06.055
Pancharatra and Core: In the afternoon, under the leadership of Bhishma, the Kaurava army rallies back, and the Pandava army is in disarray. Seeing Arjuna fighting mildly, Krishna picks up a discus. Later, Arjuna fights valiantly, and the Pandavas gain the upper hand. Third day comes to an end.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
In the very terrible battle that was promised by Bhishma, my son, who was particularly distressed, became very angry.
Sanjaya, tell me what Bhishma did there among the Pandavas, or what the Panchalas did to the grandsire.
Sanjaya said:
On that day, as the morning passed, the Pandavas, the great souls, rejoiced in their victory, O Bharata.
Your father, Devavrata, who knows all dharmas, approached the Pandava army with swift horses, fully protected by your sons and a great army.
Then the tumultuous and terrifying battle commenced between our forces and the Pandavas, O Bharata.
A great sound arose there, like the splitting of mountains, from the twanging of bows and the striking of shields.
The commands 'Stand firm, I am here, know this, turn back, be steady. I am here, attack!' are heard everywhere.
The sound echoed through the golden armours, crowns, and flags, resembling the noise of stones tumbling down the mountains.
The fallen heads and adorned arms lay scattered on the ground, moving slightly as they came to rest, numbering in the hundreds and thousands.
Some warriors, even with their heads cut off, stood with their bows raised and weapons in hand, O best of men.
A river of great speed began to flow, carrying blood, terrifying with elephant bodies and stones, and muddy with flesh and blood.
At that time, the bodies of noble horses, men, and elephants emerged, leading towards the ocean of the afterlife, delighting vultures and jackals.
O King, such a war has neither been seen nor heard of, as is happening between your sons and the Pandavas, O Bharata.
The path for chariots was obstructed, as it was covered by warriors who had fallen in battle and by elephants that lay like dark mountain peaks.
The battlefield, adorned with scattered armors, colorful flags, and umbrellas, appeared as splendid as the autumn sky, O dear.
Some, pierced by arrows and dragging their pain, fearlessly ran towards the enemies in battle, as if bitten by a frenzy.
In the battlefield, others cried out to their fathers, brothers, friends, kinsmen, companions, and uncles, pleading not to be abandoned as they fell.
"Run and come here, do not go! Why are you afraid? Where will you go? I am standing here in the battle, do not fear," others cried out.
There, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, always wielding his circular bow, released arrows with blazing tips, resembling venomous snakes.
The warrior, having taken a vow, used his arrows to dominate all directions, systematically destroying the Pandava chariots, O descendant of Bharata.
The king was seen dancing on the chariot seat, displaying his dexterity of hand like a spinning firebrand wheel, moving swiftly here and there.
The Pandavas and the Srinjayas quickly noticed that one heroic warrior in the battle among many hundreds and thousands.
The people perceived Bhishma as if he was an illusion. When they saw him in the east, they also saw him in the west.
In the northern direction, having seen him again in the southern direction, O lord, thus the hero, son of Ganga, appeared in the battle.
None among the Pandavas can see him; they only see the numerous arrows released from Bhishma's bow.
In the battle, performing actions and destroying the army, the heroes shouted variously. Your father, in a non-human form, was moving there.
Kings, like moths drawn to a flame, are driven by fate to fall in thousands towards the wrathful fire of Bhishma, leading to their destruction.
In the battle, none of Bhishma's arrows were wasted; they easily pierced through the bodies of men, elephants, and horses due to their sheer number.
With a single, well-aimed arrow released by the bird, it pierces the elephant's armor as if it were the best mountain struck by a thunderbolt.
Your father killed two or even three elephant riders, who were grouped together and armored, using a very sharp iron arrow.
Anyone who approaches Bhishma, the tiger among men, in battle, is seen by me to be felled to the ground in an instant.
The great army of Dharmaraja was utterly destroyed by the unmatched valor of Bhishma, breaking into a thousand fragments.
The great army was scattered under a shower of arrows as Vāsudeva and the noble Pārtha looked on.
Despite their efforts, the heroes could not halt the retreat of the great charioteers, who were overwhelmed by Bhishma's arrows.
O great king, the mighty army was shattered by the one whose strength is equal to that of Mahendra, and no two soldiers were seen fleeing together.
The army of the Pandavas was in disarray, with men, elephants, and horses struck down, flags and standards fallen, and it became a scene of chaos and unconsciousness.
In this situation, a father killed his son, and the son, in turn, killed his father. A dear friend lamented to another friend, both being overpowered by fate.
The soldiers of the Pandavas, having thrown away their armors and with disheveled hair, were seen fleeing, O Bharata.
At that time, the army of the son of Pandu appeared like a disturbed cowherd village with its chariot leaders in disarray, making a distressed sound.
