06.100
Core and Pancharatra: Despite being repeatedly restrained by Susharman the Kaurava soldiers did not hold their ground; Drona overpowered Drupada, making him retreat; Bhishma charged directly ahead; the Pandavas surrounded Bhishma to restrain his advance.
Sanjaya said:
Arjuna, known as the tiger among men, defeated the kings led by Susharma and sent them to the abode of Yama, the god of death, using his sharp arrows.
Suśarman, in the battle, attacked Arjuna with his arrows. He also struck Krishna with seventy arrows and then targeted Arjuna again with nine arrows.
Indra's son, the great charioteer, skillfully warded off the warriors of Susharma with a shower of arrows, sending them to the abode of Yama in the battle.
The great warriors, being slain by Arjuna, fled the battlefield in fear, O king, as if it were the end of an era.
Some abandoned their horses, others their chariots, and yet others, O lord, completely abandoned their elephants and fled in all directions.
Others, though being attacked, quickly fled from the battlefield with their horses and chariots, O lord of men.
In the great battle, the foot-soldiers, indifferent to everything, abandoned their weapons and fled in all directions, O Bharata.
Despite being repeatedly restrained by Trigarta Susharman and other eminent kings, they did not hold their ground in the battle.
Upon seeing his army fleeing, your son Duryodhana placed Bhishma at the forefront in the battle, leading the entire army.
With all his might, he attacked Arjuna for the sake of the life of the king of Trigarta, O lord of the people.
He stood alone in the battle, scattering various arrows. Together with all his brothers, the remaining men fled.
In the same manner, O king, the Pandavas, motivated by all efforts, proceeded to the place where Bhishma was positioned for the sake of Arjuna.
Despite knowing the formidable valor of Arjuna, who wields the Gandiva bow, the warriors, spurred by the tumult, surrounded Bhishma from all sides.
Then the heroic Tāladhvaja covered the Pāṇḍavas' army in the battle with his arrows that had bent joints.
O great king, then all the Kurus united with the Pandavas and fought together when the sun was at its zenith.
Satyaki, demonstrating his valor, pierced Kritavarma with five iron arrows and stood heroically in the battle, releasing thousands of arrows.
Similarly, King Drupada attacked Drona with sharp arrows and then targeted his charioteer with seventy arrows and seven more.
Bhimasena, after striking King Bahlika, the great-grandfather, let out a mighty roar, resembling a tiger in the forest.
Arjuna, struck by many swift arrows from Citrasena, retaliated by deeply piercing Citrasena's heart with three arrows.
The two great warriors, having come together in battle, shone brightly like the fierce planets Mercury and Saturn in the sky, O king.
Saubhadra, the valiant son of Subhadra, after slaying the four horses and the charioteer with nine arrows, let out a powerful roar, striking fear into the hearts of his enemies.
The great warrior, having quickly jumped down from the destroyed chariot, ascended Durmukha's chariot swiftly, O lord of the people.
Drona, in his might, swiftly shot arrows with curved joints at Drupada and his charioteer.
King Drupada, feeling oppressed, left the front of the army swiftly on horses, recalling the old enmity.
Bhimasena swiftly rendered King Bahlika without his horse, charioteer, and chariot, as if in an instant, while the entire army watched.
With great agitation, O great king, Bahlika, the best among men, jumped down from his vehicle and quickly ascended Lakshmana's chariot, the great chariot warrior, filled with doubt.
Satyaki, after successfully repelling Kritavarma, the great chariot-warrior, approached the grandsire with a variety of arrows, O king.
After piercing Bharata with sixty sharp and terrifying arrows, he danced on the chariot seat, brandishing his mighty bow.
Then the grandsire hurled his mighty iron weapon, adorned with golden hues, swift as a serpent maiden, and auspicious.
The descendant of Vṛṣṇi, renowned for his great fame, swiftly destroyed her as she approached suddenly like death with great speed.
The fierce spear, failing to reach the descendant of Vṛṣṇi, fell to the ground like a great meteor that had lost its brilliance.
Krishna, with great speed, took his own terrifying spear and hurled it towards Bhishma's chariot, O king.
Propelled by the force of Krishna's arm, she charged into the great battle with the swiftness of Kalaratri approaching a man.
O Bharata, he swiftly cut her into two with his sharp arrows, causing her to fall scattered on the ground.
Bhishma, the son of Ganga, cut off Satyaki's weapon and, with a smile, angrily struck him on the chest with nine arrows, tormenting his enemy.
Then, the Pandavas, led by the elder brother of Pandu, surrounded Bhishma in battle with their chariots, elephants, and horses, aiming to protect Madhava.
Then a fierce and terrifying battle began between the Pandavas and the Kauravas, both eager for victory.
