishes upon which he fed, the crow

then, alighting in the midst of those swans capable of traversing great

distances, desired to enquire as to who amongst them was their leader.

The foolish crow at last challenged him amongst those birds of tireless

wings whom he regarded their leader, saying, 'Let us compete in flight.'

Hearing those words of the raving crow, the swans that had assembled

there, those foremost of birds endued with great strength, began to

laugh. The swans then, that were capable of going everywhere at will,

addressed the crow, saying. 'We are swans, having our abode in the Manasa

lake. We traverse the whole Earth, and amongst winged creatures we are

always applauded for the length of the distances we traverse. Being, as

thou art, only a crow, how canst thou, O fool, challenge a swan endued

with might, capable of going everywhere at will, and doing large

distances in course of his flight? Tell us, O crow, how thou shalt fly

with us.' The boastful crow, in consequence of the foolishness of his

species, repeatedly finding fault with the words of that swan, at last

gave this answer. The crow said, 'I shall without doubt fly displaying a

hundred and one different kinds of motion. Doing every hundred Yojanas in

a separate and beautiful kind of motion, I shall display all those

motions. Rising up, and swooping down, and whirling around, and coursing

straight, and proceeding gently, and advancing steadily, and performing

the diverse courses up and receding back, and soaring high, and darting

forward and soaring upwards with fiercer velocity, and once more

proceeding gently and then proceeding with great impetuosity, and once

again swooping down and whirling around and advancing steadily, and

rising up by the jerks, and soaring straight, and once more falling down

and wheeling in a circle and rushing proudly, and diverse other kinds of

motion, these all I shall display in the sight of all you. Ye shall then

witness my strength. With one of these different kinds of motion I shall

presently rise into the sky. Point out duly, ye swans, by which of these

motions I shall course through space. Settling the kind of motion amongst

yourselves, you will have to course with me. Adopting all those different

motion, ye shall have to course with me through supportless space.' The

crow having said these words, one of the swans addressed him, 'Listen, O

son of Radha, to the words that the swan said. The swan spoke, 'Thou, O

crow, wilt doubtless fly the hundred and one different kinds of flight. I

shall, however, fly in that one kind of motion that all (other) birds

know, for I do not, O crow, know any other. As regards thee, O thou of

red eyes, fly thou in any kind of course that thou likest.' At these

words, those crows that had been assembled there laughed aloud, saying,

'How will the swan with only one kind of flight get the better of a

hundred different kinds of flight?'


"'"Then those two, viz., the swan and the crow, rose into the sky,

challenging each other. Capable of going everywhere at will, the swan

proceeded in one kind of motion, while the crow coursed in a hundred

different kinds. And the swan flew and the crow also flew, causing each

other to wonder (at his skill) and each speaking highly of his own

achievements. Beholding the diverse kinds of flight at successive

instants of time, the crows that were there were filled with great joy

and began to caw more loudly. The swans also laughed in mockery, uttering

many remarks disagreeable (to the crows). And they began to soar and

alight repeatedly, here and there. And they began to come down and rise

up from tree-tops and the surface of the earth. And they uttered diverse

cries indicative of their victory. The swan, however, with that one kind

of slow motion (with which he was familiar) began to traverse the skies.

For a moment, therefore, O sire, he seemed to yield to the crow. The

crows, at this, disregarding the swans, said these words: 'That swan

amongst you which has soared into the sky, is evidently yielding'.

Hearing these words, the (soaring) swan flew westwards with great

velocity to the ocean, that abode of Makaras. Then fear entered the heart

of the crow who became almost senseless at not seeing any island or trees

whereon to perch when tired. And the crow thought within his heart as to

where he should alight when tired, upon that vast expanse of water. The

ocean, being as it is the abode of countless creatures, is irresistible.

Dwelt in by hundreds of monsters, it is grander than space. Nothing can

exceed it in depth, O Suta's son. Men know, O Karna, that the waters of

the ocean are as limitless as space. For the extent of its waters, O

Karna, what is a crow to it? The swan, having traversed a great distance

in a moment, looked back at the crow, and (though capable) could not

leave him behind. Having transgressed the crow, the swan cast his eyes on

him and waited, thinking, 'Let the crow come up.' The crow then,

exceedingly tired, came up to the swan. Beholding him succumbing, and

about to sink, and desirous of rescuing him in remembrance of the

practices of good folks, the swan addressed him in these words, 'Thou

hadst repeatedly spoken of many kinds of flight while speaking on the

subject. Thou wouldst not speak of this (thy present motion) because of

its having been a mystery to us? What is the name of this kind of flight,

O crow, that thou hast now adopted? Thou touchest the waters with thy

wings and beak repeatedly. Which amongst those diverse kinds of flight is

this, O crow, that thou art now practising? Come, come, quickly, O crow,

for I am waiting for thee.''"


"'Shalya continued, "Exceedingly afflicted, and touching the water with

his wings and beak, O thou of wicked soul, the crow, beheld in that state

by the swan, addressed the latter. Indeed, not seeing the limit of that

watery expanse and sinking down in fatigue, and exhausted with the effort

of his flight the crow said unto the swan, 'We are crows, we wander

hither and thither, crying-caw, caw. 'O swan, I seek thy protection,

placing my life-breaths at thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of the

ocean with the wings and beak.' The crow, very much fatigued, suddenly

fell down. Beholding him fallen upon the waters of the ocean with a

melancholy heart, the swan, addressing the crow who was on the point of

death, said these words, 'Remember, O crow, what thou hadst said in

praise of thyself. The words even were that thou wouldst course through

the sky in a hundred and one different kinds of flight. Thou, therefore

that wouldst fly a hundred different kinds of flight, thou that art

superior to me, alas, why then art thou tired and fallen down on the

ocean?' Overcome with weakness, the crow then, casting his eyes upwards

at the swan, and seeking to gratify him, replied, saying, 'Proud of the

remains of others' dishes upon which I fed, I had, O swan, regarded

myself as the equal of Garuda and disregarded all crows and many other

birds. I now, however, seek thy protection and place my life-breaths at

thy hands. Oh, take me to the shores of some island. If, O swan, I can, O

lord, return in safety to my own country, I will never again disregard

anybody. Oh rescue me now from this calamity.' Him that said so and was

so melancholy and weeping and deprived of senses, him that was sinking in

the ocean, uttering cries 'caw, caw,' him so drenched by the water and so

disgusting to look at and trembling with fear, the swan, without a word,

took up with his feet, and slowly caused him to ride on his back. Having

caused the crow whose senses had deserted him to ride upon his back, the

swan quickly returned to that island whence they had both flown,

challenging each other. Placing down that ranger of the sky on dry land

and comforting him, the swan, fleet as the mind, proceeded to the region

he desired. Thus was that crow, fed on the remains of others' dinners,

vanquished by the swan. The crow, then, casting off the pride of might

and energy, adopted a life of peace and quiet. Indeed, even, as that

crow, fed upon the remains of the dinners of the Vaishya children,

disregarded his equals and superiors, so dost thou, O Karna, that art fed

by the sons of Dhritarashtra upon the remains of their dishes, disregard

all thy equals and superiors. Why didst thou not slay Partha at Virata's

city when thou hadst the advantage of being protected by Drona and

Drona's son and Kripa and Bhishma and the other Kauravas? There where,

like a pack of jackals defeated by a lion, ye all were defeated with

great slaughter by the diadem-decked Arjuna, what became of your prowess?

Beholding also thy brother slain by Savyasaci, in the very sight of the

Kuru heroes, it was thou that didst fly away first. By the skirts also of

the dvaitya lake, O Karna, when thou wert assailed by the Gandharvas, it

was thou that, deserting all the Kurus, didst first run away. Having

vanquished in battle the Gandharvas headed by Citrasena, with great

slaughter, it was Partha, O Karna, that liberated Duryodhana with his

wife. Rama himself, O Karna, before the kings in the (Kuru) assembly

spake of the great prowess of both Partha and Keshava. Thou didst

frequently hear the words of Drona and Bhishma, speaking in the presence

of all the kings, that the two Krishnas are unslayable. I have told thee

a little only regarding those matters in which Dhananjaya is superior to

thee like the brahmana who is superior to all created beings. Soon wilt

thou see, stationed on that foremost of cars, the son of Vasudeva and the

son of Kunti and Pandu. As the crow (in the story), acting with

intelligence, had sought the protection of the swan, so do thou seek the

protection of him of Vrishni's race, and of Pandu's son Dhananjaya. When

thou shalt in battle behold Vasudeva and Dhananjaya, those two endued

with great prowess, stationed together on the same car, thou shalt not

then, O Karna, utter such speeches. When Partha will, with hundreds of

arrows, quell thy pride, then wilt thou behold the difference between

thyself and Dhananjaya. Those two best of persons are celebrated among

the gods, the Asuras and human beings. Thou that art a firefly, do not,

from folly, think disrespectfully of those two resplendent luminaries.

Like the Sun and moon, Keshava and Arjuna are celebrated for their

resplendence. Thou, however, art like a fire-fly among men. O learned

one, O son of a Suta, do not think disrespectfully of Acyuta and Arjuna.

Those two high-souled persons are lions among men. Forbear indulging in

such boasts."'"




42


"Sanjaya said, 'The high-souled son of Adhiratha, having listened

unconvinced to these words of the ruler of the Madras, addressed Shalya,

saying, "That which Vasudeva and Arjuna are is well-known to me. The

skill of Saurin in the management of cars, and the might and the high

weapons of Arjuna, the son of Pandu are well known to me at this hour.

Thou however, O Shalya, hast no ocular proof of those matters. I shall

fearlessly fight with the two Krishnas, those two foremost of all

wielders of weapons. The curse, however, of Rama that best of regenerate

persons, paineth me greatly today. I dwelt, in the disguise of a

brahmana, with Rama in former days, desirous of obtaining celestial

weapons from him. On that occasion, O Shalya, the chief of the gods,

wishing to benefit Phalguna, caused an obstacle, by approaching my thigh

and piercing it, having assumed the dire form of a worm. When my

preceptor slept, having laid his head thereon, that worm, approaching my

thigh, began to pierce it through. In consequence of the piercing of my

thigh, a pool of thick blood flowed from my body. For fear of (disturbing

the slumber of) my preceptor I did not move my limb. Awaking, the

brahmana, however, beheld what had taken place. Witnessing my patience he

addressed me, saying, 'Thou art never a brahmana. Tell me truly who thou

art.' I then, O Shalya, truly informed him of myself, saying that I was a

Suta. Hearing my words, the great ascetic, his heart filled with rage,

cursed me, saying, 'In consequence of the deception, O Suta, by which

thou hast obtained this weapon, it will never, at the time of need, when

the hour of thy death comes, occur to thy memory. Brahma cannot certainly

reside in one that is not a brahmana.' I have forgotten that great weapon

in this fierce and terrible battle. He amongst the Bharatas, O Shalya,

who is accomplished, who is an effectual smiter, who is universal

destroyer, and who is exceedingly terrible, (viz., Arjuna),--that mighty

crusher,--I think, will burn many foremost of kshatriyas. Know, however,

O Shalya, that I will slay in battle that fierce bowman, that foremost of

warriors, that hero endued with activity, that terrible person whose

energy is unbearable, that warrior whose promises are accomplished, that

son of Pandu, viz., Dhananjaya. I have that weapon (at least) under my

control today with which I will be able to destroy large numbers of foes.

I will slay in battle that scorcher of enemies, that mighty warrior

accomplished in weapons, that fierce bowman of immeasurable energy, that

cruel and terrible hero, that great resister of enemies, viz.,

Dhananjaya. The immeasurable Ocean, that lord of all waters, rusheth with

fierce impetuosity for overwhelming innumerable creatures. The continent,

however, holds and checks him. Today, in this world, I will resist in

fight the son of Kunti, that foremost of all drawers of the bow-string,

while he will be engaged in ceaselessly shooting his countless shafts

equipped with goodly wings, destructive of heroes, capable of penetrating

into every limb and none of which becomes futile. Like the continent

resisting the Ocean, I will today resist that mightiest of the mighty,

that great warrior possessing the highest weapons, that hero like unto

the Ocean's self of far-reaching arrows, fierce, and having shafts for

his waves, while he will be engaged in overwhelming (hostile) kings.

Behold today the fierce battle I fight with him that hath no equal, I

think, among men wielding the bow, and that would vanquish the very gods

united with the Asuras. Exceedingly proud is that son of Pandu. Desirous

of battle he will approach me with his mighty and super-human weapons.

Baffling his weapons with my own weapons in battle, I shall today

overthrow that Partha with my own excellent shafts. Scorching his foes

like the Sun endued with fiery rays, and blazing with flame like that

dispeller of the darkness, I shall, like a mass of clouds, completely

shroud Dhananjaya today with my shafts. Like the clouds extinguishing a

blazing fire of great energy and smoke-mixed flames, that seems ready to

consume the whole Earth, I shall, with my showers of arrows, extinguish

the son of Kunti in battle. With my broad-headed shafts I shall still the

son of Kunti, that terrible snake of virulent poison, that is exceedingly

difficult of being captured, that is endued with keen fangs, that is even

like a blazing fire that flames up in wrath, and that always consumes his

foes. Like Himavat bearing the mighty, all-crushing, fierce and smiting

god of wind, I shall, without moving, bear the angry and vindictive

Dhananjaya. I shall resist in battle Dhananjaya, that foremost of all

wielders of bows in the world, that hero in fight, that warrior who is

always in the van and who is competent to meet all foes, that car-warrior

who is conversant with all car-tracks. Today I shall fight in battle with

that person who hath, I think, no equal among men wielding the bow and

who conquered the entire Earth. What other man desirous of saving his

life, except myself, will fight with that Savyasaci, who vanquished all

creatures including the very gods in the country called Khandava? Arjuna

is proud; his weapons strike deep; he is endued with great lightness of

hands; he is conversant with steeds; he agitates vast hosts; he is

regarded an Atiratha. Though such, I shall yet, with my sharp shafts,

strike his head from off his trunk today. O Shalya, ever keeping Death or

victory in battle before me, I shall today fight with Dhananjaya. There

is none else save myself that would on a single car fight with that

Pandava who resembles the destroyer himself. I myself will gladly speak

of the prowess of Phalguna in the midst of an assembly of kshatriyas. Why

however, dost thou, a fool as thou art and of foolish understanding,

speak to me of Phalguna's prowess? Thou art a doer of disagreeable deeds.

Thou art cruel and mean and being thyself unforgiving, thou art a

detractor of one that is forgiving. I can slay a hundred persons like

thee, but I forgive thee in consequence of my forgiving disposition,

owing to the exigency of the times. Thou art of sinful deeds. Like a fool

thou hast, for the sake of Pandu's son, rebuked me and told me many

disagreeable things. Crooked-hearted as thou art, thou hast said all

these words unto me, that am of a sincere heart. Cursed art thou for thou

art an injurer of friends,--of friends, because friendship is

seven-paced. Terrible is the hour that is now passing. Duryodhana hath

himself come to battle. I am solicitous of seeing his purposes achieved.

Thou, however, art acting in such a way that it shows thee to have no

friendship (for the Kuru king)! He is a friend who shows affection for

another, who gladdens another, who makes himself agreeable to another,

who protects another, who honours another, and who rejoices in the joys

of another. I tell thee that I have all those attributes, and the king

himself knows all this. He, on the other hand, that destroys, chastises,

sharpens his weapons, injures, causes us to sigh, makes us cheerless, and

wrongs us in diverse ways, is a foe. All these attributes are to be found

in thee and thou discoverest all of them in me. For the sake of

Duryodhana, for the sake of doing what is agreeable to thee, for the sake

of victory, for the sake of myself, and for the sake of God himself, I

will with vigorous exertion, fight with Partha and Vasudeva. Witness

today my feats. Behold today my excellent weapons, my brahmastra and

other celestial weapons, as also those that are human. I will today slay

that hero of fierce prowess, like an exceedingly infuriate elephant

slaying an infuriate compeer. I shall, by my mind alone, hurl today at

Partha, for my victory, that weapon of immeasurable energy, called the

brahmastra. Arjuna will never be able to escape that weapon, if only the

wheels of my car do not sink into the Earth in battle today. Know this, O

Shalya, that I would not take fright at Yama himself armed with his rod,

or Varuna himself armed with his noose, or Kuvera himself armed with his

mace, or Vasava himself armed with the thunderbolt, or at any other foe

whatever that may approach for slaying me. Therefore, I have no fear from

Partha, nor from Janardana. On the other hand, I shall encounter them

both in today's destructive battle. Once on a time, while wandering for

the sake of practising weapons on my bow called Vijaya, O king, I had, by

shooting many fierce shafts of terrible forms, heedlessly struck the calf

of a (brahmana's) homa cow with one of those shafts, and unwillingly

killed it white it was wandering in a solitary forest. The brahmana then

addressed me, saying, 'Since, becoming insensate, thou hast slain the

offspring of my homa cow, the wheel (of thy car) will sink into the Earth

while at the time of battle fear will enter thy heart.' From these words

of the brahmana I am experiencing great fear. These kings of the Lunar

race that are lords of (other people's) weal and woe, offered to give

that brahmana a 1,000 kine and 600 bovine bulls. With even such a gift, O

Shalya, the brahmana would not be gratified, O ruler of the Madras. I was

then for giving him seven hundred elephants of large tusks and many

hundred of slaves male and female. That foremost of brahmana would not

still be gratified. Collecting next full 14,000 kine, each black in hue

and having a white calf I was still unable to obtain the grace of that

best of brahmana. A wealthy mansion full of every object of desire, in

fact, whatever wealth I had, I wished to give him with due worship, but

he refused to accept the gift. Unto me then that had offended and that

had begged so importunately for his pardon, the brahmana said, 'That

which, O Suta, hath been uttered by me is sure to happen. It cannot be

otherwise. A false speech would destroy creatures, and sin also would be

mine. Therefore, for the preservation of virtue I do not venture to speak

what is false. Do not, again, destroy the means of a brahmana's support.

There is none in the world that would be able to falsify my speech.

Accept those words. It will be thy atonement (for the sin of having slain

a calf).' Though rebuked by thee, still for friendship's sake, I have

disclosed to thee all this. I know thee that art rebuking me thus. Be

silent now, and hear what I will presently say.'"




43


"Sanjaya said, 'That chastiser of foes, viz., the son of Radha, thus

silencing the ruler of the Madras, once more addressed him, O monarch,

saying these words, "In answer to that which, O Shalya, thou hast said

unto me by way of instance, I tell thee that I am incapable of being

frightened by thee in battle with thy words. If all the gods themselves

with Vasava would fight with me, I would not still feel any fear, what

need be said then of my fears from Pritha and Keshava? I am incapable of

being frightened by means of words alone. He, O Shalya, whom thou wouldst

be able to frighten in battle is some other person (and not myself)! Thou

hast spoken many bitter words to me. Therein lieth the strength of a

person that is low. Incapable of speaking of my merits, thou sayst many

bitter things, O thou of wicked heart; Karna was never born, O Madraka,

for fear in battle. On the other hand, I was born for displaying valour

as also for achieving glory for my own self. For the sake of my

friendship for thee, for my affection, and for thy being an ally,--for

these three reasons thou still livest, O Shalya. Important is the task

that has now to be done for king Dhritarashtra. That task, O Shalya,

depends on me. For this, thou livest a moment. Before this, I made a

compact with thee that any disagreeable speeches thou mightest utter

would be pardoned by me. That compact should be observed. It is for this

that thou livest, O Madraka. Without a 1,000 Salyas I would vanquish my

foes. He that injureth a friend is sinful. It is for this that thou

livest for the present.'"




44


"'Shalya said, "These, O Karna, are ravings that thou utterest regarding

the foe. As regards myself without a 1,000 Karnas I am able to vanquish

the foe in battle.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Unto the ruler of Madras, of harsh features, who was

saying such disagreeable things unto Karna, the latter once more said

words that were twice bitter.


"'Karna said, "Listen with devoted attention to this, O ruler of the

Madras, that was heard by me while it was recited in the presence of

Dhritarashtra. In Dhritarashtra's abode the brahmanas used to narrate the

accounts of diverse delightful regions and many kings of ancient times. A

foremost one among brahmanas, venerable in years while reciting old

histories, said these words, blaming the Vahikas and Madrakas, 'One

should always avoid the Vahikas, those impure people that are out of the

pale of virtue, and that live away from the Himavat and the Ganga and

Sarasvati and Yamuna and Kurukshetra and the Sindhu and its five

tributary rivers. I remember from the days of my youth that a

slaughter-ground for kine and a space for storing intoxicating spirits

always distinguish the entrances of the abodes of the (Vahika) kings. On

some very secret mission I had to live among the Vahikas. In consequence

of such residence the conduct of these people is well known to me. There

is a town of the name of Sakala, a river of the name of Apaga, and a clan

of the Vahikas known by the name of the Jarttikas. The practices of these

people are very censurable. They drink the liquor called Gauda, and eat

fried barley with it. They also eat beef with garlic. They also eat cakes

of flour mixed with meat, and boiled rice that is bought from others. Of

righteous practices they have none. Their women, intoxicated with drink

and divested of robes, laugh and dance outside the walls of the houses in

cities, without garlands and unguents, singing while drunk obscene songs

of diverse kinds that are as musical as the bray of the ass or the bleat

of the camel. In intercourse they are absolutely without any restraint,

and in all other matters they act as they like. Maddened with drink, they

call upon one another, using many endearing epithets. Addressing many

drunken exclamations to their husbands and lords, the fallen women among

the Vahikas, without observing restrictions even on sacred days, give

themselves up to dancing. One of those wicked Vahikas,--one that is, that

lived amongst those arrogant women,--who happened to live for some days

in Kurujangala, burst out with cheerless heart, saying, "Alas, that

(Vahika) maiden of large proportions, dressed in thin blankets, is

thinking of me,--her Vahika lover--that is now passing his days in

Kurujangala, at the hour of her going to bed." Crossing the Sutlej and

the delightful Iravati, and arriving at my own country, when shall I cast

my eyes upon those beautiful women with thick frontal bones, with blazing

circlets of red arsenic on their foreheads, with streaks of jet black

collyrium on their eyes, and their beautiful forms attired in blankets

and skins and themselves uttering shrill cries! When shall I be happy, in

the company of those intoxicated ladies amid the music of drums and

kettle-drums and conchs sweet as the cries of asses and camels and mules!

When shall I be amongst those ladies eating cakes of flour and meat and

balls of pounded barley mixed with skimmed milk, in the forests, having

many pleasant paths of Sami and Pilu and Karira! When shall I, amid my

own countrymen, mustering in strength on the high-roads, fall upon

passengers, and snatching their robes and attires beat them repeatedly!

What man is there that would willingly dwell, even for a moment amongst

the Vahikas that are so fallen and wicked, and so depraved in their

practises?' Even thus did that brahmana describe the Vahikas of base

behaviour, a sixth of whose merits and demerits is thine, O Shalya.

Having said this, that pious brahmana began once more to say what I am

about to repeat respecting the wicked Vahikas. Listen to what I say, 'In

the large and populous town of Sakala, a Rakshasa woman used to sing on

every fourteenth day of the dark fortnight, in accompaniment with a drum,

"When shall I next sing the songs of the Vahikas in this Sakala town,

having gorged myself with beef and drunk the Gauda liquor? When shall I

again, decked in ornaments, and with those maidens and ladies of large

proportions, gorge upon a large number of sheep and large quantities of

pork and beef and the meat of fowls and asses and camels? They who do not

eat sheep live in vain!"' Even thus, O Shalya, the young and old, among

the inhabitants of Sakala, intoxicated with spirits, sing and cry. How

can virtue be met with among such a people? Thou shouldst know this. I

must, however, speak again to thee about what another brahmana had said

unto us in the Kuru court, 'There where forests of Pilus stand, and those

five rivers flow, viz., the Satadru, the Vipasa, the Iravati, the

Candrabhaga, and the Vitasa and which have the Sindhu for their sixth,

there in those regions removed from the Himavat, are the countries called

by the name of the Arattas. Those regions are without virtue and

religion. No one should go thither. The gods, the pitris, and the

brahmanas, never accept gifts from those that are fallen, or those that

are begotten by Shudras on the girls of other castes, or the Vahikas who

never perform sacrifices and are exceedingly irreligious.' That learned

brahmana had also said in the Kuru court, 'The Vahikas, without any

feelings of revulsion, eat of wooden vessels having deep stomachs and

earthen plates and vessels that have been licked by dogs and that are

stained with pounded barley and other corn. The Vahikas drink the milk of

sheep and camels and asses and eat curds and other preparations from

those different kinds of milk. Those degraded people number many bastards

among them. There is no food and no milk that they do not take. The

Aratta-Vahikas that are steeped in ignorance, should be avoided.' Thou

shouldst know this, O Shalya. I must, however, again speak to thee about

what another brahmana had said unto me in the Kuru court, 'How can one go

to heaven, having drunk milk in the town called Yugandhara, and resided

in the place called Acyutasthala, and bathed in the spot called

Bhutilaya? There where the five rivers flow just after issuing from the

mountains, there among the Aratta-Vahikas, no respectable person should

dwell even for two days. There are two Pishacas named Vahi and Hika in

the river Vipasa. The Vahikas are the offspring of those two Pishacas.

They are not creatures created by the Creator. Being of such low origin,

how can they be conversant with the duties ordained in the scriptures?

The Karashakas, the Mahishakas, the Kalingas, the Keralas, the

Karkotakas, the Virakas, and other peoples of no religion, one should

always avoid.' Even thus did a Rakshasa woman of gigantic hips speak unto

a brahmana who on a certain occasion went to that country for bathing in

a sacred water and passed a single night there. The regions are called by

the name of Arattas. The people residing there are called the Vahikas.

The lowest of brahmanas also are residing there from very remote times.

They are without the Veda and without knowledge, without sacrifice and

without the power to assist at other's sacrifices. They are all fallen

and many amongst them have been begotten by Shudras upon other peoples'

girls. The gods never accept any gifts from them. The Prasthalas, the

Madras, the Gandharas, the Arattas, those called Khasas, the Vasatis, the

Sindhus and the Sauviras are almost as blamable in their practices.'"




45


"'Karna continued, "Thou shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall

however, again speak unto thee. Listen with close attention to what I

say. Once on a time a brahmana came to our house as a guest. Observing

our practices he became highly gratified and said unto us, 'I dwelt for a

long time on a peak of the Himavat quite alone. Since then I have seen

diverse countries following diverse religions. Never, however, have I

seen all the people of a country act unrighteously. All the races I have

met will admit that to be true religion which has been declared by

persons conversant with the Vedas. Travelling through various countries

following various religions, I at last, O king, came among the Vahikas.

There I heard that one at first becomes a brahmana and then he becomes a

kshatriya. Indeed, a Vahika would, after that, become a Vaishya, and then

a Shudra, and then a barber. Having become a barber, he would then again

become a brahmana. Returning to the status of a brahmana, he would again

become a slave. One person in a family becomes a brahmana: all the

others, falling off from virtue, act as they like. The Gandharas, the

Madrakas, and the Vahikas of little understanding are even such. Having

travelled through the whole world I heard of these practices, destructive

of virtue, of these sinful irregularities amongst the Vahikas.' Thou

shouldst know all this, O Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee

about those ugly words that another said unto me regarding the Vahikas.

In former days a chaste woman was abducted by robbers (hailing) from

Aratta. Sinfully was she violated by them, upon which she cursed them,

saying, 'Since ye have sinfully violated a helpless girl who am not

without a husband, therefore, the women of your families shall all become

unchaste. Ye lowest of men, never shall ye escape from the consequences

of this dreadful sin.' It is for this, O Shalya, that the sisters' sons

of the Arattas, and not their own sons, become their heirs. The Kauravas

with the Pancalas, the Salwas, the Matsyas, the Naimishas, the Koshalas,

the Kasapaundras, the Kalingas, the Magadhas, and the Cedis who are all

highly blessed, know what the eternal religion is. The wicked even of

these various countries know what religion is. The Vahikas, however, live

without righteousness. Beginning with the Matsyas, the residents of the

Kuru and the Pancala countries, the Naimishas as well and the other

respectable peoples, the pious among all races are conversant with the

eternal truths of religion. This cannot be said of the Madrakas and the

crooked-hearted race that resides in the country of the five rivers.

Knowing all these things, O king, hold thy tongue, O Shalya, like one

deprived of utterance, in all matters connected with religion and virtue.

Thou art the protector and king of that people, and, therefore, the

partaker of sixth part of their merits and demerits. Or perhaps, thou art

the partaker of a sixth part of their demerits only, for thou never

protectest them. A king that protects is a sharer in the merits of his

subjects. Thou art not a sharer in their merits. In days of yore, when

the eternal religion was reverenced in all countries, the Grandsire,

observing the practices of the country of the five rivers, cried fie on

them. When even in the krita age, Brahman had censured the practices of

those fallen people of evil deeds who were begotten by Shudras on others'

wives, what would you now say to men in the world? Even thus did the

Grandsire condemn the practices of the country of the five waters. When

all people were observant of the duties of their respective orders, the

Grandsire had to find fault with these men. Thou shouldst know all this,

O Shalya. I shall, however, again speak to thee. A Rakshasa of the name

of Kalmashapada, while plunging in a tank, said, 'Eleemosynation is a

kshatriya's dirt, while the non-observance of vows is a brahmana's dirt.

The Vahikas are the dirt of the Earth, and the Madra women are the dirt

of the whole female sex. While sinking in the stream, a king rescued the

Rakshasa. Asked by the former, the latter gave this answer. I will recite

it to you. Listen to me. 'The mlecchas are the dirt of mankind: the

oilmen are the dirt of the Mlecchas; eunuchs are the dirt of oilmen; they

who avail of the priestly ministrations of Kshatriyas, in their

sacrifices, are the dirt of eunuchs. The sin of those again that have the

last-named persons for their priests, of also of the Madrakas, shall be

thine if thou do not abandon me.' Even this was declared by the Rakshasa

to be the formula that should be used for curing a person possessed by a

Rakshasa or one killed by the energy of a poison. The words that follow

are all very true. The Pancalas observe the duties enjoined in the Vedas;

the Kauravas observe truth; the Matsyas and the Surasenas perform

sacrifices, the Easterners follow the practices of the Shudras; the

Southerners are fallen; the Vahikas are thieves; the Saurashtras are

bastards. They that are defiled by ingratitude, theft, drunkenness,

adultery with the wives of their preceptors, harshness of speech,

slaughter of kine, lustful wanderings during the night out of home, and

the wearing of other people's ornaments,--what sin is there that they do

not incur? Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five

rivers! Commencing with the Pancalas, the Kauravas, the Naimishas, the

Matsyas,--all these,--know what religion is. The old men among the

Northerners, the Angas, the Magadhas, (without themselves knowing what

virtue is) follow the practices of the pious. Many gods, headed by Agni,

dwell in the East. The pitris dwell in the South that is presided over by

Yama of righteous deeds. The West is protected by the mighty Varuna who

overlooks the other gods there. The north is protected by the divine Soma

along with the Brahmanas. So Rakshasas and Pishacas protect the Himavat,

the best of mountains. The Guhyakas, O great king, protect the mountains

of Gandhamadana. Without doubt, Vishnu, otherwise, called Janardana,

protects all creatures. (For all that the Vahikas have no especial

protectors among the gods). The Magadhas are comprehenders of signs; the

Koshalas comprehend from what they see; the Kurus and the Pancalas

comprehend from a half-uttered speech; the Salwas cannot comprehend till

the whole speech is uttered. The Mountaineers, like the Sivis, are very

stupid. The Yavanas, O king, are omniscient; the Suras are particularly

so. The mlecchas are wedded to the creations of their own fancy. Other

peoples cannot understand. The Vahikas resent beneficial counsels; as

regards the Madrakas there are none amongst those (mentioned above.)

Thou, O Shalya, art so. Thou shouldst not reply to me. The Madrakas are

regarded on Earth as the dirt of every nation. So the Madra woman is

called the dirt of the whole female sex. They that have for their

practices the drinking of spirits, the violation of the beds of their

preceptors, the destruction of the embryo by procuring miscarriage, and

the robbing of other people's wealth, there is no sin that they have not.

Fie on the Arattas and the people of the country of the five rivers.

Knowing this, be silent. Do not seek to oppose me. Do not let me slay

Keshava and Arjuna, having slain thee first.'"


"'Shalya said, "The abandonment of the afflicted and the sale of wives

and children are, O Karna, prevalent amongst the Angas whose king thou

art. Recollecting those faults of thine that Bhishma recited on the

occasion of the tale of Rathas and Atirathas, drive away thy wrath. Do

not be angry. Brahmanas may be found everywhere; Kshatriyas may be found

everywhere; so also Vaishyas and Shudras, O Karna, women of chastity and

excellent vows may also be found everywhere. Everywhere men take delight

in jesting with men and wounding one another. Lustful men also may be

found everywhere. Everyone on every occasion can command skill in

speaking of the faults of others. No one, however, knows his own faults,

or knowing them, feels shame. Everywhere are kings devoted to their

respective religions, and employed in chastising the wicked. Everywhere

may be found virtuous men. It cannot be, O Karna, that all the people of

a country are sinful. There are men in many countries that surpass the

very gods by their behaviour.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Then king Duryodhana stopped Karna and Shalya (from

going on with their wordy warfare), addressing the son of Radha as a

friend, and beseeching Shalya with joined hands, Karna, O sire, was

quieted by thy son and forbore saying anything more. Shalya also then

faced the enemy. Then Radha's son, smiling, once more urged Shalya,

saying, "Proceed."'"




46


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding then that unrivalled array of the Parthas made

by Dhrishtadyumna which was capable of resisting all hostile armies,

Karna proceeded, uttering leonine shouts and causing his car to produce a

loud rattle. And he made the Earth to tremble with the loud din of

musical instruments. And that chastiser of foes, that hero in battle,

seemed to tremble in rage. Duly disposing his own troops in

counter-array, O bull of Bharata's race, that hero of great energy made a

great slaughter of the Pandava forces like Maghavat slaughtering the

Asura host. Striking Yudhishthira then with many arrows, he placed the

eldest son of Pandu to his right.'


"Dhritarashtra said, 'How, O Sanjaya, did the son of Radha dispose his

forces in counter array to all the Pandavas headed by Dhristadyumna and

protected by Bhimasena, viz., all those great bowmen invincible by the

very gods? Who, O Sanjaya, stood in the wings and the further wings of

our army? Dividing themselves properly, how were the warriors stationed?

How also did the sons of Pandu dispose their army in counter-array to

mine? How also did that great and awful battle commence? Where was

Vibhatsu when Karna proceeded against Yudhishthira? Who could succeed in

assailing Yudhishthira in the presence of Arjuna? That Arjuna who had

vanquished, single-handed in former days, all creatures at Khandava, who

else that is desirous of life, save the son of Radha, would fight with

him?'


"Sanjaya said, 'Hear now of the formation of the arrays, the manner in

which Arjuna came and how the battle was fought by both sides surrounding

their respective kings. Sharadvata's son Kripa, O king, and the Magadhas

endued with great activity, and Kritavarma of Satwata race, took up their

position in the right wing. Shakuni, and the mighty car-warrior Uluka,

standing on the right of these, and accompanied by many fearless Gandhara

horsemen armed with bright lances, and many mountaineers difficult to

defeat, numerous as flights of locusts, and grimlooking as Pishacas,

protected the (Kaurava) army. 34,000 unreturning cars of the samsaptakas,

mad with desire of battle, with thy sons in their midst, and all desirous

of slaying Krishna and Arjuna, protected the left side (of the Kaurava

army). On their left, the Kambojas, the Sakas, and the Yavanas, with cars

and horse and foot, at the command of the Suta's son, stood, challenging

Arjuna and the mighty Keshava. In the centre, at the head of that host,

stood Karna, clad in armour with beautiful coat of mail and adorned with

Angadas and garlands, for protecting that point. Supported by his own

angry sons, that foremost of all wielders of weapons, that hero, shone

resplendent at the head of the army as he drew his bow repeatedly. The

mighty-armed Duhshasana, possessed of the effulgence of the sun or fire

with tawny eyes and handsome features, riding on the neck of a huge

elephant, surrounded by many troops, and stationed at the rear of the

army gradually approached for fight. Behind him came Duryodhana himself,

O monarch, protected by his uterine brothers riding on beautiful steeds

and cased in beautiful mail. Protected by the united Madrakas and the

Kekayas of exceeding energy, the king, O monarch, looked resplendent like

Indra of a hundred sacrifices when surrounded by the celestials.

Ashvatthama and the other foremost of mighty car-warriors, and many

ever-infuriate elephants shedding temporal secretions like the very

clouds and ridden by brave Mlecchas, followed behind that car-force.

Decked with triumphal standards and blazing weapons, those huge

creatures, ridden by warriors skilled in fighting from their backs,

looked beautiful like hills overgrown with trees. Many thousands of brave

and unreturning warriors, armed with axes and swords, became the

footguards of those elephants. Gorgeously decked with horsemen and

car-warriors and elephants, that foremost of arrays looked exceedingly

beautiful like the array of the celestials or of the Asuras. That great

array, formed according to the scheme of Brihaspati by its commander,

well-versed in ways of battle, seemed to dance (as it advanced) and

struck terror into the hearts of foes. Like ever-appearing clouds in the

season of rains, foot-soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors and

elephants, longing for battle began to issue from the wings and further

wings of that array. Then king Yudhishthira, beholding Karna at the head

of the (hostile) army, addressed Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, that

one hero in the world, and said these words, "Behold, O Arjuna, the

mighty array formed by Karna in battle. The hostile force looks

resplendent with its wings and further wings. At sight of this vast

hostile force, let such measures be adopted that it may not vanquish us.'

Thus addressed by the king, Arjuna replied with joined hands, 'Everything

will be done as thou sayest. Nothing will be otherwise. I will, O

Bharata, do that by which the destruction of the enemy may be compassed.

By slaying their foremost of warriors, I will achieve their destruction."


"'Yudhishthira said, "With that view, do thou proceed against the son of

Radha, and let Bhimasena proceed against Suyodhana, Nakula against

Virshasena, Sahadeva against the son of Subala, Satanika against

Duhshasana, that bull amongst the Sinis, viz., Satyaki, against the son

of Hridika, and Pandya against the son of Drona. I myself will fight with

Kripa. Let the sons of Draupadi with Shikhandi amongst them, proceed

against the rest of the Dhartarashtras. Let the other warriors of our

army encounter our other foes.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira the just, Dhananjaya

saying, "So be it," ordered his troops (to do the needful) and himself

proceeded to the head of the army. That car for which the Leader of the

universe, viz., Agni, who derives his effulgence from Brahman, became the

steeds, that car which was known amongst the gods as belonging to Brahman

because it sprang first from Brahman himself, that car which in days of

old had successively borne Brahman and Ishana and Indra and Varuna one

after another, riding on that primeval car, Keshava and Arjuna now

proceeded to battle. Beholding that advancing car of wonderful aspect,

Shalya once more said unto Adhiratha's son, that warrior of great energy

in battle, these words "Yonder comes that car having white steeds yoked

unto it and owning Krishna for its driver, that vehicle incapable of

being resisted by all the troops, like the inevitable fruit of work.

There comes the son of Kunti, slaughtering his foes along the way,--he,

that is, about whom thou hadst been enquiring. Since tremendous is the

uproar that is being heard, deep as the roar of the clouds, it is,

without doubt, those high-souled ones, viz., Vasudeva and Dhananjaya.

Yonder ascends a cloud of dust that overspreads the welkin like a canopy.

The whole Earth, O Karna, seems to tremble, cut deep by the circumference

of Arjuna's wheels. These violent winds are blowing on both sides of thy

army. These carnivorous creatures are yelling aloud and these animals are

uttering fearful cries. Behold, O Karna, the terrible and portentous Ketu

of vapoury form, making the hair to stand on end, hath appeared, covering

the Sun. Behold, diverse kinds of animals, all around in large packs, and

many mighty wolves and tigers are looking at the Sun. Behold those

terrible Kankas and those vultures, assembled together in thousands,

sitting with faces towards one another, in seeming discourse. Those

coloured yak-tails attached to thy great car are waving unquietly. Thy

standard also is trembling. Behold these thy beautiful steeds, of huge

limbs and great speed resembling that of soaring birds, are also

quivering. From these portents, it is certain that kings, in hundreds and

thousands, O Karna, deprived of life, will lie down on the ground for

eternal sleep. The loud uproar of conchs, making the hair to stand on

end, is being heard. The sound also of drums and cymbals, O son of Radha,

is being heard on all sides, as also the whizz of diverse kinds of

arrows, and the din made by cars and steeds and men. Listen also, O

Karna, to the loud twang produced by the bow-strings of high-souled

warriors. Behold, O Karna, those banners of Arjuna, that are equipped

with rows of bells, and decked with golden moons and stars. Made by

skilful artists out of cloths embroidered with gold and of diverse hues,

they are blazing with resplendence on Arjuna's car as they are shaken by

the wind, like flashes of lightning in a mass of clouds. Behold those

(other) banners producing sharp sounds as they wave in the air. Those

car-warriors of the high-souled Pancalas, with flag-decked standards on

their vehicles, are looking resplendent, O Karna, like the very gods on

their celestial cars. Behold the heroic son of Kunti, the unvanquished

Vibhatsu (Arjuna) with that foremost of apes on his standard, advancing

for the destruction of the foe. There, on the top of Partha's standard,

is to be seen that terrible ape, that enhancer of the fears of foes,

attracting the gaze (of warriors) from every side. The discus, the mace,

the bow called Saranga and the conch (called Panchajanya) of the

intelligent Krishna, as also his gem Kaustubha, look exceedingly

beautiful in him. The wielder of Saranga and the mace, viz., Vasudeva, of

great energy, cometh, urging those white steeds endued with the fleetness

of the wind. Yonder twangs Gandiva, drawn by Savyasaci. Those whetted

shafts, sped by that strong-armed hero, are destroying his enemies. The

Earth is strewn with the heads of unretreating kings, with faces

beautiful as the moon at full, and decked with large and expansive eyes

of coppery hue. There the arms, looking like spiked maces, with weapons

in grasp, and smeared with excellent perfumes, of warriors delighting in

battle and contending with uplifted weapons, are falling. Steeds with

eyes, tongues, and entrails drawn out along with their riders, are

falling and fallen and deprived of life lie prostrate on the Earth. Those

lifeless elephants huge as mountain summits, torn, mangled, and pierced

by Partha, are falling down like veritable hills. Those cars, looking

like the changeful forms of vapour in the sky, with their royal riders

slain, are falling down like the celestial cars of the denizens of heaven

upon the exhaustion of the latter's merits. Behold, the army is

exceedingly agitated by the diadem-decked Arjuna, like herds of countless

cattle by a maned lion. There the Pandava heroes, advancing for the

attack, are slaying kings and large numbers of elephants and steeds and

car-warriors and foot-soldiers of thy army engaged in battle. There

Partha, shrouded (by friends and foes and weapons and dust) is not to be

seen, like the Sun shrouded by clouds. Only the top of his standard may

be seen and the twang of his bow-string may be heard. Thou art sure, O

Karna, to behold today that hero of white steed with Krishna for his

driver, engaged in slaughtering his foes in battle. Thou art sure of

beholding him about whom thou hadst been enquiring. Today, O Karna, thou

art sure to behold those two tigers among men, both of red eyes, both

chastisers of foes, viz., Vasudeva and Arjuna, stationed on the same car.

If, O son of Radha, thou succeedest in slaying him that hath Keshava for

his driver and Gandiva for his bow, then thou shalt be our king.

Challenged by the samsaptakas, Partha now proceedeth against them. That

mighty warrior is engaged in making a great slaughter of his foes in

battle." Unto the ruler of the Madras who was saying so, Karna, in rage,

said, "Behold, Partha is assailed on all sides by the angry samsaptakas.

Like the Sun shrouded by the clouds, Partha is no longer visible.

Plunged, into that ocean of warriors, O Shalya, Arjuna is sure to perish."


"'Shalya said, "Who is there that would slay Varuna with water, or quench

fire with fuel? Who is there that would seize the wind, or drink off the

ocean? I regard thy act of afflicting Partha to be even such. Arjuna is

incapable of being vanquished in battle by the very gods and the Asuras

united together and having Indra himself at their head. Or, suffer

thyself to be gratified, and be of easy mind, having said those words

(about thy capacity to slay Partha) Partha cannot be conquered in battle.

Accomplish some other purpose thou mayst have in thy mind. He that would

uplift this Earth on his two arms, or burn all creatures in wrath, or

hurl the gods from heaven, may vanquish Arjuna in battle. Behold that

other heroic son of Kunti, viz., Bhima, who is never fatigued with

exertion, blazing with resplendence, mighty-armed, and standing like

another Meru. With wrath ever kindled and longing for revenge, Bhima of

great energy stands there desirous of victory in battle, and remembering

all his injuries. There that foremost of virtuous men, viz., king

Yudhishthira the just, that subjugator of hostile towns, stands difficult

of being resisted by foes in battle. There stand those two tigers among

men, the twin Ashvinis, the two uterine brothers Nakula and Sahadeva,

both invincible in battle. Yonder may be seen the five sons of Krishna,

that have the features of Pancala princes. All of them, equal to Arjuna

in battle, are standing, desirous of fight. There the sons of Drupada,

headed by Dhristadyumna, swelling with pride and energy,--heroes endued

with great energy,--have taken up their stand. There, that foremost one

among the Satwatas, viz., Satyaki, irresistible like Indra, advanceth

against us, from desire of fight, like the destroyer himself in wrath

before our eyes." While those two lions among men were thus addressing

each other, the two armies mingled fiercely in battle, like the currents

of the Ganga and Yamuna.'"




47


"Dhritarashtra said, 'When the two armies, duly arrayed, thus mingled

with each other for battle, O Sanjaya, how did Partha assail the

samsaptakas, and how Karna assail the Pandavas? Tell me the incidents of

the battle in detail, for thou art skilled in narration. Listening to the

accounts of the prowess of heroes in battle, I am never satiated.'


"Sanjaya said, 'Observing the vast hostile force stationed in that

manner, Arjuna arrayed his troops in proper form, in consequence of the

evil policy of thy son. The vast Pandava force then, teeming with

horsemen and elephants and foot-soldiers and cars, and headed by

Dhrishtadyumna, looked exceedingly magnificent. With his steeds white as

pigeons, the son of Prishata, equal in splendour to the Sun or the Moon,

armed with bow, looked resplendent like Death himself in embodied form.

The sons of Draupadi, desirous of battle, stood by the side of the son of

Prishata. They were clad in excellent coats of mail, and armed with

excellent weapons, and all of them were endued with the prowess of

tigers. Possessed of effulgent bodies, they followed their maternal uncle

like the stars appearing with the Moon. Beholding the samsaptakas

standing in array, Arjuna, with wrath excited, rushed against them,

drawing his bow Gandiva. The samsaptakas then, desirous of slaying

Arjuna, rushed against Partha, firmly resolved on victory, and making

death their goal. That brave host of heroes, teeming with men, steeds,

infuriate elephants, and cars, began very quickly to afflict Arjuna.

Their encounter with Kiritin (Arjuna) became exceedingly furious. That

encounter resembled the one that took place between Arjuna and the

Nivatakavachas, as we have heard. Partha cut off cars and steeds and

standards and elephants and foot-soldiers engaged in fight, with shafts

and bows and swords and discs and battle axes, and uplifted arms with

weapons in grasp, and the heads also of foes, by thousands upon

thousands. The samsaptakas, regarding the car of Partha sunk in that deep

vortex of warriors, uttered loud roars. Partha, however, slaying all his

foes in front, slew those that stood further off, and then those that

were on his right and his back, like Rudra himself in rage slaughtering

all created things endued with life. The encounter that took place when

the Pancalas, the Cedis, and the Srinjayas faced thy troops was

exceedingly fierce. Kripa and Kritavarma, and Shakuni the son of Subala,

those heroes difficult of defeat in battle, accompanied by troops that

were all cheerful, themselves filled with rage, and capable of smiting

down thick ranks of cars, fought with the Koshalas, the Kasis, the

Matsyas, the Karusas, the Kaikayas, and the Surasenas, all of whom were

possessed of great courage. That battle fraught with great slaughter and

destructive of body, life and sins, became conducive to fame, heaven, and

virtue, in respect of the Kshatriya, the Vaishya, and the Shudra heroes

that were engaged in it. Meanwhile the Kuru king Duryodhana with his

brothers, O bull of Bharata's race, and supported by many Kuru heroes and

many mighty Madraka car-warriors, protected Karna while the latter was

engaged in battle with the Pandavas, the Pancalas, the Cedis, and

Satyaki. Destroying that vast division with his sharp arrows, and

crushing many foremost of car-warriors Karna succeeded in afflicting

Yudhishthira. Cutting off the armour, the weapons, and the bodies of

thousands of foes and slaying his foes by thousands and sending them to

heaven and making them earn great fame, Karna caused his friends great

joy. Thus, O sire, that battle destructive of men, steeds, and cars,

between the Kurus and the Srinjayas, resembled the battle between the

gods and the Asuras of old.'"




48


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Tell me, O Sanjaya, how Karna, having caused a

great slaughter penetrated into the midst of the Pandava troops, and

struck and afflicted king Yudhishthira. Who were those foremost of heroes

among the Parthas that resisted Karna? Who were they whom Karna crushed

before he could succeed in afflicting Yudhishthira?'


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the Parthas headed by Dhrishtadyumna stationed

for battle, that crusher of foes, viz., Karna, rushed impetuously against

the Pancalas. Like swans rushing towards the sea, the Pancalas, longing

for victory, rushed as quickly against that high-souled warrior advancing

to the encounter. Then the blare of thousands of conchs, as if piercing

the heart by its shrillness, arose from both hosts, and the fierce peal

also of thousands of drums. The sound also of diverse musical instruments

and the noise made by elephants and steeds and cars, and the leonine

shouts of heroes, that arose there, became exceedingly awful. It seemed

that the whole Earth with her mountains and trees and oceans, the entire

welkin covered with wind-tossed clouds, and the whole firmament with the

Sun, the Moon, and the stars, trembled with that sound. All creatures

regarded that noise to be even such and became agitated. Those amongst

them that were endued with little strength fell dead. Then Karna, excited

with great wrath, quickly invoking his weapons, began to smite the

Pandava army like Maghavat smiting the army of the Asuras. Penetrating

then into the Pandava host and shooting his arrows, Karna slew seven and

seventy foremost of warriors among the Prabhadrakas. Then that foremost

of car-warriors, with five and twenty sharp shafts equipped with goodly

wings, slew five and twenty Pancalas. With many cloth-yard shafts

equipped with wings of gold and capable of piercing the bodies of all

foes, that hero slew the Cedis by hundreds and thousands. While he was

employed in achieving those superhuman feats in battle, large throngs of

Pancala cars, O king, quickly surrounded him on all sides. Aiming then, O

Bharata, five irresistible shafts, Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana or

Vrisha, slew five Pancala warriors. The five Pancalas, O Bharata, that he

slew in that battle were Bhanudeva and Citrasena and Senavindu and Tapana

and Surasena. While the Pancala heroes were thus being slaughtered with

arrows in that great battle, loud cries of "Oh" and "Alas" arose from

among the Pancala host. Then ten car-warriors among the Pancalas, O

monarch, surrounded Karna. Them, too, Karna speedily slew with his

shafts. The two protectors of Karna's car wheels, viz., his two

invincible sons, O sire, that were named Sushena and Satyasena, began to

fight, reckless of their very lives. The eldest son of Karna, viz., the

mighty car-warrior Vrishasena, himself protected his father's rear. Then

Dhrishtadyumna, Satyaki, and the five sons of Draupadi, and Vrikodara,

Janamejaya, and Shikhandi, and many foremost warriors among the

Prabhadrakas, and many amongst the Cedis, the Kaikayas, and the Pancalas,

the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), and the Matsyas, all clad in mail,

rushed fiercely upon Radha's son, skilled in smiting, from desire of

slaying him. Pouring upon him diverse kinds of weapons and thick showers

of arrows, they began to afflict him like the clouds afflicting the

mountain breast in the season of rains. Desirous of rescuing their

father, the sons of Karna, all of whom were effectual smiters, and many

other heroes, O king, of thy army, resisted those (Pandava) heroes.

Sushena, cutting off with a broad-headed arrow the bow of Bhimasena,

pierced Bhima himself with seven cloth-yard shafts in the chest, and

uttered a loud roar. Then Vrikodara of terrible prowess, taking up

another tough bow and stringing it quickly, cut off Sushena's bow.

Excited with rage and as if dancing (on his car), he quickly pierced

Sushena himself with ten arrows, and then pierced Karna, within the

twinkling of an eye, with seventy sharp shafts. With ten other shafts,

Bhima then felled Bhanusena, another son of Karna, with his steeds,

driver, weapons, and standard, in the very sight of the latter's friends.

The sightly head of that youth, graced with a face as beautiful as the

Moon, cut off with a razor-headed arrow, looked like a lotus plucked from

its stalk. Having slain Karna's son, Bhima began to afflict thy troops

once more. Cutting off the bows then of Kripa and Hridika's son, he began

to afflict those two also. Piercing Duhshasana with three arrows made

wholly of iron, and Shakuni with six, he deprived both Uluka and his

brother Patatri of their cars. Addressing Sushena next in these words,

viz., "Thou art slain." Bhima took up an arrow. Karna, however, cut off

that arrow and struck Bhima himself with three shafts. Then Bhima took up

another straight arrow of great impetuosity and sped it at Sushena. But

Vrisha cut that arrow also. Then Karna, desirous of rescuing his son, and

wishing to make an end of the cruel Bhimasena, struck the latter with

three and seventy fierce arrows. Then Sushena taking up an excellent bow

capable of bearing a great strain, pierced Nakula with five arrows in the

arms and the chest. Nakula, then piercing his antagonist with twenty

strong shafts capable of bearing a great strain, uttered a loud roar and

inspired Karna with fright. The mighty car-warrior Sushena, however, O

king, piercing Nakula with ten shafts, quickly cut off the latter's bow

with a razor-headed arrow. Then Nakula, insensate with rage, took up

another bow, and resisted Sushena in that battle with nine shafts. That

slayer of hostile heroes, O king, shrouding all the quarters with showers

of arrows, slew Sushena's driver, and piercing Sushena himself again with

three shafts, and then with three other broad-headed arrows, cut off his

bow of great strength into three fragments. Sushena also, deprived of his

senses in rage, took up another bow and pierced Nakula with sixty arrows

and Sahadeva with seven. The battle raged fiercely, like that of the gods

and the Asuras between those heroes striking one another. Satyaki,

slaying the driver of Vrishasena with three arrows, cut off the latter's

bow with a broad-headed shaft and struck his steeds with seven arrows.

Crushing his standard then with another arrow, he struck Vrishasena

himself with three arrows in the chest. Thus struck, Vrishasena became

senseless on his car, but within the twinkling of an eye, stood up again.

Deprived of his driver and steeds and car standard by Yuyudhana

(Satyaki), Vrishasena then, armed with sword and shield, rushed against

Yuyudhana from desire of slaying him. Satyaki, however, as his antagonist

rushed towards him, struck at his sword and shield with ten arrows

equipped with heads like a boar's ear. Then Duhshasana, beholding

Vrishasena made carless and weaponless, quickly caused him to ascend his

own car, and bearing him away from the spot, caused him to ride another

vehicle. The mighty car-warrior Vrishasena then, riding on another

vehicle, pierced the five sons of Draupadi with seventy and Yuyudhana

with five, and Bhimasena with four and sixty, and Sahadeva with five, and

Nakula with thirty, and Satanika with seven arrows, and Shikhandi with

ten, and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These and many other foremost

of heroes, O king, all inspired with desire of victory that great bowman,

viz., the son of Karna, O monarch, continued to afflict with his shafts.

Then, in that battle, the invincible Vrishasena continued to protect the

rear of Karna. The grandson of Sini, having made Duhshasana driverless

and steedless and carless by means of nine times nine arrows made wholly

of iron, struck Duhshasana with ten shafts in the forehead. The Kuru

prince then, riding on another car that was duly equipped (with all

necessary implements), once more began to fight with the Pandavas, from

within the division of Karna. Then Dhristadyumna pierced Karna with ten

arrows, and the sons of Draupadi pierced him with three and seventy, and

Yuyudhana with seven. And Bhimasena pierced him with four and sixty

arrows, and Sahadeva with seven. And Nakula pierced him with thirty

arrows, and Satanika with seven. And the heroic Shikhandi pierced him

with ten and king Yudhishthira with a hundred. These and other foremost

of men, O monarch, all inspired with desire of victory, began to grind

that great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, in that dreadful battle. That

chastiser of foes, viz., the Suta's son of great heroism, performing

quick evolutions with his car, pierced every one of those warriors with

ten arrows. We then, O king, witnessed the lightness of hand displayed by

the high-souled Karna and the power of his weapons. Indeed, what we saw

appeared to be highly wonderful. People could not notice when he took up

his arrows, when he aimed them, and when he let them off. They only

beheld his enemies dying fast in consequence of his wrath. The sky, the

firmament, the Earth, and all the quarters seemed to be entirely shrouded

with sharp arrows. The firmament looked resplendent as if covered with

red clouds. The valiant son of Radha, armed with the bow, and as if

dancing (on his car), pierced each of his assailants with thrice as many

arrows as each of them had pierced him with. And once more piercing each

of them, and his steeds, driver, car, and standard with ten arrows, he

uttered a loud roar. His assailants then gave him a way (through which he

passed out). Having crushed those mighty bowmen with showers of arrows,

the son of Radha, that crusher of foes, then penetrated, unresisted, into

the midst of the division commanded by the Pandava king. Having destroyed

thirty cars of the unreturning Cedis, the son of Radha struck

Yudhishthira with many sharp arrows. Then many Pandava warriors, O king,

with Shikhandi and Satyaki, desirous of rescuing the king from the son of

Radha, surrounded the former. Similarly all the brave and mighty bowmen

of thy army resolutely protected the irresistible Karna in that battle.

