06.074
Core and Pancharatra: Encounter between Bhima and Duryodhana; between Bhishma and Arjuna;
Sanjaya said:
Then, in a state of confusion, King Duryodhana returned and once more blocked Bhima with a barrage of arrows, targeting the infallible one.
Once again united, your sons, the great warriors, gathered and prepared for battle, fought against Bhima.
Bhimasena, having reached his chariot again in the battle, mounted it and went towards your son, O mighty-armed one.
He swiftly grabbed the sturdy, enemy-destroying bow and shot arrows at your sons in the battle, piercing them.
Then, King Duryodhana, with a sharp arrow, severely struck the mighty Bhimasena in his vital parts.
The great archer, deeply pierced by your son, the bowman, with eyes reddened in anger, swiftly raised his bow.
Duryodhana was struck with three arrows on his arms and chest. Despite being hit, the king stood firm like a mountain.
Seeing those two angry and striking each other in battle, all of Duryodhana's brothers, who were heroes, had abandoned their lives.
Recalling their previous consultations on how to subdue the one known for terrible deeds, they resolutely decided and began their efforts to restrain him.
Mighty Bhimasena, in the battle, advanced against the attackers like an elephant charging against other elephants, O great king.
The radiant and intensely angry warrior, with great fame, dispatched your son Citrasena with an iron arrow, O great king.
O Bharata, others of your sons were struck in battle by swiftly moving arrows with golden shafts of many kinds.
Then, led by Abhimanyu, twelve great warriors arranged their troops completely for battle.
The followers of Bhimasena, sent by Dharmaraja, approached your mighty sons, O great king.
Upon seeing those heroes standing on their chariots, whose brilliance was akin to the sun and fire, all of them great archers, shining and enveloped in splendor.
In the great battle, your mighty sons, who were shining with golden armor, left Bhima behind in the battlefield.
The son of Kunti, believing them to be alive and gone, did not forgive them. He pursued and tormented all your sons once more.
Then, seeing Abhimanyu engaged in battle with Bhimasena and the son of Prishata, the great warriors in your army took notice.
Duryodhana and his allies, with their bows in hand, swiftly rode their fast-driven horses to the place where those chariots were.
In the afternoon, a great battle began between your mighty forces and the enemies, O King Bharata.
Abhimanyu, after slaying the swift horses of Vikarna, surrounded him with twenty-five warriors.
Vikarna, the great warrior, left his chariot with dead horses and climbed onto the bright chariot of Citraseṇa, O king.
Standing together on the same chariot, the two brothers, who were the pride of the Kuru dynasty, were covered by Arjuna's son with a shower of arrows, O Bharata.
Durjaya and Vikarna attacked Kārṣhṇi with five iron arrows, yet Kārṣhṇi stood firm like the immovable mountain Meru.
Duhshasana fought the five Kekayas in battle, O king, and it seemed as if it was a wonderful event.
The sons of Draupadi, enraged in the battle, confronted Duryodhana. Each of them attacked your son, O lord of the people, with three arrows.
Your valiant son, with his sharp arrows, also slew the sons of Draupadi in the battle, O king, each one separately.
He was pierced by them and shone, smeared with blood, like a mountain mixed with minerals and mountain streams.
O king, Bhishma, the powerful protector, annihilated the Pandavas' army in the battle, just as a protector would disperse herds of cattle.
Then, O lord of the people, the sound of the Gandiva bow was heard on the right side of Arjuna's army as he was slaying his enemies.
In the battle, headless bodies rose all around, among both the Kaurava and Pandava armies, O Bharata.
The warriors, fierce as tigers, navigated the vast army like an ocean, using their chariots as boats, traversing through rivers of blood, whirlpools of chariots, islands of elephants, and waves of horses.
The best of men, with severed arms and without armor, are seen fallen there by hundreds and thousands.
O best of the Bharatas, the earth appears as if it is filled with mountains, due to the slain intoxicated elephants and the streams of blood flowing from them.
O Bharata, there we witnessed a remarkable sight of yours and theirs. There was no man who wished to engage in battle.
Thus, the brave warriors, seeking great glory, engaged in battle; your forces, alongside the Pandavas, aspired for victory in the war.
