07.045
Pancharatra and Core: Abhimanyu kills Duryodhana's son Lakshmana; Angered Duryodhana orders his warriors to surround Abhimanyu.
Dhritarashtra spoke.
As you describe, my charioteer, there is a fierce and terrible battle of one against many, and indeed the victory belongs to the great soul.
The valor of Saubhadra seems unbelievable and astonishing, yet it is not too surprising for those whose foundation is in righteousness.
When Duryodhana was disheartened and a hundred princes were slain, what course of action did my people take concerning Abhimanyu?
Sanjaya said.
With dry mouths and moving eyes, sweating and horripilating, they were eager to flee, yet disheartened in their victory over the enemy.
Leaving behind their slain brothers, fathers, sons, friends, relatives, and kinsmen, they hurriedly gathered the horses and elephants.
Upon seeing their forces broken, Drona, Drauni, Brihadbala, Kripa, Duryodhana, Karna, Kritavarma, and Saubala were concerned.
The attackers, though very angry, were mostly defeated by the unconquered son of Subhadra, O king.
Lakshmana, who was prosperous and fearless from childhood due to pride, and greatly skilled in archery, approached Arjuna.
His father, eager for his son, followed him and returned. After Duryodhana, other great warriors also returned.
They showered him with arrows as clouds pour water on a mountain. Yet, he alone scattered them like the wind scatters clouds.
Your grandson Lakshmana, who is invincible and pleasing to the eye, stands heroically near his father with his bow raised.
Kārṣhṇi, who was extremely happy and prosperous like the son of a wealthy man, approached the battlefield like an intoxicated elephant.
The son of Subhadra, a destroyer of enemy heroes, was struck on his arms and chest with sharp, well-sharpened arrows by Lakshmana.
The mighty-armed one, in his anger, like a serpent struck by a stick, spoke to your grandson, O great king.
"Let the world be well-seen and done; you will go to this world. I lead you to the abode of Yama, in the presence of your relatives who are watching."
After speaking thus, the mighty-armed son of Subhadra, destroyer of enemies, raised his arrow, resembling a released serpent.
He severed the beautiful head of Lakshmana from his body, which had a charming nose, lovely eyebrows, and adorned with earrings. Upon seeing Lakshmana slain, the people cried out in despair, 'Alas, what a tragedy!'
Then, in anger, Duryodhana, the best among the warriors, cried out to the other warriors, "Kill him, for my dear son has fallen."
Then Drona, Kripa, Karna, Ashwatthama (son of Drona), Brihadbala, Kritavarma, and the son of Hridika surrounded the enemy with six chariots.
Arjuna, in his anger, swiftly attacked the great army of Saindhava after piercing them with sharp arrows and making them turn away.
The path was obstructed by the elephant army, and the Kalingas, Nishadas, along with the valiant son of Kratha, were fiercely engaged. The battle was exceedingly intense, O lord of men.
Then the bold Arjuna scattered the elephant army, just as the wind with its eternal movement scatters hundreds of clouds in the sky.
Then Kratha showered Arjuna with volleys of arrows. Meanwhile, others, led by Drona, returned and, wielding supreme weapons, charged towards Abhimanyu.
Arjuna, after repelling them, swiftly pierced Kratha's son with countless arrows, intending to kill.
He struck down his enemies, including their bows, armlets, arms, crowns, heads, umbrellas, flags, charioteers, and horses.
When he, endowed with family heritage, character, learning, fame, and the strength of weapons, was slain, the heroes mostly lost heart.