The noise of diverse musical instrument arose then, O king, and the

leonine shouts of brave warriors rent the sky. And the Kurus and the

Pandavas once more fearlessly encountered each other, the former headed

by the Suta's son and the latter by Yudhishthira.'"




49


"Sanjaya said, 'Piercing through the Pandava host, Karna, surrounded by

thousands of cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, rushed

towards king Yudhishthira the just. Cutting off with hundreds of fierce

shafts the thousands of weapons sped at him by his foes, Vrisha

fearlessly pierced through that host. Indeed, the Suta's son cut off the

heads, the arms and the thighs of his enemies, who, deprived of life,

fell down on the Earth. Others, finding their divisions broken, fled

away. The Dravida, the Andhaka, and the Nishada foot-soldiers, urged on

by Satyaki, once more rushed towards Karna in that battle, from desire of

slaying him. Deprived of arms and head-gears, and slain by Karna with his

shafts, they fell down simultaneously on the Earth, like a forest of Sala

tree cut down (with the axe). Thus hundreds, thousands and ten thousands

of combatants, deprived of life and filling the whole welkin with their

fame, fell down with their bodies on the Earth. The Pandus and the

Pancalas obstructed Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, who careered

wrathfully in battle like the Destroyer himself, even as people seek to

obstruct a disease with incantations and drugs. Crushing all those

assailants Karna once more rushed towards Yudhishthira, like an

irresistible disease unchecked by incantations and drugs and

(propitiatory) rites. At last checked by the Pandus, the Pancalas, and

the Kekayas, all of whom were desirous of rescuing the king, Karna could

not succeed in passing them over, like Death that is unable to vanquish

persons conversant with Brahma. Then Yudhishthira, with eyes red in

wrath, addressed Karna, that slayer of hostile heroes, who was held in

check at a little distance from him, and said these words "O Karna, O

Karna, O thou of vain sight, O son of a Suta, listen to my words. Thou

always challengest the active Phalguna in battle. Obedient to the

counsels of Dhritarashtra's son, thou always seekest to oppose us.

Mustering thy great prowess, show thou today all thy might, all thy

energy, and all the hatred thou bearest towards the sons of Pandu. Today

in dreadful encounter, I will purge thee of thy desire for battle."

Having said these words, the son of Pandu, O king, pierced Karna with ten

shafts made entirely of iron and equipped with wings of gold. That

chastiser of foes, and great bowman, viz., the Suta's son, O Bharata,

pierced Yudhishthira, with the greatest care, in return, with ten arrows

equipped with heads like the calf's tooth. Thus pierced by the Suta's son

in contempt, O sire, the mighty-armed Yudhishthira, blazed up with wrath

like a fire upon receiving butter. Bending his formidable bow decked with

gold, the son of Pandu placed on his bow-string a whetted arrow capable

of piercing the very hills. Drawing the bow to its fullest stretch, the

king quickly sped that arrow, fatal as the rod of the Destroyer, from

desire of slaying the Suta's son. Sped by the king endued with great

might, that arrow whose whizz resembled the noise of the thunder,

suddenly pierced Karna, that mighty car-warrior, on his left side. Deeply

afflicted by the violence of that stroke, the mighty-armed Karna with

weakened limbs, fell into a swoon on his car, his bow dropping from his

hand. Beholding Karna in that plight, the vast Dhartarashtra host uttered

cries of "Oh" and "Alas," and the faces of all the combatants became

colourless. Beholding the prowess of their king, on the other hand, O

monarch, amongst the Pandavas, leonine roars and shouts and confused

cries of joy arose. The son of Radha, however, of cruel prowess,

recovering his senses soon enough, set his heart on the destruction of

Yudhishthira. Drawing his formidable bow called Vijaya that was decked

with gold, the Suta's son of immeasurable soul began to resist the son of

Pandu with his sharp shafts. With a couple of razor-headed arrows he slew

in that encounter Candradeva and Dandadhara, the two Pancala princes,

that protected the two car wheels of the high-souled Yudhishthira. Each

of those heroes, standing by the side of Yudhishthira's car, looked

resplendent like the constellation Punarvasu by the side of the moon.

Yudhishthira, however, once more pierced Karna with thirty arrows. And he

struck Sushena and Satyasena, each with three arrows. And he pierced

everyone of the protectors of Karna with three straight arrows. The son

of Adhiratha then, laughing and shaking his bow inflicted a cutting wound

on the king's body with a broad-headed arrow, and again pierced him with

sixty arrows and then uttered a loud shout. Then many foremost heroes

amongst the Pandavas, desirous of rescuing the king, rushed in wrath

towards Karna and began to grind him with their arrows. Satyaki and

Chekitana and Yuyutsu and Shikhandi and the sons of Draupadi and the

Prabhadrakas, and the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) and Bhimasena and

Shishupala and the Karushas, Matsyas, the Suras, the Kaikayas, the Kasis

and the Kosalas, all these brave heroes, endued with great activity,

assailed Vasusena. The Pancala prince Janamejaya then pierced Karna with

many arrows. The Pandava heroes, armed with diverse kinds of arrows and

diverse weapons and accompanied by cars and elephants and steeds, rushing

towards Karna, encompassed him on all sides, from desire of slaying him.

Thus assailed on all sides by the foremost of Pandava warriors, Karna

invoked into existence the brahmastra and filled all the points of the

compass with arrows. The heroic Karna then, like unto a blazing fire

having shafts for its scorching flame, careered in battle, burning that

forest of Pandavas troops. The high-souled Karna, that great bowman,

aiming some mighty weapons, and laughing the while, cut off the bow of

that foremost of men, Yudhishthira. Then aiming ninety straight arrows

within the twinkling of an eye, Karna cut off, with those sharp shafts,

the armour of his antagonist. That armour, decked with gold and set with

gems, looked beautiful, as it fell down, like a wind-tossed cloud

penetrated by the rays of the Sun. Indeed, that armour, adorned with

costly brilliants, fallen off from the body of that foremost of men,

looked beautiful like the firmament in the night, bespangled with stars.

His armour cut off with those arrows, the son of Pritha, covered with

blood, wrathfully hurled at the son of Adhiratha a dart made wholly of

iron. Karna, however, cut (into pieces) that blazing dart, as it coursed

through the welkin, with seven shafts. That dart, thus cut off with those

shafts of great bowman, fell down on the Earth. Then Yudhishthira,

striking Karna with four lances in his two arms and forehead and chest,

repeatedly uttered loud shouts. Thereupon blood spouted forth from the

wounds of Karna, and the latter, filled with rage and breathing like a

snake, cut off his antagonist's standard and pierced the Pandava himself

with three broad-headed arrows. And he also cut off the couple of quivers

(that his foe had) and the car (he rode) into minute fragments. Thereupon

the king, riding on another car unto which were yoked those steeds, white

as ivory and having black hair on their tails, that used to bear him (to

battle), turned his face and began to fly. Thus did Yudhishthira began to

retreat. His Parshni driver had been slain. He became exceedingly

cheerless and unable to stay before Karna. The son of Radha then,

pursuing Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, cleansed himself by touching him

in the shoulder with his own fair hand (the palm of which was) graced

with the auspicious signs of the thunderbolt, the umbrella, the hook, the

fish, the tortoise, and the conchshell, and desired to seize him by

force. He then remembered the words of Kunti. Then Shalya addressed him,

and said, "Do not, O Karna, seize this best of kings. As soon as thou

seizest him, he will reduce both thee and me to ashes." Then Karna, O

king, laughing in mockery, addressed the son of Pandu and thus spoke unto

him disparagingly. "How, indeed, born though thou art in a noble race,

and observant though thou art of Kshatriya duties, wouldst thou leave the

battle in fear, desiring to save thy life? I think that thou art not

well-acquainted with the duties of Kshatriyas. Endued with Brahma-force,

thou art indeed devoted to the study of the Vedas and the performance of

sacrificial rites. Do not, O son of Kunti, fight again, and do not again

approach brave warriors. Do not use harsh language towards heroes and do

not come to great battles. Thou mayst use such words, O sire, towards

others, but thou shouldst never address persons like us in that way. By

using such words towards persons like us, thou wouldst in battle meet

with this and other kinds of behaviour. Go back to thy quarters, O son of

Kunti, or thither where those two, viz., Keshava and Arjuna, are. Indeed,

O king, Karna will never slay one like thee." Having said these words

unto the son of Pritha, the mighty Karna, setting Yudhishthira free,

began to slaughter the Pandava host like the wielder of the thunderbolt

slaughtering the Asura host. That ruler of men, (viz., Yudhishthira,)

then, O king, quickly fled away. Beholding the king flying away, the

Cedis, the Pandavas, the Pancalas, and the mighty car-warrior Satyaki,

all followed that monarch of unfading glory. And the sons of Draupadi,

and the Suras, and the twin sons of Madri by Pandu, also followed the

king. Beholding the division of Yudhishthira retreating, the heroic Karna

became highly glad with all the Kurus and began to pursue the retreating

force. The din of battle-drums and conchs and cymbals and bows, and

leonine shouts, arose from among the Dhartarashtra troops. Meanwhile

Yudhishthira, O thou of Kuru's race, quickly riding on the car of

Srutakirti, began to behold the prowess of Karna. Then king Yudhishthira,

the just, seeing his troops fast slaughtered, became filled with rage,

and addressing his warriors, commanded them, saying, "Slay these enemies.

Why are ye inactive?" Then the mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas,

headed by Bhimasena, thus commanded by the king, all rushed against thy

sons. The shouts then, O Bharata, of the warriors (of both hosts), and

the noise made by cars and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, and

the clash of weapons, became tremendous. "Exert," "Strike," "Face the

foe," were the words that the combatants addressed to one another as they

began to slay one another in that dreadful battle. And in consequence of

the showers of shafts shot by them a shadow as that of the clouds seemed

to spread over the field. And in consequence of those rulers of men,

covered with arrows, striking one another, they became divested of

banners and standards and umbrellas and steeds and drivers and weapons in

that battle. Indeed, those lords of Earth, deprived of life and limbs,

fell down on the Earth. Looking like the mountain-summits in consequence

of their uneven backs, huge elephants with their riders, deprived of

life, fell down like mountains riven by thunder. Thousands of steeds,

with their armour, equipments, and adornments all torn and broken and

displaced, fell down, along with their heroic riders, deprived of life.

Car-warriors with weapons loosened from their grasp, and deprived by

(hostile) car-warriors of cars and life, and large bands of

foot-soldiers, slain by hostile heroes in that dreadful clash, fell down

in thousands. The Earth became covered with the heads of heroic

combatants intoxicated with battle, heads that were adorned with large

and expansive eyes of coppery hue and faces as beautiful as the lotus or

the moon. And people heard noises as loud in the sky as on the surface of

the Earth, in consequence of the sound of music and song proceeding from

large bands of Apsaras on their celestial cars, with which those bands of

heavenly choristers continually greeted the newly-arrived heroes slain in

hundreds and thousands by brave enemies on Earth, and with which, placing

them on celestial cars, they repaired on those vehicles (towards the

region of Indra). Witnessing with their own eyes those wonderful sights,

and actuated by the desire of going to heaven, heroes with cheerful

hearts speedily slew one another. Car-warriors fought beautifully with

car-warriors in that battle, and foot-soldiers with foot-soldiers, and

elephants with elephants, and steeds with steeds. Indeed, when that

battle, destructive of elephants and steeds and men, raged in this way,

the field became covered with the dust raised by the troops. Then enemies

slew enemies and friends slew friends. The combatants dragged one another

by their locks, bit one another with their teeth, tore one another with

their nails, and struck one another with clenched fists, and fought one

another with bare arms in that fierce battle destructive of both life and

sins. Indeed, as that battle, fraught with carnage of elephants and

steeds and men, raged on so fiercely, a river of blood ran from the

bodies of (slain) human beings and steeds and elephants. And that current

carried away a large number of dead bodies of elephants and steeds and

men. Indeed, in that vast host teeming with men, steeds, and elephants,

that river formed by the blood of men and steeds and elephants and

horsemen and elephant-men, became miry with flesh and exceedingly

terrible. And on that current, inspiring the timid with terror, floated

the bodies of men and steeds and elephants. Impelled by the desire of

victory, some combatants forded it and some remained on the other side.

And some plunged into its depths, and some sank in it and some rose above

its surface as they swam through it. Smeared all over with blood, their

armour and weapons and robes--all became bloody. Some bathed in it and

some drank the liquid and some became strengthless, O bull of Bharata's

race. Cars and steeds, and men and elephants and weapons and ornaments,

and robes and armour, and combatants that were slain or about to be

slain, and the Earth, the welkin, the firmament, and all the points of

the compass, became red. With the odour, the touch, the taste, and the

exceedingly red sight of that blood and its rushing sound, almost all the

combatants, O Bharata, became very cheerless. The Pandava heroes then,

headed by Bhimasena and Satyaki, once more rushed impetuously against

that army already beaten. Beholding the impetuosity of that rush of the

Pandava heroes to be irresistible, the vast force of thy sons, O king,

turned its back on the field. Indeed, that host of thine, teeming with

cars and steeds and elephants and men no longer in compact array, with

armour and coats of mail displaced and weapons and bows loosened from

their grasp, fled away in all directions, whilst being agitated by the

enemy, even like a herd of elephants in the forest afflicted by lions.'"




50


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the Pandava heroes rushing impetuously towards

thy host, Duryodhana, O monarch, endeavoured to check the warriors of his

army on all sides, O bull of Bharata race. Although, however, thy son

cried at the top of his voice, his flying troops, O king, still refused

to stop. Then one of the wings of the army and its further wing, and

Shakuni, the son of Subala, and the Kauravas well-armed turned against

Bhimasena in that battle. Karna also, beholding the Dhartarashtra force

with all its kings flying away, addressed the ruler of the Madras,

saying, "Proceed towards the car of Bhima." Thus addressed by Karna, the

ruler of the Madras began to urge those foremost of steeds, of the hue of

swans, towards the spot where Vrikodara was. Thus urged by Shalya, that

ornament of battle, those steeds approaching the car of Bhimasena,

mingled in battle. Meanwhile, Bhima, beholding Karna approach, became

filled with rage, and set his heart on the destruction of Karna, O bull

of Bharata's race. Addressing the heroic Satyaki and Dhrishtadyumna, the

son of Prishata, he said, "Go you to protect king Yudhishthira of

virtuous soul. With difficulty he escaped from a situation of great peril

before my very eyes. In my sight have the armour and robes of the king

been cut off and torn, for Duryodhana's gratification, by Radha's son of

wicked soul. I shall today reach the end of that woe, O son of Prishata.

Today, either I shall slay Karna in battle, or he will slay me in

dreadful battle. I tell thee truly. Today I make over the king to you as

sacred pledge. With cheerful hearts exert ye today for protecting the

king." Having said these words, the mighty-armed Bhima proceeded towards

Adhiratha's son, making all the points of the compass resound with a loud

leonine shout. Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, advancing

quickly, the puissant king of the Madras addressed the Suta's son in the

following words:


"'Shalya said, "Behold, O Karna, the mighty-armed son of Pandu, who is

filled with rage. Without doubt, he is desirous of vomiting upon thee

that wrath which he has cherished for many years. Never before did I see

him assume such a form, not even when Abhimanyu was slain and the

Rakshasa Ghatotkaca. Filled with wrath, the form he hath now assumed,

endued with the splendour of the all-destroying fire at the end of the

Yuga, is such that it seems he is capable of resisting the three worlds

united together.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'While the ruler of the Madras was saying these words

unto the son of Radha, Vrikodara, excited with rage, came upon Karna.

Beholding Bhima, that delighter in battle, approaching him in that way,

the son of Radha laughingly said unto Shalya these words, "The words that

thou, O ruler of the Madras, hast today spoken to me regarding Bhima, O

lord, are without doubt all true. This Vrikodara is brave and is a hero

full of wrath. He is reckless in protecting his body, and in strength of

limbs he is superior to all. While leading a life of concealment in the

city of Virata, relying then on the might of his bare arms, for doing

what was agreeable to Draupadi, he secretly slew Kichaka with all his

relatives. Even he stands today at the head of battle clad in mail and

insensate with wrath. He is ready to engage in battle with the Destroyer

armed with uplifted mace. This desire, however, hath been cherished

through all my days, viz., that either I shall slay Arjuna or Arjuna will

slay me. That desire of mine may be fulfilled today in consequence of my

encounter with Bhima. If I slay Bhima or make him carless, Partha may

come against me. That will be well for me. Settle that without delay

which thou thinkest to be suitable to the hour." Hearing these words of

Radha's son of immeasurable energy Shalya replied, saying, "O thou of

mighty arms, proceed against Bhimasena of great might. Having checked

Bhimasena, thou mayst then obtain Phalguna. That which is thy purpose,

that desire which for many long years thou hast cherished in thy heart,

will be accomplished, O Karna. I tell the truth." Thus addressed, Karna

once more said unto Shalya, "Either I shall slay Arjuna in battle, or he

will slay me. Setting thy heart on battle proceed to the spot where

Vrikodara is.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Then, O king, Shalya speedily proceeded on that car

to the spot where that great bowman, viz., Bhima, was engaged in routing

thy army. There rose then the blare of trumpets and the peal of drums, O

monarch, when Bhima and Karna met. The mighty Bhimasena, filled with

rage, began to scatter thy troops difficult of defeat, with his sharp and

polished shafts, to all sides. That collision in battle, O monarch,

between Karna and the son of Pandu became, O king, fierce and awful, and

the noise that arose was tremendous. Beholding Bhima coming towards him,

Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana or Vrisha, filled with rage, struck

him with shafts in the centre of the chest. And once more, Karna of

immeasurable soul, covered him with a shower of arrows. Thus pierced by

the Suta's son, Bhima covered the former with winged arrows. And he once

more pierced Karna with nine straight and keen shafts. Then Karna, with a

number of arrows, cut in twain Bhima's bow at the handle. And after

cutting off his bow, he pierced him once again in the centre of the chest

with a shaft of great keenness and capable of penetrating every kind of

armour. Then Vrikodara, taking up another bow, O king, and knowing full

well what the vital parts of the body are, pierced the Suta's son with

many keen arrows. Then Karna pierced him with five and twenty arrows,

like a hunter striking a proud and infuriate elephant in the forest with

a number of blazing brands. His limbs mangled with those shafts, his eyes

red with rage and the desire of revenge, the son of Pandu, insensate with

wrath, and impelled by the desire of slaying the Suta's son, fixed on his

bow an excellent shaft of great impetuosity, capable of bearing a great

strain, and competent to pierce the very mountains. Forcibly drawing the

bow-string to his very ear, the son of the Wind-god, that great bowman,

filled with wrath and desirous of making an end of Karna, sped that

shaft. Thus sped by the mighty Bhima, that shaft, making a noise loud as

that of the thunder, pierced through thunderbolt Karna in that battle,

like the thunderbolt itself piercing through a mountain. Struck by

Bhimasena, O perpetuator of Kuru's race, the Suta's son, that commander

(of thy forces), sat down senseless on the terrace of his car. The ruler

of the Madras then, beholding the Suta's son deprived of his senses, bore

that ornament of battle away on his car, from that fight. Then after

Karna's defeat, Bhimasena began to rout the vast Dhartarashtra host like

Indra routing the danavas.'"




51


"Dhritarashtra said, 'Exceedingly difficult of accomplishment was that

feat, O Sanjaya, which was achieved by Bhima who caused the mighty-armed

Karna himself to measure his length on the terrace of his car. There is

only one person, Karna, who will slay the Pandavas along with the

Srinjayas--even this is what Duryodhana, O Suta, used very often to say

unto me. Beholding, however, that son of Radha now defeated by Bhima in

battle, what did my son Duryodhana next do?'


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Radha's son of the Suta caste turned back from

the fight in that great battle, thy son, O monarch, addressed his uterine

brothers, saying, "Go ye quickly, blessed be ye, and protect the son of

Radha who is plunged into that fathomless ocean of calamity represented

by the fear of Bhimasena." Thus commanded by the king, those princes,

excited with wrath and desirous of slaying Bhimasena, rushed towards him

like insects towards a blazing fire. They were Srutarvan and Durddhara

and Kratha and Vivitsu and Vikata and Soma, and Nishangin and Kavashin

and Pasin and Nanda and Upanandaka, and Duspradharsha and Suvahu and

Vatavega and Suvarchasas, and Dhanurgraha and Durmada and Jalasandha and

Sala and Saha. Surrounded by a large car-force, those princes, endued

with great energy and might, approached Bhimasena and encompassed him on

all sides. They sped at him from every side showers of arrows of diverse

kinds. Thus afflicted by them, Bhima of great strength, O king, quickly

slew fifty foremost car-warriors with five hundred others, amongst those

sons of thine that advanced against him. Filled with rage, Bhimasena

then, O king, with a broad-headed arrow, struck off the head of Vivitsu

adorned with earrings and head-gear, and graced with a face resembling

the full moon. Thus cut off, that prince fell down on the Earth.

Beholding that heroic brother of theirs slain, the (other) brothers

there, O lord, rushed in that battle, from every side, upon Bhima of

terrible prowess. With two other broad-headed arrows then, Bhima of

terrible prowess took the lives of two other sons of thine in that

dreadful battle. Those two, Vikata and Saha, looking like a couple of

celestial youths, O king, thereupon fell down on the Earth like a couple

of trees uprooted by the tempest. Then Bhima, without losing a moment,

despatched Kratha to the abode of Yama, with a long arrow of keen point.

Deprived of life, that prince fell down on the Earth. Loud cries of woe

then, O ruler of men, arose there when those heroic sons of thine, all

great bowmen, were being thus slaughtered. When those troops were once

more agitated, the mighty Bhima, O monarch, then despatched Nanda and

Upananda in that battle to Yama's abode. Thereupon thy sons, exceedingly

agitated and inspired with fear, fled away, seeing that Bhimasena in that

battle behaved like the Destroyer himself at the end of the Yuga.

Beholding those sons of thine slain, the Suta's son with a cheerless

heart once more urged his steeds of the hue of swans to that place where

the son of Pandu was. Those steeds, O king, urged on by the ruler of

Madras, approached with great speed the car of Bhimasena and mingled in

battle. The collision, O monarch, that once more took place between Karna

and the son of Pandu in battle, became, O king, exceedingly fierce and

awful and fraught with a loud din. Beholding, O king, those two mighty

car-warriors close with each other, I became very curious to observe the

course of the battle. Then Bhima, boasting of his prowess in battle,

covered Karna in that encounter, O king, with showers of winged shafts in

the very sight of thy sons. Then Karna, that warrior acquainted with the

highest of weapons, filled with wrath, pierced Bhima with nine

broad-headed and straight arrows made entirely of iron. Thereupon the

mighty-armed Bhima of terrible prowess, thus struck by Karna, pierced his

assailant in return with seven shafts sped from his bow-string drawn to

his ear. Then Karna, O monarch, sighing like a snake of virulent poison,

shrouded the son of Pandu with a thick shower of arrows. The mighty Bhima

also, shrouding that mighty car-warrior with dense arrowy downpours in

the very sight of the Kauravas, uttered a loud shout. Then Karna, filled

with rage, grasped his strong bow and pierced Bhima with ten arrows

whetted on stone and equipped with kanka feathers. With another

broad-headed arrow of great sharpness, he also cut off Bhima's bow. Then

the mighty-armed Bhima of great strength, taking up a terrible parigha,

twined round with hempen cords and decked with gold and resembling a

second bludgeon of Death himself, and desiring to slay Karna outright,

hurled it at him with a loud roar. Karna, however, with a number of

arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison, cut off into many fragments

that spiked mace as it coursed towards him with the tremendous peal of

thunder. Then Bhima, that grinder of hostile troops, grasping his bow

with greater strength, covered Karna with keen shafts. The battle that

took place between Karna and the son of Pandu in that meeting became

awful for a moment, like that of a couple of huge lions desirous of

slaying each other. Then Karna, O king, drawing the bow with great force

and stretching the string to his very ear, pierced Bhimasena with three

arrows. Deeply pierced by Karna, that great bowman and foremost of all

persons endued with might then took up a terrible shaft capable of

piercing through the body of his antagonist. That shaft, cutting through

Karna's armour and piercing through his body, passed out and entered the

Earth like a snake into ant-hill. In consequence of the violence of that

stroke, Karna felt great pain and became exceedingly agitated. Indeed, he

trembled on his car like a mountain during an earthquake. Then Karna, O

king, filled with rage and the desire to retaliate, struck Bhima with

five and twenty shafts, and then with many more. With one arrow he then

cut off Bhimasena's standard, and with another broad-headed arrow he

despatched Bhima's driver to the presence of Yama. Next quickly cutting

off the bow of Pandu's son with another winged arrow, Karna deprived

Bhima of terrible feats of his car. Deprived of his car, O chief of

Bharata's race, the mighty-armed Bhima, who resembled the Wind-god (in

prowess) took up a mace and jumped down from his excellent vehicle.

Indeed, jumping down from his car with great fury, Bhima began to slay

thy troops, O king, like the wind destroying the clouds of autumn.

Suddenly the son of Pandu, that scorcher of foes, filled with wrath,

routed seven hundred elephants, O king, endued with tusks as large as

plough-shafts, and all skilled in smiting hostile troops. Possessed of

great strength and a knowledge of what the vital parts of an elephant

are, he struck them on their temples and frontal globes and eyes and the

parts above their gums. Thereupon those animals, inspired with fear, ran

away. But urged again by their drivers they surrounded Bhimasena once

more, like the clouds covering the Sun. Like Indra felling mountains with

thunder, Bhima with his mace prostrated those seven hundred elephants

with their riders and weapons and standards. That chastiser of foes, the

son of Kunti, next pressed down two and fifty elephants of great strength

belonging to the son of Subala. Scorching thy army, the son of Pandu then

destroyed a century of foremost cars and several hundreds of

foot-soldiers in that battle. Scorched by the Sun as also by the

high-souled Bhima, thy army began to shrink like a piece of leather

spread over a fire. Those troops of thine, O bull of Bharata's race,

filled with anxiety through fear of Bhimasena, avoided Bhima in that

battle and fled away in all directions. Then five hundred car-warriors,

cased in excellent mail, rushed towards Bhima with loud shouts, shooting

thick showers of arrows on all sides. Like Vishnu destroying the Asuras,

Bhima destroyed with his mace all those brave warriors with their drivers

and cars and banners and standards and weapons. Then 3,000 horsemen,

despatched by Shakuni, respected by all brave men and armed with darts

and swords and lances, rushed towards Bhima. That slayer of foes,

advancing impetuously towards them, and coursing in diverse tracks, slew

them with his mace. Loud sounds arose from among them while they were

being assailed by Bhima, like those that arise from among herd of

elephants struck with large pieces of rocks. Having slain those 3,000

excellent horses of Subala's son in that way, he rode upon another car,

and filled with rage proceeded against the son of Radha. Meanwhile, Karna

also, O king, covered Dharma's son (Yudhishthira) that chastiser of foes,

with thick showers of arrows, and felled his driver. Then that mighty

car-warrior beholding Yudhishthira fly away in that battle, pursued him,

shooting many straight-coursing shafts equipped with Kanka feathers. The

son of the Wind-god, filled with wrath, and covering the entire welkin

with his shafts, shrouded Karna with thick showers of arrows as the

latter pursued the king from behind. The son of Radha then, that crusher

of foes, turning back from the pursuit, quickly covered Bhima himself

with sharp arrows from every side. Then Satyaki, of immeasurable soul, O

Bharata, placing himself on the side of Bhima's car, began to afflict

Karna who was in front of Bhima. Though exceedingly afflicted by Satyaki,

Karna still approached Bhima. Approaching each other those two bulls

among all wielders of bows, those two heroes endued with great energy,

looked exceedingly resplendent as they sped their beautiful arrows at

each other. Spread by them, O monarch, in the welkin, those flights of

arrows, blazing as the backs of cranes, looked exceedingly fierce and

terrible. In consequence of those thousands of arrows, O king, neither

the rays of the Sun nor the points of the compass, cardinal and

subsidiary, could any longer be noticed either by ourselves or by the

enemy. Indeed, the blazing effulgence of the Sun shining at mid-day was

dispelled by those dense showers of arrows shot by Karna and the son of

Pandu. Beholding the son of Subala, and Kritavarma, and Drona's son, and

Adhiratha's son, and Kripa, engaged with the Pandavas, the Kauravas

rallied and came back to the fight. Tremendous became the din, O monarch,

that was made by that host as it rushed impetuously against their foes,

resembling that terrible noise that is made by many oceans swollen with

rains. Furiously engaged in battle, the two hosts became filled with

great joy as the warriors beheld and seized one another in that dreadful

melee. The battle that commenced at that hour when the Sun had reached

the meridian was such that its like had never been heard or seen by us.

One vast host rushed against another, like a vast reservoir of water

rushing towards the ocean. The din that arose from the two hosts as they

roared at each other, was loud and deep as that which may be heard when

several oceans mingle with one another. Indeed, the two furious hosts,

approaching each other, mingled into one mass like two furious rivers

that run into each other.


"'The battle then commenced, awful and terrible, between the Kurus and

the Pandavas, both of whom were inspired with the desire of winning great

fame. A perfect Babel of voices of the shouting warriors was incessantly

heard there, O royal Bharata, as they addressed one another by name. He

who had anything, by his father's or mother's side or in respect of his

acts or conduct, that could furnish matter for ridicule, was in that

battle made to hear it by his antagonist. Beholding those brave warriors

loudly rebuking one another in that battle, I thought, O king, that their

periods of life had been run out. Beholding the bodies of those angry

heroes of immeasurable energy a great fear entered my heart, respecting

the dire consequences that would ensue. Then the Pandavas, O king, and

the Kauravas also, mighty car-warriors all, striking one another, began

to mangle one another with their keen shafts.'"




52


"Sanjaya said, 'Those Kshatriyas, O monarch, harbouring feelings of

animosity against one another and longing to take one another's life,

began to slay one another in that battle. Throngs of cars, and large

bodies of horses, and teeming divisions of infantry and elephants in

large numbers mingled with one another, O king, for battle. We beheld the

falling of maces and spiked bludgeons and Kunapas and lances and short

arrows and rockets hurled at one another in that dreadful engagement.

Arrowy showers terrible to look at coursed like flights of locusts.

Elephants approaching elephants routed one another. Horsemen encountering

horsemen in that battle, and car-warriors encountering car-warriors, and

foot-soldiers encountering foot-soldiers, and foot-soldiers meeting with

horsemen, and foot-soldiers meeting with cars and elephants, and cars

meeting with elephants and horsemen, and elephants of great speed meeting

with the three other kinds of forces, began, O king, to crush and grind

one another. In consequence of those brave combatants striking one

another and shouting at the top of their voices, the field of battle

became awful, resembling the slaughter-ground of creatures (of Rudra

himself). The Earth, O Bharata, covered with blood, looked beautiful like

a vast plain in the season of rains covered with the red coccinella.

Indeed, the Earth assumed the aspect of a youthful maiden of great

beauty, attired in white robes dyed with deep red. Variegated with flesh

and blood, the field of battle looked as if decked all over with gold.

Large numbers of heads severed from trunks and arms and thighs and

earrings and other ornaments displaced from the bodies of warriors, O

Bharata, and collars and cuirasses and bodies of brave bowmen, and coats

of mail, and banners, lay scattered on the ground. Elephants coming

against elephants tore one another with their tusks, O king. Struck with

the tusks of hostile compeers, elephants looked exceedingly beautiful.

Bathed in blood, those huge creatures looked resplendent like moving

hills decked with metals, down whose breasts ran streams of liquid chalk.

Lances hurled by horsemen, or those held horizontally by hostile

combatants, were seized by many of those beasts, while many amongst them

twisted and broke those weapons. Many huge elephants, whose armour had

been cut off with shafts, looked, O king, like mountains divested of

clouds at the advent of winter. Many foremost of elephants pierced with

arrows winged with gold, looked beautiful like mountains, O sire, whose

summits are lighted with blazing brands. Some of those creatures, huge as

hills, struck by hostile compeers, fell down in that battle, like winged

mountains (when clipped of their wings). Others, afflicted with arrows

and much pained by their wounds, fell down touching the Earth, in that

dreadful battle, at their frontal globes or the parts between their

tusks. Others roared aloud like lions. And many, uttering terrible

sounds, ran hither and thither, and many, O king, uttered cries of pain.

Steeds also, in golden trappings, struck with arrows, fell down, or

became weak, or ran in all directions. Others, struck with arrows and

lances or dragged down, fell on the Earth and writhed in agony, making

diverse kinds of motion. Men also, struck down, fell on the Earth,

uttering diverse cries of pain, O sire; others, beholding their relatives

and sires and grandsires, and others seeing retreating foes, shouted to

one another their well-known names and the names of their races. The arms

of many combatants, decked with ornaments of gold, cut off, O king, by

foes, writhed on the ground, making diverse kinds of motions. Thousands

of such arms fell down and sprang up, and many seemed to dart forward

like five-headed snakes. Those arms, looking like the tapering bodies of

snakes, and smeared with sandal paste, O king, looked beautiful, when

drenched with blood, like little standards of gold. When the battle,

becoming general, raged so furiously on all sides, the warriors fought

with and slew one another without distinct perceptions of those they

fought with or struck. A dusty cloud overspread the field of battle, and

the weapons used fell in thick showers. The scene being thus darkened,

the combatants could no longer distinguish friends from foes. Indeed,

that fierce and awful battle proceeded thus. And soon there began to flow

many mighty rivers of the bloody currents. And they abounded with the

heads of combatants that formed their rocks. And the hair of the warriors

constituted their floating weeds and moss. Bones formed the fishes with

which they teemed, and bows and arrows and maces formed the rafts by

which to cross them. Flesh and blood forming their mire, those terrible

and awful rivers, with currents swelled by blood, were thus formed there,

enhancing the fears of the timid and the joy of the brave. Those awful

rivers led to the abode of Yama. Many plunged into those streams

inspiring Kshatriyas with fear, and perished. And in consequence of

various carnivorous creatures, O tiger among men, roaring and yelling on

all sides, the field of battle became terrible like the domains of the

king of the dead. And innumerable headless trunks rose up on all sides.

And terrible creatures, gorging on flesh and drinking fat, and blood, O

Bharata, began to dance around. And crows and vultures and cranes,

gratified with fat and marrow and other animals relishing flesh, were

seen to move about in glee. They, however, O king, that were heroes,

casting off all fear which is so difficult of being cast off, and

observing the vow of warriors, fearlessly did their duty. Indeed, on that

field where countless arrows and darts coursed through the air, and which

was crowded with carnivorous creatures of diverse kinds, brave warriors

careered fearlessly, displaying their prowess. Addressing one another, O

Bharata, they declared their names and families. And many amongst them,

declaring the names of their sires and families, O lord, began to crush

one another, O king, with darts and lances and battle-axes. During the

progress of that fierce and awful battle, the Kaurava army became

strengthless and unable to bear up any longer like a foundered vessel on

the bosom of the ocean.'"




53


"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of that battle in which so many

Kshatriyas sank down, the loud twang of Gandiva, O sire, was heard above

the din on that spot, O king, where the son of Pandu was engaged in

slaughtering the samsaptakas, the Kosalas, and the Narayana forces.

Filled with rage and longing for victory, the samsaptakas, in that

battle, began to pour showers of arrows on Arjuna's head. The puissant

Partha, however, quickly checking those arrowy showers, O king, plunged

into that battle, and began to slay many foremost of car-warriors.

Plunging into the midst of that division of cars with the aid of his

whetted shafts equipped with Kanka feathers, Partha came upon Susharma of

excellent weapons. That foremost of car-warriors poured on Arjuna thick

showers of arrows. Meanwhile the samsaptakas also covered Partha with

their shafts. Then Susharma, piercing Partha with ten shafts, struck

Janardana with three in the right arm. With a broad-headed arrow then, O

sire, he pierced the standard of Arjuna. Thereupon that foremost of apes,

of huge dimensions, the handiwork of the celestial artificer himself,

began to utter loud sounds and roared very fiercely, affrighting thy

troops. Hearing the roars of the ape, thy army became inspired with fear.

Indeed, under the influence of a great fear, that army became perfectly

inactive. That army then, as it stood inactive, O king, looked beautiful

like the Citraratha forest with its flowery burthen of diverse kinds.

Then those warriors, recovering their senses, O chief of the Kurus, began

to drench Arjuna with their arrowy downpours like the clouds drenching

the mountains. Then all of them encompassed the great car of the Pandava.

Assailing him, they uttered loud roars although all the while they were

being struck and slaughtered with sharp shafts. Assailing his steeds, his

car-wheels, his car-shaft, and every other limb of his vehicle, with

great force, O sire, they uttered many leonine roars. Some among them

seized the massive arms of Keshava, and some among them, O king, seized

Partha himself with great joy as he stood on his car. Then Keshava,

shaking his arms on the field of battle, threw down all those that had

seized them, like a wicked elephant shaking down all the riders from his

back. Then Partha, encompassed by those great car-warriors, and beholding

his car assailed and Keshava attacked in that manner became filled with

rage, and overthrew a large number of car-warriors and foot-soldiers. And

he covered all the combatants that were close to him with many arrows,

that were fit for close encounters. Addressing Keshava then, he said,

"Behold, O Krishna, O thou of mighty arms, these countless samsaptakas

engaged in accomplishing a fearful task although slaughtered in

thousands. O bull amongst the Yadus, there is none on Earth, save myself,

that would be able to bear such a close attack on his car." Having said

these words, Vibhatsu blew his conch. Then Krishna also blew his conch

filling the welkin with its blare. Hearing that blare the army of the

samsaptakas began to waver, O king, and became inspired with great

fright. Then that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., the son of Pandu,

paralysed the legs of the samsaptakas by repeatedly invoking, O monarch,

the weapon called Naga. Thus tied with those foot-tying bands by the

high-souled son of Pandu, all of them stood motionless, O king, as if

they had been petrified. The son of Pandu then began to slay those

motionless warriors like Indra in days of yore slaying the Daityas in the

battle with Taraka. Thus slaughtered in that battle, they set the car

free, and commenced to throw down all their weapons. Their legs being

paralysed, they could not, O king, move a step. Then Partha slew them

with his straight arrows. Indeed, all these warriors in that battle,

aiming at whom Partha had invoked that foot-tying weapon, had their lower

limbs encircled with snakes. Then the mighty car-warrior Susharma, O

monarch, beholding his army thus paralysed, quickly invoked the weapon

called Sauparna. Thereupon numerous birds began to come down and devour

those snakes. The latter again, at the sight of rangers of the sky,

began, O king, to fly away. Freed from that foot-tying weapon, the

Samsaptaka force, O monarch, looked like the Sun himself giving light

unto all creatures, when freed from clouds. Thus liberated, those

warriors once more shot their arrows, O sire, and hurled their weapons at

Arjuna's car. And all of them pierced Partha with numerous weapons.

Cutting off with his own arrowy downpour that shower of mighty weapons

Vasava's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, began to slaughter those

warriors. Then Susharma, O king, with a straight arrow, pierced Arjuna in

the chest, and then he pierced him with three other shafts. Deeply

pierced therewith, and feeling great pain, Arjuna sat down on the terrace

of his car. Then all the troops loudly cried out, saying, "Partha is

slain." At this the blare of conchs, and the peal of drums, and the sound

of diverse musical instruments, and loud leonine shouts, arose there.

Recovering his senses, Partha of immeasurable soul, owning white steeds

and having Krishna for his driver, speedily invoked the Aindra weapon.

Then thousands of arrows, O sire, issuing from that weapon, were seen on

all sides to slay kings and elephants. And steeds and warriors, in

hundreds and thousands, were also seen to be slaughtered in that battle,

with these weapons. Then while the troops were thus being slaughtered, a

great fear entered the hearts of all the samsaptakas and Gopalas, O

Bharata. There was no man amongst them that could fight with Arjuna.

There in the very sight of all the heroes, Arjuna began to destroy thy

troops. Beholding that slaughter, all of them remained perfectly

inactive, without putting forth their prowess. Then the son of Pandu

having slain full 10,000 combatants in that battle, looked resplendent, O

monarch, like a blazing fire without smoke. And then he slew full 14,000

warriors, and 3,000 warriors, and 3,000 elephants. Then the samsaptakas

once more encompassed Dhananjaya, making death or victory their goal. The

battle then that took place there between thy warriors and that mighty

hero, viz., the diadem-decked son of Pandu became awful.'"




54


"Sanjaya said, 'Then Kritavarma, and Kripa, and the son of Drona and the

Suta's son, O sire, and Uluka, and Subala's son (Shakuni), and the king

himself, with his uterine brothers, beholding the (Kuru) army afflicted

with the fear of Pandu's son, unable to stand together, like a vessel

wrecked on the ocean, endeavoured to rescue it with great speed. For a

short space of time, O Bharata, the battle that once more took place

became exceedingly fierce, enhancing as it did the fears of timid and the

joy of the brave. The dense showers of arrows shot in battle by Kripa,

thick, as flights of locusts, covered the Srinjayas. Then Shikhandi,

filled with rage, speedily proceeded against the grandson of Gautama

(Kripa) and poured upon that bull amongst Brahmanas his arrowy downpours

from all sides. Acquainted with the highest weapons Kripa then checked

that arrowy downpour, and wrathfully pierced Shikhandi with ten arrows in

that battle. Then Shikhandi filled with rage, deeply pierced Kripa, in

that encounter, with seven straight arrows equipped with Kanka feathers.

The twice-born Kripa then, that great car-warrior, deeply pierced with

those keen arrows, deprived Shikhandi of his steeds, driver and car.

Jumping down from his steedless vehicle, the mighty car-warrior

(Shikhandi) rushed impetuously at the Brahmana, having taken up a sword

and a shield. As the Pancala prince advanced, Kripa quickly covered him

with many straight arrows in that encounter, which seemed exceedingly

wonderful. Indeed, exceedingly wonderful was the sight that we then

beheld, even like the flying of rocks, for Shikhandi, O king, (thus

assailed) remained perfectly inactive in that battle. Beholding Shikhandi

covered (with arrows) by Kripa, O best of the kings, the mighty

car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna speedily proceeded against Kripa. The great

car-warrior Kritavarma, however, rushing impetuously received

Dhrishtadyumna as the latter proceeded against the son of Sharadvata

(Kripa). Then Drona's son checked Yudhishthira as the latter, with his

son and troops, was rushing towards the car of Sharadvata's son. Thy son

Duryodhana, shooting a shower of arrows, received and checked Nakula and

Sahadeva, those two great car-warriors endued with celerity. Karna too,

otherwise called Vaikartana, O Bharata, in that battle, resisted

Bhimasena, and the Karushas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas. Meanwhile

Sharadvata's son, in that battle, O sire, with great activity, sped many

arrows at Shikhandi, as if for the purpose of burning him outright. The

Pancala prince, however, whirling his sword repeatedly, cut off all those

arrows, decked with gold, that had been sped at him by Kripa from all

sides. The grandson of Gautama (Kripa) then quickly cut off with his

arrows the shield of Prishata's son, that was decked with hundred moons.

At this feat of his, the troops made a loud uproar. Deprived of his

shield, O monarch, and placed under Kripa's power Shikhandi still rushed,

sword in hand, (towards Kripa), like a sick man towards the jaws of

Death. Then Suketu, the son of Citraketu, O king, quickly proceeded

towards the mighty Shikhandi plunged into such distress and assailed in

that manner by Kripa with his arrows. Indeed, the young prince of

immeasurable soul rushed towards the car of Sharadvata's son and poured

upon that Brahmana, in that battle, innumerable shafts of great keenness.

Beholding that Brahmana observant of vows thus engaged in battle (with

another), Shikhandi, O best of kings, retreated hastily from that spot.

Meanwhile Suketu, O king, piercing the son of Gautama with nine arrows,

once more pierced him with seventy and again with three. Then the prince,

O sire, cut off Kripa's bow with arrow fixed thereon, and with another

shaft struck hard the latter's driver in a vital limb. The grandson of

Gautama then, filled with rage, took up a new and very strong bow and

struck Suketu with thirty arrows in all his vital limbs. All his limbs

exceedingly weakened, the prince trembled on his excellent car like a

tree trembling exceedingly during an earthquake. With a razor-headed

arrow then, Kripa struck off from the prince's trunk, while the latter

was still trembling, his head decked with a pair of blazing earrings and

head-protector. That head thereupon fell down on the Earth like a piece

of meat from the claws of a hawk, and then his trunk also fell down, O

thou of great glory. Upon the fall of Suketu, O monarch, his troops

became frightened, and avoiding Kripa, fled away on all sides.


"'Encompassing the mighty Dhrishtadyumna, Kritavarma cheerfully addressed

him saying, "Wait, Wait!" The encounter then that took place between the

Vrishni and the Pancala warriors in that battle became exceedingly

fierce, like that between two hawks, O king, for a piece of meat. Filled

with rage, Dhrishtadyumna, in that battle, struck the son of Hridika

(Kritavarma, the ruler of Bhoja) with nine arrows in the chest, and

succeeded in afflicting him greatly. Then Kritavarma, thus deeply struck

by Prishata's son in that encounter, covered his assailant, his steeds,

and his car with his shafts. Thus shrouded, O king, along with his car,

Dhrishtadyumna became invisible, like the Sun shrouded by rain-charged

clouds. Baffling all those shafts decked with gold, Dhrishtadyumna, O

king, looked resplendent in that battle in his wounds. The commander of

the Pandava forces, viz., the son of Prishata, then, filled with rage,

approached Kritavarma and poured upon him a fierce shower of arrows. The

son of Hridika, however, in that battle, with many thousands of his own

arrows, destroyed that fierce arrowy shower coursing towards him with

great impetuosity. Beholding his irresistible shower of arrows checked in

that battle by Kritavarma, the son of Prishata, approaching his

antagonist, began to resist him. And soon he despatched Kritavarma's

driver to Yama's abode with a broad-headed arrow of great sharpness.

Deprived of life, the driver fell down from the car. The mighty

Dhrishtadyumna, having vanquished his mighty antagonist, began then to

resist the Kauravas with shafts, without losing a moment. Then thy

warriors, O king, rushed towards Dhrishtadyumna, uttering loud leonine

roars. At this a battle once more took place between them.'"




55


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile the son of Drona (Ashvatthama), beholding

Yudhishthira protected by the grandson of Sini (Satyaki) and by the

heroic sons of Draupadi, cheerfully advanced against the king, scattering

many fierce arrows equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone, and

displaying diverse manoeuvres of his car and the great skill he had

acquired and his exceeding lightness of hands. He filled the entire

welkin with shafts inspired with the force of celestial weapons.

Conversant with all weapons, Drona's son encompassed Yudhishthira in that

battle. The welkin being covered with the shafts of Drona's son, nothing

could be seen. The vast space in front of Ashvatthama became one expanse

of arrows. The welkin then, thus covered with that dense shower of arrows

decked with gold, looked beautiful, O chief of the Bharatas, as if a

canopy embroidered with gold had been spread there. Indeed, the

firmament, O king, having been covered with that bright shower of arrows,

a shadow, as that of the clouds, appeared there on the occasion.

Wonderful was the sight that we then beheld when the sky had thus become

one expanse of arrows, for not one creature ranging the sky could course

through his element. Then Satyaki, though struggling resolutely, and

Pandu's son king Yudhishthira the just, as also all the other warriors,

could not display their prowess. Beholding the great lightness of hands

displayed by the son of Drona, the mighty car-warriors (of the Pandava

army) were filled with wonder. All the kings became incapable of even

looking at Ashvatthama, O monarch, who then resembled the scorching Sun

himself in the sky. While the Pandava troops were thus being slaughtered,

those mighty car-warriors, viz., the sons of Draupadi, and Satyaki, and

king Yudhishthira the just, and the Pancala warriors, all uniting

together, cast off their fears of death and rushed against the son of

Drona. Then Satyaki, piercing the son of Drona with seventy arrows, once

more pierced him with seven long shafts decked with gold. And

Yudhishthira pierced him with three and seventy arrows, and Prativindya

with seven, and Srutakarman pierced him with three arrows and Srutakirti

with five. And Sutasoma pierced him with nine arrows, and Satanika with

seven. And many other heroes pierced him with many arrows from every

side. Filled then with rage and breathing, O king, like a snake of

virulent poison, Drona's son pierced Satyaki in return with five and

twenty arrows whetted on stone. And he pierced Srutakirti with nine

arrows and Sutasoma with five, and with eight arrows he pierced

Srutakarman, and Prativindya with three. And he pierced Satanika with

nine arrows, and Dharma's son (Yudhishthira) with five. And each of the

other warriors he pierced with a couple of shafts. With some keen arrows

he then cut off the bow of Srutakirti. The latter then, that great

car-warrior, taking up another bow, pierced Drona's son, first with three

arrows and then with many others equipped with sharp points. Then, O

monarch, the son of Drona covered the Pandava troops, O sire, with thick

showers of arrows, O bull of Bharata's race. Of immeasurable soul, the

son of Drona, next smiling the while, cut off the bow of king

Yudhishthira the just, and then pierced him with three arrows. The son of

Dharma then, O king, taking up another formidable bow, pierced Drona's

son with seventy arrows in the arms and the chest. Then Satyaki, filled

with rage in that battle, cut off the bow of Drona's son, that great

smiter, with a sharp crescent-shaped arrow and uttered a loud roar. His

bow cut off, that foremost of mighty men viz., the son of Drona, quickly

felled Satyaki's driver from his car with a dart. The valiant son of

Drona then, taking up another bow, covered the grandson of Sini, O

Bharata, with a shower of arrows. His driver having been slain, Satyaki's

steeds were seen to run hither and thither, O Bharata, in that battle.

Then the Pandava warriors headed by Yudhishthira, shooting sharp shafts,

all rushed with impetuosity towards Drona's son, that foremost of all

wielders of weapons. That scorcher of foes, however, viz., the son of

Drona, beholding those warriors wrathfully advancing against him received

them all in that dreadful battle. Then like a fire in the forest

consuming heaps of dry grass and straw, that mighty car-warrior, viz.,

Drona's son, having showers of arrows for his flames, consumed the

Pandava troops in that battle, who resembled a heap of dry grass and

straw. That army of Pandu's son, thus scorched by the son of Drona,

became exceedingly agitated, O chief of the Bharatas, like the mouth of a

river by a whale. People then, O monarch, beholding the prowess of

Drona's son, regarded all the Pandavas as already slain by him. Then

Yudhishthira, that great car-warrior and disciple of Drona, filled with

rage and the desire to retaliate, addressed Drona's son, saying "O tiger

among men, thou hast no affection, thou hast no gratitude, since thou

desirest to slay me today. The duties of a Brahmana are asceticism and

gift and study. The bow should be bent by the Kshatriya only. It seems,

therefore, that thou art a Brahmana in name only. In thy very sight,

however. O thou of mighty arms, I will vanquish the Kauravas in battle.

Do what thou canst in battle. I tell thee that thou art a wretch amongst

Brahmanas." Thus addressed, the son of Drona. smiling, and reflecting

upon what was proper and true, gave no reply. Without saying anything, he

covered the son of Pandu in that battle with a shower of arrows like the

destroyer himself in wrath while engaged in annihilating creatures. Thus

covered by Drona's son. O sire, the son of Pritha quickly went away from

that spot, leaving that large division of his. After Yudhishthira, the

son of Dharma, had gone away, the high-souled son of Drona also, O king,

left that spot. Then Yudhishthira, O king, avoiding the son of Drona in

that great battle proceeded against thy army, resolved to achieve the

cruel task of slaughter.'"




56


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Vikartana himself, resisting Bhimasena

supported by the Pancalas and the Cedis and the Kaikayas, covered him

with many arrows. In the very sight of Bhimasena, Karna, slew in that

battle many mighty car-warriors among the Cedis, the Karushas, and the

Srinjayas. Then Bhimasena, avoiding Karna, that best of car-warriors,

proceeded against the Kaurava troops like a blazing fire towards a heap

of dry grass. The Suta's son also in that battle, began to slay the

mighty bowmen amongst the Pancalas, the Kaikayas, and the Srinjayas, in

thousands. Indeed, the three mighty car-warriors viz., Partha and

Vrikodara and Karna, began to exterminate the samsaptakas, the Kauravas,

and the Pancalas, respectively. In consequence of thy evil policy, O

king, all these Kshatriyas, scorched with excellent shafts by those three

great warriors, began to be exterminated in that battle. Then Duryodhana,

O chief of the Bharatas, filled with rage, pierced Nakula and his four

steeds with nine arrows. Of immeasurable soul, thy son next, O ruler of

men, cut off the golden standard of Sahadeva with a razor-faced shaft.

Filled with wrath, Nakula then, O king, struck thy son with three and

seventy arrows in that battle, and Sahadeva struck him with five. Each of

those foremost warriors of Bharata's race and foremost of all bowmen, was

struck by Duryodhana in rage with five arrows. With a couple of

broad-headed arrows, then, he cut off the bows of both those warriors;

and then he suddenly pierced each of the twins with three and seventy

arrows. Taking up then two other beautiful and foremost of bows each of

which resembled the bow of Indra himself, those two heroes looked

beautiful like a pair of celestial youths in that battle. Then those two

brothers, both endued with great activity in battle, poured upon their

cousin, O king, ceaseless showers of terrible shafts like two masses of

clouds, pouring rain upon a mountain breast. Thereupon thy son, that

great car-warrior, O king filled with rage, resisted those two great

bowmen, viz., the twin sons of Pandu, with showers of winged arrows. The

bow of Duryodhana in that battle, O Bharata, seemed to be continuously

drawn into a circle, and shafts seemed to issue from it ceaselessly on

all sides. Covered with Duryodhana's shafts the two sons of Pandu ceased

to shine brightly, like the Sun and the Moon in the firmament, divested

of splendour, when shrouded by masses of clouds. Indeed, those arrows, O

king, equipped with wings of gold and whetted on stone, covered all the

points of the compass like the rays of the Sun, when the welkin was thus

shrouded and all that was seen was one uniform expanse of the Destroyer

himself, at the end of the Yuga. Beholding on the other hand, the prowess

of thy son, the great car-warriors all regarded the twin sons of Madri to

be in the presence of Death. The commander then, O king, of the Pandava

army, viz., the mighty car-warrior Parshata (Son of Prishata) proceeded

to that spot where Duryodhana was. Transgressing those two great

car-warriors, viz., the two brave sons of Madri, Dhrishtadyumna began to

resist thy son with his shafts. Of immeasurable soul, that bull among

men, viz., thy son, filled with the desire to retaliate, and smiling the

while, pierced the prince of Pancala with five and twenty arrows. Of

immeasurable soul and filled with the desire to retaliate, thy son once

more pierced the prince of Pancala with sixty shafts and once again with

five, and uttered a loud roar. Then the king, with a sharp razor-faced

arrow, cut off, in that battle, O sire, the bow with arrow fixed thereon

and the leathern fence of his antagonist. Casting aside that broken bow,

the prince of Pancala, that crusher of foes, quickly took up another bow

that was new and capable of bearing a great strain. Blazing with

impetuosity, and with eyes red as blood from rage, the great bowman

Dhrishtadyumna, with many wounds on his person looked resplendent on his

car. Desirous of slaying Duryodhana, O chief of the Bharatas, the Pancala

hero sped five and ten cloth-yard shafts that resembled hissing snakes.

Those shafts, whetted on stone and equipped with the feathers of Kankas

and peacocks, cutting through the armour decked with gold of the king

passed through his body and entered the Earth in consequence of the force

with which they had been shot. Deeply pierced, O monarch, thy son looked

exceedingly beautiful like a gigantic Kinsuka in the season of spring

with its flowery weight. His armour pierced with those shafts, and all

his limbs rendered exceedingly infirm with wounds, he became filled with

rage and cut off Dhrishtadyumna's bow, with a broad-headed arrow. Having

cut off his assailant's bow the king then, O monarch, with great speed,

struck him with ten shafts on the forehead between the two eyebrows.

Those shafts, polished by the hands of the smith, adorned

Dhrishtadyumna's face like a number of bees, desirous of honey, adorning

a full-blown lotus. Throwing aside that broken bow, the high-souled

Dhrishtadyumna quickly took up another, and with it, sixteen broad-headed

arrows. With five he slew the four steeds and the driver of Duryodhana,

and he cut off with another his bow decked with gold. With the remaining

ten shafts, the son of Prishata cut off the car with the upashkara, the

umbrella, the dart, the sword, the mace, and the standard of thy son.

Indeed, all the kings beheld the beautiful standard of the Kuru king,

decked with golden Angadas and bearing the device of an elephant worked

in jewels, cut off by the prince of the Pancalas. Then the uterine

brothers of Duryodhana, O bull of Bharata's race, rescued the carless

Duryodhana who had all his weapons, besides, cut off in that battle. In

the very sight of Dhrishtadyumna, Durdhara, O monarch, causing that ruler

of men to ride upon his car quickly bore him away from the battle.


