04.057
Vaiśampāyana said.
Then, O Bhārata, all the great chariot-warriors of the Kauravas, having gathered together and being prepared, fought against Arjuna. (04-57-1)
He, of immeasurable spirit, covered those great chariot-warriors on all sides with nets made of arrows, just as fog envelops mountains. (04-57-2)
The sound created by the roaring elephants, the neighing horses, and the blaring of drums and conches became deafening. (04-57-3)
Thousands of arrows shot forth from Arjuna, piercing the bodies of men and horses and breaking through iron armors. (04-57-4)
Hurriedly releasing arrows, the Pāṇḍava shone in battle like the radiant sun of autumn at midday. (04-57-5)
Then, frightened charioteers leapt down from their chariots; riders from the backs of horses, and even the foot-soldiers on the ground.
A great sound arose from the armors of the great-souled warriors, made of copper, silver, and iron, as they were struck with arrows. (04-57-7)
The entire battlefield there was strewn with the bodies of those who had perished—elephants, horses, and others, their lives taken by sharp arrows. (04-57-8)
The earth was covered with men who had fallen onto the chariot-platforms; in the midst of battle, Arjuna, holding his bow, seemed to dance. (04-57-9)
When all beings heard the resounding noise of the Gandiva, like the thunder of a thunderbolt, they fled in terror from the great battle. (04-57-10)
Heads adorned with ear-rings, turbans, and golden garlands are indeed seen fallen on the battlefield. (04-57-11)
The earth appears covered and glows with bodies pierced by arrows, arms bearing bows, and others adorned with ornaments on their hands. (04-57-12)
O bull among the Bharatas, among the falling heads, sharp arrows came like a shower of stones from the sky. (04-57-13)
Showing himself as terrible and endowed with Rudra's might, Pārtha (Arjuna), who dwelt in captivity for thirteen years, released a dreadful fire of wrath upon the sons of Dhṛtarāṣṭra. (04-57-14)
Seeing the army of his being burned and his valor, all the peace-seeking warriors of Dhritarashtra’s side watched.
O Bhārata, having terrified that army and driven away the great chariot-warriors, Arjuna, the foremost among the victorious, turned back. (04-57-16)
At the end of the age, created by Time, he set in motion a terrible river with waves of streams of blood, thickly filled with bone-like weeds. (04-57-17)
Pārtha created a great and terrible river, with rafts of arrows and bows, mud made of flesh and blood, large islands formed by great warriors, resounding with the sound of conches and drums, and flowing with blood. (04-57-18)
Indeed, in the actions of taking up arrows, fixing them, releasing them, and drawing the Gandiva bow, no difference at all can be seen. (04-57-19)
