06.108
Sanjaya said:
Then the hero, a great archer with the strength and courage of an intoxicated elephant, took up a mighty bow, ready to subdue even the wildest of elephants.
The great charioteer, shaking his excellent bow, drove away the great charioteers and caused the army of the Pandavas to fall.
Drona, the powerful knower of omens, observed the omens everywhere and spoke to his son about the shining armies.
Today is the day, dear father, when Arjuna, the mighty warrior, will strive with all his might to defeat Bhishma in battle.
"My arrows are indeed rising, my bow seems to quiver. The weapons of yoga are going, and my mind is set on cruelty."
In all directions, when peace prevails, terrible beasts and birds make sounds, and low-flying vultures hide as they approach the army of the Bharatas.
The directions appear reddened all around, resembling a sun that has lost its radiance. The earth trembles, shakes, and the vehicle groans.
Herons, vultures, and cranes are repeatedly crying. Jackals, with their inauspicious howling, are indicating a great fear.
A great meteor fell from the middle of the sun's circle. It stands with a trunk and an obstacle, covering the sun.
The atmosphere was terrifying, with the moon and sun. It instilled a dreadful fear in the kings, leading to the cutting off of bodies.
In the temple of the deities, the deities belonging to the king of the Kauravas are seen trembling, laughing, dancing, and crying.
The planets moved counterclockwise, making the moon inauspicious. The headless lord, the moon, rose.
I observe that the bodies of the kings seem to have vanished, and in the armies of Dhritarashtra, they do not appear resplendent or adorned.
The great sound of the conch Pāñcajanya and the roar of the bow Gāṇḍīva can be heard all around from both armies.
Bibhatsu (Arjuna), firmly positioned in battle, disregards other warriors and weapons, and approaches his grandfather.
O mighty-armed, my hair stands on end and my mind sinks as I think of the encounter between Bhishma and Arjuna.
Arjuna, placing the cunning and evil-minded son of Panchala in front, advanced towards Bhishma's combat in the battle.
Bhishma once declared that he would not kill Shikhandi, as Shikhandi was appointed a woman by the creator and by fate became a man again.
The great chariot-warrior Yajnaseni, known for his inauspicious banner, along with the son of the river, would refrain from attacking the inauspicious-bannered one.
Reflecting on this, my wisdom is greatly troubled. However, today Arjuna has indeed attacked the elder of the Kurus in battle.
The anger of Yudhishthira, the meeting of Bhishma and Arjuna, and my fury with weapons certainly spell doom for the people.
The son of Pandu is intelligent, strong, heroic, skilled in weaponry, firm in his actions, capable of striking from a distance, steady in his aim, and knowledgeable about omens.
He is invincible in battle, even against the gods including Indra; strong, wise, and a conqueror of hardships, he is the best among warriors.
The Pāṇḍava, always victorious in battle and armed with a terrible weapon. Avoid his path and proceed quickly with determination.
Behold, O mighty-armed one, the destruction that has come. The heroes' great and auspicious golden ornaments are present.
Armors are pierced by arrows with bent joints, and flag tops, spears, and bows are cut.
The enraged crowned one wielded pure, sharp spears and golden-shining javelins, victorious over the serpents.
This is not the time to safeguard the lives of those who depend on their sons. Proceed to heaven, prioritizing fame and victory.
The one with the monkey banner crosses the fierce and challenging river of battle, swirling with horses, elephants, and chariots, using his chariot.
The king, whose brother is Dhananjaya, is indeed seen here possessing devotion to Brahman, self-control, charity, austerity, and great conduct.
Bhimasena, the strong sons of Madri, the Pandavas, and Vasudeva, the descendant of Vrishni, are present under the protection of their leader.
The anger of Dhritarashtra's evil-minded son, born out of rage, consumes the Bharatas, as his body is scorched by austerity.
Arjuna, relying on Krishna, is seen completely destroying all the armies of Dhritarashtra's sons.
The army, disturbed by the crowned warrior, appears like the mouth of a river overwhelmed by huge waves and a giant fish.
Sounds of lamentation and clamor are heard at the front of the army. You go to the heir of the Panchalas, I will go to Yudhishthira.
The interior of the king's army formation, possessing immeasurable energy, is as difficult to penetrate as the ocean's depths, being surrounded on all sides by formidable chariot warriors.
Satyaki, Abhimanyu, Dhrishtadyumna, and Vrikodara protect the king, along with the twins, the lord of men.
He, resembling Upendra and dark in complexion, rises like a great tree and approaches the armies like a second Arjuna.
Take the best weapons and, after grabbing another great bow, go to the king's side and fight, O Vrikodara.
Who would not wish for a beloved son to live for eternal years? Therefore, having prioritized the warrior's duty, we appoint you.
This Bhishma, in the battle, fiercely burns the great army. O father, he is comparable to Yama and Varuna in combat.
