07.018
Pancharatra: Battle between Arjuna and Trigarthas.
Sanjaya said:
Upon seeing the returning groups of warriors who had vowed to fight to the death, Arjuna spoke once more to the noble Vasudeva.
Urge the horses, O Hṛṣīkeśa, towards the troops of the Saṃśaptakas. I believe these will not leave the battle alive.
"Behold my formidable weaponry and the might of my arms and archery. Today, in my wrath, I shall strike them down like Rudra does to beasts."
Then Krishna, with a smile, greeted him with Shiva and allowed the invincible Arjuna to enter wherever he wished.
Then that chariot shone brightly in the battle, appearing as if it were an aerial car being carried through the sky by white horses.
Then he formed circles that moved back and forth, just like Indra's chariot did in the ancient battle between the gods and demons, O king.
Then the Nārāyaṇas, in their anger and armed with various weapons, surrounded and attacked Dhanañjaya with a barrage of arrows.
In the battle, they made Arjuna, the son of Kunti, disappear in an instant along with Krishna, O best of the Bharatas.
Arjuna, filled with anger and doubling his prowess, quickly cleaned and took up his bow Gandiva in the battle.
Pāṇḍava, with his eyebrows knitted in anger, blew the mighty conch named Devadatta.
Arjuna then practiced the Tvaṣṭṛ weapon, known for destroying enemy groups, and subsequently, thousands of distinct forms appeared.
Deluded by the various forms of themselves, they mistook each other for Arjuna and killed their own selves.
Confused and saying, "This is Arjuna, this is Govinda, these are the Yadavas and Pandavas," they ended up killing each other in the battle.
Bewildered by the supreme weapon, the warriors turned against each other and met their end, shining in the battle like blooming Butea monosperma flowers.
Then, they released thousands of arrows, turning them to ashes, and led those heroes to the abode of Yama.
Then, with a laugh, Bibhatsu shot arrows at the Lalithas, Malavas, Macellakas, Trigartas, and Yaudheyas, piercing them.
The warriors, driven by time and facing their end, released various kinds of showers of arrows at Arjuna, even as they were being slain by the hero.
At that moment, neither Arjuna, nor his chariot, nor Keshava was visible, as they were enveloped by a dreadful shower of arrows.
Then, having achieved their aim, they shouted to each other in joy, "Krishna and Arjuna are slain!" In their delight, they waved their garments in celebration.
The warriors blew thousands of drums, mridangas, and conches, creating fierce lion-roar sounds there, O prince.
Then, Krishna, sweating and distressed, said to Arjuna: "Where are you, O son of Pritha? I cannot see you. Are you still alive, O slayer of enemies?"
Recognizing his human nature, the insightful Pāṇḍava used the Vāyavya weapon to dispel the shower of arrows.
Then, the divine wind god Vāyu swept away the Saṃśaptakas, along with their horses, elephants, chariots, and weapons, as if they were mere heaps of dry leaves.
O King, they were carried away by the wind and shone brightly, like birds that have fallen from the trees in due time, O gentle one.
Arjuna, in his haste, agitated them and killed thousands and hundreds with his sharp arrows.
He severed the heads with arrows, and also the arms that held weapons, causing the thighs, resembling elephant trunks, to fall to the ground with his arrows.
Dhananjaya rendered the enemies incapacitated, breaking their backs, leaving them wandering without brains, eyes, and fingers, and deprived of various limbs.
He destroyed the chariots, which were constructed like celestial cities, using arrows, leaving them without horses, chariots, and elephants.
The scene resembled forests of shaved palm trees shining here and there. Some groups of chariots with cut flags were scattered around.
The elephants, equipped with superior weapons, banners, hooks, and arms, fell as if struck by Indra's thunderbolt, resembling mountains covered with trees.
The armored warriors, adorned with yak-tail fans, fell to the ground with their riders and horses, struck down by Arjuna's arrows, their intestines and eyes fallen, and liquor spilled.
The battlefield is strewn with scattered swords and nails, and the armors, spears, and powers are cut down. The foot soldiers, with their armors cut, lie miserably slain.
The terrible battle appeared with those who were killed, being struck, falling, fallen, wandering, and groaning.
A great dust storm arose, calm yet accompanied by showers of blood. The earth became difficult to traverse, crowded with hundreds of headless trunks.
The fierce and dreadful chariot of the terrifying one shone in the battle, resembling Rudra's play of destroying creatures at the end of time.
They were being slaughtered by Arjuna, their horses, chariots, and elephants in disarray, and in their weakened state, they approached Indra for refuge.
O best of the Bharatas, the earth was entirely covered by the slain great warriors and shone with the dead all around.
During this time, while Arjuna was off guard, Drona organized his forces and advanced towards Yudhishthira.
The warriors, quickly arrayed in ranks and ready to strike, received him with the intent to protect Yudhishthira; it was a great tumult.
