06.104
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sañjaya, tell me how Śikhaṇḍī confronted Gāṅgeya in the battle, and how the Pāṇḍavas faced Bhīṣma.
Sanjaya said:
Then, in the clear morning, as the sun was about to rise, the sound of drums, mridangas, and anakas filled the air.
The Pandavas, having placed Shikhandi at the forefront, departed to battle, with the sound of conch shells echoing in the white waters all around.
Having formed the battle array, O great king, Shikhandi, the destroyer of all enemies, stood at the forefront of all the armies, O lord of men.
Then, Bhimasena and Dhananjaya, the protectors of the wheel, stood behind him, accompanied by the sons of Draupadi and the valiant son of Subhadra.
Satyaki and Chekitana, the great chariot-warrior, were their protectors. Then Dhrishtadyumna was protected by the Panchalas.
Then King Yudhishthira, along with his brothers, departed with a mighty roar, echoing like a lion, O great leader of the Bharatas.
Virata, after being surrounded by his own army, then Drupada, O great king, attacked afterwards.
The five Kekaya brothers, along with the valiant Dhṛṣṭaketu, safeguarded the rear of the Pandava forces, O Bharata.
The Pandavas, having strategically arranged their formidable army, launched an attack on your forces in the battle, ready to sacrifice their lives.
Similarly, O king, the Kauravas, placing the mighty Bhishma at the forefront, advanced towards the Pandavas with all their forces.
Your invincible sons, protected by mighty warriors, were then accompanied by Droṇa, the great archer, and his son, a formidable chariot-warrior.
Then Bhagadatta, surrounded by his elephant division, was followed by Kṛpa and Kṛtavarmā, both devoted to him.
The strong King of Kamboja, followed by Sudakshina, Jayatsena of Magadha, and Brihadbala of Saubala.
In this way, other great archers, led by Susharma, took charge of protecting the rear of your army, O Bharata.
As each day arrived, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu, arranged the battle formations with demonic, fiendish, and monstrous strategies.
Then the battle began between your forces and theirs, O Bharata, each striking the other, enhancing the royal kingdom.
The sons of Pritha, led by Arjuna, placed Shikhandi at the forefront and advanced towards Bhishma in the battle, showering a multitude of arrows.
At that time, O Bharata, your men, struck by Bhima's arrows and soaked in blood, departed to the afterlife.
Nakula, Sahadeva, and Satyaki, the great warriors, attacked your army with great force and caused significant distress.
O best of the Bharatas, your men, being slaughtered in the battle, could not withstand the mighty force of the Pandavas.
Then, O king, your army, surrounded and being slain from all sides, fled in all directions, harassed by the great charioteers.
O best of the Bharatas, your men could not find a protector as they were being slain by the sharp arrows of the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.
Dhritarashtra spoke:
Sanjaya, tell me what the valiant Bhishma did in the battle when he saw the army being oppressed by the sons of Pritha, in his anger.
O Sanjaya, tell me how the scorcher of foes, having advanced in battle, is slaying the heroic Somakas or the Pandavas.
Sanjaya said:
I will recount to you, O great king, the actions of the grandsire when your son's forces were besieged by the Pandavas and the Srinjayas.
The Pandavas, filled with joy and courage, moved forward, O elder of the Pandus, and began to destroy the army of your son.
Bhishma, witnessing the destruction of men, elephants, and horses, could not tolerate the slaughter of his army in battle by the enemies, O king of men.
The formidable warrior, disregarding his own life, charged against the Pāṇḍavas, the Pāñcālas, and the Sṛñjayas.
O King, he restrained the five foremost great charioteers of the Pandavas, who were armed and ready for battle, using various kinds of arrows including iron, calf-tooth, sharp, and Anjalika arrows.
In the battle, the enraged warrior, like a bull among men, slew countless elephants and horses. O king, he brought down many charioteers from their chariots.
The horsemen and foot soldiers gathered, while the elephant riders on their elephants instilled fear among the enemies.
The Pandavas, seeing Bhishma rushing into battle as a great chariot-warrior, turned against him like demons would against the mighty Vajrapani.
He was seen releasing sharp arrows that had the touch of Indra's thunderbolt, and his terrible form was visible in all directions.
In battle, his bow was always seen in a circular form, resembling the great bow of Indra.
Upon witnessing that act in the battlefield, your sons, O lord of the people, were filled with great wonder and paid homage to the grandsire.
The sons of Pritha, disheartened, watched your father, a hero fighting in battle like Vipracitti among the gods. They did not stop him, as if he were death itself with an open mouth.
On the tenth day, Shikhandi's chariot army arrived and burned fiercely with sharp arrows, resembling a forest set ablaze along a dark path.
Shikhandi attacked him fiercely with three arrows in the chest, resembling an enraged serpent, as if he were death incarnate, created by time.
Even though unwilling, Bhishma, having been excessively pierced by Shikhandi, looked at him with anger and, smiling, said this.
"Do as you please, whether you practice or not, I shall not fight you in any way. You are indeed created by the creator as Shikhandini."
Upon hearing those words, Shikhandi, filled with rage, addressed Bhishma on the battlefield, while licking his bowstring.
I recognize you, O mighty-armed hero, as the annihilator of the Kshatriya race. I have also heard about your confrontation with Parashurama, the son of Jamadagni.
I have often heard of your divine power. Even knowing your power, today I will fight with you.
O best of men, acting in the interest of the Pandavas and oneself, today I shall engage you in battle, O noblest among men.
"I swear by truth, I will certainly kill you right in front of you. After hearing these words, do what you find appropriate."
"Do as you wish, practice or not, you will not attain liberation while alive. Let it be well-understood, Bhishma, this world, O victor of assemblies."
After speaking thus, Bhishma was then struck in battle by five bent-jointed arrows, O king, and was driven back by the force of words.
Upon hearing those words, Arjuna, the mighty warrior, realized it was the opportune moment and encouraged Shikhandi to act.
I will follow you, scattering the enemies with my arrows. Charge at Bhishma with great fury and mighty prowess.
Your great strength cannot cause harm in battle. Therefore, mighty-armed hero, attack Bhishma today.
If you do not kill Bhishma in battle and choose to leave, O honorable one, you and I will be ridiculed by the world.
Let us not be mocked as heroes in the great battle; therefore, strive in the battle to achieve victory over the grandfather.
I will protect you in battle, O Parantapa. While I hold back all the charioteers, you must accomplish the task concerning the grandfather.
Drona, Drona's son, Kripa, Suyodhana, Citrasena, Vikarna, Saindhava, and Jayadratha were all present.
Vindānuvinda of Avanti, Kāmboja, Sudakshina, Bhagadatta, and the heroic Magadha were all great chariot-warriors.
I will stand against Saumadatti, the brave demon Arshyashringa, and the king of Trigarta in battle, along with all the great charioteers, just as a shore holds back the ocean.
I will stop all the Kurus and their soldiers standing here in battle; you must achieve your goal concerning the grandfather.