"'Meanwhile the mighty Karna, having vanquished Satyaki and desirous of

rescuing the (Kuru) king, proceeded straight against the face of Drona's

slayer, that warrior of fierce shafts. The grandson of Sini, however,

quickly pursued him from behind, striking him with his arrows, like an

elephant pursuing a rival and striking him at the hinder limbs with his

tusks. Then, O Bharata, fierce became the battle that raged between the

high-souled warriors of the two armies, in the space that intervened

between Karna and the son of Prishata. Not a single combatant of either

the Pandavas nor ourselves turned his face from the battle. Then Karna

proceeded against the Pancalas with great speed. At that hour when the

Sun had ascended the meridian, great slaughter, O best of men, of

elephants and steeds and men, took place on both sides. The Pancalas, O

king, inspired with the desire of victory, all rushed with speed against

Karna like birds towards a tree. The son of Adhiratha, of great energy,

filled with rage, began from their front to strike those Pancalas, with

the keen points of his shafts, singling out their leaders, viz.,

Vyaghraketu and Susharma and Citra and Ugrayudha and Jaya and Sukla and

Rochamana and the invincible Singhasena. Those heroes, speedily advancing

with their cars, encompassed that foremost of men, and poured their

shafts upon that angry warrior, viz., Karna, that ornament of battle.

That foremost of men endued with great valour, viz., the son of Radha,

afflicted those eight heroes engaged in battle with eight keen shafts.

The Suta's son possessed of great prowess, O king, then slew many

thousands of other warriors skilled in fight. Filled with rage, the son

of Radha then slew Jishnu, and Jishnukarman, and Devapi, O king, in that

battle, and Citra, and Citrayudha, and Hari, and Singhaketu and Rochamana

and the great car-warrior Salabha, and many car-warriors among the Cedis

bathed the form of Adhiratha's son in blood, while he himself was engaged

in taking the lives of those heroes. There, O Bharata, elephants,

assailed with arrows by Karna, fled away on all sides in fear and caused

a great agitation on the field of battle. Others assailed with the shafts

of Karna, uttered diverse cries, and fell down like mountains riven with

thunder. With the fallen bodies of elephants and steeds and men and with

fallen cars, the Earth became strewn along the track of Karna's car.

Indeed, neither Bhishma, nor Drona, nor any other warrior of thy army had

ever achieved such feats as were then achieved by Karna in that battle.

Amongst elephants, amongst steeds, amongst cars and amongst men, the

Suta's son caused a very great carnage, O tiger among men. As a lion is

seen to career fearlessly among a herd of deer, even so Karna careered

fearlessly among the Pancalas. As a lion routeth a herd of terrified deer

to all points of the compass, even so Karna routed those throngs of

Pancala cars to all sides. As a herd of deer that have approached the

jaws of a lion can never escape with life, even so those great

car-warriors that approached Karna could not escape with their lives. As

people are certainly burnt if they come in contact with a blazing fire,

even so the Srinjayas, O Bharata, were burnt by the Karna-fire when they

came in contact with it. Many warriors among the Cedis and the Pancalas,

O Bharata, that were regarded as heroes, were slain by the single-handed

Karna in that battle who fought with them, proclaiming his name, in every

instance. Beholding the prowess of Karna, O king, I thought that a single

Pancala even would not, in that battle, escape from the son of Adhiratha.

Indeed, the Suta's son in that battle repeatedly routed the Pancalas.


"'Beholding Karna thus slaughtering the Pancalas in that dreadful battle,

King Yudhishthira the just rushed in wrath towards him; Dhrishtadyumna

and the sons of Draupadi also, O sire, and hundreds of warriors,

encompassed that slayer of foes viz., the son of Radha. And Shikhandi,

and Sahadeva, and Nakula, and Nakula's son, and Janamejaya, and the

grandson of Sini, and innumerable Prabhadrakas, all endued with

immeasurable energy, advancing with Dhrishtadyumna in their van, looked

magnificent as they struck Karna with shafts and diverse weapons. Like

Garuda falling upon a large number of snakes, the son of Adhiratha,

singlehanded, fell upon all those Cedis and Pancalas and Pandavas in that

encounter. The battle that took place between them and Karna, O monarch,

became exceedingly fierce like that which had occurred in days of old

between the gods and the Danavas. Like the Sun dispelling the surrounding

darkness, Karna fearlessly and alone encountered all those great bowmen

united together and pouring upon him repeated showers of arrows. While

the son of Radha was thus engaged with the Pandavas, Bhimasena, filled

with rage, began to slaughter the Kurus with shafts, every one of which

resembled the lord of Yama. That great bowman, fighting single-handed

with the Bahlikas, and the Kaikayas, the Matsyas, the Vasatas, the

Madras, and Saindhavas, looked exceedingly resplendent. There, elephants,

assailed in their vital limbs by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts fell

down, with their riders slain, making the Earth tremble with the violence

of their fall. Steeds also, with their riders slain, and foot-soldiers

deprived of life, lay down, pierced with arrows and vomiting blood in

large quantities. Car-warriors in thousands fell down, their weapons

loosened from their hands. Inspired with the fear of Bhima, they lay

deprived of life, their bodies mangled with sounds. The Earth became

strewn with car-warriors and horsemen and elephant-men and drivers and

foot-soldiers and steeds and elephants all mangled with the shafts of

Bhimasena. The army of Duryodhana, O king, cheerless and mangled and

afflicted with the fear of Bhimasena, stood as if stupefied. Indeed that

melancholy host stood motionless in that dreadful battle like the Ocean,

O king, during a calm in autumn. Stupefied, that host stood even like the

Ocean in calm. However endued with wrath and energy and might, the army

of thy son then, divested of its pride, lost all its splendour. Indeed,

the host, whilst thus being slaughtered became drenched with gore and

seemed to bathe in blood. The combatants, O chief of the Bharatas,

drenched with blood, were seen to approach and slaughter one another. The

Suta's son, filled with rage, routed the Pandava division, while

Bhimasena in rage routed the Kurus. And both of them, while thus

employed, looked exceedingly resplendent. During the progress of that

fierce battle filling the spectators with wonder, Arjuna, that foremost

of various persons, having slain a large number of samsaptakas in the

midst of their array, addressed Vasudeva, saying, "This struggling force

of samsaptakas, O Janardana, is broken. Those great car-warriors amongst

the samsaptakas are flying away with their followers, unable to bear my

shafts, like deer unable to bear the roar of the lion. The vast force of

the Srinjayas also seems to break in this great battle. There that banner

of the intelligent Karna, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, O

Krishna, is seen in the midst of Yudhishthira's division, where he is

careering with activity. The other great car-warriors (of our army) are

incapable of vanquishing Karna. Thou knowest that Karna is possessed of

great energy as regards prowess in battle. Proceed thither where Karna is

routing our force. Avoiding (other warriors) in battle, proceed against

the Suta's son, that mighty car-warrior. This is what I wish, O Krishna.

Do, however, that which thou likest." Hearing these words of his, Govinda

smiled, and addressing Arjuna, said, "Slay the Kauravas, O son of Pandu,

without delay." Then those steeds, white as swans, urged by Govinda, and

bearing Krishna and the son of Pandu penetrated thy vast force. Indeed,

thy host broke on all sides as those white steeds in trappings of gold,

urged by Keshava, penetrated into its midst. That ape-bannered car, the

clatter of whose wheels resembled the deep roar of the clouds and whose

flags waved in the air, penetrated into the host like a celestial car

passing through the welkin. Keshava and Arjuna, filled with rage, and

with eyes red as blood, as they penetrated, piercing through thy vast

host, looked exceedingly resplendent in their splendour. Both delighting

in battle, as those two heroes, challenged by the Kurus, came to the

field, they looked like the twin Ashvinis invoked with proper rites in a

sacrifice by the officiating priests. Filled with rage, the impetuosity

of those two tigers among men increased like that of two elephants in a

large forest, enraged at the claps of hunters. Having penetrated into the

midst of that car-force and those bodies of horse, Phalguna careered

within those divisions like the Destroyer himself, armed with the fatal

noose. Beholding him put forth such prowess within his army, thy son, O

Bharata, once more urged the samsaptakas against him. Thereupon, with a

1,000 cars, and 300 elephants, and 14,000 horses, and 200,00 of

foot-soldiers armed with the bow, endued with great courage, of sureness

of aim and conversant with all the ways of battle, the leaders of the

samsaptakas rushed (from every side) towards the son of Kunti (in the

great battle) covering the Pandava, O monarch, with showers of arrows

from all sides. Thus covered with shafts in that battle, Partha, that

grinder of hostile forces, exhibited himself in a fierce form like the

Destroyer himself, armed with the noose. While engaged in slaughtering

the samsaptakas, Partha became a worthy object of sight to all. Then the

welkin became filled with shafts decked with gold and possessed of the

effulgence of lightning that were ceaselessly short by the diadem-decked

Arjuna. Indeed, everything completely shrouded with mighty shafts sped

from Arjuna's arms and falling ceaselessly all around, looked

resplendent, O lord, as if covered with snakes. The son of Pandu, of

immeasurable soul, shot on all sides his straight shafts equipped with

wings of gold and furnished with keen points. In consequence of the sound

of Partha's palms, people thought that the Earth, or the vault of the

welkin, or all the points of the compass, or the several oceans, or the

mountains seemed to split. Having slain 10,000 kshatriyas, Kunti's son,

that mighty car-warrior, then quickly proceeded to the further wing of

the samsaptakas. Repairing to that further wing which was protected by

the Kambojas, Partha began to grind it forcibly with his arrows like

Vasava grinding the Danavas. With broad-headed arrows he began to quickly

cut off the arms, with weapons in grasp, and also the heads of foes

longing to slay him. Deprived of diverse limbs, and of weapons, they

began to fall down on the Earth, like trees of many boughs broken by a

hurricane. While he was engaged in thus slaughtering elephants and steeds

and car-warriors and foot-soldiers, the younger brother of Sudakshina

(the chief of the Kambojas) began to pour showers of arrows on him. With

a couple of crescent-shaped arrows, Arjuna cut off the two arms, looking

like spiked maces, of his striking assailant, and then his head graced

with a face as beautiful as the full moon, with a razor-headed arrow.

Deprived of life, he fell down from his vehicle, his body bathed in

blood, like the thunder-riven summit of a mountain of red arsenic.

Indeed, people saw the tall and exceedingly handsome younger brother of

Sudakshina, the chief of the Kambojas, of eyes resembling lotus petals,

slain and fall down like a column of gold or like a summit of the golden

Sumeru. Then commenced a battle there once more that was fierce and

exceedingly wonderful. The condition of the struggling combatants varied

repeatedly. Each slain with a single arrow, and combatants of the

Kamboja, the Yavana, and the Saka races, fell down bathed in blood, upon

which the whole field of battle became one expanse of red, O monarch. In

consequence of car-warriors deprived of steeds and drivers, and steeds

deprived of riders, and elephants deprived of riders, and riders deprived

of elephants, battling with one another, O king, a great carnage took

place. When the wing and the further wing of the samsaptakas had thus

been exterminated by Savyasaci, the son of Drona quickly proceeded

against Arjuna, that foremost of victorious warriors. Indeed, Drona's son

rushed, shaking his formidable bow, and taking with him many terrible

arrows like the Sun himself appearing with his own rays. With mouth wide

open from rage and with the desire to retaliate, and with red eyes, the

mighty Ashvatthama looked formidable like death himself, armed with his

mace and filled with wrath as at the end of the Yuga. He then shot

showers of fierce shafts. With those shafts sped by him, he began to rout

the Pandava army. As soon as he beheld him of Dasharha's race (Keshava)

on the car, O king, he once more sped at him, and repeated showers of

fierce shafts. With those falling shafts, O monarch, sped by Drona's son,

both Krishna and Dhananjaya were completely shrouded on the car. Then the

valiant Ashvatthama, with hundreds of keen arrows, stupefied both Madhava

and the son of Pandu in that battle. Beholding those two protectors of

all mobile and immobile creatures thus covered with arrows, the universe

of mobile and immobile beings uttered cries of "Oh!" and "Alas!" Crowds

of Siddhas and Charanas began to repair to that spot from every side,

mentally uttering this prayer, viz., "Let good be to all the worlds."

Never before, O king, did I see prowess like that of Drona's son in that

battle while he was engaged in shrouding the two Krishnas with shafts.

The sound of Ashvatthama's bow, inspiring foes with terror, was

repeatedly heard by us in that battle, O king, to resemble that of a

roaring lion. While careering in that battle and striking right and left

the string of his bow looked beautiful like flashes of lightning in the

midst of a mass of clouds. Though endued with great firmness and

lightness of hand the son of Pandu, for all that, beholding the son of

Drona then, became greatly stupefied. Indeed, Arjuna then regarded his

own prowess to be destroyed by his high-souled assailant. The form of

Ashvatthama became such in that battle that men could with difficulty

gaze at it. During the progress of that dreadful battle between Drona's

son and the Pandava, during that time when the mighty son of Drona, O

monarch, thus prevailed over his antagonist and the son of Kunti lost his

energy, Krishna became filled with rage. Inspired with wrath he drew deep

breaths, O king, and seemed to burn with his eyes both Ashvatthama and

Phalguna as he looked at them repeatedly. Filled with rage, Krishna

addressed Partha in an affectionate tone, saying, "This, O Partha, that I

behold in battle regarding thee, is exceedingly strange, since Drona's

son, O Partha, surpasseth thee today! Hast thou not now the energy and

the might of thy arms thou hadst before? Hast thou not that Gandiva still

in thy hands, and dost thou not stay on thy car now? Are not thy two arms

sound? Hath thy fist suffered any hurt? Why is it then that I see the son

of Drona prevail over thee in battle? Do not, O Partha, spare thy

assailant, regarding him as the son of thy preceptor, O bull of Bharata's

race. This is not the time for sparing him." Thus addressed by Krishna,

Partha speedily took up four and ten broad-headed arrows at a time, when

speed was of the highest moment, and with them he cut off Ashvatthama's

bow and standard and umbrella and banners and car and dart and mace. With

a few calf-toothed arrows he then deeply struck the son of Drona in the

latter's shoulder. Thereupon overcome with a deep swoon, Ashvatthama sat

down, supporting himself on his flagstaff. The latter's driver then, O

monarch, desirous of protecting him from Dhananjaya, bore him away

insensible and thus deeply afflicted by the foe. Meanwhile that scorcher

of foes, viz., Vijaya, slaughtered thy troops by hundreds and thousands,

in the very sight of that hero, viz., thy son, O sire. Thus, O king, in

consequence of thy evil counsels, a cruel and awful destruction and

carnage commenced as thy warriors were engaged with the enemy. Within a

short time Vibhatsu routed the samsaptakas: Vrikodara, the Kurus, and

Vasusena, the Pancalas. During the progress of the battle destructive of

great heroes, there rose many headless trunks all around. Meanwhile

Yudhishthira, O chief of the Bharatas, in great pain owing to his wounds,

retreating about two miles from the battle, rested himself for some

time.'"




57


"Sanjaya said, 'Then Duryodhana, O chief of Bharatas, repairing to Karna,

said unto him as also unto the ruler of the Madras and the other lords of

Earth present there, these words, "Without seeking hath this occasion

arrived, when the gates of heaven have become wide open. Happy are those

Kshatriyas, O Karna, that obtain such a battle. Brave heroes fighting in

battle with brave Kshatriyas equal to them in might and prowess, obtain

great good, O son of Radha. The occasion that hath come is even such.

Either let these brave Kshatriyas, slaying the Pandavas in battle, obtain

the broad Earth, or let them, slain in battle by the foe, win the blessed

region reserved for heroes." Hearing these words of Duryodhana, those

bulls among Kshatriyas cheerfully uttered loud shouts and beat and blew

their musical instruments. When Duryodhana's force became thus filled

with joy, the son of Drona, gladdening all thy warriors further said, "In

the very sight of all the troops, and before the eyes of you all, my

father after he had laid aside his weapons, was slain by Dhrishtadyumna.

By that wrath which such an act might kindle, and for the sake also of my

friend, ye kings, I swear truly before you all. Listen then to that oath

of mine. Without slaying Dhrishtadyumna I shall not doff my armour. If

this vow of mine be not fulfilled, let me not go to heaven. Be it Arjuna,

be it Bhimasena, or be it anybody else, whoever will come against me I

will crush him or all of them. There is no doubt in this." After

Ashvatthama had uttered these words, the entire Bharata army, united

together, rushed against the Pandavas, and the latter also rushed against

the former. The collision of brave leaders of car-divisions, O Bharata,

became exceedingly awful. A destruction of life then set in at the van of

the Kurus and the Srinjayas, that resembled what takes place at the last

great universal dissolution. Upon the commencement of that

passage-at-arms, various (superior) beings, with the gods, came there

accompanied by the Apsaras, for beholding those foremost of men. Filled

with joy, the Apsaras began to cover those foremost of men devoted to the

duties of their order, with celestial garlands, with diverse kinds of

celestial perfumes, and with diverse species of gems. Soft winds bore

those excellent odours to the nostrils of all the foremost of warriors.

Having smelt those perfumes in consequence of the action of the wind, the

warriors once more engaged in battle, and striking one another began to

fall down on the Earth. Strewn with celestial flowers, with beautiful

shafts equipped with wings of gold, and with many foremost of warriors,

the Earth looked beautiful like the firmament bespangled with myriads of

stars. Then in consequence of cheers coming from the welkin and the noise

of musical instruments, the furious passage-at-arms distinguished by

twang of bows and clatter of car-wheels and shouts of warriors became

exceedingly fierce.'"




58


"Sanjaya said, 'Thus raged that great battle between those lords of Earth

when Arjuna and Karna and Bhimasena, the son of Pandu became angry.

Having vanquished the son of Drona, and other great car-warriors, Arjuna,

O king, addressing Vasudeva, said, "Behold, O Krishna of mighty arms, the

Pandava army is flying away. Behold, Karna is slaying our great

car-warriors in this battle. I do not, O thou of Dasaratha's race, see

king Yudhishthira the just. Nor is the standard of Dharma's son, foremost

of warriors, visible. The third part of the day still remaineth,

Janardana. No one amongst the Dhartarashtras cometh against me for fight.

For doing, therefore, what is agreeable to me, proceed to the spot where

Yudhishthira is. Beholding Dharma's son safe and sound with his younger

brothers in battle, I will again fight with the foe, O thou of Vrishni's

race." At these words of Vibhatsu, Hari (Krishna) quickly proceeded on

that car to that spot where king Yudhishthira, along with the mighty

Srinjaya car-warriors of great strength, were fighting with the foe,

making death their goal. During the progress of that great carnage,

Govinda, beholding the field of battle, addressed Savyasaci, saying,

"Behold, O Partha, how great and awful is this carnage, O Bharata, of

Kshatriyas on Earth for the sake of Duryodhana. Behold, O Bharata, the

gold-backed bows of slain warriors, as also their costly quivers

displaced from their shoulders. Behold those straight shafts equipped

with wings of gold, and those clothyard arrows washed with oil and

looking like snakes freed from their sloughs. Behold, O Bharata, those

scimitars, decked with gold, and having ivory handles, and those

displaced shields embossed with gold. Behold those lances decked with

gold, those darts having golden ornaments, and those huge maces twined

round with gold. Behold those swords adorned with gold, those axes with

golden ornaments, and the heads of those battle-axes fallen off from

their golden handles. Behold those iron Kuntas, those short clubs

exceedingly heavy, those beautiful rockets, those huge bludgeons with

spiked heads, those discs displaced from the arms of their wielders, and

those spears (that have been used) in this dreadful battle. Endued (while

living) with great activity, warriors that came to battle, having taken

up diverse weapons, are lying, though deprived of life, as if still

alive. Behold, thousands of warriors lying on the field, with limbs

crushed by means of maces, or heads broken by means of heavy clubs, or

torn and mangled by elephants and steeds and cars. The field of battle is

covered with shafts and darts and swords and axes and scimitars and

spiked maces and lances and iron Kuntas and battle-axes, and the bodies

of men and steeds and elephants, hacked with many wounds and covered with

streams of blood and deprived of life, O slayer of foes. The Earth looks

beautiful, O Bharata, with arms smeared with sandal, decked with Angadas

of gold and with Keyuras, and having their ends cased in leathern fences.

With hands cased in leathern fences, with displaced ornaments, with

severed thighs looking like elephants' trunks of many active warriors,

with fallen heads, decked with costly gems and earrings, of heroes having

large expansive eyes, the Earth looks exceedingly beautiful. With

headless trunks smeared all over with blood with severed limbs and heads

and hips, the Earth looks, O best of the Bharatas, like an altar strewn

with extinguished fires. Behold those beautiful cars with rows of golden

bells, broken in diverse ways, and those slain steeds lying scattered on

the field, with arrows yet sticking to their bodies. Behold those bottoms

of cars, those quivers, those banners, those diverse kinds of standards,

those gigantic conchs of car-warriors, white in hue and scattered all

over the field. Behold those elephants, huge as hills, lying on the

Earth, with tongues lolling out, and those other elephants and steeds,

deprived of life and decked with triumphal banners. Behold those housings

of elephants, and those skins and blankets, and those other beautiful and

variegated and torn blankets. Behold those rows of bells torn and broken

in diverse ways in consequence of falling elephants of gigantic size, and

those beautiful goads set with stones of lapis lazuli, and those hooks

falling upon the ground. Behold those whips, adorned with gold, and

variegated with gems, still in the grasp of (slain) horsemen, and those

blankets and skins of the Ranku deer falling on the ground but which had

served for seats on horse back. Behold those gems for adorning the

diadems of kings, and those beautiful necklaces of gold, and those

displaced umbrellas and yak-tails for fanning. Behold the Earth, miry

with blood, strewn with the faces of heroes, decked with beautiful

earrings and well-cut beards and possessed of the splendour of the moon

and stars. Behold those wounded warriors in whom life is not yet extinct

and who, lying all around, are uttering wails of woe. Their relatives, O

prince, casting aside their weapons are tending them, weeping

incessantly. Having covered many warriors with arrows and deprived them

of life, behold those combatants, endued with activity longing for

victory, and swelling with rage, are once more proceeding for battle

against their antagonists. Others are running hither and thither on the

field. Being begged for water by fallen heroes, others related to them

have gone in quest of drink. Many, O Arjuna, are breathing their last

meanwhile. Returning their brave relatives, seeing them become senseless

are throwing down the water they brought and are running wildly, shouting

at one another. Behold, many have died after having slaked their thirst,

and many, O Bharata, are dying while drinking. Others, though

affectionate towards relatives, are still seen to rush towards foes in

great battle deserting their dear relatives. Others, again, O best of

men, biting their nether lips, and with faces rendered terrible in

consequence of the contraction of their brows, are surveying the field

all around." While saying these words unto Arjuna, Vasudeva proceeded

towards Yudhishthira. Arjuna also, beholding the king in that great

battle, repeatedly urged Govinda, saying, "Proceed, Proceed." Having

shown the field of battle to Partha, Madhava, while proceeding quickly,

slowly said unto Partha once more, "Behold those kings rushing towards

king Yudhishthira. Behold Karna, who resembles a blazing fire, on the

arena of the battle. Yonder the mighty-bowman Bhima is proceeding to

battle. They that are the foremost among the Pancalas, the Srinjayas, and

the Pandavas--they, that is, that have Dhrishtadyumna for their head, are

following Bhima. The vast army of the enemy is again broken by the

rushing Parthas. Behold, O Arjuna, Karna is trying to rally the flying

Kauravas. Resembling the Destroyer himself in impetuosity and Indra

himself in prowess, yonder proceedeth Drona's son, O thou of Kuru's race,

that hero who is the foremost of all wielders of weapons. The mighty

carwarrior Dhrishtadyumna is rushing against that hero. The Srinjayas are

following the lead of Dhristadyumna. Behold, the Srinjayas are falling."

Thus did the invincible Vasudeva describe everything unto the

diadem-decked Arjuna. Then, O king, commenced a terrible and awful

battle. Loud leonine shouts arose as the two hosts encountered each

other, O monarch, making death their goal. Even thus, O king, in

consequence of thy evil counsels, did that destruction set in on Earth, O

lord of Earth, of both thy warriors and those of the enemy.'"




59


"Sanjaya said, 'Then the Kurus and the Srinjayas once more fearlessly

encountered each other in battle, the Parthas being headed by

Yudhishthira, and ourselves headed by the Suta's son. Then commenced a

terrible battle, making the hair to stand on end, between Karna and the

Pandavas, that increased the population of Yama's kingdom. After that

furious battle, producing rivers of blood, had commenced, and when a

remnant only of the brave samsaptakas, O Bharata, were left

unslaughtered, Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, with all the kings (on the

Pandava side) and those mighty car-warriors--the Pandavas themselves, all

rushed against Karna only. Like the mountain receiving a vast body of

water, Karna, unaided by anyone, received in that battle all those

advancing warriors filled with joy and longing for victory. Those mighty

car-warriors encountering Karna, were beat off and broken like a mass of

water, and beat back on all sides when it encounters a mountain. The

battle, however, that took place between them and Karna made the hair

stand on end. Then Dhrishtadyumna assailed the son of Radha with a

straight shaft in that battle, and addressing him said, "Wait, Wait." The

mighty car-warrior Karna, filled with rage, shook his foremost of bows

called Vijaya, and cutting off the bow of Dhrishtadyumna, as also his

arrows resembling snakes of virulent poison assailed Dhrishtadyumna

himself with nine arrows. Those arrows, O sinless one, piercing through

the gold-decked armour of the high-souled son of Prishata, became bathed

in blood and looked beautiful like so many cochineal. The mighty

car-warrior Dhrishtadyumna, casting aside that broken bow, took up

another bow and a number of shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison.

With those straight shafts numbering seventy, he pierced Karna.

Similarly, O king, Karna, in that battle, covered Prishata's son, that

scorcher of foes, with many shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison.

The slayer of Drona, that great bowman, retaliated by piercing Karna with

many keen shafts. Filled with rage, Karna then, O monarch, sped at his

antagonist a gold-decked shaft that resembled a second rod of death. That

terrible shaft, O monarch, as it coursed impetuously towards Prishata's

son, the grandson of Sini, O king, cut off into seven fragments,

displaying great lightness of hand. Beholding his shaft baffled by the

arrows of Satyaki, O king, Karna resisted Satyaki with showers of arrows

from every side. And he pierced Satyaki in that encounter with seven

clothyard shafts. The grandson of Sini, however, pierced him in return

with many arrows decked with gold. The battle then that took place, O

king, between those two warriors was such as to fill both spectators and

listeners with fear. Though awful, soon it became beautiful and deserving

objects of sight. Beholding the feats, in that encounter, of Karna and

the grandson of Sini, the hair of all the creatures there present seemed

to stand on end. Meanwhile the mighty son of Drona rushed against

Prishata's son, that chastiser of foes and queller of the prowess of all

enemies. Filled with rage, Drona's son, that subjugator of hostile towns,

addressing Dhrishtadyumna, said, "Wait, wait, O slayer of a Brahmana,

thou shalt not escape me today with life." Having said these words, that

mighty car-warrior of great lightness of hand striving resolutely, deeply

pierced the brave son of Prishata, who also strove to the utmost of his

prowess, with many keen and terrible shafts endued with great

impetuosity. As Drona (while alive), beholding the son of Prishata, O

sire, had become cheerless and regarded him as his death, even so the son

of Prishata, that slayer of hostile heroes, beholding Drona's son in that

battle, now regarded him as his death. Soon, however, remembering that he

was unslayable in battle by means of weapons, he rushed with great speed

against Drona's son, like the Destroyer running against the Destroyer at

the time of the universal dissolution. Drona's heroic son, however, O

monarch, beholding Dhrishtadyumna stationed before him, drew deep

breaths, in wrath, and rushed towards him. Both of them were filled with

great rage at the sight of each other. Endued with great activity, the

valiant son of Drona then, O monarch, said these words unto

Dhrishtadyumna staying not far from him, "O wretch amongst the Pancalas,

I shall today despatch thee to Yama. The sin thou hast committed before

by slaying Drona will fill thee today with regret, to thy great evil, if

thou stayest in battle without being protected by Partha, or if thou dost

not fly away, O fool, I tell thee truly." Thus addressed, the valiant

Dhrishtadyumna replied, saying, "That same sword of mine which answered

thy sire, resolutely engaged in battle, will today answer this speech of

thine. If Drona could be slain by me, O thou that art a Brahmana in name

only, why should I not then, putting forth my prowess, slay thee also in

battle today?" Having said these words, the wrathful commander of the

Pandava forces, viz., the son of Prishata, pierced Drona's son with a

keen arrow. Then Drona's son filled with great rage, shrouded every side

of Dhrishtadyumna, O king, in that battle, with straight arrows. Shrouded

with thousands of arrows, neither the welkin, nor the points of the

compass, nor the combatants all around, could, O monarch, be any longer

seen. Similarly, the son of Prishata, O king, shrouded Drona's son, that

ornament of battle, with arrows, in the very sight of Karna. The son of

Radha, too, O monarch, singly resisted the Pancalas and the Pandavas and

the (five) sons of Draupadi and Yudhamanyu and the mighty car-warrior

Satyaki, in consequence of which feat he became the cynosure of all eyes.

Then Dhrishtadyumna in that battle cut off the very tough and formidable

bow of Drona's son, as also all his arrows resembling snakes of virulent

poison. Drona's son, however, with his arrows, destroyed within the

twinkling of an eye the bow, the dart, the mace, the standard, the

steeds, the driver, and the car of Prishata's son. Bowless and carless

and steedless and driverless, the son of Prishata then took up a huge

scimitar and a blazing shield decked with a hundred moons. Endued with

great lightness of hand, and possessed of mighty weapons, that mighty

car-warrior, viz., the heroic son of Drona, O king, quickly cut off, in

that battle, with many broad-headed arrows, those weapons also of

Dhrishtadyumna before the latter could come down from his car. All this

seemed exceedingly wonderful. The mighty car-warrior Ashvatthama,

however, though struggling vigorously, could not, O chief of the

Bharatas, slay the carless and steedless and bowless Dhrishtadyumna,

although pierced and exceedingly mangled with many arrows. When,

therefore, O king, the son of Drona found that he could not slay his

enemy with arrows, he laid aside his bow and quickly proceeded towards

the son of Prishata. The impetuosity of that high-souled one, as he

rushed towards his foe, resembled that of Garuda swooping down for

seizing a large snake. Meanwhile Madhava, addressing Arjuna, said,

"Behold, O Partha, how the son of Drona is rushing with great speed

towards the car of Prishata's son. Without doubt, he will slay the

prince. O mighty-armed one, O crusher of foes, rescue the son of

Prishata, who is now within the jaws of Drona's son as if within the jaws

of Death himself." Having said these words, the valiant Vasudeva urged

the steeds towards that spot where Drona's son was. Those steeds, of the

splendour of the moon, urged by Keshava, proceeded towards the car of

Drona's son, devouring the very skies. Beholding those two of great

energy, viz., Krishna and Dhananjaya, coming towards him, the mighty

Ashvatthama made great efforts for slaying Dhrishtadyumna soon. Seeing

Dhrishtadyumna dragged, O ruler of men by his enemy, the mighty Partha

sped many arrows at the son of Drona. Those arrows, decked with gold and

sped from Gandiva, approached the son of Drona and pierced him deeply

like snakes penetrating into an ant-hill. Thus pierced with those

terrible arrows, the valiant son of Drona, O king, abandoned the Pancala

prince of immeasurable energy. Indeed, the hero, thus afflicted with

Dhananjaya's shafts, mounted on his car, and taking up his own excellent

bow, began to pierce Partha with many shafts. Meanwhile, the heroic

Sahadeva, O ruler of men, bore away on his car the son of Prishata, that

scorcher of foes. Arjuna then, O king, pierced Drona's son with many

arrows. Filled with rage, Drona's son struck Arjuna in the arms and the

chest. Thus provoked, Partha, in that battle, sped at Drona's son, a long

shaft that resembled a second rod of Death, or rather, Death himself.

That arrow of great splendour fell upon the shoulder of the Brahmana

hero. Exceedingly agitated, O monarch, in that battle, by the violence of

the stroke, he sat down on the terrace of his car and swooned away. Then

Karna, O monarch, shook his bow Vijaya and, filled with rage, repeatedly

eyed Arjuna in that battle, desiring a single combat with him. Meanwhile

the driver of Drona's son, beholding the latter senseless, quickly bore

him away on his car from the field of battle. Beholding Prishata's son

rescued and Drona's son afflicted, the Pancalas, O king, expectant of

victory, began to utter loud shouts. Thousands of sweet instruments began

to be sounded. Seeing such wonderful feats in battle, the combatants

uttered leonine roars. Having achieved that feat, Partha addressed

Vasudeva, saying "Proceed, O Krishna, towards the samsaptakas, for this

is greatly desired by me." Hearing those words of Pandu's son, he of

Dasharha's race proceeded on that car graced with many banners and whose

speed resembled that of the wind or the mind.'"




60


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Krishna, pointing out king Yudhishthira the

just, unto Kunti's son Partha, addressed him in these words: "Yonder, O

son of Pandu, your brother (Yudhishthira) is being pursued by many mighty

and great bowmen amongst the Dhartarashtras, all inspired with the desire

of slaughtering him. The mighty Pancalas, difficult of defeat in battle,

are proceeding after the high-souled Yudhishthira from desire of rescuing

him. Yonder, Duryodhana, O Partha, the king of the whole world, clad in

mail and accompanied by a large car force, is pursuing the Pandava king.

Impelled by the desire of slaughtering his rival, the mighty Duryodhana,

O tiger among men, is pursuing him, accompanied by his brothers, the

touch of whose weapons is as fatal as that of poisonous snakes and who

are all conversant with every mode of warfare. Those Dhartarashtra

elephants and horses and car-warriors and foot-soldiers are advancing to

seize Yudhishthira like poor men after a precious gem. Behold, checked by

Satyaki and Bhima, they have again been stupefied, like the Daityas, that

desired to take away the Amrita, made motionless by Sakra and Agni. The

mighty car-warriors (of the Kuru army), however, in consequence of the

vastness of their numbers, are again proceeding towards Yudhishthira like

a vast quantity of water in the season of rains rushing towards the

ocean. Those mighty bowmen are uttering leonine roars, blowing their

conchs, and shaking their bows. I regard Kunti's son Yudhishthira, thus

brought under the influence of Duryodhana, to be already within the jaws

of Death or already poured as a libation on the sacrificial fire. The

army of Dhritarashtra's son, O Pandava, is arrayed and equipped duly.

Sakra himself, coming within the range of its arrows, can scarcely

escape. Who will in battle bear the impetuosity of the heroic Duryodhana

who shoots showers of arrows with the greatest celerity and who, when

angry, resembles the Destroyer himself? The force of the heroic

Duryodhana's shafts, or Drona's son's or Kripa's or Karna's would break

down the very mountains. That scorcher of foes, viz., king Yudhishthira,

was once compelled by Karna to turn his back upon the field. The son of

Radha is endued with great might and great lightness of hand. Possessed

of great skill, he is accomplished in battle. He is competent to afflict

the eldest son of Pandu in fight, specially when he is united with the

mighty and brave son of Dhritarashtra. Of rigid vows, when the son of

Pritha (Yudhishthira) had been engaged in battle with all those warriors,

other great car-warriors had struck him and contributed to his defeat.

The king, O best of the Bharatas, is exceedingly emaciated in consequence

of his fasts. He is endued with Brahma-force, but the puissant one is not

endued with much of Kshatriya-might. Assailed, however, by Karna, the

royal son of Pandu, Yudhishthira, that scorcher of foes, hath been placed

in a situation of great peril. I think, O Partha, that king Yudhishthira

has fallen. Indeed, since that chastiser of foes, the wrathful Bhimasena,

coolly heareth the leonine roars of the frequently shouting

Dhartarashtra's longing for victory and blowing their conchs, I think, O

bull among men, that Pandu's son Yudhishthira is dead. Yonder Karna urges

forward the mighty car-warriors of the Dhartarashtras towards the son of

Pritha with the weapons called Sthunakarna, Indrasjaha and Pasupata, and

with clubs and other weapons. The king, O Bharata, must be deeply

afflicted and exceedingly weakened, because the Pancalas and the

Pandavas, those foremost of all wielders of weapons, are seen to proceed

with great speed towards him at a time when speed is of the highest

moment like strong men rushing to the rescue of a person sinking in a

bottomless sea. The king's standard is no longer visible. It has probably

been struck down by Karna with his shafts. In the very sight of the

twins, O Partha, and of Satyaki and Shikhandi, and Dhrishtadyumna and

Bhima and Satanika, O lord, as also of all the Pancalas and the Cedis, O

Bharata, yonder Karna is destroying the Pandava division with his arrows,

like an elephant destroying an assemblage of lotuses. There, those

car-warriors of thy army, O son of Pandu, are flying away. See, see, O

Partha, how those great warriors are retreating. Those elephants, O

Bharata, assailed by Karna in battle, are flying away in all directions,

uttering cries of pain. There those crowds of car-warriors, routed in

battle, O Partha, by Karna, that crusher of foes, are flying away in all

directions. Behold, O Partha, that foremost of standards, of the Suta's

son, on his car, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, is seen to

move all over the field. There, the son of Radha is now rushing against

Bhimasena, scattering hundreds of shafts as he proceeds and slaughtering

thy army therewith. There, those mighty car-warriors of the Pancalas are

being routed (by Karna) even as the Daityas had been routed by Sakra in

dreadful battle. There, Karna, having vanquished the Pancalas, the

Pandus, and the Srinjayas, is casting his eyes on all sides, I think, for

seeking thee. Behold, O Partha, Karna, as he beautifully draws his

foremost of bows, looketh exceedingly beautiful even as Sakra in the

midst of the celestials, after vanquishing his foes. There the Kauravas,

beholding the prowess of Karna, are roaring and inspiring the Pandus and

the Srinjayas with fear on every side. There, Karna himself, terrifying

the Pandus with his whole soul, in dreadful battle, is addressing all the

troops, O giver of honours, saying, 'Blessed be ye, advance, ye Kauravas

and rush with such speed that no Srinjaya may, in this battle escape with

life. United together, do this all of you. As regards ourselves, we will

follow behind you.' Saying these words, he is advancing behind (his

troops), scattering his shafts. Behold Karna, adorned with his white

umbrella in this battle and looking like the Udaya hills adorned by the

moon. With his beautiful umbrella of a hundred ribs, resembling the moon

in full, held over his head, O Bharata, in this battle, Karna, O prince,

is casting his glances after thee. Without doubt, he will, in this

battle, come hither, with great speed. Behold him, O mighty-armed one, as

he shaketh his formidable bow and shooteth, in this dreadful battle, his

shafts resembling snakes of virulent poison. There, the son of Radha

turneth towards this direction, beholding thy banner bearing the ape, and

desiring, O Partha, an encounter with thee, O scorcher of foes. Indeed,

he cometh for his own destruction, even like an insect into the mouth of

a lamp. Wrathful and brave, he is ever engaged in the good of

Dhritarashtra's son. Of wicked understanding, he is always unable to put

up with thee. Beholding Karna alone and unsupported, Dhritarashtra's son,

O Bharata, turneth towards him with great resolution, accompanied by his

car-force, for protecting him. Let that wicked-souled one, along with all

those allies of his, be slain by thee, putting forth thy vigour, from

desire of winning fame, kingdom and happiness. Both of you are endued

with great strength. Both of you are possessed of great celebrity. When

encountering each other in battle, O Partha, like a celestial and a

Danava in the great battle between the gods and the Asuras, let all the

Kauravas behold thy prowess. Beholding thee filled with great rage and

Karna also excited to fury, O bull of Bharata's race, Duryodhana in wrath

will not be able to do anything. Remembering thyself to be of purified

soul, O bull of Bharata's race, and remembering also that the son of

Radha harboureth a great animosity for the virtuous Yudhishthira, achieve

that, O son of Kunti, which should now be achieved. Righteously setting

thy heart on battle, advance against that leader of car-warriors. There,

five hundred foremost of car-warriors, O thou best of car-warriors, that

are endued with great might and fierce energy, and 5,000 elephants, and

twice as many horses, and innumerable foot-soldiers, all united together,

O son of Kunti, and protecting one another, O hero, are advancing against

thee. Show thyself, of thy own will, unto that great bowman, viz., the

Suta's son. Advance, O bull of Bharata's race, towards him with great

speed. There, Karna, filled with great wrath is rushing against the

Pancalas. I see his standard approaching towards the car of

Dhrishtadyumna. I think he will exterminate the Pancalas. I will tell

thee, O bull of Bharata's race, some good news, O Partha. King

Yudhishthira the just is living. There, the mighty-armed Bhima, having

returned, is stationed at the head of the army, supported by the

Srinjayas and by Satyaki, O Bharata. There, the Kauravas are being

slaughtered with keen shafts by Bhimasena, O son of Kunti, and the

high-souled Pancalas. The troops of Dhritarashtra's son, with their faces

turned from the field, and with blood streaming down from their wounds,

are speedily flying away from battle, struck by Bhima with his shafts.

Bathed in blood, the Bharata army, O chief of Bharata's race, presents an

exceedingly cheerless aspect like that of the Earth when divested of

crops. Behold, O son of Kunti, Bhimasena, that foremost of combatants,

filled with rage like a snake of virulent poison, and engaged in routing

the (Kaurava) host. Yellow and red and black and white banners, adorned

with stars and moons and suns as also many umbrellas, O Arjuna, lie

scattered about. Made of gold or silver or brass and other metals,

standards are lying about, and elephants and steeds also, scattered all

over the field. There, those car-warriors are falling from their cars,

deprived of life by the unreturning Pancalas with shafts of diverse

kinds. There the Pancalas of great speed, O Dhananjaya, are rushing

against the riderless Dhartarashtra elephants and steeds and cars.

Reckless of their very lives, O chastiser of foes, those warriors,

difficult of defeat in battle aided by the might of Bhimasena are

crushing, O tiger among men, the hostile force. There, the Pancalas are

uttering loud roars and blowing their conchs as they are rushing against

their foes and crushing them with their shafts in battle. Behold their

great energy and power. Through sheer valour, the Pancalas are

slaughtering the Dhartarashtras like angry lions slaying elephants.

Unarmed they are snatching the weapons of their armed foes and with those

weapons thus snatched, they are slaying their foes that are effectual

smiters, and uttering loud roars. The heads and arms of their foes are

being struck off and felled on the field. The Pancala cars and elephants

and horses are all worthy of the highest praise. Like swans of great

speed leaving the Manasa lake and rushing into the Ganga, the Pancalas

are rushing against the Kauravas, and every part of the vast

Dhartarashtra force is assailed by them. Like bulls resisting bulls, the

heroic Kripa and Karna and other leaders are putting forth all their

valour for resisting the Pancalas. The Pancala heroes headed by

Dhrishtadyumna are slaying thousands of their foes, viz., the great

car-warriors of the Dhartarashtra army already sinking in the ocean of

Bhima's weapons. Beholding the Pancalas overwhelmed by their foes, the

fearless son of the Wind-god, assailing the hostile force, is shooting

his shafts and uttering loud roars. The greater portion of the vast

Dhartarashtra army has become exceedingly frightened. Behold those

elephants, pierced by Bhima with his cloth-yard shafts, are falling down

like mountain summits riven by the thunderbolt of Indra. There, those

huge elephants, deeply pierced with the straight shafts of Bhimasena are

flying away, crushing their own ranks. Dost thou not recognise the

unbearable leonine shouts, O Arjuna, of the terribly-roaring Bhimasena

inspired with desire of victory in battle? There, the prince of the

Nishadas, filled with rage, is coming against the son of Pandu, on his

foremost of elephants, from desire of slaying him with his lances, even

like Destroyer himself armed with his bludgeon. Struck by Bhima with ten

keen cloth-yard shafts endued with the splendour of the fire or the Sun,

the two arms of the roaring prince, with lances in grasp, are lopped off.

Staying the prince, Bhima proceedeth against other elephants looking like

masses of blue clouds and ridden by riders guiding them with skill.

Behold those riders striking Vrikodara with darts and lances in

profusion. Slaying with his keen shafts those elephants, seven at a time,

their triumphal standards also, O Partha, are cut down by thy elder

brother. As regards those other elephants, each of them is being slain

with ten shafts by him. The shouts of the Dhartarashtras are no longer

heard, now that Bhima, O bull of Bharata's race, who is equal to

Purandara himself, is engaged in battle. Full three akshauhinis of

Duryodhana's soldiers had been assembled together (in front of Bhima).

They have all been checked by that lion among men, Bhimasena, in wrath.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Behold that feat, difficult of accomplishment,

achieved by Bhimasena. Arjuna, with his keen shafts, destroyed the

remnant of his foes. The mighty samsaptakas, O lord, slaughtered in

battle and routed (by Arjuna), fled away in all directions, overcome with

fear. Many amongst them (that fell) became the guests of Shakra and

attained to great happiness. As regards Partha, that tiger among men, he

continued, with his straight shafts, to slaughter the Dhartarashtra host

consisting of four kinds of forces.'"




61


"Dhritarashtra said, 'When Bhima and Pandu's son Yudhishthira were

engaged in battle, when my troops were being slaughtered by the Pandus

and the Srinjayas, when, indeed, my vast army being broken and routed

repeatedly became cheerless, tell me, O Sanjaya, what the Kauravas did.'


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the mighty-armed Bhima, the Suta's son of great

valour, with eyes red in wrath, O king, rushed towards him. Seeing thy

army fly away from Bhimasena, the mighty Karna, O king, rallied it with

great efforts. The mighty-armed Karna, having rallied thy son's host,

proceeded against the Pandavas, those heroes difficult of defeat in

battle. The great car-warriors of the Pandavas also, shaking their bows

and shooting their shafts, proceeded against the son of Radha. Bhimasena,

and the grandson of Sini, and Shikhandi and Janamejaya, and

Dhrishtadyumna of great strength, and all the Prabhadrakas, and those

tigers among men, the Pancalas, filled with rage and inspired with desire

of victory, rushed in that battle from every side against thy army.

Similarly, the great car-warriors of thy army, O king, quickly proceeded

against the Pandava host, desirous of slaughtering it. Teeming with cars

and elephants and horses, and abounding with foot-soldiers and standards,

the two armies then, O tiger among men, assumed a wonderful aspect.

Shikhandi proceeded against Karna, and Dhrishtadyumna proceeded against

thy son Duhshasana, accompanied by a large force. Nakula proceeded

against Vrishasena, while Yudhishthira against Citrasena. Sahadeva, O

king, in that battle, proceeded against Uluka. Satyaki proceeded against

Shakuni, and the sons of Draupadi against the other Kauravas. The mighty

car-warrior Ashvatthama proceeded, with great care, against Arjuna.

Sharadvata's son Kripa proceeded against the mighty bowman Yudhamanyu,

while Kritavarma of great strength proceeded against Uttamauja. The

mighty-armed Bhimasena, O sire, alone and unsupported, resisted all the

Kurus and thy sons at the head of their division. The slayer of Bhishma,

Shikhandi, then, O monarch, with his winged arrows, resisted Karna,

careering fearlessly in that battle. Held in check, Karna then, his lips

trembling in rage, assailed Shikhandi with three arrows in the midst of

his eyebrows. With those three arrows sticking on his forehead, Shikhandi

looked highly beautiful like a silver mountain with three elevated

crests. Deeply pierced by the Suta's son in that encounter, the mighty

bowman Shikhandi pierced Karna, in return, with ninety keen shafts. The

mighty car-warrior Karna then, slaying Shikhandi's steeds and next his

driver with three arrows, cut off his standard with a razor-faced arrow.

That mighty car-warrior then, that scorcher of foes, filled with rage,

jumped down from his steedless car and hurled a dart at Karna. Cutting

off that dart with three shafts in that encounter, Karna then, O Bharata,

pierced Shikhandi with nine keen arrows. Avoiding then the shafts sped

from Karna's bow, that best of men, Shikhandi, exceedingly mangled,

retreated speedily from that spot. Then Karna, O monarch, began to

scatter the troops of the Pandavas, like a mighty wind scattering a heap

of cotton. Meanwhile Dhrishtadyumna, O monarch, afflicted by thy son,

pierced Duhshasana, in return, with three arrows in the centre of the

chest. Then Duhshasana, O sire, pierced his assailant's left arm with a

broad-headed shaft, sharp and straight and equipped with wings of gold.

Thus pierced, Dhrishtadyumna, filled with wrath and the desire to

retaliate, sped a terrible shaft, O Bharata, at Duhshasana. Thy son,

however, O king, with three shafts of his, cut off that impetuous arrow

sped by Dhrishtadyumna as it coursed towards him. Approaching

Dhrishtadyumna then, he struck him in the arms and the chest with

seventeen other broad-headed shafts adorned with gold. Thereat Prishata's

son, filled with rage, cut off Duhshasana's bow, O sire, with a sharp

razor-headed arrow, at which all the troops there uttered a loud shout.

Taking up then another bow, thy son, as if smiling, held Dhrishtadyumna

in check with showers of arrows from every side. Beholding the prowess of

that high-souled son of thine, the combatants, as also the siddhas and

the apsaras, became all filled with wonder. We then saw the mighty

Dhrishtadyumna thus assailed by Duhshasana to resemble a huge elephant,

held in check by a lion. Then many Pancala car-warriors and elephants and

horses, O elder brother of Pandu, desirous of rescuing the commander (of

the Pandava army) encompassed thy son. The battle that commenced, O

scorcher of foes, between thy warriors and the enemy, presented as

frightful a sight as that which may be seen at the destruction of all

creatures at the end of the Yuga.


"'Vrishasena, staying by the side of his father, having pierced Nakula

with five arrows made wholly of iron, pierced him once again with three

other arrows. The heroic Nakula then, as if smiling, deeply pierced

Vrishasena in the chest with a cloth-yard shaft of great keenness. Thus

pierced by his mighty foe, that scorcher of foes, viz., Vrishasena,

pierced his assailant with twenty arrows and was himself pierced by him

with five. Then those two bulls among men shrouded each other with

thousands of arrows, at which the divisions that supported them broke.

Beholding the troops of Dhritarashtra's son flying away, the Suta's son,

following them, O king, began to forcibly stop them. After Karna had gone

away, Nakula proceeded against the Kauravas. Karna's son also, avoiding

Nakula, proceeded quickly, O sire, to where his father, the son of Radha,

was for protecting his car-wheel.


"'The angry Uluka was held in check by Sahadeva. Having slain his four

steeds, the valiant Sahadeva then despatched his foe's driver to the

abode of Yama. Uluka then, that delighter of his father, jumping down

from his car, O king, quickly proceeded and entered the division of the

Trigartas. Satyaki, having pierced Shakuni with twenty keen arrows,

easily cut off the standard of Subala's son with a broad-headed arrow.

The valiant son of Subala, filled with rage, O king, in that encounter,

pierced Satyaki's armour and then cut off his golden standard. Then

Satyaki pierced him in return with many keen arrows, and struck his

driver, O monarch, with three arrows. With great speed then, he

despatched with other shafts the steeds of Shakuni to Yama's abode.

Speedily alighting then, O bull among men, from his car, Shakuni, that

mighty car-warrior, quickly ascended the car of Uluka. The latter then

bore away with great speed his father from Sini's grandson, that warrior

skilled in battle. Then Satyaki, O king, rushed in that battle against

thy army with great impetuosity, at which that army broke. Shrouded with

the arrows of Sini's grandson, thy army, O monarch, fled away on all

sides with great speed, and fell down deprived of life.


"'Thy son resisted Bhimasena in that battle, in a trice Bhima made that

ruler of men steedless and driverless and carless and standardless, at

which the (Pandava) troops became highly glad. Then thy son, O king, went

away from Bhimasena's presence. The whole Kuru army, at this, rushed

against Bhimasena. Tremendous became the din made by those combatants

inspired with the desire of slaying Bhimasena. Yudhamanyu, piercing

Kripa, quickly cut off his bow. Then Kripa, that foremost of all wielders

of weapons, taking up another bow, felled Yudhamanyu's standard and

driver and umbrella on the Earth. At this, the mighty car-warrior

Yudhamanyu retreated on his car, driving it himself. Uttamauja covered

the terrible son of Hridika, endued with terrible prowess, with a thick

shower of arrows like a cloud pouring torrents of rain on a mountain. The

battle between them, O scorcher of foes, became so awful that its like, O

monarch, I had never seen before. Then Kritavarma, O king, in that

encounter, suddenly pierced Uttamauja in the chest, at which the latter

sat down on the terrace of his car. His driver then bore away that

foremost of car-warriors. Then the whole Kuru army rushed at Bhimasena.

Duhshasana and Subala's son, encompassing the son of Pandu with a large

elephant force, began to strike him with small arrows. Then Bhima,

causing the wrathful Duryodhana to turn his back on the field by means of

hundreds of arrows, quickly rushed towards that elephant force. Beholding

that elephant-force advance impetuously against him, Vrikodara became

filled with great rage and invoked his celestial weapons. And he began to

strike elephants with elephants like Indra striking the Asuras. While

engaged in slaughtering those elephants, Vrikodara, in that battle,

covered the welkin with his shafts like myriads of insects covering a

fire. Like the wind scattering masses of clouds, Bhima quickly scattered

and destroyed crowds of elephants united together in thousands. Covered

all over with networks of gold, as also with many gems, the elephants

looked exceedingly beautiful in that battle like clouds charged with

lightning. Slaughtered by Bhima, those elephants, O king, began to fly

away. Some amongst them, with their hearts pierced, fell down on the

Earth. With those fallen and failing elephants adorned with gold, the

Earth looked beautiful there, as if strewn with broken mountains. With

the fallen elephant-warriors of blazing resplendence and adorned with

gems, the Earth looked beautiful as if strewn with planets of exhausted

merit. Then elephants, with their temples, frontal globes, and trunks

deeply pierced, fled in hundreds in that battle, afflicted with the

shafts of Bhimasena. Some amongst them, huge as hills, afflicted with

fear and vomiting blood, ran away, their limbs mangled with arrows, and

looked on that account, like mountains with liquid metals running down

their sides. People then beheld the two arms of Bhima, resembling two

mighty snakes, smeared with sandal-paste and other pounded unguents,

continually employed in drawing the bow. Hearing the sound of his

bow-string and palms that resembled the peal of thunder, those elephants,

ejecting urine and excreta, ran away in fear. The feats of the

single-handed Bhima of great intelligence, on that occasion, shone like

those of Rudra, himself, while engaged in destroying all creatures.'"




62


"Sanjaya said, 'The handsome Arjuna then, on that foremost car of his,

unto which were yoked white steeds, and which was urged by Narayana

himself, appeared on the scene. Like the tempest agitating the ocean,

Vijaya, O foremost of kings, in that battle, agitated that host of thine

teeming with horsemen. When the white-steeded Arjuna was otherwise

engaged, thy son Duryodhana, filled with rage and surrounded by half his

troops, approached suddenly, and encompassed the advancing Yudhishthira

inspired with the desire of revenge. The Kuru king then pierced the son

of Pandu with three and seventy razor-headed arrows. At this,

Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, became inflamed with ire, and quickly

struck thy son with thirty broad-headed arrows. The Kaurava troops then

rushed impetuously for seizing Yudhishthira. Understanding the wicked

intentions of the enemy, the great car-warriors of the Pandava army,

uniting together, rushed towards Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, for

rescuing him. Indeed, Nakula and Sahadeva and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of

Prishata, surrounded by a full Akshauhini of troops, thus proceeded

towards Yudhishthira. Bhimasena also, in that battle, crushing the great

car-warriors of thy army, proceeded towards the king surrounded by foes.

Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, O king, shooting dense showers of

arrows, checked, single-handed, all those mighty bowmen thus advancing

(to the rescue). Though they shot dense showers of arrows and hurled

innumerable lances, fighting with determination, yet they were unable

even to look at the son of Radha. Indeed, the son of Radha, that master

of all weapons offensive and defensive, by shooting dense showers of

shafts checked all those great bowmen. The high-souled Sahadeva, however,

quickly approaching (the spot where Duryodhana was), and invoking without

loss of time a (celestial) weapon, pierced Duryodhana with twenty arrows.

Thus pierced by Sahadeva, the Kuru king, covered with blood, looked

beautiful, like a huge elephant of split temples. Beholding thy son

deeply pierced with many arrows of great energy, that foremost of

car-warriors, viz., the son of Radha, filled with rage, rushed to that

spot. Seeing Duryodhana reduced to that plight, Karna, invoking his

weapons quickly, began to slaughter the troops of Yudhishthira and

Prishata's son. Thus slaughtered by the high-souled Karna, Yudhishthira's

troops, O king, afflicted with the arrows of the Suta's son, soon fled

away. Showers of shafts fell together. Indeed, those sped subsequently

from the bow of the Suta's son touched with their heads the wings of

those sped before. In consequence of those falling showers, of shafts, O

monarch, colliding with one another, a conflagration seemed to blaze

forth in the welkin. Soon Karna shrouded the ten points of the compass, O

king, with arrows capable of piercing the bodies of foes, as if with

advancing flights of locusts. Displaying the highest weapons, Karna began

to wave with great force his two arms smeared with red sandal-paste and

adorned with jewels and gold. Then stupefying all sides, O king, with his

shafts, Karna deeply afflicted Yudhishthira the just. Filled with rage at

this, Dharma's son Yudhishthira struck Karna with fifty keen shafts. In

consequence then of the darkness caused by those showers of arrows, the

battle became awful to look at. Loud cries of woe arose from among thy

troops, O monarch, whilst they were being slaughtered by Dharma's son, O

sire, with diverse kinds of keen shafts equipped with Kanka feathers and

whetted on stone, with numerous broad-headed arrows, and with diverse

kinds of darts and swords and clubs. Thither where Pandu's son of

virtuous soul cast his eyes with the desire of producing evil, thither

thy army broke, O bull of Bharata's race. Inflamed with great rage, Karna

also, of immeasurable soul, inspired with the desire of retaliating, his

face flushed in anger, rushed in that battle against Pandu's son, king

Yudhishthira the just, shooting cloth-yard shafts and crescent-shaped

arrows and those equipped with heads like the calf's tooth. Yudhishthira

also pierced him with many whetted arrows equipped with wings of gold. As

if smiling the while, Karna pierced the royal son of Pandu in the chest

with three broad-headed arrows, whetted on stone, and equipped with Kanka

feathers. Deeply afflicted therewith, king Yudhishthira the just, sitting

down on the terrace of his car, ordered his driver to retreat. Thereupon

all the Dhartarashtras, with their king, set up a loud shout, saying,

"Seize! Seize!" and all of them then pursued the (Pandava) king. Then

seventeen hundred Kekaya troops, skilled in smiting, united with a body

of the Pancala troops, O king, checked the Dhartarashtras. During the

progress of that fierce and terrible battle, Duryodhana and Bhima, those

two warriors endued with great might, encountered each other.'"




