06.051
Pancharatra and Core: Late afternoon, a fight between Abhimanyu and Lakshmana; Kauravas retreat for the day, as Pandavas gain the upper hand.
Sanjaya said:
In the late afternoon of that day, O Bharata, there was a great destruction involving chariots, elephants, horses, foot soldiers, and riders.
The Panchala prince was aligned in battle formation by Drona's son, Shalya, and Kripa, the great soul, along with these three great charioteers.
The mighty heir of the Panchalas, son of Drona, killed the renowned horses with ten sharp and swift arrows.
Then, Drona's son, whose vehicle was destroyed, quickly mounted Shalya's chariot and showered arrows upon the heir of the Panchalas.
Observing Dhṛṣṭadyumna engaged in battle with Droṇa's son, Abhimanyu swiftly advanced, showering sharp arrows.
The best among men pierced Śalya with twenty-five arrows, Kṛpa with nine arrows, and Aśvatthāmā with eight arrows.
Drona's son quickly attacked Arjuna with arrows, while Shalya struck with twelve and Kripa with three sharp arrows.
Lakshmana, your grandson, stood there, but your grandson approached joyfully; then the battle commenced.
Duryodhana, in his anger, struck Abhimanyu with nine arrows during the battle, O king, and it seemed quite astonishing.
Abhimanyu, in his fury, swiftly shot fifty arrows at his brother, demonstrating his quick-handed skill, O best of the Bharatas.
Lakshmana, with his arrow, cut off his bow at the grip, O great king, and then the people cried out in astonishment.
The son of Subhadra, having left behind his broken bow, took up another bow that was more wonderful and powerful.
The two warriors, joyful and eager to counteract each other, fought fiercely in the battle with sharp arrows, like bulls among men.
Then King Duryodhana, upon seeing his son, the great warrior, afflicted by your grandson, departed to that place, O lord of the people.
As your son returned, all the kings surrounded Arjuna with their chariots from all sides.
Surrounded by mighty warriors, the hero, equal in valor to Krishna, remained unshaken in battle, O king.
Upon seeing his son Abhimanyu engaged in battle, Arjuna, filled with anger and a desire to protect him, rushed forward.
Then the kings, led by Bhishma and Drona, advanced together with their chariots, elephants, and horses towards Arjuna.
The dust, suddenly raised by elephants, horses, chariots, and others, reached the sun's path and appeared intensely.
The thousands of elephants and hundreds of kings, once they reached his path of arrows, did not return at all.
All beings resounded with fear; the directions turned dark. The intense misfortune of the Kurus appeared dreadful.
O best of the Bharatas, neither the sky, nor the directions, nor the earth, nor even the sun was visible because of the multitude of arrows shot by the crowned warrior.
The elephants with their flags struck down and the charioteers with their horses killed are seen in great numbers. Some of the chariot leaders are seen fleeing.
Other charioteers, without their chariots, are seen running all around there, indeed, armed with weapons and clubs in their hands.
The horsemen left their horses, and the elephant riders left their elephants, fleeing in all directions out of fear of Arjuna, O king.
The kings are seen falling from their chariots, elephants, and horses, struck down by Arjuna's attack.
O lord of men, warriors stood with their arms raised, equipped with maces, swords, spears, quivers, arrows, and bows.
Arjuna, in his fierce form, moved through the battlefield, cutting down men equipped with hooks and banners with his deadly arrows.
O prince, in battle, there are iron clubs that have grown, hammers, spears, clubs, and swords.
O Bharata, sharp axes, spears, and armors pierced by arrows, along with coats of mail, lay scattered on the ground.
O Bharata, there were flags, skins, and fans everywhere; umbrellas with golden handles and chowries were also present.
O venerable one, you can see heaps of goads, whips, and reins scattered all over the battlefield.
O Bhārata, there was no one in your army who could stand against the heroic Arjuna in battle.
Whoever dares to confront Arjuna in battle, O lord of men, is inevitably taken to the afterlife by sharp arrows.
As all your warriors were fleeing, Arjuna and Vasudeva blew their conches, the best among them.
Seeing your army shattered, your father Devavrata, with a smile, addressed the valiant Bharadvaja in the battlefield.
This valiant son of Pandu, along with Krishna, organizes the forces just as Arjuna would.
It is impossible to defeat him in battle today, as he appears like Yama, the god of death at the end of time.
This great army cannot be turned back; see how this troop is fleeing in confusion by looking at each other.
The sun sets behind the best of mountains, appearing to withdraw all forms of the worlds completely.
I believe, O best of men, that the withdrawal has occurred there. Our warriors, being tired and frightened, will not engage in battle in any way.
After speaking thus, Bhishma, the great chariot-warrior, instructed Drona, the best of teachers, to retreat on your side.
Then, O Bharata, as the sun set and twilight descended, the withdrawal of both your and their armies took place.