Seeing the army being scattered, Krishna, the son of Devaki, addressed Arjuna, the fearless one, while holding the reins of the excellent chariot.
The awaited moment has come, O Arjuna, which you have longed for. Strike now, O great warrior, unless you are bewildered by delusion.
O hero, what you had spoken earlier in the assembly of kings about all the warriors of Dhritarashtra's sons, led by Bhishma and Drona.
I will destroy all those who dare to fight against me in battle, along with their followers. Therefore, O son of Kunti, fulfill this true promise, O conqueror of enemies.
O Bibhatsu, observe how your own forces are being shattered on all sides, and how all the kings are fleeing within Yudhishthira's army.
Seeing Bhishma in the battle with his mouth wide open like death itself, the fearful ones flee like small animals from a lion.
Upon being spoken to in this manner, Dhananjaya replied to Vasudeva, "Drive the horses to where Bhishma has entered this ocean of strength."
Then Madhava urged the silver-like horses towards the place where Bhishma's chariot was, which was difficult to behold, O King, as it shone like the sun.
Then, seeing the great army of Yudhishthira return once more, and Arjuna, the mighty-armed, readying himself for battle against Bhishma.
Then Bhishma, the esteemed elder of the Kuru dynasty, let out a roar akin to a lion's and quickly enveloped Arjuna's chariot with a barrage of arrows.
In an instant, his chariot, along with the horses and charioteer, was completely obscured by a heavy barrage of arrows, making it invisible.
Vasudeva, maintaining his composure and courage, urged the horses forward despite them being pierced by Bhishma's arrows.
Then Arjuna, with his divine bow that roared like thunder, struck down Bhishma's bow by cutting it with three arrows.
Your father, the descendant of Kuru, even with his bow broken, quickly strung another great bow in just a moment.
Then he drew the bow with his arms, making a sound like thunder. Arjuna, in his anger, then cut off that bow.
The son of Śantanu honored that lightness. Well done, Arjuna, mighty-armed, well done, O son of Pandu.
O Dhananjaya, this great action is indeed appropriate in you. I am pleased, my son, engage firmly in battle with me.
After praising Arjuna, the hero took up another great bow and released arrows towards Arjuna's chariot in the battle.
Vasudeva demonstrated his supreme power on the chariot, rendering the opponent's arrows ineffective, and swiftly maneuvered in circles.
Despite the circumstances, Bhishma resolutely attacked Vasudeva and Arjuna with his sharp arrows, striking them all over their bodies, dear sir.
The two warriors, resembling tigers among men, wounded by Bhishma's arrows, appeared majestic like two roaring bulls marked by their horns.
Once again, in great anger, Bhishma, with his arrows having bent joints, fiercely engaged in battle, blocked the paths of the two Krishnas.
The son of Vṛṣṇi, in his anger, shook with sharp arrows. Bhishma, repeatedly smiling, laughed aloud at that time.
Then Krishna, witnessing Bhishma's valor in the battle and noticing Arjuna's gentle approach to fighting, reacted accordingly.
Bhishma, standing in the midst of the armies, was continuously releasing showers of arrows in battle, shining brilliantly like the sun.
Bhishma, in the battle of Yudhishthira's army, was slaying the best warriors of the Pandavas, as if bringing about the end of an era.
Keshava, the blessed one and destroyer of enemy heroes, found it unendurable and thought that Yudhishthira had no strength.
In just one day, Bhishma could annihilate the gods and demons in battle; so what chance do the sons of Pandu have in battle with their forces and followers?
The great army of the noble Pandava advances. The Kauravas, witnessing the disarrayed Somakas, swiftly charge into the battle, filled with joy, encouraging their grandfather.
I am determined to slay Bhishma today for the sake of the Pandavas. I will relieve the Pandavas, the great souls, of this burden.
Arjuna, despite being struck by sharp arrows in the battle, does not realize his duty due to his respect for Bhishma.
While he was contemplating, his grandfather, in anger, sent arrows towards Arjuna's chariot.
The multitude of arrows obscured all directions, making the sky, earth, and even the sun invisible. The winds blew fiercely, filled with smoke, causing turmoil in every direction.
Drona, Vikarna, Jayadratha, Bhurishrava, Kritavarma, Kripa, Shrutayu, the king of the Ambashthas, Vind, Anuvind, and Sudakshina were present.
The easterners, the Sauvira tribes, the Vasatis, and the Kshudrakas and Malavas all hastened to the crowned one, obeying the command of King Santanu's son.
He saw the crowned one, surrounded by the grandson of Śini and elephant troops, with nets of horse-hoofed chariots and many thousands and hundreds.
Upon seeing Arjuna and Vasudeva, the hero of the Shini clan swiftly moved towards the foremost warriors, surrounded by infantry, elephants, horses, and chariots.
