07.102
Sanjaya said:
As the formations of the Pandavas were being attacked, the sons of Pritha, along with the Panchalas and Somakas, followed from a great distance.
O Bhārata, in the current fierce and terrifying battle, it feels as if the world is undergoing a destruction as intense as the end of an age.
Drona, valiant in battle, roared repeatedly; the Panchalas were diminished and the Pandavas were being slain.
Yudhishthira, the king of righteousness, found no refuge and pondered, "O king, how will this situation unfold?"
Yudhishthira looked around in all directions, hoping to see Arjuna, but he saw neither Arjuna nor Krishna.
He saw the great warrior, marked by the best of monkeys, and heard the sound of the Gandiva bow, his senses agitated.
Yudhishthira, overwhelmed with thoughts, saw Satyaki, the foremost among the Vṛṣṇis, and their chariot. Despite seeing those two great warriors, he could not find peace at that moment.
Fearing the lamentation of the world, the illustrious Dharmaraja, with his mighty arms, contemplated approaching Shainya's chariot.
I sent the path to Phalguna in battle. Satyaki, the true and fearless friend of friends.
Today, what was once one has become two: my Satyaki and the Pandava known as Dhananjaya.
After sending Satyaki, the follower of the Pandava, I will send a follower of the Satvata into battle as well.
I will make every effort to search for my brother. If I do not find Yuyudhana, people will blame me.
After searching for his brother, King Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, decides to leave behind Satyaki, the valiant descendant of Vrishni.
Fearing the reproach of the world, I shall send Arjuna and Bhima on the path of Krishna, the great soul.
"Just as I have affection for Arjuna, the enemy-slayer, so do I have for the hero of the Vṛṣṇis, Sātvata, who is fierce in battle."
The son of Śaineya, whom I appointed to a great burden, entered the Bharata's army like a crocodile enters the ocean, due to the obstruction of friends and respect.
The sound of the brave warriors who never retreat is heard as they engage in battle with the wise hero of the Vṛṣṇi clan.
I have decided, like Subala, that the time is right in many ways. I am pleased to go there, where the great charioteers, Bhimasena, the archer of the Pandavas, have gone.
There is nothing on earth that Bhima cannot bear. He is indeed capable of confronting all the archers on earth in battle, relying solely on his own strength.
All relied on his strength of arms, and the great soul returned from exile undefeated in battles.
After Bhīmasena has gone from here towards Sātvata and Pāṇḍava, Sātvata and Phalguna will indeed become protected in battle.
"Indeed, there is no need to lament for Satyaki and Arjuna in battle, as they are under the protection of Vasudeva himself and are skilled in the use of weapons."
I must certainly take action to alleviate my grief. Therefore, I will engage Bhima, who follows Satyaki. Then, I believe, the plan against Satyaki will be countered.
Having made up his mind, Yudhishthira, the son of Dharma, instructed the charioteer, "O king, take me to Bhima."
Upon hearing the words of Yudhishthira, the charioteer, an expert in handling horses, brought the beautifully adorned golden chariot close to Bhima.
The king, upon reaching Bhimasena and recalling the opportune moment, entered a state of confusion and gave many instructions there.
The one who conquered gods, Gandharvas, and demons with a single chariot; I do not see his glory in you, the younger brother of Bhimasena.
Then Bhimasena, upon arriving, said to Dharmaraja: "I neither saw nor heard of such confusion from you."
In the past, you were the refuge for those who were afflicted by sorrow. Arise, arise, O king, and command what you wish me to do for you.
Indeed, nothing is impossible or unachievable for me, O giver of honor. Please command, O best of the Kurus, and do not let your mind dwell in grief.
The king, his face pale and eyes filled with tears, spoke to Bhimasena, breathing heavily like a black snake.
The sound of the conch Pāñcajanya, blown by the enthusiastic and glorious Vāsudeva, is heard. Surely, today your brother Dhanañjaya (Arjuna) lies slain.
Certainly, with him being slain, Janardana fights, upon whose valor the strong Pandavas depend.
The hero, whom the immortals approach in fear as they would the thousand-eyed Indra, led the Bharata army in his desire to conquer Sindhu.
We know of his journey, the formidable Bhima, who does not return again. He is dark, young, and handsome, known as Guḍākeśa, with mighty arms.