63


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Karna also began, with his arrowy showers, to

afflict the mighty car-warriors of the Kaikayas, viz., those great bowmen

that stood before him. Indeed, the son of Radha despatched to Yama's

abode full five hundred of those warriors that were employed in checking

him in that battle. Beholding the son of Radha to be irresistible in that

battle, those warriors, afflicted with the arrows of their assailant,

repaired to the presence of Bhimasena. Breaking that car-force into many

parts by means of his arrows, Karna, singly and riding on that same car

of his, pursued Yudhishthira, who then, exceedingly mangled with arrows

and almost insensible, was proceeding slowly for reaching the Pandava

encampment with Nakula and Sahadeva on his two sides. Having approached

the king, the Suta's son, from desire of doing good to Duryodhana,

pierced the son of Pandu with three formidable arrows. In return, the

king pierced Radha's son in the centre of the chest and then his driver

with three shafts. Then those two scorchers of foes, viz., the twin sons

of Madri, those two protectors of Yudhishthira's car-wheels, rushed

towards Karna so that the latter might not succeed in slaying the king.

Then Nakula and Sahadeva, both shooting showers of shafts with great

care, covered the son of Radha therewith. The valiant son of the Suta,

however, in return, pierced those two high-souled chastisers of foes with

two broad-headed arrows of great sharpness. The son of Radha then slew

Yudhishthira's excellent steeds, white as ivory and fleet as the mind,

and having black hair in their tails. Then, smiling the while, the Suta's

son, that great bowman, with another broadheaded shaft, felled the

head-gear of Kunti's son. Similarly, the valiant Karna, having slain the

steeds of Nakula, cut off the car shafts and bow of that intelligent son

of Madri. Those two steedless and carless sons of Pandu,--those two

brothers,--thereupon ascended the car of Sahadeva. Beholding those two

brothers made carless, that slayer of hostile heroes, viz., their

maternal uncle, the ruler of the Madras, moved by compassion, addressed

the son of Radha and said, "Thou art to fight today with Pritha's son

Phalguna. Why dost thou then, with rage inflamed to such a pitch, battle

with Dharma's royal son? Thou art suffering thy weapons to be exhausted.

Thy own armour is being weakened. With thy shafts reduced, and without

quivers, with thy driver and steeds fatigued, and thyself mangled by foes

with weapons, when thou wilt approach Partha, O son of Radha, thou wilt

be an object of derision and mirth." Though thus addressed by the ruler

of the Madras, Karna still, filled with rage, continued to assail

Yudhishthira in battle. And he continued to pierce the two sons of Madri

by Pandu with many keen arrows. Smiling the while, by means of his shafts

he made Yudhishthira turn his face from the battle. Then Shalya,

laughing, once more said unto Karna as the latter, excited with great

wrath and resolved upon Yudhishthira's destruction stood on his car,

these words, "Him for whose sake Dhritarashtra's son always honours thee,

slay that Partha, O son of Radha. What wouldst thou gain by slaying

Yudhishthira? The two Krishnas are blowing their conchs, whose loud blare

is being heard. The twang also of Arjuna's bow is being heard, like the

roar of the clouds in the season of rains. There, Arjuna, striking down

the foremost of our car-warriors with his arrowy down-pours, is devouring

all our troops. Behold him, O Karna, in this battle. The two that are

protecting his rear are Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja. The brave Satyaki is

protecting his left wheel, and Dhrishtadyumna is protecting his right

wheel. There, Bhimasena is fighting with the royal son of Dhritarashtra.

Act in such way, O son of Radha, that Bhima may not be able to slay the

king today in the sight of us all,--that the king may, indeed, escape

him. Behold, Duryodhana is brought under the power of Bhimasena, that

ornament of battle. Approaching if thou canst rescue him, it will,

indeed, be a very wonderful feat. Going thither, rescue the king, for a

great peril has overtaken him. What wilt thou gain by slaying the sons of

Madri or king Yudhishthira?" Hearing these words of Shalya, O lord of

Earth, and beholding Duryodhana overpowered by Bhima in that dreadful

battle, the valiant son of Radha, thus urged by the words of Shalya and

exceedingly desirous of rescuing the king, left Ajatasatru and the twin

sons of Madri by Pandu, and rushed for rescuing thy son. He was borne by

his steeds that were fleet as birds and that were urged by the ruler of

the Madras. After Karna had gone away, Kunti's son Yudhishthira

retreated, borne, O sire, by the fleet steeds of Sahadeva. With his twin

brothers accompanying him, that ruler of men, quickly repairing in shame

to the (Pandava) camp, his body exceedingly mangled with shafts, alighted

from the car and hastily sat down on an excellent bed. The, arrows then

being extracted from his body, the royal son of Pandu, his heart

exceedingly afflicted with sorrow's dart, addressed his two brothers,

viz., those two mighty car-warriors, the sons of Madri, saying, "Repair

quickly to the division of Bhimasena. Roaring like a cloud, Vrikodara is

engaged in battle." Riding another car, Nakula, that bull among

car-warriors, and Sahadeva of great energy,--those two brothers, those

two crushers of foes,--both endued with great might, then proceeded

towards Bhima, borne by steeds of the utmost fleetness. Indeed, the

brothers having together repaired to Bhimasena's division, took up their

places there.'"




64


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Drona's son, surrounded by a large car-force, O

king, suddenly proceeded to that spot where Partha was. Like the

continent withstanding the surging ocean, the heroic Partha having Saurin

(Krishna) for his help-mate withstood the impetuously rushing

Ashvatthama. Then, O monarch, the valiant son of Drona, filled with rage,

covered both Arjuna and Vasudeva with his shafts. Beholding the two

Krishnas shrouded with arrows, the great car-warriors (of the Pandava

army), as also the Kurus that witnessed it, wondered exceedingly. Then

Arjuna, as if smiling, invoked into existence a celestial weapon. The

brahmana Ashvatthama, however, O Bharata, baffled that weapon in that

battle. Indeed, all those weapons that Arjuna sped from desire of slaying

the son of Drona were baffled by the latter, that great bowman, in that

encounter. During the progress of that awful encounter of weapons, O

king, we beheld the son of Drona to resemble the Destroyer himself, with

gaping mouth. Having covered all the points of the compass, cardinal and

subsidiary, with straight arrows, he pierced Vasudeva with three arrows

in the right arm. Then Arjuna, slaying all the steeds of his high-souled

assailant, caused the Earth in that battle to be covered with a river of

blood that was exceedingly awful that led towards the other world, and

that had diverse kinds of creatures floating on it. All the spectators

beheld a large number of car-warriors along with their cars, belonging to

the division of Ashvatthama, slain and destroyed by means of the arrows

sped from Partha's bow. Ashvatthama also, slaying his enemies, caused a

terrible river of blood to flow there that led to Yama's domains. During

the progress of that fierce and awful battle between Drona's son and

Partha, the combatants fought without showing any regard for one another,

and rushed hither and thither. In consequence of cars having their steeds

and drivers slain, and steeds having their riders slain, and elephants

having their riders and guides slain, an awful carnage, O king, was made

by Partha in that battle! Car-warriors, deprived of life with shafts sped

from Partha's bow, fell down. Steeds freed from their trappings ran

hither and thither. Beholding those feats of Partha, that ornament of

battle, that valiant son of Drona quickly approached the former, that

foremost of victorious men, shook his formidable bow decked with gold,

and then pierced him from every side with many sharp arrows. Once more

bending the bow, O king, the son of Drona cruelly struck Arjuna, aiming

at the chest, with a winged arrow. Deeply pierced by Drona's son, O

Bharata, in that encounter, the wielder of gandiva, that hero of great

intelligence forcibly covered the son of Drona with showers of arrows,

and then cut off his bow. His bow cut off Drona's son then, taking up a

spiked mace whose touch resembled that of thunder's, hurled it, in that

encounter, at the diadem-decked Arjuna. The son of Pandu, however, O

king, as if smiling the while, suddenly cut off that spiked mace decked

with gold, as it advanced towards him. Thus cut off with Partha's shafts,

it fell down on the Earth, like a mountain, O king, broken into pieces,

struck with the thunderbolt. Filled with rage at this, Drona's son, that

great car-warrior, began to cover Vibhatsu, aided by the energy of the

aindra weapon. Beholding that shower of arrows spread over the welkin

through the aindra weapon, Partha, endued with great activity, O king,

taking up his bow gandiva, and fixing on his bowstring a mighty weapon

created by Indra, destroyed that aindra-shower of arrows. Having baffled

that arrowy shower caused by the aindra weapon, Partha soon covered the

car of Drona's son (with his own arrows). The son of Drona, however,

overwhelmed with Partha's shafts, penetrated through that shower of

arrows shot by the son of Pandu, and approaching the latter, invoked a

mighty weapon and suddenly pierced Krishna with hundred shafts and Arjuna

with three hundred small arrows. Then Arjuna pierced the son of his

preceptor with a hundred arrows in all his vital limbs. And then he

poured many arrows on the steeds and driver and the bowstring of Drona's

son in the very sight of thy warriors. Having pierced Drona's son in

every vital part, Pandu's son, that slayer of hostile heroes, then felled

his adversary's driver from the car-niche with a broad-headed arrow.

Drona's son, however, himself, taking up the reins, covered Krishna with

many arrows. The activity of prowess that we then beheld in Drona's son

was exceedingly wonderful, since he guided his steeds while he fought

with Phalguni. That feat of his in battle, O king, was applauded by all

the warriors. Then Vibhatsu, otherwise called Jaya, smiling the while,

quickly cut off the traces of Ashvatthama's steeds in that battle, with a

razor-faced arrow. Already afflicted by the energy of Arjuna's shafts,

the steeds of Drona's son thereupon ran away. Then a loud noise arose

from thy troops, O Bharata! Meanwhile the Pandavas, having obtained the

victory, and desiring to improve it, rushed against thy troops, shooting

from all sides sharp arrows at them. The vast Dhartarashtra host, then, O

king, was repeatedly broken by the heroic Pandavas inspired with desire

of victory, in the very sight, O monarch, of thy sons, conversant with

all modes of warfare, and of, Shakuni the son of Subala, and of Karna, O

king! Though sought to be stopped, O king, by thy sons, that great army,

afflicted on all sides, stayed not on the field. Indeed, a confusion set

in among the vast terrified host of thy son in consequence of many

warriors flying away on all sides. The Suta's son loudly cried out,

saying "Stay, Stay!" but thy army, slaughtered by many high-souled

warriors, did not stay on the field. Loud shouts were uttered then, O

monarch, by the Pandavas, inspired with this desire of victory, on

beholding the Dhartarashtra host flying away on all sides. Then

Duryodhana addressing Karna from affection, "Behold, O Karna, how our

army, exceedingly afflicted by the Pandavas, though thou art here, is

flying away from battle! Knowing this, O thou of mighty arms, do that

which is suited to the hour, O chastiser of foes! Thousands of (our)

warriors, routed by the Pandavas, are O hero, calling after thee only, O

best of men!" Hearing these grave words of Duryodhana, the son of Radha,

as if smiling, said these words unto the ruler of the Madras, "Behold the

prowess of my arms and the energy of my weapons, O ruler of men! Today I

will slay all the Pancalas and the Pandavas in battle! Cause the steeds

to proceed with my car, O tiger among men! Without doubt, everything will

be as I have said!" Having said these words, the Suta's son of great

valour, that hero, taking up his ancient and foremost of bows called

Vijaya, stringed it and rubbed the string repeatedly. Bidding the troops

stay on the field after having assured them upon his truth and by an

oath, the mighty Karna of immeasurable soul fixed on his bow-string the

weapon known by the name of Bhargava. From that weapon flowed, O king,

millions and millions of keen arrows in that great battle. Entirely

shrouded with those blazing and terrible arrows winged with feathers of

Kankas and peacocks, the Pandava army could not see anything. Loud wails

of woe arose from among the Pancalas, O king, afflicted, in that battle,

with the mighty Bhargava weapon. In consequence then of elephants, O

king, and steeds, by thousands, and cars, O monarch, and men, falling on

all sides, deprived of life, the Earth began to tremble. The vast force

of the Pandavas became agitated from one extremity to another. Meanwhile

Karna, that scorcher of foes, that foremost of warriors, that tiger among

men, while consuming his foes, looked resplendent like a smokeless fire.

Thus slaughtered by Karna, the Pancalas and the Cedis began to lose their

senses all over the field like elephants during the conflagration in a

forest. Those foremost of men, O tiger among men, uttered loud roars like

those of the tiger. Loud became the wails of woe, like those of living

creatures at the universal dissolution that were uttered by those crying

combatants struck with panic and running wildly on all sides, O king, of

the field of battle and trembling with fear. Beholding them thus

slaughtered, O sire, by the Suta's son, all creatures, even beasts and

birds, were filled with fear. The Srinjayas then, thus slaughtered in

battle by the Suta's son, repeatedly called upon Arjuna and Vasudeva like

the spirits of the dead within Yama's dominions calling upon Yama to

rescue them. Hearing those wails of the troops slaughtered with Karna's

shafts, and beholding the terrible bhargava weapon invoked into existence

Kunti's son Dhananjaya said unto Vasudeva these words, "Behold, O Krishna

of mighty arms, the prowess of the bhargava weapon! It cannot, by any

means, be baffled! Behold the Suta's son also, O Krishna, filled with

rage in this great battle and resembling the Destroyer himself, in

prowess and employed in achieving such a fierce feat! Urging his steeds

incessantly, he is repeatedly casting angry glances upon me! I will never

be able to fly away from Karna in battle! The person that is living, may,

in battle, meet with either victory or defeat. To the man, however, that

is dead, O Hrishikesha, even death is victory. How can defeat be his that

is dead?" Thus addressed by Partha, Krishna replied unto that foremost of

intelligent men and chastiser of foes, these words that were suitable to

the occasion, "The royal son of Kunti hath been deeply wounded and

mangled by Karna. Having seen him first and comforted him, thou wilt

then, O Partha, slay Karna?" Then Keshava proceeded, desirous of

beholding Yudhishthira, thinking that Karna meanwhile, O monarch, would

be overwhelmed with fatigue! Then Dhananjaya, himself desirous of

beholding the king afflicted with arrows, quickly proceeded on that car,

avoiding the battle, at Keshava's command. While the son of Kunti was

thus proceeding from desire of seeing king Yudhishthira the just, he cast

his eyes on every part of the army but failed to find his eldest brother

anywhere on the field. The son of Kunti proceeded, O Bharata, having

fought with the son of his preceptor Drona, and having vanquished that

hero incapable of being resisted by the wielder of the thunderbolt

himself.'"




65


"Sanjaya said, 'Having vanquished the son of Drona and achieved a mighty

and heroic feat that is exceedingly difficult of accomplishment,

Dhananjaya, irresistible by foes, and with bow outstretched in his hands,

cast his eyes among his own troops. The brave Savyasaci, gladdening those

warriors of his that were still battling at the head of their divisions

and applauding those among them that were celebrated for their former

achievements, caused the carwarriors of his own army to continue to stand

in their posts. Not seeing his brother Yudhishthira of Ajamida's race,

the diadem-decked Arjuna, adorned, besides, with a necklace of gold,

speedily approached Bhima and enquired of him the whereabouts of the

king, saying, "Tell me, where is the king?" Thus asked, Bhima said, "King

Yudhishthira the just, hath gone away from this place, his limbs scorched

with Karna's shafts. It is doubtful whether he still liveth!" Hearing

those words, Arjuna said, "For this reason go thou quickly from the spot

for bringing intelligence of the king, that best of all the descendants

of Kuru! Without doubt, deeply pierced by Karna with shafts, the king

hath gone to the camp! In that fierce passage at arms, though deeply

pierced by Drona with keen shafts, the king endued with great activity,

had still stayed in battle, expectant of victory, until Drona was slain!

That foremost one among the Pandavas, possessed of great magnanimity, was

greatly imperilled by Karna in today's battle! For ascertaining his

condition, quickly go hence, O Bhima! I will stay here, checking all our

foes!" Thus addressed, Bhima said, "O thou of great glory, go thyself for

ascertaining the condition of the king, that bull amongst the Bharatas!

If, O Arjuna, I go there, many foremost of heroes will then say that I am

frightened in battle!" Then Arjuna said unto Bhimasena, "The samsaptakas

are before my division! Without slaying those assembled foes first, it is

impossible for me to stir from this place!' Then Bhimasena said unto

Arjuna, 'Relying upon my own might, O foremost one among the Kurus, I

will fight with all the samsaptakas in battle! Therefore, O Dhananjaya,

do thou go thyself!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Hearing in the midst of foes, those words of his

brother Bhimasena that were difficult of accomplishment, Arjuna, desiring

to see the king, addressed the Vrishni hero, saying, "Urge the steeds, O

Hrishikesha, leaving this sea of troops! I desire, O Keshava to see king

Ajatasatru!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Just as he was on the point of urging the steeds,

Keshava, that foremost one of the Dasharhas, addressed Bhima, saying,

"This feat is not at all wonderful for thee, O Bhima! I am about to go

(hence). Slay these assembled foes of Partha!" Then Hrishikesha proceeded

with very great speed to the spot where king Yudhishthira was, O king,

borne by those steeds that resembled Garuda, having stationed Bhima, that

chastiser of foes, at the head of the army and having commanded him, O

monarch, to fight (with the samsaptakas). Then those two foremost of men,

(Krishna and Arjuna), proceeding on their car, approached the king who

was lying alone on his bed. Both of them, alighting from that car,

worshipped the feet of king Yudhishthira the just. Beholding that bull of

tigers among men safe and sound, the two Krishnas became filled with joy,

like the twin Ashvinis on seeing Vasava. The king then congratulated them

both like Vivasvat congratulating the twin Ashvinis, or like Brihaspati

congratulating Sankara and Vishnu after the slaughter of the mighty asura

Jambha. King Yudhishthira the just, thinking that Karna had been slain,

became filled with joy, and that scorcher of foes thereupon addressed

them in these words in a voice choked with delight.'"




66


"'Yudhishthira said, "Welcome, O thou that hast Devaki for thy mother,

and welcome to thee, O Dhananjaya! The sight of both of you, O Acyuta and

Arjuna, is exceedingly agreeable! I see that without being wounded

yourselves, you two, his foes, have slain the mighty car-warrior Karna!

He was in battle like unto a snake of virulent poison. He was

accomplished in all weapons. The leader of all the Dhartarashtras, he was

their armour and protector! While fighting he was always protected by

Vrishasena and by Sushena, both of whom are great bowmen! Of great

energy, he had received lessons from Rama in weapons! He was invincible

in battle! The foremost one in all the world, as a car-warrior he was

celebrated throughout all the worlds. He was the saviour of the

Dhartarashtras, and the proceeder in their van! A slayer of hostile

troops, he was the crusher of large bands of foes. Ever engaged in

Duryodhana's good, he was always prepared to inflict woe on us! He was

invincible in battle by the very gods with Vasava at their head. In

energy and might he was equal unto the god of fire and the god of wind.

In gravity he was unfathomable as the Nether world. The enhancer of the

joys of friends, he was like the Destroyer himself unto foes! Having

slain Karna (who was even so) in dreadful battle, by good luck it is that

you two have come, like a couple of celestials after vanquishing an

Asura! Today, O Acyuta and Arjuna, a great battle was fought between

myself exerting with might and that hero resembling the Destroyer

himself, while seeking to exterminate all creatures! My standard was cut

down, and my two Parshni drivers also were slain by him. I was also made

steedless and carless by him in the very sight of Yuyudhana, of

Dhrishtadyumna, of the twins (Nakula and Sahadeva), of the heroic

Shikhandi, as also in the very sight of the sons of Draupadi, and all the

Pancalas! Having vanquished those innumerable foes, Karna of mighty

energy then vanquished me, O thou of mighty arms, although I exerted

myself resolutely in battle! Pursuing me then and without doubt,

vanquishing all my protectors, that foremost of warriors addressed me in

diverse harsh speeches. That I am still alive, O Dhananjaya, is due to

the prowess of Bhimasena. What more need I say? I am unable to bear that

humiliation! For thirteen years, O Dhananjaya, through fear of Karna, I

did not obtain any sleep by night or any comfort by day! Filled with

hatred of Karna, I burn, O Dhananjaya! Like the bird Vaddhrinasa I fled

from Karna, knowing that the time for my own destruction had come. The

whole of my time had passed in the thought as to how I would accomplish

the destruction of Karna in battle! Awake or asleep, O son of Kunti, I

always beheld Karna (with my mind's eye). Wherever I was, the universe

appeared to me to be full of Karna! Inspired with the fear of Karna,

wherever I used to go, O Dhananjaya, thither I beheld Karna standing

before my eyes! Vanquished in battle, with my steeds and car, by that

hero who never retreated from battle, alive I was let off by him! What

use have I of life or of kingdom either, since Karna, that ornament of

battle, today cried fie on me? That which I had never before met with at

the hands of Bhishma or Kripa or Drona in battle, that I met with today

at the hands of the Suta's son, that mighty car-warrior! It is for this,

O son of Kunti, that I ask thee today about thy welfare! Tell me in

detail how thou hast slain Karna today! In battle Karna was equal unto

Sakra himself. In prowess he was equal unto Yama. In weapons he was equal

unto Rama. How then hath he been slain? He was regarded as a mighty

car-warrior, conversant with all modes of warfare. He was the foremost of

all bowmen, and the one man amongst all men! O prince, the son of Radha

was always worshipped by Dhritarashtra and his son, for thy sake! How

then hath he been slain by thee? In all engagements, Dhritarashtra's son,

O Arjuna, used to regard Karna as thy death, O bull among men! How then,

O tiger among men, hath that Karna been slain by thee in battle? Tell me,

O son of Kunti, how that Karna hath been slain by thee! How, while he was

engaged in battle, didst thou, O tiger among men, strike off his head in

the very sight of all his friends like a tiger tearing off the head of a

ruru deer? That Suta's son who in battle searched all the points of the

compass for finding thee, that Karna who had promised to give a car with

six bulls of elephantine proportions unto him that would point thee out,

I ask: doth that Karna of wicked soul lie today on the bare ground, slain

with thy keen arrows equipped with kanka feathers? Having slain the

Suta's son in battle, thou hast accomplished a deed highly agreeable to

me! Encountering him in battle, hast thou really slain that Suta's son,

who, filled with arrogance and pride and bragging of his heroism, used to

search everywhere on the field of battle for thee? Hast thou, O sire,

really slain in battle that sinful wretch who used to always challenge

thee and who was desirous for thy sake of giving unto others a

magnificent car, made of gold along with a number of elephants and bulls

and steeds? Hast thou really slain today that sinful wight who was

exceedingly dear to Suyodhana, and who, intoxicated with pride of

heroism, used always to brag in the assembly of the Kurus? Encountered in

battle, doth that wretch lie today on the field, his limbs exceedingly

mangled with sky-ranging shafts sped by thee from thy bow and all steeped

in blood? Have the two arms of Dhritarashtra's son been (at last) broken?

Have those words been unfulfilled, uttered from folly by him who, filled

with pride, used to always boast in the midst of the kings for gladdening

Duryodhana, saying, 'I will slay Phalguna'? O son of Indra, hath that

Karna of little understanding been slain by thee today, that Suta's son

who made the vow that he would not wash his feet as long as Partha lived?

That Karna of wicked understanding who in the assembly; before the Kuru

chiefs, had addressed Krishna, saying, 'Why, O Krishna, dost thou not

abandon the Pandavas that are divested of might, exceedingly weak, and

fallen?' That Karna who had vowed for thy sake, saying that he would not

return from battle without having slain Krishna and Partha. I ask, doth

that Karna of sinful understanding lie today on the field, his body

pierced with shafts? Thou knowest the nature of the battle that took

place when the Srinjayas and the Kauravas encountered each other, the

battle in which I was brought to that distressful plight. Encountering

that Karna, hast thou slain him today? O Savyasaci, hast thou today, with

blazing shafts sped from gandiva, cut off from the trunk of that Karna of

wicked understanding his resplendent head decked with earrings? Pierced

with Karna's shafts today, I had, O hero, thought of thee (that thou

wouldst slay him)! Hast thou then, by the slaughter of Karna, made that

thought of mine true? In consequence of the protection granted him by

Karna, Suyodhana, filled with pride, always recked us little. Displaying

thy prowess, hast then today destroyed that refuge of Suyodhana? That

Suta's son of wicked soul, that Karna of great wrath, who had formerly,

in the presence of the Kauravas and in the midst of the assembly called

us sesame seeds without kernel, encountering that Karna in battle, hast

thou slain him today? That Suta's son of wicked soul who had, laughing

the while, commanded Duhshasana to forcibly drag Yajnasena's daughter won

in gambling by Subala's son, hath he been slain today by thee? That Karna

of little understanding who, having been counted as only half a

car-warrior during the tale of rathas and atirathas, had upbraided that

foremost of all wielders of weapons on Earth, our grandsire Bhishma, hath

he been slain by thee? Extinguish, O Phalguna, this fire in my heart that

is born of vindictiveness and is fanned by the wind of humiliation, by

telling me that thou hast slain Karna today, having encountered him in

battle! The news of Karna's slaughter is exceedingly agreeable to me.

Tell me, therefore, how the Suta's son hath been slain! Like the divine

Vishnu waiting for the arrival of Indra with the intelligence of Vritra's

slaughter, I had so long waited for thee, O hero!"'"




67


"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of the righteous king who had been

filled with anger, that high-souled atiratha, Jishnu of infinite energy,

replied unto the invincible Yudhishthira of great might, saying, "While

battling with the samsaptakas today, Drona's son who always proceedeth at

the head of the Kuru troops, O king, suddenly came before me, shooting

shafts that resembled snakes of virulent poison. Beholding my car, of

rattle deep as the roar of clouds, all the troops began to encompass it.

Slaying full five hundred of those, I then, O foremost of kings,

proceeded against Drona's son. Approaching me, O king, that hero with

great resolution rushed against me like a prince of elephants against a

lion, and desired to rescue, O monarch, the Kaurava car-warriors that

were being slaughtered by me. Then, in that battle, O Bharata, the

preceptor's son, that foremost of heroes among the Kurus, incapable of

being made to tremble, began to afflict me and Janardana with whetted

shafts resembling poison or fire. While engaged in battle with me, eight

carts, each drawn by eight bullocks, carried his hundreds of arrows. He

shot them all at me, but like a wind destroying the clouds I destroyed

with my shafts that arrowy shower of his. He then shot at me, with skill

and force and resolution, thousands of other arrows, all sped from his

bow-string stretched to his very ear, even like a black cloud in the

season of rains pouring in torrents the water with which it is charged.

So quickly did Drona's son career in that battle that we could not

discern from which side, the left or the right, he shot his arrows, nor

could we notice when he took up his arrows and when he let them off.

Indeed, the bow of Drona's son was seen by us to be incessantly drawn to

a circle. At last, the son of Drona pierced me with five whetted arrows

and Vasudeva also with five whetted arrows. Within the twinkling of an

eye, however, I afflicted him with the force of thunderbolts. Exceedingly

afflicted with those shafts sped by me, he soon assumed the form of a

porcupine. All his limbs became bathed in blood. Beholding his troops,

those foremost of warriors all covered with blood and overwhelmed by me,

he then entered the car-division of the Suta's son. Seeing the troops

overwhelmed by me in battle, and struck with fear, and beholding the

elephants and steeds flying away, that grinder (of hostile hosts), viz.,

Karna approached me quickly with fifty great carwarriors. Slaying them

all and avoiding Karna, I have quickly come hither for seeing thee. All

the Pancalas are afflicted with fear at sight of Karna like kine at the

scent of a lion. The Prabhadrakas also, O king, having approached Karna,

are like persons that have entered the wide open jaws of Death. Karna has

already despatched to Yama's abode full seventeen hundred of those

distressed car-warriors. Indeed, O king, the Suta's son did not become

cheerless till he had a sight of us. Thou hadst first been engaged with

Ashvatthama and exceedingly mangled by him. I heard that after that thou

wert seen by Karna. O thou of inconceivable feats, I thought that thou

must have, O king, been enjoying rest (in the camp), having come away

from the cruel Karna. I have seen, O son of Pandu, the great and

wonderful (Bhargava) weapon of Karna displayed in the van of battle.

There is now no other warrior among the Srinjayas that is able to resist

the mighty car-warrior Karna. Let Sini's grandson Satyaki and

Dhrishtadyumna, O king, be the protectors of my car-wheels. Let the

heroic princes Yudhamanyu and Uttamauja protect my rear. O thou of great

glory, encountering that heroic and invincible car-warrior, viz., the

Suta's son, staying in the hostile army, like Sakra encountering Vritra,

O foremost of kings, I will, O Bharata, fight with the Suta's son if he

can be found in this battle today. Come and behold me and the Suta's son

contending with each other in battle for victory. There, the Prabhadrakas

are rushing towards the face of a mighty bull. There, O Bharata, 6,000

princes are sacrificing themselves in battle today, for the sake of

heaven. If, putting forth my strength, I do not, O king, slay Karna today

with all his relatives while engaged in battle with him, then that end

will be mine, O lion among kings, which is his that does not accomplish a

vow taken by him. I beg of thee, bless me, saying that victory will be

mine in battle. Yonder, the Dhartarashtras are about to devour Bhima. I

will, O lion among kings, slay the Suta's son and his troops and all our

foes!"'"




68


"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing that Karna of mighty energy was still alive,

Pritha's son Yudhishthira of immeasurable energy, exceedingly angry with

Phalguna and burning with the shafts of Karna, said these words unto

Dhananjaya, "O sire, thy army is fled and hath been beaten in a way that

is scarcely honourable! Inspired with fear and deserting Bhima, thou hast

come hither since thou hast been unable to slay Karna. Thou hast, by

entering her womb, rendered the conception of Kunti abortive. Thou hast

acted improperly by deserting Bhima, because thou wert unable to slay the

Suta's son. Thou hadst, O Partha, said unto me in the Dwaita woods that

thou wouldst, on a single car, slay Karna. Why, then, through fear of

Karna hast come hither, avoiding Karna and deserting Bhima? If in the

Dwaita woods thou hadst said unto me, 'O king, I shall not be able to

fight with Karna,' we would then, O Partha, have made other arrangements

suitable to the circumstances. Having promised me the slaughter of Karna,

thou hast not, O hero, kept that promise. Bringing us into the midst of

foes, why hast thou broken us into pieces by throwing us down on a hard

soil? Expecting diverse good things and benefits from thee, O Arjuna, we

have always uttered blessings on thee. All those expectations, however, O

prince, have proved vain like those of persons expectant of fruit getting

instead of a tree burthened only with flowers! Like a fish-hook hid

within a piece of meat, or poison overlaid with food, thou didst, for

disappointing us at last, point out destruction in the shape of kingdom

unto ourselves covetous of kingdom! For these thirteen years, O

Dhananjaya, we have, from hope, lived relying on thee, like seeds sown on

earth in expectation of the showers sent by the gods in season! Even

these were the words that a voice in the skies had said unto Pritha on

the seventh day after thy birth, O thou of foolish understanding! 'This

son of thine that is born will have the prowess of Vasava himself! He

will vanquish all his heroic foes! Endued with superior energy, he will

at Khandava vanquish all the celestials united together and diverse other

creatures. This one will subjugate the Madras, the Kalingas, and the

Kaikeyas. This one will, in the midst of many kings, slay the Kurus.

There will be no bowman superior to him, and no creature will ever be

able to vanquish him. With his senses under control, and having obtained

mastery over all branches of knowledge, this one, by merely desiring it,

will bring all creatures under subjection to himself. This high-souled

son that is born of thee, O Kunti, will in beauty be the rival of Soma,

in speed of the god of wind, in patience of Meru, in forgiveness of

Earth, in splendour of Surya, in prosperity of the Lord of treasures, in

courage of Sakra, and in might of Vishnu. He will be the slayer of all

foes like Vishnu, the son of Aditi. Endued with immeasurable energy, he

will be celebrated for the destruction he will deal to foes and the

success he will win for friends. He will, besides, be the founder of a

race!' Even thus, in the skies, on the summit of the Satasringa

mountains, in the hearing of many ascetics, that voice spoke. All that,

however, hath not come to pass. Alas, it shows that the gods even may

speak untruths! Hearing also the words of praise always uttered about

thee by many foremost of Rishis, I never expected that Suyodhana would

win success and prosperity or that thou thyself wouldst be afflicted with

the fear of Karna! Thou ridest upon an excellent car constructed by the

celestial artificer himself, with axles that do not creak, and with

standard that bears the ape. Thou bearest a sword attached to thy belt of

gold and silk. This thy bow Gandiva is full six cubits long. Thou hast

Keshava for thy driver. Why, then, through fear of Karna hast thou come

away from battle, O Partha? If, O thou of wicked soul, thou hadst given

this bow to Keshava and become his driver, then Keshava could have (by

this time) slain the fierce Karna like the lord of the Maruts (Sakra)

slaying with his thunder the Asura Vritra. If thou art unable to resist

the fierce son of Radha today, as he is careering in battle, give this

thy Gandiva today to some other king, that may be thy superior in (the

use and knowledge of) weapons. If that be done, the world will not then

behold us bereft of sons and wives, deprived of happiness in consequence

of the loss of kingdom, and sunk, O son of Pandu, in an unfathomable hell

of great misery. It would have been better for thee if thou hadst never

been born in the womb of Kunti, or having taken thy birth there, if thou

hadst come out on the fifth month an abortion, than to have, O prince,

thus come away from battle, O thou of wicked soul! Fie on thy Gandiva,

fie on the might of thy arms, fie on thy inexhaustible arrows! Fie on thy

banner with the gigantic ape on it, and fie on thy car given thee by the

god of fire!"'"




69


"Sanjaya said, 'Thus addressed by Yudhishthira, Kunti's son owning white

steeds, filled with rage, drew his sword for slaying that bull of

Bharata's race. Beholding his wrath, Keshava, conversant with the

workings of the (human) heart said, "Why, O Partha, dost thou draw thy

sword? I do not, O Dhananjaya, behold anyone here with whom thou hast to

fight! The Dhartarashtras have now been assailed by the intelligent

Bhimasena. Thou comest from battle, O son of Kunti, for seeing the king.

The king has been seen by thee. Indeed, Yudhishthira is well. Having seen

that tiger among kings who is endued with prowess equal to that of a

tiger, why this folly at a time when thou shouldst rejoice? I do not see

here, O son of Kunti, the person whom thou mayst slay. Why then dost thou

desire to strike? What is this delusion of thy mind? Why dost thou, with

such speed, take up that formidable sword? I ask thee this, O son, of

Kunti! What is this that thou art about, inasmuch as, O thou of

inconceivable prowess, thou graspest that sword in anger?" Thus addressed

by Krishna, Arjuna, casting his eyes on Yudhishthira, and breathing like

an angry snake, said unto Govinda, "I would cut off the head of that man

who would tell me 'Give thy Gandiva to another person." Even this is my

secret vow. Those words have been spoken by this king, O thou of

immeasurable prowess, in thy presence, O Govinda! I dare not forgive

them. I will for that slay this king who himself fears the slightest

falling from virtue. Slaying this best of men, I will keep my vow. It is

for this that I have drawn the sword, O delighter of the Yadus. Even I,

slaying Yudhishthira, will pay off my debt to truth. By that I will

dispel my grief and fever, O Janardana. I ask thee, what do you think

suitable to the circumstances that have arisen? Thou, O sire, knowest the

entire past and future of this universe. I will do what thou wilt tell

me.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Govinda then said, "Fie, fie," unto Partha and once

more continued to say, "I now know, O Partha, that thou hast not waited

upon the old, since, O tiger among men, thou hast yielded to wrath at a

time when thou shouldst not have done so. No one that is acquainted with

the distinctions of morality would act in the way, O Dhananjaya, in which

thou, O son of Pandu, that art unacquainted with them, art acting today!

He, O Partha, is the worst of men who committeth acts that should not be

done and doeth acts that are apparently proper but condemned by the

scriptures. Thou knowest not the decisions of those learned men who,

waited upon by pupils, declare their opinions, following the dictates of

morality. The man that is not acquainted with those rulings becomes

confounded and stupefied, O Partha, even as thou hast been stupefied, in

discriminating between what should be done and what should not. What

should be done and what should not cannot be ascertained easily.

Everything can be ascertained by the aid of the scriptures. Thou,

however, art not acquainted with the scriptures. Since (believing

thyself) conversant with morality, thou art desirous of observing

morality (in this way, it seems) thou art actuated by ignorance. Thou

believest thyself to be conversant with virtue, but thou dost not know, O

Partha, that the slaughter of living creatures is a sin. Abstention from

injury to animals is, I think, the highest virtue. One may even speak an

untruth, but one should never kill. How then, O foremost of men, couldst

thou wish, like an ordinary person, to slay thy eldest brother, the King,

who is conversant with morality? The slaughter of a person not engaged in

battle, or of a foe, O Bharata who has turned his face from battle or who

flies away or seeks protection or joins his hands or yields himself up or

is careless, is never applauded by the righteous. All these attributes

are in thy superior. This vow, O Partha, was adopted by thee before from

foolishness. In consequence of that vow thou art now, from folly,

desirous of perpetrating a sinful act. Why, O Partha, dost thou rush

towards thy reverend superior for slaying him, without having resolved

the exceedingly subtle course of morality that is, again, difficult of

being understood? I will now tell thee, O son of Pandu, this mystery

connected with morality, this mystery that was declared by Bhishma, by

the righteous Yudhishthira, by Vidura otherwise called Kshatri, and by

Kunti, of great celebrity. I will tell thee that mystery in all its

details. Listen to it, O Dhananjaya! One who speaks truth is righteous.

There is nothing higher than truth. Behold, however, truth as practised

is exceedingly difficult to be understood as regards its essential

attributes. Truth may be unutterable, and even falsehood may be utterable

where falsehood would become truth and truth would become falsehood. In a

situation of peril to life and in marriage, falsehood becomes utterable.

In a situation involving the loss of one's entire property, falsehood

becomes utterable. On an occasion of marriage, or of enjoying a woman, or

when life is in danger, or when one's entire property is about to be

taken away, or for the sake of a Brahmana, falsehood may be uttered.

These five kinds of falsehood have been declared to be sinless. On these

occasions falsehood would become truth and truth would become falsehood.

He is a fool that practises truth without knowing the difference between

truth and falsehood. One is said to be conversant with morality when one

is able to distinguish between truth and falsehood. What wonder then in

this that a man of wisdom, by perpetrating even a cruel act, may obtain

great merit like Valaka by the slaughter of the blind beast? What wonder,

again, in this that a foolish and ignorant person, from even the desire

of winning merit, earns great sin like Kausika (living) among the rivers?"


"'Arjuna said, "Tell me, O holy one, this story that I may understand it,

viz., this illustration about Valaka and about Kausika (living) among

rivers."


"'Vasudeva said, "There was a certain hunter of animals, O Bharata, of

the name of Valaka. He used, for the livelihood of his son and wives and

not from will, to slay animals. Devoted to the duties of his own order

and always speaking the truth and never harbouring malice, he used also

to support his parents and others that depended upon him. One day,

searching for animals even with perseverance and care, he found none. At

last he saw a beast of prey whose sense of smell supplied the defect of

his eyes, employed in drinking water. Although he had never seen such an

animal before, still he slew it immediately. After the slaughter of that

blind beast, a floral shower fell from the skies (upon the head of the

hunter). A celestial car also, exceedingly delightful and resounding with

the songs of Apsaras and the music of their instruments, came from heaven

for taking away that hunter of animals. That beast of prey, having

undergone ascetic austerities, had obtained a boon and had become the

cause of the destruction of all creatures. For this reason he was made

blind by the Self-born. Having slain that animal which had resolved to

slay all creatures, Valaka went to heaven. Morality is even so difficult

of being understood. There was an ascetic of the name of Kausika without

much knowledge of the scriptures. He lived in a spot much removed from a

village, at a point where many rivers met. He made a vow, saying, 'I must

always speak the truth.' He then became celebrated, O Dhananjaya, as a

speaker of truth. At that time certain persons, from fear of robbers,

entered that wood (where Kausika dwelt). Thither even, the robbers,

filled with rage, searched for them carefully. Approaching Kausika then,

that speaker of truth, they asked him saying, 'O holy one, by which path

have a multitude of men gone a little while before? Asked in the name of

Truth, answer us. If thou hast seen them, tell us this'. Thus adjured,

Kausika told them the truth, saying, 'Those men have entered this wood

crowded with many trees and creepers and plants'. Even thus, O Partha,

did Kausika give them the information. Then those cruel men, it is heard,

finding out the persons they sought, slew them all. In consequence of

that great sin consisting in the words spoken, Kausika, ignorant of the

subtilities of morality, fell into a grievous hell, even as a foolish

man, of little knowledge, and unacquainted with the distinctions of

morality, falleth into painful hell by not having asked persons of age

for the solution of his doubts. There must be some indications for

distinguishing virtue from sin. Sometimes that high and unattainable

knowledge may be had by the exercise of reason. Many persons say, on the

one hand, that the scriptures indicate morality. I do not contradict

this. The scriptures, however, do not provide for every case. For the

growth of creatures have precepts of morality been declared. That which

is connected with inoffensiveness is religion. Dharma protects and

preserves the people. So it is the conclusion of the Pandits that what

maintains is Dharma. O Partha, I have narrated to you the signs and

indications of Dharma. Hearing this, you decide whether Yudhishthira is

to be slaughtered by you or not." Arjuna said, "Krishna, your words are

fraught with great intelligence and impregnated with wisdom. Thou art to

us like our parents and our refuge. Nothing is unknown to thee in the

three worlds, so thou art conversant with the canons of morality. O

Keshava of the Vrishni clan, thou knowest my vow that whoever among men

would tell me, 'Partha, give thy Gandiva to some one braver than you,' I

shall at once put an end to his life. Bhima has also made a promise that

whoever would call him 'tularak', would be slaughtered by him there and

then. Now the King has repeatedly used those very words to me in thy

presence, O hero, viz., 'Give thy bow.' If I slay him, O Keshava, I will

not be able to live in this world for even a moment. Having intended

again the slaughter of the king through folly and the loss of my mental

faculties, I have been polluted by sin. It behoveth thee today, O

foremost of all righteous persons, to give me such counsel that my vow,

known throughout the world, may become true while at the same time both

myself and the eldest son of Pandu may live.'"


"'Vasudeva said, "The king was fatigued, and under the influence of

grief, He had been mangled in battle by Karna with numerous arrows. After

that, O hero, he was repeatedly struck by the Suta's son (with his

shafts), while he was retreating from battle. It was for this that,

labouring under a load of sorrow, he spoke those improper words unto thee

in wrath. He provoked thee by those words so that thou mightest slay

Karna in battle. The son of Pandu knows that the wretched Karna is

incapable of being borne by any one else in the world (save thee). It was

for this, O Partha, that the king in great wrath said those harsh words

to thy face. The stake in the game of today's battle has been made to lie

in the ever alert and always unbearable Karna. That Karna being slain,

the Kauravas would necessarily be vanquished. Even this is what the royal

son of Dharma had thought. For this the son of Dharma does not deserve

death. Thy vow also, O Arjuna, should be kept. Listen now to my counsels

that will be agreeable to thee, to counsels in consequence of which

Yudhishthira without being actually deprived of life may yet be dead. As

long as one that is deserving of respect continues to receive respect,

one is said to live in the world of men. When, however, such a person

meets with disrespect, he is spoken of as one that is dead though alive.

This king hath always been respected by thee and by Bhima and the twins,

as also by all heroes and all persons in the world that are venerable for

years. In some trifle then show him disrespect. Therefore, O Partha,

address this Yudhishthira as 'thou' when his usual form of address is

'your honour.' A superior, O Bharata, by being addressed as 'thou,' is

killed though not deprived of life. Bear thyself thus, O son of Kunti,

towards king Yudhishthira, the just. Adopt this censurable behaviour, O

perpetuator of Kuru's race! This best audition of all auditions, hath

been declared by both Atharvan and Angiras. Men desiring good should

always act in this way without scruples of any kind. Without being

deprived of life a superior is yet said to be killed if that venerable

one is addressed as 'thou.' Conversant with duty as thou art, address

king Yudhishthira the just, in the manner I have indicated. This death, O

son of Pandu, at thy hands, king Yudhishthira will never regard as an

offence committed by thee. Having addressed him in this way, thou mayst

then worship his feet and speak words of respect unto this son of Pritha

and soothe his wounded honour. Thy brother is wise. The royal son of

Pandu, therefore, will never be angry with thee. Freed from falsehood as

also from fratricide, thou wilt then, O Partha, cheerfully slay the

Suta's son Karna!"'"




70


"Sanjaya said, 'Thus addressed by Janardana, Pritha's son Arjuna,

applauding those counsels of his friend, then vehemently addressed king

Yudhishthira the just, in language that was harsh and the like of which

he had never used before.


"'Arjuna said, "Do thou not, O king, address these upbraidings to me,

thou that art passing thy time full two miles away from battle. Bhima,

however, who is battling with the foremost heroes of the world may

upbraid me. Having afflicted his foes at the proper time in battle, and

slain many brave lords of earth and many foremost of car-warriors and

huge elephants and many heroic horsemen and countless brave combatants,

he hath, in addition, slain a 1,000 elephants and 10,000 Kamboja

mountaineers, and is uttering loud roars in battle like a lion after

slaying innumerable smaller animals. That hero achieveth the most

difficult feats, the like of which thou canst never achieve. Jumping down

from his car, mace in hand, he hath destroyed a large number of steeds

and cars and elephants in battle. With also his foremost of swords he

hath destroyed many horsemen and cars and steeds and elephants. With the

broken limbs of cars, and with his bow also, he consumeth his foes.

Endued with the prowess of Indra, with his feet and also his bare arms he

slayeth numerous foes. Possessed of great might and resembling Kuvera and

Yama, he destroyeth the hostile army, putting forth his strength. That

Bhimasena hath the right to upbraid me, but not thou that art always

protected by friends. Agitating the foremost of car-warriors and

elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers, Bhima, single-handed, is now in

the midst of the Dhartarashtras. That chastiser of foes hath the right to

upbraid me. The chastiser of foes who is slaying the Kalingas, the

Vangas, the Angas, the Nishadas, and the Magadhas, and large numbers of

hostile elephants that are ever infuriated and that look like masses of

blue clouds, is competent to upbraid me. Riding on a suitable car,

shaking his bow at the proper time, and with shafts in his (other) hand,

that hero poureth showers of arrows in great battle like the clouds

pouring torrents of rain. Eight hundred elephants, I have seen, with

their frontal globes split open and the ends of their tusks cut off, have

today been slain by Bhima with shafts in battle. That slayer of foes is

competent to tell me harsh words. The learned say that the strength of

the foremost of Brahmanas lies in speech, and that the Kshatriya's

strength is in his arms. Thou, O Bharata, art strong in words and very

unfeeling. Thou thinkest me to be like thyself. I always strive to do

thee good with my soul, life, sons and wives. Since, not withstanding all

this, thou still piercest me with such wordy darts, it is evident that we

cannot expect any happiness from thee. Lying on Draupadi's bed thou

insultest me, though for thy sake I slay the mightiest of car-warriors.

Thou art without any anxiety, O Bharata, and thou art cruel. I have never

obtained any happiness from thee. It was for thy good, O chief of men,

that Bhishma, firmly devoted to truth, himself told thee the means of his

death in battle, and was slain by the heroic and high-souled Shikhandi,

the son of Drupada, protected by me. I do not derive any pleasure from

the thought of thy restoration to sovereignty, since thou art addicted to

the evil practice of gambling. Having thyself committed a wicked act to

which they only are addicted that are low, thou desirest now to vanquish

thy foes through our aid. Thou hadst heard of the numerous faults and the

great sinfulness of dice that Sahadeva spoke about. Yet dice, which are

worshipped by the wicked, thou couldst not abandon. It was for this that

all of us have fallen into hell. We have never derived any happiness from

thee since thou wert engaged in gambling with dice. Having, O son of

Pandu, thyself caused all this calamity, thou art, again, addressing

these harsh words to me. Slain by us, hostile troops are lying on the

field, with mangled bodies and uttering loud wails. It was thou that

didst that cruel act in consequence of which the Kauravas have become

offenders and are being destroyed. Nations from the North, the West, the

East, and the South, are being struck, wounded and slain, after the

performance of incomparable feats in battle by great warriors of both

sides. It was thou that hadst gambled. It was for thee that we lost our

kingdom. Our calamity arose from thee, O king! Striking us, again, with

the cruel goad of thy speeches, O king, do not provoke our wrath.'"


"Sanjaya said, 'Having addressed these harsh and exceedingly bitter words

unto his eldest brother and thereby committed a venial sin, the

intelligent Savyasaci of calm wisdom, who is ever actuated by the fear of

defection from virtue, became very cheerless. The son of the chief of the

celestials became filled with remorse and breathing heavily, drew his

sword. Seeing this, Krishna asked him, "What is this? Why dost thou again

unsheathe thy sword blue as the sky? Tell me what thy answer is, for then

I shall give thee counsel for the gratification of thy object." Thus

addressed by that foremost of men, Arjuna, in great sorrow answered

Keshava, saying, "I shall, putting forth my strength, slay my own self by

whom this wicked act hath been done." Hearing those words of Partha,

Keshava, that foremost of all righteous persons said this unto

Dhananjaya, "Having said these words unto the king, why hast thou become

so cheerless? O slayer of foes, thou desirest now to destroy thy own

self. This, however, Kiritin, is not approved by the righteous. If, O

hero among men, thou hadst today, from fear of sin, slain this thy eldest

brother of virtuous soul, what would then have been thy condition and

what wouldst thou not then have done? Morality is subtle, O Bharata, and

unknowable, especially by those that are ignorant. Listen to me as I

preach to thee. By destroying thy own self, thou wouldst sink into a more

terrible hell than if thou hadst slain thy brother. Declare now, in

words, thy own merit. Thou shalt then, O Partha, have slain thy own

self." Applauding these words and saying, "Let it be so, O Krishna,"

Dhananjaya, the son of Sakra, lowering his bow, said unto Yudhishthira,

that foremost of virtuous persons, "Listen, O king, there is no other

bowman, O ruler of men, like unto myself, except the deity that bears

Pinaka; I am regarded by even that illustrious deity. In a moment I can

destroy this universe of mobile and immobile creatures. It was I, O king,

that vanquished all the points of the compass with all the kings ruling

there, and brought all to thy subjection. The Rajasuya (performed by

thee), brought to completion by gift of Dakshina, and the celestial

palace owned by thee, were both due to my prowess. In my hands are (marks

of) sharp shafts and a stringed bow with arrow fixed thereon. On both my

soles are the signs of cars with standards. No one can vanquish a person

like me in battle. Nations from the North, the West, the East and the

South, have been struck down, slain, exterminated and destroyed. A small

remnant only of the samsaptakas is alive. I alone have slain half of the

entire (hostile) army. Slaughtered by me, the Bharata host that

resembled, O king, the very host of the celestials, is lying dead on the

field. I slay those with (high) weapons that are conversant with high

weapons. For this reason I do not reduce the three worlds to ashes.

Riding upon my terrible and victorious car, Krishna and myself will soon

proceed for slaying the Suta's son. Let this king become cheerful now. I

will surely slay Karna in battle, with my arrows. Either the Suta dame

will today be made childless by me, or Kunti will be made childless by

Karna. Truly do I say it that I will not put off my armour before I have

slain Karna with my arrows in battle.'"


"Sanjaya said, 'Having said these words unto that foremost of virtuous

persons, viz., Yudhishthira, Partha threw down his weapons and cast aside

his bow and quickly thrust his sword back into its sheath. Hanging down

his head in shame, the diadem-decked Arjuna, with joined hands, addressed

Yudhishthira, and said, "Be cheerful, O king, forgiving me. What I have

said, you will understand a little while after. I bow to thee." Thus

seeking to cheer that royal hero capable of bearing all foes, Arjuna,

that foremost of men, standing there, once more said, "This task will not

be delayed. It will be accomplished soon. Karna cometh towards me. I

shall proceed against him. I shall, with my whole soul, proceed for

rescuing Bhima from the battle and for slaying the Suta's son. I tell

thee that I hold my life for thy good. Know this for the truth, O king."

Having said so, the diadem-decked Arjuna of blazing splendour touched the

king's feet and rose for proceeding to the field. Hearing, however, those

harsh words of his brother Phalguna, Pandu's son, king Yudhishthira, the

just, rising up from that bed (on which he had been sitting), said these

words unto Partha, with his heart filled with sorrow, "O Partha, I have

acted wickedly. For that, ye have been overwhelmed with terrible

calamity. Do thou strike off, therefore, this my head today. I am the

worst of men, and the exterminator of my race. I am a wretch. I am

addicted to wicked courses. I am of foolish understanding. I am idle and

a coward. I am an insulter of the old. I am cruel. What wouldst thou gain

by always being obedient to a cruel person like me? A wretch that I am, I

shall this very day retire into the woods. Live you happily without me.

The high-souled Bhimasena is fit to be king. A eunuch that I am, what

shall I do with sovereignty? I am incapable of bearing these harsh

speeches of thee excited with wrath. Let Bhima become king. Having been

insulted thus, O hero, what use have I with life." Having said these

words, the king, leaving that bed, suddenly stood up and desired to go to

the woods. Then Vasudeva, bowing down, said unto him, "O king, the

celebrated vow of the wielder of Gandiva who is ever devoted to truth

about his Gandiva, is known to thee. That man in the world who would tell

him, 'Give thy Gandiva to another', would be slain by him. Even those

very words were addressed to him by you. Therefore, for keeping that

earnest vow, Partha, acting also at my instance, inflicted you this

insult, O lord of Earth. Insult to superiors is said to be their death.

For this reason, O thou of mighty arms, it behoveth thee to forgive me

that beseech and bow to thee this transgression, O king, of both myself

and Arjuna, committed for maintaining the truth. Both of us, O great

king, throw ourselves on thy mercy. The Earth shall today drink the blood

of the wretched son of Radha. I swear truly to thee. Know the Suta's son

as slain today. He, whose slaughter thou desirest, hath today lost his

life." Hearing those words of Krishna, king Yudhishthira the just, in a

great fury, raised the prostrate Hrishikesha and joining his hands, said

in haste, "It is even so as thou hast said. I have been guilty of a

transgression, I have now been awakened by thee, O Govinda. I am saved by

thee, O Madhava. By thee, O Acyuta, we have today been rescued from a

great calamity. Both of us stupefied by folly, viz., myself and Arjuna,

have been rescued from an ocean of distress, having obtained thee as our

lord. Indeed, having obtained the raft of thy intelligence today, we

have, with our relatives and allies, passed over an ocean of sorrow and

grief. Having obtained thee, O Acyuta, we are not masterless."'"




71


"Sanjaya said, 'Having heard these joyful words of king Yudhishthira,

Govinda of virtuous soul, that delighter of the Yadus, then addressed

Partha. The latter, however, having at the instance of Krishna addressed

those words unto Yudhishthira, became exceedingly cheerless for having

committed a trivial sin. Then Vasudeva, smiling, said unto the son of

Pandu, "What would have been thy condition, O Partha, if, observant of

virtue thou hadst slain the son of Dharma with thy sharp sword? Having

only addressed the king as thou, such cheerlessness hath possessed thy

heart. If thou hadst slain the king, O Partha, what wouldst thou have

done after that? Morality is so inscrutable, especially by persons of

foolish understanding. Without doubt great grief would have been thine in

consequence of thy fear of sin. Thou wouldst have sunk also in terrible

hell in consequence of the slaughter of thy brother. Gratify now this

king of virtuous behaviour, this foremost of all practisers of virtue,

this chief of Kuru's race. Even this is my wish. Gratifying the king with

devotion, and after Yudhishthira will have been made happy, we two will

proceed against the car of the Suta's son for fighting him. Slaying Karna

today with thy keen shafts in battle, do thou, O giver of honours, give

great happiness to Dharma's son. Even this, O mighty-armed one, is what I

think to be suitable to this hour. Having done this, thy purpose will be

achieved." Then Arjuna, O monarch, in shame, touched king Yudhishthira's

feet with his head. And he repeatedly said unto that chief of the

Bharatas, "Be pleased with me, Forgive, O king, all that I have said from

desire of observing virtue and from fear of sins.'"


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, lying weeping

at his feet, O bull of Bharata's race, king Yudhishthira the just raised

his brother. And king Yudhishthira, that lord of the earth, then embraced

his brother affectionately and wept aloud. The two brothers, of great

splendour, having wept for a long while, at last became freed from grief,

O monarch, and as cheerful as before. Then embracing him once more with

affection and smelling his head, the son of Pandu, exceedingly gratified,

applauded his brother Jaya and said, "O thou of mighty arms, in the very

sight of all the troops, my armour, standard, bow, dart, steeds, and

arrows, were cut off in battle, O great bowman, by Karna with his shafts,

although I exerted myself with care. Thinking of and seeing his feats in

battle, O Phalguna, I lose my energies in grief. Life itself is no longer

dear to me. If thou dost not slay that hero in battle today, I will cast

away my life breaths. What use have I with life?" Thus addressed, Vijaya,

replied, O bull of Bharata's race, saying, "I swear by Truth, O king, and

by thy grace, by Bhima, O best of men, and by the twins, O lord of the

earth, that today I shall slay Karna, in battle, or, being myself slain

by him fall down on the earth. Swearing truly, I touch my weapons."

