07.015
Core and Pancharatra: Drona tries to restrain the retreating Kaurava army by attacking Yudhisthira. But Yudhisthira gives a befitting reply to Drona. Drona kills Siṃhasena and is almost near Yudhisthira, to capture him. Then Arjuna comes from nowhere and disperses the Kaurava army, making them retreat. The eleventh day comes to an end.

Sanjaya said:

Observing the great and torn strength of your forces, the valiant Vṛṣasena single-handedly held back the Pāṇḍavas in battle using his skill in weaponry.

O sir, the ten arrows released by Vṛṣasena spread in all directions, striking down men, horses, chariots, and elephants.

His brilliant arrows shot forth in thousands, resembling the sun's rays during the summer, O mighty-armed one.

O great king, afflicted by him, the charioteers and horsemen fell suddenly to the ground like trees struck by the wind.

In the battle, O king, he caused the troops of horses, chariots, and elephants to fall all around by the hundreds and thousands.

Seeing him wandering fearlessly in the battle, all the kings together surrounded him from every direction.

Nakula and Śatānīka approached Vṛṣasena, and Nakula pierced him with ten arrows that struck his vital parts.

Karna's son cut the bow and knocked down the flag. The sons of Draupadi approached, desiring to protect their brother.

Karna's son was made invisible by the showers of arrows. The chariots, led by Drona's son, rushed towards them with a roar.

O great king, the sons of Draupadī, who are great charioteers, were quickly covered with various kinds of arrows, just as clouds cover mountains.

The Pāṇḍavas, eager for their sons, quickly accepted them. The Pāñcālas, Kekayas, Matsyas, and Sṛñjayas were ready with their weapons.

The battle was fierce and tumultuous, causing one's hair to stand on end, as if it were a battle between the gods and the demons, fought by your sons of Pandu.

Thus, with great enthusiasm, the Kurus and Pāṇḍavas engaged in battle, glaring at each other, having wronged one another.

Their bodies, filled with immeasurable energy, were seen in anger, resembling those eager to fight in the sky, like the best of birds and serpents.

The battlefield was illuminated by the presence of warriors like Bhima, Karna, Kripa, Drona, Drauni, Parshata, and Satyaki, resembling the suns that rise at the time of destruction.

It was a fierce battle between the mighty demons and the gods, each striking the other with great strength.

Then, Yudhishthira's army, with the sound of an agitated ocean, destroyed your army, which was fleeing with great chariots.

Upon witnessing the army being severely crushed by the enemies, Drona addressed the warriors, saying, "Brave ones, there's no need to rush further."

Then the enraged red horse, resembling a four-tusked elephant, charged into the Pandava army and attacked Yudhishthira.

Yudhishthira shot sharp arrows with peacock-feathered shafts at him. Drona, after cutting his bow, swiftly advanced towards him.

The prince, known as the protector of the wheel and famous among the Pāñcālas, stood firm against Droṇa, just as the shore stands firm against the river's flow.

Upon witnessing Drona being restrained by the prince, the best among the twice-born, there arose a lion-like roar of approval, with exclamations of 'Well done! Well done!' from the onlookers.

The prince, filled with rage, struck Droṇa in the chest with an arrow during the great battle and roared repeatedly like a lion.

In the battle, the mighty Droṇa skillfully restrained the prince with many thousands of arrows, overcoming his fatigue.

The best of the Brahmins defeated the valiant prince, who was dedicated to noble vows and exhausted from his weapon training, despite his protection by the divine discus.

He reached the center of the army and moved around in all directions. Bharadvaja, the supreme charioteer, was the protector of your forces.

Shikhandin was pierced with twelve arrows, Uttamaujas with twenty; Nakula was struck with five, and Sahadeva with seven.

Yudhishthira was struck with twelve arrows, Draupadi's sons with three each, Satyaki was pierced with five arrows, and the Matsya king was hit with ten arrows.

The warriors were agitated in battle as the chiefs attacked, advancing with the desire to capture Kunti's son, Yudhishthira.

Yugandhara then calmed the furious Bharadvaja, the great chariot-warrior, as one would calm a stormy sea.

He pierced Yudhishthira with arrows having bent joints and removed Yugandhara from the chariot seat with a broad-headed arrow.

Then Virata, Drupada, the Kekayas, Satyaki, Shibi, Vyaghradatta, Panchalya, and the mighty Simhasena were present.

Many warriors, seeking to harm Yudhishthira, blocked his path by showering numerous arrows.

Vyaghradatta and the Panchala prince attacked Drona with fifty sharp arrows, causing the people to shout in excitement, O king.

Siṁhasena quickly pierced Droṇa, the great chariot-warrior, and laughed suddenly, delightedly frightening the disciplined one.

Then Drona, having opened his eyes wide and drawn the bowstring, made a great sound with his palm and approached him.

Then, the strong warrior severed the head of Siṃhasena, adorned with earrings, from his body, and attacked Vyāghradatta with arrows.

Crushing the great charioteers of the Pāṇḍavas with showers of arrows, he stood near Yudhiṣṭhira like Death itself, bringing the end.

Then a great uproar arose in the army of King Yudhishthira: "The king has been captured," was the cry among the warriors near the steadfast one.

The soldiers, witnessing Drona's prowess, remarked: "Today, the king, son of Dhritarashtra, will surely achieve success. Indeed, our prince will join the battle."

As they were conversing, your great warrior, the son of Kunti, approached swiftly, making a resounding noise with his chariot.

The river, filled with blood and having whirlpools of chariots, was made in the battlefield, scattered with heaps of bones of heroes, taking away the banks of the dead.

The Pāṇḍava swiftly crossed the river, which was turbulent with a great stream of arrows and teeming with spear-like fish, and scattered the Kurus.

Then Arjuna, the one with the crown, suddenly attacked Drona's formation, covering it with a great shower of arrows, as if to bewilder them.

The son of Kunti, renowned for his glory, was seen practicing and fixing arrows so swiftly and continuously that no gap was visible.

O great king, it seemed as if everything had vanished, leaving no directions, sky, heaven, or earth, as if it had all become like an arrow.

At that time, O king, nothing could be seen on the battlefield because the wielder of the Gandiva bow had created a great darkness with his arrows.

When the sun had set and the atmosphere was filled with dust, it was impossible to distinguish between friend and foe or anything else.

Then Drona, Duryodhana, and others decided to retreat, realizing that their enemies were greatly terrified and unwilling to continue the battle.

Bibhatsu (Arjuna) slowly withdrew his own troops. Then, the joyful Pandavas and Srinjayas, along with the Panchalas, praised Partha (Arjuna) with pleasing words, just as sages praise the Sun.

Thus, after defeating the enemies, Arjuna, accompanied by Krishna, joyfully returned to his camp, followed by all the armies.

The son of Pandu shone in his beautifully adorned chariot, which was decorated with precious corals, gold, silver, diamonds, and crystals, resembling the moon in a starry sky.