He, the great archer and hero of the Śini clan, suddenly attacked those armies and aided Arjuna, just as Viṣṇu aided the slayer of Vṛtra.
Observing the chaos caused by Bhishma, with elephants, horses, chariots, and flags scattered and all warriors frightened, the hero from the Shini lineage addressed Yudhishthira's advancing army.
"Where will you go, O warriors? This is not the duty as spoken by the virtuous in ancient times. Do not abandon your promise, O heroes; uphold your own heroic duty."
Upon hearing this, the son of Ananta, Indra, observed the chief kings fleeing from all directions, and noticed Partha's gentle approach to battle, as well as Bhishma being extolled in the battlefield.
Unable to endure, the great soul, the glorious lord of all Daśārhas, praised Śaineya upon seeing the Kurus attacking from all directions.
Let those who are departing continue on their way, O hero of the Shini dynasty; and those who remain, O descendant of Sātvata, let them also proceed. Behold Bhishma being struck down from his chariot, and Drona with his followers in the battle today by my hand.
No chariot of the Sātvatas or the Kauravas will escape today from the wrathful one in battle. Therefore, I will seize the fierce wheel of the chariot and take the life of the one with great vows.
After slaying Bhishma and his followers in battle, along with Drona and the valiant charioteer, the son of Shini, I shall fulfill the desires of Arjuna, the king, Bhima, and the Ashvins.
Today, joyful, I will establish King Ajatashatru with the kingdom after having slain all of Dhritarashtra's sons and their allies, who are the chief among kings.
Then, the son of Vasudeva, possessing a beautiful navel and radiance like the sun and brilliance like a thunderbolt, raised his razor-edged discus with his arm, jumped down from the chariot, and released the horses.
Krishna, the great soul, shook the earth with his feet as he rushed towards Bhishma with great speed, intoxicated and full of pride in battle, like a lion eager to kill the lord of elephants.
He, the angry younger brother of Indra and destroyer, attacked in the midst of Bhishma's army. He appeared like a cloud in the sky, recently enveloped in light, with a hanging yellow-edged cloth.
The beautiful discus of Krishna shone brilliantly; it was like a lotus with its beautiful arms and thighs as stalks, resembling the original lotus, sun-colored, and born from the navel of Nārāyaṇa.
The anger of Krishna, rising like the sun, was as enlightening as a sharp, well-crafted leaf. His body, vast like a great lake, shone brilliantly like the stem of Narayana's arm.
Observing the angry younger brother of Indra, who was holding the discus and roaring loudly, all creatures lamented intensely, contemplating the impending destruction of the Kuru dynasty.
Vasudeva, with his discus in hand, seemed poised to annihilate the world of living beings. As the world's teacher rose, he shone brilliantly, appearing ready to consume all beings like the fire of time.
Seeing the god approaching with the discus in hand, the son of Śāntanu, standing confidently on his chariot with bow and arrow, addressed him without any confusion.
"Come, come, O Lord of the gods, who is the abode of the universe; salutations to you, O wielder of the bow and chariot. O Lord of the world, forcibly make me fall from the excellent chariot, O shelter of beings, in battle."
O Krishna, by your actions today, I have gained glory in this world and the next. O Lord of the Andhakas and Vṛṣṇis, I am honored by the three worlds due to your heroic expedition.
Arjuna quickly jumped down from the chariot and pursued the hero of the Yadus, Krishna. With his strong and extended arms, he seized Krishna's strong and excellent arm.
The primeval god, though restrained, was intensely angry. The ascetic known as Vishnu swiftly went to Rjishnu like a great wind approaching a solitary tree.
Arjuna, with great strength, quickly approached Bhishma. The crowned warrior seized the opportunity by force, somehow managing to do so on the tenth step, O King.
Arjuna, adorned with a golden, variegated garland, stood and bowed to Krishna. Pleased, he said, "Withdraw your anger, for you are the refuge of the Pandavas, O Keshava."
I swear by my sons and brothers, O Keśava, that the action will not be ridiculed as promised. I will bring an end to the Kurus, as I am engaged by you, O brother of Indra.
Then, having heard the promise and the appointed time, Krishna, pleased at heart, stood by the dear Kaurava prince and ascended the chariot with its wheels once more.
Krishna, the destroyer of enemies, took up the fearless ones again and, holding the conch, made the directions resound with the sound of Pāñcajanya.
Seeing him with scattered earrings and armlets, eyes covered with dust, and pure teeth while holding a conch, the Kuru heroes cried out in alarm.
The fierce sounds of drums, kettledrums, and other instruments, along with the roars of lions, echoed throughout all the Kuru armies.
The thunderous sound of Arjuna's Gandiva bow echoed through the sky and all directions, as the pure and clear arrows shot forth, reaching every direction from the Pandava's bow.
