06.068
Core and Pancharatra: An encounter takes place between Bhishma and Bhima, where Bhima's bow is cut off by Bhishma.
Sanjaya said:
Shikhandi, along with Matsya and Virata, quickly approached the formidable Bhishma, the great archer, O lord of men.
Dhananjaya worshipped many heroes in battle, including Drona, Kripa, Vikarna, and other mighty kings and great archers.
The Sindhu king, known for his archery skills, accompanied by his ministers and relatives, as well as the kings from the eastern and southern regions, O bull among kings.
Your son, Duryodhana, the great archer, who is impatient and hard to withstand, was indeed confronted by Bhimasena in the battle.
Sahadeva, however, confronted Śakuni and Uluka, the formidable chariot-warriors, who were father and son, and known as great archers, in a battle that was hard to win.
Yudhishthira, the noble king and mighty charioteer, was caught in the battle, deceived by your son.
Nakula, the son of Mādrī, bravely engaged in battle against the formidable chariots of the Trigartas.
The invincible warriors, including Sātyaki, Cekitāna, and Saubhadra, advanced in battle against the Śālvas and Kekayas, demonstrating their prowess as great chariot-warriors.
Dhritaketu and the Rakshasa Ghatotkacha advanced in battle with the chariot army of the sons, who were very difficult to conquer.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the commander with immense strength and an immeasurable soul, confronted Droṇa in the battlefield, O king, performing deeds akin to those of Indra.
Thus, these great archers, your warriors, along with the Pandavas, gathered in the battlefield and bravely initiated the attack.
At midday, as the sun set and the sky turned tumultuous, the Kurus and the Pandavas engaged in mutual destruction.
The flag-bearers, adorned with gold and colorful bodies, moved around the battlefield. The chariots, decorated with flags, shone brightly with tiger-like coverings.
In the battlefield, those assembled who desired victory created a tumultuous sound, akin to the roaring of lions.
There we witnessed a remarkable and extremely fierce battle, where the brave warriors, the Sṛñjayas, fought alongside the Kurus.
O king, we could not see the sky, the directions, or the sun, which scorches enemies, nor the intermediate directions, as arrows were released all around.
The glows of the weapons, including spears with pure tips, javelins, and swords, appeared yellow like blue lotuses as they were being hurled.
The battlefield was illuminated by the brilliance of the various armors and ornaments, lighting up the sky and all directions with their energy. It was a magnificent sight, O king, as the battlefield shone brilliantly.
The warriors, fierce as tigers on their chariot thrones, approached the battlefield and shone like planets in the sky, O king.
Bhishma, known as the best among charioteers, angrily halted the powerful Bhimasena in full view of the entire army.
Then, the well-crafted arrows with golden feathers, sharpened on stone and released by Bhishma, struck Bhima in the battle, having been washed in oil.
In his fury, the mighty Bhimasena hurled his swift spear, resembling an enraged serpent, towards the enemy, O Bharata.
In the battle, Bhishma swiftly intercepted her approach, who was formidable and armed with a golden staff, using his well-jointed arrows.
Then, another sharp yellow arrow cut Bhimasena's bow into two, O Bharata.
Satyaki swiftly approached Bhishma in the battle and honored your father with numerous arrows, O king.
Then Bhishma, having aimed a sharp and deadly arrow, struck down the charioteer of Krishna's chariot.
O king, his horses, with the charioteer slain, ran swiftly, driven by the very force of mind and wind.
Then a tumultuous sound arose from the entire army, and cries of distress were heard from the noble Pandavas.
There was a loud and tumultuous sound as the command was given to charge, seize the horses, restrain them, and run towards Yuyudhana's chariot.
At that moment, Bhishma, son of Shantanu, once more attacked the Pandava army with the ferocity of the god Indra defeating the demon Vritra.
The Panchalas and the Somakas, though being slain by Bhishma, resolved nobly in battle and rushed towards Bhishma alone.
Led by Dhṛṣṭadyumna, the sons of Pṛthā, including Arjuna, charged at Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, in the battle, eager to defeat your son's forces.
In the same manner, your warriors, led by Bhishma and Drona, swiftly charged at the enemies, and thus the battle began.