Having said these words unto the king, he addressed Madhava, saying,

"Without doubt, O Krishna, I will slay Karna in battle today. Aided by

thy intelligence, blessed be thou, the slaughter of that wicked-souled

one is certain." Thus addressed, Keshava, O best of kings, said unto

Partha, "Thou art competent, O best of the Bharatas, to slay the mighty

Karna. Even this hath ever been my thought, O mighty car-warrior, as to

how, O best of men thou, wouldst slay Karna in battle." Endued with great

intelligence, Madhava once more addressed the son of Dharma, saying, "O

Yudhishthira, it behoveth thee to comfort Vibhatsu, and command him to

slaughter Karna of wicked soul. Having heard that thou hadst been

afflicted with shafts of Karna, myself and this one came hither, O son of

Pandu, for ascertaining thy plight. By good luck, O king, thou wert not

slain. By good luck thou wert not seized. Comfort thy Vibhatsu, and bless

him, O sinless one, with thy wishes for his victory.'"


"'Yudhishthira said, "Come, Come, O Partha, O Vibhatsu, and embrace me, O

son of Pandu. Thou hast told me beneficial words that deserved to be

said, and I have forgiven thee. I command thee, O Dhananjaya, go and slay

Karna. Do not, O Partha, be angry for the harsh words I said unto thee.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Then Dhananjaya, O king, bowed unto Yudhishthira by

bending his head, and seized with his two hands, O sire, the feet of his

eldest brother. Raising him and embracing him closely, the king smelt his

head and once more said these words unto him, "O Dhananjaya, O thou of

mighty arms, I have been greatly honoured by thee. Do thou ever win

greatness and victory.'"


"'Arjuna said, "Approaching Radha's son today that is proud of his might,

I shall slay that man of sinful deeds with my shafts in battle, along

with all his kinsmen and followers. He who, having bent the bow strongly,

afflicted thee with his shafts, I say, that Karna, will obtain today the

bitter fruit of that act of his. Having slain Karna, O lord of the earth,

I shall today come back from the dreadful battle to pay thee my respects

by walking behind thee. I tell thee this truly. Without having slain

Karna I shall not come back today from the great battle. Truly do I swear

this by touching thy feet, O lord of the universe.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Unto the diadem-decked (Arjuna) who was speaking in

that way, Yudhishthira, with a cheerful heart, said these words of grave

import, "Do thou obtain imperishable fame, and such a period of life as

accordeth with thy own desire, and victory, and energy, and the

destruction of thy foes. Let the gods grant thee prosperity. Obtain thou

all these to the measure desired by me. Go quickly to battle, and slay

Karna, even as Purandara slew Vritra for his own aggrandisement."'"




72


"Sanjaya said, 'Having with a cheerful heart gratified king Yudhishthira

the just, Partha, prepared to slay the Suta's son, addressed Govinda,

saying, "Let my car be once more equipped and let my foremost of steeds

be yoked thereto. Let all kinds of weapon be placed upon that great

vehicle. The steeds have rolled on the ground. They have been trained by

persons skilled in horse lore. Along with the other equipment of the car,

let them be quickly brought and decked in their trappings. Proceed

quickly, O Govinda, for the slaughter of the Suta's son." Thus addressed,

O monarch, by the high-souled Phalguna, Krishna commanded Daruka, saying,

"Do all that Arjuna, that chief of Bharata's race and that foremost of

all wielders of the bow, hath said." Thus ordered by Krishna, Daruka, O

best of kings, yoked those steeds unto that car covered with tiger-skins

and ever capable of scorching all foes. He then represented unto the

high-souled son of Pandu the fact of having equipped his vehicle.

Beholding the car equipped by the high-souled Daruka, Phalguna, obtaining

Yudhishthira's leave and causing the Brahmanas to perform propitiatory

rites and utter benedictions on him, ascended that excellent vehicle.

King Yudhishthira the just, of great wisdom, also blessed him. After

this, Phalguna proceeded towards Karna's car. Beholding that great bowman

thus proceeding, all creatures, O Bharata, regarded Karna as already

slain by the high-souled Pandava. All the points of the compass, O king,

became serene. King-fishers and parrots and herons, O king, wheeled

around the son of Pandu. A large number of beautiful and auspicious

birds, O king, called Pung, causing Arjuna (by their timely appearance)

to put forth greater speed in battle, cheerfully uttered their cries

around him. Terrible Kankas and vultures, and cranes and hawks and

ravens, O king, tempted by the prospect of food, proceeded in advance of

his car, and indicated auspicious omens foreboding the destruction of the

hostile host and the slaughter of Karna. And while Partha proceeded, a

copious perspiration covered his body. His anxiety also became very great

as to how he would achieve his vow. The slayer of Madhu then, beholding

Partha filled with anxiety as he proceeded, addressed the wielder of

Gandiva and said these words.


"'Vasudeva said, "O wielder of Gandiva, save thee there exists no other

man that could vanquish those whom thou hast vanquished with this bow of

thine. We have seen many heroes, who, endued with prowess like that

Sakra, have attained to the highest regions, encountering thy heroic self

in battle! Who else, O puissant one, that is not equal to thee, would be

safe and sound after encountering Drona and Bhishma and Bhagadatta, O

sire, and Vinda and Anuvinda of Avanti and Sudakshina, the chief of the

Kambojas and Srutayudha of mighty energy and Acyutayudha as well? Thou

hast celestial weapons, and lightness of hand and might, and thou art

never stupefied in battle! Thou hast also that humility which is due to

knowledge! Thou canst strike with effect! Thou hast sureness of aim, and

presence of mind as regards the selection of means, O Arjuna! Thou art

competent to destroy all mobile and immobile creatures including the very

gods with the Gandharvas! On earth, O Partha, there is no human warrior

who is equal to thee in battle. Amongst all Kshatriyas, invincible in

battle, that wield the bow, amongst the very gods, I have not seen or

heard of even one that is equal to thee. The Creator of all beings, viz.,

Brahma himself created the great bow Gandiva with which thou fightest, O

Partha! For this reason there is no one that is equal to thee. I must,

however, O son of Pandu, say that which is beneficial to thee. Do not. O

mighty-armed one, disregard Karna, that ornament of battle! Karna is

possessed of might. He is proud and accomplished in weapons. He is a

maharatha. He is accomplished (in the ways of battle) and conversant with

all modes of warfare. He is also well-acquainted with all that suits

place and time. What need is there of saying much? Hear in brief, O son

of Pandu! I regard the mighty car-warrior Karna as thy equal, or perhaps,

thy superior! With the greatest care and resolution shouldst thou slay

him in great battle. In energy he is equal to Agni. As regards speed, he

is equal to the impetuosity of the wind. In wrath, he resembles the

Destroyer himself. Endued with might, he resembles a lion in the

formation of his body. He is eight ratnis in stature. His arms are large.

His chest is broad. He is invincible. He is sensitive. He is a hero. He

is, again, the foremost of heroes. He is exceedingly handsome. Possessed

of every accomplishment of a warrior, he is a dispeller of the fears of

friends. Engaged in the good of Dhritarashtra's son, he always hates the

sons of Pandu. No one, not even the gods with Vasava at their head, can

slay the son of Radha, save thee, as I think. Slay, therefore, the Suta's

son today. No one possessed of flesh and blood, not even the gods

fighting with great care, not all the warriors (of the three worlds)

fighting together can vanquish that car-warrior. Towards the Pandavas he

is always of wicked soul and sinful behaviour, and cruel, and of wicked

intelligence. In his quarrel with the sons of Pandu, he is actuated by no

consideration affecting his own interests. Slaying that Karna, therefore,

fulfill thy purpose today. Despatch today unto Yama's presence that

Suta's son, that foremost of car-warriors, whose death is near. Indeed,

slaying that Suta's son, that first of car-warriors, show the love for

Yudhishthira the just. I know thy prowess truly, O Partha, which is

incapable of being resisted by the gods and Asuras. The Suta's son of

wicked soul, from exceeding pride, always disregards the sons of Pandu. O

Dhananjaya, slay that man today for whose sake the wretched Duryodhana

regardeth himself a hero, that root of all (those) sinful persons, that

son of a Suta. Slay, O Dhananjaya, that tiger among men, that active and

proud Karna, who hath a sword for his tongue, a bow for his mouth, and

arrows for his teeth. I know thee well as regards the energy and the

might that are in thee. Slay the brave Karna in battle, like a lion

slaying an elephant. Slay in battle today, O Partha, that Karna,

otherwise called Vaikartana, in consequence of whose energy

Dhritarashtra's son disregards thine.'"




73


"Sanjaya said, 'Once more Keshava of immeasurable soul said these words

unto Arjuna, who, O Bharata, was advancing (to battle), firmly resolved

upon slaying Karna, 'Today is the seventeenth day, O Bharata, of this

terrible massacre of men and elephants and steeds. At the outset vast was

the host that belonged to you. Encountering the foe in battle, that host

has been very much reduced in numbers, O king! The Kauravas also, O

Partha, were numerous at first, teeming with elephants and steeds.

Encountering thee, however, as their foe, they have been nearly

exterminated in the van of battle! These lords of Earth and these

Srinjayas, united together, and these Pandava troops also, obtaining thy

invincible self as their leader, are maintaining their ground on the

field. Protected by thee, O slayer of foes, the Pancalas, the Matsyas,

the Karushas, and the Cedis, have caused a great destruction of thy foes.

Who is there that can vanquish the assembled Kauravas in battle? On the

other hand, who is there that can vanquish the mighty car-warriors of the

Pandavas protected by thee? Thou, however, art competent to vanquish in

battle the three worlds consisting of the gods, the asuras, and human

beings, united together. What need I say then of the Kaurava host? Save

thee, O tiger among men, who else is there, even if he resemble Vasava

himself in prowess, that could vanquish king Bhagadatta? So also, O

sinless one, all the lords of earth, united together, are incapable, O

Partha, of even gazing at this vast force that is protected by thee. So

also, O Partha, it is owing to their having been always protected by thee

that Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi succeeded in slaying Drona and Bhishma.

Who, indeed, O Partha, could vanquish in battle those two mighty

car-warriors of the Bharatas, Bhishma and Drona, both of whom were endued

with prowess equal to that of Sakra himself? Save thee, O tiger among

men, what other man in this world is able to vanquish those fierce lords

of akshauhinis, those unreturning and invincible heroes, all accomplished

in weapons and united together, Shantanu's son Bhishma, and Drona, and

Vaikartana, and Kripa, and Drona's son, and king Duryodhana himself?

Innumerable divisions of soldiers have been destroyed (by thee), their

steeds and cars and elephants having been mangled (with thy shafts).

Numberless Kshatriyas also, wrathful and fierce, hailing from diverse

provinces, have been destroyed by thee. Teeming with horses and

elephants, large bodies of combatants of diverse Kshatriya clans, such as

the Govasas, the Dasamiyas, the Vasatis, O Bharata, and the Easterners,

the Vatadhanas, and the Bhojas that are very sensitive of their honour,

approaching thee and Bhima, O Bharata, have met with destruction. Of

terrible deeds and exceedingly fierce, the Tusharas, the Yavanas, the

Khasas, the Darvabhisaras, the Daradas, the Sakas, the Kamathas, the

Ramathas, the Tanganas the Andhrakas, the Pulindas, the Kiratas of fierce

prowess, the Mlecchas, the Mountaineers, and the races hailing from the

sea-side, all endued with great wrath and great might, delighting in

battle and armed with maces, these all--united with the Kurus and

fighting wrathfully for Duryodhana's sake were incapable of being

vanquished in battle by anybody else save thee, O scorcher of foes! What

man, unprotected by thee, could advance, beholding the mighty and

swelling host of the Dhartarashtras arrayed in order of battle? Protected

by thee, O puissant one, the Pandavas, filled with wrath, and penetrating

into its midst, have destroyed that host shrouded with dust and

resembling a swollen sea. Seven days have elapsed since the mighty

Jayatsena, the ruler of the Magadhas, was slain in battle by Abhimanyu.

After that, 10,000 elephants, of fierce feats, that used to follow that

king, were slain by Bhimasena with his mace. After that, other elephants,

and car-warriors, by hundreds, have been destroyed by Bhima in that

exercise of his might. Even thus, O Partha, during the progress of this

awful battle, the Kauravas, with their steeds and carwarriors and

elephants, encountering Bhimasena and thee, O son of Pandu, have from

hence repaired to the region of Death. The van of the Kaurava army, O

Partha, having been struck down by the Pandavas, Bhishma shot showers of

fierce shafts, O sire! Conversant with the highest weapons, he shrouded

the Cedis, the Pancalas, the Karushas, the Matsyas, and the Kaikayas with

the shafts, and deprived them of life! The welkin became filled with

gold-winged and straight coursing shafts, capable of piercing the bodies

of all foes, that issued out of his bow. He slew thousands of

car-warriors, shooting showers of shafts at a time. In all, he slew a

100,000 men and elephants of great might. Abandoning the diverse motions,

each of a new kind, in which they careered, those wicked kings and

elephants, while perishing, destroyed many steeds and cars and elephants.

Indeed, numberless were the shafts that Bhishma shot in battle.

Slaughtering the Pandava host for ten days together, Bhishma made the

terraces of numberless cars empty and deprived innumerable elephants and

steeds of life. Having assumed the form of Rudra or of Upendra in battle,

he afflicted the Pandava divisions and caused a great carnage amongst

them. Desirous of rescuing the wicked Suyodhana who was sinking in a

raftless sea, he slaughtered many lords of Earth among the Cedis, the

Pancalas, and the Kaikayas, and caused a great massacre of the Pandava

army teeming with cars and steeds and elephants. Innumerable

foot-soldiers among the Srinjayas, all well-armed, and other lords of

earth, were incapable of even looking at that hero when he careered in

battle like the Sun himself of scorching splendour. At last the Pandavas,

with all their resources, made a mighty effort, and rushed against that

warrior who, inspired with the desire of victory, used to career in

battle even in this way. Without availing himself of any aid, he routed,

however, the Pandavas and the Srinjayas in battle, and came to be

regarded as the one foremost hero in the world. Encountering him,

Shikhandi, protected by thee, slew that tiger among men with his straight

shafts. Having obtained thee that art a tiger among men (as his foe),

that grandsire is now stretched on a bed of arrows, like Vritra when he

obtained Vasava for his foe. The fierce Drona also slaughtered the

hostile army for five days together. Having made an impenetrable array

and caused many mighty car-warriors to be slain, that great car-warrior

had protected Jayadratha (for some time). Fierce as the Destroyer

himself, he caused a great carnage in the nocturnal battle. Endued with

great valour, the heroic son of Bharadwaja consumed innumerable

combatants with his arrows. At last, encountering Dhrishtadyumna, he

attained to the highest end. If, on that day, thou hadst not checked in

battle all the (Dhartarashtra) car-warriors headed by the Suta's son,

Drona then would never have been slain. Thou heldst in check the whole

Dhartarashtra force. It was for this, O Dhananjaya, that Drona could be

slain by the son of Prishata. What other Kshatriya, save thee, could in

battle achieve such feats for compassing the slaughter of Jayadratha.

Checking the vast (Kaurava) army and slaying many brave kings, thou

killedest king Jayadratha, aided by the might and energy of thy weapons.

All the kings regarded the slaughter of the ruler of the Sindhus to have

been exceedingly wonderful. I, however, do not regard it so; thou didst

it and thou art a great car-warrior. If this vast assemblage of

Kshatriyas, obtaining thee as a foe, suffer extermination in course of

even a whole day, I should, I think, still regard these Kshatriyas to be

truly mighty. When Bhishma and Drona have been slain, the terrible

Dhartarashtra host, O Partha, may be regarded to have lost all its

heroes. Indeed, with all its foremost warriors slain, with its steeds,

cars, and elephants destroyed, the Bharata army looketh today like the

firmament, reft of the Sun, the Moon, and stars. Yonder host of fierce

prowess, O Partha, hath been shorn of its splendours today like the Asura

host in days of yore shorn of its splendours by Sakra's prowess. The

remnant of that grand master now consists of only five great

car-warriors, viz., Ashvatthama, Kritavarma, Karna, Shalya, and Kripa.

Slaying those five great car-warriors today, O tiger among men, be thou a

hero that hath killed all his foes, and bestow thou the Earth with all

her islands and cities on king Yudhishthira. Let Pritha's son

Yudhishthira of immeasurable energy and prosperity, obtain today the

whole earth with the welkin above it, the waters on it, and the nether

regions below it. Slaying this host like Vishnu in days of yore slaying

the Daityas and the Danavas, bestow the Earth on the king like Hari

bestowing (the three worlds) on Sakra. Let the Pancalas rejoice today,

their foes being slain, like the celestials rejoicing after the slaughter

of the Danavas by Vishnu. If in consequence of thy regard for that

foremost of men, viz., thy preceptor Drona, thou cherishest compassion

for Ashvatthama, if, again, thou hast any kindness for Kripa for the sake

of respect that is due to a preceptor, if, approaching Kritavarma, thou

dost not despatch him today to Yama's abode in consequence of the honour

that is due to one's kinsmen by the mother's side, if, O lotus-eyed one,

approaching thy mother's brother, viz., Shalya, the ruler of the Madras,

thou dost not from compassion slay him, I ask thee, do thou, with keen

shafts, O foremost of men slay Karna today with speed, that vile wretch

of sinful heart who cherisheth the fiercest hate for the son of Pandu.

This is thy noblest duty. There is nothing in it that would be improper.

We approve of it, and here is no fault in the act. The wicked-souled

Karna is the root, O thou of unfading glory, of that attempt, O sinless

one, made in the night for burning thy mother with all her children, and

of that conduct which Suyodhana adopted towards you in consequence of

that match at dice. Suyodhana always hopeth for deliverance through

Karna. Filled with rage, he endeavours to afflict me also (in consequence

of that support). It is the firm belief of Dhritarashtra's royal son, O

giver of honours, that Karna, without doubt, will slay all the Prithas in

battle. Though fully acquainted with thy might, still, O son of Kunti,

Dhritarashtra's son hath selected war with you in consequence of his

reliance on Karna. Karna also always says, 'I will vanquish the assembled

Parthas and that mighty car-warrior, viz., Vasudeva of Dasharha's race'.

Buoying up the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra, the wicked Karna

always roareth in the (Kuru) assembly. Slay him today, O Bharata. In all

the acts of injury, of which Dhritarashtra's son hath been guilty towards

you, the wicked-souled Karna of sinful understanding hath been the

leader. I saw the heroic son of Subhadra of eyes like those of a bull,

slain by six mighty car-warriors of cruel heart belonging to the

Dhritarashtra army. Grinding those bulls among men, viz., Drona, Drona's

son, Kripa and other heroes, he deprived elephants of their riders and

mighty car-warriors of their cars. The bull-necked Abhimanyu, that

spreader of the fame of both the Kurus and the Vrishnis, deprived steeds

also of their riders and foot-soldiers of weapons and life. Routing the

(Kaurava) divisions and afflicting many mighty car-warriors, he

despatched innumerable men and steeds and elephants to Yama's abode. I

swear by Truth to thee, O friend, that my limbs are burning at the

thought that while the son of Subhadra was thus advancing, consuming the

hostile army with his shafts, even on that occasion the wicked-souled

Karna was engaged in acts of hostility to that hero, O lord! Unable, O

Partha, to stay in that battle before Abhimanyu's face, mangled with the

shafts of Subhadra's son, deprived of consciousness, and bathed in blood,

Karna drew deep breaths, inflamed with rage. At last, afflicted with

arrows, he was obliged to turn his back upon the field. Eagerly desirous

of flying away and becoming hopeless of life, he stayed for some time in

battle, perfectly stupefied and exhausted with the wounds he had

received. At last hearing those cruel words of Drona in battle--words

that were suited to the hour--Karna cut off Abhimanyu's bow. Made bowless

by him in that battle, five great car-warriors then, well-versed in the

ways of foul warfare, slew that hero with showers of shafts. Upon the

slaughter of that hero, grief entered the heart of everyone. Only, the

wicked-souled Karna and Suyodhana laughed in joy. (Thou rememberest also)

the harsh and bitter words that Karna cruelly said unto Krishna in the

(Kuru) assembly, in the presence of the Pandavas and Kurus, 'The

Pandavas, O Krishna, are dead! They have sunk into eternal hell! O thou

of large hips, choose other lords now, O thou of sweet speeches! Enter

now the abode of Dhritarashtra as a serving woman, for, O thou of curving

eye-lashes, thy husbands are no more! The Pandavas will not, O Krishna,

be of any service to thee today! Thou art the wife of men that are

slaves, O princess of Pancala, and thou art thyself, O beautiful lady, a

slave! Today only Duryodhana is regarded as the one king on earth; all

other kings of the world are worshipping the agency by which his

administration is kept up. Behold now, O amiable one, how all the sons of

Pandu have equally fallen! Overwhelmed by the energy of Dhritarashtra's

son, they are now silently eyeing one another. It is evident that they

are all sesame seeds without kernel, and have sunk into hell. They will

have to serve the Kaurava (Duryodhana), that king of kings, as his

slaves.' Even these were the foul words that that wretch, viz., the

sinful Karna of exceedingly wicked heart, spoke on that occasion, in thy

hearing, O Bharata! Let gold-decked shafts whetted on stone and capable

of taking the life of him at whom they are sped, shot by thee, quench

(the fire of) those words and all the other wrongs that that

wicked-souled wight did unto thee. Let thy shafts quench all those wrongs

and the life also of that wicked wight. Feeling the touch of terrible

arrows sped from Gandiva, let the wicked-souled Karna recollect today the

words of Bhishma and Drona! Let foe-killing cloth-yard shafts, equipped

with the effulgence of lightning, shot by thee, pierce his vital limbs

and drink his blood! Let fierce and mighty shafts, of great impetuosity,

sped by thy arms, penetrate the vitals of Karna today and despatch him to

Yama's abode. Let all the kings of the earth, cheerless and filled with

grief and uttering wails of woe, behold Karna fall down from his car

today, afflicted with thy arrows. Let his kinsmen, with cheerless faces,

behold Karna today, fallen down and stretched at his length on the earth,

dipped in gore and with his weapons loosened from his grasp! Let the

lofty standard of Adhiratha's son, bearing the device of the elephant's

rope, fall fluttering on the earth, cut off by thee with a broad-headed

arrow. Let Shalya fly away in terror, abandoning the gold-decked car (he

drives) upon seeing it deprived of its warrior and steeds and cut off

into fragments with hundreds of shafts by thee. Let thy enemy Suyodhana

today, beholding Adhiratha's son slain by thee, despair of both his life

and kingdom. Yonder, O Partha, Karna, equal unto Indra in energy, or,

perhaps, Sankara himself, is slaughtering thy troops with his shafts.

There the Pancalas, though slaughtered by Karna with his whetted shafts,

are yet, O chief of Bharata's race, rushing (to battle), for serving the

cause of the Pandavas. Know, O Partha, that is prevailing over the

Pancalas, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and Dhrishtadyumna and

Shikhandi, and the sons of Dhrishtadyumna, and Satanika, the son of

Nakula, and Nakula himself, and Sahadeva, and Durmukha, and Janamejaya,

and Sudharman, and Satyaki! The loud uproar made by those allies of

thine, viz., the Pancalas, O scorcher of foes, as they are being struck

by Karna in dreadful battle, is heard. The Pancalas have not at all been

inspired with fear, nor do they turn away their faces from the battle.

Those mighty bowmen are utterly reckless of death in great battle.

Encountering even that Bhishma who, single-handed, had encompassed the

Pandava army with a cloud of shafts, the Pancalas did not turn away their

faces from him. Then again, O chastiser of foes, they always strove with

alacrity to vanquish forcibly in battle their great foe, viz., the

invincible Drona, that preceptor of all wielders of the bow, that blazing

fire of weapons, that hero who always burnt his foes in battle. They have

never turned their faces from battle, afraid of Adhiratha's son. The

heroic Karna, however, with his shafts, is taking the lives of the

Pancala warriors endued with great activity as they are advancing against

him, like a blazing fire taking the lives of myriads of insects. The son

of Radha, in this battle, is destroying in hundreds the Pancalas that are

advancing against him,--those heroes, that are resolved to lay down their

lives for the sake of their allies! It behoveth thee, O Bharata, to

become a raft and rescue those brave warriors, those great bowmen, that

are sinking in the raftless ocean represented by Karna. The awful form of

that weapon which was obtained by Karna from that foremost of sages,

viz., Rama of Bhrigu's race, hath been displayed. Scorching all the

troops, that weapon of exceedingly fierce and awful form is blazing with

its own energy, surrounding our vast army. Those arrows, sped from

Karna's bow, are coursing in battle thick as swarm of bees, and scorching

thy troops. Encountering Karna's weapon in battle, that is irresistible

by persons not having their souls under control, there the Pancalas, O

Bharata, are flying away in all directions! Yonder, Bhima, of

unappeasable wrath, surrounded on all sides by the Srinjayas, is fighting

with Karna, O Partha, afflicted by the latter with keen shafts! If

neglected, Karna will, O Bharata, exterminate the Pandavas, the

Srinjayas, and the Pancalas, like a neglected disease whose germ has

entered the body. Save thee I do not see another in Yudhishthira's army

that would come home safe and sound, having encountered the son of Radha

in battle. Slaying that Karna today with thy keen shafts, O bull among

men, act according to thy vow, O Partha, and win great fame. I tell thee

truly, thou only art able to vanquish in battle the Kaurava host with

Karna amongst them, and no one else, O foremost of warriors! Achieving

this great feat, viz., slaying the mighty car-warrior Karna, attain thy

object, O Partha, and crowned with success, be happy, O best of men!'"




74


"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing these words of Keshava, O Bharata, Vibhatsu soon

cast off his anxiety and became cheerful. Rubbing then the string of

gandiva and stretching it, he held his bow for the destruction of Karna,

and addressed Keshava, saying, 'With thee for my protector, O Govinda,

and when thou that art acquainted with the past and the future art

gratified with me today, victory is sure to be mine. Aided by thee, O

Krishna, I can, in great battle, destroy the three worlds assembled

together, what need be said of Karna then? I see the Pancala host is

flying away, O Janardana. I see also Karna careering fearlessly in

battle. I see too the bhargava weapon careering in all directions, having

been invoked by Karna, O thou of Vrishni's race, like the puissant

thunder invoked by Shakra. This is that battle in which Karna will be

slain by me and of which all creatures will speak as long as the earth

will last. Today, O Krishna, unbarbed arrows, impelled by my arms and

sped from the gandiva, mangling Karna, will take him to Yama. Today king

Dhritarashtra will curse that intelligence of his in consequence of which

he had installed Duryodhana, who was undeserving of sovereignty, on the

throne. Today, O mighty-armed one, Dhritarashtra will be divested of

sovereignty, happiness, prosperity, kingdom, city, and sons. I tell thee

truly, O Krishna, that today, Karna being slain, Duryodhana will become

hopeless of both life and kingdom. Today, beholding Karna cut in pieces

by me with my arrows, like Vritra in days of yore by Indra in the battle

between the gods and the asuras, let king Duryodhana call to mind the

words thou hast spoken for bringing about peace. Today let the son of

Subala, O Krishna, know that my shafts are dice, my gandiva the box for

throwing them, and my car, the chequered cloth. O Govinda, slaying Karna

with keen shafts I will dispel the long sleeplessness of Kunti's son.

Today the royal son of Kunti, upon the slaughter of the Suta's son by me,

shall be gratified and be of cheerful heart and obtain happiness for

ever. Today, O Keshava, I will shoot an irresistible and unrivalled arrow

that will deprive Karna of life. Even this, O Krishna, was the vow of

that wicked-souled one about my slaughter, viz., 'I will not wash my feet

till I slay Phalguna.' Falsifying this vow of that wretch, O slayer of

Madhu, I will, with straight shafts, throw down his body today from his

car. Today the earth will drink the blood of that Suta's son who in

battle condemns all other men on earth! With Dhritarashtra's approbation,

the Suta's son Karna, boasting of his own merits, had said, 'Thou hast no

husband now, O Krishna!' My keen shafts will falsify that speech of his.

Like angry snakes of virulent poison, they will drink his life-blood.

Cloth-yard shafts, of the effulgence of the lightning, shot by myself

possessed of mighty arms, sped from Gandiva, will send Karna on his last

journey. Today the son of Radha will repent for those cruel words that he

said unto the princess of Pancala in the midst of the assembly, in

disparagement of the Pandavas! They that were on that occasion sesame

seeds without kernel, will today become seeds with kernel after the fall

of the Suta's son Karna of wicked soul, otherwise called Vaikartana! 'I

will save ye from the sons of Pandu!'--even these were the words that

Karna, bragging of his own merits, said unto the sons of Dhritarashtra!

My keen shafts will falsify that speech of his! Today, in the very sight

of all the bowmen, I will slay that Karna who said, 'I will slay all the

Pancalas with their sons.' Today, O slayer of Madhu, I will slay that

Karna, that son of Radha, relying on whose prowess the proud son of

Dhritarashtra, of wicked understanding, always disregarded us. Today, O

Krishna, after Karna's fall, the Dhartarashtras with their king, struck

with panic, will fly away in all directions, like deer afraid of the

lion. Today let king Duryodhana repent upon the slaughter of Karna, with

his sons and relatives, by me in battle. Today, beholding Karna slain,

let the wrathful son of Dhritarashtra, O Krishna, know me to be the

foremost of all bowmen in battle. Today, I will make king Dhritarashtra,

with his sons and grandsons and counsellors and servants, shelterless.

Today, cranes and other carnivorous birds will, O Keshava, sport over the

limbs of Karna cut off into pieces with my shafts. Today, O slayer of

Madhu, I will cut off in battle the head of Radha's son Karna, in the

very sight of all the bowmen. Today, O slayer of Madhu, I will cut off in

battle the limbs of Radha's son of wicked soul with keen vipathas and

razor-faced arrows. Today, the heroic king Yudhishthira will cast off a

great pain and a great sorrow cherished long in his heart. Today, O

Keshava, slaying the son of Radha, with all his kinsmen, I will gladden

king Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma. Today, I will slay the cheerless

followers of Karna in battle, with shafts resembling the blazing fire or

the poison of the snake. Today, with my straight shafts equipped with

vulturine feathers, I will, O Govinda, cause the earth to be strewn with

(the bodies of) kings cased in golden armour. Today, O slayer of Madhu, I

will, with keen shafts, crush the bodies and cut off the heads of all the

foes of Abhimanyu. Today, I will bestow the earth, divested of

Dhartarashtras on my brother, or, perhaps, thou, O Keshava, wilt walk

over the earth divested of Arjuna! Today, O Krishna, I will free myself

from the debt I owe to all bowmen, to my own wrath, to the Kurus, to my

shafts, and to gandiva. Today, I will be freed from the grief that I have

cherished for thirteen years, O Krishna, by slaying Karna in battle like

Maghavat slaying Samvara. Today, after I have slain Karna in battle, let

the mighty car-warriors of the Somakas, who are desirous of accomplishing

the task of their allies, regard their task as accomplished. I do not

know what will be the measure, O Madhava, of the joy of Sini's grandson

today after I shall have slain Karna and won the victory. Today, I will

slay Karna in battle as also his son, that mighty car-warrior, and give

joy to Bhima and the twins and Satyaki. Today, slaying Karna in dreadful

battle, I will pay off my debt, O Madhava, to the Pancalas with

Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi! Today let all behold the wrathful

Dhananjaya fight with the Kauravas in battle and slay the Suta's son.

Once more there is none equal to me in the world. In prowess also, who is

there that resembles me? What other man is there that is equal to me in

forgiveness? In wrath also, there is no one that is equal to me. Armed

with the bow and aided by the prowess of my arms, I can vanquish the

Asuras and the gods and all creatures united together. Know that my

prowess is higher than the highest. Alone assailing all the Kurus and the

Bahlikas with the fire of my shafts issuing from Gandiva, I will, putting

forth my might, burn them with their followers like a fire in the midst

of a heap of dry grass at the close of winter. My palms bear these marks

of arrows and this excellent and outstretched bow with arrow fixed on the

string. On each of the soles of my feet occur the mark of a car and a

standard. When a person like me goeth forth to battle, he cannot be

vanquished by any one." Having said these words unto Acyuta, that

foremost of all heroes, that slayer of foes, with blood red eyes,

proceeded quickly to battle, for rescuing Bhima and cutting off the head

from Karna's trunk.'"




75


"Dhritarashtra said, 'In that awful and fathomless encounter of the

Pandavas and the Srinjayas with the warriors of my army, when Dhananjaya,

O sire, proceeded for battle, how, indeed, did the fight occur?'


"Sanjaya said, 'The innumerable divisions of the Pandava army, decked

with lofty standards and swelling (with pride and energy) and united

together in battle, began to roar aloud, drums and other instruments

constituting their mouth, like masses of clouds at the close of summer

uttering deep roars. The battle that ensued resembled a baneful shower

out of season, cruel and destructive of living creatures. Huge elephants

were its clouds; weapons were the water they were to pour; the peal of

musical instruments, the rattle of car-wheels, and the noise of palms,

constituted their roar; diverse weapons decked with gold formed their

flashes of lightning; and arrows and swords and cloth-yard shafts and

mighty weapons constituted their torrents of rain. Marked by impetuous

onsets blood flowed in streams in that encounter. Rendered awful by

incessant strokes of the sword, it was fraught with a great carnage of

Kshatriyas. Many car-warriors, united together, encompassed one

car-warrior and despatched him to Yama's presence. Or, one foremost of

car-warriors despatched a single adversary, or one despatched many

adversaries united together. Again, some one car-warrior despatched to

Yama's abode some one adversary along with his driver and steeds. Some

one rider, with a single elephant, despatched many car-warriors and

horsemen. Similarly, Partha, with clouds of shafts, despatched large

number of cars with drivers and steeds, of elephants and horses with

their riders, and of foot-soldiers, belonging to the enemy. Kripa and

Shikhandi encountered each other in that battle, while Satyaki proceeded

against Duryodhana. And Srutasravas was engaged with Drona's son, and

Yudhamanyu with Citrasena. The great Srinjaya car-warrior Uttamauja was

engaged with Karna's son Sushena, while Sahadeva rushed against Shakuni,

the king of the Gandharas, like a hungry lion against a mighty bull. The

youthful Satanika, the son of Nakula, rushed against the youthful

Vrishasena, the son of Karna, shooting showers of shafts. The heroic son

of Karna struck that son of the princess of Pancala with many arrows.

Conversant with all modes of warfare, Madri's son Nakula, that bull among

car-warriors, assailed Kritavarma. The king of the Pancalas,

Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Yajnasena, attacked Karna, the commander of

the Kaurava army, with all his forces. Duhshasana, O Bharata, with the

swelling host of the samsaptakas forming a portion of the Bharata army,

fiercely attacked in that battle Bhima, that foremost of warriors of

irresistible impetuosity. The heroic Uttamauja, putting forth his

strength struck the son of Karna and cut off his head which fell down on

the earth, filling the earth and the welkin with a loud noise. Beholding

the head of Sushena lying on the ground, Karna became filled with grief.

Soon, however, in rage he cut off the steeds, the car, and the standard,

of his son's slayer with many keen shafts. Meanwhile Uttamauja, piercing

with his keen shafts and cutting off with his bright sword the steeds of

Kripa and those warriors also that protected Kripa's sides, quickly

ascended the car of Shikhandi. Beholding Kripa deprived of his car,

Shikhandi who was on his vehicle, wished not to strike him with his

shafts. The son of Drona then, covering with his own the car of Kripa,

rescued the latter like a bull sunk in a mire. Meanwhile Bhima, the son

of the Wind-god clad in golden mail, began to scorch with his keen arrows

the troops of thy sons like the mid-day sun scorching everything in the

summer season.'"




76


"Sanjaya said, 'During the progress of the fierce engagement, Bhima,

while fighting along, being encompassed by innumerable foes, addressed

his driver, saying, "Bear me into the midst of the Dhartarashtra host.

Proceed, O charioteer, with speed, borne by these steeds. I will despatch

all these Dhartarashtras to the presence of Yama." Thus urged by

Bhimasena, the charioteer proceeded, quickly and with great impetuosity,

against thy son's host to that spot whence Bhima desired to slaughter it.

Then a large number of Kaurava troops, with elephants and cars and horse

and foot, advanced against him from all sides. They then, from every

side, began to strike that foremost of vehicles belonging to Bhima, with

numerous arrows. The high-souled Bhima, however, with his own shafts of

golden wings, cut off all those advancing arrows of his enemies. Thus cut

off into two or three fragments with Bhima's arrows, those shafts,

equipped with golden wings, of his enemies, fell down on the earth. Then,

O king, amongst those foremost of Kshatriyas, struck with Bhima's shafts,

the elephants and cars and horse and foot, set up a loud wail, O monarch,

that resembled the din made by mountains when riven with thunder. Thus

struck by Bhima, those foremost of Kshatriyas, their limbs pierced with

Bhima's powerful shafts, rushed against Bhima in that battle from every

side, like new-fledged birds towards a tree. When thy troops thus rushed

against him, Bhima of furious impetuosity displayed all his vim like

Destroyer himself armed with a mace when he burns and exterminates all

creatures at the end of the Yuga. Thy soldiers were unable to resist in

that battle that fierce forcible energy of Bhima endued with fierce

impetuosity, like that of the Destroyer himself of wide open mouth when

he rusheth at the end of the Yuga for exterminating all creatures. Then,

O Bharata, like masses of clouds scattered by the tempest the Bharata

host, thus mangled and burnt in that battle by the high-souled Bhima,

broke and fled in fear in all directions. Then the mighty Bhimasena of

great intelligence once more cheerfully said unto his charioteer,

"Ascertain, O Suta, whether those assembled cars and standards that are

advancing towards me, are ours or the enemy's. Absorbed in battle, I am

unable to distinguish them. Let me not shroud our own troops with my

shafts. O Visoka, beholding hostile warriors and cars and the tops of

their standards on all sides, I am greatly afflicted. The king is in

pain. The diadem-decked Arjuna also has not yet come. These things, O

Suta, fill my heart with sorrow. Even this is my grief, O charioteer,

that king Yudhishthira the just should have gone away, leaving me in the

midst of the enemy. I do not know whether he, as also Vibhatsu, is alive

or dead. This adds to my sorrow. I shall, however, though filled with

great grief, destroy those hostile troops of great might. Thus

slaughtering in the midst of battle my assembled foes, I shall rejoice

with thee today. Examining all the quivers containing my arrows, tell me,

O Suta, ascertaining the matter well, what quantity of arrows is still

left on my car, that is, how much of what sort."


"'Thus commanded, Visoka said, "Of arrows, O hero, thou hast yet 60,000,

while thy razor-headed shafts number 10,000, and broad-headed ones number

as much. Of cloth-yard shafts thou hast still 2,000, O hero, and of

Pradaras thou hast still, O Partha, 3,000! Indeed, of the weapons, O son

of Pandu, the portion that still remains is not capable of being borne,

if placed on carts, by six bullocks. Shoot and hurl them, O learned one,

for of maces and swords and other weapons used with the arms alone, thou

hast thousands upon thousands, as also lances and scimitars and darts and

spears! Never fear that thy weapons will be exhausted."


"'Bhima said, "Behold, O Suta, today this awful battle in which

everything will be shrouded with my impetuous arrows sped fiercely from

my bow and, mangling all my foes, and in consequence of which the very

sun will disappear from the field, making the latter resemble the domains

of Death! Today, even this will be known to all the Kshatriyas including

the very children, O Suta, that Bhimasena hath succumbed in battle or

that, alone, he hath subjugated all the Kurus! Today, let all the

Kauravas fall in battle or let all the world applaud me, beginning with

the feats of my earliest years. Alone, I will overthrow them all, or let

all of them strike Bhimasena down. Let the gods that aid in the

achievement of the best acts bless me. Let that slayer of foes Arjuna

come here now like Sakra, duly invoked, quickly coming to a sacrifice.

Behold, the Bharata host is breaking! Why do those kings fly away? It is

evident that Savyasaci, that foremost of men, is quickly shrouding that

host with his shafts. Behold, those standards, O Visoka, and elephants

and steeds and bands of foot-soldiers are flying away. Behold, these

cars, assailed with shafts and darts, with those warriors riding on them,

are being scattered, O Suta! Yonder, the Kaurava host, assailed with the

shafts, equipped with wings of gold and feathers of peacocks, of

Dhananjaya, and resembling thunderbolts in force, though slaughtered

extensively, is repeatedly filling its gaps. There, cars and steeds and

elephants are flying away, crushing down bands of foot-soldiers. Indeed,

all the Kauravas, having lost their sense, are flying away, like

elephants filled with panic at a forest conflagration, and uttering cries

of woe. These huge elephants, again, O Visoka, are uttering loud cries,

assailed with shafts."


"'Visoka said, "How is it, O Bhima, that thou dost not hear the loud

twang of the yawning Gandiva stretched by Partha in wrath? Are these two

ears of thine gone? All thy wishes, O son of Pandu, have been fulfilled!

Yonder the Ape (on Arjuna's banner) is seen in the midst of the elephant

force (of the enemy). Behold, the string of Gandiva is flashing

repeatedly like lightning amid blue clouds. Yonder the Ape on

Dhananjaya's standard-top is everywhere seen to terrify hostile divisions

in this dreadful battle. Even I, looking at it, am struck with fear.

There the beautiful diadem of Arjuna is shining brilliantly. There, the

precious jewel on the diadem, endued with the splendour of the sun,

looketh exceedingly resplendent. There, beside him, behold his conch

Devadatta of loud blare and the hue of a white cloud. There, by the side

of Janardana, reins in hand, as he penetrates into the hostile army,

behold his discus of solar effulgence, its nave hard as thunder, and its

edge sharp as a razor. Behold, O hero, that discus of Keshava, that

enhancer of his fame, which is always worshipped by the Yadus. There, the

trunks, resembling lofty trees perfectly straight, of huge elephants, cut

off by Kiritin, are falling upon the earth. There those huge creatures

also, with their riders, pierced and split with shafts, are falling down,

like hills riven with thunder. There, behold, O son of Kunti, the

Panchajanya of Krishna, exceedingly beautiful and of the hue of the moon,

as also the blazing Kaustubha on his breast and his triumphal garland.

Without doubt, that first and foremost of all car-warriors, Partha, is

advancing, routing the hostile army as he comes, borne by his foremost of

steeds, of the hue of white clouds, and urged by Krishna. Behold those

cars and steeds and bands of foot-soldiers, mangled by thy younger

brother with the energy of the chief of the celestials. Behold, they are

falling down like a forest uprooted by the tempest caused by Garuda's

wings. Behold, four hundred car-warriors, with their steeds and drivers,

and seven hundred elephants and innumerable foot-soldiers and horsemen

slain in this battle by Kiritin with his mighty shafts. Slaughtering the

Kurus, the mighty Arjuna is coming towards thy side even like the

constellation Citra. All thy wishes are fulfilled. Thy foes are being

exterminated. Let thy might, as also the period of thy life, ever

increase."


"'Bhima said, "Since, O Visoka, thou tellest me of Arjuna's arrival, I

will give thee four and ten populous villages and a hundred female slaves

and twenty cars, being pleased with thee, O Suta, for this agreeable

intelligence imparted by thee!"'"




77


"Sanjaya said, 'Hearing the roars of cars and the leonine shouts (of the

warriors) in battle, Arjuna addressed Govinda, saying, "Urge the steeds

to greater speed." Hearing these words of Arjuna, Govinda said unto him,

"I am proceeding with great speed to the spot where Bhima is stationed."

Then many lions among men (belonging to the Kaurava army), excited with

wrath and accompanied by a large force of cars and horse and elephants

and foot-soldiers and making the earth resound with the whizz of their

arrows, the rattle of their car wheels, and the tread of their horses'

hoofs, advanced against Jaya (Arjuna) as the latter proceeded for

victory, borne by his steeds white as snow or conchs and decked in

trappings of gold and pearls and gems like the chief of the celestials in

great wrath proceeding, armed with the thunder, against (the asura)

Jambha for slaying him. Between them and Partha, O sire, occurred a great

battle destructive of body, life, and sin, like the battle between the

asuras and the god Vishnu, that foremost of victors for the sake of the

three worlds. Alone, Partha, decked with diadem and garlands, cut off the

mighty weapons sped by them, as also their heads and arms in diverse

ways, with his razor-faced and crescent-shaped and broad-headed arrows of

great keenness. Umbrellas, and yak-tails for fanning, and standards, and

steeds, and cars, and bands of foot-soldiers, and elephants, fell down on

the earth, mutilated in diverse ways, like a forest broken down by a

tempest. Huge elephants, decked in caparisons of gold and equipped with

triumphal standards and warriors (on their backs), looked resplendent, as

they were pierced with shafts of golden wings, like mountains ablaze with

light. Piercing elephants and steeds and cars with excellent shafts

resembling Vasava's thunder, Dhananjaya proceeded quickly for the

slaughter of Karna, even as Indra in days of yore for riving (the asura)

Vala. Then that tiger among men, that mighty-armed chastiser of foes,

penetrated into thy host like a makara into the ocean. Beholding the son

of Pandu, thy warriors, O king, accompanied by cars and foot-soldiers and

a large number of elephants and steeds, rushed against him. Tremendous

was the din made by them as they advanced against Partha, resembling that

made by the waters of the ocean lashed into fury by the tempest. Those

mighty car-warriors, resembling tigers (in prowess) all rushed in that

battle against that tiger among men, abandoning all fear of death.

Arjuna, however, routed the troops of those leaders of the Kurus as they

advanced, shooting at him showers of weapons, like a tempest driving off

masses of congregated clouds. Those great bowmen, all skilled in smiting,

united together and proceeded against Arjuna with a large number of cars

and began to pierce him with keen shafts. Then Arjuna, with his shafts,

despatched to Yama's abode several thousands of cars and elephants and

steeds. While those great car-warriors in that battle were thus struck

with shafts sped from Arjuna's bow, they were filled with fear and seemed

to disappear one after another from their cars. In all, Arjuna, with his

sharp arrows, slew four hundred of those heroic car-warriors exerting

themselves vigorously in battle. Thus struck in that battle with sharp

shafts of diverse kinds, they fled away on all sides, avoiding Arjuna.

Tremendous was the uproar made at the van of the army by those warriors

as they broke and fled, like that made by the surging sea when it breaks

upon a rock. Having routed with his arrows that army struck with fright,

Pritha's son Arjuna then proceeded, O sire, against the division of the

Suta's son. Loud was the noise with which Arjuna faced his foes, like

that made by Garuda in days of yore when swooping down for snakes.

Hearing that sound, the mighty Bhimasena, desirous as he had been of

obtaining a sight of Partha, became filled with joy. As soon as the

valiant Bhimasena heard of Partha's arrival, he began, O monarch, to

grind thy troops, reckless of his very life. Possessed of prowess equal

to that of the wind, the valiant Bhima, the son of the Wind-god, began to

career in that battle like the wind itself. Afflicted by him, O monarch,

thy army, O king, began to reel like a wrecked vessel on the bosom of the

sea. Displaying his lightness of hands, Bhima began to cut and mangle

that host with his fierce arrows and despatch large numbers to the abode

of Yama. Beholding on that occasion the superhuman might of Bhima, O

Bharata, like that of the Destroyer at the end of the Yuga, thy warriors

became filled with fright. Seeing his mightiest soldiers thus afflicted

by Bhimasena, O Bharata, king Duryodhana addressed all his troops and

great bowmen, O bull of Bharata's race, commanding them to slay Bhima in

that battle, since upon Bhima's fall he would regard the Pandava troops

already exterminated. Accepting that command of thy son, all the kings

shrouded Bhima with showers of shafts from every side. Innumerable

elephants, O king, and men inspired with desire of victory, and cars, and

horse, O monarch, encompassed Vrikodara. Thus encompassed by those brave

warriors on all sides, O king, that hero, that chief of Bharata's race,

looked resplendent like the Moon surrounded by the stars. Indeed, as the

Moon at full within his corona looks beautiful, even so that best of men,

exceedingly handsome, looked beautiful in that battle. All those kings,

with cruel intent and eyes red in wrath, inflicted upon Vrikodara their

arrowy downpours, moved by the desire of slaying him. Piercing that

mighty host with straight shafts, Bhima came out of the press like a fish

coming out of a net, having slain 10,000 unretreating elephants, 200,200

men, O Bharata, and 5,000 horses, and a hundred car-warriors. Having

slaughtered these, Bhima caused a river of blood to flow there. Blood

constituted its water, and cars its eddies; and elephants were the

alligators with which it teemed. Men were its fishes, and steeds its

sharks, and the hair of animals formed its woods and moss. Arms lopped

off from trunks formed its foremost of snakes. Innumerable jewels and

gems were carried along by the current. Thighs constituted its gravels,

and marrow its mire. And it was covered with heads forming its rocks. And

bows and arrows constituted the rafts by which men sought to cross that

terrible river, and maces and spiked bludgeons formed its snakes. And

umbrellas and standards formed its swans, and head-gears its foam.

Necklaces constituted its lotuses, and the earthy dust that arose formed

its waves. Those endued with noble qualities could cross it with ease,

while those that were timid and affrighted found it exceedingly difficult

to cross. Warriors constituting its crocodiles and alligators, it ran

towards the region of Yama. Very soon, indeed, did that tiger among men

cause that river to flow. Even as the terrible Vaitarani is difficult of

being crossed by persons of unrefined souls, that bloody river, terrible

and enhancing the fears of the timid, was difficult to cross. Thither

where that best of car-warriors, the son of Pandu, penetrated, thither he

felled hostile warriors in hundreds and thousands. Seeing those feats

achieved in battle by Bhimasena, Duryodhana, O monarch, addressing

Shakuni, said, "Vanquish, O uncle, the mighty Bhimasena in battle. Upon

his defeat the mighty host of the Pandavas may be regarded as defeated."

Thus addressed, O monarch, the valiant son of Subala, competent to wage

dreadful battle, proceeded, surrounded by his brothers. Approaching in

that battle Bhima of terrible prowess, the heroic Shakuni checked him

like the continent resisting the ocean. Though resisted with keen shafts,

Bhima, disregarding them all, proceeded against the sons of Subala. Then

Shakuni, O monarch, sped a number of cloth-yard shafts equipped with

wings of gold and whetted on stone, at the left side of Bhima's chest.

Piercing through the armour of the high-souled son of Pandu, those fierce

shafts, O monarch, equipped with feathers of Kankas and peacocks, sunk

deep into his body. Deeply pierced in that battle, Bhima, O Bharata,

suddenly shot at Subala's son a shaft decked with gold. The mighty

Shakuni however, that scorcher of foes, O king, endued with great

lightness of hands, cut off into seven fragments that terrible arrow as

it coursed towards him. When his shaft fell down on the earth, Bhima, O

king, became highly enraged, and cut off with a broad-headed arrow the

bow of Subala's son with the greatest ease. The valiant son of Subala

then, casting aside that broken bow, quickly took up another and six and

ten broad-headed arrows. With two of those straight and broad-headed

arrows, O monarch, he struck Bhima himself, with one he cut off Bhima's

standard, and with two, his umbrella. With the remaining four, the son of

Subala pierced the four steeds of his antagonist. Filled with rage at

this, the valiant Bhima, O monarch, hurled in that battle a dart made of

iron, with its staff adorned with gold. That dart, restless as the tongue

of a snake, hurled from Bhima's arms, speedily fell upon the car of the

high-souled son of Subala. The latter then, filled with wrath, O monarch,

took up that same gold-decked dart and hurled it back at Bhimasena.

Piercing through the left arm of the high-souled son of Pandu, it fell

down on the earth like lightning flashed down from the sky. At this, the

Dhartarashtras, O monarch, set up a loud roar all around. Bhima, however,

could not bear that leonine roar of his foes endued with great activity.

The mighty son of Pandu then, quickly taking up another stringed bow, in

a moment, O monarch, covered with shafts the soldiers of Subala's son in

that battle, who were fighting reckless of their very lives. Having slain

his four steeds, and then his driver, O king, Bhima of great prowess next

cut off his antagonist's standard with a broad-headed arrow without

losing a moment. Abandoning with speed that steedless car, Shakuni, that

foremost of men, stood on the ground, with his bow ready drawn in his

hands, his eyes red like blood in rage, and himself breathing heavily. He

then, O king, struck Bhima from every side with innumerable arrows. The

valiant Bhima, baffling those shafts, cut off Shakuni's bow in rage and

pierced Shakuni himself, with many keen arrows. Deeply pierced by his

powerful antagonist, that scorcher of foes, O king, fell down on the

earth almost lifeless. Then thy son, O monarch, seeing him stupefied,

bore him away from battle on his car in the very sight of Bhimasena. When

that tiger among men, Shakuni was thus taken up on Duryodhana's car, the

Dhartarashtra troops, turning their faces from battle, fled away on all

sides inspired with fear on that occasion of great terror due to

Bhimasena. Upon the defeat of Subala's son, O king, by that great bowman,

Bhimasena, thy son Duryodhana, filled with great fright, retreated, borne

away by his fleet steeds, from regard for his maternal uncle's life.

Beholding the king himself turn away from the battle, the troops, O

Bharata, fled away, from the encounters in which each of them had been

engaged. Seeing all the Dhartarashtra troops turn away from battle and

fly in all directions, Bhima rushing impetuously, fell upon them,

shooting many hundreds of shafts. Slaughtered by Bhima, the retreating

Dhartarashtras, O king, approaching the spot where Karna was, once more

stood for battle, surrounding him. Endued with great might and great

energy, Karna then became their refuge. Finding Karna, O bull of

Bharata's race, thy troops became comforted and stood cheerfully, relying

upon one another, like shipwrecked mariners, O tiger of men, in their

distressful plight, when at last they reach an island. They then, once

more, making death itself their goal, proceeded against their foes for

battle.'"




78


"Dhritarashtra said, 'When our troops were broken in battle by Bhimasena,

what, O Sanjaya, did Duryodhana and Subala's son say? Or, what did Karna,

that foremost of victors, or the warriors of my army in that battle, or

Kripa, or Kritavarma, or Drona's son Duhshasana, say? Exceedingly

wonderful, I think, is the prowess of Pandu's son, since, single-handed,

he fought in battle with all the warriors of my army. Did the son of

Radha act towards the (hostile) troops according to his vow? That slayer

of foes, Karna, O Sanjaya, is the prosperity, the armour, the fame, and

the very hope of life, of the Kurus. Beholding the army broken by Kunti's

son of immeasurable energy, what did Karna, the son of Adhiratha and

Radha, do in that battle? What also did my sons, difficult of defeat in

battle, do, or the other kings and mighty car-warriors of our army? Tell

me all this, O Sanjaya, for thou art skilled in narration!'


"Sanjaya said, 'In that afternoon, O monarch, the Suta's son of great

valour began to smite all the Somakas in the very sight of Bhimasena.

Bhima also of great strength began to destroy the Dhartarashtra troops.

Then Karna, addressing (his driver) Shalya, said unto him, "Bear me to

the Pancalas." Indeed, beholding his army in course of being routed by

Bhimasena of great intelligence, Karna once more addressed his driver,

saying, 'Bear me to the Pancalas only.' Thus urged, Shalya, the ruler of

the Madras, endued with great might, urged those white steeds that were

fleet as thought, towards the Cedis, the Pancalas and the Karushas.

Penetrating then into that mighty host, Shalya, that grinder of hostile

troops, cheerfully conducted those steeds into every spot that Karna,

that foremost of warriors, desired to go to. Beholding that car cased in

tiger skins and looking like a cloud, the Pandus and the Pancalas, O

monarch, became terrified. The rattle then of that car, like unto the

peal of thunder or the sound of a mountain splitting into fragments,

became audible in that dreadful battle. With hundreds upon hundreds of

keen arrows sped from the bow-string drawn to his ear, Karna then smote

hundreds and thousands of warriors belonging to the Pandava army. While

the unvanquished Karna was employed in achieving those feats, many mighty

bowmen and great car-warriors among the Pandavas encompassed him on all

sides. Indeed, Shikhandi, and Bhima, and Dhrishtadyumna, the son of

Prishata, and Nakula, and Sahadeva, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and

Satyaki, surrounded the son of Radha, pouring showers of arrows upon him,

from desire of despatching him to the other world. The heroic Satyaki,

that best of men, struck Karna in that engagement with twenty keen shafts

in the shoulder-joint. Shikhandi struck him with five and twenty shafts,

and Dhrishtadyumna struck him with seven, and the sons of Draupadi with

four and sixty, and Sahadeva with seven, and Nakula with a hundred, in

that battle. The mighty Bhimasena, in that encounter, filled with rage,

struck the son of Radha in the shoulder-joint with ninety straight

shafts. The son of Adhiratha, then, of great might laughing in scorn, and

drawing his excellent bow let off many keen shafts, afflicting his foes.

The son of Radha pierced each of them in return with five arrows. Cutting

off the bow of Satyaki, as also his standard, O bull of Bharata's race,

Karna pierced Satyaki himself with nine shafts in the centre of the

chest. Filled with wrath, he then pierced Bhimasena with thirty shafts.

