06.053
Pancharatra and Core: The armies fight each other in the intense battle.
Sanjaya said:
Then, in the battle formations of both your and the opposing armies, Arjuna, the great chariot-warrior, struck down the leaders of the chariots with his arrows, O Bharata.
The sons of Dhritarashtra, engaged in battle against the Pandavas, were being killed by Arjuna as if by time at the end of an age, seeking brilliant fame and having accepted death as their return.
With a focused mind, the army of the Pandavas repeatedly broke and were broken in battle, O king.
In the chaos of the fleeing, broken, and turning warriors, neither the Pandavas nor the Kauravas could recognize anything.
The dust rose, covering the sun on earth. Somehow, they appeared in every direction or there as well.
In the battle, identified by inference, signs, names, and lineages, the conflict was indeed occurring at various places, O lord of men.
The Kauravas' formation remains unbroken, safeguarded by the wise and truthful Bharadvaja.
Similarly, the Pandavas' great formation, guarded by Arjuna, remained unbreached and was securely defended by Bhima.
The men emerged from the front of the army and fought there. O king, the chariots and elephants of both armies were interlocked.
In the great battle, horsemen were being struck down by other horsemen using spears with shining tips and javelins.
In the fierce battle, the charioteer approached the warrior and, with arrows adorned with gold, brought him down.
The elephant riders, armed with iron arrows, arrows, and spears, engaged in battle and caused both your and their groups to fall.
In the battle, the groups of infantry, delighted, struck each other down with clubs and axes, having previously committed offenses against one another.
In the battle, the foot-soldier struck down the charioteer, and likewise, the charioteer struck down the foot-soldier with sharp weapons, affecting both armies.
Then, the elephant riders caused the horse riders to fall. It seemed as if the horse riders and the elephant riders were in a wonderful state.
The excellent elephant riders were seen felling foot soldiers here and there, along with the elephant warriors.
The battlefield was filled with groups of infantry and horse riders, as well as chariots and foot soldiers, all seen falling in great numbers, by hundreds and thousands.
There, flags were scattered, along with bows, spears, javelins, maces, and iron clubs, all trembling.
Equipped with spears, various armors, skulls, hooks, swords, and pure golden-feathered arrows.
O best of the Bharatas, the earth appears adorned with praises, blankets, rugs, and great wealth, as if decorated with garlands.
In the great battle, the earth was covered with the bodies of fallen men, horses, and elephants, becoming a muddy and incomprehensible form with flesh and blood.
The dust on the battlefield, stained with blood, settled down. All directions became clear, O lord of the people.
O Bhārata, countless headless bodies have risen all around as ominous signs for the destruction of the world.
In that ongoing, very fierce and extremely terrible battle, charioteers were seen running all around.
Then Drona, Bhishma, the Sindhu prince Jayadratha, Purumitra, Vikarna, and Shakuni, the son of Subala, were present.
These warriors, who were invincible in battle and had the valor of lions, repeatedly broke through the Pandavas' formations.
Similarly, Bhimasena, the demon Ghatotkacha, Satyaki, Chekitana, and the sons of Draupadi were present, O Bharata.
Your sons, along with all the allied kings, were driven away by the two kings, just as the gods once drove away the demons.
In the battle, the warriors, fierce and smeared with blood, fought each other valiantly, appearing as terrifying as demons.
After defeating their enemies, the heroes from both armies appeared like great ministers in the sky, resembling planets.
Then, your son Duryodhana, with a thousand chariots, approached the Pandavas and the demon Ghatotkacha in battle.
Similarly, all the Pandavas, accompanied by a mighty army, advanced towards Drona and Bhishma, the valiant warriors, ready to confront their foes.
Arjuna, in his anger, approached the most capable and distinguished kings. Both Arjuna and Satyaki advanced towards the army of Saubala.
Then, once more, the hair-raising battle began between your forces and the enemies, both eager for victory in the war.
