05.185
Pancharatra-Ext: Next day, both sage Bhargava and Bhishma end up releasing Brahmastra bring the Universe to the brink of destruction.
Bhishma said:
Then, after the night had passed, I awoke, O Bharata. Reflecting on that dream, I experienced great joy.
Then, O Bharata, a fierce and wonderful battle arose between my side and his, which was hair-raising to all beings.
Then Bhārgava showered me with a rain of arrows, but I blocked it with my own net of arrows, O Bhārata.
Then, the great ascetic, filled with intense anger from the previous day, once again sent the weapon towards me.
The touch was like Indra's thunderbolt, with a radiance comparable to Yama's staff, burning fiercely like fire in battle, licking everything around.
Then, O noble Bharata, like a celestial chariot, she swiftly struck me on the shoulder, O Bharata.
Then my blood flowed terribly like the red ochre of the mountain, as Rama, O mighty-armed one, looked upon the wounded with bloodshot eyes.
Then, in a fit of intense anger, I sent an arrow towards Jamadagni's son, which was as deadly as death and akin to serpent's poison.
O great king, the best of the twice-born, struck on the forehead by him, shone like a mountain with a peak.
Enraged, he drew the arrow with great force, resembling the destroyer of time, and fixed it, a terrible weapon meant to annihilate enemies.
He fell on the chest, a fierce arrow like a breathing serpent. O king, then I went to the earth, stained with blood.
Regaining his senses, he dispatched the pure and blazing weapon, akin to a thunderbolt, to the wise Jamadagni's son.
She fell into the arms of the foremost Brahmin, and became agitated and trembling, O King.
Then, the sage, a great ascetic and unwounded friend, embraced him and consoled him with many auspicious words.
Reassured, Rama, filled with anger and indignation, then manifested the supreme Brahma weapon, adhering to his great vow.
Then, to counteract, I employed the supreme Brahma weapon, which blazed as if showing the end of an era.
The two Brahmastras met each other in the space between, without reaching either Rama or me, O best of the Bharatas.
Then, only light appeared in the sky, and all beings were distressed, O lord of the people.
O Bharata, the sages, Gandharvas, and deities were greatly distressed, being oppressed by the energy of the weapons.
Then the earth, along with its mountains, forests, and trees, trembled. The beings, tormented, fell into deep sorrow.
O King, the sky was ablaze and the ten directions were filled with smoke. At that time, the celestial beings could not remain in the sky.
Then, O Bharata, in the world filled with gods and demons, amidst great tumult, I wish to express this difference.
The sages spoke of a beloved sleep-inducing weapon, and as I thought of it, it appeared in my mind.