With a broad-headed arrow, O sire, he next cut off the standard of

Sahadeva, and with three other arrows, that chastiser of foes afflicted

Sahadeva's driver. Within the twinkling of an eye he then deprived the

(five) sons of Draupadi of their cars, O bull of Bharata's race, which

seemed exceedingly wonderful. Indeed, with his straight shafts casting

those heroes to turn back from the fight, the heroic Karna began to slay

the Pancalas and many mighty car-warriors among the Cedis. Thus struck in

that battle. O monarch, the Cedis and the Matsyas, rushing against Karna

alone, poured upon him showers of shafts. The Suta's son, however, that

mighty car-warrior, began to smite them with his keen shafts. I beheld

this exceedingly wonderful feat. O Bharata, viz., that the Suta's son of

great prowess, alone and unsupported in that battle, fought with all

those bowmen who contended with him to the utmost of their prowess, and

checked all those Pandava warriors, O monarch, with his shafts. With the

lightness of hand, O Bharata, of the high-souled Karna on that occasion,

all the gods as also the Siddhas and the Charanas were gratified. All the

great bowmen among the Dhartarashtras also, O best of men, applauded

Karna, that foremost of great car-warriors, that first of all bowmen.

Then Karna, O monarch, burnt the hostile army like a mighty and blazing

conflagration consuming a heap of dry grass in the summer season. Thus

slaughtered by Karna, the Pandava troops, struck with fear, fled in all

directions, at the very sight of Karna. Loud wails arose there among the

Pancalas in that great battle, while they were thus struck with the keen

shafts sped from Karna's bow. Struck with fear at the noise, the vast

host of the Pandavas, those enemies of Karna, regarded him as the one

warrior in that battle. Then that crusher of foes, viz., the son of

Radha, once more achieved an exceedingly wonderful feat, inasmuch as all

the Pandavas, united together, were unable to even gaze at him. Like a

swelling mass of water breaking when it comes in contact with a mountain,

the Pandava army broke when it came in contact with Karna. Indeed, O

king, the mighty-armed Karna in that battle, burning the vast host of the

Pandavas, stood there like a blazing fire without smoke. With great

activity that hero, with his shafts, cut off the arms and the heads of

his brave foes, O king, and their ears decked with earrings. Swords with

hilts of ivory, and standards, and darts, and steeds, and elephants, and

cars of diverse kind, O king, and banners, and axles, and yokes, and

wheels of many kinds, were cut off in various ways by Karna, observant of

a warrior's vow. There, O Bharata, with elephants and steeds slain by

Karna, the earth became impassable and miry with flesh and blood. The

uneven and even spots also of the field, in consequence of slain horse

and foot and broken cars and dead elephants, could no longer be

distinguished. The combatants could not distinguish friends from foes in

that thick darkness caused by shafts when Karna's (celestial) weapon was

displayed. The mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, O monarch, were

completely shrouded with shafts, decked with gold, that were sped from

Karna's bow. Those mighty car-warriors of the Pandavas, O king, in that

battle, though struggling vigorously, were repeatedly broken by the son

of Radha, even as a herd of deer in the forest is routed by an angry

lion. Routing the foremost of Pancala car-warriors and (other) foes,

Karna of great fame, in that battle, slew the Pandava warriors like a

wolf slaying smaller animals. Beholding the Pandava army turn away from

battle, the Dhartarashtra bowmen of great might rushed against the

retreating host uttering terrible shouts. Then Duryodhana, O monarch,

filled with great delight, caused diverse musical instruments to be

beaten and blown in all parts of the army. The great bowmen amongst the

Pancalas, those foremost of men, though broken, returned heroically to

the fight, making death their goal. The son of Radha, however, that bull

among men and scorcher of foes, O monarch, in that battle, broke those

returned heroes in diverse ways. There, O Bharata twenty car-warriors

among the Pancalas and more than a hundred Cedi warriors were slain by

Karna with his shafts. Making the terraces of cars and the backs of

steeds empty, O Bharata, and slaying the combatants that fought from the

necks of elephants, and routing the foot-soldiers, that scorcher of foes,

the Suta's son of great bravery, became incapable of being gazed at like

the mid-day sun and looked resplendent like the Destroyer himself at the

end of the Yuga. Thus, O monarch, that slayer of foes, that mighty

bowmen, Karna, having slain foot, horse, car-warriors, and elephants,

stood there on his car. Indeed, like the Destroyer himself of great might

standing after slaying all creatures, the mighty car-warrior Karna stood

alone, having slain the Somakas. The prowess that we then beheld of the

Pancalas seemed to be exceedingly wonderful, for, though thus struck by

Karna, they refused to fly away from that hero at the head of battle. At

that time, the king (Duryodhana), and Duhshasana, and Kripa, the son of

Sharadvata, and Ashvatthama, and Kritavarma, and Shakuni also of great

might, slaughtered the Pandava warriors in hundreds and thousands. The

two sons also of Karna, O monarch, those two brothers of prowess

incapable of being baffled, filled with rage, slaughtered the Pandava

army in several parts of the field. The battle at that place was dreadful

and cruel and the carnage that occurred was very great. Similarly the

Pandava heroes, Dhrishtadyumna and Shikhandi and the (five) sons of

Draupadi, filled with rage, slaughtered thy host. Even thus a great

destruction took place among the Pandavas everywhere on the field, and

even thus thy army also suffered great loss at the hands of the mighty

Bhima.'"




79


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile Arjuna, O monarch, having slain the four kinds

of forces (of the enemy), and having obtained a sight of the angry son of

the Suta in that dreadful battle, caused a river of blood to flow there

that was tawny with flesh and marrow and bones. Human heads constituted

its rocks and stones. Elephants and steeds formed its banks. Full of the

bones of heroic combatants, it resounded with the cries of ravens and

vultures. Umbrellas were its swans or rafts. And that river ran, bearing

away heroes like trees along its current. (Even) necklaces constituted

its assemblage of lotuses, and head-gears formed its excellent foam. Bows

and shafts constituted its fishes; and the crowns of crushed men floated

on its surface. Shields and armour were its eddies, and cars were the

rafts with which it teemed. And it could be easily forded by persons

desirous of victory, while to those that were cowards it was unfordable.

Having caused that river to flow, Vibhatsu, that slayer of hostile heroes

and bull among men, addressing Vasudeva said, "Yonder, O Krishna, the

standard of the Suta's son is visible. There, Bhimasena and others are

fighting with that great car-warrior. There, the Pancalas, afraid of

Karna, are flying away, O Janardana. Yonder, king Duryodhana, with the

white umbrella over his head, along with Karna, looketh exceedingly

resplendent as he is engaged in routing the Pancalas. There Kripa, and

Kritavarma, and Drona's son, that mighty car-warrior, are protecting king

Duryodhana, themselves protected by the Suta's son. There, O Krishna,

Shalya, well conversant with holding the reins, looketh exceedingly

resplendent as, seated on the terrace of Karna's car, he guideth that

vehicle. Bear me to that mighty car-warrior, for even such is the wish

cherished by me. Without slaying Karna in this battle I will never

return. Otherwise, the son of Radha, O Janardana, will, in my sight,

exterminate the mighty car-warriors of the Parthas and the Srinjayas."

Thus addressed, Keshava quickly proceeded on his car, towards the mighty

bowman Karna, for causing a single combat to take place between Karna and

Savyasaci. Indeed, the mighty-armed Hari, at the command of Pandu's son,

proceeded on his car, assuring (by that very act) all the Pandava troops.

The rattle then of Arjuna's vehicle rose loud in that battle, resembling,

O sire, the tremendous peal of Vasu's thunder. Beholding Arjuna of white

steeds and having Krishna for his driver thus advance, and seeing the

standard of that high-souled one, the king of the Madras, addressing

Karna, said, "There cometh that car-warrior having white steeds yoked

unto his vehicle and having Krishna for his driver, slaying his foes in

battle. There cometh he about whom thou wert enquiring, holding his bow

Gandiva. If thou canst slay him today, great good may then be done to us.

He cometh, O Karna, desirous of an encounter with thee, slaying, as he

cometh, our chief warriors. Do thou proceed against that hero of

Bharata's race. Avoiding all our warriors, Dhananjaya advanceth with

great speed, for, as I think, an encounter with thee, judging by his form

swelling with rage and energy. Blazing with wrath, Partha will not stop

from desire of battle with anybody else save thee, especially when

Vrikodara is being so much afflicted (by thee). Learning that king

Yudhishthira the just hath been exceedingly mangled and made carless by

thee, and seeing (the plight of) Shikhandi, and Satyaki, and

Dhrishtadyumna, the son of Prishata, and the (five) sons of Draupadi, and

Yudhamanyu, and Uttamauja, and the brothers, Nakula and Sahadeva, that

scorcher of foes, Partha, advanceth impetuously on a single car against

thee. Without doubt, he is advancing with speed against us, avoiding

other combatants. Do thou, O Karna, proceed against him, for there is no

other bowman (among us that can do so). I do not behold any arrangements

made for his protection, either on his flanks or at his rear. He

advanceth alone against thee. Look after thy success now. Thou alone art

able to encounter the two Krishnas in battle. Proceed, therefore, against

Dhananjaya. Thou art the equal of Bhishma, of Drona, of Drona's son, of

Kripa. Do thou resist in this great battle the advancing Savyasaci.

Indeed, O Karna, slay this Dhananjaya that resembles a snake frequently

darting out its tongue, or a roaring bull, or a tiger in the forest.

There, those kings, those mighty car-warriors of the Dhritarashtra's

army, through fear of Arjuna, are quickly flying away, regardless of one

another. Save thee, O Suta's son, there is no other man, O hero, that

can, in battle, dispel the fears of those retreating combatants. All

those Kurus, O tiger among men, obtaining thee as their refuge in this

battle, stand depending on thee and desirous of thy protection. Mustering

thy great prowess, O mighty-armed one, proceed against Vrishni's race,

who is always gratified by the diadem-decked (Arjuna)."


"'Karna said, "Thou seemest now to be in thy usual frame of mind and thou

art now agreeable to me. Do not, O mighty-armed one, entertain any fear

of Dhananjaya. Behold the might of my arms today, and behold my skill.

Single-handed, I will today destroy the mighty host of the Pandavas, as

also those two lions among men, the two Krishnas! I say this truly unto

thee. I will never return from the field today without slaying two

heroes. Or, slain by those two, I shall today sleep on the field of

battle. Victory is uncertain in battle. Slaying or slain, I shall today

achieve my purpose."


"'Shalya said, "All great car-warriors, O Karna, say that this foremost

of car-warriors, (Arjuna), even when alone, is invincible. When again, he

is protected by Krishna, who will venture to vanquish him?"


"'Karna said, "As far as I have heard, such a superior car-warrior has

never been born on earth! Behold my prowess, since I will contend in

battle with even that Partha who is such. This prince of Kuru's line,

this foremost of car-warriors, careers in battle, borne by his steeds

white in hue. Perhaps he will despatch me to Yama's abode today. Know,

however, that with Karna's death, these all will be exterminated. The two

arms of this prince are never covered with sweat. They never tremble.

They are massive and covered with cicatrices. Firm in the use of weapons,

he is possessed of great skill and endued with great lightness of hands.

Indeed, there is no warrior equal to the son of Pandu. He taketh a large

number of arrows and shooteth them as if they were one. Quickly fixing

them on the bow-string, he propelleth them to the distance of two miles.

They always fall on the foe. What warriors is there on earth that is

equal to him? That Atiratha, endued with great activity, with Krishna as

his ally, gratified the god Agni at Khandava. There, on that occasion,

the high-souled Krishna obtained his discus, and Savyasaci, the son of

Pandu, obtained his bow Gandiva. There that mighty-armed one, endued with

might that knows no decay, also obtained his terrible car unto which are

yoked those white steeds, as also his two great celestial and

inexhaustible quivers, and many celestial weapons, from the God of Fire.

In the region of Indra he obtained his conch Devadatta and slew

innumerable Daityas, and all the Kalakeyas. Who is there on earth that is

superior to him? Possessed of greatness of soul, he gratified Mahadeva

himself in fair fight, and obtained from him the terrible and mighty

weapon Pasupata that is capable of destroying the three worlds. The

several Regents of the world, united together gave him their weapons of

immeasurable energy, with which that lion among men quickly destroyed in

battle those united Asuras, the Kalakhanjas. So also, in Virata's city,

moving on a single car he vanquished all of us, and snatched from us that

wealth of kine, and took from all the foremost of car-warriors (portions

of) their garments. Challenging that foremost of Kshatriyas, that hero

having him of Vrishni's race for his ally, that warrior who is endued

with such energy and such attributes, I regard myself, O Shalya, to be

the foremost of persons in all the world in point of courage. He is,

again, protected by that Keshava of great energy, who is Narayana himself

and who is without a rival, that high-souled Vasudeva, that

ever-victorious Vishnu armed with conch, discus, and mace, whose

attributes all the world united together, cannot (in narrating) exhaust

in 10,000 years. Beholding the two Krishnas together on the same car,

fear entereth my heart together with courage. Partha is the foremost of

all bowmen, while Narayana is unrivalled in encounters with the discus.

Even such are Vasudeva, and the son of Pandu. Indeed, the mountains of

Himavat may move from the spot where they stand but not the two Krishnas.

Both of them are heroes, possessed of great skill, firm in the use of

weapons, and mighty car-warriors. Both of them have adamantine frames.

Who else, O Shalya, save myself, would proceed against Phalguna and

Vasudeva that are even such? The desire cherished by me today, viz., that

of a battle with the son of Pandu, O ruler of the Madras, will be

fulfilled without delay. Soon will that wonderful and matchless and

beautiful battle take place. Either I will overthrow those two in battle

today, or the two Krishnas will today overthrow me." Saying these words

unto Shalya, Karna, that slayer of foes, began to utter loud roars in

that battle, like those of the clouds. Approaching then thy son, that

foremost one among the Kurus, and saluted respectfully by him, Karna said

unto that prince as also unto those two mighty-armed warriors, Kripa and

the Bhoja chief Kritavarma, and the ruler of the Gandharvas with his son,

and the preceptors and his own younger brothers, and all the

foot-soldiers and horsemen and elephant-riders, these words, "Rush

towards Acyuta and Arjuna and close up their path all around, and cause

them to be tired with exertion, so that, ye lords of the earth, I may

easily slay those two after ye all will have mangled them deeply."

Saying, "So be it!" those foremost of heroes, desirous of slaying Arjuna,

speedily proceeded against him. Those mighty car-warriors then, obeying

the behest of Karna, began to strike Dhananjaya with innumerable arrows

in that battle. Like the great ocean containing a vast quantity of water

receiving all rivers with their tributaries Arjuna received all those

warriors in battle. His foes could not notice when he fixed his excellent

arrows on the bow-string and when he let them off. All that could be seen

was that men and steeds and elephants, pierced with the arrows sped by

Dhananjaya, continually fell down, deprived of life. Like men with

diseased eyes that are unable to gaze at the sun, the Kauravas on that

occasion could not gaze at Jaya who seemed to be possessed of the energy

of the all-destroying Sun that rises at the end of the Yuga, having

arrows for his rays, and Gandiva for his beautiful circular disc. Smiling

the while, Partha with his own showers of arrows cut off the excellent

arrows sped at him by those mighty car-warriors. In return, he struck

them with innumerable arrows, drawing his bow Gandiva to a complete

circle. As the sun of fierce rays between the months of Jyaishtha and

Ashadha easily drieth up the waters (of the earth), even so Arjuna,

baffling the arrows of his foes, consumed thy troops, O king of kings!

Then Kripa, and the chief of the Bhojas, and thy son himself shooting

showers of shafts, rushed towards him. Drona's son also, that mighty

car-warrior, rushed towards him, shooting his shafts. Indeed, all of them

rained their arrows on him, like the clouds pouring torrents of rain on a

mountain. The son of Pandu, however, with great activity and speed, cut

off with his own shafts those excellent arrows sped at him with great

care in that dreadful battle by those accomplished warriors desirous of

slaying him, and pierced the chest of each of his adversaries with three

shafts. Having arrows for his fierce rays, the Arjuna sun, with gandiva

drawn to its fullest stretch constituting his corona, looked resplendent,

as he scorched his foes, like the Sun himself between the months of

Jyeshtha and Ashadha, within his bright corona. Then Drona's son pierced

Dhananjaya with ten foremost of shafts, and Keshava with three, and the

four steeds of Dhananjaya with four, and showered many shafts on the Ape

on Arjuna's banner. For all that, Dhananjaya cut off the full drawn bow

in his adversary's hand with three shafts, the head of his driver with a

razor-faced arrow, and his four steeds with his four other shafts and his

standard with three other arrows and felled him from his car. The son of

Drona then, filled with wrath, took up another costly bow, bright as the

body of Takshaka, and decked with gems and diamonds and gold, and

resembling a mighty snake caught from the foot of a mountain. Stringing

that bow as he stood on the earth, and bringing out one after another

shafts and weapons, Drona's son, that warrior who excelled in many

accomplishments, began to afflict those two unvanquished and foremost of

men and pierce them from a near point with many shafts. Then those mighty

car-warriors, Kripa and Bhoja and thy son, standing at the van of battle,

fell upon and shrouded that bull among the Pandavas, shooting showers of

shafts, like clouds shrouding the dispeller of darkness. Possessed of

prowess equal to that of the thousand-armed (Kartavirya), Partha then

showered his shafts on Kripa's bow with arrow fixed on it, his steeds,

his standard, and his driver, like the wielder of the thunder in days of

yore showering his shafts on (the asura) Vali. His weapons destroyed by

Partha's shafts, and his standard also having been crushed in that great

battle, Kripa was afflicted with as many thousands of arrows by Arjuna as

Ganga's son Bhishma before them (on the day of his fall) by the same

diademdecked warrior. The valiant Partha then, with his shafts, cut off

the standard and the bow of thy roaring son. Destroying next the handsome

steeds of Kritavarma, he cut off the latter's standard as well. He then

began to destroy with great speed the elephants of the hostile force, as

also its cars with their steeds and drivers and bows and standards.

Thereupon that vast host of thine broke into a hundred parts like an

embankment washed off by the waters. Then Keshava, quickly urging

Arjuna's car, placed all his afflicted foes on his right side. Then other

warriors, desirous of an encounter, with their well-equipped cars bearing

lofty standards, followed Dhananjaya who was proceeding with great speed

like Indra proceeding for the slaughter of Vritra. Then those mighty

car-warriors, Shikhandi and Satyaki and the twins, proceeding in the

direction of Dhananjaya, checked those foes and, piercing them with keen

arrows, uttered terrible roars. Then the Kuru heroes and the Srinjayas,

encountering one another with rage, slew one another with straight shafts

of great energy, like the Asuras and the celestials in days of yore in

great battle. Elephant-warriors and horsemen and car-warriors,--all

chastisers of foes,--inspired with desire of victory or impatient of

proceeding to heaven, fell fast on the field. Uttering loud shouts, they

pierced one another vigorously with well-shot arrows. In consequence of

those high-souled warriors of great courage shooting their arrows at one

another in that dreadful battle and by that means causing a darkness

there, the points of the compass, cardinal and subsidiary became

enveloped in gloom and the very effulgence of the sun became totally

shrouded.'"




80


"Sanjaya said, 'Then, O king, Dhananjaya, desirous of rescuing Kunti's

son Bhima who, assailed by many, foremost of warriors of the Kuru army,

seemed to sink (under that attack), avoided, O Bharata, the troops of the

Suta's son and began, with his shafts, to despatch those hostile heroes

(that were opposed to Bhima) to the regions of death. Successive showers

of Arjuna's shafts were seen overspread on the sky, while others were

seen to slay thy army. Filling the welkin with his shafts that resembled

dense flights of feathery creatures, Dhananjaya, O monarch, at that time,

became the very Destroyer unto the Kurus. With his broad-headed arrows,

and those equipped with heads flat and sharp as razors, and cloth-yard

shafts of bright polish, Partha mangled the bodies of his foes and cut

off their heads. The field of battle became strewn with falling warriors,

some with bodies cut and mangled, some divested of armour and some

deprived of heads. Like the great Vaitarani (separating the regions of

life from those of the dead), the field of battle, O king, became uneven

and impassable and unsightly and terrible, in consequence of steeds and

cars and elephants, which struck with Dhananjaya's shafts, were mangled

and crushed and cut off in diverse ways. The earth was also covered with

broken shafts and wheels and axles, and with cars that were steedless or

that had their steeds and others that were driverless or that had their

drivers. Then four hundred well-trained and ever-furious elephants,

excited with wrath, and ridden by warriors cased in mail of golden hue

and adorned with ornaments of gold, and urged by fierce guides with

pressure of heels and toes, fell down, struck by the diadem-decked Arjuna

with his shafts, like loosened summits, peopled with living creatures, of

gigantic mountains. Indeed, the earth became covered with (other) huge

elephants struck down by Dhananjaya with his arrows. Like the sun

piercing through masses of clouds, Arjuna's car passed through dense

bodies of elephants with juicy secretions flowing down their bodies and

looking like masses of clouds. Phalguna caused his track to be heaped up

with slain elephants and steeds, and with cars broken in diverse ways,

and with lifeless heroes deprived of weapons and engines and of armour,

as also with arms of diverse kinds loosened from hands that held them.

The twang of Gandiva became tremendously loud, like the peal of thunder

in the welkin. The (Dhartarashtra) army then, smitten with the shafts of

Dhananjaya, broke, like a large vessel on the bosom of the ocean

violently lashed by the tempest. Diverse kinds of fatal shafts, sped from

Gandiva, and resembling burning brands and meteors and thunderbolts,

burnt thy army. That mighty host, thus afflicted with Dhananjaya's

shafts, looked beautiful like a blazing forest of bamboos on a mountain

in the night. Crushed and burnt and thrown into confusion, and mangled

and massacred by the diadem-decked Arjuna with his arrows, that host of

thine then fled away on all sides. Indeed, the Kauravas, burnt by

Savyasaci, dispersed on all sides, like animals in the great forest

frightened at a forest conflagration. The Kuru host then (that had

assailed Bhimasena) abandoning that mighty-armed hero, turned their faces

from battle, filled with anxiety. After the Kurus had been routed, the

unvanquished Vibhatsu, approaching Bhimasena, stayed there for a moment.

Having met Bhima and held a consultation with him, Phalguna informed his

brother that the arrows had been extracted from Yudhishthira's body and

that the latter was perfectly well.


"'With Bhimasena's leave, Dhananjaya then proceeded (once more against

his foes), causing the earth and the welkin, O Bharata, to resound with

the rattle of his car. He was then surrounded by ten heroic and foremost

of warriors, viz., thy sons, all of whom were Duhshasana's juniors in

age. Afflicting Arjuna with their shafts like hunters afflicting an

elephant with burning brands, those heroes, with outstretched bow, seemed

to dance, O Bharata, (on their cars). The slayer of Madhu then, guiding

his, car placed all of them to his right. Indeed, he expected that Arjuna

would very soon send all of them to Yama's presence. Beholding Arjuna's

car proceeding in a different direction, those heroes rushed towards him.

Soon, however, Partha, with a number of cloth-yard shafts and

crescent-shaped arrows, cut off their standards and steeds and bows and

arrows, causing them to fall down on the earth. Then with some

broad-headed arrows he cut off and felled their heads decked with lips

bit and eyes blood-red in rage. Those faces looked beautiful like an

assemblage of lotuses. Having slain those ten Kauravas cased in golden

mail, with ten broad-headed shafts endued with great, impetuosity and

equipped with wings of gold that slayer of foes, Arjuna continued to

proceed.'"




81


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile ninety Kaurava car-warriors rushed for battle

against the ape-bannered Arjuna who was advancing, borne by his steeds of

exceeding fleetness. Those tigers among men, having sworn a terrible oath

about the other world, encompassed that tiger among men, Arjuna. Krishna,

however, (without minding those warriors), urged the white steeds of

Arjuna, endued with great speed and adorned with ornaments of gold and

covered with networks of pearls, towards Karna's car. Those ninety

Samsaptaka cars pursued Dhananjaya, that slayer of foes, pouring upon him

showers of shafts, as he proceeded towards Karna's car. Then Arjuna, with

his keen shafts, cut off those ninety assailants endued with great

activity, along with their drivers and bows and standards. Slain by the

diadem-decked Arjuna with diverse kinds of shafts, they fell down like

Siddhas falling down, with their cars, from heaven upon the exhaustion of

their merits. After this, many Kauravas, with cars and elephants and

steeds, fearlessly advanced against that foremost one of Kuru's race,

that chief of the Bharatas, Phalguna. That large force of thy sons,

teeming with struggling men and steeds, and swelling with foremost of

elephants, then encompassed Dhananjaya, checking his further progress.

The mighty Kaurava bowmen shrouded that descendant of Kuru's race with

darts and swords and lances and spears and maces and scimitars and

arrows. Like the Sun destroying the darkness with his rays, the son of

Pandu destroyed with his own shafts that shower of weapons over-spread in

the welkin. Then a force of Mlecchas riding thirteen hundred

ever-infuriated elephants, at the command of thy son, assailed Partha in

the flank. With barbed arrows and Nalikas and cloth-yard shafts and

lances and spears and darts and Kampanas and short arrows, they afflicted

Partha on his car. That matchless shower of weapons, some of which were

hurled by the elephants with their tusks, Phalguna cut off with his

broad-headed shafts and crescent-shaped arrows of great keenness. With

excellent arrows of diverse kinds, he struck all those elephants and

their standards and banners and riders, like Indra striking mountains

with thunderbolts. Afflicted with gold-winged shafts, those huge

elephants decked with necklaces of gold fell down deprived of life, like

mountains ablaze with volcanic fires. Amid that roaring and shouting and

wailing army of men and elephants and steeds, the twang of Gandiva, O

monarch, rose high. Elephants, O king, struck (with shafts), fled away on

all sides. Steeds also, their riders slain, wandered in all directions.

Cars, O monarch, looking like the changeful forms of vapour in the sky,

deprived of riders and steeds, were seen in thousands. Horsemen, O

monarch, wandering hither and thither, were seen to fall down deprived of

life by the shafts of Partha. At that time the might of Arjuna's arms was

seen. (So great was that might) that alone, in that battle, he vanquished

horsemen and elephants and car-warriors (that had been assailing him from

every side). Then Bhimasena, beholding the diadem-decked Phalguna

encompassed, O bull of Bharata's race, by a large (Kaurava) host

consisting of three kinds of forces, abandoned the small unslaughtered

remnant of the Kaurava car-warriors with whom he had been engaged, and

rushed impetuously, O king, to the spot where Dhananjaya's car was.

Meanwhile the Kaurava force that still remained after heavy slaughter,

exceedingly weakened, fled away, Bhima (as already said) beholding

Arjuna, proceeded towards his brother. The unfatigued Bhima, armed with a

mace, destroyed, in that battle, the portion that still remained after

the greater part had been slaughtered by Arjuna, of the Kaurava host

possessed of great might. Fierce as the death-night, subsisting upon men

and elephants and steeds as its food, and capable of crushing walls and

mansions and gates of cities, that exceedingly terrible mace of Bhima

incessantly descended on men and elephants and steeds around him. That

mace, O sire, slew numberless steeds and riders. With that mace the son

of Pandu crushed men and steeds cased in steel armour. Struck therewith,

they fell down with great noise. Biting the earth with their teeth, and

bathed in blood, these, with the crowns of their heads and bows and lower

limbs crushed, laid themselves down on the field, supplying all

carnivorous creatures with food. Satiated with blood and flesh and

marrow, and eating bones as well, that mace (of Bhimasena) became, like

the death-night, difficult of being gazed at. Having slain 10,000 horses

and numerous foot-soldiers, Bhima ran hither and thither in rage, armed

with his mace. Then, O Bharata, thy troops, beholding Bhima mace in hand,

thought that Yama himself, armed with his fatal bludgeon, was in their

midst. The son of Pandu then, excited with rage, and resembling an

infuriated elephant, penetrated into the elephant division (of the

Kauravas), like a Makara entering the ocean. Having, with his formidable

mace, penetrated into that elephant division, the enraged Bhima, within a

very short time, despatched it to Yama's abode. We then beheld those

infuriated elephants with spiked plates on their bodies falling on every

side, with their riders and standards, like winged mountains. Having

destroyed that elephant division, the mighty Bhimasena, once more riding

on his car, followed Arjuna at his rear. That great host, thus

slaughtered, filled with cheerlessness and about to fly away, stood

almost inactive, O monarch, assailed on all sides with weapons. Beholding

that host looking humble and standing inactive and almost motionless,

Arjuna covered it with life-scorching shafts. Men and steeds and

elephants, pierced in that battle with showers of shafts by the wielder

of Gandiva, looked beautiful like Kadamva flowers with their filaments.

Thus struck with Arjuna's shafts that quickly slew men and steeds and

cars and elephants, loud wails, O king, arose from the Kuru army. With

cries of "Oh" and "Alas," and exceedingly frightened, and huddling close

to one another, thy army began to turn round with great speed. The

battle, however, continued between the Kurus and the Pandavas of great

might. There was not a single car-warrior or horseman or elephant-warrior

or steed or elephant that was unwounded. Their coats of mail pierced with

shafts and themselves bathed in blood, the troops looked blazing like a

forest of flowering Asokas. Beholding Savyasaci putting forth his valour

on that occasion, the Kauravas became hopeless of Karna's life. Regarding

the touch of Arjuna's shafts to be unbearable, the Kauravas, vanquished

by the wielder of Gandiva, fled from the field. Deserting Karna in that

battle as they were being thus struck with Arjuna's shafts, they fled

away in fear on all sides, loudly calling upon the Suta's son (to rescue

them). Partha, however, pursued them, shooting hundreds of shafts and

gladdening the Pandava warriors headed by Bhimasena. Thy sons then, O

monarch, proceeded towards the car of Karna. Sinking, as they seemed to

be, in a fathomless ocean, Karna then became an island unto them. The

Kauravas, O monarch, like snakes without poison, took Karna's shelter,

moved by the fear of the wielder of Gandiva. Indeed, even as creatures, O

sire, endued with actions, from fear of death, take the shelter of

virtue, thy sons, O ruler of men, from fear of the high-souled son of

Pandu, took shelter with the mighty bowman Karna. Then, Karna, uninspired

with fear, addressed those distressed warriors afflicted with arrows and

bathed in blood, saying, 'Do not fear! Come to me!" Beholding thy army

vigorously broken by Partha, Karna, stretching his bow, stood desirous of

slaughtering the foe. Seeing that the Kurus had left the field, Karna,

that foremost of all wielders of weapons, reflecting a little, set his

heart upon the slaughter of Partha and began to draw deep breaths.

Bending his formidable bow, Adhiratha's son Vrisha once more rushed

against the Pancalas, in the very sight of Savyasaci. Soon, however, many

lords of the earth, with eyes red as blood, poured their arrowy downpours

on him like clouds pouring rain upon a mountain. Then thousands of

arrows, O foremost of living creatures, shot by Karna, O sire, deprived

many Pancalas of their lives. Loud sounds of wailing were uttered by the

Pancalas, O thou of great intelligence, while they were being thus

smitten by the Suta's son, that rescuer of friends, for the sake of his

friends.'"




82


"Sanjaya said, 'After the Kurus, O king, had been put to flight by the

mighty car-warrior Arjuna of white steeds, the Suta's son Karna began to

destroy the sons of the Pancalas with his mighty shafts, like the tempest

destroying congregated masses of clouds. Felling Janamejaya's driver with

broad-faced shafts called Anjalikas, he next slew the steeds of that

Pancala warrior. With a number of broad-headed arrows he then pierced

both Satanika and Sutasoma and then cut off the bows of both those

heroes. Next he pierced Dhrishtadyumna with six arrows, and then, without

the loss of a moment, he slew in that encounter the steeds of that

prince. Having slain next the steeds of Satyaki, the Suta's son then slew

Visoka, the son of the ruler of the Kaikayas. Upon the slaughter of the

Kaikaya prince, the commander of the Kaikaya division, Ugrakarman, rushed

with speed and striking Prasena, the son of Karna, with many shafts of

fierce impetuosity caused him to tremble. Then Karna, with three

crescent-shaped arrows, cut off the arms and the head of his son's

assailant, whereupon the latter, deprived of life, fell down upon the

ground from his car, like a Sala tree with its branches lopped off with

an axe. Then Prasena, with many keen arrows of straight course, covered

the steedless grandson of Sini, and seemed to dance upon his car. Soon,

however, the son of Karna, struck by the grandson of Sini, fell down.

Upon the slaughter of his son, Karna, with heart filled with rage,

addressed that bull among the Sinis from desire of slaying him, saying,

"Thou art slain, O grandson of Sini!' and sped at him an arrow capable of

slaying all foes. Then Shikhandi cut off that arrow with three shafts of

his, and struck Karna himself with three other shafts. The fierce son of

the Suta then, cutting off with a couple of razor-faced arrows the bow

and the standard of Shikhandi, struck and pierced Shikhandi himself with

six shafts, and then cut off the head of Dhrishtadyumna's son. The

high-souled son of Adhiratha then pierced Sutasoma with a very keen

shaft. During the progress of that fierce battle, and after

Dhrishtadyumna's son had been slain, Krishna, O lion among kings,

addressed Partha, saying, "The Pancalas are being exterminated. Go, O

Partha, and slay Karna." Thus addressed the mighty-armed Arjuna, that

foremost of men, smiled and then proceeded on his car towards the car of

Adhiratha's son desirous, on that occasion of terror, of rescuing the

Pancalas slaughtered by Karna, that leader of car-warriors. Stretching

his Gandiva of loud twang and fiercely striking his palms with her

bow-string, he suddenly created a darkness by means of his arrows and

destroyed large numbers of men and steeds and cars and standards. The

echoes (of that twang) travelled through the welkin. The birds, (no

longer finding room in their own element), took shelter in the caverns of

mountains. With his full-drawn bow, Arjuna looked resplendent. Indeed, as

the diadem-decked Partha, at that terrible moment, fell upon the foe,

Bhimasena, that foremost of heroes, proceeded on his car behind that son

of Pandu, protecting his rear. Those two princes then, on their cars,

proceeded with great speed towards Karna, encountering their foes along

the way. During that interval, the Suta's son fought fiercely, grinding

the Somakas. He slew a large number of car-warriors and steeds and

elephants, and covered the ten points of the compass with his shafts.

Then Uttamauja and Janamejaya, and the enraged Yudhamanyu and Shikhandi,

uniting with Prishata's son (Dhrishtadyumna) and uttering loud roars,

pierced Karna with many shafts. Those five foremost of Pancala

car-warriors rushed against Karna otherwise called Vaikartana, but they

could not shake him off his car like the objects of the senses failing to

shake off the person of purified soul from abstinence. Quickly cutting

off their bows, standards, steeds, drivers and banners, with his shafts,

Karna struck each of them with five arrows and then uttered a loud roar

like a lion, People then became exceedingly cheerless, thinking that the

very earth, with her mountains and trees, might split at the twang of

Karna's bow while that hero, with shafts in hand touching the bow-string,

was employed in shooting at his assailants and slaying his foes. Shooting

his shafts with that large and extended bow of his that resembled the bow

of Sakra himself, the son of Adhiratha looked resplendent like the sun,

with his multitude of blazing rays, within his corona. The Suta's son

then pierced Shikhandi with a dozen keen shafts, and Uttamauja with half

a dozen, and Yudhamanyu with three, and then each of the other two, viz.,

Somaka (Janamejaya) and Prishata's son (Dhrishtadyumna) with three

shafts. Vanquished in dreadful battle by the Suta's son, O sire, those

five mighty car-warriors then stood inactive, gladdening their foes, even

as the objects of the senses are vanquished by a person of purified soul.

The five sons of Draupadi then, with other well-equipped cars, rescued

those maternal uncles of theirs that were sinking in the Karna ocean,

like persons rescuing from the depths of the ocean ship-wrecked merchants

in the sea by means of other vessels. Then that bull among the Sinis,

cutting off with his own keen shafts the innumerable arrows sped by

Karna, and piercing Karna himself with many keen arrows made entirely of

iron, pierced thy eldest son with eight shafts. Then Kripa, and the Bhoja

chief (Kritavarma), and thy son, and Karna himself, assailed Satyaki in

return with keen shafts. That foremost one, however, of Yadu's race

fought with those four warriors like the chief of the Daityas fighting

with the Regents of the (four) quarters. With his twanging bow stretched

to its fullest limits, and from which shafts flowed incessantly, Satyaki

became exceedingly irresistible like the meridian Sun in the autumnal

sky. Those scorchers of foes then, viz., the mighty car-warriors among

the Pancalas, once more riding on their cars and clad in mail and united

together, protected that foremost one among the Sinis, like the Maruts

protecting Sakra while engaged in afflicting his foes in battle. The

battle fraught with the slaughter of men and steeds and elephants that

then ensued between thy foes and the warriors of thy army, became so

fierce that it resembled the encounter in days of old between the gods

and the Asuras. Car-warriors and elephants and steeds and foot-soldiers,

covered with showers of diverse weapons, began to move from one point to

another. Struck by one another, they reeled or uttered wails of woe in

affliction or fell down deprived of life. When such was the state of

affairs, thy son Duhshasana, the younger brother of the king, fearlessly

advanced against Bhima, shooting showers of shafts. Vrikodara also rushed

impetuously against him, like a lion springing towards a large Ruru deer.

The encounter then that took place between those two heroes incensed with

each other and who engaged in battle's sport making life itself the

stake, became exceedingly fierce, resembled that between Samvara and

Sakra in days of old. They struck each other deeply with shafts possessed

of great energy and capable of piercing each other's body, like two

mighty elephants excited with lust and with juicy secretions incessantly

trickling down their bodies, fighting with each other in the vicinity of

a she-elephant in her season. Vrikodara, with great speed, cut off, with

a couple of razor-headed arrows, the bow and the standard of thy son.

With another winged arrow he pierced his antagonist's forehead and then

(with a fourth) cut off from his trunk the head of the latter's driver.

Prince Duhshasana, taking up another bow, pierced Vrikodara with a dozen

shafts. Himself holding the reins of his steeds, he once more poured over

Bhima a shower of straight arrows. Then Duhshasana sped a shaft bright as

the rays of the sun, decked with gold, diamonds, and other precious gems,

capable of piercing the body of his assailant, and irresistible as the

stroke of Indra's thunder. His body pierced therewith, Vrikodara fell,

with languid limbs and like one deprived of life and with outstretched

arms, upon his own excellent car. Recovering his senses, however, he

began to roar like a lion.'"




83


"Sanjaya said, 'Fighting fiercely, prince Duhshasana achieved the most

difficult feats in that encounter. With a single shaft he cut off Bhima's

bow, and then with six shafts he pierced his foe's driver. Having

achieved those feats, the prince, endued with great activity, pierced

Bhima himself with nine shafts. Indeed the high-souled warrior, without

losing a moment, then pierced Bhimasena with many shafts of great energy.

Filled with rage at this, Bhimasena, endued with great activity, sped at

thy son a fierce dart. Beholding that terrible dart impetuously coursing

towards him like a blazing brand, thy high-souled son cut it off with ten

shafts shot from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch. Seeing that

difficult feat achieved by him, all the warriors, filled with joy,

applauded him highly. Thy son then once more pierced Bhima deeply with

another shaft. Blazing with wrath at sight of Duhshasana, Bhima then

addressed him, saying, "Pierced I have been, O hero, quickly and deeply,

by thee. Bear now, however, once more, the stroke of my mace." Having

said this, the enraged Bhima took up that terrible mace of his for

Duhshasana's slaughter. Once more addressing him, he said, "O thou of

wicked soul, I shall today drink thy blood on the field of battle." Thus

addressed, thy son sped at Bhima with great force a fierce dart

resembling Death itself. Bhima also, his form filled with wrath, whirled

his terrible mace and hurled it at his antagonist. That mace,

precipitately breaking Duhshasana's dart, struck thy son on his head.

Indeed, perspiring like an elephant with juicy secretions trickling down

his body, Bhima, in that dreadful battle, hurled his mace at the prince.

With that weapon, Bhimasena forcibly threw Duhshasana down from his car

at a distance measured by the length of ten bows. Struck with the

impetuous mace, Duhshasana, thrown down on the ground, began to tremble.

All his steeds also, O king, were slain, and his car too was reduced to

atoms by that falling weapon. As regards Duhshasana himself, his armour

and ornaments and attire and garlands were all displaced, and he began to

writhe, afflicted with agony. Endued with great activity, Bhimasena then

recollected, in the midst of that terrible battle and standing as he did

amid many foremost warriors of the Kuru army, all the acts of hostility

(done towards the Pandavas) by thy sons. The mighty-armed Bhima of

inconceivable feats, O king, beholding Duhshasana (in that plight), and

recollecting the seizure of Draupadi's tresses and her disrobing while

she was ill,--indeed, the innocent Bhima, reflecting also upon the

diverse other wrongs inflicted on that princess while her husbands sat

with faces turned away from the scene, blazed up in wrath like fire fed

with libations of clarified butter. Addressing Karna and Suyodhana and

Kripa and Drona's son and Kritavarma, he said, "Today I shall slay the

wretched Duhshasana. Let all the warriors protect him (if they can)."

Having said this, Bhima of exceeding strength and great activity suddenly

rushed, from desire of slaying Duhshasana. Like a lion of fierce

impetuosity rushing towards a mighty elephant, Vrikodara, that foremost

of heroes, rushed towards Duhshasana in that battle and attacked him in

the very sight of Suyodhana and Karna. Jumping down from his car, he

alighted on the ground, and fixed his eyes steadfastly on his fallen foe.

Drawing then his whetted sword of keen edge, and trembling with rage, he

placed his foot upon the throat of Duhshasana, and ripping open the

breast of his enemy stretched on the ground, quaffed his warm life-blood.

Then throwing him down and cutting off, O king, with that sword the head

of thy son, Bhima of great intelligence, desirous of accomplishing his

vow, again quaffed his enemy's blood little by little, as if for enjoying

its taste. Then looking at him with wrathful eyes, he said these words,

"I regard the taste of this blood of my enemy to be superior to that of

my mother's milk, or honey, or clarified butter, or good wine that is

prepared from honey, or excellent water, or milk, or curds, or skimmed

milk, or all other kinds of drinks there are on earth that are sweet as

ambrosia or nectar." Once more, Bhima of fierce deeds, his heart filled

with wrath, beholding Duhshasana dead, laughed softly and said, "What

more can I do to thee? Death has rescued thee from my hands." They, O

king, that saw Bhimasena, while he filled with joy at having quaffed the

blood of his foe, was uttering those words and stalking on the field of

battle, fell down in fear. They that did not fall down at the sight, saw

their weapons drop from their hands. Many, from fear, cried out feebly

and looked at Bhima with half-shut eyes. Indeed, all those that stood

around Bhima and beheld him drink the blood of Duhshasana, fled away,

overwhelmed with fear, and saying unto one another, "This one is no human

being!" When Bhima had assumed that form, people, beholding him quaff his

enemy's blood, fled away with Citrasena, saying unto one another, 'This

Bhima must be a rakshasa!" Then the (Pancala) prince Yudhamanyu, at the

head of his troops, fearlessly pursued the retreating Citrasena and

pierced him with seven keen shafts, quickly sped one after another. At

this, like a trampled snake of great energy repeatedly darting out its

tongue and desirous of vomiting its poison, Citrasena turned back and

pierced the Pancala prince with three shafts and his driver with six. The

brave Yudhamanyu then struck off his enemy's head with a shaft equipped

with goodly wings and an exceedingly keen point and sped with great care

from his bow drawn to its fullest stretch. Upon the fall of his brother

Citrasena, Karna, filled with wrath and displaying his prowess, put the

Pandava host to flight, at which Nakula rushed against that warrior of

immeasurable energy. Bhima, having slain there (at the very sight of

Karna) the vindictive Duhshasana, took up a little quantity of his blood,

and, endued with stentorian lungs, he said these words in the hearing of

all those foremost of heroes of the world, "O wretch amongst men, here I

drink thy life-blood from thy throat. Filled with joy, abuse us once

more, saying 'beast, beast' (as thou didst before)." And he continued,

"They that danced at us then, saying, 'beast, beast,' even we will dance

at them now, repeating their own words. Our sleep at the palace at

Pramanakoti, the administration of deadly poison to our food, the bites

of black cobras, the setting fire to the house of lac, the robbing of our

kingdom by gambling, our exile in the woods, the cruel seizure of

Draupadi's beautiful tresses, the strokes of shafts and weapons in

battle, our miseries at home, the other kinds of sufferings we endured at

Virata's abode, all these woes borne by us through the counsels of

Shakuni and Duryodhana and Radha's son, proceeded from thee as their

cause. Through the wickedness of Dhritarashtra and his son, we have

endured all these woes. Happiness has never been ours." Having said these

words, O king, the victorious Vrikodara, once more spoke these words unto

Keshava and Arjuna. Indeed, bathed in blood, with blood flowing from his

wounds, with face exceedingly red, filled with great wrath, Bhimasena

endued with great activity, said these words, "Ye heroes, that which I

had vowed in respect of Duhshasana in battle, I have accomplished today.

I will soon accomplish my other vow by slaying that second beast, viz.,

Duryodhana, in this sacrifice of battle. Striking the head of that

wicked-souled one with my foot in the presence of the Kauravas, I shall

obtain peace." Having said these words, Bhima, filled with great joy,

drenched with blood, uttered loud shouts, even as the mighty and

high-souled Indra of a 1,000 eyes had roared after slaying (the Asura)

Vritra.'"




84


"Sanjaya said, 'After the slaughter of Duhshasana, O king, ten of thy

sons, heroes that never retreated from battle, all of whom were great

car-warriors, endued with mighty energy, and filled with the poison of

wrath, shrouded Bhima with their shafts. Nishangin, and Kavachin, and

Pasin and Dundadhara and Dhanurgraha, and Alolupa, and Saha, and Shanda,

and Vatavega and Suvarchasas, these ten, afflicted at the slaughter of

their brother, united together and checked the mighty-armed Bhimasena

with their shafts. Resisted on all sides with their shafts by those great

car-warriors, Bhima, with eyes red as fire with fury, looked resplendent

like the Destroyer himself in rage. Partha, however, with ten

broad-headed shafts of great impetuosity, equipped with golden wings,

despatched to Yama's abode those ten Bharata princes decked with golden

bracelets. Upon the fall of those ten heroes, thy army fled away in the

very sight of the Suta's son, overwhelmed with the fear of the Pandavas.

Then, O king, great fear entered the heart of Karna at sight of Bhima's

prowess which resembled that of the Destroyer himself unto living

creatures. Then Shalya, that ornament of assemblies, understanding the

state of Karna's mind from a survey of his features, addressed that

chastiser of foes in words suited to the hour, "Do not be grieved, O son

of Radha! This deed does not become thee. Afflicted with the fear of

Bhimasena, these kings are all flying away. Exceedingly pained by the

calamity that has befallen his brother Duhshasana in consequence of his

blood having been quaffed by the high-souled Bhima, Duryodhana is

stupefied! Kripa and others, and those of the king's brothers that are

still alive, with afflicted hearts, their rage quelled by sorrow, are

tending Duryodhana, sitting around him. Those heroes, the Pandavas of

sure aim, headed by Dhananjaya, are advancing against thee for battle.

For these reasons, O tiger among men, mustering all thy prowess and

keeping the duties of a Kshatriya before thy eyes, proceed against

Dhananjaya. The entire burthen (of this battle) has been placed upon thee

by the son of Dhritarashtra. O thou of mighty arms, bear that burthen to

the best of thy power and might. In victory there will be great fame. In

defeat, heaven is certain. There, O son of Radha, thy son, Vrishasena,

filled with wrath at sight of the stupefaction that has overwhelmed thee,

is rushing towards the Pandavas." Hearing these words of Shalya of

immeasurable energy, Karna, reflecting, concluded unalterably that

fighting had become unavoidable. Then Vrishasena, filled with wrath, and

riding upon his own car, rushed towards that son of Pandu, viz.,

Vrikodara, who, armed with his mace, resembled the Destroyer himself with

his fatal rod and was employed in slaughtering thy troops. That foremost

of heroes, Nakula, filled with wrath, rushed at that enemy of theirs,

Karna's son, striking him with arrows, like the victorious Maghavat with

joyous heart rushing against (the Asura) Jambha. Then the brave Nakula,

with a razor-headed shaft, cut off his enemy's standard decked with gems.

With a broad-headed arrow, he next cut off the bow also of Karna's son,

with a golden belt attached to it. Possessed of mighty weapons, Karna's

son then, desirous of showing his regard for Duhshasana, quickly took up

another bow, and pierced Nakula, the son of Pandu with many mighty

celestial weapons. The high-souled Nakula, then, filled with rage,

pierced his antagonist with shafts that resembled large blazing brands.

At this Karna's son also, accomplished in weapons, showered celestial

weapon upon Nakula. From rage engendered by the strokes of his enemy's

weapon, as also from his own resplendence and the energy of his weapons,

the son of Karna blazed up like a fire with libations of clarified

butter. Indeed, O king, Karna's son then slew with his excellent weapons

the beautiful steeds of the delicate Nakula, that were of the Vanayu

breed, white in hue, and decked with trappings of gold. Alighting then

from his steedless vehicle, and taking up a bright shield decked with

golden moons, and armed also with a sword that was blue as the sky,

Nakula, frequently jumping up, careered there like a bird. Performing

diverse beautiful evolutions in the air, the son of Pandu cut off many

foremost of men and steeds and elephants. Cut off with that sword, they

fell down on the earth like animals cut off in a horse-sacrifice by the

person appointed to that duty. 2,000 well-trained heroes, delighting in

battle, hailing from diverse realms, well-paid, of sure aim, and their

limbs smeared with excellent sandal-paste, were quickly cut off by the

single-handed Nakula inspired with desire of victory. Then Karna's son,

suddenly advancing with great speed against the rushing Nakula in that

battle pierced him from every side with many keen arrows from desire of

slaying him. Thus struck with shafts (by Vrishasena), Nakula struck his

brave antagonist in return. Pierced by the son of Pandu, Vrishasena

became filled with wrath. Protected, however, in that dreadful battle, by

his brother Bhima, the high-souled Nakula achieved such terrible feats on

that occasion. Filled with rage, the son of Karna then pierced with

eighteen shafts the heroic Nakula who seemed to sport in that battle,

while employed, unaided, in destroying the foremost of men and steeds and

elephants. Deeply pierced by Vrishasena in that battle, O king, Pandu's

son Nakula, that foremost of men, endued with great activity, became

filled with rage and rushed in that encounter against the son of Karna

from desire of slaying him. Then Vrishasena poured showers of keen shafts

upon Nakula of great energy as the latter precipitately advanced against

him in that battle like a hawk with outstretched wings from desire of

meat. Baffling, however, his antagonist's showers of shafts, Nakula

careered in diverse beautiful motions. Then Karna's son, O king, in that

dreadful battle, cut off, with his mighty shafts, the shield, decked with

a 1,000 stars, of Nakula, while he was careering with great activity in

those beautiful motions. Without losing a moment, that resister of foes,

(Vrishasena), with half a dozen sharp razor-headed shafts, then cut off

that naked sword of Nakula, polished and keen-edged, made of steel,

capable of bearing a great strain and of destroying the bodies of all

foes, and terrible and fierce as the poison of the snake, while he was

whirling it rapidly. After this, Vrishasena deeply pierced his antagonist

in the centre of his chest with some well-tempered and keen shafts.

Having achieved those feats in battle that were applauded by all noble

persons and that could not be achieved by other men, the high-souled

Nakula of great activity, afflicted with those shafts, proceeded to the

car, O king, of Bhimasena. The steedless son of Madri, thus afflicted by

Karna's son, sprang upon Bhima's car like a lion springing upon a

mountain summit, in the sight of Dhananjaya. The high-souled and heroic

Vrishasena then, filled with wrath, poured his arrowy showers upon those

two mighty car-warriors for piercing those two sons of Pandu. After the

destruction of that car belonging to the son of Pandu (Nakula), and after

his sword also had been speedily cut off with (Vrishasena's) shafts; many

other foremost of Kuru heroes, uniting together, approached the Pandava

brothers, and began to strike them with showers of shafts. Then those two

sons of Pandu, Bhima and Arjuna, filled with wrath, and resembling two

fires fed with libations of clarified butter, poured terrible showers of

arrows upon Vrishasena and the other assembled warriors around him. The

son of the Wind-god then, addressing Phalguna, said, "Behold, Nakula here

is being afflicted. The son of Karna is resisting us. Proceed, therefore,

against Karna's son." Hearing these words, the diadem-decked (Arjuna)

approached the car of his brother Vrikodara. Beholding that hero arrived

near, Nakula addressed him, saying, "Do thou speedily slay this one."

Thus addressed in that battle by his brother, Nakula, standing before

him, the diadem-decked Arjuna, that formidable hero, precipitately caused

his ape-bannered vehicle, guided by Keshava himself, to be driven towards

Vrishasena.'"




85


"Sanjaya said, 'Learning that Nakula had been deprived of his car,

afflicted with arrows and mangled with the weapons of Karna's son, and

that he had his shafts, bow, and sword cut off, these eleven formidable

resisters of all foes, the five heroic sons of Drupada, the grandson of

Sini forming the sixth, and the five sons of Draupadi quickly proceeded

on their loud-sounding cars drawn by bounding steeds, with banners waving

in the air, and guided by accomplished drivers. Those well-armed warriors

began to destroy thy elephants and cars and men and steeds with shafts

that resembled formidable snakes. Then Hridika's son and Kripa and

Drona's son and Duryodhana and Shakuni's son and Vrika and Kratha and

Devavridha, those foremost of Kaurava car-warriors, speedily proceeded

against them, armed with their bows and mounted upon their cars of rattle

deep as the roar of elephants or the clouds. These Kaurava warriors,

assailing those foremost of men and first of car-warriors, those eleven

heroes (of the Pandava army), O king, with the mightiest of shafts,

checked their progress. At this, the Kulindas, riding upon their

elephants of impetuous speed that looked like mountain summits and that

were of the hue of newly-risen clouds, advanced against those Kaurava

heroes. Well-equipped, and covered with gold, those infuriated elephants,

born in Himalayan regions and ridden by accomplished warriors longing for

battle, looked resplendent like clouds in the welkin, charged with

lightning. The prince of the Kulindas then vigorously assailed Kripa and

his driver and steeds, with ten shafts made wholly of iron. Struck (in

return) with the shafts of Sharadvata's son, the prince fell down with

his elephant on the ground. The younger brother of that prince then,

assailing Kripa's car with a number of lances made wholly of iron and all

bright as the rays of the sun, uttered loud roars. The ruler of the

Gandharvas, however, cut off the head of that warrior while still

uttering those roars. Upon the fall of those Kulindas, those mighty

car-warriors of thy army, filled with joy, blew their sea-born conchs,

and, armed with bows, rushed against their enemies. The battle then that

once more took place between the Kurus on the one side and the Pandavas

and the Srinjayas on the other, with arrows and scimitars and darts and

swords and maces and battle-axes, became fierce and awful and exceedingly

destructive of men and steeds and elephants. Car-warriors and steeds and

elephants and foot-soldiers, striking one another, fell down on the

ground, making the field of battle look like the welkin when congregated

masses of clouds charged with lightning and producing incessant peals of

thunder are assailed by fierce winds from all sides. Then the chief of

the Bhojas struck the huge elephants, the car-warriors, the innumerable

foot-soldiers, and the horse under Satanika. Struck with Kritavarma's

shafts, these soon fell down on the ground. About this time, struck with

Ashvatthama's shafts, three huge elephants equipped with all kinds of

weapons, ridden by accomplished warriors, and adorned with lofty

standards, fell down lifeless on the ground like gigantic cliffs riven by

thunder. Then the third brother of the Kulinda chief assailed thy son

Duryodhana with some excellent shafts in the centre of the chest. Thy

son, however, pierced him as also his elephant with many whetted shafts.

That prince of elephants then, with the prince on his back, fell down,

with streams of blood issuing from every part of his body, like a

mountain of red chalk in the season of rains, with red streams running

down its breast, tumbling down when riven by the thunder of Sachi's lord.

The Kulinda prince, however, having saved himself in time, rode another

elephant. Urged by the prince, that animal assailed Kratha with his

driver and steeds and car. Pierced, however, with Kratha's shafts, that

elephant, with its rider, fell down like a thunder-riven hill. The ruler

of the Krathas, that invincible car-warrior, however, struck with shafts

by the prince born on the mountains from the back of another elephant,

fell down with his steeds, driver, bow, and standard, like a mighty tree

uprooted by the tempest. Then Vrika deeply pierced with a dozen shafts

that prince having his abode on the Himavat as he stood on his elephant.

The huge beast quickly crushed with his four legs (the Kaurava warrior)

Vrika with his steeds and car. That prince of elephants then, with its

rider, deeply pierced by the son of Vabhru, advanced impetuously against

the latter. Vabhru's son, however, that prince of the Magadhas, afflicted

with arrows by Sahadeva's son, fell down. The prince of the Kulindas

then, with that elephant of his which was capable of slaying the foremost

of warriors with its tusks and body, rushed impetuously towards Shakuni

for slaying him. The mountaineer succeeded in afflicting Shakuni greatly.

Soon, however, the chief of the Gandharas cut off his head. About this

time huge elephants and steeds and car-warriors and large bands of foot,

struck by Satanika, fell down on the earth, paralysed and crushed like

snakes beaten by the tempest caused by Garuda's wings. Then a Kulinda

warrior (on the Kaurava side), smiling the while, pierced Satanika, the

son of Nakula, with many whetted arrows. Nakula's son, however, with a

razor-headed arrow, cut off from his antagonist's trunk his head

resembling a lotus. Then Karna's son pierced Satanika with three arrows,

made wholly of iron and Arjuna also with as many. And he pierced Bhima

with three arrows and Nakula with seven and Janardana with a dozen.

Beholding that feat of Vrishasena, that achiever of superhuman feats, the

Kauravas became filled with joy and applauded him greatly. They, however,

that were conversant with Dhananjaya's prowess, regarded Vrishasena as a

libation already poured on the fire. The diadem-decked Arjuna then, that

slayer of hostile heroes, seeing Madri's son Nakula, that foremost of

men, deprived of his steeds in the midst of all, and beholding Janardana

mangled with arrows, rushed in that battle against Vrishasena who was

then staying in front of the Suta's son (Karna). Like Namuci rushing

against Indra, Karna's son, that great car-warrior, also rushed, in that

battle, against that fierce and foremost of men, Arjuna, that warrior

possessing thousands of arrows, as the latter advanced towards him.

