04.056
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, after defeating Karna, Arjuna said to the king of Virāṭa, "Take me to that army in which the golden pillar stands." (04-56-1)
Here, Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu and our grandfather, stands on his chariot, longing for combat with me and looking like a god. In battle, I shall seize even his bow-string. (04-56-2)
Today, observe me discharging this wonderful divine weapon, coming like a cloud of a hundred lakes, like thunder in the sky. (04-56-3)
The Kurus will see my gold-backed Gāṇḍīva bow and wonder, 'With his right hand or his left does he sweat while holding it?'—thus all the assembled enemies will speculate about me. (04-56-4)
I will cause a river to flow, with blood for its water, chariots as its whirlpools, and elephants and crocodiles—difficult to cross—its stream running to the next world. (04-56-5)
I will incessantly cut down the forest of limbs—the hands, feet, heads, backs, and arms—of the Kurus with my barbed, curved arrows. (04-56-6)
With one of my archers conquering the Kaurava army, a hundred paths will be made as if by fire in a forest; you will see the army pierced through by me, as if (struck) by a wheel—only that.
Remain unshaken on the chariot whether on level ground or uneven; I will cover the sky and shatter the mountain with thunderbolts. (04-56-8)
Formerly, at the command of Indra, I struck down thousands and hundreds of Paulomas and Kālakhañjas in battle. (04-56-9)
I obtained from Indra a firm fist, from Brahmā the skill of hand, and from Prajāpati, something profound, tumultuous, wonderful, and very well-perforated. (04-56-10)
I crossed to Hiranyapura on the far side of the ocean, having conquered sixty thousand fierce bowmen in chariots. (04-56-11)
I will set ablaze the forest—along with banners, trees, leaves, grass, chariots, lions, and countless troops—by the power of the Kurus' weapon. (04-56-12)
I alone will destroy them from their chariot-seats with arrows having well-bent joints, just as thunderbolt-handed Indra destroyed the asuras. (04-56-13)
I have received the weapon of Rudra from Rudra himself, the Varuṇa weapon from Varuṇa as well; the weapon of Agni from Agni, the weapon of Vāyu from Mātariśvan; and likewise, I have obtained the thunderbolt and other such weapons from Śakra. (04-56-14)
I will uproot the terrible forest of the descendants of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, protected by lion-like men; in Virāṭa's city, may your fear vanish. (04-56-15)
Thus, encouraged by Savyasācin (Arjuna), the son of Virāṭa broke into the formidable chariot array of the wise Bhīṣma. (04-56-16)
Unruffled, the one of cruel deeds blocked Dhanañjaya, the mighty-armed Arjuna, who advanced desiring to defeat the enemies in battle. (04-56-17)
Those high-minded ones, accomplished in knowledge and adorned with various garlands and ornaments, approached him who held a terrible bow, having drawn the murva string with their arms. (04-56-18)
Duḥśāsana, Vikarṇa, Duḥsaha and Viviṃśati then came and surrounded Arjuna, the wielder of the great bow, also called Bībhatsu. (04-56-19)
But Duḥśāsana, having pierced Virāṭa's son Uttara with an arrow, with a second (arrow) struck Arjuna, the hero, in the chest. (04-56-20)
The victorious one, having turned towards him, cut off his bow—adorned with refined gold—with a broad-edged arrow set with eagle-feathers. (04-56-21)
Then, someone struck him from behind with five (arrows) in the space between the breasts; thus, wounded by Arjuna's arrows, he left the battle and retreated. (04-56-22)
Then Vikarṇa, the son of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, pierced Arjuna, the destroyer of enemy heroes, with sharp, vulture-feathered, straight-flying arrows. (04-56-23)
Then the son of Kunti quickly struck him also on the forehead with a sharp-edged arrow; pierced, he fell from the chariot. (04-56-24)
Then Duḥsaha, along with twenty others, rushed at Arjuna and, wishing to subdue his brother in battle, covered him with sharp arrows. (04-56-25)
Dhananjaya (Arjuna), undisturbed, simultaneously pierced and destroyed the vehicles of both of them with two sharp, vulture-feathered arrows. (04-56-26)
Those two sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra, both with dead horses and pierced bodies, having been approached, were carried away by foot soldiers in other chariots. (04-56-27)
Bībhatsu (Arjuna), the unconquered son of Kuntī, crowned with his diadem, greatly powerful and having achieved his objective, rushed towards all directions. (04-56-28)