He is broad-chested and mighty-shouldered, possessing the strength of an intoxicated elephant. His eyes resemble those of a chakora bird, and they are copper-colored, causing distress to his enemies.
This is my auspicious place of sorrow for you, O subduer of enemies, due to Arjuna and the Sātvata, O mighty-armed one.
The fire, fueled by offerings, grows and blazes repeatedly. I cannot see his mark; instead, I find myself in confusion because of him.
Know him as the tiger among men, a descendant of Sātvata, and a great chariot-warrior. He followed your younger brother, the great chariot-warrior, from behind. Seeing him, the mighty-armed, I am confused.
Therefore, Krishna, an expert in warfare, certainly fights in battle, and the powerful Pandavas depend on his strength.
Go there, O son of Kunti, where Dhananjaya and the great hero Satyaki have gone, if you consider it your duty. My words, O knower of dharma, I am your elder brother.
Arjuna, unlike Satyaki, is not to be understood as one who desires to do what is dear to me. O son of Pritha, the ambidextrous one has departed on a path that is difficult, terrible, and inaccessible to those who are unrefined.
Bhimasena said:
Krishna and Arjuna mounted the chariot that once carried Brahma, Shiva, Indra, and Varuna. With them on it, there is no fear.
I humbly accept your command and proceed without worry. I will meet those noble warriors and convey your message.
Sanjaya said:
After saying this, he left, entrusting Yudhishthira to the strong Dhrishtadyumna and his friends repeatedly. Bhimasena, the mighty, spoke these words to Dhrishtadyumna.
You are aware, O mighty-armed one, that Drona, the great chariot-warrior, is fully committed to capturing Yudhishthira by any means necessary.
There is no duty for me in going like there is for Pārṣata, as our urgent duty is indeed in protecting the king.
Having been spoken to by Pārtha in this manner, I am indeed unable to reply. I shall go to the place where Saindhava, who wishes to die, is located. One must adhere to the words of Dharmaraja without any doubt.
Today, he is engaged in battle to protect Arjuna and Yudhishthira. This is indeed the supreme duty among all tasks in the battle.
Dhṛṣṭadyumna addressed Vṛkodara, saying, "O great king, proceed with your desire, O mighty-armed one, without hesitation, O son of Pṛthā."
Droṇa cannot subdue Dharmaraja in battle without first killing Dhṛṣṭadyumna.
Then, after entrusting the king to Dhrishtadyumna, the Pandava paid respects to the eldest elder and went to where Arjuna was.
O Bharata, the son of Kunti was embraced by Yudhishthira, smelled on the head, and blessed with auspicious blessings.
Bhimasena, the mighty-armed warrior, adorned with armor, beautiful earrings, armlets, and body armor, stood as the best among charioteers.
His splendid gold-embellished iron armor shone like a cloud embraced by a mountain, with flashes of lightning.
He was adorned in garments of yellow, red, black, and white, and with a neck-guard, he shone like a cloud with Indra's bow.
When Bhimasena departed, your army was eager to fight. The dreadful sound of the Panchajanya conch was heard once more, O lord of the people.
Upon hearing that dreadful sound which terrified the three worlds, the mighty-armed son of Dharma addressed Bhima once more.
The conch, blown by the hero of the Vṛṣṇis, echoes powerfully across the earth and sky.
Certainly, a great calamity has befallen Arjuna, as Krishna is engaged in battle alongside all the Kauravas.
Indeed, the noble Kunti is today a great example of sin, witnessed by Draupadi, Subhadra, and their relatives.
Bhima, quickly go to where Arjuna is. All my senses seem to be bewildered with the desire to see Arjuna. O son of Pritha, due to Satyaki, all directions and sub-directions are affected.
"Go, go," he said again to Bhimasena. Bhima, intensely sent by his dear brother, struck the drum and repeatedly blew the conch.
With a mighty roar like that of a lion, he repeatedly drew his bowstring, displaying his fierce form, and swiftly advanced towards the enemies.
They exclaimed that the swift and controlled excellent horses, prepared without sorrow, moved with the speed of the mind and wind.
Arjuna, tearing and breaking, drew the bowstring with his hand and shook the front of the army by pulling and drawing.
As he departed, the mighty-armed one was followed from behind by the Panchalas and the Somakas, like the gods following Maghavan.
O great king, Duḥśala, Citrasena, Kuṇḍabhedī, and Viviṃśatiḥ, along with their army, surrounded him.
