04.049
Vaiśampāyana said.
Having forcefully scattered the enemy army and prevailing over the warriors, Arjuna—the
foremost archer—then moved toward Duryodhana, again seeking to perform a pleasing deed for
him in the battle. (04-49-1)
When the cows had swiftly departed and the Matsyas, seeing the crowned one (Arjuna), who
had accomplished his task and was proceeding towards Duryodhana, the mighty Kurus suddenly
rushed at him. (04-49-2)
Having seen their many and densely arrayed divisions with numerous banners, the destroyer
of the enemies addressed Viraṭa, the son of the king of Matsya, and then spoke to him.
(04-49-3)
Let us quickly reach by this means; white horses yoked with golden reins. Exert every
effort with speed; attain this troop of lion-like chariots. (04-49-4)
O prince, bring me to that wicked Karṇa, the son of the charioteer, who desires to fight
with me—like an elephant with another elephant—whose pride has arisen from reliance on
Duryodhana. (04-49-5)
He, the son of Virāṭa, with those great horses having the speed of the wind and golden
harness, destroyed that array of chariot-warriors and then brought the Pāṇḍava into the
midst of the battle. (04-49-6)
Him, Citrasena, Saṅgrāmajit, Śatru-saha, and Jaya, armed with sharp arrows, the great
chariot-warriors, longing to support Karna, advanced to meet the rushing Bharata (Arjuna).
(4-49-7)
Then he, the foremost among men, his bow blazing and his arrows swift and scorching, in
his rage burned the Kuru chieftains’ chariot ranks as fire would burn a forest. (04-49-8)
But in that tumultuous battle that had commenced, Vikarṇa, the mighty chariot-warrior of
the Kurus, with his chariot and a shower of arrows, attacked Partha (Arjuna); Bhīma
confronted Bhīma's younger brother. (04-49-9)
Then, drawing Vikarṇa's bow, which was adorned at the tip with the best gold and had a
firm string, he brought down his banner after crushing it; with his banner severed, he also
swiftly departed. (04-49-10)
That overcomer of enemy hosts who performed superhuman deeds, the wrathful vanquisher of
foes, unable to bear his anger, attacked Pārtha with his tortoise-like nail. (04-49-11)
He, struck by that king, the great chariot-warrior, as he entered the army of the Kurus,
quickly pierced the enemy-distresser with five arrows and then struck his charioteer with
ten. (04-49-12)
Then he, struck by the best of the Bharatas with an arrow that pierced his body, his life
departed, fell on the battlefield to the ground, like an elephant thrown down from a
mountain-top by the wind. (04-49-13)
But those best of chariot-warriors were broken by the best of chariot-warriors; the heroes
in battle were shattered by a superior hero; they trembled at that time by the force of the
wind, like great forests shaken violently. (04-49-14)
Slain by Arjuna, foremost among men, the young warriors, well-attired, fell asleep on the
ground. These wealth-givers, equal in might to Indra, were defeated in battle by the son of
Indra. Clad in golden and iron armor, they were like great elephants of the Himalayas.
(04-49-15)
Thus, Arjuna, the foremost of men and bearer of Gāṇḍīva, destroying his enemies in battle,
moved through the battle-array across all directions, like fire burning a forest at the end
of summer. (04-49-16)
Just as in spring, a strong wind drives and scatters fallen leaves through the sky, so too
the crested great chariot-warrior moved in battle, scattering his rivals with his chariot.
(04-49-17)
The diadem-adorned hero, undismayed in spirit, slew the red steeds of Vaikartana’s
brother, and then with a single arrow, victorious in battle, took off his head. (04-49-18)
When his brother was killed, Karna, the son of the charioteer (Vaikartana), seizing his
strength, grasped his weapons like the elephant king his tusks, and like a tiger attacking a
great bull, rushed forward. (4-49-19)
Vaikartana (Karna) quickly attacked the Pāṇḍava with twelve arrows, piercing all the
horses in their limbs, and struck down the son of Virāṭa with arrows. (04-49-20)
He, like a lord of elephants struck by another elephant, having taken sharp arrowheads
from his quiver and having drawn his bow up to the ear, then pierced the charioteer's son
with arrows. (04-49-21)
Then the subduer of foes, standing in battle, pierced with arrows shining like
lightning—loosed from the Gandiva—the arms, thighs, head, forehead, neck, and chariot parts
of his adversary. (04-49-22)
He, struck by Arjuna's arrows like a swift elephant defeated by another elephant, left the
forefront of the battle and departed—Vaikartana (Karna), scorched by the Pāṇḍava's shafts.
(04-49-23)