Unsupported by any one, the high-souled son of Karna, quickly piercing

Partha with a shaft in that battle, uttered a loud shout, like Namuci in

days of old after having pierced Indra. Once more Vrishasena pierced

Partha in the left arm-pit with many formidable shafts. Piercing Krishna

next with nine arrows, he struck Partha again with ten shafts. The

white-steeded Arjuna, having before been pierced by Vrishasena with those

formidable arrows, became slightly enraged and set his heart on the

slaughter of Karna's son. The high-souled and diadem-decked Arjuna then,

his brow furrowed from wrath with three lines, quickly sped from the van

of battle a number of shafts for the destruction of Vrishasena in that

encounter. With eyes red in wrath, that hero capable of slaying Yama

himself if the latter fought with him, then laughed terribly and said

unto Karna and all the other Kaurava heroes headed by Duryodhana and

Drona's son, these words, "Today, O Karna, in thy very sight in this

battle, I will despatch the fierce Vrishasena unto Yama's abode with my

keen arrows! People say that all of you, united together, slew my son,

endued with great activity, in my absence, and while he was alone and

unsupported on his car. I, however, will slay thy son in the very sight

of you all. Let all the Kaurava car-warriors protect him. I will slay the

fierce Vrishasena. After that, I will slay thee, O fool, even I, Arjuna,

in the midst of battle! Today I will, in battle, slay thee that art the

root of this quarrel and that hast become so proud in consequence of

Duryodhana's patronage. Putting forth my strength, I will certainly slay

thee in this battle, and Bhimasena will slay this Duryodhana, this wretch

among men, through whose evil policy this quarrel born of dice hath

arisen." Having said these words, Arjuna rubbed the string of his bow and

took aim at Vrishasena in that battle, and sped, O king, a number of

shafts for the slaughter of Karna's son. The diadem-decked Arjuna then,

fearlessly and with great force, pierced Vrishasena with ten shafts in

all his vital limbs. With four fierce razor-headed arrows he cut off

Vrishasena's bow and two arms and head. Struck with Partha's shafts, the

son of Karna, deprived of arms and head, fell down on the earth from his

car, like a gigantic shala adorned with flowers falling down from a

mountain summit. Beholding his son, thus struck with arrows, fall down

from his vehicle, the Suta's son Karna, endued with great activity and

scorched with grief on account of the death of his son, quickly proceeded

on his car, inspired with wrath, against the car of the diadem-decked

Partha.


"Indeed, beholding his son slain in his sight by the white-steeded Arjuna

in battle, the high-souled Karna, filled with great wrath, rushed against

Krishna and Arjuna.'"




86


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the gigantic and roaring Karna, incapable of

being resisted by the very gods, advancing like the surging sea, that

bull amongst men, viz., he of Dasharha's race, addressed Arjuna, saying,

"That car-warrior having white steeds and owning Shalya for his driver

cometh hither with whom thou art to contend in battle. Therefore, O

Dhananjaya, summon all thy coolness. Behold then, O son of Pandu, the

well-equipped car of Karna. White steeds are yoked unto it and Radha's

son himself is the warrior that stands upon it. Teeming with banners and

decked with rows of bells, it looks like a celestial car borne along the

welkin by steeds white in hue. Behold also the standard of the

high-souled Karna, bearing the device of the elephant's rope, and looking

like the bow of Indra himself that divides the firmament by a clear line.

Behold Karna as he advanceth from desire of doing what is agreeable to

Dhritarashtra's son, shooting showers of shafts like the clouds pouring

torrents of rain. There the royal chief of the Madras, stationed on the

fore-part of the car, guideth the steeds of Radha's son of immeasurable

energy. Hear the peal of their drums and the fierce blare of their

conchs. Hear, O son of Pandu, the diverse leonine roars coming from every

side. Hear the terrible twang, silencing all other loud sounds, of the

bow (Vijaya) stretched by Karna of immeasurable energy. There the mighty

car-warriors among the Pancalas, with their followers, are breaking like

a herd of deer in the great forest at the sight of an angry lion. It

behoveth thee, O son of Kunti, to slay the Suta's son with every care. No

other person save thee can venture to bear the shafts of Karna. It is

well known to me that thou art competent to vanquish in battle the three

worlds with all their mobile and immobile creatures including the very

gods and the Gandharvas. What need be said about battling with that

puissant one, when people are incapable of even gazing at him, viz., the

fierce and terrible Isana, that great god, the three-eyed Sarva,

otherwise called Kapardin? Thou, however, hadst, by battle, gratified

that god of gods himself, that Siva who is the source of bliss unto all

creatures, that deity called Sthanu. The other deities also have all

given thee boons. Through the grace, O Partha, of that god of gods, that

deity armed with a trident, slay Karna, O mighty-armed one, like Indra

slaying the Asura Namuci. Let prosperity be ever with thee, O Partha, and

do thou obtain victory in battle."


"'Arjuna said, "My victory, O Krishna, is, certain. There is no doubt in

this, since thou, O slayer of Madhu, that art the master of all the

worlds, art pleased with me. Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, and my car,

O great car-warrior! Today Phalguna will not return from battle without

slaying Karna. Behold Karna slain today and cut in pieces with my shafts.

Or, O Govinda, thou wilt today behold me slain with (Karna's) arrows.

That terrible battle, capable of stupefying the three words, is at hand.

As long as the earth will last, people will speak of it." Saying these

words unto Krishna who is never tired with exertion, Partha quickly

proceeded on his car against Karna like an elephant against a rival

elephant. Once more Partha of great energy said unto Krishna, that

chastiser of foes, these words, "Urge the steeds, O Hrishikesha, for time

passeth." Thus addressed by the high-souled son of Pandu, Keshava wished

him victory and urged steeds as fleet as thought. Then that car of

Pandu's son, possessed of great speed, soon reached the front of Karna's

car.'"




87


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding Vrishasena slain, Karna, filled with grief and

rage, shed tears from his eyes for the death of his son. Endued with

great energy, with eyes red as copper from rage, Karna proceeded in the

face of his foe, having summoned Dhananjaya to battle. Then those two

cars, both possessed of solar effulgence and covered with tiger-skins,

when they came together, looked like two suns close to each other. Both

having white steeds and both crushers of foes, those two great bowmen,

those two warriors possessed of solar effulgence, looked resplendent like

the sun and the moon in the firmament. Beholding those two warriors that

resembled Indra and Virochana's son (Vali) carefully preparing for battle

for the conquest of the three worlds, all creatures were filled with

wonder. Seeing those two warriors rushing towards each other with the

clatter of car-wheels the twang of bows, the sound of palms, the whizz of

arrows, and leonine shouts, and seeing also their standards, viz., that

of Karna bearing the elephant's rope and that of Partha bearing the ape,

approach each other, all the lords of the earth became filled with

wonder. Seeing those two car-warriors engaged with each other, O Bharata,

all the kings uttered leonine shouts and cheered them repeatedly with

applause. Beholding that single combat between Partha and Karna,

thousands of combatants there slapped their armpits and waved their

garments on the air. The Kauravas beat their musical instruments and blew

their numerous conchs for gladdening Karna. Similarly, all the Pandavas,

for gladdening Dhananjaya, caused every point of the compass to resound

with the blasts of their trumpets and conchs. With those leonine shouts

and slaps on armpits and other loud cries and roars of brave warriors,

tremendous became the noise there on the occasion of that encounter

between Karna and Arjuna. People beheld those two tigers among men, those

two foremost of car-warriors, stationed on their cars, each armed with

his formidable bow, each equipped with arrows and darts, and each owning

a lofty standard. Both were clad in mail, both had scimitars tied to

their belts, both had white steeds, and both were adorned with excellent

conchs. One had Krishna for driver on his car, and the other had Shalya.

Both of them were great car-warriors and both looked alike. Both

possessed of leonine necks and long arms, the eyes of both were red, and

both were adorned with garlands of gold. Both were armed with bows that

seemed to flash like lightning, and both were adorned with wealth of

weapons. Both had yak-tails for being fanned therewith, and both were

decked with white umbrellas held over them. Both had excellent quivers

and both looked exceedingly handsome. The limbs of both were smeared with

red sandal-paste and both looked like infuriated bulls. Both were

broad-necked like the lion, both were broad-chested, and both endued with

great strength. Challenging each other, O king, each desired to slay the

other. And they rushed against each other like two mighty bulls in a

cow-pen. They were like a couple of infuriated elephants or of angry

mountains or of infant snakes of virulent poison or of all-destroying

Yamas. Enraged with each other like Indra and Vritra, they looked like

the sun and the moon in splendour. Filled with wrath, they resembled two

mighty planets risen for the destruction of the world at the end of the

Yuga. Both of them born of celestial fathers, and both resembling gods in

beauty, they were of godlike energy. Indeed, they looked like the sun and

the moon come of their own accord on the field of battle. Both of them

endued with great might, both filled with pride in battle, they were

armed with diverse weapons. Beholding those two tigers among men, those

two heroes endued with the impetuosity of tigers, thy troops, O monarch,

were filled with great joy. Seeing those two tigers amongst men, viz.,

Karna and Dhananjaya, engaged in battle, a doubt entered the hearts of

all as to which of them would be victorious. Both armed with superior

weapons, and both well-practised in battle, both made the welkin resound

with the slaps on their armpits. Both possessed of great celebrity in

consequence of prowess and might, they resembled the Asura Samvara and

the chief of the celestials in respect of their skill in battle. Both

equal to Kartavirya or Dasaratha's son in battle, both resembled Vishnu

himself in energy or Bhava himself in fight. Both had white steeds, O

king, and both were borne on foremost of cars. Both of them, again, had

foremost of drivers in that great battle. Beholding, O monarch, those two

great car-warriors looking resplendent on their cars, the bands of

Siddhas and Charanas that came there became filled with wonder. The

Dhartarashtras then, O bull of Bharata's race, with their troops,

encompassed the high-souled Karna, that ornament of battle, without

losing any time. Similarly the Pandavas headed by Dhrishtadyumna, filled

with joy, encompassed that high-souled Partha who was unrivalled in

battle. Karna became the stake, O monarch, of thy army in that battle,

while Partha became the stake of the Pandavas. The soldiers of both sides

were as members of that assembly and became the spectators of that game.

Indeed, as regards the parties engaged in that game of battle, either

victory or defeat was certain. Those two then, Karna and Arjuna, for

victory or the reverse, began the match between ourselves and the

Pandavas both standing on the field of battle. Skilled in fight, the two

heroes, O monarch, in that encounter, became highly enraged with each

other and wished to slay each other. Desiring to take each other's life,

like Indra and Vritra, O lord, they faced each other like two mighty

comets of terrible form. Then in the sky, differences and disputes,

accompanied with revilings, arose among the creatures there, O bull of

Bharata's race, on the subject of Karna and Arjuna. All the inhabitants

of the world, O sire, were heard to differ amongst themselves. The gods,

the Danavas, the Gandharvas, the Pishacas, the Snakes, the Rakshasas,

adopted opposite sides in that encounter between Karna and Arjuna. The

welkin, O monarch, with all the stars, became anxious on Karna's account,

while the wide earth became so on Partha's account, like the mother for

her son. The rivers, the seas, the mountains, O best of men, the trees,

the deciduous plants and herbs, took the side of the diadem-decked

Arjuna. The Asuras, Yatudhanas, the Guhyakas, O scorcher of foes, and

ravens and other rangers of the sky, sided with Karna. All the gems and

precious jewels, the four Vedas with the histories as the fifth, the

Upavedas, the Upanishads, with all their mysteries, and the compilations,

and Vasuki, and Citrasena, and Takshaka, and Upatakshaka, and all the

mountains, and all the offspring of Kadru with their children, all the

great snakes endued with poison, and the Nagas, took the side of Arjuna.

Airavata and his children, the offspring of Surabhi, the offspring of

Vaisali, and the Bhogins sided with Arjuna. The smaller snakes all sided

with Karna. Wolves and wild stags and all kinds of auspicious animals and

birds were, O king, for victory to Partha. The Vasus, the Maruts, the

Sadhyas, the Rudras, the Vishvedevas and the Ashvinis, and Agni and Indra

and Soma and Pavana, and the ten points of the compass, became the

partisans of Dhananjaya, while all the Adityas sided with Karna. The

vaishyas, the shudras, the Sutas, and those castes that were of a mixed

origin, all, O king, adopted the side of Radha's son. The celestials,

however, with the pitris, and with all that were numbered with them as

also with their followers, and Yama and Vaishravana and Varuna were on

the side of Arjuna. The brahmanas, the kshatriyas, the sacrifices, and

those gifts called dakshinas, were for Arjuna. The pretas, and pishacas,

many carnivorous animals and birds, the rakshasas with all the monsters

of the sea, the dogs, and the jackals were for Karna. The diverse tribes

of celestial and regenerate and royal rishis were for the son of Pandu.

The gandharvas headed by Tumvuru, O king, were on the side of Arjuna.

With the offspring of Pradha and Mauni, the several classes of gandharvas

and apsaras, and many wise sages, having for their vehicles wolves and

stags and elephants and steeds and cars and foot, and clouds and the

wind, came there for witnessing the encounter between Karna and Arjuna.

The gods, the danavas, the gandharvas, the nagas, the yakshas, the birds,

the great rishis versed in the Vedas, the pitris that subsist upon the

gifts called svadha, and asceticism and the sciences, and the (celestial)

herbs with diverse virtues, came, O monarch, and took up their stations

in the welkin, making a great noise. Brahman, with the regenerate rishis

and the Lords of creatures, and Bhava himself on his car, came to that

part of the welkin. Beholding those two high-souled ones, Karna and

Dhananjaya, about to encounter each other, Shakra himself said, "Let

Arjuna vanquish Karna." Surya, however, said, "Let Karna vanquish Arjuna.

Indeed, let my son Karna, slaying Arjuna, gain the victory in this

battle. Let my son, slaying Karna, win victory." Even thus did Surya and

Vasava, those two foremost of personages, who were there and had adopted

opposite sides, dispute with each other. Beholding those two high-souled

ones, Karna and Dhananjaya, about to engage themselves in battle, the

gods and the asuras adopted opposite sides. The three worlds with the

celestial rishis and all the gods and all other creatures, trembled at

the sight. The gods were on the side of Partha, while the asuras were on

that of Karna. Thus all creatures were interested in that encounter,

siding with this or that leader of car-warriors, the Kuru or the Pandava

hero. Beholding the Self-born Lord of Creation (viz., Brahman), the gods

urged him, saying, "Let, O god, the success of these two lions among men

be equal. Let not the vast universe be destroyed in consequence of this

encounter between Karna and Arjuna. O Selfborn one, say but the word, let

the success of these two be equal." Hearing these words, Maghavat, bowing

down unto the Grandsire, represented this unto that god of gods, that

foremost one of all intelligent beings, saying, "Formerly it was said by

thy holy self that the two Krishnas are always sure to win victory. Let

it be (now) as thou then saidest. Be gratified with me, O holy one!" At

this, Brahman and Isana replied unto the chief of the celestials, saying,

'The victory of the high-souled Vijaya is certain, of that Savyasaci who

gratified the eater of sacrificial libations in the forest of Khandava

and who, coming to heaven, rendered assistance to thee, O Sakra! Karna is

on the side of the Danavas. It is proper, therefore, that he should meet

with defeat. By this, without doubt, the purposes of the gods will be

achieved. One's own business, O chief of the celestials, should always be

important. The high-souled Phalguna, again, is devoted to truth and to

morality. He must always be victorious, without doubt. He by whom the

high-souled and holy god having the bull on his standard was gratified,

why should not he, O thou of a hundred eyes, be victorious,--he, that is,

who hath for the driver of his car that Lord of the universe, Vishnu

himself? Possessed of great energy of mind and great strength, Partha is

a hero, accomplished in arms and endued with ascetic merit. Possessed

also of great energy of body, he beareth the entire science of weapons.

Indeed, Partha hath every accomplishment. He ought to be victorious,

since that would accomplish the purposes of the gods. In consequence of

his greatness, Partha transgresses destiny itself, whether favourable or

unfavourable, and when he does so, a great destruction of creatures takes

place. When the two Krishnas are excited with wrath, they show regard for

nothing. These two bulls among beings are the Creators of all real and

unreal things. These two are Nara and Narayana, the two ancient and best

of Rishis. There is none to rule over them. They are rulers over all,

perfectly fearless, they are scorchers of all foes. In heaven or among

human beings, there is none equal to either of them. The three worlds

with the celestial Rishis and the Charanas are behind these two. All the

gods and all creatures walk behind them. The entire universe exists in

consequence of the power of these two. Let Karna, that bull among men,

obtain these foremost of regions of bliss here. Let him obtain identity

with the Vasus or the Maruts. Let him, with Drona and Bhishma, be

worshipped in heaven, for Vikartana's son is brave and is a hero. Let the

victory, however, belong to the two Krishnas." After those two foremost

ones among the gods (Brahman and Isana), said so, the deity of a 1,000

eyes, worshipping those words of Brahman and Isana and saluting all

creatures himself said, "Ye have heard what has been said by the two gods

for the benefit of the universe. It will be even so and not otherwise.

Stay ye then, with cheerful hearts." Hearing these words of Indra, all

creatures, O sire, became filled with wonder and applauded, O king, that

deity. The celestials then showered diverse kinds of fragrant flowers and

blew their trumpets. Indeed, the gods, the Danavas and the Gandharvas all

waited there for witnessing that matchless single combat between those

two lions among men. The two cars, O king, upon which Karna and Arjuna

were stationed, had white steeds yoked unto them both. And both had

excellent standards, and both produced a loud rattle. Many foremost of

heroes, approaching the brave Vasudeva and Arjuna as also Shalya and

Karna, began each to blow his conch. The battle then commenced (between

the two warriors), overwhelming all timid persons with fear. Fiercely

they challenged each other like Sakra and Samvara. The standards of the

two heroes, perfectly bright, looked exceedingly beautiful on their cars,

like the planets Rahu and Ketu risen in the firmament at the time of the

universal dissolution. The elephant's rope on Karna's banner, looking

like a snake of virulent poison and made of jewels and gems and

exceedingly strong and resembling the bow of Indra, looked resplendent

(as it waved in the air). That foremost of apes, again, belonging to

Partha, with jaws wide open and terrible, and difficult of being gazed

at, like the sun himself, inspired fear by his formidable teeth. The

impetuous Ape on the standard of the wielder of Gandiva, becoming

desirous of battle, rushed from his station and fell upon Karna's

standard. Endued with great impetuosity, the Ape, darting forward, struck

the elephant's rope with his nails and teeth, like Garuda falling upon a

snake. Decked with rows of little bells, hard as iron, and resembling the

fatal noose (in the hands of Yama or Varuna), the elephant's rope, filled

with wrath, closed with the Ape. Thus in that fierce single combat

between those two heroes, which was the result of what had been settled

at the time of the match at dice, their standards first battled with each

other. Meanwhile the steeds of the one neighed at the steeds of the

other. The lotus-eyed Keshava pierced Shalya with his keen glances. The

latter also cast similar glances at the former. Vasudeva, however,

vanquished Shalya with those glances of his, while Dhananjaya, the son of

Kunti, vanquished Karna with his glances. Then the Suta's son, smilingly

addressing Shalya, said, "If Partha by any means slays me in battle

today, tell me truly, O friend, what thou wilt do after that." Shalya

answered, saying, "If thou art slain, I myself will slay both Krishna and

Dhananjaya." Once more the ruler of the Madras said, "If, O Karna, the

white steeded Arjuna slays thee in battle today, I myself, on a single

car, will slay both Madhava and Phalguna.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Arjuna also asked Govinda a similar question.

Krishna, however, smiling, said unto Partha these words of grave import,

"The Sun himself may fall down from his place, the Earth herself may

split into a 1,000 fragments; fire itself may become cold. Still Karna

will not be able to slay thee, O Dhananjaya! If, however, any such

occurrence takes place, know then that the destruction of the universe

will be at hand. As regards myself, I will, using my bare arms, slay both

Karna and Shalya in battle." Hearing these words of Krishna, the

ape-bannered Arjuna, smiling, replied unto Krishna who was never fatigued

with exertion, saying, "Shalya and Karna, united together, are not a

match for myself alone, O Janardana! Thou shalt today, O Krishna, behold

Karna with his standard and banners with Shalya and his car and steeds,

with his umbrella and armour and darts and shafts and bow, cut in pieces

with my shafts in battle. Thou shalt today behold him with his car and

steeds and darts and armour and weapons, reduced to dust like a tree in

the forest crushed by a tusker. Today the widowhood of the wives of

Radha's son is at hand. Verily, they must have in their (last night's)

dreams seen signs of approaching evil, O Mahadeva! Verily, thou shalt

today see the wives of Karna become widows. I cannot restrain my wrath at

what was done before now by this fool of little foresight when he beheld

Krishna dragged to the assembly and when laughing at us he abused us

repeatedly in vile words. Today, O Govinda, thou shalt behold Karna

crushed by me like a tree with its load of flowers crushed by an

infuriated elephant. Today, O slayer of Madhu, thou shalt, after Karna's

fall, hear those sweet words, 'By good luck, O thou of Vrishni's race,

victory hath been thine!' Thou shalt today comfort the mother of

Abhimanyu with a lighter heart for having paid thy debt to the foe. Today

thou shalt, filled with joy, comfort thy paternal aunt Kunti. Today thou

shalt, O Madhava, comfort Krishna of tearful face and king Yudhishthira

the just with words sweet as nectar."'"




88


"Sanjaya said, 'Meanwhile the welkin, filled with gods and Nagas and

Asuras and Siddhas and Yakshas and with large bands of Gandharvas and

Rakshasas, and Asuras and regenerate Rishis and royal sages and birds of

excellent feathers, assumed a wonderful aspect. All human beings

assembled there beheld those beings of wonderful aspect staying in the

sky, and the sky itself resounded with the voice of musical instruments

and song and adulatory hymns and laughter and dance, and diverse other

kinds of charming sounds. Then both the Kaurava and the Pandava warriors,

filled with joy, and causing the earth and the ten points of the compass

to resound with the voice of musical instruments, the blare of conchs,

and leonine roars and the din of battle, began to slaughter their foes.

Teeming with men and steeds and elephants and cars and weapons,

unbearable to combatants in consequence of the falling of maces and

swords and darts and rapiers, abounding in heroes, and crowded with

lifeless bodies, the field of battle, crimsoned with gore, looked

exceedingly resplendent. Indeed, the battle between the Kurus and the

Pandavas then resembled that in days of yore between the gods and the

Asuras. After that fierce and awful battle had commenced between

Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son, each of those two heroes, clad in

excellent mail, shrouded the ten points of the compass and the host

opposed to him with keen and straight arrows. A darkness having been

caused there with the arrows shot on that occasion, neither thy warriors

nor the enemy could any longer see anything. From fear all the warriors

there sought the protection of either Karna or Arjuna like rays of light

spread out in the welkin converging towards either the sun or the moon.

The two heroes then, each baffling the other's weapons with his own, like

the east and the west winds encountering each other, looked exceedingly

resplendent like the sun and the moon risen after dispelling the darkness

caused by the clouds and covering the welkin. Each having encouraged his

troops, saying, "Do not fly away!" the enemy and thy warriors stood their

ground, encircling those two mighty car-warriors like the gods and the

asuras standing around Vasava and Samvara. The two armies then greeted

those two best of men with the sounds of drums and other instruments and

with leonine roars, at which those two bulls among men looked beautiful

like the sun and the moon greeted by roaring clouds gathered around. Each

armed with a formidable bow drawn to a complete circle and looking like a

(solar or lunar) corona, those two heroes of great splendour, shooting,

in that battle thousands of arrows that constituted their rays, resembled

two unbearable suns risen at the end of the yuga for burning the entire

universe with its mobile and immobile creatures. Both invincible, both

capable of exterminating foes, each desirous of slaying the other; and

each displaying his skill upon the other, those two warriors, Karna and

the son of Pandu, closed fearlessly with each other in that dreadful

battle, like Indra and the asura Jambha. Invoking the mightiest of

weapons then, those two formidable bowmen began, with their terrible

shafts, to slay innumerable men and steeds and elephants as also to

strike each other, O king! Afflicted once more by those two foremost of

men, the troops of both the Kurus and the Pandavas, consisting of

elephants and foot-soldiers and horsemen and car-warriors, fled away on

all sides like other animals in the forest when assailed by the lion.

Then Duryodhana, and the chief of the Bhojas, and Subala's son, and

Kripa, and the son of Sharadvata's daughter, these five great

car-warriors, assailed Dhananjaya and Keshava with shafts capable of

producing great pain. Dhananjaya, however, with his shafts, cut off at

the same time the bows, the quivers, the steeds, the elephants, and the

cars with their drivers, of those warriors, and mangling every one of

them with excellent shafts, pierced the Suta's son with a dozen arrows.

Then a hundred cars, a hundred elephants, and a number of Saka and

Tukhara and Yavana horsemen, accompanied by some of the foremost

combatants among the Kambojas, quickly rushed against Arjuna from desire

of slaying him. Speedily cutting off with the shafts and razor-headed

arrows in his hands the excellent weapons of his foes, as also their

heads, and steeds, and elephants, and cars, Dhananjaya felled his

contending enemies on the field. Then in the welkin blasts of celestial

trumpets were blown by the excellent gods. These were mingled with the

praises of Arjuna. Blown by gentle breezes, excellent floral showers,

fragrant and auspicious, fell (upon Arjuna's head). Beholding that

incident, which was witnessed by gods and men, all creatures, O king,

were filled with wonder.' Only thy son and the Suta's son who were both

of the same opinion, felt neither pain nor wonder. Then Drona's son,

catching hold of Duryodhana's hand, and adopting a soothing tone,

addressed thy son, saying, "Be gratified, O Duryodhana! Make peace with

the Pandavas. There is no need for quarrel. Fie on war! The preceptor,

conversant with the mightiest of weapons and like unto Brahma itself,

hath been slain. Other bulls among men, headed by Bhishma, have also been

slain. As regards myself, I am unslayable, as also my maternal uncle.

Rule the kingdom for ever, (sharing it) with the sons of Pandu. Dissuaded

by me, Dhananjaya will abstain. Janardana also doth not desire

hostilities. Yudhishthira is always engaged in the good of all creatures.

Vrikodara is obedient to him. So also are the twins. Peace being made

between thee and the Parthas, all creatures will be benefited, through,

as it would seem, thy desire. Let the kings that are still alive go back

to their homes. Let the troops abstain from hostilities. If thou dost not

listen to my words, O king, struck by foes in battle, thou wilt have to

burn with grief. Thou hast beheld, as well as the universe, what has been

achieved by the single-handed Arjuna decked with diadem and garlands. The

slayer of Vala himself could not achieve its like, nor the Destroyer, nor

Prachetas, nor the illustrious king of the Yakshas. Dhananjaya, as

regards his merits, is even much greater than that. He will never

transgress whatever I say unto him. He will always follow thee. Be thou

gratified, O king, for the benefit of the universe. Thou always honourest

me greatly. I, too, bear a great friendship for thee. It is for this that

I say so unto thee. I shall dissuade Karna also, provided thou art

inclined to peace. Discerning persons say that there are four kinds of

friends, viz., those that are naturally so, those that are made so by

conciliation, those that become so through wealth, and lastly those

brought under subjection by the exercise of power. All these elements are

owned by thee with regard to the sons of Pandu. The Pandavas, O hero, are

naturally thy friends. Obtain them again as friends for certain by

conciliation. If upon thyself being gratified, they agree to become

friends, do thou, O king of kings, act in that way." These beneficial

words having been said unto him by his friends, Duryodhana reflected for

some time. Drawing deep breaths, he then, with a cheerless heart, said,

"It is as thou, O friend, hast said. Listen, however, to the words that I

would say unto thee. The wicked-hearted Vrikodara, having slain

Duhshasana like a tiger, spoke words that still dwell in my heart. Thou

also heardest the same. How then can there be peace? Arjuna again will

not be able to bear Karna in battle, like a tempest whose force is

weakened when encountering the mighty mountains of Meru. Nor will the

sons of Pritha have the least confidence in me, thinking of the many acts

of forceful hostility (done by me towards them). Nor, O preceptor's son

of unfading glory, doth it behove thee to say unto Karna now 'Abstain

from battle!' Phalguna is exceedingly tired today. Karna will soon slay

him". Having with humility said these words repeatedly unto the

preceptor's son, thy son commanded his own troops, saying, "Armed with

arrows, rush against and slay these foes. Why stand ye inactive?"'"




89


Sanjaya said, "Then when the blare of conchs and the peal of drums became

very loud, those two foremost of men, both owning white steeds, the

suta's son Vikartana and Arjuna, encountered each other in consequence, O

king, of thy son's evil policy. Those two heroes endued with great

impetuosity, Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son, closed with each other like

two infuriated Himalayan elephants, both of full-grown tusks, fighting

with each other for the sake of a she-elephant in her season. Like a mass

of clouds encountering another mass, or a mountain encountering a

mountain, those two warriors, both pouring showers of arrows, encountered

each other, their bows loudly twanging the while, and the wheels of their

cars producing a deafening clatter, and their bow-strings and palms

emitting loud sounds. Like two mountains, both endued with tall cliffs

and abounding in trees and creepers and herbs and both teeming with the

diverse other denizens that are natural to them, moving towards each

other for an encounter, those two mighty warriors encountered each other,

each striking the other with mighty weapons.


The combat between the two heroes became furious like that between the

chief of the celestials and Virocana's son in days of yore. Incapable of

being endured by others and marked by a river whose distasteful water

consisted of blood, the limbs of those two heroes, as also their drivers

and animals, became exceedingly mangled. Like two large lakes, both

teeming with lotuses of diverse kinds and fish and tortoises, and echoing

with the voices of diverse kinds of fowl, and softly stirred by the wind,

approaching each other, those two cars graced with standards approached

each other. Both endued with prowess equal to that of the great Indra,

both resembling the great Indra himself, those two mighty car-warriors

struck each other with shafts that resembled the great Indra's thunder,

like the great Indra himself and (the asura) Vritra.


Both the armies consisting of cars and elephants and steeds and

foot-soldiers, all equipped with beautiful armour and ornaments and robes

and weapons, and those also that were in the welkin, were inspired with

fear upon beholding that encounter of wonderful aspect between Arjuna and

Karna. Others among the spectators, filled with joy and uttering leonine

shouts, raised their arms, waving their fingers or the pieces of cloth

they held, when Arjuna rushed against the son of Adhiratha, from desire

of slaughter, like one infuriated elephant rushing against another.


The Somakas then loudly shouted to Partha, saying, "Be quick, O Arjuna,

go and pierce Karna. Cut off his head without delay, and (with it) the

desire of Dhritarashtra's son for kingdom." Similarly many warriors of

ours that were there, said unto Karna, "Proceed, proceed, O Karna, and

slay Arjuna with keen shafts. Let the sons of Pritha once more go to the

woods forever."


Then Karna first pierced Partha in that encounter, with ten mighty

shafts. Arjuna pierced him in return with ten keen-pointed shafts, shot

with great vigour, in the centre of the chest. Indeed, the suta's son and

Arjuna then mangled each other with many shafts equipped with goodly

wings. Desirous of obtaining advantage of each other's lapses in that

dreadful encounter, with cheerful hearts they rushed against each other

fiercely.


Rubbing his two arms and the string also of gandiva, that fierce bowman,

Arjuna, then sped showers of cloth-yard shafts, and nalikas and arrows

equipped with heads like boar's ears and razors, and anjalikas, and

crescent-shaped arrows. Those arrows of Partha, O king, spread over the

welkin, penetrated into Karna's car like flights of birds, with heads

bent down, penetrating in the evening into a tree for roosting there in

the night. All those arrows, however, O king, that Arjuna, that victor

over all foes, with furrowed brow and angry glances, sped at Karna, all

those successive showers of shafts shot by the son of Pandu, were cut off

by the suta's son with his own arrows.


The son of Indra then sped at Karna a fiery weapon capable of slaying all

foes. Covering the earth and the welkin and the ten points of the compass

and the very course of the sun with its effulgence, it caused his own

body also to blaze up with light. The robes of all the warriors took

fire, at which they fled away. Loud sounds also arose there, like what is

heard when a forest of bamboos in a wilderness is on fire. Beholding that

fiery weapon acting on all sides, the suta's son Karna of great valour

shot in that encounter the varunastra for quenching it. That

conflagration then, in consequence of Karna's weapon, became quenched.


A large mass of clouds quickly caused all the points of the compass to be

enveloped with darkness. Those clouds whose extremities presented the

aspect of mountains, surrounding every side, flooded the earth with

water. That fierce conflagration, though it was such, was still quenched

by those clouds in a trice. The entire welkin and all the directions,

cardinal and subsidiary, were shrouded by clouds. Thus shrouded by

clouds, all the points of the compass became dark and nothing could be

seen.


Then Arjuna dispelled those clouds caused by Karna, by means of the

vayavyastra. After this, Dhananjaya, incapable of being over-mastered by

foes inspired gandiva, its string, and his shafts, with mantras, and

invoked into existence another weapon that was the favourite of the chief

of the celestials and that resembled the thunder in energy and prowess.

Then razor-headed arrows, and anjalikas, and crescent-shaped shafts, and

nalikas, and cloth-yard shafts and those equipped with heads like the

boar's ear, all keen and sharp, issued from gandiva in thousands, endued

with the force and impetuosity of the thunder. Possessed of great might

and great energy, those impetuous and keen shafts equipped with vulturine

feathers piercing all the limbs, the steeds, the bow, the yoke, the

wheels, and the standard of Karna, quickly penetrated into them like

snakes frightened by Garuda penetrating into the earth. Pierced all over

with arrows and bathed in blood, (the high-souled) Karna then, with eyes

rolling in wrath, bending his bow of enduring string and producing a

twang as loud as the roar of the sea, invoked into existence the Bhargava

weapon. Cutting off Partha's showers of shafts proceeding from the mouth

of that weapon of Indra (which Arjuna had shot), Karna, having thus

baffled his antagonist's weapon with his own, destroyed cars and

elephants and foot-soldiers (of the Pandava army). Unable to endure the

feats of Arjuna in that fierce battle, the mighty car-warrior Karna did

this, through the energy of the Bhargava weapon. Filled with wrath and

possessed of great activity, the Suta's son, that foremost of men,

laughing at the two Krishnas, pierced the foremost of Pancala warriors

with well shot arrows in that battle. Then the Pancalas and the Somakas,

O king, thus afflicted by Karna with showers of shafts in that encounter,

became filled with wrath and uniting together pierced the Suta's son with

keen arrows from every side. Quickly cutting off those arrows with his

own, the Suta's son, vigorously agitating them in that battle, afflicted

with many shafts the cars, the elephants, and the steeds of the Pancalas.

Their bodies pierced with those shafts of Karna, they fell down, deprived

of life, on the earth, making loud sounds, like mighty elephants slain by

an angry lion of terrible strength. Having slain those foremost of

warriors, those heroes endued with great strength, those leaders of the

Pancala forces who had always challenged him (to battle), Karna, O king,

as he shot his arrows, looked beautiful, like a mass of clouds pouring

torrents of rain. Then thy warriors, thinking that Karna had won the

victory, clapped loudly and uttered leonine roars. O chief of the Kurus,

all of them then regarded the two Krishnas as brought by Karna under his

power, seeing that valour, incapable of being borne by foes, of the

mighty car-warrior Karna. Beholding that weapon of Dhananjaya frustrated

by Karna in the midst of battle, the angry son of the Wind-god, with eyes

blazing with wrath, began to squeeze his hands. Indeed, the wrathful

Bhima, his anger being provoked, drew deep breaths and addressing Arjuna

of true aim, said, "How, O Jishnu, could this wretch fallen off from

virtue, this Suta's son, putting forth his might in battle, slay so many

foremost of Pancala warriors, in thy sight? Before now thou couldst not

be conquered by the very gods or the Kalakeyas. Thou receivedst the touch

of the arms of Sthanu himself. How, then, O diadem-decked Arjuna, could

the Suta's son pierce thee first with ten long shafts such as are used by

car-warriors? That the Suta's son should today have succeeded in baffling

the arrows shot by thee seems to me to be very amazing. Recollect the

woes of Krishna, and those disagreeable, keen, and cutting words that

this wicked-souled and fearless son of a Suta used towards us, viz.,

'Sesame seeds without kernel!' Recollecting all this, O Savyasaci,

quickly slay the wretched Karna in battle today. Why, O diadem-decked

Arjuna, dost thou show such indifference (towards this act)? This is not

the time for showing thy indifference to Karna's slaughter. That patience

with which thou didst vanquish all creatures and feed Agni at Khandava,

with that patience, slay thou the Suta's son. I also will crush him with

my mace." Then Vasudeva, beholding Partha's shafts baffled by Karna, said

unto the former, "What is this, O diadem-decked Arjuna, that Karna should

succeed in crushing thy weapons today with this? Why dost, thou, O hero,

lose thy wits? Markest thou not that the Kauravas, (standing behind

Karna), are even now shouting in joy? Indeed, all of them know that thy

weapons are being baffled by Karna with his. That patience with which,

Yuga after Yuga, thou hadst slain persons having the quality of darkness

for their weapons, as also terrible Kshatriyas, and Asuras born of pride,

in many a battle--with that patience do thou slay Karna today. Putting

forth thy might, strike off the head of that foe of thine with this

Sudarsana, of edge keen as a razor, that I give unto thee, like Sakra

striking off the head of his foe Namuci, with the thunderbolt. That

patience with which thou didst gratified the illustrious deity Mahadeva

in the guise of a hunter, summoning that patience once again, O hero,

slay the Suta's son with all his followers. After that, bestow upon king

Yudhishthira the earth with her belt of seas, her towns and villages, and

wealth, and from off whose surface all foes will have been removed. By

that act, O Partha, do thou also win unrivalled fame." Thus addressed (by

Krishna), the high-souled Partha of exceeding might set his heart upon

the slaughter of the Suta's son. Indeed, urged by Bhima and Janardana,

and recollecting (his woes), and taking an internal survey of himself,

and calling to mind the object for which he had come to this world, he

addressed Keshava, saying, "I will now invoke into existence a mighty and

fierce weapon for the good of the world and the destruction of the Suta's

son. Let me have thy permission, as also Brahman's and Bhava's, and of

all those that are conversant with Brahma." Having said these words unto

the holy Keshava, Savyasaci of immeasurable soul bowed unto Brahman and

invoked into existence that excellent irresistible weapon called

brahmastra which could be applied by the mind alone. Baffling that

weapon, however, Karna looked beautiful as he continued, like a cloud

pouring torrents of rain, to shoot his shafts. Beholding that weapon of

the diadem-decked Arjuna baffled in the midst of battle by Karna, the

wrathful and mighty Bhima, blazing up with rage, addressed Arjuna of sure

aim and said, "People say that thou art a master of the high brahmastra,

that mighty means (for achieving the destruction of foes). Do thou then,

O Savyasaci, use another weapon of the same kind." Thus addressed by his

brother, Savyasaci used a second weapon of the kind. With that, Partha of

abundant energy shrouded all the points of the compass, cardinal and

subsidiary, with arrows sped from gandiva that resembled fierce snakes

and were like the blazing rays of the sun. Created by that bull of

Bharata's race, those arrows of golden wings, in hundreds upon hundreds,

endued with the effulgence of the yuga fire or the sun, in a moment

shrouded the car of Karna. Thence also issued long darts and battle-axes

and discs and cloth-yard shafts in hundreds, all of awful forms, at which

hostile warriors all around began to be deprived of life. The head of

some hostile warrior, severed from his trunk, fell down on the field of

battle. Another, beholding his fallen comrade, fell down dead on the

earth, through fear. The (right) arm of a third, large and massive as the

trunk of an elephant, cut off (by Partha), fell down with the sword in

grasp. The left arm of a fourth, cut off with a razor-headed arrow, fell

down with the shield in it. Even thus, Partha, decked with diadem and

garlands, wounded and slew all the foremost warriors of Duryodhana's army

with his terrible and death-dealing shafts. Vaikartana also, in the midst

of that battle, shot thousands of arrows. These, with a loud whizz, fell

upon the son of Pandu like torrents of rain poured from the clouds. Then

piercing Bhimasena and Janardana and the diadem-decked Arjuna of

superhuman feats, each with three arrows Karna of terrible might uttered

a loud awful roar. Struck with Karna's shafts, the diadem-decked Arjuna,

beholding Bhima and Janardana, became unable to endure (the feats of his

antagonist). Once more, therefore, Partha shot eight and ten arrows.

Piercing the beautiful standard of Karna with one of those arrows, he

pierced Shalya with four and Karna himself with three. With ten other

well-shot shafts he then struck the Kaurava warrior Sabhapati, clad in

golden mail. Thereupon that prince, deprived of head and arms and steeds

and driver and bow and standard, fell down, wounded and dead, from his

foremost of cars, like a Sala tree cut down with an axe. Once more

piercing Karna with three, eight, twelve, four, and ten arrows, Partha

slew 400 elephants equipped with many weapons, and 8000 car-warriors, and

1,000 steeds with riders, and 8,000 brave foot-soldiers. And soon Partha

made Karna with his driver and car and steeds and standard invisible with

straightly coursing shafts. Then the Kauravas, thus slaughtered by

Dhananjaya, loudly addressed Adhitratha's son, saying, "Shoot thy arrows

and slay the son of Pandu. Already, he has begun to exterminate the Kurus

with his shafts!" Thus urged, Karna, with his best endeavours,

incessantly shot many arrows. Capable of cutting the very vitals, those

blood-drinking shafts, well sped by Karna, slew large numbers of the

Pandavas and the Pancalas. Thus those two foremost of all bowmen, those

two warriors of great strength that were capable of bearing all foes,

those two heroes acquainted with weapons, struck the warriors opposed to

them, as also each other, with mighty weapons. Then Yudhishthira, clad in

golden mail, his arrows having been extracted and himself made sound with

mantras and drugs by foremost of surgeons well-disposed towards him,

quickly came to that spot for witnessing (the encounter between Arjuna

and Karna). Beholding king Yudhishthira the just arrived there like the

resplendent full Moon freed from the jaws of Rahu and risen in the

firmament, all creatures became filled with delight. Beholding those two

foremost of warriors, those two first of heroes and slayers of foes,

viz., Karna and Partha, engaged in fight, the spectators, both celestial

and terrestrial, restraining the animals they rode or that were yoked

unto their vehicles, stood motionless. As the two heroes, O king, struck

each other with many foremost of arrows, O king, the sounds caused by the

bows, bow-strings, and palms, of both Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son,

became tremendous and their well-sped arrows also caused a deafening

whizz. Then the bow-string of the son of Pandu, stretched with force,

broke with a loud noise. During the interval thus offered, the Suta's son

pierced Partha with a hundred small arrows, keen and steeped in oil,

winged with the feathers of birds, and resembling snakes freed from their

sloughs. He then quickly pierced Vasudeva with sixty shafts, and then

Phalguna again with eight. Surya's son then pierced Bhima with thousands

upon thousands of mighty arrows. Having pierced Krishna and Partha's

standard, Karna felled many amongst the Somakas that followed Partha.

These, however, in return shrouded Karna with showers of straight shafts

like masses of clouds shrouding the sun in the welkin. Accomplished in

the use of weapons, the Suta's son, stupefying those advancing warriors

with his shafts and baffling all the weapons shot by them, destroyed

their cars and steeds and elephants. And the Suta's son, O king, also

afflicted with his arrows many foremost of warriors among them. Their

bodies pierced with Karna's shafts, they fell down on the ground,

deprived of life and making a loud noise as they fell. Indeed, those

mighty combatants, afflicted by Karna of terrible strength, perished like

a pack of dogs afflicted by an angry lion. And once more many foremost of

combatants among the Pancalas and many such (among the Kauravas) fell

down after this, slain by Karna and Dhananjaya. Deprived of life by the

mighty Karna with well-aimed arrows shot with great force, many fell

down, purging the contents of their stomachs. Then thy troops, regarding

the victory to be already theirs, clapped furiously and uttered loud

leonine roars. Indeed, in that dreadful encounter, all of them regarded

the two Krishnas to have been brought by Karna under his power. Then

quickly bending his bow-string and baffling all those shafts of

Adhiratha's son, Partha, filled with rage in consequence of his limbs

having been mangled with Karna's arrows, assailed the Kauravas. Rubbing

his bow-string, he clapped his palms and suddenly caused a darkness there

with the showers of shafts he shot. The diadem-decked Arjuna pierced

Karna and Shalya and all the Kurus with those arrows. The welkin having

been darkened by means of that mighty weapon, the very birds were unable

to range in their element, a delicious wind then blew, bearing fragrant

odours. Laughing the while, Partha forcibly struck Shalya's armour with

ten arrows. Piercing Karna next with a dozen shafts, he struck him once

more with seven. Deeply struck with those winged arrows of fierce energy

shot with great force from Partha's bow, Karna, with mangled limbs and

body bathed in blood, looked resplendent like Rudra at the universal

destruction, sporting in the midst of crematorium at noon or eve, his

body dyed with blood. The son of Adhiratha then pierced Dhananjaya who

resembled the chief of the celestials himself (in energy and might) with

three arrows, and he caused five other blazing arrows resembling five

snakes to penetrate the body of Krishna. Shot with great force, those

arrows, decked with gold, pierced through the armour of that foremost of

beings and passing out of his body fell upon the earth. Endued with great

energy, they entered the earth with great force and having bathed (in the

waters of the Bhogavati in the nether region) coursed back towards Karna.

Those shafts were five mighty snakes that had adopted the side of

Takshaka's son (Aswasena whose mother Partha had slain at Khandava). With

ten broad-headed arrows shot with great force, Arjuna cut off each of

those five snakes into three fragments whereupon they fell down on the

earth. Beholding Krishna's limbs thus mangled with those snakes

transformed into arrows sped from Karna's arms, Arjuna, decked with

diadem and garlands, blazed up with wrath like a fire engaged in burning

a heap of dry grass. He then pierced Karna in all his vital limbs with

many blazing and fatal shafts shot from the bow-string stretched to the

very ear. (Deeply pierced), Karna trembled in pain. With the greatest

difficulty he stood, summoning all his patience. Dhananjaya having been

filled with wrath, all the points of the compass, cardinal and

subsidiary, the very splendour of the Sun, and Karna's car, O king, all

became invisible with the showers shot by him. The welkin seemed as if it

were shrouded by a thick forest. Then that slayer of foes, that bull of

Kuru's race, that foremost of heroes, viz., Savyasaci, O king, soon slew

in that battle 2,000 foremost of Kuru warriors, with their cars and

steeds and drivers, forming the protectors of Karna's car-wheels and

wings and his van-guard and rear-guard and who constituted the very pick

of Duryodhana's car-force, and who, urged by Duryodhana, had been

fighting with great energy. Then thy sons and the Kauravas that were

still alive fled away, deserting Karna, and abandoning their dying and

wounded, and their wailing sons and sires. Beholding himself abandoned by

the terrified Kurus and seeing the space around him empty, Karna felt no

agitation, O Bharata, but, on the other hand, rushed at Arjuna, with a

cheerful heart.'"




90


"Sanjaya said, 'Flying away in consequence of the falling of Arjuna's

arrows, the broken divisions of the Kauravas, staying at a distance,

continued to gaze at Arjuna's weapon swelling with energy and careering

around with the effulgence of lightning. Then Karna, with showers of

terrible shafts, baffled that weapon of Arjuna while it was still

careering in the welkin and which Arjuna had shot with great vigour in

that fierce encounter for the destruction of his foe. Indeed, that weapon

(of Partha) which, swelling with energy, had been consuming the Kurus,

the Suta's son now crushed with his shafts winged with gold. Bending then

his own loud-sounding bow of irrefragable string, Karna shot showers of

shafts. The Suta's son destroyed that burning weapon of Arjuna with his

own foe-killing weapon of great power which he had obtained from Rama,

and which resembled (in efficacy) an Atharvan rite. And he pierced Partha

also with numerous keen shafts. The encounter then, O king, that took

place between Arjuna and the son of Adhiratha, became a very dreadful

one. They continued to strike each other with arrows like two fierce

elephants striking each other with their tusks. All the points of the

compass then became shrouded with weapons and the very sun became

invisible. Indeed, Karna and Partha, with their arrowy downpours, made

the welkin one vast expanse of arrows without any space between. All the

Kauravas and the Somakas then beheld a wide-spread arrowy net. In that

dense darkness caused by arrows, they were unable to see anything else.

Those two foremost of men, both accomplished in weapons, as they

incessantly aimed and shot innumerable arrows, O king, displayed diverse

kinds of beautiful manoeuvres. While they were thus contending with each

other in battle, sometimes the Suta's son prevailed over his rival and

sometimes the diadem-decked Partha prevailed over his, in prowess and

weapons and lightness of hands. Beholding that terrible and awful

passage-at-arms between those two heroes each of whom was desirous of

availing himself of the other's lapses, all the other warriors on the

field of battle became filled with wonder. The beings in the welkin, O

king, applauded Karna and Arjuna. Indeed, many of them at a time, filled

with joy, cheerfully shouted, sometimes saying, "Excellent, O Karna!" and

sometimes saying, "Excellent, O Arjuna!" During the progress of that

fierce encounter, while the earth was being pressed deep with the weight

of cars and the tread of steeds and elephants, the snake Aswasena, who

was hostile to Arjuna, was passing his time in the nether region. Freed

from the conflagration at Khandava, O king, he had, from anger,

penetrated through the earth (for going to the subterranean region). That

brave snake, recollecting the death of his mother and the enmity he on

that account harboured against Arjuna, now rose from the lower region.

Endued with the power of ascending the skies, he soared up with great

speed upon beholding that fight between Karna and Arjuna. Thinking that

that was the time for gratifying his animosity towards, as he thought,

the wicked-souled Partha, he quickly entered into Karna's quiver, O king,

in the form of an arrow. At that time a net of arrows was seen, shedding

its bright arrows around. Karna and Partha made the welkin one dense mass

of arrows by means of their arrowy downpours. Beholding that wide-spread

expanse of arrows, all the Kauravas and the Somakas became filled with

fear. In that thick and awful darkness caused by arrows they were unable

to see anything else. Then those two tigers among men, those two foremost

of all bowmen in the world, those two heroes, fatigued with their

exertions in battle, looked at each other. Both of them were then fanned

with excellent and waving fans made of young (palm) leaves and sprinkled

with fragrant sandal-water by many Apsaras staying in the welkin. And

Sakra and Surya, using their hands, gently brushed the faces of those two

heroes. When at last Karna found that he could not prevail over Partha

and was exceedingly scorched with the shafts of the former, that hero,

his limbs very much mangled, set his heart upon that shaft of his which

lay singly within a quiver. The Suta's son then fixed on his bow-string

that foe-killing, exceedingly keen, snake-mouthed, blazing, and fierce

shaft, which had been polished according to rule, and which he had long

kept for the sake of Partha's destruction. Stretching his bow-string to

his ear, Karna fixed that shaft of fierce energy and blazing splendour,

that ever-worshipped weapon which lay within a golden quiver amid sandal

dust, and aimed it at Partha. Indeed, he aimed that blazing arrow, born

in Airavata's race, for cutting off Phalguna's head in battle. All the

points of the compass and the welkin became ablaze and terrible meteors,

and thunderbolts fell. When that snake of the form of an arrow was fixed

on the bow-string, the Regents of the world, including Sakra, set up loud

wails. The Suta's son did not know that the snake Aswasena had entered

his arrow by the aid of his Yoga powers. Beholding Vaikartana aim that

arrow, the high-souled ruler of the Madras, addressing Karna, said, "This

arrow, O Karna, will not succeed in striking off Arjuna's head. Searching

carefully, fix another arrow that may succeed in striking off thy enemy's

head." Endued with great activity, the Suta's son, with eyes burning in

wrath, then said unto the ruler of the Madras, "O Shalya, Karna never

aimeth an arrow twice. Persons like us never become crooked warriors."

Having said these words, Karna, with great care, let off that shaft which

he had worshipped for many long years. Bent upon winning the victory, O

king, he quickly said unto his rival, "Thou art slain, O Phalguna!" Sped

from Karna's arms, that shaft of awful whizz, resembling fire or the sun

in splendour, as it left the bow-string, blazed up in the welkin and

seemed to divide it by a line such as is visible on the crown of a woman

dividing her tresses. Beholding that shaft blazing in the welkin, the

slayer of Kamsa, Madhava, with great speed and the greatest ease, pressed

down with his feet that excellent car, causing it to sink about a cubit

deep. At this, the steeds, white as the rays of the moon and decked in

trappings of gold, bending their knees, laid themselves down on the

ground. Indeed, seeing that snake (in the form of an arrow) aimed by

Karna, Madhava, that foremost of all persons endued with might, put forth

his strength and thus pressed down with his feet that car into the earth,

whereat the steeds, (as already said) bending down their knees, laid

themselves down upon the earth when the car itself had sank into it. Then

loud sounds arose in the welkin in applause of Vasudeva. Many celestial

voices were heard, and celestial flowers were showered upon Krishna, and

leonine shouts also were uttered. When the car had thus been pressed down

into the earth through the exertions of the slayer of Madhu, the

excellent ornament of Arjuna's head, celebrated throughout the earth, the

welkin, heaven, and the waters, the Suta's son swept off from the crown

of his rival, with that arrow, in consequence of the very nature of that

snaky weapon and the great care and wrath with which it had been shot.

That diadem, endued with the splendour of the sun or the moon or fire or

a planet, and adorned with gold and pearls and gems and diamonds, had

with great care been made by the puissant Self-born himself for

Purandara. Costly as its appearance indicated, it was inspiring terror in

the hearts of foes, contributing to the happiness of him that wore it,

and shedding a fragrance, that ornament had been given by the chief of

the celestials himself with a cheerful heart unto Partha while the latter

had proceeded to slaughter the foes of the gods. That diadem was

incapable of being crushed by Rudra and the Lord of waters and Kuvera

with Pinaka and noose and thunderbolt and the very foremost of shafts. It

could not be endured by even the foremost ones among the gods. Vrisha,

however, now broke it forcibly with his snake-inspired shaft. Endued with

great activity, that wicked-natured snake of fierce form and false vows,

falling upon that diadem-decked with gold and gems, swept it away from

Arjuna's head. That snake, O king, forcibly tore it away from Partha's

head, quickly reducing into fragments that well-made ornament set over

with many a gem and blazing with beauty, like the thunderbolt riving a

mountain summit decked with lofty and beautiful trees graced with

flowers. Crushed by that excellent weapon, possessed of splendour, and

blazing with the fire of (the snake's) poison, that beautiful and

much-liked diadem of Partha fell down on the earth like the blazing disc

of the Sun from the Asta hills. Indeed, that snake forcibly swept away

from Arjuna's head that diadem adorned with many gems, like the thunder

of Indra felling a beautiful mountain summit adorned with lofty trees

bearing budding leaves and flowers. And the earth, welkin, heaven, and

the waters, when agitated by a tempest, roar aloud, O Bharata, even such

was the roar that arose in all the worlds at that time. Hearing that

tremendous noise, people, notwithstanding their efforts to be calm,

became extremely agitated and reeled as they stood. Reft of diadem, the

dark complexioned and youthful Partha looked beautiful like a blue

mountain of lofty summit. Binding then his locks with a white cloth,

Arjuna stood perfectly unmoved. With that white gear on his head, he

looked like the Udaya hill illumined with the rays of the sun. Thus that

she-snake (whom Arjuna had killed at Khandava) of excellent mouth,

through her son in the form of an arrow, sped by Surya's son, beholding

Arjuna of exceeding energy and might standing with his head at a level

with the reins of the steeds, took away his diadem only, that well-made

ornament (formerly) owned by Aditi's son and endued with the effulgence

of Surya himself. But Arjuna also (as will appear in the sequel) did not

return from that battle without causing the snake to succumb to the power

of Yama. Sped from Karna's arms, that costly shaft resembling fire or the

sun in effulgence, viz., that mighty snake who from before had become the

deadly foe of Arjuna, thus crushing the latter's diadem, went away.

Having burnt the gold-decked diadem of Arjuna displayed on his head, he

desired to come to Arjuna once more with great speed. Asked, however, by

Karna (who saw him but knew him not), he said these words, "Thou hadst

sped me, O Karna, without having seen me. It was for this that I could

not strike off Arjuna's head. Do thou quickly shoot me once again, after

seeing me well. I shall then slay thy foe and mine too." Thus addressed

in that battle by him, the Suta's son said, "Who are you possessed of

such fierce form?" The snake answered, saying, "Know me as one that has

been wronged by Partha. My enmity towards him is due to his having slain

my mother. If the wielder of the thunderbolt himself were to protect

Partha, the latter would still have to go to the domains of the king of

the pitris. Do not disregard me. Do my bidding. I will slay thy foe.

Shoot me without delay." Hearing those words, Karna said, "Karna, O

snake, never desires to have victory in battle today by relying on

another's might. Even if I have to slay a hundred Arjunas, I will not, O

snake, still shoot the same shaft twice." Once more addressing him in the

midst of battle, that best of men, viz., Surya's son, Karna, said, "Aided

by the nature of my other snaky weapons, and by resolute effort and

wrath, I shall slay Partha. Be thou happy and go elsewhere." Thus

addressed, in battle, by Karna, that prince of snakes, unable from rage

to bear those words, himself proceeded, O king, for the slaughter of

Partha, having assumed the form of an arrow. Of fierce form, the desire

he ardently cherished was the destruction of his enemy. Then Krishna,

addressing Partha in that encounter, said into him, "Slay that great

snake inimical to thee." Thus addressed by the slayer of Madhu, the

wielder of Gandiva, that bowman who was always fierce unto foes, enquired

of him, saying, "Who is that snake that advanceth of his own accord

against me, as if, indeed he advanceth right against the mouth of

Garuda?" Krishna replied, "Whilst thou, armed with bow, wert engaged at

Khandava in gratifying the god Agni, this snake was then in the sky, his

body ensconced within his mother's. Thinking that it was only a single

snake that was so staying in the sky, thou killedest the mother.

