07.108
Dhritarashtra spoke:
I find Bhimasena's prowess to be truly remarkable, as he engaged Karna in battle with such ease and skill.
Karṇa, with the help of Yakṣas, demons, and humans, could stop even the gods who were prepared and armed with all weapons in battle.
O Sañjaya, tell me how the Pāṇḍava, shining with splendor, did not cross in battle, dear father.
The battle between them resumed fiercely, and I believe that the outcome, whether victory or defeat, is truly uncertain.
Upon reaching Karna in the battlefield, my son Suyodhana, the charioteer, attempts to defeat the Pandavas, accompanied by Govinda and the Satvatas.
Upon hearing that Karṇa was repeatedly defeated by Bhīmasena in battle, it seems as if confusion overtakes me.
I believe that the Kauravas have been ruined due to my son's misguided strategies. Karna will not be able to defeat the great archers, the Pandavas, O Sanjaya.
Karna engaged in battles with the sons of Pandu, but everywhere on the battlefield, the Pandavas emerged victorious over him.
O dear, the Pāṇḍavas are invincible even by the gods along with Indra. Yet, my foolish son Duryodhana fails to understand this.
My son, in his desire for honey, fails to see the precipice ahead, just as he took away the wealth of Partha like the lord of wealth.
The deceitful one, having cunningly taken the kingdom from the noble ones, believes that he has truly defeated the Pandavas and thus disrespects them.
Overcome by affection for my son and my lack of self-control, the great souls who were steadfast in righteousness, the sons of Pandu, were deceived.
Yudhishthira, the son of Pritha, who always desired peace and was farsighted, was rejected by my sons as they considered him incapable.
Mighty-armed Bhima, having kept all those numerous sorrows and insults in his heart, fought with Karna.
Therefore, Sanjaya, please narrate to me how Karna and Bhima, the greatest warriors, fought fiercely in the battle, each intent on killing the other.
Sanjaya said:
Listen, O king, to how the battle unfolded between Karna and Bhima, both eager to kill each other, like two elephants fighting in the forest.
O king, the son of Vikartana, in his anger, pierced the valiant and angry Bhima, the subduer of enemies, with thirty arrows after showing great valor.
Karna, with arrows of great speed and clear tips adorned with gold, struck Bhima, O best of the Bharatas.
As he aimed, Bhima severed his bow with three sharp arrows and struck down the charioteer from the chariot seat to the ground with an arrow.
Karna, eager to kill Bhimasena, grasped the spear with a handle decorated with gold and cat's eye gems.
Radheya, with great strength, seized and lifted a formidable weapon, akin to the weapon of death, and aimed it at Bhimasena, intending to end his life.
Radheya, releasing his power, roared like the god Purandara wielding a thunderbolt. The mighty son of Suta produced a tremendous sound, and upon hearing it, the sons were filled with joy.
Bhima severed the weapon, which shone like the sun and fire and was released from Karna's arm, with seven swift arrows in the sky.
After cutting off the weapon, Bhima, like a snake released, sought the life of the charioteer's son, O lord.
In the battle, he excitedly sent forth new arrows adorned with peacock feathers, golden tips, and polished like stone, resembling the staff of Yama.
Karna, the great warrior, took another formidable gold-backed bow and released nine arrows.
The son of Pandu, using nine bent-jointed arrows released by Vasuṣena, cut them down, O king. After cutting them, Bhima roared like a lion, O great king.
They both, like powerful bulls, roared in the midst of the army; like tigers, they roared fiercely at each other.
They were like two great bulls in an assembly, each trying to outdo the other, seeking differences and constantly watching each other.
The warriors, resembling great elephants, approached each other and struck one another with arrows that were fully drawn and released, just like the tips of tusks in a fierce battle.
O great king, they were fiercely attacking each other with a rain of arrows, glaring at each other with eyes wide open in anger.
Smiling at each other and rebuking repeatedly, they made conch sounds and fought with each other.
Bhima, with great strength, once again severed the bow held in the enemy's fist, O lord. Then, with his arrows, he sent the conch-colored horses to the realm of Yama, the god of death.
Seeing Karna in such difficulty, King Duryodhana, appearing to tremble with anger, commanded Durjaya.
Go, invincible son of Radha, before the Pandava devours. Quickly conquer the enemy, enhancing Karna's strength.
Having been addressed in this manner, your son then attacked Bhimasena, who was engaged in battle, scattering arrows.
He attacked Bhima with nine arrows, struck the horses with eight, the charioteer with six, the flag with three, and then hit him again with seven.
Bhimasena, in his anger, swiftly took Durjaya, whose vital parts were pierced, to the abode of Yama, along with his charioteer.
Your son Karṇa, well-adorned and crushed on the ground, moved like a distressed serpent, crying, as he made a circumambulation.
He smiled as he made his great enemy chariotless and covered him with a multitude of arrows, like a weapon that could slay hundreds with its spikes.
Despite being severely wounded by arrows, the mighty warrior Karna did not abandon the fierce Bhima in the battlefield.