The leader of the Kauravas, accompanied by his forces, Bhishma, and Bhurishravas, moved forward with his bow and arrow ready, as if he were a comet about to set the forest ablaze.
Then Bhūriśravāḥ shot seven golden-feathered arrows at Arjuna; Duryodhana threw a spear with great speed; Śalya wielded a mace; and Śāntanava held a spear.
He blocked the seven arrows released by Bhurishravas and then cut off the spear released by Duryodhana's arm with a sharp razor.
Then the hero skillfully intercepted and cut off the approaching auspicious spear, which shone like lightning and was released by Śāṃtanu's son, along with the mace hurled by the Madra king, using two arrows.
Then, with great strength, he drew the magnificent and immeasurable Gandiva bow with both arms and properly manifested the very fierce weapon of Indra in the sky, creating a wondrous sight.
Then the great soul, adorned with a crown, used his excellent weapon to hold back all the armies with a barrage of pure, fire-colored arrows.
The arrows shot by Arjuna severed the banners, bows, and arms of the enemy chariots, penetrating the bodies of enemy kings, elephants, and horses.
Arjuna, adorned with a diadem, then spread his sharp and keen arrows in all directions, causing agitation in their minds with the resounding noise of his Gandiva bow.
In that dire situation, as the battle commenced, the sounds of conches and drums were drowned out by the sound of Gandiva, and the battle cries became fierce.
Upon hearing the sound of the Gandiva bow, the brave warriors, led by King Virata, including the King of Panchala, Drupada, and other heroes, arrived at the place with unwavering courage.
All the armies, except yours, moved with humility wherever they heard the sound of Arjuna's bow. No one dared to confront him.
In that dreadful battle of kings, the valiant warriors were slain along with their chariots and charioteers; the elephants, struck down by iron arrows, bore great banners and adorned with beautiful golden girdles.
The surrounded warriors suddenly fell, their bodies shattered by the crowned one. They were struck firmly by Arjuna's arrows, which flew with fierce speed and had sharp, pointed tips.
The battlefield was filled with broken machines and destroyed posts of Indra, with great flags at the forefront of the army. Infantry groups, chariots, horses, and elephants were all led by Dhananjaya (Arjuna) in the battle.
Struck by arrows and quickly losing their strength, they supported themselves briefly before falling to the ground. O king, in the great battle, the bodies were shattered by Indra's excellent weapon.
Then Arjuna, with his sharp arrows, created a terrifying river of blood from the wounded bodies and weapons, foaming with human bodies, which flowed fiercely on the battlefield.
The swift and extremely wide streams, with a terrifying and dreadful appearance, were flowing, obstructed by the bodies of dead serpents and horses, filled with human intestines, marrow, and flesh mud.
The entity is served by numerous hosts of demons and spirits, adorned with skulls and green hair. It carries thousands of bodies, surrounded by torn waves of various armors.
The ground was strewn with the bones of men, horses, and elephants, creating a terrifying scene reminiscent of the underworld. It was a place haunted by vultures, eagles, and packs of carnivorous beasts and jackals.
They saw the banks all around, fierce and terrifying, resembling the great river Vaitarani, set in motion by the multitude of Arjuna's arrows, flowing with fat, flesh, and blood, and appearing very dreadful.
The Cedis, Panchalas, Karushas, Matsyas, and the sons of Pritha all roared together, terrifying the army leaders like a lion terrifies herds of animals. Then, filled with great joy, Arjuna and Krishna roared.
Then, observing the sun whose rays were withdrawn and the limbs severely wounded by weapons, the very fierce and unbearable weapon of Indra was spread, resembling the end of an era.
Then the Kuru warriors, along with Bhishma, Drona, Duryodhana, and Bahlika, decided to retreat as they observed the night approaching, with the sun's red rays filling the sky.
After achieving fame and glory in the world and defeating his enemies, Arjuna, along with the kings and his brothers, returned to the camp at night after completing his task. Then, at the onset of night, a tumultuous and dreadful sound arose from the Kurus.
In the battle, Arjuna slew ten thousand chariots and seven hundred elephants. All the easterners and the tribes of Sauvira, along with the Kshudraka and Malava, were defeated. This great feat was accomplished by Dhananjaya, something no one else could achieve.
Śrutāyuḥ, Ambaṣṭhapati, and the king, along with Durmarṣaṇa and Citrasena, as well as Droṇa, Kṛpa, Saindhava, Bāhlika, Bhūriśravāḥ, Śalya, and Śala, were all defeated by Arjuna, the great charioteer of the world, through his own prowess, even with Bhīṣma on their side.
Thus, speaking in this manner, all your troops, O Bharata, proceeded to their camps. The camps were illuminated with thousands of well-lit and shining torches and lamps. All the warriors, frightened by Arjuna, set up the camp for the Kaurava army.
