06.111
Pancharatra and Core: Slightly different version of the agreement between Yudhishthira and Bhishma with a varied version of day ten recap till now.
Dhritarashtra said:
O Sañjaya, how did Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, engage in battle on the tenth day with the mighty Pāṇḍavas and the Sṛñjayas?
Tell me how the Kurus resisted the Pandavas in the great battle, which was glorious due to Bhishma's combat.
Sanjaya said:
O Bharata, I will narrate to you how the Kurus and the Pandavas fought together in that battle, so listen carefully.
Day by day, your chariots, sent to the other world by the supreme weapons of the crowned one, have arrived.
As he had vowed, Bhishma, the Kaurava, relentlessly brought ruin upon the Pandavas in battle.
The people were uncertain upon seeing Bhishma, the great chariot-warrior, fighting alongside the Kauravas, and Arjuna with the Panchalas.
On the tenth day, during the battle between Bhishma and Arjuna, there was a continuous and intense destruction of the army.
In that battle, O king, Bhishma, the son of Shantanu and the supreme knower of weapons, killed thousands of warriors repeatedly, scorching his foes.
O king, all those warriors whose names and lineages were unknown were slain there by Bhishma, the valiant ones who did not return.
After tormenting the Pandava army for ten days, the righteous Bhishma decided to lay down his life, O scorcher of foes.
He quickly sought his own death by facing the best of men in battle, deciding not to kill those who faced him.
Having contemplated, your mighty-armed father Devavrata, who was nearby, spoke words to Pandava, O great king.
O Yudhishthira, who is greatly wise and versed in all scriptures, listen to my words, dear one, as I speak of righteousness and heavenly matters.
I am deeply dissatisfied with this body, dear father, O Bharata. Much of my time has been spent in slaying numerous creatures in battle.
Therefore, if you wish to please me, make an effort to kill me by placing Arjuna at the forefront along with the Panchalas and the Srinjayas.
Understanding his viewpoint, the truth-seeing Pāṇḍava approached Bhīṣma, ready for battle alongside the Sṛñjayas.
Upon hearing Bhīṣma's words, Dhṛṣṭadyumna and Yudhiṣṭhira, the Pāṇḍava, motivated their forces, O king.
Charge forward and fight to conquer Bhishma in battle, protected by the truthful Arjuna, the conqueror of enemies.
This great archer, the son of Prishata, who is the commander of the army, along with Bhimasena, will surely protect you in the battle.
There is no need to fear Bhishma in battle, O Sṛñjayas. We will surely defeat Bhishma by putting Shikhandi at the forefront.
Thus, on the tenth day, the Pandavas, having made time and being intent on reaching Brahmaloka, went forth, overcome with anger.
Placing Shikhandin at the forefront, the Pandavas, including Dhananjaya, made supreme efforts to bring down Bhishma.
Then, as commanded by your son, the mighty lords of various regions, along with Drona and his son, marched with their powerful army.
Duhshasana, along with all his strong brothers, protected Bhishma, who was positioned in the middle of the battle, at that time.
Then, your valiant warriors, having placed Shikhandi and others with firm vows at the forefront, engaged in battle with the sons of Pritha.
Arjuna, bearing the monkey banner, accompanied by the Cedis and the Pāñcālas, advanced towards Bhīṣma, the son of Śantanu, with Śikhaṇḍin at the forefront.
The son of Droṇa, the grandson of Śini, Dhṛṣṭaketu, and Paurava, along with Yudhāmanyu and his minister, engaged in battle with Duryodhana.
Virata, along with his army, approached Jayadratha, the heir of Vṛddhakṣatra, known as the scorcher of foes.
Yudhishthira, protected by Bhimasena, attacked the Madra king and his elephant army with great skill.
The invincible and unstoppable best among all warriors, the Panchala prince, prepared himself and advanced towards Drona with the Somakas.
Brihadbala, the prince with the Karnikara tree banner and Simhaketu, the subduer of enemies, went forth to meet Saubhadra.
Shikhandin and the sons attacked Pandava and Dhananjaya along with the kings in battle, with the intent to kill.
In that exceedingly dreadful battle between the armies, as they rushed into their formations, the earth shook.
O Bharata, those armies were arrayed in their respective formations. Seeing Bhishma in the battle, both your forces and the enemies' were prepared.
Then, as they endeavored and rushed towards one another, a tremendous noise arose everywhere, O Bharata.
The battlefield resounded with the terrible sounds of conches, drums, trumpeting elephants, and the roars of lions from the armies.
She, whose splendor was like the moon and sun among all kings, became devoid of splendor among the heroic bracelets and crowns.
Dust clouds arose, shrouded with the flashes of weapons, and the terrible sound of bows echoed all around.
The sounds of arrows, conches, and great drums, along with the noises of chariots, echoed through both armies.
The sky was filled with groups of spears, powers, and floods of arrows, making it appear as dark as the night.
In the great battle, charioteers and horses fell upon each other. Elephants attacked elephants, and foot soldiers fought against foot soldiers.
Then there was a fierce battle between the Kurus and the Pandavas due to Bhishma, akin to hawks fighting over prey.
O Bharata, a fierce encounter took place between them in the battlefield, as each sought to kill the other.