Durmukha, Duḥsaha, Vikarṇa, Śala, Vindānuvinda, Sumukha, Dīrghabāhu, and Sudarśana are mentioned here.
The leader of the group, skilled and well-equipped, with long eyes, fearless, known for fierce deeds, well-armored, and difficult to overcome.
Various distinguished charioteers, along with their armies and followers, bravely prepared for battle and attacked Bhimasena.
Upon observing them, the powerful Bhimasena, son of Kunti, charged swiftly like a lion towards the lesser creatures.
The heroes displayed their great divine weapons there, obstructing Bhima with arrows as clouds obscure the rising sun.
He swiftly moved past them and attacked Drona's army, then from the front, he showered the elephant army with arrows.
In a very short time, the son of the wind swiftly dispersed the entire elephant army in all directions.
Frightened by the lion's roar, the animals in the forest, including all the elephants, fled while making terrifying roaring sounds.
Once more, with great speed, he attacked Drona's army. The teacher, like a shore holding back the overflowing ocean, restrained him.
The Pandava, with a smile, struck him on the forehead with an arrow. There, he shone like the sun with its rays pointing upwards.
He thought that Arjuna, like Bhima, would perform the worship, and thus he spoke to Vrikodara.
Bhimasena, you cannot enter the enemy army without first defeating me in battle, O mighty warrior among enemies.
If your younger brother Krishna has entered with my permission, then it is not possible for you to enter the army here, indeed, O.
Then Bhima, fearless and angry, listened to his teacher's words and spoke to Drona with bloodshot eyes, breathing heavily.
Without your permission, O friend of Brahmins, Arjuna entered the battlefield. He is indeed invincible and could even penetrate Indra's army.
You are honored by the one who performs supreme worship. I am not Arjuna; I am the compassionate Drona, and Bhimasena is your enemy.
We consider you as our father, teacher, relative, and also as sons. Indeed, we all stand bowed before you.
Today, as you speak, the opposite of what you intended is evident among us. If you think of yourself as the enemy, then let it be so. Here, I, Bhima, perform an act befitting your enemy.
Then Bhima, whirling his mace like the rod of death wielded by Yama, hurled it at Drona. O king, Drona jumped down from his chariot.
Then, he destroyed Drona's chariot along with its horses, charioteer, and banner. He also crushed many warriors with the force of the wind uprooting trees.
Your sons surrounded him again with the excellent chariot. Meanwhile, Droṇa, the best among the fighters, mounted another chariot.
Then, the mighty King Bhimasena, in his anger, showered arrows upon the chariot army in front.
Your sons, the great warriors, though being slain in battle, fought against the mighty Bhima, seeking victory.
Then, in a fit of anger, Duḥśāsana hurled his sharp and all-piercing chariot-spear, aiming to kill the son of Pāṇḍu.
As the great power instigated by your son approached, Bhima cut it in two; it seemed as if a wonder had occurred.
Then, in his anger, the mighty warrior used sharp arrows from others to slay Kundabhedin, Sushena, and Dirghanetra with three arrows.
Then Vṛndāraka, the heroic warrior of the Kurus, once again killed your valiant sons who were engaged in battle.
Bhima, with his terrible deeds and fearlessness, once again killed your sons, who were difficult to release, by three.
O great king, your sons, being overpowered by the mighty Bhima, the best among warriors, were surrounded from all sides.
The son of Kunti, smiling as if in jest, sent Vinda, Anuvinda, and your son Suvarman to the abode of Yama with his arrows.
Then, O best of the Bharatas, your heroic son Sudarsana was swiftly struck in battle and he fell, succumbing to his injuries.
The son of Pandu swiftly dispersed the entire chariot army in all directions in a very short time.
Then, indeed, like frightened deer by the roaring sound of chariots, your sons, O lord of the people, being slaughtered in the battle, fled with their chariots, all afflicted by the fear of Bhimasena.
Following this, the son of Kunti, Arjuna, pierced the great strength of your sons, the Kauravas, all around in the battle, O king.
O great king, your men, being killed by Bhimasena, leave Bhima in the battle and go urging the best horses.
After defeating them in battle, the mighty Bhimasena, the Pandava, roared like a lion and made a sound with his arms.
Mighty Bhima, after making a loud sound with his palm, crossed the charioteers and attacked Drona's army.