Remembering that act of hostility done by thee, he cometh towards thee

today for thy destruction. O resister of foes, behold him coming like a

blazing meteor, falling from the firmament!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Then Jishnu, turning his face in rage, cut off, with

six keen shafts, that snake in the welkin as the latter was coursing in a

slanting direction. His body thus cut off, he fell down on the earth.

After that snake had been cut off by Arjuna, the lord Keshava himself, O

king, of massive arms, that foremost of beings, raised up with his arms

that car from the earth. At that time, Karna, glancing obliquely at

Dhananjaya, pierced that foremost of persons, viz., Krishna, with ten

shafts whetted on stone and equipped with peacock feathers. Then

Dhananjaya, piercing Karna with a dozen well-shot and keen arrows

equipped with heads like the boar's ear, sped a cloth-yard shaft endued

with the energy of a snake of virulent poison and shot from his

bow-string stretched to his ear. That foremost of shafts, well shot by

Arjuna, penetrated through Karna's armour, and as if suspending his life

breaths, drank his blood and entered the earth, its wings also having

been drenched with gore. Endued with great activity, Vrisha, enraged at

the stroke of the shaft, like a snake beaten with stick, shot many mighty

shafts, like snakes of virulent poison vomiting venom. And he pierced

Janardana with a dozen shafts and Arjuna with nine and ninety. And once

more piercing the son of Pandu with a terrible shaft, Karna laughed and

uttered a loud roar. The son of Pandu, however, could not endure his

enemy's joy. Acquainted with all the vital parts of the human body,

Partha, possessed of prowess like that of Indra, pierced those vital

limbs with hundreds of arrows even as Indra had struck Vala with great

energy. Then Arjuna sped ninety arrows, each resembling the rod of Death

at Karna. Deeply pierced with those shafts, Karna trembled like a

mountain riven with thunder. The head-gear of Karna, adorned with costly

gems and precious diamonds and pure gold, as also his earrings, cut off

by Dhananjaya with his winged arrows, fell down on the earth. The costly

and bright armour also of the Suta's son that had been forged with great

care by many foremost of artists working for a long time, the son of

Pandu cut off within a moment in many fragments. After thus divesting him

of his armour, Partha then, in rage, pierced Karna with four whetted

shafts of great energy. Struck forcibly by his foe, Karna suffered great

pain like a diseased person afflicted by bile, phlegm, wind, and fever.

Once more Arjuna, with great speed, mangled Karna, piercing his very

vitals, with numerous excellent shafts, of great keenness, and sped from

his circling bow with much force and speed and care. Deeply struck by

Partha with those diverse arrows of keen points and fierce energy, Karna

(covered with blood) looked resplendent like a mountain of red chalk with

streams of red water running adown its breast. Once more Arjuna pierced

Karna in the centre of the chest with many straight-coursing and strong

shafts made entirely of iron and equipped with wings of gold and each

resembling the fiery rod of the Destroyer, like the son of Agni piercing

the Krauncha mountains. Then the Suta's son, casting aside his bow that

resembled the very bow of Sakra, as also his quiver, felt great pain, and

stood inactive, stupefied, and reeling, his grasp loosened and himself in

great anguish. The virtuous Arjuna, observant of the duty of manliness,

wished not to slay his enemy while fallen into such distress. The younger

brother of Indra then, with great excitement, addressed him, saying,

"Why, O son of Pandu, dost thou become so forgetful? They that are truly

wise never spare their foes, however weak, even for a moment. He that is

learned earneth both merit and fame by slaying foes fallen into distress.

Lose no time in precipitately crushing Karna who is always inimical to

thee and who is the first of heroes. The Suta's son, when able, will once

more advance against thee as before. Slay him, therefore, like Indra

slaying the Asura Namuci." Saying, "So be it, O Krishna!" and worshipping

Janardana, Arjuna, that foremost of all persons in Kuru's race once more

quickly pierced Karna with many excellent arrows like the ruler of

heaven, piercing the Asura, Samvara. The diadem-decked Partha, O Bharata,

covered Karna and his car and steeds with many calf-toothed arrows, and

putting forth all his vigour he shrouded all the points of the compass

with shafts equipped with wings of gold. Pierced with those arrows

equipped with heads like the calf's tooth, Adhiratha's son of broad chest

looked resplendent like an Asoka or Palasa or Salmali decked with its

flowery load or a mountain overgrown with a forest of sandal trees.

Indeed, with those numerous arrows sticking to his body, Karna, O

monarch, in that battle, looked resplendent like the prince of mountains

with its top and glens overgrown with trees or decked with flowering

Karnikaras. Karna also shooting repeated showers of arrows, looked, with

those arrows constituting his rays, like the sun coursing towards the

Asta hills, with disc bright with crimson rays. Shafts, however, of keen

points, sped from Arjuna's arms, encountering in the welkin the blazing

arrows, resembling mighty snakes, sped from the arms of Adhiratha's son,

destroyed them all. Recovering his coolness, and shooting many shafts

that resembled angry snakes, Karna then pierced Partha with ten shafts

and Krishna with half a dozen, each of which looked like an angry snake.

Then Dhananjaya desired to shoot a mighty and terrible arrow, made wholly

of iron, resembling the poison of snake or fire in energy, and whose

whizz resembling the peal of Indra's thunder, and which was inspired with

the force of a high (celestial) weapon. At that time, when the hour of

Karna's death had come, Kala, approaching invisibly, and alluding to the

Brahmana's curse, and desirous of informing Karna that his death was

near, told him, "The Earth is devouring thy wheel!" Indeed, O foremost of

men, when the hour of Karna's death came, the high brahmastra that the

illustrious Bhargava had imparted unto him, escaped from his memory. And

the earth also began to devour the left wheel of his car. Then in

consequence of the curse of that foremost of Brahmanas, Karna's car began

to reel, having sunk deep into the earth and having been transfixed at

that spot like a sacred tree with its load of flowers standing upon an

elevated platform. When his car began to reel from the curse of the

Brahmana, and when the high weapon he had obtained from Rama no longer

shone in him through inward light, and when his terrible snake-mouthed

shaft also had been cut off by Partha, Karna became filled with

melancholy. Unable to endure all those calamities, he waved his arms and

began to rail at righteousness saying, "They that are conversant with

righteousness always say that righteousness protects those that are

righteous. As regards ourselves, we always endeavour, to the best of our

ability and knowledge to practise righteousness. That righteousness,

however, is destroying us now instead of protecting us that are devoted

to it. I, therefore, think that righteousness does not always protect its

worshippers." While saying these words, he became exceedingly agitated by

the strokes of Arjuna's arrows. His steeds and his driver also were

displaced from their usual position. His very vitals having been struck,

he became indifferent as to what he did, and repeatedly railed at

righteousness in that battle. He then pierced Krishna in the arm with

three terrible arrows, and Partha, too, with seven. Then Arjuna sped

seven and ten terrible arrows, perfectly straight and of fierce

impetuosity, resembling fire in splendour and like unto Indra's thunder

in force. Endued with awful impetuosity, those arrows pierced Karna and

passing out of his body fell upon the surface of the earth. Trembling at

the shock, Karna then displayed his activity to the utmost of his power.

Steadying himself by a powerful effort he invoked the brahmastra.

Beholding the brahmastra, Arjuna invoked the Aindra weapon with proper

mantras. Inspiring gandiva, its string, and his shafts also, with

mantras, that scorcher of foes poured showers like Purandara pouring rain

in torrents. Those arrows endued with great energy and power, issuing out

of Partha's car, were seen to be displayed in the vicinity of Karna's

vehicle. The mighty car-warrior Karna baffled all those shafts displayed

in his front. Seeing that weapon thus destroyed, the Vrishni hero,

addressing Arjuna, said, "Shoot high weapons, O Partha! The son of Radha

baffles thy shafts." With proper mantras, Arjuna then fixed the

brahmastra on his string, and shrouding all the points of the compass

with arrows, Partha struck Karna (with many) arrows. Then Karna, with a

number of whetted shafts endued with great energy, cut off the string of

Arjuna's bow. Similarly he cut off the second string, and then the third,

and then the fourth, and then the fifth. The sixth also was cut off by

Vrisha, and then the seventh, then the eighth, then the ninth, then the

tenth, and then at last the eleventh. Capable of shooting hundreds upon

hundreds of arrows, Karna knew not that Partha had a hundred strings to

his bow. Tying another string to his bow and shooting many arrows, the

son of Pandu covered Karna with shafts that resembled snakes of blazing

mouths. So quickly did Arjuna replace each broken string that Karna could

not mark when it was broken and when replaced. The feat seemed to him to

be exceedingly wonderful. The son of Radha baffled with his own weapons

those of Savyasaci. Displaying also his own prowess, he seemed to get the

better of Dhananjaya at that time. Then Krishna, beholding Arjuna

afflicted with the weapons of Karna, said these words unto Partha:

"Approaching Karna, strike him with superior weapons." Then Dhananjaya,

filled with rage, inspiring with mantras another celestial weapons that

looked like fire and that resembled the poison of the snake and that was

as hard as the essence of adamant, and uniting the Raudra weapon with it,

became desirous of shooting it at his foe. At that time, O king, the

earth swallowed up one of wheels of Karna's car. Quickly alighting then

from his vehicle, he seized his sunken wheel with his two arms and

endeavoured to lift it up with a great effort. Drawn up with force by

Karna, the earth, which had swallowed up his wheel, rose up to a height

of four fingers' breadth, with her seven islands and her hills and waters

and forests. Seeing his wheel swallowed, the son of Radha shed tears from

wrath, and beholding Arjuna, filled with rage he said these words, "O

Partha, O Partha, wait for a moment, that is, till I lift this sunken

wheel. Beholding, O Partha, the left wheel of my car swallowed through

accident by the earth, abandon (instead of cherishing) this purpose (of

striking and slaying me) that is capable of being harboured by only a

coward. Brave warriors that are observant of the practices of the

righteous, never shoot their weapons at persons with dishevelled hair, or

at those that have turned their faces from battle, or at a Brahmana, or

at him who joins his palms, or at him who yields himself up or beggeth

for quarter or at one who has put up his weapon, or at one whose arrows

are exhausted, or at one whose armour is displaced, or at one whose

weapon has fallen off or been broken! Thou art the bravest of men in the

world. Thou art also of righteous behaviour, O son of Pandu! Thou art

well-acquainted with the rules of battle. For these reasons, excuse me

for a moment, that is, till I extricate my wheel, O Dhananjaya, from the

earth. Thyself staying on thy car and myself standing weak and languid on

the earth, it behoveth thee not to slay me now. Neither Vasudeva, nor

thou, O son of Pandu, inspirest me with the slightest fear. Thou art born

in the Kshatriya order. Thou art the perpetuator of a high race.

Recollecting the teachings of righteousness, excuse me for a moment, O

son of Pandu!"'"




91


"Sanjaya said, 'Then Vasudeva, stationed on the car, addressed Karna,

saying, "By good luck it is, O son of Radha, that thou rememberest

virtue! It is generally seen that they that are mean, when they sink into

distress, rail at Providence but never at their own misdeeds. Thyself and

Suyodhana and Duhshasana and Shakuni, the son of Subala, had caused

Draupadi, clad in a single piece of raiment, to be brought into the midst

of the assembly. On that occasion, O Karna, this virtue of thine did not

manifest itself. When at the assembly Shakuni, an adept in dice,

vanquished Kunti's son Yudhishthira who was unacquainted with it, whither

had this virtue of thine gone? When the Kuru king (Duryodhana), acting

under thy counsels, treated Bhimasena in that way with the aid of snakes

and poisoned food, whither had this virtue of thine then gone? When the

period of exile into the woods was over as also the thirteenth year, thou

didst not make over to the Pandavas their kingdom. Whither had this

virtue of thine then gone? Thou didst set fire to the house of lac at

Varanavata for burning to death the sleeping Pandavas. Whither then, O

son of Radha, had this virtue of thine gone? Thou laughedest at Krishna

while she stood in the midst of the assembly, scantily dressed because in

her season and obedient to Duhshasana's will, whither, then, O Karna, had

this virtue of thine gone? When from the apartment reserved for the

females innocent Krishna was dragged, thou didst not interfere. Whither,

O son of Radha, had this virtue of thine gone? Thyself addressing the

princess Draupadi, that lady whose tread is as dignified as that of the

elephant, in these words, viz., 'The Pandavas, O Krishna, are lost. They

have sunk into eternal hell. Do thou choose another husband!' thou

lookedest on the scene with delight. Whither then, O Karna, had this

virtue of thine gone? Covetous of kingdom and relying on the ruler of the

Gandharvas, thou summonedest the Pandavas (to a match of dice). Whither

then had this virtue of thine gone? When many mighty car-warriors,

encompassing the boy Abhimanyu in battle, slew him, whither had this

virtue of thine then gone? If this virtue that thou now invokest was

nowhere on those occasions, what is the use then of parching thy palate

now, by uttering that word? Thou art now for the practice of virtue, O

Suta, but thou shalt not escape with life. Like Nala who was defeated by

Pushkara with the aid of dice but who regained his kingdom by prowess,

the Pandavas, who are free from cupidity, will recover their kingdom by

the prowess of their arms, aided with all their friends. Having slain in

battle their powerful foes, they, with the Somakas, will recover their

kingdom. The Dhartarashtras will meet with destruction at the hands of

those lions among men (viz., the sons of Pandu), that are always

protected by virtue!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Thus addressed, O Bharata, by Vasudeva, Karna hung

down his head in shame and gave no answer. With lips quivering in rage,

he raised his bow, O Bharata, and, being endued with great energy and

prowess, he continued to fight with Partha. Then Vasudeva, addressing

Phalguna, that bull among men, said, "O thou of great might, piercing

Karna with a celestial weapon, throw him down." Thus addressed by the

holy one, Arjuna became filled with rage. Indeed, remembering the

incidents alluded to by Krishna, Dhananjaya blazed up with fury. Then, O

king, blazing flames of fire seemed to emanate from all the pores of the

angry Partha's body. The sight seemed to be exceedingly wonderful.

Beholding it, Karna, invoking the brahmastra, showered his shafts upon

Dhananjaya, and once more made an effort to extricate his car. Partha

also, by the aid of the brahmastra, poured arrowy downpours upon Karna.

Baffling with his own weapon the weapon of his foe, the son of Pandu

continued to strike him. The son of Kunti then, aiming at Karna sped

another favourite weapon of his that was inspired with the energy of

Agni. Sped by Arjuna, that weapon blazed up with its own energy. Karna,

however, quenched that conflagration with the Varuna weapon. The Suta's

son also, by the clouds he created, caused all the points of the compass

to be shrouded with a darkness such as may be seen on a rainy day. The

son of Pandu, endued with great energy, fearlessly dispelled those clouds

by means of the Vayavya weapon in the very sight of Karna. The Suta's son

then, for slaying the son of Pandu, took up a terrible arrow blazing like

fire. When that adored shaft was fixed on the bow-string, the earth, O

king, trembled with her mountains and waters and forests. Violent winds

began to blow, bearing hard pebbles. All the points of the compass became

enveloped with dust. Wails of grief, O Bharata, arose among the gods in

the welkin. Beholding that shaft aimed by the Suta's son, O sire, the

Pandavas, with cheerless hearts, gave themselves up to great sorrow. That

shaft of keen point and endued with the effulgence of Sakra's thunder,

sped from Karna's arms, fell upon Dhananjaya's chest and penetrated it

like a mighty snake penetrating an ant-hill. That grinder of foes, viz.,

the high-souled Vibhatsu, thus deeply pierced in that encounter, began to

reel. His grasp became loosened, at which his bow Gandiva dropped from

his hand. He trembled like the prince of mountains in an earthquake.

Availing himself of that opportunity, the mighty car-warrior Vrisha,

desirous of extricating his car-wheel that had been swallowed up by the

earth, jumped down from his vehicle. Seizing the wheel with his two arms

he endeavoured to drag it up, but though possessed of great strength, he

failed in his efforts, as destiny would have it. Meanwhile the

diadem-decked and high-souled Arjuna, recovering his senses, took up a

shaft, fatal as the rod of Death, and called anjalika. Then Vasudeva,

addressing Partha, said, "Cut off with thy arrow the head of this enemy

of thine, viz., Vrisha, before he succeeds in getting upon his car."

Applauding those words of the lord Vasudeva, and while the wheel of his

enemy was still sunk, the mighty car-warrior Arjuna took up a

razor-headed arrow of blazing effulgence and struck the standard (of

Karna) bearing the elephant's rope and bright as the spotless sun. That

standard bearing the device of the costly elephant's rope, was adorned

with gold and pearls and gems and diamonds, and forged with care by

foremost of artists excelling in knowledge, and possessed of great

beauty, and variegated with pure gold. That standard always used to fill

thy troops with high courage and the enemy with fear. Its form commanded

applause. Celebrated over the whole world, it resembled the sun in

splendour. Indeed, its effulgence was like that of fire or the sun or the

moon. The diadem-decked Arjuna, with that razor-headed shaft, exceedingly

sharp, equipped with wings of gold, possessed of the splendour of fire

when fed with libations of clarified butter, and blazing with beauty, cut

off that standard of Adhiratha's son, that great car-warrior. With that

standard, as it fell, the fame, pride, hope of victory, and everything

dear, as also the hearts of the Kurus, fell, and loud wails of "Oh!" and

"Alas!" arose (from the Kuru army). Beholding that standard cut off and

thrown down by that hero of Kuru's race possessed of great lightness of

hand, thy troops, O Bharata, were no longer hopeful of Karna's victory.

Hastening then for Karna's destruction, Partha took out from his quiver

an excellent Anjalika weapon that resembled the thunder of Indra or the

rod of fire and that was possessed of the effulgence of the

thousand-rayed Sun. Capable of penetrating the very vitals, besmeared

with blood and flesh, resembling fire or the sun, made of costly

materials, destructive of men, steeds, and elephants, of straight course

and fierce impetuosity, it measured three cubits and six feet. Endued

with the force of the thousand-eyed Indra's thunder, irresistible as

Rakshasas in the night, resembling Pinaka or Narayana's discus, it was

exceedingly terrible and destructive of all living creatures. Partha

cheerfully took up that great weapon, in the shape of an arrow, which

could not be resisted by the very gods, that high-souled being which was

always adored by the son of Pandu, and which was capable of vanquishing

the very gods and the Asuras. Beholding that shaft grasped by Partha in

that battle, the entire universe shook with its mobile and immobile

creatures. Indeed, seeing that weapon raised (for being sped) in that

dreadful battle, the Rishis loudly cried out, "Peace be to the universe!"

The wielder of Gandiva then fixed on his bow that unrivalled arrow,

uniting it with a high and mighty weapon. Drawing his bow Gandiva, he

quickly said, "Let this shaft of mine be like a mighty weapon capable of

quickly destroying the body and heart of my enemy, if I have ever

practised ascetic austerities, gratified my superiors, and listened to

the counsels of well-wishers. Let this shaft, worshipped by me and

possessed of great sharpness, slay my enemy Karna by that Truth." Having

said these words Dhananjaya let off that terrible shaft for the

destruction of Karna, that arrow fierce and efficacious as a rite

prescribed in the Atharvan of Angiras, blazing with effulgence, and

incapable of being endured by Death himself in battle. And the

diadem-decked Partha, desirous of slaying Karna, with great cheerfulness,

said, "Let this shaft conduce to my victory. Shot by me, let this arrow

possessed of the splendour of fire or the sun take Karna to the presence

of Yama." Saying these words, Arjuna, decked with diadem and garlands,

cherishing feelings of hostility towards Karna and desirous of slaying

him, cheerfully struck his foe with that foremost of shafts which was

possessed of the splendour of the sun or the moon and capable of

bestowing victory. Thus sped by that mighty warrior, that shaft endued

with the energy of the sun caused all the points of the compass to blaze

up with light. With that weapon Arjuna struck off his enemy's head like

Indra striking off the head of Vritra with his thunder. Indeed, O king,

with that excellent Anjalika weapon inspired with mantras into a mighty

weapon, the son of Indra cut off the head of Vaikartana in the afternoon.

Thus cut off with that Anjalika, the trunk of Karna fell down on the

earth. The head also of that commander of the (Kaurava) army, endued with

splendour equal to that of the risen sun and resembling the meridian sun

of autumn, fell down on the earth like the sun of bloody disc dropped

down from the Asta hills. Indeed, that head abandoned with great

unwillingness the body, exceedingly beautiful and always nursed in

luxury, of Karna of noble deeds, like an owner abandoning with great

unwillingness his commodious mansion filled with great wealth. Cut off

with Arjuna's arrow, and deprived of life, the tall trunk of Karna endued

with great splendour, with blood issuing from every wound, fell down like

the thunder-riven summit of a mountain of red chalk with crimson streams

running down its sides after a shower. Then from that body of the fallen

Karna a light passing through the welkin penetrated the sun. This

wonderful sight, O king, was beheld by the human warriors after the fall

of Karna. Then the Pandavas, beholding Karna slain by Phalguna, loudly

blew their conchs. Similarly, Krishna and Dhananjaya also, filled with

delight, and losing no time, blew their conchs. The Somakas beholding

Karna slain and lying on the field, were filled with joy and uttered loud

shouts with the other troops (of the Pandava army). In great delight they

blew their trumpets and waved their arms and garments. All the warriors,

O king, approaching Partha, began to applaud him joyfully. Others,

possessed of might, danced, embracing each other, and uttering loud

shouts, said, "By good luck, Karna hath been stretched on the earth and

mangled with arrows." Indeed, the severed head of Karna looked beautiful

like a mountain summit loosened by a tempest, or a quenched fire after

the sacrifice is over, or the image of the sun after it has reached the

Asta hills. The Karna-sun, with arrows for its rays, after having

scorched the hostile army, was at last caused to be set by the mighty

Arjuna-time. As the Sun, while proceeding towards the Asta hills, retires

taking away with him all his rays, even so that shaft (of Arjuna) passed

out, taking with it Karna's life breaths. The death hour of the Suta's

son, O sire, was the afternoon of that day. Cut off with the Anjalika

weapon in that battle, the head of Karna fell down along with his body.

Indeed, that arrow of Arjuna, in the very sight of the Kaurava troops,

quickly took away the head and the body of Karna. Beholding the heroic

Karna thrown down stretched on the earth, pierced with arrows and bathed

in blood, the king of the Madras, went away on that car deprived of its

standard. After the fall of Karna, the Kauravas, deeply pierced with

shafts in that battle, and afflicted with fear, fled away from the field,

frequently casting their eyes on that lofty standard of Arjuna that

blazed with splendour. The beautiful head, graced with a face that

resembled a lotus of a 1,000 petals, of Karna whose feats were like those

of the thousand-eyed Indra, fell down on the earth like the

thousand-rayed sun as he looks at the close of day.'"




92


"Sanjaya said, 'Beholding the troops crushed with arrows in that

encounter between Karna and Arjuna, Shalya proceeded, filled with wrath,

on that car divested of equipment. Beholding his army deprived of the

Suta's son and its cars and steeds and elephants destroyed, Duryodhana,

with eyes bathed in tears, repeatedly sighed the very picture of woe.

Desirous of beholding the heroic Karna, pierced with arrows and bathed in

blood, and stretched on the earth like the sun dropped from the skies at

will, the warriors came there and stood surrounding the fallen hero.

Amongst those belonging to the enemy and thy army that thus stood there,

some showed signs of joy, some of fear, some of sorrow, some of wonder,

and some gave themselves up to great grief, according to their respective

natures. Others amongst the Kauravas, hearing that Karna of mighty energy

had been slain by Dhananjaya, his armour, ornaments, robes, and weapons

having all been displaced, fled in fear like a herd of kine afflicted

with exceeding fear at losing its bull. Bhima then, uttering loud roars

and causing the welkin to tremble with those awful and tremendous shouts,

began to slap his armpits, jump, and dance, frightening the

Dhartarashtras by those movements. The Somakas and the Srinjayas also

loudly blew their conchs. All the Kshatriyas embraced one another in joy,

upon beholding the Suta's son slain at that juncture. Having fought a

dreadful battle, Karna was slain by Arjuna like an elephant by a lion.

That bull among men, Arjuna, thus accomplished his vow. Indeed even thus,

Partha reached the end of his hostility (towards Karna). The ruler of the

Madras, with stupefied heart, quickly proceeding, O king, to the side of

Duryodhana, on that car divested of standard said in sorrow these words,

"The elephants, the steeds, and the foremost of car-warriors of thy army

have been slain. In consequence of those mighty warriors, and steeds, and

elephants huge as hills, having been slain after coming into contact with

one another, thy host looks like the domains of Yama. Never before, O

Bharata, has a battle been fought like that between Karna and Arjuna

today. Karna had powerfully assailed the two Krishnas today and all

others who are thy foes. Destiny, however, has certainly flowed,

controlled by Partha. It is for this that Destiny is protecting the

Pandavas and weakening us. Many are the heroes who, resolved to

accomplish thy objects have been forcibly slain by the enemy. Brave

kings, who in energy, courage, and might, were equal to Kuvera or Yama or

Vasava or the Lord of the waters, who were possessed of every merit, who

were almost unslayable, and who were desirous of achieving thy object,

have in battle been slain by the Pandavas. Do not, O Bharata, grieve for

this. This is Destiny. Comfort thyself. Success cannot be always

attained." Hearing these words of the ruler of the Madras and reflecting

on his own evil doings. Duryodhana, with a cheerless heart, became almost

deprived of his senses and sighed repeatedly the very picture of woe.'"




93


"Dhritarashtra said, 'What was the aspect of the Kuru and the Srinjaya

host on that awful day while it was crushed with arrows and scorched

(with weapons) in that encounter between Karna and Arjuna and while it

was flying away from the field?'


"Sanjaya said, 'Hear, O king, with attention how that awful and great

carnage of human beings and elephants and steeds occurred in battle.

When, after Karna's fall Partha uttered leonine shouts, a great fright

entered the hearts of thy sons. Upon the fall of Karna no warrior of thy

army set his heart on rallying the troops or putting forth his prowess.

Their refuge having been destroyed by Arjuna, they were then like

raftless merchants, whose vessels have wrecked on the fathomless ocean,

desirous of crossing the uncrossable main. After the slaughter of the

Suta's son, O king, the Kauravas, terrified and mangled with shafts,

masterless and desirous of protection, became like a herd of elephants

afflicted by lions. Vanquished by Savyasaci on that afternoon, they fled

away like bulls with broken horns or snakes with broken fangs. Their

foremost of heroes slain, their troops thrown into confusion, themselves

mangled with keen arrows, thy sons, after the fall of Karna, O king, fled

away in fear. Divested of weapons and armour, no longer able to ascertain

which point of the compass was which, and deprived of their senses, they

crushed one another in course of their flight and looked at one another,

afflicted with fear. "It is me that Vibhatsu is pursuing with speed!" "It

is me that Vrikodara is pursuing with speed!"--thought every one among

the Kauravas who became pale with fear and fell down as they fled. Some

on horses, some on cars, some on elephants, and some on foot, mighty

car-warriors, endued with great speed, fled away in fear. Cars were

broken by elephants, horsemen were crushed by great car-warriors, and

bands of foot-soldiers were trodden down by bodies of horsemen, as these

fled in fear. After the fall of the Suta's son, thy warriors became like

people without protectors in a forest teeming with beasts of prey and

robbers. They were then like elephants without riders and men without

arms. Afflicted with fear, they looked upon the world as if it were full

of Partha. Beholding them fly away afflicted with the fear of Bhimasena,

indeed, and seeing his troops thus leave the field in thousands,

Duryodhana, uttering cries of "Oh!" and "Alas!" addressed his driver,

saying, "Partha will never be able to transgress me standing bow in hand.

Urge my steeds slowly behind all the troops. Without doubt, if I fight

standing in the rear of the army, the son of Kunti will never be able to

transgress me even as the vast deep is unable to transgress its

continents. Slaying Arjuna and Govinda and the proud Vrikodara and the

rest of my foes, I will free myself from the debt I owe to Karna."

Hearing these words of the Kuru king that were so worthy of a hero and

honourable man, the charioteer slowly urged his steeds adorned with

trappings of gold. Then 25,000 warriors on foot, belonging to thy army,

without cars and cavalry and elephants among them, prepared for battle.

Bhimasena, filled with wrath, and Dhrishtadyumna the son of Prishata,

encompassed them with four kinds of forces and began to strike them with

their shafts. In return, those warriors fought with Bhima and Prishata's

son. Some amongst them challenged the two heroes by name. Then Bhimasena

became filled with rage. Alighting from his car, mace in hand, he fought

with those warriors arrived for battle. Observant of the rules of fair

fight, Vrikodara, the son of Kunti, came down from his car, and relying

upon the might of his arms, began to fight on foot with those foes of his

that were on foot. Taking up his massive mace adorned with gold, he began

to slaughter them all, like the Destroyer armed with his bludgeon. The

Kaurava warriors on foot, filled with rage and becoming reckless of their

lives, rushed against Bhima in that battle like insects upon a blazing

fire. Those infuriated combatants, difficult of being defeated in battle,

approaching Bhimasena, perished in a trice like living creatures upon

seeing the Destroyer. The mighty Bhima, armed with a mace, careered like

a hawk and destroyed all those 25,000 combatants. Having slain that

division of heroic warriors, Bhima, of prowess incapable of being baffled

and of great might, once more stood, with Dhrishtadyumna before him.

Possessed of great energy, Dhananjaya proceeded against the (remnant of

the) car-force (of the Kauravas). The two sons of Madri, and Satyaki,

filled with joy, rushed with speed against Shakuni and slaughtered the

troops of Subala's son. Having slain with keen shafts his cavalry and

elephants in that encounter, they rushed impetuously against Shakuni

himself, upon which a great battle took place. Meanwhile Dhananjaya, O

lord, proceeding against thy car-force, twanged his bow Gandiva

celebrated over the three worlds. Beholding that car having white steeds

yoked unto it and owning Krishna for its driver, and seeing that Arjuna

was the warrior standing on it, thy troops fled away in fear. 25,000

soldiers on foot, deprived of cars and mangled with shafts, had perished

(at the hands of Bhima and Dhrishtadyumna). Having slain them, that tiger

among men, that great car-warrior among the Pancalas, viz., the

high-souled Dhrishtadyumna the son of the Pancala king, soon showed

himself, with Bhimasena before him. That slayer of foes and mighty bowman

appeared exceedingly handsome. Beholding Dhrishtadyumna's car which had

steeds white as pigeons yoked unto it and whose lofty standard was made

of the trunk of a Kovidara, the Kauravas fled away in great fear. The

twins (Nakula and Sahadeva) of great fame, and Satyaki, having pursued

with great speed the king of the Gandharvas who was possessed of

lightness of hands in the use of weapons, re-appeared (amid the Pandava

ranks). Chekitana and Shikhandi and the (five) sons of Draupadi, O sire,

having slaughtered thy vast army, blew their conchs. All those heroes,

although they saw thy troops flying away with faces turned from the

field, still pursued them, like bulls pursuing angry bulls after

vanquishing them. Pandu's son Savyasaci of great might, O king, beholding

a remnant of thy army still standing for battle, became filled with

wrath. Possessed of great energy, Dhananjaya, rushed against that

car-force, drawing his bow Gandiva celebrated over the three worlds.

Suddenly he shrouded them with showers of arrows. The dust that was

raised darkened the scene and nothing could any longer be distinguished.

When the earth was thus shrouded with dust and when darkness covered

everything, thy troops, O king, fled on all sides from fear. When the

Kuru army was thus broken, the Kuru king, O monarch, viz., thy son,

rushed against all his foes advancing against him. Then Duryodhana

challenged all the Pandavas to battle, O chief of Bharata's race, like

the Asura Vali in days of yore challenging the gods. At this, all the

Pandava heroes, uniting together, rushed against the advancing

Duryodhana, shooting and hurling at him diverse weapons and upbraiding

him repeatedly. Duryodhana, however, filled with rage, fearlessly

slaughtered those enemies of his in hundreds and thousands, with keen

shafts. The prowess that we then beheld of thy son was exceedingly

wonderful, for alone and unsupported, he fought with all the Pandavas

united together. Duryodhana then beheld his own troops who, mangled with

arrows, had set their hearts on flight, gone not far from the field.

Rallying them then, O monarch, thy son who was resolved to maintain his

honour, gladdening those warriors of his, said these words unto them: "I

do not see that spot in the earth or on the mountains, whither if ye fly,

the Pandavas will not slay you! What use then in flying away? Small is

the force that the Pandavas now have. The two Krishnas also are

exceedingly mangled. If all of us stay for battle, victory will certainly

be ours. If we fly in disunion, the sinful Pandavas, pursuing us, will

certainly slay all of us. For this, it is better that we should die in

battle. Death in battle is fraught with happiness. Fight, observant of

the Kshatriya's duty. He that is dead knows no misery. On the other hand,

such a one enjoys eternal bliss hereafter. Listen, ye Kshatriyas, ay, all

of you, that are assembled here! When the destroyer Yama spareth neither

the hero nor the coward, who is there so foolish of understanding,

although observant of a Kshatriya's vow like us, that would not fight.

Would ye place yourselves under the power of the angry foe Bhimasena? It

behoveth you not to abandon the duty observed by your sires and

grandsires. There is no greater sin for a Kshatriya than flight from

battle. There is no more blessed path for heaven, ye Kauravas, than the

duty of battle. Slain in battle, ye warriors, enjoy heaven without

delay.'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'While even these words were being uttered by thy

son, the (Kaurava) warriors, exceedingly mangled, fled away on all sides,

regardless of that speech.'"




94


"Sanjaya said, 'The ruler of the Madras then, beholding thy son employed

in rallying the troops, with fear depicted on his countenance and with

heart stupefied with grief, said these words unto Duryodhana.


"'Shalya said, "Behold this awful field of battle, O hero, covered with

heaps of slain men and steeds and elephants. Some tracts are covered with

fallen elephants huge as mountains, exceedingly mangled, their vital

limbs pierced with shafts, lying helplessly, deprived of life, their

armour displaced and the weapons, the shields and the swords with which

they were equipped lying scattered about. These fallen animals resemble

huge mountains riven with thunder, with their rocks and lofty trees and

herbs loosened from them and lying all around. The bells and iron hooks

and lances and standards with which those huge creatures had been

equipped are lying on the ground. Adorned with housings of gold, their

bodies are now bathed in blood. Some tracts, again, are covered with

fallen steeds, mangled with shafts, breathing hard in pain and vomitting

blood. Some of them are sending forth soft wails of pain, some are biting

the earth with rolling eyes and some are uttering piteous neighs.

Portions of the field are covered with horsemen and elephant-warriors

fallen off from their animals, and with bands of car-warriors forcibly

thrown down from their cars. Some of them are already dead and some are

at the point of death. Covered also with the corpses of men and steeds

and elephants as also with crushed cars and other huge elephants with

their trunks and limbs cut off, the earth has become awful to look at

like the great Vaitarani (skirting the domains of Yama). Indeed, the

earth looketh even such, being strewn with other elephants, stretched on

the ground with trembling bodies and broken tusks, vomiting blood,

uttering soft cries in pain, deprived of the warriors on their backs,

divested of the armour that covered their limbs, and reft of the

foot-soldiers that protected their flank and rear, and with their quivers

and banners and standards displaced, their bodies adorned with housings

of gold struck deep with the weapons of the foe. The earth looked like

the cloud-covered welkin in consequence of being strewn with the fallen

bodies of elephant-warriors and horse-men and carwarriors, all of great

fame, and of foot-soldiers slain by foes fighting face to face, and

divested of armour and ornaments and attire and weapons. Covered with

thousands of fallen combatants mangled with arrows, fully exposed to

view, and deprived of consciousness, with some amongst them whose breaths

were returning slowly, the earth seemed as if covered with many

extinguished fires. With those foremost of heroes among both the Kurus

and the Srinjayas, pierced with arrows and deprived of life by Partha and

Karna, the earth seemed as if strewn with blazing planets fallen from the

firmament, or like the nocturnal firmament itself bespangled with blazing

planets of serene light. The shafts sped from the arms of Karna and

Arjuna, piercing through the bodies of elephants and steeds and men and

quickly stilling their lives, entered the earth like mighty snakes

entering their holes with heads bent downwards. The earth has become

impassable with heaps of slain men and steeds and elephants, and with

cars broken with the shafts of Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son and with

the numberless shafts themselves shot by them. Strewn with well-equipped

cars crushed by means of mighty shafts along with the warriors and the

weapons and the standards upon them, cars, that is, with their traces

broken, their joints separated, their axles and yokes and Trivenus

reduced to fragments, their wheels loosened, their Upaskaras destroyed,

their Anukarsanas cut in pieces, the fastenings of their quivers cut off,

and their niches (for the accommodation of drivers) broken, strewn with

those vehicles adorned with gems and gold, the earth looks like the

firmament overspread with autumnal clouds. In consequence of

well-equipped royal cars deprived of riders and dragged by fleet steeds,

as also of men and elephants and cars and horses that fled very quickly,

the army has been broken in diverse ways. Spiked maces with golden bells,

battle-axes, sharp lances, heavy clubs, mallets, bright unsheathed

swords, and maces covered with cloth of gold, have fallen on the field.

Bows decked with ornaments of gold, and shafts equipped with beautiful

wings of pure gold, and bright unsheathed rapiers of excellent temper,

and lances, and scimitars bright as gold, and umbrellas, and fans, and

conchs, and arms decked with excellent flowers and gold, and caparisons

of elephants, and standards, and car fences and diadems, and necklaces,

and brilliant crowns, and yak-tails lying about, O king, and garlands

luminous with corals and pearls, and chaplets for the head, and bracelets

for both the wrist and the upper arms, and collars for the neck with

strings of gold, and diverse kinds of costly diamonds and gems and

pearls, and bodies brought up in a great luxury, and heads beautiful as

the moon, are lying scattered about. Abandoning their bodies and

enjoyments and robes and diverse kinds of agreeable pleasures, and

acquiring great merit for the devotion they showed to the virtuous of

their order, they have speedily gone in a blaze of flame to regions of

bliss. Turn back, O Duryodhana! Let the troops retire! O king, O giver of

honours, proceed towards thy camp! There, the Sun is hanging low in the

welkin, O lord! Remember, O ruler of men, that thou art the cause of all

this!"


"'Having said these words unto Duryodhana, Shalya, with heart filled with

grief, stopped. Duryodhana, however, at that time, deeply afflicted and

deprived of his senses, and with eyes bathed in tears, wept for the

Suta's son, saying, "Karna! Oh Karna!" Then all the kings headed by

Drona's son, repeatedly comforting Duryodhana, proceeded towards the

camp, frequently looking back at the lofty standard of Arjuna that seemed

to be ablaze with his fame. At that terrible hour when everything around

looked so resplendent, the Kauravas, all of whom had resolved to repair

to the other world, their features incapable of recognition owing to the

blood that covered them, beholding the earth, that was drenched with the

blood flowing from the bodies of men and steeds and elephants, looking

like a courtesan attired in crimson robes and floral garlands and

ornaments of gold, were unable, O king, to stand there! Filled with grief

at the slaughter of Karna, they indulged in loud lamentations, saying,

"Alas, Karna! Alas Karna!" Beholding the Sun assume a crimson hue, all of

them speedily proceeded towards their camp. As regards Karna, though

slain and pierced with gold-winged shafts whetted on stone and equipped

with feathers and dyed in blood and sped from gandiva, yet that hero,

lying on the ground, looked resplendent like the Sun himself of bright

rays. It seemed that illustrious Surya, ever kind to his worshippers,

having touched with his rays the gore-drenched body of Karna, proceeded,

with aspect crimson in grief, to the other ocean from desire of a bath.

Thinking so, the throngs of celestials and rishis (that had come there

for witnessing the battle) left the scene for proceeding to their

respective abodes. The large crowd of other beings also, entertaining the

same thought, went away, repairing as they chose to heaven or the earth.

The foremost of Kuru heroes also, having beheld that wonderful battle

between Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son, which had inspired all living

creatures with dread, proceeded (to their nightly quarters), filled with

wonder and applauding (the encounter). Though his armour had been cut off

with arrows, and though he had been slain in course of that dreadful

fight, still that beauty of features which the son of Radha possessed did

not abandon him when dead. Indeed, everyone beheld the body of the hero

to resemble heated gold. It seemed to be endued with life and possessed

of the effulgence of fire or the sun. All the warriors, O king, were

inspired with fright at sight of the Suta's son lying dead on the field,

like other animals at sight of the lion. Indeed, though dead, that tiger

among men seemed ready to utter his commands. Nothing, in that

illustrious dead, seemed changed. Clad in beautiful attire, and possessed

of a neck that was very beautiful, the Suta's son owned a face which

resembled the full moon in splendour. Adorned with diverse ornaments and

decked with Angadas made of bright gold, Vaikartana, though slain, lay

stretched like a gigantic tree adorned with branches and twigs. Indeed,

that tiger among men lay like a heap of pure gold, or like a blazing fire

extinguished with the water of Partha's shafts. Even as a blazing

conflagration is extinguished when it comes in contact with water, the

Karna-conflagration was extinguished by the Partha-cloud in the battle.

Having shot showers of arrows and scorched the ten points of the compass,

that tiger among men, viz., Karna, along with his sons, was quieted by

Partha's energy. He left the world, taking away with him that blazing

glory of his own which he had earned on earth by fair fight. Having

scorched the Pandavas and the Pancalas with the energy of his weapons,

having poured showers of arrows and burnt the hostile divisions, having,

indeed, heated the universe like the thousand-rayed Surya of great

beauty, Karna, otherwise called Vaikartana, left the world, with his sons

and followers. Thus fell that hero who was a Kalpa tree unto those swarms

of birds represented by suitors. Solicited by suitors he always said, "I

give" but never the words "I have not!" The righteous always regarded him

as a righteous person. Even such was Vrisha who fell in single combat.

All the wealth of that high-souled person had been dedicated to the

Brahmanas. There was nothing, not even his life, that he could not give

away unto the Brahmanas. He was ever the favourite of ladies, exceedingly

liberal, and a mighty car-warrior. Burnt by the weapons of Partha, he

attained to the highest end. He, relying upon whom thy son had provoked

hostilities, thus went to heaven, taking away with him the hope of

victory, the happiness, and the armour of the Kauravas. When Karna fell,

the rivers stood still. The Sun set with a pale hue. The planet Mercury,

the son of Soma, assuming the hue of fire or the Sun, appeared to course

through the firmament in a slanting direction. The firmament seemed to be

rent in twain; the earth uttered loud roars; violent and awful winds

began to blow. All the points of the horizon, covered with smoke, seemed

to be ablaze. The great oceans were agitated and uttered awful sounds.

The mountains with their forests began to tremble, and all creatures, O

sire, felt pain. The planet Jupiter, afflicting the constellation Rohini

assumed the hue of the moon or the sun. Upon the fall of Karna, the

subsidiary points also of the compass became ablaze. The sky became

enveloped in darkness. The earth trembled. Meteors of blazing splendour

fell. Rakshasas and other wanderers of the night became filled with joy.

When Arjuna, with that razor-faced shaft, struck off Karna's head adorned

with a face beautiful as the moon, then, O king, loud cries of "Oh!" and

"Alas!" were heard of creatures in heaven, in the welkin, and on the

earth. Having in battle slain his foe Karna who was worshipped by the

gods, the gandharvas, and human beings, Pritha's son Arjuna looked

resplendent in his energy like the deity of a 1,000 eyes after the

slaughter of Vritra. Then riding on that car of theirs whose rattle

resembled the roar of the clouds and whose splendour was like that of the

meridian sun of the autumnal sky, which was adorned with banners and

equipped with a standard incessantly producing an awful noise, whose

effulgence resembled that of the snow or the Moon or the conch or the

crystal, and whose steeds were like those of Indra himself, those two

foremost of men, viz., the son of Pandu and the crusher of Keshi, whose

energy resembled that of the great Indra, and who were adorned with gold

and pearls and gems and diamonds and corals, and who were like fire or

the sun in splendour, fearlessly careered over the field of battle with

great speed, like Vishnu and Vasava mounted on the same chariot. Forcibly

divesting the enemy of his splendour by means of the twang of gandiva and

the slaps of their palms, and slaying the Kurus with showers of shafts,

the Ape-bannered Arjuna, the Garuda-bannered Krishna, both of whom were

possessed of immeasurable prowess, those two foremost of men, filled with

joy, took up with their hands their loud-sounding conchs adorned with

gold and white as snow, and placing them against their lips, blew

simultaneously with those beautiful mouths of theirs, piercing the hearts

of their foes with the sound. The blare of pancajanya and that of

devadatta filled the earth, the sky, and heaven.


At the sound of the heroic Madhava's conch as also at that of Arjuna's,

all the Kauravas, O best of kings, became filled with fright. Those

foremost of men, causing the forests, the mountains, the rivers and the

points of the compass to resound with the blare of their conchs, and

filling the army of thy son with fright, gladdened Yudhishthira

therewith. As soon as the Kauravas heard the blare of those conchs that

were thus being blown, all of them left the field with great speed,

deserting the ruler of the Madras and the chief of the Bharatas, O

Bharata, viz., Duryodhana. Then diverse creatures, uniting together,

congratulated Dhananjaya, that hero shining resplendent on the field of

battle, as also Janardana, those two foremost of men who then looked like

a couple of risen suns. Pierced with Karna's arrows, those two chastisers

of foes, Acyuta and Arjuna, looked resplendent like the bright and

many-rayed moon and the sun risen after dispelling a gloom. Casting off

those arrows, those two mighty warriors, both endued with unrivalled

prowess, surrounded by well-wishers and friends, happily entered their

own encampment, like the lords Vasava and Vishnu duly invoked by

sacrificial priests. Upon the slaughter of Karna in that dreadful battle,

the gods, gandharvas, human beings, caranas, great rishis, yakshas, and

great nagas, worshipped Krishna and Arjuna with great respect and wished

them victory (in all things). Having received all their friends then,

each according to his age, and applauded by those friends in return for

their incomparable feats, the two heroes rejoiced with their friends,

like the chief of the celestials and Vishnu after the overthrow of Vali.'"




95


"Sanjaya said, 'Upon the fall of Karna otherwise called Vaikartana, the

Kauravas, afflicted with fear, fled away on all sides, casting their eyes

on empty space. Indeed, hearing that the heroic Karna had been slain by

the foe, all thy troops, stupefied with fear, broke and fled in all

directions. Then, O king, the leaders, filled with anxiety, desirous of

withdrawing their troops, O Bharata, whose flight had been endeavoured to

be checked by thy son. Understanding their wishes, thy son, O bull of

Bharata's race, acting according to the advice of Shalya, withdrew the

army. Then Kritavarma, O Bharata, surrounded by thy unslaughtered remnant

of thy Narayana troops of thy army, quickly proceeded towards the

encampment. Surrounded by a 1,000 gandharvas, Shakuni, beholding the son

of Adhiratha slain, proceeded quickly towards the encampment.

Sharadvata's son, Kripa, O king, surrounded by the large elephant force

that resembled a mass of clouds, proceeded quickly towards the

encampment. The heroic Ashvatthama, repeatedly drawing deep breaths at

the sight of the victory of the Pandavas, proceeded quickly towards the

encampment. Surrounded by the unslaughtered remnant of the samsaptakas

which was still a large force, Susharma also, O king, proceeded, casting

his eyes on those terrified soldiers. King Duryodhana, deeply afflicted

and deprived of everything, proceeded, his heart filled with grief, and a

prey to many cheerless thoughts. Shalya, that foremost of car-warriors,

proceeded towards the camp, on that car deprived of standard, casting his

eyes on all sides. The other mighty car-warriors of the Bharata army,

still numerous, fled quickly, afflicted with fear, filled with shame, and

almost deprived of their senses. Indeed seeing Karna overthrown, all the

Kauravas fled away quickly, afflicted and anxious with fear, trembling,

and with voices choked with tears. The mighty car-warriors of thy army

fled away in fear, O chief of Kuru's race, some applauding Arjuna, some

applauding Karna. Amongst those thousands of warriors of thy army in that

great battle, there was not a single person who had still any wish for

fight. Upon the fall of Karna, O monarch, the Kauravas became hopeless of

life, kingdom, wives, and wealth. Guiding them with care, O lord, thy

son, filled with grief and sorrow, set his heart upon resting them for

the night. Those great car-warriors also, O monarch, accepting his orders

with bent heads, retired from the field with cheerless hearts and pale

faces.'"




96


"Sanjaya said, 'After Karna had thus been slain and the Kaurava troops

had fled away, he of Dasharha's race, embracing Partha from joy, said

unto him these words: "Vritra was slain by thee. Men will talk (in the

same breath) of the slaughter of Vritra and Karna in awful battle. Vritra

was slain in battle by the deity of great energy with his thunder. Karna

hath been slain by thee with bow and sharp arrows. Go, O son of Kunti,

and represent, O Bharata, unto king Yudhishthira the just, this prowess

of thine that is capable of procuring thee great fame and that hath

become well-known in the world. Having represented unto king Yudhishthira

the just, this slaughter of Karna in battle for compassing which thou

hadst been endeavouring for a long course of years, thou wilt be freed

from the debt thou owest to the king. During the progress of the battle

between thyself and Karna, the son of Dharma once came for beholding the

field. Having, however, been deeply and exceedingly pierced (with

arrows), he could not stay in battle. The king, that bull among men, then

went back to his tent." Partha answered Keshava, that bull of Yadu's

race, saying, "So be it!' The latter then cheerfully caused the car of

that foremost of car-warriors to turn back. Having said these words unto

Arjuna, Krishna addressed the soldiers, saying, "Blessed be ye, stand all

of you carefully, facing the foe!" Unto Dhrishtadyumna and Yudhamanyu and

the twin sons of Madri and Vrikodara and Yuyudhana, Govinda said, "Ye

kings, until we come back having informed the king of Karna's slaughter

by Arjuna, stand ye here with care." Having received the permission of

these heroes, he then set out for the quarters of the king. With Partha

in his company, Govinda beheld Yudhishthira, that tiger among kings,

lying on an excellent bed of gold. Both of them then, with great joy,

touched the feet of the king. Beholding their joy and the extraordinary

wounds on their bodies, Yudhishthira regarded the son of Radha to be dead

and rose quickly from his bed. That chastiser of foes, the mighty-armed

monarch, having risen from his bed, repeatedly embraced Vasudeva and

Arjuna with affection. That descendant of Kuru's race then asked Vasudeva

(the particulars of Karna's death). Then the sweet-speeched Vasudeva that

descendant of the Yadu race, spoke to him of Karna's death exactly as it

had happened. Smiling then, Krishna, otherwise called Acyuta, joined his

palms and addressed king Yudhishthira whose foes had been killed saying,

"By good luck, the wielder of Gandiva, and Vrikodara, the son of Pandu,

and thyself, and the two sons of Madri, are all safe, having been freed

from this battle that has been so destructive of heroes and that made the

very hair of the body to stand on end. Do thou those acts, O son of

Pandu, which should next be done. The Suta's son Karna, possessed of

great might and otherwise called Vaikartana, hath been slain. By good

luck, victory hath become thine, O king of kings. By good luck, thou

growest, O son of Pandu! The Earth drinketh today the blood of that

Suta's son, that wretch among men, who had laughed at the dice-won

Krishna. That foe of thine, O bull of Kuru's race, lieth today on the

bare ground, pierced all over with arrows. Behold that tiger among men,

pierced and mangled with shafts. O thou of mighty arms, rule now, with

care, this earth that is divested of all thy foes, and enjoy with us, all

kinds of enjoyable articles!'"


"Sanjaya continued, 'Having heard these words of the high-souled Keshava,

Yudhishthira, with great joy, worshipped in return that hero of

Dasharha's race. "Good luck, Good luck!" were the words, O monarch, that

he said. And he added, "It is not wonderful, O mighty-armed one, in thee,

O son of Devaki, that Partha, having obtained thee for his charioteer,

should achieve feats that are even super-human." Then that chief of

Kuru's race, that righteous son of Pritha, taking hold of Keshava's right

arm adorned with Angadas, and addressing both Keshava and Arjuna, said,

"Narada told me that ye two are the gods Nara and Narayana, those ancient

and best of Rishis, that are ever employed in the preservation of

righteousness. Gifted with great intelligence, the master Krishna

Dvaipayana, the highly blessed Vyasa, also hath repeatedly told me this

celestial history. Through thy influence, O Krishna, this Dhananjaya the

son of Pandu, facing his foes, hath vanquished them, without ever turning

back from any of them. Victory, and not defeat, we are certain to have,

since thou hast accepted the drivership of Partha in battle." Having said

these words, king Yudhishthira the just, that tiger among men, mounting

his car, adorned with gold and having steeds of ivory white and black

tails and fleet as thought harnessed unto it, and surrounded by many

Pandava troops, set out, conversing pleasantly with Krishna and Arjuna

along the way, for beholding the field of battle on which thousands of

incidents had taken place. Conversing with those two heroes, viz.,

Madhava and Phalguna, the king beheld Karna, that bull among men, lying

on the field of battle. Indeed, king Yudhishthira beheld Karna pierced

all over with arrows like a Kadamva flower with straight filaments all

around its body. Yudhishthira beheld Karna illuminated by thousands of

golden lamps filled with perfumed oil. Having beheld Karna with his son

slain and mangled with shafts sped from Gandiva, king Yudhishthira

repeatedly looked at him before he could believe his eyes. He then

applauded those tigers among men, Madhava and Phalguna, saying, "O

Govinda, today I have become king of the earth, with my brothers, in

consequence of thyself of great wisdom having become my protector and

lord. Hearing of the slaughter of that tiger among men, the proud son of

Radha, the wicked-souled son of Dhritarashtra will be filled with

despair, as regards both life and kingdom. Through thy grace, O bull

among men, we have acquired our objects. By good luck, victory hath been

thine, O Govinda! By good luck, the enemy hath been slain. By good luck,

the wielder of Gandiva, the son of Pandu, hath been crowned with victory.

Thirteen years we have passed in wakefulness and great sorrow. O thou of

mighty arms, through thy grace, we will sleep happily this night." In

this way, O ruler of men, king Yudhishthira the just, praised Janardana

greatly as also Arjuna, O monarch!'


"Sanjaya continued, 'Beholding Karna with his son slain with Partha's

shafts, that perpetuator of Kuru's race, Yudhishthira, regarded himself

as reborn. The kings (in the Pandava army), great car-warriors--all

filled with joy, approached Kunti's son Yudhishthira and gladdened him

greatly. Nakula, and Sahadeva, and Vrikodara the son of Pandu, and

Satyaki, O king, that foremost of car-warriors among the Vrishnis, and

Dhrishtadyumna, and Shikhandi, and others among the Pandus, the Pancalas,

and the Srinjayas, worshipped the son of Kunti at the slaughter of the

Suta's son. Extolling king Yudhishthira, the son of Pandu, those

delighters in battle, those effectual smiters, those heroes possessed of

sureness of aim and longing for victory, also praised those scorchers of

foes, viz., the two Krishnas, with speeches fraught with panegyrics. Then

those great car-warriors, filled with delight, proceeded towards their

own camp. Thus occurred that great carnage, making the hair stand on end,

in consequence, O king, of thy evil policy! Why dost thou grieve for it

now?'"


Vaishampayana continued, "Hearing those evil tidings, the Kuru king

Dhritarashtra suddenly fell down on the ground from his excellent seat.

Similarly, the royal lady Gandhari of great foresight fell down. She

indulged in diverse lamentations, for the slaughter of Karna in battle.

Then Vidura and Sanjaya both raised the fallen monarch and began to

console him. Similarly the Kuru ladies raised Gandhari. Thinking destiny

and necessity to be all powerful, that royal ascetic, under that great

grief, seemed to lose his senses. His heart filled with anxiety and

sorrow, the king, however, did not again swoon away. Comforted by them,

he remained silent, indulging in melancholy musing. He that reads of this

great battle, which is like unto a sacrifice, between the high-souled

Dhananjaya and Adhiratha's son, so also he that hears the account of this

battle read, both obtain, O Bharata, the fruit of a great sacrifice duly

performed. The learned say that the holy and the eternal Vishnu is

Sacrifice, and each of those other gods, viz., Agni, Wind, Soma, and

Surya, is so. Therefore, he that will, without malice, hear or recite

this Parvan, will be happy and capable of attaining to every region of

bliss. Filled with devotion, men always read this sacred and first of

Samhitas. They that do, rejoice, obtaining wealth, and grain, and fame. A

man must, therefore, ever hear it without malice. He that does so will

obtain all kinds of happiness. With that foremost of persons, Vishnu, and

the illustrious Self-born, and Bhava also, become pleased. A Brahmana, by

reading it, would obtain the fruit of having studied the Vedas; a

Kshatriya obtains strength and victory in battle; Vaishyas would obtain

immense wealth, and Shudras would obtain health and freedom from disease.

Then again the illustrious Vishnu is eternal. And since it is that god

who hath been glorified in this Parvan, it is for this that the man

reading or hearing it becometh happy and acquireth all the objects of his

heart. These words of the great Rishi (Vyasa) can never the untrue! The

merit that may be attained by listening to the recitation of the Karna

Parvan is equal to his who giveth away unceasingly for a whole year good

cows with calves."


The end of Karna Parv


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