07.081
Dhritarashtra said:
Sanjaya, when Arjuna reached Saindhava, surrounded by Bharadvaja, what actions did the Panchalas take together with the Kurus?
Sanjaya said:
In the afternoon, O great king, a hair-raising battle took place between the Pāñcālas and the Kurus in the presence of Droṇa.
The Panchalas, eager to slay Drona, joyfully showered arrows upon him while roaring, O sir.
Then a very tumultuous and wonderful battle occurred between the Pāñcālas and the Kurus, which was as terrible as the battle between gods and demons.
All the Panchalas, along with the Pandavas, reached Drona's chariot and, eager to conquer, displayed their great weapons against that army.
The charioteers, positioned on their chariots up to Drona, advanced with a moderate speed, causing a tremor.
Bṛhatkṣatra, the great chariot-warrior of the Kekayas, approached him, unleashing a volley of sharp arrows that resembled Indra's thunderbolt.
Kṣemadhūrti, who was greatly renowned, swiftly approached and attacked him with a barrage of sharp arrows, first in hundreds and then in thousands.
Dhṛṣṭaketu, the mighty leader of the Cedis, charged swiftly at Droṇa, reminiscent of Indra's assault on Śambara.
The heroic archer, hastening, approached him who was coming suddenly with an open mouth like death.
Yudhishthira, the great king, stood firm in his desire for victory. Then, the powerful Drona, along with his army, restrained him.
Vikarna, your son, O lord, approached Nakul, who was skilled, valiant, and heroic in battle, as he was coming.
Durmukha, known for tormenting enemies, showered a multitude of swift arrows upon Sahadeva as he approached.
Vyaghradatta, with his sharp and well-sharpened arrows, repeatedly shook and stopped Satyaki, the tiger among men.
Saumadatti halted the sons of Draupadi, who were like tigers among men, as they released their finest arrows with great excitement, being the best among charioteers.
Bhimasena, in his anger and terrifying form, fearlessly blocked the approach of Arshyashringa, the great chariot warrior.
A battle took place between the man and the demon, reminiscent of the previous conflict between Rama and Ravana, O king.
Then Yudhishthira, the best of the Bharatas, struck Drona with ninety arrows aimed at his vital parts, O Bharata.
Droṇa, in his anger, struck him in the chest with twenty-five arrows, O best of the Bharatas, by the illustrious son of Kunti.
Droṇa, with great skill, shot twenty arrows, covering the horses, charioteer, and flag, as all the archers watched in awe.
The righteous Pandava skillfully deflected the arrows released by Drona with his own shower of arrows, demonstrating his dexterity.
Then, in the heat of battle, the enraged Droṇa swiftly severed the bow of the noble Dharmaraja, the great archer.
Then, the great chariot-warrior, quickly surrounded him, whose bow was broken, with countless arrows from all directions.
The arrows of Bharadvaja made the invisible king visible, leading all beings to believe that Yudhishthira was indeed slain.
Some believed that he was turned away, O King, and that the glorious Brahmin had taken the king away.
Dharmaraja Yudhishthira, after facing great difficulty and abandoning his broken bow in battle, took up another divine bow that was lighter and more powerful.
Then the hero, in a remarkable feat, cut off all the thousands of arrows released by Drona in the battle.
The king, his eyes red with anger, cut down those arrows and took up a spear in the battle, a weapon so formidable that it could split mountains, adorned with a golden handle and eight bells, it was truly terrifying.
The strong warrior, filled with joy, lifted her and roared mightily, as if to frighten all creatures, O Bhārata.
Upon witnessing the power raised by Dharmaraja in the battle, all beings suddenly wished well-being for Drona.
She, like a serpent released from the king's arm, illuminated the sky and all directions as she approached Drona with her mouth blazing.
Seeing her suddenly approaching, Droṇa, the best among those who know weapons, manifested the Brahma weapon, O lord of the people.
After reducing the terrible-looking weapon to ashes, he swiftly proceeded to the chariot of the illustrious Pandava.
Then King Yudhishthira, known for his wisdom, neutralized the prepared weapon of Drona using the Brahma weapon, O Bharata.
In the battle, he pierced Droṇa with five bent-jointed arrows and then cut off his great bow with a razor-sharp arrow.
After discarding his broken bow, Drona, known as the destroyer of warriors, quickly threw his mace at Yudhishthira, dear lord.
Yudhishthira, upon seeing the mace suddenly approaching, angrily grabbed it and hurled it, O scorcher of foes.
The maces were suddenly released and, upon clashing with each other, emitted fire and fell together on the ground.
Then, O sir, Droṇa, in his extreme anger, struck the horses of Dharmaraja with four sharp and keen arrows of the highest quality.
He skillfully severed the bow with a single arrow, resembling Indra's banner. With another, he cut down the flag and struck the Pāṇḍava with three arrows.
Yudhishthira quickly jumped down from the chariot after his horse was killed and stood with his arms raised, unarmed, O chief of the Bharatas.
Seeing him without his chariot and weapon, Drona bewildered the enemies and all the armies, O lord.
Releasing sharp arrows with swift hands and firm resolve, he charged at the king like a fierce lion attacking its prey.
When the Pandavas saw him being attacked by Drona, the slayer of enemies, they suddenly cried out in distress, 'Alas! Oh!'
The news that the king was taken away by Bharadvaja spread rapidly, causing a great uproar throughout the Pandava army.
Then King Yudhishthira, the son of Kunti, quickly mounted Sahadeva's chariot and departed with swift horses.
