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Core and Pancharatra: Bhishma's "terrifying ocean with waves" military formation on the eighth day of war. Dhrishtadhymna forms the fierce horn-shaped counter-military formation.
Sanjaya said:
After a restful night, the kings, including the Kurus and the Pandavas, prepared themselves and set out once more for battle.
Then a tremendous sound arose from both armies as they emerged onto the battlefield, resembling the roar of the ocean.
Then King Duryodhana, along with Citrasena, Viviṁśati, and Bhishma, the best among charioteers, as well as Bharadvaja, the brahmin, were present.
The well-organized and united great army of the Kauravas was strategically arranged in battle formation against the Pandavas, O king, with a determined intent.
Bhishma, your father, created a formidable battle formation that resembled a vast and terrifying ocean with waves of chariots, O lord of the armies.
Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, led the charge in front of all the armies, accompanied by the Malavas, Dakshinatyas, and Avantis.
Then, immediately after, the mighty Bharadvaja was accompanied by the Pulindas, Paradas, and also the Kshudrakas and Malavas.
After Drona, the mighty Bhagadatta, along with the Magadhas, Kalingas, and Pisachas, was engaged in battle, O lord of men.
After departing from Prāgjyotiṣa, King Kausalya, along with Bṛhadbala, was accompanied by the Mekalas, Traipuras, and Cicchilas.
Then the heroic Trigarta, lord of Prasthala, came from Bṛhadbala, accompanied by many Kambojas and thousands of Yavanas.
Drona's son, eager and heroic, left from Trigarta, O Bharata, making the earth resound with his lion-like roar.
At that time, King Duryodhana, accompanied by his entire army, proceeded towards Drona's son, surrounded by his brothers.
After Duryodhana, Kṛpa and then Śāradvata moved forward. In this way, this great formation advanced, resembling an ocean.
There, O mighty one, the flags and white umbrellas shone, along with bracelets and various very valuable bows.
Upon witnessing the grand formation of your forces, the mighty charioteer Yudhishthira swiftly addressed the son of Prishata, the commander of the forces.
Behold the formation created by the great archer, vast as the ocean. You too, O son of Prishata, must quickly form a counter-formation.
Then the heroic son of Prishata created a very fierce and horn-shaped formation, O great king, designed to destroy the enemy's formations.
Bhimasena and Satyaki, the great warriors, emerged from the horns with a vast army of chariots, horsemen, and infantry.
Between them was the noble warrior with white horses and a monkey banner. In the center was King Yudhishthira along with the sons of Madri, the Pandavas.
Then the other great archers, along with their armies, the kings filled that formation, being experts in the science of military formations.
Then Abhimanyu, followed by the great warrior Virata, the elated sons of Draupadi, and the demon Ghatotkacha.
In this way, O Bharata, the Pandavas, having arranged the great formation, stood ready in battle, eager to fight and achieve victory.
The tumultuous sounds of drums and conches, mixed with shouts, claps, and cries, echoed terribly in all directions.
Then the warriors, having come close to each other in battle, stared at each other with unblinking eyes, O king, as they were provoked.
O lord of men, the warriors, with their minds set, first challenged each other and then engaged in battle with one another.
Then a terrifying and dreadful battle began between your forces and the enemies, with both sides slaughtering each other.
O Bharata, sharp iron arrows fell in the battle like groups of fearful serpents with open mouths.
O king, the pure and polished spears emerged, shining brilliantly like hundreds of streams from the clouds.
Maces bound with spotless cloths and adorned with gold are seen falling there, resembling auspicious mountain peaks. The swords shone brightly, resembling the clear sky.
O Bharata, the bull-hide shields adorned with a hundred moons shone brilliantly in the battle, falling everywhere, O King.
The kings, engaged in battle, fought each other fiercely, shining like the legendary battles between the armies of demons and gods. They charged at each other from every direction.
The chariots were swiftly dispatched by the charioteers into the great battle. The noble kings, like bulls, fought with their yokes joined.
O best of the Bharatas, from the clash of the fighting elephants, a fire arose among their tusks, spreading smoke in all directions.
Some elephant-warriors, struck by spears, were seen falling all around, resembling trees falling from mountain peaks.
The foot-soldiers, appearing in various forms, were seen fiercely fighting each other with nails and spears, showcasing their heroism.
The soldiers of the Kuru and Pandava, upon encountering each other in battle, used various terrible weapons to send each other to the abode of Yama.
Then Bhīṣma, the son of Śāntanu, approached the Pāṇḍavas in battle, creating a resounding noise with his chariot and confusing them with the sound of his bow.
The chariots of the Pandavas, making a terrifying noise, advanced with readiness, led by Dhrishtadyumna.
Then the battle began between your forces and theirs, O Bharata, with men, horses, chariots, and elephants all entangled with one another.
