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Core-Pancharatra: Bhima and Arjuna repulse the angered kings.
Vaiśampāyana said.
The foremost of the twice-born, shaking off their deerskins and staffs, said to him: "Do not be afraid; we will fight the enemies."
Arjuna, smiling, addressed the brāhmaṇas who were speaking: "You, having become spectators, stand aside."
I will ward off these enraged ones, scattering them by hundreds with straight-pointed arrows, just as serpents are repelled by mantras.
Thus, having taken that bow and having obtained the bride-price, the great chariot-warrior stood with his brother Bhīma, firm as an immovable mountain.
Then, those two fearless ones rushed at those angry warriors, arisen from wrath, towards their ears and faces, like elephants against other elephants.
Those kings, intent on killing, spoke harsh words. In battle, it is indeed seen that even a brāhmaṇa who wishes to fight may be killed.
Then Karna, the son of Vikartana, energetically approached Arjuna, eager for battle, like an elephant charging at another elephant for food.
Śalya, the powerful king of the Madras, advanced towards Bhīmasena. Meanwhile, Duryodhana and the others, together with the Brāhmaṇas, joined forces and fought back in that battle gently and without exertion.
Then Arjuna, wise and resolute, drew his mighty bow and struck the advancing Karna, son of Vikartana, with three arrows.
Bewildered by the speed of those sharp and keenly bright arrows, Rādheya (Karna) makes an effort to pursue him.
Those two, both of whom were indescribable due to their swiftness and were the best among the victorious, fought with great fury, each seeking victory over the other.
When one act was done, the other was reciprocated; 'See, see my strength of arm!'—thus, with words of heroic intent, they addressed each other.
Then, realizing the unparalleled strength of Arjuna's arms on earth, Karna, the son of Vikartana, angrily challenged him to battle.
Then, having repelled those swift arrows shot by Arjuna, the armies roared loudly and honored him.
Karṇa said.
I am pleased with you, O foremost of Brāhmaṇas, for your strength in battle, your steadfastness, and your discipline in the use of weapons and missiles.
Are you yourself the very science of archery, or Rama, O best of Brahmins? Or are you directly Hari's steed, or even Viṣṇu the infallible himself?
Indeed, for the purpose of hiding your true self, you have taken on the strength of the arm and assumed this Brāhmaṇa form; thus, you now fight against me.
Indeed, no one else, not even Indra himself, can fight with me in battle when I am angry, except for the Pāṇḍava, the one with the crown (Arjuna).
Vaiśampāyana said.
To him who spoke thus, Phalguna (Arjuna) replied: "I am not Karna, the master of archery, nor am I Rama (Parashurama), the mighty. I am a Brahmin, the best among warriors, the foremost among all wielders of weapons."
I am established in the weapons of Brahmā and Purandara, as instructed by my teacher, and today I stand in battle to defeat you. O hero, remain steadfast and unshaken.
Thus addressed, Karna, the son of Radha, withdrew from the battle, believing that the divine splendor was invincible.
O king, Śalya and Vṛkodara, both strong and intoxicated, approached the battle there at the same time, driven by rivalry and strength.
Those two, like intoxicated great elephants, challenged each other and struck one another with fists and knees; for a moment, they dragged each other around in battle.
Then Bhīma, the mightiest among the strong, lifted Śalya with both arms in battle and killed him. The Brāhmaṇas then rejoiced.
There, Bhīmasena, the foremost among men, performed a wondrous act: though Śalya, the mighty, had fallen to the ground, the powerful Bhīma did not strike him.
When Śalya was struck down by Bhīmasena and Karna was alarmed, all the kings, being alarmed, surrounded Vṛkodara (Bhīma).
Then, together at that place, these eminent Brāhmaṇas said: "Let it be known where the births are, where the residences are, and likewise."
Who indeed is capable of contending with Karna, the son of Radha, in battle, except for Rāma, Droṇa, or even Kṛpa, the son of Śaradvat?
Whether from Kṛṣṇa, the son of Devakī, or from Phalguna, the scorcher of foes, who indeed is capable of opposing Duryodhana in battle?
Likewise, Śalya, the king of Madra, who is the best among the strong, is not to be surpassed except by Baladeva, or by a hero among the Pāṇḍavas, or by Vṛkodara (Bhīma).
Let us withdraw from this battle with the Brāhmaṇas; then, when we find these enemies here again, we shall fight them.
Having observed that act of Bhīma, Kṛṣṇa, suspecting the two sons of Kuntī, restrained those kings, persuading all by saying "it is obtained by righteousness".
Thus, all the best of kings, skilled in battle, withdrew from the fight and, astonished, returned to their respective abodes.
It happened that in the arena, Panchali was chosen by the Brahmins. Thus, those assembled there said this and departed.
Bhīmasena and Arjuna, disguised by Brāhmaṇas clad in raurava deer-skin garments, made their way there with great difficulty.
Freed from the crowd and surrounded by enemies, those two heroic men, following Krishna's path, shone there.
Their mother thought of various calamities. As her sons did not return, the time for receiving alms was passing by.
The foremost of the Kurus would not be slain by the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra knowingly, nor by demons endowed with powerful illusions and fierce, steadfast enmity.
Pṛthā, filled with affection for her son, thought thus: "Even the great-souled Vyāsa's opinion has turned contrary."
Then, in the great afternoon, the victorious one, preceded by Brāhmaṇas, entered there, like the Sun covered by clouds.
